Chapter Text
Marella Redek was happy to be back at Foxfire, she supposes. Mostly she was happy to get out of that awful Level 4 uniform. Green was so not her colour. Luckily, the uniforms were red this year, which suited her much better. And she had manifested, so no more torturous ability manifesting sessions. Why do they even do those? She was pretty sure like 4 people had manifested last year. And even though they put them in a freezer for two hours one time, news flash, that didn't even trigger her ability! She had to wake up surrounded by fire for that to happen! So, anyways, once she had survived the embarrassing tiger-themed opening ceremony dance, she was feeling pretty good about the upcoming year. Mainly, she was excited to see Linh Song.
Linh had transferred to Foxfire in Level 4 after being home schooled all her life because her stupid parents were ashamed that she and Tam were twins. In the end, they felt like she needed more Hydrokinetic training and sent her to Foxfire. And Marella was glad they did, because the girl is her best friend. Secretly, she was thrilled to manifest as a Pyrokinetic, because she was happy to match and compliment Linh's Hydrokinesis. And it gave her an excuse to hang out with her all the time.
So yeah, there were upsides to being a Pyrokinetic. Not enough to balance out the downsides of the constant urge to set everything on fire, but still. It's something.
So Marella was smiling as she made her way to orientation. She joined the Level 5s, smirking at the Level 4s next to her. Had she been that short when she was that age? She looked through the crowd, finally catching a glimpse of long black hair with silver highlights in a ponytail. She ran up to Linh.
"Oh my stars, hi! I haven't seen you in forever," she said, giving her friend a hug.
Linh rolled her eyes. "Marella, I saw you yesterday."
"Well I know, but you know, at school."
"Hi Marella," Tam said, stepping out of the shadows that he was hiding in.
"Hi, Tam, how are you-"
"BOO!" Biana materialised out of nowhere. Marella jumped. Linh laughed.
"How long have you been standing there?" Marella asked.
"Not long, don't worry. Can you believe we're level 5 now? These uniforms are gorgeous. I've been waiting five years for this," Biana said.
"I know right?," Marella replied. "Do you remember level 1? All black all day?" She shuddered. "You would have loved it, Tam."
"Who's ready for Dame Alina's 15 minute soliloquy though?" Linh said. "Dearest Foxfire prodigies, it is my greatest hope that every individual will excel both personally and academically this year. Remember, you represent the next generation of nobility, and that is a responsibility that must be taken seriously. Concentrate on your sessions, your social relationships, and yourself." Linh did such an uncanny impression of Dame Alina Marella couldn't help herself from laughing, especially as Dame Alina came on and basically repeated word for word what Linh had joked about. Spotlights then shone on all of the new students in Levels other than 1 that she personally introduced as they looked embarrassed. Linh cringed as she remembered when she had to go through this. Lockers were assigned and the students flooded into the hallways.
Linh and Marella's lockers were right next to each other, much to Marella's delight and Tam's, who was on the other side of the building from them, annoyance. He attempted to convince Marella to let him switch with him, but she refused.
"It's about time you made friends other than your sister, Tammy Boy," she told him before leaving for her first session.
After a mind-meltingly boring session of Elvin History, (first thing on a Monday? Seriously? Does the person who made her schedule hate her?) an exhausted Marella headed to lunch. She grabbed her lunch and joined her friends, sitting in between Linh and Sophie.
"So… Sophie," Marella said.
"Yes?" she replied.
"You know how you've been promoted to stage manager this year…"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know what the musical is. No, I'm not telling you."
Marella pouted. "Mean."
"Hey, it's not targeted. She won't tell me either," Fitz added.
"Or me! Even though I used my awesome persuasion powers on her!" Keefe said, smirking. Sophie blushed. Marella rolled her eyes. These two were so oblivious, it was exhausting. Just kiss already and get it over with, Marella thought.
"Anyways," she said, "Linh, are you finally auditioning this year and blessing the prodigies of Foxfire with your voice?" Marella nudged Linh playfully. Linh sighed. She had awful stage fright, but Marella had been encouraging her to try out and had been helping her.
"I think so. Kind of unavoidable, given that literally all of you are in the play-"
Dex cleared his throat. "Stage crew isn't being in the play, we're much cooler than that."
"Also it's a musical," Biana corrected them both.
"So you're auditioning?" Marella asked. Linh nodded. Marella let out a squeal and hugged her. "I knew I'd convince you."
"So, Tam, when are we seeing your star turn?" Biana asked. Tam laughed a little. They all knew he couldn't hold a tune to save his life.
After a lunchtime of joking, a mundane Metaphysics class, and finding out literally none of her friends were in the study room, Marella was super excited for the part of the day she had been waiting for: the announcement of the school musical.
She took her seat in the middle of the third row of Foxfire's massive theatre, where most of the full cast rehearsals are held. Obviously, not everyone gets cast, so there wouldn't be as many people as there were currently crammed into the first few rows of the theatre. She saw Linh enter a couple minutes later, and sat a few rows behind Marella. Keefe was in the row furthest to the back, because of course he was. Could he even hear from there? The boy was impossible.
Finally, Dame Kantrelle, the director, walked in, followed by a nervous looking Sophie. She clapped her hands together and the low murmuring of the theatre quietened. "Prodigies, how wonderful to see how many of you have shown up for the exciting opportunity of getting cast in the Foxfire school musical," she began. "Now, as always, I'm sure you all are dying to know the audition requirements, and, of course, our show. Well, I, as you know, am a Multispeciesial Studies teacher, so I am always seeking ways to expand our student bodies' interests and outlook beyond the elvin world. I am also actively involved in the Human Assistance Program, so this year's musical is a human one."
Half the room suppressed a groan. Dame Kantrelle always chose a human musical. The woman was obsessed. Marella, however, was secretly pleased. Elvin musicals usually had elvin music, and Marella did not feel like pretending to be a singing tree in her school musical, thank you very much. She much preferred human music.
"The musical is called Wicked, and it is about a silly human fantasy world with their quaint ideas of magic," Dame Kantrelle continued. "I highly recommend you watch the play. You may use the… uh, what are they called, those human pieces of plastic…"
"Computers?" Dex told her.
"Ah, yes, the computers, in the library, to watch a video of the performance. There are also music players which I downloaded all human music on for rental. Just ask the librarian and she'll give them to you. For the audition, you must sing a song, any song, but it must be human, and it cannot be from the show. You must only sing for a minute, otherwise we cannot possibly get through all of you, so cut the song as you see fit. Auditions are on Friday during study hall and after school here. Do not attend purely to miss study hall. I will not have my time wasted on your untalented incompetence. You have to stay for all the audition, support your potential cast mates and be respectful. That means no talking. Rehearsals are twice a week, Mondays and Fridays, for the whole cast. If you get cast as a lead, expect rehearsals on the weekends, as well as Thursdays. Crew meetings are Tuesdays, as well as Fridays, where you will brief the cast on the current progress. If you cannot make those days, leave immediately. Any rehearsals missed more than 3 times without prior notice and/or a note from Elwin saying you are on death's door will result in you being kicked from the show. A reminder that abilities are only allowed to be used with permission if they are in accordance with your role within the play. If you're a Flasher on lighting tech, of course you may use your ability. If you're a Vociferator who wants to project or a Polyglot who wants to do accents, yes. But don't use your abilities to cause chaos unless I specifically tell you to do so and always ask me beforehand. Before the show, we may need some cast members to help with props and sets or hair and makeup. Don't complain. Pull your weight. Sign ups are here for the cast, and here for the crew," she pointed at sheets. "You need to have signed up today to audition on Friday. Form an orderly line and thank you very much for coming."
Once Marella had signed up, she waited outside in the hallway until Linh came out. "You signed up?"
"Yes," Linh said.
"Yes! No backing out now, I'm afraid. You've pretty much sworn fealty to our cause forever." Linh looked mildly scared. Marella continued: "Hey, you have a piano at your house, right? Can we practice our auditions together?"
"You know what, sure."
After a week of hanging out at Linh's house every evening, singing through countless numbers until they found the perfect one and then practising that a couple hundred times, Marella finished off her final session of that Friday, The Universe, and practically ran to the theatre. Of course, auditions were in alphabetical order, so it was completely unnecessary, but she was excited. She found a seat, and soon enough Keefe, Fitz, Biana and Linh had all joined her in her row. They all had a significantly long time to wait and sat their as their fellow prodigies did their auditions, not very notable, apart from Stina Heks, who performed Stepsister's Lament from Cinderella. "Fitting," Biana muttered. Unfortunately, she did quite well. Finally, after what seemed like a century, it was Marella's turn. She stood up and took her place next to the piano. She gave the accompanist her sheet music and started.
Think of me, think of me fondly, when we've said goodbye
Remember me once in a while, please, promise me you'll try
When you find that once again you long to take your heart back and be free
If you ever find a moment, spare a thought for me…
Marella had a classical soprano voice and was gunning for the role of Glinda, so she chose an operatic song to fit in with her style. Once she finished her song, applause broke out from the row her friends were in, and Dame Kantrelle nodded approvingly.
"Very good, Marella. As usual." Marella was thrilled. Dame Kantrelle sometimes rejected people on the spot if they weren't to her standards. She joined her friends, who gave enthusiastic thumbs ups to her. After a couple of Rs, it was Keefe's turn. He sung Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, because of course he did. However, he's got a great voice and has been in the musical since Level 1, so he was pretty much guaranteed a part. Then, finally, the moment Marella had been waiting for, Linh.
She stood on stage nervously, droplets swirling around her unconsciously. She took a deep breath, the piano started, and she began.
Guess mine is not the first heart broken
My eyes are not the first to cry
I'm not the first to know
There's just no getting over you…
She was singing well, and slowly growing in confidence and volume as she continued. When she reached the chorus, all the droplets evaporated.
But now there's nowhere to hide
Since you pushed my love aside
I'm out of my head
Hopelessly devoted to you…
As she belted the high notes in the chorus, everyone's jaw was wide open and Marella was grinning like crazy. She had this in the bag. The end of her minute was met with loud applause with everyone in the theatre, including Dame Kantrelle. Linh was smiling and blushing nervously.
"Well," said Dame Kantrelle, "that was excellent, Miss Song. Thank you very much." As soon as Linh joined her row, Marella hugged her.
"I told you you'd kill it!"
"Yeah, yeah, whatever…" Linh replied.
"Linh, that was insane," Biana said. "If you don't get the lead, I'm starting a riot."
"Thanks, guys," she said, then watched the next audition in silence, clearly embarrassed.
The Vackers both went. Biana sang Once Upon A Dream from Sleeping Beauty, because she was basically a princess and sounded like it, and Fitz sung Maria from West Side Story, because he was a straight white tenor guaranteed the love interest. After the auditions were over, Dame Kantrelle thanked them all for coming and reminded them that the cast list was being announced next Monday. Linh and Marella walked out of the theatre.
"Once again, that was incredible," Marella said. "You're so getting Elphaba."
"Well, you were great too. Maybe you'll get Glinda and I'll get Elphaba. Best friends onstage and off!"
The idea was so great Marella didn't even dare to hope for it.