#definitely not projecting with this overspecific scenario at all

[nataly-gt]

borrowers in music venues

building off my last post, i love love love the idea of borrowers being involved in human music spaces! here's a little story about it that i've had rotating in my head for a while -

a tight knit community of borrowers lives at a venue, n maybe it's a local place, smaller, offers them more leniency to mess around. they survive by collecting food scraps and extra concert items, either left behind by the audience or prepared in the kitchen / bar area.

so many bands and musicians cycle through the place, though most of them tend to be indie/ folk shows. even so, the huge crowds that they attract are seen as dangerous (rightfully so), and it's strictly prohibited for borrower folk to leave the walls during showtimes. but the constant noise into the late night makes it difficult for those living in the walls to rest - so of course, during those hours, a team of younger borrowers break the rules to venture out and see what it's all about. the only difference is that instead of an ideal laid back performance happening that night, there's a metal, hardcore band playing. this only excites the borrowers more, because- wow! all the noise, the aggression! it's so dangerous yet alluring to them.

one of them has a spot in the rafters, right over the stage, that they dare the others to go out onto. all their borrowing equipment is left behind, so in true teenager fashion they climb onto it without any regard for safety, eager to see the show unfold below them.

when the band starts playing something heavy, and the vocalist is roaring with an animalistic intensity, the swarms of people in the crowd moshing and shouting along, the borrowers realize - maybe their parents are right about humans being dangerous, evil creatures. as worried excitement begins to claim them, they realize this may be more than what they bargained for. one of them tries to leave, but is knocked off balance by a burst of noise from below. they fall the perilous height, landing next to the band's equipment in the center of the stage, injuring a leg but staying conscious. angst ensues!

it's so enthralling to imagine how the sensory aspect of a concert would be elevated at such a larger scale, the booming music engulfing the borrower completely, then the terrifying display of hundreds of giants, illuminated by flashing lights, brawling in front of them. immobilized by fear, the borrower would see the crowd ebb and flow with the music, controlled by the few humans on stage whose instruments now vibrate through their smaller form with an unbelievable intensity. they would attribute so much power to the band, especially the vocalist, whose voice becomes something out of their nightmares, their towering form commanding the mobs below the stage. guitars and drums clash around them as they lie motionless and wait for it to end, trying desperately to stay calm.

finally, when the set is finished, the borrower feels relief, hopeful that the band would leave and they might go unnoticed, but then the vocalist turns back to get their water or coat, and -oh no- they see the borrower! there's that initial phase of shock and disbelief, until they realize it's not just a tiny person, it's a kid, injured and gaping up at them with watery eyes. eager to leave, they scoop the borrower up, shielding them from all the noise and prying eyes until they find privacy backstage. their earnest attempts at reassurance have the opposite effect due to the immensity of their voice.

but following the trope of (most) metal bands being the nicest ppl ever- i imagine that they'd be so concerned for the borrower, putting aside their bewilderment to treat them with care and kindness, because obviously this tiny person is hurt and completely terrified of them. there would be so much fear to overcome, but eventually the borrower would trust them, grateful to be offered so much help by the (still very intimidating) humans who they thought would be their end. later on the borrower reunites with their friends - who were in the middle of planning a rescue mission - and they all hurry back to the settlement before the adults find out.

i like to think that both the borrowers and the band would agree to say nothing about the incident, and then part ways as if it never happened - leaving it as an ephemeral moment in time. eventually the humans file out and the venue is silent again, though an unlucky borrower's ears end up ringing for a few days after.