trailblazer

“I wouldn’t have thought was the case, you look great on stage still,” Yeong replied, then pausing in thought. “I talked with them about ceasing promotions for a while years ago, but not anything about reduced schedules. I think it’s time, though.“

“you’re sweet. and i’ll remember that-- next time i’m so sore i can barely move after a promotion cycle, i’ll make you carry me around,” she answered with a laugh. “i think that it’s worth talking to them about. because that’s the sort of thing you can always reverse if you regret the decision, right? and plenty of older soloists have reduced schedules... dk, ilya... just to name a couple. i can’t see why they wouldn’t let you.”

“I mentioned to New Age early this year that I thought I was ready for promotion cycles again, but I’m re-thinking it after this time,” he admitted with a laugh. “I love performing, but the packed schedules rushing between music shows… I’m feeling it a lot more than I did last time I was promoting.”

“i can relate to that a lot-- juliette schedules aren’t nearly as manageable as they were when i was twenty-two,” she retorted with a little laugh, shaking her head. “you’re a fixture at new age now though, are you not? have you talked to them about a reduced schedule? or other perks? i know that when we promote now as a group, rare as that is, we only do inkigayo and m!countdown, and we pick and choose which variety we want to do, if any.”

“Sorry, sunbaenim,” Eli said, rubbing the back of their neck. They didn’t realize how rude it sounded until after it came out of their mouth. “Yeah, we’re doing a Burnout song.”

“I think a kebab skewer might be better for a porcupine, they’re a lot bigger than hedgehogs,” Hyunsik mused. “Bonus for us, huh? Can’t set the pet doesn’t have any use.”

“That’s as long as I’ve been a person…” Eli mused. “I have a little time right now, I’d really appreciate the help.”

“i appreciate the worry and…honestly, it’s warranted. but i think i’m okay. things are manageable for now at least.”

“alright, well... as long as they stay manageable, i guess that’s all any of us can ask for...” she murmured

He relaxed a little as well. “Oh–good, I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea,” he said, relieved. “I usually just go to the same place all the time - a change of scenery would be good. Did you want to go tonight? My schedule’s open whenever.”

she smiled brightly, nodding her head. “i would like that a lot-- i’m free tonight too. not much going on for juliette lately,” she answered with a laugh. “though, i’ve seen you get busier lately...”

“you know, it’s honestly not as bad as people think,” eunsung admitted. “i hate getting special treatment, but because creed is such a hot thing right now, we don’t have to be there on music shows for the super early call times. and the variety shows we do are pretty exclusive too. that definitely helps.”

“i’m sure it helps, but that doesn’t make it ethical. you’re still being worked to death,” pansy chided, worry clear in her eyes. “you’re talented. i don’t want to see you spiral.”

“Tonight? Ah, I didn’t really have anything important tonight,” Yeong said, then quickly realizing that answer might come off as dismissive and correcting himself. “I mean! Not that it wouldn’t be important to go with you… but, I am. Free tonight, I mean. I’d like to go.”

a relieved smile spread across her face as she relaxed in her posture, looking up at him. “oh-- i’m glad! um, don’t worry-- i didn’t take it like that,” she assured him, flushed. “one of my old friends from my trainee days opened up a new bar and i thought it’d be fun to check out. unless you’d like to go somewhere else.....?”

“are you high? polaris has like seven wins,” liyang scoffed, rolling her eyes. “and terra just got their first win this year. same company. same vibes. only difference is idol project. it’s stupid.”

“they do with their comeback. they didn’t with their debut. and their comeback came after the debuts of the chinese unit, which really boosted the group. and even then, polaris has nowhere near the same pull as unity. i don’t think it’s comparable. not to mention that for terra’s first year, their company didn’t have much of a legacy, but now, there’s a lot of really big groups doing really big things, so any potential debut has more eyes.”