just a pretty face

Alfalfalcon

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Feb 24, 2014
536
This was the kind of business Søren chose for himself. He tried to remember that as he drove his way down to the beach, where a small congregation of trailers were parked right up near the coast line. The film crew had already canvassed the beach for a good spot, trying to predict the scant few clouds in the sky to see if they'd be so misfortunate to block the sun. There were a few hours before shooting, but Søren would already be busy. He had to do make up.

He was 'acting' in an ad for some men's perfume. It was largely all glamour and little substance, which felt more than a little demeaning for Søren. Yes, he was a pretty face. But he thought he could act too. He did pretty well in The Golden Ronin, and he only showed his face about half the time at most. He was athletic, fit, emotive, charismatic... but Manta Carlos was not Hollywood. Or really any kind of major film scene.

So he told himself it was what was best. He didn't come here for work opportunities. He came to keep the streets safe from threats larger than life. It's just that, for now, he had make up to do.

Søren knocked on the door of the trailer and waited a moment before opening the door. "It's Søren," he announced, smiling friendly at Joan. They had worked together at the same studio for a little while now, but Joan was always quiet and kept to herself, it seemed.
 

Lalilulelo

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"H–Hello, Søren." she said in a small, nervous voice. The senior makeup artist was always skittish around his presence. "Come take a seat. The head artist has to work on the female model today, so I will be doing your makeup."

Usually, there would be a team handling Søren's makeup, with the head artist's artistic lead and supervision. Joan was usually the one that was assigned to Søren. It had only been about a month since they started working together for projects.

"Uhm, please close your eyes. It makes me nervous," she said in a tiny voice. Usually Søren would close his eyes as she did his skin prep anyway. After shutting his eyes, he would feel smooth cotton sheets pressed over his skin, and the cool glide of facial serum and moisturiser over his face.

"Your skin feels a little drier than usual. Make sure you drink enough water and stick to the regime."

Despite saying that, Søren basically had perfect skin away. It was only because she was working on his face all the time that she could pick up the tiniest changes. After moisturizing, she put on some primer to smooth out any texture around the nose area. Søren would feel incredibly refreshed after every time Joan cared for his skin.

"The ad, do you think you'll be going into the water? We might have to switch to waterproof formulas in that case."
 

Alfalfalcon

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He followed her instructions with a smile. He sat down, at Joan's request, closed his eyes. He figured at this point Joan felt like she was being judged when someone had their eyes open, but Søren also wondered if his eyes were just too intense. Did other women feel that way? What about the female model he'd be working with? Søren didn't want to frighten her the first minute they'd meet.

A small sink of disappointment crept into Søren when Joan mentioned dry skin. He didn't understand that she was talking such minor differences. To Søren, it was more like a threat of undoing everything he had worked for. That, and the impossible pressure to achieve perfection. He sighed and groaned a little, but spoke resolutely, "Will do."

After a few minutes, all the stress and worries were forgotten. Even before makeup, Joan had a treatment that could refresh the dead itself. The time spent with eyes closed and back pressed to the seat were ones of relaxation, not pondering or fretting. That was, however, just for Søren.

Joan asked about the shoot, and Søren had to think of a right answer. He didn't expect to be head to toe in water, at least. "Maybe from the waist down? I think most of the shoot is on the beach itself."

"Did you happen to see the other model?" Søren asked about the female model. "I didn't recognize her name, so... I'm wondering what she's like."
 

Lalilulelo

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"Have you been staying up late? Little things like that can have an impact..." Every time she spoke she would always reach a diminuendo. As Joan waited for the primer to set, she indulged Søren in a hand massage using some body moisturizer. She realized that they might be getting some close-ups of the hands, so she might have to ask an assistant to tend to his cuticles and fingernails.

"Just in case, I'll make sure your eye makeup is waterproof. I think we'll try this long-wearing base with some facial oil. I don't want to lose the dewiness in your skin."

Joan colour-matched the foundations with his skin tone, and then applied the foundation liberally using a brush. That was when Søren asked his question. Joan's little eyebrows raised in surprise, and she tried to feign ignorance. The model was a sultry, tall redhead, and apparently had Selkie heritage. She saw her from behind when she was talking with the head makeup artist for the set.

"Ah, no. I didn't see her because I was waiting for you." Her lips pursed into a funny little line, and she could feel her nose starting to sweat. "Boss is handling her makeup."
 

Alfalfalcon

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"Hmm... I guess that could be it," Søren answered after her late-night suggestion. Sadly, there wasn't much he could do about that. Fortunately he didn't expect Joan to prod any further, so he could easily leave it to her imagination to fill the blanks. Søren could be doing just about anything with his hours off, and that mystery was what helped reinforce his mask. He also had the nerves to handle rumours should they come about, but he didn't pin Joan to be that kind of person.

A small tinge of disappointment crossed Søren's natural smile, when Joan said she hadn't seen the other model. "That's fair. I guess it'll be a pleasant surprise," Søren joked. Disappointment and sadness, at least when at the job, seemed to roll off of him without a dent or scratch. The part of Joan waiting for him seemed to go entirely unnoticed.

Seemingly allergic to silence, Søren continued his small talk, "Well, I'm glad you were picked to do my makeup. I find that you're one of the few people here who doesn't want me to just shut up and smile."
 

Lalilulelo

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"W-wwha? Who would want you to do that?" Joan found it hard to believe that someone would want Søren to just shut up and smile for them. "I never say anything interesting anyway. Besides, you talking doesn't bother me. Hold still, please. "

She used a dampened sponge to lightly pat on the surface of his skin, mixed with the foundation and facial oil. Her glasses were almost falling off her nose as she was absorbed in the application, giving her a slightly odd or eccentric look as she was doing it. She used a light hand, the tips of her fingers to adjust his head to the angle she wanted. She carefully went around the beauty spot beside his eye.

"To be honest, I was glad I was assigned to you. You at least, don't make fun of me like the others do. Close your eyes."

Joan applied something creamy to his eyelids, which dried to a comfortable sheen. The product would still make him feel his eyelids' presence, but she tried to make it as comfortable as possible. She finished it off by applying some light contouring for the camera, and a touch of cream highlighter and a hydrating lip balm.

When he would look into the mirror, he would find that his skin was radiant and glowing, and his eyes seemed to smoulder despite how fine and faint the eye makeup looked. The eyeliner was perceptible, but not too grungy.

"What do you think? Do you think anything needs to be changed?"
 

Alfalfalcon

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Søren could only shrug at her question, though afterward Joan insisted he sit still. For the short time Joan worked on other parts than his eyes, Søren opened them up slightly to around in the trailer. He tried to look in the mirror on the counter, to have a hint of Joan’s handiwork, but before he could adjust his eyes to the right angles she asked him to close them again.

“They shouldn’t be making fun you,” Søren said surprisingly firm. Even a minor injustice could elicit the strange character in him to act out. “I could talk to them if you want.”

But as Joan’s work finished, the conversation swayed back to work and Søren had to go shoot. Now that he had a chance to look in the mirror, the makeup magic left even Søren admiring his own face. “I think you’ve outdone yourself,” Søren said with a huge grin, “Thank you.”

With that, he made his leave out of the makeup trailer. He could already hear the director calling his name in impatience. Søren gave one last thanks to Joan before approaching the ‘stage’, where his laid upon the lady selkie. His smile for Joan’s work immediately transformed to a smile for his new co-worker.
 

Lalilulelo

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"You don't have to tell them off," she said with a sense of false-cheerfulness. "They're just poking fun at me for not having a boyfriend yet."

She tried to phrase it as positively as possible. Joan waved goodbye as Søren left the makeup trailer. Though once the actor had his back turned from her, she sighed quietly to herself, and her expression soon became miserable.

"What they say about me is true." Joan said to herself. "I'm almost thirty and I've never loved anyone."

_____
The camera crew took one glance at Søren's magnificent visage and then continued their banter. The topic shifted to Joan. Joan worked more closely with the camera crew than actors themselves in order to get the best shot of film possible, and they knew her longer than Søren knew her. While they respected her work, they lacked tact in other places.

"Wow, Saint Joan did good work on Sang Jun."
"It's a Christmas miracle. What a good-looking face."
"Too bad she'll never get a date by doing makeup for guys with good genes."
"If only... Ain't nobody gonna to eat that stale Christmas cake."

They laughed among themselves before going back to their work.

Søren's coworker traipsed up to him. Tall and fine, she had a slim figure with a beautiful yet forgettable face. The make-up certainly helped to paint upon the drab canvas. Blazing red hair (dyed), she played the role of a femme fatale with dark, smouldering mascara and smoked out kohl.

"I'm Adriana," she said in a cold and lazy voice, extending a gaunt and pretty hand, with a smile that was half-sneer. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

She made herself comfortable immediately. They were instructed to stand close to each other and lock themselves in an embrace. Joan was present, looking onwards at the actor and model. She had her kit ready in case there was need of a touch up between takes.


"Good thing there are no lines. I'm hopeless at remembering anything," Adriana teased the creases in his shirt, brushing her hand against the heat of his body. She flickered her eyes to his body and to his gaze. The camera crew gave the OK, and it was action.

Adriana started aggressively attacking Søren's face with her mouth. She really couldn't act.​
 

Alfalfalcon

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"Knock it off," Søren tried to cut the crew off of their banter, but they talked over him or figured he was only pretending to care. His efforts were quickly snuffed, and he had little chance to retry when his coworker introduced herself. Søren's attention quickly shifted and was taken by Adriana, but at least the crew hushed and gossiped more quietly about Søren.

"Søren," he took her hand delicately and smiled. Adriana was very pretty, but she was also very... hollow. Her hair was dyed, she had significantly more makeup on than Søren, and there was a sort of passionless tone to her voice. Still, Søren did not show the slightest disappointment.

Adriana already had a hand on Søren before they were in position. Her mention of no lines stung Søren a little, but he nodded politely and played agreeably dumb. Besides, it wasn't like it was all bad. He would still get to act out a passionate kiss with a beautiful woman. There were far worse things to do with his time.

Just a split second before the director called 'action', Søren and Adriana locked gazes. Something was off. Right after the cut started, Adriana closed the distance quickly. Søren accepted the kiss, but it was far too forceful and...real.

"Mph...um..." Søren tried to act his part, tried to nudge the woman to slow down and behave, but the only thing that stopped her was the director's 'cut!' When she broke off of him, Søren's lips had their makeup stripped. There were other small smudges around his mouth.

"Right... Søren, get that fixed up. Adriana, come here. Take ten, everyone."

...

Søren was back at Joan's section with a disaster around his lips. He didn't seem particularly happy. "You know... Maybe the reason I didn't know her is because she isn't an actor at all. Just a model..." Søren sighed. It felt like casting her for this was also a sign of what people thought of him.
 

Lalilulelo

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"Really? I thought she did okay for her first try." Joan lied. Watching Adriana wreck havoc on Søren was like watching a toddler destroy your finished painting with a crayon. She wanted to strangle her.

Joan gingerly nursed Søren's lips with a cold spoon to decrease the swelling. It might have looked like an odd sight, but it would be a surprisingly pleasant relief from how irritated his lips became.

She clicked her tongue in worry as she closely examined Søren's lips. "I might have to call an assistant to freeze up some more spoons. Or maybe we'll have to use an ice pack if she keeps this up. Are you allergic to anything, Søren? Take a couple antihistamines... Maybe there's an irritant in the lipstick she's using."

Joan's friendly tone soon shifted to a similar annoyance, mimicking how Søren was feeling. As she reapplied the foundation around his lip area, she realized something in her worrying. Her reptilian heart was beating rather fast by being so close to him.

She knew he was objectively hot. She saw it all the time in her work; putting make-up on genetically blessed people. Nothing could really surprise her anymore, even when you have someone so faultless as Søren appear so suddenly.

Was she attracted to him?

"Joan, are you done? We've got three minutes!"

"Almost ready!"

With a doe-foot applicator, Joan reapplied lip balm in the places that looked a little more sore than others. As Søren went back to work, she took this time to take her pulse to see if it actually increased. Maybe it was because it was quite sunny today. Could her heart flutter? Could snakes get asthma?
 
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