Throughout that day, I made many more introductions to other animals of Lady Maria's entire circle. They were a "colorful cast", as she put it. Animals of many different shapes and sizes, each with their own supporting role in the production of their band, Unity. A little on the nose I think, though I couldn't help but admire their spirit.
Even if animals out here were two faced, it was nice to see people striving for something more than survival, or their next bloody meal.
I made memorizing their faces, and scents, a top priority of my first day.
Aside from Maria, Bruce and Moxie, the back up performers consisted of...
Tector, a Green Iguana that could work the sound mixing table mid show to warp the way the music came through the speakers. Kefka, an Okapi that could perform on drums and bass if Bruce wasn't available. Then there were the twins, Axel and Lexa, Antelope girls who acted as dancers on stage for certain performances, they were apparently quite popular because of the unique, spotted pattern on their faces.
The stage crew was made up of a troop of lemurs, I didn't bother trying to learn all two dozen names, but they were kept in check by Tilda, a tall and proud Highland Cow. They handled all the lighting, costumes, sets, and made sure instruments and equipment were handled and delivered safely.
So many moving pieces, all working hard to make sure Maria could do her job. And they all had nothing but good things to say about her, but... For each and every one of them, they only knew her as far back as her private schooling. The same information I was given... Strange, that these people who'd known here for at least two or three years knew just as much as someone that met her a few weeks ago.
My fascination was... Strange. I didn't want to expose her, or learn some dark secret. I just wanted to understand what kind of person earned the title of Beastar.
She told everyone that I was born and raised in the Black Market, but didn't mention anything about the fighting pit. I guess to them, eating meat and actively killing others were two very different types of twisted. Most of the crew kept their distance from me, not something I minded at all. I much preferred it to them actively trying to bother me, like Bruce. I couldn't get within twenty feet of him without some snide comment.
My first day of work would begin the following day, with Unity taking to a large stage and giving a comeback performance. Evidently, they had been in some kind of hiding since the event at the Black Market. Whether that was because of me, or because Maria needed to recuperate following the incident, I couldn't say for sure. But her fans were waiting eagerly for the return, they'd be playing at an indoor theater, a few hundred animals in attendance.
Everyone had arrived in the early morning, setting things up for the show and making sure everyone was in fine shape. Maria wouldn't be showing up until a little later, and I had to make the rounds ensuring this place was secure. Of course, with my first ever "job" came rules that I needed to follow.
"So, first off," And I was to be instructed by... The rabbit, Moxie, of all people. "Your position will have to change throughout the day," Evidently, until the others were all here and ready to practice she had nothing better to do. "While we're getting ready in the dressing rooms, you'll watch from the hall that leads back to them, when we're on stage you'll watch over the ramp that lead back stage, but you'll have to be close to the stage itself in case anyone rushes it from the crowd." So I needed to be on edge. "After the shows over, we'll head back to our dressing rooms, clean up, then you'll get us all to the limo for safe travel back to the performance center."
"I'll memorize the positions, and layout." I nodded. "But isn't there a lot more building to cover? To watch over the stage crew, and the back up band members?"
"So here's the thing," She paused briefly, "You're more like, our personal guard." What? "There are security teams that work for this buildings owner, they'll handle the rest of the crew, your job is keeping whoever's in the spotlight safe."
I guess that lightened my work load... "Alright."
"Second," She came to a stop, turning to face me with her hands on her hips. "And this should be obvious, but I'll remind you, even if someone does rush the stage, you can't kill anyone." Moxie pointed out, "Unless they're trying to use lethal force, your job is to subdue or protect us, not turn this place into a bloodbath."
Hmm, never had to fight not to kill someone before. "Understood." This would be interesting.
"And uh, maybe refrain from jumping out of the rafters here, unless you've got wings hidden back there too." She motioned to my coat, before pointing up. "Its a much higher drop in this theater than it was back at the performance center."
"Mm, good point." I tilted my head back, staring up at the distant ceiling where the lemurs were working diligently to get the lights up and ready. "I don't think I'll be doing any climbing today..."
"That's too bad," Came the voice of Bruce, as he carried a case by us. On his way to set up the drums, I think, "Was hoping I could see you take a nose dive off there tonight."
Was he suggested I kill myself? "I'm telling you man, she's got secret wings," Moxie chimed in with a snicker, "Wouldn't surprise me at this point."
"These hybrids are all kinds of twisted, you're probably right." Bruce shrugged, setting down the case.
My brow furrowed slowly, "Are all people of this society so fickle? Or is it just you?" I questioned, words pointed directly at Bruce.
Moxie released another chuckle, "Ooooh she's starting to fire back." Gaining some kind of amusement out of our conflict.
He quirked an eyebrow, folding his arms over his broad chest. "Care to elaborate? Because it sounds like you're insulting me."
I wasn't used to wanting to open my mouth like this, to bite back. It only ever earned a beating in the pit, "Maybe I missed something, did you get the choice to be born as a moose?" But I had no intention of letting him answer. "You don't like me, if it were just because I'm a carnivore I would understand," I shook my head slowly. "But you don't like me just because I exist, how petty." Even now, when I felt this frustration, I couldn't bring myself to sharpen my tone or appear angry. My inability to properly show my emotions was going to be... An obstacle, I'm sure.
"Tch," Bruce clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes sharply. "You just happened to be in the right place at the right time to save Maria? Sorry, I don't buy it, hell if you were an honest Carnivore Breed I might be more inclined to trust you, but you're a hybrid, unnatural."
There was that word again, "Do you think I popped out of the ground? Or was put together by machines?" I questioned, "I came from a mother, just like you."
Moxie roughly cleared her throat, "Ahem, alright guys, lets not get too personal here..." So she only cared about the jokes? The shallow, surface level insults?
Too bad, I wasn't done. "Tell me, Bruce," I questioned calmly, "What makes me wrong, and you right? Who decided that I deserve to exist any less than you do?" The annoyed look on his face told me two things. That he didn't have an answer to that question, and more importantly that he didn't want an answer. He just wanted to hate me, to not have to think about how or why.
The bull moose snorted in anger, before he turned and stormed off deeper back stage. As his footsteps faded, Moxie released a long whistle, "Damn, never seen him back down like that in an argument, he's pretty uh... Bull headed, most of the time."
The frustration on his face, honestly- "I feel bad for him." He was swimming in his own ignorance, basking in self righteous hatred of something he didn't understand.
Moxie shrugged casually stuffing her hands into her pockets, "Hmm, you're a real champ you know that? I can't imagine most people that would take that kind of verbal abuse and not lose their cool." She chuckled in amusement, "But you didn't even flinch, it's like you can't even feel at all." She walked away, leaving on that as if it were some kind of high note, a good thing.
But, I do feel...
. . .
So much noise, so many scents, it was almost overwhelming.
As day turned to evening, it was almost time for the show to start. I was standing guard outside the dressing rooms, while the final preparations were made. Outside, beyond the stage I could hear hundreds of people talking, cheering, excited to see the return of their Lady Maria. Herbivores and Carnivores alike were waiting for her, chanting her name, I guess she wasn't lying about bringing people together of all different species.
There was a tension, but also an excitement, in the air. Like, an energy not too different from the Pit, everyone was here to see something. Whether it was to watch their champion succeed, or spectacularly fail, they would eat up the show all the same.
Down the hall, one door opened. And out stepped both Maria, and Bruce. The duo were a couple, so sharing a dressing room made sense. But Bruce appeared rather flustered, following behind Maria. Both had changed their clothes, Bruce into a simple pair of jeans and black T shirt that hugged his muscles tightly, and Maria into a black and white striped mini-dress that stopped at her thighs.
Both outfits were simple, easy to move around in, probably necessary for the performance.
"I still think we should open with Miss Divine," Bruce said, "Its perfect for your return to the stage."
"You just don't want me singing about the incident," Maria chuckled in amusement, "We can open with Guardian, and do Miss Divine afterwards."
"I think that's a bad idea," He argued, "Why not save Guardian for later, the songs barely finished, and if you get everyone flustered about the incident they won't properly enjoy the show."
"Hmm..." She stopped before me, one hand going to her chin. "You know, I think that's a good idea actually, alright we'll open with Miss Divine, and save Guardian for a different show." I presume those were song names, I'd never actually heard them play though.
"Great, now where's Moxie?" Bruce questioned, looking to me, "Has she come out of her room yet?"
I shook my head, "No, not since she went in."
"I'm coming!" All three of us turned our heads, watching as Moxie stumbled out of her dressing room. "Ugh, they messed up my size again," She grumbled, tugging at her shirt. "Stupid designers, tell them you're a rabbit and they don't even look at the size request!" It seemed a little too tight, her pants as well. Black leggings that hugged her lower half, revealing to me that most of this weight she acted so defensive about was delegated to her thighs.
I guess that made sense, rabbits have powerful legs or something... I think?
"Great, you're ready." Maria smiled, "We'll open with Miss Divine okay? That new song we were working on."
"Yeah yeah I remember," Waving her off as she walked over to join us. "So I'm stuck on keyboard?"
"Just for the first song," She chuckled lightly in response, "Now lets go, before the crowd gets impatient."
"They've been impatient since you disappeared," Bruce joked, the three of them walking along towards the back of the stage. "Time to reward them for waiting."
I followed behind at a distance, moving to my position near the back ramp connecting both the stage itself and the main floor where everyone was seated. It was dark here, the lights kept firmly on the stage itself where the curtain was waiting to rise. Nobody would see me standing here, watching everything. This was the only way up here aside from jumping up onto the stage itself from below, but even then I wasn't too far.
I wasn't exactly sure what to expect from a musical show like this. The only music I'd ever heard was through old radios, or singing drunkards in the Back Alley Market. Not the kind of sound that would inspire such a large audience...
"Hmm?" My ears twitched, eyes following the motion of the curtain as it began to rise. All chatter throughout the audience vanished in an instant, soon replaced with a roar of applause as the silhouettes of Bruce, Maria, and Moxie in their positions on stage took shape. Only a faint light behind them, before a beaming spotlight fell upon Maria illuminating her form and casting shadow on the others.
"Thank you all so much for coming out tonight!" She called to the audience, her voice eliciting another roar of applause. "I know you've all been worried about me, and have lots of questions, I'll do my best to answer them in time... But for now," A new sound rang out, as Moxie began hitting keys on her music station, piano notes playing in steady rhythm. "Just enjoy the show!"
More cheering followed, but it was tame, nobody wanted to interrupt the music as the lights dimmed slowly. Maria tossed her mic stand aside, carrying the device itself in her hand as the floor tiles below her started to light up. A drum beat slowly adding to the noise as she finally opened her mouth and began the performance.
"Ooooh it's been awhile, since we didn't have to hide."
"Since we've shown our inner shine, but the audience demands it."
"Since I grew up, I said I'd end up at the top."
"And there's no way that you can make me faaaall~"
"For you!"
The tempo was picking up, her tone increasing with enthusiasm.
"I took the stage, because I missed these glorious days!"
"With you giving us a chase, you know I'd want to keep it festive~"
"I try to survive, between this love between this life~"
"But why deny it let me take it aaall~!"
The crowd was clapping along to the beat, the rhythm was so smooth. Different than any music I'd heard before.
Maria raised her hand, pointing out to the audience, "You've never been so curious, but why not join me for a ride?"
"We'll make the whole world ours~"
"They will clap when we're in sight!"
"Come and lead me to the dance floor, let us take the stage as one!"
"Because the show it must go oooon~!"
Bruce struck the drums hard, the notes getting louder as the music began to crescendo.
Lights erupting around the stage, beams shooting into the air creating a colorful light show all around Maria.
"As Miss Divine! If I had both would it be fine?"
"But for us to make it happen would take all stars to align~!"
"I cherish your love, but is it worth for me to stop?"
"Can I turn down all this noise made by a thousand, just for one?"
"This can't be done!"
Pausing, as she moved around the stage. Her body graceful, every step had purpose as the music continued behind her.
"Nooooo this can't be done..."
The crowd roaring in applause as another break came in her lyrics. Letting the music play, mingling with their cries of approval.
My heart was beating faster as I watched, I couldn't help but tap my foot to the beat.
I'd never felt a sensation like this before.
The crowd began to grow quiet, as Maria raised her microphone once more.
"Listen to that noise, the never ending music~"
"How could you make the choice, to tear the score apart?"
"Now let me hear your voice, and I tell you what the truth is~"
"I can't stop and let them dooown!"
"Oh~ Since I grew up, I said I'd end up at the top!"
"But taking it all would be too much!"
"So come and join me for the best~?"
"I try to survive, between this love between this life~"
"Dear God why can't you let me take it aaaaall?!"
Shaking her head, she spun around on the stage center. Stopping in quick succession with her hand pointed out once more over the crowd.
"You've never been so curious, why not join me for a ride~?"
"We'll make this whole world ours, they will clap when we're in sight!"
"Come and join me on the dance floor let us take the stage as the one!"
"Because this show, it must go ooon~!"
Rather than follow up as she did before, she let the music carry on. Her voice ringing out over the crowd.
"Clap your hands guys!" Earning a roaring response of their applause, "Unity is back! And our show, will not end!"
My ears twitched, the sound of her voice...
"Come on! I can't hear you!"
I hadn't noticed it before, but it sounded... Different, from her singing.
"As Miss Divine! If I both would it be fine?"
"But for us to make it happen would take all stars to align!"
Not just a tone shift.
"I cherish love, but is it worth for me to stop?"
"Can I turn down all this noise made by a thousand, just for one?"
As if... She weren't the one singing.
"I am Divine!"
"But could you give me just one sign?"
"Since I can't figure out what I should do to settle and decide!"
"I'm moving on, because the past can't be undone!"
"It's filled with the voices of a crowd that loves me, the same as you~!"
The music was starting to grow quieter, trailing off as she brought the mic to her lips one final time.
"Oooooh~! I'm Miss Divine!"
The music all came to a stop, stage lighting up as the first song of the nights performance ended. The crowd exploded into cheers, applause filling the entire building. I was supposed to be watching for suspicious individuals, but I couldn't take my eyes off of Lady Maria. I had so many questions, unsure if I should even ask them or... If maybe my perception of what I thought I heard was distorted by the music.
Still, even if it wasn't her singing... Maria was sweating already beneath the heat of the stage lights and all that movement. I had no right to question if she was really the one putting her voice out there, I knew nothing about the arts or singing in general.
For now, I would just do my job... And enjoy the show.
Yay musical performance! Never written anything quite like that before... Hope it turned out well.
The song can be found on youtube, simply search "Miss Divine" by Milkychan and Feat. Cereza!
I made some slight adjustments to the lyrics to fit a little better.
Anyways, thanks for reading and following!
