Cadence listened intently to every word Ezvin spoke. She didn't feel like he was stepping on her toes or pushing her aside. This was the reason he was here. This is what she had wanted from her producer. This moment beginning with Matt's solo - no - beginning when she had spoken to him - would change the face of her group forever. Cadence had known that her words had sparked something within him. She had planted a seed of inspiration that had bloomed into something unexpected and wonderful, and as Ezvin spoke to the group, she could see that seed spreading to the rest of her group.
They followed Ezvin's directions and began the song a third time. She could sense the pulse of the group, deeper than Cara's rhythmic heartbeat. There was an excitement in the group that hadn't existed before. Matt got to his solo and the group backed him, letting him take the reins for this moment, Ezvin's sound adding to the tapestry that Cadence wove. Cadence just smiled, waiting for her moment to come back in.
The song ended the group began to find their rhythm in the session. They would usually calm down with a ballad, but the energy was there a Cadence moved for another fast piece, but their was a significant difference in this session as compared to the previous ones. Ezvin had used the word 'collaboration' and this session truly became one. The musicians weren't afraid to take risks and step out, and the band backed them up every time. Instead of bickering at the end of the take, time was used to encourage and reflect. It wasn't perfect - sometimes the risk didn't work, but they were finding that most of the time it did. No voice was silenced, and mostly, Cadence let it happen. She stepped in when necessary, but it was minimal. They knew her vision well, and they aligned with it.
The group started a third song, and despite the interruptions after each take, they were extremely productive. The sheet music became a framework only, and the group expanded and adjusted, finding an amazing balance. They lost track of time - finding a new love for what they did for a living. As a group, they allowed themselves to become lost in the music. Cadence kept herself from crying tears of joy. What she wanted from this album was this - complete and utter genuineness. She was watching her dream become a reality right before her.
Ending the third song - Cadence looked at the clock - 1:00 PM. They should have broke for lunch an hour ago, but time had moved past them. The energy still buzzed in the room when Cadence spoke. "Guys - break for lunch. We need it." she didn't stifle a smile as the group actually seemed a little disappointed to stop, but they understood they needed it. As did she.
The quartet left and Cadence dropped into a chair feeling euphoric. Her hands were shaking, fueled by adrenaline instead of anxiety. She turned her gaze towards Ezvin. "If I feel this way now, how am I going to feel when I'm in front of a crowd. What did you do to my band, Ezvin?" she laughed and answered her own question. "I know - it was me. I did...something. I'm not sure how I did it, but I trusted it. I'm changing - and it's not a bad thing - even if I'm not sure what's going on. I thought my gift was music - but maybe there is more to it than that. Maybe - I'm discovering myself a little more."
Cadence was aware that now she only shared the room with Ezvin and the ever watchful Aline. Cadence knew her contract with Pervaya Liniya meant that Aline wouldn't reveal anything said or done in this room, so when she began to speak, she wasn't worried. Her instincts told her now was the time. "You know, my mother - my real mother - died when I was born. My father blamed me for it. For six years I was abused mentally, emotionally, and physically. It wasn't until the school got CPS involved that he decided to abandon me. My therapists have told me that I'll likely be dealing with the emotional scars for the rest of my life," she paused, collecting her thoughts. "For the next seven years, I would cycle through nine foster homes, each one unable to deal with a child with such deep trauma. It wasn't until I was thirteen that I would be taken in by two women who decided they wouldn't give up on me. They fostered my musical ability, letting me delve into it for the comfort I needed."
Cadence smiled as she thought of them and the impact that they had on her. Even those who knew her backstory didn't know all of it - her mothers were the only two who did. "They saved my life. I started seeing therapists after that," She leaned closer to him. "The video that went viral - the one that made me a household name - I was at that open mic night because the only time I didn't feel anxious was when I performed and my therapist thought that getting out and performing would help. All of this - because I decided to be brave one night." Cadence sighed, and finding her light inside, embraced it. "I'm going to tell the world, Ezvin. All of it - not for pity. I don't want or need it. I just want them to know that even if everything was stacked against you - you can be something positive. That the pain isn't something to be ashamed of. That even though I wouldn't wish it on anyone - it made me." She met his gaze, her expression laced with fear and resolve. "And it terrifies me. But I have to do it. I need to show them how to embrace themselves and to do that, I need to shine a light in my darkness." resolve took over the fear, and Cadence's voice began to get louder in excitement. "I need to embrace myself so they can see the real Cadence Mathis - each and every facet." She stood, the energy within her forcing her to stand as she swirled her hands, forming a a ball of fire that she kept floating above her outstretched right hand. She stared a moment into the flames, keeping the heat down, recognizing it for what it was: her passion. She banished the flame, before calmly sitting down again. Her voice quieted to almost a whisper. "Am I going crazy, Ezvin?" It was then she had realized that for the first time, she hadn't cried when telling her story.
They followed Ezvin's directions and began the song a third time. She could sense the pulse of the group, deeper than Cara's rhythmic heartbeat. There was an excitement in the group that hadn't existed before. Matt got to his solo and the group backed him, letting him take the reins for this moment, Ezvin's sound adding to the tapestry that Cadence wove. Cadence just smiled, waiting for her moment to come back in.
The song ended the group began to find their rhythm in the session. They would usually calm down with a ballad, but the energy was there a Cadence moved for another fast piece, but their was a significant difference in this session as compared to the previous ones. Ezvin had used the word 'collaboration' and this session truly became one. The musicians weren't afraid to take risks and step out, and the band backed them up every time. Instead of bickering at the end of the take, time was used to encourage and reflect. It wasn't perfect - sometimes the risk didn't work, but they were finding that most of the time it did. No voice was silenced, and mostly, Cadence let it happen. She stepped in when necessary, but it was minimal. They knew her vision well, and they aligned with it.
The group started a third song, and despite the interruptions after each take, they were extremely productive. The sheet music became a framework only, and the group expanded and adjusted, finding an amazing balance. They lost track of time - finding a new love for what they did for a living. As a group, they allowed themselves to become lost in the music. Cadence kept herself from crying tears of joy. What she wanted from this album was this - complete and utter genuineness. She was watching her dream become a reality right before her.
Ending the third song - Cadence looked at the clock - 1:00 PM. They should have broke for lunch an hour ago, but time had moved past them. The energy still buzzed in the room when Cadence spoke. "Guys - break for lunch. We need it." she didn't stifle a smile as the group actually seemed a little disappointed to stop, but they understood they needed it. As did she.
The quartet left and Cadence dropped into a chair feeling euphoric. Her hands were shaking, fueled by adrenaline instead of anxiety. She turned her gaze towards Ezvin. "If I feel this way now, how am I going to feel when I'm in front of a crowd. What did you do to my band, Ezvin?" she laughed and answered her own question. "I know - it was me. I did...something. I'm not sure how I did it, but I trusted it. I'm changing - and it's not a bad thing - even if I'm not sure what's going on. I thought my gift was music - but maybe there is more to it than that. Maybe - I'm discovering myself a little more."
Cadence was aware that now she only shared the room with Ezvin and the ever watchful Aline. Cadence knew her contract with Pervaya Liniya meant that Aline wouldn't reveal anything said or done in this room, so when she began to speak, she wasn't worried. Her instincts told her now was the time. "You know, my mother - my real mother - died when I was born. My father blamed me for it. For six years I was abused mentally, emotionally, and physically. It wasn't until the school got CPS involved that he decided to abandon me. My therapists have told me that I'll likely be dealing with the emotional scars for the rest of my life," she paused, collecting her thoughts. "For the next seven years, I would cycle through nine foster homes, each one unable to deal with a child with such deep trauma. It wasn't until I was thirteen that I would be taken in by two women who decided they wouldn't give up on me. They fostered my musical ability, letting me delve into it for the comfort I needed."
Cadence smiled as she thought of them and the impact that they had on her. Even those who knew her backstory didn't know all of it - her mothers were the only two who did. "They saved my life. I started seeing therapists after that," She leaned closer to him. "The video that went viral - the one that made me a household name - I was at that open mic night because the only time I didn't feel anxious was when I performed and my therapist thought that getting out and performing would help. All of this - because I decided to be brave one night." Cadence sighed, and finding her light inside, embraced it. "I'm going to tell the world, Ezvin. All of it - not for pity. I don't want or need it. I just want them to know that even if everything was stacked against you - you can be something positive. That the pain isn't something to be ashamed of. That even though I wouldn't wish it on anyone - it made me." She met his gaze, her expression laced with fear and resolve. "And it terrifies me. But I have to do it. I need to show them how to embrace themselves and to do that, I need to shine a light in my darkness." resolve took over the fear, and Cadence's voice began to get louder in excitement. "I need to embrace myself so they can see the real Cadence Mathis - each and every facet." She stood, the energy within her forcing her to stand as she swirled her hands, forming a a ball of fire that she kept floating above her outstretched right hand. She stared a moment into the flames, keeping the heat down, recognizing it for what it was: her passion. She banished the flame, before calmly sitting down again. Her voice quieted to almost a whisper. "Am I going crazy, Ezvin?" It was then she had realized that for the first time, she hadn't cried when telling her story.
Sometimes - People Are The Monsters