Chapter 10: Glad I'm Not Those Guys

Still in the ballroom, Leona, Briar, Jamil, and Kalim are practicing their routine for the Fair Gala's Fashion show. However, it's also proven to be difficult.

Kalim accidentally bumps into Jamil and apologizes, "Ouch! Sorry, didn't mean to smack into you again."

"You were supposed to take a step forward there," Jamil says.

And Valim says, "Kalim, your movements are smooth and crisp, but you're still making a lot of basic errors."

"Yeah, when I get into the groove, sometimes I just kinda wind up letting my body do its own thing, "Kalim says.

Then Vil says, "Conversely, Jamil, your steps are technically beyond reproach, but remember that a dance that's too perfect can appear lifeless."

"Thank you, Vil," Kalim & Jamil reply.

Then Vil turns to Briar, "And Briar, you are doing better, but still a bit stiff. In a fashion show, you must do it with full confidence."

"Okay, but I'm a little nervous. How are you confident of modeling all the time?" Briar asks.

Vil answers, "One of the reasons happens to be years of practice. I think you should feel more confident in yourself, given the performances you've done so far."

"I guess you're right. I guess being in a fashion show is different from singing and dancing," Briar says.

Then Ruggie walks into the ballroom and calls out, "Hey, Vil. Sereia, Briar, Grim, and I are just droppin' in to see how practice is going. Is our housewarden pulling his weight?"

"HEY!" Leona shouts, feeling offended.

Ruggie notices Leona, "Oh, hey, Leona. Hope you're not skippin' out on—"

But notices the vase on Leona's head and shoulders, "Whoa. What's the deal there? He's got vases sitting on his head and shoulders!

Then Leona angrily demands, "VIL! Take these stupid things offa me. NOW."

"This is an essential step in fixing your posture," Vil answers, "Keep going until you can walk a full lap around the room without spilling any water."

Leona growls, "Grrr... You little—"

"Leona becare-" Briar says.

But the vases fall off his head and shoulders, and Leona is soaked with water that has been in them.

"Ful," Briar replies, a little too late.

Grim grows worried, "Wuh-oh. Leona's soaked. Guy looks like he just went for a swim."

Vil says to Leona, "And you've spilled some more water already. Start over. Oh, and don't worry. I'll be happy to refill your vases every single time they run out of water."

Soon, Leona reached his limits, "Nnnngh...! NOPE. THAT'S IT. I'M DONE. It can stay winter the rest of my life, for all I care. Anything beats all this clowning around."

"Leona's in shabby shape, and Kalim and Jamil's dancing is all stilted… Briar is doing well, but still needs a little more practice…" Ruggie says, "Are you guys gonna be ready in time for the Fairy Gala?"

"If you guys don't steal the show, we're not gonna be stealin' much of anything else," Grim says

"I'm a little worried," Sereia says, worried.

"I know, but we really need to pull this off," Briar says. She thinks for a minute, "Mayne we need a change of plan."

"If Trinket were here, I'm sure she'll help us, but she's helping the fairies with this gala instead," Grim says.

"Well it can't be helped. If I remember what Trinket explained, she used to live in Faeland before she started traveling, that happened before she met us. So this Gala is important to her as it is to the other fairies," Briar says.

Then Vil says, "There's nothing for you to worry about. I will ensure the success of Operation Steal the Show. My professional pride demands nothing less."

"But how're you gonna pull that off?" Briar asks.

"There's only one surefire way to succeed—" Vil says, And soon says in a loud voice, "DRILLING UNTIL YOUR MUSCLE MEMORY COULDN'T FORGET EVEN IF IT WANTED TO," and then strikes his magic at them.

Everyone cries out in shock, "AGH!"

Ruggie yelps, "Yikes! He just gave them a magical kick in the pants."

Then Vil says, "Get up, you four. From this point forward, if you sit without my express permission, you're doing five hundred squats. Leona, put the vase back on your head and get back to walking. If you spill any water, your penalty will be an hour-long air chair exercise. You won't get anywhere without developing your core muscles. Briar, Kalim and Jamil—if either of you slip up, run a four-legged lap around the school. You'll be held jointly responsible until you're in sync."

Briar yelps, "Um yes!"

Jamil reacts in shock, "But that's not—"

Leona glares at Vil, "Who are you to order me to do anything?!"

"VIL SCHOENHEIT, WORLD-CLASS SUPERMODEL. THAT'S WHO," Vill answers and uses his magic on them again.

Everyone yelps, "OWWW!"

Grim cringes his teeth and says, "Reeeal glad I'm not those guys right about now…"

And with that, the group has to go through intense training for the Fairy Gala's Fashion Show.