[Kallile]

Reed  and Cadence—human forms

The pair sitting at the bar were unusual ones to be sure…or perhaps they fit right in with the mostly biker crowd there. While the young man leaned against said bar casually, taking in the few biker babes that were hanging around, it was the woman at his side that was causing all the noise.

“What do you mean we’re not what you’re looking for?” She growled, jabbing a flyer reading “band wanted” into the bartender’s chest with a finger. “We’re raw and reckless; we’re everything you want!”

The bartender scoffed and removed the flyer from his person before leaning closer to the woman. She would have been pretty had it not been for the fact she was looking like a rabid bear ready to tear the man’s face off. Tall, lean, black and teal hair pulled back into a sloppy bun held in place by her drumsticks. Her black tank top  and matching jeans and heavy boots only seemed to add to the aura of her mood. “Sorry, not looking for a duo. You lot look too close to pop and not close enough to metal for our patrons. Now get before y’all get yourselves hurt.”

Slamming her hand against the bar Cadence turned and nearly plucked Reed from his seat by the ear. The man was slightly younger than her and in much better spirits…or had been. His handsome face contorted into one of displeasure as he glared at the woman leading him away. His blonde hair was streaked with black and teal to match hers, and he was equally funeral-ready in color.

“Hey, lay off, I didn’t do jack!” Reed huffed at his pushier bandmate as he pried his ear free from her grasp. Well, seemed this place was a bust. Shame, since he was pretty sure that biker chick in the corner had been making eyes at him.
[1, 1]

[Citanul]

Hearing the commotion from the floor, the young man made his way over to the bartender, brushing back electric blue-and-orange hair from his eyes. "Jimmy! Those are friends of mine, you need to treat them nice!" Itzal grinned brilliantly as he pulled Reed and Cadence back into their seats. "They're EXACTLY who we're looking for!"

Dressed in a deep blue fishnet shirt and long, baggy black pants he seemed to fit right in with the two - wild as they were, and that melodic voice would prove to be a great asset on the stage.

"Reed. Haven't seen you in quite some time, how've you been little guy?" He laughed, ruffling his hair a bit.

[Kallile]

Cadence did not appreciate being tugged back into her seat—but she really had no choice in the matter now did she? She openly snarled at the man who had done the tugging and was about to let him have a piece of her mind before…

“…little guy?” She echoed, the gears in her head turning for a moment before she fell forward into the bar—laughing and pounding her fist against the wood for a moment . Oh this was just too rich! Oh she wanted so badly to stop herself and make a smart-ass remark, but found the laughter was far from done with her. Giving a gesture for them to give her a minute to compose herself, she left the boys to themselves.

Reed, however, was not finding this quite so hysterical. At first he had mustered a grin for Itzal, but as he got his hair ruffled that grin faded. He had been making such nonverbal headway with that looker over there in the corner! Now that shot was officially ruined…sometimes he hated reunions.

But Itzal had done a lot to get him started into the music business, so instead of lash out Reed urged a smile onto his face and a laugh from his throat. “Great to see you again, Itzal. And here I thought you had skipped town a long time ago. Shows how much I know with all the travel we’ve gotten under our belts. How’s the family?”

[2,2]

[Citanul]

A brow raised at the growl from Cadence but Itzal just laughed happily. "Got a feisty one, did you Reed? It is a pleasure to meet you." He felt the woman was laughing too hard to pay any attention, but it was no matter. Silly girl, why was she laughing so much, and growling just a moment before? He'd have to warn his young friend about girls who did that.

"It's great to see you too Reed. I've been traveling around, but I keep coming back to this place. I like it here. As far as I know everyone is doing well, there's some bickering as time goes on, but what family doesn't have their disagreements?" Itzal pulled up a chair a well, giving a grin to Reed. As soon as the boy expressed interest in music he had been happy to show him around, teach him to sing, and play any instrument that he wanted.

Stretching a little he rolled his shoulder and leant back into his chair. "And you? How've you and your girl been, Reed?"

[Kallile]

“Ah…yeah. You could say that. She’s Cadence and don’t worry, she’ll snap out of it in a few minutes. She just loves it when I’m the butt of a joke.” Of course there was no joke meant, but to Cadence everything family and history related was a joke unless it had to do with music.  “She’s my bandmate—we had a third for a while but she was just way too much. We’ve taken things back to basics now—just drums, a single guitar, and vocals by yours truly.” He gave a cocky smile, knowing his mentor would be pleased to know he was the voice of some band…even if only small for the moment.

Reed watched his old teacher happily—sure he had made him look a little silly with the whole hair ruffle thing, but it was still Itzal. The guy had always meant well and Reed had never had a reason not to like him. He was pretty sure he considered Itzal more of a father figure than Krites anyway.  “We’ve been doing some travelling, mostly looking for gigs and trying to hit the big time. That…hasn’t gotten us very far...."

Finally composed, Cadence sat back in her chair and brushed a happy tear from her eye. “Gaia, I haven’t laughed that hard in ages. Thanks Blueman, I needed that.” She was, of course, referring to Itzal with the name. “And don’t get any bright ideas—there is no way in Hell that I’m ‘his girl’. More like I’m his boss.”

Reed could only shrug and nod. What could he say—he wasn’t going to argue against her fiery personality for supremacy.

[Citanul]

How could he not be proud? Itzal basically raised the boy. Of course Krites was a part of it, but the other male hadn't really been sure how to handle his free-spirited, easy-going son. He loved the kid for sure, but Itzal felt like a proud father right now. "Back to basics is what is best sometimes, Reed. Vocals, drums, and bass are all you need." Another big grin. "Expecially since I'm back in town! I can get you a few gigs."

A glance to Cadence and Itzal couldn't help but laugh softly. "I'm Itzal, call me whatever you like though. And I just meant you were the one he's made a band with - nothing more."

Pulling up a chair of his own he stretched out happily. "Well, they're always doing some sort of 'battle of the bands' round here, so just stick around for a while. I'll put you up at my place."

[Kallile]

Reed gave his mentor a wide grin and a nod. “Hey, that’d be great Itzal! How long are you back for? Hanging around a while this time or heading off in a little time?” Not that it mattered—both boys seemed to find their way back home after a few months or so. But this was the first time in quite a while that they had come back at the same time.

Cadence gave her bandmate and Itzal a back and forth glance with her eyes—grinning and shaking her head the entire time. “This is like watching two old ladies reuniting.” She quipped before letting out a soft laugh herself. “Fine then, Itzal. Sounds slightly better than Blueman. You gotta stage name?”

She hid it well, but she was slightly irritated that reed had introduced her using her real name. It wasn’t becoming of a new band…but the guy already knew Reed so she had no choice but to let it pass. This once. “I’m Psylocke, you’re pal over there goes by Cajun.”

Reed cleared his throat a little to show off his accent as well. “Ah even grant myself the divine pleasure of a bit’o Southern charm.” It was a little rough around the edges still—but good enough he could pass for a real man of the deep south. He dropped the accent at the offer, eyes bright.

“No way, Itzal that would be awesome, but we don’t want to intrude…”

“We love to intrude. Deal.”

[Citanul]

Giving a gentle laugh Itzal seemed content to sit there with the two, stretching out as far a he could for a moment. "Mmm. I think I'm here for a while now. It feels good to be home, I'm tired of livin' in hotels. It'll be good to see the family again as well." Of course they wandered, it was in their nature, but home was the place they always came back to.

"Stage name? Nawh, it's just Itzal. Never any need for a stage name, but if you're into it I can find one before we go on stage." A gentle grin and a whistle, at Reed's new 'accent'. "Picking up on that easy, aren't you? Good job Reed."

A small shake of his head as he smiled to the two. "Of course. You're not imposing, I've got extra rooms. Just help pay for your food while you're there, I know how you eat." He grinned lightly. "Expensive tastes, Cajun."

[Kallile]

Reed offered a small laugh in return. “I guess you can say that. Don’t know how happy the old man would be about seeing me roll back home though…not sure how much he even liked me in the first place after that first time I finally told him I didn’t agree with his ideals. Ah well…just let him know I’m doing alright if you see him.”
“Ah, and the daddy issues come out…” Cadence quipped with a little smirk despite the fact that she was really quite intrigued. Reed rarely spoke of his family around her; only that he though families were a little silly and that was why he wanted to go into the life of a rock star. And yet she always caught him smiling and playing games with children and watching her extra close when other guys came around.  Charming thought, really, but it all made Cadence a little wary.

Reed only cast a glance over at his companion before rolling his eyes back to Itzal. “Yeah, it’s no big. We can do Bring Your Own Grub—hotels we usually crash at don’t exactly have room service…or stocked vending machines.” The last part was said with a bit of sting as if it had happened far too many times for the young man’s liking.

But all the talk of family made him look at his father figure much more seriously. “You finally found that road warrior to keep by your side yet?” He was, of course, meaning significant other. “Or accumulated any particularly clingy groupies?” This was said with a sly grin and a bit of an eyebrow wiggle. The mischief in the young musician certainly hadn’t been diminished by life on the road.

[Citanul]

A small shake of his head as Itzal chuckled. "You may not agree, but Krites does love you, Reed. He's always happy for news of you and your sister. I haven't seen her lately though, maybe I can get out a letter, see if she'll come out to visit." A right family reunion it would be. Maybe just dinner with everyone - they could all play nice for that long.

The girl's quip went a bit ignored; it wasn't his place to tell her about Reed's past. "I've got some leftovers we can eat up tonight, trash day tomorrow. And I've got milk and canned things, all that." He laughed a bit. "You know I always keep it pretty stocked." Just in case - his adopted son would drop by, or he needed a friend for the night.

"Nawh, unfortunately." Itzal rubbed the back of his head lightly, leaning more into the chair. "Thought I found someone, but it turned out bad. So still looking for my beauty. She's out there somewhere."

[Kallile]

Reed went a little quiet as he rubbed the back of his head nervously. “Well yeah…anyone can be happy to hear about how their offspring are doing but…I don’t know man.” But this was hardly the time or place (or company, keeping in mind Cadence was just over his shoulder) to go into such deep cutting matters. Not that Reed didn’t like his father…but love was something he felt was just out of reach between he and his old man. But he forced a smile back onto his face at the mention of his sister. “Yeah, that’d be cool to see her again. What’s she up to now anyway?”

“Oh my Gods…are you two going to yap all day about your own little soap opera or are we going to get talking about what are plans are for this show?”

Leave it to Cadence to bring everything back into her perspective.  “Sounds good Blueman—we’ll go crash and grab some grub, then we can work on our number. Now come on, this place is getting stuffy.” ‘Stuffy’, Reed knew very well, was Cadence’s term for ‘boring’. Although he also knew it wasn’t the location she was bored with, just her companions conversation.

“Yeah, we should probably get headed out and plan. Don’t think this crowd wants to see an improve-group.” He chuckled as he looked back to Itzal. “And don’t worry, that someone will find you when the time is right.”

After all, Cadence had found him…

[Citanul]

Itzal didn't hardly have time to respond when Cadence interrupted. He just laughed it off though, grinning happily. There was always time later to speak of such things. He knew that there wasn't really any love lost between Reed and Krites - but at last he knew that they were both doing well.

"Alright, alright. We'll catch up on family matters later. Let's get some food. What're you two in the mood for?" He stretched s he stood, pulling both of the younger musicians with him. "Then some practice. Or something. We'll figure it out."

The comment wasn't lost on him but he didn't believe there really was someone special out there for him. It didn't matter though, he had raised a wonderful son, didn't matter if Reed was biologically his or not.

[Kallile]

“Preferably when I’m asleep.” Cadence quipped back with a smile as she snatched her shoulder bag (she refused to acknowledge it as a purse) from the counter and started towards the door without a single mention of where they were actually going. Reed looked to Itzal with a shrug before calling out to her.

“Hey, we still don’t know where we’re going!”

“Well I do, so either follow or eat my dust.” She called back without turning around. Reed shook his head and offered his father-figure a sheepish smile. “She grows on you, promise. She’s just making it a point to prove it’s her band and all…”

“I’m ahead of you, not deaf. Come on singer boys.”

~*~


Kasari-----------Alaina
Milo

The diner was fairly busy that evening, which was great news for the single mother operating it. A handful of tables were filled, her oldest child was doing a great job as a waitress, and her toddler son was doing well to sit in the office and play quietly with his toys. Yes, it was shaping up to be a pretty great night.

The doors swung open suddenly to allow in three strangers. Kasari poked her head out through the service window just to ensure the newcomers were of no immediate threat to her daughter before quickly washing her hands and hurrying out to greet them.

“Welcome to Terrace Perk! Go ahead and sit wherever you like, can I get you all anything to drink?” He blonde and orange-streaked hair—currently being barely held to the back of her head in a bun—released a few strands into her face which she hurriedly swiped away from her face. There was a bit of flour on her cheek and several mystery stains on her apron, but otherwise she was an attractive woman.

Cadence waved her off as she made a table selecting next to the old time jukebox. “Give me a rum and coke.” She almost barked as she plopped down and went to watching the pre-teen running around with an order pad. “That is if the waitress can even carry it to me legally.”

“Oh I will be bringing you that, Miss. For you, gentlemen?”

“Just a water for me—gotta rest the pipes.” Reed replied cheerfully as he took a seat next to Cadence to spare Itzal from any possible wayward elbows.

[Citanul]

Rolling his shoulders the slightly older man gave a deep chuckle. "What, you don't want to see the baby pictures of his running around naked?" He grinned at his adopted son. Of course there were no such thing, but he could surely tease him about it.  

"Yeah, yeah. As long as it has cold drinks and hot food, we'll be good." Itzal quipped back with a laugh. Mmhm. Cadence was perfect for Reed, he was entirely sure of that. Once they realized that, the band would be much better he was sure.

Hm. A quick survey of the store and Itzal found them a place to sit before answering the lady. "Hot tea, ma'am. Surprise me with the flavor."

[Kallile]

The young woman smiled tiredly and nodded, taking down orders before the little waitress came up with a pout on her face. She looked like she could be no older than twelve or thirteen, or perhaps that was just the pouty-face making her appear more childish.

“Mom, I can handle this!” She whined, giving the trio a quick glance before looking back to the woman she had identified as her mother. Kasari gave a gentle smile and scratched out one order before handing the pad of paper down to her. “Alright then, Alana. Come and help me make these drinks.” She gave the group another smile, this time apologetic, before ushering her daughter off to the back for their drinks.

Cadence gave a soft snort and shook her head. “Gods, kids. What next? There’ll be a baby bringing us our food I guess.” Reed only rolled his eyes and offered an uncomfortable grin.

“Come on, she’s teaching that little girl some good values! So what if she’s too young to be allowed to carry your drink to you? What do you think, Itzal? This is a pretty good thing to start a young kid out doing, right?”

The group had yet to know just how young of a kid they were about to encounter. At being left without anyone to look after him for even the briefest of moments, Milo had wandered out into the diner on hands and knees. One hand clutched onto one of his rubber blocks he had been playing with in the office, not quite ready to leave all his toys behind.

The loudest table drew his attention, and as the rocker trio talked the little boy shifted until he sat on the ground, looking each unfamiliar face over. The block now clutched in both hands he made a few soft coos to gain their attention, but the sounds were lost in the rest of the murmur from the diner. Upset by the lack of response the toddler drew back his arm, block in hand, and launched it towards Itzal’s head.