Tomorrows a Brand New Day (Alisha)

[Victor Ambrose]

"Hey Christian! How about another beer?"
He grabbed one from the cooler and slid it down the bar.
He didn't wait for a thank you because he really couldn't care less. He knew they were being polite and they were just making sure they didn't cross him. After all, numerous people have walked in asking for a fight from him, and lost horribly in a matter of seconds. Those fights almost cost him his tenth job. The only reason they haven't fired him from this one is because he requested to be named Christian and because he could play guitar. Both of which no one would recognize him as Victor Ambrose.

He sighed and went back to cleaning glasses. It was a slow day, but it sure beat being on the streets looking for a job. He didn't complain, and he sure didn't mind going on stage playing a song, especially when a few people volunteered to do Karaoke. That was rare, but it happened. Rested his voice, but also, he got to hear a lot of great talent.
He put down one glass, and picked up another to clean.

It was strange that he sort of wanted to do something else for a living though. He was growing a little tired of the bartending job, but he didn't know what to do with himself. It was all he knew how to do, aside from fighting, but no job demanded a fighter who studied various martial arts all over the world.

[*alishariley]

She couldn't believe she was doing this. Walking into some random bar she hasn't even been in yet, and she was gonna see about there open mic night. Could she get any stupider?

As Alisha drove down the street towards the bar, her friends had told her about she thought that to herself. She felt like an idiot, but she was only a block away from it, there was no turning back. She continued to drive until she hit the stop sign, where she turned left. She coasted down the street until she saw the bar and slowly pulled over parking against the curb on the other side of the street.

Slowly she moved from her car, it was her favorite in the world, it was her baby.

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She smiled and let the car beep to sound it was closed and then moved towards the entrance of the bar. She smiled and pulled her purse up higher onto her shoulder and moved into the bar looking around. She wasn't quite sure what to expect, but as she moved towards the bar she saw someone that was quite an eye catcher.

A good looking bar tender always brightened her spirits before, but this was also a new area. She didn't want to be too flirty, so she made her way over to the bar, while taking in her surroundings. There was a stage with a guitar, base and drum set, also a keyboard, many other things as well. Booths, chairs, tables and other things filled the place perfectly, but tonight didn't seem very busy.

As she got closer to the bar she felt a hand place itself on her ass and squeeze slightly. "Excuse me!" She whipped around to bring her leg up at the guys chin.. her reflexes quick. But did it hit?

[Victor Ambrose]

A loud engine seemed to get louder and louder as it approached the bar. Sounded familiar. Either a Mazda or a Volkeswagen. Similar in sound. He always had good senses, but the fact that he was now a werewolf heightened the senses in every way. He smiled when he heard the car stop, beep to confirm that it locked, and saw a female. He looked using his peripheral vision, but it was as clear as day. Around 5'4" or 5'5", some where in the mid 120 pounds, blue eyes, and dark brown hair. Probably just a typical girl looking for a wild night.

*Slap* "Excuse me!"
Out of reflex, he threw a shot glass in the direction of the slap without needing to look. He heard the contact as the shattering noise filled the air as well as a loud thud followed by a manly grunt. He never looked up. He knew it would creep people out for a guy to have thrown a glass and make direct contact...especially with the amount of force he directed at the glass. "No fighting and none of that. You guys want to take care of that, fine by me, but not when I am on duty and never inside. Have I made my point?" He then looked toward the guy on the floor and to the girl. "Or do I have to start kicking people out?"

'And just when I thought today was a good day. I seriously need to find a better job."

[*alishariley]

She sighed softly watching the guys body flop to the floor, and slowly but surely brought her leg down and swiftly turned around and started walking to a stool. ~Wow, if I had actually kicked that guy, I would have gotten another suspension for teaching fighting skills, again.~

She moved up onto the stool and looked up at the guy raising an eyebrow. "Thanks for that, you saved me a lot of trouble." She laughed softly and placed her purse on the counter looking around a little more. The bar wasn't too fancy but it wasn't a dump either. A great paint job covered the walls, but the furniture could have been updated a little bit. She wasn't exactly sure what she was looking for at this very moment, did she want to sing right now? Have a drink before she went up on stage? Or did she want to just have a nice glass of cold water and relax before she even decided on singing or liquor.

When she turned around the bartender was gone from where she was, and because of this she leaned over the counter and kinda made a waving movement. "Hello? Can I have a drink over here?" She hoped that this would cause him to come over to her, instead of just sliding the drink down the counter.

She turned back around and waited, while looking at the scarce population of the bar. She slightly felt his presence moving back toward her, so with out turning around she spoke. " Is it usually so slow, at this bar?" While she said this, she played with the buckle on her heels, she felt so odd in this place. Maybe it was the atmosphere, but she felt different here. She was glad she wore a more fitting outfit for her body, because if she wore any less or anymore, she'd probably have to walk out now. Either she would be notice or not at all, so this was the perfect outfit for her to wear.

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As she fiddled with her heel she waited for his answer, and for him to ask what drink she would like.

~I wonder, if I should even try singing, I mean, I don't know I guess I'll just have to find out.~ She said to herself while waiting.

[Victor Ambrose]

((Not to sound like a dick or anything, but can you leave the control of my character to me? Sorry.))
"Thanks for that, you saved me a lot of trouble."
"Don't mention it." he then walked away. He didn't like getting close to people, especially since he wasn't in a particularly good mood today. The fact that that prick almost cost him his job because of his reflex wasn't helping him either.
'I hope I don't hear about this when I close up the bar. This is the last bar in town, and I don't feel like moving.' (((This is a thought, not a statement coming from his mouth)))
He sighed and continued to rearrange the bar and clean up a bit after some of the previous guests and messy employees.
She leaned over the counter and kinda made a waving movement. "Hello? Can I have a drink over here?"
'Not helping here lady' He was on edge, and the fact that he was just recently turned into a wolf, his natural tendency to be protective of his pride and self-image could put him in a pissy ranting mood, which wasn't the way to keep his job. He sighed again. Although her actions weren't really making him feel any better than he already was, he calmly turned around, walked over to her. "Sorry about that. Lot on my mind. What will it be for today?"
"Is it usually so slow, at this bar?"
"It's not a well known bar, and most people don't enjoy the concept of Karaoke. They are afraid that someone with a really bad voice will come on stage and ruin the evening. It's happened one to many times, especially at this bar. But every now and then we get some pretty good talent.

[*alishariley]

{{sorry I didn't mean to}}

She laughed softly and looked to the stage. " I was hoping I'd get to see someone perform, before I tried." She spoke softly and then turned around to him and smiled. " Do you think I should sing?" She waited for his reply while fiddling with her clothing.

She had to wonder if the bar would ever pick up if she started singing there. Maybe get a job as an entertainer at the bar, while she was down in california. She looked back at the man and then back to the stage wondering what exactly she should do. Did she eve have a song to sing? She reached into her purse and pulled out her ipod and started scrolling through the artists, with out putting the earphones in her ears. She searched for a song as she waited for the guy to speak.

Her eyes wandered over to him every once in a while just to take him in. He really seemed to catch her eye, he was gorgeous and kinda looking. Not only that but his muscles rippled slightly beneath her shirt. Alisha had a good eye for the muscular physique of something, but she didn't understand why. ~Well, I'm pretty sure he benches a lot, probably fights in his spare time, his muscles are ripped that way.~ She smiles and looks back at him, tilting her head. "Do you know of a song I could sing?"

[Victor Ambrose]

((It's okay...just be careful next time ^_^...other than that, keep up the good work.))

He felt her gaze looking at him. It was a common thing with him. He never understood why, but people just liked the way he looked. He didn't look at her to confirm it. In fact, he didn't make eye contact with anyone. It was a thing he did because he didn't want anyone to recognize him.

" I was hoping I'd get to see someone perform, before I tried." It was barely audible because of how softly she spoke the words, but thanks to him being partly werewolf, he heard it, but didn't say a thing.
"Do you think I should sing?"
That's when he looked up at her for the first time. ((Yes, I know he saw her when she walked in, but this is more of a look at her to get a better look.))
"Your life, your choices. But it has been pretty dull around here, and it would be a good thing, but again, your life, your choices."
He looked away again, and almost cursed himself. He didn't like looking at peoples faces when he worked.

"Do you know of a song I could sing?"
'Well, I know a lot of songs she could sing. In fact, I know all the songs on the Karaoke machine. Stupid speakers busted that I had to learn them all. But it depends on her voice and style. Well, there is that one song I haven't played in a long time and wouldn't mind playing. Either that one or the other ones I'm really good at. Hmmm....'
He shrugged and looked at her. He pulled out the list of songs and then pointed to a the songs he had in mind:

[/i] by Eagle-Eye Cherry
2) She Thinks She Needs Me by Andy Girggs
3) All We Are by Matt Nathanson
4) Driftwood by Travis
5) Let Me Go by 3 Doors Down[/ul]
"Those are what I would chose."

[*alishariley]

Alisha moved back on her stool lightly and leaned forward, looking over the list. It seemed she knew all the songs very well, but one was catching her eye. It was a song she hadn't sang in a long time and her best guy friend used to sing it to her all the time, before he died. Her glassy eyes moved up towards the bartender and then she pointed at the very first song.

"This song, is perfect." She slowly looked back up at him and tilted her head. "Also, what is your name, it seems I've never learned it." She smiled softly and turned to the side slightly looking up at the bar.

It seemed that he was a little prideful, seeing as that he never truly looked at her for too long. It wasn't that she wanted him to look at her in the sexual way or even notice her like that, but he didn't even really look at her when he talked to her. It was odd to see this, but maybe there was a good explanation, and she would just have to wait for it.

She just waited to see how he would react to her song, and seeing as that she didn't know the bar or how it worked here, she could just start singing up on stage. So she would wait for his response and take a nice sip of her water while she did.

[Victor Ambrose]

"This song, is perfect." She slowly looked back up at him and tilted her head. "Also, what is your name, it seems I've never learned it."
As unavoidable as it was, he had to look at her. It was rude not to introduce ones self without looking at the person. He whispered softly, "The name is Victor, but call me Christian. It's a long story, but it would probably save me another day of job hunting for at least a month."

He finally looked at her song selection and smiled. "This is the song you want to sing?" He sort of could help but smile as the thought of him finally getting to play the guitar kicked in. Also, it was one of his favorite songs, so he was just happy to play it. "It's a good choice, so when do you want to start?" He knew he didn't tell her he was the guitarist for the bar, so he would keep it a secret till she was ready, and he would spring it on her, and not be subtle. He had a plan, and he couldn't help but smile. 'This girl could have actually become the highlight to my day.'

[*alishariley]

She smiled up at him when her looked at her. "Thought I was gonna have to stare at the side of your face or the top of you head for the rest of my life." She laughed softly and drank the rest of her water and then looked up at the stage.

Was she really going to go up and sing in front of the small crowd that was in the bar? She had been singing at clubs, but for some reason it was easier for her. In a club no one really pays any attention to the entertainment, just the hips that they are gyrating with. She sighed softly and looked back at him, blushing slightly. "I guess I'm ready now?" She wasn't sure whether she had said that with confidence or not. It was hard to tell as she just sat there looking at him.

She then remembered back to the statement he had said earlier. She leaned in and looked up at him, "Why do you wish to be called Christian?" She was very confused as to why he wanted to be called by something that wasn't his real name. Besides she liked the name Victor it was powerful to her, in it's own way.

While she waited for his answer she looked back at the stage and then to all the people that were in the bar. Nothing was really all too interesting, except for the one who she was talking to. There was something about Victor that made her interested in him, and though she loved to flirt. She never found too many guys that were truly interesting. She turned around and looked back at him and smiled. "Well...?"

[Victor Ambrose]

"Thought I was gonna have to stare at the side of your face or the top of you head for the rest of my life."
"Most people do." he laughed a little bit.
"Why do you wish to be called Christian?"
"It's a long story that has no time or place in any conversation."
"Well?"
"To satisfy your curiosity though, it's because I am trying to avoid certain people as well as keep the 10th job I managed to get in a week. Yes, that means I lost 9 jobs previous to this one, all because of my name."
He sighed, hoping she wouldn't press more on the matter. "You ready?"
"I guess I'm ready now?"
He saw that her response was a little confused. She seemed like she was still debating if she actually was.
"Whenever you are ready, go to the machine and highlight, but don't select your song." He showed her that the machine was left of the stage. "After you do, signal me to come on stage, and from there all you have to do is sing." He smiled at her. It's been a while since they had anyone sing, and he was hoping she had a good voice.
He put his hand on her shoulder and said, "No one is going to hate you if you decide not to sing, so don't worry about it and take your time."
He gave her another drink and told her it was on the house...mainly because it was going to come out of his check, but he didn't really care.

[*alishariley]

"Whenever you are ready, go to the machine and highlight, but don't select your song. After you do, signal me to come on stage, and from there all you have to do is sing. No one is going to hate you if you decide not to sing, so don't worry about it and take your time."

Alisha pondered on his words for a few seconds, eyeing the machine to the left of the stage. Was she really going to do this? A cold feeling came over her as she thought of continuing her little plan; was she worrying too much? She asked herself more and more questions, her heart beating a little bit faster. Her mind came back to his statement: why would she need not to select her song, but instead signal him to come on stage? She couldn’t really figure this out, except, she thought, if he was the one who would actually play the instruments. Her mind was filled with utter amazement at this man; it would be great to sing while he played the instrument. She did like guys who knew what they were doing, and this guy seemed to know and carefully watch his actions. But she didn’t want to get her hopes up, though she knew she was starting to like this Victor. Or Christian. Whatever he might have liked to be called, she likes him anyway.

Her ocean blue eyes gazed upon him as he gave her another drink, stating it was on the house. ~On the house?~ she thought. She wasn’t sure if she did want to accept this, he had, after all, said to her earlier it was his tenth job, lucky enough to have been able to keep it in a week. But most of the time she had found it uncomfortable to not accept the offers of those who seemed willing to give, and he seemed to not have cared that it was coming out of his check. Alisha gave out a low sigh, and her lips curved into a sweet smile, “Thanks.” She felt the icy surface of the glass as she took it into her hand, drinking just a bit. She put down the glass, and lifted her hand up to her ear, playing with her earrings. She was nervous, obviously. But Alisha knew that at times, she needed to just go and do things without thinking too much.

She drank a bit once more and stood up, and a nervous sigh escaped her lips. “Here it goes,” she whispered gently to herself. She did exactly what he had instructed her earlier, and shyly signaled him to come on stage. The sound of her heart pounding was like that of a thousand thunders on a stormy day, but she’s already here, and she can’t back out now. Her eyes focused on him, anticipating for what he does next.

[Victor Ambrose]

She gave him the signal. "ALL RIGHT BOYS! SADDLE UP! IT'S KARAOKE TIME!" All at once the entire place cheers and claps. Again, it was rare for them to get a brave soul to stand in front of everyone else and sing, especially with a real band behind them and an audience in front of them.
He was the lead guitarist, and the song she chose was just what he needed… a song with a lot of guitar. In fact the entire song was guitar, along with a bit of everything in a couple parts here and there. Yet, what seems like a chaotic song for those who have never heard it, is a song that is more beautiful than most songs Victor has ever heard, and that says a lot.
He will listen to anything, but when it comes to playing, Victor is really picky about his music choices. The song has to be almost perfect in order for him to play it.
Other than that, he usually makes his own music, which to him, is never good enough.
There are those few exceptions that he finds incredible, and everyone who has heard them say he should make a record, but he wouldn't dream about doing that.
He has seen good songs go bad because of record companies, remixes, and greedy mother fuckers who would degrade themselves for cash.
No.
He would rather sick to the good old way of making music. From the heart and for nothing more than to play it and to see the smiles on the faces of those who listen to it.

He looked at the person next to the Machine and signaled him to press the button. The screen had a count down, and Victor said along with the machine into the microphone, "5,4,3,2…" and then the music came. All faded away, except him and the sound of the guitar. It was usually like that. Nothing mattered to him other than the guitar and him. Especially this guitar. This wasn't any guitar, it was THE guitar. Meaning beyond all meanings.

As he was playing, the words haven't started yet. 'Alright. Show us what you got.'

[*alishariley]

Alisha's heart skipped a beat as 'Christian' moved up behind her with a guitar. God, was she really going to just sing up on stage, with a live band behind her. Though she had sang in front of many people before it was always with a CD but... was a live band, she didn't even know. She looked at the screen and then back at him as she heard his voice count down.

Her breath caught in her chest and throat, she sighed softly and closed her eyes listening to the guitar. Her eyes slowly opened, she already knew the song:

Go on and close the curtains
cause all we need is candle light
You and me and a bottle of wine
going to hold you tonight
Well we know I'm going away
and how I wish, I wish it weren't so
So take this wine and drink with me
let's delay our misery

She couldn't believe she even got past the first verse, it was shaky but not horrible she admitted. She was some what out of her comfort zone, but as she got herself ready for the chorus she knew she could get used to this live band thing.

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

There's a log on the fire
and it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes with one desire
to take me away it's true
It ain't easy to say goodbye
darling please don't start to cry
Cause girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so

Her body started to move with the beat as she started smiling brightly, her eyes zoning in on certain people, to get them even more interested in the song. Her body flowing with the lyrics and gyrating with the flow of the song.

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Tomorrow comes to take me away
I wish that I, that I could stay
Girl you know I've got to go, oh
Lord I wish it wasn't so

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone

Save tonight
and fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone
tomorrow I'll be gone.......


She held the note for a wavering second and then let it drop. The song made her feel so much better, she didn't feel stressed she just felt good. She slowly turned to Victor and smiled, a soft blush gracing her features as she felt the heat that had risen on her cheeks.

Her eyes were bright with delight as she turned around and bowed to the crowd. She just couldn't believe she had gotten through the whole song, with a lot more ease than she thought. She was amazed at herself and the man standing behind her, what made her get through the whole song, with out messing up was how well he had played the guitar. A beautiful gift he had, and she loved it.

[Victor Ambrose]

Music filled the air as the crowd grew silent. Everyone, including and mainly Victor, prayed for a good voice. They didn't need to lose more patrons to a person who decided to ruin every ones day. If that was the case, he would probably lose more money because not many people will be here to buy drinks. A bartenders job depended on the number of patrons that came in and drank their sorry little hearts out. Less people = less money, and Victor couldn't afford it. 'Alright. Show us what you got.'

---

(First part of the song)

---

'A bit shaky, but not bad. Just take it one step at a time.'
He couldn't deny she had a great voice… probably one of the best voices he has heard in a long time. It relieved him partially. She was still a bit nervous. If she was going to go anywhere with this song, she would have to loosen up. He also didn't want to hear a shaky voice through out the song he labeled his favorite on the machine. It would just ruin another song for him.

---

(Second part of the song)

---

'That's it. Feel the beat, and let yourself go.'
It was a relief to Victor that she was able to let herself enjoy the music and to be able to sing. Most people couldn't sing with a band behind them, but she seemed to pull it off pretty well. All she had to do was keep it up, and everything would be okay.

---

(Last part of the song)

---

When the band stopped playing, the audience was roaring with cheers and applause. He grabbed the closest microphone and turned it on. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Give it up for Ms. Alisha!" He turned off the microphone and he started clapping, and the band wasn't far behind, showing her their satisfaction.
'It's been a while since I've seen this bar so alive. It's a different change of pace… and refreshing.'
He gave her a thumbs up and mouthed the words "Good Job"