Banyak tamu di Inn yang hadir dengan agenda masing-masing, tetapi sedikit yang menaruh kepercayaan buta sebesar Elesia kepada Midnight Inn. Angel Immortal Surgawi ini, yang bertindak sebagai agen Aliansi Humanoid atas nama para Angel, dipenuhi keputusasaan yang tidak biasa bagi seorang Celestial.
Dalam keadaannya yang menderita itu, dia mengawasi bahkan acara Dance Off, berharap menemukan sehelai harapan di mana pun.
Saat itulah streaming untuk Dance Off resmi dimulai. Berbanding dengan panggung tempat Lex dan bunglon berbicara tadinya, panggung sekarang jauh lebih besar, dengan barisan-baris kursi mengelilinginya.
Panggung asli diciptakan oleh bunglon, lalu diperluas oleh Lex. Bunglon dan Lex muncul di tengah panggung, berhadapan.
"Karena aku yang menantang, aku akan maju duluan supaya kalian bisa lihat dan bersiap," kata bunglon.
"Tidak masalah. Silakan," jawab Lex, tidak ada sebutir rasa cemas pun di suaranya atau sikapnya. "Tapi menurutku, untuk kenyamanan dan hiburan penonton, aku akan buat beberapa perubahan di venue ini."
Lex tepuk tangan, dan mengubah seluruh atap menjadi auditorium tertutup, menyembunyikan panggung di balik tirai, serta menambah lampu, mesin asap, dan beberapa formasi.
Perubahan itu semua semata-mata kosmetik, tapi apa gunanya mempertunjukkan pertunjukan kalau tidak ada tepatannya?
Kalau bunglon punya alis, pasti terangkat. Sebagai gantinya, dia hanya memutar seluruh matanya ke belakang — karena rupanya bunglon bisa melakukan itu.
Lex menjauh dari panggung, duduk di salah satu kursi baris depan bersama anggota Inn lain untuk menonton.
"Tau nggak, aku sempat riset sedikit soal pembukaan Kekaisaran Cold Brood," Z berbisik ke Lex.
"Oh? Apa yang kau temukan?" tanya Lex penasaran.
"Pernah dengar istilah boy band?" tanya Z ragu-ragu.
Sebelum Lex sempat menjawab, tirai katun hitam ditarik secara dramatis saat musik memekakkan telinga, mengungkap lima Koala Radiant.
Tanah terasa bergemuruh saat kelimanya terungkap, tapi Lex yang melihat seluruh Inn tahu itu bukan gempa. Bukan, itu teriakan dan sorakan ratusan juta perempuan dari seluruh ras!
Faktanya, auditorium baru mereka pun tenggelam dalam teriakan wanita-wanita abadi yang tak terhitung, semuanya berusaha menahan kegembiraan.
BadBunny: OHMYGAWD mereka lucu banget!!!
UndeadDisco: Pipi mereka! Mau remas aja!
OliveOilSheikh: Ya ampun, ini serangan boneka lucu!
MyNameIsBoris: Koala punya daya tarik lucu. Kayak hewan peliharaan kecil yang menggemaskan. Heh, Boris suka <3
Lima Koala Radiant berdiri dalam formasi sempurna, masing-masing dalam pose berbeda untuk menonjolkan karakter mereka.
Abby, koala yang berotot, punya perut fluffy yang lucu sekaligus mengesankan.
Mystery, koala berambut panjang menutupi matanya, memakai jaket ungu dengan kerah tegak, terlihat keren dan misterius.
Romance, koala dengan kacamata aviator, menyilangkan tangan sambil memasang senyum santai percaya diri.
Baby, koala paling menggemaskan, menatap penonton dengan malu-malu, seolah sadar sedang di panggung.
Terakhir, Singer, vokalis utama yang memakai sneakers edisi terbatas dan memancarkan kepercayaan diri, berdiri di depan memimpin.
"Jadi seperti yang kukatakan, rupanya grup penari yang dipakai Kekaisaran Cold Brood sebenarnya anggota boy band bernama Salsa Boys. Mereka cukup terkenal. Gabungan popularitas dan tarian mereka biasanya bikin rating tinggi. Menantang mereka bakal susah."
"Ah, jadi mereka memanfaatkan popularitas existing untuk tambah suara. Cerdik," kata Lex, tidak terlalu kaget.
"Nona-nonaaaaa, dan jun-junsssss," suara yang dalam dan antusias bergema saat seekor hamster memegang mic muncul di panggung. "Aku host acara dansa favorit kalian, Ham Solo, live di Midnight Inn, siap mengawali Dance Off epik lainnya!"
Hamster itu jeda untuk tepuk tangan — yang banyak — lalu menepuk perut gemuknya, melanjutkan monolog epiknya.
"Dance Off hari ini antara Kekaisaran Cold Brood dan Midnight Inn, dan taruhannya misteri bagi publik. Kelihatannya berharga. Entah apa yang dipertaruhkan, pasti banyak nilainya. Jadi, mewakili Kekaisaran Cold Brood, di belakang aku ada Salsa Boys, siap mempertahankan kehormatan kekaisaran mereka, dan pulang membawa emas. Mari kita berikan tepuk tangan saat memulai pertunjukan pertama."
Hamster itu melompat turun panggung sambil memegang perut dengan kedua tangan, menyerahkan panggung ke Salsa Boys untuk memulai.
Bukan awal yang pelan atau tenang. Musik memulai dengan semangat luar biasa, memungkinkan koala-koala lucu itu langsung memulai aksi.
Lex langsung merasakan ancaman nyata memancar dari panggung — ancaman bukan untuk dirinya, tapi untuk tarian mereka. Meski terlihat cuma boneka hidup, Salsa Boys menari dengan kehalusan sehelai daun yang terbawa angin musim panas.
Pertunjukan mereka lebih dari sekadar gerakan tubuh terkoordinasi dan tersinkron. Mereka seolah berezonansi dengan hukum-hukum alam semesta, menggunakan tubuh dan aksi mereka untuk menyentuh kekuatan yang lebih tinggi, memicu getaran dari kedalaman jiwa.
Kalau Lex saja terpengaruh, bayangkan rasanya orang lain. Banyak hal di kehidupan punya nilai nyata, tapi banyak juga yang tidak. Kekayaan hanya memudahkan hidup, tapi seni yang menggetarkan jiwa dan emosi, itulah yang memberi arti pada hidup.
Arti. Tanpanya, hidup bisa jadi penjara ketidaknyamanan dan kebosanan. Dengannya, bahkan neraka pun jadi sekadar jalur pengembangan diri. Oh, dan sebuah tarian, pertunjukan sederhana, bisa jadi pertunjukan memukau yang melambangkan perjuangan melawan ketidakpastian hidup, merindukan masa depan yang indah.
Bukan cuma Lex. Semua yang menyaksikan dibawa ke kondisi penemuan diri filosofis, memulihkan dan mengisi kembali inti mimpi dan gairah yang terhapus oleh kekerasanhidup.
"Pertunjukan yang bisa diterima. Bukan seperti pertarungan pedang yang diubah jadi tarian, tapi cukup bagus lah," Luthor mengomel enggan. Z tertawa terbahak-bahak, dan Gerard menggelengkan kepala, seolah menangani sekelompok anak kecil.
There were many in the Inn who were there with their own agendas, but few were putting as much blind faith in the Midnight Inn as Elesia. This Celestial Immortal Angel, who was acting as an agent of the Humanoid Alliance on behalf of the Angels, was filled with an unusual amount of desperation for a Celestial.
It was in her anguished state that she kept an eye on even the Dance Off, hoping to find a glimpse of hope anywhere at all.
It was at this time that the stream for the dance off officially began. Compared to the stage where Lex and the chameleon had originally talked, the stage was now much bigger, with rows and rows of seats all around it.
The original stage had been created by the chameleon, and it had been expanded by Lex. The chameleon and Lex appeared center stage, facing each other off.
"Since I was the challenger, I’ll go first so you can have a look and prepare yourselves," the chameleon said.
"No problem. Go ahead," said Lex, not a single shred of apprehension in his voice or demeanor. "But I think, for the viewers convenience and entertainment, I will make a few changes to the venue."
Lex clapped his hands, and turned the entire roof into an indoor auditorium, hiding the stage behind some curtains, as well as adding lights, smoke machines and a few formations.
The changes were all simply cosmetic in purpose, but what was the point of putting on a show if there were no theatrics?
If the chameleon had an eyebrow, it would have raised it. Instead, it simply rolled its entire eye backwards - because apparently chameleons could do that.
Lex walked away from the stage, taking one of the front row seats with the other Inn members to watch the show.
"You know, I did a little research on the Cold Brood Empires opening act," Z whispered to Lex.
"Oh? And what did you find?" he asked curiously.
"Have you ever heard of the term boy bands?" he asked hesitantly.
Before Lex could respond, the black velvet curtains were dramatically pulled upon as music blasted, revealing five Radiant Koalas.
The ground seemed to tremble as the sight of them was revealed to the Inn, but Lex who had a view of the entire Inn knew that it was no earthquake that caused the trembling. No, it was the screaming and shouting of hundreds of millions of girls from across the races!
In fact, even the newly made auditorium that they were in was drowned in the screaming of countless immortal women, all of them struggling to contain their excitement.
BadBunny: OHMYGAWD they’re so cute!!!
UndeadDisco: Their cheeks! I just want to squeeze them!
OliveOilSheikh: Oh my goodness, it’s the attack of the stuffed toys!
MyNameIsBoris: The Koala has a cute charm. Like an adorable little pet. Heh, Boris likes <3
The five Radiant Koalas were standing in perfect formation, each of the five in various poses to emphasise their key points.
Abby, the ripped koala, had cute fluffy abs that were both adorable and impressive.
Mystery, the koala with long hair hiding his eyes, was wearing a purple jacket with the collar up, looking cool and mysterious.
Romance, the koala wearing aviator sunglasses, had his arms folded and wore a casual, confident smirk.
Baby, the most adorable looking koala, looked shyly out at the audience, as if conscious about being on stage.
Finally, Singer, the lead vocalist koala who was wearing limited edition sneakers and radiated confidence, stood out in the lead.
"So yeah, like I was saying, apparently the group dancers used by the Cold Brood Empire are actually in a boy band called the Salsa Boys. They’re apparently very famous. When that’s combined with their dances, they usually end up getting very high ratings. Going up against them will be tough."
"Ah, so they’re using existing popularity to supplement their votes. Clever," said Lex, not too surprised by the behavior.
"Ladiesssssssss, and gentsssssss," boomed a rather deep and enthusiastic voice as a hamster holding a mic appeared on stage. "I’m your favorite danceshow host, Ham Solo, here with you live at the Midnight Inn, about to kick off yet another, epic Dance Off!"
The hamster paused for applause, of which there were many, before he patted his chubby tummy, and continued to epic monologue.
"The Dance off today is between the Cold Brood Empire and the Midnight Inn, and the stakes this time are a mystery to the public. Sounds valuable. Either way folks, we can be assured that whatever is on the line, it’s probably worth a lot. So, to represent the Cold Brood Empire, behind me we have the Salsa Boys, ready to defend the honor of their empire, and bring home the gold. Let’s have a round of applause as we kick off the first performance."
The hamster bounced off stage, holding its tummy with both hands, leaving the Salsa Boys to begin their performance.
It was not a slow or steady beginning. Instead, the music began with immense fervor, allowing the cuddly, cute koalas to immediately begin the show.
Lex immediately felt a very real threat emanating off the stage - a threat not to himself but to their dance. Despite appearing like nothing more than living stuffed toys, the Salsa Boys danced with the finesse of a single leaf, carried through the air by the summer breeze.
Their performance was more than just coordinated and synchronised body movements. They seemed to resonate with the very laws of the universe, using their bodies and actions to touch open higher powers, causing a stirring from the very depths of the soul.
If even Lex was influenced, then it could be imagined how everyone else felt. Many things in life had tangible value, but many things did not. Wealth could merely facilitate life, but art that stirred the soul, the emotions, was what gave life meaning .
Meaning. Without it, life itself could become a prison of inconveniences and tedium. With it, even hell could become merely a path of self improvement. Oh, and a dance, a simple performance, could become an enrapturing display that symbolized the very struggle against the unpredictability of life, yearning for a beautiful future.
It was not just Lex. All who saw the performance were ushered into a state of philosophical self discovery, rejuvenating and revitalizing the core of their dreams and passions that the rigors of life had washed away.
"An acceptable performance. Not like a sword fight turned into a dance or anything, but acceptable anyway," Luthor grumbled begrudgingly. Z chuckled, and Gerard shook his head, as if he was dealing with a bunch of children.
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