Thanks for your reviews! Here's chapter 2!
Disclaimer: I don't own Repo! the Genetic Opera or the song "Pins and Needles" by The Birthday Massacre.
Chapter 2
The eighteen year old girl tilted her head to the side as she applied blush on her cheeks. When she was finished she examined herself in the large vanity mirror. It wasn't perfect but it looked a lot better then when Amber had the Genterns cake make-up all over her face. She had finally convinced them to let her do her own make-up. Amber still chose her outfits though, which mostly were revealing and burlesque type outfits. Thank God she was still allowed to write her own music. As long as it wasn't opera and she did the GeneCo ads the way they wanted, Amber didn't care. The girl took the small sheet of paper on the desk and looked over the set list once again. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself for the concert. Suddenly she heard a knock on the door that caused her eyes to open again.
"Yes?" she called.
"Can I come in, bella?" asked the high-pitched male voice behind the door.
Her stomach clenced at the sound of the voice. Her body suddenly became numb with fear.
"Bella?" the voice called again. "Are you in there?"
"Come in." she answered weakly.
The door opened and the tall man wearing a mask walked in. Only he wasn't wearing an ordinary mask. It was a mask that used to be a women's face.
"Buona sera, Ana. You're looking lovely as usual."
"Thank you, Pavi." said Ana looking down and still facing the vanity.
Pavi walked over to where Ana was sitting and placed his hands on her shoulders. Ana slightly cringed and Pavi leaned to whisper in her ear.
"What's the matter, mio cara? You seem tense." he said as he began to massage her shoulders. "Why won't you look at me?"
Ana rose her head up and looked at him through the mirror. "I'm just a little nervous for the concert, I guess." she lied.
"Oh, there's no need to worry, mio bella. You will be magnificent."
Ana said nothing and Pavi smirked, reaching his hand lower toward her chest.
"Perhaps you just need to relax a bit more, I can help you." he whispered as he licked his lips.
"Pavi, please. Not now." said Ana.
The grip on her shoulders tightened and Pavi raised his eyebrow. "Are you refusing me?" he asked slightly irritated.
"N-no." said Ana, her voice shaking. "It's just that, the show starts in a few minutes and I have to finish getting ready."
Pavi's released Ana's shoulders. "Ah, I see. Very well. Later then?"
Ana sighed. "Yes, later."
Pavi smiled. "Excellent. I will see you after the concert?"
"Yes." she nodded.
"Until tonight then." he grabbed her hand and kissed it. Then he left the dressing room.
Ana let out a heavy sigh of relief. She closed eyes and took another deep breath. She just had to make it through the night and she would fine. She just had to concentrate on the concert. No matter what, she had to make it a good one. Suddenly there was another knock on the door.
'Not again.' she thought.
"Ana?" called a familiar voice.
Ana relaxed. She recognized that voice. It wasn't Pavi.
"You can come, David. It's unlocked." she said.
The door opened and walked in dark haired man wearing all black. David was one of the musicians of the Genetic Opera and lead guitarist. He was also Ana's best friend.
"Ready for the concert?" he asked.
"I think so." she said. "Are you?"
"Yeah." David walked up and gave her a once over. She was wearing a pale blue corset with a sort of ruffle design at the top and a red heart sewn on her right breast. She had a garter and black and white stockings to match. Her hair was wavy and had a black headband with a bow. He let out a small whistle. "Wow, Ana. You look great."
"Thanks. I look like a whore." Ana laughed.
"Nah. I think it lookes hot." David said, winking at her.
"Well, I'm glad you think so. You don't look so bad yourself."
David laughed. "Not like anyone's gonna see my face right?"
"Where's your mask, anyway?" she asked.
"It's near the stage so I can put it on right before we go on."
"That wasn't a very good idea. What if someone steals it?"
"Who here would want a gold mask?"
"Someone who would want to sneak onstage?" Ana suggested.
David shrugged. "Maybe, but I seriously doubt it. Are you okay?"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"You've got this worried look on your face." he stated.
"Oh. It's nothing." she lied.
"Are you sure?"
"David, don't worry. I'm fine." she said, giving him a reassuring smile.
"Alright, but you know if someone's wrong you can tell me right?"
"I know." said Ana.
Suddenly a robotic voice rang out through the intercom. "Will the voice of GeneCo please take the stage? Ana Rosette to the stage."
"Well, I guess we better go." said Ana
"Yeah, let's do this." he said. With that they both let the room and headed to the stage.
"I told you these were good seats." said Graverobber. They were right in the middle of the second row.
"Why do we need to wear these disguises again?" asked Shilo, tightening the electric blue wig on her head.
"Because we're trying to hide our identities. You don't want Amber or her henchmen to see us do you?" said Graverobber, who was wearing a black wig.
"It's not like she wouldn't recognize us anyway. We have the same faces. How do you even know she's here?"
"Trust me, I know."
"Then why did you buy these stupid tickets?"
"Just shut up and enjoy it okay? I was trying to do something nice."
Shilo sighed and they both looked up at the advertisement on the large television screen above. It featured the upcoming singer performing a provocative dance as she advertised the latest GeneCo product.
"Hi, I'm Ana Rosette, the voice of GeneCo. Try Geneco's new Hair Follicle Remover. Just place a little dab on any part of your skin once a day and you'll never grow hair on that spot again. Thanks to GeneCo, you can have a smooth, hairless body. Geneco, come up and try our new parts."
Shilo rolled her eyes and Graverobber smirked at Geneco's new slogan. Amber would make something up like that.
The giant screen began to rise up and the crowd began to cheer.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, GeneCo proudly presents, Ana Rosette."
More cheers and aplause erupted from the audience as the curtain rose and Genetic Opera began to play. The crowd cheered even louder when Ana appeared in a puff of smoke and began to sing.
Once a night
The bedroom light
Bleeds out from inside my window
Eyes white
I keep out of sight
The city's just not pretty like it used to be
It's always a nightmare
It's never a dream
The promise we made to kill the days between
They live in the heartbeat
And sleep till the night is gone
It's been so long
Feels like pins and needles in my heart
So long
I can feel it tearing me apart
Shilo looked up at the singer in astonishment. She had always been so infuriated by the idea that someone would try and take Mag's place that she never bothered to listen to what Ana was singing. Shilo never realized what a good voice she really had. True, it was nothing compared to Mag's voice but it was sweet sounding and pleasant.
To the bed
The left unsaid
Crawl in from outside my window
Hands red
And cold as the dead
A pity they're pretty like they used to be
It's always a nightmare it's never a dream
A promise we made to kill the days between
They live in the heartbeat
And sleep till the light is gone
Shilo could hear some people around her singing along to the chorus and looked at Graverobber who was merely watching without saying a word. Shilo looked back the stage and wondered how this singer was able to capture so many hearts in such short time. Part of it made her angry and part of it couldn't help but make her feel respect for Ana.
It's never a whisper
It's always a scream
What did she mean by that? For some reason, the lyrics were so compelling to Shilo. "I keep out of sight, the city's just not pretty like it used to be.", "The left unsaid, crawl in from inside my window. Hands red, and cold as the dead." The lyrics repeated in Shilo's head over and over. Suddenly her eyes widened. Her memories brought her back to the dreadful night of the Genetic Opera. She remembered how she once longed to go outside and explore the world. When she discovered the sad truth, the city wasn't beautiful and wondrous to her anymore. She remembered how her father had died in her arms and she was covered in his blood. Now she had to remain in hiding because of what Rotti Largo did. She connected all of this to lyrics of Ana's song. It was like she singing her life.
Just then the song ended and the crowd went wild. Ana smiled and gave a thankful bow to the crowd. Shilo looked to her right to see Graverobber clapping. He turned and smiled at her.
"So what do you think?" he asked. 'Not bad huh?"
"She-She's amazing." Shilo finally said. "Not nearly as amazing as Mag though." she quickly added
"Of course not. No one will ever be as good a singer as Mag was. This girl isn't so bad afterall though is she?"
"No. I guess not. I don't see why she has to dress so slutty though."
Graverober shrugged. "To attract attention. Besides what she's wearing really isn't that bad. I've seen worse."
"I'll bet you have." said Shilo bitterly.
Ana and her band performed four more songs. The next two were similar to the first song. The third had an electronica vibe to it while the fourth was slower and softer than the others. After that there was an intermission.
"Don't go anywhere folks." said the robotic voice. "Ana Rosette will be back for your entertainment after a short intermission. And now a word from GeneCo's daughter and owner, Amber Sweet."
The audience cheered, some with false enthusiasm. Amber appeared on stage wearing a pinstriped business suit with a mini-skirt and black knee high boots to match. Her clothes were revealing and she looked plastic and pretty as usual wearing a plastic smile. The only difference was that her hair was in a bun instead of her usual down hairstyle. Next to her were her two brothers, Luigi and Pavi who were smiling at the audience and encouraging applause.
"Aw, crap." said Graverobber, sinking lower into his seat. Shilo gulped and slightly lowered herself.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It's great to be here with all of you tonight. I hope you're enjoying yourselves. GeneCo has a special surprise for you all. "
"She's not gonna sing again is she?" someone in the crowd whispered.
"Shut up! She'll hear you." someone else murmured.
One of Amber's bodyguards came onstage pushing a glass bowl full of tickets. "I've decided to hold a raffle and everyone is game. Today's lucky winner will receive backstage passes and a meet and greet with Ana after the concert."
The crowd rose from their seats and cheered and applauped in delight. Shilo was curious but she remained in her seat.
"And now for the winner." Amber reached her hand inside the glass bowl and dug until she grabbed a ticket. "The winner is...Ticket number 15. Row two."
Shilo gulped and looked down at her ticket. A spotlight shone on her seat and her eyes widened. 'This cannot be happening.'