The moment that I made my way into the city I felt the dull thrum of my [Instinct] go off in sporadic bursts, pointing in just about every direction. It was lower than all the previous times I felt it in a way that I could only infer that there was no actual danger around me as I rode my bike through the city streets, but from [Mind's Eye] I could tell there were more than a few eyes watching me with less than ideal intent.
'Hey TARI?' I mentally called out.
Yes Kane?
'Can you set a waypoint on my map for the festival?' I don't know if waypoints were an actual thing, I could do but it never hurt to ask.
Of course, Kane.
Setting waypoint.
I blink as my vision shifts slightly and a line of golden arrows appears on the ground before turning off down another street. My [Instinct] kicks in once more and I fell myself being nudged in a certain direction slightly off to my right. It reminds me of something I remember watching, about how animals have homing instincts and the like to tell them where they need to. It wasn't compelling but more like 'hey its this way' kinda feeling.
Remember waypoints can only be used within an area that you have mapped.
You can't lead yourself to places that you don't know.
Not unless you have specific directions at least.
Giving a mental thanks I turn down a street and follow the yellow arrows set before me. I know that this probably isn't the fastest route, I would have to cut directly through the buildings for that, but it is pretty enjoyable.
Everywhere around me I can see the festival decorations strung about as pink trees, that I guess are Remnant's version of Sakura tree's, bloom brilliantly around me. People are wandering around me talking or eating at random food stalls. Children hold little balls that look like lanterns and paper streamers attached to sticks.
I can't really remember what the festivals in my past life were like other than the vague impression that they were loud and fun, but seeing this when I'm not even at the festival grounds actually makes me a bit excited.
After a while and two level ups to my riding skill I entered a street where I could see an area bustling with people. The tents and high poles covered in decorations as well as the loss of the golden arrows told me that I was where I needed to be.
Looking around I saw that no one was watching and stashed my bike in a golden portal so that I could walk.
I maneuver through the crowd with relative ease due to my smaller size, weaving in between people and making sure that I don't hit anyone with my backpack and guitar. The entire place was as lively as I had expected for a festival with numerous stalls lining the sides and people chatting loudly while they wandered around. I think I see a few attractions like a rock wall and a roller coaster off in the distance though I could be wrong since there are a lot of Sakura trees around here blocking my view.
"Alright where is the sign up station?" I talk aloud as I look around. I'm supposed to meet the person recommended by JD, Wynonna…something or other, and get signed up. The only problem is that I don't know how this place is laid out.
"Whoever organized this sucks." I griped. "They could at least hand out paper maps or put up a stand with a map of the festival or something." Is it really to much to ask? Just a large map with a 'you are here' stamped on it?
~grumble~
Ah, right. I still haven't eaten all day. Now motivated for a different reason I stop and move off to the side to make a decision, it's only common courtesy not to stop in the middle of foot traffic. Now what looks good around me?
"Too greasy…not filling…WAY too expensive…that's a definite nope." I list off as I look at the various stalls around me. While a lot of them do look good they don't look like the kinds of places that would make for a good lunch. Despite what my inner child says, ice cream and funnel cake don't make a good lunch option.
"Maybe I should look somewhe—" "Hi there!"
"GYAH!" I practically jump as a loud and cheerful voice speaks right next to my ear! How did they get so close?! [Instinct] usually warns me when things are approaching me from behind! "Holy fuck you scared me!" I take a deep breath to calm my now racing heart.
Turning to look at the person responsible I'm not surprised to see that it's a girl that looks to be around my age. Her bright orange hair and large excited smile give a clear picture that this girl is the kind of person that would probably make you exhausted from sheer presence alone. In her hands is a rather large sign with a picture of a noodle bowl. It's probably as big as her.
"Sorry about that." She apologizes with a giggle. "You were just standing there looking off into the great beyond and I was all like 'he's probably looking for something' and I do know somethings so maybe I can help you find that something!"
…This girl really can talk.
"Yeah, uh, I was looking for something to eat…and some directions."
"I know directions. My favorite is north east." She nods in satisfaction.
"Ok, how about directions to the stage for the music competition?" I prefer West.
The girl gasps and all I do is blink before she's right up in my face. "Are you a performer! Is that why you have a guitar on your back? I mean why else would you have a guitar except I've seen some older people use it to impress people but you don't look like the kind to—"
She talks really fast and I don't think I've seen her take a breath yet. Seriously what kind of lung capacity does she have. "As interesting as this conversation is can you tell me where the stage is?" I cut her off. Ah there's the breath.
"Oh, its further down that way and you take two lefts. You can't miss it." She points down the way. She then brings the sign she's carrying and pushes it into my face. "And if you go that way you can eat at Oldman's noodles! The original large noodle bowl!"
"Thanks." I push the sign out of my face and step around her. "I'll think about it."
"Have a noodlerific day!" I hear her shout as I walk off, giving her a wave as I leave.
…I feel like I've seen her before.
-0-
The stage is crowded when I arrive with people wandering around in a giant crowd listening to the music played on stage. It's not the best performance in my opinion but it seems like something that would be good background music.
Though the fact that the bands are already playing makes me nervous that I'm too late.
Maybe I shouldn't have stopped for that teriyaki stand even if it was delicious.
"Excuse me," I grab the attention of one of the festival organizers. "Do you know where I can find Wynonna Marin? I was supposed to meet her?"
The guy looks up from his clipboard and then looks at me for a few moments before throwing a thumb over his shoulder. "She's over there in the back."
"Thanks." I walk past the cheap metal fence and into the area behind the stage. Thank goodness for lazy hiring.
It was far more cramped than I had thought with multiple people walking back and forth. Some were obviously band members with their flashy outfits and instruments while others were carrying cords and electrical equipment.
Made me feel a little self-conscious in my dark pants, short sleeved plaid overshirt, and the t-shirt for JD's bar.
I said I'd wear it and I keep my promises as best I can.
Eventually I got pointed in the right direction and I managed to find her standing next to a few boxes at the end of a narrow and very busy hallway looking at some paperwork while people swerved around her. JD gave me a description of her earlier when I texted him so I was sure that this was her.
Even from behind she cut a pretty attractive figure. She was of average height with a dark dusty complexion with short and wild rusty red hair. Light blue jeans hugged her shapely legs while she wore some kind of sleeveless vest that cut off at the midriff over a dress shirt and tie. It really made her moderate chest look good.
I walked over, going around two people who were carrying a box of wires each, and tapped her shoulder as I got behind her. "Wynonna Marin?"
She didn't even turn around and just waved me off with her hand. I tapped her shoulder again, this time more insistent.
"Get back to me later." She blandly tried once again to wave me off. "I'm busy."
She wasn't. I might be shorter than her but I could still see over her shoulder if I stood on my toes and she was just scrolling through social media.
"Ms. Marin?" I spoke more loudly. "I was told to talk to you."
She sighs loudly and her shoulders slump, giving an aura of 'done with this shit'. "If you're having trouble with your set up than talk to the head stage hand, that's what he's paid for. If you're asking if we'll let you use fireworks than that's a hard…no?" She trails off as she turns around, probably expecting to find a man, only to sweep over my head and then find me. "Shit did security let a kid sneak back here? Never mind. SECURTIY! We gotta—"
"Woah hold up!" I put a stop to that right there. I didn't want to get thrown of the festival when I just got here! I quickly took off my bag and reached in and pulled out the recommendation letter. "I was let in. JD said that you would be expecting me and could help me get a place onstage."
She eyed me before taking the letter and opening it. Her slender finger crawled across the page as she read the sentences before leaning back into the large boxes behind her with an audible groan, her arm draped over her eyes. "Fan-FUCK-tastic. This is just what I need right now."
"Are you okay Ms. Marin?" I ask.
She lifts up enough of her arm that I can see a single of her light brown eyes glare at me like I was the bane of her existence for a few seconds. "No! I'm not okay." She grumbles as she lifts herself back up. "The head of the committee has been hounding our asses about this contest, wanting to make it bigger than last year but with the same budget! And I have dumbass musicians coming up to me with last minute set changes when they should be going to the head stage hands and now, I have an apparent last minute addition to our line up!" She rants loudly making a few people nearby scatter like roaches. I'm pretty sure that one of them was a musician that was probably coming to her for one of those reasons. Looking closely I can see the signs of exhaustion on her and my last minute request is probably not helping.
"…You sound like you need a hug and some ice cream."
"What I need is for my day to be over, a bottle of liquor, and…ice cream actually sounds good. Maybe if I blend it together into a milkshake."
I ignore that last part because, well I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to feel about alcoholic milkshakes other than what kind of weird combinations there are.
Whisky and rocky road? Maybe bourbon and mint? Wait, I'm getting distracted.
"So are you going to help me with signing up or…" I let the sentence hang and she sighs, clearly not wanting to help but willing to anyways.
"Fuck it lets go." She says in a resigned tone as she walks off and motions for me to follow. "From what the old man described I was expecting someone older. What are you…ten?"
I felt my eye twitch at the guess. I know that its only three years apart but there's a difference between a ten year old and a thirteen year old. It irks me that I'm being compare to a child when I'm not!
…Am I gonna have to go through this all over again? The whole I'm thirteen so that means I'm an adult phase? I know I don't remember my past life but these thoughts are seriously drawing up feelings of déjà vu.
"I'm thirteen." I put a little stress on the number.
"You sure?" Apparently not enough stress on the number.
"Yes Ms. Marin." I insist.
Her lips curl into distaste. "Don't call me Miss. I ain't old enough to be one. Just call me Wynn." She says as she stops. People part around her and she turns to a small grouping of tables that was being used by a lot of people. "Stay right here while I grab the paperwork, and no you can't come with me, not unless I say so. The organizers around here are busy and I can't have you getting in anyone's way."
Wynn walks off to the center table and begins talking to some lanky looking guy who was giving people orders. Their conversation is too far for me to hear but it quickly becomes more animated by the minute. The guy she is talking to tries to wave her off but Wynn is not having it and places a hand over the papers that he is working in. He seems insistent and takes the pages from under her hand and hand them off to someone else but Wynn keeps him from getting out of his seat as the runner takes the pages and leaves. She then points at me while shoving the letter JD gave me in his face which he then is forced to read.
That seemed to be the end of it as she waves for me to come on over. I hesitate for a moment, looking both ways in case someone was coming before walking over while minding my space so I didn't hit anyone with my guitar and backpack.
"So, this is him?" The lanky guy asks, and now that I'm closer I can see how tired he looks, even more than Wynn. His light blue hair is greying at the temples and his glasses hung off his roman nose. "That old bear expects me to make room in the line up for a kid?" I couldn't really tell who he was talking to as he eyed me intently. It could have been to himself, me, or to Wynn.
"Hey, JD sent a letter and everything." Wynn taps the letter on the table. "You know that he doesn't reach out this much for just anyone."
Really? I mean I know that this is pretty big but JD always said that he liked to help up and coming musicians but did he really go beyond for me? Guess I'm gonna have to give my 125% for this.
"I know," Lanky guy rubs the bridge of his nose, pushing his glasses up. "And I was there for the call but hearing it and seeing that he's recommending a LITERAL child for the closing act makes me call it into question."
"You think I'm not wondering the same thing!" Wynn exclaims as she turns and leans on the table.
"Maybe there's an easy way to solve this." Lanky grumbles before turning to me. "You know how to play right?"
"Uh, yes sir." I straighten a little when he addresses me. "JD taught me and helped me record my music."
An eyebrow raises for both of them. "You have recordings of you?" I nod. "Do you have it on you?" Once again, I nod and getting the hint, I take off my bag once more and use it as a cover to fish out my headphones from my inventory followed by my scroll from my pocket. I turn them both on and go to my personal recordings and hand it off.
The ear pieces on my headphones are able to turn so it allowed them both to hear as Lanky guy held one of them to his ear while Wynn held the other to hers as she leaned down.
I just stand there awkwardly looking around as their heads bob slightly to whatever track they chose to listen to. That one roadie nearly tripped on those wire on the ground, they need one of those long plastic arches to put over it. Also, this is like the third time that someone has bumped into my back and nearly pushed me forward. Seriously its not that hard to move a little to the side, especially since any more forward for myself and I'd have to climb on to the table.
I think I saw a Takoyaki sand earlier. I should go back and get some later. I wonder if they have sushi in Remnant? Oh, what about Pho? You can never go—.
"I think I've heard enough." Lanky hands me back my headphones. "Have you already decided on what you want to play?"
Did I decide—. "Does this mean you'll let me perform!?" I smile widely at him. This means that I had the spot!
"Not necessarily." Lanky quickly cuts through my good cheer. "I need to know that you can actually perform with quality. I can't have a half backed performance for closing my venue, I'm already putting a lot of faith in you just considering this."
"Oh, of course." It makes sense. I wouldn't want to put some random kid in last minute in front of the whole world, especially for the ending…unless it was a Make-a-Wish thing. Those always get positive press. "I was thinking of playing song number four." Lanky and Wynn nodded together. They had probably skipped through parts of each song to hear them all as fast as possible. Song number four of the ones JD and I recorded was 'The Pretender' by Foo Fighters. I was sorely tempted to play Smash Mouth for shits and giggles but talked myself out of it. I sure as hell wasn't choosing an anime song, the don't translate well into English most of the time in my opinion, and a sappy slow song was never even considered. It's a festival, I'm not trying to make every one depressed and sentimental!
"Decent enough choice." Lanky nodded. "I don't think I have any more reservations about this." He reached over and shuffled through a stack of papers and put them in front of me. "A basic form for you to sign so the media can broadcast your likeness and the like. At the end, hm?" He was interrupted during his explanation by one of the helpers coming up and whispering into his ear before turning back to me. "Something has happened so I'm going to have to ask you to be quick. This is where you sign. Below it is where you write what you want to be called. Plenty of performers go by stage names." He said a little quickly.
I scanned the form and it was pretty straight forward, though there was a few pieces of information like addresses and such that I couldn't fill out but Lanky quickly said it was optional.
"Name Kane Brandt. Stage name…I don't really need one—HEY!" I was writing my normal name in the bottom for what ever name I wanted announced only for someone to run directly into my backpack, nearly sending me too the ground while messing up my signature at the bottom. "Watch it asshole!" I shouted at the fleeing back of the dick, a musician from his clothes, that nearly knocked me over.
"You're done? Good." Lanky grabbed the paper off the table when I wasn't looking and looked it over before giving it a nod. "I'll get this submitted and you'll be good to go. Wynonna, I trust you can help him?"
"Sure, thing Mr. Teel." Wynonna nodded and the now named Mr. Teel walked off.
"Hey! I wasn't done with that!" I tried to call out but it fell on deaf ears as he walked away.
Wynn just put her hand on my shoulder. "Relax kid." She said as she steered me away from the crowded work stations. "You filled out your personal information, right?" I nodded. "Then your fine."
"I guess." I huffed as I followed her back through the crowd of people all the while I looked at the box that just sprouted up.
Quest Alert!
[The Voice!]
Objective: Win the contest tied to the Music Festival
Bonus Objective: ?
Bonus Objective: ?
Reward: Variable Lien, Variable Credits, 10,000 EXP, 1 gatcha token, ?
There was a contest? The festical is a contest?! Why am I only learning of this now!? Dammit JD!
Before I could run through my memories on whether JD ever mentioned the contest Wynn spoke up. "Alright, since you're a last minute addition we are going to have to talk to the stage hands and the backup musicians considering your song requires more than just you."
"Back up musicians?" I ask. I mean I know JD said something about them but he didn't go into too much detail.
"It's not too often but sometimes we get solo acts like yourself that try and advertise themselves by writing for an entire group. Doesn't always work but the recording companies eat it up and they either get signed on solo or get shoved into a group with other solo acts. It's what happened to that band Five Directions." She explained. "Anyways we used to have a few bands and musicians that the festival would hire to fill in space for the previous reason or because a member couldn't show up for some reason. Speak of the Gheist."
She looked over at a group of four people all sitting around with their instruments. They weren't wearing anything special like the bands that I saw walking around like they were trying to start their own fashion trend, instead these guys were wearing stuff similar to me. Jeans and non-descript shirts of various makes and colors. It was like they were trying to make themselves look as casual and as much of a background character as possible.
"Boys." Wynn cleared her throat, grabbing all of their attention.
"Yo! If it ain't our rockin angel!" The one sitting at a key board, a rather tall and athletic brunette with a notch in one eyebrow smiled at Wynn. "Come to bless us low lives with your presence? I know I appreciate it." The others seemed amused at the comments, with some giggling.
Wynn just rolled her eyes. "As pleased as I am to hear that," Her voice was flat as she responded. "I've told you before I don't date musicians." Despite the rejection the guy didn't look the least bit dejected. "Besides, I'm here on official business anyways. We got a last minute addition to the lineup and you all will be playing with him. He's a rocker who writes his own stuff."
"Cool. Where is he?" The long, green haired woman with the bass asks. Wynn stepped as side and pushed me forward. No one really said anything for a moment before the green woman spoke again. "No seriously, where is he?"
"I'm the one that's going to playing with you." I insisted. I was really getting tired of the whole 'he's a child' shtick. "My name is Kane. Kane Brandt. It's a pleasure to meet you all."
"You're kidding right?" The average looking blonde with the guitar asked Wynn. "Shouldn't he be in the main tent waiting for his parents? There's no way he's a musician, much less one of rock. I mean shit, he sounds like he should be leading old ladies to their seats on Easter Sunday."
"It's called having manners jackoff." A similar looking female blonde that was twirling a set of sticks on each hand scoffed. "It's also why you can't get a second date with anyone."
"You can't prove that!" The guitarist snapped back. "I'm just waiting for her to return my texts!"
"For three weeks?"
"I'm giving her space!"
"Oh, my Oum both of you shut up!" The green haired woman snapped at the two of them in what was probably a reoccurring dynamic. A trope I was proven correct about when they both looked away from each other at the same time with matching 'tsks!' to complete the trope.
What a silly world I live in.
"Sorry about that." The greenette apologized. "They're always like this. It grows on you if you give them time."
"How long did it take you to convince yourself of that?"
She gave an awkward chuckle at my half joking/half serious question followed by a muttered 'too long'.
"So anyways," The brunette spoke up. "I'm Dusty," He pointed to himself. "that's Ever," He pointed to the greenette. "and those two fraternal twins are Hopea," He pointed to the girl. "and her brother Kulta."
"Why am I last?"
"Because ladies first idiot."
Wynn patted my shoulder. "They're willing to play with you, that's good, and now that you are all met up you can start planning what you want. Positioning, roles and all that. Since your late Kane you will be using the standard setup so other than picking the instruments don't expect too much freedom on choosing where yo—"
"Teel! Marin! Where are you!" A loud voice shouted cutting Wynn off. The voice sounded demanding and a touch feminine. The way Wynn winced at the voice told me that she at least recognized who it was and it was not in a friendly capacity. The rusty haired woman seemed to stiffen and a rather stiff looking smile spread across her face making everyone rather uncomfortable with how forced it look, though the band members seemed more familiar with it. I could only wonder who it was that would cause this kind of reaction in a person.
I wasn't held in suspense for long as possible the most garishly dressed man seemed to push through the crowd of stage hands, forcing them to walk around him like a shark in a school of fish. He was dressed in a such mismatching clothing that it looked like he ran through a scissor factory and tried to repair the apparel with random textiles that he found. He wore mismatched high heeled boots that were partially undone on one of them and a girdle for males under a vest that cut off at the midriff. That doesn't even account for the numerous flowers, bits and bobbles he had strapped to him.
This person probably never even heard the word moderation.
"Yes Mister Plume?" Wynn said with all the cheer of a retail clerk at the end of a shift but forced to stay because a customer specifically wants their help.
The now named Plume huffed and held out a stack of papers. "I was just handed a new lineup for the festival. I believe that there were explicitly to be no changes in my itinerary!" He said in distaste. "This completely throws my vision out of order!"
"I know sir and I'm sorry," Wynn almost sounded genuine but I could still hear that artificial pep, though the frilly dude seemed not to notice. "But an exception was made as the entry has a backing from a substantial benefactor."
She wasn't giving any details away as she spoke. I could tell she was leaving it plenty open to interpretation for this guy but I don't know why.
The frilly man clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction. "Another family dares to interfere with my show?" Family? "Whatever, what's done is done. However, this will not happen again. I won't except anymore deviations lest my family be brought into the matter." Wynn stiffened even more along with the musicians." We've run this festival for years and won't allow anyone to usurp our expertise on the matter."
"Yes sir." Wynn complied.
The jester reject nodded in satisfaction before his eyes fell on me and judging by his facial expression it had to be the first time noticing me. He made a variety of not so nice expressions before deciding to settle on one that looked like confusion mixed with distaste. "Marin? What is that filthy thing doing back stage?" He waved the papers in his hand in my direction like he was trying to shoo away something. "Has security been allowing animals past the fences?"
5%
Is he calling me what I think he was calling me?
"No, Mr. Plume." Wynn insisted as she…stood in front of me? Seriously what is going on? "He's one of the contestants."
Plume looked me over before seemingly dismissing me with his eyes, like I was found lack! Seriously fuck this guy! "What is this…child going to do? Sing nursery rhymes? Prance around on stage."
10%
Is this fruity bitch trying to pick a fight!
"I've got my own songs to play!" I snapped. "And if you have something to say, say it to my face asshole!" I tried to step forward so that I could tell him more as well as my opinion on his outfit if he pissed me off more but was held back by Wynn's hand on my shoulder. I looked up at her and stopped when I saw the message to stop in her eyes.
"Ugh, no manners at all." Fruity Bitch, because that's his name now, scoffed but I could see the indignation in his eyes at the insult. "There's no way I can let such ugliness onto my stage."
I was seriously tempted to say 'it didn't stop your mother from letting me into her bed last night' but refrained when the grip on my shoulder tightened, so I settled on glaring. It was really tempting though.
"I'm sorry Mr. Plume but the paperwork has already been submitted. We can't deny our contestants the right to participate. If it gets out we aren't accommodating our performers it could cause problems." Wynn insisted and the two of them held their gazes but it was Fruity Bitch that looked away first. He cast a narrowed glance at me which I met with my own glare before he looked away.
"Fine. I need to introduce the next set." Fruity Bitch turned to walk away but not before throwing one last comment over his shoulder. "Make sure that urchin is at least presentable before he goes out on stage."
When he disappeared into the crowd of people everyone relaxed…and Wynn slapped me in the back of the head.
"What the shit made you decide to talk back to him!" She hissed at me. "Do you even know who that is."
"What does it matter who Fruity Bitch is?!" I glared back though I heard a snicker behind me.
"It matters is because he's the third son of the noble household that puts this festival on!"
"So, he's not even good enough to be second place?" That got another laugh from behind me which stopped when Wynn glared in their direction.
"That's not important." Wynn poked my in the chest. "What matters is that you don't go pissing off the nobles."
"But he was being a dick!" I insisted. The guy didn't look like he could throw a punch much less actually fight. "And I'm pretty sure he was racist."
"It doesn't matter. You don't step on the toes of the noble houses. Period. Teel and I are already stretching our necks out to get you this spot so anything you do comes back to us." She said, making my frustration die down to s simmer. If it was just me picking a fight than it didn't really matter all that much but I didn't want to drag unwilling people into the mix.
"Fine." I bit out. Wynn nodded in satisfaction and turned to the band members.
"You idiots are going to practice and look after him until your act is over. Got it." She ordered and they either nodded while Dusty saluted. Wynn, seemingly less tense and now satisfied walked back to whatever job she was probably supposed to be doing.
I turned and looked at the gathering of people around me. "So how are we supposed to do this?" I didn't understand how this was supposed to work. Did they really have the time to memorize new pieces of music and practice them? They had to be swapping in and out of numerous bands as back up, there was no way for them to adequately perform for each one without weeks of advanced practice. "I don't know if we have the time to learn a song together." JD only learned it so quickly because he had the sheet music in front of his face.
"That won't be a problem." Ever placated. "The twins will let us get up to speed."
The two of them nodded though it was Kulta that spoke first. "Before we became musicians my sister and I were training to be Hunters. It didn't pan out but you don't hear us complaining."
"We had our aura's unlocked and both know our semblances." Hopea explained further. "My semblance lets me learn skills from other people. If you know your song, I can temporarily learn how to play any instrument or role needed for it."
"And mines the opposite." Kulta jumped back into the conversation. "I can spread skills and synergy to other people. Just give us a few moments and we'll be a perfectly synchronized musical machine."
Those seemed like really convenient semblances. One was effectively a perfect substitute for any group of hunters in case a member was incapacitated while the other was a perfect group coordinator. I doubt any academies would throw out such versatile semblances so it makes me wonder why they left.
"So how does this work?" I ask instead.
"I need skin to skin contact," She holds out her hand. "It works better if you focus on the song you want for me to learn it. It's quicker that way."
I nodded and put my hand in hers and thought of the song I wanted to play. Every note and every lyric playing in my mind. She closed her eyes and the two of us just kinda stood there holding hands. It felt a little awkward to be honest.
"How long does this usually take?" I can't help but ask. Hopea's face was starting to scrunch up into a constipated look.
"It…should be done." He face looked a little flush. "But I'm not getting anything. I can reach out but it's like whenever I try to touch it, it slips through my grasp like fog."
That's weird. Why wouldn't it be—oh. OH! My copyright ability! Everything I own is protected against being stolen or copied! No exceptions. Maybe if I…
I give my permission to copy the song?
I honestly have no idea if that works but it couldn't hurt to try.
"Wait. Something changed. I can grab it now." She seemed to relax more as she did whatever it was, she was doing. It probably took less than a minute.
"Having performance issues sis?" Her brother teased only to get middle finger in return.
"Man, this is some pretty good stuff." Hopea commented as she released my hand and then took her brothers, who was holding his other hand sandwiched between Dusty and Ever's hands. "You really wrote that?"
"Yep." I didn't but the lawyers on Earth can't reach me here to say otherwise.
"Well sorry for doubting ya kid." Dusty apologized as he shivered slightly. "Still feels weird sometimes. But if that's what you got to play than I think you're gonna do fine. Now let's get you set up. We have a lot to go over."
I raised my brow but didn't question him.
-0-
My heart was beginning to race as my foot tapped rapidly on the ground. The musicians, sometimes entire bands other times single or duo acts came and went throughout the day. I could hear the applause for each performance from where I sat with the band, sometimes it was loud and appreciative and sometimes they were a bit more subdued and polite.
It really made a person nervous.
The four band members would get up and leave every now and then as they grabbed whatever instrument that they needed for their performance.
"You ready?" Dusty slapped my shoulder as I stood just off stage waiting for the last band to finish their performance before it was my turn.
I had gotten as much practice as I could in the last few hours but it did little to quell the nerves I was feeling. I could feel how sweaty my hands were getting.
"Yes? No? Maybe it would be better if everyone in the crowd turned around." I asked and the guy just laughed. It was easy for him to laugh it off because he wasn't performing with the rest of us, though I'm the only one that seemed to be having a minor meltdown.
"You'll do fine." He gave me an encouraging smile. I had to admit it was a very charming smile. "Just don't focus on the people. Look above them to the skies. Just sing to the heavens with all you got."
"To the heavens with all I've got." I mutter as rolled the muscles on my body to loosen them up.
I was still nervous.
I felt a small push on my shoulder and saw that it was Fruity Bitch attempting to shoulder check me on his way to the stage. Except I was far stronger than him and he probably only hurt himself, though that didn't stop him from sending a smug and spiteful glance in my direction. "Don't make to much of a fool of yourself Street Rat." He spoke in passing. It took me a moment to register what he said but by that point he was already on stage so I couldn't insult him back.
That didn't keep Dusty from glaring at him.
"Now wasn't that something ladies and gentlemen?" Fruity Bitch shouted into his microphone as the previous act finished their song. The crowd broke into an uproarious cheer as the band members all bowed and walked off the stage. "Now normally this is where we would end the show but we have had a last minute addition to the roster!" That got the crowd clamoring for more.
"Asshole." Dusty scoffed as he glared at Fruity Bitch. "He's purposefully putting pressure on you."
And he was. He was setting peoples expectations for me and at the same time I could feel the weight on my shoulders grow. My stomach did a flip as I thought about going on stage and I think I was starting to hyperventilate a little. But deep underneath all that anxiety and nerves I felt a small spark of anger at the purple fop with the microphone.
5%
"A few strings were pulled so that he could share his original song with you all." Fruity Bitch announced and the crowd was eating it up. "He's a bit on the young side but I ask that you all give him a chance. That's what this festival is for after all. For the newly made musicians to spread their wings as much as they can no matter how early into their prospective careers they are."
Every sentence was a backhanded compliment yet the crowd at it up like candy.
"Now without further ado let me introduce the final act of the night," Fruity Bitch undid one of the zippers on his outfit, which turned out to be a pocket, and pulled out a note card and unfolded it. For a second, he looked bewildered and then subtly glanced between me and the card in a way that left me confused as well. But like all performers he just went on with the show and smiled once more. "the young artist RED BOY!"
…What?
"That's not my name!" I hissed as I snatched Fruity Bitch's sleeve as he passed by Dusty and I as he walked off stage.
"Oops. My bad." The fucker didn't sound the least bit sorry. Instead, he just held out a piece of paper with some rather familiar looking handwriting. "Though next time I'd suggest actually learning how to write like a proper civilized person." He laughed and all I could do was gape at the paper in his hand.
It was my handwriting. Specifically, my handwriting from earlier when I was writing my actual name for my stage name and some one bumped me and made me mess up only for Mr. Teel to take the form away before I could fix it. Now looking at it I could see that that one screw up practically made it impossible to read.
Fruity Bitch just laughed as he walked off.
"What were you even trying to write?" Dusty asked awkwardly as he looked at the paper as well.
"I was just trying to write my name!" I insisted as I felt pissed beyond belief. "It said to wrote what you want said on stage but someone messed me up!"
"You know that section was optional…right?"
15%
I honestly felt like I was going to draw blood with how hard I was making a fist. I had so many emotions whirling inside me at the moment.
"RED BOY! RED BOY! RED BOY!" The crowd cheering broke me from my spiraling thoughts and forced anxiety back to the surface a I remembered where I was and what I was doing.
"Look, there's nothing you can do about it now. You just got to go out there and play anyways." Dusty tried to encourage me.
Sadly, sarcasm was a comforting old friend and always came to provide its support. "You sure I can't just go die in a hole? Seems like the less painful option."
"No." He said flatly. "Now go!" With a shove Dusty forced me to walk on stage and dear sweet Christ it was more daunting than I imagined!
There had to be almost a thousand people in attendance, far more than when I had arrived earlier today.
How did it get so big!? Don't people leave towards the end!? Why are there so many people!?
I forced on foot in front of the other as I made my way center stage…where everyone can see me…and where all the cameras are pointed and people all over the world are watching me.
My stomach isn't feeling too good, maybe I should step off and go to the restroom first, and get some water for my dry mouth! I can't perform with a dry mouth the performance would suffer; everyone knows that!
HahaHAHAHA!
…When did I get to the microphone?
…I don't know what to do. I'm here and I forgot what I'm supposed to do! Do we have a cue where we all go start!? Do I start and they follow!?
Wait!? What's that beating in the background? Did Hopea start playing the drums? No wait that's my heart trying to escape from my chest.
I just stood there frozen like a statue as the crowd cheered. I could feel their eyes on me, judging me like a piece of prime meat. but i just stood there.
It didn't take long for the first one to be thrown. "Come on boy play something!" A loud shout seems to rise above the others. I looked out of the corner of my eyes to find a group of people with drinks in their hands shouting at me above the rest of the crowd. "If you're just gonna choke I'd have gone to the circus! At least their animals can perform!"
That small section of the crowd broke into laughter. I could see that disgust on the faces of other audience members, mostly the Faunus, but the vast majority of the audience didn't seem to care and just either tuned them out or watched.
20%
"Come on don't just stand there!" this time it was a woman. "Pluck a string! Do a Flip or something!"
25%
What started as one became two and then three, and the four, eight, sixteen. Whatever conspired the first ones spread to more of the crowd. I stood there, frozen as the voiced turned mocking and negative. A small minority were even booing and mocking me because they believed me to be some kind of faunus.
35%
What do I do? What do I do!? WHAT DO I DO!? WHAT DO I DO TO MAKE THESE STUPID ASSHOLES SHUT UP!
-0-
On a small island off of Vale a few minutes earlier~
"Ruby! Come on! They added an extra act!" A young blonde girl screamed through the small house as she excitedly watch the purple clothed announcer on her home's TV. The girl, named Yang was excitedly bouncing on the couch as she watched.
"Really?" A younger voice asked from the other room. There was a flash of red and a scattering of petals as a small girl with dark crimson hair and silver eyes flashed onto the couch with a jar of cookies that she 'appropriated' for snacks. "Who is going on?"
For the two girls the Mistral Music Festival was an annual event that the two of them chose to watch together to get a good look at the up and coming bands that were going to make it across Remnant.
Though they both enjoyed it for different reasons. For Ruby it was actually about the music while Yang…Yang liked to pick out which of the band members were the biggest hunks so she discuss it with her friends.
"Ruby! I told you, you could have three! Not the whole jar!" The strictness of the voice called the younger girl to eep in fright and clutch the jar tighter as an older near copy of her walked into the room, or rather she was a younger copy of the woman herself.
Summer Rose gave the patented Mom Glare™ to her daughter who was trying to hide behind Yang. "You are not allowed to eat so many of those cookies. They aren't meant to be your dinner."
"But they are so good!" The smaller girl whined as she hugged the jar. "If anything, it's your fault that you made them so good!"
"That didn't work when Yang did it, its not going to work when you do it." Summer swatted away Ruby's attempt at being clever, or, well as clever as a ten year old could be. With a flash of movement Summer tucked the cookie jar underneath her arm.
It took a moment for it to register as Ruby looked down to find her hands now empty. "Hey no fair! You cheated!"
"It's not cheating when I make the rules. Now bow down before the queen of this household and I may allow you one more cookie." Summer said with a grin as she hefted her prize for all to see…only for it to disappear through a portal.
"It's quite sad to see you so smug over besting a ten year old." A tall woman with a wild mane of black hair said flatly as she walked out of the kitchen, the cookie jar sitting on the palm of her hand. "Oh, how the mighty have fallen."
"R-Raven!" Summer squeaked, going from grandstanding over a child to properly embarrassed under the taller woman's flat look.
"Mom!" Yang greeted ecstatically. Raven sent a nod back to her daughter though there was a small upturn of her lips that only Summer noticed.
"When did you get back?" Summer asked as she composed herself once more. "I thought your assignment would keep you for a few more days?" She asked. While Summer had retired from the life of a Huntress to raise the girls and teach at Signal Raven was only semi-retired. She still went on the occasional mission every now and then for money, mostly to pay Summer for rent and other expenses.
Even if Summer did allow Yang and Raven to live in her home rent free.
"Just a few minutes ago. There was a break in the case and we finished early and you always finish dinner around this time." She responded as she walked over and sat in a plush chair that she had long ago had declared as hers. "And I told you that you should be firmer when disciplining Ruby." Raven supplied as she watched the little Summer clone try to 'sneakily' grab the cookie jar from where she held it on the arm rest. The girl leapt and Raven lifted the jar causing Ruby to swipe through air and land face first into carpet.
"Like how you were with Yang and the clicker?" Summer said blandly. As much as she loved her friend an ideal mother the Branwen was not and it took a lot of effort on Summer's part to stop some of the more outrageous methods the Mistrali woman tried to use to raise Yang…to varying success.
"It was an effective method." Raven nodded as if she was proven correct.
"Of course, it's an effective method," Summer swiped the cookie jar and put it in the middle of the couch for the girls to go at it while she leaned in and lowered her voice to a whisper so the girls couldn't here. "for dogs! You trained Yang the same way we trained Ainz and now Zwei!"
Raven didn't say anything and just looked Summer dead in the eyes as she pulled out a little fob with a button. When she pressed it a small but clear beep came out of it.
"Yeah mom." Yang's head snapped to the source of the beep like a reflex which made the smug look on Raven's face all the more insufferable.
"I just wanted to know what you girls were watching."
"We're watching the Mistral Music Festival. They added a last minute performance." Yang supplied as she scooted to the end of the couch with a cookie in hand, getting closer to her mother.
All attention went to the screen as the cheers of the crowd lifted and…a young boy was seemingly shoved into taking center stage. The boy was young, far younger than any other performer that Summer had seen throughout the day. Heck he looked to be Yang's age. He had bright red hair and striking golden eyes. She could see that his ears were pointed, far to much for him to be human and with his mouth open she could see the elongated canines sticking out of his mouth which meant he was a Faunus of some kind which only made her worry more because she knew what kind of place Mistral was.
"Hey look! They have some one our age playing!" Ruby shouted through a mouth full of cookies.
"Awe yeah! That's so cool! I wish I could be up there!" Yang cheered.
Though the two mothers had vastly different opinions. To the two of them it was clear that the boy was terrified of being up there and Summer's heart went out to the child. As a fellow person with stage fright, she knew that not everyone could go out and perform, especially not in front of the entire world.
"That poor boy." Summer whispered as she wished she could be there to carry him off stage and give him a big hug and tell him everything was gonna be alright.
"If he wasn't ready for this he never should have gone." Raven's tone however was noticeably less sympathetic to the boy on stage. "He should have known he wasn't ready."
"Raven!" Summer hissed.
It only got worse when the heckling started.
-0-
Within northern Vale territories~
"Come on kid! Don't let them talk to you like that!" A gruff voice shouted at the screen projected on the side of a boulder. "You just gotta start playing! Don't let them put you down. Show them what a Faunus can do!" His words were followed cheers of support from the people around him.
Each one of them had a different animal feature on their body and an insignia of a snarling beast somewhere on their clothes.
It wasn't often that the Vale branch of the White Fang got a collective day off but with their most recent operation ending in success it was decided by the higher up that they would be allowed a reprieve. One that many spent watching and eating to a live stream of the Mistral Music Festival.
Now they were trying to send their cheers to the boy on stage halfway around the world.
"Hey," One of the white fang members, one with mouse ears paused. "doesn't he kinda look like Lieutenant Taurus?"
"What because of the hair?" A woman with a horse tail responded and got a nod from the guy. "I mean I guess I see it…Hey Blake! Does this kid look like Lieutenant Taurus!?" The woman called up to the trees.
If she didn't know where to look no one would have noticed the black haired girl with amber eyes sitting in the branches of a tree reading a book. She glanced up from her pages and looked at the screen for a moment before dismissing it.
"Geez, sorry I asked." The woman snarked before turning back to the screen. That kid needed all the support he could get.
-0-
Somewhere in Vale~
Within a room that was practically drenched in the color pink a small figure laid on her bed as she watched the screen wit interest. The way the boy froze on stage was pretty funny, he looked like he might sick with how tense he was.
It was a shame that he was stuck up there on stage in front of everyone, he was really cute and would probably look better if he wasn't as pale as a ghost.
She gave him minutes before he vomited on stage.
-0-
At the Festival itself~
"Hey look Renny! It's that boy I met earlier!" A young orange haired girl called to her friend who was running a cash register for the noodle stand. He was a young boy with black hair with a single pink lock running down the side and bright pink eyes.
"That's great Nora." The boy, though it would be easy to mistake him for a girl, answered as he handed a customer their change back.
"Ah but you have to look Renny! Maybe that will jog your memory. He did promise to buy noodles so you'd have to gave seen him at some point!" The little girl said as she pointed to the monitor mounted to a post, one of many around the festival grounds so people could watch the performances.
The boy spared a glance before going back to what he was doing. "I haven't seen him come up to the stand today."
The girl froze before gasping in disbelief, in a way that was over exaggerating to most people but normal people. "That LIAR! He said he was gonna eat at our noodle stand! Well, we'll show him! We don't need his Lien and he doesn't deserve our noodles!" at some point she had managed to stand on top of the counter and was making a lot of people nervous in case she fell only for a spoon to fly out from the cooking area and bean her on the head. She chuckled nervously as her boss, a certain bald headed old man with closed eyes and wicked eyebrows glared at her from the kitchen area.
"I'm sure he promised he'd think about it Nora." Ren commented as he place another order. "Now shouldn't you go back to sign twirling? Mr. Oldman won't serve you free dinner if you stand around you know."
With eyes wide with terror at the thought of no free food Nora went back to twirling the large sign in her hands with more enthusiasm…maybe too much enthusiasm as the people around her were wondering if she was going to lift off the ground like a Bullhead.
A warehouse in Mistral~
Whistles and cheers echoed through the warehouse as an entire convoy of people all cheered for the boy that was projected on the wall. They threw insults of their own to match the crowd on screen, though theirs were directed at the crowds themselves.
"Lay off you bastards!"
"Give him a moment!"
"Let's see you idiots get up there and sing."
A good portion of the crowd was drunk as they watched but that didn't make their emotions any less genuine as they backed the boy that had saved their asses and traveled a week with.
"Come on kid. You've gotten into a shootout with bandits." Boss muttered as she sat next to the cheering Trio, making sure not to chomp her cigar in half. "Don't let some nobodies scare you."
-0-
A bar in Mistral~
JD sat at the bar as he watched the performance on a TV he had in the restaurant. The restaurant was filled to the brim as they viewed the performances. Many of them knew of boy on stage, if not personally like the restaurant staff, than at least in passing.
"Oh, come on. you can do it." Jewel quietly prayed to the boy on screen. "JD, are you sure that this was the best idea?"
JD was quiet as he watched Kane on the screen.
"He'll be fine." JD spoke finally, not taking his eyes off the screen. "That kid'll go far. I know it."
General P.O.V
As Kane stood on stage in front of everyone he could only stand there and listen to the abuse. His inability to perform was already starting to aggravate some of the audience as their heckling shifted slowly to demands to perform or remove himself from stage.
45%
Now Kane was not an overtly violent person. It's not that he was a pacifist, he wasn't afraid to throw a punch and break other people's bones, but confrontation would usually be met with attempts to deescalate the situation or returned insults, mostly returned insults. Words met with words and fists met with fists was how he generally did things. He rarely ever let himself be consumed by anger but there are always exceptions.
55%
Moments like now. He didn't have the emotion nullifying [Gamer's Mind] that allowed other Gamers to do as they please, his was only meant to allow clear and logical thoughts through emotionally high moments and promote a healthy mentality. He was still susceptible to emotional responses.
65%
And in this moment, when fear and anxiety shrouded his mind, it allowed the anger at the insults to rise higher than it normally would have. The rage needed to push past that mental lock that held his body frozen in place and prove these people wrong.
75%
"Gather up!" He turned around and ordered the musicians that were on stage with him. He sent a look off to the side to Dusty, who was there for support, ordering him to come as well.
With some confusion the band members all left their spots on stage and gathered in front of the young boy.
"You okay Kane?" Kulta asked with a surprising amount of concern, asking the question that all that the musicians wanted to ask.
"I'm fine." He practically forced the words out as he took slow and steady breathes however, he didn't sound convincing in the slightest. He looked so tense at the moment, his teeth were almost clenched, showing off his sharpened canines while the pupils of his golden eyes narrowed to slits. "We're just changing songs."
"What? Why?" Hopea asked. "The one you chose is fine."
"Because I want to change songs!" He insisted with a hiss. "This is my debut and I want to shut these assholes up." He then looked at the extra band member he asked to come on stage. "And that requires Dusty on the keyboard."
"Kid your song is good enough fo—"
"I don't want good enough!" Kane cut her off before sticking his hand out at her. "Just take a look because this is what we're doing."
Hopea paused for a moment before taking his hand. She could understand where he was coming from. For many musicians this festival could help put their names out their and if he failed here, it would only make his journey harder. She could hear the mocking that had started and was steadily growing, something that was started probably by one of those racists that liked to heckle Faunus performers.
Then she felt the song flow into her.
"Woah." Was all she could say.
"Is it good?" Ever asked as she eyed her friend.
"It's—Yeah. It's more than good. But I don't think we'll be enough." She asked the boy. The song required six people, five on instruments and one on vocals. They were a member short.
"I'll handle vocals and lead guitar." He insisted and Hopea couldn't help the look of disbelief on her face.
"What? You can't! Have you even played this live before?!" She hissed.
"Uh, I think we would all like some context." Dusty asked and Hopea just slapped her hand on her brother's and let him do the work while she spoke to Kane.
"The guitar piece alone is crazy and you want to add vocals to your role!?" She hissed while off to the side dawning comprehension flittered across the other's faces.
"I can do it." Kane said with insistence.
Hopea wanted to deny him, to tell him to stick to the first option, but, well she couldn't muster up the will to say no. Kane had a determined look on his face with an undercurrent of pleading. Some one with the skills to do it and just wanted the chance to use them.
"Fuck it fine." She relented while the others gave her looks.
"I guess were doing this." Dusty said warily but with commitment. "Luckily we already have equipment on hand." He then ran off stage.
"I hope you know what your doing Kane." Kulta ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "We'll play with you either way…no matter how shitty the audience is."
The musicians nodded as they heard the roars of the audience in the background growing more impatient. Any longer and people might just leave.
Kane how ever just smiled brightly, one that seemed bolster the resolve of the band members just a bit more, a mixture of natural [Charisma] and [Rule of Cool] pushing them forward.
Not that Kane knew it was happening.
It was only a moment later that Dusty returned with his keyboard and an electric guitar and handed the latter off to Kane as he went to set up.
Kane looked at the instrument, with its bright red coloring that matched his hair and perfectly tuned strings.
He looked at the rowdy crowd in front of him and then back to the four people behind him, each sitting at their respective stations waiting for him.
The crowd was already reaching the height of their impatience and he was ready to give them what they wanted. Anger, frustration, anxiety, fear, and so many other emotions whirled inside him and he was going to put them to use to drive himself forward.
Kane held out his hand with three fingers extended, giving the others a signal to start. With each tap of his foot the fingers went down with [Rule of Cool] ratcheting the effects even higher.
3!
The crowd and everyone watching felt suspense wash over them as [Rule of Cool] went to work.
2!
The jeers and heckling died as the thirteen year old boy that was frozen moments earlier stood at center stage. If one were in the front row, close enough to see his golden eyes, they almost would say those golden orbs were glowing.
1!
Music: Through the Fire and Flames
By: DragonForce
The venue exploded with sound as Kane's fingers danced over the chords of the electric guitar, taking the lead and shutting the crowd up as he shifted between different finger configurations. But that was just the warmup as the rest of the band members joined in and the song exploded into second gear.
On a cold winter morning, in the time before the light
In flames of death's eternal reign, we ride towards the fight
When the darkness has fallen down, and the times are tough all right
The sound of evil laughter falls around the world tonight
Kane's voice was loud and clear as he sung. Brimming with passions and emotions [Rule of Cool] helped convey that to all that were listening. Their hearts beat a little faster, their bodies moved to the rhythm, all forms of mocking were washed away as they got lost in the noise, banging their heads and cheering.
Fighting hard, fighting on for the steel, through the wastelands evermore
The scattered souls will feel the hell, bodies wasted on the shores
On the blackest plains in hell's domain, we watch them as they go
In fire and pain, now once again, we know
It was almost like a presence had surrounded the young boy at center stage, drawing all attention as played.
So now we fly ever free
We're free before the thunderstorm
On towards the wilderness, our quest carries on
Far beyond the sundown, far beyond the moonlight
Deep inside our hearts and all our souls
Even across the world those watching the performance were listening to the beat. Watching the young boy sing his heart out as his fingers moved across the guitar like lightning.
So far away, we wait for the day
For the lives all so wasted and gone
We feel the pain of a lifetime lost in a thousand days
Through the fire and the flames, we carry on
As the red day is dawning
And the lightning cracks the sky
They'll raise their hands to the heavens above
With resentment in their eyes
Running back through the mid-morning light
There's a burning in my heart
We're banished from a time in a fallen land
To a life beyond the stars
In your darkest dreams see to believe
Our destiny this time
And endlessly we'll all be free tonight
And on the wings of a dream, so far beyond reality
All alone in desperation, now the time has gone
Lost inside, you'll never find, lost within my own mind
Day after day this misery must go on
So far away, we wait for the day
For the lives all so wasted and gone
We feel the pain of a lifetime lost in a thousand days
Through the fire and the flames, we carry on
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh
Kane's guitar screamed as he played as hard as he could. He didn't care if his fingers bled as his body healed faster than he could tear them apart. His concentration was focused solely on performing, making sure that his fingers shifted into the correct positions as quickly as possible as the lyrics came to him. The world faded away as all he did was play.
Now here we stand with their blood on our hands
We fought so hard, now can we understand?
I'll break the seal of this curse if I possibly can
For freedom of every man
So far away, we wait for the day
For the lives all so wasted and gone
We feel the pain of a lifetime lost in a thousand days
Through the fire and the flames, we carry on
-0-
All around Remnant people were cheering for the young boy on stage, from a small cabin home in patch where two girls were trying to get their mothers to play air guitars with limited success.
To the pink room in Vale where a rather short figure was already searching the web to find more songs and more importantly information on the so called 'Red Boy'.
To the white fang camps and traveling caravan who's shouts and cheers could be heard well into the night.
-0-
To even the cold heights of Atlas~
In the cold halls of a luxurious mansion that, along with everything inside of it, cost more than entire village's annual income a small girl sat alone in a special room fitted with a large screen. All around here were various instruments of pristine make and quality with a room off to the side filled with expensive equipment meant to record any sound going on in the room.
The girl sat alone on a pure white couch watching the performances of the Mistral Music Festival. Some were enjoyable while many others left much to be desired, not that she voiced such opinions as she had no one to voice them to.
At least not until the most recent performance when a boy that should have been the same age as her showed the world just what he could do. A performance that left the crowd wanting for more.
For the first time the little girl in white couldn't hold back her comment.
"Hm. Not bad."
And with that she turned off the TV and went to prepare for bed.
-0-
Kane P.O.V
As the song ended there was a small lull in the air before the entire crowd exploded into applause. People were jumping around and climbing on top of other's shoulders. There were a few that had gone shirtless. It was a full flip from what had been happening before with the heckling.
The exertion of performing along with the lights had me sweating bullets at the moment and I could feel my hair sticking to my face. Despite it all I felt great. A good form of exhaustion that I didn't mind.
Huh, from my place on the stage it really was beautiful with how the sun was setting behind the mountain and was followed by the dark purples and blacks of the starry skies. Flood lights were turned on to light up the rest of the festival but with the crowd as day turned to night I couldn't help but take out my Scroll and take a picture.
"RED BOY! RED BOY! RED BOY! RED BOY! RED BOY! RED BOY! RED BOY!"
The sound of the crowd cheering for me still left me feeling amazing and energized, like I could perform another song.
Really goes to show how positive reinforcement is amazing.
"Thank you!" I screamed into the microphone and the crowd roared. "I'm Kane Brandt and you've been an amazing audience!"
With that final note I turned and walked off stage though the crowd was still cheering for Red Boy. This wasn't going to die any time soon, was it?
The others were all cheering loudly and slapping me on the back as we walked off stage. Their voices were lost in the cheers but I knew what they were saying.
Fruity Bitch scowled at me as I we passed and I couldn't help but smugly smirk at his stupid face. He looked positively livid at me but stormed off. I did throw a middle finger his way as he left but I'm sure he didn't see it.
It sucks when people don't see such gifts. I worked really hard to make it myself.
Anyways I was soon left alone, once more with my belongings strapped to my back. Ever said that they had to stay behind to pack up their stuff and that the festival was still gonna go strong into the night and the they were gonna stick around. Wynn was probably still gonna be here working through the rest of the festival and everything which left me all by my lonesome.
"Maybe I should get more food? Nah I'm not really that hungry. The games seem fun but I'm a bit too tired I'm supposed to stick around because people are supposed to vote on their favorite bands at the end but I'm really tired and I just want to sit down." I speak to myself.
It's times like this that I just want to sleep off the exhaustion. I don't really want to do anything at the moment except lie down but I can't leave and sleeping on a bench is just asking to get robbed…
Wait…
"Fuck me I forgot to find a place to sleep!"
'Sigh' At least I know what I'm gonna be doing till they make the announcements.