Open Mic Night

[mogget_cat]

Yrael steps into the bar today wreathed in music from the New Orleans street behind him, and he enters with an itch, an urge, a particular intention. Even as the door closes behind the Bright Shiner, he is heading towards the counter to have a brief conversation with the Bar.

Soon he has a space cleared among the tables nearest the piano and sound system speakers. A karaoke machine with a substantial list of songs from various worlds and times has been procured, and a table has been set up with a great variety of snacks and refreshments. Lastly, he hangs a sign:

Open Mic Night
All are welcome!


Most importantly, under the sign there is a microphone on a stand, all by its lonesome in the cleared space, beckoning.


(ooc: Party post! Open foreeeevvvvveeerrrrrr! :D)

Comments

The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[mogget_cat]

Yrael has cleared out a space among the tables nearest the piano and sound system speakers, for performance and potentially for dancing, if anyone gets the urge. In that space is a (potentially non-cursed!) karaoke machine with a substantial song listing from various worlds and times. There is also a microphone, standing all by its lonesome. Won’t you break the silence?

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[mogget_cat]

Well of course Yrael steps up to the mic. He wouldn't ask anyone to so something he wouldn't do himself (a blatant lie), but in this case he has a challenge to issue.

"Tell me a piece of your history
that you're proud to call your own.
Speak in words you picked up
as you walked through life alone.
We used to swim in your stories
and be pulled down by their tide,
Choking on the water, drowning with no air in sight.

Now you've hit a wall and it's not your fault,
My dear, my dear, my dear...
Now you've hit a wall and you hit it hard,
My dear, my dear, oh dear...

It is not enough to be dumbstruck,
Can you fill this silence?
You must have the words in that head of yours.
And - oh, oh - can you feel the silence?
I can't take it anymore.
'Cause it is not enough to be dumbstruck,
Can you fill this silence?

Tell me a piece of your history
that you've never said out loud.
Pull the rug beneath my feet
and shake me to the ground.
Wrap me around your fingers,
break the silence open wide,
Before it seeps into my ears
and fills me up from the inside.

Now you've hit a wall and it's not your fault,
My dear, my dear, my dear...
Now you've hit a wall and you hit it hard,
My dear, my dear, oh dear...

It is not enough to be dumbstruck,
Can you fill this silence?
You must have the words in that head of yours.
And - oh, oh - can you feel the silence?
I can't take it anymore.
'Cause it is not enough to be dumbstruck,
Can you fill this silence?

If you give it a name then it's already won
(What you good for? What you good for?)
If you give it a name then it's already won
(What you good for? What you good for?)
If you give it a name then it's already won
(What you good for? What you good for?)
If you give it a name then it's already won
(What you good for? What you good for?)

It is not enough to be dumbstruck,
Can you fill this silence?
You must have the words in that head of yours.
And - oh, oh - can you feel the silence?
I can't take it anymore.
'Cause it is not enough to be dumbstruck.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[fry_sandhu]

Fry waits for Yrael to finish, then claps politely.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[curlytop]

There's food, so George is there.

And there's music! Which is a lovely addition. When the song finishes, he claps enthusiastically.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[death_gone_mad]

Amascut, or Sarah, whoever she may be today, isn't exactly motivated by friendship when she decides to try singing. After all, Yrael set this up.

She decides upon a siren song she heard off of Misthalin's south coast and almost caused the men in her crew to jump ship before she countered with her own suggestive spell. Just to cause trouble but claim plausible deniability, she doesn't put any magic into it but still, it is a siren's song.

Sung by someone pretending to have a human voicebox, but anyhow

Wending through the willows,
A song upon the air.
It spirals and it frolics,
A lust upon its breath.
The words crave for purchase,
For ears to pour their course.
But silence is its partner as it dances on the ford.

Wending through the willows,
It maddens and ferments,
Wasp-like for a moment,
Then dirge of cricket legs,
Demure like a mayfly,
Then wispish as the breeze.
The song unwinds, forgets itself, and settles on the stream.

Wending through the willows,
A woodsman cups his ear.
On his palm an echo,
It sparks and tumbles in.
There it lights a bonfire,
Song burns and is reborn.
The woodsman hums it brightly, as it's loosed upon the air.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[irish_vagabond]

The song may not be infused with magic, but here is someone who's quite captivated by it. And the singer, too.

Cassidy is sitting at a table with his chin in his hands and a dreamy look on his face. When the song ends, it takes a second or two to register that the woman has stopped singing, and he snaps out of his reverie.

"Oh, that was lovely!" he gushes at her as he applauds.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[mogget_cat]

Likewise, it is not out of friendship that Yrael listens and enjoys her song, smiling to himself as he does. His applause following the song's end is in thanks for the music, the sound of two false hands clapping.

"Wonderful!"

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[i_am_your_host]

Of all the things that Emcee could pass up, an open mic is not one of them, especially one hosted by friend and fellow entertainer Yrael.

Wearing a black leather kilt (because why not?) and an accordion strapped to his chest, Emcee steps up to the microphone. What follows is an old favorite, something alternately sultry and foot-stompingly punchy and altogether quite the personal anthem.

"You have to understand the way I am, mein Herr
A tiger is a tiger, not a lamb, mein Herr
You'll never turn the vinegar to jam, mein Herr
So I do, what I do
When I'm through
Then I'm through
And I'm through--
Toodle-oo!

Bye... bye... mein lieber Herr
Farewell, mein lieber Herr
It was a fine affair, but now it's over
And though I used to care, I need the open air
You're better off without me, mein Herr.
Don't dab your eye, mein Herr
Or wonder why, mein Herr
I always said that I was a rover
You musn't knit your brow
You should have known by now
You've every cause to doubt me, mein Herr

The continent of Europe is so wide, mein Herr
Not only up and down, but side to side, mein Herr
I couldn't ever cross it if I tried, mein Herr
But I do
What I can
Mile by mile
Step by step
Inch by inch
Man... by... man

Bye... bye... mein lieber Herr
Bye bye mein lieber Herr
It was a fine affair, but now it's over
And though I used to care, I need the open air
You're better off without me, mein Herr.
Don't dab your eye, mein Herr
Or wonder why, mein Herr
I always said that I was a rover
You musn't knit your brow
You should have known by now
You've every cause to doubt me, mein Herr

Bye bye mein lieber Herr, bye bye
Bye bye mein lieber Herr, bye bye

Bye bye mein lieber Herr
Auf wiedersehen, mein Herr
Es war sehr gut, mein Herr, und vorbei.
Du kennst mich wohl, mein Herr
Ach, lebe wohl, mein Herr

You're better off without me
You'll get on without me--
Mein Herr!"

Vigorously working the keys and bellows, Emcee belts out the last notes with abandon before taking an exhilarated bow. It's been a while since he did this! He really needs to fix that.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[mogget_cat]

There is enthusiastic cheering and applause from the grinning Bright Shiner near the food table, as the song ends.

[curlytop]

George arrived somewhere after the first few lines, drawn by the music. He stays for a number of reasons, but chiefly because he's never seen Emcee perform, and he's curious.

Also, Emcee is really good at what he does, as has been noted elsewhere.

When the song concludes, he gives an enthusiastic cheer.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[childofrebellion]

Cassian beams when Emcee takes the stage and his outfit is captivating. Also the accordion is an active instrument, he's never seen one before. The song is complicated but works and he claps loudly and raises his glass at the end.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric claps along, suffering from a terrible case of the giggles watching Emcee dance about. He's trying very hard not to fixate on Emcee's lovely legs.


{ooc: Gods I love watching that man sing!}

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[angry_friendship_wolf]

The song would be impressive enough on its own, and the accordion accompaniment only makes it moreso, so as Emcee bows, Yamato gives some fairly enthusiastic -- for him, at least, although he only cracks the tiniest and briefest smile as he does so -- applause from where he's leaning against the wall, away from the crowds.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato's always a little awkward about singing, even if he hides it well, but at some point when the crowds are a little thinner he squares his shoulders and steps up to the microphone, albeit with a little bit of defensive glowering at the audience.

He takes a quick breath and starts singing a short song, his already deep voice dropping to an even lower rumble than usual as he does.

"If I could become just one thing,
I'd be a butterfly, free soaring,
I really miss you,
So now finally I'm on my way.

Let's focus on the people we trust,
And leave all of the doubt behind us,
So if you're ready,
Can we go? 'Cause there's no time to waste.

I wanna know, oh,
If the sky above is only for show.
I wanna know, oh,
What tomorrow will bring,
So let's spread out our wings.

Maybe this world's an infinite dream,
And there's only hope within me,
May it not fail me now,
We'll turn this thing around and
bring back the love somehow.

My broken wings dream of the sky,
And they'll never be able to fly,
Only if we never try,
Oh, my love."

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[a1enzo]

Enzo pops back home to get his guitar! He's played plenty of human music in his own world, time to return the favour with a popular digital number. He locates a drum machine among the equipment and sets it to something suitably... caffeinated.

"Factory settings just aren’t enough
Wanna reconfigure, wanna amp my stuff
Got a craving for power, got a need for speed
Got a warranty I ain’t bothered to read

"I’m overclocked, overcharged
Megamaniac at large
Overclocked, overpowered
Common sense has been devoured
Overclocked, overloading
Feel my processor exploding
Overclocked, in overdrive
Hope I make it out alive!"

Guitar solo!

"Hot-rodding, case-modding, eat my dirt
Trading in my lifespan for a few more hertz
Gotta up the voltage, gotta dump this heat
My fan's rattle has me jumping to the beat

"I'm overclocked, overkill
Only in it for the thrill
Overclocked, overheating
Giving my hardware a beating
Overclocked, overzealous
T3E is gettin' jealous
Overclocked, watch me go
Feel my buffer overflow!"

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee has no idea what a mosh pit is. He would most likely not survive a real one. But he has seen how modern people dance to this kind of music, though he rarely ever gets to do it himself. So here he is, rocking out, as the kids say, and when the young man finishes, he cheers and claps enthusiastically.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato is not given to overt displays of rocking out, but he does grin a little at the high-energy number from his spot leaning against, and gives suitably enthusiastic (well, for him, at least) applause when Enzo's done.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[holdingacat]

Cecil does not mean to get caught up in this. He really doesn't. He had a hard day reporting on rogue cacti and he's down an intern and he managed to not ask Carlos out again and frankly... that's enough. That's plenty.

The cords that trip him up and send him sprawling into the microphone say otherwise. The karaoke machine that kicks in at the same time is in agreement with the cords. Cecil isn't terribly religious, but it'd be... well, tempting fate a little to fail to sing one of the town hymns when the opening chords are already playing.

So he sings, and it's really hard not to get into it. Not that he tries hard to resist.

I used to bite my tongue and hold my breath
Scared to rock the boat and make a mess
So I sit quietly
Agree politely

I guess that I forgot I had a choice
I let you push me past the breaking point
I stood for nothing
So I fell for everything

You held me down but I got up
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground

You held me down but I got up
Get ready ’cause I’ve had enough
I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion
And you’re gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion
‘Cause I am a champion
And you’re gonna hear me roar
You’re gonna hear me roar

Now I’m floating like a butterfly
Stinging like a bee, I earned my stripes
I went from zero
To my own hero

You held me down but I got up
Already brushing off the dust
You hear my voice, you hear that sound
Like thunder, gonna shake the ground

You held me down but I got up
Get ready ’cause I’ve had enough
I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter
Dancing through the fire
‘Cause I am a champion
And you’re gonna hear me roar

So here's a fun fact: Cecil dances like no one can see him. Mostly because... usually they can't. He's in his booth, where only someone managing the sound board can see him... and that position isn't always filled. And it's really hard not to dance to this song.

He doesn't fight that one too hard either.

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[irish_vagabond]

Cassidy didn't really mean to sing tonight, but after several beers and enjoying everyone's performances so far, he just can't help joining in. He misses those nights, hanging out at the pub with his old mates, singing 'round the piano or the jukebox into the wee hours. Those were good times.

So eventually, when the mic is free, beer in hand he shuffles up and finds a song on the karaoke machine. A classic Tom Waits number, but with an Irish flair. And Cassidy actually does have a nice tenor when he isn't imitating Shane MacGowan.

"Well, I'm singin' this song, 'cause it's time it was sung
I've been puttin' it off for a while,
'Cause it's harder by now, an' the truth is so clear
That I'm cryin' when I'm seeing you smile.
So goodbye, so long, the road calls me, dear
And your tears cannot bind me anymore,
And farewell to the girl with the sun in her eyes
Can I kiss you, and then I'll be gone.

An' every time that I tried to tell you that we'd
Lost the magic we had at the start,
I would weep my heart when I looked in your eyes
An' I searched once again for the spark.
So goodbye, so long, the road calls me, dear
And your tears cannot bind me anymore,
And farewell to the girl with the sun in her eyes
Can I kiss you, and then I'll be gone.

Now I can see by your eyes, it's time now to go
So I'll leave you cryin' in the rain,
Though I held in my hand the key to all joy
Honey, my heart was not born to be tamed.
And goodbye, so long, the road calls me, dear
And your tears cannot bind me anymore,
And farewell to the girl with the sun in her eyes
Can I kiss you, and then I'll be gone.
Can I kiss you, and then I'll be gone."

Re: The Mic - singing and reaction threads

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric comes to the mic with a song he heard only the other day. And would be very surprised to discover that other people might know it well.

"Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side
Rainbows are visions
They're only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told and some chose to
Believe it
But I know they're wrong wait and see

Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it's done so far
What's so amazing
That keeps us star gazing
What so we think we might see

Someday we'll find it
That Rainbow Connection
The lovers the dreamers and me

Have you been fast asleep
And have you heard voices,
I've heard them calling my name,
Is this the sweet sound that calls
The young sailors,
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
It's something that I'm supposed to be,

Someday we'll find it
The rainbow connection...
The lovers, the dreamers and me
La lala la lala la la la lala la la la."

The Audience - mingling

[mogget_cat]

There are, as ever, plenty of tables and chairs in the bar room. Feel free to chat and mingle while the musical entertainment is going on. Who knows? Maybe you’ll meet someone new, or a friend might help you work up the courage to step up to the mic yourself.

Re: The Audience - mingling

[childofrebellion]

Cassian's tired, the planet he's on currently is one where he's aware of his limitations and keeps being reminded of his home planet that's he left far behind. When he sees the set up, he investigates the refreshments and drinks before finding a table near the back to eat and watch.

He's not a performer like this, but he's always curious to see who shows themselves here and he might see Emcee. In the meantime, he's enjoying a complex and warm hearty sandwich and sipping some very good rum.

Re: The Audience - mingling

[sunbaked_baker]

Sunshine... will happily leave the music to those who know what they're doing, and enjoy the fruits of their efforts and skill. The audience has a very important role to play in any performance, after all.

Don't judge - she can't help but grin and bop along, tapping her foot in time with the catchier songs.

The Refreshments - yum

[mogget_cat]

Singing is thirsty work. So is, of course, listening. A table has been set up near to the performance area, offering a wide variety of snacks and tasty treats, as well as a varied array of drinks options and mixers.

Re: The Refreshments - yum

[readsthearticles]

So this is what people do for fun around here.

...It's not actually all that different from what you do for fun around a ship that's out to sea for a long haul, honestly. Getting together, singing. But the food is definitely better here. Billy's not about to go up to the mic himself, but sure, he'll loom about in the background, browsing the snacks table.