The mood was intoxicating, electric even.
To see 350 people outside of the green room was absolutely amazing.
In the small theater, the green room was located just off stage. In just a couple minutes, the lights would dim and they would walk on. Sure, they were openers, but who cared? This was big by any metric.
Finnick was beyond excited. "I still can't believe we're finally doing this".
Nick was on a whole new level of existence. In absolute bliss. "Yeah, it's crazy".
Their equipment was on the front of stage. A keyboard stand with a synthesizer on top, connected to a second stand holding a laptop, a launchpad controller, a smaller synthesizer, and a set of turntables. Then, two basses, both on a two-sided stand. Then, the guitars. One acoustic, two electric. Nick liked variety. Microphones were on both sides, one for each of them, pre-adjusted for their respective heights. Behind them was Mating Ritual's equipment, ready to be moved to the front once they were done.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, two single blue spotlights were in the center. Rabid cheering quickly ensued, the animals were simply ready for music.
Finnick looked to Nick, who was wearing dark blue jeans, a pair of cream-colored converse, and a buttoned up but untucked white dress shirt. The shorter fennec had opted for a short sleeve buttoned black dress shirt with khakis and white vans. Finnick asked Nick, "You ready ?"
"I'm beyond ready".
They walked on, gaining a new perspective. Everyone was cheering. The crowd of animals, mostly foxes and wolves, stretched to the back of the theater. They didn't have time to wander, though, they had a song to perform. Nick tried to remember what song was first until he looked down. The paper said "I'm The One", and then he heard Finnick launch into the distinct keyboard riff and start up the miscellaneous percussion and synth tracks.
I never wanted to love but you got nothing that's wrong.
I always pretend you got nothing when there's something quite beautiful, tell me the truth.
I didn't notice but damn you feel the damage that's done.
Truth is, I'm the one.
Oh yeah, I'm the one.
And so we never did much and so we never did wrong.
You turn the corner you come back baby then you don't mind taking the fall, tell me the truth.
I didn't notice but damn you feel the damage that's done.
Truth is, I'm the one.
Oh yeah, I'm the one.
And so we never did wrong and so we never did right.
You got a kid, I am a kid, you are a kid, and we were all born after John Lennon died and they always said that
we'd give up, before we were done.
Truth is I'm the one, oh yeah I'm the one
And so we never did much and so we never did wrong.
You turn the corner you come back baby then you don't mind taking the fall, tell me the truth.
I didn't notice but damn you feel the damage that's done.
Truth is, I'm the one.
Oh yeah, I'm the one.
Nick finished off, strumming the guitar with pure emotion, then looked outwards. The crowd was awestruck, most of them had not bothered looking up the band before the concert.
A wave of clapping and screaming suddenly came through. Finnick turned to Nick, whose jaw was wide open in disbelief. People liked the music? Loved the music? HIS music?
Finnick realized Nick was too thunderstruck to introduce themselves, so he grabbed his mic and practically screamed "What's up guys! I'm Finnick, that's Nick, and we're Saint Bad out of right here in Zootopia !"
The sudden second wave of screaming took Nick out of his trance. Now back to being focused they led the crowd through the rest of their set. By the time that they got to the end of Hold This Tight and were preparing to leave the stage, the crowd was ecstatic. It took all of their might to leave the euphoria of the stage.
Finnick was beyond crazed. Then, he looked to Nick, his orange fur glistening in sweat and tousled, his eyes glimmering with hope, Finnick couldn't himself.
He grabbed Nick's face and planted a kiss, right on the lips.
It lasted for maybe 2 seconds before Nick pulled away, Finnick suddenly realizing the magnitude of what he just did. "Nick...I...umm…"
"Dude, don't worry about it, but definitely talking later".
"Yeah, I'll...see you at the merch booth…."
Nick walked away before Finnick banged his head on the wall.
"Stupid..fucking...fennec".