[color=9e0b0f][centre][h1]Marcus Ainsworth[/h1][/centre][/color]
[centre][h2]Tuesday Evening - Swan Songs[/h2][/centre]
With: [@Almalthia][@Majoras End][@PrinceAlexus][@King Tai]
[hr]

Marcus played better than usual, that night at Swan Songs. Something about being kicked in the emotions adding to the performance. It was moody music, a combination of his own songs, and a collection of obscure covers, but he had a style that worked well for the vibe of the venue. Chill but emotional and passionate. It was clear to anyone watching the young musician that he’d had his fair share of struggles, but was making it work for him. The set also included an impromptu collaboration with Marin and Xia, playing a classic ballad, Hallelujah. It was fun, and had the whole venue singing along. 

The rest of the night was rather awkward, with Ethan seemingly going out of his way to be rude to Reya. Marcus did what he could to try to alleviate the awkwardness and keep the girl from feeling attacked, but the rockstar didn’t make it easy. He pulled him aside at the end of the night, giving him a half smile. [color=9e0b0f]“Look, I appreciate you’re probably just sticking up for me or whatever, but you really don’t have to be so mean to Reya… She didn’t mean anything by her reaction before, she was just caught off guard. Really, it doesn’t bother me, so it shouldn’t bother you either.”[/color] He was lying a little, when he said it didn’t bother him, but he wasn’t lying when he said she didn’t mean anything by it. He still liked the girl, and didn’t like seeing Ethan being so rude to her.

Marcus spent the rest of the week like usual, playing guitar and writing some new stuff at home, and working at Club Aether. He’d been getting fairly regular shifts, which was great for him. Working lots meant he had less time to overthink things. Over all, he didn’t feel too bad about Tuesday night. Especially because Reya had been making an effort to talk to him during the week. They got coffee at one point, and had texted back and forth quite a bit. They’d started getting to know each other pretty well, but Marcus was still unsure of where the relationship was going. They hadn’t brought up the idea of “dating” since Tuesday, and neither of them were really game to mention the subject again. 
[hr][h2]Saturday Afternoon[/h2]
With:[@Majoras End][@MissCapnCrunch][hr]

Marcus sat at the bar of Club Aether, sipping at a pint after knocking off work for the day. He’d done the early shift again, so he had the night to himself. He scrolled absently through his facebook feed on his phone, not really paying attention to anything, until his phone vibrated and a notification lit up. It was a message from Reya, inviting him to go to an Art show that night. It wasn’t exactly his scene, but it was another opportunity to hang out with Rei, and maybe see where things were going. [color=9e0b0f]“Uhhh…. Dusty… Help…”[/color] He called out to his self-appointed work bestie who was currently behind the bar, and held his phone out to her. [color=9e0b0f]“What do…” [/color]

Dustynn, dumping a bag of ice into the machine hopped off the step ladder and walked over to him. Her eyes darted across his phone screen as she read the text from Reya, the girl Marcus had been mentioning in conversation for the week. Looking up at him she gave a sly smirk, her eyebrows raising suggestively as she pulled back, [color=fe697b][b]"What do you need help with? Say yes!"[/b][/color] she pushed him playfully in the arm, [color=fe697b][b]"If she's asking you, she obviously wants to go, if she didn't want to she wouldn't have."[/b][/color] she nodded, encouraging it. She knew Marcus was nervous about the entire thing, but he honestly had nothing to worry about.

Marcus sighed softly, but nodded. She had a fair point. He wasn’t sure why he felt so nervous about it all, but just the thought of putting himself out there again kinda scared him. [color=9e0b0f]“You’re right…”[/color] He mumbled, before finishing his beer. [color=9e0b0f]“What’s the worst that could happen, really? Worst case scenario, we’re just going to a fancy art show as friends.”[/color] Marcus forced a smile onto his face, which eventually turned into a real smile. [color=9e0b0f]“Alright, I’m gonna go.”[/color] It wasn’t long before that smile turned into a look of worry. [color=9e0b0f]“Oh god… What am I gonna wear…”[/color] He bolted up off his seat, ran around behind the bar to give Dustynn a hug, before grabbing his bag and heading out the door. [color=9e0b0f]“Thanks for the advice Dusty, I’ll let you know how it goes!”[/color]

He got home as quickly as possible, rushing into his room and flinging open his wardrobe, pulling out something he had not worn in several years. His high school prom suit. [color=9e0b0f]“I hope this still fits me…”[/color] He mumbled to himself as he laid it down on his bed and got into the shower. He had what was possibly the quickest shower he ever had, wasting no time in standing there in reflection like he normally would. He got himself clean and got out, drying himself quickly and starting to put on the suit. Thank god he hadn’t grown much since High School and it still fit. He struggled with a few minutes with the tie, eventually resorting to pulling up a youtube tutorial. ONce he was ready, he stared at himself in the mirror for a few moments. He hated how he looked in suits, but he hoped he didn’t look too bad to anyone else. He grabbed a hair brush and ran it through his hair a few times, sweeping his fringe over his left eye like usual, and picked up his phone. 

[b][color=9e0b0f]“Hey Rei, thanks for the invite! I’m on my way now :)"[/color][/b]

He sent the message to Reya as quickly as his thumbs would let him, before ordering an Uber, grabbing his wallet and heading downstairs. It wasn’t a cheap Uber ride from his apartment to the mansion, but luckily he’d been working quite a bit, and could afford it. His jaw dropped as they pulled up outside the mansion and he saw Reya standing there, seemingly waiting for him, looking gorgeous. [color=9e0b0f]“Wow…”[/color] He mumbled to himself, luckily still in the car so she couldn’t see him staring. Marcus regained his composure and turned to give the Uber driver a smile. [color=9e0b0f]“Thanks man, enjoy the rest of your night.”[/color] He said, tipping the man $10 before getting out of the car, and walking over to Reya. [color=9e0b0f]“Hey Rei… You… You look amazing…”[/color] He said with a wide smile, offering the girl hug. There was no denying he was a little nervous, but he was doing his best to hide it.