not dressed for this

[Maelea Mareaux]

Nodding to the music she was mentally going through her set what she did, what she felt went wrong, and how to fix it for next time. Then she started mentally prepping for her next set that would happen in about half an hour, since there were more bands to perform that night. She liked busy nights there was just so much energy and most times more time in between sets. That gave her more time to warm up for her next set. Her next one would be more of her usual stuff not so much proving herself to judgmental jerks.

"See wha'?" Mae snapped out of her revere turning to gaze at Zoe who yet again seemed to be blushing. "Zoey-gurl wha's wrong?" Concerned creasing her features she scooted a little closer to her friend. She was used to basically spouting out whatever came to her head, except for the few things she just couldn't get out. Those thoughts she crammed into her songs. So she didn't quite understand why Zoe had problem telling her things, and often found it extremely frustrating. "Come one tell meeeee."

Thinking she wasn't going to get anywhere she sighed head starting to drift back to music. Then she remembered the body guard and asked her question. Thickly lined eyes narrowing she jerked her head in the direction of the guard. "Jus' mean don' earn ya Men in Black. Wha' the hey happened? Iffin ya worried I migh' get hurt don'. I have other means to get back at people tha' don' get me anywhere near 'em." The spider on her hand reared back fangs bared for emphasis. Mae stroked a finger down the arachnid's back to calm him worried eyes focusing on Zoe.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"Nothing's wrong," Zoe insisted with absolutely no convincing word in the entire short statement. She fidgeted, her hands playing yet again with the glass of soda that Mae had bought for her. She took another drink, less because she wanted or needed it and more out of the need to do something with her lips and hands, something that would prevent her from doing anything... foolish.

Mae kept insisting though, and Zoe kept fidgeting. She looked away, looked down, seemed to want to just vanish completely. The men in black? Zoe thought there was some kind of reference there that she wasn't getting, but she certainly didn't want to ask it now, given everything else. She sighed, looking at the coke. "I... well, um, I sort of paralyzed my girlfriend because we got excited and---well, um, Dirty Laundry, this mean blog, found out, and, I--they called me the Lesbian Pikachu and---then the press found it and..."

She chewed her lip, fighting back tears. She tried to hide them by taking another sip, her hand shaking with the motion. She thought she saw a spider or something out of the corner of her eyes, and she was just thankful that she wasn't skittish of the creatures. That would be the last thing she needed right now.

[Maelea Mareaux]

She wanted so badly to throttle the girl if only it would make her talk! Mae nearly thunked her head against the bar top but thought better of it considering how sticky it was. No matter how many times the bar tender might wipe it down it always felt sticky to her. But she was like a bulldog with a bone not likely to let go easily. Sure it didn't always work on people, and digging too hard can push some away. But she was nosy, persistant, and worried about the demure flower.

Glass to her lips she froze as Zoe finally explained what was going on. Eyes going wide she very slowly lowered her glass, and set it back down onto the bar. Then she equally slowly turned to face the short haired Brit. "That's....bad." Making a mental note to hunt down the author to, what had she called it? Dirty Laundry, and make his life living hell. If she was lucky the person would be arachnophobic. After a calming breath she wished she could just hug the girl and make all sorts of promises that were nonsense. Instead.

"Accidents happen. People need ta learn ta mind their own bus'niss and move on." Venom dripped from her words the spider reared up again spurred by the anger in Mae. Next thing she knew she felt pain lance up her arm, but she gritted her teeth trying to not react. Her fault for getting the pretty all worked up. She slowly covered her hand as the spider scurried off like a dog ashamed of hurting its master. "Those varments don' matter. Friends matter. Real friends. Ones who understand things happen."

She tried for a reassuring smile without looking creepy, but was pretty sure the forced crocked grin was anything but reassuring. People would pay for hurting the sweet girl. She just had to find out all the culprits.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Maelea sounded... mad, almost vengeful. Zoe pulled herself out of her own doldrums enough to look over at her friend. Was there something there, in those normally friendly, pretty eyes? The jaw looked tighter, the girl looked meaner, and the spider moved away. Zoe watched it for a moment, wondering what all this meant.

"I know that," managed Zoe, her own voice shaky. She reached for a napkin, dabbing at her eyes. "Honest, I just--" she turned to look back at Maelea and ended up giggling a little. "I'm sorry, it's just... you look rather spectral right now, like you're about to go prancing through a graveyard scaring teenagers," Zoe smiled again. the expression actually worked for Maelea, though it did look... dark. Surely she couldn't...?

Zoe frowned. "you don't have to worry about doing anything for me or anything," she said, speaking quickly. "Really, it's alright. I'll just get used to it and, and it will all go away in time," and Zoe didn't need to feel like there was one more person out there in the world she owed something to, especially not a friend.

[Maelea Mareaux]

The tears were what really got her sending a burning cold through her veins. A man had to follow her friend around and keep creeps away from her. The words of this cretin and it's readers obviously had heard the sweet girl enough that even now drops of sorrow slids from those lovely eyes. Yes, whomever did this would pay, and pay again.

Still forcing her smile she felt the bite throb her entire hand suddenly feeling like someone hit it with a hammer. She wasn't overly worried though the pain would fade, and she would heal. They'd bitten her so many times while she'd trained the venom barely affected her anymore. The giggling brought her thoughts away from hunting down the poison pen culprits, and back to her friend. "That sounds like fun. When we gonna go?" Mae winked before taking a drink of her soda. It did actually sound like something her and some of her band mates might do. She couldn't wait until Halloween.

Mae furrowed her brows as Zoe frowned her words making the rocker's expression grow colder. "Ya shouldn' hav'ta git used to it! Tha's my point! Ya can' let people walk all over ya." Shaking her head she set down her glass a little too forcefully soda spilling onto her hand. She let out a hiss as the bubbly drink hit the spider wound. "People jus' think they can say whatev'r they wan' about whomever they want just cuz they don' fit in their little boxes. It makes me sick. I'm not gonna let these creep git away with this, Zoey." Eyes tight with anger she stood shaking off the soda from her hand.

"I'm gonna go wash my hand be righ' back." Mumbling she hurried off toward the girls room trying to ignore the whispers from the shadows. I can make them pay. I can make them all pay. Let us help you. Let us.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

It felt odd, seeing someone so worked up about all this. It made Zoe want to cry all over again, and it certainly made her more anxious to keep insisting to Maelea that this wasn't something to worry about. Maybe she should've focused the conversation back on prancing in a graveyard. That actually didn't sound like a horrible way to spend time to Zoe; she did enjoy them from time to time, though not possibly for the same reasons that Maelea did. Instead, Maelea was getting worked up about people who neither of them really knew.

"It's just a blog," she said, wishing she could put a little more feeling into it. Her eyes slid down to where her watcher was. Because of that blog, she'd ended up becoming a target in so many ways. Zoe didn't want to focus on that, and she certainly didn't want to mention it to Maelea, who was getting worked up enough by the situation as it was, without Zoe adding more to it.

"Um, okay," said Zoe, looking down, feeling like Maelea's getting up was partially her fault. "I'll, um, still be here," she reached for her glass, taking a sip. Maelea had barely been gone when Zoe's watcher approached, asking if they were ready to go or something. Which led to Zoe stammering out that Maelea had, in fact, just been going off to the restroom for a bit. The watcher had raised a brow at that, but at least nobody called Zoe a liar, or, well, not to her face, at any rate.

[Maelea Mareaux]

"Just a blog. Yeah, sure." She shook her head not understanding how the girl could be so calm. Course then again she'd never seen Zoey worked up about anything. Maybe she got a little excited about photography but nothing like how Mae could get riled up. Probably just a difference in personalities. Besides if it had already escalated to a body guard the proper blond probably had gotten over the initial rush of emotions. While this was just the first Mae had heard of it. Maybe she should pay more attention to the world around her...or she could just bury herself into her music more.

In the bathroom she splashed water all over her face. Thankfully she'd busted out the extra bucks for waterproof makeup. Or well, water resistant. The cold water helped clear her mind and quieted the weird voices. "Great. Voices. Like I wasn't enough of a freak. I jus' need some sleep." After patting her face dry she spotted a small mass of spiders next to the sink. Sighing she hurried out of the room. She needed to get an appointment with a trainer at the school. It seemed the spiders were getting needier or something.

Back at the bar she slid up onto a stool and smiled weakly. "Sorry bout that. I think I'm jus' overly pumped from the gig. You ok?" She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear trying not to show how angry she still was, and that she was just a smidge freaked out. "Did ya wan' somethin' more ta drink? Somethin' else? Somethin' ta eat? Hey! Maybe we can get some pics with the band a little later?" Again, her mouth ran when nerves amped high.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Just a blog: Zoe had to remind herself of that even as she heard the words again. Words couldn't hurt; they might shape people, and people could hurt, but the words, they couldn't. Not everyone hated her; Maelea didn't, and she was part of everyone. Zoe kept repeating that to herself, taking deep breaths, forcing herself to be calm. She took a few sips of her drink while her friend was away, hoping that Maelea didn't take overlong.

Thankfully, Maelea returned in short enough order. Zoe turned and smiled at her friend as the other girl drew close, taking a few more deep breaths, further calming herself. Maelea seemed almost excited, though her smile was a little off. "I'm fine!" insisted Zoe, putting far too much energy into the words. She flushed, squirming a little as she realized it, looking toward the mirror for a moment, taking a breath, and looking back.

"I'm alright with drink and food, really," she said, a more genuine smile spreading on her face. "I would love to take more pictures though. Most of what I have was you all in action, so if you wanted something more sedentary, then this would be our chance to manage that. Assuming that your band would feel comfortable posing and whatnot." Zoe flushed, again mentally reassuring herself that she hadn't overstepped any lines, that Maelea wanted to hear all this, that it would be okay.

[Maelea Mareaux]

The fine was like a siren in her ears, but she figured that if she could fake being ok then her friend could. It was probably for the best for them to change the subject. Besides she had to keep her emotions in check to keep the spiders from interfering. She also wanted to cheer Zoey up, make her smile, and possibly laugh. Both couldn't be achieved if they focused on the horrible blog.

"Okay, well iffin ya need anytin jus' let me know." Sipping her drink she waved the bartender down and got a small bowl of merichino cherries to nibble on. Happy to see the bright smile back on her friend's face she shifted to face her more. She knew bringing up photography would make things right again. It was nice to have a ace up the sleeve like that.

Mae relaxed a little as Zoey went on about posing and rested her cheek in her hand. "Yeah, they'll be gravy. They'll feel like big stars gettin' their pictures taken but a cute girl." Tucking her feet up under the stood feet on the little rungs she popped another cherry in her mouth. "Trust me they'll love it. Plus we could use some of da shots for promotin' da band! We could even make a website! Oh man, this is awesome!" Definitely hyped she almost jumped off the stool in her giddiness.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

"I shall," agreed Zoe, laughing a little, the sound still somewhat nervous. She shifted again, smiling and brightening more as they moved back to taking pictures. Maelea seemed almost as excited about the idea as Zoe herself, and, as was so often the case, Zoe blossomed further hearing that someone supported her.

Though she did blush and shift about as she heard Maelea call her "cute." She had to remind herself that Maelea was just talking in generalities, that there wasn't anything there or anything like that. The band sounded like they'd enjoy spending more time with Zoe, and she nodded. Group shots usually made her nervous and all, but she was fairly certain she could do this.

Zoe did laugh at the last few words that shot from Maelea's mouth, smiling. "I don't know if I can promise all that. I'm not really the type who can do websites or anything. I don't even have a digital camera," though she had thought about one. She'd probably have to upgrade eventually, if only to save money on film and what have you. She shifted again. "But I can get you the film proofs, that should, um, be enough."

[Maelea Mareaux]

She didn't know really anything about photography other than what Zoe had told her about. She didn't have an eye for it at all. She also tended to zone out whenever Zoe went on about it. But it wasn't like she didn't care she just liked to see her happy bout something. It was also the only real topic Maelea had found that got the girl talking!

"Oh, don' worry none bout the site. I can figure it out, or maybe one of da guys can do it." She waved it off not really worried about it. They'd figure it all out somehow it could be that hard considering how many sites there were out there. "Come on! Enough? You're taking pictures of me and my band! You put up with me. You came to my gig." Smiling she glanced toward the stage then back to Zoe figuring she'd have to get back up there soon.

"Got any requests? For songs? Normally I don' do them but...ya kinda my best friend, so I'll make an exception." Mae glanced off to the side a little nervously drumming her fingers along the countertop. "Anythin' my band can play anythin'."

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Zoe smiled as Maelea waved off her doubts. They could handle things; yes, of course they could. Maelea hadn't even said that Zoe had to do everything; the shy poet had just assumed as much. She shifted again, taking another relaxing breath before reaching for her soda. She smiled and looked down abashedly as Maelea continued in her enthusiasm.

Requests? Zoe pulled away, blinking, trying to think. Wait, did she say... "Best friend?" repeated Zoe, not quite believing her ears. She goggled at Maelea for a moment, not quite processing the rest of it. There had been something about how Maelea's band could play just about anything. Zoe seemed to realize this, jerking a bit, nearly spilling her soda and just managing to right it.

"Um, I don't know, I like, well, pretty well everything you've played, honestly," she said, flushing for all kinds of reasons. Zoe grabbed a napkin and worked to mop up bits of spilled overflow. "Maybe, um, something softer? Though your more energetic stuff was good too..."

[Maelea Mareaux]

The girl had the more adorable reactions to things. It was the kind of cuteness that would make millions if you could bottle it or market it. Which had been done with many celebrities and tv shows. Then of course her mind went off on her band and the possible new website. It would most definitely involve spiders because well it was their logo for obvious reasons. It could even get more attention and gigs for the band! Brimming with sudden excitement she practically vibrated with it.

"Yep, yer my bestie." She tapped her fingers then drank some soda wishing it were something stronger. Not that she'd had much harder drinks than eggnog, but she really wished she had now. Coal lined eyes darting down she jerked them back up at the extended silence from Zoe. "Is tha'-" Suddenly the pixie haired girl jerked spilling soda and she instantly stood up reaching for napkins.

"Are ya ok? Is...um...well...do ya not wanna.." Was it too fast to call someone her best friend? Were they not close enough? Maybe Zoe didn't care for her that much? Feeling jittery she nodded to whatever words might be coming out of the other girls mouth. "Yeah, sure. Soft. Got it. Energetic. Yeah." She gave a smile before handing over the wet napkins to the bar tended to toss.

So she was just a fan? Just an avid fan, not some best friend. Mae felt like an idiot. That's why she didn't want Mae to get worked up over some problem she was going through. It was none of Mae's business. She wanted to crawl into a hole.

[Zoe Wallerstein-Smythe]

Bestie; how long had it been since someone had called Zoe that? She certainly couldn't remember. Definitely no one here called her anything of the sort. She might technically be Devyn's closest friend, but Zoe's girlfriend would hardly use that word. Zoe didn't quite understand why Maelea looked upset now though, seeming almost to take back the words.

"All your stuff is good, honest," she continued, wondering if that's where she erred. She hesitated for another moment, looking at the glass for a moment. "I don't think I've ever had a friend who played music before, let alone a best one. I think, um, my last bestie was, uh, my step-sister," she flushed at that. Most people didn't want to admit to a relative being their closest friend, after all. Ava was... different. Different for all kinds of reasons, most of which Zoe definitely did not want to get into right now.

"I think I'll have more to drink. Maybe, um, something sweet?" she turned to look for the bartender. She seemed to vaguely recall something called a "Shirley Temple" that she'd had once and enjoyed quite thoroughly.

[Maelea Mareaux]

Mae gave a crooked smile at the compliment not sure whether to believe it or not. The girl was so nice she was probably just being polite. Wait, friend? Pulling her thoughts slowly out of the dark, depression, pemmistic void they tended to dwell in Mae stared at Zoe. "Step-sister? Tha's sweet. Musta been nice to be so close ta yer sis." Whereas Mae's sister hated her and couldn't come near her. She didn't even remember the last time she spoke to Josephine.

"Are the two of you still close?" Still a bit hesitant she didn't get back onto the stool, but leaned her back on the bartop arms cross over her chest. Far as she could remember they'd never really talked about their families much, and she was most certainly interested. Course that was natural thing a friend would want to do.

Smiling as her friend asked for another drink Mae nodded at the bar tended to add it to her tap. "Sweet it is!" She should've pegged Zoe for liking sweet things it fit in with her delicate personality so well.

"So you want something soft, but you like energetic too." Mae was just musing outloud trying to think of a song that might fit both of those things. Her music didn't really do one or the other. It was either soft and usually haunting or at least depressing. Or energetic and hard core. "I'll just dedicate two songs to you instead of one! Easy fix." With a smile she nodded and took a drink turning back to face Zoe that smile aimed at her. "That okay?"