The contestants had all decided to split up to work on their performances. Some resided in their dorms, trying to get some well-needed rest while others were socialising in the workroom and trying to perfect their talent shows. While no cliques had formed yet, it was clear that everyone wanted to size up the competition. Whether it was to look for a friend, an alliance member or even just a romantic interest was left in the air, as everything was hung out in the open.
Sitting by the vanities were Jessica, Jun and Séamus. All three were doing their makeup to prepare for the show they had before him. Séamus was practising his lyrics in the mirror while topping up his smokey eyes, while the other two were experimenting with a variety of different shades and cosmetics.
"I don't know," Jun complained, flipping through a loose magazine while comparing palettes. "I don't think the green works with what I have planned, but is yellow really my shade?"
"Don't do yellow," Séamus chimed in with a shudder.
"I may regret asking this, but why?"
Séamus opened his mouth to answer but was cut off by a quick-witted Jess. "Don't listen to him. I think serving piss-eye would definitely steal the scene!"
Jun huffed, turning up his nose. Jess winced at the reaction, while Séamus tensed up at the interaction. Jun glared back at Jess, before letting out a hearty laugh.
"Yeah, you're probably right. I'll do blue."
Séamus sighed in relief, glad to have avoided a scene of conflict. He'd rather keep the peace in the first couple of weeks, and establish some friends in his time here. After all, this was sort of a fresh start for him, so he was rather excited about the possibilities that could follow his journey here. He smiled softly, before turning to face the other two who were working on their looks.
"So what are you guys planning for the talent show? I'm just singing and dancing, but now that I think of it, a lot of people might be doing that."
"The world ain't ready for me baby!" Jun proclaimed, thrusting his hands into the air. "I'm going to serve a performance and haute couture on that stage."
"Your talent is… fashion?" Jessica asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah? And what about it," Jun retorted, flipping his imaginary ponytail back.
"Well, what about you Jess?" Séamus asked the girl sitting with them. He noted that letting Jun interact with anyone for an extended period of time wouldn't be a wise decision, with his diva-esque attitude. Séamus shuddered at the prospect of Quaker and Jun locked in a room together, before the horrific realisation that they were roommates!
"I'm planning on showing my own tricks," She said gleaming, not catching Jun's rolling of his eyes. "I am the Mistress of Illusion after all!"
Séamus laughed in response. Jess smiled back, and she genuinely was rather excited to show off her skills. She had been refining her craft for the longest portion of her life, and she felt somewhat honoured to carry the Quinn legacy into the public eye. She added more neon eyeshadow to her face, before jumping back and beaming at herself.
"I gotta make sure my props are ready!"
—
*Confessional Start*
[Jun]
Jun glared into the camera, raising one of his eyebrows in question. "There are some characters here, to say the least. None of them has a chance at beating me though. Jess, in particular, is in a daze and she's not a part of my journey to becoming the style superstar of the world.
*Confessional End*
—
On the other end of the workroom, Craig, Vanessa and Robin were bouncing their ideas off of each other. Craig already felt close enough to Robin, based on the vibe he felt from him, and Van was somebody who was right up his alley. A cool chick that knew how to party.
"God, you have to use that one," Van spluttered out, holding her gut in stitches after hearing Robin's impression.
"Really? You think that one was good," Robin asked, still miming Ash Ketchum from Pokémon as he did so.
Craig wiped a loose tear from his eye, as he slung his arm around the other man's shoulder. "Dude, these impressions are killer."
Robin laughed slightly, nodding his head. He was excited to be in a more welcoming and forgiving environment like this one in comparison to his old school days. His eyes glossed over Van and Craig, both of whom were still laughing away at his impression.
"Ye gotta have a mad one planned for the show?" Robin asked, crawling into an Irish accent still masking his voice.
Van chuckled and responded with a nod. Hopping out of her cushioned seat, she bounced up confidently placing her hands on her hips. "Ya girl was going to rap or spin some tracks, but I'm a lot more confident with my dancing. I don't get to show off my skills that often."
"You're going to kill it," Craig affirmed, grinning at the girl. "Cuz anyways, I can't have ya outshine my rapping and DJing."
Van rolled her eyes playfully, shoving the taller guy in the shoulder. "I'll let you have this win, but I am worried. There are some wicked dancers here from even just seeing Séamus, Jun, Quaker and Yuki walk in," She commented, her eyes focussing on Jun boasting by the vanities while Séamus and Jess both watched on with intent.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Van]
"I'm not the type of girl to downplay my abilities," Van confessed, her eyes narrowing at the camera as she spoke. "But there is a clear line between confidence and arrogance which y'all need to watch out for."
*Confessional End*
—
Ollie was practising in his own room, after attaching a pull-up bar to the wall of his shared room. He would have preferred to practise onstage to really be in his own element, but an intern had informed him that his trapeze equipment wouldn't be ready til the show tonight. He sighed, supposing that this bar he brought for backup would have to do for now.
"No, it's honestly like actually unbelievable how amazing I am," Quaker's voice rang out, causing Ollie to shake his head with a smile on his face. They had wanted to practise with Ollie, but they had no clue how to set up a pullup bar. They had decided to lounge on the acrobat's bed and indulge in their fantasies, as Ollie did all the manual labour. Ollie didn't mind listening to Quaker though, as there was an air of satirical comedy behind their stories, most of which elicited a chuckle out of him. It reminded him of the weird and wacky personalities from the circus.
"I'm all done with the bar if you want to practise on it now," Ollie said, turning to see Quaker no longer on his bed and instead peering around the room. A photo was in his hand, and an intrigued look was on his face.
"Ay, no no no! Look at these skinny arms, I'd snap practising on that bar. Besides, I'm more interested in who this is?"
Ollie shook his head disapprovingly, grabbing the picture off of the dancer's hand. "Nosy people never win," He tutted, causing Quaker to puff out his lip in annoyance. Ollie looked at the photo, flashing a cheeky smile back.
"But my dearest Quaker. If you must know, that man is Rufus, a close friend of mine from the circus."
"He's kinda hot!"
Ollie blushed, shaking his head and putting the picture back down on the shelving unit he had gotten it from. "I suppose… Shouldn't you be practising anyways?"
Quaker bounced off of Ollie's bed and landed into the splits in front of the boy. Raising an eyebrow at Quaker, Ollie laughed at the boy's energy.
"You can't perfect perfection!" Quaker rang out.
"I guess so. So you're dancing and I'm doing acrobatics. Actually, I have a favour to ask?"
—
*Confessional Start*
[Quaker]
"There are a lot of interesting people here for me to learn about," Quaker exclaimed with a shrill squeal. "This is literally the dream! Cute guys and a stage to shine on! I don't know how to help Ollie though?"
*Confessional End*
—
Another pair who were in their own room was Yuki and Molly. Yuki wanted to get a small bit of rest before her debut in the talent show, but Molly wasn't about to let her go that easily. This was the perfect time to make friends in her mind.
"I love Japan!" Molly cried out, as Yuki's eye twitched from her laying position on her bed. "I've watched tons of anime!"
"Not all Japanese people like anime, Molly," Yuki rebutted, turning her body to face the wall, and closing her eyes.
"Well, do you like anime?" Molly asked. Yuki opened her eyes and was startled to see her roommate all up in her face. Yuki yelled in surprise, tumbling off her bed and crashing down onto the floor.
"NO!" Yuki roared out, crossing her arms and closing her eyes trying to block out the girl from her position on the floor.
"I think your notebook says otherwise," Molly teased, brandishing Yuki's diary with a sailor moon cover on it. Yuki gasped in shock and snatched the book off the girl.
"OUT!" She yelled, unable to be bothered with Molly anymore. Molly shrugged, and gleefully left in order to find someone else to vibe with.
Yuki sighed, crawling up to her bed and shutting her eyes again. A knocking on the door made her open her eyes again in a furious rage.
"I SAID OUT!" She cried out, hurling her pillow at the door.
"Yowza! Someone's catty," A male voice announced, from the door frame causing Yuki to see who it was.
Drew wriggled his eyebrows at her, having caught the pillow from the door. Yuki's face flashed with worry as she bowed her head towards the door.
"My sincerest apologies," She said, praying that she hadn't ruined a potential alliance member,
"I don't blame you, babe," Drew replied, tossing the pillow back at her. "I was hiding from that crazy bitch when I saw her coming."
Yuki let out a small laugh at the comment, covering her mouth and looking at the man before him. "What's your talent, then Mr Hanson?"
"I'm singing," Drew replied, sizing up the girl. "And I figured you'd be dancing."
"Any promise that you'll be entertaining tonight?"
"Believe me, there's a lot this mouth can do," Drew said with a wink, leaving a feverish blush on Yuki's face.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Molly]
"Everybody is so nice and fun and creative here, I'm having a blast!" Molly cheered. "I think I really made a good impression with Yuki earlier and she's so nice. Oh my talent? It's a surprise!"
*Confessional End*
—
Another pair was found in Johan's room, this time consisting of the musician himself with Francine.
"Thanks again for letting me practise with you," Francine commented, wiping off a speck of dust from her cello. "I was afraid of damaging this with the hurricane that is Jess in our room."
As if on cue, a loud bang was heard outside with Jess's voice echoing an apology out. Johan chuckled at the comedic timing, as he tuned his guitar with care.
"It's no problem at all. Besides, I appreciate someone who can play an instrument." Johan replied.
"I believe we are the only two who are able to play an instrument unless someone has a talent they're not showing off today."
Johan grunted in affirmation, looking up to see Francine deep in thought, accidentally staring at him. He blinked, before waving to grab her attention.
"Ah, pardon me," She apologised, shaking her head to compose herself. "I was wondering what everyone else will be doing tonight for the competition."
"You might want to wait til after they perform," Johan said with a laugh, placing his guitar back in its case for the moment. "People can surprise you."
—
*Confessional Start*
[Francine]
"I find it essential to know my opponents' strengths and weaknesses," Francine summarised, sitting poised in the confessional. "It may be early, but in a situation like this every impression matters."
*Confessional End*
—
The last bunch of competitors had decided to see the stage for themselves. After all, what better practice could there be than actually seeing the place you'd be performing? Rosa gasped a small bit, stunned by the beauty of the stage. It was grand enough for everyone to perform on, and she noted that a challenge that she'd have to set herself would be to use the entire stage while she performed tonight.
She squinted, suddenly blinded by a spotlight shining down on her. In her peripheral were two other rays of light, noticing that Athena and Aerice were both present on the stage, with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Any guesses who was the more stoic of the two?
"It's beautiful," Aerice commented, breathless from the sight. She was ready to start tapping and running around the stage.
Athena shrugged in response, taking a careful step to feel the stage's floor against her foot. It was suitable for what she had planned and she ultimately made up her mind as she wandered to the side of the stage.
"Hey, Athena? What are yo- Woah!" Rosa began to ask, before watching the short girl cartwheel across the stage covering a sizable chunk of it. She landed strongly, nodding to herself.
"I'm doing gymnastics for my talent," Athena said bluntly, ignoring the jaw-dropped Rosa and the gleeful Aerice.
"That's so unique! I was really hoping I wouldn't be the only one not to sing or dance!" Aerice exclaimed, gesturing her hand out to the stoic. Athena stared at the hand for a moment, before giving in and lightly brushing her hand Aerice's, but hey, it was better than being left hanging.
"What are you going to do?" Athena asked, tightening her bun that was slightly shaken from the cartwheel. She'd have to layer on the hairspray for her performance.
"I'm doing a spoken word performance," Aerice replied, touching her nose cheekily. "I've got other talents than just being the spooky girl."
"You and me both," Athena added with a nod, and to the trained eye, a slight upturn to her lips. It wasn't a wide smile, but the hints of one were there for sure. "What about you?"
"I-" Rosa yelped, caught off-guard. She was left speechless after Athena's trick and was pulled out of her own mind by the question. "Uhm- I-"
"Not the stuttering again. Spit it out!" Athena replied quickly, causing Aerice to giggle slightly. She felt a close bond to Athena almost straight away, seeing parts of herself in the girl. It helped that she had an awful quick wit too.
"I- MMA!" Rosa exclaimed, before quickly running off and retreating to her room.
"Man, you have to go give her a break." Aerice defended, putting her hand on Athena's shoulder. "I think she likes you."
Athena rolled her eyes, before shrugging Aerice's hand off her. Now was the best time to get her stretches in.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Rosa]
"I guess now's the best time to say it. I have venustraphobia, also known as the fear of beautiful women," Rosa commented, covering her face in embarrassment. "It's a long story I don't want to get into right now, but man, Athena is like a trigger for it. I can't think straight when she's around! Maybe it's because I'm so NOT straight!"
*Confessional End*
—
As the stars practised their day away, night soon fell upon the city they were in. With the hustle and bustle of changing into their costumes, and rumours flying around of who was the most capable, it was time to see everything in action for the first time. All sixteen contestants, dressed to impress in their performance outfits, were seated at the side of the stage in a flurry of hushed whispers. A silence soon fell over them, as the spotlight focussed on the two judges who were seated at their desks overlooking the stage.
Blaineley was smirking at the camera, all glammed up for the main show of the night. Her signature red dress was more glam than ever, and her makeup was perfected for the screen. "Welcome viewers, contestants and everybody else to the world premiere of Total Drama Stardom!"
Don sat next to her, exchanging his regular attire for a dashing black tuxedo. While not as extravagantly glammed up as Blaineley, he also had some makeup on to hide his blemishes. "That's right Blaineley, and tonight we asked our contestants to present themselves to the world in a star-studded talent show!"
"I'm your host, Blaineley, and this is my co-host, Don!"
"We have the same power Blaineley, we're both equal hosts," Don rebutted, faking his smile.
"Let's see what our cast has to show us tonight," Blaineley continued, blanking the other host. "Remember, they're yours for one night only!"
"Leading the all-star talented variety show is earth, fire, Aerice," Blaineley announced, sitting on her seat at the head of the judging panel. "Talent, spoken word."
"What the hell was that?" Don asked, from the seat beside her, giving a confused glance to his co-host.
"A joke? Why they put me with you I will never understand,"
Don rolled his eyes, before focusing on Aerice on the stage. She was dressed in a magenta suit, with a black t-shirt underneath the blazer. She had black dance shoes on as well, and the music started to play as she looked at the judges.
"You know those kinds of girls who look like they're made, of honey and glass, like sticky sweet ash," Aerice chorused out, with the stage encompassed in darkness. A spotlight followed her as she stepped around the stage.
"And you can't get the taste off your tongue? Burnt sugar and a little bit of rum?" She continued, as she pranced around the stage softly. Her movements were graceful as her tall figure drew the attention of everyone else. Some listened intently to the words she was saying while others were mesmerised by her ethereal body thundered across the stage.
"And she dances in the rain with her clothes on, drenched to the bone and never knows when she's all gone," Aerice chanted, her face contorting to match the emotion of the piece. She loved to mix expressions into her pieces, and this song she was performing was the perfect one to do that with.
"She's the life of the party and deep down I know, that nobody flinches when she takes off her clothes," Aerice continued, letting the words she was singing really sink in. She usually had confidence, but every now and then those feelings of self-doubt did occur again. She stretched her limbs to match the song's lyrics, her long arms dancing gracefully.
"And I wonder what it's like to be one of those girls, To sit in the sun and look at the world and never think," Aerice spoke out once again, her eyes catching a glimpse of the others who were all enthralled by her performance. Even Johan and Athena seemed somewhat interested in her performance, at least as far as she could tell. "Wow, am I enough?"
"But I think that it's hard for these people to see, That I love all these girls and honestly? It doesn't matter what you look like or how much you weigh, it's just that these girls know that they're okay," the girl sang out. She had a trick up her sleeve too, as she brandished a bisexual flag from her coat's sleeve. This elicited some of the other contestants to cheer out in support, namely Van, Ollie and surprisingly Drew too. "There's a beauty in knowing your place in the world, In loving yourself and knowing your worth. You don't have to be perfect or never get sad, that's not what it means to be honey and glass,"
"And everyone has their highs and their lows, The nights they spend crying believe me I know," Aerice added, matching the sombre tones of the songs with her facial expressions. She was channelling everything she knew about good scene-building into her performance, to open up her heart and let the world know that she was a story to tell and that it was a damn good one. "I don't want to be these girls for beauty or fame but for the confidence, they have in their own damn name."
"So I'll sit here and look at these girls in the sun, Dancing in the rain and just having their fun, And I know it doesn't make sense to forget the past, But I promise one day you'll be honey and glass." Aerice finished with a graceful bow. She did consider her strongest talent to be her dance skills after all, and the bewildered face on Jun was just an added bonus. As the crowd elicited applause, Aerice smiled softly, grateful to have started her story on this stage.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Jun]
"Don't tell me that giraffe can dance!" Jun roared, crossing his arms in frustration. "What a bitch!"
*Confessional End*
—
"Up next, we have someone who's in between a win and a loss," Blaineley beckoned, gleaming in the lights of the judges' table. "He will tie, And Drew! Talent, singing!"
"Blaineley that one didn't even make sense," Don groaned at the pun. Blaineley scoffed from the seat beside them, as they focussed on the man on the stage before him. He had to admit that he was rather impressed with how fancy he appeared, in a grey three-piece suit with a purple tie to match. He had a suave and collected appearance, as jivey music played in the background.
"When marimba rhythm starts to play, dance with me, make me sway," Drew sang out, catching the attention of everyone around. They hadn't expected his voice to be as smooth as butter, and some people could feel their cheeks blush as he sang each line.
"Like the lazy ocean hugs the shore, pull me close, sway some more," Drew purred down the microphone, flashing a wink to those watching him intently. Quaker honestly didn't mind the wink coming from the hot man, as he gleefully giggled in response.
"Like a flower bending in the breeze, bend with me, sway with me," Drew sang, standing in the centre of the stage oozing confidence. He didn't need props or anything, similar to Aerice but unlike the girl before her, he didn't even have to move around the stage. "When we dance, you have a way with me, stay with me, sway with me."
As Drew transitioned to the chorus, he glanced at Blaineley who was practically frothing at the mouth. Don was making careful notes, watching him precisely but what was a little pressure to Drew? "Other dancers may be on the floor. Dear, but my eyes will only see you. Only you have that magic technique. When we sway, I go weak."
He pointed out to the onlooking crowd, his hand pointing at Francine as he continued singing. "I can hear the sound of violins, long before it begins. Make me sway like only you know how, sway me smooth, sway me now."
Francine's cheeks grew a fruitful red, as she was conflicted on whether to be insulted over the instrument that caused the man to point at him, or whether to swoon over him pointing her out. She could practically feel daggers being stared into her back by Yuki. Her attention was drawn back by that magnificent voice after the short musical interval. "Other dancers may be on the floor. Dear, but my eyes will only see you. Only you have that magic technique. When we sway, I go weak."
"I can hear the sound of violins, long before it begins. Make me sway like only you know how, sway me smooth, sway me now."
The music paused, and the crowd went to applaud, but Drew was not finished yet. The music accelerated in pace, as he picked the speed up too, delivering the next few lines with that extra oomph. His voice was his best attribute, tied with his body and face of course, and he knew how to use it properly. "Like a flower bending in the breeze, bend with me, sway with me. When we dance, you have a way with me, stay with me, sway with me."
Drew was channelling all his energy into these last lines, captivating the crowd watching onwards. "When marimbas start to play, hold me close, make me sway, Like the lazy ocean hugs the shore, hold me close, sway some more."
"Like a flower bending in the breeze, bend with me, sway with me. When we dance, you have a way with me, stay with me, sway with me," Drew finished with a flourish. He took a swift bow as the rest of the cast applauded. While half were head over heels for the man, people like Johan and Athena recognised that the performance was very well done and that Drew had some powerful pipes behind that attitude of his.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Francine]
"That fool, claiming I play the violin and not the cello? They are completely different from each other! That devilish stud," Francine cursed out, before realising what she said. Her cheeks were a bright red, as she desperately fanned herself in the confessional. "Is it hot in here? I think the air-con needs to be turned on!"
*Confessional End*
—
Blainely looked slightly bored, before realising the camera was on her and quickly morphing her face into a wide smile. "We are back and up next. Wait? The daughter of Zeus, Athena!? Talent, gymnastics!"
"You didn't even try with that one," Don commented, shaking his head in disapproval. He looked upon the empty stage once again with Athena standing in the middle. She was getting curious glances from the rest of the cast, all of which were wondering what this stoic was going to do for her performance.
Athena's look was slightly surprising, as she donned a white dress with puffy sleeves. Red stripes ran along the dress. To match the red, she wore red boots under her knee-high white socks and to finish the look she had blue gloves on.
Jun scoffed, turning to the nearest person who happened to be Johan and whispered to him. "The Brit wants to be American so bad."
Johan rolled his eyes and focussed carefully on the girl as the music started to play.
"Who can say where the road goes? Where the day flows? Only time," The track chorused, as Athena gracefully strolled around the stage. She was focused on her movements, but her face was as straight as ever.
She raised her leg, bringing it up over her head, before placing it back down. "And who can say if your love grows, as your heart chose? Only time."
From her standing position, Athena slowly dropped into the splits causing the crowd to murmur. She yawned as she did so, raising her hand to cover her mouth. Her flexibility and her talent came to her effortlessly, and she had no one to impress but herself. The blush on Rosa's cheeks was just a neat bonus.
She tip-toed around the stage as the instrumentals took over, extending her posture to almost the top of her, adding a sort of ballet tone to her performance. "Who can say why your heart sighs? As your love flies? Only time."
"And who can say why your heart cries? As your love lies? Only time?" The music blasted, as Athena bent backwards to the point she was making a 90-degree angle with her body. The art of her gymnastics was impressive, although Ollie did have to note that it lacked any entertainment values. Her face remained straight despite the skills she was displaying, which did lose him partially while he was watching her. That and the butterflies in his stomach from having to perform soon.
Her dainty steps continued as she pranced around the stage. She spun around in slow circles with her arms poised on top of her head. Her form was impeccable and Yuki struggled to find any faults in the girl's dancing.
"Who can say when the roads meet? That love might be, in your heart," the music continued, as Athena placed her hands on the ground, and propelled herself into the air into a handstand. Holding the pose for a second, she continued to move forwards doing a slow cartwheel.
She gave a slow look towards the audience, before giving another slow cartwheel. "And who can say when the day sleeps, if the night keeps, all your heart?"
"Night keeps, all your heart." The last line echoed, as Athena dropped into a slow split and finished her performance. A slow applause rang out, as the cast was confused but slightly mesmerised, to say the least.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Yuki]
"I'm not sure how to feel," Yuki explained. "On one hand, it was almost technically perfect with all the tricks performed. Yet it missed that little extra wow factor to really make it entertaining."
*Confessional End*
—
"I don't think I have any funny comments for this dude," Blaineley admitted, not dropping any of her charisma despite her lack of wit for the next performer. "It's Craig! Talent, rap."
"At least there's a shred of honesty in you," Don bluntly remarked, looking at the man on the stage.
Craig was adorned in his regular outfit, with nothing changed at all, contrasting to most of the other members who were sitting in the audience. Craig was standing alone on the stage, but he had a prop present of a DJ station. He flashed a toothy grin to the audience, as he spun on the tracks to start the music.
"California Love," The music played, as Craig spun the track causing some funky instrumentals to take over.
"California knows how to party. California knows how to party." The speakers continued, as Craig fiddled with the disks. "In the citaaay of LA. In the citaaay of Good Ol' Watts. In the citaaay of Compton."
"We keep it rockin'. We keep it rockin'." The speakers added as Craig cleared his throat to start rapping the lines of the song. "Now let me welcome everybody to the wild, wild west. A state that's untouchable like Elliot Ness. The track hits ya eardrum like a slug to ya chest. Pack a vest for your Jimmy in the city of sex."
Craig was focused while spinning his tracks and dropping his bars. He only had one shot to make a good first impression, and after Van had, as she claimed, graciously allowed him to be the only DJ, he knew he had her to impress on top of the judges.
"We in that sunshine state with a bomb ass hemp beat, The state where ya never find a dance floor empty, And pimps be on a mission for them greens, Lean mean money-makin-machines servin' fiends,'' He continued, the words leaving his mouth at record speeds. Rapping wasn't an easy feat for anyone, and people were able to acknowledge that by watching his performance. However, for Drew, Craig's performance lacked any class and real display of vocals.
"I been in the game for ten years makin' rap tunes, Ever since honeys was wearin' sassoon, Now it's '95 and they clock me and watch me, Diamonds shinin' lookin like I robbed Liberace," Craig continued, turning to wink at the crowd. He was disheartened to see the somewhat bored faces of Séamus, Yuki and Francine to the straight-up disinterested ones of Jun, Quaker and Drew. His eyes landed on Robin, who threw up his hand in a thumbs-up gesture and Van, who had her eyes closed and was absolutely vibing to the music.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Vanessa]
"That's the kind of shit I do at home!" Van exclaimed, her head still rocking to the beat of Craig's performance. "Craig is able to match the energy ya' girl can. Killer!"
*Confessional End*
—
"It's all good, from Diego to tha' Bay, Your city is tha' bomb if your city makin' pay, Throw up a finger if ya feel the same way, Craig puttin' it down for, Californ-i-a," Craig continued shakily, causing Don to raise his eyebrow. Craig was honestly startled by people not enjoying his music, and his confidence was rocky, to say the least as a result.
He spun the track to allow him to try and transition back to the song part of his performance, so he could take a second to recollect himself. However, disaster struck as the record started scratching underneath the needle causing a pain-staking noise to be emitted.
"Sha-sha-sha-shake it-t-t-t, sha-ke-ke-ke i-i-t baby-y–y-y-y," The track spluttered, as Craig admitted defeat, lifting the needle off the record. He let out a pathetic 'pfft' in an attempt to beatbox his way out of the situation he had landed himself in, but everyone knew it was over for the LA Shredder.
"Right," Blaineley stated plainly.
"Let's just move on," Don continued, wincing at how quickly things had gone awry.
"Following that stellar performance. We have England, Ireland, Francine," Blaineley bellowed, causing Don to roll his eyes. "Talent, cello."
"I think that was the worst one yet," He said, rolling his eyes and focusing on the girl on stage. Francine was wearing a simple black button-up shirt and a matching black skirt. Her dark hair was tied back with a delicate white ribbon, and her presence was the sole thing on the stage. Well, her and her massive cello; seriously how did that get on to the set?
Francine started strumming at her instrument with her bow, the sound waves ricocheting off the walls. Her movements were as precise as they were graceful, as each note reverberated off the ears of her competitors. Some closed their eyes, to fully indulge in the world Francine was painting for them.
With each note, the clear picture of a clear blue sky on a bright day was visible. With soft grass that tickled their toes and a melody that was enchanting, they were fully enraptured by Francine's playing.
Her soft and supple movements commanded the instrument she had trained for years, as she accelerated and halted her motions to perfectly capture every note of the song she had rehearsed for years. The eyes of her competitors gazed up at her in wonder, as her aura was commanding the arena. Francine knew she was fit to play in an orchestra, but a one-woman show was what she had envisioned for herself in her future.
Coming from a background like hers, she basically grew up to this melody since she was in the womb practically, and even if classical music wasn't your cup of tea, her skills couldn't be left uncredited.
She finished her performance with a final swipe of her bow and curtsied gracefully. She was taught to remain humble, even though she knew she absolutely crushed that performance. Applause echoed out from the stands, as she smiled softly and retook her seat.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Quaker]
"Listen," Quaker said in the confessional. "I don't like classical music, not much you can shake your ass to with that genre, but hey. The bitch can strum. I was impressed."
*Confessional End*
—
"Let's see who's next," Blaineley asked, consulting her list of the cast. "Her name rhymes with mess, it's Jess… ica. Talent, magic."
"Nice save," Don bluntly scoffed, turning his attention to the stage. Jessica could be seen on the stage, with a variety of props surrounding her. She had changed her magician costume for a dark green bodysuit that had blue lines running through the fabric. Around her wrists were gold gauntlets, as well as matching gold shoulder pads and gold boots, on the respective areas where those garments go. Barely visible underneath her gauntlets were lime gloves.
A long light purple cape flourished behind her, contrasting against her dark purple belt with an unusual eye clasp on it. That was not the most unusual aspect of her outfit, however, with that achievement going to her dome-shaped helmet in a striking dark blue. Jun critiqued its cohesion with the rest of her outfit, as Johan hushed him to watch the illusionist at work.
"Do you want to meet all my monsters? Think you're tough, I know they'll drive you bonkers. Meet them once and they'll forever haunt ya'," Jessica sang out, as smoke surrounded her on the stage. She walked around the stage, letting the smoke consume her until she vanished from the crowd, with her voice being the only reminder of her presence.
"There's no heroes or villains in this place. Just shadows that dance in my headspace. Leaving nothing but phantoms in their wake," Her voice echoed from the clouded vision, seemingly coming at everyone from every direction. Even Drew had to commend her ability to sing in that smoked environment.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Andrew]
"I smoke and I make no apologies about it," Drew stated. "But even I know that the impact it can have on your voice is detrimental. It may not be a cigarette, but that girl has some pipes. Can't beat mine though."
*Confessional End*
—
"There's parts of me I cannot hide. I've tried and tried a million times," Jessica's voice spoke again, at this point worrying the crowd. Blaineley looked bored, as her vocals were nothing to write home about but Don was intrigued by the performance. Jessica hummed along to the music.
"Cross my heart and hope to die. Welcome to my darkside," Jessica added, as the chorus began. In a spark of light, causing some to shield their eyes, bright blue lasers ricocheted off the stage as the smoke cleared. The lights spiralled, and those who were able to catch a glimpse were able to see that the lights were coming from Jessica's bodysuit as she spun around and pranced around the stage as she repeated the line from the chorus.
She came to a pause, the smoke having dissipated at this point, with the lasers switching off. While her face was clad underneath the mask, she was grinning wildly underneath it. "Take a step into the havoc. Look around, this ain't even the half of it. Walking the line between panic and losing my mind, embracing the madness."
Jess dropped to her knees suddenly, and a sickening crack could be heard. Many of the contestants gasped as the girl didn't move off the floor. Don stood abruptly up, praying she wasn't injured while Blaineley looked on with a grin, glad that the performance had gotten exciting now.
"My devils, they whisper in my ear. Deafening me with all my fears. I'm living in a nightmare." Jess sang from the floor, as red started to soak into the ground around her knees. People were confused about how the girl was still singing despite having broken both of her knees. She clapped her hands twice, before laying her back on the floor. The lights swiftly cut off as Jess continued to sing. "There's parts of me I cannot hide. I've tried and tried a million times"
Jess hummed along again, as people caught wind of what was happening. The red stain on the ground was glow-in-the-dark paint, and Jess wallowed in it, kicking it around the stage. She latched off her helmet, to reveal her face that was covered in glow-in-the-dark make-up that gave her a stunning yet creepy look.
"Cross my heart and hope to die. Welcome to my darkside." The illusionist finished, as the lights slowly turned back on. She raised herself off the floor, giving a swift bow and grinning madly. She had had the time of her life on the stage and hoped that she was entertaining enough but from the sound of the claps and cheers, she felt as if her goal was achieved.
Blaineley still looked slightly spooked, as the stage had now been cleared of everything. There was just one man on the stage, sitting on a stool and holding a guitar. "After that smashing performance," Blaineley shuddered. "We have Johan the man."
"That performance really shook you up," Don laughed, having had the chance to take a break from Blaineley's 'comedic' lines.
Johan was seated in his regular attire for the most part. The only difference was that he had swapped out his grey top for a wine-red button-up. He didn't want to use his best outfits this early, especially for this casual performance.
Johan strummed his guitar, beginning the song and slowly let his voice join into the melody. "Made myself a little garden, to grow myself my only friends. Got myself a brand new start and, oh no, I screwed it up again."
"Guess I'm staying up all night. In my mind but out of sight," He added with a brandish of his voice, and he played the guitar a little faster to match the rising tempo of the song.
"I'm to blame for this, I hide away until the day is through. I will pay for this, but find a way to put the blame on you," Johan continued, oozing charisma as he played his guitar professionally. He was self-taught and took pride in it, and he was playing one of his favourite songs by his favourite artist. Not many people can say they did that on international television. "I won't run from this, hide away until the day is through."
"Can't believe my eyes this mornin', I found a plot of weeds instead. Yesterday was so adoring. My God's so easy to offend." Johan continued to sing, letting the lyrics sink in with him. It wasn't a particularly relatable song for him, but it didn't remind him of his family, who had the ability to be excruciating at times. "I would rather fly than fight, close my eyes and hang on tight."
"Not to blame for this, I hide away until the day is through. I will run from this. I'll find a way to push the blame on you," Johan sang professionally, letting a small bit of desperation slip into his voice. Music, to him, was all about feeling the lyrics emotionally and matching the melody with your vocals. He strummed a little more frantically and sporadically to match the rising emotions of the current song. "Be alright tomorrow, hide away until the day is through."
As Johan started on the instrumentals again, he looked on to the crowd to see a much more engaging crowd than Craig had had, who was someone with a similar performance to himself. While people weren't lost in his tale like they were for Francine, he got dealt the unlucky hand to be one of those to perform in the middle of the crowd. Everyone knows that people really only remember those that open and close the show, but he was going to make sure he stood out. Craig hung his head in shame at being upstaged by yet another performer, as Van gave him a pat on the back in consolation.
"It's so simple. It's as easy as could be. Make a monster. Lock it up, throw away the key." Johan echoed out, his voice raising in volume as he was almost shouting the lyrics now. He was losing himself in the song, and a couple of members of the crowd could feel themselves relating to the music. "In the backyard. Buried deep under a tree. There's a monster. Taking root in the property."
"In the garden. Where the weeds are growin' free. In the garden. Where my friends plot to bury me." Johan practically roared, his fingers moving at an intense pace. He had let the sheer intensity of the song take over and was having a lot of fun at this point. "There's a jungle. It's as far as the eye can see. Overgrown now. It's no longer a fantasy."
"But it's too late now. By the time that I've realised. I can't see now. 'Cause the dirt is up to my eyes." Johan finished, panting slightly. He smirked and took a bow, as thunderous applause followed.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Johan]
"I slayed," Johan said blatantly, crossing his arms and smiling in the confessional. It took a second to process what he had just said before he groaned. "THAT DUCK!"
*Confessional End*
—
"Up next, April, May, Jun," Blaineley commented, causing Don to glance at her yet again. "Talent, fashion."
"Okay that was one of the better ones," Don eventually said, giving in, as both of them turned to face the empty stage.
"I-I-I-I-It's called fashion look it up," A masculine voice rang out, as Jun appeared from the shadows with a twirl. He was in a large white puffer jacket that reached to the floor, with black heels seen underneath. It was way too oversized for him, yet it fit him perfectly for the goal it needed to achieve.
"Jun… Jun… Jun… Jun…" He continued, walking along the stage and showing off the outfit. It was meticulously crafted, with every seam done right. Not a single hem was missed, and he swayed his arms and sleeves to the beat of the music as he continued to sing.
"Walking with fashion, touch the fashion. Walking with fashion, touch the fashion. Walking with fashion, touch the fashion. Walk- walk- walk- walk-" He continued, swaying with the music still and strutting his way until he was upfront and centre. He gave a devious glint into the camera and tore off the puffer jacket and sang the next line.
"Touch the fashion, change your life," He spoke out, revealing from the puffer jacket to a pair of black denim shorts with a train that fell to the floor in a black lace fabric, almost like a wedding veil. His top half was now revealed to have a billowy white satin shirt that blew with the wind, as he let the music take over and continued to strut his stuff all across the stage.
"Fashion, darling… Fashion, darling… It's just fashion, darling. But you can't touch it…" He continued, letting the new outfit take control of the stage. He folded his arms into the sleeves and pushed outwards slightly, demonstrating the elasticity of the outfit and made articulate movements with his hips to make sure that his train moved the right way as he pranced across the stage. He got prepared to sing the next line, the glint growing even brighter in his eyes. They weren't ready for his storm yet.
"Touch the fashion, change your life," He repeated, tearing through the shirt and ripping off the shorts from his body in one rapid movement. He was left in a skin-tight red and blue bodysuit that had careful cutouts to expose different areas of his skin. He made sure that the left side of his stomach was revealed as well as his right pectoral muscle in order to reveal one of his barbell nipple piercings. He was ready to show the kids how to do it, as they said, as the end of the song kicked up the energy, and he was ready to match it.
As Jun chorused the same line of the song, to finish the final verse of the song, he immediately broke into a carefully choreographed routine. He thrust his arms from side to side and stepped to the beat of the music with articulate precision. His energy was at a new peak with the intensity of the song matching his mood, and he was determined to show everyone he was the best dancer here by far. As the song came to its conclusion, Jun kicked his leg up in the air and dropped to the floor. The others burst into applause from the side of the stage, and Jun grinned and took a bow.
"Thank you everyone! Everything I wore was hand-crafted by yours truly," Jun announced, noting the gleeful smile on Blaineley's face while he headed back to his seat on the side of the stage.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Molly]
Molly was in a daze, scribbling on her hand in marker before realising where she was. "Ooh! Do you think he'll design something for me?"
*Confessional End*
—
—
"She may not be doing a song, but we can still sing. Molly, Molly, Molly? Talent, basketball? Oh, this will be good."
"I swear if you use the same line for Ollie, there'll be words." Don bluntly said.
Molly could be seen in her usual outfit like Craig had been seen in earlier except she had a couple of additions to her look. Around her neck, there was a cheap-looking silver chain, which Molly spared no detail in explaining was plastic as she was not allowed to wear metal jewellery. She also had a pair of plastic purple sunglasses on, as well as a purple hat.
The stage had also been transformed, with a basketball hoop on a pole positioned on one end of the stage, with a rack of basketballs on the other side where Molly was. Music started playing, and some of the cast chuckled in amusement as they recognised the song.
"They know what is what, but they don't know what is what. They just strut. What the fuck?" Molly mimed along, covering her mouth at the cuss word. She strolled over to the basketballs as she continued to lip sync to the lyrics. "A tiger, don't lose no sleep. Don't need opinions from a shellfish or a sheep. Don't you come for me. No, not today."
She tossed the basketball from across the stage, raising some surprise as she landed in straight through the hoop. She smirked as the music continued. "You're calculated. I got your number. 'Cause you're a joker and I'm a courtside killer queen."
"And you will kiss the ring. You best believe." Molly dribbled a new basketball, lowering and raising its height of it with precision. She tossed it between her legs and continued to bounce it along as the music played.
"So keep calm honey I'ma stick around, for more than a minute. Get used to it. Funny cause my name keeps comin' out your mouth, 'cause I stay winning." Molly bounced the ball hard off the ground as it flew up into the air. Extending a pinky out, she caught it gracefully on her finger spinning it around. "Lay 'em up like."
"Swish, swish bitch! Another one in the basket." Molly used her pinky to thrust the basketball forward and it landed in the hoop in one fell swoop. She grinned, picking up another basketball and firing it in again. "Can't touch this, another one in the casket."
—
*Confessional Start*
[Rosa]
"All I'm thinking is what sort of drugs is this crazy bitch on?"
*Confessional End*
—
"Pink Ferragamo sliders on deck. Silly rap beefs just get me more checks. My life is a movie, I'm never off set. Me and my amigos, no, not Offset." Molly mimed along to Nicki's part of the song. It was clear that the girl knew how to rap, as she hit every line of the song, while continuously throwing balls into the hoop. She may not have been singing live, but every lyric was lip-synced by Molly. "Swish swish, aww I got them upset, But my shooters'll make 'em dance like dubstep, Swish, swish, aww, my haters is obsessed, 'Cause I make M's, they get much less."
Molly threw the last basketball in, once again flawlessly, before realising she was out of balls. She chuckled slightly, before breaking out in a pretty awful rendition of the floss that made everyone watching cringe, as even the producer skidded the music to a sudden halt to prevent her from continuing. "But they don't know what is what, They just strut, What the…"
"Are you ready to chant with me?" Blaineley asked Don, with a mischievous grin on her face. Exasperated at this point, Don simply gestured a thumbs up back. "Ollie, Ollie, Ollie?"
"Oy, oy, oy," The defeated Don replied, before focusing on the stage before him.
"Talent, acrobatics."
As the music started to play, there was a look of confusion from the cast as the stage was empty.
"Yo, where is he?" Craig asked, with Robin shrugging back in response.
"Woah!" Quaker rang out, standing up from his seat and clapping his hands to the beat of the music, getting a weird glance from everyone around him. Some were alarmed at his interruption, while others were confused about what the hell was happening during this performance. "Woah!"
"What's going on?" Yuki asked, glaring at Quaker.
"Woah!" Quaker desperately looked towards the stage, and around at his castmates for help. Both Van and Séamus nodded, jumping up and joining the dancing duck's chorus. "Woah!"
"Woah!" The trio echoed out, at this point building up the hype of the surrounding members. Molly, Craig and Robin found themselves taking part in this chorus, while others like Drew, Jun and Yuki were appalled at this display of rebellion. "Woah!"
"Woah!" They continued. Francine studied the empty stage meticulously, wondering where Ollie was going to appear from. "Woah!"
"Woah!" They finished with a flourish, as a spotlight shone at the top of the stage. Ollie could be seen around the metallic framing of the stage, wearing a red leotard with stripes of gold through it. Painted on his cheeks were two gold stars which matched his gold eyeliner. He looked out at the crowd below him and sang out. "Ladies and gents, this is the moment you've waited for."
"Woah!" The crowd echoed back, causing Ollie to chuckle slightly from the height he was at. He was grateful that Quaker enacted his plan or this could've gone downhill very quickly. "Been searching through the dark, your sweat soaking through the floor."
"Woah!" The crowd replied yet again, as Ollie bounced into full swing. He confidently marched across the metal frame that was holding the lights to the ceiling. "And buried in your bones, there's an ache that you can't ignore."
"Taking your breath, stealing your mind, all that is real is left behind," Ollie continued to sing, looking down at the crowd below him before breaking out into dance moves at the top of the stage.
"Don't fight it, it's running for you, coming at ya'," Ollie rapped, moving his arms to the beat of the track. Maybe it was a mistake to pick a song with so much buildup, but this was the greatest show after all. "It's only this moment, don't care what comes after."
"Your fever dream, can't you see it getting closer? Just surrender 'cause you feel the feeling taking over," He chanted, marching to the opposite side from his initial starting point. He loosened the tassel from around a trapeze bar, as he continued his song. "It's fire, it's freedom, it's flooding open. It's a preacher in the pulpit with your blind devotion."
"There's something breaking at the brick of every wall, it's holding all that you know," He passionately rang out, as he dove off the platform eliciting gasps from the audience. His grip was tight on the bar as he swung over the stage. "So tell me do you want to go?"
"Where it's covered in all the coloured lights," He echoed out, pounding his legs to propel him through the air. "Where the runways are running the night."
He spun around on his bar in circles, delivering a reason for why he shouldn't be underestimated. He may not have the voice or dance moves the others had, but he had tricks and stunts under his sleeve to shine with. "Impossible comes true, it's taking over you. Oh! This is the greatest show!"
Ollie let go of the bar, practically floating through the air, grabbing hold of a ring that was slowly descending from the air. He latched onto it, extending his leg and wrapping it around the ring. "We light it up, we won't come down."
Ollie suddenly let go of the ring, having his body dangling from it, his leg being the only part of him attached to it. He posed and continued to sing out. "And the sun can't stop us now."
"Watching it come true, it's taking over you," The music continued, as Ollie was slowly lowered to the ground. He leapt off the ring, landing on his knees and looking out to the crowd. "Oh! This is the greatest show!"
"It's everything you ever want, it's everything you ever need, and it's here right in front of you, this is where you want to be," Ollie echoed out, running around the stage and flipping like a madman. He was having the time of his life on the stage right now. "This is where you want to be."
He dove forward and landed on his knees once again skidding across the stage and bending his back to finish his performance. "This is the greatest show!"
—
*Confessional Start*
[Aerice]
"I will say that Ollie knows how to perform, and that was an unforgettable stunt, to say the least," Aerie exclaimed with glee, before chorusing her own version of 'woahs'.
*Confessional End*
—
"Don, are you in the mood for oatmeal?" Blaineley asked, turning to her fellow host.
"Oatmeal? Blaineley, what are you on about?"
"I'd love some Quaker right now! Talent, dance!"
Don's head smacked off the desk, miffed he didn't see that coming, as the dancer himself had lights flashing down on him. Quaker was dragged up from head to toe, in a blue latex catsuit with a deep v-neck. From their matching fedora-esque hat in the same blue to their red heels it was a sight for sore eyes. Jun grumbled under his breath, acknowledging that it was at least a decent garment, despite his distaste for the duck.
With blue accents along the legs of the pants, and around the arms, Quaker was ready to give the show of his life. A light blue feather was pinned to his hat as two strips of red ribbon flourished from his hat to the floor. Music started to play as he moved his hips to the starting beat of the song. His hands swayed around as his foot stomped in relation to the beat. He was rather quickly silenced however by Johan as the music began to play.
"Walk into the party and I'm feeling like I'm ready to go. The lights are flashing real bright, red, white, yellow, green and the gold," Quaker lip-synced to the words, as he shimmied from side to side in chorus to the beat. The stage was where he came alive and he was born this way, baby.
"The vibrations of the music, get my body grooving, I can feel it from head to toe," They mimed, prancing around the stage and swaying his arms. They pointed out towards the onlookers to join in with their hands, as he ran to the centre of the stage. "Tonights going to be a good night, baby I already know… Already know."
"Round and around, going to move to the sound, get up and get down, and drop it low to the ground," Quaker continued, spinning his arms from side to side and kicking his feet at the same time along with the lyrics. He bent backwards, and dropped to the floor, rotating from his back to lying on his chest. "Bass hitting our hearts, we're feeling it from the start, don't want to depart, so we gon' stop then restart."
Quaker rocketed up from the floor, bouncing around and shaking their whole body around the stage as the music went on. "Round and around, going to move to the sound, get up and get down, and drop it low to the ground." They sashayed from side to side, whipping the ribbons from their hat around as they spiralled around the centre stage. "Bass hitting our hearts, we're feeling it from the start, don't want to depart, so we gon' stop then restart."
Quaker struck a pose, flicking his arms down with the beat as the bridge approached. "The face, the brand, the fantasy. When I'm on the floor, I feel the beat." Quaker changed his arm placement, as he began to rotate them around his head instead. "Every look is fire, I bring the heat. Leave them bitches in the dust, they can't compete."
They grabbed their hat and frisbeed it across the stage, as it landed in Séamus's palms, who looked at it in confusion. Quaker whipped their hair around as the music went on. "Never drop the ball, like an athlete. Making big big bucks but I'm still petite. Virgo sun so I keeps it neat. But don't try to come and try me 'cause I get messy."
—
*Confessional Start*
[Séamus]
Séamus clutched the Quaker's hat, looking at it carefully. He slowly removed his own hat, and put the dancer's hat on instead, looking towards the camera with a grin. "Quack, quack."
*Confessional End*
—
Quaker froze, glaring at the judges as he spread his legs apart, acting out the lyrics with his hands. "Bitch you do not want it. I come through and I'm stunting," He rang out, dropping lower to the floor in a split with each line. "I'll make you want to force quit. Control, alt, delete, you're done, sis."
From his position on the floor, Quaker suddenly rose up and moved his hands rapidly and sporadically in spirals around him. He pounded his legs, kicking from side to side as he moved to the beat of the lyrics. "Mug make 'em turn their heads quick, going to do a double take like Ross Lynch."
"Better call me Rick 'cause I'm real slick, go round around and I won't quit," Quaker finished, kicking their leg up and dropping to the floor in a death drop, in a similar fashion to Jun before him. They panted after their routine, as they looked at the judges and contestants for the first time. Quaker had gotten so into their routine, they honestly forgot where they were. Jaws were dropped, wondering how that small body was able to contort like that. Quaker menacingly smirked, blowing the tuft of hair out of their face and bowing.
"Wait, oh God, Don!" Blaineley shrieked, gripping the arm of her fellow host in fear.
"Blaineley what's the matter," Don asked, genuinely concerned for the woman.
"There's a thief!"
"What!? Where!?"
"There! On stage! He's stealin', no wait, Robin!" Blaineley exclaimed, as Don groaned and smacked his head off the desk. "Talent, impressions!"
Robin chuckled at his entrance, before taking a deep breath. He was rather dashing wearing a two-piece black suit with a white dress shirt underneath the blazer and a black tie as well. His outfit was finished with a black fedora, as well as a pair of black shades.
"Now it's time for our rap up. Let's give it everything we've got. Ready? Begin." Robin stated plainly, in a robotic voice causing a couple of people to laugh in the audience. He immediately switched from the robot's voice to a replica of Ash Ketchum's voice. "Artificial amateurs aren't at all amazing. Analytically, I assault animate things."
"Broken barriers bounded by the bomb beat. Buildings are broken, basically, I'm bombarding. Casually, I create catastrophes, casualties. Cancelling cats got their canopies collapsing." Robin continued, switching from the voice of Bubbles to Cheese. He went on to copy Dexter's voice, before switching to Eric Cartman's voice. "Detonate a dime of dank daily doin' dough. Demonstrations, Don Dada on the down-low. Eating other editors with each and every energetic epileptic episode, elevated etiquette."
People laughed along getting a hold of the schtick of Robin's performance. He accelerated the pace as he sped through the alphabet, dropping more and more recognisable characters, from Him to Isabella to Jasmine. "Hit 'em high, hella height, historical. Hey, Holocaust hints hear 'em holler at your homeboy. Imitators idolise, I intimidate. In an instant, I'll rise in an irate state. Juiced on my jams like jheri curls jockin' joints. Justly, it's just me, writin' my journals."
It was an entertaining performance watching Robin transform his voice from a different popular character to another. After he carefully dodged accidentally saying a slur, replacing the word with knitters, it looked like he was struggling to keep up, from Harley Quinn to Raven to Snow White.
"Quite quaint quotes, keep quiet it's Quannum. Quarellers ain't got a quarter of what we got 'em. Really raw raps, risin' up rapidly. Riding the rushing radioactivity. Super scientifical sound search sought. Silencing super fire saps that are soft."
Robin continued, sweating at this point as he seriously underestimated the speed of the track especially approaching the end of the song. He quickly transitioned from X-J9 to Yzma and finally finished off with Zecora. "Xerox my X-radiation holes, extra large. X-height letters, and xylophone tones. Yellow-back, yak-mouth, young ones yaws. Yesterday's lawn yards sell, I yawn. Zig-zag zombies, zoomin' to the zenith. Zero in zen thoughts, overzealous rhymes zealots!"
Robin let out a breath of relief, glad to have gotten through it before he 'malfunctioned' putting on his initial robot voice again. "Hahaha, good. Now can you say it any faster?"
Robin pretended to faint as everyone burst out in laughter, showering him with applause. Robin blushed, and graciously bowed in response.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Craig]
"I'm glad homeboy was able to deliver, and I'm sure homegirl will too. I'm just bummed over my mishap," Craig said sheepishly, still hung up over his performance.
*Confessional End*
—
"Every Rosa has their thorns. Talent, MMA!"
"There will be a tier list after this episode airs about your stupid puns." Don moaned, looking at the new contestant on the stage.
Rosa was wearing baggy light-washed denim jeans, and a white crop top and had a maroon windbreaker loosely hanging around her shoulders. She took a deep breath before she started to sing.
"At first I was afraid. I was petrified." She sang shakily, her confidence not on the same level as her peers. There were audible whispers coming from the rest of the cast as she tried her best to sign without breaking apart in two pieces. She wasn't exactly in top practice with her singing. "Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side."
"But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong. And I grew strong, and I learned how to get along." Rosa continued, bouncing across the stage slowly, before spinning and roundhouse kicking the air causing a few of the more supportive members of the crowd to scream out in support.
"And so you're back. From outer space. I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face," Rosa continued, her confidence growling a little more. She didn't exactly have the best first impression so she was ready to strike fear into her opponent's hearts. She ran across the stage and karate-chopped a plank of wood that was hanging from a thread for her into two, as she tousled her hair out of its ponytail.
"I should have changed that stupid lock, I should have made you leave your key. If I'd known for just one second you'd be back to bother me," Rosa sang, kicking her leg and twirling on the spot to land on the floor in another stunt. "Go on now, go. Walk out the door. Just turn around now. Cause you're not welcome anymore."
"Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye? You think I'd crumble? You think I'd lay down and die?" Rosa chorused, bouncing up from the floor, and strutting her way to the edge of the stage. With one fell swoop, she tossed her coat out to the crowd which landed at Athena's feet, who placed her feet on it gently. Rosa gawked at this, stumbling backwards in shock while trying to gain composure.
"Oh no, not I. I will survive," Rosa claimed, as she stumbled over her own two feet crashing to the floor. She winced in pain, and others cringed at the impact, feeling sorry for yet another performance not gone right. She shook her head trying to shake herself out of it, as she shakily sang the next line. "Oh, as long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive."
Athena rolled her eyes at that lyric of the song, which unfortunately Rosa caught wind to. She stumbled her way to the centrepiece and was supposed to do her main trick. A brick suspended in the air by two other bricks. "I-I've got all my life to live, and I've got all my love to give, and I'll survive."
She attempted to karate-chop the brick in half, but her arm bounced off the brick smacking her straight in the face. She fell backwards in a heap as the contestants winced at the accident. Shaky, Rosa let out the last line of the song before falling unconscious.
"I will survive, hey, hey…"
—
*Confessional Start*
[Athena]
"What are you looking at me for?" Athena asked, turning her head away from the confessional camera.
*Confessional End*
—
"The medical team has informed us that Rosa will just miss the last few performances, but will be back in time for the judge's critiques," Don announced to both the viewers and the rest of the cast, with Aerice especially worried about the girl. She sighed in relief, knowing that the injuries can't have been that bad, but still. That was a complete wipeout.
"In the meantime, let's get put in a daze by the rip-off Pokémon, Séamus." Blaininely rebutted, wanting to get the show on the road.
"I'm surprised she even knows what Pokémon is," Robin joked to Craig, who didn't respond. He was still rather glum over his own performance.
Séamus was seen with his signature smokey black eyeshadow, but his outfit had changed somewhat. He sported a white button-up shirt with burgundy dress pants and a burgundy tie. He had multiple black leather accents, including a large belt around his waist, with three smaller ones around his right leg. He also had a chest harness on, as well as a black leather jacket that was thrown on top of his outfit. The last aspect of leather on his outfit was a part of his black boots, and he was staged in the middle of the stage ready to perform.
The music started with an intense tempo as Séamus began to sing. "Areumdapgo hwangholhae. Banjjagineun nae gangmageun daiamondeu. Gyuchik eomneun segyeneun. Jeonbu dwijipyeo dwijipyeo seoisseo. (Beautiful and brilliant. My vision is a diamond. In a world with no rules. Everything's been turned upside down.)"
Séamus paired his impressive vocals with some painstakingly difficult choreography, as he walked like a zombie in quick sharp movements. He raised his legs and twirled to the beat of the music in his precise movements like he'd been training for this for years.
"Turning up the party, now. Haneuren nae bari, wow. Saramdeureun ha, ha, high. Nae gwitsogeneun la la, loud. (Turning up the party, now. My feet up in the sky, wow. People going ha, ha, high. Ringing in my ears is la la, loud.)," Séamus continued his movements still sharp. His arms and legs moved simultaneously, contorting his body in such quick movements, even the experienced dancers in Quaker and Jun would need at least a week to get this routine down to perfection. "Nunbusyeo, baby. I jomyeong, shining. We're in love with this carnival. (It's blinding, baby. His light, shining. We're in love with this carnival)"
Séamus matched his moves, slowing down his movements as the song approached the pre-chorus. He knelt down on the ground, raising his hands above him in a praying motion as he continued to sing softly. "Sasil museowo nan. Chulleongineun jansok i chwihan segye. Geu kkeuten mogi taneun nae mam. But I just wanna stay. (Honestly, I'm scared. The world's drunk in a swirling glass. At the edge is my burning heart. But I just wanna stay.)"
Séamus glared up at the judges and smirked before fully diving into the extremes of his chorus. He continued his zombie movements, thrusting one hand out at a time before leaping into the air. He crossed his arms, pushing them outwards from the judges before spinning on his heel. "Neukkyeojyeo, nae meorin daze, daze, daze. Jungdoge ppajyeo replay, play, play. (I feel it, my head's in a daze, daze, daze. I'm addicted, I replay, play, play)."
"Wonham wonhaneun daero. Gal ttaekkaji gabwa, go. Nareul gadun carnival, wow, wow. (The way you want it. Go as far as you can to reach it. Trapped in the carnival, wow, wow.)." Séamus continued, his movements matching the official's choreography rather well. He was one of the few people in this competition who were able to give it both one hundred percent in vocals as well as in dance moves and still be standing at the end of it. "Dasi nae simjangi daze, daze, daze. Can't control my body, dance, dance, dance. Dalkomhan i hyanggido. Bulgeunbit songgonnido. Jeulgyeobwa, i carnival, wow, wow. (My heart's again in a daze, daze, daze. Can't control my body dance, dance, dance. This sweet scent. Fangs glowing red. Revel in it, this carnival, wow, wow).
Séamus finished in a flourish, sweating slightly from the exertion he had put himself through. It was all worth it though when the applause vibrated in his ear, and he realised that he was finally able to be his true self.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Ollie]
"Ladies and gentlemen, for your consideration," Ollie announced, similar to that of a ringmaster or principal over the loudspeaker. Take a guess as to which he was trying to channel. "My roommate, Séamus Jun! I couldn't learn choreography like that even if you gave me a year to practise!"
*Confessional End*
—
"Our penultimate contest with a talent of dance, it's a car, no wait a plane-" Blainely started before Don clasped his hand over her mouth.
"IT'S VANESSA!" He echoed out, his brain numb from Blaineley at this point. "There she is on the stage. Now let's wa- Ew! Did you lick me?"
Van, similar to Craig, hadn't changed for the main stage, but she still smirked, ready to show off her own dance moves. There was some stiff competition, but Van hadn't been free to dance to her own constraints for a long time, and she was ready to just have fun.
The music started to play, as Van shook her body free of all the tension. It was time to let loose. She swayed her arms from side to side, letting the lyrics flow through her body. She rolled her palms up her body, thrusting them up in the air. "Hey, woman. Hey, woman."
"Hey! Woman. Let me be your woman. Woman, woman, woman. I can be your woman. Woman, woman, woman." She jumped in a start, and started her dance routine strong, with her thrusting her palms from side to side, spiralling them around her body. She tossed them into the air, moving her hips along with the beat of the music and pounding her leg in small movements to keep the motion going from her head to her toes.
"Let me be your woman. Woman, woman, woman. I can be your woman. Woman, woman, woman." The music continued, as she twirled around in a circle while moving her palms to the sound of the music. It was at times like this she really felt free and was able to appreciate why she did what she did. Her arms moved to the beat of the music whacking against the air in fluid motions. She dived straight into the rap part of the song to let everyone know where her speciality lay.
"I can be your lady, I'm a woman. I'm a motherfucker but they got a problem. Put some babies in your life and take away the drama. Put that paper in a picture like a diorama," The rap began, as Van wasted no time in hitting each side of her hips before retreating backwards. Her movements with her hands were impressive, as just like the man before her, each part of her body moved in unison, yet with different mechanics wired into them. In comparison to other dancers, like Jun and Quaker who both relied very heavily on stunts and improv skills, Van and Séamus's performances were planned with meticulous care to make sure each move was done right. "Gotta face a lot people that are opposite. 'Cause the world told me, "We ain't got that common sense." Gotta prove it to myself that I'm on top of shit. And you will never know a God without a Goddess. As honest as fuckin' honest get."
"And I could be on everything. I mean I could be the leader, head of all the states. I could smile and jiggle it 'til his pockets empty. I could be the CEO, just look at Robyn Fenty." Van mirrored her movements neatly and precisely. She loved this song, and she wanted everyone to know how much of a woman she was. She found herself imagining what sort of state Rosa would be in if she was here to see her perform, the idea of which kept her smile shining. "And I'ma be there for you 'cause you on my team, girl. Don't ever think you ain't hella these bitches dream girl. They wanna pit us against each other when we succeedin' for no reasons. They wanna see us end up like we Regina on Mean Girls"
"Princess or queen, tomboy or king. You've heard a lot, you've never seen. Mother Earth, Mother Mary rise to the top. Divine feminine, I'm feminine." Van finished spinning around once again and ended her performance with her hands raised over her head in a deity position. She was otherworldly, she was godly, but most importantly, she was woman.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Robin]
"Woah," Robin bluntly stated, a light pink colour all over his cheeks. It seemed as if he was doing an impression of Rodney, but he never confirmed or denied it.
*Confessional End*
—
"Closing out our show tonight with her talent of ballet," Don stated, his hand covering Blaineley's mouth. "OW!"
"You taste like wood," Blaineley gagged, spitting into a bucket below her desk while Don held his hand in pain. "Don't be jealous that anything Yuki do, I can do better."
Yuki was seen posing at the forefront of the stage in a neat manner, preparing herself to start her performance. She was poised and ready for action, and she was adorned in a lavender ballet suit, with a sharp pancake tutu. She wouldn't bother with a frilly tutu in which the fabric would get in the way, and mask her leg movements. As the music started, Yuki began her routine with care.
She found it somewhat demeaning to her talent that two other dancers had been just before her, neither of which had made a significant error in their performance, but that just fueled the fire she had to be here. She had to impress her mother and everyone at home who was rooting for her.
She stepped to the beat of the music, extending her pose so that she was forming a ninety-degree angle with her leg, as the other stayed cemented on the floor. She spun around in a pirouette, before leaping from her spot, bending to the point she was basically doing a vertical split.
Dancing on a stage like this brought back memories of Yuki's childhood, as she visited her mother's studio to watch the classically trained ballerinas and ballerinos put on a performance for her. They used to call her 'Cherry Blossom' because of how passionate she used to be about the dance form since she was a toddler, a nickname still adopted in her professional career. Yuki lived, breathed and ate the ballet, and this was now her stage.
She dove from the side of the stage, landing en pointe and spinning around rapidly in a pirouette, which was honestly dizzying to watch. Finishing with a flair, she did as any trained dancer would do and gracefully bowed towards the judges and contestants. The applause of the others didn't matter, it was just approval that did.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Jessica]
"After Yuki finished her ballet performance, it honestly left me very worried," Jessica confessed. "There were so many people who were pretty much flawless, and I have no idea about how the judges will think of my performance."
*Confessional End*
—
All sixteen contestants stood on the stage after Yuki had finished her performance, while Don and Blaineley studied them carefully.
"Well guys, I want to commend you all on an amazing first impression to the world," Don complimented, calming down the nerves of the contestants.
"You'll be able to head backstage now while Don and I discuss your performances," Blaineley added, the sharpness to her voice bringing back some of the nerves in them. As they filed out one by one, Don turned to Blaineley, dropping his jolly smile for a more serious expression.
"Right, let's talk about these stars. I want to start by saying that Francine had one of the most technical performances of the night and delivered close to flawlessly."
Blaineley nodded slightly. "I agree with that, but we knew she was a good cello player already. Johan also came in as an established guitar player, and we saw how he manipulated that performance to showcase a different side of him."
"I suppose that is true, and yes, Johan was a clear standout from the group."
"When it came to showing us something that we weren't expecting, however, Vanessa excelled in that part." Blaineley continued.
Don shrugged in response. "I feel like there were better though. Quaker, Séamus and Jun all also danced, with the latter two adding something extra to make them stand out."
"It doesn't take away from Van's performance though. She was still really good, but I completely agree with you on the other end. Séamus was incredible with his voice and the choreography he showed off. Jun's outfits as well, I need one of them in my wardrobe. Both of them really stood out, but speaking of standing out, Andrew and Ollie. They both know their talents and gave one hell of a show."
"Andrew definitely had the strongest vocals tonight but he lacked any movement in his performance. Ollie is on the opposite end of the spectrum, with one of the weaker showings of his voice but gave us an unforgettable performance."
"He took a risk in trusting people he had just met to start his performance off, and it really did lead to, as I said, a hell of a show."
"Speaking of a hell of a show. Let's talk about Molly?" Don replied, causing Blaineley's face to crack into one of sheer disconnect.
"Don't even mention her. I mean basketball was her talent?"
"She did score every shot, but those terrible dance moves will haunt me for the rest of the season. She needed to have planned ahead better, but I think she was just having too much fun with it. Yuki was miles better with her routine."
"She had a technical performance which I can appreciate." Blaineley summarised. "Was it my favourite? Far from it, but she's a skilled dancer. Another technical performance that I really did enjoy was Robin's though."
Don laughed in response. "He had one of the most comedic performances of all time, and I admired his rapping. I think I recognised a total of eighteen characters. I was also surprised at the sheer amount of people who had a rap element to their performance when I thought Craig would be the only one.
"Craig was a whirlwind. Not a cute kind, more like a hurricane Katrina kind." Blaineley rebutted, rolling her eyes. "He broke apart and never recovered. It's something that plagued a couple of people tonight."
"It didn't affect Aerice though. She had one of the most unique performances," Don agreed. "Spoken word was such a smart choice on her end, and I could feel her emotion from where we were sitting. She was very passionate."
"I'll agree with that much. There was a lot of pressure on her for opening the show, and she did a good job."
"While I say she was one of the most unique, that isn't necessarily always a good thing though, if I must remind you of Rosa and Athena."
"It's like Athena doesn't even want to be here!" Blaineley shrieked, rather offended by the girl's character. "At least she makes some entertainment with her flustering Rosa."
"Speaking of which, Rosa should be all okay now, right?"
"Who cares!" Blaineley shrilly replied. "Like I'm going to draft her for my team after that. She wasn't great before she knocked herself out, and I didn't think it could get any worse than that. Look at how Jessica took her injury."
"I mean, in fairness to Rosa, Jessica's injury was a fake injury-"
"It was real entertainment!"
Their argument continued on for a small bit before they ultimately sighed. The only way to decide this would be to bring the cast back in, and choose their representatives.
Meanwhile, backstage all the cast were gossiping about how they thought they did. They all gathered around the couches, everyone grabbing a seat and a drink of water, soda, juice, or a mocktail.
"Hey Quaker, thanks again for helping me out with my performance," Ollie said to Quaker, who just laughed in response.
"Please, any moment that I get to be in the limelight? Sign me up!" Quaker said, twirling on the spot, before racing to sit beside Séamus, who was talking with Yuki and Jun.
"He certainly has energy," Francine said, from her spot on the couch in from of Ollie causing him to chuckle in response.
"Yeah he's like a five-year-old kid," Ollie added, as the duo watched Quaker practically shove Johan off his seat to make room for themselves. Johan scowled, taking Quaker's old seat next to Ollie and shook his head angrily.
"I don't see him lasting long at all."
"I think you have to just accept them for who they are," Ollie mentioned, defending the dancer. Francine nodded at this note, looking around the room for the one person who wasn't sitting next to the rest of them.
"Oh, so you still live in Japan?" Séamus asked, and Yuki met him with a nod. "I haven't been to Korea in the longest time, it makes me feel out of touch with my heritage a little bit."
"You're saying this? After you completely killed that performance there in Korean?" Jun asked, his mouth wide open in shock. "I should be the one saying that!"
"Séamus! Séamus! Séamus!" Quaker echoed, prodding the guy on his shoulder. He was unaware of Yuki's careful gaze on him, and Jun's annoyed scowl. "You have to teach those moves. We'd be a killer team! Come on, ay! Imagine us, Quaker and Séamus. The Korean duck!"
"That actually sounds pretty tasty," Séamus pondered, letting his mind wander off to some other realm.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Yuki]
"Séamus is very interested in learning about my lifestyle. I can't tell if he wants a piece of me, or if he's feeling dejected. He's a very interesting case, who I'll have to keep my eye out for."
*Confessional End*
—
On another part of the couch, Robin and Vanessa were on either side of Craig, still trying to raise his spirits.
"Dudes, I'm like am not even having a joke about it anymore. How am I supposed to go back home after dat shit!" He lamented, hitting his forehead off his palms, in annoyance.
"Man, come on. You weren't the only one to mess up!" Robin mentioned trying to console his roommate. His eyes landed on Rosa who was furiously punching a bag in the corner of the room.
"Yeah, just take a deep breath. We were already told no one would be eliminated," Van added, attempting to console her friend.
"Mhm," Craig grunted, taking off his cap and trying to shake loose the feeling of dread he had. "Ya both killed it though."
"I can't say much about myself, but Van, I mean wow," Robin said, smiling at the girl. She chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment.
"I honestly just wanted to let loose, and I had a shit ton of fun out there. Here's to hoping y'all are on my team."
"I'm worried about her," Aerice mentioned, gingerly biting her fingernails, watching Rosa roar at the boxing bag.
"I know…. I feel so bad for her 'cause it could have very easily been me in her shoes." Jess added. "I already messed up loads before I got to the stage, and she wasn't doing that bad either. Her kicks and chops were really cool!"
"She messed up. That's on her, not us," Athena replied, rolling her eyes and getting a disapproving look from Aerice.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Aerice]
"I think Athena isn't completely aware of the effect she has on Rosa," Aerie said with a sigh. "It sucks that the two people I'm closest to can't even hold a conversation together. At least I've found solace in Jess, and the spook factor in her performance was what drew me to her."
*Confessional End*
—
Francine took a breath to calm her nerves as she began moving closer to Rosa to check on her. However, hearing the rage in her voice as she yelled, "STUPID, STUPID, STUPID!" Francine second-guessed her plan, pausing as she wondered if this really was a good idea.
Drew grimaced, as he found himself sitting next to Molly. The girl was bouncing a basketball and talking to herself.
"Okay, if you insist!" She said to herself, causing Drew to roll his eyes. He didn't even want to waste his time on her, as he tuned her out and studied the rest of the room. With the talent show out of the way, he had more than enough information on who would be a good target to after. He was brought back to a harsh reality, as a basketball bounced straight into his stomach, causing him to curse in pain.
"Fuck! What gives?!" Drew roared, getting ready to teach the girl a lesson.
"Carolyn told me to!" Molly defended, causing Séamus to ask the question he'd already been asking once again. Francine turned her head at the sound of the kerfuffle, before taking one last breath. She had built the courage to talk to Rosa now and stepped up closer to her.
"Hey, Rosa. I just wan-"
"Alright losers." A voice echoed from the loudspeaker in the room, easily identifiable as Blaineley. "Get back on the stage, we've made some decisions!"
Rosa was the first to march out, clearly not in the mood to talk with anyone. Francine sighed, following her out as the rest of the cast joined them one by one.
—
*Confessional Start*
[Rosa]
"I'm so frustrated, I want to break something!" Rosa cried out, a clear red mark on her face from her little incident from earlier.
*Confessional End*
—
The contestants were once again lined up in terms of their performance order. Nerves were apparent, while others simply radiated an aura of calmness. Don and Blaineley looked around the cast, before nodding at each other.
"Right. I'll be starting off the selection process since I am so much better than my co-host." Blaineley announced, licking her lips as she looked around.
"It was actually alphabetical for anyone who believes her," Don clarified, shaking his head.
"That's what you think," Blaineley whispered, winking at the camera. "As for my first choice, I have to take Jun. Design me something as a thank you."
Jun smirked, knowing he was better than the rest. He made his way to the left side of the stage, crossing his arms and silently judging the rest of the contestants.
"My first choice will have to be Johan," Don added, causing Johan to walk to the right side of the stage with the same confidence that Jun had. "I admired your guitar ability, as well the care in your craft."
"Let me have Andrew then. That voice and that face. It screams Blaineley!" Blaineley continued, causing Drew to blow a kiss her. He thought he should've been the first chosen, but being the second choice isn't that bad. He took his place next to Jun, who turned up his nose at him.
"My second pick is Séamus," Don said with a pause, carefully crossing something off in his notebook. "Séamus, you proved to be a double threat and that means you're two steps ahead of others already."
Séamus nodded, grateful for the positive feedback. He joined Johan, both of them exchanging a nod.
"Let's see… I'll take Quaker next." Blaineley decided, seemingly winging it. Quaker jumped in joy, as they sprinted to join the other two men. He was up by two cute guys already. Drew kissed the hand of Quaker as they joined the two while Jun rolled his eyes. Bunking with the duck was enough for him.
Don read his notes and looked around at the cast. "My third choice will be Aerice. In building my team, a wide array of talents is needed and you showed that tonight." Aerice was slightly surprised to have been chosen so quickly, but she wasn't going to squander this opportunity. She gave an affirmative look to her friends that she was leaving behind and joined the two men on the right of the stage.
"Next… I'll take Ollie," Blaineley claimed, as Quaker squealed in excitement. Ollie bounced his way to the rest of his team, thinking that their team was a lot stronger already.
"My fourth choice will be Francine." Don decided, making another cross to his list. "You possess an extreme talent for the cello, and with my first draft this allows my team to have a monopoly on instruments."
Francine nodded. She wished that her critiques had been a little more constructive, but she was glad to have been chosen in the top half of the performers.
"I need some gorgeous, gorgeous girls on my team now. Let's choose Jessica."
Jess blushed at the compliment, before joining her team. She was met with high-fives from Quaker and Ollie and she smiled from underneath her helmet.
"For my fifth pick, I will take Yuki. She demonstrated a specific style of dance in a uniform manner. It was engaging and entertaining." Yuki curtsied at the praise and walked over to join her teammates. She locked eyes with Francine for a second, before positioning herself next to Séamus.
"I want Vanessa next," Blaineley stated, causing the girl to raise her eyebrow. She wasn't expecting to be chosen before Robin, and for Blaineley's team but there was nothing she could do about it now. She made her way over to her teammates, slotting in with Ollie, Jess and Quaker rather quickly.
"Robin is who I'll draft as my sixth person," Don continued. "You were the only person to not take this challenge seriously, and that comedic flair will benefit this team greatly."
Robin was disappointed to have his friend group split up already but joined the rest of his team without any complaint. He realised that Aerice had found herself in a similar situation, so he was grateful to at least have someone in a similar circumstance.
"Ah. Now we have the four people who we all expected to be left here." Blaineley said, with malice in her voice. An agitated Rosa, a sullen Craig, a surprised Molly and Athena who was stoic as ever.
"Be nice Blaineley," Don scolded, giving a reassuring smile to the last four although it really didn't help.
"Of all of you, at least Rosa made me laugh," Blaineley commented. It may not have been much, Rosa sighed in relief. She made her way over to her new teammates, a couple of which recoiled as she approached. At least she has the intimidating aspect now?
"Lucky number seven for me will be Athena. Her flexibility will rival some of my fellow's host' more energetic picks," Don said, watching Athena's reaction carefully. She did nothing but walk over to her new team, and Don sighed, expecting as much.
"Considering the rest of my team," Blaineley snapped, eyeing up the last two contestants. "One of you provides more character for my team. For that reason, I choose Molly."
Molly squealed, running up to the rest of her team. Drew glared at the girl, while Jun turned up his nose yet again. Molly paid no mind to them as she stood next to her team.
"Which means I have a full team. From now on, you guys are Team Blainerific!"
"My final choice, as you can work out, is Craig," Don concluded. "You eight are now part of Team Dontastic!"
"Dat's not much of a choice," Craig muttered as he joined his team. Robin patted him sympathetically on the shoulder, but it really didn't do much to help.
"With that, that marks the end of this episode," Blaineley announced directing her attention to the camera.
"We will catch you next time with our first mini-challenge, our first team challenge and our first elimination," Don added, giving a charismatic smile.
"Will Craig regain his confidence? Will Rosa be able to talk to Athena? And will Séamus ever find out who Carolyn is?" Blaineley continued, getting accusatory glares from those who had been called out.
"Find out next time on," Don said, with both hosts cooperating for once.
The two of them chorused out the last part together. "Total! Drama! STARDOM!"
Cast
1. Aerice Bellial by Wolfik128
2. Andrew 'Drew' James Hanson by Skyn1nja123
3. Athena Jones by Livi C
4. Craig Lamar Kendricks by thedragonrooster
5. Francine Bolton by Alexnueshoorn
6. Jessica 'Jess' Quinn by Tech-Star
7. Johan Vialpando by Allureon
8. Jun Li Feng by Skyn1nja123
9. Molly Alston by UltraGenuisTD
10. Ollie Warren by The Feline Overlord
11. Quaker Aquino by Me (Space Zodiac)
12. Robin Hawkins by ZNBT
13. Rosa Gutierrez by Lemonade Lover
14. Séamus Jun by DarkForest66
15. Vanessa 'Van' Laticia Jordan by Mr Ruff
16. Yuki Burizādo by Thunderstrike16
Teams
Team Blainerific: Jun; Drew; Quaker; Ollie; Jess; Van; Rosa & Molly
Team Dontastic: Johan; Séamus; Aerice; Francine; Yuki; Robin; Athena & Craig
Songs Performed
1. Honey and Glass by Peyton Cardoza
2. Sway by Michael Bublé
3. Only Time by Enya
4. California Love (Remix) ft. Dr Dre, Roger Troutman by 2pac
5. Canon in D Major by Johann Pachelbel
6. DARKSIDE by Neoni
7. In The Garden by Red Vox
8. Touch the Fashion by Milk
9. Swish Swish by Katy Perry ft. Nicki Minaj
10. The Greatest Show by The Greatest Showman Ensemble
11. Round and Around by Luxx Noir London
12. Alphabet Aerobics by Blackalicious
13. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor
14. Drunk-Dazed by ENHYPEN
15. Woman by Doja Cat
16. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Okay, I'll admit. I had a lot of fun with this chapter, but it was excruciating to write as well. I am not a descriptive writer, so this really is a challenge for me, but I once again hope you enjoyed the performances of everyone. Do let me know who were your favourites and who you didn't care for, and let me know how I did with your character if you have one in this fic.
I will say that with the team selection process, my goal was and is for the two hosts to have very criteria in what they consider good. Blaineley values entertainment over everything else as well as her personal bias toward each contestant (seen with Jun and Drew), while Don looks for those who are professional in their technique. I wonder what this means for the dynamics of the teams.
I don't have much to add except that this is the longest chapter I have written in my career. I'm proud of how far I have come, and I do hope I can continue pushing out chapters above 10k words. This cast is very fun, and I do promise that the next chapter will have a lot more interactions as I plan to eliminate our very first contestant. Any guesses as to who that'll be?
With that, I'll leave you with a teaser for the episode. The title of the episode is [Ep 3: I'm That Legend]. I don't think anyone is going to decipher that, but you guys have your very best crack at it.
Until next time this is Space signing off.