Rainbow - BTS

16 - Orange

They want to be remembered more than anything
They want to matter in some way, to somebody,
They want to understand who they truly are
They wouldn't want to turn out as a nobody

But is it arrogant to fear the unknown?
Is it criminal to want to avoid slipping into cold obscurity
Is it really wrong to be desperate to exist to someone else
The way that orange people are?

It never seems to be anyone's favourite colour
never at the centre of attention
but nobody ever forgets the people who shine in fluorescent orange
even if they think they're no longer relevant

"Thank you for coming today, Taehyung, I just wanted to talk through a few points with you, if that's okay."
"I mean, I'm still in shock that you even thought I was any good, to be blatantly honest with you, so-"
"Taehyung. I've never seen writing like yours. It's unique. It's powerful. And something told me that you would contribute a lot to the company as well as to the world. It's not my place to stop that."

Hoseok smiles a little, the expression not as bright as his usual, a glint of sadness in his eyes. Or maybe it's pity. Taehyung can't properly tell. "You're very kind, Hoseok," Taehyung says quietly, a little flustered by the fact that this well-known publisher thinks so highly of his work, "I seriously appreciate that."

The yellow shrugs. "My only criticism is that it lacks a depth to the world. Sure, the concept makes sense, and there are a few basic rules, but there needs to be more. You need to feel like there are ordinary people walking around, just living. Getting the sense that there's a universe outside of your characters can really make things feel more real for the reader."

He picks up a pencil from the desk that separates them, his finger tracing the pointed end before he twirls it around to show that the eraser on the end is slightly worn, that the metal connecting the two items is slightly buckled as if someone's bitten the end of it whilst deep in thought. "If your character used this, where has it been before? Why did they bite the end? What is the story behind every person and every object you come across?"

Hoseok smiles a little. "In this case, I was busy making notes on our accounts for the experts to check and sort. I was busy thinking, about all the numbers because it's a complicated thing to do, and therefore I wasn't focused on keeping the pencil safe. Little things like that. You don't have to go into major detail. I don't wanna know about every stone in the pavement in front of them. But sometimes one object having a history can really make the universe real."

Taehyung nods in understanding. "So where I've given a character a diary...there's something behind it? A tear on a page, maybe it's been in a muddy puddle, an inked name in the front? Stuff like that?" Hoseok nods in response.
"Precisely. You don't have to specify any names. But if you have a motivation and a basic backstory for everyone, if everything in the universe ties together, the whole thing feels more like it could really happen."

The young orange thinks for a moment, his eyes flitting over the desktop of Hoseok's computer, which is turned slightly to face him. There's a picture of him there in graduation robes, probably a few years younger, clutching what looks like a degree certificate, standing beside a young woman with turquoise hair, who's dressed the same and doing the same thing.

"Who is she?" Taehyung asks curiously, before he can stop himself, and then he slaps a hand over his mouth. "Sorry, that's probably intrusive, I shouldn't-"

"That's Lisa Manoban. You'll probably end up meeting her at some point. We created the company together after we graduated." Hoseok leans forward, meeting Taehyung's eyes head on. "Don't be afraid to be curious, Taehyung. This is the best way to get ideas. Seeing people and seeing how everyone has their own little story, everyone has their own interests and ideas. It's great story material. I watch people all the time."