sirenspull | #02: video (not traceable)

Hiii, Network. The connection here is much better than the one I have at home!

[ The scene: a cybercafé in Sector 4, one Paprika has been relaxing in for most of the afternoon, judging from the tall milkshake glass and emptied coffee-cup visible at the side of the video feed. Paprika herself might have been the most brightly-coloured individual to light up the not-great resolution on this loaned laptop's webcam. Short ginger hair, wearing a casual red t-shirt without a jacket even despite the chilly weather, she might even be the most colourful person in the café, resting her chin in the palm of her hand with a wistful gaze out to the few other customers.

Atsuko made sure never to leave any physical evidence of this persona before trying it out in public, so she's certain she won't be interrupted as she does a little Network-scouring in this place. She hadn't even planned to show herself at all on the Network when this alias is meant to be kept unknown other than for appointments. But the confidence has gone to Paprika's head slightly; and why wouldn't it, when in appearance, tone of voice, behaviour, and even thoughts, she's such a far cry from Dr. Atsuko Chiba? It's magical how a change in attitude and makeup transforms her normally reserved self.

She never seems to stay still for long. Paprika glances a little irately, pouting, at some far-off corner beyond the computer. ] Definitely noisier here, though. I didn't think a tiny place like this would have a connection to the WIReD. Still- the drinks here are nice. [ And she smiles back to the camera. ]

Weather like this just makes me wanna curl up on a couch and watch a movie any chance I get. Don't you feel the same way? There's all sorts of genres on the stations here, even some of the popular ones from back home that I never got to see, and some real vintage movies. I don't know what to choose! [ Laughs ] Maybe I should look up the actors. Didn't I see somebody mention Will Smith a little while back? Or was it Nicolas Cage? Did you ever decide who was better?

[ She makes a weak effort at smothering her smile, remembering the bizarre argument between those boys. The Port truly is full of interesting people; or maybe, the fact that people make their voices heard here brings them to her attention more than when she lived in the Institute. ]

Well, I'm not much of a critic, but I do love a great movie. So does anyone have any recommendations? Or maybe a TV schedule? Let's swap favourite titles!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Warsman isn't really sure that he could call himself even a casual expert on films- he could never afford to see them before his career took off, and by the time he had the means he rarely had the time for much. He's been trying to catch up here now that he's not constantly busy, yes, but he's not sure that he'll have much to offer the woman on-screen.

That doesn't, however, stop him from tentatively typing out a reply. He can protect his own inexperience in text form, at least.]

I've always loved Doctor Zhivago. Though, I imagine most people have already seen that.

[ Ah, he wants to use text. A quick tap of a key and her video is replaced with space for a chat thread. Really, she feels like just chatting, despite supposedly testing the waters of the Port for its psychological potential. Although it really doesn't help that she's wanted to talk to Warsman herself since meeting him. ]

Wow, what a memory! I think I saw that one dubbed on TV as a child, so I didn't understand anything, but the name stuck with me. Somebody told me afterwards that it was quite political, so maybe that was why it never sank in at the time.

What do you love about it? Even the name interests me!

['Political' is certainly one way of putting it. Truthfully, as much as he'd like to disagree, that's part of the pull for him. Perhaps he sees far too much of himself fragmented across the film's cast to fully acknowledge that aloud: the political idealist, the pawn, the prisoner, the romantic. His relationship with the USSR is so hopelessly complex now that...

... he's taking too long to reply.]

It sounds a little shallow, but... the romance. That's not very intellectual, I know, but there's something beautiful about the idea of forbidden love across the years and in conflict.

What's shallow about romance? It's so deep and versatile, it'd be a challenge to find a film these days that doesn't have at least a side-character in love. Imagine James Bond without his Bond girl!

[ Maybe she jumped a little too eagerly into reassuring him... On the other hand, how many guys readily admit they enjoy the romantic part of the film the most? ]

[She's right, of course- and though it's not quite enough for him to shake off his self-consciousness entirely, Warsman can't help but feel a little more confident in his answer this time.]

That's true... I suppose it doesn't feel right anymore if the hero of a film doesn't find some sort of soul-mate at some point, even if they don't end up together in the end.

Even just a fleeting encounter... Well, it's all a little idealistic. But that's what movies are for!

What other titles would you recommend? Or is Doctor Zhivago your one and only?

Maybe... but doesn't art imitate life sometimes? Or is it the other way around?

[Whatever the case, he'd like to go on being idealistic.]

I'm not really sure if any other recommendations would be worth much from me. I've only just started watching films recently- I never had the time or opportunity until now. I'd appreciate a suggestion or two myself, actually.

I definitely think it works for both ways! If art is influenced by life experiences, why shouldn't life take a little bit back?

Oh, wow, really? It's weird what being dragged out of our homeworlds can do - I'm the same, I'm suddenly finding more time to watch films! Or maybe just... different timeslots? But we seem to be heading quite a bit away from just romance, here. Let me think...

[ True enough, she's had more evenings in-- forced to, with the Darkness crawling about and keeping her away from travelling to potential clients, even just spending a night in the clinic. Her workaholic tendencies put to rest, she's been discovering night-time TV. And with it, nurturing still the small fondness for Konakawa's cinema-related complex in some form of enthusiasm for movies. ]

Isn't Romeo and Juliet quite a classic? The Leonardo diCaprio version is one of my favourites!

I'd like to think it does. Life might be a little easier if it played out as smoothly as it does in fiction.

[And maybe it does, for some people. Robin and Alisa have hardly had an easy relationship, but just seeing them together... they seem almost impossibly pure together, impossibly romantic. They make him feel simultaneously better and worse, hopeful and hopeless.

But he's drifting away from the subject, much the same as the woman, and now that he's concentrating again he's- well, he's totally lost and a little embarrassed by that fact.]

Leonardo diCaprio? I'm sorry, but I've never heard of him- the only "Romeo and Juliet" I know at all didn't have anyone called that in it. I really do need to pay more attention, don't I?

Unfortunately, we didn't have movies back home, so all I know, milady, are the modern ones.

Modern's fine! It's not like I'm an expert or anything. I just wanna know what you guys like.

I like romantic comedies! 50 First Dates, that sort of thing. Oh, and...what do you call those, those funny little animated movies they say that are for children.

Cartoons? Really? [ She giggles, curious; so many guys enjoying romantic movies... ] I cried at 50 First Dates, but wasn't it lovely!

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