• A Blackbird's Serenade • (GxG)

"Golden Butterflies"

Omniscient

Applause simmered down amidst The Velvet Avenue as the instrumental intro to Sarah Vaughn's 'Misty' filled the silence. Right then, just after opening her eyes to scan the audience, like she did every night, Journee started to sing.

"Look at me..." exhibiting a warm smile, she swayed. "I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree... And I feel like I'm clingin' to a cloud, I can't understand. I get misty just holding your hand..."

Every light in the place was dim and alluring as a spotlight shined subtly upon the singer on stage. Every eye in the room stared at her in complete awe, envy, or attraction. And every note she hit, with the lyrics she sang, rang soundly in their ears, hindering them under hypnosis.

While singing, her mind wandered...and wandered. And so did her eyes.

Every night now, they'd search endlessly for Tiana, almost out of habit, as soon as her performance would begin. She'd find her, peer into her eyes, then carry on with an internal grin as if it was just what she'd needed to focus. And tonight was no different.

If anything, she needed that shared look between them now more than ever.

Nowadays, Tiana would stand over by the employee entrance to watch Journee perform, instead of getting distracted from her waitress duties on the floor.

In truth, she liked it much better this way, being able to watch the woman without having to take her eyes off of her if she didn't want to. And she gave up on trying to resist the stunning effect Journee seemed to have on everyone when commanding an audience. Instead she now just enjoys the ride, and dreads the coming moments of it being over.

Crossing her arms to lean on the wall, she then felt a presence come up beside her.

"Coco says I'd find you here." Franklin eased behind her, at her side, watching Journee as well. "Same spot every night."

"Damn now I gotta find a new one-" he laughed and she smiled. "Coco always tellin' my damn business- that girl," Tiana rolled her eyes.

"She don't mean no harm, she can't help it."

Teasingly grinning, she glanced back at him. "Look at youu, defendin' your girlllfriennnd-"

"Shut up-" laughing sheepishly, he nudged her shoulder with his own. "We ain't official yet."

"What's takin you so long Richards, everybody know y'all two go together."

"Yeah but I gotta take her out somewhere nice and officially ask her," he explained, smiling with a blush. "She deserves it."

"Y'all make me sick-" her eyes rolled as she shook her head. And Franklin chuckled as the two looked on to their dear friend on stage.

"Y'all blow me away every time with these looks, Tiana. She looks beautiful, job well done to you."

Chuckling to herself, Tiana grinned. "Honey she does that all on her own. The makeup's hardly necessary most of the time."

"Yeah she been like that since we was kids," he laughed along. "High school came and suddenly she's a beauty queen without even tryin."

"A beauty queen with a beautiful voice... If that ain't a star I don't know what is-"

"I told her the same thing," he chuckled. "Coco told me you've spent the most time with her out of everybody here-" Upon his change of tone, Tiana glanced at him. "How's she been?"

"Why can't you ask her yourself?" she put her back against the wall, turning to him quizzically. Then he chuckled again,

"'Cause she'll just lie and say she's fine like she always do." The woman dropped her head, agreeing in laughter. "See, y'know I ain't lyin.'"