Business block, Zithen family complex, State Zhyphrese, Draconian continent Voldage, and the Year 2041, Planet Grimoire.
That photo shoot had felt wrong in so many different ways. Not only that but even though it had started all right, it just went weird as soon as Tae-Jun lay on that bed. He never wanted to go through that again. Tae-Jun grimaced inwardly. He felt as if he'd been covered in slime.
Granted, the photographer hadn't touched him again after Tae-Jun put the stiletto knife against his groin. However, he just wished it wasn't necessary to do that much. Now he had to deal with a reporter? Boring and aggravating. Here's to hoping nothing would happen while they were taping.
Where were they now? Tae-Jun sighed wearily. They were on the ninth floor of the office building that housed the entertainment sector. Soon, they would need to find out what their role in this interview was for real.
Meanwhile, he stood sideways while the filming crew fussed with their cameras, microphones, and lighting effects. The last thing Tae-Jun wanted to do was disrupt their efforts to make this as painless as possible for him and the reporters. However, he did notice that there were other auditioners in the same room this time. Was this going to be a group interview?
Interestingly, Tae-Jun didn't know any of them, nor did any fragmented memories surface. His paperwork had yet to explain who else he'd be working with. He would have to do his best to deal with them solo. It was not his favorite way of dealing with things, but whatever.
"All right, I need all of you to go into those small stalls. They're all soundproofed. You'll be given more directions once you're settled inside." An official passed out small pieces of paper.
"Thanks," Tae-Jun looked around the small space warily. Who would even know that they were in a building made solely to select idols? He glanced at who else was in the studio besides the film crew. At least he wasn't the only one feeling a tad cramped. Not only that, but they had yet to be directed elsewhere as he had earlier. They may have been the ones who'd gone through this before. Tae-Jun watched dubiously. Hmm, this would be interesting, possibly not in a good way. There was a clicking noise in the headphones he'd donned.
"Are you ready, Thera?"
"Yes," Tae-Jun straightened up in his chair.
"Good, we'll proceed with the questions now." The interviewer informed him.
"I'm ready whenever you are." Tae-Jun now just wanted to get this over with. He was so done with all this mess.
He immediately received a barrage of questions: "What is your age, why are you auditioning, and what do you stress as your primary skill?"
Tae-Jun blinked, but he fortunately remembered what he was supposed to say. "I'm eighteen years old. I want to become a dancer or singer as a soloist. My primary skill is dancing, but singing isn't far behind."
There were scratching noises that made Tae-Jun grimace slightly. He heard murmurs outside.
"Wow, so weirdo, Thera Tae-Jun actually got through the first photo shoot without killing someone?"
"Hmm, guess we'll have to make things harder for him."
"Quiet down, you brats!"
"Where do you think you are?"
"This isn't a social hour."
The interviewer sighed in aggravation. "I apologize for the interruption, Mr. Thera."
Hmm, that had to have been done intentionally as a heads-up for Tae-Jun, and he did appreciate the subtle way the interviewer pulled off that stunt. "It's all good. It's better for me to hear it so I know what I'm dealing with ahead of time," he responded politely. "I suppose as another skill, I'm quite good at cleaning up my messes. I won't do the same for others who take me too lightly or for granted."
The interviewer coughed and laughed at his response: "Your candor and honesty are appreciated, Mr. Thera." Now, there was a sober tone in which the interviewer warned Tae-Jun to be serious in his answer: "Do you believe you have what it takes to survive this show?" In other words, don't waste anyone's time if he was just there as a glorified candidate with nothing to show but words.
There were no more mocking remarks from the individuals outside. "Yes, I do believe I have what it takes."
It was good that Tae-Jun got his message across. "If perseverance is also a skill, I have plenty." He wasn't in the mood for fights right now. "I'm also quite stubborn and tenacious when I have a goal that I'm pursuing." especially if it meant the difference between life and death, which, for Tae-Jun, was precisely what was on the line for him.
There was a moment of silence before the interviewer finally decided. "You've answered all the questions truthfully and thoroughly." Another pause ensued before Tae-Jun received the decision. "You may leave the small stall and exit to your left."
Oh well, that meant nothing to Tae-Jun. "Thank you for your time." He removed the headphones, meticulously cleaned them off, and then hung them on the proper hook. Afterward, he left the small area and walked out to the left.
Much to Tae-Jun's dismay, there were actually quite a few young people who milled around fractiously. All of them wore variations of what Tae-Jun had for clothing.
However, all of them pulled off the sexy look quickly.
He just felt awkward and uncomfortable. He caught side glances from some of the guys and girls. It didn't take him long to figure out that they knew of him but weren't sure what to make of his transformation. Judging from the shock on both genders' faces, he must've looked quite like the nerd or barbarian.
Right now, Tae-Jun just ignored them. Time enough to speak with them if he needed to. As it was, he got some minor details on four of the males and females from his newly acquired information database.
Malancha is a female draconian species. She is roughly seventeen years old and has been a singer and dancer for several years. Her hair is indigo blue, her eyes are citron yellow, and her skin is dark green. She was descended from sirens.
Then there was Altreu, roughly nineteen in age. He had orange hair, white eyes, brown skin, and an affinity with the earth as his draconian lineage. Third up was Balthazar, roughly twenty years old, with amber-colored hair and eyes and ashen skin. There was nothing about his lineage other than most likely elven with some draconian latent heritage somewhere in there.
Lastly, Shellu, roughly eighteen, had white blond hair, ebony eyes, and ashen skin, thought to be of spiritual and mystical draconian lineage.
From what Tae-Jun could tell, the common factor for all of them was that they had dancing, singing, and acting skills required for this audition. That was all. He had little faith that he could pull this off but knew it was necessary for survival's sake.