retrospec | 001 ♣ text, action

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001 ♣ text, action

So! I figured I'd use Retrospec for something productive today. Tomorrow is Valentine's Day! Papa's latest movie comes out on DVD tomorrow, which means MY latest movie comes out on DVD tomorrow. It's called "At the End of a Song". And to promote it, Papa and I will be doing a signing event at the big video store in Tisse - I know it's normally more a thing for books, but it should still be fun! Come down and see us tomorrow afternoon. [Shortly after this message goes up, a link to an IMDb page for said movie is added quietly.]

[action | 2/14, afternoon]
[True to her word, Alicia can be found at a table in the movie and music place in Tisse with her father and a few other folks, along with a large stack of Blu-Rays on a table next to them and a big poster on an easel. The crowd seems... relatively small, which is fine given it's not exactly a big-ticket release, but Alicia's excited and upbeat all the same, wearing a cream-colored dress markedly similar to one her character wore in the movie. She's doing her very best not to get distracted, given one of the studio people is also here: she greets people as they come over, carefully doesn't pull too much attention from the rest of the store, and generally remains a ball of energy.

When someone swings by, she turns a megawatt smile toward them.]

Hi, thanks for coming down! I'm so excited to be able to share At the End of a Song with more people - did you see it when it was in the theater?

[...perhaps a little too enthuastic, mind, but she's working hard. That's worth something, right?]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Okay, so.

By all rights, Maya doesn't have to do this. She has Alicia's number. She ... thinks they're friends? PERHAPS??? Even if she hasn't used it in several days, she's been weirding herself out with her own vision of ... a slumber party? And Alicia was there! Along with other girls, at least two of which she's met elsewhere in Recolle. So, she's been a little squirrely.

Yet, there she is, in line, excitedly clutching a Blu-ray in hand.

Is it the greatest movie ever? Well, no. But Maya is a sucker and a romantic, two things that don't help when being drawn into something like that. Plus, she knew one of the stars! The daughter of the director, at that!

So in spite of not having to stand in line to do this, she is anyway. It's for support! And atmosphere! You can't get that just by calling her up personally and asking for it, gosh. So she waits patiently, or not so patiently, up until it's her turn.]

Aliciaaaaaaaaa~! Hi!

[But it's signed memorabilia, right? After all, it could be worth something someday! Or it. Could just be a copy of the movie. One or the other. When Maya comes in front of her, Alicia grins.]

Hi, Maya. I'm glad you came - I had a feeling you'd be here. And between you and me, it's really good to see you. [Whole and undamaged goes unsaid but may or may not be understood. For a moment, her tone drops.] And, ah, it's nice to not have anything weird happening for once. To just be me.

[IT COULD BE BOTH. Who knows how big someone might become?! Actual though process of Maya Aimoto.

Even though she's uttered some really weird things and they both nearly got crushed by a ball of string sometime recently, she trots up enthusiastically, nodding all the while.]

Well, of course! I wouldn't miss it!

[Not like she has anything else to do today. On Valentine's. Haa...]

But normal is good, too!

[Or whatever approaches that here.]

[Alicia giggles, happy to have certain things behind her and able to be set aside for the moment.] Spoken like a true fan. Regardless, thanks for coming! Here, let me show you something you might appreciate.

[Reaching into a box behind her, she pulls out... the box liner? Hold on, there's color on the back?]

We had special dual-sided liners made for today - instead of the usual movie box things, it's just a promotional picture. But it's special, because...

[She flips it over and sets it down: the back side is a wide shot of the core cast, running across the beach. Of course it's the lead couple on the front, but Brianna's arm is reaching off the side of what will wrap around the spine, where she's holding hands with her daughters, whose hands are all linked as they follow across the back of the box. This has the ironic effect of giving Alicia a spot on the box, even if only on a limited number of copies.]

[Maya just nods enthusiastically, because. Well. It's true! Still, she watches intently as Alicia pulls out the liner, looking at it for a moment before she leans in probably a little too close.]

Oh, that's awesome! So you end up on the cover that way!

[Even if ... limitedly. But still!] That's super cool!

[In any other circumstance, yes, it might be a smidge too close. Alicia is totally fine with it though, especially given she spent several minutes arguably closer the other day.]

I do! I like the full-art cover better, though there's something to be said for my name actually being in the cast listing on the regular one.

[...she may be taking a moment to admire her own image, whoops.]

[Maya is Maya and probably wouldn't realize it until it was too late or someone was pushing on her forehead to make space.]

Well, that just means you've got something both ways! That's exciting!

[That's fine, Maya's sort of admiring it too, from a perspective of... like. She'd said she wasn't just wanting to be friends with Alicia because of her fame, but this part of it was really freaking cool, okay?]

It is! Honestly, having this disc in front of me is exciting regardless - it's like the realization of a dream, if a small one. It's something I'm happy to share, too - it doesn't mean anything if I'm in this movie and nobody watches it, right? So if I can share this happiness with other people, it grows in the process.

[She's kind of letting her cheer snowball; is it infectious?]

[Maya is particularly susceptible to cheer, so yes it is. She's practically bouncing up and down and giddy by that point.]

Mm! I can only imagine! Being a part of anything like that must be really amazing, the ability to make others happy by doing something you love must be really incredible!

[She'd be almost jealous if she wasn't so genuinely pleased. After all, Alicia knows what her ambition is. Maya? Hahahaha...]

It's a job without compare, that's for sure. It has its low moments sometimes, but the highs are memories that last a lifetime. And there's just something about walking down the street and hearing someone whisper my name - it's kind of a thrill! That comes with downsides too, but they can be mitigated.

[An enthusiastic nod, and she pumps a fist up.]

I'm glad to hear that, at least! I wish I could be so sure of what I'm doing, sometimes. It's kind of--

[That's when it happens. Maya's eyes go wide, and something rushes into her mind - specifically, a memory. That isn't her own? It's ... much longer than the previous one. More detailed. She recalls the ... purple haired Melody? In a similar position to Alicia here? It'll take her a moment for everything said in the memory to really process for her, but she lets out a small, audible gasp.]

--u- um...!

[That doesn't really help signify what's going on.]

[Unfortunately, the signs of sudden-onset memory acquisition (hey, that's a handy acronym, maybe she'll keep using that of she can remember it) are a little disconcerting to see when she doesn't know for sure what's happening. Rather than calling attention to her, though, she just stands up and puts a hand on Maya's shoulder, waiting patiently for her to come back to herself.]

Maya? Talk to me, please, I'm getting worried...

[The gasp gets her attention, though, and she blinks, making direct eye contact. ]

Are you all right? What was that...?

[Maya's widened eyes begin to flicker as her eyelashes flutter.

She gasps and covers her mouth, before shaking her head.] Fine, I'm-- I'm fine! I just...

[She tilts her head to one side.] I remembered something, again...!

[Surprise and concern war on Alicia's face at that declaration, though she seems to settle in concern. It's a moment's effort to step away from the table after checking in with the others, and she gently guides Maya away to a quieter section of the store. Once she's there, though, she hisses as loudly as she dares.]

How did it happen again now, of all times? What could I possibly have done to have brought it on...? Oh, Maya, this is so confusing-!

-ah, was it at least something interesting?

[Maya immediately feels bad. This is a big day for Alicia, she doesn't want to ruin it! She looks around nervously, shuffling her feet.]

I don't wanna take you away from things! But-- I- or, whatever I'm remembering, it's like I've done something like this before!

[She scratches her head.] The difference is, it wasn't you I was waiting in line for. It was the purple-haired Melody!

[Or... "Makopi?" Hrm.]

Don't worry about that for now, okay? [It's in a quiet, slightly clipped tone that brooks no argument.] I'm more worried about you. There will be more events, more movies. I only have one of you or Rachel or Melody or anyone else. Let me hover a little.

[But she recognizes she's being a little overbearing, and takes a quarter of a step back. Not much, but enough to let Maya breathe.]

Waiting for Melody, you say? At a signing event? Hmm. Aside from her piano recitals, I don't know that she has any other talents of the type where you'd get her autograph. And you don't really... strike me as the piano recital type, Maya.

[Maya looks at Alicia with ... more than a little bit of surprise! Someone showing that much concern about her throws her off her game completely. She's not used to having consistent friends, much less that. She looks around with a bit of embarrassment, shuffling her feet and nodding.]

Ah- right, right. I... thanks, Alicia.

[She clears her throat, looking back at her a bit more firmly.]

There were LOTS of people! I've never seen that many people waiting for one person, and we were- we were talking about something! But, we were both speaking Japanese, too. I mean... I can speak Japanese, most of my family besides my parents live there...!

You're welcome. Although I recognize I'm being a little hard on you right now. I apologize for that, if not the sentiment causing it.

[That's just how it's going to be, Maya. Sorry.]

I speak it a little, as well, but not enough to carry much of a conversation. Still, a sea of people waiting for a single person...? Either that Melody was popular, or something else was going on. I spoke it in that memory, too... that's another thread for our eventual meeting on the subject.

[She gives a nervous smile.] To be honest, I'm not used to it, but I don't... mind it. It's fine, really...!

[She rubs the back of her head.] Y- yeah. She seemed to be really popular...! Like--

[She gasps, slapping her hands together.] Melody remembered singing, and being filmed!

If we're to be friends, you may see a lot more of it, so... [She shrugs mildly; she isn't apologetic for how she is, and she's not starting now.]

A songstress, then? That's curious... Ah, but Maya. We- that group discussion probably needs to be sooner rather than later. I don't know how to react to some of this anymore, not without seeing what Melody knows. Without sharing information between us. This is rapidly becoming something where we can't just keep moving forward blindly - we may be surprised by something we can't prepare for.

Ah- heh, I mean... if that's what it takes to be friends, that's-- um, fine! [Is she blushing? Well, yes, and doing a poor job of hiding it by coughing into one hand.]

But, you're right! Rachel is getting something together for this weekend, then we can figure out what's going on, I'm sure! If we all put our heads together, I'm certain we can come up with something!

[Poor indeed. Alicia giggles briefly.] That's what it takes with me, at least. I'm a bit- set in my ways, one could say.

I think we need that, yes. There's a lot to consider, given everything. And if we keep getting new memories, it's only going to get more confusing from here, isn't it? I'm all for optimism, but this stuff makes my head hurt.

Ah, but this isn't what you came for, is it, Maya? Come on, let's get back to the table. [Another half a step back, and a gesture with her head back toward the place they'd left.]

Mm... it is probably going to get more confusing before it gets better... But if we work together, we can probably figure it out, right? Even if we can't figure out everything... Knowing we can watch each other's backs is... well, it's a good feeling, at least!

[She smiles brightly, eyeing the table.] Ah, I'm holding you up now, though... right, yes! I still, heh... haven't gotten that autograph, I guess...!

Four heads are better than one, yes. But we can definitely start by watching out for each other until we can make heads or tails of what we're seeing. I just need everything to stay some semblance of normal until then.

[She steps back toward the table, nodding to herself.]

Yes, that's very true, and it would be a shame for you to have waited all this time and not get what you came for! Especially after I got everything out and talked about it so much.

[She winks; she's laying it on a little thick on purpose to serve as a distraction for the crowd, which is very, very interested in what they're missing. There's a soft pop as a marker opens, once she sits down lightly, and the faint sound of the tip on plastic.]

Sorry to have taken so much of your time! Let's get you moving - I'm sure you've got things to do this afternoon. Like watching a certain movie. [She laughs lightly as she continues; this too is a false flag operation. ~~Although she really would love if you went home and watched the movie, Maya. Show all your friends. Twice.~~]

[As Maya wanders back, she suddenly feels a little self conscious by nature of the crowd and whatever wondering is going on. She wants to confirm that Alicia hadn't taken her time, but they've both certainly taken everyone else's.

Somehow, that wink is enough to relieve her stress and she laughs, nodding vigorously.]

Oh, of course! I wouldn't be here otherwise!

[She's ... pretty sincere, though. Sadly, the friends she would show it to are ... well, not many.

Do you want to watch your movie, Alicia?]

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