it's the music that brings us together

[Remle Boyd]

She had a bonus vacation day from the week she had worked her ass off and had taken it tonight, sighing in bliss as she slipped into the darkness of the bar, the soft strains of the piano music instantly relaxing her. She always liked places with good taste in music; it tended to put her at ease much faster. It wasn't crowded yet and she was able to sit in a relatively comfortable chair in a corner near the piano.Remle crossed her legs and set her purse down near her feet as she leaned back and let the music wash over her. She should perform more, there was something cathartic about playing music she had written in front of other's. Due to necessity she had quickly lost her shyness in respects to where her music was concerned and used it now to release stress. Plus, it was always flattering and nice to hear that your music was liked by others. She managed to flag someone down for a drink and placed the glass once it was brought to her, on a table nearby.

She sat back for several moments just enjoying the sounds of the bar when she finally opened her eyes and picked up her drink, sipping lightly as she eyed the pianist and was startled to think that she recognized him. Was that really? She'd have to wait until he was finished with his set and try to get his attention. She'd been running into old school mates a lot recently. She knew it was something she'd have to deal with because she was moving back to what had essentially become her home town but she wasn't necessarily expecting it at the rate that it was occurring. Then there was that whole other issue to deal with of meeting new people who seemed bent on invading her personal space. Frowning and sipping her drink a bit more vigorously, she leaned forward to watch a man she knew as "Gabe" play the piano as she tried to think of what she might want to say to him when his set finished. She hoped he noticed her; she wasn't necessarily adept at calling across crowded bars.

[Gabriel James]

Gabriel was playing is monthly set, and decided to go much slower that night. His week had been crazy, and he decided that an easygoing atmosphere was just what he needed to create. With everything going on in his life at the moment, it was nice to get away and sit at a piano for a couple hours (with a 15 minute break in between. Sometimes he had to be reminded that he should step out of the hot lights to get some water). For the past few minutes, he had been playing some random tunes without singing, giving his vocals a break, but keeping the music up and going. It was important to be playing something at all times, Gabe found. It kept people engaged. When the music stopped, so did they.

His set was nearly done though. He had decided to start playing a bit earlier than usual, as he'd been quite tired lately. And if he woke up by the time his set was finished, he'd just mull around the bar a bit before heading home to grade papers. "I think I have time for one more..." Gabe said, never taking his hands off the piano keys. "You guys have been great. Thanks for listening... I'm Gabe James and this is Piano Man..."

He transitioned without a misstep into a slower version of Billy Joel's 'Piano Man' singing with the same amount of passion as he always would. He was quite the performer, and poured his heart and soul into every song he played, no matter how short or how simple. Gabe almost forgot the entire world around him while he was preforming. Which is why he didn't notice the blonde who had walked in and taken a seat near the piano. He was in his own little world, playing and singing as if noone were watching, even though everyone in the room could hear.

When he was done, he took a deep breath and said, "Thanks again. You guys are great," when he received a soft applause. He got up from the piano as the recorded bar music came back up, and the lights over the piano when down. He wiped the sweat off his brow with the back of his arm, and stepped away from the piano. He decided he should at least go get some water before heading home... those stage lights really managed to dehydrate him every time he played. But something made him stop in his tracks and to a small double take. "Rem? Remle Boyd?" Gabe had to ask as he passed her table, with a small point in her direction, unsure if the woman in front of him was truly who he had thought.

[Remle Boyd]

Remle sighed happily and leaned back in her chair, enjoying the feel of her sweater rubbing across her arms and back, she enjoyed the soft fluffy fabric, the quiet sigh of leather under her jeans and the smell of the bar in general as she watched Gabe finish. She decided not to call out to him, choosing to applaud quietly with everyone else instead. He might be busy after his set, perhaps he wouldn't recognize her? She didn't have to worry about that overmuch though, as after his "Piano Man" rendition he passed close by her table and recognized her without her help. "Hello Gabe, long time no see," she smiled genuinely. "Would you like to join me for a drink? My treat of course, I enjoyed the last bit of your set," she explained. "It makes me wish I'd been here for the whole thing," she added.

She sat back and indicated the chair across from her and leaned back a bit. She remembered Gabe pretty well from school, there had only been a couple of years separating them and she hadn't minded his company in any of their shared music classes. She was happy to see that he had continued with a musical path since he had seemed to enjoy it so much. It was apparent that they had both found a way to enjoy the music they loved so much. She, as a DJ, he as an actual musician. "Do you play here often?" she asked curiously, tone quiet and even, enough to carry to her partner but not around the room. She looked around for a waiter or waitress to hail down so that Gabe could order a drink if he chose to stay.

[Gabriel James]

"I would love to stay for a drink," Gabe said, accepting the offer as he took a seat across from Rem. His old friend looked good. He wondered how long she had been in Pilot Ridge. Or if she had ever even left. He was a bit surprised by the fact that he hadn't run into her in the six months he'd been back - unless of course she had just come back as well. "It's been ages," Gabe said with a smile as he pulled his chair in so he could lean his elbows on the tale. "How are you? What have you been up to?"

He smiled sheepishly when Rem said she had enjoyed the last bit of his set. Gabe loved what he did, and he knew he was pretty good, but he still couldn't take compliments without blushing and refusing. "It was alright," he said humbly, a shrug of his shoulders. "I play here once a month... just for a change of pace," he explained. "The owner and I are friendly so I kind of weaseled my way into the gig," he admitted, laughing a bit at the situation. He loved playing there though. It was a great venue.

[Remle Boyd]

Rem smiled as Gabe sat across from her and leaned forward more comfortably to talk with him. "I've been well, thanks...busy though," she admitted as she finally succeeded in getting someone's attention to come over and take drink orders. "I just moved back to Pilot Ridge a few months ago, I'm a DJ at the local station," she explained. The waitress came and she ordered her usual whiskey neat and waited for Gabe to order before indicating that she would accept both drinks on her tab later. When they were alone again Remle's mouth quirked into a small smile when he mumbled around her compliment.

"Well, it was a nice change of pace for me nonetheless," she said graciously. "I've been thinking about playing in a public venue now and again but I can't really make up my mind...you know me, I like keeping things to myself," she shrugged. This at least was true; Remle had always struggled with the performing aspect of her musical classes unless she was part of a larger group. Standing out didn't necessarily suit her very well and she wanted to share her music....but maybe from the sidelines while someone else played it.

"So you only play once a month? How do you fill the rest of your time?" she asked as the waitress finally brought their drinks and deposited them on fancy coasters with a small bowl of nuts between them.

[Gabriel James]

"Oh wow!" Gabe said, eyes brightening, impressed with Rem's position at the radio station. He had always thought being in radio would be cool, but that he cursed way too much to ever actually try it. "That's amazing, Remle. Good for you," he said, congratulating his old friend on the new(ish) position.

When the waitress arrived, Gabe ordered a rum and coke, wanting something with a little kick - but nothing too much. Alcohol had gotten him into enough trouble recently. It was hard to resist having at least one drink though. He mouthed a thank you when Rem offered to put in on her tab, knowing that she wouldn't allow him to argue even though he wanted to. "Well if you ever want to jam, I'm always looking to do a duet or two," Gabe offered, knowing that Cecil wouldn't mind if he pulled up a guest on stage - as long as they were good. And Gabe knew that Rem was able to preform if she put her mind to it.

In almost no time at all, the waitress was setting their drinks in front of them. Gabe accepted his with a gracious smile and a thank you, taking a long sip before he continued conversation. "Yeah I'm only here once a month," he confirmed, "But my real job, right now anyway, is teaching music up at Hammel." He added 'right now' because he wasn't sure how long he'd hold onto it. At least another year, he thought. He needed to stay on the East Coast for the time being. "I had been out in LA up until this year... and I think I'll go back eventually. Give it another shot. But for now I'm spreading the love and the knowledge"

[Remle Boyd]

Remle gave the idea a moment's thought and resolved to think more about it later when she got home. "I'll think about it. I wouldn’t mind performing with you," she smiled as she inclined her drink in a small salute and sipped. Her eyebrows raised a little to hear that he was a music teacher but at the same time she knew he was good for the position. "That's great! Are the students very responsive?" she asked curiously as she leaned back and cradled her drink in both her hands. "Anyone that stands out off the top of your head? I was poking the idea of perhaps discussing a talent show type event open to student residents of the town one of these weekends. I'll bring it up to my boss at our next meeting and see what they say about it."

Her eyebrows rose when she thought about Gabe being in LA, there were things she missed about California but she'd lived in Vermont longer now and it was as much her home as San Diego had been. Eventually she had hoped that her parents might move away from their beach house but reasoned that since they had a beach house they probably wouldn't. "Oh interesting. LA's a busy city, but I can't really say that I miss it. What were you doing out west if I might pry?" she wondered. "I don't really like that much sunlight anymore," she added quietly as she sipped her drink, knowing that Gabe would understand the why of her statement. She had often dragged shadows around her space in the music room to shade the harsh florescent lights from herself and she was never very active if the sun was especially bright.

"What else have you been up to?"