Paul's

Paul's is sandwiched between a stationary shop and an offlicense specialising in whisky and lies beneath a jewellers on Turl Street. Most people would walk by it and not notice the entrance, sitting as it does below street level, at least during the day. At night it is easier to spot, on account of the rough looking bouncers, not your usual suited affair, but leather jacketed, spiked hair intimidators, leaning against the wall smoking or chatting with clientel. If that didn't put you off, the cover charge certainly would, the high entry fee for what is otherwise a simple, underground pub making clear that this is not a student venue, despite its location. Down the entrance stairway, the lights are low, and the booths private and the floor smells of old alcohol not properly cleaned from the carpeted areas. A pool table lies to one side, and a small stage the other, the bar sits centrally, either manned by Paul himself, Caitlin, the well liked scottish barmaid, or one of several other Ghouls that Paul has working for him. Regulars love the bar for the ambient noises that prevent listening in, and the protection of Paul and his bouncers which ensure the safety of those who come to share information, that they can make their money without being shaken down for it. Every vampire who deals in the business of the underground politics, or the buying and selling businesses knows the bar and knows to respect its neutrality. Unusual drinks can be purchased, for a fee worthy of their rarity, and other goods can be obtained from the back room, if you know what to ask for.

After cutting back through the Hedge to grab Jetty and Liam’s bass, Mehdi steers his boss to the dingy pub where Liam is to play. The moment they arrive the Changeling’s eyes and ears are on alert for any sign of danger from Kindred or Ghoul. He grabs the bass and slings his own recording equipment over his shoulder, the gestures for Liam to lead the way inside.

Liam nods to the bouncer as they pass. One advantage of playing here regularly, at least he doesn't have to pay entry, even ifthe money isn't worth selling his soul for the sometimes inappreciative audience. Perhaps they'd be lucky tonight and there would be some more light hearted revellers. He tips his glasses to the unsmiling barmaid, offering her a grin he knows she won't return and heads straight for the stage. Scotty and Fiona were talking in hushed tones over a small table, nothing unusual, probably finalising their set list. Felix was setting up his mix desk, but young Fred didn't seem to be around yet.  Makes a nice change not to be last. He glances at the clock, still plenty of time.  He quietly sets to plugging in his equipment with Mehdi and waits for Scotty to bring him the list of songs for the night.

Claire and Aisha are already waiting at the bar when Liam arrives. The blonde is dolled up in a short skirt and prances over towards her domitor with big blue eyes. Aisha is more reserved, but her eye contact with Liam is intense even from across the room. "Where the fuck have you been?" Scotty demands, stalking over to the band's bassist.

Liam smiles broadly at Claire and throws Aisha a wink. He surprises himself, but he's glad to see them. He's snapped out of it by Scotty's accusing tone. "Oh sorry. Been working. We still got 15 minutes right? You got the list?"

"Like you've worked a day in your life," Scotty scoffs, still withholding the sheaf of paper in his hand for now. "Nobody's heard from you in days. What's going on?"

Liam raises an eyebrow. "I didn't realise you cared mate? Touching really it is. Two nights ago I played a jazz concert, last night I just needed to catch up on some course material. I am ready to rock this place tonight though, don't you worry yourself." He reaches out for the paper. "What's up first on the docket eh?"

As the band begins to set up, Mehdi stays on high alert. This may be neutral ground, but these are Kindred that he is surrounded by. Predators always stalk their prey before they pounce. The only thing that stands out to him however is a quirkily dressed girl reading a book at a table alone. There’s something that pulls at him, so he makes a show of walking around the room, checking the monitor on his recorder to try and find the best angle to film the show from. Once he’s gotten close to the innocuous stranger, his perception slips through her Mask and he realizes why she’s caught his attention: she’s a Changeling. Words and illustrations are scrawled across her skin as if they’ve grown out of the book’s pages like ivy up a brick wall. But what’s another Changeling doing at a bar for Vampires and Ghouls? ”It’s impressive, I don’t know how you manage to read in a noisy place like this,” he comments casually, eyes still focused on his camera, idly adjusting settings. “I never could. Might be a little harder once they start playing though. They’re pretty… energetic.”

Chip (Mag|Sov|Ja|Aleixo) said: Liam raises an eyebrow. "I didn't realise you cared mate? Touching really it is. Two nights ago I played a jazz concert, last night I just needed to catch up on some course material. I am ready to rock this place tonight though, don't you worry yourself." He reaches out for the paper. "What's up first on the docket eh?" "Fuck you," Scotty tells Liam bluntly, shoving the list into the other vampire's chest, before stalking off back towards Fiona and Felix. "Where the fuck is Fred?" Julian M. said: As the band begins to set up, Mehdi stays on high alert. This may be neutral ground, but these are Kindred that he is surrounded by. Predators always stalk their prey before they pounce. The only thing that stands out to him however is a quirkily dressed girl reading a book at a table alone. There’s something that pulls at him, so he makes a show of walking around the room, checking the monitor on his recorder to try and find the best angle to film the show from. Once he’s gotten close to the innocuous stranger, his perception slips through her Mask and he realizes why she’s caught his attention: she’s a Changeling. Words and illustrations are scrawled across her skin as if they’ve grown out of the book’s pages like ivy up a brick wall. But what’s another Changeling doing at a bar for Vampires and Ghouls? ”It’s impressive, I don’t know how you manage to read in a noisy place like this,” he comments casually, eyes still focused on his camera, idly adjusting settings. “I never could. Might be a little harder once they start playing though. They’re pretty… energetic.” "Well, I don't have ears like yours," the girl notes, without looking up from her book. "Do they make you any better at this?"

“Any better at… what, being a roadie?” he shrugs. “Maybe. They definitely help me to know when his adoring fans are about to rush him before they do.” another shrug. “Usually he likes all the attention but sometimes he’d rather make a French exit.” with this comment he nods towards Liam.  Mehdi seems satisfied with this vantage, unfolding his tripod and affixing his mic to the camera.

Liam shrugs, ignoring the rage, instead ficusibg reading down the list. He notices the vocal rest break is just left for him to fill in as usual and starts to think for an appropriate song. "Call her if you're worried. She's not late yet and she never is." He shoots her a quick text under the paper, out of sight On your way right? Scotty raging

Julian M. said: “Any better at… what, being a roadie?” he shrugs. “Maybe. They definitely help me to know when his adoring fans are about to rush him before they do.” another shrug. “Usually he likes all the attention but sometimes he’d rather make a French exit.” with this comment he nods towards Liam.  Mehdi seems satisfied with this vantage, unfolding his tripod and affixing his mic to the camera. "Recording..." the girl clarifies, staring dreamily away into space. "Do you think that they're real?" Chip (Mag|Sov|Ja|Aleixo) said: Liam shrugs, ignoring the rage, instead ficusibg reading down the list. He notices the vocal rest break is just left for him to fill in as usual and starts to think for an appropriate song. "Call her if you're worried. She's not late yet and she never is." He shoots her a quick text under the paper, out of sight On your way right? Scotty raging What else is new? Fred responds a few moments later. What do you take me for?

Just giving a heads up ;p. Set list is wack too. What is this cheesy shit? I mean, are you gonna be my ghoul?  Liam looks over at Scotty before hitting send. "She's almost here, I'm set up too." He hopes off the stage to go tend to his eagerly waiting ghouls. "Sorry about the last minute change in direction. Worried things might get too dangerous so we're gonna lay low for a while. Means you can focus on using your abilities for your aims too." He  gives a grin.  "And I'll get you fed after the show, and get something myself too."

“Do I think that… what are real?” Mehdi asks, following the girl’s line of sight off into space.  “Are you stoned or something?” he asks with a wry smile?

Julian M. said: “Do I think that… what are real?” Mehdi asks, following the girl’s line of sight off into space.  “Are you stoned or something?” he asks with a wry smile? "Your videos!" The girl clarifies as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Drugs sort of become meaningless after Arcadia..." Chip (Mag|Sov|Ja|Aleixo) said: Just giving a heads up ;p. Set list is wack too. What is this cheesy shit? I mean, are you gonna be my ghoul?  Liam looks over at Scotty before hitting send. "She's almost here, I'm set up too." He hopes off the stage to go tend to his eagerly waiting ghouls. "Sorry about the last minute change in direction. Worried things might get too dangerous so we're gonna lay low for a while. Means you can focus on using your abilities for your aims too." He  gives a grin.  "And I'll get you fed after the show, and get something myself too." "We'll be safer if you explain where the danger is coming from," Aisha succinctly points out.

“My videos?” he responds, but the question is more to himself than a proper reply, he clearly still doesn’t get exactly what she’s asking. “That’s pretty abstract…” he goes to say, though he stops as she mentions Arcadia. His eyes drift across the colorful scrawlings that criss-cross her face. Right . Arcadia . ”I’m Mehdi. Thought I was the only Changeling who makes a habit of hanging around Kindred.”

"Alice," the girl introduces herself with a sweet smile. "You should know that you're never truly alone, Mehdi."

Liam smiles at Aisha. "So pragmatic. And capable, just two of the many reasons I selected you." He curls his lips in thought. "The threats are many, if I could be specific it would be less of a threat." He glanced around but part of the beauty of the place was that the noise and the locations of the boothes made listening in harder. "To name a few, there's the blood hungry elder vampires, a vampire hacker named Michael and his clan, my sire once she realises we haven't killed the two vampires I sent you after, those two vampires if they realise I need them dead." He thinks for a bit. "A fey, called autumn and any of her agents if I stray too close to anyone from her college accidentally." He pauses again. "I think that's all from the top of my head. The key is we stick together and rely on numbers. Claire does her best to charm and distract anyone who comes for us, you hold them down with me and we tear their throat out." He shrugs. "And in the meantime, have fun. Use your powers to take on the biggots, embarrass the misogynists. Win all your competitions. Get some drinks, upstage your rivals. And you need more people, I'll see what I can do."

Mehdi’s demeanor falters as suspicion creeps back into his mind. ”What exactly do you mean by that?”

Julian M. said: Mehdi’s demeanor falters as suspicion creeps back into his mind. ”What exactly do you mean by that?” "The Lost are all around you, if you only look," Alice reminds Mehdi, looking back down at her book. Chip (Mag|Sov|Ja|Aleixo) said: Liam smiles at Aisha. "So pragmatic. And capable, just two of the many reasons I selected you." He curls his lips in thought. "The threats are many, if I could be specific it would be less of a threat." He glanced around but part of the beauty of the place was that the noise and the locations of the boothes made listening in harder. "To name a few, there's the blood hungry elder vampires, a vampire hacker named Michael and his clan, my sire once she realises we haven't killed the two vampires I sent you after, those two vampires if they realise I need them dead." He thinks for a bit. "A fey, called autumn and any of her agents if I stray too close to anyone from her college accidentally." He pauses again. "I think that's all from the top of my head. The key is we stick together and rely on numbers. Claire does her best to charm and distract anyone who comes for us, you hold them down with me and we tear their throat out." He shrugs. "And in the meantime, have fun. Use your powers to take on the biggots, embarrass the misogynists. Win all your competitions. Get some drinks, upstage your rivals. And you need more people, I'll see what I can do." The girls stare at Liam for a few long moments as they process what he's told them. "Okay... so why tell us to stop if it only causes more problems?" Claire asks with obvious confusion.

Liam nods to where Mehdi is setting up the camera. "Him, flirting over there with the girl with the book. He has a conscience, and it reminded me that I used to have a line I wouldn't cross. Plus, I went through something big with those two, it messed us all up a bit and taking them out just in case is a way to turn people who might still become allies into ash or enemies."  He glanced at the cat still working its way around the outside of the room. "And something big is coming, and people who understand it are worth having around I think." He smiles. "There's also you two, I do care about you. After I woke you up to this world, I have a responsibility to keep you safe, and I asked you to do something very dangerous. I also owe it to you to show you a better way to do things. Aisha, you reminded me of that in our interview." He looks over to the state where some ghouls are wheeling in a drum kit. "Seems like Fred is here, let's have some fun eh? All this seriousness you just made me have. Bad for the place the soul used to be. Music is what fills it."

“Right.” Mehdi responds, sounding skeptical but really just not getting what the girl’s point is. Is all this vagueness just to deflect from her odd presence here? Or is she really just a strange space cadet of a Changeling who just happened to be at a bar almost exclusively frequented by vampires and their underlings? For now he holds on to these questions but doesn’t press Alice anymore, instead looking back to Liam and throwing a thumbs up as they make eye contact to indicate that he is ready.

The dancefloor lights dim as the band takes to the stage, as was usually the case in Paul’s nobody pays much attention as Liam begins to carefully stroke the strings of his bass, providing an ominous backing track as Scotty introduces the band. They begin with some old classics: “All your life”, “Bring you back to life”, “Cold dead bitch”, “Like a Ghoul” before hitting his personal favourite “No One Knows”. The heavy, prominent bass line allowing him to take center stage and display some showmanship. Eyes begin to turn away from the quiet cubicles and more feet gather near the stage. The crowd really begin to take some interest as they move into a newer part of their repertoire ‘Fangs fr th MMRs’ Liam had rolled his eyes at the cheesy title, but had to admit the song was well written on Scotty’s part. &nbsp; One night and one more time Fangs for the memories Even if you don’t taste great He tastes like you only sweeter &nbsp; Liam pounds out the heavy bass line as he strolls back and forward along the stage, face to face with Fiona, leaning in to share Scotty’s mic for the backing vocals and all the classic rock tropes that he knew the stiff undead crowd would love. He finds time to point at the camera and wink, ready for the freezeframe shot they would use for his myspace page. He looks back off stage, vampires enjoying music in a crowd together is quite a sight, their dance moves and concert habits coming from different centuries, yet the movements graceful and accurate. As the song transitions into the guitar solo, he moves back on the stage to allow Fiona her time, the boring bass accompaniment to a guitar solo always left his mind to drift and today he found himself facing into the drums and smiling at Young Fred, or Dr Winifred Smith PhD if you wanted your face ripped from your skull. Liam found the thought amusing but the woman fascinating. Her appearance was unusual enough for someone with doctorates coming out of her ears, she had purposefully messed ginger hair, cut above the shoulder streaked with bleached white and several piercings, always dressed in a black band tour t-shirt, today it was Linkin’ Park. How alien it must seem from when she was really the 16 year old she still appeared to be. 16, that must be a nightmare, she barely even looks that. I have to renew my IDs every 15 years or so with a new date of birth, steal another identity, she must have to do it what, every 3? I wouldn’t believe she was 20. His mind jumps back for a second as the song comes back in for the final chorus and outro and he turns back to the front of the stage. Next on the list was the ‘vocal break’, not that Scotty and Fiona needed one, but it was built into the routines for when they played mortal bars and they kept up the habit. Aside from anything else it let Liam take the role of ‘front man’ for a bit and get some good recordings so he wasn’t going to complain. Today though, he and Fred hadn’t had a chance to discuss what they’d play. Scotty hands him his guitar as he leaps from the side of the stage and Liam carefully pulls it over his shoulder. “ Want to see how far we can push his bad mood?” Liam winks at Fred and turns before she can answer. He starts playing the rif from a song he heard once in a movie a few years ago. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vyj1C8ogtE" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vyj1C8ogtE</a>

Mehdi stays put for most of the set, having a good enough view and not interested in mingling with the shuffling Kindred crowd. These shows were always a bit boring to him. While the college kids Liam whipped into fervor were like a buffet of excitement, lust, cathartic rage, these vampires felt next to nothing, a meager veggie tray that’s already been mostly picked clean. Even though he doesn’t harvest from mortals as often as he could, he’s usually full on goblin fruit, there is still an enjoyable contact high that is lacking in a place like Paul’s. Deeming that Alice isn’t to much of a threat, Mehdi does eventually leave his perch to get close up footage of Liam’s performance. It’s impossible not to crack a huge smile from at the professor’s antics as he begins musically antagonizing Scotty. It’s as if the guy has a final-deathwish, ludicrous given the circumstances, but it’s admirable how the kindred somehow still has enough spunk to do something like this.

The air in the dimly lit vampire pub is thick with the scent of stale blood and the low murmur of patrons engrossed in their nocturnal affairs. Up on stage, Liam and Fred thrash out the chords to "Scotty Doesn't Know". The energetic performance fuels the chaos barely contained beneath the vampires' collective veneer of normality. Amongst the audience, Alice's skin begins to shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow. The girl's mask shifts and it suddenly becomes apparent that her tattered dress is woven of leaves and thorns. Her eyes, large and luminous, zero in on Mehdi. As the song reaches its crescendo, Alice springs into action. Her lithe form melts into the darkness and, with an otherworldly grace, she navigates through the sea of bodies, avoiding any unnecessary attention.&nbsp; With the precision of a seasoned predator, she slips behind Mehdi, her form melding into the inky shadows of the pub. As the chorus of the song echoes through the underground venue, a blade flashes in the dim light, iron biting into Mehdi's shoulder. The patrons around them are too engrossed in the performance to notice the sudden altercation.&nbsp; With surprising strength, Alice attempts to drag Mehdi backwards, away from the crowd.

“AGHHH! LIAM!” Mehdi screams, half as a call for help and half as a warning. There’s no way that Mehdi alone is the target of this attack, surely this girl isn’t working by herself. The Changeling turns away from the blade, spilling blood like fragrant wine onto the grimy dance floor. He doesn’t pull away from his attacker though, instead he turns towards her, throwing his arms up as he does so. They fall in a flurry of petals like two felled trees, claws extending from massive paws that have replaced his hands. One paw bats the iron dagger from Alice’s hand, sending it skittering away. Mehdi, now a sleek black panther, his ears and nose still exaggerated in bat-like proportions beneath his Mask, prowls between the girl and her weapon. His lean muscles are visibly taut beneath his fur, ready to pounce, and he lets loose a snarl both in warning and to hopefully draw more attention to the would-be assassin.

Vampires scatter around Mehdi and Alice as the fight breaks out. The girl lets out a maniacal cackle, before raising her hands to the ceiling. Bloody cracks spider across the illustrations on her skin and a crimson aura surrounds her.

Liam glances down at Scotty"s guitar as he realises nobody is listening anymore. He hears Mehdi shout and the insane cackle and looks through the crowd to what is happening at the back of the room. "Hey." &nbsp;He calls into the mic. "Leave my man alone. He's here with me. A little help anyone? Can we get this bitch thrown out please?" He leaps from the stage with a quick glance back at Fred, ' please' he mouths at her as he goes, putting his hands together in a begging gesture.

Petals cascade from Mehdi’s form once again as he reverts to a crouching, humanoid form. He scuttles back and grabs the iron dagger before rising clutching his shoulder where he’s been wounded. “Careful, that red glow means she’s not as waifish as she looks.” he warns to anyone who might be coming to his aid. Then he locks eyes with the manic pixie nightmare girl and directs his next words right at her. ”Why are you doing this? Who sent you?”

One of the bouncers, a tough looking bruiser in a leather jacket, makes a move to grab Alice and she lifts the unsuspecting vampire above her head and hurls him across the pub with a roar. "Time to come home, little bat," the girl tells Mehdi in a giggling, sing-song voice.

Mehdi’s face goes so pale its almost green.&nbsp; “NO!” he screams, panicked. He flashes a glance at Liam, terror on his face, and it’s by far the most fear the Kindred has ever seen in his assistant. This is no vampire or eldritch horror or Egyptian goddess, this is something that has come &nbsp; specifically for him. From Arcadia.&nbsp; He can’t go back. He can’t. His knuckles are white around the iron dagger’s hilt. Slowly he backs away, towards Liam.

"How long can she keep that up?" Liam catches up to Mehdi, placing a gentle hand across him to move him back. He looks with fear as the huge bouncer is thrown across the room. "This one works for me. We wouldn't want to start a war now would we? Go home." Liam glances around, nothing he can do here is safe without also affecting the vampires in the room and setting even more people after him. He feels the blood pumping harder through his body, bringing more life to his muscles, but he knows he is still far from a challenge for her in her current state.

Julian M. said: Mehdi’s face goes so pale its almost green.&nbsp; “NO!” he screams, panicked. He flashes a glance at Liam, terror on his face, and it’s by far the most fear the Kindred has ever seen in his assistant. This is no vampire or eldritch horror or Egyptian goddess, this is something that has come &nbsp; specifically for him. From Arcadia.&nbsp; He can’t go back. He can’t. His knuckles are white around the iron dagger’s hilt. Slowly he backs away, towards Liam. Daxon Caudill pays the cabbie and makes his way down the steps into Paul's, looking forward to another chance to hang out with his new friend. He finds his way into the concert venue and freezes in the shadows as Mehdi's shriek chills his blood. His eyes find his friend holding a bloodied blade just as Liam arrives to protect him. Mehdi's wide, terrified eyes, though, are fixed on another figure, and Daxon turns his head to try and find the one that has so shaken him.

"War?" Alice questions, tilting her head sideways, before cackling at the absurdity of it all. Then a snarling ball of fangs and claws comes flying through the air, slamming into the changeling like a cannonball. Besides Liam, stands Scotty, his muscles obviously pumped with vitae from having just hurled Fiona across the pub. "Fucking bitch. Nobody starts something in Paul's."

All the adrenaline pumping through Mehdi’s veins halts for a moment as he spots Daxon come through the door. It takes a moment to process the mixed emotions: relief to see the Darkling’s friendly face, newfound fear as he realizes this girl poses just as much of a threat to his fellow Lost, and finally a flash of clarity as an exit strategy presents itself to him. ”She’s a Privateer! Hold the door! To Jetty!” He takes a few running steps then shifts once again. This time the the burst of petals is shot through with long, snowy feathers and out of the cloud comes an owl, soaring just below the low roof with iron dagger still in talon. Mehdi makes a beeline towards Daxon and the exit behind.

Daxon gapes in shock for a moment as the figure hurtles through the air from the stage and slams into the girl. His mien blanches with fear as Mehdi's words wash over him and he unconsciously tugs a fallen leaf from his pocket. Hold the door??? he said. Do I look like the guy that holds the door? I hide behind the door. Hell, I turn into the door! The Queen will want to know that a Privateer is operating in Oxford, though. Rather than tossing the leaf into the air, the Darkling focuses his attention on Mehdi's Privateer - if she comes this way, I need to be able to slow her down, he thinks as blood flies from the owl's wing. He pushes the door open behind him, ready to leap forward if the Privateer pursues Mehdi.

Mehdi flits out the door on silent wings, hoping Daxon will be right on his tail feathers. He soars across the street and down a block to where Jetty sits, throat pulsating gently as she naps. Mehdi shifts as he reaches her talons changing to his own clawed hands which grasp hold of her harness. The terror toad wakes with a croak and Mehdi pats the back of her head reassuringly. ”Easy girl, just me. We’re in deep shit though, get ready to roll.” He turns back to find Daxon not far behind, and he spares a glance past the Darkling to look for Liam or Alice.&nbsp; “Uhm, so what are the odds the court will give me shelter?”

Alice manages to get her hands around Fionas wrists, prying the vampiress off of her and making a dash for the toilets. Scotty charges after her in hot pursuit.

Liam follows Scotty, cursing himself mentally, but not willing to have this held over him later. He feels the blood pumping still further into his muscles as he begins to move with unnatural speed.

The two vampires burst into the ladies', but it appears to be empty. The doors to two of the stalls are open, but one is closed.

Liam looks at Scotty. "Seems too convenient." He whispers

Julian M. said: “Uhm, so what are the odds the court will give me shelter?” Daxon eases into the shadows near Jetty, watchful gaze fixed on Paul's. He replies up to Mehdi thoughtfully, "The Queen is certainly no friend of privateers - but she may not thank us for leading one to her gates, either. I don't think she would turn you away out of hand... but I cannot guess what gift she might desire for such a service, either."

Chip (Mag|Sov|Ja|Aleixo) said: Liam looks at Scotty. "Seems too convenient." He whispers "I'm not fucking complaining," Scotty spits, strutting up to the cubicle and kicking in the door with a single booted foot. The cheap wood collapses with a crash, revealing a single ghoul sitting on the toilet. She screams in terror in response to the abrupt interruption.

Mehdi sighs. ”Well, I don’t want to lead her back to the Hollow so it’s either the Court or the Hedge.” He weighs the options for a mere moment before shaking his head. “Court it is. I do have some things to offer.”&nbsp; He glances back to Paul’s&nbsp; “I don’t think Liam’s gonna come with. Let’s roll.” And with that, Jetty lurches forward and begins carrying the two Changelings to New College.

"Told you. She probably pulled some weird changeling shit. Made a portal back to the hedge or something. We won't find her if she doesn't want to be found." He nods an apology to the Ghoul "Let's get out of here."

Scotty snarls in anger and frustration, before storming out after Liam. Once they are outside, he shoves the bassist towards the wall. "What the fuck was all that about? I don't need your boy bringing trouble to our door."

Liam shrugs, straightening his jacket but making no move to fight back. "Hey, ease up alright? I have no idea, he's never upset anyone or brought anything but solutions the whole time I've known him. I'm sure as hell going to find out though." He pulls out his phone to text Mehdi, it was unlike him to run off like that. Hey, what's going on, where are you? That girl disappeared&nbsp;

Liam looks at the reply for Mehdi and blinks with slight disbelief. And I'll just.... wait here and hope you don't come back after the sun comes up, or go back home and get killed? He turns to Scotty. "So do we finish the gig, or pretty much this goes down as a lost cause?"

"Yeah, fuck it," Scotty replies downing the last of his bottle of beer and hurling it at a corner, where it smashes against the tiles. Turning around, he strides back out through the door, throwing his arms in the air in front of the crowd as he moves through them towards the stage. "Let's fucking go!"

"Fuck Yeah!" Liam leaps into the stage, picks up his bass and starts strumming away <a href="https://youtu.be/s88r_q7oufE?si=JGYDdy6HpvuZjiqJ" rel="nofollow">https://youtu.be/s88r_q7oufE?si=JGYDdy6HpvuZjiqJ</a> The thoughts of trouble with Mehdi and where he's going to sleep when the sun comes up fade into the notes as he plays, his whole body relaxing until he no longer cares.