Tweak

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Tweak says, "RUN, FORREST, RUN!!!"

Kate Pryde (settostun) wrote in xns_ic,
@ 2014-11-02 17:17:00

Entry tags:

11.25.2015, dazzler, shadowcat, wisdom

Slightly Better Than Karaoke
Who: Ali, Kate, and Wisdom
What: Open mic night!
When: Wednesday, November 25, 2015 - evening
Where: Some bar, New York City
Warning: Language, at least.

Kate thanked the bartender and arranged the glasses carefully in her hands before turning to head back to her booth. The guy who was up on the stage just then wasn't completely awful, but he wasn't exactly someone she would ever seek out to listen to on her own. In fact, there was a great chance that she'd turn and walk away if she happened by him and his music on the street. Some people seemed to be enjoying it, and she tried not to visibly judge them as she walked by. Reaching the booth, she sat the glasses down and pushed two of them toward their respective owners - a gin for Pete, and a liquid cocaine for Ali.

"I had to explain to him what it was," she informed Ali, sliding into the booth next to Wisdom and reaching for her own drink, a Long Island iced tea. "I think he thought I wanted actual cocaine. It was a little awkward."

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settostun
2014-11-03 04:12 am UTC (link)

"You'd be surprised," Kate looked over at Pete, using her drink to point toward Ali. "She holds her liquor pretty well. Another two of those, though, and we might be in trouble."

"We don't really do last rites, but there's praying," Kate nodded. "So yeah, it might help." As the guy hit a particularly sour note, she cringed. "Unless you want to go with the whole 'old priest and young priest' Exorcist idea, which... might not be bad."

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hardlight
2014-11-03 05:00 am UTC (link)

Ali shot Wisdom a mock dirty look. "Hey, don't count me out. I hung out with sorority girls and frat boys in college. Not only can I drink, but I also know my tolerance pretty well." And at the moment she was looking for just buzzed enough to not get freaked out and overly self-conscious about what everyone thought of her when she got on stage seeing as how it was something that she hadn't done in a while.

"Oh, don't ask me. I'm normally late to everything because I didn't write the appointment down. Two or three more ahead of me, I think. They'll call my name." She was trying to be very lax about the whole thing. Stirring her drink with the straw, she finally took a sip.

"Exorcist, praying, chanting. Any and all of it sounds like a good solution." Propping her elbows on the table, she leaned closer to her comrades. "Is it rude if I offer to give him voice lessons after he finishes performing?"

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_needs_doing
2014-11-10 05:31 am UTC (link)

Wisdom scoffed. "Right," he said. Kate had a pretty hard liver. But he wasn't exactly impressed by Alison's recollection of her wild younger days. Considering how tame the pub scene was around him, he doubted American uni students knew how to get properly paralytic pissed. Her nerves were obvious, but he didn't draw attention to them.

He took a drink of his gin, wincing as the man on stage hit a very wrong note. He needed to be much further in his cups for that kind of singing. "This reminds me of the last time I got invited to a karaoke party in Tokyo. Although he sings better than the blokes who invited me." He wasn't getting into anymore details, since the blokes had been Yakuza and he'd used it to get them absolutely smashed and subtly milk information from them.

Wisdom snorted at Ali's suggestion. "Yeah, because he'll not take that as an invitation for a bit of slap and tickle?" he reminded her with a raised brow and a smirk.

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settostun
2014-11-10 05:53 am UTC (link)

Kate chuckled at Wisdom's reaction to Ali's listing of her drinking credentials, choosing to sip her own drink instead of actually getting involved in the conversation. Ali's nerves were pretty obvious, but she was sure that as soon as her friend stepped onstage, they'd completely disappear. She cringed, not wanting to look up at the stage for fear of the guy making eye contact with her.

"Yeah, but he's singing in his native tongue," she pointed out, assuming that whoever it was Wisdom had partied hard with in Japan had been Japanese, but singing American songs as so often was the case. "So that's giving him an advantage."

"No, he seems sensitive," she finally looked up at the guy again, risking the possibility of eye contact to really sell the idea that the guy and his overly sappy and downright hokey lyrics were something special. "I don't think he's the slap and tickle type. Not on the first voice lesson. Not until you've had at least three picnics in the countryside."

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hardlight
2014-11-10 01:25 pm UTC (link)

It was pretty obvious from what he said and the way he said it that Wisom was still discrediting her but whatever. That was sort of what he did. Ali wasn't going to let it bother her, and she wasn't here tonight to prove the drinking to anyone. She was here to prove the singing thing. Sorta. Kinda. Stupidly.

"Is it really an advantage?" She had to bury her hands in her face in an attempt to stop the laughter when he soared into a rising crescendo of notes that were obviously supposed to be some sort of bridge. It wouldn't have been that bad if he hadn't been singing about flying squirrels. "What is even happening right now?" she whispered when she was able to look up at them again.

Wisdom's suggestion had her taking another sip of her drink and then glancing over her shoulder to get another look at the man. "I agree with Kate on this one. He does seem sensitive, but I'm concerned it's fedora land sensitive where if you don't sleep with him he posts all about it on Twitter. Plus I don't like picnics anyway so it's not like I would be missing anything."

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_needs_doing
2014-11-10 07:28 pm UTC (link)

Wisdom was trying to wind Alison up in good fun. She was all nerves and being cross at him was a proper distraction. At least a better one than the bloke on the stage crowing like a raven who's perch has been disturbed.

"Aye, I wished it was only English they'd been chancing," he told the women after having another pull on his glass of gin. "One of them was of a mind to sing 99 Luftballons. In German." He winced at the memory. "Which was a sight better than the one who fancied Abba, mind." A proper Japanese karaoke party only had people trying to sing the most appallingly overplayed pop songs. There was loads to choose from, unfortunately.

"Because he's chosen a sappy song he's the sensitive sort?" he challenged Kitty. "No, he's chosen it to make the talent think he's sensitive. Because all the media tells them that's what the birds want. He's trying to get a private vocal lesson." He took another drink. Pete chuckled at Alison's assessment. "More likely that one. Especially as how he's been watching you the whole time he's been up there. He's been trying to impress you, love."

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settostun
2014-11-10 08:11 pm UTC (link)

Kate laughed, knocking her knee against Wisdom's leg under the table. "I was being facetious. He's full of shit."

When Ali suggested that he was the sob loudly in 140 characters or less type, Kate's eyebrows raised and her hand reached to her pocket. Only one way to find out if he had a twitter and used it to vent his emotions. "What was his name again?"

She tapped at her screen for a few moments, frown of concentration fading into a smile as she found his account and started skimming the entries. He definitely thought of himself as a talented poet, at the very least. Turning the phone around so the others could read, she noted, "He really enjoys rodent analogies."

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hardlight
2014-11-10 10:57 pm UTC (link)

"Hey now," Alison pointed a finger in Pete's direction. "Don't you start to diss Abba. Dancing Queen was practically my anthem when I was younger. I went through a whole disco phase. You can ask Kate. It was," she trailed off and just shook her head. Tragic was a word. "But anyway I still have fond memories of the music at least. So I don't want to hear about terrible karaoke renditions."

She groaned when Wisdom suggested that the guy might be trying to impress her. "Well. I'd say he should try harder, but that would just be more painful for everyone." While Kitty did her social media search thing, Ali took another drink, continuously moving the straw around in the glass just to have something to do.

"Oh no," she said and then laughed a little as she leaned in to read the screen. "That's just. Okay. I can't even offer him vocal lessons. I wouldn't be able to keep a straight face."

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_needs_doing
2014-11-12 12:18 am UTC (link)

"As if anyone who's known me for five minutes hasn't worked that out, petal?" Wisdom pointed out with a smirk. He groaned as Kate decided she had to run a bloody internet check on the boy on the stage. He browsed a few lines, shaking his head. "Well, some psychologist'll be making a mint off him someday," he said with a wry chuckle. "Although I hate to burst his bubble, but rats are never that pleasant. Even the well fed ones in cages."

He finished his gin, pushing the glass back. "All right, lovelies," he said as he stood up. "I'm stepping out for a fag. Which should speed things along, since I'm doing something else besides sitting here waiting for your turn. I'll be back shortly." He dug his cigarettes out of the breast pocket of his jacket. "Text me if the entertainment gets any better."

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settostun
2014-11-12 08:06 am UTC (link)

"Not you, him." Kate nodded toward the guy onstage, hoping that he'd wrap up his epic wailing soon. She took a sip of her drink and shrugged, smiling as she added, "You too though, now that you mention it."

"Maybe a psychologist already is, and this is part of his therapy. Giving him those lessons could set him back months, treatment-wise." That made her almost feel bad about it, and she watched him for a few seconds more, cringing as he winked at some girl up near the stage. No, he seemed far too into it to be doing it at anyone else's suggestion. "Good for him, I guess. He's got a lot of confidence."

When Wisdom stood, she shifted in her seat slightly, phasing so he could slip past more easily. It was dark enough in there that nobody was likely to notice, especially if the movement was quick. She scooted over to his spot once he'd moved past, solidifying herself again and reaching to pull her phone closer. Nodding, she assured him, "You'll know immediately... but hurry back anyway."

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hardlight
2014-11-13 04:48 am UTC (link)

"Or he's delusional or tone deaf enough to think that he really sounds as good as he thinks he does." Ali shrugged. "He's not the worst singer I've ever heard. A few pointers could help, but," she took a long drink, "I will not be giving him any."

The song seemed to be winding down as Wisdom announced his intention to go smoke. "Oh, we won't let you miss my grand performance. Not tonight anyway." Assuming that she didn't decide to "go for a smoke" herself and disappear before they called her name. "Just watch yourself. There's probably some hipster somewhere just looking for a friend like you."

She was just turning her attention back to Kitty when the guy on stage started thanking everyone for listening to him. "Golf clap time apparently." Which should put her up after one or two more people. Ali wasn't sure if she wanted them to be more or less polished than her. Double edged sword.

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settostun
2014-11-16 04:37 am UTC (link)

"Maybe just steer clear of hipsters lurking in alleys," Kate added, nodding up at Wisdom. Thankfully, he wasn't the kind of social butterfly who was likely to allow himself to be roped into a lengthy, smoke-covered discussion about how The Decemberists have sold out.

Kate laughed at Ali's comment, downing the last of her drink to hide it in case the guy happened to look their way again... and using the drink as a great excuse to not have to clap. Hands were busy, it wasn't personal. It worked. He was getting more than enough applause from the rest of the crowd, anyway.

"So what song are you going with?" Kate reached for Wisdom's empty glass and slid it, along with her own, toward the edge of the table. The one waitress the place had seemed to be incredibly preoccupied with a table on the other side of the room, but just in case she decided to start doing her job, Kate preferred she not have to reach over them. "Are you rethinking your choice and considering Abba now?"

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hardlight
2014-11-16 03:26 pm UTC (link)

Ali couldn't help but giving her friend a look at the mention of having switched her selection to Abba. "Remember. It's not karaoke. If I want to sing Abba, I can just turn on the Mamma Mia! program you made me." Which she enjoyed the shit out of. There was nothing like immersing yourself in Abba music for about an hour to make even the worst day more tolerable.

"No, I'm doing an original. You remember that one song I wrote about my grandmother?" Kate had heard most of Ali's songs. Mostly because she was always showing up at her friend's door to make her listen to them and give her tips. "That's what I was planning on. Unless you think it'll be too melancholy for the crowd."

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settostun
2014-11-16 08:04 pm UTC (link)

"And you don't have your roller skates, so it probably wouldn't even be worth it." She was pretty sure that doing an Abba cover, even if it was a really well executed one, would elevate Ali's performance into the same range as the last guy's. She watched as the next person took the stage - a small woman with a beanie and a beat up guitar.

"That's a good one," Kate nodded. "I don't think it's too melancholy, either. The crowd seems like they're in the right kind of mood." Maybe it had something to do with the last performer. She glanced quickly around the room. "Lots of dates, it looks like."

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hardlight
2014-11-17 02:06 am UTC (link)

"Please. That stage is way too small for roller skates. I'd just look like a dweeb. Plus I have the wrong outfit and the wrong make-up for Abba." Abba required everything to be perfect in every little detail and, even then, you were likely to get laughed out of the room. Because people didn't realize when they were in the presence of greatness apparently.

Ali frowned at the new woman gracing the stage as she looked even more hipster than the guy who had preceded her. "Kitty," she automatically slipped back to using her friend's old nickname, "I'm getting the sinking feeling that I've picked the wrong open mic." She definitely fell more into preppy trendy than most of these people.

"Yeah," she agreed, taking another drink. "It's a good date song." It was definitely what Ali would describe as a rock ballad. "Although I'm starting to think of picking something more upbeat. Give them something to remember me by." Lots of people were doing things that fell into the ballad sort of feel, after all.

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settostun
2014-11-17 04:10 am UTC (link)

Of course, not being appropriately attired was the biggest problem with just busting out the Abba at a bar. Kate laughed, shaking her head. Abba was serious, and she really should have known better than to suggest otherwise. She turned, glancing up at the stage and then trying to locate the waitress so she didn't have to get up to go to the bar again.

At the sound of her name, she turned her attention back to Ali, raising an eyebrow. She laughed at her friend's observation, reaching to help herself to a quick sip of Ali's drink before sliding it back to her as she inclined her head toward Wisdom's seat and pointed out, "At least you didn't show up to a hipster party wearing a necktie."

"They'll remember you either way," she nodded. "You're very memorable." The girl onstage started in on her song, another ballad, and Kate frowned. "Maybe something more upbeat."

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hardlight
2014-11-17 03:58 pm UTC (link)

The waitress, who seemed completely overwhelmed by the number of people in the bar, finally wandered over to their table to collect the empty glasses and gesture if they needed another round. Ali waved her off but did a thumbs up for the other two. It was like she'd said earlier, she had no intention of being drunk for this performance. A soft alcohol buzz would be more than enough.

"Now, see, I think I could make the necktie work. You just have to pair it with the right outfit for this crowd." But she couldn't suppress the giggle. Wisdom did sort of stick out like a sore thumb. He looked a bit like someone's dad who had come to watch them and gotten in for more than he bargained for.

Kate's comment made her grin and stir her drink again. "Now you have to say that because you're my friend." And then she was uber tired of talking about herself.

"How long is dark and somewhat handsome sticking around this time? We know yet?" Wisdom had a habit of flitting here, there and everywhere. And not just on the more temporary missions that the rest of them did.

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settostun
2014-11-18 04:34 am UTC (link)

"Well, it's the only reason I am your friend in the first place, so I think it's worth repeating as often as possible." She flashed Ali a grin, straightening up in her seat slightly and then shrugging at her friend's question.

"He hasn't said that he's staying, but it doesn't seem like there's anything huge that requires his attention, so he might stick around longer." That, of course, didn't mean that there wasn't. He didn't tell her everything, and she didn't expect him to. Even though she had relatively high clearance with a few organizations, Wisdom was well above her. There were things that she just flat out couldn't know, and that was fine.

"But who knows," she added, smiling in thanks as the waitress brought their drinks around. She reached for her phone to text Wisdom a picture of his brand new glass of gin. "I'm pretty sure he'll at least wait until after your song, though."

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_needs_doing
2014-12-01 09:03 am UTC (link)

Unfortunately, a couple of the hipster lads did try to engage him in conversation as he smoked his cigarette. Wisdom returned their attempts with a dour look. They didn't want to discuss music, politics, or anything else with him. Because they'd get the truth and it would shatter their disenfranchised wee self-absorbed outlooks. Even if he could confirm some of their pet conspiracy theories. But they wouldn't like the fact he hated their rubbish whingy music, ridiculous plastic spectacles, and their bloody stupid tendency to wear beanie caps everywhere. Maybe they needed them to block their ears from the bollocks their mates were spewing.

His cellular buzzed and he dug it out, looking at the picture Kitty had texted him. Vixen. Luring me back with your feminine wiles. Dropping the mostly spent fag on the ground, Wisdom crushed it out with the sole of his wingtip and headed back into the club.

"Did I miss anything?" he asked as he took Kitty's seat, since she'd moved into his. "Looks just as dull in here as before I left." He picked up his glass and knocked back a goodly bit. "I want to say 'Yes, the world's a shite place. Pissing and moaning about it to boring wretched music doesn't make it any better."

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hardlight
2014-12-01 06:44 pm UTC (link)

Ali made a noise of agreement about Kate's answer to her question in regards to Wisdom. Never knew. That was exactly the way that man was. As long as he wasn't hurting Kate's feelings with it, she didn't need to laser anything off him. "It's the least he could do. Really."

And then speak of the devil. "Actually while you were gone, we worked out how to solve all the world's problems and then decided fuck it. No one will listen anyway." She grinned at him.

"But, really, no. Other than a new musical act," she said, lifting her straw out of her drink to point at the girl on stage who was shaky and weak on her high notes. "She could also do with a few pointers, but she's better than the last one. I'm shocked you didn't bring any new friends in with you from the outside." Wisdom was fun to play with precisely because he was Kate's whatever they were and he also in no way resembled one of the many father figures she tried desperately to please.

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settostun
2014-12-02 06:42 am UTC (link)

Kate opened her mouth to let Ali know that if he didn't stick around for her song, she had Kate's full permission to hunt him down, but before she had the chance, Pete was back, slipping into the seat beside her. She smiled at Ali's summary of the events that had unfolded in his absence and nodded. "Not even worth the hassle."

"She seems a little nervous," Kate observed, nodding toward the girl onstage. "Definitely a huge step up, though."

She chuckled at Ali's question about Wisdom's new friends, letting her leg rest up against his again. "I'm sure calling their music boring and wretched endeared at least a few of them to you." She took another sip of her drink and offered, "We could always leave after Ali crushes them, if you want."

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_needs_doing
2014-12-02 07:32 am UTC (link)

Pete snorted at Alison's quip about no one listening. That'd be more humorous if it wasn't absolutely fucking true. He took another drink of his gin.

"She can carry a tune at least," he admitted after a moment. "She'd be cracking if she'd get rid of the beanie. We're indoors, no one needs a bloody beanie hat in the middle of a bar with central heating." He scoffed again. "Well, it wouldn't do to lie to them. Then I'd not be a proper friend." He looked over at Ali. "Please tell me you plan on something with a bit of a beat to it at least? After all of this rubbish, I'd even settle for Abba just for a change of pace."

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