<<Here we are; this is the set of "A woman with a sword". Aren't you excited for your new job, Alanna?>> Asked the brunette, getting out of the car.
Her companion, a blonde girl, shook her head, twiddling with the hem of her shirt
<<I'm so nervous I'll probably even get my own name wrong>>
The brown-haired woman chuckled, and soothingly rubbed her back
<<Come on, Anna; this is what you always wanted. I'm sure you'll do amazing>>
<<You really think so?>> Interrogated the blonde, her eyes wide with hope; the brunette smiled sweetly and softly pinched her cheek
<<Of course, sweetie. Now, let's go; I need to find the director, and ask him what my job is>>
Alanna hugged the other girl, resting her head on her shoulder
<<You're a godsend, Joy. You're the best cousin ever, without a doubt>>
<<I'm flattered. But seriously, we need to go>>
That said, Joy got down from the car, heading to the entrance, but her cousin stopped her
<<Ah, Jo?>>
<<Yes?>>
<<Don't call me Anna>> Alanna ordered.
Laughter followed her words; the other girl held her chin up and strutted ahead
<<I do what I want>>
<<Stop it with the Loki references!>>
<<As I have just said, I do what I want!>>
Alanna just chuckled, and followed her in the building

<<Hello, what can I help you girls with?>> A middle-aged man, rather pudgy, with silver hair and glasses asked the two, an affable smile on his face. Alanna immediately answered
<<Hi, my name is Alanna Spencer, and this girl next to me is my cousin, Joy Baker. I've been casted for the role of Cordelia, and she applied for the job of costume and makeup helper>>
Recognition set on his face, and his features twisted in a welcoming grin
<<Of course, you're Alanna Spencer! This is you grand debut, is it not?>>
The blonde went back to fiddling with her top, looking away
<<Yes, it is; to be honest, I'm a little worried>>
She heard Joy snort in the back, but chose to ignore her. The man kindly offered his advice
<<Oh, dear, fret not! I'm certain you will be amazing>>

In that moment, Joy wrapped an arm around her cousin's shoulder, beaming
<<That's exactly what I said!>>
<<There you go! Your cousin appears to be a very wise girl>>
<<Yeah; she's actually a little old lady in the body of a twenty-something-year-old girl>>
That earned her a playful swat on the shoulder
<<By the way, sir, may we know your name?>>
<<Oh, yes, sure; I'm the director, Manfred Wilmore>>
Alanna's mouth fell open, forming a perfect "o"; Joy's expression was pretty much the same.

Finally, after a while, but not enough for it to be considered awkward, they snapped out of it and shook his hand eagerly
<<It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. I think the movie is brilliant, and I'm looking forward to working with you>>
<<Me too>>
<<Thank you, girls. Now, let's see... Alanna, you can come with me; I'm going to show you to your trailer. As for you, Joy... Can you go check on Finlay? He always makes a mess when he gets ready on his own>>
With a giggle, the brunette nodded
<<Sure thing, Mr Wilmore>>
<<Call me Manfred>>

Joy gave him a bright smile
<<Alright, Manfred>>
Then, she turned to her cousin, hugging her tightly
<<Don't worry, Anna. You'll do just beautifully>>
<<Thanks, Jo>>
As they pulled apart, and the brown-haired woman began to walk away, following the directions of the signs, Alanna shouted after her
<<And don't call me Anna!>>
<<I told you: I do what I want!>>

As the door slammed shut, the director cackled
<<That girl seems pretty feisty>>
Alanna rolled her eyes, though a smile was visible on her face
<<My cousin is a handful; but she's worth it>>

A few moments later, the blond entered her trailer, as the director waited outside, ardent to hear her opinion
<<Do you like it?>>
<<Like it? It's amazing! I love it! Thank you so much!>>
The man laughed, touched by the genuine enthusiasm that shone on her youthful face
<<I'm glad to hear that. You have about half an hour to go over the first scene; the makeup artists should be here any moment. Enjoy!>>
<<I will! Thanks again!>>
While the man went away, she closed the door, twirling on the spot: she couldn't believer her luck.
This was her first role as protagonist in an actual movie! How wonderful!
Immediately, Alanna sat in the chair, getting to work: that was a precious opportunity, and she wasn't going to screw things up.

In the meantime, Joy had reached the trailer of Alanna's co-star.
She hesitantly knocked on the door, and heard someone say from inside
<<It's open>>
She opened the door, and the scene that was displayed in front of her made her blush to the roots of her hair: a young man, very tall, stood shirtless in the middle of the room, reading the movie script; he had shiny, luscious sandy hair that fell down to his chest, tan skin, and a six pack that could be used as a cheese grater.
Joy could feel her face heat up, and immediately looked away; she was incredibly anxious about meeting new people, and seeing him like that didn't help matters.
The young man raised his head from the paper, and fixed his bright azure irises on her, smiling; even his smile was otherworldly
<<Hi. Can I help you?>>
She forced the words from her mouth, looking anywhere but at him
<<Uhm... Hi, I'm the new helper; the director sent me here because he says you always muck things up when you're left to your own devices>>
He guffawed, bringing a had to his chest
<<Ah, good ol' Manfred; he doesn't trust me at all, does he?>>

Then, he noticed the girl's uneasiness, and arched an eyebrow
<<Are you okay?>>
<<Sure>>
<<Why is your face the same colour as a cherry?>>
<<I don't know what you're talking about...>>
He took a portable mirror from his desk and held it in front of her face
<<This>>
She took it from his hands, and adjusted her hair, then put it down
<<Thanks. Now...>>
<<I still don't know your name>>
She extended a hand
<<Joy Baker>>
<<Finlay Moore>> He filled in, as he shook her hand
<<What were you doing before I intruded upon your privacy?>>
<<Nothing compromising... I was going over my lines. Would you like to help me with that?>>
Joy shrugged
<<I'm not much of an actress...>>
He paid no mind to her words, brought a chair over so she could sit beside him, and handed her the script
<<Come on; you'll play Cordelia>>

She looked him askance
<<Bossy, are we?>>
He tilted his head, grinning widely
<<Not that shy, are we?>>
Slitting her eyes, Joy challenged him
<<Bring it on, Ken>>

And so it began.
Joy was amazed; no one had ever put her at ease so fast and so effortlessly. It usually took her ages to open up to someone, and this guy had gotten her to loosen up in a matter of seconds; what kind of mysterious power was that?

<<You know what? You're pretty good; why don't you ask for a part?>>
<<Oh, no way. My cousin's the one who likes attention; I, on the other hand...>>
<<But acting is not about the attention you get: it's you getting to live new experiences.
I think bringing characters to life is one of the most honourable jobs in the world>>
Whoah; beauty and brains. Was this guy really human?
<<You can bring them to life by writing as well...>>
That sparked his interest
<<You're an author?>>
<<I dabble in writing, now and then>>
<<I would like to read something you penned one day>>
She tensed up; her works were for her own perusal, and hers alone
<<Uhm...>>
He laughed
<<You're not ready for that kind of commitment yet, I get it. But I said one day; think you could ever like me enough to show me something?>>
Her eyebrows quirked; Joy was intrigued, and a little disconcerted
<<Can you stop reading me like an open book? It's unsettling>>
<<I don't care>>
<<But it's just not fair! You don't hide anything! You are an open book!>>
He shrugged, and she huffed
<<You know, you're not on the right road to get me to like you>>
He leaned in, smirking
<<Oh, I believe I am...>>
Joy rolled her eyes, sighing
<<Keep telling yourself that, pretty boy...>>
<<You think I'm pretty?>>
She groaned
<<Oh, come on! Like you don't get that continuously; I bet you need bodyguards even when you go grocery shopping not to get assaulted by fans>>
<<Mh, you are right>>
<<Duh>>

He cachinnated
<<You're spunky; I like it>>
<<I, instead, don't appreciate your attitude>>
<<Sure, sure... Shall we practise some more?>>
<<Ok. But I want to be the captain this time>>

And, in that moment, Finlay decided that he simply had to be friends with her; he just had to.

After trying on one of her costumes, Alanna rushed to get some refreshments; the prospective of having to play her part while not breathing was daunting.
How did women in those ages manage to parade around in whalebone corsets?
She was just pouring herself some coffee, when someone pushed her away to grab a soda.
Rude much?
<<Excuse me; you bumped into me>>
The woman turned around, snorting haughtily at the sight of her.
She was the most beautiful girl Alanna had ever set eyes on: gorgeous jet-black hair that hung down to her waist, chocolate eyes, plump peach lips and a body that put models to shame; she was also very tall, which sorely reminded the blonde of her own shortness.
She was not a dwarf, but she always felt like one, wherever she went
<<I don't care>> Came the scathing reply.
Mh, pretty but bitchy
<<You're ill-mannered>>
With a flip of her incredible curls, the model just walked away, ignoring her.

And, in that moment, Alanna decided that she utterly and totally despised that girl, whoever she was; she was just detestable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here we go.

Finlay's cute, isn't he? 😉
And Haven sounds like a piece work...
Good luck, Alanna.

Let me know what you think 🤔