A Bene Placito - Chapter 1 - Da Capo
The Queen and Princes are a local alternative band, who just started playing at the more popular bars. Karma is a bartender of the well known bar, Royally Screwed, and realizes she's slowly fallen for the bassist and singer of the band.
"Laim! Stop fucking around with the girls and hurry your ass up! We need to go. It's five and you talk too long setting up!" A feminine voice called from a nearby van, and the man, Liam, flashed the women a 'charming' smile before opening the door and hoping in the back of the van. He was greeted by the glares of his three bandmates before the van lurched forward, causing him to fall with a thud against the metal door.
"Ease up there Raudenfeld," Liam barked, rubbing his head as he took a set next to Shane. He was reward with Amy's finger as she focused on the road.
"It's your fault that she's pissed off. You know how much she prides herself on being on time to shows. Couldn't you have ignored the fan girls, or is your testosterone at such a high level that you need to eye fuck every woman in the general vicinity?" Oliver quipped from the adjacent seat.
"How about you guys just be quiet and make sure you both remember your parts of the songs? This is a huge gig and we all need to be on our A game right now." Shane interjected, prevented Liam from saying anything. After effectively diffusing the situation, Shane leaned up on the back of the front seat, placing his head near Amy's shoulder. "So, are you excited to see your girlfriend here?"
"We've only had a couple of one night stands-"
"Which technically doesn't make them one night stands anymore,"
"- and we made it clear that it's only sex. And I've told you before, I'm done with relationships ever since Riley." Shane patted her shoulder comfortingly before shifting back to his seat. They remained quiet for the rest of the short drive, everyone feeding off of each other's excitement.
Karma looked up when a loud bang echoed from outside the door, raising an eyebrow to the string of curses and insults as, what sounded like a group of people chastised the one who caused the bang. Shortly after what sounded like a slap, a blonde woman opened the door, a long, thin case in her arms. The blonde flashed a charming smile Karma's way, almost in a flirting manner. The brunette's observations were cut short as three men entered behind her, carrying a few instrument like cases. Karma looked at the tallest brunette, receiving, yet again, a flirtatious smile from the man. Returning his look with an unsure smile, Karma proceeded to take care of the patrons at the bar. As she refilled and filled orders, she noticed the four people setting up on the medium sized stage that the bar had.
By the time 6 o'clock rolled around, the bar was moderately filled, and the band, Karma didn't know the name yet, had successfully set everything up. It was about this time when Karma spotted a blonde leaning up against the bar. Approaching the band member, she leaned on the counter below the bar, purposely clinking some glasses.
The blonde, embarrassed on being caught spacing, blushed. She was no longer filled with the flirtatious bravado Karma had seen when she arrived. "Sorry! Can I just have a coke?" Karma raised her eyebrows, giving her a small smirk. "Look, I know it's weird but I always have a coke before our shows and I hate getting drunk around people I don't know."
"Hey, whatever. I didn't say anything." The brunnette filled a glass and placed it next to the blonde. "If you need more coke, I can make sure you have a tab, Miss…?"
The blonde smiled, handing over a five dollar bill. "No thanks. I only need one. I'm Amy and you are?"
"Karma," She handed Amy her change and gave her a smile before sighing as a particularly vocal patron was expressing his distaste for his empty glass. "Well, if you need another coke after the performance, I'll be here. Break a leg, or whatever!" WIth that, the brunette returned to keeping those who were at the bar happy with alcohol.
By 6:30, Amy was shaking her hands and trying to calm her nerves. She used to take her nerves out on her step-sister, but since the she-devil wasn't hanging onto Liam anymore, Amy couldn't stop the pre-show jitters. She jumped when a hand was placed on her shoulder. She whipped around and saw Shane, a caring smile on his face. He handed her her bass guitar, and she gave him a thank you, occupying her hands by making everything was okay with her precious baby.
Soon the manager announced a local band performing, receiving a few claps from the costumes, and Amy took that as her cue to step onto stage. There were quiet conversations going on, as people were always unsure about local bands. As soon as her three fellow band mates were ready, Amy grabbed the handle of the microphone in order to calm her nerves. "I'm Queen and these are the Princes, and were here to welcome you to Royally Screwed!" And with that, Liam initiated the beat of the song, Amy soon strumming out the secondary beat on her bass. Oliver and Shane intervened with their guitar patterns, adding vocals in order to build up to the introduction of the song. As the building blocks of the song were built, the crowd was washed with the alto voice, stringing lyrics together like a calm river.
By the time everything was over, Amy was ecstatic over the cheers they received, considering that by then, everyone was on their way to being drunk. Grinning, she got off of the stage, placing her bass in the case and locking it up. Propping the exit door open, Amy placed her bass in the back, initiating the process of everyone loading the truck up. Unfortunately, by the time everything was packed, Amy realized that Liam was no where to be seen. WIth a short search period, Amy found the man flirting with the brunette behind the bar. Frowning, Amy searched the crowd for her friend-with-benefits, trying to distract herself from Liam's childish actions. Amy's frown soon melted away as she felt lithe arms wrap around her, falling back into the embrace and smiling when a chin nuzzled against her neck.
"You were incredibly hot up there, Raudenfeld. Maybe you should give me some private shows sometimes," Amy chuckled breathlessly, turning around in the arms and resting her hands on soft cheeks. Her green eyes landed on the smiling face of Piper, her tan skin wrinkling at the edges of her eyes as she reciprocated the smile. "Maybe I'll give you a private show if you make it worth it for me," Their lips connected briefly before they were parted by Shane and Oliver, both wearing a shit-eating grin.
Amy flipped the two of them off as they walked by, starting to dance as the bar's music started to kick up as more patrons started entering, getting ready for the more well known band. The bassist gave a startled cry as her arm was tugged suddenly by the tan goddess at the other end of her hand, leading her to the bar. "Let's have some celebratory drinks before the three musketeers become too drunk to function."
Karma laughed at the horrible joke the man, Liam, had spoken to her, astonished that one person could create something with such a bad punchline. As she refilled his drink, a constant tab filled with thee beers, her eyes drifted towards the cute blonde she had conversed with earlier. She was going to throw a joke Amy's way before she noticed the hand dragging her to the bar, and just gave a small smile when their eyes connected. Unsure of why she faltered so suddenly over the appearance of another woman, Karma looked back at Liam and decided to flirt with the tall drummer, flashing him her best smolder.
