Four Hearts
Blaine Anderson, Elliott Gilbert, Adam Crawford and Sebastian Smythe are the four rulers of Dalton Academy and the Warbler Council Members. When new kid Kurt Hummel auditions for the Warblers, all four of them slowly begin to fall in love with him. Who will get him?
Chapter 1- The Audition
In The Warblers, it's a time-honoured tradition for all prospective members to have been previously recommended by one of the members themselves. They were a tightly-knit group and if just anyone auditioned, then it wouldn't be quite the same in terms of the group dynamic. Their personalities would have to meld with those of the Council and the other members. Everybody had a fair say at Dalton, which was a reason for several ex-public school students to join the Warblers. They found that the seemingly effortless harmonies and the sense of brotherhood that was quite appealing to the person that they wanted to be. The legend was that once a Warbler, you would be a completely different person than you were prior to joining. It had something to do with the standards and decorum of politeness and the refined, collected manner in which you were required to present yourself. It also had something to do with the Council Members.
Blaine Anderson was arguably the overall leader of the Warblers, as the others looked to him for the guidance, but he was not the only one present who presented ideas. Blaine was the vote of confirmation that all suggestions looked to find. Usually if a song idea had Blaine's go-ahead, the others would follow suit. He had a wonderfully trained musical ear which helped in heaps with the arrangements and harmonies, but his personality was something which rubbed off on you. He was definitely the poster child for preppy.
Elliott Gilbert was the most eclectic of the members. His diverse personal and musical tastes brought a sense of variety to any set list and to the rehearsals themselves. If they were permitted to deviate from their daily uniform, Elliott would be the one dressed most outlandishly. Elliott, or Starchild as he preferred to be called when performing, was a brilliant vocalist and musician and his music suggestions would be genius and frequent. He was a key member of the group.
Adam Crawford was the mediator of the group. Whenever the others got too fired up and aggressive towards one other, which was rare, Adam would calm the situations down. His cool personality and calming British accent made him perfect for the job. Nobody said it, but it was pretty much a given that Adam would step into any sort of disagreement without having them himself. He had this way of calming people down without getting hot-headed himself. It was a gift.
Sebastian Smythe was the most opinionated person on the Council, but also the most honest and true. He got heated pretty quickly compared to the others and was known for his sarcastic comments and witty interjections. They were a source of hilarity, but also one of the main disruptions during Warbler rehearsals. He was renowned for his looks and flirtatious attitude. Past that, though, he was an extremely decent person but chose not to embrace that side of himself other than with his best friends, the rest of the Council.
These four boys were the main reason why the Warblers were at their optimum. They made the group a well-oiled machine for which everybody was grateful. Everybody at Dalton loved them and they loved each other. It had gotten to the point where they were more like brothers than best friends. Even though Blaine was the only one with an actual sibling, he was much closer to his friends than his biological brother. After all, friends are the family that you choose for yourself.
The Dalton Academy Warblers had a mutual dynamic that was rarely ever shaken up. Rarely being the key word.
It all started when Adam showed up to rehearsals five minutes late. They were all about to begin starting on choosing their Sectionals set list. It was the first time that they had ever qualified for the Sectionals competition and they were all excited for this particular rehearsal. So when one of their Council Members turned up late, everyone was confused.
Adam burst through the doors, slightly out of breath and flustered. One by one, the Warblers looked over the doors.
"Warbler Crawford," Blaine addressed his friend. They all hated calling each other by their surnames, but the ancient decorum stated that the terms of address were necessary for bonding as a cohesive unit.
"Sorry I'm late everyone. But I may have found the very voice that could win us Sectionals. I was on my way hear when I heard a voice in the practice room. He's vocally flawless and pitch perfect. I am requesting a formal audition and he says that he is ready to do it now. If everybody acquiesces, I would like to welcome Kurt Hummel into the room for an audition."
Nobody recognised the name, or did not react if they did. They were nodded due to Adam's description of his voice. They could use another strong voice at Sectionals, but some were worried that a new member might disrupt the flow of personality within the group. Above all, they were very impressed that somebody was ready to audition at really short notice. They took a vote and nobody objected.
"Excellent." Adam blushed slightly. "I'll get him." Adam left the room and brought in Kurt Hummel.
They was an audible gasp from somebody within the room as Kurt entered the room. Dressed stylishly while keeping within the regulations of Warbler audition, Kurt looked almost angelic. There was no awkwardness about his posture or glance like with most potential members. He appeared very confident and poised, a good start with the boys. If any attention was being paid to the Council, the three boys seemed to awkwardly shift in their seats at the same time, hands adjusting their crotches and coughing quietly.
"Hello, Warblers. My name is Kurt Hummel and I very much appreciate your letting me audition at such short notice. For you today, I will be performing Corner of the Sky from the revival of the Tony-Winning musical Pippin. I can do it a capella unless anybody can provide accompaniment."
Blaine raised his hand and shuffled over the grand piano in the room and conferred with Kurt about the key. As they whispered, Adam returned to his seat and began talking with Elliott and Sebastian.
"God, he's gorgeous, Adam. Such a good find." Sebastian leered at Kurt's ass. Elliott smacked his arm.
"Seb, stop being such a dirty animal. Appreciate him for his talent and charm rather than his ass, which is admittedly delicious."
"Wait until you hear him sing, it's mesmerising."
Kurt strutted to the centre of the room and immediately he commanded attention without having to do anything at all. All eyes were fixed on him and Blaine began the piano accompaniment as Kurt prepared to sing.
Everything has its season
Everything has its time.
Show me a reason and I'll soon show you a rhyme.
Everybody stared at him, slack-jawed. He was wonderful, nothing like that ever heard before. Elliott smiled to himself. Finally, a countertenor, he thought with a grin.
Cats fit on the windowsill
Children fit in the snow
Why do I feel I don't fit in anywhere I go?
Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I've got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky
Every man has his daydreams
Every man has his goal
People like the way dreams have
Of sticking to the soul
Thunderclouds have their lightning
Nightingales have their song
And don't you see I want my life to be
Something more than long...
Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I've got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky
So many men seem destined
To settle for something small
But I won't rest until I know I'll have it all
So don't ask where I'm going
Just listen when I'm gone
And far away you'll hear me singing
Softly to the dawn:
Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I've got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky
Kurt held the final high note for an impressive twenty-seven beats in full voice. Warbler Mario was crying as were Blaine and Elliott. Sebastian looked like he usually did; not wanting to admit that he thought it was the most beautiful vocal he had ever heard in his life. Adam just looked triumphant; they had to win Sectionals now if Kurt was featured.
The applause was raucous and its duration fitted how much everybody enjoyed the piece. Kurt smiled brightly and bowed to the group, taking his standing ovation with a proud grin. He looked up at the ceiling and whispered something, but nobody could hear over the applause.
"So?" Kurt asked after the clapping died down.
"Seriously? You need to ask? Kurt, that was possibly the most phenomenal vocals I've ever within these walls. I don't think we need to address the rest of the group but just because it's a technicality…Warblers? All in favour of Kurt being the newest Warbler to join our group?"
Everybody raised their hands emphatically.
"Kurt Hummel, welcome to the Warblers."
That was where the fun really began.
