Chapter 7: Blocking Blues
"Don't get into trouble," Honoka said, watching Misaki pack.
"What could I possibly do in New Zealand?" Misaki asked, dumping a few jackets into her suitcase. "Besides, you'll be joining me in a few days."
"A lot can happen in any amount of time," Honoka said. "Don't make too many bad headlines."
"Actress gets eaten by bear," Misaki joked, zipping up her second suitcase.
"Very funny," Honoka said. "I have to meet with a lot of people. You're the hot topic ever since you landed the role of Marina Cleo. Once I got everything taken care of, I'll fly out to New Zealand."
"I know," Misaki said, sitting on her bed. "It feels like Sparrow all over again except this time I know what's coming."
"With Benedict, you never know what's coming," Honoka said, shaking her head. "Do you know how many 'final' schedules he's sent out?! It's a manager's nightmare."
Misaki smiled. "Have I packed enough?" she asked.
Honoka nodded. "There will be places to get clothes washed. Text me if you forgot anything. Did you remember a winter coat?"
Misaki nodded. "Okay, I'm going to get going now," she said. "Stan is waiting."
"You got your disguise right?"
"Look good enough?" Misaki asked, twirling.
She had faded skinny jeans, a striped shirt with a draped vest, high tops, beanie, and hipster glasses on.
"Very Asian," Honoka said, sighing. "Okay, you don't want to miss your flight."
Misaki gave Honoka a quick hug and lugged both giant suitcases to the lobby by herself. Stan helped her load the luggage into the back of the trunk and opened the door for her.
"How long will you filming?" Stan asked.
"A few months," Misaki told him. "Don't worry, I'll be going back and forth."
"I don't trust other people's security," he grumbled, driving toward the airport.
Misaki smiled. "I'll watch my own back for a while," she simply said.
They got to the airport where Misaki checked in her luggage. She was flying commercially and hoped no one would recognize her.
"Good luck," Stan said, giving her a quick hug.
"Thanks," Misaki said. "Well, I'm off!"
The flight from LA to New Zealand was over 12 hours. Misaki was dreading when she would have to fly back and forth between the two places. During those 12 hours, Misaki had her entire script memorized and full of side notes. After she got bored of that, she watched TV on the little screen in front of her.
Scrolling through the episodes, Misaki realized she hadn't seen a lot of these popular shows. Her finger stopped on "Crossroads."
The curiosity was too strong. Misaki selected the first episode. She had seen some of the show but she never really got what was going on plus now that she actually knew who Takumi was, it was even more interesting.
"Hmm…" Misaki said after watching the first episode. "Maybe, I'll watch one more episode."
The show was very suspenseful with lots of twists. Misaki could see why this was one of America's most popular shows. She'd read on the internet the raves about the finale. Apparently it was very satisfying.
There was this one part where the detective (Takumi) and this assassin started making out. Misaki felt really embarrassed, watching them. She took out her headphones so she didn't have to hear the sounds.
"Oh god…" Misaki muttered, looking away.
It wasn't graphic or anything because the camera focused on the shadows cast onto the wall but Misaki didn't know if she could ever film something like that. Her and Tora had two kissing scenes in the movie and that was already awkward enough. In the movie, it's just them with no one around but when filming there was at least 20 people crowding around trying to get the lighting and angle perfect.
Crossroads overall was very addicting. Misaki finished the entire first season by the time the plane landed. She packed together her belongings and got ready to get off the plane.
Once checked out of the airport, finding her driver was very simple. He had a sign that read "Misa A." Misaki knew it was him because Stan had literally given her a full profile on him so she wouldn't accidently end up with some stranger.
"My name is Frank," he said, shaking her hand.
"Hi Frank," Misaki said.
"Allow me to carry that for you," he said, holding out his hand.
Misaki gave him one of her suitcases and they walked out to the waiting car.
"Was the flight tiring?" he asked, opening the car door for Misaki.
"Twelve whole hours," Misaki sighed. "I'm so glad that's over."
The drive to the set was even longer. They drove out of the city and then into the wilderness. There wasn't even buildings when they got to set. The only evidence of human life was a horse farm and a bunch of trailers.
"Here we are," Frank said, turning off the car and then getting out to get Misaki's luggage.
"The landscape if very beautiful," Misaki noted.
Frank nodded. "You have trailer #3," he said, showing her the way.
Misaki liked living in the trailers, especially the ones for the stars. They were like a complete house but compacted into a snug box.
"Thank you," Misaki said as Frank set down her stuff.
He left and Misaki checked out her new trailer. It had everything; bathroom, kitchen, sleeping area, pull out couch and a huge makeup station.
There was a knock on her door.
"Um…come in?" Misaki called.
"Hey!" Vivian said, opening it. "We start filming tomorrow morning! How exciting?!"
Misaki laughed. "Very!" she agreed.
"I heard Benedict has literally been around this country five times already. He has the perfect settings picked out."
"Of course," Misaki said. "He really knows what he's doing."
"I heard his schedule is grueling," Vivan said. "Training starts today. Way to let everyone settle in."
Misaki shrugged. "It will be worth it," she reminded her.
"Of course. Let's go see who else is here," Vivian said, grabbing Misaki's hand.
"Sakura!" Misaki called, waving to her friend.
"Misaaa!" Sakura exclaimed, hugging Misaki. "I'm so excited!" she said. "My manager said that I don't film until a couple days but hey I wanted to settle into the new time zone."
"That is probably smart," Misaki said. "I start filming tomorrow first thing."
"Burden of stardom," Vivian joked. "Don't worry. We'll all be in this together."
Misaki nodded.
"I'm glad we made friends so easily," Vivian said. "These few months are going to be a breeze."
"I have the training schedule," Benedict said, walking up to a board. "Horseback riding and dueling slots with an instructor," he said, tacking it on the wall. "Feel free to practice any time though."
"Let's go look," Misaki said.
"I'm not on it," Sakura said. "I'm the enchantress, remember?"
"Oh right," Misaki said. "I'll be right back then."
"Misaki!" Vivian called. "Let's go look together."
Misaki nodded and they weaved through the people.
"Oh no..." Misaki moaned when she saw the training sheet.
"What? You don't like training with me?" Takumi teased, studying the sheet.
Misaki blushed. "Quit eavesdropping!"
Some people were grouped together. For example, the two kings were group together. Misaki and Takumi were a group. The henchmen were another group. Backup Riders had their own group too.
"Oh Misaki," Vivian said. "Look at all the training slots I have..." she sighed. "This movie better get me an Oscar because I'm pouring all my sweat and blood into this!"
Misaki smiled. "It's going to be great," she encouraged. "I can't wait to see your choreography."
"I'll help you if you need any tips," Vivian promised. "I have mostly solo training times. What a shame. I have hoping to bond with the cast."
"We got a few months on set," Misaki reminded her.
"You're always so logical," Vivian noted. "I wish I thought about things that carefully," she giggled.
Misaki just smiled.
Misaki dressed in a pair of riding boots and jeans. She'd never ridden a horse before so this was going to be interesting.
"Ready for lesson #1?" Takumi asked, walking in step with her.
"Yup," Misaki replied. "Have you done this before?"
"Nope," Takumi said. "I'm more of a modern, car driving Prince Charming."
"You're so weird," Misaki muttered.
They reached the corral where they met the two horse trainers, Paul and Paulina.
"Horseback riding is very simple," Paulina said. "Once you get the hang of it, you're be riding like a pro."
They did the basics first, brushing the horses and then saddling them. Misaki had a white horse and Takumi had a chestnut one.
"You're so sweet," Misaki said, stoking her horse's long velvety nose.
"She's a gentle one," Paul agreed. "They call her Lady."
"Lady," Misaki said, feeding her a carrot.
Takumi's horse, Ben, didn't seem to like Takumi.
"Animals have always disliked me..." Takumi observed. "Here Ben," he said, holding out a carrot.
The horse neighed and ignored him. Takumi sighed and strapped on his helmet. Paul and Paulina got out crates to help them get onto the horse. Apparently you always mount from the left side.
"Good girl," Misaki said, patting the horse's thick neck.
Paulina explained how to hold the reigns and where to put her feet.
"I'll lead you around a little first," she said, making clicking noises for the horse to follow her.
It felt weird riding on such a big animal. Lady slowly walked a lap around the grass area.
"Now you try," Paulina said, handing Misaki the reigns. "I'll walk beside her. Squeeze with your legs and give with your hands."
"Whoa," Misaki said as the horse started walking again.
"Make sure your back is straight," Paulina said, stepping farther away. "You're doing well. Squeeze again and the horse will trot."
Misaki gave the horse a small squeeze and she started picking up the pace. Trotting was whole different game then just walking. Misaki slipped off the horse and fell onto the sand.
"Ugh," Misaki said, picking herself up and dusting the sand off.
"It's okay," Paulina said. "If you fall off, just get back on."
Misaki used the stirrup this time and threw her other leg over the horse.
"Ouch…" Misaki said. The saddle wasn't soft at all.
Misaki eased her horse into a walk and then tried trotting again.
"Don't grip the reigns!" Paulina called.
Misaki tried her best to relax but ended up falling off the saddle.
"Why don't you try going in different directions," Paulina encouraged. "Speed will come along with practice."
By the end of the session, Misaki hurt everywhere. She swore her butt was black and blue with bruises.
"Was that fun for you?" Takumi asked, hanging his helmet up.
"I can't feel my butt anymore…" Misaki said, hanging up her helmet too. "My legs hurt, my stomach hurts, my bad hurts."
"Paul taught me a few stretches. I'll show you by the grass."
Misaki laid down while Takumi lifted her leg up.
"Y-Yeah…" Misaki winced. "Definitely sore."
"Are you going to practice again tomorrow?"
"I have to," Misaki said. "During the battle scene, I'm riding a horse into war. It's going to be fast and I can't even trot yet."
Takumi nodded. "I am already getting on a horse tomorrow for the first take."
"Right," Misaki said.
They were filming Marina's escape from the house tomorrow. The Dark King had just issued for every 16 year old to be killed. Martha sees the soldiers coming and gets Marina. She reveals to Marina about her true birth but before the news can even digest, Marina's pushed out of the house and told to run.
Martha's only advice for Marina was to stay on the main road. There were only horrible stories of wild creatures and dangerous terrain that lurked within. Marina runs down the main road but stops in her tracks when she saw soldiers marching toward her. She rashly runs into the dark forest where the forest floor is slick with mud and water from large leaves dump down without warning.
Marina is scared and panic turns into almost hysteria when she hears growls coming through the foliage. Huge black wolves emerge from the brush and slowly move toward her. Marina tears through the trees. She hears them stalking her but doesn't see them. Suddenly one leaps out at her and bites onto her skirt. Marina screams and jerks back, fabric ripping. She grabs a large tree branch and attempts to fight back. The wolf is about to kill her when an arrow pierces its back. It stiffens but then falls over. It was killed by Derek and the Riders.
"Are you nervous?" Takumi asked, stretching her other leg.
"Not really…" Misaki said. "More excited. I'm going to be soaked through though."
"Are they going to film the cottage scene?" Takumi asked. "That's when you're still dry."
"Probably," Misaki said. "It's not that long though. I chop wood, feed the fire, read some books and exchange a few lines with my 'mom.' I can't wait to see my younger selves though," Misaki said.
Martha names the Princess, Marina, and takes care of her. The script had Marina growing up shot after shot until Marina has finally aged to Misaki.
"Hey Takumi," Misaki asked, sitting up. "What's the weirdest thing you've ever filmed?"
"Like weirdest movie?"
"No, like weirdest scene."
"I used a spatula to defend myself in Crossroads?" Takumi offered.
"When you're in Huston's house?" Misaki blurted out.
"I'm flattered," Takumi said, grinning. "You watch my show."
Misaki blushed. "I saw a little bit of it…"
"So, what are you trying to ask?" Takumi asked. "The infamous bedroom scene?" he teased.
"Um…yeah…" Misaki admitted. "Was it weird?"
"Not really…"
"Pervert."
"Hey," Takumi said, laughing. "I meant that it was professional."
"Oh," Misaki said, stretching her arms.
"Don't worry," Takumi said. "I'll try to be professional during our intimate moments-"
"Takumi!" Misaki exclaimed, getting up. "If you try anything funny-"
"Don't worry, sweetheart," he said, smirking. "I'll be just believing enough."
"If other people knew how you actually act," Misaki spluttered.
Takumi snorted. "Everyone has an image," he said. "I saw your red carpet premiere photos from Sparrow," he said. He let out a whistle. "Breathtaking…" he said, basking in the memory. "Of course, the next time I saw you, you were wearing beat up jeans and some hoodie. What a disappointment…"
Misaki just glared at him and walked away.