A little idea that's been evolving in my mind for a while. Hope Ya'll like it!
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Sing, only my OCs.
A little over half a year ago, the New Moon Theatre and competition took place. In that time, things changed. A selection of the original competitors were actually becoming big names in the music world. It wasn't much, but they were slowly climbing the ladder and making names for themselves. The theater, with their help, became popular once again.
So much so, that Moon was planning to make the competition an annual thing and was already preparing for auditions. The plan was for the originals to compete again if wanted, along with competing against new, fresh competition for the original prize curtesy of Nana Noodleman. It was already creating buzz all over the news.
"Johnny, Ash, Gunther! Where are you, Auditions start soon and I need all you guys attending," the koala called out, moving from backstage to quickly take a seat at the front. "Why exactly do I havta listen to these mooks?" Mike asked, looking less-than pleased about the arrangements. "Shut up, tiny, I'm too sleep deprived to deal with you," Ash yelled at him, sipping at a cup of coffee she had brewed. "I could tell, since I was the one pickin' you up," Johnny said, smirking at the memory of her answering the door almost immediately after he knocked, followed by her yelling at him for waking her from what apparently was the couch.
Before more could be said between the two friends, Buster shushed them as he asked Mrs. Crawley to open the doors and begin letting animals in. A steady flow of groups, duets, and soloist acts filed in, performing their own individual pieces. Many were good and showed promise while others... were so bad that the others attempts to keep Mike from literally booting them off the stager were half-hearted. Things, however, became a bit interesting after a brief lunch break.
"Johnny, I think one of the speakers is out, can you help?" Meena called from one of the tech stations. "Sure, no problem," he responded, finishing up a chat with Rosita and Ash before hopping onstage and over to the booth, opening the panel and quickly fixing a minor issue. "Right, lemme test the mic quickly," he said, closing it back up and moving to the mic.
"Can we please see Cicily onstage next?" Buster called out, scanning his clipboard. Before Johnny dwelled on the familiar name, he adjusted the mic before singing a few lyrics.
Oh, won't you stay with me
'Cause you're all I need
This ain't love, it's clear to see
But darling, stay with me
"Wow. Still gotta voice of an angel, ey, Johnny?"
Eyes going wide at an all-too familiar voice with all-too familiar sass, Johnny spun around to see a female gorilla about the same age as him meet his grin with a smirk, a hand on her hips and a backpack hanging off a shoulder.
"Cici? 'S that really you?" he asked, shocked. "If ya can believe it, ya git," she grinned, walking quickly over to meet him in the middle with a strong hug, giggles slipping off her lips as he raised her from the ground a bit.
"My God, I never thought I'd see ya again in my life, Ci!" "Same ta you, ya big lug," the girl said, laughing with him as he released her and gave him a playful smack in the arm. "You look good, Johnny. Time's been good ta ya." "Aw, well, I can say the same for you! Look like a woman at last." "Oy! At least I'm s'pose ta look like one," she joked, grinning as she pulled his head down with an arm and began giving him a noogie. "Uuuh, care to introduce us, Johnny?" Ash intervened, seeming as confused as anyone else. This snapped the two out of their playful banter, and Johnny couldn't help the blush that lightly dusted his cheeks as he was allowed to free himself.
"S-sorry! Everyone, this is Cicily; my childhood best mate." "And the first an' only girl this git ever had the confidence to talk to," the newcomer added, nudging him with her elbow playfully. "We was thick as thieves, we was, ironically. I was always tryin' to help this helpless bloke grow a spine 'alf the time." "And I was always keepin' ya outta trouble," the boy retorted, wrapping an arm around her and returning the earier given noogie.
"Haha! Well, as fun as it is getting to know a bit more about Johnny, we really need to get going with your audition," Buster intervened, seeming antsy to move on. "Right. 'ey, which song are you gonna sing, anyways?" "Oh, an old childhood favorite. You know the one," Cicily answered with a sly wink. With a last hug of greeting and a wish of good luck, Johnny left the stage and joined the rest, waiting for Cici to start.
"Wow, you two seemed pretty close," Rosita whispered, giving a fond, motherly smile. "Oh, yeah, we were like brother an' sister back in the day. Our dads an' mums were close mates so we 'ung out quite a bit. Her family even followed us from England ," the gorilla said, having an infectious smile on his face(A/N: No idea if he's actually from England, but it kinda makes sense to me if he had spent a good first part of his childhood there, and will be useful for the story later on)."If, uh, you're so close, why did it seem like a high school reunion up there?" Ash asked, popping some gum. Johnny seemed to sadden a little, but any happiness lost soon revived.
"Oh, her mum an' dad split, an' her mum won full custody. Last I 'eard her dad still lives here in the city, but he cut communication off from m dad years ago when it happened. We tried to keep touch, but we eventually faded after a year of her movin away," Johnny explained, earning nods of understanding from his friends. After everything that happened, it had become known that his dad was a criminal gang leader, but it changed no one's view of the kind-hearted, pure and innocent, soulful gorilla. And if he and Cicily's fathers were as close as he said, then it could be guessed on why he had cut ties and lost his daughter.
The girl herself didn't seem too bad, however. She wore a black leather jacket with a zipper up just enough that the lapels still flared out, revealing a stylishly tattered dark crimson shirt underneath, dark deconstructed skinny jeans, classic black and grey converse, and pulled out a black fedora with a red ribbon on it along with a fold-out cane for her show, to which Johnny couldn't help but give a chuckle and a shake of his head to, already knowing they were in for quite the performance.
"Johnny, before she starts, I want you to know that just because she's you're long-lost childhood buddy doesn't mean I will cut her any slack or do any sort of favor," Moon explained, seeming serious. "Ooh, of course, Mr. Moon. But trust me, when you hear her, you won't even need to do any favors. Especially if she still has the voice and flare from all those years ago," Johnny said, certainty in his eyes.
With a nod from Buster, the lights onstage dimmed, and an upbeat song began to play, to which Cici began placing the hat on with her back to the audience, flaring her lapels and turning after a certain note, flipping the fedora on, hooking the cane on her right arm, and gave a hum in a smooth, jazzy voice and started snapping along at some point as she spun.
Well, Ali Baba had them forty thieves
Sheherezade had a thousand tales
But, master, you in luck 'cause up your sleeves
You got a brand of magic never fails
You got some power in your corner now
Some heavy ammunition in your camp
You got some punch, pizazz, yahoo and how
All you gotta do is rub that lamp
And I'll say
With a blare of trumpets, she hoisted the cane into the air and caught it, smiling a knowing smile as all eyes fell on hers.
Mister Aladdin, sir
What will your pleasure be?
Let me take your order
Jot it down
You ain't never had a friend like me
No no no
Life is your restaurant
And I'm your maître d'
C'mon whisper what it is you want
You ain't never had a friend like me
Popping a red rose from her sleeve after the first two lines in the second section and pretending to offer it to the audience, she began to step in place to the beat along with the song, finishing up the part by placing the rose effortlessly onto her hat and began to pretend to strut with the cane in front of her.
Yes sir, we pride ourselves on service
You're the boss, the king, the shah
Say what you wish, it's yours!
True dish, how about a little more baklava?
Doing a series of spins, tap moves, and other flashy moves, she threw her cane in the air to catch the lower half and began pointing at invisible props to match the song.
Have some of column A
Try all of column B
I'm in the mood to help you though
You ain't never had a friend like me
She again vocalized along with the music, knowing she had everyone's attention and gave a sly smirk as she tipped her hat off and skillfully rolled it on her left arm and having it land perfectly land back on her head, doing more gestures and spinning at some point.
Can your friends do this?
Can your friends do that?
Can your friends pull this out their little hat?
Can you friends go, poof!
So don't ya sit there slack-jawed, buggy-eyed
I'm here to answer all your midday prayers
You got me bona fide and certified
You got a genie for your charge d'affaires
I got a powerful urge to help you out
So whatcha wish? I really wanna know
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
Well, all you gotta do is rub like so oh oh
After more vocalizing, Cici once again hung the cane on her arm and grabbed the mic and the stand, beginning to put more passion into her performance than before, adding spins to the ending lines.
Mister Aladdin, sir, have a wish or two or three
I'm on the job, you big nabob
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never (never) had (had) a friend like me
You ain't never had a friend like me
Holding the second to last ending line a bit longer, she held her arms out and raised them alongside the note, cane in hand. And to top the last line off, she gave one last spin and perfectly ended it with one hand holding the cane but both pointing to the audience, fedora tipped down to hide her eyes, but bright smile still visible as the rose was held seemingly skillfully between her teeth, canines glinting.
The performance was rewarded with a standing ovation. Even Mike gave a half-hearted clap and a shrug, showing he was slightly impressed. Hooking the cane once again on her arm and holding her fedora to her chest, Cici took a bow and gave a wink goodbye as Buster thanked her, heading backstage after packing her props into her bag once again.
"Wow, you weren't kidding about the flare," Ash told Johnny, having an impressed smile on her face. "Yeah, Johnny, she was amazing!" Meena added, giddy from the performance. "Right?! Man, and that was her favorite song growin' up. Couldn't go a day without either listenin' to it or watchin' the movie. She's really become a great singer," he said, impressed but not surprised at his old pal's performance.
After what seemed like an eternity longer, auditions were done, and it was time for selection. Of course, Moon did this part, and the others were to watch and congratulate. Or, in Mike's case, mock.
The choices were great: An all-dog band that had done a good performance of some rock, a grey sheep with her boyfriend that sung perfect together, seemingly stuck-up gazelle that, despite the attitude that was probably worse than Mike's had a great set of pipes, a guy llama that had a knack for country, and of course...
"And, lastly, Cicily!" Buster called out, thanking and dismissing the last of the contestants. "Yes! Thanks, Moon. An' please, call me Cici," the lady gorilla said, smiling as she was given a hug by Johnny. "Alright, contestants! Get some rest tonight, we have a performance in six months, and while some of you are still going to be performing concerts in the theatre, you all still have to practice. I will give you your song lists of choices tomorrow at nine A.M. sharp!"
The old and new contestants left, most chatting and already getting to know each other. While many wandered off, Rosita, Ash, Meena, and Johnny offered to get something to eat with Cici, who happily agreed. Chatting about little things, they decided an outdoor café, where everyone seemed to attack the newcomer with questions.
"So, Cici, how long've you been back? I thought yer mum was dead-set on not lettin' you see your father again till you were 18," Johnny said, sipping at the coffee he had ordered. He knew that the girl was a little over year younger than him, and with him having turned eighteen and almost nineteen and remembering her birthday, she was barely 17. "An' she wanted to keep it that way. But, seein' as how I threw such a fit when she told me she was divorcin' dad after he was jailed for a year, she made a deal to keep me from whinin'. Said if I still wanted, I could live with 'im fer my final year of minority," she explained. "Oh, so your dad was like Johnny's?" Ash asked bluntly, earning a kick under the table from Rosita. While Johnny seemed a bit uncomfortable about discussing this in a public place, Cici laughed it off.
"Yeah, my dad used ta run in his dad's ol' gang. Even if it was a small crime, it was the final straw fer me mum, packed our bags, settled the court cases, an' she took me across the country. Been 'ere for two days and thought it was a miracle that it was 'round the same time as this. Y'know we watched yer performance on the telly, yeah? Brought tears to my eyes. Hadn't heard you singin' since we was nine," she said, smiling fondly as she sipped at her Frappuccino. "Yeah, I remember. You begged me ta sing for ya on yer last day," Johnny said, returning the smile.
"An' imagine my surprise when I 'ear this bloke not only singin', but playin' piano as well! Thought he was bein' held at gunpoint or somethin'," Cici explained, laughing as she patted his shoulder. "Really? Why?" Meena asked, sipping her coaco. "Bloody sod had a gift an' gave it up, is why," she said, giving an accusing glare at Johnny who returned it with a slightly fearful look. "W-well, I just lost interest," Johnny said, refusing to meet her gaze. Looking slightly guilty for a second, Cici began changing the topic.
"Anyways, enough 'bout me. What 'bout you guys? Favorite music genres?" "Oh, that's easy: pop," Rosita replied, smiling with a nod of agreeance from Meena. "Rock," Ash replied nonchalantly, taking a sip of her iced coffee. "Figured. Really loved yer song, Ash. Was going through a break-up, meself," Cici said, grinning. "Oh, yeah, I heard you'd been dating quite a bit. Just suspected you'd be the one breakin' hearts," Johnny joked, earning a slightly painful elbow to his ribs. "Sayin' it like that ain't exactly helpin' my image, ya know," she said, smirking as he rubbed his sore spot. "Honestly, yeah. Sometimes I see someone jus ta piss off me mum. Too bad I seem to be a bastard magnet," she said, sipping her hot beverage. "While I can understand going against a parent's wishes, sounds like you had it pretty bad. Mom that stuck up?" Ash asked, having a look of understanding.
"Yeah, but she was pretty cool, once upon a time. Went stone-cold and control freak long ago. The one I'm talkin 'bout though was my last ex, some wanker that turned out to be a complete bastard. Gave 'im almost a year o' my life an' he goes an' cheats. Shame, though. We bot got a kick outta seein my mum fuming over little shit that sets her off. So yer song really helped me, Ash," the girl said, giving a grateful smile to a surprised porcupine. "Y-you're welcome," she said, surprised and happy her song actually mattered to others.
"How'd yer mum feel about the girls?" Johnny asked when the others left to get refills, remembering how shortly before they parted that his friend was slowly realizing she didn't just find lookers in boys. "Ugh, nightmarish, I tell ya. Honestly, if I'm not pretending to be the exact opposite of meself, she goes off like a bomb," she groaned as the others returned. "Wow, that bad, huh?" Rosita asked, only knowing the last sentence. "Yep. Went on an' on 'bout how she didn't agree ta move ta America with everyone else jus' so I could "damn myself", as she put it. Makes me even more glad I'm with me dad now. He's much more cool 'bout these sortta things," she said, sighing. "I did not expect to respect and like you this fast," Ash said, earning a laugh from Cici.
After a bit more chatting and talking about all the crazy antics Cici got Johnny into as kids, Meena and Rosita left, and Cici parted with a hug with Johnny, saying how she had to get back home before her father began to worry. With a promise to catch up one-on-one with a skateboarding session, she walked in the direction of her father's apartment. With that, Johnny gave Ash a ride back home.
"So. Your friend really is... pretty cool. Did you guys run down the streets of jolly old London together a lot or something?" she asked, examining her nails. "Heh, or something. We stuck together, definitely. Being kids in a gang does that to ya," he said, smiling fondly. "So... were you guys a thing or somethin'?"
Johnny was really glad she had asked that as the light turned red, being caught so off-guard that he slammed his foot down on the break too hard. Stuttering and flustered, Ash couldn't help but give a smirk, always enjoying whenever she caused him to be in such state.
"N-NO! Go- she's like my sister, Ash! A-and besides, we agreed long ago we'd never see each other that way," he said, fixing himself before the light turned green a drove on. "Yeah, but she's been gone for like-what, eight, almost nine years?" "... About, yeah." "Yeah, and things change, Johnny. Honestly, there aren't that many guys like you around and that just leaves more assholes in the one half of the population," Ash said, shaking her head and staring out what little of the window she could. "Oh, please, she's not even my type." "You have a type?" "Ash." "Fine, fine. But c'mon, Johnny, if you do have feelings just admit now. Imagin how easy life would be if you fall for your best friend," she said, drawing a bit on the memories of Lance.
"Heh, yeah... But it's not Cici. Yeah we can be pretty friendly and comfortable 'round each other, but you've got the wrong idea, Ash. We used to gag every time our parents made jokes 'bout us," he said, chuckling fondly at the memory. "Alright, if you say so. Can I get a ride tomorrow, too?" "Anything for a friend." "Alright, cool. I'll be ready by ten." "Practice is at nine!" "I know!"
Chuckling to himself as Ash left and went to her apartment, Johnny drove back to the garage. The day had definitely been exciting and he was more than happy to see his best friend after what felt like forever.
He couldn't wait to visit his dad and tell him about it all.
Welp, that was the first chapter, hoped you liked it!
The songs were, obviously, Stay With Me by Sam Smith, and I pictured Cici singing the version of Friend Like Me sung by NE-YO from the We Love Disney album, but a bit more jazzy and, obviously, female. I couldn't find any female versions of the song that fit well with Cici's overall character, which we will learn more about as the story goes on(Pun was legitimately not intended, I swear to God).
Anyways, hope you guys enjoyed this, R&R, share with your friends, thanks for reading!