1.2 The Dinner

                                    

                                          
The restaurant was a hidden gem, tucked away from the city's bustling streets. Its cozy, intimate vibe was enhanced by the warm glow of Edison bulbs strung across the ceiling, casting a golden light over the rustic wooden table at the center of the room. Soft instrumental music hummed in the background, just loud enough to provide a comforting ambiance without overwhelming the steady hum of conversation.
Mike Shinoda stood near the entrance, his easy smile setting the tone as he greeted everyone who entered. "Hey, glad you could make it," he said warmly, shaking hands with each member of Devils & Angels. His genuine enthusiasm helped ease any lingering nerves.
Tori lingered at the back of her group, letting Pete, Daisy, Nate, and Ari take the lead. She appreciated Mike's kind energy, but small talk had never been her strength. When her turn came, Mike clasped her hand firmly, his grin unwavering. "Tori, thanks for coming. It's great to finally meet you."
"Thanks for having us," she said simply, her voice steady but subdued.
The group filed toward the table, finding their places among the mix of musicians. Emily Armstrong, seated near the middle, was already laughing, her energy contagious. As the last of the drinks were poured, she stood, raising her glass high enough to catch everyone's attention.
"Okay, everyone," Emily began, her voice bright. "Before we dive into this amazing food, I just want to say how thrilled we are to have Devils & Angels on this tour with us. Your music is incredible—it's raw, emotional, and real—and we're honored to share the stage with you. Here's to an unforgettable journey ahead!"
The room erupted in cheers as glasses clinked, the two bands united in their excitement. The toast marked a shift in the evening, the initial formality giving way to a relaxed camaraderie. Conversations flowed easily as stories of wild tours, embarrassing onstage mishaps, and bizarre fan encounters filled the room with laughter.
But while the energy at the table bubbled over, Tori stayed on the outskirts. Seated at the far end, she picked at her plate, her thoughts elsewhere. She joined in with polite smiles when someone addressed her directly but otherwise remained silent, letting her bandmates carry the weight of socializing.
From her spot near the center of the table, Emily noticed. Between her easy laughs and spirited exchanges, she kept catching glimpses of Tori, her quiet presence unmistakable even in a room full of voices. After a while, Emily leaned over to Mike, murmuring something in his ear before sliding out of her chair.
She approached Tori with a casualness that belied her intent. "Mind if I join you?" she asked, her tone warm but unobtrusive.
Tori glanced up, startled, before nodding. "Sure."
Emily pulled a chair closer, resting her forearms on the table. "You're not much of a crowd person, huh?"
Tori shrugged, her gaze briefly meeting Emily's. "Depends on the crowd."
Emily chuckled softly. "Fair enough. Tonight's a lot, though. I get it—it's like jumping into a pool full of noise and personalities."
Tori smirked faintly. "Yeah. Something like that."
For a moment, they sat in companionable silence, the chatter and laughter of the others fading into the background. Emily glanced at Tori, her voice turning thoughtful. "You know, when Jimmy brought up that tattoo thing earlier, I couldn't help but notice how... composed you were. That kind of calm? It's not easy."
Tori tilted her head slightly, studying her. "Composed?"
"Yeah," Emily said, nodding. "You could've dodged it, but you didn't. Just saying 'not yet'—that's honest. That takes strength."
Tori blinked, the compliment catching her off guard. She looked down at her plate, unsure how to respond. After a moment, she murmured, "Thanks."
Emily didn't push further, sensing that Tori's walls were still firmly in place. Instead, she smiled, her tone easy again. "Well, just so you know—if you ever need someone to talk to on tour or anything, I'm around. No strings, no pressure."
Tori glanced at her, a flicker of something—gratitude, maybe—crossing her face. "Thanks," she said again, this time a little softer.
Emily rose from her chair, giving Tori a reassuring nod. "Alright, I better get back before Mike starts trying to convince everyone he invented tour traditions. But hey—you're in good company here."
Tori watched as Emily returned to the group, slipping seamlessly back into the lively conversations at the center of the table. For the first time that evening, Tori let herself breathe a little easier. She wasn't ready to dive headfirst into the noise just yet, but maybe—just maybe—this tour wouldn't be as daunting as she'd feared.