No Time Like The Present

- Saturday Night, Band Practice, at Stephen's House, where else? -

"It's not me, it's you! Make no mistake!" Stephen sang. "You're having your cake! And eating it too!"

"BA BA BA!" Scott ad-libbed, strumming his guitar.

"Hold on! Stop!" Stephen halted everyone else, turning to Ramona. "Do we suck?"

"What? I don't know, do you?" Ramona questioned.

"Do we? We do!" Stephen panicked.

"Stephen." You grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to look at you. "Calm down. We're gonna be fine. We're gonna rock on Sunday, alright? So get your act together, because we're not failing. Repeat after me: Breathe."

"Breathe..." Stephen took a deep breath.

"Aim."

"Aim..."

"Pull. That. Trigger."

"Pull... That... Trigger..." Stephen nodded.

"There you go." You patted his back.

"Yeah, you guys don't suck. You're amazing!" Knives reassured.

"Oh, by the way, nice to see you're back here, Knives! We really could use your encouragement." You smiled at her.

"I'm glad to be back. Thanks for pulling me out of my slump." Knives replied.

"Anytime." You nodded, and then snapped your fingers as something came to mind. "Oh, I remember now! I think I found a way to give our band a little more 'pizazz'."

"Huh... okay, I'm listening." Stephen said, interested.

"First, let me get something from the VW." You said, before making a portal and hopping in. A few seconds later, you returned with a keyboard piano, setting it up. "I figured this could add a little extra."

"So, you're joining the band in instrumentals now?" Kim asked.

"Oh, not me. I'm visuals, and that's pretty much final." You replied, waving your hand. "Knives, you're up."

"Huh? Me?" Knives asked, taken off-guard.

"Sure. I figured with a little extra something of sound, we could both stand out and give you a boost in confidence." You explained.

"Really? Thanks, Y/N!" Knives hugged you tightly. "I won't let you down!"

"Uh, not to be the mood killer, but is Knives really that... how to put this... qualified?" Stephen asked, looking a bit unsure.

"I understand your doubt, man. But look, just give her a shot. Let's play a few rehearsals with her, and then, if it's not working, we can do something else." You suggested, looking quite optimistic. "'Sides, you gave me a chance, so why shouldn't she get one?'"

"Alright... let's try this, then." Stephen nodded, and turned to the others. "You guys, uh, cool with that?"

"Sure, I guess." Scott shrugged.

"Whatever." Kim rolled her eyes.

"I'm starting to have doubts too, Y/N..." Knives muttered.

"Relax, girl. You've got this." You encouraged her. "No one gets this stuff right on the first try. And, hey, if it doesn't work out, I've got a backup plan."

"Okay, thanks." Knives nodded, looking a bit more confident. "Alright, let's do this!"

"That's the spirit. Kim, if you would?" You asked.

Kim took a deep breath and announced, "WE ARE SEX BOB-OMB! One! Two! Three! Four!"

And things were back rolling. Knives, as expected, was a little stiff. She was clearly nervous and unsure of herself. However, she didn't completely bomb, and that's what mattered.

She played very little, only adding a few notes. But she was getting the rhythm down, and that was enough for now. Though, you did find out that the rate at which she learned was surprisingly fast.

By the time the fourth rehearsal had finished, Knives had learned a thing or two. Not enough to play with you and the band on Sunday, but enough to get Stephen interested in actually keeping her as an apprentice.

"You're... actually not half-bad." Stephen complimented, much to Knives' delight. "You might be onto something, Wyenn. We'll see where this goes."

"Told you. She just needed a little nudge, and now she's already getting the hang of it." You said, proud of your friend. "You're a quick learner, Knives. And you're talented, too."

"You really think so?" Knives asked, surprised by the sudden praise.

"Yeah, totally." You nodded. "You've got the drive, and the passion. You'll go places. Hopefully, with us."

"Aw, thanks, Y/N." Knives hugged you, feeling much better about herself.

"That reminds me, Kim, we have another thing tonight... We're meeting at Lee's after their show." Scott mentioned.

"Actually, boys, I'm busy. I've got a hot date tonight." Kim, with a surprisingly proud smile, said.

"A hot date with a collage you're doing?" Scott teased.

"A hot date with a 2000-piece puzzle depicting Bluenose II?" Stephen joked.

"A hot date with a freshly-baked pizza?" You joined in.

"Okay, did it ever occur to you that I might actually have a date?" Kim asked, crossing her arms.

"Oh, I was just playing along with them. You go have fun." You shrugged, giving a thumbs up.

Scott and Stephen, however, seemed to be in a brief pause. You could almost hear their brains trying to comprehend Kim having a life outside of Sex Bob-omb.

"Kim, you're one hell of a catch." Scott said, as if he were at a loss for words.

"You're a damn fine woman, Kim. Damn fine." Stephen complimented, in awe.

"If it'll make you happy, then you have my full support." You said, looking sincere.

"Whatever, let's just play the setlist again, assholes..." Kim grumbled, then looked at you. "Minus you, Y/N."

- Sunday Noon, at Dundas Square Downtown -

Since everyone had just decided to go on and do their own thing, you figured you could go someplace and just chill. The streets were lively, but not too crowded, which made you feel comfortable.

And even more, someone decided to tag along with you. No one else but your newly-discovered to be a Conduit friend, Knives. You two have been exploring for a good hour or two, and now, stood atop a transmission tower, watching the people pass by below you.

"Pretty nice view, huh?" You asked, grabbing onto the side of the tower, enjoying the fresh air.

"Yeah, it really is." Knives replied, sitting on the edge of the tower, looking a little nervous. "Um, can we not die if we fall off this thing?"

"Don't worry, we won't. We Conduits are durable. I've fallen higher than this and gotten away with no scratches." You responded. "We'll be fine."

"Cool. Oh, and thanks for helping me be around Sex Bob-Omb again." Knives said. "I'm still a bit nervous being around, but I think I'm finally starting to get over it."

"Don't mention it. I just did what any good friend would do. Sorry for putting you in the spotlight, though." You apologized, feeling a little guilty for the keyboard thing.

"It's fine, Y/N. It wasn't that bad. I never knew I could even play an instrument until earlier." Knives assured, smiling.

"Good to see you're coming out of your shell." You said, glad that you'd made a difference. "Practice when you can, and you'll get better in no time. Your potential is insane, and so is your motivation."

"You think so?" Knives asked, hopeful.

"I know so." You nodded, giving a thumbs up. "Anyway, we should probably go home, it's getting late. See ya, Knives."

"Chau!" Knives said, and the pun made you chuckle as your video wings carried away.