[Closed to Riley]

[phoenixfalling]

Kim had spent the last few days painting his room. It didn't need paint but he had needed the practice if he was going to help Riley. Not just because he didn't want Riley to think he was completely incompetent but also because he didn't want part of the museum to look like crap because he sucked at painting.

He had pulled out an old, long-sleeve button up shirt to hide his tattoos and minimize the amount of damage he might do to any of the clothes he wore. If there was anything he learned the last few days it was that painting was really messy. He was pretty sure he still might have some blue paint in his hair somewhere.

He was at the pie shop-turned museum a bit early and spent five minutes just walking back and fourth, trying to calm himself. He should be able to handle something like this. Riley was super nice and friendly and he had enjoyed talking to her. But he got all flustered when he thought about it, wishing for the millionth time that he had been able to be more social in high school so he knew how to be himself around a girl like that. It was easy to fake it but that wasn't the same.

Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door. There was nothing to be nervous about, he was just helping out a new friend. No big deal.

Comments

[phoenixfalling]

Record releases and movie premiers and award shows were always coming up with new and interesting ways to promote stuf. He'd always found it kind of cool, sort of like a mini performance at times.

"I do. You could have catering or something outside too, so people can eat or drink. Plus, I bet if you talked to the high school drama department they'd love to dress up in costume and be historical characters or something. Then people could get their picture taken with them."

Kim dipped his roller into the paint and started rolling it on. Focusing on the painting was a nice way to not think too much about how fast his heart hear when Riley teased him playfully. She was kind of distracting.

"Careful or I'll hav you get on my shoulders so we can reach those really high places."

[jiyunnies]

Siren Cove has meant a few changes for Riley and her family, the biggest one being the fancy dinners and parties the richer residents threw every now and then. After five years, she's slowly started to get used to these events. Even though they make her nervous, she usually enjoys herself. And the people who donated large sums of money at the auction seem to enjoy dressing up whenever they can.

"You've got some good ideas. Been to a few events in New York?" she smiles. "I think people would enjoy it though. They seem to like events that take their mind off everything lately."

She has to laugh at the idea of Kim lifting her up on his shoulders to reach the higher places. "You wouldn't dare. That's just asking for trouble."

[phoenixfalling]

"I've, uh, I've seen a few," he said. It was true though, he'd just seen them as a participant. He'd only been 'famous' for a year but the record company had gotten a lot of mileage out of his popularity. "I can talk to the drama teacher for you though, I know them pretty well."

Plus, it would give him more excuses to spend time with Riley. Not that he thought anything but friendship would come from it but her friendship seemed pretty awesome.

"What, you don't think I could do it?" he said before he realized she probably meant because she was in a dress and his face turned red.

[jiyunnies]

"That'd be amazing!" She's happy to have someone else offer up a helping hand in all this, and Kim's ideas are really great. "I really like the idea of getting other members of the town involved in this sort of thing."

Riley catches Kim's blush and shakes her head with a laugh. "I meant more I'll make your life miserable and drip paint all over you."

[phoenixfalling]

"Cool, I'll get, uh, get right on that," he said, grinning. He liked the idea of being able to help her in something like that. Plus it would be fun and give him something to do. Kim was really, really glad he had gone to that auction.

"Is that why you really decided to get the low parts, because then your drips aren't really noticeable?"

[jiyunnies]

"You're really nice, Kim," she says as she starts to paint around the trim. Riley's happy he seems to be putting himself out a bit more, knowing that he doesn't have much going on with his days. "And super helpful."

"Shhhh, don't give my secrets away!"

[phoenixfalling]

"You're really nice too," he said, face flushing at the compliment, no matter how friendly it might be. She was really nice and easy to get along with, which was nice. "But you are terrible at being bossy. That secret is going to get out, I'm going to tell everyone I know."

[jiyunnies]

Riley gasps at that. "Ya! You're going to rat me out? I'll tell your aunt on you, Kim Yoo."

[phoenixfalling]

"Everyone!" he said, eyes going wide even as he couldn't stop grinning. He was actually having a good enough time that he forgot about how nervous Riley made him. Or maybe just thinking about Riley made him nervous. "All this painting practice? I'm going to climb a billboard and paint it on there. 'Riley Jung isn't very bossy'."

[jiyunnies]

"Wow," she scoffs, painting a few strokes on the wall. "Just wow. And here I thought I could trust you. But I guess not."

[phoenixfalling]

"See, I'm secretly evil," Kim said, moving away a bit to get another section of the wall. He couldn't remember the last time he had talked to someone like this and just had fun. It was really nice.

"That's the whole reason I came here, to learn your secrets."

[jiyunnies]

"Oh, so you just donated to let my guard down so I'd invite you!" She utters in Korean about being a fool. "I got news for you, buddy, no one cares about Jung gossip."

[phoenixfalling]

"Foiled by the fact that I think you're interesting but apparently others don't," he joked. Kim really doubted that anyone thought Riley was uninteresting. It was impossible, just look at her.

[jiyunnies]

"I don't know if I should be flattered that you think I'm interesting or offended that other people don't," she laughs. "Either way, I'm still telling on you."

[phoenixfalling]

Kim was pretty sure that if Riley did say something, even in teasing, he'd never hear the end of it.

"That Riley Jung is very pretty and very nice. She'd make a good wife, don't you think?"

Kim would die of embarrassment. Which would only encourage his great aunt more.

"Only if you can handle it. If you think she bugs you a lot now, how do you think she'll be if she knows you've actually had a conversation or two with one of her nephews?"

[jiyunnies]

"Oh dear." She holds her hands up in defeat. "Okay, admittedly, I didn't think that one through. I'll just tell on you to my sister then, who is far scarier than any aunt on the planet."

[phoenixfalling]

"Wait, wait, I've changed my mind then. I'm not going to paint the message. Or I am going to paint it but it will confirm your bossy status? I- I'm not sure which part you were objecting to."

Kim didn't know Riley's sister at all but he understood that every family had that scary family member you didn't mess with. While his brother wouldn't lose much sleep over defending Kim, it seemed like Riley's sister was really protective of her.

[jiyunnies]

She beams when he relents at the threat of her sister. Smart boy, honestly. Not that she'd actually sick Valeria on anyone who didn't completely deserve her wrath.

"You've made a good choice," she nods. "You can just tell everyone in town how terrifying I am and we'll call it even."

[phoenixfalling]

Oh man, that smile, that beaming smile made his knees weak a bit and he forgot how to talk again for a moment. How was that even fair?

"Okay, I'll be sure to do that if that's what keeps the Wrath of the Jungs away," he said. "Actually, that would be a cool band or album title."

[jiyunnies]

She laughs at that. "You can use that, just give us a percentage of all your successful sales." Riley turns back to the wall, scooting along the floor to reach a new area.

"You said you studied music, right? What kind of music do you like?"

[phoenixfalling]

"Music? Oh, uh, I like all kinds as long as it's well done. Like Nirvana and Miyavi and Girls' Generation are all really different but they all do what they want to do really well," Kim said, trying not to gush too hard. Music was something he could talk for hours about.

"And you wouldn't want them to be the same. Everyone can like their own stuff, it doesn't take away from what anyone else likes. What about you, what do you like? Any favorite bands?"

[jiyunnies]

Riley can tell she's hit a topic that's close to Kim's heart. He tries to hold back, but she can feel the excitement in him when he talks about music.

"That's a really good point. I definitely appreciate not only the creativity, but the hard work that goes into making music. And promoting it." She taps her chin, thinking about his question. "I'm partial to Korean music, of course. Girls Generation, f(X), Spica, Hyuna...I love female groups. I was also a big fan of Phoenix Falling," she admits with a hint of a blush.

[phoenixfalling]

Kim remembered all the promoting, so much promoting. He hated that part of it, even though he understood that it was necessary. Kim liked writing, playing performing music, he didn't want to do all that other stuff.

When she mentioned his old band though his heart seized in panic. He knew without his tattoos visible and his hair all done up or maybe some sunglasses it was hard to recognize him. That and no one would expect he was the rock star Ken Young.

"Isn't Phoenix Falling overplayed though?" He asked. He was incredibly proud of his work with them but they had been forced through the hype machine. "A new hit single every few month and stuff."

[jiyunnies]

"Overplayed? No, I don't think so. Maybe for the members? It had to be exhausting to put out that much music, but every single was worth the hype."

Riley shrugs. She has a huge respect for musicians, and a soft spot, really. Her best memories are of listening along to new releases and music videos from Korea with her sister. The two sang together, even thought about auditioning, but it just wasn't in the cards for them. They followed the music industry in Seoul, saw the hard work that group members put into just a chance to debut and then the lack of respect media outlets gave their privacy. Some wanted to be on stage while others just wanted to be a part of the music. The industry always seemed like a delicate balance.

"The songs were really well written. Powerful. I mean, I know they were a perfect storm of talent, skills, and popularity which record labels love to take advantage of. That doesn't take away from the fact that the songs themselves were really amazing."

[phoenixfalling]

Kim wanted to kiss her just for that. She seemed to really get what they were going for in the band, that even behind all the hype they had just really, really loved making music. For a brief moment he felt a pang of loss at missing his friends in the band. He still kept in contact of course but it wasn't the same.

Kim almost, almost told her who he was but he had no idea how she would react to that and he was having such a good time.

"What about you?" He asked. "Do you sing or play an instrument?"

[jiyunnies]

She doesn't catch any changes in Kim's demeanor because she's busy loading her brush in the paint again.

"I sing, a bit. My sister and I like to sing together. I don't know how to play any instruments. I always kind of wanted to learn the piano, but I was too busy with every academic activity offered at school," she laughs.

[phoenixfalling]

"I'd love to hear you sing some day. You and your sister both," Kim said. Singing was incredibly personal, he understood that, but it would have been nice to hear Riley sing. Maybe if he got a recording studio he could invite her there.

"And you should take up the piano. It's never too late. I, um, I could teach you."

[jiyunnies]

"Maybe at karaoke sometime," she smiles. We love some karaoke."

"Really? That'd be nice. I'm a good student, promise."

[phoenixfalling]

"We should definitely do karaoke sometime!" Kim said, eyes lighting up even more. It would be awesome to have someone to do that with. Maybe he could convince a few other people to go as well.

"And yeah, that would be cool. Do you have a keyboard or a piano already?"

[jiyunnies]

Riley claps her hands together in excitement. "Great! They have karaoke night weekly at the Coombs Tavern. It's really fun."

"Unfortunately, I don't. Our house is too jam-packed for that."

[phoenixfalling]

Kim wasn't sure if Riley normally got so excited about karaoke but he was pretty sure that at least she wasn't less excited by the idea of going with him. Well, with him in a group or with some friends. Still, he would be there and she seemed excited, that was awesome.

"Well, we'll figure out a place for you to play and practice. I'd invite you to my place but my aunt can be... a bit much."

[jiyunnies]

She honestly loves karaoke night, especially at the tavern since it's familiar and comfortable territory. And Riley is curious to hear Kim, if she's honest.

"Definitely should probably keep me away from your aunt's," she smiles. "I'm sure there's a studio somewhere? I just never really...looked for one."

[phoenixfalling]

"Cool, I'll make sure to give you my number before I leave so we can set up a time," he said. Also, then Riley would have his number and (hopefully) text him so he'd have hers.

"Maybe I'll have to open up a recording studio really quickly so you have a place to practice."