Chapter 13

I don't want to drag anyone into this, so I need to run a solo infiltration this time. The plan is the same: expose the Nova. Specifically, I'm going to try and get a confession from Argentum. 

I check online and find that Argentum is looking for a vocalist for the band he uses to add some atmosphere to the little gatherings they hold every week. How old fashioned. 

Luckily for me, the application only consists of giving a sample of your work and asks for your stage name rather than your real name. I've never really had a stage name, but it doesn't take me much thought before I type "Orpheus." I  sing a cover of a song that Argentum always loved and I kind of hate, lowering my voice to the tenor range because I never told Argentum that sometimes I practice as a tenor for fun (my throat hurt like heck after the song though. Well, I guess it wasn't my throat exactly since singing comes from your diaphragm, but you know what I mean). 

It's very simple to disguise yourself, even without Nova powers. All I have to do is focus on my most recognizable features. For example: thick and somewhat long blonde hair, blue eyes, glasses. So logically I cut my hair, dye it black, and put in brown contacts. When I leave I send a quick text to Ambibila. 

You might not see me much this summer. I have something personal to take care of. 

I've never been more nervous than when I get to the palace and I see Argentum standing by the door of the palace. There's a chance they'll see right through the different hair and contacts and recognize me based on my facial structure or something like that. 

They smile at me politely when I get out of the car. There's not even a flicker of recognition on their face. I don't know why that makes me disappointed. 

"Hi," Argentum says. 

"Hi," I reply in a deliberately bored tone but in my normal voice. Once again, there's no sign of recognition. 

I thought they'd know my voice anywhere. 

They lead me inside the palace to a door and say, "This is where you and your bandmates are staying. Unpack and have fun, dinner's at 6." 

I knock and a person with tan skin and curly black hair answers. "Hey," the figure says, holding their hand out to shake. "I'm Aster, he/him. I'm the guitarist. What's your name?"

"Orpheus, they/them. Well, actually Orpheus is my stage name but you can still call me that."

"Gotcha. A lot of artists go by their stage names outside of performing sometimes so I get it."

I put my luggage onto a bottom bunk and start talking to the other band members. They're generally chill and normal people and we spend the majority of the evening talking about what type of music we like. It seems that I was chosen to be the vocalist because the song I chose for the audition aligns well with the type of covers they perform. 

"We usually do instrumental originals," Aster explains. 

"Until the royal buzzkill started demanding we do covers and add vocals," says the drummer, Aquamarine (that's just her stage name but everyone calls her that). "No offense," she adds hastily.

I laugh. "None taken. I've actually written some original lyrics in my time."

"Maybe I can see them sometime," says the bassist, Wren (xe doesn't have a stage name) 

At dinner I sit with the band and notice how Argentum floats smoothly from table to table, conversation to conversation. Eventually they make their way to our table. 

"Hey," they say. "How are you guys?"

"Pretty good,"  says Aqua.

"Remember that next week is anime week so you guys have to prepare some theme songs to sing."

"You got it."

"Can I borrow Orpheus for a second? I'd like to get to know your newest addition."

"Sure," Aqua replies in a nonchalant tone. I guess she just wants to get back to chatting with Aster and Wren. 

  Argentum leads me out onto the patio. I ask, "Why exactly did you want to meet me alone?"

"Didn't I say it's because I want to get to know you? I do this with all the palace staff."

"I'm terrified of turning 20, I like seafood, chocolate, cheesecake, dolphins, octopi, and I talk about fictional characters as if they're people I know. What else is there to know?"

"Why did you choose Orpheus as your stage name?"

"You know the phrase 'fake it till you make it?' I thought that if I acted like I was chosen by the muses I actually could be."

"Understandable. What's your real name?"

I laugh. "A good vocalist, like a good magician, never reveals their secrets."

They facepalm. "Sounds like someone's been watching too much of that stupid idol anime."

I shrug. "Maybe."

The conversation fizzles quickly after that, which is ironic considering how we used to talk for hours about nothing and everything. 

The next day we have rehearsal. When Aster asks for theme song suggestions I suggest the theme song from the "stupid idol anime." Aquamarine gets excited by the suggestion  since, as I expected, she chose her stage name as a reference to the main character of that anime. 

I don't pay much attention to the audience on the day of the show. Based on how the news has described these gatherings I assume there's a bunch of spoiled people I don't really care to know. Aquamarine performs the rap part of the opening and I perform the singing parts. At the performance I look straight at Argentum as I sing and even wink when the song ends. It's satisfying to see them go red with embarrassment. 

Argentum pulls me aside after the show. "Was that your idea of a joke?"

"Yes. I thought what you said last night about the 'stupid idol anime' was friendly teasing," I reply, my voice somewhat scratchy since I'm still not used to singing tenor for sustained periods. I'm glad it was only one song. 

"Well…I guess I can see how it would appear that way. I do plan to be friends with you after all."

"Why?"

"Between you and me the people that take classes here are a little stuck up and there's not many other people our age around here."

"Fair. That's why you're friends with the other band members too? And why you have these gatherings? I noticed most of the people in the audience were our age"

"Pretty much."

"Do you also do all the 'networking' crap?"

"Yep."

"Why?"

Argentum shakes his head and blinks. "Sorry what did you say? I zoned out. Have I told you that you seem…familiar?"

Probably because asking "why" every time someone says something is a pretty unique tendency. 

"I asked what the goal of the networking is. I don't really understand your plan for Celestia."

Argentum smiles mischievously. "That's for me to know and you to find out."

The conversation once again fizzles.