retrospec | 001 ♣ text, action

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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?]

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[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?]

[Alicia's laugh is light as she works; it carries easily across the room, and her father looks over with a very obvious curiosity on why his girl is suddenly so cheery, but doesn't say anything - he's occupied enough as it is. Her autograph is graceful and, in the way of famous people across history, difficult to make out without recognizing it already.]

Well, of course you wouldn't! So you're here, and I'm glad for it. Not that I'm the lead character or anything. Which is probably for the better! I'd probably have complained all movie about the sand sticking to everything.

[The crowd in earshot laughs; Alicia has a certain glow about her as she laughs along, grabbing a white, laminated card and beginning to write on that as well. This is slower, and more readable, though she's keeping the card away from Maya while she writes...?]

[Maya is at least easily amused. She's glad that her freaky vision hasn't seemingly screwed up too much, and Alicia's composure and suddenly lighter tone is infectious. She laughs along with it all, nodding as she goes.]

Well, that's only a matter of time, right?! I'm sure you'll be there before you...

[She squints, noting the card that she's now writing on, and ... keeping from her? Maya's eyes dart to try and get a peek while attempting not to look obvious, which means she looks super obvious.]

...know it, heh...!

[Super obvious. Alicia isn't even subtle about it at this point, as she continues writing, shielding it with her other arm. The show is amusing to the bystanders, who are surprisingly not complaining too much about waiting... perhaps Alicia's personality being on display is the draw, rather than meeting her, necessarily.

After a moment, Alicia slides the card smoothly into the case, and caps the marker with a click and a flourish, giggling as she holds the package out to Maya. It is, of course, signed now, but what's on that card? When Maya looks (and let's be real here, she will), she'll find a message on a glossy white card in the document clips inside the case:]

Maya-
Never underestimate the value of energy and a smile when things are tough. You have the heart to get through anything. Believe in yourself - I do! ♥

[-and her signature again; the words themselves aren't quite so hard to read as trying to make sense of her autograph. And meanwhile Alicia just sits there with a grin, glancing up at Maya with her hands folded in front of her and the slightest hint of color on her face. She recognizes she's being a little silly, but to hell with it, it's her right and privilege.]

Everything will come together, and my star will burn brightly. That day will soon come. Look forward to it!

[She may mean that in more ways than one.]

[Maya's failed attempts to not seem obvious continue, and continue to fail, until such a point that the card is slid into place and the package presented to her. As it is, her eyes instantly snap to it... before widening, shimmering and looking as bright as she possibly could look.

Her worries drain out of her rather rapidly, and she takes the box both gingerly and eagerly, nodding over and over again, not really paying attention to the fact her face is becoming bright red.]

Mm! Mm! I'm sure it will! In fact, I'm certain of it, and I'll remember this, absolutely!

[It's almost like this isn't someone she knows she'll be seeing frequently already, but she's caught in the moment. Forgive her.]

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