Shout At The Devil! [Halloween Party] Band members and friends invited

[bangingthe_hellouttayou]

Zack had decided that he wanted to do something for Halloween now that he'd gotten his new costume and being a Spider-Man fan he'd gone for a Spider-Punk costume straight from his comics. He'd gotten it at a local comic store down on the Strip and couldn't wait to show Damien because he knew the Dog didn't have comics or anything fun back in Hunger City. Zack now pleased that he'd arranged a Halloween Party for the band members, their friends and family to attend inside the communal area of the apartments. It was the biggest space and there was a bar all stocked up with spooky drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike.

It would be a blast!

There were even spooky snacks with crisps and chips shaped like bats, ghosts and pumpkins. There were even actual pumpkins on a table for those who wished to carve a pumpkin alone or with friends. Zack had tried to make it accessible for all, those who wished to party and get drunk and those who wanted to do non-boozy activities too.

As for costumes---they were optional but preferred.

"Ok, I think that's it. Everyone should be arriving soon."

Zack looking around the room and hoping everyone would like what he had set-up with help from some of the others of course.

Comments

[willoftheblackbird]

“Music is meant for that.” Jay nodded, echoing the sentiment. “It brings people together in ways that nothing else can.”

“And storytelling… People naturally gravitate to a story… more than just to a message itself.” It was one of the things he picked up on in conversations with those studying film and animation at CalArts. It was something hardly touched upon in the music composition side of things. “So if people see themselves rebelling against the Scarlet Cross of the Ministry… the words I sing will resonate more.”

If the basic plot made Rik take notice, the casual namedropping of the tyrannical government probably wouldn’t escape him either.

However, chalk it up to coincidence (or perhaps some kind of other multiverse theory), because Dee and Jay were not from Jack’s world. They didn’t know other worlds even existed.

[riff_razor]

Rik got wide-eyed and worried. His first thought was that maybe they were from Damien's world but then things were off just enough. Rik started to say something then nervously stopped. He wished Vars was here to explain this. Rarely did he feel like he needed someone more adult and together than he was, but off in a side room there would be no rescue.

"It's an interesting stage concept." Rik spoke that first since he could admire a good story. However, the other matter left him uncomfortable since these were new people.

"I...I'd be careful talking to Damien.. um.. or maybe Jack.. about this idea." Rik knew that he would have to explain but how to say it without sounding like he was off his rocker on drugs? He didn't even do drugs. "Damien.. he .. so he was imprisoned for a long time by people that called themselves the Ministry."

How much to say? Rik left it at that but said one more thing. "I know I.. well my family imprisoned me, I guess. And sometimes things bother me, and maybe Damien..." He didn't want to speak for Damien but with how jittery Damien could be this new person deserved the warning.

[willoftheblackbird]

Dee and Jay both looked extremely confused. Damien... they hadn't met him directly yet, but a few people had mentioned him as part of the security team. And having met Ziggy's brother, they were understandably confused how their band's fictional backstory would be considered offensive...

"That's a very... unpleasant coincidence..." he stuttered.

Jay looked to Dee. "Should we change the name?"

Dee wasn't sure. On the one hand, he didn't want to ruin his chances of Kuro getting signed or getting a spot on the tour. But on the other, if there was a horrible group that just happened to call themselves the Ministry, and if they got exposed and their members arrested because they drew attention to it, then they owed it to current and future victims to shed that kind of light.

"I... don't know?"

[riff_razor]

Rik bit his lip as he listened to the back and forth. "Uh.. I don't think you have to change it but.. um.. if.. if you stick around then maybe talk to him."

Sooner rather than later was left unspoken for the moment. Rik wondered if it would be easier or harder on Damien for someone else to bring up this band's stage persona first. Who knew? Zack might.

"Maybe talk to Tom or Zack." Rik thought it over and then nodded, mostly to himself. "Zack could help, I think."

[willoftheblackbird]

"Thanks for the heads up." Jay answered.

They definitely wanted to stick around. Also, Tom was one of the people Dee most wanted to run into, after everything he'd heard at the City Charms show. So he made a note to ask him that too if he got the chance.

[riff_razor]

Rik nodded. "If you're around long enough, you'll learn everyone's soft spots."

For the most part, everyone watched for those things that really bothered people, or at least tread lightly with those topics. It took time. There were arguments sometimes but most of the musicians were forgiving enough that it didn't last long. Rik would be happy to continue to talk to them both, or go back to work if they wanted to wander off and meet others.

[willoftheblackbird]

While Jay could, and probably would, stick around and talk shop about all the musical instruments, Dee had a growing list of people he wanted the chance to meet.

The night was young, and he was determined to make the most of it.

(And sitting down for a while in here really helped too.)