A screeching guitar riff rang from Asura's lilac bass guitar, as she flipped her violet hair, smiling widely at the crowd before her. Next to her, Mal animatedly yelled the chorus, his golden hair partially slicked back, the rest falling in his face as he screamed into the microphone. Further over to the right of the stage, Beck nodded his head appreciatively as he thumped his drum kit emphatically, his cobalt blue hair flopping over his eye. Next to him, Narissa wore a wolfish grin as she energetically strummed her blood red guitar, her dark crimson hair flowing in the wind, blowing out behind her. In the middle of them all, Kaide jumped up and down, working the crowd and waiting for his turn to sing.
"Sara died of suicide,
With a fire burning in her eye,
On my tombstone when I go,
Just put 'Death by Rock and Roll',
Johnny forgot what he was on,
But he broke the needle, dead and gone,
On my tombstone when I go,
Just put 'Death by Rock and Roll',
Derek shot and killed a man,
With a gun too heavy in his hand,
On my tombstone when I go,
Just put 'Death by Rock and Roll',
Bianca had steel in her bones,
But she burned away, blood into stone,
On my tombstone when I go,
Just put 'Death by Rock and Roll',
But on my tombstone when I go,
Just put 'Death by Rock and Roll'!"
As Kaide's powerful voice blared over the crowd, engulfing them in the music, Mal's voice harmonized with his on the last note, brining the song, and their set to a close. "What's up Madrid?! We've been the Clockwork Infernals!"
They filed through a side exit to backstage where their manager was waiting for them. She rubbed her tired eyes, but still looked at them all with an enthusiastic smile that didn't quite reach her eyes "Well done out there guys. You were great."
"Only great? I must be losing my edge, Jen." Kaide replied jokingly. For a moment she was taken aback, but quickly she realized he was joking and her mildly shocked expression melted into a smile and she rolled her eyes. "You? Never. Anyways there's water in your dressing rooms. I would suggest you take a breather for a bit and then we have the fans with backstage passes coming through in thirty minutes. They'll meet us in the lounge area. Until then take time to relax." As each one nodded and dispersed to their dressing rooms, as instructed, Jen breathed a long, exhausted sigh, looking at a stack of paperwork with disdain.
Twenty minutes later, they all met again in the lounge area, sat on the teal couch with water and alcohol before them. The five of them had showered and changed since the show. Kaide was clad in a low-cut white and grey t-shirt with a studded choker, dog tags and all his piercings in. Mal wore a red tank top with a grey denim jacket over the top, his hair slicked back again. Beck wore a sleeveless leather vest, contrasting his bright blue and green tattoos that encircled his entire torso in crashing sea waves. Asura wore a black tank top accompanied with a black ribbon around her neck. Narissa wore a tight-fitting black shirt, red contact lenses, fake vampire fangs over her canines, two fake puncture holes in her neck, trailing a sticky scarlet liquid. Her mouth, chin and neck were all completely covered in crimson. They were all clad in either skinny, ripped jeans or tight leather pants.
Jen popped her head through the door to make sure everyone was there and everything was in check. When she saw their outfits her lips curled into a slight smile. "I can see Fatima had fun with your makeup, Narissa." She chuckled and said seriously. "Don't you think that's a little overkill, though. I mean its just a simple meet and greet." Narissa giggled, "Nah you can't knock the aesthetic." Jen shrugged with a smile and left to gather the people with backstage passes.
Only a few moments later, the door opened once again to reveal Jen followed by a small group of wide-eyed fans practically vibrating with excitement. Only a few of the group could keep their calm while filing into the room. After the fans had all entered the room, Jen stood idly by the door chatting with the security, Jax and Mara, waiting to lead them out.
"Heyyy there. I'm sure you all already know who we are, but just in case we'll introduce ourselves. I'm Kaide, the lead singer and my number is-" Jen gave him a meaningful glare and he chuckled in response. "Heh anyway maybe someone else should take it from here." They all went around the group introducing themselves as the fans stood there, starstruck. For a moment, there was an awkward pause as everyone collected their thoughts. Until suddenly, a loud screech cut through the air like a knife. "Aaaah! Oh my God. You guys look perfect. Narissa is that real blood?!"
"Hehe I wish. They never let me have it. Every time I try, they always take it off me." She replied with a laugh and an overly dramatic pout. From that, easier conversations started with two or three people to each band member.
"Hey Mal... You know how all the other guys have tattoos. I've always wondered if you have any just that no one's seen." Mal's cheeks burned slightly, telling all. In another part of the room, Beck stood with his jacket now removed, showing a fan his torso tattoos, a small smile on his face, clearly revelling in the attention. Narissa sprawled on the couch, flirting mercilessly with one of the girls from the group spellbound in her gaze. Asura was seemingly the only one of the band who was calmly talking to the fans, rather than teasing and flirting with them relentlessly. Kaide was also flirting back and forth with one of the girls, who was flirting back almost more than him, which was unusual for Kaide.
All but one of the girls were spellbound by the band. She mingled with everyone, talking politely with them all, but she seemed as though she wasn't enjoying the meet and greet as much as the others. As Jen stifled a yawn and ran a hand over her face, she looked up, expecting to see the usual conversations happening, but instead she was taken aback when she saw one of the fans standing beside her. "Uh, hey there. Shouldn't you be over there talking to the others?" Jen asked, still slightly startled.
"I guess but between you and me the conversations aren't that interesting. My friend brought me. She's the one that's interested in the band. I mean the music's alright, just not my kinda thing."
"Oh I hear you loud and clear. I often think that at these things, but I'm sure your friend is having a great time, are you sure you don't want to join her?" The woman shook her head. "No thanks. I just saw you over here looking kinda lonely and tired and I thought I'd join you. Maybe we could be lonely and tired together."
At that, Jen chuckled, grinning widely. "I think we can manage that. I'm Jen, by the way. I'm their manager." She introduced herself, holding out her hand and leading her away from the security.
"I'm Sammy, nice to meet you." The woman replied, shaking her hand, mirroring her warm smile.
After a while of chatting happily, Jen checked her watch and an expression of shock formed on her face. "Oh my God. I didn't think it was that late. I guess I'll have to wrap this up. Its been great talking to you, Sammy." Jen told her with an apologetic smile.
"You too, Jen. I've enjoyed this more than I thought." They smiled at each other for a moment, their eyes lingering. "Come on, guys. It's getting late!" She called to the fans. They groaned, pouting and pulling away reluctantly from the band. They grouped together next to Jen, waiting for her to lead them out. A small crease formed on her forehead and for a long moment, she stared at the floor, seemingly debating something internally. Then, she looked at Sammy again, who was still standing in front of her. Jen's cinnamon-brown eyes found her sky blue eyes and she knew exactly what she was going to do.
Without a moments hesitation, she walked over to Mara and whispered for her to go with the group and wait for her outside. She said she wouldn't be a moment, she just needed to talk to Sammy for a minute. Mara nodded and motioned for Jax to get the band members to their dressing rooms. Once they had done so, Jen and Sammy were alone. Sammy looked confused for a moment before Jen reached for her hand and a sombre expression formed on her face. "I've had a great time tonight. No one usually pays attention to me at these things or... um well ever really. But you did and I just wanted to thank you for making this evening liveable." Sammy looked taken aback for a moment, then offered a crooked smile and stepped closer to her. "My pleasure, Jen. I feel the same way. I hope we see each other again soon." She replied, leaning down and pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. Together, they walked out the door, hand in hand.