• A Blackbird's Serenade • (GxG)

"A Cracked Crescent Heart"

~ One Week Later ~

Omniscient

Tour season, for any artist, had always been known to be hectic. If not, the most hectic part about being a star. And Journee was beginning to feel the effects as opening night neared to be only a week away.

In the second level of the rehearsal studio, Journee led Tiana to the room she'd been spending most of her day while Journee would be downstairs with her onstage crew. Upstairs was known as the "backstage quarters," where the makeup, hair, and wardrobe teams for both Tina and Journee resided for preparations.

Once it was confirmed that Tiana would be Journee's stylist, Journee knew to bring her as soon as possible, for there'd be a lot for her to catch up on.

To distract from her nerves, Tiana watched the woman before her as she walked with a confidence that never failed to stun her. It reminded her of the woman she met before the two had grown closer. The enigma of a human being that entranced her from the moment she'd first seen her on stage, just after the velvet curtains had parted.

Over time, she'd found herself past the veil that Journee upheld before any and everyone, never letting people get too close. Therefore it'd been a while since she'd seen the singer in this light. Such a different aspect of captivating and infatuating.

Her lover's voice then halted her thoughts once her gaze had traveled down Journee's body. "Y'nervous?"

"Hm?" Picking her eyes up, her face furrowed. "Wha-nervous? Course not."

Journee chuckled at the higher pitch in Tiana's voice. "Tee, you can be honest with me sweetheart-"

"I'm nott-" Hearing her own words, Tiana cleared her throat, deepening her voice. "I'm not." She shrugged cooly once Journee turned to her, for they'd arrived at the door. The gentle smile swelling across Journee's lips calmed her as she met the singer's gaze.

"Just do what you do best sweetheart- don't worry bout the rest," Journee spoke softly, wishing she could take the woman's hand or caress her cheek. "Everyone's really nice 'nd everything, I promise."

"Okay," Tiana let her head fall with an exhale. She knew that Journee saw right through the mask she was trying to uphold, and saw no reason to keep it going. "Okay," she muttered to herself, shaking her nerves away and straightening her posture. "Let's do this."

Quipping a grin at her lips, Journee whipped around to push the door ajar, having Tiana's eyes widen upon the sight of everything that was going on inside the room. Everyone glanced in their direction as the two entered, and each of them wore smiles with a wave.

"Heyy Miss Rosee," one woman called as Journee waved back at her with a cheeky grin.

"Hii everybodyyy. I brought someone special for y'all-" she laid a soft hand to Tiana's back, glancing between her and her team. The gesture thankfully kept her lover's nerves at bay. "This here's Tiana Thomas. She was my stylist back at The Velvet Avenue 'nd she's decided to join us on the road."

The woman braced herself, though she'd let out a breath of relief as everyone's smiles remained, or even grew. "Hiii Tianaaa," they welcomed in unison. She smiled sheepishly, waving a hand.

"Hey y'all, how y'all doin?"

"Good," they replied again. And as most went back to work, a tall male walked up to them. His head was shaved and his features distinct, as was his muscular yet flowy build.

"So this here's the famous Miss Thomas," he chimed, a subtle sass lacing his deep voice.

Glancing at Journee with a minor look that made the woman blush, Tiana then smiled shyly at him. "That'd be me, yes..."