Talk Nerdy to Me

Chapter 20: An Old Trick

Summary:

Before the show, NMIXX, ENHYPEN, and IVE find out a little more about Chris' odd guest and her strange ability to feel music.

Chapter Text

Stray Kids and accompaniment finished getting ready for the venue in record time, arriving via the coach bus with all of their staff and crew. Chris barely had time to gawk at Ra's beautiful makeup before she'd been essentially carted off by his band mates. Felix was ecstatic that his old suit looked so good on her, even more so when he searched for the stitching that she'd used to alter it and found none.

Ra had been gifted more coffee on the bus ride over, which was likely what carried her through the rest of the afternoon and evening. She had chosen to bring her messenger bag along with her camera equipment, but had room enough to spare. This would turn out to be an excellent plan.

Inexplicably, Lily was waiting with Jungwon and Ni-Ki, and another of her own band mates, Bae, for Stray Kids at the door to the venue. Lily gave Ra a quick hug, grinning broadly.

"Blue is your color!"

"Thank you," Ra said, regarding Jungon and Ni-Ki with some confusion. "What's going on?"

"Before the show, we'd decided to shoot some Tiktoks and stuff just for fun," Lily explained. "Just dances and such. I was hoping you'd give us a hand, and maybe we can teach you some moves?"

Ra blinked in surprise. "You want me to film that? I'm not a professional videographer."

"No," Lily said, shrugging. "But that's the thing about Tiktok. You don't have to be. Plus, I've seen your photography skills."

Ra shook her head. "I only use photos to draw from."

"Come on, it'll be fun," Lily said, putting her hands behind her back and looking up at Ra with a face of innocence. "Besides. Jungwon needs to be punished for making you uncomfortable."

Ni-Ki nodded as though that settled it. Ra hadn't officially been introduced to him, though she did know of him now at least.

"You have to see Changbin do girl group moves, anyway," Lily explained. "He is so good at them."

"Ah AH, Lily, don't tell her that!"

Ra scrunched her nose at her friend. "Why? Now I want to know why you don't want me knowing AND what she's talking about."

Jungwon and Ni-Ki laughed, and Changbin just grinned. Ni-Ki said, "I like her, Bangchan, you should bring her to more things."

Ra looked around the room where everyone laughed more at the confusion. "I don't get it, I was serious."

Chris chuckled. "We know. That's part of why it's funny." He glanced at Lily, who was in full costume and makeup already. "We've got to get into dress for the set. Not much to see there. Do you want to hang out with Lily till we're done?"

Ra was uncertain for a moment until Lily grabbed her arm and started walking off with her.

Chris waved as she looked back. "I guess that's a yes. See you in the green room after!"

Ra still wasn't sure what to make of any of this, but she did follow Lily and her band mate Bae. Lily chattered as they walked.

"There's some lunch set up in the green room if you're hungry," Lily said as they walked. "Most of us either ate awhile ago or won't eat before we go up, but it is there."

Ra owl-eyed at this. "Why wouldn't you eat before you perform? That's a lot of energy to be spending, and the concert is still hours away."

"A lot of us are on diets or restrictions of some kind," Lily shrugged.