Jerry needed to warm up more than anything, and by the time they were through with the first song, he was back to sounding like himself. Which was good, since Mal directed them straight into the next. He intended to play for about forty-five minutes before the first brief break, sticking to covers injected with a healthy dose of their own style. By the time they were through the first half, it seemed like everyone had fallen into that familiar groove that they had with one another and for a moment Mal was feeling optimistic. Perhaps a bit nostalgic. And it would seem that he had forgotten any conflicts he had with Jerry, falling into the rhythm of performance and the persona he had built for himself on stage.
But, that all pretty much dissolved as soon as they came to the fifteen-minute intermission when Jerry said something about going back to flirting with the hot chicks at the bar.
“Don’t--” Malakai subtly (okay, maybe not so subtly) pulled him by the back of his jacket toward the back of the stage area. “Do you have to make yourself out to be a jackass to them of all people?” He hissed quietly, glaring as Jerry regained his footing.
“What the fuck is your problem tonight?” Jeremiah shot an angry look back.
What was his problem? Lots of fucking things. Making a fool of himself--of them by proxy--in front of Wild Hunt was one thing. Quinn was another. Quinn was mostly on his mind--Jerry had been a particular dick to that human he had been fucking around with. Mal was just beginning to enjoy having the human around when they all hung out but Jerry had gone and ruined that spectacularly, in perfect Jerry fashion. Quinn deserved so much better, and Mal had bit his tongue too many times about that. It really wasn’t his business, but he was beginning to think of Quinn as a friend. Well, he hung around with all of them often enough. Before it went to shit, anyway.
“Wild Hunt isn’t just some garageband--have you seriously not heard of them?”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever I get it.” Jerry waved him off dismissively. Mal scowled, and was about to shoot off another comment before Zach got between them. The brothers were silent together for a moment. Mal assumed they were talking, but he could never tell with the two of them. After a quick moment, Zach turned away and leaving Jerry with a more serious expression.
“Sorry.” He muttered, refusing to meet Mal’s eye.
“Yeah, whatever. Just stay around here until we’re back on.” Malakai checked his phone. “Thirteen minutes.” He sighed and made his way over to Lisa-Joe and Wild Hunt. He slid around to the edge of the group when there was a gap in their conversation.
“Hey Lisa-Joe, can I trouble you for a quick drink?” He really fucking needed it. Mal smiled apologetically, then turned to address the rest of the group. “Morgaine, Vivianne, and Ami--right?” He made eye contact with each as he said their names. "I'm Malakai.
“Sorry about Jerry bothering you earlier, he’s a bit like an untrained dog and I’ve yet to figure out how to teach him manners.” Mal grinned humorously, but he still felt a healthy bit of anger beneath.