(Arthur POV)
I blink hard, wondering if I'm hallucinating. But no, he's still there. Gaunt, wide-eyed, with that unmistakable hunched posture. It's like Andy Serkis stepped out of my memories and into this world.
I lean forward, suddenly very interested. "What's your name?" I ask, trying not to sound too eager.
The creature – demon? goblin? I'm not even sure – blinks those massive eyes at me.
"I'm Imkrag, your royal highness," he says, his massive eyes fixed on me as he bows so low I half expect him to topple over.
I can't help but study him. He's not quite as thin as Gollum, and that afro is definitely a new look, but I can see the potential. With the right diet and some potions, he could definitely pull off the appearance. The hair we can work with.
"Are you a demon?" I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"Well..." Imkrag hesitates, and I know that look. He looked like he had an identity crisis. It's like a person who's deciding if he's Asian or American.
"Well?" I prompt, trying to keep my tone gentle.
Imkrag glances around nervously before leaning in. "I can be a demon, your highness... But also..." He lowers his voice, "I'm an imp demon... And also a dwarf, your royal highness."
"Imp demon and a dwarf?" I mutter, intrigued. Now that's a combination you don't see every day.
Before I can respond, I catch snippets of not-so-whispered comments from the other actors.
"Hehe, no wonder he looked like that. He looks so ugly."
"An imp and dwarf like him thinks he can get a role with his appearance? Heh."
I feel a flash of anger, but I force myself to ignore them. However, I can see Imkrag's affected by the comments. Time for a distraction.
"Is it natural for an imp and dwarf like you to have a hunched posture like that?" I ask, gesturing to his Gollum-like stance.
Imkrag straightens up, looking embarrassed. "No, your highness. I've just did that posture because I'm imitating Gollum from the script."
I nod, a smile playing on my lips. This guy's certainly done his homework.
Klein leans in, his voice barely above a whisper. "Boss, he's too... well, ugly for the role. We demons might not care, but the other races? They'll hate it."
Mercy nods, chiming in, "Yeah, we're after the right look for Gollum, right? This guy doesn't cut it."
I have to bite back a laugh. If only they knew. They're so hung up on appearances because I didn't spell out Gollum's full description in the script. Just his body language and height. Same for the other characters. Sometimes, less is more.
I level a steady gaze at them. "You don't get to decide who I choose."
Their mouths snap shut so fast I swear I hear teeth click.
Imkrag's shoulders slump, his big eyes downcast. "Um... Your royal highness... I guess I won't be getting the role..." His voice is heavy with disappointment as he turns to leave.
"Wait." My voice is quiet, but it freezes him in his tracks.
He turns back, fear flickering across his face. Poor guy probably thinks I'm going to humiliate him like the rest. But what comes next shocks everyone, Imkrag included.
"You will get the role of Gollum. Still want to leave?"
Imkrag's eyes go wider than I thought possible. "Is... Is this a joke, your highness?"
I can't help but smile at his disbelief. "Not a joke. You'll definitely be in the project."
The room erupts into shocked murmurs. Klein and Mercy look like they've been slapped with a wet fish. But Imkrag? The hope dawning on his face makes it all worth it.
Sometimes, you've got to trust your gut in this business. And right now? My gut's telling me we've found our Gollum.
***
(Imkrag POV)
I can't believe my ears. Did I just get chosen for the role?
"Will you be part of my project?" His Royal Highness Arthur asks, his piercing gaze fixed on me. The infamous youngest prince of the Morningstar family, known for his unconventional ways, is actually offering me a chance?
As a failed actor and contortionist, I should be jumping at this opportunity. But a part of me fears it's just another cruel joke. Still, I can't let this slip away.
"I want to be part of your project, Your Highness!" I blurt out, my voice a mix of excitement and trepidation.
"That's very good," Arthur says, a smile playing on his lips. He stands up and, in one fluid motion, leaps down from the raised platform, landing right in front of me.
I flinch instinctively as he reaches out, memories of past humiliations flashing through my mind. How many times have I been tossed around like a ragdoll by other demons? I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for impact.
But it never comes.
I crack open an eye to find Arthur smiling at me, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. "I've got high hopes for you, Imkrag," he says, his voice warm. "Come to Hellfire Studios tomorrow morning. We'll discuss your role preparation."
The kindness in his words is too much. I feel my eyes well up as I drop to my knees. "Thank you very much, Your Highness!"
To my surprise, Arthur crouches down to my level. "Alright, no need for a scene," he says, his tone gentle but firm. "You're a demon and a dwarf. You need to be confident and brave. Don't let anyone look down on you."
I look up at him, my heart swelling with gratitude and newfound determination.
"Don't forget who you are," he continues. "Be proud of your demon heritage, but also draw strength from your dwarf side. Both make you unique."
I nod, wiping away my tears. "I'll take those words to heart, Your Highness."
Arthur stands, gesturing towards the exit. "Go on now. We've got more auditions to get through, and we don't want to hold things up."
"Right away, Your Highness," I say, scrambling to my feet. I bow once more before hurrying out of the warehouse.
I can feel the envious glares of the other actors burning into my back, but for once, I don't care.
Who would've thought? I showed up at that audition running on fumes and desperation. Hell, I was half-expecting the infamous prince to use me as his personal punching bag for laughs. Wouldn't be the first time I've been the butt of some high-born's joke.
These past few weeks, my stomach's been more empty than full. The circus where I work – or worked, I guess – was about to kick me to the curb. Some hotshot imp came along, bending himself into pretzels that make my contortions look like a rusty gate hinge.
And my acting career? Let's just say it's been on life support since day one. No agency would touch me with a ten-foot pole. The few roles I managed to snag were blink-and-you'll-miss-it extras. Half the time, I'd drag my family to see my big screen debut, only to find my scenes cut or my face hidden behind the lead actor's elbow.
I was circling the drain, no two ways about it. So when His Royal Highness dangled that olive branch in front of me, you bet I snatched it up, thorns and all. Infamous prince or not, beggars can't be choosers, right?
Now, I can barely contain myself thinking about tomorrow. It's like someone lit a fire under me, and for once, it's not because I'm being chased out of town.
As I make my way back to the outer city of Ferland, to the place I hesitate to call home, I can't wipe the grin off my face. Our house is more patchwork than building at this point, held together by hope and stubborn determination. But when I burst through the door, shouting about landing a big role, you'd think I'd just announced we'd won the royal lottery.
My family's faces light up, and for a moment, our cramped, leaky home feels like a palace. Ma's eyes well up, Pa claps me on the back so hard I nearly topple over, and my little sister starts dancing around the room, singing about how her brother's going to be a star.
For the first time in what feels like forever, there's laughter in our house. Real, genuine laughter. Not the bitter chuckles we usually share over our misfortunes.