Author's Notes- This is the 2nd. Chapter of Adventures In Cosplay, and marks the point where I'm drawing from the resources I've known on the web to enhance the series. This chapter features the people of Sailor Jamboree, as well as the 4 friends I placed in the legal disclaimer.

Dreams Coming True
By Dale Speer

By Thanksgiving, the impressive work of the impromptu group of Cosplayers- headed by Maureen Roberts & Dale Speer- was getting the attention of others in and outside the community. Already, 4 others from a neighboring town- Andrea, Kerri, Brandie & Nicole- wanted in on the group of 16 who specialized in Sailor Moon Cosplay.

Finally, a decision had to be made concerning the 20. This was a commitment that would take them in new directions... and for them, there would be no turning back. And it all started with a breakfast meeting at Maureen's home...

"We all know why we're gathered here," Dale addressed the group, as nods were gathered around. "This is," she said, "for us as individuals, a personal commitment to cosplay- and as a group, to take up the challenge of teamwork. What we need to determine is what are we going to specialize in, if we're all in this together, and a name for our group."

"I think," Andrea said, "that being a group that does just Sailor Moon cosplay isn't going to cut it. Since we're all girls, we should specialize in Shoujo & Mahou Shoujo Cosplay." Even the existing members agreed that from the standpoint, doing Shoujo Cosplay- which included Sailor Moon- was the right thing to do.

"Then we need a name for our group," Roxanne said. Names were tossed around... Riverside Cosplayers was tossed along with Cosplaying CheerGirls... until Dale did an effective elimination.

"Do you 4 do cheerleading in your hometowns?" he asked them. Both Nicole's and Andrea's hands went up... so Dale's next question was to the other 2- "Do you do anything related to the school in your hometowns?" "Well I'm on the Color Guard of my high school," Brandie said. And the others agreed that they were also involved in their school Color Guards during the Winter Months. "Then might I suggest that we call our group Riverside CosplayGuard?" she proposed to them all... and the more it was debated, the more she was on the money. So from that day forward, this group became known by the name Dale thought of.

By December 2001, plans were just getting underway. The group watched 3 more Mahou Shoujo anime series, and determined how to split it up.

"I want to do 2 Magical Girl animes in this cosplay," Andrea suggested. "I don't see why not," Maureen agreed. All of them agreed that one would be Sailor Moon... but then Collette floored them by saying, "Why don't we also put together hall cosplay costumes of Magic Knight Rayearth?" But it made sense... dress half the girls in costumes from that series, while not spoiling the Cosplay they chose to do. 5 would, once again, dress in their Senshi outfits- but this time, villains would be needed.

"Why not assemble a monster costume for one of us," Kerri suggested, "and we find color makeup to add to the effect." "I'm still connected with our school's DramaClub," Maureen said, "I can use my funds and our name to purchase what we need." But then Dale came up with one good idea.

"Why don't we do one of the Japanese Numbers from a musical or from the Lunarock album?" she said. "That's perfect!" Maureen said, "We need just the 10 Senshi outfits to do that." Names of songs were tossed around... Moonlight Densetsu, La Soldier, Ai no Senshi & Fire were all tossed around until one was decided for the 10- Ai no Senshi. Printing off the lyrics from one website and making copies of it, they were working on it from opening. The 2nd. for the others was another number that worked for the 9 others- Fire.

"So," Collette said, "when do we do this first Cosplay?" "Why not in April?" Maureen asked. At the surprised looks of everyone except Dale, she said that FanimeCon 2002 was coming on April 26-28 down the road a ways in Santa Clara. "Bingo!" Nicole said, "The perfect beginning... in our own state!" So fundraisers were assembled so that the group of 17 could stay there for the entire convention.

By the time everything was finished, they had made enough- with personal funds and fundraisers- to go to not only FanimeCon, but also to 2 other Anime Conventions. Even the core 5 Senshi went to local shopping centers on weekends and, with permission from the managers, did numbers of popular songs in the Senshi outfits. At these endeavors, a giant glass jar was set on a table and whatever the people put in it went to the efforts of the Cosplayers. This little thing snagged over $1500 in donations... and it went into a fund for the next year.

During the time when Dale ran errands for the group, they discussed her present situation.

"During drama productions," Maureen said, "Dale always stayed backstage, helping with props, costumes and stage setups. Because of her weight, she couldn't act because the public wanted people who were average." "So Dale's weight problem has put her at a disadvantage when it comes to her classmates here?" Collette asked. "Yes," Maureen said, "But it's making a greater strain for her heart. I'm going to ask her if, after FanimeCon, she will undergo cosmetic surgery for her health." All of them hoped she would accept... if for no other reason than to keep her healthy.

April 26 came just as fast... and the high schools that the group attended had something to be proud of. At Westside Jr./Sr. High, students came up to the core 16 and shook hands with them. The principal even asked them to put on a Spirit Assembly for the entire student body... and with everyone gathered, they dressed in the costumes and everyone got to see the Sailor Senshi one final time.

They pulled out the first of their numbers and performed it for them. Then Dale- once again in costume as SuperSailor Venus- spoke up.

"The other 4 members of our Cosplay Group will be joining us in moments... and they will be dressed in costumes from the other Anime we chose to cosplay, Magic Knight Rayearth," Dale said on behalf of them. And sure enough, the 4 did arrive- and Dale introduced them as Kerri (Fuu Hououji), Andrea (Hikaru Shidou), Brandie (Umi Ryuuzaki) & Nicole (MageMaster Clef). The group of 20 them performed the other number, then they were all were applauded as they took a final bow.

The principal then stepped up to Dale in the Center Spotlight and said, "The entire staff & student body send their wishes with you as you travel to Santa Clara for FanimeCon- along with this check for $1,500 from the Boosters. In the same hotel where you're going to the convention, they've arranged for your accomodations as well. This group is now dismissed from classes to change and hit the road."

In the space of an hour, the 20 had changed into their street clothes and started traveling to FanimeCon 2002. Andrea understood why Dale was doing the driving... it was one way of keeping her focus.

"Dale," she asked, "have you considered what Maureen said about having liposuction done to relieve the strain on your heart?" It was a question that surprised all of them in the van because of the reasoning behind it. "I have," she answered, "but cosmetic surgery- including liposuction- isn't covered, even for medical reasons, by the state. Dr. Roberts has even said that she would contact surgeons who would be willing to do it and have it paid for. But the state doesn't want to pay for the services."

"Dale," Maureen said, "Dr. Roberts has even approached me to fund for cosmetic surgery for you for health reasons. I told her that I wanted to see you elegant again- and was considering funding it for those reasons. When she said that your life depended on it, I said I would."

"I thank all of you for your concern," Dale said, "Since you were approached by Dr. Roberts, I will trust you Maureen... I will do this. When we get back on Monday from FanimeCon, we will visit Dr. Roberts and arrange the appointments."

In another part of the hotel, on the same floor as Riverside CosplayGuard was staying, was a more popular Cosplay Group out of San Diego- called Sailor Jamboree. This group had been going since 1999 and is considered the Original Sera Myu Cosplay Group. Gina, who headed the Cosplay Group administratively, was looking on the FanimeCon Website at who was slated in the Cosplay Competition. When she came near where they were at, she took a gasp... and called Chrissy over.

She pointed to them... then said, "Look who's above us." Chrissy took one glance at that... and also gasped. "We didn't know about a late entry until now," she said... and started to worry. They visited the website linked to Riverside CosplayGuard... and realized that this group was a definite competitor to them, because 6 of them... including Dale- were people they rejected from membership.

"We're going to have to watch them and see if they're as good as they are," Gina replied.

When it came time for the Newcomers to Cosplay to have at it, they found 10 groups... and Riverside CosplayGuard was the last 2, for they forged 2 Cosplay situations- both of them Musical Numbers from Sailor Moon- and split up the 20 into 2 teams.

SJ won in their category and overall in the cosplay... but they didn't win Costume Awards.

When Riverside CosplayGuard was announced... not only did they win Best Newcomer- they also won for their Costumes for Sailor Moon AND they took 2nd. place overall. In the Hall Cosplay Competition, 4 of the top 5 went to members of the newcomers for the Rayearth Costumes they wore.

Afterwards, on their floor of the hotel, the 2 groups got together in one of the rooms for some conversation and apologies. The 4 leaders sat in their own group and were conversing... when Gina said, "We vowed to watch you this weekend when your groups came up... and for once, we were proven wrong. Your costumes were top-notch, and your performances were outstanding. We were hoping one of the other groups would wind up 2nd. overall- but we're glad it was you."

"Perhaps rejection can have an unexpected benefit," Dale said, "Being rejected by you gave us the means to shine as our own group." "You're right, Dale," Gina said, "Perhaps your team can become part of Sailor Jamboree... but you can't be known by our name, or you will be disqualified."

"Actually, that isn't the case," Dale said, "We can be known by the Sailor Jamboree name... but our team has to be split up into groups of up to the max number of characters allowed. Otherwise, we will be disqualified. I read about it in a number of Cosplay Rules pages on Convention Websites." "Dale, you're a genius!" Chrissy said.

So Riverside CosplayGuard became part of Sailor Jamboree in a single night. July, however, would be when the real experiences began for the combined group.

TO BE CONTINUED...