Maria

The room pulsed with the collective heart of a Friday night. I could barely hear Maria over the noise or the bar, glasses clinking, people talking, shoes shuffling, coat cast aside, laughter, instruments being tuned for the next band.
Maria was a friend of a friend of mine, Who I had bumped into that night at random. She was more interested in talking to him than to me. She suggested they go to a house party after the bar, and I don't remember how, but I heard mention of VCA.
Steeled by beer and atmosphere, I bullishly tried to assert myself in the conversation.
"What do you do at VCA?" I asked.
"Music" Maria said.
And that was that.

Phillip, Nick

Bars are not often the best place to meet people, I have found.
I was out with a friend, in the city, rain falling outside.
The band played pop covers to an adoring crowd - mostly friends who'd come in support.
I was introduced to Phillip - he was in the band - but I learned more about Phillip from Nick.
Nick was drunk and enthusiastic, he introduced himself when he sat down next to me, waiting for a drink to come back for him from the bar. He indicated Phillip after both Nick and I, and Phillip and I had exchanged names. Phillip began to pack up the band gear.
"He's just so amazing." Nick began.
I nodded.
"He plays violin," he began to number things off on his fingers. "Guitar, piano, and he can sing," his voice when up a notch. "And he's Austrian, and he can speak French, and Dutch and German."
Nick flailed his arms in admiration.
"I want his babies."