03: Welcome to Celestial Crescent

Branches Of Sunshire

Chapter 3

Welcome to Celestial Crescent

Beneath a stained-glass window bearing an eight-pointed sun symbol, Ashley sat motionless, their steady breathing matching the soft purr of their cat on their lap. The radiant glow of the sun bathed them with warmth, while the low drone of ancient string instruments and percussion lulled them into a deep hypnotic trance.

A faint waft of burning wood seeped into the room, cutting through the tranquil stillness, and the soothing drone of strings twisted frantically into something aggressive and unfamiliar. The ambient warmth ignited into scorching, hostile flames flickering across the walls.

Ashley: “Mother?!”

They panicked and scrambled up, clutching their cat as the room spun into a dark miasma of smoke.

Ashley: “Father?!”

They cried into the dark smoke, searching frantically, but there was no sign of life.

Ashley: “LAKE?!”

They screamed for their brother, their voice muffled by the blaring distortion.

“BRANCH!”

A hand bearing the sun tattoo tore through the dark smoke, gripping Ashley’s arm and yanking them out. Relief spread across Ashley’s face when they glanced up at their brother—just as the distorted music twisted into monstrous vocals.

~

Ashley jolted awake to woodsmoke and distorted music. They turned to the source—a warm glow of light from outside. They quietly slid out of bed and tiptoed over to the window, careful not to wake their sleeping brother on the couch. Over the fence and below, a dozen people laughed, drank, and chanted around a spinning clothesline, lit by the orange glow of a bonfire. The distorted music blared from a pair of outdoor speakers, echoing into the night.

Curious, Ashley tiptoed to the bedroom door, slipped out onto the landing, and closed it behind them with a quiet click.

~

Ashley slipped out of the house, stepping into the warm night air, feeling the cool stone pavement against their bare soles. Moonlight lit the backyard, casting a shimmering reflection across the pool's surface.

They sauntered over to the great elm tree by the fence and reached up to grab a low-hanging branch. They hoisted themselves up, gripping the trunk's rough bark with their bare feet, and scrambled into the tree for a closer look.

The white weatherboard house stood in stark contrast to the grand Victorian mansion, with its chaotic energy and small size, and was hemmed in by the surrounding pine trees. The timber boards were chipped and decaying from decades of harsh sun and coastal humidity. Above it, the terracotta gable roof sat slightly askew, with missing tiles exposing the rafters below.

Across the overgrown lawn, littered with beer cans, people sat in mismatched plastic lawn chairs and on milk crates, smoking and drinking. Behind them, across the other side of the yard, stood a tall wooden structure Ashley couldn’t identify.

In the centre of the backyard, a Hills Hoist clothesline stood slightly crooked, wires strung with metallic silver sacks. People laughed and chattered as they took turns drinking from them, while a nearby bonfire cast a warm glow over the crowd.

Something sparked within Ashley. The warmth, the light, and the communal joy and laughter pulled them in like moths to a flame, stirring their nostalgia for the home they missed so deeply.

Suddenly, a sharp crack sounded as the branch snapped under their weight, sending them tumbling into the backyard, where they landed on the overgrown grass with a hard thud. Ashley groaned and slowly lifted their head to see a pair of black knee-high boots standing before them.

They looked up at a woman with a wild, voluminous purple mane, a dark tan complexion, dramatic makeup, and freckles across her cheeks. She wore skin-tight black clothing that clung to her plump figure, leaving little to the imagination.

Woman: “B-Br…”

She stammered, her piercing green eyes staring at them as if she had just seen a ghost. Ashley staggered to their feet and glanced down at their ivory robe, letting out an awkward laugh.

Ashley: “OH! Oh, no! Don't worry, I’m not a ghost, haha! I had this problem before!”

They waved their hands with a friendly smile, trying to reassure her.

Ashley: “I’m Ashley! Nice to meet you!”

The woman snapped out of her daze, locking her gaze on them and drinking them in.

Woman: “...Ashley?”

She gave them a quizzical look.

Ashley: Uhh, yeah? That’s my name!”

They chuckled and shifted their eyes.

Woman: “What were you doing over there?”

She flicked her gaze up at the elm tree leaning over the next door fence.

Ashley: “Oh! I live there with my brother!”

They explained, smiling up at the Victorian mansion towering over them.

Woman: “...Really now?”

She pondered, locking her gaze on Ashley with intrigue.

Ashley looked around the backyard, drinking in the chaotic party scene with curiosity.

Ashley: “So, what kind of ritual is this?”

They chuckled at the mysterious silver sacks hanging off the Hills Hoist clothesline, curious and confused.

Woman: “Ritual?! Haha, you’re so cute!”

She cooed and laughed. Ashley smiled and blushed.

Woman: “I guess it’s the ritual of partying and getting wasted off goon!”

She grinned and scrunched one of the metallic sacks between her fingertips, chuckling.

Ashley: “What is a goon?”

They tilted their head, as if to signal her for answers.

Woman: “Osolarian slang for wine.”

She explained smoothly, waving a hand.

Ashley: “OH! It’s wine?”

Their eyebrows rose surprisingly.

Ashley: “I never saw wine like that before! Why is it in a sack?”

They stared up at the silver sacks swaying in the warm night air.

Woman: “Because it makes it more fun that way!”

She grinned, lifted the bag above her head, opened the nozzle, and took a long swing from the tap.

Woman: “Your turn!”

She spun the clothesline and swung the sack over to them. Ashley stared at it apprehensively, then leaned in and took a cautious sip. They recoiled with disgust as the sour liquid hit their tongue, and they burst into a coughing fit.

Ashley: “O-oh my stars! That’s the worst wine I ever had!”

They grumbled, wiping their mouth.

Woman: “Aww, you poor thing!”

The woman leaned in and patted their back.

Woman: “Do you want some cake to wash away the bad taste?!”

She cooed to them. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Cake?! Ooh, yes please!”

They beamed with excitement. The woman grinned and took their hand, guiding them through the crowd of partying guests toward the house. As she led Ashley deeper into the party, a raven perched in the great elm tree, wearing a tiny pointed hat and watching them intently.

~

Back in the manor’s master bedroom, Blake tossed and turned on the couch, gripped by a restless dream. He jolted awake, his chest heaving and heart thundering. He whipped his head toward the bed where Ashley lay, but his heart sank when he saw it was now empty.

Blake: “ASHLEY?!”

He shot up from the couch, stumbling in the dark and calling out for them, but there was no response. He turned through the archway into the ensuite and saw the bathroom door ajar, the room empty.

Blake burst onto the hallway landing, frantically sweeping the corridor. Above him, the chandelier Ashley had brightened earlier still cast its warm glow, guiding his path.

Blake: “Ashley?!”

He called out again, his voice echoing through the house, but no one answered. Blake snapped around when he heard a creaking door, followed by footsteps on the wooden floorboards. His hope faded when he saw Juniper emerge from her room. She wore her pyjamas, an apricot crop top and shorts, and had tied her long crimson hair up in a messy bun.

Juniper: “Is everything okay?”

She groggily rubbed her eyes.

Blake: “Where’s Ashley?!”

Gazing at her suspiciously, he narrowed his deep blue eyes.

Juniper: “I don't know. They're not with you?”

She scratched her head.

Blake: “No?! Why would I be looking for them if they were?!”

He threw his arms up in exasperation.

The soft rustle of leaf vine curtains snapped their attention down the hall as Madelyn emerged from her bedroom, dressed in a yellow duck onesie; a large hood with an orange beak and cartoony eyes obscured her face.

Madelyn: “What’s going on out here?”

She yawned. Blake stared at her in that obnoxious outfit with disbelief.

Blake: “Did you take Ashley into your room?!”

He huffed in an accusatory tone.

Madelyn: “No? Why?”

She gaped at him.

Blake: “Because… I can’t find them!”

His anger shifted, exposing the panic beneath.

Juniper: “Don’t worry! I can help you find them!”

She assured him with a smile, summoning her staff from below her feet.

Madelyn: “Yeah, let’s go look for them!”

She chimed in with determination.

Blake: “I don’t need your help!”

He turned his back to the women and folded his arms over his chest.

“What is all this commotion?!”

Nari’s sharp voice interjected from below. They leaned over the stair railing to see her standing in the grand entryway in a sweeping black silk-and-lace nightgown. Blake fixed his gaze on her.

Blake: “Do YOU have Ashley?!!”

He yelled down at her. Nari gaped at him.

Nari: “Why would I have a Sole-Wielder in my quarters?!”

She scoffed and folded her arms across her chest.

Nari: “Perhaps they went back to Sunshire!”

She waved a dismissive hand. Blake's heart sank at the thought. Before his mind could wander, a rustle of feathers broke the silence from above. They all glanced up to see the raven in the tiny hat swoop down and perch on Nari’s shoulder. The raven leaned its beak toward her ear, and Nari’s eyes widened.

Nari: “Is that so?”

She stroked her chin.

Juniper: “What did Dalnim say?”

She smiled at the raven. Nari looked away and didn’t respond.

Madelyn: “Come on, Nari, what did she tell you?!”

She snapped, lowering her duck hood. Blake watched the raven with intrigue.

Blake: “Is it about Ashley?!”

He pleaded with her. Dalnim croaked at him and pecked Nari’s cheek.

Nari: “OW! Dalnim!”

She flinched and rubbed her cheek.

Nari: “Alright, alright, fine!”

She huffed and planted her hand on her hip.

Nari: “The Sole-Wielder is with those common folk idiots next door!”

She pouted at Dalnim, who croaked happily.

Blake: “WHAT?!”

His jaw dropped when he recalled the commotion from next door.

Madelyn: “Oh no, not Makayla.”

Her expression crumpled, her bright demeanour souring instantly. Blake spun around, looking lost.

Blake: Who the hell is Makayla?!”

All three women wore sour expressions, which only unnerved him more.

~

The purple-haired woman whisked Ashley through a dark, smoky living room, where a crowd of people dressed in black and denim moshed to the fast, raspy rhythm, the music reverberating off the walls. Ashley could feel it pulsing beneath their soles and pummeling their chest.

Ashley: “WOW! Where’s the music coming from?!”

They scanned the room, wide-eyed and bewildered, searching for the source of those loud, heavy sounds, but no one was playing strings or percussion; it was just the crowd moving to a sound that seemed to come from nowhere.

Woman: “It’s coming from the speakers, silly!”

She laughed, pointing over at the large sound system box in the corner of the room.

Ashley: “Oh my stars! How do you trap the music in a box?!”

They approached it cautiously, but curiously.

Woman: “Hell if I know?! I don’t know how technology works!”

She scoffed and shrugged.

Ashley: "Tech-no-logy?"

They repeated, sounding out the word. The woman chuckled at them.

Woman: “So, you like heavy metal?!”

She spread her arms out.

Ashley: “Oh yes! My favourite metal is gold!”

They beamed brightly. The woman blinked mutely at them.

Woman: “Haha, very funny! I mean like the music genre!”

She clarified with laughter. Ashley’s face lit up with interest.

Ashley: “Oh! Do you play music?!”

The woman’s smile faltered, and her jaw dropped.

Woman: “Of course I do! …Don’t you know who I am?”

A faint shadow of hurt flickered over her face.

Ashley: “No, sorry! You didn’t tell me your name!”

They shook their head apologetically. The woman gaped at them.

Woman: “I am Makayla Medeiros!”

She declared dramatically, placing her hand to her chest.

Ashley: “Oh, okay, nice to meet you, Makayla!”

They smiled earnestly at her. Makayla paused, searching them for any sign of a joke.

Makayla: “...Really? You were never told about me?!”

The pitch of her voice rose.

Ashley: “Uhh? Nope? Who are you?”

They tilted their head. Makayla gasped.

Makayla: “Hmph, how could Madelyn NOT mention me?!”

She huffed and folded her arms across her chest.

Ashley: “Oh? You know Madelyn?!"

They brightened. Makayla pursed her lips.

Makayla: “Yes, I know her better than anyone else!”

She declared, leaning closer to them and dropping her voice.

Makayla: “You should be careful with that one! Don’t trust those girls!”

Ashley’s eyes widened, surprisingly.

Ashley: “Why not?! They’re really nice… well, except for Nari; she’s kinda scary, haha!”

They exclaimed and shifted their eyes, thinking of Nari’s hostility.

Makayla: “Don’t be fooled! They’re not who they seem!”

She insisted. Ashley paused to ponder what she had just told them.

~

Blake barged through the iron gates and marched onto the street, following the trail of distorted noise to the derelict weatherboard house next door. Beyond the tall elm trees lay the source of the chaos — an overgrown lawn littered with beer cans and fast-food boxes. A pizza sat on the terracotta gabled roof, and silhouettes of people could be seen through the bay windows, laughing and shouting.

Blake: “What a dump!”

He groused with disgust as he kicked through the minefield of crushed beer cans and grease-stained Burger boxes, making his way to the doorstep.

Blake: “Who are these savages?!”

He scrutinised the vandalism spray-painted across the door. It read ‘Nuklear Intoxikation’ in crude and barely legible handwriting. A foul, vinegary odour assaulted his nose, and he turned to see a pair of dirty steel-cap boots sitting in the corner.

Blake: “Ugh, I don’t want to know!”

He kicked the boots into the garden in disgust. Blake turned his attention back to the door with fierce determination.

Blake: “HEY! OPEN UP!”

He hollered, pounding his fist on the door.

The door burst open, unleashing a violent wave of distorted guitars and a cloud of tobacco smoke. A tall, muscular man with a lion’s mane of curly blonde hair stumbled to the door, reeking of cheap deodorant and beer. He wore a frayed denim vest with band patches, and a white shirt that read “Nuklear Intoxikation” in jagged green font. He lowered his Ray-Ban sunglasses and drank him in with his lime-green eyes.

Man: “Oh fuck yeah, smokin’ hot pizza’s here!”

He slurred his words, taking a swig from his beer can. Blake gave him a bewildered look.

Blake: “What?! I don’t have any pizza!”

He huffed and folded his arms across his chest indignantly.

Blake: “I’m here for my sibling! Let me in!”

He stepped forward, trying to pass him, when the man held up his big, calloused hand, blocking his path. His tall, muscular frame filled the doorway.

Man: “Woah! Woah! Hold ya horses, pretty lil Jesus boy! What’s with the robe, ey? Did ya think this is a Halloween party or somethin'?”

He threw his head back and let out a booming cackle. Blake rolled his eyes at him.

Blake: “I don’t have time for this! Get out of my way!”

His jaw tightened as he shoved him, trying to get past him. The man’s beer flew out of his hand, hitting the concrete and spilling all over the porch.

Man: “OI! My fuckin’ beer! Feisty lil cunt, ain’t ya?!”

He swung his gaze back to Blake with an amused laugh.

Craig: “Mate, ain’t nobody gonna push Craig fuckin’ Medeiros around!”

He cooed, snaking his heavy, tattooed arm around Blake and pinning him with piercing green eyes. Before Blake could react, he heard Ashley’s laughter echoing from inside the house.

Blake: “ASHLEY!”

He hollered out for them, ramming into Craig with a hard shove and pushing past him.

Craig: “OI! Get back here! You can’t just barge into the lion’s den like that!”

He stumbled and drunkenly shouted after him, cackling with amusement.

~

Blake marched through the chaotic squalor of a house party, scanning the room for Ashley. He groused at the beer cans scattered across the sticky floorboards, kicking them aside as he made his way through the crowd. He eyed the large speaker boxes with curiosity, wondering how they made sound. What kind of sorcery was this? Before he could process the madness, Craig’s voice boomed from above him.

Craig: "I'm the KING of the thrash metal jungle!”

He proclaimed, hauling himself onto the makeshift throne of couches with a triumphant grin.

Craig: “You’re in my kingdom now, and you bow to me!”

He leaned forward, locking his gaze onto Blake. Blake froze and clenched his fists beneath the sleeves of his pristine ivory robe. The heavy music muffled into a low, ringing hum. He glanced around the room at the sea of people dressed like Craig in identical denim vests with patches, band shirts, and jeans, raising their beers to him up on his throne like some bizarre ceremonial offering.

Blake: “No! I refuse to be one of your disciples!”

He fired back with a faint tremble in his tone.

Craig: “Disciples?! Wahahaha! You’re a funny cunt! These are my mates from the pub!”

He let out a crackling laugh like a kookaburra. The crowd laughed with amusement.

Blake: “I refuse to bow to anyone! Especially not some barbarian like you!”

He shook his head violently, clenched his fists, and stood firmly upright. Craig blinked and then let out a booming laugh. The crowd laughed with him once more.

Craig: “Ooh, you think you’re so fancy in your lil robe, huh?”

He chortled and jumped down from his makeshift throne, standing face-to-face with him, tugging at his robe. Blake stood firm, keeping his glare intact.

Craig: “How ‘bout you bow for me in the bedroom?!”

He purred and winked at him. Blake recoiled and stepped back, dusting off his sleeves.

Blake: “WHAT?! NO! I don’t have time for your insolence! I need to find Ashley!”

He didn’t wait for a response and barged past him into the party, leaving Craig opening and closing his mouth like a fish.

~

Through the archway, Ashley stood frozen in the dark kitchen alongside Makayla, wide-eyed and wide-jawed. The room itself was unremarkable, with its yellowing walls, wooden cabinets, and linoleum floors, but to Ashley, the appliances were extraordinary and otherworldly.

Ashley: “WOW! This is so amazing!”

They gasped and beamed with genuine awe. Makayla arched an eyebrow at their statement.

Makayla: “This dump? You don’t have to be nice.”

She chuckled, thinking they were joking.

Makayla: “Now, let’s get some cake…”

She spun on her heel and pulled open the door of the yellowing refrigerator, casting a light into the dark room. A wave of cool air spilled around them, as if she had unleashed the Arctic.

Ashley: “O-oh no!”

They recoiled in sheer terror, pressing up against the cheap wooden cabinets. Makayla remained unbothered by the chill and turned to them with an incredulous look.

Makayla: “What’s wrong? I thought you wanted cake?”

She pouted, holding the chocolate mud cake in a plastic container.

Ashley: “I do, but what is that cold box?!”

They stammered and pointed their trembling finger at the fridge. Makayla closed the fridge door, and her expression shifted from confusion to a smirk.

Makayla: “Ohhhh, now I get it! I know what’s going on here!”

She teased. Ashley froze and shifted their eyes. Uh-oh, here it comes, they thought.

Makayla: “You’re tripping on psychedelics!”

She teased. Ashley paused in confusion.

Ashley: “...O-oh?! Uhh, sure, I’m doing whatever that is!”

They chuckled and waved their hands. A wide grin spread across Makayla’s cheeks.

Makayla: “I know what will take the edge off! Come with me!”

She took Ashley’s arm and led them out of the kitchen with the cake.

~

Makayla led Ashley into her bedroom. The party’s loud chaos quieted when the door clicked shut. Ashley raised their left hand, instinctively preparing to summon their staff to light the room, but Makayla flicked a switch on the wall, instantly lighting the overhead ceiling fan. Ashley’s eyes grew large with amazement.

Ashley: “WOW! Is that the light elec-tree-city?!”

They gasped, recalling their conversation with Madelyn. Makayla turned to them and gave them a look.

Makayla: “Light elec-tree-city?!”

She chuckled, looking up at the ceiling fan.

Makayla: “Wow, you’re really tripping, huh?”

Ashley turned their focus toward the dim, purple-hued bedroom, filled with thick, smoky air. Over an unmade bed strewn with messy dark linens, heavy magenta curtains shielded the windows. Nearby, a nightstand held chipped coffee mugs alongside half-empty bottles of alcohol. Clutter from piles of clothing carpeted the wooden floor, hiding the faded mandala rug beneath. Silver chokers, bracelets, and rings were scattered across the vanity top, alongside half-used perfume bottles and a pile of vinyl records.

Glossy band posters covered the purple walls, overlapping and frayed at the edges, featuring leather-clad figures striking intimidating poses beneath bold, jagged lettering.

Ashley: “Who are all those people, and why do they all look angry?! Why is no one smiling?”

They asked her with genuine confusion. Makayla chuckled at their question, which seemed absurd to her.

Makayla: “Because it’s METAL!”

She grinned, picked up her bass guitar, and presented it to them. Its body resembled a deep purple galaxy with its sparkling gloss finish. The knobs were encrusted with amethyst jewels lined down the lavender pickguard, with humbucker pickups. Amethyst-encrusted tuning pegs ran along the wooden headstock, and a sleek mahogany fretboard stretched across it. A sticker featuring a hamburger logo with horns was slapped onto the body like a personal seal.

Ashley: “WOW! What musical instrument is that?!”

They gasped and leaned in for a closer look. Makayla gaped at them.

Makayla: “A bass guitar, silly!”

She scoffed, laughed, and plucked a few strings. Ashley smiled widely.

Ashley: “Ooh, it’s so deep!”

They looked intrigued as she fiddled with the strings.

Makayla softened and let out a long sigh.

Makayla: “You remind me so much of Brad…”

She sat down on the edge of her mattress, among the tangled sheets.

Makayla: “He said the funniest things, too.”

She locked her gaze on Ashley.

Ashley: “...Brad? Who’s that?”

They asked gently.

Makayla: “He was the love of my life…”

Her voice trailed off as she traced her fingertips along her bedsheets.

Makayla: “It was his birthday today, and I was really hoping he’d show up… but he didn’t!”

She pursed her lips, staring down at the chocolate cake on her lap.

Makayla: “I haven’t heard from him for months now! He never answers his phone or calls me anymore! And he’s never at Voyage Burger anymore!”

She cried, pressing her hands to her forehead.

Makayla: “It’s like he just vanished off the face of the earth!”

Ashley knitted their brows with a sympathetic look.

Ashley: “Oh, I’m so sorry, Makayla! That’s horrible!”

They said softly, stepping closer and sitting down beside her. Makayla glanced up at them, wiping her eyes.

Ashley: “I know how hard it is… My cousin went missing a few years ago…”

Their voice softened as they stared down at their feet.

Ashley: “He just disappeared without a trace. We never knew what happened to him, or where he went… Ravi was so devastated; they couldn’t talk about him anymore.”

They turned back to Makayla, reaching out to her shoulder to comfort her.

Ashley: “I really hope he’s safe and happy wherever he is!”

They assured her softly. Makayla’s mouth hung open.

Makayla: “Well, I hope they turn up somewhere!”

She assured them, placing her hand on their shoulder.

Ashley: “Me too!”

They smiled and nodded.

Makayla: “You know what we need right now?!”

She sprang up from the bed, and the mattress bounced, jolting Ashley beside her.

Ashley: “What’s that?”

They chuckled.

Makayla: “Cake and a song!”

She grinned, balancing her bass guitar in one hand and the cake in the other.

Ashley: “Ooh, sounds fun!”

~

Makayla led Ashley back into the backyard over to the wooden structure along the back fence.

Ashley: “Uhh, what is that thing?”

They laughed, scratching their head. Towering over them stood a crude, decaying wooden stage, built from weathered wooden pallets and plywood sheets held together by duct tape and rusted nails poking through the splintered wooden beams. A blue tarpaulin hung across the rickety backdrop, spray-painted with ‘NUKLEAR INTOXIKATION’. Overhead, a sheet of corrugated iron served as a roof, with cobwebs tucked into the corners of the beams supporting it. Various names were carved into the wood and crossed out, except for Craig's and Makayla’s.

Makayla: “It’s our band stage!”

She proclaimed proudly, spreading her arms.

Ashley: “Band stage? Nuk-lear Intoxi-kation?”

They queried with genuine interest as they tried to spell out the crude band name.

Makayla: “Yeah, that was our band… we were the biggest thrash metal band in Selene Valley…”

She sighed sadly, with a nostalgic longing.

Makayla: “It was me, Craig, and… the traitor who ruined it all.”

She scowled bitterly, staring daggers at one of the crossed-out names carved into the wood.

Ashley: “Who’s Craig?”

They asked. Traitor? They pondered with curiosity.

Before they could ask more, a bulky silhouette towered over them from behind and scoffed loudly.

Craig: “The fuck do you mean WHO’s Craig?!”

He grabbed Ashley’s shoulder with a firm grip. His large hands covered their entire shoulder.

Craig: “There you are! You cheeky lil shit! Stop playin’ games with me!”

Ashley turned to him, wide-eyed and confused, recoiling at his harsh tone. Craig’s expression shifted to confusion when he saw their face — and not the one he was expecting.

Craig: “Wait, who the fuck are YOU?!”

He staggered back, scrutinising Ashley.

Ashley: “Hello! I’m Ashley! You must be Craig! Nice to meet you!”

They greeted him with a smile and a wave. Craig paused as the wires slowly connected in his brain, recalling Blake's earlier mention of that name.

Craig: “So… Ashley is real, huh?”

Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Of course I am! How did you know my name?”

They tilted their head.

Craig: “Ya brother said he was lookin’ for ya, but I know why he’s actually here!”

He grinned smugly, flexing his arms. Ashley gave him a perplexed look.

Ashley: “OH! Blake’s here, too?!”

They gasped excitedly, scanning the crowd for him.

Makayla interjected, clearing her throat and placing her hand on Ashley’s shoulder.

Makayla: “Don’t you want to see me perform?!”

She knitted her eyebrows. Ashley turned to her.

Ashley: “Oh! Of course I do! I’d love to see it!”

They assured her. Makayla smiled again, stepped onto the creaking wooden steps, and hoisted herself onto the stage with her bass guitar. The creaking wood shifted under her weight.

Ashley: “Wait, Makayla, be careful! It’s not safe!”

They gasped and cupped their hands to their cheeks.

Craig: “Pfft, it’s safe! I built it myself!”

He scoffed and waved his hand dismissively. Ashley turned to gape up at him.

Ashley: “Oh! I can tell! It looks like it’s gonna fall at any minute!”

They knitted their eyebrows. Craig’s eye twitched with an offended gasp.

Craig: “Fuck off! I’d like to see you do better!”

He pouted, folding his arms across his chest.

Ashley watched with awe as Makayla flicked the switch on the large amplifier, which let out an electric hum. She took the long black lead plugged into it and inserted the other end into the jack on her bass guitar, sending a static buzz through the party and directing people’s attention to her on the stage.

Makayla: “WHEW! I wanted to play a little song for my new friend, ASHLEY!”

She announced loudly, a wry smirk on her face, gesturing to Ashley. Ashley blushed and smiled as the crowd stared at them; some of them laughed. Makayla plucked the thick steel strings of her bass guitar in a galloping rhythm, the humbuckers creating a distorted baritone. Ashley felt the bass reverberate through the ground beneath their bare soles and pulse up through their body.

Makayla: “Take a slice, it’s very nice! Take one or two or a few…”

She sang in a low, breathy, lulling croon, locking her gaze on Ashley as she swayed along with her bass plucking.

Makayla: “TAKE THIS CAKE! TAKE THIS CAKE! TAKE THIS CAKE! As I will it, so shall it be!”

Her voice rose into a husky rasp, chest-heavy as she intensified the strumming on her bass guitar. Ashley caught Makayla’s intense gaze and felt sound waves circle them, lulling them into a trance. Their hearts pounded in sync with the rhythm of her bass, the sensation travelling down into the pit of their stomach with a pang of hunger.

Ashley: “...So hungry…”

They droned on with vacant expressions, turning their attention to the cake on the stage. The chocolatey smell of the cake grew more intense and irresistible.

Ashley: “Mmm… cake…”

They swiped the cake off the stage like a cat and took a delicate bite. Makayla smirked widely at them.

Craig: “Cake?! What the fuck, Kayla! That’s not metal! Play a Nuklear song!”

He hollered from the side of the stage, pouting.

Across the party, Blake turned his attention to the commotion on the stage and rolled his eyes at Craig as he bickered with Makayla.

Blake: “What the hell is THAT thing?”

He groused, disgusted and disapproving, at the stage. A fleck of ivory in a sea of denim and black clothing caught his eye, and over by the stage, he saw Ashley eating a cake.

Blake: “ASHLEY?!”

He gasped and barged through the crowd, making his way toward them.

Blake: “ASHLEY! THERE YOU ARE!”

He rushed over to Ashley with relief and placed his hands on their shoulders.

Blake: “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE WITH THESE IDIOTS?!”

His face hardened as he stared down at them, but Ashley remained focused on their cake.

Ashley: “Eating a cake, haha!”

They replied in a hypnotic daze and took another bite. Blake gaped at them with a bewildered look on his face.

Blake: “...WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU?!”

He threw his arms up.

Ashley: “...Cake has gotten into me, haha!”

They droned and giggled, poking their tummy. Makayla beamed at Ashley.

Blake: “We’re leaving NOW!”

He grabbed their arm, leading them away from the stage. Makayla’s expression shifted into a scowl as she locked her gaze onto Blake.

Makayla: “No, no, no, don’t go! Stay for the show! Let them eat cake! As I will it, so shall it be!”

Her voice rose to a husky rasp as she strummed her bass intensely. Blake froze as a reverberating bass rumbled against the soles of his feet and trembled up through his body, vibrating in his chest with violent force, lulling him into a drowsy, confused daze.

Makayla smirked and shifted her attention back to Ashley, eating the cake as Blake stared blankly off into another world.

As Makayla raised her hand for the final strum, the bass let out an obnoxious, kazoo-like whirl.

Makayla: “W-What the hell?!”

She groused, staring down at her bass guitar and over to the amplifier for answers. Blake stumbled forward, catching his breath, while Ashley snapped out of their daze and dropped the cake to the ground.

Ashley: “...Huh? What’s going on?”

They rubbed their head as they spun with confusion.

Blake: “What just happened?”

He looked just as bewildered. Makayla gasped and frantically strummed the strings again, but this time a huge farting noise ripped from her bass through the speakers. Laughter erupted through the crowd.

Craig: “The FUCK are you doing, Makayla? You’re ruinin’ my party!”

He snapped at her and marched over to the stage.

Makayla: “IT WASN’T ME!”

She cried, plucking her string again, this time making an oinking noise.

Ashley heard familiar cackling and turned to see Madelyn sitting up in the elm tree by the Manor's fence, pointing her glowing staff down at Makayla’s bass guitar.

Madelyn: “HAHAHAHA!”

She laughed bitterly. Ashley tilted their head up at her.

Ashley: “...Madelyn?”

Makayla glared at Madelyn and seethed.

Makayla: “You little shit! YOU did this! I’ll get you for this!”

She snapped at her, stomping her feet in rage as the stage creaked and wobbled. Ashley gasped and cupped their mouth.

Ashley: “W-Wait, Makayla!”

They frantically waved their arms around.

Makayla: “Don’t try to stop me, Ashley!”

She snapped, stomping her feet. Blake’s eyes widened when he saw the stage swaying at unnatural angles.

Blake: “Oh fuck!”

He gasped and instinctively grabbed Ashley’s arm, dragging them away from the stage and shielding them with his body. The rot had done its work. As the weight shifted, the cross-beams sheared away from the pillars. The stage underwent a cascading failure, the planks folding inward like a house of cards until nothing remained but a heap of kindling and twisted iron nails. The crowd yelled with a mixture of panic and laughter, evacuating the party like a horde of wild animals.

Over the fence, Madelyn, Nari, and Juniper watched the chaos with stunned faces.

Madelyn: “Oh crap…”

She covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

Juniper: “Oh dear, I hope she’s okay!”

She gasped.

Nari: “Hmph, she brought it on herself.”

She flipped her hair.

Nari: “When you perform forbidden Majique, it comes back to you tenfold.”

She folded her arms across her chest. Madelyn pursed her lips and said nothing.

Nari: “I’m just glad that ugly eyesore is gone now!”

She added, waving her fan in front of her face.

Ashley peered over Blake’s shoulder and knitted their eyebrows at the sight of destruction, scanning the wreckage for Makayla. They gasped when they saw her sprawled across the lawn with her ass in the air.

Ashley: “O-oh no, are you okay?!”

They rose and rushed to her side.

Makayla: “H-Help me!”

She sobbed and pleaded to them.

Ashley: “It’s okay! I got you!”

They assured her, taking her hand and helping her to her feet. Makayla fell into Ashley’s arms, pulling them into a tight hug, crying into their chest.

Makayla: “Thank you, Ashley! You’re so sweet!”

She cooed through sobs. Ashley gave her a reassuring smile and hugged her back.

Ashley: “I’m glad you’re ok!”

Makayla peered over their shoulder, smirking at Madelyn over the fence. Madelyn glared back at her.