13833/The Count of Monte Cristo: And Action! What A Nice Time For A Feast

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The Count of Monte Cristo: And Action! What A Nice Time For A Feast
Date of Scene: 11 February 2023
Location: Metropolis Films, Metropolis
Synopsis: Nick and Ariah have a chat in between takes of the feast scene. Some awkward silence included
Cast of Characters: Michael Hannigan, Ariah Olivie
Tinyplot: The Count of Monte Cristo


Michael Hannigan has posed:
It is several months in on the production of The Count of Monte Cristo and filming is underway. While a lot of the one on one and smaller scenes are getting knocked out during the weekdays. The ones that require much more people seem to be reserved for the weekends.

For today it would be the ill-fated betrothal feast meant to celebrate the engagement of Edmond Dantes and Mercedes. A period of celebration that ends with Dantes's arrest.

The set is reasonably simplistic. remeniscent of a simple celebration of an oncoming event by those of a set income. The set is made to look like the inside of a large room with a window view of the Marsailles cityscape of long ago. Several tables have been placed together to form a longer dining area. While it keeps the diners together, it also frees up floorspace for dancing.

Candle and lantern light flickers, giving the impression of the scene taking place at night, but right now in between takes, there are some more artificial lights kicked on, allowing for those working behind the scenes to dart out to make adjustments where needed.

In one case, an emergency repair is being made to an extra's dress after a dancing mishap resulted in someone stepping on the hem. Long period style dresses can be such a pain. Several extras dressed in french policemen uniforms sit off to the side. A few appear to look bored. But considering the dance mishap, they might have been kept waiting.

Off to the far side, out of view of the cameras and not part of the set is an ACTUAL food table with some catering upon it. Simple fare, nothing that spoils quickly but enough to get people moving while they're spending a large amount of time waiting on the set. Another French policeman is seemingly taking advantage of the wait time by partaking in one of the rolls over there.

With nothing being actively filmed at the moment, Nick Drago makes his leave from the feast scene and walks over to the actual refreshment table. A bottle of water is acquired and he shifts over to not lock others from doing the same thing. Of the costumes, Nick has probably one of the more comfortable ones. Due to the nature of the scene, his character is dressed more in a sailor's outfit with a tan and blue jacket worn atop the white shirt. A hair stylist and costume designer are definitely earning their keep as they have managed to give off the impression of Drago's hair being shorter than it really is. There's a cracking sound as he opens the bottle, bringing it up to his lips to take a sip.

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Ariah herself isn't too far from the refreshment table--or her 'Edmond' as it were. She makes a good show of nibbling on something here or there. After all, food is worth appreciating and a good catering spread is good food. Wouldn't want to raise any alarms for not being properly hydrated, after all. And whe running hot, a little cool is good, right? Right.

    But speaking of hair, the dress-wearing vampiress is fussing with her own a little bit. The nature of her short locks makes it easy for a wig to go over her white hair, but as someone unused to /having/ long hair, extended time and motion with it has left her feeling the slightest bit fidgety about it. Another brown lock falls in front of her eyes and she just stares indignantly at it, waiting for the scene to resume.

    It's a good little idle tic, though, to continue to poke at it now and again. She'll probably need an expert's touch before the next action is called, though she does glance over towards Nick when the bottle cracks open, her sharp ears catching it easily.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Ariah looks over to him, pale eyes look to the shorter costar. There's a slight bob to his Adam's apple as he swallows. The bottle is righted and recap. "Thirsty?" Nick asks. Waiting a moment before he turns, stepping over to the table to grab another bottle from the arrangement. He steps back, offering the bottle to his 'Mercedes'. "How're you liking the production process so far?"

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    The small witch in the dancing dress blinks as she hears the voice. She was watching Nick anyway, so it doesn't come as a surprise. She considers the options. Continue fighting her faux hair, or have a drink with her costar. She shrugs, then nods, and moves closer to 'Edmond' to take it. "Merci," she says quietly.

    Then as she opens it, her mismatched gaze scans over the 'party guests' and the set and everything. "..it is... unique. It is something I have not experienced before in my life, and it is unlikely I will experience it again unless farther in the future..." she states, not quite answering the question. Then finally: "It has been pleasant."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As the offered bottle is taken, Nick offers a smile. His Edmond smile. Bright, Cheery, and full of promises of good things to come. "Je t'en prie." He replies, giving a bit of Drago to the end of it with an impish wink. He turns his head, following suit in observing the cast members mingling, snacking, or standing awkwardly while a familiar redhead fiddles with their dress. "Good. Enjoy the moments. It won't always be pleasant but, I find it to be very therapeutic at times.

He looks over to one of the police officers yawning. "Also don't forget to bring a book for the long waits..."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Off-camera, Ariah's countenance is... stoic. Stony. Neutral. On camera, she can act. Perhaps to a surprising degree. The range of emotions she's capable of showing as Mercedes just shows that she simply prefers to ... not during her day-to-day affairs. Her own eyes linger on the redhead, likely more as her true source of sustenance on long acting and shooting days.

    Then at the suggestion of a book, she glances away, towards a few of her own personal belongings sitting on her designated chair. "I bring my violin and play, if it is not disruptive to the others..." she says quietly. "...but oui, I have books. I have nothing but time, monsieur. I look forward to continuing. Filling my life with knowledge and unique experiences is part of what immortality means to me."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Nick's glance follows Ariah's, first to the the one mending the dress and then over to the belongings. He nods to the mention of learning new experiences, "I might be drifting more to that approach as time goes by. Although my focus has been mainly on expanding my music and acting skills. With a few random oddities."

A thoughtful glance is given towards the stack of belongings. "How long have you been playing violin?"

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    "If you are not going to age... then it is best to find things you enjoy, non?" Ariah offers, taking a slow drink of the water. "I am learning a modern instrument, and feel accomplished. But the violin..." she purses her lips. There's a hint of sadness on her features as she gazes over at the case laying atop her chair. Then her head shakes slowly.

    "...since I was a small girl. I learned when I was but a child. Before I was turned. Before the war. It is a memento. The strings weep for all that was lost. But I play songs of light and hope on it, too."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Ah. A long time then." Nick surmises, "...Definitely not as long as you with the violin. Started about nine years ago for me." He looks down to his bottle of water, taking a deep breath as he considers the other words. "...Was it a gift from one of your parents?"

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    Ariah considers the question and how best to answer it. In the end, she opts for the more thorough answer. She doesn't give a simple shake or nod of her head. No, she glances up at Nick and exhales a quiet sigh. "Oui, initially. The original bequeathed to me is not the one I possess now. It did not survive the war. Neither did the winery I grew up in. Neither did anyone in my family," she says quietly, letting that hang for a moment. "...this one was a gift from my sire, she appreciates my music as much as I love to play it."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Of the possible answers, Nick wasn't expecting the one he was given. The result is a rather quiet costar as he opens up his bottle of water once more. He takes a long sip. Sip finished, he parts his lips to speak.

"..."

The bottle goes back to his lips.

The redhead that was watched earlier waddles away from the dress, hands straightening it before her own legs unbend. "That should do it." She glances over to Ariah, giving a smile to her before taking her kit and walking off.

Nick looks to her and then Ariah. "Are you two...?"

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    There might be someone remaining in Ariah's family, but with her age and the generation or two that's passed, not likely anyone that would truly recognize her. She just spends the rest of that silence staring at her violin, looking sad and wistful for a few moments. That is until she catches a familiar voice through the low murmur and turns her head. Just in time to meet eyes with that redhead. She lifts her bottle and nods in greeting.

    At Nick's query, she looks up to him, blinking owlishly. "...I require sustenance. She is willing. It is consensual. I have a thing for redheads." Such a straightforward answer, and she punctuates it by lifting the bottle to her lips again. Sip.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Nick blinks to the response. "...Good for you? I was just going to ask if you two were dating. But I'll take that as a yes." Taking the moment of quiet, he too mirrors Ariah's action, finishing off his own drink.

"Alright! Places everyone! Start of the routine!" Another voice calls out.

With the siren call of work sounded, Nick steps forward, adjusting his steps to toss his empty into the recycling bin first.

Blink blink. The cheer countenance of Edmond comes back, glancing back to Ariah, "Dear Mercedes, it is time."

Ariah Olivie has posed:
    "She understands what I am. And does not appear bothered by it. Perhaps it is due to being a part of the theater," she muses, perhaps a little bit jokingly. Then she finishes her drink along with Nick and does pretty much exactly what he does.  Just drink. Cap. Toss. She sighs, takes a slow breath, unneeded or no, and gives her hair one final attempt at adjusting.

    Then her expression shifts as she clears her mind, using the same kind of ritual she does for her more dramatic spellcasting and... smiles. "...Edmond, mon chere," she states, voice picking up a little more as she gingerly lifts her skirts just enough to scamper over towards Nick and the rest of the stage.