(7/5/01)
What was that about a musical competition? Well, even if its already started and well on its way, Marcus might as well drop by and wonder at it. For after all, his dreadful stay in this awful little excuse for a town is quite nearly over, all praises high for that. And if there is something.. quaint, going on, he might as well do something amusing. Even though, technically, a musical competition led by soldiers is a thought that seems almost.. Something that religion would worry at, somehow. But who cares? Marcus might be an Etone, but he's also a disgruntled one. And he's also a teenager, which rather overrides all beforementioned clauses. So, walking slowly towards the crowds, and with a condemnation to the weather that's become common of late, he decides he might as well go about finding a seat.
Ryukumu walks in wondering if there's a parking fee required for Gears... oh well. Normally he wouldn't be caught dead in the potential presence of Gebler as he's still an outlaw, probably, but since the Ygg'ers and Solaris are almost at a complete truce, he figures 'what the heck'. If anyone wants to start a fight... well... Ryu's a good runner. So there, biznatch. News about this contest has even reached Bart's hideout, this better live up to the hype. Ryukumu finds a seat off to the side to keep from drawing attention to himself... he says to himself, optimistically. Yeah right.
Karen sits within the rows in the audience, quietly watching the contest going on. It was rather hard for her to miss hearing about it being so close to the source of the contest and with all the advertising, though now she seems pleased with having come to see it. Now if only the ones in front of her didn't wave their hands so much she would have a clearer view of the stage...a clearer view for her sketch.
Duran strides in the area, rifle strapped securely around his shoulder, and runs his eyes around. "Hmm...the peace is kept...I've done my job!" He whips off his cap and messes up his hair, intent on having fun. He throws the cap and smiles broadly.
Collin mingles in the crowd pretty well! He's giving a nod and wave to a few people on the way, being sure to sneak along the edge and maybe, perhaps, get a fairly better view than some others. Hey, first truly entertaining thing he's seen in months, that's for sure. The late-arriving and rather tanned Solarian plunks down after a bit, however, and watches quietly.
Ok, this wire goes there, that one goes there...why the heck couldn't Tognotti have gone with acoustic? Ah, well...Kale will be able to deal with it. Sighing, the large dragonman attempts to sort out the myrid and many wires leading from guitar to sound system. Briefly pausing to wonder WHY there are so many wires, Kale shrugs and finishes sorting them out. Standing up, he cracks his knuckles, and takes a look at the music. Not TOO bad. But he had really better have a talk with Tog afterwards.
Tognotti is darting around the stage, prepping the amps. He glances to a lone synthesizer to the left. He walks over and presses a few buttons, setting it up to play the prerecorded background. He glances to Kale, then steps aside, waiting for the O.K.
Casske leaps up onto the stage, grabbing the microphone. "Okaaaay ladies and gentlemen, next we have a duo out of the GA-GS! Give it up for Private Rok and Sergeant Kale!" He waves the two out onto the stage, grinning and leaping back to his seat.
Tognotti (OOC) says, "Ah, OOC credits before we begin... this song was adapted lyrically from "Coalinga Love" by FaxedHead, which was itself a cover of the 2Pac song, "California Love.
Karen claps after the next announcement, it was good enough just to enjoy herself but if she didn't sketch an image of the stage, she probably will forget it...just like everything else. She glances around at the crowd around her and looks to some of the other faces there.
Kale begins playing his guitar, claws obviating the need for a pick. His voice, a bit too deep for the song but not *too* bad slips at first, but he quickly recovers and sings. "GA-GS knows how to party" Must resist urge to hit Rok. "GA-GS knows how to party~Unlike the soldiers of Bledavik~Unlike the soldiers of Cobalt Wing~Unlike the soldiers, Soldiers of Nisan~We keep on rocking With sandstorms blowin'~"
Tognotti glacnes to Kale, grinning a bit. He closes his eyes, stepping up to the microphone, thinking back to what Casske had taught him. The perfect voice, completely and utterly amazing... Rok cleared his throat, and began singing in a low, satanic sort of croak, yet horribly strong and projecting. "Let me introduce you all to the center of the best - The city that's protected us as if it was a nest - The medic care we get here is the best - Grubby soldiers shoot us up - With chuckles suggesting theft - We're born here, we've died here - Yet we're still alive - Selling retread tires and colored ice to survive - Clip out coupons, take em to the store - Double value in Bledavik so you save even more!!" He pauses for a moment to catch his breath before picking up again.
Kale continues to play on the guitar, wincing at Tognotti's voice. Knocking the volume on his guitar up with his tail, Kale breaks into a rather loud series of riffs. Must...drown out...Rok...
Tognotti begins again on the til end of Kale's flashy riff solo. He leans over the mic, his throat a bit sore, but his voice still holding out. "We've been in this town since before Lucky Avenue was serving - Back when the moonshine left your belly burning - But now we got a bar - And we're gonna use it! - We build weapons in their @*#&$*@(#$in' bathroom! - It's all good, for the people of this town - Ignoring the fact that the water is brown - Blow a gasket as you pass on through, - Your gear'll never make it, you've got spending to do!!!"
Kale replays the same riffs, then sings out "Pay us pay us - Pay us pay us, please. - Pay us, pay us - Pay us, pay us, PLEASE!"
Tognotti grabs the mic once again, his voice still as croaking as ever. "Out on the street of Dazil we still get stares - You'd think they'd be used to soldiers toting anti-gear flares -They've seen us in the paper - But still they're not all proud - Like that old man who set his hearing aid too loud - He gathered a mob when he saw the light still on - In Lucky Avenue at midnight - He said he heard a sound - They broke down the door at a quarter past - We'd just begun to add in our lastest effects! - They busted our asses! - Beat us halfway to hell - Said we'd been trespassing - We escaped thanks to Kale! - Now we gotta carry guns to defend ourselves - Keep these @*$&#%$*#&in' civilian's minding themselves! - Say what you will - The other Geblers came out on our behalf - Despite surface hating members and their anti-lamb trash -" Rok smirked a bit, remembering the odd thoughts and images that had appeared to him in a dream, the very images which inspired his last two, somewhat nonsensical lines. "We're still alive, unlike Scythe Duo - Idiots in green armor scream "SHUMO!" Rok then steps aside, motioning for Kale to take it out with the final chorus."
Kale smooths out the guitar playing, and with one final flare, starts the chorus again. "GA-GS knows how to party" It didn't go THAT badly. Won't have to hit Rok. "GA-GS knows how to party~Unlike the soldiers of Bledavik~Unlike the soldiers of Cobalt Wing~Unlike the soldiers, Soldiers of Nisan~We keep on rocking With sandstorms blowin'"
Tognotti grins, speaking normally now. "I'd like to thank Kale, doing a wonderful job on guitar," he motions to Kale, "and all of you for coming out here and watching. Thank you!" He steps back, moving over towards Kale with a smirk.
Kale nods. "And I'd like to thank Rok for getting the lyrics to this song. Really."
A pause. That was, um... Interesting? Marcus is a bit taken aback for a moment, as he can honestly claim to have not heard something -quite- like that before. At least, not in a long while. But, finally, it dawns on the Etone that the song is finished, and he snaps from staring just long enough to properly, politely applause. Now, well, if only his ears would stop ringing... Although now is a little late to realize that he should have taken a seat farther back from the stage now, isn't it?
Duran snaps to his feet a moment after the song ends and applauds. "Beautiful! Amazing! Unpredictable!" he calls out. He nudges people around him to start clapping as well, and finally sits down when he gets tired. He runs a hand through his hair and yawns.
Collin remains seated, but he does brush his bangs back and applaud. Yes... it was certainly ... well, not unpredictable, but most definately interesting. The former Jugend leans back a bit, waiting quietly with a bit of a smile on his face for the next round...
Kale blinks. Well, it didn't go that badly. Though he might've turned up the guitar a whee bit too much. He unplugs the guitar, and quickly begins removing their equipment from the stage.
Tognotti chuckles a bit at Kale's comment on the lyrics, then begins unhooking the synthesizer and dragging it over near the amps. Out of sight, out of mind.
Casske leaps on stage. "GA-GS Love, ladies and gentlemen! We'll now have a break, as the next show is not quite ready. We appreciate your attendance, and there's a stand nearby with some free cookies. Enjoy!" He leaps back to his seat, not really feeling the need for cookies right now.
Casske jumps back on stage a few moments later. "Ah, and now, a show by GA-GS soldier, Duran!" He scurries off quickly.
Duran rushes onstage, bows, then cups his hands around his mouth. "Fellas, bring the EQ on!" While the crew/band members are busy, working on setting up the equipment, he smiles and takes a microphone. As the setup finishes, he motions to start the music.
As a band member starts off with a guitar solo, Duran flings off his cape and throws it to the
side. "You always..." he pauses, then continues, "disrespected us!" He jumps. "We always!" Pause. "Protected...uh...you!" Drums, bass, and backup vocals aid Duran's musical show. "You always forget that it's our butts we're risking, always stealin' and murderin' and wreakin' havok..."
Duran runs a hand through his hair, beginning to understand this doesn't rhyme. "We always did our jobs for youuuuuuuuuu...when will you begin to respect us for we dooooooo?" He jumps around the stage as the music continues, repeating the chorus (the only part that rhymes).
Guitar and bass solos ensue as band members play in synchronization of each other, and finally Duran begins to sing again. "It's unfair in life, to protect those people...who unappreciate our efforts to save your lousy p___hole, but we do it anyway." He bows briefly, then runs offstage to avoid being embarrassed.