Sometime later, after Deuce and Briar give their performance...

And well, actually hasn't ended too well.

"My word...!" Crowley says, stunned.

"Deuce's was totally out of sync! And he's dancin' was so bad, I couldn't even watch. He looked like he was chasin' around a bumblebee," Grim says.

Briar blushes a bit, "Well, I didn't really dance too well, especially since it's my first time learning it."

"You danced a lot better than Deuce did," Grim says.

"I have to agree. You look very graceful out there," Sereia says.

"A fair assessment. I'm afraid I must concur," Crowley says.

"No need to come down so hard on the guy," Trey says.

"Trey's right. I'm sure Deuce is trying his best," Briar says.

Deuce says, "I thought dancing would be a piece of cake, but it's way harder than it looks..."

"Don't beat yourself up. I had a lot of experience with this stuff growing up. Since my family ran a business, whenever there weren't enough volunteers for some sort of local event, we'd get roped into it. A lot of people are too embarrassed to get up in front of others and do stuff like this, ya know?" Trey explains.

"Even given that, the gulf between you two is wider than I'd expect. Clover, I hope you'll give Spade some thorough guidance," Crolwy says.

Deuce apologizes, "Sorry about this, Trey..."

"It's fine. We've got time; I'm sure we can get it together before the big day," Trey says.

"And I can help as well," Briar says.

"Thanks guys," Deuce says.

"Just so. Next time will be easier as well since you'll have the drums to accompany you. I have no doubt you three will perform in perfect harmony...eventually," Crowley says, sounding unsure.

Then turns his head, "Isn't that right, Idia Shroud?"

Idia mutters to himself.

"Idia?" Ortho questions.

Idia soon softly speaks out, "I... I..."and then speaks out, "I can't do it!"

Everyone is surprised.

"You're springin' this on us NOW?" Grim asks, dumbfounded.

Then Idia explains, nervously, "Look, I mean... Drumming in front of the whole school? Why do I gotta make myself a laughingstock? I was able to pull off getting Wishing Stars with help from Ortho and the others... But I guarantee having a noob like me on the drums will turn this thing into a dumpster fire of public humiliation! You can't expect me to dive headfirst into what's obviously the Bad Ending route, right? Just do the ceremony without me! I'm begging you!"

"Idia..." Ortho says, and starts to feel sad.

Seeing his brother sad, Idia reassures, "Aww, Ortho... Don't look so down... I said I was just gonna collect the stars, remember? I never agreed to practice in person, much less perform in the ceremony itself!"

"I know you don't like being the center of attention. But you were specially chosen to be a Stargazer. I think if you did this with the group, it'd make for a wonderful memory," Ortho says.

"But, come on..." Idia whines from the tablet.

And then Crowley says, "This is a school tradition. Personal preferences are not a valid reason to bow out. We need YOUR drumming to accompany the dance."

"Yeah! Come on, Idia!" Deuce says.

"Can't you do it for just one day?" Briar asks.

But then Idia says, "But all you need is a precise drumbeat, right? In that case, why not pre recorded a perfect run and play that instead? Then you'd still have four people 'performing in perfect harmony' (LOL), since you're so hung up on that."

"Well... I guess that'd work, but still..." Deuce replies.

Briar isn't too sure, "I guess."

Trey sighs, "Unbelievable. THIS is the housewarden of Ignihyde? He's more like a child screaming 'I don't wanna.'

Then Crowlery turns to Ortho, "What say you, Ortho Shroud? Don't you wish to see your brother shine onstage?"

Well... Yes..." Ortho says, reluctant, "But if he really doesn't want to do it, I don't want to force him."

"Ortho..." Idia says, sounding a bit guilty.

Then he says, "Okay, then how 'bout this? I can use an instrument app and stream the drum performance from my room in real time. I'd be cool with doing it that way...if you all are."

"You'd still be remote though," Trey points out.

Then Crolwey says, "Oh dear... It's unprecedented for one of the Stargazers to be in absentia during the Starsending. The rules are the most vital part of traditional functions."

"But I wouldn't be absent. I'd be present... just not in the physical sense. I'm here with you right now, remember? Just digitally. If anything, it could set a NEW precedent," Idia explains.

"What the Starsending requires is a respect for tradition. Not this flimflammery," Crowley says

Then turns to the others, "Talk some reason into this misguided soul, Stargazers!"

"Umm... What do you think we should do, Trey?" Deuce asks.

"I doubt we can get either of them to back down," Trey says.

"We should at least try to convince him to come," Briar says.

And Ortho says, "I think you'll have a hard time talking my brother into anything he doesn't want to do."

"You can't talk him into it either, huh?" Grim asks Ortho

"Nope. Idia's always been really stubborn," Ortho answers, "Once he decides on something, nothing anyone says can convince him to change his mind. ...And sometimes he backs himself into a corner that way."

"Back when we were prepping for orientation, Idia refused to show up in person for a housewarden meeting. Riddle went out to Ignihyde to get him, and he STILL refused to come out of his room. Riddle was ranting angrily about it afterward," Trey explains.

"Whoa... Even our scary—uh, I mean strict housewarden couldn't get him to budge?!" Deuce says, shocked.

"Oh my," Briar replies.

Then Trey says, "Once Idia commits to a course of action, it sounds like no amount of threats or cajoling will change it. I don't think we can talk him into this, as things stand."

"I didn't realize it was that bad..." Deuce says.

There's no point in dragging this conversation out any further. We'd just be cutting into our practice time even more," Trey says.

Then turns to Crowley, "Headmage, how about we accept Idia's compromise for the time being and let him participate remotely?"

"What? But what about the ceremony?" Crowley asks.

"We'll talk to Idia again before the show—and more to the point, after Deuce has improved his dancing. If we press the issue, he might abandon the role of Stargazer altogether," Trey says.

"I suppose we have little choice in the matter..." Crowley says. And adds, "Very well. I'll permit Idia Shroud to take part in the ceremony remotely. HOWEVER! Clover. Spade. You are to get Idia Shroud out here by showtime. Can I trust you three to handle that?"

"Y-yes, sir," Deuce quickly says.

"Of course," Briar says.

"I'll give it my best shot," Trey says.

"All right, then I'll be getting back to work now. Keep up the Wishing Star collecting and make sure to get in plenty of practice for the ceremony!" Crowley says and soon takes his leave.

Deuce turns to Trey, "Do you think we can talk Idia into this?"

"Hard to say. We'll have to try, though," Trey says.

"You're right. We need to do something to convince Idia to perform," Briar says.

Then turns to see Ortho and says in thought, "I'm worried that Ortho will be so disappointed if his brother doesn't come and perform.

Unknown to the group, Idia snickers from the tablet, "Whee hee hee. I actually got permission to do the ceremony remotely. Idia Shroud, tactical mastermind! I'm gonna clear this whole Starsending event without ever having to play the drums in front of other people!"