The Corvus and Pavo girls gather backstage to find out who won.

"Do you think we stand a chance?" Yeolmae asks. "It's Corvus we're up against."

 "Even if we don't win I think we won something else anyway," Mari says. "We showed them that Pavo is a capable team."

"We showed everyone that we can do this," Chaeri says.

Meanwhile over in the Corvus corner they look relieved. "I'm so glad that's over," Ara says. 

"And that we did really well!" Hyejin adds. "At least I think so. Corvus can do anything!"

Taeri laughs. "If we can do Pop then we can do anything."

"I'm so glad we'll have Hana back though," Yeseul says. "Sunhee is fun but I miss mother."

The screen in front of them springs to life and Mizu almost falls from her chair. "It's happening!"

The Pavo girls stare at the screen with mouths open.

"What?!" Aecha exclaims. "I mean- I believed in us all along- no but for real what?!"

"We beat Corvus?" Inhye almost whispers.

"We beat Corvus!" Persephone breaks into a large smile and pulls all of the girls into a hug.

The Corvus girls look just as stunned, it's obvious they weren't expecting to lose.

"It's okay, we'll do better next time," Plum says but she looks shaken.

── ⋆⋅💬⋅⋆ ──

"Whatever I do, it just never seems to be enough," Kim Sarang┋🐦┋says. She looks to be on the verge of tears.

Even unflappable Noh Raon┋🐦┋looks shaken. "It's true, we were out of our element," she says, "but to lose like that..."

── ⋆⋅/💬⋅⋆ ──

"So, I'm mentoring you lot this week," Eunha says. She's leaning against the desk and surveilling her new charges. She smiles. "This will be a fun little treat. I greatly admire your vocal prowess and I look forward to what we will get to do this week. Are you ready to don a robe of elegance?"

"Yes!" the girls echo.

"I'm sure you're all eager to find out what song you'll be doing," Eunha says. "To show a different side of elegance, I picked (G)I-dle's Oh My God for my girls. 

── ⋆⋅💬⋅⋆ ──

"I'm still reeling about being Columba's first!" Sekai Kaori┋🕊️┋says. "That's crazy! I came thinking that I was going to have to fight for every bit of recognition and I am so thankful for the kind reception."

"I'm very worried," Lee Bitnarae┋🕊️┋says. "I've never practiced a concept other than cute before so I have no idea how to even start being elegant."

"I love the cute concept as much as anyone," Eta Mariya┋🕊️┋says, "but elegance comes so naturally to me, I cannot wait to show off what I can do."

"You'd think that elegance would be my thing, but actually I find it very hard to pull off," Lorelai┋🕊️┋says. "This week will be a struggle."

── ⋆⋅/💬⋅⋆ ──

"So, who's best at the elegance concept do we think?" Yena asks. They're all sitting in a circle preparing the performance. "It's probably best for the most elegant one to lead us in the concept."

All heads immediately turn to Mariya.

"Well," Mariya laughs. "You've caught me. I don't mind, I can lead you all into being the most elegant doves."

They set to work in learning the dance and Mariya instantly takes charge and gives pointers about how to move and look. Surprisingly, it's Bitnarae who picks up on Mariya's vision the easiest.

"Yes! Yes!" Mariya claps excitedly. "You're a natural."

"I am?" Bitnarae looks as surprised as anyone.

Lorelai is not so much. Mariya grimaces as Lorelai goes over her part. "Yeah, not like that." She demonstrates the move again with all the infinite grace of a trained ballet dancer. "Be light as a feather, Lorelai. Everything soft like it takes no effort at all. Smooth and- no no not like that." More grimaces. "We'll, eh, get back to you let's move on."

── ⋆⋅💬⋅⋆ ──

"Mariya's leadership style is... well," Kim Ari┋🕊️┋pauses for the best words. "She's very good herself but she's not very patient when someone else isn't."

── ⋆⋅/💬⋅⋆ ──

"Like this?" Ari asks, trying out a move.

Mariya cocks her head. "No." She gets behind Ari and repositions her. "Try again."

Ari tries again.

"Still no," Mariya says. She puts her hands on her hips. "And Yena, what are you doing with your face? How am I going to fix you guys?"

── ⋆⋅💬⋅⋆ ──

"Leading is great when people know what to do!" Eto Mariya┋🕊️┋is visibly frustrated in her interiew. "I get it, they're not instantly going to be elegant goddesses out of nothing but- well no, Bitnarae instantly became an elegant goddess. Why can't everyone else?"

"I have no idea how I'm pulling this off," Lee Bitnarae┋🕊️┋says. "Mariya shows me and somehow it just clicks." She looks like she's in the middle of a serious existential crisis. "Have I been doing everything wrong for the past 10 years??"

── ⋆⋅/💬⋅⋆ ──

In the end it's Bitnarae who steps up to help Mariya lead. She's able to translate Mariya's instructions with patience whenever Mariya gets frustrated at having to repeat herself. All the while Mariya can get people in line when Bitnarae lacks the assertiveness to get them to listen. 

With both of their efforts, by the time Eunha comes to evaluate she's left looking very impressed. 

"Well done," Eunha says. "No wonder everyone says you're the team to rival Corvus. Mariya, could I recruit you for my team?"

Mariya does a little bow. "You can put in an offer and I'll listen," she says with a grin.

"I do think there's room for improvement in vocal delivery," Eunha says. "This song asks for a really stylistic approach to singing, there aren't really any high notes but the challenge is conveying the ethereal mood of the piece. For those doing the chorus, I need you to make your voices light as a feather. Let the sound gently descend on the listener like the beautiful sinister sapphic witches you are in this moment."

── ⋆⋅💬⋅⋆ ──

"Eunha was so nice to work with," Chau┋🕊️┋says. "You can really tell that she knows vocals and showmanship. I think she really helped us find the perfect delivery."

"It's a shame that the concept is such a struggle for me," Lorelai┋🕊️┋says. "The song itself speaks to me in so many ways."

"They were a delight to work with," Eunha herself says. "Many of them are seasoned vocalists who took direction very well. Honestly it was almost unchallenging to work with such a good team. Where was the struggle?" she laughs. "I'll be glad to have my girls back next time but the variety was very fun for me."

── ⋆⋅/💬⋅⋆ ──

"Are you ready to see how elegant Columba can become?" Chanhee asks the audience back on stage. "Let's see what our doves have prepared, shall we?"

https://youtu.be/wNS0EY_lVVQ

────────

Ari as Nayoung
Bitnarae as Chowon
Yena as Jian
Kaori as Sangah
Mariya as Juhyeon
Chau as Yujeong
Lorelai as Hina
Chrysanthemum as Huiyeon

────────

Eunha claps. "An absolutely riveting performance! I think most of you could fit into Cygnus quite well."

"I couldn't take my eyes off Mariya," Chaerin says with a laugh. "I think you performed even better here and you do for my team and I'm about to get really jealous about it. Bitnaerae! Who knew you had it in you?"

"We finally saw Bitnarae really shine," Chanhee says. "She's no longer overshadowed by Ari."

"Ari and Lorelai struggled with the concept for sure," Sunhee says. "You can't always stand out in every performance. It's so curious to be that Ari and Bitnarae seem to take turns being stars but can never quite both emerge at once."

"I enjoyed watching our tiny rapper step out of her cute cocoon as well," Hana says. "It's hard to top your cute energy but, Kaori, I think you did a good job adjusting to elegance as well. You are a tiny sleeper agent who surprised everyone by stealing the show."

"Thank you so much!" Kaori can't keep the wide proud smile off her face.

── ⋆⋅💬⋅⋆ ──

"I'm still reeling about being Columba's first!" Sekai Kaori┋🕊️┋says. "That's crazy! I came thinking that I was going to have to fight for every bit of recognition and I am so thankful for the kind reception."

── ⋆⋅/💬⋅⋆ ──

And how did their rivals do?

In the Corvus homeroom Hana is sitting on the desk, legs and arms crossed, staring down at a legion of girls who are not Her Own.

The editing helpfully adds a gulp sound effect as the Cygnus girls stare up at Hana.

"Now what am I to do with you?" Hana wonders. "How will you do Sixth Sense justice?"

"Sixth Sense?" Kaida whispers with barely contained excitement.

"Sixth Sense?" Areum whispers with real worry.

"Sixth Sense?" Mia whispers with no recognition at all.

── ⋆⋅💬⋅⋆ ──

"I'm a little disappointed I won't lie," Hana says in her interview. "I had hoped for a version of Sixth Sense with all the force and power Corvus could put behind it. The song is iconic and powerful. I hope the Cygnus girls can give the song a performance it deserves."

"I can't believe we're doing Sixth Sense!" Tsukumo Kaida┋🦢┋looks like she's vibrating with excitement. "I don't know if many Japanese know Brown Eyed Girls but they're absolute powerful queens and oh my god I get to cover them.  We must be perfect."

Choi Areum┋🦢┋looks more worried. "They're very mature," she says. "And so confident and powerful. I don't know if I could do that. More like woman crush."

"I've really never heard of it," Ahn Mia┋🦢┋says. "I did spend most of my life living in France but apparently it's a legendary song in Korea? It sounds amazingly vocal heavy though so this could also be a legendary performance for me!"

── ⋆⋅/💬⋅⋆ ──

"This is what I feared," Hana says when the group has finished showing off their progress. "It's all too soft, too elegant. You need to bark out your lines like you're a drill sergeant addressing your soldiers. I need to feel like you're in command. Sit, sit," she demonstrates and Areum immediately sits down. "No- seriously?"

"Sorry!" Areum gets up again. 

"We have to switch the center part at the start," Hana says. "I'm sorry Areum but it's a killing part and you are not giving girl crush. Rosalynn, I want you to take it."

"Me?" Rosalynn bursts out. 

"If you can step up to the task that is," Hana says. "We can't make Kaida do everything and you're good at the concept. You will have to nail the dance though, the whole group will depend on it."

"Alright, run through it again," Hana says. "This time I'll stop you where you lack and show you how to improve."

Hana spends her allotted mentor time showing them step by step how they should move and what facial expressions they should have. She breaks down the performance for them into chunks and some of the girls like Aera and Kaida quickly graps what she's trying to get them to do. Meanwhile Areum and Eunsun continue to struggle.

"Well, I have shown you everything I can," Hana says. "It's now up to you to practice and turn this into a performance nobody will forget. You'll only have one chance to switch concepts like this as a group so make it count."

── ⋆⋅💬⋅⋆ ──

"I'm so disappointed in myself," Choi Areum┋🦢┋says in her interview. "Have I even been able to show anything I'm capable of yet? I feel like every challenge I'm just not quite good enough. I just felt worse and worse as I was letting Hana down and I even lost my part."

"I have to admit it's absolutely thrilling to get to do something a little different this time," Kim Aera┋🦢┋says. "Hana is amazing to work with as well. She shows us what to do and then relies on us to actually do it. Harsh, but effective."

"Working with Hana is so different from working with Eunha," Lee Iseul┋🦢┋says. "She's way more hands on, but she's also harsh and honest.  I think she's good for if you can grasp what she wants to say but I could tell that those with less girl crush experience like Eunsun and Areum really struggled with her."

"Me? A crucial center dance part?" Rosalynn┋🦢┋gulps. "It's a lot more pressure than I bargained for to be honest but how do you say no to Min Hana? When she tells you to do something you bust your ass to make it happen."

── ⋆⋅/💬⋅⋆ ──

The scene switches to the practice room at 2AM. There's only 2 girls still awake and practicing at this hour. Rosalynn is working with Areum to learn her new part well. Areum works hard to help her despite being replaced by her but Rosalynn keeps struggling.

"You're off-beat again on the drum part," Areum says. "It's pah pah pah pah, like this."

"Can we take a break?" she asks, frustrated and sweaty.

"I'm not sure if we can afford to," Areum says.

Rosalynn sits down with a bottle of water. "I never wanted to take your part," she says. "For what's it's worth. I don't even know if I can pull it off."

Areum sits down next to her. "I know," she says, "but I don't think we have a choice. We can't switch it back now."

"I know." Rosalynn sulks for a bit, gulping water. "I knew competing with so little experience wasn't going to be easy but damn it's really really hard. Sometimes I wish I was back home doing a boring job that I hate but at least is so easy I could do it in my sleep and, speaking, getting beautiful nights of 8 hours of sleep." She hugs her knees and closes her eyes. "Maybe a decadent 9 hours of sleep, oh how I wish for 9 hours of sleep."

"Do you regret coming?" Areum asks.

"Sometimes," Rosalynn says. "Do you regret me coming? Since I took your killing part and you've been a trainee for so long?"

"Oh, ehh-" Areum's eyes widen and she looks absolutely panicked at the very direct question.

"It's okay, I'd be pissed as well," Rosalynn says. "Can't change it though so I guess we get back to it." She pauses. "Hey?"

Areum looks up. "Hm?"

"Thanks for taking the time out of your sleep time to help me," Rosalynn says.

Areum smiles. "Of course. Now let's try the drum part again, shall we?"

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

"Now it's time for our last group performance!" Chanhee says. "The swans of Cygnus are here to show you they can be just as fierce as crows when challenged!"

https://youtu.be/dAQNGGPGFDY

────────

Rosalynn as Ryu Sujeong
Xiang as Yoo Jiae
Kaida as Lee Mijoo
Eunsun as Baby Soul
Iseul as Jin
Areum as Jeom Yein
Aera as Seo Jisoo
Mia as Kei

────────

"That was... acceptable," Hana says. "It was a vast improvement from before. Rosalynn and Kaida, you absolutely nailed the concept. Though Rosalynn, I did see you struggle with your center dance part. I had hoped you would have the discipline to improve and lead that killing part well."

"When Rosalynn said sit sit I had to check I was still sitting," Chanhee says.

"I think Kaida is definitely one to watch," Sunhee says. "You've been able to meet anything thrown your way with gusto. I look forward to any performance you're in."

"Mia, you sounded absolutely in your element," Eunha says. "Those belts were wonderfully supported and I think the touch of elegance to your performance really suited your part."

"Iseul looked stunning as well," Chaerin says. "I think this was an excellent concept for her. Areum, however, I completely lost. You're such a good dancer but you lack the ability to capture attention. I fear if you don't improve your charisma nobody will end up noticing how talented you actually are."

── ⋆⋅ HIGH RISE LIVE VOTING ⋅⋆ ──

Voting deadline: 24 May - 12 CEST

Live voting like this will be done in a brief google form and voting will last for 2 days so make sure you get your votes in! Every admin has 1 vote, even if you have two characters.

VOTING FORM:
https://forms.gle/sCe5kszA9fGndNQk7

Are you team pop pop pop (Corvus) or team pop! pop! (Cygnus) xD

⋆⋅☆ ding ding ☆⋅⋆

Everyone in Columba gained 1 point in elegance and everyone in Cygnus 1 point in girl crush!

 Rosalynn get 1 point in dance