Saloon Singers

[La_Reina]

closed for NickisSora

Luna was shrouded in darkness. Her red glittering dress trailed all the way to the floor. One hip was thrust out showing a thigh holster with a laser pistol in it. Her head was lowered slightly, sexily. She took in a deep breath, a cue for the piano player. The first note was struck and Luna started singing. Her voice was breathy and seductive her moves were sexy. She leaned against the piano and slowly shimmied to the floor when the piano player hit the wrong key.

Before Luna had thought she had stood up and smacked the man in the face. She didn't remember his name and she didn't need to; she was the star. He stood up angry and Luna already had the gun out pointed at his crotch. "Get the fuck out of this saloon. You're fired. You keep fucking up the notes." She watched him jump down from the stage and stalk out.

Mike, the saloon owner, growled and replaced the sign that he was just about to take down. Piano Player Wanted. 100 caps a night. "Luna. We will have no show tonight if you can't replace Fred."

"Then there will be no show," Luna screamed in a huff.

"If there is no show you will not get paid. And if you don't get paid I don't need you. So you better figure out a way to get a piano player, get some people in this saloon, and fast!"

Luna screamed her frustration as she watched Mike storm into the back. "Where the hell am I supposed to find a piano player, MIKE!"

 

[NickisSora]

Leon Numb walked in to the Saloon. He had a nap sack on which he carried around any items he needed during the course of the day. Leon just lost his last piano gig at the last saloon only due to them closing down. Leon smiled when he did see the new posting. Leon was 5'10",Blue eyes, brown hair, a soft Accent from Louisiana. Leon held a small laser pistol on his waste though he was much better with a light knife.

"Excuse me who do i see about the Piano position."

The bartender pointed towards a door where he could hear the noise of a Argument going. Leon knocked on the door and smiled.

"Excuse me....Are you the one seeking a Experience Piano player?"

Leon looked at the woman in front of him. Absolutely stunning, her eyes,her body was just amazing, Leon wanted to make this woman sing if she was the right person to come to.When She nodded Leon smiled.

"Please, I am a piano artist, i know new and old songs, I write my own, and it only takes me 30 minutes to warm up and one hour to practice. If you hire me I will not let you down."

Leon bit his lip anything else he wanted the job. Leon could not help but gaze at this stunning woman who needed a player.

"Please Madam it be a honor to play for you."

 

[La_Reina]

Luna had her back to the door when a voice interrupted her internal yells of Mike and what he could do with his damned saloon. Luna turned her head looking over her shoulder first noting his fingers. They were long and slender. Piano fingers. So far so good. The blue eyes were startling and she found herself liking the accent even if it took her a moment to understand the man.

Luna nodded finally understanding he was inquiring about the piano position. She opened her mouth to speak, but that delicious cajun/creole accent was coming out of his mouth. Man, the man sounded sexy. He also sounded desperate for the job. She would have told him the price for the Piano player was not 100 caps anymore, but Mike would pay him just as much citing that the extra caps was putting up with her. Luna didn't think she needed 'putting up' with. She expected perfection. This saloon was always jumping and it was because of her and her music. She intended it to stay that way.

"Okay Leon. Let's see what you got?"

Luna moved back allowing Leon to play at the piano. She listened for all of 60 seconds before she was stopping him. "No, something with more soul. So rhythm and sexy. Something to make the men whistle, the women giggle, and people dancing on the floor." She kept on him til Leon slowed it down and had something that her whistling and humming to herself. "Yeah baby. Yeah!"

Mike came in with his mouth opened. Leon had flare and was flamboyant and still kept a good rhythm and the music was good, but when Luna opened her mouth and started singing even Mike was clapping and swaying to the music. "You no good maaaaan, You think you can, take my hand -mmmm and you keep asking me why, buut" There was a breathy pause. "Ask me no questions, baby and I'll tell you, I'll tell you no liiiiies!"

Their freestyle ended and Luna smiled. "Okay, you're hired."

"Damn right he's hired," Mike yelled from the doorway.

Luna ignored him and kept talking. "You'll get $100 caps for 3 nights work. We're open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6p til whatever time last call happens to be. Which means we have 3 days to get ready. I start the show the same way every time. Lights are off, no music, and I wait. I wait until the right time, I'll take a deep breath and you play and I'll sing. There's one song the crowd loves called Dengue Woman's Blues. We slow it down even more, emphasis the bass, and get real down and dirty with it." Luna laughed throatily. "I hope you're ready to work."

 

[NickisSora]

Leon herd those works slip like silk from her lips. Leon's eyes twinkled and he jumped on the piano, he began to play but he was stopped. Luna instructed him to play more....seductive tone. Leon played slow and deep a bit playing in to her request. Leon smiled as he nodded his head slightly to the beat.

When Luna began to sing it was like the heavens singing. Her velvet tongue and red lips made her words so much more voluptuous. once the end of the song came he finished and herd those fine words roll off her tongue. Leon was excited, Luna just gave him a job and apparently the owner approved.-

"Thank you very much."

Leon said as he smiled to them.

"I would like to learn the songs you want me to play. I will even write a few songs for you. This is my specialty and my art. I will play what ever you request. I am available to practice when you need me and how ever long it takes."

Leon herd the amount he was getting paid and nods.He was excited this was much more then his other job. Leon bounced lightly in his seat.

"I am ready when ever you are...I feel a bit under dressed but...I will look better on Friday. Would you like to continue to practice?"

Leon's eyes turned to look at the voluptuous vixen Luna, His eyes could not pull from her's at all. There he was smitten from hell by this woman's eyes.

Leon was soon Showing her everything he had. Playing slow driven melodies to the ears. Once he was handed the sheet music for Dengue Woman's Blues. Leon looked it over and began to play it. His fingers stroked each key like he was caressing the girl he would fall for. Making love to a piano was what Leon did, so smooth in his doings his eyes focused on the notes and flowed with each key stroke. Leon was soon finished with his playing and seen that Luna had leaned against the piano with happy eyes and he looked up to the woman's gaze.

"I...take it i played it right? I hope that was to your liking."

Leon had played the song just a slightly bit slower which gave it a more exotic feeling to it. Biting his lip he hoped they could practice more today. Luna seem to be the star here, Leon could only imagine why she went through so many piano players. When Luna nodded he smiled.

“Then allow me to continue practicing. I do not want to disappoint you on Friday Miss Luna. That would disgrace my piano-playing name. Best in Louisiana and best in the south I stake my claim on my piano playing.”

Leon began to play again. Each song he went over he tried to improve it very slowly with each play through making it sound slower or sexier in tone. That was the theme right to seduce the patrons to listen hoot and yell for the Diva. Leon could play all day. The way Luna watched him made him feel a bit uneasy, but that could have been Leon. Leon was afraid when some one that good looking watched him he would mess up. Leon him self rarely goofed though on any piano piece.

Leon’s slim fingers worked those ivory keys like a pro. It didn’t matter how long he was playing as long as Leon drew breath he would not stop. Time passed though Luna soon put her hands on Leon’s shoulder. Leon snapped out of his playing trance and looked up at Luna, the sky was getting pretty dark was it time to leave for the night. Leon stood up slowly.

“Are we done for the night Miss Luna?”

 

[La_Reina]

"Baby you're a fine piece of man. It doesn't matter what you wear. You just talk in that voice of yours and the women will come flocking. But you keep playing the way you're playing and we'll make sure you get paid. I don't care what you do you will be here every day at 2p for practice when we are not performing and you will be on time to each performance. If you're late don't show up. Mike might dock your pay, but I'll fire you. This is my career and I won't have some 2-bit man with a greedy cock fucking up my life. You hear?"

Luna waited a hearbeat for her words to sink in before they started playing music. He caught quickly as to what she wanted. Slow and sexy. He would do fine with those songs. "Now we do have a few more uptempo, but they're just as sexy and fun. Can you sing? It doesn't matter if you can. You have a sexy voice and I think we're going to have a rendition of you and me, you talking me singing, going back and forth. That'll get the women all," Luna shivered at the thought. She walked back and forth across the stage her hips swaying to a beat she heard in her head.

"Baby, you wanted to write your own songs. Well that's your first assignment. If you can come up with something catchy and new for you and I than I will listen to the rest of what you write on your own. Remember this is my show. You will not take over. If I don't like a song we won't dwell on it. We'll rehash it until it's something presentable or we won't do it at all. Understand?" Luna needed to make sure he knew who was boss. She had a lot of piano players come in and try to take the stage from her. They were quickly fired. She didn't play when it came to her bread her butter.

They continued talking, practicing, and planning until Luna looked up and blinked. It was late. Real late. She placed a hand on Leon's shoulder stopping him. "Do you have a place to stay? You can make arrangements with Mike if he's still around. It'll cost you 50 caps a week a bargain since you're working for him. The main saloon should be packed and he'll be behind the bar somewhere. I'm going to pack up here and I'll see you tomorrow. Don't come to work with a hang over!"

 

[NickisSora]

Leon smiled and nodded as he bowed before Luna and took her hand kissing it lightly. And smiled. “Night Miss Luna!” Leon bolted out of the Saloon and to his apartment. Leon began to write lyrics and tunes on blank sheet music paper. Leon was up until midnight. Leon showered and went to bed. Laying down he began to sleep and dream of Luna and there new life together with the crowd. Leon was fine not stealing the show after all he played the tunes he didn’t need to sing it.

The next day Leon got up and ate breakfast, after showering he dressed in a white tee shirt and a cloth vest since it was hot he wore denim shorts and sneakers and socks walking to the Saloon afterwards. When he got there Mike was there and he looked confused. “Oh…Leon what are you doing here?” Leon just smiled though.

“I am here to look at the piano I think you guys are out of tune.” Leon began his examination of the ivory instrument. Upon closer inspection he noticed why it was badly out of tune. The strings in side were loose and the hammers were also not striking them head on. Leon began to work his magic, having all his music and lyrics he prepared he just had to get this machine playing even better. With in a hour Leon began to play on the piano as it played twice as nice as yesterday. “Perfect.” Leon said as he began practicing the new songs he wrote one sounded a bit up beat but the tone was seriously erotic. The lyrics he wrote for it went a bit like a Man trying to give this woman everything was a man to take care of her. The other was a slow seductive sonnet; this song was the cry of a man and what he did to make her hate him. Both songs sounded good as he played the other songs he was to practice. Soon he herd heels clicking on the floor and turned to see Luna a bit shocked and Leon turned. “Good afternoon Miss Luna.” He said noticing the time about 1pm, “How has your day been so far?” Leon smiled Luna walked up to him and tilted her head. “Before you ask yes these two pieces on the top of the piano are the songs I wrote last night.”

Leon watched Luna pick up his music and unconsciously Leon thought anyway her fingers traced over his shoulders while she read them over. Leon shivered lightly at her touch it was amazing. Leon felt his heart skip a bit when he saw Luna now stare him in the face about to say something His heart was not beating fast.

 

[La_Reina]

Luna watched Leon leave and settled on the piano bench. She thought about him and the music they could create. She was so excited. It had been a long time since she had practiced with someone that made her forget the time and place. He was good, very good, and she was grateful he came to her. As long as he remembered that piano players were a dime a dozen, but a good entertainer and singer well ... baby that was a skill that couldn't be taught. Luna laughed happily to herself.

She stopped feeling eyes on her and turned to see Mike smiling at her. He gave her some sort of look before disappearing around the corner to attend to the bar. Luna rolled her eyes. She closed down the piano and pushed in the bench. She hummed a bit to herself swaying and sashaying to the music in her head. The words were basically the same two or three lines sang over and over, but it wasn't the lyrics that made this song, but the tune. It was catchy and she found herself comforting herself to this tune all the time.

"Luna! Baby!"

Luna stood up going very still. Her back was to the door so the recipient couldn't see her face. She had to control her features. By the time she turned to look to the owner of the voice her face was void of any fright or anger. The two most common emotions with this man. "Hello, Jonathon."

"You have my money?"

"I do." Luna reached between her breasts and started to pull out the money. Jonathon decided to help her and reached between the valley of her breasts and pulled out the money his fingers unnecessarily touching her plump, round, breasts. Luna tried hard to stifle the shudder at his hands on her body.

"You know with interest it's going to be another year, before you can pay this off."

"With interest ... another year? Jonathon, please..."

He cut her off with a sharp look in her eyes. "You know the rules. You're the one who said you can pay off your sister's debt including interest. I'm being generous not killing the bitch. So she'll stay in my basement until you can set her free. I'll see you at the house tomorrow morning. That is if you want to see her."

Luna nodded solemnly. Of course she'll be there. She was always there.

***

By the time Luna got to the saloon she was feeling ill and worn out. The bastard hadn't been feeding her and Luna was forced to use more money to make sure he fed and watered her only sister. Luna waved to the few drunks that were at the bar as she made her way to the piano in the back. She stopped short seeing Leon. Usually she was the one early, but this was a nice surprise. Seeing Leon had Luna smiling. Music was her life. He was starting to represent that.

She opened her mouth, but Leon cut her quick. She closed it and smiled. "That was mighty fast. Did you sleep?" She looked over the music. The lyrics were simple. They came from a man's point of view which wasn't surprising seeing how Leon wrote the music. She could see from the sheet music how the song was supposed to go and as she looked at the second one she put the first one down in front of Leon. "Play them both for me. I want to hear them."

As soon as she heard them both she nodded. "These are good. I like this one. The one where the man is singing about how he made his girl hate him. I think we can change this one to where you're talking about what you did. See these lyrics you can talk. And these lyrics here I can see so it's a tit for tat. Want to try it out?"

 

[NickisSora]

Leon smiled as he began to play the music for that song once more as Leon open the lights would be off over Luna. “I am telling you Ladies and Gentleman, You can not think of what I did to make this woman hate me….I mean she was such a nice lady…and then….she met me…..and when I tell you she hates me…Well…listen to this.” This part she began to sing and sing she did about small things at first when she stopped Leon kept speaking. “That is just the start…See….I am from a simple family….but…she asked a lot…and I am not talking about just possession…I am talking about…Obsession.” This part was shown by Luna singing talking about her jealousy and hate for him being interested in more then her. This part took a bit before Leon talked once more. “Then well then we wanted to get married….I can’t begin to tell you.” Luna began to sing about how the dress was wrong , The church was not big enough, The honey moon and then the ring this part was sad at the end Luna would come up behind Leon once he finished the song and push him off the piano bench just to play the part of the pissed girl friend. Leon was pushed off and he played dead. Mike clapped as Leon stood up and smiled.

“You sing like the angels gave you away.” Leon said and smiled looking to her eyes. Leon smiled as Luna looked a bit spaced out. “Luna? Are you ok?” When Luna turned to tell him to keep practicing she began to walk towards a room but Leon followed. “Hold on…You may be the star but I am your player….You want things to be perfect….you need the money…every one needs money but you seem like it is of life and death….What is going on?” Leon said very boldly. Yes this piano player had spark and he cared apparently. “I would like to know…if money means that much you for something….I would like to help…by playing better, bringing in crowds….I…even have a small bunch saved up for Emergency…..but I can not help if you do not tell me…at least tell me please.”

Luna looked to him and slowly brought him in to the private room and Leon took a seat, It seem Luna was a proud woman and very strong but something bothered her and Leon wanted to know. Why did he care for a bossy woman? Leon saw her and herd her voice. She was kind and something just brought her to turn to a slave driver, Leon could not blame her. Looking deep in her hues she saw her fighting with the subject and Leon gently took her hands and looked to her. “I will listen…I will help if you want…..Talk to me.”

 

[La_Reina]

Luna and Leon sang the song. It was a good one and she lost herself into the music. She had to lean in close so she could read the lyrics and a few things she changed; just because it sounded better from her lips and wasn't as wordy. Once they were done she wasn't surprise to hear Mike clapping. He was known to come in and listen in on the practice and then hype people up about different songs or things they would be doing. It made for great business. As the song was finished Luna decided that the song sounded too much like a jealous girlfriend and not enough about a man who had hurt a girl to the point of rage. When she read it she understood what he was trying to bring across, but when they were singing and acting it out it wasn't enough. They would have to work on it it a bit. She thought back to what could be added or subtracted to make the song work better and thought to men who had wronged her. She immediately thought of Jonathon and her sister. Her sister had loved the sick bastard and Luna felt rage. She knew how she could change the song.

Luna's head snapped up and for a moment she didn't see Leon, but Jon. She blinked a few times getting her bearings and the image faded away. Damn, she was out of it. She waved Leon off and started to retreat to her private dressing room. She hadn't told Leon about this room, because he didn't need to know about it. She was surprised when he followed and she was quick to get anger, but his earnest words and look had her sighing deeply.

"How do you know this is about the money and not because I want to be a star? You know nothing about me and don't stand there and pretend that you do. You don't know me from a ninny on the street and you aren't anyone special. So I strongly suggest you get out of my dressing room and go work on the songs we WILL be playing the day after tomorrow. You're song that you wrote isn't ready yet." Luna opened her door and waited for him to walk through it. She wasn't going to budge and she sure as hell wasn't going to talk to him about her private problems. As soon as he left she slammed the door hard not caring if it him on the backside.

When she was alone she sank into her chair and stared at herself in the mirror. She sighed deeply and then only then did she let the tears slide down her cheeks. She needed to be stronger. Leon might be a good guesser or he was stalking her. Either way he was right. She needed the money. She cleaned up her face and let out a huge sigh. All her anger, frustration, and sadness burned into a huge ball of angry fire. How the fuck did Leon know about her money issues? She was a slave driver because she demanded perfection and with perfection came men with contracts in Hollywood. She was like this before her sister started doing stupid things. So who was this Leon and how did he know about her life?

 

[NickisSora]

Leon walked out of the dressing room avoiding the door hitting his back. Leon sighed having no idea why she was so pissed at him. Leon just sighed and looked at the songs he wrote, Leon bit his lip and put them a side for now. Leon began to practice the music at the moment. All the music he would have to play. As for the situation Leon had been with many singers, many bands, he herd and seen people act and do what they did for the money. Then again there was nothing strange about just wanting to be a star. Maybe he did not see her signs correctly. Either way Leon continued to play the music he focused all he could on the music playing.

Leon could not be happier especially with his tuning of the piano. Every keystroke sounded better then the last. Leon smiled with his fingers delicately going at those notes.
Later Luna finally walked out and Leon just continued to play. They practiced each song she had to do and, Leon played each note so swiftly he was into the music and barely paid attention to Luna’s Voice suddenly a hand on his shoulder he looked up to Luna.
“Want to take a break?” He asked curious as to her hand on his shoulder. Leon turned to look at Luna. At the moment she may have had the star appearance, but he was worried.

Once Luna said her peace Leon got up and gave a slight bow. “I will take my leave for the night…anything about my music I should change for the show?” Leon asked as Luna gave him her suggestions he would do so by the next morning. Once home Leon walked up to his apartment and said high to the owner. Once inside though Leon stripped and bathed thinking about the music he would play.

 

[La_Reina]

Luna could hear the music through her door. After a moment the music got to her and she was pulled from her dressing room. Without saying anything they began practicing. Leon making slight alterations as did Luna. She wanted to have enough time to walk across the stage, over to various spots in the crowd, sip some water, and back up onto the stage. It was a performance and she had to be entertaining. The show was going to be great and her anger and suspicions with Leon were forgotten as they made music.

Luna yawned. It was quitting time. She stopped Leon and she smiled at him. He seemed to be just as caught up as she was. She didn't want to overwork him so she nodded at his question. Yes, it was time to stop. She arched an eyebrow as he bowed at her. Maybe he was mocking her and he queen like attitude. That didn't bother her. She waved him away silently telling him she didn't need anything. "No there's nothing to change. We'll be fine."

She watched Leon leave and then she sat on the stage. Luna was alone with the music in her head and she sang a slow sad song about life and being pulled. The song ended with the question do you tread or drown. With that melancholy song hanging in the air she jumped down and left the room retiring to her own room.

The next morning she visited her sister and was pleased to see she was being fed and given something to drink. Luna hated being near Jon and she promised to get her sister out as soon as she could. She came into the hall and stared at the piano. She was way early and was there before Leon. Which was good. She could put her game face on before he showed up.

 

[NickisSora]

-Leon went to sleep not to much more after he was dressed for bed and got a good night sleep. Leon once he woke got ready for the day, Gathering his music up he set it a side two more nights till opening. He smiled to him self as he began to make his breakfast. Leon sat there just wondering about this new job and what possabilities it had.-"I wonder if....Naw that be to silly....."-he chuckled.-"So then....my music all over a singer's lips....I can handle that."-he smiled as he ate and headed out to do a few things.-

-Leon arrived at 2pm at the Saloon seeing Luna already.-"Morning Miss Luna....Morning Mike."-he said as they did there own thing and Leon went to work. Looking over the piano making sure all his adjustment were still holding. Leon began to just warm up his fingers for th elong haul today. There were 5 things Leon loved, Music,Girls, Food, Helping people, and The sunset. That sunset caused many a happy moment in his life. He also had not seen it in a very long time. The subtle thought brought a solemn look to his face. Leon played fine but his mind wondered on other things. Reading the music he had in front of him as he warmed jis fingers did not change his focus.-

-Leon had a life back in New Orleans, A City street ready to listen, People wanting to dance and...His sister the singer and dancer of the two of them. They would watch the sunset before dinner and Would often watch the sunrise. Leon had not done either or since he lost his sister. During a performance one of the men in the crowd got rowdy and attacked the stage wanting her. Leon tried his best to protect his little sister but there was trouble the man grabbed her and began running for it. Leon gasped in horror as the Inebreated man accidently tripped off the stage breaking his neck but crushing his sister. Her injuries were severe and did not make it. The man was now bed ridden unable to get around. He was happy he left.-

-Leon thought about how far everything had come this time and the way everything was. Leon looked around a bit as he finished his warm up and wipped his eyes lightly a small "Hey" From Luna made him shoot up his eyes were dry now at least.-"Yes Miss Luna?"

 

[La_Reina]

Luna was thinking of a new routine. A way to walk around the club and was doing vocal warm ups. She was just getting really into it when Mike walked in and handed her a piece of paper with some of the ideas she had wanted to do and his yes, no, and other ideas to them. She was nodding as she read and did her vocals to the ones she agreed upon and the ones she didn't and was staring at the ones he had X'd out. Since she couldn't really talk she was doing her vocals with words and they were arguing about this and that.

Leon walked in and Luna waved as she finished her vocals. She heard him go over to the piano and start his own warm up. Luna turned to Mike and they began their discussion anew. She was not going to walk away basically naked and she sure as hell wasn't going to kiss a guy or rub her bottom against them. They were already worked up when she ran her hand up and down their arms or over their faces. She didn't need to do anymore. Buuut she would like spotlights and different lighting for ambiance. She saw the effect on tv and it was awesome. They could totally afford it, but they would have to do more wiring and hire people who knew how to work it. Still Luna thought it would pay off.

"What do you think Leon?" Luna turned to him. He didn't answer her and just kept playing. Maybe he didn't hear her. "Leon?"

Luna turned to Mike who shrugged his shoulders and they continued the discussion anew without his input. Finally they agreed to put off the lighting and she wouldn't do any flirting, but they will start having sing alongs to popular songs. It was a novel idea from Mike and Luna almost grimaced thinking about it, but it could be fun. Like a theme song that she did every night that the crowd could sing along too. Mike left the details on the song and how to get the crowd involved up to her. Lovely.

Mike left and Luna turned back to Leon. He looks so lost in his thoughts. She slowly approached him and stood just in front of him. "Hey, you okay?" She watched his eyes slowly focus on the here and now and then turn to her. She smiled softly when he asked her to repeat herself. "I was wondering if you are okay? I haven't been working you too hard have I?"

Yes she was concerned for his well being. If he couldn't handle the slightly rigorous pace maybe this wasn't the profession for him. Or maybe he was re-thinking his choice of employment. Luna knew she wasn't the easiest person to get along or work with. She was demanding, but every weekend she had a pack full house so it paid off. At least in her opinion it did. Though she couldn't afford to fire him today if he couldn't keep up. She would wait until after the performance. After he felt the rush from the crowd, the adrenaline coursing through his body, the hoots and applause of your admirers and then he might change his tune.

"Come on let's practice the numbers and then we can work on a sing-a-long for the crowd. It'll be a theme song so it'll have to be upbeat and fun. I'm trying to figure out when we can put the song into the routine."

"How about the can-can?" Luna turned to Jon's voice and then her head whipped around to Leon. She pointed for him to continue on without her and jumped off the stage to go to Jon.

"What are you doing here," Luna asked Jon in a loud angry whisper.

"I came to see my favorite girl and up the ante. I'm tired of your sister's whines and cries and decided that you'll work for me. I'll let your sister go. You'll be my girl I'll get 60% of your income and you will do ANYTHING I tell you too. Or you have 1 month to come up with 30 grand your sister owes me." Luna stared at Jon in disbelief. He laughed. "I'll let you think on it, princess." And he left her to stare at him with her mouth open.

 

[NickisSora]

Leon smiled and shook his head. "Not at all this has been a wonderful job i am enjoying my self. You may be hard on me but like you said you want the crowd to love you and love you they will." Leon herd her ideas for a Theme song and thought about it. "That does sound pretty good....A Theme song would be good, something up beat would be good for that. I can write lyrics down for that hell we can do it together." He chuckled a bit in happy content. Just before she could sugget something A Man called out and Leon turned his attention to him.

This guy had trouble all over him, the way Luna got off stage and approached him did not seem very friendly. Leon paid attention and could hear the man speak. His ears herd him right. 30 Grand to pay off a debt, Leon felt his own heart sink, His sister ment more to him then anything, Her sister was just in bad shape, Leon conitnued to play as he saw the man walk away. Not only would he be in danger of loosing his job but, this poor lovely woman would be a slave basicly to this pig. Leon bit his lips to the point it began to bleed a bit. He once more stared in to space before Luna stomped back on stage and he stopped focusing him self.-"I...um...do you want to start with your opening number?"

Leon looked up to Luna but he could see her eyes held so much pain and now they held worry. Leon alreayd was able to tell she was tough and she would refuse to just give in. That was the type of woman she was. She went through his music and plopped it down very roughly on his piano. "Ok then."-he said softly he placed it neatly on his piano and began to play the intro, when he got to her part she was off time. "Luna....?" Leon played the intro once more and even did it a bit slower and sexier. Luna froze again. "Luna?" Leon asked gently plasing a hand on hers that laid on the piano.

 

[La_Reina]

Luna couldn't believe what she had heard. What was she going to do? She watched Jon until he disappeared from her sight and that's when she seemed to snap to attention. She went back to the stage and looked at the music. She knew she was being too gruff with everything, but she was borderline about to finally break down. Her movements were jerky and she couldn't stop herself really. She just couldn't stop thinking about Jon. The man had some balls, some gall!

Luna looked at Leon and nodded. Yes, she was here to practice. She calculated how she could come up with 30 grand in one month. There was no way her sister owed that much and Luna was sure Jon was tacking on 105% interest but what was she going to do? Still the ungrateful little fuck was trying to mess with her career. He wanted 60% of her earnings? Like hell she would. She would rather take a shotgun to his groin. She envisioned herself storming into his home, she would wear the dress with the long cape to hide the gun. His goons would let her in and she'll go see him. Than she would blast every fucker away and spring her sister. They would ride off in the sunset ... or she would be killed by his goons and if she survived wanted for murder.

Luna heard her key and opened her mouth to sing. She knew she was off and when Leon said he would start again she nodded her apology. No, she was stuck. She knew Jon liked her. Hell, she should be surprised the man waited this long or maybe he did it on purpose. Waiting until the debt was so enormous she couldn't fathom a way of paying it back and then made his move. She knew what she would have to do and it didn't involve borrowing $500 from every citizen in the town. She heard her key and she started to sing, but Leon stopped. Had she been off again? Hell, she barely heard the key this time.

Luna turned to Leon when he called her name, but his gentle hand on hers was her undoing. She seemed to collapse upon herself. "I know you heard Jon. You would have to be deaf not to hear him. But .." Luna looked at Leon and she couldn't stop the pain and desperation in her eyes. "I will have to take him up on his offer. It's killing me to have my baby sister in his care or lack of care. I want to go now just to free her, but I want one last moment of freedom. I'll go after our practice. What other choice do I have?"

 

[NickisSora]

Leon bit his lip again and looked to her eyes. "You forgot i guess my offer...." he said. I be willing to pay off your sisters debt...I have plent...I have enough.." he said he had exactly 30,200 Caps. He would not let her know that. This would be pretyt tight for money but after all that saving from his playing in New Orleans he could give it to her if it would work. "This is not a Loan....Me and you are...well...a team...you worked ohard on yoru carrer....and...i would like you as my singer and dancer....You have a relationship with your sister like i had with mine....you are close to her and i see that....I would be more then willing to help you if it means to be able to keep your sister." Leon said. There would be no reason why fate would not smile on Leon today maybe somethign will come along to give him back all that so he can buy a house. One day any way but right now Luna needed help.

"It seems to be in your blood to be very strong and stern and bold to do things on your own with every ounce of strength....but then you loose your freedom that wonderful spark about you that makes everything else seem so poor and dim....You light this saloon up....Think about it...wouldn't your sister love to hear you sing and make the crowd happy?" Leon said no longer biting his lip. Leon took a hankerchif for her and one for him form his pocke tboth of them clean as he wipped the blood trickling down his lip.

"It does not have to be this way....I do not know how people act here....but from New Orleans....even in this waste...people will have your back....there is no reason for me to give you the money other then I want to help....." Luna turned away throwing his hand to the side Leon gasped a bit. Was she so stubborn to just give up her freedom. Leon was confused and startled. Maybe she just wanted to do it her way. "Just let me know i will walk out and be done with it or we go and get the money and get your sister out."-he said as he walked off stage in a bit of a huff to wash his face and clean his lip making sure everything was striaght.