Just Another Night, Aleda/?

[Aleda]

Aleda sat in the back corner of RoseMarie's, sipping at her coffee, waiting for her time. It was open mic night, which meant she got to play...one of her true pleasures in life. Granted, it didn't help that two of her cousins were here, guarding her. Felt more like she was being babysat, but...What was she supposed to do?
RoseMarie herself walked up onto the small stage the diner had and tapped the mic, calling everyone to attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another open mic night. Tonight we have some of your favorites, plus a few newcomers. I hope you give them all a warm welcome!"
The crowd clapped politely. RoseMarie continued. "And without further ado, let the show begin!"

Aleda sighed as a young kid took the stage- he looked like one of the guys from school. She knew that she was the last to go, she always was.

[Quentin]

Quentin had only bothered to join in on Rosemarie's open-mic a few times since moving to New Babylon; and only once was it ever because he actually felt like it. Thankfully, he hadn't made a fool of himself yet.
So,strolling in with a guitar case slung around his back, Quentin gave a nod and a smile to a few people,waitresses and patrons alike while making his way to a small table to the far right of the stage. He'd signed the list around lunchtime, and had been early enough to go on somewhere in the middle of the set.

Setting the case on the chair opposite, he kicked back into a seat,raising a brow at the pipsqueak trying his damndest to sound deep. Huh, chick he wants must be in the audience, his lip curling in distaste at the waft of garlic and pheromones emanating from the front row, Ah,there she is. Cute enough,but didn't anyone tell her NOT to load up on the garlic bread before going out? Jeez.

[Aleda]

Aleda caught a wift of scent of someone familiar. Hmm..where do I know that scent? She wondered, replaying recent events in her mind. Smirking slightly, she remained in her seat. Wonder if he remembers that I'm in this open mic night...
Relaxing in her booth, she glanced his way and noticed the guitar. Does he plan on playing? Interesting...this evening should be very interesting...

[Quentin]

After yet-another wet sack of a girl murdered some (already terrible) ballad by...some screeching wet-sack of a pop star, Quentin was about ready to start drinking. Heavily.

Sadly, Rosemarie's didn't serve booze on a weeknight,so he was left to suffer for a while longer. I can't last another one..., yet there were several people before him on the queue. He thought briefly on tuning his guitar, but he'd done it before walking over, so all that was left...was to further observe the crowd around him...Wonderful, he thought, slouching a bit in his chair, hands folded over his stomach while scanning the room,for well, he wasn't sure really.

Being a Were certainly made things interesting though,when it came to this little game...Emotions,feelings,all had a specific aroma that just blended so well with the scents of coffee and soapsmell in the room...Not to sound creepy or anything. But, the thought still had him inhaling deep with a small smile on his face...People. Chocolate cake. Werewolves. Mmm, amaretto cream...Hang on a tick. He sat upright quickly, turning around in his chair to peer around the back of the hall. It was darkened,sure, but well...that's where supernatural helped. There was the scent of forest, fur, and something deep that only signaled Weres from the local Pack were in the room. Ah hell..., his nerves were slightly jangled at the thought, considering he'd nicked an artefact from a Lupanar a couple years back and wasn't quite sure they'd forgiven him yet....and well, sticking my tongue down Princess' throat wouldn't have them thrilled either.

[Aleda]

Aleda noticed him catch on to the fact that there were other weres in the crowd, and almost felt sorry for him. It wasn't like they were here to kill him or something horrible like that. They were just....babysitting.
Taking pity on the boy, Aleda rose from her seat and made her way over to him.
"So, nervous that you're surrounded by wolves?" She asked lightly from behind him. "In need of a stiff drink?" Funny, she had some liquor stashed in her bag. Yes, RoseMaria was quite aware of it, too. She didn't mind because she knew that Aleda was good and didn't get rip-roaring drunk or give it to anyone else. Hell, the old lady often came and had a glass with her1

[Quentin]

Ah hell...

He tilted his head back to look up at Aleda, smirking a bit. Just my luck to have the girl and the bodyguards.. "Not the wolves so much as apparently, most of your lot doesn't take well to other canines." Quentin toed out a chair without bothering to move too much,lest he compromise the comfortable slouch he'd gotten himself into,"Have a chair if you don't have to get back right away. I won't bite if you share the sneak-in," he gave her a knowing look,tapping the side of his nose,"Princess smuggling in the rot gut now?"

[Aleda]

Aleda smirked, sitting in the offered seat. "Smuggling it in? I think not. Rose Maria knows I have it. Hell, the batty old lady joins me sometimes!" Handing him the flask, she grinned. "So, playing tonight I'm guessing? And don't worry, they're just..babysitting me." She grimaced. "Apparently there's a new wolf in town that Father's hesitant about because he hasn't actually met her yet. It makes him uneasy not knowing."
Should she really be giving him this information? Ah, hell, what could it hurt? Her pride?

[Quentin]

"Cheers," he took a swill of what she'd brought Gargh,brandy, chuckling a little,"Always knew the old broad was a little gone."

Quentin shrugged at her mention of the guitar, throwing a wince and glare up at the ventriloquist on stage before turning his attention back to Aleda with some curiosity. Newcomers were an oddity for him, and well, he might have to look up this new Were himself...Just to keep tabs for himself of course.

"Well, be that as it may, Tweedle Dumb and Dumber need to drop the 'Grr,we be mean.' shtick. They're easy targets this way," he yawned a bit before adding,"sides, Pack Papa's just doing what dads do. I've come across enough of them to know," with a last swig, Quentin handed back the flask with a grin.

[Aleda]

Aleda smirked, taking back the flask and having another down. "Yea, well, Padre should relax. I can handle myself." Glancing over at where RoseMarie was waving, she looked back at Quentin. "Looks like you're up from the way she's signalling you."

[Quentin]

"So you like to tell me-,"he'd wanted to settle in for a good round of shooting the breeze, but apparently, Rose Marie had other ideas," Christ, you'd think she was an Avian the way she flaps about," he muttered. With an apologetic look,Quentin kicked his seat back and grabbed his guitar on the way towards the stage.

Seemingly satisfied, the bird-like little woman gave him an introduction that bordered on serverly annoyed...that was if he hadn't caught the wink when he walked past. The whole scene was typical; a mic and beat up barstool sat center stage.

Quentin settled onto the seat, strumming a few chrords carelessly for a minute before glancing up at the crowd through his bangs....Go in for the kill...and smiled. He chuckled inwardly at the sudden waft of pheromones in the room, leaning towards the mic to begin," Well thanks. This one's a piece about changing roads and relearning your inner beast."

As far as intros went, it was lame, but with head bowed, Quentin started to play. He'd tweaked the composition a smidge; what had originally been a driving riff took on a slightly pained quality on an acoustic guitar...and the irony wasn't lost on him as he started the verse, "Wolves by the road And a bike wheel spinnin' on a pawnshop wall. She leaned on her colored hair Like a butterfly wing in a summer rainfall..."

[Aleda]

Aleda leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and letting the music drift over her. She had to admit, the boy had a good voice. The lyrics were pretty catching, too. She smirked a bit at smelling all the phermones going into hyper-drive. Typical human females...see a pretty boy, want to jump him.

[Quentin]

Despite the fact that he was pretty certain he could have made half the front row swoon if he moved just a little closer to the edge of the stage, Quentin was comfortable to be 'in the zone'. Music was an outlet for the everyday insanity,and well, that included the throngs of twits gaping that he liked to leave behind.

He took the time,during a bridge to look over the crowd...It was an older,kinda folksy -Cringe- song he hadn't quite been sure of when choosing. Not that he cared,per say, but an appreciative audience was always a bonus. Thankfully,no one was booing yet, and he had to smile a bit at catching Aleda soaking up the notes.

With the bridge progressing to a little more forceful, Quentin refocused on nothing but verse and guitar as it came to a close,"...She beat it in the back of a truck To the trailers when we were tryin' to find the bullet hole And then run down the canopy rows....You'll never get him out of there..."

[Aleda]

Aleda opened her eyes and smiled as RoseMarie came over to her and whispered, "He's one cute young man, now isn't he?"
The old lady was constantly trying to get Aleda to date someone, saying that a young girl like her shouldn't be alone. It was sweet, but frustrating at times.
"Yes, and he has an amazing voice." She replied.
"Oh, and do be ready, you're up next."
"Mmmkay." Aleda watched the older woman toddle away before returning to the music.

[Quentin]

"Song of the shepherd's dog..You'll never get him out of there."He rose as the last strains rang out from the strings,giving a half-smile to the crowd and mouthing a thank you. Quentin took an awkward little bow and waved while walking upstage and down the few steps to the main floor. He was pretty pleased with himself,despite the anxiety he felt when actually returning TO the masses seated around the stage apron.

Nearing the table, he raised a brow at little Rosemarie chatting with Aleda. The Wolf's smile nearly forced a grin of his own, but he settled for a slightly amused air as the old woman wandered off.

Setting down his guitar on the table,and reclaiming his seat,Quentin leaned back to look Aleda over, "Well? What'd I miss? No one fainted,which is a plus. Did Rosemarie finally get a new hearing aid and realize I suck?"

"I heard that,Boy!," came the shout from somewhere near the counter, and Quentin just had to grin that time.

"So...what were you ladies going on about?"

[Aleda]

Aleda smirked, and rose. "That's a girl's secret, and little boys aren't allowed to know." Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she made her way to the stage as RoseMarie introduced her. Perching on the stool, she grinned at the crowd, some of which cat-called and waved.
"Hey everybody...I've got a new one for you tonight, so let me know what you think, okay?"
A resounding "woohoo" and "sweet!" came from the crowd, which made Aleda laugh. "Okay, here we go.."

The music began playing softly, and Aleda took a deep breath before beginning...


"I'm going to the river and there I'm going to swim until I sink. I've been drowning here forever. So, it won't make a difference to me. Don't you see what the buzz is?
Look at me. I am nothing but a need to reach you."