Raina sat at the table in the familiar little bar and watched the various musicians taking their turns. It was a nice little place and so far she didn't see anyone she knew. The place was still mutant friendly after everything that had happened and her old musician friends were more than happy to accomodate her powers. Of course, the same old crew wasn't exactly the same crew. They had new bouncers new bar staff and new smoking mutants who were having a grand old time stinking the place out.

She sat back in her chair with a smile listening to the many jazz acts- her guitar in it's case at her feet. She'd be up soon. She took one last look around to see if she knew anyone. The place was so dark and smokey she couldn't tell.

She'd been working on these songs since the breakout and moreso after her confrontation with Rupert. There was something about Raina that just had to be creative when she was hurt in order to survive it and she had always tended to express that musicially. She couldn't help think about the last time she was here and Rupert watched. It seemed like a fitting place to play these new songs.

The host for the night introduced her and she heard people clapping. It took her a moment to get up but not very long to setup. She sat on a simple stool with her guitar in her lap and a mic at her front. A fellow mutant with the capability to absorb water was playing paino for her- both to be creative with her but also to take in the ice as it flew from her so it wouldn't disrupt her performance. Of course- those in the very front might see this but to the untrained eye it would look like she was your average singer.

Except... there wasn't a damn thing average about Raina.

She began to strum away on her guitar picking notes here and there while the lights dimmed and the piano started. Raina's music was always so soul felt that people generally stopped talking and eating and would pay attention to at least onw or two songs before resuming their routine and only aknolwedging her as background music.

"I've run out of complicated theories...
So now I'm taking back my words.
I'm preparing for the breakdown

Your t-shirts lost the smell of you
and the bathroom is still a mess
remind me why we decided this was for the best..."

This song like many others had been waiting away in Raina's mind and journal to be played. She started out a little shakey at first but as the music began to climb for the chorus she felt herself lost in it. There was no longer a stage and a bar- just Raina letting her feelings out.

"Because I miss your love
I miss your love
I miss your love
I miss... you... love"

She was careful with her wording- careful with her phrasing. She was trying very hard to make less work for her mutant friend helping her with her ice. But it was hard not to get lost in the song.

" I know the distance is a factor
but I stretch as often as I can
My ghost will reach your hands any day now

Please don't blame me for trying
to fix this one last time
I have a hard time as it is....

because I miss your love
I miss your love
I miss your love
I miss...you...love"

It would be odd for anyone hearing this song and knowing Raina. It was obvious who it was about and would be frustrating knowing it was about Rupert. Afterall this time she whould be over him. But they didn't know what she was planning.

"ohhh... Ohhh...
ohh... oh....
Don't act like you don't know me
it's still me I never changed
I'll be here when you come back

and I miss your love
I miss your love
I miss your love
I miss ...you.. love

I miss you love!
I miss your love...
I miss you love

I miss you... love"

ooc: I'll probably have one more song or so in this thread, but if you'd like to HEAR this song you simply need to go here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UxnHhWnZEA&feature=related

Flloyd entered the little club and went directly to a bar stool to sit down an order a scotch. It was boiling out and he'd just spent the whole day with Naveed doing manual labor. The bike ride over here cooled him a little bit the black leather he was wearing didn't help. As the bar keep slapped a glass of scotch down on the table for him Flloyd downed it in less than a few seconds. He had a pretty high tolerence for alcohol and was never all that sure why.

A melody began to fill the air followed by a cooling chill that made a delighted gasp escape Flloyd's lips. He smiled knowing who that voice was instantly and thanked his lucky stars he chose this watering hole. Sure enough when he looked up to the stage there bathed in a beautiful light was Raina singing.

He beamed from ear to ear so happy to see that his little talk with her inspired some music. He leaned one arm against the bar and nursed a 7/7 as he took in her song feeling pretty proud of himself. Afterall, if he hadn't spoken to her about it she wouldn't be singing here today.

That was about the time he actually paid attention to the lyrics and a sickening knot twisted in his stomach. This song was about Rupert. Everything with Raina was about Rupert. Flloyd decided he'd need a little more alcohol to enable this and downed the drink he was planning to nurse and asked for another. He sat there turning the glass around in his hands- his nervous habit. What was with this girl? Afterall that man had put her through why wouldn't she let him go?

He sat there fuming and watching.

Streak was walking around town looking for a good place to listen to music, drink and unwind from the everyday chaos that was at the mansion. As he was walking down the street he heard music playing out of one o the bars. He entered the door and went to the bar. "What can I getcha?" the bartender asked Streak. He thought for a minute trying to decide what would help him relax the most. After not making much headway in deciding what to drink he resigned himself to a beer that he was really fond of, especially when he was younger. He still was young but the camps seemed to age him in ways that weren't all physically apparent.

"Just a Shiner Bock'll do." He answered the bartender. The bartender pulled a bottle out and took the cap off for him. He handed the drink to Streak, "Thanks." he said, brought the drink closer to him and took a long sip from the beer. After composing himself, he turned around to see who was playing. The bar seemed cooler than he thought it should, that is until he saw who was singing. He looked up and saw Raina singing along with a pianist. He smiled thinking how nice it was to see that Raina was finally taking her talent and showing it off, instead of hiding it in the mansion.

He listened to what she was singing. It's kind of a sad song. But at least she's singing. He took another sip of his beer and listened to her. It actually relaxed him more than the beer did which surprised Streak a little.

ooc: you can hear this last song here but I warn you it's really sad! www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZDF3IjcxpM

Raina petered about on stage with her set. She'd stop here and there to make a joke about how cold it was getting but the crowd kept egging her on to keep singing. She laughed her musical laugh and took a drink of her water which was now ice cold. Looking out into the audience through the blinding lights she was shocked to recognize a few faces. She could see Flloyd front and center... and off to the side was Streak at the bar. She wondered if either saw each other or remembered each other from the camp breakout. She felt a little nervous now.

"This will be my last song of the night. It's a sad one too." she laughed. "But I hope you'll like it." the audience cheered and she retuned her guitar and calmed herself once more to perform her last song.

The introduction was light and beautiful.. The individual notes of the picking hung in the air and resonated with the reverb.

"Vauge sound of rain...
pierces through my song again
but I get destracted by the way his toes move when he plays
So I... let it burn [/b]"

It was clear that this was another song for an ex-lover. Though the first one was heart wrenching and sincere this was seemed somehow more honest. Like she was admitting defeat.

"I just poured my heart out
there's bits of it on the floor
and I take what's left of it and rinse it under cold water
and call him up for more

And I say baby
yes I feel stupid to call you but I'm lonely
and I dont think you meant it when you said you couldn't love me
and I thought maybe if I kissed the way you do
You'd feel it too..."[/b]

While the song started off so light and curious it now peaked and became strong and soulfilled. Raina couldn't help but flashback to all those rejections... in the camp... in the park... Rupert would never love her. She knew that.

"He said I'm sorry
so sorry
I am sorry"[/b]

The words were aching and painstaking.

"He grabs my wrists
as my fingers turn into angry fists
and I whisper why can't you love me I'll change for you?
I'll play the part

And I say baby
So.. I feel stupid to call you but I'm lonely
and I dont think you meant it when you said you couldn't love me
and I thought maybe if I kissed the way you do
You'd feel it too..."

The song was ending now. Just one verse left and Raina gave it her all.
"He said I'm sorry
so sorry
I am sorry"[/b]

she finished letting that last note ring and the audience began to cheer. She'd almost forgotten she was performing because the song took her so far back. She gave her head another shake and waved at the audience. "That's it for me tonight folks." she smiled. "Thanks a bunch."

She stood up and put her guitar in it's case unhooking the plugs and lowering the mic. She strode off stage and waved to Streak hoping he'd see but made her way to Flloyd's table.

"hey." she said with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. "fancy meeting you here."

Streak listened to Raina playing and singing her songs. There were sad. He didn't know who they were about but he did know they had to be about someone in particular. He set his drink down on the table and applauded her as she finished. He took another drink and decided that he should go over to her and tell her what he thought of her songs. Raina waved at him. Streak picked up his beer as a wave and silently cheered her.

He picked up his beer and made his way to where Raina was. He noticed that she had gone over to a guy. He looked familiar, like he'd seen him in a dream. In actuality it was back at the camps and Streak was losing so much blood then things didn't make much sense. He continued to make his way over to them. Once he'd reached them he said, "Hey Raina. Great job."

Flloyd listened to the rest of the sets with a frown on his face. This music was all for Rupert. It was dissapointing that after over a year Raina still revolved around Rupert. It was hard for him to understand but when he read her fears he no longer saw Rupert's rejection. Just confusion. Just a swirl of hurt and confusion. He could make that all go away for her. If she'd just let him.

He noticed someone else say hello to her on her way to him when she spotted him. She then greeted him.

"Hey Back." he said brushing his hands through his elvis-like hair-do and smiled. "Nice voice. Wish the singer had some happier things to sing about." He didn't like Raina so hurt. He cared about Raina.

Someone else took the stage playing a bit heavier and darker music. This was Flloyd's type of music. He'd be sure to buy the kid a beer.

"Have a seat. I've missed you. Naveed is driving me crazy but don't worry I haven't told him about your meeting with Iris and Doctor Che..."

She hadn't told him everything of the encounter... and he wasn't psychic either- but most of the fear he could make out had to do with those two and her looking decision.

"Feel like talking about it? I'll order some drinks."

ooc: Streak, Flloyd and I have a little side thing we're gonna do here that we planned, hehe >.< so don't take it as a snub and if you wanna keep posting here do it! lol. I just don't want you to think I'm ignoring you mad love for the shiny man!

IC


As Raina walked toward Flloyd a man passed by her to go on stage. She wondered if he was a mutant too since so many here were. He gave her a comment but over the background chatter she couldn't hear much so she simply smiled and nodded. She noticed streak as well and gave a wave. "Thanks Streak." she grinned "I should probably talk with Flloyd for a bit. We've got some catching up to do." she gave him a hug. "Stick around!"

She sat down next to Flloyd- he looked good tonight. She felt a little chill of uneasiness- but that was usual for being around Flloyd. Had to do with his power. He spoke a bit as he ordered them drinks. She raised an eyebrow when she realized he knew somewhat about Iris and Doctor Che- then she remembered he could see people's fears.

"You gotta stop doing that." she said a little irked. "it's like you're snooping around inside my head. I don't like it." she stuck out her tongue to show she was half serious but still feeling fun. She took a sip of the drink he ordered her- it was fruity and she wasn't much of a drinker so she was thankful it didn't taste like alcohol.

"...but yeah... It was actually pretty cool!" she began to
Explain about her experience with Dr. Che and think out loud.

"I'm taking a week or so to think about it. I'm going to probably go for more testing at least and have an evaluation done. Dr. Che and I are going to talk about what's best for me and then decide. "

she took another sip of her drink. "I miss you guys too. it's just been busy and stressful. I'm thankful for the space you guys have given me to settle into things. I haven't seen Navi in forever.... I'm glad you didn't tell him anything...." she trailed off.

"hrm." Flloyd nodded as she explained her story. He was proud she'd been so thorough and relieved she'd taken Iris with her. Iris was a strange one. Flloyd saw her once from a distance and couldn't read her fears. Couldn't read the fears off that Neena woman either.

"Speaking of Navi." he interjected. "You know if you do decide to go through with this procedure you'll have to tell him. He'll want to be there for you. But I'm glad you've worked so hard on thinking this through." He took a swig of his drinks.

"I'd still love you if you weren't a mutant or if you were one." of course he didn't mean that quite as passionatly as it came out- and given their situation the moment suddenly became akward. He downed the rest of the glass and quickly asked for another.

"-anyway... how have you been doing with the teaching position? What sorts of things are they getting you to do around the mansion? I'd love to hear everything...."

Raina winced when he mentioned Naveed. That wouldn't be a fun conversation but she'd wait for that bridge before even attempting to cross it. She watched with a splash of red on her cheeks when Flloyd choked on his words "i'd still love you." and giggled to herself. Flloyd was like the brother she never had or really wanted. Still, it was comforting and good to be with him now. He was helping her be more independent and less homesick.

"well, I've only been cleaning out the music room. It's pretty crappy." she admitted with a laugh taking a larger sip of her drink and feeling a bit calmer. "So far no teaching- not 'til September. I've been greeting kids and adults as they arrive at the mansion. Taking in the applications, keeping the files, taking tours... that sort of thing. It's cool. I like working with the teens even though I'm not that far from them. Sometimes it helps to see someone a few years older than you doing well." She finished her drink. "I think I'd like another!" she laughed. "it's not often I get out for adult talk that isn't x-men related."

Flloyd had to give a chuckle when Raina asked for another drink. Though some people would approve of a woman going out for drinks he knew Raina was deprived of these sorts of things because of her mutation and her travelling. Not that he considered drinking a normal part of being a young adult- it was nice to have it there for those who'd want it. Besides. He was hear to take care of her.

He finished his drink too and while she started her second he was on his fourth. He had a bigger build and it wasn't really affecting him much- though he felt a little liberating. Maybe even braver. He listened to her talk about her work.

"The x-men eh?" he said feeling curious. "So you're officially on the team? Is it a lot of work? You wont get hurt right?"

he paused to look up at the man on the stage and enjoy his song.

She eagerly took the drink and sipped at it again. "mmm... this is very fruity. I like it." she licked her lips. "Don't let me go all girls gone wild." she laughed not really sure what her tolerance level was and not wanting to make an ass of herself.

'So far the x-men doesn't seem like a lot of work but with the backlash from the camps it might be. I seem to disagree with some of the others on how to handle things. I guess all I can do is follow my heart."

She took a sip and followed his gaze to the man on stage. She liked the music. She turned back to him.

"What about you? Are you working? Where are you staying?" She was curious. Flloyd was like a big mystery to her, really just showing up whenever she needed someone to talk to.

"well I wont have to let you go all girls gone wild if you take it easier on the drinks." laughed Flloyd. He listened to her speak about the x-men and couldn't help read her fears of angering them and not living up to their expectations. His facial expression creased but lightened when she asked about him. "Still thwarting off your brother." he laughed. "moving from place to place. Cant seem to find an apartment I like. I've been working freelance for different businesses. Marketing stuff. Making pretty decent cash. I actually wanted to talk to you about that but first-" he got himself another drink needing to feeling a little braver. "one for luck." he winked and took a gulp.

"I've been setting some money aside. If you go through with the surgery... I want to help ok? Don't forget the States isn't like Canada. Your visa doesn't cover everything. This is going to be costly... Have you been thinking about that?"

He waited patiently for her response.

Raina took another sip of her drink... maybe she should ask for some water soon. She was feeling a little light headed and the music in the background was starting to trip her out a bit. "Maybe we can go to your place or something to keep talking..." she felt woozy. "I think I'm a little drunk... I don't think I should go back to the mansion like this and I'm not even sure if I can bring anyone in this time of night." she shrugged. "The fresh air if we walk might do me good too... but I kinda do wanna finish my drink like a big girl." she admitted with a laugh trying to down it while making a face.

"whaddaya say?" she asked loudly.

Flloyd wasn't happy that she skirted the question but when he paid attention to just how much of a lush she was becoming he understood. "Here for a goodtime but not a longtime eh?" he joked. "Ok miss Raina, let's get you outta here then. My place isn't far." he stood up and offered her an arm. "but this conversation isn't over- and hey stop with the drink!" he took her empty glass with a raised eyebrow. "I'll never understand you woman!" he nodded the the bouncer at the door and helped Raina out of her seat. He headed outside.

ooc: Continued in the thread marked Flloyd's Apartment

Raina relinquished her empty glass and gave Floyd a fuzzy smile and slung her arm around him. "Ah you're the best!" she grinned as he helped her up. She waved to Streak apologetically since they obviously couldn't hang out but let Flloyd lead her out into the fresh air. Taking a big breath she felt her head clear a little though the alcohol was clearly taking affect. She felt a little shakey and wobbly and leaned on Flloyd for support. "Lead the way!" she said waving her arm out in front of her

ooc: continued in: theultimatexmen.proboards26.com/index.cgi?board=newyorkcity&action=display&thread=2724&page=1#55719