laography | sing me something soft, sad, and delicate

[ Though it'd been surprising to learn that Norman had the voice of an angel-- and Raz would say it every single time, regardless of how flustered the medium ever got over the whole thing-- it wasn't particularly surprising to learn that he had a major case of stage fright. Hell, you didn't even have to stick him in front of a lot of people to know that he was more of a wallflower than Dipper, just watch him in a smaller setting and watch how he gravitated away from most people.

So while they'd had difficulties getting Norman to even do vocals for their 'band' when it was just the two of them, it didn't even hold a candle to trying to talk him into performing on a stage. Even a little one.

Which lead to the brainstorming session where he and Dipper had opted to take him out to a karaoke bar.

That was proving pretty difficult to accomplish, too. ]

Seriously Norman, it'll be fine. We'll have our own little corner, we won't even have to go out into the like. Main area with all the people.

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[ Raz merely snorted into his drink at the mentioning of Manotaurs, but didn't say anything as he watched Norman sink into his seat again. It figured that would be his reaction to praise, so they'd have to work on that, too. ]

Or dealing with brain theft and ten-foot-tall lungfish named Linda.

[ He left them to look at the list, balancing his glass on a fingertip before he focused and pyro'd a small fire into the cup. ]

[He lets Norman take the song list from him before he spots what Raz is doing, making an unimpressed face. He knows better than to reach over and grab the glass but he leans away from the seat a little, eyeing him around Norman.]

Raz, what did I tell you when you went to get the drinks?

[Norman took the list back and glanced through it again. He was looking considerably less uncomfortable than he had the first time he did this. He glances up a moment at them, noting Raz and his fireball. Ah. ]

[He doesn't pay it as much mind, figuring Dipper's probably got it handled. Instead he finds his next song and sets the paper down on the table.]

This town is colder now, I think it's sick of us. It's time to make our move, I'm shakin' off the rust. I've got my heart set on anywhere but here. I'm staring down myself, counting up the years.

I'm not throwing them, okay. It's just one little fire in a cup.

[ Raz eyed Dipper back, before sticking his tongue out at him. Carefully, he sets it down on the table and flattens his palm over the lip of the glass so that he can cut the fire's oxygen and let it die out that way. The risk of getting set on fire himself doesn't even register to him.

Especially when he catches Norman singing again, and perks. ]

[Oh this song. Dipper pauses in where he's about to lecture Raz, tilting his head. He knows this song. Instead of focusing on it like last time though, he instead puts all his concentration on making sure Raz doesn't hurt himself by losing his, lifting his leg around Norman and nudging his arm to make sure he gets the message.]

[And wouldn't you know it- He gets through the whole thing. Also, the longer he goes, the louder his volume gets, so he's not just singing quietly to himself. A few other bar patrons had turned to look at them.]

[Norman still keeps his eyes down, opting to still focus on his drink until he's done. Once he finishes though, he's startled heavily by some of the resulting applause from the surrounding booths.]

[He slides under the table.]

[ Raz knows the song as well, and his attention is largely on Norman at first. But then Dipper's pushing at him with his foot and he nearly swats him away, because rude, but he realizes why when his other hand feels warm.

Whoops.

Shaking it out to make sure his glove hasn't caught on fire, he tips his chin up in a quick nod of thanks to Dipper.

And then Norman winds up underneath the table. ]

... see if you can't coax him out, Dipper.

[ He scoots away, debating if he wants to think up a confusion grenade to distract the onlookers so that the clapping and attention stops. But then he realizes that Dipper would probably find a way to tell on him, because he's a spoilsport, and instead he just calmly slides out of the booth to do some simple crowd control. ]

[Hoo boy. While he'd gotten through the whole song, the crowd wasn't really doing Norman much encouragement, was it? Dipper slides down to his knees and luckily he was used to coaxing Mabel out of Sweater Town. He bends so that he can see the other boy and he gives a smile.]

You did it, Norman. You sang a whole song.

[Norman was just slightly curled up over his knees under the table. His face was red with embarrassment.]

[He gave a nervous laugh.]

I uh- guess I did, huh?

[ All right folks, nothing to see here. Go back to drinking your booze and warbling songs to the degree that they're unrecognizable, off you go. This isn't a peepshow.

When Raz finally got people to clear out to their booths or the bar, his feet appeared at the edge of the table before he bent down and twisted a little to peer at them, goggles popping him in the chin. ]

Without any accompaniment, too. Might help ease your nerves if you had a bit more music, I think.

Yeah. You might feel better if there was actually music playing.

[Not that he minded there not being any music because wow could Norman sing, but it would probably be better for him if he did. He held his hand out, motioning for him to take it like he was talking to a frightened rabbit or something.]

[He paused. Frowned.]

All right, but not here. We can go, I dunno, practice where you guys usually practice.

[Like a band. The three of them. Together. It looks like you got yourselves a singer, guys.]

[ Raz's face broke out into a broad grin at that, before he suddenly straightened and whooped, throwing his fists up into the air. Score!

Though that was probably a better idea, considering they should get to know each other better as friends and a band in a more private setting where Norman can be more at ease. Even with less alcohol. ]

That is totally doable.

[Dipper does pretty much the same thing as Raz, holding his hands out for his roommate to high five.

Alcohol was good to losen up, but it kind of took over the system after a while, which was proving to be truthful as far as Norman went. He looked a bit tipsy.]

Yes yes yes. Totally doable.

Great.

[He was very tipsy. Especially with the way he banged his head on the table and fell back over into a pile of limbs when he tried to ease his way back out.]

[sob.]

[ High-five secure, Raz had to do a double-take afterwards when he spotted Norman going back down again. Stifling an abrupt snort, he just laughed a little and picked up a final drink for the road.

Once he had it knocked back, he went around to one side of Norman, taking him by the upper arm. ]

Right, up you get.

[Dipper meanwhile got up from his knees and stretched, tugging his beanie down a little as he went to grab Norman's other upper arm.]

There you go.

sing me something soft, sad, and delicate

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