Jump n Move

[Anara Valnor]

The bar was like any other, it smelled heavily of smoke, booze, and general grime. All in all it was your typical hole in the wall, but such places always have some hidden treasure lurking beneath the surface. That night the bar's gem was their entertainment for the evening; a fiery haired siren with eyes of gold.

Dressed in all black Anara took the stage, her heels clicking upon the hard surface. At first no one paid her any attention, but once the lights focused upon her petite frame she was all anyone could look at. She grinned, amber eyes darkening as she called the Force to her. Raw energy coursed through her frame as she adjusted her grip upon her guitar, the sleek instrument catching the light.

Without any hesitation she began to play and the stage came alive around her. There was no amp hooked up to her guitar, no microphone situated before her, no second guitar, no bass guitar, and no drums. She stood on stage alone and without a single bit of equipment to enhance her performance, but it was clear that the little Sith Lord didn't need such a thing.

"Got a mouth full of words,
But nothing to say
If you could've seen
How I looked yesterday
A hopeless disaster
But I'm getting better
At being faster

Is there any other way
To live your life
Than to throw it all way
And cut the ties?
Were they really holding us
In place to begin with?

Who are you judging anyway?
It's my neck on the line

Say goodbye to everything
Forget your regrets
They're better left behind
Say goodbye to whispering uncertainty
What's holding us back
Is keeping us alive."​

​

Her voice filled the bar, loud and strong. Amber eyes glowed with power and her guitar screamed as her foot tapped in time to the beat. The other instruments needed for the song could clearly be heard and yet not a sound issued from any of the speakers permanently fixed to the stage. Anara was creating every sound being heard by the crowd.

"Shut your mouth
And start to believe
Oh excuses, excuses
That I don't need,
If it's me you're after
Well, how about a straight answer?

We don't have all the day
We don't have all year
Put it into one
And out the other ear
Were you ever listening at all?

Who are you judging anyway?
It's my neck on the line

Say goodbye to everything
Forget your regrets
They're better left behind
Say goodbye to whispering uncertainty
What's holding us back
Is keeping us alive, alive

Never look back, don't doubt tomorrow
Never look back, don't doubt tomorrow
Never look back, don't doubt tomorrow
Never look back, don't doubt tomorrow

Say goodbye to everything
Forget your regrets
They're better left behind
Say goodbye to whispering uncertainty
The only thing that holds us back
The only thing that holds us back
The only thing that's keeping us alive.

Oh, it's the only thing that's keeping us alive."​

​

As her voice faded the bar was oddly quiet for a moment, then the cheering and clapping started. She grinned, the glow of her eyes fading as the power she had been holding tightly to slipped away. She bowed her head in gratitude and took a few steps back to grab her drink for a bar stool hidden in the shadows. Taking a large gulp of her drink she scanned the crowd, the Force flowing through her as freely as the wind blew, leading her to her next song.

 

[Arage Bao]

Sometimes Jared wondered why it always came down to bars these days. Why not a concert? Or maybe a nice sauna? Really he should not be complaining that much, it had been in fact his own choice to walk into this bar tonight. Nobody had forced him to, so moaning about it did not really make much sense.

Besides, the drinks were good, the crowd was pleasant and the singer… well well… wasn’t she quite the looker indeed. It actually brought up a smile on his lips, as he regarded her sing her song. Her voice was not so shabby either, which was surprising. Becau-- Hold on a minute.

How was it possible that he was hearing a whole damn band, when she was the only one on the stage. Adding to that was the fact that she did not even have a microphone, but it sounded as if her voice was coming from every-- The Force.

Now that he had realized it, it was not that hard to distinguish the careful web she had spun all around them. It was delicate, and surprisingly intricate, which only underlined her madskills with the Force.

At first he was not really sure what to do about this turn of events. Honestly, he could just sit back, drink his drink and then at the end of the night leave this place. She had not noticed him… yet. Might be she was more trouble than it’s worth.

An intelligent man would probably have left, a smart man would have probably finished his drink and then leave. But Jared had never suggested to be intelligent, or smart as such… he did the opposite. His mind softly reached out towards hers, and did the equivalent of physical prod.

“Beautiful music.”​

The message might appear in her mind, if she was receptive for mental contact.

[member="Anara Valnor"]

 

[Anara Valnor]

The brush of another's mind against her own was nearly missed as she was about to slip into her next song. Catching the man's words tight with her mental fingers she smirked, eyes of molten gold finding her admirer with ease. Respectfully she bowed her head to him; she even went so far as to bend at the waist a bit.

I'm only getting started.​

​

With a flip of her hair her bangs were swept from her face as she broke eye contact with the man. He was attractive, but she wasn't about to let his dashing good looks disrupt her performance. After all she only got paid if she performed. Smiling to the crowd she played a few simple notes, her guitar screaming despite no amp being hooked up to it.

Smirking Anara stepped to the edge of the stage, her hair stirring with a sudden breeze as she drew upon the raw energy of the Force. The lights above flickered and it sounded as though some sort of interference was sweeping through the bar, setting machines to sputtering. However, it was all an illusion. Tapping her foot in time to the beat she began to sing once more, the crowd completely wrapped around her pinky.

"I have a heart that gets on everybody's nerves
They don't want the truth, they just want the words
Blah blah blah blah and I can sing until I'm dead
And none of you'll remember a single thing I said

What's the point in being a voice when everyone's already sick of the noise?
Everyone's already sick of the noise, everyone's already sick of the noise
What's the point in trying to change when everyone's already stuck in their ways,
Everyone's happy with more of the same, more of the same, more of the same​

We were born kicking and screaming
Until we learned to turn it down

Took our dreams and got in line
Held our breath and hoped to die
Fade on
And all along, we got it wrong
Live a slow and painful life
Put our heart on hold inside
Fade on
And all along, we got it wrong
Oh we keep it hush hush hush
Have you had enough, have you, have you had enough?
Took our dreams and got in line
Held our breath and hoped to die
Fade on
And all along, we got it wrong"​

​

Anara finished off the song with as much show as she had when she started. The night drug on and she continued her show, singing a few more songs, all while keeping tabs upon the man that had spoken to her earlier. Eventually it was time to call it a night which meant she was finally free to enjoy a few drinks of her own. Thankfully it was still relatively early and with an appreciative bow to the roaring crowd she slipped off the stage, guitar in hand. She disappeared for a short time before reappearing sans guitar. With a light smile upon her lips she stopped by the bar to get a drink then decided to visit a certain Force user.

Stepping up behind him she bent down to whisper in his ear, "how was that?"

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

As the music faded out, Jared could feel the mesmerizing pull of the Force retreat itself. It was a damn shame, its touch had been pleasant, but dangerous nonetheless. He did not know if the girl had done it on purpose, but even now people were waking up from a trance, one that could have been held indefinitely which just a little bit more power. Pretty cool really. Death by Music, rock on.

He caught himself with closed eyes, still humming along with the previous played song, though that ended quickly with the softly whispered words of the singer.

Lazily his eyes opened themselves, he took a sip from his drink and the silence prolonged itself. Then he smiled, and finally replied.

“Exquisite, my turn.”

Without awaiting any reply, he stepped onto the stage. The owner of the bar was already frowning, willing himself to jump onto the stage himself and remind the Lord who was in charge here. But just as one of his feet touched the platform, his eyes glassed over.

Then he shook his head, and with a look of confusion went back into his little room. Seemingly he had changed his mind about today’s new entertainment.

“Ladies and Gentlemen. The gorgeous lady that just sang for us inspired me. Inspired me to sing one of my own songs, excuse me for my raw throat I probably need more drinks… but the Music calls to me and it will wait no more!”

The man on the stage closed his eyes then, his foot started to tap in a rhythm. At first nothing else happened, first silence then the crowd started to laugh to themselves. Damn fool, they said. Idiot even. Probably had too much to drink, and get off the stage.

But then… the music started. Just as with the girl it happened without any obvious instruments. It just appeared out of seemingly nowhere, guided with Jared’s voicehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlAe77E3gxY.

*​

Standing in the rain, with his head hung low​

Couldn't get a ticket, it was a sold out show​

Heard the roar of the crowd, he could picture the scene​

Put his ear to the wall, then like a distant scream​

He heard one guitar, just blew him away​

He saw stars in his eyes, and the very next day​

Bought a beat up six string in a secondhand store​

Didn't know how to play it, but he knew for sure​

That one guitar, felt good in his hands​

Didn't take long, to understand​

Just one guitar, slung way down low​

Was one way ticket, only one way to go​

So he started rockin'​

Ain't never gonna stop​

Gotta keep on rockin'​

Someday he's gonna make it to the top​

*​

​

[member="Anara Valnor"]​

 

[Anara Valnor]

Grinning like a Cheshire cat Anara approached the stage as the man sang, his song capturing her in a totally different way compared to the rest of the bar. Eyes glittering at the challenge he presented she joined him on stage, the Force swelling within her. Her eyes glowed for a moment as a light breeze stirred her hair, power rolling off of her in waves as she suddenly commanded the attention of all those in the bar the moment his song ended.

Brass instruments blared to life and Anara stared the man down, her feral gaze locked onto him as though he were her next meal. With measured steps she approached him, pressing her back to his as she began to sing.

"Turn around to see you
In a crowded place
I watch for the emotions
On a guarded face
Saying lead me on"​

​

Slowly she slid down his back a bit, being overly dramatic. Standing back to her full height of 5'3" she moved around him, draping her arms around his neck as she sang, leaning her head back a bit to gaze back at the crowd. She was hamming it up on purpose.

"Victim of a dream
And a memory
But when I try to break free
You say to me
C'mon lead me on"​

​

Releasing him, Anara moved away as she danced about the stage, once more weaving her spell about the crowd. Naturally her 'spell' was extended to the man on stage with her, but she didn't wish to ensnare him as deeply as the rest of the crowd.

"A matter out of time
In the reaches of space
Caught up in the patterns
In the light of a life
Walk across the bridge
To the shadows of the night


Saying lead me on
Lead me on
Lead me on
On and on"​

​

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

The Lord of the Fringe, Jared Ovmar, Glory-Song called by the bloodthirsty crows of Rattatak was a mental specialist. It was his magnum opus, his chef d'oeuvre, his piece de resistance, his... well you catch the meaning. But even still... her music was intoxicating, and Jared could not help but sway at the rhythm and beat. The whole club vibrated with the ring of her song.

It did not help, that she was even prettier from up close, while touching him than from the distance. At any rate, Jared was being hit on some level even with his mental prowess. For a while he was just rocking with her, enjoying himself; the Lord was losing his edge it seemed.

For a while it continued that way, until the last note rung out. Jared has a smile painted on his face, something primal and not entirely human. All around them people were starting to wake again from their trace, before that could happen... he answered the woman's song with one of his own yet again.

More aggressive this time. It fit his mood at the moment.

​

*​

​

Shh... quiet, you might piss somebody off
Like me, motherkarker, you've been at it for too long
While you feed off others' insecurities
You stand in front of me and bite the hand that feeds​

​

Self-righteousness is wearing thin
(Lies inside your head, your best friend)
Heart bleeds but not for fellow men
(Broken glass, your fake reflection)

I've had enough
It's time for something real
I don't respect the words you're speaking
Gone too far
A clone

So how does it feel to know that someone's kid
In the heart of America has blood on their hands
Fighting to defend your rights
So you can maintain a lifestyle
That insults his family's existence
Well, where I'm from we have a special
Salute that we aim high in the air
Towards all those pompous assholes
Who spend their days pointing fingers​

(KARK YOU) ​

​

*​

​

​

​

While singing the song of his people, he approached the girl with the grace of a predator. His hand traced a line on her cheek, smiling sweetly. All around them in the meanwhile... people were softly letting out their last breath as the song took them into a dreamless state of never-ending bliss, and... eventual torture.

Their deaths only enhanced the power of their song. A vicious circle indeed.

Glorious.

​

​

[member="Anara Valnor"]​

 

[Anara Valnor]

Molten orbs slid closed and she leaned into his touch slightly, his song and his power sending a chill up her spine. It was hypnotic and for just a moment she allowed him to weave his spell around her, letting her ever present mental guards down just long enough to feel the full weight of his power. Slowly she opened her eyes, pushing him from her mind once more and smiled as sweetly as he had only moments before.

The fact that life was slipping away from each of the bars patrons one by one didn't phase her, what did she care. He wasn't trying to steal her life away and who was she to ruin his fun? Her smile remained firmly in place as she took the reigns once more, power crackled around her and she stepped closer to the man, a hand running up into his hair as she began to sing.

"I'm the girl you've been thinking about
The one thing you can't live without
I'm the girl you've been waiting for
I'll have you down on your knees, I'll have you begging for more
You probably thought I wouldn't get this far, you thought I'd end up in the back of a car
You probably thought that I'd never escape, I'd be a rat in a cage, I'd be a slave to this place
You don't know how hard I fought to survive, waking up alone when I was left to die
You don't know about this life I've led, all these roads I've walked, all these tears I've bled

So how can this be, you're praying to me
There's a look in your eyes, I know just what that means
I can be, I can be your everything."​

​

She gripped his hair tightly and tugged his head back a bit, her lips landing upon his neck as she sang. Her lips ghosted over his skin and up to his ear, then she pulled back and turned to dance against him. Black veins began to appear beneath her pale skin and the next time she turned to look at him her eyes were obsidian pools.

[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Arage Bao]

Again he swayed as her touch, and her power enveloped him. Questions appeared to him, who was she... and more importantly how could he have her? His eyes opened, and pools of amber looked back at the obsidian.

Jared was not as far in his corruption as she was, it seemed. Black veins did not appear... yet. Softly he hummed along with the song, savoring the taste of her power around him.

But just like that it ended.

And the silence was tangible, time itself stopped as they watched each other in blissful ignorance of the world surrounding them.

“I concede, you are the better singer.”

His head softly turned around, and regarded the mayhem they had created. Even now people were clawing their eyes out, witnessing untold horrors influenced by his song and magnified by hers.

Brilliant.

“Seems to me we have extinguished them.. fragile souls. Want to go and find some trouble with me, love?”

[member="Anara Valnor"]

 

[Anara Valnor]

"You weren't half bad yourself."

Ever so slowly her eyes returned to normal and the black veins faded away. Once more she looked as 'innocent' as before, shining feral eyes regarding the man as a smile tugged her lips upward. She wasn't one to kill in such a wanton fashion, not normally, but he had started the game so naturally she had needed to finish it.

Turning to face him once more she wrapped her arms around his neck as though they were old lovers instead of complete strangers. "Lead the way, darling," she practically purred. However, her purr ended in a laugh and she pulled away, unable to keep up her antics now that she was no longer singing. She was a simple woman when not bending the Force to her will and so for the time being she let him hold the reigns.

[member="Jared Ovmar"]