i'm your biggest fan i'll follow you until you love me Who: Ari & Celia What: Take me, I’m yours (new apprentice) Where: The theatre district When: Tonight! Rating: G Status: Complete
The stage was just like she’d dreamed it would be. Of course, she’d also dreamed that she’d be a soloist and not be just one of a group of other actors, but she had to remind herself that everyone started somewhere. And she was starting at the bottom; she may not like it, but she hadn’t met a single person who’d gotten to skip it. And being in the chorus meant that she was one step closer to her goal.
Namely, one Arielle Chiaro.
She wasn’t stupid enough to try to approach the bard during rehearsals - the last thing she wanted to do was get a reputation that could get her blacklisted - and so she’d waited until the director had dismissed them for the day. Once Arielle had broken away from the group she was with, Celia rushed forward.
“Arielle!”
At the sound of her name, Ari turned. She was not surprised that the girl’s (beaming) face was unfamiliar -- no one who’d worked with her for any span of time called her by her full name except when vexed. A chorister, by the look of her, probably barely out of apprenticeship, no doubt completely overwhelmed and trying not to show it (it had not been so long that Ari could not remember exactly how it went).
Her expression was friendly as she said, “Yes?” Because whatever sort of disasters were going on in her personal life (and they appeared to be legion), she refused to bring them here. She had selected this show to get away from serious thoughts, serious problems, and serious roles.
She couldn’t believe it. Arielle Chiaro was talking to her. Celia beamed up at her idol and soon to be mentor. Be assertive, she told herself, but not aggressive. A problem she’d always had - she didn’t want to come across as demanding, but she definitely didn’t want to be perceived as a hero worshipper, either. No, she wanted to come out of this with a brand new mentor.
It would also give her something to rub in ninja boy’s face.
“I’d like to be your student,” she said, trying to not sound so eager. There was no way Arielle could say no, right? Right.
Ari had to blink. Well, that was certainly… sudden. A greeting, perhaps an attempt to connect with someone well-placed in Emillion’s Theatre District, those she had expected. But a flat-out request?
Still, she could smile as she said, “Oh, I’m sorry. That’s sweet but -- I don’t teach.” A tiny shrug, as if to say, it can’t be helped. “If you’re looking for a soprano, I can recommend a few, if you like.”
Celia blinked. That was not what she’d expected. “No thank you,” she said politely. “I’d rather you teach me. You’re amazing and your stage presence is second to none. I’d be a very good apprentice. You wouldn’t even know I was there, and I practice really hard.” Well, she could probably practice harder, but she would definitely practice super hard if Arielle was her mentor. “Besides, every amazing bard has to have a prodigy. You don’t have one, and I’m willing to pick up the slack.”
Ari’s look turned from polite to amused. “If I were a mentor worth having, I’d definitely notice my apprentice was there. If I was ignoring her, I wouldn’t be much of a teacher.” And she definitely did not need a shadow, if that was the foolish idea the girl had in mind. The thought of some teenager following her about… Faram forbid.
“I thank you for the compliments -- it’s always nice to be told one is amazing. But I don’t need a prodigy.” Another slightly amused smile. “If you change your mind about those names, I’ll gladly provide them later.”
Clearly, she was going to have to take a different route with this. Arielle clearly didn’t realize that she needed Celia in her life - that just meant that she was going to have to make her realize it. Celia smiled politely back. There wasn’t any point in annoying Arielle, and while her future mentor seemed amused right now, that didn’t guarantee that she’d stay that way.
“Of course,” she said, beaming. “I thought it was worth a try. I’ve admired you for a while and I was super excited to be cast in a show with you. I’ll just have to” prove myself “work hard.”
Well. Unlike several other things in her life, this seemed resolved easily enough. “I’m sure you will. It’s a good place to start,” she added. “Unlike many, the director’s not a heartless beast -- and the chorus master seems a decent enough sort. I’m sure you’ll learn a great deal.” There, friendly and politically correct and (as far as she was concerned) settled. “I’ll look forward to working with you.”
With those words, her mind was already elsewhere. Maybe she might try breaking into Aud’s house after all…
“Thank you,” Celia said, taking the words to heart. She’d have to pay attention. Annoying, but not impossible. “I hope you have a great evening. I’m looking forward to working with you!” She dropped a little curtsy before taking off in the opposite direction.