#prologue.one#
On the west side of the town of Port Nicos, cars drive down the 'strip of the night'. Nicknamed for its busy nights and lively nature, Lilac Avenue is always a space of attraction; for both the tourists and the locals.
Although, the latter prefer the quiet spaces, the secret spots.
Next to a small motel, are a set of stairs that seem to lead to a dead end alley. Indicated by a flickering city lamp of a golden brown hue, the path is dimly lit.
Tucked away on the other side of the alley is a quaint little place. For drinks, good music or just a quiet escape in the heart of the town, Bar Louie is the destination.
With soundproofed walls to block out most of the night noise, the patrons inside enjoy martinis and shots of whiskey as the pianist harmonizes with the harmonica player.
Some get up to dance while others sit and bop to the music. There is no one way to enjoy the music and the people that frequent this building know that. They're familiar with the vibe, the energy. The beauty of the underground.
Well, save for one.
Yoongi is familiar with the underground scene. Just not the one being presented before him tonight. He's used to seeing battle rappers and crowds gathered with phones out to record. He's used to the 'oohs' of sneak disses and 'aahs' of dope lyricism. He's used to the echoing of vocal runs and the showing off of high notes.
This steady rhythm of depth and consistent low tone outside of prominent bass is refreshing to him. He hasn't been able to hear it this well and appreciate it this much in a while.
Working in the industry that he does, with the artists that he does under the label, he only hears rap beats and the mainstream sound of R&B. It's rare that he hears this type of beat composure these days.
If he does, it's something that he's created himself. Or it's a sample being used for a song will be radio mainstream.
Yoongi loves his job. Don't ever mistake that. But the need to breathe in something new is plaguing him. The need to find a fix to his mind stalking problem is picking away at his brain.
"You're not thinking about work, are you?" He's nudged in the arm by his good friend, Seokjin. "That would kind of defeat the purpose of me bringing you here."
"Not necessarily work. I'm just thinking about how different that it feels to be here... it's quiet yet still very exciting. I like it." Yoongi takes a sip of his whiskey as he looks around. "Is this where you come every day after work? How'd you find this place?"
Seokjin shakes his head. "I'm not here every day but a few times a week, yes. It's one of my favorite places to destress. I stumbled across it, actually. Well, there was a flier that I found about a year ago. I was walking into the grocery store and it got stuck on the bottom of my shoe outside. I took it off and saw the place. Took me forever to find it when I decided to check it out... for obvious reasons."
Yoongi nods in understanding. It's in a hideaway spot. Of course, it would be difficult to find. The tourist strip and the motel in front of it take the attention away from the place.
Though nobody truly minds. They prefer it this way. The streets of tourism don't care for jazz and blues. They want parties and drinks and late nights. This isn’t Louisiana where they can be mixed. The majority of people in Port Nicos are either one way or another.
You're either metal or R&B. You're either rap or neo-soul. You're either country or pop. There is no in between. People rarely express their liking of different genres. Music artists don't mix them.
It's just unheard of here.
The chatter begins to quiet down as the lights dim. The musicians smoothly fade and transition to the intro of a new song.
The sound of heels click against the polished floor of the small stage. The attention of the room is turned to the smooth brown legs of a woman in a russet colored dress. Sleeveless with a sweetheart neckline, fitted to every curve of her body, she attracts to every pair of eyes. Men and women alike, they're all focused on her.
The shape of her upturned almond eyes is lined with a dark shade of liner, accenting the fullness of her lashes. The width of her heart shaped lips is covered in a shade almost matching her skin, done over in a shiny gloss. Her Cupid's bow is defined as it dips into her upper lip.
She's a vision for even the strongest of the visually impaired. And when she opens her mouth, it captures the entirety of the building in one note.
The sound of Jill Scott's 'A Long Walk' comes from her lips, smooth and backed with raw vocals. No auto tune, no need to try too hard to project her voice or obtain the octave that she's singing in.
Just genuine talent.
"Who is that?”, Yoongi asks as he watches and listens to her song.
Seokjin looks as he drinks down his martini. "Her name's Xia. She comes a couple nights a week. She's a sweetheart from the few times I've been in conversation with her. And she can sing like nobody's business."
Yoongi nods as he becomes entranced by the woman. Xia. He watches her sway loosely to the sound of the live music, adding to her alluring presence.
Her eyes run over the crowd as they always do, smiling softly and acknowledging people through eye contact. Her almost black shade of eyes meet Yoongi's and his breath is stolen from him.
His lips part and his throat runs dry. He drags in a breath through his nose as his tongue glides across his pink bottom lip, wetting it as quickly as it dries.
"Is she signed to anybody?"
He asks the question, having a feeling of what the answer is. There's no way that she could be without his knowledge, without anyone's knowledge. Her voice is incredible, her talent is raw. She would be big if she were signed.
She could be big if she were signed.
"No. This place is a hidden gem and it's the only venue she sings at. Nobody really knows about Spade."
"So nobody knows about Xia." Yoongi deduces breathlessly.
Said woman drags her eyes away from him and back to the other patrons. Yoongi watches the way that she moves, the way that she feels the music.
She lets it flow through her and releases it with as much passion that it was originally recorded with.
It's been so long since he's heard a voice like hers. Filled with so much organic soul and emotion. She doesn't even have to try. There's no training that needs to be done.
It's embedded in her.
Powerful voices are few and far between. He's heard soulful ones. But never anything like hers.
This... is a whole new playing field for him.
