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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 30, 2016 2:28:24 GMT -5
Lyra shut her eyes and took a deep breath as the host called her name. Vanessa's words of encouragement helped a little, but Lyra finished her drink before moving from her chair just to be sure.
"Thanks," she told Vanessa as she rose, then paused. "Oh, I'm going to need another one of these for when I get done." Lyra gestured to her already empty martini glass. She gave a nervous smile before heading to the stage.
Looking out over the crowd it seemed like there were more people in the bar than there had been before. Lyra chewed on her lip as she lifted the microphone out of the stand and turned to the lyric screen. She smiled when she saw it was something similar to the projector Julian had given her.
The music started and Lyra's voice was barely audible, even with the microphone. A few people toward the back yelled that they couldn't hear her and she swallowed hard and sang a little louder. She was off key and singing a little later than she should have, but somewhere around the middle she began focusing more on the words and less on the people. By the end of the song she was singing loudly and smiling, her newly found confidence not helping her voice at all. She realized she didn't care because, as Vanessa had said, it was fun.
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Post by Vanessa VanRyan on Dec 30, 2016 2:32:14 GMT -5
Vanessa was the loudest one to cheer, but the rest of the room was applauding as well. They were a good group most of the time. Mostly regulars and people who had been where Lyra was, people came to sing their feelings and let go, besides Vanessa very few actually were talented.
She whistled as the song came to an end and was ready with the martini when the girl returned.
"Great job, how do you feel?"
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 30, 2016 2:41:09 GMT -5
Lyra gave a broad smile. "It felt amazing. I mean, at first I sort of felt like I was going to be sick, but it's kind of like a rush being up there, isn't it?" Lyra understood why people would come regularly. Watching everyone else had been enjoyable, but it was nothing to the feeling of actually singing in front of a crowd. Especially when you don't get booed off the stage as she had imagined happening.
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Post by Vanessa VanRyan on Dec 30, 2016 2:47:46 GMT -5
"Liberating." Vanessa grinned. Although for Vanessa it was more. She had so many emotions and chaos in her mind and heart that singing seemed to be the only way to keep it in check. She sang to share the emotional experiences she had, as if by sharing what was inside of her would make it hurt less. Sometimes it worked, but usually only for a little while.
Music was something Vanessa understood instinctively, a song held the power to connect people. When she sang she was really sharing. If it was a blues song she drew upon the sadness inside her and shared it with the audience, it didn't matter that the stories were different, most everyone in the bar had experienced sadness of some sort, and for those few minutes they were all connected. They all shared the collective burden of human emotions. Music tore down barriers and brought people together on a basic level.
"I think I see the beginning of a brand new addiction." Vanessa laughed, "Welcome to the club."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 30, 2016 22:29:51 GMT -5
Lyra laughed. "I don't know about that but I think I will be back again. I live just up the way at the Black Cat. The distance will certainly be tempting."
Lyra could see herself coming down for a song whenever she was lonely. Between school, her many jobs, and her social calendar Samantha was often busy. If Julian wasn't with Lyra he was most likely painting and considering how he was now seeking her out more frequently, Lyra assumed maybe his offbeat brand of therapy was starting to work. She wouldn't want to disrupt his time in his studio. That really just left Nicolas in her social circle and neither of them wanted to hang out all that often. It took a lot of energy to keep up their antagonistic relationship, they needed breaks to recoup.
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Post by Vanessa VanRyan on Dec 30, 2016 23:15:35 GMT -5
"There's karaoke most nights, and an open mic if Comedy's your thing." she offered. Some open nights Vanessa put on a show. They considered selling tickets considering how packed the bar would get, but Vanessa didn't want that kind of attention or publicity.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 30, 2016 23:27:14 GMT -5
Lyra could certainly do with some comedy in her life, but she wouldn't be the one telling the jokes. "Well I'm glad I came in tonight. I've been by so many times, I'm not sure why I never thought to stop in. I guess you'll be seeing me around." She smiled at Vanessa as another performer took the stage.
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Post by Vanessa VanRyan on Dec 30, 2016 23:30:01 GMT -5
"Eh, it takes a certain kind." Vanessa winked, "But you'll get to know some of the regulars the more you come in. We're an easy going group." she promised.
"Do you want another martini?"
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 30, 2016 23:39:05 GMT -5
"I probably shouldn't. I promised my boyfriend I'd be more careful...it's a long story." Lyra smiled and stuffed a fry into her mouth to stop from chattering on about things Vanessa certainly wouldn't care about.
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Post by Vanessa VanRyan on Dec 30, 2016 23:50:06 GMT -5
"You don't have to explain, it's dangerous these days. My friend usually comes in around the time I get off to make sure I get home alright. But if you're staying for a bit we can walk you home. I get off soon anyway."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 30, 2016 23:58:45 GMT -5
Lyra smiled and nodded. "Sure, that'd be great. Thanks."
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Post by Derek Burke on Dec 31, 2016 0:04:15 GMT -5
Derek had a lot of balls in the air, business with his family, Diana and Christian's issues, and this little piece of baggage whom he had grown to care for deeply. Not romantically, but she was endearingly sweet. She cleaned the flat and cooked for him, when he came home which wasn't often. In return he allowed her room and board and walked her home from work. If he wasn't there to walk her home he had one of his men do it.
"Hey V."
"Oh Derek!" she said startled, she lifted her wrist to check her watch, "You're early, oh no..it's late. I didn't even realize." she turned up at him, "This is my friend Lyra."
"Lyra, this is Derek."
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 31, 2016 0:18:59 GMT -5
Lyra had just stuffed her last two fries into her mouth at once as a handsome blond man entered the bar. He was older, and she was in a relationship - sort of, but Lyra could definitely see herself in his arm for an evening. Much to her surprise, the man addressed Vanessa very casually before Vanessa introduced Lyra to him. She hurried to swallow her food.
"Hi," she said with a sheepish grin as she wiped her mouth with a napkin in case there were any crumbs. She cleared her throat and then offered her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
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Post by Derek Burke on Dec 31, 2016 0:28:47 GMT -5
Derek gave her a trademark smile.
"The usual?" Vanessa asked already moving to fill his order, she took two steps away before turning back, "Oh I told Lyra that we'd walk her home, she lives at the Black Cats apartment, is that alright?"
"It'd be a pleasure. It's not exactly a safe time for you ladies to be walking alone at night."
"Thanks D."
He smiled at her retreating form, "Mind if I sit?" he asked Lyra. Sitting with a young lady at a table was a good way to avoid getting hit on at the bar.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 31, 2016 0:44:55 GMT -5
Lyra bit her lower lip as he smiled at her, then she smiled back. "Thanks. My boyfriend isn't a fan of me being out alone after..." she lifted her martini glass to explain.
"Sure," she answered in response to his request to join her. A handsome man sitting with her was a good way to avoid getting hit on by drunks.
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Post by Derek Burke on Dec 31, 2016 0:49:20 GMT -5
Derek nodded, "And where is this boyfriend of yours tonight?" he asked casually as Vanessa returned with his rum and coke, and left again to wait tables.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 31, 2016 0:58:10 GMT -5
"He's at home. He's a painter, so he's working on a new piece." Lyra smiled and then sipped on her drink, looking over the rim at Derek. Julian was obviously more handsome, Julian was perfect. But Derek, for an older guy Derek was knee weakening. Good thing she was sitting.
"Are you and Vanessa...?" She gestured between him and Vanessa with a quizzical look on her face. There was nothing wrong with dating an older guy, but Vanessa called him her "friend" not "boyfriend". But then, maybe that was how Vanessa viewed things.
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Post by Derek Burke on Dec 31, 2016 1:26:40 GMT -5
"Oh god no!" Vanessa was quick to say.
"Ouch, love." Derek said placing a hand over his chest, "Way to bruise a man's ego."
Vanessa rolled her eyes, "Well from what Nat says your ego's big enough." she teased.
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Post by Lyra Newbury on Dec 31, 2016 1:30:36 GMT -5
Lyra giggled at Vanessa's vehement denial of a romantic nature to her relationship with Derek. "Sorry I asked..." she said, smiling.
"So Nat's your girlfriend?"
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Post by Derek Burke on Dec 31, 2016 1:33:36 GMT -5
This time Derek's face screwed up, "Oh God no." he returned taking a sip of his drink.
Vanessa laughed, "Nathalia's his niece. She works here too, but she's not here tonight."
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