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The Siren had spent HOURS thinking up excuses not to try out. He was molting. He had mites. He had a hair-scare appointment. He was sick. He couldn't sing. No really. He. Couldn't. Sing. The poor Siren was stuck. He was a siren. He should have been able to sing. He was born to sing. But....in front of an audience? In front of more people then just his minipets? In public? He recalled the horror of the battle of the bands. The terrible NEGATIVE score he got his poor team. Shame. Dishonor. Dishonor on him. Dishonor on his minipets. Dishonor on his family. On his life. So much dishonor. Dishonor and shame.

No, he...he had to try right? It was his right! He was a JACK SKELLINGTON SIREN. Yes! He would do this. He could do this.

Hours slaving over his costume getting all the details down. He looked at various texts, copies of the play. He would get this costume right! The final touches. He got himself ready physically. As he bust open the door, the siren gallantly stroll up to Arel and snatched up a copy of Jack's song. He ddn't need to memorize. He knew all the lines. He'd researched this part. He'd be great. He was awesome. He was Israfel. He was a siren. He could sing and dance and-

CREATE THE WRONG COSTUME FOR HIS AUDITION.

The song was CLEARLY for another Act, and not the Opening. Israfel's hand made Pumpkin costume made for the Opening number was useless. His paper mache pumpkin head was nothing more then wasted spit and new print. The fire touch he brought for lighting himself on fire was now equally useless, (he was slightly glad about this. His practice rounds and attempts had yet to fully heal). The Siren began to panic. Reading over the script, he was in robot mode. Moving each time in the line, as he frantically tried to think of ways to fix the situation.
He couldn't, he was doomed. DOOMED.

Walking up on stage, The siren's face was very much distraught. Silence filled the theater, but before gnome could yank him offstage with the cane of shame, Israfel began to stutter out.
"I- I- I'm Isra...ISRAFEL!" He bounched foot to foot. "ANDIAMTRYINGOUTFORTHEPARTOFJACK" His voice went from normal to squeaky in seconds. More silence. The cane of shame loomed off stage, its presence menacing and cold, colder then Arel's heart. Or his ability to care in any case.

But, then- A smile shot out on the siren's face as he began. In his head, he was crying, 'SING! Sing something!'

"What's this? What's this?
There's color everywhere
He hoped around like a puppet, spinning, and twirling like a jackdamn princess. The poor Siren's nerves were so frayed all he could do was smile. Smile and nod.

What's this?
There's white things in the air
What's this?
The spinning slowed, the Siren looked around. There was more. He knew there was more but...where was his paper.
HORROR. In his mild freak out, he'd dropped it while being called to get onstage. The face turned from glee, to panic in an instant. He began to fret.
Looking at the lights the Audience (of maybe a few people at best), Israfel put his smile back on. He had to finish. He could just finish his song-

Halloween! Halloween!


OOGIE .
BOOGIES.
BALLS.

He'd sung the wrong song. For the final time, His face went from smiling to shocked freakout. With a scream the siren ran off stage and out the doors. He would later be found sobbing in room, muttering about school regulated public humiliation.


(OOC: He tried for jack, but, in the end, He's really more suited for the role of the Mayor))

She had thought about the school play for a long time now - her friends were trying out for various parts, and it made her nervous about trying out as well. Besides, it was a musical - yes, she could sing, but anyone could! The thing she could not do, was sing well... She was told by her mother that she had a nice, sweet voice, but not a voice suited to sing. Still, she couldn't help but sing softly to herself when she's in a bathroom, or when she's alone in her room.

So she made up her mind to go for the auditions. She had ran red streaks through her hair and painted herself to make herself look like a patchwork doll, with a flowing patchwork dress that went up to her knees to match. The only thing that looked rather mismatched was her pair of black shoes that stop past her ankles.

Seeing Tess perform before her gave her that little bit of courage, and she smiled, clapping when the ghoul was done - she had improved quite a bit since BoTB! Feeling rather proud of her friend's achievement, Lizzy took in a deep breath, calming herself when she realized that it was her turn. She cleared her throat, and as gracefully as she could, walked up the platform and to the scamplifier.

"I am Elizabeth Baines," She begun with a smile, bowing as she tried not to let her nervousness show although the way her fingers were fidgeting gave her away, "And I will be trying out for the part of Sally. Thank you!" Giving another bow, she took a few steps back and prepared to start; she was sure the role suited her, since she was very much into romance... And Sally was such a heroine!

"I sense there's something in the wind," She sung, closing her eyes as she took a step forward, running a hand through her hair before her eyes snapped open, "That feels like tragedy's at hand..."

Another step forward, her left hand went to her chest and her right addressed the audience, "And though I'd like to stand by him, can't shake this feeling that I have." A short pause as she closed her eyes again, taking another step forward as she spun around on the spot, stopping to face the audience again as she sighed softly, inclining her head to stare into empty space, "The worst is just around the bend, and does he notice... My feelings for him? And will he see... How much he means to me? I think it's not to be..."

She finished by standing with her hands together, eyes a faraway look. There was a moment's pause before she blushed, realizing that she was done. Quickly, she dipped her head before running down the stage, her heart pounding.

__She wasn't sure if she heard that auditioning for the play was mandatory or if it was attending that was, but Colette reluctantly figured it was best to just audition. The Reaper wanted to avoid anything that could get her in trouble, and she thought it was better to be safe than sorry.

__She felt absolutely unhappy in her costume, but it was hard to see Colette's uncomfortable frown with Sally's stitched smile drawn on in marker. It was difficult enough picking who to audition as before she reasoned "I'm a ghoul, she's a ghoul.. I have long hair, she has long hair.." because Colette in no way wanted to perform in front of the entire school, but her self dignity and standards kept her from purposely doing a horrible job. What would her family think if she performed horribly? It'd be nothing but shameful and embarrassing, even if on purpose. If you were going to do something, you might as well try to do it right.

__It had taken her a bit, but she managed to find some unused fabric from unoccupied - and very dirty - dorm rooms to make the dress with. Sewing the the pieces together correctly wasn't as easy as the former task, and the wounds from pricks on her fingers were there to prove it, but she managed to finish the albeit mediocre job. The ghoul was no seamstress after all. It was at least relaxing to be able to just cut a pair of her old leg warmers in half to replicate Sally's socks, but Colette was sad at having to ruin one of her favorite types of clothing. At least the easiest part was putting on her usual black heeled shoes. She even considered using some temporary hair spray if should could find some, but she doubted a can would just be laying around and even the ghoul herself thought that was too much for just an audition. Next, remembering the lines was one of the simplest things she had to do. It wasn't difficult for Colette, learning about the history of their world was mandatory in her family and she had read; listened to; watched; and learned everything about that urgent event in history at her parent's requests. She just hoped it came up when it mattered, she didn't want to make a fool of herself.

__Once it was her turn, Colette walked out with one hand holding the other arm's elbow, eyes staring at her feet most of the way, and positioned herself in what she perceived to be the center of the stage. She noticed she was shaking a tad and hoped no one else could tell. The nervous ghoul folded her arms and looked out, saying in her usual quiet voice, "My name is Colette Lacroix and I'm auditioning for the part of Sally."

__She didn't step an inch through her whole performance, but Colette tried to raise her usual calm and quiet voice for others to hear better.

__Her gaze returned to the floor once she began. "I sense there's something in the wind, that feels like tragedy's at hand."

__Colette's voice cracked a little as she attempted to straighten out and become less shaky. She moved her gaze out to the seating of the auditorium, "And though I'd like to stand by him," her eyes were now back on the flooring and Colette shook her head slowly and sadly, "I can't shake this feeling that I have.."

__Her arms had unfolded by now and she held her hands on her chest. "The worst is just around the bend, and does he notice.. my feelings for him?"

__Looking up at the ceiling, she sang the last of the lines she could remember. "And will he see.. how much he means to me? I think it not to be.." When the last word escaped her mouth, she returned her gaze to the ground and wrapped her arms around her. Attempting a melancholy look wasn't hard for her usually expressionless face.

__It wasn't long before Colette returned her arms to the nervous-awkward position they were in when she entered, and she looked at the judges once more. "Thank you, I hope you find what you're looking for.."

With that, the young Reaper turned and exited as quickly as she could. A decently noticeable hole could be seen on the back of her dress, as well as her red undergarments. The poor thing really was no seamstress after all.

Little would anyone know that the usually secluded wolf demon had a penchant for theatre. Nay, it would be more properly described as a secret love affair for drama, of which he kept from his gang members, classmates, and even most of his family members saved for the few who also appreciated a good act with him. There really wasn't any good reason to be so unforthcoming about this genuine interest, but as it stood, Tristan had a reputation to maintain with the Academy and he wasn't about to let a fancy for musical numbers ruin it for him.

So when it was announced that it was absolutely mandatory for every single student to try out for one of his favorites, The Nightmare Before Christmas, it was difficult to contain his excitement. Sure, he put up a front -- why should it be mandatory for students to audition for this faerie slop? But when he closed the door to his room (and made sure to lock the door), he swung open the arms of his armoire and hunted down a specific pin-striped jacket and matching pants. If he was going to do this, he would look his sharpest.

Which he did, in his mind. Tristan sauntered to the center of the stage wearing a snappy coat-and-pant ensemble similar to that of the Pumpkin King himself, only a little more primped up. He was confident that his talents would land him the best role in the play, and was positive that the rest of his gang members wouldn't belittle him were they to know that it was a ploy to get ghouls. After-all: all ghouls loved actors.

It was all about the charm.

His hand lifted the microphone from its stand and brought it to his lips.

"I am Tristan," He introduced, "and I will be auditioning for Jack Skellington."

His other hand covered the microphone as he cleared his throat, and then he began to sing the snippet with much gusto and fervent gesticulation to go with every verse.

The best for the best, after all.

Tristan finished with a dramatic pause, one hand clutching at the microphone and the other with a wavering, pointed finger towards one of the gnomes. He allowed a few seconds to go by before relaxing his posture and returning the microphone to the stand.

"Thank you for your time. You will find me in the demon dorm, if you need me."

And with that, he walked off stage, confident in the performance that he gave.

((Gabrian for the part of Jack))

This was the, decidedly, the last time that Gabrian was going to send a letter home. Admittedly, telling his parents that the school was going to hold a 'Nightmare Before Christmas' play and that auditions for it would be soon... had not been his brightest idea yet. When their response had arrived, the Nix had read it once, twice, and then turned to the side so he could hit his head on the wall to his right, repeatedly.

Not only were his parents apparently thrilled that there was a play going on, but they practically demanded he try out in the audition, 'It's precisely what you need!' they'd written in elegant, green handwriting, 'Knock them dead!' they'd said, 'Don't let us down!' they'd pointed out near the end, and it was all Gabrian could do not to go hide under the rock formation in the pretty aquarium tank in his room.

He really, really did not want to be here, and it showed in his stance as he remain to the side, his arms crossed over his chest as he glared at anyone that dared so much as come to close to his little brooding corner of the auditory. In all honesty... he wasn't paying too much attention to the other performances, not because he felt confident, but rather, because while his parents had asked him to TRY out in the auditions, they hadn't told him to WIN. Which meant that, in his mind, all he had to do was show up, do a particularly poor job in playing the character he chose and just walk off. Surely they would not appoint him as the legendary Jack Skellington if he didn't do an outstanding performance!

He'd indeed picked out the part of Jack, mostly because he'd figured that... being the main male lead, surely there would be heavy competition for that part. The more people that entered, the less of a chance he had of being selected, which was precisely what he wanted. That in mind, he slowly made his way to the center of the stage, more or less determined to do a poor job; it showed in his stance, which remain grumpy and rather unapproachable on a whole. Surely nothing like Jack had ever been in his time!

"I am Gabrian," he announced smoothly, "For the part of Jack," he brushed his hair over his shoulder in an attempt to keep it out of the way, and then began to sing, "What's this? What's this? There's color everywhere," the song started out mildly nonchalant, almost as if to show he really could care less about this whole charade, "What's this? There's white things in the air," alas, as seconds flew by, the Nix seemed to... fall into the song he was singing, per say, and was slowly forgetting the whole plan he'd brewed in his mind, "What's this? I can't believe my eyes," the more he sang, the more enthusiastic he became, moving his body and arms to emphasize words, and while his initial attitude had been poor, it was clear he could actually sing, "I must be dreaming, wake up, Jack, this isn't fair!"

By the time he'd reached those words, it was fairly apparent he was absolutely lost, and despite everything, enjoying what he was doing, "What's this?" for course... the moment the last of the lyrics were sung out, the spell he'd been under seemed to shatter and he paused where he stood. Seconds ticked by and the Nix remain in silence until he made a low almost growling sound under his breath before smacking the palm of his right hand against his forehead. That done, he let out a sigh, straightened his clothes and walked off stage as if he hadn't just been singing his heart out for whatever audience had been listening and judging.

Stupid, stupid... traitorous music.

(( Alessa for the part of Sally ))

Alessa didn't get nervous for most things, but boil was she nervous now. She didn't think she'd ever been this nervous. Okay, that was a lie, but still, she found she wasn't able to stop herself from fidgeting and twisting her fingers. It was probably because she really, really wanted to play Sally. When she'd first heard about the auditions she had immediately started practicing in any spare moment of time she had. She had even gone through the trouble of taking singing lessons for that insufferable Nix. Whether or not it was worth it was yet to be seen.

When it was her turn, she took a deep breath, curling her fingers briefly in her skirt before she exhaled and went out to the center of the stage. She blinked in the bright stage lights, unable to really make out the faces of those watching her. She cleared her throat and said, trying to ensure her voice stayed loud enough, "I'm Alessa. I'm trying for Sally."

It took all her self control not to blurt out her reasons for auditioning; that Sally was her hero in many ways and that she admired her so much. After all, Sally was a huge example of independence. She had always done what she thought was right and done so despite the fact that she had been someone's creation, someone's servant. Even in the hardest of times she had tried to help others. Alessa wanted to be like that more than anything, and that had made her want to play Sally more than anything.

Trying to keep this awkward, perhaps over the top muddle of emotions aside she took a breath. Remember, she told herself, remember what you've been told about breathing and singing. If she couldn't calm her racing heart enough to breath then she wouldn't get anywhere. So she breathed and then started to sing softly.

"I sense there's something in the wind
That feels like tragedy's at hand"

She was keeping the notes, but barely. It was so hard without music. She had been so spoiled during her lessons, she should have known better and done more work without accompaniment. Too late now. So instead she tried to imagine the music was there, moving herself slowly across the stage in steady tempo with the song.

"And though I'd like to stand by him
Can't shake this feeling that I have
The worst is just around the bend"

It was working. She was singing it the way she had practiced, soft and steady and gentle. Maybe a little forlorn. It was a sad song, in a way. When she came to the last part, her voice filled with a terrible longing.

"And does he notice my feelings for him?
And will he see how much he means to me?
I think it's not to be"

She hadn't sung it like that before, and yet it felt right, haunting. Perhaps it had been her long to be as strong as Sally that had made that emotion in her voice. She wasn't sure, but she was quietly stunned for a moment. Remembering to bow she did so shakily, murmuring out a little "thank you" before hurrying off stage.

Well this was it. Christof's heart was in his throat as he waited his turn. The competition was stiff as corpses.... but ah well, there was nothing to it but to give it a try, right? Right. Right. And he had a plan, and that's what mattered. They had practiced until the demon couldn't bear anymore, and the hunchback prayed to Jack that it would be enough. His partner had fallen asleep while waiting, but a quick kick to wake him when their turn came up and Christof nervously crept up onto the stage, hauling his cart along behind him. He swallowed, eyes wide with utmost terror as he glanced from Secretary to Gnome to Gnome to Drunken Gnome Falling Off His Chair In Boredom. They all seemed to be waiting on him and he quickly snapped out of his moment of horror to haul the large piece of paper out of the cart with markered writing that said:


The judges looked nonplussed. He swallowed thickly again, hands trembling before he glanced off stage to the wing, waving some sort of signal before putting the large sign down and returning to the cart behind him. With a flourish he gave the thing a crank and the monstrosity of burlap, sticks and string folded and unfolded and inflated until he could crawl up under it, fingers slipping into key rings or grabbing sticks as suddenly the massive puppet came to life. The Hunchback had borrowed some black clothing from his new friend, but even so he could be seen crouched below it, pulling it's strings and moving it's limbs as a deep voice, clearly not a recording nor belonging to Chistof sang out...

"Well, well, well, what have we here?
Sandy Claws, huh?
Oh, I'm really scared!"

The puppet swung this way and that, features twisting with a pull of a string, limbs waggling to taunt the invisible Sandy Claws, strings connected to a foot-stirrup controlling the giant puppet's mouth, stretching it out in a mimed laugh.

"So you're the one everybody's talkin' about, ha, ha ..." The voice slowed as though distracted, and momentarily Christof was stranded, eyes wide from behind his small curtain of burlap. Panic bubbled up in Christof's chest, but after only a few moments Oogie's arm fell limp as as he let go to hurl a roll of tape off stage into the wing with precise accuracy. There was an odd yelp before the song continued:

"You're jokin', you're jokin'
I can't believe my eyes
You're jokin' me, you gotta be
This can't be the right guy"

Christof scooted along the stage in a crouch, the puppet dancing as much as a patchworked mass of burlap sticks and string with no proper legs could dance, gesticulating with fervor as the song continued, (To Christof's relief).

"He's ancient, he's ugly
I don't know which is worse
I might just split a seam now
If I don't die laughing first"

He glanced off into the wing again around the puppet, beaming that whoever was there had finished, and he pulled the cords connected to the puppet's brows down into a horrible evil scowl. The song finished, he caught his breath, straightening to set the puppet down into the cart again with a little bow, and motioned to the wing urgently for whoever was there to come out as well so they could also take a bow.

((Braum is auditioning for the role of Jack Skellington. ))

Braum raised an eyebrow at Sarias's bid for the main role of Jack Skellington. Inspired? Probably, though he didn't want to admit it. Impressive? Definately. Creative? Well the girl HAD transformed into a deliciously ghastly looking tree. All in all, it made Braum quiver inside in a most pleasant way that he usually only got around Belladonna. But he discounted the feeling as more excitement for a worthy advisary. He hadn't taken notice of most of the ghosts in school, though he had no real quarrel with them like he did other, less savory races. Now, he simply held a healthy respect for what they were obviously capable of.

If the male had been any less naturally confident, one could mistake those thoughts and appraisal for nerves. But Braumithras did not GET nervous. Well, maybe around snakes he got a LITTLE jittery, but that was more a self-preservation thing. Glancing at himself in the mirror, he had to admit, he owed Hadiyaa a lot for this performance, even though she'd been participating as well. She'd helped him with the outfit, a pinstripe suit, a waist clincher made for males that he'd had NO idea how she'd gotten her hands on it to make his waist smaller and more 'skeletal' like, pulled his hair back into a ponytail and put some sort of spray on white 'HairDie', and finally stitched him together a home-made skeleton bowtie just like in the history book depictions. Braum had applied his own makeup, putting dark eyeshadow around his ALREADY dark eyes, and while they made his yellow and red orbs pop even MORE, he didn't think it'd be too much of a problem.

Looking up in the rafters, he saw Hadiyaa lazily swinging a leg over one side of the beam she was perhed on Archie in her lap, while Socrates sat on the other end of the stage with his own bag of fake snow. He hoped things went well. To be honest, there had been QUITE A FEW good auditions for Jack. His pride would be slightly wounded, that much he knew, if he wasn't at least closely considered. Especially after all this careful planning. While his performance wasn't EXACTLY what the song called for, it would show the entire range of emotions that Braum always thought Jack had inside of him, that could be utilized at different points of the play. He wanted to make sure the judges realized he wasn't just a one-trick pony.

As he readied to go on stage, he looked up to Hadiyaa, nodding to her and having her cut off the lights, as he bolted onto the stage, kneeling and coocooning himself with his wings, so he could make an interesting entrance. Not but a second or two after that, an irate technical gnome put the spotlight back and and mumbled something about 'pretentious kids and their stupid antics', revealing Braum centerstage.

With no music, he depended on the sound and rhythm of his wings to open for him, lifting first one wing, and then the other, cueing the marid and owl in the rafters to start shaking out fake snow. As it drifted down, his wings closed back in, coming in tight to his body so as not to get in the way as his face took on a curious, almost confused expression.

'What's this?' he almost demanded, voice strong and steady, his notes elongated, his face scrounging up with curious authority, while his hand lifted open-palm to inspect the white stuff floating down.

'What's this?' he asked more softly, still steady but with clipped notes, while his head turned suddenly, eyes wide like a child who'd spotted the cookie jar as his other hand reached up as if to poke a falling snowflake, fingers poised gracefully as his head slowly turned this way and that.

'There's color everywhere,' he continued, his voice growing stronger from the awed sound, his notes raising and falling more joyfully, and full of more unrestrained wonder as he walked around stage, frantically looking this way and that, leaning and cocking his head as if discovering something new every few steps, eyes wide and face open and fascinated.

'What's this?
There's white things in the air' the notes continued, the notes crescendoing as he straightened and held his arms out with a spin of almost childish glee, his wings flaring slightly to keep him balanced, before he suddenly stopped and looked straight at the audience, as if seeing yet another new thing, and regarding it with envy and want.

'What's this?' his voice questioned, strained and the notes hitting a higher, more urgent pitch, while his right hand hovered in front of his chest, his left outstretched as if reaching for something he dearly wanted.

'I can't believe my eyes,
I must be dreaming' he all but started to roar, his voice finally reaching the crescendo's peak while he desperately ran his hand through his hair with the first line, hunching over with disbelief and the beginnings of anguish as he clutched his head, suddenly dropping to his knees, his head suddenly snapping up, eyes frantic and full of need and want.

'Wake up Jack, this isn't FAIR!' he protested desperately, his voice steady and loud, the rich tones conveying his petulant, childish despair as he slammed his hand down on the stage in a fit as he belted out the last word of the line, his head dropping top look at the ground as the note was carried out and elongated, becoming more and more soft until he was at his previous volume of wonder.

'What's this?' he sang gently, the awe back in his voice as his head quickly looked to his left, spotting something even more new that recaptured his good-natured curiosity, but with a gentler, pressing feeling of fondness. As the last note finished, his wings once again flared and cocooned him, and he stayed that way for a second or two to denounce the end of the audition. Unfurling them slowly, he gracefully stood up and bowed towards the audience.

"I'm Braumithras, thank you for considering my audition." his smooth voice announced, back to it's usual neutral, deep timbre, before straightening and walking off the stage, pulling his dyed hair free of the ponytail as he did so, shaking his head so his mane could return to draping itself around his shoulders like usual.