Friday, Oct. 3, 2008
10:41pm
Streets of Hogsmeade

Outfit

Trina Quinn had just finished up a set of songs for a small concert she was playing in Hogsmeade. It was a night off for her, as Three Owl Standard was on a break from touring.  She was there with a guitar and a microphone, and that was all she could ask for. She loved the band and everything, but she still enjoyed being able to perform her own music from time to time, and they allowed her to do that.  So that’s what Trina was doing now.  And it was quite enjoyable... save for some heckler in the back.

In the beginning there wasn’t much of a problem with the woman in the back, but she had managed to get a bit more annoying as the mini-concert went on.  Trina wasn’t sure what her problem was, but she intended to find out.  After her last song, she thanked everyone, then put her guitar in it’s case then shrunk it down to fit in her bag, as well as the other items she’d brought.  Then, she was able to see the woman heading towards the door, and Trina decided to follow her.

On her way out, she thanked the owner, who was behind the bar. Trina also got caught having to sign a few autographs as well. Soon enough she was out the door, in the chill of the early October air.  She pulled her coat tight and looked around. Then saw the woman who almost seemed to be waiting for her.  Walking over calmly, she spoke to the woman.

“Excuse me, I couldn’t help but notice you had a problem with me. I was wondering how you seem to have drawn such a prejudice against me. Have I done something to offend you?” Trina hoped that wouldn’t make the woman dislike her any more. If anything, she’d find out why this woman seemed to dislike her.

A full day of recovery was required for the Black Chimera's party, but now Eudora was back in business.  With a purpose, she might add.  She was glad to see the purists in London had a bit more in mind than their Parisian brothers and sisters.  With her first mission, as she had it quaintly referred as, Eudora was now to check out the old stomping grounds of a certain somebody.  The knowledge of the terrible misfortune awaiting them was delicious, and Eudora glowed with anticipation.

Of course the town boasted one of Western Europe's most formidiable nightclubs, but the night was too young.  Not that she would meet anyone terribly exciting, but it was worth a look in the name of reconnaissance.  Her usual fiery red locks had been toned down into a rich chestnut brown while her figure took on a more subtle, less noticeable form.  It took away some of the usual fire in her step, but she still knew how to make herself known if so desired.

It wasn't long before the plaintive ramblings of a local singer.  The voice held the tune well, although even a cat could manage that much, and the melodies weren't too bad.  Eudora even found herself pausing just for the sake of listening.  Perhaps she could recommend the young girl as an opening act for her cousin.  Then Eudora saw the nose.  And the eyes.  And the hair.  A nearby flyer confirmed it, the girl was a Quinn.  Blood.  Family.

An expletive slipped out of Eudora's mouth, drawing the glare of a nearby listener.  She ignored him, staring intently at the singer instead.  Trina Quinn, a paternal cousin was on stage wailing away about love's misfortune and other sniveling crap.  Eudora secured a seat in the back, toning her looks down further so as to avoid memory.  At a particularly potent line, succinctly philosophizing on life, Eudora laughed.  Not only laughed, she cackled.  A Quinn, waxing poetic? Oh please. 

As the next song went on, Eudora found herself more amused by the display.  A new chord was struck.  "FLAT!" she gleefully cried out.  She was gathering more looks by the minute, but Eudora was quite pleased with herself.  "FLAT!" she shouted again, "LEARN TO TUNE, AMATEUR!" she added, having noted the flyer's information that Miss Quinn was a member of some oh-so-famous band.  Three songs in and Eudora had made herself quite at home shouting out little barbs and comments.  "TAKE YOUR HARP BACK TO THE GUTTER!"  After a set of insults, Eudora was glad to see the show was over.  "Finally," she muttered to herself, proud to have tainted any show of Quinn ability. 

It wasn't surprising that the woman made her way towards Eudora.  Although she had been instructed to lay low, Eudora wasn't one to run away from family conflict.  In fact, she thrived on it.  It had been the bread and butter of her childhood.  "Yes, you did offend me," she replied, gaining the high ground of Pascal self-righteousness, "You offended my ears with that outrageous noise you call music.  Someone had to correct you and save the taste of this poor town.  It was my honor-bound duty." 

Eudora stood as if to leave, glancing over the woman yet again.  There wasn't much to doubt, they were family for certain.  "Now why don't you go back to waiting tables and we'll just consider my advice on the house."

Trina couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Now, she wasn’t one to brag, but she knew she had a good voice.  And there were many people who liked her music. She’d never heard anyone complain to such a degree of this.  It was almost as if the brown-haired woman was out to get her. But of course, Trina wouldn’t let just one person get into her head. She’d worked too hard to allow for that.

“Now, perhaps at the beginning of my career I would have been hurt by what you said. But I’ve grown wiser, and learned that you can’t please everyone.  But by your words, I dare say there’s something bothering than just my music. Boyfriend break up with you? Bad day at work? Family troubles?”

She probably wouldn’t be able to guess what was bothering the woman, but Trina figured her problem had nothing to do with the music she was performing. Taking a closer look at the woman, she noticed something familiar about her.  But, Trina couldn’t place where she might have seen her before. Perhaps she’d never met her prior to this experience, but either way Trina wanted to figure out the exact nature of this dislike. Perhaps Trina got the deal that this woman had been after. Who knew.

“Whatever it be, don’t take things out on other people if you’ve got no quarrel with them.”

Normally Trina enjoyed meeting new people, but it seemed as though this was one person she was better off knowing.  Her instincts told her she should just head home and forget about this meeting.  But then there was something inside of her that caused her to take pause and find out the real reason behind this woman’s aversion to her. And that was what she listened to.  So Trina stood in her boots, waiting for the woman’s words.

Eudora laughed.  Not giggled nor chuckled, nor even her usual cackle.  She laughed, full and deep.  Oh youth, she sighed to herself.  "Why? Trying to write another stream of that shite you call music?"  An evil smile hung on her lips as this dear creature attempted to empathize with her.  If only her mother could see it.

She was feeling playful, like a cat with a brand new mouse that still had the hope to escape shining in it's dear, disease-ridden little eyes.  It was precious.  Eudora pushed against the other chair's leg, scooting it out for the Quinn girl.  An education had to start somewhere.  "Fine, let's say it is family trouble.  Does it help to have some tramp with a harp shoving it in my face with her off-key songs about love and life and whatever drivel you think you know two knuts about.  No, it doesn't.  That's my quarrel. Now go back to the gutter you came from."

A new glass on the table took her attention and Eudora smiled up at the waitress.  The serving class, that's where Quinns belonged.  "Thank you, dear."  She sipped her drink, the blend of alcohol making the evening significantly better.