Back? # **Chapter Twenty-One: Baby, Please Come Home** *The Magispace, 6:55 PM* --- Song(s): **All I Want For Christmas Is You – Idina Menzel** --- “Nuro, you’d better pull this off…” Burgundy’s heart pounded furiously as she waited backstage for her cue. The Festival’s gates were due to open in five minutes. The grounds were ready to welcome a host of eager guests, and the sweet sound of festive music would soon echo across the frosted fields. Even better, Nuro and the others were -- against all odds -- on their way home. The organizers had received a message from Sydney, complete with a photo of their friends in their matching festive ensembles. The caption: Be there soon -- let’s get ready to rock! :) That had been two hours ago. The show was about to begin, and as each minute ticked by, their radio silence grew more unnerving. A few last-minute tweaks to the concert’s running order had been made, buying them as much time as possible. Any song featuring the travellers was moved to later in the night, their set serving as a ‘grand finale’ of sorts. It wasn’t much, but hopefully it would make a difference. As she drew in a ragged breath, Fileran came up behind her. “Alright, Miranda, darling, you’re up. Give ‘em hell.” “I still don’t get why we gave me the opening number.” “Because Fi insisted that we’ve ‘gotta start with Mariah,” Taron groused, approaching, “and you can do the only rendition of that godforsaken song that doesn’t make me wanna claw my ears out.” Burgundy giggled, and he grinned. “Knew that’d get a smile out of you. You’ve looked miserable all evening. Everything’s gonna be fine, okay?” “That’s optimistic, coming from Mister Glass-half-empty himself,” Fileran teased. “The idea that the others are gonna come home in time sounds completely insane. And if anyone can pull off ‘insane,’ it’s those lunatics.” Although his words were cruel, his voice held nothing but respect. “Yeah,” Burgundy blushed, thinking of her boyfriend and his reckless determination. “It’s great, isn’t it.” “As long as it doesn’t lead to me nearly getting killed, I guess so.” The final notes of the orchestral overture faded away, and the lights went out, signalling Burgundy to take her place. As she stepped out onto the darkened stage, she drew a deep, cleansing breath, ready to give her all. The curtains went up, the music swelled around her, and everything else melted away. The show must go on.