Lucky Stars

Artistic Differences

"You three from my squad will go with him" Hange stressed urgently to the remaining scouts and pointed at Levi. "You will come with me." The section commander gestured to the man beside them.

"What about me? I can help with the mission to retrieve Eren and Historia." I stepped forward to offer up my assistance as my character noticed I was the only one not directed on a placement. Artificial wind blew at the loose strands that had escaped my usual braided updo.

"No!" Their voice harsh before settling into something more restrained. "I mean- you can't. You should get back to the lab. Go assist the scouts returning to the base after being detained. They could use some help." The excuse was clearly pitiful. The looks on the others faces confirmed it.

I walked closer up to them. "You know I can handle a fight." I urged. "I know I'm not the strongest on this team, but I'm smart. I'm not understanding the sudden secretary work." The others acted shocked by me suddenly combating my superior's orders and backed off as rehearsed.

"You're not going on this mission. I'm responsible for you and my word is final." They hushed a firm response.

My face contorted from confusion into anger as I got more defensive and defiant. The tension in the scene supported my reaction. "You know you're not the only great mind in the scouts? I can do it. I can be useful here. Why take me under your wing if you don't believe in my skills? I'm a rookie scout, but I'm not a kid." Our eyes held the strained gaze for a moment. "You can take a chance on me." I examined them more softly for a second. A stark comparison to my words as I hoped they'd take my side. However, their face remained the same and it made my tough act crumble. The disapproval, a real feeling I hated, panged into my real gut. "Nevermind. I get it now. You were overworked and just needed another team player to pick up your busy work, huh?"

"No, that's not-" They started regretfully, but it was too late. The damage was done.

"Save it." My words cut through their rambling with sarcasm. "You're a busy person and I understand my place now, Section Comander. Have fun saving the world on your own. Sorry I thought I could be useful." I strategically started my exit. "You had me convinced." I turned on my heel and trudged through the prop shrubbery till I was out of frame leaving them behind in shock.

"Cut!" The director called and I walked back into the scene to receive the feedback. "Nice work Devon, that addition at the end was a nice touch on this take." He shot me a thumbs up. "Good work from all of you. I think we got everything for this scene. Now, I'm starving, so let's take a lunch and pick up with the wide shots of the titans afterwards." The director spoke to the crew before turning their attention to their phone as they walked away in a hurry to try and look busy.

A scoff interrupted my accomplished reverie. I turned to see Hange looking at me in their typical irritation.

"What now?" I rolled my eyes. This would surely be fun.

"You nearly threw me off with your improve. We don't do that on this set. You know that. The script needs to be adhered to closely because we are following the source material." They looked ready to rip me apart. Their usual expression towards me. Everyone had dispersed quickly as to not be apart of our pointless bickering.

Good thing I could handle a bad attitude.

I slinked towards them confidently. "The director liked it and they have agreed on how to tell the story with the creator." I shrugged. "What's the big deal if I add something of substance to the scene? I'm only doing what feels true to my character. Which, likely despite your opinion, I'm pretty damn good at. Thanks for the unsolicited acting advice though." I sassed matching her energy.

"Adding something better or are you making stuff up because you're forgetting your lines?" They pushed further finding something else to complain about. "I've heard you've been partying more. Maybe you should dedicate more time to your job?" Their snide smile made my blood boil.