Backstage (Wrackspurts)

[Nigel Barksworth]

It had been one of their best performances, Nigel thought. He'd had the crowd practically eating out of his hands, and everyone else had been playing in top form as well. After a long European tour, maybe it really was good to come back home. Their last few performances in France had been somewhat lackluster, but back in London, everything seemed to fall back into place again. Nigel in particular was in his element here.

After their last set, Nigel was the last one to leave the stage and go to the little dressing room that had been set up for them. He couldn't wait to sit back, have a drink and maybe a grilled cheese sandwich.

He entered the dressing room and immediately clapped Ink on the back. "Bloody good show tonight," he said enthusiastically.

[Robert "Ink" Atwell]

It would be a good two hours or so before Ink's energy even slowed down a little. He was always amped after a show, and like Nigel, he thought this had been one of their best.

He flashed a grin at Nigel, who clapped his shoulder. He mumbled something along the lines of thank you, and hell yeah it was, and you too. Some kind of slang phrase he made up on his own to convey these thoughts. While Nigel was usually the last off stage, Ink would be the last one home (or back to the hotel, in most cases) after a night of partying. And let's face it... they partied almost as much as they played.

"Heads up, Shades," he said to Tobias, using his personal nickname for the guitarist, tossing him a water bottle, then one to Saul before he simply handed one to Nigel. He had nicknames for each of them. It was one of his things, making nicknames for people. (Nigel was usually 'Sparkles' to Ink, but he tried not to use it too much.)

[Nigel Barksworth]

Nigel accepted the bottle gratefully and took a long drink from it before wiping his mouth with one glittery sleeve. Sometimes he liked to joke about the fact that the others all wore "plain" clothes, while he dressed in bright colors and sparkles, earning him the nickname that he knew Ink tried not to use.

"It's good to be home... I could have played all night. But I do have someone meeting me here in a bit, so when he gets here, you might not see me for a day or two."

He gave a little wink, but chose not to elaborate. The others didn't really talk much about his lifestyle choice, and he didn't really like to make a big deal out of it to them. Besides, they did get some benefit from it, since it meant more girls for them.

Making his way to the catering table, he helped himself to a grilled cheese sandwich. "We should meet at my place on Thursday, though. The new recording studio should be finished now, and I'm positively dying to test it out."

[Tobias Pace]

The show went very well and Tobais was extremely pleased. It felt nice to be home and there was always something about their home shows. Their shows were always so much better when they were back in London.

Tobias' sunglasses were on top of his head as he turned around to catch the water bottle. "Thanks Ink," he said as he twisted the top off the bottle.

Nigel's lifestyle was nothing for Tobias to comment on. 'To each his own' was a saying that he believed in. Hearing that Nigel had someone meeting him, there was a light smile on his face. Sure, there were a lot of times that Nigel and Tobias argued but tonight that was different. Tonight was a great show, meaning that things were going to be a little more quiet.

"I'm up for Thursday," he remarked before taking a big glup from his water bottle.

[Nigel Barksworth]

One of the best things about being a rock star was that he had only to ask for the foods he wanted and they would be there waiting for him after a show. The catering table was a nice spread of each of the band members' favorite foods. And while grilled cheese sandwiches and waffles may not seem to go together, Nigel filled a plate with both of these items. A good show always made him hungry.

"Good. I've a few songs I've been working on, so I thought we could work up some demos, at least."

He sat down in a chair, just allowing himself to relax for a moment. Eddie would be coming soon, and he would need to get changed before then, but there was still time.

[Saul Thatcher]

Saul had already slumped across most of his plushy armchair, flipping the tassel on one of the pillows back and forth. He wasn't always talkative after a show. But it wasn't for lack of initiative, it was more of a small memory blast that he'd have about what had just happened. There was something about listening to the bass line that really just connected.

"Thursday," Saul mumbled happily, smiling at the room. "And demos, ahright, ahright. I can definitely feel that. What're they about?" Saul asked, looking at Nigel.

New songs were always welcome in Saul's handbook. Just something else for him to do, to fiddle with. Most soundchecks were spent perfecting the basslines that would have been on his mind for days.

[Robert "Ink" Atwell]

It seemed that Ink was the only one still standing, filled with energy. As exhausting as the shows were, he always seemed to have more energy afterwards. Adrenaline, perhaps, but he'd always been a pretty energetic person.

"Thursday's fine... but after 4." He gave a sly smile and shrugged, only elaborating with, "I have plans."

He finished his water in near record breaking time, bouncing his leg as he leaned against one of the vanities in the room. "So... Nigel aside... anyone up for going out tonight?"

[Nigel Barksworth]

It was moments like this that Nigel was reminded that he wasn't as young as he used to be. Ink was clearly still pumped and ready for action, while the rest of them were all sitting down and recovering. And even though this was just going to be a quick break for him before he went off with Eddie, who was supposed to meet him here, it didn't change the fact that he still needed a break, and Ink did not.

First he addressed Saul, since he tended to be a man of few words. When Saul spoke, you were compelled to listen.

"I've about 5 songs... maybe one more that could use a little work. They're all, you know, the usual. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll," he joked with a wink. "Actually... I've a couple songs that are out of our usual type... songs about peace and tolerance. I think I might have been listening to the White Album a bit too much when I was writing them."

Nigel was not ignorant of the war going on around him. He had seen it, even in their travels across Europe. He'd even received a few anti-muggleborn death threats. After all, every member of the Wrackspurts was muggleborn, and their influence, particularly on the young people, was probably not something that made the pureblood parents all that happy. He hoped that he could use that influence to help those children keep open minds and not turn into death eaters like their parents.

"We can start at 5," he assured Ink with a knowing smile. "But Tobias, if you wouldn't mind coming by sooner so we can maybe tweak them a bit. Especially that one... I could use your insight."

[Eddie Shriver]

Eddie felt a little bad that he had been unable to come to the show, but he was working at Galligan's that night, and he really did hate to ask for a night off, especially on short notice. He'd only just found out about the show yesterday, and not letting people down or making them scramble was at the top of his priorities- always.

But he agreed to meet up with Nigel afterwards, and Isaac had promised to close up at the restaurant. The kid was willing to do a lot of extra work, he noticed, and it was in the back of his mind that he would do what he could to help get him in the kitchen more. After all, Eddie had paid his dues... he knew what it was like being a waiter, just because it was a step closer to being in the kitchen.

Arriving after it seemed all the fans had lined up outside, hoping to see the band exit, Eddie couldn't help but smile when he was ushered inside with little ado. "They're down the hall," he was told, and left to his own devices to find out where, exactly.

They weren't hard to find, and he knocked on the open door to announce himself, ready to back out if it was a bad time.

[Nigel Barksworth]

Except for Ink, it seemed the other guys were mostly too tired to discuss work for tonight, and Nigel wasn't going to push it. They'd had a great performance, and they might as well sit back and relax for a while.

Nigel was finishing off his bottle of water when the door opened and Eddie walked in. Breaking into a grin, Nigel got up from his seat right away.

"Ah, there he is," he said, crossing the room to where Eddie was standing. "Come on in, I'll introduce you to the band, then we can head out."

[Eddie Shriver]

Eddie sort of expected Nigel to make a show of introducing the band to him- and why shouldn't he? He had something here he could be proud of, and he should show off the other members of the band. It was just something that took a little bracing for Eddie, who was quite used to hanging back and being that quiet guy in the back.

But he liked it, to be honest. He donned a bright smile and nodded, stepping further into the room, his eyes landing on each of the band members as he gave them all a little wave, waiting for Nigel to give him their names.

[Nigel Barksworth]

Nigel was beaming, still on a natural high from a great performance. It was too bad that Eddie hadn't been able to see the show, but since they were going to be in town for a while, there would probably be another chance.

"Right then," he said, and nodded over to Tobias. "This here's Tobias... My lead guitarist and right-hand man. Sometimes the left hand, too, actually... he's saved my arse more times than I can count. Tobias, this is Eddie."

He waited for the two to shake hands, then turned to Saul. "Saul here is the bass player. He's a man of few words, but a hell of a guy. The three of us've been playing together since Hogwarts. Over here," he continued, nodding to Ink, who was looking like he was ready to go out and join the party in the club, "this is Ink. He's the youngest... joined us a few years ago. We've gone through a couple of drummers, but he's definitely the best we've ever had. Or at least, that's what we tell him, cause he's younger and tougher than the lot of us, and we don't want him to beat the tar out of us."

He winked at him, then turned to pick up his guitar. "And here's my guitar. The true love of my life... I call her Sheila. Do you play?"

[Sylvia Lambert]

Merlin, the screaming was enough to give anyone a headache. And yet, it made Sylvia laugh. She'd known these guys for longer than she cared to remember, and it was hard to picture that there had ever been a time when she might have thought any of them were remotely scream-worthy. But, after a performance like the one they had just given, Sylvia could sort of understand the over-reaction. The guys had been tight... playing with energy and passion, and they'd really connected with this audience. If they played like that every time they played, Sylvia would be screaming, too.

She pushed her way through the crowds, most of whom were girls. One girl, wearing an "I love Nigel" t-shirt and holding a sign that read "marry me, Nigel" almost made Sylvia stop and pull the girl aside. But she figured that most people knew about Nigel, and if this girl had somehow missed the newsflash, then it just wouldn't be fair to shatter the girl's dreams.

"Hey, let me in. I need to talk to the boys for a minute," she said to the guards that were holding the fans back. Recognizing her, the guard stepped aside to let her through, then quickly blocked an ambitious girl from sneaking past.

She smiled and shook her head as she walked down the long corridor to the boys' dressing room. Knocking on the door, she called out, "Hey, boys, it's me. Everyone decent in there? I need to talk to you for a minute."

[Tobias Pace]

"I'm up for going out," Tobias spoke up to answer Ink. He was always up for going out.

He listened to Nigel speak then nodded his head. "I'll be there earlier, never fear." He smiled and then finished off his bottle of water. Tobias was aware of Nigel's preferences, but it never bothered him. So, once Nigel's 'friend' walked in the door, Tobias couldn't help but feel glad for Nigel. He was aware that not many people could admit what their preference was, but it was good that Nigel and Eddie could.

Once Nigel introduced him, Tobias laughed and shook Eddie's hand when it was the right moment. "Nice to meet you," he said. He then moved over to his guitar to start putting it back in the case.
Before he could put his guitar fully into the case, he heard Sylvia's voice. Tobias moved over the the door, since he was closest. "We're always decent for you," he said as he opened the door and winked at her.

[Sylvia Lambert]

Sylvia laughed as she stepped past Tobias. "Well, that's good, because I'd come in anyway, even if you weren't."

The guys were all resting, except for Ink, who rather looked like he was itching to get out and do some damage somewhere. He was young, and he had a lot of energy. She understood.

Standing there in her flowing skirt and glittering pink top, jewelry hanging from her neck and wrists, and her high heels, she stood out among her surroundings. The boys, even Nigel, were dirty and sweaty and masculine, while she was clean, sparkly, and decidedly feminine. And yet, she seemed perfectly at home here, among them.

"Looks like you're about to head out, Nigel," she said, nodding her acknowledgment of his friend. "So I won't take up too much of your time. I just wanted to congratulate you guys on a phenomenal show. Seriously, you guys were really, really good tonight."

[Eddie Shriver]

Eddie nodded at each of the guys in turn, shaking hands. He didn't have time to say much before a woman entered. Judging by her attitude and the way she spoke, he guessed she was their manager. Or a close friend of the group.

Merlin, he felt so out of place here. He didn't show it though, just letting the band do their thing while he waited.

[Nigel Barksworth]

Nigel was in his element, of course, but he was also anxious to get out of here and unwind a little with Eddie. Still, he was always glad to see Sylvia, who was really one of his favorite people in the world. He almost thought of her as the female version of himself; she was flashy and fun and full of energy.

"Ah, Sylvie," he greeted her with a grin. "We've always got time for you, love."

He waved his hand in front of him nonchalantly at the compliment. "Oh, you just say that to all the bands you manage," he teased. "But yes... we know." He winked at her. "Sylvia, I'd like you to meet Eddie. Eddie, this is our manager, Sylvia."

[Robert "Ink" Atwell]

Ink seemed to light up when Sylvia walked in the door, and he pushed himself away from the table he'd been leaning against. "Sylllllllllllllllvia, darling," he drawled, drawing her name out with a wide grin on his lips. "Where have you been all my life?"

He gave her a hug, then moved and grabbed another water bottle (despite the last one still being half full- it was a thing of his), and he gulped some of it down.

"I need to get out of this room, though, gents. A great show like that deserves a great celebration, and since Eddie and Nigel here have their own party to get to...." he trailed off, tossing the two of them a wink.

[Sylvia Lambert]

Sylvia laughed and leaned into him playfully as he hugged her. Although he hadn't been with the band as long as everyone else, Sylvia still thought of him as one of "her" boys--the problem child, maybe, but no less than the others.

"Oh, stop, Ink, you big flirt," she teased. "There's about a thousand girls out there just dying to meet you. Listen, though, before you go, I just wanted to let you all know that the club owner was so blown away by your performance, he wants to extend it for a few more weeks. I told him I'd run it by you guys, but I think it's a good idea. Visit the home crowd for a while, and maybe get to work on that new album. What do you say?"

[Eddie Shriver]

If Eddie had a say in it, he rather loved the idea. It didn't dawn on him until just now, perhaps, that maybe all Nigel was looking for was a fling while he was in town, and Merlin knew that would only be for a week or so before he was off to who knows where.

Eddie wasn't much the type for flings and one night stands. He liked getting attached to people, even if it ended poorly, he still enjoyed the ride.

So if they stayed in town for a couple more weeks, he might have a real chance at a connection here. Sure, Nigel was bombastic and flashy and he suspected an exhibitionist, but it was good for Eddie. It'd pull him out of his shell a bit and make him have some fun.