Welcome to Gaia! ::

Xavier had to admit this was somewhat mystifying that he was here. Surrounded by strangers. Not only that he and Eilidh along with 23 other trolls were live on stage and competing against one another.. the event was bigger than he had ever imagined. Holding Eilidh's hand in that exact moment was perhaps the only reason he kept walking as the jadeblood approached the center stage and the small X. At least he hadn't tripped it eas a relief. A smile crossed his face as he reminded himself why they were here. Their friends and the business Nucleo ran was worth every moment of this.

He was sure of it.

Manuevering himself Xavier took the time to show off his outfit he gave his matesprites hand a gentle squeeze for good luck. The jadeblood waited to allow her a chance to show off for the crowd before they made their introductions. Nervous or not it was show time! The weight of the pouch carrying his tin whistle was a small comfort in of its self and knowing they had practiced together before coming here tonight.

It was go time. Eilidh stood by Xavier, waiting for their turn. When instructed, she slid her hand into her red pity's hand as walked with him the the X on the floor. There were so many trolls and it was so bright. It was hard for her to remember everything her and Xavier went over. Seeing the other troll show of his outfit, she remember to show off hers.

She gave a little slow spin to show off every detail of the gorgeous outfit. She smiled shyly to the crowd, "Hello every troll! I'm the Honey Rose! H-how are you all d-doing tonight!" She stuttered some, wanting to shrink back behind Xavier but remembering why she was here. She put out a brave front.

Xavier briefly glanced at Eilidh as she spoke up first. Once she was done with her display outfit wise and had greeted the crowd he gave a bow of his head in greeting. "Good evening! Tintroll here and it's a pleasure to meet you." His smile grew wider slightly. They were in this together and would make the best of it.

"Let's see. My hobbies include gem cutting and lapidary work. Music is also my hobby, and goes in hand with my talent." Xavier exhaled a bit nervously as he had the jitters. Just as before he waited to give her a chance to input as he gave both the audience and judges a curious look as if he was engaging them to listen in.

"I am more of a cook myself but I also enjoy collecting honey and gardening. Music didn''t become a hobby until I met Tintroll." Eilidh explained, remembering to mention her friend's cafe "I work at my favorite place, The Nightly Grind, in my favorite city, New Hemisect! If you haven't visited this amazing place, I highly recommend it. After all, It's a brew-tiful world!" She smiled sweetly to everytroll. She then looked to Xavier, trying to hide her nervousness.

Xavier gave her an encouraging smile before he gave his attention to their audience. "Agreed Honey Rose, It's a brew-tiful world without question. If you are looking for a blend to suit your needs look no further. They inspire hope and pleasant conversation for any time or the night." Xavier realized somewhere along the course of this he had to focus on the fan base. "Be it the casual coffee drinker or avid fan of sweets, or just need a place to hang out The Nightly Grind has your back." He explained shedding light on the establishment he had worked for most of his childhood and teenage life.

"Just the same we hope to bring you a pleasant experience all around and are here for troll of all walks of life." Xavier wouldn't call it calm how he felt, but he was comfortable enough to confidentially talk. His brows raised as he realized he genuinely meant that. He could feel his pump biscuit racing.

"And don't worry any of you trolls that came during bloodfest... we hid the mustard!" Eilidh laughed softly. "Xavier is wonderfully talented at the tin whistle. I can't wait for you all to hear. I will be singing for the first time in front of anytroll that isn't Xavier." She admitted. The tealblood looked to Xavier, "shall we start the video?" She whispered.

Xavier laughed utterly embarressed by the mustard mistake even now. He hadn't meant any harm..he had thought it would go well was all. Xavier knew better now at least. "Yeah! Eilidh is right the mustard will never make a reappearance. I swear to the grub mother!" His freckled face turned jade. "My friend here has a wonderful singing voice don't let her fool you. I'll do my best on my tin whistle for you all." Nodding to her in agreement. "We have a video prepared for you all! I do hope you enjoy. Thanks so much for being such a great audience." Xavier mentioned.



A cafe with a sign that reads The Nightly Grind. There are several trolls minding their business and Eilidh is behind the counter, mixing ingredients together. Playfully, she dabs a bit of the pie filling onto Xavier and nucleo's sniffnodes. The screen then flashes to a scene with Xavier.

Xavier had just tried on an outfit his moriail had designed for him in preparation for the Star Authority event. Just as he was turning from talking with Amonee a bit of pie filling touched his sniffnode. Wiggling his nose playfully he laughed softly in an amused fashion. Playfully he grinned at Nucleo as he too was a victim of he pie onslaught.

Several scenes of daily life at the Nightly Grind showed the interaction of the Four trolls along with customers coming and going and how they were served their variety of selections. Lastly a scene of Xavier sitting on a high ledge over looking Busthind. In his hand was his tin whistle as be played. The image panned to a view of early morning sunlight beginning to trickle down to add to the ethereal quality.


As the video ended, Eilidh smirked brightly. "We and our friends have been through so much together. They have help make me the troll I am today. Sweet as honey but also as fierce as a rose's thorns." She gave the crowd a courtesy then taking Xavier's hand again.

"I wouldn't be the troll I am without them." Xavier raised his head up squaring his shoulders as he held his red pity hand. It wasn't the calming feeling Amonee's hold brought but he was extremely grateful to not be in this alone. "I'll deliver music straight from the pump biscuit directly to you. You have my word. Remember to vote for us the Latte Lovers. Can't wait for the meet and greet we'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have." They had made it this far and done fairly well he felt.



Pausing he looked to her waiting to get her attention. Now that the next constant was being announced he took the moment to lean into his tealblood. "You did awesome." He murmured softly for her ears only as he kissed her. Once their lips parted he gently squeezed her hand and moved to go back and sit down.

Eilidh's freckles cheeks tinted teal as she felt the other kiss her, kissing him back before quickly moving to take a seat and watch the other contestants. She was still in shock from the kiss... she touched her lips softly as she looked to her red mate.

The screen behind the two girls came to life and zoomed out from a pair of teal lips. The camera continued to pull back to show a second pair of golden lips, both mouthing, "Do you hear it?" At these words, the beat dropped and changed to a faster bpm.

The camera continued to pull out and reveal the duo floating on glittery pool inter-tubes in a ridiculously large pool. The aerial shot then spun backwards, as if the camera person completed a back-flip and the scene transitioned to Scorpa and Flydra strutting down a busy street full of shops. Shots of the girls trying on different outfits, each more fantastical or gaudy from the last, followed. Accompanying the video was a very auto-tuned pop song proclaiming how fabulous and badass the pair of friends was. Full of slang and trying to sound sassy, the lyrics weren't especially full of clever rhymes and the melody remained auto-tuned for every word but it got the job done. Several scenes of the pair posing or prancing around ridiculously expensive locations (such as luxurious homes, slinky bars, the Underworld's dance floor, etc) splashed across the screen with one of the camera transitions resulting from what appeared to be the camera falling. The special effects team attempted to save this transition by merging the falling shot with a high aerial shot again falling down above a beach.

On the beach Scorpa and Flydra stretched as they prepared to play some volleyball against two redbloods. Clad in glamorous bikinis, their attire is impractical but dazzling for the situation. Several shots of the pair dominating the court, the two redbloods struggling and failing to return volleys, and the pair randomly creating a giant ice cream sundae in completely different clothes cut back and forth together. The following shot showed Flydra setting up a pass for Scorpa to then slam the ball down into the opposing court and win the game. Confetti exploded over the screen and it was revealed the giant ice cream sundae was being scooped into an obnoxiously bejeweled trophy cup. The two danced on the beach a little longer while random semi-uncomfortable looking passerby extras were coerced into dancing too and turning it into a big party. As the music for the video died down, the final shot showed Scorpa and Flydra back on the glitter inter-tubes looking into the camera. Both slowly whispered their catchphrases, "Don't blink," and "Never die," as the music ended.

In front of the screen both Scorpa and Flydra had danced on both sides of the screen for the entire duration of the video. By now they were looking a little sweaty and out of breath but had managed to stay up right for as long as needed. Blowing kisses off the stage, the pair managed an obviously practiced wink together before being ushered off stage for the next act to follow.

Azrael had been more or less zoned out as his make-up was done. He had a short practice to put his persona on, but that didn’t take away too much the level of anxiety he had. He didn’t have something super over the top planned. He was hoping to wow them all with his words. He glanced at the other competitors a moment before he fiddled with the bag of marbles he’d brought.

He knew there was no turning back. He would fulfill his goal, no, his personal mission one way or another. Whether he lost or whether he won didn’t matter. With an exhale and a roll of his shoulders, Azrael was ready to step on stage.



Almost immediately, Azrael realized he was way too sober for what he was trying to pull off. He started with a run and dropped to his knees, held his arms out behind him and leaned back enough to slide onto the X in the most dramatic fashion. Azrael quickly got to his feet and brought a hand to his face partially obscuring his face but also in an attempt to show off all of his sponsors at once. He wore sequined pants in a brilliant, slightly lighter than his own color, blue. He wore two inch heeled boots partially covered by his sparkling pants. His shirt was a lighter blue and had a printout of his face on it, over that, he had a long black coat with an excessively fluffy hood, the inside of it had a sparkling, silver lining. Dramatically he removed his hand from his face to grab the microphone. His sunglasses and the crystal earrings he was wearing could be seen.

“My breath has been stolen, this evening,” He started, low and steady. “To see your sparkling eyes looking up to me, I’m enchanted,” he brought a hand to his chest. ”My blood pusher quivers with the spell you have placed on me, dear audience,” He held his hand out to his audience and gave them the biggest smile he could. “Perhaps, you’re wondering who I am?” he brought his hand up at level with his head with a flourish. “I am the one and only Dr.eamy, but you can just call me, the doctor if you wish, I have a fondness for painting scenery and sutures,” he let his hand fall to the side. “I come from the beautiful busthind! but for now I'm staying in new hemisect, I definitely recommend visiting them both sometime,”

“But, while I may be the one on the stage there are those of you who will always be far more important than I,” He pointed out to the audience. “Those of you like my sponsor the death dancers, battling so gracefully and in their immortal words: Dance until your opponent drops,”
He glanced at the audience trying to gauge their reaction. “Or maybe, you’re a young artist like those of the glass shack: Searching for the designs you don’t know yet, or maybe you’re serving food, drinks or other nourishment in what would be a brew-tiful world, like the nightly grind…” he let out a chuckle at the pun and then continued his roll. “But, maybe you’re one of our wonderful highbloods, or a young entrepreneur or both! Like the delightful Stemma Morgan, these earrings were a gift from her you know and what a talent she is!” He excited waved a hand and then let it drop, ”I guess, when She says: when they go low, We bury them. I’ve definitely been struck down and buried,” They blue blood brought a dramatic hand to his head and leaned with equal or more drama.

Azrael quickly righted his posture and played with the dangling pieces hanging from his ears then let out another laugh. “And like my absolutely stunning sponsor, Lorata said—” Azrael pushed up his sunglasses at this point. “Alternia needs heroes, and I think you all are heroes, just by doing your duty each and every nigh,” Azrael brought a hand to his heart. “But if I can help in only one way, it is to make your night slightly more enjoyable,”



Gentle music played as the video on the screen came to life, it showed a painting, one of azrael’s painting of busthind, the video panned in and as it did so the painting shifted to the live scene in busthind. The camera panned slowly as the music became a bit more full and raised in tempo slightly. The music changed suddenly as it panned to a troll standing on the beach painting, it briefly shifted to two trolls on the beach, unidentified but obviously in a loving embrace, soon the pictures passing through the video were going by quicker. The troll couple was soon replaced by a lone troll on a cliff, a green bloodtroll with long hair and soft features laughing with some unknown others, an arguing couple, a seadweller dropped in fine jewelry and cloths.

more and more passed with just enough time to register what was going on, until it stopped at one of a a lone troll with a canvas on a white background. The camera zoomed in and the picture was replaced by a scene in real life. Azrael stood painting, In this video he had a gentle smile playing on his lips and his eyes full of ‘love’ and care as he worked the paint into the canvas once he was done he turned to face the camera.


He made a gun out of his hand and pointed it towards whoever had the camera “when your night is difficult, when you feel there is nothing to live for, when the world seems to be against you and you need something to smile about, Look to me, I will take the pain of your blood pusher and turn it to beauty,”

Azrael on stage took the exact same pose and the video ended. “I look forward to seeing you all in the future,”



Azrael kept his pace slow as he walked away from the microphone and took his seat. It was then that he really felt his nerves, he was shot and hoped that nobody was going to talk to him at all for the next few hours. He wouldn’t be so lucky, but perhaps he could get himself a nice sweet beverage to calm his anxiety. He shoved his hand into his pocket to play with the contents and closed his eyes. So far, he accomplished one goal: make it on and off stage alive.

Hemera emerged in a rustle of lace, sheer and embroidered over her body from the neck down. Over it starting at her chest, she had on a dress with more volume yet ending in exquisite mesh. The sleeves were practically fish nets in and of themselves, long and draping. The sheer lace down her arms ended as fingerless gloves. The tail of her skirt trailed behind her, layers of this whilst the front was short and showed off her legs. As she often did, Mera wore boots, though their teal with yellow piping matched the coloration of her dress for the night.

Her makeup glittered, moreso as her glasses faded from the kind worn outside to keep off the bright moonlight to those of normal prescription. It revealed teal eye shadow and to match her teal lips. Some of her curling bangs fell over her eyebrows, but she didn't bother to tuck it back among the rest of her tied-up curls.

Stride model-perfect, Mera led the way to the stopping point. As she halted, her feet angled just so. She raised a hand to her chin as if appraising the crowd and camera. Her other arm had folded to support the elbow.

"A cold touch hides great passion."

She paused, then adjusted her position a little, even giving a small smirk. "Good evening, Alternia. You may refer to me as Mera, half of Sparkling Snow, and I shall refer to you as an audience about to be awed."

There was no way she would ice up so publicly, but she could at least start it up just enough to start glittering across her body. "I design and sew, and when I am not creating, I show the world that I am a force to be reckoned with. A Bloodfest competitor every sweep, a young participant of the rebel siege, a firsthand account of the spaceship crash, and, ah yes. I dismantled a bomb that would have otherwise taken out the Chittentown space tower. Nothing can keep me down. I seek to only do the best for Alternia, both in fashion and merit. And nothing will stop me."

She looked over at Afryse. "And passion is best shared, is it not?"

Afryse shook off his surprise in the shadows, allowing his calm and calculating mask to form. His typical ponytail was gone, replaced with curly tossed hair that draped over his shoulders, drawing the eye to his throat. A tight fitting top accentuated his lithe form and narrow hips, mostly of a mustard yellow with teal accents. His sleeves were made of heavily embroidered mesh, fishnets really, that clung to his arms and shaped them. That very same embroidered mesh encased both his legs, less see through though. Around his hips, cascading down from his hips, were lace ruffles. If not for Hemera’s outfit, it would appear strange, but together they appeared like two halves of a whole, powerful and dedicated to the finery they wore.

Each step was calculated and smooth, a slight sway of his hips tossing the lace ruffles and the embroidered mesh catching the light. It looked as if he was moving with a flurry of ice, sparkling and magnificent. He stopped at the X and tilted his chin up, his arm stretching out towards the camera as if offering a hand to Alternia.

From his palm and fingertips there formed a slow, twisting rose, each petal catching the heavy spot light. Sparkling, like a diamond, offered to the Alternian trolls, “Impermanent art is the most beautiful.” With a swipe of his hand, the rose burst, the fine crystal ice spreading like a haze in the air.

“My name is Mr Freeze, and my dedication to art is only rivaled by my creative drive to express ice as an art form. Alternia, It is my wish to show you beauty, death, and the impermanent power of ice.”

Afryse gave the camera a sly, small smile as he reached over to Hemera, his hand held out, “I create art from ice and clay, as well as scavenge the wastelands for goods. My days are spent in harsh climates of heat and frigid cold, yet I never falter. Unflappable and ever ready for a challenge. I have participated in bloodfest as well as the siege of the rebel quarters. I have been featured in galleries in multiple cities, and now on a worldwide scale.”

He turned to Hemera and carefully walked behind his partner. His height allowed for his eyes and nose to be seen over her shoulder briefly, before it was obstructed by his hands. They cupped Hemera’s shoulders and then, across her suit small flowers - roses, poppies, daisies - flourished. As quick as they came they disappeared, bursting into a faint shimmer that made her sparkle, made her glow in the light.

Afryse had mentioned he had a surprise. As he came around behind her, Mera wondered if this was it. As he put her hands on her, she went rigid in a mix of feelings. This was not what they rehearsed, but even so there was slight thrill at the same time. What is he up to… She felt ice grow on her, and at first her pumpbiscuit skipped a beat in irrational fear. As if her powers were flaring up out of her control. But, no- it was just Afryse. And from her limited view, it was beautiful to see. Afryse…

And, like that, it was gone. Her face stayed composed, as if it was completely planned for.

“We represent the diamond in the rough, Chittentown. They have been my stomping grounds since childhood, and I have dedicated my allegiance to the city both for the Space Tower and this competition.”

Stepping out once more, with one hand lingering on her shoulder, Afryse addressed the camera, “Chittentown, the city of industry, technology, and growth. It is where I grew as an artist and as a troll, and will forever be my patron. For this competition, we represent them.”

"Support is important in these endeavors. Believing in yourself is the first step, but someone backing you is a high honor and makes for a necessary foundation. A few trolls from different sides of the hemospectrum want to go as far as we do. Eridia Tsifer, quadrant expert, who provided our perfume tonight. It's fast, it's furious, and luxurious! And available for every quadrant. She understands our dedication, and we understand hers.

Also among our supporters is Phoenix Down, and the youngest of those backing us. She has great promise. Calida runs a bakery and has high aspirations for herself. No meal is too big, no troll is too small! Our past collaborations on fashion has brought us together again to rise further."

“It is because of our sponsors that we can be here, and I believe that the Nightly Grind has it right when they say ‘It’s a brew-tiful world’. Their dedication to making the world better and to highlight the beauty in it resonated with us. With their support, we were given wonderful cameras in order to take pictures.

Our final sponsor, and certainly not least, believes that ‘Alternia needs heroes’. Mera and I resonate with this message, seeing as our hard working nature and creative drive has kept us thriving and growing. Our wish is to be those heroes, for you and for those not yet hatched. Lorata helped us with the final accessory of our outfits, lovely sunglasses. When your future's so bright, you gotta have shades.”



On the screen, ice effects frosted over as cuts between each section of Mera’s video. It started with clips of Mera working at competitive ice sculpting, washing trolls off in intramural watercolor, working at her booth last Bloodfest, voguing at this past Bloodfest, playing volleyball with another tealblood, and a clip of the duo with a third place trophy for volleyball. Next the video shows her efforts of shopping and saving bargain clothes to be revitalized as something more tasteful. After that, there was a snapshot of her childhood masquerade look for the queen's ball. Then some brief, haphazard footage of her and Afryse as children at the wiggler meeting before the raid on the rebel base. It then cut to her time at the Chittentown tower. While not actual moments at the space race, there were reenacted moments replicating some of the trials she went through as things went haywire. It was interspersed with newspaper clippings about the event to help confirm what had happened. Finally, there was a quick clip of her and Afryse at the Harvest Moon Jubilee.

After a swiping snowflake animation, clips of Afryse working on his ice and clay sculptures flit across the screen. It shows how he scavenges for materials and reuses everything he can. Flowing from the scene, a gallery appears, filled with both intricate clay pots and vases, but delicate ice sculptures that seem spun from the air. A letter of recommendation for his work with the rebel base comes up and is eclipsed by a quick, shaky video of Hemera and Afryse waiting near other children for the news. Last, but not least, a quick montage of a failed ice sculpture plays, showing it rupture and break in various ways. It ends triumphantly with the sculpture holding together.

As the videos ended, Mera spoke up again. “As you can see, we have worked very hard to get where we are now. We do it with style, grace, and a need to create something new. We hope you join us on our journey ever-upwards.”

”Thank you Alternia. Today is the first chapter of our story.”



Silently, Afryse took Hemera’s hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze. They left the x, his blood rushing in his ears from the excitement of it all. They had done it.

For as long as she could remember, Autumn had been drawn to the lights. When she was younger she often spent her nights chasing after stars and her mornings dreaming of dancing under the sun. She collected electric lights, bottled fireflies, and surrounded herself with all that sparkled. Later, as she matured, that affinity changed and expanded. She fell in love with cities, not just for the multitude of lights, but for the glamour they flaunted. Shopping malls, art galleries, clubs, live theatre, concerts, consumerism and culture all intertwined. She wanted all of it and more. She decorated the walls of her hive with photos and magazine clippings from the glittering, perfect lives of those who lived under the lens of stardom. One day, she vowed, she would take her place among them.

But she had never really lost her love for the lights themselves. And now, bathed in their brilliance, she felt as though she had found the reason for her existence. Never mind the dark world that waited beyond, with ghosts of faces lurking in the audience. Never mind the judges that watched her from behind, ready to criticise her every move. On the stage, the world was her own. She felt no fear.

Autumn strutted down the centre of the stage with the calm confidence of one who owned it. She held her chin high, and took each step with deliberation and poise. A battle could have raged around her and she would not have flinched. As she hit her mark, the yellowblood stopped. Though blinded by the stage lights, she took a moment to survey the crowd that she knew waited in the dark. More than that though, she took a moment to let them survey her. Most of her outfit, and indeed much of her, was concealed by an enormous, fluffy, white and gold boa. Her hair, she wore down for once. She was simple, unassuming. That was about to change.

“My name is Seraph,” Autumn announced in a clear voice, reaching up through the boa. “Alternia needs heroes, and...” She shrugged off the garment. It fell to the floor at her feet. In its place, Autumn glowed with brilliance. She wore a white leotard styled after her usual outfit, but decorated with intricate beading and sequins. In the light it shimmered with hues of pink and gold. Gold bangles adorned her wrists. Her feet were strapped into a pair of delicate looking high heeled sandals, each one with a gold wing extending from her heel. Her nails had been painted in white and her lips in gold. Last but not least were her wings. Autumn extended them to her full size. Sprayed with glitter, they shone under the stage lights. There was not one part of Autumn that did not sparkle.

“...I plan to rise to the occasion.” With a flap of her wings, Autumn lifted herself off the stage. She twirled in the air, both to show off her outfit and her ability. Glitter from her wings drifted down over the audience. Autumn basked in, like her own beam of divinity. After a moment, she fluttered back down to the stage and flashed a smile. Raising her right hand, she snapped her fingers. “Slideshow, please!”



No sooner had she spoken than the slideshow started up, featuring various photos of the yellowblood. They ranged from playful to glamorous. In some of them she modeled outlandish outfits against stark backdrops, each one marked by an air of sophistication. Others she appeared more low-key, appearing in key locations. A few included her lusus, subject to Autumn's whims of dress up or general affection. Several images appealing to her sponsors had been intermixed with varying subtlety. At Cerise's bakery she showed off with clear delight a cupcake with her face on it. In the Underworld she grooved on the dance floor, decked out in neon bracelets and flashy attire. At the beach she relaxed with a book and a pair of Lorata's shades.

As electronic music thrummed in the background, Autumn continued, “A little bit about me: outside of saving the world, my passions lie in fashion and photography. There's a lot unrecognised beauty hidden in plain sight and my goal is to capture that.” The slideshow changed to display some of Autumn's favourite photographs. “In my spare time I like to sing, dance, and you know the rest.” She fluttered her wings with a smile of mischief. “I spend most my nights in Chittentown, or the City of Possibilities as I like to call it, though the Civisect Mall isn't so bad either I suppose.” She poked her tongue out.

“Anyway, enough about me.” Autumn's voice adopted a more serious tone. “I believe that no troll is too small to make a difference, and that no difference is too small be celebrated. Anything that's ever made you odd or feel out of place? That's no short-coming. That's what makes you and me amazing. No matter what anyone else says we have the power of our individuality and that's what I'm here to prove. So, let me be the wings that take you to new heights...” Autumn began to fan her wings again. She rose up into the air, extending her arms out towards the audience. “...And we'll make history together.”

As the audience roared in approval, Autumn performed an aerial curtsy. She soaked in as much of it as she could, before dropping back down to the stage. Then turning on her heel, she started to make her exit. Halfway across the stage though she stopped. She glanced back over her shoulder at the audience with a cheeky grin. “So, fall for me yet~?” she asked, and winked.