(CHAPTER 5) REUN-NYAN
It was early Friday morning. Azusa looked at her watch as she, Tama, and the rest of the band headed for the exit of the Pittsburgh International Airport. It was almost 7a.m. by the time they were heading outside into the cool morning air. The band had taken a late night flight in order to meet Mio at the arena. She was going to be spending the day with the band watching everything from the stage being built, sound checks, and the live performance.
Azusa carried Tama in her arms. She was still tired from having to be at the airport so early and she was fast asleep as her mother held her. They had been escorted to a separate private exit of the airport which Azusa was thankful for. It was still early and she wasn't in the mood for autographs.
They were led to a black limo which they all got in. Wraith held a pair of his drumsticks in his hands and lightly tapped them off his knee's. As the limo began to pull out and drive towards downtown Pittsburgh he asked, "So this person that's interviewing us today, you went to school with her, Angel?" Azusa quietly replied so she didn't wake Tama, "Yeah, she was the bass player in our old band." Ghost then asked, "So she play's bass huh? She single?" A few of the other's laughed and Azusa replied, "I think, I don't know if you're her type though." Ghost said back, "But why? We both play bass and I am the best looking out of everyone here." This again made the other members laugh. "Come on Angel, you should put in a good word for me." Azusa smiled and said, "I'll try."
The limo continued to drive towards downtown. The airport was about a 20 minute drive from the city. Specter looked over at Tama who was still sleeping soundly in her mother's arms. "She's out like a light." "Yeah," Azusa said quietly, "She didn't get a lot of sleep last night. We had to be up early to get to the airport. I'll wake her up when we get to the arena. She'll want to see Mio anyway."
The limo passed through a tunnel and emerged onto a bridge showing off a panoramic view of downtown Pittsburgh. "Wow." Azusa said quietly. "I always forget how beautiful this city is." "It's where I grew up." Tyler said back. "There are so many places that I want to take you guys. I wish we had the time." Ghost looked at the city as the morning fog was still hanging thick over it's three rivers. He said back, "Hey, once this tour is over, you need to bring us back here." "Sounds good!" Tyler replied, "We'll all just crash at my moms house." Azusa looked at Tyler and said, "Somehow I don't think your mom would appreciate an entire band crashing her house." Tyler laughed and said back, "She didn't seem to care back when I was in high school."
After fighting through the early morning traffic, the limo pulled up to a large arena that was surrounded by tall sky scrapers. The front showed a large red and black sign which read, "Consol Energy Center", and it's side was dominated by large, panoramic glass windows, and large banners of the city's hockey team, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
They pulled around to the rear of the arena near where all of the bands equipment trucks were parked and unloading. Azusa watched as sound equipment and pieces of the stage were unloaded and wheeled inside. The limo drove up to a large retractable door and it immediately opened. Once inside, the driver parked and got out to open the door for the band.
They all got exited the limo and Tyler helped Azusa out as she held onto Tama. Tama's shoulder length, raven black hair was frizzed from sleeping on it and her two bob tails needed retied. Having to leave from the airport so early, Azusa didn't bother Tama to much for getting ready. She could fix her hair later.
The sound of machinery moving large racks of stage equipment echoed through the loading bay of the arena. Azusa felt Tama move in her arms and watched as her bright blue eyes fluttered open and she looked around. "Morning sunshine!" Phantom said cheerfully at Tama. Tama's eyes squinted and she simply buried her face back into her mother's shoulder. Azusa laughed and said, "And the sun's back down!" Phantom laughed to himself and said, "What's the matter with you Angel? Not lettin' Tama get a full nights sleep." Azusa raised an eyebrow and said back, "Hey! Angel didn't get a full night of sleep either."
While the band member's joked around, a member of the arena staff approached the group. He then said, "Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt but Azusa Nakano, a member of the press is here to see you," He looked at his clip board and continued, "someone from the Japanese magazine, Midnight Metal." Azusa felt excitement fill her. She said back, "Alright, I'll be right there." She then said to Tama who was still trying to sleep, "Hey, Mio's here! Are you ready to go see her?" She heard Tama groan as she buried her face into Azusa's shoulder. "Sleepy…" She uttered out. "You don't want to go see Mio?" Azusa asked again. Tama simply groaned shook her head. Azusa sighed and said, "Well alright. You won't be able to see her for a while then." Tama didn't reply, she just wanted to sleep.
Azusa looked at Phantom and said, "Will you take her back to our dressing room with you guys? She want's to sleep. I'll be down as soon as I can." Phantom smiled and held his arm's out, "Sure, I'll watch our number one fan for a bit." Azusa carefully handed Tama to Phantom while trying not to wake her. "If she get's fussy I packed some snacks for her in my bag. It should hopefully be in our dressing room by now. I shouldn't be to long so if anything happens just call me, okay." "Relax Angel." Phantom said, "We've watched Tama plenty of times. She's never given us any trouble." Azusa sighed and said, "I'm sorry, I just worry." "You're such a mom." Banshee called back. Tyler then cut in and said, "Yeah mom, go see your friend, everything will be fine down here." Azusa sighed and then walked over towards the courtesy cart that the arena staff had brought down to take her to Mio.
As she hopped on Azusa again called out, "I'm serious though! If she get's fussy or needs me, just call me!" "Banshee then called out jokingly to the courtesy cart driver, "Security! Get her out of here!" Ghost then added, "We won't let Tama party too hard while you're gone." The other's then laughed and watched as Azusa got a frustrated look on her face as she was driven towards the main halls of the arena.
After a short drive, she ended up near a VIP section of the arena. It was a large area that held a large bar and restaurant. Obviously for people who had paid a lot of money for VIP boxes at hockey games. She stepped off of the courtesy cart and thanked the driver. She then walked into the VIP lounge and looked around.
No one was inside except for 2 staff members. She again looked around and then saw Mio sitting in a booth with a drink in front of her. Azusa smiled and called out, "Mio!" as she rushed inside. Mio instantly turned and stood up as she saw Azusa rushing towards her. "Azusa!" She called back as the two girls ran to each other and embraced.
In Japanese, Mio said as she held back her tears, "I've missed you so much! I can't believe I'm finally seeing you again." Azusa too felt her own tears streaming down her cheeks. "I know. I wish I never had to leave you all in the first place." Mio sighed and said back calmly, "Leaving us wasn't all bad for you. Look where it got you, you did what you wanted, you made your music into a career, and it got you away form… him." Azusa paused. She then replied, "Friends and family will always come before the band, and as for him…, he's the only reason why I had to leave you all in the first place. Who knows what he would have done if I had stayed. I don't care what he does to me, I care about keeping Tama safe from him. I still have the scar to prove that."
Mio nodded and said, "And you did the right thing. He can't get you now. You're surrounded by people who care about you and who won't let anyone hurt you or Tama like that ever again." Azusa sighed and pulled out of the hug. She looked at Mio and said, "I still worry." Mio smiled and said, "You don't need to anymore. I'm sure if anyone tried to so much as lay a finger on you without your say so, you would have the entire band as well as the entire crew of Shadow there to back you up." "…Yeah." Azusa uttered.
Mio smiled and then said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up the past. I came to see one of my best friends again and to hear about her music." Azusa shook her head and smiled. "It's alright, I just think about it to much sometimes." Mio then led Azusa over to the booth that she was sitting at and the two sat back down. One of the waiter's came over and brought Azusa a glass of water. She thanked the waiter and then the two continued talking.
Mio took a sip of her water and said, "So where's Tama?" Azusa smiled and said, "She didn't get a lot of sleep last night because we had a really early flight. She was cranky so the guys took her back to our dressing room so she could sleep. You'll be able to see her in a bit." "Aww." Mio said. "Is she still as cute as I remember her?" Azusa pulled out her cell phone and showed it to Mio. Her phone's wallpaper was a picture of Azusa and Tama sitting on the front of Shadow's stage." Mio smiled and said, "Yep, still as cute as ever."
Azusa took a sip of her water and said, "I'm waiting for the day when Yui see's her again. All hell will break loose." Mio shrugged and said, "You might be surprised. Yui has calmed down a little bit over the years. I think now that she actually has responsibility with a job she learned not to be as care free." Azusa laughed and said, "I'll believe it when I see it."
The girls continued to talk for about a half hour. During that time, Mio took down a few notes to get started on her magazine article. She then pulled out one of the custom printed band pamphlets that would be handed out to the crowd as they came in for the show. Mio looked at it and said, "I can't believe how popular your guys are already. You already have 3 albums out and you're going to be starting the 4th after this tour." Azusa nodded and replied as she set her water down, "Yeah, these next few months are going to be hectic. I have to balance touring, recording, and being a single mom while keeping up my house. It's not easy I can tell you that." "I can imagine." Mio said back. "I have enough trouble with just my one job."
Mio put her notes down and continued, "Still though, this tour is going well for you guys. I'm glad that everything working out for the band. That and from what I've seen of Shadow from watching you guys online, your live show's are something that has to be seen to be believed." Azusa shrugged and smiled, "That's all in the opinion of the crowd. I pay more attention to the music, the stage show is the extra sizzle. However, I will say that even I'm impressed by our new stage and the new effect's that we've been using on this tour."
Mio's eye's widened and she said. "I honestly haven't seen your new stage for this tour. Or the new effects for that matter." Azusa grinned and said, "Would you like to?" "A VIP grand tour of Shadow's stage with the lead guitarist?" Mio said happily, "Why of course."
Azusa led Mio onto the main floor of the arena. Inside the crew was already hard at work building the stage for the show. Mio's eye's widened at the sight. "It's definitely bigger than what we played on." Azusa laughed, "Yeah, a lot louder and with a lot more fire too." The two girls walked past the stage crew and up to the stage. For the most part, the stage itself was fully assembled. All that remained was the large amount of stage lighting that was being set up along with the racks of large speakers. To Mio, the stage was one of the most impressive looking stages she had seen in her career. Most of the bands she went to see for her magazine had simple stages that weren't nearly as elaborate as this.
The stage itself resembled the interior of a factory. The large metal stage was made with steel plates that were lined with rivets. The main floor of the stage was constructed of a grated metal that allowed large stage lights and fire effects to come up through the stage floor, and had two elevated areas on both the left and right side for Azusa and Phantom to stand during certain songs, as well as held the crew area's for the pyro, and sound system controls. The rear of the stage was an elevated section that was raised about three and a half feet above the front of the stage with the rivet covered steel plates and also had a grated metal floor for even more fire and light effects; it was also the area where Ghost stood when he played his bass, as well as where Wraith and Banshee had their drum kit and keyboards set up.
Behind the stage stood 4 large light towers that gave off several effects during the show, ranging from pulsing strobe lights, smoke effects, and even explosions for the very end of the concert. One of the stages more unique features was a large metal ramp at the center of the stage that could be both raised and lowered for Specter to make different entrances.
The girls approached the stage and Mio said as she took a few pictures with her camera, "It's so much bigger in person. It's very impressive looking." Azusa led Mio to the front of the stage and replied, "It's not even fully built yet. They still have to get all the lights and speakers up and put up the backdrop." Mio looked up at the large stage. "Is it alright to go on it?" She asked. "Of course." Azusa replied, "Follow me."
The two girls went around the side of the stage and underneath it. Underneath was just as impressive. Large stage lights were set up to reflect on the band from below, as well as having a large array of flame throwers and mounted pyro charges. Azusa walked up to one of the crew areas behind the stage. She pushed a red button and the ramp at the center stage lowered. "Up here." Azusa said as she led Mio up. "That's so cool." Mio commented. Azusa replied as she walked up onto the stage, "Yeah, it's mainly for Specter. The rest of us only use it at the very end of the show when we're leaving the stage."
Mio walked up the metal ramp and immerged on the large stage that offered an impressive panoramic view of the entire arena. It made her eyes widen. When she went to interview bands, she was never offered the opportunity to go on their stage. She was either at the front of the stage taking pictures or meeting with the bands in their dressing rooms. It brought back memories from when both her and Azusa were in high school. With the crew members busy assembling the stage around them, Mio calmly asked, "Don't you wonder what it would have been like if our band had been able to play on a stage like this?" Azusa looked at Mio. She didn't really have an answer for her. Having played for large crowds for the past few years had completely shaken the memories of playing on the school's small auditorium stage. All she could ay back was, "I don't think I could have done it back then. I mean I still get nervous at the really big shows like the one tonight." "I think that's normal for anyone." Mio said back.
Mio looked around the stage. She noticed all of the tape markers laid out at different points along the stage and saw the bundles of wire laying around waiting to be set up. She then asked, "Are these position markers?" Azusa looked down at the neon colored tape and said back, "Those? Kinda. Their called hot lines. It lets us know where the flame throwers are under the stage so we know where not to stand during certain songs." Azusa then walked to the front of the stage. She knelt down at the front of the stage and pointed out the grated metal. "See how all the metal here is charred, that's the main area where we don't stand, for obvious reasons." Mio then asked, "I'm guessing you have a lot of crazy effects then?" Azusa stood back up and grinned. "Do you wanna see one?" Mio looked at her and asked, "A stage effect?" Azusa nodded, "Yeah. It's one the crowd really loves." Mio paused and then said with a shrug, "Sure, why not."
"Alright, hang on one second." Azusa said as she walked over to one of the stage crew workers and asked him a question. Mio couldn't hear it over the sound of power tools and other crew members talking and heavy equipment moving. She watched as Azusa smiled and laughed with the crewman. With a smile, the crewmen went under the stage and Azusa went back over to Mio. "Okay," Azusa said, "I think you're going to like this." "What is it?" Mio asked. With a smile, Azusa said back, "It's some flash powder." In the background, the crewmen Azusa had just talked to began to call out, "Flash powder test!" Mio tilted her head in curiosity. She calmly asked, "What's flash powder?" With a smile, Azusa said back, "This!" Instantly, an ear deafening boom rocked through the arena as a bright flash and a large cloud of smoke exploded through the grated metal at the very front of the stage.
Mio instantly covered her head in surprise and ducked down. In the background, the other stage crew members began to cheer from the explosion and Azusa continued to stand as though nothing had happened. She looked at Mio and said, "And there yah go! Flash powder!" Mio stood back upright and looked at Azusa as though she were crazy. "That was so loud…" Mio said as her ears rang." "I know!" Azusa chirped, "Isn't it great?"
"How aren't you deaf?" Mio asked as she lowered her hands form her ears. Azusa laughed and said, "I don't really notice it when I'm performing. It's all the adrenaline I suppose." Mio looked around the stage as the crew continued their work. She then said, "Just warn me if something loud is coming next time."
A few minutes later, the rest of Shadow came out to see how the stage construction was coming. Azusa heard Tyler call out, "We heard a boom and figured you were the cause of it, Angel." Azusa looked at her band members and said back, "I was, don't worry!" Mio walked over to Azusa and saw the rest of Shadow coming out. Her job wouldn't let her get excited about it but inside she wanted nothing more then to rush over and meet the people who helped her friend through a very difficult time.
The girls could also see Tama come out with the rest of the band as she was being carried in Phantom's arms. "Mommy!" She called out happily! Phantom set her down and watched as her tiny legs sprinted off for the stage. "She's in a good mood now that she had a nap." Phantom called out. Wraith then said, "I told you she would be fine with us." Azusa smiled and called back, "Thank you guys!"
Mio then walked over to the edge of the stage and saw Tama as she quickly ran up a set of stairs that the crew used to quickly get on and off the stage during the show. Mio said to Azusa, "I can't believe how much she's grown." "I know." Azusa said back, "She grew up so fast. She'll be starting first grade soon."
Tama reached the stage and ran over to her mother and hugged her. Azusa picked her up into her arms and said, "Hey! About time you woke up, Mio's been waiting for you." Mio then walked up to Azusa and Tama and said in Japanese, "I haven't seen you since you were little. You've grown up into a lovely young lady." Tama blushed and bashfully hid her face in her mother shoulder. Both girls giggled. Azusa set Tama down and said, "Go say hi, Mio's been waiting to see you." Mio then commented, "She look's just like you Azusa." Tama looked up at Mio. She knew she had seen her before but from being so little she couldn't remember that time. Still, that didn't stop her from being friendly.
Mio knelt down in front of her and continued, "It's so good to be able to see you again." Tama smiled and replied shyly, "I'm glad you came all this way to visit. Mommy's been looking forward to it so much, and she's been practicing non stop to make sure she does great at the concert tonight for you." Mio nodded and said back, "I can't wait to see it. If she's as good as she was when we were in school together, she should be amazing."
Tama's eye's widened as she remembered what happened the night before. She then chirped. "Mommy was amazing when she played a song for my class at parent's night! She even sang for everyone!" Mio looked up at Azusa and said, "Did you really?" Azusa blushed and said timidly, "Well, it was for parent's night, we had to give job demonstrations, and well…" Azusa motioned at the stage and continued, "I can't exactly bring a class of kindergartener's to a show so I did one of the songs from when I was a senior." "Which one?" Mio asked. Azusa replied, "I'm walking my own road."
"I haven't heard that song in years!" Mio said and continued, "I actually haven't heard a lot of our old stuff for a really long time." Azusa nodded and said, "I thought it was appropriate. People in Tama's school aren't exactly thrilled about the music I play. A lot of people that try to crush your dreams these days. It was my way of saying screw you." Both Mio and Azusa laughed at the comment as the rest of Shadow came on the stage.
"Is this your friend, Angel?" Azusa nodded and said, "Yeah, this is Mio." Mio stood up and bowed and said, "Hello, and thank you all for letting me spend time with you." Mio spoke in the best English she could manage, though she still talked with a heavy Japanese accent. She knew English because of her job; however, she wasn't the best at speaking it. Tyler nodded and said, "Hey! Thanks for flying all the way out here to come see us."
Azusa then said, "Mio, this is Tyler, our lead singer, Alex, our rhythm guitarist, Luke on bass." Luke shot a wink at Mio. "Nick on keyboard, and Kurt on drums." "I hope I can remember all of your names. I usually remember stage name's over real names." "Hey that's fine." Tyler called out, "We usually use stage names anyway."
Tyler then looked around and said, "Alright, we need to go over a few things before show time tonight. We have a few new stage effects and a completely redone version of My Little Angel." Tyler then walked to the edge of the stage and called out to the crew, "Is the coffin ready?" One of the crew member's called back, "Yeah boss, it's already up behind the rear of the stage." Tyler nodded and said, "Can you have someone bring it around when I call for it please?" The crew member called back, "Sure thing, I'll send someone up."
Tyler then said, "I know we all went over the performance for the song on the plane last night but we need to run through this for real now." He looked around and said, "Take your places real quick." The band members nodded and headed for their own area's of the stage. Mio walked with Azusa, and Tama asked, "Is it alright if I'm up here while you're doing this?" "Sure!" Azusa replied, "It's no problem. We're not going to play anything, this is just a run through."
While they took their places, Tyler went behind the stage and quickly came back with a pair of white feathered wings. He quickly ran them over to Azusa and said, "Angel's angel wings." and then headed back to center stage. Azusa quickly slipped the wings on and Mio said, "Their so pretty." Azusa nodded and said, "Yeah, pull a feather out." Mio was confused and asked, "Pull one out?" "Yeah," Azusa nodded and continued, "They get pulled out during one of the songs. Go ahead and pull one." Mio hesitated and then gripped onto one of the feathers. She then pulled it and watched as it popped out. She then took notice that along with the feather coming out of the wings, fake blood also splattered out.
Mio left like her soul had left her body. She still hated blood and her face instantly went pale as she screamed out in fear. Azusa quickly turned and realized what had happened. "The band member's instantly looked over and Tyler called out, "What's wrong? What happened?" Azusa paused and then blushed timidly as she placed a hand on Mio's back. "I may have forgotten something!" She said. "I completely forgot that Mio doesn't like blood." Azusa then turned to face Mio who was standing and trembling. "I can't believe I forgot about your fear of blood and scary things. It has been a while, huh?" Mio only mumbled out, "…It's blood. …There's blood on my hand."
"It's okay." Azusa said reassuringly, "It's fake, it's all part of the show." Mio looked down at the wings and tried to regain her composure. She then pulled out a handkerchief out of her pocket and said, "That's the second time you scared me today. I'm getting you back for this at some point." Azusa let out a timid laugh and said, "I probably have it coming." From across the stage, Tyler called out, "Are you two alright over there?" "We're good, keep going!" Azusa said back.
Tama sat on the edge of the elevated section of stage, in front of where Banshee's keyboard would be set up and watched as Tyler began to run through the song. Tyler said, "Alright, Banshee starts us off with the intro on keyboard and we have some opening pop's of pyro charges in front of the drums like usual. Then run through the song as you normally would until after the second chorus."
Tyler then called out, "Wheel out the coffin please!" The band watched as the large coffin was wheeled out and placed in it's spot on the stage. Tyler continued, "Now, while the main riff is playing, I come over to you Angel and I take your guitar from you." Tyler then walked over to Azusa and motioned as if he were taking her guitar. He then said, "I'll toss it to Chris, he'll catch it and then we move on." Azusa said in a low tone, "You know if you break one of my guitar's I'm drop kicking you."
"And that's why I'm having your guitar tech catch it." Tyler said with a smile. He then approached Azusa and said, "Now I tear your wings apart while Phantom keeps hammering out the main riff on his guitar." Tyler then took a handful of feather's from Azusa's wing's and pulled. Fake blood splattered all over Tyler and the area around him from the fake wings. "Did it splatter good?" Azusa called out. She looked back and saw the fake blood all over Tyler's face and said, "I take that as a yes." She laughed and then looked at Mio who had a dead stare in her eyes. "It's fake!" Azusa said reassuringly.
Tyler ripped out two handfuls of feathers and said, "Alright, next I do the fake hits, so…" He then did a few slow motion punches towards Azusa. She nodded and said, "Now I fall backwards right?" Tyler nodded and Azusa let herself fall back. Tyler then caught her and threw her over his shoulder and began to walk towards the coffin. He then said, "You just stay limp like you're knocked out." "Alright, easy enough." Azusa said.
Tyler then went behind the coffin and laid Azusa down inside. He continued, "Now I hit the inside to act like I get a few last hits on you…" Tyler banged his fist against the inside walls of the coffin, and continued, "Now you do your thing inside." Azusa nodded and said, "Okay, safety screen closed above me…" She quickly pulled a metal wire mesh screen closed above her that would keep the sparks out, and then said, "Now I get out of my first stage costume while you're being raised above me, right?" Tyler nodded and replied, "Yeah, while I'm singing, you finish your costume change then I'll pour the sparks over you, and by the way, you may wanna hold your ears in there."
Azusa called out, "Alright. Then I get out after you come back down and look in the coffin?" "Yeah." Tyler called back. Azusa continued, "And that's when the safety screen comes off too right?" "You got it Angel. Then you get out and limp to center stage in your bright and shiny new outfit and get your guitar that comes out from below the stage."
Azusa retracted the safety screen and got out of the coffin. Tyler helped her out and said, "And remember to be careful where you step once you get out. This thing is going to be surrounded by fire so the stage is going to be hot around it." Azusa nodded. "I got it." "Good." Tyler said.
He then looked at the rest of the band and called out, "Are you all good?" They all agreed and Tyler continued, "Are we all ready for tonight?" "Yeah!" They all called out together, including Tama who had her hands in the rocker horns. Tyler smiled and said, "Then let's show Pittsburgh how Shadow does it for their home town!"
Live chapter is next! Should be up in a week. Also, if you want to see what Shadow's stage look's like, Google image search "Rammstein Madison Square Garden" and click on any of the pictures where you see the band on stage. That is the stage and band I based Shadow off of.