Chapter Text
Introducing Louis, the embodiment of passion and intensity on the stage. As the spotlight cascades down upon him, his presence commands attention, captivating the audience from the very moment he steps into the limelight.
With each calculated step, Louis exuded an air of confidence, his movements fluid and purposeful. As he raised his arm, Legosi watched the red deer's muscles tensed up while posing, emphasising the elegance of his outstretched fingers like reaching for something invisible in front of him. And the graceful arch of his other hand that clenched the bamboo sword tightly. His gestures spoke a language of their own, each movement with pure intention.
His eyes were vibrantly handsome and alive, chest rising and falling with each breath.
But it's in the subtle nuances that Louis truly shines. A quiver of his lip, a twitch of an eyebrow, or a hesitating forward step all added layers of depth to his portrayal, hinting at a deep understanding of his character's supposed inner struggles. And yet, knowing Louis, he may very well not be acting at all.
Suddenly, the spotlights turned on, shining brightly on the drama stage.
"Act 1, scene 5 is okay!"
Legosi was surprised at the sudden interruption, his eyes finally taken off Louis to glance at the chief approaching the stage.
He quickly noticed Louis's face morph into agitation as the chief mumbled a few sentences to him.
"There is no need to whisper. I'm fine," Louis announced.
"This welcome event will be the most important opportunity for us. It will show the importance of the drama club to the freshmen. It's not the time to worry about how I am feeling."
"But-" The chief tried to rationalise.
"This performance shall represent the very essence of our drama club, portraying me, Adler, as a herbivore amidst a pack of carnivores intent on attacking. We will show what all that means on this stage."
Returning to the drama room from the auditorium, Legosi's ears flickered as he slowly carried two large boxes into storage. Meanwhile, Tem and Riz occupied the stage, using it as a seat.
"Tem, I don't know why you resigned from your role as one of the actors this stage in rehearsal. Zoe doesn't have nearly enough time to prepare."
"Riz, I told you already, I can't focus on acting with the thought of my sick mother lying in bed."
Riz didn't reply, only appearing slightly more worried.
Tem spoke up, "Riz, have you gotten larger? Your body seems swollen."
Emerging from the storage room, Legosi took notice of Tem's words, his nose instinctively sniffing the air and noticing something very strange.
Riz was caught off guard by Legosi's attention, flushed and scrambling for an explanation, "Oh, it's just that I've been hitting the gym lately. That's all."
Tem laughed and nudged Riz's huge shoulder, "Who are you trying to impress?"
Riz also laughed back. But laugh was all he did.
Legosi stared from the doorframe, unable to put his nose on what was wrong, and eventually walking away.
Now back in his dormitory, the night began to fall as Legosi laid back in bed, his hands resting behind his head as he thought back to this evening.
That smell. No, what wasn't that smell?
There was always that one unmistakable and peculiar scent that stood out from the others, but the absence of that distinct aroma perplexed him.
Was it the heavy musk from the sweating actors? No. It was that strange medicinal fragrance that always loomed around Riz that was missing today.
Legosi's eyebrows furrowed before he immediately jumped up from his bed. Jack was settled onto the floor beside Collot, who was immersed in his video games. As Jack shifted his attention, his gaze met Legosi's from across the room, catching him off guard at his sudden tendency.
"Legosi, is there something wron-"
"Jack! Do you know where Riz's dormitory is?"
Jack, shocked at Legosi's question, "Riz? The brown bear? Well... uhm.. they are part of the Ursus genus which means they should be on the floor above us."
Without wasting another moment, Legosi disappeared from the dormitory room, determined to find Riz.
Navigating through dimly lit corridors, Legosi's mind raced with possibilities. Each hallway, every room, left turn, and right turn. He followed his intuition.
Finally, after a fervent search, Legosi arrived at the doorstep of what he believed to be Riz's dormitory. With a calming breath, he knocked slowly despite the urgency.
The door creaked open, revealing a figure taller and larger than himself; similar to Riz's stature but unfamiliar to Legosi. A different brown bear with a bewildered expression looked at Legosi with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Can I help you?" The bear asked, his voice concerned.
Legosi, slightly taken aback, took a deep breath and asked, "Is Riz here? I've been looking for him and someone told me he was in this room."
The bear's raised eyebrows indicated his genuine surprise. "I'm sorry, but Riz went outside earlier and hasn't returned yet. I can let him know that you were here though if you would like to leave your name."
"Legosi, I'm a part of the drama club," Legosi replied. The bear seemed unimpressed as he closed the door. Legosi became more confused as concern crept in, mingling with the questions that surrounded Riz's mysterious absence at this time of night just before curfew.
And not much longer, one of those questions seemed to manifest itself to Legosi.
Where was Tem?