Knight
Freelance Pianist
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Post by Knight on Jun 19, 2015 2:22:53 GMT -5
As soon as the show was over for the evening, the singers all vanished backstage. Presumably to deal with things like costumes and makeup, stuff that a pianist did not have to concern himself about. No, his after-show ritual consisted of buying drinks, and having people buy him drinks. And given that this was a new crowd, he anticipated a few free drinks. Knight closed the lid of piano gently, and ran his fingers over it slowly before getting up. It was a damn fine piano. He left it behind, and wove his way through the fairly tame crowd to the bar, accepting the varied compliments that he got. They were nice, but he had no way of knowing whether they knew the first thing about music, and therefore it meant very little to him.
Hopefully Ana's demanding schedule would allow her to join him for a couple, he would guarantee that some sleaze that was interchangeable with Heath would buy her a drink or seven. He finally reached the bartender, and slipped onto a stool. "Good-evening, barkeep! You seem to be doing quite a trade tonight. I'd apologise, but that'd be a little too egotistical for me. And not entirely accurate. What's nice?"
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Finley O'Brien
Bartender/Hammer
When the world goes to shit, I will still have my family.
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Post by Finley O'Brien on Jun 19, 2015 3:04:04 GMT -5
The show was over, and Finley had to admit, the piano player, and the singer hadn't done too bad of a job. Of course it was nothing compared to the cat houses in France. Now those women could sing and dance... Fin smiled as he wiped a wet spot off the bar, and set up a glass as the piano player walked up. Finley was about to set up a drink for the man when he began speaking. Finley wasn't normally a man of ego, or pride, but listening to the way the man spoke so freely, and with a tone that seemed to bit at Finley, it made him twitch.
""First off, name's Finley O'Brien, ya can call me Finley, or Fin. Most do. Second, it depends on the type of man ya are. We've whiskey from relationships back in the old country. There is some beer from Switzerland. And if ya feel like gambling your sight, or ya can't meet the price. WE have shine from Kentucky, and Canada. Of course, if that's not your taste, we have wine from France. Bloody frogs were basically giving it away." Lighting a fresh cigarette, Finley leaned on the old wood top. ""So, piano man. What'll it be?"
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Anastasia Andrushkiv
Singer/Flapper
Totally fucked, will they mess you up? Well you know they're gonna try...
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Post by Anastasia Andrushkiv on Jun 19, 2015 3:19:32 GMT -5
Now normally she would go home right after a show, make herself something to eat and then curl up in bed and sleep but with Knight here and not seeing him for so long... And with heath ruining their little chance to talk earlier she felt the need to catch up with him. Be all polite and friendly. And you know she did really like Knight, hell she had to because she did almost sleep with him at one point. So it wasn't like it was something she didn't want to do it would fun to talk to him again it was just a break from her routine that she fell into and that might be a bad thing. After all he knew about her past better than anyone, but he didn't know about the last two years and for that she was grateful. All he knew was that she disappeared.
She fixed her lipstick and hair before heading out to the bar and looking around. She quickly spotted Knight talking up with Fin and she rolled her eyes some. Oh Fin you had to love him even if he was a little blunt. "Well for me I'll take the strongest and darkest whiskey you got. And I sort of like Piano man for you Knight. Suits you well." She said taking her seat and smiling at both men. "Speaking of the piano I am so happy you are here now. For once the tempo wasn't off and I have you to thank. You should have heard the last guy he was always about half a step ahead of everyone."
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Knight
Freelance Pianist
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Post by Knight on Jun 19, 2015 3:31:34 GMT -5
"Piano man...", he let the nickname swill around in his mouth before deciding that it was okay. "I guess jazz piano man is a bit of a mouthful, anyway. If you've really got whiskey from home, I'll not knock back the offer. And I'm good for the cash." He pulled out a few coins, which ought to be plenty for at least a glass. Besides, they were yet to pay him for the night. If all else failed, the house could deduct it from his fee. "I'm not sure I've had a bartender so openly rank men based on their drink of choice. I'll give you points for honesty, a good quality in any man."
Knight shook his head in sorrow at her comment. "A poor pianist is a stain on an establishment. No offence to you, good sir, but if a man wishes to call himself a pianist, he should work to live up to it. After all, there's a line ten men deep who would fight for a position like this. Whiskey from home, a singer who shines even brighter than the stage lights in her eyes, and rent that isn't going to bankrupt you." He could have recommended at least those ten men, had he not been after the job himself. At least for the moment. And with Ana's praise, they would have to be damn fools to deny it to him.
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Finley O'Brien
Bartender/Hammer
When the world goes to shit, I will still have my family.
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Post by Finley O'Brien on Jun 19, 2015 20:02:45 GMT -5
Finley caught the movement of the woman walking to the bar, and he smiled and nodded his head respectfully. "Miss Andrushkiv, another stEller preformance. Only made better by the accompaniment of a skillful piano player." Fin nodded to the man, and handed him the whiskey, as well as one to Ana as well.
"With such a talented pair, I can see you too lasting a long while around here." Fin stopped and raided the cup of tea he had benearth the bar top and took a drink. Once it had been replaced on the small shelf, he looked back to Knight. "Back to your comment, it's not necessarily ranking of men based on their drink. You see, every man has his drink of choice, his game of choice, and of course," Fin paused and looked over at Ana, "their type of woman of choice. No, disrespect, love. Each man is a creature of habit, and taste. Some of the toughest, and bravest men I've ever met preferred drinking french wine, over anything else." Shrugging Finley poured a drink for another patron, "Never could get the taste for it myself."
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Anastasia Andrushkiv
Singer/Flapper
Totally fucked, will they mess you up? Well you know they're gonna try...
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Post by Anastasia Andrushkiv on Jun 19, 2015 20:48:30 GMT -5
"Why thank you Fin, your such a doll." She said with a smile, doing the whole polite humble musician thing you are suppose to do whenever someone pays you a compliment. An act she was very good at, because she knew she was very talented but people don't like working with someone with a ego so sound humble does a person wonders. Her drink was place on the bar and she picked it up and sipped it, leaving a red lipstick stain on the glass.
When Fin when on about every man having his type even in woman she cocked an eyebrow and looked at them before shaking her head. "None taken though I like to think I fill the desire of all types of men. After all I gotta get myself paid somehow." She said with smile. She Ana was the type of woman that is very good at being whatever you want. She like a fine wine that got better with age... and was overall more appealing to everyone. "Yeah I have never been a wine girl myself. I'm a vodka and whiskey girl, it's the russian in me." Another sip as she looked over at Fin with a smirk before saying. "And I take it you are still a whiskey sort of man Knight?"
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Knight
Freelance Pianist
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Post by Knight on Jun 20, 2015 2:27:23 GMT -5
Knight raised his glass and inclined his head to Fin's smooth and very practised compliment. He made a mental note that this was clearly a man who knew how to deal with the egos of musicians, stoking them when safe to do so, and presumably crushing them if they tried to ask for a little too much dosh. He took a slow sip, savouring the taste of home, sent back to a flurry of true English pubs, playing some music that wasn't jazz and therefore didn't matter. It had been a good time, simple, but not one that he missed. "Tastes like non stop drizzle, all year 'round."
If the bartender thought they had staying power, he would put money on getting at least a semi-permanent gig a couple nights per week. After all, no man could tell you the exact monetary benefits of musicians like the bartender. "Three criteria with which to rank man. His drink, his game and his women." Knight mulled over the idea, along with another sip of whiskey. "I wonder if jazz counts as a game. Surely a better way to rank a man would be, as you Americans say, by his pursuit of happiness. After all, few men envisage a life for themselves where they haven't a game, a drink and a woman. And any man whose pursuit runs regardless to those he crushes under his boots, is not a man with whom to spend your time." He shook his head a Ana and laughed. "I take what I can get. As long as it runs down my throat well, and doesn't break the bank, that's my drink. After all, it doesn't pay to be picky when richer men fund your consumption."
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Finley O'Brien
Bartender/Hammer
When the world goes to shit, I will still have my family.
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Post by Finley O'Brien on Jun 20, 2015 3:55:21 GMT -5
AS they talked, Finley couldn't help but smile, and shake his head at Ana's remarks, doing his best to hold back a remark that could have been less than kind. Instead he tilted his head to the side, and nodded towards the people sitting at the tables throughout the club. "Look around, Miss Andrushkiv, more than one of those poor sops are thinkin' of ways for ya to fulfill their desires. I can almost guarantee it." Fin took another drink of his tea, and his eyes grew cold and distant, "But if a one of 'em makes an advance you don't approve of. Say the word, and they'll be dealt with. I'll not tolerate that behavior in here." His tone was flat and even, brooking no argument. The was an unwritten rule in The Underground, do not harass the entertainment, and if you did, you'd answer to Finley, or his Uncle Declan. Neither of which was a pleasant out come.
Fin cocked an eyebrow at Knight as he spoke, and nodded, in agreement. "There is a reason I rarely drink whiskey anymore. Spend four years in muddy trenches, and rainy fields, and you lose a taste for rain." The words were softly spoke, as Finley brewed another cup of tea. "When it gets to the point where the rain seems to soak through everything including the steel helmet on your head, you ten- ..." Finley looked up, and slowly between the pair of them who were watching. Swallowing hard, Finley blinked and straightened his shirt. "Mm... sorry... ah, Ignore that it there..." Still four years later, and Finley rarely spoke of his time in France. There was good reason for it. It had a been a war, he had no reason to join. A fight that for once in his life, he hadn't started, or been involved with at all. Unlike the rest of his family though that had been smart enough to stay out of it, Finley was the only O'Brien to drop out of Cascade, and runoff. What he had witnessed in the trenches would stay with the young man for the entirety of his life.
Casting his gaze on Knight, Fin listened as the piano player spoke, almost as a toast for himself. Fin nodded, and raised his tea cup. "For those men lucky enough to have the good fortune to find the three things they love, may they remain forever content. To the poor bugger slogging through the gutter, looking for just a days honest wage. And to those who are willing to fight, claw, and kick their way to the top. WE all desire three things, how we go about getting them, is our own business. But may we ever be willing to share with those that need it."
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Anastasia Andrushkiv
Singer/Flapper
Totally fucked, will they mess you up? Well you know they're gonna try...
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Post by Anastasia Andrushkiv on Jun 20, 2015 4:22:51 GMT -5
"Oh believe me Fin I know. And just call me Ana, or doll or sweetcheek or anything. " She said with a smile, "I hate being so formal. Beside I have been here long enough that you can use my first name." Of course Fin was sweet enough to tell her that if anyone gave her any trouble to come to him and she smiled sweetly before leaning over the bar and pressing her lips to his cheek. "You're a doll Fin but you can ask Knight here. I can handle myself for the most part. I think he's only ever had to pull one guy off me that didn't take no for a answer. The rest all walked away with good old fashion black eyes." After all she's a poor Russian girl that grew up with four older brothers. She could throw a punch before she could walk.
She couldn't really be apart of this part of the conversation because she could barely remember europe. She was only there until she was five, and all she remember was being cold all the time and losing her stuff rabbit on the train and she must have cried for days. "Well I can't tell if it taste like england but it does taste like a good time to be had!" She said spinning around on the stood before facing the bar again as Fin seemed to drift off into some sort of long forgotten place in his mind and she looked at him waiting for him to come back to earth which he did right quick.
"It's alright." She said with a small smile. Poor thing, so sweet and kind and had probably seen some real fucked up shit. If anyone in this bar made her feel guilty about doing what she was doing it was Fin here.
The two men the partaken in a conversations she sort of had no interest in. She was a simple girl really and didn't understand what sort of toils men faced. Only because women had it harder than they could ever dream. So she didn't say much but a few comments did make her pipe up. "Oh really knight? So if a man walked in with a woman like me how would you rank him?" She teased some not expecting a real answer of any kind. "And hey remember it's those men without any of those things that pay my bills and yours." Ana smirked at them both before downing the rest of her drink and sliding her glass back toward Fin. "Vodlka this time. And don't water it down. The other girl who works here does it all the time and thinks I can't tell."
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Knight
Freelance Pianist
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Post by Knight on Jun 20, 2015 4:52:21 GMT -5
Finley was a good sort, in Knight's opinion. The kind of man who, had they both been born half a millennium early would have earned the title knight, instead of taking it as a nick, with no right or claim to it. Finley was a man of honour, and men of honour were rarely content, and had a habit of making all those around look like unprincipled sods by comparison. A soldier, as well, apparently. Knight admired soldiers, for their dedication to a cause, and selflessness. But he could never have been one, and there were all too many ways for a young wizard to avoid being drafted into a war that he didn't want to fight. "You may only have seen one, but there were more than a few unprincipled young men set astir by the sound of your voice. Generally, though, the sight of a good few menacing jazz musicians is enough to keep them in their place." Knight meant it as a tease, but parts were definitely true. The better jazz circles looked out for one another, and no man would have ever been allowed to try and force himself on Ana had she not wished it.
"Europe is not place to be these days. I do not know if will ever truly recover from the war. I do not know if any of us will be alive to see such a recovery, either." There was the unspoken acknowledgement in his words, that the war had broken many men, that he was honourable, many, many things that no two men could say to one another without ridicule. Ana was intent on having her fun, and he would hardly deny his friend the mirth she found for herself. "I know you far too well to answer that question straight, m'dear. A man that walks in with you on his arm is either moneyed, or a fool whose heart is soon to be broken. Often both."
Fin proposed a toast, and Knight could see no reason to disagree. "To everyone who struggles in this bastard of a world, and to anyone who stays around to see it to whatever end it comes to." He raised his glass, and downed the rest of his whiskey in one gulp. A day's honest wage had never been his style, but he was no stranger to work. Only to the horrors of men that Finley had seen, and the horrors of men that Ana endured. In his own mind, he added another line to the toast, that he may never have to find those out for himself.
"It does not take one who is losing a fight to enjoy jazz. And I don't know about you, but I think my bills are paid by men who have all three, but ever want more." He clapped her shoulder and shook his head slightly. "I think that's enough of the old country. Something strong, good man. Put the honourable young lady's vodka to shame."
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Finley O'Brien
Bartender/Hammer
When the world goes to shit, I will still have my family.
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Post by Finley O'Brien on Jun 21, 2015 23:56:46 GMT -5
Finley gave Ana a soft smile as she told him it was alright that he had a momentary slip. The kiss on his cheek made his cheeks turn a light shade of red. "Miss Andrushkiv... Ana, a talented beauty such as yourself should never be called doll, or sweetcheeks. Just seems derogatory towards your skills." He replied and poured another glass of whiskey himself and knight, and a vodka for Ana. Fin watched as the last few patrons stagger out, "She's watering down the drinks... I'll have to have words with her, thank you Ana." Her remark towards Knight though made him laugh and he held up his glass. "As a man who has neither a woman, or a game. That I have my tea, my family, and a good job, and that works for well. If it does get a bit lonely at times. It is still a good life, and an honest... wrll mostly honest one."
Finley toasted Knight, and nodded knowingly at his words of Europe not being a fit place to travel. Knight had no clue how true Fin knew those words to be. Finley had seen the green fields of France torn asunder and scorched as the great marching armies fought for inches. "Too true, Knight. I watched France burn from the trenches during the Great War. Listened as shells tore apart buildings and towns that have stood centuries. All because one man was murdered." He sighed and shook his head as he poured a bit of whiskey into his tea. "The ability of humankind to mass slaughter each never ceases to amaze me..."
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Anastasia Andrushkiv
Singer/Flapper
Totally fucked, will they mess you up? Well you know they're gonna try...
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Post by Anastasia Andrushkiv on Jun 22, 2015 1:24:28 GMT -5
She couldn't help but smile rather bright at the sight of Fin blushing. Oh how cute was that, he was going to make her blush with out sweet he was being. Treating her like she was a real lady and all that. Then again she wasn't a hooker up here, she was just a little easy. Back home in New York she was a full on whore who was paid to have sex and then some. Of course it had to be that stuff that got her into this mess and nit her singing but that was a story for another day. "Well then Ana it is. Since you are clearly more of a gentlemen then most of the men I take to." The two men toasted each other as she sipped her drink and moved to sit on the bar, mostly because everyone was gone and she was always more comfortable sitting on top of something that on a stool. "And hey nothing can put vodka to shame it is the drink of my people!" Another sip and she smiled at the two of them. This was a nice break from fishing, she needed to have a night like this.
There was something about the way Fin spoke about the war she didn't like one bit. She wasn't the sort of person that liked to think about the hardships europe face because she was in America where anything was possible, even for a poor Russian girl like her. "Hey.. you know we could sit her and talk all night or we can do something fun. " She said after Finn had finished speaking... when his words dropped off into pit of sadness that could only be formed from years of fighting in a war he had no part in being in. "Come on!" She said standing up on the bar with her drink in her hand and looking at Kight then at Fin. "You are the Piano man after all, lets see some of that skill! And Fin come on! I bet you are a great dancer!"
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Knight
Freelance Pianist
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Post by Knight on Jun 23, 2015 1:37:22 GMT -5
There was more than a dash of irony in the words that they traded. "To all those whose personal philosophy puts them way down at the bottom of everything." He took a swig of the new glass, and grinned broadly at nothing in particular. Truly, he didn't quite understand how they had all come to be drinking together in this dingy bar. Sure, he had known Ana back in New York, but that was some time ago. And everyone knew everyone, that was nothing on the camaraderie that they were sharing. Did alcohol make these bonds, or were they merely the bonds of people who were far away from the place they sought in the world. "Your fermented potato juice is flavourless, and good for little more than a path to unconsciousness. Whiskey has flavour, bite, and will send you there just as well."
Knight was shocked that Finley had swallowed the rubbish about the Archduke so easily. Perhaps that was why he had joined the war, and scarred himself. Though he wasn't alone, Knight could not have counted the number of men he'd seen come back from the war with their music gone. He was damn lucky to have avoided being a victim of the machinations of the greedy like Finley had. "The ability of humans to continue to trust those that wrong them amazes me further. You couldn't pay me in islands to become a politician. They're less honest that the worst of thieves."
Clearly, Ana had decided that enough misery had been passed across the bar, and was more than ready for something else to occupy herself with. He got up from his stool somewhat unsteadily and stretched. "I'm always up for another song. Even if this one isn't going to buy me any drinks." Finn had not yet answered her, but he had enough faith in Ana's powers of persuasion to know that he would soon be out from behind the bar. Were the two of them crooks, they could have cased the joint, but he didn't have the patience for criminality. Or any wish to acquaint himself with the inside of a prison cell. Instead, he opened up the piano again, and ran through the first few bars of the hardest song that he knew, one whose mastery still escaped him.
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Finley O'Brien
Bartender/Hammer
When the world goes to shit, I will still have my family.
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Post by Finley O'Brien on Jun 23, 2015 2:18:46 GMT -5
The toasts were done, and Fin was leaning back against the counter behind the bar. It had been a good time, but now he was thinking back to France, back to the friends he had made, and watched as they went over the top, never to return. Amongst the merriment that was Knight, and Ana, Fin had no place. These two were used to cutting loose, and having a grand time. Fin hadn't been able to do that since France. Since those days when every cigarette was a celebration. He listened as they decided to have one more song, and he chewed his lip as Ana hoped on top the bar.
Ana's offer to have him dance made Fins eyes go wide, and he froze. His hands white knuckles the shelf behind him, and his lip was caught in his teeth. Fin looked like someone who had seen the singlehandedly most terrifying thing on creation. "No... no thanks, I'm fine... I don't dance... I've seen bodies move with more rhythm than me." Fin admamently shook his head as he reached for his tea. "You two, have a graND time, I'll watch."
Raising his cup, Fin smiled, "Cheers, and Knight. If you play something upbeat, from home. I'll give you few drinks for a month" As he offered, Fin forgot about Ana, and turNed his attention fully to the piano player. "What do you say?
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Anastasia Andrushkiv
Singer/Flapper
Totally fucked, will they mess you up? Well you know they're gonna try...
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Post by Anastasia Andrushkiv on Jun 23, 2015 3:06:00 GMT -5
"Everyone can dance Fin." She said hopping down onto the outside of the bar and smiling. This was much better than talking about that war. She didn't like to dwell on sad thoughts her whole life seemed so sad until she was eighteen. Why would she want her friends to also be dwelling on sad things when there was good music and dancing, singing and drinks to be had. Knight had already gotten up and moved to the piano and Fin had asked if he could play something from the good old country which of course meant Ireland. Hm okay she could work with this, it could be really fun. Do a little Irish jig... or whatever they called it. Ana wasn't going to lie if it wasn't Russian or American she didn't know much about it.
She pulled fin out from behind the bar before taking his hands and placing them on her hips. "See just like this" She said smiling as her own hands were placed gently on his shoulders and she smiled. See this was so easy anyone could do it. And she didn't care if Fin was good just that they were having fun. That was all that matter right now.
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