Chapter 8: Take one!

Misaki was woken up bright and early by her prep crew.

"First day of shooting!" Subaru and Erika cheered.

Misaki yawned and stretched out her sore arms. "What's the schedule?" she asked, wishing Honoka was here.

Erika tapped on her chin. "We're supposed to get you into full costume with hair and makeup done. Then, we're coming with you to drive out into the mountainous area where there's snow.

Misaki nodded. "Remind me to bring my winter duffle..."

"I'll get it. Why don't you go wash up and we'll get going?" Subaru suggested.

Misaki yawned once more and threw back the covers. She took a quick hot shower and sat in her swivel stool in front of the mirrors. Erika handed Misaki a bagel and a thermos of tea.

"I really miss Honoka," Misaki said, sipping her tea.

Misaki was usually pretty clueless about what was going on but Honoka always kept everyone on task.

Subaru sprayed her hair and got it wavy and braided. As soon as Subaru was done, Erika took her place and began dabbing foundation on Misaki's face.

"We're going to touch everything up when we get on set," Erika reminded her.

Subaru helped Misaki get into her costume and looked her over. "Beautiful," she said, nodding approvingly.

Misaki put on sweat pants over the thin leggings. Under her dress was a compression shirt do she wouldn't get too cold. Misaki also had her duffle of her day's necessities. Subaru had her hair kit and Erika had the makeup case ready to go.

The three rode in a large jeep through the dirt paths and higher up toward the mountainous regions.

"Look, snow!" Erika pointed.

They pulled up to a group of trailers. The crew was already getting set up.

"Oh good, Misaki here," Benedict said as Misaki got out.

He had on a winter coat, hat, gloves and a scarf. In one hand was a script and the other had a giant thermos. Misaki guessed it was coffee.

They went into a trailer where Misaki got her hair and makeup touched up and then dusted with dirt. On set, they were currently filming the younger versions of Marina Cleo. The youngest girl in the cast was Star Beck. Misaki guessed her parents really wanted her in the industry if they named their child "Star." At the age of six, she was already getting into acting. She barely knew how to read! The mom stood beside Benedict as Star was being filmed. If Benedict wanted her to act differently, he would tell the mom who would then go up next to the girl and quietly explain it to her.

Misaki felt bad for the little girl. The wind was blowing and it was cold but the young Marina Cleo was digging through the garden for radishes, potatoes and other root vegetables. They also filmed her picked up sticks in the snow. Star's fingers were red from the cold.

"And cut!" Benedict yelled. "Great job, honey," he said, high fiving Star. "You can go into the trailer for hot cocoa," he told her. "Until we need you to film again."

Star nodded and her mom quickly wrapped her in a blanket to keep her warm and took her inside.

"I need 10 year old Marina Cleo!" Benedict yelled.

"It's Misaki Ayuzawa!" the girl yelled, running up and hugging Misaki.

"Hi there," Misaki said, patting her. "What's your name?"

"I'm Anna Rose," the girl introduced herself. "I saw Sparrow with my big sister and her friend. You were so cool! I loved Ralph too."

Misaki smiled. "Thank you."

"I need Marina Cleo on set!" Benedict yelled again.

"Got to go," Anna said, shrugging off her coat and handing it to her mom. "Can I get an autograph later?"

"Sure," Misaki promised.

Anna was given a small hatchet to chop wood. Her thin arms swung the hatchet over and over until the wood finally splintered. Misaki knew it was already broken in the center so chopping it would be easier. Anna's scene didn't take that long so she finished quickly.

"Grown up Marina!" Benedict yelled.

Misaki unzipped her padded coat and handed it to Subaru.

"Hey Benedict," Misaki said, picking up her large axe.

It was definitely heavy but Misaki managed to bring it over to the wooden stump.

"I see it already," Benedict said, standing up. "The younger Marina is going to swing the axe down. We'll zoom up on the wood splintering and when we look up, it's Marina all grown up- Regina, I hope you're writing this down..."

"Wouldn't dream not to," Regina replied, writing furiously.

"Misaki, start with the axe over your head!" Benedict reminded her.

Misaki set a small log on the stump and got ready. On film, it would look like Misaki all alone chopping wood in front of a rickety old home and a sad garden patch but when filming there was the camera man, the sound guy, and two guys with reflecting panes to control the light reflected by the snow.

"Lights! Cameras! Action!" Benedict yelled.

Misaki brought the axe down hard onto the log. It was a lot harder than expected. She purposefully tossed the two halves aside and set up another log. Misaki jerked up the axe and brought it down onto the log. Benedict wanted to go through three logs before dropping the axe beside the old tree stump.

"CUT!" Benedict yelled. "Simple, clean, done," he said, pacing around. "Now, we have to get the house scene," Benedict announced.

The house of Marina and Martha was supposed to look run down but Misaki still felt her eye twitch as the crew easily dismantled the a wall of the house and dragged it aside. Some sturdy house…

"I need the youngest Marina," Benedict ordered.

The crew worked to perfect the little house to Benedict's liking while someone went to get Star. There was a little fire place with a kettle. The splintering table had a stack of books. Behind a faded curtain was a bed.

Star came back on set and her mom had to lift her in order for her to sit on the crappy looking chair.

"I need Martha-"

"I'm right here!" Natalie Freeman said. "Ready to film."

She straightened her head scarf and took a seat next to Star.

"Okay," Benedict said, stepping back. "Take one," he said, waving his hand.

All young Marina scenes were going to be no audio. Natalie read Star the tattered book and Star listened. Natalie just told Star a story because it didn't matter what she said. Her mouth just had to be moving. The scene was to show Martha educating the young princess.

"Cut!" Benedict said. "I want two different angles of this shot," he ordered. "Take two!"

They ended up doing that scene three times to get all the angles.

"I need 10 year old Marina on set!" Benedict yelled.

Natalie got her makeup touched up to look a little older and shrugged on a different vest.

The next scene was Marina reading the books out loud but as an older child with Martha doing housework in the background. Anna made up things to say in the first take but then just started mouthing for the other two takes. Everyone clapped when Benedict called cut.

"Thank you to Star and Anna for the excellent work," Benedict said. "You did a good job."

That was it for the two young actresses.

"Can you sign this?" Anna asked, walking over to Misaki with her mom.

Misaki smiled and signed a photo of herself dressed as Jackie Sparrow.

Thank you," Anna said, hugging her again. "Bye!"

"Bye!" Misaki said, waving.

"Alright," Benedict said. "I'm at the part where Marina walks through the door with the wood.

Misaki took off her coat and sweat pants and went to go grab the wood. The crew all moved inside the tiny house just for Misaki to walk in. Then they all moved to a different corner to film the actual interaction.

"Cameras ready," Benedict said. "Action!"

"Mother?" Misaki asked in a soft voice, setting down the chopped wood beside the fire place.

Natalie turned. She looked a lot older now.

"Yes, Marina?" Natalie asked in a tired voice.

"It's getting colder," Misaki said, adding wood to the fire. "How is your cough?"

Natalie sighed. "It's an old habit now," she said, slowly easing herself into a chair. "How much food is left?"

"We only have a month's worth left," Misaki said, standing up and dusting herself off. "Mother?" she asked again.

"Yes dear?"

"Can you tell me what it was like before the bad times again?" Misaki asked.

"Yes," Natalie said, waving her over.

"Cut!" Benedict said. "Good. Good. Reposition yourselves and let's move on."

Misaki sat on a little crate at Natalie's feet. Natalie took one of Misaki's hands into hers.

"Sixteen years ago, we had seasons. Spring, summer, fall... The land was full of life and harvest was plentiful," Natalie said, adding a few coughs here and there. "The King and Queen ruled with kindness. They traded well with the other kingdoms and the nation prospered. Girls like you use to wear ribbons in their hair and play in the soft meadows."

"Tell me about the Princess again," Misaki sighed, resting her head on Natalie's knee.

"The Princess was the King and Queen's greatest treasure," Natalie continued. "So when the King died, the Queen pretended the Princess had died at birth but in reality sent her away with her closest companion. She fooled the Dark King into thinking the lineage was finished."

"But the Princess will return someday," Misaki stated.

"Yes and she will fight against evil."

"And she will bring hope to her people," Misaki said, smiling as if she's said this a dozen times.

"And she will lead," Natalie said, emphasizing each word. "She will be Queen someday..."

"Cut!" Benedict said. "Very good. Do it one more time and we'll go a shot of moving out from the window."

The camera would focus on Martha but then start to pull back and leave through the window. It then goes higher and higher into the trees. All Misaki and Natalie had to do was sit there until the camera man said he got the shot.

"Now the simple scenes are done," Benedict stated. "Flip forward to the scene where Martha sees the soldiers."

The scene took place during the evening with a storm. They had a snow machine but they wouldn't be using it until they got to Marina's escape scene.

The first shot was of Martha looking out the window. The camera man stood outside as a look of horror spread across Natalie's face. The shot was cut when Natalie slammed the shutters closed.

The next shot was Martha running to alert Marina that the soldiers were coming.

"Marina!" Natalie shrieked, running over to where Misaki was reading.

"What's the matter?" Misaki asked, looking shaken up.

"You have to go!"

"Go where?"

"Listen to me, Marina," Natalie said kneeling. "I will only be able to say this once. There are soldiers coming. They're out to kill the lost Princess! The Princess is you, Marina!" Natalie said in a panicked voice. "You are Princess Anastasia Odette Eowen of Tristal."

"What are you saying?!" Misaki exclaimed, dropping the book. The candle flickered.

"All those stories!" Natalie said. "I was the Queen's closet friend. I fled with you in my arms. You are the one destined to lead the people."

"I can't be!"

Natalie fumbles in her pocket to produce a necklace.

"This was your mother's, the Queen's," Natalie explained, putting it on Misaki. "You have to remember. The fate of Tristal rests in your hands now!" she pleaded.

There was a sound effect of screams from a distance.

"Go!" Natalie yelled. "Go through the back door! Remember to stay on the main road! Don't go into the woods!"

"What about you?!" Misaki exclaimed, hysterical as Natalie kept pushing her toward the door.

"They're after the princess not an old lady!" Natalie said pushing Misaki. "Remember! You're the last hope!"

"Cut!" Benedict said. "Do it two more times but first I want a zoom up of Martha pressing the necklace in Marina's hands.

During that take, Misaki learned the art if portraying emotion through her hands. Benedict wanted Natalie's hands to seem more desperate and hers to be shocked and digesting the truth still.

"That's a wrap for the morning," Benedict said, when he finally got the shot. "Let's take a quick break and then I want to film the soldiers."

"How was it?" Takumi asked as Misaki sat down to eat.

"Amazing," Misaki said, taking a bite out of her spaghetti. "I'm so pumped."

"You got some dirt on your face," Takumi teased.

"It's the new look," Misaki replied. "All villagers are wearing it."

Takumi just smiled and sipped his Styrofoam cup of soup.

"When did you get on set?" Misaki asked.

"A while ago," Takumi said. "I spent the morning riding that blasted horse."

Misaki smiled. "Getting better?"

"I would say so."

Misaki reminded herself not to eat too much. She was running for the next entire scene.

The stars on set at the moment were Takumi, Misaki and Kyle Thicke. The rest were all backup Riders and the crew, however, that was still a lot of people.

"I heard this scene is half green screen," Takumi said as they were getting touch ups.

To Misaki's luck, his station was right next to her's.

"Yeah, when I get attacked by wolves," Misaki said, looking up so Erika could water proof her makeup.

Takumi's Rider look was very dashing. His blonde hair was pulled back into a little pony tail with a leather band around his head.

"I feel pretty awesome with my sword," he said, patting his belt. "I'll protect you!"

"I don't need your protection!"

"You do in the movie," Takumi said, smugly.

Someone knocked on the trailer door. "We need Misaki on set."

"Got to go," Misaki said, hopping out of her seat.

The scene first took place with Misaki bursting out of the house. The snow machine was up and running so Misaki had to squint through the fake snow storm. They also had a shot of Misaki's face zoomed up. It was where Marina saw the soldiers marching her way down the road and then flees to the forest.

They ran the scene in segments because the camera man kept having to adjust positions. It got easier when they actually reached the woods because there was a rail set up in the ground so the camera and sound recorder could keep up with Misaki while she was running in a one fluid shot.

"Don't run too perfectly," Benedict reminded Misaki as she stretched out her legs. "Trip and fall a little."

Misaki nodded and got ready to run.

"Ready? Action!"

Misaki started sprinting through the rugged terrain. Her legs were sore from yesterday's horseback riding so most of her trips came naturally. Misaki scrambled to get back up and kept looking behind her. Her hands smacked away branches and clawed through vines.

They did a shot where Misaki ran along the railing so it was like the camera was chasing her. The river scene was the worst though. Misaki sloshed through the ice cold water and back onto the snowy banks.

After that, Benedict gave her a quick break to drink some hot tea and get feeling back in her toes.

They skipped the wolf scene to when Marina was running around in hysterics. She then sees Derek who tries to help her but ends up screaming and tries to run away anyways.

Takumi and the rest of the Riders got on their horses and positioned themselves beside the trees. The shot started out with Kyle holding up his bow because he had just killed the wolf.

Takumi slid off his horse. Misaki let out a horror scream and backed away. She felt for the stick and held it up to defend herself. Misaki wanted to get the emotions perfect. She was hyperventilating so hard that she actually felt light headed in her real life.

Misaki feebly threw the stick at Takumi. They cut and film Takumi easily batting the stick aside. Then it's back to Misaki who falls on her butt and then scrambles away. There's a bit more running until Misaki bursts into an opening. Benedict cuts so Erika can touch up her makeup and then they film Marina's passing out scene.

Misaki gulped down some hot tea and stood in position.

"Action!"

Misaki stumbled around. She was tired in real life so she just let her movements get sluggish. She finally crashed onto the snow. Her cheek pressed against the ice coldness. A few moments later, Takumi walked over and kneeled beside her. He touched her face and then her necklace. They did that scene a couple times to get different angles.

"Can you still feel your face?" Takumi asked. "I think you left a foundation mark in the snow," he added.

Misaki just shook her head and covered the spot with more snow and laid back down. Misaki's makeup was purposefully done pale and her lips looked colorless as she laid there in the snow.

They finally called it a wrap for the opening scene. Benedict and the crew were going to film some more but the stars were allowed to leave.

"I am freezing!" Misaki chattered, ducking into the trailer.

She got changed into warm clothes and handed her costume to Subaru.

"I'm going to shower when I get back to my own trailer," Misaki announced.

"Good to know," Takumi said, walking in too.

Misaki glared at him. "Stop eavesdropping!" she exclaimed. She paused. "Isn't there any other trailer you could use...?"

"I like this one,"

"Why?!"

"Because you're in it."

Misaki grabbed her bag and stalked out of the trailer into the waiting jeep. Subaru and Erika went to a hotel. Misaki went to back to her trailer to take a hot shower and then a one hour power nap.

Waking up refreshed, Misaki threw her hair into a pony tail and walked over to the horse stables. Paul helped her saddle Lady and Misaki led her to the corral. Once she got good enough, Misaki wanted to ride on the trails. Their set had a lot of open land and it would be a shame not to check it out.

Misaki strapped on her helmet and placed her foot on the stirrup. In one fluid motion, Misaki swung herself up onto the horse.

One squeeze meant to start walking. A second squeeze meant to trot. Misaki tried to keep her back straight and hands relaxed but she still couldn't stay upright when Lady picked up the pace.

"Darn it!" Misaki grumbled, picking herself up from the sand. She was going to get this right one day.

Takumi was simply taking a stroll when he saw Misaki. He wasn't surprised at all to see her practicing. Her dedication to her role was amazing.

He hoped he'd always see her like this, strong and determined, not caring what the world thought but the life of a celebrity was very unpredictable.