CASSIE’S POV.
They started working properly after that. Bastian messed with the bridge, playing different versions through the speakers, talking through it with Darren who stood at the board making adjustments while Castien played the guitar part live alongside the track.
I sat on the couch and watched, mostly staying out of the way, but twice Bastian turned and asked me which version felt right between two options, and twice I told him, and twice he nodded and said "correct" like I'd passed a test he'd set.
Bastian picked up a guitar and played a few random chords. Darren moved to the mic stand, adjusting it. Castien sat behind a keyboard, his fingers testing notes one at a time. It wasn’t formal yet. It was just them… being themselves.
“Okay,” Bastian said suddenly, looking at me. “J
