How Titus got into the stadium, Aranaya would never know. He had drawn the security guard to one side and had a quiet conversation in hushed whispers, that eventually resulted in the two of them being admitted. Aranaya had to admire that.
The stadium was not a particularly big one, little more then an enclosed field, really. The outside wall had been shaped from naturally occurring birch trees, which were twisted into not only a nearly impenetrable wall, but also provided the spectators with handy perches. Tonight, however, the centre of focus was not the playing field, but a large stage that had been assembled at one end.
Currently the band was warming up and Aranaya cringed at the discordant cords. She hoped Aeternity were more melodic when they actually performed, but somehow doubted it. They appeared to have one magi-powered guitar, a harp, a piano and a drumkit. How would such a bizarre medley of instruments would sound together. At that thought, she had to jog to catch up with Titus, who was approaching the stage.
Huge speakers had been rigged up across the metal framework of the stage and from these hung a male of small proportions and enormous eyes. He was hanging upside down from his feet, a screwdriver in one hand, and squinting at some of the cabling as though it had insulted him. Even then, the two of them may not have noticed him, had he not been talking to himself in a low murmur.
"…First we put the screw in here to enable the capacitater, oh yes we do, then we wind this wire around here. Oopsy, dropped it," he plucked at the wire with his long fingers, "thenna we grab a hold of it once more…" Aranaya might have watched him for a while, both puzzled and amused by his behaviour, had at that point someone not hailed them.
"Titus!" A lean Lycaon jumped from the stage and strode towards them. He was quite handsome, Aranaya noted, if one went for the conceited look. This, she realised, must be Julius Lowe, vocalist and harpist of Aeternity. The rigours of age showed only slightly on his face - the hair of his temples was tipped with grey as were some of his whiskers, but he still seemed hale and hearty. In the true fashion of rock singers everywhere, he was wearing a much faded "Aeternity" shirt, tattered jeans and a leather jacket.
"Hey Jul," Titus greeted him with a clasping of hands that looked fit to degenerate into a hand wrestling, until the Feline slapped him on the back. "How's it hanging?"
Julian sniggered, "more then it used to,' he replied. Aranaya could only assume there was something smutty in that remark. "How ya been, lad? How's Leif? Still playing the harp?"
At the mention of the name, Titus's face seemed to crumple in on itself. "I don't know," he replied, "I doubt it somehow. Last time I was permitted," and there was real bitterness there, "to see him, he could barely string two words together.' He paused and shrugged, "head injury."
The Lycaon frontman didn't seem to know what to say to that, but his expression was that of someone who has well and truly put his foot in it. "I'm sorry," he muttered after a long pause. "You two were so perfect together."
"Tell me about it," Titus replied, and that seemed to be the end of that conversation. At that moment Titus seemed to remember Aranaya. His expression brightened a little, "anyhow Jul, I better introduce you to my lovely female companion" (Julius rose an eyebrow at that), "Aranaya D'Burten. She's an artist," he added.
The Lycaon frontman took her hand in his and brought it gently to his lips, pressing his muzzle against her knuckles. "Charmed I am, madam," he replied. Aranaya blushed furiously and scowled at Titus, who was trying not to laugh without a great deal of success. He gave a little bow and a flourish and stood upright again. "So what brings you fine folks to my concert so early?"
"We're checking out your security," Titus replied, "we have reason to suspect there may be foul play afoot tonight."
Julius stared at him askew, "but I've haven't seen a chicken," he commented, completely straight-faced.
"I'm not joking," Titus replied.
Julius frowned at him. "And who would dare cause mischief at such an event as this?" He queried.
"The Nocturne," Titus replied. There was a long, silent pause.
And then Julius spluttered with laughter. "The Nocturne my boy? You've been reading too many of those dark faerie tales!" He cast an accusing glance at Aranaya, as though she were somehow corrupting him. She resented the implication.
"Don't believe us then," she snapped in response, "you'll see."
"Morbid aren't we," he replied, she did not like his tone of voice.
Titus stepped in before the two of them could begin bickering. "Whether you believe it or not," he said, "it is true. The Nocturne are real and they are planning some sort of attack on your performance tonight."
"And I suppose you two are going to stop them?" He goaded, "a gay kitty and a…" he faltered here, but his eyes told everything his voice would not say.
"Firstly," Titus replied, "I am not gay, I am just open-minded and secondly, do not insult my companion." His voice was dangerously calm. "We could just abandon you to your fate, couldn't we just?"
"Oh don't do that," Julius seemed offended at the thought, "stay and enjoy the show. If nothing else, it's been a long time, Titus."
"A long time since what?" Titus mocked.
"A long time since last we enjoyed each other's company."
"But not so long since last we met," Titus added pointedly.
"No, not so long." Silence reigned for a while, both lost deep in thought, then Julius clapped his hands together. "You will stay," he said. It was not really a question.
"We will stay," Aranaya replied, wondering how she was going to cope. She was not a fan of Metal music - Light or not.
"Good then," Julius patted Titus on his back enthusiastically enough to make the Feline stumble. "I'll see you at the after party." Reaching into his pocket he drew out two collars, imprinted with "Aeternity" and slapped them both into Titus's hand. "Put these on and they'll let you backstage," he explained, glancing at Titus's throat. "Of course, you may have to take that pretty little blue number off."
Titus merely gave him a long, hard gaze, such as felines have perfected over the centuries, and strapped the collar on loosely above his current one so that it partly obscured it. The Lycaon laughed again, and then turned and pranced off, raising one hand in a farewell salute, he returned to the stage.
"That," Titus grinned at Aranaya, "was the biggest prat I have ever met."
Even Aranaya could not help but laugh at that one. "Still, we're in," she replied. "So time to look for anything suspicious?"
Titus nodded. "Although around here that could be quite a mission."