[center][b]Two Days Later…[/b][/center]

Vienna was a gorgeous city. 

They had arrived here late that previous evening, just in time to see the sky paint the white buildings in a thick glow, before fading completely. Now that light had returned with the new day, the whites and reds of the city seemed even more vibrant than before. 

Rob had watched from the bus window as security escorted their’s and Vicarious’ bus behind the venue, locking two large gates behind them. It was curious, that the security seemed so much more real to him now. Whether that was due to the incident a few days ago, or simply due to the city, he wasn’t really sure. 

This morning, Rob stood alone in the bathroom sometime around six-thirty. He was first up, not being able to sleep much longer. He looked at his reflection, and for the first time in a while, wasn’t disappointed in what looked back at him.

Things had greatly improved in simply two days. Rob had spent every moment of those two days back with In Bloom, either hanging out with the other guys, or spending the quiet evenings with Jane. There was a familiar normality that had settled in so quickly between then. Almost as if the two had allowed themselves to return to the way things had used to be, without sacrificing what had already happen. Sure, tons of things remained to be seen or answered; Vicarious, for instance, was a huge question mark. Jane’s relation specifically to Andy worried him if he thought too much about it, but he tried not to. He had the confidence in Jane not to worry too much about when she left alone, and filled his time with the other band members to help ease his own anxieties. 

His curbside confessional had left him feeling much more at ease in the current situation, even though something felt off. Nothing on this tour remained for long. Each event seemed to carry into the next—each rise followed by it’s own fall. Their own celebrity, for instance, continued to grow. Harold had talked about it a bit on a phone call the two had together—about how the single had switched from underground to mainstream alternative radio stations. About how, when it came to fame, it only multiplied itself. “Fame is it’s own catalyst,” Harold said. Rob was sure he was quoting someone, but he had no idea who. Harold, no doubt, was enjoying his own connection to the band stateside, so had likely surrounded himself with others of his own ilk. He had already hinted at such a thing a few days ago, when he talked about hiring on a second hand to help with their already momentous finances. 

In short, the band seemed to be getting money hand-over-fist, which wasn’t exactly a good thing. Rob had already had two extended family members call his number asking about funding on personal projects, and about a dozen more sending him messages over social media. The entirety of that concept through Rob off alone, even if he could afford to help them out. The truth was, Rob wasn’t sure exactly how much they had earned. Harold was constantly vague about it. Last he heard, it was “somewhere near six figures” for each of the band members, depending on how the last stretch of the American tour went once they finished in Europe. 

The European tour, at least, seemed to be wrapping up into a climactic end. They had little over two weeks or so left—enough time to work their way over to Italy, then through to Spain, before sharply cutting upwards, through France and finishing in the United Kingdom. Afterwards, it was stateside again. 

The prospect of leaving Europe came with mixed feelings—Rob felt both in tune with what was happening, and simultaneously separated from the worst of things. The small connection the band had formed with their fans over social media—and specifically their personal Instagram accounts—was shockingly huge. He could only wonder what would happen once they returned. But a small part of him was happy that Vicarious would be going their separate ways from them at the end of this. Too much bad blood was forming; yet another of the many things Rob feared would turn sour. That, and the feeling he got that the media was yet to be done with him. 

Soon, a knock came at the door, interrupting his mental tangent. He opened it to find Austin at the other end. His eyes were nearly shut from sleep, and he looked far less aware than Rob was at the current surroundings. Well, at least he was awake. The two of them had booked an early morning radio interview that they needed to be at in about thirty minutes. 

“Done jerking off in there?” Austin muttered in his usual sarcasm. “I need to shower.”

“Yeah,” Rob said, getting out of the way. He went and waited in the main living room of the bus, and turned on some music as he waited. [url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS4W6xqQoyo]Linus Spacehead by Wavves[/url] played on in the background, reminding him of the days he and Austin sat around at his place, smoking and talking about anything and everything. Soon enough, Austin came back outside, and the two got in a cab and made their way to the radio station. 

On the way, the architecture of the buildings surrounding them was hard to ignore. Each structure around them seemed so intricately crafted, so completely made, it was hard not to admire it. The cab ride was mostly silent, save for a few questions from their driver. 

Finally, the two arrived, and sat down with nice enough seeming girl, Madeline, who welcomed them warmly before starting up the interview. 

[b]Madeline:[/b] Hello and welcome back to Vienna’s number one choice for alternative! In the studio today, we’ve been lucky enough to get the newest band on the scene, In Boom! Here representing the band is bassist Austin Hull and drummer Rob Pennie. How’s the road been, boys?

[b]Rob:[/b] Long. Hard. But mostly just surreal. 

[b]Austin:[/b] It’s definitely a lifestyle change. 

[b]Madeline:[/b] I can believe it. In Bloom was the biggest band of the summer, and now that we’re moving into fall, it seems like you’re not stopping anytime soon. 

[b]Rob:[/b] We’re touring through the rest of Europe, then back over to the Americans that missed us.

[b]Austin:[/b] Pretty much everyone’s had a chance to see us. At least on this side of the world. 

[b]Madeline:[/b] The tour seems to have had some stressful and highly profile events taking place. Could you talk about that?

[b]Rob:[/b] [laughs] I’m assuming you’re referring to me.

[b]Madeline:[/b] Amongst other things, but sure. 

[b]Rob:[/b] Look, I mean—we’re just trying to get our heads on straight after our world blew up. It’s been long and mistakes were made. I’m not going to condone all the shit we’ve pulled during this run, but I think overall, it’s been pretty great. 

[b]Austin:[/b] Listening to Rob blow up is basically comical when you get to know him. Fucker just sits around and thinks the whole time. We can’t ever get him to leave the tour bus!

[b]Madeline:[/b] Fair enough, fair enough! Typically the rhythm section gets much less press than you both have had. For example, Vicarious, your supporting act. 

[b]Rob:[/b] We’re co-headlining this tour. 

[b]Madeline:[/b] I’m sure, but to be honest, it doesn’t seem to be that way. At least, not here in Vienna. All the posters have In Bloom listed as the headliner. 

[b]Austin:[/b] I’m sure Vicarious would be pissed about that. But usually, we’re all too strung out on the road to care. 

[b]Madeline:[/b] Let’s chat about Vicarious for a second. There’s been some interesting stuff going around between the relationship, or, relationships, between your two bands. Care to comment?

[b]Rob:[/b] It’s a tour. We see each other so much, it can hurt. But there’s really not much to talk about. We’re all pretty good friends at this point. 

—

Soon enough, the interview moved to a few lighter topics, and wrapped up after another ten minutes. 

Afterwards, Madeline shook both of their hands and walked with them to the front steps of the building. 

“Just a head’s up,” she said. “Word’s going around about something big breaking about In Bloom. I don’t like to fuck up interviews with rumors but…just be aware.”

Rob shot her a quizzical look. “Thanks?” He nearly asked. 

“Keep a lower profile,” she said. “That’s all I’m saying. Have a good one.”

She turned quickly and disappeared back into her studio, leaving Rob and Austin to their own devices. 

“The fuck was up with that?” Austin asked moments later. 

Rob wasn’t sure, but it sure did worry him. There was definitely enough substance to spread rumors about. But until he figured out [i]exactly[/i] what was going on with Jane and Andy, he didn’t feel like interfering. He had cut off his ties on his own. Jane and Rob had only just mended things. Perhaps it was best to let her sort it out. 

Rob stood on the curb with Austin, waiting for the cab with the two security guards the studio was kind enough to offer up. At this point, he had had more than enough fame for one day. The only thing he wanted was to get back on the bus and spend the day with Jane. In fact, after the confession, it’s pretty much all he wanted to do. 

Hopefully she’d be there. Hopefully, whatever Madeline was off about didn’t matter. 

They just needed to finish this damn tour.