Chapter Text
Ed blinked as a soft looking teen stepped onto the scene. Even Vil seemed shocked, although the teen clearly knew him. The teen smiled as he grew closer. “I knew it! Hi, Vil!”
Vil set his jaw but a tick in his eye remained. “Neige…”
‘Where do I know that name from?’
‘I believe your husband said they wanted to collaborate with you. They were also in an ad.’
‘Ah.’
Neige leaned forward. “It's been forever! How've you been? When I heard on the news that you'd be in this year's Song & Dance Championship… I just couldn't wait to see you in person!”
‘Ah’ indeed. Because based on previous knowledge (bullshit prophetic dreams), Neige was prime victim number one- and the poor guy wasn’t even aware of it.
Neige continued, happy to see their ‘friend’. “I haven't seen you much on the job since we filmed that last movie together. I've missed you, Vil!”
“I'm trying to focus on school right now. So I'm avoiding movie deals with long filming periods.” Vil explained.
“Oh, that makes sense. I'm just happy I get to hear you sing again today, Vil.” Neige clasped their hands together. “Your voice is absolutely incredible, after all! The first thing we co-starred in was a musical drama set in a school, right?”
“Just so. You played the star, and I played the student bullying you.” Vil’s eye twitched. “...They were perfect roles. For you and me both.”
‘Yikes.’
‘This has been building for a while.’
As Vil sauntered off to go do rehearsal, Neige waved him off before locking eyes with Ed. Neige gasped and a flush of surprise colored their cheeks. “You must be the Golden Empress! I’ve been dying to meet you!”
Ed blinked at the rapidly approaching teen. “Oh, um- cool? Nice to uh, meet you?”
Neige beamed at Ed’s (admittedly awkward) response. “Wow, Snick wasn’t lying. You really are prettier in person! Hey, thank you for helping my friends out earlier.”
…Ed was just going to gloss over that previous complement. “Oh that? That was nothing. More for my enjoyment than anyone else.”
Neige’s beam shifted to a soft smile. “No, I can tell. You’re kind. You like helping people.”
Ed felt her face flush in embarrassment. “Uh- um-”
Neige gently grabbed one of her hands with both of theirs. “We should collaborate! I’m sure my fans would love you! You’re great!”
Ed felt more heat rising to her face. “I- uh-”
“Oh look, Vil’s rehearsal is starting.” Ling, her absolutely wonderful husband dryly pointed out.
Neige jumped in surprise. “Really?! Oh, I’m sorry, we’ll have to talk later. I have to see Vil’s performance!”
‘OhthankTruth-’
‘That. That was painful to watch.’
****
Ling put his arm around his wife’s shoulders, face carefully neutral. Instead of focusing on the performance, his mind was elsewhere. On loop in his own head was Ed’s flushed face. Ling was confident in his relationship with his wife, so he wasn’t jealous per say- But he still had a sinking feeling in his gut all the same. Maybe territorial was a better word?
“Husband. What’s got you so worked up?” Ed asked.
Ling rested his head against his wife's. “...That guy was awfully touchy.”
Ed reached up to pat his head. “Hm. They were. It was embarrassing being put on the spot like that.”
Ah. So that’s why she was so flushed. “You always do get so antsy whenever someone compliments you.”
Even though he couldn’t see his wife's face, he could practically feel the steam coming off of it. “Not you too!”
“Do they know we can hear them?” Grim wondered aloud.
“They don’t care.” Was Lan’s swift answer.
****
With the rehearsal finished, Ed gave some applause to pretend like she was at all paying attention. The team had definitely approved, that’s for sure- but she outright refused to pay attention to Vil or Rook on principle alone. Kalim skipped down from the stage over to where Ed and Ling were sitting. “Oh that was so fun! What'd you think of our performance?”
Ed rummaged in her pocket before handing Kalim the candy in it. “You did great. You and everyone improved a lot.”
Kalim took the candy with a beaming smile. “Thanks! Coming from you, that means a lot.”
Almost the rest of the team joined them. “The stage was way bigger than our practice room… But it felt kind of nice to dance without worrying about being cramped.” Epel admitted.
Jamil smirked. “Heh. Even you're coming around.”
Ed looked behind Jamil. “Look’s like the paparazzi is swarming Vil.”
‘I do not envy that.’
‘Too many flashing lights. I think I would take over just to scare the nosey pests.’
‘Now THERE’S an idea…’
One of the cameramen looked up from their tool and spotted Ed. Then, they started moving closer.
‘Oh no.’
A camera was shoved in her face. “Golden Empress, what do you think of this performance?”
Lan shoved the camera away. “What do you think you’re doing?”
The paparazzi scowled at Lan. “Trying to get an exclusive interview with the Golden Empress kid. Move it! I’m gonna be the first to interview her-”
“Was that camera rolling?” Ed interrupted.
The camera asshole blinked. “Yes-”
Ed grabbed the machine with one hand, and began applying pressure. “What right do you think you have to invade others' privacy? Who do you think you are?” Truth took over her vocal cords, while Ed continued to apply pressure. The camera began whining in protest, but Ed continued to squeeze like it was nothing. “You would not bother a stranger on a street for an interview- What makes you believe you can treat us like an object? How unequivalent. You’ve given us nothing in turn for what you take from us. That hardly seems fair.” The camera shattered in Ed’s hands.
The paparazzi looked like he was going to piss his pants. “I-I- I’ll tell your Headmaster about how you’ve treated me!”
“Go ahead. Try. See how that goes for you.” Truth’s smirk etched itself onto Ed’s own lips. “I’m due for some entertainment.”