Left with no other options, the director took the money. Still a bit skeptical, he confirmed it once again with Emiliano:
["Mr. Almazer, it's not like I've forgotten the dark side of being a director. So… what's the condition you're giving me for all this money?"
"There's no strings attached. I want us to have a good relationship, truly, I'm doing this from the goodness of my heart." He smiled. But that smile always seemed to never reach his eyes.]
Production went so smoothly that it felt uneasy, in fact – with the CEO's attention on him, more investors grew interested. Naturally, he was allowed back into the entertainment industry's society on their terms; ones that meddled in his creative vision, and only overcomplicated things.
Sinking into overindulgence and maddening loneliness, Gardenia turned to his social circle to vent his frustrations — and was offered a new substance.
"What's this? I don't do the hard stuff." He eyed the blueish powder suspiciously.
When he was at rock bottom, substances were the scariest thing to recover from.
"Nah, just some new type of shroom. Not gonna mess with you that badly." His new director friend assured.
"Ah, alright."
"How did you catch the eye of a bigshot like Emiliano anyways?"
"I suppose the concept sounded novel; Virosian folklore does seem like untapped potential. I'm sure many people are curious as to what makes this place so special, despite its obscure geographical location and being so small."
"I remember it now, your film – Selene, I believe it's called. Your female lead is absolutely stunning, I quite admire your insistence for hiring up-and-coming talent despite all the funding. You only have two characters at that."
"I don't believe in using big names to draw attention, I only believe what's best for my creative vision. Breaking through was the hardest thing I've ever done. I could accept being a no name: that just meant I didn't have the experience or connections yet.
But when I established myself, I could never accept my own mediocrity; it was like my prison, with the sky just in sight and the birds chirping taunting me everyday. It didn't mean that I wasn't good enough, it meant I wasn't unique enough to stand out against the tide of other desperate creatives."
"Well said indeed Mr. Gardenia. I'd much prefer a diehard fanbase for my niche, rather than a film that leaves a shallow impression on the masses. Though I'm content with making corny horror movies for the masses, I'd like to prove my full artistic ability one day."
"Yes, that's why I believe in giving up-and-coming talent a chance to have their final push to stardom. Though I'm not that big of a name, I am truly grateful for my diehard fans who've given me enough to fund my dreams."
"Ive gotten pretty far in my career now, perhaps it's time for something new. Say, why don't we watch each other's films sometime?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Gardenia, I heard from some of your friends that you used to have an unrequited love – is that why you created Selene?" Emiliano had a foxy smile on his face, obviously wanting to know more.
It was one of those meetings with Emiliano Almazer that Gardenia needed to have in order to receive his funding. He really felt like a secret mistress – running off with this man in the middle of the night; yet their meetings felt cathartic. There were many things he couldn't say out loud to other people, but with this man, he spoke so easily — it felt like talking to the tide.
Emiliano didn't seem to care, only finding his meager commoner situation slightly amusing. But with how at ease as he was with the man, he was equally on edge.
"It was a forbidden love. Heaven took her too early from me before she could unshackle her wings to fly freely with me. But I know that's not the answer you want."
Alexei leaned over the edge overlooking the city as he lit his cigarette. He huffed, fingers trembling as he slotted it in between his lips.
Blowing the smoke in the air, he sighed.
"It was that very love that did in fact, draw me to the doomed nature of the fisherman and the mermaid. Has your lover told you about them?"
"On our first meeting actually, very romantic. I was on a business trip when I met her. She was on a lone rock far away from the beach, patting the seafoam. I sat there beside her quietly for ages, before she reluctantly told me how she was a young actress getting taken advantage of, yet she had no other choice to support her family. That's when she told me about the lovers, and lamented how she wanted to wash away like the seafoam to escape her responsibilities.
I was like "woah woahhh" but I could see it in her eyes that she wanted so desperately to survive. I was amused, so I wanted to do a case study on her of sorts while she showed me the local life. At the end she even bought me a mermaid nesting doll as a souvenir; cute, no?"
"How cute indeed, Mr. Almazer." Gardenia absentmindedly nodded along.
"—But when I came back home and saw her movie advertisements, I realized I had no clue what was going on in her life at all. She was typecasted as a fragile, delicate lass in her films. The media ate it up — she was doomed from the start. I couldn't stop thinking about her – I wanted to know more about the depth of her character. Which is why I'm back here now, heh."
"Seems like you love your lady very much. I wish I could say the same, but there's no point in bringing up my dead love over and over again. That also reminds me, oh saintesses – how I dislike how women in films are sidelined. I want to feel the passion of every character, and how they entwine in a narrative.
Selene's character… she's like my lighthouse. Her utter love and compassion and willingness — to sacrifice her life for her curiosity, makes her just as human as the fisherman, and they both deserve the spotlight as my two main characters."
"If you're on the theme of unrequited love, why not do a film on Mobius?" Emiliano cooed, teasing him.
"It… was not an unrequited love, Mr. Almazer. Actually, for your information, Mobius's and Saintess Aul's relationship is a debated matter. Actually, granny brought it up, too — what a coincidence. I can't say I'm surprised you know him because everyone does, but few know that he's a major figure in Virosian mythology.
I thought he was just some ruthless, barbaric god who waged countless wars in pursuit of spreading death. But after hearing about him in Virosian mythology, I want to know how history has erased his tenderness – and why he chose to be so cruel. I wish for him to be the main character for my next film, if I'm not too exhausted by Selene."
"That sounds interesting, spinning a new narrative to that savage. I'm sure it'll be controversial, but all press is good press. I can definitely see some saintesses being outraged, so when that time comes feel free to come to me for some funding."
^^
Granny Chev was knitting in her beat up grandfather chair, listening attentively to Alexei across the table as he rambled on about his current progress.
"My… to think you successfully funded your project so soon. I should make you another good luck charm, you must've used all of it up."
"No, no!" He gestured with his hands profusely.
"This charm is perfect. It's not like it was unlucky before, it just didn't have an opportunity to lend its help. Really granny, it's fine."
He was aware that he was more like a grandson than her actual grandchildren at this point, so he felt guilty being spoiled as if he were her actual grandson. She was a lonely woman – and he just couldn't find it in him to take advantage of that.
"So, who's the big shot sponsor?" She finally popped the question.
Oh…
Alexei sucked in a breath, tapping his fingers on the table.
"It's Emiliano Almazer."
"...Excuse me?" Her face went blank "Alexei Gardenia…"
"Yes – yes, I know there's something wrong with him. But, I don't have any other choice. I can tell, granny – that he's trying to ruin my career if I don't comply."
"Oh, Gardenia–! I thought I had taught you to be better than this." Her voice strained.
"I know, I know. You taught me very well. I'm scared too. But I'll try to navigate this situation with the cleverness you gave me.
"Promise me, Alexei. Promise me you'll be very, very, very, careful with that man. He's much more dangerous than you think."
"I know he's dangerous–"
"Yes, and he's far more cunning than what you think. Promise me."
"…I promise."