The World

The kitchen was empty by this point, the only evidence of Rick's passing being a bloody cutting board and the now-infamous long knife, sitting point down in the dry side of the sink. A large stainless steel pot was steadily simmering on the stovetop, a tiny spire of steam curling from the skewed pot lid. The scent of the pot in the stew was thick and heavily spiced, the aroma of something belonging to no specific nationality precisely because something from everywhere in every corner of the world had apparently been dumped into it with reckless abandon. The result, while not altogether unpleasant, had the end scent of something that vaguely resembled what someone with very specific tastes would cook for himself, only in a pot big enough to serve eight. The timer on the clock - disconcertingly reminiscent the digital timer on a bomb - ticked off another minute, leaving 45 minutes until the 'Special Occasion Stew' was complete.

Rick, over in the corner of the spacious kitchen, was sitting on a bench and leaning against a spare area of the counter, plucking away at his bass, apparently ignoring his band-aid as he ramrodded his way through yet another Morphine bass riff. Eventually he looked up from the neck of his bass and made eye contact with his opposite. Without skipping a beat in the bass riff, Rick nodded. "Howdy," he grunted, without extending either hand for a handshake - both were occupied with his bass. "Name's Rick, as you might have guessed."

Yuri looked at Angel and tilted her head as she heard the tone she was speaking in with a bit of surprise in her expression. She then heaved a big sigh. ”They didn't tell you, did they?” she asked band scratched her eyebrow. She had asked their aency to make sure everyone knew exactly what would happen and why they were going to the house. Obviously they knew Angel well enough to know she would not like the main idea and so they lied to her. ”I thought you knew. Our manager assured me everyone would knew everything. I'm sorry” she whispered back as she finished setting the table. She had corrected a bit on Utau's plates and napkins so they were lined up perfectly. She had done the same with the glasses as well as the forks and knives.

”A hotel would be great though. Easy food access, but the fans would become an eyesore for the employees. Besides this could turn out to be” she hesitated a bit before with a slight smile saying. ”Fun... If not anything it's a new way of working and it's a challenge. I say let's just try to work hard and do our best. If not for ourselves then at least for our fans” She nodded at her own statement to make it appear more confident in delivery than she felt it was. *What a cheesy comment. You're brilliant, Yuri* she thought in a sarcastic tone to herself. She leaned over towards Utau and whispered back. ”Top drawer in my room. Check track 5, there's some pretty interesting drumming”

Yuri checked the timer for the stew and looked to the others int he room. ”Let's meet up in 45 minutes and get something to eat. I'll go out and get some fresh air” She smiled at the others and left as Rick introduced himself to Angel. The girls all knew Yuri enjoyed some time for herself once in a while. Just to clear her mind and maybe think some things through. After a little while she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. She fished it out and answered it while sitting down in the grass. It was an agent from a different record company offering her a solo deal. ”No, it's not about the money at all.... My answer is still the same. I'm the vocalist of Army Asia. Have a nice day” she said and hung up the phone. She grabbed a pebble and threw it in between some trees in a fit of rage.

Utau crinkled her nose as Yuri adjusted the arrangements, she always was so particular about everything. It made her smile, though at first when they met, it drove her crazy, "You've always been so Obsessive Compulsive haven't you Yuri?" Utau asked with a playful tease, stretching her arms as the table was set. Her stomach was still hungry, but she was far more excited to hear the cd Yuri reccomended, "Alright, thanks Yuri! You're a life saver!" she replied, hugging the female vocalist happily. She smiled a bit then looked over at Rick, "I know you didn't ask, but you probably won't hear from me again today if I have my way.. I'm Utau, Drummer." she stated briefly, before disappearing out the door, her fast steps heard from the next room.

"Track five...Track five.." she repeated to herself, heading up the stairs with dazed thoughts, she wouldn't even see bigfoot coming at this level of concentration, "If I listen to it about five times, I'll be able to guess his style, then I can try and sync to it tonight probably if I'm lucky.." she mumbled to herself, turning the corner swiftly as she opened Yuri's door, instantly moving herself across the room to the dresser. "Top drawer.." she reminded herself, opening it then smiling at the CD, "Bingo." She closed the drawer back and skipped her way out of her Vocalist's room, to her currently unnamed door.

Instantly she flopped herself down on the bed, the CD popped into her player at the same instant, "Hmm..this is one, I'll listen to it later.." she muttered, skipping to five and closing her eyes, drumming against her bed with her hands as she tried to match the rhythm. She put the CD on repeat..this would take a little longer than she thought. His drumming skills were awesome! No wonder their band was so close in popularity as Army Asia, "I can't help but wonder.. what they're like.." she laughed, continuing to drum the bed with her hands, hoping no one would see her acting like a typical teenager, drumming to 'The Otherworld's music. She always left her door cracked open, just in case of a fire or emergency. She never locked it, never. It was something she'd grown up doing since she could move doors.

(sorry if i misread anything)

Kanjo was kind of freaked out when the girl, didnt get mad at him. He was going to apologies for snooping around her room, but he was to shy to do so. " Man im bad with new people." He whispered to himself as he stood up. It wasn't just girls he was bad with, it was new people in general. He stretched and yawned as he made his way down stairs. He saw a few more people he hadn't noticed before." Well looks like everyones here." He said to himself aloud. As he sat on the living room couch his eyes began to close." Man i didnt get enough sleep." He said as he rubbed his eyes trying to force himself to stay awake.

When he finished rubbing his eyes untll they burned, he sat on the couch, preventing himself from dozing off. As his eyes eventually closed, he thougt about the bad impresion he had made one of the female artist earlier. Even though she didnt seem to be angry about it, Kanjo was embarassed on the bad impression he left. " Well that was bad." He whispered to him self as he iddled with his fingers. For some reason his hands were always moving even when he didnt have the drum sitcks with him.

While in mid-drift to sleep, His stomach viciously growled." Woahh." Were Kanjos only words. He stood up and headed to the kitchen to find someone was already preparing some food for the bunch. He saw Rick, and a girl he was unafamiliar with, even though he was unfamiliar with all of them.SHe sped off up to her room before he got to introduce himself properly. When he saw the pot of food he guessed that he should just wait untill it was finish to eat, but his stomach dissagreed. He ignored it just as he did earlier, and stood there taking in the aroma of the cooking meal.

Ryuu's song ended, and before another one could start he was hit in the back of the head by something. "Ow," was the only words out of his mouth as he stood up turned around and looked for who threw it. He didn't see anyone at first, deciding to investigate he walked out from his little hiding place and out in the open only to find the singer for Army Asia. He walked over slowly, stopping alittle bit away from her hoping not to startle her. "Hey, this could be bad timing but..you've got some killer aim.." He said it with a laugh as he rubbed the back of his head smiling some.

After that he did close the distance alittle sitting down in front of her, "Something got you peeved?" He asked still unconsciously rubbing the back of his head. He wasn't hurt by it, but it left an uncomfortable itch now. After he was done he placed both hands back in his own lap and let his eyes focus on her. There was no question she seemed alittle angry, her demeanor showed that much. Though he couldn't help but wonder why, he'd have to await a reply from her for that one. His eyes turned away from her for a second as he could hear the singing of birds as they flew over head, again the thoughts of this being a paradise from the city life entered his head as the smile on his lips only grew.

His thoughts still off in dream world as he continued to watch the clouds, only to realize he was still in the company of someone else, with that quick realization color entered his cheeks as he looked back down at her his smile never faded as he remarked. "I can tell something's bothering you but if you just look up at the sky I'm sure it won't anymore, I know somethings linger, but here and now. We're all away from that now yeah?" he posed it to her, and without waiting let his entire form fall backwards into the grass as he returned to his daydreaming state staring up at the sky. "ooo look I see a drum set in the sky.." He said laughing alittle, remembering how he use to play this game with friends when he was a kid, the nostalgic memories never seeming to end.

Eun Jin simply rolled her eyes and the vocalist's reply. "Well be sure to fire the bastard." She hissed, it was a threat that was never taken seriously. She gave as heavy as sigh as Yuri did. She knew the preacher was right, was there ever a time that she wasn't? "I guess since I'm getting paid."

It was all an act for the pink haired girl. Money was never something she cared about; earning spending, saving, they were just pieces of green paper used for trade and nothing more. Being born with a silver spoon in her mouth, money was never something she would think about--unless it was her shopping habits. What she did care about was her band. How long they would be united, how long they would go through the hardships and treasures of this music world. Popularity was nothing compared to the popularity they had between each other.

When Yuri mentioned that this would be a challenge, the Korean girl couldn't help but smirk. "Fine whatever. But, if someone wakes up with their head between my bass, it'll be your fault and not mine." She chuckled lightly nodding, for once agreeing to follow what her friend planed-- a rare moment indeed.

Her brow arched hearing a voice mixed with one of her favorite sounds in the world. She turned and frowned down at the male that she no knows as Rick. "Arrogant self absorbed dip ****" She spoke in her native tongue not wanting the male to understand her. "Bea, Eun Jin." she replied shaking her hair and resting her free hand on her waist with a straight posture-- her signature pose when introducing herself. "But if your small mind can't memorize my name, just call me Angel."

And now the games have begun... she thought to herself forming a rival weather he knew it or not.


(( ^_^;; Asking: Who are roomed with who? And just so everyone knows if the line is italicized, that means she's speaking Korean.))

Yuri turned her head as she heard a familiar male voice. She eyes Ryuu, the singer of The Otherworld. He mentioned her aim making Yuri looked at him with a slightly baffled expression. Eventually it occurred to her what he was talking about. ”Oh, the stone, yeah I...” she stopped herself from talking and widened her eyes. ”Oh god, I hit you? I'm so sorry... I had no idea you were in that direction. I'm so sorry, do you need medical attention. God I'm such a klutz sometimes and....” she stopped herself again as she noticed how calm Ryuu was. ”Did it hurt a lot?” she asked and looked down. ”I'm really sorry”

She sighed and kept looking down. ”There's just this one agency that won't get that as long as Army Asia exists their vocalist is Yuri Yamasaki” she sighed. ”My manager talked to me about it and told me that a solo career would do good for me and that I have the talent to make it on my own, but I don't want to. Army Asia brought me to where I am now and I will stay with them as long as we're together” she sighed again. ”Sorry... I don't want to burden anyone with this stuff. I haven't even told the band about the agencies calling with offers. I shouldn't even be talking about it... It's not your problem. I'm sorry”

Yuri watched the young male as she started looking at the sky. She turned her face upwards and looked at the sky just like he did. ”A drum-set? Really? It looks more like a balloon animal to me” she chuckled a nit. ”You know... I bet you can see the stars clearly out here at night” she smiled. ”The city makes that really hard, but then again it has it's own star constellations. I based on of our songs on it once. Flickering Stars, if you ever heard that song. The inspiration to that sing I got when looking at all the city lights outside my window. It's incredibly beautiful” she said and smiled. ”Oh look” she pointed to a cloud. ”I see a crocodile”

((OOC: Aren't we all just living in seperate rooms? That's how I understood it at least))

Utau pulled the headphones off her head for a moment, sighing to herself, mumbling words only audiable to herself "Wait..I think I nearly ran into someone earlier..." she shrugged it off, she didn't know his name or room, so she decided to not worry about it. Her mind however, ran somewhere else. Well Yuri and Rick seemed to hit it off...but it'd be more amusing if him and Angel had something going on between them. They've got that married couple fighting..but I don't know..theres still a few more guys, maybe one of them will suit them better...

She smiled at her thoughts, "I don't mind who the girls choose, but their happiness is more important." she laughed, playing with her leather collar necklace, "So.. I guess I should keep to myself up here most the time..I don't want to ruin their plans." she added, putting the earphones back on as she listened to the guy's music. She never would have thought about persuing music until she wen't to her first concert, which made her main goal to appear on as many stages as possible. This music video was not a stage, so it held no inspiration for her, just personal obligation to the band.

She found herself quickly becoming a fan of their music the more she listened to it, if she thought about it, The Otherworld was a dangerous opponent. That worried her. If they had too much trouble comparing with them, what would happen to Army Asia? Would they still hang out? She shivered at the idea. 'Of course we will' she told herself, changing to the sixth track now on the boys' CD.

((RICK IS ROOMING BY HIMSELF, NO-ONE ELSE GETS THE MASTER BEDROOM))

Rick understood the brief spit of Korean that Eun Jin threw at him - he was a master of tone reading, so he could get the meaning of the statement despite having only a basic understanding of Korean - but took it in stride, not even bothering to look up from the bass as she continued speaking. She seemed like she was going to be a problem person; not because he didn't like her - she hadn't done anything to make him not like her yet - but because she gave off vibes that said she didn't want competition. The girl was used to not being on a team, so she would immediately view Rick as a threat to her bass supremacy (and, if Rick were a boastful man - which he wasn't - he would have added, "rightly so") and was probably now out to ruin his life and his career, or at least make the time they didn't spend filming the music video as miserable as she humanly could.

Rick didn't mind, frankly. He was a proponent of the "kill 'em with kindness" school of thought.

"I believe I'll be capable of remembering Eun Jin. It's six letters. Besides," Rick added off-handedly, "your name's just as common as mine is around here, so I'd be bound to pick it up eventually." He shrugged indifferently, then slowed down and started playing a much simpler, more blues-y slide riff on his bass. "So since we're working together, we may's well get to know eachother a bit. How'd you get into music?"

(( so I'm guessing that Angel has to room with someone O.o'' any one want to room in with a brat ^_^;;))

Eun Jin tried her best to bite her tongue. There was clearly no choice, weather she liked it or not she had to at least try to get along with the older man. She bit her bottom lip not wanting to give a worse impression then she already has. She had to keep in mind that they were going to work side by side; if she caused too much trouble that could mean the end of her career with her band. But she still despised the male's core simply because of envy of his skill.

She hissed at his reply. "I just making sure, old geezer." she spat back at him unable to stay civilized; she didn't want to the male to know any details of her life she. Refusing to answer the man, her mind flashed through her first memory of music. She frowned remembering her older brother trying to teach her how to play the violin and piano. She could remember the many times she got frustrated with the instruments every time she hit the wrong keys.

She shook her head before she could turn too soft in front of the male. "Let's make this clear. You and me old timer, are not working together." she spat bitterly once again. "When our bands will record, it will be either you or me playing. Never--and I mean never-- will we play together." she narrowed her gaze at the bassist.

After editing the music, and the tunes, he got up, pulling off his headphones and setting his laptop aside. Rubbing the back of his head he grabbed his guitar, sitting on the edge of his bed. He played a few strings to make sure it was tuned well, before trying it out. Hiroshi remembered the melody so there was no need to look at the notes. He was good at that for some reason. His mother would always tell him it was his talent. With a small grin, he let the sound of music fill his room.

Hiroshi tilted his head, and stopped playing. It felt like he was missing something.. but wasnt sure. Which meant he would have to go back to editing. He sighed, putting his guitar back to place and stretched. He looked around, before walking out of his room and heading down the stairs. He did see Rick and a pinked hair girl, but it seemed like the two were arguing. That didnt sound good... Everyone was supposed to get along. Shaking his had he proceeded into the kitchen getting a glass of water. He took a seat on the chair, and tapped his feet quietly as he sang their song in his head.

Rick remained infuriatingly calm through Eun Jin's whole statement, his face a mask of placid carelessness. "Sure," the bassist said flatly, "except for when the music calls for two basses at the same time."

The bassist looked over at Hiroshi as he came through the door, then cast a glance over towards the timer. He had blown a little over three minutes by talking to the other bassist - which ended up like trying to pick fruit from a dead tree - which meant that, including the time he had already spent in the kitchen, there was about half an hour left on the timer. It was great timing, then, that Hiroshi showed up to break up the tension that even the placid bassist could feel building in the kitchen.

"'Lo, Hiroshi. Sup won't be for another half-hour or so."

"Well that's going to have to change." The pink haired girl said in a low and serious tone. She hoisted her bag that had been sitting beside her feet. She then dragged the heavier luggage away as the male bassist was distracted. She looked over at the male who Rick had called Hiroshi. She stared coldly at the male for five seconds exactly and walked out of the room. "I need to make some calls." She said excusing herself from the older male.

She struggled with her bags as she scaled the steps. Se ignored who ever she passed weather it be one of her band members or the others. She was too entangled with her thoughts. It was bad enough that the bass was practically ignored by everyone, but to have another bassist play along side with her-- one that had much more skill the she did; all the more she would fade out of the band. she obviously didn't want to share what little spot light she already has. She walked to the end of the rows of doors and claimed it as hers. She went in seeing as no one was inside she dropped her bags on the ground to get more comfortable.

She pulled her pink phone out of her pocket and dialed her manger's number. She spent almost fifteen minutes arguing with their manager it was obvious that Eun Jin was loosing the battle. She couldn't help but let out an angry yell, using a pillow to muffle the loud sound as much as possible. She threw the phone onto the spear bed beside her and ran out of her room. "Yuri!" She yelled out her best friend's name as she ran through the house to find her.