Saturday, Aug. 31st 1996 - Evening/night - The Rave
Naked from his shower, Roger dug around the back of his dresser drawer for the charmed shrunken wardrobe. The closet provided in the tiny room didn't hold a quarter of his clothes. Ah, there it was. He pulled out the tiny wardrobe and enlarged it to full size. It was ancient oak and took up all the floor space in his room.
He pulled open a door and dug around in the bottom till he found his tie dye kilt and old black hiking boots. He stowed the wardrobe away and performed a cleaning and ironing charm on the kilt. Much better. He put it on, then added an old faded black T-shirt that was a little tight across the chest and biceps. He pulled on two pairs of wool socks and his boots. Stowed his wand and muggle money in the pockets of the kilt. Finally he closed the modesty snap on the kilt and combed his hair. Hoping he didn't look utterly ridiculous to conservative wizarding senses, he went in search of Adrian.
*
Adrian looked at his clothes, suspecting he was embarrassing Viktor by running around butt-naked, but he was at least wearing a towel.
He didn't really have much in the way of variety that would be suitable for an event like this. White, blue and black shirts - he wouldn't wear the new red shirt just now - some different t-shirts, mostly black, plain trousers ranging from grey to ... yes, black, some different coats and then his running gear.
Surely that would be a wrong choice. He wasn't going running, it was supposed to about dancing. Well, at least some sort of dancing.
Black you never went wrong with. That fit anything. He picked out a black t-shirt, black trousers and the dark grey coat he had found yesterday... in a muggle shop. Well, it was very nice and it had been a good exercise. And he couldn't very well wear a robe to a muggle rave.
He dressed unhurriedly and put on a pair of his oldest shoes. No reason to ruin any new ones. Finally he put on the coat and looked at himself in the mirror. He ran a hand through his hair, but it always ended up tousled anyway, so why bother. He was as ready as he could be.
Finally, he slid his wand into the sewn-on sheath on his trouser leg, straightened the coat, put some muggle money into the pocket and with a bye he was out the door, nearly stepping right into Roger.
"Oh! Hey, Roger." Adrian smiled. He wasn't entirely sure about this, but it could be seen as training, in some way and damn...what was that? Adrian looked Roger over. Roger who looked... bloody good in a kilt. Well, he knew that, but the boots and the t-shirt that was just a littletoo tight-fitting... Adrian's smile widened slightly as he once more looked at Roger's face.
"Tie-dyed, I see." The smile turned smirky.
*
Roger blinked and backpedaled when Adrian nearly ran him over. "Yeah, tie-dye." He was grinning like a fool. Anticipation of the rave had endorphins running through his veins.
Adrian was a striking man. Tall, slender, and very good looking. He looked like he could be a male model. "Oo, cool top, mate. Ya ready? I'll apparate us. I've been there before. Inverness is my old stompin' grounds."
He looked Adrian up and down again, then frowned. "If you get into the dancing, you might turn an ankle in those." He pointed to Adrian's shoes with his wand. "Mind?" he asked, indicating he'd transfigure them.
*
Adrian arched an eyebrow at Roger's ... very different than normal attitude, even compared to Tuesday. Almost bouncy and that was not a word Adrian connected easily with Roger.
After more or less pulling his eyes away from Roger and looking down at his shoes, he shrugged "Sure... knock yourself out." He wondered what Roger would do.
*
After a moment of concentration, picturing what would look best, ahem, be the best ankle support, Roger waved his wand and spoke the shoe transfiguration so that Adrian ended up with his trousers tucked into black combat boots with silver eyes, up to mid calf.
"There. How does that feel?"
*
Now that was ... different and Adrian blinked as he saw the oddly shaped boots. He wriggled his toes, that felt okay, then took a few steps. That felt okay too. Good space, good support, but not quite his taste.
He supposed it was muggle fashion and they would probably think it looked good. Adrian looked back at Roger and smiled "That's fine, thanks. Good spell-work." After all, it would be easy to transfigure them back, if he wanted to.
*
Roger tried not to preen under the praise, but he so desperately wanted Adrian's approval. He wanted this evening to go well. Hell, he wanted a male dance buddy for nights when he was in the mood for Beaters. It seemed all his friends from last summer equated growing up and having a career with being a stodgy old stick in the mud.
"To Inverness?"
*
"To Inverness. You lead the way," Adrian gestured down the hall towards the stairs, and followed him outside in front of the house. "I'm bringing my wand though... I'm not going anywhere without it. Will there be any kind of control?"
*
"Of course, bring your wand." Roger held his aloft. "Control? This is a total muggle event."
They stepped around to the small alley behind the house and Roger slipped an arm around Adrian's waist. "Hap Alley, Inverness, " he said clearly.
*
There was no time to enjoy that arm around his waist or Roger's proximity before they apparated away and came back into existence in what he presumed to be Hap Alley. Without moving away from Roger, Adrian looked around curiously.
*
Green.
His eyes are green, Roger thought to himself as he stepped away. He filed the thought away as he turned and looked around, orienting himself. "Ah! This way." He started off down the street toward Nigel's apartment, trusting Adrian to follow. After about 100 yards, clomping on the cobbles with his boots, he bounced up the stairs to ring Nigel's bell.
*
There it was again, the bouncing. Adrian arched an eyebrow and suspected it wouldn't be the last time tonight he would do that. His boots were pretty much just as noisy as Roger's, but they were comfortable and that was the most important.
Straightening his coat slightly, Adrian stepped up behind Roger and waited for that Nigel to open the door. A muggle... Father would've laughed at him. The corners of Adrian's mouth curled slightly at that thought, because he couldn't care less.
*
Nigel opened the door with a grin. He was blonde and stood about 5'8" to Roger's 5'10. "Come in, come in!" he exclaimed.
Once the door closed, he and Roger crouched down and started banging their elbows rhythmically. Nigel yelled, "Guh nih-heh on cot hoo!" And Roger answered, "Iss guh nih-heh on jowel on cot!"
Greeting ritual completed they stood up straight and, laughing, pounded each other on the back.
"Adrian, this is my friend, Nigel. Nigel, Adrian."
"Ooo, got yourself a looker, Rog." Nigel batted his eyes outrageously at Adrian.
Roger rolled his eyes. "Look but don't touch, Nigel. He's one of my kind."
*
Adrian had to keep himself in check so he wouldn't gape at the odd ritual and the strange words. As it was, he managed a calm expression, put his hands in his pockets and curiously took a quick look around the muggle place before looking back at Roger and Nigel.
Little, blond, reminded him faintly of that obnoxious Finnigan from Gryffindor. And true to his expectations, one of his eyebrows arched on its own at the greeting. Of course, Roger had told him Nigel would chat him up at once, so he had more or less expected it.
"Nigel." With a light nod, Adrian considered the greeting and chatting up a closed chapter. He wasn't interested in small muggles.
*
"Where are we eating, mate?" Roger asked.
True to form, Nigel stepped forward and grabbed Adrian's arm, "Wherever handsome wants."
*
Almost with seeker reflexes, Adrian pulled his free hand up and wrapped it around Nigel's throat before pushing him fairly hard against the wall. He leant down, faces close, and sneered. "Roger said no touching, or don't you understand English?" He almost said muggle, but restrained himself. Barely.
With a snort he let Nigel go and turned to face Roger "You should teach your friends to behave." his voice wasn't accusatory, though. Almost amused actually.
*
Roger chuckled. He was used to watching Nigel get beat up by the men he annoyed. "Warned you Nigel. Now take us out, I'm starving!"
Nigel shot the sleeves of his jersey and brushed at his clothes as though brushing away dust, while trying to restore his dignity. "Spoilsport," he mumbled as he led them out and locked his door.
He hopped down the stairs and acted like nothing had happened. "Winner buys the first round!" then shot off down the street.
Roger whooped and started running in his hiking boots.
*
Winner buys the first round? But shouldn't they instead go slow then? Adrian didn't get this and he didn't suppose he would get much wiser during this event.
Walking at a brisk pace, he followed them, trying to keep them in sight, but failing as they rounded a corner. Oh well, dignity out the window, Adrian started running, but as he rounded the same corner, there was neither sight nor sound of the others.
"Brilliant, Adrian. You just lost yourself in Inverness." He shook his head and just waited for Roger to realise.
*
Nigel was such an idiot. But Roger enjoyed the run even in boots. They arrived at the door of the Happy Fisherman laughing and out of breath.
Roger looked around to see how Adrian had liked the run, and looked again. What the hell, they'd only gone a few blocks. He ignored the spike of fear that shot through his gut, afraid something horrible had happened. He resolved to keep a closer eye on his friend. Adrian might be wise and worldly in wizarding ways, but this was the muggle world.
He pulled out his wand and made sure no one was watching then cast a quick charm that sent a glowing yellow arrow to Adrian, pointing toward Roger. If he just followed it . . .
*
Ah, Roger had noticed. Quite a spiffy charm he had used there. Adrian couldn't help admire it as he followed the yellow arrow to Roger.
He smiled lopsidedly at the other man as he came close enough, "He said winner buys, so I planned on not winning." Adrian flashed a grin at Roger and looked at the place they were outside. "I'm guessing fish..."
*
Roger giggled. "I'm surrounded by idiots!" he yelled playfully. He pulled open the door so Nigel and Adrian could enter. "Nigel pays since we provide the transportation." He followed them in and said loud enough for Nigel to hear. "So drink as much as possible."
They were seated with menus and water glasses, but Nigel and Roger ordered the house fish'n'chips platter with the local lager.
"This is Adrian's first rave," Roger said confidentially.
"Oh, he's a virgin!" Nigel exclaimed wickedly.
Roger rolled his eyes at Adrian.
*
"Hardly" Adrian looked pointedly at Nigel, eyes moving over him so the twerp had no doubts that Adrian in fact wasn't a virgin, was interested in guys, just not this particular guy.
Turning away, Adrian ordered the same and handed over the menu. He smiled faintly at Roger. This was somewhat beyond his understanding, the muggle world still rather a mystery. It was nice though, to figure it out together with Roger.
*
Nigel smiled big.
Roger sighed and shook his head. Poor Nigel, not a clue in his cute blond head. He always made a bad impression, almost like he wanted to be smacked down.
But Adrian seemed amused rather than annoyed, so that was all right.
Roger dug into the greasy fried fish with gusto, slurping his lager and trading dirty jokes with Nigel. Gods, but it had been too long, and his summer too stressful, since his last night out with the boys.
*
Adrian ate the food. It was okay, a bit on the greasy side, but he'd probably work that off either tonight, if he got into the... Energy as Roger had called it, or tomorrow when he ran with the dogs.
He didn't add any dirty jokes of his own, it seemed the other two had an endless supply. Nigel was beginning to get sliiiightly on his nerves. He usually left people if his fingers began itching to smack them over the head. Hard. Roger seemed to enjoy himself immensely though and that made Adrian smile and join in some of the laughs even though the jokes were mostly somewhat demented.
Such a huge difference really, from Roger Davies, upcoming Auror in training to Roger, the raver, clad in kilt and nicely tight t-shirt and laughing and smiling all the time.
*
Polishing off their third beer, Roger gazed happily at Adrian. He seemed a bit reserved, but he was laughing at their crude jokes. He wouldn't tell him that the one about Matilda hadn't been a joke. Roger looked forward to Adrian losing his reserve more at the rave.
"To Belfast?" he asked them. Nigel paid and they returned to the street. "The coordinates are Crimin Alley, Belfast. Then we have to get out of the magic part and into the muggle part. Then we take a cab."
*
A cab. A muggle car. Interesting. And Crimin Alley knew. Not the nicest of Wizarding districts in Britain. He had never been there personally, but some of his... friends had and he knew the location.
Well, he had coordinates at least and he could take care of himself. Roger could have the fun of dragging Nigel along. He pulled out his wand from the sheath and with a soft pop he apparated to Crimin Alley and waited for the others.
*
When Adrian left, Nigel turned to Roger and said, "Tell me you're not doin' that dirty big hunk o' manflesh. Go on, pull the other one. He had his eyes all over you and his hands not far behind, I wager."
Roger laughed at the suggestion, put his arm around Nigel's shoulder, and apparated.
*
Adrian was busy watching a small group of Wizards brawling some ways down the alley, when he heard the others arrive behind him. He turned around and smiled at Roger, mostly ignoring the twerp.
"Interesting places you're bringing me tonight, Roger. And I don't presume it'll get any less odd than it's already been." He winked and looked over at his shoulder at the still highly agitated Wizards, wondering when the hexes would begin flying.
*
Roger held Nigel steady when they landed. Nigel had an inner ear imbalance that led to motion sickness.
He looked up into Adrian's eyes, relieved the wizard was there waiting for them. Then, beyond Adrian he noticed a scuffle. "Lovely scenery this time of year," he commented dryly and led the way into and through the Fire Pot, a relatively nice wizarding tavern.
Out on the muggle side, Nigel hailed a cab and they piled in the back seat, Roger in the middle.
*
Completely consumed by looking at the interior of the cab, never having been inside one in real life and only seen pictures in Muggle Studies, Adrian wasn't quite as appreciative of Roger's closeness as he could've been, until after a few minutes.
Then he noticed rather clearly how nicely they were squished together, Nigel thank Merlin on the other side. He opted for silence and just letting himself wallow slightly in the warm pressure against his side, but also looking at the scenery they were driving through.
It took quite a bit to keep his hand on his own thigh. He blamed the beers. He didn't drink much at all, usually. Tuesday evening had really been a fluke. And the three beers were beginning to show a faint effect.
*
Roger and Nigel continued chatting, and Roger felt a little guilty about leaving Adrian out. He turned his head to smile at Adrian often, and kept his thigh close, to let him know he belonged here.
After a cramped half hour, the cabbie took Nigel's money and let them off in an old warehouse district.
"Number 3. Number 3," Nigel mumbled peering at the dimly lit facades.
*
Adrian noticed the smiles and returned them, still fighting the urge to just put his hand over on that thigh pressing against his own. He didn't mind not being part of the conversation, preferring to observe instead.
Adrian walked next to Roger, close enough to feel the bodyheat against one arm. Did this Nigel even know where they were going? And this place... it didn't look like a place he would suspect a big party to be.
He leant slightly close to Roger and whispered "He knows what he's doing, right?"
*
"Yeah," Roger touched Adrian's shoulder in reassurance. "This is how it is."
He looked up and down the street then spoke to both of them, "See that chick?" he pointed, slipping into muggle slang. A young woman in a gaily colored short dress walked toward a black warehouse. Roger started toward her.
When they got closer, they could see a 3 on a sign. They followed the woman in through a door and short hallway. Music vibrated the air. The smell of pot drifted by.
"Ten pounds," Nigel said. He and Roger started digging in their pockets for the muggle money. When they handed it over, an orange band was attached to their right wrists.
*
Chick? He couldn't see any chickens. Adrian's gaze followed Roger's gesture and then he got it. Chick... bird, the same. "Aha, I see"
As the others paid, he pulled out the money in his pocket and frowned. Well, it would be just as at the shop. He picked out 10 pounds carefully and handed them over, getting that orange band around his wrist in return.
Silently he wondered if that had been a good deal or not. He looked away from the wrist band and back at Roger with a smile anyway. He'd give it a chance, if for nothing else, then to see Roger dance in that kilt.
*
Roger surreptitiously observed Adrian paying the muggle, like an old grandfather carefully counting out ten whole pounds. He was a bit relieved when Adrian took the wrist band without incident. Nigel skipped on ahead, greeting friends. Roger took a step into the dark warehouse.
"Oh fantastic! It's not too crowded yet." He smiled at Adrian in excitement. "Those are called laser lights," he said gesturing to the ceiling. "They're beams of coherent light amplified by stimulated emission of radiation." Then he started to move and jerk with the beat.
*
"Fascinating" Adrian tried to make sense of Roger's words, even as they drowned slightly in the music. He looked at the rays of light - red like stupefy...Green like the Avada - he couldn't help himself from stepping back from one of those rays when it swiped close.
But this was Muggle Tech and it wasn't hurting anybody other than being really sharp in the eyes. But the music was... strange. He looked around at the people, trying to make sense of their movements, other than they seemed to follow some kind of rhythm.
As he looked at Roger, there was the same pace, but it looked odd. He'd observe for now.
*
Roger started banging his head to the faster beat, but then he noticed that Adrian was standing still. "C'mon, Fencer Boy!" He grabbed Adrian's hand. "Start with the slowest beat. Like them. He nodded toward some boys moving very slowly. "Let yourself warm up."
Facing Adrian, and still holding his hand, he moved his body slowly, bending all the way over to one side, then starting back over to the other side with the beat. Back and forth rhythmically.
*
Adrian watched Roger move, holding his hand. It looked... much better than it should. Very agile, much more than he had thought, merely judging from what he had seen of him so far.
It seemed to be easy, but it also looked slightly silly and Adrian didn't relish looking silly.
Then again, he was probably looking bloody silly, standing still like that, in the middle of a moving crowd, holding hands with Roger.
Not looking away from Roger, Adrian started moving to the same rhythm Roger was, not quite as elaborate moves, but falling back on some basic movements from evasive fencing, body moving gracefully and after a bit also quite on the beat they were following.
*
Adrian quickly picked up the beat and started dancing, quite easily, as Roger was sure he would. A smile like a sunburst lit his face as he dropped Adrian's hand and started moving to the next faster beat within the music. He itched to start shaking and bouncing to the fastest beat, but knew that Adrian needed a period of adjustment.
*
That smile again. Adrian couldn't help smiling back, focusing on Roger, trying to follow the same rhythm, even as the other man picked up the pace.
He still felt silly, the whole situation rather surreal actually, the alien lights zooming around the big room, all the muggles surrounding them, the more than alien music. Easy to follow, hard to understand, and somewhat hard on the ears as well. He wasn't used to loud music like that.
Should he even call it music? Well, there was a rudimentary rhythm, and he was getting used to it, as he let it guide his moves.
*
Roger added a jump to his movements, slowly circling around, eyes following the light trails. Then he saw the cutest blond girl.
"Ooo, check out that chick in the snake skin dress. Wish me luck!" Roger said as he popped Adrian's shoulder with his fist, then skipped off to meet her and dance with her. She took one look at his bright smile and grabbed the girl next to her and started snogging. Roger crossed his eyes, shrugged his shoulders back at Adrian and skipped on, dancing wildly with the beat.
*
Adrian had to admit she looked very nice in that dress. But he focused more on Roger, as the man moved away from him, still dancing like a ... Adrian couldn't quite find anything to compare with as looked around. But it looked nice with that kilt anyway... and the t-shirt, mmm yes. At least The Blond Twerp wasn't around to bug him. Count the small mercies.
He had come to enjoy the rhythm. There was a primitive simplicity to it, almost like a heart beating, even in all that technology, and he could understand why some seemed lost in it.
Suddenly a hand on his arm made him swirl around, hand flying down to his wand quite automatically. He stopped himself though, when he was faced with a rather striking brunette, smiling widely at him
"Hey you. Haven't seen ya before. Newbie?" She moved effortlessly to the same rhythm as Adrian, a bit too close for comfort but personally Adrian thought she could afford it with those looks. And those moves.
He smirked slightly, but didn't say anything. He didn't turn away either, enjoying the view as they danced. He wasn't interested in her really, but he had promised himself to try to enjoy this, and this would count as enjoying.
*
The next time Roger spotted Adrian, he was dancing comfortably with ... a stunning brunette bird. Very comfortably.
Roger huffed a sigh and lost himself in the complex melodies and rhythms pounding into his ears, leaping and spinning while relishing the slap and flare of his kilt about his thighs.
*
As they moved, Adrian tried to catch a glimpse of Roger again, and spotted him a bit further away, dancing almost wildly to the faster beat. He couldn't quite see all of Roger and he really wanted to.
The brunette tried to reclaim his attention with moving in very close, hands straying in places they had no invitation to be. Adrian moved backwards, looking at her with an arched eyebrow, eyes very much NOT inviting. There were limits, and the muggle was crossing them. Then he turned his back on her and moved towards Roger.
Roger, who seemed totally lost in the music now, moving rather fast, and the kilt.
Mmmmmmm...that was a sight Adrian could enjoy for a long time, and Roger didn't seem to even realise he was there next to him. Adrian tried for the faster rhythm, not quite as bouncy as Roger, but still...same pace, eyes fixed on Roger.
Enjoying the view, Adrian realised he would need to get rid of his coat soon, because fuck it was getting hot in the room as it was filling up with those writhing dancing people.
*
A body bumped his and Roger opened his eyes. Closing them wasn't the wisest thing to do when moving so fast, but it felt good to just focus on the music, on the dance.
The flow became six of them dancing in a circle, jerking one shoulder inward every other beat, some times knocking against each other, sometimes not. Then, with wide smiles they spun out and away. Roger looked for and met Adrian's eyes close by. He looked a question, "Doing all right?"
*
Adrian watched the almost ritualistic moves of the small group, then smiled at Roger, when their eyes met.
This was okay, he was enjoying this, if for nothing else, then the view and the physical exertion. He hadn't fenced for all summer and only a few times since he'd come home from India, including yesterday, so he felt pretty energetic right now.
And thirsty. He saw people with drinks, so there had to be a vendor somewhere. A bar. He looked around searchingly.
*
Adrian's eyes answered that he was having fun, but he looked around as if searching for something. Roger slowed down and moved next to him. "All right?"
Just then Nigel appeared with bottles of water bulging out of several pockets. He tossed the two in his hand to them, then moved on passing them out to his friends. Roger waved his thanks.
*
Slowing down, Adrian was just about to answer, when The Blond Twerp arrived... with water. And moved away again, thank Merlin.
Adrian caught the bottle thrown at him deftly, "Found what I was looking for." He smiled and opened the bottle and drank deeply, the cool liquid refreshing and just the right thing. He didn't think he would like to drink more alcohol than the beers from earlier. The cap screwed back on, Adrian put the almost empty bottle in his pocket and resumed dancing.
*
The water was great! Adrian had a dreamy smile on his face as he went back to dancing. "I feel a pull!" Roger yelled then made for the tightly packed crowd near the speakers.
The music, the energy, the people. It was like a living breathing work of art they all created together.
*
Adrian thought about following Roger into the masses, but preferred staying somewhat un-crowded still.
And anyway, now he needed to get rid of the coat. It was bloody hot in here. He took it off and bound it with the sleeves around his hips.
He kept dancing though and it became easier and easier to let the rhythm take over his senses, the lights creating abstract flashes against his retinas, blending with the beat, becoming one with it as he moved to it, with it...
And it was fucking great, letting his body become one as well, a part of the Energy he suddenly understood as it flowed into him.
He closed his eyes, letting the music guide him, not really registering the people around him as anything but part of the energy, anonymous entities of light swirling around him only becoming distinct when he opened his eyes again and found himself in the middle of the dance floor.
There was only the music, the small electric impulses from every touch from those around him, the deep pounding rhythm going directly into his body, his blood, his heart beating in synchronicity, making him lighter. And there was the heat coming from himself and the people around him. So hot, so beautiful and perfect and he had never experienced anything like it.
It was like sex, like being eternally on the edge just before it became painful to hold back, just being in that moment when every part of your body seemed to become liquid fire and cold at the same time as the pleasure filled you.
The heat became too much and Adrian pulled off his t-shirt, discarding it... wherever, he didn't care, the only things that mattered was the music, the beat, the energy flowing into him with every move.
And Roger... suddenly Adrian's eyes found his friend, eyes closed, the man lost in dancing and irresistible. Unable, unwilling to restrain himself, Adrian moved in behind Roger, very close. Close enough to feel the heat radiating of him as he followed his moves effortlessly. Close enough to smell his scent, like he had the first evening, leaning in, wanting to tease, but also taste.
Taste the skin, feel it against his lips when his hands touched like they did now, running over Roger's abdomen, hating the fabric for being between him and that coveted skin.