greenevoices: (float)
Imogen Reed ([personal profile] greenevoices) wrote in [community profile] undergrounds2017-09-08 12:09 pm

I could watch you a thousand times - open/closed

9 September, Evening - The Angelo (open)

Blues beat, slow burn. The lights turned way down low; just the spotlight on the singer and the dim glittering of the candles on the tables. The girl on stage looks so small and frail, all dressed in black, but when she starts to sing her voice is anything but.

"I put a spell on you...because you're mine."

She starts soft, low. This has always been more of a ballad than a power anthem. She sways with the rhythm, channeling the pain of a woman wronged.

"You better stop the things you do--I tell ya, I ain't lyin'.
Oh no, I ain't lyin'.
"

The rest of the set is a bit of a blur. Nothing original, nothing of her own, just jazz and blues standards. That's just fine. She can do standards. There's polite applause at the end of her performance; she didn't bring down the house, but it's the biggest audience she's had in months and she relishes it.

Imogen loves this. She loves performing. She loves the spotlight and the way people look at her when she sings, like they're seeing her for the first time. So what if she's not being showered with roses as she takes her bow? This is a good gig. She's going to savor it.

There's another set at 10, but in the meantime Imogen moves to the bar, ready to meet her adoring public.

12 September - The Angelo (Closed to Lydia)

"Yeah, Mum, I loved the flowers. Thanks so much." Imogen's got a new phone now, to replace the one she lost. Had stolen from her. By someone who, according to Find My iPhone, likes to hang out at cemeteries. Well, Daddy cancelled the account and had Apple remotely lock the phone, so Little Miss Cemetery Lurker has a very expensive brick now. Serves her fucking right.

Imogen still hasn't told her parents about being attacked; she just said she lost the phone while she was out in the West End. She's never been very good at lying outright--in fact, she's always been bloody awful at it--but she can embroider the truth all she wants.

Today's her birthday, and Imogen's going for birthday drinks with some people she knows later, but first she's got to drop by "work."

"No, Mum, I told you--I can't come by this weekend. I've got performances. Yeah, Mum. Thanks, Mum. See you later. Lots of love to Daddy. Bye."

She's too busy walking and talking to notice that there's a girl already waiting out front of Cesare's office. Not until she almost collides with her.

"Sorry!"

21 September - Redbright Institute (closed to Sylvia Redbright)

The letter had come in the second week of Imogen's residency at The Angelo. It was on fancy paper, with a letterhead for some school she'd never heard of, asking for a meeting. Imogen almost ignores it. After all, she's not exactly desperate for work right now. Not with Cesare paying her to sing three nights a week and lavishing her with expensive gifts. But she doesn't have anything else to do today, and she's bored. Might as well make the appointment.

The school's campus is a bit of a maze, so it takes a while to find the right door. Imogen knocks.

"Mrs...Redbright?"

Mid to Late September - Around London (open)

Even with a handsome millionaire paying the bills, a girl's still got to work. Imogen can be found busking around London, playing the new guitar that had been her birthday present this year. She still doesn't feel very safe after what happened last month, but she sticks to crowded areas and well lit streets and it's been okay so far.

She's drawing bigger audiences lately, and inspires more passionate responses to her music. Is this it? Is she on the verge of making it big?
outofthemanor: (Default)

Around London

[personal profile] outofthemanor 2017-09-09 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Wednesday had spotted the girl a few times s she wandered around London, and had stayed to listen once. This time she stays for a bit longer, listening carefully. It's not entirely her tastes, but she can see that there is talent there. Besides which, it's more in tune than some of the buskers. It's entertaining, really, listening, and she considers that she should leave something. She doesn't really have any small change, so leaves some large notes in the case.
Edited 2017-09-09 19:44 (UTC)
outofthemanor: (reading)

[personal profile] outofthemanor 2017-09-09 08:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Wednesday considers the question for a moment and... well, she's not actually heard the radio in a while. She doesn't actually listen to it, most of the music is too... bright for her. She shakes her head.

"I'm content to listen."
outofthemanor: (doesn't tan well)

[personal profile] outofthemanor 2017-09-11 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
"You play well," Wednesday replies. "While the music tastes may not be all in line with my own personal tastes, I can appreciate good playing." It seems to be reasonable enough - why else would she stand and listen?
outofthemanor: (planned parenthood 1)

[personal profile] outofthemanor 2017-09-17 11:49 am (UTC)(link)
"I lean towards heavier sounds." That's true. Punk tends to be her go to for relaxing listening, though political punk is her personal favourite of that sub-genre. "However it cannot be said that there is not a place for lighter fare in my daily listening."