Back stage, hidden from the crowd behind a maroon curtain, Amy looked down at her watch as the band finally finished setting up their equipment. They were thirty minutes behind on schedule! Who knew getting the second stage and band set up would've taken so long?! The festival was supposed to be half way into the show and wrapping up by now! She hoped the nearby locals wouldn't mind the noise for another hour and hopefully the mayor wouldn't hear any complaints tomorrow. As if being late wasn't enough, it seemed like the lead singer of the band was wasted as well - Amy could smell the bitter scent of alcohol wafting off the girl from ten feet away. It was a bit irksome, but there were no other options for the live music show tonight. In truth, Amy hadn't been able to nail down another band for the festival before she reached out to the Snype siblings. She had known they could be trouble around town, but she took the risk anyway. At least she'd heard a few good things here and there about the way their music sounded. Plus, the Fox Hole Tavern seemed to host them all the time. So the locals must like their music!

"Ready?" Amy asked, directing her question at Zach, the person she had set this all up with. He gave her a nod of approval as he picked up his guitar and Amy grinned and looked toward the sound engineers. Giving them her own nod of approval to turn on the wireless mic in her hand, Amy walked out from behind the curtains excitedly. The crowd before her, a sea of eager faces, was buzzing with anticipation.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Are you ready for the crescendo to our festival tonight?!" The crowd cheered, their enthusiasm a heartwarming reward for the hard work she had put into organizing this whole event. "I'm sure many of you already know them, but I am thrilled to introduce to you a local gem," Amy continued, a bright smile spread across her face. "Their music truly reflects their talent, passion, and a love for what they do. Without further ado, please give a warm welcome to... 'Vermillion Ablaze'!"

The stage lights shifted to a deep, fiery red, and the crowd burst into cheers and whistles as the band members ran out from behind the curtain and took their places on stage. Amy jogged back behind the curtain once more as Emily aggressively took hold of the standing mic, confidence exuding from her.

“Step inside
Walk this way
You and me babe
Hey hey!!”

Amy raised a brow as the other two band members began to chime in with the recognizable melody of "Pour Some Sugar On Me". That wasn't really what Amy had expected the locals to be so excited about, but hey - they sounded great!

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Candra was surprised to hear what she was hearing when the band started playing. It admittedly sounded a bit… generic to her ears, nothing too groundbreaking in her experience, but the melody felt nice, and the passion exuded by the singers felt genuine and real. It’s like listening to someone’s first-ever band performance, like in those American movies she watched back in her Uni days. “So the stereotypes in those Hollywood movies aren’t really false are they?” She asked herself as she listened to the band performing.

If one is observant enough, one can see that Candra is tapping her fingers to the beat of the song, a clear indication that she’s enjoying the festivities shown in front of her. “I wonder what kind of song this little band would perform once this one’s finished.” She talked to herself. “Perhaps something original? Or maybe a cover from another band?”

Is this what her other family’s been enjoying after they settled here? Is this how their children and grandchildren enjoy themselves? Something to think about at the very least. “This band sounds nice!” Candra said to Reya. “Have they been performing for years? It feels as if they’ve been performing for a long time.”

Talie "Friendly local rock nerd"

Location
Concert
Mood
Happy, Curious and enjoying music.

The band had started to play and it was good, less polished than the professional bands with professional set up she had seen last. But it had a rather nice aspect to it, it was well rehearsed and they seem comfortable with each other. The man she had seen and his sister were rather animated and there was a great energy about the performance. It was older music, a cover of an older band but it seemed to suit the event, smaller and more local. "hmm, unsure. Maybe a cover, something popular for different groups?" They had a rather mixed crowd from teenagers and families, older groups, couples, people of many ages and backgrounds. It was a rather interesting and varied little town.

Candra was interesting, Reya, the interesting group they formed was a very strange mix of people and backgrounds. The professional woman in a smart suit was curious but would not pry into her business. It was not her problem. "It's nice" Talie spoke without thinking, relaxing. In the event, the town, the gathering of mixed people. It was nice to be away from her stress and her problems.

Talie had already blocked the number so she could not be called by them. Hopefully she could be left alone, Talie needed some peace.

Distracted nicely how long they had been performing, her mind moved back from the darker spot it had got stuck for a second. She came here to escape. Humming along to the music and feeling the beat that thumped through her feet, the thin heels sole passed them though easily.

The water gave her time to re-centre. Talie was not always as strong as she presented. "She really can sing." Talie was impressed by the singer, off stage she had been a little rude but she had talent.

"you reckon you will be here for a while Candra?" Talie asked, wondering if the woman was passing through or intended to say. Nothing too intrusive, just trying to get to know the smartly dressed woman in the rather lovely suit.

"Reya, any event for 4th of July? My brother, Jan, wants to visit. Though it's like feeding an army. I wish I could keep in shape like that." Talie laughed, her food bill had never been small when her brother came around, between being plain huge and working out, he could eat an entire steak for breakfast and consider more needed.

The band was building a good energy. Tonight was a good idea. Talie could deal with her emotions later.

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