lackluster | ᴅᴜᴏᴄᴀᴇʟɪ: ɪɴʙᴏx.

[as other people are dealing with the dilemmas of princesses and dates, rin has encountered a far more ominous opponent:

couples discounts.

she stands in front of a sign at the bird walk, advertising a karaoke bar that has a suiteheart special, allowing couples to enter at a discounted price and get a delicious five-layer parfait on top of it. rin thinks it's not a bad deal, but she also doesn't want to pay any part of it. what's a girl to do?

- which is admittedly when childe catches her eye, and she'll immediately fall into step with him, hand falling at the crook of his elbow.]

Hi, stranger. [said with all the familiarity of someone who is definitely not a stranger - are they childhood friends or new acquaintances who only met once before? oh, either's possible. maybe both. rin will point her free hand at the karaoke bar] How'd you rate your singing voice?

[ It seems everyone is trying to capitalize on the lovey-dovey nature of White Day, or so Childe assumes. He can see how it would be a lot of fun if he went to some of the locations with someone else, but it's not like he can just ask anyone— or rather, someone else has beaten him to that.

When Rin slides her hand around his arm, he blinks at her for a second, and then instantly breaks into a grin. ]

Yeah? Out of 5? I'd say I'm not bad, so closer to a 4.5 or something.

[ He tries to be humble... ]

You?

[wow, a 90%. so humble. rin laughs a little bit at that and lightly tug him in the direction of the karaoke bar.]

You mean that it wasn't my lovely soprano that got you to fall for me in the first place? I could be offended.

[they probably don't need to try that hard in order to get the discount, but a little bit of teasing is up rin's alley more than anything else.]

I'm going to need you to prove that 4.5 to me, though. And I hope you're hungry.

[she wants the treat... it's like dessert and a show! and if memory serves, childe should be able to cover the payment too... sometimes a girl just wants to win on all counts.]

[ hey, 90% is pretty humble to him!

At least Rin is good-natured about it. The staff at the karaoke place are giving them weird looks, but ultimately, they're able to qualify for the discount and Childe is all too happy to pay for it. ]

Oh, yeah. I heard it comes with a parfait, right? That's a good reward after singing a few songs.

[ They're given their room number and an additional menu if they want more food. Childe is gesturing for Rin to go first, holding the door open. ]

After you.

Right? That's what I was thinking.

[delicious parfait!! and some karaoke with a friend(?). ah, well, rin is more accustomed to the idea of parallel universes than most so she's not too bothered by it, but she can't help but wonder how he's acclimating. at least he seems to be easy-going enough!

so she'll gladly wander through the open door and once she does so, her hand slips away from his arm and she takes a seat like she owns the place. girl you didn't even pay.]

Thank you for being quick on the uptake in more ways than one. ♥ It's good to know you're reliable.

[ Truth be told, it's a bit strange to suddenly be aware of memories that don't make much sense to him, but if Rin is supposed to be a good friend (one he grew up with, at that), then he doesn't mind going along with the flow.

What she says does make him laugh though. ]

Yeah? I'm more than just reliable. [ Again, being humble— ] I've never done anything like this before.

[ The karaoke stuff. Which feels like a lie? His memories say otherwise, which is strange. ]

[ lumine has a few complaints about this role.

one, she has no idea what a "tiger stepmother" even means. two, when she signed up to help out with the drama, she was signing up for a background role or, better yet, a backstage hand. she didn't sign up to actually act. can she even act? she doesn't know ... there's a few things that she seems to be forgetting, but she doesn't know if those "few things" are important.

brows furrowed, she reads and rereads the script in her hands, her teeth worrying on her lower lip. "tiger stepmother" seems to be a very controlling person, based on her lines. ]

Aren't I too young to be playing the role of a stepmother?

[ especially to a guy who seems like he just wants to date a girl he met at school. poor little rich boy dating a poor girl out of his league? it doesn't make sense at all why her role is supposedly against it. then again, she doesn't understand the world of the rich.

she leans over to her companion, peering at his script with the same furrowed expression. ]

... What did you get as a role? Don't tell me you're my son.

[ By the time Lumine leans in to check up on him, Ajax has already figured out what angle he'll take to tackle this current assignment. Sure, he hadn't expected to land a lead role either, but it seems the director had other plans for both of them. Which is fine. This just makes it a lot more fun in his opinion so he isn't really complaining.

He turns to Lumine with a big grin, boyish charm and all. Like the ocean breeze on a sunny day. ]

Sorry to say, but I'm your son for now, mom. Or do you think "mama" would be more fitting?

[ Is he taking it too seriously? Maybe. ]

At least all you have to do is disapprove of everything I want to do.

[ had her memories been intact, she would've found that smile disconcerting. refreshing, but disconcerting nonetheless.

but as it stands, all she can feel towards it is annoyance and exasperation, a huff leaving her lips as she looks back down at her script, flipping through the pages as if to keep herself distracted. is she nervous? she's not entirely certain, but it feels that way. after all, she isn't sure how this role is supposed to be played.

lumine glances at him, studying his face and expression, wondering how she'll be able to keep a straight face the entire time. ]

Call me "mama" again, and I'm walking out of this set and leaving you alone.

[ see? she's disapproving of what he's doing already. ]

... Since I'm your stepmom, won't it sound more natural to just call me by my name?

[ Wow. She doesn't like the word "mama", huh? Which, you know what, fair. Now that he's thinking about it, it is kind of weird, but this is just a part of the whole acting thing. He understands that. Sometimes you'll be asked to play roles that doesn't suit you at all but maybe he's a lot more laidback about that than others... ]

Well, [ with a soft laugh ] at least you're already in character.

[ As for what she said next... ]

And I guess that makes sense, huh? I've never really had a tiger mom [ or ever??? ] before so I don't know if my character will be distant enough to want to call her by name— or if he'll be totally under her mercy and call her mom out of respect.

[ He's clearly getting too into this. ]

[ she doesn't like the word "mama" when he says it. it's weird and not normal coming from him, even if it's just a role they're supposed to be playing. ]

I've never had a tiger mom, either ...

[ which is honestly what makes this very difficult. how do you portray someone you've never met or known and make sure it's believable? things like these, it's easier to have a person in mind and mimic their behavior or mannerisms. the closer to reality, the more convincing it is.

lumine shifts closer to him, setting her script down. if she can't base her characterization on an actual person, then she'll have to figure out something else. ]

Well, how do you plan on portraying your character? What kind of personality do you have in mind for him?

[ sorry, ajax, but she'll be using you for now. ]

[ Lumine is so lucky he doesn't care about being used at all. And if he notices that this is what's happening, he isn't making any moves to put a stop to it. It's just acting, after all. ]

I was thinking he'd be eager to please his mom, but at the same time, he wouldn't sacrifice his crush over it, you know? Feels like he'd prioritize her over making his mom happy. The direction for this scene is that we're supposed to make the tension really noticeable so maybe he'll refer to her by name if he's reached the limit of his patience?

[ He shrugs, not all that worried about it. ]

Then again, it's just a short scene, so maybe the director will tell us if they want something else.

[ he looks so calm and collected that she wonders if she's the only one between them worried about this. and her reason for worry isn't even that she has to act; it's the fact that she doesn't know how to portray the role given to her. what a dilemma.

in any case, she picks up her script again, going through her lines quietly. ]

Mm, okay. I think I know how to make this work ...

[ kind of. if she makes a mistake, well, surely the director can direct her on what she needs to do. ]

Can you help me practice until we're called? Or ... [ she trails off, pressing her lips together as she goes through some of the pages of the script. ] Wait, you have other scenes to do, don't you?

[ Ajax waves his hand around dismissively when she tries to ask about his other scenes. ]

Don't worry about that. Most of the other scenes are solo ones, and I think helping out a co-actor is a better use of my time, yeah?

[ If the director cares about that, then he'll just let them call him out as they need to. Right now, he's more interested in practicing with her anyway. There's just something about her that makes him want to stay right here. ]

Unless you really want me out of your hair, then I can go away if you'd like.

[ lumine blinks as she looks up at him. is that what it seemed like in the short time they were talking? ]

No, not at all. I would appreciate any kind of help ...

[ it feels weird asking for help, as if it's something she's never done before. but there's no use acting like she knows what to do in this regard, especially when it involves other people too.

he seems like someone dependable, anyway. even if she's having conflicting feelings over it. ]

Feel free to tell me if I'm doing anything wrong, too.

[ It's hard for him to say why that was what he got out of their interactions together — like a strange nagging feeling that she's easily annoyed over his antics — but it's fine. She doesn't look like she really wants him gone, so that makes him happy.

He smiles at her, bright and cheery. ]

I'm sure you'll be fine. [ He flips the script open again, head tilting. ] Which part of the scene do you wanna start with? Maybe when the mom is already mad at her son?

[ She can flex her anger skills or something. ]

[ her anger skills are fine!! ]

Yeah, I think that's the part that I'm unsure about.

[ would a stepmother yell at a kid who's not her son? she, for one, doesn't feel like it's right, if only because she's not the parent who raised the kid. maybe the director should've put a few more notes on their circumstances in the script.

in any case, she lifts the script to her face, frowning at her lines. it isn't that she can't read it; it's just weird looking at his face and then saying her lines. ]

I can read the line when he finally shows up at home, then.

[ she takes a deep breath: ] "You're just going through a phase with that girl. You'll change your mind once the novelty fades."

( ooc. feel free to drop this!! i'm sorry for how late i am... )

[ He will always appreciate it when someone does their best. It's all he can ever ask, but he's always been easy to please. When she reads her lines, his expression drops to one that's a mix between troubled and frustrated.

He sighs, keeping his tone even. He's trying to be placating. ]

"I really doubt it's a phase, considering how long I've known her now. And you know, I think you'd like her if you tried to get to know her."

[ there's a moment when lumine looks conflicted over the next line, wrinkling her nose at her supposed response. but she has to remind herself that this is acting and it does fit the character that she's playing.

it's just stupid, she thinks idly. ]

"And what purpose would that serve? Surely, you don't expect her to become a part of this world, do you?"

[ lumine, for one, doesn't want to be a part of it, that's for sure. it sounds as miserable as this character. ]

"She should understand her place and you should understand yours."

[ It is a miserable way to live, but the directions say that his character is able to empathize with that. He looks at Lumine with a sympathetic smile, even if it is one that's withering around the edges.

There's something about this scene that's hitting way too close to home. ]

"Yeah? I know my place just fine. That doesn't mean I won't do what I want." [ A soft sigh. ] "It'd just be easier if you were on my side...

[ that gets her to pause, her brows furrowing again.

it's unintended and there was nothing in the script that tells her to do so, but it feels ... right anyway to pause at that moment. probably because it rings a little familiarly to her, like she's heard it from somewhere before. ]

"How could you expect me to be on your side when all you do is what you want?"

"Like I said— it'd be easier if you were on my side."

[ Because this character is going to do whatever he wants, regardless of what his stepmom thinks, or so Childe assumes. (It's also possible this is only his perspective because he can relate to the guy's situation, even if it isn't quite the same issue.

He shakes his head. ]

"But it doesn't look like we'll see eye-to-eye on this matter."

[ once more, lumine pauses at the directions on the script, pursing her lips in consideration.

it says very clearly that the stepmom holds no remorse over this and it should reflect in her tone. and yet, she wonders if such emotions are appropriate for such a scene. shouldn't there at least be regret or disappointment? she, for one, feels a strange sense of loss. ]

"We never will until you decide to look at this from our perspective."

[ that line feels cold, for some reason. ]

"But it doesn't matter, because you won't be seeing her ever again."

[ This conversation sounds a lot like something that he might encounter at some point in his life— maybe that's why he completely ignores the script direction when he responds next. It says that his character would be dismissive, but the doesn't think that's right.

He becomes a bit more childish than that. ]

"And what if your perspective is the wrong one? She and I just want to be together. We're not trying to bother anyone."

[ His hands ball into fists. ]

"You don't get to decide when I'll see her again. Try and stop me."

[ does she look surprised at his sudden outburst? yes, she does, and she takes a quick moment to recover herself. totally not in the script, which means that she'll have to adjust the way she responds to it too.

otherwise, it wouldn't look like an appropriate response. ]

"I don't need to do anything. She—"

[ lumine pauses with another frown, looking up at ajax. her gaze soon flickers back to the script, her lips pulling at the corners to a thin line. ]

"... She'll tell you herself that she doesn't want to see you anymore."

[ It's hard to say whether he's just adlibbing or not, because the flicker of frustration that shows on his face is all too real. ]

"She wouldn't tell me that at all— if you do something to her, I swear..."

[ He pauses after that, and then he laughs. ]

That wasn't too bad... You're a natural at this.

[ After all, he got caught up in the moment in the end. ]

[ lumine opens to respond with her next line, but she stops. her mouth closes a moment later, lips curving to a sheepish smile. the compliment is embarrassing, even if it's sincere. ]

I was just taking cues from you, though. So you really should take the credit.

[ after all, she was simply reacting to his acting. ]

I probably need a bit more practice.

With more practice, you'll be even better than you already are. I'll be the one who will need to keep up with you then.

[ He's always been sincere when it comes to his compliments, because he means them every time he gives one away. ]

Was there another scene you wanted to try out?

You make it sound like I'll go for an acting role again.

[ lumine won't.

she's pretty sure her calling is somewhere else, somewhere she can't put a finger on. maybe in a far-off that's yet to be discovered by anyone, not even her parents. that gets her to inwardly pause, however, wrinkling her nose.

no, that doesn't sound right, either. ]

Oh, well ... [ she goes through her script again, flipping through the pages. ] There's a reconciliation scene, apparently. Sort of. Some parts of the script feel unhinged, really.

[ Somehow, he can't imagine her with an acting career either, but he doesn't say that out loud. ]

... Don't let the writer hear that. They might get offended.

[ Not that he really cares. He even sets the script aside now. ]

You wanna do something else? Think we still have time before we're called over for the scene, anyway.

It's not untruthful, though ...

[ there are pretty unhinged scenes here, and more than she can count with one hand too.

then again, artists can be pretty sensitive about their craft, and she's pretty sure the guy who wrote this entire monstrosity is also one of those. and considering the amount of drama that seems to happen five minutes into every start of the scene ...

her eyes drift off towards his script before she looks up at him. ]

What do you have in mind?

[ Whether it's untruthful or not, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to creatives. At least, that's what Ajax thinks about it. No point in upsetting someone they're supposed to work with for the next little bit.

Anyway. He jerks his head toward the direction of a nearby street cart. ]

There's someone selling ice cream so I was thinking. My treat.

[ It'll be a good way to pass the time while they wait for their scene, anyway. ]

[ lumine follows the direction of where he points, her lips tugging to a smile when she spots the ice cream stand. ]

Sure!

[ look, there's no way she's declining an offer of ice cream—and free ice cream, at that, even if it's from a complete stranger. she should probably think through this and be a little more wary about certain offers, but she doesn't see anything wrong with this.

after all, he seems like a nice guy. ]

Better than going through this mess of a script they gave us.

ᴅᴜᴏᴄᴀᴇʟɪ: ɪɴʙᴏx.

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