ACTION; ota

[whiteas]

GENESSIA CITY, Jack's Bar and Karaoke Club
[ She knew what was coming soon. After everything she'd discussed with Torchwick, she knew it would be soon, even if she didn't know exactly when. She needed to take the edge off of her nerves and she needed to do it in a way that didn't make it obvious what she was doing. With all of the emotional things she's been dealing with lately between her life, Cinder, the Red Claw.. well, there's one thing that she never stopped doing, even if she hasn't performed in public for a long while.

It was after typical work hours barring disaster, so Weiss made sure to leave a note on her door in case any of her house mates started worrying about whether or not she was okay, then headed out to Jack's Bar and Karaoke Club. She didn't bother with one of the rooms, content with singing on the open stage in front of people. This was a far smaller venue than she was used to, but it was all she needed right now. Once it was her turn on the stage, Weiss patted down her dress to make sure it was straight, then headed onto the stage. She handed her own USB with the background music on it to the guy handling the tracks. ]

Hello. [ Weiss lowered the mic to her height with ease, though she knew she didn't really need one. She had quite the pair of lungs on her. Still, it would save her voice. ] I know most people want to hear songs that they're familiar with but considering Genessia, it isn't like most of us know each others' music anyway. This.. This is my new song. I know I haven't released music since I became a huntress, but I haven't forgotten about it and I haven't stopped.

[ She takes a deep breath and begins to sing. ]

Who am I to complain?
My life's been spared so much pain
Born with all that I need
My comforts all guaranteed

So what's the problem
What's keeping me
From moving forward
It's hard to see

I should be free now
I should be fine
But the life I fought for
Still isn't mine

Some believe in fairy stories
And the ghosts that they can't see
I know that I could do so much
If I could just believe in me
Mirror mirror
Tell me something
Can I stop my fall?

Years of scorn will leave you cold
'Forget your dreams do what you're told'
When disapproval's all you're shown
The safest place becomes alone

And isolation's
The price you pay
And every friendship
Is pushed away

But bit by bit now
A step each day
I'm slowly starting
To find my way

Some believe in fairy stories
And the ghosts that they can't see
I know that I could do so much
If I could just believe in me
Mirror mirror
I'll tell you something
I think I might change it all

[ Once she finished singing, Weiss curtsied during the applause that echoed through the bar and let a small smile pull to her lips. Something she never would've done during her original singing career. She was ready. Weiss exited the stage and went to the bar to go get a blueberry sangria and to tell the bartender she's not accepting drink gifts preemptively. ]

Comments

[majestiq]

[Being a musician, one of the many things Mariko checked out first was this place. She's been here yesterday, and even signed up to sing on stage, probably the same reason Weiss did - to calm her nerves. Music has always been her escape from her life's problems. Speaking of her life, the lyrics in Weiss' song resonated with her because of that. She closes her eyes and listened by the bar.

By the time Weiss is done and the somber song was replaced by applause, Mariko opened her eyes. She sees Weiss approach the bar to order a drink, making her turn and look away, sipping on her soda. The mirror behind the bar allows her to see Weiss without actually making direct eye contact. Mariko lets Weiss take a seat and get her drink, while she tinkers with her guitar case. After that, she spoke.]

That was nice.

[Mariko faces Weiss and nods, briefly curling her lips to show she means it.]

I didn't expect to hear a song like that tonight after rows and rows of drunken cover songs. It's a welcome surprise.

[whiteas]

Thank you.

[ Weiss says the words almost too quickly. She's glad that she doesn't exactly have to field fans here- the whole point of going to a karaoke bar was so that she could just enjoy herself without actually aiming for any of the professional fame and fortune she used to experience because of it. ]

It's hard to stop singing even if I choose to do something different with my life. I just typically keep it at home.

[majestiq]

[Mariko nods, understanding. Singing and other art forms are usually kept in the back burner in favor of more practical things]

Yeah.

[Mariko isn't making a comment about the dress that seems too elegant for this joint. She's used to people dressing up fancy in karaoke bars. In fact seeing that made her feel more at home]

Some crazy old hag told me that music is the language of the soul. It nags louder to people who play it or sing so for people like us to completely put it aside, it's hard. Even if we have more important things that take priority. Sooner of later, we run back to it whenever we need to express things we can't say through talking.

[Mariko shrugs, shaking her head. She doesn't even know if what she said makes any sense. But the memory of said "old hag" who she's missing right now made her blurt it out. Mariko won't be surprised if that's what Weiss is doing here, especially due to the nature of her song's lyrics, but she isn't going to try to make Weiss talk about her problems. She is more likely pertaining to her own ones right now.]

[whiteas]

[ Weiss dresses up fancy pretty much every day of her life, so she doesn't really think much of it. She just wanted something that people wouldn't immediately recognize her in. Easy to recognize? Sure, that wasn't goign to change. But at least her silhouette wasn't going to alert anyone to her presence like normal. ]

I'm fine with just singing at home most of the time, but sometimes it's better to just let it out for strangers. I don't know about a crazy old "hag" but it may be sound advice.

[get_dunked]

[What Sans was doing at a pub was a mystery. Did he get bored again? Pranking drunks yields its own interesting results. He slowly paced about, pretending to be a patron just trying to get by, planting a whoopie cushion on chairs and dropping fake spiders in drinks every once in a while as to not cause a stir to the point of total annoyance.

But then he saw her... and he remembered. It was something he was curious about, but got incredibly lazy and procrastinated for a very long time. Originally, he wanted to ask someone else this question, but almost anyone from that world will do.

With his hands stuffed in his coat pockets, he casually strolled on over with that huge grin plastered to his boney face. He intends to break the ice before getting the cold hard facts to his inquiry.]

"...hey there... it's, uh...not every day ya meet someone... with hair as Weiss as snow... heh heh heh..."

[whiteas]

[ Yeah Weiss just gives him a dull look. It's a skeleton telling bad puns what else is she going to do? It's not like it's the weirdest thing she's ever seen anyway. There was a talking sea lion a while back, then whatever the Ice King was... She's so immune to surprise. ]

That was terrible.

[get_dunked]

[Whatever, lady. That was funny. Sans didn't leave, if that's what Weiss was hoping for at one point. He instead took a seat and ordered a bottle of ketchup. That one probably confused the bartender to a point where he didn't answer right away.]

"...Not into jokes, huh? Then... how about something more, uh... serious."

[Taking his left hand, he laid it upon the counter, slowly and lightly tapping his fingers.]

"I, uh...spoke ta someone...from Remnant... Tell me about the, uh... 'child soldiers."

[aerialheart]

[Jessica had been making it a point to explore karaoke clubs and other music revenues, in case she had wanted to pick up her own music career again. She'd been fortunate to be in this particular club tonight, and when Weiss took the stage and began to sing, Jessica's eyes lit up.

After the song and Weiss approached the bar, she hesitated a moment before slowly approaching Weiss. It was now she recognized the other girl from the hologram. Choosing to be a little more subdued than she usually is, she put on a small smile, putting her hands behind her back and tilting her head.]

I'm sorry for disturbing you, but- that was beautiful. You have such a lovely voice.

[whiteas]

Thank you.

[ The response was automatic. It came from her initial goals in life being musical, then changing to her desire to want to do something to make a difference in the world. In retrospect, wearing her usual white attire was probably not the best idea after singing if she was going to get a load of people coming up to her to compliment her, but she wasn't famous here- not for this anyway. It probably wouldn't be an issue, so she doesn't immediately deflect to get the woman away from her. ]

[aerialheart]

[She was a little hesitant to try to make any attempts at conversation after that response, but she couldn't really tell if it was a purposeful deflection or just something Weiss was used to. Jessica could understand both, having come from the idol scene, and she was under the impression that Weiss was a popular figure here. Still, she couldn't help but be drawn to people in the music scene.]

Is it- is it okay if I ask how long you've been singing?

Action;

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy loves seeing people perform. She's used to it when she was at Fairy Tail though she hadn't spent a lot of time performing here. When Weiss steps up to sing she can't help but smile. It's nice to see the girl relaxing some.

When she's finished Levy claps while a warm smile pulls at her lips.]

That was amazing. I didn't know you could sing.

Action;

[whiteas]

Levy!

[ She hadn't expected anyone she knew to actually be there. When the familiar face comes up, she looks much more relieved than with anyone else who tried to talk to her. ]

I used to do it professionally, before I decided I wanted to be a huntress.

Action;

[skilledwithwords]

[Levy's lips curl into a wide smile.]

Really? You know, there are a lot of people I know in Fairy Tail who like to perform and fight.

[She laughs softly at the memory.]

I'm glad to see that you're able to still sing here.

[enchantressofore]

[ It had initially been a break from searching for a new place to live. She had entered the bar, sitting at the counter and eating one of the entrées quietly. That was when Weiss introduced her song, and throughout it... Adela was completely captivated.

Even afterwards she couldn't help her stare, watching as Weiss sat nearby. When she caught the other girl's eye, Adela ended up swallowing thickly before finally looking away, a little embarrassed that she had been staring at her for so long. ]

... That was quite beautiful... If a little sad.

[whiteas]

I don't really think of it as sad, so much as.. a way to reflect on what I once was and who I want to be. Who I'm going to be.

[ It was a deeply personal song and she probably wouldn't share the details right away with someone like Adela- they didn't know each other well enough, but Weiss knew that it was obvious that it wasn't just some lyrics she pulled out from the back of her petticoat. There wasn't a point in lying about it. ]

[enchantressofore]

I truly do not know another name for it, considering some of what you said. Regardless... It really is not like any music I have ever heard before.

[ She nods to Weiss, taking a moment before going back to her drink. It's beyond her understanding, and probably none of her business. Still, it's something admirable and she can't help thinking about it. ]

... Did you sing often, before arriving here?

[justiceerror]

[now battler, definitely single and supposedly still weiss' best friend, had decided to watch her little performance. he hadn't known that she would sing something incredibly personal, something that told him so much about herself. it was.... amazing, to say the least. not because of her singing talent, but because he was then able to understand certain elements about her.

he could use these insecurities against her.

battler had made his way over to her at the bar, two drinks already in his hand. he had heard that she wasn't accepting drinks as a gift, but hopefully she would change her mind when she saw him. battler moved in beside her and set down his two drinks.]

Aahh I just so happened to buy two of these.... want one? [he grinned at her, then reached out to her arm and squeezed it reassuringly.]

That was seriously amazing. I know you told me that you can sing but.... wow! That really blew my mind.

[whiteas]

[ Weiss had expected Battler to be more.. awkward, about this. She hadn't expected him to still want to be around her even if she'd put a stop to any kind of romantic relationship they might've had. When she saw his drink, she even rolled her eyes but looked a little amused. ]

Did you ask the bartender to send that over first and fail?

[ Just happened to buy two, like she'd buy that.. ]

I wasn't kidding. I had to tone it down a little for in here though. The acoustics in here aren't exactly designed for someone used to singing more.. operatic tunes.

[justiceerror]

Nope, this was my idea from the start. If you don't want it for real, then that's fine.

[sure, it is awkward, but battler is also good at hiding his feelings.]

You can go louder?! Whoa! [he really is blown away.] You should do an outdoor concert sometime.

[deadcenter]

[since senji was always out at the bars he definitely then saw weiss. he didn't think the kid really had a set of lungs like that, and it was pretty amazing to hear her sing. he could see that she was enjoying herself, despite the fact that the lyrics were rather... depressing. there was still a fire within her that burned even after she had finished singing.

senji certainly wasn't going to buy her a drink, he knew that she wouldn't want to accept it either way. senji moved over to her, now leaning against the counter as he sipped his beer.]

You make that up yourself? Shit- that really hit dead center!

[whiteas]

[ Good boy Senji. Weiss doesn't want people buying her drinks. People are way too familiar with her when they try to do that- even if she's sure that with Senji it wouldn't be any attempt to hit on her.

Still, Weiss looked him up and down after his comment, an eyebrow quirked in judgment. ]

And your center is...?

[ Senji, your heart and mind are nowhere near your center. And Weiss is totally being specific about it to be an ass since he's rude to her all the time!! ]

[deadcenter]

What? No.

[weiss wasn't listening. he'll just try again, then. senji decides to repeat the word he used, it makes much less sense when not used in a sentence even.]

Zuppashi! That's what it was!

[dance_ix_dance]

[Demyx would have gone to a place like this even without prompting, but something about the melody when he drew closer was what actually drew him in. So it was almost unconsciously that he found himself choosing a table near the bar.

He almost didn't recognize her as the girl from the hologram because he was so focused on the raw emotion that music delivered, even if it wasn't his usual genre. Maybe that was why he tried so hard with his own music. Despite what he was told about being unable to feel....it was as though he forgot all of that and was a whole person again when he was around songs.

Though he knew that Saix would just tell him he was deluding himself. Which was why he never really talked to anyone about it. Not that any of them would have cared to ask. But he was fine with that. It was better to keep something that made him happy to himself than have it slammed by people who didn't get it.

Years of scorn will leave you cold
'Forget your dreams do what you're told'
When disapproval's all you're shown
The safest place becomes alone

He bit his lip and looked at the table. Well it was true, wasn't it?

And isolation's
The price you pay
And every friendship
Is pushed away

He hadn't tried to push Roxas away. Roxas pushed him away when he became Sora. And then he'd tried to kill him. So much for friendship, huh?

Still, it wasn't like the song was embracing that moody crap, just acknowledging it and maybe even defying it towards the end. He smiled a little despite himself. And no one looking at Demyx in that moment would ever suspect that he was supposed to be an entity without a heart.]

I liked your song.

[He said it a bit shyly. He wasn't used to talking to other musicians.]

Did you write it yourself?

[whiteas]

[ Weiss knew nothing of the struggle that Demyx was having because of her song. She was sure that to most people, it was just a hopeful if sad song, not something that Weiss expected many people to relate to beyond understanding self-doubt. ]

If I had someone writing songs for me, it wouldn't be for a karaoke bar performance. But thank you.

[dance_ix_dance]

I don't see what that has to do with it. It's not the first karaoke bar I've been to [A little secret of his that he kept from the rest of his cohorts] and people like to sing their version of their favorites after all,but I dunno, it just seemed like it had a personal touch to it.

[He shrugs and sips on his own non-acholic beverage. Something with cherries in it.] I play the sitar. But when I try to write something, it just doesn't work out. So, being able to write something yourself is pretty cool. Not judging you if you didn't, though.

[Maybe you needed a heart? But he played okay without one. Maybe he just hadn't found inspiration. Hard to do that when you've got to trick people into doing your work all the time.]