Damien could only let out a low, deep chuckle when he heard the nearby patrons' conversations. Seems the barmaid was not the only one who was unaware of his presence there. Very well, perhaps it was time to give them what they wanted. With a soft sigh, he leaned forward from his chair, grasping his guitar delicately, before making his way to the quaint stage.<br/><br/>He had played at many bars, each one different from the last, but the audience’s reaction to him never changed. These people seemed to act the same. As he walked down, he would hear the loud banter slowly hush with each table he passed, leaving only whispers as eyes followed him with each step he took. He did seem to have made a name for himself. He couldn’t be sure what he could have done to garner such attention from perfect strangers. Was it his music? His looks? What other shallow feature did they attribute to him that caused them to gawk whenever he made himself known? Maybe one day, just once, he’d find somebody who didn’t think of him as something useful for their own pleasure. Maybe somebody will see him for who he was, not what he did.<br/><br/>Until then, he will continue to be a slave to the whims of others. He never did enjoy negativity. If his words, or his music, of even his looks, kept people in a serene mood, then he will do what he can.<br/><br/>He took one step on the stage, his eyes ever facing downwards towards the floor as he remained lost in thought, before taking a seat on the lonely stool. He took in a breath, and let his eyes lift their gaze to the people in front of them, peering through a few strands of the contrastingly dark hair. Exhaling slowly, he posed his fingers across the strings of his instrument, and with a light brush of his nails, the first chord was struck. Many of the women were sitting at the closest tables, chins in their hands. He could not completely read their expressions, but he could take a guess. With an insincere smile, his fingers continue strumming to a tune of his own composition, giving them the belief that this was for them.<br/><br/>But it wasn’t.<br/><br/>This song was for nobody. But he played it all the same, curious if anybody could decipher its true meaning, and not just the message floating along the surface. He began:<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family:Jim Nightshade"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00ffff">Never thought I’d hear your name again<br/>
Gonna stow it away deep in my heart<br/>
Give you all that I am from now until always<br/>
Up to the shining midnight stars<br/>
<br/>
Never knew I’d find myself with you<br/>
Gonna do all I can to let you know<br/>
Let you know that I’ll be there for you forever<br/>
Down to the depths of my broken soul<br/>
<br/>
Never dreamt you’d want me too<br/>
Gonna savor every moment you’re near</span><br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(0, 255, 255)">Run to my arms tonight</span><br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00ffff">Around my dimming light<br/>
And desert all your frights<br/>
You have no need for any more tears</span></span><br/>​</div><span style="font-family:Assistant"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff">As he finished the last verse, he allowed his fingers to strum the final notes, glancing around the room to see if anybody got his true message. All he could see were the women giggling and staring just a few feet from him. He looked further into the tavern and saw two new people carrying rather large boxes. They didn’t seem to have heard the message as they entered the tavern near its end. <br/>
<br/>
Before he could look further into the crowd of faces, however, a boy came running up with his own instrument, exclaiming his want to perform alongside him. Damian could only lift a single eyebrow, unsure of who he was or what he could play. “Well, I have played in a few duets, but never with another man...I suppose there is a first for everything. Did you have something in mind?” He really didn’t mind sharing the stage at all. While it was difficult for him to find somebody who could compliment his style, when he did find a special talent, it was always a joy to share the spotlight with them. The more attention on the other individual, the less attention was on him, and less the responsibility of keeping everyone happy.</span></span>