Me – Just a note of how these songs work so nobody gets cunfuzzled, when Chanty sings it will have " " around his part. When another person sings it will look like this ' '. When the 2 are singing together it will be "' '". Now that –that is out of the way lets continue.
While the exhausted Dawn alchemist was taking a two hour long nap Brody explained why he and Steve were wet when they'd make their appearances. When Caradon's men slipped into the house, had everyone in a tight circle in the kitchen at the point of a gun, Gox and Dixie heard that something wasn't right. They'd poured Dixie's fish into a cup and ever so quietly Gox slipped out of the hidden compartment with the bowl. Everyone was so intent on watching what their boss was going to do through the windows no one saw him sneaking up or hear the hiss/squeaks of his echolocation. Then, SPLASH!! He chucked the water when his signals were strongest. The surprise was enough to break the circle and before the armed men could regain their bearings a few well-aimed punches were let loose by the good guy team. The Elric brothers went back to Central to report what had just happened. Not only would Mustang be overly please by the news they also needed a few extra hands to remove the bodies from the backyard.
All of Central was in a bustle. The news of the death of the infamous Caradon Corius spread like wildfire over a dry field. With the permission of Fuhrer King Bradley a celebration was planned for the death of a serious threat to civilian and military personnel alike. Mustang was appointed for giving a speech honoring those who assisted in making this joyous occasion possible.
He made sure to mention that their very own Dawn alchemist had been a victim of Caradon's deeds as it was he'd lost his home due to the interference of that awful man. But who could forget the six survivors? A motion was made and carried that they should be able to continue their research and be provided with a facility to do so.
After all the gibber gabber was over all eyes turned their attention to a stage that had been previously set up. Mark, the twins and Chanticleer had the honor of their very first public performance, appearing as the Day Breakers. Chanty had done his usual thing of making the instruments sound anything but what they would normally but after the power boost everything sounded twice as good even though he hadn't done anything different. With a short intro Chanticleer began the first song.
"She walks, like an angel walks. She talks, like an angel talks. And her hair…has a kind of curl. Yeah in my mind she's my kind of girl. She wise, like an angel's wise. With eyes, like an angels eyes. And a smile…like a kind of pearl. Oh in my mind she's my kind of girl.
Pretty little face, that face just knocks me off my feet. Her pretty little feet, she's really…sweet enough to eat.
She looks, like an angel looks. She cooks, like an angel cooks. And my mind's…in a kind of whirl. Yeah that's my girl she's my kind of girl.
Pretty little face, that face just knocks me off my feet. Her pretty little feet, she's really…sweet enough to eat. Oh she looks, like an angel looks and cooks, like an angel cooks. And my mind's…in a kind of whirl. Yeah in my mind she's my kind of girl... and my heart's, full of joy. Because she told me that I'm her boy. Oh I'm her boy!"
The crowd exploded with applause and cheers. (picture every military official and soldiers acting like teenagers at a rock concert, funny) Next Mark and Luke had a drum war trying to outdo each other. Luke looked like a three year old banging on pots and pans with a wooden spoon in comparison. During this moment of opportunity Clen motioned for the Dawn to come off the stage.
"What's the matter? You got a request?"
"No…Chanty, lets be serious for a second."
"Ok, I'll try."
"Funny, but seriously, I've had this crush on Annie for a while and seeing her with you really enlarged my jealous bone. I wanted to be the only one that she looked at with such a sparkle in her eyes. For a while I had every intention to serve you up with Italian dressing and mashed potatoes with gravy to be completely honest. But when you faked your death and the blow that Annie took from that erased any jealousy. I actually felt guilty about being able to have her to myself when you were out of the picture if it meant that sparkle to be put out forever."
"Clen, why didn't you say something before?"
"Heh, I'm discovering that cats have a strong sense of dignity. But…" he put his arm around Chanticleer's shoulder so mouth and ear were very close so nobody else could hear what he was about to say. "I'll step aside and let you have Annie, but, you break her heart and you'll need to be talkin' to Gox about getting one of those echolocation voice boxes installed 'cause I'll have clawed your eyes out and they'll be floating in a jar on my dresser. Got it!"
(pause) "Sounds fair."
"Chanty! You getting back up here or what?" the drum war was over and the crowd was laughing hysterically at Luke.
"Yeah, give me a minute ok?" With his heart buzzin' like a beehive the Dawn pulled Annie out of the crowd to the side of the stage.
"What's wrong? You're up for the next song any second." Annie said smiling.
"Yeah I know but I want you to do it with me."
"Oh no. I can't sing! Nothing like you at least. I-"
He put his finger to her lips and she softly yelped as if zapped with a bit of static. "Now ya can."
"What? How could I possibly…I don't even know what to sing."
"Trust me," he held her hand and softly kissed it. "Once you get on stage the music will help the words come. That's how I do it all the time."
"Wait a minute, so you're telling me-"
"Yep, it's all adlibbing. OW!"
Mark had chucked a drumstick at his head. "We got people waiting feather butt!"
"So what'll it be, Annie? Will you sing with me?"
Her face lit up like a thousand candles and Chanticleer understood why Clen had wanted her so badly. "Of course I am! Lets go!" The two of them went on stage and Lucus took a mich.
"Well folks it looks like this next one is gonna be a duet. How bout we take the next one slower, for the lovebirds…no pun intended."
The crowd chuckled, Annie stood close to Chanty as the slow music started and decided to begin the song.
'I saw you last night, and got that old feelin'. When you came in sight I got that old feelin''
"The moment that you danced by…I felt a thrill. And when you caught my eye…my heart stood still."
'Oh once again I seem to feel that old yearnin' then I know-'
"Oh that spark of love…that is still burnin'."
'"They'll be no new romance for me…it's foolish to start. Cause that old feelin'…is still in my heart.'"
(faster, more upbeat) "Livin' in a hobo jungle, are thing's they've never taught me in a classroom."
'Like where to find the handouts while thumbing through the Chicago in the afternoon.'
"Hey I'm not a braggin' or complaining I'm just talking to myself man to man."
'Oh yeah, man to man.'
'"This ole mental fight I'm chewin' don't take a lot of doin' and I take a lot of pride in what I am!'" (instrumental)
"I never traveled in a hurry…cause I got nobody waitin' on me anywhere."
'Home is anywhere I'm livin' if it's sleepin' on some vacant bench in City Square.'
"Or if I'm working on some road gang or just livin' off the fat of our great land."
'Oh yeah, our great land.'
'"I never been nobody's bridle, but at least I've got titles, and I take a lot of pride in what I am! (slower) And I take a lot of pride…in what I am.'"
The song ended with a kiss.
The celebration went on long into afternoon and night. At about nine Dixie had fallen asleep in Ren's arms but no one else showed any signs of tiredness. Every time Chanticleer sang he changed his voice, even though Ed knew his secret it still baffled him. Not only that the instruments had taken on a new sound since he'd last heard the group play at Yoyo Manor. He could only guess that the power of the Jewel had something to do with it.
"Ok people, I know you're gonna be heartbroken to hear this so all I can ask is that you don't throw things at us but this is going to be the last song." Chanty announced. A few voices of protest could be heard but nothing could be done about it. "And I'd be honored if one of the unsung heroes would do a duet with me, Lucus."
The guitarist looked around like he wasn't sure what to do before pointing at himself. Chanty nodded a, yes you. Who else here is named Lucus? Needless to say Lucus was delighted beyond words and didn't hesitate to accept. Before Luke could make any kind of smart aleck comment Mark began the intro, knowing a brotherly bicker would probably break out if he didn't.
"Why it's good ole reliable Nathan! Nathan, Nathan, Nathan Detroit!"
'If you're lookin' for action, he'll furnish the spot.'
"Even when the heat is on it's never too hot."
'"Not for good ole re-li-able Nathan for it's always just a short walk, to the oldest, established, permanent, lowly crap game in New York!'"
(instrumental) "There are well heeled shooters everywhere!"
'Everywhere!! There are well heeled shooters, everywhere!'
"'And an awful lot of lettuce for a fella who can get us there"'
"Why it's good ole reliable Nathan! Nathan, Nathan, Nathan Detroit!"
'If the size of your bundle, you wanna increase.'
"He'll arrange it to go broke in quiet and peace."
'"In a hideout provided by Nathan where there are no neighbors to squark! It's the oldest, established, permanent, phoney crap game in New York!
(stronger) Yes it's the oldest, established, permanent, lowly crap game…in New York!!'"
Me – Yeowzas. That was fun. I always loved that last song.
Chibi me – I thought it was stupid. What's a crap game anyway?
Me – A casino card game. And just so nobody gets mad at me I was not the original writer of these songs. I give full credit to the writers, producers and cast of the Dean Martin Variety show, that is where Like An Angel, Pride In What I Am and Ole Reliable Nathan originally came from. Sung by: Dean Martin, Anne Margaret and Frank Synatra.
Chibi me – You watch that DVD all the time, don't you get tired of it?
Me – Heck no! He's funny! It just sucks that the DVD doesn't come with a 'pause' feature.
Chibi me – You're not gonna end the story with a song are you?
Me – No, there's one more chapter to add. And depending on what the readers think will I give an opening for a third story. (sniff) I think I smell pancakes.
Chibi me -SUPPER!