☆ ╱ ROCKSTAR.

jooha brings the straw up to his lips, taking a rather long sip of his drink. he was on the verge of elaborating on what he'd meant though he didn't think there was much to explain. you either know what a dazed baby sea otter looks like or you dont. besides, he was more interested in watching a man's umbrella turn over with one strong gust of wind. he all too aware the same thing could happen to him on his way back but he chooses to believe it wont. he'll make it home safe and dry. manifesting if you will.

"i'm always prepared. i never the leave the dorm without checking the weather first." frankly checking the weather app was one of the first things he does in the morning. it's what decides how he'll dress for the day if the group stylist wasn't dressing him in the most uncomfortable pieces they can find. "plus i like the smell of the rain and..." he contemplates whether he should admit his real form of entertainment on days like this. "well it's a little funny when you see people scurrying around trying to find cover at the last second." he admits with a shrug. "theyre like little ants that have lost their way."

he proceeds to take travel size hand sanitizer out of his pocket and squeeze some of the gel into his hand before reaching out and offering some to the girl.

"like ants huh." a structure of words that normally would have ended as a question turned into a statement with a glint of amusement. she accepted the hand sanitizer with a small thanks before soothing the gel into her skin.

"luckily for you, it seems you've run into one." it was a soured joke with sarcasm, but a joke nonetheless. contrary to her current attitude, aera is a fan of the rain. it's a secret to many, but she enjoys playing in it — even dancing. the amount of dance videos the idol has saved on her phone just because she wants her own rihanna umbrella moment would horrify her if anyone were to see them.

"checking the weather like that is a good idea, i do that sometimes. it just wasn’t a thought when i left the practice room. karma for locking myself up all day, i guess." aera explains, whether being asked or not, ending it with a shrug. "didn't take you as a people watcher. what's the most ridiculous thing you've ever seen ?"

jooha walks in and makes a beeline for the drinks. he grabs a cup of ice, his favorite peach flavored iced tea, and a small bag of chips. this was his typical get away when he needed a little space from the other guys at the dorm. he knew it wasn't as crowded as the other dorms but he still liked his alone time, especially on days like these when the rain kept most of them trapped inside. but this was nothing a good pair of rainboots and a sturdy umbrella couldn't combat. once paid, he takes his things to the side and takes a seat so he could watch the rain fall. he liked the steady downpour and he found it quite amusing when he saw the occasional person running around unprepared. its even more amusing when he sees them up close and their makeup seemingly deemed waterproof had failed. yikes.

he immediately recognizes chloe, but he wasn't sure whether to say anything at all. he did come here for a little peace and quiet after all. he instead glances down, his eyes following the trail of footprints leading to her before getting a better look at the girl and the leaf caught in her hair. he hadn't realized he'd been staring until she shifts and they make eye contact for a split second too long. was there even any point in pretending he hadn't been looking? probably not but he refused to look back even after she speaks up. he scoffs at her words. one could argue that just sitting there with a growing puddle of water pooled down under her feet was just as rude. "you sort of look like a baby sea otter." he finally answers, stabbing his straw into his cup.

if one stared at her hard enough, there was a high possibility that they would see the loading symbol spinning in her head until it hits play. chloé lips part as she gawks at the man in nothing more than sheer disbelief. “i’m sorry, i look like a what ?” her tone clear of her taking full offense, though it wasn’t all that warranted. on any other day, the woman would find that funny, but cute nonetheless. unfortunately, aera was pissed at the world. no one’s fault but her own.

“ugh, whatever.” her scoff of dismissal comes out more as a sigh, one of defeat as she finally takes a seat of her own. her features bunch up into that of disgust at the way her clothes uncomfortably stick to her skin. why was it even worse when she sat? aera was in some form of hell on earth, she’s absolutely sure of it. instead of continuing to now play stir the noodles in front of her, she decides that some sort of conversation will make her night somewhat bearable. just a little.

“i would ask if you got caught in the rain too but …” her words trail off, doing a quick once over of jooha’s appearance. “looks like you’ve come prepared. so, what are you doing out in this ?” a manicured finger from her unoccupied hand makes a quick gesture toward the rain on the other side of the glass.

her face perked up in a way the would rival the greatest actress of his generation. she didn't bother to face aera, "it was extremely hard during that time. my parents weren't supportive of my dream. that's why i consider you so lucky, i envy it a bit. i wish i had parents that would help me achieve my dream. no matter what. sometimes, it just takes a lot of hard work and trying again and look at me now? i get to have meal with you!" was she too upbeat on the last bit? maybe but was too tired to care. she might've failed before but at least her parents money didn't hang over head.

it was that point that her manager cut in. the stylist had stepped away, possibly with a slight more insight between the relationship of the two. "we're going to film you two getting into the taxi and you'll have self-cam's at the flea market, along with the crew. the cameras will be rolling soon..." her manager's eyes cut to jisoo before looking at the both of them. "aera's manager will be traveling with you two so best behavior." and a quiet threat that they shouldn't let whatever this was bleed onto the cameras.

whether shethat rumor kept itself tethered to aera, chaining her with the heavy weight of it on her shoulders. the what ifs smothered her, keeping her awake at night, causing her to push herself against her limits, and then some in the late hours of the night. those same thoughts always left her questioning whether she deserved to be in this position at all, to be the idol she is now. no matter what she did to try and chase it away, it only seemed to fester. anyone mentioning or referring to it always struck a cord, leaving her to feel too exposed. vulnerable. almost as if people could see the insecurities that have festered over the years.

yet, when it came to jisoo, it sparked irritation. similar to a reawakened flame that had been snuffed out.

‘don’t cause a scene. don’t cause a scene. don’t cause a scene.’ the idol chants as a reminder to herself, tuning out whatever else was said around her. well, for most of it. aera didn’t miss the look that was given and the hidden meaning behind the manager’s words. she wanted to roll her eyes at that. they weren’t children. seasoned idol or presumed rookie, they knew how to at least feed into the cameras. after all, their appearances were everything in this industry.

pocketing her phone, a deep breath is released through her nose. before rising up to smooth the fabric of her skirt. and just like the quick press of a button, aera easily matches the other’s energy. a smile that passes as genuine unfolds upon her features. “perfect ! let’s go !” she chirps, easily falling into step behind her manager as the two artists are led to their taxi.

on the drive over to the flea market, aera takes the initiative of turning on the self-camera she was given, getting an angle of both of them in the frame. if she was going to be stuck with jisoo to bond, she would make sure the company got enough footage to keep this nonsense out of her hair for a long while or perhaps never have her doing something like this with the other woman ever again.

“we’re finally on our way ! say hi, jisoo-ah !” she keeps the bright energy going, being friendlier than she’d like to be. “what are you looking forward to the most ? i want to see cute little knick-knacks or maybe find a cute staple piece for my closet ! i’m really hoping to find gyeran-ppang, too !”

she turned her head towards the other, "me too sunbae! it's amazing to hear you're a fan. we're still new...so to have that praise...." it meant nothing, she wasn't even sure if she believed it. "but i've been excited to get to learn and spend time with the aera." did anyone get her that lemon yet? was there still enough time to through a fit and back out? she wouldn't but the idea was tempting to jisoo, she had to bit down on her lip for a moment.

"that sounds like a wonderful idea! we could split up after a bit at the market and give the gives when we sit down to eat." it might've sounded like a nice plan but she wanted to wrap up as much they could, as quickly as they could. "please look after me...we're still so new, there's so much to learn about being an idol and there's not better teacher than someone like you sunbae."

aera relaxes into the chair with familiar ease, crossing one leg over the other as the makeup artist gets to work. the idol falls into the routine of pulling out her phone, fingers making quick work of either socializing with friends and fans with messages or doom scrolling through social media. truthfully, anything to tune out her surroundings aside from staff. it’s her own personal ritual on solo schedules.

the woman has to keep herself from releasing a heavy sigh when she hears the sound of jisoo’s voice again. annoying. aera doesn’t bother sparing a glance towards the woman talking to her nearby, it’s bad enough that she’ll have to stare at jisoo longer than a sparse glance in passing today. maybe she could get her eyes bleached afterwards? or find some eye candy to ogle at. something. yet, there’s a smirk that paints her features, ego stroked a bit by the other’s words — despite knowing that ‘the aera’ is a hidden sneer. nothing but a simple artificial remark of kindness. she took it in stride, though.

“your group is new, but you’re not, right ? being an idol, i mean. got washed out with your first attempt or something like that.” aera doesn’t miss the look of intrigue the makeup artist gives between the two of them, catching it in the mirror.

“a real … pity.” her features are exaggerated as she frowns, throwing a look towards the supposed rookie idol. nothing but mockery hidden behind a mask. “but great ! we’ll do the gifting then ! and of course, i can show you all the ropes ! you can trust me. i’ll even pay for the meal, my treat.”

early mornings in the studio are going to be the death of her, she swears it. truthfully, aera was not destined to be awake as early as she currently was. one would think she’d be used to it by now, but nope. aera is a woman that enjoys and needs her beauty rest to thrive, alright? the only thing keeping her up right now is the various mixtures of pop music playing at a volume bit too loud through the headphones on her head.

it didn’t help that she knew that today’s session would be intense with the building hunger for the group to step up and snap back at the world that so desperately tries to sink their claws in the shred them to pieces, but before facing that battle, she needs caffeine. if the idol didn’t get her hands on some soon, her own claws would go sinking into someone.

a smile graces her features in accomplishment as the iced drink was finally in her hand whilst the other is quickly typing along the keyboard of her phone to the familiar group chat to inform her whereabouts; the dancer not paying attention to her surroundings as she leaves. or well, tries to. next thing aera knows is that she’s barely managing to keep her concoction of sugar coffee from spilling over herself and someone standing in her way from leaving. a manicured hand abruptly pushes one side of her headphones off her head.

“yah ! watch where you’re going ! what if i spilled my coffee ?” she exasperates, features crinkling with disdain. “are you okay ?” comes her question in reference to the familiar face in passing rubbing his leg.

aera would rather be anywhere else, but here. being launched into space without a space suit would be better than this. seriously. a scowl had been painted on her features from the moment she first woke up this morning, not looking forward to the day laid out ahead of her. a whole fucking day with jeon jisoo. they couldn’t have set her up with anyone else? there’s a whole lineup of people they could’ve picked from. unfortunately, the woman didn’t have the time to dwell on ways of destroying the company building as she already found herself being guided into the dressing room.

if she could handle occasional courtesies when passing each other in the halls, she could handle this with ease. after all, it’s just one day, right?

with faux charm, aera gives a smile, bowing politely in response — pretending to be happy to attend. her manager knowing too well that she isn’t, if the warning look she was given was anything to go by. they caught the brunt of her attitude for today.

“that sounds … fun.” her distaste is masked with candied venom as she brushes her hair over her shoulder. “i’ve been looking forward to this since they told me. i’m a fan of your group ! very talented.” aera doesn’t bat an eye as she takes a seat in the chair gestured to her by the stylist. “should we get gifts for each other at the flea market ? i think fans would love it.”