Business block, Zithen family complex, State Zhyphrese, Draconian continent Voldage, and the Year 2041, Planet Grimoire.
Despite his earlier reservations, the evening meal was lively and fun. Tae-Jun was able to relax and eat in relative quiet. Some tables were noisy, making him grimace a few times at the topics of conversation.
"It is unbelievable what people will talk about, hmm?" Delilah caught his wince.
Tae-Jun wasn't sure what to say. "Yeah, but I suppose this might be typical for a night of revelry after work any other time." He shrugged when the other teens glanced at him. "I'd seen examples on different shows." He was not able to explain his knowledge any other way.
"I'd love to know what those shows were." Delilah sighed. "I could use some tips about evening etiquette for evenings like this."
Tae-Jun hesitated. Now, he was in murky waters. "Err, the only other thing I can suggest is learning to hold your liquor," Tae-Jun grunted. "That and always travel in groups of people you can trust."
Daz and Shamus regarded him thoughtfully. "Just how many shows did you watch?" Now, they sounded dubious. "I didn't even know there was a way to access that thing."
Tae-Jun shrugged with a faint smile. "Where there's a will, there is a way." He sighed. "Despite my original appearance, I didn't always remain secluded in the complex." He caught sight of Cilin stiffening at his statement. "There are times when I need to escape."
Cilin scowled at him in warning, and Tae-Jun merely nodded slightly. Yeah, he'd said enough to spike their curiosity to see what they could get away with. However, any more would simply cause controversy. That wasn't what he was going for. At least they'd managed to ignore the noisy chatter of the other tables.
Otherwise, beyond those four tables, everyone else just hung out with the cliques they'd formed. Where Tae-Jun sat, Cilin was a few seats away from him. Daz, Shamus, and Delilah were to his right, blocking most of the noise created by the other tables. Much to Tae-Jun's bemusement, Shellu sat close to Cilin and spoke to him quietly occasionally. He ignored it because there was no reason to feel uncomfortable or jealous.
Shamus was thoughtful. "So, what are your plans for tonight?"
Tae-Jun smiled. "Sleep." He grinned at Shamus's shocked expression. "Hey, I have been busy from before dawn today," Tae-Jun shrugged. "Other stuff happened to the point that I'm exhausted."
Shamus sighed. "I was afraid that you'd say that." His expression was glum when he muttered. "I think some other folks don't plan to leave us or you alone for much longer." He jerked a thumb toward a table where some annoying individuals gathered.
Tae-Jun sighed. "Guess I should at least acknowledge them, hmm?"
Shamus blinked. "Well, I wouldn't go that far." He sighed.
Too late, Tae-Jun shifted the angle of his head. They were glaring at the table where Tae-Jun was sitting. When he seemingly turned his head in their direction, he got a razor blade, and hatred flashed boldly at him.
"Wow, subtle, aren't they?" Delilah's barbed sarcasm made Tae-Jun laugh.
Tae-Jun shrugged nonchalantly. "Sure are, but hey, what's a night out for good food if not without some potential chaos about to erupt, right?" He turned fully in their direction. However, his aim was focused on the ringleader, Casio. For a moment, Tae-Jun felt his features alter slightly. He shot a warning glare at Casio and his buddies. They immediately turned dead white. A few scrambled from their seats in horrified shock, and others ran for the bathrooms. Evidently, Tae-Jun had quite the effect on them.
Shamus gazed at him impassively. His eyebrows rose. "Remind me not to piss you off." He was amused. "I think they just crapped themselves, or worse."
An unpleasant scent rose from the chairs at that far table. Delilah grimaced. "Definitely worse," she said. Wicked appreciation gleamed in her eyes when she looked at Tae-Jun. "I like your method of dealing with hotheads."
Daz frowned. "That will make them even more determined to retaliate sometime tonight." He shook his head.
"Well, I'll do my best to draw their attention away from you." Tae-Jun was glad that he knew how to live without too much sleep. Otherwise, he couldn't do much to create a diversion to keep the enemies' ire from the trio.
"Wow, you're shameless." Shellu was glaring at Tae-Jun. She threw her napkin on the table. "You do realize that..."
"Stop Shellu," Cilin interrupted her.
Tae-Jun sighed. "With all due respect, Miss Shellu," His demeanor frosted with displeasure. "I suggest that you refrain from treating me as if we're familiar. I don't remember you being in my life before now."
Shellu winced at his wording.
"I would also recommend that you request Cilin to escort you home tonight," Tae-Jun continued quietly, addressing her. "This is for both of your safety's sake." He had no intention of allowing anyone to take the heat from others' hatred of him.
"This is my problem. Therefore, I shall deal with it in my own way." Even if it meant he'd get thrown out of the auditions. Hell, this had been a disaster from the beginning. Now, he just had to figure out a good way of salvaging the situation.