Truly Twisted (Floyd Leech x OC)

"You know you gotta pay for that," Floyd said as he walked behind the counter, placing a ticket in front of Jade.

"What?!" Grim, Deuce, and Ace exclaimed.

"Ophelia wasn't paying for it!" Ace argued.

"It comes outta her pay."

Azul walked out from the hallway, grabbed Ophelia and pulled her to the VIP room. "I need a concert," he said bluntly. "Something people will want to hear. Please tell me you can do that."

Azul was panicking, and that was unsettling.

"Um, what?"

He grabbed her by her blazer, pulling her close to his face, desperate, "Please, Ophelia."

She gently pried his hands from her, "Alright, start from the beginning."

"I had people invested in Ramshackle becoming a branch of Mostro Lounge. It was supposed to be available to the public, like our school store. That was last year when the investors voiced their interest."

Ophelia sat on the couch, "Little Miss Ramshackle was a sound investment."

"Not without you doing tours."

She played with the bracelet, staring at the golden jewels, "How's that recording studio comin' along?"

He looked at her, "Why?"

"There's somethin' I got that no one else's got." She frowned a bit, "I never thought I'd be playin' it. Kinda wish I'd stayed home a little longer."

Azul put his hands on his hips, "Would you quit being vague?"

"Country music," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Somethin' only my world can offer." She toyed with her bracelet, "I heard Rook usin' French. Seems other languages exist somewhere in this world. Means different dialects, different tones. I only heard Epel talkin' like me. I ain't done much research into it, but...it's all I got."

"Let's get a sample and see how well it goes," Azul said.

She followed him out and went to the stage. The students went silent with anticipation. Once she had the microphone adjusted and a guitar ready, "This isn't somethin' y'all've heard before." She cleared her throat, "Um, as y'all know, most of my songs come from my world, but y'all've got similar songs here in Twisted Wonderland. What I play tonight, you won't find anywhere else. So, I hope ya like it."

Perhaps her music was closer to bluegrass. A small technicality, but she could hear the difference. She had to switch instruments on occasion and the ones where she used a violin were particularly difficult.

But, the songs were old, 40, 50, maybe even 60 or more years old. That's when there was good country music. Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash were nothing short of royalty in the eyes of most country music fans.

It was a piece of herself she often ignored. In more recent years, country had lost its way. The stories told weren't as emotional. What was sung back in the old days was deep and real. The modern country felt like they were inspired by one night stands or the end goal was a one night stand.

She enjoyed the love, the hate, the betrayal, and the healing of old songs. They were refreshing...and Ophelia found Mostro Lounge filled to bursting when she finished her last song.

Students that made a point to not go to Mostro Lounge were present. Riddle, Lilia, even Hornton was present.

She lowered the violin and bowed.

The applause shook Ophelia. When she stepped off the stage, she was swarmed. It seemed her talents had been forgotten since Halloween. Not that she had much motivation or reason to perform in Mostro Lounge.