April Q&A Part 2 [band tier]

@G What did you think when the MC started singing directly to you during their audition?

G reads the slip aloud, leaning back in their seat as they think. A tiny smile appears on their face as they do. They look like they’ve been transported back to that moment. After a beat, they blink away the daze and say, “It was nice. I was a little intimidated, truthfully.” There’s a few muffled laughs from the staff.

Cory quirks a brow, her hand on her hip. “That’s cute,” she says.

G gives her a sparkling grin. “I liked it,” they admit. “Being sung to.” They think about it. “I felt like the fan for once.”

Cory tilts her head. “Hm. One would think being the fan isn’t as fun as the performer.”

G frowns a little, then they lean forward and rest their chin on their hand, looking a bit over the conversation. “Maybe so, but I’m used to feeling special on stage. Feeling special in the crowd is different. MC made me feel that…I felt different.” They bring back their smile, looking slightly out of it. “I wish I could say more but favoritism would be frowned upon, right?” They lift their brows mockingly.

Cory huffs and wags a finger at them. “Right...Smartass.”

What were your thoughts on making Seven second lead? I mean, was it not obvious that they’d not take it well and that it’d put a strain on MC’s and Seven’s relationship? Seeing how it all turned out and how much it affected the both of them, how do you feel about your vote? And would you, if gone back in time, choose to vote them second lead again, making everything spiral downhill as it did?

When Rowan finishes reading, he drops his hands, expression twisted. The rest of the band say nothing, different shades of discomfort stark on their faces. The only one who doesn’t look like they’re ready to hurl is August, who simply sits there with an awkward but slightly confused look on their face.

“Well,” Cory lets out a dry laugh, “that’s a mouthful.”

“Well.” Devyn clears her throat. “Business is…” They struggle to find the words.

With a hiss, Iris snatches the slip and tosses it aside. “We don’t have to answer that. We…had our reasons.” She clears her throat. She squirms in her seat. Cory lifts her brows. She doesn’t know Iris De Luca in any capacity beyond the few times they’ve filmed, but she didn’t expect such an...anxious reaction from her. “And we couldn’t possibly predict what was going to happen.”

Cory holds her gaze, amused. “You’re saying you couldn’t predict that a vote like that would break a band down? Look at history.”

Her face crumples. She turns away.

Cory huffs. “I don’t think we’re going to get an answer so let’s move on.”

—

“Next question,” Cory says with a dry smile. This time Victoria has returned again. They sit next to each other, a little tense from the last question they shared. It’s palpable, and Cory smiles. “Go on.”

G doesn’t make a move. Victoria looks at them and they shrug. With a huff, she leans forward and plucks a slip from the bowl.

What were you always looking for in a partner?

Victoria sighs, dropping her hands on the table. G looks irritated though it’s not obvious why.

“I want someone who cares about me,” she answers, her lip caught between her teeth. “Who makes me feel heard. Important.”

“You’re Victoria Valentine,” G deadpans. “How can you not be heard?” The way G says it sounds like they’re trying to be funny, but the look on their face is anything but. They seem uncomfortable, visibly miserable as they fail to project a casual demeanor. Cory wishes she could find it funny but…it all just seems like…

Projection.

“That’s now what I mean,” Victoria says sharply.

G forces air through their nose. Cory gives them a look. “And you?”

G looks like they don’t want to answer. But then they sigh and say,

“Sees me for who I am, I guess.”

Victoria rolls her lips.

Cory lifts her brows. “So essentially, you two want the same thing?”

“It’s not…no.” G inhales sharply. “I don’t want to feel important—”

Cory’s brows furrow. “You..don’t?”

“No, like—” They groan. “I don’t know what I’m saying.” They rub their face. “I just want…” G pauses. “I just want someone that knows how to make it all stop.”

“All?” Cory leans forward. “What do you mean by that?”

G shifts uncomfortably. Victoria’s eyes flit from them to Cory before she raises a hand. “That’s it,” she says. “We answered your question.”

“Hm.” Cory playfully points to the slip. “It’s a two-parter.”

While G tries to collect themself, Victoria stares at the slip with a frown.

Do you feel like you’ve found that in each other?

G and Victoria glance at each other. Cory laughs.

“You don’t have to answer,” she says, humming. “I know you won’t.”

It’s true. They won’t.

At the confirmation, Cory smiles. “The username does mention marriage counseling…?”

G cranes their neck and groans. “Next question.”

—

@Maya: Can you give us a recap of how the fandom split when Seven and MC split? Were you part of the fandom then? What are some of the fan theories and whats YOURS?

Maya claps her hands in excitement. “Oh my god,” she explains, raising her palms. “Okay. Perfect. I have a lot of opinions!”

Cory sighs.

“Okay so set the stage.” Maya inhales deeply. “It was very random. The band went inactive on social media for a little bit but it wasn’t a big deal at first. We were always waiting for new music, you know? Sometimes silence can be a good thing…my dad tells me that.”

“Awesome,” Cory responds, voice dry.

“And then a bomb drops!” Maya leans forward. She has the rest of the staff on edge. Cory notices even a few camera men hang on every word. “We get THE announcement. Seven is leaving the band!”  She puts her hands on her cheeks. “You should have seen the chats! Everyone was freaking out.”

“No one expected it?” Cory inquires, curious herself.

“Not really.” Maya thinks about it. “They were acting weird before it but you have to know! No one even thought of Seven ever leaving. Seven and MC…” Maya stops. “They were like the singers. It was part of the band’s brand. Anyway.” She huffs. “The fandom didn’t split immediately at first. We honestly thought Seven just needed a break.” She sighs. “But then the signs.”

“Signs?” Cory repeats.

She nods. “You can see it in some places. They completely stopped interacting. Pictures were deleted. Sometimes their answers to their questions would be…” She tries to find the word.

“…pointed?” Cory suggests.

Maya blinks.

Cory gestures vaguely. “It would feel like they’re being…shady? They’re obviously talking about each other even if it’s not direct?”

She nods. “It was mostly Seven.” She shrugs. “Anyway. The Seven fans left because there was obviously something up and without Seven, what was the point? The MC fans stayed and felt defensive over Seven fans complaining and yeah.” Maya sniffs. “I’ve always been a MC fan. I will stick beside them no matter what!”

She slams her fist on the table, making Cory snort. “Your passion is very sweet,” Cory says blandly, though she does mean it.

Maya leans forward. “I have one theory.” She pauses. “I think Seven was jealous of MC.”

Cory lifts her brows. “Oh? Is that so?”

She nods. “Because MC was obviously better and more popular. Seven decided to leave when they didn’t get more of the limelight.” She’s smug. “That’s a big theory in the fandom. I bet it’s true.”

Cory laughs. “Nice to know.”

“Other people think MC cheated on Seven and that’s why they left. Some say their relationship was faked for PR? but Seven fell in love for real and wanted more but MC said no. The weirdest one?”

Cory leans forward.

“That it’s all a lie.” Maya nods like she just dropped a bomb.

Cory’s brows furrow. “A…huh?”

“That the “breakup” is fake and they’re secretly pooling the money together from both bands.” She thinks about it. “I don’t believe it. MC would never lie.”

Cory huffs through her nose, swallowing a laugh. “Of course.”

—

@Seven: hi [king/queen]!!! do u ever feel like a song is going to be a hit when ur writing it? Have there been any songs popularity that have surprised u? LOVE U!!!!

Seven snorts out a tiny laugh, surprising Cory. “Oh, you actually can smile?” she asks, which makes their smile fall.

“When you’re not trying to frustrate me,” Seven responds sweetly, “then yes I can.” They set the paper aside. “Other than that, there’s not a lot of reasons to.”

“It must be soo exhausting being you,” Cory says in a moment meant to tease them.

It doesn’t work. Seven takes it completely serious.  “…Yeah. It is.”

There’s a pause. And then Seven exhales and reads the question again.

“I don’t think about the popularity when I’m writing,” they answer. I think that would put too much pressure on me. I just write as honestly as I can.” They tilt their head. “Thinking about the people that are going to listen to it would make me not want to write anything. I have to let it all go.”

“Poetic,” she drawls.

“Um.” Seven thinks about it. “I don’t know. I don’t have expectations on purpose. Can’t be disappointed if you weren’t hoping for anything in the first place.”

“Hm.” Cory is smiling. “Interesting.”

Seven gives her a look and reaches in for another.

Totally hypothetical question for Seven.

"They're never totally hypothetical," Cory breaks in.

You've said that you've moved on from MC and the door is closed on that part of your life. But...if MC admitted that they still cared and still had feelings for you, would it make a difference?

Seven visibly swallows. They slowly put the slip down. "I suppose that's between me and MC, is it?"

"How boring," Cory breathes out.

"It always makes a difference, I guess." Seven clears their throat. "How can it not?"

Cory holds their gaze. "Yeah," she says thoughtfully. "I agree with you."

—

@G: You’ve said that MC’s your favorite, so I’ve gotta ask- how do you feel about Seven also being in BOTB? You must know about their history?

G snorts. “Eh. Everybody has their baggage, don’t they?” They lean back and raise their hands. “I don’t know about that. I have too much shit going on. Maybe they’d benefit from therapy but you could say that for half the people here.”

“Do you need therapy?” Cory asks.

G grins. “Nope. I’m perfectly sane.”

She snorts.

“Jokes aside, I don’t see the big deal. I’ve been around many of my exes.” G shrugs, then their eyes light up. “You know, it might make it more fun.” They wiggle their brows.

“To you,” Cory responds.

G grins. “And you too.”

Cory’s eyes brighten. “Well. True that.”

—

@O: has it crossed your mind back then to scout mc as a solo artist instead of proposing to manage the whole band?

O sits there, their throat bobbing. Cory's brows lift in surprise. Oh. Did this question throw them off?

"I didn't have time to let that cross my mind," they answer, uncomfortable. "A lot of my recruitment was done on impulse. It was one of the few times I wasn't thinking."

"Okay," Cory says slowly. "And what about now? Would you have done it differently?"

O doesn't say anything for a while. "I don't waste my time dwelling on the past." Before Cory could respond, O is leaning forward and grabbing another question.

@O: You’re the only manager who actually accompanied their band. Is there a reason for that? Would you care to share?

O leans back, crossing their arms. “I care about my band.”

“Are you saying the other managers don’t?”

“I’m saying,” O says, voice tight, “that the band benefits from a watchful eye. This is a new experience for all of them. Having someone familiar with the industry to help navigate the terrain works in their favor.”

Cory stares at O with an amused smile on her face. “What exactly do you imagine is going to happen here that you need to protect them?”

“I never said protect,” O throws back, smile dry, “but I know how these things work. I know how people like you work, Cory. And I’m sure there will be times where the band will need my presence.”

“People like me?” Cory challenges. “Pray tell, what kind of person I am?”

“You’re like me,” O says, completely serious. “Determined. Serious about your job. You won’t stop to get what you want. Which means my band is in your line of fire.” They lift their brows. “Am I wrong?”

Cory holds their gaze. Her jaw clenches. She raises a hand. “Let’s take five.”