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Nervousness. This was not an emotion that one usually associated with myself. I was normally brimming with confidence and I did not base my self worth on the opinions of my peers. Until now.
But this was a brand new circumstance and I was loath to admit that I was out of my depth. Only slightly, mind you. But it was not every day that one received the opportunity to perform at the hottest music venue in Hell. Obviously, we had graced the stage at lesser locations. But this was immensely different. We needed to step up our game significantly.
Vox was not intimidated in the slightest by this looming gig but not much rattled him – besides a certain dapperly dressed demon overlord, of course. Then there was Valentino, the third member of our musical trio, who was more concerned with combing our fanbase; examining them in order to recruit them to his rather sordid side hustle.
Both of them made me shake my head in a combination of frustration and despair. They should be focusing on our impending concert, not trifling matters. We could not afford to flop. We had a reputation to uphold, after all. Our name was synonymous with success and I did not want that to change any time soon. If it did, my bandmates would be to blame and, whilst I may look sweet on the outside, they would feel my formidable wrath. They would cower before my fury, apologising profusely. But would I forgive them? I may do so – maybe – but I would not forget their grave errors.
I could not help but hold a grudge in certain scenarios, especially when it directly impacts my personal popularity. As capable as the three of us were, I was definitely the backbone of this group and I doubted that either of them would argue with me on this particular point.
We were now all backstage, sharing a dressing room. Vox was sitting, on his phone, hate scrolling social media. Valentino was sprawled across the sole sofa; scantily clad, hunky men standing at both ends, staring at him with reverence, almost as though he were holy. As though he were a preacher, not a pimp.
I could not help but be amused by this fact, all seriousness aside. And me? I was gazing straight into the mirror, examining every aspect of my reflection, making sure that I did not have a single stray hair out of place. I wanted to look my very best; there was absolutely no chance that I would risk our music getting undermined because of my appearance.
Yes, we all mattered, but I was the group's frontwoman so I had extra pressure piled upon my person. My gender factored in also, unfortunately. Women were definitely scrutinised with more intensity than our male counterparts, no matter the particular field one was examining.
You would think that Hell would be more progressive in those regards but this was sadly not the case. There were bigots lurking, crawling in the woodwork, no matter what plane of existence one actually resided upon.
“There we go.” I murmured to myself, satisfied with what I saw. “Perfect.”
In my opinion, I looked damn good; my aesthetics completely on point.
“Are you going to get ready or are you going to continue to mess around, wasting precious time?” I addressed them both, trying to keep my voice steady.
I did not want to sound too angry in this instance because this would trigger them, leading to an almighty sulking session.
“We are already ready.” Valentino shot back, pouting. “Unlike some, I do not need to preen in front of the nearest reflective surface for hours on end.”
“Hours?” I grimaced. “That is a bit of an exaggeration, is it not? Do not be salty just because I look far cuter than you ever will, mirrors aside.” I added with a wink, taking pleasure in Valentino's blossoming scowl.
“Hell to Vox!” Valentino addressed him, grinding his teeth.
“Huh? What?” Vox answered, dragging his eyes away from the screen with difficulty.
“Don't you have anything to contribute to this conversation?” Valentino prompted, taking out his bad mood out on those he had appointed to be his servants of sorts, kicking the one who was massaging his foot straight in the face.
“I would contribute, if I knew what the conversation entailed, exactly.” He said, still partially distracted.
“You are absolutely hopeless.” Valentino sighed.
“No, you are just petty and dull.” Vox shot back, before returning his attention to his precious screen.
“Excuse me?” Valentino gasped, affronted.
“You heard.” Vox retorted, focus unwavering.
“He does have a point.” I remarked, taking Vox's side.
Valentino snorted. “Hardly.”
Before the somewhat heated discussion could escalate even further, we heard a loud knock on our door. Talk about timing!
“Come in!” I shouted sweetly, not wanting anyone else to know about the animosity we were currently harbouring regarding one another.
We needed to appear as a cohesive unit, not squabbling simpletons.
A lanyard wearing imp – venue staff, clearly – had materialised into our room, a look of awe decorating his features. It was always nice meeting one's fans.
“The stage is ready for you now.” He announced, casting us one last glance of admiration before scurrying away.
“Thank you!” I yelled to his retreating form before focusing on my friends. Because, tiffs aside, we were a talented, terrific trio whose loyalties rested with one another and no one else. I knew that Vox and Valentino's thought processes were absolute replicas of mine in this regard.
I practically slapped Vox's device out of his hand, I was that impatient to get started. We had an eager audience awaiting us, after all.
Soon enough, the stage was right in front of us. I felt the tingling sensation of butterflies in my chest but, instead of allowing them to rule me, I took a deep breath, killing them off, one by one.
“Are you ready, guys?” I asked, hand hovering over the curtain separating us from the stage, seconds after our name had been announced.
“As we will ever be.” They responded in unison.
“Well then, let's give them one hell of a performance!” I announced excitedly, thrilled that it was show time at long last. As we stepped into view of the audience, they went absolutely wild. This reaction took me by surprise. They were going berserk and I had not even uttered a single note yet.
But I refused to allow my anxiety to resume taking over, that overwhelming pressure to succeed gripping my entire body. Once we were all in position; Vox behind his electronic keyboard and Valentino sat at the drums, I tightly grasped the microphone, bursting into song:
Open those eyes wide and listen intently
We will blow your damn minds, none too gently
Watch me as I sashay across this whole stage
Bursting out of this now brittle cage
We rock the stage, aware that we will please
After all, we are Velvette And The Vees!
A cage that once entirely encompassed us all
A tight knit trio; never allowing another to fall
Instead, we raise one another up high
The very definition of 'ride or die'
We rock the stage, aware that we will please
After all, we are Velvette And The Vees!
Here we three are – Velvette, Vox, and Valentino!
Our sole intention to put on a great show
A hell of a show, eclipsing all others
Rise up in appreciation, dear sisters and brothers!
We rock the stage, aware that we will please
After all, we are Velvette And The Vees!
Now only one key question remains
Care to join us, partying on all planes?
Our melody so mystical, expanding your life span significantly
All of that adoration meaning the absolute world to me!
We rock the stage, aware that we will please
After all, we are Velvette And The Vees!
Once I finished the final note, the crowd went deathly silent for a few seconds, seconds which seemed to drag, before they began to cheer once more.
Everyone was whooping, loudly clapping their hands and stomping their feet in serious satisfaction. I was fiercely flattered by this raucous reaction, I must confess. Once we finished our set, we waved at the crowd before parting those plush curtains, the sound of their applause still audible even backstage.
My mood was buoyed by that brilliant reaction and judging from their expressions, my friends felt similarly.
“We definitely bought the fire!” I said, proud of all of us.
“Hell yes, we did!” Vox and Valentino responded cheerily. “It was even better than I predicted.” Vox added.
“I cannot wait until our next gig!” I said, smiling broadly.
“Same here.” Valentino agreed.
“Agreed.” Vox said. “However, now that that is over and done with, it is back to social media I go.”
“Oh, Vox.” I shook my head but I was still too hyped up to be irritated in any way.
Valentino began to chuckle. “We truly are unique artists, are we not?”
“You are damn right about that.” I answered, his laughter proving to be infectious; soon enough, I found myself giggling away. “Hooray for Velvette And The Vees!” I managed to cheer, raising my hand in the air, ready for a high five.
Valentino repeated my statement with equal excitability, clapping my hand like I had anticipated and desired.
Who did not like a nice high five after such an epic experience, after all?