om_main | Fraser and Cecil, Cast Party

Fraser goes looking for a possible karaoke number and somehow ends up dueting with Cecil.

It had been a lovely performance, and Cecil had trailed along to the party afterwards with evident curiosity. He wanted to be there to celebrate with everyone, of course, but events like those were important for communities. Much as Cecil was still fascinated with his new surroundings, it was that sense of being a part of a whole he missed, sometimes. Besides, finding out what parties were like in this new place was probably important.

Even with all of that, it was the karaoke that kept drawing his attention. He may have gotten there too late to participate in the play, but he'd always enjoyed singing. And he was pretty decent at it, technically speaking.

It took almost no time at all to convince himself to wander over. Even if there was someone currently looking at the song list. "Hello," Cecil said, cheerfully but gravely. "Do you mind if I take a look?"

Fraser glanced up from the list and stepped back immediately to make room. "Please, help yourself. I admit I've been monopolizing the song-book. I'm not very familiar with many of the songs, so selecting something becomes complicated."

"Does it?" Cecil asked curiously even as he stepped in. "I would have thought it would narrow things down."

"Well, there is that," Fraser admitted. "If I skim past all the options I don't recognize, I suppose I could just select the first familiar option."

Cecil regarded him for a moment. "Is the first option something you'd like?"

Fraser looked at the list again, alphabetical by artist. "Alanis Morisette, 'You Oughtta Know'. I believe that contains some very strong language."

"And strong language is a problem?"

"It isn't something I would utter without dire cause. I hardly think it's appropriate in front of so many younger students."

"Ah, I see," Cecil said with a solemn nod. An admirable goal, if somewhat misguided. There were many things worse than language to be protected from. "I'm sure there are other choices."

Fraser skimmed the list, starting from the beginning and taking Cecil's suggestion to heart. "The Beatles are always a safe bet," he said as he got to the letter B.

"I am fairly sure no one has ever needed to be defended from the Beatles," Cecil said promptly. "Fairly." But somehow he seemed to have perked up a little without anything about him actually changing.

"Is there a particular song of there's you like?" Fraser asked curiously.

"Me?" Cecil blinked. "You're asking my advice?"

"If that is not too forward of me." He nodded.

Cecil seemed to perk up even farther. "Well," he said, as seriously as he could. "It depends on what sort of song you're going for, I think. Serious or not."

"Would you be interested in doing a duet?" Fraser asked politely.

It took a moment to register, but Cecil eyes suddenly went wide. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Strength in numbers?" Fraser suggested.

"How do you know if I'm any good at it?"

"I wouldn't hold it against you if you weren't. If you are, that's an extra incentive. Do you enjoy singing?"

"I do," Cecil said promptly, and perhaps a bit too eagerly.

"That's the most important part," Fraser said with a warm smile.

Cecil practically beamed at him. "Then I'd be happy to. And...oh, of course. My name is Cecil," he added, holding out a hand.

Fraser reached over and shook the proffered hand. "My apologies, I'm Benton. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cecil."

"And yo-- oh. Are you Fraser?" Somehow Cecil brightened even further. "Felix said that I should meet you."

He brightened at that. "Oh, really? A fine compliment, from Felix."

"I'm sure," Cecil said with an enthusiastic nod. "We should talk more afterwards, I think."

"That would be lovely. If you don't mind me monopolizing your time."

"Hardly. I enjoy a good conversation or two." And if Felix had suggested it, Cecil could only assume it would be an excellent one.

"Wonderful."

Cecil just beamed again and gestured at the makeshift stage area. "Shall we?"