Reject Redemption (Episode Two)
"Hello Rejects and mentors. My name is Annabeth Chase and I'm the assistant producer here. In a short period of time you will let explore your home for the coming weeks. All rooms have already been assigned and rooms are connected to your mentors.
"Before that happens I'm going to introduce to the rest of our crew. This here is Nyssa Barrera."
Nyssa stepped forward and gave a wave. "Hey guys I'm the head of the camera crew. Warning there are camera placed around the building. Not in in the bathrooms or in Thalia's room per the yelling of her body guard so please use other rooms as this is a tv show. Also now and then we may call you guys one at a time to do a one on one answering questions for the camera."
"This is Silena Beauregard, the head of makeup," Annabeth said introducing the next woman.
"I'm here always to help out but my main job will be to help before the bigger shows," she smiled. "And this is my husband Charles Beckendorf does the lighting and stuff."
"Hey were Luke's brothers I'm Travis and that's Connor Stoll. We're doing special effects."
"I hate you both," Luke muttered.
"Ha that's funny you think we care," Connor smiled.
"Then besides our main producer Chiron the only people left for you to meet are the bodyguards who will also be living here," Annabeth told the group. "First is Frank he is Percy's bodyguard."
"Nice to meet you," Frank smiled. "And um hi Nico?"
"Don't talk to me."
"Got it..."
"Anyway next we have Reyna Will's bodyguard," Annabeth continued before turning to Reyna. "And I'm sorry your dogs were not allowed clearance to stay."
Reyna shrugged. "They'll be okay. There gonna stay with my sister."
"And last but not least Clarisse, Thalia's bodyguard," Annabeth introduced.
Clarisse zeroed in on Luke and took and walked up and glared at him. "Touch her? And you die."
Luke said nothing and silently took a step away from Thalia.
"Clarisse please refrain from badgering the Rejects while on camera," Annabeth advised.
"We're not on camera yet."
"We will be soon enough."
"So Annie," Percy stared throwing an arm around her shoulders. "What's the first competition."
"I'm not helping you," she deadpanned.
"Oh come on."
"Nope. No unfair advantages."
"Not even for your fiancé?"
"Definitely not for you."
"Ouch."
"What about me An-"
"No Thalia. Now people get moving. Gonna start rolling in two minutes!"
~~~~
"Welcome Mentors, and Rejects!" Leo Vadlez shouted from where he stood in front of a mansion. "In a moment you will be allowed in the mansion to explore, and get to know each other. But don't get too comfortable. The first challenge is right around the corner. And no I won't tell you what is until then. So, are you ready to see your new home?"
Those in front of him cheered in response and Leo smiled and stepped out of the way. "Then enjoy!"
The group rushed inside the camera were quickly switched so a quick pan of amazing looking room could be seen before going back for the Mentors and Rejects.
The six of them hauled their suitcases up the stairs and onto the second floor in a hall where three of the rooms had a gold star with a name in it while three other rooms had red Xs with names. Further down the hall they would find doors to two separate bathroom but for now the six focused on finding their rooms.
Thalia practically ran to her room (where the camera was not allowed to follow) and Luke went into the room with his name next to it the room itself was big. A large bed sat across from a large TV mounted on the wall. It also held a few dressers and from what he assumed was a large closet. But best of all it had its own couch, coffee table, and mini fridge. A smile found its way to Luke's face as he dropped his luggage as flopped down on the bed. "This won't be so bad," he said to himself putting his hand behind his head. "I mean it's for charity."
The camera switched to see as Jason walk into a similar room to Luke's and after looking around he cracked a smile. The camera then went to Nico in his room who was already putting clothes into a dresser.
"Mentors and Rejects wanna come back!?" A voice shouted throughout the house. In response the six emerged from their rooms and followed the sound of the voice shouting, "I haven't got all day!" They followed it back to the front of the house where Leo stood impatiently.
Once all gathered in front of them Leo cleared his throat and spoke. "So, it was assumed that as soon as we got here you all would avoid each other for a while but that's not gonna happen cause we're gonna dive into our first challenge!"
"Already?" Will asked surprised.
"Yup," Leo smiled widely. "This one is semi simple compared to what you'll be doing the future. Since there will be no singing for the Rejects in this first challenge."
Most nodded in relief.
"Oh thank the gods," Percy muttered. Jason glared at him but Percy shrugged before whispering, "Hey I'm on your side but I'm also going to be realistic here."
Jason opened his mouth but Leo cleared his throat loudly. "Thank you," Leo said once he had their attention. "Now this challenge is all about getting to know one another and of course getting the audience to know you too. It is a short songwriting challenge," Leo said slowly to emphasize and dramatize everything as the camera captures reactions.
~~~~
"That was the moment I knew I was fucked," Luke told the camera in a one on one session.
"Actually would you mind refraining from swearing?" A guy behind the camera asked.
"Wait I can't swear? Seriously? Just bleep it or something. I'm gonna swear as much as I want to," Luke replied crossing his arms.
"Hey I don't make the rules," the off camera cameraman said. "But if Nyssa comes stop it. The girl scares me. She's been trying to get me fired. Since day one."
"This is the second episode," Luke pointed out.
"I know. She really doesn't like me. All because I didn't use a protractor when adjusting the camera- shit I think she's coming. I don't know what to do!"
Luke raised an eyebrow. "Is this my one on one or yours?"
~~~~
"See if you can at lest write a song we can auto tune the hell out of you later," Leo explained to the six. "But this challenge had been split into two parts but only the second half will be voted upon. So the songs you must write must be about the other person. This first half mentors will write a song about their Reject and preform it tomorrow for the others. Then the Reject must write a song about the mentor which mentors will then preform on a stage. Sound good?"
"Yeah."
"Sure."
"I guess."
"It's not like we have another choice."
"Let's go."
"Yup."
"A simple yes would've been fine," Leo muttered. "But anyway you have until noon tomorrow. That's 24 hours well 22 since I got here late. You can work in your rooms which for each mentor Reject team are connected through a door-"
"Nothing in Thaila's room!" An angry woman's voice shouted from behind the camera. In response Thalia rolled her eyes.
"I know that Clarisse!" Leo yelled. "You didn't let me finish!" Leo turned back to the small group and cleared his throat before continuing. "Repeating what Thalia's obsessive bodyguard already shouted, Thalia's room is off limits to everyone except her and Thalia. The camera is watching you boys... anyway you can also work in other parts of the house, and there are two music rooms down on this floor to work in. So get working and good luck!" Leo smiled with a mock salute before taking his leave.
The mentors and Rejects hurried up to their rooms and went inside to work.
The camera zoomed up to Jason's door before it switched to show in the inside. Percy had pulled out his phone and sat on the couch as Jason sat on the bed.
"So, tell me about yourself," Percy stated. "I gotta figure out what I'm gonna write about you."
Jason shrugged. "What do you want to know?"
"I don't care. You got a middle name? Or your favorite movie? When did you get you're glasses? Or maybe how horrible it must be to have Thalia as a sister?"
"I'm gonna take a wild guess here and say you don't like her," Jason said readjusting his glasses.
"This song is about you not me," Percy pointed out he pressed something on his phone before speaking again. "So, tell me about yourself."
Jason sighed. "I don't have a middle name, I don't know my favorite movie, I got my glasses a few years ago, and Thalia is fine."
Percy frowned. "This is going to be harder than I thought.
~~~~
The camera switched to show Thalia laying on a bed her head hind backwards over the side while Luke sat on the couch with his arms crossed.
"Can't I sit on my bed?" Luke asked.
"Nope," Thalia told him. She picked up a pad of paper and pen. "So tell me about your scar?"
"My scar?" Luke repeated. "Why?"
"Cause I'm sure there is a story behind it. And story can lead to a song."
Luke scratched his head a few times but he finally nodded. "It's kind of a long story..."
"Then start talking."
~~~~
"Are you going to tell me anything about yourself?" Will asked sounding frustrated when the camera switched to him. He sat on a couch with Nico at the far end of it
Nico shrugged and picked up a glass of water. "What does it matter? I've already lost this whole thing."
Will rolled his eyes. Both fell silent watching the other for a moment then Will spoke. "You seem to have less than zero faith in yourself, but I have faith that I can help you learn to sing. And if I don't accomplish that, I'm not sure about Luke, but I'm sure you'll be better than Jason. I mean we watched the same clip. The guy sounds like a dying parrot on crack."
Nico let a small laugh escape which he muffles by drinking some more water. "How do you know what that sounds like?" He asked Will.
Will shrugged. "Maybe I'll tell you when you start writing about me. For now we're writing about you. So what's interesting about you?"
"I was born in Italy," Nico suggested.
"Oh cool."
"I don't remember much but I lived there for a couple years with my mom and older sister."
Will looked confused. "I thought in your video your sister said you were older."
Nico took a sip of water. "I had an older sister."
Will blinked then cleared his throat awkwardly. "So... Italy? What else?"
~~~~
"You tried to eat a stapler?" Percy laughed. "Oh that is so going into the song."
Jason grimaced. "Does it have to?"
Percy nodded eagerly. "Not sure what exactly I'll say about it but it is. So tell me more stuff."
Jason paused thinking. "I don't know what else really. I already told you some random stuff- wait how are you going to write a song if you didn't write down anything I told you?" Jason questioned looking at Percy pointedly.
Percy held up his phone. "I'm recording our conversation. It's easier than writing, I'm dyslexic."
"Ah. Wait, couldn't you have just gotten the footage from the camera crew?"
Percy opened his mouth before closing it. He pressed something on his phone before standing up and walking to the door. "Nyssa?" He called waking out.
The camera switched back to Jason who rolled his eyes and stood heading over to inspect the mini fridge.
~~~~
"I think I got enough to make something out of this," Will's voice said as the camera switched to him and Nico. Will looked over his notepad. "I'm just unsure how short a 'short song' is."
"Now what?" Nico asked.
"Hmmm... not sure gotta start working out lyrics."
"We could head to the music room and figure out something to go behind it," Nico suggested.
Will nodded a little hesitantly but stood up and walked to the door.
~~~~
"Confession time," Will said to the camera when he was on his own. "This may come as a shock to many but...um..."
"Say it already Solace," a voice called from behind the camera. "I need to go talk to Jackson."
"Can't you let another cameraman do this then, Nyssa?" Will questioned.
"They aren't trustworthy," she responded. "Now speak!"
Will jumped surprised by the tone. "I- um, unlike all my siblings and my dad I can't..."
"Tick tock Solace!"
"I can't play an instrument!" Will squeaked out.
Laughter sounded. "Seriously?" Nysa called. "That's sad dude! I mean some of your siblings play professionally! Your dad was a guitarist and singer before creating his own studio!"
Will's face turned red. "I know. Stop laughing. Didn't you have to talk to Percy?"
The laughter continued. "He can wait! I need to know more about this!"
Will's face turned redder. "No you don't," he mumbled.
"Yeah I do." Nyssa replied still laughing. "Hey Stolls! Will can't play an instrument!"
"What seriously?" A new voice asked.
Another voice laughed. "That's sad man."
"I know right!" Another agreed. "I mean look at your family!"
"I know," Will muttered looking downward.
~~~~
The camera switched to Thalia holding a glass of wine and frowning at Luke.
"What?" Luke asked her.
"You're feeding me bullshit."
"No I'm not! And I thought we couldn't swear."
"I'll swear if I want. And you are clearly are feeding me bullshit. You're telling me all this fucking happy shit which is clearly fake. Stop making your life sound 'normal' and start telling the fucking truth or else you have no shot at the prize money!"
Luke blinked surprised. After a moment he sighed. "Fine. I never really knew my dad but other than that things were still semi norm-" Luke was cut off as Thalia threw her glass of wine in his face. Luke wiped his face on his sleeve. "What the fuck?" He growled.
"I said stop lying," Thalia responded glaring at him, she then through her wine glass toward him and Luke quickly reached out and magically caught it. "Now go to the kitchen and refill my glass and when you come back tell me the truth."
"I ain't getting you shit," Luke said standing. He walked up to her and held the glass in front of her face as he glared. "You want wine get it yourself."
"Excuse me?" Thalia demanded.
"You heard me. I'm not your servant. I don't even want to be here. If you want something get it yourself."
"I want the truth from you."
"Who said I want to talk about it?"
Thalia paused. "Fine. Go get yourself some wine. When you've loosened up we'll talk."
"Are you even listening? I don't wanna fucking talk about it!"
"You'll be fine once you're drunk."
"Says the alcoholic."
Thalia's eyes narrowed. "I'm not an alcoholic."
"You went to rehab because of it didn't you? I watch the news."
Thalia stood. "Fine. But I've accepted what I am. You haven't. When you're drunk you will."
Luke glared at her. "I don't need to be drunk to fucking tell you that I don't want to talk to you about my crazy mother, my father who only appeared in my life to tell me to watch my younger brothers and then left again!" While Luke breathed heavily clearly angered.
But Thalia cracked a smile. "See? It wasn't too hard to tell me the truth was it?"
Luke blinked. "What?"
"I think I can make a good song out of that," Thalia told him taking her glass. "I'm gonna head to the music room. Also this wasn't wine. It was apple juice. I just wanted to rile you up." Thalia gave him a smirk and walked out the room leaving Luke highly confused.
Luke looked down at his sleeve which he had wiped his face on. After a moment he gave a sniff. "Apple juice..."
~~~~
And now a word from our sponsors:
"Do you like garden nomes? Or maybe exotic statues? Well, come on down to Aunty Em's!" A woman dressed in all black and a veil over face said from next to a statue.
"I've got everything you need to make your garden, foyer, or where ever you'd need a statement piece!
"I even do custom pieces! So call now! At 1-800-6-MEDUSA. Call now!"
~~~~
"Do you like hilarity?" A girl asked walking on screen. Her hair was dark brown and in a long braid.
"Or maybe you like cool story lines and plots?" A second girl said walking on. She was dark skinned with short curled black hair.
"Or maybe you like your feels ripped out and crushed over and over again," a third girl added coming on with light brown hair.
"Then you should join us over at FangirlFates !" The second girl said. "I'm Jaz by the way!"
"We've got more stories that aren't regularly updated!" The third girl added. "I'm Sabrina and you should definitely check out our story as the Fates or the one where we just shed some light into what we do when not writing! Or of course there is our PJO/Fairy Tail crossover starring the Tragic Trio and Zoe!"
"I'm Twila saying that putting us in a commercial totally wasn't my idea!" The first girl said. "So, we'll see you there!"
"Bye!" They all shouted with a wave as a logo appeared behind them.
And now back to the show.
~~~~
"Problem?" Thalia asked Luke from where she strummed a guitar.
"I don't like you," he responded.
She nodded. "Mutual. Now tell me how do you like the sound of this?"
Luke shrugged. "Okay to me but I know nothing about music."
"Is there anything you do know about?"
"That I'd call you bitch if your creepy bodyguard wasn't staring at me." The camera turned sharply to see a girl staring into the music room who quickly shut the door.
"You were saying?" Thalia asked.
"You're a bitch," Luke said simply.
"All you needed to due was tell me the truth. And after getting you mad you finally told me. Simple."
"There are other ways like kindness instead of pissing people off."
"You lied to me from the start," Thalia pointed out. "Don't lie we won't have a problem."
"You could've just accepted what I told you."
Thalia stopped strumming and gave Luke a glare. "I'm not one for eating bullshit."
Luke only glared back.
~~~~
Nico and Will stood together in a music room, Will awkwardly fidgeted while Nico looked at all the instruments hung up on the wall and around the room.
"So did you have any ideas for music?" Nico questioned once he realized Will hadn't moved.
Will flinched. "Um... no? You?"
Nico shrugged. "You're the one writing it."
"I-it's about you. Do you have a favorite instrument or something?"
Nico nodded slowly. "Believe it or not I uh- used to play the flute."
"The flute?"
"Yeah... It was my big sister's idea I just went along with it. Next thing I knew, flute lessons."
"You any good?"
"I haven't played in a while."
Will grabbed a flute off the wall and handed it to Nico. "Try."
Nico grimaced. "I want the money," he muttered to himself as he wiped off the mouth piece and then put the instrument to his lips."
~~~~
Now a fast forward of the sunset before back inside to see everyone.
"How about 'Staplers Aren't Food' for the title?" Percy suggested. He and Jason had moved into the kitchen and Percy stood by the stove looking into a pot.
"You're not gonna let that go are you?" Jason groaned from his spot at the table.
"Your stupid if you think I'm going to. But with what you told me in general I think I may have enough. I'll write in the morning cause the problem is tying it together. I mean you bite a stapler, got lost in the woods, then went to boarding school for a couple years, and then moved back in with Thalia."
"I don't know what to tell you," Jason shrugged. "What's in the pot?"
"Spaghetti. No one else seemed interested in making food, so spaghetti," Percy responded putting on gloves and picking up the pot and pouring the spaghetti into a strainer. "Want some?"
"You cook?"
"Sort of?"
"Then sure."
"Grab the sauce out of the cabinet."
~~~~
The camera then switched to show as Leo walked through the front door. He gave a quick salute to the camera before heading to the living room. Once there he reached out a hand where a megaphone was tossed to him. He cleared his throat before putting it up to his mouth.
"Attention Rejects and Mentors!" Leo's voice shifted through the house. "Please make your way to the living room!"
A few moments later the six entered the room and took seats on the couches. Leo smiled at them all but paused seeing Jason and Percy. "Are you eating spaghetti?"
"With sauce," Percy nodded.
"Okay... Well mentors hope your ready for your song about your Reject cause it's time."
"What?"
"That's not fair!"
"You said we have 24 hours!"
"I'm eating!"
"I don't care! I lied!" Leo smiled. "Don't worry though. See you guys were really meant to be an example so how you guys do won't count against you. So after we're finished here the Rejects will have 24 hours but less really cause people sleep and stuff. So who's first? I'm gonna take a wild guess and say not Percy."
When no one volunteered Leo rolled his eyes. "So glad you agreed Will!"
Will groaned and stood up by Leo who backed up into a chair. "Well it's clear this wasn't finished but um here this is I guess. God this is gonna suck." He cleared his throat.
"Born in Italy,
The middle of three
He's born in Italy,
The middle of three
And he loves
He loves he loves he loves
Mythomagic
Mythomagic
Mythomagic
Mythomaagggic
With its,
Gods and creatures
Attack points and more
It's very, its very,
It's very hard to find in stores
Mythomagic
Mythomagic
Mythomagic
Mythomaagggic
He likes mythomagic
And he plays the flute
Toot"
Everyone clapped (and laughed) and Will sat down looking bright red next to Nico who also looked red. "Toot?" Nico asked him.
"I don't know!" Will shouted turning redder.
Leo clapped again and stood back in the middle. "Looks like you're up Percy. I noticed you eating slower. Come on up."
Percy grimaced but he nodded and handed his bowl of spaghetti to Jason. He headed to the front. "Warning, I'm legit coming up with this on the spot cause I was gonna write it in the morning. So...
"When he was two
He didn't try to eat a shoe.
But that scar, that scaaaar,
Yes ladies.
He tried to eat a stapler, uh-lar.
And thankfully
For the child under three
His big sister wasn't yet a bitch
She saved him,
Yes she saved him
And gave him a sandwich"
"Didn't I tell you not to call her a bitch?" Jason questioned as Percy sat back down while others clapped.
"Creative license," Percy told him taking back his bowl of spaghetti.
"And last up the only lady here, Thalia!" Leo shouted and clapped and other flopped suit.
Thalia nodded and promptly walked out the room.
"Thalia?" Leo called after her looking a bit worried. "I need you sing to keep my job!"
"I'm getting a guitar idiot!" Thalia yelled back.
Leo let out a sigh of relief and a few moments later Thalia returned a guitar over her shoulder. She walked up and faced everyone and began to strum it.
"It's complicated, his mother.
It's complicated, his father.
It's complicated, his brothers.
It's complicated, 'cause he likes to lie
But it's not complicated,
If you tell the truth
Just open up
I'll listen Luke
We're a team, unfortunately
Please tell me truth
So tell me Luke
Do we have a truce?"
Rather than clapping eyes turned to Luke who rolled his eyes. "Fine."
Thalia nodded and sat back down. "Good. It's sad this part isn't voted on. I so would've won."
"You didn't need to show off with the guitar," Percy grumbled.
"Not my fault that you two didn't think about it?" Thalia smirked.
"I was gonna do it in the morning!"
Thalia shrugged. "What's your excuse Will?"
"Just not enough time," Will said in a small voice.
"No it's because he can't play an instrument," Leo told them all.
"Wait seriously?" Percy asked.
"That's explains a lot," Nico commented.
"Your dad-" Thalia started.
Will's eyes widened and he turned to Leo opened mouthed. "Who told you?"
"You do know that Nyssa is my sister right?" Leo responded.
"Shit."
Leo shrugged. "Anyway. This is over. Rejects it's your turn. I'll be back this time tomorrow to hear your songs about your mentors. This is not on singing skills but on lyrics. So I'll-"
"Wait!"
Eyes turned to see as an Asian man hurried on set a note in his hand.
"Hey Frank," Percy greeted.
Frank raised a hand in greeting and handed the note to Leo he turned to leave but then turned back to Percy. "Clarisse and Reyna ate the last of your spaghetti."
"You didn't stop them?"
"No I participated. Bye," Frank said hurrying off again.
Leo took the note and scanned it. "Okay change of plans. To make things more difficult you will be preforming your lyrics on stage and preforming a simple song for the judges tomorrow."
"What exactly is 'simple'?" Luke questioned with air quotes.
Leo shrugged. "Happy birthday, ABCs something a kid can sing. Hopefully you guys are better five year olds. So good luck! I would stay and raid that fridge but I've a got date. Bye!"
~~~~
"Let's start this stupid thing before I fall asleep," Thalia told Luke walking in his room flopping on his bed.
Luke blinked and quickly pulled on a shirt. "I was kinda changing."
"Eh nothing too impressive for you to show."
Luke bit his tongue but took a deep breath. "So, tell me about the bitchy famous woman who is you."
Thalia paused. "Like how I got into singing?"
"Sure."
Thalia nodded. "It started at a stupid talent show to win two thousand bucks..."
~~~~
"Alright let's get this song over with," Will said sitting down across from Nico.
Nico shook his head. "I already know what I'm writing about."
"I haven't told you anything yet."
"You can't play an instrument."
Will groaned and put his face in his hands.
~~~~
"Tell me why you hate my sister," Jason told Percy as he washed the dishes. "Also tell me why I'm the only one washing these?"
"Cause after I made more for everyone else, you started the dishes and everyone else walked away," Percy explained. "As for my hatred of Thalia, it started when I was around 14."
"You guys knew each other back then?"
"I met her that day, and years later I met her again when we both got big. My feelings haven't changed. I'm just more tolerable of her cause she's my fiance's best friend."
"So what happened?"
"A fight over two thousand dollars, and a talent show..."
~~~~
Fast forwarding montage of everyone going to bed and then waking up, hanging out, and getting work done as the day goes on. Not long after lunch the lyrics have been finished and groups are now working on their singing lessons.
"Thalia?"
"What? You don't like the song?"
Luke just gave her a blank look. "It's in French."
Thalia nodded. "Yeah. If you can not screw that up in French you'll be even better in English."
"I don't speak French."
"But you know the song right?"
"That's not the point."
~~~~
"I think my ears are melting."
"Thanks for your support," Jason groaned taking off his glasses.
"I mean this is legit the easiest song. Two year olds know it!"Percy shouted. He took a few paces back and forth. "Alright new plan. I want you to just say the words to the melody then we can work on the rest of it."
Jason sighed but nodded. "Fine."
~~~~
"This song is stupid," Nico groaned.
"Yes, but this song is the fundamentals. If you can sing this song you can sing most things. And I believe you can do it if you follow what trick?"
"Start low," Nico sighed.
"Good. Then go again."
~~~~
And now a word from our sponsors.
"Be prepared for drama, romance, and heart break," A pretty woman in pink stated on the screen. "There's only three episodes left of Aphrodite's garden. The first of this three is right after Reject Redemption so stay tuned!"
~~~~
"Looking for a nice restaurant? Cater? Or even just baked goods an coffee?" A small woman in a simple brown dress asked appearing on screen and walking through a restaurant. "Well come over to The Hearth. We've got everything you need. I'm Hestia and I'm the owner of The Hearth, and I wish to give any and everyone an at home feeling with home-style food. So come on down and I'll see you there!"
~~~~
The commercial switched to see two young women sitting in a classroom being hit on by some guys but they clearly aren't interested in said guys.
"Ladies are you sick of guys? Just want some girl time?" A narrator's voice asked.
"Please!" The two girls shouted as one.
"Of course you do!"
Suddenly both girls were transported away from the guys and instead into another classroom filled with only other girls.
"Then you should think about a woman's college," The narrator said. "Lady Diana's might just be the college for you."
"I agree," One of the girls which was teleported there said.
The second nodded. "Thanks Mrs. Narrator!"
And now back to our show.
~~~~
The camera opened on Leo smiling standing not far beyond the pool of the large house. It is now dark out and behind him sat a stage and a table with the Panel. In front of him in a few chairs sat the Rejects and their mentors.
"Alright everyone," Leo smiled. "I'd like to reintroduce you to our Panel. The Siren, Piper McLean. Apollo Solace. And Zeus Grace. So, you're probably wondering why there is even a stage when there is only a few people. The answer is simple. This week there is no audience. Next time we will have a huge house party and you will preform in front of all of them. But focusing on today. First up we will have our lyric readings! And by a previous not at all random draw, Nico will be first!"
"Not at all random?" Nico asked but he was ignored and instead pushed up on to the stage. "I can just say them right? No singing?"
"Yup. Go ahead," Leo smiled.
Nico took a breath and started his lyrics.
"He can sing, he can dance, but there's one thing he can't
He can't play
He grew up in a studio, surrounded by it all
He can analyze and criticize
But play? Not at all.
Sure not all can play
But with his family?
I can't sing and he can't play
So maybe just maybe,
We're somewhat the same."
Clapping followed.
"That was not as hurtful as I expected," Will commented.
"You're welcome," Nico nodded. "Can I get down now?"
"Not just yet," Leo said shaking his head. "Panel?"
"I'll start since it's about my son," Apollo said. "Honestly good job Nico. It's amusing and it rhymes, two things used in basic songs."
"Zeus?" Leo asked.
Zeus nodded and sat forward a bit. "I liked in general some parts seemed forced but it worked. So good job."
"Alright you can step down Nico," Leo said. "And next let's bring up Luke."
Luke sighed and walked up on to the stage. "Okay here it is." He took a deep breath and started with a smile one his face.
"Why she sings?
She did it first for the money
Two grand
But the competition for it went sort of funny...
She got cheated, slighted, it was like a trick
She then gave the winner a kick
Demanded a recount, found out she was right
Then wanted a rematch, it went on through the night
In the end they split it 50/50
1K for one 1K for the other
But when she got it home and showed her little brother?
800 only
And worst of all
He never gave her back the money"
All but Percy clapped who then slapped Jason for clapping.
"Zeus you wanna start?" Leo asked.
Zeus shook his head. "I've heard this story too many times."
"Okay... Piper?"
"I think it was great," Piper smiled. "It's funny, kinda sad, feel bad you a bit Thalia. But what I really liked was that you seemed to be enjoying yourself Luke. That's important."
"Apollo?"
"She kind of said what I was going to say so..."
Leo shrugged. "Nice. Then Luke come back Jason you're up."
Jason avoided eye contact with Luke and his sister as he walked up. "Just gonna say first I am on neither side of this. Okay...
"His mother was sick, he needed the meds
Found a flyer it said he could win he entered right then
He sang and he won the money was his
Two thousand dollars but now get this
The girl who came in second demanded a recount
Turns out it was a tie
They went back and forth again but neither could win
It was a tie, he was tired wasn't gonna give it another spin
They split it
He bought the meds and hurried home
He counted it up, the cost of the meds included
Then he realized he'd basically been looted
800
Nothing more, nothing less
That's why I haven taken this space
To tell you why he hates Thalia Grace"
There was no clapping as people looked from Thalia then to Percy confused. After a moment both started shouting.
"Oh please you took my extra 200!"
"Me? I didn't cheat and win the first time!"
"If you weren't such a sore loser none of it would've happened!"
"So you admit you cheated?"
"Hey shut up!" Piper shouted suddenly breaking up the fight. Both mentors looked to her surprised. "You both own way more than two thousand dollars now! Shut up!"
Percy and Thalia both looked away from each other and forward at Leo.
Leo gave an awkward laugh. "Well then. Um, I'm gonna say this is the end of the first challenge and voting will occur at the end. So Jason you're up there why don't you sing your simple song?"
Jason took a deep breath and suddenly seemed very nervous but nodded,
"Hah-ppy birth-day to you
Hah-ppy birth-day touh you
Hah-ppy birth-day dear- uh- someone
Happyyy birthday to youh"
"Panel?" Leo asked.
"Wow," Piper commented. "Despite the fact that was mostly talking that was best I've ever heard from you. Well done Percy!"
"Well we do have to take into account that you weren't really singing," Apollo started. "But much better than that horrific recording. Gives me nightmares."
"I'm not sure how to respond to that," Jason responded.
"Who cares, let's move on," Leo said waving Jason off stage. "Next up let's have Nico!"
Nico shuffled up on to the stage. His eyes flickered to Will who mouthed the words, "start low." Nico nodded and took a few deep breaths.
"Do, a deer, a female deer
Re, a drop of golden suhn
Mi, a nahme, I call myself
Fa, a long, long way to run
So, a needle pulling threahd
La, a note to follow Souh
Te, a drink with jam and brehed
That will lead dus back to Do, do, do, do"
"Please tell me I'm done."
"Wait for the Panel," Leo told him.
"You clearly had some trouble with matching words and notes but if I had to guess I'd say it was due to nerves more than anything," Apollo stated. "Then work on the high ones."
Zeus nodded. "Work on the high and pronunciation and you should be on you're way."
"Alright last up before me going home," Leo said waving Nico away. "Luke!"
Luke gulped and walked up on the stage.
"Frèreo Jacques, Frèreh Jacques,
Dorme-vous? Dorme-vouhs?
Sonnez les mahtines, sonneyz les matines
Ding dang dong, ding dang dong."
"I think that was actually pretty good," Piper smiled. "I think your biggest problem was the fact that it's French. I think had you done it in English you would've had it. But good job on going for something harder."
"Regardless of language you did a pretty good job of matching the melody. But I agree with Piper. In English you'd be nearly perfect."
Luke went back to his seat and Leo went and sat down on the edge of the stage. "Alright you guys good job for the first two challenges. But you still have four left. And they are gonna get harder. Like I said next time will involve a real performance and a harder song. Then it's gonna get harder from there. So good luck. And to those at home thanks for watching, be sure to vote and we'll see you next time on, Reject Redemption!"
"We're out!" Nysa shouted.
"Good," Leo nodded sliding off the stage.
"An actual crowd next week? I don't think I'll survive," Luke commented.
"Everyone's gonna be beyond drunk. It's a party," Travis told him.
Connor nodded. "They won't remember you're horribleness."
"I'll admit it makes me feel a bit better," Luke nodded.
"I still can't believe you took his side," Thalia frowned crossing her arms.
"I didn't take his side. I asked him why he hated you and he answered," Jason explained.
"Thalia is he bothering you?"
"He's my brother Clarisse, even you can't stop him bothering me."
Clarisse cracked her knuckles. "I can try."
"She is crazy," Nico commented.
"One word for it," Reyna nodded.
"The party is gonna be brutal," Frank grimaced. "She's gonna punch every person who even looks at Thalia."
"So if I put a mirror in front of her?" Percy questioned.
"Then you'd have to deal with me," Annabeth told him.
"I was just speaking hypothetically."
"You told everyone?" Will shouted.
"No," Nyssa denied shaking her head. "I told Leo. The Stolls overheard, and they told everyone else."
"And now the whole world knows?"
"Pretty much."
"Great. Just great."
~~~~
VOTING:
Challenge 1:
Nico
Luke
Jason
Challenge 2:
Jason
Nico
Luke
PLEASE VOTE!
-Jaz
Songs Used:
Happy Birthday
Do Re Mi:
Frère Jacques: