Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Hey, Alver! What do you think about the hotel?”

Roteir, the screenwriter aforementioned, popped into view, a wide grin fitting itself into place on her face. She spoke Korean with a slight accent.

“It’s nice. By the way, my name is Alberu,” Alberu grits out. The hotel they had both gotten was an above average hotel, one a bit more costly than your average hotel. Despite the two of them chipping in for the initial cost, both of them had to share a room. The room itself had a large cabinet on the side, two double beds separated by a foot or two, nightstands, large windows, a balcony, two closets, and a bathroom. 

Just this afternoon, Alberu had to abandon his current project via order of a higher-up to start this one. Alberu grimaces at the very likely chance of his supervisor scolding him for his unfinished work. He can only hope his supervisor sees sense. For now though, Alberu will need to settle down in this hotel.

‘Seems like I’ll be here a while.’

“Alver, what was your job like before working on this project?” Roteir, somehow already done unpacking, taps on Alberu’s shoulder.

Alberu isn’t sure why Roteir is calling him Alver. It’s a little annoying. “Roteir, my name is Alberu.”

Roteir giggles, “I know, Al-ya. I’m Roteir.”

Alberu inhales deeply. It’s like babysitting a child in a grown woman’s body. He should finish unpacking before he “accidentally” punches Roteir. Alberu doesn’t know why Roteir acts like this, but it sure is getting on his nerves.

“Hey, Al-ya,” Roteir starts. Alberu think’s “Al-ya” is better than Alver of all things, but he would still prefer his actual name. Roteir picks up a dress shirt of Alberu’s, “need help unpacking?”

Alberu raises an eyebrow, somewhat eager to figure out what Roteir’s thinking, but he nods regardless. The more, the merrier. For a while, the both of them work in tandem and in silence(much to Alberu’s surprise), with only the sliding of cabinets and the crinkles of clothes being heard for a while. It’s a comfortable silence, at least to Alberu. Roteir breaks the silence first.

“Can we do an icebreaker? To get to know each other, since we’ll be here together for a while?”

Alberu shakes his head, a hazy fog already plaguing his mind. He doesn’t think he can take much more of Roteir’s banter.

“Roteir, just work on the script. Now.”

Alberu turns around, uncaring of Roteir’s reaction. That is, until Roteir picks up HIS macbook and starts typing on it. Alberu isn’t sure how she unlocked it, but where there’s a will, there’s a way, he supposes. There’s something boiling inside Alberu, and he isn’t sure what it is. So he decides to give up and flop on his claimed bed. Whatever energy he has left leaves him as he drifts off to sleep.

Roteir, in the meanwhile, decides to go on a site. (What site Roteir went on, we may never know.) Roteir types out an advertisement and clicks on enter. Alberu did seem a bit grumpy today, but Roteir hopes this will help. Roteir steals another glance at the now-posted ad. Hopefully, anyway. Alberu stirs in his sleep.

...

..

.

Alberu blinks awake, feeling just a tad bit more energized than before. He assumes Roteir’s still sleeping, considering the fact that it’s quiet. Habitually reaching for his phone, Alberu frowns at a new message from an unknown phone number. 

[    UNKNOWN NUMBER    ]

(?)

Hello, where can I audition for “Lout of the Count’s Family?” The seasonal show advertised? 

Alberu’s eye twitches. That was the name Roteir had called the show. Yes, Roteir is the sole screenwriter, but the titling was actually up to the showrunner, a mysterious lad neither had met before.

(Alberu)

Do you mean “Trash of the Count’s Family?” Where, praytell, did you find this website?

(?)

Uh? It clearly said “Lout” on the advertisement. I found it on {insert website}, was it a scam or joke?

Alberu grips his phone and thinks. On one hand, he doesn’t know who this could be, or they even have a reputable background. On the other hand, even just getting one actor is an achievement in itself in this hellhole of a production. One actor could also lead to another..

‘Fuck it.’

Alberu)

Ah, no. This is a legitimate project, are you interested?

(?)

Yes! May I know the details? Possibly location as well?

This actor seems enthusiastic. Perhaps Alberu should lure them in? No matter what, Alberu needs to get this actor on his side. Plus, this person doesn’t seem to have an agent? Maybe a newbie actor would be easier to recruit.

(Alberu)

First up, can I have your name? Do you have any acting experience?

Alberu needs to get this mystery person to hope. Also to make sure he actually has qualifications for this gig.

(?)

My name is Lee Soo Hyuk, and I have acted as background and minor characters in dramas and plays.

Oh? That was better than Alberu expected. It seems like this “Lee Soo Hyuk” knows how to act professionally as well. 

(Alberu)

Great. My name is Alberu. Is it okay if I schedule a proper audition sometime this week? I will send the details. After all, there are many other trainees waiting on a role too.

Did Alberu just lie? Yes, yes he did. Does he care? Not really? The bait is needed to make the deal seem just a little bit sweeter.

(Lee Soo Hyuk)

Of course! Thank you for this opportunity, I will have your number saved.

Hook, line, and sinker. Alberu isn’t sure how the auditioning process actually works, being only a manager, but if it works, it works. Next, he needs to set his schedule. Maybe book a place too. And find editors, assistant writers, producers, a budget manager..

The list goes on and on. There’s still many things to do, and Alberu probably needed to hire those people before an actor. Alberu mutters curses under his breath. He’ll need to do research on top of all of his work. Alberu spares his screen another glance. 

‘Still, at least I got somewhere in this hellhole of a project. Plus, where even is Roteir? She's not in the room.’

SLAM!

The door swings open. There, a very tired and out of breath Roteir stands.

“What happened to you?” Alberu raises a brow.

“Rude. Al-ya, I found a super cheap store that sells props! I even bought a couple!” Roteir raises an arm, showing 3 very heavy notebooks.

“...”

“Notebooks are crucial!”

“Did you lie about the prop store too?”

“No! I swear, it’s down the street, take a left, then two rights! You can’t—well no, you can kinda miss it, but if you’re careful you won't!" Roteir babbles on and Alberu tunes most of it out.

“At least I did something useful. I found us our first actor.”

“Eh? When?”

Alberu gestures to the notebooks. “Pass me one.”

“Ah-ha! I knew you’d—-” Roteir wheezes out, coughing on that last word but still managing to pass the notebook to Alberu.

Alberu takes one look at Roteir and grimaces, “Go get some rest, or better yet, freshen up.”

A shaky thumbs up is given as a reply. Trudging to the bathroom, Roteir walks out of sight. Alberu turns his gaze to the notebook and writes down what he and Roteir needs most. Other than a bigger budget, he means. 

Scritch, scritch.

Putting down the pen, Alberu nods, very satisfied with the list.

-Props(will list specifics later)

-Actors(not first priority, found first actor)

-Finance manager(we need more budget)

-More writers

-Producers

-Director(Alberu was already playing this role, but he and Roteir really need a proper one)

-Editors(not first priority)

-Publicist

-Camerapeople and mic people

-Makeup artists

-Prop makers and buyers(?)

There’s more he needs to gather, but for now, this should be a sufficient list? Alberu zeroes in a word.

-Director

Alberu spins his pen. 

‘I’ll get that after the actor though, of course.’

Alberu nods, a concrete plan forming in his mind. He’ll meet up with Lee Soo Hyuk maybe next Saturday?

 ‘Yes, that sounds good.’

  Alberu checks the date. It’s Wednesday. A bit more than a week, he supposes. Well, Alberu can certainly get some work done during that time. For one, Alberu should do some more research about the entertainment industry. Sure, he’s been in the industry for a bit, but it was mainly as an agent and not whatever role he’s fulfilling right now. 

Flipping one page over, Alberu titles the notes.

RESEARCH ON ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

Alberu clicks his pen exactly four times before he begins googling more about the film making process.

“Film making process,” Alberu unconsciously mumbles. He presses search and writes down what he understands about the concept.

Stage one: Development, writing the script and visualizing the concept.

(Will put more notes soon.)

Stage 2: Preproduction, planning, budgeting, hiring crew, scouting locations, storyboarding.

(Will write more later.)

Stage 3: Production, or filming.

(Will write more when getting to that point.)

Stage 4: Post-production, or editing. Edits may include sound design, visual effects, color grading, etc.

(Might add more notes?)

Stage 5: Marketing, or advertising the film.

(This sounds like a pain.)

Alberu isn’t sure which of these would be the biggest headache, but he knows he won’t be happy either way. For now, he only has to worry about the "Development" part, though. 

‘Oh wait, wasn’t hiring crew and actors supposed to be on the second step?’

“...”

Alberu closes the notebook out of frustration. 

Slam!

It did create a mini-shockwave of some kind, but due to its size, the notebook did not suffer any damage. Alberu isn’t sure if it would frustrate him more if the notebook did break though. Alberu rubs his eyes. Ah. His thoughts are wandering again.

     ‘Well, whatever. I’ll go to sleep for today, maybe check out that store Roteir was talking about.’

     Alberu purses his lips at where he last saw Roteir stumbled off to—-the bathroom. He wants to have hope in her, he really does.

    ‘If. If it's something useful. Hopefully it is.’

...

..

.

  [THURSDAY]

Ring. 

Ring.

Ring.

Beep.

Alberu accepts an incoming call from his supervisor and answers on the third ring. He himself braces for a loud shout and holds his phone just a little bit farther away. 

‘Okay, three, two, on-’

“CROSSMAN!!”

Alberu winces, the loud volume seemingly echoing. The phone wasn’t even on speaker. Alberu did expect a fuming, screaming supervisor, but this is a bit much, even for me. Alberu tries to answer in as much as a neutral tone as possible.

“..Yes sir.”

“DO YOU THINK YOU’RE HOT SHIT OR SOMETHING?!?”

Alberu purses his lips and frowns. 

“No, sir.”

“MOTHERFUCKER, THE AUDACITY YOU HAVE TO—-YOU MUST THINK YOU’RE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE REST OF US TO ABANDON YOUR PROJECT, HUH?!”

For a while, all Alberu can hear is the heavy breathing of his manager. He can imagine his supervisor standing in front of him, red faced from screaming and accusingly pointing a finger at Alberu. Alberu bites his lip. What a great way to dampen his mood. 

“No sir,” Alberu finally replies, “I will get right on the project right now.”

Click.

Alberu’s supervisor hangs up without another word. Alberu exhales, suddenly feeling like he’s carrying the weight of the world. He trudges over to his desk, opening his macbook. Clicking over to his email, Alberu is bombarded by emails from companies looking to cast the actors he’s managing and many, many angry complaints from his co-workers. Alberu decidedly ignores the complaints and starts sorting through the emails first. So far, they’re all pretty tame and relatively low in pay and lines. Alberu sends an email to one of the actors he’s managing, one he knows would appreciate the experience more than the pay. 

From: Alberu Crossman

Title: Job Offers You May Want To Consider

Email: Hello, it is Alberu; here are some acting gigs I sorted out that you might want to take..

Alberu sends the email. Then he reads through and sorts more emails. Then Alberu sends another email to the other actor he's managing, and vice versa.

‘Read, sort, email, repeat.’

Roteir walks in, having just explored the area around the hotel, and stops right in her tracks. In front of her is Alberu, hunched over, slumped shoulders, working on something. Roteir decides to help Alberu out a bit. With a smile, Roteir wordlessly hands Alberu a chocolate bar and jumps onto her bed right after, taking out a tablet to start typing a rough draft of her script. She doesn’t see Alberu’s shocked expression, and instead puts on headphones. 

Alberu gets back to work, and for a handful of hours, it stays like this—-clicking and clacking of Alberu’s keyboard, the occasional hum of Roteir’s, and the two occasionally sharing a snack or meal. 

‘This is nice too.’

[FRIDAY]

“...”

Roteir jolts awake and throws the blanket off the bed, still slightly immersed in her dream. Roteir shivers. It’s cold, that’s all. Roteir sighs. Nothing she can do about it. Roteir swivels a head toward Alberu. Still sleeping. Roteir debates whether or not to wake Alberu up. It’s already 9am after all. 

Alberu lets out a light snore.

Roteir throws a pillow at Alberu. Alberu has no reaction. He must be a heavy sleeper then? Roteir throws another pillow. It barely misses by a margin. Roteir reaches for another pillow only to find no more left at Roteir’s disposal.

‘Well.’

..Alberu wakes up to a grinning Roteir with a cup of water threatening to spill. 

“Please don’t.”

Roteir snickers and drinks the cup of water. Alberu’s just glad the water didn’t end up on him instead. Alberu pushes himself up into a sitting position and checks his phone. It’s 9:30am. Alberu ponders whether or not to ask Roteir, but he does so anyway.

“Roteir, how do you feel about getting some morning coffee?”

Roteir clasps both hands together and grins, “I know a spot!” Roteir, for once, had a normal reaction. 

“..Right. I’ll get ready in the bathroom, see ya.”

Roteir did explore the area yesterday, and knew exactly which coffee shop was the best. Now, this wasn’t to say Roteir went around tasting coffees from different shops(she did), of course. Roteir looks down at her current outfit. A t-shirt and sweats. Pretty casual in Roteir’s opinion.

     ‘I'll just put on a sweater or something.’

     Roteir rummages through her closet, finally grabbing hold of a hoodie. It's wrinkled, sad, and grey, but it's a hoodie nonetheless. Roteir drapes herself in the (un)comfortable fabric and pats down any bed hairs with her hand. 

     It is right then and there Alberu walks out of the bathroom, clad in a set of jeans, a cap, and motorcycle jacket. Now, Roteir doesn't know what she currently looks like, but she's sure she's looking like a rat compared to Alberu. 

     ‘I mean, why does he look dressed for a fashion show?! How loaded is this guy?’

     “Hey Al-ya!” Roteir decidedly ignores this with her usual happy-go-lucky attitude. Alberu frowns, but grabs his car keys off from a rack. Roteir notes that Alberu seems to dislike “Al-ya” less than “Alver.” Roteir shrugs. That’s fine with her. She likes nicknames. Maybe a little too much, actually.

“Let’s just go.”

...

..

.

“Hello, how may I take your order?” the employee at the drive through window asks with a polite smile. Alberu takes one glance at the menu and answers, “I’ll take an espresso.” 

The employee’s expression cracks and molds into one of worry, “Sir, are you sure? It is a lot of caffeine, and here, we do use stronger types of coffee beans..”

Alberu nods, after all he might need the extra caffeine for paperwork and film research alike. The employee frowns but nods anyway. He gestures to Roteir, “And for you?”

“I’ll get an iced latte with extra whipped cream, please!”

The employee writes it down and motions toward the next window over, “Your coffee will be ready in a few minutes over there.”

Alberu drives forward, stopping right at the window. Another employee, somewhere inside the cafe, yells, “NEARLY READY!”

The silence leading after is deafening. And unbearably awkward. Roteir squirms in her seat, internally praying for the employee to hurry up. Alberu decides to take the initiative and start the conversation. He eyes Roteir’s outfit.

“I kinda thought you’d wear something more.. extra.”

Roteir coughs, “What? Do you expect me to wear a clown suit while entering a coffee shop??”

“...”

The silence says it all. Roteir gasps, clearly offended. She smacks Alberu’s arm and scoffs, “How rude! I’m technically the lead writer in this whole thing! Come on, as the..whatever role you play, you should technically show me some respect!”

The words sound familiar to Alberu, but he doesn’t take it seriously this time. “You’re the only writer on the project. Plus, unlike you, I still have my duties as an actor’s agent on top of ‘Trash of the Count’s Family.’”

“What?! It’s obviously ‘Lout of the Count’s Family,’ Al-ya! Come on, say it. Lout.”

Alberu sighs, and the employee from earlier stands at the window, about to hand the drinks to them.

“Roteir, the showrunner LITERALLY said it was ‘Trash,’ not ‘Lout.’ You aren’t the showrunner. Come on.”

Roteir finally spots the employee and smacks Alberu’s arm again. 

“Ow! What was that for?!” Alberu hisses and glares at Roteir. Roteir shrugs and takes the drinks, muttering a thank you to the employee. Roteir sets the drinks down and sticks her tongue out, “That was for making the poor employee wait! Now, drive.”

Alberu stares at Roteir, then the employee, who has an expression basically screaming ‘I’m so done with my life.’ He pushes down lightly on the accelerator and steers his car out of the drive-through. Roteir smirks and gloats smugly.

“Ha! Take that, you blonde workaholic!”

Alberu pretends to not hear a thing. Yes indeed, there is currently no one next to him. No one at all.

Chapter Text

[SATURDAY]

Alberu wakes up. Trying and unsuccessfully blinking the blurriness away, Alberu sits up and scans the room. It’s dark out and Roteir’s already gone, which makes Alberu wonder how early she wakes up. He reaches for his phone and shuts his eyes at the brightness of the screen. It’s 3:00am. 

‘Roteir’s awake at this ungodly hour?’

Alberu thinks for a moment. Maybe Roteir had something to do? He does always go to sleep before Roteir though. Alberu pulls the covers of the blanket up. It’s fine, Roteir can take care of herself. 

“...”

Alberu still feels uneasy. He still feels like something bad is going to happen. Like a seed of dread, growing from within. It’s unsettling. Too much so. Alberu yanks the blanket off of him and sets his feet down on the floor. He knows Roteir’s probably fine, but being awake this early is a bit out of character for her. Alberu brushes his face and turns on the light. It stings his eyes, and Alberu winces. Stumbling out of the room, Alberu opens the hotel door. The lights are off and there is no one in sight. Alberu takes a step out into the hallway. And another. Then Alberu pauses. He’s not sure whether he should investigate further. What if Roteir just went to get some fresh air? Alberu glances at the balcony their hotel room has. The curtains are pulled back, revealing an empty spot. 

‘...’

Alberu paces back and forth between the door and the hallway, before ultimately grabbing a sweater off of his bed and wearing it. He closes the door and treads toward the end of the hallway, careful to not make any noise just to be sure he doesn’t wake anyone. Alberu stares at the stairs, then the elevator. They’re on opposite sides. Usually, Alberu would take the elevator, but he isn’t exactly sure Roteir has left the hotel, so the stairs it is. 

Step. Step. Step. Pause.

‘That did not take very long at all.’

In front of him is Roteir with ear buds in and glasses on. She's looks very focused on whatever she was working on, scribbling something on a notebook that she probably bought from the store she mentioned a few days ago. 

Alberu narrowed his eyes. It's a strange sight, he'd never seen Roteir wear glasses before, and be that focused working on a task. On a normal day, she would be much more energetic and chaotic. 

Roteir doesn’t notice Alberu, and Alberu clears his throat to get her attention. Roteir jolts, her glasses falling a little out of place. She looks up at Alberu.

“Ehhh? Al-ya? What time is it? Why are you here?”
Roteir asks, seeming tired. Was she sleepy from staying up?
“It’s 3:00am. I should be asking you that.”

“Eh? 3? Already?”

Roteir fumbles a bit until she grabs hold of her tablet. The screen lights up and illuminates her face. 

“Oh, it is...wow, time really flies I guess?”

“Roteir, go sleep now.”
“But I’m almost done!”

Alberu sighs, and with minimal effort, puts on his (signature)resting bitch face. Roteir stiffens and scrambles up, steadying herself by leaning on the wall. She closes the notebook. Alberu peeks at the notebook. It’s not in Korean, that’s for sure.

“Coming Al-ya.”

Alberu walks up the stairs with Roteir lagging not far behind.

‘I feel like Roteir seems a bit listless and tired?’

Alberu looks back. Roteir, with a more animated expression, reads her notebook on the way. 

“What did you write?”

She pauses, glancing between her notebook and Alberu. Roteir shrugs with a silly expression.

“I don’t remember what I write! I just zone out every time! Wait, what did I just say?”

Roteir tilts her head and sticks her tongue out. Alberu frowns, but shrugs it off. 

 ..The rest of the day goes pretty normally, with Roteir being her usual, energetic self after getting some sleep. Alberu chalks this up to her finally getting some sleep. Probably.

[SUNDAY]

Roteir throws a pillow at a certain sleeping blonde. He does not react. Roteir whistles. Damn. Alberu sleeps like a log or something. Roteir's starting to wonder what it'll take for Over the days of living with Alberu, Roteir has realized that he usually wakes up within a specific time frame, specifically 7-9am. No later or earlier. Roteir begins to ponder just what it’ll take to wake Alberu before or even after that timeframe.

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop it.”

“I didn’t even say anything yet!” Roteir giggles. That was great timing, in her opinion.

Alberu sits up and throws her pillow back at her. It slaps Roteir’s face.

“You don’t need to. I can feel your evil planning from here.”

Roteir feigns ignorance and shrugs, “What evil planning?”

Alberu (decidedly) ignores Roteir and instead opens his laptop for what feels like the 100th time this week. He clicks over to his emails again and..

Alberu’s eyes light up. For one of the first times in his career as a manager, he has no new emails. Usually, they’d come flooding in all times of the day, with no breaks in sight. Alberu pumps his fist into the air and lets out a celebratory shout.

“HELL YES!” 

Roteir scoots herself next to Alberu and takes a peek at his laptop. His Gmail is full of ads, but other than that, it's relatively empty. She looks at Alberu, confused. Alberu shakes Roteir from her shoulders, grinning like he just retired with a whole year of pay.

“I don’t have any emails and job offers! I can finally focus on the film project!”

Alberu throws his blanket and traps Roteir with it. He stands up and internally throws a party. Alberu hops off the bed, leaving Roteir and grabbing his phone. Roteir throws the blanket off the bed.

“Al-ya! What do you think you’re doing, huh?!”

Alberu scrolls through his contacts. ‘Guess she’s back to nicknames?’

“I think I have an acquaintance I can call on to fill the director role.”

“Oh! I have a friend too! I can call her if you want!”

Alberu looks up from his phone. Why couldn’t Roteir have mentioned that earlier?

“Mm, but she’s in another country.”

Alberu continues scrolling.

“I can call her to be sure though!” Roteir pipes up.

Alberu stops scrolling.

“Not actually sure if she’s busy..”

Alberu grabs and tosses a pillow from Roteir’s bed. She catches it. Alberu frowns and kicks a second pillow toward her. This time, it misses. Roteir glances back and forth between Alberu and the pillows before snickering.

“Just go check with your friend, Roteir.”

Roteir salutes and runs off to who knows where. Alberu sighs and pulls out his notes. 

Scritch.

RESEARCH ON ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

Stage one: Development, writing the script and visualizing the concept.

  Roteir’s writing the script(probably).

Stage 2: Preproduction, planning, budgeting, hiring crew, scouting locations, storyboarding.

Depends on whether or not Roteir can convince her friend; plan B is me calling in an acquaintance.

Stage 3: Production, or filming.

(Will write more when getting to that point.)

Stage 4: Post-production, or editing. Edits may include sound design, visual effects, color grading, etc.

(Might add more notes?)

Stage 5: Marketing, or advertising the film.

(This sounds like a pain.)

Alberu closes the notebook and lays down on his bed. One way or another, he and Roteir will get a director, and Roteir will finish her script of “Trash of the Count’s Family.” So next, Alberu supposes, is step two, preproduction. He can start by using Lee Soo Hyuk to drag in more actors-to-be. 

[LEE SOO HYUK]

(Alberu)

Hello Lee Soo Hyuk, I’m wondering if you have any friends who are interested in acting? 

A quick reply comes.

(Lee Soo Hyuk)

I’m not sure if they are interested, but I know my dongsaengs can probably act. Are you looking for extras in your film?

‘Time for some (not)small white lies.’

(Alberu)

Yes, quite a few of our staff may possibly be busy during certain times of the shootings, so I am reaching out to any and all actors and their acquaintances.

(Lee Soo Hyuk)

Oh, I see. I will ask my dongsaengs.

‘Ah, well. Time to play the pity card.’

(Alberu)

Thank you so much, Soo Hyuk. You are the only person who has responded so far. I am truly grateful, and will try my best to get you to a more major role.

(Lee Soo Hyuk)

In that case, I will make sure they agree. I will drag them to the set if I need to, sir.

Alberu barked out a laugh and just sent a thumbs up in Success? Maybe. It was a little too early to tell just yet, but still one step forward.

...

    Meanwhile, with Roteir..

    Roteir dials a number long forgotten. It rings, once, twice, then the person on the other side picks up.

    “Mm? Teir? You haven't called in a while.”

    A familiar voice flows out from her phone in a foreign language. It's been a while since Rotr has spoken it, despite it being her native language.

    “Hey, you still working in the entertainment industry?”

    “..Which side?”

    Roteir blanks out for a moment before remembering that idols and their industry are indeed part of the entertainment industry.

    “Acting!”

    “Oh, yeah, I pretty much retired early.”

    “...”

    “..did you want me to do something?”

    “I need a director. For this film thingy.” Roteir blurts it out with confidence. 

    “Uh? I'll pass.”

    Roteir inhales. Time to do a little bargaining. If Alberu can convince an actor, a stranger no less, then Roteir can convince her longtime friend.

    “Salga, if I give you an interesting enough script will you help me?” 

     Salga, Roteir's friend, replies.

    “What is this, a K-Drama?? But sure, why not? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.”

    Roteir bursts into laughter and Salga follows.

    “Bahaha! K-Dramas, huh? You know, I'm in Korea right now, would you be willing to travel here if I pass on a list of recommendations?”

    “..I'll think about it.”

    Roteir raises a brow. Is it really that easy?

    “Really!?”

    “Maybe. Send the finished script and we'll see.”

     Roteir nods, and gives the phone a thumbs up despite Salga being across the world.

    “I'll get back to you soon!”

    “Haha, sure.”

    A beat of silence. Roteir reaches toward the end call button.

    “Teir, have you been doing fine lately?”

    “What do you mean? I've been great so far today!”

    “..Ah, nevermind. Just send the script to me within the week..”

    Salga trails off and ends the call. Roteir is left thoroughly confused. She hadn't been sick or anything when she left the country, right? Roteir shakes her head. She'll think about it later. For now she can go bother Alberu or something. Roteir grins at the thought. 

    ‘Actually, maybe I should finish the script first. It's halfway done, but I think I can finish it in one night if I sleep just a little late.’

    Roteir stands up and claps.

    ‘Okay! Plan made!’

    Scurrying in and out of the bathroom to get her tablet, Roteir spots Alberu sleeping on his bed, sprawled out. She snickers, snapping a quick picture. Back in the bathroom again, Roteir shuts the door and turns on her tablet.

   ‘I got this..I actually have motivation today!’

...

..

.

   [MONDAY]

   Alberu sleepily rubs his eyes and coughs. His throat is very dry. Alberu reaches around for a waterbottle, only to see the bathroom light on. He checks his phone. It's 4am. In the morning.

 “The hell?” Alberu mumbles aloud, voice hoarse.

  Stepping toward the door and finding it unlocked, Alberu pushes it open. 

  There, he sees Roteir, sitting on her stomach, typing away. Her gaze meets his. Alberu squints.

  “Oh! Uhm, I'm almost done?”

  “..how long?”

  “I'm going to need a little more context, for example, if you're asking how long I've been here, it's about,” Roteir swipes up on her tablet and gasps, “4am already?! Okay so I've been here since like, 6? But-”

  “How long do you need to finish?”

  Roteir makes an exaggerated thinking expression and stops upon seeing Alberu’s unimpressed face. She scratches her head.

  “Uh.. gimme 30 minutes?”

  Alberu nods and shuts the door. Roteir’s left there, frozen like a deer in the headlights. 

  ‘Well, that was an experience. I guess.’

  Outside the bathroom door, Alberu sighs and rubs his temples. He feels like a parent. Alberu makes up his mind. Roteir is a certified baby-in-adult-body. He wonders how much more he'll have to babysit her before this project ends. Alberu shivers.

  ‘Let's not think about it.’

  Collapsing onto his bed, Alberu hugs his pillow. At least Roteir was her usual self this night? Alberu still doesn’t know what her whole deal is about. He'll think about it later, tomorrow, when he actually has energy to deal with her.

...

       Alberu wakes up to another pillow being thrown at him. His drowsiness goes away immediately. Alberu throws it back, and it lands on an empty spot. Alberu blinks and surveys the surroundings. A suspiciously sleeping Roteir is curled up into a ball on the floor, with her tablet still open. 

        Alberu clicks his tongue. When does this girl ever sleep? 30 minutes his ass. Curious, Alberu picks it up and reads the title. It reads as “Lout of the Count’s Family.” Shaking his head at the title, Alberu sits down and scrolls to the very top. He hopes Roteir is at least done with the script, seeing how she stayed awake til now.

     A/N: if it's not accurate to the beginning of tcf/lcf, it's on purpose >_<

    [When I woke up, I was in a novel. I, [NAME 1] had transmigrated into the novel, Birth of the Hero as the minor drunkard and villain, [NAME 2], who had gotten beat up by the protagonist, [NAME 3].]

    Alberu had sort of expected a medieval K-Drama, but a manhwa would make sense too, he supposes. The showrunner did give them the equivalent of free reign.

    ‘But what's with the names?!’

    Alberu continues reading.

    [..I am a type of person who would rather lie and roll around in dog shit than die. That is the type of person I am.]

    Alberu mentally gives Roteir a thumbs but for not writing a cheesy protagonist like in a lot of isekai manga.

    (If you don't know, isekai is the genre of main  characters going to another world.)

    [The bandits attacked the cart, and [NAME 2] watched on, uninterested. [RED CAT] and [GREY CAT LOL] shifted in their seats. [RED CAT] nudged [NAME 2]’s hand.]

     Alberu finds the pacing to be a bit slow. Or maybe it's just him. Alberu checks the word count and has to check twice.

    ‘Damn! Well, it is for a movie, I guess. Roteir must be dedicated to this.’

     Alberu has read a stack of documents taller than himself in less than a couple of days. He's sure he can read the entire thing in half the day. Maybe less if it's really interesting.

     [[NAME 2] looked down at [awww bby dragon]. It glared at [NAME 2].

     ‘What a nice glare you have.’]

     Alberu speeds past the pages.

     [He looked down, with a grave expression. [NAME 3] bowed down low, Korean style.

      “I'm very sorry, [NAME 2]-nim! I could only cut off his arms and one of his legs.”

      [NAME 2] shivered. [NAME 3] was really vicious sometimes.]

     Alberu rolls over onto his back.

     [“Yes, young master-nim, I will go out to hunt some foxes,” [OLD GRAMPS KILLER BUTLER] proclaimed.]

     [“I thank you for saving my brother.” 

   [BLUE HAIR] handed [NAME 2] a conch shell. She smiled.

     “Blow on this near the sea whenever you are in need of our services, the whales.”]

     [-Are you going to sacrifice yourself?

     [STONE SPEAR ANCIENT POWER] asked, as usual during a dangerous situation.

     [NAME 2] pursed his lips and answered, “Yes.”

     -I will not let you. Back in my days, I sacrificed myself and my friends for the people. I won't let you young whippersnappers do the same. Heed my word, young one, and use my power to protect everyone around you and yourself.

     The ground shook and rumbled.]

     [She spoke, her half translucent form showing the castle walls behind her. 

     “I must thank you for keeping my child safe.”

     [bby dragon named] shouted, “M,mo,m, anyways! My name is [bby dragon named]!”

     [White Dragon protecc] smiled gently, “What a nice name you have.”]

     [“The Rangers have gone missing in the mountain,”

      [blue drunkard] spoke with clear eyes. He was not drunk, or pretending to be drunk.]

     [“Pretend to be my son.”

      [NAME 2] didn't know if he heard correctly or not.

     “Hm?”

     [Vampire guy with fake son]’s grin grew.

     “You can infiltrate [villain base kinda] that way. Be my son.”]

    [[NAME 2] stared at the darkness. Blood red eyes stared back. 

    [Crusty ahh god]’s eyes curled up into crescents.]

    Before Alberu realizes it, he scrolls to the last scene, the final battle.

    [[NAME 2] summoned rocks using [STONE ANCIENT POWER] while mixing it with [INTIMIDATION ANCIENT POWER] and [EVIL DEATH ROCK POWER]. [NAME 2] surrounded [ULTIMATE BAD GUY EW] with the now red stones and sent the [fire pew pew] raining down on him. 

[ULTIMATE BAD GUY EW] used a water and wind wall mixed together, clearly caught off guard by the combo. [NAME 2] smirked.

‘Now!’

[NAME 2] slipped out the black and white dagger from the [ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY TREE]. 

-[NAME 2]!! Your body can’t take any more powers, ancient or not!

‘I only need one-no, half a second.’

He activated his second ability from Earth, [fast ability haha]. The world around him slowed to almost a complete stop. [NAME 2] took one step. He felt his leg burn and crack, but now was no time to care.

 [NAME 2] plunged that dagger deep in his chest and pulled it out just as fast. Barely noticing the blood spurting out from the wound, [NAME 2] stabbed [ULTIMATE BAD GUY EW] and stumbled back. He deactivated [fast ability haha], putting both hands over his stab wound to try and staunch the blood.

“You..! I’ll,I! [NAME 2]!!”

[ULTIMATE BAD GUY EW] glared up at [NAME 2] and made a hand signal. 

BANG!

Lightning bolts narrowly missed [NAME 2].

“It’s over, [ULTIMATE BAD GUY EW]. You can’t reincarnate anymore.”

[ULTIMATE BAD GUY EW] scowled and grabbed [NAME 2]’s collar.

“[NAME 2]. If I’m going down, then you’re going down with me.”

“!?”

[ULTIMATE BAD GUY EW] summoned his flame sword. A twisted grin spread across his lips. [NAME 2] tried to tug [ULTIMATE BAD GUY EW]’s hand off.

‘Why is he so strong for a dying man?!’

The flaming sword came for him.

[NAME 2], no, [NAME 1], had nothing to lose when he transmigrated. But throughout these two years, he had gained allies and a family. He could not, WOULD not die here. Exhausted and left with nearly no energy, [NAME 2] did the only thing he hadn’t done in both of his lives. He prayed. To anyone, hell, anything, that would listen.

‘Don’t let me die here, dammit!’

..Somewhere, up above and past the realm of the living, someone listened. They listened to [NAME 2]’s pleas for help. That someone raised his hand. 

‘It’s time for me to get to work.’

To be continued!

-Roteir :3]

Alberu tried scrolling down more. It didn’t work. It was the last page. 

‘...’

Alberu nearly sent the tablet flying across the room, if it wasn’t for the fact that it was not his. Alberu buries his head in his hands, puzzled about the whole ending, names—no, actually just the whole book.

‘Don’t tell me it was an open ending?! But there are still so many plot holes and hints for a possible part two! Arghh! Will [NAME 2] ever meet his hyungs again!? What happened to the original [NAME 2]?? HOW IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE FOR ME TO GET ATTACHED TO PLACEHOLDERS FOR NAMES?!? ROTEIR, HOW DID YOU DO THIS?!’

A tap on his shoulder. Alberu lifts his head. Roteir’s right in view, grinning like it’s the best day of her life.

“Good morning Al-ya~! How’d you like my script?”

Alberu takes one look at Roteir and (lightly)smacks her head with her tablet. 

“Ack!”

“First of all, the ending. I don’t think I need to elaborate further. Second of all, the names. I don’t need to elaborate further on that either. Third of all, the format. I actually don’t think I need to explain any of these.”

Roteir grabs a pillow and smushes it into Alberu’s face. Alberu groans, the whole pillow war thing being a regular occurrence with Roteir. Roteir grins, not that Alberu can see it.

“I plan to release the script as a novel to make our movie gain more traction! I left it an open ending so the audience can expect a part two, and if it goes through, we can make more money off of it!”

Alberu places the pillow on the side and retorts, “Wow, that’s actually smart. I did not expect that.”

Roteir grabs the pillow and slaps Alberu, “Hey! Gimme a little credit here!”

Muffled by the pillow, Alberu asks, “Then what about the names?”

“What names? And—oh! I just couldn’t think of actual names..”

Alberu sighs. Maybe he gave her too much credit after all.