Broken Strings (Reira --> Open)

[Ryuu]

Ryuu breathed in heavily as he rested his hands on his knees, as he found himself catching his breath in front of one of San Francisco's most popular bars, The Plough and Stars. 15 minutes ago, he had been running for his life all over San Francisco, and only a few minutes ago did he manage to lose the guys that had been chasing after him.

- 15 minutes ago -

"There he is!" A voice shouted out. " Shit..." Ryuu cursed, as he ran down the alleyway, pausing only to hoist himself up and over the fence. He landed on the ground and continued running. Who would've thought that the guys he had happen to pass by were members of a gang? Well, they were harassing a girl, and it was already evening. And honestly, they looked like they'd wouldn't understand if Ryuu came and took the girl away from them, which he did, right in front of them, since the alleyway they were in was dimly light, the six guys, and the girl, couldn't make out Ryuu's face, only the outline of his body and the guitar case slung over his shoulder. As he watched the girl disappear around the corner, he looked back, and saw all of them scratching their heads in puzzlement. To Ryuu's utter amazement, one figured out what had happened, infuriated by his loss of prey, began chasing after Ryuu angrily. Naturally, the others followed after him like a stampede and Ryuu found himself running for his life.

Normally, Ryuu would take out the whole lot of them, but this time, there were more than Ryuu could handle, try six of them. Ryuu continued running down the alley, and heard the rattling of the fence behind him. Taking a quick glance, he saw to his utter dread, all six had scaled the fence and were in hot pursuit of him. "Don't let the punk escape!" One shouted, "We'll make him pay for that!" "He's dead when we get him!" "Shit shit shit shit SHIT!" he cursed under his breath, taking a sharp turn into another side alley. He then continued taking turns here and there, all in the effort to lose all six of them. After taking too many turns to count, Ryuu stopped running, breathing hard. Ryuu leaned against the brick wall, breathing hard, hidden in the shadows. He then peered out from the behind the wall, he looked around, and was about to walk out, he heard a voice. "Haven't seen him yet. He gave us the slip, but we'll find him. Punk can't have gone far. When I find him I'm going to make him pay." Ryuu immediately slammed back against the wall, trying to not to swear, as he ran down the alleyway, scaled another fence, and continued down the side street, as he emerged out onto the main road, beside the bar, The Plough and Stars.

- Present -

After catching his breath, Ryuu straightened up, and adjusted the guitar case slung over the black jacket he wore, along with his black t-shirt, black track pants, and his worn down black Converse shoes. He pushed open the door of the bar, and was immediately greeted by music, as he walked in, letting the door close shut behind him. He looked around, and walked to the bar, taking the last seat at the bar, furthest from the door, and right beside the stage. Ryuu sat leaning against the wall, his back facing the door slightly, his guitar case resting beside him, as he heard the song the band was playing on stage. From behind, Ryuu looked exactly like Alex, he had the same hairstyle as Alex, and was even the same height. The only difference was he had light red streaks in his hair.

[Reira DeMorvick]

She never thought she’d be drinking her sorrows away. Well, it’s not like she was a chronic drinker, but she certainly found herself spending a lot more time in the bar. Especially the Plough and Stars. She loved this place. It was always busy and there were a lot of interesting people that were always up for chat. Needless to say, they were a good distraction. The music was awesome as well, always up beat with people dancing away on the dance floor. She danced a few times with a few randoms, trying to enjoy herself, but she could never until she was at least tipsy. But hey, whatever worked right?

Leaning against the bar table, her foot tapping to the music, she waved over the bar tender. Tonight she was dressed nicely, hell everyone here was, even the bar tender. “What can I get for you hun,” he asked. “Four shots of tequila, lime chaser please.” He nodded and soon enough she had her poison lined up in front of her. She wasted no time, shooting them down, but on her last shot she felt one of the randoms she danced with slap her on the ass and steal her shot from her. “Why so glum Rei? Come on, come dance with me, I’ll cheer you up babe.” Normallly Reira wouldn’t take this kind of harassment…but like stated previously, she just didn’t care anymore. “That blond has been staring at you all night, why don’t you try her? Hmm?”

Initiate bitchy aura.

“Yeah…sure thing…”

Fucker took my last shot---

She stopped in mid thought when she recognized the song that the live band was playing…err starting to play at least. “Okay folks, as promised this is a drop in night, so if anyone wants to sing, or play come on up!,” said the host. Hmm tempting, very tempting. Reira never sang though…her voice was praised by many as being exquisite…but…she didn’t like to show it off. Then again, who would see her again tonight, no one? Meh, why the hell not? Walking up to the stage, she pulled up a stool and adjusted the mic stand to her seating height. “Hope you don’t mind boys,” she said with a small grin.

It looked like they were still waiting on a guitarist…oh never mind guitarist found! Out of no where an cute Asian guy walked onto stage and began playing to the beat of the song. She gave him a smile. Perfect. I guess they could start? Gazing into the crowd, she could see all the couples getting ready for the rare slow dance. Alright, may as well get this over with. Hand bringing the mic near her lips, Reira closed her eyes and began to sing.

"I’m Lying here
Thinkin' 'bout you
No More tears
Fighting for you
So Don’t throw it in my face, in my face
I know what I did to you
And don’t make me feel guilty
You make me weak
I still want you...

Ohhh
Ohhh

Don’t say goodbye
Don’t Don’t say goodbye..."

Fuck...why did I choose to sing this song?!

[Ryuu]

Two seats down from where Ryuu was sitting, hidden in the shadows, was a girl who had already been at the bar when Ryuu arrived, as he could see from the corner of his eye, her tap her foot to the music. “What can I get for you hun,” Ryuu heard the bartender ask her, as Ryuu took a sip from his own drink he had ordered. “Four shots of tequila, lime chaser please.” As Ryuu took a sip from his drink, he saw the girl down three shots in quick succession, and was about to finish off the last one, when a guy came up to her and slapped her ass before stealing her shot from her. “Why so glum---dance with me, I’ll cheer you up babe.” Ryuu glanced over at the girl, the music had been slightly loud, so part of the guy's sentence had been cut off. “That blond has been staring at you all night, why don’t you try her? Hmm?” “Yeah...sure thing...” Ryuu took another sip from his drink, as he recognized the song that the live band was going to start to play.

“Okay folks, as promised this is a drop in night, so if anyone wants to sing, or play come on up!”

Ryuu for the most part was one to keep to himself, but the temptation to show off his guitar skills didn't sound too bad right now. He finished off his drink, and placed the glass back down on the counter, before picking up his guitar case, and got up, and proceeded to the stage, he saw the girl who had been sitting near him was already on the stage, the mic adjusted to her sitting height. He placed his guitar case down on the stage, opened it, and pulled out his Fender Highway 1 Telecaster, slung the strap over his shoulder, and began to play to the beat of the song, as he saw the girl give him a smile, as he smiled back slightly, before she turned and gazed into the crowd, he could see couples getting ready for the slow dance. He saw her bring the mic close to her lips, and began to sing.

"I’m Lying here
Thinkin' 'bout you
No More tears
Fighting for you
So Don’t throw it in my face, in my face
I know what I did to you
And don’t make me feel guilty
You make me weak
I still want you...

Ohhh
Ohhh

Don’t say goodbye
Don’t Don’t say goodbye..."

After a few minutes, the song was finished, as Ryuu let the last few notes of the song reverberate, as he pulled his guitar off, and placed it back in the guitar case, and locked it, before picking it up, and walked over to the girl, tapping her on the shoulder. "Hey," he said as he smiled slightly at her, "You got an incredible singing voice. How about I buy you a drink?" He asked, as he walked off the stage and headed towards the bar. Once he reached the bar, he signaled to the bartender, who walked over. "... right. I'm Ryuu, Ryuu Hikari, and you are?"

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim entered the place with his guitar. He had caught the end of the act, and while he could have sworn it was Reira, he chalked it up to the whiskey and a bit of insanity. The tune was quite catchy, but Matrim wasn't here to listen. He was here to play. So when the girl was done Matrim would get on stage with his black Gibson SG custom, he'd plug it in and he would get ready to play his song. He was wearing his hooded leather jacket, unzipped with the hood down, a pair of jeans, leather motorcycle boots, and a pair of black sunglasses. His hair was unkempt and he hadn't been shaving for awhile.

He grabbed a stool, and pulled it up to the microphone. The stench of whiskey on his breath, and a slur to his voice. Which would make the cover song all the more believable since the singer was David Bazan. He had no accompanying instruments other then his own guitar, and his voice wasn't meant to sound good, it was supposed to add to the mood of the song.

"Options"

"We were walking, holding hands,
with our bare feet in the sand
and the seagulls overhead
when I broke the spell and said
'I could never divorce you without a good reason
and though I may never have to,
it's good to have options
But for now, oh, I need you
But for now, oh, I need you
But for now, oh, I need you'

But it was only in my head
because no one ever says
what they really mean to say
when there's so much at stake
So I told her I loved her and she told me she loved me
and I mostly believed her and she mostly believed me"

After the song Matrim would walk off stage to sit next to a Blonde girl who had been eying him for most of the time. Matrim needed a good drink, and he was planning on doing another song before long. But something about seeing an image of Reira however fake it was, took a toll on him.

[Reira DeMorvick]

Wow. Somehow she survived that rather sad song. Yay for the alcohol! After the applause from the audience and the splitting up of the pressed together couples, Reira took her leave off stage, but not before her guitarist introduced himself to him. Okay, so he commented on her singing and asked to buy her a drink before she got his name, either way she laughed at his actions.

“Thanks, I don’t really sing much, I guess it was just the song,” she said, following him off the stage. “But sure, I’d love a drink and may I mention you play really well.” Small talk, got to love it. Hey, a good distraction right? She followed him to the bar and she took a seat, the same seat she was in previously. There was so many lovely choices to choose from, she’d probably end up choosing what he picked. Her little Asian friend. That fit him nicely.

"... right. I'm Ryuu, Ryuu Hikari, and you are?"

How silly of her. Duuh, who forgets to tell a person their name? Apparently an almost drunk Reira.

“I’m Re---Matrim!”

No way! No freaking way. Reverting her eyes from the newly occupied stage, she focused her thoughts and her eyes on Ryuu. He better be a good distraction, because Matrim showing up here…here!…out of all times and places in the word…he just had to chose this time and this particular place. God. It was killing her, that pain. Of course, she would swallow that flare of emotion down and just smile at Ryuu fondly.

“Sorry, just had a moment there. I’m Reira DeMorvick. Nice to meet you Ryuu.”

As she talked to Ryuu, Matrim began to sing. As he did so, her hands clenched on her jeans. She just wanted him to stop. She wanted him to look her in the eye and tell her why. But she knew very well that he was too drunk to even walk straight. She was actually amazed his singing was understandable. Still…this was terrible, him being here. Once the song ended, Matrim went and sat beside a blond, one that was right across from Reira.

….you ruin everything!…

Holding up a hand to face, she made sure to lean on that same elbow, so that her hair covered her face pretty well.
“So Ryuu…do you um, maybe want to dance on the next good song? I can’t sit down right now,” she said rather quickly, with an embarrassed laugh. Funny, she wanted to talk to Mat, but couldn't stare at him without feeling that familiar anger.

[Ryuu]

“Thanks, I don’t really sing much, I guess it was just the song,” Ryuu heard the girl say as she followed him off the stage, “But sure, I’d love a drink and may I mention you play really well.” Ryuu waved his free hand casually as he walked towards the bar. "I'm not that great, I'm just an amateur guitarist." That's Japanese people for you, always acting humble. Ryuu never liked to brag about any of his skills, because he was taught to always be humble. As soon as they reached the bar, he saw the girl take a seat, as he pulled up a seat beside her. He then told the girl his name, though she seemed almost drunk, but Ryuu just shrugged that off, that was kind of to be expected, seeing as where they were right now. “I’m Re---Matrim!” Ryuu looked around in mild shock, Matrim was here? He then looked behind him at the stage, and it was true, Matrim was here, he was sitting up on the stage with a black Gibson SG custom, and looked like he was ready to sing. Ryuu looked at Matrim with a look of mild surprise on his face, before turning back to Reira, who had reverted her eyes away from the stage and back on him.

“Sorry, just had a moment there. I’m Reira DeMorvick. Nice to meet you Ryuu.”

"Yeah, likewise Reira..." Ryuu replied, looking slightly confused, given the way Reira had blurted out Matrim's name, he had a feeling she knew him, and not in the friend sense. But he didn't know anything about the relationship between her and Matrim, and frankly, he didn't want to ask. He liked to stick to his own business as much as possible. As he talked to Reira, he heard Matrim sing, and Ryuu noticed Reira clench on her jeans tightly. As soon as Matrim finished, Ryuu saw him get off the stage, and sit down beside a blond that was across from Reira. He saw Reira hold up a hand to her face and lean on the elbow, as Ryuu looked at her mildly curious. “So Ryuu...do you um, maybe want to dance on the next good song? I can’t sit down right now.” "Hm?" Ryuu said, slightly distracted, his mind tends to wander when he was slightly bored. "Sure, how about now?" He asked, as another band got up on stage, and began to play a song Ryuu had played before. Ryuu got off his seat, and asked the bartender to look after his guitar case, as the bartender nodded and took the guitar case and placed it on the other side of the counter, where he was standing. Ryuu then took Reira's hand, and led her onto the dance floor.

[Matrim Gallagher]

The blond girl had bought Matrim a drink, so he ordered some whiskey. Sipping it as he talked to her, about things he normally couldn't tell anyone else. He was single now, and while he wasn't looking for a relationship, he wasn't going to deny getting a free drink from some trashy blond girl in a bar. Of course, blond's weren't necessarily his favorite type of girl, but he was thinking about the possibilities. That is, until while drinking he turned and saw Ryuu moving towards the dance floor with some girl. Matrim turned towards the blond, pointing at Ryuu using the hand holding his drink, "Look, it's Ryuu! With a girl! Who looksh an awfully a lot a like Reira!"

It was clear to anybody with one eye or two that Matrim was drunk. Still, he downed his drink and turned in it to see Ryuu and the girl, "Thatsh good for him y'know?" he said, giggling a little before looking back a the girl, the stool he was on had a back support to it, and he was sitting sideways in the chair allowing him to rest his forearms on the back part. He laid his head down on his forearms as he looked at the blond girl, "Who... who do you remind me of... you, you remind me of someone..." He said. Looking at the girl funny. He finally said, "You know, I don't think I know exactly who it is that you are!"

He got up and stumbled towards the dance floor. With the song that was playing Matrim found it easy to dance, even in his drunken state. He started dancing with a skinny black haired girl. Her hair was long and curled but her hips moved nicely against him, he danced with her, getting distracted from his attempt to go talk to Ryuu. After all, Ryuu probably didn't want to be disturbed right now, especially by a drunken Matrim who barely even knew he was in San Francisco.

[Trizen Takano]

((Hope you guys don't mind me coming in..))

"Streeeeeetch! Yawwwwwwwwn!"

"Must you say those everytime you stretch or yawn?"

"Hey, cut me some slack. Its been a long night, we've done a pretty extensive rock set and I have school tomorrow.

"Right, you're still a kid. I remember my high school days.."

"Before or after World War I?"

"You know, if our drummer wasn't sick, I wouldn't have called you, Trizen."

"You and I both know that's not true, Miss Celia."

The older vocalist smirked almost in sync with the young drummer, "True enough; let's take it down a notch. More couples are starting to get on the floor again."

"Really?" Takano had realized there were quite a few couples more than usual in the bar. It was a popular spot, especially on nights like these, but it seemed there were more politics involved tonight if anything else. Not because he had a sixth sense about any of it, but the vibe in the room was pretty mixed -- not to mention the kind of music they played for the night. If it wasn't one sad sort of love theme, it was another. The only funny thing was seeing the amount of failures that were on earlier that night. He knew it was an open session kind of dealie, but he was not a fan of terrible singers -- though thankfully there weren't a lot of them. However, what did impress him were the combined duo of Ryuu and... and... well, he didn't know her name. She looked very familiar, but Trizen was not one to get caught up with who was dating who and such. If anything, he was even more impressed Ryuu was able to get a date with such a beautiful young woman -- not to say Ryuu was shabby or anything. Either way, the duo did a great job, he just wished he was able to say what's up at least. But, when occupied by the presence of grace, Trizen understood. The second act that impressed him was the other right afterwards. Trizen knew him too. It was Matrim. They spoke once when Emily was Captain of 259. But that was a while ago. Might have been months since they've actually had a conversation, but something was off about him -- besides being drunk. Or maybe that's all there was, but the sophomore never pegged him for a heavy drinker. Like previously thought, there were a lot of things going on within the bar, he just didn't know what.

Once Matrim was finished and Celia took to the stage again, the houseband played a few more upbeat tunes. He was glad when he was able to play something a little familiar, or new-ish, Trizen played 'In the Shadows' when he met Ryuu earlier on last week or so. Though at the time, he played bass. Lucky for Trizen, he had a good idea of what Nick was playing that day in the auditorium.

"How I know?" The brunette said on looking to the guitarist, who had the cue and started to play his bit. In that moment, she looked out to the crowd on the floor she said, "We're gonna take it down a few for the couples on the floor. Though don't worry, it'll still be funky enough for you."

With a small fill and keeping the pocket, Trizen and the rest of the houseband came in to start the tune.

"In my dreams, I dream you.
When I wake I still feel you.
Wanna be around you.
Can't even sleep without you.

That's how I know love...
That's how I know love...

Everyday seems better.
Sunshine; no stormy weather.
Best believe I'm thankful,
For your heart, I'm so grateful.
God sent you my way, and ever since that day, there's been a change...
I'll smile a little more than I did before,
I can't explain...

That's how I know love...
That's how I know love..."

[Reira DeMorvick]

“Sounds good to me,” Reira said enthusiastically, placing her hand in Ryuu’s. All she wanted to do was get as far away from Matrim as she possibly could. Right now really wasn’t the best of times to ‘catch up.’ Oh the horror that would be. Both of them were drunk, their egos at the very highest, what could go wrong? Hmm, maybe a little scene? Get everyone rowdy. Suure, why not…yeah riiight.

Smiling at Ryuu once more, she placed her arms around his neck and began to move her body to the music. Reira was actually beginning to enjoy herself, that was until she saw Matrim with some black haired chick. It wasn’t how he was dancing with the girl that bothered her, it was how he was getting closer. It was bad enough she couldn’t stop thinking about him! Now he was really like a plague. Well…at least he didn’t appear to recognize her. Still, she didn’t want to take that chance.

Placing her hands on Ryuu’s hips, she tried to pull him more into the center of the crowd, thinking that maybe she’d lose Matrim within all the dancing bodies. Only her plan didn’t really work all that well. You see, she fell. Yes, she tripped over her drunkenness and was now on her ass. It was a miracle she wasn’t getting trampled right now.

Wait…I can escape without being seen! Ohhh goody!! Yes yes yes! Drunken logic, fun no?

Reira crawled a few feet away from Ryuu. Admist all the feet and moving bodies, she thanked god it was a slow song! If it were anything more upbeat she’d probably be smooshed. Moving at a quick pace, she maneuvered around legs and happened to glimpse at the current people playing. What a cute drummer---BAH bitch stepped on my pinky!!! Making a small moaning sound, she was glad she could see the exit of the massive collection of bodies. Almost there!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.

*bump*

Blinking once, she stopped to rub her head and then peered up.

Snap. Crackle. Pop.

“BAHHH!!!!”

Abruptly standing up, she bit her tongue to make her stop screaming and sorta just stood in front of Matrim. Her cheeks were rather red. From her blushing, the alcohol, from the heat of the room? Who knows. All that mattered right now was that she had to get away.

“Um. Hi.”

Turning around, she tried to leave.

[Ryuu]

“Sounds good to me.” Ryuu heard Reira say enthusiastically, as she placed her hand in his as he led her onto the dance floor. He saw her smile at him once more as he smiled back at her, before he saw Matrim point over at him with the hand holding his drink, as Ryuu's smile dropped like a single drop of rain. "Look, it's Ryuu! With a girl! Who looksh an awfully a lot a like Reira!" It was pretty apparent by now that Matrim was drunk as a monkey, as Ryuu stared at Matrim, this girl didn't just look a lot like Reira, she was Reira. He then felt her place her arms around his neck, bringing his attention back on her as she began to move her body to the music, Ryuu was only shorter than Reira by about an inch or so, but that didn't bother him, as he placed his hands on her waist and danced with her. He saw from the corner of his eye Matrim dance with a black haired girl, and while that didn't matter to Ryuu, he did notice however, that Matrim slowly was moving closer and closer to them. But even though Ryuu was slightly shorter than Reira, did not mean he was shorter than everyone else. In fact, he towered above the crowd, and saw on stage, Trizen, who was playing drums in the band that was about to play on stage. Ryuu saw the lead singer step up to the microphone, ready to begin. "We're gonna take it down a few for the couples on the floor. Though don't worry, it'll still be funky enough for you."

The band then began to play, as Ryuu felt Reira move her arms from his neck to his hips, and tried to pull him into the center of the crowd, as he followed, except that didn't turn out too well. As soon as Ryuu tried to follow, he felt, more than saw, Reira fall, he was pulled down with her, as he saw her land on her ass, he was more fortunate, and managed to land on one knee, catching himself. As soon as he balanced himself, he looked around for Reira amid the various legs, but lost sight of her. He straightened up, and looked around, and found Reira, well, actually more like heard Reira. “BAHHH!!!!” Ryuu's head whipped around, her voice had come from the direction of where Matrim was. He quickly picked his way through the crowd, and managed to catch up with her just as he saw her turn to leave. He quickly stretched his arm out and took hold of Reira's wrist, pulling her in his direction. "Calm down, it's me," he said quickly, as he led her through the crowd, back to the counter, "I don't know what happened between you and Matrim, and I don't want to know, but you sounded like you didn't want to see him right now."

Reaching the bar, Ryuu asked the bartender for his guitar case, as the guy lifted Ryuu's guitar case and handed it back to him. Ryuu quickly took it, and then turned once more to head back towards the entrance, pulling Reira behind him. "I think it's best we take our leave now. Who knows what Matrim can do, especially when he's drunk, right?" Carefully picking his way through the crowd, making sure not to hit anyone with his guitar case, Ryuu managed to reach the entrance to the bar, and quickly exited, as the slightly cold air hit him in the face. Breathing hard, Ryuu released Reira's wrist, placing his guitar case upright so he could lean on it. "I...if you don't have a place to stay in San Francisco, I can hook you up with a room at my house that I live in with my sister and father. They won't mind, I think my sister would love to have another female presence in the house, and I wouldn't mind, especially one as beautiful as you..."

...

That last part wasn't suppose to come out.

Damn...

[Matrim Gallagher]

Matrim was dancing slowly to the smooth Jazzy sounds of someone who looked an awful like that Trizen kid. But Matrim was just going with the music until he got bumped into, and then screamed at. He blinked wildly and his head went back, his hands went up to his ears, he tried to blink his focus, thinking there was something wrong with his eyes, “Um. Hi.”

"You.... you did this... Emily! Emily... you make me see her.... you made me see Rei... you and that shoe!" He said and giggled, stumbling backwards as he was in a fit of giggles. The dark haired girl caught him and he looked up, "You saved me... thank you!"

He uprighted himself to see Ryuu and her walking off, and he wondered if Ryuu and Emily were friends, "Emily! Emily! I see Reira when I look at you! Why.... why is that?" He was probably talking to himself at this point. He was speaking at a tone that would be hard for them to here as he stumbled away from the dance floor towards the bar, "I don't remember her... coming back... or changing shape... I saw Reira.. when I looked at Emily. Am I... Am I seeing Reira now? Or Emily? Does... Why is Ryuu... I need....."

He fell from his seat, he was on his back looking up, his face went from confusion to complete giddy behavior as the blond and the dark haired girl both knelt down around him trying to see if he was ok.

"I think I saw my heart tonight... it left my body quite some time ago you see... the first time me and her hung out, they ripped my heart out... I think they gave it to her." He began laughing at a hysterical level. Unaware to his surroundings, unaware of where he was and what he was doing. He was spouting off cryptic nonsense.

[Trizen Takano]

The young man really wasn't sure what the dealie was with everyone. As he kept the pocket and the groove solidified, Trizen made sure to keep his multitasking astute.

'Jeez... what's going on with everyone?' he thought in his mind as the slow tune managed to fit right in with what was happening. It was almost as though the slow jam made a path for both Matrim and Reira. Interestingly enough, it was almost as though Trizen had the point of view of a Watcher, though wondered if somehow he would be able to help. Both Reira and Matrim seemed drunk out of their minds, the only smirk raising thing was that Ryuu seemed to be in the middle of it. Perhaps the answer lied in helping Ryuu.

"We're going to take a twenty minute break," the lead vocalist, Miss Celia, said on cueing for the DJ to keep the mood light and danceable.

Trizen kept on his drum set for the while, still watching to see what was happening. Matrim really seemed out of it and Ryuu looked as though he needed a hand. Deciding now would be the time, the freshman put his sticks on the snare drum and quickly made his way off the stage.

"Good job!"
"You sound awesome!"
"Is that a Yamaha Stage Custom you're using?"

Those were few of things he had to try and slide past in order to help his friend. He was nodding, shaking hands, and smiling in a sort of apologetic fashion as he repeated on a consistent, "Thank you for the words, though my apologizes, I'll talk with you either before or after this coming set."

He squeezed through a few more people and realized they were headed towards the entrance of the bar. "Ryuu! Wait!"

Skidding past a few more people, Trizen finally arrived by Ryuu and Reira, though he believed he came at a very wrong time when he heard Ryuu say, "--a place to stay in San Francisco, I can hook you up with a room at my house that I live in with my sister and father. They won't mind, I think my sister would love to have another female presence in the house, and I wouldn't mind, especially one as beautiful as you..."

Trizen froze as he was literally an arm's length from Ryuu. Now he wasn't sure who would need the help. It was an awkward moment. How would she reply? Takano said nothing for the while. Not even a stammer.

[Reira DeMorvick]

Okay, now Reira was confused. She was expecting a different reaction from Matrim, not him thinking she was Emily. Who was Emily again? Hmm, yeah she wasn’t going to remember anytime soon, in fact, she was so drunk she hardly noticed Ryuu drag her out of the bar and outside into the cool night air. Well that was good, at least she was away from Matrim now…but still, a foolish part of her wanted to walk up to him and ask him why. That would have to wait for a sober time.

“Yeah…it was a good thing you got me out of there. Thanks. And umm, sorry for ruining our dance and stuff. Uhhh yeah.”

Hey, she was at least trying to make a decent conversation. That was all that mattered right? Riiight. Hugging herself to keep warm, Reira began to shift back and forth on the balls of her feet. She really didn’t know what was going to happen now, or how she’d get to her hotel room…Which conveniently reminded her of how she needed to get an apartment soon. Paying for a hotel room sucked ass. Speak of the devil.

"I...if you don't have a place to stay in San Francisco, I can hook you up with a room at my house that I live in with my sister and father. They won't mind, I think my sister would love to have another female presence in the house, and I wouldn't mind, especially one as beautiful as you..."

Honestly, she didn’t know what to say. So Reira blushed. My my, everyone was calling her beautiful these days, and she really didn’t know what to do with it all. She was a rather humble girl, well at least now she was. Smiling at Ryuu she was about to reply to his generosity when another boy interrupted. She blinked once when she noticed it was that cute drummer she spotted while she was crawling on the floor. Eww, she was crawling on the floor…someone was going to take a shower almost immediately once they get home. Err…yeah home.

Waving a welcome to the drummer she thought about her answer to Ryuu’s question. Wow, was she ever put on the spot. Both pair of eyes on her…gee Reira really had to make this sound good.

“That’s a lovely idea, but I’m sure you’re parents or sister wouldn’t want to see me in this state. I’d rather not have take me as a drunk as their first impression, if you know what I mean. But yeah, I I'll think about it…I just hope I wont be too much of an intrusion…I'm sorta in the middle of getting and apartment and um...wow maybe you should ask me when I'm not uhhh intoximacated? I think I found one….and HEY!!!! Are you related to Alex Hikari?”

A drunken rant and a startling realization? Go Reira!

[Ryuu]

Ryuu finally managed to reach the entrance of the bar as he continued to drag Reira along behind him, before letting go of her once they got outside into the cold night air. “Yeah...it was a good thing you got me out of there. Thanks. And umm, sorry for ruining our dance and stuff. Uhhh yeah.” Ryuu casually waved his right hand as he continued to catch his breath, he saw Reira hug herself to keep herself warm as he bounced back and forth on the balls of her feet. Once Ryuu finally managed to catch his breath, he then offered Reira a room at his house, if she didn't have a place to stay, even adding in how beautiful she was, except that last part wasn't suppose to come out. Crap. He saw Reira blush and smile at him, but before she could answer, he heard a voice call out. "Ryuu! Wait!"

Ryuu looked around, and saw Trizen about an arm's length away from him. "Trizen?" Ryuu said, slightly surprised, "What are you doing out here? I thought you were playing." Ryuu saw Reira blink once, before waving at Trizen. Ryuu was looking elsewhere, carefully staring into empty space, so Reira wouldn't feel too pressured to answer him right away. “That’s a lovely idea, but I’m sure your parents or sister wouldn’t want to see me in this state. I’d rather not have take me as a drunk as their first impression, if you know what I mean. But yeah, I I'll think about it…I just hope I won't be too much of an intrusion…I'm sorta in the middle of getting an apartment and um...wow maybe you should ask me when I'm not uhhh intoximacated? I think I found one….and HEY!!!! Are you related to Alex Hikari?”

"Don't worry about my dad or sister," Ryuu replied, waving his hand casually once more, "My dad is usually busy, but he wouldn't mind. And my sister, I think she would be absolutely thrilled. But sure, think about it, and I'll ask you when you're sober?" Ryuu blinked once when he heard his cousin's name. "I'm Alex's cousin." Short and simple. Ryuu then checked the time on his cell, whoa! It was late! Time to go home, or his sister would throw a fit if he didn't come home. "How about I'll walk you to wherever you're staying, which way?" Ryuu then looked over at Trizen, who hadn't said a single word all this time. "Trizen? You okay? You look a little awestruck. Is your band still playing, or you guys finished?"

[Trizen Takano]

Trizen was glad he hadn't said anything for the while. It seemed there was more going on than what was previously thought, though he did wise to just not say anything and stay out of it. Thankfully it seemed Reira and Ryuu were moving on to different topics. A kind of depressing topic, but hopefully one that would be resolved soon. No place to live? That's rough.

"Huh?" he snapped out of it as Reira waved at her. Trizen didn't recognize her that well, but she seemed polite enough. He chuckled a bit as he wondered if she would even remember saying hello to him here in this moment.

"--playing, or you guys finished?" That's what he heard on picking up the conversation once again. He missed the first bit, but whatever. He put the pieces together in his mind by mashing the fuzzy syllables together.

"No worries," he replied hoping he was right, "I'm cool. Just a little lost in thought was all. And we're still playing, we're just on a twenty minute break. I wanted to see if things were alright with you; you looked like you needed a bit of help, or might have. He said on referring to Matrim. Trizen didn't know the man very well, but he looked like the kind of guy that wouldn't mind putting the breaks on someone if he thought the other was getting too fast -- especially on what looked to be an triangular kind of situation.