03: Welcome to Celestial Crescent

Branches Of Sunshire

Chapter 3

Welcome to Celestial Crescent

Ashley stood under a large stained-glass window, shaped like a sun symbol with eight points and a circle at its centre. They inhaled deeply to the humming drone of string instruments and percussion. A bright orange glow surrounded them, filling them with warmth.

The music grew faster and louder, and the warm glow slowly formed into hot flames dancing across the walls and engulfing them. Ashley scooped up their cat and panicked as the smoke fogged their vision.

Ashley: “Mum! Dad! Lake?!”

They cried out as the foggy room spun around them and the smell of burning ash permeated the air.

They heard a voice cry “Branch!” and suddenly, a hand reached out and grabbed them, pulling them into the darkness of the night. They were surrounded by a fog of smoke, blasting percussion, and distorted stringed instruments.

~

Ashley jolted awake, panting as their heart thundered in their chest. They glanced up to see Blake standing over their bed and staring out the window.

Ashley: “L-Lake?!”

They stammered and sniffed the smoke in the air, hearing the blare of percussion and the distorted strings coming from outside.

Ashley: “W-What’s going on?!”

They shifted their eyes and held their cat close, peering over his shoulder.

They peered out the window, glancing down into the neighbour's backyard, where they saw silhouettes of people surrounding a large bonfire, talking, laughing, and drinking as loud music blared around them.

Ashley: “...Is that a ritual?!”

They tilted their head and smiled, feeling their worries wash away.

Blake: "What kind of ritual is that?”

He twisted his mouth, gesturing to the people chanting around a spinning clothesline, drinking from silver sacks hanging off it. Ashley chuckled.

Ashley: “I have no idea! Let's go see!”

They exclaimed, turning on their heel to leave the room. Blake grabbed Ashley’s arm.

Blake: “NO, Branch!”

He blurted. Ashley paused and glanced up at Blake.

Blake: “You need to rest!”

He urged them, looking up at the moon with concern. Ashley bowed their head.

Ashley: “...Right. Nighttime is for rest.”

They forced a smile and sat back down on their bed. Blake kept his focus on the window.

Ashley: “But then why aren't they resting at night? Are they Hivernal-Wielders? Wait, then why do they have fire then?! Is it electricity?! I have so many questions!”

They tilted their head and stroked their chin. Blake twisted his mouth.

Blake: “I don't know, but they need to cut it out! We're trying to sleep!”

He huffed, folding his arms across his chest

Blake: “I'm going to go tell them to shut up!”

He marched for the door.

Ashley: “Ooh, can I come, too?!”

They beamed. Blake held his hand up to Ashley.

Blake: “NO! You stay here!”

He urged them firmly. Ashley bowed their head and pouted.

Blake: "Don't worry, I'll only be gone for five minutes, and then we can get some shut-eye!”

He assured Ashley, closing the door behind him.

~

Blake crept down the dark hallway, his footsteps creaking on the wooden floorboards as he made his way towards the stairs and approached the large glass door at the bottom of the staircase. As soon as he twisted the doorknob, he felt a pair of hands tickling his sides.

Blake: “ARGH! HAhahahahaaha!”

He rasped and turned around to see Juniper towering over him. She was dressed in her pyjamas, which consisted of a frilly pastel apricot crop top and shorts.

Juniper: “Ooh, where are you going?!”

She teased.

Blake: “Don't do THAT!

He hissed, pulling away from her.

Blake: I'm going to tell the neighbours to shut up!”

Juniper chuckled.

Juniper: “Oh, okay! Good luck with that!”

She smiled and patted his head.

Blake: “Thanks.”

He stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

Nari emerged from the basement stairs and sauntered up to Juniper as they watched Blake leave through the window.

Nari: “Oh, you got rid of the Sole-Wielders?”

She smiled.

Juniper: “Nope! He will be back! He's going to go tell the neighbours to shut up!”

She smiled. Nari gaped at her.

Nari: “You're shitting me.”

Cackling emerged from the top of the stairs, and they both glanced up to see Madelyn, laughing with amusement.

Madelyn: “Oh, this I HAVE to see!”

She exclaimed, rushing down the stairs to join them in watching Blake through the window.

~

Blake emerged from the iron gate, closing it behind him. He stepped out onto the street, under the moonlight, following the trail of noise to the derelict weatherboard house next door. It was surrounded by tall elm trees and an overgrown lawn, with beer cans and fast-food boxes scattered across it. A pizza sat on the terracotta gabled roof. Silhouettes of people could be seen through the bay windows. He could hear people singing and laughing over distorted string instruments and percussion sounds he had never heard before, and something about it called to him.

He stepped over the minefield of beer cans and Burger boxes, approaching the door. A foul odour wafted from below, and he glanced down to see a pair of steel cap boots and groused at the stink. He turned to the door and pounded on it.

Blake: “Hello?! Can you be quiet?!”

He hollered. He stood impatiently tapping his foot, waiting for a response.

The door burst open, and he was greeted by a tall and tan, muscular man with a lion's mane of curly blonde hair, gripping a beer can. His face was obscured by Ray-Ban sunglasses, and he wore a frayed denim vest over torn jeans and a white shirt that read “Nuklear Intoxikation” in a spiky green font.

Man: “Who the fuck are you?!”

He slurred his words in a gruff voice and lowered his sunglasses to lock his lime green eyes onto Blake, drinking him in.

Blake: “I'm your neighbour, and we're trying to sleep, so be quiet!”

He said firmly. The man burst out laughing.

Man: “Wahahaha! Who do you think you are, tryna push ME around? Nah, I'M the dom! YOU be quiet!”

He slurred, draping his arm around him. Blake gaped at him and pulled away from him.

Blake: “Look, Dom, it's late at night, and we're trying to sleep!”

He huffed, folding his arms. The man laughed at him.

Man: “Oi! My name's CRAIG, not fuckin’ Dom!”

He gestured to himself.

Blake: “Okay, Craig. It's late at night, and we're trying to sleep, so will you shut up?”

He reiterated. Craig gaped at him.

Craig: “...Who do ya think you are, mate?”

He laughed.

Blake: “A disgruntled neighbour.”

He folded his arms across his chest. Craig gaped at him and examined him, tugging at his robe.

Craig: “What's with the robe? Did ya think this is a Halloween party?! Wahaha! Oi! Everyone, check out this weirdo cunt dressed as Jesus!”

He draped his arm around Blake, ushering him inside with him.

Blake: “HEY!”

He snapped at him.

~

Craig dragged Blake into the cluttered and chaotic mess of a house party. A sea of people surrounded them, all dressed like Craig in denim, staring and laughing at Blake as heavy music blared in the background. Craig dragged Blake over to the stacked-up couches resembling a throne.

Craig: “See, I’M the king of the jungle, mate!”

He proclaimed as he sat on top of the throne of couches.

Craig: “You don’t order ME around! YOU bow to me!”

He winked at him from above with a grin. Blake paused and furrowed his eyebrows.

Blake: “No. I refuse to bow to another like you!”

He hissed and clenched his fists. Craig gaped at him.

Craig: “Pfft, hahaha! You ain’t never had one like me! There ain’t anyone like me!”

He leaned forward, winking at him. Blake looked around the room at the people dressed in matching denim vests and torn jeans.

Blake: “Then why are your disciples all dressed like you then?”

He frowned. Craig laughed.

Craig: "Disciples?! Wahahaha, you’re a funny cunt!”

He cackled, jumping off the throne and draping his arm around him. Blake frowned at him.

Craig: “How about ya bow for me in the bedroom? I’ll show you I ain’t nothin’ like your ex-boyfriend!”

He whispered in his ear and winked at him.

Blake: “No! I told you! I’m not bowing to you!”

Blake gaped at him and yanked away from him. Craig gaped at him.

Craig: “...What do you mean no?!”

His voice rose, and he furrowed his eyebrows at him.

Another man’s voice interjected from behind them as he emerged from the bedroom.

Man: “What’s going on here?”

He spoke with a feathery voice. Blake paused when he turned to see a man with long raven hair, braided to the side with a prominent white streak framing his face. He locked his gaze on his striking ice blue eyes and delicate features. He was dressed in a black coat, a purple dress shirt, and black pants, with silver moon jewellery that sparkled in the moonlight.

Craig: “Oh, hey, Andreas! Nothin’ much, just chattin’ to Jesus!”

He laughed at Blake as he rolled his eyes. Andreas swung his gaze to Blake, drinking him in with piqued curiosity when he noted his strange clothing.

Andreas: “Who are you and why are you dressed like that?”

He asked softly and sauntered over to him. Blake locked his gaze onto Andreas.

Blake: “...I’m Blake… Solegatti and I’m your neighbour…”

He ran his fingers through his hair and winced. Why did I just say that ridiculous surname?

Andreas: “Oh, that explains the clothing.”

He nodded.

Craig: “Yeah, he’s one of those weirdo witches from that freaky mansion!”

He laughed.

Blake: “I am NOT a witch!”

He groused at him.

Craig: “Fuckin’ oath you ain’t cos magic ain’t real!”

He laughed. Andreas frowned at Craig.

Andreas: “I see now.”

He cross-examined Blake with curiosity. Blake caught his gaze on him and nervously looked away, turning his attention to the window, where he saw a black raven staring in at them with a crystal around its neck. Huh, that’s odd? He thought.

~

The black raven flew to Nari, as she stood in the backyard under the moonlight with Juniper and Madelyn. The raven perched itself onto her staff, and she felt the crystal necklace around it. Nari furrowed her eyebrows.

Nari: “Foolish commonfolk! It’s Majique, and it’s real!”

She scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Madelyn: “Anything interesting?”

She inquired.

Nari: “Nothing of the sort. There’s no woman in sight! Just a bunch of men yelling at each other!”

She waved her hand.

Madelyn: “Oh, so she’s not there?”

She laughed bitterly. Nari quirked an eyebrow at her.

Suddenly, Juniper was alerted by a vibration from the earth under her foot.

Juniper: “I detect movement from our gate!”

Nari frowned, and Madelyn pursed her lips.

Nari: “It better not be who I think it is!”

She groused. They peered over to the gate and saw Ashley emerging from the house,

Juniper: “Oh, never mind, it’s just Ashley!”

She smiled.

Madelyn: “Where are they going?!”

She watched as they left.

Nari: “Well, looks like the Sole-Wielders are gone now!”

She smirked.

Juniper: “Nope, they’re just heading to the party!”

She corrected her with a smile as Ashley approached the house.

Madelyn: “Ooh! Send your raven again, Nari!”

She exclaimed. Nari eyed Ashley with curiosity.

Nari: “Oh, alright! Go forth, Dalnim!”

She hollered at her Raven, sending her back to spy on the house.

~

Ashley nervously tiptoed across the lawn and approached the door.

Ashley: “Hello? Blake? Are you in there? It’s been longer than five minutes, are you ok?”

They knit their eyebrows, gently pawing their hand at the door like a cat. Ashley’s nose scrunched up at the odour steaming from the steel cap boots at the door.

Ashley: “Pee-yew!”

They fanned their face in disgust. The door burst open, and they were greeted by a short, plump woman with voluminous purple hair, groggily leaning against the doorframe. She had a dark tan complexion with freckles under her cheeks, and she was dressed in skin-tight black clothing that clung tightly to her plump figure. She froze and stared at Ashley as if she had seen a ghost.

Woman: “B-Br…”

She stammered. Ashley tilted their head and glanced down at their robe.

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

They waved their hands.

Ashley: “I’m Ashley Solegatti from next door! Nice to meet you!”

They greeted her with a tiny wave. The woman snapped out of her daze.

Woman: “...Ashley Solegatti?”

She gave them a quizzical look, locking her piercing green eyes on them, drinking them in.

Ashley: “Yeah! It means sun cat, haha!”

They chuckled.

Ashley: “I was just looking for my brother! Have you seen him?”

They pressed, peering over her shoulder inside.

Woman: “Your brother, huh?”

She leaned in closer to Ashley.

Woman: “...Does he wear that symbol, too?”

She tugged at Ashley’s robe and flicked her gaze up at them.

Ashley: “Yes! He does!”

They nodded. The woman smiled widely at Ashley, giving them a look.

Woman: “Let's go find him then!”

She exclaimed, grabbing their hand and dragging them inside. Ashley reddened and beamed.

Ashley: “W-Woah!”

They chuckled.

Ashley froze up as they were whisked into the dark and smoky living room, full of people aggressively banging their heads to angry music, shouting about decapitating people.

Ashley: “...Oh, dear! That's not very nice!”

They winced and covered their ears. The woman laughed at Ashley and dragged them through the crowd.

Woman: “Heavy Metal doesn't play nice!”

She taunted.

Ashley: “Heavy Metal? What’s that?”

They tilted their head at her.

Woman: “You’re joking, right?”

She paused and turned to gape at Ashley. Ashley shook their head in confirmation.

Ashley: “No… I don’t even know your name, haha!”

They chuckled. The woman’s jaw dropped.

Woman: “...You don’t know who I am?!”

Her voice rose to a high-pitched squeal. Ashley shook their head again.

Woman: “I am Makayla Medeiros!”

She shouted back to them over the blasting music.

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

She groused.

Ashley: “Uhh? Nope!”

Makayla pouted.

Makayla: “So, tell me about your brother.”

She gazed at Ashley.

Ashley: “Oh, he looks like me, except taller, manlier, and slimmer than me, haha!”

They explained, standing up on their tiptoes and poking their tummy. Makayla swung her gaze down at their tummy.

Makayla: “...Wait, what do you mean slimmer than you?”

She pressed them.

Ashley: “Uhh, like, he’s not fat like me, haha?”

They laughed and scratched their head.

“ASHLEY!”

Ashley paused, turned toward the voice calling their name, and saw Blake standing with Craig and Andreas by the doorway to the backyard.

Ashley: “Oh, hey, Blake! There he is!”

They waved at him and nudged Makayla.

Makayla: “...Oh? That’s your brother?”

Her smile faltered.

Ashley: “Yep, that’s Blake!”

They chirped.

Makayla: “...Is he your only brother?”

She asked. Ashley arched an eyebrow at her odd question.

Ashley: “Uhh, yeah? Why do you ask?”

They pressed her.

Blake interjected as he approached them.

Blake: “What are you doing here?! Go home!”

He hissed between clenched teeth, ushering Ashley towards the door.

Ashley: “I was worried about you… You were gone for a long time.”

They sighed.

Blake: “You don’t have anything to worry about! I can take care of myself.”

He assured them.

Ashley: “Blake, do we have another brother?”

Blake paused and arched an eyebrow at them.

Blake: “What? No? Why do you ask?”

He folded his arms across his chest. Ashley swung their gaze to Makayla.

Makayla: “You remind me of Brad…”

She said to Ashley. Ashley and Blake exchanged a look.

Craig approached them, draping his arm around Blake with a scoff.

Craig: “PFFT, What? Are you high, Makayla? That ain’t Brad! That’s a chick!”

He pointed at Ashley with his beer bottle. Blake rolled his eyes at Craig, pulling away from him.

Ashley: “Hello! I’m Ashley!”

They greeted Craig with a smile and a wave.

Craig: “See! Ashley is a chick name!”

He pointed at Ashley and laughed.

Blake: “Actually, Ashley is a unisex name.”

He corrected him. Ashley nodded in confirmation.

Ashley: “Uhh, so who is Brad? I never heard of a Brad before?”

They tilted their head and scratched their head. Makayla gaped at them.

Makayla: “...You don’t know him?!”

She gasped.

Blake: “No. Sorry, lady, we don’t know anyone named Brad.”

He shrugged.

Makayla: “Are you sure about that?”

She pressed them.

Ashley: “Very sure! We’re the only ones of our kind here, so that’s impossible!”

They smiled and nodded.

Makayla: “What kind is that?”

She pressed them.

Ashley: “Oh, we’re Sole-”

Blake covered Ashley’s mouth with his hand.

Blake: “Solo travellers from Passuluna!”

He interjected.

Andreas: “You’re from Passuluna?”

He approached them, examining them both. Craig pulled away from Blake and draped his arm around Andreas, pulling him in for a kiss.

Blake: “Yes… That’s where our father was born!”

He said awkwardly, observing Craig with Andreas. Ashley tilted their head, observing Blake.

Andreas: “Oh, that’s South of Viteuli, right? I’m from Aurorwegia!”

He smiled.

Ashley: “Where is that?”

Andreas arched an eyebrow at them.

Andreas: “North of Euryz. You’re from Passuluna, but you never heard of Aurorwegia?”

He asked gently with intrigue. Blake shifted his eyes. Makayla interjected, tossing her empty beer bottle over her shoulder.

Makayla: “Andreaaaaaas! Doesn’t he look like Brad?!”

She cut in, draping her arm around Ashley.

Ashley: “...He?”

They titled their head.

Andreas: “Oh, are you related to Brad?”

He asked, cross-examining Ashley and Blake. Ashley and Blake looked at each other.

Ashley: “I don’t think so? We don’t know anyone named Brad.”

They scratched their head.

Blake: “Who the fuck is Brad?”

He folded his arms. Craig burst out laughing.

Craig: “Just some dumb cunt!”

He waved his hand. Makayla glared at Craig.

Makayla: “He isn’t some dumb cunt!”

She huffed, slapping his arm. Craig recoiled.

Craig: “Oww!”

He pouted, rubbing his arm.

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

She sighed, clasping her hands together and glancing up at the moon out the window.

Ashley: “Oh, what happened to him?”

They titled their head.

Makayla: “He went missing a few months ago… No one has seen him since.”

She sighed, embracing herself. Blake arched an eyebrow.

Ashley: “Oh, I’m so sorry…”

They sighed, pulling her into a hug. Makayla’s eyes widened when they hugged her, and she hugged them back.

Craig: “He probably ditched ya for someone else!”

He snorted.

Makayla: “Brad would never do that to me!”

She snapped at him.

Andreas: “I’m sure he will turn up at a Voyage Burger somewhere, Maklayla.”

He assured her in a deadpan tone. What the hell is a Voyage Burger? Blake pondered.

Makayla: “Really?! Did you see that in a fortune?!”

She exclaimed. Ashley swung their gaze to Andreas.

Ashley: “Ooh! You’re a fortune teller?!”

They gasped. Andreas nodded in confirmation.

Andreas: “Yes.”

Craig scoffed.

Craig: “Pfft, the only fortune teller is Brad’s four chins! He’s a four-chin teller! Wahaha!”

He cackled with amusement. Makayla and Andreas frowned at him. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Oh wow, that’s a lot of chins, haha!”

Craig burst out laughing. Makayla pouted.

Ashley: “Donut worry, I’ll help you find Brad!”

They offered with a smile, placing their hand on Makayla’s shoulder.

Makayla: “Really?! You’re the best!”

She brightened at Ashley.

Blake: “WHAT?! No, you’re not! We’re going home!”

He exclaimed, taking Ashley’s arm and ushering them towards the door.

Ashley: “Aww, come on, Blake!”

They pleaded with him. Craig stood in front of the door, blocking their exit.

Craig: “Aww, come on, Blake! Why are you leaving so soon? The party’s just gettin’ started!”

He taunted and laughed.

Makayla: “Fine, you can go, but leave Ashley here!”

She pouted, grabbing Ashley’s other arm. Ashley laughed awkwardly. Blake glared at her and slapped her hand away from Ashley.

Blake: “Get out of our way.”

He huffed at Craig.

Craig: “Not til you come see me play!”

He grabbed his arm.

Blake: “Play? What are you, five?”

He rolled his eyes. Craig narrowed his eyes.

Craig: “PFFT, NO! Come see me play in my band, ya drongo!”

He snapped, pounding his chest, where the ‘Nuklear Intoxikation’ logo sat on his shirt.

Andreas: “Our band, Craig.”

He sighed.

Ashley: “Oooh! You guys are in a band? How fun! We would all play in little bands around the bonfires and would sing together!”

They beamed. Andreas gave them a bemused look. Craig gaped at them and laughed.

Craig: “NO, not that hippie-dippie shit! THRASH METAL!”

He exclaimed.

Ashley: “Trash metal? What’s that?”

They titled their head. Craig gaped at them both.

Craig: “THRASH METAL, NOT TRASH METAL!”

He snapped. Blake drew a breath.

Blake: “Okay, if we see this thrash metal, will you please be quiet and let us sleep?”

He folded his arms across his chest.

Craig: “Alright, alright! You can crash after ya see me thrash!”

He waved his hand at Blake. Andreas arched an eyebrow at Craig. Why does he want him to see our band so badly? He pondered.

~

The party poured out into the backyard, buzzing with excited cheering. Ashley smiled at the people surrounding the metal clothesline at the centre of the overgrown lawn, drinking from silver sacks by the bonfire.

Ashley: “What ritual is that?”

They tugged at Makayla, pointing at it. Makayla chuckled.

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

She cooed. Ashley smiled and blushed.

Craig: “The ritual of gettin’ wasted off goon!”

He laughed.

Blake: “What is a goon?”

He pressed him. Craig burst out laughing.

Craig: “Somethin’ you need in ya right now!”

He exclaimed, yanking the silver sack off the clothesline and throwing it at him.

Blake: “...That doesn’t explain anything?”

He eyed the sack of liquid incredulously. Andreas turned to Blake.

Andreas: “It’s what they call ‘Boxed Wine’ here. It’s Osolarius slang.”

He explained.

Blake: “Oh… why is it in a sack?”

He asked, holding it up with an incredulous look.

Andreas: “I don’t know, but it’s disgusting. You don’t have to drink that.”

He took it from him and threw it over his shoulder. Blake laughed a bit. Craig swung his gaze at them and frowned.

Craig: “OI! What are ya doin’, Andreas?”!

He pouted.

Andreas: “...What are you doing, Craig?”

He arched an eyebrow at him, folding his arms across his chest. Something is off about him tonight, Andreas pondered.

Ashley’s eyes widened at the wooden stage set up with neon green lights and large speakers towering over them. Planks of wood were uneven and attached at random angles. Nails and bolts poked out, creating a hazardous mess.

Blake: “Who built this?”

He frowned.

Craig: “I did!”

He beamed proudly, gesturing to his chest.

Blake: “...I can tell.”

He twisted his mouth.

Craig: “Cheers, mate!”

He grinned widely. Blake gaped at him.

Ashley: “Oh, uh… nice job!”

They smiled politely, giving him a thumbs-up. Craig beamed widely.

Blake: “Why are you lying to him, Ashley? He didn’t do a good job.”

He shook his head. Ashley awkwardly shifted their eyes. Craig paused and turned to him.

Craig: “...WHAT?!”

His right eye twitched. Andreas drew a breath.

Blake: “I mean, you didn’t do any measurements, and you didn’t hammer in the nails properly; someone could get hurt… Is that duct tape?”

He ran his fingertips across the wood and jolted.

Blake: “Splinters! You didn’t bother to sand it?”

He shook his head. Craig’s bottom lip trembled.

Craig: “O-oh yeah?! I’d like to see YOU do better, cunt!!”

He snapped and pointed at Blake’s face.

Blake: “I would do it better.”

He declared, swiping his hand out of his face.

Ashley: “Yeah, Blake was one of the best carpenters in… our… village.”

They chirped.

Andreas: “Really now? That’s impressive.”

He smiled at Blake.

Blake: “Oh, uh, thanks…”

He mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. Craig pouted and huffed.

Craig: “Pfft, whatever, I know what I’m doin’ ‘n the stage is fine the way it is! I don’t need you tellin’ me what to do, Mr. Know-it-all-know-nothing!”

He huffed and climbed up onto the stage.

Blake: “Speak for yourself.”

He shook his head up at Craig.

Andreas turned to Blake.

Andreas: “Sorry… Craig is very sensitive.”

He sighed. Blake arched an eyebrow.

Blake: “So are the people who would get crushed and hurt under his weak construction work.”

He shook his head.

Andreas: “Oh, Craig is a destruction worker, not a construction worker.”

He declared.

Ashley: “Oh, so he destroys things?!”

They tilted their head.

Blake: “...I can see that.”

He folded his arms as Craig threw his empty beer bottle onto the stage, shattering into pieces. He grinned and held his arms up as the crowd cheered and laughed.

Andreas: “Well… yeah, but also, he demolishes houses for a living.”

He clarified.

Ashley: “Oh, no! Why would he destroy people’s homes?!”

They knit their eyebrows. Andreas arched an eyebrow at their question.

Andreas: “Well, old houses fall apart and need to be demolished and cleared away for new buildings… like the tower.”

He explained and pondered.

Ashley: “The Tower?”

They tilted their head.

Suddenly, Andreas was grabbed from behind, in Craig’s tight grip.

Craig: “ANDREAS! It’s go time!”

He commanded, pulling him up onto the stage with him.

Andreas: “Argh! Craig! Be careful!”

He gasped, startled by the intrusion, as the stage swayed under the pressure. Blake’s eyes widened, and he twisted his mouth. Ashley gasped.

Blake: “Pazzesco!”

He huffed and folded his arms across his chest.

Craig: “Where the FUCK is Makayla?!”

He huffed, looking around for her in the crowd.

Makayla emerged from the house with a large chocolate cake.

Makayla: “COMING!”

She hollered back at him. All eyes turned to her as they eyed the cake. Makayla made her way through the crowd, approaching Ashley.

Makayla: “This is for you, enjoy!”

She smiled at them and handed them the cake with a wink. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Oh? Uhh, thanks? Haha.”

They laughed with confusion. Blake arched an eyebrow.

Blake: “The fuck?”

Makayla climbed onto the stage with them, causing it to creak and sway under their weight. Blake drew a breath. Andreas clung to the beam and lifted his black guitar over his shoulder. It had a sharp, black, asymmetric body shape with a pointed headstock. He strummed it with his left hand as he waited for Craig and Makayla. Makayla pulled out a glittering neon purple bass guitar. It had a large headstock with a glowing purple gemstone at the centre and flower-petal-shaped tuning pegs. Amethyst gems were set into the knobs along the round, curved body. The hamburger sticker on the body stood out like a sore thumb. A muscular man with a tan complexion and dreadlocks climbed up onto the stage and got behind the drum kit, causing the stage to rattle again as he hit the cymbals.

Ashley: “Oh, there’s another one?”

They titled their head.

Craig took to the centre of the stage, cupping the microphone in his fist.

Craig: “G’day, we’re Nuklear Intoxikation! LET’S GET THIS SHOW STARTED!”

He rasped and pumped his fist in the air. Andreas shredded on his guitar, and Makayla followed with her bass line. Blake’s eyes widened as the heavy distortion awakened a deep resonance within him, making him smile. Ashley smiled up at Blake.

Craig: “Moonlight on the water’s surface!”

He stomped around at the centre of the stage, rasping the vocals and pumping up the crowd.

Craig: “Set sour to glower, break out from your tower!”

Ashley stood there, wide-eyed.

Blake: “Huh, I didn’t peg him to be the articulate type.”

He hummed skeptically.

Ashley: “Wait, is he singing about tarot fortune stuff?”

They beamed.

Blake: “Tarot fortune stuff, huh?”

He swung his gaze up at Andreas as he played in the corner of the stage out of the spotlights.

Ashley caught Makayla’s intense gaze on them as she strummed her bass guitar. Ashley felt the air spin around them and felt as though their heart pounded to the rhythm of her bass. The sensation travelled down to the pit of their stomach with a twang of hunger.

Ashley: “...So hungry…”

They droned in a trance and sauntered towards the cake, eyeing it with large pupils like a hungry cat.

Ashley: “Mmm… cake…”

They swiped the cake and took a delicate bite. Makayla smirked at them and chuckled. Blake turned to Ashley with confusion.

Blake: “What are you doing, Ashley?”

He gaped at them.

Ashley: “Eating a cake, haha!”

They chuckled and took another bite.

Blake: “That’s too much cake!”

He scolded them and took the plate from them. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “No, my cake!”

They droned, taking it back from him. Blake was taken aback.

Blake: “What has gotten into you?!”

He gaped at them.

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

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

Suddenly, Makayla’s trembling bass whirled into wild and obnoxious kazoo noises.

Makayla: “W-What the hell?!”

She groused, staring down at her bass guitar. Ashley snapped out of their daze, staring at the cake with confusion.

Ashley: “Huh? What happened?”

They put the cake down and scratched their head. Blake looked bewildered.

Craig: “What the fuck, Makayla?!”

He sneered in her direction.

Suddenly, a huge fart ripped from Makayla’s bass guitar as she plucked the big E string. The crowd burst out laughing and turned their attention to Makayla as the band stopped playing.

Makayla: “IT WASN’T ME!”

She cried and plucked her bass guitar again, this time making a cow mooing noise. The next string played a pig-oinking sound. Andreas drew a long breath and scanned the crowd.

Ashley heard familiar cackling and turned to see Madelyn sitting up in the oak tree by the fence, waving her glowing staff at Makayla’s bass guitar.

Madelyn: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

She laughed with tears streaming down her cheeks. Ashley titled 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 a rage as the stage began to creak and wobble.

Andreas: “Makayla! Wait! Stop!”

He waved his arms.

Makayla: “NOTHING can stop me!”

She snapped, stomping her feet. Blake’s eyes widened.

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 band screamed, the drum cymbals crashing and feedback distorting, as they collapsed to the ground. The crowd yelled with a mixture of panic and laughter, evacuating the party like a horde of wild animals.

Madelyn, Nari, and Juniper peered over the fence with stunned faces.

Nari: “Good job, Madelyn. Now we can get some quiet!”

She smirked as Dalnim flocked to her, perched on her arm.

Madelyn: “That was Makayla’s doing!”

She laughed.

Juniper: “Oh dear… I hope they aren’t hurt!”

She cupped her mouth.

Nari: “They brought this on themselves.”

She shrugged and petted her raven.

Ashley peered over Blake’s shoulder and knit their eyebrows at the sight of destruction.

Ashley: “O-oh no, are you guys okay?!”

They gasped and rushed over to the band. Makayla was flipped over with her ass hanging out, and Craig groaned at the centre of the piles of wood, twitching.

Makayla: “H-Help me!”

She cried. Madelyn laughed at Makayla. Ashley rushed to Makayla and helped her up.

Ashley: “It’s okay! I got you!”

They assured her, taking her hand. Makayla beamed at Ashley, squeezing their hand.

Makayla: “Thank you…”

She locked her gaze on them and eyed the tattoo on their thumb. Madelyn pulled a face.

Blake stood over Craig and folded his arms across his chest, shaking his head at him.

Blake: “I warned you, idiot!”

He scolded him. Andreas groaned in pain from a distance, snapping his attention to him as he struggled under a heavy plank of wood. Blake rushed over to him, lifting the plank of wood off him.

Blake: “Are you okay?”

He knelt to Andreas to help him up. Andreas shook his head and winced in pain, clutching his leg as blood streamed down it. Blake’s eyes widened, and Ashley gasped and cupped their mouth. Craig shot up from the piles of wood, marching over to them.

Craig: “A-Andreas?! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!”

He rasped and glared at Blake, shoving him aside. Blake fell back and glared up at Craig.

Blake: “Me?! YOU did this to him with your big dumb ego over your shitty carpentry!”

He shot up and shoved him back.

Ashley: “He needs healing, guys!”

They cried.

Juniper: “Oh, Nari can brew healing potions!”

She blurted with a smile. Nari pouted.

Nari: “I’m not helping them, Juniper!”

She folded her arms across her chest.

Juniper: “Oh, why not?”

She gaped at her owlishly.

Nari: “Because they have been a disturbance in the neighbourhood for eons. They brought this on themselves! You reap what you sow.”

She shook her head. Andreas gazed up at her.

Andreas: “So, you’re a hivernal-wielder who specializes in potions?”

He asked her. Nari’s eyebrows rose.

Nari: “How would you know that?”

She turned to him with intrigue. Andreas stroked the white tip of his hair and turned to the moon. He summoned a deep purple staff with a marbled wooden texture and a clawed tip with a large purple jewel perched at the top of it.

Andreas: “I specialize in psychic abilities. Perhaps we can make a deal with each other?”

He offered. Ashley gaped at him. Ooh, another hivernal-wielder?! They thought. Blake’s eyes grew large at the sight of Andreas under the moonlight.

Nari: “Perhaps…”

She smiled and stroked her chin.

Nari: “Alright, I will brew this potion for you on the condition that you shut down this foolish disturbance and that you do a psychic favour for me whenever I need it.”

She nodded to him, holding her hand out to him.

Andreas: “You have a binding deal.”

He took her hand and shook it under the moonlight.

They were then startled by the rummaging of wooden planks and turned to see the drummer, emerging from the wreckage.

Drummer: “Fuck you guys, I quit!”

He huffed, throwing his drumsticks across the yard, and stormed out. Andreas sighed and bowed his head.