Music of the Night

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Legosi was worried about Arthur when Louis was standing too close to the bat's face. All of the drama members watched as Louis inspected Arthur while the bat seemed oblivious to who was in front of him.

"You must be the president of the club, I assumed?" enquired Arthur, who lifted his head and Louis was met with those cloudy blue orbs that were a shock to him. It reminded the red deer of the sky when a storm is brewing.

"Correct. I believe that you know who I am?"

Arthur tilted his head. "Well, heard about you from other students but never really know you. I only heard that you are the star for the play called Adler, wasn't it?"

The bat could detect a shift in the club's atmosphere. He hoped that it was not an offence or anything. But Louis grasped Arthur's two fingers, squeezing it hard. Arthur was surprised that a herbivore could be this strong.

Then again, life is full of surprises like a box of chocolates.

"What is Louis doing?" Arthur heard one of the student's whisper.

"I don't know but it could end on either side." Wait, what do they mean by that?

Arthur was confuse but a gentle claw was laid on his shoulder. "Louis, he came here because he's curious to know how we run the club. Plus, he won't bother anyone."

"I don't need a wolf's opinion on this," Louis snapped. "But fine, he can stay to watch. But do not disturb or distract anyone while we rehearse. Is that understood?"

Arthur nodded. "Clear as crystal."

So with the club resuming their rehearsal, Arthur made himself comfortable by kicking off his shoes to climb up so that he could hang upside down on the rafter. He was listening to the roles that were performed, the flickering of the lights that Kai and Legosi were doing and to an extend, the sounds of the props.

Sounded like a fire from a musket or a gun. He wasn't too clear with what he's hearing.

"Oh my," Els gasped when looking up. "How does he do that? Can he fall off?"

Aoba, who was done with his part came up to her. She was one of the herbivore that was not afraid or has a distrusting feeling towards the carnivores in the club. "He's fine, Els. That's something most bats do. Sometimes, I guessed their wings are big enough to be their own blankets."

The Angora sheep giggled at the idea. So far, Arthur seemed harmless. Maybe it's his eyes that seemed to stare at the abyss or the way he moved that reminded her of a dancer. Like others, she found him creepy like how she met Legosi but unlike him, there's a sort of beauty that's being presented in a body that came from the stuff of horrors.

"Hey Arthur!" the bald eagle called out. "Why don't you come down here. We have a piano backstage if you want to take a look."

The Honduran white bat was now interested and dropped with a small flap of his wings. The ones who noticed were Aoba, Els and Legosi. Legosi was watching what the bat might do as the bald eagle guided him to a wooden piano.

Arthur felt the keys of the piano, admiring how smooth the white ones were while the black ones were firm to the touch. He tapped a key with a single finger to test it out. "It's a nice quality," said the bat. "Was it used often in the plays?"

"It used to," explained Legosi, who was above them with the lighting. "But the recent plays we used the music from our laptops. So basically, that piano hasn't been used since the last three years."

Aoba gestured him with a tap on the shoulder. Arthur turned his head, his ears twitching. "Is there a reason why you asked me to come down here?"

"Try and play a tune," Aoba suggested. "Just want to see how good you are. Don't worry, it's not going to bother the others."

Arthur arched a brow, questioning the situation. He listened to any footsteps that were coming close to where he was but so far, it was just the three animals backstage. He decided to stretch, which showed his impressive wing span that was bigger than his whole body.

Slowly, he flexed each finger, including the ones fused with his skin membrane to test out if they are ready. With his whole fingers covering the keyboards, he began to play.

...

Everyone who was busy rehearsing suddenly stopped when they heard fast piano notes being played. Even Louis who was beginning to wonder who could be making all of that. No...It can't be! Can it?

Everyone was heading backstage, murmuring to each other while Louis was standing at the corner, hiding his shocked expression. How could something as hideous as that bat play something so intense and beautiful?

The music was what Louis would imagine a blend of jazz and ragtime of the thirties where animals in some countries go to casinos or clubs to have one hell of a time. It had a hint of fury in which how the keys were played. Of course, he knew histories and geographies of the world since it was compulsory for him if he wants to be the next Beastars.

"Wow, look at those fingers go!"

"How is he moving them without tearing his wings?"

But Arthur was so in focus of the song he played, he was not aware that someone was ready to pounce him from behind. If it weren't for Legosi, Arthur would get some serious claw marks on his back and maybe his ears will be torn off.

Once he had finished, everyone backstage clapped. Arthur was surprised that he had an audience. Feeling a bit embarrassed by the whole attention. He folded his hand-wings close, attempting to cover his red face.

"So that's where the harmonious melodies were coming from!" Sans, the pelican approached the flustered bat. "You really have an ear for music! Would you consider playing for our plays?"

Arthur had his ears drooped and his cloudy eyes blinked. "I'm sorry but I'm already in a club. Plus, I have other things to do."

There was a a clamour until Arthur was hoisted up and steered away from the drama club. The bat was trying to comprehend where he was and what was going on. He almost jumped when he heard the door clicked shut.

"So Arthur," the voice from Louis was heard. "Looks like you've put yourself an impression to the casts. But you are aware that I am in charge of this club?"

Arthur just nodded, wishing he could imagine the expression on Louis' face. His tone sounded cool and brief.

"What did you hear yesterday?"

"What do you mean?"

"At the hallway," Louis explained. "I saw you staring at me. You heard everything?"

Arthur put up his wings in protest. "N-no! I didn't know it was you. Honest, really! I just heard someone talking in a sad tone. I assumed it was a break up."

There was silence and the Louis grabbed his right wing. It hurts and Arthur swore he could feel one of his finger bones about to crack. "Have you heard about what happened in this school? Did the teachers or anyone told you about a tragedy that struck here?"

The Honduran white bat shook his head. He was afraid of what Louis might do to him since he is taller than the bat himself. "No, what happened."

"A student was murdered in one of the auditoriums," Louis murmured. "He was killed by a carnivore."