[Gift] Steel Strings, Nerves of Twine

Today felt like a big deal. For Darlet, it was. The Toy Fair was hosting a concert consisting of musical artists from all around Burrowgatory to perform and entertain the crowds attending the fair. The headlining band had asked for his help opening the concert for them, and who was he to turn down a chance to play for his adoring fans. Now with the help of Peter's masterful costume design and a little refresher at his favourite music shop, he was all but ready to dominate the stage. At least, if he could get the lead ball settled in his stomach to subside. He was used to working concert venues, usually just another name in the lineup at a bar or a club. But this was different, he'd be performing for a very large convention packed full to the brim with buns. He hadn't prepared himself for the seas of murmuring just past the curtain, and for once he couldn't easily swallow his nerves with alcohol before the show. 

He was panicking mostly on the inside, but pacing backstage out of his doll form was a sure sign he was not fully confident in himself. Any other time he'd be flaunting his outfit and messing around with his guitar, but those were distractions that just wouldn't help now. He needed to get this concern off of his mind. When he looked up, he spotted two buns that seemed to clash somewhat. One he recognized as Boe, who he remembered being one of the higher names on the artist card. The other he felt had an oddly familiar colour scheme to an album he had seen at the music shop before, so brightly rainbow coloured that he'd mistake him for a walking glowstick if the room were dark enough. Deciding what better way to fight his mind that talking to some of the other acts that would be taking stage after him. He walked up more or less with the confidence he would normally exude, despite the height difference he had in his bun form. 

The brightly coloured man noticed his approach and crouched down to meet his level. "Ooo! Me thinks le bnnuy wants to join our group chat! Hullo. OwO" This made Boe shift his gaze down to Darlet and tilt his head. "Oh, a fan I'm guessing. What can I do for you darling? Did you sneak back here to get an autograph, I'll warn I'm not usually in this good of a mood. But I guess I can make an exception this once." He digs in his jacket pocket for a pen before Darlet laughs and shakes his head. 

"Uh. Actually. I'm the opening act. I just came over to say hello." He holds up a hand for a handshake, to which the bright neon bun gladly returns with a smile. But Boe takes this as a chance to scoop Darlet up in his arms, cradling him unexpectedly. "Woah. Oh. Well hello there." He was unsure what to think of the action, but he wasn't opposed of a cute celebrity holding him like this. 

Boe smiled down to him with a sweet expression, stroking the fluff on the top of his head. "Ah. The opening act. I guess someone has to do it. I commend your modesty and help for getting the crowd ready for me. And Xenos of course." The other sprung up from the ground. "Das me!" He leaned on Boe's shoulder, which seemed to illicit a brief look of displeasure on the cloudy buns face before seemingly eating the expression out of his cheeks. "I luv pumping up the crowd, like ERMAHGERD! It's major fun balls watching everyone straight vibing to all the BOPS I cook up. 'specialy when that WUB WUB Drop the Bass hits and everyone goes goblin mode." Boe stares at Xenos for a moment before speaking. "He really loves getting the crowd excited."

Darlet can't help but laugh at Xenos, which seems to make him even more excited. "Hah. You know, I don't know what I was expecting. But you two are hilarious. I almost feel better now." He realized that his problem was still ever present, and his smile turned more solemn. "Actually. I was wondering. How do you two deal with performance anxiety? This concert is huge, and I don't want to mess it up." This made Xenos hold his chin, pondering something. But Boe laughed at the question. 

"Oh darling. You should know better. You're the one on stage. Not them. If they mess up, nobody will ever see it or even care. That instantly makes you the one on top here. Even if you mess up and choke, you had the courage to go up there and perform for each and every one those faceless bodies you'll never meet. That is more than many of them will ever do in their entire lives. Who cares, at the end of the day, you'll be up on a stage again. And they will come to watch you again." Boe holds Darlet up and stares at him from below. "You're the star of the show. And they came here to see you. Well. They probably came here to see me, but you're on the card so you are just as present." Xenos chimed in, finally out of his thoughts. " + You can have hella fun! Literally go crazy AF and show them ur swag. XP" Boe once again blankly stared at Xenos for a few seconds. "Just have fun dear. Don't think too hard about it." He set Darlet back down on the ground. Patting the top of his head softly. 

Having gotten his fill of those two, Darlet walked off back towards the dressing room. Finally taking the liberty to get dressed for the stage instead of moping around in his bun form. As he entered the dressing room he smelled something strong. Thick cigarette smoke seemed to fill the dressing room, and it's culprit was sat with her feet up, and ashtray full of smashed in filters sat on the table. "Oh. Sorry there, didn't realize anyone else was back here." He moved over to the locker his outfit was stashed in. Shifting into his doll form before cracking open the door and retrieving a neatly folded pair of shorts and a shirt. "Uh. You're the fill in for Firing Squad right?" He called out from the locker. In response he heard a brief cough followed by the clearing of her throat.

"Yeah. What of it? You want a prize for tracking me down or somethin'? I figured everyone was already dressed. That's why I hid back here." She blew another puff of smoke up into the air. "I know you weren't late neither, cause I saw your ass pacing back and forth when I came in. You getting cold feet or some shit? Cause I'd be down to help you pack your junk and hop on home. Just means one less act to wait for, and I can get out of here faster." She points back at him with two fingers brandishing her lit cigarette. 

Darlet feels his back straighten. He didn't want to leave. He just wanted to fight his gut. But now that she was questioning him, a new feeling began boiling up inside. "Nah. I'm gonna go out there a fucking kill it. You may have to wait a bit longer when they ask for my encore though. Hope you don't mind." He roughly tugged on his jacket. Looking down at his guitar case, gripping the handle rough and yanking it from the long metal locker and moving to the seat next to the smoking woman. "How about you? What are you hiding from?"

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. This time actually shoving her half finished cigarette into the ashtray. "Cause half of these assholes aren't my type. But you might still have a chance to change my mind if you keep it up. You gotta convince me. You really think you got this?" She scanned him from top to bottom, studying his expressions and judging him thoroughly. This stern gaze made Darlet squirm slightly as he tried to keep his composure. She wasn't completely wrong, but he was willing to fight for this. 

"Look. The crowd is just. Not what I'm used to. This place is huge and the fair got a lot of attention. That doesn't mean I can't go out there and give it everything I got." He held out a hand, gesturing towards the ashtray. "I am on edge, and right now I just really wanna kill that part of me so I don't actually fuck it up. You understand right?"

She nods along, digging another cigarette from her shirt's breast pocket and handing it off to him. "Yeah yeah. Big fish meets big pond. Welcome to the music industry. We've all been there." She leans back, rolling her eyes slightly. "Why do you think I don't got my own band here playing with me? Too many moving parts, plus some folks just aren't ready to grow up past the garage band. You gotta shit on that weak ass version of you and top your own best over and over if you wanna keep going." She relights her cigarette before tossing the lighter over to Darlet. "I just don't want you to waste your time here if you aren't sure about it. You can always try again later."

Darlet thought hard in silence, staring at the cigarette in his hand. He looked back up to the other, who looked back at him with an solid expression. She had no malice in her question, but he knew he had to answer firmly and honestly. He took a deep breath, sighing out a long exaggerated exhale. "Nah. I'm good. I'd rather just do what I usually do, which is to not think about it too much." He lit the end of the cigarette, putting it to his lips and taking a hard drag that left thick smoke billowing from his mouth before he sucked it back in and blew it out all at once. "Plus. If I pussy out now, I'd miss the rest of the concert. That'd be a disservice to all of you excellent talents." 

She nods once more, a smirk slipping over her lips. "Hey man. Long as you're doing it for the music. I approve. I hope you're as good live as you are in the studio versions." She takes another drag, blowing it into Darlet's face. "And if you don't make an ass of yourself tonight, maybe we can link up some time. I'd be down to jam out, I've played a few drum tracks over your songs before that I think you'd fuck with heavy."

Darlet stared at her with a dumbfounded look. "You listen to me?" He wasn't sure what to say, the fact she would have known of him was rare odds. But it helped him settle most of his anxiety. "I uh. I'm sorry. I never caught your name." 

"Bosco. Come meet me after the concert and maybe I'll give you my number too depending on how good you play." She stood from her seat. Strutting out from the dressing room, leaving a lost Darlet holding a cigarette that began to burn his fingers. 

After he cleaned up after Bosco's ashy mess in the dressing room, a stage hand tracked him down. He was up soon, and he had little time to do much more perusing backstage. He had to head out now. Stepping up on the stage, he felt himself tense at the crowds reaction. They were loud, louder than he had ever heard before. It was surreal being infront of a sea of people. But something felt right. He took in all of the advice that he was given before the concert. It made sense, all of it. Now he just had to put it into words. He played the first notes of the song.

♪This time I know you well, it's been a long time coming, been a long time coming. Follow me, they're gonna follow. Cause I'm on the inside and they're on the outside waiting.♪

As he continued playing and singing. He took effort to notice the sounds everyone was making. At first it was somewhat quiet, but very soon he heard people chanting along with him and cheering. The crowd popped, and the cheers that followed his voice felt like rocket fuel that propelled him through the song. His movements went from stiff and nervous, to familiar and comfortable. It felt like it wasn't any different from playing normally. He felt invigorated by this confidence. 

♪Drink that love. Don't demand it. Cause baby I can't stand it, when you look so pathetic. But I can't stop with the rhythm of it. Drink that love, it's like a habit. Feeling like a savage. You know I gotta have it.♪

Darlet danced without a care. He sang like nobody was listening. But he knew. He heard the people joining in with him. People that knew his songs, people that enjoyed his music, people that related to his words. He felt right at home infront of the lights and the crowds. No matter how big they seemed to be. He loved this thrill of performing for everyone. Before he knew it, the song was done. Staring out at the cheering and screaming people that watched him expectantly. He held the mic up to his mouth, catching his breath and wiping the sweat off of his cheeks. "So. Welcome. I'm Darlet L. Lied. You may know me as the Son of The Hunger. I hope you guys are having a good fucking time tonight. Cause I know I am." The crowd erupts again, coaxing a wry smirk. "Let's get to this next song. This is from my first album. This one's called, Antidote."