September Q&A | Part 1 of ? | Band Tier

//part 1 of the Sept. Q&A. There was quite a lot of questions this time around. Many of them very interesting hahaha many of them very funny too!//

Cory Fieldman is growing tired.

She’s worked on BOTB for three seasons and has never reached this point so soon. Usually, it takes about four weeks for her to start losing her head. Season four is proving to be a formidable opponent seeing as it’s only week two and she’s already grown bone-weary.

Plus, things aren't going so hot behind the scenes. Of course, she tries not to think about that.

“Peter,” she says, not looking away from the staff that adjust the cameras in front of the Q&A table, “do you have my coffee?

Next to her, Peter makes a face at the ceiling. She shuts her eyes, irritated. “Was I supposed to?” he squeaks.

Cory briefly considers arson before she snaps her fingers. “Bring them in. And can someone bring me a fucking coffee?” she adds in a grumble.

@literallyanyoneandeveryone “What advice would the you of today give the person you were ten years ago?”

Seven stares at the slip, crumpling it up and saying, “I’d tell my young self to run.” They lean back, clasping their hands on the table. “And don’t have too much confidence.” 

Cory snorts at that, cocking her head as she gazes at them. “In yourself?”

Seven shakes their head. “In others.” 

//

“Don’t take that job,” is O’s immediate answer before they shut their eyes and shake their head. “Actually, no. I don’t think I can say that. Had I not taken the job I would not be here today. With the band. So.” They freeze, thinking about it. “Keep your distance would be my other answer.” 

“Sounds like there’s a story there,” Cory says, leaning forward as she braces herself to hear it.

O’s smile is dry. “I’m not a cast member. You can’t force me to say anything.”

Her smile drops. Boring.

//

“I can’t think of anything,” G answers far too quickly to be natural, bright smile straining at the edges. “Victoria?”

Victoria doesn’t answer immediately. She burns holes into the table, moving only when G turns and nudges her with a frown. “Oh,” she blurts. “I’d say…” She glances at them before shrugging. “I can’t think of anything either.” G and Victoria hold each other’s gaze before they both break it at the same time, shifting uncomfortably in their seats. 

// 

“Go home,” Sebastian answers. “But I don’t know…” He thinks about it. “If I went home I wouldn’t have my daughter. Then again…” His voice trails off. “Okay, a better one.” He straightens. “Do it the right way.”

// 

“Don’t wait a year,” August answers after a silent moment. “Your parents won’t be mad and they’ll be cool about it.” They shrug, smiling a little. 

@Triple: “please, what will it take to get a crumb of triple lore? —sincerely, dedicated fan.”

Triple leans back, tapping the slip to his chin as he thinks. Cory lets out a tiny laugh. Triple is one cast member she doesn’t mind having around. Not only is he easy on the eyes, he’s a breath of fresh air after dealing with divas carrying far too much emotional baggage. “I have a horse,” he reveals. “Back home. I also have a scar on my leg from when I fell off said horse.” 

“Huh.” Cory makes a face. “I thought that whole country shtick was just branding.” 

“Never.” Triple leans back, raising his arms with a smug look. “I’m authentic, baby.” 

@band @7 @SV: Since Seven has skyrocketed past you all with a hit song and far more fans, do you ever regret booting 7 out instead of booting out the MC? Clearly, 7 is a way better singer, better performer, and... well, just better at everything than MC. MC sucks! #SV4evah #cheaterMC #dieMC!

"Now that's not true," Iris says, straightening. "MC is a great singer and our streams and fans got a bump after Seven left." As if realizing what she said, she calms down. "Not to say Seven is bad but you know." A nervous laugh. "Things happen for a reason, right? We can't regret stuff that benefited us, you know? Like." She looks around, visibly seeking help. "Right?"

"Hm," Cory says, biting back her amused smile.

"We play to our strengths." O's voice is flat. "It's obvious that decision benefited both this band and Seven. There's nothing to regret about something that improved the lives of everyone involved."

Iris calms down. The rest of the band is visibly relieved to have O in the room. "Exactly," she says, raising her nose.

"And I advise you next time to filter the questions," O leans back, "lest we assume this production is unprofessional?"

Cory's smile is tight. "Of course not," she says through her teeth.

@SV what was it like rehearsing for the first competition?! What’s the best advice Misfit Alley gave you ?

The band thinks about it. Avina, as usual, speaks first. “None of us had any worries for Seven,” they say, squeezing Seven’s arm. Cory has to refrain from looking exasperated. Avina lays it on a bit too thick, don’t they? Cory is tempted to ask if that’s on purpose or not. She’s not entirely sure which answer would be better. “Seven rarely messes up on stage.”

“You don’t need to lie,” Seven replies, smiling at Avina anyway. 

Kieran and Pope share a look before Kieran huffs. “Well, I was pissing my pants if anyone cares.” He shrugs. “We rehearsed like our lives depended on it. I still have blisters.” 

Seven and Avina are still looking at each other before Sev breaks the staring contest and looks ahead. “Misfit Alley told us to treat every performance like it’s our last. So that’s what we did.”

“If we had to perform one last time, we’ll give our all,” Avina supplies.

Cory makes a face. “Huh…that’s surprisingly wise advice. G didn’t tell you that, did they?”

“They did,” Pope finishes. 

Cory’s face twists into one of disbelief. “Okay. I see.” 

@7 did you ever get to experience Amnesiac at Sixteen live for real this time?

Seven surprises Cory by perking up, eyes brightening with a sheen that she hasn’t seen from them before. “I did,” they explain. “I didn’t get to the first time I saw Misfit Alley but I went again.” They shake their head, the awe visible in their eyes. “Still their best song to this day.” Avina grins, nudging Seven. “I’m serious!” Seven says, flaunting a grin. “The lyrics, the instrumentals. There’s nothing like it.”

“Seven listens to it on repeat every night,” Avina reveals. 

“It’s annoying,” Pope groans good-naturedly. 

Seven simply shrugs, failing to bite back a laugh.  “Good music is good music.”

“You know,” Cory says after a thoughtful moment, “you’re much better when you don’t have a stick up your ass.” 

“Should you be talking to a cast member like this?” Pope guffaws. 

Cory shrugs. “I’m just saying. You should smile more. Makes you look more approachable.”

Seven’s smile falls. “Yes, well,” they look away, tucking a lock of hair behind their ear, “there’s not much to smile about these days.”

Cory doesn’t mention the fact that they’re on a show or that they’re becoming famous by the second. She simply nods. “Fair enough.”

@O what name should your fan club have? You deserve more screen time king/queen

Rowan perks up in his seat. “Oh, I can answer this,” he says, rubbing his palms together. “I thought very long and hard about what we should call your fans now that you’re on this show with us.”

“I’m not on this show with you and I have no fans,” O says in one breath. 

“You’re technically on the show,” Iris supplies, smiling at the way O makes a revolted face. 

Cory scoffs, shaking her head. “You are,” Cory insists. “And you do.” 

O frowns. “I did not ask for fans.”

“You don’t ask for fans,” Devyn nudges them. “You just get them.” 

“Well, I don’t want them.”

“Too bad,” Rowan says, grinning. “Anyway, want to hear my idea for your fan club?”

Sighing, Iris leans back in her chair, bracing herself. “It’s going to be something terrible I bet—”

“Orios.” He claps his hands together. 

Silence. 

“I think that’s copyright infringement,” O says. 

“You don’t like having fans?” Cory inquires.

O shakes their head. “I’m not anyone to be a fan of.”

@blake how can [band] be a bunch of naive ingenues and also devious enough to cheat at high-profile competition? how is it more believable that a bunch of rookies even knew how to pull strings to get themselves on BotB and not an experienced band of middling talent who pitched a fit in a desperate last-ditch attempt at a level of success out of alignment with their ability?

Blake narrows their eyes before cutting their gaze up to Cory. “This feels like it was asked in bad faith.” Cory snorts out a laugh despite every intention to rein it in. She quickly covers her mouth. With a smug look, Blake puts the slip down and shrugs. “Obviously, they had help. I’m not dumb enough to think they did all of it on their own. You can be naive in some things and devious in others. We’re made of multitudes.” 

“Oh, because you are sooooo complex,” Cory snipes, equally smug, and Blake nods.

“Of course I am.” Blake flips their head with dramatic flair. “Attractive and talented. Smart and fun. Funny too—”

“Alright.” Cory shakes her head. “We got your point…even if we are cutting this part from the edit. The last thing we need is to have BOTB’s involvement in the public consciousness.” 

@soft_violence have any of you ever written any songs that you haven't yet recorded because they'd work better as duets?

Avina’s head immediately whips to Seven, their smile a slow but growing light on their face. Seven continues peering ahead, brows furrowing in visible concentration. “I don’t—”

“We have,” Avina says, nudging their elbow. Seven’s turns to them, cocking their head, and Avina makes a face. “Remember?” Avina lowers their voice, mumbling what Cory presumes is the title of a track. Seven’s eyes light up and then they nod. 

“Right,” they say, cutting their eyes to the side of the room as they think about it. “That’s right. Yeah.” 

Cory wants to laugh, fighting the urge that rises in her as it usually does when she sees Soft Violence interacting. 

“Seven is our main writer,” Pope explains, leaning on the hind legs of his chair, “Avina is their co-writer. Meanwhile, Kieran and I sit back and do nothing.” He has a smug smile on his face as he rests his hands behind his head, wiggling his brows. Kieran sits next to him, nodding, his grin less smug and more sincere. 

“So you’re less talented. Got it,” Cory deadpans. Pope’s smile falls and he drops his chair with an unceremonious thud. She doesn’t let him respond. “So those songs are collecting dust in a journal somewhere?”

“I’m not really a singer,” Avina says slowly. 

Seven purses their lips and shrugs. “They’re not meant to be out there, I guess. I’m not a big fan of duets anymore anyway. I like singing alone.”

“Huh.” Cory gives them a look. “I wonder why.” 

“I’ve adjusted to singing by myself,” Seven says after a brief glare at her. “It took a while but I did it. And I’m not going back.”

@avina were you Seven’s fan when they were still a part of [band]?

“Well.” Avina thinks about it. “Yes,” they say, “but not really. I mean, I knew who they were and I really liked them. Okay, yeah. Sure.” Avina nods. “I was but I wasn’t…planning to get them in the band.” They raise their palms, laughing nervously. “I’m not like that.”

“No one said you were,” Cory says, brow quirked. 

“I just…I’ve seen that around, you know,” they clarify, shrugging. “There wasn’t a scheme to get Seven to join us. It just happened.” 

@Maya how does it feel supporting cheaters and losers? That shit is obviously rigged. Love you UWB!!!

The fan, Maya, frowns. “Can I curse in this?” she asks, making her father’s eyes widen next to her. 

Cory gives her a dry smile. “I’d rather you not. Plus, aren’t you like, twelve? Should you even be watching this show?”

“Underground Wastebasket sucks and the band didn’t cheat.” Maya slams her hand against the table, ignoring Cory. “And when they win everyone will be sorry.” 

Cory rubs the bridge of her nose tiredly. 

@FRANTICFANATIC32: hardest loss in life??

“Your old self, I guess,” G answers, shrugging. “Sometimes I think back to before this career and I realize I miss stuff about my life that I don’t have anymore. So it’s like grieving all over again. Every time.” 

Cory doesn’t know what to say at first. For a singer-songwriter, G Reign isn’t usually very introspective. She’s not sure if that’s on purpose or not. 

Then G is looking momentarily revolted. “I brought the vibes down, didn’t I?”

// 

Seven says nothing. Cory shakes her head. “You don’t have to answer that,” she says, smiling knowing she got them. Seven is so easy to bother. It amazes her that a singer like them—someone so public—can be so easily ruffled. “We all know the answer anyway.”

Seven gives her a sharp look. 

//

“Losing love is a good one,” Victoria answers. “Realizing your relationship isn’t what it was when it was good. That sucks.”

“Are you speaking from experience?” Cory asks, curious.

“No,” Victoria says quickly. She averts her gaze, a pink flush creeping up her neck.  “It’s just a thought.”

@MC and 7 and Avina: MC, how does it feel to be easily replaced? (I bet you thought you were special or smth, ha!) 7, when will you change the initials on your wrist to "AK" and complete the "replacement"? wink wink Avina, will you get 7's initials as a tattoo? It would suit you so much more than that loser <3 I'm sure 7 agrees with me, tell them 7!! #savinabelong2gether

•  MC, how does it feel to be easily replaced?

“Don’t answer that,” Iris immediately says. “MC can never be replaced. At least not by us.” She grabs their arm, forcefully pulling them closer. 

Rowan’s brows furrow. “What are they even talking abou—oh.” Rowan glances at MC and shakes his head. Something like discomfort crosses his face but he says nothing else. Devyn says nothing, matching his expression with an equally uncomfortable one of her own. 

• 7, when will you change the initials on your wrist to "AK" and complete the "replacement"?

Seven is clearly at a loss for words. “What?” they blurt after Avina finishes reading the question. Pope and KIeran share a look, a secret message passing over them.

“Good question,” Cory says, unable to tamp down her mischief. She can’t help but notice the way Avina stares at the tattoo a little harder. Far too intensely focused. 

“I’m not getting someone else’s initials tatted on me,” Seven says with a dry laugh. “One time was enough.” They glance at Avina, brows furrowing when a weird look crosses their face. “No offense.”

“None…taken?” Avina says oddly, leaning away. Something weird passes between them. Seven looks around the room, clearly trying not to look at Avina. Meanwhile, Avina burns a hole in the table, avoiding Seven just as much as Seven is avoiding them. 

• Avina, will you get 7's initials as a tattoo? It would suit you so much more than that loser <3 I'm sure 7 agrees with me, tell them 7!! #savinabelong2gether

Seven scowls. “Ouch,” Cory says, grimacing. “Usually we filter out the hate comments.” 

“Sure you do,” Seven says through their teeth, plucking the slip from Avina’s hands and tearing it up. “You don’t have to answer that.” Seven’s protective streak shines in the room as Avina tries to keep a brave face. “And…you shouldn’t call someone names. MC’s band won this week anyway. ‘Loser’ is the last thing they are.” 

Pope pouts. “I still think we should’ve won.” 

“Savina is a perfect name,” Cory responds, twisting the knife. “It’s almost like fate.”

Seven says, “Not really,” the same time Avina says, “It’s nice but…” Seven gives Avina a look and they shrug. “I just mean the name. That’s it.” 

Seven frowns. “My name goes with everything. My name with Pope would be…”

“Sope,” Pope says, perking up. 

“Soap?” Kieran blurts. “Ours would be Keven.”

“Kevin,” Pope echoes with a laugh.

Avina looks relieved at how easily Pope and Kieran lighten the air. Traces of struggle still shine on Seven’s face as they visibly battle with whatever it is they’re internally battling with. Cory is tempted to keep poking and poking as she usually does. Eventually, the dam that is Seven Lawless will break. She just hopes it’s sooner rather than later.

And that she gets it on camera. 

Seven sighs. “You get what I mean. My name goes with everything. It means nothing.” Avina nods but says nothing to that. 

@Iris and Devyn: (If exes) Do you ever think what would you do if the vote were about your partner instead of 7? Would you think that it was "just business"? Or do you think your relationship is more important than theirs?

“Neither Devyn or I are lead singers,” Iris explains with a forcefully careless shrug. “So it wouldn’t happen. And people fail to mention that Seven was fine with the …At least we thought they were.”

“Business is business,” O says, voice flat, “hard decisions are expected to be made when you work with friends.”

“They weren’t asking you,” Cory snipes.

O shrugs. “And yet I still answered.” They finish off their response with a smug smile. Cory rolls her eyes. 

@band: It seems you have a habit of treating people like used napkins. First 7 and now Jazzy... How long till you get fed up with MC's drama and get rid of them "for the sake of the band"?

“Jazzy left because she was pregnant,” Rowan answers. “As for Seven…” His voice trails off. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat. “You know.” 

“We’ll never get rid of MC,” Devyn answers. “And that’s that.”

“That’s that,” Cory echoes mockingly. “But I’m sure you’ve said that about Seven before they left, no?”

Devyn’s confidence dies. “Yeah. You’re right.” Much to Cory’s dismay, that’s the end of that conversation. They deserve an award in avoidance, surely. 

@Avina (after MC was nice to them in the car): have you met MC yet? What'd you think of them, and do you think you could be friends? Don't see with Seven's eyes. See with your own.

“Don’t see with Seven’s eyes’? What’s that supposed to mean?” Avina looks at Seven with an accusatory intensity. Seven simply shrugs helplessly. Pope seems like he wants to say something but decides against it when he physically bites his lower lip. “I think MC is nice enough. I only know what Seven told us but.” They glance at Seven again. “I have no problems with them personally.” A shrug. “As an…individual.”

“Seven, do you tell them not to talk to MC?” Cory asks, tilting her head. 

Seven frowns. “No,” they say firmly but their gaze shifts away from the camera. “They can do whatever they want.” 

“We’re loyal to Sev,” Kieran explains, “but Seven never told us to stay away.” 

“Oh?” Cory nods slowly. “Would you be friends with MC, Avina?”

Avina looks at Cory for a long moment before glancing at Seven. “I don’t know,” they answer. 

UndergoundBumBassket: @everypony, have you ever searched up fanfics of yourselves??

“I can’t say I have. Not willingly,” Blake answers flatly. “Though it does sound tempting.”

“It does not,” Jane replies. 

//

“I love reading them,” G chirps happily, much to the dismay of their band. “Stories with Victoria are boring. No offense, Vic.” They glance at their wife. “It’s too close to reality. I like when she’s a bus driver or something. Makes me laugh.” Victoria gives G a weird look. “My favorites are the ones with Q.” 

“You have favorites?” Dionne guffaws.

G nods, appearing smug. “Bookmarked and saved, darling.” 

“G likes to send excerpts to our group chat,” Mateo explains, looking tired of the conversation already. “I just delete the message before I scar myself by reading a line.” 

“I don’t read them,” Victoria answers. “I’ve been given a lot of…weird stuff over the years. I’ve drawn my line. Plus, you get a lot of that when you’re an actor. People get super passionate about their on-screen couples even if they’re fake. I know there’s a few stories of me and my co-stars floating around somewhere.” She pretends to shiver. “Weird.”

G, next to her, is simply amused. 

//

“No,” Seven answers immediately. “I don’t like any of that stuff. Social media is weird.”

“You’re such an old person,” Avina jokes and Seven smiles. “We send Seven those cool videos and all kinds of things the fans make online and they don’t know how to react.” 

“I think you have a problem with being perceived,” Pope jokes.

Seven appears thoughtful. “Maybe,” they concede, completely serious. 

“I’ve never done it,” Kieran answers. “I’ve learned not to search my name up on the internet pretty early.” 

“Same,” says everyone else in perfect unison. 

// 

“O doesn’t let us,” Rowan pouts. “You know, I should write one with us two.” Rowan wiggles his brows at his manager, who simply gives him a nasty look. 

“Don’t do that,” O demands. 

“Okay, fine.” Rowan shrugs. “August then.”

“No,” is August’s only response. 

“Do you think there’s some of Devyn and me?” Iris says, straightening. Her eyes light up at the thought and she begins fishing for her phone. 

“Obviously,” Rowan says dryly. 

“Oh my God,” Iris is laughing, “there’s some with me and Jazzy. And Devyn and Jazzy? How do I report this?”

“Iris,” Devyn says with a laugh. 

@sigmasquadron82A: whats everyones WORST fears

Seven & Blake: “My mom dying.”

G: “…I don’t want to say.”

O: “Fear is all in the head. I have none.”

Victoria: “Spiders? Snakes?’

Sebastian: “Losing my daughter.”

@Underground Wastebasket, how did you guys meet and start the band? what are some of your favorite memories as a group? Jane, you're the prettiest person alive and you should know it mwah mwah ♥♥♥

“We met through a mutual friend in the industry who thought we’d make a good group,” Jane explains, hands clasped in front of her. The memory flashes across her face in the form of a smile. “We work really well together so they were right in a way. And thank you. I don’t get compliments like that a lot.”

Blake frowns. “I call you pretty every day.”

“Well, you’re obligated to as my member,” Jane says with a laugh. 

“My favorite memory would have to be our first performance,” Ansel explains. “We were just so in-sync so quickly. Brought the house down.” 

Blake smiles. “Yeah.” Then their smile drops. “It’s not how I imagined my career would be but I’m not mad at it.” They appear thoughtful as they lean back in their seat, heaving a sigh. 

“That’s…sweet?” Cory says. 

@g_reign if you could have any of the bands in BotB swap lead singers for a single performance, who would you choose and why?

G leans back and smiles. “Blake Winter and any other band. Maybe singing songs with actual good lyrics will make them realize they’re in the wrong profession and undergo a much-needed career change.”

Almost immediately Dionne nudges them. Cory snorts, pleased by the answer. G is a snippy one but one thing’s for sure: they will always be good TV. 

@quinn_mgmt_llc @viktorwhite @heavenly_isle_official plz help settle a biz school debate: what is the biggest sign that an artist has outgrown their band and should become a solo act?

Viktor: “When you’re not making any money.”

O: “When you’re no longer making art that speaks to you.”

xX642xXMeow: have any of you heard of omegaverse

“What the fuck is that?” Seven asks. 

Turns out most of the cast don’t know what that is. Cory isn’t too confident she knows what that is. 

@poptastic1_: what are the most popular ships you guys see?

“I can answer that,” Cory says, smiling dryly. “Most popular ships in BOTB are Seven and Avina—”

Seven makes an uncomfortable face. “Really?” Avina blurts. Cory can’t read their expression. Pope looks pleased. 

“Blake and G,” Cory continues.

“That’s foul,” G answers as their band snickers. “Blake would be blessed to even stand in my presence.”

Meanwhile, Blake scowls. “Okay,” is the only word that comes out of their mouth. They shift uncomfortably in their seat.

Cory raises another finger. “Seven and M—”

“You don’t have to finish it,” Seven says. “I know what you’re going to say.” Avina seems to know too because they frown.

“Blake and Rowan,” Cory continues. 

“Oh, fuck off,” Rowan blurts, slapping his palms on the table. “That’s sick. Why couldn’t it be someone like Jax? I like Jax.”

“That’s the problem,” Cory snorts, “they don’t want you to be with someone you like. That ruins the fun.” 

Blake, on the other hand, finds it amusing. “Rowan wishes.”

@G from @UnfitMisfit Do you think [MC] can become a better singer than you? Is [band] capable of becoming the next Misfit Alley?

"No one can become a better singer than me," G says sweetly, "but if there were someone to get close it would be MC."

"Your favoritism is very subtle," Cory jokes back, making a mental note to cut this out.

"Whatever," G says, waving a hand. "Anyway, no band is capable of becoming the next Misfit Alley because no other band has me." G says it as cheerfully as possible, putting their fingers to their cheeks when they grin.

"Your arrogance is also very subtle," Cory adds, this time without a trace of humor.

"Okay. All jokes aside." G thinks about it and shrugs. "I don't want any band to try to be the next misfit Alley. They should be their own thing. Don't be the next Misfit Alley. Be the first [band]."

Cory, for once, actually likes their answer. "I agree," she says, surprising herself with how sincere she sounds.

@Amy are there any real-life band inspirations behind some of the band names and members, if you don't mind me asking?

Frantic! was inspired by Panic! At the Disco's name hahah as well as Misfit Alley's Juliet music video. The whole circus theming and such. The name The Painkillers was inspired by a band called The Vaccines. Aside from that, most of the band names just came to me! Seven's bandana is partially inspired by Axl Rose. Plus I thought it looked cool.

@7 would you press a button that ensures Soft Violence won BOTB but every person you hear for the rest of your life will sound exactly like @MC

"No," is Seven's only answer.

@everybody is it lame to ask about favorite movies? i need to know who's normal and who's the film snob

(thought long and hard about these)

August: "I have too many. I can't choose one." (Pulp Fiction, American Psycho, Goodfellas, Whiplash…yeah. August is the film snob.)

Victoria: Clueless or Carrie

Seven: Dead Poets Society or The Lion King

G: The Truman Show or Shaun of the Dead or 10 Things I Hate About You

Sebastian: ET

O: Oldboy or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

@August @MC how does it feel to be sleeping with each other :wink: :wink:

"I think you're confused," August says. MC doesn't react beyond a nod. "Right? This is supposed to say something else, isn't it?"

"It's what it says," Cory responds.

"Oh." August thinks about it. Then they start to laugh. Neither August nor MC answers the question directly. "That's funny," is all August says.

@SV: now that you're on tour, what's the thing you miss most from home? How do you guys like to spend your time in the tour bus?

"I miss my mom," Seven says, face darkening. "I miss her homecooked food."

"Definitely that," Avina agrees. "My mom's food. I just miss the smell of home."

"My own bed," Pope pipes in. "My back not hurting from those fucking bunks."

"Same," Kieran adds. "As for spending our time, I like sleeping. The performances take a lot out of us." Kieran shrugs. "I use all of my free time to sleep."

"Songwriting for me mostly," Seven adds. "The bus is relaxing at night."

"Me too," Avina smiles. "We write together. Our best songs come from our joint writing hours. Right?" Seven nods, forcing out a smile.

"There's not much to do on the bus," Pope decides. "It's just about waiting for the next stop. For our next performance. That's our life now."