↳ backstage

@◈ park jinyoung⁻ᵐᵘᵃ //blinks in disbelief, unable to process the fact that your hands are working on my hair, your fingers running between the strands/
//it renders me speechless for the bigger part of this whole experience, a quick work of the curling iron is all that it takes anyway, the extensions used to make my hair more voluminous obediently curling up in your hands in the 15-ish minutes that I sit there/
//it's abstract to see you after so long of no contact, and wielding a hair dryer instead of a microphone, and finally i make up my mind to speak, opening my mouth slowly, trying to find the words, when suddenly a young woman approaches, a little girl holding her hand as she waddles along, and the adult taps you on the shoulder/
"She missed you too much, I had to bring her in, if just for a moment" //she starts saying, when the tiny human, which possesses the same mouth that I also see reflected in the mirror above my head, raises both her tiny hands and squeaks "PAPA", wiggling her fingers at you/
//the breath chokes in my throat - she looks to be about 5 years old - the timeline matches with the moment you left without much of an explanation, and my brain connects the dots/
Papa, huh. Have a nice life, Park Jinyoung.
//grabs my bag and whatever I had left there and storms out of the corner, carefully stepping so that i will not harm the child in any way - it isnt her fault her father is a damned cheater/

@◈ chrystal jung⁻ˢᵗʸˡᶦˢᵗ /it had been a while since Jinyoung experienced the rush during backstage preparation, it was different from staying at the salon. His mind couldn't help but wander off at times, wondering if his Jinri was having fun at the hotel room with her babysitter, thankfully his hands kept working though, knowing he wouldn't have time dilly dallying. He nodded every now and then at the woman giving him the look for the idol on the chair, parting their hair before getting the requested- more like demanded- extensions before he went onto styling.
Yes I'm Park Jinyoung, get on with- Chrystal?
/Although his gaze was on her, his hands continue to move, only managing to pause when he realized what he was doing.
Ah sorry, what were you saying about that style?

@☾ jennie kim ʳᵘᵇʸ ʲᵃⁿᵉ Sliding her phone back in her pocket Byulyi made a quick excuse to those sitting near her, bowing her head respectfully as she waddled out between the seats. She had one destination in mind, though she somehow was unsure if that truly was where Jennie had gone off to. Still she hurried off backstage, her open suit-jacket flaring up around her waist from her hurried steps.

@◈ chrystal jung⁻ˢᵗʸˡᶦˢᵗ "i simply don't party, you *know* this eonnie." rose rolled her eyes at chrystal's words and shook her head as she tucked a lock of blonde hair behind her ear, pulling the napkins off of chrystal's dress. she turned to throw them away and then faced chrystal just as the other woman squeezed her cheeks and kissed the air in front of her face, and she blinked in surprise before frowning. "i do hair too?? ugh, why do i put up with her?"

@◈ park jinyoung⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Okay, i have 2 extension tresses, mid-length chestnut - you MUST have them, I ordered them weeks ago.
//locates the hairstyling section quickly, it was enough to follow the whiff of hairspray, and I approach while scrolling quickly through the pictures in my phone without looking up/
Can't find the reference I saved right now, but it shouldn't be too hard - I want it to be really rich, but subtle, just rick boucles, think old Hollywood glamour and--
//finally looks up from the screen and the air clears from yet another smoke cloud, only to be greeted with a well-known face and broad shoulders/
Park Jinyoung.

@◈ roseanne park ʀᴏsé⁻ᵐᵘᵃ Good then that *I* travel everywhere ready to be in whatever social situation life presents. Including party.
//lets you work essentially right on my cleavage - or lack thereof - holding the napkins stuffed in the dress off of your way, then inspects in handheld mirror/
Yes, I wanted some blur there. God forbid people learn I have *pores*. Much more believable if I had ing fairy sparkletits.
Keep calling me your highness - it'll get you far in life. Okay I'm off, gotta locate that hairdresser, thank you Bubbles, see you in a couple hours.
//squeezes your cheeks in one hand and kisses the air right in front of your smushed mouth, then promptly storms off/

@◈ chrystal jung⁻ˢᵗʸˡᶦˢᵗ "i don't *have* party clothes with me, i travelled here to work eonnie, not to party." rose huffed loudly and shook her head as chrystal pointed to the keyhole of her dress, and she moved to grab some napkins to protect the dress. she grabbed one of her palettes and a clean brush before placing some glitter highlight on her skin, giving chrystal a raised eyebrow when she was done. "how's that, your highness? enough makeup for you?"

@◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ No, noona, stay!
I mean--
Miss Jung. Please. If you could.
*reaches out to hold onto your hand as if to keep you from leaving, before catching myself and releasing my grip in case you minded it*
And I think they're calling us already, we need to prep for the cover, I can't wait! Let's put it behind us, alright?

@◈ roseanne park ʀᴏsé⁻ᵐᵘᵃ [gewd gewd]

Then what's the problem? Just come and have fun, you deserve to let loose a bit - alcohol or not.
A party is not only about alcohol - it's music and dancing and mingling... and showing off your party 'fit. And I still don't know what I'm wearing.
//subconsciously goes through the outfits I brought in an unnecessarily heavy suitcase, as you hand me the mirror and check it out, immediately smirking when I see the deep red I requested on my lips/
I'm not much of a hair person. But there are people for anything here. If you know how to ask.
//pops off the high chair, straightening my dress, when I realize something/
Hold on. I'm gonna need some filter over here too, but give me some napkins first, gotta save the dress.
//points to the keyhole design on my chest/

@◈ chrystal jung⁻ˢᵗʸˡᶦˢᵗ "no." rose didn't elaborate any further on that, choosing to end the topic there as she finished applying the lipstick, stepping back and then nodding to herself. she turned to grab a hand mirror and held it out for chrystal to take so she could look at herself in the mirror. "i'm assuming you can touch up your own hair too, right? that's not exactly my expertise."

[] oh of course they are why wouldn't they xD

@◈ roseanne park ʀᴏsé⁻ᵐᵘᵃ [the "oh puh-lease" reminded me and im canoning they're having this convo in full English xD]

"Yet" being your keyword here. Don't push your luck, Marylin. Those people are insane.
//shuts up when my chin is grabbed and guided, parting my lips slightly to allow for easier application, awaiting patiently for the continuation of the grandma sentence/
//it was hard to subdue the -eating grin that tried to make its way, but I had to, or else the lipstick would crease, but the tension in my cheeks showed it/
Why? You a lightweight?

@◈ chrystal jung⁻ˢᵗʸˡᶦˢᵗ "oh *please*, nobody has yet." rose snickered and reached out to place her free hand on chrystal's chin to hold the stylist still, bringing the brush up to her lips. she was the only one who would be using the colour for the night, and so rose didn't bother switching it out for a disposable brush—she would have to spend hours working on cleaning all of her makeup palettes once they were back in seoul anyway. "not grandma, just—" she cleared and shook her head, focusing on chrystal's lips as she made sure the lipstick was pristine. "it's not a good idea for me to be around all that alcohol."

@◈ roseanne park ʀᴏsé⁻ᵐᵘᵃ What if someone notices? Fans are hella eagle-eyed, they'll cut you if they learn you've been putting Essence on their *oppa*.
//the disdain dripping in the way I say the word "oppa" is pure venom, but that's not news. i shrug, checking my manicure while you prepare the next make up brush/
I'm gonna go to the party. Finding somebody to kiss is not a prerequisite. But if it happens... happens.
// an eyebrow/
Okay, grandma. That's nonsense, you deserve to party as much as the rest. If not more than... some.
//eyes some of the people bustling in and out with a scathing glare, succeeding in clearing out the room at least a little/

@◈ chrystal jung⁻ˢᵗʸˡᶦˢᵗ "they're the five dollar bargain ones that i tend to use for tutorials so i'm not wasting my *good* stuff." rose mumbled as she let go of chrystal's chin to open the tube of lipstick she had in her hand, lifting her gaze back up with a slight frown. the frown didn't last long, however, as the corners of her lips were twitching upwards. "kiss-proof? gonna go to the afterparty in search of somebody to kiss? sounds like fun—personally i can't wait for the show to be over so i can go back to the hotel."

@◈ roseanne park ʀᴏsé⁻ᵐᵘᵃ //stares at you silently for a long time, as you nag on, right in my face, a very slow smile pulling on the edges of my lips, a very rare occasion that someone has the nerve to mouth off to me like that, and get away with it, simply because it's not empty words/
You have *cheap* palettes? That's a shame. Would have expected more from you. Should I ask Tiffany to buy you a new kit?
//my gaze slips down to the tint you're holding, then back up/
Make sure it's kiss-proof, you never know with the afterparty on such occasions.

@♊︎ song mingi ᴳᶦⁿ @♊︎ moon sua ᴸᵁᴬ @♊︎ kwon eunbi ᴱᵘⁿ @♊︎ felix lee ᴸᴵˣ ugh, my strong babies.
/places a hand over her heart , she couldn’t have been more proud of them.
Okay , very well. easy peasy. I will allow you to have my dressing room, i figured you all will be sharing one with another group; i am not performing tonight so i have no idea why i even have one.
would you all like me to stay or do you need time alone? whichever is preferred just let me know.

@♊︎ song mingi ᴳᶦⁿ @♊︎ kwon eunbi ᴱᵘⁿ @♊︎ felix lee ᴸᴵˣ @◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ /without having to ask, Sua grabbed a bottle of water swiftly from the little area with some snacks and drinks before she made her way back beside Felix, offering it to him.
You don't have to force yourself okay?
We're all backing you up, a hundred percent
/She said softly, reaching over slowly to rub his back, careful with the initial touch. With everything Felix said, she just nodded in support, following what he needed at the moment.

@◈ chrystal jung⁻ˢᵗʸˡᶦˢᵗ "it's just rose, you don't need to give me a fake full name." rose rolled her eyes and purposely took her time since chrystal had gotten to the backstage area quickly. she pulled a few brushes out and held the other woman's face by her chin, narrowing her eyes. "just going to touch up some of your makeup here real quick since you're back here. and then we'll see about the lip. i don't care how good you are with fashion, you are not to tell me what to do with makeup or i'll remove all of yours and give you a cheap pallette to redo it all yourself." the blonde quickly finished up with the touch ups and turned back to her lipsticks before plucking out the only deep red that she had with her, turning back to chrystal. "do you understand?"

@♊︎ song mingi ᴳᶦⁿ @♊︎ moon sua ᴸᵁᴬ @♊︎ kwon eunbi ᴱᵘⁿ @◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ ...

*shakes my head feverently, turning my still rounded-in-shock eyes to Jessica*
No, no, we have to perform. I want to perform. We prepared so long and had so much fun - I can't allow this... this... situation to stop us. We should have a good memory of this night, shouldn't we?
*turns to Eunbi, now holding her hands*
I'm okay, noona. He didn't even pull me too much... It was just... the shock...
Miss Jung, we want to perform, can you just ask them to give us a dressing room alone, please? I... just don't wanna change my outfit cramped with strangers. Just hyung, Sua, Eunbi-noona and you. And our team. That we know. No strangers. Please?

@♊︎ moon sua ᴸᵁᴬ @♊︎ kwon eunbi ᴱᵘⁿ @♊︎ felix lee ᴸᴵˣ @◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ Mingi just stood there after being ushered backstage by the CEO. He was angry at the security team and even more to himself. If only he could notice the man before he did anything stupid to Felix, none of this would've happened. Taking bottled water and after making sure it was still sealed, Mingi handed it to the smaller guy while sighing as he looked at Jessica. "It's up to Felix, I think. If he wishes to leave, then we will all go. But if he still wants to perform despite what happened, then we will be here." He glanced at the maknae then look back at their manager. "Please make sure that ahole is being punished severely, noona."

@❖ stephanie hwang @♊︎ song mingi ᴳᶦⁿ @♊︎ moon sua ᴸᵁᴬ @♊︎ kwon eunbi ᴱᵘⁿ @♊︎ felix lee ᴸᴵˣ () if the tagging annoys yall lmk and we’ll just post regular

she nods her head in understanding, more than capable of handling this while Tiffany goes to take care of other potential matters. before the ceo is able to walk off, jessica catches her arm in a gentle hold. stopping her briefly to give her a hug, a silent message through action that everything was going to be okay. when he best friend is out of sight she fully turns her attention to the shaken group but more importantly, felix

how are we feeling? everyone good? I hate that this has happened, especially on such an important day but trust me when i say we are already working diligently to put that man in jail. we’re upping the security too.
/she reaches a hand out but stopping mid air , unsure if it was okay in this moment to offer physical affection so she lets it fall back to her side
do you guys think you’ll be able to go back there because if not i have absolutely no qualms with letting them know you’d rather leave. you just let me know what you need and I’ll personally take care of it, okay?

@❖ stephanie hwang @♊︎ felix lee ᴸᴵˣ @◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ Despite them being ushered towards the backstage area Eunbi never once let go of Felix' hand, holding it tightly until they got enough room for her to drag the man back into her embrace, the questions begin all over again. "How are you doing, baby? No bruises, I hope? How's your breathing? You're breathing, mh?" She kept tugging at his jacket sleeves to get a glance at his skin before turning her attention back to his face, pressing her hands against his cheeks and checking anything and everything.

Her head first snapped back on hearing the door, letting out a sigh of relief when she spotted who strode in. "Oh, Manager-nim!" Eunbi straightened her back and hurriedly bowed her head. "I think we're all physically fine, but I still worry for how Lix feels..."

@◈ jessica jung⁻ᴾᴿ ᵐᵃⁿᵃᵍᵉʳ "Everyone is accounted for here, and all in one piece" Tiffany stood up from her spot and walked towards her friend "But quite shaken. Understandably so. For *them* this is the first time such thing has happened," she spoke gravelly, sharing a knowing look with the other woman. "They need you more than they need me right now, I'm so glad you're here, as I always am. You good here, while I go out to monitor the rest of the dark corners here?"

@❖ stephanie hwang @♊︎ song mingi ᴳᶦⁿ @♊︎ moon sua ᴸᵁᴬ @♊︎ kwon eunbi ᴱᵘⁿ @♊︎ felix lee ᴸᴵˣ It didn’t take long for jessica to speak with the awards management team , a lawsuit already in pursuit; the primal urge to protect her LDX babies came out in full and her anger showed in the way she walked backstage with purpose , not stopping to greet anyone until her eyes landed on the group she sought out.

Oh my goodness, is everyone okay? no scratches? bruises?

@◈ roseanne park ʀᴏsé⁻ᵐᵘᵃ //struts in, single-focused in the way i walk in (like usual), seemingly effortlessly avoiding any sharp edges or dirtied surfaces that could damage my silk dress, as if they skitter away from me in fear of divine retribution/
//perches on a bar stool beside the makeup table and crosses one leg over the other/
Imma need red lip. I don't care that my dress is pale. It will look good because I say so. Dark red. Blood brick. Brown almost. Dark like my soul. No overdrawing.
Let's go, Rosalinda.

Dressed in his work suit, Matthew stood beside the backstage entrance, eyes looking left and right just in case there were some naughty paparazzi who were somehow able to get access to this limited area, which might quite unlikely happen, but it wouldn't be hurt to always be on guard all the time.

rose ran a hand through her blonde hair and made sure the three tables she had set up in her marked off area of the backstage was completely set up, having separated everything in a way that made sense to her. hair was all the way to the edge so the stylists could touch it up while she was finishing last minute touches on makeup, comfortable chairs were placed strategically so she could add shimmers and diamonds and other pretty adornments to the idols. she fidgeted nervously as she took in the silence, knowing that soon it would be a madhouse.

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