So do you have what it takes?

[waterfell]

Colorful dresses swirl by. Laughter makes the air come alive. Cooking smells compete with one another to entice passers-by with their aromas. A festival atmosphere pervades this spot, which has somehow been connected to the nexus

Comments

[rabbitofjustice]

Usagi doesn't even seem to be all that bothered or surprised that she's suddenly in the middle of the contest. Once you get used to the Nexus, you just learn to go along with it. Even those three particular contestants don't seem strange to her. (Black Moon? What Black Moon?)

Just when she's still busy taking in her surroundings, one of the persons motions that it's her turn to go on stage. Once she's there, she notices a very familiar-looking person at the jury table. Her face brightens and she's about to wave and call out 'Ami-chan!' when someone not-so-subtly hints at her that she needs to start doing what she's supposed to do. You got off lucky this time, Ami!

"Hi everyone!" Her speech goes along with very enthusiastic and spazzy waving. "I'm Tsukino Usagi! What I'm good at.." She starts mumbling to herself as she sees to be counting on her fingers. "Eating, sleeping, no.."

Then her face lightens up, you can almost see the figural lightbulb. "Ah, I know! Karaoke!"

[waterfell]

If she could facepalm without making a scene, she'd be doing it. Thanks to the microphones strategically placed around the stage, Ami can hear that mumbling - as if she can't guess what Usagi'd be thinking anyway.

"Go ahead and try karaoke, then," one of the more patient judges suggests kindly.

Ami settles for glancing slightly away, possibly in the hope that Usagi hasn't recognized her. (No such luck, Ami.) Fortunately, 'Ami-chan' wouldn't be connected to 'Mercury' anyway, except by people who already know. She pastes a small smile to her face as if she's paying attention to nothing more than yet another contestant, and nods.

[rabbitofjustice]

She happily nods, grabbing one of the microphones. "The song I'm going to sing is one of my favourite songs in the whole wide world! It's 'C'est La Vie'!" Because, you know, in Usagi's world that song is still pretty recent. She shoots a knowing smile at Ami for a moment. Too late, Ami, she has already spotted you. Like a hungry predator. Only more like a fluffy rodent you just can't seem to get rid of than a scary predator.

It doesn't take long for her to start singing full of Usagi spirit. Somewhere this should still seem familiar to Ami. Somewhere. "Stirred by impulses that there's nothing I can do; That has begun for me now, feelings searching for you. Just like predictable movies and books are boring, when life is a little bit off, it might be more fun!

This warm feeling is c'est la vie! As long as I am me; C'est la vie, I want to keep on being in love with you. Running through the place where this moment lives, right in front of me!"

[waterfell]

For a moment, Usagi almost seems like the predator after all. Ami knows the song, yes; and if anyone caught the expression on Judge Mizuno's face at exactly the right time, it'd be uncharacteristically quiet for her current self. She shakes that off a moment later, keeps that neutral smile in place until she needs her next fit of perkiness.

It's definitely an unusual talent choice for a contest like this, but if a few people giggle, far more end up nodding along or swaying their bodies a bit, and smiling. Usagi enthusiasm is contagious enthusiasm. Some mouth the words if they know them; apparently the nexus has brought a mixed bag of spectators.

[not_a_moonkitty]

"I'm telling you, you're making a mistake!"

The Nexus was what originally had drawn Luna here. Luna was thankful, at first; a contest like this may have drawn the attention of Diana (or Artemis, but Luna was less willing to entertain that option). Thick, dark hair was tied up in a braided bun. The crescent on her forehead was hidden for the moment, her form in a fashionable, simple yellow dress, a black overcoat covering most of it. Paired with stylish sunglasses and black heels, Luna stuck out somewhat from most of the crowd. And it was noticed.

"Ah, another contestant? Don't be shy!" Before she could even register what was happening, she was being nudged towards the stage. Despite her protests, sunglasses, coat, and the tie holding her hair back were all pulled off her as she stumbled onto the stage. Hair fell behind her in thick waves, the crowd 'ooh'ing as the pretty lady took the stage. Luna felt her cheeks color as she straightened up the best she could, folding her hands in front of her. Well, she was up here now...

[waterfell]

Oh. My. Ami has to turn to make a comment to the judge beside her, partly to hide herself from Luna and partly to hide a mischievous smile. Behind her, she can hear a few murmured comments about the unusual, but attractive hairstyle.

It's up to another member of the panel to try to make the 'new contestant' feel at ease. "Go ahead," he says kindly. "Everyone is excited to see the splendid talent of such a beautiful girl!" He smiles, and gives a quick nod to urge Luna on.

Ami takes her cue. "Talent portion!"

[not_a_moonkitty]

"Talent? Um..." She looked around, some of the crowd laughing at how frantic the woman seemed to be. In the same crowd, Luna's eyes fell on a girl who looked about Diana's age, eyes red and cheeks tear stained. Though she wasn't crying at the moment, she had been, and Luna could see why. The girl held a pitiful looking flower in her hands, gripping it tight as if she could save it. It looked terrible, like someone had purposely killed the poor thing. Luna approached the edge of the stage, kneeling down and motioning to the girl. "Ojou-chan," she greeted, "Come here

[waterfell]

"Ah! Magic! Very good!" The judge who'd encouraged Luna to start beams at her, possibly still trying to make her feel more comfortable. There's scattered applause, which quickly grows; apparently appealing to the crowd's sympathy was a good choice - and strangely, no one watching can figure out the trick. A good performance, indeed.

Ami watches the most intently of all, but of course she already knows it's no trick. This is Luna's power. For just a second, it makes her remember a little cat that liked to climb on her shoulder.

[hinosong]

Finding herself amidst what looked to be a huge crowd in a festival had not been on her list of things to do today. In fact, when she glanced at her watch, she had to scowl. She was supposed to be at the studio in ten minutes. Her manager was not going to be happy. Unfortunately, there seemed no easy or quick way to escape the crowd, and Rei was forced to pull her hat down farther in a futile attempt to avoid being recognized.

It was always futile.

This time, however, it wasn't someone screaming out her stage name, or fangirling... it was a woman who looked to be recruiting people for some kind of contest. A single glance at the stage easily made up her mind.

"No. I don't want to participate." Pushing her sunglasses down just enough to see over them, she glared at the woman. "Find another person."

[waterfell]

"How sad," comes a slightly teasing voice. "After all, aren't you pretty good at this sort of thing?"

Unable to resist pressing the buttons she knows are there, Ami's smile widens as she approaches during a quick break in the contest. "Well, if I was wrong, I was wrong. I don't want someone talentless in this competition."

[hinosong]

"Ami-chan?" was the questioning response, as narrowed eyes turned from the recruiter to her old friend. The voice was right, as was the appearance, but something seemed... off. Ami would not have encouraged such an action, knowing what a precarious situation this was for Rei. Additionally, some kind of strangeness seemed to flit around the edges of Rei's awareness of the other girl. After a moment of concentration, when she couldn't pin down the feeling, she pushed it aside and glowered.

"Don't be so reckless. Whatever my talent, this is not a venue I can use."

Come on, Ami. Usagi, she would expect this from. Not you.

[waterfell]

"It's been awhile, Hino-san!" The smile is too bright to be natural, but she doesn't seem to be making any actually threatening movements. "If you're not here to be part of this, just watch awhile, Ok?"

[venusian_thief]

Beauty contest? Here's one girl who is absolutely up for it! There's a big grin on her face as she completely ignores the protest that seems to be coming, inexplicably, from a white cat upon her shoulder, then she's bouncing towards the registration table. The form she quickly fills out reads 'Aino Minako' at the top, and then she's standing in line and whispering to the cat.

"Oh hush, Artemis. It won't hurt anything, I'll just have a bit of fun!"

[waterfell]

Sometimes it seems like the nexus is sentient, connecting worlds when interference is least wanted. Ami masks her annoyance with some effort once it's Minako's turn, and forces that bland public smile to her face while the other judges welcome the new contestant.

"Please introduce yourself to us and tell us anything you think we should know about you." This is Minako's chance to shine and get their attention.

[venusian_thief]

With another bright grin, Minako nods enthusiastically to the judges before taking a confident stance and waving one arm wildly above her head at the audience- and ignoring the flailing cat who seems to be struggling to stay atop her shoulder as she does so.

"I'm Aino Minako, age 13! I love volleyball and ramen, and I hate school and annoying pets!" If anyone hears what sounds like a disgruntled yowl coming from the cat, it's quickly drowned out by the rest of her introduction, taking another pose with her feet shoulder-width apart and the fingers on her right hand held out before her in a 'V'. "And I'm going to be the winner of this contest!"

[waterfell]

Her smile tightens and wants to crack at something about that enthusiasm, that energy, that happiness. Ami hides it with a quick nod of her head that looks the same as the appreciative chuckles making their way through the audience and spectators.

"What talent have you prepared for us today?" the next judge asks once the laughter has died down enough to move on.

[goodtimesailor]

What exactly is Mardi doing here? Well participating of course! She's dolled herself up in her nicest gown. When she gets to the sign up table, she quickly signs her name 'Charlotte Monroe'. No need to tell anyone she made it up.

[waterfell]

Charlotte Monroe. Well, whatever. Ami recognizes the girl - it'd be harder to miss the parade follower on her huge float than the spectator among thousands - but says nothing.

The other judges take over for the start once Mardi - er, Charlotte - steps onto the stage for her turn.

"Please introduce yourself and tell us the important things we should know about you," the first judge says. "This is the contestant's chance to shine!"

[goodtimesailor]

Mardi makes a grand, sweeping gesture.

"Bon nuit, I am Charlotte! I grew up in New Orleans, and I currently travel through. I would say my best qualities are that I am out going and know how to make any situation into a party." And getting rip roaring drunk, but that's not really beauty contest material. "My measurements are 30, 28, and 36. The 36 is because I like cakes a little too much."

[waterfell]

There's appreciative laughter from several spectators, and one of the judges who looks like he just may have been trying to figure those numbers out for himself.

"Alright," the third judge says. "Talent portion! What will you perform for us today, Miss Charlotte?"