Chapter Text
I was led backstage with another woman and two men selected from the crowd. ST didn't sell out VIP passes, and do meet and greets like other bands, so the fact that we were chosen is extraordinary. The fact that I was picked is beyond my understanding. I'm used to being overlooked to the point of feeling invisible even in my daily life, let alone among a crowd of people.
I was led to a room with plastic chairs where there were already three people. We were introduced to one another "Jason, Marcus, Natalie, Marie" and then given visitor passes by a woman with purple hair and quickly led out of the room single file. I brough up the rear. The venue was decent sized and backstage was a maze of people, hallways and doors.
I was trying not to be nervous. These guys had some incredible stage presence and the Lore behind their band was enough to send some people analyzing ancient texts to find truth. I thought it was a good gimmick at best, but I didn't like meeting new people sometimes. I didn't always know what to say or what to do, though I tried to be friendly sometimes I came off as awkward.
Nevermind the fact that I was probably a decade older than the other people selected, and the only other female looked to be a slim size four with long blonde hair and legs for days. I was the exact opposite of all of that, under 5 feet, size 10 and curly brown hair I kept at shoulder length. She was made up, and I dressed down, opting for comfort as opposed to fashion.
The woman with the purple hair knocked twice on a door, then swung it open with a bright grin while calling us by name, as we entered a lounge area with a snack bar stocked with drinks and food. And them. Sleep Token. It took me a few seconds to figure out who was who. Vessel of course was obvious, the other three I had to figure out based on how they were sitting. II was sitting on a couch to my right against the wall, idly twirling a drumstick, in conversation with IV who was sitting next to him.
Vessel sat on the couch directly in front of the door we all just came through. III was laying there with his head in Vessel's lap, he was talking quietly, though animatedly, hands moving in sweeping gestures. Vessel stayed silent, though he was paying attention to III, I could feel his awareness shift with perceptible heaviness upon our entrance.
I didn't know where to look. Or who to look at first. The young men that came with us walked over to II and IV where they shook hands and made conversation. Natalie, the other woman next to me grabbed my hands and I could feel her palms were already sweaty.
"Oh my God He's hereit'shimcanyoubelieveit?!" She whispered loudly, her excitement ending her sentence in a shriek. She jumped up and down excitedly, her grin wide, almost maniacal.
I smiled politely and pulled my hands away. Then I tried to indescretely wipe my hands on my black leggings.
"She can go."
Vessel spoke with a voice that was velvet, yet commanded complete attention. Of course he would send me away. I flicked a glance his way and mouthed a quick 'Sorry' with a rueful grin before turning on my heel. At least I got to see them backstage! I tried to think optimistically about the experience at best.
Except the woman with the purple hair didn't grab my elbow to escort me out of the lounge.
She grabbed Natalie's, who shot me a confused look and exclaimed as she was led somewhat forcefully out the door "What? Why, what did I do wrong? She's...she's not even pretty!" I could hear her whining down the hall even after the door closed shut behind them with a click that made me jump.
I turned back around to face Vessell and III both of whom had ignored that entire scene. III was whispering something and gesturing at his mouth, tapping with his fingertips, and pointing frenetically. Vessel tamed his antics with a brush of his hand down III's face. He murmured something low that I couldn't hear, so I turned my attention to the other two band members and their guests. They all seemed engaged in talk about video games from what I could hear. I liked to play video games, but not the ones being discussed so I had nothing to offer the foursome.
I walked to the snack bar and browsed the selection of chips, cookies, and assortment of candy bars. I picked a bottle of water and a York Peppermint Patty, highly selective of what would get stuck in my teeth. I loved chocolate and the mint would freshen my breath. Win win for me!
"Would any of you want anything while I'm over here?"
The guys either declined or pitched in with a "I'll take some chips" "I want a water," I waited a moment for more requests before nabbing a bottle for II and some chips for one of the guests whose names I'd already forgotten.
I sat down on the rug in the middle of the room, surrounded by men and yet again feeling invisible. I covered my middle with one arm and broke off small pieces of the sweet I'd chosen to melt on my tongue. I just took in the people around me listening to conversation and for the most part feeling content. I answered questions about where I was from, how far I'd driven, what my job was.
We were all laughing, and it was neat to see how emphasized their body language was without facial expressions to decipher. III was nodding at something I'd said, looking adorable with his long hands folded under his head. He blinked dolefully at me. I wondered what he was thinking when Vessel lifted a black arm and pointed at me. I looked at his white mask with its six eye slits and couldn't read a thing to give away what he wanted. I swallowed another small bite of chocolate and mint, the flavors mixing in my mouth that went suddenly dry when Vessel crooked a long, blackened, perfect finger at me.