[attr="class","minicharh"]

Thomas Benoit

[attr="class","minicharentry"]

deep breaths, you've done this before. [break][break]

clearly not enough, if she's still getting nerves. it's not the first time she's gotten on the stage to sing, it won't be the last, but by god it doesn't stop the butterflies from fluttering in her stomach. the guitar's in hand when she reaches the stage, resting against her thigh as she leans towards the microphone. after a deep breath, she sings a song for the patrons, regardless if they were listening or not. [break][break]

the song ends - as they all do - and she gives the crowd a smile. a soft bow, and the angelic figure dressed in white lifts herself momentarily from the stool to descend for a cup of water in between performances. the good thing about being a freelance on demand is that they have to accommodate her. how pleasant. [break][break]

though when she arrives to the bar, she can feel a gaze on her figure still. it's not uncommon, but it's typical for her to trace the gaze back to the starer. this time, her eyes meet those of an older man's. [break][break]

so she wears the smile that reaches her eyes, waving her fingers to he who seemed to gaze at her. [break][break]

did he need something?

---

[attr="class","minicharf"]

[attr="class","minicharh"]

Thomas Benoit

[attr="class","minicharentry"]

maybe she's just being paranoid. [break][break]

singing took a lot out of a person, after all. maybe she's a little winded from all the attention. maybe she should ask if she can end her shift in a little bit. they paid her per event, rather than by the hour, so it's no loss to her. so she'll do as she always does; order a glass of water before going back on stage for one last song, then call it a night and head home. [break][break]

that's what's supposed to happen. [break][break]

unfortunately, with wonderful attention comes not-so-wonderful encounters. the feeling of eyes cling to her back once again. this time, she slowly turns around to see an older man smiling to her, so rudely pulling out a stool to sit next to her. if she's honest, seraphim doesn't much pay attention to what he's saying - rather than trying to verbally put off his advances. sadly, he doesn't get the memo. [break][break]

she's about to make the final point when she gives a polite "excuse me, i should probably head back". it usually gets them to stop. sadly, this time is different, and her wrist is grabbed instead. it takes everything in her to not yank her arm away, and rather, wear a nervous smile in the face of his insistence. [break][break]

"come on, i'll buy you a drink!"[break]
"n-no, i think i'm alright. thank y--"[break]
"it'll be fun! come on, loosen up a bit--"[break][break]

she's trying, really. trying not to deck the bar's halls with the bastard, and break character.

---

[attr="class","minicharf"]