Karaoke Night [OPEN]

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

 Between nearly killing himself trying to help people and his talk with Nathan, Peter was exhausted. Even with his upbeat demeanor, it was hard to not say he felt stressed. His flight-breaks no longer helping, he decided he needed to take a few hours. He found himself at the sensoriums, a place he had heard talked about like the holodeck from Star Trek. As he walked in, it was a blank room. He closed his eyes and thought to himself. 

I just need a way to relax.

He suddenly heard music, and opened his eyes to what appeared to be a high class nightclub, but filled with the strangest creatures he had ever seen, even since arriving on the ship. Behind the bar, a green-skinned redhead with horns, more conspicuous for his paisley shirt and purple ascot, was trying to get his attention.  

"Hey, kiddo, didn't you hear them call your name?" The demon said, smiling. "You're up, bubbulah. Don't worry, I picked a good song for you." Peter eyed him warily. Wherever this place had come from, it was not his head. But decided not to question it, and went to stand in front of a karaoke machine on stage. He picked up the mike and saw the song, and smiled. He loved this song. EVERYONE loved this song. Luckily, a few years in boy's choir had given him a sense of tune, and puberty had left him with a decent tenor. So, he began to sing. 

o/` I can't fight this feeling any longer,
      And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow... o/` 

That was all it took. As if suddenly injected with 100 ccs of pure rock ballad awesome, Peter closed his eyes and began letting the music take him, eventually rocking out. He had forgotten what it was like, honestly. Forgotten the fun of just letting go and having fun. And as he finished up the REO Speedwagon classic, breathing heavily and feeling alive, he wished he hadn't. 

But then he opened his eyes to notice more than just his holographic audience had filtered into the "club". 

"Uh... Next?" He said as he hastily replaced the mike and went to get a holo-beer. 

That was embarrassing.  He could only hope someone would follow him up and make it slightly less so.

[ooc: Start a subthread with your character approaching the stage and singing a song. Characters can react to other's performances even if they aren't singing themselves. And any song you'd like, Lorne has the entire mutliverse on karaoke. I'm not asking, and neither should you.]

Comments

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

Allen claps in the doorway.

"I have dibs on Streetlight People."

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

The demon behind the bar looked at Allen.

"The song is 'Don't Stop Believin'', by Journey, sweetheart. And if you want it, get to the stage and take it." He fiddled behind the bar while pouring Peter his holo-beer.

[wolf-that-grins.livejournal.com]

Wags grabs the mike next.

"Okay, some of you might claim it's too soon for this song, but I happen to wanna sing it, so suck it."

"♪Heya Tom, it's Bob from the office down the hall♪
♪Good to see you, buddy; how’ve you been?♪
♪Thing have been OK for me except that I’m a zombie now♪
♪I really wish you’d let us in♪
♪I think I speak for all of us when I say I understand♪
♪Why you folks might hesitate to submit to our demand♪
♪But here’s an FYI: you’re all gonna die screaming...♪"

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

"TOO S- beat me to it."

[stickyboots]

Peter takes the mike, pushes the mask up to rest on the bridge of his nose and clears his throat.

"So, uh, you can join in if you like..."

What? Let him take his time, it's a very personal song. Mid-tempo acoustic guitar starts to lilt through the soundsystem.

"You are... my fiiiire,
The one... desiiiiire,
Believe... when I saaaay,
I waaaaaaant it thaaaaaat a-way..."

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

It just... it was too much. This was a song from Peter's childhood. He quickly jumped on stage with Spidey and grabbed the secondary mic.

o/` Tell me whyyyyyy o/`

That's right, Parker. The other Peter is your backup and harmony.

[ihasvision.livejournal.com]

"♪Shout, shout, let it all out...♪"

The song Shawn's singing suddenly switches to a techno drum intro.

"♪We're no strangers to love♪
♪You know the rules, and so do I♪
♪A full commitment's what I'm thinking of♪
♪You wouldn't get this from any other guy♪

♪I just want to tell you how I'm feeling♪
♪Gotta make you understand♪

♪Never gonna give you up, Never gonna let you down...♪"

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

Catcalls.

[morphitudinous]

The person approaching the stage then was probably one of the last that any of Stacy's refugees would expect to find in this place. No, they were not seeing a Sensorium-induced illusion. That was really Billy Cranston pulling up a stool and hoisting an acoustic guitar into his lap. Those who have little tolerance for country music would be wise to plug their ears now.

...I don't know what it is about the edge of a cliff
Makes me want to get so close to it
I guess this time I finally slipped
What a foolish way to end it
Maybe that's why I'm back here now
got both feet back on the ground
Hopin' you won't turn me down
When I ask you for forgiveness...

Billy's voice definitely wasn't one of the world's strongest, but the mic gave it a quality of resounding despair. It wasn't an terribly stellar voice, true, yet it got the job done.

Then, the song ended and the lights faded. Stunned at his own bold streak, Billy's face started to flush with embarrassment. As he exited stage left and sought shelter in the crowd, he had a moment to ponder the unpredictability of humans afflicted with emotional turmoil; a curious phenomenon that he was certainly not exempt from.

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

Peter looked at Holo-Lorne, and the green-skinned demon motioned Billy over, placing a free soda on the bar for Billy.

"It's a little stronger than a regular coke, kiddo, but as long as you pace yourself, you looked like you could use it." The fiend bartender said sympathetically. Peter himself looked at Billy.

"Good guts, man. And not a bad song, for country."

[theregularguy.livejournal.com]

Sokka is gonna have himself a rocking good time...except he doesn't really know any songs. Well, there's one he does know, but it's kind of lame. Oh well. Let's get to it!

Two lovers, forbidden from one another
A war divides their people
And a mountain divides them apart
Built a path to be together

SECRET TUNNNNEL! SECRET TUNNNNNEL!

Through the mountain!
Secret, secret, secret tunnneelllll!

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

Holo Lorne was already clapping frantically from behind the bar, tears streaming from his eyes.

"Brava! Brava! The emotion... Just... So beautiful..."

Peter simply stated at Holo-Lorne. This was the least intimidating demon he could have ever imagined.

[demon-alessa.livejournal.com]

Yes, believe it or not, even a certain demon was amused by this to get onstage.

It would, of course, be her own preferred way. The light dimmed to a dark green and purple strobe light, and she had her head down. She felt the music start with the trumpet intro, and then the subtle use of the guitar, and her leg stamped in rhyme. She bobbed her head a moment.

I'm all dressed up with nowhere to go
Walkin' with a dead man over my shoulder,

Don't run away its only me
The me-me-me faded, and then the guitars kicked in and so did Alessa, swaying to the music in only the way she could, and because she founded a general jovial song about death very appropriate. She was glad for the effect of her long hair.

There were DEFINITELY more intimidating demons in existance, Peter.

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

This... was the creepiest little girl in existance.

Peter was reminded of that movie "Orphan".

Holo-Lorne was reminded of Cordelia.

[cowsquirtdrinkr.livejournal.com]

The Middleman launches into one of his personal favorites.

"An old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
A-plowing through the ragged sky and up the cloudy draw..."

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

Peter listened happily. As far as country songs go, you DEFINITELY couldn't go wrong with such a classic. And this guy seemed to know the song by heart.

Good times.

[literaryloser.livejournal.com]

Fitz was in his element. This was his thing. His adoring public was waiting, there would be screaming fans, and he had his own guitar.

He cleared his throat and started to play. Oh, he was badass.

"There must be some kinda way outta here, said the Joker to the Thief
There's too much confusion, I can't get no relief
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth."

[cowsquirtdrinkr.livejournal.com]

"Woo! Go!"

[potentialmonkey.livejournal.com]

"Dunno what the rule is about songs we wrote ourselves, but me and Rufus are gonna sing ours anyways."

"Yo', listen up, have a holla from Ron.
'Naked Mole Rap' is the name of the song. (Word!)
Here's the story, in all it's glory.
Ain't hidin' nothin', you'll know what the truth is, how Ron met Rufus.
Never heard a cat bark,
Never heard a puppy purr,
My dad's allergic to every kind of fur.
So I surfed for hairless pets on the internet,
Saw a jpeg of a pink thing...
Gonna need sunscreen!"

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

Holo-Lorne was bopping along with the music and clapping at the end, looking at Peter.

"You didn't get it because you don't know how to loosen up, slugger. The kid wrote a song about the rat! There's no word for that but 'precious'."

Peter still didn't get it. And really wondered why Stacy decided he needed this guy to relax.

[madeofwyn.livejournal.com]

Well... in for a penny, in for a pound. If Wyn was going to make an idiot of herself onstage, she might as well have fun doing it. As she walks onstage, bouncy techno music begins to play-- and she starts to dance.

"Vi undrar är ni redo att vara med
Armarna upp nu ska ni få se
Kom igen
Vem som helst kan vara med!"

Wyn knows that people onboard know the dance, if not the lyrics, and she is totally open to people joining in. In fact, she's rather counting on it.

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

Allen joins in, but sticks to guitar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuWMdPk-9rI) instead of dancing. Except for the interlude.

[lightspeed-attk.livejournal.com]

"Hey! My favorite party game!" Thanks to the Sensorium, Sonic found his old guitar recreated in every detail. And when he started playing and singing into it, the words (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2FD92_lYGg) just seemed to come right to him.

♫ Well I don't show off, don't criticize
I'm just livin' by my own feelings
And I won't give in, won't compromise
'Cause I just only have a steadfast heart of gold

I don't know why, I can't leave though it might be tough
But I ain't out of control, just livin' by my word
Don't ask me why, I don't need a reason
I've got my way, my own way

It doesn't matter now what happens I will never give up the fight
Long as the voice inside drives me to run and fight
It doesn't matter who is wrong or who is right ♫

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

Peter himself had listened to the lyrics of this song. At the end, he clapped happily.

Holo-Lorne, from out of Peter's glance, was watching him and everyone else and smiling.

[imperious_lex]

Lex decides to take the mic and rather fast beat starts playing behind him.

Hey Brother Christian
with your high and mighty errand,
Your actions speak so loud,
I can't hear a word you're saying.
Hey Sister Bleeding Heart
with all of your compassion,
Your labors soothe the hurt
but can't assuage temptation.

Hey man of science
with your perfect rules of measure,
Can you improve this place
with the data that you gather?
Hey Mother Mercy
can your loins bear fruit forever?
Is your fecundity
a trammel or a treasure?

And I want to conquer the world,
Give all the idiots a brand new religion,
Put an end to poverty,
uncleanliness and toil,
Promote equality in all of my decisions
With a quick wink of the eye
And a "God you must be joking!"

Who says he doesn't have a sense of humor?

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

Holo-Lorne looked at Lex and motioned him over, with a scotch presented and ready.

"That was a good song, but you, my friend, have some issues I don't think you want to have as much as you're stuck with them. Care to talk?" The demon smiled, knowing, since as a part of the sensorium, he had more than the ability he had in life, that he was playing Lex's own game against him.

"As long as you're open with me, the drinks are free."

[unsc-rabbit.livejournal.com]

Kelly had never done this before of course. Heck, she hardly knew any music. The Marines played some in the Pelicans before they were dropped sometimes. Strictly against regs of course. But she hadn't minded. Stepping up on stage she took the mic and cleared her throat. If it was possible, the tall, pale Spartan actually looked slightly embarrassed. Skin flushed as she liften the mic to her mouth and began to sing the only song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIx3m74xExs) that came to mind.

"Home is behind,
The world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread,
Through shadow,
To the edge of night,
Until the stars are all aligth,

Mist and shadow,
Cloud and shade,
All shall fade,
All shall...fade..."

Her voice is surprisingly sweet and clear. And when the song ends she looks thoroughly embarrassed.

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

Out of seemingly nowhere, Holo-Lorne jumped from the bar, moving to the stage.

"Now," The effeminite archfiend said to the crowd. "This goes out to a very special young lady, who sang one of my FAVE songs from Lord of the Rings. It's the song of her predecessors, and I've altered it just for her and her comrades."

At this, the karaoke machine begins playing a classic Sousa march.

"From the Halls of Montezuma
To the Shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
of UN Space Corp Marine.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in ev'ry clime and place
Where we could take a gun;
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job--
The UN Space Corp Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve;
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By UN Space Corp Marines." The music ended, and he bowed, and as he walked past Kelly, he stopped.

"You deserve a free drink anytime you would like one, darlin'. I'm glad that people fighting the good fight exist in any world or time." He smiled warmly and walked back to the bar.

[static-shock68.livejournal.com]

"Alright, now, I know some of you are going to call me an idiot for this, but, well, there are reasons." Static said, walking backwards into the sensoriums, playing tour guide to the Outsiders. "I'll be the first to admit, sometimes this is pretty lame, but it's also an amazing team building exercise. I want everyone, at least once, to get up there and try it."

It wasn't the full team; he hadn't been able to find everyone. But, he did grab who he could, and sent a message out to the others to meet him there for the first 'official' team activity.

He was grinning as he led them in. "Everyone, welcome to Karaoke night. And yes, Rose, you can drink. I think."

He quickly rushed up to the bar to tell them his song and grab the mic as soon as it was open. "Here goes nothing..." It wasn't the kindof stuff he always listened to, but it was still good stuff, and he was in a power ballad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U5gJZh5u2Y/) kind of mood.

"Mother mother tell your children
That their time has just begun
I have suffered for my anger
There are wars that can't be won

Father father please believe me
I am laying down my guns
I am broken like an arrow
Forgive me
Forgive your wayward son

Everybody needs somebody to love
(mother, mother)
Everybody needs somebody to hate
(please believe me)
Everybody's bitching
'cause they can't get enough
And it's hard to hold on
When there's no one to lean on

Faith: you know you're gonna live thru the rain
Lord you got to keep the faith
Faith: don't let your love turn to hate
Right now we got to
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Keep the faith
Lord we got to keep the faith... "

[got-a-bad-habit.livejournal.com]

Rose, who had been dragged along with the group of Outsiders attending the outing, smirked at Virg. "Wow, who knew you could sing?" Rose raised a holo-beer to him in toast.

[forced-unlife.livejournal.com]

Singing. That was something Khel could still do, and he really needed some cheering up. He wasn't sure what to sing, but he knew the device they were holding must have amplified voices. When he went and took the mic, he simply said, "Surprise me." To his true surprise, he was greeted by a violin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZvZxxE9OX0), and words on a screen nearby. The hint was obvious: he was to sing the words to the tune of the song. As soon as he started, however, he recognized the wry and twisted sense of humor the Sensorium had.

♫ When the Devil is too busy
And Death's a bit too much
They call on me by name you see,
For my special touch.
To the Gentlemen I'm Miss Fortune
To the Ladies I'm Sir Prize
But call me by any name
Any way it's all the same

I'm the fly in your soup
I'm the pebble in your shoe
I'm the pea beneath your bed
I'm a bump on every head
I'm the peel on which you slip
I'm a pin in every hip
I'm the thorn in your side
Makes you wriggle and writhe

And it's so easy when you're evil
This is the life, you see
The Devil tips his hat to me
I do it all because I'm evil
And I do it all for free
Your tears are all the pay I'll ever need ♫

[waylostandfound.livejournal.com]

Nathan was stopping past with some notes in his hand. He then paused outside the Sensoriums, hearing his brother's voice amidst others. He opened the door, and stepped inside slowly.

........What the hell?

"What the hell?"

[kawalskyeffect.livejournal.com]

Kawalsky almost didn't hear Nathan over the sound of his own laughter. "Yeah, I know. But it's great to watch. Come on in."

[four-lights.livejournal.com]

Picard already knew what he wanted to sing. He demonstrated this by stepping confidently up on stage, his Starfleet uniform quite the difference from his usual 1920s Sensorium ensemble. He turned to the man next to him and grinned. "Come on, Worf, there's nothing to be afraid of."

♪ A British tar is a soaring soul (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyyjCn1ML3k),
As free as a mountain bird,
His energetic fist should be ready to resist
A dictatorial word.

His nose should pant
and his lip should curl,
His cheeks should flame
and his brow should furl,
His bosom should heave
and his heart should glow,
And his fist be ever ready
for a knock-down blow. ♪

[sonof-mogh.livejournal.com]

Worf merely shook his head emphatically from his spot near the stage.

[gogopowersuit.livejournal.com]

How did Samus get here? She's, like, the anti-fun of the ship. Moreover, she steps up, and, yes, she is actually going to sing (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyR-HmJS2qQ).

"So this ain't the end- I saw you again - today
I had to turn my heart away
You smiled like the sun- kisses for everyone
And tales- it never fails!

You're lying so low in the weeds
I bet you're gonna ambush me
You'd have me down, down, down, down on my knees
Now wouldn't you, barracuda?

OH!

Back over time when we were all trying for free
You met the porpoise and me
No right, no wrong, you're selling a song- a name
Whisper game

And if the real thing don't do the trick
You better make up something quick
You gonna burn, burn, burn, burn, burn it to the wick
Ooooh, barracuda!"

She's actually got a pretty good voice! And also may or may not have been taking advantage to the various alcoholic substances that were stored away in her ship.

[governmentninja]

Cheers and applause for Samus!

[top-teen-38.livejournal.com]

Slobo listened to Static's song, and got up himself.

"This song... It's my life story, short an' sweet. Anyone interrupts me or joins in? I frag ya. Just lemme get it out and off stage." With that, a familiar intro sequence to all came on. And then, unexpectedly, Slobo's normally grated voice elevated into a raspy tenor. It wasn't perfect, but damn if he wasn't hitting at least half the notes, and the emotion seemed genuine, by the fact he had his eyes closed against the lyrics.

o/`I wake up in the morning
And I raise my weary head
I got an old coat for a pillow
And the earth was last night's bed
I don't know where I'm going
Only God knows where I've been
I'm a devil on the run
A six gun lover
A candle in the wind
When you're brought into this world
They say you're born in sin
Well at least they gave me something
I didn't have to steal or have to win
Well they tell me that I'm wanted
Yeah I'm a wanted man
I'm colt in your stable
I'm what Cain was to Abel
Mister catch me if you can
I'm going down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
I'm going down in a blaze of glory
Lord I never drew first
But I drew first blood
I'm no one's son
Call me young gun
You ask about my consience
And I offer you my soul
You ask If I'll grow to be a wise man
Well I ask if I'll grow old
You ask me if I known love
And what it's like to sing songs in the rain
Well,I've seen love come
And I've seen it shot down
I've seen it die in vain
Shot down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
'Cause I'm going down in a blaze of glory
Lord I never drew first
But I drew first blood
I'm the devil's son
Call me young gun
Each night I go to bed
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
No I ain't looking for forgiveness
But before I'm six foot deep
Lord,I got to ask a favor
And I'll hope you'll understand
'Cause I've lived life to the fullest
Let the boy die like a man
Staring down the bullet
Let me make my final stand
Shot down in a blaze of glory
Take me now but know the truth
I'm going out in a blaze of glory
Lord I never drew first
But I drew first blood
and I'm no one's son
Call me young gun
I'm a young gun... o/`

The music finished and Slobo got off the stage silently.

[got-a-bad-habit.livejournal.com]

Cat calls and wolf whistles follow his performance, Rose has just about fallen off her bar stool with the applause. "Jesus, could you find a better song?"

[bostonbeatcop.livejournal.com]

Robert stepped up onto the stage, stood there uncomfortably for a moment before he started off into his song.

♫Imagination (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEUn8avFkwM) is funny
It makes a cloudy day sunny
It makes a bee think of honey
Just as I think of you

Imagination is crazy
Your whole perspective gets hazy
Starts you asking a daisy
What to do, what to do

Have you ever felt a gentle touch
And then a kiss, and then and then
Find it's only your imagination again

Imagination is silly
You go around willy nilly
For example I go around wanting you
And yet I can't imagine that you want me too...

[twelvevoltman.livejournal.com]

Never one to avoid the spotlight, Allen takes the stage again, still with electric guitar, a bit more solemn this time around.

"This is for a special lady who may or may not be in podsleep."

He raises his eyebrows and starts playing along with the recording, complex and improvisational.

I raced along an empty highway.
I chased the dawn
And cursed the new day,
Out of town, till nobody was around.

Love came along, my favorite enemy,
We hit head-on.
Why you befriended me... I don't know.
There's no need for letting go
When you've already lost control.

My life is open wide
The more you live, the less you will die.
Outside, floating free,
I'm finally open to see...
Could you be any more comfort to me?
Could you be any more comfort to me?

[got-a-bad-habit.livejournal.com]

Rose hadn't wanted to sing, it brought back memories of sitting at her mothers feet and sing to her. Sweet Lili was gone and she had her childhood wrenched away from her. After that Rose only sang to herself, for herself. So this was going to be something different. Loren seemed to understand, dimming the house lights and bringing up a barstool to the stage, acoustic guitar handed over to the white haired girl.

She made a point to not let her single eye fix on the crowd, she kept it down on the string, her fingers finding the right chords to start, a soft haunting tune pouring out. Her voice, strong, deep and smooth followed after the introductory bar, something that was surprisingly mellow for her reputation.


"No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes

No one knows what it's like
To be hated
To be fated
To telling only lies

But my dreams
They aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be

I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

No one knows what it's like
To feel these feelings
Like I do
And I blame you

No one bites back as hard
On their anger
None of my pain and woe
Can show through

But my dreams
They aren't as empty
As my conscience seems to be

I have hours, only lonely
My love is vengeance
That's never free

When my fist clenches, crack it open
Before I use it and lose my cool
When I smile, tell me some bad news
Before I laugh and act like a fool

If I swallow anything evil
Put your finger down my throat
If I shiver, please give me a blanket
Keep me warm, let me wear your coat

No one knows what it's like
To be the bad man
To be the sad man
Behind blue eyes"

She didn't wait for an audience reaction, simply handed off the guitar and stepped down moving back to the far end of the bar and ordering another beer...or four.

[top-teen-38.livejournal.com]

Slobo did something he normally wouldn't do. Nor would any sane person, who wasn't nearly invulnerable.

He walked up to Rose Wilson, pulled her to face him, then gave her a hug.

After which, he quickly backed off and looked both ways, like he was afraid of people seeing him do that.

"That took guts, and yer song was just as perfect as mine was. So... thanks. I know ya hate trust buildin' exercises, but at least here we get booze, and get ta get things off our chests." He smiled. "Ain't so bad. And I hear sensorium beer don't give ya hangovers."

[notadamnangel.livejournal.com]

Dean didn't know anything about this. Least he was pretty sure he hadn't. Still he wasn't really expecting to sing, but his steps lead him toward the microphone. Oh why not?

The music briefly started to play Master of Puppets, until Dean just glared at the sound system behind.

"Dude, really?"

The music abruptly changed to a piano solo and opening guitar riffs.

"

...Carry on my wayward son,
For there'll be peace when you are done
Lay your weary head to rest
Now don't you cry no more

Masquerading as a man with a reason
My charade is the event of the season
And if I claim to be a wise man, it surely
means that I don't know
On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
I set a course for winds of fortune, but
I hear the voices say

"

[hero-medic.livejournal.com]

Peter was moved. Honestly. This wasn't a drunked guy or someone with something to prove. This was a guy, around his age, pouring his heart out in front of other people. Much as he had done with Spidey, Peter snuck onstage, grabbed the secondary mic, and began to harmonize with the man from vaguely out of sight.

o/` Carry on my Wayward Sooooooooooon....
There'll be peace when you are doooooone... o/`

[kaya-waterwave.livejournal.com]

This was something that would be one of her first participation with the Outsiders. Katara hadn't really been sure what to sing at first: all the others sung pretty nice songs, some in jest, some, like Rose's, pretty in their way. But with all the feelings she'd been having, with all of the quiet battles she'd been thinking about, she found a song that would make her happy to be a little vulnerable. In that way, she wanted it to be something for her: soft, mournful and beautiful.

The lights dimmed, and it was a dark blue and a soft white.

Lithium, don't wanna lock me up inside
Lithium, don't wanna forget how it feels without
Lithium, I wanna stay in love with my sorrow
Oh, but God I wanna let it go

Come to bed, don't make me sleep alone
Couldn't hide the emptiness, you let it show
Never wanted it to be so cold
Just didn't drink enough to say you love me

I can't hold on to me
Wonder what's wrong with me?

Lithium, don't wanna lock me up inside
Lithium, don't wanna forget how it feels without
Lithium, I wanna stay in love with my sorrow

Don't wanna let it lay me down this time
Drown my will to fly
Here in the darkness I know myself
Can't break free until I let it go, let me go

Darling, I forgive you after all
Anything is better than to be alone
And in the end I guess I had to fall
Always find my place among the ashes

I can't hold on to me
Wonder what's wrong with me?

Lithium, don't wanna lock me up inside
Lithium, don't wanna forget how it feels without
Lithium, stay in love with mmm
I'm gonna let it go

Part of her knew it was for Aang, and part of her knew it was for her world. She couldn't show anyone the true feelings on that, but she'd at least try to sing it the best way she knew how.

It made her feel better anyway.

[morphitudinous]

Well, Katara, you have Billy's ear. Every emotion in her voice twisted through him, every word spoke to a pain he never thought he'd understand until now.

Billy didn't think it would quite appropriate to whoop at the end of the song, choosing instead to clap enthusiastically and to attempt to catch her eye.