DIVINAS DIVAS (2016)
dir. Leandra Leal
The Divine Divas are icons of the first generation of Brazilian transvestite artists of the 1960's. One of the first stages to host drag and trans performers was the Rival Theater, ran by cultural producer Américo Leal, the director's grandfather. The film shows the intimacy, the talent, and the stories of a generation that both scandalized and revolutionized an era.
(link in title)
9. When it's hard for them to contain a smile, so they grin so wide it lights up your world
"You're doing it again." Precious taps Viñas' shoulder to get her attention. "She'll notice, you know. You aren't exactly what they call smooth."
Viñas turned her attention towards her old friend, still keeping half an eye on the stage. She wouldn't miss even a second of Brigiding's show.
"I'm not doing anything," Viñas vehemently denies. As long as she told herself that, it'd have to be true. She was here to support her friend, nothing more.
"Why don't you talk to her tonight, hear if she'd like to do something."
Viñas mulled over the decision. On the one hand, it had been much too long since they last had hung out at either of their places. But on the other, there was the state of her friend's relationship. Getting involved in that mess wasn't the most appealing of options.
"I don't know. I wouldn't want to take time away from you two."
Precious pinched her cheek teasingly. Sometimes Viñas could be a hard ass when it came to pursuing her own happiness. "Don't worry about it. I'll even watch if it makes you feel better."
Viñas looked at her with a soft expression, Precious was all smiles. She was serious.
"I'll talk with her. Come on, don't you want to?"
Precious' offer tempted Viñas. She could have what she wanted, right here and right now, if she agreed. Her friend had a way with words. She could convince anyone of anything. Even getting her friend with benefits to agree to a ménage à trois.
In the midst of her inner battle, the song had changed, and Brigiding had left the stage to join them at their table. Still high off the endorphins of the performance, Brigiding beamed at her friends.
"Hi guys, what are you talking about?" Brigiding asked, breaking the silence between them.
"Just how we're both crashing at your place afterwards. You don't mind." Precious wasn't asking for permission.
"Oh uh. Yeah. Sure." Brigiding's mind had to play catchup to the conversation she hadn't been a part of. Her eyes flitted between them, taking them in.
A demand. Precious usually didn't do those unless she was in the mood to exhaust her all throughout the night. And with Viñas too, nonetheless. She'd have to enquire later how Precious got her to agree to that.
Brigiding couldn't contain herself. She took Viñas' hands in hers to shake them excitedly. Her smile turned bright, she couldn't keep it contained. "You're coming with us?"
"Yes?" Viñas answered, her voice raised as if it had been a question.
"Oh, great. I should probably get changed then. Or not, if you want us to do it while I'm still in drag. It would be a mess though. But you already know how that is." Brigiding rambled, laughing nervously at her own joke. That darn smile never left her face once. The only change had been the hint of rose on her cheeks.
"Let's go home," Precious said, getting up and dusting herself off.
They had a long night in front of them if things went her way. And Viñas would owe her the favour of the century for arranging it.
Send me a ship + a sentence and I'll write the next 5+
"Put that down," Precious said, not even looking at whatever item Viñas was touching this time. She was busy reading her textbook on the couch.
Viñas put the vase down. She had barely put her hands on it before Precious made her stop in her tracks. It wouldn't be long before she found something else to grab, this time a glass figurine.
"Would you cut that out? She won't be here until later," Precious hoped her stern tone would make Viñas stop fidgeting around. No such luck.
"I'm cleaning," Viñas lied. If it had been true maybe she wouldn't be pacing around the flat. She needed something to do with her hands, anything to distract her.
"No you're not," Precious sighed, "come here."
Precious ditched her book to wave Viñas over, getting her to sit down with her. Precious pulled her by the shoulder, making Viñas rest her head in the crook of her neck.
"Look, it'll be fine. She'll walk through that door, brightest smile ever on her face yeah? She'll tell us all about her audition, we'll have a drink to celebrate. All that. So stop worrying so much," Precious' words lent Viñas some comfort.
Brigiding had put all of her energy into this audition, it was her big break, she was sure of it. With how bright eyed she was, Viñas couldn't help but worry.
Precious' calm demeanour helped a lot, she was usually right about these kinds of things. Listening to her heartbeat, Viñas finally slowed down. It would be alright. Everything would be fine, as long as they had eachother.
As the clock ticked by, Viñas and Precious talked about everything and nothing, still enjoying eachothers embrace. It was getting late, a tell tale yawn evidence of how tired Viñas had gotten. Precious dopey grin told a similar story.
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