Date: 16th of August, 201M2051BC Location: Volcaldera Bluffs, Meteor Strikers Stadium Conditions: Warm, overcast Objective: Enjoy Amber's concert Click. The engine winds down. I check the fuel gauge. Hm, I'm gonna have to change those cells soon. They're on their last legs. Who would have predicted that it'd be the cold fusion that would solve the world's energy crisis? When I was a kid, hell, a young adult, everyone agreed that it's all just sci-fi bullshit, literally impossible. Yeah, science, bitch! “What are you doing?” Fang leans over. “Just checking something.” I lock up the engine with a short code - the date of our wedding - and look at her. She's as beautiful as she was on the day of our wedding. The wrinkles around her eyes are the only sign of her age. Other than that, she's as youthful as she was all these years. And she still makes me giddy, like on that day back in my Skin Row apartment, when we shared my bed. All those years, I silently thanked the guy who threw the can at me. Without it bonking me on the head, I don't know where I would be today. I would probably sit alone in an empty house somewhere, a lonely, bitter man, despairing over the chances he did not take. The right man in the wrong place can make all the difference in the world. “I love you.” I lean in and kiss her on the snout. She blushes and looks away with a small smile. “You damn dweeb.” She puts her hand on mine. “I'm your dweeb, sweet tooth.” She gently swats my hand. “I told you not to call me that!” Her blush deepens. “I know.” I grin. “And you know that I won't listen.” She shakes her head, then looks over at the stadium. It's a huge, ugly wonder of modern architecture. I prefer the old Meteor Strikers stadium myself, the one by the bay. Even if this one is one big, ugly piece of concrete and steel shit, it's still where my baby girl is having her concert tonight. That is almost enough to redeem this pyre-shaped pile of cement. Almost. We get out of the car. I put my hand around her hip and pull her close. She blushes, shakes her head, then wraps her wing around my back. She lays her head on my shoulder as we make our way down the packed parking lot. I point at the holographic projection of Amber and Sera, spinning slowly above the main entrance to the stadium. “They make a good trio, don't they?” It's a still from one of their concerts. Amber is playing the full-sized piano, dressed up in an evening dress, while Sera stands next to it in a backless dress, her mouth frozen open in the middle of a song. Stella's daughter, Emma, plays sax next to Amber. I never would have imagined that it would be my baby girl’s band who would be responsible for reviving the long dead Volcaldera blues scene. After their concert at Caldera Fest five years ago, these three shot up to stardom seemingly overnight. They never forgot where they came from. After all, it was Amber who got the VIP passes for me, Fang and Josh. And speaking of Josh, there he is, dressed up in a cream-white-and-pink suit, looking quite fucking dapper. Hair combed up, a wide, confident smile on his face - he's a striking young man. He got that from me, of course, though his mother did lend him a lot of her charm. It's a shame he hadn't gotten a girl yet, but he's still young. Plenty of time for that kind of thing. He's standing a short distance from us, talking to a small group of young women, dinos mixed with a couple of humans. He turns his head to one of them, and that's when he notices us. “Hey, dad, mom!” He waves at us. “Wait a sec, I'll be right with you.” He turns back to, who I assume is one of his fans. “For Jenny, yeah?” He signs a piece of paper and poses for a photo with the group. He strikes quite a pose, his hands over his head, and a wide, open smile on his face. Afterwards, he nods at them with a kind smile and then quickly comes over to us. I can't help but notice a note of wistfulness in the eyes of some of those girls. They're not the only ones, now that I look at the crowd. Heads are turning as he approaches us. Mainly those of the human concert goers, but there are some dinos who give him a look as well. You better watch out, son, some of those ladies are carnivores. He doesn't notice the looks of interest thrown his way. He never did, not in highschool, nor after. It's not because of a lack of confidence, no. He's got that in plentiful supply. It's that easy-going attitude and carefree nature of his making him immune to such down-to-earth vices. He will find someone who makes him happy. I'm sure of it. I shake hands with him, then Fang gives him a big hug. He returns it with the biggest, sweetest smile I have ever seen on a twenty-two year old, then pulls away and looks at the stadium. There's a long, wide queue, snaking from the entrance, down to the parking lot. “Man, it's absolutely fucking packed tonight, huh?” He grins. “Josh!” Fang swats his arm. “Language!” “Sorry, mom.” He apologizes, but still grins. “Amber called me. She told me we can go in from the back.” Yep, we got a call from her too. Having your daughter be the star of the show really has its benefits. Not having to rub elbows with a crowd of impatient concert goers being one of them. We go around the stadium, leaving behind the glamor, glory and noise of the main entrance. It's nice, walking in peace and quiet, with nothing but our footsteps and the warm breeze interrupting the silence. BWWWMMM “Oops, sorry.” Josh whips out his phone. “Hello? No, Nate, at the concert. Amber's, obviously. Yes, I will be at the rehearsal tomorrow.” I exchange smiling looks with Fang. Josh's band has been on the rise since his highschool days. It's happening at a much slower pace than his sister's explosion of popularity, but, you know what they say: slow and steady win the race . It's quite amazing, actually, having both of your children become superstars. It's fucking incredible, how lucky me and Fang were to find each other, and then, have such great kids. Truly, we must have pleased some deity to grant us such a happy life. I don't know which it is, Raptor Jesus, Buddha, or any other. Thank you, whoever you are. “How are things with your band?” Fang asks after Josh hangs up. “Swell.” He drops his phone into his pocket. “We'll be playing in New Kansas next week. You guys better find time!” He grins at me. “For our kids?” I return the grin. “Always.” “Great, I'll get you front row tickets. I hope you guys like mosh pits.” Fang smirks and nods. I scowl a little. Oh, yeah. Josh's band plays some kind of post industrial psycho punk music. That kind of tune always attracts the wildest crowds. I still remember almost having my jaw cracked by a stray elbow during one such event, on our honeymoon. Fang found it funny, me? Not so much. “I uh…” I hiss when my beautiful wife's elbow digs into my side. “Sure, Josh.” I give him a thumbs up. “Great!” He grins and shoves his hands into his pockets. We walk in silence until we reach a side entrance. It's fenced off. The barred area is full of vans carrying sound equipment. A couple security drones hover far above. A few members of the backstage crew mill about, smoking and chatting. One of the security guys notices our approach. He turns to us and gives us a prolonged look. “Hey there.” I nod at him. “Amber Mous told us we can get in through here.” The mountain of a ptero crosses his arms and looks us over, from head to foot. “And you are?” He asks reluctantly. “Anon, Lucy and Josh Mous.” He turns and mutters something into his earpiece. Moments later, he nods and unlocks the gate with a key card. “Come on in.” He steps aside. “Go down corridor B1, till you reach the door. Go through. You will be led further from there.” “Thanks.” Josh slips in before us. “First come first serve.” He grins at Fang, hearing her huff. She shakes his head at him as he waltzes over to the large, double winged door. “That kid is impossible sometimes.” She grumbles. “He's got the attitude of his mother.” I kiss her cheek. “And the silver tongue of his father.” She tries to look angry, but fails. Her grimace melts into a soft smile. We follow Josh through the door and down the right corridor. We arrive at the door and, after a chat with another security guy, go through. Another corridor, filled with doors. Amber is leaning out of one, already in her stage outfit. Seeing us, she lets out a gasp, and then a squeal of delight. “Oh god, mom, dad, Joshy, finally!” She walks up to us and hugs us real tight. My ribs creak, I wince, but don't even peep. You get used to dino hugs after a while. I had over twenty years for that. Josh, as always, takes his hug much better than myself, patting Amber on the back with the widest grin I've seen on him yet. “How's the Amber Eyed Wonder doing, eh?” She jabs him with her elbow once they separate. Josh snickers. “So you read that Rolling Flint interview, huh?” he flashes his chompers. They are a bit sharp, something between human teeth and ptero fangs. “You know that Nate and Drake were in it too, right?” “How could I miss it, you were on the cover!” She grabs his shoulder. “Oh my god,” she shakes him. “We need to have a group concert one day!” Josh chuckles, taking her enthusiasm like a champ. “Sure, I'll just need to get as famous as you first.” he jabs her on the ribs with his finger. “Heyyy, Sera, how’s my favorite superstar doing?” he peeks out from behind Amber and waves. Sera peeks out of her dressing room. Her eyes grow wide upon seeing Josh. She looks him over and, realizing he's looking right back at her, blushes a little, then returns the wave. She too already has her stage dress on. “Hey Josh, I'm just getting ready. Hey, aunt Lucy, uncle Anon!” She waves to us and dives back into the dressing room. Fang pouts. “Why is she so nervous?” She looks over at Amber. Amber tosses a glance at Josh, who shrugs and shakes his head. Amber rolls her eyes and turns to us. “Alright, we are starting the concert in like, fifteen minutes.” She looks over her shoulder. “Castile!” She shouts. A tall raptor with a lush bush of brown hair on his head rushes out of one of the many doors and within moments, is standing next to Amber. He's holding a cup of Starrocks coffee. Pumpkin spiced latte. Eugh. The worst fucking flavor. “Yes?” He looks at her and takes a sip. “Take my parents and my brother to the VIP lounge. The one I showed you when we were setting up.” She gives him a frown and a nasty glare. ”What are you sipping that coffee for, move your butt, pronto!” He nods, takes another sip of his questionably tasty beverage and beckons at us to follow him. We do, except for Josh, who's stopped by Sera stepping out of her dressing room. I look behind me as we're being led down the corridor. She's talking to him, but he finds a moment to give me a thumbs up. “I'll catch up!” He shouts, interrupting her. She looks annoyed, but he doesn't seem to care much. He catches up with us before we even leave the corridor. He turns as we pass through the door and gives the girls a double thumbs up. He then pushes in front of us, whistling one of his band's songs. I glance over my shoulder. Amber is talking to Sera. What about, I don't know, they are too far away. “What did Sera want?” Fang asks. “Just to talk.” He shrugs. “She's really onboard with that joint concert thing Amber proposes, but I don't know.” He rubs the tip of his nose. “What we play and what they play doesn't really mesh together well. Y'know, piano and sax doesn't work with guitar riffs and screamer lyrics.” I pat him on the shoulder. “Your mother can help with that.” I look at her with the widest grin I can manage. “She's the most talented musician I know.” Fang blushes, crimson red and hides her face in her wings. She grumbles for a moment or two before parting them slightly and glaring at me from between the feathers. “Damn dweeb!...” She tries, really tries to sound angry, but there are clear notes of the artist's vanity in her voice. “Oh, please, Lucy, you know it's true.” I pull her close as we pass through another door. “Who taught Josh how to play drums so well?” She grumbles, blushing even harder. Josh wisely turns his head away from us, his whistling growing three octaves louder. Castile glances at him with a cocked brow but says nothing. Fang's grumbling doesn't stop until we reach the lounge. There, she finally pulls her wings away and looks me in the eyes. The anger and annoyance are gone, replaced with appreciation. I boop her snout, which makes her twitch and break into a small smile. “There we are.” Castile sips his coffee. “The concert starts in, like…” he checks his watch. “Five minutes. Snacks and drinks are over there, seats are over there. Enjoy the show!” He leaves before we can ask any questions. Eh, whatever. That lounge then. It's spacious and located right next to the stage, sitting on the left hand side. It gives us a great view of the stage, on which the technicians scramble to add the last finishing touches. The piano is already there, front and center, the stage lights pointing at the empty seat. “Come on, come on!” Josh ignores the chairs and leans over the railing. “It’s starting! HEYYY, AMBER!” he shouts over the quickly rising tide of cheers and clapping. “BLOW THEIR SOCKS OFF!” We join him just in time to see Amber look up, smile and wave at us. Sera looks up and smiles at us. Emily just glances up and shrugs her shoulders. The cheering and clapping gradually die down. Finally, after complete silence and stillness fall over the expecting auditorium, Amber cracks her knuckles and puts her fingers on the keys. She looks at Sera, who nods. Emily taps her foot on the floor. One two three four... The first notes of a somber, heartfelt ballad echo across the stadium. Sera stands still for a moment, leaning against the piano with her hand on the cover, bobbing her head to the rhythm. Then, without warning, she turns to the audience, and slowly walking towards the edge of the stage, she starts to sing. There was a man, New Kansas man, Who promised, that he’d love me, Who promised me affection, love and charm, This handsome man, New Kansas man, Who promised, that he’d love me, He ran away the moment he knew he could.