This is the life

[Sebastian Rossi]

Sebastian Rossi stood off to the side of the stage watching his friend, Evan, and his band, The Striped Centaurs, perform their hit, No Potion Could Make Me Love You Again. It was one of his favorite songs and his foot tapped along, keeping beat with the drummer. His green eyes scanned the dimly lit wizarding club, noting that everyone seemed to be into the music or too drunk to realize that music was even being played. In the back of the place, a very buzzed couple slow-danced to the uptempo beat that was very much not a love song. He chuckled, turning his attention to his guitar, which was standing patiently beside him, ready to be strummed. Sebastian patted it gently, as if he was soothing the instrument as the flutters began in his stomach. A drink nudged his elbow, and when he realized that it was only water, Bas took it and drank a large gulp. It was one of the few differences between muggle and wizarding places, but Sebastian quite enjoyed having drinks come to him rather than having to get them himself.

As the final note was sung and the crowd erupted into applause, Sebastian took a step out of the shadows. Evan turned to him and began introducing him to the crowd. "I've been begging him to come out and play a couple of songs with us and he's finally done touring so he had no excuses. Give it up for Ares Moon's Sebastian Rossi." Bas was already slipping his guitar over his head as he stepped onto the stage. He gave the crowd a slight wave and then played a few practice notes. One thing he loved about wizarding guitars was that they were never out of tune. Nodding his head to Ev, Bas broke out into one of the group's oldest songs. He'd agreed to do this favor for his friend whose guitarist was stuck in the hospital at the wrong end of a Confusing Concoction. Thankfully, he was on the mend but he certainly wouldn't have been up to playing so Bas had stepped in. Playing the beginning chords, Bas looked around at the crowd, giving a charming smile to several ladies who had inched closer to the stage. As the song kicked in, he allowed his body to sway to the beat while Evan began to sing. Being on stage, even if it wasn't with Ares Moon, was the best feeling in the world and Sebastian was grateful that he was able to spend his nights performing.

 

[Nicola Harris]

Nicola was so excited, she had been waiting a long time and the day had finally come. She was going to see one of the guy's from her favorite band, and it wasn't that far from home either. She had found out a few weeks ago that another band she liked would be playing in the area, and it just so happened that Sebastian Rossi would be playing there as well. Ever since all Nicola had done was first, beg her parent's to let her go, and count the day's left until she could go. It had taken a lot of persuading on her part to get her parent's let her go to a wizarding club and see them, but finally she found out one of her friends and their older brother was going. After a few frantic phone calls it was agreed she could go with them.

Nicola had taken a while to decide what to wear, as she was going through her closet she had started a pile where things deemed to colorful, or plain, or formal had went until she had pulled together the perfect outfit. She new it was a bit dark for her, but she had went to a muggle store and liked a lot of what they had. She wasn't goth or anything but she had had the spur of the moment urge to buy the stuff, and she did like it. Satisfied with her appearance she managed to get through the house without anyone seeing her. "Okay guy's there here got to go, love you." Before anyone could say anything she was out the door and grabbing onto her awaiting friend. Her brother apparated them straight to the club and she smiled. 'This is it, I'm finally here.'

Nicola stood anxiously waiting for music to start. Her friend and brother had vanished, not that she cared as long as they found each other when it was time to leave. She smiled as The Striped Centaurs played their first song. It was one she new and she danced a little to the music. Then he was introduced and every girl in the crowd screamed a little. She on the other hand just clapped nervously, she didn't want to be a crazy fan girl. He started to play and she rocked back in forth, her new boots hurting her feet, but that didn't even bug her. She was too busy listing as he warmed up, the reason she loved Ares Moon so much was because they had such a good guitarist. She looked up to Sebastian and hoped to one day follow in his footsteps.

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

It was certainly interesting to be performing without Ares Moon for the first time. Sebastian had always had the comfort of having his band around him, with the comfort of songs that he knew intimately, but tonight he didn't. Since he was simply a guest this evening, Sebastian hadn't been expecting the cheers and yells that he received from the ladies and he found himself having to hide the grin that crossed his face. The members of the band had received more attention than he had, but there was no doubt that some of his supporters had also come to the show. Moving around the stage, Sebastian played through first one song and then another, singing a bit of background vocals as well, which was something he usually didn't do with Ares Moon.

Several songs later, Sebastian had abandoned his plaid shirt, opting for just the black tank top he had underneath. The club was hot from all of the bodies dancing and moving around. As he ripped into a guitar solo, Sebastian could see some of those who had appeared uninterested in him turn their attention to the stage once more. As his hand slid up and down the neck of the guitar, Sebastian knew that even if they missed Roger, they could no longer hold that against him. Sebastian moved closer to the front of the stage and put his foot on one of the amps, hamming it up as he pushed his guitar to hit the notes that only a wizarding guitar could hit. It was music to his ears and he hoped everyone else's as well. A heavily made up blonde reached to touch him and Sebastian gave her a smirk as he spun away to finish up the last of his solo. Bringing the guitar's notes back to the melody, Sebastian joined the group to finish up his last song with them.

As the last note died down, the crowd replaced the void the music had left with their own noise. Bas waved to the crowd and left the stage, grabbing his shirt and throwing it over his shoulder as he did. Bas managed to avoid the crowd as he headed backstage to fetch his wand and send his guitar and his sweaty shirt and tank top safely back to his house. The night was young and another band would be performing shortly so the musician planned to stick around. Wearing a shirt that had the club's logo, Sebastian kept his blonde head down as he made his way around the club, entering through the front again. He beelined for the bar, and quickly ordered a water. He leaned against the bar, his head bopping to the beat of the music playing over the loudspeakers as he waited for his water.

 

[Nicola Harris]

Nicola watched the performance intently, swaying a little with the music. She didn't want to dance she was too busy watching Sebastian's hands move up and down the neck of the guitar. She watched every note he played and smiled because she knew someday, someone would be doing the same to her. Watching her every move and hoping that one day that just might be them. She knew every note he hit and knew that she would be able to play songs like that. Maybe not right now but with practice maybe in a year or two.She knew she was good, but not good enough for a large stage yet.

Nicola watched Sebastian break into a guitar solo. He was really good and she was so glad she had been able to come see him live. The last song played and she smiled, happy and sad at the same time. She wished she could stay longer but really she had told her family she would leave with her friends and she didn't think they were going to stay much longer. Scanning the crowd it took her a moment too find her friend, She walked over and was dismayed to learn that she could not find her brother. Which meant they were stuck here before they found him. Nicola didn't mind staying, it was just she didn't want to be left here and not be able to get home.

Nicola walked around a bit after her friend went off to find her brother. She had already looked around some and not spotted him, and it was hot. So taking the little money her parent's had given her she walked to the bar to get something to drink. Nicola ordered a water speaking she was way to young to drink, and paid the bartender. She didn't take much notice of the people around her until she spotted someone. Someone who looked suspiciously like the person she had come here to watch play. She couldn't believe it, it was and no one around seemed to notice. He wasn't being bombarded by friends or anything. She wanted so badly to go ask him some questions but knew he must get annoyed by people like her all the time. So instead she stood there water in hand looking at him, unsure what to do.

Out of Character:

Sorry it took so long.

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Thanks to the loud bass, the young musician found no need to converse with the people beside him. Instead, he concentrated his gaze on the dance floor where women were dancing the night away, some simply with friends and others attempting to garner free drinks by sidling up to a guy and twitching her hips from side to side. It wasn't really his thing, not this side of the it anyway. He was much more comfortable being on the stage performing. Sebastian turned slightly when he felt the icy nudge that let him know that the bartender had placed a bottle of water beside him. Glad that the man had already popped the top off, Bas took several huge gulps, allowing the icy liquid to quench his massive thirst. When he finally lowered the bottle, he spotted a teenager, eyeing him. A bit self-conscious, Sebastian placed the bottle back on the counter, not surprised to discover that only a sip or two was left. Boy, had he been thirsty. He glanced quickly at his borrowed shirt, but saw no water stains. That was not the reason for her stares either.

Considering her with his green eyes for only a second more, Bas realized that she recognized him from the stage. He'd seen that look before. At least, she didn't seem to have the hungry look that the groupies often had when they saw a member of a band, so that was some consolation. It was times like this that he wished he were a metamorphmagus though. To be able to disguise yourself with little more than a thought was a feat he would have liked to have sometimes. He quickly put a finger to his lips and then gestured for her to come over. If she truly did recognize him, perhaps he could dissuade her from making it known to everyone else that he had ventured to the area where the general public was. Not that anyone else seemed to care. That was one of the benefits of being still sort of unknown and having never toured in this part of Europe- he had fewer people to worry about recognizing him.

Not bothering with any sort of introduction since he was fairly certain she knew who he was, Sebastian spoke. "Hey...aren't you a little young to be in here?" he asked in an approving way once she'd reached him, wondering if she'd snuck in. She didn't really seem old enough to be in a place like this judging by the fact that she was drinking water and not imbibing like the other people around them. He turned to the bartender again, and pointed at his bottle asking for a refill before turning back to the teenager.

 

[Nicola Harris]

Nicola hadn't realized she had been staring so long until he looked at her. Her eyes widened and she quickly blinked. She hoped he didn't think she was a crazy fan girl, she really just wanted to know how they had done it, started the band and made it. He sshhed her and motioned her over. Her heart was pounding and she couldn't believe that he was motioning for her of all people to go to him. She wondered why he would take interest in someone like her, but then it hit her. 'He thinks I'm going to scream his name and draw attention to him or something.' Nicola could understand that, she hadn't been thinking about doing anything like that but she was sure it had happened to him a lot.

Nicola would never want someone to do that to her, she was just going to walk away not bothering him. But the fact that he knew she was there, it meant she was going to get to meet one of her biggest inspirations. She walked over wondering what she would say. She hadn't planned for this to happen and she was suddenly very scared she would say something stupid and embarrass herself. Trying to plan what to say before she got to Sebastian she tried to think of a good way to explain herself. Looking at him she realized she didn't have time and finished the space between them. She didn't know what to say and was thankful that he asked her if she was a bit young to be here.

Nicola smiled on instinct, "A little." She wondered if she should elaborate and decided she should, "I came with a friend and her older brother, he got us in." She thought about what she had said a little more and decided it was still a bit vague, "I just had to come and see your show. I'm love your music, I want to be in a band too. I play guitar and I had to see you play." She hoped she didn't sound too stupid, desperate and young but knew she must have to him. He probably had to deal with people like her all the time and hoped he didn't hate her.

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Sebastian nodded as the girl confirmed that she was indeed too young to be in the club. He couldn't fault her though, especially if she was a fan of his. He'd done the same thing, many times over, when he'd been her age. He had even gotten caught and kicked out of several places for simply trying to enjoy some music. As far as he knew, there was no age limit on being able to enjoy some rock-n-roll so he'd never been able to understand the restrictions. "Your secret's safe with me" he said good-naturedly, a smile growing on his face.

As she continued, Sebastian picked up his second water bottle and took a sip. He was touched at her response. "That's awesome. Did I live up to your expectations then?" he asked, his pierced eyebrow rising as he hoped that he had. He often came across fans, usually screaming teenaged girls, so hearing that she wanted to follow in his footsteps was music to Sebastian's ears. It was the real reason he played. He wanted to touch others with his music, not simply have them screaming and fawning simply because he was performing onstage and they hoped to cash in on same of his fame. Not that he had much anyway. Fans always seemed to think he was more famous and important than he really was. Sure, he'd performed in a couple of venues and sure the group had even been in the tabloids and in a few magazines, but he was still very much a normal guy.

 

[Nicola Harris]

Nicola thought she heard a bot of understanding in Sebastian's voice when he said that her secret was safe with him. "Thanks." She smiled, she hadn't thought he would have her kicked out for being underage. No one else seemed to care anyways. She would have thought someone would have noticed two 15 year old's in a pub, but not that she cared. It worked out better for her speaking she didn't want to be kicked out. In fact she had been worried in the previous days that they would never get in, and if they did they would surely be kicked out. So she had been very surprised when no one seemed to notice.

Nicola could have died when he asked if he had lived up to her expectations. 'Him live up to my expectations?' He insides could have exploded he was so good, he shouldn't even have to ask. "Yes, especially that solo. I'm not that good yet, it gives me something to work towards." Nicola knew she wasn't perfect but she had gotten a lot better this year, she had been focusing more time and energy into her music and she thought it was working. She really had never had a second opinion so there was no way for her to know for sure but in her head she was making progress.

 

[Sebastian Rossi]

Sebastian grinned, pleased that she had enjoyed the performance. Since she'd gone through all the trouble of sneaking in, he was glad. He nodded his head as she said it gave her something to work towards. It was a strange feeling to know that someone looked up to him. Sure, he knew that fans said that but hearing this girl say it to his face put it into a different perspective for the boy. "Great...Say you already know my name, but I don't know yours" he said with a smile. She seemed to take music seriously and if there was any fan he wanted to get to know, it was her.

Finishing off his second bottle of water, Sebastian's thirst was finally sated. He watched the MC come on stage and announce that the next act would be on in five minutes before turning back to the girl. "You know what you have to do if you want to get better? You've got to perform a lot...for whoever will listen." He nodded and then continued. "When I was younger, I used to sign up for these muggle things called open-mic nights and just play. It was good practice." Those were the days before he'd formed Ares Moon when he snuck away from Beauxbatons frequently.