2021-06-12 Karaoke Khaos I

Karaoke Khaos I

Participants: Angela, Billy Fingers, Blake, Calla, Cheree, Edith, Feliks, Giancarlo, Ghost, Hall, Ian, Karner, Keegan Jaxon, Lascaux, Maximillian, Marquez, Nisha, Poppy, Schultz, Shelly, Spade, Summer, TarynRetired, Zebastian, & Zoey.

Location: Karaoke Pit @ Juste un Clou (WeHo, Boystown)

Date and Time: June 12, 2021 10:15 pm

Summary: It's time: for Karaoke. Denizens of Los Angeles' complicated nightlife gather together to belt it out in the pit - and it was so wild: not a single direct threat was made. Is this what happens, when one teaches the world to sing? Applause, heckling, hip thrusts, mic throws and a whole lotta noise - just another perfectly normal night in the Juste un Clou Karaoke Pit.

---<Zebastian>---------------

This place is a fucking dive -- but it's a popular one. Out in the main bar, folks who've negotiated with security to get access have long been drinking and dancing; creating a whirling mass of intoxicated human beings whose primary objective seems to be hit on one another, talk a lot of shit, and revel in drama. Anyone not doing that? Seems to have filtered through to the karaoke pit.

This back room that holds the karaoke pit is bumpin'. Was there supposed to be a start time? Because it's already in full swing by the sounds of things;

Down in the pit, there's a group of people surrounding a muscular crooner with a crew cut and patched up leather vest - she looks tough af, and her voice is like melted caramel as she belts out an old ballad; is it supposed to be ironic?

"--that dark and dismal day; how their hearts were choked with pride as their children marched away - now the glory is all gone, they are left aloooone - and there won't be many coming home! No, there won't be many coming home; oh, there won't be many - maybe five out of twenty; but there won't be many coming home--"

Gaggle of souls are already present -- drinking, laughing, gossiping with one another, singing along. Red light stains the pit -- the sunken karaoke stage, framed on all sides by tiers of raised walkways and booth benches that lead up to black, chalk-marked walls. Scribbles of all sorts graffiti the place -- including? Some kind of complicated tally board, marking out verdicts from the court of public opinion.

Singing has been happening for a while.

"--look real closely at the soldier, coming at you through the haze; he may be the younger brother who ran away - and before you kill another? Listen to what I say; oh, there won't be many coming home - no, there won't be many coming home - oh, there won't be many - there may not be any! But there won't be many coming home--"

Down in the pit, the tall, pale, slip of androgyny that is Zebastian can be seen -- singing backup without a mic, as he spins around with some scrawny Kine in a red flannel shirt; head tipped back as they both join in with caramel voiced crooner;

"--If they all came back but one? He was still some mother's son! --- and there won't be many coming home..."

Applause and whistles, as Caramel Crooner concludes her contribution, giving a salute and bow before she falls back to her group of friends -- leaving Zebastian to scuttle off to talk to Mae - a stylish Korean woman - before they both move to scribble chalk-marks against the wall -- and some twangy guitar instrumental a la Link Wray plays, keeping things upbeat and sleazy while people punch in their karaoke choices on the machine, or whatever.

Just another perfectly normal night in Juste un Clous' Karaoke Pit. Perfectly normal. The normalist.

--

(Song: Roy Orbison - There Won't Be Many Coming Home; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAVYHmuLixI)

---<Shelly>---------------

At some point... Shelly arrives! or maybe she's been in the crowd in the karaoke pit for a while now. Either way, she claps and even wolf whistles as Zeb and the Crooner depart the stage. Her usually oversized flannel is being worn wrapped around her waist instead of as a shirt today, all the better to show off a vintage Smokey the Bear shirt.

---<Cheree>---------------

It's probably a health code violation of some kind -- or maybe fire code? -- for Cheree to be sitting on top of one of the partitions separating out the raised booths surrounding the pit, instead of sitting in her actual booth. (She called and insisted that she wanted to make a reservation for one, even if the Pit doesn't actually take reservations, and just kept on it.) She's arrived with a friend or two, early enough to really get in there while the getting's good, and then to get restless and end up sitting on the half-wall. Cheree pauses in her vaping to applaud the performance by Zebastian and Friends, and with the actual splashes of color in her outfit -- pink! -- she seems to have decided that tonight warrants going two-tone instead of just monochrome. A platinum safety pin is prominently stuck on her sweater, over her heart. Must have been a present from someone.

---<Maximillian>---------------

Maximillian slips in amongst some of the others arriving, out exploring the town and having heard that there was a gathering afoot. He at least isn't wearing a suit and tie, rather dressed in a more casual top and pants. He looks around curiously, drifting along the outer edge of things as he listens to the singing, giving polite applaud where appropriate while looking for a place to park for a time and people watch.

---<Lascaux>---------------

Someone's nowhere, and then he's there, abruptly, seated on one of the black vinyl bench booths, holding a glass of something in his pale hand as the light shifts and drags over him, turning his hair into something so red it hurts the eyes to look at. The hood's not up, tonight, leaving his triangular face bare, looking particularly foxlike with shadows cast long under his cheeks and jaw, the hollows under his eyes harsh. In fact, there is no hood; just a big marled grey-and-black sweater that looks like it's a string's pull away from unraveling, a familiar pair of over-dyed cargo pants, and the same battered, untied combat boots he usually wears.

Nobody's with him. Nobody's even /near/ him, despite the fact that the place is crowded. There's a little bubble of space which exists around him, like he's exuding some kind of dark matter, for all of about - thirty, forty seconds, before it pops, and he finally moves. Turning his gaze from the karaoke pit to look out over the gathering assemblage in the Pit, scanning over the undead faces amidst the living with a watery blue-gray stare.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez has found his way into the pit as well. Taller than most of the other clubgoers he looks like a mast cutting through the ocean of bodies. He catches the tail end of the song, and puts his fingers to his lips to let out a sharp whistle of his own before clapping and cheering the performer and impromptu backup. He finds a spot close enough to the stage he can get a good look at those up there. Gotta see the sweat on the skin to make it a real concert.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla arrives while adorned in simple cream colored summer dress that is not quite white. Her chestnut locks are brushed to a silky sheen. She has little white ivory ballet slippers on her tiny feet that lace around her ankles with ribbons and more ribbons are tangled up in her long locks. The sundress ends at about mid-thigh, leaving slender legs bare. She is just a bit ahead of Schultz as if super excited and eager to here. Puppy excitement. Brown eyes are bright. She peeks eagerly about, having a shy dimpled smile and pink cheeks.

---<Quiet>---------------

Quiet comes in through the main entrance like a normal person. And she slips into the crowd looking for a seat like a normal person. Beat up clothes and her tiny backpack, she drifts in without much fanfare.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla looks to Quiet and ohhs softly at seeing her, maybe a happy oh? She waves in her direction.

---<Cheree>---------------

Cheree, from her perch on the half-wall, spots Quiet and bounces her eyebrows in a silent greeting, while vaping. That was enough applause -- vaping resumes.

---<Schultz>---------------

Schultz makes his way in alongside Calla, wearing a hoodie and a pair of distressed jeans. It's not an authentic look though, everything a bit too newly-bought and a bit too high-end. He's like a magazine approximation of someone dressed casually. He steps in alongside Calla, and then presess a hand lightly to her back. He side-nods to her with a smile, inviting her along to a booth on one side that's conveniently just vacating.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla looks over to Cheree and well her pink outfit. She seems a touch wary though, smiles briefly and lowers her lashes. She then feels Schultz's touch, lifts her gaze to him, gives him this adoring dimpled smile and follows toward the booth.

---<Shelly>---------------

Shelly bounces and squirms her way through the growing crowd, giving a glance over her shoulder as more people quickly arrive. She stops when she reaches about where Marquez is... mostly because there's not really much more room to move forward without being on the stage. "You know... you should probably beat the rush. Put your name on The List!"

---<Zebastian>---------------

Zebastian swirls about at the chalky wall -- did he notice Cheree earlier? Shelly? Anyone?! Probably! Or maybe not. The Norwegian kid has the energy of someone who is ~on one~, and by that? Paradoxically hazy n' hyped, like he's been sippin' on someone who mixed their xans and adderall up, then just took an extra of both to 'even things out'. So logical.

The cuffs of that battered black biker jacket that Zeb wears are shot, showing a glint of gold nail-shaped bracelets as he turns away from the chalky wall and--- woah. There is ... a pause, as he looks around the pit with a newfound puzzlement. So many... 'People'. Head tips to the side ditzily, and he just ... stands there for a moment.

While some rather fay Kine in a tanktop starts a totes ironic rendition of 'In The Jailhouse Now', pointing and teasing some other guy who looks like he might die of embarrassment and/or start a fight in a minute, if he's not careful.

Zebastian ignores this -- looking... Confused. Also around? Trying to find-- who? Anyone? Schultz? That cat Marquez? A bubble of person who's suddenly become lookable? Maximillian or Quiet? What is going /on/?! Zeb doesn't know.

---<Schultz>---------------

Schultz leans in to murmur say something to Calla as they take their seats, in a just vacated booth. It's quite loud, in fairness, so probably to be heard, he'll need to do that. He then reclines a bit in the booth, draping an arm across Calla's shoulders as they listen to the various renditoins of songs being performed.

---<Feliks>---------------

Feliks slinks in as well, clad in his usual fur-trimmed black jacket, roaring tiger shirt, tight leather pants, and combat boots, along with- are those fucking cat ears on his head? They are! With a whole bottle of vodka gripped in his hand, he scurries over to a booth close to the action and makes himself comfortable, scanning the pit from behind mirrored aviators.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez turns to look behind him as he hears a familiar voice. Shelly gets a smile as he turns enough to make a little conversation bubble. "Yeah? Probably a good idea. You wouldn't just be needing me to make a path for you to get there too though would you?" He doesn't seem to mind if that's the case as he turns back to wade through to where the sign ups are. After a moments thought he scribbles down his name and song choice, then steps aside to give Shelly the room to do the same.

---<Quiet>---------------

Oh Zeb surely knows why Quiet is here. The words of the prophets and what not. Look elsewhere with your confused gaze oh Dutch one. Quiet gives Zeb a nod, then a second one to Calla and a small wave. She ends up close enough to Cheree, to look upwards with a crane of her neck, a third nod, and a soft tilt of her head in question.

---<Edith>---------------

Edith's here, having entered a small while(ish?) ago -- and not having made an attempt to make her presence either known or unknown, she continues on in visible-invisibility. Presenting an anonymously casual-chic figure in her black dress and ankle boots, she finds somewhere quiet to stand while she slowly eyes up the layout of the room. She'll probably mingle soon, but for now? She's keeping to herself, just getting a measure of things, her face resting in a calm expression.

---<Spade>---------------

Spade rolls in, hands in pockets and exuding a casual air, he seems to be alone and mostly unaffected by the raucousness of the crowd in the room. He slots his way through, around, between and next to people, sometimes halting to let dancers dance past, sometimes pushing through, going with whatever feels correct in the moment until he can find a booth, probably way up at the back, and occupy it, in this modern reincarnation of a theatre.

---<Lascaux>---------------

The bubble of non-person-personhood stands up, eventually, drink still in hand, and sidles through the crowd, heading to the jukebox machine. He passes right by the dazy slip of confused Malkavian on his way, but doesn't even stop to say hello; how rude. He does, however, stare at the scenario presenting itself in the Pit, and then at the person currently holding the chalk, until such a time as he is handed the writing implement - at which point he writes simply LX down on the list of names, and then turns back to the twink-on-twink spectacle.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla wiggles into the booth, leaning in toward Schultz and listening to his softly murmured words. She nods in response to them, suggesting some kind of understanding and her response is very quiet and hard to overhear. "I understand, Mr. Schultz."

---<Shelly>---------------

"Me? Use someone else as a crowd cutter? Nah...." Shelly gives a grin and a shake of her head though she unashamedly trails right after Marquez to the chalkboard and signs her name on up as well. "See... there's an art to the timing. Wanna go late enough that folks got a few drinks in them, but early enough that the Wannabe American Idol types haven't had time to show up yet..." She taps her temple as giving out a pro-tip.

---<Zebastian>---------------

Zebastian blinks, giving Quiet something of a bobble-headed up-nod as she acknowledges him -- only to turn as Lascaux walks by and blanks him; resulting in a slow dip of his head from one side to the other -- hand lifted to muss at the side of his head, as Zeb turns to look over to--- is that Edith?

"...You sing, too?" This might be the current limit of the dazzled Norwegian's capability for speech -- turning to clock Shelly, before something catches his attention and--- Spade? Is that Spade? In the crowd of Kine? It couldn't possibly be--- how many one eyed cholos does this town got? //Lots// -- it could be anyone.

A pale hand lifts, cupping the other -- fingers pinching and twisting at the inside of his wrist. Zebastian does not wake up, but he blinks slowly and looks contemplative. "...Hva faen?"

The 'Jailhouse Now' singer taunts his mark in the crowd, who starts flipping him off. There is much laughter. Humans, eh? So rowdy.

---<Crawley>---------------

One would likely not notice Crawley slip quietly into the Karaoke Pit. He descends from the place above, looking quite like your average, eccentric Joe on the street, or just lookie-loo that might come into these places. Generic, not-very-handsome, California guy. Dark black hair, features too hawkish and angular to be considered little more than comical, and a complexion that would give your average high-schooler a run for his money. The arrival wears a t-shirt that reads .. 'Excuse me, do you have time to talk about our Lord and Savior, Cthulhu'. Over that a white sports coat that looks straight out of Don Johnson's 1984 closet. A pair of white pants and some loafers with no socks. Full Miami Vice.

He wanders over toward one of the seats and plops down, stretching one arm out across the back of one of the seats and crossing one leg over another.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez dusts the chalk from his hands with a few claps together. "Huh... never gave it that much thought. Missed having you around. Never know what kinda gold slips out of there." he says, giving her a little tap on her temple where she had done. "Good lookin out." He makes his way back from the sign up board, another makeshift highway through the crowd back to a comfortable place to watch and listen till its time for him to go up.

---<Maximillian>---------------

Continuing to lurk on the periphery of things, Maximillian gives a slight smirk and a shrug, before he steps over to the area to sign up and adds himself to the queue. "Why not," he muses, moving to walk back to where he'd been relaxing near the door. As he's heading back towards the spot, he notices Spade and offers a small nod, and then Quiet who actually gets a smile from the man. He doesn't move particularly towards either as he takes a spot to watch the goings on.

---<Nisha>---------------

Nisha graces the event fashionably late, wearing a white lab coat with a stylish black and red sequin dress beneath it. Trying to mix business and pleasure. Probably blending into the crowd of kindred with no fanfare. The gangrel poking at her totally mundane looking teeth with metal toothpick. Trying to spot the various Anarchs in the crowd. Surprised to see some faces. Finger waving to some friends before watching center stage and Shelly.

---<Quiet>---------------

Eye contact. Quiet raises a brow to Cheree, pausing for a long moment. It has an air about it of an unfinished conversation, now restarted. Then her head tilts off to the side, sliding into the booth she is by to sprawl out on the couch inside.

---<Lascaux>---------------

The redhead returns to stand next to Zebastian eventually, eyes still pointed toward the entertainment as Gay Baby Jail plays out right there, right in front of them. Whatever's in the glass he's holding, he's still just holding it, dangling from one hand lackadaisically. Other than the movement of the glass, swaying, he's statuesque. If he /says/ anything, it's hard to tell from afar.

---<Summer>---------------

Summer is (fashionably) late but eager to be here! Tonight, the Toreador Primogen is dressed in a floral-patterned dress with a hem that hits mid-calf, except for the front where an exceptionally high slit cuts allll the way up her pale thigh to reveal the start of her pelvis ( https://tinyurl.com/ycxdkpkr ). Her hair is worn down in loose curls, a dramatic side-part ensuring that her left eye remains partially obscured. She is, frankly, overdressed for the place but when has that ever stopped her before??

Summer enters the room quietly, not wishing to interrupt any current performances. She meanders over to the song catalogue wherever that might be, not exactly looking /excited/ about performing, but...well...when in Rome!

---<Shelly>---------------

And before she knows it, Shelly's name is being called out she looks in confusion as if that was a lot sooner than she expected but she takes the three steps up to the stage and the mic. The music... is a pretty abrupt change of pace to be fair as the song starts with a heartfelt ballad. "All alone, nothing to do, It's lonely here without you, The candlelight is burning low, The love songs on the radio, And memories are all I have to show..." and so she'll recap Selena's rendition listing tokens of a broken relationship and bemoaning Where Did The Feeling Go??? There's not really a whole lot of room for dancing with the ballad but she does her best for the dramatic hand gestures when appropriate.

---<Cheree>---------------

Cheree kicks her stubby little legs while seated on the booth's half-wall. She offers her vape pen down to Quiet. "You know, I would talk about how I used to be in a band, but I feel like in LA, that's /every/ waiter and car wash attendant..." The black-and-pink-clad Ventrue neonate spots Summer, and lifts her arm to wave it excitedly, and motion for Summer to come join herself and Quiet once she's put herself on the signup list.

---<Spade>---------------

Spade sits in his booth and doesn't notice any greetings or looks sent his way, what with his one eye and not appearing to be particularly alert. He pushes back into his booth, turns sideways and puts his feet up on the seat. There's no mortal that's going to try and join him either way, which must be the reason he feels so comfortable manspreading like that. So definitely not with anyone tonight.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez is standing pretty close to the stage, having just cleared away from Shelly as she headed up to perform. Even sitting he's a head taller than a lot of those around him, so its pretty easy to spot him laughing at first with the song choice. Equally easy to see him start swaying despite himself as the song continues on. He does manage to keep an eye out looking around as well. Being new in town there aren't many faces familiar.

---<Schultz>--------------

Schultz remains there, basking in the feel of the place, looking around at the hum and the energy with that mixure of enjoyment and trepidation. like someone who's been under house arrest for some time. But then, before long, Shelly is performing and he will be called up next. He sits upright at the end of her song, ready to be called up, or to just go up if it's more self-serve.

---<Edith>---------------

Maybe Edith felt someone looking her way, or maybe it's just chance that she turned her head at the right time, but either way: her gaze catches Zeb's as he looks her way. She blinks a couple of times, comprehension dawning, then lifts a hand palm-out in a slowly finger-wiggle wave. A smile, as polished and immaculate as freshly-cleaned silverwear, and then she turns her attention politely to the stage when Shelly takes it.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla is here in a cream colored summer dress that really doesn't fit with this bar, but well Calla has to Calla. She has ivory ballet slippers upon her small feet and ivory ribbons tangled up in her dark locks. She sits close to Schultz in a boohth while looking to Shelly as she sings.

Calla has a little air of excitement too as if she also been a bit under house arrest too, but she seems happy to be here now and even makes these motions as if swaying to the music.

---<Quiet>---------------

Quiet, tilts her head back some to look to Cheree. A nod there, before she makes a few motions with her hands, drumsticks not included, then nods again. The whole bit is followed with a shrug, and then a point at Cheree, a questioning tilt of her head, and an ok sign.

---<Keegan Jaxon>---------------

Some of the attention is drawn AWAY from the current singer. Sorry! Not Sorry. A bunch of people in the back of the bar turn to pay attention to the door as somebody is entering, okay several people in fact. Keegan Jaxon has arrived and he has the party came with him! The wild rock legend is followed by a small entourage, all dressed to kill! LOTS of rock attire, and wouldn't you know it; Keegan Jaxon brought his own guitar. What a diva!

As he moves through the bar, the crowd goes with him, some even asking for autographs; and to his credit the celeb pauses to give a few. Still, he continues on at a slow but steady pace until he gets to a decent spot where he can see the stage. A hand comes up to pull off his 90s style big sunglasses to stare at the current singer. The groupies around him acting like a bubble of fleshy armor to keep most others away...unless they actually tried of course.

---<Zebastian>---------------

Zebastian blinks slowly, as Shelly goes through that spirited rendition of Selena's 'Where did the feeling go?' -- his expression that of one deeply considering and reflecting on the central question to the ballad -- his head tipped as he looks at Lascaux in mute, ditzy incomprehension --- then past him, to where Spade has situated himself in a booth -- then back over to Lascaux -- then out, at the chaotic crowd -- to Summer over yonder, being uncannily beautiful -- some rando Miami Vice guy in a nerdy shirt over there -- then back to Lascaux.

What is going on? Where /did/ the feeling go? By the looks of things Zebastian does not know -- yet, this does not stop him from raising his hands, gold nail-shaped bracelet glinting as starts to applaud. Applauding with determination.

---<Ian>---------------

Ian is there, in the pit, arriving a bit late - fashionably so. He's dressed down, which means he's not wearing a tie and the top few buttons of his dress shirt are undone. He scans the crowd briefly, eyes landing on Marquez over near the stage. He makes his way over to the man, slowing and claping him lightly on the shoulder. "Mister Marquez." he says, "Good to see you out and about." It's brief and informal, save his name. And then Ian's turning a bit to survey the crowd all the more, adjusting his coat and looking very mildly uncomfortable with the event. It's clearly not his usual crowd.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla claps her small hands together, applauding for Shelly. She looks over to Keegan and her brown eyes widen like maybe she recognizes him. She says curled-up and all close to Schultz.

---<Shelly>---------------

Shelly does not find out where the feelings went by the end of the song. Not a bow or any other flourish... just the mic back in the stand and she hops off the stage and moseys on over to take a seat on the booth next to Spade's feet, giving a questioning tilt of her head towards the man, just the wordless question.

---<Nisha>---------------

Honey eyes rolling through the crowd, Nisha ends up sitting down by Spade. "This town ain't big enough for the two of us. One of us will have to get up, and sing.", looking across the table at the the man. "I hope you have been practicing.", waggling her brows gently. The scene felt a little chaotic, but that seemed to be the point. Thumbing her bottom lip, she nods. "So, what kind of song mood you in? Something powerful and moving?", squeezing her left fist into a ball.

---<Lascaux>---------------

Lascaux lifts his hands and applauds for Shelly as well. Maybe she didn't find out where the feelings went, but there are a lot of feelings bouncing all over this karaoke pit, that's for sure. Somebody's gonna end up catching them, by the end of the night. Feelings, or hands, or both.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla peeks over to Nisha, waving in her direction. She folds her slender legs to one side more fully curling up into the booth. She is the type of person who does a lot of curling up.

---<Crawley>---------------

Don Johnson meets Howard Phillips Lovecraft ganders around the crowd for awhile longer and seems content to watch Shelly perform Selena for a few. But as her set from the 'gone-too-soon' Latina comes to an end, he seems to get restless. Popping to his feet, Crawley "James" Crockett, heads deeper into the pit to spread his good word about the coming of the Great Old Ones. For real.

Sizing up Cheree for a moment, he sees the woman perched on the booth and wanders over in that direction. Apparently Schultz is there looking like he's getting ready to mount the stage and Quiet? Either way, he sort of hangs in the rafters till the suited guy has gotten up, and then sweeps in like a good chicken hawk, sliding onto the edge of the booth and looking at both of them, "Good evening ladies. Have you heard the good word about our Lord and Savior, Cthulhu?

The wierdo then looks skyward and mutters in some other alien, tongue, "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn." He keeps staring skyward still.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez is clapping and cheering for Shelly as her song ends, and as he feels the hand on his shoulder he turns to the side and offers a deep nod of his head to Ian. "It's good to be out Mr. Stanford. Nothing says L.A. like a seedy bar." he says with deep laugh. "Didn't expect to find you coming here. Wonders never ceasing and all."

---<Giancarlo>---------------

Through the door arrives the Italian gentleman, Giancarlo. Tonight, he is dawning the crowd favorite sea green custom suit jacket and pants with matching undershirt left unbuttoned, and a pair of dress white shoes. He walks in with a confident stride letting his head turn slowly to gaze out across the karaoke bar and let those hazel eyes of his take in who is around.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez is clapping and cheering for Shelly as her song ends, and as he feels the hand on his shoulder he turns to the side and offers a deep nod of his head to Ian. "It's good to be out Mr. Stanford. Nothing says L.A. like a seedy bar." he says with deep laugh. "Didn't expect to find you coming here. Wonders never ceasing and all."

---<Giancarlo>---------------

Through the door arrives the Italian gentleman, Giancarlo. Tonight, he is dawning the crowd favorite sea green custom suit jacket and pants with matching undershirt left unbuttoned, and a pair of dress white shoes. He walks in with a confident stride letting his head turn slowly to gaze out across the karaoke bar and let those hazel eyes of his take in who is around.

---<Schultz>---------------

Schultz makes his way up to the stage, giving another sidelong glance to Calla, inviting her along with him. He steps up on stage, and up comes the queued song: David Bowie's Five Years. Schultz lends his honey-smooth voice to the vocals, trying to make it a suitable backdrop for modern dance sensibilities of one Calla Sunberry.

---<Cheree>---------------

Cheree, seated on the half-wall of a booth that currently only contains Quiet, applauds for Shelly, and even puts her fingers in her mouth for an appreciative whistle. She looks back to Quiet for a moment and nods. "Yeah, I'm doing good. And I played guitar." She flashes a grin, then goes back to looking around for anyone she wants to pester to come sit with her. That's when Crawley "James" Crockett approaches. She grins at the bit of R'lyehian, and motions for the Nosferatu to sit with them. "Y'ai 'ng'ngah, Yog-Sothoth h'ee -- l'geb f'ai throdog uaaah." One quote from a famous dead racist deserves another.

---<Spade>---------------

Spade is apparently unsure what question Shelly is asking him, but he moves his feet far enough for her to sit down, so maybe that will cover it. Looking like he'd been about to put his hands behind his head and just lounge instead he's suddenly joined by two as Nisha seats herself there as well. He turns his one-eyed gaze from Shelly to Nisha and across the room as he replies, loud enough to be heard at least in that booth. Answering Nisha's song question first with a shrug, "Shelly can pick, if I even sing."

---<Edith>---------------

Edith brings her hands together in applause for the last act, with exaaactly the right amount of measured enthusiasm to be courteous without going overboard. Said applause tapers off abruptly when Ian arrives, however, and she freezes motionless in statue-like stillness. As if drawn by a power beyond her control, she walks his way with spine held straight, all purpose, everything else forgotten. She doesn't interrupt Ian's conversation with whoever-it-is that he's talking to, but instead halts within a subtle distance, lifting a hand in a wave in case he needs her.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla has a friendly dimpled smile or Giancarlo as he arrives as if she knows at least a little bit. She then notices Ian and for a moment the tiny brunette tries to look much more serious. She has this quiet almost formal nod to him and looks away as if not expecting him to return such. Calla ohhs and she eagerly follows after Schultz, padding along on those little ballet slippers. She tries to dance along with!

---<Zebastian>---------------

Zebastian tips his head to the side -- something less deer-in-headlights and more stoned-space-case settles over his features, as he dips to and turns and raises his hand, hair half obscuring his face as he musses at the side of his head, looking at Lascaux like he's not entirely sure the red head exists. A ditzy blink---

Is that... Bowie? Is Mr 'No-other-name-available' Schultz singing the classic 'Five Years' by Bowie? A blink, and Zebastian leeeans to the side - expression that of utter mystification as he glances around - hand lifted to shield his mouth--- is he laughing? Who could say! Zeb might be laughing -- he certainly is having a Time(tm).

---<Maximillian>---------------

As he's circulating the edges of the event, Maximillian secures himself a drink, not really sipping at it. His movements drift in the general direction of Quiet, though his approach is unhurried. When he does approach closer he gives a nod to her, "I hope the materials were satisfactory?" he asks as he does, lifting a brow slightly.

---<Summer>---------------

Summer finishes looking through the material and apparently decides on a song, her gentle bend once again straightening up to her usual poise. She looks across the room and spies Cheree's exuberant wave. The Primogen smiles warmly and waves back, adding a blown kiss and then a 'one moment' gesture. She saunters over to Spade's table, offering him a genial smile as she leans down to say something -- quietly, of course, respecting Shelly's performance. After receiving some sort of confirmation, she sinks down and scoots in, her attention equally split between the dynamic rendition of Selena's 'Where Did the Feelings Go?' and her tablemate. As they chat, she sways to the music, her fingertips tapping on the table.

---<Quiet>---------------

Quiet turns her head towards Doom Prophets, Nosferatus in disguise, and gives a small nod. Is she supposed to be rolling auspex? Still her hand raises up some, giving a small wave that way. No comment made on the invite to sit, or indeed, on the language being spoken. Passive for a moment.

At least until Max shows up, her hand turning from a wave to a big thumbs up and a bit of a grin.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla dances along the music. She is trained ballarina, but the moves she does include the classic, but also break from them. She spins about, rising to pointe as her slender calves flex. She seems to have a almost perfect balance as she spins, but she falls out of that into a more modern dance type of little leap and then she circles around Schultz. Her cheeks are flushed, her brown eyes are bright, her body is lithe and flexible. She seems be deeply enjoying herself with a dreamy sort of expression.

---<Shelly>---------------

Shelly eyes brighten a bit at that offer. Looking at Spade, then Nisha, then back to Spade. "Hmmm... an important decision. How do you feel about Los Tigres, Spade? Maybe Summer here can write your name on up there when she adds her own?"

---<Nisha>---------------

Nisha smirks to Spade, "Oh your totally singing. The eight rule of sing club, if it's your first time at sing club, you got to sing.", the woman explains while listening to her cellphone go off. "Hello, Nisha Yoon ...", pausing to take the call. "... Oh my god, Amber is so dumb. I bet you, she was the one who surgically sewed up the forceps and sponge inside the practice dummy. What?!! I can't hear you, hang on... Rebecca, I got to get out of here.", Nisha then chases her phonecall to somewhere more silent. Ragging on another med student.

---<Karner>---------------

An inordinate amount of...people have inexplicably come to this particular karaoke bar tonight for reasons completely unknown, and so Karner Blue has come here as well, a burly redheaded man following closely behind. Karner's wearing a coat that's like an aviator jacket, but knee-length, with heavy, dark leather panels whose weight makes them sway slowly when he walks, and with traditional light shearling fur on the broad lapels and cuffs. He wears black sunglasses, a slim black suit, and black shoes. A small blue diamond shimmers from his right earlobe. He doesn't wade all the way inside, but stands watching the stage with his arms folded for a moment or two.

---<Crawley>---------------

The ugly skinny guy in the white sport coat opens his eyes and looks at Cheree as she speaks. He gives the woman a nod, "Yog-Sothoth, the Lurker at the Threshold. He who is both the Gate and the Key." He seems pleased with that reply.

A long-fingered hand is thrust out toward Cheree as he twists his pimply face into a grin, "Billy Fingers. Pleased to meet'ya. That uh, yer man on the stage over there doing the David Bowie impersonation?" Crawley Johnson thumbs toward Schultz, his accent just maybe a little bit .. Bostonian? East Coast for sure.

---<Keegan Jaxon>---------------

When Shelly finishes, hands come up so Keegan Jaxon can applaud lightly, the ear piece of his sunglasses hooked between thumb and forefinger so it kind of flops with each clap. "Bravo. Bravo." he says still staring up at the stage until she departs. Oh then here comes Shultz. "Oh look, a singing Ventrue." he remarks with a little smirk. "And he isn't terrible. I figured he would break out a Jesus song or something. Rugged Cross or Amazing Grace..." Keegan Jaxon remarks to who ever might be listening. Then his gaze lands on Gian and the rock star steps over to him, leaning in to say something lost to the music.

---<Lascaux>---------------

There's something odd about Lascaux; the more perfect the display, the less moved by it he seems to be. Or maybe he just hates David Bowie - no, that can't be it. Either way, he's just standing and watching, the glass still dangling from his hand, swaying slowly, totally out of time with the beat. His face has turned slightly; he's visible in profile now, but his expression is absolutely empty, unreadable even if one were to catch a glimpse.

---<Schultz>---------------

Schultz gets offstage after his song concludes, to whatever smattered applause he gets with his performance, which ends up being a backdrop to Calla's dancing. He then makes his way back to the booth at the side of the room, only partially poached. They still have a side!

---<Cheree>---------------

"No," Cheree replies flatly to Billy Fingers, and then she vapes fuckin' hard.

---<Calla>---------------

"Amazing Grace is a beautiful song!" Calla says. She smiles over to Schultz and then well pads back to her booth.

---<Spade>---------------

Spade, up in a booth doing a major case of manspreading and taking up more room than any one man has a right to, in such a crowded club. He's got legs up along one half of his booth, which was empty before Shelly, Nisha and then Summer joined him. Of course, there goes Nisha, bringing him down to a more respectable two boothmates. He shrugs to Shelly, "I don't know it, so, sure, why not?" He looks over to Summer, expecting her to be perfectly happy to do the scutwork of putting his name on the singing board for him, upnodding to the Toreador Primogen.

---<Edith>---------------

There's a really great act up on stage (probably) but Edith could not care less and she doesn't see a bit of it. She just got a pat on the shoulder from Ian. That's all that matters. Still, she at least manages not to grin like an idiot, and instead holds back with the kind of easy smile that would pass muster with any high society matriarch worthy of metion. She still applauds appropriately (with no idea what she's applauding for) as she comes to stand next to her domitor, looking towards the stage as she quietly offers a, "This is quite something, isn't it?" to him.

---<Zebastian>---------------

Zebastian blinks, head tipped; "...My brain hurts a lot..." A subdued sing-song echo in lieu of applause for Mr. Schultz' rendition of the end-of-the-world classic. There is a head tip, expression still baffled at... Everything? Apparently so!

This does not keep the Norwegian kid from nodding -- but as far as making anything even close to eye contact or acknowledgement to anyone, newly arrived or long established? Nope. Zebastian seems hazed out, mate -- proper twisted innit, like he's melon's gone through a blender. So it goes.

When Marquez gets up and starts his set? Man, those Kine seem to love this song -- even if like... Are some of them moshing ironically? At least one drink is thrown, and there are bouts of laughter from groups -- torn between singing along with earnestness and droll humour - but oh man, this place is //buzzing//.

---<Cheree>---------------

Cheree looks down at Quiet and grins, then reaches down and gives the blonde's shoulder a squeeze. Seated on the half-wall, having probably been told to get down from there by staff something like six times already, Cheree uses her high vantage point to gaze out at the crowd. There she spots: Karner Blue. Cheree locks eyes with Karner's sunglasses for a moment, and offers a meek smile. Then she looks over at Summer. Then back at Karner. Then back at Summer. Then she looks at Billy Fingers. Then she looks at her knees. "Yeah," she says to Mr. Fingers. "Mostly his cat." She hits her vape pen hard, failing to greet either Maximilian or Calla because she's clearly disturbed by something.

---<Ghost>---------------

Enter the entourage. Six bikers enter, checked by security. They unzip their jackets, no weapons, but then do up those jackets completely despite being in the club after that's done. Walking further into the club and the pit eyes immediately scan the place looking for something or someone. Nothing about their expressions looks friendly nor their demeanor, and they don't appear to be here for karaoke, certainly. They all walk together in a group and it certainly makes some people move out of their way. A lot of people who's eyes Ghost's land on get mean mugged, basically anyone from that OTHER faction and he doesn't even try to restrain his looks of disgust for those individuals. One could probably paint a broad brush over who that look is given to. He is not approachable. He doesn't even look like he wants to be here. However, he seems surprised when he eyes Spade, whether he catches the other fangbangers eye or not, he upnods briefly, and his gaze moves on. The same for Quiet. He seems to find what he's looking for in this situation. Zebastian. Once he does , all six of them move in his direction. His stance relaxes just a little as he approaches the man, giving him an upnod.

---<Giancarlo>---------------

Giancarlo feels his phone vibrating and picks it up to answer it. He pulls it away for a moment and looks to Keegan, "Put our names in. I got to take this real quick." He then scurries off to the back part of the club to take the call.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla waves in Zoey's direction when she sees her arrive and follows the wave with a dimpled smile. She then walks by Crawley's table. She then hears Crawley's words. Her brown eyes widen, her cheeks pink and a soft gasp escapes from her slightly parted lips. "Oh, no, no, I really hope not, um, hi!" She say sand then pases. "I am Calla Lia Cala Lily Calia Strawberry Sunberry." She says and dips into a cursy that is a graceful trained dancer's cursty. "So um...you are a follower of um...Cthulu?"

---<Ian>---------------

Rage Against the Machine comes on and Ian.. doesn't react. It's like its all just noise. He claps for Marquez as he finishes, the same as he has for everything. Seriously though, what's this guy doing here? He's about the least animated person in the crowd. He glances down at Edith and nods, "Yes, quite a spectacle." he agrees. His tone is dry but not rude. It *is* a spectacle. It just doesn't seem to be one he's all that into. Maybe he hates music? Or live performances? He's probably just tone deaf. "Are you going to sing?" he asks, indicating the stage.

Around him, people look encouraging and excited by the music, but Ian simply stands there until he catches sight of the six bikers. His eyes track them lazily, and he takes a moment to catch Zebastian's eye, if the spacey man notices anyway, he'll quirk a brow and then settle back to just watch the goings on.

---<Poppy>---------------

Poppy arrives en solo and steps inside wearing a powder blue short summer dress with a belted chiffon skirt. It's her heels that make the outfit, a silvery white en vogue with the soles very lightly illuminating as she walks. The platinum blonde gets a good look the bar as if searching for someone in the cacophony of music and sounds, but ends up navigating her way to one of the tables. She swings a little drawstring purse in her left hand. "Hot damn, it's packed in here."

---<Summer>---------------

Summer watches Schultz's performance with polite interest, appearing only mildly surprised by the man's dulcet timbre. Naturally, it's Calla who holds her eye quite a bit, her hazel eyes tracking her across the stage with bright-eyed interest. If Spade's booted foot remains anywhere near her, she will grip the toe of it between her index finger and thumb, pinky primly extended, and slide it away before settling in.

Summer leans forward to grin and wave at Shelly, saying, "Well hello there, Shell-Bell. You did great. I'm starting to wish I stopped for a drink on the way over here..." The lovely woman crinkles her nose, appearing mildly flustered, and then peers over at the man beside her. "And you?" she asks, hiking a brow, "Will you be performing tonight?" Summer peers back at Shelly to add, "I'm more than confident he can manage himself..."

Summer might add more but the aggressive tune picks up and she turns her attention toward the stage. The display of passion is enough to capture her interest, her unblinking eyes fixated on Marquez as he bellows out his high-energy performance.

---<Hall>---------------

Hall comes into the room scowling, like the pounding noise gave him a headache even before he walked through the door. Something in here, maybe some of the familiar faces that he sees, seems to startle him, and he stops, blinking, until he ends up in the way of the huge security guard walking behind Karner, who gives him a death glare and gestures at him to move along. Hall snaps back, though the din drowns out his voice from any distance.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla looks all flattered by Summer's interest. Her cheeks are pink and her brown eyes are bright as she looks to the redhead. She gives her a dimpled smile and dips into one of her cursties.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez gives a little wave to the crowd in response rather than a bow. Then heads off the stage without putting the mic stand back down for the less tall in the crowd. He's moving with a little mor epep now, the song still bouncing around in his head, in his blood. He makes his way back to the booth he was at to settle in for the next performace, and goes back to people watching and just being in the atmosphere.

---<Lascaux>---------------

It is awkward performing two songs by the same artist in a row, and Lascaux knows it. He gives Ghost and his crew a /look/ as they roll up, ostentatious and obvious as fuck, and then steps away from where he was standing next to Zebastian observing the Karaoke Pit, and moves to take over from Marquez when the previous song has fininished.

---<Karner>---------------

Karner's lip curls up slightly when Cheree looks his way. He leans over and murmurs something to the burly redhead he's with -- who is swiftly distracted by Hall being in front of him. This causes him to pause and glance behind him to see who it is. "Ah, good evening, Ashley. I'm surprised to see you here." Said with the sort of tone of someone who can hardly believe he's here, either.

---<Zoey>---------------

It seems only Calla spotted Zoey, that simply wouldn't do at all. Still, she does return the wave before she moves into the crowd, the bluenette Pixie of mischief drawing her way through as the song ends only to come up behind the vaping Ventrue that is Cherre chatting and making eyes at Karner and lazily leaning her head over the other woman's shoulder. "So....you sung yet?"

---<Shelly>---------------

"But he said I had to pick the song..." Shelly offers to Summer as for why //someone// must sign up Spade beside himself, but that doesn't seem to stop the Malk long. "I'll be right back!" And she slips her way through the crowd back towards the chalkboard List and she adds not just one name but apparently two on that list, returning with a self-satisfied grin.

---<Hall>---------------

"Yeah, I'm surprised to see me here, too," Hall answers Karner. He drags his hand through his hair, looking like he's already regretting stepping foot in this nonstop rollercoaster of all-out sensory stimulation. He glances on in, then back at Karner, and nods in the direction of Cheree's booth. "Let me guess. Headed that way?"

---<Quiet>---------------

Quiet doesn't shift away from the grab, remaining still and relaxed at least for the moment. She does shift a little however to give Cheree a big thumbs up as she continues to take up a whole ass couch and generally watch the stage.

---<Edith>---------------

In reply to Ian's question, Edith shakes her head a couple of times. "Oh gosh, no, nobody wants to hear that. Singing is very much not my forte." She smiles acceptingly at the admission, comfortable enough to admit her deficiency in that area, then thinks. "Is there anything you want me to do while I'm here?"

---<Lascaux>---------------

Lascaux pulls off the sweater he's wearing and tosses it to the side, leaving him all wiry limbs and angles in a hole-laddered t-shirt DARE t-shirt. He's not even facing the audience at first, slightly hunched forward, just rocking back from heel to toe. But the second his voice comes in, it's filled with all the roiling undercurrent of simmering anger that's digging in, under his skin -

His voice is /raw,/ aggressive, straining with the effort of projecting it; as the verses of the song go by, the words enunciated, the guitars screaming, eventually he does turn to face the front. But he's not looking that way. He's not really looking anywhere, he's just moving like a kinetic sculpture being blown by the wind, like a piece of wire and paper that's been picked up and scattered. A far cry from his usual languid, lackadaisical movements.

At the end of the song, carried on a wave of emotion, he straight up throws the mic right into the crowd. Then he blinks, coming back to himself, and scuttles out to go get it and return it to the pit.

+ROLL/+DICE> Lascaux: Charisma + Performance vs. 5 -> 5 successes. (9 8 8 8 5 3 2 2) +ROLL/+DICE> Lascaux: Dexterity + Athletics vs. 6 -> 1 success. (9 5 3 2)

---<Feliks>---------------

If anyone was looking Feliks' way, they'd notice a sudden change in demeanor as Lascaux takes the stage, a dopey grin crawling across his face and raising a fist in the air as he takes another casual swig from his vodka bottle, setting it down and applauding enthusiastically as he finishes his performance. But who'd be looking in the direction of some random tiny catboy?

---<Karner>---------------

"No, I think she has her hands plenty full," Karner tells Hall. He gives the young man a smile, and then steps out of the way of the door, the burly redhead following closely. He leans up against a wall with his arms folded, watching Lascaux perform some band he doesn't know. Karner claps soundly for him once he's done.

---<Spade>---------------

Spade remains cornered in his booth between Shelly and Summer, and apparently gets signed up to sing by Shelly, but doesn't show any outward displeasure about that. It's a karaoke night after all. His manspreading antics are slightly curtailed by Summer, leaving him with one foot on the floor rather than the booth seat. Monstrous. Mostly he seems to be just taking in the atmosphere of the club, but occasionally leaning to talk to Shelly or Summer, alternately.

---<Poppy>---------------

Poppy has to wiggle through the crowds of people here tonight, but she does make it to Spade's table with a smile, and with purpose. "Sorry I'm late. You know how work is, and what a turn out for this crazy place. I luv it." She finger waves to the other ladies at his table. "Ladies. Good evening."

---<Crawley>---------------

"Unfortunate," Billy Fingers says softly as Cheree mentions Lovecraft's cat, "I admit. The man's personal life was a mess. But, I can see you have strong feelings about it, so I won't press it." It gets more and more awkward, especially as Calla gives no reply. The ugly guy in the white sport coat just kind of jerks his head back over his shoulder and says to the table, or well, no one in particular, "I'll uh ..be over yonder if you change your mind about the Cthulhu thing." Slipping out of the booth, he does not delay to wander back the way he came, slithering back to the same area of seats like the Whisperer in the Darkness itself. More like, the 'fell flat on his face hitting on Cheree' in the dark.

Crawley Johnson settles into a chair and rolls up the sleeves of his sport coat as he crosses his legs again. As he does, he fingers that a really onerous piece of gum is stuck there. He starts to pick at it, which makes it worse. So much worse. He soon has gum all over his fingers, stretching all over them.

---<Taryn>---------------

Taryn slips in the door solo, looking the room over with a hand on the hip pause at the entrance. Her attention pauses here and there as she looks over the room, catching what glances of people present that she can. As Karner steps out of the way of the entrance she moves around him, a faint smirk curving her lips as she starts to make her way around the room.

---<Keegan Jaxon>---------------

With Giancarlo's approval, the rock star makes his way over to get their names on the list and the song is marked 'TBD'. Then he heads back to stand and enjoy the other acts that are going on. His attention remains mostly on that stage and the singers because well, even more than JUST being a Torrie, he has made a life out of music because it is just what he loves most in this gof forsaken world of darkness.

---<Zebastian>---------------

Zebastian blinks slowly -- looking all the world like WeHo's third most ditzy space case - don't ask about the other two - as he turns to look around --- was that applause? There is just his hand raised, brushing hair out of his eyes as he happens to glance in Ian's direction, his head turning aaaaall the way to the side like a very owlish fellow indeed -- and does he smile?

Could be Zebastian smiles.

It's just there's so much noise - glimmering disco ball red-neon sparkles -- hum of a neon shrimp light - sound, sound, sound as one song bleeds into another -- and the appearance of Ghost rolling up six deep. Does Zebastian look unsettled by his presence?

...

Nah mate, the kid looks fucking high. Smiling dreamily and with the vaguest sense of recognition, like Ghost is... Who is Ghost? Someone he is smiling at as he chimes melodically; "Hva faen gjor du her?"

---<Spade>---------------

Spade sits up when Poppy arrives at his table, smiling genuinely at her, moving his feet off the booth seat and holding a hand out for her to take, after which he'll pull her into the booth to sit where his legs just vacated.

---<Hall>---------------

Hall stares at the stage while Lascaux performs, and for a little while afterwards, too. Looking a bit wan. Maybe he wasn't quite expecting that. He blinks, bites his lip, and then looks back towards Karner. "Well, uh. What're -- what're you here for, then?"

---<Calla>---------------

Calla is there in her of white summer dress and off white ballet slippers. Her attention gets drawn by Lascaux's performance though and she looks impressed! She makes a few little jarring motions as if responding to the music.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez can't help but grin as another Rage song starts playing, and he watches Lascaux start the performance, and before long he is getting into it right with him. He's leaning forward in his seat, foot digging down into the floor as he rocks forward to the beat, his head moving back and forth sending his hair flying this way and that as he bangs to the song When it ends he is standing up and clapping, hand raised with a 'yeah!' as the mic is tossed into the crowd, followed by a laugh at the scramble to get it back. Another sharp whistle is given before he sits back down in his seat.

---<Cheree>---------------

As Lascaux is finishing up, Cheree looks between Karner and Summer again, and then says to the people at her booth: "Oh, fuck it. If they throw me out for cutting the line, they throw me out."

Cheree walks up to snatch the mic out of Lascaux's hand as he finishes, with a too-polite smile that isn't actually polite at all. Even though she cut the line, Cheree's chosen song comes up, the late-period Motown-goes-disco stone-cold classic "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston.

"I want to dedicate this to..." Cheree wrinkles her nose. "...never mind." Then she starts into the wordless sigh-moan-singing that begins the track. Cheree is right on the beat, and her control of her voice is excellent. If she applied herself, she could have been some kind of Amy Winehouse found-in-a-dumpster white-soul diva in another life. She builds the tension expertly, until her voice roars with holy fire: "Ohhhhhh BAY-BAY~ My HEART is FULL OF LOVE and DESIRE FOR YOU~ Now come on DOWN and DO what you GOT-TA DO~ You started this FIRE down IN MY SOUL~ Now can't you see it's BURNIN' OUTTA CONTROL~"

The song is only four minutes, but Cheree Crowley only needs four minutes to find something like religious ecstasy -- which is the proper culmination of any real disco song. In the end stretch, gray-blue eyes are nearly rolling back in her head as she puts her all into the storming conclusion.

+LOSE/+BURN> Cheree burns 1 Willpower. +ROLL/+DICE> Cheree: Charisma + Performance vs. 5 -> 5 successes. (10 10 9 7 7 4 2)

---<Karner>---------------

"Do I need to be here for a reason, Ashley?" Karner gestures towards Cheree. "Are you here for her? By all means, go. Please, don't let me keep you." Although a moment later, Cheree gets up and sings a disco classic that he also doesn't know, and he claps for her too, although not any more or less enthusiastically than he did for Lascaux.

---<Ghost>---------------

Ghost just dismisses Lascaux with a glance and away, barely even caring about any looks he's being given. He seems to have literally come to this bar for one reason. He approaches Zeb and looks him up and down. Then gives the rather non touchy Malk an offer of a fistbump if he wants it. Some things transcend factions it seems. Whether eh takes it or not, doesn't matter and it seems Ghost knows a bit about being high. Either way, Ghost gives the guy a smirk and leans in to say something to him quietly. Even if the music wasn't blaring one would have to se super close.

Then eyes flicker to the stage and Schultz. They just stop. Any smirk gone as he watches the man perform, and one could only say a look of death comes over his visage. That look could not be anymore clear. But he dismisses that after turning back to Zebastian, and adding something else, quietly.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla seems impressed with Cheree! The tiny brunette watches her for a moment. Sh then starts to well make a hyper motions. Calla is not the type to stand still for long! She is excited by all the music.

When Ghost gives that look of death in Schultz's direction, Calla sucks in a sharp breath and then another breath. She seems suddenly nervous.

---<Zebastian>---------------

Zebastian blinks hazily -- Ghost is trying to fistbump? For a moment, the Norwegian just kind of admires that hand -- checks it out, checks it for--- for a hand, because it's just a hand -- and there's all this music -- this sweet Disco Charms as belted out exceptionally by Cheree -- and Zebastian is just kinda boppin' to the beat, just boppin' -- just bopping his fist against Ghost's fist.

Boom-pow! Up goes the hand, in a signed explosion -- and there goes Zebastian, da-da-dancing around Ghost - at - with? - around Ghost, with a shake of those skinny shoulders in that oversized battered biker jacket and a tap-a-rah-slide o those Chelsea boots as he just... Just //dances// -- like, like proper fuckin' //dances// like he was aiming for regionals in tandem with Cheree's song.

Not a single car in the world -- like all the problems of existence have been wiped out, through the ~power of music~ -- setting everyone free -- aaaah, baby!

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez listens as another surprising choice comes up, but is no less impressed by Cheree as she lets it all out on the stage. He can't sing along, clearly not knowing the song. Doesn;t stop him from standing up and clapping as she is finishing. He looks around for where Shelly disappeared to as if to let her know she was right about the timing. He managed to slip right in before the wave of actually good performers. Ian is called up next and he smiles, cheering for the man as he takes the stage.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla looks to Ian with curious interest. She tries to look more serious and respectful, putting on her best I wouldn't beg for drugs look.

---<Karner>---------------

"Well done," Karner tells Cheree. He smirks, though doesn't flash his usual grin. "As well as one can do in a place like this, I suppose. I never did understand the appeal of karaoke." That may very well be a lie. He's had karaoke at his own parties. He doesn't seem to care.

---<Taryn>---------------

Taryn seems to spot one figure in particular, starting to move up to Ghost. The clunk of her boots lost in all the music and singing as she comes to a stop a few feet away. Zeb's dancing around the guy thwarts her direct approach, so she pauses, sliding her hands into her pockets to wait. If she manages to catch his attention she'll give him an up-nod, and for once has a somewhat serious expression on her face.

---<Hall>---------------

"Good evening," Hall greets Cheree. And after Karner compliments her performance, he agrees. "Yeah, that was -- really something." There's still a lot of singing and dancing going on in here, all around, but although he glances around now and then, he doesn't seem to have focused much on any particular part of the room again yet.

---<Quiet>---------------

Quiet, the scene shifting, finds herself in motion. Rising up from her rest to a stand. Her arms stretch out for a moment, then her boots are in motion. Her hand moving out as she goes, making a motion to Ghost, and then in turn to Spade, with a low nod to both. Then she ends her trip standing next to Cheree's side.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla is all hyperly in the middle of the room, eagerly awaiting the next song!

---<Cheree>---------------

Cheree folds her hands in front of her lap, standing in front of Karner and Hall, basking in their approval. Her grin is entirely too bright for a nightclub like this. "You liked it?" Cheree asks, sounding like she doesn't quite believe that anyone /could/. Which, considering the performance she just belted out, is a bit strange. Quiet approaches, and Cheree gestures to her -- "Ah. And this is Quiet, my vocal coach."

+ROLL/+DICE> Ian: Charisma + Performance vs. 6 -> 1 success.

---<Ian>---------------

Ian glances up, confused for a moment as his name is called. His expression goes through a number of shifts. Confusion. Outrage. Sudden anger. And then his eyes shift, narrowing sharply on Summer, then Cheree, and finally Shelly. He gives *each* a firm and serious look before he jerks his coat into place around himself and marches up toward the stage.

He hops up and surveys the crowd and, let's be honest, Ian looks grumpy at the best of times. But rarely in the history of karaoke does someone look this upset about his song. He takes a breath and looks at the songboard, his sigh visible through the mic as an echoey breath. He glances out at the crowd once more - its more of a glare this time, and then he takes the mic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=liQ4vT7_7iI - the opening notes see Ian lean forward and start to sing. It's... Well, he sings it. It's not wonderful, nor is it great. He doesn't dance at all, but he *sings* the song at least. He seems to know it well enough to sing it through. And there he is, the grumpiest guy in the bar, wearing a suit, singing an Elvis island tune about shrimping.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla dances about a little to Ian's song. This isn't performing dancing though, it is just more frolicing and having fun. She pretends to be on an island and throws in a few Hawaian like hip moves as if trying to get into the mood. The girl looks all dreamy, happy and a little lost to the moment, like she really really likes music even Ian music!

---<Lascaux>---------------

This - this performance makes Lascaux excited. In fact, he cheers with tremendous enthusiasm, wolf whistling for the tepid rendition. Maybe it's the grumpiness that gets him.

---<Summer>---------------

Summer is cruising along toward a booth but...oh...there seems to be a weirdo in the crowd with an active microphone. She looks over her shoulder for Zebastian, wondering if he's going to try and reclaim the microphone, but oh -- he's dancing around that big biker guy. So, Summer does the responsible thing in approaching the dark-haired man and placing a hand on his back, saying, "Hi. Er. If I could just...that is, if you don't mind..." The redhead proceeds to take the microphone from his hand, trying to delicately ease it from his grip...

...But she becomes distracted by the sight of Ian shrugging off his coat and marching toward the stage, the sight like a man accepting his draft notice to the military. She looks baffled and maybe a little shocked, especially when the music starts...but she soon begins to laugh. Supposing the weirdo--er--man next to her handed over the microphone without requiring a wrestling match, she brings it to her mouth for a loud, "WOOOOO!" that cuts through the dreamy, plucky tune.

---<Zoey>---------------

She'd not signed up, she had no idea how to, but Zoey was still here. Karner, the Primogen of her clan that he is, gets a lifted hand in greeting that turns into a blown kiss, but she decides not to crash that gathering just yet. Still, she makes to move along, spotting Maximillian's eyes on her way, turning her gaze towards him and offering a little wink before she finds herself near poor Shelly, her next target of attention when she moves up, attempting to clasp the other woman's arm and lean close. "Hey there...did I miss you singing?"

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez is sitting there to listen to Ian perform. The look on his face shows he wasn't expecting that though. Like the varying faces that Ian himself had; Marquez has a look of confusion, then amusement, then horror, followed by understanding, and finally 'fuck-it' as he just decides to enjoy the song for what it is. He even claps for Ian at the end, though he can't stop from laughing.

---<Zebastian>---------------

Does Zebastian know Taryn? No - but that does not stop the Norwegian from dancing with slash at her, dancing like his existence--- is it kind of an aggressive dance? No, no, it's just... A lot? Maybe like a bird trying to get some other bird to give it space? Technically it's good and everything, but it's also like /a lot/...

...thankfully, Zebastian's attention span is not a lot. The song ends, the world turns, time moves on -- and Zeb? Ends up knocking into some Kine, and turning to chatter along quite possibly incoherently with them, all fun and fancy free and entirely fucked up. So it goes!

Only the chattering gets cut short as Zebastian just drops the convo mid-word, turns, and stares at the stage -- expression? Halfway between flabbergasted and enthralled. Hands, they lift, they lift and he holds the side of his head -- looking like he might... cry? laugh? scream? Watch, watch with unblinking fascination as Ian belts it out in the pit.

Shrimply the best.

---<Ghost>---------------

Even those pleasant enough to address Ghost, like Summer? Well, she might not recognize him, but eh certainly recognizes her. His look sours and he gives her a dismissive look, one of those' move along'. No greeting. The five men with him aren't dissimilar. There's no greeting at all. he just turns back to Zebastian and finds the man dancing around him. There's just a smirk of his head. He almost reaches up and out to touch the man, maybe pat him on the shoulder, but he doesn't, for whatever reason. He says something again quietly to the man. Then he gives him an upnod again, and let's him be on his very merry and very high way.

One last inspection of Zebastian, apparently finding him too high, to continue, he turns and heads for the Karaoke signup. Is he going to sign up for it? Nope, he puts Quiet's name down. Just Quiet. He gives Taryn an upnod, but his mood is not one of much mirth himself. Then he's heading for the door his business mostly concluded, the five men in tow. Though there's a stop before he exits the pit. He turns slightly back, scans the crowd again, maybe not at first finding who he's looking for. But eyes finally settle on Karner, he might even try to catch the man's gaze. A finger gun is pointed in his direction and then fired. And then the same, as he slowly finds Schultz and does it again. With that, he's stepping out unless stopped.

---<Feliks>---------------

Feliks gives no signs of recognising the song, but Ian's attitude to performing it gets a laugh out of him, cheering and applauding tauntingly as he finishes his set.

---<Crawley>---------------

The Don Johnson look-alike, now located in the nearest nose-bleed seats of the Karaoke Pit, takes the mic that he was previously fondling and sets it on his lap.

He then looks out across the room once again, catching sight of everyone doing what they are doing. That's when he realizes his fingers are still covered in Big League Chew, so he goes back to doing his best to get it off them, and his shoe. It's about then that Ian starts singing Elvis and Billy Fingers perks up some.

When the be-suited stiff starts to go through his number, the observant would notice the guy in the back swaying back and forth, his bubble-gum covered hand swaying in the air as she sings along, "An invitation to all the shrimp .." ..a pause, "..and this is what it said. Free ride, New Orleans! Stay in, grand hotel. Big Creole Gal who Help .. you come out of your shell." He seems to enjoy this.

---<Karner>---------------

Karner flashes a grin for the first time this evening, at Zoey when she greets him. He pantomimes catching her kiss, saving it for later, and then returns one in her direction. If he notices Ghost's finger-gun, it is not acknowledged or reciprocated. "Well, Miss Crowley, I'll be outside. Good evening, Doctor Hall." He turns and heads back the way he came, burly redhead in tow.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla looks to Ghost when he fires the finger gun toward Schultz, her dancing stopping for the moment and her small form going tensely taut. The color drains from her cheeks. She looks over to Schultz. She looks over to Karner and then she looks over to Ghost. She bites hard upon the swell of her lower lip and just barely manages not to say or do anything.

---<Hall>---------------

"We've met," says Hall, after Cheree introduces Quiet, to whom he nods. "Long time no see." After Ian ascends to the stage, he stares for a while. He still looks like he has a headache in here, but it appears to be growing into a headache of more nuance than when it could be blamed just on the noise.

---<Maximillian>---------------

There's a quiet chuckle from Maximillian at the song, along with a shake of the head at the choice. But then he flashes a grin towards Zoey. He starts easing closer towards the stage, since theoretically there is a dwindling list between him and his own turn at the mic. His gaze slips along the various persons curiously and he claims a conveniently vacated stool to settle on.

---<Cheree>---------------

Cheree looks at Quiet, looks at Hall -- looks back over her shoulder -- and she misses spotting Summer by an inch. She looks pensive for a moment... and then she follows after Karner.

---<Shelly>---------------

As Ian takes the stage, Shelly's face goes through many expressions as if she's not really sure this would actually work and so not sure how to feel. But yes, the Song of the Shrimp was what the people wanted (the walls even say so!) and so she'll clap and whistle her appreciation for the grumpiest singer ever. For Zoey, she gives a nod. "You did... but there's plenty more entertainment coming. Though don't know who is going to top Mr. Stanford over there. Maybe Spade here will!"

---<Lascaux>---------------

Lascaux watches the pantomime play out, from somewhere in the crowd. And then he, too, follows after Cheree and Karner.

---<Taryn>---------------

Zeb's dancing gets her attention, watching the man with an openly wary expression. It's a bit much, but hey, he looks like he's having fun? A couple steps back taken to give him room, before she looks back. There's a scrunch to the side of her mouth as Ghost nods then turns to leave after making his circuit and one can practically hear the grumble from the way her shoulders move. She turns to follow after him, falling in line behind his crew to tail him out the door.

---<Giancarlo>---------------

Giancarlo continues to stand next to Keegan off to the side, casually watching people's performances with a smile, and taking the time to clap for them when they are done regardless of how good or bad they are. He seems content to wait patiently for his and Keegan's turn.

---<Quiet>---------------

Quiet gives a shift, and the look she gives to Hall is apologetic. Sort of sad. She gives a small shrug, and then points to the south. But then she is in motion, raising up a single finger above her to circle once before she heads after Cheree.

---<Spade>---------------

When it comes time for Spade to sing, he steps out of his booth, keeping Poppy's hand in his and leading her down to the stage to take up mics. It's to be a duet, and Spade is sadly changing Shelly's thoughtfully chosen song out for the Summer Nights duet from Grease. Poppy gets up to the mic first and winks to the crowd, "A tribute to those who knew and loved her." She reaches over and touches Spade on the chin, and begins to sing the first notes to Summer Nights. The duet begins, telling one of American's favorite stories.

Summer loving had me a blast Summer loving happened so fast I met a girl crazy for me Met a boy cute as can be

They sing the lines alternately, just like in the movie, and the singing is not great in any way. It's a cholo with a hispanic accent singing after all. But the teen heartthrob moment of it is completely at odds with the general atmosphere of the club. The pair... couple? Dance the song much more than sing it, using what little space is available in the middle of the room, and make excellent use of the space available. There's even a lift at some point. Because why not.

Whether the crowd enjoys it or not doesn't seem to matter to Poppy and Spade, who depart the stage still hand in hand, to return to... well they might be heading for the exit...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW0DfsCzfq4

---<Edith>---------------

Edith looks just as confused when Ian's called up to the stage. The glance she sends his way makes that confusion known quite well, eyebrows lifting slightly in question. And if Ian's angry? Well, she is too. Slow looks around the crowd are given, cold as ice, as if she's making a mental note of the newest additions to her shit-list if anyone so much as /breathes/ the slightest hint of a snarky comment. No, not breathes! Even so much as thinks it. But when Ian's choice of song becomes audibly evident? Well, Edith doesn't know what to do except tilt her head at the stage -- and Ian -- with the sort of thoughtful consideration you'd assume for a poetry reading, hands folded in front of her lower abdomen. And she applauds very appropriately when he's finished, even with a smile on her face.

---<Crawley>---------------

Billy Fingers was so into the Elvis tune, he almost didn't notice Summer approach him and ask for the mic. His eyes were closed he was so into Ian's jam.

"Hrm," one eye pops open and spies the tall red-head, "oh, this?" He says, lifting the thing from his lap and offering it to her. But, before he does it, "Don Johnson" decides to give her some pointers on how to use it. "You see," he says, "you turn it on here." The mic goes on and people can now hear their conversation better. "And then you bring it close to your mouth," he does that, rising up to kind of move it closer to Summer's mouth, "and then you sing. Like .. uh, an angel. A red-head angel." He smiles awkwardly and sits back down, very slowly.

Did that help, Summer?

---<Calla>---------------

Calla spares another glance for Ghost if they are still here as if wary of him now. Still the girl is drawn to music her attention pulls to both Poppy and Spade as they sing. She starts to move to the mustic once more.

---<Nisha>---------------

Nisha gets back from her phonecall with Rebecca, after talking smack on Amber for awhile in the bathroom. Able to hear her phone call for a bit, yet eventually she comes out to rejoin the group. Clapping for Spade and just missing Ian's song. Licking her teeth as she sat down in a booth, looking back to the stage.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez is back in his seat for now, still watching the show as Spade and Poppy take it. He seems into it, the dancing really adding to the performance, and as they finish and leave the stage he is clapping and cheering for them as he has the others with the guts to perform.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla cheers and dances too. She smiles over to Marquez as if thinking she likes his cheering dancing style!

---<Zebastian>---------------

It has long been established that Zebastian has the air of someone who has no clear idea on what is unfurling on around him, yet possesses enough sense to respond to the environment. Kind of. The end of Ian's epic proto-yacht rock ballad? That got, like, applause -- even if Zeb nearly fell over, but whatever.

When Poppy and Spade get down into the pit next, like directly afterwards? There is a rearranging of posture - perspective - priorities, as Zebastian skips back on one foot -- missing the exit of some folk over yonder, sure, and quite possibly knocking into someone but whatever --- and those hands? They hold the side of his head once more, as the Norwegian attempts to take in the song and...

There is no screaming, so that's great -- but the kid does laugh when it comes to an end -- covering his mouth for a moment, before fingers slip against his mouth, and he whistles loudly as Poppy and Spade slip off, and the kid turns and looks at--- Summer? Ian? Billy Fingers? Edith? MOM?! No wait--- who //are// these--- a hazy look, before Zeb glances around-- where is Mae?! Zeb doesn't know.

---<Hall>---------------

Hall finally makes it the rest of the way down into the pit, hugging the wall. He seems astounded by Spade and Poppy's duet, gaping wide-eyed at them until they leave. Whatever he thought might happen here tonight, it can't have been that. And whatever's going on up on stage now with some dude helping Summer get ready to sing... that he also seems to find somewhat perplexing.

---<Feliks>---------------

Feliks applauds politely for the duet, looking somewhat bewildered as he makes quick progress on his vodka.

---<Ian>---------------

Ian hopped down off the stage and made his way back to Edith to collect his coat. He pulls it on and then turns back to the crowd, scanning it for likely culprits once more. Spade sings and Ian is too busy staring at the crowd to watch the man. The song passes over him and Ian narrows his eyes just a little bit at Marquez and then Hall. He seems to consider each in turn before he shakes his head and looks back to the stage.

He catches the last bit of Spade's song and claps politely as he has previously. Summer heads for the stage and Ian tracks her with his gaze. She's one of the ones he watched first when he got up on stage, and that stare lingers, heavy. Weighing her. Like he very well might be able to see whether she was the one responsible for his Shrimp Adventure.

---<Summer>---------------

Summer's left eyebrow gives the faintest *tic* as Billy Fingers describes proper microphone etiquette but she is too polite to interrupt him. She does, however, nod with such determination that one might think she was trying to loose all of her carefully coifed curls, until finally reaching out to pry the microphone -- ever so gently, of course -- out of his hold. "Wow, thanks," she says, flashing him a smile that is...well...the sort one might expect from a red-haired angel -- namely, ever so patient but also ever so tried upon.

Summer turns back around to watch Spade and Poppy's performance, offering them both a clap-clap-clap, only then realizing that it's now her turn. Oh God. Do her Blushed cheeks go a little extra red? Despite a former career that involved a /lot/ of public speaking, there is something distinctly different about standing on a stage to sing -- especially when you're not a classically trained performer. "Wish me luck," she says to Billy Fingers and then, taking a moment to smooth her absolutely fetching dress, sashays her way over to the stage. She climbs up the stairs and centers herself in front of the microphone, giving it an unnecessary *tap* to make sure it's working (it is).

A swelling, romantic song picks up, the early notes to Etta James' 'Sunday Kind of Love' setting a certain /tone/. Smooth. Sultry. /Yearning/.

It's not that Summer has the poised polish of a classic soprano or a rumbly alto, but there's something undeniably otherworldly about this performance. It feels like she's addressing each individual, her heart served up on a platter as she softly sways and sings with tenderly lilting earnestness:

I want a Sunday kind of love A love to last past Saturday night And I'd like to know it's more than love at first sight And I want a Sunday kind of love, oh yeah yeah

I want a, a love that?s on the square Can't seem to find somebody, someone to care And I'm on a lonely road that leads to nowhere I need a Sunday kind of love...

---<Zoey>---------------

Well damn, Zoey might not be a Toreador, but she was momentarily transfixed. She might even be actually -calmed- down...for the moment anyway. Attention moves towards Summer's singing, folding her hands before her there's almost a swaying to the music and a little sigh. Downright hypnotic that performance!

Of course, eventually it would pass and the living sugar rush of a malkavian would return to normal...but this was a heck of a moment.

---<Shelly>---------------

Shelly tilts her head curiously as it seems Spade is switching up the song, and tilts even more as the music starts, but she smiles and whistles as the unlikely pair seem to really get into dancing along with the Olivia Newton John tribute. She'll clap enthusiastically as they finish up and then Summer takes the stage and she's about as momentarily entranced as the bluenette next to here.

---<Zebastian>---------------

Zebastian drifts -- oh how he drifts, like a leaf lost on a stream of consciousness from some sleeping giant -- and lo, Summer has taken the stage, but Zebastian has found himself standing next to Hall.

He says nothing - does not move, beyond the tapping of his fingers - this persists for a while, and then Zeb's head tips -- leaning closer to Hall... Is he going to rest his head on Hall's shoulder? No. But he comes close - hair obscuring his face. If they share a quiet word? Doesn't matter.

Pale peepers look out -- but if they register Ian, Billy Fingers, Zoey, Calla, Marquez, Maximillian or any of the plethora of other souls in various disrepair within the Karaoke Pit? Zebastian's hazed out expression does not change. The Norwegian just sways, dreamily, next to Hall. Such a love song. So perfect for swaying.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla seems deepy impressed with Summer's song. She dances a little to such, but more in moving and swaying to the mustic than an attempt to perform. It is like she wants to become part of the lovely lovely song. She peeks up to Summer and well Calla has this dreamy all awed sort of smile. Calla well manages to a well behaved Calla though and her swaying wanting to be one with the song movements are respectful, in the background, quietly experiencing the Summer song, her first Summer Song!

---<Keegan Jaxon>---------------

When Summer finishes there is a soft applause from Kegan Jaxon over her performance. He even whistles loud and shrill enough to cut through the music. But now the rock star takes the stage. He looks the equipment over briefly to find a plug in for his guitar, hooking it in. Keegan Jaxon plucks a few strings and tunes it real quick before stepping up to the mic. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I was going to play one of my songs tonight, but I have something special for you instead." he tells the audience. "And I have a special guest to help me out. Mister Giancarlo Rossi. He's going to give me a hand with this one." He plays an opening riff on his guitar and adds in a sultry voice like warm silk, "I dedicate this to all of you out there tonight..."

The tune turns country! Not just country but full on hillbilly country strumming and slapping the body of the guitar. Then they begin to sing, and Keegan at least sounds like an angel while the words roll off his tongue like magic:

Drop 'em out, let me see them titties Gonna take a long look at those tig ol' bitties Areolas looking nice, nipples looking real pretty Come on let me gander at your boobs Drop 'em out, let me see them knockers Gonna take a long look at those big ham hockers Just squeeze 'em together while I play with my cocker Come on let me gander at your boobs

Drop 'em out ..let me see them flappies Drop 'em out ...let me see them flappies Bounce 'em up ..make an old man happy Smack 'em around Just lay 'em on my lap and come on let me jizzm on your boobs Bounce 'em up ..make an old man happy Smack 'em around Just lay 'em on my lap and come on let me jizzm on your boobs. (Repeated)

Now if that wasn't bad enough, Keegan Jaxon is an animated singer. For THIS song he goes with a classic hillybilly leg kick, alternating from one to the other back and forth. He kicks them up pretty nice and high all while STILL playing the guitar to the rediculous song they are singing.

NSFW Warning! https://youtu.be/rinZIBaDX6A

---<Ian>---------------

And then Summer starts to sing. Ian stands there quietly as the lyrics flow through the room. The performance is, well.. the best of the night so far, and Ian is transfixed as thoroughly as one can be. He lingers there next to Edith, staring with practically unblinking attention to the redhead singing about the kind of love she wants to have. He's nearly motionless as he watches and listens and by the end there's a very faint smile that lingers on his expression.

And as she finishes, Ian lifts his hands in the first real applause of the night. Of course that might be because it's the first one he actually tried to watch. Or because its the best of the night so far. Or who knows, it doesn't matter. He claps for her and nudges Edith to clap as well.

And then Keegan begins to sing and Ian glances away once more, shifting away from Edith to approach Summer.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla stomps and hops around hyperly to Keejan's song. She is a litte out of breath though and flushed though. All this frolicing is starting to tire the small brunette a bit.

---<Hall>---------------

After Ian glances at him, Hall blinks, then starts to move in that direction. He has to elbow his way through the crowd... until Summer starts singing, and just about everybody in the audience seems transfixed by her. Hall stops and stands still, too, just staring at the stage. Until Zebastian posts up next to him, something that seems to surprise him even more than the many other surprising things that have already happened tonight, and he looks over his shoulder at Zeb. "Beats the fuck out of me," he says, with some feeling. He's wearing a white T-shirt, jeans, and SeaVees -- the kind of outfit that's so Made In SoCal, both literally and figuratively, that it probably doesn't even look like an outfit at all if you aren't.

---<Crawley>---------------

As Summer speaks to him, Billy Fingers nods his head like a cartoonish wolf with his tongue nearly hanging out. Then as she walks away, the skinny, pimply guy is sitting back down in his seat and smoothing out his hair. It's definitely too late to make that first impression, but maybe she'll look back his way!

When the Angel sings, he's just a bit transfixed, leaning forward on the seat before him and proping his head up with both hands. Swaying back and forth. He mouths, "I ... want a Sunday kind of love. A love to last .. past, Saturday night. And, I'd like to know it's more than love at first sight. I want a Sun ..day, kind of love." Looks like Fingers knows this one by heart as well as the Shrimp song.

Keegan's song, however, kind of has him drawing back into his seat and, maybe staring in a little bit of horror. But horror soon gives way to a smile, which is a slash in his face that soon turns equally horrific at the choice of tunes.

---<Giancarlo>---------------

Giancarlo had for the most part been idly just watching, and clapping but Summer's performance is a bit different. A bit more eye catching as she expertly does her rendition of the song. He is a bit entranced with it, and almost forgets that he is next on the list.

Soon after he takes the stage with Keegan a bright grin on his face as he picks up his microphone, "We have another love song for all you crazy lovebirds out there." A soft chuckle and his foot starts a tapping as he waits for the beat from Keegan's guitar. He matches Keegan words for word and his voices takes on a bit of a southern draw that is obviously fake.

---<Edith>---------------

With Ian's coat returned, Edith cants a look to her domitor and offers a breezy, "I'd never heard that one before now." She's still a little bristly on his behalf, but she's doing her best to return the mood to something a little more nonchalant. Luckily enough, Summer's up on stage to make everyone forget any awkwardness -- which leaves Edith a little starry-eyed, honesty. She claps too, once Ian nudges her, and again, it's genuine. Keegan's offering, though? Her applause and polite smile are a little more valiant. Maybe not exactly her thing, even if it's well executed.

---<Marquez>---------------

There have been a lot of surprises tonight, between song choices, unlikely performances, and combinations thereof... so as Summer takes the stage Marquez seems like he is ready for anything at first. Leaning forward in his seat, watching as the anticipation of the silence before the first notes begin playing mounts and finally spills over. When her voice adds to the song he is taken aback though. His brows raise, jaw loosens a bit and he has to lean back, as if staying those extra few inches closer would be unbearable. The reaction dulls out into a sloppy, pure smile though as he leans all the way back in his seat. No other gesture could handle what the feeling is there, and he keeps that dopey look till she finishes the song, and is up on his feet to clap and whistle for her.

The rockstar takes her place and he has a hard time paying attention to the new performer at first. Something magical happens and it lingers a bit ya know? The new song does at least split his attention at first, and the way it is sang is undeniably great, but it has a different reaction from Marquez. He is watching, but still can't help but look over to Summer every so often as her performace will take some time to shake off fully.

---<Feliks>---------------

Feliks applauds politely for Summer as well, then the choice of song from Keegan and Giancarlo leaves him staring blankly, his only response to the performance being to pick up his bottle and drain what's left of it in one long swig.

---<Shelly>---------------

Well... that's another sort of transfixing of Shelly as Keegan and Giancarlo take the stage. "That... wow. I thought I tended for rapid tone shifts but don't think I've seen anything top that ever."

---<Calla>---------------

Calla gets to the stage to and sings and old old folk song called the Circle game and most known for Joni Mitchel. She does okay, but her voice isn't perfect. She doesn't nearly compare to Summer or Keejan. She is a little too soft. She sucks in a breath at the wrong place.

"Yesterday a child came out to wonder

Caught a dragonfly inside a jar

Fearful when the sky was full of thunder

And tearful at the falling of a star"

She really tries though, sways and has this passionate expression.

---<Maximillian>---------------

Maximillian watches and listens as Summer sings, his face appreciative of the amazing performance, and joins with the applause afterwards. His own gaze also shifts though the next song and he looks somewhat..shocked and appalled. But says nothing otherwise, applauding politely at the end even so.

---<Edith>---------------

With Ian gone, Edith draws in a small breath, gaze turned down to the floor and hands folded in front if her thighs as if she's not sure if she should follow. The floor is looking kind of interesting now, possibly.

---<Summer>---------------

Summer finishes the performance looking a little flustered now that the singing is over. She turns to leave the stage, only to remember that she still has the microphone in one hand still. "Oops," she says, the word suddenly catapulted into the room before she cringes and adds, "Whops!" Which of course also carries. Quietly hating herself, Summer wrestles the microphone back into the stand before slipping off stage left, passing Keegan and the rest on her way. "Good luck!" she offers to them, flashing a rather dazzling smile and a flutter of her fingers.

Summer makes her way down the stairs carefully, minding her high heels. She begins to walk toward the back of the room, looking pleased with herself but rather sheepish. Ian is walking toward her, so she will stop in front of him and offer a broad, dimpled smile. "That was some luck," she says, pairing the words with a laugh that crinkles the corners of her eyes. She moves to take his arm as the next group takes their place, her steps delicately pivoting so that she can watch them with an attentive gleam. It is a /stellar/ performance and the Toreador admires it with big, unblinking eyes, even if she remains 'composed' enough to look over and offer a few quiet asides to the Ventrue beside her.

---<Zebastian>---------------

"Like for /real/ though." Zebastian chimes to Hall, his head tipping back upright -- expression dazed, after the applause given for Summer's love ballad. So dreamy. It gets a breathless sort of sigh from the Norwegian, who just sort of floats by Hall -- in the general proximity to Ian and whoever - Zeb doesn't seem to know. Zebastian doesn't seem to be very focused on anything.

Until Keegan Jaxon gets on stage -- that gets a rather surprised look, like wow: where did the rockstar crawl out of? A hand lifts, dreamily brushing the hair out of his eyes as he listens and ---

Frowns. Zebastian frowns -- his eyes... Narrowing... Narrowing... Narrowing.

Pale slits of blue, just -watching-. Yes, the song is technically hilarious -- any sane person can see, hear, experience this -- and yet... Zebastian does not seem amused. Not amused in the slightest. He seems...

"FAEN DEG!" Chimed like a big brass bell in lieu of applause -- middle fingers held aloft, and in case anyone was not familiar with Norwegian, he translates: "FUCK YOU, BOOOOO! DETTE ER IKKE KLOVNESKOLE! BOOOO!"

...alright.

---<Crawley>---------------

Welp, looks like Billy Fingers has had enough. After KJ's belting round and then Calla doing Joni Mitchell, the skinny guy rises from his seat and then straightens his coat. He digs inside his jacket and fishes out his cell phone. As basically the rock star gets boo'd by Zebastian, the Miami Vice impersonator takes this as his sign to dip. As a matter of fact, anyone who looked his way one minute would see him, and then .. he's on his way toward the exit, up the ramp.

Surprisingly brisk walk as well, almost as if he had a purpose to his steps.

---<Hall>---------------

Hall jumps. He looks between Zebastian and Keegan Jackson, astonished. "What..." he starts to say, while Calla sings something about a dragonfly in a jar. Just in time for Billy Fingers to cut right through the crowd on his way out.

---<Blake>---------------

Another guest slides in from the crowd of the man bar. Dressed in an attire of reds and blacks and grays, his trim outfit is not unlike a jaguar's dappled pelt in the particular environment of Just Un Clou's Karaoke Underbelly. Like a jaguar he prowls round the corners of the room with a tall amber drink held in a gloved hand. It's not that anyone in particular seems to be giving him wide berth, but more from the fact that he just seems to know how to weave through a crowd.

In regards to the displays of almost celestial levels of talent down in the pit, he observes with an almost austere aloof indifference. There's a perk of dark brows. A purse of his lips. As if it were all well and fine but not at all what he's come here to see.

---<Keegan Jaxon>---------------

When they finish and Zeb is giving them a big BOOOO, the rock legend just laughs as if there could be nothing funnier than THAT reaction right there! True Anarch to the core, he doesn't care one single bit what anybody thinks of the song, everybody staring back with somber blank expressions only fuels his amusement. With that last slam of the strings to cause a loud shriek to fill the room, he then proceeds to smash the guitar on the stage, quickly turning it into splinters.

Once the instrument is in pieces he throws both hands up into horns and sticks his tongue out as if he were Gene Simmons from KISS. The horns remain for a few seconds before they come around and transform into two middle fingers, aimed right at the audience before he steps off the stage with a wild grin.

---<Lascaux>---------------

Lascaux stops next to Hall and blinks at the sight of Zebastian giving the double-bird to someone very famous. "What did I miss?" He mutters to Hall. Probably gonna make him jump again; it's a good thing Hall is /dead/ because if not, somebody would have given him a heart attack by now. He watches as KJ smashes the guitar, and adds, "Where did he even - get a guitar? Did he bring it? To karaoke?"

---<Giancarlo>---------------

Zeb's reaction draw the exact opposite out of Giancarlo that he is probably expecting and that is a direct laugh. Giancarlo turns back to Keegan after they wrap it up and sets the microphone back into its place, "Guess you got to know your audience...." His voice trails off as the man destroys his guitar and makes lewd gestures to the crowd. He doesn't offer the same, merely a smile that he tries to hide by rubbing his beard, "We should probably find a better place to party. I don't think this is that place Mr. Jaxon." He rattles off as he climbs down the stage after the rockstar.

---<Nisha>---------------

Nisha gets on stage and prepares to fail her own singing challenge. The woman's soul was about to be judged by immortal friends, as she hovered the microphone close to her face, "It's a sick. Sad world. If you're not making it better. Just shut up. Just shut up boy. Shut up.", her vocal talents weren't the best, yet her dance mimicking the music video was on par.

( https://youtu.be/lx8_sd6V5vE )

Pantomiming the rubbing of her eyes with a dance, Nisha was a bit vicious. Apparently, venting when she took the stage. Eyeing the crowd and winking to Calla, smirking at Zeb's reaction and playing it off casually.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez seems amused by the song choice from the rockstar, and even more so with how the performance ends. He does clap... because who doesn't like titties, and is then is back to paying attention as the next singer is taking the stage. During Calla's performance he is rocking slightly to the music, a soft smile betrayed beneath his beard. With it ending he is clapping for her as well.

---<Feliks>---------------

Feliks lets out a laugh at Keegan's antics, sinking back against the couch and sprawling out comfortably. He raises double birds right back at the rock star, grinning like an idiot.

---<Ian>---------------

Summer approaches and Ian smiles, his arm taken easily as he turns a little to offer his own quiet asides. She looks back up at the stage and he joins her, tilting his head in. "Was that you?" he asks. His tone is quiet, audible over the music to those just around him but not shouted. "With the Elvis?" he asks. "I actually like his music well enough, but.. if it was you?" He says with a sniff. It's clear he might very well be cross with her if it was.

But the conversation moves on whatever her answer, "You were magnificent of course. I didn't know you could sing like that. Very well done." His attention is on KJ and then on to the next, Nisha is singing now as he talks. "I'm probably going to leave soon. This sort of thing is.. overwhelming."

---<Hall>---------------

Lascaux sliding on in out of nowhere like he's stealing third makes Hall jump, all right. "What the -- " he says, again, whirling to look around at where that voice came from. "Oh, it's -- " Maybe Hall isn't finishing sentences tonight. He's standing as close to the wall as he's been able to hide himself, or try to. "Hi, um. You -- how are you?" He blinks. As for the guitar, he laughs. "Maybe he always carries one. Like a spare tire, or something." Is Keegan Jaxon a rockstar or a car?

---<Zebastian>---------------

Zebastian is laughing -- he's booing -- he's swearing in some foreign tongue at Keegan -- but he is laughing, and it is ambiguous as to if the Norwegian is giving the bonafide rockstar a hard time or is indeed genuinely fuckin' hating on the guy. He misses Billy Finger's exit, but he does not miss Hall having jumped -- something is chattered in his direction in a language probably nobody here speaks, and then Zebastian moves past him and Lascaux.

The booing has stopped, and Zeb nearly trips over the ground and/or laughing Kine still applauding Calla and/or singing along with Nisha's song --- and it looks like Zebastian might be en route to Summer and Ian -- it's just some butch blonde in a cropped Bauhaus shirt stops Zeb, as if Zeb owes them money or something, and the Norwegian flutters, laughs, engages in some hushed conversation - dreamily animated, and deffo not screaming incoherently.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla sways along to Nisha's music. She is standing in front of the stage and sort of toward the center of the room. She peeks over to Marquez as if appreciating his clapping. She looks over to Edith, having a gentle smile for her.

---<Maximillian>---------------

Maximillian is, apparently, the closing of things. It's a melancholy position to hold, the bringer of the end tidings, and his song choice is strangely appropriate to the concept. He steps up onto the stage as the plucking of a guitar start to fill the air. When he starts to sing, there's a compelling quality to his voice, pulling at the ear and calling attentiveness as he softly sings. His voice carries a deep, thrumming sorrow in its timbre, a lingering hauntingness to it.

I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone All my dreams, pass before my eyes, a curiosity Dust in the wind, all they are is dust in the wind. Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea All we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind

As the violin picks up, the young man pauses and listens, his eyes roaming the crowd, surfing over them in turn with an old sorrow in those deep green depths. There's the slightest tug at the corner of his mouth, as though he finds something somehow amusing in the sorrowful message of the inevitability of all things ending.

Now don't hang on, nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky It slips away, and all your money won't another minute buy. Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind Dust in the wind, everything is dust in the wind. https://youtu.be/tH2w6Oxx0kQ

As he finishes, he gives a slight nod to the person who was manning the karaoke station, handing off his microphone and walking off of the stage with a relaxed calm, moving back towards the edge of the grouping.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla spins some little lilting circles around and then moves from side to side as Maximillian sings as if pretending to be dust blowing in the wind.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez gives Calla a smile, catching her looking his way, and a nod of appreciation for her performance. As the final song is played he looks up to the stage where Max is. His eyes close at the song he chose, and he takes a deep breath, just letting whatever feelings it brings go through as he sits there like a chump in the crowd.

---<Summer>---------------

Summer watches the other performers with interest, Nisha of course earning an encouraging cheer followed by ecstatic applause! It's always more impressive when someone performs karaoke and they're /not/ a trained performer. That takes guts! And style! And Summer lets Nisha know that she approves with robust clapping.

When Ian asks his question about Elvis, she *blinks* and looks over at him, appearing surprised and amused. "Me? Gracious, no. Trust me, if I was selecting a song for you, it would have been much more embarrassing..." The redhead lets her words trail away with a teasing purr a playful *wink*, her hazel eyes dancing with good-humor. As she turns back to watch the stage, she espies Zebastian in transit and immediately rocks onto her toes, waving to him.

"Zebastian," she says, his name practically vibrating with her good mood. Should he draw close enough, she'll take the side of his arm and lean in, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "That has been so much fun," she says, laughing with a dimpled smile. "Thank you so much for organizing this..." The woman's attention drifts once more to the stage, transfixed by Maximillian's performance. "My," she says, watching him with appreciation, "Who knew we had so much talent in the city?" She sways to the tune, her head tilting to the side.

---<Lascaux>---------------

"I'm fine," Lascaux says with a shrug, smiling crookedly to Hall. "How're you? You liking the um, performances?" His hands are in his pockets, and he takes them out, as if trying to imagine where on his person one would fit a guitar. Maybe if he had something to shrink it with. "They have those folding bicycles," he says."

---<Calla>---------------

The last song is about dust and so Calla keeps being dust for a while, swaying and blowing around. The girl might have some issues, maybe...

---<Feliks>---------------

Feliks applauds for the final few performances politely, the final song about ephemerality drawing an amused smirk from the increasingly intoxicated catboy.

---<Shelly>---------------

Who really knows what drew them all together in one spot at one time? That mysterious something can only last so long and after the Dust in the Wind settles... Shelly rises from the booth and simply slips out into the night.

---<Zebastian>---------------

What is it about 'Dust in the Wind' that inspires such pathos? Zebastian and Blondie seem to have settled whatever minor misunderstanding that was being hashed out -- and look, the Norwegian kid is even moving to brush hair out of Blondie's eyes as he murmurs something to them and---

Snap goes Zebastian's attention, as Summer calls out for him - turning to look over to her, straight up blanking Blondie in favour of side-stepping and allowing for a cheek-kiss. Does he blush? Of course not -- but he thwaps a hand playfully at her, before moving to plant a kiss against the side of her mouth-- cheek. Yes, Zebastian kisses Summer back on the cheek. "Organised? Babes, this just /happens/."

Like that explains everything.

Blondie? With the Bauhaus shirt? Has knocked over a beer bottle and marched off with the fury of being Much Scorned, and Zebastian? Pays it exactly zero mind.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez is only there for a few moments after the song ends, and then he is standing up, doing his best to hide the brush of his finger under his eye. He straightens out his shirt and looks around, standing now putting his head over most of the others in the crowd and making it easy to spot him. He seems to be making his way for the exit as well, just existing in the atmosphere for the final moments of the night.

---<Giancarlo>---------------

A glance to his watch and the green suited gentleman begins heading towards the door with the same confident stride that he arrived with. Giancarlo seems unphased by the lack of enthusiasm over the song and opts instead to head to greener pastures for the night as he exits out.

---<Ian>---------------

Ian smirks aside at Summer, "I'm not sure it gets more embarrassing than singing about shrimp boats in New Orleans. The *smell*." he says with a huff. Not to mention that it would be hard physical labor. Something which offends the man to his very core, perhaps. He looks over to Zebastian as he approaches and nods, "You did well, Zaint. Excellent show." Then he takes a step back, to allow Summer and Zebastian to chat, apparently not wanting to interrupt.

Instead, Ian heads over to collect Edith, tapping her on the shoulder and jerking his head to the side to guide her outside. He fishes into his pocket and digs out his keys, passing them down to her and speaking in low tones. Apparently, she's going to drive him somewhere.

---<Edith>---------------

With an efficient move of her hand, almost mechanical, Edith takes the keys and nods to Ian. She's ready to depart when he is.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla isn't driving anyone anywhere, she sways around all dusty like.

---<Summer>---------------

"Well," Summery says, leaning to bump her shoulder against Zebastian's, "Lady Fate organized a delightful evening and you were kind to host it. Alas..." she peers in the direction of the exit, then back to the Malkavian, "I think I'

---<Keegan Jaxon>---------------

Glancing at Giancarlo, he gives a shrug as the rock star continues on his path away from the stage and the splintered guitar he brough with him that was slung over his back with a strap. He wasn't hiding it in his prison wallet. It would never play the same after that. As Keegan Jaxon walks toward the door he calls out, "I'm out! Gonna find a real party." Magically he finds his sunglasses, those big 90s style. The entourage goes along with him in hopes of free booze and drugs.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla makes her blowing swaying way to the right of the room. She then makes her blowing swaying way to the left o the room. She peeks over to Keegan as he leaves and smiles. She peeks over to Summer and Zeb as they speak and smiles. She peeks over to Nisha and smiles too, these slow soft dreamy smiles.

---<Blake>---------------

Blake takes a drink of his cocktail and scans the room. His gaze doesn't really even linger on Calla for long, as if her behavior really wasn't that out of the ordinary in a place like this.

---<Summer>---------------

"Well," Summery says, leaning to bump her shoulder against Zebastian's, "Lady Fate organized a delightful evening and you were kind to host it. Alas..." she peers in the direction of the exit, then back to the Malkavian, "I think I'm officially spent. But this really has been lovely." She offers him a smile, the hand on his arm squeezing with obvious affection, and then she turns toward the exit. The Toreador pauses at the last minute, adding, "I'm happy to give you a lift, of course, if you've had your fill?" A beat. "Is a faux pas to leave your own karaoke party early? I couldn't say." She grins at him, one auburn brow hiked.

---<Hall>---------------

Yes, who knew there was so much talent in Los Angeles? Apparently not Hall, who still seems a bit dumbfounded by some of the things that he's seen in this room so far tonight. Lascaux's own performance among them. "'Liking' is one word for it," he says. He pauses. "Yours was, uh." And he frowns. "You were like -- a different person." He studies Lascaux for a moment after he says that, face rather pensive. And somewhere at the periphery of the crowd, behind Lascaux's head, he sees something that makes him bite his lip, seeming to grow even quieter than he was already starting to get.

---<Zebastian>---------------

"No, /you/ did, mon capitaine." Zebastian chimes to Ian, giving him something of a lazy salute - gold nail-shaped bracelet glimmering en route -- then a nod to Summer, before he gestures abstractly --- not looking to anyone in particular, but kind of everywhere; chattering along. "No alases, only delights; I need to take the air as well -- promise me we'll drive fast?"

Already moving, though if he'll end up with Summer or nah to a secondary location is an unknown. Is this what a Norwegian Goodbye is? Curse out a rockstar, drift like a leaf, cause a butch blonde to break a bottle in a brokenhearted bustup, then walk out with a red haired super babe without a single polite word to anyone else?

Could be. Either way, Zebastian is oooout.

---<Maximillian>---------------

Maximillian continues on his way, heading towards the exit now as things start to break up, pulling out his cell phone and tapping it as he puts an earbud in. "Bring the car around, love," he says quietly as he walks, seeming quite pleased.

---<Lascaux>---------------

Lascaux's crooked smile remains, but the pensive expression on Hall's face draws his gaze around the room. It focuses on the host and the statuesque redhead where they stand. "You want a ride somewhere?" he asks, canting his head in the direction of the exit, and then starts to make his way through the crowd.

"I hope it was worth it," he says, low, but easily audible, as he passes by the pair. Which one he's talking to, what he's talking about, is a mystery, but - apparently he didn't wait for Hall's answer, or anything else. Just went like a ginger freight train on his own way.

---<Calla>---------------

Calla sways about!

---<Feliks>---------------

Feliks takes another idle look around the club, before seeming to spot something of interest as he gets up and wobbily scrambles for the exit.

---<Marquez>---------------

Marquez is out like he came in, a mast of a man parting the sea of bodies from the pit stage back out to the main club and into what's left of the night. Any that he happens to see on the way out he does offer a nod too in farewell, but to a new guy there aren't that many familiar faces.

---<Angela>---------------

Angela kind of slinks in with things well underway, hands stuffed in her pockets as she has a look around from the back of the room.

---<Blake>---------------

As the crowd starts to whittle down, Blake starts to do a another passing lurk through the diminished crowd. His second prowl through the room takes him close in passing to a ginger man and a man who's shade of strawberry blonde was closer to that of an albino. He pauses near them, watching everyone who was scurrying toward the exit.

---<Hall>---------------

"Uh," Hall says. "No, I, um. I'm good." He has a ride. Not that it seems to make much difference, since Lascaux heads for the exit by way of Summer and Zebastian almost as soon as he responds. He blinks, startled, and just looks after them all for a bit. Not that it's easy to see much through even what's left of the crowd.