The distant sounds of thunder echoed around the normally peaceful island amidst the land of Moon. A foreboding of future events perhaps, or just a rather strange coincidence? A concert had been planned, organised, and constructed, but who was to tell how it would play out?
The stage itself was a marvel in construction, far from the wooden box it had been earlier in the week. Resembling the insides of a gothic cathedral, intricate wooden palisades and coulombs would rise into the darkness above, framing magnificent stained glass windows. A strange, almost ethereal purple glow resonated from behind the glass, casting strange and fearsome shadows into the audience below. Where the altar would be in a standard church, the main stage stood in magnificent glory, framed by strange purple flames. The drum kit, its bass drum funnily enough looking like someone had stretched the skin of a person over a barrel, stood slightly raised, awaiting the hired drummer Migoya had organised to round out the band. Microphones and other marvels of technology awaited the artists touch to bring them to life.
A closer look at the stained glass, made all the more difficult by the sheer size of the creation, showed various Gods and Goddesses, Kami and Yukai, both well-known and obscure, staring down in judgement at the pathetic mortals in front of them. How Migoya had created such a work and managed to get the Shrine to permit it would be a story for another time.
In any event, tickets were sold out. Obviously the Shrine were going to take their cut of the profits, and the right palms had been greased expertly to enable such an event from happening in the first place. The ever-present gaze of heavily robed and masked shinobi watched the proceedings, looking desperately as for any reason to enforce their own brand of divine justice. Dark purple robes framing white featureless ANBU masks indicated that the shinobi of Tsukigakure, more specifically agents of the Shrine - a religious police force if you will - would not tolerate any dissent from the crowd. A measure of fear could be easily felt amongst the growing audience, as if there were an undercurrent of eternal damnation resting on their actions this night. The oppressive regime, controlling the masses through religious dogma, had done its job well.
It was standing room only, except for a side area that seemingly had been designated for any VIP guests. Several ‘priests’ of middling rank sat there, clearly only present to cast judgement on any wrongdoers and to appeal to the masses. Who had invited them? They were heavily guarded by shinobi wearing the symbol of Tsukigakure on their forehead protectors, their expert gaze watching out for any problems.
And the bigger question - why were there so many shinobi present for what would be a simple concert?
The band would be shepherded into a backstage area and treated to any vices they desired so long as it would not affect their upcoming performance. As they entered, they would notice that Migoya, dressed very differently from the last time they saw him as he wore a black kimono, speaking with one of the supposed moon ANBU.
“Respectfully, the confetti cannons are a necessary part of the show…”
“They are aimed towards those who would not appreciate it. Remove them. That is not a request.”
Migoya sighed, acting somewhat annoyed at the situation.
“Very well. Ill direct them over the crowd then. Any other ‘requests’?”, he added with a heavy amount of sarcasm.
“Watch yourself Myakashi. Anything goes wrong, we will gladly wipe your heathen kind out.” The words were definitely a threat, and as the ANBU turned to leave, the band would catch an almost imperceivable smirk grace Migoya’s face before he turned to face them, the smirk turning into a smile.
“Ah welcome bandmates! Ive arranged, well, whatever you might need to get you in the mood for your performance tonight. I trust the stage is to your liking? Ill have to move the cannons - we had a complaint - but apart from that the running list is as we organised.”
Reading over to a nearby table, he pulled out several sheets of paper, handing them over to the trio.
“Oh… and one thing. What is your band’s name and how do you want us to introduce you individually?”
