Everyone had gone back to the dorms and changed for the night out ahead, trying to bear in mind that bowling was first on the agenda. They met up at the bowling alley which looks like a fairly new addition to the campus and likely a privately operated franchise. There are ten lanes, seating in 3s for 10 people for each pair of lanes. Along the back wall there is a food counter serving soft drinks and mostly fast food, also a place to get bowling shoes, racks of bowling balls to choose from, and a booking kiosk where they are told that there is one lane left, number 7, but only until 9 o'clock; their sister lane 8 already has two couples playing.
The place is busy, loud, rock music playing, food tannoy announcing orders for collection and lots of chatter and laughter.
She had a helluva time trying to decide what to wear this time, but finally went with her Harley Davidson t-shirt and black jeans and her trusted black leather jacket. Rock-inspired comfort meets bowling‑ally practicality. It was casual but chic, rebellious but ready for the night. Skye took Levon's hand when they entered. She hadn't divulged the situation to anyone, even to Emma, but was curious who would notice first in the raucous space.
Last edited by Lionhawke; Tue 10/06/202501:51 UTC.
Emma walked in, and paused. She was styling a simple striped blouse and some comfy scalloped shorts... clothing she could move in and if it got stained, no big deal.
The pause was for a long beat, and then she raised one eyebrow at Skye and smiled waving and walking towards the pair.
After cleaning up and changing into an a black t-shirt and an unbuttoned forest green shirt with the sleeves rolled up, Ian headed to the bowling alley to meet the rest. He stopped by to check on Levon but found that he'd already headed to the bowling alley. So Ian thinking he was running late headed over. On entering he looked around and saw Skye and Levon close together with Emma approaching. Realizing he wasn't running late he slowed down to approach the forming group.
Levon It didn't take him long to get ready for the night out. He rinsed off quickly and tidied up. It wasn't like he had a lot of clothing options with him. All of his martial arts gear and clothing were separated into a small duffle bag. He had also brought his guitar with him in it's case. So everything else had to fit into his smaller laptop backpack which had to hold his laptop, a toiletry bag, a couple of t-shirts, a second pair of jeans, a pair of nicer shoes and his undergarments.
When he met up with Skye he accepted her hand but pulled her close for a kiss before entering the bowling alley. "You know I suck at bowling, right?"
A quick shower and a change of clothes for himself and he is then out the door with a quick walk to the bowling alley after getting directions from a campus map. He has not bowled since he came to York. Back home he was not in a league, but did manage to bowl at least once a month with friends. Hopefully his skills will not be too rusty, and he can win on his bet with Miranda. A little friendly rivalry will hopefully lead to someone needing a conciliatory hug. Joining up with the group, he asks, "It's busy! Has anyone booked a lane?"
Miranda arrives just after Tony and Sarah. Miranda is wearing a pink Tshirt with thr slogan 'In My Defence I Was Left Unsupervised' across the front. Stretcht blue jeans completed her outfit. Tony and Sarah both had identical bowling shirts with 'Dragons' across the back. Team players? It seems their group have adopted the couple...
"Yeah, looks like we weren't the only ones with designs on the alley tonight." Ian said looking over the lanes. "Let me check the Kiosk."
He does and books lane 7. Then checks to see if another pairing of lanes was set to open soon. If so he'll reserve them for the entire group.
Returning to the group he tells them what he was able to do. "So since we only have the one lane some of us can bowl the first game then the rest bowl the second."
Glancing at Tony and Sarah in their matching shirts and idea forms in his head.
"Or we could try couples bowling. We pair up and one person bowls the first ball the other bowls the second ball on the team's turn. Just rotate which person bowls first."
The hug and kiss from Levon, and then the little smile and raised eyebrow from Emma, made Skye feel a bit more relaxed. She still wasn't sure if this was all just a crush made real - or if there was something more longterm with Levon -- but she was happy for now.
And still competitive - she was ready to win at bowling. It was one of those things that was at all the bases her mother and father had been stationed. Tenpin was the standard, but she even liked the crazy versions that had small balls without finger holes.
"Tell us who we'll be paired against." She raised her and Levon's hands.
{OOC: sorry. thought I'd posted after a bottle of wine..... }
Last edited by Lionhawke; Fri 20/06/202521:42 UTC.
"I've bet against Miranda, so we have to be on separate teams. Perhaps we vote for two team captains, they flip a coin to see who picks first and go from there?"
"So I think it is obvious that Levon and Sky are a Pair as is Tony and Sarah. Last I knew that bet was for direct head to head between you and Miranda. I'd hate to think that you or Miranda lost a bet because you were partnered with me." Ian said with a smile.
Levon He didn't say anything but his grin spoke loudly.
Alone except for these friends in this country, he was happy about the situation and there was no reason to keep his thing with Skye hidden from any of them.
Once Skye let go of his hand he started to "try on" some of the balls. One after another he was dissatisfied. Holes too shallow, too tight, too loose, too far apart, too close together. And when he found one with finger holds he could deal with, the ball was either too light or too heavy. After a bit he was getting frustrated but then he found a ball that he decided was good enough and carried over to the ball return.
Everyone milled about getting shoes sorted and balls selected.
Tony grins.
"Usually Sarah and I play with our own balls & shoes but it seems a bit much to lug all of that over here on the offchance of a game. But if we pair up, then that's fine."
Miranda is pleased with her ball, a purple sparkly ball that weighed about 11 Lbs. It had a large blue star on it. She cradles it, patting it affectionately as she says to Henri.
He sticks his tongue out at Miranda, with a grin on his face, and mockingly says, "Nah! You're going down, Miranda. I've got this black beauty here." Henri found a nice matt black ball with gold flecks across its surface. It fits well enough in his hands and he is confident that it will serve him well for this contest. "So, who's going first?"
'Between us? You and Miranda need to go first on the same frames so..." he let his voice trail off implying he was cool with whatever order came about then walks off to find a ball.
After careful search he finds a simple green ball that fit comfortably in his hand.
"Teams don't matter to me... as they say let the good times bowl. So let's do this!" Emma was already sizing up an oddly swirled blue and red ball. Superman's colors. It was a sign. Obvi!
"Okay. Ready." Skye had picked a pearl pink ball with a black widow design on it. "Twelve pounder. Can't tire myself out for the matches." She also knew that she'd have better control over the lighter weight.
After getting his ball, Ian sits and starts typing in the team names using initials. (Eg. Tony and Sarah = T&S)
[OOC: Team Order Levon and Skye - Blue; Miranda and Emma - Magenta; Henri and Ian - Green; Tony and Sarah - Orange Miales rolled rb,rg,ro,rp and got blue 1, green 3, orange 1, purple 5
Team Order Levon and Skye - Blue; Miranda and Emma - Magenta; Henri and Ian - Green; Tony and Sarah - Orange Miales rolled rb,ro and got blue 2, orange 3
So It'd go Team Miranda and Emma; Team Henri and Ian; Team Tony and Sarah; Team Levon and Skye]
After he's done he turns to Emma and Miranda. "You are up."
Emma thinks. "Let's see how they do first... I will go, and if the boys start bowling better than us, we distract them with some heat? Think you can get Henri's mind on other balls than the ones we are bowling with?" Em said that with a cheeky grin and wink at Miranda.
She grabbed her ball, and headed to the lane and concentrated on the pins ahead. Letting the ball go, her teeth clenched her bottom lip in a light grip as the the blue and red marvel traveled along.. knocking down 7 of the 10 pins.
"Not bad for the first ball!"
Will she make a spare?
OOC: First roll Emma Bowl that ball! Mina rolled d100 and got 68
ooc: While the others are getting ready to bowl, since he and Sky go last, Levon scans the bowling alley, half thinking that with their luck, the trouble makers are here.
Levon looks around but cannot see either of the two brothers.
Miranda picks up her ball, rubs it for good luck and winks at Emma. Then she takes position and wiggles her bottom as she lines up her shot. Oviously too intent on the wiggling, she misses!
[OOC I may have screwed up with Miranda's turn, I thought one of the pair bowled one ball and the other bowled the second ball, swapping the order next time around? ]
Not that she is competitive, but she starts to visualize her turn. Rolling the ball the her hand as if spinning itself. She laughs herself from her reverie. "Wait, where are our drinks?"
He lets out a "Woo! Hoo!" after seeing Ian take out 7 pins with his first bowl. With his turn up, Henri takes a deep breath, squares his shoulders to the line he wants to take, and lets his ball go only to see it entirely miss. Throwing his hands up in disgust, he mutters some curse words and takes his seat again.
Henri Rolling for a spare Dugan rolled d100 and got 57
He scrunches his face at Miranda then laughs with Ian's comment and says, "You're right, looking at her cute butt was my downfall. I shall not look at it again..."
Turning to Henri, Emma, and Miranda he grins saying "I guess their shirts weren't for show. Aren't you glad you didn't bet against them?"
He shakes his head chuckling.
Glancing over to the final pairing he sees Levon scanning the room like an overactive radar while Skye spins her ball in her hands apparently getting into the zone.
"Levon... Skye... hate to interrupt but your turn."
Then looking at everyone else, "Anyone want something to drink?"
She pulled out of her reverie with Ian's nudge. "Sorry. Yes. And a pint of bitters, please." Skye got up still spinning the pink ball and lined up for her turn. She wasn't going to wait for Levon.
"C'mon." She added a little body English as she let go - which undoubtedly remind Levon that she was quite bendy. She inwardly giggled at the memory. As for the roll. It wasn't bad. It wasn't good.
Skye bowling - first roll Lionhawke rolled 1d100 and got 51
"Not bad! I think you're gonna be better than me" he said as he picked up his ball and headed for his lane. He set up, wiggled his butt a bit for show and then hurled the ball down the land. Levon Bowling first frame Neptune rolled 1d100 and got 68
Skye bowls, her stance looking very professional but she only knocks down 6 pins. Levon was obviously watching two closely as his ball follows the exact same path as he misses.
He headed to the food counter and ordered a smattering of greasy, salty goodies along with a couple of pitchers. On impulse he also picks up an order of nachos. After securing help to bring everything over he delivers the goodies.
"We got food... well what could pass as food." he announces as he grabs a cheese encrusted chip then pours himself a lager.
Having enjoyed an hour and a half of friendly rivallry, chatter, banter, food and drinks, the group from York with their new friends Tony & Sarah are feeling much more relaxed. Levon noticed about halfway through the game the other brother came in, walked quickly through looking around and then left.
The competition had been won by Tony and Sarah with a score of 138, Sarah clearly the better of the two but both enjoying the game. Second were team Henri and Ian with 112. Miranda and Emma came third with 86 whilst Skye and Levon were last with 76, maybe one or both distracted - their minds on other things.
"At least we're in sync." Skye was always a bit of an over-achiever and hated to lose, but she did manage a knowing wink to Levon. "We'll crush it in karaoke -- even if I sing. Another round!"
After the scores are tallied up he is somewhat happy enough to end up in second place. Henri congratulates Tony and Sarah, and then turns to Miranda with a sad yet smug smile. "Looks like I didn't win our bet Miranda, since me and Ian only beat you two by 26 points."
While Henri boasted earlier of winning the bowling game by fifty points or more, what exactly the wager was never discussed.
"Well, we didn't do much bowling in Harlem but it was good fun. Yeah, another round!" he said, acknowledging Skye. "And congrats to the winners! You're buying the next round, right?" he said looking at Henri and Sarah with a wry grin.
He saw Henri stand and offer to help Skye just as he began to stand, but seeing his french ami offer, he winked at Skye and sat back down. They didn't need to be glued to the hip.
It was probably just as well that Levon didn't join her, they would have just ended up making out somewhere. She winked back at him. Besides, Skye thought, it had been a while since she'd chatted with Henri.
"So..." She started with a little tease. "You and Miranda hitting it off quite nicely these days."
Skye's tease makes him smile. "Oui! I like Miranda a lot."
Henri has not had much luck in keeping long term relationships with women, but he is thinking this could be different with Miranda. Feeling quite happy with the fun they are all having so far, Henri confides to Skye with a upbeat tone, "Hope she feels the same!"
Grabbing a few drinks to help carry back, he teases Skye back with his own question. "So. Something going with you and Levon? Your both acting different together."
"You should dare, you should definitely dare... though I think I will keep my wits about me tonight. I am not going to sing any country music." That was her vow, and it was a solemn one.
She couldn't help but curl a little smile and blush. It's not that she was completely in love with Levon -- or so she wasn't sure what to call it yet other than fun and lust. So that's where she started.
"I had a bit of a crush the moment we met, but wasn't sure where to go with it." Skye sighed and winked. "So we went with it. I've been a bit mercurial in my relationships. Maybe starting out as friends will end up being something better.
"Oh - and it's very apparent Miranda likes you a lot too. Good catch!"
They made it back and started handing out various pints and glasses. Skye tried to remember what everyone seemed to like.
Levon When he sees Skye and Henri return with the drinks, Levon announces, "I just heard that Emma's gonna sing country tonight." It was said in obvious jest as he grabs his drink.
He does not catch everything said prior to Levon's announcement, so he suggests, "Oh! Emma, please. Do something from one of Dolly Parton's Christmas Specials."
While Henri current music taste at this time is EDM, he has fond memories of watching Dolly Parton's musicals with his sister when he was much younger.
Emma looks at Ian and grins wickedly. "You can if you want to... I bet you could do a mean Santa Baby rendition." Then she looks at Henri and nods. "I will put that under advisement, but I am not a fan of country. At all."
Handing out the glasses he carried over in helping Skye, he finally sits down beside Miranda then holds up his glass and simply says "Cheers, everyone!"
After downing a good third of his glass, he asks the group, "So, any ideas what karaoke game we want to do?"
"Karaoke game? Is there such a thing?" Ian asked taking a drink of the pint. "Karaoke is something you do. You find a song that means something or you think... I stress think... you can sing and try it. Maybe occasionally dare someone else to do an embarrassing song. But I have also heard tell of a tradition called the "Blind Suicide Karaoke" where your friends or DJ put you in for a song you undoubtedly would never do."
Ian reaches into his pocket and pulls out a set of dice. One purple. One blue.
"That is where these come in. We come up with game where the dice chooses the type of song and the number of singers."
He holds up the blue die.
"The blue die is the singer die. 1-3 means Solo; 4-5 means a Duet; 6 means a Group song.".
He holds up the purple die "Meanwhile the purple die is the song type die. 1 - Holiday; 2 - Country; 3 - R&B; 4 - Rock; 5 - Rap; 6 - Blind."
"Note if you roll a 6 on the purple die the blue die doesn't matter. Blind songs are solo songs."
"As for deciding who won. Sheesh people we're just going to have some fun."
They finish off their game and the drinks and head for the student bar where the karaoke is being held. As they walk across the campus, they notice many groups of students presumably heading out to an evenings entertainment in all sort of directions; many on campus to persue hobbies or frequent bars, quite a few heading into the city where there is more on offer but obviously at more cost.
It is getting towards nine now but, although low in the sky, the sun is still shining and it is still warm but with a nice refreshing breeze; welcome after the heat and activity in the bowling centre. Sarah and Tony are walking arms around each other, obviously still feeling part of your group. Miranda slips an arm through Henri's as they set out. The relationship between them is warm and relaxed.
To your right, you catch a glimpse of Mr Harding and Miss Beech, hand in hand, heading out towards the city along with Ben and Tina. They are all laughing; some sort of banter between Mr Harding & Ben; but they don't see you.
To your right a group of lads are helping one of their group climb a lamppost to hang a large bunch of multicolour baloons. He keeps slipping as his friends are a little unsteady on their feet, probably already visited a bar or two.
Looking back, as the laughter dries up suddenly, they see Mr Harding looking back in your direction, his eyes on a group that has just passed them. Looks like a group of bikers, leathers with chains & studs, facial and arm tatoos; they look very out of place here.
"Our kind of crowd, Levon?" Skye has an edge in her voice. She starts to note how the group walks and moves - taking stock on any counter-measures to the leathers they wear. She slips her hand to her cell and to the 999 auto-dial button. "Perhaps we can just keep moving along."
Ian's grin at the sight of Mr Harding and Miss Beech but disappears as they pass the group in leathers. He eyes them and gauges their level of threat but doesn't act defensive or aggressive towards them as they pass.
OOC: Just a side note. I read Miales' post "Ian's grin at the sight of Mr Harding and Miss Beech but disappears as they pass the group in leathers. He eyes them and gauges their level of threat but doesn't act defensive or aggressive towards them as they pass."
I admit I was not paying the most attention, and I swear it read as: "Ian's grin at the sight of Mr Harding and Miss Beech but disappears as they pass the group in feathers. He eyes them and gauges their level of threat but doesn't act defensive or aggressive towards them as they pass."
I was lost, for a second... seriously I thought Ian was worried our eyes would be pecked out by a group of people in bird costumes. Then I reread things, and it made a bit more sense. But I really wish they had been in bird costumes.
He is not too surprised to see a group of bikers waking around here. Perhaps one or more of them have friends attending the University here. He subconsciously hugs Miranda's arm a little bit tighter when the group is closest to them, and then relaxes once they are heading away again. Hearing Skye's comment to just keep moving, Henri is inclined to do just that.
"How far is it to this place?" Skye isn't nervous, but calculating. She tries to lighten the mood a little bit. "And Ian....this karaoke dice game....How do we know who wins? And what happens to the loser? I'm usually better at beer pong."
"Win? It isn't a contest. Its just a way to make it fun and interesting. It isn't like any of us do this as a serious hobby. Well except probably Tony or Sarah. Maybe Emma. She looks like she's ready to belt out Adele. Or Patsy Cline."
The group of friends have had enough strange and violent encounters already. They seemed to be magnets for trouble. So now, seeing the bikers follow he whispers to Skye, "Let's see if they're following. Let's split off here and find defensible spots." Then to all of the others, "Keep on going where you were headed. Skye and I will catch up with you. Just keep the eyes in the back of your heads on a swivel."
There were now three places for the bikers to go. Either they follow Levon and Skye, or the rest of the team, or in a completely different direction.
Levon and Skye would stay close enough to the others to make sure they could help each other out if there was trouble.
He looks at Levon to find his expression is dead serious, so while he thinks this might be a bit of paranoia Henri accepts Levon's instructions without question.
After about 30 seconds walking in deep thought he says to the rest of them, "Probably look odd if all of us keep looking behind."
Ian seems the tallest of them of all now, so he asks, "Hey Ian, perhaps you do it?"
Ian had been content in just casually keeping note of the group in biker leathers, but the antics of Levon and now Henri has made that nearly impossible.
He lightly grumbles to their group. "I swear we are getting paranoid. And that is saying something after the gym."
"Is it paranoia if an invisible demon really is after you? Better safe than sorry, right?" Paranoia was what got her into starting self defense classes, but she was not that good yet, and dealing with bikers did not sound like fun at all.
The 5 bikers look fierce with their striking leathers, piercings and tattoos but their mood at the moment seems good humoured. They are laughing together and two of them high-five each other. They are following behind the group whilst Leven and Skye peel off around a corner, looking engaged with each other as the bikers pass. They do not seem to be interested in the group before them, nor in Levon and Skye as they pass.
As the bikers continue on in the convivial state, Skye takes the opportunity to steal a kiss from Levon. She hangs on him a second before laughing. "Guess we should know better than assume the worst in people. Let's catch up...slowly." Was a giggle or a growl as she kissed him again.
He kissed her back and went in for a second, more passionate peck and left his hand on the small of Skye's back to lead her back to the others.
"In the hood, being alert keep you alive. That's all reflex baby, all reflex."
When they reach the others he says, "I guess I'm paranoid. But that don't mean that someone ain't out to get us. I'd rather be ready and not find things out the hard way.""
They arrive at the bar, a large lively room with a bar in the far corner next to a small platform, set up for karaoke. A couple are already in the midst of Meatloaf's 'Paradise by the dashboard light', not bad singers but both really acting the part. Judging from the yells and laughter from their group, it must be a favourite. There is a good level of noise all around but the karaoke machine has the volume at a good level.
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# doors, first one leads to toilets.
There are lots of tables but the room is filling up fast. Free tables are A C D and E. A & C will both require snagging a few chairs from their surroundings to be able to seat all of you. D & E have enough chairs. Table B is occupied by three girls who are watching the door where you enter. As soon as they see the bikers behind you, they all wave enthusiastically. The guys behind you are grinning and nudging each other.
He spies the table (OOC: Table D) that will seat all of them near the back. To him it is a great table since it wouldn't be in the middle of everything and has a great view of the stage.
He point it out saying, "That one. I bet it has a great view of the stage,"
At the sight of the girls though. "See they were just out to have a good night too. Wonder if we can convince one of them to try Guns N Roses or Skid Row. They got the look for either."
It is a far busier than he thought it would be here. Seeing the where Ian is pointing, he replies to him, "Looks good to me!" He will grab a chair for himself, sitting beside Miranda while thinking that he will need some more liquid encouragement before getting up on stage.
He nods in Ian's direction. That table makes sense. "Yeah, let's grab it," he says out loud while taking Skye's hand. "Easy path to the mic. I know you're itchin' to belt one out. "
They all move to table D and make themselves comfortable. Over on table B, the 3 girls greet three of the bikers with enthusiasm. These look like established relationships. The two bikers who are not occupied are looking around eying up any available talent.
A small group over to your left and nearer to the stage, have all risen to their feet and have started to dance. They are three girls who have a sort of 'barbie' look about them.
As they sit down and get settles in Ian goes up to the Karaoke Jockey to find out how to put in a song. He comes back with the KJ's phone number.
"So the KJ says if he can find it we can sing it."
He sends everyone the KJ's phone number. "We just send it to the number I just shared with you."
He takes a drink of his pint as he fiddles with his phone.
"So the deal is. Everybody does a song. Multiple songs even. If someone is scared to go up. Well, some of us go up with them and do a duet or group song. Now I'll admit I have a dark side. I used to do this and actually have fun singing. I've already put a song in. Who want to go next and select their own or do we need the dice to do the talking?"
"No dice... I am not in a gambling mood..." Emma looks over some of the options, and sends her own choice in. "There, I think that is a good opener for me."
The duet finish their 'tongue in cheek' rendition of the Meatloaf number to much applause, especially from their table. They rejoin their companions. A girl from a table to your left gets up and heads for the stage. She has a quiet but clear voice and starts to sing John Lennon's Imagine. The bar quietens down as people stop to listen.
He takes a few minutes to think about what song to do and then texts the song "Take My Breath" by The Weeknd. It being fairly new it should be easy enough for the Karaoke Jockey to find it.
Skye thought it was a good sign that they came in with a pair singing, "Paradise by the Dashboard Light". She loved the Whisky Ward version of it at Budakon - it had been what made her interested in pursuing the music biz after reading about that badass manager Kristianne Hawk. **Not the healthiest group for a 14-year old to obsess about....*** she mused. But hey, look where she was at now!
"I..well..." She laughed with Levon teasing her about singing -- oh she wanted to so badly... but not until she had another couple shots so that it didn't matter that she was a lousy singer. "I'll find something to butcher..." Skye took a sip of her pint and shot of whisky as she started scrolling through songs.
She was kinda muttering to herself as Ian got his number called... "Hmm. Duet? Solo? Something easy? Embarrassing....?"
"Betcha didn't know that that last part, where the guy announcing the kid running around the bases, was Phil Rizzuto. He was on of my granddads fave's. He was the Yankee announcer and his nickname was Scooter. What's funny is that he didn't know what he was reading for when they recorded him. Apparently his priest wasn't thrilled about him doing it."
Ian makes his way to the stage with his drink in hand. Placing the beer down on a table near the stage. He looks around as he adjusts the mic stand and closes his eyes. Clearing his thoughts. This is something he's done before but never in front of the friends he'd met at school. One of those dark secrets that he kept hidden from the rest. He'd chosen a song he'd done a few times. One with a set chorus and a break. He closes his eyes as the music starts and steps up to the mic.
They say misery loves company We could start a company and make misery
He knows he doesn't sound like Dave Pirner. He doesn't care. He's doing it his way.
Frustrated Incorporated
Opening his eyes finally with a glance at the monitor he belts out the bridge.
I know just what you need I might just have the thing I know what you'd pay to see
Put me out of my misery I'd do it for you, would you do it for me? We will always be busy Making misery
Ian grabs the mic out of the stand and steps up to the edge of the stage focusing on tables at he looks out occasionally glancing at the screen to keep in time with the lyrics.
We could build a factory and make misery We'll create the cure We made the disease
Frustrated Incorporated Frustrated Incorporated
Cause I know just what you need I might just have the thing I know what you'd pay To feel
Put me outta my misery All you suicide kings and you drama queens Forever after happily Making misery
Finally up to the break he steps down and takes a long drink from his pint then steps back up on stage. He replaces the mic in time for the final part of the song.
Did you satisfy your greed? Get what you need? Was it only envy? So empty
There is a slight pause, a moment of quiet, then applause echoes around the room. It seems that Ian's rendition has been well received, especially by the biker table.
He pauses a moment to respond to Miranda with a bit of a wicked smile, "Seems you're behind then. I'll get you another since I'm there."
Talking with Ian as they head to the bar, he adds, "I suck at singing. Do me a favour when I'm sounding really bad, just throw a napkin or straw at me and I'll take the hint and stop."
"Nope not throwing a thing. Look Karaoke is about relaxing and having fun. Key word is fun. I know a few songs that it doesn't matter how you sing it the crowd will love it. Perfect for someone who has never tried Karaoke before."
He laughs with Ian and says, "Well, ok. You've been warned though."
Waiting for the bar tender for a minute or two, he finally gets his order in for another pint for himself and a second drink for Miranda. Once he gets his drink he takes a quick sip from his glass will while waiting for Ian to get his drink.
She was not sure if she was ready - but took another drink of now whisky and said, “what the hell. Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks? I mean it’s only our first date….” She grinned mischievously. But she wasn’t fast enough and the bikers beat her to it.
Last edited by Lionhawke; Wed 24/09/202515:27 UTC.
The melody had Emma going into a memory for a moment... until the lyrics threw her off. This was not the version she had known growing up. That song must have been based on this one though.. Leader of the Laundromat.
He made his way back to their table, shimmying to the biker girls music along the way, and just as they finish their song Henri plunks himself down beside Miranda with a big smile. Sliding another glass to her, Henri starts to feel a little more relaxed as he is now on this third pint of beer. "She was good. Oh! And cheers to everyone!"
The song title sounds familiar as he thinks for a moment to ask, "Was that done by what's-his-name? Eh, the dude with large funky glasses." Henri closes his eyes trying to remember, but fails to come up with a name, so he just says, "Its got an easy beat, then sure let's do it. You want to submit to the KJ or me?"
He erases his first choice and just sends the Elton John song for both of them to sing. Henri figures if he messes up, Miranda would probably cover up his goofs with her better sounding voice.
Emma's phone buzzes, and she grins. "Looks like it is my turn..." Getting up she moves over to the mic as the music begins to begin, slower at first, though she knew that would change.
I still hear your voice, when you sleep next to me I still feel your touch in my dream
Forgive me my weakness, but I don't know why Without you, it's hard to surrrr..vive
Time for the music to really get going... Emma took a breath and knew the tempo change was coming fast.
'Cause every time we touch, I get this feeling And every time we kiss, I swear I could fly Can't you feel my heart beat fast? I want this to last Need you by my side...
'Cause every time we touch, I feel the static And every time we kiss, I reach for the sky Can't you hear my heart beat so? I can't let you go Want you in my life...
There is a different reaction to Emma's song as her lilting Welsh voice floats gently over the room. After all the Welsh are famous for their singing voices. But it seems as though this song is familiar to many as several get to their feet almost as soon as the music changes and start to dance, then others join in. This lifts the mood of the whole room.. and applause greets Emma as she steps down from the stage.
She passes two guys on the way to the stage ready for their number.
The better singer of the two starts singing "Always look on the bright side of life.." with his pal coming in with "de dum, de dum, de dum.. at the end of the line. Neither of them are great singers but the song is obviously a favourite here and before they are through much of the song, the audience join in with the 'de dums..' Most folk laughing as they sing along.
Next to get the call is Skye and Levon. They head towareds the stage at the end of the Monty Python classic, Levon with a hand looking familiar placed softly in Skye's back.
He applauds Emma's performance as she finishes with the rest of the crowd, and cheers on Levon and Skye as they head up to the small stage while pushing back the small bit of anxiousness he is feeling as he will have to be up there soon with Miranda. Perhaps though the KJ will take a break, get drunk himself, and miss his and Miranda's submission. Henri would not be too upset if that happened.
He cheered on his friends as they sang their songs and applauded loudly when they stepped away from the mike. Then it was their turn.
He genuinely enjoyed performing but without his guitar in hand he felt naked. Skye being there with him put him at ease. And he was amongst friends, the best he's had. So he belted it out as best he could. Once they reached the part where they sang together in harmony, his eyes fixed themselves to Skye's and in that moment, he noticed nobody else around.
Two of the bikers head for the stage and start to sing in slightly gravelly voices 'I can't get no satisfaction' and on the line 'But I try, and I try' is directed back with emphasis to their own table. The girls there laugh and play up to the boys, striking 'come on' poses.
Whilst this is occurring Henri gets a notification that he and Miranda are next.
Miranda leans over to confirm the text.
"I'll lead by singing the first line, you can speak yours, play the comedy angle maybe?"
She had chosen the song partially because of her croaky singing; Skye could do a decent Stevie Nicks — her Bonnie Tyler was maybe better. Growing up with the lyrics it also seemed to match her mercurial relationships. She belted the song with the force of a couple shots behind — but then with Levon singing along with her…the words found began to find new meaning
She held Levon’s intense beautiful eyes in hers as he sang:
“I know you really want to tell me goodbye (ooh-ooh) I know you really want to be your own girl” “Stop draggin' my, stop draggin' my-Stop draggin' my, stop draggin' my-“ she responded as they sang.
When they were finally done, she leaned up and gave him a kiss with a wicked grin.
“Let’s see where it all goes. But I kinda like you.”
And she let herself fall into him as they exited the stage and let the bikers come on up.
Alas, the KJ has not forgotten him. He pockets his phone when Miranda confirms they are next up on to the stage, and then laughs at himself with Miranda's suggestion.
"Oh, it's going to be a comedy me trying to sing!"
He takes a gulp from his drink.
"I'll try my best to sing it though."
Henri would rather be seen as trying to sing rather than giving up and just speak the lines.
Another gulp down the hatch as the biker dudes wrap up, and says to Miranda, "Oh là là! Better now than never. Shall we go?"
He mutters to himself as he takes comfort in Miranda's touch as they walk to the stage, "Death by laughter probably..."
As the intro starts up he finds the song's beat easy to get hooked on and then starts to sing when around the third line his nerves and French accent practically disappear. Henri does not pay to much attention too the crowd to avoid getting stage fright as he sings from his heart and really starts enjoying the song with Miranda.
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