Seemed Niky hit the nail on the head with his guess. While he did find it sad that the man never knew a mother, there was no pity in his blue-green eyes. Nor in any of the other judges or Borje's. It was this kind of open honesty that actually sets people apart. It was a good thing. And endeared him to Niky. Jade proved that he wasn't a simpleton or anything of the like. "Words can be more powerful than what people give them credit for. Whether it's verbal abuse or encouragement. Lyrics to a song or a theater performance can have similar effects. You'll be a good PR posterchild if nothing else. There's so little good spirits out there it seems, having even a second good person on the stage encouraging others may not just give you a strong base, but encourage others to just being the best version of themselves that they could be." The other judges agreed. Borje looked at Niky with water in his eyes at that last sentence.

"I'm going to be real with you. This isn't a garuntee that you'll be in. That you'll catapult yourself into the idol industry and make it big. This does open doors, but what you make of it will be your decision. I've made myself clear before. You have the talent. And I can see that you have the drive, if nothing else but to prove your father wrong, and living for yourself. Not selfishly, either. I think you have the potential to make it far." But it wasn't just his opinion that mattered. Thankfully things got lighter after that. And just basic chit chat. Favorite Pokemon, infuriating customers and/or critics, good places to eat, and more mundane questions, and not just solely at Jade, but also with the other judges, Borje, and Niky.

Borje paid for the entire bill, and told Jade that they'll contact him later. After some discussion, and Niky reviewing the answers to the other two, he was in agreement that number ten and Jade were the mvps. Borje gave a fun suggestion that surprised even Niky. But it did have some merit. A small performance at a local event. One that was being hosted to raise money for the local Pokemon School. Since funding has been stretched thin with all of the disasters going on. So why not two performances to round things off? And maybe Niky ending things with a single of his.

The first person was excited, and Niky started work with them. The next day, Jade was invited to Niky's record store to be given the news and the chance. True to the blonde's word, Sol the Larvesta was on a pedistal, with a warning to not pet or shoplift her as she will set you ablaze. While there was a couple of other workers there, a Lucario was helping out as well, as was a Metang. A team of smaller Pokemon, namely a Larvitar and Bagon, was setting up displays and putting product up with fantastic precision and teamwork. Borje led Jade to Niky's office. "There's an event in a week and a half. One of the others that made it past the interviews is deciding on music and choreography, but it's also a two day event, designed to raise money for the local Pokemon School. I'll be working directly with both of you. Don't let my bad knee fool you, I can only do one idol performance a day, but I can still very much move with the rest of you. If you're cool with this, I guess you'll have some decisions to make. I can get started right away too." It would be good to see how both contestants worked in the environment. Even one as laid back as this one would be.

jade rivers