AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As it so happened, Ashe was lucky enough to be employed as one of their junior illustrators. She was mostly doing inking and coloring work so far, although the publishers had assured her that there would be other things in the works for her after graduation.
“You brought a snack?” she asked.
“Well, hello to you, too,” I said with a laugh.
Ashe pointed to the bag I’d nearly forgotten about while on my trip over here from Shadow Realm.
“Oh, no, it’s something for tonight.”
I got out the shirt for her inspection, since Ashe knew a lot more about these things than I did.
“Very nice,” she said, nodding her approval. “Am I to take it you liked the record?”
“I loved it! It stirred my heart and spoke to my soul!”
“That’s great but quiet down, people are looking.”
I looked about the cubical farm and there were, indeed, heads peeking up over fabric walls, like gophers out of holes.
“I definitely want to go tonight,” I told her.
“Great, I’ll tell Varg. I’m off in five minutes.”
“See you then.”
True to her word, Ashe soon came down to the lobby where I was doing my best not to pace. I was just so full of nervous, excited energy.
It was something of a new experience for me, because usually I was too steeped in work to notice much at all— especially not what I was feeling, unless it was “tired” or “hungry.”
But now I had something to look forward to and I couldn’t wait to see what happened.
Chapter Five – Becca
After returning to Ashe’s apartment, we got ready for coming events.
“The shirt is a good start,” she said, after we’d eaten and showered, our hair tied back into damp ponytails, “but there is still more work to do.”
After pulling me into her room, Ashe rebuilt my look from the ground up. I was soon wearing skintight black jeans, the Loki’s Laugh shirt, a pair of her old Chuck Taylors, and a battered but authentic leather jacket.
Once the clothes were covered, Ashe sat me down at her vanity and prepped her tools. I’d never really worn make-up before and had no idea how to apply it. Ashe had no such limitations, though.
The final look wasn’t as striking as what I’d seen on Anastasia, but I certainly felt different and better in a lot of ways. I couldn’t have done it myself but there was no arguing with the results.
Once we arrived at the concert venue, we saw that there was a line up around the block and then some. Good thing the show was using assigned seating because otherwise I would worry that not everyone was going to get in. I had no idea Loki’s Laugh was so popular.
“This way,” Ashe said, pulling on my hand as I went to get in line.
I didn’t know what was happening but went along with it anyway. A free movement of spirit brought us to the stage door, and Ashe knocked on it.
“Yes,” asked an officious looking gent, with a clipboard and headset.
“Ashe Jones and Becca Hall; we are expected,” Ashe announced.
Turning away as though that would prevent us from hearing, the guy spoke hurriedly into the microphone attached to his headset.
“Come right in,” he said, holding the door open for us.
It was like magic. I’d seen something similar in a movie once, but was still awed to see it applied in real life. Ashe was properly important. Her fame was something I’d always figured would come, but not before either of us was at least 25.
“Hey, you,” Varg said, as he and Ashe embraced.
His accent was light but there. It was Norwegian at a guess, or maybe Swedish. I couldn’t always tell the difference, and made a note not to assume, lest I ended up putting my foot in my mouth. Social interaction was never really my strong suit.
“This is my friend Becca,” Ashe told him.
“Becca,” Varg repeated, giving me a firm, friendly handshake, “nice to meet you. Welcome.”
“Hi,” I managed to say, trying not to gush.
“This is—”
“Stig and Ragnar,” I blurted out.
“Very good,” Varg laughed. “Most people still call us ‘the scary one’ and ‘the rhythm section.’”
My face felt like it was on fire, but I was glad he’d taken my little faux pas with good humor.
“Who’s the opener?” Ashe asked, giving me an out.
“AB+,” Ragnar said.
“And who’s fault is that?” Stig asked.
“I wouldn’t say ‘fault’ so much as ‘wise planning.’ They’re good guys, really, and they have rapid fans that will start out the show with lots of good energy… even if their sound isn’t for everyone,” Varg intervened, trying to be the voice of reason.
“I suppose so,” Stig conceded.
“They’re a Type O Negative cover band from Jersey,” Ashe explained to me, and I realized I probably looked as confused as I felt.
I wasn’t sure what most of those words meant but I was soon enlightened to their musical style when the opening band started playing. It wasn’t as refined as Loki’s Laugh, but it was still nothing to sneeze at.
