Chapter Two published 2 October 2010
Author's note/disclaimer: It's October already? Where has the year gone?
Er, anyway. I've based the Miss Harmony contest on the Miss Universe (MU) contest (because I like the format the way it is, and yes, the plot for this fic jumped out at me while I watched Miss Universe 2010, of all things). Thank you to Donald Trump and the other co-producers of MU for supporting this important annual event. GET ON WITH IT.
Sylar was glad to get off the plane at LAX. On the flight from New York to Los Angeles, he could sense the male passengers in first class ogling Azaria's assets. Sylar wanted to change into his natural form and open a can of whoop-ass on them, but the sensible part of his brain convinced him to put up with it. Azaria really should be used to this by now. Sylar had wanted to board the plane by himself, but the name printed on the ticket prevented this.
On the positive side, the seats were comfortable, with lots of leg room, and the food was a culinary delight. At least Ronald Plump, creator of the Miss Harmony contest, knew how to treat a lady.
Back on terra firma, outside the airport, Azaria looked for the coaches that would take her and her fellow contestants to the hotel. Ah, it must be those three coaches with the Miss Harmony logo on their sides, and the tall, beautiful women standing next to them. Then, Sylar saw her. Nikita Longgren, Miss Finland. Beautiful, blonde hair and perfect blue eyes, all his for the taking. Come to think of it, what was it with Scandinavians and beauty? How could every single person in a region populated by more than 20 million people be so hot? Sylar then remembered that Finland wasn't even part of Scandinavia.
Brushing aside these unhelpful thoughts, Azaria approached Nikita and the two women she was chatting with. Nikita smiled warmly and said, 'Hello! Are you one of the contestants?' Azaria smiled. 'Azaria Quinto, Miss USA.'
'Oh, the local girl!' Nikita laughed. She introduced herself. I know who you are. Morena Diaz, Miss Mexico and Yulia Ondraskova, Miss Ukraine introduced themselves. The group of women chatted about how excited they were to be in LA, and the amount of shopping they would do.
Sylar studied Nikita carefully. He could already tell that she could light up a room with her bubbly personality. An ability like persuasion was wasted on her. Sylar would rectify that.
More beautiful women arrived, and after a woman with a Miss Harmony logo emblazoned on her shirt ticked off all 88 contestants' names, they were all put on the coaches. The vehicles made their way to the hotel. Azaria sat next to Yulia, who didn't say much, as she wasn't too confident with her English. Azaria didn't mind, since she was taking in all the sights of the city. The women cheered enthusiastically every time they passed a landmark. Sylar did well not to break out in a sweat at all the hotness seated around him.
About 40 minutes later, they had arrived at the hotel. The Presley Hotel, a five-star accommodation popular with celebrities, would be the ladies' pad for the next week. The contestants were asked to collect their room keys, and to meet Ronald Plump in the hotel's huge restaurant in an hour.
'What's your room number?' Nikita asked Azaria.
'Room 5013.'
'Same as me.' Nikita beamed, because she had already taken a liking to Azaria, though Sylar wasn't quite sure why. He supposed she was naturally friendly. All the better to be closer to you, my prize.
The young women flocked to their room, freshened up and dressed up for dinner. Mr. Plump, contrary to his name, was a tall, lean man, and his hair was just beginning to gray. He stepped up to a microphone on one side of the restaurant and welcomed the ladies to Los Angeles. He also congratulated them on making it this far into the competition. This was met with rapturous applause. Some make it further than others.
Dinner was delectable, and the conversation was hearty. Azaria and Nikita returned to their room a few hours later, and Nikita was slightly tipsy from the wine. Sylar found this to be the perfect time to take her ability. Azaria put her arm around Nikita, and took her ability through intuitive aptitude.
'Are you okay, sweetie?' Azaria asked, in mock concern.
'I'm fine, thank you,' Nikita said, smiling. 'If it's okay, I will turn in for the night.'
'Of course.'
Nikita turned away, and Sylar considered finishing her off there and then. A major part of him held himself back. He felt curious as to why Nikita was so genuinely friendly when she could force people to do her bidding. She hadn't used her ability once, in this whole trip! Sylar also wanted to enjoy the sight of her smiling at the audience during the competition, the epitome of Finnish beauty, his prize on a pedestal. He was willing to wait for that moment where he could enjoy hearing her screams, as he tore through her beautiful flesh.
Deep inside Sylar's twisted mind, Gabriel breathed a sigh of relief at this slight reprieve. Perhaps in this internal struggle between good and evil, goodness still stood a chance.
That last part is going to give me nightmares. Seriously, thank you to ZQ and the Heroes writers for creating the creepiest bad guy ever, or I would not be inspired to write about such creepiness. LOL.
Sylar in a red hoop skirt is coming up next. Oh, boy, yes. Review, please.