Chapter Text
“Nyah! C’mon Yuu, we’re gonna miss it!”
I let out an exasperated huff as I trail behind my hyperactive friend. “Grim! Could you slow down for just a second? We’re already at the amphitheater and they don’t come on for another ten minutes!”
As I continue to push and snake through the crowd so I can keep up with my over-excited and over-dramatic friend Grim. The only giveaway for his location among the crowd was the flash of his electric blue hair with bits of black peeking underneath. I still don’t understand why he insisted on keeping that hairstyle, but Grim insisted that the blue with a black undercut made him look “cool”.
“That doesn’t matter, we need to snag the best seats. Because I, Grim The Great, deserve only the best!”
“Hmph. You wouldn’t even be at this concert if it wasn’t for me.” I mutter.
We reach our seats and plop down with a sigh. I have to admit, out of all of the amphitheaters, this was one of the nicest. You could just melt into the seats, that's how comfortable they were. Well, only the best for the most famous boy band in Twisted Wonderland.
In all honesty, I couldn’t care less about boy bands less of all Night Raven, I just didn’t see the appeal of them. But, since Grim wouldn’t shut up about Night Raven for months and demanded they’d get tickets because–he had to be there. After all, he is “the amazing Grim” and his favorite minion had to be with him. We were here. And I can just feel the oncoming headache I’m going to get with all of this.
I let out a snort. Grim may be annoying, but he’s been a good friend all these years. So I ended up caving after all of Grim’s nagging and surprised him with the tickets. I even looked up who exactly was Night Raven and their members. Apparently, they were made of all the big shots and a few hopefuls of the countries here in Twisted Wonderland. From The Kingdom of Roses all the way to Briar Valley.
The sudden uproar of all of their “devoted fans” guides my attention to the stage where it seems the work of their tech, Idia Shroud, shows up at its finest. Different colors flash through the amphitheater each representing the countries the band members are from. Smoke starts to rise up and out of the stadium itself as well, no doubt its use is for “dramatic effect” so when the members come out it builds up the tension for when they make their big entrance.
“Minion, Minion! They’re starting!” Grim shouts excitedly as he pulls on her arm.
I let out a small laugh. “I can see that Grim,”
The crowd and Grim get louder as a group of figures appears from the smoke. First, a tall, lithe figure that walked with grace and complete confidence. Beautiful, blonde, shoulder-length hair with carefully placed stents of purple in it. Donning a deep purple button-up blouse, buttons–of course, all button-upped like the perfectionist he was known to be, and black, what appear to be slacks. But it's probably something more breathable since he has to move with such complex intricacy. This was Night Raven’s leader Vil Schoenheit.
Next to come up out of the smoke in all of his cocky but lazy glory was their Main dancer Leona Kingscholar. He was one of the biggest “heartthrobs' ' of the band or better known as the Bad Boy of the group. He certainly fits the bill. Ripped sleeved leather vest that was barely even buttoned so you could see a lot of his chest–He was quite toned, I will give him that. Not that bad looking either with that couldn’t give a care smirk on his face as he comes from the smoke and the well-toned muscles and–no Yuu, stop simping. Bad. Idols like that and Idols, in general, are known to be playboys and all-around unattainable. It’s stupid to even consider having a relationship with one of them, let alone give a thought to Leona Kingscholar of all people having an interest in me. That’s more trouble than it's worth and I will not be reduced to a stupid little fan girl like the ones around me.
Shaking myself from the brief lapse of judgment, I see that aside from the vest, Leona also sported an equally ripped pair of jeans and several types of necklaces. Definitely from Sunset Savanna by the look of it. It would make sense he is a prince there. His whole look just screamed rugged and wild. And he knew it. Always donned a bored look or his infamous smirk whenever he bothered to make appearances for the media. It was known he was one of the hardest of the group to get an interview with. Many thought it was because he was a reclusive type I just think it's because he was lazy and didn’t care enough to give them any of his time. To each their own I guess..
Next out of the smoke walked–well more like backflipped, the lead dancer Kalim Al-Asim. He was always the most hyper of the group from what Grim would say—always donning a smile and a carefree manner. His silver almost white hair contrasted brightly with the different colored lights. He was in his usual white top, red vest, and his black harem pants. His signature red scarf swayed to and through with each movement he made. It was surprising that Jamil wasn’t by his side though, they almost always came out together according to what Grim would tell me. He even taught Kalim everything he knows. He must be doing some head assistant stuff for him backstage.
Then next to him, out walked the two other dancers Ace and Deuce. They were dressed in black suit jackets with button-up red shirts and black slacks. Their look was pretty similar to that of the Lead Vocalist Riddle Rosenhearts. It makes sense if I think about it, not only are they from the Kingdom of Roses, they are pretty close with him. It was honestly surprising seeing how the duo has been labeled the “Troublemakers” of the group and Riddle was known to be a stickler for the rules.
Speaking of the redhead, he comes out immediately after the D-Ace duo. He was wearing an outfit similar to the D-Ace duo but his suit jacket was white and had various card suits on it. From spades to hearts, to even diamonds. He was quite the stickler and occasionally known to be hard to talk to, but something that would pop up sometimes was the side of him that was easily flustered. With a single compliment, the poor boy would turn red and start stuttering. I think it’s absolutely adorable to see him like that. It was a cute contrast to his stiff personality.
The next person to arrive from the smoke made the entire amphitheater erupt into cheers. Now, everyone else in the band was loved, but this guy always got the most reaction. Malleus Draconia. The Main Vocalist. Although he wasn’t the lead, he still had an intimidating yet ethereal appearance. Not much was known about him either which made the fans love him even more. He was the prince of his kingdom and the soon-to-be king and his outfit definitely reflected it.
Vil–as both Leader and head Costume Designer made sure to emphasize that aspect. Whether Malleus liked it or not. He had a pressed and fancy-looking suit jacket with intricate neon green designs and a black triangular-looking cap that sat in between his horns. It was a miracle that it didn’t fall off with his movements.
Then finally out of the smoke comes the last member of Night Raven. Jack Howl is their one and only Rapper. In all honesty,I thought he would be more of a “Behind the Scenes' kind of guy like other hidden members of the group.
He was dressed similarly to Leona–a dark leather vest and torn jeans, but it wasn’t as rugged. It looked more put together than a last-minute decision.I let out a small chuckle. Well, that does fit his personality. He was a hard worker and a go-getter. It was said he initially joined the band because of Leona too. Only the seven knows how someone could look up to Leona of all people.
“Nyah, they’re so cool! I wanna be a part of their group! I could be a singer or a dancer!” Grim chatters happily.
“Hah, oh no you don’t Grim. I know you’re scheming something in that head of yours and I don’t want any part of it!” I say, giving Grim a look.
Grim just grins. “I have no idea what you are talking about Minion! I just said that it would be cool and fitting for me, the Great Grim, to join Night Raven. I’d be one of the best in the group, I just know it!”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I just know that singular statement is gonna get you in trouble and then me along with you,”
I swear Grim is going to be the death of me one day. Him and his hair-brain schemes do nothing but get us into trouble and I don’t need him getting us into yet another fiasco.
***
“I know I shouldn't have trusted you to behave! Grim we’re gonna get caught! Get back here!” I whisper yell as I run through the halls backstage. After the concert, Grim said he was just going to get something to eat, so I stupidly thought nothing of it…until I saw a puff of blue hair sneaking through the door that led backstage.
“Heh, not until I show them my greatness and that I deserve to be a part of their group!” Grim yells, not at all trying to be inconspicuous.
And lo and behold, as we run through the twist and turns backstage, it seems we attract the exact kind of attention I was afraid of–the Leech twins. Jade and Floyd. They were infamous as the ones who handled “crowd control”. It was all because of them, well mostly Floyd that not a single photographer, fan, or even reporter dared to step over the boundaries that the twins set for the group. Lest they get, as Floyd likes to call it, squeezed.
Ugh. Those two are the last ones I want to end up going toe to toe with.
I let out an involuntary shiver as Grim and I screech to a halt by a corner. A rectangular and golden sign hangs precariously above our heads, although I can’t quite make out what it says. It must be some sort of sign to indicate where things were.
The twins start walking down the hallway and I can feel my stomach drop.
Floyd cocks his head to the side and gives a lopsided grin. “Neh neh Jade, I see two little fishes that aren't supposed to be here. A shrimpy-chan and a baby seal. Can I squeeze them?”
Jade gives an eerily polite smile as they start coming closer to our frozen forms. “Well, they are trespassing, so yes Floyd, have your fun.”
“Yay!”
My eyes widen in fear and even Grim swallows hard up. “Grim, we need to hide right now!”
“Way to state the obvious! Let's hide in a storage closet down the hall this way! Maybe we can get away from them if they don’t see us!”
Well, seeing that the duo is still walking down the hall in a taunting manner it would give us some time to make a break for it. Way to go Grim, a decent idea for once. Giving Grim a stiff nod we turn away from the wall corner and dash down the hallway where at the end the supposed storage closet lay.
“Grim, I hope you’re right about this; otherwise, we’re so screwed,” I say as I turn the doorknob and quickly close the door behind us.
“Phew, I think we’re safe for now. Good job Minion.”
“And what exactly do you two Herbivores think you’re doing in here?” A low voice rumbles.
Shit. I know that deep voice. This is not a storage closet. Way to go Grim, from the frying pan right into the fire.