After Ollie asked the question, he could sense Maxim's hesitation, and there was an awkward tension in the air, especially between Maxim and Cliff.
Ollie, not fully understanding the situation, tried to lighten the mood with humor, saying, "What's wrong? Did you guys mess something up?" He winked playfully, as if he were probing for some secret taboo.
However, Ronan was more attuned to the unusual atmosphere. He had sensed the heaviness and gloom on Maxim and Cliff's faces when they had first stepped onto the stage. But due to the tight schedule and the need to focus on the rehearsal, Ronan hadn't inquired further.
"No matter what it is, we need to face it together. The more challenging it is, the more we need everyone's strength," Ronan reassured them with a calm and gentle tone that helped alleviate the anxiety.
Maxim and Cliff exchanged glances, and Cliff remained silent, while Maxim, taking a deep breath, decided to explain. "Our performance time has been postponed, pushed to five o'clock tomorrow morning."
The revelation hung heavily in the air, and none of them, including Alice, had fully recovered from the shock and astonishment. Five o'clock in the morning—what did that mean?
It meant that the peak of the party had passed, and people were beginning to tire, preparing to head home and rest. The venue would slowly cool down, and the situation was now much more serious than they had anticipated.
The reality had slammed on the brakes, throwing them into uncertainty once more. It was as if fate itself had intervened, cutting off their chances of success and delivering a stark reminder: their path was blocked, and perhaps it was time to reconsider their choices.
In this surreal and disheartening moment, Ronan, though disappointed, spoke up, "Let's not be greedy. Just two days ago, we were mere spectators at the full moon party, and now we're standing on its performance stage. We shouldn't ask for more. Of course, if we can secure a better performance time, that would be a stroke of luck. But even if we can't, we should cherish this performance opportunity."
His words were not grandiose, but his warm smile conveyed his deep appreciation for the experience.
Ollie and Maxim turned their gazes to Ronan, their eyes bright with joy and determination. Ronan's words had reignited their spirits, dispelling the initial disappointment.
Cliff chimed in humorously, "If you put it that way, it sounds like this predicament isn't such a big deal after all."
Ronan shrugged casually, wearing a natural smile on his face, and he spoke with enthusiasm, "So, are you ready? Let's make 5 o'clock in the morning our time to shine, to rock the stage, to leave our mark at the full moon party!"
Their enthusiasm was contagious, and the entire car burst into cheers.
Ollie even rolled down the window and let out a primal roar into the wind, inciting laughter and excitement among the passersby.
They joined in, shouting and celebrating, becoming part of the Mardi Gras festivities.
As the echoes of their cheers filled the air, Ollie's jubilant mood escalated.
The strong wind whipped through the car, and Maxim couldn't help but cover his face, unable to believe what Ollie was doing. But Ollie, basking in the thrill, shouted even louder, drawing curious glances from those on the street.
And then, the bystanders joined in, shouting "Maxim!" with enthusiasm, even if they didn't quite understand the context.
Maxim, wanting nothing more than to disappear, huddled up in the passenger seat, his embarrassment palpable. But this sudden burst of excitement made everyone else laugh, lightening the mood.
When Ollie finally calmed down, he noticed Maxim's discomfort and playfully called out his name again.
Then, Maxim changed the topic, addressing their earlier dilemma. "I don't know what happened, but our performance time was shifted by twelve hours," he began.
Realizing it sounded a bit dry, he added, "I mean, I understand we joined last-minute, and we're basically expendable, but going from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m.? Is such a drastic change even reasonable? Are the party organizers serious? Won't this disrupt the schedules of the other bands?"
Although Maxim used this as a way to change the subject, his concerns were valid. The sudden change in performance time had puzzled them all, and he had clearly thought it through before bringing it up.
So, what had happened to prompt this shift in their performance time?