Q&A Part 3/? [BAND TIER]

@Blake @August @Dakota: what's your type in a lover?

Dakota, Blake and August sit together in one table, all of them different kinds of confused. August sits in the middle, visibly uncomfortable.

"Peter?" Cory asks, gesturing for him to come. He rushes over, bringing his ear to her lips. "This is a weird trio."

Peter nods enthusiastically. "I agree, boss! But the question specifically asked for them three."

Cory glances at the three, exhaling slowly. "Riiight. Okay." Peter nods his head and returns to his post as she turns back to the three, still sitting there. "Okay. Go on."

No one says anything at first. Dakota's cheek is on their hand, bored. August is stiff-backed, staring at the wall. While Blake toys with a metal chain on their sleeve.

"Say something," Cory sighs. "Anything."

"Hot," Dakota responds, smiling slyly. Blake snorts.

"Is this a sexual question?" August asks, face blank.

"Duh," Blake says.

"Don't say 'duh' when it's not true," Cory argues, glaring at them. "The question is whatever you want it to be."

"We don't have to talk about sex if you don't want to," Dakota tells August, doing a poor job hiding the fact that they're checking them out.

"That's not what I said," August says, leaning back.

"I like someone fun," Dakota answers, becoming serious. "Someone who..." They think about it. "Doesn't take things serious."

Blake nods in agreement. "Someone who is honest."

"And real," Dakota finishes.

Cory makes an exasperated face. "How did you guys manage to make this sound incredibly pretentious?"

Dakota and Blake glance at August, who stares ahead.

"Yeah," August swallows, looking a bit sheepish, "what they said."

@SoftViolence: How did you guys get your start and become a band before adding Seven to your roster? Were you all friends long? And has the dynamic changed at all since adding Seven?

The members of Soft Violence are silent at first, faces in different states of contemplation. Seven turns to them with a smug smile, resting their cheek on their hand.

“I’ll wait,” they say, their voice bright with a tinge of amusement. Pope and Kieran shoot Seven identical looks of annoyance as Avina continues thinking about it.

“Well, we had another singer before Seven,” Avina explains, leaning back and playing with their hair thoughtfully. “But that didn’t last very long. I did vocals for a little but I’m not a singer.” Avina makes a face. “We were getting stuck, I can tell. Any longer and we would disband.”

“Not that anyone wanted that,” Pope chimes in quickly. “But every band needs a singer, right?”

Cory makes an amused sound in her throat. “Right. How did you get in contact with Seven?”

“Social media,” Kieran shrugs, glancing at Pope and Avina. They nod in confirmation. “We kept an eye on [band] for a while. Seven’s departure shocked everyone. You know—” Kieran laughs awkwardly. “Even if you weren’t a fan of them, you knew about their…closeness. At least in indie circles.”

Seven makes a face, looking different shades of uncomfortable. “We made that our brand,” Seven adds, the regret palpable in their voice. “In hindsight, not a good idea.”

“Seven was really good,” Avina chirps, voice bright and cheery as if they’re trying to compensate for something. “We knew we had to meet with them. See if we can get them in our band.” Kieran and Pope nod.

Seven is watching the group with their eyes narrowed, their amusement growing. They look visibly pleased with themself. Cory wants to roll her eyes. Of course, even someone like Seven is plagued with an artist’s arrogance. How could anyone not be?

Cory tilts her head as she thinks. “So you weren’t friends with Seven?”

“I mean…” Avina shrugs. “Sometimes everyone knows everyone. The underground music scene where we’re from is a lot smaller of a world than people think.”

“Like a little, dramatic high school,” Cory says with feigned cheer.

The band share looks. They’re growing tired of Cory and she can tell. All it does is amuse her.

“Anyway, I think the dynamic was always going to change with a lead singer,” Kieran says, uncharacteristically serious. “Pope and I…we don’t care to be the leaders or whatever. Seven and Avina know how to handle all of the serious shit.” Pope nods in agreement. “We just want to play our music.” He shrugs.

“Hm,” Cory says. “It seems you got it all figured out.”

“Is that what it looks like?” Seven snorts. “Good.”

@[MC's Band] @SoftViolence: Hear me out. How would y'all feel about Seven and MC getting back together?

-from MC_in_Seventh_Heaven

“That’s not happening,” Seven and Avina say in unison. They both glance at each other. Avina looks surprised, but Seven is looking at them with a weird look on their face.

“Wait…” Seven says, having completely forgotten the camera is there. “Why do you say that?”

“Why do you?” Avina throws back.

Kieran and Pope share knowing looks.

“I just know it wouldn’t work out,” Avina frowns. “I don’t want you getting hurt again. None of us do.”

Seven is frowning. They’re holding Avina’s gaze, the silence stretching so long it’s making even Cory uncomfortable. Still, she doesn’t say anything. This is good. This is what she wants.

“I think it’ll be weird as fuck,” Pope chimes in with an awkward laugh, raising his palms. “That’s just my opinion but Seven can do whatever the hell they want.”

Seven hasn’t looked away from Avina. Cory is stifling an amused smile.

“Sorry,” Avina clears their throat, “did I assume…?”

“No,” Seven breaks in. “I don’t know?”

Kieran turns away from the camera, though Cory catches the wide-eyed, slightly manic look he sends to Pope, who shakes his head in return.

“Avina,” Cory starts, “do you have something against MC?”

Normally, Seven would’ve probably shut that question down. This time, Seven looks between Cory and Avina, curious of the question themself. Ha. Jackpot.

“No,” Avina says quickly, raising their palms in a panic. “Not at all! I don’t even know them beyond what Sev has told us.”

“Hm,” Cory says, smiling.

@band: what is it like traveling in the tour buses? Do you find yourselves having petty arguments bc of the confined space?

All at once, the members of the band start speaking over each other. Cory rolls her eyes. “One at a time, Jesus,” she snaps, the chaos ceasing immediately.

“It’s fucking crazy,” Rowan says, “in a good way. I feel like a real rockstar.”

“Really? Because I feel claustrophobic,” Devyn says, putting a hand on their chest. “Everywhere you turn, there are walls. And other people.”

“Traveling isn’t so bad,” August explains. “I think it’s cool.”

“You don’t argue with anyone?” Cory inquires.

“Petty arguments?” Iris thinks. “We have petty arguments all the time but I do think the buses make it worse.”

“Rowan leaves all of his clothes everywhere,” MC says with a laugh and Rowan straightens.

“Okay, can we talk about that? Because you’re simplifying it—”

“Just put your clothes away,” August deadpans.

“Exactly,” Iris throws back.

Rowan scoffs dryly. “And what about you, August?”

“I do nothing wrong,” August says blandly.

“Your music plays so loud that we hear it,” Devyn says, making August frown. “What’s the point of headphones if we still hear it while trying to sleep?”

August says nothing to that, their cheeks blowing out. Rowan breaks into a laugh.

“MC stays up all night writing and uses their flashlight,” Devyn adds, making MC scoff. “I feel like I’m getting flash banged every time I wake up to pee.”

“Now, wait a second—”

@Jazzy - did Seven ever tell you they were crushing on MC?

The video call is scratchy at first and Jazzy laughs in the tiny window. Cory sighs and gives Peter—the one who had the idea to call—a sharp look. He grimaces.

“Seven mentioned it,” Jazzy explains, her face close to the camera, “we had a long talk. I promised them I wouldn’t say anything. Thank god that didn’t last long.” Jazzy laughs nervously. “I’m bad at keeping secrets from my friends.”

And follow up, how does it feel to go through these big milestones without them? Also, would you consider rejoining the band once the baby is born?

Jazzy makes a face that looks like a pout. “I can’t lie! I get FOMO.” She lets out a small sigh. “Knowing I’ll miss out on stuff kind of sucks but I know it’s for the better. I wouldn’t have been focused on this tour. I know I wouldn’t have been completely into it.” She clears her throat. “As for the second question…I think my time with the band is done. Well, officially.” She grins. “They still owe me money and fame.”

“You trust they’ll help you when they get rich and famous?”

“They better!” Jazzy laughs.

“Who is that?” Someone says behind her. Another face appears in the screen. “Jazzy, what are you doing?” He waves a hand. “Hiii. Are we on TV?” He starts primping himself up.

Cory frowns.

“An interview,” Jazzy scowls. “Get out.” She swats him away and he fails to weave it, stumbling off camera.

“Wait! Bring him back,” Cory says, “he needs to sign the release form.”

@Seb/Maya - Which locations are you most looking forward to visiting on the road trip?

Maya brightens. “Las Vegas! I want to go to a casino…”

“You’re not going inside a casino,” Sebastian says, making her frown. “I don’t care where we go, as long as we enjoy it.” His smile makes Cory’s face fall with annoyance.

@Seven - Does hating MC ever get tiring? I imagine it would be emotionally draining after a while. Also is there anything you're particularly looking forward to during BOTBs? No judgment but show biz doesn't seem like your cup of tea.

Seven frowns. “I don’t hate MC.”

“Yeah,” Cory laughs dryly. “Sure you don’t. You know, for someone like you, you’re quite…avoidant.”

Seven’s smile is dry. “You don’t even know me.”

She raises her hands in feigned surrender. “Sure, but I know your type. Doesn’t know what they want”—she lists it on her fingers—“hot and cold, emotional. Thinks the world is out to get them.”

Seven isn’t smiling anymore.

“Right?” She tilts her head.

Seven clears their throat and looks down at the question. “I’m looking forward to seeing new states. I don’t go out much. Being far from home makes me anxious.”

Cory is smiling. See? Avoidant.

“I think the drama of the business is what I don’t like,” they shoot a pointed look at Cory, “but everything else.” They shrug. “It’s fun.”

“Right,” she says, eyeing them deeply, “fun.”

@G: how has your career changed now that you're SO famous? What would you say to people who have been fans of yours from the beginning?

G reads and rereads the question in silence. Their expression says nothing, which interests Cory. Cory would be lying if she said she doesn’t like seeing G Reign squirm. Maybe it’s her secret bias agains the super famous. She’s been around enough famous people to grow a particular distaste for the A-list variety. They’re arrogant, prone to tantrums, and they’re convinced the world revolves around them. Call her bitter, but it always pleases her when she manages to knock one of them down a peg. That’s why she’s so good at her job. Spite can take you far. That’s the truth, no matter how many people say otherwise.

“I can’t go outside anymore,” G finally answers. And though they laugh, it’s bitter and dry. “You know, I haven’t been to a supermarket alone in years. Everything I do is…” They clear their throat. “A lot of stuff weighs on me. I’m responsible for many people. I have to think about them every step of the way.”

“Including your family?” Cory asks, raising a brow.

G stiffens. “Yeah,” they say, their voice faraway. “I take care of my family. If not me, then who?”

“Seems like a lot of pressure,” Cory responds.

G isn’t looking at her anymore. Instead, they’re gazing out passed the camera, their eyes absent and foggy. “Mhm…”

Cory tries to bring them back to the present. “Your fans who have seen you grow up must be pleased.”

G nods and clears their throat, blinking away whatever thought they had in their head. “Yeah,” they say slowly. “I would tell them that I’m the same person I’ve always been. That…they didn’t make a mistake choosing me.”

That…doesn’t sound convincing. G fidgets uncomfortably in their seat, looking everywhere but the camera. Cory’s brows furrow. G doesn’t sound like they believe that one bit, but maybe Cory’s dislike for G’s kind isn’t as strong as she thinks. She can’t bring herself to poke that particular bear.

“Okay,” she says.

@any/all lead singers: What has been the weirdest thing you've ever signed?

“A marriage certificate” Blake answers blandly, picking at their nail polish. Triple makes a face and Blake smirks.

“Did…you know it was a marriage certificate?”

“Yeah.” Blake shrugs. “Found it funny.”

“So what you’re saying is, you’re married somewhere?” Cory is amused, her brows raised at Blake.

“Maybe.” Blake grins back. “What was I going to do? Say no?”

“Yes,” everyone else says in unison.

Triple thinks about it. “Someone asked me to sign an urn…who the fuck brings an urn to a concert?”

“That’s dark,” Oliver deadpans next to him. “And you signed it?”

“I mean, yeah.” Triple shrugs.

In the next shot, Jenna from Jenna and the Jewels sits between Seven and MC, visibly uncomfortable. Cory almost feels bad. Almost.

“I signed a bong once,” Jenna reveals, laughing. “Not that weird.”

“I get the standard bras, phone cases,” MC thinks about it, “An inhaler, someone asked me to sign their takeout container because they had nothing else.”

Jenna barks out a laugh. “That’s so funny.”

There’s silence. Everyone waits for Seven to speak.

“Dentures,” Seven deadpans.

“Dentures?” Jenna parrots in surprise.

Seven’s mouth tips upward. “Yeah.” Seven waits a long time, visibly fighting with themself over something. Then they clear their throat, grinding out a tiny: “MC was there for that.”

MC blinks, unable to hide their surprise, then they nod. “Yeah…I was.”

Jenna and Cory share a look. Seven and MC turn away from each other.

"We're going to have a long tour," Cory mutters.