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And now, a Superstar Special! The next night after the winners have been announced, during the regular Superstar Authority timeslot, the theme music strikes up again. This time, the studio is empty save for three lounge chairs on the main stage. Sitting in them are the judges, who all beam at the camera as it slides in on them.
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"Wowie! What a night!" Regina sat back in her chair, one foot crossed over the other, jiggling a leg. The winners weren't all trolls she would have picked, but that was the point of the show. Clearly most trolls wanted something different than what she did. And she wasn't disappointed - everyone on stage had potential. More importantly, they had potential uses.
"Obviously we had some big changes since last time we've checked in, along with some surprise late-game changes." Tapping her chin, Regina looked directly at the camera. "I think our winners were trolls who not only had the courage, uniqueness, nerve and talent to step out on stage and grab the spotlight, but also the pure energy to carry it all the way through to the end. Not only that, they were also the trolls who showed a wide enough variety of talents to appeal to a large enough audience, that's important too!"
"Take Seraph." Regina clasped her hands and tapped her index fingers together. "Probably the most controversial win - isn't that right?" A quick flash of her eyes towards Aandes, and a faint curl upwards at the side of her mouth hinted at the empress finding something faintly funny about that situation. "I think that alone proved that the audience was looking for more than just perfection. They wanted a troll with a good story, one that drew them in and made them feel like they were livin' in it. Narrative. Y'know? I don't think any of the trolls who won were lacking in that aspect."
"Of course the trolls I'm really living for are the grand winner Fross☆ and the SHEshells girls - but I don't think that's a surprise for anyone. What can I say? I know what I like, and I like their attitudes!" Grinning and shrugging, Regina would have looked sheepish if she knew how. "I'd definitely like to do something with that organization the SHEshells are goin' on about. So look out for that in the future!"
"But that's enough about what I think - you guys are all about show biz. Do you have any feelings one way or another about how this turned out?" Turning to the others, Regina relaxed back into 'listening pose #35'.
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The placement of trolls was a touch disappointing for Aandes. The votes seemed split between high energy icons of classic Alternian matriarchal militarism, thanks to Frossa and the JROTC women, earthy and simple but well-meaning doormats, and… Seraph. Actually, this Autumn character had piqued Aandes’ interest for the reason that she, indeed, stood out. She was glamorous, but came out of nowhere without military backing. Perhaps she was all glitz and no substance, but the fact that she had missed an entire portion of the Superstar Authority festivities and rose to the top of her city ranks on nothing but sheer popularity alone was staggering. Truly trolls were drawn to her like moths to a flame, and damn if he’d not seen it before. He’d have to investigate.
“No kidding! Our early picks faded a bit back into the pack, while our winners really stood out. I think my biggest surprise was the young Seraph, who knocked me off of my feet with her final performance. She’s truly the crowd favorite, and dare I say… I think I got something in my eye with her daring fashion choices. I’d love to work with her on a line.” He winked. “Seraph, I’ll have my people call your people.”
“It’s also wonderful to see Mr. Opimus Fellah on stage! Folks, I don’t know if you know, but Fellah will be performing alongside our beautiful star Odette Cygnet in the upcoming Schrad: The Musical! You heard it right! I just about flew out of my seat when I heard he’d signed up. What talent. Just goes to show, I know how to pick ‘em! Eh, Odette?”
He flashed a glittering smile at Odette, allowing himself to return to his own thoughts as he sat back in his chair with the same camera-ready smile on his face.
Playing off of Fellah – and the others—would be simple enough. The docile nature of the two male trolls and the ferociousness of the two women played into Alternian stereotypes enough for their personas not to seem suspect when shilling – hell, anything, so economically they could easily be utilized. As a platform for himself, however… That was different entirely. They were strangers with their own motives and end-goals, and he’d have to start at zero with all of them (save, perhaps, for the understated Fellah).
Aandes cursed the fact that Sascha hadn’t placed. Frossa’s powerhouse stats were too strong, and Seraph’s magnetic personality had just edged him out for a hometown advantage. Alas. This was simply a challenge – another long game that he would invest in. Planting the seeds among the idols would bring him a bounty no matter what their affiliation. After all, they didn’t need to be privy to what he was doing for them both to reap the rewards.
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“I’m truly amazed! The winners really defied our initial expectations, didn’t they?” Odette batted her eyes for the camera. Of course, she knew better. She knew more than half of the winners personally. Beasts of a feather flock together, she supposed. She was so happy for them! Ganyma, Autumn, Fellah, all wonderful and skilled and deserving of all the love of fame. She was bubbling with energy, but she’d have to quell her pride to give each of their stars their due time.
“Shield was something else out there! He certainly has an infectious fighting energy, and he’s got the power to back it up, too. Now, I’m not the most bloodthirsty troll, but that final performance was inspiring. I wouldn’t mind meeting him in the ring, sometime.” She winked to the camera and gave a gentle laugh. That challenge would give the public something to look forward to, and give her a reason to spend more time with Ganyma himself.
“Seraph has a personality that is is absolutely magnetizing, don’t you think? Sure she has a great look, and knows how to play the crowd, but what really gets me is that you can see the passion in her eyes. She knows she’s a star and she’s giving her best so the rest of the world can see it.” Odette smiled, proud that the little troll had come so far. “Goodness, and she’s so young, too! Imagine what she’ll be capable of in a couple of sweeps!”
“I think I’m most impressed by Fellah, and I’m not just saying that because we’re co-stars. That voice is just so smooth it gives me shivers. I’m sure the audience felt the same.” Odette sighed, holding her hand to her cheek. “I couldn’t be more excited to share the stage someone so talented.”
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