When Alastor didn't find Angel in the men's room, he started to become very worried. But upon coming back to the dining area, Vaggie told him that Angel had left his wallet at home and went back to get it. I know what you're thinking, too convenient? Too sketchy? Well if you knew Angel as well as Alastor did, you probably wouldn't suspect a thing because that was a mistake that Angel had made quite often, as often as Alastor could remember. So he believed Vaggie's fib and went to join everyone for dinner.
Crawfish gumbo with buttered biscuits, truly a scrumptious meal. One that Alastor enjoyed very much. And as soon as he finished, he made ready to sing on stage with Charlie, this being because they were the second act. It was five minutes til show time and he was standing outside the stage, straightening out the wrinkles in his shirt, when he was approached by a small group of lady fans. Some were young, some were old, and some were in between. Being popular with the ladies was nothing new to Alastor and he would find it very annoying, however he would never be rude to them. He was a gentleman after all.
"Excuse me, Mr. Boudreaux." The first fan who got close to him was a girl in her late teens. She was slightly over weight with a few pimples here and there, her hair was a mousey brown, but she had pretty eyes and a pretty smile. "My name is Ellen Spacek. I'm a huge fan of yours. I think you're an amazing singer."
"Thank you my dear." He said politely. "I do enjoy providing entertainment for others."
He gave her a smile. She started to shiver.
"Do you sign order graphs? Because I...I...I was wondering...If it's not too much trouble, could you sign my notebook?"
Before Alastor could answer, the girl called was roughly shoved toward the ground by another female. This one was older, slim in figure with clear skin and sharp cheekbones yet overly tanned, had ratty extensions in her black hair, and wore clothes that Alastor did not believe a lady should wear.
"You're embarrassing me Ellen." She spoke. "The only reason I only allowed your fat ass to come with me, was because you said you'd be quiet and stay out of the way."
She turned to Alastor and flashed him a flirty smirk.
"Sorry about her. I knew I shouldn't have brought her here but she's my room mate and a freshman so I guess I have to look out for her, you understand."
"Yes I understand. How noble of you." He hid his sarcasm well.
"I'm Portia Sweeney. You probably remember me, I've seen all your shows."
"Sorry I don't recall. Your face didn't really stand out to me."
"Oh...Well anyway I know how annoying fans can be to you singer types and I'm guessing after tonight you're going to be in desperate need of some stress relief."
She slowly ran her hand up her legs. Alastor's gaze did not follow.
"Maybe you'd want a little help with that stress relief? I got a whole fridge of wine back at my place. After the show, care to come over for a drink?"
"No thank you. I've already made plans."
"With who? Everyone in this whole town knows you're single. They also say that you're a virgin. How come?"
She was already unbuttoning her shirt.
"What's the matter? Scared of women? Or is it that you just don't know how to pleasure one? Because I could teach you, you know. If you'd let me."
"Darling, we're supposed to go on in two minutes." At once, Charlie appeared next to Alastor and planted a kiss on his cheek. "We better hurry, otherwise Rosie might make us break our date."
Alastor blushed.
"Excuse me, but we were talking." Portia said in a tone expressing irritation.
"Were you? Well by all means, continue." Charlie said laying her head on Alastor's shoulder. "But please don't converse with her too long honey, remember we have a schedule to keep."
Alastor swallowed hard and forced a calm smile on to his face.
"You're right my dear." He said playing along. "We better go on stage now. But first."
Alastor bent down to help Ellen up to her feet and then retrieved her fallen notebook.
"You said your name was Ellen?" He asked her.
"Yes."
He pulled a pen from his pocket, signed her notebook, and gave it back to her.
"Here you go." He said.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. It was very nice to meet you Ellen."
Ellen smiled shyly and turned a bashful pink. Portia looked like she had been smacked in the face. Charlie and Alastor just stepped on up to the stage, all prepared for their act.
"Thanks for the save." He told her.
"No problem." She said. "I could tell that you didn't want her to get her claws into you. Some people just cannot take a hint."
"Very true."
"And you're much too good for someone like her. She's a...A...What was it that Rosie called human females like that? A shameless hussy?"
"Shameless hussy? That's pretty mean coming for you. Mean but true."
"I'm just saying that she's crazy if she actually thinks that she has a chance with a decent man like you."
"Why Charlie, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were jealous."
"Jealous? Jealous of some rude floosy who has one third of hair that isn't even real? That's a laugh. Why she's a hideous, sea hag. There's absolutely nothing about her that should make me jealous."
"You're right. There is absolutely nothing about her that should make jealous." He chuckled. "Because I'd never want her. There's only one woman I could possibly see myself wanting."
"Really? Who?"
"I think you already know." He grinned at her
Now it was Charlie's turn to blush, but she didn't dwell on his words long because now it was show time, and just like with Angel, Rosie would be introducing their act.
"I hope you all enjoyed the first course of your meal and your first act because their more to come." She spoke. "Starting with your second act. You know him as the prince with a heart of ice, but tonight you'll get to meet the one person capable of turning his cold heart warm. A beautiful mermaid who's voice is the very melody of love itself. The only lady in all the world who can draw him in, with her eloquent eyes and free spirit. The fairest beauty on land or in the sea. Please welcome Miss Charlie."
She descended off stage and the spotlight shined on Charlie and Alastor. The band began playing the next song. This music was a subtle form of art rock. Very intriguing and uplifting.
Charlie started off by singing the first line.
"I'm coming,
Swimming under your skin."
Alastor sang the second line.
"I'm coming,
Swimming under your skin.
Blowing wind above my shoulder."
Then Charlie again.
"And I've been, and I've been on you."
Next came the two of them singing together.
"All the pretty waves,
All the pretty waves.
When your body's riding mine,
When your body's riding.
All the pretty waves,
When your body's riding mine."
Their voices blended together wondrously. When they sang together it was like magic and it had every audience member under a spell. They had never heard a duo sound more perfectly matched than those two.
Alastor started first this time.
"I'm coming,
Swimming under your skin."
Charlie sang after him.
"I'm coming,
Swimming under your skin."
Then him again.
"What would I'll slipping your silky tint."
Then her again.
"What strange fight under your sheet."
Next they would go back and forth.
"When dad forbid."
She sang.
"I'm coming for you."
He sang.
"When dad forbid."
"I'm coming for you."
Then once more, they sang together.
"All the pretty waves,
All the pretty waves.
When your body's riding mine,
When your body's riding.
All the pretty waves,
When your body's riding mine.
All the pretty waves,
All the pretty waves.
When your body's riding mine,
When your body's riding.
All the pretty waves,
When your body's riding mine."
The whole time they sang, they were sharing prolonged eye contact. Gazing into the other person's soul and seeing their great passion for music and song. Feeling the wordless emotion that they were trying to convey to each other.
They felt like they were under water again. They felt like they were actually swimming beneath the pretty waves, his hands in hers, their smiling faces, their eyes full of wonder, their bodies moving to get closer to each other. In their minds, it was just like when they first met sixteen years ago.
"In the name of love."
He sang to her.
"In the name of love."
She sang to him.
The lyrics were done but the tune played on. Charlie and Alastor could not look away from their singing partner. An unseen force was pulling them close. But tragically the moment was ruined by the audience breaking out in rapid applause and cheers over their performance. They politely thanked the crowds for their kind applause and returned to their table. There they enjoyed two more course meals and watched another one great performance after the next. Although when Alastor realized that it would soon be dark, he turned to Rosie and whispered something to her.
"Can you watch Beth until the festival is over?" He asked her.
"Of course, but why?"
"There's something I wanted to do."
"Alone?"
"No...With..." He rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "With Charlie."
Rosie made an unsure look.
"Okay." She consented nervously. "Just don't do anything foolish."
"I won't."
He stood up from his chair, slowly walked over to Charlie, and slid his hand into hers.
"Is something wrong Alastor?" She asked him.
"No. I only want to show you something."
"What is it?"
"Something very special. Come with me."
She like Rosie, she was unsure of his actions at first, but such feelings did not last long and she followed his lead.