Summer, September 16th - I Dreamed A Dream...

[zenoh]

Text - Public

I ask this mostly out of personal curiosity, but has anyone else took a career path that is not what you truly, or initially, wanted? Was it out of necessity and did you eventually grow to love this different career you're in? There are plenty of careers I'm only seeing for the first time and I couldn't help but wonder what could have been, had I not been preoccupied with something else.

In any case, you don't have to humor me with your identity. You can respond anonymously if that grants you more comfort, I just want to hear from you.

Action - Nova City - Fama Talent Agency

[ Ayame visits the Agency's headquarters while still clad in her armor and armed with a sword on her side. Being Deputy Guardian, she didn't feel it was necessary to change out of it when she was only intending to visit. Standing tall and proud as she struts down the lobby, Ayame garners stares from the on-lookers, curious as to what a Deputy Guardian is doing here. She only stops in the middle of the lobby to look at a business card given to her earlier, curiously looking up at the holographic floor directory. You can approach her if you're curious enough to ask why one of the Guardians is here, or wait for her to approach with an almost stoic expression, asking where to find one of the modeling producers are. ]

Comments

[om_nom_namur]

Sheheh! Don't think any a the jobs I've ever had's been anythin' I ever intended t' be doin'. Some a 'em I've liked better'n others, but I think no matter what yer doin', there's ways t' find somethin' that makes y' happy doin' it. Gettin' kinda burned out on makin' clothes an' shit, eh?

[Text] -> [Private Video]

[zenoh]

I suppose.

[ Ayame switches to video, comfortable with Namur's company enough to show her face to him. Or just really talking to him and hearing his voice is comforting to her, she likes his company a lot ]

I still enjoy making clothes, but I always felt a certain degree of hollowness in what I do, whether it is making clothes or cooking... I always feel like I could be doing something more.

[Private Video]

[om_nom_namur]

[Oh, damn. Private video. Namur figures he hit on something she doesn't want everyone to know... and that she's telling him kinda makes him want to smile. Even if she's definitely feeling the opposite.]

Like savin' folk's asses or jus' doin' somethin' more social or what?

[zenoh]

The... latter.

[ Ayame answers, glancing away with a pink flush forming on her cheeks. Her hands fidget with fingers rubbing against each other. The very thought of so many people looking at her can get her flustered at times. She can only handle being social in short bursts ]

I've become a Deputy Guardian for Nova City so I've been back to my old job. It's somewhat close to it, at least. It's been good. I suppose. But I I've been looking for other careers and wondering if I should even get into it and one stands out in particular.

[ She's confused. Going back to what's more familiar should have made her more comfortable, but this world has changed her that she still retained that craving for something else and something more than just being a fighter. ]

Ah, I'm sorry, my mind is a storm right now.

[om_nom_namur]

Naw, hey. Don't feel bad 'bout it. Everbody's gotta get their shit under control now an' then. Better t' talk shit through so y' can figure out what yer after, aye? So y' ain't super big on law enforcement no more, so what? Maybe it weren't never you t' begin with. What's the one y' been thinkin' a tryin'?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame's body freezes just as the rest of her body heat seem to creep up her face, forming a bright blush on her cheeks when Namur asks her what career is it she's been wanting to have. Like an embarrassed teenager, she chuckles as she taps her fingertips while trying to find her words ]

Well, ah... aha... promise me you won't laugh?

[ She gulps, unable to look at the camera and taking a moment to cup both her cheeks as her desire to keep this to herself and avoid embarrassment and the desire to let this free from her chest conflict each other. Her head sinks and arms press closer to her body ]

I want to be... Iwunnabeanmmmnol...

[ She mumbles, looking everywhere except the camera. Her hands move from her still blushing cheeks, with one of them scratching the back of her neck as she's reached a full circle of shyness that she doesn't look so embarrassed now, even if she still is on the inside. She shrugs. Don't worry, she'll get it out ]

[om_nom_namur]

[Namur cocks his head.]

Come 'gain? Listen sweetheart, my hearin's next level, but I still can't understand a damn thing if y' don't use actual shittin' words. Y' wanna be a what now?

[zenoh]

[ She feels bad in annoying Namur, but she's really struggling to open up. She cups her awfully pink cheeks again, still unable to look at the camera before stuttering, slowly finding some courage with every uttered syllable ]

I... want to... be an idol singer.

[ A huge weight was lifted off of her chest only to be replaced by another, making Ayame cover her face in her hands and peek through the gap of her fingers to finally look at the camera and see Namur's reaction ]

[om_nom_namur]

[He blinks at the screen. What the hell even? This is some next level Sonico style whaleshit. And at least Sonico could say the name of the job without imploding. It occurs to him he should probably say something, and he rubs his hand over the back of his head.]

Umm...

[Genius.]

[So he lets himself imagine it. Ayame on stage, dressed in some cheesy outfit that's meant to be sexy, singing some mindless pop song while girls squeal and fanboys drool. Namur grins.]

Sure, why the hell not? I can see it. Might wanna work on yer projection a bit if y' catch my drift, but if that's yer dream, then there it is. Say it loud, say it proud, sweetheart!

[zenoh]

[ Watching Namur pause and rub his head in thought managed to help melt away Ayame's shyness. Slowly she lowers her hand, finding more and more of her confidence back even as she sees Namur grinning. It wasn't as bad, she thought, revealing her stupid dream that she would most likely change her mind after, but trying new things is good and Genessia is perfect for that.

Her embarrassment turned into a small frown, which then turns to a pout before she sighs and finds her elegant composure again. ]

I suppose. I still have miles to walk before I could even be a fraction of the part ready to do it, though. If they would even allow a thirty-year old war veteran woman to start as one. Age is very crucial in this career, unfortunately. Being 30 as an idol is not unheard of, but those idols started at an early age so they already have built a reputation by that time.

[ Ayame shakes her head and crosses her arms, her blush subsiding yet still there. ]

Nonetheless, I have plans in place. I have recently applied to become a model in the Fama Talent Agency as a start, and have been keeping up my daily vocal practice, which I will need to step up slightly, I might have reached a plateau.

[ She shrugs slightly, finding some relief enough to smile at Namur ]

Still, thank you. For showing your support and listening to me and even seeing my foolish side. I really appreciate having you, Namur.

[om_nom_namur]

[Shucks, Ayame. Don't make him blush.

Namur waves his hand.]

Naw sweetheart, listen. Only foolish thing'd be not ever tryin'. Y' got a dream, so follow it. 'S where strength comes from, aye? Age's jus' a number, an' yer experience's jus' gonna help y' be stronger. So y' ain't takin' the normal road, who gives a shit? Play good music an' sing yer heart out, an' y'll get a followin' sure as a whale follows krill.

Text

[k2so]

I was built to follow the Empire's orders. Let's just say I did not sign up to kill people I didn't even know indiscriminately.

[Text] -> [Private Video]

[zenoh]

[ Ayame switches to video since texting is annoying on a touch screen device. Plus, it's K2, and she trusts him ]

My apologies. That cannot have been easy to bear.

[ Even for a droid, especially one with self-awareness and a conscience. She remains intrigued at how that even works, but at the same time she feels it would be better for K2 to have none of that so he wouldn't have to bear the emotional pain of having to do that ]

The more I hear about this Empire, the more I wish to have been at yours and Cassian's side of this war. Such evil cannot be permitted to continue existing.

[Private Video]

[k2so]

[ Ey lady, it's nice to see you. ]

Back in the day, I didn't have any control or proper personality so I didn't have any regrets either. But things changed after I joined the Resistance.

[ The Empire use controlling chips or special programming to keeps most droids docile and stop them form revolting. That's how. ]

I'm sure we would have won it sooner if that were the case, I appreciate it Ayame.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame smiles, accepting his appreciation. ]

Was Cassian the reason you've managed to be freed yourself from the Empire's control? That reminds me a lot of the androids of my world. I know one of them have seem to have developed a human conscience.

[k2so]

Yes and no. He tried to turn me off when we first met because I was trying to kill him. Eventually, he messed with my programming enough that I didn't had to follow the Empire's orders.

Oh? And how did the real humans react to that?

[zenoh]

[ Ayame found some amusement in that. What a way to make an impression, she thought. But also the fact that "turn it off and on again" method does wonders in other worlds too ]

The usual. Paranoia, eventually boiling to hatred in certain circles. The majority of humans were quick to accept them, however. Even if some of them started off skeptical. Paranoia bloomed mostly from the prior incidents of cybernetic augmentations going awry. Those with cybernetic bodily enhancements losing control and harming others like rabid creatures. It would have grown into a much bigger mess had we not intervened, but the news of it has spread worldwide, creating fear.

[Anon Text]

[fadedscarlet]

Yes.

It was out of necessity that I turned to crime. My world went to hell and there was nothing any of us can do.

Especially when there were still people who held tremendous wealth in our neighborhood, scumbags..

[zenoh]

Ah. My sympathies that you have to experience such a thing. I hope this new life in Genessia has been treating you better.

Might I ask what was the cause of your world's situation? Was it war?

[ Because that's something she knows too well. Her planet might have been spared from turning into a hellhole, but the other worlds she's been to haven't been so lucky ]

Anon text

[fadedscarlet]

It was a war, but it was ultimately stupidity. It will and always be humankind's curse to always destroy themselves. It's why I hate them so much, they are disgusting and care nothing but for their own personal gain.

Don't give me your sympathies. I don't need your pity at all.

[zenoh]

[ Ayame has seen people like these a lot in the past, and she wants to disagree. But also couldn't entirely do so. He's right in a way, it's true that humanity can be terrible to each other, but they can also be great. His pride in rejecting her sympathies stung a little, because it reminds her that she herself can be proud and be annoyed at sympathies sometimes. So this must be how others felt when she's being like this. ]

Very well.

[ If this person hates humanity as much, it's no use defending them here. ]

You seem very certain of humanity's negative aspects. I'm assuming you are not human by the way you choose your words.

[Anon]

[fadedscarlet]

Correct. I am not human. I am a Demon-enemy of humanity- and a Spirit put me in a human body. It's awful. I hate it almost more than humanity itself. Almost.

You shouldn't have hope either. It's all a lost cause.