Beneath the clear blue waters of the Celestial Sea lies a great city known as The Reef. A metropolis without compare, The Reef is home to dozens of species, each one as colorful as the city's namesake. Together, the citizens of this underwater utopia create some of the greatest artistic accomplishments the world has ever seen, from incredible gravity-defying architecture to breathtaking stage performances. Seaponies, hippocampi, kelpies, and more live in harmony in The Reef, just like they have for centuries.
Toccata works the spotlight at The Reef's most famous musical theatre, Conch Hall. Ever since she moved to the city, she has dreamed of performing on stage, singing hit musical numbers before hundreds of sea creatures gathered in the auditorium. Music is her passion, her greatest pleasure, and her voice could put even the guild's top vocalist to shame.
Her only problem? Toccata is a siren, and The Reef has not allowed sirens to sing in public for centuries.
Edited by SolidFire
I'll have to read this when I get back from my birthday dinner.
:edit:
Screw waiting. Read it, loved it... want more. Anything else in the works?
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Awesome! I loved it! It was like reading the script to a Disney classic or watching one of those old animation movies! Amazing! I was hooked, pun shamelessly intended! It was beautiful, will there be any more of this? A sequel perhaps?
I don't think I can find anything to criticize, it's perfect.
Oooh, I like the reference in the chapter title! Jumping in!
This was a lovely story, and the ending... it just... gah. Strikes home with a lot of realities we see today, but I still can't help but feel glad for Toccata. Well done!
Awesome stuff here! There’s quite a few good other entries I’ve had the pleasure to read today. This was one of them. The names were a fun touch and the pacing and dialogue were strong points.
I was legitimately surprised that there was no species tag on this one.
And then race riots broke out, the city descended into chaos, sirens were killed and/or banished, Toccata was either villified or martyred depending on who you ask...
Sorry, this was lovely, but I can't help worrying about negative repercussions.
This story is amazing! And I love the world building. I think it's unfair that sirens can't sing. I would love to read more in the near future!
10115854
Happy late Birthday!
I appreciate how you anticipated the question raised by the first half of that sentence and answered it in the second.
I love xenocultural curses. They say so much about their society.
... Wait, the lead singer didn't have an understudy? Like, at all? Seriously?
And given that, pro-siren sentiment will swell on a wave of angry opera patrons who didn't get their money's worth. The show couldn't go on. Opening night ended prematurely because of some archaic law that doesn't belong in this modern metropolis. This assuredly will not stand for long.
The complete lack of contingencies in case of diva failure feels a bit ridiculous, but all told, a fine aquatic retelling of a classic trope. Thank you for it, and best of luck in the judging.
This was really fun and interesting. A lot of good world building and such in just a short amount of time and it still tells a great story without any problems. I would love to see more of this Reef Siren things going on.
10/10
~Reggie
This was so awesome! You’re a wonderful and skilled writer. I adored the main 3, especially Peri. He’s just so spunky and loyal!
Be
gaymusical, do crimes.GOD DAMN IT I NEED A SEQUAL I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPEND TO HER WHAT HER PARENTS THINK IF THE LAW WAS UPTURNED EVERYTHING PLEASE
Fascinating take on undersea culture. Best of luck!
Also, big props to Toccata for de-escalating the situation at the end.
An awesome story, and I would love to see more of this lovely siren and her zany crew! I hope you have more in the works for Toccata!!
Oh man, loved this story. Wish there was more but I know that it can be hard to follow up something this impactful.
For some reason that last line strikes me as somewhat ominous.