omegafriends | 1st Key - [audio/action]

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1st Key - [audio/action]

[Sometime at night, say... 9 o'clock PM on a Saturday, some lively jazz is being broadcast all over the Omeganetwork. Anybody with even half of a brain can pinpoint it to The Gold Mill's live weekly shows, with the sheer volume suggesting that whoever's left their watch on is probably somewhere in the front row.

Patrons to the club might recognize the saxophonic stylings of Ben Birdland, but anybody listening in over the waves would more likely recognize him as the 2-ton mass of brass, Big Band. Seems he's off duty, working a sax in his spare time.

Feel free to bug him over the network (though he probably won't respond until after he leaves), or even in person if you happen to be around. Just... try not to interrupt the band, or else there might be repercussions.]

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Samus was out that night hunting for something key. Dr. Devious ploy to find the transmitter. More than anything it was just an excuse to continue not relaxing and continue not take a vacation. But then there was an indicator of an alert. Someone was streaming some music. Samus took a moment to turn it on, bobbing her head some. She tried to turn it off, but found herself incapable to do so. She just listened for a while before heading towards the club.

Something at least had taken her interest. She was back in her civilian clothes. Her hair in a ponytail while wearing a leather jacket, a t-shirt underneath, and a pair of loose fit jeans. Her boots were steel toe as she entered the club, finding her way to a place to sit and ordering a drink.

[Ben's been with the Omegafriends for a bit, so it's probably not too out there that Samus would recognize him in his civilian getup. Well, as civilian as a tux and tails can really be, but compared to the trench and supersuit, it makes sense. His set lasts for another few songs, and the fact that the hunter stands right out against the regular clientele means that he's probably attracting too much attention. It's only after he goes backstage once his band's done that he realizes he's been broadcasting everything. Oops.

A few minutes afterwards he emerges from one of the side exits, walking out to meet up with Aran at her table.] Didn't quite think you were one for the Gold Mill. Was the signal that distracting?

She looked at him as he came over. She had a bit of a smirk on her face as he came over. She was still pretty new to this town, but she knew him enough by reputation and looks. "I didn't either, but I'll admit the music strikes a chord with me I didn't know I had," She said, her voice rather soft.

[A reputation for collateral damage, most likely.] This kinda thing ain't for everyone, but the people it grabs, it doesn't let go.

Shows are every week, and I try my best to help the boys out if I'm not, uh... [He glances at the disguised Omegawatch sitting on his wrist.] Busy. Y'know.

"I get the idea. I spend most of my time, well, hunting, but I guess I need to find some hobbies. Music is as good as anything," She adjusted in her seat some, nodding as her drink comes over. She takes a sip before taking a breath. "Hrm... We've never been properly introduced. I'm Samus."

Sure, sure. Gotta unwind somehow, or else you start to lose your cool. [He'd drink, but... well, no, he wouldn't. Gotta stay sharp.]

Ben. Ben Birdland. Pleasure to meet you, Samus. [Ben extends a hand towards his impromptu guest, offering a handshake.]

She shook his hand in return. She didn't return the gesture immediately, but adapted to it quickly. She then leaned back and nodded. "Got any other tunes you'd care to play? Or at least suggest. I get, well, the Internet in my suit."

Me, personally? Nah, I'm done for the night. Not much of a soloist around here. But if you're gonna be searching for it, then... hold on, gimme a sec. [He grabs a pen from his pocket and steals a napkin, scribbling a few choice names onto it: "Charles Mingus. Louis Armstrong. John Coltrane. Duke Ellington. Thelonious Monk." The napkin is then slid over towards Samus's side of the table.] Just start there and browse outwards.

She takes it. She looks over the different names before taking a deep breath and putting it away. "Thanks. I appreciate it. So what are you doing for the rest of the night? I think this is the first night I've wanted to try to just relax in ages."

Least I could do.

[That question requires a bit of thinking.] Rest of the night? Usually, this is the end of the night for me. I was planning on heading home and getting a bit of shut-eye.

"It's just 10 PM now. Figured most people stayed up a lot later than that." She said. She shrugged some before sighing. "But if you need to head to bed, I guess I can't stop ya. Some other night maybe?"

Tell you the truth, most people don't play for two hours. Being up there's a lot more tiring than you'd expect. But, uh...

[He stands a bit awkwardly, considering something.] I dunno, I could spare a few minutes, if you just got here.

"Well, I was asking you to do something fun, not go up for another hour. Though a few minutes would be nice if you have it," She said in a soft voice. She had to admit that she just felt interested a bit here. Not sure what had brought her here and kept her.

Even so, Samus, I'm pretty much beat. [With that, though, and a bit of a smile, he'll take a seat at the same table and flag down a waitress, ordering a gin & tonic.]

Gotta keep up my stamina in case some hooligan decides to cause trouble, y'know?

"I guess I'm used to spending a day awake with nothing but stims and determination to know what that's like." She adjusted her blonde hair before taking a deep breath. She ordered the same as him.

"I understand though. Plenty of perps to choose from. Anything you'd recommend here?"

[That gets a chuckle out of Ben.] Replace "stims" with "coffee", and you have me from my old days on the VCPD beat.

In terms of drinks? Well... a lot of the stuff around here runs on the classier side, so you won't really find much on tap. But the Golden Driver is a favorite of the rest of the band. [Looking at the menu, that's some top-shelf vodka, Meyer lemon juice, blood orange juice, and flakes of edible gold leaf. Fancy.]

While a human, Samus had grown up nearly exclusively on an alien diet. So the fact Gold leaf wasn't terribly great kind of food failed to hit her. She figured it was a form of plant. That said, she had never been one too much for depressants on the heavier side. "Meant more food, but I appreciate the vote there. Do wish I had coffee stims where I'm from. I think I couldn't sleep for a week straight after my second mission to Zebes. And that's after spending four days awake. Ahhhh..." She makes a little noise before shaking her head.

Can't say I know the menu around here, then. I usually prefer to get something less fancy on the way home. [But, uh, that train of thought is derailed by some of the details of Samus's little anecdote.]

Zebes? [He muses a bit on that, trying to figure out if he's heard that at all... but comes up empty.] You're gonna have to fill me in on that one, Aran.

"Sorry, used to talking to people who know the Federation names for planets. I forget Earth's mostly still just on Earth. Though this place is busier than the Federation capital. Wonder what attracts supervillainy to this place," She shrugged some, thinking about what he said about what was good. Nothing here seemed that familiar to her and that made her uncomfortable about ordering anything other than a drink.

[When the music ends over the feed, Simon sends a quick comment back.]

That was a pleasant surprise to find on the network! I'm not sure which instrument you were playing, but it was all wonderful.

I specialize in the sax, but the watch was close enough that it was picking up the whole band.

At least somebody enjoyed it!

I really did! It's been surprisingly hard to find good music on the radio... Where were you playing? I should come by and see your performance in person sometime.

Yeah, most of the stations nowadays cater to the new generation, and bubblegum pop just ain't my scene. I'm old-fashioned like that.

If you want to catch me in person, I spend my weekends at The Gold Mill, kinda downtown-ish. Just look for the gaudy gold sign out front, or listen for the jazz at night. Hard to miss.

Well, you're not the only one!

I'll keep an eye out! Or an ear out, I guess?

Hey, do so either way. And if you find yourself around the club, just tell 'em you want to talk to Ben. I figure they'll know what you mean.

[Saturdays were usually busy for Bill, but this weekend a stage musical was booked at the Illumination Theatre, giving him the night off. Whenever he had a free evening, The Gold Mill was always where he would go.
After all, he was friends with the owner. There was even something of a rumor that Bill was who encouraged them to open the club to begin with, but no one knew whether or not that was true. Still, with no other business to attend to here he was, matching the colors and style of the establishment perfectly.

In-between songs, the eyepatched man approaches Ben, softly applauding. While the saxophone player was familiar, this will be the first time they've properly spoken.]

Bravo, bravo! Say, you're not part of the regular band but you play here a lot, I've noticed!

Edited 2014-06-06 19:16 (UTC)

[Eyepatches are... usually pretty rare, especially around the club. But this guy certainly looked like a man of means, and his style fit right in with the usual clientle, so nothing really seemed out of place other than that.]

Thank you sir, thank you. If ya want, we could chat after the show. I'm a little busy at the moment, if you couldn't tell.

[With that, and making sure his band-mates are ready, they launch into another song, this one more modern in style, but none the less energetic.]

[In response to Ben, he chuckles.]

Right, silly me! You got it!

[He was a little eager, he supposes. Once he's taken a seat, the band has started playing again.
However, it's only a few moments before another man in a suit, an actual employee of the club, approaches Bill. Sounding a little distressed, the man explains the singer they had booked for the evening is a no-show. Kidnapped by robots, apparently. In Venture City, not only is that a viable reason not to make it to work but a surprisingly common one.
Point is, they need someone to fill in, and this wouldn't be the first time Bill has been asked this.
Well, looks like he's going to be performing tonight after all.]

[After the current song ends and before the next begins, Bill gives Ben a small wave as he walks onto the stage. He clears his throat away from the mic, then nods to the band as a signal that he's ready when they are.

The song that starts up is typically known for having female vocals, odd considering the lyrics appear to be from a male perspective, yet something about Bill's take on it seems inexplicably fitting. While it's hard to call his speaking voice particularly smooth, his singing is a much different story. It could be described as being very Broadway, but still lending itself to jazz quite nicely.
And for some reason, this song especially.]

Why so down tonight?
Just another day that didn't go your way,
Well, don't you make a sigh,
Just take my hand,
Don't toss and turn...

[Well, um. This is... unexpected. He was trying to stall for the lack of pipes on stage, but the fact that this golden stranger had a similarly golden voice was both a godsend and a surprise.

At least he kinda knows the song, though mostly he's just following the band's lead on this one. Not that that means he's off of his game at all, just means there's a lot more improvisation going on with this particular number. But damn if he can't make it work.

Maybe he could consider asking this guy for a more permanent position, if... somebody of those apparent means would even entertain the thought.]

Heck, for heaven's sake!
In just a moment's time, you'll wonder why you
Ever thought you'd ever look
For more than you've got!
'Cause baby, you
You've got you and me~!

[Once the song concludes, the club's patrons delightedly cheer and applaud. Whether or not Ben was doing more improvising than usual, it doesn't seem to have lessened the audience's enjoyment one bit. Bill proudly takes a bow, tipping his hat.]

Thank you, thank you! Oh, you're too kind!
We're gonna take a bit of an intermission now, ladies and gents, but we'll be right back so don't go anywhere!

[If Ben would still like to have a chat with the stand-in vocalist, the band's well-deserved break should be an excellent time to do so.]

[Is it rude to ring up a teammate while they're in public and out of costume? Absolutely.

Does Peacock care? Absolutely not.

It looks like she's still back at the Omegabase, too. In one of the TV rooms probably. Her expression could best be summarized as "chinhands at". In the background, Andy and Tommy are in the middle of a heated game of checkers. Somehow, Tommy is winning.]

Whaddaya know, he can play that ol' hunk'a junk. Congrats on the show, Bandstand. Ya start fightin' as good as ya jam, then we're golden.

Didn't think ya had it in you to listen the whole way through, Peacock. [He's joking, of course, but he knows about her legendary lack of attention span.

He's backstage now, a little away from the band-mates to make sure there's at least some privacy going on now.]

Besides, I've had a hell of a lot of practice. Both in jammin' and fightin'. Maybe next time we're out, I can show you a thing or two. Either one, if you want.

Didn't think anybody'd have the patience for that snoozefest. [You know she loves it though.]

Yeah, if we ever get the chance. This whole Devious threat thing's the pits. It's been forever and there ain't even a single bot in sight! I call bull.

Tell that to the sold-out crowd! [Which he'd show, if he wasn't afraid of giving everything away.]

Y'know, fact that she hasn't had any outright attacks means that she's probably planning something a whole lot worse. Ever think of that?

So? I didn't sign on fer Doctor Dingus's Mystery Hour, I came here t'crack heads!

[Even though that's the exact opposite of why she's here.]

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1st Key - [audio/action]

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