Chapter Text
Monsters are nothing like us humans. They're created at death through their own misdeeds; cursed not by the heavens, but by the first monster to tempt humanity with the knowledge of their presence and power. Should you reject your humanity, you accept the curse.
Shinko sighed as she shook her umbrella out by the doorway. Just her luck that the hellish downpour would start as soon as she had to leave for work. She just got her hair pressed and now she'd have to go back to the salon and spend even more money she barely had. After one final shake, she set her umbrella in the nearby holder before she stomped on the haphazard and already wet cardboard laid out. The last thing she needed was her boss fussing about the carpets getting soaked.
Then, she slung off her jacket as she went to clock in. They still had the old punch system and no matter how many times payroll complained about the headaches they got from keeping track of physical time cards, the Boss would grumble and insist that it's good enough. Was it any surprise though? He was a cat and and that meant having the temperament of one too. Getting him to change his mind was an unwinnable war. Shinko pulled her card out to punch but not before peeking into his office. Husk was there, pouring over paperwork. Beside him were the main suspects of scotch and whisky with an already empty glass.
"That bad, huh?" She asked, punching in. Husk looked up, grateful for the distraction. "The books have you drinking early."
"Hey, I've waited long enough, right? Besides, you'd drink too if you had to sit here and deal with all this shit," he rubbed his temples slowly before drinking straight from the scotch bottle. Shinko leaned on the doorway and watched him. Monsters had different tolerance levels, but he seemed to reach new ceilings every week.
"Maybe you ought to just hire a real PA?" She suggested.
"Yeah, if y'all can find someone who won't fuckin annoy me," he took a swig before leaning back in his chair. Husk was picky with his employees. He didn't hire anyone he thought would cause him problems even for just a moment and as such, their staff was rather small compared to other casinos. Some of the folks here had been working since he bought the place…before he had turned. "Oh yeah, you play the piano, right? I need you to fill in for Gabe for tonight. And cover Maxine's lunch. "
"Want me to also cure cancer? I can build a rocket and collect moon samples too."
"That's enough, smartass," her boss raised an eyebrow at her, a pleased smirk on his lips. "Get going before I do blast ya ass outta here." Shinko waved him off before going to put her things in her locker. A surge of elation filled her heart as she grabbed her small brush and fixed her hair. That big black piano caught her eye when she first applied to work here! True, she was just a waitress, but she didn't have a scholarship at the most prestigious arts college for nothing. At least here, the opportunity to play was an option however slim it may be.
"What're you cheesin about?" A fellow coworker asked as she opened the locker beside Shinko's. "I've never seen you smile so big."
"I'm covering for Gabe tonight," her eyes sparkled. "I can't believe it's happening so soon! "
"And on a good day too since we've hired a singer tonight."
"That's tonight? I totally forgot!" Shinko facepalmed. "I ought to go over the set list with them soon." She slipped her cat ears onto her head (the best part about working for Husk) and closed her locker.
She had a pep in her step as she made her way to the lounge. Monster and human coworkers alike gave her curious glances as she got backstage but paid her no mind. Still, she didn't see the guest performer so she went to the grand piano. It sat just on the left on stage so it could be rolled out when no one else performed. Lifting the lid, Shinko admired just how lovely it was. "Aren't you gorgeous?" She whispered, trailing her fingers along the strings inside. Excitement thrummed through her arms and right to her fingertips as she sat down. She plucked one of the shiny white keys and squealed. What to play? She knew so many songs that picking one was hard. So, she improvised. Shinko hummed quietly, letitng her fingers find a melody that pleased her.
When she sang, a few crew members stopped to watch her before continuing their work, but she could feel multiple eyes on her. Shinko continued to play but soon the song reached an end. A few stage hands clapped and whistled for her, but her sights settled on a tall monster who stood above the small crowed that gathered. He smiled wide enough to show the glimmering gold tooth among his other pointed teeth. Shinko couldn't breathe as he slipped through the others to approach her. "Damn, you got some sweet pipes, toots," he leaned on the piano. "You performin tonight?"
"I'm covering for the usual pianist," she shrugged a little.
"Hey, that still counts if ya ask me," the spider held out one of his hands. "I'm Angel."
"Shinko. Nice to meet you. I'm assuming you're the guest performer?"
"Yep! Doin a favor for Whiskers since he's desperate to get some real talent in here to draw folks in. But it looks like he ain't even need ta ask me with you here."
"Pfft you must be close if you can call him that. But, naw, I'm just a waitress," Shinko laughed softly as she plucked a few more keys. "I'm honored to play for you."
"That ain't sound like just a waitress; you could put asses in these seats like that with those skills," Angel snapped his fingers.
"I'm just here to make ends meet while I'm in school."
"Ohh, lemme guess: you're a computer science major?" Angel stuck his tongue out playfully.
"Is it that obvious?" She laughed with him. "I'm in my second year of getting my BFA so I can go into composing." Shinko tossed her hair over her shoulders. Angel leaned in a little closer.
"Angel, we need you backstage!" One of the tech girls called out to him.
"Well, that's my cue to get ready," Angel stepped back a bit and nodded. "I'll see ya in a lil bit. Don't get too star struck, alright?"
"O-okay," she whispered with uncertainty.
Angel didn't claim to have a type. In his line of work, having a type was irrelevant but a welcomed surprise. There was a difference between having a type and being attracted to someone, at least in his mind. There was once a time when he and Valentino were attracted to each other. Husk played hard to get but the feelings were certainly there. This girl…something clicked in Angel. Something he didn't realize was possible. It didn't matter if she was attracted to him because he was enamored.
This girl captivated Angel. Even as he sat there getting his makeup done, he could still hear her voice. She sounded…ethereal, like a siren that dared to beckon another siren to her. Her fingers were so graceful and they moved delicately across the keys with innate precision. And…well, she had a rack bigger than his. That was a bonus.
"What do I know about her? Well, she's been working here for about a year now. And she's clearly committed to the goth lifestyle. Hm…the Boss seems to be sweet on her, but it's giving father figure if you ask me." The stylist hummed thoughtfully as she carefully applied his eyeshadow. "I've caught her singing and now you have too!"
Another stylist carefully sprayed his wig. "Yeah! She's super talented so it's only a matter of time before she's scouted right from under the boss' nose and whisked away to be a sensation."
The thought made his stomach turn with repulsion. "Nah…she shouldn't have ta deal with the likes of that," Angel said softly. "Showbiz ain't for everyone." Once the last hair pin was in place, he fixed his dress before standing up. Angel sauntered out of his dressing room and to the backstage.
"And now, welcome to the stage, the one and only Angel Dust!" Of course the audience loved him, already cheering and whistling with excitement as he coquettishly stuck his leg out from behind the curtain. Even more cheers and he gave the crowd what they were aching for. His eyes didn't leave Shinko's face though. She was improvising some riffs but she missed a key once she got a good look at him. Angel winked playfully at her.
"Thank you for comin out tonight!" He blew kisses while reaching for the mic. "I wanna thank Husky for letting me come out here and sing for y'all. Bein on stage brings a lotta…" Angel spared a glance at Shinko. "Exhileratin feelings that I didn't know existed. I'm hopin that feelin reaches you." Angel hummed a few bars for her and touched her shoulder. Backup? He mouthed. She nodded and smiled warmly at him as she followed his lead.
The only love my heart approaches
Your tender eyes fill mine with roses
I drink your wine
And never will my heart dry inside
They were in perfect harmony. Her voice fit so neatly with his that it left him breathless. Angel had to remember this was a performance and regretfully stepped off the stage. He made sure to saunter around the tables, play coy. Even as he rounded to Husk's favorite seat, he playfully flicked his ear, earning a soft grumble and blush from the fussy cat. When he made his way back to the stage, Angel sat on the piano. He tossed his hair back to look at Shinko. She had those glittery amethyst eyes and perfectly painted lips. Like a little baby doll, a songbird. Angel reached out, caressing her cheek. Even with his gloves on, she felt so delicate.
I heed echos of your laughter in the corners of my mind
While I memorize each detail of your intricate design
In your hair there is a symphony
Your lips, a string quartet
His thumb barely brushed against her lips before the wolf whistles broke the moment between them. Angel pulled away, but his body was still tingling with delight. When the song ended, Angel slipped off the piano to take a bow. The audience went wild, cheering and whistling as he blew kisses to them all. Then, Angel reached out to Shinko with a big grin. She froze for just a moment before Angel was holding her hand and pulling her gently out of her seat. He dared to wrap his arms around her shoulder and waist as the applause grew louder. "Thank you, thank you!"
He led her offstage so he could fully hug her. Shinko returned the hug, giggling all the while. "Oooh, c'mere, Birdie! You did so well!" Angel squeezed her gently, letting a pair of his hands rest on the small of her back. When he buried his face into the crook of her neck, he could smell just how sweet she was. He could smell fresh roses, aged books, and the slightest hint of burned wax.
"Are you done yet?" Husk asked as his eyes narrowed at Angel. Shinko gasped and quickly pulled away first.
"B-Boss! I'm sorry, I didn't expect to…do all of that."
"Just go back out there and finish up," he said, gesturing slightly to the stage. She sighed with relief and scurried off to keep playing. "And you," he growled. "What the hell was that?!"
"Aww, Whiskers, I thought ya liked when I worked the crowd and you," Angel teased playfully. "I've never had complaints before."
"Not that, asshole! What the hell are you playin at with her?" He stepped up to Angel despite the height difference. "Last I checked, you ain’t like little girls."
"I like who I like and Shinko is all woman. Is that a bad thing? I ain't meet anyone like her so imma see what she's about."
"You just met her! Have you lost your goddamned mind?! On top of that, you've got no business bein with someone like her. She's just a kid compared to us!"
"You talk like you're possessive, Whiskers. What, didja claim her already or somethin?" Angel smiled with satisfaction as he sauntered over to his dressing room. Unfortunately, Husk wasn't giving up that easily.
"I ain't claim her, ya creep, I'm friends with her mama. She told me to look after her while she's working here. That includes keeping her away from men, especially monsters."
"Aww, look at you tryina play daddy. I aint take you for the father type, but I'm guessin her mama has you wrapped around her finger, huh?" Angel touched up his makeup as he stole glances at Husk through the mirror.
"Stay. Away," he forced out through gritted teeth. "She don't need someone messing up her life when she ain't done nothing wrong."
"Ya know you can't control her, right? If it ain't me, it's someone else."
"That's why I'm telling you to be the adult here," Husk hissed. "For as long as I known ya, whatever you think you have for her ain't real. Angel, please…find someone else.:
Angel's eyes darkened. "Sorry, Husk. I already made up my mind. Nothing's gonna come between me and that girl. Not even you," his words clipped short as he brushed past his old friend.