Chapter 58: The interview.
Chariot was cleaning the disaster Akko had made. Nothing new here, really. Akko had simply thought it'd be a good idea to come in barging inside her own room while Sucy was brewing potions, and it had resulted on a rather explosive incident. Of course, Finnelan had been alerted and made Akko clean it, but the greater punishment had been for Sucy, who was now tasked with catching the inanimate objects that had suddenly become alive and ran away. Lotte was helping her too, but out of a sense of duty towards her friend, and not because she was punished as well.
So, now Ursula was with Akko, trying to scrub away the yellow powder from the walls. Why? Because someone had to make sure that there wasn't yet another explosive incident somehow (Finnelan's words).
"Sensei!" Akko's panicked yell started her out of her thoughts as Akko pointed towards… something. Something that looked like a thin black plastic book and was how running towards the open door.
Ursula intercepted and immobilized it with a quick spell. Then went to pick it up and… huh. A DVD? That's what Croix called them, right? But what was it doing here? It had a piece of white paper in the front, instead of a proper cover, and there was something written on it with Japanese characters. There was also what appeared to be a drawing of a witch made by a little kid. A witch with white clothes and bright red hair.
"What's this?" She asked, amused and confused in equal measure.
"Uhm…" Akko blushed. "It's nothing, really!" She tried to take the object away from her teacher, but she didn't let it go, now even more curious than before.
"Akko." She chuckled. "Everyone in school knows you were a fan of Shiny Chariot. Why are you getting shy about it now?"
"It's… Uh… It's dumb, really." She deviated her gaze and scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I collected a lot of her- your merchandise, and even recorded some interviews and TV commercials in this DVD." She shook her head, as if in disbelief with herself. "I memorized every word you said."
"I… see." Ursula was a little embarrassed, honestly, but this was more or less what she'd expected to hear. "Even I don't remember everything I said on TV, to be honest. Although I do remember my first interview."
"The one in which they asked about your romantic life, right?" Akko immediately said. "There were a few more like that too, but I think that woman asked the most questions about it."
"Well, it was the first time I discussed my romantic life with the press, or lack thereof, so it was to be expected." She shrugged.
"But… you were still dating Croix-sensei, right?" She tilted her head like a confused puppy.
"Well, yes, but…" She trailed off, remembering all the complications that came with becoming famous. "I couldn't just say that."
"Oh?"
"I actually had to prepare a lot for that interview, you know? Memorize a bunch of answers and all that. Even if I didn't like what they told me to say." She elaborated.
"Can you tell me more about it? While we work?" Akko promptly asked. And although Ursula wasn't particularly interested on telling her about this part of her past, she figured it would be good information for Akko to have, in case she ended up becoming a celebrity as well.
"Very well. Just don't slack off, okay?"
My rise to fame was fast, dramatic and… a little overwhelming. Perhaps very overwhelming is the best way to put it.
My shows quickly became popular, faster than I could believe. Attendance grew so much that the tiny spaces where I started performing weren't big enough anymore, and we had to switch to larger venues. The publicity also increased rather drastically, with my face being plastered pretty much everywhere I looked, and my merchandise being sold at almost every store (yes, I had merchandise, which in all honesty felt surreal for me).
Soon enough people also started recognizing me on the street and asking me to sign their shirts, or posters, or even Shiny Chariot cards. I did it all with a smile, of course, flattered that they liked my shows so much, and glad I could make them even happier with just a simple signature, but… it soon started to get more than a bit bothersome. Kids and their parents were usually easy to deal with, but it was the teenagers and young adults that made me want to hide under a rock. Why?
Well… the girls were often a bit too enthusiastic about asking things I didn't know the answers to; like my brand of makeup, where I did my shopping, and how I maintained my perfect figure. And… yeah, more often than not they were disappointed at my dismissive answers that clearly showed I couldn't care less about all that stuff and had a makeup team take care of it.
And then there were the boys. Ugh. Not all of them were awful, but I do remember quite a few encounters that went south rather fast. Why? Because it was clear they only liked me because they thought I was "sexy". At least that was the impression I got from their wandering eyes and how they'd ask to take a picture with me, only for them to get a bit handsy when I accepted.
"It's all a part of being famous." My manager said when I told him about it, and then he added that my job was to smile and tell my fans they're the best part of my career and that I wouldn't be where I am without them. Which… to an extent was true, I suppose, but it was just some fans that really grinded my gears.
It was soon afterwards that I got the announcement that I'd be performing internationally now. At the moment my shows were going to be limited to a bunch of major cities across Europe, but the aim was to take them to other continents in the future as well. At least those were exciting news that I could share with my aunt; she even decided she'd come to see my show when I performed in Paris.
But there was a small condition for the tour to happen, and it was to have an interview on a live TV program in order to promote my shows even further.
I thought it'd be easy, honestly; just smile, answer politely whatever innocuous questions they asked, and look pretty. But… apparently my manager had other ideas.
"You need to memorize what you'll say." He explains, and I groan rather dramatically in response. Memory isn't exactly my strongest suit.
"What, like… my name?" I roll my eyes, knowing full well that the interviewer was likely to ask me about myself and my work. What was there to memorize about that?
"Like your reasons for making shows." He answers. "Or how you would define magic."
"Those are easy!" I protest. "I don't need to memorize what to say, really."
"It's important that you give the correct answer, even if it's not the most honest." He tries to make me understand, but honestly? I don't get it.
"What do you mean? I don't want to lie!" I frown.
"It's not lying, but you can't just say whatever pops into your mind." He shots right back. "We can't know for sure what you'll be asked, but we can make an educated guess and prepare, so you give the answers that will benefit your image and popularity the most."
I roll my eyes. Honestly! All he cares about is how many tickets and merchandise we sell. Of course, that's his job, but I honestly couldn't care less about any of that, so it's hard for me to take him seriously.
"What would you answer if I asked you what inspired your costume?" He asks, and suddenly this feels like an exam, the kind of which I know the answers to in theory, but in practice it's an entirely different thing. I sigh, already knowing he won't be happy with my answer, but seeing no other option except responding.
"That… I had little say on the matter, and that I wished my skirt was a few centimeters longer?" I say, but it comes off as a question, already knowing that he'll correct me.
"No! You have to say that we were inspired by the idea of the white witch; someone who uses magic for good. And the blue and red represent nobility and passion, respectively."
"Didn't we take the color scheme from Alcor?"
"Chariot." He says in an annoyed tone.
"Fine! Point taken, I'll memorize the stupid answers, even if I can't guarantee I'll remember them." I say, knowing full well I'm not getting out of this.
"For the more personal questions I'm not too worried and I think it's best if we allow you to answer truthfully." He continues, and for once I can agree with him. "But I do need to know something: are you in a romantic relationship?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" I answer rather defensively.
"Answer." He crosses his arms around his chest rather sternly, making sure I know I have no choice but to go along with this impromptu interrogation. And… I wished I could just not say anything, honestly, but… I'll do the best next thing.
"Yes." My tone is clearly defiant. "She's a girl from my school."
At this, he sighs and rubs his forehead like he's going to develop a headache.
"So, you not only do have a relationship, but a relationship with a girl." He sighs. "Now we have double the things to keep hidden."
"Why does it matter?" In my mind, my romantic life is entirely separate from my work as Shiny Chariot, after all.
"You can't mention any of that. At all. Seriously, Chariot." He looks at me with an expression that somehow manages to be pleading and threatening at the same time. "Promise me you'll say that you're single at the moment and will make no mention of this girlfriend of yours. Ever."
"But why?" Now I'm getting upset. Sure, it's not like I wanted to disclose my relationship with Croix to the entirety of my fanbase, but outright lying? Saying I'm in no romantic relationship at all? It just doesn't sit well with me.
"Because the public sees you as this innocent magical girl, a pure soul that wants to bring delight to the world. A relationship just doesn't fit with that image." He explains. "Furthermore, boys need to feel like they have a chance with you, if we want them to keep buying your merchandise."
"But they don't!" I protest, remembering some of the rather uncomfortable encounters with some of my male fans, and shuddering at the mere thought of it.
"I don't care, Chariot! That's just how publicity works." He chastises me. "Besides, that's only one of the reasons no one can know you have a girlfriend." He pauses, looking intently at me. "More than eighty percent of your fans are small children and their parents, and homosexuality is definitely not family friendly."
"Homosexuality?" I shoot him an indignant look. I don't like the way he said that word, just as much as I didn't like what he said. "Just call it what it is; love. What is so "not family friendly" about love?"
"I understand you witches have a different way of looking at romantic relationships." He says, looking at me with a disapproving frown. "But that's not how the human world works. Here, homosexuality is not something most parents would want to associate with the media their children consume." He pauses, giving me a rather pointed look that lets me know I have no choice and that, whatever he'll say next, is an order. "You will deny being in a romantic relationship at all, and won't mention having a girlfriend under any circumstances. Do that, or your career will end." And with that little threat, he makes his exit.
I stare at the blank space on my laptop's screen. Well, technically I guess it's still Croix's laptop, since she just let me burrow it for the time being. I think.
Point is… as I look at the white screen where my email should go, my mind becomes just as empty. What can I even say? I haven't written in days! Or weeks? And she hasn't written in a while either. It feels like… like there's an abyss between us, growing wider and wider each day. And I fear soon it'll be wide enough we won't be able to jump it.
No. It won't come to that! It can't. But I have to write her.
Dear Croix
How have you been? I've been fine here, nothing much happening in my life, really. Just the same ol' boring school life.
Ugh. Maybe I just hate lying. But… she'll be so mad if I tell her! I don't want us to fight, much less through angry emails; I'd rather explain myself in person. But still. A bit of honesty won't hurt, I guess. And hopefully it'll get her to be more enthusiastic in her emails as well.
I just have a bit of a dilemma right now, and I wonder what you'd do if you were in my place.
You see… there's something that I really love doing, and it's been great lately, but now… I'm being required to lie if I want to keep it going. It's not a big deal, or anything, but it still doesn't sit well with me. Am I being too dramatic?
If you were here, I bet you'd call me a drama queen and roll your eyes at me, huh? But then again… you've always cared less about this stuff, right? You do your thing and follow your dreams in spite of everything. That's something I really admire about you.
I just hope you can come soon. I miss you.
Love, Chariot.
I press send before I can re-read it again and have second thoughts, altering it a million times before deleting the draft and deciding to write some other day. It's happened before. But Croix deserves to hear from me, even if I'm not entirely truthful about my life yet. It's better than nothing, I think.
I sigh, close my laptop and get up, stretching.
As my eyes land on the window in my room, noticing the low position of the sun in the horizon, my stomach churns. It's almost time.
I sneeze after the makeup team applies red powder all over my cheeks. Ugh. I'll never get used to this. Seriously, am I not pretty enough without the damn makeup?
Not pretty enough for television, it seems.
They're really going overboard with the tailored dress, sporting the same style and colors as my Shiny Chariot outfit, the red shoes with freaking high heels that must have cost a fortune, and the meticulous applying of makeup all over my face and neck. As if I need it. They're making me feel like my skin is full of imperfections; maybe green and plastered with warts, like the witches from those tales.
I feel an involuntary tug on my lips at the thought, and the woman doing my makeup immediately chastises me. Right. I need to sit still as they work. What a bother.
"Chariot, you're out on five!" A guy calls, and I can only blink in acknowledgement as the woman applies a rosy lipstick on my lips. Ugh, even my eyelashes are full of makeup.
"And done." She finally takes a step back and admires me pensively before leaning down again and adding a bit more eyeshadow. After that, she smiles in satisfaction and speaks once more. "Now you're done. You better hurry."
"Thank you." I nod and quickly get up. I'm a bit wobbly because of the high heels, but thankfully they made me practice a lot yesterday. The dress lets me move well enough, at least, but with the laced back I feel rather exposed, especially as I exit my assigned changing room and step towards the room full of cameras and bright lights where the interview will take place. I subconsciously tug at the hem of my dress's skirt, finding it too short for my liking. At least they let me wear tights underneath.
In that moment, a member of the shooting crew signals me to enter. I just take a deep breath and then slowly start walking towards the center of the scenario, all while waving at the imaginary public that are now looking at me from behind their TV screens.
I only stop when the program's host comes to me and opens her arms as a gesture to hug her. I do so, as was expected of me, but thankfully it's a short hug before she allows me to sit at the couch and says a few words about how great it is to have me here tonight.
I just concentrate on smiling politely and not getting too distracted at the blinding lights or the cameras following my every movement. Ugh. I'm feeling nauseous. Why is this more nerve-wracking than performing for a live audience?
"Chariot?" The woman calls my attention and I take just a moment to take in her appearance. She's probably in her forties, although it's difficult to tell for sure with all the makeup she's wearing. She also has long blonde hair and blue eyes, and is wearing a light-yellow suit that accentuates her artificially tanned skin. She's a regular TV host, very charismatic and with a big smile. But this doesn't make me feel at ease at all; it's almost like I'm facing a dangerous cockatrice, with how much my palms are sweating. Still, I force myself to answer.
"Uh… yes?" I feel like I missed a question.
"I asked how you feel about your first television appearance." She says patiently, with a humorous expression in her face.
"Oh! Uhm… honestly, I'm quite flattered to be here. I didn't think something like this would actually happen." I answer. I don't believe we rehearsed for this specific question, so my honest answer should be enough.
The woman then laughs in a rather exaggerated manner before looking at me again, with a big smile and a shake of her head.
"Chariot, you're a celebrity! Everyone is talking about you! Of course you'd get invited on TV sooner rather than later."
"That still doesn't feel real, to be honest." I let out a nervous laugh. "It feels like just yesterday I was performing on the streets."
"And yet I understand soon you'll be touring through Europe." She points out with an almost mischievous smile. "Can you tell us about that?"
Now that is one of the questions we did rehearse. It should be easy enough to remember the answer, even with the anxiety clouding my thoughts.
"Yes, uhm, we'll be spending the next two months performing in various cities across the continent." I start. "We'll spend two days in each, starting from London, then Dublin, Madrid, Paris, Rome…" I feel my heart skip a beat, remembering the last time I went to Rome, but push the thought back to the corner of my mind where it belongs and quickly continue. "... Vienna, Berlin and Oslo."
"That's quite a lot of places! Although I'm still sure some of your fans will be disappointed that you won't perform overseas as well." She comments politely.
"For now, it's all we can do." I smile apologetically at the cameras. "But if the fans keep supporting us like they've been doing until now, we'd love to make a global tour and visit a lot more places."
"That sounds amazing." She says cheerily. "I'm sure you'll make a lot of people happy if those plans become a reality."
"Yeah… honestly the reception of the non-magical community has been positively overwhelming, and I couldn't be more grateful for that." I recite the memorized answer. But… I think I changed the wording a little. Well… it doesn't really matter, I think.
"And what about the magical community?" She startles me with the question, looking intently at me for an answer, and I suddenly feel like a small mouse being watched by a hawk. "I understand the opinions of other witches aren't exactly favorable towards you."
"Ah." I say dumbly as I try to search every crevasse of my brain for some sort of clue about what to answer. But no; I'm on my own this time. "Yeah… some witches believe I'm disrespecting our traditions, but… I believe magic should serve to make people happy. If it doesn't, then what's the point of it?"
"That's a noble feeling, but aren't you worried about getting shunned from your own community?" She fakes concern, and I answer with a shrug. Honestly this is a subject I've paid no mind to whatsoever for the past couple of months.
"I've always been an outcast, so there's nothing new here." I chuckle. "But I do hope they come around once they see the positive impact my shows are having."
"That's a nice sentiment." She says politely. "But aren't you worried about the impact of these shows in your personal relationships? You friends, and family?"
At this, I lean back on the couch, mulling over my answer.
"My aunt isn't a witch, and even if she was, I doubt she'd have a problem with me following my dreams, as long as I'm happy."
"She sounds like a wonderful person."
"She is pretty great." I smile, genuinely happy as I recall the last letter that I received from her.
"And what about your friends?" The woman keeps up with her questions.
"They don't really mind." I shrug, thinking about the mischievous twins, and even my roommates. "Although they're a bit annoyed that I spend so much time away from school."
"Ah, long distance relationships can be challenging." She comments, watching me closely. "Even friendships."
"Yeah, but… we manage." I smile.
"And what about your romantic partner? Do you manage as well?"
My stomach twists painfully as soon as I hear the question. This is precisely what I was hoping she wouldn't ask, but… here we are, I suppose.
"N-no, I mean… I…" I clear my throat and hope they attribute the red on my cheeks to too much makeup. "I don't have a romantic relationship at the moment." I fake a smile, but the pang inside my chest is threatening to turn it into a grimace. Ugh. Those words left a bad taste in my mouth.
"Really?" She gasps dramatically. "Someone as young and attractive as you? You must have men falling at your feet wherever you go."
At this I smile awkwardly, remembering my male fans and their poor attempts at being close to me. I remember men and their lingering gazes; I remember some comments I've read in the internet about my appearance. I've never wanted that kind of attention. The only eyes I want to look at me in such a manner are Croix's, but… I can't say that. That's not the rehearsed answer.
I fake a nervous laugh and look at the ground before speaking.
"It's flattering to me that some people really think I'm that attractive." I say, acting meek. "But I've never seen someone fall to my feet because of that." I add with a bit of humor.
"Oh, come on! You must have seen the effect you provoke from men!" She raises an eyebrow at me, challenging me to either take the bait or appear stupid. Unfortunately for her, I do have a rehearsed answer that I can use in this situation.
"That may be the case, but regardless, I'm not looking for romance at the moment."
"Really? But you're in the prime age for romance!"
"Right now, I need to focus on my career. If I ever find romance it'll have to be when I'm in a more stable position." I answer as I would in an exam. The only difference is that this time I'm sure I gave the correct answer… or at least the answer my employers expected me to give.
"Well said, Chariot." She smiles. "I'm sure you'll be an inspiration for many young girls out there."
"Thank you." I nod.
"Now, tell me about your shows. What inspired you to start performing?"
The questions afterwards are a lot easier to answer, and I even practiced for most of them before the interview. Thankfully she doesn't ask much about Luna Nova, or how magic works, because I don't think I'm allowed to reveal that information. Regardless, the interview goes by pretty quickly and I'm able to go back to the hotel room in London that was reserved for me tonight, knowing full well that I wouldn't be allowed inside Luna Nova if I were to arrive this late at night.
In my room I find my pajamas, some basic hygiene items and my laptop; all in a neat bag that I'd given to my manager earlier so that he could have it delivered here.
I quickly wash my teeth and wipe off all the makeup, at certain points having to resort to magic to get rid of sections of it, before getting into my pajamas and flopping down on the luxuriously comfortable bed; much better than Luna Nova's bunk beds, that's for sure.
Then, I grab my laptop and open it, immediately going to check on my email.
And… still nothing. I sigh and close it again.
Not that I really expected Croix to answer so soon; she sure is a busy person, but… her emails are starting to become few and far between. I wonder if this interview will make things even worse.
No.
No, surely, she doesn't even know about Shiny Chariot… right? Yeah, she's just a busy person. She'll answer soon enough. I'm sure.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you all liked this one as well even if Croix still hasn't made an appearence since she graduated. Soon though. Well, that's all for today. See you in two weeks!
Thanks to my beta reader moonwatcher13.
