Opening Contest [Z] [Maya] [Zandrophin] [Akane]

Eira nodded as she listened to Z talk before she glanced over at the door when a girl walked in with a hood on. Eira frowned as the girl began to talk, clearly being someone who was very shy around people. "I can register you if you are wanting to enter the contest. I am the judge for Lapras Lounge, so I'd be the person you'd want to talk to about entering and rules and such. I'm Eira, what's your name?"

"Anyone may enter, so don't worry," Eira told Maya calmly, smiling at her as she fidgeted under her long sleeves. She was grateful that Z was there so she had a point of reference if she needed help with socializing, since she was still not used to being around people all that much. "This contest is very simple. The first round will be judged on your performance with your Pokemon and your ability to make your Pokemon stand out in the best. The second round will be a battle between contestants in which you'll be earning points by how well your attacks look. Really, just make your Pokemon look beautiful and you'll score a lot of points here."

After she explained the rules, Eira paused, thinking back over what Maya had said to make sure she hadn't missed anything. "Oh, and you don't have to call me by any titles or anything. I may be the queen of this land, but I would prefer it if you just called me Eira."

"You are," Eira informed her, smiling happily at the excited little Mareep. She was glad that someone was so excited for the contest to begin like she was. "We are only waiting on two other competitors to come and register. We will get started once we have enough people for everything to begin. Please relax in here until we begin or you may go practice in the room adjacent to this one. If you need anything, just ask and I'll do my best to get it for you."

Zandrophin walked up to the contest hall. A large sign out front said "Lapras Lounge".

This must be the place, old friend.

Yes, Sir..do you think he's ready.

He'll have to be...we've got little time. All I need is a bit more time to hone and refine his act.

The pair walked into the hall and were amazed at the structure. Built completely from ice and snow, the structure was truly marvelous to behold.

Y'know...she doesn't build a bad contest hall...

That's true...we should go sign up.

Agreed...no orderlies around this time to stop us...let's give them another show.

Zandrophin walked into yet another empty hallway.

This is getting rediculous...there's no signage of any kind anywhere in this place...we're going to miss the contest solely becuase we couldn't find the damn room.

Patience, Sir...we will find it.

At long last...just before Zandrophin was about to shake the contest hall to the ground...they found the door to the hall.

Finally...

The pair entered and saw Eira talking to Maya.

"Well," he said to Maya, "I can see you made it here safely...especially after you just kinda left me out there."

He turned to Eira,

"Hello, again. I'd like to register for your contest."

Zandrophin activated the Dive ball and Squirt joined the group. He stood at Zandrophin's feet...waiting eagerly.

"If you would please excuse us, we have much to prepare for. I assume this is the room where the contest will occur? If it isn't, could you send for someone to find me? It took me forever to find this place, by the way...you may want to invest in a map of some sort. Come on, Squirt...we've got work to do..and we don't want to spoil any part of our act."

The now-trio bowed to Eira and left the room.

Much to do...much to do.

Don't fret, old friend...you've seen what we've come up with...and he's just about ready...just a bit more fine-tuning.

This snag in the plans irritated Zandrophin. He had hoped to be able to get away from everyone else...a showman is nothing without a good show, after all. However, with his usual amount of tact and composure, he turned and replied,

"I was hoping to not have to remain in this room, but you say there is an adjacent room. I will take that...but I must be the only one there. My act is to remain secret until I unveil it...not before; none must see it. Surely, as a coordinator, you must understand the value of surprising your audience. Is this request possible?"