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More Than a Memory for me
Aug. 16th, 2022 11:33 pmWriter's Month 2022 Day 9: Echo
Ziggy paused at the door before stepping into the studio. It was an odd feeling to be back in the studio where he had first met his bandmates, where they had auditioned to join him three years earlier. The producer wasn't on site yet and it left Ziggy standing in the room and glancing around.
His ability to sense emotions was a boon when it came to performance and sway the people around him. Here thought, alone with a place full of memories and emotions, there was negative impact. Perhaps it was not strictly negative because the emotions were positive, but the ghosts of the past caught the hybrid Anthean off guard.
The past came flooding back in vivid images as if he were watching the past as a passive observer. He saw himself turning to watch Mick walk into the studio for the first time. He felt those old emotions when he wasn't as skilled with his own feelings. The rush of attraction and an instantaneous kind of love that he imagined humans described as first sight. He felt all those flutters when they walked up to each other to shake hands. He felt Mick's quaking and his own desire seeping in from the past. Maybe it was a memory as much as the residuals of this place.
The place kept him in the past as that first day played out. The moment came when Mick had ran away. Back then, in the moments he was seeing, it had been te emotions of desperate panic. Now, the idea of Mick running off had Ziggy's heart pouning with pain. The moments replaying before him felt like they were eons ago now.
“Ziggy?”
The voice startled him so much the vision faded but the emotions lingered. “Are we ready to schedule for recording?”
The Anthean forcing himself to turn back to business even if the past still lingered there.
Ziggy paused at the door before stepping into the studio. It was an odd feeling to be back in the studio where he had first met his bandmates, where they had auditioned to join him three years earlier. The producer wasn't on site yet and it left Ziggy standing in the room and glancing around.
His ability to sense emotions was a boon when it came to performance and sway the people around him. Here thought, alone with a place full of memories and emotions, there was negative impact. Perhaps it was not strictly negative because the emotions were positive, but the ghosts of the past caught the hybrid Anthean off guard.
The past came flooding back in vivid images as if he were watching the past as a passive observer. He saw himself turning to watch Mick walk into the studio for the first time. He felt those old emotions when he wasn't as skilled with his own feelings. The rush of attraction and an instantaneous kind of love that he imagined humans described as first sight. He felt all those flutters when they walked up to each other to shake hands. He felt Mick's quaking and his own desire seeping in from the past. Maybe it was a memory as much as the residuals of this place.
The place kept him in the past as that first day played out. The moment came when Mick had ran away. Back then, in the moments he was seeing, it had been te emotions of desperate panic. Now, the idea of Mick running off had Ziggy's heart pouning with pain. The moments replaying before him felt like they were eons ago now.
“Ziggy?”
The voice startled him so much the vision faded but the emotions lingered. “Are we ready to schedule for recording?”
The Anthean forcing himself to turn back to business even if the past still lingered there.
A Slip of the Tongue
Aug. 4th, 2022 10:06 amFor Writer's Month 2022 Day 3: Actor
Everything about the interactions was exhausting. Ziggy played it off as if his personality was exaggerated and Mick pretended like he didn't notice. Their bassist watched them all the time and Ziggy felt like he knew how the two were spirally around each other. Only social standards and fear kept them at arms length.
Tonight on stage something had happened. As Mick came to share the mic for the usual vocals something snapped. Ziggy had slid his arm around the guitarist's neck and pulled him in close. Thank whatever presence of mind it was that stopped him from kissing the blonde. He was nervous now. Worried that Mick would run again and worried about the interview that would be in a few moments post performance.
Ziggy swallowed hard as he was led back to the stage for a brief interview about the new single. Sitting on the couch he wished no one would notice. He wished people would see it as a friendly gesture but he knew better.
“That was quite a performance Ziggy.”
Ziggy's eyes came from the crowd to the interviewer and he tried to settle his emotions. “Yes, we're excited to perform songs from the new album.”
It was an innocuous and neutral reply but he could see it in the eyes of the interviewer. The bomb was coming.
“We couldn't help but notice that you and Mick are very friendly on stage together.”
Ziggy pulled in his confidence and burned the man with an intense gaze. “Bands like ours spend months recording. We see each other everyday, more than we see our families sometimes. The bond between a band, if they're going to last through the chaotic trials of the music industry, has to be strong.” Ziggy smiled and shrugged. “Mick has some stage nerves and being on TV, he needed the support.”
The interviewer looked dubious but Ziggy gave him such a glare that he didn't dare ask more. Once the questions moved on to the music Ziggy relaxed but he knew more would come. No one was going to drop what they thought of two men hugging. No wonder humanity was dooming itself. It couldn't embrace love and affection.
Everything about the interactions was exhausting. Ziggy played it off as if his personality was exaggerated and Mick pretended like he didn't notice. Their bassist watched them all the time and Ziggy felt like he knew how the two were spirally around each other. Only social standards and fear kept them at arms length.
Tonight on stage something had happened. As Mick came to share the mic for the usual vocals something snapped. Ziggy had slid his arm around the guitarist's neck and pulled him in close. Thank whatever presence of mind it was that stopped him from kissing the blonde. He was nervous now. Worried that Mick would run again and worried about the interview that would be in a few moments post performance.
Ziggy swallowed hard as he was led back to the stage for a brief interview about the new single. Sitting on the couch he wished no one would notice. He wished people would see it as a friendly gesture but he knew better.
“That was quite a performance Ziggy.”
Ziggy's eyes came from the crowd to the interviewer and he tried to settle his emotions. “Yes, we're excited to perform songs from the new album.”
It was an innocuous and neutral reply but he could see it in the eyes of the interviewer. The bomb was coming.
“We couldn't help but notice that you and Mick are very friendly on stage together.”
Ziggy pulled in his confidence and burned the man with an intense gaze. “Bands like ours spend months recording. We see each other everyday, more than we see our families sometimes. The bond between a band, if they're going to last through the chaotic trials of the music industry, has to be strong.” Ziggy smiled and shrugged. “Mick has some stage nerves and being on TV, he needed the support.”
The interviewer looked dubious but Ziggy gave him such a glare that he didn't dare ask more. Once the questions moved on to the music Ziggy relaxed but he knew more would come. No one was going to drop what they thought of two men hugging. No wonder humanity was dooming itself. It couldn't embrace love and affection.
Time to Be Seen
Oct. 29th, 2021 07:20 amIt was almost time for something that had started, or been planned, long ago. Now they were here, the morning after the London show and the Anthean was standing on the mezinine, in the hotel, that overlooked the dining room. The bands were filtering in to find friends, bandmates, and lovers. The scene was rowdy, unpredictable, chaotic. Ziggy watched, leaning on the railing, and felt deep down that this is what he was meant to do. One of the messages that he had set out to send was the need for putting aside differences, crossing cultures and boundries. He knew that was needed to save humanity, to save the Earth.
He smiled guessing at the number of music generas now on the tour. 5? Glam rock, glam metal, punk. thrash, Glam..folk... what the hell genera were the Hammers, anyway? Ziggy suddenly realized he didn't know and no one had really ever defined them either. Maybe turning from labels was the point of it all. Seven countries represented the people below and, if he could be honest, two planets. That part had to remain quiet but seven countries was a hell of a lot.
All of his thoughts about grand ideas and prophecies easily became overshadowed by what he saw. Near thirty of them now, people who felt as outsiders, people who were lost, grieving, broken, hurting, traumatized... lonely... brought together into a family. One insane, gigantic family that had him laughing as he heard the morning scream of Aarne who never greeted anyone at less than his full vocal capacity. This had started with six; the Spiders, Robert and Ziggy's father. They weren't yet close, Mick bolting, and everything disjointed. Three years ago.
Ziggy's mind drifted, two years left. They had two years to save the world, to save it from the horrors that Jack and Damien lived because Ziggy knew that was one of the possible futures, one of the possible outcomes. Thomas had finally divulged that detail to him months ago. None of them knew, or well most of them didn't know, they were the saviors of this Earth, or trying to be. Maybe in their hearts they did know and he doubted them because it was subconcious, a natural drive. Was that what he had picked up on when he put these bands in proximity to each other? A drive to tell everyone and everything to fuck off and show the world a better way?
Ziggy had a lot of questions on his mind, but not a lot of answers. Life worked that way. Rekker had once told him that; “Hindsight is the only place with answers. If you were looking toward the future it should be like you are deep in a fog and fumbling toward the sound of your goals. Never knowing what was going to come out of it, no clue what you would stumble into. If you knew exactly how the future was going to go then you weren't risking anything at all. You weren't doing anything new.” Those words had been the older singer's advice to Ziggy when he started with his first band. Even with two prophetic aliens running with this crew the future was unknown. How true the Brit's words were now that they were kicking around in Ziggy's head with years of hindsight to give them meaning. For Ziggy, and the Brit himself.
Over all his thoughts was a layer of emotions and language from below. His Anthean senses picking up on it even if he was barely paying attention to the concrete world, lost in an internal dialogue. There was love below, a whole room full of it now that they had taken over the hotel's entire dining hall between the bands and the crew that were staying at the same place. The Anthean couldn't even tell them all how this one act protected him from the hostile environment of humanity. The environment that had nearly driven Thomas insane when he was trapped in it alone, lesson learned. He rolled his eyes at the older Anthean sitting beside his father, suspicious that he knew.
Thomas told Ziggy he needed to encourage the most hidden he encountered to be themselves and to love without reservation. The singer had thought that was a grand word of prophecy from the Anthean who was more in-tune with his abilities. Ziggy doubted it now. Hindsight, Rekker's heavy London accent intruded in his thoughts while the Anthean's eyes focused on Gilly. He was the one that started this. One diner conversation where Ziggy pulled him aside and told him to go to Hunter. A string of events rippled out from that moment which drew in each of the others one at a time. Stepping back from that moment with Gllly was Mick and his courage to finally say enough hiding. Ziggy was trying to weave a line of threads between people. He and Mick, to Gilly, to Gilly's older brother, the Hell's Angel's, Hunter, The Hammers, Hunter to Erik, to Robert, to Rekker and Hexed, to Bjorn and Blixt to Hans, and Ollie.. and back to Rik in the Hammers, twice there, to Billy to Viktor and Vars and across to Dee and Ulrik and on and on stitching back and around though the heart of the bands.. then he had to backpedal.. somewhere in there existed Jack to Zack to Damien and himself to Gloria and Weird. The spider web of connections.
Ziggy froze and then laughed thinking of Newton when the young Anthean had his heart set on his band being known as the Spiders. Newton had this knowing little smirk the entire time he sat quietly in that café while Ziggy prattled on with glorious intentions and optimism. It was before his father had met Newton, before the first band, long before this. The Spiders were a web, or created one anyway, that culminated in this. Thomas knew. And Ziggy laughed at the idea that his people thought he was the prophetic one.
The Anthean finally pulled himself away from his thoughts when he saw Mick staring up at him with love. He waved and moved toward the steps that lead below. They all needed to get food and get it together. This evening was to be an interview for the ages. He wondered if the silent Anthean, Thomas, had an inkling of what was about to happen. The more he thought about it the more the answer to that question was a resounding yes.
He smiled guessing at the number of music generas now on the tour. 5? Glam rock, glam metal, punk. thrash, Glam..folk... what the hell genera were the Hammers, anyway? Ziggy suddenly realized he didn't know and no one had really ever defined them either. Maybe turning from labels was the point of it all. Seven countries represented the people below and, if he could be honest, two planets. That part had to remain quiet but seven countries was a hell of a lot.
All of his thoughts about grand ideas and prophecies easily became overshadowed by what he saw. Near thirty of them now, people who felt as outsiders, people who were lost, grieving, broken, hurting, traumatized... lonely... brought together into a family. One insane, gigantic family that had him laughing as he heard the morning scream of Aarne who never greeted anyone at less than his full vocal capacity. This had started with six; the Spiders, Robert and Ziggy's father. They weren't yet close, Mick bolting, and everything disjointed. Three years ago.
Ziggy's mind drifted, two years left. They had two years to save the world, to save it from the horrors that Jack and Damien lived because Ziggy knew that was one of the possible futures, one of the possible outcomes. Thomas had finally divulged that detail to him months ago. None of them knew, or well most of them didn't know, they were the saviors of this Earth, or trying to be. Maybe in their hearts they did know and he doubted them because it was subconcious, a natural drive. Was that what he had picked up on when he put these bands in proximity to each other? A drive to tell everyone and everything to fuck off and show the world a better way?
Ziggy had a lot of questions on his mind, but not a lot of answers. Life worked that way. Rekker had once told him that; “Hindsight is the only place with answers. If you were looking toward the future it should be like you are deep in a fog and fumbling toward the sound of your goals. Never knowing what was going to come out of it, no clue what you would stumble into. If you knew exactly how the future was going to go then you weren't risking anything at all. You weren't doing anything new.” Those words had been the older singer's advice to Ziggy when he started with his first band. Even with two prophetic aliens running with this crew the future was unknown. How true the Brit's words were now that they were kicking around in Ziggy's head with years of hindsight to give them meaning. For Ziggy, and the Brit himself.
Over all his thoughts was a layer of emotions and language from below. His Anthean senses picking up on it even if he was barely paying attention to the concrete world, lost in an internal dialogue. There was love below, a whole room full of it now that they had taken over the hotel's entire dining hall between the bands and the crew that were staying at the same place. The Anthean couldn't even tell them all how this one act protected him from the hostile environment of humanity. The environment that had nearly driven Thomas insane when he was trapped in it alone, lesson learned. He rolled his eyes at the older Anthean sitting beside his father, suspicious that he knew.
Thomas told Ziggy he needed to encourage the most hidden he encountered to be themselves and to love without reservation. The singer had thought that was a grand word of prophecy from the Anthean who was more in-tune with his abilities. Ziggy doubted it now. Hindsight, Rekker's heavy London accent intruded in his thoughts while the Anthean's eyes focused on Gilly. He was the one that started this. One diner conversation where Ziggy pulled him aside and told him to go to Hunter. A string of events rippled out from that moment which drew in each of the others one at a time. Stepping back from that moment with Gllly was Mick and his courage to finally say enough hiding. Ziggy was trying to weave a line of threads between people. He and Mick, to Gilly, to Gilly's older brother, the Hell's Angel's, Hunter, The Hammers, Hunter to Erik, to Robert, to Rekker and Hexed, to Bjorn and Blixt to Hans, and Ollie.. and back to Rik in the Hammers, twice there, to Billy to Viktor and Vars and across to Dee and Ulrik and on and on stitching back and around though the heart of the bands.. then he had to backpedal.. somewhere in there existed Jack to Zack to Damien and himself to Gloria and Weird. The spider web of connections.
Ziggy froze and then laughed thinking of Newton when the young Anthean had his heart set on his band being known as the Spiders. Newton had this knowing little smirk the entire time he sat quietly in that café while Ziggy prattled on with glorious intentions and optimism. It was before his father had met Newton, before the first band, long before this. The Spiders were a web, or created one anyway, that culminated in this. Thomas knew. And Ziggy laughed at the idea that his people thought he was the prophetic one.
The Anthean finally pulled himself away from his thoughts when he saw Mick staring up at him with love. He waved and moved toward the steps that lead below. They all needed to get food and get it together. This evening was to be an interview for the ages. He wondered if the silent Anthean, Thomas, had an inkling of what was about to happen. The more he thought about it the more the answer to that question was a resounding yes.
Baby Mine.
Oct. 2nd, 2021 08:35 pmFor Hand Holding prompt 1. tiny hands in big hands
Ziggy had been out for the day and came back to the townhouse early in the evening. Greeted by the cats and the sound of Mick quietly playing his guitar. The Anthean brought his little sister along for the evening. She was getting bigger and needed to spend time with others to develop properly, a quirk that wasn't likely to be unique to Anthean children.
“Mick?” He called as he closed the door and shifted his sister in his arms. She was cooing and playing with the flpped up collar of his jumpsuit. Seeing Mick, Ziggy went to kiss his cheek and let Zayda greet her brother. Always, she grabbed his hair and Ziggy laughed while trying to work the tiny fingers out of his partner's hair. There were feelings this moment pulled to the surface. The desire to be a family, to start a family with Mick. Of course, that was for the future but it didn't stop the flutter in Ziggy's heart when he thought about it.
“How was your day, Zig?” Mick asked while taking his free hand for a squeeze.
All he could do was smile and lead Mick toward the livingroom and the plush couch. When Mick sat the Anthean crawled into his lap, holding his little sister in his lap. It felt good to feel Mick's arms around him and he leaned into the human's shoulders. Ziggy was playing with Zayda's tiny fingers when Mick wrapped both of their hands in his larger one. There was a daintiness to Ziggy's long thin fingers in the human's hands. He stared at their hands while watching their fingers intertwine and Zayda's even tinier hands wrapping around their fingers while she made the high pitched baby talk of an Anthean.
Mick nuzzled into Ziggy's cheek and pulled them both closer. The singer glanced at his guitarist out of the corner of his eyes, smile broadening to the point his cheeks ached. If true happiness existed, without pain, then this was a part of it. Ziggy took a breath and watched Zayda lean into Mick's chest with his bigger hands still around the delicate fingers.
“Mick?” Ziggy asked after a few moments.
“Hmmm...?” Mick looked to his girlfriend, kissing the Anthean's temple.
“Someday... maybe we'll sit like this with our little girl?” Ziggy couldn't keep the thoughts inside. He looked forward to the future. “...or maybe a boy who can be covered in mud like you were? You'll be a good father to our children.”
Mick blushed bright across the cheeks until Ziggy giggled. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mick.” Ziggy leaned his head on the human's shoulder watching his little sister in their lap. This was perfect.
Ziggy had been out for the day and came back to the townhouse early in the evening. Greeted by the cats and the sound of Mick quietly playing his guitar. The Anthean brought his little sister along for the evening. She was getting bigger and needed to spend time with others to develop properly, a quirk that wasn't likely to be unique to Anthean children.
“Mick?” He called as he closed the door and shifted his sister in his arms. She was cooing and playing with the flpped up collar of his jumpsuit. Seeing Mick, Ziggy went to kiss his cheek and let Zayda greet her brother. Always, she grabbed his hair and Ziggy laughed while trying to work the tiny fingers out of his partner's hair. There were feelings this moment pulled to the surface. The desire to be a family, to start a family with Mick. Of course, that was for the future but it didn't stop the flutter in Ziggy's heart when he thought about it.
“How was your day, Zig?” Mick asked while taking his free hand for a squeeze.
All he could do was smile and lead Mick toward the livingroom and the plush couch. When Mick sat the Anthean crawled into his lap, holding his little sister in his lap. It felt good to feel Mick's arms around him and he leaned into the human's shoulders. Ziggy was playing with Zayda's tiny fingers when Mick wrapped both of their hands in his larger one. There was a daintiness to Ziggy's long thin fingers in the human's hands. He stared at their hands while watching their fingers intertwine and Zayda's even tinier hands wrapping around their fingers while she made the high pitched baby talk of an Anthean.
Mick nuzzled into Ziggy's cheek and pulled them both closer. The singer glanced at his guitarist out of the corner of his eyes, smile broadening to the point his cheeks ached. If true happiness existed, without pain, then this was a part of it. Ziggy took a breath and watched Zayda lean into Mick's chest with his bigger hands still around the delicate fingers.
“Mick?” Ziggy asked after a few moments.
“Hmmm...?” Mick looked to his girlfriend, kissing the Anthean's temple.
“Someday... maybe we'll sit like this with our little girl?” Ziggy couldn't keep the thoughts inside. He looked forward to the future. “...or maybe a boy who can be covered in mud like you were? You'll be a good father to our children.”
Mick blushed bright across the cheeks until Ziggy giggled. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Mick.” Ziggy leaned his head on the human's shoulder watching his little sister in their lap. This was perfect.
For Nexus Prompt 3. Small rituals, whether by compulsion or for luck.
Dressing rooms were always crazy and with three bands plus a few additional musicians and friends the chaos was a fever pitch. Dressing, make up, tuning instruments and talking to stage crew sent hours by quickly in a flurry of activity. No one was immune to it as everyone needed to give input on the stage, whether it was whose mic was whose or where exactly a drum pedal needed to be to feel natural. Musicians came and went from the dressing room to the stage for a check and then back to finish up.
After the madness of activity a sudden calm would settle about a half hour before stage time for the first band. The talking stopped, the visits from crew stopped, and each one went into their own minds to prepare for the stage. It was a preparation of the whole self, the voice, body, emotions, mind. Meditation barely got to all the nooks of a person that needed to be on to perform but each musician had a ritual and they all knew them and ignored the rituals of their companions.
This was the private time and not to be bothered. Some, like Ziggy sat quietly while staring into the mirror at himself, centering his emotions against the onslaught the stage would bring after the crowd was wound up by two previous bands. The Anthean needed a moment of isolation like he was wrapping himself in a coccoon. Others were noisy. Aarne paced and drummed on every surface available, songs but often simply random beats that ran through his head. Some nights he broke drumsticks on the wall or found himself drumming wildly on the back of Joe's chair while he watched his partner do his make up.
Vars was formal and set out in a full Norse offering to Fenrir for energy and the chaos that drove him on stage. Sometimes, Rik sat with him, quietly playing on his guitar or actively taking part which left offerings to two very divergent dieties. Usually Vars was alone and his rituals to the stage started earlier than any other. Going into the shower or beginning to dress started a cascade of practiced motions. Every piece of religious jewelry kissed and praised before it was put back into place on his body after a shower. When the venue had no shower, Vars would start back at the hotel and ride alone to the venue. He was formal and staunch in the way things must go, demanding that they proceed as always.
Rik had a looser interpretation of these rituals before the stage. Most musicians left their instruments on the stage but Rik always sat with the guitar he intended to play while the others went into their quiet space. There wasn't a specific thing in mind but it was a communion with the instrument. A moment to feel it there until it was again part of his body, an extension of his mind and emotions. He would sometimes hide away on some back stairwell or room away from everyone else; in the solitude and sometimes the dark.
Robert's brother Rekker was now with them and he was precise and manic over things. He wasn't usually on stage but worked on preparations on the stage, mostly tuning and sound check. He grated on things until he sometimes drifted near losing his temper. A solid tuning with a device was never enough. He relied on his instincts to tweak even the digital tuning to a more authentic and perfect note. Used to the stage himself, he zoned out with the others, checking and rechecking equipment. Often enough it left him still standing on the stage, staring at the equipment when the crowds came in. The lone man with flame red hair eyeing every piece of the stage. He knew the quirks of the other musicians and their equipment but it was no less a ritual than those in the dressing room.
Robert and Damien had a rhythm of walking the building while the others dressed, first on their own and then together. They watched for any weaknesses, noted escape routes and discussed placement of security. It was a walking meditation like old buddhist monks. Slow, observant and with few words. The two had settled in together. Damien the eyes and Robert the one who parsed the data like this was a combat zone. Both men were used to that exact scenario and pre-show was a traditional meditation on battle plans they hoped they would never have to implement. They too knew the quirks of the musicians, where they hid out for isolation before a show and in the cool down after a performance. Their time in quiet lasted longer than the others and demanded a hyper focus rather than zoning out. No less a compulsion after so many shows together.
The other band members had their own ways too. Preshow gear up was as individual as personalities, private and neceassary. The whole ordeal ventured close to superstitious for everyone in the production but this was how every show felt like the peak of performance for the bands. A matter of luck and tradition that had built up over months and even years.
Dressing rooms were always crazy and with three bands plus a few additional musicians and friends the chaos was a fever pitch. Dressing, make up, tuning instruments and talking to stage crew sent hours by quickly in a flurry of activity. No one was immune to it as everyone needed to give input on the stage, whether it was whose mic was whose or where exactly a drum pedal needed to be to feel natural. Musicians came and went from the dressing room to the stage for a check and then back to finish up.
After the madness of activity a sudden calm would settle about a half hour before stage time for the first band. The talking stopped, the visits from crew stopped, and each one went into their own minds to prepare for the stage. It was a preparation of the whole self, the voice, body, emotions, mind. Meditation barely got to all the nooks of a person that needed to be on to perform but each musician had a ritual and they all knew them and ignored the rituals of their companions.
This was the private time and not to be bothered. Some, like Ziggy sat quietly while staring into the mirror at himself, centering his emotions against the onslaught the stage would bring after the crowd was wound up by two previous bands. The Anthean needed a moment of isolation like he was wrapping himself in a coccoon. Others were noisy. Aarne paced and drummed on every surface available, songs but often simply random beats that ran through his head. Some nights he broke drumsticks on the wall or found himself drumming wildly on the back of Joe's chair while he watched his partner do his make up.
Vars was formal and set out in a full Norse offering to Fenrir for energy and the chaos that drove him on stage. Sometimes, Rik sat with him, quietly playing on his guitar or actively taking part which left offerings to two very divergent dieties. Usually Vars was alone and his rituals to the stage started earlier than any other. Going into the shower or beginning to dress started a cascade of practiced motions. Every piece of religious jewelry kissed and praised before it was put back into place on his body after a shower. When the venue had no shower, Vars would start back at the hotel and ride alone to the venue. He was formal and staunch in the way things must go, demanding that they proceed as always.
Rik had a looser interpretation of these rituals before the stage. Most musicians left their instruments on the stage but Rik always sat with the guitar he intended to play while the others went into their quiet space. There wasn't a specific thing in mind but it was a communion with the instrument. A moment to feel it there until it was again part of his body, an extension of his mind and emotions. He would sometimes hide away on some back stairwell or room away from everyone else; in the solitude and sometimes the dark.
Robert's brother Rekker was now with them and he was precise and manic over things. He wasn't usually on stage but worked on preparations on the stage, mostly tuning and sound check. He grated on things until he sometimes drifted near losing his temper. A solid tuning with a device was never enough. He relied on his instincts to tweak even the digital tuning to a more authentic and perfect note. Used to the stage himself, he zoned out with the others, checking and rechecking equipment. Often enough it left him still standing on the stage, staring at the equipment when the crowds came in. The lone man with flame red hair eyeing every piece of the stage. He knew the quirks of the other musicians and their equipment but it was no less a ritual than those in the dressing room.
Robert and Damien had a rhythm of walking the building while the others dressed, first on their own and then together. They watched for any weaknesses, noted escape routes and discussed placement of security. It was a walking meditation like old buddhist monks. Slow, observant and with few words. The two had settled in together. Damien the eyes and Robert the one who parsed the data like this was a combat zone. Both men were used to that exact scenario and pre-show was a traditional meditation on battle plans they hoped they would never have to implement. They too knew the quirks of the musicians, where they hid out for isolation before a show and in the cool down after a performance. Their time in quiet lasted longer than the others and demanded a hyper focus rather than zoning out. No less a compulsion after so many shows together.
The other band members had their own ways too. Preshow gear up was as individual as personalities, private and neceassary. The whole ordeal ventured close to superstitious for everyone in the production but this was how every show felt like the peak of performance for the bands. A matter of luck and tradition that had built up over months and even years.
The Terror Tour
Mar. 22nd, 2021 06:17 pm[Continued from here]
Ziggy was happy to bring everyone out to a upscale bar in New York City. This was a celebration of all three bands coming together for a tour. It was going to be rowdy and certainly blow up social norms. He loved it and the others did as much as he did.
The Hammers, The Hell's Angels, and The Spiders from Mars were going to bond over booze and food at The Plunge. Bar, restaurant and rooftop pool with a DJ. It was everything they needed to unwind. He left Mick for a moment once free of the elevator to call up Jack. He was all too willing to bring up a gang of boys and girls and some of the more androgynous Diamond Dogs for the evening. Food and booze on Ziggy and the other bands to pay for their own wants or needs. There would be a whole group of punk and glam Dogs here soon, all young in the 18-25 range which was suitable since that was around all the bands' ages too. Then he went to rejoin Mick and get a drink.
Gloria walked slowly with Weird, worried but glad they were free of the elevator.
"Do you want me to get my own bed?" Rik teased between laughs when he was questioned about his decision to stay in the other guitarist's room. He leaned in whispering. "I like sleeping with you, in any bed."
He giggles as he's pulled out of the elevator, slipping away to wrap his arms around Billy as they walk. It's awkward and he's laughing but this is what was missing for months now.
Ziggy was happy to bring everyone out to a upscale bar in New York City. This was a celebration of all three bands coming together for a tour. It was going to be rowdy and certainly blow up social norms. He loved it and the others did as much as he did.
The Hammers, The Hell's Angels, and The Spiders from Mars were going to bond over booze and food at The Plunge. Bar, restaurant and rooftop pool with a DJ. It was everything they needed to unwind. He left Mick for a moment once free of the elevator to call up Jack. He was all too willing to bring up a gang of boys and girls and some of the more androgynous Diamond Dogs for the evening. Food and booze on Ziggy and the other bands to pay for their own wants or needs. There would be a whole group of punk and glam Dogs here soon, all young in the 18-25 range which was suitable since that was around all the bands' ages too. Then he went to rejoin Mick and get a drink.
Gloria walked slowly with Weird, worried but glad they were free of the elevator.
"Do you want me to get my own bed?" Rik teased between laughs when he was questioned about his decision to stay in the other guitarist's room. He leaned in whispering. "I like sleeping with you, in any bed."
He giggles as he's pulled out of the elevator, slipping away to wrap his arms around Billy as they walk. It's awkward and he's laughing but this is what was missing for months now.
Tags:
Then we were Ziggy's Band
Mar. 8th, 2021 09:51 pmHe had been at this for almost three weeks now. Sure, there had been some good people come in to audition but no one stood out. There had been what now, four guitarists today. It was proving difficult to find a quality guitarist, especially one that kept his, or her, mouth shut about his appearance.
Ziggy was pacing as he drank down another glass of whiskey. He flopped down in a chair and sighed heavily. Eventually the agent he was working with came in to say they had a call from some people on a train or something. He wasn't really paying attention too much because his emotions were eating at him. He had waited this long, what harm could be waiting a bit longer?
He sat in the chair of the sound booth, spinning and then kicked his feet up. Tugging down on the short kimono he waited, drinking whiskey and reclining in the chair. He wondered how long he'd have to wait for these late comers to make it to the studio.
Ziggy was pacing as he drank down another glass of whiskey. He flopped down in a chair and sighed heavily. Eventually the agent he was working with came in to say they had a call from some people on a train or something. He wasn't really paying attention too much because his emotions were eating at him. He had waited this long, what harm could be waiting a bit longer?
He sat in the chair of the sound booth, spinning and then kicked his feet up. Tugging down on the short kimono he waited, drinking whiskey and reclining in the chair. He wondered how long he'd have to wait for these late comers to make it to the studio.
If my love is your love
Mar. 8th, 2021 08:50 pmZiggy knew this was special on so many levels and for so many reasons. He was determined to make it perfect. That included calling weeks ahead to ensure the menu that came to their table was completely vegetarian and safe for his species. There were a lot of things someone could do as a rockstar that others couldn't. The restaurant was jackets required but had several seating areas and he eventually settled on a warm room with huge windows.
That had been awhile back now. The day was here and Ziggy was a whirlwind as he prepared. He started with starry make up and added petals around one eye for a little more drama. It was finally time for the outfit he had been hiding from Minoru as a surprise for weeks. Everything was in order and he checked several times before finishing everything off with a glamorous pair of earrings and plunging necklace.
Then he was out the door and to the limo. It was tradition for the masculine to pick up the feminine for something like this but Ziggy didn't care about these traditions. He pulled up in the red limo with wrist corsage Ziggy had made for Minoru, on the suggestion of his father who said this was traditional for first important dates. With flowers in hand he clopped up to their place in his heavy heels and then rang for the apartment. He had to admit some nerves, oddly on behalf of the human more than himself.
That had been awhile back now. The day was here and Ziggy was a whirlwind as he prepared. He started with starry make up and added petals around one eye for a little more drama. It was finally time for the outfit he had been hiding from Minoru as a surprise for weeks. Everything was in order and he checked several times before finishing everything off with a glamorous pair of earrings and plunging necklace.
Then he was out the door and to the limo. It was tradition for the masculine to pick up the feminine for something like this but Ziggy didn't care about these traditions. He pulled up in the red limo with wrist corsage Ziggy had made for Minoru, on the suggestion of his father who said this was traditional for first important dates. With flowers in hand he clopped up to their place in his heavy heels and then rang for the apartment. He had to admit some nerves, oddly on behalf of the human more than himself.
Coffee Date (for ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
coffee_elf)
Feb. 3rd, 2021 02:49 amZiggy was in no state for visitors when the message came. After replying he sprang from the floor to get his make up done and picks out something to wear and just socks since they probably won't be going out. He feels like someone should give him an award for getting ready so fast before heading to the kitchen to put on coffee, the best he has, and warm some soup; an odd Anthean recipe that Thomas recited to him from a time when there was still water on Anthea enough to make this kind of dish. The snow outside made warm food and drink the best idea for others, even if Ziggy was unbothered by it.
Then he sat down to try and not appear as if he had been racing around like a maniac to get himself, food and the townhouse ready for company. Then he bounded back up remembering he would nee mugs and bowls. It felt so strange to be nervous but then, back home anyway, the topic Rando wanted to talk about was so taboo that even incredibly close friends didn't know. It was dangerous for them to know. Maybe the nerves were normal.
[from here the Townhouse]
Then he sat down to try and not appear as if he had been racing around like a maniac to get himself, food and the townhouse ready for company. Then he bounded back up remembering he would nee mugs and bowls. It felt so strange to be nervous but then, back home anyway, the topic Rando wanted to talk about was so taboo that even incredibly close friends didn't know. It was dangerous for them to know. Maybe the nerves were normal.
[from here the Townhouse]
Let's Dance!
Jan. 23rd, 2021 04:19 pm[Continued from here]
The celebration was supposed to be short, sweet and just a greeting. However, with Ziggy and his friends and the family friends all being incredibly social things continued on. He and Mick and pulled out the equipment from the spare room. It was turning into a party by the time it was late afternoon.
As it attracted more people Tom ordered food to be delivered from the plaza, because they would need it, though the Anthean food was still there for the more adventurous. Jack also started a small bonfire in the portable fire pit in yard as it was getting toward evening and would cool to something colder than most humans might find comfortable. It would be good for there to be a place to warm up if the dancing or whatever else went on wasn't enough. Tommy had also finally come from where ever he had spent his time earlier in the day with his wife who, unlike Aletayria, hadn't adopted any human features at all. They were both simply observing from the edges since Etainia had not seen other species, and very few humans. This was a startling situation.
Cords run out front, Mick and Ziggy both with guitars, they were ready to jam with Soundwave. It was sure to attract other people since they were more or less starting a concert on the front lawn of the tiny house not too distant from the edge of the plaza.
[OOC: This is open to anyone who is at the celebration or wishes to amble by. Party style thread... feel free to tag about and mingle.]
The celebration was supposed to be short, sweet and just a greeting. However, with Ziggy and his friends and the family friends all being incredibly social things continued on. He and Mick and pulled out the equipment from the spare room. It was turning into a party by the time it was late afternoon.
As it attracted more people Tom ordered food to be delivered from the plaza, because they would need it, though the Anthean food was still there for the more adventurous. Jack also started a small bonfire in the portable fire pit in yard as it was getting toward evening and would cool to something colder than most humans might find comfortable. It would be good for there to be a place to warm up if the dancing or whatever else went on wasn't enough. Tommy had also finally come from where ever he had spent his time earlier in the day with his wife who, unlike Aletayria, hadn't adopted any human features at all. They were both simply observing from the edges since Etainia had not seen other species, and very few humans. This was a startling situation.
Cords run out front, Mick and Ziggy both with guitars, they were ready to jam with Soundwave. It was sure to attract other people since they were more or less starting a concert on the front lawn of the tiny house not too distant from the edge of the plaza.
[OOC: This is open to anyone who is at the celebration or wishes to amble by. Party style thread... feel free to tag about and mingle.]
Vinyl is Better (For stark_ravingmad)
Dec. 24th, 2020 03:11 pm[Continued from here]
It was late in the evening when Tony finally sent a message back. Ziggy didn't mind. He didn't sleep and even if he did, right now he probably wouldn't. They talk records mostly as they walk the short distance toward his home which is on the very outskirts of the plaza but not as far as his parents live from the center. The The first floor townhouse he lives in, which is a converted office space, is easy to spot with its teal facade and golden disk over the gold framed door. The inside is very Ziggy with tall the bright colors and open layout.
There are two cats that come running. One is a pretty normal black cat with white paws. The other is orange with teal tabby stripes and red wings. Ziggy greets both of them before turning to Tony.
"Make yourself at home." He smiles and sets the vinyls down to put away soon. "Do you want a drink?"
He didn't necessarily mean alcoholic since he knew Tony was recovering. "The vinyls are in the living room if you want to put something on."
In the area where most people would have a TV, Ziggy has a record player with nice speakers. A side cabinet, almost like a kitchen pantry, with a glass door holds the several hundred records Ziggy has with him. There are a wide variety of genres; rock, soul, blues, disco, punk, early new wave. From Tony's perspective there's nothing in the collection past his own 1983 and some of the dates don't make sense. Records he knows from the 70s have recorded dates in the 80s or even early 90s.
It was late in the evening when Tony finally sent a message back. Ziggy didn't mind. He didn't sleep and even if he did, right now he probably wouldn't. They talk records mostly as they walk the short distance toward his home which is on the very outskirts of the plaza but not as far as his parents live from the center. The The first floor townhouse he lives in, which is a converted office space, is easy to spot with its teal facade and golden disk over the gold framed door. The inside is very Ziggy with tall the bright colors and open layout.
There are two cats that come running. One is a pretty normal black cat with white paws. The other is orange with teal tabby stripes and red wings. Ziggy greets both of them before turning to Tony.
"Make yourself at home." He smiles and sets the vinyls down to put away soon. "Do you want a drink?"
He didn't necessarily mean alcoholic since he knew Tony was recovering. "The vinyls are in the living room if you want to put something on."
In the area where most people would have a TV, Ziggy has a record player with nice speakers. A side cabinet, almost like a kitchen pantry, with a glass door holds the several hundred records Ziggy has with him. There are a wide variety of genres; rock, soul, blues, disco, punk, early new wave. From Tony's perspective there's nothing in the collection past his own 1983 and some of the dates don't make sense. Records he knows from the 70s have recorded dates in the 80s or even early 90s.
Cost of Conflict
Dec. 13th, 2020 07:09 pmThey had been in contact on and off since Hiroki left. It wasn't direct messages but typed things or words, mostly from Allura, to Ziggy from the Atlas. He hated hearing about the war and the devastation. It made him feel heart sick and he did his best to hide the depression that was sneaking in. He finally understood what Tommy meant when he said that living among humans, even on the periphery, caused madness. This was it, right now. The worry and the constant sense of foreboding that started to hang over him as the weeks dragged on. He isolated himself, paced the floors and couldn't concentrate. Every passing hour made it feel worse.
Eventually, Tommy came to him with the same sense eating away at his mind. Tommy and Ziggy were polar opposites, like yin and yang but something they did share was the burden of seeing the future. Nothing was clear for either of them but they sat together in a quiet room under the weight of a creeping doom. They didn't eat or drink for days, nor speak. Then the urge to move came for both of them.
They walked in silence out to the depressions in the ground where the ATLAS had stood before it departed. The two staring into the sky. This was the place that the pain lingered and the foreboding felt the strongest. Nothing was clear. It all felt like a thick, black wall had come down somewhere with some horror behind it but the Antheans could neither see the wall nor what lay behind it. They knew it was there.
Tommy's eyes narrowed at the clouds as he concentrated. “The portal....”
“What portal?” Ziggy came up beside and tried to stare in the same direction. He saw nothing but the doomed feeling was starting to constrict on his heart. “The ATLAS?”
His sense of the future was not as in tune as Tommy. Ziggy was just a baby by comparison with weak legs like a toddler taking his first steps beside a marathon runner with perfect grace. He suddenly gripped onto Tommy's arm so hard that the other Anthean's attention finally came to him and away from the sky.
“It's gone.” He stated with his usual emotionally flat tone. “There's no passage anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Ziggy's voice came out shrill because, despite the fact his mind hadn't caught up, his senses and heart knew exactly what it meant. Knew and wouldn't... refused to believe.
“There's no way for them to return.” Tommy stared at the boy and his pleading eyes but there was nothing he could do. “The Nexus must have shifted or the Witch?... Yes, maybe her.”
An eternity felt like it passed while he stared at Tommy. His insides felt hollow and filled to bursting at the same time. It was a crushing, manic feeling rising up inside of him. “NO!” He screamed it at Tommy, in Anthean and high as his alien voice could go.
The pitch was enough to cause the elder Anthean to shake his head at the jabbing pain it caused his eardrums. The child was going to break again. The little pieces were already coming apart and tumbling away like the tears welling up in his eyes. Tommy did the only thing he could. He called to Tom so he could collect his child. He hadn't been here with the family yet when the young man died but it left Tommy wondering if dead was better or worse than alive but permanently out of reach. He had wondered that enough about his own wife when he was trapped on Earth and he felt like she was dead or had hope she was alive. Sometimes he felt both at the same time. Though Tommy rarely felt anything anymore, in this moment he felt pity for the child clinging to him desperately, still screaming no over and over again.
His eyes turned away when he heard the car. Heard it long before he could see it and sensed the worry on the man driving it. There were no comforting words in this moment, not for anyone in the family. It was a loss and people couldn't be replaced. You couldn't fly off to a new planet and find peace when things were destroyed. That was what made people unique and impossibly dangerous. They could not be substituted or replaced.
Tommy pulled away as Tom came to their side. A human could deal with this more than Tommy could. The emotional connections would be there. Emotions he couldn't convey or share, though inside he felt them like pins in his own heart. Tom gave him a pleading look and all he could do was shake his head. His mind was strong but he didn't have the power to see across the distance without the portal. He couldn't contact them.
Ziggy had collapsed to the ground by now. The gold and red that decorated his face streaked and smudged together. Drips of color hit and spread on the human's pant legs as he cradled the boy in a way he probably hadn't since he was still pouch bound. Eventually, even Tommy was moved by the familial bond and sat down beside them to stroke the child's hair. It was tragic but Tommy knew he would survive.
Tom not only looked helpless but his emotions were in disarray. Worry and panic pulling at him. Tommy could see the images in the human's mind of finding him before, overdosing and trying to die. Antheans were resilient. To see how far loss at pushed him, how close to death he had gone before, was a worthwhile concern.
“We should go home.” Tommy told him plainly. “He and I experienced visions of this place. Staying here will only continue to worsen his condition.”
“He's going to need others if he's to survive.” Antheans had not experienced death until the war, at least not in any memorable sense of time. This was one thing that they learned quickly. When a mate died the other would follow if no one was there. It was true of all bonds, even arranged marriages without love. One would be followed by the other. He wondered why that hadn't happened to him when he saw his wife dead in his visions. It was the only thing that made him question if it was a true vision or some horrible reality his stressed mind had produced. Either way, Ziggy would need support to pull through the loss. The mental bond was there and that would take the longest to heal. He might never stop reaching out for the human's mind, for his mates mind. It might drive him mad searching for it. Tommy found himself falling into an even more chaotic worry than the human had.
Tom nodded and picked Ziggy up. He walked away without a word. The human knew that Tommy would prefer to walk.
Walk he did. Tommy came to the house an hour after the incident and there was a wall of despair around the place. It felt like digging through damp soil to enter the house. Once the glass door opened the Anthean wailing hit his ears. The high death knell of their pain that was so rarely heard. Tommy had cried one out when he missed his people and found himself losing his mind. The unbearable loneliness. Each shriek seemed to be louder than the last. There was nothing to be done. He would have to exhaust himself and might wake to start this all over again.
He didn't head into the back room where the screams of pain emanated. Tom and Aletayria were already by his side. None of them were going to be the right one to end the cries. They would all have to wait. Tommy instead went to Ziggy's pinpoint and sent out messages to those closest to the child. Maybe one of them could bring the pain under control, maybe all of them together? Tommy couldn't be sure but his own senses were already fraying under the onslaught. All he could do was sit on the chair in the living room and stare blankly at the outside while the sounds rolled over him like tidal waves.
Eventually, Tommy came to him with the same sense eating away at his mind. Tommy and Ziggy were polar opposites, like yin and yang but something they did share was the burden of seeing the future. Nothing was clear for either of them but they sat together in a quiet room under the weight of a creeping doom. They didn't eat or drink for days, nor speak. Then the urge to move came for both of them.
They walked in silence out to the depressions in the ground where the ATLAS had stood before it departed. The two staring into the sky. This was the place that the pain lingered and the foreboding felt the strongest. Nothing was clear. It all felt like a thick, black wall had come down somewhere with some horror behind it but the Antheans could neither see the wall nor what lay behind it. They knew it was there.
Tommy's eyes narrowed at the clouds as he concentrated. “The portal....”
“What portal?” Ziggy came up beside and tried to stare in the same direction. He saw nothing but the doomed feeling was starting to constrict on his heart. “The ATLAS?”
His sense of the future was not as in tune as Tommy. Ziggy was just a baby by comparison with weak legs like a toddler taking his first steps beside a marathon runner with perfect grace. He suddenly gripped onto Tommy's arm so hard that the other Anthean's attention finally came to him and away from the sky.
“It's gone.” He stated with his usual emotionally flat tone. “There's no passage anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Ziggy's voice came out shrill because, despite the fact his mind hadn't caught up, his senses and heart knew exactly what it meant. Knew and wouldn't... refused to believe.
“There's no way for them to return.” Tommy stared at the boy and his pleading eyes but there was nothing he could do. “The Nexus must have shifted or the Witch?... Yes, maybe her.”
An eternity felt like it passed while he stared at Tommy. His insides felt hollow and filled to bursting at the same time. It was a crushing, manic feeling rising up inside of him. “NO!” He screamed it at Tommy, in Anthean and high as his alien voice could go.
The pitch was enough to cause the elder Anthean to shake his head at the jabbing pain it caused his eardrums. The child was going to break again. The little pieces were already coming apart and tumbling away like the tears welling up in his eyes. Tommy did the only thing he could. He called to Tom so he could collect his child. He hadn't been here with the family yet when the young man died but it left Tommy wondering if dead was better or worse than alive but permanently out of reach. He had wondered that enough about his own wife when he was trapped on Earth and he felt like she was dead or had hope she was alive. Sometimes he felt both at the same time. Though Tommy rarely felt anything anymore, in this moment he felt pity for the child clinging to him desperately, still screaming no over and over again.
His eyes turned away when he heard the car. Heard it long before he could see it and sensed the worry on the man driving it. There were no comforting words in this moment, not for anyone in the family. It was a loss and people couldn't be replaced. You couldn't fly off to a new planet and find peace when things were destroyed. That was what made people unique and impossibly dangerous. They could not be substituted or replaced.
Tommy pulled away as Tom came to their side. A human could deal with this more than Tommy could. The emotional connections would be there. Emotions he couldn't convey or share, though inside he felt them like pins in his own heart. Tom gave him a pleading look and all he could do was shake his head. His mind was strong but he didn't have the power to see across the distance without the portal. He couldn't contact them.
Ziggy had collapsed to the ground by now. The gold and red that decorated his face streaked and smudged together. Drips of color hit and spread on the human's pant legs as he cradled the boy in a way he probably hadn't since he was still pouch bound. Eventually, even Tommy was moved by the familial bond and sat down beside them to stroke the child's hair. It was tragic but Tommy knew he would survive.
Tom not only looked helpless but his emotions were in disarray. Worry and panic pulling at him. Tommy could see the images in the human's mind of finding him before, overdosing and trying to die. Antheans were resilient. To see how far loss at pushed him, how close to death he had gone before, was a worthwhile concern.
“We should go home.” Tommy told him plainly. “He and I experienced visions of this place. Staying here will only continue to worsen his condition.”
“He's going to need others if he's to survive.” Antheans had not experienced death until the war, at least not in any memorable sense of time. This was one thing that they learned quickly. When a mate died the other would follow if no one was there. It was true of all bonds, even arranged marriages without love. One would be followed by the other. He wondered why that hadn't happened to him when he saw his wife dead in his visions. It was the only thing that made him question if it was a true vision or some horrible reality his stressed mind had produced. Either way, Ziggy would need support to pull through the loss. The mental bond was there and that would take the longest to heal. He might never stop reaching out for the human's mind, for his mates mind. It might drive him mad searching for it. Tommy found himself falling into an even more chaotic worry than the human had.
Tom nodded and picked Ziggy up. He walked away without a word. The human knew that Tommy would prefer to walk.
Walk he did. Tommy came to the house an hour after the incident and there was a wall of despair around the place. It felt like digging through damp soil to enter the house. Once the glass door opened the Anthean wailing hit his ears. The high death knell of their pain that was so rarely heard. Tommy had cried one out when he missed his people and found himself losing his mind. The unbearable loneliness. Each shriek seemed to be louder than the last. There was nothing to be done. He would have to exhaust himself and might wake to start this all over again.
He didn't head into the back room where the screams of pain emanated. Tom and Aletayria were already by his side. None of them were going to be the right one to end the cries. They would all have to wait. Tommy instead went to Ziggy's pinpoint and sent out messages to those closest to the child. Maybe one of them could bring the pain under control, maybe all of them together? Tommy couldn't be sure but his own senses were already fraying under the onslaught. All he could do was sit on the chair in the living room and stare blankly at the outside while the sounds rolled over him like tidal waves.
Ziggy Stardust Nexus Album Release Party
Nov. 14th, 2020 09:57 pmWhy not in the Nexus had started all of this and now skekSa's bar had glitter and space themed drinks for the night, karaoke and a band playing for the release of a new album. Ziggy had decided this was the best course since so much of his family and friends couldn't go into his world to be there for his own party in his own world.
Of course, as with any good party this one was open to any who had stumbled into it and there were those directly invited as well. And flashy posters too. He was going through the ends of a sound check with the band when the bar opened.
There was a merch table, with the usual swag and new album to buy on CD and Vinyl, where they would be signing autographs and doing the whole meet and greet thing. Why not have fans in more than one universe? It had been a trip explaining this all to Mick. Weird and Gilly before dragging them through the portal. Ziggy still imagined there was going to be some crazy moments later in the night. They didn't even know he was an alien, or half alien anywway. All of this was going to blow their minds for sure.
After the show they had plans to spend the night just hanging out with drinking, karaoke, a DJ, and the usual bar fare. Ziggy had left Sa to the food and drink though he had put in a few requests for food his own species could eat.
Ziggy fussed with everything before heading backstage to drink and get dressed. About an hour after the bar opened they came out on stage and played through the whole album front to back plus a few from the previous.
[OOC: Feel free to mingle, karaoke, DJ, dancing, drinking, etc. Will post the band meet and greet below at the swag table as a top level. Any questions feel free to DM me here or on Discord.]
Of course, as with any good party this one was open to any who had stumbled into it and there were those directly invited as well. And flashy posters too. He was going through the ends of a sound check with the band when the bar opened.
There was a merch table, with the usual swag and new album to buy on CD and Vinyl, where they would be signing autographs and doing the whole meet and greet thing. Why not have fans in more than one universe? It had been a trip explaining this all to Mick. Weird and Gilly before dragging them through the portal. Ziggy still imagined there was going to be some crazy moments later in the night. They didn't even know he was an alien, or half alien anywway. All of this was going to blow their minds for sure.
After the show they had plans to spend the night just hanging out with drinking, karaoke, a DJ, and the usual bar fare. Ziggy had left Sa to the food and drink though he had put in a few requests for food his own species could eat.
Ziggy fussed with everything before heading backstage to drink and get dressed. About an hour after the bar opened they came out on stage and played through the whole album front to back plus a few from the previous.
[OOC: Feel free to mingle, karaoke, DJ, dancing, drinking, etc. Will post the band meet and greet below at the swag table as a top level. Any questions feel free to DM me here or on Discord.]
So, Your Boyfriend is an Alien...
Nov. 7th, 2020 02:26 pm[continued from here]
Ziggy had left the two lovers the night before to sleep it off. It gave him time to meet up with his own partner, spend the night and morning with Hiroki. He explained that he needed to go out for a bit, help Jack's lover understand about his partner. It was something he was sure his own partner would understand. They had fumbled along early on and Ziggy knew what he was. He could only imagine how difficult it must be for Jack and Balthazar.
He had left a note on the table for Balthazar to meet him for an early afternoon coffee at a quiet Cafe in the Nexus that Ziggy was fond of and had the kind of coffee you needed after a party. Ziggy wasn't as flashy today. He wore just jeans and a silk shirt with the ever present platform boots. He sat in the quiet back of the cafe and waited for the angel to join him. Ziggy had plenty of things on his mind so some time alone to think wouldn't be the worst.
Ziggy had left the two lovers the night before to sleep it off. It gave him time to meet up with his own partner, spend the night and morning with Hiroki. He explained that he needed to go out for a bit, help Jack's lover understand about his partner. It was something he was sure his own partner would understand. They had fumbled along early on and Ziggy knew what he was. He could only imagine how difficult it must be for Jack and Balthazar.
He had left a note on the table for Balthazar to meet him for an early afternoon coffee at a quiet Cafe in the Nexus that Ziggy was fond of and had the kind of coffee you needed after a party. Ziggy wasn't as flashy today. He wore just jeans and a silk shirt with the ever present platform boots. He sat in the quiet back of the cafe and waited for the angel to join him. Ziggy had plenty of things on his mind so some time alone to think wouldn't be the worst.
The Enemy of My Enemy is a Friend
Aug. 30th, 2020 07:33 amIt had been a few days since the encounter with Lotor and the witch. Aletayria and Ziggy were still mostly laid up from wounds and exhaustion. It left Tom livid and he insisted the entire family be in one place. Ziggy's townhouse was the larger dwelling, so that is where the family and all eighteen of their cats have been residing for the past few days. There were arrangements to be made and knowledge to be shared and they all waited.
Tom could barely leave Aletayria's side. Her prior pregnancies had been so difficult that the human stressed now. The witch dared to attack her like this and the human would not have it. He was hovering around where she rested on the couch with a mind firmly fixed on a thousand different ways he could end the witch's life for this offense. He paced and would have been chain smoking if the Antheans weren't in the vicinity.
Ziggy lay on the opposite end of the L-shaped couch from his mother. He was worse off than she was, broken ribs and utterly exhausted the rockstar could barely stay awake for any length of time. This was the kind of exhaustion even the cocaine and caffeine couldn't interrupt. However, it was nearly time for people to show up so he made the effort to remain conscious for a time. Hiroki was somewhere in the townhouse. Ziggy could feel his presence and imagined he was making meal number 20 in his incessant protest that Ziggy needed to eat more.
Tommy though was unscathed and sitting in a soft chair halfway between the living room and the front door. Several of the cats sat in the chair with him purring contently though, like their master, they also watched the door with indifferent interest. Tommy was going to be the gatekeeper and make sure nothing unwanted entered the house. Everyone stepping through the door was going to get scanned for the darkness and the witch. If they wanted to refuse they could deal with the surly, old Anthean that didn't care what they said. He would be unswayed.
This is how the family waited; anxious, exhausted, and despite their inherent pacifism... pissed off.
[Feel free to handwave Tommy scanning your character. However, if they would refuse write it in and Tommy will have some words for them. Tommyiamjustvisiting, Aletayria sordiddetails, Tom hellomajortom, and Ziggy ziggyplayedguitar are all present. If your character is approaching any of them specifically feel free to write that into a tag.]
Tom could barely leave Aletayria's side. Her prior pregnancies had been so difficult that the human stressed now. The witch dared to attack her like this and the human would not have it. He was hovering around where she rested on the couch with a mind firmly fixed on a thousand different ways he could end the witch's life for this offense. He paced and would have been chain smoking if the Antheans weren't in the vicinity.
Ziggy lay on the opposite end of the L-shaped couch from his mother. He was worse off than she was, broken ribs and utterly exhausted the rockstar could barely stay awake for any length of time. This was the kind of exhaustion even the cocaine and caffeine couldn't interrupt. However, it was nearly time for people to show up so he made the effort to remain conscious for a time. Hiroki was somewhere in the townhouse. Ziggy could feel his presence and imagined he was making meal number 20 in his incessant protest that Ziggy needed to eat more.
Tommy though was unscathed and sitting in a soft chair halfway between the living room and the front door. Several of the cats sat in the chair with him purring contently though, like their master, they also watched the door with indifferent interest. Tommy was going to be the gatekeeper and make sure nothing unwanted entered the house. Everyone stepping through the door was going to get scanned for the darkness and the witch. If they wanted to refuse they could deal with the surly, old Anthean that didn't care what they said. He would be unswayed.
This is how the family waited; anxious, exhausted, and despite their inherent pacifism... pissed off.
[Feel free to handwave Tommy scanning your character. However, if they would refuse write it in and Tommy will have some words for them. Tommy
iamjustvisiting, Aletayria sordiddetails, Tom hellomajortom, and Ziggy ziggyplayedguitar are all present. If your character is approaching any of them specifically feel free to write that into a tag.]Dinner Dates
Aug. 1st, 2020 08:53 pm[Continued from here]
It took Ziggy all of the three hours to get himself together. Wearing a fabulous new dress he headed to pick up Evie in his signature red limo. Of course, he had to bring a bouquet of flowers. Ziggy might not be masculine but his father impressed upon him to be gentlemanly, even if he was feeling feminine. It's a quick text when he pulls up out front, more than ready for a flirty night out with a good friend and sushi.
It took Ziggy all of the three hours to get himself together. Wearing a fabulous new dress he headed to pick up Evie in his signature red limo. Of course, he had to bring a bouquet of flowers. Ziggy might not be masculine but his father impressed upon him to be gentlemanly, even if he was feeling feminine. It's a quick text when he pulls up out front, more than ready for a flirty night out with a good friend and sushi.
The Elephant in the Room
Aug. 1st, 2020 07:26 pmThings were unbelievable. Ziggy was high on life, so much so that even his cocaine use diminished. Reduced to something at a recreation, instead of life sustaining. A mere week and his drinking was all but gone, except whiskey in his coffee, always.
They'd come to a routine. Ziggy recording, Hiroki training, sharing meals together. They both could cook and that was unexpected, though Ziggy couldn't place why he found it odd. Importantly, Hiroki indulged Ziggy's craving for unending contact. And the sex! When they touched it didn't stop until they were falling asleep, worn out by the desperate need for each other. It was unrestrained as they abandoned themselves to each other. Someone was getting close to satiating his desire for sex and intimacy. It wasn't all day like Ziggy had imagined he would need, daily, perhaps but the idea that it didn't need to be so all consuming to be satisfying was new to the Anthean.
And he didn't have to hide. Since Hiroki returned, Ziggy hadn't put his contacts back in. He could let the Anthean part of himself be exposed, be safe with it known, and, if he was honest with himself, it seemed that Hiroki treasured him more because of it. There was perhaps something to be said for acceptance he could never find on Earth. That acceptance went both ways. Ziggy accepted the fact that his lover was a dead clone, but the Anthean had never seen him as just a clone anyway.
Those thoughts brought questions that had Ziggy glancing up at his lover from where they lay on the couch together. They needed to talk about the elephant, or rather giant robot, metaphorically in the room with them.
"Hiroki?" He asked quietly, not really wanting to disturb him while he read.
They'd come to a routine. Ziggy recording, Hiroki training, sharing meals together. They both could cook and that was unexpected, though Ziggy couldn't place why he found it odd. Importantly, Hiroki indulged Ziggy's craving for unending contact. And the sex! When they touched it didn't stop until they were falling asleep, worn out by the desperate need for each other. It was unrestrained as they abandoned themselves to each other. Someone was getting close to satiating his desire for sex and intimacy. It wasn't all day like Ziggy had imagined he would need, daily, perhaps but the idea that it didn't need to be so all consuming to be satisfying was new to the Anthean.
And he didn't have to hide. Since Hiroki returned, Ziggy hadn't put his contacts back in. He could let the Anthean part of himself be exposed, be safe with it known, and, if he was honest with himself, it seemed that Hiroki treasured him more because of it. There was perhaps something to be said for acceptance he could never find on Earth. That acceptance went both ways. Ziggy accepted the fact that his lover was a dead clone, but the Anthean had never seen him as just a clone anyway.
Those thoughts brought questions that had Ziggy glancing up at his lover from where they lay on the couch together. They needed to talk about the elephant, or rather giant robot, metaphorically in the room with them.
"Hiroki?" He asked quietly, not really wanting to disturb him while he read.
Intervention Needed
Jul. 5th, 2020 12:59 pm[Describes the events from Hiroki leaving until approximately a week after meeting Shiro]
( Trigger warning for drug/alcohol abuse and suicidal thoughts )
( Trigger warning for drug/alcohol abuse and suicidal thoughts )
