Exton

There is movement in a dark booth as Ike moves by. She had already seen the occupant, but knew few would notice him, unless he wanted it so. Keon looked tired. Bone weary in fact.

Twillon slides into the booth, motioning for a waitress. The girl approaches and jerks when she sees he is not alone. Ike smiles. It is good to keep the girls on their toes. This is the Twisted Tit Tavern... who knows what will happen next.

The new girl passes her, stopping to pick up a few empties along the way. Good kid, one of Tori's streeters, Ike thinks. She tries to place her "type". Human, but something else somewhere in her line. Something water related. Mer Cronigh liked her, and the kid wasn't scared of her. It was almost as if the deep water scent around the Crone made the kid feel safe. The kid suddenly dips a curtsey, and Ike sees the Sea Hag make her way to the booth in back.

Ob has given up his place at the drum kit, joining his wife on her table rounds. Anyone can tell that the pregnancy is starting to weigh heavy on her. Ob gently massages her back as they socialize with patrons.

Stoney has given over the keyboard to a young shifter female who has begun to hang out at the Tavern. Ike smiles as she sees the appraising looks Byte gives her, wondering if it is a lusty interest or a business one. With the girl on the keys, the music has taken on a bluesy jazz sound.

The girl at the mic is singing scat. Her voice slides up and down the vocal scales, bringing to mind some 1940's performers. The girl's range holds people's attention. Ike listens to the comments, hearing comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and Billie Holiday.

A tall blonde moves past Ike. It takes her a moment to register that it was Twillon, joining the performers onstage. Seemingly from nowhere, a wooden flute appears in his hands. Its ethereal sound joins the jazz. Like a dark shadow, Keon drifts to the stage.

As he finds a seat among the performers, the Dark Lord tucks a shimmering blue lock of hair behind a long, pointed ear. Twillon offers him something to tie back his long black mane, but Keon refuses, tugging at his shimmering hair and smiling. The blonde ties back his own pale golden locks before leaning over to speak with another player. The music never breaks, sliding from one jazzy tune to another. A familiar guitar riff drifts through the music as Keon picks out individual notes. People start whispering, trying to figure out what he is playing. It isn't until the girl playing the keys backs up his notes, that people begin nodding. The music still sounds exotic with the sounds of wood flute and bongos. A husky alto voice picks up the lyrics. The voice comes from the audience, making heads turn.

Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah

I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

Fea, The Mer Cronigh makes her slow way through the crowd. Her voice is surprising, coming from such a wrinkled old woman. She nods to the young woman still at the mic. The girl smiles and sings the next in a low sweet soprano.

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
'Cause I've had nothing to live for
And look like nothin's gonna come my way

So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time

The Crone's head turns as the new waitress raises her voice. There is a lilt to her singing, something in her voice that makes people turn to watch her sing. She blushes, voice nearly faltering until Fea nods to her.

Look like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, yes

She moves through the crowd. working her way to Fea's side, as if the woman gave her courage. The girl on the stage harmonizes with the two females in the audience as the waitress slips her small hand into Fea's wrinkled, webbed one for courage.

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's two thousand miles I roam
Just to make this dock my home

Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time.

Someone begins to whistle, others pick it up, and soon the song ends. The waitress blushes fiercely and curtsies. Fea says a few words to her and the girl hurries back to her duties. Keon grins as the music shifts to something a little more upbeat and Fea moves to the bar where Monty has a glass of sea salt and water ready for her.