Chapter 626: Misplaced emotions (1/2)
Best said to be a blink of the eye, the days turned into weeks. August departed and made way for the second week of September. Wednesday the 8th to be precise. After saving Aceline's soul, the matter was placed on the back burner. Settling into a grand place such as the peak of Eldow's high required finesse and attention. Rumors of a prince residing in the vampiric lair jestfully knocked onto the neighbors' windows.
He spoke a big game, confidence was overwhelming. The incident at Konlda left much to be desired. Odgar's agency was placed to aid the investigation, the leader stood bemused to the events. The corrupted police were never much to take notice of such complaints. Instead, they'd often blame instances and ignore the situations – if money was involved, they'd sure to act childish and without authority. Being asked such a favor meant one thing, desperation. They invited the man who started the battle and begged for the murder's resolve. The Jonia Familia, a branch family of Yonak voiced their anger vehemently. To stop any sliver of bloodbath, the representatives met in Stanley's homage to pay respect. There, the misunderstandings were cleared, a single plausible motive spawned off the discussion, '-someone's out to disrupt the peace.'
Time is august, before the arrival of a special package, Igna watched and worked. Éclair provided much support, especially in the promotional department. The task was fixed, a band needed to be formed.
'Rough patches of land, daring outfits, and countless flashes.' A beacon of heat glared onto the dried synthetic grass.
”Give me more of your feminine sensuality,” cried a flustered photographer. The crew remained close; visage reminiscent of disgust, as in moments from hurling. The female models varied in size, appearance, and specialty.
'More sensuality,' thought Igna, '-fine, how about this!' he sarcastically struck a pose, the few workers watched in awe.
”YES, EXCELLENT, THAT'S THE WAY!” begged the photographer, ”-Lon's magazine is going to have a field day with this,” he cheered.
'Lon's magazine,' sweat coated the forehead in a mystical shine, '-I'm tired,' tedious as it was, the complaint was never in mind.
”You're done, good job,” said the bespectacled photographer named Larry.
”You too,” replied Igna. '-The bench,' he eased off the elevated floor to a dimmer and cooler area. The set had been built to stand at least half a meter above the floor. In retrospect, one could think it to be a launching platform. Rockets to the stars versus people dubbed future stars shooting to the top, quite a poetic way of thought. The sweat washed away with few splashes. Automatic taps and clean mirrors were a must, the floor had an immaculate shine, not that it mattered.
”Larry's quite the fanatic,” commented a man putting away his aviator sunglasses.
”I'd say passionate,” refuted Igna freshening the visage.
”And I'll say you're well-mannered,” he smirked, ”-rookies are often cocky and never get the job done. I'm impressed by the diligence showed,” they crossed paths, a shadow dropped onto Igna's person, ”-be careful, the climb to stardom is thorny and perhaps, deadly.” Thus ended the audition, the shoot was but a way to clear the path for the chosen. '-did he threaten me?' black curtains parted to the studio; the waiting bench sat emptily. '-Better wait and see,' he sat and waited. The shoot for the female began, '-male models aren't so common,' he scanned to no avail. There had only been four or so before him. The brightly lit synthetic ground swapped for a beachesque flavor. The diligent novices clambered on to their destiny. Flash after flash, the noon fell into the evening. The studio's heat dulled to blizzard. Air condition smugly spoke in their weird hums. Larry brought the models to a neutral area; lesser cramped as workers unloaded props.
”I'd like to thank you all for coming here,” he courteously nodded, ”-as you know, breaking into the world of modeling is hard. The popularity of glitz and glamour has flooded the market with talented and good-looking individuals. I mean no disrespect, the industry is hard,” they knew what he implied, ”-we'll start with the girls.” He bobbed left and right, ”-Runo from Leina and Ariela from Aneisa's, please come forward.”
Between the crowd of ladies, two sublimely radiant figures said, '-yes.'
'We're done,' flapped a few mutterers.
'Potential idols from those agencies are bound to win,' complained another, '-us with dreams aren't a match to their looks and talents.'
'Giving up before the results,' paused Igna, '-what's with them?' a stained look detailed much of the chosen's stories.
”For the men,” the voice sharpened, ”-Romeo from Leina.”
”Romeo?” the whispers giddied, ”-it's really him, oh my god, I don't care if I lost.”
In from the back approached a pretentious walk. ”-Good evening Larry,” handshakes exchanged, ”-Runa, Ariela,” he winked, ”-good to see you girls made it.”
”Y-yeah,” returned a reluctant Runo.
”We're done for,” said male models, ”-he's here, the star with no qualm to the future of novices. He's already appeared in shows and is in the making of a movie, what's the point of fighting weaklings?”
”I know, he's one of Odgawoan's top guy. I heard he's a member of the familia.”
'Makes sense,' thought Igna, '-the prestige behind them almost voids the need for ability. Name alone pushes the careers. I wondered why Amsey remained so adamant about me joining an agency first. They're not going to help recruits unless there's enough support.'
*Clap, clap,* bickering halted, ”-we have chosen our three main models. Time to pack up people, we'll see you another time,” disappointment weighed heavy in the exchanges. The air felt tense. Éclair sent plans via the phone of which he sighed.
”Excuse me,” interjected Romeo, ”-Larry, have you forgotten someone?”
”No, why?” returned the shorter man.
”What about the brown-haired boy,” he pointed, ”-that's the Alchemist, a disgraced chef awarded the black-collar. I know because I followed the journey from when the video went viral. He vanished after conceding to the current star of Spring Publishing's weekly digest, Kyle Darker, the virtuoso of ingredients. I searched long and hard to no avail, the social media accounts were inactive until a video of Kinless playing Xius's song surfaced. Is this where you have been, Igna Haggard?”
”Do pardon me,” he wrapped his scarf, ”-I'm honored to be recognized by such a reputable idol, truly, I can't be any prouder. And yes, my actions were heavily criticized, I quit cooking to start a new life. I realized my entourage wished my downfall, and nothing else. The reason I cooked washed away as is an unfinished plate, he had so much to accomplish and yet, left so early. Life isn't fair, and neither is the world.”
”Wait,” cried Larry, ”-are you really him, Medusa's prodigy?”
”Was,” the words escaped, ”-I don't mind auditioning again. There's no need for special favors, Larry, and Romeo. My journey starts the same as the others, I don't care much for favoritism.”
”Watch your mouth,” fired Larry, ”-what is this about favoritism?”
”Just as I meant it,” he brazenly half-smiled, ”-the people here have worked hard to overcome weaknesses. I don't discredit the work put by Runa and Ariela either, good fortune is a skill too. Hard work doesn't always equate to success. Regardless, they try and strive to be the best. The hierarchy of precedence is present, disgustingly so. I should understand, the world answer to the call of the strong, the meek and weak must adapt or suffer.”