yumemigaoka | Help, It's Spring and A Drama Student Has Appeared

[Chilling is good. And seeing Lisa get a chance to chill... even better! After how hard she -- they've both -- been working lately, it's important to have this chance.

She controls her spin, making it fairly balanced and artful. She can't quite stop being a dancer, it seems. She twirls about to face Lisa -- walking backwards -- and she nods eagerly.]

I did too. I thought they might think it would sell, since it's already popular! But...

[She laughs, then looks a little sheepish.] I... guess it's obvious I'm into this sort of thing, isn't it?

[The unspoken nerrrrrrd is visible on her face, but Lisa's own laugh is companionable - it's charming. Not that she'd laugh at Junna in the first place, as she claps softly.]

It is! And that's a good thing. Can't take the stage out of the actress, yeah? Uh, the set, but. Same thing. I had a feeling you'd have a strong opinion on this one either way. Either it'd be this, or you'd be storming out by the halfway mark, and I'd throw away the popcorn on the way to catch up.

[She scratches her cheek.] If anything, I'm a little surprised you asked me. I'm super not qualified to critique anything but the score.

[Junna laughs, but she nods.] No, no, I get what you mean. It's a bit hard to turn that part of my brain off. Not that I'd want to!

[Then she laughs, glancing to the side. Maybe a little embarrassedly, because... yeah. Yeah. Se would absolutely take off if a movie was really bad. She has opinions about these things.]

I apologize in advance, if you're ever needing to toss out the popcorn. But... [She thinks about this for a second. She knows the answer, really. It's not really Lisa's cinematic bonafides -- no, she knows perfectly well that Lisa would mostly know about the score. One of them is a drama nerd.]

I wanted to spend time together. Ah, I mean--I like this sort of thing, I wanted to see it with you, since... I like hanging out with you. But I didn't want to just hang out when everything is so much.

[Hopefully saying that aloud doesn't make it feel that way, though.]

Hey, if it's bad enough for us to bail, it's not worth keeping the popcorn. Just a bad memory at that point. It's why I'm counting on you for recommendations!

[She recognizes that she's perhaps attached the wrong priority, but... eh. Her heart is still six kinds of screwy, even if it's... a little less so. So when Junna explains herself, she nods.]

No, that's fair, and I'm really happy you asked me! I'm... [super high-maintenance, part of her wants to say, but that's not charitable to either of them-] better than I was, but I appreciate that you're looking out for me. [Her smile turns a little more natural.] And I like hanging out with you too, so I'm definitely glad to, any time.

[Junna laughs when she considers the popcorn. Yeah, fair point. Besides, keeping movie popcorn isn't really a great idea. It doesn't keep.]

Fortunately, I'm great for movie recommendations. Though I'll try to not go full nerd on you.

[She would be lying to say she didn't invite Lisa because she's worried. But... it's not the only reason. So when Lisa smiles at her, Junna smiles back.] I'm glad! That you're feeling better than you were. And that you like hanging out. I do too.

[She brightens when she says that, even. But it's good to hear and say aloud.]

And if you ever have a show or something you want to go to and need someone on standby to throw popcorn or a concert appropriate snack...

I dunno, I could use some new ideas. Better high-art stuff than just seeing whatever TikTok says is good. [Her smile... quirks a little, but she seems to be introspective, if anything.] And hey. You did a lot to help make me happier, so. Call me anytime, yeah?

[She snickers at the idea of a popcorn buddy at a concert.]

If we're eating popcorn at a live show, we didn't pick a good one - that means we're not singing our lungs out! But point taken. We'll find something fun to go see together one of these days. Uh, not counting Ai-senpai's shows, I'm going to those either way.

Well, if that's permission to go full nerd on you... [That makes Junna smile again. She does like getting to nerd out about these sorts of things. Besides, it is fun to come out here with a friend.] You've got a deal, then.

And... I'm glad I could make you happier.

[She laughs, too, though. Then her eyes widen -- right, of course, singing! Junna nods.] That sounds great! And I'd be happy to go to one of Ai-san's shows, too. She's an amazing performer.

[Lisa absently starts to hum Happier while she gathers her thoughts before she catches herself, giggles softly, and nods.]

You have my permission and my blessing, yes. You pick out the movies - gimme something action-y or anime or whatever every once in a while and I'll be fine - and I'll promise not to take you to any weird lives in return, okay? Only the finest girls bands, rock groups, and idols for us! If Coldplay can play the Tokyo Dome, I'm sure the good stuff will be on tour here. [A beat.] I'd be dragging you to Senpai's shows regardless, though. Never mind how good she is as a performer, I just... it's Ai-san, you know?

[She's trying to communicate that Ai is the linchpin her life revolved around for a bit and she'd go to those shows even if Ai wasn't the headliner she is, because it's Ai and she just has to be there. But she's too close to be able to express that properly. Oops.]

Don't worry, I know good anime and action movies, too. [Junna smiles proudly, adjusting her glasses for emphasis.] Combat choreography is an art.

[Also, having done plays in front of audience, Junna knows exactly how hard convincing stage fighting is. She blinks though -- then she nods, quickly. This is, fortunately, not far from her own tastes. (She blinked because she took a moment to remember which band Coldplay is. Sorry, Coldplay.)

But she catches that Ai is important to Lisa. Maybe not how, but... definitely how much.]

I can't wait to see who comes through. Ah, but... yes! I understand. She's incredible, all around. [Then she nods, her eyes lighting up.] She's helped me out a lot, too.

Mm, a good fight scene just makes a whole movie. Gimme that any day of the week. [...she's just going to set aside the scary shiny glasses for a second there. Junna-sensei is going to find her something exotic to watch one of these days.] I just... it's nice to have a chance to relax with something like that. On the edge of my seat, screaming until my voice goes out, too invested to look away. I can set everything else aside and just be. I think we all need that, some days.

[She lets out a breath, trying not to let herself get too crazy.]

Ai-senpai is... very earnest and caring, if you catch her in the right mood. I really don't know where I'd be without her. And I'm really glad you understand me and I don't just look like some kind of stalker superfan or something. [She laughs; she not uncomfortable, but she's aware she's weird on this specific topic. Lisa doesn't immediately continue; she's been rambling for a bit and maybe Junna wants to get a word in edgewise.]

Mm-hm! They're hard to do, too. [She nods, sagely. (Ha.)] You have to know how to make the fighting look good, to be dramatic, but not to the point of ridiculousness... and make it exciting, especially from the angle that the film-goers or audience will see...

[Then she looks at Lisa -- and there's a blink, before a moment of understanding passes her face.] Oh--oh, yes. Just... the way it can sweep you away. Into something else, and you can forget everything. And your blood is pumping, and...

[Then, she smiles. She listens, when Lisa talks about Ai -- and she nods. She gets it. She had senpais in school; she has similar (if not the same) feelings about Hanako.] No, no. You don't at all! It's... it's inspiring, really.

Yeah. If it goes too hard, you just wonder who they're trying to impress. But if it's not serious enough, it just looks tacky. Balance in all things, yeah? I don't envy the director's job.

[Junna does, at least, seem to understand the appeal of a good concert, and Lisa brightens.] Mm. You get it. I... love that feeling. I wanted to give people that feeling, a long time ago, but for now I've got other priorities. So I just want to enjoy it any chance I can. There's nothing like a perfect live show. Or a perfect play, I bet. [She takes a breath, and nods.] It's part of why I'm depending on you for movies. I don't know what I'm looking for besides "stuff blows up, people get punched in the face, guns exist" and I want something new that'll get me excited the same way.

Mm-hm. Unless it's deliberately over-the-top, in a way that makes you laugh and ask "oh my god, what am I watching."

[Certain kung-fu movie action sequences come to mind.

She smiles, though, and she nods when Lisa explains. There's understanding there -- even if theater is art, it is about the way it makes you feel.]

I can help with that! Anything you really don't like? Generally or specifically.

Oh, definitely. Comedy-action is a fine art with a skill ceiling beyond the stars. I like that stuff, it just has to be... done well. [Left unsaid is that it usually isn't; Junna seems to know that.]

Stuff I don't li- horror movies. [Accompanied by the required, automatic shiver.] I am a total weenie, I'll be screaming and holding onto something within ten minutes. It's part of why I don't go to the Necropolis! Beyond that, I'll try most things? Just that one specifically is right out.

Mm-hm. [She gets it. And, of course, something being ridiculous can be just right. Junna nods along, eagerly.

Then her eyes widen. Even if--even if Lisa screaming and holding onto something or someone sounds... kinda cute, if Junna's being honest with herself. She smiles, though, and shakes her head.] No horror, then! I'll leave that off. But there's plenty of others! Get ready to have your horizons broadened!

[It probably would be fairly cute and Lisa would be extremely embarrassed for the rest of the month. Trade-offs. ~~pick your battles, Junna, the time may come~~]

I'll prepare myself for anything, then! Maybe I'll make a little notebook as a movie passport or something. Just for fun. See if I notice anything fun as I get more used to it.

[Sometimes... difficult decisions must be reached. That or a horror-adjacent movie that Junna really wants to see.]

Oh! That sounds fun. I'll be curious what you put in it! If you're okay sharing, of course. [After all, she doesn't want to be nosy.] Maybe I could do something like that for the concerts, too.

Yeah, definitely! It'll just be a fun exercise, I think. Sitting down and watching something brainlessly is fine, but. Movies have stories and emotions too, and I think I just kinda let it wash over me sometimes. So we can take a look and see if I'm any good at critical analysis, or if I'm better off sticking to popcorning. [Her head tilts for a second as she thinks.] I might do voice memos for the concerts myself - the thoughts will be important, yeah, but I also wanna hear my energy during the show. If I didn't get excited, I'll be able to tell. If I was super into it, or I got emotional or something, I'll be able to tell that too. But writing stuff down would be good too, and I'd be interested to hear your thoughts either way, if you're up for it.

That does make sense... I do tend to take notes after on my phone, though... I get a bit actor-brained about it. [Which is to say it's full of references to textbooks, to books on acting, and other movies. It might not make a lick of sense to Lisa; one of those things where it needs the right sorts of references.] It helps, though. And it's hard to keep my emotional response out of it.

[She blinks, though. She hadn't considered a voice memo. Except... it makes a lot of sense, too. The immediate response is important. Junna nods.] Oh, yes, of course! I'll--hm, I'll follow your lead, and do a voice memo, I think. But I don't mind sharing. It sounds fun.

That sounds fair, honestly? Different people think differently. You approach stuff with a bunch of past works and looking stuff up to see why people act the way they do - it's why you've got lines in your head when I say something silly. I come at it from an iPhone on shuffle and vibes, except I'm too self-conscious to hum if I know someone's listening half the time. [A nervous giggle.] It's a problem.

[Junna's nod and understanding make Lisa brighten.] So yeah! We can have a hobby exchange for the summer. And maybe longer? And it'll work out, mine will be long but you'll probably be able to understand them, and yours will be concise but I'll need Google to help me unwind them. So we should end up with about the same amount of... content? That's a terrible word, but I don't think it's wrong?

[Junna smiles a little at that. She gets it -- well, more, it's like Lisa says. She always has a line from a play, a book, a movie in her head. Other people have what's meaningful to them in their heads.]

Mm-hm. Like the foundation of our brains, or... the lens we see the world through. Though, for what it's worth, I don't mind if you hum around me. Or if you sing, or anything else.

[She brightens, then she nods.] I like the idea of that! I think so, and--ah--if we find we need more movies or songs... I think we just have to dive deeper, right? It'll be worth it, if we do.

I'll... try to remember that. [Her face colors a little. That's fairly close to an agreement to deal with Lisa's crazy, and that's... something she's been sorely lacking for a while. Never mind that she usually frames it as making people deal with her.] Um, thank you. Sorry, it sounds really simple, but. [She shakes her head; today's been a good day and she doesn't want to add more of her crazy. Instead she just lets it pass and moves on.]

We'll just keep going until we get bored or we, I dunno, run out of things to see? Which seems really hard in a city like this? There's always something new going on, yeah?

I don't mind at all. [Junna smiles. She notices the way Lisa's face colors a little... but she doesn't point it out. She nods.]
It's not something that would annoy me at all.

Mm-hmm! [There's an eager nod, then. This will be fun. More than fun, really. She's needed more things to do outside of being a Dreamer.] I think it will take us awhile to run out. If we even can.

I'm sure it'll eventually happen. Maybe in 20 or 30 years. [She grins.] Around the sixth time Phantom of the Opera comes back, but now with holographic set pieces. Or... I dunno, maybe another Backstreet Boys reunion tour. [Lisa makes a face for a second, before laughing.] Eventually we'll run out, but we'll see all kinds of fun stuff between now and then, right?

Holographic set pieces... I admit I'd go see that. [Junna grins -- then she nods, eagerly. That's not the point, the set pieces of the future!] Exactly. We'll have all sorts of fun, and if we run out, we just find something

Help, It's Spring and A Drama Student Has Appeared

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