The stage lights dimmed to a soft, warm glow, signaling the start of the night. In the front row, Eliot sat still, balancing a small box on his knees, his eyes locked onto the stage. Nearby, C00lk1dd nudged 007n7 with a grin, both of them settling down as the first clear, gentle notes of a ukulele strummed through the silence. Guest 1337 crossed his arms, leaning back in his seat, while BuilderMan adjusted his cap, watching closely. Taph, Two Time, Chance, Shedletsky, Dusekkar, and Noob filled the rows around them, each face caught in the slow, golden pull of the melody.

The ukulele’s song was bright but a little wistful, the kind that made the air feel heavy with something unspoken. Shedletsky chuckled low under his breath, but even he fell quiet as the tune deepened. Dusekkar tapped a gloved hand lightly against his leg, and Chance tilted his head, listening with a strange kind of focus. Taph slouched down in his seat, arms crossed but eyes open wide, completely still. Behind them, C00lk1dd and 007n7 exchanged a quick glance, the music stirring something they wouldn’t dare say aloud.

It wasn’t just a song; it was the start of something bigger, stitched together by every note. Eliot leaned forward slightly, the small box in his lap forgotten for a moment, caught in the invisible thread weaving through the room. Two Time adjusted his jacket with a quick flick, trying to look casual but feeling the shift just like the rest. Noob clutched the edge of his seat, swinging his feet slightly with excitement. As the final strum of the ukulele hung in the air, the room held its breath — ready for the story to begin.