Human After All.

Day four of Warped Tour was crazy busy. Mostly because the job tasks have already started changing. I was selling some merchandize now, from the main tent.

I don’t know how many shirts and posters I’ve sold today, but I knew it was nearing the quadruple digits. I gave a Vans shirt too a sweet little girl, and she squealed in happiness. Her mother gave me the money for it and I dug out the change I owed her. “Mommy, Mommy its so cool!” I smiled slightly. It wasn’t so bad when people like this where happy with what they were buying. I gave the woman her change.

“Have a nice day.” She smiled and said. “Thank you.” Walking off with her daughter, who was quickly pulling her shirt over her sun dress. She might regret that later in this heat. I thought to myself.

The crowd started dimming down after another hour or so, I saw Michelle's colorful hair walking my way. “Hey Alistair, can I steal you away for a few minutes.” She looked at the lady who was helping me sell some merch, I can’t remember her name for the life of me.

“Is that okay, Annie?”

Ohhh, ANNIE. For fuck sakes, I’m an idiot. She nodded. “Sure, its getting pretty quiet around here now, I’ll radio if I need some help.”

Michelle nodded. “Come with me.” She started walking off in a random direction. I said goodbye too Annie and caught up too my boss. “So, what do you need me for?” I asked once I was in step beside her.

“I was wondering if you could do some crowd control for Motionless In White? I went over your resume and saw that you were a bouncer for a club awhile back. And you seem to have a good amount of strength.” She more or less asked. I looked at her slightly confused.

She tried to explain more clearly. “Basically all you have to do is stand in front of the stage, and make sure no one tries to run up on the stage when they’re playing.”

“What about the crowd surfers?”

“What the guys usually do is when they get close to the front, is help them down and send them on there way. The others know what to do, just kinda follow their lead.”

“Sounds awesome.” Just a little bit of sarcasm. She let a laugh, and I laughed with her. I don’t think I’ve had such an easy going boss before and it was pretty great that I could actually use my sarcasm around her, and she wouldn’t get upset. I did keep it too minimum because she was my boss after all.

“Oh and when you’re done, you can take the rest of the day off. I think you need a little break after all the jobs I had you working the past couple of days.”

“You sure? I can still keep going.” She shook her head. “No, its fine. I got a couple newbies too break in, so you take a break. Like I said I got you working all over the place.”

I motioned with my hand like it was holding a whip. “Mee-yow.” I chuckled. “You make it seem like I’m your bitch.”

“Yes, yes that is exactly what you are.” She laughed. “Now, get your ass over to the Kia stage. Roy will be there waiting to give you a few tips.”

Roy was her boyfriend, I met him once before when I was still working with the equipment. He was a pretty good guy, kind of loud at times, but I guess thats what you get for standing in front of speakers all day long. Your hearing gets fucked.

But I thought for one joyful minute I would see Devins face again, but it was chased away knowing that he was taken and by the looks of it; definitely straight, besides crossdressing, which in his case seemed to make him all the more attractive. God, I was fanboying way too hard over him AND the other guys of Motionless In White. The whole crew of Motionless In White was one big fan girls and boys clusterfuck of feels. Sweet Jesus. If I ever got the chance to talk to the fans, we could probably relate in so many ways it would be scary.

But such is the joys of being a fanboy. You get all these ‘feels’, and you can relate too so many other people without being criticized.



~


Roy had set me up near the left of the stage, second too the last. We all stood in a line, only so much distance between us. The crowd was becoming bigger and bigger, and they were a mere foot away from where I was standing behind the metal gates. Most of them were young teenage girls pushing their way to the front too get a good look at the band. Although, I knew from experience, it wasn’t always the best place to be, since everyone else wants too see too, so if you’re in the front then everyone was going to push you against the fence.

I had an armband on that said ‘security’. Apparently necessary; but nonetheless I felt pretty important. I looked at my old and worn watch, that amazingly still worked, and wondered where the guys where. They were supposed to be here five minutes ago, and thats with the extra time bands are given if theres a chance they might be late.

I hummed in wonder, looking behind me up at the stage. I saw Clarissa and Mitch in the background and couple of fans or friends of the band. But no Motionless In White.

Weird.

I turned back around and everyone started screaming. I guess that was queue too believe that they had arrived on stage or at least one of them did. Any of them would elicit a few dozen screams from the audience. I turned back around and indeed all of them arrived. I saw Chris and Ricky talking for a second before looking down at me. Surprise evident on their features, I gave a little wave to them, trying not to overdo what I actually want to do; and that was start waving dramatically with both hands like I was trying to signal them. Which I would have normally done, but this being a ‘workplace’, that probably wouldn’t go over so well.

Chris waved back, and the girls behind me went crazy. I couldn’t help the laugh that came out as I turned back around. I saw a few girls looking at me, with sudden interest in their eyes, both good and bad; bad being that they didn’t like that I was waving at the one and only Chris Motionless, and the good, well I could assume a lot of different things from those.


“Hello New Orleans!” Chris shouted into the microphone. Everyone started screaming and clapping in excitement.

I tilted my head slightly to the right and looked up. Chris was standing on some big ass black box that made him way more taller than he needs to be. He was grinning from ear to ear. “I can’t fucking hear you!” he shouted.

The crowd screamed louder and you could feel the energy pulsing off of the crowd. “Thats better! Our first song is going to be, ..Devils Night.” His voice toned right down, in a creepy kind of growl when he said that last part and I closed my eyes slightly when the girls screamed so loud, I thought I heard glass shattering somewhere.

Chris started singing, and the music echoed around me. Everyone was singing along too the song in perfect sync with Chris. I was bobbing my head slightly, enjoying the music I have been listening too for the past four days, and it didn’t feel repetitive. I kept a look out at the sea of faces looking up to the stage.

I seen a few crowd surfers near the back, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Just a bunch of singing fans. It was when they got too the third song; If It’s Dead, We’ll Kill It, did I see a mosh pit forming. That was where the fans were on there own, unless someone actually legit got hurt and then we would have too in and try to break it up or get that person out of there.

But it turns out, I was in luck, the set went off without a hitch. I stood there waiting for most of the crowd to disperse, just too be on the safe side. Worry of flying frozen water bottles came to mind.

“Alright, Alistair. You can head off now. Michelle told me to tell you too take the rest of the day off as soon the set was done.” Roy instructed as soon as the last of people left and went about too the stages or tents. I grinned at him. “Yes, sir!” I saluted. “Get going, before I give you a kick in the arse.” He scolded jokingly.

“See you later, Roy.” I waved at him dramatically.

He just shook his head and headed off somewhere. I actually decided to head of too the tents and see if I could find me some stuff to buy. I looked down at my arm band saw the security band still on my arm. Shit. I thought, quickly taking it off, putting it in my ridiculously deep pockets. I’ll have to remember to give that too Roy or Michelle next time I see them.



I’ve been too about five different tents, and I bought a couple of band tees, a skull earring for my one pierced ear, and I got an autograph from Andy Biersack. I put my little shoulder bag over my head that I also bought, and it rested on the top of my back. I decided that I was getting a little hungry so I went to find myself some food. I found a food truck and ordered some mozza sticks. While I was waiting on one of the empty benches. A couple of teenage girls came up too me.

They just kind of stood there awkwardly, not knowing how to approach me. So I decided to help them along. “Hello, what can I do for you girls?”

One of them squealed and I felt my brows rise in curiousity. “He’s so cute.” I heard one them whisper. I chuckled, pretending to act cocky. “Why thank you, miss. Its nice to hear such a wonderful compliment.” She blushed cherry red.

“Um, we were wondering if we could take a picture with you?” The tallest one asked. This time I was a bit caught of guard. Me? Picture? What?

“Me?” I asked in surprise. “Why me, I mean theres gotta be other attractive men out there for you too take a picture with. I’m just a behind the scenes kind of guy.”

They all giggled. “And I’m pretty sure that if you ask anyone of them, they will say yes too you beautiful ladies.”

“But you’re the guy who saved Ghost, and you are a really attractive guy.” The youngest looking one, obviously the more bold one, spoke up. “Please?” They begged.

“Alright, alright.” I grinned. “I don’t see why not. How do you want the picture? Silly? Serious?” They laughed. “Silly.”

I sat up and we all posed together, in really ridiculous poses. Although, since they were young, I kept my hands to myself, thinking that people might try to say something because of the age difference. After we had done, I hugged the three of them, and thanked them. Which in turn I got smiling faces and laughter. I waved at them as they ran off.

“Your mozza sticks are ready!” The cook called out to me. I went and grabbed them, thanking him and walked off to find somewheres somewhat secluded. The RV sounded like an awesome place to start. I was walking down the long line up of tour buses, which wasn’t all of them, some others had found other places that were a bit more secluded, away from everyone else. Although, all they did was put distance between them, you can still see where they are.

Thats close too along the lines where I parked the RV this time around. I opened the container as I walked to my mobile home, and took a bite of breaded cheese. It was still hot so it was still soft and chewy. And it was oh so good.

“I smell mozza sticks!” I heard someone yell. Crap. “I think I see Alistair!” Double crap. “And he has the mozza sticks!” Triple motherfucking crap.

I looked over too see Balz and Chris running over to me, with the others walking slowly behind them. I quickly chewed my mozza stick in my hand, closing the container and ran towards my RV. I pulled out my keys, trying not to fumble with them, and managed to open the door. Stepping inside I closed the screen door, and locked it, waiting for them to catch up. I saw the familiar faces appear at my door, their faces slightly flushed from charging after me from almost half way across the lot.

“Mine.” I grumbled, waving my half eaten mozza stick at them. “Aww.” Balz whined. I turned around and set my backpack on the couch, setting my mozza sticks on the couch also, I walked back over to the door, unlocking it. I quickly walked back over to my food, as to protect it from the apparently hungry band members.

I ate the rest of stick that was in my hand and waited until all five members were inside my mobile home.

“So, what brings you my way, other than the whiff of food.” Chris laughed. “Well we were trying to figure out what we were going to do for the rest of the day. And then we saw you, and decided that we should try and see if you would like to hang with us losers.”

“Losers? I should be the one saying that about me wanting to hang out with you guys.” I took another mozza stick out and started chewing on it, while the guys all found a seat to sit in. I continued. “You're not losers by any means.”
“You’re odd, you know that.” Balz stated.

“Coming from one of the men who chased after me because he smelled my mozza sticks from across the lot.” I countered.

“Touche.” He admitted. “Still odd, but cool.”

I grinned. “I could say the same, but you’re still a hell of a lot weirder than me.”

We all started laughing at that. I looked over at Devin, and he was standing by the door. “Why don’t you sit down Devin?” I started scooting over, pushing Chris over in the process which sent everyone into laughter.

“I’m good, really.” He said, trying to control his laughter.

“I already moved my ass over, please come sit.” He looked over to the space beside me, and sat down still chuckling.

“Okay, so what do you guys want to do?” I asked. Looking at them all, with that question hanging in the air. I could see them all pondering on what to actually do.

“Movies?”

“Exploring?”

“Food?”

“How about all three?” Devin suggested. I looked at him. “I mean, like we’ll go exploring here in New Orleans for fuck sakes, get some good food and then pick a place to watch a movie.”

He shrugged. “Granted that we have enough time.”

I looked at the others. “Sounds awesome too me.” The others seemed to agree. Well that was easy. “Just let me get my shit together, and we’ll get right on that.” I said getting up, taking my bag and food with me. “Damnit.” I heard Chris curse.

“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll be leaving this around you guys, of all people.” I laughed as I walked down too my bedroom.


~


I had really thought that walking through New Orleans dressed in ninety percent black would attract attention, but as me and the guys from Motionless walked down the streets, hardly anybody gave us a second glance. Although I wasn’t wearing all black myself, just a black tee and a black bandana. Everything else had some color too it. The others, well more black than anything else.

Again though, the scene was still odd in my mind, I guess it didn’t look that odd if no one stared.

Then it hit me. Anne Rice, Sherrilyn Kenyon.. Two famous authors lived here and this place was practically where vampires were created in a sense. No wonder no one cared what we looked like. I guess it was pretty normal.

I guess I was way too lost in my own thoughts, that someone slapped my shoulder and I jumped. “Jesus motherfucking-” I grumbled looking beside me and saw Devin snickering at me. “I was trying too get your attention for awhile now.”

I gave him a small grin, my heart pounding against my ribs at seeing him smile. “Sorry, what’s up?”

“Well, since we barely know you, I guess I was wondering how you’re enjoying Warped. This is our second year.”

“Oh, this is my first time working at Warped Tour, but I have been too few other Warped Tours. This is my first time in four years that I’ve been back too one.” I explained.

“Why such a gap?” He asked. I kept my face somewhat straight. “No money, I’ve been looking for a job for a long time.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but I wasn’t going to tell him the exact truth at why I haven’t been too Warped in so long.

“That sucks. So, is that why you have that RV?” I shook my head, no. “No, I was living with my best friend Blake, up until a few days ago. I’m glad to be working more full time again. Instead of odd jobs.”

“What kind of odd jobs?” Chris turned his head slightly too ask me a question. “I was bouncer at a shitty club before. That was probably one of the worst ones. And then there was this temporary temp job; that wasn’t too bad, except everyone has their noses in the air when you help them do their errands.”

“Higher the power, the bigger the ego. At least for some people.” Brandon spoke up. “Got that right.” I agreed.

We came up too brightly lit up restaurant that seemed slightly worn down, but still managed to be standing. To be quite honest I liked these restaurants, they looked run down, but it was still perfectly clean and the food was usually amazing. Once we walked in, the smell of spicy and home cooked food hit my nose. “Damn, that smells good.”

“I know right.” Balz laughed. “We’ve been here once before on a tour. The food is amazing.” We each took our orders and sat down to wait for them, then we were going to head back. They started telling me stories about some of their past tours, and I couldn’t help but laugh at the way they told the story about their old bandmate Ryan who drank Rickys piss. We were all roaring by the end of it.

“Your orders are ready!” I heard the girl call. We all slowly got up and walked over to the front. I grabbed one of the bags, while Chris took one and Balz had the last one. “Thank you.” I flashed a smile. She was giving the guys ogling eyes, and I couldn’t help but laugh in my head as I could relate. They were a force to be reckoned with in the looks department. Me? I was pretty ordinary. She waved bye to us as we walked out of the place and headed back to the venue.

I guess the plan was too chill at my RV, because it was cleaner than their tour bus. I didn’t have much of a problem with it either way. I disliked people that didn’t take care of themselves not their place of living. It probably wasn’t as bad as they had made it sounded.



~

“So what do you guys want to watch” I asked as I set up my TV. “Something different. Something that has horror in it, but..” Chris trailed off, his face twisting in a way that I knew he was trying to think of the words to try and explain what he wanted to suggest.

I knew the perfect movie. It wasn’t extremely about horror, but it was creepy as fuck, had a lot of blood in it, and a good story. “I have an idea, but I got to know if you guys like anime or not.” I asked. “I have others in mind that aren’t anime, just in case you don’t.” I explained.

“Is it any good?” Ricky asked.

“Its creepy and it legit freaked me out a little when I watched it the first time. But its pretty good.”

They all looked at each other and shrugged. They turned and looked at me, saying “Sure.” simultaneously. “Alright, you fucking creeps.” I went over to the couch where Devin, Ricky and Chris were sitting. “Lift your feet up.” They complied and I bent down, opening the drawer under them, I saw them look down and gasped. “Got enough DVD’s?”

“Just enough.” I laughed. I picked out Princess Mononoke. “What’s it called?” Devin asked. I showed him the cover as I closed the drawer again and they put their feet down. “Princess? Don’t tell me its a chick flick.” Ricky saw the cover.

I laughed evilly. “You might wish it was.” I went over to the TV and popped it in. I went over to my chair and picked up my food, watching the title credits come on. The movie started and we all relaxed back in our seats, slowing digging into our food. I heard the door open, and I saw everyone look over to me curiously. “My roommate for the tour.” I explained as Jake walked in.

“ ‘Ello mate.” He greeted cheerfully. “Good afternoon, good sir.” I laughed. “We’re just about to watch a movie, care to join?” he asked. He looked at the five men sitting around on the couch and two on the floor. I could see his face turn too absolute shock. He looked at me. “Really, man?” He questioned, his voice sounded exasperated, and I knew why. I laughed. “Yes really.”

“Well, maybe after I shower.” He laughed lightly. “Oh, and I got you some food in the fridge.” I told him.

“Sweet, thanks a lot.” He quickly made his way too the little closet that I had dubbed his, and he dug out some clothes, and headed for the shower. I turned around to see the guys staring at me. “Yes?” I asked.

“Oh, nothing nothing.” Chris shook his head. Balz on the other hand blurted. “Are you gay?!” Which immediately got him swatted by four different hands. I snorted, trying hard not to laugh really loudly.

“Well no, not really. I mean I like guys and girls.”

“So you’re bi.” Chris confirmed. I nodded. Balz looked slightly confused. “So, you like-.” I cut him off.

“Basically if I was trying to get in someones pants, I would be happy with whatever I found.” I confirmed dryly. The guys threw their heads back and howled with laughter. I joined them, happy that they didn’t judge. At least I hoped they didn’t.

“So does that bother you guys or?” I asked after they calmed down. They all shook their heads. “Hell no. Why would it? You’re you, and if thats what you like, thats what you like. It doesn’t affect us in the slightest.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Thats good.” I grinned. “Oh, and I think too answer a bit further on the question earlier, Balz. Jake and I aren’t in a relationship. He’s straight as an arrow.”

I smirked. “He’s not my type anyways.” I added. They started laughing again. I smiled. They were pretty great people. Soon, the laughter died down, and we paid attention too the movie. Which was great for me, because it was at a really creepy part, where this black oozing demon thing was chasing after the main character.

“Jesus fucking christ, what the fuck is that?” Brandon freaked out, backing up against the couch.

“Oh man, this is going to be hilarious if you guys react like this.” I snickered, watching the guys flinch slightly when the thing made a rumbling growl, and grew three more arms, crawling toward the three village girls.

They slowly got into the story though, shouting at the screen when something dramatic happened. “Oh shit!” Chris yelled as the main character shot an arrow at the samurai, and it took off both his arms.

I kept glancing over at Devin, watching his enjoyment for the movie. And I felt the familiar telltale butterflies in my stomach watching him smile and laugh.

God damn, this was going to be hard. I had a bunch of new companions, and I was starting to fall for one of them. And the worst thing was, he wasn’t into men.

This tour was going to be really hard.

Notes

Chapter 3. It's kinda long, but I just couldn't help myself.

Hmm, I wonder if I should do a Ghost POV? See what he's thinking..? ;)

Anyways I hope you like it. Enjoy :3