Chapter 3: Lolita Photo Shoot
The stretch limousine pulled up in front of the tall two-story house surrounded by privacy hedges and mature oak trees. The car stopped in the semi-circle drive, before the double doors, and Orihime threw open one of the rear doors.
She jumped out. "We're here! Tatsuki, we're really here!"
Tatsuki pulled herself out of the car, followed by Yachiru and the rest of the shinigami women.
They all looked the adobe siding of the Spanish style house.
"Wow," Rukia said, eyes wide on the building.
Momo gawked at the house until Rangiku grabbed her arm.
"Let's go!"
Inside the main floor was a combination of stucco walls and walnut beams, the spacious living room opening into a lounging area and leading into a large kitchen. Out the sliding glass doors beyond they could see a patio and in-ground pool.
"A pool!" Yachiru cried, jumping up and down. "Yes!"
Each grabbed the bags and followed the curving staircase of ornate wrought-iron to the second level. They paused to look into the first of the four bedrooms.
"Ooh," Rangiku said, smiling at the pale lavender walls, "I'm taking this one."
Momo nodded, peeking in. "There're four beds. I'm staying here, too."
They went in and dropped their bags on two of the beds.
"Me, too," Nanao said.
Retsu nodded. "So am I."
The other ten looked to Yumichika.
"You're not staying in my room," Kuukaku told him.
He blinked quickly. "Uh, no...no. I'm going down there." He pointed down the hall, and then hurried down it with his bag.
"Me, too!" Yachiru skipped after him with her Hello Kitty backpack.
Rukia looked into the next pink bedroom. "I'm staying here."
"Me, too," Orihime said, tugging Tatsuki with her. "You, too, Tatsuki!"
They three disappeared into the second bedroom.
Yoruichi and Soifon looked into the mint green across the hall.
"Dibs," Yoruichi said as Soifon followed her in.
Kuukaku looked down the hall to where Yumichika and Yachiru had gone. "I guess I am, too," she said with a sigh, and went in.
Hiyori looked to Nemu beside her in the hall. "I'm not staying with them." She continued on down the corridor and peeked in the last room.
On one bed was Yachiru, jumping up and down, giggling. At another bed stood Yumichika, unpacking. Hiyori wrinkled her nose, and went into the yellow room. "I guess we're here, Nemu."
"Yes."
It took only moments for the contestants to find the roomy closets and lovely views out each room's terrace. They unpacked leisurely, with Orihime finishing first. She sprung down the stairs to take a closer look at the kitchen. It was well-equipped with a large refrigerator. She looked in to find it stocked with bottles of juice, spritzer, fresh produce, and a variety of sea food. She smiled, then looked to the filled fruit bowl on the counter that divided the kitchen and living area.
Then she spied the large envelope in the napkin clamp on the coffee table among the rattan and bean bag furniture in the living room.
She squealed with delight at being the first to spot it.
"Tara mail!" she called.
The rumble of footsteps rushed down the staircase as the other contestants met her in the living room.
"Ooh! The first obstacle!" Yoruichi sang, crowding Orihime as the Living girl opened the envelope.
"Challenge," Retsu corrected.
Yoruichi gave a shrug.
"Read it!" Rangiku said.
Orihime ripped open the envelope. '"Enjoy your first night in Tokyo, but don't get too relaxed. This city moves fast, and so does this competition. Be ready at 9:00 a.m. and try not to fall flat."' She looked around at the other girls, smiling. "At the bottom it says to wear jeans and a tank top. Maybe we'll be in a commercial!"
"Maybe for cosmetics!" Kuukaku added.
"Maybe with male models," Retsu said slyly.
Yumichika frowned.
"Maybe in swimsuits!" Rangiku said.
Yumichika paled.
"Maybe in a promotional video!" Nanao said, warming to the idea.
"With KAT-TUN!" Orihime said. "Or Tackey & Tsubasa!"
Yumichika nodded fervently. "Or Morning Musume!"
They all frowned at him.
"Or Tsukishima Kirari!" Yachiru said brightly. "Or a pony!"
They all agreed a pony would be best.
After an eventful ride in the limousine the next morning during which Yachiru and Hiyori tried out every button on the doors and consoles, the contestants arrived at a large warehouse and found their way inside.
There stood Miss Ray in a pair of designer jeans and black t-shirt that read "Now With Phealing" on it, and relatively normal hair. He smiled at all the girls as they approached him amid the lights and cameras and crewmen.
"Hallo, ladies! Gorgeous as ever!" He made a sweeping gesture to the crew. "Don't mind them; they'll only be filming your every move. I'm Miss Ray, as you must remember, your runway coach. Now, today you're gonna learn how to walk like a mo-del. No one wants to see a Brooke Shields gal-lomp-ing down the runway. Uh-uh. Not on my watch."
He made a delicate wave at the racks of shoes by the forty foot black carpet runner on the cement floor. "Now, pick out a comfy pair of heels, and let's see what we're working with."
The contestants made a bee-line for the shoes, and most came away with a pair that fit half-decently.
Miss Ray nodded as they pulled on the shoes, and then pointed to Soifon. "You're first, China doll."
Soifon gave him a dirty look, but wobbled over to the far end of the carpet and did a shaky walk down it in her slip pumps.
Miss Ray shook his head. "Lord, girl, you gotta bend them ankles!" He pointed to Momo. "You're up, honey."
Momo steadied on her high heeled cork sandals and did a meek side-step down the carpet.
"Uh-uh-uh, missy," Miss Ray said, shaking his head. "You look like you're cut off at the knee!"
"Sorry," Momo said, slinking to where Soifon stood.
Miss Ray pointed to Hiyori. "Take it down the carpet, dear."
Hiyori stumbled to the carpet end in her stilettos and proceeded to walk off it, twisting an ankle, and falling into Yumichika.
"Put me down!" she hollered at him.
He dropped her.
"Back up and on those heels!" Miss Ray said.
Hiyori ripped off a stiletto and threw it at Miss Ray.
He dodged it. "No more of that. Back in line, poppet." He nodded to Rangiku. "Let's see it, honey."
Rangiku walked slowly to the end of the runner in the purple leather pumps and then did a brisk walk down the carpet toward Miss Ray.
Until the end, where she caught a heel and fell to her knees at Miss Ray's feet.
He shrugged as she pulled herself to her feet. "Not bad until that last part, Sunshine." He pointed to Yoruichi. "Let's see your walk."
Yoruichi put one hand on her hip and did a sultry feline walk down the carpet, paused at the end, did her little turn, and walked back.
Miss Ray nodded, grinning. "Now that's what I'm talking 'bout, ladies! That's what the catwalk is wanting to see!"
Yoruichi gave him a big smile.
Miss Ray waved at Rukia. "You're up."
Rukia clomped down the carpet in her high-heeled saddle shoes.
"No, no, no. You've got no hips, honey, so put some shake into your step." Miss Ray waved at the runner. "Again."
Again and again. No change.
Miss Ray sighed. "You're done."
Rukia sulked as she joined the line of contestants.
Miss Ray pointed at Nemu. "Let's see it, precious."
Nemu went to the end of the carpet and did a spot-on perfect walk in her six inch heels, then waited for further instructions.
Miss Ray squealed. "Yes! Now let's see your turn, hon."
Nemu turned.
"Exactly. Just like her,
girls," he told the other contestants excitedly.
The contestants groaned.
When they'd all finished, most stood around grumbling about sore feet and twisted ankles. Miss Ray looks out over them, nodding, looking from Yoruichi to Nemu.
"Okay, ladies, a little shaky on the walks. Remember to keep your body fluid, put a snap in your step, and use those hips!" He nodded to Nemu. "The best walk goes to Nemu!"
A few groans, a few cheers from the contestants. Nemu blinked, then did a polite smile.
"As the winner you'll have a special prize at the photo shoot this afternoon. So, go back to the house and rest up!"
None of the contestants cared much about the photo shoot that afternoon - not when their feet were burning and their ankles cracking in spots they normally wouldn't.
But when the limousine arrived later, they all piled in.
The fourteen contestants stood in a large back lot in the rear of a studio building where make-up dressing tables and hair stations were set up to one side, swarming with make-up and hair artists.
Before them were the camera crew, lights, and racks of clothing. Momo looked at the wardrobes and giggled, clutching Orihime's arm.
"We're going to dress-up!"
Yachiru's eyes widened. "I want to be a cowgirl!"
Retsu patted the girl's head. "You just might be."
Yumichika frowned, straightening his feather.
Ray Migel made his way through the racks wearing black jeans and a navy t-shirt and gave the contestants a big wave and two snaps.
"Hello, ladies! You remember me, Ray Migel, your photo shoot director," he said with a smile. "I see you all survived the runway teach this morning. Our winner of that was Nemu," he gestured to her, "and that means she gets first pick of styles for the Lolita photo shoot!"
Orihime squealed in delight, clapping her hands. After an awkward moment, the rest of the contestants also squealed and gave a shout. Except for Tatsuki.
Ray put a hand on the nearest rack of puffy skirts and dresses. "Nemu, come over here and choose which Lolita style you want."
Nemu walked over to a rack and pulled off an outfit.
Ray nodded. "Very good. Nemu has chosen the Kuro Lolita style. Go on over there to hair and make-up and they'll get you fixed up with your accessories." He looked out over the rest of the contestants. "Okay. Momo is it?"
Momo smiled and nodded.
"Momo, you're Shiro Lolita." He pointed to a rack of white and cream outfits."
Momo sniffed, eyes filling with emotion. "Shiro?"
"Yes."
Momo ran to the rack and began looking through the clothing.
"Rangiku, you're Classic Lolita." Ray pointed to the rack of rococo print dresses. "Retsu, you're our Country Lolita. Don't forget your straw hat, honey."
Rangiku and Retsu headed for the racks.
"Yumichika."
Yumichika looked anxiously, half-dreading Ray's next words.
"You're Kodona." Ray smiled. "It's the most masculine of the styles, and we think you can pull that off best."
Yumichika grinned.
"Yoruichi, you're going to be our Aristocrat Lolita," Ray said, waving to another rack of long black dresses and jackets. "Rukia, you're the dramatic Gothic Lolita," he said in a heavily angsty tone. He pointed to a rack of sailor style dresses. "Soifon, you're Sailor Lolita."
Yumichika, Yoruichi, and Soifon began looking through the clothes on their designated racks.
"Orihime - hey, you're Hime Lolita!" Ray called out.
Orihime squealed. "I am!" She made a mad dash for the rack of long white flowing gowns.
"Make sure you can walk with the length, honey," Ray said.
Orihime nodded, sorting through the satin dresses on the rack.
"Nanao, you're Wa Lolita," Ray said, pointing to a rack of colorfully printed kimono tops.
Nanao looked longingly at the rack, and then sifted through them until she found a pink style with a very familiar print. The other contestants exchanged knowing looks.
"I think she misses someone," Rangiku whispered to Kuukaku. Kuukaku nodded.
Nanao held the kimono top close and joined the other contestants.
Ray looked out over the rest of them. "Yachiru, you're Sweet Lolita -"
"Sweet!" the girl cried, running to the rack of pink dresses.
"Kuukaku," Ray's voice dropped to a more somber tone, "you're unique-ness makes you perfect for the Guro Lolita style." He gestured to a rack of miscellaneously styled outfits. "Tatsuki, you're Casual Lolita, and Hiyori, you're Punk Lolita." He looked around at them all. "Any questions? Now, get on over to hair and make-up and show me your Lolita!"
The first contestant before the camera was Kuukaku. Behind her were a fence and a white screen. She stood with her hand on her hip in the black print jumper top over the ruffled black blouse, looking at Ray.
He grinned at her as the photographer gave the lighting crew directions. "Perfect Guro Lolita, Kuukaku."
Kuukaku looked down at her dress. "What is Guro Lolita?"
"Uh, well..." Ray tried to smile. "It's the Lolita style that wears fake injuries, like a sling or a patch over an eye."
She frowned at him. "Don't I need a patch or a sling then?"
"Uh..."
"Don't I?"
"Well..."
"We're ready when you are," said the camera man to Ray.
"Oh, good." Ray turned to Kuukaku and held up his hands, fingers splayed. "Don't worry about the background. We'll add it later."
"What should I do?"
"Just give us a smile."
Kuukaku grinned maniacally.
"Okay, less smile. More demure."
Kuukaku grinned again, with less force.
"Okay..."
In hair and make-up Rukia was staring at herself in the mirror, smiling back at the image in the black and white puff-sleeved top and bell-shaped skirt. The make-up man behind her touched the black bow in her hair and smiled.
"Perfect Gothic, Rukia. Just a bit more around the eyes for that smoky look." He touched up her eyes with eye shadow and then took a lipstick to give her ultra red lips. "Drop dead gorgeous!"
She smiled.
Beside her in another mirror Orihime was adjusting the mini crown perched on her auburn hair. The long white satin dress of ruffles, ribbons, and lace flowed around her as she fastened a three strand choker of white pearls at her throat.
"Can you walk in that, Orihime?" Rukia asked, testily making a pucker at her reflection with her reddened lips.
Orihime held her breath while she smoothed the dress along her sides. "I hope so."
The Living girl glanced over to where Soifon was pulling on her black and white striped socks that nearly reached the black pleated skirt of her sailor outfit. Orihime couldn't help but giggle.
"The lost Sailor Scout," she whispered to Rukia.
Rukia lowered her voice. "Don't let Soifon hear that."
Orihime looked to where Tatsuki was having her make-up done at another dressing station. Tatsuki scowled at the make-up artist trying to apply eye shadow to her second eye.
Orihime frowned. "Uh-oh..."
Tatsuki ripped the black bow out of her hair. "I don't do bows!"
The movement resulted in a black swipe below Tatsuki's eye.
The make-up man recoiled. "You must hold still!"
Tatsuki climbed out of the chair. "I'm done!"
After the photo shoot, the limousine took the contestants back to the house, and they waited for the panel. Kuukaku and Yoruichi both headed for separate bean bags in the living room and slumped into them, sighing loudly.
Soifon sat crossed legged on a cushion near Yoruichi, and Yachiru bounded upstairs to find her stash of candy.
"Well, that seemed to go okay," Restu said easily, flipping her loose hair over her shoulder.
"Well?" Hiyori snapped. "I've never been so ugly in all my life!"
Rangiku sat on one of the two rattan sofas and drew up her legs to
the side. "It would have helped if you hadn't squatted all monkey-like every time Ray said give me something different."
Hiyori stuck her tongue out at the tall strawberry blonde woman.
Rangiku shook her head and looked to Nanao, who wore a dreamy expression as she sagged into a chair. "You looked rather at home in that haori, Nanao."
Nanao remained silent, a smile about her lips.
"Nanao," Rangiku said sharply, smiling as Nanao looked to her quickly.
"It wasn't a haori," Nanao said lowly.
"It looked comfortable," Retsu said, smiling.
"Oh, it was..."
Orihime returned from raiding the refrigerator with her arms full of soda cans and tossed one to everyone. "I thought it was fun."
"Oh, it was exciting! Everyone was so pretty!" Yumichika said, grinning.
"At least they didn't put you in a dress," Rukia said, waiting for her soda to stop fizzing before she finished opening it.
"He would have looked good in a dress," Yachiru said as she skipped into the room and dropped onto a bean bag with a sack of candy. She smiled at Yumichika. He gave her a weak smile.
Orihime frowned at her soda. "Anyone want a straw?"
She went into the kitchen before anyone answered, and then suddenly gasped as she looked to the plant stand beneath the living room mirror. She lunged for the large envelope in the holder.
"Tara mail!"
The other girls jumped up and rushed Orihime, pinning her to the wall as Yoruichi snatched the envelope from her. She tore it open and read the note.
"'Get ready for your first judging. Fourteen girls remain, but only thirteen will go on to compete for the title of The Next Top Model. One of you will be eliminated. Love, Tara.'"
Two hours later the fourteen contestants stood before Tara and the other judges in the judging room, awaiting the results of their hard work that day, all grinning. Except for Tatsuki and Hiyori.
Tara stood before the table, draped in gold lamé evening dress that revealed both her shoulders, and quite a bit of cleavage, belted at her small waist with a black sash. She smiled grandly over them.
"Welcome, ladies. This is panel, where we'll be judging your photos. But I won't be judging alone, of course," she said, her smile fading into a slightly more realistic one. She gestured behind her, where four others were seated at a long table. "The first of our brilliant judges is Virgil Parker, noted fashion photographer." She was indicating a clean-cut man in a sharp suit, who flashed a smile at the contestants. "Then, to my right, we have here the lovely Miss Ray, who actually judged your runway walk earlier today."
Miss Ray batted his eyes several times in quick succession, then tapped the silver tiara that sat upon his head, which was decorated with fourteen rhinestones.
"And next, we have the last of our regular judges, Ishida U - " Tara paused, frowning a bit. "Ishida Uru...Uruyu. Uryuu." She pasted on a smile, regaining her composure instantly. "Mr. Ishida happens to be a very hip up-and-coming designer, and can be credited with the 'mantle craze' that's been sweeping Tokyo."
Uryuu opened his mouth to speak, sitting forward in his seat a little, but Tara continued on.
"I thought I was auditioning for Project Runway," he said quietly, out of the corner of his mouth.
"And," Tara continued, her tone raising another notch, "last but not least, this week's guest judge, Chad." She gestured to the stoic half-Mexican who sat to Virgil's left.
Chad nodded slightly. "..."
"And, before we get started, let me tell you about the prizes," Tara said rather animatedly, looking over all of the contestants. "First is a contract with Up Front Agency, a very well-known Japanese agency known for producing some of the best idols in Asia. Then, there's a two-page spread in BLT magazine, a multi-million yen contract with Revlon cosmetics, and finally, a plain ol' bag of cash." She smiled broadly again. "Just over twelve million yen. That's about $100,000, U.S.," she added, glancing back at Virgil and Miss Ray. Her attention turned to the contestants again. "Today you had your first real photo shoot," she said softly. "You got a taste of what it's like to go before the cameras and take direction. We're going to look at your best photos now, and see who stays, and who goes home."
The contestants look nervously to each other.
"Soifon," Tara said as she skirted the table and settled into her seat, screwing up the pronunciation a bit, "you're up first."
Soifon hesitated a moment, then made her way down the carpeted runner.
"You all had a meeting with Miss Ray this morning," Tara said, smiling as she glanced at said he-she. "Well? How'd Soifon do?"
Miss Ray straightened from his slumped position, looking at Soifon. "Girl, she was shakin' like a leaf. All over that runway." He looked to Tara. "Nothin' a little love won't fix, though."
Tara laughed slightly, then turned to Soifon again. "And this week, the theme of your first photo shoot was the many styles of the extremely unique Japanese fashion of what is called Lolita," she said, a bit slowly, but articulately. "So, what style of Lolita did you have?"
Soifon's frown remained. "Sailor Lolita."
"All right." Tara beamed. "Let's see your best shot."
All heads turned to the blank-screen that was positioned on the wall to Tara's right. After a moment of tense anticipation, a photograph flicked onto the screen.
"Ooh. Great intensity," Tara said, focusing on Soifon's sour expression in the picture. "But the pose could use a bit of work."
Virgil nodded in agreement. "You've certainly got the legs for it. Not many girls can pull off striped stockings."
Miss Ray sighed a little, slumping. "Legs or no legs, you've gotta pick a direction, girl. What is this? Your face is goin' that way, and your torso's goin' that way, and your legs are - well, they're there."
Soifon didn't seem impressed by the comments. Or fazed at all, actually.
Uryuu shifted in his seat. "Maybe if white was the main color of the outfit, and the navy blue was used as trim. . ."
Chad grunted in agreement.
"Okay. Thanks Soifon." Tara smiled quickly and Soifon retreated back to her place beside Yoruichi. "Next up is Orihime."
Orihime bounded down the runner, and Uryuu adjusted his glasses as he sat straighter, glancing towards Tara, where a brand-new, unopened box of Kleenex sat.
"All right, Orihime," Tara said, looking eager. "What style of Lolita were you?"
With a big smile, Orihime practically squealed, "Hime Lolita!"
"And Miss Ray, how was her walk?"
He made a so-so gesture. "Nothing special." His brow rose. "Yet."
"Okay then. Let's see your best shot."
Orihime's photo appeared on the screen.
"Aw. How sweet." Tara stared at the picture of Orihime looking into the distance.
"Nice body language," said Virgil.
"Yeah, it's a good pose," Tara said, nodding, "but you're not really connecting with the camera. You weren't facing it, so we can't really connect with the emotion."
Orihime nodded.
"I think it's perfect." Uryuu reached for the Kleenex box.
Again, Chad nodded. "...Yeah."
"I agree with Tara about the face," Miss Ray said, looking at the picture, "but you're workin' your curves."
Virgil nodded. "Yeah. You've created a nice silhouette."
Uryuu looked to the photographer, frowning.
"Very nice, Orihime," Tara said. "Thank you. Next," she continued as Orihime returned to the row of contestants, "is Yumichika."
Yumichika eagerly approached the table, ignoring the look of curiosity Uryuu tossed him.
Tara smiled widely. "Miss Ray said you have a strong walk, but could use a little more...well...sashay in your step. Think Captain Jack Sparrow. On shore."
The imagery did nothing for Yumichika, but he nodded anyway.
"What style of Lolita did you have, Yumichika?"
"Kodona."
Tara nodded, looking to the screen. "Here's your stron
gest shot."
On the screen appeared Yumichika in black and white wide plaid trousers and Victorian styled suit coat and top hat striking a smart pose of confidence and worldliness.
Tara shook her head. "Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm! You owned it! You exude a metro gent from head to toe, and never lose the masculinity of the Lolita style."
Yumichika beamed. "Thank you, Tara."
Uryuu looked to Tara. "You know he's a man, don't you?"
Tara's voice dropped. "We call it transitioning, Mr. Ishida, and we welcome the opportunity to work with Yumichika."
"I see..."
"It's a very strong statement on the style, masculine without being too dandy," Virgil said with a shrug, "not butch, but not effeminate, either."
Miss Ray nodded and made a pout. "Vintage."
Slowly, Tara went through the rest of the contestants' evaluations, raising the hopes of some and dashing the hopes of others, and when they were through, Uryuu looked exhausted. Not that he had been doing the raising or dashing.
"All right. Now comes the time for our deliberation," Tara said with renewed energy that had wavered somewhere between the ninth and eleventh contestant's evaluation. "When you return, one of you will be eliminated."
The contestants left silently and Tara spread each of their photographs over the judge's table.
"Let's get to work." She tapped Rangiku's photo, in which she was languidly leaning against a fence, matching rococo hat slightly askew as she stared at the viewer with a subtle come-hither look.
"She's in," Miss Ray said instantly.
Virgil nodded. "I agree."
Uryuu shrugged. "It's okay."
"Well I think it's gorgeous," Tara said, punctuating her point with fierce snap. She looked over to Chad, who, for the millionth time that evening, nodded in agreement. "Next is Ya - Yachiru." Tara grinned. "I like her name. Chiru. Cheery."
Virgil look nonplussed and instead focused on the photo handed to him of said little pink-haired girl. She was wearing a pink dress with white eyelet trim, the dress complete with an ice cream cone motif, and a white bow in her hair. "She's a cute girl. She's wearing a baby-doll dress. Actually, the dress is wearing her." He shrugged. "Enough said. It's not great; it's not awful."
"Isn't she too young to be in this competition?" Uryuu asked.
"We don't discriminate here," Tara replied, solemnly.
"That girl is nothin' but a ball of energy," Miss Ray said knowingly, giving a nod for effect. "Her walk is worth zilch, but train her right and she could be the Energizer Bunny."
Tara couldn't help but laugh a little at that, or maybe she could, and then indicated the next picture. "And here we have Tatsuki."
"Is it just me, or is her make-up a little... asymmetrical?" Virgil asked, squinting at the photo of Tatsuki in a black graphic T-Shirt and a knee-length, multi-tiered black and white skirt. Her pose made her look like she was about to attack the photographer. Or maybe Ray.
"I have a feeling it wasn't supposed to be that way," Miss Ray said, frowning at the photo.
"My problem is that she didn't embrace the style." Tara sighed, perhaps in disappointment. "She has such potential, but here, in the photograph, I just don't see it."
Miss Ray nodded. "You and me both."
"Here, we gave her this amazing hair and make-up and wardrobe, and she's not even trying," Tara said, shaking her head a bit. She looked to her left, then to her right. "Honestly, I don't think she gives a crap about being a model."
Neither Uryuu nor Chad had the opportunity to voice their own opinion on the subject before they moved on to the next girl. Hiyori.
"She has one of the most dramatic styles, and she comes in here lookin' all busted and broken," Miss Ray mumbled, referring to Hiyori's orangish-pink tracksuit that she had worn to panel.
"She looks good in the photo," Virgil began, studying it, "but she's crouched down like a monkey."
"Yankee, is the term," Uryuu corrected quickly.
"And is it me, or does it look like she's growling?"
Tara frowned slightly, then nodded. "Hissing, maybe." She grabbed another photo. "Now this one," she said, pointing at Rukia's picture, "is definitely a frontrunner."
"Her head seems a little disproportionate to, well, the rest of her," Virgil said. "But the expression is good."
"But I think she can use that to her advantage," Tara said, a bit enthusiastically. "Every model has a quirk. Hers is just... more noticeable."
Miss Ray gave a nod. "She looks like a sad, lost puppy."
"I like this one," Virgil said, tugging the photo of Momo out from under Tara's fingers.
Momo, in the photo, was dressed in all white, from the miniature derby hat to her pure-white platform Mary Jane shoes, and stood somewhat shyly with her hands clasped in front of her.
"A cross between servitude and naiveté," Uryuu mumbled, almost too quietly for anyone to hear.
"I love her innocence in this picture," Tara said, tapping the photo with her fingernail.
"A little too innocent," Miss Ray said with a sigh.
They then proceeded to go through the photos of Retsu, Yoruichi, Nanao, and Kuukaku, deciding that they were all of average quality, none of them good enough to be a top pick, nor bad enough to be in the bottom.
Tara looked dramatically to each judge. "Have we made our decision?"
Everyone nodded.
A moment later the contestants were assembled before the judges table, looking with apprehension at the panel. Tara stood in front of the table, looking out over them.
"Fourteen beautiful girls stand in front of me, but I only have thirteen photos in my hands. The girl whose name I do not call must immediately return to the townhouse, pack their belongings, and go home."
Nervous looks were exchanged between the contestants.
Tara smiled. "Momo!"
Momo stepped forward, then meekly came down the carpet to stand before Tara. Tara pulled her photo from her stack.
"Congratulations. You're still in the running to become The Next Top Model."
Momo gave a gasp, grabbed the photo and waved it over her head, then held it to her chest and went to stand near the screen, smiling bubbly.
Tara looked out over the contestants. "Rukia."
Rukia's violet eyes opened wide. "Me?"
Tara nodded hastily as Rukia walked down the carpet. "Congratulations. You're still in the running to become The Next Top Model."
One by one the names were called.
Retsu. Yachiru. Rangiku. Yumichika. Orihime. Soifon. Nanao. Nemu. Yoruichi. Kuukaku.
Only Tatsuki and Hiyori remained.
"Tatsuki, and Hiyori," Tara said breathily, "please step forward."
The two girls did as told, and Tara paused. "The two of you stand before me for, well, similar reasons." She looked to Tatsuki. "The judges feel that you were given an opportunity to really shine with the style that you modeled, and while we weren't expecting perfection, we couldn't help but feel that you didn't even try."
Tatsuki didn't look affected by Tara's comments. She may have even smiled a little.
"And Hiyori," Tara began again. "Your style was another one that we were looking forward to seeing, and again, we were disappointed."
Hiyori couldn't help but frown at that.
"The pose was awkward, and we get the feeling that the attitude that you conveyed on set is rooted into your personality." Tara paused. "We know that both of you have the potential to change, but unfortunately, only one of you will have the chance to show us." She glanced down at the last photograph in her hand, then revealed it to the girls. A slight smile came to her lips. "Congratulations, Hiyori."
Hiyori shuffled forward to take the photo, and behind her, Tatsuki looked strangely relieved.
"I'm sorry, Tatsuki," Tara said to her.
"This means I can leave now, right?"
"Well, yes -"
"Good." Tatsuki smiled and looked to Orihime in line with the other girls. "Good luck, Orihime! Go al
l the way!"
Orihime's eyes were wide with sadness. "Bye! I wish you could stay!"
"See ya!" Tatsuki exited quickly out of the room.
And then there were thirteen.