Stay On My Side Tonight|(Henry)INACTIVE

[ricketts]

(Ten points to Gryffindor for Disco Pigs ref)


Tracing the rim of the bottle with his fingertip, Henry felt her attention glow a bit stronger. Ease rested within him, but he remained stubbornly oblivious to the fact that Mimi wanted to turn the subject over to him and his life. Though when she did manage it, Henry's finger stopped in mid-circle and he gazed at her reproachfully. The subject of himself, not a topic Henry was keen on. Truth be told, he was tempted to dismiss it with worthy forbearance but had an afterthought against it. If he tried to frame a few faint objections no doubt Mimi would wave him aside with her positive air. Thinking carefully, he knew ihe couldn't pour out the full venom of his past, and feeling Mimi's cat-like gaze upon him he knew he would have to talk and talk soon. He would have to lie.

Evident of his own self control, Henry cleared his throat and continued the rotary motions with his finger. 'How long did I .. ? Well, lived there til three year' ago. Spent alot of me time in .. '

He almost said Fairview. That wouldn't have been good. The place suddenly illustrated itself in Henry's mind, making him hear what sounded like a medley of discordant voices. Anyone that read a newspaper would know what Fairview was known for, being the hotspot for society to dump their loonies and crazies. St. Vincent's, that was the most popular one - Henry, or rather not Henry, had made somewhat of a name for himself there. No mercy to be found anywhere. Quickly blinking out of trance, he determined not to become vexed so suddenly and rolled his large eyes toward Mimi. Falling back upon a faint smile of empathy.

' .. Dublin.' He said the first thing his mind received, the rest that followed was pure on-the-spot thinking. When he stopped talking, he tipped the bottle to his mouth in a conclusionary way. 'You know, the capital. Nice place, Dublin.'

It was nice to pretend, just pretend.

[cuervo]

There was that fleeting look of tension reflected in his big, blue eyes as he regarded me for a brief moment. I wasn't sure if I was just imagining it and that it was only the glare of the dim blue light aided in that edgy flash, or if he truly felt uneasy. A smooth, sexy guitar solo lulled through the speakers, creating a rather relaxed atmosphere, so I let myself soak in the sound as I awaited Henry's response. The dancers were all taking a break then, because a jazzy band had taken over. My eyes glanced at the clock: 12:30am. Half an hour remained until I was free to leave.

"So you've lived in Ireland almost your whole life? Wow, it must've felt odd to adjust to America" I said, genuinely wondering how it must have felt for him to suddenly move to such a different place. Probably exciting, but frightening. I know when I first arrived in New York my anticipation drowned out any anxiety, but those first few weeks were tough. Growing up in a sheltered household for so long, I had found it so difficult to break free. But when I finally did, I soared and flourished and the city became my calling card. I couldn't imagine life without New York now - nothing is as big, fast, loud or grand. It's a one of a kind.

"Ah, Dublin! A great drinking corner I'm assuming?" I teased. "Sounds like a blast, I'll have to visit some day."

All of a sudden, the music faded out until it disappeared alltogether, and the cries and cheers of the people rose and drowned out all other noise. They knew what this meant, and so did I.

"We apologize to interupt your scheduled partying folks but once a week we host a brief stint of kareoke, and tonight is our night to invite hardcore drunks and other freaks up to strut their shit!" the young, male voice boomed through the club. In response, the crowd threw up their hands and cheered, clearly hot at the prospect of some losers embarrassing themselves, or perhaps an actually sober and musically talented person would step up to the plate. Either way, it meant entertainment for them.

Two spotlights shone brightly on me and Henry. I narrowed my eyes at first, flinching under the sudden harsh light that I normally was used to. I had been shaded for quite some time, more than I realized. "How about this cute couple over here? Wanna have a go?" the announcer asked.

A grin twisted my lips as I rose from the stool immeditely. "Let's go, Henry" I purred, grabbing his wrist and giving it a gentle tug, not wanting to come across as pushy. I released him, allowing him the freedom of either following freely (which by now I was confident he would, as the spotlight was trained on him) or being a party shitter. I glided to the kareoke stage, a small little thing in a different corner of the club, a little gathering of people surrounded its edge and hopped onto the stage.

"A treat ladies and gentlemen, the notorious Miss Mimi is here to numb you with awe" the attractive host grinned, handing me a microphone. "What song d'you want doll?"

"Sweet Disposition" I replied without a moment's hesitation. It was a most perfect, melodic and heart pumping song that would lift the spirits of everyone in the room, including my own. A few members of the small audience cheered enthusiastically in response to my song choice.

"Great choice..." the host said, before the opening guitar riffs of the song began loudly and clearly, like an infectious tour-de-force. He said nothing else after that. I wrenched the micorphone into the clip. The lyrics appeared on a screen a few feet away from the stage, hanging from the ceiling.

"Sweeeeet...dispositioooon...." I sang, my tone of voice sweet and close to the same key as the original singer. I didn't even have to glance at the screen, I knew the words. I lived the words. A few cries up encouragement echoed up through the crowd, and a few of them turned and stared at Henry, motioning directly to him to come and join little Mimi up on the stage. "Whatcha waitin for, boy?" a girl in the audience called.

I smirked and shook my hips sensusally as the beat began to build, strong and steady.

"Never tooo soooon...all...reckless abandoooon...like no one's...watch-ing yoooouuuu" my voice crooned smoothly, still calm so that I could allow the audience to feel the music first before getting completely pumped immediately. I winked Henry's way and motioned with my hand for him to come on the stage.

"Come on, Henry! Live a little!" I called straight away in real urgency as the music waited a few beats. It wouldn't be too long before the chorus hit. I needed his power and strength now!

I opened my mouth to keep going. "A moment, a love, a dream, a laugh-"

(

The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition. I hope I didn't do too many lines...I left it open like that for you to interject. ;D)

(Thought I'd just go ahead and fix that thar link for ya - Jeks)

[ricketts]

The night was well advancing as they grew more into their conversation. There really wasn't anything faded or sacred about Mimi. He looked at her, sitting in a fine, earnest way and talking more. It had dawned on him that perhaps there was more to the dancer than dancing, there was something about her lean face and shining eyes that made a person look twice before they were sure, and now by this time Henry had gotten used to her. He liked her as she was. She was chatty and liked to talk, it showed in her face and manner. He wonderd, perhaps, if she would be the same way if she were without that big hair, laughing eyes and red in her lips and cheeks. Even if she weren't, he reckoned she would still be pretty.

Sitting with his own calm dignity, he drummed his fingers on his knee and uttered a laugh. 'I suppose, though, might be a bit more accurate to rename it stag-do city. The amount of fellas turnin' up just to get wrecked.'

The background music faded away into little tinkly notes, and the crowd suddenly got mighty. Curiosity prodded at him and he twisted in his seat, getting a look at the cheering folk. Some, dressed finer than others but that was the way. Henry frowned as he scanned the area, a grave look on his face. Then again, Henry's face was always grave until he directly saw a person he cared for, and then he would break into his sweet smile. As the announcer started to speak, Henry fell back into his seat and back into a relaxed state. Never would he volunteer to front himself like that, and of course, he had never expected the spotlight to fall on him. Feeling unsafely exposed, his eyes fastened sidelong on Mimi, who was speaking to the guy, and he waited uncomfortably for the light to fall away from them. But it didn't and the next thing he knew Mimi was trying to urge him onto the stage. He straightened up suddenly and blinked in astonishment, while she held fast onto his wrist.

'No, Mimi really .. I don't ... ' He was trying to laugh it off, but it was hard, especially as Mimi seemed to have to strength of a baby elephant - steering him at the stage and leaping gleefully up there herself. Ho got no farthar, stopping sharp at the stage steps and threw his arms out to steady himself having nearly fallen over them. Oh no, Henry thought over and over again shaking his head. Getting up into the limelight was one thing, but having the audience rely on his voice for entertainment was another. He couldn't sing, he said so himself. Neither could half the people there, yet they sang with Mimi at the top of their voices - and her voice. Somehow she brought her own lively attitude into such a serene song. Henry would have stood at the foot of the backstairs and admired from that distance longer, but some crowd members behind him suddenly bunched together and shoved him hard up the stage.

The sheer strength of the crowd surge had launched Henry right alongside Mimi, who was sending many hints for him to take a cue. Wondering what new terrors awaited him, he glanced uncertainly to both sides of the stage. Thinking honestly about running off. So strong had become his habit of taking refuge in the background that unconsciously he backed into so very often. This additional shock to Henry's overstrung nerves forced a wild tremor throughout him, and he gazed out in astonishment. He missed his cue completely, forcing whoever was operating the music to withhold because clearly Mimi wasn't about to sing the entire thing along even though she was more than qualified. He swallowed hard, the club people jeering and urging him to sing - and straight from the heart, a grand song like that.

Yet again he looked at Mimi, who waited with everyone else. It wasn't right to have to stand and keep still while others wanted so badly to hear him sing the heavens, but as Henry had latter mentioned, he wasn't an entertainer. Yet, Henry had to realise with ultimate defeat that the only way he was getting off the stage was to sing. Swallowing again the lump in his throat that just didn't want to go away, he rose reluctantly his slim, refined hands that were clammy and tremulous and laid them on the microphone, turning his face slightly upward.

'God gimme strength .. ' He uttered aside the mic, so that not to echo. Something he was trying hard to tell himself, that was no matter if you can't sing by note, if your heart and soul are full, until they are running over, so that you are forced to sing as Mimi did, whether you can or not, you are sure to be straight on the way.

'... a kiss, a cry
our rights, our wrongs
a moment, a love ..
a dream, a laugh ..
a moment, a love ..
a dream, a laugh ... '

He had never heard such singing in his life, and that it was coming from his very own mouth almost keeled him off. Oblivious he was to the fact that he could actually sing, he was surely only angels could sing. Sing grand music. He still trembled with awful nerves, but something new awakened inside him. Something, weird yet wonderful.

[cuervo]

My eyes began to sparkle as Henry drew closer towards me and the microphone, stuck in the claw of its stand. Would he really sing with me, someone he'd only known for half an hour, in front of all these people he didn't know? He mumbled something regretful under his breath and looked reluctant as he placed his lips before the mic. I retained a giggle.

He opened his mouth and boy, did he sing. His accent lessened so but was still notable as he sang the words, softly and wonderfully. I smirked faintly and joined in right afterward.

"Staaay theeeeeere...cause I'll be coming ooooooveeeer!" I belted, my eyes falling closed as I released a burst of passion and energy into my voice. The beat of the song pounded through the speakers loudly, my broken spirit flying and my heart patching. The soles of my boots pumped against the stage and my torso swayed to the pulsating rythm.

"While our blood's still young, it's so young and it runs. We won't stop till it's oooooooveeeeer! Won't stop to surrendeeeeer"

I grinned and placed a gentle hand on Henry's back after the chorus had ended to express my appreciation for him joining me up here. And, just to ensure he'd stay here, I quickly dashed away and threw myself at the rail, snatching the bar and pulling myself up as I split my legs in a wide V. The crowd screamed energetically. I'd be unable to sing properly now, so he'd have to handle the first verse by himself. I'd pop back in whenever the time was right.

I turned myself around the bars a few times and then slinked back to earth again. I began to jump and twirl across the stage rather smoothly in time to the music. I wondered how Henry would react to my bold dancing (his head was likely spinning from my unpredictablitity), and if it'd make him feel more at ease since I was busy dazzling everyone with my moves. Perhaps it'd give him that confidence, that fire to step it up a notch or two.


(Thanks for that fixing Jeks, I was tired and forgot the code. And the little graphic look gawgeous <3 Btw I made it so there was only one mic up on stage, hope that's fine.)

[ricketts]

This action was a bit much for Henry, he thought he might pass out from the sheer heat of it. His moment was up, and he stood a bit stunned as Mimi took her control of the crowd. Regarded with more energy than ever, his eyes drew across the crowd who were practicing their own energy - boys hooting and some girls trying to scrabble over the stage to grab the hem of Henry's jeans. The whole party was rowdy and Henry made sure to take a step back to avoid being devoured. His eyes moved from the audience, to Mimi, who was spinning her lively spirits all over the stage. The closest Henry got to dancing was nodding his head to the tune and occasionally clapping his hands, and whenever he did the audience joined with him. The moment of being scared stiff had scarcesly passed, and something was beginning to pump through Henry's veins faster than a hummingbird in love. Causing rapid actions in his nerves, which meant there was no way he was going to be able to stand still - he was constantly walking around, along with a strong adrenaline rush. As scary as riding a rollercoaster and better than ten Guinnesses.

The chorus was rounding off to a perfect end, and needless to say it was well received by those listening. It would have been difficult to find a merrier group assembled around one stage, and for once not to see a young woman shaking her tush. Her voice dimmed away, and Henry sensed his prompt. This time, he wouldn't miss it. He didn't completely remove the microphone from Mimi's hand, with a gaily essence he took a light hold of the upper-mic and pulled it a bit towards him, taking a deep breath and waiting for his voice to find him.

'Songs .. of desperation;
I .. played them for you,'

Apparently there gave a fresh impetus in his movements, swaying gently left and right like disturbed water.

A moment, a love,
a dream, a laugh ...

[cuervo]

As Henry took the next verse, I continued my dancing and spinning at dizzying speeds across the stage, tumbling to the floor and rolling around, my hands groping up my sides. The boys and girls ate that shit up for breakfast. I licked my lips and sent a wink their way before using my legs to propell myself back on my feet.

The Irish man was definitely stepping it up, more than stepping it up. His voice took flight and soared, a wonderful addition to the immaculate music that filled the club. I decided it was time to saunter back over and say my piece, and so I rested a hand ontop of the microphone, my fingers grazing his own.

"A moment, a laugh...a moment, a laugh" I sang in harmony to his hook. This time, I'd let him take the chorus by himself. It was only fair, as I had previously belted the first chorus. The crowd absoloutely adored him, anyway. The girls were falling over themselves to lick on him and I had to fight the urge to just laugh.

I backed away a bit to indicate that it was his turn to sing this section, and being the innovative woman I was, eyed the nearest pole I could dominate. Conveniently, there was a pole jutting out of the stage a few feet away from where we were standing. I serenading the glistening metal, first. Always introduce yourself, however brief you are. Never just jump on the thing. Hi, I'm Mimi. I wrapped a leg around it smoothly and twirled myself around it with the other leg stretched straight, my head of curls thrown back with the lean of my torso. Whoosh.

(I didn't see any objections in the cbox when I asked if I could take this lyrics arrangement, I hope you're okay with it.)

[ricketts]

Whenever Mimi came in, Henry drew himself out of the hot glare of the limelight and patted his face with his sleeve. There was a sweat patch darkening between the back-end of his neck and his shoulder blades, sweltering buckets under the heat of the stage. Just who knew how the dancers and singers carried these sorts of actions out every night with such speed and slinked off the stage fresh as a daisy. This was mad exhilaration, the first ecstasies of singing front man. While Mimi took it with wild vanity of venturing and defying, the extent of Henry's bigness was limited to singing in his airy, tame voice and engaging in rhythmic clapping.

'A kiss, a cry, our rights, our wrongs .. '

His voice connected by Mimi's as she sang with him the interweaving verse, the time came when he had to take the plunge. Shaking loose his scraggly hair, he took a very deep draw of breath,

'Just stay there!
cause i'll be comin ov-er!
and while our bloods still young
it's so young
it runs
We won't stop til it's ov-er!
won't stop to surrender ... '

[cuervo]

(Simplified ending to the song. I hope you're okay with repeating the "wont stop till its over" part, trying to keep in with the sense of the original song arragement.)

My eyes flickered over to Henry as I circled the pole, shaking my hips playfully, but not so that I seemed like a tramp. I knew if Henry glanced over and witnessed me delivering a particularily sexy move, he'd feel uncomfortable. For him, I bottled some of the fervor and kept the sex appeal at a minimum.

I noticed that he had wiped his pooling sweat. Nerves, still? I hoped that he was settling into his skin all right, rather than leaping out of it. But I do understand that it is a little jarring to perform when it's your first time, and his initial reaction gave me a very strong indication that this was definitely his first. But on second thought...that could easily be considered a good thing. Henry no longer physically appeared like he was about to pee his pants, and from time to time, I thought maybe I could catch the hint of a smile. Maybe it was just the lighting or the angle. Regardless, he had embraced the spirit of the song and opened his mouth to sing with me. That was more than enough, especially sing my night thus far had been mundane. Just like any other, but worse, because of this mounting sense of nausea...

Luckily I could really keep my mind off that now that I was busy again, and doing something irregular. As he sang the chorus, I positioned myself close by the pole and bent forwards, grabbing the cool metal tightly above my head. Pressed my upper back against it, then mid. Slowly and carefully I began to lift my legs off the ground like the legs of scissors coming together, using my muscles in my abdomen and gloots to control my movement. Once my entire body was aligned upside down against the pole, I wrapped my ankles around it and pulled my torso up. Climb a few places, anchor with the heels of your boots. It was all a step-by-step process that had taken so long for me to master. Such a beautiful art it was - worth every drop of blood or sweat.

As Henry's chorus was coming to a close, I twirled my body around the pole until the bottom of my boots touched the floor, then released the bar finally. The crowd whistled approval.

I sauntered back over to the microphone stand again, shaking my mane off my shoulders and parting my lips to sing the hook again, repeating it twice as my voice built strength and power along the way.

"A moment, a love
A dream, a laugh
A kiss, a cry,
Our rights, our wrongs"

Just a moment before the chorus would start, I smirked and nodded to Henry to indicate that I wanted him to sing with me this time. Twice the power if more than one person was doing it.

"So stay there! Cause I'll be coming ov-eeer!" I practically roared, my eyes closing in all the heat and passion. My lids opened again, and I watched Henry's face as we sang.

"While our blood's still young, so young, and it runs
Won't stop till its ov-er
Won't stop till it's ov-er
Won't stop till it's ov-eeer!
Won't stop to surrender!"

[ricketts]

The next minute, with scores of pulsed illuminations, Henry thought he might have been blinded by how higher their intensity was on stage. Sitting down secluded in the darkness of the bar, he hadn't noticed. Yet now, he choked on the brightness. The platform of the stage was fogging over in what Henry assumed to be some kind of artistic attempt at atmosphere, but all it was doing was making his eyes water. Mimi didn't seem concerned about it - it was, after all, only a minor irritation that only an entrant stage-goer would notice. The idols of the soapbox, and that included his singing companion, were all giant hawks with broad, stretching wings. Henry however was, and always would be, a fledgling.

He found himself now in the uproar and vortex of noisy adoration - the hoi polloi acclaiming them with cheers. At intervals, Henry joined Mimi with weaving stanzas and when the attention at last came to the final chorus, he looked back and noticed, Mimi was giving him a look that said she wanted to harmonize. Belt it out in unison. He had one breath left in him and he almost used it to sigh - the boy felt all sung out. It was fun, and where it was fun it was daunting, and the space that daunting didn't fill exhaustion happily took its place. Yet he realized, it was the last. The last part of this concern of sorts, and after this he could sit down and pick up what was left of his worn-out voice, maybe find a towel and dry himself off too. With that last breath, Henry, in accord with Mimi, carried out the finale of the song with a raise in his voice he didn't know he had been keeping.

' .. So stay there! Cause I'll be coming ov-er!
While our blood's still young, so young, and it runs
Won't stop till its ov-er
Won't stop till it's ov-er
Won't stop till it's ov-er!
Won't stop to surrender ... '

As the track drew to its close, Henry passed his arm across his shiny forehead for the last time. He was trembling and could scarcely regain his usual composure, but there was a proud tenderness lighting up the depths of his blue eyes. There was a sudden hush over the club - a movement of excitement, and the groups, struck momentarily dumb with surprise, exploded into applause. Henry, tired and humble, sidelong glanced the girl with the glittering coils of hair. Wondrous sea-blue earnest in his eyes, he used that sigh at long last.


(You can tackle the host/whatever you wanna do next, I don't wanna turn this thing into a novel lol)

[cuervo]

Aw, well, I was hoping you'd have some fun with that but I'll do my best.

Electrified. If there was one word that I had to pick that could accurately describe how I felt right now, that would be the one I'd use. When was the last time I took the time out of my busy day to sing my heart out, let alone with another human being who poured just as much as their soul into the music? Such engagement in extreme passion always rendered you empty, but at the same time, overwhelmed with great pride and joy. I had lived so long without the power of song, that I had forgotten how wonderful it felt. How good music was for the soul. After this experience, I don't think I'll ever allowe myself to forget again. I made that mental note just as we finished holding that last glorious note. What a way to end this powerfully up-lifting song.

As Henry wiped the sweat off his brow, visibly spent, and the crowd roared and cheered in completely positive reception, all I could think about was how relieved I was for inviting him up here to share this moment with me. I sensed that there was something deeper happening behind that exterior, that he was touched too. I knew that he had fun.

"What a performance, ladies and gentleman! Give it up for our sexy main Lioness, Mimi Márquez, and her wonder boy of the hour!" cried the host. This commentary elicited excessive cheering and whistling from the crowd gathered. "Now, it is tradition that after kareoke one or both of the participants must shed their shirts...you know what to do, Meemz!"

I cringed inwardly, knowing that wouldn't go over too well with Henry. Jonathan was always saying ridiculous things, much worse than that sometimes. He was a nice, charismatic guy for the most part but he could break down and say things that pushed the envelope a little too much in order to gain a strong reputation or response. He probably wasn't aware of how shy Henry was by nature, and that we had only just known eachother for a mere hour or so.

To ease the mood I laughed and wrapped my arms around Henry, offering a warm embrace. I didn't mind stripping my shirt off, and I could easily do it right then. So I pulled my shirt off. No big deal for me, I was used to doing these kinds of things. Hey, it's a living.

"And will the ladies have something to look at tonight?" Jonathan teased.

The girls in the crowd enthusiastically egged on Henry to take his shirt off, too. I glanced over at him nervously, unsure of how he'd act. I edged a step closer and whispered, "Henry, you don't have to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, you've done enough. Let's just go."

[ricketts]

Playing at self-command gave Henry some earnest of it. His absurd attitude, the weak, knock-kneed manner in which his clumsy legs seemed, from the force of sheer sentiment, continued to make him quaver even as he bared one his sweeter smiles at the crowd that seemed so in love with the of them. Mimi was more than likely conscious of his utterly nerved appearance, but she was too thoroughly possessed by kindliness to take the matter in a humorous light. With a musing tenderness in her voice she clasped him in arms. Henry, being the feeling sort, was fond of sentiment in any form, and his first wild impulse was to hug her back. But feebly, just enough to let her know he had had fun tonight.

But he was then quickly surrounded by prying eyes and jeering voices, and he looked from the host, to the audience, to the host again. Everyone was trying to coax him into loosing his shirt - something Mimi had no problem with, using persuasive flattery. Henry swallowed, horrible hesitation bounding back with a vengence. He heard with downcast eyes, at first with evident delay, but very soon smiling again as fresh as ever. Taking the microphone back into his own, he addressed the audience.

'Sorry laddies and lasses, I could do wid' the shirt being on me back.' His voice, clear as a bell ringing in frosty air, cut through the loud murmers like a sweep of a sword-blade. 'Cheery'ar now!' That was enough attention for one day, and he now looked forward to the peaceful descent into evening. The applause began to settle, the crowd pleased as punch. Yet another fine performance. Gesturing toward the stage steps by waving the microphone, he fled like a frightened hare. The only difference is, a frightened hare wouldn't be smiling with the frolicing delight that came with singing one's heart out.

[cuervo]

When all else fails, what else does a young, sexy woman do?

Mimi glued her hands to her hips and stuck out her bossom, two bountiful breasts restrained by a red lace bra. It wasn't exactly a class act, no, but this was a club after all. God knows what happens behind drawn curtains and closed door. After all, this was her noble attempt to distract the rowdy audience and perhaps divert their intense focus from the bashful Henry onto her. She was used to attention, in fact, she actually enjoyed it sometimes. It served as positive reenforcement during her routines, and after judging on the strength of reception she would be able to know if her performance was pleasing that night, or if she needed to tweak a few things. It wasn't often when the crowd didn't roar with approval, and when they did, it was a disaster. Mimi would rush home to Roger and vent her frustrations, how she shouldn't be stuck in this sleazy gig anymore, and how she longed to pursue a true career. An independant, headstrong female in the working world. She was already the first two things, but to be taken seriously in a real occupation...well, that'd be a difficult atmosphere to adjust to, let alone consider thriving there.

Fortunately, Henry composed himself and approached the microphone once more. There was a endearing confidence in his voice as he addressed the audience and politely rejected the demand to shed his shirt. Ah, well. The rule was one or two after all, and Mimi was more than happy to take one for the team.

Mimi smiled to Henry and slipped her tank top back over her shoulders before hopping off the stage gracefully. "Hey Henry, wait up!"

She followed quickly after the Irish man, amused by his sudden burst of energy.

"My, aren't you giddy? I told you it'd be fun!" she teased, giving his shoulder a slight shove. Mimi glanced at the traditional clock overhead the bar on the far side of the room. She squinted and concentrated on the numbers, a pain to make out in the dark. The time was 1:00am, exactly. Finally.

"I'm awfully hot now. C'mon, I think after all this action that we should get outside for a breather."

Mimi lead the way outside the closest exit, hoping he'd follow.

[ricketts]

There was a wild rush off the shining decks of the stage and with Mimi, Henry flew right out of the fire escape door. The evening had been a wonderful, if rattling experience; and to Henry it was an entrance into a fairy realm that his fancy had never pictured; for in the hard, rough ways his shuffling feet walked neither fairies nor fancies had place. He had found sitting at home or standing at the counter days at a time a very pleasant pastime. But that. That was something else, and to be standing in the presense of someone who sang and danced as much as he over-worked awakened some queer sense of regard.

After a flight of an escape out of the side-exit, Henry shook himself over in an attempt to relieve the shakes. With the strange sense of treading in an unreal world, he could only just hear the dull sounds of the chattering, laughing crowd inside. It was a fine moonlight night, and Henry stood for some moments in the back alley they had entered, airing his sweltered body by plucking at his shirt and watching the tall, twinkling lights, all bound to the different sources of Times Square.

'Fun? I think I shat my pants.' Was his cheery answer, sniffing the cool breeze and finding it somewhat chilly. 'Really, though. Was an experience, that was. Thanks.'

He was properly impressed by the charms of Mimi, and was outspoken in his admiration. Clear-eyed with a head-tilting smile, he was swept quite away from his usual moorings into another world, a world where the earlier goal of seeking job number two seemed altogether lost. Crossing his arms and tucking his hands flat under his armpits, he wished for his jacket that he had left slung on the cabinet at home, having thought he would only be out for a few hours. His brow creased with sober, prosy thoughts as he remembered the idea of time.

'You got the time, any chance?' Henry asked, rocking slightly on the soles of his feet.

[cuervo]

It was mild weather tonight, or should I say, early morning. A refreshing breeze tickled my neck and played with my curls, a nice contrast to the heated atmosphere inside the club. I was positive Henry'd agree. He wore the most delectibly delighted smile on his face and he still sounded near breathless as he replied. He was still hyped up after that ballsy performance we gave.

"I noticed, poor baby" I shot back with an air of playful sarcasm, milking it as I patted him on the shoulder. "If you didn't bring a change of undies, I'm sure one of the chicks by the kareoke stage would be able to help you out." I laughed lightly, then noticed from Henry's posture that he seemed to be cold. Of course, I wouldn't have a sweater or jacket on me - too much baggage to carry around backstage, besides, the people came to see you dance - not parade around stage in winter gear.

"It's one" I answered. "The time, that is."

Roger was just a kiss away. I was finally free to leave and go home to our flat where we could cuddle on the couch and chuckle over the annoyances and oddities in the world of New York until we fell asleep. Well, his and Mark's flat, but Mark never minds me around. I've basically taken up residence there. He's a bit of a loner, but a great guy and most importantly, a good friend to Roger.

"I'm headed home now. You could walk with me if you'd like, unless you have other obligations" I said, smiling gently. I certainly didn't need Henry's presence, to "protect" me from the shoddy strangers who lurked behind dark corners and alleys. I often walked home alone at this hour, and even later sometimes. But Henry was a nice guy and I really did want to get to know him better. Besides, I knew he had nothing really important to do at this hour. It was fairly easy to tell - he had been so lost when he arrived in the first place. Why would he suddenly have a mission?


(I apologize for the crap post.)

[ricketts]

The moon looked to be in full lustre tonight. Henry stood, rocking on his heels and gazing after it until it became a distant, fogged over pearl in the light of the sky. It grew less and less, then disappeared. The subtle odour and delicate chill of the coming morning stole freshly across the air, making him breath out a light haze. Something of the tender melancholy of the summer, toned down the aspect before the brilliant city landscape. He rubbed his throat with his fingers, drier now after pouring such a cascade of delicious melody. Pushing back his hair from his brow, he let the fresh wind play among his dark, clustering curls. His nerves were steadier now, and he had that sincere delight. Ceasing the rocking, he looked over at Mimi and slid his hands into his pockets.

‘One? In the mornin’?’ He commented, blinking incredulity then turning his face back up to the sky. ‘Wow.’

Then another thought followed swiftly. He stood still, rising with ruffled serenity and there and then a balmier wind blew in from the roads, ruffling mysteriously amoung some of the leaves on the ground. If it had gotten that late, he had missed his dose of medicene. The pills he had been taking twice-daily, without fail, for five years. His head bowed down, looking at the pavement with astonished, regretful eyes. Seeming absorbed. He never forgot, it was always a priority making sure he took his medication every day. It was the strangest thing in the world to think he had .. forgotten. Just like that.

By and by, Henry let it go with a long, chilly breath. Really, he felt no different to how he would if he had remembered to take the pills, and he would make sure he took them the moment he got home. This seemed to satisfy him, and he shrugged his shoulders in a way of mingled resolution. Turning his face back to normal level, he resumed a smile in which shone a thousand radiating sunbeams. Letting the matter fade away with the moon behind dark, fleecy clouds.

Lighter hearted for this friendliness, he began to walk. Hands in pockets. 'Na', nothin' on. Other than sleep.' He admitted a slight stretching of his smile, then sighed and tilted his head back. Like a person who might be sunbathing. The whole soul of him, settled. When he spoke, it was in quieter tones with his head still leaned. 'Where is it y'r livin'? If you don't me askin', like.'