Le nudge.
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Dillon considers it for a moment. "Well, if you don't mind, I think I'd like to take a crack at it."
There is the kind of idle scratch at the back of his head that comes with a dip of his brow to indicate something akin to modesty or humility. "I'm sure you could play circles around me; I'm not that good. But the chord progression to the one I've got in mind is fairly simple. I think I can manage.
"If that's alright with you, of course. I understand if lending it away--" hazel eyes point to the resting guitar, "even briefly-- makes you nervous."
He rather thinks it's time for a little real-world practice.
Laughing at Mike's comment, Dillon offers a little head-shake of regret. "Not that I'm aware of. A vocal back-up though, if either of you are game. Of course I'd be willing to return the favor for whatever either of you perform."
This time, the Gangrel's gaze and nod indicate the pan flute. "We should look into practicing with that, sometime. There are enough casual musicians among our circle of friends that we could come up with an interesting piece, I'd wager."
Dillon knows Martha and Emma to be accomplished pianists, for example. And there are a great many Kindred who learn how to carry a tune with their long-dead voices.
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"Oh no, it's alright," Mary replies offering the guitar. "Just take good care of him." Mary speaks affectionately of her instrument - and her use of 'him' really drives home the point to anyone paying close attention.
"And sure, I can do some backing vocals, if I know the song. What did you have in mind?"
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Gettin' this show on the road!
His name-- or that is, the obvious joke name John Fogerty-- coming up first, Dillon stands to make his way to the stage before anyone else. He quickly answers the question and secures the co-singing talents of whichever of his present friends is willing. Be it Martha, Mary, or Mike.
All them 'em's.
Settling in to the stool in front of those gathered with ease, Dillon grins happily. It isn't soul-deep. He is a vampire, after all. But he remembers happiness. Holding on to his own humanity has preserved that, and he pulls it out when he needs to. Either when he needs to put a room full of people in the right mood, or when he needs the satisfaction of such nuances for his own pleasure.
Indulging in the occasional nostalgia can save your Requiem.
"Hi," he says, very simply and brightly to everyone. "How is everyone?"
Hopefully somebody at least says something. Whether it's an abstract collection of 'woo!'s, or some smart remark from a wiseguy in the corner, Dillon's grin adds a chuckle. He's perfectly suited to this, whether he's very used to it or not.
"Right. So I'm still getting the hang of this," he begins strumming the chords to the rhythm of the song behind his words, not quite in the song, yet. "So if I screw up... er, bear with me."
It's like a premonition. Something about the way the chords line up isn't quite right. And anyone with a musical ear can hear it. Fortunately, Dillon hears it too, before he gets really started, and stops abruptly.
Eliciting a smatter of quiet laughter from all around.
"'Kay, wait..." he says through a grin and laugh into the microphone.
Uh.... G, B minor, then C, then G. Get it together man.
The next try sounds much better. In the proper order, the chords form a much more familiar pattern. One which many seem to pick up on several seconds before Dillon begins singing in a clear, honest tone. A bit higher, and less gruff than the one he tends to use for speaking.
"I pulled into Nazareth, I was feeling 'bout half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head
'Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?'
He just grinned and shook my hand, and 'No!' was all he said
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free~
Take a load off, Fanny
And__________
Put the load right on me
I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walking side by side
I said, 'Hey, Carmen... come on, let's go downtown'
She said, 'I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around'
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free~
Take a load off, Fanny
And__________
Put the load right on me
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothing you can say
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waiting on the Judgement Day
'Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?'
He said, 'Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Anna Lee company?'
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free~
Take a load off, Fanny
And__________
Put the load right on me
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog
He said, 'I will fix your rags, if you'll take Jack, my dog'
I said, 'Wait a minute, Chester... you know I'm a peaceful man'
He said, 'That's okay, boy... won't you feed him when you can'
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free~
Take a load off, Fanny
And__________
Put the load right on me
Catch a Cannonball, now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free~
Take a load off, Fanny
And__________
Put the load right on me..."
Couldn't resist the chance to use this!
"Thank you," he says to the audience with a wave as he passes Mary's guitar back to her. "And thank you," he adds to her. Wherever Martha wound up in all of this, she gets a sly wink.
@Princess @Chrisie @Matamune
Silly 'Grel curse :P
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Retrieving her guitar with graceful movements and a warm, "You're welcome," with Dillon as the clear target, Mary takes his seat as well up on the stage to proceed, without further adieu, to play her songs.
The first one, with it's calm strumming and hopeful nature, proceeds with proficiency and nothing is wrong with it, but her take on the first song certainly wasn't anything to write home about.
But it seems when the ennui and lust and confusion enter into it, she's far more convincing in her cover of the admittedly not-well-known second song of her performance - perhaps convincing enough for people to mistake it for her own work? I'd have to actually be good at something to write a song. They were probably just staring at her because of how bad she did, anyway, she figures. How else would an entire room be marvelling at her?
Or maybe she just sang her heart out and almost burst into tears in front of a crowd and they loved it.
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Martha was only too happy to join in and smiled as she hobbled and skipped to daintily take her place at the piano.
Nodding to show her obedience as Dillon and Mary take the lead.
Ah! But Martha really did enjoy bashing out those strong chords to help add life and luster to Mary and Dillon's soulful singing.
This, she decided as she bashed out a powerful series of chords to match Dillon's instructions and what she knew of the song already, is what music is all about...playing live...er Undead...
Vocoder's would get no mercy here.
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