2023-04-12: Legend of Zero: Red Carpet
- Log: Legend of Zero: Red Carpet
- Cast: Ranka Lee, Alto Saotome, Sheryl Nome, Rin Starking, Lucine Azul, Anita Rosetta, Liam 7-020, Hikaru Amano
- Where: Frontier Fleet, Island-1
- OOC - IC Date: April 12, 0097 (2023)
- Summary: At last, Bird Human premieres--and Ranka Lee is launched overnight into stardom.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
Island 1 of the Macross Frontier Colony is lit up tonight, as high beam search lights form a beacon to the night of the Bird Human Premiere. One wouldn't realize the movie only finished filming less than a month ago. A memorial plaque has been erected by Nergal to film editors that collapsed during crunch time.
But noone is looking at it! Because right now, the red carpet is rolled out in spectacular fashion at the Songstress Theater in downtown. Stretching out from the doorway to the street, a crowd of paparazzi is held back only by velvet ropes, an assault of flashes striking the sense of anyone who steps out of the vehicle.
Miranda Meryn arrived not too long ago, and she's currently held up by interviewers. "Do I have concerns about the expedited production time? Not at all! I am confident that my performance will shine..." She says with a terse smile, "...no matter what obstacles appear in my path."
Although she got plenty of attention, the moment a limousine rolls up and Ranka steps out, the attention of the crowd shifts towards the relatively unknown Actress, flashes assault vision, but when the light clears, she's wearing a partially backless and strapless white dress that's snug against the bustline, tapering down into three lovely tiered skirts. A white ribbon graces the back of her green hair, and she has on tan boots with darker brown accents.
As she momentarily shields her eyes, and walks down the red carpet.
"Miss Lee! Miss Lee! Not only are you starring as Mao Nome in your first film role, but you're singing the the ED. That's quite the accomplishment for someone who was an unknown before! How do you feel about this?"
"How do I feel? I. It's an honor to play Mao." Ranka is glowing, and smiling, even if she can't quite shed all of her shyness, "And I hope that everyone will enjoy my song. It's my dream to debut as an idol myself one day."
"You can certainly do much worse than your song debuting in a film that contains new music by the Galactic Fairy!" Ranka Lee nods quickly, her smile shining brighter, "I owe a lot to Sheryl. If not for her encouragement, I don't think I'd be here tonight. But, it was my dream to make it on my own merits."
And clasping her hands together, she bows, suddenly much more serious, "Please, I'd ask that you judge my song and my performance tonight on their own merits."
"And what about your kiss scene with Alto Saotome?" Ranka's face notably pinkens, and her hair just leaps in a way that's caught on a lot of cameras, "It's been the talk of the media, that he served as the stunt double for that underwater sequence."
"I... I... I'd like to say its all thanks to Alto that that scene went so well." As she raises her hands, gesticulating in a motion as if to deescalate rumors, "But-but I would like to remind everyone that Alto wouldn't want anyone to think this is his return to acting!"
The interview goes on for a short time, but in the end, the Red Carpet isn't the only way. For the cast and crew, even the more minor or stunt parts, there's room to walk down it, but for people who want to avoid the camera's eye and the paparazzi blitz, there's a side entrance.
The auditorium is vast, with high walls and a balcony, lights bright in their sconces on each side of the theater. It requires a rather long walk to the VIP section reserved for cast and crew on the front rows.
Ranka's taken a seat in her row, and while the film is starting in a few minutes, there's time enough for talk amongst those people in attendance.
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
Alto is not a VIP as far as cast members go. Which is definitely how he prefers it. Especially after some of the media are annoyingly trying to exaggerate his contributions. It's definitely been a pain. So Alto is grateful he doesn't have to walk the red carpet at the front.
Although for some reason as he makes his way through the less travelled side corridors of the theatre, he fills a chill run down his spine. He doesn't know what that's about, but whatever is happening at that moment, it can't be good!
Alto finds his assigned seat and drops down into it. He's just wearing his classic style of slightly dishevelled white shirt with dark pants, having no need to go all out like some of the more important people here. Plus the less he stands out the better. He's already had to ignore a bunch of calls from his brother. He doesn't want to escalate the issue by seeming like he's actually getting into all this...
... Though neither can he pass on it entirely. He wants to be here to support Ranka, after all.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
Sheryl of course takes her walk down the red carpet, her long blonde locks held in a French braid, save for a few tendrils curling down her ears, by criss-crossing diamond-studded hair combs to better show off her iconic drop earring. A glittering navy blue evening dress hooks behind her neck, hugs her chest and hips and flows down her long thighs, needle-like stiletto heels strapped to her delicate feet. Silver jewelry loops around her neck and her left wrist, and her make-up is on point, bringing to mind the last lights of sunset on an endless sea.
The cameras go wild, lights flashing in every direction as she extends one leg from her limo and slinks out, leaving her purse behind with her manager inside. She sweeps a hand to brush her hair tendrils back, her back straight and her smile brilliant as she strides forward, countless reporters clamoring for her attention. She ignores every single one--until she reaches the doorway to the venue.
Then she turns her head, her blue eyes meeting a certain reporter's in the crowd. For a breath or two, her smile is for them only. And then...
She winks, and strides into the auditorium. The lucky (unlucky?) reporter--truthfully no one she knows, who just happened to catch her eye when she looked back--is left to get jumped on by their peers in her stead.
Apparently Sheryl's feeling both coy and mischievous tonight.
Once inside, Sheryl will meet up with her manager and bodyguard in short order. Her seat isn't far from Ranka's, and when they all settle in, she turns again to catch someone's eye--this time specifically Ranka's, and for an actual reason beyond sowing chaos among the paparazzi.
"Feeling nervous?" she wonders sotto voce.
Her eyes lift to Alto next. The exasperation in her smile, a distinctly 'oh, you' expression, is clear as she takes in his total lack of fashion in this otherwise fabulous event. Is he trying not to pull attention away from Ranka, or is he just trying not to get any attention for himself? Hmmm... Maybe it's both.
"You could've dressed up a little, Alto." She winks, smile growing distinctly catlike. "Even if you pulled out all the stops, you'd still only be the second-prettiest one here~."
<Pose Tracker> Rin Starking has posed.
RIN STARKING is not a VIP in a lot of ways.
She just helped. That was all she did - technological help and some stunt work. Mostly flying a plane that one time. also the alien attack
And it is a couple of the stunt coordinators who she arrives with, even if it's a little unusual for a teenage high school student to show up with two strange men twice her age. But Gopher and Umebozo (so called) have some things in common with Rin.
Military service? No, not really.
You see, they are both...
... Gamers.
Rin is wearing a silk cheongsam-style dress in a gently faded red with a few small gold accents and a diamond-shaped keyhole, if one too high up to be THAT scandalous - it's a place where you could rest a necklance, if you wanted. She's done her hair up in dual oxhorns instead of the usual braid/chignon.
On the way down -
"Wh-- what do you mean a CAREER?" Rin says, suddenly flabbergasted straight out of her usual flirtiness.
"I mean you got talent," says Umebozo as they walk down, "and you ain't got to go to college for this."
"Not that any'a that should be construed as encouraging you to not attend education to the full completion of your personal desires and abilities," says Gopher, before he eats more of his popcorn.
"I -- Jeez -- I --"
Rin goggles. "-- Look I -- tag me on Pitforge or something -- I have to go say hi to Ranka, hey can I have the candy tho, thanks Goph, baiiiii--"
Rin pops up in Ranka's left hand field of vision, holding a box of future candy in one hand. "Heyyyy," she says. "So we really did it, huh!!"
Rin invites herself to perch on a seat near Ranka, within conversation distance but not quite committing. Perhaps she anticipates new arrivals.
"So I could have skipped the violence," Rin says, "but I wouldn't've skipped any of this for the world." Rin opens her candy box, which releases a wisp of condensation from the sealed hypercooled layers of nitro-frozen candy cream inside. "Are you hype? You look hype. Conditionally hype, at least."
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
After the Vajra attacked the movie set for _seemingly no reason at all_, Lucine had been mum on the entire event up until the invitations had been handed out.
Attack or not, it's a miracle the movie made it to completion, and Lucine wants to be there for Ranka and Alto, and... Sheryl will likely be there too, which is always a plus.
Besides, it's a red carpet event, which means... renting a dress because Lucine doesn't have the closet space or the funds to do fancy dresses regularly. But still, dressing up is dressing up! Especially if she gets to have Liam dress up as well.
And this dress, she rather likes. It's a sheath dress overlaid done in tan lace, with the lace extending just a little further down to the knees, as well as the top. ( https://www.nordstrom.com/s/tadashi-shoji-cap-sleeve-lace-sheath-dress/6089331 ) The budget mostly went into the dress; her hair is mostly just brushed out and allowed to hang around her shoulders, with a few borrowed flowers in her hair. Some makeup, and not much else besides the Sheryl Nome limited edition ring on one finger. The heels aren't very high; as cute as some pairs are, it would flatly display just how little practice she has with wearing them.
However, after having to evade some very curious papparazzi, Lucine is beginning to question her choice in footware. "... I should have dressed in something else... my face doesn't even show in the movie, so, it would have been easy to get away with that." Lucine fidgets with her purse, scanning the seats. "--Ah, let's go sit over there. Where--"
Yellow eyes gaze down upon the casually dressed Alto, and the young woman tilts her head. "... Ah... I suppose that is an option too..." She turns her attention to Sheryl and Ranka. "Ah, it's so nice to see this make it to theatres... it appears the paparazzi had been starved for attention... they've been even coming to us for questions about you and Alto. ... Especially about, ah, whether or not Alto was returning to acting..."
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
Tonight is the premiere of Bird Human, in which Anita performed as a stunt pilot. It was nice, to be able to fly for a purpose other than combat, to bring some extra joy and excitement. Getting paid for it certainly didn't hurt, either, especially now that she doesn't have Londo Bell's safety net underneath her. She has to start finding her own way, even if she has the Three Ships Alliance supporting her.
It's a Big Event, though, which means she has to dress the part. As a result, today Anita can be found wearing a black blazer with matching dress pants and tie alongside a dark sea green dress shirt, matching her hair. It's a sleek look, altogether. Her limbs are mostly covered, but it's possible someone might catch the curved, silver metal of her left hand before she slides both hands into her pants pockets.
She has two options for attack here - the front, the most heavily defended of the two entrances, where the defenders have largely amassed in anticipation of those who would walk down the red carpet. Or, she could go through the side entrance - relatively unguarded, it'd be easy to slip through unnoticed.
...In contrast to what one might usually expect from her, Anita elects to travel the path of the red carpet. Realistically, this is the only time in her life she's going to get this chance - she doesn't see herself doing something like this again. She's not the type to clamor for attention, but it would be a nice talking point to be able to point herself out in some of the event photos...
...Besides, with the level of star power on display here, she doesn't expect to be hassled too much. She doesn't mind hiding in their shadow.
And so, in her usual calm and unhurried way, she takes a stroll down the red carpet. Her cybernetic eyes have already adjusted to the blinding flashes of the cameras, making it much easier to find points in the crowd and send off the occasional wink or cool smile.
...And so, eventually, she reaches the auditorium, taking her seat along with the others.
"I've kinda been looking forward to this... It'll be nice to see the full thing." She considers, leaning back and folding her arms in front of her.
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
An ordinary black car pulls up to a free space in the lot, parks itself, and powers down. "Now parked at Songstress Theater," says a cheerful female voice. "Enjoy your stay!" The passenger in the driver's seat gets out of the car--a rental, he passed the tests and has his learner's permit now--and opens the door behind him.
Liam is wearing the fanciest clothes he's ever worn: a rental tuxedo, with a little on-the-spot modification to keep it from riding up or bunching. His scars have been covered thoroughly with concealer.
He holds the door open for his girlfriend, and once she's stepped out, he takes her hand. "I know I said it before," he says, as they head through the side entrance, "but that dress is gorgeous." The two make their way through the theater. Liam acquires some water bottles and a big box of chocolate candies. He sits down next to Lucine, turns to face the others. A bright smile dawns on his face as he sees Ranka here, and then--
He is sitting less than ten feet from Sheryl Nome. She is smoking-hot. "Hello, Liam says, and he sets the candies between him and Lucine.
<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.
Does Hikaru Amano count as a VIP? You wouldn't think so, but she did get the invite along with the rest of the Nadesico, and she sure does strut in like she owns the place.
She's dressed the part, too. kindly provided their employees with fancy suits and dresses, and Hikaru's wearing a nice red one. No pockets! She's not pleased. Instead, she stuffs the popcorn she made back on the ship into a handbag that'd otherwise just be there to look pretty. Not today, overly expensive theatre snack fees!
Eventually she seats herself with Lucine and Liam, after sufficiently talking the paparazzi's ear off just for fun - unfortunately for them, she didn't answer their questions in the slightest! Just completely irrelevant talk about all the liberties she took while doubling.
She clicks a little button on her seat and to her excitement, it leans back. "Huh! They're recliners. Nice!" She comments, before smiling at the people she recognized. "The violence was kinda funny at least," she considers, about the crazy zoo attack. "But after all that.. we've definitely deserved this. Cheers!" She raises her really fizzy bottle of soda that's probably lost its fizz because she smuggled this in too.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
Ranka IS nervous, so she doesn't sense Alto's presence as right near her at first, even if he's near her. Tonight is the night which might determine her whole career after all. Whether the public receives this movie and her song well, or...
... she needs to have faith, so many people believe in her, a top Director liked her song, her acting.
It's Sheryl that draws her attention first, even if she saw her arrive earlier. As Ranka's eye meets her, there's just this nervous excitement, as she bobs her head, "Very. But. It feels good in a way. Like all of us, managed something special? But- still nervous!"
She knows she needs to get used to this if she's going to be an idol but right now, it felt like so much hinged on this. And so she lets herself be distracted by you know. Sheryl Nome. Her tone drops, "Also you look amazing!"
Even as Sheryl draws her attention to Alto, "Oh Alto! There you are. I'm. So."
A kiss scene kinda draws her mind away for a moment, the memory of it.
"Tonight is, the night." Momentary pause, before the words rush out, "I'm glad you're both here for it."
Rin pops up in her vision, "We did! And - now we're here!" She then nods quickly, "Me too." On skipping the violence even though Hikaru thought it was funny, "I mean..." Pause, "I am? Kinda! I'm nervous but hype? Is that a thing? I hope it's a thing!" Ranka buries her face in her hands, "I just hope everyone enjoys it."
Okay, the wild shifts in emotion are pretty understandable. Lucine approaches, and, she separates the fingers just enough to take a look, "Oh hey Lucine-!" As she bobs her head to Liam when he sets the candy down, "-and... yeah, I uh. Honestly I've been asked more questions about him than Chrom Thuse?"
And as Annie takes a seat, she asides, "I hope your big battle scene came out well!" Hikaru she sees the bottle of soda and she worries aloud, "I hope noone saw us sneak that in. We could get kicked out."
Does she actually think they'd kick out the supporting actress in the premiere!?
The time comes, as signified by when the lights dim, a man in a Tuxedo walks on stage, the MC of the night simply announcing, "Presenting, Bird Human, from the biography of Shin Kudo. As envisioned by acclaimed director George Yamamori."
The lights dim, and a fanfare plays with the Nergal logo. Before...
"I don't remember much from when I was a child." A picture of a family on the instruments of a fighter plane slowly zooms up, fingertips brushing the edge of it, "I played and lived like a normal child." The masculine voice of Shin Kudo narrates. "But I won't forget that day. On that day, something that should not have shook, shook. I saw two suns in the sky." A vision of a dark mushroom cloud, crackling with electricity, like the finger of an angry god, "The real sun to the east, and in the west, there was another sun in the darkness. My dad murmured that a war had begun, and my mom was praying to God. I was fascinated by it and just watched, thinking it was beautiful."
"I was a really stupid kid. When we found out about extraterrestrial life, humankind had to wake up. And the world experienced sudden change." Pictures of people watching news broadcasts, mobilization of troops worldwide. "Peace was shaken, just like the ground shook." Tanks mobilize, bombers drop their payload, "I didn't take notice until I was already there and fighting. The only reason I fight is for an earth that doesn't shake again, even if I know that the idea is just fantasy."
The title card drops, 'Bird Human: The Legend of Zero.'
Multiple jets fly in formation. Soon enough a dogfight breaks out. At first, it looks like Shin is doing well, even though much of his squadron dies. The kill count is shown on the side of his jet like notches on a bedpost. His copilot argues for greater cooperation.
"I've never relied on anyone to cover my back. If I let my guard down for even a second, I'll get shot down."
And soon enough, that's tested, as a mysterious bogey assaults the fighter jets. Military nerds and stunt pilots alike will recognize right away. It's a variable fighter.
Shin and his remaining squad has no chance. It commits to a maneuver no fighter can pull off. Transforms into Battroid mode, and brutally shoots Shin's fighter down.
The moment it does, the scene shifts to the Mayan people in traditional garb, around a torch. An elder speaks...
"A long time ago, when this world had just begun..."
Miranda Meryn appears as Sara Nome, in her robe and priestess ornamentation, and the opening sequence truly begins as Sheryl Nome's newest release begins to play.
BGM Change: Liebe ~ Illusory Light - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzkS9GMT3Cs
"If I were to lose you, then the world would surely
"End up parting with all of its light
"Even so, if playing out our roles means we must part,
"Then I'm satisfied with this."
A man washes up by an island shore, found by her. He's dragged out of the water by several islanders.
"On that day, I was a shell, and
"You who washed ashore were the sand
"You embraced me as if to protect me."
"I will not weep, I will never weep
"Nor will I ever chase after your back
"Or ever stare at you; I feel no sorrow
"For I will not forget your scent
"Love will not weep, love will not sleep, love will not die
"For I want to believe
"I want to live ferociously, I want to be strong
"I will lose nothing, for I will not forget."
They bring him to a hut, being mindful of his wounds, as Sara Nome helps start to bandage those wounds. While the look she gives him is severe, it's clear there's a certain curiosity hiding in those eyes.He wakes up, dazed, confused, wounded. Dragging himself up he grabs an ornately carved spear as a weapon.
"I won't forget."
Out of the hut he walks, seeing an island with birds roosting all over the shore, and many many decorated and elevated huts. He staggers out of them, moving towards the treeline.
"I do not
"Need any warmth anymore
"Because I can warm myself up
"I will not let myself be hurt, nor will I dream
"I will fear nothing, for I will not forget.
"Love will not weep, love will not sleep, love will not die
"And I will not forget."
He points the spear at Sara Nome and the gathered Mayans.
"Is this Island allied with the Britannian Union?"
"I am the Voice of the Wind. The disturbed winds have brought confusion to its holy currents. That's why I know, when the warrior with blood-stained hands awakens, it taints the wind. The Mayan wind is tainted, and the Kadun makes a nest in the grass. Now that you have awakened, I ask that you leave this island at once."
"This is nonsense! There should have been another man with me!"
He jabs the spear at her.
"This is..." "Don't touch it!"
He jabs the spear and...
"You're the only one we found." Says Ranka's voice in a cheerful matter of fact, "Only one person drifted ashore."
Sara gasps, "Mao!" Right as a girl, hanging from a palm tree by her legs, makes an acrobatic leap down, landing on her feet, turns and smiles at him mischievously.
Mao Nome is introduced.
And Ranka, watching the movie, hides her face within her hands.
<Pose Tracker> Rin Starking has posed.
Rin, from her perch, sees other people come in. Her gaze rests lingeringly on Sheryl, which is probably the average reaction to her, really. She crosses one leg over the other as she glances towards Alto, Liam and Lucine, Hikaru (who gets a raise of the candy box in salute)...
Rin decides she can seize a seat! Heh heh!
"Ranka... before anything happens," Rin tells the young idol and dawning actress, "Remember!"
Hm, Rin thinks. What should I say here.
'Reviews are bullshit sold to you by advertisers.' Hmmm... That'll just stress her out.
'The average moviegoer is an idiot, and half of them are dumber than that!' True, but it'd lower the mood.
'Gopher knows a guy, if you don't like the editing. Just saying.' She might laugh at that, but...
Rin chooses a fourth option from the rotary wheel, leaving the fifth, "super Communist" option unchosen.
"I'm definitely gonna be cheering when you show up."
And then the lights dim...! (Rin eats her cryopreserved candy.)
"WHOOOOOH!" Rin whoops at the first appearance of Mao Nome, just once, but enough to reach a few seats' radius. After this she hunches down and eats her candy.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
"Oh, Lucine! Long time no see, it feels like," Sheryl says cheerfully as the pilot sits nearby with her boyfriend. She spots the limited edition ring on her finger, winks now at her, and raises her wrist--there rests the silver version of the bracelet from that set. "That dress is cute, though if you ask me, the best part of your look is the flowers in your hair." Her gaze turns to Liam, who would be difficult to miss given his size. "Hi there, big guy~. Is this your boyfriend, Lucine~?"
As she turns, she catches Rin staring at her, and shoots her a little smirk and a wink of her own. There are plenty of winks for everyone tonight. Her smile turns wry when she hears about the paparazzi wanting to know about Alto returning to acting. She'd already heard about that piece of gossip, but still-- "It's just like the media to never let something go," she says dryly. "Of course, that'll only last until the next big thing, and then it'll be like no one had ever said anything about it at all."
Ranka's response gets her to brighten, though. "If you're the real deal, you'll get hooked on that feeling soon enough," she says in the tone of a promise rather than a warning. "I'm looking forward to seeing how they edited it all together!"
Supposedly people died for this art. Sheryl hasn't thought much about it, having assumed it was the usual exaggeration of the stage.
But before long, the lights dim. As much as she'd like to see Alto's reaction to her teasing, Sheryl turns dutifully towards the front to watch. It isn't just that she sang the opening theme; she has a genuine interest in this story. After all, the leading ladies are Sara and Mao Nome. That isn't a coincidence, though she's talked about it little during interviews.
And when Ranka--'Mao--leaps down from the palm tree to cheerfully explain the situation, there's a bit of a glimmer in her blue eyes, near impossible to see in the dark of the theatre.
It's a strange feeling, is all.
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
Anita settles in, and Ranka offers her hopes that the battle scene came out well. In return, Anita offers her an easy smile.
"Thanks. I'm kind of excited. It'll be interesting to see myself flying from the outside for once... I wonder if I'll be able to pick myself out of the crowd." She replies, and studies her for a moment. She doesn't know Ranka that well, but she's gotten pretty good at reading people. It's easy for her to see the tension. She tilts her head in her direction, her smile softening. "Keep your chin up, alright? Seems like you got a lotta people who support you here. I'm sure you were great."
And so, the lights dim, and the movie begins. Anita watches with interest - through the battle, the opening narration, Sheryl's new song... and the reveal of Ranka as Mao Nome. She plays the part pretty well, honestly... at least, so far.
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
As Liam compliments her, Lucine bows her head down, blushing. "I thought so too... And you look very handsome."
Settling down, Lucine waves Hikari over as the fellow pilot backs her way down, packing illegal treats. "... Hikari! I'm glad you could come. With all the funding Nergal provided, it'd be sad if nobody from the Nadesico could enjoy the premiere along with us stunt doubles... especially since you helped with the zoo mess, too." Come to think of it, was it all due to the Vajra that that happened?
Ranka, understandably, is anxious. "Ah, but you really put your all into this, Ranka... I can't wait to see what these scenes will look like, after all the editing and sound mixing... I can't wait." It's not really comforting words for Ranka, but Lucine is truthful, at the very least. .... even if this is more one step Ranka might be taking from those sessions of singing in the greenhouse.
And then, Sheryl Nome greets her and Liam. "Sheryl! Ah, thank you... it took me a while to pick the right one out." Lucine has to remember-- they were at her concerts, yes, but this is their first visit face to face in a while, as well as Liam's first meeting in general. "This is Liam, and, yes..." Lucine nods her head, beaming as she lifts up the ring on her finger. "We got this on one of our dates, in fact... Ah, but the bracelet looks gorgeous too! And your dress is gorgeous on top of that..."
Turning back to Ranka, Lucine chuckles. ".... everyone loves a good mystery, but... I think she's right," she says, nodding gently towards Sheryl. "Alto will get his peace soon enough."
Settling back into her seat as the movie begins, Lucine grins, looking up towards Liam.
It's not every day he gets to meet a superstar face to face, after all.
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
'You could've dressed up a little, Alto.'
Alto crosses his arms with a frown, "And give them even more reason to think I'm returning?"
As if to prove his point, Alto catches wind of Lucine's comment about the subject. His eyebrow twitches a little, thought not in annoyance at her, but at the media. Maybe he should put in reassignment to like, Pluto or something.
Ranka greets him, drawing Alto's thoughts away. He smiles at her as she expresses her nervousness, "I'm sure people will love you." Alto hasn't seen the final product, but from what he had seen on set, Ranka definitely seemed like a good fit for Mao. Probably more so than the leading actress was for her role.
Alto is thankful they'll never likely have to deal with HER again.
The lights dim and the movie starts up. Alto is partly familiar with the story of Shin Kudo, as many in the Macross fleets are. One of the first VF pilots and a hero of the Huffman Conflict. However, this is the first time Alto's ever seen the story transformed into movie format. He's definitely interested in seeing how this version plays out in comparison to what he knows about the historical facts.
Sheryl's song plays over the events of the movie's opening. It definitely seems to match the tone of the film thus far. And Alto has no doubt it's going to be another big hit for the superstar.
It doesn't take long before the character Mao Nome shows up for the first time. Glancing in Ranka's direction, Alto can see her hiding her face. He smiles, leaning over in her direction to ask, "How does actually seeing it on the screen compare to what you expected?"
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
'Oh, Lucine!'
Liam's heart leaps against his ribs. This is not the first time he's been this close to Sheryl, but the last time he was on a mission, there to warn her of something terrible--something that turned out to be a god damn void dragon. The very first of them, in fact. In a relatively calmer setting, where they can talk, well--
'Hi there, big guy~.'
Liam puts on his warmest smile, but it comes off as starstruck anyway. "Yes," he says, and he reaches out to take Lucine's hand--the hand bearing that ring. "I'm... a big fan of yours. Getting to meet you, ah--" He gives Lucine a reassuring squeeze. "Lucine invited me, since she did stuntwork, but... I didn't think..."
The movie's starting! Liam hushes his voice, and watches. He holds his hand to steady himself, bracing for war movie segments. Next to him, Lucine can likely feel him stabilizing and grounding himself. It's almost a relief when they get to the island. But then--
Liam smiles, widely, as Ranka makes her debut.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
Ozma Lee is not attending the premiere tonight, instead, he's in a bar, having just finished watching the Red Carpet part of the premiere on the TV.
"To think, you'd be playing Mao." He downs the shot and muses, "Fate has such a wicked sense of humor."
-=-=-
As Sheryl says that, her expression melts into one of determination, "I'll get used to it. I'm sure of it!" Before adding, "Yeah me too. I'm still shocked at how little time it took!
She must think the people dying thing was an exaggeration? Please let it be an exaggeration.
Whereas Alto telling her that people will love her, she tries to look encouraged, though doubt still stabs at her heart, "Well, if you think so. I trust your opinion."
Rin tells her to remember. There's a pregnant pause, as the weight of practical advice hangs there.
"You will?" Ranka seems both inordinately startled and pleased by this. Was this really something to remember? Well she thinks it is!
She's not sure if Annie will be able to pick herself out of the crowd, but as she says that, some of the tension eases off of her, "I'm trying. I promise it's just..." She trails off, smiles, "It's just, so much could happen after tonight."
To Lucine, she blinks her eyes for a time, then looks over to Alto, then she lowers her voice and tells her discreetly, "I hope so." Since well, she knows it's more a problem than just the media.
(When Rin cheers, her hands press tighter against her face, but she's smiling.)
She peeks through her fingertips at Alto's question, "Exhilarating? Terrifying? Both. It's... putting myself out there in a way I never have before."
The movie keeps going, a romantic drama in the heart of war. Mao takes to Shin, while Sara tries to stay away due to duty. Shin makes it back, gains training in his new variable fighter, but eventually he's drawn back to Mayan Island in the heart of the conflict and eventually, Mao makes an offer to him, to show him something.
Ranka has her hands at either cheek, fingers crooked, eyes fixed to the screen. This is the first time she'll have seen this on the big screen. And this is the first time everyone ELSE will see her first kiss on the big screen.
Does it really count as a first kiss?
https://srtmoo.net/mediawiki/index.php/2023-03-17:_A_Natural
Shin and Mao swim down into the Protoculture Ruins. Mao, the stronger swimmer grabs Shin by the hand and pulls him further down, the relic comes aglow, as its eye moves towards Shin.
Shin, startled, panics and starts to drown. And Mao starts to narrate the scene, even if no words can be spoken underwater.
'Shin, do you like my big sister?'
Mao swims up to him and, the two make eye contact. There is hesitation.
'Look at me.'
Mao presses a kiss to his lips, long and deep, as she blows air into his lungs.
'I love you as well.'
And when she breaks contact, she just looks so, happy, in such a natural way.
He looks like Chrom Thuse, but due to the media coverage of the famed child prodigy of Kabuki theater, Alto Saotome, there's noone in this theater who doesn't know its him.
<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.
"I'm sure it will be fiiiine~" Hikaru assures Ranka as she fusses over the smuggled bottle of soda. "They're not gonna kick you out, no matter how embarrassed you feel about your assuredly amazing performance!" She grins, taking a sip and then flipping the cap back on.
"Hey there, Lucine! And Liam too!" Hikaru waves, when she's greeted. "Being a stunt pilot and an anti-zoo-attack defender was pretty fun.. but yeah, I'm glad I get to kick back for once." She nods, relaxing in the theatre chair. "I'm definitely excited to see our wonderful actors, too!" She smiles at Ranka.
She recognizes Sheryl's face too, not just because she's a huge superstar idol, but she also distinctly remembers studying her as a reference. ...She's really quite pretty, isn't she?
But before she can get distracted too long, the film opens with the prelude to a battle - covered by Sheryl's singing. There's a somber, yet hopeful tone to it that draws Hikaru in, appreciating the talent. She can respect the work that goes into productions like this, not the least because she got to watch it happen.
And of course, she grins when Mao Nome makes her appearance. It's really hard to believe Ranka didn't have the role from the very start, she seems almost made for it.
The romance.. isn't really her first preference, but she respects it as well. And she knows just how much that kiss means to Ranka Lee and Alto Saotome~
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
It is a bit of a shame; Sheryl absolutely remembers the void dragon, and because she remembers the void dragon, she absolutely doesn't remember Liam. But this is a better meeting in all regards anyway. She giggles at his starstruck smile, muffling it behind her bracelet'd hand. "Isn't it, though~?" she says to Lucine and Liam both, if to different (but not that different) things.
Her gaze goes from Lucine and Liam to Hikaru as they greet each other, though her attention doesn't stay on Hikaru long. It does last long enough for her to mentally go, oh, she was one of the stunt pilots that one day of filming, and that thoughtful recognition shows on her face.
Still smiling, Sheryl then shrugs at Alto's protest. "Oh, they probably don't really think it. They just claim they do because they're desperate for a story and to the right crowd, this is a great one, and that's why they're not letting it go. So since they're not going to let it go--at least not until the next hot thing drops--why not look your handsomest?"
The impeccable logic of a superstar.
(As for Miranda, perhaps she'll make her own break, or perhaps she'll end up a one-hit wonder whose time in the spotlight fades after this one movie. Either way, she probably won't cross paths with Team Triangle again. (Or will she??))
Her smile for Ranka is more indulgent. "I heard they'd been working on editing from the start of production, because of all the delays, and that's why it was so short," she says sotto voce. As for how well she'll be received, she imagines Alto would have a better grasp of that.
The film itself reflects that very well indeed. While it might just be for the movie--while it might just be acting for one of them--Sheryl's smile fades, something twinging in her chest, as she watches Mao (Ranka) kiss Shin (Alto) on screen. Still, her pride keeps her eyes forward for the moment.
Because she knows it's not acting for the other.
<Pose Tracker> Rin Starking has posed.
When Sheryl Nome - THE Sheryl Nome, who is now and always will have been Rin's co-worker, legally - winks at her, Rin's face turns red as her hair and she turns away. Score one for style~
And score two, perhaps, for Ranka.
Because not only is she getting heroic support, but she also has an *on screen kiss*. "OoOOoOOOoooooooOOOOOo," Rin echoes, maturely, at the sight of it. In the relative darkness, the flush remaining on her face isn't quite visible.
The rest is more interesting and academic for Rin, who has seen dozens of its pieces from the sidelines. They're pieced together at last - how cohesive are they? Can she even judge that kind of thing, now, with her eyes?
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
Ranka promises she's trying, but there's so much that could happen after tonight. Anita offers her a sad smile.
"...Yeah, I get that." She says. It must be similar to the way she feels before the evening of a big battle. That terrible feeling of uncertainty... "For now, I guess... Me, here's what I think when I face somethin' like this. Tomorrow's tomorrow, and tonight's tonight. Not much you can do about what's happening tomorrow, tonight, right?"
She pauses, massaging the back of her neck a bit sheepishly.
"...Well, I guess that only works if you think a certain way." She admits. Not everyone's capable of taking things as easy as she does.
Her attention turns back to the screen. A romantic drama, huh... She didn't care much for that kind of thing before, but now that she's started to dabble in romance a little herself, she kind of gets it now. She watches the proceedings attentively, a smile crossing her face as she does.
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
As Ranka describes her feelings about seeing herself on screen for the first time, they stir up old feelings in Alto. Reminding him of his own experiences when he was younger. He didn't always feel the way about his past career that he does now. There were times that he thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the difficulties it placed on him. Though that may not have necessarily been the career specifically...
It's not one he can go back to though. That's not who he is any more. Despite SOME people trying to insist that it is. Although, he's still not entirely sure who he is now...
... Except someone who is a little embarrassed as a certain scene starts to play. The more it goes on, the more Alto shrinks into his seat, raising his hand to his face to hide it not that unlike Ranka. When Alto had gone into that scene, he had done so with the expectation that no one would actually know it was him, instead thinking it was Chrom Thuse.
So much for that.
Alto looks away from the screen, trying to distract his mind. As he's glancing around, Sheryl catches his eye...
Which of course just makes him think about something ELSE that had happened not too long before this scene was filmed.
How the hell did he end up in this situation?
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
As the story of the Bird Human plays on the screen above, a pleasant tempest of emotions forms in the interplay of relationships below. Lucine reaches over, squeezes Liam's hand for a second as she looks on with a smile, then takes some chocolates.
Her eyes, Liam, Hikari, and anyone else close by may notice, is not looking up at the screen.
The movie is engaging and Ranka and Alto's performances are excellent, yes, but she can always rent it later. The show below, not so much.
Sometimes, it's just nice to be a Newtype.
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
Liam blushes. He doesn't know what he's blushing about, aside from 'oh my God, Sheryl Nome interacted with me'.
He's still paying attention to the movie, though, and the Protoculture artifact earns a look of genuine awe from him. Part of him knows it's not real, but this probably actually happened, and--
They're kissing. Ranka and Alto are kissing. Should he be watching this? How did they even film that? The camera lingers.
Liam leans in closer to Lucine. He feels happy for Ranka--she looks so happy--but is she acting?
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
"That. Makes sense." Ranka tells Annie quietly, "I guess I'm not so good at keeping my head entirely in the present?" Still, a certain way, it's worth thinking about. It's just a mindset she wants to abide by but... she has so much tied up in the future.
Hikaru gets Ranka eyeing her again. "I-If you're sure." Ranka says to Hikaru, still wondering if some usher is going to kick them out at ANY moment.
Entirely irrationally.
"Wow. I guess most of their work was just on my scenes then?" She suggests to Sheryl, since she was the late replacement.
It's hard NOT to feel what Sheryl is thinking in the moment, which perhaps exacerbates her own feelings of anxiety.
At the same time, she's been telling herself she wants to compete against Sheryl on equal terms. In all things.
Friends and rivals.
Still she turns BRIGHT red as Rin throws that OooooOoooooooOo in. An eye flicks over to Alto through the filter of her fingers, seeing him look at Sheryl.
She has to do more. She's not on Sheryl's level yet.
She will do more. Because it's not only Alto that she wants to be looking at her.
Lucine and Liam end up watching the show, where the show is the three of them looking at each other.
A lot happens. Duels are fought in the sky, action scenes happen. Hikaru and Annie both manage to pick out their fighters in the scene even with the CGI. Sara reveals her magic powers as a priestess in a pool that's, familiar to all of them.
Eventually the BU side switches tactics brutally and the island is struck all over by Fuel Air Bombs. It all goes wrong when Sara is captured for her value to a certain defector who is an expert on Protoculture.
It all goes so wrong. Something ancient arises. Convinced Shin is dead from the circumstances, Sara gives in.
BGM Change: Song of Destruction - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThGMiiBbjYI
The bird human has come. Its moth like appearance and violet wings spread over the ocean. Humanity is being judged and found wanting for its violent, warlike ways. It's head sprays wrath as bright as the sun, sinking a fleet.
Sara Nome is trapped within, and every fighter she sees becomes a ugly purple effigy.
When she points, energy blasts erupt out of its wings, curling and curving around, carving a swath of destruction. D.D. Ivanov and Nora Polyansky, antagonist ace pilots throughout the film, perish in fire. One trying to avenge the other.
Weaving through the fire, Shin eventually breaks through the spell. With one final burst sacrificing part of his variable fighter, he makes it close enough that she sees him for whom he is.
Humanity isn't satisfied though, it cannot see, and soon enough a VF Bomber latches to a warship, and fires, as Mao looks on in horror. Nuclear warheads are fired. Forced away by Sara, the back of his plane breaks. And the Bird Human endures the warheads, flashing with violet light as it warps away.
Shin's variable fighter feels doomed, but then the Mayan people start to sing, with Mao leading them on the deck, her hospital gown and green hair swaying with the wind as her sweet voice carries ethereally, like a spell.
BGM Change - Aimo: Bird Human - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEpppieVjww
"Aimo aimo nedel lushe
"Noina miria endel prodea
"Photomi."
"Here we are in a warm sea: look up and breathe."
Ethereal hands, Sara's hands, even though she is gone envelop Shin's, and the Variable Fighter takes on a blue auroral glow.
"Lulei luleia
"Skylarks soar like lapping waves over me.
"Lulei luleia
"You are the gentle child of all greenery."
"Sara. I can still hear you... and the song of your people." The doomed Variable Fighter begins to level off, its flaps now like ruined feathers torn and ravaged spreading out once more.
"Aimo aimo nedel lushe
"Noina miria endel prodea
"Photomi."
"Here we are in a warm sea: look up and breathe."
Over the ocean, it glides, streaming blue contrails, even as it turns sharply strikes the water with a geyser like splash. Before appearing again, and rising. Narrated as she sings, Mao says 'Shin, you really were a Bird Human.'
"Slumbering in the depths of my heart,
"As vast and brilliant as the stars, my affection for you,
"With the heat of your hand held in mine,
"When your quiet lips frame a rhyme, it will waken in tune."
Feathers, countless white feathers erupt from the fighter, over the golden waters, before it rises unto the heavens, and disappears in a sparkle, feathers still raining down.
"Here we are in a warm sea: look up and breathe."
The credits roll, showing the vastness of space, the warmth of the colors and nebulas that Shin and Sara vanished into.
"Aimo aimo nedel lushe
"Long ago, we were all as one in this world, borderless
"Come here and breathe in again the warm universe."
The music winds down, the credits end and... the applause begins.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
"Probably," Sheryl tells Ranka, light and nonchalant. "But they've done a good job of it so far."
Really an astonishingly good job, considering all the production woes and the fact that Mao's actress was changed up at the last second. Those editors are worth their weight in gold. (Were worth??)
As for the kiss scene, well... Sheryl is no Newtype herself, but it's not hard to guess what Alto and Ranka are thinking, even without looking their way. Her lips thin at Rin's 'oooOOOoooh,' but it's dark, and she's not so petty that she's going to huff about it.
Besides, that's hardly all of the movie. The rest of it goes on, and Sara gives in to despair... Sheryl's eyes soften as she watches the story of her great-aunt unfold--the way she and that Protoculture weapon, the so-called Bird Human, become one. How much of that is real and how much is exaggeration...? If it's true that the Nomes carry its DNA in their veins, then she too...
Sheryl shakes her head quickly. Obviously that's something made up for a movie. If there was something like that going on with her, Grace would have told her ages ago. She glances to her left where Grace sits; Grace, catching her eye, smiles at her, and she smiles back.
Yes. Grace definitely would have told her if there was anything strange in her blood.
In the end, Mao leads the Mayan people into song at the close of the film, just when it seems all hope is lost. Sheryl's skin prickles. So it was Aimo? She's really decided to sing it for all the world to hear? Sheryl has some mixed feelings about that, but... ultimately, she's glad for her. Ranka's decided to open her heart to everyone. And if everyone hears, then maybe she and Brera both can unlock the mysteries of that song.
When the ending song and credits wind down and the applause revs up, Sheryl is applauding as powerfully as anyone else.
<Pose Tracker> Anita Rosetta has posed.
Anita nods. That's something she gets, too. She knows full well how difficult it is, often being around people who are always thinking ahead too.
"...Yeah. That's not a bad thing, either. I've got a lot of friends who are the same way. You gotta have someone looking to the future." Anita offers. "For what it's worth, at least from where I'm sitting, you've been pretty great."
The movie continues. A grin crosses her face as she manages to spot herself. Her unit is CGI'd, of course, but she'd recognize her own talents anywhere. It's something else, to see her movements on the big screen... She's definitely going to gush to Rena about this later.
She's not just here for her own contribution, though. It's a powerful, moving story - and that song that plays at the end is incredible, too...
Anita joins in on the applause, clapping proudly for everyone.
<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Amano has posed.
Hikaru is at least discrete enough with the popcorn, so Ranka shouldn't worry about that. The handbag ended up being quite the perfect disguise. CRONCH.
She watches eagerly, as the distinctive VF moves she pulled off appear on screen during the dogfight! Of course, she points it out for those next to her. She remembers they had a lot of fun filming that... and yet the framing in the film ends up being so much more tense - it's really impressive how the lighting, music and everything changes the atmosphere so much.
Even as the ancient bird human makes its appearance, judging humanity for its mistakes...
Humanity makes a miracle, as it always seems to do. Even if it happened before, it's hard for Hikaru not to be reminded of Axis - and more recently, Palau, the battle she fought in not so long ago. She recognizes the pool, scenery she sketched for Sheryl Nome - and the imagery feels familiar.
It's its own miracle, though, and the movie really manages to bring the power of song to justice. That was.. Ranka singing, wasn't it?
At the end of the movie, Hikaru claps enthustiastically, not really having any witty comments in the moment.. but she really did enjoy the show.
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
The movie continues on, the intensity of the battles picking up. Alto has to admit he is somewhat impressed by their depiction. Certainly quite realistic.
Though given that some of it, particularly the final battle against the Bird Human, was adapted from footage of the battle with the Vajra... Perhaps a little too realistic.
Finally, the movie begins to come to its final moments, 'Aimo' beginning to play over the scenes depicted. Even without the song, it's an emotional moment in the story. But Alto expects it's made significant moreso by Ranka's singing.
Alto closes his eyes as he simply listens to the song. His thoughts drift back to the first time he heard it. Atop the memorial park building. His wonder and amazement at the sight of this girl, who he had barely known for just a few days, starting to sing such a beautiful song.
Opening his eyes again, Alto looks at Ranka. Thinking about how far she's come... He smiles. The movie ends, the applause starting. Alto joins in, of course. Though as he's doing so, he's not looking at the screen as many others probably are, he remains looking at Ranka.
<Pose Tracker> Rin Starking has posed.
The Bird Human.
Rin gazes at it. So that's what it looks like on the screen, Rin thinks; she sees awe, but does she feel it? She doesn't know. She gazes upon it. The great being rises and Rin takes a deep breath. She expects to see a tragic ending.
But instead there's an escape.
Wonder, Rin thinks. No, she feels it.
Movies rarely quite get to her. On televisions the screen always seems to flicker, and until she got older, it was hard to pay attention to a film for what felt like ages.
But...
It's bittersweet, but it's life.
Rin is silent longer than she usually is at the end, and then, as if something reminded her, she rises up to her feet and begins whooping while clapping her head (hands??) off.
<Pose Tracker> Lucine Azul has posed.
A hand snakes over, and, if Hikaru allows, Lucine steals some popcorn, offering some chocolate in trade. This is likely done over Liam, the flower in Lucine's hair at just the right height to tickle his nose, but avoided easily enough if he tries.
Later, when Lucine settles back into her seat, Liam leans closer to Lucine, and she leans her head against his shoulder, smiling to the melody of Aimo. It's bittersweet, as she wanted to forever be one of the special ones who heard it.
But that was by circumstance, besides. If Ranka had asked, Lucine would have scheduled her breaks around the time Ranka was to sing to the plants, allowing Ranka time to be alone. Yet... It really did bring a certain peace to her heart, all those times when her memories threatened to overflow messily in the present.
She mouths the words, the light of the screen throwing her smiling face in profile.
Like the end of a spell, the lights come on, and Lucine is struck blind. Pride in Ranka and Alto's performances, as well as the performances of everyone who played as stunt pilots, urge her to stand up and clap, grinning as she looks down towards Ranka. 'You are worth this', she mouths, realizing the crowd's noise would be too hard to overcome with her words.
<Pose Tracker> Liam 7-020 has posed.
Liam allows the reach, and even leans back to make it easier. It's the little things like this that contribute to a fulfilling relationship.
As yet more war footage unfolds on screen, the cyborg finds himself caught between the sheer spectacle of it all--knowing people aren't really dying--and the fact that this did actually happen, in some form. Real people died when Britannia bombed the island. Real people died when the Bird Human--another display that earns wide-eyed, terrified awe from Liam--passed its judgment. And then there's the miracle.
It's all so neatly packaged. Even the horror is curated, edited. Will... will this happen to Dublin, someday?
And he also thinks back to Rita, sobbing as she clung to him.
There is no doubt that many people put their all into this, but it rests so uneasily in Liam's heart. As the credits song plays, he turns back to Ranka, and applauds. He manages a smile, but his eyes are wet.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
"They have." She agrees with Sheryl with a whisper, "I'm really surprised."
(Somehow she restrains herself from looking Hikaru's way with the CRONCH!)
It's hard somehow, sitting in silence, listening to her song. Something just told her that if her song had already been enjoyed by so many people that - perhaps it was time for the world to enjoy it too.
Before it was for just a few people in her life, but... after what happened on the island with the Vajra, perhaps she was more sure than ever it was the right decision to make.
When the movie ends, she just, can't stop smiling, even as others applaud. She doesn't really see it as directed her way, even if the intentions of the people around her were directly towards her...
Once the credits have finished rolling, and the applause dies the MC steps back on stage as Miranda and Chrom join him from behind stage, they weren't in the audience themselves, "Everyone, I'd like for you to give a big hand to the actors who graced us with the performances you saw tonight. First, the lead actress, with her depiction of Sara Nome, Miss Miranda Merin."
She steps forward, and takes a bow, as people applaud, "Next, the lead actor, with his performance as Shin Kudo, the incomparable Mister Chrom Thuse."
A pause as more applause begins, before he then adds, "And finally the maiden who played Mao, the girl who entranced us with her beautiful voice: Miss Ranka Lee." He points a hand towards the front rows, right towards Ranka, despite the dark auditorium. The spotlight comes on, and people continue to applaud, as Ranka looks around, slack-jawed, eyes nearly blank as if stunned by the moment. People start giving her a standing ovation, as she folds her hands together.
Her eyes turn to Alto at first as he looks to her, but she realizes, he's already helped her so much. Even tonight he's hurting because of so many thinking he's acting again. So instead she looks to Sheryl, as if searching for advice.
And after a moment of exchange between them, a hand reaches across to her, as the Director stands there in a suit coat and open collared shirt. His hand removing his sunglasses from his bearded visage, as he looks to her with open dark eyed stare.
"Yesterday, you were nothing... today, your legend begins." The comment is overdramatic to an extreme perhaps, but he is a famous director isn't he? Perhaps there is some touch of celebrity prophecy within his words.
Ranka slowly puts her fingers into his hand, as he helps her up, her other hand placed to her chest. She still looks about as if still in disbelief of this response as she stands up to stand on the stage by the MC.
Even Miranda claps, albeit VERY slowly, as Ranka looks out upon the crowd.