Recording Session

[Cadence]

Days off usually found Cadence in a grumbly mood when she returned. But the past couple of days had been good ones. The day with Ilesha at Kallisti had been amazing for Cadence and the following therapy session, had reinforced that. So when she came in happy and well rested, her band mates were surprised. 

”Morning everyone! I brought coffee,” Cadence said, handing them out. 

”Someone’s in a chipper mood today,” Casey Bennett, the bass guitarist said. She was also the band leader, in charge of the band’s rehearsals.

Cadence gave her a smile, ”We got an album to record loves,” she said taking in the other three full time band members into her gaze; Matt West on guitars, Barry Jones on keyboard and synthesizers, and Cara Lopez on drums. Each took their own drink with gratitude as Cadence put down a bag of sugar and cream  in case they desired it. 

Finally, Cadence turned to Marlise, her agent, and handed her a coffee. A woman Cadence had never met, stood beside, and Cadence nodded at her. This was likely her new security detail. 

”Thanks, Cadence,” Mars said with a smile. ”Im pleasantly surprised- I did not expect this mood today.”

Cadence laughed. ”I had a good couple of days. Let’s hope that this momentum lasts.”

Mars frowned, ”I don’t want to ruin your mood, but I feel I should bring this up while you’re in a good mood. You know that I’m heading back to the states. My family is all there. This move to Moscow was a great move for you, but I can’t stay. I’m going to stay long enough to transition you to your new staff and hopefully your first few tour concerts.”

Cadence, although saddened by this, had expected this conversation to come. It wasn’t the first time it was brought up, but it was the first time it had been established. Mars was right though. It was a good time to bring it up. ”We’ve talked about this, Mars. I knew it was coming, and if I haven’t said it enough, I’m eternally grateful for everything you’ve done for me. You gave me my big break and have always been there for me.” she gave Mars a hug. ”Any potentials on that front.”

Mars nodded. ”Ive reached out to a man named Ezvin Marveet. He’s a producer and singer/songwriter. I think it would be a good fit. He has our recording calendar and I’ve invited him to show up anytime if he would like. He has contacts too, so I think we can start there.” Cadence nodded and Mars turned to the woman next to her. ”This is Aline Shaw. She works for Pervaya Liniya Security, and she’ll be your security detail for the tour. I thought it would be best for you to get to know her earlier.”

Cadence smiled. Mars knew her well, and that would be the hardest part of her leaving. Cadence reached out her hand and shook the other woman’s hand. ”A pleasure to meet you.”

[Ezvin Marveet]

Ezvin stood outside the door, his guitar case resting against his leg as he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt. He didn’t need a pep talk—this wasn’t his first rodeo—but there was a particular edge of anticipation to this meeting. Cadence Mathis. An artist whose music had made waves in ways that most people only dreamed of. Someone whose talent had both depth and range. No pressure, right? he thought, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. But he was ready. He always was.

He knocked once—firm, but not overbearing—and pushed the door open just enough to step inside. The hum of conversation paused as he entered, the kind of pause that always happened when a new presence entered the room. Ezvin let it roll off him. He was used to it. He stepped in with a steady gait, his guitar case in one hand, his leather messenger bag slung neatly across his chest.

“Good morning,” he said, his voice calm and composed, but with just enough brightness to show he wasn’t some bored suit dragging himself into the room. His gaze swept the space quickly—four bandmates, a woman in a blazer who must’ve been Marlise, and then her.

Cadence Mathis.

She was everything he’d expected, though not in the glossy, larger-than-life sense people often assumed when they met a star. No, her presence was sharper, quieter. She commanded attention without saying a word, and Ezvin respected that immediately. He didn’t let his gaze linger too long, though. This wasn’t about being starstruck. This was about showing her he belonged here.

He came to a smooth stop just inside the room and gave a polite, easy smile. “Ezvin Marveet. Marlise reached out to me about the project,” he said, keeping his tone professional but approachable. His eyes landed briefly on Cadence, meeting her gaze without hesitation. “It’s great to meet all of you—and I’m looking forward to diving in.”

[Cadence]

Cadence turned as a knock came to the door and a man entered with a guitar. He spoke politely and with a calm voice.  If he was intimidated, he didn't show it.  Cadence knew that some felt intimidated by her even if she didn't understand why.  The man introduced himself as Ezvin Marveet.  They had literally just been talking about him.  The name Marveet struck a bell, and it wasn't long before she remembered that Scion Marveet was a rich and powerful businessman.

Ezvin addressed the room as a whole, but at the end, his gaze was on her, and Cadence met it.  Cadence felt Mars move beside her to approach Ezvin.  It was the common approach.  Cadence often had enough social anxiety that it was the best choice.  It was the way things normally went, but today wasn't a normal day.  Cadence reached out, stopped Mars with a touch of her hand, gave her a smile and turned back to the newcomer.

As she approached, she could see her band mates collectively raise an eyebrow.  She had already surprised them today.  This was just another one.  She could feel the anxiety building up in her and her fingers went instinctively to the rings on her fingers, twisting gently.  Her inner monologue, usually speaking loud and conflicting ideas at once said only one thing.

You did this once, and it was easy.  You can do it again.

Cadence got closer, offered her hand for shaking and spoke clearly, "A pleasure to meet you Mr. Marveet."  The smile she gave him was genuine and was reflected in her tone. "Some introductions, if I may." She gestured towards the band. "These are the permanent members of my band. This young lady is Casey, our bassist and band leader. That's Matt on guitar, Barry on keys and synths, and Cara on drums. The scary lady in the back is Aline - she's my security detail.  She just started, so not sure how she feels about me calling her scary," Cadence gave a playful smirk and the turned up smile on Aline's face said that she enjoyed the banter. "And this is Mars, my agent, who I believe you've already had some contact with. She does all the boring stuff so I can be creative and make her lots of money." She said, earning a chuckle from the band. "And I am Cadence. Vocals and the occasional dalliance on the piano. Now," her attention turned back to Ezvin. "What has Mars told you about our little project?"

[Ezvin Marveet]

Ezvin moved through the room like a man who’d spent years in the company of music royalty—not demanding attention, but carrying a quiet authority that proved he belonged. He wasn’t part of Cadence Mathis’s court, though; he was something more like a trusted steward, the figure who worked in the shadows to keep the kingdom running. Overlooked, perhaps, but essential. That was how he liked it. Ezvin had no hunger for the spotlight himself. He found greater satisfaction in helping others—artists with voices worth hearing, like Maksim—bring their gifts into the light.

When introductions began, Ezvin handled them with practiced ease. There was a rhythm to it: a firm handshake, steady eye contact, a respectful nod. Casey Bennett, bassist and band leader, exuded natural authority, and Ezvin made a mental note of the way her gaze lingered just a beat longer than the others—as if she were already evaluating him. Then there was Matt on guitar, a quiet presence but with a sharp, observant look Ezvin recognized in most guitarists. Barry, perched by the keys and synths, offered a small smile, his hands fidgeting unconsciously like someone always itching to play. And Cara, seated behind her drumsticks, gave a short but deliberate nod that told Ezvin she didn’t waste words.

Finally, he greeted Aline Shaw, the security detail, whose sharp posture and no-nonsense air reminded him she probably noticed everything. Ezvin respected that kind of quiet vigilance.

Ezvin nodded slightly, matching Cadence’s poise with his own steady professionalism. 
“Only what Marlise has explained so far,” he answered, his voice carrying an easy clarity that made him sound both measured and engaged. 
“But I’ve always found it works best to hear ideas straight from the artist.” 

He met her gaze as he continued, his tone sure, his words deliberate. 
“My job is simple: to help you see the music for what you want it to be. And then push it—gently—toward what it could be.” 

A subtle smile softened his words, a flicker of warmth that hinted at his belief in the process. 
“I’m just here to help you keep being awesome.” 

There was no flattery in his tone—just conviction, a quiet assurance that made it feel like a partnership, not a power play.

Adjusting the strap of his messenger bag, Ezvin shifted the focus naturally forward. 
“If you’d be so kind, let’s hear your ideas. Even a sampling. I brought my guitar, but if you’ve got keys or other instruments handy, we can dive in wherever you feel comfortable.” 

The invitation was delivered lightly, but there was intention behind it: Show me where you’re at, and I’ll meet you there. Ezvin wasn’t here to lead the way—this was Cadence’s vision. His job was to hold up the mirror, to expand the possibilities, to make the music sing.

As the room settled into the quiet space after his words, Ezvin let the moment sit, his confidence a steady current beneath the surface. This was where it started: the music, the work, the art. The rest would come.

[Cadence]

Cadenced watched Ezvin as he handled her introductions.  His reaction to her squad would say much.  He handled it with a professional grace that Cadence had seen in other producers, but there was more to it than that.  He was practiced at this, but she sensed a genuine attitude within him that suggested this wasn't just a show, and when he answered her question she smiled.

He got it. He got it in a way not many producers did.  Producers were focused on the money.  They would milk the proverbial cow until it had nothing left to give.  They would drain it completely until all the milk that could be extracted was, and the cow left a dry and empty husk.  Ezvin knew what this was about.  It was about the music.  The thing other producers didn't get was that  if you focused on the music, the money would be there.  People reacted to a genuine performance.  Cadence always felt that way, and in her opinion, it was one of the reasons why the crowds responded to her the way they did.

"Well - long term, I'm looking for a production team here in Moscow as well as an agent," she said, her smile unwavering.  "Unfortunately, Mars has a life in the States that requires her attention, and soon her job will be vacant, but she's going to see this project through, but that conversation can wait, it's ultimately not why we're here today.  We're here today because we've got an album to record." She felt the excitement buzz through her band.

Cadence moved to stand next to them.  The vision may have been hers, but her band was as much a part of this endeavor as she was, and they believed in it. "Embrace You," Cadence said, turning to face Ezvin again. "Is set to be my largest undertaking since my career began. It's about looking at yourself, your story, and embracing it all, the good and the bad." Cadence was unable to keep the darkness from reaching her eyes at this.  Ezvin wouldn't know of her traumatic past.  Eventually, in order to see her vision, he would have to know it all. Cadence felt Casey take her hand and squeeze it in encouragement.  Most people knew little of Cadence before her YouTube rise to fame.  Her band did, and they all knew why this project was important to her.  Cadence gave Casey a smile, banishing the darkness for now.

"I want this album and it's tour to be my Abbey Road, my Night at the Opera" she approached Ezvin again, then excitement becoming audible in her voice as she continued speaking. I want to cross boundaries and genres. I want people to look and see who I am and in turn, see who they are and be proud of that." She gave a contented sigh, amazed at her own passion. Her voice quieted. "I've been given a gift, Ezvin.  A gift that I'm continually learning to understand, but I know this.  I have a responsibility to use that gift to inspire others. That's what I want to do - inspire! Before we begin a partnership, I feel I should tell you that I have idiosyncrasies that can sometimes make me harder to work with - mostly stemming from social anxiety - as strange as that might seem right now," she laughed, she had shown no social anxiety during this interaction. "And connected with that, I can get moody at times.  If you can deal with that, and if you feel like you can make my vision a reality and 'push it - gently -  toward what it could be', then you will be welcome here.  I have a feeling that you and I see eye to eye on this.  This - it's all about the music." She turned to her band and they nodded and smiled.  They felt the same.

Cadence nodded at her band, and they moved going to their instruments.  They were ready to begin. "It's time to make music. You have a guitar - if you wish to join us, you may. Casey can get you the sheet music." It wasn't an offer she made often to those she hadn't auditioned. "If you'd rather just listen, that's fine too. We're all tuned up and ready to go right?"  Her band was in their positions and all gave the affirmative. It was time to have some fun.

[Ezvin Marveet]

Ezvin listened intently, standing grounded but entirely focused as Cadence spoke, her passion pouring into the room like a rising tide. This was what he lived for—not the mechanics of music production, not the endless meetings or polished deals, but this: the fire in an artist’s voice when they shared their vision, raw and unfiltered.

He didn’t interrupt. He wouldn’t dream of it. Instead, he let her words shape the moment, studying the subtle nuances in her tone, the way her energy shifted, the flicker of darkness in her eyes when she mentioned embracing the good and bad. It wasn’t just ambition driving her—it was deeply personal, the kind of project that artists poured their soul into, no matter the cost. Ezvin felt a faint pang of admiration—and respect. 

When she mentioned her "Abbey Road" and "A Night at the Opera," a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Those weren’t casual references; those were masterpieces, each created by artists who had thrown convention to the wind and redefined themselves in the process. And now Cadence Mathis was standing here, with that same bold conviction, ready to push boundaries and claim her own space in music history.

As she spoke of her responsibility to inspire others, Ezvin caught the quiet shift in her voice—the vulnerability beneath the strength. That vulnerability didn’t make her weaker in his eyes; if anything, it made her more compelling. She wasn’t here to play it safe. She wasn’t here to settle. She was here to reach people, to challenge them, and to give them something real. And for someone who had spent his life working with artists, Ezvin understood exactly what that took: unrelenting passion, raw honesty, and yes, sometimes a touch of chaos. 

When Cadence brought up her idiosyncrasies, her social anxiety, and her moodiness, Ezvin simply nodded, his expression steady. He wasn’t fazed. He’d worked with divas who made entire orchestras walk out, with perfectionists who rewrote the same chord progression twenty times. None of that mattered to him if the vision was pure, and here, it absolutely was.

Then came the invitation—a rare one, he could tell—to pick up his guitar and join them. She’s testing me, he thought, his fingers itching to meet the challenge. He appreciated the subtlety of it, though. She wasn’t demanding an audition, but she was inviting him to prove he could be a part of this—her vision, her band, her sound.

He set his messenger bag down gently, unzipping his guitar case. As he pulled out the instrument, a sleek acoustic-electric that had traveled with him through countless sessions, he felt a quiet thrill settle over him. This wasn’t about impressing anyone; it was about slipping into the music, letting it guide him.

Ezvin met Cadence’s gaze and offered her a small, confident smile. 
“You don’t have to worry about me, Cadence. I’m not here to change you, or control this. I’m here to amplify what’s already there—and believe me, what’s already there is powerful.” 

He slid the guitar strap over his shoulder and gave it a quick tune, his movements efficient but unhurried. 
“As for the sheet music,” he added, his tone lightly teasing as he gestured toward Casey, “sure, I’ll take a look—but I’ve got a pretty good ear if you want me to just jump in and feel it out.” 

He let his gaze drift back to Cadence, his smile softening into something genuine. 
“You said it yourself: this is all about the music. Let’s make some.” 

Without waiting for further prompts, he strummed the strings lightly, testing the tone, and shifted his weight slightly as the band prepared to start.

[Cadence]

Cadence smiled at his response and it only grew as he uttered his agreement to making music. She found herself liking Ezvin.  He had a personality that drew people in and made them feel comfortable.  He had spoken in a way few producers had.  Not once had he mentioned money.  This man was in the business for the right reasons. He was also kind of cute.  Not that she would go any farther in a relationship with him; getting involved with band members or producers was a messy business.  Since Kallisti though, she had been noticing men more. It was something she didn't understand.

"Perfect!" she said, turning to the band. "Which song should we baptize him with?"

"'Embrace You' needs an acoustic guitar?" Matt suggested, it was also his duet with her, which she knew was making him nervous.  He was unsure about singing, but Cadence knew he could - and he'd be ready in time.

"Bright Star In The Sky," suggested Barry.

Cadence shook her head. "No - both too slow for a warm up."

She turned to Casey, who stood with a smile. "Shine on Me," she said, holding up the sheet music she had pulled from the bag.

The band agreed and Casey took the music and put it on a stand before Ezvin. "Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it. Key of B-flat, Ez!" Casey said with a grin, giving Ezvin a jovial slap to the shoulder. Cadence smiled.  If Casey was acting like this around Ezvin, it meant he had passed her first test.  Casey had known Cadence the longest out of any of them.  They had been college roommates, and she was very protective of Cadence. "Ready Cade?"

Cadence put on her headset and the band did the same. "Alright - this may be a warm-up, but you know we record everything. Never know - might get it perfect the first time," the words were said with a playful smile.  That was a very unlikely scenario.

Cadence got their acknowledgement and she nodded.  Cara counted them off, the instruments joining in on the intro. The albums Cadence had mentioned to Ezvin weren't random.  She had listened to the two albums almost exclusively while writing the songs for "Embrace You". It was an odd idiosyncrasy that Cadence had; the ability to listen to others while working on her own stuff. Never had she done it to this degree. The band, knowing this often asked for her ear worms while they were working too.  As a result, Cadence could hear the influence of Brian May in Matt's playing. She could hear John Deacon and Paul McCartney in Casey's Bass.  There was a little of Paul McCartney in Barry's keys, and some Ringo Starr mixed with Roger Taylor in the drums. It was the reason why Casey's pick was perfect to bring in Ezvin. Everything she had said with regards to crossing boundries and genres was encapsulated in this song. The song itself, remininsicent of the rock ballads of Queen, was outside her normal genre of pop, but not so far away that it would alienate her core audience.  Despite the influences that were heard in the song, it was still Cadence - something unique. A fusion of two musical geniuses.  Cadence smiled at the thought.  Casey would say three musical geniuses - even though Cadence wouldn't go that far.

When it was time, Cadence joined in our her vocals.  She was only singing on this one, her piano playing generally saved for the ballads. Cadence had no idea if Ezvin had ever seen her perform live or not.  She wouldn't have put it past him to have watched videos regardless. It would have been a good idea for him to have an idea of what she did live before coming in, but had he seen any performances he would see that her stage persona was not different from that in the studio.  The passion and energy were there, only diminished by the lack of choreography and screaming fans. Album or tour, the fans got 100% Cadence.

The song itself was about a light coming through the darkness, pulling the singer out of the abyss. To most, they'd hear a song about love, and that wasn't wrong, but to Cadence it held a deeper meaning. The song was about her mothers - the two women who had pulled her out of the dark abyss.  The two women who had saved her life. That's what it meant for her, and that's the emotion she poured into it.

Along with being a warm-up, this would also be her sound check.  Her headphones were set to hear the overall sound - essentially - she was hearing exactly what was being recorded.  That was important to her.  Her voice, a main component, was just that - a component.  She needed to hear the whole sound - she needed to hear how the pieces fit together.  She made eye contact with the engineer, pointed at Cara and gave a thumbs down. That wasn't odd.  Drummers were loud. She also knew Cara wouldn't be phased by it; none of her band would.  She then pointed at Barry, and indicated she needed a little more; then to Matt, a little less; and Casey a little less.  Finally she pointed at Ezvin, the newcomer, and gave a thumbs up, indicating she needed more of him in the mix. Cadence had no idea if Ezvin would see that as the good sign it was meant to be.

The song came to an end and Cadence pulled her headphones off and turned to her band.  They were all smiles and she was as well. "Well that gets the blood going, doesn't it?" she said, jumping a few times to release the residual energy. Finally she turned to their newcomer. "Well...what do you think?"

[Ezvin Marveet]

Ezvin stayed still at first, his fingers brushing lightly over the strings of his guitar as the band began. He’d been offered a place to jump in, but he wasn’t in a rush to play. Not yet. There was more to learn in listening than in adding noise. 

He leaned back slightly, letting the music wrap around him as the room came alive. His eyes moved from one member to the next, watching, absorbing. Casey’s bass was smooth and deliberate, her hands moving with a confidence that reflected her role as band leader. She anchored the sound, but there was an underlying fluidity to her playing, a willingness to bend, to flow with the others. Matt’s guitar, on the other hand, was edgier, a touch of nervous energy bleeding into his chords, but his tone was clean, his technique sharp. Barry’s synths added a layer of texture, weaving subtle patterns beneath the melody, while Cara’s drums set the pace with steady precision—forceful but never overpowering. 

And then there was Cadence. 

Ezvin’s gaze shifted to her as she began to sing, her voice cutting through the room with effortless clarity. She wasn’t just performing; she was embodying the song, pouring something raw and deeply personal into every note. It wasn’t hard to see why her audience connected with her. That passion, that authenticity—it was magnetic. Even here, in a rehearsal room without a roaring crowd, it filled the space. 

He watched how they played off each other, the way their sound gelled, not just as musicians but as a band. There was trust there, a kind of unspoken language that let them adapt and adjust without missing a beat. Casey would glance over at Matt, a tiny nod exchanging volumes. Cara leaned slightly into her rhythm as Barry’s synths swelled, giving him just enough room. It was seamless, natural. This wasn’t just a group of skilled players—they were a unit. 

Ezvin noticed Cadence signaling the engineer, making micro-adjustments to the mix, and he felt a flicker of appreciation. She wasn’t just the frontwoman; she was the architect. Her thumbs-up for more of his sound made him chuckle softly to himself. She’s listening to everything, he realized. She hears the whole picture. That was rare, even among artists of her caliber. 

When the song came to an end, Ezvin let his guitar rest against his knee, clapping lightly along with the band’s shared smiles and chatter. They were riding the post-song high, the kind of energy that came from creating something bigger than themselves. And Cadence—Cadence was practically buzzing as she turned to him, her enthusiasm infectious. 

Ezvin took a moment before answering her question, running his fingers along the guitar strings absentmindedly as he collected his thoughts. His tone, when he finally spoke, was thoughtful, measured, but carried just enough excitement to match hers. 

He nodded toward her headset, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I noticed the way you were tweaking the mix. You’re not just the voice; you’re an architect. That’s rare, Cadence.” There was no flattery in his tone, just honesty.

He paused, glancing briefly at the band again, his smile widening just a fraction. “And, if this is what you’re calling a warm-up... I can’t wait to see what you call a showstopper.” 

Finally, he sat forward, a glimmer of playful energy in his voice as he gestured toward his guitar. “Next round, I’ll jump in. But I wanted to hear you first—see the way you all work together. And honestly, I wouldn’t have missed that performance for the world.  
There's no doubt you’ve got something special here," he said, his tone softening slightly. “And I’m all in, but I’m not sure what you need me for.”

[Cadence]

Cadence smiled at his comment about calling her an architect.  She knew the sound she wanted, and that's what she tried to communicate that whenever she recorded.  She may have been the "main attraction," but it was all about the music and everyone played a part in that be they back up singer, dancer, or musician.

Cadence had been so lost that she hadn't noticed that Ezvin hadn't joined them this time.  It at least explained why she hadn't heard him in her monitors. Cadence was unsure how she felt about that.  She had understood why, but also had felt a little deceived.  She pushed it down, likely it was just a misunderstanding on her part, but she hadn't had long before her thoughts drifted in another direction as Ezvin asked what he was needed for.

Cadence's face flushed in embarrassment. In the excitement, she had forgotten to tell Ezvin why he was here. "Hey guys," she said, turning to her band. "Take five." They didn't need to be here for this.

Casey, who had understood the meaning for the dismissal asked for clarification, "Actual five or...?"

"I'll text you," Cadence said in response.

Mars had come back and Cadence walked to a table with three chairs sitting around it. She noticed Aline still in her spot, watching everything going on, and Aline gave her an encouraging smile. Cadence smiled back, thinking it would be a good idea to get to know the silent and sturdy woman.

"Please, take a seat," she said gesturing to to one of the chairs, realizing that unconsciously her fingers had gone back to the rings on her fingers.  She could feel the anxiety building at this unplanned change.  The fact that it had been her fault added to it.  As Cadence sat, she took a calming breath, but still her hands spun the rings on her fingers, the motion calming and familiar. "I apologize for not telling you what I was looking for earlier. I sometimes forget things when I get excited. One of my idiosyncrasies."

"You need me to take over?" Mars asked, noticing Cadence's fidgeting.

"No, I'm fine," Cadence said calmly and turned back to Ezvin. "I'm looking to set up my base here - in Moscow. I moved here for the opportunities the CCD offers someone like me - mostly easier access to a global audience, but right now, I have a production team based in the States. It's inefficient. What I need is to build a production team here. I have people who have come with me, on a temporary basis. They all have their families and lives in the States.  I'm looking for someone to assist with the transition to a permanent production team here.

She stopped briefly, letting Ezvin absorb that and what it meant. "On top of that, I want to form a partnership with this person - as I want this person to be my producer here - business dealings, contracts, all the typical things you producers do to make this happen. But I don't just want a pencil pusher."

Cadence looked towards Mars who nodded, giving Cadence the reassurance that she was doing well. "I want a creative consultant as well. Someone who can temper my ideas. A whetstone if you will - to take my raw ideas and scrape away the imperfections. I want that person to be honest with me - not someone who just wants to let me do whatever I want.  I want someone who will not only tell me 'that's a great idea let's make it happen." But someone who's not afraid to tell me 'that won't work,' 'that's crazy, there's no way we can do that, or occasionally," She smiled mischievously. "'That's crazy and we have to do it.'"

Cadence paused, her posture changing slightly as she leaned foward. Mars' reassurance had kept the anxiety from getting stronger, but it was still there, burning deep in her gut. She had to take a moment to gather her thoughts.  This was hard for her, but she had to do this herself.  This was her project and it was her most important one.  She found herself even thinking that if it bombed she wouldn't care.  Her message would be out there.  That was the most important thing. She wondered if Ezvin could tell that she was anxious, and whether he would see it as weakness or bravery.

"I'm going to be honest with you, Ezvin. I like you, and I think you'd be a good fit for this. You've said many things today that resonate with me. 'Seeing the music for what I want it to be. And pushing it gently towards what it could be.' 'Amplify what is there.' Even calling me an architect.  I hear you saying these with a genuineness that isn't flattery.  You're speaking the truth as you see it. I respect that. Outside of the normal scope of what I've mentioned, I'd really like to do a collaboration with a local artist if you know of someone who would be interested. Perhaps yourself," she said with a smirk. "But I'd have to hear you first before we do that. I understand this a big undertaking, and we can design this to fit what you would like to do. Maybe you just want to be a creative consultant - that's fine.  This is why I want a team - not an individual. Mars told me that you do know people - connections are everything as I'm sure you know, but I want you involved without a doubt."

Cadence followed Ezvin's lead on how she spoke.  Her words hadn't been meant to flatter.  She spoke the truth as she saw it.  Cadence had a feeling he'd respect that. He had said he was all in. Cadence couldn't help but feel the anxiety move from a simmer to a boil as it told her that right now, Ezvin was going to walk out the door and she'd never see him again.

She took a moment, once more to calm herself by taking a deep breath. "I hope what you've seen here in the short amount of time we've gotten to know each other has shown you what's important to me.  I've assembled a great team of musicians here.  They work well together - although we're not without our struggles. You know recording isn't just stepping into a booth, singing your songs, and it's over.  They're long, grueling days and when you put five passionate people in a small space together for that amount of time, well, I'm sure you know.  Musical ability isn't the only reason why Casey is my band leader." she smiled. "I want the same thing on the other side of the stage too.  A team that works well together and believes in what we're doing." she chuckled. "I'm sorry, I'm rambling.  This is very unusual for me to talk this much, but this project is very personal, and very important to me. Is there anything I can clarify or any questions you have?"