2025-02-15 - Murder, Mayhem & Mystery : Karaoke

Trace is dressed in a pair of black trousers with a wine colored button-down shirt on, the top couple of buttons undone. He seems to be in pretty good spirits and has also gotten into the spirits. He has a Vampire's Kiss in one hand and is wearing a few of the sparkly red beaded friendship bracelets on one wrist, having made his donation. He looks a lot more comfortable this time around than the last time he made a showing at karaoke. He's already done his signup with the QR code and seems ready to go.

Tonight Erika is not sporting a look typical of her day-to-day attire and coiffure. Ground up her attire begins with the one thing that is commonly seen on the Norwegian - Converse trainers, this pair being black with dark purple laces with sparkle worked into their fabric; the outfit then continues up her legs with a pair of black cargo pants and then a loose-fit t-shirt with princess cut sleeves and horizontal gray and white stripes. Her hair, which is its natural blonde, and is being worn in a short, wild mane that looks uncontrolled but likely took significant work to get it to look right.

Entering the balcony, Erika looks around for a moment until an expression of recognition falls on a brunette musician commonly seen performing at the Bard's Balcony professionally. She smiles in his direction and heads to the signup point, scanning the QR code this time. She then takes a seat at a table near the man (Ty) and orders a Raspberry Martini off the evening's menu.

Saint stands on the stage with a microphone, one of a couple wireless ones ready to go for performers. She's in all red wearing tights, heels, heart-shaped sunnies, and carrying a plushie heart decked out in sequins. Her 'dress' is just a long cut suit jacket and she has a variety of long-stemmed red roses to offer to performers as they leave the stage. Everybody gets a favor tonight!

"Welcome in, singers, lovebirds, lovelorn, crushing, crushed, sweethearts, non-romantic partners, ace cuties, charmers of all kinds, and music enthusiasts alike. Cocktails are on happy hour special for the first hour of karaoke. Performers get one free." She tucks the heard plushie under her arm and says, "I, personally, tried the strawberry shooters and Pink Squirrel. Not really sure what's in there, but it was tasty."

For some reason, Tig has opted out of dressing up, instead dressing pretty casually. Sneakers, jeans, t-shirt, you know how it is. For some reason, however, she's got this shit-eating grin like she's holding a secret that she just can't wait to tell people.

She goes to sign up for a song but doesn't fill out any background or tidbits about her other than her name and the song she'll be performing: Terrible Things by April Smith and the Great Picture Show. It'll become obvious once she performs. She finds herself a seat and orders a Vampire's Kiss. This is going to be fun!

Lavender has arrived for another Karaoke night. She's not known to be a good singer, but she must like doing it anyway. Then again, last time she graced the stage she didn't really sing as much as speak. Will tonight be different?

Her hair is up in a couple messy space buns, made as big as she could get her not-extremely-long-hair into, and she is dressed in all black; Black combat boots, black tights, short black pleated skirt with white pinstripes, and a black t-shirt with a white graphic featuring the outline of a cartoon rabbit's head with Xs where the eyes should be. Her makeup tonight is done in blacks, whites, and greys in a look reminiscent of a skull adorned with floral flourishes ala day of the dead. Around her throat she wears a black velvet ribbon choker with blood red droplet fringe hanging at different levels, making it look as if her neck were slit open... if her blood was crystals.

She does scan the code to enter the lineup of singers tonight, and thus, earns herself a free drink. Free. Her second favorite four letter F word. Once she's ordered and received her vampire's kiss, she finds a seat.

As others are coming into the area and signing up for the event, Erika salutes them with her martini and occasionally sips at the drink as well. She also makes a point of saluting Ty and Saint with a raise of her glass as well for good measure.

Ravin arrives dressed in a velvet jacket with a purple and red rose print over a black background and purple silk palazzo pants. Their makeup is sharp and dramatic, echoing the colors in their jacket. They get signed in to sing and collect a Lips Like Sugar to drink, then look around for a seat. Spotting Ty, they head that direction and grin. "Impressive work earlier. I'll have to come see that again."

"First up in our litany of love songs, betrayals, and mysterious murdery song stylings is Erika, whom you may remember from last month's event. Welcome back to the stage, Erika, who's backed up tonight by Ty." She steps to the side of the stage, where a stool awaits, and takes a seat to be out of the way of Erika's spotlight.

She surveys the crowd and grins, waving to everyone she recognizes now that she's out of the glare of the lights. "Looking good tonight, everybody. Digging your takes on the theme."

When Erika is announced she stands and approaches the stage. Once there she says, "Thank you, Saint," to the host and then to the audience she says, "I asked Ty to help me out musically in my performance. I hope it is felt to meet the theme of tonight's event," switching from kindly informative at first to cagily creepy at the last and though that vocal transition the lights on the stage dim further than they had been leaving her in near total darkness.

---

Ty heads up on stage with Erika, waving a bit to any friendly faces he might recognize. He'd previously set up his keyboard along with the other random instruments people might use for a night such as this, and since he's a regular at the Balcony, he seems right at home here accompanying her. He waits until she gives him the signal then starts playing an eerie tune on the keys. It may be familiar though it has been altered purposefully. Shifted into a minor key (for those in the know) to create an ominous, foreboding vibe. He keeps his face as neutral as possible to double down on it.

Lyrics (for those who need them)

---

When the music starts a dim spotlight brightens up to the originally dim levels on Ty and his keyboard leaving the dimness around Erika even more stark and gloomy. A second one fades up around Erika as the first chords end likely leaving those who are familiar with the song anticipating the words.

Erika's singing is breathy and the pace is definately not that of the original song. Woven into the performance is a sense of frustrated desire, unwelcomed possessiveness and an unhealthy need. This is not the song that so many have thought should be their wedding song. There's no bounce, it is almost a dirge instead. Were she not matching the performance to Ty's music it might even not be though of as a song but as a moody and artistic recitation of poetry. Until she reaches the bridge, the anticipated upward crash is coming... isn't it?

Unfortunately for everyone in the room, but more so for himself, Enzo is working tonight. Or maybe it is fortunate for the crowd. Nevertheless, he shows up to show his support for his friends, even though he is on duty and dressed as anyone doing Public Relations work would be, in his snazzy navy colored blazer. There's a Valentine's heart pinned at his lapel and after having stopped by at the table in the entrance, his arm, too, is bedecked with sparkly friendship bracelets. Yay charity.

For now, he hovers in the background and merely watches the going-ons on a professional level (as he should be, really...). Though he flashes a smile and a wave in Saint's direction when she takes the stage, before scanning the rest of those wandering in and taking their seats, just in time for Erika to take the stage.

Was Avery late? Maybe just a little? But she's coming from the direction of the bar with a Lips Like Sugar drink in her hand and walking towards Trace, "Sorry, that line took forever." holding her drink in one hand and pulling up her black strapless dress with the other hand. Her eyes are painted a bright green sparkle, and her hair is pulled back in a slick high ponytail.

Angelo comes in shiny and shimmery having lost his shirt...somewhere again. He goes about making tonight's appearance in a pair of black leather pants that love him back, and tall black leather boots to go with; a trail of small gold motes follow him like dust in morning sunlight.

He's all smiles and swagger as he comes in seeing some familiar faces there. Enzo gets a hip bump in passing as he sneaks over, "Suuuup buddy? Trace looking sharp." He lifts his violently bright drink to Avery, wanted to say hey before Enzo makes me go behave somewhere." There's a wry, dimpled grin as if that's ever apt to happen. Erika's called up with Ty and that gets a sharp whistle from him and then a sip of his drink- free hand waving to Lavender then Saint.

... and the bridge is there, yes. But the music slides into it more than the traditional crescendo and Erika's singing... yes, its singing, but it's got a harshness to it, a sense that the singer is demanding attention. She has to have you know how lost she feels, how much your face haunts her dreams, how much she longs for you and is unable to find something to fill the hole your absence has left. She hugs her arms around herself tightly as she announces that she's cold.

She cries out, "I keep crying, 'Baby, baby, please'," and reaches out pleadingly.

The bridge is passionate. But it is a dark passion. A passion to be fled from. It hurts.

And then it is over. Erika stands in fading darkness as the spot begins to dim though the rest of her performance, never quite going fully dark (all the while Ty is still in his gloomy, semi-light).

She resumes the breathy performance as she sings though the repetitions of the words and themes of the song. She's watching you. She's seeing what you do, what you say, where you stay, vows you make and vows you break.

As music comes to a close the lights around Erika and Ty drop fully and the audience can hear one final statement.

"I'll be watching you."

And then silence. For a beat of one, then two, then three.

And then the lights on the stage resume normal and Erika is standing there. She then smiles, normalcy is returned and she says, "Thank you for letting me perform for you. And thank you to Ty for accompanying me."

Ty stands and bows once to Erika then again to the audience. He then hops off the stage and heads into the crowd to mingle.

Erika curtsies despite the lack of a skirt and then follows Ty off the stage and returns to her table.

Trace takes off one of his sparkly friendship bracelets and offers it to Avery as she comes over to join him. "No worries," he tells her with a smile. "I don't think we're on for a couple yet." He's not entirely sure, after all, but they at least have time to drink their drinks and to watch Erika's performance as she gets up on the stage. "You look great. Very Sophie." When he hears Angelo call out he lifts his drink to him in salute. "Nice pants!" he calls back to Angelo, noticing him over by Enzo. Enzo gets a little crooked smile and a little telepathic << Hey, you. >> from across the room before his attention is shifting back to Erika and her creepety rendition of an already stalkery song. He cheers on the performance.

Saint sits on the side of the stage listening to Erika's performance, smiling when Ty's playing picks up behind her. The key shift isn't missed by this singer, and she grins when the creep factor ratchets up because of it. She flicks a little salute to Enzo, who again appears are Karaoke on duty, but swans by to support the singers just the same. She waits until Erika's performance is closed to speak, but you know she has to say, "Thank you Erika, and Ty, for that creeperiffic interpretation of an already sus song. I do enjoy watching you cook."

"Everybody put your hands together for Erika and Ty." She doesn't clap, because mic in hand, but does mime it at least.

She follows that up with, "Angelo, I see you lost your shirt." Her brother's surrounded in glowing gold motes, so it's not like he can be missed wandering through the bar of mostly otherwise clothed persons. "If you find my brother's clothes, there's a lost and found behind the bar."

Lavender applauds for Erika and Ty, the red friendship bracelet she snagged on the way in flashing in the light. "That was awesome." She may not be the most enthusiastic audience member, but she does try to show people that she appreciates their performances. Exuberance just isn't generally part of her personality. "Good song."

Her eyes do follow the glowing gold mote surrounded Angelo as he walks by. How can they not?

Ravin applauds for the performers ahead of him, but is clearly already half in performance headspace as he awaits his turn. He takes another quick sip of his drink while he waits.

Dante saunters in just after Angelo, albeit somewhat more thoroughly clad. He's got a dose of leather too, in the form of a fairly traditional, well-spiked biker jacket that's rather better fitted to its wearer than they generally tend to be, over a sleeveless white tee with a pink inverted pentagram on it, skinny black jeans, and white Converse. His hair is particularly platinum today, and somewhat tousled, and his hands in the jacket pockets as he follows his brother along, flashing quick smiles to most of the same people Angelo greets, with a somewhat less effusive but genuine, "Hey," and nod. He has important missions: finding a drink and making sure his sign up information is correct. But there's time for greetings and to clap for Erika's performance along the way.

Avery looks a littler relieved that she had time still, "Cute!" taking the red sparkly friendship bracelet, and setting down her drink so that she can slip it on her arm for the performance. "You have no idea how many Google images I looked to try and get this outfit just right." A roll of her eyes with the amount of time she'd researched this outfit.

Angelo's treating is heard before performances and she grins up at him, "Tell Enzo that just because he has to behave the rest of us do not, so to let you have fun!" But lets him wander back over to his friend, picking up her drink and looking to Erika and Ty's performance.

"Dante, I see you. Cute shirt. I'm borrowing it later." Saint calls, seeing her youngest brother arrive. No one's safe from a call out from the stage.

The hostess for the evening grins and says, "Next up is a new to me performer whom I've seen around from afar. A little birdie told me he's a talented performer. No presh!" Saint flicks her long blonde hair over her shoulder and turns her palm to the ceiling, lifting her hand.

"Please welcome to the stage Ravin Blackwell performing 'Flora, the Lily of the West'. He's recently moved here from the Twin Cities and his tip for how to make it through is to indulge in small pleasures and spend time with good friends."

Saint considers and then says, "I think that's an excellent answer." She lifts a hand to aside to the audience, as if it's a secret, "Especially if you add cocktails." Ahem. Saint nods and calls, "Ravin, come on up here and dazzle us." She scoots over to take her seat.

The backing track starts with a driving guitar riff, more folk than western, but riding that edge. Ravin steps into the spotlight out of the shadows. And are the lights highlighting him a little more perfectly, hitting him just right. Could be stagecraft, could be magic. His voice enters over the top of that driving guitar rhythm, thrumming with emotion:
When first I came to Louisville, some pleasure there to find
A damsel there from Lexington was pleasing to my mind
Her rosy cheeks, her ruby lips, like arrows pierced my breast
And the name she bore was Flora, the lily of the West

The song continues on telling of how Flora promises fidelity, but soon the singer hears rumors of her meeting with another man. It's a tale of jealousy and pathos and Ravin is possibly cheating by being an actual professional at this. The verse where he spies on Flora and his rival and sees her meet him in person is almost whispered and the lights almost seem to dim, providing the shadows from which he watches. The sudden swell on the line "I was betrayed by Flora, the lily of the west!" is a heartbroken cry.

"Angelo!" Enzo calls out just as the shirtless wonder hip bumps him, though his gaze trails after the guy to note that he's heading Trace-ward and around that time is when he catch's the look Trace gives him and then the telepathic message. He then sends one out himself. << Hey, babe. You guys are going to kill it tonight. And tell Avery, I said 'Hi'. >>

He then claps at the end of Erika and Ty's performance, attention returning back to the stage.

Morag slips in late, pauses for a moment to scan all the people gathered for tonight’s event — then goes and scans the QR to put her name in. She’s dressed simply, going for some classic elegance with a black pencil dress and heels, hair twisted back from her face. Black is on theme for her — but she does stop at the table selling bracelets. It’ll add a little pop of color for the occasion, some vday bling for effect. She throws a wave at the few faces she knows as she slips through the crowd. Once she has a chocolate martini in hand, she finds an out of the way seat near the wall to perch and watch Ravin at their art.

"You totally nailed it," Trace tells Avery. He then adds in a slightly softer murmur, "Enzo says hi," with a little chuckle. His attention is then back on the stage as Ravin gets up to perform. It's always fascinating to come to karaoke at the park because the combination of professionals and non-professionals means that it's a surprise every time someone gets up to sing whether it will be the usual karaoke warbling or something concert quality. Either way, it's good fun.

Having replaced her previous martini with another, Erika finds a seat midway from the stage and seems to be enjoying Ravin's performance, tapping her foot along with the rhythm of the song.

To the greeting handed down from Enzo to Trace to Avery... Avery lifts her eyes to Enzo and lifts a hand and waves at him in greeting, a smile on her lips. "It's still weird you can do that." the communicating thing, but she meant that in the most beloved way possible. Lifting her drink to her lips and turning her attention to Ravin.

Angelo chuckles as Saint calls him out giving her a nod and a point. "Owe you." Taking another drink he tells Trace, "Thanks, Trace!. Avery you are a gem and I will tell him you said he gave me permission." The back of his hand taps Dante's shirt right in the star, looks at him then points to the stage. "If you have not heard Ravin live you're in for a treat."

Ravin's voice rings with desperation as he continues, lights now back to full brightness:
I stepped up to my rival, my dagger in my hand
I seized him by the collar and I ordered him to stand
All in my desperation, I stabbed him in his chest
I killed a man for Flora, the lily of the west!

The singer is arrested and tried, with Flora testifying against him, the lights go particularly harsh as he is placed in the prisoner box. The last line of the song is almost despairing, after it all: Still I love my faithless Flora, the lily of the west.

Ravin's head drops to his chest with the song done, a broken man, still unable to move on from his faithless love. A beat and then he raises his head again and smiles at the audience, the lights shifting back to their normal intensity.

"You stain it I'll curse you using the remnants," Dante calls back to Saint, flashing her a grin, though he also might mean it. "You too if you bap me there to much," he warns Angelo without even a hint of meaning it, as he picks up his Vampire's Kiss and gives it an assessing look. Hm. Waiting for the ice to evaporate enough gives him a good chance to turn, get comfy, and watch Ravin get started. "...you're right," he murmurs to Angelo after the first couple verses, "He is good." He's finally getting a few sips in by the end, but sets it down long enough to clap when Ravin finishes.

Erika begins to slow clap, as is traditional for Norway, and then flushes red slightly as she remembers that this is viewed negatively in the States and so claps more energetically. Hearing people commenting about Ravin's performance she nods and calls out to Dante, "Ja," (sounds like "ya" and means yes in Norwegian) agreeing whole heartedly. "Wonderful song and performance," she calls out before taking another sip of her martini.

While completely unfamiliar with the song being sung, the visuals do help in keeping Enzo entertained and tuned into the tale being sung. It's fascinating what people in this park can do. Soon enough, he's captivated enough into the story line and the song enough to pay full attention until the end in which he applauds alongside everyone else. "Well, that was... something." He then studies Ravin from where he, himself, is leaning against the back wall of this fine establishment, "I should probably catch one of his performances at some point."

Saint checks her phone to scroll through the list of signups, checking to see how many there are for tonight, and who's up next. She listens to Ravin's performance, perhaps surprised by the arrangement. She mimes shock with Flora's rumored to be stepping out. "That was a beautiful rendition of a haunting little song. Jealous lovers, man. Faithless Flora and obsession go hand in hand with murder. Thank you, Ravin, for sharing that one with us. That performance was excellent. Remind me to do a duet with you one day. Intensityyyy. Loved it."

Saint grins and calls, "Happy hour ends in five. Get those orders in, and somebody grab me a Sugar Lips or Hotlips or whatever that one with the sugar heart is called? Thank yooou! Ravin, have a drink on us too!" She points into the crowd, "If someone could also get my little brother a drink. He's spicy tonight."

"Next up we have a delicious duo of Trace, our absolute favorite pyrotechnics specialist, sorry to any other pyros in the audience, but I don't know you yet—and Avery, whom I don't know well, but I can say has elite style, and makes very cool ice sculptures. I'm so looking forward to this performance."

"Trace's tip for getting through hard times is grilled cheese and tomato soup. And now I want some. It'll wait till after, though. My dears, please welcome Avery and Trace to the stage!"

The lights are such a nice touch, enhancing all the emotion of the song being performed, Morag can't help smiling to herself. Stuck with a drink in one hand, when Ravin finishes Mags brings fingers to her mouth to whistle her appreciation, to makes sure it carries over the applause of the crowd.

There's a moment of applause for Ravin's tragic betrayal and then Trace is finishing off his drink when he hears their names called. It's left on a nearby empty table and then he's heading up to the stage with Avery.

Anyone who remembers his last foray on stage might notice that he seems a lot less nervous this time. Maybe it's the fact that he's not alone this time. He flashes her a bit of a grin and then moves up to the mic as the opening notes of Murder on the Dancefloor by Sophie Ellis-Bextor begin to play.

"It's murder on the dancefloor
But you better not kill the groove
DJ, gonna burn this goddamn house right down.."

He leans in with the microphone, singing out into the crowd, far more loose and relaxed this time around. He also seems to be having a good time with it, an entirely different energy.

"Oh, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know about your kind
And so, and so, and so, and so, and so, and so, and so I'll have to play.."

When it comes time to move into the chorus, he's falling right into step with the choreography of the music video next to Avery, grinning over at her as he swings his arms, does the little turn and clap. This part has clearly been practiced for tonight, because he doesn't miss a beat. Finding Enzo in the crowd, he grins playfully as he sings.

"If you think you're getting away, I will prove you wrong
I'll take you all the way, boy, just come along
Hear me when I say, hey.."

Ravin finds his seat, nodding to the applause and compliments and giving Saint a wink. "Any time, just ask." He reclaims his drink, taking a sip and settling in to watch the next performer.

There's a little thumbs up thrown to Ravin, and then the performance is on. Saint mouths the intro to the song Trace and Avery have chosen, but doesn't sing along. She does dance in her seat to the side of the stage, because it's impossible not to move to to this groove. It has a line dance. She barely resists the urge to get in on the stompy parts.

The beat as the opening notes of Murder on the Dance Floor pulse through the air. Avery stands to the side of the stage, her high ponytail swinging and her glittery eyeshadow catching the light as she claps in rhythm, her strapless black dress hugging her form. The energy Trace is giving off is contagious and is seen in the performance. Avery can’t help but smirk as she falls into her role as the ultimate backup dancer.

Then, just before the second verse, Trace reaches for her hand and spins her effortlessly into the practiced choreography. She twirls, snapping her fingers above her head before turning her back to him with a clap, striking the perfect pose to close out his part.

“Oh, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know…
I know there may be others
And so, and so, and so, and so, and so, and so, and so
You'll just have to pray”

She paces the front of the stage like she owns it, each line punctuated with a sly smile or a glance toward the crowd. Her free hand traces the air in sync with the beat, and when she hits the pre-chorus, she lifts her chin, locking eyes with Trace and delivering her lines with a mischievous, almost daring edge and winking at him before she sings:

“If you think you're getting away, I will prove you wrong…”

The music picks up again for the chorus that the two of them take together as they slip back into the choreography they’d practiced just before the song comes to an end.

Lavender was, of course, a good little audience member for Ravin's performance, applauding for them and nodding her appreciation. She might be a little distracted by shirtless Angelo or she might be nervous thinking about her own performance.

"Oh, I like this song," Lavender states as Trace and Avery take the stage. As they sing, the buns on top of her head sway while she bops along to the beat. When the song ends, her hands are raised to clap for them as well.

"'You better not kill the groove' is officially the tagline of karaoke from here going forward." Saint says, standing. "Avery, Trace, what a fantastic choice for tonight. Thank you for testing my resolve to stay seated." The alcohol, by now, has kicked in, so she might not be able to keep her seat long after that number. It was good and the booze is flowing~.

She leads a round of applause for the duo, mic put down on her stool for a moment. She picks it up shortly to say, "Happy hour's closed, but the bar's still open! Trace, Avery, have one on us."

Angelo gives Ravin a whistle when the performance is over and greets the nest with "Wooo Avery, Trace, let's go let's gooo!" It's like his cheer days never left him. Looking up to his brother he says "Table?" As the table they were near is vacating. "Lavender you up tonight?"

And the song kicks up and Angelo tells Dante, "I need to dance and Saint needs a drink." Drink goes down on the table and he starts to get his dance on in the aisle while also trying to flag down wait staff and fix the drink issue. "D, you need anything else or the vampire still biting?" He waits for the answer to place the order and tells Ravin, "Absolutely amazing. I appreciate you."

Once Trace and Avery hit the stage, Enzo's posture straightens somewhat from his lean. He's here to show support for the pair, so of course he's going to look incredibly attentive as possible... while also fishing into his pocket for his phone to record the whole moment.

The music hits and his dress shoe covered foot is already tapping along and he can't help but keeps his eyes on the much more confident Trace on stage, watching his every movement, which there is more of this time around. Then their eyes meet and he feels as if he's being sung to and Enzo can't help but laugh with a shake of his head. Laugh silently of course, he doesn't want to ruin his recording!

Then Avery's part comes in and he observes as they dance together beautifully on stage. In the end, he just has to applaud for the pair, telepathing back to Trace only when he and Avery both are leaving the state. << That was incredible. I'm glad that I don't intimidate you anymore. >> There's laughter in his voice which can be heard in Trace's head now too. He's teasing.

The recording phone is slipped back into his pocket.

Saint moves to the center of the stage to toss a few roses into the crowd, which may lead to some bruised petals, but they have been de-thorned, so no one's at risk of piercing injury. "Next to the stage is Tig. Tig's a mechanic by day and keeps our little mechanical friends alive. Tonight, she's treating us to her song stylings."

"Tig come on up and show us what you've got!" She scuttles off to one side to clear the stage for the performer.

Erika applauds again for the duo and then relaxes back into her seat to watch Tig's performance.

When it comes to Tig's turn, she looks up and grins a mischievous grin but, for some reason, doesn't get up. Instead, she pulls out her phone, fires off a quick text, and sets it down on the table. Soon after, another Tig bustles in from offstage wearing, of all things, a torn and bloody wedding dress. It's a very theater-kid thing to do.

"Sorry! Sorry," she says as she makes her way to the stage. Once she takes the microphone, she gives the audience a nervous grin. "Thank you. Sorry. I was out there, you know, doing terrible things, but we all need to take a break from our villainy every once in a while, right?" She nods to the KJ to begin the song. And the lyrics

The music is jaunty despite the dark undertones, and as she sings playfully, she bops her hips in time with the musical punctuation.

"If you dig under my feet, you will find things
That you don't! want! to! see!
Things that I hide, deep down inside,
A men-a-ger-ie of the tragedy I caused and all of my flaws."

During the chorus, she leaves the stage and starts playing to the audience, being all melodramatic about how awful she really is. She whirls over to a table and leans close to a man, singing about how he'd run if he only knew. The second verse she becomes more playful, bopping her way from table to table. When it comes to the second chorus, she spins her way back up to the stage, letting her bloody dress flare out around her, reaching it just in time for the bridge, which she snaps along with the music.

"I know that I'm afflicted, but who could have predicted
The monster that I've become?"

When she gets to the final chorus, it's time to belt it out as it comes to a crescendo, showing off her musical chops. When the song finishes, she takes a bow and hands the mic back to the KJ. "Thank you, thank you!" she says, waving to the audience. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a body to bury." And then she takes her leave.

"Ayup." Lavender gives a nod toward ANgelo in reply. "Soon, I think. Hopefully I kill it." Lifting a hand she shows crossed fingers to him. "You?" When Tig is announced, she encourages her friend with a, "woo. Go get em, Tigger." She squints one eye like she regrets making the joke immediately. The song gets even her shoulders shimmying slightly, a sure sign she likes what she hears.

"Let me know if you need an extra shovel, Tig."

"Table," Dante agrees, nodding to Angelo and sliding on over to ease right in and snake it from anyone else who might've had an eye to it The warning of happy hour's imminent closure has him glancing at the specials again, but Angelo's offering, so he just answers, "I will be needing two. Maybe three. At least one of them that sugar lips thing. Dealer's choice otherwise but definitely one in a chonkier glass." And since that's handled (as far as he's concerned), he gets in on a little dancing as well.

Having a table makes it much easier to put his drink down to clap for Trace and Avery, so that's handy too. And for Tig as well; at the start of her song, he tilts his head, clearly listening, noting to Angelo when he's near enough. "This one I dunno. Good, though."

Ravin grins and even sort of dances along a bit in his chair while he watches. He is more than happy to lean in to play back with Tig, giving her a flirty look as she sings about how he shouldn't. He applauds when she finishes and finishes off his first drink, then stands up to get another one, and one for Saint as well, since it looks like no one has brought her one, yet. He delivers it over to her with a grin and then reclaims his spot, though he's got a couple open chairs if anyone needs a place to sit.

Erika claps energetically for Tig and her performance. "Awesome song choice Tig," she cries out as the mechanic steps down from the stage.

Avery was still coming off the high of their performance and after they exit the stage, she locks her arms around Trace and hugs him, "So good! That was ao much fun!" trying her best not to be too loud because the next performance was being called up, but she was in too good of a mood after that to not be just a little loud.

Moving around back to where she'd left her drink and picks it up taking a bigger drink this time, now that the performance was over she could drink. The glass was lifted towards Saint when its announced to have a drink on them.

"Did Enzo record that? I saw his phone out." she asks Trace, "I want to get it sent to me if he did. Bam needs to see that."

Saint finds herself bopping her head to the song, which she hasn't heard before, but that's definitely going onto a playlist somewhere. It's not long before she's snapping along with the song. "Can I say I'm so proud of everyone for the theme picks tonight. Next Halloween, we're doing this one again." She grins at that and calls, "Don't forget to grab yourself a drink on your way to standin' on business, girl."

She turns to the audience and says, "Seriously, best exit from the stage yet, you guys." She laughs and checks her phone for the list.

"Next to show us a some sick beats—Lavender. Lavender has been a ride operator at the park for over a year now. She'll be singing about a love/hate beautiful/toxic romance. Her advice for self care in times of trouble are to A) Not get yourself into times of trouble in the first place, but if you do end up there, and B) Copious amounts of ice cream and making something beautiful out of something ugly." Saint reads part of this from her phone, but looks up to add, "Ice cream and sweetness from our favorite lever puller."

"Lavender, the stage is yours." She scuttles over to accept her drink from Ravin with a little bow. "Thanks, Queen slash King slash your preferred honorific. Love the jacket."

Her name is called and Lavender takes one last long pull of her drink before the petite brunette (made taller with her space buns) hops up onto the stage to stand at the mic. Tap. Tap. Tap. "Okay, just checking." The tapping of the microphone was slightly loud but at least did not cause any feedback.

The music begins and her hand taps against her thigh to set the beat in her head.

"Love me cancerously," she begins to sing. While she would not win any Grammys, her singing voice isn't horrible. It could possibly be considered melodic if she tried to actually use it correctly, but, at least this performance isn't just spoken.

"Like a salt-sore soaked in the sea. High maintenance means. You're a gluttonous queen - narcissistic and mean." She lifts one hand and snaps her fingers (just once) right in front of the microphone.

This performance is also mostly not sung. Which becomes more apparent at the next verse, as it starts to become a combination of singing and yelling. "Kill me romantically," it begins. She isn't moving about the stage but her facial expressions tell a story, one of someone that loves and loathes at the same time and the crystal 'blood droplets' at her neck dance in the spotlights shining down on her. When the lyrics reflect disgust, her lip lifts in a sneer, and when they speak instead of love, her big, dark doe eyes look out at the audience as if she absolutely adores whomever catches her eye.

"She moves through moonbeams slowly. She wears me down to bones in bed. Must be the sign on my head... It says, 'Oh! Love me dead!'" The last few words are yelled with emotion. Anyone who might know her probably has never heard her sound this animated (or loud).

As they depart the stage, Trace laughs and returns Avery's hug with a squeeze of his own, "That was.. fun as hell. Thank you for doing it with me. You were amazing." This time, there's the adrenaline rush of having done the thing and having had a good time doing it. "Maybe. I'll let him know." Then he hears Enzo's voice in his head and he laughs. << The lack of being body-checked into a table helped. Also, if you recorded that, Avery wants a copy. >> he teases back. Angelo, Saint, and Dante all get a grin as he passes, looking for a server for another drink, since Saint did suggest it, after all. He pauses though to watch Tig's performance, putting the search for booze on hold long enough to cheer her on.

Sipping her drink, Saint takes a seat to the side of the stage. She looks down into her glass and nods, mouthing fuck yeah, because clearly that cocktail is the best one she's tried tonight. She raises her glass to Ravin in thanks. And then laughs and raises her glass to Ender when she sings about a gluttonous, narcissistic queen.

"You suck so passionately," she repeats and then laughs, flicking off her own mic so she doesn't talk over the singing. She coughs and covers her mouth.

She grins and raises a glass to the crowd, nodding to Trace, Avery, and then she's laughing again by the time the song finishes. She has never heard this one but it's also going on a playlist.

"You suck so passionately." She sing/yells. "You're a parasitic psycho, filthy creature finger-bangin' my heart. You call me up drunk, does the fun ever start? You're hideous and sexy."

Now she grabs the mic off the stand and dances in a somewhat ethereal way as she sings the chorus, culminating in the yelled phrase repeated, "Ohhhh love me dead! Love me dead!"

Throughout the guitar solo, she headbangs and plays the air guitar with microphone in her hand.

"Love me cancerously," she says before yelling the next verse. At one point, she drops to her knees, singing about how lovely the woman moves through moonbeams and cuddles oh-so-right. "And when her edges soften," is sung almost delicately, followed by a rather growled, "her body is my coffin."

With the song nearing its end, and the phrase "Love me dead!" repeated, Lavender reaches behind her to retrieve a rose that was tucked into the band of her skirt at her back, and as the last one is sung, her voice reaching a pitch maybe she didn't even know she could reach, she holds the rose up in the spotlight by its stem, gazing up at it as if it were poor Yorick's skull. And then... the rose starts to whither right there in her hand, drooping it's red-petaled blossom as if hanging its weary head, until it dries and crumples in bits to the floor.

After the music stops, Lavender replaces the microphone in its stand and back to her monotone self, says, "thank you," before exiting the stage and looking for another drink.

Angelo holds out a hand to the side offering Trace a low five in passing. And then the music starts to get heavier and he grins, "Lavendeeeeeeeeer!!" Looking to Dante he passes him his drink. "I think my soul might get scared out of my body in a moment. Trade with me. I got the Lips like Sugar. If you like it get another." while I drink whatever is left of yours seems to be the suggestion there.

Each performer bringing their own flair and style to the stage, and Morag is here for it, bopping through Trace and Avery's, nodding through Tig's -- and Lavender's is delightful, Mags over here mouthing along with the words, expressively right up to the last line and that stellar trick with the rose. Her glass is abandoned so she can applaud, hands raised.

Commenting to someone near her, Erika says, "I love this, a lot of new musical exposure!" as she applauds Lavender's enthusiastic performance.

With a click of a button, Saint's mic is love again. "I can't. I don't even know what just happened, Lavender, but that was fantastic. It's going on my workout playlist. If I can get through silks with that on and not lose ab integrity, I'm definitely winning." Saint says with a smile on her face and in her voice, "Girl you're invited over anytime based on that sick song choice alone. Please have a drink on me and thank you for keeping the vibe alive."

Saint moves to center stage again to do a little chit chat before introducing the next act. "Thanks to the staff of the Bard's Balcony for hosting us again. We have two more performances tonight, so time your drink orders accordingly. Park employees, Nora's is serving up heart-shaped pancakes with strawberry and other flavored whips if you need something to soak up the fruity alcohol before you head to home. For our esteemed guests, you can find love baskets featuring teas, custom made truffles, and cookies at Stirring on the Boo'ed Walk, along with offerings at several other establishments along the way, between us and the resort. I have it on good authority you can get the heart-shaped pancakes delivered with room service if you ask nice."

"Without further ado, I'd like to welcome two of my very favorite people to the stage. Gelly, my shirtless brother, performer in Pirates Cove, and my favorite fashion consultant and tailor at Fabricadabra, also my brother, Dante. Anything you need for future performances, you can find there, sparkly or sleek. Bedazzled or sequined. Ask about the couture." She glances at her phone. "Dante's advice for getting through tough times is a spa day and idle murder plots for the people who irritate you." She tucks her phone away in the pocket of her red suit jacket. "Not that we do that." She raises her brows behind heart-shaped glasses.

They totally do that.

"Brothers, come light the stage on fire."

<< Why would I have recorded th-- Alright, I'll give her a copy. >> Enzo telepaths back to Trace. Not like it was a secret or nothin'! Now, however it's that where he wanders to where Dante and Angelo were sitting to see if they are leaving behind any drinks for him to finish on the sly! Not that he's cheap or anything, he's just on duty. So this is how he gets his alcohol intake in. Sitting at their booth as they depart for the stage, they know what he's up to! "Burn the place down up there!" He calls out. There better still be leftover drinks, man.

Ravin applauds for Lavender's performance and laughs at the introduction, glancing around the room and making note of more people to try to meet later when not in the middle of a show.

Trace returns the low-five to Angelo with a grin and then cheers on Lavender as she performs, this one very different from her last performance as well. Props! With a new drink in hand he lofts it in salute to her performance. Then he laughs at something in his head and leans over to tell Avery, "He says he'll give you a copy." He's still a little distracted from Lavender's performance when Saint announces that it is time for the Kerekes triplets to take the stage. He lets out a loud whistle for the trio.

Dante arcs a brow at his brother. "I said to get me one," he points out, "...but deal." He's slightly farther through his than Angelo is through the Lips, anyway. And it's a good point on the 'if you like it'. He drinks it while watching Lavender, the performance getting a small but genuine grin out of him, and when she finishes, he gives an approving whistle along with the clapping, before taking his somehow suddenly empty glass back up and over to the bar for probably another one.

Which is damn good timing, since he's just being handed another floofy valentine cocktail and a brown bottle of beer when Saint announces their intro. He abandons the glass that was set there for him on the bar, taking just the Lips and bottle, and sets the former on their table as he passes on the way to the stage. It better still be there when he gets back, Enzo! Angelo gets a quick half-smile and upnod as they step on up and claim the mics.

The drums kick in to start the song, and then the boys join in with an energetically harmonized, "Bom bowww, bom badadada, bom bow, hey hey hey hey!" The music takes a quieter beat and Dante steps forward, lifting his mic again to inform the audience, "You're not the prettiest girl in town." A couple beats and, with a shrug, "I'm not the only boy with sullied clothes and a sullen frown, so to hell with Valentines, to hell with perfume! To hell with chocolates and picnics... and Sinatra tunes." He waves them off with a sneer and a gesture of his bottle.

Angelo comes back in to join him on the harmony as Dante goes on, tone full of light contempt," "'cause while the rest of the girls are drowning in roses and songs he composes, and while the rest of the guys are all tryin'," he presses the drink-holding hand to his chest, tone taking on some seriously amused 'pity', as the percussion builds up beneath it, "Oh, tryin' so hard..."

The cymbals crash and the chorus crashes in right along with them, all Dante's mockery turning into slightly malicious glee. "Oh, girl! Let's crash the party! El Dorado on the lawn, hey hey hey!" He punctuates each 'hey' with a lift of his bottle. "Let's burn holes in the carpets! Kicking, shouting, dancing on the tables all! Night! Long!" They do, in fact, leap onto the table Saint's saved at the front by the stage and do exactly that during the brief instrumental that ensues. There is mic-and-bottle air guitar involved.

"That is the best compliment I have received in a long time," Lavender says to Saint on her way off the stage. "That you don't know what just happened. I'm being serious too. I love that." At the invite... "don't think I won't take you up on that. Just in case I show up at your door. I have witnesses. You invited me." Her eyes squint just a bit in a way that lifts the outer corners. One model from decades ago called it 'Smizing'.

Then she's off to the bar in search of that drink; a vampire's kiss, it seems. Turning, she leans her back against the bar and watches Angelo and Dante as they walk to the stage. "I like Dante's advice."

Attempting to catch Enzo's eye before the next performance she mouths a 'thank you' to him. "I thought so," Avery grins over at Trace, and leans into him, "If my honey was performing, you better before I'd record it too." she winks and then goes off to order her second drink that was suppose to be 'on them'.

Saint presses a hand to her heart when Lavender says hers is the best compliment she's rec'd in a while. "I did invite you and I meant it! We have a bar cart..." She grins again and then sits for the show.

Because it's her brothers, Saint sings along off mic, clearly having heard this before. She doesn't join in the performance though, possibly because she's sampled a few of the specials before the event started. You just never know when it comes to the Kerekes'. She points to Dante when he sings the Sinatra tunes lyric. It is her middle name after all. She does sing aloud, "Oh, girl, let's crash a party!" though.

Angelo saunters up the stage trading places with his brother working with the stage light bouncing off sparkle skin. His hand waves at the crowd talking to them, they are the date tonight he conspires to. With a hip roll in the leather pants he leads off the second verse.

"I'm not so good with subtlety. You wouldn't say that I'm the picture of urbanity. Never put much stock in suavity, courtesy, chivalry, gallantry, all that useless jewellery~" His hands point back and forth catching the light working up to the good news there's a sly grin that widens as Dante croons the echo and callback.

"While the rest of the girls still sigh for the night he was smiling politely. And while the rest of the guys are all trying- Oh, trying so hard!" There's the power slide to front stage to the savvy people in the front row. "Oooooh girl let's crash the party~!!" The chorus returns with Angelo leading the bar to join them in the HEY HEY HEY!s with a fistpump in the air. That's the spirit!

Popping back to his feet the chorus loops around a couple times as he and Dante break into the choreography that smacks of 'gonna start some trouble' until the song ends with them back to back. "Spellbound we love you. If you're tearing it up tonight please don't wreck the furniture and remember to tip your wait staff." A bow, and a hop off stage

Erika applauds the duet and their performance after finishing her second martini during the performance.

When he notices Avery's whispered 'thank you', Enzo nods slowly. 'Oh sure', before his attention flickers over to Trace once more.

Also Enzo figures that Dante and Angelo can order more drinks when they return though the pancakes sound good around now too. Once they are done with their singing, they'll find him at their table still, sipping at Dante's (probably) drink. Of course, he claps once they are done. He clapped for everyone who sang. It was the end of the night and he had a long day ahead of him tomorrow, so he was trying to make the best of it!

"Hey, you can put in an order for another round, plus one, before they shut the bar down!" Plus one is obviously for him, "And I'll pay."

"What can I say about that." Saint glances over at her brothers as they finish their dancing, table-hopping, crooning performance. "Always dynamic and catchy, and you should always crash a party when there's a party to be crashed. Words I live by." She nods to the bar. "Have a drink on me, brothers. I reiterate, tip your waitstaff!" She's not gonna tell people not to wreck the furniture. She'd sound like their mum. She surreptitiously orders a bunch of pancakes to be delivered to Turning Leaf 202 in an hour.

"Closing us out tonight is Morag McKie singing 'Haunted Heart' by Christina Aguilera. Morag's self care tip is to do what feels right for you, preferably involving chocolate and whiskey." Saint nods at that and adds her own, "I like both of those, and I think that's sound, sane advice. Take notes, people! You heard it here, well, probably not first but definitely loud!"

"Morag, the stage is yours!"

Morag was mid whistle for the brothers, all appreciating for song and style both, when her name gets called. She slips off her seat to take her place. There’s nothing flashy about it, no great showmanship, she just uses a moment to smooth her dress then nods for the music. It kicks in with a slow, sultry jazz, and her lips curve into a smile for the audience while she waits her cue to jump in to the song.

”There's no ground when you fall for me
You'll be fallin' for miles
I'm bewitched by your misery
But I love it when you smile…”

She’s a dancer first but her voice has some power to it. she comes at the song like a crooner lending a touch of intimacy to all the rise and fall of the song, and there is plenty. From lines that drop low with a breathy hush to ones that leap to a higher range; more than anything she’s having fun with it, putting as much drama into the dark, obsessive promises of the song as she can as it heads into the chorus.

”My heart is a haunted house
Once you're in you ain't gettin' out-“

She’s singing it with a smile, a hand pressed to her chest for the stumble of the last chorus line -

”No escapin' the way you feel
It's like a dream but you hope it's real
My, my, my heart
My, my, my, my heart is a haunted, haunted house…”

Trace leans back into Avery, bumping his shoulder into hers with a sidelong grin at that wink and then waves her off as she heads off to find another drink for herself as well. He catches the look from Enzo and his smile softens a little before he turns his gaze back toward the stage. He lets out a loud "WOOO" for Dante and Angelo and sets his new glass down to applaud them as they complete their song. When they get off the stage he says, "That was awesome," to them before reclaiming his glass and turning his attention up to watch Morag begin her performance.

Ravin applauds as appropriate and watches as appropriate. They perk up a bit at the mention of the pancakes at Nora's. Maybe they'll make an appearance there, after. They also remember to go buy one of the charity bracelets while they listen.

“*Suddenly you'll be in too deep
You'll be caught up in my web
You will think of me constantly
It'll drive you insane-“

If anything, the song gets more dramatic, plunging low for deep and then her eyes closed, as she leans into the mike and gives it her best Aguilera vocal fry on drive, and there’s a sway in her hips as she spills more verse on how entirely doomed her theoretical amour is, and emphatic gesture of her arms, and then she’s still again to run through the chorus, voice pitched low like she’s sharing secrets with a lover — or, you know, the whole crowd — until she finally comes to the the conclusion that she lets fade out softer, on a whisper, for the last

Yeah, it's a haunted, haunted house…

The music fades out. She laughs a little breathlessly, and leans closer to the microphone for a quick, “Thank you,” and she makes her way quickly out of the limelight to reclaim her abandoned drink.

"Cannot go wrong with Christina. Thank you, Morag. Welcome to the our stage, your first performance at karaoke night. I hope we see you again." Saint grins. "Closing on a sexy little song. My heart is a haunted house~" Saint sings back to the performer once she's finished. "Jazzy stylings and the trap of love." She fans herself with the plushie sequined heart she carries and says, "Souvenir for you." She grins and tosses the heart underhand, gently to their final performance of the night. "A souvenir." And then she turns to the crowd.

"Thank you to our audience and performers. Tonight's a special night, and I hope we've all learned something from one of more of the song stylings. Not that I'm advocating dastardly deeds or murderific resolutions to the problems we face. I am recommending pancake afterparties the park over." She flips her sunglasses up into her pale blonde hair, revealing silvery gems glittering along her lash line. "Next month's karaoke will be held here, March 15th. Our theme for that evening is Tonight's the Night for Drinking. Drinking songs, pub favorites, and bar tunes. We'll raise a glass to each other, the park, and our bartenders for the night."

"Be safe out there, Spellbounders. Goodnight!" The stage lights go out on that, and jukebox music picks up in the background.

Dante returns to his table to find Enzo there, drinking his drink. He gives his friend a level look, sets his palm flat across the top of the glass, and informs him, "You owe me a drink. Actually, two." He sets the bottle down in front of Enzo, removes his hand from the glass, and turns to head for the bar. Trace gets a grin and a "Thanks," along the way.

Once there and ordered, he turns around to watch Morag, nodding a little as he appraises the song; his drink arrives, but it has to wait for him to applaud, first. A very good selection of performances, tonight. And finally a drink that he's damn well going to get to actually finish himself, thanks.

Angelo grins to Saint offering he and Dante a free drink and Enzo also offering. Enzo gets a half hug for this being the one in range with a pat to the back of the shoulder of his suitcoat. "Thank you for keeping the table clear of debris man."

Looking back to Morag going up he applauds from the heart there for his fellow pixie compatriot as she comes out offering her a low five too. "Slayed it. That song is hard a-f to doooo. Good vibe. Dante, that was one of your better ones bruh. We're gonna have to drag Nuggs out here with us."

"Bar cart? Count me in." Lavender nods toward Saint before the blonde's brothers start their lively performance. She watches, her head bopping along again, though she isn't familiar with the song. "I'm all for party crashing. That was great." She applauds, and keeps clapping when Morag is announced next. "Wow. I could never even try to sing Christina. Amazing."

Trace applauds for Morag as she finishes her song, giving a little up-nod to Dante. He grins to Saint and says, "Another really fun night. Thanks for hosting, Saint." He then looks around as things seem to be winding down and rocks back on his heels where he is. Finally, he casts one more quick look over toward the table where Enzo is sitting. << I'm going to head back and make sure I'm packed. See you in a little bit. >> And then he's slipping out.

Enzo returns Angelo's half hug, 'Yeah no problem." Before his brow arches at Dante, "Fine. Two drinks. I probably could use an extra extra one myself." Though that's when he hears Trace's voice in his head and he turns in the direction of the man as he's departing. << I'll catch up soon enough. I am incredibly excited for this trip. >>

Back to his friends, he says, "This'll be my last drinks until we have to catch our flight to Paris, as you might already know, so I'll see you all back next week some time. Hopefully." And with Morag closing out the night, he applauds for her as well as for Saint who has put on an excellent show once again. "So here's for my last night in Spellbound... for the time anyway." He almost says this as if it's some sort of goodbye.

Morag takes that low five in passing, throwing an over the shoulder smile Angelo’s way, because fae solidarity.

She doesn’t hang around long though, finishing off her martini, and she heads out, mission accomplished.