The Pageant - Part One
WHO: Orihime Inoue, Jiraiya, Captain Bravo, Kon, Haruhi Suzumiya, Shin Matsunaga, Antonio de Orduno, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Roy Mustang, Vash the Stampede, Roy Fokker, Kyon, Ling Yao, Gwendolyn, Forte Stollen, Excellen Browning, Ferham, Itsuki Koizumi, Kaylee Frye, Lamia Loveless (maybe!)
WHERE: Universal Colisseum, Rome
WHEN: Saturday, July 21st 2007
WHAT: The Relief Society's first beauty pageant is underway! The judges are in place, the contestants are ready, and hijinks are to be had. And oh man...the poses... Just go see for yourself.
Roy was going to be a spectator, but after a talk with Orihime, he agreed to a crazier proposition. Arriving backstage, just in case, the Commander drops into a chair, setting aside his gear. Standby mode, engaged. He'll just hang out in the casual wear, at least until he knows whether or not he's needed. And if not - hey, he can always help the ladies. Err, I mean, observe things from the best seat in the house besides the judges.
Technically, all entrances by Antonio de Orduno must be DRAMATIC ENTRANCEs. However, it is very hard to DRAMATICALLY ENTER backstage. And so he is just loitering, waiting for his cue to do.../something/, he doesn't know if males or females are coming first. Either way, he must be ready.
He makes a note to ask Orihime of there's a bonfire available to use for dramatic entrances.
Shin Matsunaga is gathering valuable intelligence on the enemy's extracurricular activities! Or maybe he's just here to ogle the girls in bikinis. Who knows.
The Captain of the Divine Crusaders has taken up a seat in the front row of the coliseum, a pair of binoculars hanging from a strap about his neck. He idly leafs through a program, frowning a little to himself. Here he was hoping he could gather his intelligence on the ladies and then bail, but apparently today isn't his day. "I still think we should've asked Lune to do this," he mutters. "She'd blow the competition out of the water."
Vash has had to psych himself up for a lot of things in his life. Mostly for unwanted combat in the past. And though he much prefers waiting backstage for things to get started to the possibility that someone might get hurt in a gunfight...he's still sweating like it's a showdown at high noon! The gunman sighs and slumps down in his chair, staring up at the ceiling from behind round yellow lenses. His red coat has been hung up carefully to reveal a set of more casual (and normal) clothes. "I really hope I don't do anything stupid..." And yet it kinda feels like a given.
Haruhi Suzumiya is PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR.
She is waiting by the entrance, dressed in a blue and white version of the cheongsam she had on last night.
Those sensitive may detect an aura of IMMINENT PERIL, which is most certainly related to the fact that Kyon is NOT HERE.
Orihime climbs up to the podium, wearing a simple white toga pinned at the shoulders with gold medallions, her hair curled and pinned up, just so she matches the whole Roman motif...thing. The girl beams out at the gathered audience, and the chatter dulls down to a hushed whisper as the opening music dies out and the spotlight moves to illuminate her.
"I'd like to welcome everyone for coming to attend the very first Relief Society pageant. Thank you all for showing your support to our organization, and your generous donations. Thanks to all you've done, millions of people have had a chance to live better lives. Arigatou!" she clasps her palms together, bowing humbly.
She straightens with a cheerful smile, grasping the podium. "We've been wanting to host an event like this for a long time, to showcase a variety of wonderful people from all over the multiverse and to learn more about who they are, what makes them tick! We'll introduce these twelve contestants in a little bit. Please give them a warm round of applause, because without them, this pageant wouldn't have been possible!"
Backstage is where the FUN IS AT, PEOPLE. Don't you wish you were back here?
Excellen Browning is...nowhere to be seen, currently, since getting things together in an orderly fashion would be a logical course of action that she may or may not be following. Or perhaps she's harrassing Lamia. It's hard to say. But she IS here, as the impact of her presense can be noted through the exchange of puzzled and amused comments by some of Orihime's staff.
(It might be noted that someone did thoughtfully leave a large tin of chocolates and a great big <3 GOOD LUCK <3 card for all participants in the waiting room, though. Can't imagine who..)
Gwendolyn waits backstage, calming herself with the fact that it won't be time for her to show for a good long time. She waits with her hands clasped, her spear set aside for now. She sits down in a chair, as a diminuitive, rabbit-like handmaid puts the final touches on her hair.
"I'm so pleased to see you getting out of the palace," Myris chirps as she pins the last bit of long white hair into place. Her paw-like hands are remarkably adept at this task. "The war takes such a toll on a young woman's soul. Tis a terrible shame! Please do try to smile more, Princess..."
Gwendolyn merely squirms in her chair. "But /on stage?/"
Beaming, Orihime waits for the applause to die down before turning her face towards the empty judges' table down below. "Thank you very much! It will now be my pleasure to introduce the four judges for the Mr. Universe competition. Be sure to give them a hearty welcome as well, since they're absolutely essential to this competition! First, we have S-class super ninja Jiraiya, from Konoha! He's an expert at summoning toads, and wrote two bestsellers: Make Out Paradise and Make Out Violence. Welcome, Jiraiya-san!"
Well, it wouldn't be Jiraiya to arrive all fancy-like, would it? With a poof of smoke, the white-haired ninja appears in the area set aside for the judges. Of course he's.. standing in his chair, but he quickly drops down. Seems he's brought advisors: two small orange frogs, who wave as Jiraiya waves. "Thank you, thank you. I'm glad to be here!" Mostly for the ladies, of course. Heh heh..
So...SO CUTE! FROGS! Orihime tears her eyes away from the fascinating amphibians with a great deal of self-restraint. ...so cute... "Our next judge hails from Karakura Town," Orihime continues. "Kon is the popular talk show host for Radio-Kon, and one of our first members of the Relief Society. He's funny, adorable, and the number one mascot of Karakura. Welcome, Kon!"
And out onto the stage toddles a very cute, very small, lion plushie. Or is it a bear? No, it's a lion, there's a mane and a tail indicating such. He squeaks as he leaps into his seat, taking up the clipboard. This pageant is serious business.
"Our third judge is the founder and primary recruiter for the SOS Brigade, a group that investigates the paranormal," Orihime introduces exuberantly. Because that sounds like a pretty darn cool group to her! "She's the youngest of our judges, and a very pleasant young lady. Say hello to Haruhi Suzumiya!"
Haruhi is FURIOUS AT KYON AND HE WILL DIE A SLOW PAINFUL DEATH IN THE PIT OF THE SARLACC AFTER FIRST BEING MADE TO CLIMB INTO ITS BELLY WEARING A KITTEN SUIT, OH YES
You couldn't tell it by looking at her, though, as the Chief of the SOS Brigade walks out from backstage with a big wave and a cheerful smile, and makes her way to her seat.
She leers at Kon ominously before picking up her pen dangerously and twirling it around her fingers, already bored.
"Last," Orihime holds up her finger, "is none other than Captain Bravo! He likes smiles and justice, and in his spare time he enjoys carpentry. His dislikes are tears and evil. As for his true identity, he says it's a secret because it's cooler that way. Let's hear it for Captain Bravo!"
Wearing his flashy, eye-catching alchemist's uniform, the silvery heroic figure of Captain Bravo strides out onto the stage. He raises a gloved hand towards the audience, which then turns into a hearty thumbs up. "Warrior Kazuki! Warrior Tokiko! I hope you're recording this!" he proclaims, and strikes a dashing pose. Satisfied with his introduction, Captain Bravo strides towards the table to shake hands with the other judges, then claims his seat and clipboard.
Orihime takes the microphone as the podium is moved aside. Now that we've introduced the judges, it's time to meet our contestants! The first event will be our Casual Wear and Talent Show! Each contestant will step out on stage, introduce themselves if they wish, and perform a special talent for us. Then they'll take a bow and exit the stage before the next contestant arrives! Let's welcome our first contestant now!"
The spotlight moves to the runway, anticipating the arrival of Contestant #1. "Antonio Miguel Diego Fernando Munio Alfonso Domingo Enrique Sebastian Gallegos de Orduno...phew!...is a mighty swordsman, a master of the Castillian school of Aldana and a half-blooded Sorceror of El Fuego Adentro magic. Cast out by his family for his outspoken support of his mother, who had protested the way the Church of Castille was heading, he fights for Justice, Truth and Adventure! Welcome, Antonio-san!"
Ah, the introduction! The first thing to happen when Antonio's name is called - well, whole it's being finished, anyway - is that a lit torch is brought on from backstage. The flames crackle - and as the name finishes, the flame ceases to burn - and becomes a burning line in the air, reaching backstage like a rope - and Antonio do Orduno swings out on it. Technically, he is swinging on a thing string he had noticed before, but - well, this looks cooler. He lets go, landing perfectly in the middle of the stage, the flame following him and landing on his shoulder, shaped like a flame again. "Senors y senoritas...I am, yes, Antonio Miguel Diego Fernando Munio Alfonso Domingo Enique Sebastian de Orduno!" The name rolls easily off his tongue.
"But you may call me Antonio. I am an swordsman and adventurer by trade, yes - but what I show you today is not merely swordplay. I am a Sorceror by blood, but I show you not merely /magic/. No - this, my good friends - this is...the El Tango de Fuego, the /dance of flames!/"
Antonio draws his sword, and the fire on his shoulder crawls up onto it, burning its way to the tip without setting anything alight. Antonio begins to tap one foot - and this is the cue for the orchestra (of coure there's one, who else plays There She Is at the end?) - which plays a high-tempo tango. Antonio begins to dance, and the flame on his sword seperates, forming a sword in the air apart from him, swinging at him. With each beat he parries, dodging thrusts from the flaming sword with quick footwork and countering it - all while keeping to the beat and melody.
Halfway through, his dance changes as he goes on the offensive against his flaming sword, beating it back while dancing his way through the tango. As he nears the end, he strikes once, twice at the face of his phantom opponent - and two lines of flame seperate from the sword and hang at the 'wounds.' Finally, he counters the flaming sword's final thrust, and at the final beat of the song, he plunges his sword through the heart of his nonexistent foe - which explodes into flame as the sword dissolves. Antonio's control has been /practiced/ for this dance. The flames curl around him harmlessly - indeed, he tosses his sword into the air and holds out his sword hand - and the flames gather in it. As the sword falls, his left hand reaches out, catching it and sheathing it. The flame in his hand shifts and changes - first a flaming serpent, which crawls over his hand, his left hand reaching out and catching a thrown candle from offstage - and he closes his hand on the flame, reopening it to reveal a tiny flaming kitten, which frolics across his arm, vanishes behind his head as he steps forward - and flies out as a flaming bird, landing in his outstretched palm - where it turns into a rose. Taking one last step, he places the candle on the judges' table, in front of Haruhi. "For you, senorita!" And with that, he finishes his act, touching the rose to the candle - where it burns, keeping its shape on the wick, and steps back, bowing deeply.
Captain Bravo seems impressed. It's hard to tell, since you can't see his face, but he's leaning forward, and there's a bright gleam from his eye beneath the shadow of his tricorner hat. That was definitely an entrance rating high on the 'cool' scale. He makes a few notes on his clipboard, pausing when the dance of flames begins. For the duration of the talent, Captain Bravo's attention remains fixed on Antonio, gauging his movements, and only when he takes his bow does Bravo return to the clipboard. Interesting. Very interesting.
Jiraiya quirks an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. The two small orange frogs seated on the table infront of him look impressed, but Jiraiya is only slightly so. Mostly because this is just what he has to endure if he wants to get to the beauties. The frogs are giving thumbs up, but it's Jiraiya who's writing down his score. What score will he give Antonio?! Only time will tell!
Haruhi watches the act critically...
And a tiiiny smile tugs at her lips, and she scribbles something down on her clipboard next to a sketch of Kyon getting turned into a lemon merangue pie.
Antonio bows once more, turns, bows to the audience, and then walks calmly off-stage, smiling. He has no idea what scores he got, but he showed off. Showing off is /fun/!
Applauding as Antonio leaves the stage, Orihime turns on the microphone once more to continue the introductions. "Our second contestant is a traveling priest from Gunsmoke. He enjoys smoking, drinking, and motorcycles! Let's hear a round of applause for Nicholas D. Wolfwood!"
Wait-what? Already? Wolfwood had been backstage hanging around with Vash when he was called. Since it looked as if this would be a long pageant they had to occupy themselves somehow. The priest jumps out of his chair and reaches across to pin Vash's hand down on the checkboard. "If you move my pieces I'll KNOW." So don't you DARE! Walking backwards so as to keep an eye on his blonde friend, Wolfwood steps onto the stage from the back area and then turns to proceed to the center. For casual wear he's dressed down from his usual black suit. He'll just save that for the evening wear, even if he and Vash will end up wearing the same thing since the Stampede went through his travel bag before the competition. It seems he managed to find something more casual, which includes a dark blue short-sleeved t-shirt that fits to his upper body and some black jeans along with his regular brown loafers. Somewhat nervously he leans into the mic. "Hi there." *cough* *crickets* Hrm, guess he'll just get started.
He hadn't really considered what to do so the priest reaches into his pocket for a bent cigarette and puts it to his lips, then lights it and inhales the smoke slowly. He scratches his head and stands there awhile longer ... Just wait, he's thinking! The priest presses his lips together, then opens his mouth and blows out a smoke ring. And then another. And then a third! It's amazing, right? What?! Can you do that?! The rest of the smoke is exhaled in a long thin stream and then he takes his bow. Tadah!
Captain Bravo peeeeeeers at Wolfwood. Hrm... He taps his pen against his clipboard, his stance decidedly neutral. Finally he gives a faint nod to himself, and scratches something down, punctuating the score with a sharp jab of his pen's point. There. Finished!
Haruhi taps her pen. Thoughtful.
You know, for someone notorious for telling people exactly what she thinks the second she thinks it, she has a pretty good poker face...
As all the judges are jotting things down Wolfwood gives a slight nod and walks off the stage with the cigarette still in his mouth. He can't just throw them away. It's not like he's made of money ya know! And once backstage he goes to resume his checkergame with the Stampede. His king better be where he left it!
Jiraiya and the frogs glance at each other in confusion. That was the talent? Well, he's only seen a few other people do that, so he shrugs his shoulders, picks up his clipboard, and begins to scribble, presumably a score.
Orihime most certainly cannot do that...but she wouldn't really want to anyway. Cigarettes just aren't her thing. Still, it was interesting! Orihime only vaguely recalls meeting Wolfwood once before, so it was nice to get to learn more about him. She grins, once more taking up the microphone. "Next up is the Flame Alchemist of Amestris. He enjoys games of chess, and is well-known and respected amongst his subordinates. I happily introduce to you Colonel Roy Mustang!"
A man who had yet to truely make his mark on an 'interplanetary' scale, Colonel Roy Mustang didn't always cut the intimidating figure at a glance. Yet every step of his was born of cool confidence, with just the right amount of roguish daring alit on his face. His clothing remained his typical uniform, the blue, white and gold trimmed of an officer in the State Millitary of Amestris. The lights and scale of the venue may have been intimidating to those unaccustomed, but rather he drank it all in as if this was precisely the deserved fare he should be proffered all along.
Slipping a hand onto his hip, the reputed 'Flame Alchemist' neatly struck a pose, chin up and with a wide smile splashed across. He didn't bother speaking since his mere presence alone spoke more than enough. Here was the winner as far as he was concerned, the rest was only semantics.
No doubt there were those who after hearing of his reputation, could only wait patiently with anticipation of the coming show of talent...preparations had been made. No one wanted the stage to go up in a ball of conflagration before a third of the event could be completed afterall. Friend and foe alike, it would show precisely what the Colonel was made of...surely an eye-opener when met on the battlefield.
That smile most certainly more mischief than anything else never faltered. The area had been cleared a bit leaving the Flame Alchemist at its center, and with drawn out meticulous care, he withdrew a pair of white gloves-- on their backs the red inscribed sigils of Alchemy. No ordinary material, the supple cloth could provide a spark with the merest snap of his fingers. These he drew onto his hands, and ensured they were on firmly with a crack of his knuckles.
"Those of you who came here tonight for a show unlike any other, for something to wow you in your seats...I promise you, what you see here will be nothing you expect." He spoke easily, unbothered by the pressure of outdoing the other contestants. "But first, I will need a volunteer from the audiance!" His arm snapped out and his finger jabbed in the direction of the first row-- a buxom brunette with glasses reminiscent of a librarian. "You there, miss, if you would oblige me?" The young woman flushed with suprise as the camera and lights were suddenly on her. Her friends cheered her on to go join him, "It will only take a moment."
By the time she'd made it up onto the stage with Roy, she was a healthy shade of rouge.
"And your name is miss?"
"Samantha." Busily fixing her dress and smoothing it down from where she'd been sitting. On her chest there was a little button that read 'Mustang for Mr. Universe'...surely he hadn't spotted that from all the way on stage?!
"Do you trust me, Samantha?" He asked with the seriousness of one about to place the other's life at risk. She could only nod in response.
That said, he stepped in close, very close...Infact, he slipped an arm about her slender waist, the other hand moving to trace a line alongst her jaw and then cup her cheek. The sable depths of his eyes held her wide-eyed gaze prisoner and then he leaned in the rest of the way.
... ...Yes. Roy Mustang, Colonel of the State Military was making out on stage with a hot woman, and his abillity to hold his breath was anything short of awe-inspiring.
Those expecting a show of skill got a different one instead, and those wanting to guage his potiential for battle would have to wait till the field was taken. Single women and not in the crowd--he would be accepting phone numbers and addresses later.
By the time things broke up, Samantha was helped back to her seat with the support of a co-ordinator.
Captain Bravo stares. Now /that/ is quite a technique! Most interesting. Truthfully, he'd been expecting a display of flame alchemy...had been looking forward to it, actually, being an Alchemy Warrior himself. Disappointing that this was not the case, but that doesn't affect Mustang's score. Nor does it lower Bravo's opinion on the man. Shrewd. Very shrewd. Bravo narrows his eyes in thoughtful contemplation, and carefully inscribes his score on the judges' sheet.
Haruhi... ... ...
Makes a single stroke on her score sheet, then another round one, and then a few more under the first.
She sits back, looking grumpy. There's a good chance that the main reason she doesn't jump up on stage and rail at someone is that Kyon offered to buy her dinner if she didn't.
(Actually, he didn't, but she's going to make him and use this as leverage. Six of one...)
Jiraiya quirks an eyebrow. What the..? If Mustang was trying to win points, making out with a woman on stage infront of the entire multiverse wasn't the way to do it. Atleast, not with Jiraiya. Shaking his head slowly, the ninja begins to write down Mustang's score. Interesting technique, atleast.
Roy adjusted his jacket that had managed to become a little 'skewed' after the taxing display and thus became presentable again. Such a risky thing he may yet pay for later upon his return to his home world, but that all depended on how much certain individuals were paying attention...here in the now, Colonel Mustang was enjoying himself by all accounts.
He bowed with a flourish, turning sharply on a heel with his uniform snapping about his legs with each measured stride off the stage.
Orihime stares as well, pink-cheeked and flustered. That...that was quite a talent. And one she wasn't really expecting! Was it really okay to show that on camera? Well, they hadn't cut to commercial, so it must meet the approval rating. In fact, she sees that several of the camera crew have paused to scribble down notes. Or phone numbers, wow.
After gathering her senses, the blush dying down on her cheeks, she gives herself a small shake. "Our fourth contestant is also one of our members in the Relief Society, hailing from Gunsmoke. A pacifist, and also an expert gunman, His favorite things are love and peace. His favorite food is definitely donuts! Please welcome one of the kindest people I've ever had the chance to meet, Vash the Stampede!"
"You do know that those things will kill you." Vash frowns his disapproval when Nick returns with his cigarette. The game resumes until it's his intro. "Time to saddle up." Vash sighs, one gloved hand rubbing the back of his head. He stares at the checkerboard a moment longer before standing and 'accidentally' sweeping the pieces to the floor. "Oops." Guess they'll never know who was gonna win now. What a shame!
It had seemed like such a good idea at the time. Naturally they'd both thought the idea of a Miss Universe pageant was great, but he and Wolfwood had chuckled at the Mr. Universe portion. But the more times the priest's bottle of Wild Turkey was passed between them, the better the idea sounded. It was a good example of equal rights! Plus it helped out the Relief Society, which Vash also approved of. When the drunken conversation inevitably turned to which one of them stood a better chance at winning a competition like that...
The rest is history. Vash the Stampede signed up, and he's here to represent. What's fair is fair after all. Which is exactly why he made sure Wolfwood held up his end of the bargain too! A nervous wave is offered to the judges and spectators after he steps out onto the stage. And Orihime gets a warm smile for an introduction he doesn't think he's deserving of. His trademark trench has been left backstage today in favor of a white button-up shirt and tan corduroys. He can only hope he's not underdressed. Not a lot of male beauty pageants back on Gunsmoke. "I'm Vash. Please be gentle." He laughs sheepishly. The gangly blonde doesn't really look too delicate though.
In spite of a decidedly unflashy entrance, Vash really is a man of many talents! It was hard to choose which one he'd perform today. Sure there were any number of sharp-shooting tricks he could perform, but that talent rose out of necessity rather than Vash actually wanting it. He's a pretty good dancer, but every time he does it in public people worry that he'll swallow his tongue for some reason. For a while the front-runner had been showing off his amazing skill at groping some female volunteer multiple times before she even realized it, usually followed by his equally breathtaking skill at bleeding. But then it hit him. The talent that would put him above all other contenders.
Vash holds up his hand, displaying an ordinary looking rubber ball. "Behold!" His voice booms proudly. "The Amazing Dodgeball Head!" Try this at home kids! ...If you want to look like as big of a freak as Vash does. Vash brings the dodgeball to his mouth, sucking his breath in and forming a tight seal with his lips. His eyes bulge out, the veins show sharply beneath his skin. Vash lowers his hand, running back and forth across the stage to showcase his talent. He even balances it on his tongue while his arms wave around him like rubber. Now he's just showing off.
As that dodgeball is being balanced so expertly on Vash's tongue.. there's a sudden pop that comes from backstage. Actually that pop sound was the sound of a bullet leaving the chamber of a gun. The bullet flies out and makes contact with the dodgeball, causing it to burst with a lound noise and then deflate, draping itself over Vash's tongue once the air is gone and hanging pitifully. That is followed by the sound of laughter from a certain priest. "Aaahahahaha!" That's what you get for ruining his winning checker game!
"Hmmmmmmmmm...hmhmhmhm..." Is Captain Bravo being contemplative, or is he chuckling? It's hard to say! But this is most certainly not a talent he would have imagined. Ever. Is it really a talent...? Oh yes. It's most certainly a skill. A very unique, very amusing skill. Sure, he'll score it. ...Wait, it's over? Captain Bravo looks sharply at Vash, concerned. He was inhaling, wasn't he? If he sucks down that dodgeball, well, it won't be pretty.
Jiraiya stares. Just.. stares. Then he writes down his score, shaking his head. The two frogs seated infront of him are staring as well. The slightly smaller one leans over, "Is that normal?" To which the slightly taller one replies, "I don't think so.. maybe he's crazy.." "With hair like that I wouldn't doubt it! Ribbit." "Ribbit." "Pipe down, you two." Jiraiya murmurs.
This time, from offstage, even Gwendolyn stares. Open-mouthed. She simply does not know what to think.
Myris sits in the corner, trying her very hardest to stifle her laughter in order to keep from being heard.
Over in the audience Shin is cracking the hell up and trying not to make a sound. The end result is thta he's laughing like Muttley from the Wacky Races.
Vash blinks when the dodgeball suddenly deflates. His...his talent! What remains of the dodgeball falls into his hand. Only one person could've done that! "Are you crazy!" Vash shouts towards the laughter coming from backstage. He takes a step in that direction before remembering to take his bow and smile sheepishly at the judges. That smile fades as he closes the distance between himself and Wolfwood. "You can't shoot in here!" What if he'd hit someone! The Stampede vanishes backstage. Oh well, at least he got through the first round.
Wolfwood has done the unthinkable.
Haruhi's eyes widen, and she allows a very tiny, very pleased smile to cross her face.
She scribbles 'popping volleyball with devil vampire alien fangs after flailing squid tentacles wildly' on her score sheet.
Awwwwww, Vash is so cute! Orihime has no problems applauding for him as he takes his leave, and needs a moment to wipe the tears of laughter from her eyes. That was so awesome! He's getting a hug for that, after the competition is over. "Our next contestant is the leader of the Black Sheep Squadron, and a fantastic Veritech pilot. He enjoys drinking and being with beautiful women, but he's also a father figure to his subordinates. I introduce to you, Commander Roy Fokker!"
Over in the audience, Shin splutters and nearly falls over. "Commander WHAT?!"
o/` Stage fright, go 'way...o/`
Now why did that song have to get stuck in Roy's head just before he steps onto the stage. Really need to stop letting Rick pick the music. Looking at Vash and Nick's game, and then watching Vash and Nicholas backstage, Roy notices an unattended bottle of Wild Turkey. "Thanks." Roy takes his turn with the bottle of Wild Turkey, draining half of it, "I get winner, you two." With that, the Commander wipes his mouth and steps into the lights, easily ready for this as the sunglasses are already in place. Strolling out onto the stage with a casual grace born of years of working crowds, not just from the flying, but being on the ground during his circus days. Turning at a predetermined spot, Roy removes the jacket from his torso with a casual shrug of his shoulders, setting it over a chair on the stage - right next to his guitar.
He moves up to the front of the stage, turning to the left, hand resting casually in his pocket while his right hand removes the sunglasses, in order to show off those gorgeous baby blues of his. The Commander grins with that usual half-blasie, half-cockiness that he always seems to carry, either in the air or on the ground, before he turns to head back towards the chair, Levis fitting well to him as he picks up the guitar at the chair he had passed by earlier. Sure, lots of other people had skills - but Roy's a pilot - and stunt flying Skull One is just totally unfair to the other competitors. Maybe. In spite of the what the others have done. He's had to rethink things for a moment. But, he sticks to the gameplan.
Picking up the guitar, the Commander starts to play, starting off with the first strands of 'Stairway to Heaven', before he launches into 'Voodoo Chile', fingers strumming and plucking the guitar's neck and board with the practice of someone who has been well-seasoned in the art of playing the six strings. As he plays, the Commander walks up to the front of the stage, and down the stairs into the first part of the crowd, making sure to hit some of the better notes as he passes by the women on the front row, since no man would be caught dead up here at the moment. When he knows that he's getting towards the end of his guitar demonstration, Roy strolls back up the stage stairs towards that chair and places his foot in the chair. Setting the guitar back down in the chair, he steps back, signalling for the curtains to open. As they part, behind the commander, in all of it's polished glory, is Skull Leader - in her Guardian configuration.
Leaping from the chair to the arm to the open cockpit, the Commander settles behind the controls, then works them. The waldos of the right hand open and extend, closing around the guitar. Getting it into position, Roy uses the Veritech itself to play the guitar, waldos working and moving over the strings, as the mechanical arms bend to Roy's manipulations of the control planes - even without the 'thinking cap' on. He plays out the last few bars of 'Voodoo Chile' o/` Wha wha wha whamp whamp wamph wha wha whaumph o/` before sliding down the nose of the Veritech, landing in front of the others, and gives a short little bow before he throws the guitar pick into the front rows and moves to wait for judging. It's not stunt flying after all~
Shin buries his face in his hands at ringside and thinks happy thoughts of Aina Saharin in a G-string. "Oh sweet merciful space this is not a mental image I want to associate with Roy Fokker aaaaaargh...!"
Roy Fokker does all this, while keeping command and control of his troops on his radio, murmuring out his commands as he needs to, and offering advice on chicken, of all things.
And what is that...contraption, Captain Bravo wonders, studying Skull Leader curiously. Is it going to fly? Hm. Seems not. He's not really sure what kind of skill it requires to manipulate that kind of machine, though he has to admit that the song was rather catchy. He scratches down a score and sets down his pen, folding his arms as he sits in quiet contemplation.
Well, atleast Jiraiya can appreciate music. Even when he gets flashy with that robot-plane thing. He nods slowly, jotting down his score quietly. The frogs are a bit lost, though. "That was /really/ loud." One of the frogs murmurs, to which the other nods in agreement.
Haruhi makes a casual mark on her score sheet about four seconds into Fokker's performance.
She stops and blinks as Fokker actually uses--
She scratches out the first mark, and scribbles in a new one, a diabolical gleam in her eyes.
With scoring complete, Roy turns to head for the side exit. However, before he leaves, he pauses. Turning back out, he tucks two fingers to his lips, pressing a kiss to them before he throws them out in a salute - aimed for someone in the audience or watching at home, possibly~ That's between the Commander and the target, however.
And with that, he boards Skull One and pulls back on the controls, flaring the smaller engines as he leaves the stage, converting to Battloid to do a backflip and then converts to fighter to launch skywards. It'll land nearby and give Roy time to change for the next part of the competition without bothering the next contestant.
o/` This is my big day~ o/`
Orihime smiles, applauding for Roy as he finishes his song. He plays the guitar too? AND the robot guitar? She wasn't aware of that. Maybe they'll have to organize a camp-out for their upcoming BSS/RS mixer. But! Such things can be contemplated in due time, because the next contestant is ready to roll. "Our next contestant is also a member of the SOS Brigade, a jack-of-all-trades to help out the club however he can! He currently attends high school, and likes ordinary things. Please welcome Kyon!"
Ugh. This is it. Why am I here again- wait, stupid question. I don't know what she hopes to accomplish and I still don't understand why she got me into this, especially since in all her marketing schemes she's always bluntly pointed out that I was the least qualified to attract attention. Maybe this is some kind of revenge, like for the time I- no, wait, I've already paid for lunc that time and have the empty wallet to prove it.
And there's my name. Che, couldn't they at least have used my real name?
Kyon lifts his head and gulps. Anything going through his midn now is nothing he hasn't thought of before. Putting on his game face, which look something like a grimace, he steps out onto the stage, his expression smoothing into his neutral one as he makes his way to the center, oh so thankful for the darkened house lights.
It probably looks like he just dug something uot of his home closet, and in all likelihood he did just that. Kyon's clothing for this venue is as casual as they come. Haruhi might even recognize them from their club eexcursions, if she so cared to pay any attention to what her members wore. Kyon's clothing selection consists of a light olive green printed tee with a dark gray-green button-up long-sleeve over it. He wears a pair of dark gray cargos, and soft brown leather shoes.
Here goes nothing...
Kyon takes the mic from the stand and taps it a couple of times in testing. He closes his eyes, letting out a quiet sigh as the music begins, a lonely harmonica heralding a mellow guitar line, and if there's anyone in the audience familiar with it, they might soon recognize this more acoustic version of the "Hare Hare Yukai." And for what it's worth, Kyon isn't at all a bad singer. He hits all the notes, and while he isn't likely idol material, he does seem to get into the song. At given points it shows, sometimes a little too much is put into a line, but something, likely Kyon's inner thoughts that comment in his head all throughout the song, reign him in when he begins to go overboard. As the song winds to an end, Kyon looks considerably more relaxed, a faint smile touching his face before he bows his head. Okay, so the song was more or less a lament of who knows what the poor boy goes through as an SOS Brigade member, but at least it definitely sounds like he put his heart into it.
Captain Bravo nods approvingly. He's surprised no one else went to sing, but it's nice to see a variety of talents being showcased, none duplicating the others. He writes down his score, then sits back, tugging the brim of his hat further down to hide those steel-blue eyes. One more to go...
He's here!?
He's here!
Haruhi does not blast a foghorn...but she does...
Smile, especially as the song goes, and she blithely ignores the overt references to herself in the variation of the song that has quickly become the SOS Brigade's informal theme music.
"Now if only he were a time traveler..." she sighs, too quiet for anyone but Kon, who is sworn to secrecy lest his stuffing be removed fluff by fluff, to hear.
Music. The universal language. Jiraiya nods slowly when Kyon stops playing, and he picks up his clipboard again to jot down his score. There's nothing to say, really, but the frogs seem far more talkative: "Atleast it wasn't THAT loud." "Yeah, he was good." "Yeah." "Shhhh." Jiraiya tries to hush them. Man, they don't take a hint!
...one down.
Kyon masterfully maintains a calm appearance as he waits a moment before taking another bow and then turns to exit the stage.
Augh. Two more to go...
Yay Kyon! He definitely seemed like the shyest one of the bunch. It must have taken a lot of courage for him to carry through with this! Of course, Orihime doesn't know what kind of threats Haruhi must have issued to get him on stage at all... "Next, is a prince from the kingdom of Xing! He's skilled with a paintbrush, and possesses skills in swordsmanship and Xingese martial artist. He's also capable of putting away large meals in record time! He's one of the founding members of the Relief Society, acting as a recruiter. It's my pleasure to introduce to you Ling Yao!" Internal <3 for the fiance.
To say Ling was nervous would be inaccurate. Though his stomach feels tense and his feet feel restless, he is not worried. The truth is, and much to his own surprise, he's rather excited about the whole thing. To him, this isn't really about winning or losing-- it is instead about having the chance to show off a bit, in front of thousands of people, and know that for what short time he is there, all eyes are on him, and him alone.
He waits patiently by the stone doorway, eyes closed and breathing calm. And when his name is called, he lets out a long breath and puts on a smile, striding out into the daylight.
Given that the theme of this section was 'casual wear', Ling seems to have elected to wear something similar to his usual mode of dress. He wears a silk brocade jacket of royal blue, white trim and embroidery spiraling around the edges and at the cuffs of the long sleeves. The front is open, revealing his well-muscled chest and a wide leather strap laying across it. His pants are white silk, loose, and secured at the ankles. His abdomen is tightly bandaged, as are his wrists, and a wrapped sword is tucked into the white sash around his waist.
He makes his way up the catwalk and to the dias, his steps confident and purposeful. When he arrives centerstage, he stops and then raises both hands to his chest, palms pressed together vertically, and bows-- first to the audience, then to the judges. Straightening, then, he looks up towards the seats where a certain someone is sitting and watching. He grins, and raises one hand in a small but cheerful wave. Hello, darling~~
Having not requested a microphone, Ling has nothing to offer beyond the introduction he was given. He simply takes a step backwards and waits for the music to begin.
And it does begin, the sound of violins sweeping across the colliseum, their notes joined by a soft, ethereal voice. Ling stands still through this, unmoving until the sound thins and hangs in the air.
Not a moment later the music picks up, the very first bell-tone sending the prince into motion. He takes a quick step forward and then pushes off, sending himself into a backflip that then turns into two, and then into a third before he lands on his hands, stopping and then shifting his legs and arms so he's only supporting himself on a single hand. He holds this position until the music shifts again.
As it does, so does Ling, letting his body tip over into a slow cartwheel and then he's on his feet again, hands raised in the air, palms and fingers flat, with his thumbs tucked against his palms. He raises one leg, bending it at the knee and keeping his slippered toes straight, and then proceeds to perform a number of hand-strikes at a rapid pace. These are followed immediately by a swift high kick from his raised leg-- it retracts almost immediately, and then he kicks again, out to the side, this time holding his leg in position for a long moment before he tips over slowly and lands in a full split on the stage.
He sits there for a moment, grinning at the audience, before he rolls himself backwards, planting his hands on the stage and then launching himself into the air and up to his feet. He's barely touched ground before he leaps forward this time, tucking into a roll and then springing up into a series of flips that carry him to the very front edge of the dias.
Nearly teetering on the edge, he crouches, reaching back to draw the wrapped sword from behind him. He pulls it out slowly, brandishing it in a wide arc until he holds it out before him, as if to show the audience. He tugs at one loop of wrappings, pulling it loose before he leaps backwards, away from the edge of the stage.
He's scarcely still when he lands, the blade spinning in his skilled hands, the wrappings trailing from it like a dancer's ribbon. Eventually the white cloth detaches completely from the blade, revealing completely the polished steel. Ling raises himself up on one leg again, performing exactly the same moves as he had before, but this time weilding his sword. The double kicks end with the prince down in a split again, but instead of rolling backwards, he grabs the tassles on the end of his sword and starts to swing it around overhead like a strange kind of lasso.
As he does this, he tucks his legs in, and then leaps deftly up to his feet, continuing to spin his sword overhead. Ling steps to the side, then, and lowers his arm so that the blade spins vertically at his side, and then to the other side. And quite suddenly, he lets go of the tassles and flings the sword high into the air. It continues to spin as it flies, and then begins a slowly revolving descent back towards the stage.
Ling stands ready, and as soon as it is within arm's reach he snatches it out of the air by the handle, spinning it with his wrist and aiming an arcing strike towards an invisible opponent. Those who were paying attention may notice that he's switched swordhands-- ambidextrous, then?
The prince's routine continues with a number of sword tricks and acrobatics, the blade dancing and flashing in the sunlight with the same grace as a dancer. But as the music draws towards its close, so does Ling's exhibition. But how to top off a display like this when you've already shown off most of your special moves?
The answer is pretty easy, to Ling. His performance has brought him to one side of the dias, and so he turns, taking two steps and then falling into a couple of flips that bring him close to centerstage. His final move, however, is to launch himself from one flip into an extremely high spinning leap. Some may be observant enough to see him reaching beneath his jacket and drawing something quickly out of the pouch attached to the leather strap he wears. As his descent begins, the prince brings a small fist-sized ball-shaped object up to his face and tears something off of it with his teeth. He then quickly hurls it into the air, falling back to the stage and landing easily in a crouch. He leaps immediately to stand on one foot, leg raised and blade held high horizontall above his head.
Timing is everything-- and as the final note of the song rings out across the colliseum, it's followed by a very loud pop as the ball explodes high above the stage, sending a large cloud of glitter and confetti drifting down on to the stage, on to the judges, and of course, covering the prince himself.
The combat display has successfully captured Captain Bravo's interest. Of course it did! He's an Alchemy Warrior, don't you know, and one skilled at martial arts himself. Therefore, he has a good idea of the talent being displayed before him, and the sheer strength required to pull off some of those moves. And isn't the competitor only sixteen? Most impressive. He writes down his score and gives a faint nod. "Bravo." He had to say it sooner or later, didn't he?
On the one hand, Haruhi muses, there was not a trace of anything magical, chi-based or even supersciency about that.
On the other hand, she ponders, badass kung fu acrobatics.
A mark is made.
Jiraiya hums thoughtfully. A taijutsu specialist and a sword-wielder? Well, when it comes to talent contests, it's best to do what you can DO best. The confetti and glitter? Man, the glitter'll take forever to get out of his hair. Looking sparkly, covered in confetti, the calm ninja seems to give it some thought and jots down Ling's score. The two frogs shake off glitter and confetti, at the same time Jiraiya does something to get all that glitter off of him. Likely something to do with chakra. "Not bad, I guess. could've done without the.." He brushes some confetti off his shoulder. "Colorful ending, though.."
Ling doesn't even bother to sweep the confetti and glitter out of his hair. He simply offers a bow to the audience and then to the judges. And upon hearing their comments, he laughs good naturedly and reaches up to scratch the back of his neck. "My apologies, Mister Jiraiya," he says, bowing apologetically, "But they wouldn't let me use real explosives or fireworks." He bows once more, and then with a wave to the audience, he turns and, grabbing the wrapping from his sword, trots back down the catwalk, trailing glitter the entire way.
OOC: Tags are needed for Jiraiya, Captain Bravo, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Itsuki Koizumi, Kaylee Frye, and Lamia Loveless. Thank you!)
WHERE: Universal Colisseum, Rome
WHEN: Saturday, July 21st 2007
WHAT: The Relief Society's first beauty pageant is underway! The judges are in place, the contestants are ready, and hijinks are to be had. And oh man...the poses... Just go see for yourself.
Roy was going to be a spectator, but after a talk with Orihime, he agreed to a crazier proposition. Arriving backstage, just in case, the Commander drops into a chair, setting aside his gear. Standby mode, engaged. He'll just hang out in the casual wear, at least until he knows whether or not he's needed. And if not - hey, he can always help the ladies. Err, I mean, observe things from the best seat in the house besides the judges.
Technically, all entrances by Antonio de Orduno must be DRAMATIC ENTRANCEs. However, it is very hard to DRAMATICALLY ENTER backstage. And so he is just loitering, waiting for his cue to do.../something/, he doesn't know if males or females are coming first. Either way, he must be ready.
He makes a note to ask Orihime of there's a bonfire available to use for dramatic entrances.
Shin Matsunaga is gathering valuable intelligence on the enemy's extracurricular activities! Or maybe he's just here to ogle the girls in bikinis. Who knows.
The Captain of the Divine Crusaders has taken up a seat in the front row of the coliseum, a pair of binoculars hanging from a strap about his neck. He idly leafs through a program, frowning a little to himself. Here he was hoping he could gather his intelligence on the ladies and then bail, but apparently today isn't his day. "I still think we should've asked Lune to do this," he mutters. "She'd blow the competition out of the water."
Vash has had to psych himself up for a lot of things in his life. Mostly for unwanted combat in the past. And though he much prefers waiting backstage for things to get started to the possibility that someone might get hurt in a gunfight...he's still sweating like it's a showdown at high noon! The gunman sighs and slumps down in his chair, staring up at the ceiling from behind round yellow lenses. His red coat has been hung up carefully to reveal a set of more casual (and normal) clothes. "I really hope I don't do anything stupid..." And yet it kinda feels like a given.
Haruhi Suzumiya is PRESENT AND ACCOUNTED FOR.
She is waiting by the entrance, dressed in a blue and white version of the cheongsam she had on last night.
Those sensitive may detect an aura of IMMINENT PERIL, which is most certainly related to the fact that Kyon is NOT HERE.
Orihime climbs up to the podium, wearing a simple white toga pinned at the shoulders with gold medallions, her hair curled and pinned up, just so she matches the whole Roman motif...thing. The girl beams out at the gathered audience, and the chatter dulls down to a hushed whisper as the opening music dies out and the spotlight moves to illuminate her.
"I'd like to welcome everyone for coming to attend the very first Relief Society pageant. Thank you all for showing your support to our organization, and your generous donations. Thanks to all you've done, millions of people have had a chance to live better lives. Arigatou!" she clasps her palms together, bowing humbly.
She straightens with a cheerful smile, grasping the podium. "We've been wanting to host an event like this for a long time, to showcase a variety of wonderful people from all over the multiverse and to learn more about who they are, what makes them tick! We'll introduce these twelve contestants in a little bit. Please give them a warm round of applause, because without them, this pageant wouldn't have been possible!"
Backstage is where the FUN IS AT, PEOPLE. Don't you wish you were back here?
Excellen Browning is...nowhere to be seen, currently, since getting things together in an orderly fashion would be a logical course of action that she may or may not be following. Or perhaps she's harrassing Lamia. It's hard to say. But she IS here, as the impact of her presense can be noted through the exchange of puzzled and amused comments by some of Orihime's staff.
(It might be noted that someone did thoughtfully leave a large tin of chocolates and a great big <3 GOOD LUCK <3 card for all participants in the waiting room, though. Can't imagine who..)
Gwendolyn waits backstage, calming herself with the fact that it won't be time for her to show for a good long time. She waits with her hands clasped, her spear set aside for now. She sits down in a chair, as a diminuitive, rabbit-like handmaid puts the final touches on her hair.
"I'm so pleased to see you getting out of the palace," Myris chirps as she pins the last bit of long white hair into place. Her paw-like hands are remarkably adept at this task. "The war takes such a toll on a young woman's soul. Tis a terrible shame! Please do try to smile more, Princess..."
Gwendolyn merely squirms in her chair. "But /on stage?/"
Beaming, Orihime waits for the applause to die down before turning her face towards the empty judges' table down below. "Thank you very much! It will now be my pleasure to introduce the four judges for the Mr. Universe competition. Be sure to give them a hearty welcome as well, since they're absolutely essential to this competition! First, we have S-class super ninja Jiraiya, from Konoha! He's an expert at summoning toads, and wrote two bestsellers: Make Out Paradise and Make Out Violence. Welcome, Jiraiya-san!"
Well, it wouldn't be Jiraiya to arrive all fancy-like, would it? With a poof of smoke, the white-haired ninja appears in the area set aside for the judges. Of course he's.. standing in his chair, but he quickly drops down. Seems he's brought advisors: two small orange frogs, who wave as Jiraiya waves. "Thank you, thank you. I'm glad to be here!" Mostly for the ladies, of course. Heh heh..
So...SO CUTE! FROGS! Orihime tears her eyes away from the fascinating amphibians with a great deal of self-restraint. ...so cute... "Our next judge hails from Karakura Town," Orihime continues. "Kon is the popular talk show host for Radio-Kon, and one of our first members of the Relief Society. He's funny, adorable, and the number one mascot of Karakura. Welcome, Kon!"
And out onto the stage toddles a very cute, very small, lion plushie. Or is it a bear? No, it's a lion, there's a mane and a tail indicating such. He squeaks as he leaps into his seat, taking up the clipboard. This pageant is serious business.
"Our third judge is the founder and primary recruiter for the SOS Brigade, a group that investigates the paranormal," Orihime introduces exuberantly. Because that sounds like a pretty darn cool group to her! "She's the youngest of our judges, and a very pleasant young lady. Say hello to Haruhi Suzumiya!"
Haruhi is FURIOUS AT KYON AND HE WILL DIE A SLOW PAINFUL DEATH IN THE PIT OF THE SARLACC AFTER FIRST BEING MADE TO CLIMB INTO ITS BELLY WEARING A KITTEN SUIT, OH YES
You couldn't tell it by looking at her, though, as the Chief of the SOS Brigade walks out from backstage with a big wave and a cheerful smile, and makes her way to her seat.
She leers at Kon ominously before picking up her pen dangerously and twirling it around her fingers, already bored.
"Last," Orihime holds up her finger, "is none other than Captain Bravo! He likes smiles and justice, and in his spare time he enjoys carpentry. His dislikes are tears and evil. As for his true identity, he says it's a secret because it's cooler that way. Let's hear it for Captain Bravo!"
Wearing his flashy, eye-catching alchemist's uniform, the silvery heroic figure of Captain Bravo strides out onto the stage. He raises a gloved hand towards the audience, which then turns into a hearty thumbs up. "Warrior Kazuki! Warrior Tokiko! I hope you're recording this!" he proclaims, and strikes a dashing pose. Satisfied with his introduction, Captain Bravo strides towards the table to shake hands with the other judges, then claims his seat and clipboard.
Orihime takes the microphone as the podium is moved aside. Now that we've introduced the judges, it's time to meet our contestants! The first event will be our Casual Wear and Talent Show! Each contestant will step out on stage, introduce themselves if they wish, and perform a special talent for us. Then they'll take a bow and exit the stage before the next contestant arrives! Let's welcome our first contestant now!"
The spotlight moves to the runway, anticipating the arrival of Contestant #1. "Antonio Miguel Diego Fernando Munio Alfonso Domingo Enrique Sebastian Gallegos de Orduno...phew!...is a mighty swordsman, a master of the Castillian school of Aldana and a half-blooded Sorceror of El Fuego Adentro magic. Cast out by his family for his outspoken support of his mother, who had protested the way the Church of Castille was heading, he fights for Justice, Truth and Adventure! Welcome, Antonio-san!"
Ah, the introduction! The first thing to happen when Antonio's name is called - well, whole it's being finished, anyway - is that a lit torch is brought on from backstage. The flames crackle - and as the name finishes, the flame ceases to burn - and becomes a burning line in the air, reaching backstage like a rope - and Antonio do Orduno swings out on it. Technically, he is swinging on a thing string he had noticed before, but - well, this looks cooler. He lets go, landing perfectly in the middle of the stage, the flame following him and landing on his shoulder, shaped like a flame again. "Senors y senoritas...I am, yes, Antonio Miguel Diego Fernando Munio Alfonso Domingo Enique Sebastian de Orduno!" The name rolls easily off his tongue.
"But you may call me Antonio. I am an swordsman and adventurer by trade, yes - but what I show you today is not merely swordplay. I am a Sorceror by blood, but I show you not merely /magic/. No - this, my good friends - this is...the El Tango de Fuego, the /dance of flames!/"
Antonio draws his sword, and the fire on his shoulder crawls up onto it, burning its way to the tip without setting anything alight. Antonio begins to tap one foot - and this is the cue for the orchestra (of coure there's one, who else plays There She Is at the end?) - which plays a high-tempo tango. Antonio begins to dance, and the flame on his sword seperates, forming a sword in the air apart from him, swinging at him. With each beat he parries, dodging thrusts from the flaming sword with quick footwork and countering it - all while keeping to the beat and melody.
Halfway through, his dance changes as he goes on the offensive against his flaming sword, beating it back while dancing his way through the tango. As he nears the end, he strikes once, twice at the face of his phantom opponent - and two lines of flame seperate from the sword and hang at the 'wounds.' Finally, he counters the flaming sword's final thrust, and at the final beat of the song, he plunges his sword through the heart of his nonexistent foe - which explodes into flame as the sword dissolves. Antonio's control has been /practiced/ for this dance. The flames curl around him harmlessly - indeed, he tosses his sword into the air and holds out his sword hand - and the flames gather in it. As the sword falls, his left hand reaches out, catching it and sheathing it. The flame in his hand shifts and changes - first a flaming serpent, which crawls over his hand, his left hand reaching out and catching a thrown candle from offstage - and he closes his hand on the flame, reopening it to reveal a tiny flaming kitten, which frolics across his arm, vanishes behind his head as he steps forward - and flies out as a flaming bird, landing in his outstretched palm - where it turns into a rose. Taking one last step, he places the candle on the judges' table, in front of Haruhi. "For you, senorita!" And with that, he finishes his act, touching the rose to the candle - where it burns, keeping its shape on the wick, and steps back, bowing deeply.
Captain Bravo seems impressed. It's hard to tell, since you can't see his face, but he's leaning forward, and there's a bright gleam from his eye beneath the shadow of his tricorner hat. That was definitely an entrance rating high on the 'cool' scale. He makes a few notes on his clipboard, pausing when the dance of flames begins. For the duration of the talent, Captain Bravo's attention remains fixed on Antonio, gauging his movements, and only when he takes his bow does Bravo return to the clipboard. Interesting. Very interesting.
Jiraiya quirks an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. The two small orange frogs seated on the table infront of him look impressed, but Jiraiya is only slightly so. Mostly because this is just what he has to endure if he wants to get to the beauties. The frogs are giving thumbs up, but it's Jiraiya who's writing down his score. What score will he give Antonio?! Only time will tell!
Haruhi watches the act critically...
And a tiiiny smile tugs at her lips, and she scribbles something down on her clipboard next to a sketch of Kyon getting turned into a lemon merangue pie.
Antonio bows once more, turns, bows to the audience, and then walks calmly off-stage, smiling. He has no idea what scores he got, but he showed off. Showing off is /fun/!
Applauding as Antonio leaves the stage, Orihime turns on the microphone once more to continue the introductions. "Our second contestant is a traveling priest from Gunsmoke. He enjoys smoking, drinking, and motorcycles! Let's hear a round of applause for Nicholas D. Wolfwood!"
Wait-what? Already? Wolfwood had been backstage hanging around with Vash when he was called. Since it looked as if this would be a long pageant they had to occupy themselves somehow. The priest jumps out of his chair and reaches across to pin Vash's hand down on the checkboard. "If you move my pieces I'll KNOW." So don't you DARE! Walking backwards so as to keep an eye on his blonde friend, Wolfwood steps onto the stage from the back area and then turns to proceed to the center. For casual wear he's dressed down from his usual black suit. He'll just save that for the evening wear, even if he and Vash will end up wearing the same thing since the Stampede went through his travel bag before the competition. It seems he managed to find something more casual, which includes a dark blue short-sleeved t-shirt that fits to his upper body and some black jeans along with his regular brown loafers. Somewhat nervously he leans into the mic. "Hi there." *cough* *crickets* Hrm, guess he'll just get started.
He hadn't really considered what to do so the priest reaches into his pocket for a bent cigarette and puts it to his lips, then lights it and inhales the smoke slowly. He scratches his head and stands there awhile longer ... Just wait, he's thinking! The priest presses his lips together, then opens his mouth and blows out a smoke ring. And then another. And then a third! It's amazing, right? What?! Can you do that?! The rest of the smoke is exhaled in a long thin stream and then he takes his bow. Tadah!
Captain Bravo peeeeeeers at Wolfwood. Hrm... He taps his pen against his clipboard, his stance decidedly neutral. Finally he gives a faint nod to himself, and scratches something down, punctuating the score with a sharp jab of his pen's point. There. Finished!
Haruhi taps her pen. Thoughtful.
You know, for someone notorious for telling people exactly what she thinks the second she thinks it, she has a pretty good poker face...
As all the judges are jotting things down Wolfwood gives a slight nod and walks off the stage with the cigarette still in his mouth. He can't just throw them away. It's not like he's made of money ya know! And once backstage he goes to resume his checkergame with the Stampede. His king better be where he left it!
Jiraiya and the frogs glance at each other in confusion. That was the talent? Well, he's only seen a few other people do that, so he shrugs his shoulders, picks up his clipboard, and begins to scribble, presumably a score.
Orihime most certainly cannot do that...but she wouldn't really want to anyway. Cigarettes just aren't her thing. Still, it was interesting! Orihime only vaguely recalls meeting Wolfwood once before, so it was nice to get to learn more about him. She grins, once more taking up the microphone. "Next up is the Flame Alchemist of Amestris. He enjoys games of chess, and is well-known and respected amongst his subordinates. I happily introduce to you Colonel Roy Mustang!"
A man who had yet to truely make his mark on an 'interplanetary' scale, Colonel Roy Mustang didn't always cut the intimidating figure at a glance. Yet every step of his was born of cool confidence, with just the right amount of roguish daring alit on his face. His clothing remained his typical uniform, the blue, white and gold trimmed of an officer in the State Millitary of Amestris. The lights and scale of the venue may have been intimidating to those unaccustomed, but rather he drank it all in as if this was precisely the deserved fare he should be proffered all along.
Slipping a hand onto his hip, the reputed 'Flame Alchemist' neatly struck a pose, chin up and with a wide smile splashed across. He didn't bother speaking since his mere presence alone spoke more than enough. Here was the winner as far as he was concerned, the rest was only semantics.
No doubt there were those who after hearing of his reputation, could only wait patiently with anticipation of the coming show of talent...preparations had been made. No one wanted the stage to go up in a ball of conflagration before a third of the event could be completed afterall. Friend and foe alike, it would show precisely what the Colonel was made of...surely an eye-opener when met on the battlefield.
That smile most certainly more mischief than anything else never faltered. The area had been cleared a bit leaving the Flame Alchemist at its center, and with drawn out meticulous care, he withdrew a pair of white gloves-- on their backs the red inscribed sigils of Alchemy. No ordinary material, the supple cloth could provide a spark with the merest snap of his fingers. These he drew onto his hands, and ensured they were on firmly with a crack of his knuckles.
"Those of you who came here tonight for a show unlike any other, for something to wow you in your seats...I promise you, what you see here will be nothing you expect." He spoke easily, unbothered by the pressure of outdoing the other contestants. "But first, I will need a volunteer from the audiance!" His arm snapped out and his finger jabbed in the direction of the first row-- a buxom brunette with glasses reminiscent of a librarian. "You there, miss, if you would oblige me?" The young woman flushed with suprise as the camera and lights were suddenly on her. Her friends cheered her on to go join him, "It will only take a moment."
By the time she'd made it up onto the stage with Roy, she was a healthy shade of rouge.
"And your name is miss?"
"Samantha." Busily fixing her dress and smoothing it down from where she'd been sitting. On her chest there was a little button that read 'Mustang for Mr. Universe'...surely he hadn't spotted that from all the way on stage?!
"Do you trust me, Samantha?" He asked with the seriousness of one about to place the other's life at risk. She could only nod in response.
That said, he stepped in close, very close...Infact, he slipped an arm about her slender waist, the other hand moving to trace a line alongst her jaw and then cup her cheek. The sable depths of his eyes held her wide-eyed gaze prisoner and then he leaned in the rest of the way.
... ...Yes. Roy Mustang, Colonel of the State Military was making out on stage with a hot woman, and his abillity to hold his breath was anything short of awe-inspiring.
Those expecting a show of skill got a different one instead, and those wanting to guage his potiential for battle would have to wait till the field was taken. Single women and not in the crowd--he would be accepting phone numbers and addresses later.
By the time things broke up, Samantha was helped back to her seat with the support of a co-ordinator.
Captain Bravo stares. Now /that/ is quite a technique! Most interesting. Truthfully, he'd been expecting a display of flame alchemy...had been looking forward to it, actually, being an Alchemy Warrior himself. Disappointing that this was not the case, but that doesn't affect Mustang's score. Nor does it lower Bravo's opinion on the man. Shrewd. Very shrewd. Bravo narrows his eyes in thoughtful contemplation, and carefully inscribes his score on the judges' sheet.
Haruhi... ... ...
Makes a single stroke on her score sheet, then another round one, and then a few more under the first.
She sits back, looking grumpy. There's a good chance that the main reason she doesn't jump up on stage and rail at someone is that Kyon offered to buy her dinner if she didn't.
(Actually, he didn't, but she's going to make him and use this as leverage. Six of one...)
Jiraiya quirks an eyebrow. What the..? If Mustang was trying to win points, making out with a woman on stage infront of the entire multiverse wasn't the way to do it. Atleast, not with Jiraiya. Shaking his head slowly, the ninja begins to write down Mustang's score. Interesting technique, atleast.
Roy adjusted his jacket that had managed to become a little 'skewed' after the taxing display and thus became presentable again. Such a risky thing he may yet pay for later upon his return to his home world, but that all depended on how much certain individuals were paying attention...here in the now, Colonel Mustang was enjoying himself by all accounts.
He bowed with a flourish, turning sharply on a heel with his uniform snapping about his legs with each measured stride off the stage.
Orihime stares as well, pink-cheeked and flustered. That...that was quite a talent. And one she wasn't really expecting! Was it really okay to show that on camera? Well, they hadn't cut to commercial, so it must meet the approval rating. In fact, she sees that several of the camera crew have paused to scribble down notes. Or phone numbers, wow.
After gathering her senses, the blush dying down on her cheeks, she gives herself a small shake. "Our fourth contestant is also one of our members in the Relief Society, hailing from Gunsmoke. A pacifist, and also an expert gunman, His favorite things are love and peace. His favorite food is definitely donuts! Please welcome one of the kindest people I've ever had the chance to meet, Vash the Stampede!"
"You do know that those things will kill you." Vash frowns his disapproval when Nick returns with his cigarette. The game resumes until it's his intro. "Time to saddle up." Vash sighs, one gloved hand rubbing the back of his head. He stares at the checkerboard a moment longer before standing and 'accidentally' sweeping the pieces to the floor. "Oops." Guess they'll never know who was gonna win now. What a shame!
It had seemed like such a good idea at the time. Naturally they'd both thought the idea of a Miss Universe pageant was great, but he and Wolfwood had chuckled at the Mr. Universe portion. But the more times the priest's bottle of Wild Turkey was passed between them, the better the idea sounded. It was a good example of equal rights! Plus it helped out the Relief Society, which Vash also approved of. When the drunken conversation inevitably turned to which one of them stood a better chance at winning a competition like that...
The rest is history. Vash the Stampede signed up, and he's here to represent. What's fair is fair after all. Which is exactly why he made sure Wolfwood held up his end of the bargain too! A nervous wave is offered to the judges and spectators after he steps out onto the stage. And Orihime gets a warm smile for an introduction he doesn't think he's deserving of. His trademark trench has been left backstage today in favor of a white button-up shirt and tan corduroys. He can only hope he's not underdressed. Not a lot of male beauty pageants back on Gunsmoke. "I'm Vash. Please be gentle." He laughs sheepishly. The gangly blonde doesn't really look too delicate though.
In spite of a decidedly unflashy entrance, Vash really is a man of many talents! It was hard to choose which one he'd perform today. Sure there were any number of sharp-shooting tricks he could perform, but that talent rose out of necessity rather than Vash actually wanting it. He's a pretty good dancer, but every time he does it in public people worry that he'll swallow his tongue for some reason. For a while the front-runner had been showing off his amazing skill at groping some female volunteer multiple times before she even realized it, usually followed by his equally breathtaking skill at bleeding. But then it hit him. The talent that would put him above all other contenders.
Vash holds up his hand, displaying an ordinary looking rubber ball. "Behold!" His voice booms proudly. "The Amazing Dodgeball Head!" Try this at home kids! ...If you want to look like as big of a freak as Vash does. Vash brings the dodgeball to his mouth, sucking his breath in and forming a tight seal with his lips. His eyes bulge out, the veins show sharply beneath his skin. Vash lowers his hand, running back and forth across the stage to showcase his talent. He even balances it on his tongue while his arms wave around him like rubber. Now he's just showing off.
As that dodgeball is being balanced so expertly on Vash's tongue.. there's a sudden pop that comes from backstage. Actually that pop sound was the sound of a bullet leaving the chamber of a gun. The bullet flies out and makes contact with the dodgeball, causing it to burst with a lound noise and then deflate, draping itself over Vash's tongue once the air is gone and hanging pitifully. That is followed by the sound of laughter from a certain priest. "Aaahahahaha!" That's what you get for ruining his winning checker game!
"Hmmmmmmmmm...hmhmhmhm..." Is Captain Bravo being contemplative, or is he chuckling? It's hard to say! But this is most certainly not a talent he would have imagined. Ever. Is it really a talent...? Oh yes. It's most certainly a skill. A very unique, very amusing skill. Sure, he'll score it. ...Wait, it's over? Captain Bravo looks sharply at Vash, concerned. He was inhaling, wasn't he? If he sucks down that dodgeball, well, it won't be pretty.
Jiraiya stares. Just.. stares. Then he writes down his score, shaking his head. The two frogs seated infront of him are staring as well. The slightly smaller one leans over, "Is that normal?" To which the slightly taller one replies, "I don't think so.. maybe he's crazy.." "With hair like that I wouldn't doubt it! Ribbit." "Ribbit." "Pipe down, you two." Jiraiya murmurs.
This time, from offstage, even Gwendolyn stares. Open-mouthed. She simply does not know what to think.
Myris sits in the corner, trying her very hardest to stifle her laughter in order to keep from being heard.
Over in the audience Shin is cracking the hell up and trying not to make a sound. The end result is thta he's laughing like Muttley from the Wacky Races.
Vash blinks when the dodgeball suddenly deflates. His...his talent! What remains of the dodgeball falls into his hand. Only one person could've done that! "Are you crazy!" Vash shouts towards the laughter coming from backstage. He takes a step in that direction before remembering to take his bow and smile sheepishly at the judges. That smile fades as he closes the distance between himself and Wolfwood. "You can't shoot in here!" What if he'd hit someone! The Stampede vanishes backstage. Oh well, at least he got through the first round.
Wolfwood has done the unthinkable.
Haruhi's eyes widen, and she allows a very tiny, very pleased smile to cross her face.
She scribbles 'popping volleyball with devil vampire alien fangs after flailing squid tentacles wildly' on her score sheet.
Awwwwww, Vash is so cute! Orihime has no problems applauding for him as he takes his leave, and needs a moment to wipe the tears of laughter from her eyes. That was so awesome! He's getting a hug for that, after the competition is over. "Our next contestant is the leader of the Black Sheep Squadron, and a fantastic Veritech pilot. He enjoys drinking and being with beautiful women, but he's also a father figure to his subordinates. I introduce to you, Commander Roy Fokker!"
Over in the audience, Shin splutters and nearly falls over. "Commander WHAT?!"
o/` Stage fright, go 'way...o/`
Now why did that song have to get stuck in Roy's head just before he steps onto the stage. Really need to stop letting Rick pick the music. Looking at Vash and Nick's game, and then watching Vash and Nicholas backstage, Roy notices an unattended bottle of Wild Turkey. "Thanks." Roy takes his turn with the bottle of Wild Turkey, draining half of it, "I get winner, you two." With that, the Commander wipes his mouth and steps into the lights, easily ready for this as the sunglasses are already in place. Strolling out onto the stage with a casual grace born of years of working crowds, not just from the flying, but being on the ground during his circus days. Turning at a predetermined spot, Roy removes the jacket from his torso with a casual shrug of his shoulders, setting it over a chair on the stage - right next to his guitar.
He moves up to the front of the stage, turning to the left, hand resting casually in his pocket while his right hand removes the sunglasses, in order to show off those gorgeous baby blues of his. The Commander grins with that usual half-blasie, half-cockiness that he always seems to carry, either in the air or on the ground, before he turns to head back towards the chair, Levis fitting well to him as he picks up the guitar at the chair he had passed by earlier. Sure, lots of other people had skills - but Roy's a pilot - and stunt flying Skull One is just totally unfair to the other competitors. Maybe. In spite of the what the others have done. He's had to rethink things for a moment. But, he sticks to the gameplan.
Picking up the guitar, the Commander starts to play, starting off with the first strands of 'Stairway to Heaven', before he launches into 'Voodoo Chile', fingers strumming and plucking the guitar's neck and board with the practice of someone who has been well-seasoned in the art of playing the six strings. As he plays, the Commander walks up to the front of the stage, and down the stairs into the first part of the crowd, making sure to hit some of the better notes as he passes by the women on the front row, since no man would be caught dead up here at the moment. When he knows that he's getting towards the end of his guitar demonstration, Roy strolls back up the stage stairs towards that chair and places his foot in the chair. Setting the guitar back down in the chair, he steps back, signalling for the curtains to open. As they part, behind the commander, in all of it's polished glory, is Skull Leader - in her Guardian configuration.
Leaping from the chair to the arm to the open cockpit, the Commander settles behind the controls, then works them. The waldos of the right hand open and extend, closing around the guitar. Getting it into position, Roy uses the Veritech itself to play the guitar, waldos working and moving over the strings, as the mechanical arms bend to Roy's manipulations of the control planes - even without the 'thinking cap' on. He plays out the last few bars of 'Voodoo Chile' o/` Wha wha wha whamp whamp wamph wha wha whaumph o/` before sliding down the nose of the Veritech, landing in front of the others, and gives a short little bow before he throws the guitar pick into the front rows and moves to wait for judging. It's not stunt flying after all~
Shin buries his face in his hands at ringside and thinks happy thoughts of Aina Saharin in a G-string. "Oh sweet merciful space this is not a mental image I want to associate with Roy Fokker aaaaaargh...!"
Roy Fokker does all this, while keeping command and control of his troops on his radio, murmuring out his commands as he needs to, and offering advice on chicken, of all things.
And what is that...contraption, Captain Bravo wonders, studying Skull Leader curiously. Is it going to fly? Hm. Seems not. He's not really sure what kind of skill it requires to manipulate that kind of machine, though he has to admit that the song was rather catchy. He scratches down a score and sets down his pen, folding his arms as he sits in quiet contemplation.
Well, atleast Jiraiya can appreciate music. Even when he gets flashy with that robot-plane thing. He nods slowly, jotting down his score quietly. The frogs are a bit lost, though. "That was /really/ loud." One of the frogs murmurs, to which the other nods in agreement.
Haruhi makes a casual mark on her score sheet about four seconds into Fokker's performance.
She stops and blinks as Fokker actually uses--
She scratches out the first mark, and scribbles in a new one, a diabolical gleam in her eyes.
With scoring complete, Roy turns to head for the side exit. However, before he leaves, he pauses. Turning back out, he tucks two fingers to his lips, pressing a kiss to them before he throws them out in a salute - aimed for someone in the audience or watching at home, possibly~ That's between the Commander and the target, however.
And with that, he boards Skull One and pulls back on the controls, flaring the smaller engines as he leaves the stage, converting to Battloid to do a backflip and then converts to fighter to launch skywards. It'll land nearby and give Roy time to change for the next part of the competition without bothering the next contestant.
o/` This is my big day~ o/`
Orihime smiles, applauding for Roy as he finishes his song. He plays the guitar too? AND the robot guitar? She wasn't aware of that. Maybe they'll have to organize a camp-out for their upcoming BSS/RS mixer. But! Such things can be contemplated in due time, because the next contestant is ready to roll. "Our next contestant is also a member of the SOS Brigade, a jack-of-all-trades to help out the club however he can! He currently attends high school, and likes ordinary things. Please welcome Kyon!"
Ugh. This is it. Why am I here again- wait, stupid question. I don't know what she hopes to accomplish and I still don't understand why she got me into this, especially since in all her marketing schemes she's always bluntly pointed out that I was the least qualified to attract attention. Maybe this is some kind of revenge, like for the time I- no, wait, I've already paid for lunc that time and have the empty wallet to prove it.
And there's my name. Che, couldn't they at least have used my real name?
Kyon lifts his head and gulps. Anything going through his midn now is nothing he hasn't thought of before. Putting on his game face, which look something like a grimace, he steps out onto the stage, his expression smoothing into his neutral one as he makes his way to the center, oh so thankful for the darkened house lights.
It probably looks like he just dug something uot of his home closet, and in all likelihood he did just that. Kyon's clothing for this venue is as casual as they come. Haruhi might even recognize them from their club eexcursions, if she so cared to pay any attention to what her members wore. Kyon's clothing selection consists of a light olive green printed tee with a dark gray-green button-up long-sleeve over it. He wears a pair of dark gray cargos, and soft brown leather shoes.
Here goes nothing...
Kyon takes the mic from the stand and taps it a couple of times in testing. He closes his eyes, letting out a quiet sigh as the music begins, a lonely harmonica heralding a mellow guitar line, and if there's anyone in the audience familiar with it, they might soon recognize this more acoustic version of the "Hare Hare Yukai." And for what it's worth, Kyon isn't at all a bad singer. He hits all the notes, and while he isn't likely idol material, he does seem to get into the song. At given points it shows, sometimes a little too much is put into a line, but something, likely Kyon's inner thoughts that comment in his head all throughout the song, reign him in when he begins to go overboard. As the song winds to an end, Kyon looks considerably more relaxed, a faint smile touching his face before he bows his head. Okay, so the song was more or less a lament of who knows what the poor boy goes through as an SOS Brigade member, but at least it definitely sounds like he put his heart into it.
Captain Bravo nods approvingly. He's surprised no one else went to sing, but it's nice to see a variety of talents being showcased, none duplicating the others. He writes down his score, then sits back, tugging the brim of his hat further down to hide those steel-blue eyes. One more to go...
He's here!?
He's here!
Haruhi does not blast a foghorn...but she does...
Smile, especially as the song goes, and she blithely ignores the overt references to herself in the variation of the song that has quickly become the SOS Brigade's informal theme music.
"Now if only he were a time traveler..." she sighs, too quiet for anyone but Kon, who is sworn to secrecy lest his stuffing be removed fluff by fluff, to hear.
Music. The universal language. Jiraiya nods slowly when Kyon stops playing, and he picks up his clipboard again to jot down his score. There's nothing to say, really, but the frogs seem far more talkative: "Atleast it wasn't THAT loud." "Yeah, he was good." "Yeah." "Shhhh." Jiraiya tries to hush them. Man, they don't take a hint!
...one down.
Kyon masterfully maintains a calm appearance as he waits a moment before taking another bow and then turns to exit the stage.
Augh. Two more to go...
Yay Kyon! He definitely seemed like the shyest one of the bunch. It must have taken a lot of courage for him to carry through with this! Of course, Orihime doesn't know what kind of threats Haruhi must have issued to get him on stage at all... "Next, is a prince from the kingdom of Xing! He's skilled with a paintbrush, and possesses skills in swordsmanship and Xingese martial artist. He's also capable of putting away large meals in record time! He's one of the founding members of the Relief Society, acting as a recruiter. It's my pleasure to introduce to you Ling Yao!" Internal <3 for the fiance.
To say Ling was nervous would be inaccurate. Though his stomach feels tense and his feet feel restless, he is not worried. The truth is, and much to his own surprise, he's rather excited about the whole thing. To him, this isn't really about winning or losing-- it is instead about having the chance to show off a bit, in front of thousands of people, and know that for what short time he is there, all eyes are on him, and him alone.
He waits patiently by the stone doorway, eyes closed and breathing calm. And when his name is called, he lets out a long breath and puts on a smile, striding out into the daylight.
Given that the theme of this section was 'casual wear', Ling seems to have elected to wear something similar to his usual mode of dress. He wears a silk brocade jacket of royal blue, white trim and embroidery spiraling around the edges and at the cuffs of the long sleeves. The front is open, revealing his well-muscled chest and a wide leather strap laying across it. His pants are white silk, loose, and secured at the ankles. His abdomen is tightly bandaged, as are his wrists, and a wrapped sword is tucked into the white sash around his waist.
He makes his way up the catwalk and to the dias, his steps confident and purposeful. When he arrives centerstage, he stops and then raises both hands to his chest, palms pressed together vertically, and bows-- first to the audience, then to the judges. Straightening, then, he looks up towards the seats where a certain someone is sitting and watching. He grins, and raises one hand in a small but cheerful wave. Hello, darling~~
Having not requested a microphone, Ling has nothing to offer beyond the introduction he was given. He simply takes a step backwards and waits for the music to begin.
And it does begin, the sound of violins sweeping across the colliseum, their notes joined by a soft, ethereal voice. Ling stands still through this, unmoving until the sound thins and hangs in the air.
Not a moment later the music picks up, the very first bell-tone sending the prince into motion. He takes a quick step forward and then pushes off, sending himself into a backflip that then turns into two, and then into a third before he lands on his hands, stopping and then shifting his legs and arms so he's only supporting himself on a single hand. He holds this position until the music shifts again.
As it does, so does Ling, letting his body tip over into a slow cartwheel and then he's on his feet again, hands raised in the air, palms and fingers flat, with his thumbs tucked against his palms. He raises one leg, bending it at the knee and keeping his slippered toes straight, and then proceeds to perform a number of hand-strikes at a rapid pace. These are followed immediately by a swift high kick from his raised leg-- it retracts almost immediately, and then he kicks again, out to the side, this time holding his leg in position for a long moment before he tips over slowly and lands in a full split on the stage.
He sits there for a moment, grinning at the audience, before he rolls himself backwards, planting his hands on the stage and then launching himself into the air and up to his feet. He's barely touched ground before he leaps forward this time, tucking into a roll and then springing up into a series of flips that carry him to the very front edge of the dias.
Nearly teetering on the edge, he crouches, reaching back to draw the wrapped sword from behind him. He pulls it out slowly, brandishing it in a wide arc until he holds it out before him, as if to show the audience. He tugs at one loop of wrappings, pulling it loose before he leaps backwards, away from the edge of the stage.
He's scarcely still when he lands, the blade spinning in his skilled hands, the wrappings trailing from it like a dancer's ribbon. Eventually the white cloth detaches completely from the blade, revealing completely the polished steel. Ling raises himself up on one leg again, performing exactly the same moves as he had before, but this time weilding his sword. The double kicks end with the prince down in a split again, but instead of rolling backwards, he grabs the tassles on the end of his sword and starts to swing it around overhead like a strange kind of lasso.
As he does this, he tucks his legs in, and then leaps deftly up to his feet, continuing to spin his sword overhead. Ling steps to the side, then, and lowers his arm so that the blade spins vertically at his side, and then to the other side. And quite suddenly, he lets go of the tassles and flings the sword high into the air. It continues to spin as it flies, and then begins a slowly revolving descent back towards the stage.
Ling stands ready, and as soon as it is within arm's reach he snatches it out of the air by the handle, spinning it with his wrist and aiming an arcing strike towards an invisible opponent. Those who were paying attention may notice that he's switched swordhands-- ambidextrous, then?
The prince's routine continues with a number of sword tricks and acrobatics, the blade dancing and flashing in the sunlight with the same grace as a dancer. But as the music draws towards its close, so does Ling's exhibition. But how to top off a display like this when you've already shown off most of your special moves?
The answer is pretty easy, to Ling. His performance has brought him to one side of the dias, and so he turns, taking two steps and then falling into a couple of flips that bring him close to centerstage. His final move, however, is to launch himself from one flip into an extremely high spinning leap. Some may be observant enough to see him reaching beneath his jacket and drawing something quickly out of the pouch attached to the leather strap he wears. As his descent begins, the prince brings a small fist-sized ball-shaped object up to his face and tears something off of it with his teeth. He then quickly hurls it into the air, falling back to the stage and landing easily in a crouch. He leaps immediately to stand on one foot, leg raised and blade held high horizontall above his head.
Timing is everything-- and as the final note of the song rings out across the colliseum, it's followed by a very loud pop as the ball explodes high above the stage, sending a large cloud of glitter and confetti drifting down on to the stage, on to the judges, and of course, covering the prince himself.
The combat display has successfully captured Captain Bravo's interest. Of course it did! He's an Alchemy Warrior, don't you know, and one skilled at martial arts himself. Therefore, he has a good idea of the talent being displayed before him, and the sheer strength required to pull off some of those moves. And isn't the competitor only sixteen? Most impressive. He writes down his score and gives a faint nod. "Bravo." He had to say it sooner or later, didn't he?
On the one hand, Haruhi muses, there was not a trace of anything magical, chi-based or even supersciency about that.
On the other hand, she ponders, badass kung fu acrobatics.
A mark is made.
Jiraiya hums thoughtfully. A taijutsu specialist and a sword-wielder? Well, when it comes to talent contests, it's best to do what you can DO best. The confetti and glitter? Man, the glitter'll take forever to get out of his hair. Looking sparkly, covered in confetti, the calm ninja seems to give it some thought and jots down Ling's score. The two frogs shake off glitter and confetti, at the same time Jiraiya does something to get all that glitter off of him. Likely something to do with chakra. "Not bad, I guess. could've done without the.." He brushes some confetti off his shoulder. "Colorful ending, though.."
Ling doesn't even bother to sweep the confetti and glitter out of his hair. He simply offers a bow to the audience and then to the judges. And upon hearing their comments, he laughs good naturedly and reaches up to scratch the back of his neck. "My apologies, Mister Jiraiya," he says, bowing apologetically, "But they wouldn't let me use real explosives or fireworks." He bows once more, and then with a wave to the audience, he turns and, grabbing the wrapping from his sword, trots back down the catwalk, trailing glitter the entire way.
OOC: Tags are needed for Jiraiya, Captain Bravo, Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Itsuki Koizumi, Kaylee Frye, and Lamia Loveless. Thank you!)