2019-11-30 - Post Turkey Day Karaoke

Alison had been seated at a table by herself for a little while, clad in a black t-shirt, jeans, and a pair of sneakers. She'd slowly been nursing a beer while fiddling around on her phone, but when the event finally seemed to be starting, the redheaded waitress gives a little cheer and a brief bit of clapping as Hank introduces himself.

The door opens and in walks Garrett, dressed for the 'big' event in tan slacks and a dark red button down shirt, black shoes polished to shine. He gives the MC's opening performance an appreciative nod and smile, holding the door for Philomena before he heads towards the bar in search of a bit of relaxation before any performing is to happen. Alison gets a vaguely familiar wave and nod before he's focusing on ordering drinks for himself and Sparrow.

About midway through Hank's song, the door to the Pourhouse opens up, and James steps in, looking around just a dash warily for a moment before holding the door open for Diana. "You do realize that subjecting these poor people to my lack of singing skills could be considered assault in certain jurisdictions, right?", he asks her, then gives a lopsided smile. He's dressed in his usual uniform: battered old jeans and one of his seemingly infinite collection of hoodies, this one repping some obscure podcast no one's ever heard of.

Sparrow's a bit more casually dressed than her date. Tonight, she wears cut-off jean shorts dyed a bright assortment of rainbow colors over a pair of thick black tights with black ankle boots secured with glittery rainbow laces. The off-black tee shirt beneath her starry black jacket reads 'I <3 Pretty Boys' above her left breast, right where a pocket might be but isn't. At least the message on her shirt seems honest. Her make-up is on point, favoring shimmery shades of violet to complement the black eyeliner and the neon red hair. She leans in toward Garrett to express her preferences and make sure he notices when she points to a booth before peeling away, heading off thattaway to plop down at a table with a decent view of the action.

Kailey comes bouncing in through the door, her colored hair in high pigtails. Dressed in a holographic fabric skater dress, knee-high rainbow socks, and black platform ankle boots, she may or may not be one of the more colorful things here tonight. Straight to the bar she goes with her warm and big grin. "What kinda cider do you have?"

Scott has found himself a seat near the bar, as usual, and takes a sip from his beer as he watches the people checking in. There's also a grin offered to Hank as he sees the man up on the stage.

Lyric is seated at a corner of the bar not exactly close to the stage but where she can at least see the performers. Music was life! She smiles at what Hank chooses to sing this time. Dressed in a pair of worn jeans with several fashionable holes that have nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with wear. Chucks on her feet and a band shirt, she bobs her head to the music. Her name is written down for a song, but she'd had a hard time deciding on which one tonight. She has a bottle of beer and drinks on it while she watches.

There's a nod from Garrett as he acknowledges Sparrow's request, then another when he looks over to the booth she points out. "Any sours on tap? Yeah, make it two," Garrett says with a smile to the bartender when his turn arrives. Kailey in all her brightness gets a little nod of greeting, hard to miss as she is, while he waits for drinks.

As for Diana, she laughs and shakes her head to what James has to say. "I'm willing to risk it," she smirks. "I do expect you to bail me out of jail, should that come up." She grins, bumping her shoulder up against his lightly. "When you're arrested for the exact same thing in reverse, I guess I'll need you to bail me out in turn." For her part, she's wearing high-waisted black pants with leggings beneath, black flats, and a sweater in the 'Christmas sweater' style, featuring Pac-Man running from (and also chasing) ghosts, along with the words 'Waka Waka.'

James chuckles at Diana, ducking his head as she bumps up against him. "Not to worry, I'll just dip into the ol' Hecker Family fortune, have us out in no time.", he replies, before looking around again. Hank's performance gets a smile out of him before he turns back to Diana. "Want to grab us a seat somewhere and I'll get us some drinks? What'll you have?"

Alison gives Garrett a polite little wave and a smile. She can only sort of remember who he is? There's the face, but in what context? OH, yeah, the whole.. hospital thing. The smile on her face gets a little broader and more genuine.

Sparrow's ruby red hair catches her eye as she enters with Garrett, but it's little more than a fleeting glance as she watches the stage. Eyes also glance towards Kailey as she enters. Oh yeah, the artist she saw from when she just moved to town. Cool. Maybe she'll know a few more people in attendance tonight than she had thought.

Kailey is delighted at the selection, or so it seems, because she makes a loud, "OOOOoooo! Pear," She decides easily before popping over to the MC. Without looking at a book she writes down her name and whatever title. Handing it over. She barely has time to get her drink and start a tab when she hears her name called. Turning around in surprise she takes a quick gulp of her cider and walks over to take the mic. "I woulda thought more people had signed up already," She tells Hank. "All right, well then..." She clears her throat and sets her mug on a table and stands by it. Turning to the monitors she prepares as the brief piano intro starts. And she launches into Leather by Tori Amos. "Look I'm standing naked before you, Don't you want more than my sex, I can scream as loud as your last one, but I can't claim innocence," A brief pause and then into the Chorus, "Oh God could it be the weather. Oh God why am I here? If love isn't forever, and its not the weather, hand me my leather."

At Booth With A View:
Sparrow applauds for Hank as the opening song comes to an end, hooting out a cheer for the MC. And then another for the next performer after she catches sight of that unnatural hair color, like they might be sisters for that alone. She slips off her jacket while she waits for things to get started, waits for drinks to arrive, sinking into the booth comfortably with eyes forward. And then squeals with delight at those opening bars, beaming a bright smile toward the stage at the stranger.

At Bar:
Lyric applauds and then whistles for Hank, encouraging him because he was a lot of fun. She writes her name down and the song, then goes back to her beer, grinning when she notices Scott. "Hey kid," she greets him, like she's so much older than him or something. But then Kailey is called up and she cheers her on too, grinning at the words. "You narrowed it down yet, Scott? To what you're singing?"

Drinks secured, Garrett joins Sparrow at the booth she chose, sliding a glass in front of her as he sits. A small applause for Hank that is quickly extended as encouragement for the next singer. Who turns out to be the brightly colored girl from the bar. He switches sides to sit next to, rather than across, from Sparrow so he can see the stage better. "Get us signed up already?" he asks with a grin.

"Hey," Scott replies to Lyric, before he shrugs a little. "Maybe," he replies, before he adds, "How about you?" Taking another sip from his drink as he listens to Kailey's singing.

James nods to Diana when she gives him her drink order, and he heads for the bar, catching the bartender's attention after a moment and placing the order. He then turns around to watch Kailey's performance, grinning at the selection.

At Booth With A View:
"Uh, yup!" Sparrow confirms of reservations to embarrass themselves at some point in the not too distant future. She bumps her shoulder to Garrett's and adds, "If you're doing something solo, you're gonna have to jot your name down yourself," with a waggle of her dark brows. Once she's got her beer in hand, she draws it back for a sip and then a much longer taste, eyes on the stage, smiling. It's a good night already.

Rhys is slightly late, wandering during Hank's set with his eyes on his phone and a small furrow in his brow. Hmm. Despite that, when he looks up and over at the sound of the singing, he breaks into a grin, albeit a smallish one. The phone's stashed away in the pocket of his tan suede blazer, which slightly dresses up the dark jeans and Docs under the untucked pale blue dress-shirt. As it switches over to Kailey, he strolls over to the bar to order himself a nice dark microbrew and take in the room more properly. "Hey again," he greets Lyric, giving her a slightly warmer grin, then turns it on Diana and James when he spots them, adding a little upnod to go with it.

At Table 3:
Alison gives Kailey a round of clapping as she starts off. The song's not to her particular tastes, but hey, it's good to be polite. And given her own personal predilections, she's at least partially aware of the song, if not the artist behind it. And the performance of it WAS impressive!

She takes another sip of her beer, then notices James, giving him a little wave as well. Haven't seen him since, what, Halloween when they met? His.. date? isn't known to her, so she just sits in her seat, crossing her ankles under the table and stretching out.

The door of the Pourhouse opens, and Yule steps inside, dressed for the weather. A long, gray woolen coat is left unbuttoned, revealing the dark blue dress shirt worn beneath, the top two buttons undone, revealing that the inside of the placket has a red and black pattern to add a splash of color. A pair of black slacks finishes the look, and the man has a paper tucked beneath his left arm. It's just a brief glance towards the current singer as he picks his way through, angling to step up to the bar to place an order.

At Bar:
"'Course I do," Lyric tells Scott with a shoulder bump. "Just harder to find something I wanted to sing this time." Listening to Kailey, she catches sight of others nearby and a grin is given as she notices Rhys. She tilts her beer bottle towards him with a smile, but realizes her beer bottle is empty so she gets another one. More movement has her looking to the door and the sort of imposing figure. She gawks a little bit as he nears her at the bar, "Wow, Hi." Lyric greets Yule.

"Embarass myself? Rude." Garrett wrinkles his nose briefly at Sparrow, though he's mostly watching the stage. He pauses. "Oh, you mean because I can't sing quite as nasal as Colin does, right?" He returns the brow waggle. The latest arrivals get small waves and nods of acknowledgment, before he takes a long drink to relax a bit before their turn.

James notices Rhys' little upnod, and he grins, giving his fellow tinyginger a thumbsup and a grin in greeting. "Hey!", he greets, seeming to be in a far more personable mood than he was the last time they met. He motions to Diana in a 'look who's also here' motion, just as the drinks he'd ordered arrive. He gives Rhys a cheery wave and grabs the drinks, heading over to the table Diana had grabbed. On the way there he passes not far from Alison, just catching her wave. He pauses, then gives her a slightly awkward smile. Last time they'd seen each other had been a pretty weird time. "Hey- I'm just heading over to sit with my friend. You.. err.. everything been ok since, uh, the other night? All good?"

Nicole arrives late, sometime during Kailey's performance. By the way she is dressed; black ankle boots, long black flowing skirt, and a black and white polka dotted, cap sleeved blouse with a tied sash at the waist; she must have come straight from work. Her hair is up in a ponytail, a twisted design at each side going back along her head to add some flair, and a black leather jacket keeps the chill from creeping in too much. She takes a look around and says, "wow,lots of people here tonight." Who is she talking to? Probably herself. Spotting Sparrow first (hello red hair!), she waves and makes her way over. "This seat taken?" she asks with a wink.

"Scotch," The barkeep must be familiar with Yule's order, already knowing just which to get, and while he waits? Those brown eyes shift to fall upon Lyric at that greeting. "DJ, yeah? Cabaret. Lyric." It's a sharpening of his attention, before his head dips a touch, "Thewlis mentioned you ended up coming by. Glad he could help you with the grave. Meaningful." It's the wave cast his way by that familiar bassist that has his body leaning back from the bar, peering down to the trio of Nicole, Sparrow and Garrett, and up his hand lifts, giving a tap of his fingers against his head in a silent salute while he waits for that drink.

At Booth With A View:
"No," Sparrow looks to Garrett with feigned seriousness. "I believe I've already informed you that that move would not be an embarrassment, and I am willing to make a wager of it." She follows his attention toward the door, violet-painted lips spreading in a slightly off-center smile as she watches Yule. A little squirm follows as she sets down her beer and takes out her phone. And then promptly ignores it as she catches Nicole's approach, arm shooting up to wave. By that point, Yule's looking over this way, too, so she draws a hand up to her lips to blow a kiss across the room, needlessly exaggerated, before returning her attention to those closest to her. "I do worry that you won't be able to keep up with my swag up on that stage, though, bassist." Turning her attention to the blonde, she tells her, "It is now, gorgeous. You need a drink?"

At Table 3:
Alison shoots James the Bisexual Finger Guns(TM) with a goofy grin on her face after setting down her beer. "Hey! Yeah, I'm doing alright. Been busy at home with the new girl, haven't been out much since then. Nothing weird has happened lately, so I can't complain too much." She turns her head to give Diana another look, then back at James, giving him an approving thumbs up, before scooping her beer back up. "Hope you're doing okay. Have a good night!"

Scott grins as he hears Lyric being called up there. "Good luck," he offers, with a grin. "Looking forward to hear what you have picked."

Kailey finishes the song with a grin. She turns and hands Hank the mic and bows. "Thanks!" Then she plucks up her cider and wanders from the stage back towards the bar. But she pauses and returns to write another song on a paper and hand it off to the KJ. As Lyric comes up to the stage she recognizes her and waves. "Kill 'em!" She tells her before returning to a stool at the bar. Sipping from her cider as she listens and watches now.

"Hair fairy!" Garrett greets Nicole with a bright smile from beside Sparrow. "Challenge accepted, Philomena. Name the terms of the bet. Be fair. I accept." He doesn't actually wait for terms to be named, apparently offering a blank check. "How have you been?" he asks, turning his focus to Nicole even as he gives Kailey some hearty applause.

At Bar:
"Yeahhh," Lyric tells him. "We totally met at the trailer park but you were sitting down then." Probably less an imposing figure. "Evie and I had cookies." All that reminder and all and he already recognized her. "Did you come to sing?" A glance between the booth and the man at the bar and she waggles her brows. Cut short though, she grins. "Looks like I'm up!" Another shoulder check to Scott, "Thanks." Passing Kailey, she offers a fist bump, "Girl Power." Which will probably be explained in a moment.

James grins at Alison, relaxing. He gives her the Awkward White Guy Holding Drinks Finger Guns (TM) back. "Nice! On, y'know, both fronts. The lack-of-weird and the girl, I mean." He notices her looking over at Diana and actually blushes faintly (curse you, pale, pale flesh) at that thumbs up, his own smile gaining a touch o' goof as well. "Aaaanyway, all's good on my end too, mostly. Hope to catch you singing later!" And with that, he rejoins Diana at their table, dropping off the strawberry daiquiri she ordered. "I am assuming you signed me up for something embarrasing while I was getting drinks?"

"Yeah. I was the cookie pusher. And me?" Comes Yule's slow response to Lyric, offering her a faint smile. "I've just come to admire." A lift of his brow is flashed her way, "Good luck, Lyric. I'll be watching." It's all a matter of timing, the delivery of that tumbler to the bar just as the next up departs, and his fingers curl about it. His phone is fished from the depths of his coat, flicked through, and then stowed back away. With the only person he knew at the bar now on stage? On he goes with a slow, steady pace that cuts through the crowd and towards the booth.

"Oh, I like this one," Diana says as Kailey's song starts, taking her seat that she's found for her and James. She looks toward him briefly as he's moving, but then she has all eyes for the stage, clapping as Kailey finishes. She waves to Rhys when he's spotted, grinning right back to him. She turns to James as he arrives, beaming a broad smile at him and taking her drink, sipping it long enough to get a brain freeze. One hand comes up to her head, and she winces. A pause, and then she winces again, at James' question. "Goddang it, I could've signed you up for something embarrassing? Why didn't you tell me??" She tsks, shaking her head.

Kailey returns the fist bump with a grin. "Oh yeah," She agrees. At the bar she pulls the small menu over and eyes it, before placing a grease-filled order of yum. Mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and chicken tenders, oh my! With ranch please. As the song begins she looks delighted, humming the melody very softly to herself. And even in her seat she can't help dancing a little.

At Stage:
Lyric's name gets called and she looks back to Yule with a grin, "Thanks. And feel free!" Bouncing up to the front and accepting the mic from Hank she grins at the MC after her song is given over. "Fuckin' Perfect." She laughs at Hank's expression, "It's a song. But really, was that ever a question?" There's a giggle that follows once the music starts but she really gets into it, dancing as she sings, like always. Cause that's how she rolls.

"Made a wrong turn, once or twice.
Dug my way out, blood and fire.
Bad decisions, that's alright.
Welcome to my silly life."

"Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss No-Way-It's-All-Good it didn't slow me down.
Mistaken, always second guessing, underestimated.
Look, I'm still around."

"Pretty, pretty please, don't you ever ever feel.
Like you're less than fuckin' perfect.
Pretty pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you're nothing.
You're fuckin' perfect to me!"

You're so mean when you talk.
About yourself. You were wrong
Change the voices in your head.
Make them like you instead!"

"So complicated.
Look how we all make it.
Filled with so much hatred.
Such a tired game."

"It's enough, I've done all I could think of.
Chased down all my demons.
I've seen you do the same."

[youtube BUGJ02Uc8yA]

At Booth With A View:
"Corona," Nicole says to Sparrow. "If you are buying."She winks as she takes her seat, nodding towards Garrett in greeting. "Hello, Garrett. How are you? "You both singing tonight?" She lifts a hand to wave to Yule, smiling as she leans back in her seat. She looks a bit tired. Must have been a busy day in the salon. When Kailey finishes, Nicole smiles and applauds. "I do like Tori Amos." Then back to Garrett. "Me? I am okay. been busy and... yeah. I'm good." Smile.

At Booth With A View:
Well, shit. Sparrow might not have expected Garrett to actually call her on that. She sets her phone down on the table as she narrows her darkly lined eyes at him, lips pursed and nudged to the side. This is her Thinking Face. "I think I stand to lose more than I might gain here," she observes thoughtfully. "Huh." There might be a lesson in there, if only she could find it. Thankfully, she's distracted before she stumbles upon any morals--or finalizes any wagers--attention returning to Nicole. "The dashing gentleman at my side is buying," comes with some batted lashes in Garrett's direction. Sending him off for drinks is probably not at all a strategic decision to buy her more time to answer for her bravado. Nope! Not at all! "We are singing a duet." There might be a warning look to her partner to make sure no puns pop up only half-invited. But Yule's approach draws her focus. "Heya, Nine. Still conscious. Maybe if you, uh..." She points to his shirt, to the first button from the top that's actually done up, almost certainly teasing.

James winces in empathetic pain as Diana gets her brain freeze. Almost as if maybe he felt a little of it himself. "Hey, now. Them's the rules: I got us drinks, so you get to choose the manner of my execution. I'm not making this up, that's the rule.", he assures her, before taking a sip of his whiskey. The cheap stuff.

Park is running late but she wasn't going to miss the magic of Pourhouse Karaoke. Dressed in sneakers, jeans, 'Ask Me About WinterFest' t-shirt, and winter jacket. Her usual smile on her face as she bounces in and start hugging anyone and everyone. "Just in time!" she squeals as Lyric takes the stage. Park is clapping from the first note as she heads for the bar. And Scott is next! Augmented Reality in the house.

At Stage:
Lyric continues to sing the long song, dancing as she does even if it's sometimes just swaying her body or moving her hips. She's got her beer in her hand and during a musical break she takes a drink of it, having her own party at the microphone.

"The whole world's scared, so I swallow the fear.
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer."

Lyric holds up her bottle and cheers before taking a chug from it and singing again.

"So cool and limed and we try, try, try.
But we try too hard and its a waste of my time"

"Done looking for the critics 'cause there everywhere.
They don't like my jeans, they don't get my hair.
Exchange ourselves and we do it all the time.
Why do we do that, why do I do that?
Why do I do that?"

"Oh, pretty, pretty please, don't you ever, ever feel
Like you're less than fuckin' perfect
Pretty, pretty please, if you ever, ever feel like you're nothing
You're fuckin' perfect to me!!!"

Then she's finished and she tilts back her beer and finishes it off before going back to the bar.

"Pretty sure you should be drinking a martini." Is the first thing that comes from Yule as he stops by that booth, and this? It's directed to Nicole with a faint smile, "One of us has to, and I don't drink them. Really just leaves you. Garrett, good to see you again. You look ready to go, yeah?" And then, those brown eyes come to fall upon Sparrow. First comes the glass of scotch, a small sip taken, and then comes his other hand, wordlessly undoing that next button down. "Like the color today, Cards. Nice, even shade all across, bottle must have been well mixed. Shaken, even."

There's a grin as he listens to Lyric's song, cheering a bit for her. Then it's his turn to be the singer and Scott's grin widens, stepping forward to get to the stage,. "Great singing," he offers to Lyric as he passes her, moving to tell Hank what he's picked for a song this time. There's a grin as he starts singing, only some light music behind the words so far, as the looks out to the side, facing a bit away from the crowd as he sings the softer parts of the song. "Birds flying high, you know how I feel. Sun in the sky, you know how I feel. Breeze driftin' on by, you know how I feel. It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life.... For me..." Turning to face the crowd a bit more, with a grin as he sings. "And I'm feeling good." And then the music in the background comes in force. "I'm feeling good..."

It's evident as he sings through the verses that Scott really enjoys himself on the stage, moving around a bit on it to the music, as he looks towards the different tables, smiling to the people there. Working his way through the song, he looks rather relaxed, like this is music he grew up listening to. "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life... Oh it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life... It's a new life for me... And I'm feeling good. I'm feeling good. I feel so good... I'm feeeeeeee-ling... good." Letting the music finish off the last part now. "Thank you!" he says to the people listening, after he finishes his song.

"Sing is a very strong word for what we're going to do," Garrett tells Nicole with a laugh. Lyric gets an encouraging applause before Garrett quirks his brow up at Sparrow, waiting to see what she does or doesn't conclude. And then he's being sent off to get drinks, sticking his tongue out at Sparrow, pausing long enough for Nicole to make a request, and heading towards the bar. Yule gets a friendly nod, but not a pause to converse just yet. Drinks won't fetch themselves.

Kailey may have also let out a little whoop of joy when those first few chords and words were struck. Kailey is all grins as she listens to Lyric belt it out, head bobbing and shoulders swaying. "I love this song," She says to no one in particular at the bar. When Park enters her eyes go wide and bright and she energetically waves at her. "HIeee!"

At Table 3:
The redheaded waitress eyes the door as Park enters with her usual joie de vivre, a grin creeping onto Alison's face. "Mee! Hey, nice to see you!" She'll hop up from her seat for a moment to snag a hug, then returns to her table and her beer, waiting for her turn up on stage.

Rhys listens to the music with evident enjoyment, applauding enthusiastically when each sacrifice to the karaoke gods-- uh, performer, finishes, and giving Kailey and Lyric both grins and quick thumbs-ups when they return to the bar. The phone's sneaked back out, sitting on the bar, and he glances at it periodically, but nothing actually gets touched. Well, except his beer, and the one that follows it, and most of the mozzarella sticks he ordered during Kailey's song. 'cause cheese is great for ye olde vocal cords.

At Booth With A View:
Sparrow's eyes do not leave Yule, black brows arched with expectation... which may well have been a bluff given the hint of delighted surprise which dances in her eyes when his fingers go to that button and oblige her unvoiced request. Tongue tips out against her lips as she watches, held for just a second or two. With a nod to his compliments, she assures that, "It matches," with a little tip of her head toward her shoulder. Her gaze strays when Garrett gets up to get Nicole's drink, head tilting the other way in a manner which rather shamelessly suggests she's checking out his ass before she's back to Yule. "Sticking around?" And the stage, smiling for the happy song being sung.

At Bar:
Lyric comes back to the bar and sliiiides into a seat, steadying it. Empty bottle on the scarred bar top before ordering another one. Paying as she goes, she grins at Scott as he begins singing, but there's a look over to Garrett with a smile of thanks. Kailey is there closer to her though so except for watching Scott, she shares her attention that way. "That was fun. I love Karaoke night." Park gets a hug, "I hope you're going to sing! You always surprise me." Catching the gesture from Rhys, she tilts her head, "It's good to see you again."

Yule's free hand lifts, putting two fingers to his mouth to give a warm whistle of delight for Lyric's performance, and after that momentarily reprieve those brown eyes settle back to the group at the booth. "It does." but it's to Garrett that he casts a long look towards, "Yeah? You sing like you did the backup vocals the other evening? You are going to kill it." There's a ghost of a smile flashed towards the bassist as he heads off on his mission for drinks. "Staying until this duet performs I've heard so much about." comes that answer for Sparrow's question.

Kailey grins at Rhys and then she is eyeing his mozzarella sticks as they come out hopefully. Alas they are not hers and she settles back into her seat. But she doesn't have to wait too long. Soon food is brought to her and she dives in. Listening to the music, dancing in her seat, and eating her greasy, carby goodness.

At Bar:
"We need more karaoke nights around here," Rhys says in evident agreement to Lyric's love for it, and he catches Kailey's glance at his cheese sticks, looking just about to push the basket slightly her way to offer one when her own arrive. Well, in that case, still all his! "Good seeing you, too," he answers Lyric, "and nice pipes. There's way too much talent involved in this particular karaoke night." He takes a sip of his beer, then gives her a quick grin. "Don't worry, though, I plan to do something about that eventually."

At Stage:
"Looks like you won't have to wait long," Sparrow croons to Yule before taking a quick swig of her beer and scooting from the both. She casts a giddy look across the bar to Garrett with a tip of her head toward the stage, decidedly excited.

The neon redhead takes up a microphone as she gets on stage, waiting for her partner to catch up, and smiles wide at the audience. "Not sure we can follow all that sex," referring to Scott's smoldering performance, "but we're gonna try!" The music starts up as the brit joins her, and when he begins singing, she gives the crowd a little brow-waggle, eyes wide for her first intentionally flat note of, "Spring." She finds the melody as she picks up with, "When the little bluebell at the bottom of the dell starts to ring..." Her finger ticks back and forth when Garrett sings the first 'ding dong,' her head following the same motion when her own, "Ding dong," follows. It's when she picks up the harmony as they both sing, "When the little blue clerk in the middle of his work starts a tune to the moon up above," that she really demonstrates any singing chops. "It is nature, that is all, simply telling us to fall in love!"

Park squeezes the life out of Alison as they hug. "Nice to be seen" she giggles. "You're looking awesome.!Gonna sing?" She'll let the redhead get back to her beer and rush on over to give Kailey hugs. "Hey! Nice to see you again. And you look so happy. Yay!!" A jump up and down in celebration...while hugging. "I have to register for the singing thing but don't go anywhere without saying 'hello'. Umm...you already said 'hello' but we can talk about what you've been up to."

"Definitely singing" Park nods enthusiastically while hugging Lyric. "I thought I would also mention WinterFest too. Get the word out. I was thinking maybe we do it after New Year since there is sooooo much happening before Christmas. What do you think?." A wave for Garrett. "Hey! Is Sparrow here? I need to talk to you guys about a concert." Apparently Sparrow is present, since she's just been announced to sing. "Good luck" Park grins to Garrett, "Talk to you later."

At Booth With A View:
"Martini?" Nicole asks to Yule. "No thank you. I like to be all stirred up. Shaken leaves me too weak in the knees. I'll stick to my corona for now." She gives him a smile though. "How are ya, Trailer park James Bond? Looking dashing as ever, as you should." He has an image to uphold now. Though she then turns her attention to Garrett. "Oh dear... should I run for my life now then?" But then the dynamic duo is called up and she is too late to escape. So, instead, she cheers wildly for them both.

At Bar:
Scott smiles, "Thanks," he offers to Hank, before he steps back down to the bar, draining the rest of his beer. He turns to listen to the duo being called to the stage, smiling as he does.

Garrett drops a drink off at the booth before following Sparrow onto the stage. "Let's duet, huh?" he says as he joins her on the stage. The flourish he gives as he bows to the crowd before the song starts is /very/ extra. A grin to his duet partner, and then he's singing his parts, bobbing his head when Sparrow takes over, then laying in hard to the main hook.

"And that's why birds do it, bees do it
Even educated fleas do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love!"

A moment to breathe and flash a smile to the audience, and the pair continues, Garrett for his part looking very much like he's enjoying himself.

"Cold Cape Cod clams, 'gainst their wish, do it
Even lazy jellyfish do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love!"

A small, bright note of laughter comes from Yule at Nicole's quip back, his glass lifted in a salute towards her, "I'd hate to disappoint my fans, Ms. Moneypenny." Rather than sit, he leans against that booth to watch the duet get up on stage, and once more his hand lifts to give out a sharp whistle to chair them on. "It's been a day," He offers to the hair dresser, a touch of weight in there at something, but a smile flickers to life with reassurance it's nothing but, "Work. How about you?"

It turns out to have been a good thing that Diana didn't sign James up for anything, as, after a few minutes more of enjoying the performances, she gets a phone call. After a short conversation, she turns to James and speaks to him apologetically. James looks a little disappointed, but smiles at her and nods, shooing her off. "Go, deal with it. Text me later?" Once she heads off, he leans back in his seat, his mood falling a bit... until he notices she left her mostly full strawberry daiquiri there. He raises an eyebrow, thinks for a moment, glances to his left, then to his right, and dumps his whiskey into it, then brings the glass over and gives it a swirl with the straw before taking a long sip. "... ahhh. Yeah. That's the spot."

At Table 3:
Alison wiggles in Park's hug! "Yeah, well, gonna try, anyways. I think I picked a good song. I've been practising! Haven't quite figured out the breathing for it, but.." She shrugs.

Garrett and Sparrow's duet make her smirk, then barely restrain laughter. Seriously? Who even put that in the karaoke machine?

At Stage:
"Lizards and frogs do it," Sparrow croons with her eyes all big and wide as if this were startling news. She takes to the backing vocals until a grinning, "With a doodle and cock!" comes with a thrust of her hips. Garrett clearly has the better singing chops between them, his voice excellent even when lowered to rough material like this, but the redhead's got a whole boatload of energy and charisma, hopping around in a circle as they come out of the chorus and into the very brief guitar solo. The pair take up the first verse again, this time in rounds, Garrett starting before Sparrow bends forward as she comes in, head bobbing side to side for her, "Ding ding ding ding."

She straightens to parade about with high shoulders and swishy hips, her gaze turned back toward her booth, while she sings, "The most refined ladybugs do it, when a gentleman calls. The moths in your rugs, they do it! What's the use of moth*balls*!"

At Bar:
"Oh definitely! Do get the word out and after New Years is perfect. I've not heard from Itz since that day so I'm really not sure anything about him." Lyric hears the whistle and smiles at Yule, a playful wink given over that way though before turning back towards Rhys. "Thanks, I hope you're going to sing. Park and Scott are part of a band we're in. Augmented Reality. We're doing a Winterfest. I hope you come." As Sparrow and Garrett take the stage, she watches them, smiling. Music was life.

At Booth With A View:
"Work, yes." Nicole nods to Yule while watching Garrett and Sparrow on stage, giggling a bit at their song choice. "Work. Holidays. Things that happen..." She shrugs a shoulder, then smiles up at him. "It will all work itself out one way or another, Bond. I can't imagine the stress your job brings. Takes a strong... will. A lot of strength of varying sorts, I imagine." She stares at the stage then looks to Yule. "Did they change the lyrics? I don't remember those!" She laughs, lifting her Corona for a drink.

That chosen song makes Yule's mouth quirk, his head just slowly shaking back and fourth even as mirth can clearly be seen in those features. "Somehow," He offers up to Nicole, looking down to her, "I'm not surprised in the least with this choice." It's that last, ever so nebulous drifting thought after holiday that has the man watching the hair dresser. Whatever his thoughts? It's just an easy muse back along that thread of now morbid humor. "It's true. A downright deadly job. But someone has to do it." Up his glass comes, a longer drink of that scotch taken.

At Bar:
Scott smiles widely as he listens to the song, nodding and looking like he's humming along mostly to himself. He turns a bit, offering a grin to his bandmates present.

They make a fine pair, really, Sparrow's relentless enthusiasm making up for Garrett's more serious(ish) approach. He is still smiling, after all, even as they come in towards the end.

"The chimpanzees in the zoos do it,
Some courageous kangaroos do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love!"

A deep breath and his eyes o his duet partner, smiling wider for the big finish.

"I'm sure sometimes on the sly you do it
Maybe even you and I might do it
Let's do it, let's fall in love!"

That wide smile is turned to the audience and quickly turns to a pleased sort of laugh as he offers Sparrow a hand and makes towards their booth.

At Stage:
Toward the end, at that last verse, as they're belting out, "I'm sure sometimes on the sly you do it," Sparrow leans in toward Garrett, wiggling her shoulder against his. "Maybe even you and I might do it! Let's do it! Let's fall in loooove!" When the song comes to its prompt end, she gives one last hop before hurrying off-stage to hand off the mic, still bouncing giddily on her way back to the booth.

At Bar:
Rhys eyes his phone again for a moment, then gives it a decisive look and tucks it back away in a pocket. Nope. Not gonna give it any more attention. ...not unless it... says something first. Maybe. Instead, he twists position a little, the better to lean against the bar while watching the stage and talking to Lyric. Park gets a smile when she's hugging Lyric, but he's mostly busy sipping beer around then. "Winterfest, huh? Sounds fun. Cold, but fun. When and where? I'll keep an eye out--" A pause, as the duet starts up, and he laughs, briefly humming along. "Park and Scott," he echoes quietly then, and glances toward the first, then the latter, then back to Lyric, with a questioning look. Correct identification? He's a lot less sure about the class of '15 folks than the others he overlapped with. As the pair on stage finish, he sets his beer down to clap again, and gives them an approving whistle.

"Oh my gosh, Garrett and Sparrow are in love!" Park practically glows with happiness about this. "Probably for the best that they took Garrett into the band instead of me" she asides to Lyric. Then she ponders the lyrics of the duet. "Hmm, sounds more like sex than love, but still, everything worked out for the best."

Rhys is asking about WinterFest. "It's going to be like this huge cultural festival with all the bands in town, and all the craftspeople selling wares, and all the food stores selling wares. Oh my gosh, we should get mapmakers to sell their...'wheres'. Geddit?" Park is laughing even if no one else will. And she will give Rhys a hug too. "Yes, I'm Park. Or Mee if you prefer. Have we met? Anyway, where it will be is Addington Park. When it will be is when everyone can get together to perform and sell. I need to talk to Sparrow and Cameron about their band schecules."

At Booth With A View:
"Good point," Nicole nods to Yule again. She should know better, really. Especially with Sparrow. At his work joke, she smirks at him then chuckles. "Is that like how people are just dye-ing to get into the salon?" When Sparrow and Garrett finish their song, Nicole stands and claps loudly, giving them a very unladylike wolf whistle in appreciation for their duet. Somehow, the presence of Rhys has escaped her attention until now. Spotting him, she gives a wave over to him and a smile.

At Booth With A View:
Sparrow returns to the booth with her hand in Garrett's, arms stretching between them as she detours toward Yule first to slip in terribly close and press a quick kiss to his cheek. And then a second, cuz she's greedy. Smiling up at him all dopey-like, she steps back and all but collapses into the booth, rather comfortably keeping her hand entwined with the bassist's. She's still got a free hand for her beer, afterall! Her gaze bounces about the room, beer lifted toward some familiar faces at the bar--Park and Lyric--before she drinks and wonders, "Did I wander back into more puns?"

At Bar:
Lyric joins in with the rest on celebrating the song from Sparrow and Garrett, applauding and whistling. She looks back, watching Rhys with his phone and grinning before reaching for her beer. "Yeah, Scott and Park," pointing them out once his phone was away. Hearing about Sparrow and Garrett being in love, she shakes her head. "I was singing a duet last time, doesn't mean I was in love. I bet they're not." Maybe though, she didn't know. Lyric laughs with Park at the map thing, cause she gets it.

With one hand clinging to his glass of almost finished scotch, Yule's other hand wraps around the red haired drummer, head tipping to offer up that cheek for those affections to make them even easier. "Wonderful job, both of you. Felt like you really got across how the knagaroos feel." A ghost of a smile fleets across those features as he dips his head towards Garrett, before a look of innocence comes across him at Sparrow's thoughts. "Us? Punning around? No. We were just burying the hatchet. The best of friends now, dying to learn more about each others work."

Garrett makes a show of being tugged to tbbe side by Sparrow's detour, grinning at her, then at Yule, as he slides back into his seat beside Sparrow and grabs his own beer. "Did you? You should be so lucky," he says with a grin. "...hell,forgot to add my solo act to the list," he sighs, looking towards the book then shrugging. then smiling at Nicole. "Speaking of which, I should set up an appointment with you at some point. Trimming it myself is.... not ideal," he tells the hair fairy, running his fingers through short, tight, not-perfectly-even curls. Yule's shameless puns get an eyebrow raised and an amused smile. "You're the worst. Never change," he tells the man. "Philomena loves a good pun. Don't you?"

At Bar:
Rhys actually laughs at Park's 'wheres' joke also, so yes, apparently he does geddit. "Do it, you'll be a legend," he says as he returns Park's hug, leaving a beat before he adds with clear amusement, "...geddit? I think I kinda remember you from high school. Better be careful who you date around here, or we might start calling you Addington-Park as well."

Hank declares Rhys 'next', and he brightly tells Lyric (who knows), and Park (who might not), "That's me!" He downs the last of his beer, 'cause you gotta deal with that grease and cheese before you sing, and hops down off his stool, giving the pair of them a fingergun with a click and a grin as he starts off. Nicole gets the grin along the way as well, though the look toward James (and not Diana?!) is more questioning. No time for that, though, 'cause: stage. He speaks briefly to Hank, then takes the mic. "Okay, like I was telling Lyric, there's been way too much actual talent up here tonight, you're gonna scare everyone else off. So let's fix that. C'mon, you all know this." He cues the machine, and an exceedingly familiar intro pours into the room.

"Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world, she took the midnight train going anywhere!"

Look, it's not karaoke night until SOMEONE sings it.

He's not so bad a singer as perhaps implied, though the bands here aren't likely to try to recruit him on the spot. Enthusiasm and shamelessness, though? Sure, he can bring that. It might not be a headliner performance, but it's definitely a performance.

At Booth With A View:
"I'm one sixteenth kangaroo, ya know," Sparrow quips back to Yule. When the first bars of Don't Stop Believing start up, she sets down her beer--and, unfortunately, releases Garrett's hand--to applaud and hoot for Rhys, pulling out a karaoke classic like that. "I doooooo," she comfirms to Garrett of her love of good puns. "It's the bad ones I can do without." Now, she takes her turn sticking out her tongue at him, smile still bright as ever. With attention turned to Nicole and her work, she adds on, "I'm thinking about going blonde for the new year," with a little brow-waggle. "Though not because they have more fun, cuz trust me they don't." This with a wink toward the blonde.

"Yeah? It's the hair, isn't it," That he offers back to Sparrow about which one sixteenth it as to be, a small wink accompanying it. Down the last of his scotch is finished, and Yule's glass is tipped towards Garrett, "Wouldn't dream of it. Not that I could change if I wanted. Old and set in my ways, you know." It's a waggle of brows towards the bassist for that, and then he leans in, offering a kiss back to Sparrow's cheek in return and a gentle bump of his shoulder to hers. "Going to settle up and head out. Want to swing by the office and look up a few things."

At Booth With A View:
"Yeah, he's a real cut up, you know?" Nicole grins to Yule and Sparrow. "We're just combing out our differences." Smiling at Garrett, she says, "you should! Not because it looks bad, it doesn't, but, you know, business and I like working on my friends' hair." She gasps when Rhys starts his song. "Love this song!" She even sings along with him, using her corona bottle as a mic, for a couple lines. She pauses then makes a 'pfft' sound at Sparrow. "We totally do. Totally. But seriously, I think you would look great blonde! Let me know when you want to book. Don't forget, we get busy all the way through New Year's. But, for you... I'd stay after hours." She winks then says, "awww" to Yule. "So soon?"

At Booth With A View:
Sparrow tsks quietly and shakes her head at Yule as he misses the mark on her kangaroo heritage. She's sell that judgement a little bit better if it didn't come with a grin so quickly thereafter. She replies dryly to Nicole's contributions, "Looks like I'mma have to brush up on my wordplay." When plans for Going Blonde are made, she declares, "Guess I'll get to see for myself!" about who has more fun, but the ME's impending departure steals her attention. Her smile goes all soft as dark lashes dip low when she leans in to accept that kiss and return that shoulder bump, the low-lidded look she angles up to Yule after nothing shy of adoring. "I'll see you soon, Nine." Poor girl might just swoon if she weren't already sitting down.

Rhys comes up with two jokes to Park's one. She's impressed...and giggling. Though she does feel the need to add, "I don't think I know any Addingtons." She let's him head off for his song, waving at Sparrow when she sees the beer raising. There is also a 'call me' gesture.

"Well, I guess that's true" Park nods sagely to Lyric. "I mean, I doubt Meat Loaf really was a bat out of Hell. It is all performance." Speaking of, she will now enjoy Rhys' version of a karaoke classic. "Do you remember him from High School, Lyric?"

"Absolutely. I'll call the salon or something in the next few days, see if you've got any openings," Garrett promises Nicole with a smile. But then he's fixing Sparrow with a contemplative look. "Blonde, hm?" He narrows his eyes as if treating the matter very seriously, but the upward turn at the corner of his mouth says otherwise. "I'm sure you'll look great," he settles on with a wink. And then he's focusing on Yule. "Good to stay true to one's self, especially if one's self is fond of puns," he says with a nod, then a vaguely sympathetic look. "No rest for the wicked, yeah? Well, nice seeing you again, mate. Until next time, yeah?" He raises his beer in Yule's direction in a little salute.

Sparrow gets a lingering smile, that twitch of his mouth deepening as he raessures, "Yeah. You will. And," His finger taps the newspaper, the local gazette, something about it having caught his interest. "Not going to sleep till I go look at a few old cases. And finish up on an existing one." He offers to Nicole, "Great job again, Garrett. Make sure you get them in as much trouble as they do to you, yeah?" That's his parting words of wisdom, and then Yule begins to head off, stepping up to the bar once more. That glass is deposited, and a handful of bills is pulled out, before he gives an upnod towards Lyric. "Killer song. Enjoy your night, DJ." It's a brief glance for the other woman she's talking to, a bare but sincere smile, and then it's back through the crowds and towards the door he heads.

At Bar:
Lyric doesn't exactly sing the lyrics loud, but she does sing along, below the music though, not wanting to detract any attention away from Rhys. She dances though, getting up from her seat. Her last beer finished, she doesn't order anymore. It was cold out and the walk would only prove it. She leaves a good tip for Mariah and looks back to the stage where Rhys is singing. She bobs her head in response to Park about knowing Rhys from high school. "Did you know though, he would do anything for love. Have you ever wondered what that was?" Lyric sounds pretty skeptical. "There, see? She's not in love with Garrett. Maybe both of them." Pointing out Sparrow and Yule now. She crinkles her nose. "Love's definitely not a thing."

At Stage:
Rhys actively encourages people singing along, even leaning and reaching with the mic to give a random couple at a table near the stage a couple 'solo' lines in there, and Nicole gets a big smile when he spots her and her bottle there. The FDA would definitely certify the performance 100%% pure ham, but it's obvious he's having fun, and that's the point, right? ...right? Soon enough, though, he's on the final outro, fading on out with the music, and then gives the room another grin and an exaggeratedly flamboyant bow, handing the mic back over to Hank.

"A classic!" the MC declares, which of course it is, and glances at the list, then back to the room. "Next up: Aaaaalison! Come on up!"

Rhys saunters back to the bar, and reclaims his stool, reaching for his glass before he remembers he finished it before he went. Damn.

At Bar:
"Thanks," Lyric grins, "You have fun too. Maybe I'll haunt the trailers again for more cookies someday." She offers a wave to his departing back before looking back at Park and then Rhys. "Don't stop.. belieeeeeving." Just getting right back into the music.

Yule had better move fast or he will get a hug from Park since they are now totally friends by association. He will get a wave though. She nods to Lyric. "So many people seem to have multiple lovers in this town. Like, at the same time. In the same room. He would do anything for love except leave them...or hurt them...or cheat on them...so it was a pretty big list of things that he wouldn't do. I'm talking about Meat Loaf now, not the guy who just left. Don't know what he would do for love. Oooh! Alison's on!"

At Table 3:
Alison clambers out of her seat upon hearing her name called. The redhead's face immediately begins to flush, making her freckles a little less visible as she hops up onto the stage.

She rolls her neck and shoulders a bit as the first few notes of the song play, then grabs the microphone stand and gets into it.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iaw6ea8MDDo

"I heard, a little siren noise"
"While I was walking out my door"
"I had a little bit of doubt"
"That this would really be worth it all"

Alison takes a deep breath, and launches into the refrain, as difficult as it might be for her to get through.

"Do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it, do it"

She skips the second line of the refrain, catching her breath instead, letting the background track fill in the void, then continues onto the next verse.

"I had a messed up thought"
"That turned into a life vocation"
"I heard you never really hurt"
"Until it's gone, don't care, whatever"

And then the refrain again. As before, she gets the first line of it, then skips the second to catch her breath. She's really trying her best to belt it out, and while the song's within her soft voice's natural singing range, she's tiny and doesn't really believe in the whole exercise thing, except for when she's forced to do so. Not a whole lot of capacity in those lungs. And then here comes the chorus.

"All my, all my fires"
"I'm not putting out"
"I'm not putting down"
"All my fires"

Her hair kind of flies about her shoulders as she sings, maybe a little too into the song given that it's just karaoke.

At Booth With A View:
Sparrow only watches Yule until he gets to the bar, not bothering to hide her dreamy smile. Or tone it down any when she looks back to the pair remaining at the booth and lets out a silly sort of sigh. She tilts her head to rest against Garrett's shoulder, wrapping her arms around his nearest arm, and just stares up at the stage so very happily, beaming up at the unfamiliar redhead as she works the stage. This is nice. Life's pretty good.

Garrett finishes his beer and rises. "Another round?" The offer is extended to Nicole and Sparrow both, though he does give the sign up list a contemplative look before shaking his head. Only then does he head towards the bar just I time to offer Rhys a wide smile. "Nailed it, mate. Squirrel Boy at the comic shop, yeah?" he asks as he requests refills as needed, leaning against it to watch Alison do her thing.

At Bar:
"Who cares about love?" Lyric asks Park. "Probably everyone else, that's why everyone loves on everyone else. I think everyone else would do anything for love, including that!" Maybe it doesn't make sense to anyone except her, but she doesn't seem to mind. As Alison takes the stage, she watches, but she grins at Rhys when he comes back. "You did so great! I love that song."

At Booth With A View:
"Another round please," Sparrow confirms with a kiss pressed to Garrett's cheek before she disentangles and lets him flee. She makes not one little comment on that look to the sign-up sheet, knowing full damned well that she still hasn't come up with any terms for the wager that she herself proposed. Nope. Better just to let that opportunity pass. Left alone with Nicole for the moment, she smiles across at the blonde and tells her, "This is nice. Didn't even have to take our shirts off." With a wobble of her head, she adds, "Means no one else took their shirts off either, but." Whatcha gonna do.

At Bar:
"Squirrel Girl," Rhys corrects cheerfully as his fresh replacement beer arrives, "or I wouldn't have shiny new books on my shelf right now. Luke Cage, right? And thanks! You and," he squints briefly Sparrow-ward, but really, it seems a safe enough guess anyway, "Jessica Jones there Did It pretty damn impressively, gotta say. Hard act to follow." Speaking of acts, of course, there's the one following him, and he watches Alison with some interest. New song to him, that one. Lyric's compliment distracts him though, and another grin escapes. "Thanks," he says again, "...and someone had to do it. I mean, c'mon. There's rules."

At Stage:
Alison really clenches onto the microphone to get out the back half of the song, eyes jammed shut as she focuses on the lyrics.

"I felt a little bit of fear"
"I got caught when I just got started"
"It's like I just can't stop"
"But I can't go on forever"

Another refrain, and then the chorus again, and then she gets into the bridge.

"Save me, save me last"
"I'm outnumbered now"
"I'm outnumbered now"
"The cause was the reaction"
"All my fires"
"All my fires, yeah"

The song goes on a bit longer. Another chorus, another bridge, and then the outro until the guitars and drums suddenly stop at the finale of the song

"The cause was the reaction, all my fires!"

Alison steps back from the microphone, hands coming off it in a manner that makes it tilt back and forth on the stage briefly until it settles down. She reaches out to steady it, panting for breath from the effort for singing, and then hops off of the stage with a flushed cheeks and a faint smile on her face, taking her previous seat at the table with her beer.

At Booth With A View:
When Sparrow asks for another round, Nicole smiles at her. "I was just going to do that..." Resting back in her seat to enjoy further entertainment, she lets out a relaxing sigh. She's a bit tired, so easily distracted, seen to be staring at the stage on occasion. "Oh hey!" she calls out to Rhys. "That was amazing! good job!" She smiles, it was fun. How can you not have fun to Journey? Then Alison is up and Nicole cheers for her as well, tapping her toes to the beat of the music. Catching a brief snippet of Lyric's conversation at the bar during a quieter moment, Nicole arches a brow in that direction but just shakes her head and focuses back on the karaoke. And when Alison finishes, her hands clap together in support. "That was great!"

"Squirrel Girl. Of course. My mistake," Garrett says with a laugh. "I usually go by Garrett when it's not Halloween, though," he clarifies with a smile. And then his refills are arriving and he's giving the collected group at the bar a little nod. Park gets a brief flicker of recognition, then a slightly more deliberately-directed smile. in her direction, before he's returning to Sparrow and Nicole with drinks, just in time to set them down, clap for Alison, and re-entangle himself with Sparrow. "This was a good idea," he decides. "I'll channel Colin Meloy next time," he promises Sparrow as an aside.

At Bar:
"Generally Rhys," Rhys replies to Garrett's clarification, and returns the little nod as the man departs. The beer's set back down to applaud for Alison, and he throws in another little whistle while he's at it. There was some real effort put into that one, after all! Another sip of the beer, and someone's basket of nachos gets a considering look as it's presented to them. "They really oughta make this a weekly thing," he remarks to his companions still at the bar.

Park cheers loudly for Alison's efforts. Who cares if she kept getting out of breath, it was still awesome. The Korean-American bouncing, whooting, and fist pumping for her friend. "Oh, I think I'm on next. Hey, Garrett." She peers at Rhys. "You were dressed up as a girl?" He gets offered a fistbump for that. "Be who you wanna be" she grins before bouncing on stage...and giving Hank her song choice. He grimaces.

"Hey, everyone!" A grin and a wave for the audience. "Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field." She waits for the silence to subside. "Before I start singing, I just wanted to let you know about WinterFest, a big cultural event that will be held in Addington Park, probably in the new year. So, Sparrow..." A wave for the woman. "If your band wants to play, that would be awesome. And we'll also have dances from all over the world, and food, and arts and crafts, and an ice rink, and all sorts of things to celebrate Gray Harbor artistry. So if you want to perform or sell, and if any of you want to help sponsor it, let Lyric or me know." She points out Lyric at the bar.

"Here's a riddle for you. How do you let someone know that your hotcakes are selling well? I don't have an answer, just something to contemplate." Park shrugs at the mystery. "I would do one of my own songs but no one would know it so, instead, I'm going to do a song whose societal, cultural, economic, and environmental lessons were ignored and is even more relevant to the confused world we now live in. Maestro please."

The music starts:

I'm a Barbie girl in a Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation

Park adopts the squeakiest deep voice imaginable for the next line.

Come on, Barbie, let's go party!

Then back to her usual enthusiasm.

I'm a blond bimbo girl in a fantasy world
Dress me up, make it tight, I'm your dolly
You're my doll, rock'n'roll, feel the glamour in pink
Kiss me here, touch me there, hanky panky
You can touch
You can play
If you say "I'm always yours"

Park bouncing around as she sings, and she even has a Barbie dance for the instrumental bits - it's some kind of robot dancing with hairflicks. And then, mercifully, she is done.

"Don't forget WinterFest!!"

At Booth With A View:
Sparrow snuggles right back up with Garrett rather happily and nods, pointing out, "It was your idea," in case he'd somehow forgotten and wasn't going to take the credit he is very plainly due. "Figure I might have a good method and bet by next time. If we wanna see how that fares." With a wide and flirtatious grin, voice lowered, she adds, "Though I don't think anything's gonna top the first time I heard it." Another song done, she claps and cheers loudly for Alison, then scans the bar to see--AH! Park. Who is calling her name. "Hi, Park!" comes with a wave back. And then a look toward Garrett to see what he makes of that invitation. Once the song starts up, she snorts a laugh and cheers some more.

At Stage:
Alison 's just about got her breath back to normal by the time Park's taking the stage. She finishes her beer just as Park gets into her rather intellectual dissertation on the the song that she's about to get into. And then it's that fucking Barbie Girl song. And she promptly just loses her shit laughing at Park sings it. It's a perfect song for Park to be singing, and yet, totally unexpected. The woman's attempt at a deep voice for that one line really gets her. The redhead melts into her chair a bit, giggling away, even as Park finishes. Fuck. "ohmigodmee"

At Bar:
Lyric cheers for Alison loudly, then watches as Park takes the stage. The song surprises her but she laughs and applauds, whistling in approval. "Next time she has to sing one of her songs. They are so crazy cool." There's a nod to Rhys, "I wish it was every week. Maybe if Park wants to sing one of her songs, I'll bring my guitar next time."

"Was it?" Garrett's surprise at the reminder is definitely fake, and he grins before turning his attention towards the stage and Park's enthusiastic display. He smiles wide and, while he isn't one to cheer, generally, he is nodding along in what is probably meant to be a generally positive, encouraging way. And his a pause at the end are plenty loud. "Gig for a big cultural event, hm? I'm down." Pause. "We should really work on a set list."

A dark shape opens the bar door before ducking inside and taking a look around. An out cigarette stub between his fingers is flicked through the door before it closes and meanders inside. Not to the bar. The gigantic man walks towards Hank and his station, three out of three times, Everett knows the way. Once there, he stops, reaches into the front left pocket of his black jeans and puts the scrap of paper before Hank. An up nod follows. Then the gorilla heads towards the bar, where the tap is.

At Bar:
"My taste in superheroes is flawless," Rhys replies to Park with a grin as he meets the fistbump. In other words, 'yes'. "Hey!" he calls back obligingly when she greets the crowd from the stage, and the silence after the scarecrow joke isn't total; it gets a tiny snort out of him, at least. So only nearly total? When she brings up WinterFest again, he looks thoughtful, and reaches into his pocket to pull the phone out again. This time, though, instead of setting it down, he pokes it a couple times and turns it toward Lyric in offering. "So you can let me know when you guys nail down a date for that," he explains, though technically that number sharing'd need to go the other direction for that. Then again, easy enough to make that happen next.

He considers briefly on how you would say your hotcakes were selling well before her remarks on what she's going to sing get a raised brow -- and then there's the song. He laughs, and on the 'deep' line, chimes in with his own version, grinning. Not loud enough to compete, but not actively quietly, either. Less squeaky in his version, but still not hitting the original. She gets applause and one of those whistles when she's done, as well.

"Is it still karaoke if you wrote it and bring your own guitarist?" he asks Lyric, "I think we're edging on into just open mic night there. Not that that couldn't be fun too..."

Park makes her way back to the bar, stopping to give Alison a hug on the way. "We should put an ad in the paper and on YouTube about WinterFest" she suggests to Lyric. "And maybe go schmooze some rich people to help us put it on? Do you know any rich people? Oh, it's the giant guy who likes to twerk." That is in reference to Everett. "Do you know he owns the ice cream parlor but he still sings sad songs. If I owned an ice cream parlor, I would only ever be happy." She waves down the barkeep. "Can I have a Fire Engine please." (raspberry cordial and lemonade)

At Booth With A View:
"I'll check with Jaime," Sparrow assures in regards to maybe performing at the thing. "Pretty sure he's gonna have a new song for us soon. And told him that I might have some lyrics for him to work with, but..." The conversation sinks to a low and lazy volume as the trio continue to drink and enjoy the ambiance, occasional laughter erupting or toasts made.

At Booth With A View:
gets lost in her thoughts for awhile, all the sounds around her sort of swirling into one as she focuses tiredly on her bottle of Corona. At some point, she comes out of her reverie and looks around, smiling sheepishly at Sparrow and Garrett if she missed any point of their conversation. "Did I hear talk about a festival in winter, after the holidays?" she asks before the door opens and a rather large man walks in. She looks left, then right, then grins before sliding down in her seat some. "This should be good..." she comments softly before looking to Rhys. "I was wondering the same thing..." And then, hearing Park, she says, "he also doesn't eat carbs. Ice cream is carbs..." Then to Sparrow, "I still have to come see a practice..." sinking into their conversation.

Alison returns Park's hug, but gets up as she heads to the bar and follows her, lurking around the taller women, both having a few inches on her. Almost everyone does, though. "Hey, what's WinterFest?" Her gaze shifts to Everett as Park mentions him. "Oh, yeah, uh, that guy.." She's considerably less alarmed at his presence than she had been the last few times they'd met, but he's still a giant compared to Alison, which kind of scares her, Gina's approval notwithstanding.

At Bar:
"I'd say they were performing as expected," Rhys greets Park on her return, "...or selling like indulgences in an inquisition. Nice job up there." He watches Everett's stalking to Hank, and his brows go up at Park's remark, gaze shifting to her. "Twerking?" Another look at Everett. "I can't decide if it oughta be easier to imagine The Tick twerking, or harder," he says half to himself over another drink. Nicole's note on the guy has him tilting his head to Park. "There you go, then. What's sadder than being surrounded by ice cream all the time, and never eating any?" A pause. "It's good ice cream, too."

The only thing worse than being talked about, someone more witty than Everett once said, is not being talked about.

On the way to the bar, the thug glances down at the booth with a view. To someone in particular. There's a pause in his step, then he up nods to Nicole, his brooding stare not changing and continues his path towards the bar. Finger upraised, for attention, then pointed at the tap, Everett gets his wallet out of his back pocket by following the chain.

Indeed, he doesn't have to wait long. Not even before he can pay, or receive his liquid courage. His head hangs in defeat, long black hair swaying free that, on the walk to the stage, Everett tames. Climbing the stage, Everett looks at the microphone stand, and adjusts it for someone of his height. Turning away, he clears his throat and then turns back.

His song is popular, and starts with instrumental that many would recognize. When Everett grabs the small microphone, leaving it in its stand this time. His eyes close, he says the first word, "I," then pauses before he continues. Just like he ought to. "hurt myself today. To see if I still feel." Army green eyes open, scanning the crowd while he continues reciting the lines he's memorized, "I focus on the pain. ... the only thing that's real." Like better singers, Everett moves to holding the microphone with both hands, closing his eyes, and repeating his confession. His song.

"Does everyone know Alison?" Park asks those at the bar before addressing the redhead's question on WinterFest. "It's a cultural celebration of Gray Harbor where local bands, stores, artists, and ice skaters, will be able to network and celebrate. I should get a flyer done." She nods solemnly to herself before, speaking of solemn, Everett is off. "It's a lovely song but soooo sad."

A nod to Rhys' wisdom. "You're probably right. Not being able to eat ice cream would be horrible. A frown at Nicole. "He's allergic to carbs? That's so sad. Where does he get his energy from?" Still, she'll encourage Everett with cheering that is sincere but perhaps not appropriate considering the song. That should cheer him up.

At Booth With A View:
When he stops at her booth, Nicole smiles up at Everett. "Did you get my text?" Earlier, she means, obviously. But he has other things on his mind and heads to the bar to grab a drink. And then? Then it is his turn. "Man, I do love that song, but it is so, so, incredibly sad." She frowns, watching the long haired giant. Aside to Rhys she says, "I saw the twerking. To 50 cent... it was.. a sight." She chuckles, then adds to Park. "I.. think he just thinks carbs are bad for you? I don't think he's allergic."

Alison flashes a polite smile and gives a brief wave to the rest of the group. "Hi."

"Ohhh, so something kinda like that wiccan festival thing that Cam and Mads were at, I guess? Sounds neat." She orders another beer from the bartender, taking a sip from it when it arrives, then turning her attention to Everett's performance. "Sometimes I forget that Nine Inch Nails even did this song first. Johnny Cash's version is so much better! I think Everett's a little more Reznor than Cash, though."

At Bar:
"Hey," the room's remaining short redheaded dude greets Alison when Park makes the introduction, "Rhys. Nice to meet you." And then Everett's singing, and he gives a low, "Ooh." Another drink, and the glass gets a critical glance. He's pretty sure there was more than this in there still, wasn't there? Huh. Alison's remark on the song gets a click of the tongue, and a, "You take that back." It's not particularly convincingly upset, though, even before he grins at Nicole's remarks on the twerking. "...to 50 Cent," he echoes. "Well, I definitely missed somethin'."

Finding it easier, maybe, to go through the song with his eyes closed, Everett flicks his head back, before trying to corral his long hair with running his sausage fingers through ebony stands. Song say-sings about tearing holes. About familiar stings. Sweetest friends. And about everyone going away.

You know the song, I don't have to repeat it.

When it's finished, Everett is in a hurry to leave the stage. Keeping his head down and taking an alternative route than his first one to get back to the bar and get that drink he wanted, leaning over the wood rather than sitting, protectively hugging his mug between sips with thick arms.

At Bar:
Lyric comes back from just perusing the book that Hank has with him and back to the bar. "There is every song you can ever think of in that book." A smile to Everett, "You did really good on that song. You should sing another one. Hank is still there. Does anyone else want to sing another?"

Alison offers a hand of introduction out to Rhys, but pulls it back with a wicked grin upon his outrageous disagreement. "Nuh uh. Trent even said that it was Cash's song now. I mean, don't get me wrong, I LOVE Nine Inch Nails, and uh, what's the other band.. How to Destroy Angels, with Trent's wife or something? But Cash's version of this song is amazing!" She claps as Everett finishes, regardless of preference of versions of the song.

She shrugs to Lyric. "I think I'm done."

At Booth With A View:
Nicole rises up from her seat, smooching the top of Sparrow's head and waving to Garrett before she makes her way to the bar. To Rhys, she says, "more than you can imagine..." with a wink, cryptically. She waves goodbye to them then heads for Everett, stopping just beside him. She rests a hand on his arm and says, "hey... Uh. I liked your song, but, I worry about how sad it was. Though," this next part is said over her shoulder toward Alison, "Nine Inch Nails was way better than Johnny. Sorry." Back to Everett. "Not sorry. Anyway... I am well past time for me to sleep but... we'll talk soon? eh? Maybe?"

Did Lyric just ask for a 'Baby Shark' encore from Park? Nope. "Cash was better because he was much closer to the end, you know. I guess anyone can write a song about loss but when Cash sang it, it was so much more personal and meaningful, you know? The experience of loss was there for all to hear." Park frowns for about a second before her smile returns - normal service has been resumed. "Everyone is entitled to their opinions" she shrugs. A more cynical person may have added 'even when they're wrong' but that's not Park.

"I should probably get going though. Maybe Kailey can do some WinterFest posters, Lyric? I should text her." Hugs for everyone, even complete strangers wandering to the bar for a drink. "I love you all and with all I love you. See you back at the house, Lyric?"

At Bar:
Rhys applauds Everett, though this one doesn't get a whistle -- he might be a tiny bit tipsy, but it still just doesn't feel apropos there. Nicole's cryptic remark gets raised brows -- oh, he's definitely trying to imagine as much as he can right now, and given he has nothing but twerking, Everett, and 50 Cent to go on, whatever he's got in mind is probably weird -- but he grins at her remark to Alison, pointing to the hairdresser as he looks to his fellow redhead again. "What she said. Cash's version's really good, don't get me wrong. But the original's still the best." He's happy enough to return Park's hug, though the professions of love don't get an echo. "Nice seeing you," he says, and gives the stage a thoughtful look as someone else steps up to sing a rousing rendition of The Bad Touch, because people are getting about that far into their drinks by now. "Hmm. Maybe," he says to Lyric, "You going to go again?"

Alison shrugs back at Rhys and Nicole, though doesn't seem overly bothered by it, a grin still on her face. She grabs a stool at the bar to get into her beer a little more deeply, pulling out her phone once again as she had at the beginning of the night. She seems a little sad to see Park leave so suddenly, giving her a wave and a hug as the woman leaves.

At Bar:
"Thanks," Everett murmurs to Lyric, and with a little disingenuousness tone, but shakes his head at the offer to sing again. It's like being told by Picasso that your smudges are nice. He turns his head when Nicole joins him, then glances down where she touches him and back up. To her he doesn't have to say anything; nor can he stay brooding, especially when she won't let him do it alone. His death glare lessens some, and he nods, bobbing his head twice to her ask about speaking soon.
Fetching his glass, Everett wets his lips with amber fluid. If he's aware he's sparked a weak version of a bar fight, he's not noticing. Park hugs? Met with stiff passivity until the assault is over.

At Bar:
"Yeah that's true." Lyric says belatedly to Rhys. "That's probably open mic and not Karaoke. We can save the originals for the fest." She takes out her phone finally and offers it to him, "Will you add your phone number in there?" Taking his from him, exchanging, then adding her number to his phone. Once she had done that, she takes a goofy picture of herself and stores it to show when she calls or texts. She offers his phone back over with a grin. "Do you play Pokemon Go?" She looks to the stage and shakes her head. "I'm not but you should sing again."

"Sure if you can catch her to make them that would be good," she says to Park about Kailey. A bob of her head. "I will be home soon, Park. Be safe."

Nicole smiles at Everett, even if he remains silent, pats his arm then heads out the door, slipping her arms into her leather jacket as she goes.

Kailey is over in a quiet corner. Where she took her food and cider earlier. And her eyes and big and round and follow Everett as he sings and leaves the stage. Her lips pulled back in a small little smile.

At Bar:
Rhys trades phones over with Lyric and does indeed enter his number, following suit on the picture-taking before they trade back. "Did for a bit," he says, "but I got distracted. Thanks." The phone gets a tap or two and then slipped away again, in favour of finishing off his beer. Another thoughtful look toward the stage, and then he nods once, firmly, and drops off his stool again, heading toward Hank and book and mic. Will he ever return? Or will they be subjected to his karaoke stylings until the end of days?