Chapter 2: Meeting the rest
Moray's was a unusual, even for a dive bar. the interior looked like the inside of a sunken ship, with dark, weathered wood paneling and flickering lanterns casting eerie shadows on the walls. The air was thick with the scent of beer, smoke, and something else, something musky and sweet that Ron couldn't quite place. I was also empty, save for the bartender.
"Excuse me sir, is the band playing tonight?" Ron asked the bartender, leaning against the scarred wooden bar. The bartender, a burly man with a thick beard and tattoos snaking up his arms, looked up from polishing a glass and squinted at Ron.
"Tonight? Yeah, but...don't expect the best show. The band's been... going through some scurvy,if you know what I mean" the bartender said, his voice gruff. He set the glass down and leaned against the bar, eyeing Ron. "You a friend of Zilla's?"
Ron hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. She invited me to check them out."
The bartender raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "Well, you're braver than most. Most people stay away from that one. She can curse me out, and I use to be a sailor." He laughed, a deep rumble that seemed to shake the very rafters of the bar. "But if you're her friend, and you're here to see the band, then you're alright in my book. Name's Moray, by the way. I own this place."
Ron extended a hand, "Nice to meet you, Moray. I'm Ron." Moray took his hand in a firm grip, giving it a shake that made Ron's teeth rattle. "So, what do think of the band, Moray?" Ron asked, rubbing his hand discreetly after Moray released it.
Moray chuckled, "See for yourself," he said as he dimmed the lights. Suddenly, the stage was illuminated, and the band took their places. Rogue, the lead singer, stepped up to the microphone, her blood-red mohawks appearing like flaming wings against the dark stage. She gave Ron a once-over, her eyes narrowing as she took in his appearance. Ron shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, feeling like a fish out of water.
Rogue leaned into the microphone, her voice a low growl, "Alright, you fucking degenerate, are you ready to rock?"
Ron peered around the room, no one else had entered the bar since he arrived. Yet, Rogue's question seemed directed at him. He cleared his throat, "Uh, yeah, I guess I am."
"Fuck you! I do what I want!" Rouge suddenly shouted. "So, hold onto your fucking balls, because my harlots and I will drain them!"
With that, she nodded to Zilla, who let out a screeching feedback through her guitar, followed by a thunderous crash on the drums. The music was raw, unapologetic, and completely unlike anything Ron had ever heard.
It was a cacophony of sound, a sonic assault that seemed to shake the very foundations of Moray's. He watched, wide-eyed, as Rogue prowled the stage, her voice a snarling growl that cut through the noise like a knife. She seemed so angry and hurtful, she looked like she would kill someone with her microphone stand if given the chance. Yet, there was an undeniable charisma to her, a raw energy that held Ron captive.
Zilla, on the other hand, was a whirlwind of motion. She shredded her guitar, her fingers dancing over the fretboard with a speed and precision that belied her reckless demeanor. Her face was a mask of concentration, her eyes closed as she lost herself in the music. It was a stark contrast to the brash, foul-mouthed woman Ron had met earlier. Here, on stage, she was a different person entirely. She was raw, passionate, and completely consumed by the music.
Ron felt the music pulse through him, his heart pounding in time with the drums. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the raw power of the performance. He had never seen anything like it, never felt anything like it. It was like a physical force, pushing him, pulling him, demanding his attention.
As the set came to a close, Rogue threw back her head and let out a scream that seemed to shake the very rafters of Moray's. he crowd went wild, screaming and cheering, but Ron barely noticed. He was transfixed, his eyes locked on Zilla as she wiped the sweat from her brow, a small smile playing on her lips.
And then their was the drummer, She matched Rouge's wrath and Zilla's focus with
her own brand of energy. Zappy, as she was called, was a blur of neon blue hair and lightning bolt patterns, her drumsticks a whirlwind as they struck the skins with a relentless rhythm. She was the glue that held the band together, her enthusiasm infectious, her talent undeniable. Together, the three of them were a force to be reckoned with, a sonic storm that threatened to tear the very roof off Moray's.
And yet, when the punks finished, the bar was still empty, save for Ron and Moray. The bartender turned to Ron, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Quite the performance, eh?"
Ron nodded, still trying to process what he'd just witnessed. "It was... something else," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Moray chuckled, "That's one way to put it. You alright there, Ron? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Ron laughed, running a hand through his hair. "I feel like I have. I've never seen anything like that before. It was...intense. Raw. Like nothing I'd ever experience." Moray was still staring at Ron, as if he hadn't finish his thought. Moray's intuition was correct when Ron continued "Buuuuuut, something feels really off. I mean, they're amazing, no doubt about it. But the crowd... or lack thereof. And it seems like they're playing to no one, yet they're putting on this massive show. It's like they're trying to fill a void or something."
Moray nodded, "You're not wrong, Ron. They are intense, some say too intense. They scare away everyone wherever they play, and get no gigs as a result. I only house them here because my bar ain't exactly popular to begin with, which is how I like it."
Moray poured Ron another drink, a local craft beer he insisted he try. "But don't tell them that. They think they're saving my business with their... performances."
Ron took a sip of the beer, his eyebrows raising in surprise. "This is actually really good," he said, looking at the amber liquid in his glass. "But back to the band, it's a shame they're not getting more recognition. They're incredibly talented."
Moray leaned against the bar, his eyes scanning the empty room. "Aye, they are. But that talent has no vision. If only someone could guide them, give them direction. You seem like the kind of man who could do that, Ron," Moray said, his gaze thoughtful as he studied Ron.
Ron raised an eyebrow, "Huh, Zilla said the same thing." Moray erupted with laughter, banging his fist at the table top. "No shit? That has got to be the funniest thing I ever heard!" As he continued to laugh, Zilla spotted Ron and waved him over. "Hey, Dude! You came!"
Ron hesitated for a moment, then made his way over to the table. "Hey, Zilla. you told me you were playing tomorrow, what gives ?" Ron asked, sliding into the booth next to her. Zilla stopped grinning, her gold eyes widen with error. "Oh, shit. I did, didn't I? Fuck, I'm sorry, man. I get ahead of myself sometimes." She rubbed the back of her neck, looking embarrassed for the first time since Ron had met her.
Ron chuckled, "It's alright, Zilla. where are you other band members?" Ron asked, looking around the empty bar. Zilla's eyes lit up, "Oh, they're here somewhere." She rolled her eyes, "You know how she gets."
Ron paused at her strange use of language. "What do you-" Just then, Rouge herself emerged from the back, her blood-red mohawks a beacon in the dimly lit bar. She spotted Ron and Zilla and stormed over, her eyes narrowed. "Green room, now Zilla."
Rogue barked, not even acknowledging Ron's presence. Zilla sighed, "Sorry, duty calls. Be right back." She slid out of the booth and followed Rogue, leaving Ron alone at the table. After a few minutes, the drummer, Zappy came over, her neon blue ponytail swishing behind her.
"Hey! You must be Ron, from the curb! I'm Zappy , the drummer. Nice to finally meet you!" she exclaimed, extending a hand towards Ron. Ron took her hand, surprised by her energetic greeting. "Hi, Zappy. Yeah, that's me. It's nice to meet you too."
Zappy pulled Ron to his feet to his surprise. "Rouge wants to see you, come with me
," she said, tugging him towards the back of the bar. Ron stumbled along, trying to keep up with her energetic strides. "Uh, Zappy, what's this about?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Zappy glanced back at him, her neon blue ponytail bouncing with each step. "Oh, you know, band stuff. She wants to discuss the new hire, that's you, by the way," she said, grinning. "Don't worry, she's all bark and no bite.
Mostly," Zappy added with a laugh. She pushed open a heavy door, revealing a small, cluttered room filled with battered sofas and dimly lit by a single bulb hanging from the ceiling. The air was thick with the scent of sweat, smoke, and an underlying musk that Ron couldn't quite place. Rogue was pacing back and forth, her blood-red mohawks casting eerie shadows on the walls as she moved.
"About time," she growled, stopping mid-stride to glare at Zilla.
"And who the fuck is this?" she added, jerking her chin towards Ron.
Zilla rolled her eyes, "This is Ron, remember? I told you about him. He's the new manager I was telling you about."
Rogue's eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer to Ron, towering over him despite being shorter. "Manager, huh? You think you can handle us, fucker?"
Zappy coughed, "Rouge, your not on stage now, relax." Rouge glared at Zappy, before turning her attention back to Ron. "Well?" she demanded, tapping her foot impatiently.
Ron, taken aback by her aggressive tone, took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "So I talked to Moray before and after you girls performed," he began, his voice steady and calm. "He tells me you're a great band, but you're not getting the recognition you deserve because... well, because you're just a bit too intense for most people."
Rogue scoffed, "Intense? We're a punk band, we're supposed to be intense!" She crossed her arms, her mohawks quivering with indignation.
Ron held up a hand, "I'm not saying you should tone it down, not at all. In fact, I think you should keep that intensity, but.... something feels off, and I think I would like to know you guys before changing anything." Ron finished, his eyes steady on Rogue.
Rogue's glare softened a fraction, her arms uncrossing as she considered Ron's words. "You think you can handle us, without changing a thing?" she asked, her voice still sharp but lacking the previous hostility.
Ron nodded, "I do. I think you're all incredibly talented, and I'd like to help you get the recognition you deserve. But I won't do that by changing who you are. I want to understand you first, understand what makes Rouge's Harlots tick."
Zilla grinned, "See, hes got balls that can't drain Rouge." Rouge shot Zilla a look, then she turned back to Zappy "Unless you say something, I'm not taking him seriously."
Zappy rolled her eyes, "Oh, come on Rogue. He's the first person who's shown any interest in us since Moray. And he only wants us to keep other people out. Plus he seems to genuinely like our music. Give him a chance, yeah?"
Rogue's expression softened slightly, but her eyes remained guarded. "Fine," she said, her voice still gruff. "But you better not fuck this up, Ron. I swear to god, if you try to change us, I will murder you dead."
Ron held up his hands in surrender, "I wouldn't dream of it.
I just want to help you guys get the recognition you deserve. But I can't do that if I don't understand you first. So, how about this? I'll stick around, get to know you all, and in the meantime, I'll work on finding you some better gigs. But I won't make any changes to your act, your music, or your image. Deal?"
Rogue eyed him for a moment, then extended her hand. "Deal," she said, her voice still gruff but with a hint of something softer underneath. Ron took her hand, shaking it firmly.
"Alright then. Now, let's talk over drinks, my treat" Ron said, gesturing towards the door. Rogue opened her mouth as if to protest, but Zilla cut her off. "Sounds like a plan, Ron. Lets get free booze!" She grabbed both Zappy Rogue's arms and started to pull her towards the door.
"Come on, let's go. Ron's buying." Rouge shot Zilla a look, but didn't resist as Zilla dragged her out of the green room. Ron followed, a small smile playing on his lips. As they made their way back to the main bar area, Moray looked up from polishing a glass and raised an eyebrow. "Back so soon?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Ron's buying drinks," Zilla announced, sliding onto a stool at the bar. Ron took the seat next to her, with Rogue and Zappy taking the stools on either side of him.
Moray placed four shot glasses on the bar and filled them with a clear liquid. "To new beginnings," Ron said, raising his glass. The others mimicked him, and they all downed the shots in unison. The alcohol burned its way down Ron's throat, leaving a trail of warmth in its wake.
As they talked about irrelevant topics, Ron felt that their was something going on in the band, but they kept their secrets close to their chest. He knew that he was a stranger to them still, so they chatted away though the night, with Ron picking up more and more about their personalities.
"Hey, Ron," Zilla said, leaning in close to him, her gold eyes gleaming. "You got a place to crash?" Ron blinked, taken aback by the sudden question. "Uh, no. I was going to leave tomorrow, but I can always find a motel or something."
Zilla grinned, leaning in, the smell of alcohol on her breath. "Or you can stay with me. I have some punk stuff you might be interested in, y'know, to understand the basics and stuff," Zilla suggested, her voice low and conspiratorial.
Ron raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, really? And what kind of 'punk stuff' would that be, Zilla?" he asked, leaning in closer to her. Zilla's grin widened, and she leaned in even closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oh, you have to find out, if you follow me home." She winked, her gold eyes sparkling with mischief. Ron felt a jolt of excitement at the suggestion. Normally he would say no, but
there was something about Zilla that made him want to take a chance. "Alright, you're on," he said, a smirk playing on his lips. "But only if you promise to tell me more about this 'punk stuff' you mentioned."
Zilla laughed, a sound like tinkling bells that seemed at odds with her tough exterior. "Don't worry, Ron. I promise it'll be a night you won't forget."
As they left Moray's, Rogue and Zappy exchanged a look. "Aren't you gonna go after her? She's your girlfriend!" Zappy exclaimed, watching Rogue with a mixture of concern and curiosity. Rogue scoffed, downing the rest of her drink. "Ex-girlfriend. And besides, I've told you before, Zilla does what she wants. If she wants Ron, she'll have him. I'm not gonna stand in her way." She slammed the glass down on the bar, her eyes flashing.
Zappy rolled her eyes, "You're such a liar, Rogue. You still care about her, I can tell." Rogue's expression softened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "Even if I did, it doesn't matter. Zilla made her choice, and it wasn't me." She stood up, grabbing her leather jacket from the back of her chair. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some...personal business to attend to." With that, she strode out of Moray's, leaving Zappy sitting alone at the bar.
Zappy sighed, shaking her head."She's impossible, I swear." She turned to Moray, who just finished wiping down the counter. "Moray, another round, please." He nodded, pouring two more shots of the clear liquid. Zappy downed hers in one go, grimacing at the burn. "She's so stubborn, she won't even admit to herself that she still loves Zilla." Moray leaned against the bar, his tattoos stretching with the movement. "Love's a funny thing, Zappy. It makes us do things we wouldn't normally do. Sometimes it makes us push people away, even when we want them close." He looked at her, his eyes wise and knowing.
Zappy rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah, easy for you to say. You're not the one in love with a stubborn punk rocker who can't admit her feelings."
Moray chuckled, "True, I love a peppy punk rocker who stays behind as I close the bar down."
Zappy blushed, "Geez, old man. You always make feel special, That earns you the pleasure of fucking my ass tonight."
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