Blind Date

[drkenison]

She wasn't expecting a message to be waiting for her when she got home. Judith had told her she had a call asking if she would like to go out to lunch the next day with a friend's friend. It sounded like a date and she and Judith giggled over a late meal while wondering what the morning would bring. She almost said no, but Judith prodded at her. Gloria hadn't been on a date since they stopped dating almost a year ago.

This was definitely a set up and when the morning came she and Judith spent the morning like teenage girls in the small university sponsored apartment they shared. Eventually, Judith convinced Gloria to wear one of Judith's flashier dresses. It was a date after all where she was going to be picked up in a limo. That was exciting.

They sat together later in the day, sipping coffee while they waited for the mystery date to arrive. Like all young women, speculating who the flamboyant person she had met a few weeks earlier might be sending to her.

Comments

[wherewere_thespiders]

She was black? Weird just raised an eyebrow at that because he hadn't met many black women, except in the way of noticing the odd fan or two at concerts. But as for actually knowing any and talking to them? That would be a no. Still, he wasn't about to be rude because of her race or colour. The bassist was a pretty open guy having worked with someone like Ziggy for nigh on three years now. His androgyny often got Weird thinking, yet he knew Ziggy was a good bloke.

"That doesn't sound very fair but I know the world can be cruel sometimes. People like Ziggy---those bastards have a go at him each time they can get. The media and the like."

Weird knew this along with the other Spiders. If Ronno was to deck them in one day, the bassist wouldn't be far behind. But then he was blushing at her words. Ziggy had told her this? He didn't really know what to say for a few moments so just glanced towards the photographs.

"He said that?"

[drkenison]

Gloria started to fret immediately when she saw that raised brow. There had been people who stopped dating her when they found out Judith was her roommate or research partner. The relief is visible when Weird finally goes on and says he, basically, understands.

Smiling faintly she put a hand on his forearm in comfort. He seemed so upset about the treatment of his friend. She understood though because the way Judith was treated made her heatedly angry sometimes. She nods.

"He said you're very quiet." Her smile softens and she shakes her head, the loose curls bobbing. "Come on. A date is supposed to be nice. We can worry about our friends when we come back."

She didn't want to start getting into darker conversations that might upset either of them for the day.

[wherewere_thespiders]

Weird looked down at the hand on his forearm and smiled shyly. It had been a while since he'd met someone like Gloria. A real lady and not some bimbo out for his money and the fame that went with it. A proper girl. The bassist nodded quietly and knew he was the quiet one out of the group with Mick being talkative and Gilly being a downright loudmouth bitch at times. Then Ziggy with his boundless energy who brought the group together. Also the peacemaker at times.

"Yeah, I can be. I guess I like spending time with my bass guitar then with others. Just listening to the low bass notes can be soothing."

Was he sounding like a complete boring idiot? He hoped not. Weird knew almost nothing about science or animals since he dropped out of school at fifteen. Like most boys his age he got into manual labour but wanted to be in a band. Bass guitar was his life once he realised he was good at it better than he was working in a factory. As for their date? He felt a little happier now that some of the nerves had passed.

"There's a nice posh restaurant not far from here. The table is booked for us."

[drkenison]

"I have no leeway to say anything about it. I get lost in the lab sometimes and forget to talk to people." Gloria smiles shyly and shrugs barely. She found her work fascinating and lost track of time or the other people around her sometimes.

"We should go then." She offers him her arm like a nice girl. "I wouldn't have you embarrassed because we're late for our reservation."

It's true that he definitely was not the type of man she would normally date or be interested in but there's no harm to getting to know someone. You never know what a person is like from looks or first meetings. Her father would have things to say about this, like he did all of her life, but he could stay out of it after his behavior since she started schooling years ago.

[wherewere_thespiders]

Weird slid his arm into Gloria's and smiled shyly as he walked with her to the limo which was parked up by the curb side. This was still slightly awkward for the bassist but he was going to do his best to offer Gloria a good time and make their time together as special as possible. Opening up the door he waited for her to step inside as any good gentleman would.

"Don't worry, we won't be late."

They still had plenty of time and Weird had picked a rather nice respectable restaurant just shy of where they were now. Wining and dining at it's best. Rock star style of course. As for what they would talk about once they got there---that was still mulling around in his mind somewhat since small talk didn't come as easy to him as it did Ronno or Gilly.

[drkenison]

She smiles shyly, a faint pink to her cheeks when he opens the door for her. She's not used to being taken care of this way. Usually she's forging her own path.

"Thank you." She says quietly as she slides into the limo and scoots across the seat so that Weird can get in beside her. Hands folded in her lap she looks around inside curiously. She's never been in a limo before.

"Do you always travel in a limousine?" she asks when he finally joins her. Gloria knows a little bit about how musicians live from what she's seen on TV but there's no way to know if that is true, or true for Weird. It probably won't matter what they talk about. Gloria is friendly and genuinely interested in people.

[wherewere_thespiders]

"Yeah, since it's safer for Ziggy and the lads. We often get harassed by fans and screaming crowds hounding us. This way we can jump in and go without the fuss."

Weird offered a shy smile as he leant back in his seat, crossing one leg over his knee. Watching her closely, he then moved to the champagne which was always on ice by the spare door. Did she fancy a drink now? The bassist did wonder and decided to ask out of manners more than anything.

"Would you like some champagne? We usually drink as we're going from one place to the next. Helps with the nerves sometimes."

At least it helped him when he was nervous about attending interviews or just before they all went on stage. Being with Ziggy could often become a total riot or a shit show, depending on the singer's mood and the people hounding him.

[drkenison]

"Oh." She wouldn't want that much attention either. People ignored her which she didn't like but imagined the other extreme would be just as annoying. "I can't imagine people always paying attention to me with that much enthusiasm."

Of course, it hadn't occurred to her yet that if she started dating a rockstar that is exactly what would happen.

"I would be happy to share a glass of champagne." She didn't drink often but this was a date. Gloria wanted to have fun and drinking could be fun, in moderation. "I get nervous when I'm presenting but I don't think they'd use it to dismiss me even more if I showed up after having drinks."

That was an unfortunate part of her existence. She always had to be perfectly on point. It was struggle enough just to be heard without giving them fuel to ignore her more.

[wherewere_thespiders]

"Sometimes it's nice not to be noticed. That bloody camera in our faces all the time---it can get too much at times. I know Ziggy seems to deal with it better than me and the lads."

Weird was also much shier than Ziggy and not as extroverted. He just enjoyed playing his bass guitar and doing his job. It was enjoyable too, just the whole media aspect? It could get too much. The perils of being a rock star. Sometimes it came at a high price. Sipping on his champagne, he hoped he wasn't boring Gloria. Most said he could sometimes come off as boring since he didn't talk as much as his band mates. Weird didn't care what others thought of him.

"What sort of food do you like?"

It was a question he wanted to ask just so that he knew what he was going to be paying for once they got to the restaurant.

[drkenison]

"Some people thrive on attention. I don't think I do, but some is nice."

She didn't find him boring. They were just getting to know each other and people we often quiet at first. That didn't bother her at all. It was nice to be with someone who could have an even paced conversation for once.

She blushed a little at the question. "The people around me say it's not right for a nice white girl to like colored food but... I really like the creole food Judith's mama makes. What food do you eat? I haven't been away from the U.S. yet and I suppose you are from England like Ziggy."

[wherewere_thespiders]

"I've never had any of that before. This creole food you mention. As for me I like a lot of food like roast dinners and the like. Beef, chicken, potatoes, veg and lots of gravy. Sort of traditional English food. When we toured Japan Ziggy offered both me and Gilly sushi. Fish things. I liked it, sort of salty. But Gilly was sick."

It seemed that was more down to the fact that the drummer was being stupid at the time jamming loads of octopus legs into his mouth at one time. No wonder he threw up. Weird was more sensible, eating slowly and allowing his tongue to absorb the new tastes as well as his stomach.

"Do coloured people get persecuted in your country then?"

Weird knew that blacks, as they were called in Britain, were often treated as second class citizens a lot of the times. It had gotten better since the Sixties but the prejudices were still there. The bassist had no issue with anyone of colour or not, since they had Ziggy and he was almost like a new species in itself. Race, colour---it didn't matter when you wanted to perform to everyone.

[drkenison]

"Maybe I can make some sometime." She mentions it shyly because it does suggest seeing him again. He seemed like a decent man and at least didn't decry her work. "I haven't had sushi before but I do eat a lot of fish and seafood when I can."

Which was mostly when they went out or went to visit Judith's family. In general, Gloria thought of herself as an adventurous person, despite her modesty sometimes around other people. She would try any food, probably.

"Yes." She sighed heavily. "They still can't do a lot of things whites can and they don't like the young people getting together in some places. Some of my family won't even talk to me because Judith and I share an apartment and I have colored friends. I guess, maybe it's better in the big cities?"

[wherewere_thespiders]

Weird nodding, understand what she meant even if he wasn't used to the laws and things for black people in the States. Yet, it couldn't be that far from what Britain was like a few years ago. There were riots and violence between whites and blacks. A dark time indeed. He hardly knew any black people at all but knew of them. Famous jazz musicians and the like. Also some blues singers from the Sixties. They were very talented musicians and it was a shame the whole slave thing was still used as a slur around them on occasion.

"Some people can be very cruel. I don't know any black people myself but I've seen a few black fans who really like our music. They're the same as us. Human beings. Sorry to hear your family won't talk to you because of your black friend. It must be hard for her."

Weird felt sorry for Judith and gently laid a hand on hers, just as a kind gesture. The world was still a cruel place for some and the bassist knew this. Just like it was hard for Ziggy, it was hard for Gloria's friends too. Weird didn't wish to judge people on the colour of their skin or how they looked because once he saw Ziggy, he knew that appearances didn't matter. They were on stage fighting for change against social norms.

"We could be frowned upon by some because we're a bunch of blokes in girly-looking clothes wearing make-up. Even now it shocks a lot of people."

[drkenison]

"It's alright." She smiles faintly and turns her hand over to hold his. "Some of my family stopped talking to me before that, even my dad, because I want to be a doctor and a researcher. Where I live is very traditional and they don't like change much."

The compassion he had for other people was something she could relate to and the desire for tolerance in general. People were people, unless they were zombies but she wasn't even going to mention that part of her experience. It was behind her now, hopefully permanently.

"Well... it's not what I'm used to seeing." She smiles, cheeks faintly pink. "But being different is good. We're all our own people and if you aren't hurting anyone, just dressing in clothes that others don't think you should... then you should ignore them. It's not right to tell people who they can be when it's not harming anyone else."

Her voice is still quiet and polite but there's fire in her tone. She's fought a lot to be who she wants to be and this is a topic close to her heart.

[wherewere_thespiders]

"You're right there, love. Some people are just frightened of change."

Her hand holding his felt very nice and he was actually blushing underneath his sideburns that they were now connected by the hand. It was a light gesture but one that the bassist hoped would lead onto other things. Not wanting to assume that Gloria was the type of girl who would kiss straight off the bat since they hardly knew each other. They'd only just met and Weird wanted them to get comfortable with each other before doing anything else.

"Ever since being in the Spiders my views have changed for the better. I was a little narrow-minded before I met Ziggy. The same for the other lads too. We're just musicians from the North. Not travellers of the world. Seeing Ziggy for the first time---it was something. We didn't know if he was a boy or a girl."

That was a little awkward admitting but Weird wanted to tell her the truth. Looking back on it now it was rather amusing. Ronno just staring at Ziggy's legs and Gilly frozen in his seat wide-eyed at their singer.

[drkenison]

She's not used to the word love and blushes bright at the comment. "I think it scares them when they think they won't know where they fit anymore or they have to change where they fit. My dad is in the clergy and he is very narrow minded sometimes, even if I think he still loves me sometimes."

Her father was a sticking point for her. One of the hardest choices in her life was continuing her schooling when she knew he would disown her for it. It was made now though and there wasn't any going back. Her father refused to reconcile.

"It would be hard to stay close minded while traveling and seeing all the different people in the world." That part of being a rockstar she would love. Just the chance to see all the cities and cultures. His comments made her giggle a little.

"I'm still not sure if he is a he or a she but if Ziggy is a good person that is all that matters."

[wherewere_thespiders]

He nodded and sipped some of his champagne. Gloria had it right and Weird was coming to like how she viewed the world with such an open mind. Not many did but she was a woman of change. Her accent was rather interesting to the bassist too, who had never actually dated an American woman before.

"I've never gone out on a date with an American lass before. This will be a first for me."

Squeezing her hand softly, Weird pressed a soft kiss to the top of it, just a light, almost chivalrous gesture. He was finding her more and more interesting and beginning to relax a little more around her. As for Ziggy? Even to this day Weird was still unsure but the conversation they had back at the hotel regarding their singer and him being intersex helped. Not that the bassist really understood the whole biology thing but it was a good enough explanation if any.

"Doesn't matter if he's a she or he. Ziggy is our lead singer and we look after him."

[drkenison]

She's drinking her champagne very slowly because she rarely drinks at all.

"Before meeting Ziggy, I'd never met anyone from Britain. Most people who travel stay on the coasts and don't usually come to the middle of the country." They were both doing something new and that was exciting. Then that kiss th her hand and she blushed red all across her nose and cheeks, smiling shyly. She hadn't dated much and most of the people she had dated were women, not men. Even so, he had a sort of charm to his quiet but open-minded personality.

"You're right. It doesn't matter." She sighed and finally looked up with the blush fading. "I was introduced to him by a mutual friend who was telling me how, because of how he was born, he can't really see a doctor or go to a hospital."

[wherewere_thespiders]

If she liked to drink slowly then Weird wasn't going to judge her for that. He, himself, was used to drinking being a rock star and often drinking spirits and other strong drinks alike. Champagne was meant to be drunk slowly though--sipped. This was a date and not a drunken session out with the Spiders.

"I'm from the North of England originally. Same as Ronno and Gilly. It's just Ziggy who isn't from where we came from."

Weird wasn't quite sure where Ziggy was from since that part was always a bit of a mystery for most of the band. Perhaps London? That would make sense with how metropolitan he was. He nodded in agreement with Gloria over what and who Ziggy was. It didn't matter and the media could go and fuck off.

"It's true. He can't be taken into a hospital if he gets hurt because of what they'll likely do to him. Dissect him like a fucking animal probably."

[drkenison]

"I was born in Nebraska." She tells him because it feels right to share the same information about herself. "Basically the middle of the States."

She isn't quite sure how to respond to Weird saying doctors would dissect their singer. It seems all wrong to her as a nurse but then people with genetic anomalies were treated as less than human in sideshows and the general public. If he had something unusual about his body, hidden by his clothes, then he might indeed be in danger from the medical profession.

"I'm not a doctor, yet. I'm still in school, but I would help him if I could, if he needs it." She bites her lip, worrying it. "There was an incident awhile ago that's still going on. I had to learn to be a surgeon to save people's lives so, maybe I could help more than I think I can."

She was reserved and humble about her skills but she had a good handle on medicine and surgical techniques too.

[wherewere_thespiders]

"Nebraska? I've never been there before. A few months back we did a tour and visited New York and a few other cities. I think it blew all of our minds how different America is compared to back in the UK."

Weird wasn't a widely travelled man but he had enjoyed the high life of New York and the glitz and glam. Of course Ziggy had lapped it up. Mick and Gilly had taken it in their stride the best they could being boys of a simple upbringing much like Weird. It had opened their minds up to the world for sure.

"Does this mean if one of us gets an injury during a tour you can fix us up?"

He was being playful as he slowly opened up to her whilst sipping his champagne. The limo was slowly down as they approached their venue. The thought of Gloria applying her medical knowledge to his sometimes aching wrists and fingers made him smile fondly.

[drkenison]

"It would be overwhelming and exciting to travel so much. You must be tired a lot traveling and being on the stage." She knew she was exhausted after a day in the lab and that was much less physical than being a guitarist on stage.

"Well.. if I was there, but I'm ...." She paused and stared at him for a moment and the blushed and looked away. "Are you saying I should travel with you as the band's doctor, like doctors travel with sports teams?"

The idea was exciting but it made her so incredibly nervous too.

[wherewere_thespiders]

"We do travel quite a lot during the tour. Two shows a day back to back. It can get really tiring and takes a toll on us all except Ziggy. He's always never tired and we can never get our heads around it."

Their singer was always full of energy and it was almost as if he fed off the crowd's euphoria and energy somehow. Crazy but Weird watched and listened and he took note of what went on during stage performances a lot. He knew that Mick and Ziggy were into each other way before Gilly had cottoned on. The bassist watched and learned.

"I'd like for you to come along, Gloria. Really. If you want to of course..."

Weird looked at his loafers and drank champagne quietly before glancing back up at her. Would she agree?

[drkenison]

"Most people see travel as a vacation. I can see that you might want a vacation from travel." She can't imagine any of it really. Maybe pulling all nighters while researching would be something similar, maybe more mentally exhausting than stage performance which might be more physically demanding.

"Oh..." She looked out the window and then smiled because it felt fluttery inside from the excitement and realizing maybe someone liked her. Someone didn't think she was boyish or out of place or not womanly. After a moment she looks back as the Limo comes to a halt.

"I could travel but I don't think I could for months because of my work." Part of that was fear and nerves rather than knowing anything about whether she could or couldn't. "I would like to travel and see more places but I don't want to be a leech on any of you. I can't afford to travel anywhere."

[wherewere_thespiders]

"I like travelling around with the lads and Ziggy on tour. We give the crowd what they want and they get the experience they want. As for us? Music is our lives and I've known no different."

Playing his bass often soothed Weird's nerves even whilst he was on stage. He was in his happy place then because he could often be rather nervous around new places or meeting new people. He even found Ziggy slightly overbearing at the start because of his boundless energy. But overtime the lads had gotten used to the singer's over the top performances and persona. They loved him as a close friend. Ronno had the hots for Ziggy and Weird knew this way back when they first met.

"You won't be a leech, Gloria. None of us will ever think that. It might be nice having another nice girl to be around because some of the lads can be rowdy. Gilly with his loudmouth. Also---I'd like you around because I like you."

That got a smile out of the bassist.