:{ Everybody has a past }: (Semi-open. Please ask before you join.)

[Ian Moone]

(This is a time warped thread.  It's a backstory of sorts.  That's why it's only Semi-open and I would like for people to ask before they join in.)

Backstage ...

Pacing back and forth, slowly, methodically, the Songbird was waiting for the call of his name.  Puts a comb through his, short, dark hair once again.  He knew his performance was next.  His black slacks freshly pressed, his white t-shirt peeking from under his yellow diner jacket, his black shoes freshly polished.  He was calm.  He was collected.  Five feet and ten inches of melodic harmony.  Sunglasses on.  He was ready.  

This was his usual state before a performance.  Nothing new about this night, other than the location.  But he had needed a new place.  The heat had gotten too high where he had been before.
He had started this game a few years back.  Most places wouldn't let him in back then.  He couldn't pass.  He was too young.  But he'd grown.  He was still too young, but he didn't look it anymore.  The streets back home could age a boy and let him pass for a man.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, introducing for the first time on our stage, all the way from America, back on Earth, the Songbird himself, Broun Rams."

The applause fills the room as the announcer leaves the stage.  That's his cue. Through the curtain, onto the stage, it's time.  Start light, then hit em slow.  Grab the mic ... And sing.

Ohhhhh ohhhhhh ohhhhhh ohhhhhhh

Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday
Yeah

Plenty of ladies in the room tonight. Slide along the stage, give them a thrill.

I know, I know
When I compliment her she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"
I say,

When I see your face (face, face...)
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing (amazing)
Just the way you are (are)
And when you smile (smile, smile...)
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing (amazing)
Just the way you are (are).
Yeah

Not many men.  That's always good. It's like that back home.

Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday,

Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for
Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking if you look okay
You know I'll say,

The men always have other things to do.  Shame on them.

When I see your face (face, face...)
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing (amazing)
Just the way you are (are)
And when you smile (smile, smile...)
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing (amazing)
Just the way you are (are)

The way you are
The way you are
Girl, you're amazing (amazing)
Just the way you are (are)

Unescorted ladies can become victims in the wrong company.

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing (amazing)
Just the way you are (are)
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are

Yeah

And the music stops.  The applause rings out.  He smiles and takes a bow.  There's enough light to see.  So many ladies, with so many jewels.  That's the goal.  Eyes on the prizes.  Another bow, stage left.  One more, stage right.  The really do love this kid's voice, don't they?

[Lt. Seleen Darkite]

Nothing like a fresh hair cut to make a woman feel her best.  Shuda had said he had some things to do in town, so Seleen went with him.  But his errands were boring.  So she set out to run some errands of her own.  A hair cut was one of them.  The hair stylist was careful of her dress as she cut her hair.  Her long, onyx black, waves went from falling past her shoulders to only falling to her shoulders.

They were going somewhere nice for dinner, so she had worn a lovely red dress, and had borrowed some jewels from Venis.  Her dress was floor length, satiny red, with a slit in the left side that went all the way to her waist.  The front was cut as low as she would wear, about the bottom of her sternum, so no bra.  The top was a halter, so it was around her neck, and it was pretty close to being backless.  She had a pair of four inch, red, stiletto heels at the bottom of her long legs.  They turned her five foot, ten inch, frame to reach the six foot and two inches that her best friend reached in her stocking feet.

As she was walking along the sidewalk, headed to a little shop down the road, she heard the sound of music.  It wasn't her usual genre but it sounded nice.  So, she veered from her path to enter the club.  She paid the five silver cover charge at the door and found an empty table.  She sat down and crossed her right leg over her left.  She pulled the skirt of the dress across her leg and set the red, satin, clutch purse in her lap.  When a waitress came to her to ask if she wanted a drink, she waved the lady off.  She was just here for the music.  And it was good music.  So, when the song ended, she joined in the applause.

[Ian Moone]

The audience ...

The raven haired beauty entered the club.  It was the first chorus of the song.  'When I see your face' were the words he sang as she walked in.  And she did look amazing.  That dress.  Those jewels.  That was one thing he would change.

The dying sounds of applause signaled him that it was time.  He needed another song.  Maybe two more.  He had a large crowd to get through.  The music plays.

If you ever leave me, baby,
Leave some morphine at my door
'Cause it would take a whole lot of medication
To realize what we used to have,
We don't have it anymore.

There's no religion that could save me
No matter how long my knees are on the floor (Ooh)
So keep in mind all the sacrifices I'm makin'
To keep you by my side
To keep you from walkin' out the door.

Off the stage.  Cruising the tables.  Brushing a face.  Touching a shoulder.

'Cause there'll be no sunlight
If I lose you, baby
There'll be no clear skies
If I lose you, baby
Just like the clouds
My eyes will do the same, if you walk away
Everyday it'll rain, rain, ra-a-a-ain

I'll never be your mother's favorite
Your daddy can't even look me in the eye
Ooh, if I was in their shoes, I'd be doing the same thing
Sayin' "There goes my little girl
Walkin' with that troublesome guy"

Clip on earrings.  Always easy.  A swipe down the side of her face.  The earrings gone.  One at a time.  She never noticed.

But they're just afraid of something they can't understand
Ooh, but little darlin' watch me change their minds
Yeah for you I'll try, I'll try, I'll try, I'll try
I'll pick up these broken pieces 'til I'm bleeding
If that'll make you mine

'Cause there'll be no sunlight
If I lose you, baby
There'll be no clear skies
If I lose you, baby
Just like the clouds
My eyes will do the same, if you walk away
Everyday it'll rain, rain, ra-a-a-ain

What a lovely necklace.  A touch to the back of her neck.  The clasp undone.  Into the pocket.  Just a slight of hand.

Oh, don't you say (don't you say) goodbye (goodbye),
Don't you say (don't you say) goodbye (goodbye)
I'll pick up these broken pieces 'til I'm bleeding
If that'll make it right

'Cause there'll be no sunlight
If I lose you, baby
There'll be no clear skies
If I lose you, baby
And just like the clouds
My eyes will do the same, if you walk away
Everyday it'll rain, rain, ra-a-a-ain

Small haul.  Good crowd though.  Got a few bobbles.  One more song might get him the rest of the way through the room.  And the raven haired beauty was at the next table.  He couldn't miss out on a chance a those diamonds and rubies she was wearing.  

The applause was deafening.  And no one was even noticing that their goodies were gone. Poor, unfortunate, souls.  But, a boy's gotta eat.  And these ladies are so engrossed by his voice.  How can he not take advantage of such a bounty?  Yes, one more song should get him through the room.  And maybe he'll get back on the stage and give them one more for the road.

[Lt. Seleen Darkite]

Seleen watched as the boy traveled the crowd and sang.  His voice was good, but she had heard better.  His slight of hand was good too.  It takes a certain level of skill to brush your hand down the side of a woman's face and get her earring to come free of her ear.  But this boy was managing.  Skill should be admired.  And his criminal proclivities were none of Seleen's business.

But then he was close to her table.  Suddenly, it was her business.  She was wearing Venis' jewels.  Venis' rubies and diamonds.  And if this kid wanted those, he was going to find it a lot harder to get them than these other bobbles that he was palming.  But, despite the situation she might be about to have on her hands, Seleen did applaud him when his song ended.  He had earned the applause.

[Ian Moone]

So many lovelies ...

Cue the next song.  This one always gets them good.  First, the table to the left of the lady in red.  His left, not hers.  Music playing, and the song.

Same bed but it feels just a little bit bigger now
Our song on the radio but it don't sound the same
When our friends talk about you, all it does is just tear me down
'Cause my heart breaks a little when I hear your name

It all just sounds like oooooh…
Mmm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should've bought you flowers
And held your hand
Should've gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man

Nice earrings she had.  And that rock on her finger.  It's in his pocket now. The raven haired beauty was next. She'd had his attention since she came through the door.

My pride, my ego, my needs, and my selfish ways
Caused a good strong woman like you to walk out my life
Now I never, never get to clean up the mess I made, ohh…
And it haunts me every time I close my eyes

It all just sounds like oooooh…
Mmm, too young, too dumb to realize
That I should've bought you flowers
And held your hand
Should've gave you all my hours
When I had the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause all you wanted to do was dance
Now my baby's dancing
But she's dancing with another man

Whispering his lyrics into the mic, but also into her ear. Necklace first.  So may jewels to be had with this one.  Slide his hand around her neck, there's the clasp.  Almost got it ...

[Lt. Seleen Darkite]

Seleen's head turned and her eyes watched as he lifted the jewels from the lady to her right.  And then, just as she figured, he was moving toward her table.  She knew he would target her.  How could he not with all the jewelry she was wearing.  But he had a problem.  While all these women were mesmerized by his voice, she remained fully aware.  Kinda hard to pull mind tricks on a vampire.

He leaned over to whisper his lyrics into her ear.  She unclasped her clutch purse in her lap with her left hand.  He slid his hand around her neck, she moved her dress off her legs and onto the gun on her right hip with her right hand.  Her left hand procured two platinum coins from her clutch.  Her right thumb moved to unsnap her thigh holster to make it easier to slide her gun free.

While he sang and fumbled with her clasp, she whispered in his ear.  "These jewels are older than your great-grandmother.  And their owner is very dangerous.  You can choose the two coins in my left hand, or the gun in my right, but either way, the jewelry stays."  She watched his expression out of the corner of her eye while she awaited his choice.

[Ian Moone]

Busted ...

And the clasp lets go.  Easier than one would think.

Although it hurts
I'll be the first to say that I was wrong
Oh, I know I'm probably much too late
To try and apologize for my mistakes
But I just want you to know

I hope he buys you flowers
I hope he holds your hand
Give you all his hours
When he has the chance
Take you to every party
'Cause I remember how much you loved to dance
Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man
Do all the things I should have done
When I was your man

Hearing her whispers, he lets go of the necklace.  It slid down her chest into her lap.  He ran his hand down her left arm to her hand.  The back of her hand brought to his lips.  A gentle kiss laid upon the hand as he took hold of the offered coin.

With a wink, he released her hand and turned to jog his way back up to the stage.  Women were pawing at him as he went by.  They were all clapping so loud.  How could he not give them one more?

[Lt. Seleen Darkite]

Seleen smiled as he released the necklace and she felt it slide to her lap.  She allowed him to kiss her hand, it was a good guise for taking the offered coin.  He had made the smart choice. 

When he walked away and started jogging back to the stage, she re-clasped her holster and then pulled her dress back over her legs.  She closed her clutch before she began to applaud him with the other patrons. 

Once he was back on the stage, and the clapping stopped, she picked up the necklace and put it back on.  The kid really did have a good voice, so she figured she would stick around to see if he gave them one more.  And as long as he didn't try and lift anymore jewelry from her, then she'd be happy to just let him do his thing.

[The Man]

Never mind the fact that the glass of rum had been being nursed for the past hour. Never mind the fact that his cigar had been replaced twice and the ashes of the fallen pervious ones lay in small piles on the table. Never mind the fact that he had been to this god forsaken club specifically the last few nights so that he’d have the place cased out by the time that guy on stage appeared on the docket.

— Singers.  They always had an angle.

If they were not trying to excite or put a heart to mourning, they were making that muscle alight with fanciful imaginations that numbed the brain. That green boy on the stage had done quite a lot. The dossier of this guy from Earth spoke potential. Only this event had to be suffered. Crooning to the ladies. They didn’t even know they were being had.  Or they didn’t care. He was willing to bet his rum on it being the second option.

— Then there was that one lady.

Boy wasn’t getting anything past her. Over reaching.  That’s what the green boy did.  Full of that youthful cocky arrogance that told hm he could do anything. Kids. At least the boy had taken gracefully back to the stage without incident. The disappointing part of all this was that it appeared that the boy was going to sing again.

— He casually pulled out his phone.

Brought it up and snapped a picture of the lady who soiled the boys pilfering. He sat quite a few tables back, not anywhere near the ‘circle’ that green boy hunted. He checked the time. This set should be ending soon. He had until then to decide. The pepper-haired man lounged back in his chair and took another sip of his rum.

[Ian Moone]

Leave 'em with a smile ...

Back on the stage. A little sweat beading up. It's been a good night. That woman with a gun though. Did she have fangs? What the what? One more song. For the ladies. Cue the music.

Hey, hey, hey
I got a condo in Manhattan
Baby girl, what's hatnin'?
You and your ass invited
So gon' and get to clappin'
Go pop it for a player
Pop, pop it for me
Turn around and drop it for a player
Drop, drop it for me
I'll rent a beach house in Miami
Wake up with no jammies (Nope)
Lobster tail for dinner
Julio serve that scampi (Julio!)
You got it if you want it
Got, got it if you want it
Said you got it if you want it
Take my wallet if you want it now

Yea, they're eating it up. So many smiles. So many eyes on him.

Jump in the Cadillac, girl, let's put some miles on it
Anything you want, just to put a smile on it
You deserve it baby, you deserve it all
And I'm gonna give it to you

Gold jewelry shining so bright
Strawberry champagne on ice
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Sex by the fire at night
Silk sheets and diamonds all white
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like

Move carefully. Can't have the treasures fall out on stage. A little swing. A little sway.

I'm talkin' trips to Puerto Rico
Say the word and we go
You can be my freaka
Girl, I'll be a fleeko, mamacita
I will never make a promise that I can't keep
I promise that your smile ain't gon' never leave
Shopping sprees in Paris
Everything 24 karats
Take a look in that mirror
Now tell me who's the fairest
Is it you? (is it you?) Is it me? (is it me?)
Say it's us (say it's us) and I'll agree, baby

Jump in the Cadillac, girl, let's put some miles on it
Anything you want, just to put a smile on it
You deserve it baby, you deserve it all
And I'm gonna give it to you

She's still here. The raven haired beauty. Why hadn't she left?

Gold jewelry shining so bright
Strawberry champagne on ice
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Sex by the fire at night
Silk sheets and diamonds all white
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like

If you say you want a good time
Well here I am baby, here I am baby
Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me
Tell me what's on your mind (what's on your mind)
If you want it, girl come and get it
All this is here for you
Tell me, baby, tell me, tell me, baby
What you tryna do

The irony of this song. It's totally lost on all these adoring faces.

Gold jewelry shining so bright
Strawberry champagne on ice
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Sex by the fire at night (Sex by the fire at night)
Silk sheets and diamonds all white
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like
Lucky for you, that's what I like, that's what I like

There. Done. Time to escape. Gotta get off the stage. Exit stage right. See you ladies.

~~~~~~

The Songbird headed back to his dressing room. He didn't take long in there. All he needed to do was collect his things and then collect his pay and he was out of there. Easy.

Once he had his things gathered up, he went to find the manager for his pay. That didn't take long either. And there was an offer to return. He made some excuse that he had a lot of bookings and it would be a bit before he could perform again. Can't be in the same place too often.

And, now it was time for the great escape. He headed out the back door of the club so he could disappear into the night.

[Lt. Seleen Darkite]

Lieutenant Seleen Orenda DeChamp, not quite Darkite at this point in time.  Lieutenant wasn't a nickname, it was a rank.  And it had been earned.  So, this former military woman was used to watching a room.  She noticed, pretty much, everything.  Some would do good to remember that.

That was how she noticed the boy's lifting of the jewels.  He was slick, but he showed room for improvement.  And that's also how she noticed the guy a few tables over and maybe one table space back.  She hadn't paid him any mind at first.  Just a guy enjoying some mediocre quality cigars and nursing his rum.  Nothing of any consequence.

But what was this?  As the kid was back on the stage, starting his next song, this guy was moving.  She looks out of the corner of her eyes to see what he's doing, because this was different than smoking or drinking.  He was holding up a phone.  Was the kid busted?  He didn't turn the phone to face the kid though.

And there it was, the tiniest flash of light from that phone.  He took a picture of her, or something in her specific direction.  That was a bad idea.  There was a reason Seleen was a permanent resident of Rhy'Din now.  Certain beings back on Earth couldn't know where she was.  So, was this guy sent here by them?  Only one way to find out.

Don't blink.

In the time frame that it would take for a human heart, that was at rest, to beat five times, Seleen was knelt beside the man who had snapped the picture.  Oh yes, she was that fast.  A slight lean and she was able to whisper into his ear, provided he didn't jump up and flee when she suddenly appeared beside him.

If he fled, she would find him later.  That was guaranteed.  If he was still there, she would whisper.  "The name on that picture would be Lieutenant Seleen DeChamp.  Just so you know.  And you can add that the picture was taken right before she tore your throat out. That is, unless you can give me a good reason to not do so?  Though, it would have to be really good.  I'd do a lot to keep my presence here a secret." And she had done far worse than rip a throat out.

She had to wait for his response, then act.  Hopefully he'd answer her before the kid left the stage.  She had something to discuss with him too.  So, she wanted to catch him before he left.

[The Man]

She could have materialized besides him with a knife at his throat and he would not have skipped a beat with the glass at his lips. Spend enough time in a land like this, doing what he did, and things were seen. He was too tried to be taken agape by show tricks of the magically-enabled kind. The pepper-haired man didn’t even do her the benefit of turning his head.  He was busy torturing himself with the green boys signing.

“For someone who wants to keep their presence a secret you sure know how to draw attention to yourself.” Nonchalantly stating the obvious. Others had to have seen her sudden flitter back to him and, if she ripped out his throat people were going to see that too. “So you do what you feel you have to do while saddling on your assumptions.”

— The thought process of people still amazed him.

If it could be recognized as such, his phone was still out. He hadn’t put it away. The makeup of it wasn’t a usual norm. It was a half-inch thick black rectangle. Smooth all around with no buttons, grooves or indents. an onyx paperweight.  

The flash must have come from someone else - obviously.  He wouldn’t be worth his salt - or pepper- if he made a visual declaration like that. Not all cameras flashed as things like that could be disabled. Though he suppose it was an honest mistake. All these patrons flashing lights at the boy on stage.

— He put his drink down

Still not much was consumed. It wasn’t the first time tonight he wondered why he was even suffering the rum.

[Lt. Seleen Darkite]

Seleen chuckled softly at his words.  Did she look new to him?  Well, maybe she did, she was stuck at 19.  But she was far from new.  Which is why she was amused by his comments.

His phone might have looked like a paperweight, but no one held up a paperweight like they were taking a picture with a phone.  And, while it is possible that the flash came from someone else, it came from his direction, nonetheless.

A look to the stage to see that the boy seemed to be almost done with his song.  She whispered to the young man in front of her, yes, young man.  "Trust me, I'm not dumb, I wouldn't kill you right here.  These foolish mortals might be overly distracted by the kid, but they're not so far gone that they wouldn't notice me ripping your throat out."

She glanced around the room, the kid was almost done and these people were about to wake up.  It would definitely be the wrong place and wrong time to be a vampire.  She needed to finish with this guy and get out of here.  "That being said, if the people who are looking for me back on Earth find me because of your picture, you're going to find yourself in a very bad way."

Song was over, the kid was exiting the stage,  It was time to go.  She rose up and fled out the door in the blink of an eye.  Around the building, into the alley, and to the back door.  So when the kid came out the door he would see her standing there, leaning against the wall, waiting for him.  "Some friendly advice ..."  Not quite a question, but more an offer.  Would he take her up on it?

[Sponsored content]