The Bear and Barnacle

It's a coincidence. He only went to get new string, arguing haggling bartering for better loaded gut, and stepped in for a drink. He does not greatly care for all this bawling and barking into 'microphones' and is this close to retracing his steps, backing out of the pub, when something, someone? shoves him forward. Clutching the padded lute case to his breast, Cesare's eyes are a bit wild before he inches and sidles to a table at the back.

Put off by the caterwauling noises, the cats' screeches and the booming beats (Dora sounded nice; she might do well in a choir, he thought, and Messer Holmes' violin was an unexpected boon) he gently opens the case and pulls the lute from her hold.

Oh no, Miquel says. Oh no, you won't-

"Dare me. Stop me," Cesare whispers.

Not this. Miquel is close to hissing.

Cesare grunts, then bends over the frets. He gets through half the canzon, then Miquel snaps half of his chori. I said, not this.

Lute pressed against him so it won't fall, Cesare spreads his arms in a seated, mocking curtsey. "Don Michele."


***
if you're wary of DLing the puristic Lutz Kirchhof version after Josquin Desprez, here's a rendition on youtube

Zel waits until the night winds down before he even takes his guitar out of its case. He's been impressed, actually, with what all has been done by the patrons of the pub. Despite his inclination to the contrary, he begrudgingly admits Iago's skill with song and gives a smile to the little girl who reminds him too much of Amelia not to expect her to sing about Justice. He will deny contemplating how incredible Iago's choice of song would be on a guitar. However, he will need to speak to the vampire.

But as the silence draws out in the darkness, it becomes clear that no one else will be taking the stage. So he stands up and takes the guitar Jack gave him for his birthday up with him. He doesn't introduce himself, figuring most will know who he is since he stands out more than anyone else here. Zel perches on a stool and puts the guitar in his lap then quietly begins playing one of his own songs, his eyes closed and fingers skillfully strumming the mournful song.

Dora sets Teddy on her chair and traipses up onto the small stage and waves enthusiastically to everyone.

"I'm going to sing now! You can sing with me if you want, but I'll have the microphone!"

She waits for the music to start up then lifts the small microphone up then sings.

"Raindrops on ponies and whiskers on Teddy!"

After listening to the first few selections, Holmes dashes out of the pub. After about fifteen minutes, he's back, violin case in hand. He politely waits his turn, then steps up to the front of the room. "I hope you won't have any objection if I play rather than sing for you," he tells the audience. "A selection by Paganini." Holmes reverently removes his Stradivarius from the case, checks the tuning, rosins his bow and begins.

Iago has always had a knack for picking up the basics of languages, and the talent extends to a quick memory for lyrics. He has a vast repertoire of English drinking songs, which had most of his fellow officers convinced he'd been to England, one or two French sailors' shanties, and a collection of filthy ballads in his own language that he would put up against any habitue of the Venetian taverns one cared to point out.

This talent did not desert him when he arrived in Margate, prompting one of the waitresses at the bar where he worked before buying this place to make him several mix tapes, a few of which he now plays in the pub after hours to keep him company while he's cleaning the place. Modern music was a little bizarre to Iago at first, but now he loves it.

He's fond of one artist in particular, and he picks a favorite tune for karaoke night. There's not a particular reason he likes this song, he would genially insist if asked. It's not autobiographical, stating the philosophies of a life he used to live. No, not at all.

Iago's voice is good, an even low tenor, and he likes to sing, but this is the first time he's done it to a full pub instead of one empty but for himself, his family and his drinks and dishrags.

"Now that is a tough act to follow," Q thinks to himself as he makes himself go up front. Still, someone has to go next and he'll get points for guts if not for brains. He picks up the microphone. "My name is Q! How do you do!" he announces and starts right in.

The Joker slinks into the back of the pub unnoticed and watches for a bit. Then, abrubtly, he stalks to the front and steals the mike right out of the hands of some poor local.

"Ladies and gentelman, ah, now for some REAL entertainment..."




*shakes head* I'm so, so sorry. I had nothing to do with this nonsense, I swear.

Spike saw the Karaoke announcement on the Bulletin at the pub, and smirked. Why not?

The night in question, when Iago asked for volunteers, Spike gave him a little nod and then swept up to the front, exhaling the last of the smoke from his cigarette. Grabbing the mike, he looked out over the pub patrons. "Um, yeah. This little ditty is one that I...well, yeah, it's just...oh, bugger, just start the music."



The intro is really long before it gets to the lyrics, but it's just so good! Thanks to youtuber kerin812 for this awesome vid!

There are many strange customs in this world, and we, who belong to this and others, bring many strange customs with us -- yet this custom, I think, we can all share with equal ... fervor.

Bring us a song for our entertainment. They call it karaoke, I believe. Come! who's first?

First: Many apologies. Your fearless mod fails at keeping track of the date. (offers hands for caning)

Have your character sing a song (or play one, or just recite something, for those who can't/won't sing). Please provide a link as well -- YouTube clip, online mp3, download (which will Of Course be deleted after listening in accordance with international law disclaimer disclaimer blah), however you like to do it. Tag is "karaoke night." Have fun!