[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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Even with Noelle’s kind words, Aedrianna didn’t want to cheer up. The girl spoke appreciative words about the mermaid; those were genuine. But Noele knew that inside the girl was still suffering from despair. [b][Empathy E][/b] Why does she crave the recognition of the jury so much that she is blinded to the voices around her? What did she have to prove? Noelle wished she could help the girl. But if she just doesn’t want to listen, what could she do?

 That was when she noticed movement from the jury table. The masked member got up and moved into the crowd. Noelle tried to keep an eye on him without making it obvious she was doing so. She noticed the masked man approached a man who had gotten lukewarm reactions from the judges. She tried her best to eavesdrop on the conversation [b][Enhanced hearing F][/b] but couldn’t hear everything the creep said. She did pick up on him saying that wasted potential could still be shaped and that he could offer "correction" when the man leaned in.

 That creep was up to no good. Could he be linked with this suspicious atmosphere in the pavilion? Noelle was expecting these snobs to be a prideful bunch. But this was a bit more than she expected. The ones who had good reviews from the jury were even more prideful than usual, while those with less than stellar reviews were just depressed. Not even in denial, as she would have thought some would be, just depressed. Although she doesn’t have any means to detect magical fluctuations or sense the effects of any kind of spell or effect, Noelle felt it in her gills that something was up. Now, only she knew what she might be able to do about it. Or in the worst case, if she discovers something is really wrong, and she can’t do anything about it, she could always escape without regret. Although she has the desire to save as many as she can. Her own safety was always president. Knowingly sacrificing herself for a lost cause would mean nothing. Although given she had the opportunity, if she was to flee, she at least wanted to bring that girl with her. Noelle had no idea why she desired the safety of Aedrianna over anyone else. Yet, unlike the pride, this desire felt natural to her. She dismissed the thoughts as more pressing matters were at hand at the moment.

 Noelle watched as Aedrianna decided to seclude herself to practise. [COLOR=#4876FF][B]"Miss?…"[/B][/COLOR] The mermaid didn’t know what to do. She wanted to go after her and try comforting the blond. But no words seem to get through to her. Yet leaving her alone in this state. Who knows what might happen? 
 But the masked man was most likely up to no good. And investigating what he was doing there behind these walls will hopefully grant her a path to make things better for more people, including Aedrianna.
 [COLOR=#4876FF][B]"You noticed it too, didn't you, little one?"[/B][/COLOR] Noelle said when she noticed Aedri’s mana beast had come to her, mewling, distressed. She knelt down and scratched the beast behind the ear [COLOR=#4876FF][B]"Something is absolutely not right here"[/B][/COLOR] Noelle picked up the beast softly petting its head while she held it in her arms [b][Animal handling E][/b] [COLOR=#4876FF][B]"I also worry for her. But I suspect something or someone makes her unable to see reason… And I have my suspicion who"[/B][/COLOR] The calm facade Noelle was holding up till then broke. The beast could notice her breathing was heavy, her heart beating faster than normal, and her body trembling. [COLOR=#4876FF][I]"My performance earlier was just a fluke, completely a spur of the moment. I could never pull that off a second time, not this quickly. What if they realise I'm just a fraud? It’s still not too late to run away.[COLOR=#B23AEE]Y̵e̴s̴,̸ ̷a̷b̵a̴n̵d̴o̷n̴ ̵e̶v̶e̵r̷y̸o̶n̶e̴.̷ ̷T̵h̸a̸t̴ ̷i̵s̴ ̴a̸ ̸s̶m̴a̶r̸t̷ ̴i̴d̵e̵a̵,̴ ̶d̴a̸r̶l̸i̸n̶g̸.̷[/COLOR] But they rely on me here. Oh spirits help me!! [COLOR=#B23AEE]H̵o̵w̶ ̶p̴a̵t̸h̵e̸t̴i̶c̷a̵l̷l̸y̷ ̷c̸u̵t̴e̶ ̸y̸o̸u̷ ̶a̵r̴e̴.̴w̵o̴r̵r̸y̶i̴n̵g̴ ̵f̸o̷r̵ ̷n̵o̴t̵h̴i̷n̸g̵.[/COLOR]"[/I][/COLOR] The pride has clashed with Noelle’s kind and humble nature, turning her mind to distress. She was just holding on to a calm demeanour to not alert [s]Aedrianna[/s] those around her.

 The faint bell chime announcing the Jury’s retreat reminded her that she had to make a decision now. Follow Aedrianna to make sure she is safe, or investigate for nefarious deeds done by the members of the jury backstage. With a heavy heart, Noelle made the decision.
 Still holding the magic beast in her arms, Noelle casually moved towards the wall where she noticed the masked man guide the performer to earlier. Looking around from time to time to make sure she wasn’t attracting the attention of potential trouble. Reaching the wall, Noelle leaned against it right next to the entrance to the corridor that leads behind the wall. She listened to see if she could hear the masked man backstage and, at the same time, make sure the coast was clear so she could slip inside the corridor to follow the masked man. [COLOR=#4876FF][B]"Just remain calm, okay. The faster we figure out what is going on, the faster we can help her."[/B][/COLOR] Noelle whispered to the magic beast while she covertly tried to peek into the corridor to make sure no one was there.