OC Short Stories and Tings

(1) Crystal makes a band

Crystal was an extraordinary human. She was known by the guys and girls in the local pub in her hometown, Shadespot, as the woman who had free spirit. She was always so smartly dressed and always smiling. Yet deep down, she was far from that happy grin. Her sibling, Moon, decided to join her in moving to Prattchetton after one show they did at Rain's cafe.
"This show will go so badly, Moon! We can't keep going to Rain's to play for 4 people anymore! I will give up on music if that happens!" Crystal complained sadly. Her makeup was running down her pale tan face. Moon's eyes widened at their sister's cries and they hugged her tight. "Hush! I'm sure we will have someone there who'll sign us! We're so strong and our new song is getting good reviews!" Moon assured her, but Crystal groaned and pulled away from them. Crystal was sick of having to be interviewed about the new song her makeshift two piece; Heartless Dog had created. "I'm so exhausted from explaining our song, first to you and recently to NME! It's a personal song! About having no true friends!" Snapped Crystal bitterly huffing a bit, Moon sighed and smiled weakly had their sibling knowing she would soon see her anger and low mood would change soon.
In the car, Moon's best friend Scar played his favourite album; Wire - Pink Flag. "Is Crys okay?" Scar enquired as he saw she was very off; she wasn't talking and looking out the window like a spoilt child. "No...she's anxious that our gig won't go well..." Moon replied, glancing at their younger sister with guilt and worry. Scar nodded and blushed at Moon, he admired how they even in anxious moments were so calm. He was glad they were his best friend. "We're almost there, do you want to stop at the woods for a walk and some photos. I've bought my vintage camera." Scar suggested as they passed a 2 miles until Prattchetton sign. "Ooh yes! I adore your photography skills!" Moon squealed. Crystal perked up a bit at the mention of photography as it meant fixing her makeup, doing Moon's makeup and outfit changes. "I'm so up for photos!" Crystal smiled. Moon smiled relaxingly, for once in a long time, Crystal was happy about something.
At the woods Crystal oohed and aahed over making sure the makeup was perfect, she had to make it perfect! Before our readers delve into Crystal's world the narrator will like to mention her OCD, she likes things with structure and order and to be tidy. Moon was wearing a purple flowy skirt and black collared shirt with a white tie and purple gloves and crystal had made their face look angelic. Scar's eyes watered at the sight of them. Scar didn't know if he'd met such beauty. Maybe once when he saw Kate Bush on tour. But this. This was pure elegance! Crystal was wearing a pink parade dress that she made inspired by Debbie Harry. "Okay, I want you guys to walk away from the camera towards...that tree." Scar instructed and they nodded and smiled at eachother in pride. Scar nodded and knelt on the cold grass as he took the most elegant and wild shots. He felt like Linda McCartney! "Now guys I want you to play peekaboo with the nearest trees!" He yelled proudly. They nodded and each went to trees next to each other. "This is so fun! The trees make a great contrast to our outfits!" Crystal smiled, making Moon giggle. Scar took closeups and group photos of the peekaboo and then gave a thumbs up for the individual photo shoots.
During these individual photoshoots, Crystal acted like Kate Bush and truly felt like her! She was a natural actor. As they were about to wrap up there was a noise in the woods. "Did you guys hear that? Like a twig snapping?" Crystal gulped, glancing back at the woods and biting her lip. "Yeah, it's probably a wild animal." Moon concluded but Crystal wanted to investigate. "Crys! We have a gig in 3 hours!" Moon called out but it was too late. Crystal was engulfed in the arms of the dark green of the leaves on the trees. "Crystal!!" Moon called out again in fear their sister would be eaten by bears. "Relax! She will be back in time!" Scar tried to assure them and Moon shook their head and sighed. They couldn't tell them that Crystal likes to explore and forget time. "Come let's go back to the car and wait." Scar smiled, grabbing Moon's hand. Moon nodded and knew Scar was probably right. She would make it in time.
Crystal, unlike most people's beliefs about her, was an adventurer by nature. If she heard a sound in the wilds she'd follow it. If she caught a nice smell she'd locate it and probably find food. She heard more snapping and a groan. She came to a lake and that's when she saw where the sound was coming from. It was Laser Man. "Oh! I've seen you at one of our shows. You look like a sore thumb, no offence..." Crystal gasped, Laser Man turned slowly in shock at her comments. "Sore thumb? Lady, I'm one of the best scientists in this town! Sore thumb is all you can call me?" Laser Man complained before going back to snapping twigs and connecting them with long grass. It fascinated Crystal that he was out here alone, making something with nature. "I'm so sorry for my rudeness. My name is Crystal. I heard you and was worried you were a bear!" She apologised. Laser Man huffed and got up from his creation to greet her. "I'm Laser Man. Don't be sorry, we all get worried. It's a human emotion." He smiled. Crystal felt so calm with his kindness. "I guess I should be going back to town. Delta will want me at the gig. He wants me to find him good or ideal band mates." He smiled before beginning to walk back to town. Crystal blinked a bit. "I'm going to be in the band at the gig." She confessed and Laser Man gasped and he remembered where he'd seen her. He ran up to her, he had to try this once to understand why a human does it, "Can you give me a lift?" He asked, making Crystal laugh. She accepted he should get a lift if he's got a new band mate she could take.
On their way back to the car, they spoke about what each of them did. Crystal learnt that he was an inventor and scientist and he hoped one day to win a Nobel Peace Prize. Laser Man learnt that Crystal was a musician and fashion designer and wanted to one day be famous for starting a genre or being part of a genre. "You intrigued me, Crystal. I never thought I'd meet such a gifted human." Laser Man smiled as the car came into view. "Same with me, I hope you do one day win a peace prize." Crystal replied.
Scar and Moon gazed in shock at the view. "Who's this? It's not a bear!" Moon gulped in fear at the silver hunk of metal their sister had dragged over to them. "This is Laser Man, he's going to the gig with his friend as he's looking for bandmates!" She introduced. Laser Man shyly waved at the two scared yet unsure double act at the front. "I am Laser Man. I am an inventor and scientist. Crystal found me making a stick boat." He smiled nervously. Moon smiled widely, he seemed safe; not someone who'd kill them.
As soon as they got to the venue after a drive of talking about each other, they realised they were 25 minutes late. "Oh crap we're late!" Crystal panicked before rushing out to open the back boot to get out the instruments and equipment. "Relax! Relax! I'll let them know it was my fault!" Laser Man assured them. Moon and Crystal exchanged glances, how did he take the blame so easily? "Are you sure?" Moon asked nervously. Laser Man nodded and entered the cafe. "Sorry guys I just met the band and they are running late because they messed up on making a special cake. No no it's funny! They just put the wrong ingredients into the pot and it came out strawberry and not raspberry." Laser Man apologised. He got laughs from the crowd, even Delta laughed. Moon and Crystal entered awkwardly with their equipment and set it up. "That blonde long haired man? It's delta aka the music wanter." Laser Man smiled as he helped them set up.
The show went really well and even the crowd were singing the new song. For once, Crystal felt at ease, she finally loved her song. Moon smiled and danced whilst they hit the keys and saw the crowd's admiration for them. Crystal during their cover of Say Hello, Wave Goodbye started to cry but got through it as the crowd whooped and cheered her on. She felt she'd begun seeing hope in the future in music, and there were more than 4 in the crowd.
After the show, they were getting drinks and photos when Delta came up to Crystal, "Hey there! I love your hair!" He complimented, making her blush and giggle. "What?! It looks like candy floss! Can I eat it?" He asked, laughing. Crystal rolled her eyes and began drinking her cider. "You must be the great Delta?" Crystal smiled curiously before putting down her glass. He nodded, "I'm looking for a band, do you know any?" She snorted and looked at Moon, they nodded at her. "Yes. This one. We were thinking of renaming ourselves but we are in need of a bassist and drummer." Crystal explained. Delta hummed, as if he was thinking, but it was a straight clear answer, "Yes! I would love to be your drummer! I'm at your service ma'am!" He smiled before hugging her. Crystal whimpered weakly and tried to hide she was in pain. "Sorry I'm a very huggy man." He apologised before pulling away to give her space. "No, no it's fine...just didn't expect it." Before going out the door to Scar's car and putting her gear into the boot.

On their way home, Moon slept the whole way but Scar was awake and so was Crystal. She was afraid of what she had done. She had a new member of her band and he lived 3 hours away. "I need to move closer to him. Maybe I should live with him?" She mumbled to herself, gaining a laugh from Scar. "What? He's cute and hugs me? Which is more than what my father does!" She complained. She did have a point and maybe it was a good idea to move close by. "Think before you act!" Scar suggested warning her. She knew he was right but deep down in her rebellious roots she knew she could just run away. "Maybe get a place with Moon? Even though it's nice having you guys near me, you need to be near him for practice." He suggested and Crystal sighed and nodded. Maybe it was time to move out of the house she'd grown to hate.
A few days later, they moved out. They didn't tell their father who was out at work at the time, or drinking as they better knew it. "Thank you Moon! I love you so much!" She smiled for real for once. Moon sniffed and nodded before they opened the door to their new home. "Let's start this new band!" Moon whispered before entering it.