pink champange

❝ We're gonna paint the city! Show off all our pretty! ❞

[acexjag]

“I don’t know. I wouldn’t want you to sit on the floor and the desk isn’t that stable of comfortable.” He shrugged putting his phone down. Jag scooted in the chair making a little room. “Look you’ll fit.” He patted the space next to him.

[aceminah-blog]

“But...wouldn’t that be...inappropriate?” Minah responded meekly. In that moment she thought of her mother and how she would react had she seen her daughter do such a thing. Now that he’d offered her a space on the chair, she walked a bit more willingly towards the male now. “So, sunbaenim, what are you doing here at such an hour?”

[acexjag]

With the end of their Voodoo Doll comeback Jag began working on some more music. After a few hours on the drums and keyboard and nothing good coming out, he went back to the desk to rest his hands. Opening the drawer he lathered some lotion on his hands hoping that would alleviate the dryness and pain. Jag had his phone in one hand leaning on the table while the other was running it through his fringe. Unconsciously he scrolled in time with his hair hand. The small creak of the door made him look up. “You can sit if you’d like. I’m in no rush to leave so my lap, the desk or the floor are your options.” His tone was so gentle, some may have missed his slightly rude remark.

[aceminah-blog]

Upon arrival, Minah couldn’t deny that she was startled by the sudden voice. However, she’d chosen to ignore the feeling of shock, not fully recognizing the other’s presence until she’d truly processed his words. “Why would I ever even consider to sit on your lap?”

[aceminah-blog]

[iseulace]

Iseul gladly peeked at the sheet music…and completely froze in place; although he kept the smile, which probably looked a little creepy. He couldn’t help it; he didn’t understand a thing of what was going on in that piece of paper. “Wow,” he said. He returned the sheet music to her. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”

Her question made him snap back into reality. “Nothing. Just trying to remember the owner,” he answered as he nodded towards the warm coffee. “It’ll probably go cold by the time I remember the right name.”

[aceminah-blog]

“Not as much as my members...” She mumbled softly to herself, accompanied by a soft chuckle. Nevertheless, she looked back up at the other with a smile. “Oh, yes, coffee. That’s right. Did you need help with that? I feel bad for keeping you.”

[iseulace]

“Ahh.” The name didn’t ring a bell, so the coffee couldn’t be for her. “It’s alright. It’s probably for one of the managers, anyway.” He showed her the cup, so it would be clear what he was talking about. Iseul walked towards the piano, and left the coffee on top of it. “Were you rehearsing for something?”

[aceminah-blog]

Based solely on the reaction of the other, Minah could tell that she was not the person he was looking for. “Mmm.” She responded quietly with a nod. With a warm smile, the girl gestured for the other to come towards her, offering to show him the sheet music she was looking at. “There’s a company concert coming up soon, so I must prepare.” Minah found her eyes scanning the other’s belongings and couldn’t help but question it outloud. “What are you up to?”

[ace-yeona-deactivated20161210]

Yeona rolled her eyes but still reached out and linked her pinky to Minah’s. “As if my pride will let me back out. Remember my favorite is vanilla with almond and caramel swirl,” she said teasingly. “On the count of three, one…two, three!” Yeona puffed up her cheeks and blew with all her might, trying to dislodge the sticky pad.

[aceminah-blog]

“Have fun buying the flavor for yourself!” Minah continued to tease, shooting a playful finger gun at her leader. As soon as the other began to count down, the younger mentally prepared herself for the challenge, her smile growing wider with each passing second. Upon reaching the end of the countdown, Minah let out an excited squeal, laughing before beginning to blow the post-it off. “Unnie!” She spoke in between breaths. “You look so silly right now; I wish I had a camera!”

[acexdaeun]

Daeun nibbled the bottom of her lips slightly as she watched the other girl kind of hide herself, rolling up in a little ball as she laid her head on her knees. Daeun sat by Minah, legs criss-crossed, her own hands entwined together. 

“I’m quite tired of I’m being perfectly honest,” Daeun gave a light chuckle, trying to lighten up the tone between the two of them. “You’re gonna be okay, more than okay,” she mumbled, rubbing Minah’s back slightly with a reassuring smile. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it, but if you do, I’m open ears,” Daeun encouraged.

[aceminah-blog]

Minah was hesitant as she looked over at the other, but eventually gave in, taking a deep breath before mustering up the ability to speak. “Well...it’s just my mother...” She started up quietly. Minah didn’t ever speak to anyone in regards to why she’d even joined the company in the first place. She’d always felt somewhat ashamed despite the efforts she put in to debut. 

Clearing her throat, the girl decided to continue. “She’s always been pretty hard on me, but lately, it’s just been getting to me a lot more than usual, so I don’t know what to do.”

[iseulace]

Iseul shook his head. His eyes went to the coffee in his hand. “Well, yes. Do you…? I’m supposed to give this to…? Could you tell me your name?”

[aceminah-blog]

Minah giggled at the other’s flustered words. It had taken much concentration in order for the girl to understand the unfamiliar face, but she’d managed. “Choi Minah of Royals.” She replied. “Did you need help looking for someone?”

[aceshiloh-blog]

shiloh wasn’t too sure he could catch the other, she seemed fast. and shiloh himself was not an extremely fast runner, he had stamina but ran at a moderate pace. “that statement might be true… i’m just going to have to hope you get caught up in something and slow down.” he laughed, shaking his head.

[aceminah-blog]

Minah continued to run, distancing herself enough to refrain from being caught, but also be able to hear what the other was saying. She laughed as she did so, retorting up a response. “Caught up in wha–!” Then it happened; so quickly, Minah wasn’t even sure what had happened. Suddenly, she was on the floor, looking up towards the other catching up to her, with innocent eyes. “Oh no...” She whispered, realizing that she now may be caught.

[ace-yeona-deactivated20161210]

“I already am, since we’re already doing that why don’t we make a bet.” She scrunched up her nose when Minah places the post-it on her face. “Loser has to show their most cutesy cringe-worthy dance for tomorrow’s fan meet.” slowly a teasing grin appeared on Yeona’s face, “Oh and we have to do it in ten seconds, btw, I’m gonna win.”

[aceminah-blog]

“Really? That’s it?” The girl giggled at the challenge presented to her. “Piece of cake. You’re on, unnie!” Minah laughed, offering her pinky out to the other to link onto. “I need a pinky promise in order to guarantee that you’ll be dancing at the fan meet tomorrow, because I’m definitely going to win.”

[iseulace]

Iseul ran inside, carrying the coffee with two hands–one over the lid, so it wouldn’t spill. He was trying to remember who he was supposed to give it to. Being the new guy meant he still had many names and faces to learn. He heard a noise in one of the numerous rooms in the company. Iseul peeked his head, and realized he had interrupted something important. “I’m sorry!” He said with a bow before attempting to run away.

[aceminah-blog]

Minah had been sitting in the first practice room she could find, studying her newly received sheet music for hours. Playing with a few notes on the piano, the girl had at least gotten a hang of the chorus before she’d heard an apology burst into the emptiness of the room, breaking her train of thought. Looking up, she saw that she didn’t recognize the face whatsoever. “Oh, no, you’re fine. Hello. Did you need something?”

[ace-yeona-deactivated20161210]

When Minah finished the song, she internally squirmed and hid her face behind both her hands. Yeona has a love for all things cute - cute clothes, cute plush toys, cute babies and cute people. She realized that she just broke one of her rules, which was never to touch her face. Oh well, she’s going to let Minah stick post-its on her face anyways. “Sometimes I just want to pull your cheeks apart. I just place some moisturizer so it might not stick.”

[aceminah-blog]

“Yay!” Minah exclaimed excitedly, clapping her hands together with glee. At the other’s comment, the girl simply shrugged. “That’s okay, at least you’re playing.” She smiled, searching around for a post-it to place on her leader’s face. "Besides, that means I have a higher chance to win." Minah grinned, now placing a singular post-it on the older females face. "I'll treat you to some ice cream after I win, unnie. Don't worry. You won't regret this!"

[acexren-blog]

Ren cocked his head in question, catching a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror. “Do I look that young?” He muttered more to himself, recognizing it came out in Japanese, but not really feeling the need to correct himself. It wasn’t a matter of consequence if she understood or not. He was more than aware by the acting rolls which had followed him throughout his career that his face made him appear far younger than he really was. But even with his current looks he had to look a bit too old to be a trainee did he? Realizing he’d been sanding there too long without speaking he flashed one of his more natural acting smiles.

“Not exactly,” he offered, examining the girl before him. Royals was a group his was familiar with, when he decided to join ACE he’d made a point of becoming familiar with the work of his co-workers, unlike K4RMA, however; he didn’t know the group members by face and name. “I’m an actor for Japan,” he explained. “I transferred companies so I could work in Korea more easily.” That was more than enough of an explanation wasn’t it?

She was quite pretty, he decided. Judging by her appearance she had been putting the day to good use as well, a fact made more obvious by the location. Hesitantly moving more fully into the room, he picked a place free of mirrors to lean back against the wall, sensing that it would be rude to leave now, and not wanting to risk offended one of his new company mates on the first date. His awkwardness and propensity for avoiding strangers was sure to do that soon enough without poor manners giving a helping hand. “Do I seem like I belong in a boy group?” His question was accompanied by a light smile. “I think it’d be dangerous…I can’t dance at all.”

[aceminah-blog]

Minah watched and listened as the unfamiliar face muttered out a few words foreign to her ears. In slight confusion, the girl tilted her head to the side as she waited for the man’s next move. Evidently, he smiled, so she knew that he’d at least heard her. She had no idea what could be running through his mind, but Minah never shyed out to greet any faces that looked new to her. Based off of her own experience, she figured that any kind of greetings were appreciated. 

Upon hearing his answer, Minah gasped timidly, followed by her hand shooting up towards her mouth to hide a giggle. “Oh, my apologies.” In an attempt to contribute to her apology, the girl bowed at exactly 90 degrees. “I’ve heard word about your arrival. I am Minah. I’m in the group, Royals. Welcome to the company.” She smiled sweetly to the other.

“Well, anyone could be a part of a group. I just assumed you may have been one of them.” She explained to the other with a shrug, making her way towards him. “But acting is super cool too. I want to be in a drama one day when I’m as experienced as my seniors.” Minah giggled again, but stopped once she’d come to a sudden realization. “I’m sorry, what was your name?”

[acexdaeun]

Seeing how the young girl didn’t carry her usual bright smile only worried Daeun more. As she sat by Minah, she crossed her legs together, watching how the younger slid her phone behind her. Biting the inner cheeks with her teeth, she sighed before clearing her throat a little. 

“Ah, yeah. It’s a bit late..” Daeun said, before glancing up at one of the clocks that hang on the wall. “Actually, not a bit really,” she chuckled, shrugging slightly. “You ‘okay?” she tilted her head, eyes closely watching Minah. Though she wasn’t harsh or anything remotely close to that. Her voice was reassuring, soft and quiet. Almost worried that the younger girl would leave if Daeun spoke in a louder voice.

[aceminah-blog]

Minah couldn’t bring herself to look the other in the eye. Of course she’d wanted to speak to her senior regarding her problems. But parting her lips just slightly proved to be too much of a challenge. Thinking about her mother and the stress she was undergoing caused the younger girl to cower, resting her head on her knees before her.

“I think I’m okay...” She managed to mutter out. Her voice, a bit muddy from where she spoke, just audible enough. “Are you?”

[dahyun]

✦ ✦ ✦

[acexren-blog]

Ren regarded the company building with an air of apparent disinterest. Internally he was nervous, his mind constantly repeating the phrase ‘hello, my name is Ren. It’s nice to meet you.’ The simple, beginners level Korean getting jumbled and distorted thanks to his nerves until it was a special, unintelligible half Japanese, half Korean hybrid phrase that he was positive would make sense to no one. He sighed under his breath, opening the doors and peeking his head inside, continuing further in when he was sure the coast was clear.

He greeted the staff he came across with a court bow and brief smile, still formal but not overly involved as he made his way further inside. He wasn’t scheduled for a new drama under his new company for a while yet, and today’s visit was simply to engage in a little training for variety programs and interviews. A lot of the culture was same in Japan, but there were some very crucial differences in culture that he needed to be aware of, hence his return to training, even if for just a short time.

Peeking into what had appeared to be an empty practice room at first glance he was nearly fully turned to leave when he spotted the single occupant, his blank expression freezing in place. “Ah…” It wasn’t polite to stare. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you there,” he apologized happy only after that he’d manage to express himself in the proper tongue, despite his nerves. “I’m Hideki Ren,” he added awkwardly nearly cringing at his tone. “It’s nice to meet you.” He bowed politely before lifting his gaze once more to inspect the stranger he’d come across.

[aceminah-blog]

Today, Minah had decided to work on vocals after an intense week dedicated to choreography. For the first few hours, she’d been practicing with one of the company’s vocal coaches. She hadn’t touched any songs for a while, focusing on building her range through warm up scales. However, she didn’t feel very much progression within the session. The coach had told Minah that she sounded better, but it was hardly very convincing to the young idol.

Following those hours, the girl bid farewell to the coach, choosing to use some time to practice songs on her own. It was a mix between her group’s songs, as well as songs sung by other artists, including her label mates. Minah sang for fun, but mostly practiced for variety shows she was scheduled to appear on throughout the month. In addition to this, she usually used songs to practice stage presence and facial expressions in the practice room’s mirrors to bring a more enjoyable performance to the stage.

After a while, she began to feel tired. In order to rest her throat, Minah sat down on the piano bench, taking a few sips of water.  As she did so, the girl could swear that she’d felt a pair of eyes on her. Slowly, she turned her head in the direction which she’d felt it. Once the person had introduced himself, Minah put the water bottle down, standing up to give the stranger named Ren a ninety degree bow.  “I’m Choi Minah, main rapper and vocalist of Royals. Are you a trainee?”

[acexdaeun]

Like always, Daeun was always practicing till practically dawn, not surprising for the few staff workers that were still around the company at this time. However, tonight, she found that it was best to get some rest, unexpectedly. She’d been in the practice room for more than eight hours, without a single break. The girl thought that she owed herself some sleep, or even a bite to eat, before she passed out. She learned that she had to restrict herself, after a talk with another idol that was quite similar to her. 

Rotating her head around, cracking a few bones, Daeun yawned as she was making her way out when she saw a crack of light through the dark hallways. Walking towards the room, the girl heard a few light breaths, before glancing inside to see Minah sitting on the floor. “Hey, ‘you okay?” she asked softly, sliding in besides the younger one in a haste.

[aceminah-blog]

Hearing a somewhat familiar voice, Minah turned in it’s direction, hesitantly. She wanted to give a smile to the barely lit face in the hallway, but could not bring herself to do so. Instead, she simply nodded, hiding her phone behind her back. Knowing the repercussions of her own actions, Minah knew that a few texts from her mother would follow, so she’d turned the phone’s do not disturb option on just moments prior. 

“Did you just finish up in the practice rooms?” The girl had somehow managed out the words quietly. She was certain that she already knew the answer to her own question, but Minah felt the need for some small talk. In doing so, she managed to earn nicer company than her mother, even if it were only for a few minutes.