MOZAIK

5

Bologna was great. The show went maybe even better than our tour opener in Milan. But perhaps it was just because I wasn't as extremely nervous today, as I was before my first gig,  so I could enjoy the day a bit more. After the concert in Milan yesterday, we all went back to the hotel extremely tired, where we immediately fell asleep. When we got up this morning, the exertions of yesterday still in our bones, we each hurriedly downed a small coffee before getting on the bus that would take us to the next location. Once on the bus, we had reviewed the concert and discussed what we wanted to change for tonight. I was very happy about the compliments I received from the group for my job. "But today we have to celebrate at least a little after the show, Vic had announced, while still on the bus. We all agreed on that. I had to admit that I had even been a little surprised yesterday that the others had wanted to go back to the hotel right after the concert. After all, everything in their performance literally screamed "Our life is one wild party". 

We arrived a little early at the location and thus had some time to sit together comfortably. We sat down on the two large couches in our artist dressing room and Damiano went to get a cup of coffee for everyone. We were just casually chatting about what had happend in the previous years of our lifes and we decided that we would not go seperate ways after the tour would be over, as we could all benefit a lot from each other. 

"I had an idea last night, well maybe it was just a thought...", Damiano had started, when we were done reminiscing. "What is it about?", Vic had inquired curiously. "I just thought about the fact that almost every popular and successful group has a supporting band. So, why don't we have one then?", he had wondered. Vic shrugged: "I have no clue. I mean it would be fun to hang out with a bunch of some other Rock'n'Roll lads for sure." Damiano nodded in approval: "Yeah, it's not like our audience needs to be loosened up - our fans always bring a great atmosphere. On the other hand, as you said, it would be really cool to have a few new people on board. Also, we could share the cost of the bus and truck, staff and event equipment. Ethan then added: "And we would give someone the chance to get more publicity." "You mean we would give someone the chance to go on tour with Måneskin.", Damiano added.  "What do you think Benedetta?", he asked. "I think you guys should decide that, I mean, I'm just the surrogate.", I explained. "Nah", he said, shaking his head "You are a full member for the period of the tour and we care about your opinion." "Okay, I would be in favor of that." "So can you think of anyone who would be suitable then?", Damiano looked questioningly into our round. "Mmh, what about Achille Lauro?", Vic suggested. "Yeah, Lauro is such a great guy. I actually had the opportunity to be part of one of his music videos.", I told them. " But I'm afraid, that he might be on his own tour  this year, so there will be tons of work for him.", I guessed. "And I'm not sure if that fits. First of all, he's already pretty well known, so we don't know if he'd even want to be our opener. Moreover he is into hip hop, trap, and pop music and I thought about someone from our genre in the first place. I think Vic just thinks that he's hot, that's why she wants him on tour.", Damiano interjected. "Yes, he is.", she agreed. "What's so bad about it?" "Damiano doesn't want anyone else to steal his thunder as the hottest guy on tour.", Ethan smirked. "You got the point.", Damiano nodded in approval. 

"You guys know Luka Ivanović?", I drove our conversation back to collecting suggestions. Since Luka had been the first one, that came to my mind, as I had been allowed to spend the last few months at his home. "Nah, I'm not sure, but didn't you live in London with a guy named Luka? I think I talked to him on the phone, if he is the Luka you are talking about.", Damiano answered. "Yes, that's him.", I agreed. "His stage name is actually Luke Black, so I am pretty certain, you might know him. I can show you some songs of his if you want.", I offered. We were listening to some of his songs, I showed to the guys on my phone. Damiano then said: "Mhh, I am actually not quite sure if this is what we were looking for. It sounds not really like Rock to me. It's more like a weird mix of Indie, Techno and Pop. But I like that you guys have suggested other artists, who participated in ESC so far. We should support each other in the community. Can you think of any other artists? Maybe even a band?" "Well, as we all know, there are not that many bands competing there.", interjected Ethan. However, I thought of a band right away: "What about the guys from Joker Out, then?"  Not only did they have some pretty cool songs in store, but in the few interviews I had followed during the ESC, they had left a fun and down-to-earth impression. Luka had also often told me about fun evenings he had with their group. "Who were they again?", asked Damiano. I showed them some song clips here as well. "Omg, they are all so cute." I was fangirling over one of their older music videos. "Just like a pack of cute puppies." "Yes, they could be our pets. I would love to fondle them.", Vic whooped in excitement. "Guys, please.", Damiano rolled his eyes. "At least they also sing mainly in their native language, which actually fits quite well."

We discussed for a good hour and then came to the conclusion that we wanted to contact Achille Lauro first. However, if he should refuse the offer for some incomprehensible reason, we had decided to ask the guys from Joker out then.

After our gig we went in search of a cozy club, where we wanted to end the evening in a boozy way. We quickly found a somewhat outdated bar with an adjoining dance floor. As soon as we entered the place, Vic ordered our first round of shots, which we immediately downed. We danced and it was one of those nights that you would have loved to remember forever. However, thanks to the alcohol, you rarely succeeded.

"Hey Benni, I just wanted to tell you, that you did an amazing job on stage.", Damiano complimented me. "And you also looked really sexy today." "I can only return the compliment.", I smiled at him. "What? Did you just say I looked sexy only today? I look sexy every day!", he complained, acting sassy.  "Hey, so you think I usually do not look sexy?",  I countered. "Thats true. If I'm being completely honest with you, you looked very hot today. But every other day you look extremely classy and beautiful.", he whispered in my ear. Damiano then continued talking to me, but I could hardly concentrate on what he was saying, since the whole room was heavily spinning and I needed to concentrate on keeping my balance. His lips then stopped moving and I hoped that he had not asked me a question, since I had not perceived any of his words. "Whoops", I just barely held on to Damiano's sleeves before I could tip over backwards. "You okay?", he slurred. He was nearly as hammered as I was. "You wanna get outside to have a cig?", he offered. I nodded. He wrapped his arm around my waist and guided me past the other guests to the backdoor. I sighed as a cool breeze hit my far too hot skin. Damiano placed me against the wall and leaned one shoulder against the wall to my right as he eyed me. "Wow, you look pale. Are you sure you're okay?" he asked. I nodded. "Weren't you going to give me a cig?", I reminded him, hoping that the nicotine would make me think a little more clearly. "Sure." He started searching his pockets for the pack of cigarettes. I hardly ever smoked. I couldn't imagine anything worse than developing COPD at some point through my own fault. I couldn't understand how Damiano could risk his health for the little bit of relaxation that nicotine brought. Nevertheless, I accepted the cigarette from him. I took a drag and immediately felt the unpleasant scratching in my throat. I coughed and gave the cigarette back to Damiano "How the f*** can you smoke voluntarily?", I cussed. "Hey, that would help you with the nausea, too.", he replied. "Thanks, but I think I'll just order a glass of water next. That will help just the same.", I answered. I kept him company while he smoked my cigarette. The night was beautiful, even though I couldn't see any stars in the sky because the lights of the streets of Bologna didn't allow it. We talked for what felt like an eternity about the biggest nonsense. Just about everything that went through our drunken heads. Until all of a sudden silence reigned. Silently we stood next to each other for a while. Then Damiano's silhouette detached itself from the wall next to me. I was just about to get ready to go and prayed that I would have my balance halfway under control again, when Damiano placed himself directly in front of me and put his hand on the wall next to my head. He looked deep into my eyes once again. "You are so beautiful, I could look at you forever.", he slurred. I hoped he did not see me blush, because of the darkness. I noticed how his gaze slowly moved from my eyes to the direction of my lips and I did the same. His lips looked so soft and kissable. "You don't know how glad I am, that you are here.", he whispered so I could hardly hear him. I turned my gaze back to his eyes. I saw him slowly close his eyes and leaned in for the kiss. His lips were warm and soft. They parted softly,  so I could taste the bite of the alcohol and the cigarettes. It was a very drunk but also passionate kiss. I was also more invested than I was in our first kiss, which had taken me by surprise. I breathed heavily as he suddenly pressed me against the wall, only to sink even more intensely into the kiss.