Excaliburd wasn't your normal metal band.

Not that most metal bands would classify anywhere near normal, but Excaliburd took it even a step beyond that.  Led by frontman Richard "Rich" Gallian, bandmembers had to be Wildtouched, and had to be public with that fact, as shifting midshow was a feature and selling point for the whole band.

It'd definitely helped them break into the tough world of metal bands having an actual supernatural gimmick.  And Wildtouched who were active and public flocked to them.  The fact they weren't JUST shapeshifting on stage, but had actual talent and skill was helpful too.  Wildtouched were still working to get better public recognition and break the stigma.

As they prepared for their show, Rich flashed a grin to his bandmates as they headed out to the stage.  This was his way of showing they were just normal people.  Certainly people with an unusual ability, but people nonetheless.  Not monsters to be feared, or curiosities to be dissected, or weapons to be used.  Just people who had the same wants.  Family.  Privacy.  Music.  Hobbies.

The crowd was restless, a cheer went up as they started out into the lights.  Rich grabbed a microphone.  "Baytown, are you ready to GET WILD?!" he yelled out to them, eliciting another cheer.  He grinned, playing a quick riff as the cameras focused in and his friends took their places for the first song in the set.

As he played, he poured himself into the music.  It was another thing that made this special.  It wasn't just stock metal sounding music, it was about the experience of being Wildtouched, before it even had a name.  Finding out when you were a teenager, or perhaps older.  Shifting at inconvenient times, or when you got excited.  Having to hide this from people who didn't understand it, your family, your friends.

He played, and played.  Time passed in a blur as he focused, fingers playing over the strings even as he started shifting as his emotions peaked.  He stopped for a moment between songs to catch his breath, smiling and pumping the crowd.

And yet...

Tomorrow, it would be gone.  All of it.  The crowds.  The lights.  The arena.  Even the other band members.  When the Baytown simulation ended, only Rich would remain, along with the memories of his private fantasy.  And he'd once again be Fegov's EMT.

But it was tonight that counted.  And he had a show to put on.

Richard's an EMT normally, but metal music is his hobby, and he's imagined himself as a metal star more than a few times.  Kaerwyn offers unique opportunities to live this out through Baytown, a city-sized simulator or holodeck.  It costs some money and is definitely a 'sometimes' treat, but here he gets to live his fantasy.

I didn't originally envision this picture to have a story, but it came out so fantastic I thought it deserved one.  I also wanted to name it "Rock out with your Hawk out" but apparently I already used that title, so I came up with a new one.

Baytown, Kaerwyn, and Fegov all belong to Jakkal.  It's an RP setting you (yes, YOU!) can join; check it out!

Art was a YCH by LittleBadWolf/BigGoodWolf