20 Panotti of the Opera (9)

To save his friend from crying at the bad news, Klick spent the whole night thinking of a good way to make Syris come to Floopy instead. Knowing that the panotti had low self-esteem but great musical talents, Klick decided to propose for Floopy to make the song without vocals so that they could turn this undelivered song into an advertisement over the academy's radio program.

Floopy cheered up when he heard that it wasn't Prince Syris who rejected his songs but the shark bodyguard who was overly protective. Not wanting Klick to get eaten by the foul-mood shark merman, Floopy agreed to go with a different approach. He wasn't going to give up on helping Syris secretly. One good turn deserves another.

The duo worked hard with Klick attending classes and buying food on Floopy's behalf. After classes, Klick would teach Floopy what he missed during lessons and the composer would eat what Klick brought him. When he wasn't eating, sleeping or studying, Floopy was writing songs and scripts for the musical. The panotti worked hard and every night, he would go to the forest to teach the frogs how to sing.

Little by little, the shape of the musical took place and Floopy left the promotions to Klick who passed the composer's latest work to the radio club. It didn't take very long before word got around campus that the legendary composer is out with a new work once more. This time, he was opening up the auditions to everyone on campus who was interested.

It wasn't very difficult for Floopy to convince Amada about the new musical idea. The principal also thought that it was a good idea to open the audition to more people. She didn't like the usual type of actors and a change would be good. Still, she had to ask about Floopy's new inspiration as it was very different from the rest of his works so far.

"Where did you get the idea to write about a self-empowering and transformation story from ugly to beautiful? Also, I listened to your theme track. It's not something I'm familiar with. What's this spoken words piece? Does the actor not need to sing? How is this different from acting without singing? Can this still be considered a musical?"

Klick stood behind Floopy in the same room and he heard his timid friend stand up for his work.

"It may be different and new but I am positive that the candidate in my mind will make this an incredible success!"

At this, Amanda couldn't help but smirk. "Did you write it this way for the Siren Prince? Floopy, you have to know that if you choose him to be your main lead, this musical might not do well. The drama club might not want to help you with the supporting characters and the choir might not want to participate. Are you prepared for that?"

Stubbornly, Floopy insisted that nobody else can pull it off apart from Syris. Klick knew that it was true because Floopy wrote an entire musical dedicated to making Syris shine. The theme song and tory revolved around Syris. It spoke about the journey of an unwanted boy who overcame the bullying to become someone that the world loved by being kind, helpful and honest in the fake world of glamour and lies.

The story that Floopy and Klick wrote was titled "Panotti of the Opera". Someone who was unwanted for being different turned out to have a different talent that was later loved by others. The story was a mix of Floopy's personal experience and the stories he heard about Syris. Floopy wanted everyone to know that this prince wasn't defective. He wanted them to know that there was more to Syris than his ability to sing. The musical was different because he wanted to show them all who have mocked Syris previously what they were missing out on by being so shallow-minded and he wouldn't change the concept of the musical even if Amanda disapproved.

The archmage had a different idea when she saw how dedicated Floopy was to this particular musical. Instead of rejecting it, she asked when the musical's auditions would take place. Klick answered on Floopy's behalf. As it turned out, the assassin volunteered to be Floopy's manager to coordinate and organise all marketing activities while the composer single-handedly wrote songs for the play.

"Very well," Amanda nodded and turned to her secretary. "Asahina, see that the school knows about the audition. I will grant access to the back of the forest for the audition. Make sure to make this event as grand as possible, sponsored by me. I want to watch this musical and the man that our dear composer has chosen to believe in. This is one play I cannot miss."

"Understood," Asahina bowed and went to prepare the necessary details for Floopy's play.

The idea had been so readily approved and the suddenness made Floopy speechless. Klick had to drag them out of the principal's office before she threw them out. The panotti still couldn't believe his ears. The idea that they spent weeks preparing for was finally given the green light and patronised by Amanda Lucifer. How great was that?!

"Quick!" Floopy pulled Klick's arm. "We need to let Syris know the good news. He should still be at the greenhouse!"

Klick smiled and didn't stop his friend. Floopy was too excited. The most important part now that the idea has been approved would be to come out with a disguise for the panotti. The school knew about the legendary musician and composer but nobody has seen Floopy appear before them with that identity. If Floopy still wanted to keep his secret with Prince Syris, Klick had to do something to help Floopy out. The one thing that the bat assassin worried about was the existence of that shark merman.

Within a few days, everyone in the school knew about that audition and the audition forms were quickly snatched. Bruce didn't like the idea of Syris going for the audition to meet the mysterious composer that knew Floopy but he had to admit, the panotti somehow did the impossible and created an opportunity for his prince to meet them.

If anyone could help Syris find his voice, it would be the legendary composer. Yet, the shark bodyguard wanted to punch himself for arriving late.

"Sorry," the drama club teacher apologised. "We ran out of audition forms... everyone was too enthusiastic and there were only a limited number of spots..."

Bruce felt murderous for the rest of the day and didn't dare to tell Syris that he failed to get the audition form. The Siren Prince was also trying his best to get his hands on an audition form but they were all snapped out. Nobody wanted to give their copy so the siren was left to wonder what he should do in the greenhouse alone while Bruce went in search for a spare from somewhere, most likely by threatening some poor student.

Floopy was nervous but Klick gave him the vote in confidence. The school was currently in a frenzy over the audition forms. Many people didn't get it but Klick had quickly grabbed a copy for Floopy to hand it over to Syris who was in the greenhouse. The assassin guarded the form with his life and escorted the panotti all the way. Nobody paid them any attention, too busy searching for the form to care.

Once Floopy made it safely to the greenhouse, Klick went to stand guard outside while Floopy delivered the form to his prince.

"Floopy?" Syris blinked when he saw the panotti crawling through the bushes.

"Shh!" the composer shushed and looked around nervously.

Syris was confused for a moment but when Floopy pulled out the form that he had been searching high and low for from within the bow-tie of his large ears, he gasped.

"Is that?!"

Floopy grinned and gave it to Syris with both hands. The right of the small boy covered in dirt and leaves handing him a slightly crumpled audition form made Syris tear up.

"How did you get this? Don't you want to go to the audition too?"

Floopy shook his head. "No, I got this for you! Remember I said that I knew the composer? It took a while but you can finally meet them!"

Syris didn't take the form immediately. Instead, he bent down and lifted the panotti into his arms, hugging the small boy and thanking him. Floopy blushed but didn't retaliate. For a merman, Syris' hug felt oddly warm. Maybe that was just his heart filling up on the affection but Floopy was happy. All those sleepless nights finally paid off.