Chapter Text
As to be expected it was another slow night in the dingy bar Raihan worked at. Which gave him plenty of time to plot what his new photography and film assignment should be.
He couldn't work with Nessa on it like he usually did. They had a symbiotic relationship when it came to this kind of thing, simply Raihan needed a model, a centerpiece for all his projects and Nessa needed to build up her modeling portfolio.
However she was unavailable this time because she got noticed by some fancy pants studio out of state, and Raihan genuinely was happy for her, truly he was. It just put him in a difficult position as this upcoming assignment was a final and worth half the year's grade in itself.
"What a proper mess of things.” Raihan thought to himself, far too caught up in his thoughts to notice the band getting on the humble stage corner of the joint.
The amp rang to life and it was enough to snap Raihan out of his thoughts.
Oh yes, the new band that had signed off a contract with Macro Cosmos, the official name of Raihan and Nessas workplace.
The band was good, Raihan had to give them credit for that. Although he must admit he was a little disappointed they weren't horrible, something for Nessa and him to laugh at on slow nights like these. But no he quite liked them, might have even turned into a highlight of his shift but he'd be less willing to admit that much.
It didn't help that the lead singer was pretty, not even pretty but also had the voice of an angel to match, well at least an angel that has an occasional smoke. It only affected Raihan more that he looked just as he sounded, untouchable yet strangely intimate, sensual yet coy, playful and dead serious all at once. He just looked otherworldly, ethereal even. With his sharp features and tired eyes, a striking blue surrounded by heavy dark eye makeup.
All in all completely and utterly camera worthy. It was then Raihan decided that he found his canvas and a way to save his grade.
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He waited till they got off stage, he still had an hour left of his shift before Sonia came in to take over but it didn't really matter given that aside from the band and Raihan there were only two other patrons.
As the long haired man said his thanks in the mic Raihan saw his chance to talk to him coming soon. He quickly gathered himself, thinking what to say and started to approach the man once he saw him get off the stage, but in a cool way so as to not to be weird.
"Amazing show tonight you guys." He made work to flash his usual smile, making himself approachable, because people generally work with people who were approachable.
"Oh thanks, the band an' I thought of tryin something new, more stylized. " the man said while putting equipment away, having yet to look at Raihan directly. "Figured if your boss wanted strictly covers then we might as well have fun with it right?"
"Hah yeah, " Raihan internally panicked, unsure of how to casually direct this conversation away from his prick of a boss and back to asking this stranger for a favor. "Rose has always been like that. "
"I feel sorry for ya." the man smiled to himself as he disassembled his mic stand. "I only have the pleasure of dealin with him once a week, I'm sure ya have twice that time with 'im. And this only is our fourth time playing here. "
"It's not the worst thing in the world. " Raihan said as he watched as the man got up and for the first time since talking their eyes met. Raihan was right, he would look wonderful on camera. "I'm sorry but I don't recall catching your name."
"Piers Baird, but Piers will do. "
"Pendragon- or eh Raihan- Raihan Pendragon. " Raihan silently cursed himself for such an awkward introduction, unsure of where all of this is coming from and where his normally lax and carefree persona went. Oh well either way Raihan would be taking this shot, even if does end up being in his own foot. "Hey I hope I'm not being too forward when I ask this but may I buy you a drink?"
The man, Piers, looked away for a second. His tired looking eyes shot up and if one looked closely they would see the small bit of blush dusting his features.
Luckily Raihan was not looking too closely. Instead he was thinking about how he should broach the topic of getting this guy he just met to perform for him on camera and not make it sound creepy.
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"So I must admit I had a reason for why I approached you tonight." Raihan spoke between them as the two of them sat comfortably at the bar, the other band members having taken their leave a while ago.
"Is that right? " Piers said curiously, brow furrowing, leaning in slightly. He took a drink from his glass of water, opting not to drink anything alcoholic.
Raihan sheepishly looked away but a smile ever present, "you see I'm in college for photography and film but my latest assignment is doomed if I don't find a subject... And I think you and your band would be perfect for it. Of course you can use whatever I make however you see fit, I just can't help but find our meeting to be rather serendipitous. "
"Interesting." Piers propping his chin on his fist, looking thoughtfully. "Me and my band, we're just scraping by as it is, how much would this cost? "
"That's the best part, it'll cost you nothing except for your time. I can't in good faith take money for this, It's for a grade after all. "
Piers still looked like he was contemplating something but now looking a bit shocked. "Are ya sure? " to which Raihan nodded. "Well I'd definitely need to get my bandmates input on this but I think it sounds quite nice actually. " He smiled slightly and pulled out a card, handing it to Raihan. "My numbers on the back, Keep in touch. " and with that he swung his guitar over his tired looking shoulder and left.
Raihan looked at the business card which read Darkness Prevails in big gothic font, which he could only assume was the name of the band. It had other information on it but what really mattered to Raihan was the number on the back. He was quick to put the number in his phone and send a text saying it was him, the only reply he got back was a simple thumbs up.
When Sonia arrived a little while later she came back to Raihan whipping down the counters getting ready for his shift to end. "Somebody looks happy, something good happen?” Sonia said seeing the rather chipper look on Raihans face.
"Yeah you could say that. " Raihan said as he felt his phone vibrate in his back pocket.