Disclaimers: I forgot this for the previous chapter, but no, I don't own Baten Kaitos, any talent shows, or, for this chapter, the musical Annie or Evanescence

Round 1: Melodia and Savyna

(Light dim on stage and pink lights softly relight the stage. From backstage FADROH speaks via microphone system.)

Fadroh: Our first performer is a lovely maiden from Mira, and heir to the Calbren fortune. Here to sing "Tomorrow", it's Lady Melodia! (Crowd applauds. MELODIA happily skips on stage wearing a yellow dress and carrying a polka dotted yellow parasol. Piano music start playing "Tomorrow" from the Annie musical. )

Melodia: The sun won't come out tomorrow Bet you stupid mortals that tomorrow You'll be dead Don't try to fight back tomorrow All of you will drown from fear and sorrow In your head When you all go to hell Oh well Too bad I'll just laugh of my rear And cheer Like mad! Oh! The sun won't come out tomorrow Malpercio's gonna slay you all tomorrow I can't wait! Oh! Tomorrow, tomorrow Corruption, tomorrow You've only got one more day! (Song ends. Lighting returns to normal. Entire crow is dead silent, no pun intended. LADEKHAN clear his throat and tries to speak as strongly as possible)

Ladekhan: Well, I see you adjusted the lyrics in your own…how should I say this, morbid way. (MELODIA leers at him. LADEKHAN gestures by putting his hands in front of him) Not to say that's a bad thing, for creativity comes in many…forms. With that aside, I would have to say that was not your best performance pitch wise. There were some notes that barely grazed the scale of E major, and thus, to a trained ear, the song did not sound as stable. In short, it was simply "alright" for me. (Crowd claps in agreement)

Corellia: Melodia, I think this song was perfect for your vocal range. However, think about the audience and how they will react to the song. As a singer, you want to entertain, not frighten.

Melodia: (In a haughty voice) Don't you see that's exactly what I want to do? Once the evil god is reborn, the world will fall into eternal darkness, and all will bow to the marvelous will of Malpercio! (Laughs crazily)

Giacomo: (Interrupts, stops MELODIA's laughing) I have only three words for you; that absolutely sucked! (Crowd cheers excitedly, except for GELDOBLAME)

Geldoblame: (Whispers through clenched teeth) Giacomo, I want Melodia to win! Remember our "deal"?

Giacomo: (Turns around to face GELDOBLAME and shouts for all to hear) Oh, why don't you stuff it up your- Never mind. You're not worth the breath it takes to insult you! (Turns back to face MELODIA) Let me put it this way; if someone were to offer me my own island in exchange for listening to you sing, I'd just as soon jump off that island into the Taintclouds! (Crowd "ooh" fills theater)

Geldoblame: (Infuriated) Fine, be that way! I'll just leave then! I have more important things to do than watch a stupid talent show! Like going back to Alfard and demoting you! You've now moved down from sergeant to general, mister! (Stands up and starts to waddle towards the exit.) Anyone care to join me? (Looks at AZDAR, SKEED, and VALLYE, all who remain in their seats. GELDOBLAME continues waddling. Just then, FADROH runs out from behind stage.)

Fadroh: My Emperor! Allow me, your most loyal servant, to accompany you! (Starts to sprint of the stage when he stops short and faces the audience.) Uh, whoever catches this microphone can be the host, I suppose! (Chucks the microphone into the sea of people, who all dash for it. After a moment of fighting, ANA victoriously leaps onto the stage with the microphone just as the theater doors swing behind GELDOBLAME and FADROH)

Ana: Wow, this is great! Must be the kindest thing anyone from the Empire has ever done! (Crowd laughs) Well, now that the porker and the twit have left the building, it's time to continue on. Any more comments, judges? (LADEKHAN, CORELLIA, and GIACOMO shake their head) Then Melodia is free to leave the stage.

Melodia: (Angrily, red eyes glowing devilishly) Just you wait! I'll get my revenge no matter what it takes! (Storms off stage)

Ana: Now, our next performeris proud to call Anuenue her home, (Crowd cheers and whistles) , and was formerly a renowned soldier and fighter. Here to dance to "My Immortal" please welcome Savyna! (Applause. SAVYNA walks on stage in her long royal purple dress and black satin dance shoes. She bows, then the lights dim. SAVYNA positions herself on the floor with her hands behind her and one leg crossed over the other, ready for the first move. A blue and white spotlight shines on her and the music begins. After the piano introduction, SAVYNA begins to perform graceful ballet, with complex spins, weightless gliding, and unpredicted flexibility. AZDAR can be seen in the crowd tearing up.)

Azdar: (whispering to REBLYS who has taken the vacant seat) My goodness, is she a handsome woman! Will you just look at that! (Blows nose on handkerchief)

Reblys: (also whispering) Oh yeah! I think I now see why Gibari was able to stand being in that group with all the other idiotic kids. (Stares ahead) Such beautiful curves, such mystique, and not to mention a nice looking- (SKEED hits REBLYS upside the head)

Skeed: (in a hushed voice) If you don't mind, you moron, people are trying to watch! (Faces stage again. Without SKEED seeing, REBLYS gives him the finger, then turns back to AZDAR)

Reblys: As I was saying…(Crowd cheers interrupt him. The song is over and SAVYNA stops dancing. ANA walks over to where she stands)

Ana: That was beautiful! Even I didn't know that you were so full of grace and talent! How long have you been dancing?

Savyna: I took lessons as a child, but I wasn't able to practice seriously until after I left the Imperial Army. For me, when I'm dancing, it's sort of like I'm able to express emotions that I often don't show.

Ana: That's wonderful! Judges, any comments?

Ladekhan: Savyna, dear, are you still single? (Crowd laughs. LADEKHAN chuckles) Sorry, I did not mean to be so direct! It is just that you are able to capture the audience and take them places they never thought possible. Excellent job!

Corellia: I loved everything about your performance. Your outfit, your presentation, your choice of song, it all was very brilliant!

Giacomo: It was good, but there were some parts during which I wanted to sleep. (Crowd boos) Liveliness is key when it comes to multimillion G performing. You need more…presence. (SAVYNA nods. The crowd claps as she leaves the stage)

Ana: And that was Savyna! After the break, we'll see if Mizuti or Folon can win the audience's votes with their amazing acts! And now, a word from our sponsor, Nashira Sea Bream Farms!