<🎧 Song Recommendation: To Build A Home by The Cinematic Orchestra> (Inspiration. Please listen if you want to feel the melody!)
...
Von didn't try to turn Conor into a vocalist in one night. He wasn't even able to do so, because he himself had a lot to learn in the first place.
Instead, Von remembered the same principles Zack had taught him back in Miami. Instead of trying to sing better, try not to sing badly.
With that in mind, Von helped Conor practice the piece they would be singing. They focused entirely on the core of emotion, which was said to be the main theme of this round.
By the time they were done, late into the night, Von could conclude that even though Conor didn't undergo a magical evolution, he would be able to deliver his performance with confidence at the very least.
***
{March 2nd, Saturday}
The atmosphere the next day was filled with pressure. It wasn't just the Top 50 who were performing; everyone regarded it as the biggest day of their lives. Today would decide whether they would move into the Star Mansion or be on a plane back home the next morning.
The performances began as early as 7:00 AM from the 50th rank. By around 4:30 PM, it was finally Von's turn.
Von was currently backstage, pacing in the narrow hallway, waiting for the producers to signal him. Unfortunately for him, the setup was different today; he wasn't able to hear the scores of the others because he wasn't allowed to meet those who had performed before him until he was done.
This was a big moment for Von. He didn't just want to make the Top 24. The System quest still waited for him. If he wanted to improve his stats, he'd need to make the Top 5 at the very least.
'I don't even know how realistic that is,' Von thought. 'But I'll give my best and hope they're convinced.'
"Von Varley!"
His internal monologue was interrupted when Michael signaled for him to get to the stage. Von took a deep breath, gave a small nod to the stage manager, and walked aboard.
The stage was set differently this time. Instead of an empty auditorium, all the contestants that had performed before him sat on risers scattered at the back of the Judges. It created an arena-like feel. All eyes were on him.
Von walked closely to the mic stand in the center.
"Hello, Judges. I'm Von Varley."
"How are you, Von?" Aria asked, leaning forward with a warm smile. "You know this is the last day of Hollywood week. How do you feel ahead of your performance? You nervous? Do you see yourself with us next week?"
Von laughed a little, shaking his head. "Honestly? I try not to think about all that. But I'm really excited for today."
"Wow! Excitement," Jax exclaimed, spinning a pen in his fingers. "That's why we love you, Von. Now let's see what you're up to."
All the contestants sitting at the back clasped their hands together as Von walked backward to perform. There was a grand piano set up in the center of the stage for participants who could play. If a contestant couldn't play, the production team would play the backing track.
But Von didn't want to waste his [Basic Instrument Mastery] skill. He'd rather play the piano himself.
As he sat down on the bench, he took in a deep breath. This was only the second time he was playing this instrument, with the first being a short practice session in the music room. But right now, it mattered much more.
Von looked at the Judges and the audience and activated [Reasonance].
He could already see freckles of light touching them, a visual representation of his skill reaching out to connect with their psyches.
His memories went deep, diving into the well of his previous life. He used [Emote] to project the profound sadness of his past isolation.
He began with the slow, melancholic opening.
🎹 ♪
There is a hole inside my chest...
Where all the love was put to rest...
🎹 ♪
🎹 ♪
Memories and promises now fading away...
You were the one that I gave all my trust...
You were the one that I loved the most...
🎹 ♪
The whole hall fell silent as Von sang the opening with a soft, breathy voice. To them, it was like the song called to them, inviting them to know more. Even though they've all heard this song several times today, something felt visceral about this one.
Von was ignorant of the mood everyone fell into. He was immersed in the song, his fingers finding the keys with a natural fluidity as he increased the rhythm.
🎹 🎹
🎹 ♪
'Cause, I... gave... my heart
To you
To keep
🎹 ♪
🎹 ♪
Until... you walked.... away
From me
From us
🎹 ♪
🎹 ♪
And now, I watch... you leave...
And fade... away
🎹 ♪
As he finished the last line of the chorus, Von himself was starting to get emotional. His eyes became moist, the lyrics blurring slightly in his mind. He allowed the beat to fade, letting a heavy silence hang in the air for a breath, before his fingers found the keys again, bringing the melody back with a slower tempo.
🎹 ♪
There was a time when you loved me the most...
But here is a wall between us now...
Colors are turning into the gray...
Silence has grown to fill the room...
🎹 ♪
🎹 ♪
Through the door I used to search for a light
I looked for the one I used to know
When the change came around to take you away
I remember the way that you looked at me...
I remember the way that you looked at me...
🎹 ♪
Von's eyes were tightly closed, fully immersed in the feeling of loss. He increased the pace of his fingers as he delivered the chorus.
🎹 ♪
And, I gave my heart
To you
To keep
🎹 ♪
🎹 ♪
Until... you walked... away
From me...
From us...
And now, I watch...
You leave... and fade... away
🎹 ♪
Von didn't move. He held the final chord, letting the vibration of the piano hum through his fingertips until it died out completely. He was so lost in the performance, so deep in the memory of his own loneliness, that for a moment, he forgot he was on a stage.
He blinked, surprised to find a tear tracking down his cheek. He quickly wiped his eye and stood up, walking to the front of the stage to give a small bow.
For a second, there was silence. Then, a wave of applause erupted from the audience behind the judges.
After the noise died down, Aria was the first to speak. She had a teary face and a soft smile.
"I don't know," she began. "But I think we can all agree that this song hit us harder when Von performed it."
There were a few chuckles here and there, but most people nodded solemnly.
"Truly, Von," Aria continued. "That was special. You made me feel a very specific type of heartbreak. The emotion you sang it with... gosh. It felt like you wrote it yourself."
Von smiled in relief. "Thank you."
Jax leaned into his mic. "It would be a bummer if we don't see you in the Star Mansion. You're one special kid."
Everyone knew those were big words coming from a judge. Some contestants at the back felt a pang of jealousy, but looking at the performance they just witnessed, they had to agree.
Rex adjusted his glasses. "Alright. Let's see how many points you're getting on the deciding day."
The room went silent. The Judges moved their styluses across their desks to input their scores. And the next few seconds were heavy as they all anticipated the score.
Aria: [10]
Jax: [9]
Rex: [9]
Total: 28/30
A loud cheer came from the contestants after seeing the scores. Regardless of how anyone saw it, a 28 was a massive score. To Von, it meant that it was mathematically impossible for him to fall out of the Top 24.
He made it!
He left out a breath he didn't know he was holding. However, it didn't give him any assurances on where he'll fall in the Top 24 for his quest.
"Great job from you, Von," Rex nodded. "We'll be wishing you the best of luck on the rankings."
"Thanks," Von bowed slightly to show appreciation.
He was directed off stage, but he didn't go back to the holding room. Instead, he had to join the rest of the contestants on the risers behind the judges to watch the rest of the show.
For the next hour and thirty minutes, Von watched the rest of the Top 10 climb the stage and perform. It wasn't the best experience for him. His anxiety spiked each time a contestant received praise.
"That was magnificent!" Aria cried out for a boy that had transformed the song with his guitar.
"Best vocals of the night!" Jax has also shouted.
'Tsk. They should all be acting instead of judging. How is everyone the best performance they've ever heard?' Von couldn't help but muse bitterly.
He couldn't really enjoy it, as each performance was a countdown to the big moment. Finally, after Aura performed hers, it was all wrapped up.
There was a small break for the Judges to rest, and the other contestants from the previous days were informed to fill in the risers.
The lights dimmed as the moment arrived. It was finally time for the reveal.