005 ✽ We be all night

[giglio_madonna]

Who: The willing from Pride and Virgo
What: Want to know what party sucked? The solstice party. Want to know what party won't suck? Luci and Luce's.
When: Jan 8th
Where: The basement of the club Blue Heist
Warnings: None planned besides possible/probably intoxication




A little while after the disaster at Naomi's, those who had attended might find themselves approached- by Luce on Virgo's side, by Luci on Pride's, or perhaps by someone who had heard about it from either of them. The subject of conversation?

Another party. One that involves another mingle of both labels, without being used for any ulterior motives.

Those who seem up to it are given a time and place. Blue Heist is one of the clubs around town that has what could be called a "basement level", for private renting and parties available to anyone who has the cash to spend on it. It's a pretty simple set up, nothing extravagant like the party at Naomi's... Which is absolutely on purpose, let no one tell you otherwise. There's a reason any mics or karaoke equipment has been pointedly removed. All the music is on the system already.

Nope, tonight it's just dancing and drinking, with a couple of rooms to the side that have cheesy movies playing in case you're tired out. No closed doors, no poison at the bar, no murder.

And if you want to take a moment to maybe have a talk to someone on the opposite label to discuss or apologize for the events of the prior night... That's fine too.

Just be careful. Both labels are still under watch, it seems, with a few bodyguards from both sides around the perimeter here and there.

Comments

Drinktime!

[nibelungvalesti]

Meril had a mission: find out more about Doctor. All she knew of him was from that rather uncomfortable encounter they'd had with him feverish in a box, and she really didn't want to base her entire work off that. So, doing her best to be sociable -- a very poor best, given her current mood and how dark the bags under her eyes ran -- she turned a wan smile on him.

"Do they have any beer actually worth drinking?"

[trustme]

"They do have an expansive list of options. There must be something good there. It seems they make a point of promoting the local brewing companies. Have you tried any of those?" he suggests. He returns the smile though he can't help noticing the shadows under her eyes. Then again it was something plenty common among the new artists lately.

[nibelungvalesti]

"I have not, but I would like to. Do you have a recommendation?" She had gathered that he didn't know much about the beers, but some insight into his mental processes -- now that they were reasonably coherent -- would help her in her quest.

[trustme]

"Yes but..." he hesitates, rocking his head back and forth as he tries to decide between options. "I've been told I have odd taste in food and drink. I don't think so- I think everyone should be open to trying new foods but apparently that's not 'cool' with some people. So I'm giving you my warning out of consideration." He grabs a drink menu from the center of the table and skims over the beer selection with a finger, stopping at one. "I liked this one. It's not as bitter as other brews."

He taps the bottom of the menu. "But really if you'd like an idea of what's good and what's not I'd suggest the shot sampler tray."

[nibelungvalesti]

Oh! Here was something she could use. Meril nodded at his suggestion, finding it good on its merits, but kept her attention on him. "Odd tastes in what way? You prefer foods that would be considered exotic?"

[trustme]

"I wouldn't say exotic is the right word. Creative combinations is more like it. Take fish fingers (fish sticks) for example. You could eat them with the usual condiments- tarter sauce, ketchup, vinegar. But why limit yourself? I was struck my inspiration at a buffet table and tried them with some custard. Absolutely delicious results!"

More like it was a memory that struck him but he doesn't know that yet.

[nibelungvalesti]

Oh, well. That WAS very weird. Meril nodded as if it was perfectly normal, though. "Is that just limited to food? You seem like you might enjoy creative combinations in other aspects as well."

[trustme]

"Hm. I do mix things up a great deal by multitasking, if that's any way similar. I'll write multiple songs at once and get up and dance around the room a bit most evenings. While I was at Cambridge I perfected a comedy routine that mixes drinking and playing the accordion. Does that count?"

[nibelungvalesti]

"It sounds like you have a mind uninclined to focus on one thing at once," Meril mused. To put it mildly. "And one inclined to see connections where most people do not."

[trustme]

"Mmm. Yes! Yes that's actually very accurate!" He nods his head up and down several times quickly like a bouncing ball. "It might sound strange but I do a better job when I multitask. My parents were always saying I've been wired different. I need stimulation, something to think about or do with every available bit of my thinking power."

"Music is great for that! Have you ever thought about it that way before? Just how much you're doing all at once when you play piano with the rest of your band."

[nibelungvalesti]

"To be honest, I barely concentrate on my playing or anything at all, when I am at my instrument. I find it to be more... meditative, than anything. Rather than being closely in tune with my actions, I slip away from the world."

Meril had mentioned this to others, and in considering it had become more aware of the process. And that had made the whole experience... disappointing, somehow. Subconsciously, she expected more. But why, she couldn't say.

[trustme]

Doctor nods more slowly this time, actual quiet for a moment as he considers and admires her thoughts.

"That's brilliant! When you can feel the music that deeply you can do so much more to effect it on an emotional level. That's the talent that really separates the good from the great. Play like you're praying, or crying, or fighting, or anything you want your audience to experience! Oh yes! That is wonderful indeed!" He claps his hands.

[nibelungvalesti]

Meril's slow blink was, for her, a strong expression of surprise. She had never considered that particularly 'talented', nor herself to be great. "Are you sure? The people I know who are most talented are far more intense and involved in their playing."

[trustme]

"Everyone has their own style just as our minds all work in their own ways. You still feel passionate when you play don't you? Your skill shows your feelings- that's proof that you have talent!" He nods his head to her. "Surely I'm not the first person to tell you that you're a great musician."

[nibelungvalesti]

"I am well aware my talents in music are not particularly exemplary," she responded, her coolness merely her usual tone. "I am skilled enough not to embarrass the others, that is all."

[trustme]

Doctor cocks his head. "What makes you think your skills aren't that great? I didn't say they were to butter you up. I mean it. Did someone tell you that you were only so good?"

[nibelungvalesti]

"Our manager has been very clear that my musical talent is not what keeps me in the band," Meril said, with a wry glance down at her own body.

[trustme]

Doctor's eyes go wide for a second and he pulls his head back like someone had taken a swing at him. "What?! No! No no no! Your own manager said that?! That's not right at all!"

He frowns at the air in front of him. "You are very pretty Meril but you have so much more than that to give!"

[nibelungvalesti]

"Well, I thank you for your compliment." Which she in no way believed, to judge by her cool regard of his animated shock. "But so long as I can support Greg, I am satisfied."

[trustme]

"And there's another thing very admirable about you. You're loyal and devoted to your band," Doctor points at her, trying to make her see. "I hope at least when Greg tells you how important you are, that you know it, and feel that you are, even if it's just for a moment."

[nibelungvalesti]

"Greg has the power to make anyone believe what he says." Meril crossed her arms, unable to keep herself from sounding a little wry. "Charm is in his nature. But I know he values me."

[trustme]

Doctor chortles at her blatant admiration for Greg. "He's a very nice fellow, Greg. I'm not sure he'd believe it if someone called him charming. You should tell him why you admire him sometime. The two of you could..." Doctor waves his hand back and forth, "Swap some nice compliments."

At the very least. Maybe other affections and happiness on that note.

[nibelungvalesti]

"...Why is the instinctive response to me complimenting Greg an attempt to hook the two of us up?" Meril rolled her eyes, though she was not really annoyed despite the arch, imperious tone of voice.

[trustme]

"What? No no! I'm not going to grab your heads, press your faces together and demand that you kiss! I'm only encouraging you, as a friend of yours -and his. I see that you admire him. It's instinctual for a friend to want their friends to be happy together if they decide they'd like to be." Doctor pouts his lips. "Nothing wrong with that as a response is there?"

[nibelungvalesti]

"I can respect and admire him without attempting to jump his bones." Meril betrayed just a hint of the turns of phrase that this business was instilling in her.