Until Lambs Become Lions- Mumford & Sons

Chapter 10- It's empty in the valley of your heart

Jillian

      I took a seat in a secluded booth by the stage. I was nervous to no end, despite what I had told Ben. I don't do blind dates. Heck, I barely do real dates. Not since college have I had any type of relationship! I drilled my fingers on the table and watched as the room filled with more and more people. It got loud and cramped in the bar very quickly, and I was surprised. Ben had told me the band was sort of popular around here, but other than that he gave me minimal information. This turnout definitely was higher than the room's capacity, and it was a lot for a folk band.

     The buzz got louder, than quieted as all attention turned toward the stage. Four figures walked on from the corner opposite me, and the crowd cheered. I saw Ben right away, and he smiled and gave me a short nod as he took his place behind a keyboard almost right in front of me.

       The other members had already filed in, with a tall blond man holding an equally tall double bass, on the opposite side of the stage. Next to him was a man with scruffy black facial hair, yet with a baby face. He definitely seemed like the youngest member, and he had a banjo strapped around him. Wow, I don't know if I've ever even seen one in real life. I hope they weren't super country or something.. After that there was a man in the center, who was rather pale and a little bit rounder on the sides. He carried himself well though, and had these lovely bright eyes and dark black hair. The crowd was going absolutely nuts, until finally the guy in the middle said "How we doin' tonight!?(?) We're Mumford & Sons and we're gonna play some songs for you."

      He had a really lovely voice as well, with a similar posh accent that Ben carried. I looked over at Ben as the band began to play some opening notes, and he was adjusting a little goat on top of his keyboard. I wonder if he'll see me if I stare him down. I need to know which band member I'm going on a date with. The bass player? The banjo boy? The main guy? Ben himself in a strange twisted turn of events?! I took a swig of my beer nervously. 

      An interesting guitar riff started and everyone went nuts. The middle man began singing "It's empty in the valley of your heart.." Wow, that lovely voice carried over well in song. Ben and the other band members harmonized well on the chorus, and the banjo player got really into the song. By the end, everyone was yelling the chorus, and the main guy was hitting foot pedals with his feet, one a tambourine, and the other a drum. It was a pretty impressive setup, not gonna lie. After that song ended I found myself cheering with the crowd. Their sound was indescribable, but God were they good. They bantered on about each other and the crowd, with the main guy exclaiming "Isn't Ted a great singer!" and people laughed as the bass player sheepishly waved. They continued on about how he didn't say much. I guess that means his name is Ted. During these banter type moments I kept trying to get Ben's attention and have him causally point out the person on the stage he had set me up, but he didn't notice me, and when he did it was for a brief moment, and he just gave me a smile and a nod. Nonetheless, the band was pretty laid back, and had funny stories to tell.

      The guys played some more songs, most notably this one where they all screamed about how they "f**ked it up this time." This other one they played involved the main guy getting behind the drums, and later slamming out a sick solo. That song was pretty stunning. Everyone got up and danced during one song, although I remained seated, it was a good time. Ben went ham on the keyboard quite a number of times, and he had a big part in that song. They sang some quiet ones too, one of which required a red electric guitar to be whipped out, along with some powerful emotions. In all, their whole set, with traces of folk aside, was awesome. I was absolutely hooked on their sound.

       The last song ended and I cheered uncharacteristically loud. The men walked off, and I was soon silently waiting for... Ben? He had said he would come chat with me first, but I feared he wouldn't get to me as the bar remained full of slightly drunk people. I was studying the engravings on my beer bottle in a very bored manner when I heard Ben say a quick "Hey." I greeted him, and he slid into the booth across from me. He grinned as I gave him a very anxious look. "What'd you think of the set?" He asked with a grin. He looked a little frazzled from the tiring night.

"Oh it was great, Ben! You guys just have an energy about you! It was amazing!" He smiled as I started to babble. "And and you with the one song on the keys-that was crazy! And you guys have a banjo like what!! And and the songs were so good, and like the harmonies were amazing and and.."

    I was out of breath and quite frankly surprised that I liked them so much. Ben was laughing at me. "It's not funny! You guys were great!"

"Thank you. I appreciate the support." he said levelly, but he was still smirking.
" My friend is coming in a couple minutes. He's just washing up I think. "

For a second I almost forgot about the date. "Oh yeah!" I exclaimed, jumping up in my seat, "Which one is he?"
"Shouldn't you see for yourself?" I looked around the bar, a little nervous he would come up behind me. Ben laughed. "No, that's not what I meant! You should be surprised, and pretend it's a real blind date!"

I groaned. "Is it the banjo player? Or the guy that can play like every instrument? Ted?" I had Ben laughing at me the whole time.

"I'm not telling! And I'm not impressed you figured out Ted's name, so there." I sighed. Ted was pretty cute though. He made the funniest faces when he played bass. I don't think I would mind if it was him. I'd be scared I wouldn't be able to get a word out of him though.

      Ben was looking at his phone. "He's coming. Lemme find him so I can show him the table." He gave me a quick wave and left. Oh my gosh. In mere minutes I would be left alone with a complete stranger. Well, one who I had seen on stage, but stranger nonetheless. Okay. So Ted wouldn't be a problem unless he didn't talk. The main guy was pretty cute, and his voice was like melted butter with some salt or something. I kid you not it was smooth and gravely at the same time... It was amazing to say the least. And banjo boy, he was cute as well. He did some concerning things with his hips and that banjo, but he had an electric guitar for one song, and he totally rocked it. It was hard to see his face the way his beard had grown in, but he had kind eyes. Which one did I prefer? Did it matter when I had to be with one anyway?

     I heard Ben call, so I looked up out of my thoughts at him. He came up to the table. Behind him shyly emerged.....
The lead singer. I stood up awkwardly as Ben said "Jillian this is Marcus, Marcus this is Jillian." We both stuck our hands out for a shake. Being properly mannered, I made eye contact and had a firm grip during the shake. His eyes were dazzlingly bright. His hands were a little sweaty, but he just played a crazy set, so that was a given. "Well, see you guys later!" exclaimed Ben, giving each of us a pat on the shoulder before fleeing. We were painfully alone know. He slid into the opposite booth, and began to twiddle his fingers ever so slightly. Shoot shoot shoot. The silence was growing and growing. I thought about saying something first, but what?