[center][h1][B][COLOR=#4876FF]N[COLOR=#A9ACB6]oelle[/COLOR][/COLOR] [COLOR=#4876FF]N[COLOR=#A9ACB6]ichi[/COLOR][/COLOR][/B][/h1]
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It has been a few weeks since Noelle got the nauseating curse removed from her by the witch. Ever since she regained some colour to her skin as she was able to keep her belly full, or at least keep anything she ate in her belly. Yet she felt empty. The last few years were a haze to her. She knows good things have happened, but can't recall precisely what.

 Noelle was standing in the hall of the pavilion. She got word of this event about a week ago when she saw a flyer for the event at one of the local adventure guilds. She thought this was a prime opportunity to advance her music career. To make her name known to influential audiences. But most of all, these kinds of events have many freebies. With food being the main target of the mermaid. Delicious top-grade delicacies you normally can only get in expensive restaurants. Way above the mermaid’s pay grade. And with her tendency not to have a lot of money to her name at any time. The fact that it was “free” was also a major draw to her.

 On second thought, this might not have been the most well-thought-through plan. The level of high society was a bit overwhelming. She herself rather liked to be in the more common folk establishments. With the common people. But adjusting to this audience should not be a problem for her. She has become decently adept at playing her part and shows the etiquette that was expected. And she could always let her foreign beauty speak for her. Although the people of the duchy might be known with merfolk due to their bordering the grand lake. Noelle was not from there. A rare sight of a mermaid from the republic, which was reflected in her attire. A nice-looking kimono in the style from her home region in the north of the republic. A style they shouldn’t see here often. 
 The game plan for this prideful bunch was modesty and flattery. There is nothing these pompous people like more than having their egos stroked, but without selling herself short so she doesn't look weak and desperate herself.

 Noelle took a deep breath before she headed to the central registration. Standing in line, her eyes floated around to see if something would catch her eye. The place looked amazing, although all the mechanical and alchemical stuff was a bit foreign to her, it still looked cool though. The people looked as she expected. Clad in the finest of wear with their prideful attitude. It made the mermaid feel a little bit small with how ordinary she herself was. Once she got the the front of the waiting line, Noelle politely bowed to the registry clerk.
 [COLOR=#4876FF][B]"Good morning, miss/sir. My name is Noelle Nishi. I'm a travelling songstress from Kuridan. I would like to register for the music competition"[/B][/COLOR] she said to the clerk, declaring her intentions. While the clerk was busy registering her for the competition, Noelle’s attention was drawn by a person she could see at one of the registration booths a bit further. A tall blond man with piercing blue eyes wearing black armour. Noelle picked up that he was entering the swordmanship competition. Well, he did look the part. Just another noble meathead. All brawn, no finesse. Noelle didn’t think much of it. She was now wondering what she should do until the competition was going to start.