I'm back! Wow, I haven't updated since October…

Nino: BAD author!! (punishes me)

Waah!! I'm sorry!! Thanks to the reviewers for your comments. I'm just going to get started with the chapter now…

Chapter Three

Finally, the commercial break was over. It was the official beginning of the Miss Elibe Beauty Pageant!

The lights were lowered, and a suspenseful drum beating came on. Spotlights flashed across the stage, and Sain stood at the center, holding his microphone and his index cards.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen," he said, trying to make his voice go deeper than it was, "it is time for… the introduction of the contestants!!!"

The crowd went wild.

"And now… I will introduce our contestants in alphabetical order!" Sain continued. "The first contestant is a high-flying gal from way up north in Ilia! She loves working, shopping, and money! Please welcome… Farina!"

The crowd applauded the blue-haired Peg Knight as she came out onto the stage. Then, they were all subsequently blinded by her sparkly dress. It was blue velvet and strapless, and there were about two hundred diamonds on it. The spotlights made the diamonds' light reflect into the audience.

"Aughh!!" cried the majority of the people in the audience.

"Hmm…" Dart the pirate, the only one unaffected, said. "Those diamonds look familiar… Where have I seen them before?"

Farina did a queen wave to the crowd, showing off her expensive jewelry, her perfectly done manicure, and her classic hairstyle. No doubt she had spent a fortune on getting ready. She must have figured that she would get all of that money back (and more) when she won the contest.

"And now… another Peg Knight from Ilia… she's dutiful, strait-laced, and enjoys doing yoga! Please give a round of applause for… Fiora!"

Fiora came out in a long, aqua-colored dress which was pretty modest – it had straps and a one-inch slit up the side. No one knew it, but she hated the short-skirt she had to wear for her uniform. The dress reflected her personality perfectly.

"Next – the third and final Ilian girl! She's quiet and shy, but hardworking! And here she is… Florina!"

Florina poked her head out from behind the stage, and then timidly took a step. Fiora and Farina smiled encouragingly at her. Finally, she was front and center. She had decided to go natural – she wasn't wearing much makeup, her hair was in a nicer version of her usual style, and her dress was lavender and went a bit below her knees. She took her place next to Fiora, visibly shaking.

"Now it's time to welcome our only female knight, from Pherae! She's strong, determined, and… unfortunately… engaged! Here's… Isadora!"

Isadora had decided to wear her hair up, pinned to the back of her head. She wore a blue and white dress with a slit up the side. It had sleeves that covered her shoulders. She also wore high-heeled shoes.

Sain moved on quickly. "Next is a lady from up in Etruria! She's stylish, beautiful, and (sadly) married to the Mage General! Louise!"

Louise came out as if it were her wedding. She wore a huge, puffy, long pink gown with ruffles around the sleeves and the skirt. It was so long that the train trailed behind her. Her hair was more wavy than usual, and there was a flower in her hair. She smiled at the crowd and waved like Farina had.

"Yeah, Louise!" called Pent, snapping pictures with his camera.

The contestants all cried, "AH!" and blocked their eyes. The flashing from the camera were making them see spots.

Then suddenly, Louise tripped over her own dress and fell flat on her face. The crowd gasped.

Sain rushed over and helped the flustered Louise to her feet. Louise's face was bright red. Pent also made his way to the stage, but Hawkeye wouldn't let him on to help Louise.

"But she's my wife!" he cried. "Please, Hawkeye???"

"No contact with contestants," was the gruff reply.

"And now… she's a Sacaen from… well… Sacae! She's tall, fierce, and has a sword arm that any man would cower before! …Lyn!"

Lyn came out, her hair down long behind her back. She wore a dark dress with straps that was rather tight and ended right at her knees. She made a point of marching right up to the judge's table, particularly to Hector.

"See!!" she cried angrily. "I can act like a girl!"

"…Uh…" was Hector's reply.

"Next is a true, innocent girl who was sucked into the Black Fang… she loves to learn how to do new things! Please welcome Nino!!!"

The crowd went wild for Nino, because, well, who didn't love Nino? Even Jaffar was clapping, although his face was still expressionless.

Nino wore a ribbon like a headband around her hair. She had on a white, blue, and green dress that came below her knees and hung loosely. She was dressed like a little girl going to a party, complete with the Mary Jane shoes and the ribbon on the dress, but since she was Nino, she looked totally cute instead of stupid.

"Now… she's from Etruria, and she's a fiery redhead! She loves spending time with her family! It's… Priscilla!"

Priscilla's hair was back in a French braid. She had finally settled on a dress with a white, short-sleeved top and a green skirt bottom that went down to her ankles.

"Next is a green-haired girl from Pherae! She loves archery, cooking, and her family and friends! Please welcome Rebecca!"

Rebecca came out in a forest green dress that came to her mid-thigh. Her hair was curled and her makeup had actually turned out alright, despite the problems she had had earlier.

"Hi, Rebecca!" Wil said, waving to Rebecca from the judge stand. "Good luck!!"

"Thanks, Wil!" she called, waving back.

This made Wil happy, and he smiled to himself and went into a daze. Finally, his friendliness was paying off.

"And the final contestant… a loud cleric from Ostia, she loves fashion, gossip, and herself! Here's… Serra!"

The crowd clapped politely for Serra as she came out onto the stage. Her hair was down long and was more wavy than usual. Her dress was the same color as her usual outfit, only much fancier, with flowers lining the neck, and lace lining the skirt.

"I look SOO great!" she beamed, almost bouncing up and down.

"So there you have it, our contestants!!" cried Sain, motioning to the girls.

The crowd went wild with excitement. Most of the girls waved, huge smiles plastered on their faces.

"Unfortunately," Sain interrupted the applause, "we must eliminate one of these contestants… now!"

"WHAT???" cried everyone in unison.

"Yes, sadly, it's true," Sain said, regret in his voice. "Otherwise, we'll never have a winner. So judges… vote for who YOU think should get out!"

Everyone's attention was turned to Erk, Jaffar, Wil, and Hector. The judges looked bewildered – well, except Jaffar - but grabbed their paper and pens and began to scribble names…

And the girls held their breath, not sure of what was coming next…


Yes, it is done. Guess what? I figured out a way for you guys to vote without violating the rules!! Nino, would you please explain?

Nino: Heh, the crowd loves me… Oh, yes, of course! Just follow these three steps!

#1 – Go to SweetMisery430's profile.

#2 – Click on 'E-mail' near the top of the page.

#3 – Send an e-mail including your username and the name of ONE person you want to get out.

Me: Yep, that's right! DO NOT VOTE IN YOUR REVIEW!!!! If you do, I will have to delete your review. Sorry. Please follow the steps above. You don't have to vote if you don't want to.

Nino: So please review on the site AND vote by e-mail if you wish to! And see you next chapter!