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It had been a quiet day for Ceroba. Despite the many customers throughout the day, it wasn’t too busy for her. Summer had just begun, after all.
(Hm… Perhaps I should start preparing more summer clothes.)
Ceroba was surprised by just how popular her store was, especially given how relatively newer it was. She chalked it up to being a local business. But perhaps also because she took special orders for people so as to fit their specific needs, whether they be size based, texture based, or limbs based.
(It’s getting close to 5, I should start closing up.)
As Ceroba was starting to pack up, the front door opened.
“Oh my. What an adorable little store.”
Ceroba went to go greet the new customer, “Ah hello. How may I…” Ceroba trailed off.
“Oh, stunned by my fabulousness, are we? I suppose it’s only natural. It’s not every day that a star like me walks into a store like this. Mettaton, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
He extended a hand, which Ceroba took to shake in return.
“Yes… it is…” she replied, hiding any negative feelings she may have. She was used to the Customer Service Smile. “My daughter has spoken about you. She said that she enjoyed whenever you came to the lab, since it made her feel less trapped.”
“Ah, I thought you seemed somewhat familiar. A relative of one of the Amalgamates, then?”
“Yes. Now, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I assume you’re here for a special order?”
“Oh, yes. I was wondering if you could make a special shirt that will fit me in both of my modes. Is that at all possible?”
Ceroba thought for a moment.
“It might be. If I make it elastic then I’m sure it will fit in your more box-like mode.”
“Oh, wonderful!” Mettaton exclaimed. “Will you need any measurements of mine?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I hope you won’t mind, in case that may count as copyright infringement. I won’t show it off.”
“Do you happen to have the official MTT Brand Life-Size Statues™ for both of my modes? I didn’t know you were such a fan!”
“No, nothing of the sort. Since I’m a kitsune monster, I have the ability to shapeshift,” Ceroba explained. “Perfectly, I might add. It’s how I make my clothes fit others so well.”
“Oh, I’m so flattered. Would you mind showing me?”
“O-Oh. Um, sure.”
It took Ceroba a moment to get over her surprise at being asked that. She wasn’t exactly an avid shower of her ability, like her children were. She usually kept it private; only letting her family see so that they can help with especially difficult orders. But she thought that she might as well, in order to get Mettaton out of her store faster.
She took a deep breath and changed, first into his Regular Mode.
“So, what do you think?” Ceroba asked.
“It’s absolutely perfect!” Mettaton exclaimed, very impressed. “You even got my voice right, very impressive.”
(It’s just a damn TTS voice,) Ceroba thought. She changed back into herself. No point in going into his EX Mode if he’d already seen her in his Regular Mode
“You know, I’m actually going to be starring in a movie. With your ability, I think you would be really well adored. You should audition when they open. I’ll let you know all the details once it’s time.”
“I suppose I’ll think about it,” Ceroba said. “Now, about the timing for your order, when would you like to have it done by?”
“Oh, of course. Ideally I’d like to have it done today, but perfection takes time. As long as the colors match well with both my modes I’d be happy, so let’s say two, no, three weeks from today. Should the 16th work for you?” Mettaton asked. “As the absolute latest.”
“Yes, it should,” Ceroba answered. “May I have your contact information? In case I finish with it before then.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Mettaton excitedly scribbled down every possible way that he could be contacted by. Professional phone, company phone, cooking phone, cellphone, flip phone, smart phone, dumb phone, landline, waterline, airline, fireline, microphone, microscope, telescope, telegram, telecast, Alphys’s phone (I already have this one...), and so, so much more.
“Ah, thank you,” Ceroba said with a bow.
“Think nothing of it,” Mettaton said with a little hand drop. “And may I have yours? So that I can let you know when the auditions are being held.”
“Oh, um, very well. It won’t be as, ah, extensive as yours, but here it is.” Ceroba handed Mettaton a piece of paper with her cellphone number on it.
“Why thank you, darling. I do hope to hear from you soon,” Mettaton said in earnest.
After Mettaton had left, Ceroba looked down at the whole scroll she had been left with for different contact methods.
(What have I gotten myself into?)
—
“Why not go for it? It sounds fun!” Martlet said. Ceroba had told her family about the offer she was extended at dinner that night.
“Yeah, Mom,” Kanako agreed. “It’s a good idea to try out new things.”
“I agree it would be nice, but…” Ceroba thought for a moment. “Will I really be that good? I haven’t exactly tried anything like it before. I don’t know how I’d go about it…”
“Why not ask Uncle Star?” Kanako suggested. “He’s got tons of experience in acting, what with the East and all.”
“Oh, that’s right! He could give you some pointers and maybe help you prepare,” Martlet added.
“Ehhh, I’m not so sure. I think it might be better if I go for it naturally,” Ceroba said. “I’m not sure how it works, but I don’t think putting on an act for an audition before being told to is a smart idea. Since you’d probably have to use that facade when on set for rehearsals and the like. You know?” She gave a slight chuckle. “I don’t think I could handle having to do all of that.
“But you two are right. It might be nice to try sometime. Just to gain a new experience and all. Who knows, maybe I’ll actually get the part, haha.”
The topic of dinner had swiftly changed, as Ceroba was curious as to how the others’ days were. Gradually the offer brought to her by Mettaton was pushed out of her mind until she almost completely forgot about it. She only remembered when she had called him about a week or two later to let him know that his order was ready for him to pick up.
“Oh, what perfect timing,” he said. “I was actually recently told about when the auditions are being held.”
(Oh, that’s right. I forgot about those.) “I see. And when are they?”
“They’ll open next Saturday, July 20th, and last for about two weeks. I’ll send you the address, you should definitely swing by sometime! I hope to see you! Bye!”
“Er, before that, when will your order be picked up?”
“Oh, of course. I’ll come by tomorrow to pick it up.”
“Understood. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
(Hm… It might be a good idea to try. No chance I get the role, but like was brought up at dinner, it would be a good experience. Might as well.)
—
She got the role.
Her whole family was both shocked and proud. She wasn’t expecting it in the slightest, since she felt she didn’t do the best job, but in the end she was selected. She thought it might have been because of Mettaton, but apparently he wasn’t even taking part in the selection, so it was definitely due to the casting director being impressed by her audition.
“Great job, hun!” Martlet said with a hug.
“Congrats, Ka-san,” Kuroba said. “So what’s the movie?”
“I can’t tell you,” Ceroba replied. “NDA.”
“Dang, I was hoping we could get ready extra early.”
“She’s not gonna fall for that, Kai,” Clover said, smacking Kuroba’s forehead. “At the very least, can you tell us if you got a lead or supporting role? Don’t go into specifics.”
“I think that should be fine. I got a lead role.”
The congratulations increased, as did Martlet’s hug.
“H-Hun, you’re… squeezing… too tight.”
“Oh, sorry.” She let Ceroba go. “I’m just really excited for you.”
“Thanks.”
“Can you reeeeally not tell us?” Kanako asked.
“I can’t, Kanako. I already told you of the NDA.”
“Fiiiine.”
“Jeez, you two,” Clover sighed, “just wait until the movie’s ready. We’ll most likely be able to see it first at pre-screenings anyways.”
There was more discussion amongst the kids, and Ceroba felt good knowing that they were all very excited for her. It made her feel really appreciated, which she took to heart.
“Oh, Mom,” Kanako turned to Ceroba. “What are you going to do about your store? Filming is going to take some time, huh?”
“Hmm… well I can’t close up shop… I suppose I’ll have to change my hours…”
“I can take over,” Kuroba suggested. “I know we’re halfway through summer, but I can start working there while you’re out filming. Plus, considering my jacket, I do know a few things about tailoring, so I could still make a bit of progress on orders.”
“That would be helpful, thank you.”
“School might be a bit of an issue, but cross that bridge and all.”
“Well the schedule will likely be different per day, so I can let you know in advance,” Ceroba said.
“Alright, thanks Ka-san,” Kuroba said.
“Why don’t you get some rest?” Martlet suggested “You’ve got some long days ahead of you.”
“Of course. Thank you, Martlet. I’ll do my best to make everyone proud.”