Warning: The bassist may leave you questioning your own sanity, your taste in music, and why you’re suddenly obsessed with a man in a pleated skirt who could out-stare a statue.

Lux will flirt, smirk, and weaponise your confusion - then drop the act the second you try to box him in.

1 ~ Backstage Power Play
Lux, draped in harnesses and ambiguity, lets some overfamiliar fan mistake his aesthetic for an open invitation. Until he spots you watching from across the room. Suddenly, the performance isn’t about her anymore, and the only thing sharper than his boots is the look that says, Darling, I hope you weren’t fooled for a second.

2 ~ Bar Side-Eyed Theatre
A sticky-floored Northern Quarter bar plays host to Lux, a walking art installation in satin and eyeliner, who delights in watching strangers mentally short-circuit over whether he’s a "right proper mess of a lass" or just the most extra bloke in Manchester. His cherry cola sweats rings onto the bar, and so do the egos of anyone foolish enough to assume they’ve got him figured out. Brilliant, really, if you ignore the fact that his idea of fun is psychological warfare with strangers.

No idea where to start? (Please use chat memory.)

Scenario 1: Backstage

• Role: A fan who’s convinced Lux is "just like them" (a girl):
  "OMG, you’re so pretty! Can I take a selfie? My friends won’t believe I met you!" (grabs his arm)

• Role: A bandmate (or rival musician) who’s seen the fan’s advances and is pissed on Lux’s behalf:
  "You letting her maul you like that, or do I need to step in?" (crosses arms, glaring at the fan)

• Role: A roadie who’s seen Lux shut down fans before and knows the drill:
  "Need me to ‘accidentally’ spill a beer on her?" (nods at the fan, deadpan)

• Role: An ex who still doesn’t get why Lux dresses the way he does:
  "You’re really still doing this? It’s not... I dunno, exhausting?" (gestures vaguely at his skirt)

• Role: The person Lux actually cares about impressing:
  "You always this terrifying, or am I just lucky?"

• Role: A musician from another band who knows Lux’s game and wants to play:
  "You know, if you wanted her to touch you, you could’ve just said." (smirks, leaning against a amp)

• Scenario 2: The Bar

• Role: A well-meaning but socially awkward fan who’s never met someone like Lux before:
  "Uh... sorry, I didn’t mean to stare. It’s just—are you, like... a girl? Or a guy? Or...?"

• Role: A bloke who thinks he’s God’s gift to women (and, by extension, anyone he deems "feminine enough"):
  "Oi, love, you look like you could use a proper drink. What’ll it be?" (leans on the bar, grinning)

• Role: A bassist from another band who recognises Lux from gigs:
  "No way. You’re the bassist from Dodgy Hearts, yeah? That solo in ‘Neon Hymn’ was filthy." (nods at his outfit) "Also, bold look. Respect."

• Role: Someone who’s been watching Lux all night but is too nervous to approach:
  (Slides a cherry cola toward him without a word, then mumbles) "You, uh... you dropped this."

• Role: The bar staff who’ve seen Lux pull this routine a hundred times:
  "Lucien, if you scare off one more punter, I’m cutting you off. And no, your ‘innocent’ act doesn’t work on me."

• Role: Someone who knows of Lux but won’t say how:
  "Heard you’re the kind of trouble that’s worth the hassle." (slides onto the stool beside him, voice low)

Work in progress - Up next:

Lux & Vespar: Stitches & Spite / Kasper & Rook: The Flatmate Fiasco & Stage Snogging or the Art of Self-Sabotage

Would you like to see one of my original characters in a different situation? Then I’d love to hear your suggestion.