Location: La Hoya's Circus
Interactions: No one
While Ja’s performance was making the crowd go wild, Kassandra was backstage, getting prepared. She was dressed in a sparkling, blue and green costume with golden trim, one designed to catch the light. There were little scale details on the leggings, and half of a skirt. It was a little thin in some places and hugged her like a glove. She wasn’t sure how comfortable she was about it. Her headphones were slipped over her ears, and she was slowly warming her throat, humming under her breath.
She really should have told Ja to keep her singing a secret. Now she was on the spot for a live performance that she wasn’t even sure she could pull off. Her heart wanted to burst from her chest, and her hands were shaking. But there wasn’t time to call it off.
“And now… the mystical stylings of the mysterious mermaid, Lady Velvet!”
It was time.
Kassandra (or Lady Velvet as they were calling her) stepped out from backstage. Already, a large tank had been set up. The crowd was politely applauding. Why were there so many people?! Her illusion-green eyes flicked from face to face. They were going to hate it, they were going to laugh! Trying to smother a fear that made her weak in the knees, she stepped toward a very large tank of water that had been set up previously.
“Ahem.” What to say? She had a little receiver attached to her ear, one that was extremely waterproof. “T-Thank you all for coming out tonight! I… I hope you like my song!”
With that, she ascended the steps and slowly, walked into the water. As soon as her knees hit, she let herself transform. There were soft gasps from the crowd, and one little kid definitely started to cry. Before Kassy could think too much on it, the music started.
The flute intro was soft and inviting. Kassy thought about the first time she had heard this song, a very long time ago, when she was small and her parents had still been alive. She was 8 and had never heard opera before, but when the diva sang, Kassy knew she wanted to be just like that. Something deep within warmed her heart, her mouth opened, and she began to sing.
The crowd was doubtless not going to understand old Atlantean. But it was close enough to Latin that they would probably just think it a human language. The music swelled and rose with Kassy’s voice, as she gestured and sang sweetly.
About a minute passed, and Kass’s voice slipped nearly into silence.
It was funny, what you learned from others. As soon as Zach and Ja had explained to her the concept of a “remix”, she knew she wanted to try it.
The music corresponded with a burst of light, and the beat picked up. Kassy began to weave and dance in the water. Nothing too extra. A few spins and then she was back on the beat, her voice like no classical opera ever performed. She twirled, she rose, she belted. The people at the lights matched her, putting on a dazzling show. Her voice spilled forth from the bottom of her soul.
With a flourish, the song ended. There was the briefest moment of silence as the lights were brought back up.
And then the crowd started cheering uproariously. Kassy opened her eyes to see the arena on it’s feet, clapping and cheering. For her – her! She grinned until her face hurt and bowed, as they wheeled off the tank with her still inside.