Business block, Zithen family complex, State Zhyphrese, Draconian continent Voldage, and the Year 2041, Planet Grimoire.
While some parts of the photo shoot had gone well, others hadn't, and Tae-Jun didn't know if it was his fault. Or if something else had just gone wrong. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone intentionally interfered with the concept of the timing and what he'd been asked to do.
That's when Tae-Jun remembered the warnings he'd received from Cade Odin and then the interviewer, whose name he hadn't caught. Both of them clearly had received orders of some kind but had ignored them. He just hoped it wouldn't wind up with them being fired later.
However, there was a better time to fuss about potential sabotage. Tae-Jun was just surprised that there were so many different types of work in the day.
Cilin was escorting him yet again. Once more, he appeared lost in thought, though not to the point of getting lost.
Finally, Tae-Jun inquired. "Is there a schedule of what is happening today?" He sighed. "I'm already exhausted, and yet I know there has to be more than what has already happened."
Cilin blinked at him in surprise. "Hmm?" He frowned in consternation. "You managed to lose the packet of information handed out at the beginning of the auditions?"
That's when Tae-Jun regarded him in silence. "There was no such item when I regained consciousness earlier." He spoke edgily. "So, I have no idea of what I'm doing."
Cilin sighed wearily. "All right, while you go into the waiting room and stay there until you're called, I'll retrieve the packet from your room." Clearly, he wasn't pleased about having to do that extra work.
"Thanks, I appreciate it." Tae-Jun knew it was an added hassle that needed to be made more accessible. However, he needed to know what he was getting into.
Even as they approached the room, Tae-Jun heard raised voices and angry, insistent demands that made no sense to him. Why were the people inside demanding to talk to him? Did it relate to a past conflict the original Tae-Jun had gotten into?
Much to his surprise, Cilin listened to what was happening and bristled with indignation. "Let me handle this." He growled, much to Tae-Jun's shock. He stomped inside the room.
"Do you realize that everyone can hear you shouting from outside?" Cilin bellowed. "How dare you treat him as if he's some kind of troublemaker?"
There was stunned silence when Cilin made his unexpected appearance.
"So, is that person outside?" An older man inquired. "If so, then bring him in here."
"Why should I?" Cilin snapped. "From what I can tell, this is just another one of your ploys to have him disqualified, Zithen. Don't think I'm not aware of what you've been up to this entire time."
The hell, so it was someone with the surname of Zithen pulling this crap? Tae-Jun could've sworn that was the name he was supposed to make proud of him?
Bullshit, he wasn't going to do anything of the sort. Tae-Jun grimaced. If he had to make someone proud, it would be his stepfather, Midda.
For now, though, Tae-Jun needed clarification about what to do next. That's when he saw the nasty trio from earlier arrive on the scene. However, he stepped aside rather than put up with their foul attitudes. Only now did they look frightened when they realized that Cilin was there. Hmm, that's interesting. What kind of influence did Cilin wield around here? Now, Tae-Jun was curious as to what would happen next. Certainly, he was going inside when he knew for certain that no one else would cause him trouble.
After a few more harsh exchanges, Cilin stomped out, shaking his head. "It seems we'll just go to the next photo shoot and forget that part after all." A sigh escaped him. "I didn't think there'd be such a bunch of shameless bastards in this company."
Tae-Jun refrained from commenting at that point. Since he needed to figure out where he stood with the group in general. He simply followed Cilin without even glancing at the trio.
However, he'd had enough when one of them stuck a foot out, intending to trip either Cilin or Tae-Jun. Before Tae-Jun could react, though, Cilin dodged the foot and sent the idiot flying. Of course, since he was handcuffed, he couldn't stop his trajectory right into the tinted glass windows. While spiderwebbing cracks appeared in the glass, nothing shattered, and the troublemaker merely slumped to the ground unconscious. Tae-Jun risked a glance over his shoulder. It was Altreu. He wasn't going to recover from that retaliation anytime soon. Tae-Jun just shook his head wearily. This was becoming onerous indeed. He focused on what was going to happen next. "So, you said I have another photo shoot, right?" He dreaded what was coming next.
Cilin caught his distinct hesitation about what was going to happen next. "Yes, but I assure you this shouldn't be as problematic as others might've been." He sighed when Tae-Jun remained quiet. "You don't trust my reassurance?"
Tae-Jun shrugged. "It isn't that." He wasn't going to hide what he heard from Cilin. "I just received word and warnings about the fact that someone high up," He spread his hands in frustration. "is putting down orders that I should be harassed into being disqualified." Whether it was a director or someone else, Tae-Jun was having second thoughts about doing just anything regarding the current schedule for that day.
Cilin shook his head. "Nah, that isn't going to happen." He shrugged. "I've managed to trace back what happened to who put the order down." A chilling smile quirked his mouth. "We can always chat with those individuals later...after the show's end."
Hmm, now that did sound rather intriguing. Tae-Jun nodded. "Sure thing, since some of those jerks probably won't get reprimanded."
Cilin shrugged. "It is unfortunate that you're right," he smirked. "So, I'm sure it will be fun to take matters into our own hands afterward." Now, his real nature slipped out. "In fact, I think it would be wise to teach a few of them some lessons sooner rather than later."
Hmm, he holds grudges. Tae-Jun smiled faintly. "Sure, why not?" He agreed. "Though I'd rather just survive today without further incidents if that is even possible." His stomach rumbled. "Maybe get something to eat and drink first?" Tae-Jun hinted.
Cilin laughed. "Fine, we can take time to eat." He handed a packet of papers to Tae-Jun. "I did find this." He studied Tae-Jun, "For someone who can be forgetful, I have to admit, you were very organized in how you filed everything regarding the show."
Tae-Jun was thoughtful. So that meant that the original meant to participate. Or if he hadn't, he'd kept everything on hand with some plan in mind. A cold chill ran down his spine. He'd some kind of plan but couldn't execute it? Now Tae-Jun wondered if he'd been lured into that forest for a reason, maybe even along the lines of getting rid of him. Oh well, that was speculation for another day. "Great, I can read this while I eat and drink something." Tae-Jun knew that he was becoming paranoid again.
Cilin nodded. "It is better if you familiarize yourself with it," he grunted. "Though I've heard that future events listed in this packet will probably be discarded." Cilin looked less than thrilled with the news, but it didn't surprise Tae-Jun in the least.
Cilin shrugged with a sigh. "No doubt a new schedule will be revised and redistributed at the official ending assembly that'll happen very late tonight."
Tae-Jun nodded. "I think I understand why it's being done." He offered a few theories. "Once word goes down about sabotage, which means all other officials in charge of those future events that caved today." Cilin frowned at his reasoning. "They will be even more likely to continue their decisions to harass certain targets even worse than what was done today." Tae-Jun shrugged because it made sense to him, although it might not to Cilin.
"I hadn't even thought about that," Cilin exhaled. "We shall go to a cafe that is close by," he decided. "That way, we can both take some time to wind down, even for a short amount of time."
"Sounds good to me." Tae-Jun nodded.
Even if he was told to maintain a distance from Cilin, Tae-Jun figured there was a reason for that. He would undoubtedly become an enemy in the future.
However, for now, they were just two guys with everyday problems. The main one was that they were hungry and thirsty. The secondary issue was that neither official knew who'd sent word to sabotage Tae-Jun's participation through harassment.