fandomtownies | Fourth Dimension Fine Arts & Antiques, Friday, 12/3

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Fourth Dimension Fine Arts & Antiques, Friday, 12/3

Sophie had been distracted the last couple weeks by preparations for the play; but now that most of the work on the scenery was done, she was back to working out the next exhibit.

As well as planning her trip to Boston for Christmas.

"...no, you don't have to pick me up at the airport... I can take cab... well, a limousine... what do you mean why? Why does anyone need one?..."

Hot cider, tea, and coffee were on the sideboard, and Fourth Dimension was open.

[and ocd-free! *waves hands* You saw nothing!]

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Sooo...

Ino was pretty sure that, like, she was pretty awful at actually showing up for lessons. Oops?

Which meant she was trying to look sheepish as she wandered in and waited for Professor Devereaux to not be on the phone.

Tried to look sheepish, because her amusement at her lovely, lovely hat was making that a bit... difficult... to actually feel today.

Sophie spotted her on one turn of her pacing, paused to admire the sheer cuteness of the hat, and kept talking for another moment.

"...No, Nate. I have to go. I'll call you from the airport... Don't let Hardison change the tickets... I'll see you all soon." And hung up before Nate could try to get the last word.

"Ino! Happy holidays. You're certainly festive."

Ino preened. It was a ridiculous hat and not her idea but a compliment was a compliment!

"Hi! The island did it," she shared, grinning. "And if I take it off another shows up."

She'd had an interesting time brushing her hair this morning. But she'd managed eventually, yes.

Ino fidgeted. "You're leaving?" Hopefully just for the holidays?

Most people tried to pretend they hadn't been listening in on conversations... Ino wasn't most people.

Sophie couldn't smother a smile in time for it not to be noticed on that topic, so simply nodded and shook her head. "And I thought the powdered sugar yesterday was very Fandom."

"Just until New Year's. I have friends, nearly family, in Boston. They have a job they need my help on." She cocked her head. "I know it's not your holiday, but will you be going home for the break?"

"I haven't decided yet," she admitted, beaming at the news that the leaving wasn't forever. "Have to talk to Zack 'bout it first, you know?"

"Of course. Would you like tea, or cider? And how much progress have you made of late?"

Sophie went to pour herself a cup of hot cider, and put a stick of peppermint in it.

"Cider, please."

Ino winced a bit. "I, like, totally forgot to do your assignment ~~because the mun spaced~~? But I'll get on that next week, I swear. And I have been workin' on my persona--I can read music a lot better now and Jono wrote a song that's just for me and suits her."

Sophie poured another cup for Ino, and took them both over to the sofa and chairs. "Excellent, then. Here." She handed over the cup, and took a slow sip. "Did you think about what we discussed, and the uses of your abilities, since the last time we talked?"

She tucked her legs up under her on the sofa and looked thoughtful.

It was a bit ludicrous with the hat, but whatever.

"I did," she said, "and--I don't know. I think, so long as it were for a specific reason or there was sufficient cause to think my life was in danger, that I wouldn't use it all that much."

"This is probably a good idea, and I have to agree with your decision." Sophie tilted her head to study Ino. "What are your reasons for it? You've already said you don't like being personally manipulated. Is that wholly it, or can you think of others?"

"It's..." she blew on her cider, then sipped it cautiously. "First thing I was taught 'bout it was 'it's not a game'. Which means that--using it is something I make sure to weigh against not using it and bein' honest 'bout my reasons. It's not--I don't like the idea of me using it just all the time though."

Sophie nodded slowly. "That makes sense; your parents and your officers taught you the proper perception of this kind of advantage, I think. In the work we're doing, anything that gives you an edge is something to be used-- but anything that sets you apart is a risk. Something that could make you more identifiable, not less, if the right person put the pieces together."

"I hadn't thought about it that way," she admitted, sounding more than a little startled. "I mean, they wouldn't know less I said something right?"

Putting her cider down, Sophie held out her hand, and started ticking off points. "If, whenever you were around, people agreed to everything you wanted; or, if, say, there was only one or two extraordinary times when someone acted completely out of character-- all it would take is one detached, careful observer, to notice the anomaly. What would they do then?"

"Depends on the observer," she said slowly. "In the world--most of the observer's are going to just keep watching. Zack's kinda important to them and so they've got to make sure I'm not a risk to them or the company 'cause I got him wrapped around my finger. But I'm not, so..."

"So it's a matter, as you said, of keeping it subtle. Only using it when necessary. They probably won't suspect the truth, if your talent isn't common there-- but they may suspect *something*, if given a reason. Drugs, or bribery, instead of your abilities. But a spy's success depends on that blending-in." She leaned in and picked up her cider. "But you might want to think now, of any alibis you might need, in case you *are* forced to use your abilities in the course of your work."

Ino chewed on her lower lip. "So if I know too much... hmm... I overheard someone talkin' carelessly?"

Nodding, Sophie said, "And of course, you wouldn't have paid attention to who. That's now who you are." She smiled around the lip of the teacup. "If someone agrees with you, when before they did not... well, they must have their own reasons, wouldn't they? Again, remember to keep it simple. Coincidence explains a great deal."

"This one might be easier in a few months," she said slowly, "but say they realized who I am and that they're big fans of mine? People tend to agree with people they're fans of a lot more readily."

"When you've earned a following, yes, that will seem more plausible. An explanation to keep for when it will make sense." Sophie tilted her head. "Of course, you do want to be careful not to get *too* famous. That brings its own risks."

Ino tilted her head. "Being too easily recognized?" she guessed.

"Recognition, and people, as you said, wanting to be around you. Much harder to make excuses to do your work, when people will remember where you were, or are actively looking for you, for reasons having nothing to do with your work." She gave a wry smile. "If you had more experience, it would be the perfect kind of niche from which to run other operatives-- three or four people who could use you as a drop point for their information; successful artists always have people coming and going around them. But that isn't the kind of difficulty I think you'll be ready to manage for at least another five or ten years."

"I don't think I'd want to try that yet," she confessed, eyes wide. "It'd be--too much for me, I think."

Which bugged her to admit but she was realistic about her own limits.

"At the same time," Ino asked, "it'd be useful to be recognized--if I were spotted and said something like I was wandering around lookin' for inspiration or something, I might be believed more."

"Certainly. And for most people, there's a certain disconnect-- no celebrity could be a spy," she said, in mildly scornful tones, then smiled. "But it's a risk, as I said. Your boyfriend and associate can help as you become more recognized; either by providing alibis, or providing reasons for you to be other than where you're expected."

"If I become famous," she sighed, "Zack's picked up the habit of singing my song and he's ruining it."

It was horrifying!

"Oh no," Sophie laughed, putting her hand to her lips to cover the smile. "Ruining it how, if I might ask?"

She tossed one hand in the air, careful of the cider in the other hand. "He sings it! Loudly! Badly! Before I even get it out everywhere myself. If people hear it they'll be all '...that's the awful song that guy was singing'."

Sophie coughed to cover another laugh, and said diplomatically, "I'm sure that's not the case. I'm certain that you'll make more of an impression...." She paused. "Could I hear it?"

"I--" Ino blinked. "You want to hear it?"

"Why not?" Sophie asked, leaning back. "I'm not a music critic, but I'd like to know what you sound like."

"It'd sound better with the music," she said, almost apologetically, "but--"

Well, why not. Ino set her cider down and took a moment to compose herself before lifting her voice into a catchy tune that was quite cheerful and light and had a chorus that went like:

"Sunflower, Sunflower,
Yellow, orange, and warm,
Butterflies, soaring high,
Sunflower, Sunflower,
You turn your face to the blue, blue sky,
Flower, flower power,
Oh please why don't you be my
Sunflower, Sunflower, please..."

It was bouncy and charming, and Ino had a lovely voice; Sophie found herself smiling at how out of character the song was, but otherwise, she could see it being a hit somewhere people liked sunshine songs.

"That's lovely, Ino." She clapped lightly, amused. "And I can see why you wouldn't want Zack to spoil it for you."

"It wouldn't be so bad," she confessed, flushing slightly at the compliment, "but he'll do it right out in public too and that's just--no."

Please, no.

Sophie managed not to laugh aloud, and said instead, "If you perform it anywhere here in Fandom, I'd like to attend. And are you going to attend the play, anytime in the next couple weeks?"

"I don't know," she said, with a tilt of her head. "I don't normally--the old director's plays I... wasn't very good at understanding them."

Shakespeare was hard when you didn't want to put the effort in to get what they were saying. And English wasn't her first language anyway.

"Jono'd know better than I 'bout performances," she added, "I'm part of his band on the island."

"Ahh. Geoffrey's plays were challenging," and Sophie looked briefly sad, missing him, "But the current one is a bit more mainstream. Much easier to understand, as it's based on a fairytale." She cocked her head. "And when or if you do perform on the island, just let me know."

Awww!

"Do you think it'd be good for me to go?" she asked curiously, nodding at the other request.

"Enjoyable, I hope?" Sophie smiled. "I designed some of the scenery, although it's not original work.... It might help you understand this culture a little better-- this is a story that most children in our Western culture learn when we're very young. It might give you some insight."

Ino was going to wind up very confused by whatever she was supposed to take away from the play.

"Insight, huh?" she sounded a bit... bemused. "I suppose more of that might be useful."

"I can always answer questions later, if it raises more." Sophie smiled like contented cat. "Otherwise, just remember to work on your assignment and come back soon."

She bobbed her head, recognizing a dismissal when she heard one.

"I'll be back," Ino promised, "just wait and see!"

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Fourth Dimension Fine Arts & Antiques, Friday, 12/3

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