2023-04-29: Ask Who You Sing For
- Log: 2023-04-29 Ask Yourself, Who Are You Singing For Tonight?
- Cast: Ranka Lee, Alto Saotome, Sheryl Nome
- Where: Frontier Colony
- OOC - IC Date: April 29, UC 0097 (2023)
- Summary: Before Ranka's debut concert, Alto and Sheryl come by in private to wish her happy birthday.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
It's mid-afternoon at the Frontier Colony's major concert hall venue, and yet already the trains to Tenkumon station are packed. They haven't started letting people into the venue yet, so early adopters are milling about there waiting to be some of the first people to be let in.
Holographic advertisements swirl about already, lining the the path from the street to the hall itself on either side. Security is getting into position, as are the ushers, the vendors, the merchandising booth. The AV people are doing last minute checks, and Ranka's manager Elmo is stained with sweat as he orders people about.
Less calm and cool and collected than Grace by far, but certainly passionate. He just has no experience running such an event as large as this one, and one might say its his trial by fire. One might say this because there's people from Nergal here in the back too, doing nothing but standing there with datapads.
Every so often they mark something down, usually after he shouts an order for something. It's giving Elmo a low key panic attack.
Ranka has her own dressing room of course, Sheryl's used it before. Hair dressers and makeup artists have already finished putting their finishing touches on the idol to be making her puppy dog like hair more silkily styled than ever before. Her face made up in such a way to enhance her natural cuteness on the stage, and right now she's sitting in a chair, still with the hair dresser's cloth over her as if being patient for some of the changes to set in.
Right now she sits there, trying to keep herself calm. She's been looking forward to this night for such a long time. How fitting that it come on her Birthday? To reach the next step on her journey of dreams tonight would be a wonderful gift to herself.
Still though, her thoughts wander. She remembers what she told Kaworu on the kind of music she wants to make.
But...
"Who am I singing for tonight?"
She asks herself, as she looks into the mirror.
Is it the people clamoring for her outside? Sheryl's always been a pro, treating her fans so well. Or...
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
"It's Alto."
Wait, is that the answer!?
Or not, as Alto knocks on the dressing room door again for a second time, probably pulling Ranka from her thoughts as he asks, "Ranka? Can I come in?"
Assuming he's given permission, Alto makes his way into the dressing room. It's not the first time he's been backstage at this concert hall, due to all the work he's done here. But it is the first time he's ever been in the dressing room, so he's a little distracted at looking around it when he first enters.
But then his eyes settle on Ranka and he blinks. It's the same old Ranka that he has known for a while now and yet she looks...
"Wow."
Alto then realizes he said that out loud and scratches his cheek a bit, "Uh, I mean. I think the audience is going to love it."
Deciding to quickly move the conversation along, he says, "I just thought I'd see how you were doing." More seriously, he asks, "How are you feeling?" Alto can certainly recall some anxiety during his first stage performance. And thus figures Ranka is probably going through the same thing.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
This day isn't about Sheryl; it's about Ranka, finally getting her big break and debuting as a songstress. She thus doesn't make a big deal of her arrival. ...Beyond that she arrives in a limo and has a VIP booth prepared. But that's just baseline! She isn't dressed in an especially fancy outfit--just one of her preferred street looks, a look blue dress with a low skirtline hanging under the hips and a soft cap over her strawberry blonde locks. Grace and Brera are with her too, and the former goes to check out and finish preparations of the VIP area (and observe how Ranka's team is doing prepping the concert) while Sheryl slips off to the backstage with Brera. He'll stand guard outside the dressing room, conveniently close enough to listen.
Sheryl knows what he likes, and she knows how much he wanted to hear Ranka sing, even if he didn't say it. It's her way of doing a favor for her friend. <3
He carries a package for her too--long, thin, and rectangular, bound in pink ribbon and carefully wrapped in blue paper so it can just be opened up conveniently. Sheryl takes it from him with a wink and a whispered "Thank you~" before she knocks on the dressing room door and lets herself in. Someone else is already inside by now, after all, and has Sheryl Nome ever been one to hesitate?
(Brera meanwhile scowls to see Alto already here, identified thanks to his scans. But he dutifully stays outside. FOR NOW.)
"Happy birthday, Ranka~" she lilts. When she turns her head to see that Ranka's guest is none other than Alto, she pauses for half a beat, her good cheer vanishing; then she puts on a rakish smile and drapes her fingers across her cheek. "Oh, am I interrupting something?"
It sounds like she's teasing, as she so often does. But with the way Alto stares at Ranka for a moment, Sheryl quite means it.
"'Wow' is right, though. Your cuteness is through the roof," she adds, taking Ranka in properly. "I can't wait to see your full look on stage. But there'll be plenty of time for that later! I brought you a gift--" A cheeky wink as she holds out the package. "Besides, of course, myself~."
It's a different approach, but the same intent as Alto--checking in on her friend with an intent to ease her nerves. Sheryl looks sidelong at Alto, and if he looks her way, winks at him too. Any other feelings she has about anything aside, they're united in this.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
'It's Alto.'
She wasn't praying!? Did the answer just come from the universe itself! Perhaps an Angel heard her?
...
...
...
No don't be ridiculous Kaworu isn't in the venue yet.
Whatever it might be, her hair suddenly leaps, and she puts her hands up to push it back in place in alarm before she harms her poor hairdresser's efforts.
"C-Come in!" She chirps, heart aflutter, and when it's not just him, but Sheryl, "Alto! Sheryl! Thank you!" -the 'Wow' causes her eyes to light up, just as a second knock draws her eyes, "You both really think so!?"
And despite herself, she forgets that she was supposed to be sitting still, as she stands up, the dresser's cape still on her and that's perhaps the first sight of her that Sheryl's greeted to.
Nevertheless, she gives a spin in place, and both of them might see a small hint of the costume from the advertisements on her back.
The universe gave her an answer when Alto entered the room...
... but perhaps it was a little incomplete.
"Well, if BOTH of you are saying that - I believe it!" Ranka says toothily, as if she believes Alto and Sheryl both have high standards for offering compliments.
"Oh I'm-"
Nervous? Is she nervous? Nerves seem to be fleeing her just having the two of them here. But she was nervous, "-Terrified? Excited! Exhilarated!" As she offers three words to describe herself. "Sometimes its hard to believe tonight's the night. Like I'm just going to wake up and it'll be just another day."
At Sheryl's words, her red eyes soften, and- "Well, I'm looking forward to seeing it but... having both of you here today is the best gift of all."
She says with a smile, "I know I always said I wanted to make it on my own, but it feels like it's all thanks to the two of you that I'm here at all."
And then in complete violation of pre-concert professional prep, likely committing a performer's faux pas, she walks forward, and puts her arms around both of them simultaneously.
"Thank you, for everything."
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
Alto is not surprised when Sheryl shows up shortly behind him. It makes sense that she'd come to support Ranka too, even if they are technically competitors. Though for a moment, Alto feels a familiar burning sensation in the back of his head. He turns briefly to see Brera standing guard outside the dressing room, before the door closes. Shrug.
Well familiar with Sheryl's teasing by this point, Alto simply lets the question about interrupting something pass. It was probably only a C+ on the teasing scale.
As Ranka describes her feelings about the night, Alto nods along, before saying, "That's all pretty normal. So I'm sure you'll do well."
Alto then smiles at Ranka's words that follow. It's just like her to say something like that. So of course it's a little embarrassing for him to admit, rubbing the back of his head and glancing away as he does, "I, uh, got something for you too." Though he seems a little hesitant about giving it over. Perhaps not confident in his choice?
Whatever the case, this is probably a good opportunity for Sheryl to get in first with the present giving.
Though as Ranka tries to pass all of the praise for her getting here onto the two, Alto shakes his head, "We simply supported you, now and then. It was all of your hard work and determination which has brought you here. And this is just the beginning."
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
It is a good costume; orange is a good color on Ranka, complementing both her hair and her eyes. She clucks her tongue as Ranka leaps up. "Of course! Sheryl Nome never says anything she doesn't mean! Which is why you ought to be more careful. Whoever you hired to do your make-up knows their stuff, so I'm sure they told you you need to hold still to let the make-up set."
For all her chiding, Sheryl still grins. "Not that I can blame you for being excited! And having an excellent make-up artist on your side is a good thing for you. When you go pro, you need to surround yourself with pros, too."
She slides a smile over at Alto, knowing and a little wry. "...Though the occasional future professional is okay, too."
And if he doesn't comment on her tease, well... that's probably just as well.
Knowingly, she nods as Ranka describes herself. It's really just a gradient towards that feeling of being on stage--the thrill of it all, of performing before countless eyes. Alto describes it as 'normal,' and Sheryl almost laughs. It's just like him to downplay it. ...And to get embarrassed about giving someone a birthday present. She's deeply curious to see what it is, after what he gave her--it might not be visible right now, tucked under her clothes, but that omamori necklace is on her right now, too.
"Not at all! You made it on your own," Sheryl says decisively. She went out of her way to not interfere with Miranda's beef with Ranka for that very reason. She sends a wry look Alto's way as she sets her hand on her hip again. "
She blinks in surprise when Ranka steps forward and wraps her and Alto both into a hug--and, rarely, and perhaps tellingly, pink rises in her cheeks. "H-honestly! What did I just tell you? If your make-up artist needs to redo your look, don't go crying to me!"
Even so, her gaze softens fondly, and she strokes Ranka's hair as she leans into her and Alto. "Oh, fine... If you're going to go that far, I suppose I have to say 'you're welcome.'"
Whenever Ranka gets to opening up the gift Sheryl brought her, she'll find a beautiful dress folded neatly inside. The top of it is an off-the-shoulder lacy ruff of off-white striped with spring green and sprinkled with decorative faux flowers, from white to yellow to orange to red to pink. That ruff drapes over the body of the dress, light green with openings on her sides hidden by the ruff, leading down into yellow ribbons tying at her hips that lead into ruffled, layered skirts likewise if more sparsely decorated with flowers. It's a very light, breezy, spring look--perfect for a spring baby, at the spring of her career.
There's also a business card inside. "For my personal tailor," Sheryl will tell her, smiling. "She'll tailor the dress to you as you need it. But you'll need to get some shoes and the right accessories on your own~." Which should be easy enough, if Ranka hires said tailor for herself. Ranka might well end up with quite a few costumes that complement Sheryl's that way, one day...
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
'That's all pretty normal. So I'm sure you'll do well.'
There's a deep sigh of relief at that moment, "Thank goodness..."
Though she does cant her head to the side, giving Alto a curious look. Does he seem nervous? Embarrassed?
With a smile she says, "I'm sure I'll love it!"
She does laugh a little at what Sheryl says, "I know I know. It's just asking me to sit still right now is... too much!" Or at least it is now that both of them are here.
She was doing fine before. She does bob her head, "Eheh. I'll pass along that you said that. I'm sure they'll treasure it."
Both of them downplay their contributions, and Ranka accepts that perhaps in the moment, but their support, even if it was just kind words and nudges and professional opinions - or dance lessons that they will never speak of again in the case of Alto.
That support still meant the world to her.
"I won't." Ranka says quietly when it comes to crying to Sheryl, before she turns her gaze up and beams a smile to her, saying cheerfully, "I'll go crying to them-!"
Eventually, Brera gets to handing the gift box in. (And gets a wave! Hi Brera!) and when she opens it...
... Ranka's hair leaps again, as she quickly one handed the box and uses her other hand to quickly guide one side back down, then the other.
(Yet another pre-performance faux pas, but definitely one more understandable.)
Picking it up out of the box which she leaves on the counter, she holds it up against her, imagining herself in it. "I love it." She whispers, imagining it. "It's perfect."
Folding it back down almost reverently, "I want to wear it on stage one day." She tells her, all smiles.
And again her hair leaps, as she picks up the business card, "Your tailor!? Oh gosh, Sheryl...!" She laughs, "I don't even know what to say, it's so much!" She beams a smile at her, "Thank you so much-!"
Perhaps she's finally committed enough faux pas that this time the hug, for Sheryl alone is VERY VERY LOOSE, but present.
Look at that smile Alto. Just look at it.
... No pressure.
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
Future professional...
Alto makes the assumption that Sheryl is talking about all the media buzz trying to insist he's going back to acting. To which he crosses his arms and says firmly, "Not going to happen."
Then the three way hug happens. Alto feels a little awkward about it. It's not the first time they've been in this situation. But the circumstances are a little different. Especially after more recent events.
Still, it's not like he's trying to fight his way clear or anything.
It breaks again though-he's totally not disappointed, really!-and Ranka goes to open her gift from Sheryl. Alto plays it cool, even though he too is curious to see what Sheryl had chosen. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, it turns out to be some fashion. Looking over the dress as Ranka examines it, Alto has to admit it's a good choice. Something he likely would not have been able figure out. It definitely has a very Ranka feel to it.
Although even if the dress is nice, Alto feels that a reference to Sheryl's own tailor is the even bigger gift. Connections like that can make or break careers and Alto has no doubt that Sheryl's must be one of the best.
How is he going to compete with that?
And now it's his turn. He reaches into his pocket...
Why does this feel more harrowing than facing off against a swarm of giant alien bugs!?
Alto produces a long, velvet covered box. The stereotypical container for a piece of jewellery. He holds it out towards Ranka, "Here." A bit abrupt and he's looking off to the side a bit, only occasionally glancing to watch as Ranka opens it.
Inside is a white chained necklace, though it's only the vessel to carry the more important item: An oval shaped pendant of similar colour. On the front of the pendant is the raised, rounded pattern of a seashell.
Once again scratching at his cheek, Alto explains, "To make up for the one that was lost. A reminder of the trip... And the events that have led you here." There's a brief pause, before he adds on just as an aside, "Oh, and don't worry about this one breaking. It's made from a piece of armor taken from my Valkyrie." Alto is fairly sure it could take a bullet. Not that he'd actually say that!
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
Sheryl shakes her head a bit, but she still smiles, as Ranka says she can't sit still right now. She does understand how she feels, after all. Once she gets more used to it, she's sure she'll get better at it. All the same, her responses, about the make-up and the crying, get a giggle out of Sheryl.
She blinks in surprise and confusion at Alto at his immediate refusal, though--before laughing a little in understanding. "I was talking about your stunt flight work in my concerts!" she clarifies. "You're not doing it for a living yet, Alto~. Unless you were planning on staying with the SMS forever?"
Brera will appreciate that wave. He might even give Ranka a ghost of a smile. But he won't linger, either.
The dress itself... Sheryl watches Ranka's reaction with a satisfied smile, folding her arms under her chest. "Of course it's perfect! I had it made so you could wear it on the stage," she declares. "And I'd better see you wearing it before the season's over!"
It is true that the real gift is the referral to her tailor, something Sheryl herself is well aware of. But it's easier to wave it off as not a big deal if it's just a referral in the sense of getting a single gift tailored, something she could honestly not bother with and simply wear the dress as-is. If Ranka wants to make good on this connection, she'll have to follow up on it on her own.
Sheryl has faith that she'll climb those steps just fine, though. The big stage isn't a place one can reach by being lazy about it. And when Ranka gives her another, much looser and more careful hug, she returns it, just as careful and just as affectionately sincere.
It would be funny to her if she knew that Alto was thinking of his own gift as a competition against her, though, as if this triangle were one for Ranka's heart instead of his. (Isn't it, though? Right now, isn't it?) For now, she watches as Alto presents that gift to Ranka. Her eyes widen when she actually sees it. She understands its significance right away--though in fairness, it absolutely takes Alto saying so for her to realize it was made from a piece of his Valkyrie's armor.
Which is a weird feeling to Sheryl, since that armored Valkyrie was a present from her to him.
"You had a necklace made out of a piece of armor? You have no sense of romance, Alto," she teases all the same. It shifts into something warmer, and then something more wistful, as she cotninues, "But at least you have a good sense of design. It does look just like the shells we saw on that beach."
On that day, I was a shell, and you who washed ashore were the sand... Somehow, those lyrics drift ashore in her mind.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
Ranka doesn't tease Alto on the 'future professional' part, perhaps it is part of the pact, given all he already sacrificed of his pride to help her.
As Alto presents his gift, Ranka blinks as he produces a jewelry box. Her mind blanks. Because a boy giving a girl jewelry!?
Still, she takes the box almost reverently, opens it up and, "Oh Alto..."
She blinks away the sensation of water droplets forming, that came almost on reflex upon seeing what it is.
She absolutely thinks it's a seashell too, after all, its designed by one, and the gleam maybe... lacquer?
But he explains, as she looks up at him, glassy eyed, and smiles, her hair lifting again gradually in synch with her breath, as she gives him a big smile, "Thank you, Alto."
Sheryl comments that it being made out of armor was isn't very romantic, and Ranka's eyes flit back and forth between them.
"I couldn't even tell that it was!" She agrees with her quickly, at that, then, "I'm going to put it on right now."
Ranka decides, and then is halfway through doing so when, she realizes something, she can't in fact KEEP IT ON throughout the concert as it doesn't match her costume...
... but that's okay, she can wear it until then.
Her eyes flit over to Sheryl, "From your new song." Ranka notes quietly as her fingertips thumb it, then let it fall into place over the cape. "It feels even more fitting somehow, since I got my big break playing Mao."
She's actively having to hold back tears throughout this, but she's smiling so big, "I hope you'll enjoy the concert tonight, both of you."
After all, she knows in this moment... without a doubt, she's singing for both of them.
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
...
...
"Oh."
Alto hadn't actually realized she meant the stunt flying. But to him that wasn't much more than a side job. It was nice to do now and then. But even the limitations imposed in those jobs were a bit too restricting for him.
And then Sheryl asks whether he was planning to stay with SMS forever and...
Alto doesn't have an answer for her.
The mild confusion on his face says it all. He clearly hasn't thought about it.
Now is not the time though and with a slight shake of his head, Alto returns his attention to Ranka. A smile tugs at his lips as he watches her accept the gift.
Though Sheryl then comments on the lack of romance from his choice of material. He genuinely looks a little surprised, "Well I thought it was a nice gesture."
Alto turns away a bit, crossing his arms and closing his eyes, "I mean, my Valkyrie is important to me. It's almost like it's a part of me. So now a part of me will always be with Ranka. Protecting her." Just like a certain other gift he has given out.
But then Ranka speaks up again about the concert and Alto opens his eyes to smile at her again, "I'm sure it'll be great. Make sure to do your best though. You only get one shot at a premiere event like this in your career."
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
Sheryl puffs a sigh as she sets her arms akimbo and tilts her head at Alto. That mild confusion on his face does say it all. She accepts that his heart belongs to the skies and he wants to fly, not act, but-- "Honestly! Alto, you've already graduated high school by now! How can you have not thought about what you plan on doing next?" she chides.
She wants him to dedicate himself to something. He's just too good to waste on... nothing.
But it's true it isn't the time for it. She drops the matter and smiles as Ranka beams at Alto for his present. She laughs as Ranka agrees with her, but--when Alto gives his explanation, her expression turns thoughtful. Maybe a little wistful, for anyone looking closely.
"Oh... When you put it like that, it's actually very romantic," she murmurs. She shakes her head as she shuts her eyes and brushes her hair back. "I didn't say it wasn't a nice gesture! A person can be very nice without having any romantic intent," she informs him--and this time, it's Ranka she slides a knowing look to, just before she settles a hand over her chest.
Over the fortune tag hanging from her own neck.
"Mmhm," she murmurs, half-smiling back at Ranka. She doesn't say anything about her relation to Mao; it's not the mood right now, anyway. "Alto's right. So go show the whole galaxy who Ranka Lee is!" She winks and half-turns. "And I'll be waiting for you at the top."
As she turns the rest of the way to the door, she looks over at Alto. "Let's get going. Ranka still needs to finish preparing for her big night." Her tone almost turns flirty, but... out of respect for Ranka and this being her day, she keeps it casual as she adds, "Care to join me in the VIP box?"
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
As it sinks in what's going on between Sheryl and Alto there, Ranka just stammers, "W-Well..." And then trails off, sort of like Alto, but in a different context.
She's gotten a hint of the complex family dynamics at play and... Alto's problems with his own identity in a sense, thus she understands it's a complicated subject.
At the same time, she feels like she's rather helpless to say anything more than validate that she likes who Alto is when the matter comes up.
"Well until he figures it out, he's doing what he loves at least." Ranka just finally points out.
Alto however, explains the gift further, and Ranka's eyes open wider in shock, as she draws herself up, hands clasped in delight, "Alto...!"
Then she says sincerely, "I promise, I'll treasure it!" The thought of Alto always being there, protecting her...
Well if Brera had a newspaper to crumple, he'd probably be doing that right now.
... but Ranka looks happy at that. As she then slides a knowing look back Sheryl's way. There's even sympathy? Definitely not like she's pitying her, it's just Alto can be so clueless about Sheryl's feelings sometimes.
"One shot." She reiterates, as her eyes snap to Alto. Ordinarily, that might be nerve wracking. The idea of one shot to make it.
But in that moment, it feels like it psyches her up, even moreso when Sheryl does too. Eyes full of determination, she nods quickly, "I will! I'll make it the performance of a lifetime!" Before she then tells Sheryl-
"I promise, I won't keep you waiting for long!"
Because she absolutely remembers the promise they made together. Sheryl invites Alto to the VIP box, and she finds, for once... she's not that jealous.
They're both here tonight to see her, to support her, and after the necklace, it feels only fair for them to get time together - watching her.
"I'll make sure that neither of you will be able to take your eyes off me!"
-=-=-
~*Moments after they've left*~
"I can't believe I said that!" She's trying her hardest not to hide her face in her hands as she squeals in embarrassment and swings her legs in an asynchronous flail form the chair.
Her face as red as her eyes, even with the makeup.
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
Hah!
See!
He was right!
And then Alto realizes what his usual friendly arguing with Sheryl has gotten him to admit. That his gesture was very romantic. And he goes a little red in embarrassment as he realizes all that's been said.
Still, the look in Ranka's eyes is worth it and he smiles at her as she says she will treasure it, "I'm glad." Seems like he definitely made the right choice. Both in the gift and in coming here today. Seeing Ranka as hyped up as she is, he's confident her attitude will make for a great concert.
Alto nods along as Sheryl suggests that let Ranka finish preparing. And he figures he might as well join Sheryl in the VIP box, "Sure, why not?" Yes. Very romantic.
As the two begin to head out, Alto briefly turns to her Ranka at her last words-completely missing the double meaning behind them-and smiles, "We'll be listening to your song." He then heads out.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
Yes, you were right, Alto.
BUT AT WHAT COST??
Sheryl shakes her head a little at him, and smiles at Ranka. "True! He could do worse than staying a pilot where he is," she replies. Her smile broadens into a grin and a giggle as Ranka reasserts their promise. And if Ranka also promises to Alto that she'll treasure his gift...
Well, she did earn it. And Alto is, after all, the most romantic, Sheryl muses as her smile at him turns momentarily exasperated.
Still, this is going to be a good night--one they can share as friends. (And, on a deeper level, as rivals. Sheryl urging Ranka to show the galaxy who she is isn't just encouragement; it's also a challenge.) As she and Alto head out, Ranka bids them her own version of farewell, though, and Sheryl laughs.
"Oh my~!" She winks one last time. "Challenge accepted! <3"
Then she, too, is gone. Too bad, since it means neither of them get to see Ranka's adorable embarrassment. But they'll get to see something even better soon enough, no doubt.