Dave downed the rest of his soup and then a glass of water, cringing slightly at the taste.
"Not quite ready to practice yet Mel. Gotta warm up the chords and what-not."
Dave retreated into his room, where on one side was a small electric keyboard.

After about an hour of vocal exercises, he felt he was as ready as he could be. His voice was clear and warm. He could sing on a whim now. But still, he'd have to force some of those harder notes out, he was still young, hardly in his prime. Hell, Ronnie James Dio didn't really hit his prime 'til 40. But then again, Dave was sure that Ronnie James Dio wasn't human. No man could sing like that.

He emerged from his room, looking enthusiastic about something for once. The band and drinking were the only exciting things to him these days.
"Come on! When do we start! Now? Now? Now?"
He was just being annoying for fun, trying to get a rise out of someone.
This was the real Dave, the sobre Dave that people rarely saw.

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