𝐇𝐈𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 :: 𝗝. 𝗝ordison. [ˢˡⁱᵖᵏⁿᵒᵗ]

𝘃𝗼𝗹 ⑦: 𝖈𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝖘𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻

Ⅶ

NOW PLAYING:
«Choke», Kittie
1:15 ───ㅇ───── 4:07

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July 18th, 2000.
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𝔄s Tiffany caught her breath, the chaotic energy of the performance still lingered in the air. She could hear the distant cheers and the muffled sounds of the ongoing spectacle, but in this brief moment of solitude, she allowed herself to succumb to the physical toll of her intense drumming.

The cool ground beneath her offered a stark contrast to the heated atmosphere on stage. Her vibrant hair, once tied back in a ponytail, now hung loose, mirroring the disarray of her emotions. The sounds of the chaos carnival she had just orchestrated echoed in her ears, a rhythmic ghost that seemed to dance with the pounding of her heart.

The brief respite provided a window into the dichotomy of Tiffany's existence — the explosive performer who could command a stage with unparalleled authority and the vulnerable individual seeking solace in the quiet aftermath.

As she sat there, surrounded by the remnants of her own vitality, the world beyond the stage felt distant. The crowd's roars and the distant beat of the music were replaced by the rustling of leaves and the occasional chirp of a nocturnal creature. The contrast was a reminder of the dual nature of her reality, the turbulent onstage persona and the quieter, introspective moments that followed.

In the midst of this solitude, Tiffany allowed herself a moment of reflection. The events on stage, the confrontation, the unexpected turn of events — it all swirled in her mind like a tempest. The adrenaline that had fueled her actions now gave way to a more contemplative state.

She closed her eyes, attempting to shut out the external stimuli and focus on the steady rhythm of her own breathing. In this stillness, she sought to regain a sense of balance, to reconcile the raw intensity of the performance with the vulnerability that lingered beneath the surface.

As she gradually regained her composure, Tiffany knew that the night was far from over. The stage awaited her return, and the pulsating energy of the crowd called for an encore. With a determined exhale, she pushed herself off the ground, a renewed fire in her stormy gaze.

As she heard footsteps approaching from beside her, Tiffany tensed. Someone settled down, and when she looked up, a surge of fear nearly made her jump. A white, emotionless mask confronted her, adorned with intricate black and red lines beneath the eyes and mouth that appeared almost haphazard to her. Then, with a subtle revelation, the individual in the mask and dark blue jumpsuit lifted it, and she breathed a sigh of relief as her stormy gaze connected with Joey's radiant azure blue eyes.

The tension that had coiled within Tiffany's body slowly released as the white mask was lifted, revealing the familiar features of Joey beneath. The intricate black and red lines that adorned the mask added an enigmatic touch, and for a moment, she was caught between the initial surge of fear and the relief that flooded her when she saw Joey's comforting gaze.

Their eyes locked, and in the silent exchange, there was a shared understanding that transcended words. Tiffany could sense the concern in Joey's eyes, the unspoken acknowledgement of the intensity of the performance and the unexpected turn of events. It was a connection forged in the crucible of their shared passion for music and the unpredictable nature of life on the stage.

Without a word, Joey extended a hand towards her, offering support. Tiffany accepted the gesture, the warmth of Joey's touch grounding her in the present moment. The azure blue eyes that met hers held a depth of understanding, as if Joey could decipher the complex emotions that swirled within Tiffany's stormy gaze.