𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐀 | 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐨

𖤓𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝟬𝟯 - 𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗗𝗠𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗥𖤓

Another night blesses the city with its splendor, drizzling snow dusting the streets with a soft ivory coat, the dropping temperatures forcing Snezhnayans to hurry and seek shelter, away from the freezing winds that would hail from the northern mountains. Scurrying inside the nearest building they could find, the stores and bars would  fill up to the brim, customers stumbling into other civilians that simply wished to seek refuge from the vicious cold. Such bizarre weather offered the star a much bigger audience for the night, the seats full of curious eyes that would wait for her to begin her show. Even the hallways were packed, civilians ranging from elderly men dying to see her perform to large sized families huddling closer for warmth. The children stared up at her from afar, eyes twinkling with excitement and childish curiosity as they admired her attire, the lights that appeared to cast a golden halo around her figure.

Fixing the wrinkles of her midnight gown, Estheria reached for the microphone, a tender smile framing her features as she welcomed the crowd.

"Good evening everyone. Thank you all for coming," She began, eyeing the audience, relishing the undivided attention they would give her as she spoke once more. "The weather hasn't been kind to any of us, but that won't stop us from enjoying ourselves tonight."

Her words caused the crowd to break down into cheers and shouts of laughter, men and women offering her their applause as they tapped and clicked each other's drinks, excitement and alcohol coursing through their veins. After a few seconds, the audience had already been silenced, waiting patiently for her to speak once again, to lift their spirits like she always did whenever she stood on that stage.

"We have important guests amongst us, so please, behave." The woman chuckled gently, casting a quick glance at the bar behind the crowd's seats, playful gaze meeting a familiar void before looking back to the audience.

The lights dimmed, the crowd ceased their murmurs and the musicians held their instruments ready for the opening song, observing how the woman would bow her head and close her eyes. Leaning close to the microphone, the drummer whispered softly to the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, the star herself, Estheria, performing the song Wait for me a little longer."

Lights akin to sun rays shimmered above her as she took her stance, a grin gracing her lips before she began to sing.

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After days of stalking his target, the harbinger couldn't help developing a habit of perching himself on a lonesome bar stool in order to watch the star from a far distance. With his third drink in hand, the Captain observed the star pivot on the stage, laughing and singing along the lines of the ballad as she struck the audience in a trance. They sat in awe beneath her presence, marveling at her beauty and glamour as she walked across the stage, sometimes crouching down to cradle some cheeks and offer some pecks on the lips, later giggling upon noticing their blushing faces, shocked that a star had descended to bestow them with a small kiss. Definitely a clear sign that she was intoxicated while she performed, and he would've been more worried hadn't been for her crew looking after her, guiding her through the stage and making sure things don't go south.

It seemed like they cared for her, despite solely being partners in this industry. A bond akin to a group of protective siblings looking out for each other, making sure they don't do anything stupid or foolish. At least she had that. Other musicians, usually possessing much more fame than her, tend to be surrounded by greedy companions, prepared to leech off of their success given the opportunity to do so. Luckily for her, these people appeared to be the opposite.