claudine clearly doesn't know what's going on with the female trainees over at sr media, and she knows interrogating nayoung of all people would lead her nowhere. if there's anyone very serious about her job, it's nayoung, which is a trait of nayoung that claudine has always admired: her work ethic, no bullshit attitude. it's refreshing to see, and she's a little disappointed she won't be working together with nayoung in a group in the future.
"for a second there, i was worried you meant that the tea i made for you tasted weird." she half-jokes, letting out a crinkle of a laugh. even if it was, she wouldn't feel offended—she'd say nayoung had bad taste though, just because. "not too hot, at least?" she questions, despite not really fishing for compliments or criticism in the first place.
"honestly, i can't tell how serious they are with this sudden drama, especially with their best actresses busy. or maybe they're using this as a stepping stone? then again, they are looking to cast from the entire axis labels roster, not just sr media." she hums, wondering what's going through the heads of the authorities. she's curious, they haven't exactly revealed the contents of the script of even a premise of the drama either. how mysterious.
at nayoung's question though, claudine let's out a sigh as she leans back against her chair. "i'm currently battling the pettiness inside me. you know, since it's sr media who will be spearheading the production... and they didn't sign me." to say claudine can hold a decade-long grudge is an understatement. "i still don't know what lime saw in me that sr didn't. but i guess i'm not supposed to!"
her lips stretches into a grin moments later, determination flashing through her eyes. "i want to show them up though, make them see what they missed out on. so, yeah, i will audition! i already know which script i'll be auditioning with. any tips for me, miss nayoung?" she leans in close over the table, like she's beckoning nayoung to share her greatest advice through secret whispers.
nayoung hums and shakes her head, lips quirking up in a small smile. "it's good," she assures her, though nayoung doubts claudine needs any reassurance on the quality of her tea. or much of anything, really.
nayoung half-nods, half-shrugs. she agrees with claudine, ultimately. it's hard to know what axis labels are thinking with this move. maybe sr media is trying to raise their next generation of idol-actors. still, she can't help but feel bitter. what's the point of all those acting lessons she went through during training if she doesn't even have the option to show them off when the opportunity comes for everyone else? it doesn't feel fair. it's stupid.
she realizes, though, that it's only really because the novus girls are busy preparing to potentially debut. sacrifices must be made, one opportunity for the other, apparently. she supposes in the grand scheme of things, she'd choose to debut over being in a drama. she's here to be an idol, after all – not an actress. she wishes she could do both, though. nayoung has always been greedy – always had the utmost faith in her abilities, even when she probably shouldn't.
nayoung is about to tell claudine it's a good opportunity to prove sr media wrong for overlooking her, but she comes to the conclusion herself. nayoung lets a huff of amusement out of her nose. claudine is always so enthusiastic and determined. it would've been fun to train with her. nayoung thinks she suits lime, but she's sure she could've found success under sr media, too.
"good," she says with a nod. she's glad claudine will audition. she deserves the chance to show off her skills. it would be a little ironic if she manages to star in a drama spearheaded by sr media as a lime trainee, but wouldn't that sort of be the best of both worlds?
when claudine asks for advice, whether jokingly or serious, nayoung says, "hm, well, my usual tip is to have confidence, but i doubt that'll be a problem for you." it's not meant to be a dig at claudine – nayoung likes that about her, if anything. too many girls are insecure. it's refreshing that claudine has faith in her own abilities. more than that, from what nayoung knows of her, she can back that confidence up with skill. at least in the acting department. nayoung isn't sure how good she is at singing, dancing, or rapping. that's not really her concern now, though. "i'm sure you'll do well."














