#just know this is a huge wip so who knows what'll change / happen

[lorefolked]

james rivers is a younger 20-something, up-and-coming folk singer who tackles different themes and stories ; ranging from political statements to ballads about love, to straight up nonsense. really, it's whatever he's inspired to write about at the time. he has no backing band or anything of the sort, playing solo on stage, just his voice and his guitar. while this does allow for his talent to stand out, it makes it difficult for james to actually make meaningful connections, something which he fiercely craves. and yet, when the moment arises he pushes people away, slinks off to be by himself. he certainly isn't an outgoing or extroverted person by any means.

james comes off as a somewhat intimidating presence, whether it comes to fans, reporters, or even those he knows. perpetually disinterested and unamused, he rarely smiles or cracks jokes ; perhaps what he's known best for is the amount of cigarette packs he goes through per day. disheveled black hair and sharp eyes ... james is quick to clap back at journalists and seems to especially hate them, even those that seem to be fans and attempt to get more insight into his work. james doesn't enjoy talking about himself and this shows, whether it be from his non-answers or simple lack of enthusiasm when responding back. more than anything, he hates oliver noble; the man who has written so much about him, yet seems to not understand a word that comes out of his mouth. it's people like this that make james wary of strangers, trying his best to keep out of the line of sight and stray within his own bounds. being the center of attention isn't james rivers. really, he just wants to share his art and stop there.

but then there are the aching moments of loneliness, pressing in from all sides. tired, dull conversations, empty hotel rooms to bustling concert halls. and yet, all the same; he feels alone. he is alone.

oliver noble is a nearly 30-year old music journalist that works for a magazine called the ledbetter. new to music, but having dabbled in it for all of his life, oliver takes particular interest in new artists though comes at people rather negatively, only enjoying the music of a handful of singers and bands and referring to anyone else as a "red herring." and yet, he receives the luxury of front row tickets to shows all the same.

early in life he made several mistakes when it came to his work, hence the reason he moved over to music journalism -- hoping for a fresh start in a new environment. but his same values were brought over, and most recently, they have been targeted toward folk singer james rivers. he makes it his mission to grill james during press conferences ; ask him everything down to the most minute detail, then turn around and interpret those words however he sees fit. of course, james doesn't make it easy, and so the bitterness and resentment continues to hang between them.

oliver enjoys his more extravagant lifestyle and shows this off with pressed suits, gelled hair and cloying cologne. quick-witted and sharp tongued, sarcastic as he can be, oliver doesn't make it easy for the people around him but excels in his work because of it. perhaps it isn't natural, but extroversion is a part of him, and a skill he wields well. he isn't exactly nice, though, and this is clear for anyone to see the moment he opens his mouth. there are a lot of people he can't stand, a lot of people he talks shit about -- and james is certainly one of them. somewhat estranged from his brother, oliver lives an extraordinarily lonely lifestyle as well, despite the outward appearance he puts on. sure, he has friends, but no one has ever truly breached the walls he's placed around himself, and he expects no one ever will.