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A light, soft snow is falling outside, with a frankly insane amount of lights decorating the outside of the house that Vaggie and Charlie had moved into. Currently, Vaggie was working on baking cookies since they seemed to keep mysteriously running out… not like her girlfriend had a chronic sweet tooth and a somehow endless metabolism. But luckily Vaggie loved baking. It was peaceful, especially with something as simple as cookies. And seeing Charlie get excited by every fresh batch was always a joy.
Everything was quiet and peaceful… until the woman she loved most bounded down the stairs with an excited grin on her face. “Vaggie, Vaggie, Vaggie! I just got the most awesome request for us to do! And we don’t even have to change our holiday plans!” She squeaks excitedly as she runs over, snagging one of the already finished cookies from where they were cooling as she does.
Vaggie chuckles at the excitement and antics, but sets a gentle hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “Breathe, cariño, what’s got you so excited?” She asks with a warm smile before turning to quickly take the next batch of cookies out of the oven.
Charlie nods, bouncing up and down before taking an almost comedically large breath. “SO! You know how we’ve been doing fun gigs as the two of us well as the big band performances? Well, a promoter reached out to me, they’re interested in having us come in to help perform as part of a holiday charity concert to help raise money for kids! We’d be playing alongside of a couple of other local artists, and they’d actually be pairing us up with another couple of people who had their bassist and drummer call in sick, so if you’re interested…” She looks at Vaggie with those eyes that tell Vaggie all she needs to know that Charlie really wants to do it.
Vaggie simply smiles and pats Charlie on the head. “When is it, amor? It sounds like fun.” She replies without a second thought.
Charlie smiles sheepishly. “Well… that’s the interesting part. You know how I said we didn’t have to change our plans and the other group’s people called out sick? That’s because the concert is tonight. Technically it’s part of an all day thing happening today, but if I say yes we basically need to get dressed and get downtown really soon…” She admits the full facts of the situation.
Vaggie lets out a fond sigh and shakes her head. “Well, good thing I just finished these cookies then, huh? Let me put these away and we can go get ready. Let them know we’re coming.” Her reply is all Charlie needs to pull her in to an excited kiss before running off to send the necessary email back to the promoter and start getting herself ready while Vaggie finished up the cookies.
A few minutes later and they were out the door and on their way with no equipment needed according to the promoter, since it was all already on site, at least from what Charlie had relayed to her. Seems the promoter was someone Charlie actually knew and this was almost like doing a family favor for her, plus it was a pretty big charity event to help kids for the holidays. How could they say no? Based off everything Charlie had told Vaggie, they were going to be grouping up with two other performers to play as support mostly for a major act that was partly acting as a capstone to the fundraiser. But they would also get to catch bits and pieces of other performances.
When they arrive at the downtown venue, they’re surprised to find a valet waiting for them to park their car. But Charlie seems hesitantly excited as she approaches the Valet… a shorter man dressed in a teal suit with a red coat over it to keep him warm in the freezing weather, as well as a floppy hat atop his head. “Fizz? Is that you?” She asks with a grin.
The man lifts the brim of his hat and flashes a toothy grin. “Well, hey! Ozzie told me he got backup for the rest of the acts but he didn’t tell me it was the best of the best! Long time no see Charlie! Must’ve been since the wedding, right?” He asks as he takes the keys so he can park the car for them.
Charlie nods in agreement. “Most likely since you and Uncle Ozzie got married, yeah. Good to see you again!” She manages to slip in a quick hug before Fizz gets too far away.
Fizz grins back at her. “Well, you and Vags head in, I’m sure he’ll probably actually want you two on backup for the acts leading up to the finale too. The next one is probably just getting ready to go on, intermission might have a few minutes to go though, not sure.” He gives them a thumbs up before directing them towards the door to the backstage area.
They watch him take their car away as they head inside to find the promoter, who Vaggie had now deduced was Charlie’s (kind of) Uncle Asmodeus who everyone just called Ozzie. It doesn’t take long to find the ever flamboyantly dressed man managing a group of performers as he tries to get them off stage, the excitement in his voice ever evident. “That was wonderful all of you! You’ve definitely earned a solid break before the signing and auction upstairs. Take five and enjoy the show for a bit… Oh! Is that my little Charlie and her angel of a girlfriend I see getting here just when I need them? Get over here you two!” He turns to them with arms open and a grin on his face.
Charlie immediately runs over and wraps him in a tight hug. “Uncle Ozzie! It’s been way too long! When you reached out about this I just knew we had to come.” She grins as she embraces her Uncle.
Ozzie chuckles and returns the hug. “Well, I’m certainly glad you’re here. And especially you actually Vaggie. We had a drummer who was going to actually cover for a number of the bands this event, but he sadly came down with the flu, so if you would be willing… would you be okay with backing the rest of the performances? I know I’m asking you to blind read all the tracks on no notice, but we have the tick tracks available for you to have in your ear…” He looks to Vaggie nervously as he awaits her response, knowing it was a big ask.
Vaggie thinks for a moment before shrugging. “Sure, I don’t see why not. I’ve never really learned a track before anyways. The rhythm always just kind of comes to me so long as I have some sort of chemistry with whoever I’m playing with. What am I looking at?” She asks with a determined glint in her eye as she starts to pull her hair back into a ponytail.
Asmodeus claps his hands together with a grin. “You are a lifesaver Vaggie. Charlie, be sure to thank your girl for me later, hmm?” He gives her a joking wink before getting serious again. “BUT! Back to the task at hand. There’s really only two acts left and the encore song to go. And each act is doing two songs. Charlie, I need you for the finale so if you want to go meet up with that group and get ready, Vaggie can meet them in the brief intermission between this act and the next. As for who’s up next…” He starts to lead Vaggie away as he talks after pointing Charlie in the direction of what looked like a full orchestra… but also with a set of rock instruments? Some sort of Rock Opera for the finale then Vaggie assumed, though she could also swear se noticed a swath of familiar silver hair in the group… but can’t think on it too long as Ozzie keeps leading her away and talking. “I don’t think chemistry will be an issue with you and this group. Good news everyone, I got you a new drummer!” He calls out as he reaches a group of costumed performers… three women and a man.
They all turn to face the pair and all four exclaim their reaction at the same time. “Vaggie?” One of the younger women, now revealed to be Clara, rushes over to her and wraps her up in a hug. “When the hell did you get here chica? Just keeping quiet to surprise us?” She asks with a grin as the rest of the family comes over to greet Vaggie.
Vaggie shakes her head and starts to explain as Ozzie starts to retrieve some necessary gear for her. “No no, I just got here with Charlie. Asmodeus called her last second for us to come in on backup. She’s over getting ready with the finale group now. As for you all, how did I not know you were doing this? You know Charlie and I love these sorts of things! Even if we weren’t able to perform we would’ve come and watched!” She retorts a bit.
Clara and the rest shift a bit sheepishly. “Seems we all got a bit caught up in the chance to perform as a family that… we might’ve… forgot? But now we really get to perform as the full family so it’s even better! Papá is planning on a more serious song first in his more usual style and then a bit of a sillier duet with mama more in the theme of the season.” Clara informs Vaggie as the family meeting is cut short by Asmodeus signaling them to get to their positions on stage before the curtain opens.
Vaggie simply nods at the news as they move to their positions, finding her way to the pre-set drumkit on the stage, relieved to see that Asmodeus, as always, never cut any costs and it was a good quality one with a supply of various sticks available should any of any type break. She gives a nod to her family that she’s ready as she sets the earpiece for her tick track in and gets comfortable.
It’s not but a few moments more before the lights go up and the curtain opens… the lights so bright that she couldn’t make out any faces in the crowd. But Odette’s hands open the song as she starts to work piano keys until Clara and Carmilla join in with the bass and backup guitar, as well as Zestial on Lead guitar and Vocals. Vaggie’s cue is a bit later so she can passively listen to the verse as she waits for her cue.
(Featured Song - Christmas Truce - Sabaton)
“Silence
Oh, I remember the silence
On a cold winter day
After many months on the battlefield
And we were used to the violence
Then all the cannons went silent
And the snow fell
Voices sang to me from no man's land…”
She has to stop primarily focusing on the lyrics as her cue comes and instead she focuses on the rhythm and melody that the song was creating, as well as the tempo that the tick track gave her to make the best possible backing drums for it. She does notice that the rest of the family joins in as backing vocals on certain parts, and she gets a nod from Clara and Odette as they near the final Chorus as if cuing her to join in on the last Chorus with them.
”And today we're all brothers, Tonight we're all friends
A moment of peace in a war that never ends
Today we're all brothers, We drink and unite
Now Christmas has arrived and the snow turns the ground white
A Christmas on the frontline, We walk among our friends
We don't think about tomorrow, The battle will commence
When we celebrated Christmas, We thought about our friends
Those who never made it home, When the battle had commenced…”
The final notes of the song ring out, echoing through the venue for a few moments before polite applause starts to sound in return, with a few more passionate fans of Zestial’s making louder cheers that stood out from the crowd. However it dies down shortly as Zestial raises a single hand with a grin as he looks to his family with a smirk. “Art thou all ready for the fun one?” He asks into the microphone, though it’s also directed at his family. The round of cheers in return, as well as a quick thumbs up from his family was all he needed to grin and let Carmilla start the next song.
It starts easy and tame enough… but quickly ramps up. It was Jingle Bells… but it wasn’t. Carmilla seemed to be doing classic Jingle Bells, while Zestial seemed to be doing a Heavy Metal Jingle Bells? Whatever it was, it was certainly entertaining, and had the crowd clapping and singing along where they could, as well as loud cheers erupting when Zestial pulled a surprise guitar solo out from nowhere.
(Referenced Song: Jingle Hell - Sir Christopher Lee (Yes, the Sir Christopher Lee. I had to double check too.))
It’s a fun way to bounce back after the serious first song, and the audience certainly agreed judging by the much louder round of applause that resounded this time as they finished. As the applause dies down, Asmodeus makes his way out with a mic in hand. “Thank you everyone, so much! Now, we do need just a few minutes to get the grand finale set up for you all, so in the meantime please feel free to take an intermission, check out the silent auction upstairs, get another drink, whatever you want! We’ll be right back!” He says as the lights fade once more.
Ozzie starts to lead Zestial and the ladies away to apparently prep for something else, but not before pointing Vaggie in the direction of Charlie so she could wait with her while stagehands did a set change to prepare for the final performance. Vaggie makes her way backstage to find Charlie and when she finds her, sees that her glimpse earlier was in fact true as she finds Charlie chatting happily with Lute and Emily. “Well, well, well… look what the cat dragged in. How’ve you two been since we last saw you?” Vaggie jabs almost playfully at lute with a smirk as she slides up to Charlie’s side, slipping her hand into Charlie’s as she does… not because some part of her felt an odd slight hostile jealousy towards Emily or anything.
Emily grins when she sees Vaggie, her hair having grown out longer, but seemingly having kept the purple highlights in. “Vaggie! It’s great to see you again! So it’s you and Charlie are filling in for Husk and Angel then? Mr. Asmodeus was so nice when we told him about them coming don with the flu this morning… I had wondered why he didn’t seem worried, but now that Charlie told me that he’s basically her Uncle, I get it!” She grins as she greets Vaggie.
Vaggie smiles slightly at her as she nods. “So it would seem. Guess those two got sick then? Sorry to hear. Mind filling me in on what we’re doing with this finale though?” She asks as she glances around them at the full Orchestra of other performers holding their instruments, all patiently waiting for the stage to finish being set.
Lute shrugs before responding. “Apparently, they’re a rock opera group that is kinda known for holiday performances? But their lead band apparently got on the wrong flight and is now somehow stuck in fucking London. So I guess Asmodeus called us to fill in. Your doctor chick and I are gonna be guitars, Em’s gonna pull piano duty, and you’re holding down the drums. No bass guitar since they’ve kinda got that covered.” She says as she juts a thumb over her shoulder at the full string ensemble.
Vaggie raises a brow at the description, but is intrigued nonetheless. “Well, sounds like fun. What exactly are we playing though?” She asks more specifically.
Emily perks up as she realizes what Vaggie is asking. “Ohh! I think it’s an arrangement from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and then we’re Finishing with a take on Carol of the Bells? But we actually stay on after for the encore too.” She explains quickly.
Vaggie nods as she takes in the information. “I guess none of us have been told specifics about the encore yet? I’ll play it by ear then.” She relaxes slightly until she notes the signal for everyone to move back on stage. She notes as they do that the positions for herself, Charlie, Lute, and Emily are now in a line of four slightly elevated platforms at the front of the stage with the Orchestra set up behind them. She also notes how the elaborate lighting setup has now been turned on in its entirety, typical to save the full setup for the finale.
As Vaggie gets comfortable at her kit, she realizes she’s actually heard of the group they’re working with before, so may actually be able to replicate things a bit more accurately if she wanted to. She was sure Lute would be trying to since she’d probably been practicing all day, and Vaggie was damned if she’d let Lute one up her.
(Referenced Songs: A Mad Russian's Christmas - Instrumental - Trans-Siberian Orchestra followed by Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12/24 - Instrumental - Trans-Siberian Orchestra )
As the curtain opens for the final act to begin, the light goes up first on Emily alone, gentle notes from the piano ringing out until a light swell from Vaggie’s cymbals and the Orchestra’s string’s cue sharp strikes from Lute and Charlie’s guitars. It’s a slower pace to open, but after a minute, the arrangement flips into another movement, this one much faster but led primarily by the orchestra until it falls back to Vaggie, her marching drumbeat Emily’s backing piano allow Lute to peal out longer notes from her guitar until Charlie takes back the main bridge with hers before another primarily Orchestral section. The flow of the arrangement forms around them as the rhythm ebbs and flows, and octaves shift between movements but the satisfaction is still there as the light show from the setup around them accents the performance further, building into a rapid crescendo to finish the first arrangement.
The crowd erupts with applause as the first song finishes, the boisterous back and forth pace of the music clearly being more enjoyable for some than others, but it eventually fades as the lights dim once more before a spotlight focuses on Lute.
Lute finds herself needing to take a deep breath before starting the simple chord arpeggio that opened the song, but once she gets started, she falls into her element easily, her fingers dancing across the strings, the prosthetic hand not even a thought in her mind anymore. The Orchestra easily rises behind her as the arpeggios finish and they let out a united bold note to open the song properly.
As the song opens, Vaggie finds herself matching the beat instinctively, her hands moving without thought as if magic was guiding her to the perfect tempo and beats. Emily’s piano takes more of a backing role in this song, but her fingers move no less deftly across the keys. But the true stars of the show, despite the lasers and strobes around them, had a spotlight on each of their platforms in centerstage as a duel of guitars seemed to begin between Charlie and Lute.
Charlie’s eyes were practically glowing in the light as she grinned and seemed to match Lute note for note, the song being a perfect time to go back and forth with different stylistic inflections while being united at other times.
Lute seemed just as eager to relive past duels, as just after halfway through she started to throw further improvisations and flairs into her notes to try and almost one up Charlie. But Charlie simply grinned and responded in kind as the Orchestra rang around them, their quasi duel reaching a fever pitch as they reached higher and higher notes as the song built to its climax, pyro shooting off from hidden cannons in front of the stage to crown the finale as it ended.
The crowd is in shock for a few moments before an explosion of applause begins, quickly turning into a standing ovation. Cheers and chants for “One more song!” ring out from the crowd as they know the finale has supposedly come and gone, but what the girls don’t see behind them is the Orchestra filtering out and all the previous vocalists from throughout the day filtering in.
From seemingly nowhere, Fizz appears with a mic in hand and a grin on his face. “Hey hey everybody! Now that’s what I call a Helluva show! But I hear you, you want one more. And you’ve raised a hell of a lot of money for kids this holiday season, so I think we can oblige… but it ain’t the Holidays without carols! AND let’s finish this off with a carol everyone knows, the Twelve Days of Christmas!” He pauses to give everyone a chance to groan. “BUT, not like you’ve ever fuckin seen it before. This is a HEAVY METAL CHRISTMAS BITCH! HIT IT GUYS!” He shouts as the lights refocus on the four girls in front, with the rest illuminating the group behind them.
(Referenced Song: Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas) - Twisted Sister)
They quickly improvise a simple melody as Fizz takes the lead on it, with the other Vocalists joining in as each day incremented, with the gifts being all sorts of different stereotypical Metal Band items instead of the usual holiday gifts from the original song, all topped off by “And a tattoo of Ozzie”. Vaggie glances over at Charlie, and smiles as she sees her girlfriend grinning and singing along, and knows exactly what she needs to do to finish this night off… the weight in her jacket pocket was just getting too heavy.
The ‘carol’ finishes to a round of cheers and whistles from the crowd as Fizz takes to the front once more. “Thank you all so much! It’s been a great day of fun and music, and there’s still some fun events upstairs before you leave, but as for the show… that’s a-“ He finds himself cut off as Vaggie makes her way over to him and quietly asks to take the mic, flashing him a glance at the contents of her pocket.
He quickly slips to the side with a grin as he lets Vaggie take the mic and the moment. “Actually…” She speaks with her voice ever so slightly wavering out of nervousness. “There’s just one more thing we need to do today… Charlie? Can you come over here, mi amor?” She asks as she looks to her girlfriend.
Charlie’s eyes widen slightly in surprise as she makes her way over to Vaggie, not exactly sure what she has planned.
Vaggie looks up with a warm smile at Charlie, staring lovingly into her eyes. “Charlie Morningstar, you have truly been the north star guiding me in my life since you came into it. You have seen me at my lowest, and helped me all the way to my highest. You helped me to feel beautiful when I didn’t see it in myself, helped me recapture one of my favorite things in life, and have let me see that I am truly worthy of love and feeling loved… of having a home, and a family… and falling in love with someone.” As she speaks, she drops to one knee and pulls out the small box, carefully opening it with the one hand not holding the microphone. “Charlie, I have fallen so deeply in love with you, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you. Would you make me the happiest woman in the world do that with me as my wife? More properly… Charlotte Evangeline Morningstar, will you marry me?” She asks, barely holding back tears as she displays the ring and offers the mic to Charlie.
Charlie however, wasn’t holding back at all, the dam holding back her tears having broken long ago as she held her hands over her mouth and blushed. She took the microphone to practically scream one simple word of response through the tears of joy. “YES!!!” She with that she throws the mic away, which is miraculously caught by Fizz, and proceeds to practically tackle Vaggie with a kiss, arms wrapping around her neck.
Vaggie happily returns the kiss in kind as her willpower to hold back her own tears breaks, and she finds herself crying in joy as well. She eventually manages to guide one of Charlie’s hand down so she can slip the engagement ring onto her finger, and then take her hand in her own as they get to their feet, remembering they were still in public… celebration could come later.
The crowd before them erupts in applause once more, and from it appear Lillith and Lucifer with Lilith getting on stage with ease, and helping Lucifer climb up. They quickly move to embrace the girls, as do Zestial, Carmilla, Clara, and Odette from the group of performers behind them. It was a truly happy moment. Even Lute found herself shedding a small tear as she watched Vaggie propose to her girlfriend finally, though she would swear it was just because it made her remember her own engagement to Emily… who had actually surprised her by proposing to her. Seemed that there would be another wedding in the future for the family… but for now, it was most certainly a Happy Holidays.