2026-07-20: Getting Your Foot in the Door
- Log: Getting Your Foot in the Door
- Cast: Remi Ryuuja, Hana Fukami
- Where: Shibuya Station - Buchiko Exit
- OOC Date: July 20, 2026
- IC Date: Wednesday, December 12, 2012
- Summary: Remi's just come out of an audition, in Tokyo, though she isn't hopeful about her prospects. But the studio also happens to be the one that Hana works at, and the two get into a discussion about drama, getting started, and on-air personalities.
(|====================== Shibuya Station - Buchiko Exit ======================|)
-====================================================== Tokyo/Shibuya Ward ====-
Day in, day out, throngs of people choose to pack themselves inside shining
metal behemoths called "trains" that then hurtle them towards a set destination.
They then get out at these "station" nodes, acting as if it were entirely
normal! This particular one is a confusing, winding labyrinth that seeks to
distract them from escape with underground malls, juice stands, and offers of
gainful employment. Eventually, one solves the maze and ascends to see the
sunlight once more.
The square above is just as full of humanity, from down-on-their-luck teen
buskers looking for their big break, politicians in front of restored train cars
making speeches that speak to the history of this place, and even smoky booths
cordoned off by glass to make certain no one should suffer from their vice. A
statue of the loyal pup Buchiko stands here enshrined like a local god,
surrounded constantly by tourists. Go further, and you'll see the busy checkered
crosswalks and looming screens above that demand the attention from all who
pass, showing them what the powers that be demand they focus upon.
Welcome to Shibuya.
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Maybe she was overdressed, and that was what did it--she'd had to bundle up, as always, even indoors...
Remi sighed, standing out in the hallway of the TV station as she mentally reviewed her performance. She'd known the lines, she'd acted well enough, at least as far as she could tell.
But if skill were everything...
She sighs. She's not naïve enough to think that it is. But sadly, her family's name doesn't help when it comes to acting.
She's dressed in a thick, warm black turtleneck sweater and pencil skirt, with thermal tights and boots. she's got a long green cardigan (that brings out the green flecks in her eyes), but even even longer coat over it, along with a scarf and, now that she's done, a pair of gloves that she's just now slipping back on.
She is, perhaps, not doing as good a job keeping the disappointment off her face as she broods leaned up against a wall.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Wednesday morning sees Hana at work! Soon, she'll have to start her show, but not so soon that she doesn't have time to walk around a bit first. She arrived early today, after all.
Hana is not quite so bundled; she's in a pink dress with a yellow jacket and nice flats. And she happens to have turned the corner into this hallway...
She's a little shorter than Remi, but in much better spirits, if in a quiet sort of way.
"...Hm?" she wonders. Remi is awfully bundled up. "Did it get colder outside? I didn't bring a heavy coat today..."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi blinks a bit as she hears the comment and puts on a warm smile for Hana. "Ah, not at all, no more than usual for this time of year. I simply have a medical condition. Poor circulation, you see. The heat does not travel as it should. I shall be fine." To prove the point, she shivers, just a little.
But Remi is ready to pivot to a different topic. The less she has to talk about the results of her suppressants the better. "But look at you, dear. I daresay that dress is rather fetching on you. May I ask where you happened to come by it?"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Hana smiles back, and then listens. "Oh," she says. "I apologize." She didn't mean to set on something like that! That's awkward. But Remi pivots quickly, for which Hana is grateful.
"Ah?" she asks, and her smile widens. "Thank you. I was shopping in Sumaru, actually--Rosa Candida. They have an... eclectic selection, but this in particular was lovely."
"You know, I haven't seen you around the station before--are you new?"
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
"Not at all, dear, pay it no mind," replies REmi, graciously. Remi doesn't take any visible offense, at least.
She'll just rue her lousy luck with Tokyo weather later, at hoime, and probably with some wine.
"N'est-ce pas? Is that so, dear? I live in Sumaru, I shall simply have to check the store out..."
Remi chuckles lightly. "In a manner of speaking, yes. Though..." She casts a glance to a nearby door. "... I am rather afraid I may not get the chance to become new. I was auditioning, you see."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Hana will accept that! She doesn't want to offend this woman, after all. But... she doesn't speak much French. She tilts her head at the language of it. But the rest is sensible. "Yes," Hana says, "I recommend it!"
But, in a manner of speaking? "Ahhh," Hana says. "I know how that goes," she says. "I've been at the audition stage plenty of times myself. What were you auditioning for, if I may ask?"
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi tries not to slip into French too much, but... it's a hard habit to break, sometimes. Still, it's lucky she's still fluent in French. "Then I shall simply have to go, if it comes with your recommendation."
"Oh, it was a minor role in a historical drama I thought might be interesting. A serving woman. Historical fiction happens to be an interest of mine, you see. But, ahh..." Remi's eyes lid for just a moment as she studies the door. "... I fear I may not be of the particular... pedigree that they were looking for."
Remi still has her wavy honey blonde ahir. She's secured it back so it doesn't get in the way, but there's no real escaping it. Nor is there any escaping her blended complexion. And with her linguistic slip-up, it might not be too hard to place that she's half-Japanese, half-French.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Great!"
Hana considers, and tilts her head thinking of it. A historical drama... "Hmmm, I see. Historical dramas can be very good. I'm fond of them, too." But Remi elaborates on the nature of her difficulty. 'Pedigree'.
Hana's expression shifts sympathetic. "I see," she answers. And she does; it would be possible to dye and style your hair, but some things are harder to conceal. "Well, I hope you get it, and I hope you'll keep at it if you don't. I know people in your position can often be pigeonholed, but..."
"Well, I know something about that myself."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
"You as well? It is always lovely to meet another fanof the classics. I do rather seeing historical details brought to life and recreated."
Those would be options, as would wearing a wig, but other things... "Thank you, dear. I am rather hopeful as well, but..." She shakes her head. "Well, we shall simply have to see."
"I shall simply have to persevere. The journey of a thousand miles and so on..." But she grows contemplative at at pigeonholing. "... yes, I imagine that is something I shall have to reckon with further."
But she does, too. "Oh? Is that so?"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"I have an interest in traditional Japanese theatre," Hana explains, "Which necessarily means appreciating some historical details. But movies about it are good, too."
They'll have to see. "Yes," Hana agrees. "Right. There's nothing for it in this industry but to keep trying, and keep doing your best. A little luck can help, too." Or a lot.
She certainly will. But Hana?
"Well, yes," Hana says. "I'm Hana Fukami," she finally introduces herself. "One of the selling points of our show is how interesting a perspective a 'trans' person can offer... And that would be mine. But women like me are often expected to be funny, rather than anything else. ...It's something I have to push back against."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
"I was always quite fond of Drama Club growing up. I appreciate traditional theater, of course, though... my deepest love would be for tales of a more... adventurous sort."
"I shall take all the luck I can get... hopefully, if I can establish myself somehow, it will become easier..."
"Remi Ryuuja. A pleasure to meet you, dear." But she listens... the 'trans' perspective. "Ahhh, I see..." She lets out a soft, "Tch. As if women cannot be morose, furious, cheerful, or... swashbuckling," she finishes with a small smile. Maybe that one mostly applies to her.
"But I hope your show is doing well, at least?"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"I was, too." Hana smiles at Remi. Though, adventure? "Ahhh, is that so?"
"It will," Hana assures Remi. "Once you have your foot in the door, it does get easier."
"It's nice to meet you," she says too. And, when Remi doesn't react poorly, Hana is a little relieved; it's not a secret, but some people still aren't very nice about it.
"Women certainly can!" Hana says. "...But people who bend the rules, well--that can be another matter." A smile. "Thank you," she says. "I think it is!"
"Swashbuckling, though... You know, Rosa Candida has some things for that, too. Do you know? They seem to sell armor, of all things. It seems strange to me, but perhaps there's demand after all?"
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
"Well, I may have grown up on the likes of The Three Musketeers, you see..." She could name more titles, but that's the one she expects most people to be familiar with. "... I was also in Fencing Club, you see. And when I could combine the two..." Remi trails off with a wistful sigh.
"That is certainly good to hear... then I shall simply have to keep putting in the work."
Remi is reacting better now than she might hve 4 years ago. After all, one of her dear friends is X-Gender. She';s had some time to become more educated on the topic.
But, bending the rules... "Ahhh, yes... say no more. Quite tiring, isn't it?" But it is going well. "I am certainly glad to hear it."
But they sell armor. "Ahh-- it must be. Quite a peculiar thing to sell, isn't it?" She's feigning a little bit of ignorance. She knows what the rumor culture does to Sumaru, but she woldn't discuss that openly here. "Did you perchase to purchase any?"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Ahh," Hana answers. "Oh, really? That's impressive! You could do your own stunts!"
Hana smiles about the work--and, well. Bending the rules? The reactions do get tiring. "Thank you," Hana says of both matters. and then--"It really is," she says, "Though I suppose it must be popular..."
A shake of her head. "No, no. I'm not one for fighting at all," she says. "I'll leave that to the swashbucklers like you."
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi chuckles softly. "Indeed... and I have, a time or two, though I am, perhaps, a bit out of practice... And sadly, they don't often write those roles for women..."
"Then I wish you continued success... perhaps I will even have time to watch your show, if I do not get a callback."
"Ahh, I have no need of real armor, I am afraid... I have only ever fought for sport, or for stage. Real armor would be quite impractical."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Mm," Hana replies. "I suppose not."
"Thank you," Hana says. "And if you do, you're welcome to be part of the audience! But in this case... I hope you're too busy."
"Ahh. I suppose that would be a little much, wouldn't it? All the same, it's an interesting thought. ...I'd better be going, though. I have work to do."
"But I hope I'll see you again, Ryuuja-san. And I hope you can get your roles!"
<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.
Remi chuckles, "You are too kind, dear... but thank you. Perhaps I will have to take a raincheck."
"Naturally," Remi says of Hana's need to leave. "Please, do not let me keep you overlong. I'm sure you must prepare for your show, yes? I hope you have a wonderful show."
"Likewise, I hope we run into each other again, Fukami-san. And thank you! I hope so as well."