interstellar5555 | ☆TRACK IIX: BETTER TO PRETEND PT. 2

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☆TRACK IIX: BETTER TO PRETEND PT. 2

Who: Royals, Heroes, and Rebels.
What: Hit gameshow series “Fairy Trial” is celebrating one of its anniversaries, and it’s invited you onboard. Check out the OOC post for IC match ups!
When: March 21st.
Where: Sevetop Entertainment’s studio.
Warnings: Mingle log mystery bag.

“Every prince is a fantasy,
The witch is inside of me.
Her poison will wash away the memory.”

☆BETTER TO PRETEND

The day has finally come for Fairy Trial filming to begin!

No matter if they’ve arrived by limo or taken the bus, everyone involved gets star treatment as the makeup and costume departments go wild with the models they’ve been given. At least Sevetop has good accomodations. While it’s a chaotic and crowded scene, everyone still manages to fit in the two buildings Sevetop has dedicated for Fairy Trial’s purposes in this area. It’s one of the only points today that anyone will have a chance to everyone else. After all, once everyone involved in a particular challenge is done with, they’re hurried out the door and to their particular destination.

Every challenge has a different area it takes place in, after all. For some pair ups, they’ll find themselves merely being escorted to another set on Sevetop’s huge property. Others will find themselves being escorted to some very classy transportation and taken outside of Vista City to special obstacle courses that simply wouldn’t fit anywhere else. On the bright side, once the actual filming is done no matter the location, the crew involved seems to relax considerably. Whether they’ve done great or not, Heroes and Royals are treated to dinner and a change out of their costumes. Good job, everyone.

“We kill the lights and put on a show.
It's all a lie, but you'd never know.
The star will shine,
And then it will fall,
And you will forget it all.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Please, what's a little obstacle course to someone used to military drills? The first part is easy enough landing spot or not. Drop, tuck, and roll all while trying to remember the stupid skirt--sorry viewers no unnecessary panty shots happening if she can help it.

That all goes well and she's off and running to the next part of the challenge. One question, what's a surfboard? Riza has to stop and stare for a few moments trying to work out just how she's expected to deal with this.]

[ The course isn't tiny so he's not sure if she can hear anything he says but he tries to wave at her and shout a hint. ]

The board floats on the water! Keep your center of gravity low!

[She'll always hear him. She also trusts him; how much she trusts the board in the water is another story, however.]

Here goes nothing.

[Or everything depending on how things go as she gets on the board. Thankfully the costume design team didn't go with stupid footwear to match the silly skirt, so she doesn't have to worry about slipping off.]

[ He watches from afar, not blinking, as she gets on the board. So far so good. He has an innate sense of confidence in her but that doesn't keep him from leaning forward eagerly and holding his breath to see if she makes it across.

The commentators have to note how much it seems Mustang wants his hero to succeed. Isn't that nice? ]

[The commentators can note anything they want, she's focused on one thing and one thing alone--not falling. Thankfully the river isn't very long and once she's reached the end Riza's running toward the next part of the challenge.

Stairs don't provide much of an issue to someone unused to using elevators. Soon enough she's standing at the top, fake sword in hand.]

Let's get this over with.

[ He grins when he sees her at the top of the steps. That amazing focus on her face and that determined presence she's giving off should make it clear the Goblin is in for a beating.

The Goblin actor steps forward and presents the final stage with a cackle and a theatrical speech. ]

You may have made it this far Soldier but you'll never be with your Beloved Royal! This is the end for you!

[ Another maniacal cackle. The Goblin was a jack-in-the-box in the original story, making this version something just short of an evil clown.

Roy's turn to put on a show for the camera. ]

I knew you'd make it back to me Soldier. I believe in you, just like I believe this Goblin doesn't stand a chance!

[It's a miracle she doesn't start laughing at the two of them. Seriously? Then again, she's seen Roy's acting before and it's par for the course.

Riza watches the floor as it shifts while they're both having their moments and when ready she moves toward the Goblin.]

Someone told me nothing should stop love. That includes you.

[Thanks 3.]

[ The crew, especially the director, seem pleased with that response. She had passed up that stair section far quicker than expected but they're happy to see the acting will make up for it. The commentators remain quiet as to not ruin the mood.

The Goblin draws his "sword" and poses. ]

Just try it! I'll see you thrown into the fire and burned before you get past me! WahahahaHA!

[ The Goblin actor begins to slowly approach her, sword readied to strike. The actor isn't clueless about sword-play or at least how to use his sword-like-"weapon" effectively so his stance isn't so bad. He's no soldier though. ]

If she goes down, then I'm going with her! Now that we're reunited I'm never leaving my soldier's side again!

[ Like Roy is going to pass on the opportunity to say that. He raises his own sword and crosses into the "battle zone" towards the Goblin. This gets the Goblin's attention for a second, creating that opening Roy had been hoping to give her from the start. ]

[Riza read the story when she and 3 were doing research at the library, so she knows how it ends in the tale. Still, she wants to laugh at the idea of her being afraid of fire even before Roy makes his statement.

Riza's not one for conversation during combat, she's usually too far away for them to hear in any case, and when she's not it's mainly to yell at someone to watch his back. This is for show, however, and she'll do her best (as always) to comply.]

I fear nothing when it's for him.

[It didn't matter that almost no one else would understand just how true her words were, as long as the one who was meant to hear them knew.

With the Goblin distracted, Riza has no constraints against attacking him from behind and does so landing a hard hit in the ribs. General Armstrong would be proud of her (except for the fact that she was doing this for Roy's sake).]

[The Goblin actor gets a good surprise, not only from the sudden attack but the mere strength of her strike. Normally contestants were so hyped up or nervous at the final stage, their game wasn't this accurate or strong. He has no time to comment or laugh maniacally again, and he hurries to defend himself. It's not a steel defense though and Roy steps in to help weaken that guard more.

Roy intends for Riza to be the victorius Hero and get the final blows. Still, he hits the actor hard when he does, making the Goblin stumble and have to retreat or change footing.]

[Sorry Goblin but this isn't some starstruck fan of the show or of the musicians but someone who doesn't hesitate in the face of combat (that one time with Lust doesn't count). The floor, on the other hand, is tricky, but there's a definite pattern to the jerky movements. Riza's studied it long enough that she's in a position to hit the poor guy before he can get his footing after Roy's blow.

One hit followed by another and the Goblin is soon falling to his 'death' in the water, leaving the toy soldier and her ballerina victorious.]

[ The commentators chime in about the overwhelming victory and just how strong this soldier is. Some of the staff and viewers clap. The cameramen get a good shot of the defeated Goblin in the water admitting to his loss with one last 'temper tantrum.'

The stage is stabilized and Roy approaches her to finish the story. ]

He never stood a chance, not against you. Thank you for rescuing me. The next time there is trouble I want to be fighting by your side again. My Brave Soldier, I hope we're never apart again.

[ He holds out a hand to her. A simple hand in hand shot should satisfy the studio, or so he thinks. A last reply from Riza and their act will be done.

The director starts waving at them though and is mouthing 'More. More.' To be fair their fight hadn't done much to fill the time gap left from Riza's quick race to the final stage. Roy looks back at Riza and raises his eyebrows, brainstorming more cheesy dialogue. Do take your time saying your lines. ]

[She has to wonder if his comments are for the audience or her. They come a little too close to the things she wants to hear or say. Either way, it means a lot to her and she can't help but smile at how absolutely ridiculous he looks as she takes his hand.]

There's nothing or no one that can keep me from you for long. I promised I'd be here and I meant it.

[ Her words make his smile grow a little more. Knowing full well how similar their talk of devotion is to reality, he's both amused and simply happy to hear it said (cheesy or not).

After smiling at her genuinely like that for a while he looks over in the director's direction. That's enough isn't it? He meets eyes with the director and finds the man waving at him to keep going.

I'm out of lines. I made up most of that last one. Roy gives the director a pointed look. The director raises his arms and hugs the air then taps his lips. More romance? Really? Looking at each other and stating our devotion isn't enough?

Roy's face passes through an array of expressions throughout the entire silent conversation he's having with the director and thinking it over to himself. He's losing character, he realizes. Where was he? He looks at Riza again, thinks of their real feelings, and it's easy to pick up again. Alright then. He can come up with a romantic reply to her. Of all people he can definitely think of something for her. ]

[ This one isn't for the audience and he hopes she knows that. He knows it's complicated, he knows they don't say these things normally, but then again he already recorded an entire album of love songs with her name on it, and he suspects that if he passes up this opportunity to express himself to her he'll be regretting it later when he's his 'real self.' ]

Then let's go on together. [ He pulls their clasped hands upward, pressing her palm against his chest and holding it there. ] Whatever happens next...

[ He starts then stops. What else can he possibly say to put into words what they have, even in this cheesy fairy tale setting? He looks into her eyes again, finding his confidence. ]

I'll always love you.

[ Roy doesn't wait for a reply. He gives her hand a small squeeze as he closes the gap between them and leans down to kiss her lips. It's a gentle and polite first kiss but he lingers there a moment. He tries to memorize her lips and the rush of feelings coursing through his entire being, knowing it could be their last kiss in a long time or even the last. ]

[They've never talked about it because, in a way, they've never needed to. They've always known what the other was thinking without saying a word.

This time, she knows for sure who he's talking to because it has that same feel as the time they spoke over her father's grave or in his office when he asked her to become his guard and guardian. It's him, it's real, and she's not completely shocked when he kisses her. A little upset that it's in front of everyone, but not shocked.

And it doesn't last nearly long enough before the director interrupts them yelling for the cameras to stop rolling. That's all she needs to remind her of where they were. Riza steps back less sure of what they were going to do now than she'd ever been before.]

[ The director's yells remind him too where they are and his concentration is lost. He pulls away and gives her a glance laced with the natural bashfulness that would come with a first kiss. He continues smiling, his typical mischievous smirk pulling at the edges of his mouth. It was an imperfect kiss maybe but there isn't an ounce of regret in him.

A stage hand waves them off the stage and congratulates Riza on her victory then points them towards the doors to a waiting room where they're 'welcome to the water and food prepared for today's entrants.' Roy laughs at himself when he miscalculates his footing and almost trips on the bottom stair on the way down from the set. If anyone knew the weight of what he'd just done they'd understand his distraction. He glances around the studio; the director is talking with the commentators about voice over commentary for that 'wonderful ending performance.' 'It was acted so sincerely!' Most of the other staff attention is on the television screens where the footage is being reviewed.

Roy turns to look at Riza and takes a deep breath to prepare for words but instead, looking a little more bashful, he opts for the doors to waiting room, glancing back to make sure she sees where he's going. They need to have this conversation alone. ]

[All she really wants is to get out of this costume and find some place to be alone with her thoughts. There were several swirling around in her head not all of them good, quite a few of them bad, and then there was the one or two that she was trying to ignore.

She notices the look and understands it in that way they have. It would be easy to ignore since she's not sure she's ready to talk about what happened, but there was no way she could do that. So a few moments after he enters the room she takes a deep breath and follows.

Luckily, there's no one else there at the moment.]

[ He can tell she's following him as they enter the room and he holds the door open for her. Once the door is closed behind them he paces to the center of the room then turns back again to face her. As their eyes meet he loses his words.

What to say. What to say. The same worry swirling in her head starts to eat at him as well. He had crossed a line he knows he normally wouldn't have crossed. If they were home he wouldn't have done that. They're not home, he argues in his head, and he's still confused or clueless about many things from his life. But! But... Intuitively even the weight of what he just did starts to settle in and if that isn't enough he can see it in her face when he looks at her.

The silence and the sound of the clock ticking starts to seem very loud. ]

I... I just kissed you on a game show. [ His eyes start to widen as it settles in. ] Was that the first time? [ Oh shi- ] Did I-

[ He turns away then turns back to her again with a most grim expression. ]

If you want to shoot me I deserve it.

[He'd kissed her on a game show that was going to be viewed by people all over the planet. He'd kissed her in front of an entire studio full of people. He'd kissed her.

What was she supposed to say? She's not even sure about how to answer his questions for a moment as the whole did I bit throws her. Of course, put together with the rest it slowly starts to make sense.]

It wasn't that bad. It would be a shame to waste a bullet over something so simple. And don't panic, that wasn't my first--our first, but not mine.

[This isn't an easy conversation and she has to look away well aware just how flushed her face must look. Funny how she can face anything, and yet her own feelings, especially over him make her want to run and hide.]

[ It feels like he should still apologize even if she's not angry, and he considers starting next with "I'm sorry." Would that sound too much like he regrets kissing her personally?He tightens his fists at his sides and reminds himself who he's with. Riza will understand what he says. He's running circles in his head because she matters that much. That's it. Calm down. ]

I'm sure there have been many times that I've been tempted to kiss you. It seems I didn't have the will to resist the temptation this time. I should have chosen a more private place at the least- I'm sorry if I've embarrassed you.

[ He can't help feeling amused when she turns away to hide her face. Something about the rare sight of Hawkeye getting flustered is endearing. ]

I should also apologize for crossing the line, as I've put us in an awkward position and we don't normally talk so openly about this... That said, I won't apologize for the kiss itself. I wanted to do it.

[ Stubborn as always. ]

We shouldn't have to apologize for how we feel.

[Maybe it was better this way. It was doubtful they'd ever confront the way they've felt for so long if they were still at home, still trying to make everything right before they could think of themselves. And even that was questionable. Would they have come to that conclusion eventually?]

I don't want an apology--for the kiss or anything else. [She looks back at him meeting his gaze.] I'm not sorry for any of it. And we'll work it out like we always do.

[If nothing else, she believed they couldn't be stopped when they decided on something.]

[ He nods and his smile grows. ]

Perhaps it's for the best something was expressed before we return to our duties and goals at home. I won't worry that I'll regret having never kissed you or told you I love you.

[ It could simply be the rush of joy running through him but it feels almost like a small weight had just lifted from his shoulders. Even a secret like love could become a weight; how very like them to let it go so long like that. ]

I don't think they're going to count on the list of things we have to make amends for.

[She's not going to worry about it in any case. They always made it out on the other side somehow, Riza was certain this would be no different no matter how difficult it might be.]

We'll figure something out.

[ This isn't exactly something that he can think of an answer to on the spot, especially in his current state, but he knows she's right. They will figure something out. ]

There is one immediate difficulty. [ He answers her with a smirk. ] While we're on this subject and all alone, it's hard to resist kissing you again right now.

☆TRACK IIX: BETTER TO PRETEND PT. 2

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