Viktor had never been more aware of his hate for loudness than now, standing at the door of a bar. Yelling echoed across the room and he almost thought a fight had broken out. He was proven wrong when his eyes met the stage. A group of five stomped across it with their boots and heavy voices. Viktor tried to take a step out but Jayce pushed him forward, leaving him with a reassuring pat on his way to the bar.

Viktor groaned and leaned against a booth. It was so chaotic. Unneedingly loud. Obnoxious. He could go on, but a lack of screaming caught his attention. It was still loud, but the sound of dying raccoons had gone. The bands were switching out. He sighed. Maybe something good would be next. Classical? Jazz? His smile fell as the next band found the stage. Their hair stuck up in places hair shouldn’t and their faces were painted a ghostly white. Carbon copy of the last.

The person on guitar had a toothy grin on their lips as they readied themself on the microphone. Viktor swigged his drink when they opened their mouth and hands raised above the instrument. God, he could tell it was going to be awful. Their hand finally swung down and an ear-shattering harmony of raspy strings echoed across the building. It was just as bad. Worse? He couldn’t tell. The bassist was the first to sing. His voice was baritone and Viktor swore he could feel the air vibrate as the mic amplified it.

The person on guitar was second. It was unexpectedly soft. Humming against the bass. A beautiful contrast. The last band had been all volume, no music. This, however, was better. Viktor couldn’t lie about that. It was tolerable. Their voice carried through the bar like a warm blanket. Viktor relished in the strange feeling.

When the band finished they disappeared behind the stage and a few moments later they spilled out like a stream. The five band members separated and dispersed into different parts of the bar. Viktor couldn’t help but straighten as the guitar player skipped right to him.