The Stage
They had finally done it! The Virtue opera troupe had finally managed to attract the attention of the infamous opera house, La Scala! The upcoming Opera troupe had managed to book La Scala, one of the most premiere and luxurious opera houses in all the world. The entire troupe was in high spirits as they prepped for their first performance this very evening. The entire cast had all been shocked by which play of theirs that the directors had been interested in- even more surprised was the writer and composer herself!
Nadette’s passion had been music for as long as she could remember, her love growing and flowering into skills for singing and composing beautiful pieces of music. Her masterpiece was an entire play, written especially for her main love- opera. Aside from her famous voice, she was just an upstart in the world of writing… yet, they took a chance with Nadette and her lovechild of a project.
Now, since every seat in the house had sold, the world would know of her work, of the leanne sidhe’s skill… and of her, for while she wrote it, Nadette had the honor and the blessing of playing the lead female role. Her dream of being a world-famous primadonna was on the verge of happening!
Sitting down to the vanity in her dressing room, she smoothed out her dress of ivory, gold, and peach, adorned with shimmering pearls. It was an extravagant costume like nothing the woman had ever worn before, but they had perfected the vision she had for the lead female’s main outfit. Leaning forward, her face glowed under the soft light from the lightbulbs that adorned the vanity’s mirror. Picking up a brush she began to carefully apply the base foundation and powder, feeling more and more anxious with each brush stroke.
By the time she had finished up her make-up with applying lipstick, Nadette felt supercharged with a desire to be on the stage. Swearing she could feel it calling to her deep inside of her bones, she knew she had no other option but to answer that call. After checking that her makeup was flawless and the makeup products were taken care of, Nadette carefully gathered herself up to her feet, making sure she didn’t accidentally step on the hem the dress.
“Ten minutes til curtain Miss Nadette!” A deep, and masculine voice called out to from the other side of the door as he rapped on it.
A smile curled upon the leanne sidhe’s lips as her heart began to drum inside of her chest. It was finally almost time! Nadette was about to be at the place where her ‘soul’ cried out to be… the place that filled her dreams while she slept. Gathering her gown in her hands, Nadette gingerly lifted the material in front as she made her way from her dressing room to the back of the stage.
It was a hectic scene as actors and performers bustled to and fro trying to get to their places as stagehands worked frantically to make sure the final details were perfect! She inhaled deeply, smelling the aged wood beneath her feet, feeling kindred to all those great prima donnas and oumos who walked this stage before her! Nadette’ entire body began to tremble with uncontainable excitement as she rounded a beautifully painted cutout of a building that took up most of the stage. Taking her place just beyond the open door, her ears now concentrating to the low, soothing hum of the orchestra just in front of the stage in their pit.
Closing her eyes she listened to the orchestra, she knew this melody so well. Nadette could remember the very first time her hand stretched over the instruments to compose this number. The sensation of the music flowing from her soul and onto a piece of paper couldn’t prepare her for the bliss of hearing it played by so many, so carefully and so faithfully.
Finally, the footsteps died down, and quiet fell for a moment over the stage as the soft creaking of the curtain signaled that it was going up. The woman could see the lights that framed the stage finally glow in the frame of light that the door cut out provided, just moments now… She inhaled deeply as she heard the orchestra finally die down, allowing a second silence to coat the entire house. Exhaling, Nadette heard the orchestra start on the opening number, a soft and gentle melody that depicted new beginnings and dawn.
Counting the notes, the leanne sidhe followed the que and slowly stepped through the door, her eyes catching onto what she had been waiting for, for so long. Her chest filled up with something warm and buzzing as she saw the lights that framed the edge of the stage… and all the 2,800 people who came just to see her work. The sensation swelled and filled Nadette’s body, making her feel charged and light on her feet. Just moments now… The actors came forth breaking out in song and elegant dance right on queue. Then the signal finally came, and with the exuberance that had filled her from the very top of her head to the tips of her toes, sang the first notes of her part.
The first act as lively and sporadic as it was, quickly shifted and became something new. This act featured the main female’s solo, a bittersweet song that had amazing octaves and notes. As it opened, Nadette found herself at the front of her stage caught in the spotlights. The music began softly and gently before settling into a faster tempo. The leanne sidhe found her queue and sang it with all of her heart, putting all of her feelings, hopes, and dreams for the future into it. Nadette’s gratitude for her chance to make them come true shining clear with her emotions. Glancing out over the audience as she hit a high note, an emboldening truth hit home. Nadette had their attention, all their eyes were on her! For this brief moment in time, she was the star she’d always dreamed of becoming!
The stage seemed to start to shimmer with brilliance, the golds became that much more sparkling and radiant to her senses. Feeling every nerve ending in her body bring bristle and spark with life, her veins started to run hot with electricity and adrenaline. When she finally hit the thunderous climax of the song, the new primadonna could hear the nigh-silent gasping of the audience. Nadette studied the crowd as her chest heaved with heavy pants from exertion. This was a wondrous feeling and it made her feel so alive and vivid before them. The golden-haired woman watched as the lights dimmed and the curtain fell. Silence spread signaling the end of the act. Panting, Nadette closed her eyes, savoring the euphoria that rushed through her as she had finally done it. The leanne sidhe had sung her heart out to an entranced audience!
Quickly she sashayed off of the stage, allowing stagehands to come forth and clean the stage and reset it for the final act. As the star refreshed herself and touched up her makeup, Nadette turned to look at herself in the mirror. Her long golden hair had been partially pulled up and beaded with pearls. She was now wearing a dress that was a beautiful stark white, with navy blue accents, and brilliant silver embroidery. Nadette was prepared for the wedding scene… all except for her veil. Carefully clipping it in and smoothing out the glittering veil edge in dainty navy lace, she knew she was finally ready for the final act.
Unable to help herself, Nadette’s crimson-colored lips curled up into a smile as jade-green eyes studied her appearance. They were almost finished with the play, but the euphoria hadn’t died down- not even an ounce! She could still feel her heart thundering in her chest, wondering if it might slow when they were finally done? Something told her it would never stop… That Nadette would continue this high for the rest of her time performing… and the star was finding she was honestly okay with this.
Turning from the mirror she made her way back to the stage, amazed with how almost instantly they changed the scene. Laid out now was a beautiful chapel, tall vases filled with false flowers dotted the aisle, with makeshift pews to either sides of it. Nadette watched with a smile as the performers began to fill the pews. The troupe was all dressed in their “best”, comprised of bright springy colors and deep, rich tones. It was as beautiful as the leanne sidhe had imagined it when she scripted this scene, penning it down feverishly on a piece of paper when it came to her one night.
Seeing the ‘priest’ take his place, Nadette lowered her veil, obscuring her sight, along with the ‘groom’ who joined the priest at the altar. Again, the curtain raised, and as soon as it was up, and the music began to play, the scene came alive. The performers in the pews began to make as if they were whispering to each other, as the groom stood by the priest wringing his hands. Nadette couldn’t help but chuckle seeing that her co-star managed to convey the groom’s nervousness perfectly. At long last, the music shifted to a revised and reimagined bridal march.
Nadette had opted to write it as a more elegant tune, adding soft notes from a piano and a violin, and in this moment she knew without a doubt she had made the right choice. Inhaling deeply, the ‘bride’ made her way onto the stage and began the rehearsed walk up to where the groom and priest waited. After the vows had been delivered, her co-star lifted her veil and leaned in to kiss her. It was only an act, so there was no need for an actual kiss, just only enough for show to make the audience believe it. The co-star leaned in close enough as she grasped the ornamental tassels that adorned his chest, to smell his cologne. The notes of pine, night blooming flowers and sandalwood flooded her senses.
The rest of the wedding happened so fast, that Nadette could only assume it went by without a hitch. It had been such a perfect opening night, their luck had been unreal. No one had succumbed to stage fright, and everything went smooth as silk. It was certainly almost too good to be true! Before the leanne sidhe knew it, her co-star, the rest of the performers, and herself had taken up by the edge of the stage to give their bows. They were met by a standing ovation as everyone lept from their seats. The sound of their thunderous applause rang through Nadette’s body as if matching her own racing heart. Only for the beautiful scene before the primadonna to melt away as a loud thunder clasped beside her head just moments later.
Gasping loudly, Nadette sat up in her bed and glanced around the dark room clearly confused and disoriented. Slowly reality caught up, and her heart slowly broke into tiny glass pieces and settled somewhere behind her navel. Hands clutched feverishly at her sheets as Nadette became aware of the thunder that rumbled outside, the rain pitting against her window with the strenuous cord of the applause she had just heard.
Unable to stop it, tears began beading up, welling up from somewhere deep in her soul like a fountain of sorrow with only one escape. Nadette brought her hands to her face, falling into deep sobs as it became ever more clear. The dream had only been just that- a dream, and it would never grow to bear the fruit she so desperately craved.
[ Aesthetic Songs ]
Dreamkeeper - by Xandria - Genre: Metal - [Signifies the realization that Nadette will never live her dream, and her fate is to be a muse to other inspiring musicians and artists. Also is sung by Nadette's voice claim.]
Loreley - by Lord of the Lost - Genre: Metal - [Reflects Nadette's deep dispair.]