Outside the theater: Giselle felt guilty for not volunteering to stay behind, after all, she was the bard of the team, yet knew in her heart she would do poorly attempting to imitate Nancy among this all male fan club. She was used to singing and playing various instruments to rowdy drunken tavern patrons, not the huge number of well dressed theater patrons that Nancy drew. Thankful they had someone qualified to temporarily replace Nancy, Giselle had every confidence in both that stayed behind. As all spent some brief minutes with hugs and well wishes promising to meet again as soon as possible, then quietly following the real Nancy out the side, alley door of the Gearwork Goose. All of Crystania seemed strangely quiet.. possibly due to the excessive number of guards. There was no hope of avoiding them all, yet Nancy didn't even look like Nancy now and her team kept their eyes down appearing as if running a business errand. Quickly glancing at Raw she whispered quietly...

"I know, you are ready but try to look bored not excited."

Gisselle sighs deeply and crosses her fingers for luck saying a quick, silent prayer as she straightens her shoulders preparing for anything on their arrival. Raw manages not to attract the attention of any of the numerous guards they pass yet most of the time their trip lead them through back alleys and past kitchens preparing meals for the wealthy. Kyo and Anasazi snatches a quick snack from a couple of the tables being prepared but Raw, like Giselle was too tense to even think of food. Finally the tunnel Nancy spoke of, a dark and dreary place with a dampness to the old stone walls and moisture on the ground that they carefully navigated as they made their way turning here and there so many times that Giselle was very thankful they didn't have to follow a drawing. Holding hands so not to get lost, they made a silent chain as they all anticipated the end of the tunnel. The team along with Nancy kept to their own thoughts, awaiting what was to come.

Backstage: Haneway watched the others go, leaving her and Clara and Lucy to put on a performance that no one would forget. "How will we do this? We needed Giselle to negotiate with the Pyrates, I get that, but how did I end up performing?"

"You drew the short straw, remember?" chuckled Clara. "Now hold up your arms so I can get you into your bodice. Can you help me tighten these laces, Lucy?"

"Oof! I can't breathe, how can I sing?!"

"And dance, don't forget..."

"Hand me my bag, maybe there's something in there that can help." Haneway rummages through her etheric devices. "Ah! I thought this was in here -- instant glamour generator. Developed for spies to be able to convince people they're not what they are (or are what they're not). Can you wind this up and tuck it under my collar?" As Clara does so, gold sparkles appear around Haneway and then fade, and though her features haven't changed, she appears more...interesting. "Wow, that really works!" says Lucy, "Wonder if Nancy has one of those. It would explain a lot!"

There's a knock on the door. "Miss Nancy, five minutes."

"Guess I better get out there. Here goes nothing!" Haneway climbs up a ladder next to the stage while the other two conspirators watch from the wings, fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, out front...

The lights go down and as the curtains open, the audience hears the opening strains of Nancy's biggest hit "The Honeysuckle and the Bee". (Clara looks on from the wings, fingers crossed that the audience will believe Haneway is really Nancy.) The fanboys whistle, buzz, and stamp their feet, almost drowning out the opening chords. A spotlight hits the stage, which is empty. The audience quiets -- what is this; where is Nancy? This isn't like her normal quickchange. After a moment or two of vamping from the orchestra, they hear a clear and bell-like voice, but cannot tell where it's coming from.

On a summer afternoon, where the honeysuckle blooms, when all nature seemed at rest.

A back curtain opens, revealing a shady summer grove of trees. From the ceiling over the tables drop fresh honeysuckle blossoms, filling the club with their sweet scent. The cleverer fans quickly tuck a bloom behind their ears.

‘Neath a little rustic bower, mid the perfume of the flower…

A large swing, its ropes wreathed in vines and flowers, descends from the rafters above the stage. “Nancy” sits off to one side of the seat, turned slightly sideways leaning on the rope, head down, the brim of her hat covering her eyes. As she raises her head, she locks eyes with a fanboy at a side table. “...A maiden sat with one she loved the best.” He shrieks in surprise at the attention, and his tablemates grab his hand, bouncing up and down in their seats. She winks at them and stops the swing by languidly dragging a booted foot on the stage.

As they sang the songs of love, From the arbour just above, Came a bee which lit upon the vine;

Nancy crooks her finger at the first fan, then at three more who have put the flower behind their ears. They rush to the stage, straightening their ties, smoothing their hair, and waving to friends on what will be the best night of their lives. They’ve listed to the song so many times, played it on the gramophone, sang it in the parlour, practiced the dance moves; they’re totally prepared to be her backing chorus!

As it sipped the honey-dew, They both vowed they would be true, Then he whispered to her words she thought divine.

(She thought divine) The fanboys saunter on stage, and lean in, surrounding her.

You are my honey, honeysuckle, I am the bee, I’d like to sip the honey sweet From those red lips, you see

She picks a flower from behind the ear of the tenor, breaks it and places the honey on his lip. He tries to lick her hand, but she pulls away, smiling and shaking her finger at him.

I love you dearly, dearly, And I want you to love me, You are my honey, honeysuckle, I am the bee.

(“Oh goodness, it’s the dance bit” thinks Haneway. “Skip skip turn dip; flash the garter; kick”) One backup singer catches another as he faints at the sight of her lovely thigh. Then the four singers/fanboys get ready for their moment, singing in perfect four-part harmony:

So beneath that sky so blue, These two lovers fond and true, With their hearts so filled with bliss, As they sat there side by side, He asked her to be his bride, Nancy smiles at them, rocking back and forth in time to the music, with her head resting on clasped hands. Much to the delight of the crowd, she spins, then descends the stairs at the side of the stage, into the audience to greet her fans, dancing around each table, then sitting on an older man’s lap, causing him to go bright red, as she sings:

She answered “Yes” and sealed it with a kiss.

And kisses his cheek. Whistles and applause from the others at his table. The quartet resumes, and Nancy makes sure to touch, hug, caress a cheek of as many people as she can as she makes her way back to the stage. “They paid good money to be here, and they should get a Nancy-grade show,” thought Haneway.

For her heart had yielded soon, ‘Neath the honeysuckle bloom, And thro’ life they’d wander day by day. And he vowed just like the bee, “I will build a home for thee,” (all four gesture to Nancy, who curtseys in response) And the bee then seemed to answer them and say:

Back onstage, Nancy dances around and between the backup singers, kissing each one on the cheek as she passes. They spin away, one by one, clutching their hearts.

You are my honey, honeysuckle, I am the bee, I’d like to sip the honey sweet From those red lips, you see I love you dearly, dearly, And I want you to love me, You are my honey, honeysuckle, I am the bee.

Two singers get down on one knee facing each other, with the other two behind. And as Nancy sings the last line, she sits on their knees, crosses her hands on her lap and nods, and the lights go out. A pin spotlight “buzzes” around the stage, as the audience provides the soundtrack of bees. When it hits Nancy, they erupt in applause, cheering. She hugs her background singers, waves to the audience, and skips offstage.

Clara hugs Haneway. “You did great! Maybe you have a future in performance after all!”

“Not if my stomach is any indication! Let’s find Lucy and see how we’re going to meet up with the rest of the group.”

Islander girls ain't got no combs

Right when Kenny started his sentence all of the others quickly covered their ears, his singing was bad enough to make milk curdle.

Haul away, haul away They brush their hair with codfish bones And we're bound away for Delphi

So heave away, me bully, bully boys Haul away, haul away Heave her up and don't you make a noise And we're bound away for Delphi... “Please stop!” Lirien yelled to be heard by Kenny, her hands covering her ears she looked genuinely in pain by then. Kenny stopped singing. “But there are more verses to this song?” he asked surprised. “I’m not sure who told him he could sing,” Kayara whispers to Ilaera. “But the person must have been deaf, although I wonder they hadn’t planned to use him as a secret weapon, to deafen the masses he has enough volume for it.” “I’m sorry Kenny, but we don’t have enough time for you to finish your song. We only have fifteen minutes left before Nancy needs to be on stage.” Lirien told him smiling wanly at him, wanting to spare his feelings and their poor ears. She mentally made a note that once their adventure was over, she’d stay for a bit and try to give Kenny some lessons. “I for one am sure I’m not going to be Nancy.” Ilaera said. “I agreed to wear a dress once before for this adventure, but I’m not going to do so again.” “Well, even if you had wanted to, we would never have sent you,” Lirien said good naturely. “I’ve heard you singing in the shower once. Believe me, you would be able to break all the glasses out there in the Goose, as well as send the fans into a riot.” Ilaera laughed at that speculatively looking over the elven bard for a moment. “You would make a perfect Nancy however,” she said quietly measuring Lirien up. “You have all the vocal skills to pull that feet off, as well as we already know you can more than charm men. If the incident with Tanaka is held in account.” Lirien looked around the group and saw that the others were all nodding enthusiastically agreeing with Ilaera. Not allowing Lirien a chance to say anything she added “Well then, since that’s all worked out, We’d better go with Nancy and leave you here to get ready. “ Each member filed out of the room, but Ilaera stopped just before the door saying “However Lirien…..I said you had the vocal skills,” she grinned a little before adding. “I never said anything about the dressing skills, you’d better keep Lorelei here, and she’s amazing at combining colors and loves to dress up.” Before she too was gone. Lirien grudgingly nodded, agreeing to the fact that Lorelei was staying behind with her. But she had taken some offense to being told she had no taste in fashion. After saying goodbye to their friends and Nancy, the others made their way over towards the tunnels. Lorelei went ahead with their outfits and Lirien started practicing and memorising the music she had to sing. After a couple of minutes Lorelei asked Lirien to look at some pieces of clothing she had found in Nancy’s wardrobe. Lirien turned around, absent mindedly until she glanced up from her music and saw how Lorelei had changed her own outfit.

“Why did you change your clothes” Lirien asked surprised “You wouldn’t want them to think you’re being dressed by a man, would you?” She laughed a little at the idea before adding “We can’t risk getting caught now, so I thought this best.” Lorelei responded. Lirien nodded understanding the why of it, but none the less she was still surprised about the change. Thou now Lorelei was looking more like herself again, she shook off the thought and walked over to look at the outfits Lorelei had found for her. “Wait, you want me to wear that? That’s red, I can’t wear red with my pink hair!” Lirien looked almost shocked as she stared at Lorelei, truly questioning if it had been wise to agree to allow Lorelei to dress her. “You won’t have pink hair, I asked Lucy to bring us one of Nancy’s wigs.” Lorelei gave her a pointed look as she explained this. Right this was said Lucy came bustling in to the room, holding a mas of ringlet curls that could only be a brown wig.

Just as they finished pinning the wig securely into place, the three women turned to face the door as they heard a loud knock on the door. Lorelei and Lirien glanced at each other, unsure of what to do now. Lirien wasn’t dressed yet, so if anyone were to come in they would be caught for sure. Just as they started to worry someone on the other side of the door yelled “Just came to tell you ten more minutes Miss Nancy.” Lucy was the first to recover and smoothly said Alright thank you, she’ll be out soon.” Lorelei sighed from relief as she heard whoever had been at the door walk away. Once she was sure they were gone, she directed Lirien to go behind the changing screen that was off to the side of the room with some pieces of clothing.
Lirien tried on many pieces of clothing from Nancy’s wardrobe, but according to her something was wrong with every single piece. They were either too big or too small, too snug or not snug enough or she simply didn’t feel comfortable in them. “Lirien, come on,” Lorelei said. “We don’t have enough time for this!” “Give me something I can work with then!” Lirien yelled at her testily “You will just have to put on what I give you now and that’s final, you won’t have time to change again, so you are just got to make this work!” Lorelei responded just as irritably as the elf behind the screen. Lirien sighed from behind the screen. “Remind me again why I ever agreed to act as Nancy in the first place?” “Well, actually you didn’t” Lorelei said. “Ilaera didn’t give you a choice.” Lirien threw a black dress over the top of the screen to land in a pile with all the other discarded suggestions, and reached out from behind the screen for the other pieces of clothing Lorelei was holding for her, a red fitted corset top and barely there black skirt. When Lirien came out of the dressing room just a few moments later, wearing the ensemble Lucy gave a small squeak. “Oh my…you look so much like Miss Nancy now, if I didn’t know better you both could have been twins.” “With a little bit of makeup she will be Nancy’s twin.” Lorelei told Lucy with a triumphant grin Lucy could only agree to that when she saw how Lirien looked with the makeup.

Only after making sure Lirien looked perfect, did Lucy say her goodbyes to the girls and make her way over to the tunnels to see if she could catch up with the other’s and lend a hand to the real Nancy.

“Are you ready?” Lorelei asked Lirien as the put the final touches to her make-up. “To sing?” Lirien responded glancing at Lorelei in the mirror. “Always.” After that time flew and soon enough there was another knock on the door. “Time to go up Miss Nancy.” a male voice said through the door. “Good luck.” Lorelei whispered quickly, before opening the door. Lirien walked through it and followed the unknown man that had told her it was time to go up out to the stage entrance. As she came closer to the stage she could hear the noise coming from there. By the sounds of it, there must be a full house today. The stage hand that had brought her to the stage, pointed out to her that it was time to get on and pulled aside the curtains. Lirien taking a deep breath and steadying her frazzled nerves she climbed up the three steps to get on the stage, she walked to the center of the stage in front of a big piano, taking her mark.

When the music started to play, Lirien closed her eyes for a second. Just barely using her free hand not holding the mic to tap out the beat against her thigh. When she opened them again, she looked like a completely different person the unsure nervous girl from before had all but vanished and a confident woman had taken her place. Lirien started to sing, looking out to the crowed just beyond the stage.

He’s not so good in a crowd But when you get him alone You’d be surprised

Lirien looked across the room as she finished the first verse and saw all the fanboys watching her, she winked at one of the boys in the front row

He isn’t much at a dance But when he takes you home You’d be surprised

Lirien walked down the three steps leading off the stage and into the audience, still singing as she did so, she slowly walked towards a small group of the fanboys off to the right, touching an arm here or a cheek there, trying to get their attention. She really didn’t have to that, since the boys were already besottedly watching her.

He doesn’t look like much of lover Don’t judge a book by its cover

Lirien was standing in front of one of the fanboys, she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and slowly walked away again, knowing the fan would follow at her heels. She turned around to cast a glance over her shoulder, giving a dazzling smile as she saw him come, once he was close enough she winked at him, grabbed his hand, and did a small pirouette, depositing him in an empty chair closer to the stage before walking away from him again.

He’s got the face of an angel But there’s a devil in his eye

She had reached some tables in the far corner of the room by then and carefully slipped on the lap of one of the boys. To the cheers of then men with in the room.

He’s such a delicate thing But when he’s starts in to squeeze You’d be surprised He doesn’t look very strong But when you sit on his knee You’d be surprised

Lirien picked up the fanboy’s arm that she was currently perched on and squeezed his bicep muscles, making a show of checking exactly how strong he was, before standing up and making her way for the bar.

At a party or at a ball I’ve got to admit He’s nothing at all but in a Morris chair You’d be surprised

At the bar was another group of fanboys, who seemed to not be totally falling under her spell, which just wouldn’t do. Since they had seen some of the men had gotten more attention from her, they tried to fight for her attention. Instead Lirien walked over towards one of the more quiet fanboys at the bar, patting his cheek, leaning forward as if to whisper a secret.

He's not so good in the house but on a bench in the park You'd be surprised He isn't much in the light but when he gets in the dark You'd be surprised

She was close enough to give him a kiss and by the looks of it, he was expecting that too, but after grabbing his glass and taking a sip from his drink in between the lines of the song, she walked away again, heading for yet another group of boys.

I know he looks as slow as the Erie But you don't know the half of it, dearie He looks as cold as an Eskimo But there's a fire in his eyes

Lirien was starting to get weary from all the singing, walking and flirting, but she knew she had to finish the song.

He doesn't say very much but when he starts in to speak You'd be surprised He's not so good at the start but at the end of the week You'd be surprised

Once again Lirien slipped on the lap of one of the boys, looking him in the eyes, as if she was only singing to him for the moment.

On a steamcar or in a train You'd think he was born without any brain But in a gearmobile You'd be surprised!

Lirien got up and headed for the stage again, turning around for her last sentence, looking around the crowd, as if she was singing that last line to every single one of them. She brought her hand to her mouth and blew a kiss in the crowd.

This one's a real keeper

Right as the song ended Lirien made a move to head back at the stage, she had been standing in front of the piano again. The crowd went wild on her, clapping and yelling for more. Before anyone could actually say she needed to sing another song, Lirien walked off the stage and went back to Nancy’s dressing room. “How did it go?” Lorelei asked. “I think it went okay, they asked me to sing another song, so I think I have them fooled.” she said with a grin. “Hopefully the others are doing okay.” Lorelei said, a mildly worried look crossing her features. “We’ve given them enough time to go through the tunnels, there is nothing more that we could do for them now.”

Atrueheart watches her team leave with some trepidation. ''See you soon!'' She calls as they disappear into a passageway. ''Don't worry True! You'll be fabulous and we've got this!'' Ava calls back as the door closes. ''We have to hurry!'' Lucy states as she begins pulling out wigs and laying out stage makeup. After selecting a wig, cat ears and a jaunty decorative hat Atrueheart sits down at the dressing table and expertly applies the makeup transforming her into Nancy! She then rifles through the costume selections and chooses the perfect outfit for her performance. ''Yes, this will do quite nicely!'' True says as she begins to dress. Lucy runs around the dressing room gathering accessory choices for Atrueheart and lays them out before her. ''This, this and... oh yes these!'' Atrueheart exclaims as she lifts some pearls off the table and drapes them over her arm. ''Impeccable taste miss!'' Lucy exclaims as she pulls on Atrueheart's boots. Then stepping back looks over Atrueheart admiringly, ''Yes, you'll do just fine! Now hurry I can tell the crowd is getting restless!'' Atrueheart pushes to her feet and takes one last look in the mirror, adjusting her hat at a rakish angle she winks at herself in the mirror then turns toward the stage door. ''Wait!'' Lucy cries out as she begins to sprinkle sparkling glitter all over her. Atrueheart sneezes then laughs as Lucy pushes her out the stage door.

Atrueheart stops just out of sight of what sounds like a very large and boisterous crowd. She can here stomping and a chant of ''Nancy! Nancy! Nancy!'' Taking a deep breath, Atrueheart mumbles to herself ''Here goes nothing!'' and step out into the spotlight. The crowd of fanboys go wild at the sight of their beloved Nancy! A slow sexy smile blossoms on Atrueheart's... ahem... ''Nancy's'' face and she calls out to the crowd ''Everyone having a good time?'' The crowd reacts with a roar of assent and Atrueheart basks in the applause and cheers of her audience, totally in her element. Cryslight shining off her beaming face, Atrueheart walks to the edge of the stage where fanboys crowd with flowers in hand. In a low sultry voice she says ''For this next number I'm going to need some help from some of you sweethearts. Any volunteers?'' The crowd of fanboys eagerly push against the stage calling out to her. ''Me Nancy!'' ''Pick me Nancy!'' ''I love you Nancy!'' Two of the bouncers walk through the crowd tapping on shoulders and then lead eight excited fanboys up to the stage where the lights have come up to reveal a park bench, a morris chair and the front seat of a gearmobile. The bouncers lead the eight excited fanboys to their appointed places whispering instructions. Atrueheart looks out at the rest of the disappointed fanboys with a rueful pout on her face. ''Forgive me boys! You know I love you all but there is only room for eight.'' ''We still love you Nancy!'' one fanboy calls out of the audience and the rest whistle and cheer. True blows them a kiss and then walks over to the first fanboy on stage and drapes herself on his shoulder in a provocative pose. The fanboy is trembling so much she's hoping he won't faint! Atrueheart whispers in his ear and gives his hand a reassuring squeeze. ''Here we go!'' and begins singing right on cue.

''He's not so good in a crowd but when you get him alone... You'd be surprised!'' Atrueheart circles behind the fanboy and drapes herself on the other shoulder ''He isn't much at a dance but then when you take him home... You'd be surprised!''

Atrueheart leans in for a kiss but then pushes him playfully away and slinks over to the next fanboy making a big production of looking him over head to toe, hand on his shoulder and slowly circling him

''He doesn't look like much of a lover She shakes her head and rolls her eyes But don't judge a book by it's cover. Atrueheart places a hand caressingly on his cheek and looks deep into his eyes He's got the face of an Angel But there's a Devil in his eye.''

the fanboy leans in for a kiss but Atrueheart pushes him away playfully and winks knowingly to the crowd that's laughing and catcalling to the fanboy. Atrueheart then glides over to the next fanboy and turns in his arms so that he is hugging her from behind. Leaning back she places a hand on his cheek over her shoulder

''He's such a delicate thing but when he starts in to squeeze rolls eyes in a simulated fit of ecstasy You'd be surprised! He doesn't look very strong but when you sit on his knee the fanboy pats his knee right on cue and Atrueheart laughs seductively and pushes out of his arms You'd be surprised!''

Atrueheart walks over to the fanboy sitting in a morris chair with a rapturous on his face. Atrueheart sits on his lap sideways and lays her head on his shoulder, a boot beating time to the music over the arm of the chair

''At a party or at a ball I've got to admit that he's nothing at all But in a morris chair... a wicked grin spreads across Atruehearts face You'd be surprised!''

Atrueheart kisses the boy on the cheek as she slides off his lap, the first fanboy helping her up with outstretched hand. As the bridge starts Atrueheart sweeps the boy into a teasing dance as she glides across the stage in his arms. But in only a few steps the next fanboy is already tapping on his shoulder and he surrenders Atrueheart to the next one. This continues until the bridge ends and Atrueheart is before the fanboy sitting on the park bench. Atrueheart sits by his side and holds his hand against her heart

''He's not so good in the house but on a bench in the park...
You'd be surprised! He isn't much in the light but when he gets in the dark... she raises an eyebrow and then winks suggestively at the crowd which roars their approval You'd be surprised!''

Atrueheart slides off the bench and walks to the next fanboy in line, a sappy grin on his face

''I know he looks as slow as the Erie But you don't know the half of it dearie Rolling her eyes and raises her eyebrows several times with her arm through his He looks as cold as an Eskimo But there's fire in his eyes!''

Atrueheart glides over to the next in line and he hoists her up to perch on one shoulder

''He doesn't say very much Atrueheart shrugs with hands out spread as she balances on his shoulder but when he starts in to speak... You'd be surprised! He's not so good at the start but at the end of the week... You'd be surprised!''

Atrueheart slides off the fanboys shoulder and glides over to the fanboy sitting on the gearmobile seat and slides over next to him while he puts his arm around her she snuggles close

''On a steamcar or in a train You'd think he was born without any brain. But in a gearmobile... Atrueheart fans her face feigning heat You'd be surprised!''

Atrueheart pulls the fanboys head down close to hers and purrs sexily

Spoken: ''This ones a keeper!'' Atrueheart leans closer and kisses the fanboy while the crowd goes wild with applause

Atrueheart slides off the seat and takes a bow as the bouncers retrieve the stunned and bedazzled fanboys back off the stage. The fanboys in the crowd surge forward as flowers of all kind are thrown onto the stage. ''Thank you so much you wonderful boys! I hope you enjoyed the show tonight and I will catch you she points at the stunned fanboy she had kissed at the next show!'' Atrueheart throws kisses and picks up as many flowers as she can carry and then hurries offstage. Flinging herself into the dressing room, she collapses on the chair at the dressing table kicking off her boots! With sparkling eyes she exclaims ''That was amazing!'' Lucy laughs and then as Atrueheart gets up to head back out the door for an encore she grabs her arm and shakes her head. ''There's no time for that nonsense!'' and pulls her back into the dressing room.

A moment of utter silence from his teammates followed. Nancy simply chuckled in good humor while Lucy unsuccessfully tried to mask her giggle by turning away and looking busy. Remi was oblivious as he kept on going, unaware that Skye was meticulously rolling up her sleeves. "What? I'm serious. As a man, I know just what men like. So I'll dress her up real sexy for the performance and the fans won't c-" THWACK! "OWWW! What was that for???" He grimaced in pain and rubbed the growing bump on his head. Not a moment too soon, Joysana had given him a good whack on the side of his head with her cane before Skye could make him fly. "Pervert. I just did you a favour." She muttered irritably as she pushed him out of Skye's punching range and towards a corner of the dressing room, "We're out of time and all he thinks about is that he'll get a chance to play dress-up with a woman." Remi's face was sheepish as he continued rubbing his head, but he wisely decided to stay in his corner and kept his mouth shut for fear of earning another bump.

"I'll stay back with Skye to be her costumer." Regina piped up as she walked over to stand next to Skye. "The team will be split up but this way, none of us will be alone. I'll support her." Nisa nodded in agreement as she unconsciously stroked her fake moustache. "Yeah... Skye will already have a hard enough time learning the lyrics as well as making up a dance routine for the performance in twenty minutes. For her to dress herself up for the part as well is just too much." They all looked at each other in understanding. Satisfied that they had made their decision, Skye turned to Nancy. "We've decided. Regina and I will stay behind while you guide the rest of the team." Nancy looked into her eyes for a moment and smiled. "Very well. Good luck with the performance. I'm sure you will do just great."

Twenty minutes later...

"Gentlemen! I hope you are ready, because you're in for a treat tonight!" The presenter's voice boomed through the microphone and reverberated around the theatre to the cheering and whistling of the male fans. "The fabulous Nancy presenting..." A drumroll goes on for three long seconds before stopping. "You'd Be Surprised!!!" The cryslights went dim as curtains parted and the crowd went crazy with the fans all straining to catch a glimpse of her in the darkness. Skye took a deep breath before stepping towards the microphone at the front of the stage with the spotlight following her. She kept her head low so that her face was still hidden in the shadows and waited for the music to start. The instruments started playing amidst loud cheering and wolf whistles that quickly quietened down as the song began.

"He's not so good in a crowd but when you get him alone... You'd be surprised." Skye began coyly as she cocked her head to the side to let the spotlight shine on her face. Smiling playfully, she winked at a fanboy near the back of the crowd and turned to another victim before she could see him fall over. "He isn't much at a dance but then when he takes you home... You'd be surprised." Seeing the returned smiles and cheers, she felt confidence pour through her and started sashaying towards the left side of the stage. "He doesn't look like much of a lover... But don't judge a book by it's cover." She bent her knees and reached out to gently caress the face of a young man who stood right up against the stage and crooned at him. "He's got the face of an Angel but," her hand moved under his chin and closed his gaping mouth before lightly pushing him away. "There's a Devil in his eye." She straightened herself and swayed towards the right side of the stage. "He's such a delicate thing but when he starts in to squeeze... You'd be surprised." She blew kisses at the numerous men straining to get closer to her. "He doesn't look very strong but when you sit on his knee..." Another young man in the crowd piped up "Sit on my knee, Nancy!" The fans surrounding him turned to give him the death stare. Skye simply smiled and winked playfully at him before moving on."You'd be surprised." She was now back behind the microphone and swaying her hips hypnotically in time with the music. "At a party or at a ball... I've got to admit that he's nothing at all, but in a morris chair... You'd be surprised."

The instrumentals took over and Skye backed away from the microphone, twirling her cane skilfully to the beat before striking an alluring pose with it. The reaction from the audience was deafening as well as encouraging. She raised her right hand to keep her hat steady while the left hand rested on the cane to support her as she saucily kicked her legs in the air. Grabbing a chair from behind her, and she sits on it backwards and leans back to toss her head around making her long hair swirl in a gorgeous, curly cloud. As the drum beats she sits up and pulls out a long, black piece of lace from her cleavage. She runs it up and down her body as she struts from side to side on the stage. Taking the lace she holds it in both hands and rubs it back and forth on her bottom and then she leans forward pulling at her top and showing a bit more skin. Tossing the lace into the crowd she grabs her cane and swirling it in her hand she paces the stage bobbing her hips from side to side at each drum beat and making the boys howl. Skye then drops her cane and coyly turning with her back to the crowd she bends over at the waist, wiggles her bottom, and slowly retrieves her cane. She then pirouette's a few times, crosses her hands over her lower region as if to toss her skirt up and looks to the crowd, who loudly encourage her but she shakes her head no, winks and smiling she mouths "naughty boys" as she heads back to the mike.

Making her way back towards the microphone, she practically purrs, "He's not so good in the house but on a bench in the park..." She waved her fingers at an older gentlemen standing a little away from the crowd. He pointed to himself in disbelief and when she nodded in confirmation, he blushed so brightly red that even his beard couldn't hide it. "You'd be surprised." Skye swayed her way back to the very front of the stage and pointed her cane at a red-headed man who still had some oil stains on his cheek. "He isn't much in the light but when he gets in the dark... You'd be surprised." He looked around to make sure she was really pointing at him and as the crowds stood aside to give him a small path, moved towards the stage when she beckoned him closer. "I know he looks as slow as the Erie... But you don't know the half of it, dearie." When he reached the very edge of the stage, she bent over and gently pulled him by his loosely tied cravat so that their faces were mere inches apart. "He looks as cold as an Eskimo... But there's a fire in his eyes." She sang to him intimately and leaned in almost as if she were about to kiss him. All the men around him held their breath and breathed a sigh of relief as she continued, "He doesn't say very much but when he starts in to speak... You'd be surprised." After wiping at the stain on his face, Skye slowly backed away and blew him a kiss. "He's not so good at the start but at the end of the week... You'd be surprised" Her bustle swished behind her as she turned and made her way back to the microphone once more. "On a steamcar or in a train... You'd think he was born without any brain, but in a gearmobile... You'd be surprised!" Pointing her cane at a bouncer who raptly gazed at her she declared huskily, "This one's a real keeper!" The music ended and there was half a second of pure silence when the theatre suddenly exploded with clapping and cheering. Skye smiled with satisfaction and took a bow to her enthusiastic audience before heading towards the closing curtains. Turning back for one last look at the cacophonous crowd, she grinned widely and took off her hat to fling it at the masses, leaving it up to the fanboys to resolve who was going to keep it.

Returning to the dressing room Skye starts to change into the normal clothes as Regina enters. She gives Skye a huge hug and declares "That was fabulous! I thought the boys in the front were going to start drooling!" she laughs and starts helping Skye change.

The Foggiest Notions were a bit stunned by the choice at hand. Instantly they all looked at Ravensong, being the resident bard, and she looked a bit confused as well as flattered.

“Me?” she asked with wide eyes, “I couldn't possibly, could I?” She looked at Fern, who was obviously very uncomfortable about the idea of her sister being ogled by tons of raving fanboys.

“But if you stay to perform, I’m going to stick around with you… I don’t trust these fanboys,” said Fern, “And besides, I’m no good at costuming someone for such a performance.” In saying this she looked at Evangelista, for an alchemist she sure had a way with fashion.

Evangelista gave her a look that said it all, “There is no way I would ever bring myself down to this level, no offense Nancy.” With that she walked away in a huff.

"Hey, this is respectable work!" Max defended Nancy. "There is a lot of talent needed for a venue like this. Considering how popular she is, I'd say she's very talented.....And good looking." Max mumbled the last part, almost admitting he was turning into a Nancy boy himself.

“Okay, so we are running out of time here,” added in Eurus, “Armina, you are the last of us that is, ahem, equipped for such a performance. I probably don’t even have to ask, do I?”

Armina, the warrior, looked at Eurus with such daggers for eyes that he could feel it, “I kind of figured. Well that leaves me and Max.” Eurus turned to Max and smirked.

Max's brow perked in confusion that he was being considered for this part. "Aha, I'm sorry, mate. I can cross-dress pretty well, but I lack assets, and a bunch of her raving fanboys could probably tell they're fake if I tried to...imitate them. Plus, I have two left feet and I've never sung before." He chuckled at the thought of this situation, then sarcastically asked, "Eurus, would you like to try and be Nancy? You do still have that image inducer you created, don’t you?”

“I was afraid of this,” said Eurus with a sigh and after a long pause, “I'll perform as Nancy, as long as Max helps with the costume. The rest of you will travel through the tunnels with Nancy to the pyrates. Agreed?” The whole group stared at Eurus, shocked. His green skin began to blush, not something his friends were used to seeing.

The warrior had no doubt that Max was indeed the perfect choice to create a convincing costume, however her attention turned rapidly to his counterpart. Armina found the thought of Eurus dressed as "Nancy" quite amusing and giggled just a bit, but when a vivid image of the mage dancing and singing in female attire popped into her head she could no longer control herself; her giggles turned into a roaring laughter almost instantly! The rest of the group joined in with Armina, laughing uncontrollably.

With the decision decided to have Eurus perform as Nancy and Max to help with the transformation, the rest of the group left with the real Nancy to make their way through the tunnels.

Eurus decided that if he was going to do this, he was going to do it right. He chose the song ‘You'd Be Surprised’, which was the bolder of the two choices in his opinion. Max set to work helping him dress the part as Eurus fine-tuned his image inducer as best he could. His magic here in Crystania was a bit different and still strange to him, he only hoped that the image inducer would hold up as well as it had when at the ball. With a few tweaks to it, he was able to turn his image into almost a perfect visage of Nancy. Having a tail and horns could sometimes be a bit tricky when dealing with illusion, so he hoped that they wouldn't get in the way.

Eurus decided that if he was going to do this, he was going to do it right. He chose the song ‘You'd Be Surprised’, which was the bolder of the two choices in his opinion. Max set to work helping him dress the part with the help of a particular pass they received in the past with Nancy's image on it while Eurus fine-tuned his image inducer as best he could. His magic here in Crystania was a bit different and still strange to him, he only hoped that the image inducer would hold up as well as it had when at the ball. With a few tweaks to it, he was able to turn his image into almost a perfect visage of Nancy.

Having a tail and horns could sometimes be a bit tricky when dealing with illusion, so he hoped that they wouldn't get in the way. "How do I look?" Max gave Eurus a glance over, "I'm going to be a gentleman and resist the urge to say "bigger".... Kidding aside, you look good. I think you nailed her sizes right. I think we got something nice put together here. With a little help from this pass, and a few tweaks to change it up a little.....Your golden."

Eurus took a look at himself in a mirror and for a moment even he forgot that he was really an old half-dragon mage from the secluded Faeriewillow Woods.

“Are you ready for this, my good man,” asked Max, “I must say, you could even fool me… awkward.”

“I've been born ready for this!” Eurus exclaimed, “I only wish the rest of our friends were here to witness such a display of ridiculousness and perfection.” He winked at Max, which made him a bit uncomfortable and headed out onto the stage.

Under his breath, Max whispered, “Go get’em Tiger.”

As Eurus took to stage as “Nancy”, he began to freeze. A bout of stage fright was setting in, as it was not commonplace for him to be in front of so many people. Reminding himself what was at stake here was enough to battle his stage fright, enough for him to realize that the music for the song he chose was beginning to play. There were many people depending on him, even if what he was about to do was going to be one of the most embarrassing things he had ever done in his long life. He glanced over his shoulder to back stage and saw Max standing in the shadows, urging him to get into character.

The backup dancers took their place behind him and with every bit of courage that he could muster up, he began to sing…

“He's not so good in a crowd but when you get him alone You'd be surprised He isn't much at a dance but then when he takes you home You'd be surprised”

After the first verse he noticed the crowd was acting like something was wrong, “Please don’t let it be the image inducer,” he thought. He realized that it was because he had been standing perfectly still like a statue as he sang. So with some gusto, he started to sway to the music as much like Nancy would if she were the one doing it. At least he hoped he was.

“He doesn't look like much of a lover But don't judge a book by its cover He's got the face of an Angel But there's a Devil in his eye”

As he sang he interacted with the backup dancers who were standing still behind him, waiting for their queue to dance. It was a good thing Eurus wasn't afraid of touching other men; it was something he was actually quite accustomed to. Being a spirit of the woods and living a long life, he had found love in many places. Gender was never an issue for him. He could find beauty in anyone no matter who they were.

The dancers didn't seem to notice that he wasn't the real Nancy, at least they never let on that they did. So he stepped it up a notch, building up more confidence as he performed. He undid his boots one at a time, kicking them off for one of the dancers to catch. The fanboys went mad with excitement.

“He's such a delicate thing but when he starts in to squeeze You'd be surprised He doesn't look very strong but when you sit on his knee You'd be surprised”

As Eurus sang this, one of the dancers knelt down for him to sit on his knee. As he sat down, he slowly pulled off his stockings one at a time, kicking them into the crowd. The fanboys really seemed to enjoy this. Some of them fought over the stockings as if they were wild animals while the rest whistled and cat called.

“At a party or at a ball I've got to admit that he's nothing at all But in a Morris chair You'd be surprised"

Eurus began to play up the burlesque side of things even more by removing his skirt and exposing his bare legs as he danced and kicked them high in the air for all to see. Good thing the image inducer worked for his whole body or he would be in trouble right now. He twirled around showing just enough skin to make the crowd go wild. He danced like he meant it, getting very comfortable in his current 'skin', ”If Giggfizz could see me now, oh gods… don’t think of him right now…” he thought to himself.

“He's not so good in the house but on a bench in the park You'd be surprised He isn't much in the light but when he gets in the dark You'd be surprised”

By now he was a master of the craft, lookout Nancy! Eurus was the new girl in town! The dancer that had caught his boots from earlier knelt down and placed them back on his feet, one at a time. Eurus then playfully kicked the dancer over, stepping one leg onto him in a pose of domination.

“I know he looks as slow as the Erie But you don't know the half of it, dearie He looks as cold as an Eskimo But there's a fire in his eyes”

With this line, flames shot up from the stage. Eurus was caught off guard a bit by them, his tail, which was invisible to everyone else, was singed a bit. He did his best to not react, though the agony was a bit much. He let the pain fuel his desires, as he removed his overcoat to expose his bare arms.

“He doesn't say very much but when he starts in to speak You'd be surprised He's not so good at the start but at the end of the week You'd be surprised”

The performance was almost over, he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing at this point. He realized how much he liked being the center of attention after years of being a hermit, what a strange feeling it was for him. It gave him a rush. But he also knew he couldn't keep this up forever, the image inducer was starting to make weird sounds.

“On a steamcar or in a train You'd think he was born without any brain But in a gearmobile You'd be surprised!”

Leaning over to one of the dancers, he kissed him on the cheek and said for everyone to hear, “This one's a real keeper!”

Eurus had done it; he performed in the guise of Nancy. He felt invigorated, this might have been the most adventurous he had ever been in his very long life. As he bowed to the audience, the fanboys started to throw their flowers on stage for him. He collected a few, blew a kiss to them and hurried off stage. Just as he was behind the curtain where Max was standing, his image inducer gave out in a fizzle and Eurus was standing in front of him as a man again wearing women’s clothes.

Max had watched everything happen from back stage, and did the best he could to encourage Eurus. After a a bit, though, he had to bite his thumb to hold back laughing and distracting Eurus. The Mage needed a little time, but he really got into it when the crowd got going. It added a little more to the respect Max had for Eurus, the fact that he could pull this off. When Eurus was done, Max had to say something. “Oh Eurus, this is indeed a most becoming look for you,” he joked in an amused voice.

Sniffing the flowers he had collected, Eurus replied to him, “You know, you might be right,” as he walked off in a daze.

"Let me handle that," Eden rasped, putting a hand on Jean's shoulder. "If you're going to do this in my place, the least I can do is make sure you look stunning. You work on learning the music -- you can sing, right?"

"I'm nothing special, but I can carry a tune well enough," Jean replied, grabbing one of the two pages of music and glancing at it. "I'll manage. But I'm going to need pointers on how to charm the crowd."

"You got it," the other woman replied. The two bid quick farewells to the rest of their team, and watched the others leave with Nancy. Then they, along with Lucy, got to work. Jean's hair was pinned and tucked underneath a blonde wig. Her boobs were stuffed into a pushup bra that gave her more cleavage than she knew what to do with, while her waist was hugged by a snug partially sheer corset that she was sure would rip at any moment. Garter stockings attached to a bottom that was little more than a pair of panties, covered by a skirt that was only barely any longer. Heeled boots with feathers and lace went on her feet, while lacy gloves covered her arms. With her face and nails painted, Jean didn't recognize the woman that stood in the mirror. "I...wow. Well, the fans should love it, even if it makes me want to die of mortification," she joked, the musical line from the song sheet running through her mind as they went over what she needed to do for the last time. Eden accompanied Jean to the wings, giving her last minute pointers.

Then there was no more time, for the announcer was speaking. "I give you the gem of the Gearwork Goose. The naughtiest of nice girls, the one, the only, NANCY!" The crowd cheered, and Jean, pushing her nervousness from her mind, stepped forward. She let one hose-covered leg peek out of the curtains for a brief moment before following it up with the rest of her very visible body. She kept her steps measured, not striding as she normally would as she walked over to the microphone standing in the middle of the stage. "Hello again, boys~" Jean purred, letting a smile spread across her face as she gave a half-bow, showing everything the push-up gave her. This elicited whistles from the people clustered on the floor. She felt a little more confident as the band behind her struck up the first strains of the tune, and she settled into her role. Jean unclipped the microphone from its stand and held it in both hands, took a deep breath to support her notes, and began to sing:

"He's not so good in a crowd but when you get him alone You'd be surprised. He isn't much at a dance but then when he takes you home You'd be surprised."

Her voice was a low alto, and she kept it gentle and a little husky, like she was confiding in a friend. She made sure to look around the room, so that everyone would feel included. Eden had told her that she needed to draw her audience in. She let her eyelids droop slightly, and her smile broadened.

"He doesn't look like much of a lover But don't judge a book by its cover." She wagged a finger at the audience, attitude slightly scolding. "He's got the face of an Angel--" her gaze turned heavenward for a moment "But there's a Devil in his eye~"

She sauntered out to one side of the stage, hips swaying as she moved. "He's such a delicate thing but when he starts in to squeeze" she pulled her arms close to her body, as if being held close by the man in her song. "Well, you'd be surprised. He doesn't look very strong but when you sit on his knee" Jean turned sideways, bending her legs and putting one hand on her knees to imply sitting. "You'd be surprised." She strolled slowly along the edge of the stage, crossing to the other side of the floor.

"At a party or at a ball I've got to admit that he's nothing at all But in a morris chair Mm, you'd be surprised~"

Next was the instrumental interlude. She moved back upstage, away from the edge, moving in time with the music as she went through a few simple dance steps that drew attention to her legs, and a slow twirl that let the audience see her from every angle. She finished the segment near the stairs to the main floor, and as she started the next verse, she sauntered down them and out to the front row. Over the course of the next two stanzas, she worked her way across that first row, touching a hand here, a shoulder there, caressing the side of this man's face and running her fingers through that one's hair, teasing and flirting as Eden had told her she should. But always Jean remained the one in control, not letting any one man get to close before slipping away or outright pushing them back in clear rejection.

"He's not so good in the house but on a bench in the park You'd be surprised. He isn't much in the light but when he gets in the dark You'd be surprised.

I know he looks as slow as the Erie But you don't know the half of it, dearie. He looks as cold as an Eskimo But there's a fire in his eyes."

Now Jean was at the other set of stairs that lead up to the stage from the main floor. She climbed them sideways, so as not to turn her back to the audience while singing.

"He doesn't say very much but when he starts in to speak You'd be surprised. He's not so good at the start, but at the end of the week Ooh~ you'd be surprised."

Back center stage, she gave the crowd her most sultry, knowing grin. "On a steamcar or in a train, You'd think he was born without any brains," she shook her head as if let down "But in a gearmobile--" the smile was back now, and wider than ever "You'd be surprised!"

She leaned forward, lifting her eyebrows as she spoke the final line: "This one's a real keeper~" The fanboys proceeded to go nuts, cheering and whistling as she slipped the mic back into its stand. Then she turned to go, but before exiting, she paused, one leg out and bent at the knee. In a fluid motion she ran her hand up her leg and over her hip. She winked and blew a kiss before sweeping offstage to where Eden was waiting, also applauding. But as soon as Jean was out of sight of the crowd, it was as if the woman deflated. The confidence she'd exuded for her performance left her, and she grabbed Eden's arm. "It sounds like that was a success. Now let's get me out of this ridiculous outfit!"

"Why?" Tea_Roll asks while tossing something into her mouth and hands some over to Flamingo.

"Because I am tired of puzzles and clues," Fresh says.

TerrenaAnimula stifles a laugh.

"Witchy stays behind," Lovecraft states. "I will stay with her. "

Taking in a puff of smoke, Witchy takes notice of her name and blinks, "Wait?! What? Witchy does who? Has pork chop returned?"

Fresh shakes his head. "Well, she has been singing this entire time."

"Makes sense," Flamingo says munching on what Tea_Roll handed her.

"Wouldn't it make sense if I stayed behind to dress her tho?" Terrena asks.

"Yes, but I am thinking she will need more guarding and urging then help," Lovecraft says grabbing Witchy's rainbow away. "You need to be lucid to sing this song."

Grabbing her rainbow back, Witchy states, "I need to be clueless as to what I am doing to perform," and she takes a deep drag on her smoke.

"I WANT TO STAY WITH WITCHY!!!" Tea_Roll suddenly cries.

Everyone simply ignores her and Fresh turns back to the real Nancy. "We will leave someone behind to become you; while you lead the rest of us through the tunnels. And another will stay with her to help out."

With that, the real Nancy gets up and heads out urging those that are following to come with her. Fresh, TerrenaAnimula, Tea_Roll and Flamingo say their goodbyes to Witchy and Lovecraft. "Hope to see you guys again," Fresh says heading out the door.

"Oh if she doesn't behave, may not see Witchy," Lovecraft says back.

"Don't be threatening me. Witchy has her ways of dealing with those sorts of things," And Witchy takes another drag of smoke and heads to the clothing to see what there is. "Help me with this get up. I need to look ravishing."

Shaking her head and regretting her idea of staying behind already, Lovecraft walks over to the racks of clothing. "There has to be something." She starts looking through things.

Taking another smoke on her rainbow and slumping onto a chair, "This is going to be so hardddddd!" Witchy starts to whine. "The note says no red or black. That's not Witchy like. I am Red or Black."

"Exactly!" Lovecraft turns and looks at her. "You aren't going to be Witchy. You are going to be Nancy." Turning back to the clothing, she grabs a few things and tosses them at Witchy. "Now put those on and make yourself look adorable."

"I don't want too!" Witchy cries. "You do it!"

"Ohhhhh no. I haven't been the one strutting around singing this whole adventure. You sang your way into this...time to sing your way out," Lovecraft yanks her up off the chair. "Now dress!"

After a few moments, Witchy emerges from behind the screen, dressed as Nancy. "I don't like it!" She starts to pull at the sleeves and bustle.

"Don't care," Lovecraft replies. "You may actually pass off as Nancy. Lets get your makeup on you and this lovely matching hat with bow and flowers. " She grabs Witchy's arm and sits her in the chair and helps apply her make up.

"I look so sweeeettttt!" Witchy starts up again. "Bleh!" She sticks her tongue out at the mirror then grabs her rainbow and takes a smoke. "Even this isn't helping me!"

"That is the point. The song is sweet." Lovecraft lifts her up again and drags Witchy from the room. "Lets get your rear end shaking up on that stage to get ourselves out of here."

Witchy tries to back away, but Lovecraft blocks her path. "I'm not ready. This won't work. I don't want to!" Giving Witchy a push, Lovecraft forces her onto the stage.

"Now be your charming self!" she calls after Witchy. "I will be right here to support you." Then under her breath, "And closer to the door to run if you mess up."

The music starts to play and a group of four men start doing a do-wop sound behind her. Witchy takes a deep breath and starts, "Raindrops on roses and Whiskers on kittens..."

Standing off-stage Lovecraft's mouth drops and she runs up on stage, the music stops. "Nancy," smiling at the crowd, "Wrong song. You are singing Honeysuckle and the Bee tonight." Still smiling at the crowd, Lovecraft backs off the stage and ushers the musicians to start playing again.

Witchy closes her eyes and starts very softly, "On a summer afternoon,Where the honeysuckles bloom, When all nature seemed at rest. ‘Neath a little rustic bower," she starts walking around the stage a little bit and smiles softly at the crowd and brushes a hand on the face of one of the musicans behind her. "Mid the perfume of the flower,A maiden sat with one she loved the best." She winks at one of the fanboys in the front row and he starts smiling and getting excited telling his pals that Nancy saw him.

"As they sang the songs of love, From the arbour just above, Came a bee which lit upon the vine;" Lovecraft notices some movement in the crowd after this line, but assumes it another fanboy getting all excited for Witchy singing. "As it sipped the honey-dew, They both vowed they would be true,Then he whispered to her words she thought divine." Witchy does a little dance dip at the end of that line and wiggles her way back to standing. Some of the fan boys start to yell.

"You are my honey, honeysuckle, I am the bee, I’d like to sip the honey sweet," Witchy blows a kiss out to the audiance and licks her lips, "From those red lips, you see. I love you dearly, dearly, And I want you to love me, You are my honey, honeysuckle,I am the bee."

Suddenly, there is a rush from in the audiance and someone yelling. "YOU ARE NOT THE BEE!!! I AM! YOU HEAR ME!"

Lovecraft sees what appears to be a female dressed as a fanboy rushing the stage aiming towards Witchy. She takes off running into the crowd and tackles the person. "Security!" She is yelling for someone to get this nutcase. They finally arrive to drag the female away.

"I'm still the only bee. THE ! You hear me NANCY! I will get you!" The person is dragged out and doors shut and you can't hear them any more.

Lovecraft looks back up at the stage and sees Witchy just standing there grinning and waving to some of the fanboys that are looking at her and blowing kisses. The music starts back up and seeming more into it, Witchy starts dancing around up on the stage. Lovecraft takes a deep breath and is thankful that she hasn't started twerking, but doing a cute little tap number. Grabbing one of the guys behind her and swinging him around, Witchy lets him go flying across the stage in a thud and continues to sing.

"So beneath that sky so blue, These two lovers fond and true," Witchy points randomly at one of the fans in the audiance and he starts yelling. With their hearts so filled with bliss, As they sat there side by side," She sits down on the edge of the stage and leans forward, "He asked her to be his bride, She answered “Yes” and sealed it with a kiss." She kisses the nearest fan boy on the forehead and he falls to the ground in tears and Witchy stands back up, "For her heart had yielded soon, ‘Neath the honeysuckle bloom, And thro’ life they’d wander day by day.And he vowed just like the bee, “I will build a home for thee,” And the bee then seemed to answer them and sayyyyyyy," She draws that out and twirls around the stage.

"You are my honey, honeysuckle, I am the bee, I’d like to sip the honey sweet From those red lips, you see I love you dearly, dearly, And I want you to love me, You are my honey, honeysuckle......I am the BEEEEEEEEEEE." Witchy holds out her arms, as if to embrace the audiance with her head back finishing the song.

Lovecraft looks at the fanboys. They seem to buy the fact that Witchy is Nancy performing and appear to have enjoyed her performance. She smiles over to Witchy, who is blowing kisses out at the fans and seems like she may need to be dragged from the stage.

"Oh I love you all!" Witchy is saying, "Many many Pork chops to be had!"

Stunned but relieved, Lovecraft just watches Witchy bask in her moment of stardom.

[URL=http://s600.photobucket.com/user/Amdir/media/NancyGray.jpg.html][IMG]http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt83/Amdir/NancyGray.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

As Nancy mentioned needing someone who could sing to be a replacement for her, all eyes in the Misfits went to Jenna. The bard blushed a bit but then said, “I’ll do it.”

“Then I’ll stay behind with you,” Leaf said.

Juana snorted. “You? What do you know about dressing like a popular performer? If anyone stays it should be one of us girls.”

Rather than lose his temper, Leaf shook his head and said, “Think about it, Juana. What night is it?” At the semi-blank look of the warrior, the elf indicated their current outfits. “It’s the night of the Nancy boys, right? If you stay behind and anything happens, our cover will be blown when they find out you’re a girl. I’m already a boy so I can help Jenna dress and then go back out front and join the audience and no one will think a thing about it. The others…and Nancy,” Leaf nodded to the real lady in question, “are going to need some protection in the tunnels in case of any problems. You’re needed there.”

“Well…I guess that’s true,” Juana said, thinking things over and a bit surprised to find that one, she and Leaf weren’t arguing about it, and two, that it made sense and she was actually agreeing with the ranger for a change.

“That still leaves the issue of dressing though,” Jilly spoke up. “What do you know about fashion, Leaf?”

Blushing slightly, Leaf said, “I know enough to be of some help. My father is a…a noble,” he reveled with a bit of hesitancy. “I’m more used to having to dress up than you know. And though I was a bit what you’d called sheltered as an elfling, once I joined the rangers I’ve seen things and been places that will help out in this situation.” He thought of some of the bars and taverns and the escapades that had occurred in a few of them. “That’s another reason I need to stay with Jenna. I know how men act with the performers if they…get excited.”

The Misfits all looked at each other and then at Nancy who was rather impatiently waiting for a discussion.

“Alright,” Jenna decided. “I’ll stay and Leaf will be with me to help in whatever way is needed.”

Leaf nodded and looked at Amdir, Jilly, Juana and Anna. “Be careful,” he said. “We’ll rejoin you as soon as we can.”

Goodbyes were said and bard and ranger watched as Nancy led their friends into the tunnels. As the door closed, their fate was sealed as surely as the door.

“The first thing you need to do is remove your ‘facial hair,” the elf grinned at Jenna.

Jenna made a face and went to wash off her mustache.

While she was gone, Leaf looked over the songs and thought about the possibilities in both dress and actions. With a mischievous grin, he chose the saucy song and set about gathering the needed clothes and accessories for ‘Nancy’ to give the audience a dazzling performance.

By the time Jenna returned ‘clean shaven’, Leaf had pulled out a few possibilities for costumes. He hustled Jenna into them, and then out of them as some clothing was rejected once the ranger saw them on the bard. The black rose lace stockings had to be used though. When Leaf had found them, he'd grinned to himself. It was the perfect way to flaunt a bit of rebellion. Leaf had noted that Nancy had a wide assortment of cat items around as well and as Jenna stepped from behind the screen with the latest costume change, the elf went over to place a kitty necklace around her throat. “Not exactly my style, but since Nancy obviously is a cat person, maybe we should include one,” Leaf told Jenna. “Now…hair, well…I can braid it but that’s about it.”

Jenna laughed and shook her head. “Just hand me the brush and I can take care of my own hair.” Within a few minutes, the bard had transformed her hair as well as herself into a sexy, sultry performer.

“Time to go on!” Lucy called into the dressing room.

Leaf gave Jenna a quick hug and said, “Knock ‘em dead.” Then he slipped out and without incident joined the throng of admirers back in the main room. He made certain to squeeze in at a table near the front with a clear view of everything and close to the stage.

The lights dimmed and the noise level rose as the audience knew it to be the signal for Nancy to appear once more. Jenna tried to hide her nervousness as she made her way from the dressing room to the offstage area. “Deep breaths…calm…sexy…you can do this, Jenna,” she whispered to herself in a short pep talk. While used to performing her songs in front of others, it had been as herself in the past, not as someone else. And never with quite as much danger attached to the outcome.

“And now…welcome back…the one…the only…our darlin’ and delight…Nancy!!” The announcer declared and a roar went up from the onlookers.

With a smile on her face, Jenna stepped through the curtain and onto the stage.

“Nancy!” “Ohh, there’s the fairest of the fair!” “Sing to me, darlin’!” “Nancy, I love ya!” the men whooped and called.

Shaking her head and holding up a hand, Jenna said, “Now how do you boys think you can hear me over all this noise?” she asked in a teasingly seductive voice. “Or maybe…” she made her way over to the edge of the stage with a little bounce in her step that caused a few wiggles in certain places, “you didn’t come to hear at all. You just came to…look.” With a grin, she leaned down near one of the front tables, giving the males there a nice view of her cleavage.

Whistles and more catcalls greeted this and one man at the table grinned and reached out for the prize. Jenna playfully smacked his hand and skillfully sidestepped him. “Uh uh uh…” she chided, wagging her finger. “Looking is one thing, but no touching, big boy.” With a nod to her backup singers, she signaled for the music to begin and launched into her song.

“He's not so good in a crowd but when you get him alone, You'd be surprised, He isn't much at a dance but then when he takes you home, You'd be surprised,” she sang, hips swaying as she danced her way across the stage and glided down the steps leading from the stage to the audience.

Picking an older, mostly bald gentleman who seemed to have spent his life working hard, Jenna went on singing, trailing a finger gently on his work roughened hand. “He doesn't look like much of a lover, But don't judge a book by it's cover.”

Before the man could really react, she had swept on to the next person, this one a fine looking young rouge with the bloom of youth still in his handsome cheeks. “He's got the face of an Angel, But there's a Devil in his eye.” Laughter came from the young man’s friends and he grinned widely, lifting a glass to salute the singing seductress.

Jenna smiled back and continued working her way along the front tables. “He's such a delicate thing but when he starts in to squeeze, You'd be surprised.” She paused to hug herself on the word squeeze, drawing the word out slightly as unwrapped her arms and slid one hand down her arm with a come-hither smile. The sound of groans and calls of “I’ll hold you, sweetheart!!” came from several willing volunteers.

“The next line had Jenna smiling with a gleam in her eyes as she pranced toward Leaf and slipped into his lap, singing, “He doesn't look very strong but when you sit on his knee, You'd be surprised.”

And Leaf was the one surprised but he grinned and whispered for only Jenna to hear, “Stronger than you think.” He managed to give her a quick squeeze and a bold grin before she slid off and made her way back to the stage.

Continuing to sing and pantomiming waltzing at a ball and then waving her hand airily at the 'nothing at all' part, Jenna crooned,  “At a party or at a ball, I've got to admit that he's nothing at all, But in a morris chair, You'd be surprised.”

As the music played an interlude, Jenna danced across the stage, her skirts swirling and revealing shapely legs and elegant boots to the admiring crowd who whistled, stomped, cheered, and yelled their support and love for their Nancy.

“He's not so good in the house but on a bench in the park,” Jenna sang after her dance, sinking onto a bench that was onstage as a prop. She reclined back against the side, stretching a leg out seductively for a moment before she was up again, still singing as she moved back to the edge of the stage, “You'd be surprised.”

“He isn't much in the light but when he gets in the dark…” she leaned over and blew out the candle on the table closest to her, batting her lashes at the men, “You'd be surprised.”

Working her way down to the floor again, Jenna singled out a different man to whom she sang each set of lines. “I know he looks as slow as the Erie, But you don't know the half of it, dearie,” was sung to an older man who looked about ready to pass out. “He looks as cold as an Eskimo, But there's a fire in his eyes,” belonged to a stone faced gent who had been listening and drinking, apparently unaffected by the raucous activity around him until Jenna sauntered over and then the slow, rather lecherous smile that formed had her smiling back, but then moving away rather hastily.

The last two verses were sung as Jenna flitted and flirted and weaved and wiggled her way through the dazed and star-struck males. A smile here, a quick touch of an arm or shoulder there, a wink, a kissing action…Jenna did it all. And the crowd was sucking it up like dry desert ground after a shower of rain. As she sashayed back up the steps to the stage, her hips swaying in a way that brought calls from the onlookers, she then turned to wrap up the number. Looking out over her audience with a dazzling smile, she pointed and announced, “This one's a real keeper!”

Instantly cheers and whoops of approval resounded as men leapt to their feet to clap and clap, though there were a few arguing over just who ‘Nancy’ had been pointing at when she claimed the person who was the keeper.

Leaf grinned and applauded as well, his eyes on Jenna but also shifting to watch the crowd and make sure that nothing got out of hand.

As Lucy smooths her curls into place, Nancy checks to make sure her boots are laced tightly after her change, and notices a familiar piece of paper on the floor. It is the folded set of instructions for the tunnel.

Gasping, Nancy pulls it up. "What is this doing here?" she exclaims. "I know I gave it to those travelers, and..."

She is interrupted by the snick of a small pistol having the trigger primed. Turning slowly, she sees Lucy holding a derringer pointed right at her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Nancy, but they said they'd hurt Letty if I didn't help, and they've been watching you for a while. They just couldn't prove anything, but when these strangers showed up--I can't let them hurt my sister."

Lucy is crying now, but very resolute. Nancy slowly begins to rise, her hand reaching behind for her face powder.

"What did they get, Lucy?" she asks in a calm tone.

"I don't know, Miss. They just gave me this and said if anyone asked, I was to use it. It's something about an old cell."

Nancy feels a chill, both from the impending pistol threat, and what lays ahead for the travelers.

"Put the gun down, Lucy. You don't want to shoot me, do you?"

"No, Miss, you've been very good to me, but I will if I have to. It's for Letty!"

Nancy realizes she can't reason with Lucy, who seems to have no idea that DeWinter will kill Letty anyway when he's done questioning her. She has one chance, so she swiftly flicks the powder container up and out toward Lucy's face.

Outside, the shocked backstage manager comes running at the sharp report of a firing pistol.

You just know these instructions have to be wrong. You seem to be getting nowhere, and this looks like a dead end. You think about returning, but suddenly, there is a hiss behind you, and you see a large metallic cat coming up swiftly.

OneToo stiffens. "SIX! It is you. Traitor!"

The cat stops and regards OneToo with disdain. "Ah, my little sibling. I should rather say it is you who betrayed our purpose, but then again, we were both just extras, just afterthoughts. So nice to see you again. I see you have brought the lambs to the snare? I shall relay the good news. I won't be long."

"You won't be at all!" OneToo snarls. "Leave my friends alone!"

And with that he charges after the fleeing cat, but, even before you can respond, the other cat reaches a lever and pushes it with a paw. As the floor slides out from under you and a huge cat fight ensues, you plummet downward...

Straw pallets underneath you break your fall, but you find yourselves in a large cell. You've fallen into an secret underground prison with tightly locked doors and no apparent way out. Over to the other side of the enclosure you see a figure sitting on a cot, looking quite battered and another figure of a female tending wounds. Even from behind, she looks familiar.

You approach, and the woman with the cloth turns toward you. Larianne! You've found her!

But, no, not Larianne, just so much like her it makes you gasp. Her eyes widen in fear as she looks at you.

The figure on the cot sits up straight. "It's all right, your Highness, I know these people. They've come from another place, to help the double DeWinter found for you, I think. They're on our side!"

You now see that the second figure is the owner of the shop where you dressed, Letty. She is very bruised, but seems to be able to move.

The woman with the cloth smiles sweetly. "Then I'm glad to see you, but you seem to be no better off than we are. Where are my manners?"

She holds out her hand, a bit worn from her time in the cell, and you notice her arm is loosely wrapped with a bandage, as though it was covering a cut near the bend in her elbow.

"I'm Vee," she adds, smiling again.

This is the haughty Crown Princess Vertilline? This small woman who is a duplicate of Larianne and seems to have the same type of temperament?

The pieces of what Tanaka told you fall into place. The figure in the medallion was one of the automatons that he sabotaged. This is the real Vertilline.

You greet her, but it is cut short by the sounds of scrabbling and scratching from behind a stone in the ceiling. Several pieces come falling down near you. It sounds like paws furiously digging. You look up and see OneToo looking down at you, or rather two OneToos, since there is a face on each side of the opening.

"You're all right!" One Too exclaims with relief, and then both cats chorus. "Your Highness!"

"Dear little ones," Vertilline responds, "we are glad to see you, but you are in grave danger."

"Not at all," responds the other cat. "Six has been dispatched into the canal, where he hopefully will rust in peace, and we are here to rescue you, your companion, and OneTwo's friends."

OneToo fairly beams. "This is my brother, Whittington 2 of 14. We call him TwoFer. He's a warrior model, and is a great fighter! Six took on me, but he wasn't ready for TwoFer."

TwoFer gives a modest purr. "Chat later, though. We have work to do. Combined, we might loosen the stones enough for you to climb up, but that will bring the guard in, and you'll still need a way to climb up."

(OOC: So here it is. You now have to figure out: 1) How to disable the guard. (You don't need his keys since you'd only be grabbed again before you got out.) 2) How to climb up, and 3) Whether or not you can also rescue Vertilline and Letty, who is having a bit of trouble moving and will have to be helped partway.

TwoFer knows the way to the Pyrates hideout, and he will safely take you there. You will then begin Chapter 11 with the other teams.

In your cell, you have. Two metal dishes, three straw pallets, some strips of bandages, which have probably been torn from Vertilline's petticoats. You may engineer your escape as you wish, and there is no one way to do this RP, but you can gain 150 bonus points if you can contrive a believable way to rescue Vee and Letty. Remember that you do have your additional set of skills. This challenge is due by 11:59 Subeta time on August 4th. Good luck!))

(OOC: Nancy and her costumer are not involved in this.)

Nancy guides you swiftly through the tunnels and along a drainage canal, pausing about halfway there and holding up her hand for silence.

"We're very close to the old prison," she whispers, "and we have to go quietly."

"How quiet would that be?" snarls a feline voice near you.

You whirl to see several smirking guards let by a metallic cat that resembles OneToo. Behind them is a man brandishing a metallic steam pipe, on which is now blowing softly.

"SIX!" snarls OneToo. "It is you. Traitor!"

The other cat regards OneToo with disdain. "Ah, my little sibling. I should rather say it is you who betrayed our purpose, but then again, we were both just extras, just afterthoughts. So nice to see you again, and you've made some friends. It was so nice of Lucy to fill us in on where you'd gone. But then, she does think that might help her sister. So gullible, these humans."

Nancy gasps and OneToo fairly spits.

Six continues mildly as sounds of scurrying appear all around you, and a small army of rats streaks into your tunnel. "Did I mention I've brought friends?"

(OOC: You now face a metallic battle cat, three burly but not too bright guards, a technomancer, and a sizable army of very hungry rats. You need to RP your way out of this, using only those party members you have with you. If you defeat them successfully, and I have great faith in all of you, you will safely reach the Pyrates. You will then begin Chapter 11 with the other teams. This challenge is due by 11:59 Subeta time on August 4th. Good luck!)