Aster arrive to the Dandy Cafe early, properly dressed and clean shaven as he brought his violin case, ready to audition as he awaited for the band members to show up.

He took the time to adjust the pegs and tested the sound of his violin while the customers were more focused on scarfing down their breakfast. Aster held the bowstring between his fingers and strum the chords. The sound was good, but he preferred to adjust the E chord.

There was something wrong, he could tell. He tried again and played a relaxing melody, something that could melt away the tension. The clientele paid no mind to the music, they just kept eating. Aster only played the instrument for a minute or so and stopped. He felt that there was something he forgot, but couldn't figure out what it was.

Oh yes, he skipped breakfast.

Aster left early that he didn't want his aunt to notice that he had borrowed one of his cousin's suits. Actually, it belonged to his late uncle. The dark suit was rather large for his size as the sleeve doubled the space between his wrist, it was no secret that he was as thin as a stick. The orange tie was a rushed decision since he grabbed the first accesory he could find, snatched a top hat and wore a long coat from his luggage before he made a run for it.

Now his aunt had another reason to never let him back inside the house. He just hoped that all his endeavor to find a steady job wasn't in vain.

He wanted to order the cheapest thing that was on the menu. Aster looked at the prices and the cheapest thing he could get was a bottle of water.

“I could use a bagel right about now.” Aster thought to himself before Mr. Ray stepped out of his office. Mishaal was conversing with his employer about the contacts he managed to acquire, codeword for suspects that had a hand in double dealing and was determined to find. Aster went to greet Mr. Ray when a man with glasses and vile viridian orbs gave a judgemental glance at the violinist.

“Good morning, Mr. Ray.”

The entrepeneur took a once over and recognized the vagrant by his eyes and thin frame. Mishaal's first thoughts were that the lad was a new client.

“Good morning, Mr. Rhodes. I see that you've taken my advice regarding to your presentation.” Mr. Ray commented while Aster showed a broad grin.

“Of course. I wouldn't miss the audition for the world.” Aster mentioned as he held the instrument.

“I would like to stay and chat but duty calls.” Blaise hinted for Mishaal to accompany him to the exit as Aster watched the two businessmen leave the local.

“Knowing you, I assume that you only lied just to avoid small talk.” Mishaal quickly deduced.

“Precisely. I already did my part in granting the lad a vacant spot to obtain employment. Darrell will determine if the lad fits the criteria for their group or not. Regardless of the outcome, it's no longer my concern.” Blaise stated nonchalantly before taking out a cigar and placed it on his lips, ready to smoke.

Darrell was still asleep while the band exited the apartment to get breakfast without him.

Aster had plenty of time to practice, he bought a bottle of water and drank some before he resumed to play the violin. The first song he played was the Moonlight Sonata in G minor, then he played Symphony No. 9 by Beethoven and lastly played Symphony No. 5 before he put down the instrument to take a bathroom break.

One of the musicians recognized the instrument that was left on one of the tables, a violin. As Ben, J.J. and Sy waited in line to order, Morgan headed to the bathroom. Aster was washing his hands when Morgan stepped into the bathroom and hadn't recognized him before the lad greeted him.

“Morning Morgan.”

“Good morning.” The pianist replied absentmindedly as he closed the door and locked it while Aster stepped out of the bathroom. When Morgan sat down on the toilet with his pants down, it dawned on him. Was that Aster? Aster had picked his violin with one hand and the bowstring with the other when he saw the band sans Darrell.

He greeted the band by playing two or three notes and said: “Good morning, gentlemen.” They turned to see at the violinist, well dressed instead of the rags from the previous day.

“Hey.” Ben greeted with a broad grin.
“Morning, Aster.” Sy replied.
“Good morning.” J.J. said, eyeing the lad.
“How's Zib doing?” Aster asked.

“He's still asleep.” Ben stated as he turned his gaze to the menu board.

“I'll be honest with you kid, Zib is not exactly the most reliable when it comes to punctuality. He gave me a hard time when the band was starting out.” J.J gave his two cents.

“As much as I love that son of a bitch, he'll do anything to not show up. Unless there's liquor.” Sy stated as he could see Aster's smile waver for a second.

“Was the audition just a scam?” Aster asked, he eyed the musicians and their apprehensive body language gave it away. Morgan stepped out of the bathroom and saw the guys talking to Aster. The albino stood next to Aster while Ben took his turn to order the usual. Ben requested an oatmeal with cinnamon and a mocha latte.

“Hey Aster, how are you?” Morgan asked and could already tell by looking at the avoidant demeanor his bandmates made that one of them had done something.

“Oh nothing, just hanging in there.” Aster stated as he laid his chin on the chinrest and played a sad melody with a wry smile.

“Remember the audition? Well the Dandy Lion has been lying.” J.J. hinted while he shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned his head to the right.

“I got played like a fiddle.” Aster singsonged as he played a few more sad notes. “I donned the best suit I could find, I shoulda known who was the real mastermind.” Sy took his turn to order while J.J. and Morgan exchanged looks and made a silent agreement. They brought Aster to the apartment give their frontman a wake up call.

Darrell was still asleep on the sofa, in his sleepwear, supine whilst Aster crossed the hallway and stood on the carpet at the living room. The band gave him the signal to begin playing, Aster and stroked the chords with the bowstring and chose to play Dies Irae awaiting to surprise him.

Darrell rarely dreamt much of anything since he mostly got intoxicated by drinking alcohol but the current dream he had thus far was oddly peculiar. In the dream he was on stage performing with the band like usual as the electroswing got muffled by the ominous melody of a violin.

The lights turned off and the music got louder.

As he tried to play the saxophone but he felt lethargic as the lights came on, the band was no longer there. The source of the sound came from a silhouetted man, slender and sinister as the bowstring that the mysterious musician had looked like a dagger as it played the chords.

The G chord was for grievance, the E chord was for exsanguination, the A chord was for asphixiation and the D chord (which was Darrel's initial and saved for last) meant death. Coincidentally, Darrell looked above his head and there were strings that were connected to him as the strings were played in the same speed and precision as the chords.

Darrell sat on a barstool while he could see blood dripping from the strings. The sky above was a dark and endless void while the floor was an infernal light show with hellfire spreading like a disease. Flames licked the rod of the barstool and Darrell's calves.

The silhouetted violinist cut a chord just as a string broke from above. Globules of blood fell into the flames as it evaporated, the pain increased. He felt anguish as the noise got louder, the second chord also got cut, only this time Darrell was bleeding out as the second string fell into the flames, burning the string into ash. When the third chord got sliced, the red flames turned blue and Darrell couldn't breathe.

A devious grin could be seen and his eyes shimmered like two sapphires. Darrell finally saw the silhouetted violinist and he looked just like Aster.

The blade tentatively stroked the D chord while Darrell felt something sharp across his neck and the music stopped. Everything faded to black except for the sapphire orbs and the sound of a string getting plucked.

Darrell woke up in a cold sweat. His heart hammering against his ribcage but when he saw Aster face to face, he yelled. “Get out!” He grabbed an empty bottle of whiskey and threw it at Aster before the violinist scrambled out of the way as the glass bottle broke into shards.

“Rise and shine, dandy liar.” J.J. hollered.

“Fuck you!” Darrell cursed at J.J. then looked at his surroundings. He was in his apartment and saw that the rest of the band was present but then he saw Aster again, he realizing that he wasn't having another nightmare. “Why the hell is he here?!”

“We invited him in.” Sy stated, arms crossed. “Aster came early to audition and you haven't bothered to show up. It's about time you put your shit together.”

“I made no promises.” Darrell countered. Morgan and Ben crossed their arms, J.J on the other hand had smug expression on his face as he had his arm around Aster.

“C'mon Zib, just let the guy play you a song.” J.J. suggested, still giving a smug side eye while Darrell glared daggers at J.J. and at the invited guest.

“No.” Darrell got up from the sofa and walked up to the bathroom, locking himself inside the bathroom.

“Is he always like this?” Aster asked to which the band had confirmed it for themselves.

Aster felt disappointed. It was as if there was an unknown force that kept crushing his chances from moving forward. He really needed this gig but he wasn't going to keep fighting against the current.

“Thanks for inviting me.” Aster mentioned.

“No problem kid.” J.J. replied, grinning.
“I want to make one last performance if you don't mind?” Aster requested before the band complied.

Aster played the music in a similar rhythm from Darrell's nightmare. “Why do I have to hide in your shadow? I only want to make your day brighter, like how the Sun shines by your window. I want everything to change for the better.”

Darrell was still locked inside the bathroom, listening in while he brushed his teeth angrily. “He's not different from all the rest, I know what this guy will bring. I'll put this guy to the test and I'll prove that he's nothing.”

“All that I ask is for just one chance. One chance that it's not like any other. I only want you to try me just this once and if it doesn't work, it won't be a bother.” Aster crooned.

“You just want to put me in a trance. I know what you are, you're a monster. I won't be fooled by your persistance. I know what you're really after.” Darrell thought as he spat on the sink.

“There's only one thing I'm looking for and that is to turn my life around.” Aster sang as the melody turned somber, “I've searched and my journey is over, my true purpose is yet to be found.”

“I won't forget that silhouette, the flame in those eerie eyes. I won't be used like a marionette, I know that is all lies.” Darrell thought while he washed his face, he needed to clear his mind.

“I don't want you to feel so hollow. When the times get even tougher, I hope for a better tomorrow. We only need to work together.” Aster finished his performance and the band clapped. Darrell unlocked the door and stepped out of the door.

As the frontman returned to the living room, he could see that Aster was about to leave the apartment. “Wait, Aster was it?” Aster turned around and saw that Zib was still irritable. “I'll let you join the band.” The violinist blinked, assessing what he just heard. “You'll be performing with the band for one month starting tomorrow night. If you pass, you'll get your initiation to be a part of the Daisy Dukes. This is the only chance I'm giving you.”

Aster grinned. “Thank you.”

“Don't thank me yet. Once you're in, there's no way out. There won't be any do overs or second chances.” Darrell mentioned, narrowing his eyes at the violinist, “I don't want you chickening out on the last minute either. Capische?”

Aster nodded in affirmation.

“Good, you'll start rehearsing in about an hour. This is the only break you're gonna get 'cause when rehearsal starts there won't be any breaks.” Darrell warned as he walked to the kitchen to make his own breakfast still in his sleepwear before Aster went outside to get some fresh air.

After an hour had passed, Aster returned to the apartment to find that Darrell got changed and was wearing casual clothes for the rehearsal and his previously shaggy auburn hair was tied in a bun. The rest of the musicians held their own instruments while Aster joined them to practice.