Chapter 232: The Final Touches Before the Stage

Zande sat in her dressing room, staring at her reflection as she applied the finishing touches to her makeup. Her first performance had left her sweating profusely, and as was her habit, she preferred to reapply her makeup herself, using human methods. The repetitive action of brushing powder on her cheeks, lining her eyes, and smoothing her lips with color helped soothe her, grounding her before she faced the stage again. It was more than vanity; it was a ritual that helped her focus, a quiet moment of preparation before the storm of performance. Another pre-show ritual Zande always indulged in was the subtle scanning of the audience’s minds. She never did this to intrude, but rather to gauge the emotional temperature of the crowd. In this way, she could sense who needed healing through her music, who had come with heavy hearts, or who was filled with excitement. Music was her way of reaching out to them, offering solace and comfort through her songs. She tailored her performance acc