Business block, Zithen family complex, State Zhyphrese, Draconian continent Voldage, and the Year 2041, Planet Grimoire.
Well, that wasn't a good sign. Damn good thing I checked all the information before coming in here. Otherwise, I need to know more about what I was doing. A sigh escaped Tae-Jun. If things were running behind schedule, he'd better get this done right on the first run-through. Preferably, before conflicts arose elsewhere, he needed to catch up on the schedule. Therefore, Tae-Jun did what he was told. He walked into the room where props were set up. He immediately felt very uncomfortable and ill at ease as he studied the sight in the studio.
This did not make him believe one bit that there was really something fishy going on here. What was the photographer thinking? This was something out of a pornographic movie set. Well, whatever. Tae-Jun sat on a chair and watched the photographer while he did his thing.
At last, the photographer looked around and saw where Tae-Jun was sitting, and his eyebrows lifted in surprised approval. "Hmm, well, that pose will work well enough to start with," he instructed. "Rest your forearms along the back of the chair's ridge."
At least Tae-Jun didn't mind doing that. He followed the instructions patiently while wondering what else should be done.
The photographer added. "Then rest your chin on the area where wrists overlap."
Like this? Tae-Jun shifted how he was sitting and did as instructed.
The photographer nodded. "All right, this shouldn't take long at all." He sounded relieved.
Tae-Jun had thought of this before. Now, to make sure he wasn't paranoid or overthinking anything. He finally asked, "Did I cause problems for you in the past?" He watched the photographer stiffen in surprise.
The man glanced at him in shock. "Yeah, to be honest, you did." He rubbed his jaw, staring at Tae-Jun contemplatively. "However, you seem like a completely different person."
Tae-Jun winced. He was curious to know if that was good or bad. "I do apologize for inconveniencing you in the past, Mr. Cade Odin." He spoke courteously. It was better to express remorse than to keep antagonizing the photographer. They could make or break someone's career.
"See, that contrast made me reconsider obeying that order." Cade Odin shook his head at Tae-Jun. Now, that is what I never thought I would hear from you." A sigh escaped him. "I should warn you." Odin wasn't pleased with what he had to tell Tae-Jun. "From someone in the administration sector, word has come down that all other photographers were told to harass you."
Well, hell, had he made enemies all along just with his existence? "I suppose I should've known this would happen." Tae-Jun should've expected that to happen. "After all, I was a real coward not too long ago." He scowled with a shrug. "Thanks for the tip-off. I know what to watch out for now." It was just his bad luck that it also carried over into this world.
"You're welcome." Odin saw him roll his eyes in disgust. Cade chuckled at that point. "I'll admit," He made a sour face. "I almost considered doing so," Huh, Tae-Jun was surprised at his honesty.
Cade shrugged. "Except that you just point-blank asked me what the problem was."
If he hadn't bothered with that little bit of courtesy, this would've become a real ordeal, huh? Well, that wasn't surprising to Tae-Jun in the least. "So now, what else should I do to make this a successful session versus a total failure?" Tae-Jun tilted his head slightly when eyeing Cade Odin.
The camera flashed, making Tae-Jun blink. "You're oozing sex appeal without having to be on that bed." Cade studied the rapid succession images he'd pulled from Tae-Jun's few movements. He frowned slightly and shrugged with resignation. "Still, I need you to sprawl on it for a few more shots." He grinned at Tae-Jun's dubious expression. "I'll make it as painless as possible."
Tae-Jun grunted. "I'm counting on you to keep your word." He smiled slightly for the first time.
The camera went off in rapid-fire succession. "You have some cute fangs on you." Cade looked at him thoughtfully. "Didn't know that you'd already begun the shapeshifting transformation process."
Err, when he recalled what he looked like initially, Tae-Jun shrugged ruefully. "Let's just say that if I remove the boots, there will be an even bigger problem." He eyed the sheets on the bed. "Those might get shredded." His warning provoked a long, curious stare from Cade Odin.
Bah, this was going to take forever at this rate. Tae-Jun stared at him in silence and waited for his reaction.
After silence, Cade requested, "I'd like to see and make my own judgment, please." Well, that sounded reasonable enough to Tae-Jun.
"Sure thing, I can do that." That's when Tae-Jun realized something was very wrong. Did Odin have some kind of fetish for feet? If so, he was about to get one hell of a shock, not a good one.
Odin happened to look over when Tae-Jun removed his boots. "Err, wow, you weren't kidding about the talons on your feet, were you?" Odin approached and stopped just short of being too close for comfort. He crouched down and studied the sight of the claws that Tae-Jun sported. "Can you even walk properly with those rather than normal feet?" He was way too curious for Tae-Jun's taste.
"No, I'm not," Tae-Jun shifted uneasily. The boots keep me stable." He was holding onto the bedpost to maintain a minimum upright posture. "I can say this isn't normal, nor am I sure how to return to being what they typically looked like." Unfortunately, there was no reference that Tae-Jun could refer to.
Odin nodded with a sigh. "Fine, put your boots back on." He shrugged. "I'll develop a collage that doesn't include your feet." Cade studied them once more. "Though if I could get at least one shot of them, I'd appreciate it."
Okay, this had gone into a completely weird vibe. However, if it meant that Odin wouldn't insist on him leaving the boots off, Tae-Jun was fine with making the concession. "Sure, I can leave them off for a few more seconds." He just didn't want the scales spreading further up his legs, for that matter.
Odin nodded and returned to the camera. "Cross your legs," he glanced at Tae-Jun. "I like how you're hiding the fact that the bedpost is the only thing helping you remain on that bed."
Tae-Jun made a rude sound in his throat. "Damn, sheets are too slippery." He grumbled.
Odin laughed. "Well, the original concept was for you to be here with a female," he shrugged. "However, none of the female models were available for this time slot."
Ugh, Tae-Jun could totally live without having to do that. He said so, too.