Ishimaru was sure to check himself over one final time in his car mirror, readjusting his glasses and fixing the alignment on his tie that was only off by a mere centimeter which no one but him would have noticed. He gulped before stepping outside to approach the backstage staff entrance. An anxious wave laced with fear and dash of annoyance washed over him to a point where he no longer realized his paw was still fiddling with the garnet around his neck; a nervous habit. "It is only nerves. Remain calm and just do what you were trained to do! This is only a job, after all," he kept muttering to himself.
It wasn't, and he knew it.
Gazelle was the most popular songstress in all of the Animal Kingdom, Zootopia in particular seeing as she was the face of the city. Ishimaru, the freshly business graduated black panther, was to be her new stage manager thanks their previous one suddenly quitting and him being the quickest to answer the emergency call for a stand-in for the remainder of the tour. That's all this would be to him: a temp job until this tour was finished, but still one he had ever plan to do as perfect as possible. As he was lead through security to the back-stage area the panther was met with four of her tiger back up dancers.
He smiled as he straightened his posture even more than it already was. "Greetings," he said with a bit of forced confidence. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Kyotaka Ishimaru and I'll be your new stage manager starting today. I'll be sure to do a better job than your last one, I assure you!" he said as he gave a polite bow.
Mondo was in his dressing room. This wasn't the dream job he always envisioned having, but he couldn't turn it down with the pay being more than good enough to pay the bills. Show time was in a few hours and fans were already being allowed into the VIP pre-show dance party which he had chosen not to attend along with the rest of the main cast. Mondo slipped on his tight dancer shorts that sparkled way too bright for his taste but if it's what Gazelle wanted, it's what she would have.
A throaty growl escaped his throat as he stepped out to join the others and to see their new stage manager had just arrived. He scoffed at first sight of him. The last one couldn't handle the pressure and messed up too many times. Plans were already set in stone to fire him after the tour but then he had to go and quit right as the Tundra Town leg was supposed to start. Just thinking about it made the large tiger growl continuously lightly to himself. While the other dancers were usually calm and flamboyant he was the one who usually was the loud voice of reason. If the guy messed up, he would take charge it was only his right as the number one dancer on the team.
And as the four of them met up to go over the routine one last time, in the corner of his eye he saw a tuff of black shine enter his field of vision and before anything he was introducing himself. His curiosity was intrigued. Even in Zootopia, it was rare to see a panther outside of the grassland districts, even in Central City unless they were a member of the police force. It took Mondo by surprise for a moment before his nose crinkled, not finding their new arrivals scent all that pleasing right away, but he'd have to get used it. Ishimaru still looked like the lamest manger you could get. Thick rimmed glasses with a button up and tie? Mondo's immediately thought was that he'd be gone faster than the first guy, but for the moment they needed everything to go smoothly. At the bow, Mondo was the first to speak up hand firmly on his hips as he stared down at the shorter cat.
He had to be friendly, at least for now. "Oii, nice 'ta meetcha! Names Mondo Oowada, and this S' my team," He pointed a thumb to the dancers who all waved back happily, but hardly paying much mind. Crossing his arms the tiger straightened to make himself look bigger. "Ya better know whatcha gettin' into, ya hear, Ishimaru? We don't want another fuckin' mishap!" Though rough and bold, his voice still rang with a small chime of kindness in it, noticeable more thanks to the forced smile on his face.
Another gulp. Though demanding, it seemed most of the people he'd be working with were nice? He wasn't too sure right off the bat. More importantly, they were holding him to high expectations just like he himself was. A mutual desire helps lead to common goals, or so Ishimaru always told himself.
Thou he was a tiger, the longer Oowada lingered around him the less intimidating he came off. He grinned widely before giving a salute. "Yes, I shall do just that. Failure isn't in my vocabulary," he said as he readjusted his glasses, yet again. For a moment, Ishimaru couldn't help but stare at the other. Having grown up in the Meadowlands it wasn't common to see tigerfolk visit with it not being their usual habitat. He vaguely remembered having class with one college when he moved to Central City, but had never spoken to him. So this was actually his first time being so close to one.
He...didn't realize tigers were as built as Oowada. Then again, this tiger was a professional dancer! Even with fur that otherwise would hide muscle, Mondo's body was lean; all beef and nothing else. The fact that he was wearing nothing but Gazelle's signature dance shorts wasn't helping. A noticeable shade of pink clouded over his face even as he tried to avert his eyes and look about the venue, taking it all in. "U-um! I-is there perhaps a Production Assistant present that I can speak to? Just so I know everything that needs to be taken care of before tonight's show?"
Mondo smirked, noticing Ishimaru's embarrassed facial expression. This guy is a total nerd, he thought to himself before pointing out a young woman. "Go talk to Sayaka. She's the swan over by the lighting crew with the blue hair. Ya can't miss 'er!" A heavy pat was delivered to Ishimaru's back, shoving him in the direction he needed to go. "Show time is in 2 hours so you better get to work!"
A tired sigh emitted from Ishimaru as only 20 minutes remained before curtain call. Everything was in order, thanks to Sayaka who had already gotten most pre-prep work out of the way before you arrived. For the first day, it really felt more like she was in charge more than anyone else, but he would learn quickly and start acting like the boss he was supposed to be very soon. Lighting was powered, every microphone was tested and ready, neatly organized in order they were to be used, and every stage outfit accounted for and right where they needed to be for when Gazelle would change, whether it be stage right, left, or the hidden room below stage. The final opening act was off stage.
"Is everyone, ready?" Ishimaru called out, running a speed check from everyone. "Is everyone hydrated? Has the dance team stretched properly?" Now he was just double checking things that weren't even his concern, nor something he could help. The new stage manager had quickly taken to being a perfectionist and eliminate anything that could potentially hinder a flawless performance from anyone. "Oowada, are you and your team prepared?" he asked, red in the face with sweat, shaking slightly.
The leading tiger just started at the panther in confusion and amusement before playfully scoffing at him. "I never need to stretch! Don't you worry about us!" Mondo uncrossed his arms and leaned forward as if to tower over Ishimaru. "Hurry up and finish the check up!"
Ishimaru felt adrenaline kick into his system upon hearing that Mondo hadn't properly stretched. He didn't care if the main tiger was used to dancing unstretched. Should he take on any injury then the whole show could potentially suffer! The last thing they needed was for Mondo to pull a muscle on stage and have to suddenly walk off. And so, the stage manager quickly had Mondo on the floor, forcing him, pressing into a warmup split. "Oowada, I can't allow you do continue like this! If you refuse to prepare your body then I will be forced to make sure it's done every show," he insisted.
Mondo couldn't help but have to do as Ishimaru told him, quickly realizing he wasn't going to get out of this so easily. Still, he could have fun with it, he figured. The moment they changed positions so that Ishimaru was seated on the floor across from him he pulled Ishimaru into a stretch slip of his own. "Fine. If I gotta warmup with ya then y'ere exercisin' with me! Got it?" he snapped rudely at him. Ishimaru didn't give any response.
With a firm, but polite knock on the dressing room door, Ishimaru called out "Miss Gazelle, we're ready for you to take stage! Ten minutes remaining!" A faint, but excited "Okay," was heard right before her emerging, towering over him with an honest smile. "Thanks; you did great today! So glad we found you!" Within seconds the show started and chaos ensued. Pre work was one thing, but now having ton constantly directing everyone from dancers to lighting technicians at any given moment was proving to take his breath away faster than anything he had to do in school. There was no time for rest, or recounting anything. Either it was perfect or something could go very wrong. The only break anyone got was after 17 songs and she stepped off stage, waiting for the audience to cheer and demand for the encore they all knew would be happening thanks to the various leaks of the program all over ZooTube. Everything was already in place and ready to go, and the moment she walked back out on stage it felt like it was over.
For just an extra 4 minutes he could relax and breathe as he found himself off to the side, watching as the intro of optimistic chanting began, followed by Gazelle announcing the final song, Try Everything. Ishimaru couldn't help but smile having feeling confident and proud of making it through the first night without any missteps. Cue the shooting water effects and then the backup dancers appeared through a spray of mist before the main chorus happened and were in full spring, Mondo catching half of the crowds, and well as the managers own attention quickly. Something about Mondo was different when he was on stage; as if he was glowing brighter and happier, but maybe that was all part of the act.
The dance routine itself seemed simple enough and as the song continued, Ishimaru began to enjoy the sight from off stage, humming along and eventually trying to copy the tigers' moves. Maybe this job won't be so bad, afterall, he convinced himself as the concert finally came to a close. "Alright, Gazelle is finished. Cut the microphones and begin packing up," he spoke into his head piece cheerfully. With that, the night was over. The cleanup crew had their own manager to work with, so for now, Ishimaru's duty was done.
"Wait, no! How did that move go again?" Ishimaru muttered to himself as he continued half dancing his way under stage, gathering his things. "Something like…a sidestep?" He really didn't know. The manager's body continued to move with very little rhythm, choppy, and unflattering to so the least. Even with his arms half full of equipment and memos for next time he still tried to imitate the dance Mondo and the other's had done. It looked like a terrible battle animation in some older video game. After he had finally gotten everything packed up he allowed his body to relax and head for the door, waving goodbye to everyone as he went. "Oh well, I'm sure I'll get to see the other's do it again tomorrow night, too so- AHH!"
"You're moving too stiffly. You need to really swaggle your hips more!" Mondo had interrupted Ishimaru in mid-thought when he came up from behind and reached both arms around this hips, forcing him into motion. "See, like this! Get some flow to ya!" He pulled the panther closer to his still half-naked body, not giving him any choice but to imitate his swerving motion. "Just grind back and forth and loosen up!" No effort was spared from Mondo in trying to get Ishimaru to dance properly, right now. In fact, he merely meant to tease him, grabbing him by surprise like this, but now he was having fun with it all. Their new manager could handle the job, but boy was he a terrible dancer, even with a professional pressed up against him, trying to guide his body along.
Maybe it was just the invasion of personal space, but Ishimaru was even stiffer than before, feeling Mondo up against his backside. His strong, sweaty musk invading his nose, and paws clinging to his sides tightly. Ishimaru's face was pulsing with heat, red, and embarrassed. His tail attempted to stand up, stiff with shock. "Oowada!" he finally snapped when he could step away. "I would ask you to refrain from doing that in the future!" he huffed, facing the tiger. Ishimaru then quickly readjusted his clothes that had gotten wrinkled in the chaos.
Mondo only laughed before stepping closer to Ishimaru again. "Don't act like you weren't enjoying yourself! I saw you dancing by yourself earlier," he teased while giving a light shove against the panther's shoulder. No response came; probably too choked up to know what to say. He chuckled. For such a stuff, their new manager was proving fun to have around. A smile cracked across his jaw, exposing his fangs a bit as an idea popped into his head. "How about we make a little deal. If you're going to force me to stretch every night before a show then I'm gonna force ya to practice the dance until you know it, got it?!" There was no chance to respond, as Mondo was already patting Ishimaru on the back and heading on towards his dressing room to finally changed. "See ya tomorrow, Kyotaka!"
Just like that, it was. Ishimaru was left standing alone by the exit after a full shift as stage manager. He had been rushed, drained, and now groped by the first tiger friend he had every had in his life. This was clearly going to one hell of a job.