January 22nd
"I wonder what happened to them." Allen mused to himself as he flipped through his 'Innocence' calendar Lou Fa got him for Christmas.
Innocence just happened to be his favorite band. They were amazing to say the least; however, after three years, they just dropped off the face of the planet like something terrible happened. Allen was so obsessed with their wonderful music, even if they haven't produced that many albums. The lyrics and their voices is what got him into the band. He had listened to every one of their interviews and knew all of their songs by heart. Then, when they just stopped saying anything a year ago, he felt so possessed. He even introduced them to everyone he knew in hopes that they would come back. There was one interview in the past year and Lenalee, the bassist, informed that their singer/keyboardist was gone. That didn't seem like a good excuse honestly. They all had beautiful voices. Even Kanda's voice was amazing...most of the time he seemed like a prick, but he had never met him so he couldn't judge. Still, even without their lead singer, Daisya, they all sounded wonderful. Personally, Allen liked Lavi's voice the most. He was the drummer so it was quite unexpected that he had a wonderful voice, but Allen just adored it.
"Maybe they quit." Shifu mused as he flipped through his Chemistry book. Allen frowned at the suggestion.
"Maybe they need a break. They are amateurs." Allen's frown only deepened at Fou's rude comment.
"Maybe they couldn't take the celebrity life." Rikei tried, hoping his answer would soothe Allen's nerves, rather than frenzy them.
"They weren't really that popular to begin with. Fou pointed out.
"You guys aren't helping." Allen huffed.
"Maybe they just have writer's block?" Lou Fa suggested quietly.
"Who knows, maybe the singer made everything happen and with him gone, they're all lost." Once again, Fou didn't hesitate to bluntly insult them.
"I think the only way to know for sure is to listen to a recent interview." Lou Fa added in quickly.
"That isn't possible though because they're too-" Lou Fa tugged on Fou's shirt and shook her head. Fou simply rolled her eyes. "I'm just pointing out the obvious." Allen let out a frustrated sigh.
"I wish they would get back on again. Hopefully their next album will be the best yet." He mumbled as he sipped his milkshake.
"They've had enough time to work on it." Fou muttered. "Other artists are going to look down on them if they don't get their act together soon."
"Right." Shifu agreed.
"Maybe we should email them anonymously." Lou Fa suggested.
"That sounds like a bad idea...what if they found out who we were?" Allen commented.
"So fucking what? Who cares what they think. We like their music, they should feel flattered." Fou insisted.
"True." Rikei smiled. "I think we should do it."
"They probably get fanmail all the time. What's the chance that they're actually gonna read it?" Allen pointed out.
"They probably also get hate mail." Fou added as she pulled out her phone and started typing a message.
"Can you stop that?!" Allen exclaimed. Fou just shrugged.
"Don't make the message rude or they won't read it." Shifu mumbled, looking over the orange-haired girl's shoulder. Fou rolled her eyes.
"Whatever." After a few more minutes of constant writing, she pressed her touchscreen with her index finger and drew it back in a swift motion. "Done."
"What if they reply?" Allen asked curiously.
"Like hell they're going to reply. They'll see the message and hopefully get some enthusiasm out of it. Celebrities never reply to their mail."
"Which is actually understandable considering how many emails they get a day." Rikei added. Allen looked down at his calendar and sighed at the collage of Lavi all over his August page.
I wish you guys would come back out soon...
February 5th
Allen got his wish a few weeks from them. He was lazily laying on the couch after just waking up and Cross flicked on the television as he sat in the recliner. Allen just wanted to go back to sleep, but that was impossible with the TV on. "Why don't you do something useful and make me some coffee?" Cross said, not even looking at him.
"Gimme a minute." Allen mumbled, rubbing his eyes as he tried to drill the sleep out of them. After he laid there for a few minutes, he stood up and padded over to the kitchen, standing in front of the coffee maker. He yawned before pulling it closer and lifting up the lid to pour water from the coffee pot in and then scooped as many grains as Cross liked before closing the lid and pressing start. Allen made himself a glass of orange juice. He walked towards the living room and leaned against the doorway, his eyes lazily looking over at the TV as he sipped from his cup.
"Just in: it seems like a not-so-popular band is making their way back after three years of doing absolutely nothing! They had an interview last year and now they're back onstage again. Their fans are tripping it up, asking constant questions and sending constant emails about when their concert will be. They said that they were inspired by an email sent to them not too long ago-only a couple of weeks." Allen spat out his orange juice and choked when he saw Innocence themselves walking down the street, talking among each other on the video. "Word has it that..." Allen tuned out and pulled out his phone, dialing Fou's number as quickly as he could. He walked downstairs to get some privacy from Cross.
"Oi, Shorty, why ya callin' me so damn early in the mornin'?" She growled through the phone.
"Turn on the TV!"
"Wha?"
"Just do it!"
"Ugh. This better be good or I'm kicking your ass." Allen could hear a thump over the phone and a few seconds passed before he could hear the TV channel through the phone. "Oh. My. God."
"Right!?"
"This calls for a music meeting! Like. Now. I'll call the others. Bring your guitar because I am in the mood! This is fucking awesome! Bring, like, all your music! Hurry with it and meet me behind the cafe!"
"Alri-"
Click.
Allen didn't even care that she just hung up on him. He didn't even care that it was almost seven in the morning. He had to move. He quickly ran upstairs and then sorted through the closet, taking clothes and running to the bathroom, slipping on his black and red checkered skinny jeans, his white, button down shirt and black vest. He quickly grabbed his cherished ribbon and nearly choked himself when he tied it around his neck tightly. He barely got any toothpaste in his mouth when he brushed his teeth and bolted out of the bathroom after spitting. He grabbed his guitar case, lacing up his knee high converses and running out. He didn't even put his contacts in.
This actually turned out to be a bad idea.
Normally, Allen would take the time to style his hair perfectly. His part was on the left side so that everyone could see his scar, but that was also where his bad eye was and since it was naturally that way, his bangs would cover up his right eye-aka, his good eye-and he could barely see. With his entire folder of music in his hands and running like there was no tomorrow, he ran into about three telephone poles, two dogs, and a few trees on his way down the street. Honestly, he was surprised that he kept all of his music intact. He was just shouting an apology to an old woman, whom he nearly thrown to the ground (don't worry, she got her revenge by smacking him with what had to be a concrete purse) and then wasn't looking where he was going, slamming into someone and his papers scattered out of his folder.
"Ah! Sorry, I really couldn't see...not because I wasn't paying attention...I don't have my contacts in and oh my god she's going to kill me if I don't hurry." The girl he ran into picked up a sheet and tilted her head. He could barely see her because his right eye was covered, but she looked somewhat familiar.
"Did you...did you write all this?"
"What? Oh...yeah, a little. I mean, they're all still rough drafts, thank you for that," he said, snatching the paper out of her hands, "anyways, gotta go, sorry, bye!" He shouted and ran off again. He didn't expect to be so early and sat on the curb, pulling out his guitar. It was so old, but looked brand new. It was a cherished possession of his. It was his first instrument that Mana gifted to him. He ghosted his fingers over the strings and smiled softly at the sound. He grabbed his pic he designed himself (it was back when he was in high school and listened to Innocence everyday, so it was Innocence-inspired with a lot of their designs on it) and positioned his guitar correctly where his right finger-less glove was, playing a small tune.
"Eyy, Allen!" Fou called, jogging over. "Thanks for waking me up! You've got everyone excited now with the big news on the tele, eh?" Allen smiled as they all tiredly gathered around. They looked tired, like they were literally dragged out of their beds.
"I suppose."
"So, you gonna do it?" Allen deadpanned at Rikei's question.
"Um...do what exactly?" Fou went silent at his question.
"A-Allen...the TV...did you not watch it after you called Fou?"
"..."
"There's gonna be a contest! Isn't that great?! You could totally sign up." Rikei informed with a excitement. Allen felt his stomach drop.
"No...not...I can't do that...Rikei, I like them and all, but I can't...not in front of so many people..." He mumbled, combing his fingers through his hair.
"Now you've made him nervous." Fou muttered.
"I-I'm not nervous!" He denied.
"Yes you are." They all replied. Allen huffed and stared down at his guitar lovingly.
"I'm fine with just listening to them. Doing what they do takes a lot of skill. Not only playing, but managing when their music comes out, the money business...contests...all that..."
"You're not the manager! You don't have to worry about all that. Here, just, calm down and play a song. Then think about it." Fou said and sorted through his music.
"Okay...good idea..." Allen mumbled and took a few deep breaths before strumming peacefully.
"When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
Well there's so much they hold"
"And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?"
Allen sang gently and Fou yawned, the song lolling her to sleep by the nice flow. His voice became just slightly passionate for the next few verses.
"Well I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up"
He pasued for a few seconds before continuing it.
"And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find"
His voice became higher at the next part. You could tell that he poured out his feelings in the song he was singing. Fou sighed, wondering how such a great voice never caught anyone's attention before. He was so fucking talented. How could anyone not love that beautiful voice? She swore up and down, though she'd never admit it aloud, god forbid she show feelings, that he was the best singer she's ever heard. And she listened to a lot of music. Then again, the only reason she ever got into music was because of Allen to start with. She remembered the first day she met him. Oh, that was such a wonderful day.
"Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
Well we got a lot to learn
And god knows we're worth it
No I won't give up"
For quite a slow song, the next verses were quick. Still, they were brilliant. Allen's cleverness and talent for music always stunned the lot of them.
"I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got, yeah, we got a lot at stake"
"And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not, and who I am"
He held the last note for awhile, his lyrics beginning to slow down once again before he hit the chorus confidently.
"I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up, I'm still looking up"
Allen repeated the chorus and they chimed in, all smiling together.
"Well I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)
God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)
God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)"
They all left Allen to sing the last four verses by himself, increasing the dramatic ending.
"I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up"
Allen's strumming slowed to a stop and Fou clapped a hand on his back. "That has to be my favorite song by you ever." She commented. Allen rolled his eyes at her.
"You say that about every song."
"Just take the flattery or leave it."
"Thanks, Fou."
"You're welcome, Pipsqueak." Allen was about to shout at her about not being short, but she continued, "time to get you ready!"
"Um...what?" He asked slowly.
"This is going to be so awesome!" Rikei cheered, even getting Lou Fa pumped up.
"Wait, ready for what?"
"What else, dork? The contest!"
March 22nd
For the next month and...a half?...Fou and the others worked their asses off. Allen was going to get a job...but that seemed impossible with Fou on his back. They practiced on all of his flaws, including his worst fear-being onstage in front of a large crowd. Their methods were quite...interesting. First they held their own little concert (not anything huge) at a party some teenagers were throwing and it worked out pretty smoothly. Allen then pointed out that that was only because they were all drunk and didn't even know what they were listening to. Next, they tried playing out in public (it slightly boosted his self-esteem, but not when strangers just walked by without giving them a glance), so they progressed to the mall.
That was chaos.
At the same time, it was a bunch of fun. In the end, they all got banned after being chased down from the security guards. Long story short: security guards did not like punch. Both kinds. The drink and the abusive action. Note to self: never playfully hit a security guard. Fou learned that very important lesson. It was still pretty entertaining, Allen had to admit, but it didn't help with his stage fright at all. So, they started holding miniature concerts around like at churches (not during church, god forbid they be deemed satanists), parks, parties, and all that sort. It was a bit amusing because someone actually became a 'fan' and asked what their name was. They weren't pleased to find out that they were only practicing.
After an entire month and three quarters, they were ready for the contest that was, oddly enough, exactly two months from when they first emailed Innocence. Innocence stated that this was a great opportunity. Lavi, the one Allen most admired, didn't seem as enthused as Lenalee or Miranda about this. Allen watched from behind the curtain as the redhead skipped so many great, talented artists. One by one, the bands left the stage and each time, Allen could feel his stomach clench each time. There was one more band to go. Then it was their turn. Allen felt like he was going to die. He felt sick. He felt dizzy. He felt nauseous.
"I can't do it." Allen whispered as he stared at the crowd.
"Come on, Shorty, don't chicken out on us now. We're all ready. If we screw up, we screw up. It'll be fine. Just...pretend we're back at the practice building. Just pretend like you're not the one mostly making music. You're just off to the side, but put in front 'cause you're singing, okay?" Allen nodded stiffly at her words, yet they all seemed jumbled up in his head. "If you pull through this, I'll treat you to Golden Corral." She said, elbowing him playfully.
"In all seriousness? Because I might be able to do that. Wait, am I allowed to pass out after everything is over with?" Fou and the others laughed.
"You got it, Babe."
"My name is-"
"Yeah, Allen, I know."
They rolled their instruments out after being called as a number (that made it a bit easier since they didn't know their names, Allen thought) and Allen could feel his stomach twist with agony, looking at all the eyes on him. Don't pass out, don't pass out, don't pass out, don't pass out, think of the food, think of the food, think of the food. He repeated several times in his head. Lavi scowled and Allen swore his head started literally spinning. "Just ignore the looks for now, you'll blow them away any second." Fou encouraged in his ear.
"Are you sure? I don't think that this is a good idea..." Allen mumbled, not very confident now that he was in front of his favorite band. Fou patted his back roughly.
"Can't turn back now, can we?"
"Thanks for the encouragement." He whispered back harshly. Fou let go of his shoulder as they moved into position. After being announced from the booming voice through the speakers and the song they were playing, there was a couple of applause.
Allen swallowed nervously, breathing easy, counting to ten, and trying out multiple practices his friends taught him. He pretended like they were back in Fou's shitty garage, playing their last draft of music-their final piece. He flicked a few switches on his keyboard and glanced at the others, who each gave him their own sort of thumbs up. Shifu nodded, Rikei gave him a thumbs up, Lou Fa blushed, and Fou winked. He looked back at the crowd and used that huge imagination of his to make them all disappear into nothingness. It was all a blur until his fingers glided across the keyboard. Then it was like all his confidence and inspiration had rushed back in him in a single impact. After playing the notes along for ten to fifteen seconds, he lifted his chin slightly to sing into the microphone.
"They say we are what we are
But we don't have to be
I'm glad to hate you
But I do it in the best way"
"I'll be the watcher (watcher) of the eternal flame
I'll be the guard dog of all you fever dreams"
Rikei and Shifu did their background 'ah' singing, tuning their voices perfectly with Allen's. Lenalee's eyebrows shot up and she grinned. She simply loved background voices. Like Lavi used to do for their lead singer...
"I am the sand in the bottom half of the hour glass (glass, glass)
I try to picture me without you but I can't"
This was the part that the others joined in with their instruments. Their notes were somewhat simple, but with Allen's keyboard, they managed to sound absolutely amazing.
"Cause we could be immortals, immortals
Just not for long, for long
And live with me forever now
You pull the blackout curtains down
Just not for long, for long"
"We could be immooooooo-immortals
Immooooooo-immortals
Immooooooo-immortals
Immooooooo-immortals"
The others' instruments died down to let Allen's voice flow through the auditorium, bouncing off the walls and echoing through the large building.
"Sometimes the only payoff for having any faith
Is when it's tested again and again everyday"
God, Fou just loved it when Allen's voice became rough and violent. It was unlike him, but it was so fucking great.
"I'm still comparing your past
To my future
It might be your wound
But they're my sutures"
Once again, Rikei and Shifu sang their background parts and Lenalee was all impressed about everything. Kanda stayed silent (which was usually a good thing considering he cut sucky singers off and threw them offstage...sometimes literally). Lavi had a disapproving scowl on his face, but only because he probably thought Allen was trying to replace and upgrade from Daisya. Daisya did sing and play keyboard at the same time...Miranda looked very cheerful by their performance. She seemed more determined than usual. She loved these guys.
"Ooooooh
I am the sand in the bottom half of the hourglass (glass, glass)
Ooooooh
I try to picture me without you but I can't"
"Cause we could be immortals, immortals
Just not for long, for long
And live with me forever now
You pull the blackout curtains down
Just not for long, for long"
"We could be immooooooo-immortals
Immooooooo-immortals
Immortals
And live with me forever now
Pull the blackout curtains down"
"We could be immortals, immortals
Just not for long, for long
We could be immooooooo-immortals
Immooooooo-immortals
Immooooooo-immortals
Immooooooo-immortals"
They all ended on the same note and the crowd erupted into applause. They snapped Allen out of his mode and he felt like he was going to pass out, breathing heavily away from the mic. "Next!" Lavi called and Allen felt whatever hope he had in his gut deflate to the negatives. Yeah. Below zero.
After getting offstage, Allen didn't hesitate to pass out.
Songs used in order: "I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz" and "Immortals by Fall Out Boy"