Anzai walked slowly through the dim lit alley, the rain sat in the air not yet fallen but a palpable warning of the torrent to come. His footsteps echoed against the cold cobblestone which remained darkened by his slowly growing shadow, as a he walked beneath the only dim light in the passage gently resting over a dumpster green graffiti colored door. His hands pressed against the cold metal leaving twin handprints against the metallic surface as it gave way to within. The light of the alley seemed a blazing sun compared to the soft red mood lighting inside.
He walked like a prince among men his long graceful strides carrying him through hallways past rows of door. The building breathed a soft rhythm, which pounded and vibrated through the walls and floors in tune to the muffled cries of human civilians. The incessant surge increased in intensity pounding through the mortar, cement and, dry wall of the building directly into his ears as his steps matched the beat.
“Crap I’m late”.
His walk gave way to a run as he rounded corners and dodged the few people still running around. He could see his goal ahead, a black door outlined in a bright heavenly glow that could only mean one thing…
“Jesus man, your late… how is it that you can’t be on time for the damn shows you organize, especially since they’re the only shows you actually show up too.”
“Sorry I got held up at work” he replied sheepishly rubbing his hand behind his head with a grin plastered on his face. He had hoped not to miss the first sound check but when your one of the elite vizards only two years after a global war which nearly tore the spirit world apart sometimes ‘I gotta go play a gig’ just wouldn’t cut it as an excuse.
Standing in the recently opened backstage door was the drummer Leslie, a six and a half-foot tall former weight lifting champion who didn’t find the feminine nature of his name funny at all. Inside the dressing room were the two others of this normally three-person band that Anzai occasionally played with, bassist Michelle, and guitarist/singer Leonard. Together they made up a strange group, Leslie towering over the caramel skinned heart breaker with long legs and a mean right hook, Michelle, who despite her 5’4” frame still towered over the 3 foot belting musical genius of the group Leonard. Last but not least of course was Anzai himself, guest guitarist and vocalist. The only one among of the group who did not live above the bar.
As the group methodically made its way through the final sound check, he could hear the last band beginning to die down, they would be up soon. He’d fought battles against creatures that would make most of the members of the audience crap themselves, yet their combined presence still made his palms clammier then a back alley proctologist. Still his fingers danced effortlessly across the strings and he would be on stage soon. A deep breath followed by blinding stage lights and it was time.
12/3/2013, 6:23 am by 
