[she pulls up an automatic smile that she even mostly feels, and shrugs a bit while hugging one arm. she still doesn't feel entirely comfortable with the idea of using spite as a motivator for herself, but neither is she entirely willing to deny that it clearly had some benefits. plus, she privately admitted, she'd done enough making assumptions today, hadn't she?]

If I wanted the simple, predictable life that was happy all the time, I'd have stayed home and become an actress like everybody wanted.

[another smile, intended to be encouraging]

If it's not too intrusive... what were you always told you had to be? Was it big and bold like an actor, or maybe a stunt driver?