Author's note: Now that Ame-chan's got her contract, the real fun begins. As you read this chapter, you might think she's a little OOC, but I don't think so. Seeing that she has respect for her elders and was sort of timid in the first season, I thought she'd act that way rather than go all upfront and confrontational.

Lina, as always, is Lina.

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Chapter 2: They want me to do WHAT?!

"They really accepted you, right on the spot?"

Amelia nodded, happily skipping along the pavement. It was weeks after the incident, but she was still feeling fluttery. Her friend had to walk faster to keep up with her. "Stop skipping! You're making me dizzy."

Seeing her friend's grumpy face, she giggled. "Sorry, Lina-san. I'm just so happy! After all that effort---"

"And time and sleepless nights......blah blah. Yea we know. Congrats, if I haven't already said so already." The petite girl crossed her arms. Amelia stopped, sensing something was wrong. "Lina-san, you don't seem very happy today. Oh!" she realized what was bothering her best friend so much. "It's that modeling----"

She growled. "Don't even bring it up. Those bastards."

"What happened?"

Lina remained silent for a while, looking a little red in the face. "They said I was too short. And flat. So I didn't get the job."

"But that's so unjust!"

"You can say that again."

"Especially when they discriminated against you because of your height and lack of assets!"

"AMELIA! DO NOT SAY THAT AGAIN!!!"

Amelia giggled and pulled her friend's arm. "Come on. We're going to be late. Filia-san I'll be meeting the market and media planning team today. Maybe you'll even get to meet some influential people there! You really shouldn't be so discouraged!"

"You sure I can come? Isn't that sort of thing meant to be kept secret?"

"Oh yes, but Filia-san says I can bring a friend if I want. I told her you're really interested in fashion design."

"Who's Filia?"

"My manager."

Lina's eyes widened. "You mean, Filia Ul Copt?"

"Yup. Why?"

"You damn lucky girl!" Lina punched her arm lightly, "She's one of the best managers any new singer could ask for! With a manager like that, you're going to sell like crazy!"

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Soon, they found themselves at a long table in a spacious meeting room with a sea view. The interior design had obviously been done by a professional, Lina thought appreciatively as she eyed the surroundings. Her gaze turned to the people seated across her. First there was Filia, who was dressed in conservative but definitely fashionable grey suit that accentuated her curves. Then there was the rest of the team, mostly males. This was the Market and Media Planning department of Mazoku Records. They were dressed rather casually, with their clipbooks and pens within reach. Papers with etched designs were strewn in a disorganized manner all over the table.

"There are a variety of images that may work for her," one of them said, handing Filia a sketch, "but we thought the sexy sultry look would work best."

"Sexy sultry look?!" Both Lina and Amelia choked on their tea. Filia gave them a reprimanding look. "Girls, please" she arched her eyebrows. But she didn't seem too happy with the idea either. The man gave them a beady what-do-you-know stare. "Amelia would fit into that category. She is sixteen, after all."

"And it's working extremely well at the moment," another added, "Look at Martina Xoana."

"But," Amelia broke in timidly, "I don't think that's my style."

The beady-eyed man dismissed her words with a wave. "That doesn't matter. You're not here to be what you are. It's what the market wants that's the most important. If the market says a sexy image will sell best, then that's what goes. Trust us, we've been in this industry for years."

"I. . . . .just want the market to like me for my songs. Not what I look like."

The team exchanged glances and burst into laughter. "Hey Rodimus, I like that one," one of them chuckled, "It's been a while since I heard something like that."

Rodimus (who was a beady eyed man) shook his head knowingly. "Amelia, Amelia. . . . .no one cares about the music anymore. It's about image, the advertising, selling a product. You are the product. Understand?"

Amelia bowed her head, her eyes dulling for a moment. "Yes, Rodimus-san."

He nodded, satisfied that he had won the argument. "Now, back to discu----"

The table gave a sudden bang. Startled, everyone looked to see it was Lina, who looked absolutely livid. "Please sit back down," Rodimus told her.

She crossed her arms. "Third-rate image designer."

"Excuse me?"

"Lina. . . ." Filia warned.

"I said you're a third-rate image designer. You call yourself a professional?"

"I don't see how you are able to justify that, Miss Inverse."

"All this talk about imaging and selling a product is bullshit. You just say that to cover your incompetence at your job because," she pointed at him, "you are unable to do anything but follow trends. You're so incompetent that you're forcing an image style that doesn't even fit on to Amelia!"

Rodimus growled and turned to Filia. "I don't understand how you can let this sort of unrefined person be here. I hope you can do something about it."

"I perfectly understand your concern. Lina has been behaving rather brashly, and I apologize for that. But," she spoke coolly, "I agree with her that the image does not suit Amelia."

A hush fell over the group. For the longest time, Amelia wished she could just dig a hole and crawl there. Not that she wasn't appreciative of what Lina was trying to do for her, but she wished it could have been dealt with in a less confrontational way. She knew these were highly influential people who were capable of affecting her career. . . . .and Lina's too, as a model. How could she be so brash? Finally, Rodimus cleared his throat. "Well if that's the case, then it seems we have nothing further to discuss. Perhaps you will have to find someone else," he nodded politely to Amelia, who gave a short bow in return.

"Thank you for your efforts, Rodimus-san."

As the team left and the door closed behind them, Filia turned to Lina. "Well, young lady, I hope you understand that you've just driven away and offended the best personnel in our Market and Media Planning department that we could get."

But Lina shrugged and waved her hand. "I have nothing to apologize for," she said loftily, "If it's not the best, then just don't it at all. Unless you think the sexy slut thing was a great idea."

"Your manners were far from desirable."

"He needed a kick in the ego. Plus, I hardly think he would have backed down even if we were nice and polite to him. Anyway, if you're really the best manager around, you shouldn't be afraid of something as trivial as that. I could do better."

It was Amelia's turn to speak. "Filia-san, I'm sorry if I've caused you the inconvenience. But Lina-san does know what she's talking about. Please don't be offended."

"I'm afraid I don't quite understand."

"Lina-san isn't just interested in fashion design," she explained, "She's the youngest graduate from Atlas University with a first honor's class in fashion design and imaging productions. She's also done media studies and has had lots of working experience at the biggest companies at Atlas City."

Filia arched her eyebrows in surprise. "Is that true? That's quite impressive. How old are you?"

"I just turned 20."

"Hmm. . . . . .well, seeing you've scared away Rodimus and his team, we'll have to find someone else. A pity really¡K.he was the best we could get."

"I'll do it."

"Who would you work with?"

"Myself. Rodimus might have been good. But I'm better."

"I'm not doubting your abilities, Lina. But I will need to see your portfolio before our company decides anything."

"I'll get it to you tomorrow." Lina put on her most confident smile. She wasn't known as a genius for nothing!

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Author's note: In case some of you don't know, the "market and media planning" department is always the most important sections in an artist's career. In places like Japan and HK, image is really everything, sometimes even more than the artist's singing capabilities. That's what Rodimus was going on about.