Business block, Zithen family complex, State Zhyphrese, Draconian continent Voldage, and the Year 2041, Planet Grimoire.
The studio had elements of what he expected in a professional setting. It wasn't set up as a bedroom, either. As Tae-Jun took in the surroundings of this studio, he was relieved.
This second place was quite different from the first. A lot of chairs, couches, and sofas were grouped into sections, all labeled with specific names. As a result, Tae-Jun was able to find his area quite quickly, which allowed him to observe everything going on before his turn came.
In fact, Tae-Jun was almost too comfortable. He'd nearly fallen asleep while waiting for his turn. Only this time, he'd been able to chat with some of the others there. All of them were participants in the auditions.
"I'm Delilah," One of the girls said. "You're Tae-Jun, right? Nice to meet you." She was friendly without trying to get too close to him.
"Hi, Delilah, yeah I'm Tae-Jun." He nodded politely. "So, what are we doing here this time?" He fidgeted slightly.
"Uh, I don't know. I lost my packet." Delilah wrinkled her nose.
"Airheaded ditz." A boy who'd introduced himself as Daz earlier swatted her in the head with a sheaf of packets. "I don't know what they saw in you."
"You know that does hurt?" Delilah growled at him. "I get papercuts just like everyone else."
Another one laughed. "Sure, you do, Lilah." He snorted. "At least you're honest about it."
"Shut it, Parson." Delilah snapped. "At least I don't preach like you do." She huffed and looked through the paperwork.
Shamus rolled his eyes. "To answer your question earlier," He told Tae-Jun. "We're going to be doing some freestyle activity and whatever position we end with. That is the picture that'll be showcased on the first episode."
Tae-Jun grimaced. "Even though I did get a copy of the schedule, I saw nothing in the description. Thanks for the heads-up."
Shellu sighed loudly. "That's because not all of us will be dancing." She gave Tae-Jun a cold look. "It could be that you'll get to do something that has nothing to do with the physical activity." Her gaze shifted toward his feet. Then she looked away and rose to her feet when her name was called. "My turn now."
What amazed him was the variety of people who'd shown up: both males and females, along with a few neutered species of no gender whatsoever.
The neuter section of individuals made the chaos vaguely organized. They walked around with clipboards and made notes whenever there weren't lights flashing as photos were taken. The concept for this shoot was interesting. They had to simulate walking through an ancient forest without their shoes.
Shamus looked horrified. "Oh man, this sucks." He grumbled. "My feet are hideous with the webbed toes and all."
"Well, that's because you're an aquatic type, right?" Delilah looked at him quizzically. "Or no?"
Shamus grunted. "I don't know and don't care to be honest. If I am an aquatic type, that would explain my affinity with water, swamps, and other liquid-based environments." He stretched and yawned. "Anyhow, I'm up now."
It would've been fine, but when Tae-Jun had to take off his boots, he was in shock. "What the hell is this?" That's when he discovered that his feet weren't ordinary. "I don't know if this is going to be doable."
Tae-Jun looked at the directors and camera crew with apprehension. "I'll still try to do this, though." He'd gotten an idea when he first glimpsed them in the earlier shoot, but now they'd altered considerably more. They were bonafide dragon claws, and now he sported a very nasty back claw on his ankle and heel.
Clearly, this was unanticipated and caused an uproar.
"Uh, that won't be necessary," the director told him. "You are altering so fast that we're going to have to come up with a completely different scenario for you." He didn't appear too upset.
That was different for others who gathered.
"Why does he have to be an exception?" Casio, a young blond, blue-eyed male, complained bitterly.
"Every time something goes wrong, he's the center." Anansi griped, dark blue eyes turning almost black with anger. She tucked light green hair behind her pointed ears.
"Oh, shove it, you whiners." Delilah snapped. "It isn't as if you haven't gone through something similar earlier."
"True, true," Shamus frowned at them. "Do you want me to recite what made you repeat some of the interviews and photo shoots?"
The director cleared his throat. "No more." His voice silenced everyone. "You all will have equal screen time even if we have to take more shots individually."
That had been quite a shocking discovery for everyone in the room.
"I'm sorry about this being a problem now." Tae-Jun was speechless because he didn't know what would appear once the boots came off.
The directors and crew merely shrugged. "It is the nature of the beast," one of the cameramen reassured Tae-Jun. "Though I recommend trying to find out what your lineage is." His expression was enigmatic. "Otherwise, when the time comes for you to transform, and it will happen any time now, you'll be hurt if you can't envision what you want to become in true physical form."
Hmm, so some visualization was required? Tae-Jun sighed because, even with the alteration of parts of his physiognomy, his vision was still a problem.
The cameraman grinned at him. "You can use your imagination," he suggested. "Don't always rely on what is traditional."
Tae-Jun felt some of his anxiety disperse. "Okay, thanks." It was strange that he would gain so much help from people who otherwise would've hated him. He was dealing somewhat calmly with each situation by changing their attitudes toward him. Sheesh, the other one must've been a real drama king or something. That wasn't an image Tae-Jun relished retaining any longer. Nor did he have the patience to put up with their notion of fun, either. It was a total waste of time.
Well, he hoped that what came next wouldn't be wasted time either. Somehow, Tae-Jun felt a bit apprehensive.