Everyone eventually filed back in, and the show continued onwards, Zidane again taking center stage.
"Welcome back everyone! We've got some really great acts up for you now, so enjoy! Our next act is courtesy of Locke Cole, who is demonstrating one of his more 'unique' skills." Zidane gestured towards the curtain, that fluttered open to reveal the stage.
In the center of the stage was a dummy, apparently stuffed with straw, that was covered with various pockets. Over each pocket was a small set of bells, three to each pocket. Locke himself sat off to the side, smiling confidentally as he waved to the crowd. His grey hair was held back by a blue bandana, and he wore a matching blue vest and pants over a white shirt. His face seemed kind, but there was something about it that gave Vincent a sense of misgiving.
"Remember kids..." Locke spoke, holding out his arms. "Don't do this at home."
There was a scattering of laughter among the crowd, and Locke smiled in return, brushing back some errant strands of hair from his face. He then turned towards the dummy, walking over to it confidentally. He reached inside one of the many pockets that littered the dummy, causing the bells to jangle warningly. He pulled out a single gil.
"Every pocket on this dummy has one gil in it, as you can see..." He put the coin back inside the pocket, causing the bells to again chime, and then turned to the audience, turning his pockets inside out.
"Nothing up my sleeve..." He smiled again, causing another snicker from the crowd.
"And away we go!"
Locke moved in a blur that was too fast to be seen, and he ended at the other side of the stage, kneeling. He stood and smiled, holding up his hand and fanning out three gil against one another.
"Now, in slow motion for those of you not paying attention..." Locke dropped the three gil onto the ground, where they made a clanging noise. He walked back to the dummy this time, much slower and paused next to it.
Vincent watched intently, not wanting to miss this again.
Locke stood next to the dummy, and looked off in the other direction. His hand moved towards one of the lower pockets on the dummy, and in a quick, but easy to see movement, entered into the pocket and came back out again, a gil held tightly between two fingers. The bells made no sound whatsoever. Locke smiled as he let the gil join it's brothers on the floor.
With quick motions, Locke moved around the dummy, looking for all the world as if he was doing something else, although it wasn't clear what. He looked at the ground, at the sky, and at one point even looked at the dummy itself, waving and smiling at it as if it were alive. And there was the constant sounds of coins hitting the ground with each step he took, as he pickpocketed everything the dummy had without the bells making a single sound.
The last gil he flicked into the air and caught with ease, smiling with easy grace. He winked at the crowd. "Like I said...don't try this at home."
He bowed once again as the curtains closed amidst a great deal of applause. Vincent applauded to, albeit a bit slower. That was indeed impressive. He had to make a note to be careful around Locke from now on.
Zidane walked to the center stage again. "Wasn't that great? Locke's one after my own heart, really." Zidane winked towards the audience, causing another fit of laughter. "Not that we endorse that kind of behavior, but..." He shrugged and smiled. "You know."
The rest of the audience smiled and laughed with him.
"Next on our list of acts we have Cid Highwind and Cait Sith...Reeve?" Zidane shrugged for a moment. "Either way, they're here to give their own stab at the singing profession. Take it guys!"
Vincent sat forward in his seat, dying of curiousity to find out what it was that Cid had wanted to say to him through the talent show.
The curtain opened on Cid standing in front of the microphone, Reeve standing behind him with an acoustic guitar. Cid nodded to Reeve, who nodded back haltingly. Cid took the microphone confidently, although Vincent could see his hands shaking. He had to be nervous, Cid didn't strike him as the type to enjoy publicity. Reeve began strumming on the guitar for a bit, after a few bars finally getting the hang of it and playing rather well. Vincent noticed that he wasn't using a pick.
"Folks, I'd like to sing a song about the American dream..." Cid walked across the guitar, dragging the microphone cable along behind him, smiling insatiably. His eyes were scanning the crowd, not doubt looking for Vincent. In response, Vincent raised his metal claw, hoping that would be enough. Once he located him, Cid smiled broader and nodded towards him and continued.
"About me. About you." Cid put a hand on his chest, his voice sincere, but his face still uncontrollably smiling. "About the way our American hearts beat way down in the bottom of our chests...about that special feeling that we get in the cockles of our hearts." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe below the cockles, maybe in the sub-cockle area, maybe in the liver, maybe in the kidneys, maybe even in the colon...we don't know."
He gestured to Reeve, who began playing with a bit more vigour, and Cid actually began to sing at this point. Vincent was surprised that he could, but Cid had a very strong voice that wasn't that unpleasant to listen to.
I'm just a regular joe with a regular job
I'm your average white suburbanite slob...
I like football and porno and books about war
I got an average house with a nice hardwood floor
The audience was giggling at this point, and Vincent was smiling, but he didn't understand what Cid was trying to say yet....
My wife and my job, my kids and my car
My feet on my table, and a cuban cigar...
At this point Cid turned directly towards the audience, more energy in his voice, it taking a much more rough tone that Vincent was used to.
But sometimes that just ain't enough to keep a man like me interested!
In the background Reeve softly accompanied him.
Oh no, No way, uh uh, no...
Cid held his hands into the air, smiling broadly as he continued to sing in an extremely rough way, not so loud as to be considered screaming or shouting, but not exactly singing at the same time.
No I've got to go out and have fun at someone else's expense!
Reeve sang along with him with a bit more energy this time.
Woah yeah, oh yeah, yeah yeah yeah!
Cid was smiling rather evilly at this point, and he held his arm out, the microphone still near his mouth as he continued to sing.
I drive really slow in the ultra-fast lane
While the people behind me are going insane!
The rest of the audience was laughing at this point, and Cid began to sing with more control at this point, which made Vincent begin to smile.
I'm an @#$hole!
He held the note while Reeve sang along behind him.
He's an @#$hole, What an @#$hole
Cid threw his head back, keeping his arm out, as he continued to sing with all his power, Reeve echoing him in the background.
I'm an @#$hole!
He's an @#$hole, Such an @#$hole, olyole...
Cid turned to the audience again, smiling broadly, as he continued to sing, his hand outspread.
I use public toilets, and I @#$% on the seat!
I walk around in the summertime saying "How about this heat?"
Vincent smiled to himself as he leaned on one of his hands, watching Cid begin to enjoy himself on stage, shaking his head back and forth slowly. He couldn't believe that Cid would go through this much trouble to try and say sorry in his own way. Vincent knew what Cid meant through the song, although he didn't feel it was justified, and he could not stop smiling through the entire song. The rest of the audience was laughing rather hard.
The two of them went into the chorus once again, Cid moving around excitedly while Reeve began to smile as he sang, enjoying himself.
I'm an #$%hole!
He's an @#$hole, What an @#$hole
I'm an @#$hole!
He's the world's biggest @#$hole....
Cid again turned to the audience, his voice rising with barely contained humor underneath as he continued to sing.
Sometimes I park in handicapped spaces
While handicapped people make handicapped faces!
Vincent found it kind of odd to hear Reeve swear, but continued to listen.
I'm an @#$hole!
He's an $%@hole, What an @#$hole
I'm an @#$hole!
He's a real @#$%ing #$%hole...
Then suddenly Cid grew serious, holding the microphone near his chest looking incredibly sincere. He looked at the audience with a small smile on his face as he continued to sing.
Maybe I shouldn't be singing this song
Ranting and raving and carrying on
Maybe they're right when they tell me I'm wrong...
Cid turned as if to walk away, then spun around.
Nah!
I'm an @#$hole! (He's an @#$hole, What an #$@hole)
I'm an @#$hole! (He's the world's biggest @#$hole)
At this point Cid took the microphone and stopped singing, instead speaking extremely fast.
"You know what I'm goin' to do? I'm goin' to get myself a 1967 Cadillac El Dorado convertible, hot pink!" Cid gestured broadly. "With whaaaaleskin hubcaps, an all leather cow interior, and big brown baby seal eyes for headlights, yeah!" Cid pumped a fist for a moment. "And I'm goin' to drive around in that baby, at a 115 miles per hour, gettin' one mile per gallon, suckin' down quarter-pounder burgers from McDonalds in the old-fashioned non-biodegradable styrofoam containers, and when I'm done suckin' down those greaseball burgers, I'm goin' to wipe my mouth with the American flag, and then I'm goin' to toss the styrofoam containers RIGHT out the side, and there's ain't a GOD$%@# thin' anybody can do about it, you know why? Because we got the bombs, that's why." At this point people in the audience began cheering, which only seemed to encourage Cid.
"Two words: Nuclear #$^@IN' weapons, oKAY?" Cid emphasized the end of the word as he began to gesture behind him, turning his back on the audience for a second. "Russia, Germany, Romania, they can have all the Democracy they want, they can have a big Democracy cakewalk right through the middle of Tienamen Square and it won't make a lick of difference cause WE GOT THE BOMBS, oKAY?" Again Cid was greeted with cheers, and he decided to randomely change topic.
"John Wayne's not dead, he's frozen, and as soon as we find a cure for cancer we're going to thaw out the Duke and he's going to be pretty @#%#ed off, you know why? Have you ever taken a cold shower? Well multiply that by fifteen million times, and that's how $#@%ed off the Duke's going to be! I'm going to get the Duke and John Casavetti and..."
At this point, Reeve began to cut in, and finally it was enough to make Cid stop ranting enough to turn around.
"Hey! Hey hey hey!" Reeve was smiling himself. "You know, you really are an @#$hole?"
Cid smirked. "Why don't you just shut up and sing the song, pal?"
Amidst a great deal of applause, they launched back into the song.
I'm an #%$hole!
He's an #$%hole, What an #$%hole
I'm an #$%hole!
He's the world's biggest #$%hole!
At this point Cid began to gesture at the crowd as he began to spell out the word, calling out for them to join him. They got several choruses going on, and Vincent himself could not restrain from joining in.
"H-O! L-E!"
And finally Cid held up his hands for a silence, leaving Reeve to play a small riff on his guitar as Cid took the guitar and, looking comically serious, he stared at the audience.
"I'm an #$%hole, and I'm proud of it."
And Reeve struck the final chord on the guitar, and the audience erupted into applause, causing Cid to bow repeatedly. Vincent clapped as much as the rest, and he caught Cid meeting eyes with him for a few seconds and winking. Finally they were ushered off the stage, and Zidane again took center stage.
"Doesn't take a genius to know THAT song's going to be popular." Zidane smiled, and the rest of the audience laughed with him. "Thank you, Cid and Reeve! Our next act is courtesy of one of our more eccentric staff residing with us as a master of costume and design! Truly a mystery to everyone, I present Gogo!"
Zidane backed off, clapping, and Vincent clapped as well, curious as to what Zidane could be talking about.
When the curtain opened, the stage was clear, and then someone walked on stage.
Vincent and everyone in the audience blinked.
It was Jenova.
He expected her to say that Gogo couldn't make it, or something happened, or that Cid was being dealt with, but a peal of laughter broke his thoughts, making him turn towards the back of the room. There, sitting in a chair along with Hojo and Lucrecia, Jenova was clapping her hands and laughing. Completely and utterly confused, Vincent turned back to the stage to find the Jenova on stage bowing and smiling.
A screen was wheeled onto the stage, stopping next to the other Jenova, who waved for a moment before disappearing behind the screen.
In a surprisingly short time, someone appeared from behind the screen, wrapped in so many clothes and garments that Vincent couldn't tell whether or not they were male or female. Vincent was extremely confused, and he got the impression from a lot of people in the audience that he wasn't the only one. However, there were a few people he noted who smiled at this, having previous experience with Gogo no doubt.
"I am Gogo." The voice that came from the huge pile of wraps couldn't be identified as female or male either, and again the figure disappeared behind the screen.
It seemed to only take seconds before it emerged again, this time an exact replica of Prof. Hojo. Vincent could barely stifle a snicker at this, and when he chanced a glance at Hojo he found his expression not one of amusement. This caused Vincent so smile more broadly, and Gogo bowed for a moment.
"Assignment due tomorrow!" It did in a perfect imitation of Hojo's voice, causing more people in the audience to laugh. Bowing, it returned behind the screen and came out once again, this time a perfect imitation of Cyan.
"Thou art late! Thou must pay thy penalty!" It drew a sword from it's side and brandished it for a few moments amidst the laughter, bowing once again before disappearing behind the screen.
Gogo went on to imitate Lucrecia, Shera, Zidane, someone that Vincent wasn't familiar with who had an extremely funny voice, and several other faculty members, as well as students that were well known. Gogo even imitated Mukki, which impressed Vincent the most because Mukki seemed to be a completely different body type. But that didn't stop Gogo. It switched genders, ages, weight, even height at times. It was really quite mystifying, and Vincent almost wished that Gogo would try to copy him, but in the end Gogo finished with a stunning imitation of Freya before bowing and leaving the stage amid copious applause.
"Isn't that amazing?" Zidane took the center stage again. "I mean, Gogo even got my tail right! Truly someone of great talent. Oh, also Gogo has decided not to participate for the cash prize, putting them with Cyan. How generous, huh?"
No wonder Gogo was a mystery... Vincent thought to himself. No one knew who they really were.
"Anyway, our next act is a friend of ours only known as Mog Moogle, who has some major dancing skill to show everyone. Take it, Mog!" Zidane again gestured towards the curtain, which opened once again to reveal a clear stage, devoid of the screen that had accompanied Gogo.
A short guy that reminded Vincent strongly of Reeve's friend Moog he had seen once or twice walked on stage with confidence and an easy gait. He was clad entirely in white, with a pair of strap-on reddish batwings attached to his back. Even his hair was white, although it was parted by an extremely thin stalk holding a small orange ball suspended above his head. His ears reminded Vincent of Reeve's, only not so prominent. They were however, pointed and seemed vaguely cat-like.
Mog took the center stage, nodding to the sides with confidence, causing the ball to bob along with his movements.
He smiled confidentally at the rest of the audience, holding his hands out. "First up..." His voice had something odd about it that made Vincent pause. Did he hear something in the background go "kupo"...? "Wind Song."
The music began and Mog began to dance. This was far different then Freya's strictly controlled dance. It ranged all over the stage, with the full use of Mog's arms and legs. Never once did Mog's wings or head-bobber (Vincent couldn't think of anything else to call it) interfere with what he was doing...in fact they matched with his motions perfectly, and it seemed that Mog had taken into account the wings and bobber while practicing the songs. The music complimented Mog perfectly as he ranged about with a grace that Vincent never would have guessed from his appearance. Vincent got a calming feel from the entire atmosphere, however, and it was pleasant.
"Forest Suite!" Mog called out, and the music segued nicely into a different kind of tone, which changed Mog's kind of dance. His dance became more subtle and controlled, involving his arms more then anything else, and he moved around the stage with far more grace then before. Vincent felt somewhat cold and alone, and he was confused. He wasn't aware music had this kind of affect on him.
Mog stopped dead for a moment before speaking again. "Desert Aria."
The music changed again, suiting what he had called out, but never did the change seem sudden or jerky. The types of music bled into one another with great ease. Mog's motions became more like water, and he didn't move nearly as much as he had before. It focused more around his body. Vincent felt very dry, and he wondered if he was just making up emotions to go along with the music. He began to feel concerned over whether or not Mog would get tired from dancing so long...
"Love Sonata."
Again the music changed, this time becoming much more soft and slow. Mog almost seemed to take someone in his arms and begin to dance gracefully around the stage, almost ballroom dancing, although it also resembled ice skating for some reason to Vincent, with the graceful leaps and spins. He felt longing and sadness, and he didn't know why.
"Earth Blues!"
The music became more bluesy, more mellow, and Mog's dance became slower, but more sensual in a bizarre way. His whole body became involved again, his steps light but controlled and timed perfectly. He could sense the girl sitting next to him shifting slightly. It must have made her uncomfortable...There was a barely controlled energy in Mog that Vincent could sense. He felt more invigorated and much more freer then he had before, and he began to move back and forth along with the catchy beat of the music.
Mog stopped, one leg in the air with his arms poised above him, before speaking, not looking towards the audience. "Water Rondo."
The music took on a different beat, more of a repetition, but one that seemed different then Vincent had heard before. In accordance, Mog began to move with a repetitive motion, yet each time it seemed slightly different. Vincent couldn't tell whether or not he was moving or not, and he felt kind of oppressed for some reason, like he was under something. He had to be making these feelings up...
Pausing with his back arched and his arms behind him, Mog spoke again. "Dusk Requiem."
The music took on a deeply somber tone, much more so then any of the other songs that Mog had gone through, and Mog began to move very slowly and very sadly. Vincent felt a pang of depression hit his heart, and he sunk back into his chair. The dance seemed to sap him of all strength. Mog continued slowly, almost as if mourning, before speaking again from a kneeling position, his face covered.
"Snowman Jazz!"
The music suddenly picked up tempo, and Mog spun out of his kneeling position with grace and ease, shocking Vincent out of his depressed state. The music's liveliness and emotion was captured easily in Mog's free and wild motions, his arms and legs moving almost of their own free will. Mog ended the dance with his arms and legs spread out into the air, his head thrown back, and he smiled as the the song finally ended.
The applause that greeted him was amazing, and he smiled in response, his eyes nearly disappearing. He waved to the audience before moving off stage. Vincent noticed how he dragged his feet, and wondered just how tired Mog had to be.
"Thank you, Mog! That was great!" Zidane clapped as he took center stage, smiling as he flicked another card out of thin air. "Our last act for tonight..."
Everyone in the audience began booing, and Zidane waved them off airily. "You know it's got to end sometime, right? Our last act for tonight are two that you've probably seen around school. They sell you books, make your food, sell you your supplies, deal with your mail...hey, give me something they DON'T do!" Zidane gestured broadly out, and Vincent realized who he had to be talking about...
"Please welcome the twins we know and love as Zorn and Thorn, as they give their rendition of a song they composed themselves, Jesters of the Moon!"
Zidane backed off, still clapping, as the rest of the audience clapped as well, Vincent among them. He wondered what the two were doing...
The curtains opened to reveal the two of them in the process of pushing a piano into center stage. It only took seconds before it was in place, and the two of them lept onto the piano bench nearby. Vincent stared...where was their sheet music...? They couldn't have memorized it, could they...?
Zorn took the lower half of the keyboard, while Thorn took the upper half, and, with a nod, they both began playing.
The music fit their characters perfectly, a light, fun song that had two completely different parts that melded into one. The notes were light and quick, and the two of them played each part without a single mistake. At one part in the song they both went in opposite directions on the keys, but the music still managed to come together.
It wasn't until they were comfortable into the song that it began to get unbelievable.
Zorn exchanged glances with Thorn, and they continued playing for a few moments until there was a short pause. At this pause, Thorn rolled to one side, Zorn lept over him, and they continued playing as if nothing had happened, only completely switching their places at the piano. The sound of the bells at the tips of their hats matched along with the song, and with every movement they took, the bells matched with the song, as if it were completely planned.
The song continued on as if nothing had happened, and Vincent watched in amazement, beginning to wonder if it had actually happened or not.
The top of the piano was closed, something that was quickly brought to Vincent's attention as Thorn lept over his own hands, turning in midair so he landed skillfully on his stomach on the top of the piano, not even making any kind of noise as he continued to play from his vantage point on top of the piano, his fingers not faltering once even though he was now technically playing upside down and backwards.
Vincent continued to watch, amazed, as Thorn rolled onto his back and flipped back into the piano seat with ease, still not missing a single beat. The two melodies continued to coincide, one going up the piano while one went down.
With a smoothness that surprised him, Zorn and Thorn's hands began to switch, with Thorn's right hand playing Zorn's left part and vice versa. Again, there was not a single change in the tone of the song, and the notes continued to ring out as clearly and brightly as they had at the beginning, without a single mistake. They again did a roll, switching positions during a momentary pause, and then Thorn took over the keyboard entirely for a moment. Zorn took this moment to perform a complete acrobatic backflip neatly onto the top of piano, landing so softly Vincent could not believe that he weighed anything. Not even pausing to take a breath, Zorn did a sideways flip where Thorn was sitting, who slid down the bench until he took the upper half once again, and Zorn took the same position that Thorn had taken just a moment ago, laying on the piano, although this time he closed his eyes and crossed his arms so his left and right hands were playing their opposites.
Vincent could not believe it, and yet the music played on, completely perfect, capturing the essence of what was happening.
Zorn continued to play blind, his perspective of the keys skewed in so many ways that Vincent could not count them all, and then he opened his eyes long enough to do a flip back onto the piano bench, only he was facing the audience. His arms remained behind him, and for a few moments he played from that position before turning back around to where he was.
Thorn did a complete 360 spin on the piano bench before going back to where he had been playing without error, continuing to play the song with his twin. The two of them played for a few moments, and Vincent again began to doubt he had seen what he had just seen. Their fingers continued to play over the keys, striking each chord and each note as if it was as natural as breathing to them.
Again they did a leap and a roll, only this time Thorn rolled completely off the piano bench, Zorn continuing to play, landing in a kneeling position for only a moment. He did another perfect backflip onto the piano stand, this time landing on his hands. He then continued to flip once more backwards, leaving the bench entirely. During this Zorn rolled underneath him, and Thorn landed neatly on his feet, kneeling on the bench and again taking his part in the song, playing perfectly. Again, there were no skips or misses in the song, and Vincent watched completely stunned.
They continued playing for a moment before again engaging in their amazing acrobatics, this time with Thorn performing a flip up into the air to land perfectly on Zorn's shoulders. The shock should have at least jarred Zorn's hands out of position, and yet they continued to play, Thorn leaning over Zorn's shoulder to play his part on the piano, the two moving away from each other in time for the contradicting melodies, then moving back together again to rejoin the song as it once had been.
At a slight pause in the song, Zorn ducked his head, and Thorn rolled off to one side, catching himself in a dramatic fashion on the edge of the piano, while Zorn mirrored his motion perfectly. They again moved back into the song with ease, continuing to play.
The song moved into an energetic finale, in which they began to leap and roll back and forth so quickly that it was hard to see them, and the music continued onwards, unbroken. The song finally ended with a double flourish at either side of the piano, and the two flipping off the piano bench at diagonals, nearly striking eachother, but landing perfectly next to one another, their hands crossing in the air as they held their arms up, their narrow chests gasping for breath.
The applause was thunderous. Vincent even stood up and clapped, having been thoroughly amazed and moved by their performance. He wasn't the only one. Zorn and Thorn actually smiled, seemingly genuinely happy that their performance had gone over so well, and they made their way off the stage, still breathing heavily.
"Wow." Zidane took the center stage again, clapping himself. "Just wow. They've got some major talent, don't you think? Okay, here's the part we've been waiting for. Now you're going to decide who deserves the two hundred gil prize! I'll read off the act and the participants, and you clap according to how much you think they deserve the award."
The pile of cards once again seemed to appear in Zidane's hand, and he read them off slowly.
"Mukki and his Manly Tumbling!"
There was some applause to this, but Vincent hadn't expected a great deal of support anyway.
"Zangan, Tifa, Sabin, and Yang's martial arts!"
There was a great deal of applause for this, but Vincent decided to reserve his applause for someone he felt truly deserved it.
"Freya and the Eternal Harvest!"
There was clapping for her, more so then for Mukki but not more then the four martial artists, and Vincent felt relieved. He had hoped that she would get the recognition she deserved for such a skillful display. Vincent kept his hands at his sides, however.
"Celes and the Aria de Mezzo Carattere!"
The crowd clapped very loudly for Celes, more so then for anyone else so far, and Vincent felt it was justified. But he didn't want to clap, not just yet.
"Quina, Quale, and Quan in the Iron Qu competition!"
They also got applause, but it matched the amount Mukki and his friends had got.
"Kain and Cecil's Duel for Rosa!"
There was clapping for this, but it wasn't too enthusiastic, going along with the Iron Qu's and the Manly Tumbling.
"Locke and the secret arts!"
There was a great deal of clapping for this, a little less then the Martial Arts display.
"Cid and Reeve and the @#%hole song!"
There was a lot of clapping for this, matching the Martial Arts display, but so far no one had surpassed Celes' Aria. Vincent continued to keep his hands near his sides.
"Mog and the Elemental Dances!"
Vincent was tempted to clap, but he finally refrained. The clapping for this was was very much, but it still did not meet up with Celes' Aria.
Zidane smiled. "And finally...Zorn and Thorn and the Jesters of the Moon!"
Vincent finally let himself clap. The applause for this finally matched up with the Aria, and the competition was very fierce. Zidane motioned for the crowd to be silent.
"Alright, since there's a tie between Celes and Zorn and Thorn, we'll have a tie-breaking round, alright? If you want Celes..."
The audience again clapped and cheered loudly.
"And if you want Zorn and Thorn..."
Vincent clapped along with the others who joined him, cheering and waving. Zidane looked torn.
"This is a tough decision here guys...but I'm going to have to say..."
He held up a hand. "That the prize goes to Celes Chere! Come out here, Celes!"
The woman came out from behind the curtains, walking towards Zidane with a purpose. Zidane turned to the crowd.
"You'll also get a trophy to commemorate the...hey!" Celes snatched the microphone out of Zidane's hand and began speaking earnestly.
"I, Celes Chere, am hereby relinquishing my title and my prize to Zorn and Thorn. They deserve it far more then I do, and have much more use for it."
She gave the microphone back to Zidane, who took it in bewilderment. The crowd went insane.
It took several minutes for everyone to quiet down until Zidane could be heard. "Um...are you sure?"
Celes nodded.
"Alright then." Zidane shrugged. "Zorn and Thorn, would you come out here please?"
In complete contradiction to the fearless confidence they had exuded while playing their piece on the piano, the diminuitive twins poked their heads out from behind the curtain, looking frightened and embarrassed. Celes gestured to them.
"Come on, come on. You deserve this."
The two of them made their way to the podium amidst thunderous applause, Vincent clapping as much as the rest of them. Zorn and Thorn stood awkwardly, both of them blushing although it was obvious they were trying not to.
Zidane reached into the podium and pulled out a small silver trophy, handing it to Zorn who took it in confusion. "Here you go, guys! Enjoy!"
Both Zorn and Thorn mumbled something incoherent underneath their breaths, looking shaky but very happy. Zidane handed them the microphone. "Here, you guys say something."
Zorn took it, his hands shaking terribly. "U...um..." He turned towards Celes, who was smiling down at them. "Th-thank you...this r-really helps us..."
"Thorn?" Celes gestured towards the red jester twin, who shook his head in embarrassment and hid behind his brother. Zorn rolled the microphone between his fingers nervously.
"H-he's fine, he doesn't like t-talking in front of other people..."
Zidane finally dug out a slip of white paper which he gave to the twins, extending a hand for the microphone which Zorn surrendered willingly. "Here's your check guys, don't spend it all in one place!"
Zorn and Thorn nodded, and Vincent clapped for them again, glad that they had won. When Zorn turned to face his brother, he found him rubbing his eyes, crying. When he finally removed his hands, tears continued to slide down his skin, but the expression on his face showed he was anything but sad.
The two of them made their way off the stage amidst the applause of everyone in the audience, who clapped for them even after they had left. Celes waved and made her way off stage as well, also amidst a great deal of clapping.
Zidane finally took the stage, wiping away a mock tear as he sighed. "Really warms your heart, doesn't it? This really brings out the best in people. Thanks for coming to the Talent Show, and thanks to everyone who participated. Come again next year!"
Zidane waved as people began to get up and leave, chattering amongst themselves over what had just happened. Vincent himself felt extremely good, knowing that the money had gone to someone who really needed and wanted it, and he was happy to know that Celes was one of the very few good people left in the world.
He headed outside, taking a seat on a bench and waiting before he knew Cid and Reeve would emerge.
Cid was the first to find him, smiling. He slowed as he approached Vincent, Reeve close behind him with the guitar strapped to his back. "Hey."
"Hey." Vincent smiled back at him. With that, all the bad feelings that had built between them melted away, and Vincent felt happy again.
"Sorry about..."
"Don't worry about it."
Cid sat next to Vincent on the bench, smiling as Reeve took his other side.
"Wasn't that cool or what?" Reeve smiled broadly. "I feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
"So do I." Vincent leaned his arms on his knees and smiled, catching a glimpse of the jester twins walking off with their trophy in tow, Zorn lending Thorn support, who apparently still couldn't believe what had happened. He smiled. "So do I."