Having spent the night being reacquainted with CC again and regaining his gift back, Lelouch thought he was the luckiest man alive.
Mao on the contrary did not feel that he was the luckiest man alive. In fact, it was quite the contrary.
In the late morning when Sayako finally let the poor man in.
He made a quick search all around the manor. No CC. A thought popped in his mind and he instantly pushed it aside… not that!
Cornelia was right behind Mao, a storm of fury. She was looking for CC to demand a legible reason on why she had boycotted their 8AM meeting.
In Cornelia's mind, Lelouch's head was already detached from his body.
Mao opened the faithful door to the atelier and his worst fears were confirmed. To his most utter horror, he found his archenemy, Lelouch Lamperouge in the room with CC.
Lelouch, being the evil demon king pointed a finger at Mao. Needless to say, Cornelia did not tolerate such nonsense albeit it being a harmless prank. Cornelia was a noble and decided what she saw was the absolute truth. Mao was immediately fired and was sent packing.
Without taking a look back, Mao left the scene. He was furious at Lelouch, who – beyond his doubt, manipulated him to be kicked out of the mansion and at CC… they were partners! They could not be separated…!
Mao's eyes seethed anger.
Something must be done.
:x:
"So I trust that you've made plans?" Cornelia said, examining the paper drawings on his elaborate designs.
"Yes I have," Lelouch said smoothly, presenting his plans to the princess.
"Since, CC is to be a side-character, her costume will be in a muted maroon. As a shadow to the royal purple I've used to in your kimono…"
A few hours later…
"Five minutes till the shoot!" the director yelled.
CC hurried out of the make-up room where the make artist covered her face in white powder and tainted her lips as red as blood.
With a push and shove, CC was thrown in the direction towards our designer for last touch ups on the clothes.
Lelouch made a circular motion with his forefinger, signaling CC to turn 360 degrees so he could inspect the article of clothing the girl had donned on.
An exquisite masterpiece.
Lelouch wasn't sure whether he was talking about the girl or his creation.
"Cornelia-hime!" the director called out. "You're magnificent."
Cornelia gave a small pursed smile and turned whispered to CC bringing her up towards director. "Don't disappoint me."
Cornelia introduced CC to the director.
"My name is Jeremiah Gottwald, director of this shoot." He shook hands with CC, "I'm brilliant," he added boldly. "and I will not hesitate to throw a barrage of insults at you if you don't perform well. I expect you to give it to me, whatever I say, and when I say it."
With the introduction and warning given, Jeremiah Gottwald headed towards his director's chair.
CC went back to Lelouch, her eyes curious. "How hard is it to carry out a tray of tea?"
Lelouch smiled slightly, as he straightened the bow of her kimono. "You'll see."
"Everyone, to your places!" the director yelled into his megaphone.
"3…2…1… action!"
"Hime-sama, the time has come to agree to one of your suitors." A gruff man playing the emperor sat on his throne, stroking his beard.
The side camera activated and zoomed up close of Cornelia giving a slight regal nod of submission and the king waved his hand.
"And cut!" the director said, seemingly satisfied with the footage. "Next I want to do the scene with the tea being placed onto the table," the director pointed at CC and the prince.
The prince and CC was immediately escorted to the set. She was placed on the end of the room and was handed a tray. Her task was easy, all she had to do was walk from one to the end of the room and set the tea onto the table.
"Start!"
CC slowly walked up to the table and…
"Cut!" the director screeched into his microphone, "You're walking way too slow, and…" Jeremiah gasped at the state of the tray. "Look at the tea you've spilt! Do you have Alzheimer's! Again!"
CC bounced back to the end of the room, she hadn't noticed that her hands were shaking from nervousness! Trying to collect herself she watched as the director signaled to start the cameras.
CC walked in a slightly faster pace, and controlled her hands so that no tea would slosh out of the cups. She was almost at the finish line! All she had to do was put the tea down….
"CUT!" Director Gottwald, stormed towards CC. "You were totally in the way of the camera. We're trying to sell the tea, not your back!" he sat back into his chair with a huff.
"Positions!" he yelled into the megaphone. "Take four!"
CC sighed and immediately regretted it. The director came over, "Did I tell you to sigh? I don't believe I did. An actor has to repeat the same lines over and over again without blinking. They also have to hold the same enthusiasm as the first time!"
CC stood diligently. "T-thank you for the advice, I'll take heed to it."
"You better!" Jeremiah Gottwald said. "If it weren't for Cornelia-hime you'd be thrown out by now!"
CC blushed slightly but it was unnoticed by the thick cake of makeup.
Lelouch whispered from the side, "When you place the tea onto the table, align your spine with the corner of the wall."
CC nodded in thanks and the director yelled, "Take four!"
Keeping Lelouch's advice in mind, CC began walking towards the table, as she knelt down to put the tea down, she kept her spine aligned. Placing the tray on the table she stood up and gave a small curtsy, before leaving the set.
"And cut!"
Everyone immediately dropped out of their act and a buzz of activity began.
"Next scene! I want the prince from Persia bringing the elephant!"
"Who knew carrying a tray across the room was so hard?" CC said, absolutely exhausted.
:x:
"So CC, how was your first time in a commercial?" Lelouch asked as he squirted cold cream from a tube.
"Really, tiring." CC said leaning back into her chair.
"Oh? How hard is it to carry out a tray of tea?" he quoted CC.
"Very." CC yawned.
Lelouch began wiping the cold cream off her face. "Aww, now you look normal again. What a shame." he said.
"Oh? So I was beautiful before?"
"Of course." Lelouch said without a hesitation, he missed CC's blushed as he turned around to throw the used cotton wad into the wastebasket. "But only because I made you beautiful." He added conceitedly.
"I need to talk to CC, out of my way, Lelouch." Cornelia had appeared in the dressing room as stealthily as a seasoned assassin
Said princess did not look very happy.
Lelouch yelped like a little girl and scampered off like a frightened rabbit leaving CC to face the witch of Britannia.
Cornelia frowned at CC with disappointment. "This will not do, there are amends to be made…"
CC gulped, wondering what sort amendments she would have to make.
"I am sending you to Madame Rakshata Chawla's academy. She is very…" Cornelia pursed her lips slightly, seeking for the right word to describe such a woman. "Helpful."
I dream… Death… death….
The sirens rang in CC's head. "Wonderful!"
"Not only that," Cornelia continued. "Before I allow you to sign to Area 11 you will be on a one month probation period. You are to find a job with your own abilities-" Cornelia glared at the wall behind CC.
Lelouch gave a girlish squeal when he felt an incinerating burn.
"Get published into a magazine, without to help of Mr. Lamperouge."
""Y-yes, 'mam!"
"I, Cornelia vi Britannia will not permit any failure."
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.
CC knew when she was trying to dig for treasure, she was preparing her own grave.
Cornelia continued on, "you are relieved of your position here till you complete your task. I have asked Mr. Gottwald and he said that your role in the commercial is complete. You are expected to go looking for jobs till you succeed."
With that and a speed printed portfolio of her past photo shoot in a glossy folder, CC was cast out of the mansion and into the wild. After being instructed to come back by 10pm the large gates closed leaving CC alone and desolate.
Well not quite.
"Need help?" Mao crept up behind CC oh-so-casually.
CC blinked, wondering whether to be surprised by his presence.
"Well I do need a telephone book…."
Mao and CC were inside a pizza parlor eating those delicious savory slices when Mao started speaking, bits of cheese flying across the table.
"I think this place would be a good place to start."
Mao pointed with a greasy finger to the job offer on the screen of his laptop. He had laughed when CC said phonebook.
It wasn't as if she was born in the 17th century or something…
"A casting for a cheesecake commercial." CC read off the screen.
"It's to do with food, I think it'd be a great start to your conquest to becoming the face of Pizza Express! It's fate, the casting call is today! At…"
The pair looked at their watches and realized they had half an hour to get to the building.
""Let's go!"
With that, they went.
Godspeed.
They had reached the building and were instantly swamped by beautiful girls with perfect hair and knits. (Were they the current craze in fashion?) CC patted her shock of green hair uncomfortably. All of them looked powered to perfection, with a strange mode of a home-like feel.
Strange.
CC hadn't had time to ponder much on this when Mao touched CC's arm. "The audition is starting!"
CC gulped and in vain attempt tried to present herself in a tidier manner.
The girls entered a large room, they stood in front of a panel of judges. Curiously the middle seat was empty.
The judge who was obviously second in command looked at his watch and tsked in disgust, muttering about divas.
"We will start now! Line up in height order."
CC inwardly groaned.
She headed towards the back of the line, ignoring the exclamations from the other models.
She's TINY!
In amidst the giggles, CC was trying to ignore the comments the girls made about her, but it was horribly hard. She lowered her head slightly as she walked resignedly to the end of the line.
A paper boy handed a stack of papers to the other end of the line and they began passing it along.
"Those are your scripts. Please read them over and act out the scene."
CC was passed her script and scanned it over.
"You are eating a cheesecake, phone your friend about it."
It seemed easy enough till she read the last bit again. "phone your friend about it."
A friend.
CC looked around and realized people were already paired up with each other.
It was like at school all over again when no one would choose her for basketball. It wasn't her fault she was so bloody short!
All of them sent her death glares. The message was clear.
Don't even think about joining us.
"Alright you ain't school children, someone can go twice."
No one moved to make an offer.
"I'll go." The paper boy raised his hand.
"Perfect." The judge said somewhat relieved. "You guys start first."
"W-what? Now?" CC asked, her eyes wide.
"You are able to improvise, can you not?"
"Sure we can." The paperboy smiled. "Let's do it!"
All the models cleared off to the sides of the room, and watch with undisguised interest.
An obviously short model… what could she bring..?
CC took a deep breath and started.
"Mmmm delicious!" CC proclaimed, spooning an imaginary portion of cheesecake into her mouth. She licked her lips in relish.
Opening her eyes wide as though she had a light bulb moment, she dramatically announced her intentions.
"I'm going to call my friend!" CC wildly gestured. "Hullo? I've got some cheesecake and it's delicious!"
The boy had barely began opening his mouth when CC began word vomiting about the cheesecake. At one point, she even talked about the mass of the cheese used to make this cheese cake. (Approximated of course.)
"Stop!" the judges said. "Time's up."
They all seemed to have a relieved look on their faces when the green-haired girl bowed slightly, and walked out of the room.
Mao pounced on CC and began bombarding her with questions. "How did you do? I'm sure you did great. You are the CC after all.."
It was then CC realized what a terrible mistake she had made. The same overwhelming suffocating feeling Mao was giving to her…
She had probably given that feeling to the judges too.
CC wondered if she ought to stay to see the results for who made it to the next round. She really wanted to leave but Mao was so confident and couldn't understand why she felt like leaving.
"CC, you don't understand how brilliant you are! You just need a bit more confidence."
CC sighed.
"You're there already!"
The paper boy came out of the main room and into the foyer, holding a piece of paper in his hands. Grabbing a thumb tack, he pinned the results onto the wall.
Needless to say, CC's name was no on it.
Mao raged, asking for an explanation. Silently, CC dragged him away from the sheet of paper.
"You are my star!" he exclaimed loudly. "If they can't appreciate you then you shouldn't bother with them!"
"What an attitude," the paper boy smirked. "You're not going very far in this industry if you're going to act like that."
"Hmph! CC is too amazing for the likes of you to understand!" Mao exclaimed.
"Oh?" The paper boy gave a Cheshire-cat grin. "If her amazing disposition is not appreciated by the likes of us," he gestured at himself and then pointed at the room where the judges sat. "Then what does it matter? If you would like to change something, there are two ways. Destroy and re-create; or changing it from the inside."
Mao scoffed. CC glared slightly at him.
"But the main thing to learn which audience you're targeting. Conform to their way of thinking, then slowly change their perspective."
Mao snorted like a caveman, "What a load of hogwash."
For those who've read to the end of the chapter, thank you. I don't think I'd have read to the end if I was a reader... I posted this without the help of a beta-reader... Personally, I don't think this is worth their time. I'm trying to write to finish this story and then do a MASSIVE edit ie. massive plot changes, grammatical erros and IF I CAN, I'll try add more character development. If you read to the end, thank you for putting up with this word vomit.
I'll try write as fast as I can. But I feel this story is getting dry, I'm writing to end the story.