[IC] ~ Welcome to Sanctuary ~

[The Muse]

	The Mayor’s Secretary | Amy Ross

10pm

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!

---

The first song of the set: Cover of "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard

---

_{Interactions: Zach & Em @Viciousmarrow & Kitty @LovelyComplex}

[Kumbaris]

@The Muse

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.”

[PrinceAlexus]

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.

---

_{Interactions: Talie @PrinceAlexus & Candra @Kumbaris plus [@Zora] Doc Fitaku
Mentions: Barry, Mitch @BeastofDestiny & Stella @LovelyComplex}

[The Savant]

---

The festival happening in Sanctuary was still in full swing, the air thick with the sweet scent of cotton candy and the lively chatter of the townsfolk. Thomas Fischer, the sheriff of Sanctuary, had just stepped off the stage after a somewhat anxiety-ridden and bothersome moment. As he made his way through the crowded square, he tried to make himself look as small as possible, shoulders hunched, and his Stetson hat pulled low over his brow to shield his eyes from the curious glances of the townsfolk.

He had never been much of a social butterfly —- even if he was a friendly and talkative individual — always feeling out of place in large gatherings like these. His heart still raced from the awkward exchange on the stage. The date auction. Never again, he thought to himself. He would never allow his policemen to talk him into doing something like that again.

Thomas finally found a vacant table on the outskirts of the center of the festival, hidden away from the main hustle and bustle. He slid into the wooden chair, sighing as he leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to regain his composure. The warm glow of the festival flights overheard bathed the area in soft, comforting ambiance.

He adjusted his hat again, making sure it shaded his eyes completely, effectively shielding him from the prying eyes of the festival-goers. He didn’t want to face the inevitable questions about the date auction or his personal life in general.

With his hat as his fortress, Thomas tried to lose himself in the sights and sounds of the fair. He could hear the joyful laughter of children, the cheerful melodies of a nearby band beginning to start, and the clinking of bottles at the lemonade stand. He took a deep breath, savoring the scent of roasted corn drifting from a food stand nearby.

As he opened his eyes and gazed out at the colorful booths and lovely crowds, he couldn't help but feel a sense of peace wash over him. The festival had a way of bringing the community together, even if he always felt like the odd one out. For a moment, he allowed himself to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of the Sanctuary festival, the worries and awkward moments from the stage fading into the background.

Thomas Jay Fischer, a working man, may not have been the life of the party, but on this warm summer evening, hidden behind his hat and away from prying eyes, he found solace in the camaraderie of his fellow townsfolk and the vibrant spirit of the festival.

---

Location Somewhere at the festival
Mentions None

[The Savant]

---

As Peyton approached Doctor Fitkau, he could not help but notice the other man’s attire and the subtle signs of weariness in his demeanor. His casual, rugged appearance contrasted with the festive atmosphere of the fair. The doctor remembered how Peyton approached him in times of personal difficulty and the doctor appreciated that the man stepped forward to confide in him. The man sitting alone, currently, always welcomed the opportunities to chat with anyone even outside of formal discussions.

“Good evening, Peyton,” he replied with a warm smile as he offered a kind gesture of greeting and put his attention to the younger man. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll stick to the ‘leaf water’ for now.” Doctor Fitkau gestured towards his cup of tea and the plate of chips that were left on each and every table.

When he asked if he could sit down, he nodded and motioned to the empty chair across from him. “Of course, please, have a seat.”

As he reminisced about the festival and how it had changed over the years, he listened attentively. Peyton struck him as a person who appreciated the simple joys of life, and his description of watching the festival in a small bar years ago seemed to reflect that sentiment.

“It’s amazing how things evolve,” He remarked, glancing over at the band. “They’ve certainly come a long way. But sometimes, the charm of those small, intimate gatherings can be just as special.”

Doctor Fitkau watched as Peyton relaxed, and he couldn't help but sense that he was using this conversation as a way to momentarily escape the solitude of his empty home. The doctor made a mental note to inquire about how he was coping with the loneliness when the moment felt right, all while maintaining the role of a friendly ear and a source of support in his life.

---

Interaction(s) Peyton @PrinceAlexus

[The Savant]

---

Moxi, the enigmatic Russian with a hint of danger in his demeanor, had sensed Ana’s curiosity and fascination from the moment they crossed paths. Her coy smile and the way she followed him hinted at a mutual intrigue, a curious dance between two souls with curiosity for one another. She was new in town and neither of them grew up in Sanctuary from his understanding and short talks with her during their cornhole tournament.

As Ana’s soft voice reached him, a hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of Moxi’s lips. “You arrre velkome, my dearrrr,” he replied in his thick Russian accent, his icy blue eyes locking onto hers with a flirtatious glint and a hidden annoyance. He hated being asked to do things especially for strangers, but he would try to play nice for the moment.

Before he could make a move toward the nearest alcohol vendor, Ana was interrupted by Lily’s sudden intervention. He observed the exchange, the concerned friend attempting to steer Ana away from him, casting aspersions upon his character. Moxi knew well enough that his reputation in the small town was far from pristine. However, he couldn’t deny the allure of Ana’s presence, her defiance of conventional wisdom, and her desire for something different.

Ana’s reassurance and her decision to continue on their path sent a wave of satisfaction through Moxi. He appreciated her independence, the smark in her eye that matched his own adventurous spirit. Moments passed in between that observation and his kind gesture of getting the woman an alcoholic drink. As she took Lily’s hand and they approached him once more, he couldn’t help but flash a charming smile.

“My dearrrr Ana, a rrrum and koke forrr you, as you vish,” Moxi purred, his eyes never leaving hers as he spoke. He then turned to Lily with a polite nod, “Forrr you, Lily, vhat vould you like? Perrrphaps a Moskov Mule to match my orrrigins?” Knowing that she didn’t like him. He wanted to play a game.

Moxi knew the game they were playing, the unspoken connection that had sparked between them. He was more than willing to indulge in a little flirtation and excitement, knowing that Ana was a woman who could handle herself. In this small town, they were two souls out of the ordinary amongst the townsfolk.

---

Location Festival
Interaction(s) @The Muse Ana @Viciousmarrow Lily