Janny's so cool.

[bloodsong1]

Janny growled as the girls onstage started dancing around.

"Why would a Creole lady be in Moulin Rouge, France? Grrrrr..." She sipped her drink. I blinked at her in surprise. Thankfully, the caterwauling stopped. We all sighed in relief. My sigh turned into a choked gasp of disbelief as a Cloud and a Sephiroth bounced on stage. Arms around shoulders, free hands clutching pilzner glasses, they leaned into the mike and began..."You've Got a Friend In Me."

"What the..." Doc spluttered.

"Sacrilege!" Flesh shouted. A few other patrons took up the call, while others simply gaped or fell over laughing. I shrugged and sipped my port. This is a con, after all. Anything goes. Kev chuckled.

"Never thought I'd see the day."

"I've seen worse." I said, putting my glass down.

"Oh?" Janny turned to me. "What could be worse?"

"Oh, let's see." I began ticking off my fingers. "Tuxedo Kamen doing 'This is How You Remind Me', Dr. Jackal doing 'It Might Be You' on his knees to the Apostle from Chrono Crusade AND having her throw herself into his arms when he's done..."

"I get your point." Janny shivered. I allowed myself the tiniest hint of a smile. Kev chuckled again.

"Kev! Kev, come on up!" My head whipped around as he stood. I heard Nick complaining about my hair in his face, but it didn't register. Why was Kev going next? That wasn't how this worked! Kev took the mike and zeroed in on me. I clenched my teeth. "Thunder Road" by The Boss. Oh...My...Gods. Kev sang directly to me, his voice actually sounding better then Springsteen's. My heart shook my ribcage, demanding to be let out and my entire being was swamped with waves of emotion. Tears slowly slid down my face. No sobs, no gasping, just a steady stream flowing over my cheeks. By the end of the song, my hands were white knuckled on the arms of my chair, desperately holding myself back from charging up on that stage and pouncing Sandman. I swallowed the words choking in my throat. Kev put the mike back in its stand and came back to the table. I forced my fingers loose.

"Well, that was interesting." Nick commented, dangling his handkerchief in front of my eyes. I took it, removed my glasses and blotted my face dry.

"Are you ok?" Kev asked. He sounded concerned. I nodded and put my glasses back on.

"That was lovely." I whispered, not trusting my voice. "Excuse me."