⚔︎ ＯＶＥＲＨＥＡＴＥＤ. ·˚ ༘₊· ͟͟͞͞꒰➳ 𝖼𝗅𝗂𝗏𝖺

04 the infiltration

A few more songs passed during the concert. Viva knew this was probably the most optimal time to sneak back stage. Maybe she could get a glimpse of some important information there...

But there was no way she'd find a good opportunity to kill him backstage; there was security everywhere. They basically lined the concert walls and were most likely going to be backstage as well. And besides, she didn't bring anything too important except the dagger. No rope.. firearms.. poison tablets. Nothing at all.

Viva wrapped her yellow hair to the branch she sat on and promptly swung to a tree. And swung along tree to tree, along each tree that surrounded the outside of the stadium. She finally dropped down to the backstage area, which was surprisingly open from above, it didn't look like there was much security around the back....

Speakers placed on the walls still projected the band's voices backstage. There was a pile of unsold merch that caught her eye, and she quickly dived into the pile as cover. This could hide me pretty well.. she made sure none of her pesky hairs stuck out from the pile.

Now, to wait. For what though? Nothing really exact.. just information. Maybe facts about the band would pop up somewhere. Someone would have to come backstage soon. How else was she supposed to get closer to him if she had no information?

After a few minutes passed, Viva heard a rustling sound. a curtain flew open. Viva quieted herself as to not make a peep, covering her mouth. She heard some whispering, before the inaudible voices finally came into earshot.

"They're doing fine?"

"What do you mean? This ain't what they put into practice."

"Will you up the rehearsals?"

"I'll do what I need to." There seemed to be two voices conversing, both men. One was more strong and angry, "This stupid boyband is gonna go nowhere if they can't do what they were just supposed to."

By this point, viva had adjusted slowly and peeked through two album records. She squinted, now seeing who was talking. There was a red troll with a clipboard in his hand, and a taller male troll who looked.. oddly sophisticated. His blue hair stood up high from his head, and he looked pretty infuriated. But he didn't seem to be enraged at the troll who he was talking to... Viva wondered what the brothers could've done to make this man so angry.

"Just keep your cool. Please." The shorter troll responded, "Please don't take it out on them."

"I manage them. I make these types of decisions. This isn't my fault, it's theirs. If they wanna be good enough, they're gonna have to man up. And I know they wanna be good enough."

The trolls left the room.

Man up? That sounded a bit worrying. But it wasn't her job to worry. She was glad she'd gotten at least some sort of information out of this. That odd troll must've been some boss or manager.. but he sounded quite cruel. At least she'd be putting one brother out of his misery.

Finally she heard the last song come to an end, and the lights got dimmer and dimmer as the crowd slowed their screams and applause. The curtains rustled once again, and viva shushed herself.

"WOOO!! Good show boys. I think that one was really good!" A troll spoke, and viva recognized the voice as the heartthrob, spruce.

"Agreed. The crowd always get me nervous going on the stage though..."

Then she heard the voice she was looking for, her ears perked up slightly, trying to hear the muffled voices through the pile of clothes she was confined in.

"You did awesome, really John." Clay chuckled towards his brother, "And spruce, the ladies loved it as always!!"

She heard some footsteps moving around from outside the pile. "Floyd, I know you get nervous but you really did great. I'm proud of you. And.. branchie!! Another good show!! I think the baby is getting used to these things."

"Yup, he is." John Dory spoke, "aww man, our brother is growing up- I fink I'm Gonna CrY-" his voice broke a bit, and viva made an unsatisfied expression as she heard the brothers crying and comforting each other.

"I love you bros." Clay stated, "and honestly I think I need some fresh air. I think I'll walk home."

"Walk?" They said in unison.

"Walk?.." she muttered.

John snapped his head, "did you guys hear something..?"

"Stop being delusional John." Viva could almost hear the purple-headed brother rolling his eyes as he spoke.

"Yea, walk.." Clay breathed, scratching his neck. "I- I know it's not the safest but I just wanna get outside for the night. I'll walk straight home."

"You know it's too dangerous for us." John sighed, "and I can't let you do that."

"But-"

"No. End of discussion." JD concluded, "And the car is almost here to bring us home, anyway." John Dory headed away into the next room, and Viva knew he must've been going to their car. John was right, it wasn't exactly the safest option for the brothers to just walk outside. Spruce followed his brother, and Floyd picked up baby branch to carry him out with them.

Viva knew Clay was still in the room when she heard him sigh loudly. The princess felt sorry for him.. She peeked through the records again, to see his familiar perky green hair, and she watched him put on a jacket.

"YoU CanT WaLk DuauagHhh.. can't walk my butt.." clay huffed, and promptly exited the room angrily.

Viva watched him leave, and quickly peeked her head out the pile of merch. She gasped out a breath. I have to follow him.