Feeding Time

Aria smiled as she stood on stage, holding her pick high into the air as the final note rang out from her guitar. She heaved a few breaths as the song faded into the dead silence of the auditorium, save for a few token bits of applause. Her smile began to strain as she heard footsteps behind her and lowered her arm. Hundreds of blank faces stared back, most with indifferent or confused looks.

"Thank you for that, er, riveting performance, Aria," Vice Principal Luna said, looking out to the crowd. She clapped her hands softly, much to Aria's annoyance as she lowered her head. Turning on her heels, Aria scowled as she stomped off the stage, her boots nearly drowning out Luna's next few lines. A crowd of students had gathered around the side of the stage and parted as Aria strode by. A few hushed whispers caught her ears, but she pressed on, her scowl growing more pronounced.

"Wasn't there three of them?" one asked aloud.