Track 1: Snow Globe

So I left home

I packed up and I moved far away
From my past one day
And I laughed
I laughed, I laughed, I laughed

I sound fine on the outside

"Fine on the Outside" by Priscilla Ahn

There was a steady drizzle that turned the sky a passive gray and pattered rhythmically on the windshield. The humidity was particularly heavy today despite the cooling sea breeze and the AC roared from the vents. It wasn't very pleasant weather, but at least it meant that there were not likely to be as many fans lingering outside of the dorms waiting to catch a glimpse of Taiwan's hottest, up-and-coming stars. Kiku sighed inwardly. He did not want to think of those fans at the moment.

The stoplight blinked red and he took to the chance to check his phone. He'd sent a message to Mei earlier to let her know he was on his way, but there was still no response. He just hoped she would be ready by the time he got there. This was one of her first major offers from an advertising company and he didn't want her to miss the chance just for being late. He finally pulled up to the newly built dormitory— only a few blocks away from the New Asian Entertainment, NAE, headquarters— and was relieved to find it mostly empty. He grabbed the umbrella in the backseat and quickly jogged over to the building. He fumbled for his card for a moment before scanning himself in. Once in the building he dialed Mei's number to let her know he was here. She was only on the third floor, but he usually just waited for her at the entrance. He glanced down a little anxiously at his watch. They had plenty of time since he'd purposefully come early, but he couldn't help but feel apprehensive.

Mei's phone buzzed impatiently as she looked around frantically. Her purse, half full, still needed to be filled with necessities for a whole day of auditions. She groaned inwardly. Marathoning that reality show last night was not a good idea.

Mei grabbed her phone, stuffed it in her bag, slipped on her shoes, and rushed out the door. Kiku Honda, was waiting at the foot of the stairs, as usual. She caught him regarding her frazzled state and asked if she was alright. She replied hurriedly that she was, and the two set off for the commercial filming studio at the edge of the city.

It had started to drizzle, and as Kiku pulled onto the highway, the drizzle turned into giant droplets of water, beating down relentlessly. The thundering rain enveloped the two in the car. Mei hummed a song and tapped her nails against the window

"Miss Lin, are you not nervous at all?" the voice of her manager roused Mei from her thoughts.

"What's there to be nervous for?" she responded causally. "I've done auditions before. This one won't be any different."

He didn't say anything in return, and the rain didn't stop as they arrived at the tall, grey studio.

Once he parked, Kiku quickly grabbed the umbrella and jogged over to Mei's side. He'd learned from experience that his own, portable umbrella was much too small for two, particularly when they had bags to carry. She'd been kind enough to not make a huge deal about it, but he'd bought a larger umbrella the next day. He opened her door and held up the umbrella patiently as she gathered her things.

Even though she'd said she wasn't nervous, Kiku couldn't help watching her from the corner of his eye anxiously. He thought about asking again to make sure, but he had a feeling she'd be more annoyed if he did so he stopped himself. He knew she was talented and her rising popularity meant that auditions came fairly easily. Still, she had a tendency be a little blunt and argumentative with staff. He took a moment to mentally calm himself. Sometimes he felt more like a parent than a manager.

Once they were inside, he steered her toward the stylists. Since it was an audition, her personal stylist, Lien, wouldn't be there today. Despite the time, the place was already bustling with activity and several of the other models were already there. Kiku spotted the director as well and winced, recognizing him from his trainee days. The man was both despised for his fastidious, pompous demeanor and admired for his shrewd management. Doing his best to ignore the sense of foreboding that settled in the pit of his stomach he ran through a mental checklist of things he needed to complete. He turned back to Mei, who was already being prepped by the stylist.

"Do you need me to get you anything, Miss Lin?" He asked out of habit and also because he needed something to keep his mind off of his own anxiety.

"No," she replied without looking at him. The stylist was only doing slight touches to her makeup, so she finished quickly. But Kiku was still looking at her anxiously. She frowned at him.

"I go on in a few minutes. Why don't you wait outside? You make me nervous, Mr. Honda." She gave a dry chuckle. She really wasn't too nervous herself, but she could almost see the sweat coming out of her manager's brows.

Kiku returned the chuckle awkwardly and hesitated before saying, "Alright, Miss Lin."

The soundproof audition studio had a broad window, and Mei was able to see Kiku sitting outside, on the edge of his seat, as he watched her audition process. The director was already in the room when she walked in. She greeted the bearded Caucasian man cheerfully, to which he replied with an annoyed grunt.

"Miss Xiao-Mei Lin?"

"Yes, sir."

Mei started her lines, but stopped as the director waved his hand at her. Her heart dropped to her stomach. She hadn't even gotten past the first two sentences.

"Is this your first time auditioning?"

"No, sir."

"Tsh." He muttered something under his breath and scribbled on a form. "Go on."

Mei felt the hairs on her arm rise in indignation at the man's rudeness, but she forced a smile and continued. The last part of the script was emotional, and as Mei raised her voice and started pacing around the room passionately, the director slammed his hand on the desk. She jumped, and silence flooded the room awkwardly.

"That's enough, Miss Lin." The burly director didn't even bother to look at her as he made notes with a large, red marker. The swish and squeak of his writing grated against Mei's ears. She did not move.

The direct glared at her, his marker screeching to a stop. "You may go."

Mei's heart was pounding as she crinkled her script in her fists. What did I do wrong? She tried to stammer a thank you, but one last bark from the man was enough to send her reeling out of the room, enraged and embarrassed.

As she exited with her ears ringing, Kiku shot up from his chair, his eyes wide with concern and confusion.

"Miss Lin?" He started hesitantly as Mei threw open the door. She hardly spared him a glance as she stuffed her script into her bag. "What happened?"

He hadn't been able to hear the exchange within the room, but the bearded director's sour look and the strained smile on Mei's face had told him that the audition had not ended well.

"What kind of director is he?" She exclaimed and he winced, glancing towards the staff down the hall.

"Miss Lin-"

"He wouldn't even let me finish my stupid lines!" Kiku gently touched her shoulder for her to calm down. Her face was still livid, but she threw him a questioning look.

"He's like that with everyone, Miss Lin. Wait here, I'll have a word with production."

When he was sure that she wouldn't go and rant to the director himself, he set off to find the production manager. She was a severe looking woman with her hair pulled into a strict bun and frames perched on her high-bridged, pointed nose.

"Excuse me?"

She did not glance up from the clipboard in her hands. "Yes?"

"I'm Xiao-Mei Lin's manager. She just finished her audition-"

"All actors will be informed if they have passed the audition in two weeks time."

"Thank you," he ducked his head in a short bow and started to leave, but the manager's voice made him stop.

"I wouldn't worry about Miss Lin. She fared better than the girls who've auditioned so far." The woman finally looked up and there was sympathy behind the glare of her square-framed glasses. He could see the worn lines at the corner of her lips beneath the makeup. So the auditioners were not the only ones affected by the director's surly attitude. Kiku wasn't sure if Mei would even accept an offer if she made it in, but he thanked her politely all the same.

He glanced at his watch. They'd finished much earlier than he thought and her next schedule wasn't for a couple of hours. He supposed it was for the best though. It would give Mei time to cool down.

.

Her next audition in the day went smoothly, but as she finished her lines in front of the casting director, the puzzled look on the woman's face told Mei that she had delivered the lines with a bit more force than necessary. Face flushed, she thanked the director and left without a word.

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A/N: Hello! This is a roleplay-turned-fanfiction by inspiration99 and I! Since it was originally a rp, the chapters may flow differently from a normal story because the point of view alternates between the main characters and the sections vary in length. As other characters are introduced the point of view may switch to them as well. We have planned several different arcs that will span a few chapters. The first arc is "Track 1: Snow Globe"— written at the top. Due to our schedules, it will be difficult to post chapters consistently, but we hope you will stick around and enjoy reading it anyway!