The following evening the girls were gathered in little paradise. Conversation was difficult with the large attendance.

  After taking a sip of her drink Triss shared her thoughts. "Why couldn't we book today?"

  A guttural growl from the deepest part of the bar.

  "Unchained by life can't wait for tomorrow!"

  A quick following of a heavy guitar and bass gave Triss reason to peak over the side of their booth.

  "Oh."

  Turning back Ai had finished her drink and raised her arms above her head in a welcoming gesture.

  "Introducing, Devil's Right Hand. Most famous band in Little Paradise."

  She squinted her right eye as a light from the concert overran their booth, trying to hold her equivalent hand to shield from it. She spoke up the next time as the cheers got louder.

  "They basically have a chokehold on the underground scene."

  Ai took a sip of her drink as Triss whistled and turned to the other members.

  Haine was energetically rocking her head to the song and whilst more controlled Ena couldn't help but shake her hear side to side to the tune.

  "Took my soul now my life is hollow!"

  another thundering instrumental.

  Triss put her hands behind her head, basking in the luxury that she was facing away from the lights so wasn't as tortured by them as Ai.

  "It is pretty slick."

  Ai placed her glass down. "Do you think we could beat them?"

  Immediately the girls entered war mode. The smiles and vibes cut quickly into serious analysis.

  Ena leaned forward and took her left hand upwards to move as she spoke.

  "As you can see despite the crowd's size, what are they wearing? Jeans, white shirts. They are the same crowds we gather. This isn't a distinctly metal venue."

  Haine held her hand up. "I agree with that analysis."

  Ai was holding her hand up again as the glare seemed to peer into the bands conversation.

  "I can't see a thing with this light!"

  Triss looked to confirm Ena's points but had to do a double take on Ena.

  "H-how are you seeing a thing when your litteraly still wearing sunglasses?"

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Ena gave a cheeky grin as the lights seemed to end at the right border of her shades. Haine proceeded to interrupt by leaning into Triss' field of view pointing her index finger at Ena she gave her reasoning.

  "Yeah but she's smart."

  "Alright fair enough."

  Ai had ignored them for a moment as she was focusing on what Ena had said.

  "So if we played something unique enough that had a similar quality, we could maybe..."

  "win a crowd." Ena finished.

  Haine was sat back down now, her eyes seemed fixated on the table however she was still taking in the conversation. She spoke.

  "But what would be unique enough?"

  Ai's eyes lit up as she turned to the group, though her confidence seemed to struggle with the words.

  "Maybe like.. considering they are a metal band about death and demise... maybeee... a love song...?"

  Blank expressions.

  Blinks.

  Haine gave a soft "Oh honey."

  Ena turned her head to Ai. "We could write a love song."

  Gasps from Triss and Haine as they almost jerk back.

  Ena moved to hide her lower face by placing her hands with her fingers intertwined in front of them.

  She coughed.

  "Now I assume neither of you two have had a relationship?"

  Triss malfunctioned.

  "I-I-uhm-"

  Haine banged the table.

  "Hey that's not fair I bet YOU haven't had one either!"

  She gave a malicious point of the index finger directed towards Ena.

  Now rising from her hands shortly, Ena lifted the back of her head so that her lower face was visible to them all. Easily the biggest Ena grin they had ever seen.

  Return serve.

  "SPILL IT RIGHT NOW I HAVE TO KNOW!!!" Haine said as she now leaned over the table even more.

  Even Ai who was trying to focus on the song at hand was taken slightly aback.

  Triss was also drawn into the conversation.

  Ena placed her face back behind her hands.

  "No."

  Haine was defeated.

  The sound from the band playing seemed to go quiet, giving a cue for the girls to get back on topic.

  "So it's a tie?" Triss clarified.

  As she said this Haine repeatedly tilted her head in the direction of Ena.

  "She's smart."

  "Ok fine."

  The girls were now in front of the bar, with Ai leading conversation with the manager again.

  "You are not getting a weekend slot Ai. Not so soon."

  He shook his head as he was picking up some fresh glasses for some of the guests.

  "Devil's Right Hand have been performing here for nearing a year now, and even when you were with your old band you were still only just doing your first event."

  He now took out a cloth as he wiped the counter in front of the band.

  "You have a good thing going though, put some weeks into the slot you already have and then we can speak about seeing how you would fare on the weekend."

  The cold outside air was beginning to feel familiar. The girls began to walk on their way.

  "I mean he didn't say no." Triss commented.

  Haine was walking ahead in her own world as the others took a slower more thoughtful stroll.

  "That he did not." Ena reiterated.

  Ai looked up at the small slithers of sky carving through the high-rise rooftops.

  "Winter's coming soon."

  "Which means cold-"

  Ena tried to reply but having heard the conversation Haine swirled on her right foot to face the group.

  "Which means SNOWMEN!"

  Haine approached Ena almost daring her to finish her sentence.

  "...weather."

  Haine went to playfully hit her but Ena effortlessly shifted out the way of the strike.

  The other two laughed as they continued walking.