( x ) starter for @kijinsane
The house show down the lane was bustling and lively. Events with underground bands and crowds of people varying in size and fashion sense opened up a world of recreation and socialization. It was a place where Lea could make connections. The delirium it gave them influenced one of their many hobbies: music. And usually, it only required a couple of measly dollars to walk in and enjoy the scene; at times, it was pay what you can. Because these house shows were immensely affordable, they attended several every month.
Each showing was different. Certain ones were better than others, but all were an experience to soak in. Tonight it was in a basement that was probably a little too sweltering for everybody’s taste, a faint haze of smoke hovering above heads. Despite that, it was tolerable. Some would go outside to smoke, some wouldn’t. Lea personally did a mix of both. With a burning cigarette between their fingers, they flick excess ash into a tray on top of an end table at their side. The small tables were what were placed between couches to separate them. Meanwhile, they observe the lining of attendees along the walls, sitting on floors, and resting on seats, the sound of music filling the flowing atmosphere.
“Hey, Lea!” A recognizable, disembodied voice calls out. Lea glances up to pin the source and right there, walking towards them, was a group of three acquaintances. They were people they had met at a previous show, and immediately a smile curled the outer corners of their mouth. Lea sets their cigarette down on the ashtray and stands up to greet their peers. The three represented a trinity of crust punk pants and customized, patched vests over top black t-shirts. They definitely stuck out to the public eye, and Lea admired their sense of identity.
After a couple of greetings, conversation, and goodbyes following afterwards, Lea plops back down on the couch they were sitting on and picks up their cigarette. However, they hadn’t noticed they had grabbed the wrong one until they looked down and furrowed their brows at the discovery of a different brand. Looking to their side, Lea meets a pair of eyes that appeared just as puzzled. “Oh,” Was their first reaction. “My bad, is this yours?” They out stretch the cigarette towards him, the mystery man they had accidentally taken from.
