It was a gig, one from a friend of a friend to friend of a stranger in a place he normally didn’t go on a night he normally didn’t go out on. Who was he kidding. The shifter always looked for an opportunity to clear out for the night when it was a school night. He only had a month or two left.... correction. He was pretty sure he only had a month or two left. School didn’t go all year right? The Princess had to study so that meant he’d be bored. Carrick hated being bored.

The Irishman flew over the city and circled as he looked for the venue. It was a place he normally didn’t play at for two reasons. One they played music loud. Like blow your ear drums out loud. Which especially sucked for him because of his pointed elf like ears that seemed to pick up on everything. (Headphones were packed) and second, last time he was in this establishment a mosh pit popped off with him in the middle of it. If it wasn’t for his pal Zek he might have turned and mauled a few people. Carrick hated crowds. Luckily he’d be on stage so he wouldn’t have to worry about that.

A gig was a gig. Money in the pocket meant money for a new guitar or a date night where his girlfriend didn’t have to pay for everything. ”Oyi!!!!” he called to a few people standing out back with instruments. He flapped his wings a few times then landed pulling his golden brown wings behind him. His tail flicked as he studied everyone.

”Not late am I?” he asked knowing the answer. He was, Carrick liked being late. It meant people had to stare at him when he showed up. ”Never believe the view on the way over here!” he said whistling and sizing up the two creatures with hand gestures. ”Saw two rats the size of cats fighting a dog fer a boot. Homeless guy was out cold didn’t even notice.” he adjusted his guitar, one he thought was proper for the show tonight.

”I’m Carrick. Carrick O’Conner.” he said mocking a bow while his headphones fell forward on his neck. ”But ya already probably know that. Heard yer looking fer a singer, or a string man.” he said reaching into his back pocket. ”I also do card tricks if anybody is interested.” he smirked.

Pen glanced at her phone, checking the time for the 60th time. Fucking hell, he was late at this point. Pen cursed inwardly, a deep frown on her face as she adjusted her large, green glasses, she hated working with new people. The first few times was always the worst, you never knew how the chemistry was, how you worked off of each other, if you had the right sound. Sure, you could hire anyone for backup sound, but you never really knew until you had a chance to play. That was why she liked doing a bit of practice before the event itself, but, with time being what it was, hell, they'd barely have time for that. Where was he even? The other guy, a stable player for the place was already here after all. "I fucking swear if he has stood me up.." she grumbled to herself, fiddling with her guitar.

This, was about the time where she heard the beat of wings above and she turned, blinking as she saw the winged guy landing near them. Well damn, a mutant, that was a surprise. A pleasant one, but a surprise all the same. The fact he could fly actually annoyed Pen a little, as it either meant he could have made it on time but didn't, or he couldn't and flying was the fastest way to get here. One certainly painted a more favorable picture than the other. As he spoke, she blinked, well he certainly wasn't lacking in confidence, this Mr. O'Conner.

"Oh, you are. I almost thought we'd be one down for this gig." Pen answered as she looked at Carrick, a hint of a frown on her face for a moment. "Well Mister O'Conner, we got drums and I'll be singing, so we'll be needing your string-work tonight. I'm Penelope, but just call me Pen." she couldn't help smirking a little though, as his suave circus clown act was a little amusing. "We can look into those card tricks if you decide to stay around after the gig."

Pen then turned her head, looking to the drummer, who gave a thumbs up, heading inside. "You got the songs right? We'll be doing covers, so nothing totally crazy, though I still plan to rock this joint tonight" she announced, grinning from ear to ear with a sly glint in her eyes. Sure, tonight wasn't the night to play some of her own songs, but that didn't matter, it was about getting a foot inside and a more stable platform to get going from. She was ambitious, Pen would never deny that, and just perhaps, Carrick here had the sort of energy to match hers on stage and really make this a night for their audience to remember.

”Oh? Someone not showing?” he asked obliviously turning a card in between his fingers then shuffling the deck with the skill of someone that had spent years practicing. ”Drums and vocals. Yer Penny.” he nodded his head putting the deck back into his back pocket. Disappointed no one was willing to take the bait at the moment. ”If yer buying the first round I’ll stick around.” he said flashing his pointed canines matching her smile in kind.

”Ya can just call me Carrick, or Griff. Either way I’ll answer. I’ll even accept ***hole.” he said placing his hands in his pockets and then started to strut towards the door. ”Covers are me special, love. Been here once before and my songs didn’t fit the ascetics. Luckily fer you I was willing to skip class to memorize everything.” he said confidently.

”So yer band? Or yers?” he asked to the two. ”Never told me the band name. Just what I would be playing.” he followed everyone in. ”I can do back ups if ya want to. Also can end the show with a bang if ya want.” he looked at the crowd from behind stage.

”Aye, looks like a crowd. SHould be a grand show.” he said whistling and removing his guitar. ”The list ya sent. Was it the set list in full or ya changing things up? Just asking so I can play the tune yer laying down.” the shifter asked pulling his case strap so the guitar swung under him and slipped it off his shoulder then wing.

”I can do crazy and I can rock. Just happy to be here.” he said tossing his guitar over his shoulder and wing and then got it into a familiar position. As he followed the stringer about playing a few notes from her list.

Jeez he was confident. Well, even so, he did seem to be on the level, even if he was on the arrogant side. Carrick was rough around the edges, but he seemed ready to rock and that was the most important thing. Pen smirked a bit at his quip about buying the first round. "Sure, first round is on me Carrick." she said with a nod. "It's just me currently, Ron's a frequent that different bands hire from the place itself. So, him and you are both in the same boat I suppose. I'm currently working under the name Feuerschrei. Also, by all means, back up and end it with a bang. You seem to have a flair for the dramatic, so go ahead" she added, grinning a bit.

She then gestured for Carrick to follow her. "That was the full list, don't think we have much in the way of time for changes. So let's get crazy with what we got, rock and roll and give them one hell of a show." Pen then grabbed her guitar, doing a bit of last bit tuning as she grinned to herself. This was the part she loved, the build up before unleashing everything on the stage, getting everything just right, like a storm building, the tension growing before exploding with sheer power and volume. It was a good mix tonight, several songs from bands like Rammstein, Disturbed and Iron Maiden. Lots of power, lots of raw energy, just the right stuff. Carrick would have plenty chances to show off and help give a show the crowd would remember. That really, was always Pen's goal, give it her best, her earnest and have a good time.

After all, if you didn't enjoy what you did for a living, how could others? No, she was fortunate she could follow her passions like this, forge a life. Elias wouldn't be very happy if she hadn't and frankly, neither would she. She looked to Ron and Carrick, smirking a little. "Ready?"

She had no idea about his ‘flair’ for being ‘dramatic’ all the world was a stage after all and all he wanted to do was everyone to see him and give him the attention he so demanded. He was an angel after all. The Irishman exchanged nods with Ron. He had seen him preform before and he was pretty talented so it should be a halfway decent show at least even if their third wasn’t up to snuff. It wouldn’t be the first time he carried a band before. ”Bit of an understatement love, I just put on a hell of a show.” he flashed his teeth in a smile again.

”Yer list was lovely,” Carrick said flashing a thumbs up about her set list. There was no problem with it from he could tell and they all did seem to flow into each other pretty well. Everything you could ask for when putting on a show. It all depends how the crowd reacted to the songs they were playing.

As she strummed a few of her cords to tune up Carrick played a few of the matching ones to get a rhythm that matched hers. ”Always ready!” he said stepping forward onto the stage as the crowd started to cheer for their band. The familiar warmth of the lights on stage warmed his wings as he pulled the headphones over his ears to help block out excess noise.

After her introduction Carrick started to play the list as it was given to him. His cat like eyes focused on her fingers as she started to play and he matched his stumming to hers. When she sang he harmonized with the skill of someone who had been around music their entire life.

When there was an opportunity he added a few extra notes and snapped open his wings making sure not to hit anything he did so. The crowd cheered as he flapped them once or twice.