Zack &quot;The Hellmaster&quot;

Johan flipped it around a few times in his palm and was interested to hear what it would sound like. How did you even play a demo ball anyway since it didn't slot in like a tape or lay flat on a record player like a vinyl recording.

"How do you play this? I'm not familiar with the technology."

It seemed Sweden hadn't taken up the recording ball technology either. Billy wished he knew but didn't have words for the Swede.

"Don't worry, guys. If you're performing in front of thousands I'll keep your stage names. The Prophet and The Mystic."

Johan nodded and beamed then listened as the boys played some of their recordings from their phone. It was good. The guitarist liked what he was hearing and could hear good composition.

"I think it's awesome. Yeah---you've really got something there, guys. So, you're looking for a lead guitar and a bass player?"

From:

Dee blinked, stunned. Surely someone here would have a player, right? The clips he had on his phone would be good enough for this, but they didn’t sound anywhere near as good as a recording ball. He could understand why the format caught on so quickly here.

“Lead guitar, bass and drummer.” Dee corrected. “…while Jay is quite talented on guitar, a lot of what I’m writing now… is better suited for two guitars, not just one.“

He never wanted to sell his partner short, but Jay didn’t mind. If they wanted to perform live, as Johan suggested in front of thousands, they needed more than one person on a stringed instrument.

From:

"Drummer too? Then, nearly a full band. Lead guitar and rhythm guitar I'm guessing? As for bass I know there are a few bass players who aren't in a band. There's the Brit guy Rex, Weird's older brother and the crazy guy Karl, who's with Raev, Ulfen's baby brother."

Karl would surely jump at the chance to be in a band, wouldn't he? Then again, so would Rex. It depended on who wanted the chance to join Dee and Jay's band and their commitments.

"Want me to pull over Karl to talk to you boys? I can see him right now drinking at the bar and being a loud mouth as usual."

From:

“While I can play lead, I honestly prefer rhythm.” Jay explained matter-of-factly. “I suppose it comes from spending more time as part of an orchestra than a soloist.”

“I do vocals and piano… where needed.” Dee added, “Jay on guitar, as well as violin, cello, other strings…”

The orchestral mix on the demo showcased the piano and strings well.

“We would love to hear how your sound would mix with ours.” Dee nodded, and Jay followed in agreement. This was probably not the night to actually audition somebody, but who knows. Stranger things could happen.

From:

"It's nice that you boys come from a classical background. I believe both Mick and Ulrik are as well."

Johan had heard both their guitar work and the other instruments the men had played. The Swede nodded and would indeed enjoy playing his guitar alongside Dee and Jay's work. For now though---introductions were needed, as Johan went to grab Karl from the bar, prizing the man away from the pile of drinks in front of him.

"What the fuck?---what's going on?"

Karl's loud voice now cutting through the air as he was led towards Dee, Jay, Billy and Zack. The trashed bassist grinning and waving at the new boys because---NEW PEOPLE!

"HEJ! I didn't know we had new people here! Nice to meet you, I'm Karl Magnusson. Younger brother of grouchy, dirty daddy SIGGY!"

From:

It looked like they had a potential audition to plan for. Perhaps more than one.

Though Dee was a little less excited about the very visibly drunk man sauntering over to them.

“Did he say Ziggy? As in… no…” Dee reasoned. Jack looked so much like the famous singer that they could have been twins. This man didn’t even come close.

“No, I think he said it with an S. Maybe a C.” Jay whispered back.

“Yes, nice to meet you, Karl… I’m Dee. Also known as The Prophet. And my fiancé, Jay. Also known as the Mystic. Are you also a guitarist?”

From:

Zack just going wide-eyed at the drunken form of Karl now shoving himself into everyone's personal space as he often did. Johan laughing and Billy just rolling his eyes at the man's crazy behaviour.

"Siggy. He's my older brother, Sigurd. The dirty old daddy who's dating the brat, Mikkel."

Karl now lighting up a smoke and smiling at the two new boys before him.

"Dee? Spelt D--E--E? We've got a hot chick on the tour called Dee too. Ulrik's girlfriend. Two DEES! That's so fucking awesome!"

Johan knew maybe this wasn't the best time to call Karl over because he was obviously high and trashed because of the party atmosphere. The Swede tapping Karl's shoulder and indicating for him to calm down.

"This party is so fucking wild. Yeah---uh, I'm a bassist. Looking for work as is Weird's brother, Rex. He's quieter than me but likes shoving his hands into Ansgar's pants. COCK POCKETS!"

Billy snorting into his hand at the craziness of Karl.

From:

“We’ve met her already.” Dee confirmed. “I’m pretty sure… even after a few more drinks… you should still be able to tell us apart.”

If he couldn’t, that might end up being a problem.

“We met Ansgar too… at a recent City Charms show.”

They were currently considering him for a possible drummer. He didn’t have his own kit, having only recently made it out stateside, but that could be fixed. It was his skill and his drive that most interested them.

“No cock pockets were involved.” Jay rolled his eyes.

“You said you play bass?” Dee asked, albeit a bit more hesitantly.

From:

"I can tell a chick and a guy apart drunk out of my fucking melon."

Karl laughed and then nodded at the guy called Dee. He wanted to know if the crazy bassist played bass and if the style would suit the new band they were setting up. Billy had given the Swede a head's up on Dee and Jay so pulled out his phone to show some footage of himself playing bass with some friends. There was also a bit of messing about drunk but that was normal.

"Here's some of my playing style. if you're interested."

Karl now moving to show Dee and Jay the screen.

From:

One would hope. So far, so good.

Dee and Jay both leaned in to see the phone. Jay seemed somewhat impressed by what he heard. With the right drummer, he believed Karl could definitely back a hard, steady rhythm section. Dee was a little more reserved, simply because of how loud he was, and how wasted. Though, this was a party, not an audition.

“We would need to hear you play alongside me, I think.” Jay volunteered. “Not tonight. But if you’re interested.”

Dee pulled out another recording ball to pass along.

From:

"No worries. Once I sober up after this party I can play alongside you."

Karl was excited to play alongside these new guys, who seemed like really awesome people. The recording ball now being taken by the trashed Swede, lifted up and peered into. Woah---what was this? Karl too trashed to understand right now as he pocketed the demo into his jeans pocket.

"I am interested for sure! Hit me up when you want to play, sweetcakes."

Johan laughed at Karl and knew the man would want to honour his agreement with Dee and Jay.

From:

Dee blinked, still a little unsure about Karl. As he walked back to the bar, whispered to Jay, “Do you think…”

“I think we’ll get a better idea what he’s like when he’s sober.” Jay shrugged. “He’s got a good sound. Let’s see what he can do playing one of your new compositions.”

Dee nodded. “All right.”

“Johan too.” Jay nodded to the one who was still standing there. “If you’re also interested in an audition.”

Dee had a better feeling about Johan than he did Karl, but first impressions weren’t always accurate. And this was a party. Things were bound to get rowdier, just like Jack warned them.

From:

Johan nodded and was indeed interested in an audition and knew that Karl was too when he wasn't completely out of his head on booze. Dee and Jay seemed nice enough boys and Johan really wanted them to see how good he was on lead guitar.

"While we're here, can I get you boys a drink at all? Sorry about Karl being trashed, this is just him."

Karl waved at Dee and Jay before going off to annoy his older brother, Sigurd. Zack and Billy going to find themselves something to drink.

From:

“Sounds like a good idea. I could go for a beer.” Jay smiled, and then paused. “Well, better make it a light beer. We’ve got tux fittings in a couple weeks.”

Dee shook his head. “You’re going to look handsome in whatever fits you best. You know that.”

Jay blushed, and Dee snickered. The older man was a little more self conscious when it came to those kind of things. Who knows, if things went well during the various auditions they were setting up, they might have to combine wedding planning with recording an album!

“I’m not really a drinker. Why don’t we find… a slightly quieter place to sit down. We can talk some more about the music we’re looking to create. And how you see yourself fitting into it.”

Honestly, it was the sitting down part that interested Dee the most. He’d been standing for a while now.

From:

"Of course, let's all sit down somewhere away from all the crazy drunkenness."

Johan knew people were allowed to get drunk at a party, it was more he wanted Dee and Jay to feel comfortable right now. Hearing Joe or Aarne screaming and being crazy around people wasn't everyone's idea of comfortable.

"Tux fittings? What's happening in a few weeks with you two then?"

The Swede was interested as he found a free table away from the chaos, allowing the boys to sit down first. He'd go and fetch the drinks as soon as Dee was settled in to a chair.

From:

It was a lot for Dee to take in, honestly. So many new names, new faces, new personalities. He wanted to make a good first impression and fit in as a serious musician, especially if there was even the slightest chance of becoming part of this larger music festival-like arrangements. Everything was happening so fast now. It was like a dream about to come true. He’d loosen up over time.

And of course, there were other dreams coming true too.

Jay offered his arm to Dee for a little more support as they followed Johan.

“Well, the wedding won’t be until sometime next year… We’re still looking for a good location.”

“Preferably some place where it’s legal.” Jay inserted. That was a bigger hurdle than he thought it would be. This was going to be a destination wedding, they just weren’t sure of the destination yet.

“But everything needs to be done so far in advance. Including the fittings…” he added as they walked.

“The tailor needs time to make custom matching tuxes. A lot more time than he needed for some of the clothes we used for the demo cover.”

“Looking like you walked out of a post-apocalyptic desert wasteland has a very different vibe than walking down the aisle.” Dee laughed, almost falling into the chair as he sat down. His legs ached from how much he’s been on them. “One has a lot brighter lights.”

From:

"You're engaged? Congratulations to both of you. We've got a few couples here on tour that are going to get hitched at some point."

Johan beamed at the two boys and were happy for them. Wasn't Ronno getting married first? He gave Ziggy that impressive ring and then there was Bjorn, who screamed about his pretty ring. That thing must have cost Rekker a lot of money.

"A place that's legal? You could try Denmark or Sweden. Back where I come from two men are entitled to get married with one another."

The guitarist hoped Dee and Jay could find somewhere.

"You might not know but I get called "Tiger Boy" by others because of my love for tiger stripe."

From:

“We are.” Jay pulled out a ring on a necklace from underneath his costume. While they were both open about their sexuality, they opted for something a little less obvious for the outward presentation. Dee had one too, but it was a little harder to get to under his costume.

“Dee mentioned… the Scandinavian countries as a good option.” This Dee nodded. If Johan had any suggestions for more specific locations, both Dee and Jay were up for it.

But the conversation quickly drifted back toward music.

“I wouldn’t… want to get too far ahead of ourselves. But all of our stage names follow a similar pattern. The Prophet. The Mystic… if you wanted to become The Tiger… that would fit. It would be easy to incorporate the tiger stripes into the character designs…”

His band had a whole visual element to it, as their costumes tonight readily showed.

From:

"That is a nice ring. I still remember the screaming at our last hotel when Bjorn received his expensive diamond ring from Rekker. He still talks about it now."

Johan did think it was very sweet the other Swede loved to gush about his engagement ring. The guitarist didn't have a specific place right now but if he talked to the other band members he'd get back to Dee and Jay.

"I think Mick talked about marrying Ziggy in the Nexus, which is another world through a portal. Minoru and Isamu's world. That, or Denmark. Just anywhere people can be safe."

Johan's eyes lit up at a stage name as he'd never had one. The Tiger? It would be perfect!

"I'd love to be called The Tiger."

From:

Dee and Jay shared a glance and a shrug about people getting married in another world through a portal. (Well, that or Denmark.) If that wasn’t a testament to the booze flowing freely at this party, nothing was.

“The vision of the band… has sort of a post-apocalyptic fantasy element to it. Rebels… fighting to change the world through music. An immersive experience that I hope, at least one day, to carry out on stage. It only fits… to have characters in this world.” Dee explained. “I inspire with my words. Hence… the Prophet.”

“My character is more like a magical healer.” Jay added, gesturing to what looked like potion bottles hanging off his belt. “But the Wizard or the Cleric sounded far too boring.”

“…Sound… and vision.”

From:

"This sounds really interesting. Is there room for a guy like me who dresses in tiger stripe? Like a shape changing tiger man who plays guitar?"

Johan knew he was fantasizing about his stage name but still---The Tiger seemed to be a really cool name and if he could be something more---even better. These boys seemed to be creating whole new characters in some fantasy world with their names and Johan thought it was awesome.

"I shred guitar quite aggressively so maybe that could be because I'm The Tiger. Sort of raw, primal emotion put through into my music."

From:

Of course, Johan would need to audition first, and see how he played and gelled with the rest of the members they selected. But when it came to creating a Kuro character as it were, that was something that might as well be open to the world.

“I don’t see why any of those ideas wouldn’t fit…” Dee encouraged. “If we… ever make it big… I’d love to hear our fans come up with their own names within our story.”

It could be quite the marketing tactic.

Jay had to admit he was a little skeptical at first, but once he started making a character concept, he was immediately hooked. If they were successful to sell any merch, they’d have to have some personalized options.

From:

Johan indeed knew he had to audition first to see if he was suitable for the band with his playing style. Yet, the Swede had hope. He always looked on the bright side because he saw himself as a skilled guitarist.

"I'd love to hear that too and for the band to make it big one day."

That in itself would be pretty fucking epic.

"Looks like we need an audition set up for me and Karl to play together perhaps? Of course Rex deserves an audition too."

Johan believed that after the party finished he could work something out with Dee and Jay.

From: