Chapter Text
New York, 1958
On a hot summer night, in the Bronx, popular among the adventurous and the outcast. The heat, lights, and music emanating from the large establishment could be felt from a distance.
Located on the corner opposite an abandoned bar, the seedy club attracted the country's artists, perverts, and scum, and there wasn't a single night the Ambrosia wasn't packed to full capacity.
Those who entered the venue were greeted with splashing drinks, screams from all around, upbeat music blasting from the loudspeakers, and the most beautiful women that NY could offer.
In the lower left corner, accompanied by an old but majestic piano, was the newly hired musician. With his fingers playing in the frantic rhythm with which he was already so used to Perseus, or Percy for the most intimate, made that instrument his work of art.
On his first night, the artist was already familiar with the reputation of the place, which was the main attraction for him and his companions to come to the club; however, the rumors were not only positive - evil tongues gossiped about the owner: the devil incarnate or Mr. D., for the less intimate.
Described as a strict, attentive, and brutal man with his employees, the 50-year-old was so feared that avoiding the boss at all costs was almost a game for the crew. However, as far as Percy had testified, Mr. D. was too busy making sure nothing got out of hand to bother anyone, except when he was drunk, of course. In this circumstance, Percy avoided even looking in his direction because of a previous traumatizing experience.
He had been residing in the glorious city for a month, having moved after his master "accidentally" pissed off the mayor of the previous location - how could he blame him if the authority's wife kept grabbing his innocent teacher? They were then forced to flee at dawn, before they “mysteriously disappeared,” a common occurrence in the place since the poor first lady had a reputation for being needy.
So Percy's little group, composed of his master Chiron and his brawling partners: Jason and Leo, left at dawn, ending up in NY, with the hope that the place would be populous enough for the poor cuckold to get tired of looking for them.
Since they had arrived, he had been enjoying all the experiences that the city had to offer. By now, he was well acquainted with the club's dancers, kind girls who offered to show him around the city - which Percy attributed as an achievement of his unbeatable smile. They were so kind, in fact, that they told him that the old man who played the piano at the club was looking to retire, apparently tired of being around so many beauties every night. So, after a test and an “interview” that was washed down with beer - where the tyrant may or may not have invaded his personal space a hundred times and forced him to sign a very suspicious contract, he got the job!
Now, feeling the sweat running down his face and the adrenaline that only hits you when you're doing something really exciting, Percy looked forward to the final performance of the night: the sparkling diamond. The ladies had told him that the patron's elusive favorite dancer would perform in the final act, being saved for nights when the clientele was more "special." Until now, he had not been introduced to the lady, as apparently Mr. Invasive kept her under lock and key for big performances.
As much as he considered himself a stray in the grand scheme of things, Percy didn't envy this "style" of life. Sure, having a roof over your head and the highest quality of produce and food must be interesting, but he didn't like to even think about the other side of this profession.
In fact, he'd already had enough trauma with the art of debauchery on the night of his interview (courtesy of alcohol's effect on his boss) to decide that such a life wasn't for him.
As the curtains open, Mr. D. appeared in his most pressed suit to announce the evening's final act; as he glanced around the room, he noticed the gentlemen straightening their ties and trying to look as if they weren't totally drunk.
He stretched his fingers and prepared himself for the signal - even though most of the clients were too plastered to pay attention, he wanted to maintain a posture of professional elegance; he needed this job since they had spent almost all of their money buying the neighbor's abandoned bar, where they had taken refuge.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, this night only…”, the greedy man says, “our one and only: Gray Diamond!!!”
Finally, signal received!
As if he were a well-trained animal, Percy resumed playing until a blond dot moving with nauseating speed, the infamous dancer, crossed the stage; bound by paraphernalia he preferred not to understand (no matter how many times Leo had tried to explain), the lady began her number and took his breath away (luckily his fingers were more professional than his eyes, not failing with the melody).
After having his attention fully captured, he could understand the excitement of the poor customers. Ms. Diamond sang and danced with an exuberance that a mere human should not have, but it wasn't her body or her voice that really captured the pianist's stubborn eyes; it was the look in her eyes - transmitting a mixture of rebellion and contempt that left him wanting to hide and throw himself on stage at the same time. The young woman presented herself as someone who promised indescribable pleasures while, at the same time, thought she was too good for any of the drooling idiots there (and Percy fully agreed).
At the end of the number, which he managed not to miss once! The curtains closed, and the pathetic men began to beg for the beauty's return; unfortunately for them, all they got was Mr. D. , promising more for another night...
Finally dismissed, he took advantage of his status as a respectable employee to go after the dancer. However, as he approached the artists' dressing room, he witnessed a private conversation:
“Well, that night was a preparation,” said the boss, “from now on the shows will happen more frequently, as we had agreed. And in exchange, I want to see you practicing up to 17 hours a day; if everything goes well, in a few months, the Viscount will come to visit us, and I want you to make him invest up to the clothes on his back here.”
“Alright, alright,” said his new muse, “when that Viscount appears, I'll do my best to make him happy, don't worry; your dream of swimming in money is about to come true,” she said with a smirk.
“Don't test my patience, girl! I'm leaving you free because I want your attention on the Viscount, but if I see that you're failing, you go back to the front line right away,” he raged in a threatening tone that made Percy almost go there to break his teeth.
After the threat, he strode out, giving Percy the chance to establish first contact.
“What an asshole! Now I understand why everyone tries so hard to avoid him,” says the young man nonchalantly.
“Right, and who are you again?” - the star asks him with a frown.
Realizing that he has chosen an inopportune moment for the first contact, Percy tries his best smile and extends his hand.
“I'm the new musician; in fact, I started tonight. You can call me...” - he is interrupted before even starting his charm.
“Sorry, Mr. Musician, but I need to go practice, so excuse me!”
“Wait,” he says hurriedly when she turns her back, “Mr. D. asked me to help you with the number!”
She stops and looks at him with a suspicious look: “Oh yeah? He didn't say anything about it."
Going from his seductive to his yellow smile, he tries to improve the lie: “It was right after the show; he thought you were very good but said you had to practice to stabilize your voice, so he asked me to help you out a little bit” he said wondering if she realized how much he was sweating.
“Well, whatever! I'm going to change, and I'll be right back!" - despite the words, she continued to look at him suspiciously.
“Do you want me to accompany you?” - The words came out before he could stop himself.
“I think I can find my own room, thank you very much!” - And so she left, leaving the musician wondering if his smile was losing its grace.