Chapter Text
Cale was waking up more tired lately. He was drained and groggy, napping more than usual, but brushed it off whenever his family brought it up. The more they pestered him the more touchy the subject got until he wasn't wanting to speak about it at all.
Choi-han and Beacrox were out very late tonight. Choi-han couldn't sleep so he asked Beacrox to spar. since he had nothing better to do and was also feeling restless, he agreed. They'd been sparring for about thirty minutes when a dim light started glowing in Cale's window. a figure then emerged onto the balcony, setting a foot on the railing as if they were about to jump.
they both froze. "Cale-nim" Choi-has whispered.
"Why is he awake?" Beacrox took a few steps closer to try and get a better look at the figure "if that even is him.."
the cloaked figure jumped off the balcony flying through the air. A flash of red showed from under the hood.
Beacrox and Choi-han exchanged a glance.
"we're following."
"But what if Cale-nim sees us!"
"As long as you keep quiet we'll be fine" Beacrox threw a cloak at Choi-han then started running after Cale.
Choi-han followed and before they knew it they appeared in Rain City after finding a secluded teleportation circle that didn't seem to need mana to activate.
Cale or the person they assumed was Cale ducked into an alley behind a bar they'd never seen before. After searching the ally there was no sign of him so they decided to check the bar
"Let's find a table and watch, we don't want him noticing us" Beacrox whispered, pulling a mask up over his mouth and nose.
"this is stalking! Cale-nim will be annoyed if he finds out!" Choi-han responded through gritted teeth, also pulling a mask up. He begrudgingly sat next to Beacrox at an empty table. That's when they heard a familiar voice.
"one day he'll accept the fact that he's an amazing performer"
"was that miss cage?" Beacrox looked over to the bar where he saw Taylor and Cage sitting and laughing.
"what are they doing here?" Choi-han asked, following Beacrox's gaze.
"Shut up, I'm trying to listen," Choi-han glared at Beacrox, who ignored him completely.
"well he's already an amazing actor and manipulator, he's also good with crowds. he just doesn't like the attention" Taylor said as his glass was filled with red wine
"such a waste of talent," Cage smiled mischievously "good thing we put it to use, even if it's only two weeks"
Taylor laughed at Cage as she smugly sipped her wine before deciding the bottle was an easier option. "He's gonna get some sort of petty revenge after this is done."
"Let him! totally worth it when we get to see him owning a stage instead of a battle field" she took another swig from the bottle before refilling Taylor's glass.
'Are they talking about Cale-nim?' Choi-han stared at the table tracing the woodgrain with his nail.
Beacrox seemed to be piecing things together when the lights dimmed as the bar went silent. a figure with long hair stepped out on stage. They pulled their hair in a ponytail as they walked up to the microphone.
Beacrox couldn't make out any details because of the darkness. he grumbled and leaned back drumming his fingers on the table
birds flying high, you know how i feel
This person's voice was amazing, but it was their presence that made the audience hold their breath. They stood closed eyes singing. the smile on their face was all that was visible as shadow covered their eyes.
'it that the young master? but why would he be onstage? is he being played' Beacrox had questions but stayed silent
sun in the sky, you know how i feel
"their amazing.." Choi-han murmured
Beacrox peeked over to see Tylor and Cage smiling like they knew something. an uneasy feeling bloomed in his stomach. he turned his attention to the stage once again. the performer swayed side to side hair following in a mesmerizing wave
Breeze driftin’ on bye, you know how i feel
They walked slowly to the front of the stage, microphone in hand. Some of their bodies became visible; they were thin, almost frail. but their down tilted head kept their eyes hidden from the audience.
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life. For me
and I'm feelin'
they drew the words out creating tension in the air as they fixed the microphone back in position. They took a deep breath repositioning their hand on the microphone, prepping to be seen, to be watched.
"Cale-nim would never do this without payment..."
"that's something we can agree on"
Good~
The beat dropped and the spotlight came on revealing a man with long platinum blonde hair, crystal blue eyes wearing a backless suit with a low V-neck exposing the performer's chest. his arms raised as the instruments got louder, he pulled back and crossed his hands over his heart.
I'm feelin' good~
"that.. that cant be Cale-nim.." Choi-han stared at the performer, whose mesmerizing presence felt familiar, but that couldn't be Cale. Cale practically shriveled when he was in a spotlight, he would go up on a stage and sing for a bar without some type of motivation.
Beacrox was confused, first Cale seemingly jumped out of his window. Second, even if that WAS Cale, how did he change his appearance without magic? or did he have a magical device?
Fish in the sea, you know how i feel
the performer winked at someone in the audience who swooned dramatically. The blond man onstage walked around the stage slowly. All eyes followed him
Both Choi-han and Beacrox were 80% sure that this wasn't Cale and as the performer worked to gain everyone's attention that number went up.
River running free, you know how i feel
he swayed back to the microphone stand tiling like a dancing partner as he continued. He reached out to the audience dramatically, then pulled back, shifting his ponytail over his shoulder and smiling.
Blossom on a tree, you know how I feel.
"Their a great singer" Cage praised eyes glued to the performer.
Taylor was doing something similar, eyes fixed, lazy smile as he traced the rim of his glass being careful not to make a sound or interrupt the performance
Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life, for me
and I'm feeling good
a larger smile crept across their face as they surveyed the room. They took the microphone off its stand coiling the cord around their finger as they slowly descended the stairs continuing to sing as they mingled with the guests
Beacrox seemed to be hiding his interest. While choi-han was being rather open about his curiosity, and judging from Beacrox's expression he might have stars in his eyes
Dragonfly out in the sun, you know what i mean, don't you know?
he did a flirty waved at Taylor who copied his motion back. Cage blew the performer a kiss which he caught deftly and pressed to his heart.
'That's not Cale-nim. That can' t be him' but if that wasn't Cale where was he? why did he jump out of his window? and how was his voice so amazing
Butterflies all having fun, you know what i mean
it was harder for Choi-han to think when he felt someone behind him. the performer placed a hand on Beacrox's shoulder, tracing it across the back of his neck before strolling away leaving Beacrox confused and Choi-han amused
the confusion didn't fade quickly as Beacrox realized that if this was Cale he either didn't recognize them, or was purposefully messing with him in particular
sleep and peace when day is done, thats what i mean
Choi-han stifled his laughter as Bacrox looked over his shoulder at the performer who smiled at him blowing a kiss in his direction.
Beacrox was not sure how to react, so he ignored it
and this old world is a new world and a bold world, for me
another intense beat dropped and the performer headed back to the stage with a kick. he leaned back into the song pausing in the middle of the stair as he sang louder
For me
Choi-han, after recovering from laughing at Beacrox, glanced over to see Cage smiling as she watched the performer dance around the stage as the music continued. The performer didn't seem to mind all the eyes hummedwith the music, making eye contact with Cage every now and then.
Cage whispered something to Taylor who laughed and took another drink after Cage gestured in their direction.
'damn it, they might know we're here.' Beacrox's hands twitched he didn't have his knife readily available to clean as it would look awfully suspicious right now
stars when you shine, you know how i feel
He raised a hand to the ceiling above the stage which was painted like a night sky. He closed his eyes like he was trying to envision something or calm his nerves.
'Does he have stage fright?' Choi-han was baffled at who this could be. if Cale-nim was here he would have had it figured out by now. But he wasn't, or he was and Choi-han just didn't know it
Scent of the pine, you know how i feel
a warm earthy scent danced from the performer enshrouding the bar with a smell of nature. It was familiar and comforting, where had they smelled this before?
Oh freedom is mine, and i know how i feel
his voice was loud and powerful demanding attention, demanding the spotlight. he leaned forward with sheer power in his voice
its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life, huh
the music only got louder with his voice.
It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life..
he smiled, holding the microphone and leaning forward with it as he only got louder and louder.
'who ever this is their amazing' Choi-han thought taking in the force of this person's voice
It's a new dawn! It's a new day! It's a new life! its a new life for me~
with each crash there was a flare from the spotlight and a dramatic pose from the performer. Their hair ended up coming undone, falling around them and giving them a sort of golden glow
and I'm feelin~
the music paused entirely as he sang. Once they'd taken a deep breath it started back up with him
good~
the lights dimmed until it was pitch black, when they came back on the performer was gone. Then the applause started.
Cage ran up and took the microphone
"Everyone bid Eros farewell! thank you so much for performing for us"
she gestured off stage where presumably Eros left. Beacrox and Choi-han immediately rushed to leave, if that was Cale they might be able to catch him in the lie if he's not there when they get back.
When they returned Beacrox peaked into Cale's room to see the red head sleeping peacefully surrounded by the kids.
Ohn actually stirred blinking to see Beacrox at the door. "hello.." she yawned doing a big stretch before padding over to him. "Did you need something?"
"yes actually, apologies for waking you." he hadn't meant to wake the kids, or Cale for that matter "has the Young master left his bed at all?"
"no? why?"
Beacrox shook his head "just curious since he hasn't been sleeping well, good night Ohn"
"goodnight?"
He closed the door and Ohn jumped back on the bed curling up in front of Cale's sleeping face.
Cale smiled, opening his eyes."I'll make sure to buy you something tasty tomorrow. You're getting better at acting" he pulled the kitten away from the edge of the bed back towards the cuddle pile.
"i have a great teacher" she responded, puffing her chest out.
Cale just patted her head in response