Chapter Text
In the drear backstage of Opiranha House, Shiver fixed their tentacles in the mirror. Behind them, their ornate dressing room was lit only by the sparse rays of sunlight that came in through their thin curtain, filling the place with shadow. The air in there was suffocating and stagnant, but they couldn't stand to leave it behind. It was like their second home.
But even if the money was great, Shiver knew their career here couldn't last. Not with how empty the shows had been the last couple of years. It was well known that the owner was considering selling the whole place, and the very thought of this place being sold and turning into some cheap tourist attraction made their hearts ache.
But alone, there wasn't much Shiver could do.
Shiver had confided that in Big Man the last time they went out drinking, and he'd assured them that all their troubles would come to an end with this latest production. They would be performing the very first show Shiver had ever performed in their career, Phantom of the Opera.
Back then, they played a simple background character.
This time, they would be the titular bitchular Phantom, a role they'd dreamed of the moment they stepped on stage for the first time. Today would be their first rehearsal.
"Shiver," called Big Man from beyond the dressing room door, both their best friend and the director of the Opiranha house. He was a genuine sweetheart and a joy to work with, even if he was a pushover at times. "Frye's here, come out and meet your new costar!"
Right.
Frye was the supposed matriarch of the Onaga clan who barely took care of her responsibilities and spent her days living it up and playing around without a care in the world. She wasn't all too different now from how she acted back when they were in school together.
Frye would be playing the role of Christine, the female lead.
Shiver opened the door, and desperately tried to ignore the way their breath hitched at the sight of her. It was surprise, and nothing more.
Marina was behind Frye and Big Man working on fixing the backstage lights, balancing carefully on top of a ladder. Even she had stopped to stare at the new arrival.
It had been too long since they last saw each other in person, and Frye was…different, to say the least.
Sure, they'd seen her in passing online, but to see her in person was another story entirely.
Shiver had rarely ever seen her with her tentacles down, and they spilled beautifully over her shoulders like bundles of marigolds. She wore a short black skirt and knee high leather boots. Sparkling earrings dangled from her long ears and shook as she turned her head to look at Shiver. Frye pushed her sunglasses up onto her head and beamed, showing off adorable fangs.
"Hey, Shiv, long time no see!"
Big Man gestured for the three of them to step further out of the dressing room and into the back stage area, where Marina and the rest of the crew worked on the set pieces in the mornings. "Glad to see you're not covered in cobwebs," Frye said with a sweeping look around the opera house that Shiver gave their blood sweat and tears to be part of. "Man this place is dusty."
Frye held her phone high and snapped a quick video Shiver was certain looked absolutely terrible, because Big Man was the only one besides Frye looking at the camera. "Hey, Frye Fam! As promised in my little announcement, I'm at the totally legendary Opiranha House to prep for my top secret surprise role! Stay posted for more updates!"
It was way too obvious she'd never even stepped foot in an opera house. A person like her with no respect for this place didn't belong here. She never would.
Shiver narrowed their eyes.
"I know you're not familiar with stage etiquette, but you're being far too loud back here."
It was just them today, so it didn't really matter, but she deserved to be knocked down a notch.
"Aw, am I hurting your precious little eardrums?" Shiver felt their tentacles curl with irritation. "Look, I'm sorry," Frye said after a moment of tense silence. "I don't wanna start off on the wrong fin. I'm a little new to this whole biz, but I promise I'll try my best to keep up."
"Show me what you can do first," Shiver demanded.
Frye raised a brow.
"Straight to business, huh? Alright."
"We'll sing rounds. You repeat after me."
Shiver vocalized and ran elegantly through a series of scales, starting off low. Frye echoed them perfectly, adding her own little riffs at the end. Never once did she falter.
"Pretty good, right? You look surprised," Frye said, way too teasing for Shiver's liking. "What, you thought I was just a pretty face?"
Shiver grit their teeth.
"We're not done."
Shiver continued with increased intensity, and Frye took the challenge in stride. She didn't simply wait her turn like before. This time she actively harmonized before repeating, blending their voices together into a totally new sound, both hauntingly beautiful and filled with power. She was showing off, but Shiver wouldn't let it get to them. They kept going higher and higher, waiting for Frye to break.
Both Shiver and Frye were so focused on besting the other that they didn't notice Big Man and Marina glancing at each other, jaw slightly agape.
Frye had impressive range for someone outside this world of theirs. But not quite enough.
After Shiver hit a certain note they knew she'd have to reach as Christine, Frye's voice cracked and went flat.
Just as they thought. They were right. She wasn't the one for this role. Shiver couldn't help the cruel, satisfied grin on their face at the sudden way her eyes widened with embarrassment.
"Ehe, woops, maybe I needed to warm up a little more. We could go again, if-"
"Thank you, Frye." Shiver turned sharply away from her. "Big Man. If we could have a word in private."
In Big Man's office, Shiver had the freedom to smack his desk with their fan, scolding their boss in the way only they could because of their closeness.
"Big Man! You didn't even check if she could hit the notes?!"
Big Man clasped his fins together nervously, but stood his ground.
"N-no, but that doesn't matter."
"What on earth do you mean?! If she can't hit the notes she can't play the role!" Shiver tapped their fan to their head, desperately wracking their brain for an explanation to all this. Frye was doing particularly well for herself in her role as a solo artist. Her fame was the only thing Shiver could think of as a reason to contact her at all. "Big Man, I know that this place has fallen on some hard times, but to cast someone so thoroughly unprepared for a role just for some cheap PR…"
Things must have been more dire than they thought.
Then again, with how much of a doormat Big Man could be and how pushy and shameless Frye always was…maybe she was the one to blame.
"Did she put you up to this?"
"No," Big Man sighed. "You're being over dramatic. I knew when I saw her that she would make a perfect Christine."
"Christine is innocent, refined, gentle. Not at all like her."
Big Man shook his head.
"Not a perfect Christine because of what she is, but because of what she could make of you, and you of her. And how that would translate on stage."
…
"What are you saying?"
"Nobody's gotten a rise out of you like that in ages! Just give her a chance. I know she has this in her."