[@lovely complex], [@Snagglepuss89] [color=aba000][center][h1]Calvin Lewis[/h1][/center][/color] [h2]7:00 AM[/h2] Calvin grimaced as he drove by the town's welcoming sign, and reached up with his left hand to adjust the black eye patch covering his left eye. He had spent the last two days driving continuously to Millington, Oregon from Maryland, and was currently on his last legs. Looking into the rear view mirror, Calvin found a tired, brown eye staring back. There had been a time when that eye had been bright, when opening it wasn't a challenge every morning. [color=aba000]"I need to stop and get some food soon. Getting phislophical in my old age."[/color] Calvin snarked in his head while checking his gas meter, noting that it was at half full. Flicking his vision back to the road, he took note of the town as he drove in. Grinning to himself despite his massive headache and exhaustion, Calvin felt a weight lift off his shoulders. He had arrived, after nearly two years, he would be able to keep his promise to his deceased comrade. [hr] [h2]7:30 AM[/h2] After asking around, Calvin pulled up to a church and parked his minivan in a free spot. Dusting off his jeans, Calvin got out of his car, and tied his black jacket around his waist. Rolling up the sleeves of his grey shirt, he opened the trunk of his car and pulled out his black guitar case. Slinging the case around his back, Calvin closed the door and began making his way to the town. As he walked he began singing a tune under his breath, a song that he had sang when he was younger, when all he worried as studying for his next calculus test. Grinning, he let his deep, gravely voice stumble over the half-remembered lyrics, words returning and strings strumming in his mind as he sang. [color=aba000] [i]"A long, long time ago I can still remember how that music used to make me smile And I knew if I had my chance That I could make those people dance And maybe they'd be happy for a while But February made me shiver With every paper I'd deliver Bad news on the doorstep I couldn't take one more step I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride But something touched me deep inside The day the music died..."[/i] [/color] [hr] [h2]10:30 AM[/h2] He had been busking at the mall for over 2 hours, gathering both strange and appreciative glances from the shoppers. Having so many people stare at him was a bit strange, but he ignored them for the most part. His voice had become a little from all the singing, and he was taking a small break and drinking a cup of water. Counting the donations he had collected, 30 dollars to be exact, Calvin wasn't surprised by the meager amount. Snorting to himself, he glanced back down at his guitar. It was a simple acoustic guitar, six strings and light wood. It had been a gift from his younger sister, a birthday gift from an estranged relation. Smiling sadly, he rubbed the guitar fondly, [color=aba000]"Another friend ship lost, dead before it could bloom."[/color] Calvin mumbled softly, remembering how hostile he had been to his sister growing up and vice versa. Surprisingly, Danielle had called him first when she came out and, based on the next meeting he had with her, he had been the most accepting of her change. They had shared a flat for a time, before Calvin's pensions stopped mysteriously and other demons came out of the closet. Shaking his head clear of the dark thoughts, Calvin brought a hand up to scratch his salt and pepper beard. Deciding his break was over, Calvin, slid the guitar sling over his head picked up his bag, and started moving towards the food court. Weaving through the lunch crowd, Calvin found an empty bench, dropped his bag, and placed his instrument on his knee. He than began strumming chords, turning tuning pegs every so often. Satisfied, the former corpsman began playing a soft tune. The words rolled off his tongue low and smooth, as if he was serenading some unseen lover. [color=aba000] [i]"Babe, there's something tragic about you Something so magic about you Don't you agree? Babe, there's something lonesome about you Something so wholesome about you Get closer to me No tired sighs, no rolling eyes, no irony No 'who cares', no vacant stares, no time for me Honey, you're familiar like my mirror years ago Idealism sits in prison, chivalry fell on its sword Innocence died screaming, honey, ask me I should know I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door Babe, there's something wretched about this Something so precious about this Where to begin Babe, there's something broken about this But I might be hoping about this. Oh, what a sin To the strand a picnic plan for you and me A rope in hand for your other man to hang from a tree Honey, you're familiar like my mirror years ago Idealism sits in prison, chivalry fell on its sword Innocence died screaming, honey, ask me I should know I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door Honey, you're familiar like my mirror years ago Idealism sits in prison, chivalry fell on its sword Innocence died screaming, honey, ask me I should know I slithered here from Eden just to hide outside your door"[/i][/color]