BE MY STAR.

After all when everyone had their eyes on the Ark's "Star" it was a little hard to hide away no matter where one went. At least Rapi felt she had the benefit of the doubt being part of the other more "military" crowd. But even then...surely she had some of her own fans.

Probably.

"Oh, that was you singing when that was happening? I would've sworn you put on some music before you got in the few times you actually were folding anything." Maybe that was a little bit more on the nose then she wanted.

   ⠀It's weird— at one time, being recognized seemed like a natural step towards getting the kind of love she wanted. Then the thought of anyone knowing her off the street was enough to make her sick to her stomach... and now? Now it's just a part of everyday life— maybe not here, but certainly in the Ark. Any time she's not on the Surface, she can see stars everywhere she looks... and she can see the way those stars light up at the sight of her. It's gratifying... and a little weighty. But, hey— she can always count on Rapi to keep her down to earth with as little tact as possible.

when fingers touch on the familiar fabric of a cardigan, he pulls it out to look at it, only for a pair of lacey underwear that was stashed there by some other customer for... whatever reason. glancing down as it falls on his foot, he looks up and notes a woman who just happened to look his way. oh, alright then. this is really happening... the thought comes to him, all before he leaps to immediately defend himself.

❝ It's not what it looks like一! ❞ why'd i say that? it's true but that's usually what they all say as the first line of defense!

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Hm— I'd say I was joking... But that would only be half-true." She grabs her pencil again, but now the eraser end taps along the blueprint with a thoughtful hum in her throat. She really doesn't want to deviate time away from her personal project... But then again, it isn't really a pressing project at the moment. She keeps glancing back and forth between the blueprint and Anis, and eventually she gives a defeated sigh.

⠀⠀⠀⠀“Uhhh...” Should she mention that this is all because of some maybe-ghosts-maybe-not-ghosts? Anis isn't sure where Snow stands on the whole spirit thing... Honestly, she practically lives under a rock (the workshop), so it wouldn't surprise her if she didn't even know there was weird shit happening on campus. Best to play it safe for now.

At least for now. Things could always change after all...

"...Come to think about it I don't think I've ever heard you sing even once. Not even a little slip up when no one else was paying attention. How'd you manage to do that before you decided to return?"

   ⠀Anis pops open a soda with a satisfying pbsst, shaking her head with an amused half-smile despite her smartass retort. “I've seen a couple of concerts while I've been here. Pretty good, too— buuut when it comes to idols in the mainstream... Yeah, I really can't tell. I haven't looked at the charts in years, even back in the Ark. … As for my singing, well...”

   ⠀Honestly? It was too painful.

   ⠀Deep down, despite all the time that passed, there was always this lingering fear of recognition— and even if her face wasn't a dead giveaway to most people, she always worried her voice would be a different story. Pretty self-centered, isn't it? Thinking her voice would stand out in a sea of wannabe popstars...

   ⠀A thick, albeit brief, silence follows as she gapes at Snow White... Looks down at the flashlight as if it's personally offended her... looks back up at Snow White—

"I see you're making the most of everything while you can." said quite direct at how frequent her trips have been back and forth, between here and the designated area for dancing. there is no judgement, having witnessed plenty of others doing the very same. actually, he finds it refreshing to see everyone enjoy a little freedom from their normal routine, if only for the night.

he offers a slight nod out of politeness, hand resting over his chest to signify his next comment as genuine. "it is good to see so many cheerful faces, and for you to be one of them."

   ⠀But of course that's not what's happening here. There's no haters, no fans, no 'smile time'— hell, there's not even an Ark. He may be going about it in a more stilted way than she's used to, but he seems genuine enough. With a deep exhale, her smile returns.