→ endless searching

“Half a century, that is a lot to catch up on,” Maxi said, nodding as if the task of that was something he didn’t wish to be participating in. It truly wasn’t, he was picky with his music, if he had to spend a moment of his own time enjoying something, it would always be something that spoke to him. Which was usually some heavy rock or metal. “Then again, you can listen to it all of it without judging it for how similar it is to older artists,” he suggested. 

-

“I have managed before.” Besides, the newer generations had made it much easier with technology and compilations. Would he experience everything of each decade? No, of course not but no one person truly did. It would be good enough to bring him up to speed so he could discover what he enjoyed from there. “That is true as well as pick out the influences new genres have pulled from to make it their own.” He responded. “I have found it to be enjoyable to try and find the interpretations of different art forms. Like those that are songs or films about wars or conflict but are hidden with a façade of something else.”

▬

The moment her eyes landed on Kai, she couldn’t help but approach him as fast as possible, being welcomed by a strong hug that led to her smile. “It’s always good to see you too, especially during better circumstances.” Not calling him in the middle of the night because she had nightmares and was afraid of being alone. This time it was all about appreciating some time at the club, the music every band could offer and the presence of her loved ones. It was better than expected. She had had an amazing time the weekend before, and was having the same kind of entertainment at this one. “Well, thank you. I aim to always share how gorgeous I can be. And please… you algo look really great yourself! If you’re aiming to make someone fall in love with you, you’ll definitely succeed at it.”

A wink followed her words. “I have some time to spare right now. None of the shows that will happen at this hour were something I was aiming to watch, I mean– I did watch them last week, so, consider me all yours by now,” and she wouldn’t mind spending time with a friend. Besides, if that would give her the chance of meeting the VIP area, it was an addition for the experience. “Just lead the way and I’ll look as important as I can to be part of that area in particular. And after that, if you’d like to, you can watch Mumford and Sons with me?”

-

“How are you feeling, by the way?” He asked after they were released from their embrace. The mention of better circumstances was two fold, the last time he’d seen her she was in a bad place from an attack digging up old memories. But, also that half of everyone had disappeared from the world for the citizens of Nova Pangaea and one of his had been her. Kai had only felt that level of loneliness in the world one other time and he prayed to never feel it again. “As you should!” He exclaimed with vigor and a grin. “Oh please, dear one, I hardly hold any light to all the young beautiful beings in attendance here. I highly doubt I will be turning any heads, but thank you for your kind words, my gem.” There was only one he ever hoped to catch the eye of in those regards anyways. He was certain she did not want to delve into all of that and he would not bore her with it. 

“Sounds like a plan.” Kai said with a nod and smiled, offering his arm to her so they could head to the VIP area for some quiet and quality time. Once they got past the security at the entrance and into the lounge, he headed toward the bar. He waited for them both to get a drink appropriate to their liking and found a comfortable place to sit away from others. “So, I must tell you before we move on to anything else, that you are very important to me Laurel. I am aware this is out of thin air, as they say. I must let you know, however, with how things have been lately- well we never know our chances left.”  He paused hoping he had not stepped past a boundary or brought up a topic too heavy out of nowhere. Kai wanted her to know how much she meant to him and he did not feel that it was appropriate as a simple message. “When I came to Astoria several months ago I did not have but one person in this world in my life and that one person was complicated at best.” Still was, but much different all the same. “Here I discovered you again and Leon, among some others old and new. I cannot express how important and how much I appreciate your presence in my life again, because it is beyond bounds.” He grabbed her hand and offered a smile. “I apologize if it was out of place to say here, I just needed you to know that.”

Zhyan had tried to avoid walking into people who had seen him at his worse, who had seen him those months when he was living on the street, living in the old mansion he and Miles had found, living away from everyone he loved because he feared hurting them. 

His skin produced goosebumps when he heard the voice. Zak. Not Zakary, but Zak. A nickname that other people had for him, but that he never had for himself. “Hi, yes. Kai, right?” he asked, trying for a smile. He had spend most of the day running from place to place, and was finally catching his breath. He looked up surprised when Kai asked if he could answer some questions. For a moment he wondered if he was dreaming all of it. But he wasn’t. He wasn’t the only reporter around. Then again, he didn’t ask questions, he just… reported. “Yes, sure,” he answered, “ask away.” Even though Zhyan wouldn’t consider the two of them more than strangers. 

-

“Yes, yes that is me.” Kai was overjoyed to hear that the other had remembered his name. He feared he would need to recall their meeting all over again which would force them back in the awkward phase of discussing species. Which then brought up the apprehension most had to his kind. Not that Kai did not understand that apprehension. They were dangerous, but he saw them as no more dangerous than the rest of the world. Either way, it made him uncomfortable. So long he had spent hiding so many things that made him what and who he was, in Astoria he did not want to do so anymore. It was hard to prove reformation, but it was something he would continue to do. Prove that he was safe to be around. 

“Thank you, very much.” He said while flipping open his note pad to a fresh page. Kai jotted down ‘Zakary’ at the top along with the date, time, and location. This way he would remember the setting when he recalled his notes when writing his article later. “In your opinion, what was the best performance you have seen thus far? And to add to that, what has been your favorite part of this festival so far?” 

“Thanks but,” Her eyes dragged painfully from him, to her own map in her hand, then back to him, raising it to show him. She was frustrated at this point, and frankly embarrassed that this was becoming such a struggle, with little to no excuse. Sure, she had been drinking some through out the day before today’s shows, but not enough to blame her lost-ness on a drunken stupor, which at this point would be greatly appreciated. “It’s okay,” Dani sighed, exasperated, digging through her chained clutch for a metallic pink flask. “It’s only three stages, it shouldn’t be hard to find, but” She let out another sigh, raising the flask as a gesture towards her own irritation of the situation. “Here we are lost between three stages, a million vendors and food trucks and thousands of people.” Dani took a long swig, ignoring the prolonged bite and long burn that came after the whiskey in her flask watching him with crinkled eyebrows. “At least I can still drink anywhere. Why are you writing? You looking for inspo?”

-

“Only if you are sure.” Kai took no offense to anyone wanting to be independent in their adventures of life. Except for maybe Bash, but that was because of the history of harm it had done to both of them. He watched as she took a drink from her flask and studied the gestures she offered before and after. Without knowing her well enough, he could not tell if they were signals of distress or just general motions. Certainly, he was willing to offer his company to anyone who was having a hard time and even advised if it was solicited, he just did not know if that was the case in the present. “That is a benefit.” Kai agreed. “Believe it or not, I remember a time when you could drink anywhere you please without fear of law saying otherwise.” He remarked with a touch of reverie, also remembering times and places it was not allowed at all. Prohibition did more harm than good in his opinion. Either way it did not matter much for him as alcohol had little effect unless in large quantities. He did enjoy the taste of some, though. “I am a journalist for NPBC, so I am writing for them. The festival and it’s attendees are my inspiration. I send snippets back each day for those wanting to add it to their daily report. Then I will write full articles for the newspaper reviewing each half of the festival for the city to read.” Kai explained in hopes it made sense in his words.

Lorna had been at the stage and was enjoying the music, she knew a lot of her friends had listened to them and ended up knowing a few of their songs thanks to them. However it was the words coming from the person next to her that caused her attention to move away from the band before letting a gentle laugh escaping from her lips. “Ah well that’s the thing, they don’t have to have a name to show off what they are or write lyrics about them. I do know that there are a lot of bands out there that just pick a name because they think that it will sound cool and others have meaning behind them. I am not quite sure what side of the fence they are on if I am being quite honest.”

-

“Well if it is not obvious already, I am showing my age by not having known these things.” He mused with a slightly bitter chuckle. It annoyed him. He was not sure if it was the frustration of not having the knowledge or the change in times that had passed him unnoticed or the concept of it all in general. It was something that may add some spice to his article, however, as he was sure others could relate. Kai knew he was far from the oldest of his species to walk the planet. “Would you say you know a lot about this type of music? As if to say, are you a fan?” Kai asked the other since she had been willing to speak with him thus far. “If so I would love to hear about your interpretation of the festival thus far, either way actually. If you would be willing?”

Tuah looked up to his new friend, a smile on his lips. “Neither do I,” he laughed as he said this, shaking his head. Like Kai, he prioritised comfort and practicality than trying to keep up with the trend. “But I went shopping the other with my friend, Sahid, and they suggested for me to try these,” he waved at the floral-patterned dress shirt and cuffed chino pants, “have a change in my wardrobe every once in a while, they said.”

He nodded at the question, taking a sip from his beer before answering, “The company’s nice,” Tuah turned to Kai with a wink, smiling, “and the music’s not bad. It’s not something that I’d listen to, but I suppose it’s a nice change.” He paused to take another sip. “What about yourself? Any artist that’s to your liking?”

-

“They probably know much more than I do, or ever will.” He laughed. Kai thought the outfit looked great, but he figured it also did not matter what he thought. As long as Tuah was comfortable, that was the important part. “I have heard similar things from others. It is not the worst idea to update now and again. As old as we are, I feel time slips by us without notice sometimes and it can be hard to keep up with the change of things every other decade or so.” 

Kai smiled. “Thank you, I enjoy your company, as well.” The next question had him shrugging and pausing before he picked out a response. “I do not exactly enjoy the music, but I fear that is because I have not listened to much music since the eighties. I fear I just do not understand it quite yet.” He looked around and took a sip from his glass. “It seems everyone else enjoys it, however and that is what truly matters, yes?”

She was still questioning her decision to take her mother’s not-so-subtle advice as she walked towards a crowd that had began to gather, bottle of beer grasped in her right hand as her gaze swept her surroundings. Perhaps it was spite that guided her out the door and fuelled her desire to prove that she was capable of a good time– she was capable of relaxing, but there she was, at the festival, with a couple of colleagues who had disappeared into the crowd. A part of her wanted to be grateful; the only places she’d been for the past six months were the hospital and home, pouring herself over her work and making sure that Anya was adjusting alright. The latter she really shouldn’t have been worried about seeing as her daughter was in awe of everything about the city, but she was a worrier when it came to Anya. But it came with the territory of being a mother and a doctor. Her time wasn’t just hers. So when her mother suggested that she spend her evening off at the festival, and that Anya would be taken care of, Sienna had complained. It was when her mother said that she was letting “what happened” ruin her life that she finally got off of her feet and decided, what the hell?

A voice snapped her out of her reverie, and it took a second for his words to register, the buzz of the crowd almost overpowering his voice. Almost. Sienna chuckled at the statement, glancing sideways at the person the voice belonged to. “You’re in for a lot of disappointment. There’s going to be a lot of things that aren’t exactly what they’re called this weekend,” she gestured to the huge poster nearby, listing the names of those performing at the festival. “Maybe it’s an advertising tactic. They get you to think like that, so you look them up, and the next thing you know, you’re listening to their music.”

-

“Mmm, I have heard that a lot this weekend.” He mused with a short laugh and a shake of his finger. It was something he’d accepted far too many times than any one person should, he was old. Trapped in the body of a thirty something year old man, which was near the end of existence in his mortal time. He appeared like he should have at least a light knowledge of current pop culture, especially in his career field. It was a facade, however. Unfortunate and something he would need to work on. “Perhaps.” Kai agreed with her. “Or perhaps it is just my age showing through for the hundredth time. Still, I would have liked to see a band of vampires or songs that at least spoke real truths about my species. But, you win or you lose, or however that saying goes.” He professed with a shake of his head. “I am Kai, by the way.” He offered his hand for her to shake.

"Oh, hey! I remember you. Zak right?" Kai said to the man he'd remembered meeting a couple months back. "Much less bundled this time, I see." He mused as they were not wearing as many layers, which Kai found slightly comical the first time but understandable. As someone who was not used to cold weather in his mortal years, he could only imagine how uncomfortable the cold was. Now he was always cold and did not become as uncomfortable with the change in the weather. "This may seem odd, but would you mind answering a couple questions about the festival? I am here to write about it and I would much love to talk with an acquaintance versus a stranger." He felt it would lessen the risk of sounding completely ignorant to what was going on around them.

Keeping up with all the different types of music and trying to make notes of what he thought about the festival was proving to be much harder than Kai ever thought it would be. Mostly because he had never been to one and wasn't familiar with the music being played. It was difficult to take in all at once. This made him happy Laurel agreed to meet him for a show. Besides that he hadn't had the opportunity to spend much time with her since the travesty the month before.

"Ah, my dear sweet friend. Am I ever happy to see you!" He exclaimed in greeting, moving forward to give her a strong hug and a kiss on either cheek. "My, you look gorgeous." Kai smiled at her fondly. "I missed the telegram on proper festival attire. I was not aware even the clothing was part of the event. It makes me stick out, I fear." Though he did not feel too out of place, just like one of the less dedicated attendees. Which was true, he was oblivious to most of what was going on. "I was going to invite you to the VIP area if you would like to rest and get a snack or beverage?" He was allowed one person with him he figured, but if not he would pay off the door man. Everyone had a price. Especially an overworked concert security detail.

The music festival was Kai's first, ever. He'd been to a few concerts in his time on earth and countless theatre productions, operas, and other like performances. However, an entire weekend filled with several stages of different artists were yet to be experienced. Normally he would have opted to wait for the experience but his place of employment did not leave him that option. VIP pass with press access hanging from a lanyard around his neck, he stood near the back of the crowd. Kai watched the band with a frown and looked down at the schedule again to double check their name. 

"I do not understand. They are called Vampire Weekend, yet none of them appear to be vampires. Nor are their lyrics about vampires or weekends." He said to anyone within earshot. It was terribly confusing and while he took notes of the performance, he had to admit that he was disappointed by the false advertisement.