The Talent Show Begins

[Rogue]

Week One: "Past Eras"

The contestants had been narrowed down to twenty, and the talent show had officially begun. Rogue sat at the last chair of the judges table, along with Charles and Logan. A large audience had gathered where the stage had been set up. The stage took up the office half of the lobby, and chairs for the audience, who was larger than expected. The judges table was on the side next to the stair's railing.

Rogue was glancing through the list of students who made the cut and did a double take when she saw Regnet's name on the sheet.

Rogue laughed a bit, then set the paper down and raised her head, looking towards the stage, awaiting for the first preformance of the night.

[Wolverine]

Leaning back in the first chair of the judges table, I looked to the large audience. I scanned quickly for the face of my daughter, but found no trace of her. It was no surprise that Crystal wasn't here. This kind of gathering wasn't her thing, just as it wasn't mine. Picking up the clipboard that held the names of the students who would be singing, one name popped out at me. Crystal Howlett. That little squirt signed up with out me knowing. I laughed to myself and crossed my arms. I was just glad that she was going out of her comfort zone. This was going to prove to be difficult in not choosing her because she was my daughter.

[Xavier]

Xavier wheeled to where the judges would be staying during the contest after talking briefly with the contestants. He quickly scanned the audience in the room before projecting his voice telepathically in everyone's heads for them to quiet down, since his voice alone would be ineffective against such a roar. Once it was only a bunch of hushed whispers, Xavier smiled and steepled his fingers.

"Let us have the first contest go," he said in a loud, commanding, yet soft voice. He glanced at the list of people himself, just to see the name of the first person that would go.

[[OOC: Anyone who wants to sing in the contest can go next.]]

[Regnet]

[[guess I will. Oh, and, guidelines for the preformances: post the songs lyrics, maybe some crowd reaction.]]

Regnet stepped out on stage, the microphone in his hand. Then, not having time to hesistate, the music of Janis Joplin's "Cry Baby" started, and Regnet belted out

"Cry, baby, cry baby, cry baby..."

Then he slowed it down, glancing over at the judges table, but focusing mainly on the audience as he sang

"Honey welcome back home,
I know she told you,
Honey I know she told you that she loved you
Much more than I did,
But all I know is that she left you,
And you swear that you just don’t know why,
But you know, honey I’ll always,
I’ll always be around if you ever want me
Come on and cry, cry baby, cry baby, cry baby,
Oh honey, welcome back home.

Don’t you know, honey,
Ain’t nobody ever gonna love you
The way I try to do ?
Who’ll take all your pain,
Honey, your heartache, too ?
And if you need me, you know
That I’ll alwasy be around if you ever want me
Come on and cry, cry baby, cry baby, cry baby,
Oh daddy, like you always saying to do.

And when you walk around the world, babe,
You said you’d try to look for the end of the road,
You might find out later that the road’ll end in Detroit,
Honey, the road’ll even end in Kathmandu.
You can go all around the world
Trying to find something to do with your life, baby,
When you only gotta do one thing well,
You only gotta do one thing well to make it in this world, babe.
You got me waiting for you there,
All you ever gotta do is be a good man one time to one person
And that’ll be the end of the road, babe,
I know you got more tears to share, babe,
So come on, come on, come on, come on, come on,
And cry, cry baby, cry baby, cry baby.

And if you ever feel a little lonely, dear,
Come on and baby baby baby babe babe baby now
Cry baby yeah."

Then the song ended, and Regnet let the crowd's cheering build him up.

[Xavier]

Xavier clapped his hands respectfully when Regnet was done. Although Regnet's singing was good, even better than good, he was still surprised at how much the crowd of students supported Regnet.

"Very good," he said to Regnet, personally praising him. "You have a good voice, Regnet." He motioned at the crowd in front of the stage. "Not to mention the support of your peers. Now, if you would go take a seat again so the next student could sing, we could continue this contest smoothly." He gave him a little smile, and nodded.

[Crimson Majix]

I walked on stage dressed in a cos-play of a traditional Japanese school uniform. My hair was up into two straightened brown pig tails. I saw my dad at the judges table, which surprised me. This so wasn't his thing; then again, it wasn't mine either. I gave him a small smile. My song choice was Turning Japanese by The Vapors. I picked it for the ironic factor that I was half Japanese. Mike in hand and fear in my heart, I waited for my song to start. It surprisingly helped my courage a lot that my father was here. When the music started, I lifted the mike to my mouth and started to sing.

"I've got your picture of me and you
You wrote "I love you" I wrote "me too"
I sit there staring and there's nothing else to do
Oh it's in color Your hair is brown
Your eyes are hazel And soft as clouds
I often kiss you when there's no one else around

I've got your picture, I've got your picture
I'd like a million of you all round my cell
I want a doctor to take your picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You've got me turning up and turning down
And turning in and turning 'round

I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so

I've got your picture, I've got your picture
I'd like a million of them all round my cell
I want the doctor to take a picture
So I can look at you from inside as well
You've got me turning up and turning down and turning in and turning 'round

I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so

No sex, no drugs, no wine, no women
No fun, no sin, no you, no wonder it's dark
Everyone around me is a total stranger
Everyone avoids me like a cyclone ranger
That's why I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
I'm turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so

Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so
(think so think so think so)
Turning Japanese
I think I'm turning Japanese
I really think so"

I let the mike fall the to my side as the applause started.

[Rogue]

Rogue smiled, laughter bubbling up in her throat while she did. She was happy that Chris was finally breaking out of her shell. Rogue remembered when Logan had brought her home, how shy Chris had been. It kinda reminded Rogue of herself when she'd first come to the mansion.

When the applause died down, Rogue spoke into the microphone before her. "Wow." she said, smiling at her. "Ah didn't think you could sing like that. You got my support." Rogue said, ignoring a few people near her who were whispering "That's not fair, Rogue's the bitch's dad's friend." Rogue just smiled at Chris, and nodded for her to leave the stage.

[Kifu]

Kifu wrung her hands nervously as she was listening to the song being sung before her. She didn't know who was singing; she had never met the person. She did know the song, though. She found herself softly singing along with it, though she mostly mouthed the words so as not to draw attention to herself.

She had joined the talent show so she would jump out of her personal, little bubble, but she was beginning to seriously doubt her actions. What was wrong with being so inside herself? What if the people in the crowd wouldn't like her voice? What if they didn't like her at all? How would she be able to deal with people who booed her in the hallways because of her performance?

Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the stage when it was her turn. She had just heard Xavier's voice congratulating the student before her, and she knew the line-up for the show. Stepping up to the mike, she wrapped her hands around it and closed her eyes as her fluttering heart rose up to her throat, making it hard for her to breathe.

Her eyes flew back open when she heard the first notes of the song she planned to sing. She listened to the beat of it so that she could start at the right time, and then paid no attention to the crowd whatsoever, only on the lyrics and her shaking hands. At least her voice wasn't shaking as she sang:

He's a real nowhere man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.

Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man please listen,
You don't know what you're missing,
Nowhere Man,the world is at your command!

He's as blind as he can be,
Just sees what he wants to see,
Nowhere Man can you see me at all?

Nowhere Man, don't worry,
Take your time, don't hurry,
Leave it all till somebody else
lends you a hand!

Doesn't have a point of view,
Knows not where he's going to,
Isn't he a bit like you and me?

Nowhere Man please listen,
you don't know what you're missing
Nowhere Man, the world is at your command!

He's a real Nowhere Man,
Sitting in his Nowhere Land,
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody.
Making all his nowhere plans
for nobody!

After the last note had faded from the echoing speakers, she shut her eyes again, trying to control her breath. She was afraid, for one, but also she had just finished a song, even if it was a Beatles song, which wasn't that fast. When she heard people cheering for her, though, she opened her eyes and looked up, absolutely surprised. This wasn't what she had expected, thanks to her pessimistic mind and worst-case scenarios.

[Rogue]

Rogue waited till the crowd had brought their clapping down some and spoke into the microphone again. "You got some lungs on ya." she said, smiling at Kifu. She hadn't forgotten how she'd picked her up from the library, and she just hadn't had the time to catch up with Kifu.

"And Ah can honesty say that Ah wanna hear ya again." Rogue finished, nodding for her to leave the stage.

-----------------------

Week Two: "Duets"

With the contestants now narrowed down to three, ----Kifu Slick, Crystal Howlett, and Regnet D'Ancanto-- the second weekend has begun, pairing up Kifu and Chris. Rogue thought finding a match for Regnet would be hard, but Regnet volunteered Kurt, and Rogue listed him before Kurt could object or agree. So, now Rogue was sitting at the judges table with the others, waiting for the first preformance of the night.

[Regnet]

Regnet stood backstage, rolling the cordless microphone in his hands. One of the volunteers waved him and Kurt out, and Regnet stepped onto the darkened stage, figuring Kurt had followed him. A single light shined on him, and Regnet began to sing a bit softly, but trying to make his voice more powerful into the microphone.

Baby, I get so scared inside and I don't really understand
Is it love that's on my mind or is it fantasy?

Regnet took the mic away from his lips just a bit, and looked at Kurt, waiting for him to sing his part.

[Nightcrawler]

At first Kurt had been completely surprised that he was going to be in the talent show when Regnet came up to him, telling him that he was going to be his partner, but then he realized it wasn't much of a surprise. Him and Regnet had been having somewhat of a strained relationship, but Kurt had always tried to cover it up. No one needed to know about that, and he wasn't going to hurt Regnet by rejecting being partners.

The two had quickly discussed what song they were going to sing together, though Kurt left that mostly to Regnet. Then when it came to the second week of the contest, Kurt was actually a little nervous. He was more of the person who would be expected to do this, but he didn't believe he had that well of a singing voice, especially since his normal speech was cursed with a heavy German accent, since he wasn't American born.

Nonetheless, they stepped onto the stage and hegrabbed the farther microphone, turning his eyes on Regnet and giving him a reassuring smile. He listened to Regnet sing into the microphone, and when he saw his eyes on him, he began to sing himself.

Heaven, is in the palm of my hand and it's waiting here for you
What am I supposed to do with a childhood tragedy?

If I close my eyes forever
Would it all remain unchanged?
If I close my eyes forever
Would it all remain the same?

Sometimes, its hard to hold on,
so hard to hold on to my dreams
It isn't always what it seems
when you're face to face with me.

Kurt gripped the microphone a little tighter, looking out into the crowd. They seemed tranquil, but he didn't know if that was because he was doing a bad job, or that they were doing a great job. Maybe they were just a respectful crowd and wouldn't really give their imput until the song was finished.

[Regnet]

Now was the time in the song that Lita Ford had gotten intense, so Regnet knew that's what he should probably do. He knew the song well, and while the music had remained the same, but had gotten a bit faster, Regnet now fully belted out, shutting his eyes tight as the words came out of his mouth.

Like a dagger you stick me in the heart
and taste the blood from my blade.
And when we sleep
would you shelter me in your warm and darkened grave?

When he sang "...would you shelter me in your warm and darkened grave?" he'd come up from his sort of crouched posistion he'd taken while singing the other parts, and got closer to Kurt, singing the words straight at him, looking him right in the eyes, doing the same with the next lines, like he was asking Kurt the song's question.

If I close my eyes forever
Would it all remain unchanged?
If i close my eyes forever
Would it all remain the same?

Will you ever take me?

Regnet sang the last line softer than the others, his voice not losing the sort of growl he'd taken on to match Lita Ford's range.

[Nightcrawler]

When Regnet started singing, Kurt lowered the microphone from his face and watched his partner. He had to concentrate not on the audience, but what he was doing, and what Regnet was doing. Not to mention, he had to pay attention to the music that was being played. He couldn't help but notice that Regnet was really getting into the song, and doing a wonderful job. No wonder he had made it to the last rounds.

While he was singing, Regnet gradually got closer to him. Nightcrawler didn't move, but listened to the lyrics for his cue. And then Kurt got the feeling that Regnet wasn't just singing for himself, not for the crowd, but actually for Kurt. He looked away briefly, back to the crowd, but he had again to look at Regnet.

When it was Kurt's turn to continue the song, he almost didn't continue it because he felt a little flustered. But it was only one line until Regnet had to return with another one line, so he didn't fail.

No, I just can't take the pain

He lowered the microphone slightly then, glancing back at Regnet with his yellow eyes, tensing to lift the mic again when Kurt had to reply with yet another one-liner. He didn't realize it until now, but Regnet had a big part of the song. Which was good, since he was a part of the competition, and Kurt was not participating in it, but only to be Regnet's partner.

Kurt thought the set-up of the contest was a little stupid. They should have taken the top four competitors for the second round instead of the top three, leaving Regnet to search for a partner. Although it almost seemed as if Regnet had planned that, quickly choosing Nightcrawler to sing with him.

[Regnet]

Regnet backed up a little bit, so he wasn't so much in Kurt's face anymore. He could tell it was bothering him a little bit. Almost sighing into the microphone, but stopping himself before he did.

But would you ever trust me?

It was weird. Did Regnet actually expect Kurt to return any feelings he harbored toward him if only being slightly close to him made him nervous. This whole talent show had been an attempt for Regnet to tell Kurt everything he'd tried to his first night here. I mean, was it possible to fall in love with someone after barely a day? Regnet had asked himself this question before, and had always come to the same conclusion; it worked for Romeo and Juliet. Kind of.

But the one thing that had always crept it's way into Regnet's mind. Would his Romeo accept him as his Juliet, or would their relationship always be resemblant of Rosaline and Romeo; one of them in love, the other one not?