Prinxiety Short Stories

Behind The Curtain

Act 1: The Unexpected Pair

High school theater has always been a whirlwind of chaos and creativity, and nowhere was this more evident than at Westbrook High, where the annual spring play was about to open. This year's production was A Midsummer Night's Dream, and with the opening night fast approaching, the theater was buzzing with activity. 

Virgil, known for his no-nonsense attitude and dark clothing, was an integral part of the crew. Being the stage manager of the very few crew members, he handled training the "new kids" in lighting and sound while he worked the most on set design. Despite his usual preference for solitude, the theater had become a sanctuary where his meticulous attention to detail and quiet dedication were truly valued. 

Roman, on the other hand, was a rising star of the drama department. His talent for embodying characters and his charisma made him the idea choice for the role of Puck. To say he was excited about the role was an understatement--he was practically bursting with energy and enthusiasm. 

Their paths rarely crossed outside of their respective realms of theater, but as the play's opening night drew closer, their interactions became more frequent. Roman, always eager to make friends and spread positivity, found himself intrigued by the quest crew member who seemed perpetually in the background. Virgil, meanwhile, couldn't ignore the way Roman's exuberance seemed to contrast sharply with his own more reserved demeanor. 

Act 2: The Unlikely Friendship

It was a late afternoon, and the theater was nearly empty aside from the few crew members working on last-minute adjustments. Roman, rehearsing his lines for the umpteenth time, was trying to perfect a particularly difficult scene involving fairy dust and a very elaborate dance routine. 

"Hey, Virgil!" Roman's voice rang out, breaking the silence as he noticed Virgil adjusting the lighting. "Could you give me a hand with this? I'm having trouble making it look like I'm actually flying."

Virgil looked up from his work, eyebrows raised. He was used to Roman's over-the-top energy but was still taken aback by the request. "Sure, what do you need?"

Roman grinned and leaped onto the stage, striking an exaggerated pose. "I need to make my entrance look like I'm floating down from the heavens. Any ideas?"

Virgil walked over, eyes narrowing in thought. "We could use the pulley system for some subtle movement. And if we adjust the lighting, it'll give the illusion of an ethereal glow." 

Roman's eyes lit up with excitement. "Perfect! You're a genius, emo! Can you help me figure out the timing?"

Virgil felt his cheeks warm, not expecting the compliment. "Sure, Prince Charming...do you have to be home any time soon? This could be a while."

"Nope! I'm all yours."

Virgil flushed more at this. Shit, he thought, I don't have time to fall for a tenor. He rushed upstage, going to set up the mechanism. 

Roman stayed downstage, reciting a particularly long soliloquy, "Through the forest have I gone. But Athenian found I none..."

Virgil turned, seeing Roman acting his heart out. He rolled his eyes, though a smirk still appeared on his face. "Hey, Romano, come here so I can set this up."

"Romano?" Roman's head tilted to the side, questioning, "...like the cheese?"

Act 3: The Spark Ignites

As the days went on, the collaboration between Roman and Virgil grew into a rhythm. Despite their differences, they discovered mutual respect and a surprising amount of common ground. Virgil's practical approach balanced Roman's flamboyant style, and Roman's boundless energy helped Virgil come out of his shell.