Carter's feet were starting to tap impatiently and nervously as the number got closer and closer to their turn. He started bobbing his right knee, which drew the attention of Kokomi, who was sitting on his right. She brought him to attention by gently tapping his shoulder.
"Something troubling you?" Kokomi questioned.
Carter faced to the front so that he could hear her voice clearly over the loud rock music being played by the band on stage. He shook his head, for he doubted that she could hear his answer. Kokomi raised an eyebrow at his action but paid no heed and proceeded to keep her eyes on the band on stage again.
Nahida checked the time on her phone and decided that it would be best to start dressing up the clockworks into their costumes. She leaned in close towards Beyond to inform him. Beyond raised his eyebrows in confusion at first but then settled to his neutral expression when she started whispering.
"I think now is the perfect time to get ready." Nahida placed a hand by her mouth so that her whisper could be heard.
"We have all day, though? We're last, remember?" Beyond objects.
"I know that we're last, but its best to be ready early. I'm afraid that we'll definitely fall asleep through this segment," Nahida whispered as she pointed at the next band, who seemed messily dressed. One of its members is even yawning.
Beyond grimaced at the thought and agreed to her plan. Nahida nodded in return and tapped Kokomi's shoulder, who was sitting right in front of her. Kokomi turned her head towards Nahida, waiting for a request.
"Costume time," Nahida leaned in and whispered.
Kokomi made an 'o' motion with her mouth in realisation. Then she nodded with excitement. She then tapped on Carter's shoulder and whispered that it was time to get ready. Carter nodded in acknowledgement and passed on the message to Albert. Carter knew that Albert was sitting next to him on his left, so he just whispered.
"Albert, Nahida said it was time to get ready," Carter announced.
"Already?! I thought we're last." Albert questioned.
"I know, but Nahida is calling for us," Kokomi said, leaning into the boys' conversation.
Kokomi slowly got up from her seat and gently grabbed Carter's arm, making a gesture for him to get up. Carter slowly got up from his seat without alarming the audience. Albert had already gotten up and was standing in an empty row, waiting for them. Kokomi guided Carter by holding firmly onto his arm towards Albert. Before that, she informs Farihin of her whereabouts and bids him and the Black Panthers good luck.
The clockworks met up near the entrance to the dressing rooms behind the stage. Beyond and Simon had brought over the costumes in two large suitcases. Nahida had bought and altered them together with Kokomi to fit the style that she envisioned. The band stepped into the dressing room to see other performers getting a touch-up as well. Thankfully, there was an empty spot near the changing area, so they decided to put their stuff there.
Nahida clasped her hands together as the band stood around her in a circle.
"Alright, we have some time on our hands to get ready. I require your full cooperation so that everything can go smoothly without a hitch. Can you guys do that?" Nahida questioned.
The band gave different replies, indicating they understood her.
"Alright, here's the plan. Make-up first, then costumes, understood?" Nahida ordered.
"Why? Won't it be easier if we were already in costume?" Carter asked, scratching his head.
"Nahida's afraid that if we've already gotten dressed, then apply make-up. The make-up's dust will accidentally spill on our costumes if we're not careful," Simon tried to explain.
"Ohhh, I see now," Carter agreed to Simon's reasoning.
Nahida shook her head to push down her feelings of annoyance and continue explaining the plan.
"Anyways, Mimi will help me with the make-up. Albert, you hang the costumes on these hangers I brought. You three, just stay here and don't go roaming anywhere," Nahida ordered.
Nahida set up her make-up kit on the table that had a mirror. She beckoned Beyond over first. Beyond sat on a chair, and she began applying some moisturiser to his face to make his skin smooth. After that, she applied some light foundation to his face and noticed that Beyond had his eyebrows furrowed.
"What's wrong? Relax those brows," Nahida said.
"Why can't I help with make-up?" Beyond questioning, he crossed his beefy arms across his chest and held his chin up high.
"Don't argue with me now; I've let you help me during our own live shows, but this time its different. This is a competition. Besides, painting is not like make-up," Nahida countered.
"Fine, for the sake of the band, I won't argue," Beyond said, relaxing his eyebrows and placing his arms to his sides.
"Good, now smile," Nahida smiled.
Beyond smiled, and Nahida started applying some light blush to his cheeks.
Meanwhile, Kokomi had sat Carter down near Albert so he could watch him in case he needed help with anything. Carter actually didn't need help because he was used to his gift. He calmly put on the wired earphones he brought and played his favourite song through his phone. He knew which buttons to press since they had been in the same position for years. He calmly vibes to the city pop song he had recently found out about yesterday. He closed his eyes as the song played through his headphones.
Albert found amusement in Carter head-bopping with a silly grin on his face. He was probably so into the music that his surroundings disappeared before him. Albert continued his task of hanging up the costumes on the clothes' rack provided. He had both suitcases wide open on the floor so that he could pull out the costumes easily. Albert knew how hard Kokomi and Nahida worked on the costumes, so he remembered to hold them gently.
Kokomi was busy applying make-up to Simon's face. While Kokomi was hard at work, Simon held a serious conversation with her. Well, he tried to make it seem serious.
"So, about you and Carter," Simon started.
"I'm pretty sure you already know," Kokomi sighed as she tilted his head up to apply some powder to Simon's pale neck.
"That's the thing, I don't really know. That's why I'm asking," Simon said.
"I don't follow," Kokomi replied.
"He likes you, you know?" Simon said.
Kokomi straightened his head back and turned towards the vanity table. She placed the compact powder on the table and then grabbed the pink blush. Nahida had explained to her what tones to use on the men. Nahida wanted to just enhance their facial features instead of covering them completely in a different look. Kokomi then turned back to see Simon with his eyebrows raised and arms crossed over his chest.
"What?" Kokomi questioned.
Simon still had his eyebrows raised as he looked at her. He gestured with his eyes for her to look behind her. Kokomi glanced behind her back to see Carter staring at her while she worked. The two made eye contact, and Carter quickly looked away, a light hue of red dusting his cheeks. Kokomi turned back towards Simon to see him smirking with his arms crossed over his chest.
"He... likes me?" Kokomi questioned, gesturing for Simon to smile.
"Wow! How do you even-" Simon remarked.
"S-Shut up, I don't know how guys think," Kokomi stuttered as she interrupted him.
"You're lucky that Carter can't hear our conversation right now," Simon informed, glancing behind Kokomi.
Kokomi faced the direction that Simon had his sights on to see Carter with headphones on, adorably bobbing his head with the rhythm of his music. Kokomi smiled at Carter, who was enjoying himself. She then looked down at her shoes, then back up at Simon.
"Do you find him sexy?" Simon jokingly asked.
"I find him adorable, at least. Unlike you, who look at every woman's rear that passes by us,".
"Shushh, quiet down. It's embarrassing," Simon blushed.
"Hah, the blush has enhanced your embarrassment," Kokomi giggled, placing the blush pad back onto the vanity.
"Quit it. You're changing the subject. Back to the matter at hand," Simon said.
"And... you're done!" Kokomi said, stepping back to admire her handy work.
Simon rolled his eyes and shook his head gently with a small smile. Kokomi dragged him out of the chair and towards Nahida.
"Does he look alright?" Kokomi questioned, wanting to know Nahida's critique.
Nahida turned her attention away from Beyond and scanned Kokomi's work. She gave her a thumbs-up and a compliment. She then turned her attention back to Beyond's face with a serious look. Kokomi and Simon returned back to the resting area to see Albert and Carter sharing earphones.
Albert was staring right ahead with furrowed eyebrows and wide eyes, while Carter continued bobbing his head to the rhythm with his eyes closed. Albert was leaning his elbows against his knees, making him bend his back forward.
"What in the heck is this cartoony scene?" Simon questioned.
"Yeah, they look like Yzma and Kronk. They look so adorable!" Kokomi gushed.
"Huh, so Albert can pull off the Yzma look. Even his posture looks like her," Simon observed.
"Right,".
Albert noticed their return and took out the earphone from his left ear, placing it back on Carter's left ear. He got up and sat in the chair in front of the vanity, awaiting his turn. Simon left for the changing room after grabbing his costume that Albert had hung on the clothes' rack.
"Someone's excited," Kokomi commented.
"You misunderstood my actions; I'm merely letting Carter enjoy his tunes for a while longer," Albert explained.
"Fine, I'll buy into that reason," Kokomi chuckled.