Forty-four - Flawed People

Time ran out quickly while the group had been rehearsing. They had only just finalised what they were going to do but hadn't had time to run through everything properly.

Back stage, they were to be the second group to give their presentation. Thankfully it wasn't going to be a live performance like the ranking competitions and elimination challenges were, so things weren't as rushed. They had some spare time before they had to go onto the stage.

Because it was only being the beginning of the second week, they had a bit more time before the streaming exams began - if the upcoming battle with the beastmen later this week didn't delay everyone more than expected. People who didn't do well in the exams could be eliminated. The streaming exams was when the real competition began. Following the streaming exams, there would be another ranking challenge, followed by the first elimination round.

The streaming exams would separate them into five streams: acting, stunt work, dance, individual artist or groups. Some classes might still be shared between the streams in some cases, but they would be receiving more stream specific training than anything else. For example, an actor might mostly have classes related to acting and basic camera work, but still have to take part in a class for how celebrities might manage their mental health with everyone else. Some people might have a double stream, for example they might be accepted into two streams like acting and individual artist. They would have to work extra hard to complete all their assessments. On the other hand, everyone would still receive massed voice and fitness training. Everyone would also continue to receive practical lessons on dealing with fame and the lack of privacy, basic lessons on laws related to their industry and things like that.

It was a pity that the streaming exams would be delayed due to the battle with the beastmen. Some people might not even be able to come back to continue in the program, therefore being eliminated that way. As such, many people had been murmuring behind Stacey's back.

Stacey stepped away from some gossiping stage crew members and tried to wave her group to come closer together and make a circle by indicating inwards with her arms. They seemed very reluctant but eventually came in close like she requested.

"Uh, I don't think we have a group name. What group name are we going to use?" Stacey asked, feeling nervous because she wasn't sure if she would remember all her parts, even though she was mostly playing the piano. She had some song and dance parts when Derrick swapped places with her at the piano. The need for a group name wasn't essential but it was something expected of them. They needed to have an answer to the question when they went up on stage.

The group all looked at each other and then drew closer together to discuss. It seemed that none of them had remembered that they were meant to come up with a group name until now.

Imogen said something in Tadpole and then interpreted it into English for the first time for Stacey. It was the first time Stacey had heard her speak to her directly and use English.

"It means flawed people," Imogen said in a Tadpole heavy accent.

"Sounds better than the stupid idea of 'Stupid People'," Blaze muttered.

"I'm happy with that," Derrick said.

"It works," Stacey gave a crooked smile, "but I apologise if I can't pronounce it properly."

"We need to have a group pose," Imogen continued, still in heavily accented English and then she switched back to Tadpole, demonstrating a dramatic pose where she covered half her face with one hand and did something with the rest of her body. Stacey didn't catch it. In fact, she didn't know how Imogen had made her body and legs move in such a way.

They accepted her suggestion and practiced their group introduction. Imogen corrected Stacey's posture and gave her a small smile and nod. Stacey wasn't sure whether the smile was encouragement, an apology or thanks. Perhaps it was a mixture of things.

Imogen and the boys slowed down the movements a lot and taught Stacey the movement slowly and patiently.

"This would be an interesting dance move all slowed down like this too," Stacey mumbled when she finally understood the crux of the little movement. "Ok, I think I've got it. Like this, right?"

"Yes, you've got it," Imogen nodded. "Now altogether."

The group introduction was repeated a few times until they could do it in unison.

"Stacey, speak more softly when we say our group name, so that your pronunciation isn't heard," Derrick instructed, while the others showed a slight grimace.

"Or lip sync," Blaze suggested, "and don't try to say the words in Tadpole at all."

"Ok," Stacey wrinkled her nose and controlled her hand before she could rub her nose, "but teach me how to say it anyway."

"Forget it," Blaze snorted after several attempts. "You'll never get it in time."

"Wow, look at what they can do," Derrick pointed at the group onstage who were receiving comments from the mentors after their performance and some trainees were showing of their individual talents. "Awesome. They're so good, I'm starting to lose confidence."

"Group Two, get ready to go on stage," a member of the stage crew told them. "Group One is about to come down."

The trainees from the first group were dismissed and filed off the stage. They gave Stacey's group their blessings with raised thumbs or pats on the shoulders.

"Group Two, you're up," the stage crew member directed them. "Raise a leg."

Stacey thought the Tadpole good luck wish in place of 'break a leg' was funny. Raising a leg sounded way too much like what a dog might do at its favourite peeing post. Then again, perhaps, that was the idea. Like an animal leaving its mark or declaring its sovereignty over its territory. The other good luck wish she'd heard people say was to 'raise a tail'. She assumed that was the more feline version of the same thing. Perhaps she should ask one of her tutors some time where these expressions came from.

The group introduced themselves smoothly and Stacey managed to perform that tricky movement in time with them without mistake. She lip synced the group name so that her group wouldn't cringe at her bad accent and then took her place at the piano when it was time to start. With the group intro done, that was one thing off her chest.

Although there was a somewhat rocky start, Stacey felt that the performance went well, if a bit rough. Better than she had expected anyway. At least, they were cooperating with each other well for the moment. She didn't make any huge mistakes and the group cohesion wasn't as tight as it could have been but Stacey hoped it would be sufficient to get the group by.