::The sounds of a Dixie Land band echoed joyously through the mid-summer night air in southern Louisiana and a large crowd of people were gathered to hear the band play on the stage set up in the middle of a grassy field. Perched up in a near-by tree, Hermes snapped his fingers along with the beat, a huge grin spread across his face. "Oh yeah, like, swing it daddy-o!" he cried and suddenly flew out of the tree, hovering in place for a moment trying to decide how close he could get to the band without being seen.

He actually found this concert by accident for when he finished his eating and exploring the city, the blue deity took off and headed south in search of a good, quiet, peaceful place to relax. Loving the huge river that ran along the whole course of the country north to south was exactly where he headed knowing it would give him much comfort. Seeing the river all full of boats and pollution made him sick for oil slicks did not look good on a muddy river or any other one for that matter, but still, he was near water and that was fine with him.

Hermes flew to a near-by field and made an oak tree his temporary sanctuary so he could sleep off some of the dinner he ate earlier, but his sleep didn't last long when he heard the sounds of a band tuning up. Sitting up and hearing music, a smile crossed Hermes' lips and he knew he just had to stay here now to hear the band play. All of the instruments were foreign to him, but he recognized them from the book in Belit's office. Some even looked like just updated versions of instrumens of his time and though they only played a few chords here and there to warm up, Hermes was definately interested in hearing more and couldn't wait for the show to begin.

When dusk arrived so with it crowds of people and when they stopped coming the band began to play and Hermes knew it was best to stay out of sight and just to enjoy the music from his oak tree hide-away. Now that he was listening for a few hours, the little God couldn't contain his excitement anymore. The music was so new and fresh to him and certainly sounded much better then those dulls-ville lyres and flutes from his days. He felt he had to get involved in this music somehow and didn't worry about getting seen, he just had to play!

At first that drive wasn't there, but after a few sets a large set of keyboards was brought out as well as a few electric guitars and that's when Hermes really got lost in the sounds. He just had to try these new fangled keyboards! With a shrug and a cheerful laugh, the little messenger crooked his Caduceus against his arm and flew swiftly to the stage and around behind it so he could land. Making sure no-one was looking, Hermes alighted on the wood plankings of the stage and casually leaned his golden staff on his left shoulder. Musicians are a different breed of people and he was going to try his luck and just waltz out to the band members and ask if he can join with them for a session. Since he was a kindred spirit, he felt there shouldn't be any trouble.

Walking with confidence past the stage crew, Hermes made his way to the stage and stood in plain view of the band. The bass player was the first to notice the pale blue form standing about five feet from him and soon after the rest of the group stopped their playing and just gaped. Hermes grinned and nodded to the keyboards, "Like, hey cats, mind if I jam with you?"

Much to his surprise, the bassist seemed to recognize him. "Wow, it would be an honour! Man, this is too much. I heard you were in town, but I never thought you'd actually come to see us play."

Hermes blinked behind his purple lensed glasses. They heard I was in town? he thought. Too odd, but he wasn't about to question it for they accepted him and were happy to see him and that was good enough. It must have been his flying around that frightened the people he saw the other day in England. With dragons and other winged creatures being snuffed out of mortal thoughts, it was no wonder people were afraid of his flying. So, if he wanted to get anywhere down here he knew he had to walk on mortal ground...and like it.

The bass guitar player stepped to him and dropped an arm around his shoulders. Hermes flinched from being touched, but took it all in good stride and smiled his best. The man jabbered to the crowd about always wanting to meet this guy and how he's the best keyboard player around and that made Hermes cheeks turn purple. The mortal then laughed and smiled down at the little messenger. "Hey, one thing, though. What's up with the get up? I mean, why are you blue?"

Confusion registered in Hermes' eyes, I thought this cat knew me, he wondered. He was going to question him about that, but wasn't sure how the people that didn't know him would react if he said he was a God from Olympus, so thinking fast, he simply replied. "Ah, like, if you wanna play the blues you gotta be blue, dig it!"

That comment got rousing cheers and applauds from the audience and even the band memebers appreciated that bit of advice, odd as it was. Smiling more seeing he did right, Hermes confidently strode to the keyboards he grew smitten with when he first saw them and nodded to their player. "Take five, man," he quipped and handed him his staff. The mortal nodded happily and slightly bowed allowing Hermes full control of the keyboards.

Now Hermes was happy and in his element. Wiggling his long blue fingers to get warmed up, he looked over the instrument and noted that it really wasn't much different then the ones he had up on Olympus in his time. "Oh yeah!" he laughed and quickly belted out a few notes to get used to this new, but familiar instrument. He stopped and thought for a moment and remembered a sad, but jazzy song he wrote centuries ago and immediately began to play it. The band listened on in respectful awe before they began to get the mood and beat and accompanied him making the little God feel elated for the first time he got stuck in this nutty world.

This was also the first time he's ever had a band join him and play like this. Normally, his accompaniment would be just once a year when the New Year came around and the Olympians celebrated. His jamming at that party always was joined by stringed instruments and horns, but it was almost all chaotic, except for his playing. Right now was pure heaven for the blue musician and he couldn't stop grinning and the more happy he became, the better his music got and it took all he had to not fly up and hover in front of the instrument like he normally does when playing.

He lapsed from blues, to swing, to just plain upbeat much to the crowd's and band's delight. After playing for what seemed like hours, the little Messenger God ended his playing, receiving thunderous applause from the crowd. The bassit yelled something joyously to them, but Hermes couldn't hear what he was saying from all the clapping.

The original keyboardist patted Hermes on his thin blue shoulders and handed him back the Caduceus he held. "Great performance, man," he said with a smile making Hermes all the more pleased. It felt great to play for such an appreciative audience. Even though his wife and friends enjoyed his music, this was something way different feeling.

Not wanting to completely hog the limelight, Hermes stepped away from the keyboards getting ready to leave, but was immediately snatched by the bassit and shoved to the front of the stage. "Isn't this one swinging cat?" he cried into the microphone making the crowd yell their agreement. "Say something to your fans, man," he said to Hermes and pushed the strange object he spoke to in Hermes' face.

The little messenger frowned as he was unsure of what to say, "Uhhh...like, this is one oh-so-happening place and I can't thank these babes enough for giving me the chance to play on their fabulous keyboards. Eh, like, you're all the most!" He shrugged knowing how lame that sounded, but regardless, he got more applause and yet another hearty pat on the back from the bass player.

"Hey, if you aren't doing anything after the show, how would you like coming to a band party? We're going to have lots of fun and music. It would be an honour to have you join us," the musician offered.

Hermes' eyes widened behind his purple lensed glasses and he twisted his Caduceus between the fingers of his left hand pondering the invite. At first he was going to say no, but the mention of food got him to change his mind. He was very hungry again and maybe they would have keyboards at the party and he could play more music. Nodding his head, he agreed to join the band at the party and that got him yet another pounding on his back. Man, mortals are sure touchy these days, he thought to himself, giving the man a cheesy grin.

The band began to play their last songs for the night while Hermes just stood off to the side of the stage clicking his fingers to the beat. His thoughts drifted for a moment and he wondered why Zeus would tell him to keep from sight down here. Mortals were nutty in his opinion and things sure have changed in these last thousand or so years, but this band and their admirers sure knew a God when they saw one and knew how to show proper respect. The touching had to stop, though. Hermes hated being touched by anyone other then his wife, but he didn't want to seem rude in front of these people that accepted him.

When the show was finally over with, Hermes and the rest of the band headed to a large tour bus. The little god stood in front of it, his knees locked, unsure of what the thing was. It snarled from the sides and seemed to vibrate as if it were alive. He read about things like this in Belit's transportation book, but this was the first time he saw something like this in person. He didn't think these things were so huge and menacing! He soon felt a hand clasp his shoulder and he jumped out of his thoughts. "Hey, come on, don't tell me you're having second thoughts about joining us?" the bassist questioned with a worried look in his eyes that Hermes was going to leave.

Hermes shook his head slowly and gave the man a crooked grin, "Eh, like, no, just wondering why your vehicle is so small."

The man blinked and laughed loudly, giving Hermes a pat on the winged helmet, "You're too funny you know that? Come on, let's go." He then climbed up the stairs and disappeared into the bus. Hermes cocked his head and cautiously copied the man's actions and followed him. Normally he wasn't so trusting of humans, but with the reaction he got while on stage with the band showed him he was accepted and well liked and he felt no harm in hanging out with fellow musicians anyways.

Once in the bus, Hermes looked around amazed at how large this thing really was and how many people were crammed inside. The bassist made his way to him and smiled broadly. "You know, I almost forgot to tell you my name. I'm Bret and like I said before, it's an honour to finally meet you," he then reached forward and grabbed Hermes' hand and shook it. The little god winced from the clutzy hand-shaking, and smiled as best as he could. He was just about to state his pleasure in meeting him when Bret suddenly pulled him to an empty seat and shoved him in it.

Hermes frowned at the abrupt action, but the man was obviously too happy and caught up with things to notice how rough he was being to the little god. Suddenly, the bus shuddered and began to slowly pull out of the parking lot. Hermes' eyes widened behind his glasses and he turned his head towards the window and saw they were moving. Now he understood why Bret pushed him into the chair. This great metal vehicle of theirs moved quick!

Hermes sat up as straight and as tall as he could to watch the streets whizzing by, but it was dark out and he really couldn't see much of anything other then the glare of lights from the inside of the bus reflecting on the windows which was perhaps a good thing for he did not like this trip at all. Soon the bus came to a halt much to Hermes' joy. The loud talking and noise on the bus was starting to give him a slight headache and he was anxious to leave it. Bret, who was seated next to Hermes the whole duration of the bus ride, finally spoke to the little messenger. "Ok, now it's time for some fun!" he cried and stood up.

Hermes did the same and twirled his Caduceus between his fingers eager to get outside and out of this smokey bus. So many humans were smoking cigarettes it was pathetic and the air made him cough. A few times he was offered a smoke or a can of some pungent smelling ale, but each time he politely refused. Buncha nuts, he grumbled to himself as he finally was given the chance to exit the bus and step out into the clean air, if you could call it that.

Outside, the bus smelled of some sort of fumes that made Hermes' eyes water. He turned and glared at the silver beast when he noticed something was imprinted on the tire which really caught his interest. Reaching forward, Hermes was about to touch it when once more the heavy hand of Bret was on his shoulder. "Come on, man. The party's this way!" he exclaimed excitedly and dragged a reluctant Hermes away from the bus and towards a building that was already loud with music and people's voices.