A/N: I wrote this after watching the final episode of Cowboy Bebop, so
don't be surprised if it comes off as rather metaphorical, even if not
always obviously so. Was kind of a strange piece for me to do.
"Make It Superficial"
Foundation first, then concealer- not too much, I don't need it. I'm not trying to brag, just stating fact. Little bit of blush, but very light. I'm so pale that my cheeks look garish if I use too much. Dark lipstick- the deepest red I could find and enough to put blood itself to shame. A strange reference, but I have morbid tendencies. Lastly, the eyes. My favorite, and I obsess over this part.
The eyes are, after all, the windows to the soul.
Dark purple on my eyelids, really half-blue if you look at it too long, and around each eye, thick black liner and mascara heavy enough to blind anyone to my true nature- or myself to my surroundings if I'm not careful. It took a while to master that trick without getting my eyes glued shut. A LONG while. In the end, though, it was worth it to see through the eyes it gave me.
I give myself a last inspection in the mirror; then quietly return all my make-up to my purse and leave the bathroom. You are outside and you stare at me in utter bemusement. I straighten to my full height- I'm so much taller than you, especially in stiletto heels, but you were always dominant in our friendship.
I wonder, what do you think of me now?
A single complete turn, and then I face you again, and you are completely stunned. Whether it is in a positive way or a negative one remains to be seen. A long moment passes and I try to meet your eyes.
"Well?" I ask softly when I finally do. "Is this better?"
You give me the strangest look that anyone ever has. "Better than what?" you ask in confusion.
"Than her," I say quietly.
You don't answer; just give me that strange look again. Resigned, I turn on my heel and retreat to the bathroom, careful to shut the door behind me. I once again inspect the girl in the mirror. She is beautiful- I know this because I created her. Full, pouting lips painted a luscious wet color; hair combed until it is as thin and shining as silk thread, and large, dark eyes that make hearts break.
I turn the tap on and methodically scour every last trace of cosmetics from my face. When I look up at it again, I am myself, though with my face dripping and slightly reddened from scrubbing.
Yet my expression remains unchanged.
"Ken," you call through the door, knocking lightly. "Ken, are you alright?"
I suddenly feel very plain.
* finale *
"Magic Is In The Make-Up"
Can you tell I'm faking it?
But I want to be myself
A counterfeit disposition
Can't be good for my health
So many different faces
Depending on the different phases
My personality changes
I'm a chameleon
There's more than one dimension
I can fool you and attract attention
Camouflage my nature
Let me demonstrate . . .
Make-up's all off
Who am I?
Magic's in the make-up
Who am I?
If you bore me then I'm comfortable
If you interest me I'm scared
My attraction paralyzes me
No courage to show my true colors that exist
But I want to be the real thing
But if you catch my eye can't be authentic
The ones I loathe are the ones that know me the best
My make-up's all off
Who am I?
The magic's in the make-up
Who am I?
The make-up's all off
Who am I?
If the magic's in the make-up
Then who am I?
Magic's in the make-up
But I want to be the real thing
But the magic's in the make-up
And I want to be the real thing
My make-up's all off
Who am I?
~No Doubt
* ende *
. : see you, space cowboy . . . : .
"Make It Superficial"
Foundation first, then concealer- not too much, I don't need it. I'm not trying to brag, just stating fact. Little bit of blush, but very light. I'm so pale that my cheeks look garish if I use too much. Dark lipstick- the deepest red I could find and enough to put blood itself to shame. A strange reference, but I have morbid tendencies. Lastly, the eyes. My favorite, and I obsess over this part.
The eyes are, after all, the windows to the soul.
Dark purple on my eyelids, really half-blue if you look at it too long, and around each eye, thick black liner and mascara heavy enough to blind anyone to my true nature- or myself to my surroundings if I'm not careful. It took a while to master that trick without getting my eyes glued shut. A LONG while. In the end, though, it was worth it to see through the eyes it gave me.
I give myself a last inspection in the mirror; then quietly return all my make-up to my purse and leave the bathroom. You are outside and you stare at me in utter bemusement. I straighten to my full height- I'm so much taller than you, especially in stiletto heels, but you were always dominant in our friendship.
I wonder, what do you think of me now?
A single complete turn, and then I face you again, and you are completely stunned. Whether it is in a positive way or a negative one remains to be seen. A long moment passes and I try to meet your eyes.
"Well?" I ask softly when I finally do. "Is this better?"
You give me the strangest look that anyone ever has. "Better than what?" you ask in confusion.
"Than her," I say quietly.
You don't answer; just give me that strange look again. Resigned, I turn on my heel and retreat to the bathroom, careful to shut the door behind me. I once again inspect the girl in the mirror. She is beautiful- I know this because I created her. Full, pouting lips painted a luscious wet color; hair combed until it is as thin and shining as silk thread, and large, dark eyes that make hearts break.
I turn the tap on and methodically scour every last trace of cosmetics from my face. When I look up at it again, I am myself, though with my face dripping and slightly reddened from scrubbing.
Yet my expression remains unchanged.
"Ken," you call through the door, knocking lightly. "Ken, are you alright?"
I suddenly feel very plain.
* finale *
"Magic Is In The Make-Up"
Can you tell I'm faking it?
But I want to be myself
A counterfeit disposition
Can't be good for my health
So many different faces
Depending on the different phases
My personality changes
I'm a chameleon
There's more than one dimension
I can fool you and attract attention
Camouflage my nature
Let me demonstrate . . .
Make-up's all off
Who am I?
Magic's in the make-up
Who am I?
If you bore me then I'm comfortable
If you interest me I'm scared
My attraction paralyzes me
No courage to show my true colors that exist
But I want to be the real thing
But if you catch my eye can't be authentic
The ones I loathe are the ones that know me the best
My make-up's all off
Who am I?
The magic's in the make-up
Who am I?
The make-up's all off
Who am I?
If the magic's in the make-up
Then who am I?
Magic's in the make-up
But I want to be the real thing
But the magic's in the make-up
And I want to be the real thing
My make-up's all off
Who am I?
~No Doubt
* ende *
. : see you, space cowboy . . . : .