Chapter 138: Slowly and Steadily

There was that familiar feeling that washed over Niall the moment the moment Mark gave the order to stop.

Even without checking, he was more than assured that his acting skills had in fact progressed to a solid platinum grade.

Unsurprisingly, he had already been expecting it.

With the scene being Alistair’s standout moment in the entire movie, one that finally solidified his entire arc as a young hatter trying to establish his own legacy, Niall had given it his all to bring it to life.

The last parts of the scene also reflected this, as the whole ’And you might hear this and think it’s still a hell of a long time to have spent on an impossible meteor...’ all the way to the ’Personally, I think that’s a hell of a generation of stonesmiths!’ was all his suggestion.

Something he’d naturally run through Mark before they decidedly extended his battle with Time by three extra scenes to further drive home the point of Alistair finally having an unbeatable feat of his own.

At the same time, it also paid an ode to all the Hatters before him, all of whom had managed to be exceptional in their own ways, but shared such unshakeable wills to stand before adversity and come out on top.

"And that’s a wrap for today everybody!" Mark called out after doing a brief check on the last scene they had just filmed, one that was met with a palpable air of fulfillment from everyone on set.

Given they’d spent roughly three days filming all the takes to be used in those scenes, their reaction to it was justified.

In fact, Niall was the only main actor who happened to be on set alongside the extra whom was currently dressed in a green bodysuit and had played the role of Time.

As for the rest of the cast, they would often arrive earlier in the day and subsequently leave earlier than most when they realized there was nothing for them to really film or scenes to partake in.

Walking over to Mark as he removed his crooked top hat, Niall spoke to the young director;

"It’s all coming together, isn’t it?"

"That it is. " Mark nodded, a sense of genuine pride to not just his voice, but his gaze as well.

Slowly and steadily, they were rounding things up.

Mark had to say though, never in his wildest dreams would he have ever anticipated that his first ever directorial venture would be on such large scale.

Even now, almost a month into filming, things still occasionally felt surreal to him.

But at the same time, he understood he had such a high bar to clear.

Which was why he was so glad that Niall happened to be the one he was working with.

Granted him being the executive producer of the movie allowed the young star perks none of his co-stars had, he had never once abused the power.

Instead, he took the more open approach, suggesting changes to the scripts that often turned out far better than the original plans he had, hence elevating [A Maddened Wonderland] to new heights.

For that alone, Mark’s respect towards Niall over the course of filming thus far had grown exponentially.

That aside, there was only one major scene and a few minor ones left for them to film in the green room, all of which they intended to bulldoze through before the end of March.

The major one happened to be the last fight between Alistair and The Knave of Hearts, while the minor ones mostly involved reference scenes and one retake of Alice using her seal to increase the Well of Wonder’s output.

"I have to say though, your girlfriend makes for a hell of a concept artist," Mark suddenly switched topics.

That earned a proud smile from Niall, a smug smirk tugging on a corner of his lips.

Chesire’s Twisted Cottage, several of Wonderland’s wacky vistas, the Mushroom Glade and even the Great Oak... all of those visuals had been heavily inspired by Camille’s art work.

The highlight of her work on [A Maddened Wonderland] though, had to be how Time itself and its Castle of Eternity looked.

On that front, his red-headed dame had completely nailed it, so much that her final draft wasn’t even adjusted before they selected it and promptly began rendering it in full-detail for the scenes.

Considering how much she’d loved and re-read those very scenes though, Niall wasn’t too surprised she’d gone ham while making its concept art.

Still, someone praising her work always made him feel immensely proud.

’Haven’t assessed her skills in a minute though. Should do that when next we meet. I’m pretty sure she’s on her way to a platinum grade as well...’ Niall mused, his thoughts continuing;

’Ah~. I already miss her...’

Meanwhile, the director had a rather surprised expression on his features, his brows rising slightly as he studied Niall’s smug expression which was slowly morphing into an adoring warmth.

Still, he couldn’t help but comment on the prior look on the young star’s visage, a clear amusement in his voice;

"I would have never figured you could make such a face if I hadn’t just seen it."

In response, Niall simply placed the crooked top hat on his head and said;

"What can I say?"

"I’m my girlfriend’s biggest fan." he added with a grin.

"See you later, Mark." Niall waved goodbye as he walked away.

"You too, Niall." the young director reciprocated with a light chuckle.

Then he turned his attention back to the expansive green room as the crew began packing things up for the day, arms akimbo and the familiar gaze of pride resting on his features.

Having dropped by the changing room, Niall stepped out a few minutes later and proceeded to head out.

That said,

"You know, you’re being overly protective if you ask me." the young star briefly looked over to Paul whom had equally been on set all day.

Ever since the Adrian incident, the manager had been hanging around Niall more frequently.

In an effort not to be a distraction on set though, the man had proceeded to hide away in his talent’s dressing room for the past week.

Still, he managed to retain his efficiency in handling Niall’s day to day logistics and career opportunities.

Nonetheless, he occasionally came out to watch Niall act, then retreated back into the space after a while.

Today had been no different, as he’d only stepped out of the room thrice. Once to check in on his client, second to use the restroom and lastly when Niall needed to change a couple minutes ago.

"If it makes you uncomfortable, just let me know." Paul replied simply, briefly adjusting his neatly-pressed black blazer as he did.

Niall shook his head in resignation, he and the man making their way out of Vrael Studios.

Soon enough, they’d arrived at the young star’s home in Silverlake.

Currently seated in the living room, both individuals engaged in a rather important discussion... one they really should’ve had a while back if not for the whole attempted murder situation.

"How many songs do you intend to release for the EP?" Paul curiously asked, the man briefly adjusting his reading glasses as he leisurely read through a film industry magazine.

"I’m thinking four, maybe six. I ain’t too sure, really." Niall replied, sipping from his mug of chamomile tea as he continued;

"I only have one song written down after all."

"Hmmm..." Paul audibly hummed.

Then he flipped the magazine close, thoughtfully suggesting as he raised his gaze up to meet his talent’s;

"Would you be willing to make music videos for each of them?"

Tilting his head slightly, Niall considered it for a brief moment and then replied;

"Nope,"

"I mean I can, but I don’t want to." the young star clarified as he took yet another sip from the mug.

This time, Paul’s brows knitted, his features contorting into a light frown. Then he briefly bobbed his head from side to side as he thoughtfully remarked;

"Perhaps you’re worried about being overexposed?"

"Well, that’s one part of it," Niall tilted his head slightly, a thin smile on his lips.

"Though we both know I could always just write a script for it and have other professionals act things out if I was that worried about constantly putting my face out there." he casually added.

That earned a curt nod of acknowledgement from Paul.

"But it’s mostly because I have something really important I need to do this year," Niall continued, his smile widening as he took yet another sip from the mug.

"Shooting music videos for each song would unnecessarily eat into the time I intend to dedicate to it so it’s better I just can the idea altogether." he explained afterwards, one of his palms gesturing briefly in conclusion.

Once again, Paul simply bobbed his head in understanding, not that it stopped him from inquiring;

"And what’s this important thing, if you don’t mind me asking?"

"That, Paul, is a secret." Niall grinned in response as he slowly got up from the couch, his manager’s brow curiously arching as he watched him leave for the kitchen.

"But don’t worry," his talent casually called out with a vague wave of a hand, a light smile on his lips as he added;

"You’ll be amongst the very first to find out."

To that, the manager blinked, a palpable sense of intrigue on his features.

Then, he simply shrugged it off and flipped open his magazine to continue reading.

If he was going to find out anyway, there was no point bothering himself over it.