Wavy.

The track hits ya eardrum like a slug through your chest. I got a story, how about you? Too bold to tell it right or too scared to pay homage to your youth? I.O of CINNAMON. Lead Rapper.

[glriolani-blog]

So…who all is staying? 

[glriolani-blog]

Also, are any admins around? I have a couple of questions :D @glorykrp

[glriolani-blog]

So...who all is staying? 

[glriolani-blog]

who are you

This was a risky endeavor and if Iolani had any real sense, she’d turn around and go back to one of the practice rooms and just abandon trying to finish up another unofficial track she wanted to drop before Cinnamon’s comeback really swung into gear. 

But Iolani didn’t have any sense and she was being bold. At least that’s what she told herself to justify walking to the practice room she knew Atlas was in and hanging around until she saw Daehyun. But none of that made this any less nerve racking.

She paced outside the studio room Atlas was using to do dance rehearsals several times. She needed to amp herself up. Being a fan of Atlas had the added pressure of doing this right and hoping he would accept. After all, Daehyun had a great voice and if his personality matched, they could probably have an easy go of recording this track without much issue.

“This is so...” Iolani trailed off before groaning loudly and letting her forehead thud loudly into the wall just beside the door to the dance studio.

@glrdaehyun

[glriolani-blog]

I’ll be back on in a little bit to get to my Woobin replies. I have to get food and pick up some supplies for this stupid project. 

It’s feels so good to be back on this dash let me tell you

[glryeohyun-blog]

Partners in Dance

[glriolani-blog]

Yeohyun

“Feel free to stop and ask to repeat something, or point out a mistake,” she reminded her teammate before resuming with counting.

Breathe in, breathe out. It was the only thought she had as she followed the memorized parts of the choreography, counting aloud to make sure she was hitting her marks at the end of each measure. Iolani couldn’t be absolutely sure how loud she was counting, but she knew she was still on beat and judging by her reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror, she was in sync with Yeohyun unnie.

Learning choreography was always the fun part of the comeback prep. Sure, she stressed over the little details and yes, she even lost sleep, but she loved this. It reminded her of all the practicing she did way back when she was little. All the ballet classes spent trying to perfect Figure 1 or tightening up her pirouettes. It was way too much fun for such a small girl. After it lost some of it’s luster, she didn’t rediscover her passion until she became a trainee and had to go through dance classes again.

When they reached the end of the first section of choreography, Iolani straightened up. “That move just before the chorus, is that syncopated? I feel like I’m too choppy on that part.”

[fmchaegyeong-deactivated2017112]

A Spicy Night Out

[fmchaegyeong-deactivated2017112]

“You have to just get it all down in one go.” Chaegyeong smiled sympathetically at Yeohyun. She felt kind of bad, watching them grimace at the taste while she just watched, so Chae cracked open a can and demonstrated herself, the sickly sweet liquid disappearing quickly.

She ran her tongue along the underside of her mouth as the aftertaste hit her, scrunching her nose. “It never gets better… but yes, don’t stray too far. We should stick together as a group.”

10 minutes was shorter than expected, and on the car ride there Chae tried to remember what she heard about the club.

—

“Chaegyeong-ah, a few of us are going to White Nights, want to come?”

‘Ah,,, no it’s okay! I’ve got vocal lessons tomorrow, can’t risk it.”

“You sure? Well if you ever want to go… my cousin knows the owner, so just say Taewoo invited you okay? ”

“Really? …I’m not sure-“

“It’s fine, I’ll give him a heads up. Let loose once in a while! The club’s nicer than the others in the area, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

—

Chae never did go out, but she was surprised that it was actually coming in handy. As the eldest (and the tamest) she wasn’t that used to clubs, but she was been dragged out everywhere by her wilder friends… so she knew a few things. As Heeyoung dropped the responsibility onto her she took it in stride, stepping out the car door with a small smile, stage persona already slipping on.

She was the leader right? Time to act it.

If she looked at the line, at all the other people patiently waiting their turn, Chaegyeong knew the guilt would hit her - so instead she stared straight at the bouncers at the front, stride purposeful, back straight. Her entire career was soft sweet smiles and confidence, elegant dresses and a head held high, so she looked up at the taller men under her lashes, money already hidden in the palm of her hand. 

“Chaegyeong- we’re with Taewoo.” For a moment, she felt a flash of terrifying uncertainty as they scanned the list, but the bouncers eventually nodded and opened the doors for them, and Chae smiled, ignoring the sickly mix of hangover cure and guilt in her mouth. 

Success.

[glriolani-blog]

Iolani’s eyebrows immediately shot somewhere behind her bangs when she heard the careful and cautious Cinnamon leader give out a name she wasn’t sure she knew. Mouthing the name to herself, she looked at the large bouncer to watch him scan the list. 

The lanky rapper was even more surprised when the man opened the doors and let them through. Despite the line that wrapped along the building’s exterior and the exclusivity of the club, they were let in. Because of a Taewoo.

“I’ll have to thank your boyfriend for the premiere service,” Iolani teased Chaegyeong, her eyes glancing around the sleek interior. Exclusive and trendy indeed.

She wasn’t used to clubs. If she was being honest, bars were more her scene, or the dingy clubs that served as the perfect battleground for underground rappers. She felt at home in those dark, unknown corners of Seoul. But that didn’t mean Iolani wasn’t going to make herself at home with the trendy spot for the night.

“Do we sit in a booth, grab one of those pretend tables you stand at or do we just...lurk at the bar?” she asked, wanting to know if anyone had a preference. Iolani didn’t really care where they ended up as long as she got a few celebratory shots into her system and could hit the dance floor unimpeded at some point tonight.

Before she could continue her question, a tray with a sparkler passed by. Adjusting to the dim lighting, she noticed the sparkler was sticking out of the cork of a magnum bottle of champagne. While Iolani was definitely not expecting their turn up to be anything close to that, she was still surprised. 

“Whatever we do, I call dibs on choosing our first group shot.”

[glriolani-blog]

brunch

[glriolani-blog]

Ryung

Something sinister suddenly rose up his throat like bile and Ryung looked away,  the mask covering his sudden grimace. He needed to be more careful as the pressure for Hex’s comeback increased. This wasn’t the proper time to get tied up and lost in the shadow that followed him. 

Grabbing her own hat and mask, Iolani followed Ryung out the back door and into the back alley. She wryly smiled when he joked about booking an appointment to see her. It was a bit ironic considering he was a part of a boy group that was at the height of popularity, a level she wasn’t sure she could ever be at. Shouldn’t he be the one having to schedule time for her to bother him? “What can I say? I’m in high demand these days,” she joked.

So it wasn’t just her, she thought as she glanced beside her. As the wound into another back alley, she immediately felt her stomach give a sickening twist. They were all feeling the pressure for this comeback. “Are you saying we’re on edge?” Iolani asked, raising an eyebrow. “You have to remember, it’s been forever and a day since all nine of us have done anything together. I guess we all feel like we have something to prove.” That wasn’t completely honest, but she didn’t feel like saying out in the open air was a good idea--at least right now. She’d tell him over brunch when the noise of a restaurant could disguise her words.

The part she wasn’t sure she could promise on was taking rests. Iolani was stubborn about her work ethic. While unhealthy, it was the only way she knew how to do things. But as she took a quick glance at her friend, she sighed. She could at least try couldn’t she? Keeping quiet, she moved on to the question at hand: what did she want to eat?

Thinking it over, Iolani knew this brunch had to be special. If she was going to have a cheat day, she was going to have a massive cheat day. And if she was getting quality time with Ryung, she wanted this to be something special. “Depends,” she said, her voice holding a mischievous edge. Suddenly she got shy as she pitched an idea. “I have two different ideas, you can make the decision which place we go. There’s a pancake house a few streets over. And then there’s a cereal bar about a mile outside of Gangnam. Which do you prefer?”

[glriolani-blog]

I owe so many replies on both i.o and Woobin. I’ll be on tomorrow to do all of that. Since my Calc test was Friday of last week and I have a research checkpoint assignment due today I haven’t had much time to be on, but trust: I will be on tomorrow :D

[fmdjace]

dance dance;

[fmdjace]

“ah, i don’t remember the last time i went to a concert or festival.“ he said, and hyo-jin did really think about it. he mainly went to support his label mates under nebula in general when they had concerts. he enjoyed them a lot as well. 

“well, yes put that way.“ he stopped there, not sure at all if it was okay to argue about that. for himself at least, he just liked being on stage, even if there were three people there, he;d enjoy it just as much as a full stadium. but that was just him, he wasn’t aware how others thought about it.

then he thought she winked at him, but maybe hyo-jin was just too tired and his mind was playing tricks on him. yeah definitely playing tricks on him. “oh really?” he asked, genuinely surprised at that fact, head tipping to he side and wide eyes blinking at iolani. “no, i haven’t seen anything. i’ve been round schedules, didn’t have time.” he explained before sliding closer to her, head tipping at such an angle in order to see her phone screen. “show me. i’m curious to see.

[glriolani-blog]

Happy to show Hyojin the fan cams, Iolani stretched her legs out. It was taking a lot of will power not to glance over at the Hex maknae but she was proud she kept her attention firmly placed on her phone as she tapped the first video in her bookmarked list and leaned closer so the phone was easily seen by him.

“You’re movements are a lot sharper and cleaner,” she complimented, as they watched a video from the concert. As she scrolled up to the next video, she took her hair out of the messy bun, letting the red locks fall down her back and over her shoulders. Her hair was a mess right now, but she needed to redo the ponytail.

Handing the phone over to Hyojin, Iolani combed her fingers through her hair as she continued to compliment him. “It’s either this or the next video, but you’re going bigger with the choreography too, which makes it look better too,” she said, trying to straighten out her bangs. “You looked good up there.”

[glryeohyun-blog]

Partners in Dance

[glriolani-blog]

Yeohyun

“Should we try taking it from the top with counting? Then we can pause when you think you don’t have a step down perfectly,” Yeohyun turned to look at Iolani, pushing away the little fly away hairs that got in her face while they were dancing.

The slowed down choreography was much appreciated. Iolani’s eyes followed every movement, her arms mimicking Yeohyun’s placement as she tried to commit it to memory. This must’ve been about the time Iolani’s stomach began to growl and she lost her concentration earlier. It could be the only reason the choreography wasn’t clear in her head like the earlier section.

But the advice Yeohyun offered advice that immediately registered with the redhead. Her rigidity must’ve showed and for a moment she felt bad that Yeohyun unnie noticed but she was happy she was offering her advice on fixing it. After all, they did agree to be honest and offer input where they could right?

Taking the advice, she nodded her head at the question about counting. “Yes, let’s take it from the top then,” Iolani said with a firm nod and smile. Resetting in her starting position, she quickly undid her ponytail only to redo it, tightening the the hair tie enough to keep it secure. “Ready?”

[glriolani-blog]

sunbaenim

@glrsooil

Nerves were a somewhat annoying thing to deal with. If Iolani had it her way, she’d do away with them. But nerves kept her alert, mostly aware of her surroundings. By all accounts, she probably shouldn’t have been so nervous. Sooil wasn’t a scary guy and if the rumors had some basis in reality, he was actually really nice and helpful.

Iolani made sure to dress appropriately. Black jeans, no holes, a plain gray t-shirt, black boots--that was appropriate for approaching the Halcyon vocalist right? Her red hair was down, something she didn’t normally do unless she was directed to for promotions. Standing outside the door to the studio’s commissary, she combed her fingers through her bangs before patting down any possibles stray hairs elsewhere.

Turning, she leaned against the wall and waited. He would appear soon enough and then she could ask him. It was nerve-racking as the question bounced around in her head. He could easily say no and shoot her down. But he’s nice, she reminded herself.

“Sunbaenim, please say yes,” she mumbled to herself aloud.

[glriolani-blog]

Heeyoung

“ionie, why are you so thin? what’s your se-secret?” she draws closer, nose pressed against each iolani’s. heeyoung stares into her friend’s soul. “what have you been keeping from me, you traitor?”

Image was everything to most people in this industry. Staying small and thin was the goal, but not for Iolani. And that was rich coming from a girl who’d been gangly her entire life. She’d always been considered medically underweight and no matter how hard she tried to build muscle or gain weight, she kept her weight.

Quickly downing the glass of water after reaching over the table, she looked over at Heeyoung curiously before shrugging. “I ate a lot of ramen growing up,” she said, even thought she knew that wasn’t in the least bit helpful. “You act like you’re overweight or something--you’re beautiful and I think you are the perfect size. You’ve actually got a waist line and hips--don’t get me started because I’m actually jealous.”

Grinning about the traitor label, she nudged Heeyoung and went back to her seat. Digging into her japchae again, she took a moment to chew. In that moment she also poured her fellow member another cup full of water and sat it back down in front of her. “If I finish before you Heeyoung,” she warned playfully, motioning with her chopsticks at the food.

[glryeohyun-blog]

Partners in Dance

[glriolani-blog]

Yeohyun

Taking a deep breath she put more power in executing her moves, to do justice to the sharp moves. This was one of the times she was glad for her breakdancing. Her light training on the side with hip hop also helped her add sharpness to her moves, her body stretching and retracting as per the music.

A quarter-turn later, Iolani was beginning to notice how fuzzy the dance steps were in her mind. And she was doing so well leading up to now. Her moves were a bit rigid at the moment, the result of years of ballet. These moves would get smoother and more polished the more familiar she became with the choreography. 

Looking in the mirror, brown eyes followed Yeohyun unnie. She looked really good so far. A twinge of inspiration ebbed in her, somewhere deep, but she quickly redirected her focus on what she could remember from earlier. 

That’s when her mind went blank. A curse word bounded from the smaller dancer as she slowed to halt, feet planted in her spot two bars earlier. Looking at her reflection, she silently told herself to get it together. While Iolani was willing to stay as long as this took, she hoped she could get herself in a good spot for tomorrow’s choreography before it was too late into the night. She would like to try and get more than three hours of sleep tonight. There would be plenty of sleepless nights later on.

“Sorry unnie,” she apologized, eyes traveling the room to look at her. “I got lost in that last section. It’s a four-count right?”

[lisatie]

absolutely stunning

[glriolani-blog]

brunch

[glriolani-blog]

Ryung

Seeing her reaction he sighed, “Listen Lani, you can’t get anything done if you’re running on a rehearsed, repetitive schedule that’s only taking from you. To actually input some of that training you need to output some of the rules,” he stated. This was something Ryu truly followed, and it had been working for him fine. He wasn’t supposed to drink as their comeback got closer, but he did, three times. Surprisingly enough he’d made up for all of it with the concentrated training he’d recently been doing. 

Iolani knew he was right. She couldn’t be the best version of herself if she was too stressed and connecting to a rigid schedule. But the Pocheon native didn’t comprehend the idea of cheat days and not overworking herself. It was just the way she was hardwired. All of this was far easier said than done most of the time.

“Input the training, I have to output some of the rules, what does that mean?” she asked, somewhat rhetorical. Iolani knew what Ryung meant. She needed to relax in order for her to master what she needed. And eventually she would relax and the normal Iolani would return. She just had to get through the comeback first.

Shuffling the items around inside her backpack, the redhead shoved a few items in her arms into it before shoving the shoe in as well. Her eyes drifted back to Ryu and smiled. Whether she would admit it or not, Iolani was grateful she bumped into him. It seemed like ages since she last saw him and she was wondering if they’d ever get a quiet moment to hang out. “Fine, I’ll eat whatever off of the menu, but I’m only giving you an hour and a half. Then I have to be back at the studio, okay?” she asked, quirking a brow as she waited for his response.

[lisatie]

lovely

[glriolani-blog]

Heeyoung

she sniffles, sitting upright again. she brings her hands to her face and squishes her cheeks together. “aren’t i pretty, ionie? aren’t i cute? why does the world hate me-e-e-e-e?”

another wail escapes her. she tilts until she almost falls off her chair.

People are staring, but Iolani was hardly concerned for them as much as she was for the state of her friend. Heeyoung never had a good tolerance for alcohol and it was risky enough suggesting getting a bottle of soju in the first place. 

Who’s idea was it again?

Jumping up to take a seat next to her friend, Iolani petted her hair and forced her friend’s head onto her shoulder. “Shh, you are beauitful Heeyoung even with your vagina-looking lips--you might want to stop that,” she joked, swatting at Heeyoung’s hands. “If someone snaps a photo they might have to blur it.”

Cinnamon’s rapper wasted no more time with the soju bottle. Snagging it to be sure it was out of Heeyoung’s reach, Iolani abandoned all social norms and downed the remainder of liquor in one go. Smacking her lips together, eyes squeezed shut, she made the sound of a woman who’s soul was seared from her body.

“Oh that was a mistake,” she said, setting the bottle down. “Now eat your rice. You won’t continue to be pretty if you don’t eat your rice.”