ARE YOU READY FOR THIS? | MARI |

[ELI VINCENT DIASTONE]

He didn't think he would have come this far. Everything he ever dreamed of was at his finger tips, but he was giving up hope. It wasn't an easy time, but he couldn't give up on everything. And he wasn't. The 'Battle Of The Bands' rock concert was on, and Eli and the Broken Hearted Bastards caught sight of some agents crowding in. It was Eli's chance to shine. He has a nearly finished music degree and now with a possible record deal, it was too good to be true. He almost wanted to smile, but when your life is crap optimism was hard to achieve. The rest of the band were psyched, pumping eachother up and wondering if Mari was going to show. Who knows, and why would she? Eli and her left on such bad terms that he didn't know what the deal was. He was finding it hard to care about anything right now, but with three acts to do, all of them grunge-rock and alternate, he definitely had the emotion for it. Just right now, Eli didn't feel like Eli. He wasn't the smart ass happy guy that he usually was. His eyes were slightly red from tears, and he couldn't even think of smiling. He felt broken.

Axel was dead. Well, not really dead, more possessed. At least that is what Ev understood, but at least Ev was going to do something about it. But what about Eli? What could he do? He was just a supernatural abomination that one a heart only for that heart to be taken away. He didn't know if he should cry or scream, he just sat their. It was less then ten minutes before they went on, and Eli didn't want to say a word. The one he loved was gone, possibly forever and he had no idea what to do to make things right. Was it even possible? Not only was he possessed but technically dead too. Eli didn't feel strong right now, but completely weak. But as he felt a touch on his shoulder, he looked up at Crater, the drummer. "Dude, I am sorry about the shit your going through. But bro, we need Mari man. We can't do it without her, dude". Eli looked down slightly. He tried to think seriously about the Battle Of The Bands, and looked down at his phone. It was then that he opened his contacts and found Mari Sinclaire.

Before he knew it, he had hit dial. He hoped this was the right thing to do, but since Axel died, Eli felt like what was happening between Eli and Mari was too petty to keep up. And he had to do something, if not for himself then for Axel. He loved him, and it wasn't going to change. So as it rang, he held the phone to his ear. They had eight minutes now, it was probably too late. But if she could not be there to sing with them, then Eli would atleast want to know that it didn't matter if she was an alien, purple or even a cupid; he still cared about her. So he waited, feeling so low that he could never be picked up. A tear kind of rushed but he was strong, he would be fine. He just needed to do this.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

The black leather creaked as she made her way through the doors of where they were to meet, "Hey Honey can you hold the door for me? This black leather means no pockets and I only have two hands." the sound of her booted heels echoed on the floor as she made her way to where the band was set up. "Where are you?" she asked as she looked around. Her hair was done in loose flowing rocker curls with blue temp streaks in her hair to give it some depth. Her makeup was rockstar perfect and she owned it when she looked and spied him "There you are! Be right there." she hopped up on stage and grabbed one of the band members hands. They were gawking. "So are we ready to rock?" she asked as she grinned at him and struck a rockstar pose, "Lets bring down the house boys." she moved to Eli and hugged him. The black leather gleamed in the light and her cobalt blue top peeked out from the black leather corset as she stepped back, "How are you holdin' up honey?" she asked him softly. Her eyes showing concern as she regarded her friend, "I'm here for you if you need it." she said softly as she looked into his eyes. "Does my outfit work?"

[ELI VINCENT DIASTONE]

She wasn't picking up, but it kept ringing. Did everything, just everything in his world have to turn to shit. He put his phone down, and definitely wasn't feeling it. People were pumped, bouncing up and down as he sat behind the curtains with the rest of the band. Mari wouldn't come. She had no reason to come, not after everything. They just had to give it all they could, and cancelling the call he looked at his phone screen. His wallpaper was a picture of him and Axel, a selfy they took in bed a few weeks ago. After seeing it, it became rushing and he locked his phone immediately. He tried to hold it back and slumped his head, until he heard her name. Mari! His head shot up with red rimmed eyes as he saw her. She looked pumped, and he really didn't think she would come. Looking to her, and then tried to suck it in. But when she hugged him, he was kind of surprised but slowly curled his arm over her and hugged her back. She must have heard.

"How did you know? I mean - who told you?". He couldn't smile but just looked up at her, wanting to know. When Eli grieves, he is irrational and looking at her, he wanted to know who was saying things about Axel's death. Maybe it was Claire? Maybe she just psychically knew. She told him that she was there, but he didn't say anything but hung his head down. He couldn't. He couldn't deal with this right now. She asked about her outfit and looking at it for a second, he gave her the biggest attempt of a smile but the a tear fell. "Eli, what's wrong?". Crater called after him but Eli ran. Running past other contestants and passed equipment, he found a flight of stairs to a deserted brick room. Running down the steps, sniffling he got down they. His arms hit the wall as he lowered his head, unable to breath. He had never cried like this before, but he was breaking down. Bawling, he didn't know what to do? He couldn't sing like this, he couldn't do anything. Looking at the brick wall with wet eyes, he gritted his teeth and punch. His fist hit the bricks, and dust clouded as the bricks moved. It felt good, so he punched again. Yelling, he smashed his fists into the wall as the bricks were cracked and smashed, crumming to pieces as he let it all out.

"FUCK YOU!". He screamed, bashing into the wall as blood came from his knuckles, bricks fell to the ground as he bashed into the wall. Stopping, he sniffed as he looked at his fists as they slowly began to heal. He couldn't deal, and fell with his back against the wall and placing his head in his hands. He didn't know how to do this anymore, and tears fell. He had lost him, and he didn't know how to fix this. A deal wasn't going to mend this situation like last time, and broke down. "Why!? Why did you leave me......". He called out above, and his face fell into his hands.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"Honey child, I'm an empath and a cupid. Of course I would feel your pain if not the cause of it." she said softly her Virginian accent thick and soft, "I don't know what happened Eli but I do know I'm here for you." she said as she rubbed his back.

She looked as he ran off and she checked the time, "Let me go get him honey. Ya'll just get set up. I'll be a moment." she followed the feelings that were evident from Eli. Rolling off him in a wave of depression. She made sure he could hear her. She knelt down next to him and hugged him, "Baby, what happened?" she leaned her head on his shoulder, "Is there anything I can do for you?" she rubbed his arms as she leaned against him. She closed her eyes and just rocked with him. He was her friend and she would not abandon him in his time of need. Her long hair smelled of roses and she sighed softly as she tried to let him know he was needed and loved. "Come on now baby...I did not squeeze my ass into leather to let you be alone when you needed me." she teased him lightly.

She looked into his tear stained face, "Eli, honey. If I ever am in a position where I'm hurting like you I know that you'd be here for me How could I be here any less for you when you need me?"

[ELI VINCENT DIASTONE]

In seconds she was there. She was always there. He had never been hurt, or down or alone. She had, and he turned his back on her. But now here she was, and he felt her hold him. He was a ball, rolled up as she held him. Friends like her weren't expected - they were a luxery. As as he looked up at her, she asked what happened. Her words were soothing, and he felt liek everything had turned to shit. Axel was dead - and he had nothing else right now. But Mari, and music. And he felt like he wasn't good enough for either of them. But if there was anyone he could tell - it was Mari. They had litterary been through hell together. He had ran through blood to get to her, and she had broken her own hand to save him. So it was time - time to admit it to himself. "There - there was a demon. Some, woman who attacked the brother's last night". Here it came, and it hurt like hell. Looking up, the lights reflected agains the tears on his face.

"Axel's dead". There it was, and trying to gulp it down it flew out. He bawled in his hands, and shook rapidly. It was hard - and made turning into a vampire a piece of cake. Vampires have no soul, no heart - and now Eli's was breaking. "Oh my god - he's dead". He sank down, feeling so low. But from the stage he heard it. Music that filled the back, and turned heads. It turned his as he rose. Like a zombie, wiping tears he made his way. Step by step up the stairs, he felt his heart beating faster and faster. He could recognize that voice. Was it really him? Getting up backstage, people stopped and staired from behind the curtains at who was on the stage. He made his way around people, moving towards the stage entrances and stopped, looking at him. It was Rob Thomas.

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Applause rang as Eli stood there. He had a clutch of the certain, but now a smile on his face. Was this really happening? Rob Thomas; the reason that he started singing was on the stage that he would be on. His music was his childhood, it was his life. He didn't think that anything could go wrong when he would listen to his music. Matchbox Twenty did nothing but help him, and he was smiling. Tears had dried, as he watched Rob leave the stage towards him. He couldn't stop staring at him as he passed, and his glanced at him. Rob looked at his face, and smiled at him. "Do your best buddy. Good luck". He gave Eli a pat on the shoulder as he moved off, and then the Broken Hearted Bastards were qued onto stage. Looking around, he saw the band behind him. But could he sing? For Eli, for himself and for his future; he would. So without warning, he stepped onto the stage.[/blockquote]

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"Oh, Eli I'm so sorry." she hugged him as he cried, "I wish I knew what to say. I had a boyfriend die once it hurts so bad." she said this softly and her throat caught with pain as she blinked the tears away, "I understand." was all she could say as she sat there with him.

When he made to move she rose a bit shakily with him and made her way to the stage entrace with him. Keeping quiet she sensed the music was soothing him deeply and whispered a soft thank you to the man for his kindness. She followed behind Eli and took an offered arm up from one of the band members as she walked over to her mark and waited for Eli to start the show.

[ELI VINCENT DIASTONE]

On that stage, it seemed everything went away. Hopefully the lights didn't make him look like an actual vampire as he looked at the crowd. The song selection felt so right right now, and he knew that Mari would be cool with it. They practised them - before all the shit happened. He looked at her as she entered, and actually smiled as he looked at her, knowing that she was there was going to make this so much easier. Looking to the band, he moved over to them. To Crater, to Vince, to Marty, to Jello and then to Mari. He gave them a smirk before whispering the name of the song above the figiting crowd. Looking at them, he felt - safe. He felt better, like things will end up okay. He didn't know how, or why, or what this would entail, and after saying it and getting the nods, he turned back to the crowd and stood up to the microphone. Not to close, he looked up at the light on him. It shone bright, but it wasn't dark. Nothing felt dark.

[/b][/ul]

With strong malisma and passion, he sang the crowd favorite. Rock version though, sappy yet strong. It was Avril Lavigne's 'Keep Holding On', and was exactly what he had to do. He looked to Mari, and knew he wasn't alone. Taking the mike from the stand, he moved over to Mari and smiled at her before turning away, looking to the crowd. This was what he was good at, what he could do in this situation. Not mourn, not think about it. Just sing. It made things more - simpler. At least for now. Tears could come later, power could come now. And Eli was anything but powerless.[/blockquote]

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

She felt a wave of pride for Eli, it wasn't the tragedies that made us who we are it was what we did after them that shaped our character. She knew that they both had a long road to go but hopefully it would get better little by little. She felt a swell of love for the band and was determined to make sure they knew it through the music. Her heart feeling it as it pulsed like a heartbeat from her soul and into the crowd. Her voice rose and joined his harmonizing as if they were born to it.

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through".

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She locked eyes with him and fed him her energy. This was what cupids were meant to do. Heal with the heart and soul and touch the heart of others. She felt a surge like she had with Rodney and she let it wash over her and into the crowd. It wouldn't influence them but if they were hurting it would help soothe and give them hope. Problems they were struggling with may not go away but their subconscious would feel peace and possibly help them work out what was bothering them.

So far away
I wish you were here
Before it's too late, this could all disappear
Before the doors close
And it comes to an end
With you by my side I will fight and defend
I'll fight and defend
Yeah, yeah

Keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through
Just stay strong
'Cause you know I'm here for you, I'm here for you
There's nothing you could say
Nothing you could do
There's no other way when it comes to the truth
So keep holding on
'Cause you know we'll make it through, we'll make it through...

[/center]

To the non gifted the lights seemed to gleam a little brighter and the emotions of the room would seem to rise but to those with the ability to see a golden wave of energy seemed to grow and wash over the room, touching everyone no matter their species and embracing them; accepting them in this moment. For her part Mari was a bit oblivious, so caught up in the music and giving her all. She was in the zone and gave back as much emotion as she picked up. It wasn't about the power trip it was about knowing that for this moment things were okay in this small room in L.A.