The Good Kind of Chaos

[rage_rekker]

This was all last minute, not that Rekker had intended that. He had decided to donate to the Paralympics this year, having his students, and Raev, and now Dee around had influenced his choice. Of course, they had then asked him to fly in to Paris for the opening of the games, to encourage and do a speech or something. He had been discussing logistics with Tom when Dee came up. From there, it was mostly a blur. Dee's interest, Ziggy's interest, the original invite turning to looking for a band to open.

Now, they were stepping into Stade de France. He glanced at Ziggy who looked unphased by any of this. Rekker had no idea how the Anthean was so stable right now. He glanced at the others and saw the whole range of emotions one could imagine. The ginger was feeling the pressure because he was in charge of all of this. Tom had the foresight to send Martyn along. His brother was there with him as they walked toward the stage. It was incredibly early in the day and they needed to get to the stage, learn cues, and find out the day schedule among a million other things that were starting to overwhelm the guitarist. He was shouldering getting the stage set up. The others had some time to do their own thing before they would be called up on the stage to play.

Eventually, Rekker and Martyn would return. For now, Ziggy and the others were in the dressing room. They needed the time to get stage ready, rehearse the song, and for some, deal with the nerves of an international recording of their performance. Ziggy prepared to be moral support while he dressed and is thankful to see Rekker ensured everyone's comfort foods had been laid out. Even Ziggy felt the long flight, long drive, and shorter than usual night of sleep and rest. Maybe some would end up napping in the two hours they had before they went on stage.

Comments

Dee and Jay (starting out completely awestruck...)

[willoftheblackbird]

If Dee had any lingering fears over whether Tom would allow them to tour Europe, they were left at the gate of the Paris airport. He couldn't believe this was happening. It started as one of Rekker's charitable projects and now he was rolling into the accessible entrance of this massive French stadium, where disabled athletes from around the world were going to be competing.

"...Wow." he took his hands off the controls so he wouldn't steer in circles as he looked around.

"That would be the best word for it, yeah..." Jay picked his jaw up off the grass. "Think how full this place is going to be later."

This wasn't going to be a Kuro performance. It was a Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars performance, with a few special guests. Jay was just there for moral support. But The Prophet was about to perform for a massively large international crowd, and he wasn't going to dare miss it.

"I might still be dreaming... asleep on an airplane somewhere."

Jay laughed. "If you are, we're having the same dream. Complete with the same grand piano." he pointed up to the stage where they were just starting to set things up.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy had been on the international stage for several years now, not as long as Rekker. He was the veteran of the stage here even if Ziggy had more fame, or infamy, depending on who you spoke to.

"Rekker demanded one be brought when I picked the song." Ziggy remembered the first time he had to go on international TV. He probably had the same look at one point.

"Do you want to go look at the stage first?" Ziggy thought they needed some direction or might stand there like starstruck statues for the next hour.

[willoftheblackbird]

Well, Jay might stand there like a starstruck statue. Dee would be sitting like one. Thankfully, Ziggy shook them out of that. At least for a moment.

"I can't say thank you enough... for asking me to play and sing with you." the smile on his face wouldn't fade. Still, he stated the obvious. "I've been practicing. I won't let you down!"

Checking out the stage sounded like a wonderful idea.

Another thing he'd clearly been practicing was his chair. Just as he promised Tom, he'd be driving by the time they got to Europe. Dee was making good on that promise right now.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy raised a brow as he slowly started down the path toward the stage. "No one argues with Rekker's choices, even my dad."

Ziggy had agreed but it was Rekker that had brought up adding people. Unfortunately, Kuro wasn't famous enough to be the opener but, as Rekker had said, Ziggy Stardust plus others certainly would be.

"As he put it, he would look like an idiot if he played here and didn't bring the people he worked with that could inspire these people." Not that Ziggy disagreed. It was probably the right call and one that he might not have thought of himself if he was in the other Brit's position.

[willoftheblackbird]

"It's going to be very inspirational. I can feel it." Jay agreed. The Spiders from Mars had a way of captivating a crowd and creating such a powerful feeling among the audience. They were the ideal choice for something this massive. Add to that people like Raev, like Dee... It was definitely going to be a show to remember.

It would be the first time Dee went on stage in his actual chair too. No theatrics, no bone throne. Just a chair that could lower itself under the piano like it did the hotel desks he put his keyboard on to practice.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"If it isn't, I think Rekker will have us skinned." The Anthean spoke light heartedly. He could feel the determination and nerves flowing off the ginger in strong waves. Rekker was going to be a nightmare for his empathy later today but he was going to have to manage that.

"I know we are getting neon on the edge of the stage and the piano. It wasn't supposed to be there but Raev will need it." Ziggy realized there was a lot to do and saw Martyn and Rekker already talking with the stage hands and getting things in order. At least, here, they were well aware of the necessary nature of accommodations.

"After the performance we're going to meet some of the athletes." Ziggy informed them because he wasn't sure how much Dee and Jay knew. If he was honest, things were changing often along the short time they had to prepare.

[willoftheblackbird]

Truth be told, Dee was far more interested in performing than in meeting athletes or catching any competitions or demonstrations. (If there was even time for the latter in the schedule.) Even though this was the paralympics and people with all sorts of impairments competed, none of them really caught his interest.

But before he could say as much to Ziggy, Jay chimed in. "That's fantastic." he nudged his fiance. "Because I just found your new favorite sport."

"oh really?"

"Ever watched boccia?" he asked.

"No... What is it?"

"You'd probably like it. No running or cycling or anything like that. Just people like you throwing balls." Jay explained. "It's skill-based. Not strength based."

"Huh... Okay..." Out of all the sports people were talking about, that was the first that actually did seem to pique his interest.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy didn't need to be told about a level of disinterest, he could feel it, but said nothing when Jay spoke up.

"Dad and Robert play boccia." Ziggy added as an encouragement of sorts. If Dee did turn out to like the sport he would at least have someone to play with, not that Ziggy doubted someone like Aarne, Hans, or Vars wouldn't jump right in to be taught a new activity.

"We do have one commitment we have to keep this afternoon." Ziggy hadn't gotten an itinerary at all but assumed this was more a perform and then you are free to mingle type of request. That was Rekker's style anyway. "Raev will be speaking to the paralympic council later today. I told him we would all go and listen."

Supporting the newer bands and people was something Rekker and Ziggy agreed on even when they were uncomfortable with each other's presence at times.

[willoftheblackbird]

To Dee's credit, disinterest did turn to curiosity, so that was something positive for the Anthean to pick up on. Jay was no athlete, but he did enjoy watching various sports. Far more than Dee did.

"I wouldn't mind seeing some of the table tennis myself. Even if it's just some practice. My sister's been playing regular tennis since she was in middle school." He added, albeit with a laugh. "She's got the athletic genes in the family."

When Ziggy mentioned Raev speaking, though, Dee didn't even hesitate. "Oh! Of course. Wouldn't dare miss that! ...What's he speaking on?"

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Rekker has the events schedule." Some of them might leave but Ziggy had a feeling that Rekker might stay for the duration of the paralympics.

"There's a movement to get gymnastics added into the games." Ziggy smiled because it was a good feeling to have all these people come together and support each other... even if there were rocky patches now and then. "I didn't know but Raev trained to be a gymnast with his brother when they were teens."

It was interesting to Ziggy that Raev had so many skills and so little self confidence. He needed the support to blossom and the new band and this was a great opportunity. "I think he might be doing some gymnastics with others who came for the same reason. One of them is a rhythmic gymnast who uses a wheelchair."

[willoftheblackbird]

While they might be able to squeeze an extra night in, the Kuro boys did need to get back to the rest of their band. There were gearing up to go into the studio in the short break between tours. There was a lot to do, a lot of songs to finish on top of the ones they were currently playing on tour.

"I didn't know he was a gymnast..." Dee mused. He knew Raev had quite the vocal range, and while he'd seen him perform karaoke, it didn't really come with that kind of choreography.

"Wait. It isn't part of the games?" Jay asked, realizing for the first time that it actually wasn't in any of the brochures he skimmed through on the plane. It's a lot harder to notice what isn't there, unlike unique sports being added, like boccia or goalball. "Isn't it one of the most popular events at the other Olympic games?"

Dee shrugged. He honestly didn't know.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"I don't think anyone did." Ziggy confirmed. "Ulfen was the one that told us and suggested we bring it up."

Rekker had handled talking with Raev and was obviously convincing enough to get the Dane out of his quiet comfort zone.

Ziggy nodded. "It is popular but they keep saying there is no space or no interest in champion or Olympic level gymnastics." Which sounded dumb to Ziggy. If a person could then they would push thier bodies to amazing things.

"Ulfen told me that Raev can do all the gymnastic events with minimal accommodations." He was trying to remember all the information the drunk, older Dane had rambled to him in no real order. "I am curious how he'd navigate a balance beam or uneven parallel bars."

In Ziggy's mind those felt like they would require clear vision to navigate.

[willoftheblackbird]

"It's popular, so there's no interest?" Jay raised an eyebrow. "That sounds ridiculous."

It honestly did. But maybe, with some good ambassadors of the sport, that could change.

"Maybe Raev could do some sort of... moves on the stage? Before or after the song?" Dee suggested. He didn't know any gymnastics lingo, but the point came across regardless. "The more people see something... the more normalized it becomes."

Going on stage in an actual wheelchair would have to be Dee's big move. One that, thankfully with all the practice and positive encouragement from his friends, he was a lot less self-conscious about than he was when they first went on tour.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"Bureaucracy?" Ziggy imagined this was something from some group and not the athletes themselves.

"I'm not sure he's ready for that on international television." Ziggy pointed out. The Dane had only recently got the confidence to try and be in a small time band. It might be too big of a jump. "Maybe we can enlist Karl to encourage him?."

Ziggy had felt the way those two fed off each other. Karl would get down and frustrated and immediately the Dane was encouraging him, the same was true when Raev started questioning his abilities and shying away from trying something, then Karl was there. Even so it might be more than the Dane was ready for.

"I know many of the other athletes and trainers will be there for the council talks."

[willoftheblackbird]

Jay shook his head. "It's a good idea, but he's already going to be speaking in front of the committee. That's a big deal all on its own."

And sometimes more frightening than being up on a stage, depending who you asked. But perhaps that too would be a confidence booster for the Dane, and lead to more opportunities later on. The first of which was probably going to be Dee approaching him on the plane ride back about doing some backup vocals for one of the new Kuro songs they were working on.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy nodded. "Being on a strange stage in front of the world is going to be stressful enough for everyone." Not so much the Spiders but it could be. This was a big deal. "I can't imagine how much worse it would be if I couldn't see where the stage ends or clearly where other people are around me."

Ziggy had stress about 'seeing' too much and the idea of seeing almost nothing was even more so in his mind. He thought to change the subject and smiled. "I heard you're writing some new music. I know a lot of the bands have gotten a writing bug since this leg of the tour started."

Certainly Raev's newly formed band was, City Charms was, Svarte Ravner was.. he even heard the whispers of Hexed maybe writing some after.... however many years it had been since their last album. It was a good thing in Ziggy's mind.

[willoftheblackbird]

Dee had a lot of anxieties, but performing on stage in front of the whole world wasn't one of them. Doing it in his wheelchair... well, that probably would have been a lot harder to do had it not been for his sessions with Martyn. Just like the new chair or the first treatment session, his first appointment with the psychologist was absolutely terrifying. But the next one was easier. The one after that, easier still.

"There's been... a lot happening. For better or worse, it's been... a lot to draw from..." Dee nodded. "Which is good for our debut album. We'll have plenty to work with."

Before he left, he turned over the latest batch of drafts to Johan, Rex and Ansgar for their thoughts. It still felt strange to relinquish control, but he was beginning to see that it came out so much better when everyone had the chance to put their spin on it.

"I've got a big piece, a ballad of sorts, in the works too. It's going to be incredible."

"We have a lot to squeeze into the break." Jay added.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"I know." What else could Ziggy say to all the emotions. Sure,he didn't read anyone's minds but strong emotions were sometimes too loud. Attraction, scuffles, uncertainty, fear, worry, love... when they were strong he could sense them. This group had emotions that tended to run hot and deep which Ziggy was still adjusting to in some ways.

"After Europe and Asia we're probably going to take a break to write and take care of some personal things. Though, I think a lot of us are going to end up in Scandinavia sooner rather than later."

Ziggy toyed with his engagement ring on his finger and knew more than one couple was lining up for one of those countries to do what they couldn't in thier own.

[willoftheblackbird]

"Oh, I'm talking about the break before Europe!" Dee added. "If we go right into the studio... maybe we'll be able to have an album to drop right as we go back on the road."

And with it, a music video of course. Perhaps more than one.

The subtle finger movement caught Jay's eye, and he smiled softly. Wedding planning had taken a backseat to tour planning, but Dee still had a notebook filled with ideas for that too. "Hopefully after Europe and Asia, we'll be doing the same thing. Well, assuming we can find a place in either Europe or Asia where we can legally tie the knot."

Yes, Dee and Jay were definitely one of those couples.

"We will... Rik, Ansgar, all of them have given me lists of places to look at during tour stops."

[ziggyplayedguitar]

"It's different when you're an established band. There's an expectation of tour, album, tour, album..." Ziggy looked up at the ginger now that they were getting closer to the stage. "I know Rekker is stressed about that. They were all retired and there's going to be an expectation of new music when they come off this tour."

He wasn't sure how Hexed was feeling but he'd cought the end of more than one heated debate between Devon and Rekker over it.

Ziggy blossomed into a full on smile. "I think there will be more considering it before the tour end. I've seen more than one couple with eyes on it lately."

Unengaged couples that was that were considering it. Not sleeping and being an empath meant he saw do much more,not as much as Tommy, but still quite a lot.

[willoftheblackbird]

Kuro were just getting started. Dee could only hope that a debut album would fuel a tour, and fuel people's need for another album.

"There's definitely a lot of love on this tour." Jay agreed. There were reasons that the b-side to their first single was called 'Rebel Love Song.' "I couldn't think of anyone I'd rather be making beautiful music with for the rest of my life."

Jay leaned down and kissed his fiancé.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Ziggy nodded and then started to giggle. "Some of us are taking bets on whether it is Jake, Sven, Harald, or Martyn who ask next."

Oh, there was talk.. mostly Ziggy and Aarne but also sometimes the Danes too, up and giggling while the others slept.

[willoftheblackbird]

Dee got a somewhat mischievous look in his eye. "Should I suggest to Jake... he needs to make a ring in addition to the red crystal armor I just commissioned for our next video?"

Crystal was in air quotes, seeing as there was no way it would be made of actual crystal. Magical or otherwise. Just made to look like it.

"Hmmm... I'd probably bet money on Jake too. With or without your nudging."

All the work he was doing for Kuro certainly kept him tied to the tour, and thus even closer to Niko. There was a strong chance they'd be the next to pop the question.

[ziggyplayedguitar]

Oh, thr mischief was there in Ziggy's expression and presence, too.

"He already gave Niko a ring made out of his blood but there was no ask, so he's still on the list." Niko did, if they looked, wear a ring om the proper finger for an engagement ring that had a red, coffin shaped stone.

"Dad thinks Martyn will." Ziggy pointed out. "I don't know, all those couples feel in the right place for it."

Ziggy literally felt it but it was also a visible feel for how thy interacted. "Aarne suggested that if Sven asks he's going to get slapped out of shock at the same time he gets that yes."

Which really seemed plausible given how Sven was constantly startling Davy and getting sassed.

[willoftheblackbird]

"All Jake needs to do is make it official." Jay pointed out. That put him closer than some of the others.

Dee might still ask. Perhaps a double date was in order for the next time Jake was in the same city as everyone.

Harald and Trygg were probably going to dance around it, just as they had been. Unfortunately, neither really knew Martyn beyond the professional context yet, so it was hard to judge that one.