I do indeed. There are lots of rules idols are supposed to follow, spoken and unspoken. But I already knew how that works, since I was raised in high society. And I always made sure not to let any higher-ups or producers boss me around too much.
[It's more complicated than that, truthfully. When he was in his old unit, he had little respect for the other members sans his childhood friend, and he also knew their unit wasn't built to last. As a result, he did as he pleased, skipping out on practice and using unit funds to take his fans out on expensive dates—something he never would have tried to get away with after joining his next unit. It wasn't a happy time for him, though. Once he had a career he could be proud of and a unit that was like "home" to him, he was much better-behaved. Following the rules didn't feel stifling when he was actually happy where he was.
This place, on the other hand, is like one big cage. One that keeps stealing his friends away from him. But he can recognize that there are freedoms afforded to him here that he wouldn't have at home. Like being alone with a girl inside a smoking lounge, for one thing. Although he could really live without the smell. But when the smoke smells like vanilla, he doesn't mind so much!
For now she volunteers to get him some snacks. He didn't mean to make her go fetch—she's the higher-rank here, and a woman—but he allows it this one time. He does, however, crease his forehead when she suggests the food might be laced with "something weird." Always a danger in the resort to be sure, but he sure hopes it's not a likely possibility.]
You're a Queen, so you could always try asking for something non-spiked.
[Though whether they'll actually respect her wishes is unknown. Either way, off she goes, leaving him briefly alone.
He rests his elbows on the table and slumps a bit. The smoky air and the atmosphere haven't gotten to him yet, but it was only a short while ago that he was crying over Leo's disappearance. What exactly is he doing...? Where does he go from here? Is there anything to do, other than wait for his turn to disappear at this point?
There are even more awful possibilities than just that. He knows it's possible that Jun, his partner from home, could turn to stone next, leaving him alone here. And that thought makes his stomach seize.
He straightens up when he sees her approach in his periphery, swallowing down his misery so he can talk to her normally. He did warn her he wouldn't be good company, but he still doesn't want to suck all the life out of the room.
First of all:]
You should try throwing around your status more. You could always call out and make them come to you, for example. I do that myself sometimes, and I'm a mere "numbered card."
[It's a leftover habit from back home, where he was a wealthy noble. But anyway, onto what she's saying.]
Those cupids were so ugly. But they're hardly the worst thing we've had to deal with.
[His shoulders slump again and his face hardens a bit. He really can't help but feel hopeless as he admits:]
I wish I could say it gets easier. But they're always twisting the rules and serving up new humiliations. And the longer you stay here, the more people you realize you haven't seen in a long time.
[...]
You said you wanted to hear about the statues, right?
no subject
I do indeed. There are lots of rules idols are supposed to follow, spoken and unspoken. But I already knew how that works, since I was raised in high society. And I always made sure not to let any higher-ups or producers boss me around too much.
[It's more complicated than that, truthfully. When he was in his old unit, he had little respect for the other members sans his childhood friend, and he also knew their unit wasn't built to last. As a result, he did as he pleased, skipping out on practice and using unit funds to take his fans out on expensive dates—something he never would have tried to get away with after joining his next unit. It wasn't a happy time for him, though. Once he had a career he could be proud of and a unit that was like "home" to him, he was much better-behaved. Following the rules didn't feel stifling when he was actually happy where he was.
This place, on the other hand, is like one big cage. One that keeps stealing his friends away from him. But he can recognize that there are freedoms afforded to him here that he wouldn't have at home. Like being alone with a girl inside a smoking lounge, for one thing. Although he could really live without the smell. But when the smoke smells like vanilla, he doesn't mind so much!
For now she volunteers to get him some snacks. He didn't mean to make her go fetch—she's the higher-rank here, and a woman—but he allows it this one time. He does, however, crease his forehead when she suggests the food might be laced with "something weird." Always a danger in the resort to be sure, but he sure hopes it's not a likely possibility.]
You're a Queen, so you could always try asking for something non-spiked.
[Though whether they'll actually respect her wishes is unknown. Either way, off she goes, leaving him briefly alone.
He rests his elbows on the table and slumps a bit. The smoky air and the atmosphere haven't gotten to him yet, but it was only a short while ago that he was crying over Leo's disappearance. What exactly is he doing...? Where does he go from here? Is there anything to do, other than wait for his turn to disappear at this point?
There are even more awful possibilities than just that. He knows it's possible that Jun, his partner from home, could turn to stone next, leaving him alone here. And that thought makes his stomach seize.
He straightens up when he sees her approach in his periphery, swallowing down his misery so he can talk to her normally. He did warn her he wouldn't be good company, but he still doesn't want to suck all the life out of the room.
First of all:]
You should try throwing around your status more. You could always call out and make them come to you, for example. I do that myself sometimes, and I'm a mere "numbered card."
[It's a leftover habit from back home, where he was a wealthy noble. But anyway, onto what she's saying.]
Those cupids were so ugly. But they're hardly the worst thing we've had to deal with.
[His shoulders slump again and his face hardens a bit. He really can't help but feel hopeless as he admits:]
I wish I could say it gets easier. But they're always twisting the rules and serving up new humiliations. And the longer you stay here, the more people you realize you haven't seen in a long time.
[...]
You said you wanted to hear about the statues, right?