fandomtownies | Fourth Dimension Fine Arts and Antiques, Sunday, 10/24

Ino wasn't looking to buy anything, no, but she was rather--overdue in getting her homework back to Professor Devereaux and that meant, after stopping by the brunch for a good while, and the library, Ino came in.

"Professor Devereaux?"

Good luck breaking her of that one, Sophie.

Sophie looked up from her sketches, amused, and raised an eyebrow at Ino. "I did tell you that you could call me Sophie, didn't I?" She smiled, and pointed to the chair nearby. "Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?"

"It seems weird to," she admitted, taking a seat and hoping she wasn't flushing too much. "And tea, please, if you have it."

Sophie rose to pour her a cup of tea, and one for herself, then said, "Don't feel you have to strain yourself, then. If you can't think of me as Sophie, it's fine." She set the cup down in front of Ino, and smiled. "I haven't seen you in a couple weeks. Can I inquire if you've made progress on your assignment?"

"Thank you," she said, and fidgeted a bit. "I meant to come sooner but then there was break and I got called home and then Homecoming meant that the Student Council had me busy..."

And Ino had a stupid number of obligations.

"I did make progress on what you asked of me," Ino added, brightening. "Quite a bit, I think."

"Excellent," Sophie said, very pleased. "And don't feel that you have to compromise your previous commitments. This is a long-term course of study; we can afford to accommodate your more demanding classes easily." She took a sip of her tea, then set it down, hands folded, attentive. "Tell me what you have decided."

"I'm still a bit hazy on some of the family stuff," she admitted up-front, "I don't know why--but everything I think of feels weird there." Like a tooth that wiggled when poked at.

Ino shook her head. "My persona's an only child--easy for me since I'm an only child, and it's the most common family size in that area of the world. She likes to garden and I was thinking of having her take up beading," because it was a harmless hobby and suited her well that, "and she left her home for the big city because her true dream is to sing professionally and she couldn't do that out in her little small town. What she didn't count on was big the big city was and so the reason she hasn't gone looking into the industry yet is because she was struggling to adjust to the different pace as well as falling in love with her boyfriend, who had a job that often takes him out of the city and when he can, likes to take her along."

Ino waited, reaching for her tea, to see what the professor would have to say to that.

Sophie was actually quite pleased with all this; for a beginner at inventing life stories, Ino's hung together quite well. "Excellent work on making her family size match that area's most common one. It's the things that stand out that will trip you. I very much like your invention of her life goal; you sing, I take it? Can discuss it naturally?" She sipped her tea. "We'll come back to the family things in a moment."

Ino grinned at her, a bit impishly, and because she could, lifted her voice to sing just a bit of a song. "I'd be singing in English," she admitted, "but yeah. I've been singing most my life. My ignorance in the local music scene should be covered by the fact that I'll really be new to the area, right?"

She really hoped so.

"Lovely!" Better than Sophie could sing, or even admitted to. "And yes, unless-- I don't expect there are trade newspapers around?" she checked. "Ones that concentrate on the local music scene, just the bands that are playing, local auditions? If you can get a few of those, and talk about them, that will certainly back up your story. But there's always singers who haven't appeared anywhere yet."

"I'll definitely be looking into that next time I'm there," she confirmed. "Jono already said that I'd have to."

Ino tugged at her hair. "He also said he'd write songs for me," she shared, "and that makes him crazy awesome 'cause he said that someone in my position would need to have some new material to work with."

Sophie gave a small, delighted smile. "Yes, it certainly does. And that is the way these things work; unless you are so good at singing the 'standards' of that world-- which I wouldn't expect you know yet?" she checked. "Unless you are beyond brilliant at re-inventing old songs, new songs are the best way to stand out. It's quite generous of Jono to volunteer his work to help you with this." She gave Ino a shrewd look. "How are you going to explain where you got the material? A friend from home?"

"A friend I met while with Zack," she said easily. "Anyone interested is goin' to find I go to school where Zack does, so a school friend."

"Ah. Excellent. And the truth is easiest to remember." She tapped a finger on her lips. "You probably already know this, but it bears emphasizing; you'll have the impulse, when undercover, to think you should have all the answers to any questions people have for you. For the basic things you should know, that means preparation. For the rest...." Sophie opened her hand, the implication of letting something fall away from her fingers. "Don't invent on the spur of the moment. If someone acts as if they expect you to know someone from your supposed hometown, but you don't-- don't lie about it. Saying 'I don't know' is perfectly acceptable in most cases not directly related to yourself. Better not to know than get something wrong." She tilted her head. "Which brings us back to your fluffy girl's family."

Ino winced.

"I'll keep that in mind," she said, because well, yeah. She could easily see herself screwing up there. "And my fluffy girl's non-existent family?"

"Yes, that. There's a number of things I could suggest there; but why do you think it's such a sticking point for you?" Sophie asked, curious. If it was something that would come up again, they'd need to figure out a system for Ino to help her invent back stories.

"It just..." she paused, obviously looking for words. "It feels wrong. Making up something for the a character in the present is... like a game?"

Ino chewed on her lower lip. "But replacin' my past seems..." she shrugged, "like I'm erasing it."

... That sounded stupid to her, but there it was.

"Ahh. Denying who you are. Denying your own family their... place? Credit? Identity?" Sophie said musingly, watching Ino. "They're very important to you, I take it."

She flushed a bit, but nodded sheepishly.

"I talk to Dad every second day or so," Ino confessed, "and Mom too, especially when Dad's out of the village. There... ain't much distance between us, you know?"

"Ah. I understand." She smiled at Ino, happy for her in that respect. "It's unusual in this business. It seems to attract the dispossessed, or is actively scouted out by intelligence officers for orphans. It's actually an advantage in one way; you know who you are, and are probably more secure in yourself than other operatives with more uncertain childhoods. But it does mean you have less flexibility, and..." Sophie nodded to Ino. "Less wish to reinvent yourself for emotional reasons." She tapped her finger on her teacup, thinking, then took a sip. "In this case, it may help to realize you're not denying them; you're hiding them from people who wouldn't appreciate who they are, or who you are. You don't owe those with whom you are in contact the entire truth of the people you care about."

She looked thoughtful as she struggled through that idea.

"It's not protecting them," she said slowly, "because they're so far away no one can get at them."

Crossing several worlds and then dealing with an entirely different world? They'd not get through the border.

"But it's... protecting... my memories of them?" Was that right?

"Yes," Sophie said, very pleased. "And when you do that, you protect yourself even more. Those memories can't be used against you; those experiences can't be manipulated by someone who'd wish to expose you. It's difficult not to react if an opponent wants to get your cooperation, and appeals to 'what would your parents, or family, or people want?' If, on the other hand, they don't know *who* those people are... you're more free to act. More free to follow your own agenda. They're talking to your fluffy girl, and your emotions don't connect to her past the way they do to your true self." She paused. "Mind you, you have to fake as if they do. But that's why we invent a new story for you."

"Should... Should my fictional parents bare any resemblance to my real ones?" she asked, eyes intent.

Sophie considered, thinking. "Some resemblance, I think-- however, let's be sure to cover the differences first. What would be a logical reason for them to let you go to the City alone? DO they believe in your career? Do they think you're staying with friends or family? Do they support your relationship with your boyfriend? We can see how similar they are to your parents, once we know those important facts."

She pursed her lips, thinking hard about the questions.

"A--source said that it's fairly common for kids to leave their homes and head for the city if they've got, ah, big dreams," she said slowly. "And it's probably better if I don't have to make up family or friends within the city..."

"Good. More opportunities, then? They're confident you're safe on your own?" Sophie said, nodding. "Would your own parents have the same attitudes?"

"My parents?" Ino frowned. "Dad wouldn't like it, but he'd think I could do it, if that makes sense? But hers..."

Ino frowned. "I don't know. My parents wouldn't let her go anywhere alone."

"And there you come to it," Sophie said in satisfaction. "Your parents raised you to be smart and self-reliant. What kind of people raise someone like your Fluffy?"

"Someone... flighty," Ino said slowly, wrinkling her nose. "Maybe even a bit neglectful--not out of bein' malicious, but because it don't occur to them to pay attention all the time. Silly, self-absorbed people, maybe?"

"Precisely. Fluffy people have fluffy children," Sophie said dryly. "Or at least, if they don't, it's because those children have so much innate intelligence or strength that they can rise above that kind of benign neglect. Your Fluffy is a sweet person with a lovely voice, but not that much sense." She tilted her head. "Do you think, perhaps, that there could be another reason? This works well, but why else would she be so childish?"

These were hard questions!

"Because she... doesn't know better?"

Maybe?

Sophie nodded. "That could be it. Consider: if your Fluffy lost her parents relatively young-- say ten, or twelve. And was in whatever passes for foster care in that world, or an orphanage. No one would have been taking greater care with her, or teaching her to be more sensible. The basics may have been provided, but it wouldn't be the same as your parents, educating you and making you consider the future in a thoughtful way. Fluffy also wouldn't have parents you would have to introduce to anyone."

"So she... is a lot like a child," she said slowly, "and that means she's always got a chance to change as well--as she matures, right?"

Sophie's smile widened. "Yes. Another advantage. You won't find playing someone like this so restrictive, if you allow her to grow. Especially if you plan on this being an identity you re-use, or have to remain in for a while. She might slide back into childish behavior when stressed; look for someone to protect her, as you've said she does. But she doesn't have to remain static. Few people your age do."

Ino sipped her tea, aware that it was getting cold. "Her childhood," Ino said carefully, "if she lost her parents would it be reasonable that she... might not want to think about it. Talk about it?"

"Very reasonable," Sophie agreed. "So now you have that aspect fleshed out. People will be very sympathetic, and not push. And if they do, you have a reasonable excuse not to indulge them."

Yes, it all sounded very reasonable. Right? Right.

Ino was just going to hope it stayed that way. "What should I do now?"

"Now, if you *can* find someone, I suggest you practice being Fluffy a few times this week. Just normal conversations, about music, food, your hobbies, so that it won't be the first time you've talked about her life when you go on the mission." She gave Ino a small smile. "In preparation for coming in here next week, as Fluffy, and holding a conversation with me on any topic you choose."

Eep.

"And not breakin' character at all, right?"

... That was going to be interesting.

"If you can do it, that would be brilliant. If you can't, note the times you broke character, and we'll work on them together after I've evaluated you." She smiled. "Would you like another cup of tea?"

"Please," she said, then added impulsively: "Is there anything I can do for you right now?"

Sophie gave her a pleased smile, and said, "Thank you for asking, but not at the moment." She paused, considering. "It's more likely I may need your assistance next month, perhaps?"

"That shouldn't be a problem at all," Ino said, smiling back at her. "Just let me know when you need me."

Fourth Dimension Fine Arts and Antiques, Sunday, 10/24

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