Things had been getting intense.

Rhett had gotten under her skin, she was still dealing with head aches from the injury she received in her accident, she had one person or another intruding into her personal bubble for various reasons. It was like she had never left home. So she decided to go away from the mansion, not go see Rhett, and take Betsy, her fiddle, to the park. A secluded spot was next, some place where other people kept away for the most part

Martha spread a quilt on the grass, took her fiddle out and plucked a few strings, then started playing the first notes of Pachelbel's Canon in D Minor. Her eyes closed as the music immediately took her away. She hummed the harmony while she played the melody, and the two sounds made for a gift to the ears of someone who might hear it. Anyone who might be happening to walk by the scene might get drawn in.

In fact, someone did.. and then another... and... another... A crowd gathered round to listen to the sound of her music. She, however, was off in her own little world, not noticing these people who gathered around her...

Oh, summertime parks were the best in so many places! Basically anywhere that didn't dry up like old sandy bone in the summer, really. But no, this park had water and cool trees and enough transient rich people that one more moderate celebrity went sufficiently unnoticed that he could jog as he pleased. He barely drew attention for his singing - little bit a pity, but he was out for a run to see if he could shake out even a piece of the song that had been percolating and fermenting in the back of his head with way too much stubbornness for the past few hours. Days? Eh. Probably hours, but that was long enough!

Mercury was, perhaps fortunately, distracted enough by his own distractions that he was not locked in his own world too much to avoid running into a sudden knot of people. No one seemed to mind, though, and they were clearly busy watching something. He slipped off his headphones and wiped sweat into the headband keeping the fringes of his ponytail out of his face.

Oh. Music. Good music. Hmm, mmmm, mmmhmmmmmmm~

Oh!

As the crowd-hidden player continued, Mercury's hum grew louder and clearer, weaving wordless lyrics through the dancing string tones. This fit the sound, yes, a frame for the music hissing from the base of his skull whenever he so much as looked at it, but it wouldn't give up words just yet. Still, he could work with it. Beats and twisting syllables, that was the sound he'd need to end that verse on.

Oh, was it over? And now people were looking at him too. Eh ehh....

She still wasn't paying attention and didn't even know of the crowd, for it was about the music for her. The fact that her violin case was closed and there were no containers with which money could be dropped into meant she wasn't panhandling, but people were dropping coinage and folding money onto the blanket, still. She was that good. She heard the sound of clapping when Canon ended, sighed and pretended her solitude did not just get interrupted, and decided to just play on. Next were just arpeggios, of all things, and she opened her mouth to warm her voice up along with it. That girl had a set of pipes on her! She had quite the range, too, one would learn quickly, for she could do the low notes effortlessly, mid range, high, and yes, falsetto.

Go away, she thought as people friggen applauded her for the falsetto bullsh*t. She popped her eyes open and gave a stare, then peered around for something to use her power on that could cause a distraction. Oooh! Stroller! God, please don't let there be a baby still in there, she thought as she continued to sing and focused on the brakes to the thing.... And then mentally gave a push.... Annnd then heard the little mewl of the baby.... But it got peoples' attention so there was that? The crowd gave the appropriate gasp and most went to help the mother try and get the baby before anything bad happened to it, not that Martha would let any harm come to it... After all, she was pushing the damn thing mentally just to get a break from the stares.

Girl was good, but Mercury didn't usually have cash or his agent's card on hand while he was out running. When she finished he could chat with her... or not, judging by that glimpse of her expression. Not a social one, then? Playing in such a public space... but then not all artists had their own practice space, and playing in public didn't necessarily equal a desire for attention. Just a general social assumption that it was.

Then the crowd shifted again, their attention fading back to their original target as Mercury fell contemplatively silent.

That attention changed dramatically, the start of an infantile cry swallowed by a sudden swell of panic and concern. The mysterious near miss, or whatever had happened to make a baby cry but not elicit screams for an ambulance or police, cracked the crowd's fix on the girl, and people began to drift away on their business. When most of them had moved on, Mercury stepped closer. Not close, but close enough to be heard when the next natural pause came in the music.

"If you'd prefer a more private place to practice your craft, I can probably find you a few connections," he said with a soft smile. Even if he didn't look like much, all run-sweaty hair and cheesy headband and faded cutesy gay figure skating t-shirt. Part of the reason he wasn't trying to get all up in her business; that'd just be creepy.

And if she wasn't interested in a professional go at music, her answer would probably make that clear, and then he could be on his way or they could have an idle chat or something. Ball was in her court.

"Well... It'd be nice," she admitted. "Just... so many people crowding me every time I practice. I don't mind it when I am tryin' to get money, but I do kinda hate crowds either way." With good reason, she thought, but didn't explain. She cast a glance up at the guy, who was... setting her gaydar off. She didn't know exactly how to be around anyone of that nature, seeing as it was quite taboo to gypsy culture for homosexuality to be approached in general. Then she remembered seeing how someone with a mutation got treated, and she thought of how it felt knowing her own family would hate her knowing that she had the gift that she did.

So instead of getting disgusted, she stood up and glanced over to make sure the overreacting crowd had gotten the baby. She had made sure not to push too hard, but the control it took to do that kind of gave her a head ache and she didn't feel well at the moment. No matter. "I dunno if I can pay for space, though... I'm... livin' in my car right now. I mean, I could go to the mansion or whatever but I don't want to be there. I sleep in the parking lot there and maybe get a shower and some food but I ain't comfortable with big places or... crowds, as I just said."

As soon as the girl started to say 'nice,' Mercury was fishing his phone out of his pocket to text his agent. Making connections was the hard part of the industry for sure, especially without a ton of money to just pay for a private studio. Young people rarely had that sort of... cash...

CAR?

K, he was done running for today. He'd make up the exercise later. Right now, he had someone to help! Who was apparently a bit older than he'd first assumed, oops. But shhh, he hadn't made a fool of himself over it quite yet. Also, mansion? The school? So a mutant. Even more reason to help! Not that he needed a lot. He liked helping people.

"You definitely could use a sponsor. Are you looking to make a professional go of music? You certainly have the skills to impress, and my managing agent usually knows who has space for new talent, or can find out quick. And she'll totally make sure it's someone who'll get you housing. Private housing. Might not be big or fancy at first, but how's anyone supposed to work with too much stress?" As he rambled, speaking quickly and with determination, Mercury's fingers danced across his phone's screen. "Is there anything you need right now? Food? I can get you whatever you want, no strings attached." Although accepting food or going places with over-enthusiastic strangers was generally risky. Even if, or especially when, they were offering job help. "I'm Mercury Fall. I'm staying in town for a while between tours."

He had her at food. She perked up a little and looked at him. "Umm... Yeah, food is nice." She said, but she didn't smile. Her eyes were kind of wary. "What do you want in return? I mean... I can work for the food or somethin', clean your car or somethin'? I mean, I kinda don't like just... lettin' someone do somethin' without me doin' somethin' in return." She was very prideful it seemed. Also, she didn't mind living in her car, really.

"You really think I have somethin'? I mean, I can do more than the violin, I sing too, yanno?" God, why was she babbling? She hated babbling so much, and she kept doing it. "No, no... Forget it... It's stupid, I'm not that good." She moved to put her violin in the case and grab the blanket she had laid out on the ground. She shook out the blanket, then started beating the grass out.

Hungry face! That fueled another naggy excited text to his agent. She should know by now that he'd shut up once she proved she'd seen the swarm. "What do you feel like? Burgers, fish, pasta, something Asian, pizza?" The whole payment thing was always awkward. He seriously didn't mind about the money, but accepting gifts was always... yeah. "Tell you what. Do your best to show off once my- His phone vibrated. "K, she's going to make a few calls. Show off your music to someone she recommends, and I'll call lunch squared. Besides, I don't have a car for you to clean." He winked, and tried to make it both teasing and reassuring.

Mercury crouched beside the blanket and helped pick out bits of grass. "[color4488ff]I heard you sing. Wider note range than me, actually. You're good. Probably great with some professional pointers. Might be on things you never thought were involved too - I know I learned some pretty random stuff back when I was getting started.[/color]" Mostly presentation and appearance sorts of things, right down to the particular way he smiled under different circumstances, but also that being in good physical shape helped pretty much every aspect of performing.

"Oh... uh... You should know that I never really... performed for more than pennies..." With the exception of the two grand from Rhett that she was still sitting on... for the most part. Still, that didn't count to her since it was stolen money. Then her stomach interjected with a snarl, and she was back on the subject of food. "Um... I think I need a break from burgers. I've eaten my fill of those in the last week or so whenever I am not at the mansion. I can at least say they have more than just greasy burgers and fries. I dunno, what do you think? I am not used to going out to eat much." And it was true. She had her share of different types of food, but restaurant food was so fattening that her mom restricted her a lot on when she got to go out, even though she was an adult.

After the grass fell off the blanket, she folded it neatly and in an OCD moment. She kept brushing at the fabric of said blanket, even so much as picked at a piece of lint she hadn't seen.

Maybe not, but she was getting bills even when she wasn't asking. Although in this city, sometimes not asking was the best way to persuade the rich passersby to donate. "Not a problem. I didn't even play for pennies, back when I started. My mother recorded me and uploaded it to ViewTube until her old music friends started calling. It's a lot of work. I'll be honest about that. But it is possible to live comfortably doing what you love." He grinned. "Very comfortably, in the case of music."

He pushed back to his feet, stretching his arms over his head briefly to loosen up his back. He'd kind of stopped running abruptly. "So, not burgers. I think I saw a donair place on my way into here. Looked pretty popular. Why don't we head over there, and if it's not what you're in the mood to eat, we'll keep going until something does catch your eye?"

"What is View Tube?" she asked, curiously, before going on with, "Umm, yeah... I am willin' to try... the food, I mean. Just... No more burgers, okay?" She couldn't even stomach another burger for a long time and would eat just about anything else... Except maybe entrails or something like that. No thank you, please, she thought. Her mouth curled downward at another thought altogether... What if the agent wanted to put her into videos and stuff? Oh, God, what if her ex community saw? She grew pretty wary just thinking about it, though he hadn't exactly explained what doing the music in the professional sense would be. Oh man, her dad would come chasing after her and whoop her, she thought with trepidation.

She bit her lip and looked at him hesitantly, "Maybe this is a bad idea... you know? Um... I... I don't want my family finding me, okay? Romnichals don't take kindly to girls runnin' off... My reputation is already bad for doin' that and hangin' around Gorgers and... I don't know if I should even be here in the city, yanno?" It was a genuine worry to be hunted down and dragged back to Kentucky.

"Internet thing. Mostly cute animals and people being total idiots, honestly." Mercury didn't skip a beat in explaining, but he also didn't miss that he had to. ViewTube was pretty well known. It was about as well known as, well, the internet. So. Backwoods kid? Who was very, very tired of burgers. He laughed, quick and light. "No burgers. Got it, got it. I'll even pass it along once my agent gets a bite."

Something less pleasant had crossed her mind, though, and he held back while she sorted through it. Ah, family. Romni....um, not a group he recognized off the top of his head. No internet, though. He could figure that much out. Super conservative, from the sound of it. "Unsupportive family is always rough, but part of an agent's job is to help you stay safe. In most cases, it's a matter of protection from strangers - overzealous fans and general dangerous people - but most of the people in my agent's circle handle, well, a lot of us have overlapping... talents. And it's unfortunately pretty common for conservative families to not appreciate some of those abilities."

Mercury was incredibly lucky in that regard, but even some of his staff had personal horror stories.

"If you want to stay separate from them, there are some ways around it. There's certainly no risk at this stage. Except maybe a mild case of food poisoning, but the city is super dedicated to making sure that doesn't happen." He winked.

"Gypsies don't exactly play fair when someone does them wrong, dude. I... don't know if you ever met a Gypsy that wasn't me, but man... We are a pretty loud and scrappy bunch... We've always had to fight for our place in this world..." She wasn't saying this to defend them, but rather, explaining the situation. "If they catch me in the gorger world, gorgers being people like you... non gypsies... outsiders... I could get spit flying in my face and my ass whooped, 'specially since I wiggled my ass out of the trailer window and ran away to get the hell away from that sh*t. Dude, they tried to make me find a nice gypsy boy to marry when I was fourteen... FOURTEEN. Just... no, man. I can't go bacl to that or let them see me."

She was wringing her hands in a most stressed out way. "That's why I came here and why I sleep in my damn car." Her mouth curled downward and she eyed him. It wasn't any sob story, her words were too messed up to be a lie. "And what do you mean when your agent takes a bite?"

Gypsy? That was a word he at least recognized, though to be honest he hadn't realized that there were gypsies in the US. He'd always heard of them being European. But that was completely beside the point; the point right now was to handle each concern successfully and without lying. He started with a bit of a grin. "I know I don't sound like it anymore, but I'm from Australia, land of everything that wants to kill you and eat your eyes for jujubes. And people who go after anyone a little different. Neither play fair." That wasn't making as much sense as he'd hoped. "At any rate, you made the choice to leave. I support that, and your reasons for it. We can go over privacy requirements and safety without you committing to anything. Does that sound all right?"

"Oh, I mean she's reaching out to other agents she thinks might be interested and appropriate. Putting out fishing rods, I guess. She'll let me know when she gets a good response, but this time of day is usually when they're on lunch, so it might take a bit. There'll probably be something by the time we're done with food, though. Kinda the same time frame."

"Okay, okay," she mumbled softly, still feeling quite overwhelmed by what he was talking about. "Okay, food... Please... I... I don't eat a lot, so hungry." Her stomach did a hungry growl to punctuate her point. She finished packing her violin and blanket, then, and pointed toward her beat up Pinto, "My car is over there..." As if it was a great thing to show. She then led him toward said car... The ugly brown car was ugly as sin, but it was immaculately clean. The tires gleamed, as did the paint, and the inside was so clean that one could lick the floor. She unlocked the doors and put her things on the floor in the back, which was set up neatly as a bed with a nice cushion. Of course, it was kind of hard to sleep in there if you were bigger than she was. Anyway... That was home, and she had it set up like home as best as she could, even so much as sticking in some plastic drawers with one of those battery operated lights she used to read with on top like it was a night stand, that served as a dresser of sorts.

She straightened up and looked at him... "So what's the dress code, cowboy? Do I need to change my clothes?"