NationStates Jolt Archive

If the crowd area of FreakFest 2XXX is pandemic with fans, the backstage area is even more so of performers. Essentially, each area is a gigantic circus-sized tent, each one bustling with activity. The tents are segmented into dressing rooms and warm-up areas, one for each band, each suitably sized and accomodated to meet the needs and desires of the performers. A large common area in the center connects each of the dressing rooms, and a hallway just beyond it leads to the stage.

The dressing rooms of Day Mascus and Slaya Hater are closed and locked; apparently, the two SLAGLandic performers are preparing early in the show.

In the stage 1 tent, one of the two dressing rooms nearest the door is abuzz with activity. From it emerge four women in their late teens and early 20's. The apparent leader of the group is a tall and curvaceous dark-haired girl in a tight-fitting orange T-shirt and flattering low-cut jeans, and next to her is a second black-haired girl who stands quite a bit shorter, her eyes and clothing and her frame thin. Two more girls, these a bit younger and both blonde, follow behind. The two leaders lean to each other and exchange a brief kiss before the four break rank and begin running to the main stage in a blur of energy.

A pimply-faced security guard manages to shout, "YOU ROCK, LARA!" before the group disappears onto the stage.

(OOC: Go ahead and do what you will here; just make sure you realize what stage you're behind. Just for the record, the groups and their respective stages are as follows:

Stage 1:
By Thunder (set complete)
The Cavalier Earwigs (set complete)
Blood Bond
Five Frogmen of the Apocalypse
Fuzzy Green Grass
Pirates of the Scioto
Youthanasia
Method to Madness
Day Mascus
Monaa

Stage 2:
The "Good Times" All Star Big Band (set complete)
Robort's Fetal Discharge (on stage now)
Ghron Presev
Kurudi 100
Clusterfuck
DJ Evan White
Magnum Jihad
Crimson Sedition
Kaosu no Tenshi
Slaya Hater

Band members are welcome to travel from one backstage area to the other, of course; just make sure your characters are near the other stage when their cue comes. SLAGLandic fans love to see a concert move so while one band is performing, the other stage is always being set up for the next band. I'll also use this to cue up whoever is going next; the set will alternate from stage 1 to stage 2. Thus, the order of the performances will be as follows:

By Thunder (The SLAGLands - set complete)
The "Good Times" All Star Big Band (Basie - set complete)
The Cavalier Earwigs (Celack - set complete)
Robort's Fetal Discharge (Amerigo - on stage now)
Blood Bond (Rhanafka)
Ghron Presev (Celack)
Five Frogmen of the Apocalypse (Tahar Joblis)
Kurudi 100 (Rejistania)
Fuzzy Green Grass (Giant Zucchini)
Clusterfuck (United West Africa)
Pirates of the Scioto (Kingsford)
DJ Evan White (Imitora)
Youthanasia (Aequetio)
Magnum Jihad (Melkor)
Method to Madness (Dread Lady Nathicana)
Crimson Sedition (Amerigo)
Day Mascus (The SLAGLands)
Kaosu no Tenshi (Reploid Productions)
Monaa (Kaze Progressa)
Slaya Hater (The SLAGLands)

So that means Rhanafka's up after Robort's Fetal Discharge. Watch for either thread so you can know when the band before you is on stage. As for this thread, just get some interaction going, and above all, have a good time!)

White strolled around behind stage one. His head phones hung limply from his neck, and he held a Pepsi in his right hand, his left stuck in the pocket of his jeans. He wore a black Tshirt that read 'Oakenfold's a Sell Out', and his shoes were grey New Ballences. He was looking to meet new people, find some nice looking groupies, and above all, find someone who would let him remix their music.

"Dude, you guys scope the size of that crowd?" Hizeme Ryuujin, lead singer of the group Kaosu no Tenshi comments to the small group of reploids that make up the band. "It's farking HUGE!"

"Hey, tha's cool then, for the big comeback of our group and the Slaggers' music scene." Toboe nods, ears twitching to catch the noise from outside. The group likely stands out backstage, what with Hizeme standing some thirty feet in length from nose to tail-tip, and the rest of the all-reploid band certainly making a visual statement in metalic armor and various semi-human and humanoid forms.

"This is gonna be good shit, man. Good shit. Lotta music, lotta dope, lotta cool stuff like that." Deirdra nods sagely, surveying the backstage area. "Just us an' our fellow musicwankers, raisin' the roof!"

In Robort's Fetal Discharge's dressing room...

The Amerigan group of death metalists with their long headbanging hair stand silent around a small table. The band members seem uneasy; all shift their attention to "Vomit" who enters the dressing room with a bottle of whiskey in hand. This peculiar awkwardness finally dissipates as "Mechanical Raper" breaks the silence,

"Yo, Benjamin, ya sure about this?"

Quite obviously angered "Vomit" slams down the bottle of whiskey on the table and violently replies,

"Damn it, Ishmael, call me Vomit... especially before the show! I gotta get the fucking energy in me!"

Fecal Slim scoffs as he lights up a cigarrette.
"Fucking hypocrite," he mumbles.

Still infuriated, "Vomit" turns toward Fecal Slim and then glances at the rest of the dreary looking Amerigans.

"What the hell is wrong with you people?" "Vomit" demands. "This gig is huge, man! We're going international! We're going places!"

With the cigarrette lodged in the corner of his mouth, Fecal Slim mumbles,
"We play to a certain type of audience..."

Aluminum Man nods in agreemed, "Yeah, he's got a point."

Vomit then turns to Aluminum man and points at him threateningly,
"Hey, you shut up, we only let you into the band so you wouldn't tell the cops about that... er... let's not talk about that."

"Horned Ass Sickle" although silent throughout finally voices his own opinion on the matter in a deep gruff voice,
"It was a dem dere sheep. I wonder if bestia..."

Vomit, still quite indignant turns to "H.A.S." this time,
"Shut up about that, man. We were all drunk and high..."

Fecal Slim mumbles something incoherent followed by,
"But ya weren't."

To which Vomit replies simply with a universal hand gesture of profanity. The rest of the group start laughing hysterically.

"Very funny, guys." says Vomit taking a sip from the bottle, "Now strip down. We gotta put our mud <he airquotes here>"outfits"."

"One at a time right?" H.A.S asks warily.

"No, altogether so we might have an orgy..." replies Vomit sarcastically.

"You're sarcastic right?" H.A.S asks again in the same tone.

"YES! Damn..." answers Vomit throwing his arms up into the air in frustration.

The pungent sweet smells of ripe fruit, strong liquor and cigars oozed stickily around the doorframe of the "Good Times" dressing room, the sound of friendly laughter and chatter echoed from within.
The ages in the room ranged from under 20 to over 60. Isaac Anderson, the young singer was pacing around the room limbering up his voice, he stopped in front of "Sir" William Constanza, a man now in his mid fifties that looked like he'd lived and enjoyed all of those years and acted as a father figure to the newer breed;

"Hey there Sir, its a pretty big scene outside, you think i'm up to this?"
"Well there big man, aint nothing to it but to do it, you be fine, knock-out"

Anne "Angel" Simone sidled up to the pair, she looked slim and worldly attractive, younger than her 50 odd years,

"Well then, how's my two favourite gentlemen getting along here?"
"Isaac here's got a touch of the butterflies my queen"

William drawled in a voice that sounded like it came dipped in treacle,

"If that aint the craziest thing, why you got one of the sweetest voices i heard in all my years honey, that crowd aint gonna know just what flew by"

With that Anne put her hands on the boys shoulders and leaned up to kiss his forehead,

"Thanks Annie, i be cool"

and with that the young singer sauntered off to continue his vocal exercises looking slightly if not too much more at ease.
William spotted the horn section over the other side of the room pouring themselves some rum and laughing loudly,

"Hey Coco!"

he called to his old friend and alto sax player Courttia Coelho,

"You leading the opening number this afternoon man, you cool?"
"i is, was and always will be cool my man, we gonna make that crowd jump up"

He raised his glass in Williams direction, smiled a mile wide smile and took a long swig of the dark brown liquid.
In another corner of the room the oldest member of the group, Gabriel "El Mago" Puente was talking animatedly with the bassist Umberto Nara and the teenage drummer, Jorge Diamond when he caught William's eye, halted the conversation and shuffled over,

"Hey there magic man, good to be playing with you again, its been too long man."

There was a hint of mournfulness in William's voice as he addressed the man who was his one time teacher and source of inspiration,

"I'm good Billy, and it's good to be back, you know i had some dark times in the past few years man, but now i just want to play again."
"That's good to know man, i just wish sometimes you'd let your friends help you."
"Thankyou, but it's just how i am, you know that, how are you feeling anyway man? it's the biggest gig we've done in a while."
"Yeah i know, probably the biggest ever outside Basie, some of the young uns look a little uptight."
"Well i guess we just have to do it like we allways do it then my man, we stay cool and they stay cool, it's all gonna be just fine, we'll spread some love."
"It's gonna be a riot aint it, drink?"

William grinned and reached over, picking up a fresh bottle of vintage rum and cracking it open,

"Sure man, cool, we gonna go out there and have an old time party"

They touched their glasses together with a soft 'clink', William turned and started to address the room,

"Hey there people, I, Sir William Constanza,would like to propose a toast, to good music, good friends and Good Times abroad, lets make it a good one, i know you all will, here's to ya."

Loud cheers went up from all the band members as they raised their glasses and sipped their drinks, soon it would be showtime.

The members of Blood Bond had staked out a small patch of empty ground behind Stage 1, and were lounging casually. Lead singer and guitarist Vinny was casually tuning her guitar, while her basist, Darryl, wasdoing the same.

"Hey guys, have you seen the crowds yet?" Kristina, the keyboardist, said as she flopped back down, having just returned from a Coke run for the group. She handed them out and the others all shook their heads. "Well, I've gotta warn you, there's thousands out there! This is easily the biggest show we've played."

"Well, it's all gonna work to our advantage," noted Eric, as he tapped his drumsticks on a nearby amp. "Image, all those people go and tell their friends about how awsome we are, then they all buy our CD, then those other people tell other people..."

"As long as I can keep from passing out on stage," Vinny joked, "This should be great publicity. She had been known to have a pretty bad stage fright problem, and having never played this large a show, Vinny was genuinely worried.

4 large vegetable-like creatures have settled into their dressing room. The sign outside read: "Fuzzy Green Grass". Earl sits in a corner tuning his banjo, before picking a few short bluegrass standards to get himself warmed up. He was no stranger to the stage; he spent a good part of his Secondary School years entertaining (or sometimes torturing) his classmates and teachers with his distinctive country baritone. However, even in his wildest dreams he would not have imagined the scene that would greet his very eyes. In stark contrast, Wosh was tuning up his electric guitar, after which he ripped into the Stairway solo. He was considerably less experienced than Earl, but his spontaneous energy and talent more than made up for his lack of previous stagetime. Meanwhile, Mchm had tuned up her bass guitar and was playing the All Day intro. Already a small-time recording artiste in her own right, she was no stranger to the stage, her crystalline voice belying her role in the band as a bassist. In another corner, Emyonge played a few rolls, warming up for the big gig afterwards, before slipping smoothly into One Way, as the rest of the band joined in the impromptu jamming session. After the song had ended, Wosh opened his mouth. "Want to go have a look around?" Earl replied cautiously, "Err...I don't know, they don't look like our type..."

In the tent of Crimson Sedition...

Dressed completely in black, Crimson Sedition was setting up to play a couple of songs to warm up. However, not all was well, since they heard that Robort's Fetal Discharge were also there. An incident had long ago transpired that was unforgivable and none of Crimson Sedition were willing to make any exceptions.

Grimm, looked somewhat irritated,
"I dunno if Stage 2 is a side stage... It better not be..."

"It's not... It's just stage 2," Laken replied.

"Man I'm surprised we got anywhere internationally at all," Chitan added.

"Shit! I hope this doesn't mean we sold out..." Grimm gasped.

"Well... We are making a lot of money...." Chang said.

"Oh no! I don't want us to be sellouts!" Grimm cried.

"Hell I don't care if we become sellouts, I'm liking the money," Chang stated.

"Oh fuck! We're sellouts! How do we not become sellouts?!" demanded Grimm.

"I don't think we can... unbecome our fortunes..." Chitan said softly.

Grimm about to say something regarding the whole sellout issue, but he suddenly paused and looked about him. It looked like something or someone was missing, but at first glance it looked like everyone was there. Finally realizing the obvious Grimm demanded,
"Wait a second where the hell is Riely? Did he not get here yet?"

"I dunno" was on the rest of the ban members' faces.

"Aw hell, I'll go see if he's around here," grumbled Grimm as he walked outside.

Jason Varse sat outside his tent with the rest of the band where they were having a heated argument

"WHAT THE FUCK WHERE YOU GUYS THINKING? yOU WROTE DOWN NAME AS YOUR NAME! WHAT THE HELL?"

"We like the anominity. It makes us look cool and besides if this gig tanks then nobody will know who were are."

"Well we have to distinguish between ourselfs. I'll be 1, you 2, you 3, you 4 and you be 5"


"I'm not a number I'm a man! My name is Jason!"

"Fine there is no #5."

"Why do I have to be #2?"

"You gotta do your duty. So grin and bear it."

In a run down room behind Stage 1:
"Do you think people will understand our show?"
"Not a chance. The SLAGlandic?"
"Good point. We might as well make a big hand and fly it over the audience's heads while making a woosh sound."
"...that sounded better before you said it, didn't it."
"Yeah, it did."
"Figures."
"Right. Slash, you ready?"
"Blarw you gah ree niha blaueh"
"He seems to be."

Jason Varse sat outside his tent with the rest of the band where they were having a heated argument

"WHAT THE FUCK WHERE YOU GUYS THINKING? yOU WROTE DOWN NAME AS YOUR NAME! WHAT THE HELL?"

"We like the anominity. It makes us look cool and besides if this gig tanks then nobody will know who were are."

"Well we have to distinguish between ourselfs. I'll be 1, you 2, you 3, you 4 and you be 5"


"I'm not a number I'm a man! My name is Jason!"

"Fine there is no #5."

"Why do I have to be #2?"

"You gotta do your duty. So grin and bear it."
Grimm was passing by this particular tent and thus heard the whole conversation.

"Um... excuse me?" Grimm asked meakly. "Have any of you guys seen a guy with an acoustic guitar. He's about 5'5, is very pale and should be wearing all black. Probably a sweatshirt... Yeah."

"yeah I think I saw him getting a coke over there" #5- I mean jason- pointed towards a line of people. #4 pulled out a lighter and lit Jason's jacket of fire.

"Shit!!!"


o.o.c Iv'e decided to have the msot fucked up backsatge antics!

"yeah I think I saw him getting a coke over there" #5- I mean jason- pointed towards a line of people. #4 pulled out a lighter and lit Jason's jacket of fire.

"Shit!!!"


o.o.c Iv'e decided to have the msot fucked up backsatge antics!

OOC: Which stage are you behind? I wouldn't mind getting in on this, if the placement is appropriate.

o.o.c stage 2.

"yeah I think I saw him getting a coke over there" #5- I mean jason- pointed towards a line of people. #4 pulled out a lighter and lit Jason's jacket of fire.

"Shit!!!"


o.o.c Iv'e decided to have the msot fucked up backsatge antics!
"Damn... Er... I think I'll go find him."

MEANWHILE

Covered completely head to toe in thick brown mud, wearing nothing but a loincloth, Vomit stood proudly holding a gray wakazashi in his hand.

"Hey guys!" he proclaimed to the rest of the band who were sitted awkwardly on a black leather couch around a table and a bottle of whiskey.

"Hey guys! Look what I bought from some guy!" with that he unsheathed the wakazashi and swung it around.

"I think we should use it as a prop in our performance!" he said gleefully.

"I hope we don't have to pay for fucking up the dressing room." murmured Has sullenly.

"Move, guys, I gotta try this thing out." Vomit said swing around the relatively short blade in his hand. Everyone grudgingly stood up and proceeded to watch Vomit cut up the brand new leather couch with his newfound Japanese weapon.

"Damn I really hope we don't have to pay for the couch..." Has murmured still very sullenly.

"I'm gonna go... outside." mumbled Fecal Slim.

Fecal Slim was walking along and realized that he forgot his lighter, but decided he'd not go back to the tent just yet... So seeing Blood Bond outside, he came up to them and asked for a light.

Vinny looked up, and smiled. "Yeah, sure, one sec," she said in response to the request for a light. She stood up and patted her pockets, then found what she was looking for and extracted a silver Zippo.

As Fecal Slim used it, she herself extracted a cigatrette and waited momentarily for the lighter to be returned before lighting up. "This place is pretty crazy right now," she commented, trying to make some form of conversation.

o.o.c. is that a challenge Amerigo?

I.C. Jason was running around looking for soemthing to put out the flames on his Jacket. #4 started to pull firecrackers out of his pocket.

Vinny looked up, and smiled. "Yeah, sure, one sec," she said in response to the request for a light. She stood up and patted her pockets, then found what she was looking for and extracted a silver Zippo.

As Fecal Slim used it, she herself extracted a cigatrette and waited momentarily for the lighter to be returned before lighting up. "This place is pretty crazy right now," she commented, trying to make some form of conversation.

After mumbling a barely comprehensible sound of thanks, he lit up a cigarette and then lit Vinnie's. Then slowly and somewhat incoherently mumbled,
"Yeah, it is pretty crazy... It'll get crazier though. Ben's gonna want everyone to get into the fucking outfits soon. That means I'll wear a loincloth and be covered completely in mud... real mud... not any paint... but real mud... for authenticity he says. But anyways name's Joe. I'm from the band RFD... over there by Stage 2."

o.o.c. is that a challenge Amerigo?

I.C. Jason was running around looking for soemthing to put out the flames on his Jacket. #4 started to pull firecrackers out of his pocket.

OOC: No, not at all. Merely illustrating how insane Vomit is as compared to everyone else.

o.o.c. I'm here to illustrate how insane my band is from every one else(including Jason)

I.C. #3 grabbed a roll of duct tape while #2 grabbed a 24 of diet cola.

"COLA BOMB TIME!!!"

After mumbling a barely comprehensible sound of thanks, he lit up a cigarette and then lit Vinnie's. Then slowly and somewhat incoherently mumbled,
"Yeah, it is pretty crazy... It'll get crazier though. Ben's gonna want everyone to get into the fucking outfits soon. That means I'll wear a loincloth and be covered completely in mud... real mud... not any paint... but real mud... for authenticity he says. But anyways name's Joe. I'm from the band RFD... over there by Stage 2."

"Man, I don't even wanna think about getting dressed yet... that means I might actually have to go and face that crowd," Vinny said, shaking her head. "Anyway, I'm Vanessa... Vinny, to most people. This is my band, Blood Bond." Vinny motioned towards the others, who were laughing amongst themselves.

#1 grabbed a video camera, and the entire crew went outside and began duct taping firecrackers to cans of diet cola

"COLA BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMB!"

They lit a firecracker and filmed it exploding and filmed each explosion one by one.

"Geez... the organics are bein' really wacko out there." Hawk peers out of Kaosu no Tenshi's dressing room.

"Eh, we'll show 'em wacko on stage. Got the flashbangs ready for Oh-Em-Gee Double-you-Tee-Eff Bee-Bee-Cue?" Hizeme grins, showing full rows of very sharp teeth.

"Flashbangs are locked, loaded, and ready when we are, Hiz!" Deirdra snickers, helping load the aforementioned pyrotechnics into the big reploid's long disused weapons bays. "And all mounted on our collective persons to prevent silly meaties from filching 'em. The joys of bein' the only mechanoids at a gathering full of meaties."

"Speaking of which, we're all warmed up and good t'go- wanna mingle with our fellow musicwankers?" Toboe swishes his surprisingly natural looking furry tail and glances at the door.

"Yeah, I imagine the entrance of a thirty foot long mechanoid dragon and company would bring the antics out there screeching to a halt pretty quick." Hizeme chuckles, slightly rustling her wings.

"So are we or aren't we?"

"My vote is we are."

"Then get yer armor-plated arse off the floor and let's go!"

((Lol, I can't believe I missed this. Taggishness.))

Sen Dabernasi scowled. "Idiots."

Behind him, Jay Reaven lifted his head, squinting over the Easterling's shoulder at the fiasco. "Yeah, well, you'll have that," he muses, closing his magazine and tucking it into his back pocket. "Prats," he adds, stepping into the dressing room.

Behind him, Ogan Menderes lights a joint. "You know, I'd bet half these jokers can't play their way out of a wet paper sack. Let them fuck around," he says with a disdaniful glance over his shoulder. "Our time will be better spent getting ripped and practicing," he says with a grin, passing the joint off to his left.

Dabernasi nods concurrently. "Right." He cracks his knuckles. "Let's get going."

(ooc: the whole conversation is in rejistanian unless stated otherwise, I translated)
In the dressing room of Kurudi Ri, the chaos reigned, but compared to other areas, it was acceptable, someone put a small statue of Xeherakansa in one corner and Mika kneeled in front of it. Juru and Hetu were busy re-checking if they knew the english version of "Sija la'aru'ta veka alte" (tomorrow wasn't better) by heart (The english version of that song is a surprise for the fans since Kurudi 100 figured only few know rejistanian). Miki wrote soemthing down, no one knew what and Sanax looked into a book about accounting. That is what his girlfriend learns and so he gave her a current Kurudi 100 CD and she a book about accounting when he departed to the Slaglands and she into the 'critical phase' before the exams.
"Kimi, han'il!" (Kimi, to it!/Kimi, get up!) Sanax shouted at Kimi, who had no intention to get ready.
"Ah, not that fast..." Kimi slowly got up.
"It's our first international concert and you are procrastinating." Sanax was always the first one to get ready. People called him Kesimil (Kesim'il means 'hurry up') when he is not noticing.
"You know how much time we have until we play?" Kimi just got up to get another cup of tea.
"I know you, Kimi, if you aren't annoyed constantly, you will not be ready in time."
"skesi'il" (calm down/stop it) Kimi sipped his red tea. Various noises were heard and seemed to become louder.
Kimi moved doorwards: "I think I'll look what is going on there."
Hetu grinned: "Have fun trying. Your english surely won't help." Kimi's english was a bit bad, but he learned for the trip to the SLAGlands.
Kimi answered in english: "Don't you underestimate me!" then he left.

The techs MNN had assigned to the FreakFest vidfeed were not a usual MNN news crew. The standard cool professionalism of an MNN team had been discarded for the enthusiasiasm of the music geek. Half the team had escaped from their harried supervisor to "interview" various favorite performers.

Still, they did have a job to do. A small synthiplast shell tent had been set up, and the satellite uplink was coming online. Soon, MNN would be offering vidfeed from the concert across their Martian network.

"Man, I don't even wanna think about getting dressed yet... that means I might actually have to go and face that crowd," Vinny said, shaking her head. "Anyway, I'm Vanessa... Vinny, to most people. This is my band, Blood Bond." Vinny motioned towards the others, who were laughing amongst themselves.
"Yah prolly shouldn't worry... Ya'll be fine... Me and mah band... we play for a very... strange group o' people. We just signed a record deal... we ain't got nothing out. Dat means we'll either get popular or be booed off stage." Joe mumbled barely coherent and took and exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke.

"I dun' think we're even dat good... I dunno how we got accepted... here..."

The techs MNN had assigned to the FreakFest vidfeed were not a usual MNN news crew. The standard cool professionalism of an MNN team had been discarded for the enthusiasiasm of the music geek. Half the team had escaped from their harried supervisor to "interview" various favorite performers.

Still, they did have a job to do. A small synthiplast shell tent had been set up, and the satellite uplink was coming online. Soon, MNN would be offering vidfeed from the concert across their Martian network.

Having failed to find Sotts at the Coke machine, Grimm continued his search. He walked amidst the varying tents, groupies, and stage personel. After that bizarre incident, he decided to avoid the rest of the bands... He walked past the strange MNN tent and decided to ask there. He was sure a news association would not have any blatant insanity. So he decided to ask around if they seen his acoustic guiarist.

"Yah prolly shouldn't worry... Ya'll be fine... Me and mah band... we play for a very... strange group o' people. We just signed a record deal... we ain't got nothing out. Dat means we'll either get popular or be booed off stage." Joe mumbled barely coherent and took and exhaled a puff of cigarette smoke.

"I dun' think we're even dat good... I dunno how we got accepted... here..."

Vinny shook her head a bit. "I bet you guys are awsome... otherwise, how would you have made it here? They're pretty choosy, from what I can tell," Vinny noted between drags of her cigarette. "And I doubt you'll get booed offstage... there are some wierd acts lined up, have you seen the roster?"

Vinny shook her head a bit. "I bet you guys are awsome... otherwise, how would you have made it here? They're pretty choosy, from what I can tell," Vinny noted between drags of her cigarette. "And I doubt you'll get booed offstage... there are some wierd acts lined up, have you seen the roster?"
"Yer too kind, but ya haven't seen mah band.... because I'm sure its one of those weird acts lined up..." he mumbled slowly, paused slowly looked around and then looked back at her. 'So when do yer band go up... we're somewheres in the very beginnin' on Stage 2."

"Yer too kind, but ya haven't seen mah band.... because I'm sure its one of those weird acts lined up..." he mumbled slowly, paused slowly looked around and then looked back at her. 'So when do yer band go up... we're somewheres in the very beginnin' on Stage 2."

"Don't worry about it, if anything, we'll be listening to ya and cheering you on," Vinny told him. "Hmmm... when are we up..." she mumbled, turning back to her band. "Hey, guys, when are we up?"

Kristina looked up from the sketchbook that was laid in front of her. "Third on Stage 1."

"Okay, thanks. Anyway," Vinny said, turning back to Joe, "Yeah, what she said. When you go on, they'll be setting up here for the next set, so I'll be able to get up here to watch you guys. Trust me, we're not exactly normal, if ya couldn't tell."

"Don't worry about it, if anything, we'll be listening to ya and cheering you on," Vinny told him. "Hmmm... when are we up..." she mumbled, turning back to her band. "Hey, guys, when are we up?"

Kristina looked up from the sketchbook that was laid in front of her. "Third on Stage 1."

"Okay, thanks. Anyway," Vinny said, turning back to Joe, "Yeah, what she said. When you go on, they'll be setting up here for the next set, so I'll be able to get up here to watch you guys. Trust me, we're not exactly normal, if ya couldn't tell."
Cynically smiling, Joe mumbled, "Yer prolly ain't..."
He was interrupted by the shout of a relatively heavy set man, enveloped in a thick layer of dark brown mud... (hopefully mud and nothing else).

"YO!"

The heavy set man ran towards Joe, breathing heavily. He put his right hand on Joe's right shoulder leaving a dark brown stain on Joe's shirt.

"Hey man. I'm glad I found you. Vomit wants you in costume so we could do a dress rehersal."

Slightly annoyed and somewhat surprised, Joe turned toward the mud covered man,

"Dress rehearsal? Did he say... dress rehersal?"

"Yeah, man those were his exact words. Oh yeah and I think he asked for a doctor, too."

"A doctor?" Joe raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah he cut himself pretty bad with that sword. Bled like a mothafuckah. And screamed like a little girl. Then he got drunk on whiskey... Now he stopped screaming, but he's wasted out of his mind."

Joe turned toward Vinnie,
"Ya know where they's got a doctor?"

Cynically smiling, Joe mumbled, "Yer prolly ain't..."
He was interrupted by the shout of a relatively heavy set man, enveloped in a thick layer of dark brown mud... (hopefully mud and nothing else).

"YO!"

The heavy set man ran towards Joe, breathing heavily. He put his right hand on Joe's right shoulder leaving a dark brown stain on Joe's shirt.

"Hey man. I'm glad I found you. Vomit wants you in costume so we could do a dress rehersal."

Slightly annoyed and somewhat surprised, Joe turned toward the mud covered man,

"Dress rehearsal? Did he say... dress rehersal?"

"Yeah, man those were his exact words. Oh yeah and I think he asked for a doctor, too."

"A doctor?" Joe raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah he cut himself pretty bad with that sword. Bled like a mothafuckah. And screamed like a little girl. Then he got drunk on whiskey... Now he stopped screaming, but he's wasted out of his mind."

Joe turned toward Vinnie,
"Ya know where they's got a doctor?"

Vinny went wide-eyed, surprised at both the arrival of the unknown mud-covered man, and at the sudden need for a doctor.

"I... I have no idea. Maybe ask one of the crewmembers running around, they might know... and did you say sword?" Vinny seemed almost dumbfounded. "Why did that... person, have a sword?!"

Vinny turned and gave a strange look to Kristina, obviously confused and suddenly feeling out of place, being a barely legal girl amongst strange beings and wierdos.

Vinny went wide-eyed, surprised at both the arrival of the unknown mud-covered man, and at the sudden need for a doctor.

"I... I have no idea. Maybe ask one of the crewmembers running around, they might know... and did you say sword?" Vinny seemed almost dumbfounded. "Why did that... person, have a sword?!"

Vinny turned and gave a strange look to Kristina, obviously confused and suddenly feeling out of place, being a barely legal girl amongst strange beings and wierdos.

"Yeah... One of the reasons I left the tent in da first place." mumbled Joe, with an amused smirk pasted on his face. "He got one of 'em what do you call 'em, Has?"

"A wakazashi."

"Yeah, yeah one of dem. So he started cuttin' up da couch. Bought it off some guy, I'm guessing."

"Oh yeah," the mudcovered Has turned to Vinnie and asked, "Do ya know if we gotta pay for any damages... Like the couch... its pretty thrashed."

"Yeah... One of the reasons I left the tent in da first place." mumbled Joe, with an amused smirk pasted on his face. "He got one of 'em what do you call 'em, Has?"

"A wakazashi."

"Yeah, yeah one of dem. So he started cuttin' up da couch. Bought it off some guy, I'm guessing."

"Oh yeah," the mudcovered Has turned to Vinnie and asked, "Do ya know if we gotta pay for any damages... Like the couch... its pretty thrashed."

"Umm... I don't know... we were only in our tent long enough to unload the equipment and grab drinks, we've been out here, listening to the group that's up there... I'm sure it'll be okay, I wouldn't worry about it. I bet they even expect stuff like that to happen," she told them, though not at all convinced. "Do you... know why he bought that thing?" she then asked, seeming confused as to why someone wwould want a japanese sword before going on stage for a concert.

"Umm... I don't know... we were only in our tent long enough to unload the equipment and grab drinks, we've been out here, listening to the group that's up there... I'm sure it'll be okay, I wouldn't worry about it. I bet they even expect stuff like that to happen," she told them, though not at all convinced. "Do you... know why he bought that thing?" she then asked, seeming confused as to why someone wwould want a japanese sword before going on stage for a concert.

"He's impulsive and..." Joe mumbled.
"Insane." added Has, "Oh and I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Horned Ass Sickle..." He paused and then seeing the reaction on Vinnie's face decided to explain further, "Thats... my stage name... I guess. Ben thought all of our names sounded wussy so he made up these for everyone... I'm Has... offstage."

Then somewhat withdrawn in his own thoughts, he continued more to himself than to Vinnie,
"...Except Aluminum Man, but he wouldn't be in the band if that thing didn't happen..."

Has turned promptly to Joe, "You better hurry up and go over there, before Vomit decides to come here."

However, it was obviously too late. A mud-covered Ben ("Vomit") limped towards them supported by the shoulder of Ishmael ("Mechanical Raper"), (who was also in the mud costume). Vomit still had the sword in hand, and had a bandaged right thigh.

"Whatrya-whatrya... what shyou doin'?" he demanded drunkenly as he saw Joe and Has. "Why is shyou... 'procrastinamatin' to these huh peoples. They's spyin' on us, 'cause... theys... theys bleedin' spies."

Now within a few feet of everyone who was participating in the conversation Vomit said in a drunken glee,

"Hullo! My name's Vomit. Have shyou seen mah wakazashi?" He held up the sword, his arm wobbling. "Oh ya... My name... do you hear me? I said mah name is Vomit. Don't call me 'Benshamin'... cause we gotta performs. Yah... can wes... borrow a couch? Ours is... trashed... I said... do you hear me... are shya lisnin'? I said It's trahsed... we can't... puts it on stage... to trash it... So we need your couch..."

"He's impulsive and..." Joe mumbled.
"Insane." added Has, "Oh and I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Horned Ass Sickle..." He paused and then seeing the reaction on Vinnie's face decided to explain further, "Thats... my stage name... I guess. Ben thought all of our names sounded wussy so he made up these for everyone... I'm Has... offstage."

Then somewhat withdrawn in his own thoughts, he continued more to himself than to Vinnie,
"...Except Aluminum Man, but he wouldn't be in the band if that thing didn't happen..."

Has turned promptly to Joe, "You better hurry up and go over there, before Vomit decides to come here."

However, it was obviously too late. A mud-covered Ben ("Vomit") limped towards them supported by the shoulder of Ishmael ("Mechanical Raper"), (who was also in the mud costume). Vomit still had the sword in hand, and had a bandaged right thigh.

"Whatrya-whatrya... what shyou doin'?" he demanded drunkenly as he saw Joe and Has. "Why is shyou... 'procrastinamatin' to these huh peoples. They's spyin' on us, 'cause... theys... theys bleedin' spies."

Now within a few feet of everyone who was participating in the conversation Vomit said in a drunken glee,

"Hullo! My name's Vomit. Have shyou seen mah wakazashi?" He held up the sword, his arm wobbling. "Oh ya... My name... do you hear me? I said mah name is Vomit. Don't call me 'Benshamin'... cause we gotta performs. Yah... can wes... borrow a couch? Ours is... trashed... I said... do you hear me... are shya lisnin'? I said It's trahsed... we can't... puts it on stage... to trash it... So we need your couch..."

"Um, I'm sorry, I'm not a spy... nice to meet you, I'm Vanessa, of Blood Bond... I don't think you can have our couch though, I'm not sure we're allowed to share things like that..." Vinny eyed the group warily. She hadn't dressed for their performance yet, so it wasn't like she was worried about getting dirty, but the sight of so many grown men covered in mud was a little unsettling.

"Are you okay... Vomit... Your leg looks lik it's cut up pretty bad. Maybe you should sit down. Want some coffee or something? I think you need to sober up a bit before you can expect to perform..." Vinny was trying valiantly to be helpful, but it seemed rather useless to her bandmates, who laughed quietly at her misfortune.

OOC: I'm not ducking out of this RP, just changing bands.

IC:

A man in a very expensive suit arrived backstage and talked to the roadie in charge, "Zed Leppezin can't make it, they decided that they won't be getting enough money to be here and perform."

"What? They're going to be on soon!" Replied the roadie.

"I'm sorry, but the decision was made by the band, and there's nothing we at the label can do, since we didn't sign them up for this performance."

And with that the man walked off and to his car.

---

*John Davis' Office, Big Shiny Records, Arrio, Aequatio*

Davis was sitting at his desk when his phone rang, "Davis here."

"John, it's Harry... Zed Leppezin has pulled from Freakfest 2XXX show... if Youthanasia is going to make their comeback, this is the time and place to do it!"

"All right, I'll get them on a plane and out there, let's take those loser Leppezin's place... thanks, Harry, I owe you one."

"You owe me more than that, John."

Davis laughed and hung up, he called his assistant, "Get those kids from Youthanasia a flight to The SLAGlands and a spot to perform at Freakfest 2XXX."

"Yes, Mr. Davis," she replied.

OOC: And does SLAG post in his threads once every month or something... damn!


"Um, I'm sorry, I'm not a spy... nice to meet you, I'm Vanessa, of Blood Bond... I don't think you can have our couch though, I'm not sure we're allowed to share things like that..." Vinny eyed the group warily. She hadn't dressed for their performance yet, so it wasn't like she was worried about getting dirty, but the sight of so many grown men covered in mud was a little unsettling.

"Are you okay... Vomit... Your leg looks lik it's cut up pretty bad. Maybe you should sit down. Want some coffee or something? I think you need to sober up a bit before you can expect to perform..." Vinny was trying valiantly to be helpful, but it seemed rather useless to her bandmates, who laughed quietly at her misfortune.

"Yah bleedin' fascist! Chya can take... I said... I said ya can take mah 'libarty' and ys can steal... my... but... I said... yah cans never take my spirirt! N-O-G to the bloody horde! We don't want... no..." his head drooped a bit, and it seemed for a second that he may have dozed off, but then suddenly his head jerked up and looked drunkedly straight at Vinnie,
"Hullo! My name is Vomit... Ya hear sme... 'cause i dun' want peoples... to calls me..." he continued to ramble and even though the words he said were not as incoherently pronounced as Joe's way of speaking, it was from this point on completely impossible to decipher what "Vomit" was talking about.

"My apologies, for mah friend here." Joe mumbled.

"Yeah, but I don't think you want to get him sober... He's a little more predictable when he's drunk," Has noted, "and he can probably play the guitar drunk as well as he would sober..."

"Come on, Slim," said Ishmael ("Mechanical Raper"), "He wants you to get in costume. For a dress rehersal."

At that moment Vomit collapsed onto the grass and grumbled that he'd take a nap and the "bleeding fascists" would have to wait.

Joe looked down at Vomit and then shifted his gaze toward Ishmael.

"Slim," said Ishmael," If he doesn't see you covered in mud wearing just a loincloth, when he comes around he's gonna be pissed off."

"Fine," mumbled Slim, "We'll be back in 10 minutes or so... to pick him up." Joe and Ishmael slowly trudged off.

"Yeah, good," said Has, "'cause the doctor told me not to lift heavy weights."

Has turned back to face Vinnie, "Don't worry about Ben here," he said pointing down at "Vomit", "Just let him sleep it off."

"Yeah," Has said laughingly, "Ben was screaming like some little child after he cut up his right thigh. He thought he cut his..." He paused and contemplated something. Then narrowing his eyes he looked right at her and in a very solemn voice, "Do you have some rum?"

(OOC: My apologies for being slow... working full time and getting married and all that... yar.

There have been a few minor changes to the set order you all should be aware of. It mostly affects people early in the show, but among others, DJ Evan White, Blood Bond, and Robort's Fetal Discharge have been switched around a bit. You guys still should have plenty of time to prepare, but I had to make a few minor adjustments to get Youthanasia on the bill. I'm quite sorry.)

Stage 1:

The noise from the stage ends as By Thunder makes their way to the back. The singer/bassist and guitar player are covered in sweat, laughing and shouting in each other's arms. The keyboardist and drummer hang back near the entrance, watching as the two obvious group leaders go from embracing to kissing, from kissing to French kissing, from French kissing to groping, from groping to stumbling into their dressing room and slamming the door behind them.

Keyboardist Keebs rolls her eyes and lights up a marijuana joint, Alexis echoing the sentiment with a regular cigarette. The two look around the common area behind stage 1, taking in the scene.

Stage 2:

From the entrance to the stage, a terrifyingly obese man in a stage crew T-shirt and jean shorts appears holding a large megaphone.

"THE 'GOOD TIMES' ALL-STAR BIG BAND IS UP!" he shouts, the megaphone squealing behind his nasally scream. "'GOOD TIMES' ALL-STAR BIG BAND, GET TO STAGE 2 IMMEDIATELY!"

The squealing megaphone is just enough to prompt the door to Slaya Hater's dressing room to swing open. Out walks a chubby, slightly balding redheaded man in grey sweatpants, his deep blue shirt slung over his shoulder. Pulling the shirt over his head, he shouts, "Okay! Jeebus! They hear you! Christ! That better be the longest band name I hear coming out of that megaphone tonight, pal!" He flips the man with the megaphone the bird and settles in outside the dressing room for a cigarette. His hair is rather flat on the right side, and his eyes are baggy; he looks as if he just woke up a moment ago.

"Yah bleedin' fascist! Chya can take... I said... I said ya can take mah 'libarty' and ys can steal... my... but... I said... yah cans never take my spirirt! N-O-G to the bloody horde! We don't want... no..." his head drooped a bit, and it seemed for a second that he may have dozed off, but then suddenly his head jerked up and looked drunkedly straight at Vinnie,
"Hullo! My name is Vomit... Ya hear sme... 'cause i dun' want peoples... to calls me..." he continued to ramble and even though the words he said were not as incoherently pronounced as Joe's way of speaking, it was from this point on completely impossible to decipher what "Vomit" was talking about.

"My apologies, for mah friend here." Joe mumbled.

"Yeah, but I don't think you want to get him sober... He's a little more predictable when he's drunk," Has noted, "and he can probably play the guitar drunk as well as he would sober..."

"Come on, Slim," said Ishmael ("Mechanical Raper"), "He wants you to get in costume. For a dress rehersal."

At that moment Vomit collapsed onto the grass and grumbled that he'd take a nap and the "bleeding fascists" would have to wait.

Joe looked down at Vomit and then shifted his gaze toward Ishmael.

"Slim," said Ishmael," If he doesn't see you covered in mud wearing just a loincloth, when he comes around he's gonna be pissed off."

"Fine," mumbled Slim, "We'll be back in 10 minutes or so... to pick him up." Joe and Ishmael slowly trudged off.

"Yeah, good," said Has, "'cause the doctor told me not to lift heavy weights."

Has turned back to face Vinnie, "Don't worry about Ben here," he said pointing down at "Vomit", "Just let him sleep it off."

"Yeah," Has said laughingly, "Ben was screaming like some little child after he cut up his right thigh. He thought he cut his..." He paused and contemplated something. Then narrowing his eyes he looked right at her and in a very solemn voice, "Do you have some rum?"

Vinny looked quite alarmed, having heard about the crazy antics going on amongst the other band. "Man..." she muttered as she gave Has a signal to wait a minute then went over to Darryl. "And I thought we were wierd..."

Darryl laughed, shaking his head. He handed her a half-empty bottle of rum, and she thanked him quickly before returning to Has. "Here," she said, handing it to him. "I wouldn't suggest drinking it though, I think one nearly comatose band member is enough..." She shook her head. "Maybe... we should lye him down somewhere more out of the way? It seems like he could get stepped on, or something..."

Vinny looked quite alarmed, having heard about the crazy antics going on amongst the other band. "Man..." she muttered as she gave Has a signal to wait a minute then went over to Darryl. "And I thought we were wierd..."

Darryl laughed, shaking his head. He handed her a half-empty bottle of rum, and she thanked him quickly before returning to Has. "Here," she said, handing it to him. "I wouldn't suggest drinking it though, I think one nearly comatose band member is enough..." She shook her head. "Maybe... we should lye him down somewhere more out of the way? It seems like he could get stepped on, or something..."
Has laughed, taking the bottle of rum, hastily.
"One bottle of rum isn't enough to knock me out!"
He unscrewed the top and took a large sip from the bottle.
"Ah, thats good stuff."

Then he glanced down at Vomit lying on the grass, then curiously looked at Vinnie, after she had made her suggestion to move him,
"Nah, he'll be fine. He needs a good steppinng on to wake him up..." He took another gulp from the bottle and was about to say something, when he was interrupted by a voice on a megaphone that suddenly announced scheduling changes. Has, was clearly alarmed.
"Oh damn. Quick step on him... or kick him. We gotta wake 'em up." He took another long sip from the bottle. Then he gave Vomit a good kick in the ribs. Vomit sorta of groaned and quivered at the impact. However, the kick idd little more than that...

"Oh yeah and we'll need a couch."

Kimi looked at the situation from a distance, he murmured something which was absorbed by the noise. He never expected such a chaos to happen. He knew the sounds and smells of stagefright, which were normal before concerts, well, before the concerts, he played on, seemed to be missing. No rather nervous talks, no lychee juice or green tea, but a rather chaotic, loud and alcohol smelling disorder. In Rejistania, he experienced that after concerts, not before. "What 's happening here?" he asked, but wondered if he was heard at all. Suddently he realized how utter provincial he was...

Kimi looked at the situation from a distance, he murmured something which was absorbed by the noise. He never expected such a chaos to happen. He knew the sounds and smells of stagefright, which were normal before concerts, well, before the concerts, he played on, seemed to be missing. No rather nervous talks, no lychee juice or green tea, but a rather chaotic, loud and alcohol smelling disorder. In Rejistania, he experienced that after concerts, not before. "What 's happening here?" he asked, but wondered if he was heard at all. Suddently he realized how utter provincial he was...
OOC: Where is he exactly?

ooc: Kurudi 100 are playing on stage 2 so expect him in that tent.

Has laughed, taking the bottle of rum, hastily.
"One bottle of rum isn't enough to knock me out!"
He unscrewed the top and took a large sip from the bottle.
"Ah, thats good stuff."

Then he glanced down at Vomit lying on the grass, then curiously looked at Vinnie, after she had made her suggestion to move him,
"Nah, he'll be fine. He needs a good steppinng on to wake him up..." He took another gulp from the bottle and was about to say something, when he was interrupted by a voice on a megaphone that suddenly announced scheduling changes. Has, was clearly alarmed.
"Oh damn. Quick step on him... or kick him. We gotta wake 'em up." He took another long sip from the bottle. Then he gave Vomit a good kick in the ribs. Vomit sorta of groaned and quivered at the impact. However, the kick idd little more than that...

"Oh yeah and we'll need a couch."

Vinny sighed, then shook her head. She walked over to Vomit, and proceeded to kick him in the ribs, then again when he didn't wake up. Finally he seemed to regain some level of conciousness, and began rambling incoherently.

"Well," Vinny said," Now that he's sort of moveable, I'll go find a stage hand to get a new couch for you." Vinny turned and walked off quickly, wandering around a bit and peeking in doors and around corners to find someone, anyone who can help her. She eventualy does find someone, pass on ethe info about the chopped up couch, took a verbal beating for the actions of a drunken maniac, then proceeded to threaten the poor stage hand's life if he didn't get a new couch.

Vinny finally made it back to Has, having taken a quick detour to their tent to grab a Coke. "A new couch will be delivered to your tent shortly," she said between sips of her drink. "Now, should I go get some help to try and get him," Vinny pointed to Vomit, "Back to your tent?"

Vinny sighed, then shook her head. She walked over to Vomit, and proceeded to kick him in the ribs, then again when he didn't wake up. Finally he seemed to regain some level of conciousness, and began rambling incoherently.

"Well," Vinny said," Now that he's sort of moveable, I'll go find a stage hand to get a new couch for you." Vinny turned and walked off quickly, wandering around a bit and peeking in doors and around corners to find someone, anyone who can help her. She eventualy does find someone, pass on ethe info about the chopped up couch, took a verbal beating for the actions of a drunken maniac, then proceeded to threaten the poor stage hand's life if he didn't get a new couch.

Vinny finally made it back to Has, having taken a quick detour to their tent to grab a Coke. "A new couch will be delivered to your tent shortly," she said between sips of her drink. "Now, should I go get some help to try and get him," Vinny pointed to Vomit, "Back to your tent?"
"Yeah... that would be helpful..." Has said as he finished the bottle of rum. Then he started laughing suddenly.

"I just..." he spoke between chortles, "remembered something someone said... If gin makes you sin and whiskey makes you frisky then rum makes ya..." He broke out in hysterical laughter.

Meanwhile Vomit, slowly shifted from his face in the grass position and made an effort to get up on all fours, all the while grumbling about fascists.

OOC: Here's my replacement band for the RP, just needed time to get their setlist together.

BAND NAME: Youthanasia
MEMBERS & INSTRUMENTS: Pat Blanchard (Vocals/Guitar), Danny Hall (Drums/Vocals), Vanessa "Thunder" Wallace (Bass/Vocals)
GENRE/STYLE: Rock/Grunge-esque
BRIEF BAND BIO: Discovered in an underground bar in Arrio, Aequatio playing tracks from their first, independent, self-titled album, Youthanasia burst into the world music scene with the release of two albums with Medieval Records ("The Money Will Roll Right In" and "Eternal Animosity") and an international tour stopping over in at least a dozen countries. After deciding to pursue a solo career, the band said goodbye to guitarist Scott Fisher, who was added to the band by the record company to "complete" their sound for the music industry. Now back to its original power trio status and with a new label, the band that started as a way to get a music credit in high school without having to go to class is preparing for their return to the music scene and to rock the world.
SETLIST:
1. Tracy the Class Whore
2. Give an Inch
3. Past Mistakes
4. Love You So Much (It Makes Me Sick)
5. Chaos

IC:

The young Aequatians arrived behind stage 1 quietly, they carried their own instruments in with the help of a few roadies to help with Hall's drumset and as soon as it was done, the band decided to keep to themselves. Wallace and Hall were chatting about something as Blanchard was sitting on one of his amps, scribbling something over crumpled pieces of paper.

"Yeah... that would be helpful..." Has said as he finished the bottle of rum. Then he started laughing suddenly.

"I just..." he spoke between chortles, "remembered something someone said... If gin makes you sin and whiskey makes you frisky then rum makes ya..." He broke out in hysterical laughter.

Meanwhile Vomit, slowly shifted from his face in the grass position and made an effort to get up on all fours, all the while grumbling about fascists.

Vinny just shook her head, not dignifying that with an answer. She looked down to Vomit, poking him in the side with her boot again, just for good measure. "Hey," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "Do ya need some help, or what?"

The young Aequatians arrived behind stage 1 quietly, they carried their own instruments in with the help of a few roadies to help with Hall's drumset and as soon as it was done, the band decided to keep to themselves. Wallace and Hall were chatting about something as Blanchard was sitting on one of his amps, scribbling something over crumpled pieces of paper.

Kristina was nonchalantly sketching in an open notebook that was laying on the ground in front of her, when she suddenly looked up, seeming almost confused. "Oh my god," she whispered, turning onto her knees to peer over the large speaker she had been sitting against.

"What?" Darryl looked away from the show Vinny was putting on with the drunks.

"I think that's Youthenasia!" she got really excited then, covering her mouth with her hands to keep from making too much noise and attracting the other band's attention.

"So?" Darryl seemed totally clueless, or careless. He shook his head lightly at Kristina's behavior, taking a sip of the Heineken he had recently retrieved from their tent.

"I didn't know they were gonna be here!" Kristina went on. "Oh my go,d maybe I should go and say hi, or something... This is awsome!"

Vanessa leaned over and opened her case, took out a deck of cards and offered them to Danny. He immediately grabbed them and began to shuffle them in a joking fashion, like you see in movies. With the cards dealt on a makeshift table made from Hall's bass drum, Wallace poked Blanchard who was still scribbling on some paper and got his attention, "Hey, loser, wanna play?"

"Nah, I think I'm going to track down some smokes, I'm tapped," replied Blanchard as he slowly got up, brushed himself off and shuffled off in search of cigarettes.

"You know, we need him to do more than just write and draw," said Danny as he fixed his hand.

"Hey, as long as he plays onstage just fine," replied Vanessa as she looked over her hand, "He can laze about in his underwear all day."

"I guess you're right... got any threes?" asked Hall.

"Go fish."

Vanessa leaned over and opened her case, took out a deck of cards and offered them to Danny. He immediately grabbed them and began to shuffle them in a joking fashion, like you see in movies. With the cards dealt on a makeshift table made from Hall's bass drum, Wallace poked Blanchard who was still scribbling on some paper and got his attention, "Hey, loser, wanna play?"

"Nah, I think I'm going to track down some smokes, I'm tapped," replied Blanchard as he slowly got up, brushed himself off and shuffled off in search of cigarettes.

"You know, we need him to do more than just write and draw," said Danny as he fixed his hand.

"Hey, as long as he plays onstage just fine," replied Vanessa as she looked over her hand, "He can laze about in his underwear all day."

"I guess you're right... got any threes?" asked Hall.

"Go fish."

Kristina, having watched Blanchard walk away in search of cigarettes, grinned like a crazy person and jumped of, sprinting over to Vinny.

"Vinny!" she exclaimed. "I need cigarettes!"

"What the fuck?" Vinny eyed Kristina. "You don't smoke..."

"No, of course not, but Blanchard said he needed smokes!"

"You mean... Youthenasia Blanchard?" Vinny wasn't a fan, but all of the band member had been subjected to Kristina's obsession, though it seemed to be bordering on stalking now. Vinny sighed, shook her head, and handed Kristina her almost empty pack. "Here, go have fun... just make sure you're clean, not smelly, and dressed for our performance."

Kristina rolled her eyes. "Yeah, fine, whatever. Thanks!" Kristina turned and ran off in the direction Blanchard went, trying to grab his attention while nearly tripping over her large platform boots which were obviously not made for walking, let alone running. "Hey!"

Kristina, having watched Blanchard walk away in search of cigarettes, grinned like a crazy person and jumped of, sprinting over to Vinny.

"Vinny!" she exclaimed. "I need cigarettes!"

"What the fuck?" Vinny eyed Kristina. "You don't smoke..."

"No, of course not, but Blanchard said he needed smokes!"

"You mean... Youthenasia Blanchard?" Vinny wasn't a fan, but all of the band member had been subjected to Kristina's obsession, though it seemed to be bordering on stalking now. Vinny sighed, shook her head, and handed Kristina her almost empty pack. "Here, go have fun... just make sure you're clean, not smelly, and dressed for our performance."

Kristina rolled her eyes. "Yeah, fine, whatever. Thanks!" Kristina turned and ran off in the direction Blanchard went, trying to grab his attention while nearly tripping over her large platform boots which were obviously not made for walking, let alone running. "Hey!"

Somewhat startled, Blanchard turned around and brushed his long hair back behind his ear with his hand as he looked at the little goth girl that ran up to him, "You shouldn't run in those," he said pointing to her boots, "I've seen too many broken noses on pretty girls from them running in boots like those."

Somewhat startled, Blanchard turned around and brushed his long hair back behind his ear with his hand as he looked at the little goth girl that ran up to him, "You shouldn't run in those," he said pointing to her boots, "I've seen too many broken noses on pretty girls from them running in boots like those."

"Oh... err, well, I won't next time then," Kristina blushed. "I heard you needed smokes... here..." she said shyly, holding out the pack. There was probably only four or five in the pack, but Kristina was still proud to be able to help a superstar. Or something. Kristina eyed him a bit, suddenly nervous despite the fact that she, herself, was a performer and really shouldn't be.

"Oh... err, well, I won't next time then," Kristina blushed. "I heard you needed smokes... here..." she said shyly, holding out the pack. There was probably only four or five in the pack, but Kristina was still proud to be able to help a superstar. Or something. Kristina eyed him a bit, suddenly nervous despite the fact that she, herself, was a performer and really shouldn't be.

"Well, I just thought it'd be good to let you know, wouldn't want something to happen... you wouldn't put a ming vase in a pre-school, right?" He took the cigarette pack and tapped it to take one out, "Thanks for the smokes, what's your name?"

"Well, I just thought it'd be good to let you know, wouldn't want something to happen... you wouldn't put a ming vase in a pre-school, right?" He took the cigarette pack and tapped it to take one out, "Thanks for the smokes, what's your name?"

"Yeah... little kids and anything breakable just don't mix," Vinny nodded ackwardly. "I'm Kristina... I'm from Blood Bond. Dunno if you've heard of us, we're not really international yet..." Kristina adjusted her skirt, giving her an excuse to look away. She felt like passing out, she was so nervous. Either that, or puking all over the place.

"Yeah... little kids and anything breakable just don't mix," Vinny nodded ackwardly. "I'm Kristina... I'm from Blood Bond. Dunno if you've heard of us, we're not really international yet..." Kristina adjusted her skirt, giving her an excuse to look away. She felt like passing out, she was so nervous. Either that, or puking all over the place.

"I've heard you guys play, some demos that got circulated around a while back, I think you'll do really well... as long as you don't get screwed around by your label," Blanchard lit up his cigarette and pointed over at Hall and Wallace, "Interested in meeting the rest of the band?"

"I've heard you guys play, some demos that got circulated around a while back, I think you'll do really well... as long as you don't get screwed around by your label," Blanchard lit up his cigarette and pointed over at Hall and Wallace, "Interested in meeting the rest of the band?"

That nearly caused Kristina to pass right out, except that she was inches away from jumping up and down and screaming like some crazed pop-girl boyband fan. But, she controlled herself, and smiled. "That'd be awsome," she said nonchalantly, trying to seem as calm and cool as she could.

That nearly caused Kristina to pass right out, except that she was inches away from jumping up and down and screaming like some crazed pop-girl boyband fan. But, she controlled herself, and smiled. "That'd be awsome," she said nonchalantly, trying to seem as calm and cool as she could.

Blanchard led Kristina over to Hall and Wallace who were still playing cards, they looked up from their game and Hall spoke first, "Hey, Pat, got some smokes I see. Let me guess, you found her and she followed you home?" he laughed, "You'll have to ask mom if you can keep her."

Wallace reached over the drum and punched him in the shoulder and pushed him off balance, "Don't be an ass, Daniel!"

"These are my friends and bandmates, mostly by circumstances and not by choice," laughed Blanchard, "This is Vanessa, she plays bass and does some vocals and the one on the ground would be Danny, drums and vocals when he can get his hands on a mic."

Both Wallace and Hall shot back a "What's up?" as Hall got back up, rubbing his shoulder where he got hit. Blanchard took a drag off his cigarette and invited Kristina to sit down with him and the band, "You never told me what instrument you played."

Blanchard led Kristina over to Hall and Wallace who were still playing cards, they looked up from their game and Hall spoke first, "Hey, Pat, got some smokes I see. Let me guess, you found her and she followed you home?" he laughed, "You'll have to ask mom if you can keep her."

Wallace reached over the drum and punched him in the shoulder and pushed him off balance, "Don't be an ass, Daniel!"

"These are my friends and bandmates, mostly by circumstances and not by choice," laughed Blanchard, "This is Vanessa, she plays bass and does some vocals and the one on the ground would be Danny, drums and vocals when he can get his hands on a mic."

Both Wallace and Hall shot back a "What's up?" as Hall got back up, rubbing his shoulder where he got hit. Blanchard took a drag off his cigarette and invited Kristina to sit down with him and the band, "You never told me what instrument you played."

Kristina looked from one to the next, already knowing them by face but so psyched to be meeting them in real life. "Hey... I'm Kristina, of Blood Bond. It's great to meet you all." Kristina waved a bit, feeling really silly and immature all of a sudden.

She took a seat beside Blanchard, grateful to be off her feet. "I play keyboard, and do backup vocals... not that I'm any good at that," she laughed. "If Vinny ever lost her voice, we'd be screwed. Oh, yeah, our lead singer's name is Vanessa... pretty cool, eh?" Kristina said, then realised that sounded a lot better in her head than it did one she said it.

Kristina looked from one to the next, already knowing them by face but so psyched to be meeting them in real life. "Hey... I'm Kristina, of Blood Bond. It's great to meet you all." Kristina waved a bit, feeling really silly and immature all of a sudden.

She took a seat beside Blanchard, grateful to be off her feet. "I play keyboard, and do backup vocals... not that I'm any good at that," she laughed. "If Vinny ever lost her voice, we'd be screwed. Oh, yeah, our lead singer's name is Vanessa... pretty cool, eh?" Kristina said, then realised that sounded a lot better in her head than it did one she said it.

Wallace looked up from her hand, "It's a pretty common name in the business."

"I'm not sure if we'd be too fucked if Pat here lost his voice, we'd just need to find a lawnmower and a cat to throw under it and we'd be set for another record deal," laughed Hall as he picked up his cards, "But it just wouldn't be the same, we'd still need a guitarist."

"Nice to know I'm loved," replied Blanchard taking a drink from a water bottle, "You know you're lucky we've been friends since grade three, or I'd have to kick your ass, Danny."

"You couldn't if you tried," shot back Hall, still laughing, "Anyway, yeah, we've been together for quite some time... started out when Pat got his first guitar at eight, playing old classics in his basement and recording our shitty tracks on casettes."

"Then you got your drumset at ten and then we weren't allowed to play in your garage because of your mom's headaches," said Blanchard, "But by then we'd become friends with Vanessa and her dad let us play in their garage."

"Yeah, but it drove me nuts that I could only watch until my dad finally bought me that bass so I could join in," explained Vanessa, "Remember Mr. Young?"

"Oh yeah," said Blanchard, "Our high school music teacher didn't like the music we played, said it was noise compaired to anything else, he said that if we weren't going to give up our style of music and expect to get the credit, we would have to practice and get a gig by the end of our last semester our senior year."

"We showed that asshole though," said Hall, "My uncle was a bouncer at a bar in downtown Arrio and talked with the owner to see if he'd let us play for a night, we even impressed the house band there."

Wallace looked up from her hand, "It's a pretty common name in the business."

"I'm not sure if we'd be too fucked if Pat here lost his voice, we'd just need to find a lawnmower and a cat to throw under it and we'd be set for another record deal," laughed Hall as he picked up his cards, "But it just wouldn't be the same, we'd still need a guitarist."

"Nice to know I'm loved," replied Blanchard taking a drink from a water bottle, "You know you're lucky we've been friends since grade three, or I'd have to kick your ass, Danny."

"You couldn't if you tried," shot back Hall, still laughing, "Anyway, yeah, we've been together for quite some time... started out when Pat got his first guitar at eight, playing old classics in his basement and recording our shitty tracks on casettes."

"Then you got your drumset at ten and then we weren't allowed to play in your garage because of your mom's headaches," said Blanchard, "But by then we'd become friends with Vanessa and her dad let us play in their garage."

"Yeah, but it drove me nuts that I could only watch until my dad finally bought me that bass so I could join in," explained Vanessa, "Remember Mr. Young?"

"Oh yeah," said Blanchard, "Our high school music teacher didn't like the music we played, said it was noise compaired to anything else, he said that if we weren't going to give up our style of music and expect to get the credit, we would have to practice and get a gig by the end of our last semester our senior year."

"We showed that asshole though," said Hall, "My uncle was a bouncer at a bar in downtown Arrio and talked with the owner to see if he'd let us play for a night, we even impressed the house band there."

Kristina laughed where appropriate during their explanation, nodding and such to assure them that she was, in fact, listening and not just a starstruck fan. "Man, we used to play for hours after school in Darryl's basement," Kristina told them. "Oh, uh, Darryl is our bassist. Anyway, I know Vinny was nearly failing most of her classes from spending so much time playing and writing music. Thank goodness I got out of their early on, otherwise I'd probably still be there." Kristina laughed a bit, shaking her head.

"After awhile, we started hitting open mike nights and stuff, using the equipment the clubs lent us cause we couldn't haul our own around. We were pretty bad, but we kept at it, and got invited to a small battle of the bands at this seedly little club in Kreetchka, kicked everyone's asses, and ended up with a record deal by the end of the week. It was awsome."

Kristina laughed where appropriate during their explanation, nodding and such to assure them that she was, in fact, listening and not just a starstruck fan. "Man, we used to play for hours after school in Darryl's basement," Kristina told them. "Oh, uh, Darryl is our bassist. Anyway, I know Vinny was nearly failing most of her classes from spending so much time playing and writing music. Thank goodness I got out of their early on, otherwise I'd probably still be there." Kristina laughed a bit, shaking her head.

"After awhile, we started hitting open mike nights and stuff, using the equipment the clubs lent us cause we couldn't haul our own around. We were pretty bad, but we kept at it, and got invited to a small battle of the bands at this seedly little club in Kreetchka, kicked everyone's asses, and ended up with a record deal by the end of the week. It was awsome."

"We saw a lot of that right after we made it big with our second album," said Blanchard, "A band would perform for the first or second time and they'd get signed to a label since the record companies were so hungry to grab acts from Arrio."

"That was pretty nuts," injected Wallace, "It's sad how hard a lot of those acts got pushed by the record companies, so many of them broke down and quit... a lot of lost talent."

"Yeah, but many of them still play bars and keep with indie labels," explained Blanchard as he crushed out his cigarette, "The Aequatian music industry is pretty harsh, what's it like in Rhanafka?"

"We saw a lot of that right after we made it big with our second album," said Blanchard, "A band would perform for the first or second time and they'd get signed to a label since the record companies were so hungry to grab acts from Arrio."

"That was pretty nuts," injected Wallace, "It's sad how hard a lot of those acts got pushed by the record companies, so many of them broke down and quit... a lot of lost talent."

"Yeah, but many of them still play bars and keep with indie labels," explained Blanchard as he crushed out his cigarette, "The Aequatian music industry is pretty harsh, what's it like in Rhanafka?"

"It's pretty crappy, actually... there's only one major label, hardly anyone wants to really be performers. Bands come and go all the time, hardly anyone really lasts. But that's why we're hoping we can make it big, y'know? Almost nobody knows our groups, so we want to put Rhanafka on the musical map, as it were." Kristina seems very proud of the fact that her group has made it in a country where few others do. "Man I am so excited to be here... we've hardly ever gotten to perform outside Rhanafka. I dunno about the rest of my group, but I feel almost like I shouldn't be here, being pretty unknown and all."

"It's pretty crappy, actually... there's only one major label, hardly anyone wants to really be performers. Bands come and go all the time, hardly anyone really lasts. But that's why we're hoping we can make it big, y'know? Almost nobody knows our groups, so we want to put Rhanafka on the musical map, as it were." Kristina seems very proud of the fact that her group has made it in a country where few others do. "Man I am so excited to be here... we've hardly ever gotten to perform outside Rhanafka. I dunno about the rest of my group, but I feel almost like I shouldn't be here, being pretty unknown and all."

"Hanging around and playing with the big guys is a good way to start out," said Wallace as she picked up a card from the pile, "Much better than just being given a record deal and thrown into the fray."

Blanchard took out another cigarette and lit it before turning to Kristina, "Say, you seem like a pretty big fan, what albums of ours do you own?"

"Hanging around and playing with the big guys is a good way to start out," said Wallace as she picked up a card from the pile, "Much better than just being given a record deal and thrown into the fray."

Blanchard took out another cigarette and lit it before turning to Kristina, "Say, you seem like a pretty big fan, what albums of ours do you own?"

"What do I own? More like, what don't I own!" Kristina was suddenly really excited. "I have both The Money Will Roll RIght In and Eternal Animosity, plus the singles from both, and just recently I was able to track down a copy of Youthenasia at this wierd little record store in Arrio, cost me a fortune to get it. My manager tracked down the single CD of No Point, too. I hate to ask what that cost, but he asid it was a gift." Kristina was extremely proud of herself, cause she didn't know any other fan who had what she had. She didn't want to seem crazy though, so she didn't mention the posters and other merchandise she had, cluttering up her room back home. "I'm so excited for your new album, the hype over it is crazy!"

"What do I own? More like, what don't I own!" Kristina was suddenly really excited. "I have both The Money Will Roll RIght In and Eternal Animosity, plus the singles from both, and just recently I was able to track down a copy of Youthenasia at this wierd little record store in Arrio, cost me a fortune to get it. My manager tracked down the single CD of No Point, too. I hate to ask what that cost, but he asid it was a gift." Kristina was extremely proud of herself, cause she didn't know any other fan who had what she had. She didn't want to seem crazy though, so she didn't mention the posters and other merchandise she had, cluttering up her room back home. "I'm so excited for your new album, the hype over it is crazy!"

"That's pretty hardcore, not even too many fans in Aequatio have our first album," said Blanchard somewhat surprised, "Let alone our first single,"

Just then, Wallace leaned over and whispered into his ear, He nodded and looked over at Kristina again, "The new album's not much, just something for the fans until we can get something real out there. And since it's for the fans, and you seem like one of our biggest out there we'll give you a pre-release copy of our new album."

Blanchard reached down into one of his cases and pulled out a disc still in shrink-wrap, he peeled it off and signed it with a black marker and handed it to Wallace and Hall to sign. Once it was signed by all three, Blanchard took it back and handed it to Kristina, "I know you'll enjoy this, so I don't think I'll need to say that."

Vinny just shook her head, not dignifying that with an answer. She looked down to Vomit, poking him in the side with her boot again, just for good measure. "Hey," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "Do ya need some help, or what?"


"Nah he can probably crawl back to our tent...." said Has as he picked up the short wakazashi lying next to Vomit. He examined it carefuly and leisurely proceeded to walk back toward his band's tent.

Vomit noticing this theft of his sword, cursing and rambling staggerred to his feet and stumbled after Has.

"That's pretty hardcore, not even too many fans in Aequatio have our first album," said Blanchard somewhat surprised, "Let alone our first single,"

Just then, Wallace leaned over and whispered into his ear, He nodded and looked over at Kristina again, "The new album's not much, just something for the fans until we can get something real out there. And since it's for the fans, and you seem like one of our biggest out there we'll give you a pre-release copy of our new album."

Blanchard reached down into one of his cases and pulled out a disc still in shrink-wrap, he peeled it off and signed it with a black marker and handed it to Wallace and Hall to sign. Once it was signed by all three, Blanchard took it back and handed it to Kristina, "I know you'll enjoy this, so I don't think I'll need to say that."

Kristina went wide eyed, watching as the band members signed the CD. She took it from Blanchard and started at it for a moment, stunned into disbelief. "Wow... thanks so much..." she said quietly. "I'll take good care of this... you guys don't need me hunting you down for another signing." She giggles. She turns around to peek in on her own band, who seem just as lazy as they had when she left. Turning back to Blanchard, she smiles. "You know, you seem just as nice and cool as I thoguht you were. Most celebrities put on this front, acting all nice but they're rude as hell to their fans. But you... you just kick infinite amounts of ass!"

"Nah he can probably crawl back to our tent...." said Has as he picked up the short wakazashi lying next to Vomit. He examined it carefuly and leisurely proceeded to walk back toward his band's tent.

Vomit noticing this theft of his sword, cursing and rambling staggerred to his feet and stumbled after Has.

"Um... Bye!" Vinny caleld after them, then turned back to her bandmates, going to take a seat beside Eric. "Man, some people are wierd," she said, shaking her head.

"No shit... what was with the mud?" he asked.

"I have no idea... has Kristina come back yet?" Vinny looked around, not seeing ehr in the immediate vicinity.

"Nope," piped up Darryl. "I haven't even seen her. Think she's a groupie yet?"

Vinny shot Darryl a nasty look. "Oh, don't be like that. I was just kidding," he said, shaking his head.

Kristina went wide eyed, watching as the band members signed the CD. She took it from Blanchard and started at it for a moment, stunned into disbelief. "Wow... thanks so much..." she said quietly. "I'll take good care of this... you guys don't need me hunting you down for another signing." She giggles. She turns around to peek in on her own band, who seem just as lazy as they had when she left. Turning back to Blanchard, she smiles. "You know, you seem just as nice and cool as I thoguht you were. Most celebrities put on this front, acting all nice but they're rude as hell to their fans. But you... you just kick infinite amounts of ass!"

"Well it's the only reason we make music, if we didn't have fans... well, I guess we'd still make music, but we'd be working at a burger place for money," explained Blanchard.

Grimm still unsuccessful in his search proceeded in an arbitrary direction and coincidentally came upon the area where Youthenasia were set up. He watched some gleeful fan recieve some signed object... From a distance it was difficult to say whether it was a cd or a frisbee. Grimm thought back to the olden days and wondered if Crimson Sedition played on Youthenasia on some tour... He could almost swear they did, but then again those foreign bands did look all the same to him. However, it was of no matter to him now... what mattered was that he needed to find Sotts. So he approached them and asked, "Hey... um did you see..." then he realized something "...wait a second... you're playing here now? I thought ya weren't on the list."

"Well it's the only reason we make music, if we didn't have fans... well, I guess we'd still make music, but we'd be working at a burger place for money," explained Blanchard.

Kristina nodded. "I understand what you mean... music is awsom eon it's own, but it's so hard when you have to do other work just to make ends meat."

Grimm still unsuccessful in his search proceeded in an arbitrary direction and coincidentally came upon the area where Youthenasia were set up. He watched some gleeful fan recieve some signed object... From a distance it was difficult to say whether it was a cd or a frisbee. Grimm thought back to the olden days and wondered if Crimson Sedition played on Youthenasia on some tour... He could almost swear they did, but then again those foreign bands did look all the same to him. However, it was of no matter to him now... what mattered was that he needed to find Sotts. So he approached them and asked, "Hey... um did you see..." then he realized something "...wait a second... you're playing here now? I thought ya weren't on the list."

Blanchard looked up at Grimm, "Yeah, Zed Leppezin pulled out and since there was an open spot, we thought we'd drop by to play some tunes, old and new."

"Those old bastards in Leppezin were losers, all they wanted was money," said Hall as he grabbed a bottle of water, "We're here to make some noise we like to call music back home in Arrio!"

Blanchard looked up at Grimm, "Yeah, Zed Leppezin pulled out and since there was an open spot, we thought we'd drop by to play some tunes, old and new."

"Those old bastards in Leppezin were losers, all they wanted was money," said Hall as he grabbed a bottle of water, "We're here to make some noise we like to call music back home in Arrio!"

Now it was certain that if he had not toured with them... he at least saw them somewhere... Grimm scratched his head and scrutinized each band member careful then finally asked,

"I think I remember you from somewhere... Damn... Wait... wait I know. Do you recognize me? Cause I'm terrible at remembering faces..."

Now it was certain that if he had not toured with them... he at least saw them somewhere... Grimm scratched his head and scrutinized each band member careful then finally asked,

"I think I remember you from somewhere... Damn... Wait... wait I know. Do you recognize me? Cause I'm terrible at remembering faces..."

"I remember you from the Juke charts, along with your band... crimson saturation... no, sedition... right?" said Blanchard, perplexed, "We're a little different since then, dropped a label and a band member.'

"I remember you from the Juke charts, along with your band... crimson saturation... no, sedition... right?" said Blanchard, perplexed, "We're a little different since then, dropped a label and a band member.'
"Yes. Crimson Sedition." said Grimm a little annoyed. "We're a little different... too. We gained a band member... and actually that reminds me. Did ya see a relatively short pale guy wearing all black? He's our acoustic guitarist."

"Yes. Crimson Sedition." said Grimm a little annoyed. "We're a little different... too. We gained a band member... and actually that reminds me. Did ya see a relatively short pale guy wearing all black? He's our acoustic guitarist."

"Haven't seen him, but if we do, we'll tell 'im you're looking for him," mentioned Hall as he took a drink from the bottle.

Blanchard nodded, "We'll keep our eyes open for your guitarist."

"Haven't seen him, but if we do, we'll tell 'im you're looking for him," mentioned Hall as he took a drink from the bottle.

Blanchard nodded, "We'll keep our eyes open for your guitarist."
Grimm sighed, not at all surprised by their answer. Well it wasn't like they reallly needed him. The acoustic guitar altered their entire sound... and its difficult to say how some of their old songs would sound. Grimm knew by now, full well that Sotts didn't arrive... at all.

"I give up..." Grimm gumbled solemnly, "I'm gonna go back to my band's tent..."

He began to walk back, very gloomily back to the tent. Sott's absense was merely an annoyance, but what really saddened him was the general apathy towards Crimson Sedition. After they rocketed into popularity in Amerigo, they lost the respect of their peer bands. Not just in Amerigo but internationally.

No band even so much as recognized him. The people in bands who he knew closely in Amerigo snubbed him as he walked by. The massive fanbase seemed to lose any intelligence that it had. As time went by, more and more of their fans seemed to lack any understanding of basic concepts let alone some of the lyrics behind their songs... And since he was the lyricist and vocals... the fans looked up more toward the guitarists... rather than him.

Crimson Sedition should have never stayed with Amerigo International when they bought Damnable Records, he thought, they made this band a whore of the media. And the brooding often times dark lyrics have no place in the mainstream. Thus he had no place in the band... The melodies despite the dark meanings often times are too complicated to be lableled as depressing and thats why Crimson Sedition never lost its popularity. It was he, thought Grimm, who lost popularity. It was among the most depressing moments in Grimm's life. To lose all the glory... to lose all the power... it was maddening.