Shout At The Devil! [Halloween Party] Band members and friends invited

[bangingthe_hellouttayou]

Zack had decided that he wanted to do something for Halloween now that he'd gotten his new costume and being a Spider-Man fan he'd gone for a Spider-Punk costume straight from his comics. He'd gotten it at a local comic store down on the Strip and couldn't wait to show Damien because he knew the Dog didn't have comics or anything fun back in Hunger City. Zack now pleased that he'd arranged a Halloween Party for the band members, their friends and family to attend inside the communal area of the apartments. It was the biggest space and there was a bar all stocked up with spooky drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike.

It would be a blast!

There were even spooky snacks with crisps and chips shaped like bats, ghosts and pumpkins. There were even actual pumpkins on a table for those who wished to carve a pumpkin alone or with friends. Zack had tried to make it accessible for all, those who wished to party and get drunk and those who wanted to do non-boozy activities too.

As for costumes---they were optional but preferred.

"Ok, I think that's it. Everyone should be arriving soon."

Zack looking around the room and hoping everyone would like what he had set-up with help from some of the others of course.

Comments

[hellomajortom]

Everyone was starting to get food for themselves, including Tom who paused when questioned. Mostly, he didn't have an answer for the younger man... you pass an emotional check was neither helpful nor encouraging.

"Yes, Ziggy has the final say on who joins the tour." Tom could easily confirm that. "For the other bands, meeting him and talking mostly. Some of the others have mentioned knowing or being involved with someone already on the tour or trusted has helped."

He knew that having someone else vouch for someone was always part of the music industry, this tour or any other. Even venues opened their doors to musicians for that reason more often than not. "I don't think he's formally auditioned anyone aside from his own band."

Sure, Ziggy had gone and watched the bands play but he hadn't set them down in a studio or something. Maybe he was looking at more, the organic and how they worked the crowd. Tom couldn't be sure and so didn't mention that part. "I know you are familiar with Rekker. Do you know any of the others?"

[willoftheblackbird]

“A few of the people here tonight are auditioning for various spots. We have two interested bassists, one interested guitarist. And one potential drummer who has already made it to a second round.” He replied.

Despite the opportunity to name drop, he actually chose not to say who they was auditioning. He didn’t want his judgement in the upcoming auditions to be clouded. But if they were guests here, they must either be someone or know someone.

“I’m one of Jan Sutton’s voice students.” He offered instead. “Raev and his brother have heard me sing…”

[hellomajortom]

"Who? Or is that a secret?" Tom asked but he knew sometimes people kept line ups or line up changes secret at first. It wasn't pushy, merely curiosity.

"Raev has a bloody amazing voice." Tom commented. "When they get him to sing you can hear it all over the building. He doesn't even need a microphone."

Tom had been impressed by Raev's voice. He'd never heard a human voice like that though Antheans when they sang had a similar quality where the voice carried far more than felt possible.

[willoftheblackbird]

“I don’t think it’s… fair… “ he chose his words carefully, “…to them… to say that publicly - at least until we’ve made the decision.”

Though the others could probably hear the certainty in his voice when he spoke about the potential drummer. Someone was definitely getting a gig, and they would all probably hear about it from Ansgar himself.

“He does. His range, especially.” Dee nodded in full agreement. “It was incredible to hear him at karaoke night.”

Dee could project, but not like Raev could - and did. One of the main reasons he continued taking lessons from Jan Sutton was to preserve his vocal ability as much as possible. If anyone knew about keeping those muscles strong, it was a voice coach with MS.

[hellomajortom]

Tom nodded and understood. The wildness of this bunch could cause all sorts of wrenches in things if it got out about who. Tom would wait because he would surely hear both the accepted and the rejected.

"He's written a few songs. Have you heard those?" Tom asked curiously. "I think he wrote them with Torden because they only have voice and bass."

[willoftheblackbird]

Dee shook his head. “I haven’t… I’ve only heard him sing once. And that was karaoke.”

If Tom listens to the recording ball of Dee’s demo, he’ll find an abundance of vocals, piano and violin, so there’s that…

[hellomajortom]

Tom nodded. "It's like pulling teeth from what I hear but the other Danes can get him to sing them sometimes."

Tom couldn't believe that some of the people here lacked confidence in their talent. He always felt overwhelmed by the creativity though he imagined that the same was probably true about his scientific knowledge for most of the artists.

He would certainly listen to it but not now. That felt like unreasonable pressure. Robert had been listening and came into the conversation.

"What do you do besides music?" Robert asked out of his own curiosity but also, if he knew and Dee joined the tour, he could help him integrate with the other musicians. The number of hobbies around were all over the board.

[willoftheblackbird]

Dee glanced over to Robert, and down at his plate. For so long, he had let his music be the driving focus in his life - to the detriment of almost everything else - because there wasn’t TIME for hobbies. And as his condition progressed, he’d given up on trying to hold down another job. He just didn’t have the energy for it.

“…well, right now… it’s trying to plan a wedding…” he admitted. “Which is a lot harder than I thought…”

[thisisgroundcontrol]

Robert listened and chuckled at the revelation. "I hope you aren't having tantrums about it like my brother."

Rekker had several major breakdowns over things around marriage in the past six months or so. Robert though looked over at his long time friend.

"Tom can plan anything if you need help." Robert barely held in more laughter given the look Tom threw in his direction.

"Come on." Martyn broke in. "You can keep this mess planned and on task. A wedding is nothing."

Tom rolled his eyes. "There are.. four.. weddings already being planned in this group. I know."

[willoftheblackbird]

“Four?” He exclaimed. “It’s hard enough wrapping my head around one. We haven’t set a date yet. We’re still trying to pick a location… which is going to have to be out of the country at this rate…”

Jay had already insisted that they didn’t have to worry about money, that his parents would help support a destination wedding if that’s what it took to actually tie the knot.

“A few of the folks here had some good suggestions in Europe that we’ll have to look into.” Dee added helpfully. “It’s legal in some countries over there.”

Which definitely answered any and all questions about whether his fiancé was a man or a woman - for those who hadn’t seen Jay around before he got called into work.

“I at least got the fittings arranged…. for the tuxes we’ll both be wearing.”

That was progress. The tailor was going to have a field day with this job.

[thisisgroundcontrol]

"Yes." Tom nodded.

Martyn was laughing. "What did you think would happen bringing this many gay and bisexual pretty boys into one place?"

Tom looked up and was about to get sarcastic but Martyn had a legitimate point. It was a matter of numbers and constant close living, nevermind the widespread trust issues in this group.

"I know Rekker and Mick have similar plans because of legality." Robert interjected and he had seen the most extreme angry outbursts over that from his brother. "I think they were looking at Denmark or Sweden."

Tom nodded. "That's a good start. Anything that can get done before hand lessens the stress."

[willoftheblackbird]

Never mind how legal the marriage might be considered once they got home… why was this such a big problem in so many people’s eyes anyway?

“Denmark and Sweden were both suggested.” Dee nodded.

He knew he’d have to do a lot more research to narrow down some perspective places, and figure out how accessible they were. He didn’t know Danish or Swedish either, so knowing some people now that did was going to be a huge help.

Dee playfully shook his head at Tom’s comment. “Tell that to Jay. He’s still stressed about the fittings… and been on a diet for the past month.”

[hellomajortom]

"I think those are high on the list because of dual citizenship options and marriage recognition because of one of the partner's citizenship." Tom explained. He wondered if the next leg of the tour was going to have pit stops or down time for weddings. It wouldn't be outside the possibility.

Martyn shook his head. "Dieting isn't the best for fittings. I did that when I was planning mine and then stress ate my way to a refitting three weeks before the wedding."

Robert was not surprised that his higher strung older brother was a stress eater.

[willoftheblackbird]

"Neither of us have dual citizenship. I hope we'll still be able to make something work..."

Dee was originally from Ohio, and Jay was born and raised around Los Angeles. The latter had at least traveled out of the country before, if that counted for anything. Dee hadn't even done that.

He turned to Martyn, "Well, even if that does happen... at least everything will still fit for the engagement photos. And maybe then he'll relax a bit."

Obviously, Dee loved his fiance regardless of what size tux he wore. And he knew the feeling was mutual.

[hellomajortom]

"Rekker was on a rant about it." Tom tried to remember what the ginger had been on about. "Something about dual citizenship forcing laws to accept the validity of a marriage."

Martyn snorted a laugh while drinking wine. Of course, Rekker had found some loophole. If anyone could, Rekker could because he got obsessive over things that irritated him.

Martyn wasn't thinking at all about size but his own stress around his marriage but that had fallen apart. "Do you have plans for the photos?"

[willoftheblackbird]

Dee would have to ask Rekker about that. He and Jay could use a good loophole, honestly.

“Jay’s parents said we could shoot on their property. So, some may be out in the orchard. Some inside. They have the most beautiful grand piano in the foyer…” he replied, imagining some particularly romantic shots of the two of them, instruments and all. “I still need to pick a photographer, though. Do you… know of anyone?

[hellomajortom]

Tom and Martyn both looked to Robert. He was the one with an artist as a partner.

Robert felt on the spot and then shrugged. "There are a few here. Joe, Rex, Rik.. Heikki, I think. Korppi?"

"Not people." Tom pointed out. "Korppi does wildlife photography." Tom understood. It was hard to keep up with everyone, let alone all their side skills.

Martyn spoke up. "There are quite a few hair stylists and make up artists too."

Tom was listening and nodded. "I think Hunter, Aarne and Bjorn all did cosmetology... Mikkel and Syn... Davy."

Robert thought about that. "Torden.. he's a model and he's run photoshoots as the photographer."

Martyn nodded. "Torden does shoots for a living on both sides of the camera."

"Isak." Martyn brought it up and Robert rolled his eyes. "Wrong kind of photography, I think. But Isak, Jorgen, and Sven .. at least have done modeling."

It would become clear quickly that there were many people with multiple talents around the apartments. Tom knew this could be overwhelming without having faces for these names. "I'd talk to people. Most of them will tell you about their hobbies if they start talking."

[willoftheblackbird]

That was an overwhelmingly long list of names! Hearing Rik's name made him think of something else, but this wasn't really the time to change the subject.

"All of them shoot professionally?"

He'd met both Rik and Rex, the latter was going to audition for their band later next week.

He knew Mikkel, Syn and Davy, so asking them about hair and makeup was a very good idea. They'd need that for the photos, and also the wedding itself when it came to that.

[hellomajortom]

Robert shrugged and Tom did too. "Rik is from schooling and Torden but I don't know about the others. Does Jake do photography?"

Both the Sterlings shrugged because they didn't know. Even for Tom, without his infamous notebook, sometimes got overwhelmed with all the people.

"I don't know Heikki very well." Martyn admitted. "He's either chasing after that blonde or being chased off by Davy constantly."

"No." Robert corrected. "That is Ivar that Davy is furious with."

"Is it?" Marty asked curiously. They all got confused now and again.

Tom shook his head chuckling. "I'd talk to the others. There are too many to pinpoint all of them."

[willoftheblackbird]

Dee would definitely have to ask around. "Thank you... That's still a big help."

When it came time to plan the other portions of the wedding, he may very well find help there too. Surely, they would know good caterers, florists, etc.

Before he could say anything else, though, his phone buzzed. "Oh! Jay's on his way back. Which apartment is this again?"

[hellomajortom]

Tom nodded. "I think you'll find a lot of the skills you might want here, and people willing to help." Sure, they might want paid for the skill but there wouldn't be any of the worries that could come with dealing with a stranger.

While Tom gave Dee the information to get Jay back to the apartment and the number, Robert got up and went to the kitchen. Soon, Robert had set up a to-go container for Jay. The older men did this for the younger ones all the time, not to mention Mick's parents, Torden and others.

[willoftheblackbird]

"Thank you, again... for everything."

Of course, they would compensate anyone they worked with, for one reason or another. That was one thing Dee rarely had to worry about now - Jay's family was incredibly well off, and Jay himself brought in a six-figure salary.

It wasn't too long before there was a knock on the door.

[hellomajortom]

"Of course."

At this point, Tom realized that this band might be joining them in some way. Even if it was just as traveling companions. Martyn got up to greet Jay and let him in. He'd also do introductions for Jay as well.

[willoftheblackbird]

Jay was in his scrubs now, with the makeup from the party long gone. He politely introduced himself as well, though had to pause for a moment as he took in who all was in the room.

It seemed Dee got to meet and network with Tom Jones after all, and quite a few others. (Was that actually the head of World Corp sitting over there?!) He was glad now, that Dee insisted to stay behind and that he listened.

“Looks like you had a good night.” He came in to greet his fiancé with a quick kiss. “Sorry I missed it.”

Dee glanced up at some of the others in the room for validation as he replied. “I’m pretty sure there will be others.”

[hellomajortom]

Martyn smiled because he remembered nights of being called in when he was working at a veterans hospital.

Tom nodded. "I feel like the two of you are going to become a regular fixture around here." He recognized how they interacted with the other musicians, saw the same patterns. The people here thrived having other creative people around. These two appeared to have the same behavior.

Robert offered Jay a bag of containers; both Jay's dinner and enough for them both to have another meal. "You'll have to enjoy this meal at home and hopeful join us for another in the future."

Tommy was watching all of this happen, curious about the two new people.