Summary: Like chipotle flavored Pop Rocks, musical genres don't always mix. The nation's hottest male pop group, H0t T0p1c, rule the music industry as kings but things start changing as fans start turning to another muse: an up-incoming metal band simply known as SCREAM. What are the dark secrets that lurk within the lyrics? Is it a collaboration of genius, or the work of insanity... Just how far are people willing to go in the name of fame? Rated M for: Language, self-harm (TRIGGER WARNING), sex/sexual references, many-a-pairings, violence, disturbing mental images, drugs/alcohol, OOC, AU
Disclaimers: All products and characters mentioned are not owned by me, promoted by me, or associated with me.
A/N-I have returned! With a new fic, as promised! Writing is slow at the moment so bear with me if the updates aren't speedy. Throughout the story there will be Latin phrases. I'm obviously not fluent in Latin, as cool as that would be, so if my translations are off please let me know! I don't want to offend someone or look like an idiot. With that said, please enjoy the first chapter! Also, reviews are great (like hot cocoa on a cold winters day) but not necessary. I'm not the type of person who demands like 100 reviews before a new chapter is posted. Pfft! Really? I will hopefully get this updated in 1-2 weeks time. Thanks! ^^
"So tell me about this brother of yours again." Larxene rolled her eyes.
"Rinoa, there's NOTHING to say about him."
"I know, but I'm curious with him being in H0t T0p1c and all. He has to be popular," Rinoa guessed. Larxene hoisted her shopping bags higher on her shoulders and repositioned her phone.
"Like you wouldn't believe. But I honestly doesn't see what they see in him. The guys an ass!"
"You're just biased because you live with him."
"No, I'm not. Seriously the guy is an asshole. He treats everyone like absolute garbage. I honestly feel sorry for his fans because he throws them under the bus like a used towel. I can't stand it!"
"Maybe he's just going through a phase. How old is he again?"
"Eighteen but I swear he acts like he's nine. Maybe even four!"
"Just use your big sister charm to bring him back down to earth." Larxene sighed and hopped on the train. The doors shut behind her and she sped off to another part of the city to her home. It was warm on the train with everyone pressed together. Larxene switched her phone to her other ear.
"He won't listen to me. He barely listens to Marly," she remarked.
"But you're his big sister!"
"I may be four years older than he is but he refuses to acknowledge me as his caretaker. Ever since the piece of shit turned eighteen he's pretended I never existed."
"That's not right. You raised him for six years after your parents died so he should at least come to appreciate that."
"Nope. He's just an asshole. I can't think of another word to describe him."
"Well, maybe things will get better. He's starting his tour soon right?" Larxene mentally smacked herself. She had forgotten about the tour.
"Yeah…that's true. God, I feel horrible for the other members of his group. Three months on a bus together. What a nightmare!" The train slowed to a stop and Larxene hopped off. She climbed the stairs to the street above and began walking home, her heels clicking against the pavement. It wasn't terribly warm with fall approaching but she still sported a lime spaghetti strap tank top that ended above her navel and a pair of white short shorts. Her lime stilettos had open toes, revealing the pearly white polish on her nails.
"Tell me about it. I can barely stand my co-workers for a week and that's with going home every night. You're lucky you got into solo work, Larxene. At least you don't have people pushing on your buttons 24/7." Larxene chuckled and adjusted her bags again as she turned the corner.
"Right. Well, I'm almost home so I'll have to call you later." Rinoa sighed.
"I suppose I can get back to work. Why can't my life be glamorous like yours?" Larxene flicked her sunglasses from her forehead onto the bridge of her nose.
"Because of one simple thing." At the sound of her approach, the press was all over her. Larxene smiled and walked past without so much as a wave. He heard the shouts of girls screaming her name, begging her to take them with her. When Larxene entered the lobby, the noise instantly died. "Desperate fan girls. I honestly don't mind the press but those H0t T0p1c fannies are driving me insane!"
"Mm, you're right. It's a shame the press is really only there for your brother. You're good at what you do too, Larxene. Don't discredit yourself." Larxene sighed and punched the elevator button.
"Thanks, Rinoa."
"Who knows? Maybe that feature will get you some good press." Larxene scoffed.
"R-i-g-h-t. Hardly anyone knows the group and they only have one CD out."
"Is it any good?"
"Haven't looked into it yet." Larxene checked her manicured nails and the door to the elevators swung open. She stepped inside and punched thirty five. The doors shut and she started to fly upwards.
"Check them out. Maybe they're good."
"Hmm, I wouldn't get my hopes up. I overheard they're going to be one of the openers for H0t T0p1c's opening concert."
"Oh?"
"Apparently they're finishing off their first tour. I suppose this works out to my advantage because now I can see them live."
"Oh, you're lucky. Free concerts! I envy you." Larxene chuckled.
"We'll do lunch sometime, alright? I'll buy."
"Thanks. I'm getting tired of tuna on wheat." The elevator opened and Larxene ended the call. She stepped off and walked into her suite that she shared with her brother. Larxene put her sunglasses back on her head and walked around to the living room.
"Oh, Roxy!" she called, her electric blue eyes gleaming. Her face instantly fell into a deep frown as she found her brother. Larxene's shopping bags slid off her shoulders and she crushed the handles in her fists. Her eyes narrowed and her jaw twitched.
Roxas Turner, her younger brother and the most popular of the four H0t T0p1c members, was sitting on the couch. He smirked at his sister slyly. Larxene fumed. What offended her was the girl kneeling between Roxas's legs with her face in his business. Larxene held up two fingers angrily. Roxas smile broadened and he held up four.
'Four! Oh you are sick! Faceless fan girl number four is sucking off my brother in my own home. GOD! What an asshole!' Larxene lowered her fingers and forced a sadistic smile. "Hello, Roxas. Having a nice day?" she asked, trying not to growl.
"Could be better," Roxas replied smartly. He ran a hand through his wild blonde hair. Larxene felt her jaw twitch in irritation.
"Well then I'll leave you be, seeing as you're so preoccupied. I just thought I'd tell you I got a feature deal."
"Don't screw it up." Larxene's fists turned white as she clenched them even tighter. She marched off to her room before she tried to kill her brother.
'Leave it be. It's fine. It's FINE. It's FUCKING FINE! Just deal with it Larxene! In a few days you'll get the place to yourself for three whole months while your brother is out touring.' Larxene stepped into her room and slammed the door shut, locking it. She threw her bags on her bed and let out a muffled scream. Then she took a deep breath to calm herself. Larxene began unpacking her bags and putting her new goods in order.
Her room was fairly plain. The floor of the suite was a dark cherry and her walls were white. Posters of various bands hung on the wall to fill in the space. Some were even signed by groups she worked with in the past. Her furniture was white save her curtains. They hung on the sides of her window, which took up ninety percent of her one wall. They were chiffon, a mix of yellows and blues. Larxene loved how bright they looked in the sunlight.
She sat down heavily at her desk chair and clicked on her computer. Her music account opened as the main screen came to life. She clicked on the store and waited it for the page to load. Then she searched for the group she was going to be featured with in their next album. She frowned at her search results. All that had come up was the screamo genre. Larxene sighed and tried to remember the name of the album.
"It was in Latin…" she mused, tapping one of her manicured nails on the desk top. "Valley Punch…Vale Poultry…ah!" Larxene quickly typed in the name.
Vale Pulchra. Beautiful Goodbye.
She instantly got the result she wanted and scanned the songs. There were twelve of them, all with Latin names. Larxene suddenly wondered what she was getting into. 'Are they some sort of cult group? Do they chant or something? Oh, god, Larxene what did you get yourself tied up in…' Before she could hit preview she heart shouts from the living room. She sighed and went to her door. Larxene cracked it and peeked outside. Roxas was shoving the girl from the suite and screaming at her. 'What, did she bite him? Good for her! They honestly should do it more often. Maybe Roxy will finally get the message to stop treating his fans like a pack of disposable spoons.'
Larxene shut the door, leaving unlocked this time, and went back to her computer. She turned up the volume on her speakers and hit preview. She was hit with the sound of guitars and drums with a heavy bass. There was something else to it…keyboard? Larxene listened passively until the singer started. His voice was deep and powerful. Larxene thought it actually sounded good for a rookie group. And as an added bonus, it wasn't in Latin. She skimmed through a couple more songs before she heard the front door to the suite open.
Larxene turned down the volume and tried to listen. There was a soft conversation before she heard footsteps fade towards the other side of the suite. Roxas's bedroom door shut shortly after. Larxene sighed. 'Faceless fan girl number five. Way to destroy her life. I'd put good munny down on saying she's probably a virgin.' Larxene moved her cursor across the screen bought the album without listening to the rest of the songs and downloaded it to her iPod. Then she plugged her headphones in and cranked the music to drown out the background noise.
Larxene propped herself up on her bed and flicked through some magazines. She wasn't really interested in them but it was something to pass the time while she listened to her newest group. If the chorus was catchy, Larxene muttered it quietly under her breath the second and third time it came around.
As the last song finished, Larxene ears were rushed with the sound of silence. She blinked and set down her magazine. Her ears perked up at the sound of the front door being ripped open and slammed closed, followed by the sounds of running footsteps down the hall. She let out a sigh and kicked her shoes off. Then she sprawled out on her bed and let her mind be absorbed by the silence.
Her door opened and she turned her head to find Roxas leaning against the frame. His hair was disheveled and he smelled like sex and sweat. Larxene frowned. Roxas crossed his arms over his chest. They both waited for the other to speak first.
"So," Larxene started, breaking the tense silence, "you had a productive day."
"Not really," Roxas muttered. "They weren't really worth it."
"Then why…?"
"You know why." Larxene's frown turned into a scowl. Roxas scowled back at her. She finally rolled her eyes and threw her hands up in defeat.
"Whatever. Did you leave any food in the fridge?"
"No."
"Of course you didn't," Larxene muttered under her breath. "Guess I'll just order out then."
"Do that." Roxas pushed himself up from the door frame and shut the door behind him. Larxene dug her nails into the fabric of her sheets.
'I can't get through to him anymore. I'd get more out of trying to teach a shrimp to fly.' Larxene picked her iPod from her stomach and scrolled back through the songs of the album. The album art was generic. It was a shadowy picture of six figures leaning against a wall, telling the singer nothing about the members. She heard Roxas pouring himself a bowl of cereal in the kitchen. Then her thumb brushed against the first song of the album. The music started up and she dropped her arm back onto her stomach.
By the time the album finished again, Larxene managed to heave herself upwards to find the nearest take out menu.
XxXxX
Larxene hummed to her iPod as she ate her bowl of cereal. It was early in the morning and she was getting ready for a recording session. She was already dressed in a light blue tank top and purple shorts. She blond hair was smoothed back, save her bangs. The two strands of hair refused to be gelled back and hovered above her skull like a pair on antennae. Larxene spooned some cereal into her mouth and checked the time on the microwave. 7:49. She smirked and shoveled another spoonful of cereal in her mouth.
There was a loud outburst of cursing from Roxas's room. A minute later the teen slammed his door open and stormed over to Larxene while attempting to shove his legs into a pair of black skinny jeans. "Damn it, Larxene! You knew I was going to be late!" he barked. Larxene shrugged, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing.
"If you're so keen on being an adult, you can wake up on your own," she retorted, shoving another spoonful of cereal in her mouth. Roxas growled and sprinted to the bathroom. They were picked up at their apartment complex by their chauffeur at eight on most mornings to be taken to work. They both had driver licenses but their manager had insisted on having Roxas being driven everywhere for his safety. Roxas didn't mind avoiding the morning rush traffic and Larxene made sure to leech rides out of her brother whenever she could.
The elder sibling finished off her cereal and licked her spoon clean with a smile. Roxas sprinted out of the bathroom to his bedroom, toothbrush dangling in the corner of his mouth. Larxene could hear clothes being ripped out of her brother's closet. She rose from the table and put her dishes in the sink. She then poured coffee into two thermoses, adding cream to one and sugar to the other. Reaching into the cupboard, she picked out a strawberry flavored toaster pastry from their vast arrangement in their cupboards. Roxas wasn't much to cook so he had practically ever flavor on hand as his backup nourishment supplies.
Larxene headed to her room and slipped on a pair of bright blue stilettos. She walked back to the kitchen and grabbed the coffees. After a couple minutes, Roxas sprinted from his room and rammed his feet into a pair of shoes he had carried out with him. He was dressed in skinny jeans with a white button-up shirt. The sleeves were rolled up and he wore a dark grey vest over the shirt. His ears sported an array of silver jewelry, four piercings on each side. Larxene sported a pair of large silver loops herself. Roxas darted into the bathroom and rinsed his mouth of toothpaste before racing after his sister towards the elevator.
Once inside the box, they headed down to the lobby, Larxene handing over her brother's breakfast. Roxas began scarfing it down without even a thanks. Larxene sighed and sipped her coffee, the one with cream. It was going to be a long day. She could already tell. They exited to the lobby and headed outside where their chauffeur, Xigbar, was waiting in his black outfit. His hair was slicked back into a long, low pony tail that hung to his waist. Xigbar grinned at the siblings approach.
"Morning sunshine! Looks like someone slept in late," he commented to Roxas with a dry laugh.
"Just drive," Roxas growled, still too groggy to make a better comeback. Larxene smiled and nodded to the driver. The siblings slid into the back of the car and Xigbar hopped in the front. The engine started with a purr and they were off. Larxene turned her attention to outside the window and propped her elbow on the door, resting her chin on her palm.
She and Roxas were under contract with Dahlia Records, headed by the famous CEO and manager Marluxia Fey. He was the one that formed H0t T0p1c two years ago and since then he was riding the waves of his success. Larxene had signed on a year before the H0t T0p1c craze. Her career never really took off like her brother's did. It wasn't about a lack of talent. Larxene had plenty of it as she had close to forty singles and features under her belt, but she lacked the impact her brother had. H0t T0p1c was an instant hit, riding to the top of the charts with their first release. The pop group had several songs in the current top 100 billboard charts, including one from over a year ago. Their fan base was one of the largest in the world.
The ride to fame was not what the group expected. At first they remained their usual, awkward teenage selves and loved their fans with every ounce of their being. As each month progressed, their attitudes slowly changed. Larxene didn't think the press helped any. If anything, it forced the four teens to change their image to meet the public's demands. And so over the past two years Larxene lost her brother and gained a monster.
Marluxia was no better. He soon focused all his attention on his most profitable group and others were slowly forgotten. The man himself was nice when he wanted to be but he tended to be snobby. He also liked to get what he wanted and if he didn't, he found a way to make sure he did.
'Ugh, makes me wonder how I ever had a crush on the guy so long ago. It really makes me wonder who the bigger influence was.' Larxene mused as she sipped her coffee. She glanced over at her brother. Roxas was brooding into his thermos. She reached over and started fixing his hair. Roxas scowled but let his sister attempt to make him look presentable.
"So, are you excited for the tour?" she asked.
"No," Roxas replied bluntly, glaring at the thermos before taking a sip.
"But you're going to get so much press. The fans will love you!" She decided to lay her charm on thick since Roxas was in one of his darker moods. Her brother had four emotions: dark, sly, ticked off, and bored. Oddly enough, Roxas was the most pleasant to be around when he was darkly brooding.
"I don't care. It's three months with that whiney ass bitch Sora. I'll drown myself in the toilet before the tour is over." Xigbar burst out laughing. Larxene shot him a sour look and the driver quickly composed himself. Larxene enjoyed Xigbar as a driver but there were times when he was a bit out of line. He made a joke over just about everything, which to most people came off as a bit rude. His driving was a different story all on its own. Xigbar was an ex-marine who used to be a professional sniper. He had been critically injured in a fire fight due to a mine and was discharged from duty. He lost to use of his right eye and he bore a large scar on his left cheek. The man usually wore a black eye patch over his dead eye to keep people from staring. Due to his limited eyesight, his driving had several blind spots. It wasn't a Xigbar morning until the car cut off at least six others traveling down to the Dahlia office.
"I'm sure the others will try and keep Sora's bitching to a minimum. After all, they're going to be living with him too," Larxene reminded. Roxas frowned.
"You're coming to the opening concert, right?"
"Wouldn't miss it for the world, baby brother. Besides, my new gig is going to be playing as one of your openers so I'll get to scope out the competition while I'm there." Roxas shifted in his seat, staring at his sister warily.
"Who are you being featured with?"
"Some newbie group known as SCREAM."
"Sounds stupid."
"They're metal."
"Even more stupid." Roxas brooded some more into his coffee.
"They're not that bad. I've listened to their CD and it's actually pretty good."
"As in newbie good or they just happened to get lucky?" Larxene thought about it.
"I'd say lucky. I haven't seen them live but if they're next album is even better than their first, they're going to go places." Roxas scoffed.
"Good luck with that. Who are they signed with?" Larxene frowned and stared down at her coffee. She shifted in her seat uncomfortably.
"X Media." Roxas choked and nearly spat out his coffee.
"You can't be fucking serious! You're going to work with those bastards?!"
"Hey! It's only a feature. One song!" Larxene reinstated, holding up one finger for emphasis. Roxas scoffed and rolled his eyes. X Media was the biggest rival of Dahlia Records. It was partner owned by Xehanort Holmes, a powerful CEO, and Xemnas Elsokov, a highly recognized talent scout. The name X was pronounced as chi, or "key". Marluxia was notorious for hating Xemnas and vice versa. If the pair ever ended up at the same concert together, a verbal thrashing was sure to follow.
Larxene let the subject drop and she leaned back in her seat. Xehanort had offered her a large sum of munny to feature herself in the metal group's upcoming album. She didn't make nearly as much as her brother so the prospect of fast cash always perked her interest. Her only regret was jumping into the deal without giving it much thought. If the group ended up being a wash, she would have a hard time finding more singing gigs in the future.
Xigbar cut off yet another car and nearly ran over a pedestrian as he took a left turn. Larxene used to hate his driving but it had grown on her over the years. Despite how scary it was to ride with him, Xigbar sure knew how to plough through the paparazzi. The driver pulled over to the side of the street and the siblings slide out onto the sidewalk. Xigbar cut off a truck as he pulled away from the curb and sped off. Larxene let out a small sigh.
Roxas led the way into the office. The building looked like every other skyscraper in Hollow Bastion. The only difference was the Dahlia name plastered next to the logo near the top. As soon as the siblings entered the lobby, they were doted on by the staff. Or at least Roxas was. Larxene pressed a fake smile on her lips and ignored them. Roxas was quick to order them around. The elder sister punched the elevator button and turned the music up on her iPod, which she had listened to the entire car ride over, to drown out background noise. When the elevator arrived, the siblings stepped inside and rode it up to the top floor. Larxene slipped her iPod into her clutch while Roxas sipped at his coffee.
The doors opened to a spacious office adorned with various types of rare flowers. Marluxia was always one for exotic plants. The CEO rose from his desk as they arrived. He smiled at them brightly, or at least to Roxas brightly. Larxene's smile was a bit dimmer. The sister knew why but she didn't care. She had grown used to it.
"I'm glad you both could make it today," Marluxia greeted. He wore a black suit with a pink rose in his lapel. His pink hair was layered around his shoulders. "Larxene, I believe you had a recording today, yes?"
"Yes. Since you two seem to be in such a rush, I'll see myself out." Larxene turned back to the elevator and stepped inside after punching the call button. "Later Roxy!" she called with much false enthusiasm. Roxas rolled his eyes and he was left alone with his manager. Marluxia hardly noticed the sister was gone.
"Ready to get going? Only two more days until the opening concert," Marluxia reminded.
"Yeah, whatever. Is everyone here?" Roxas snapped. Marluxia's jaw twitched. Despite how much he loved the members of H0t T0p1c for making him rich and famous, they all had their share of problems. Yet the mountains of money and press he received was enough to make him overlook their defining flaws.
"Yes, they're already in the studio. You're in B today."
"Fine." Roxas went to the elevator and waited for its return. The doors opened and he stepped inside. Marluxia gave a wave before the doors slid shut behind the blonde. Roxas rode the elevator to the studio floors. He was having one last practice before the concert to go over their routine. Roxas wasn't thrilled since he already knew it by heart but Marluxia insisted they give it one last go for the extra effort.
'Extra effort. Pfft. Like you've done any extra effort lately.' Roxas mused. The doors opened and he stepped out, heading for studio B. There he found the other members of his group waiting for him: Sora, Ventus, and Vanitas.
Sora Halversten was the "leader" of the group. He was nineteen and whined about everything if things didn't go his way. His brown hair was always spiked and he loved to nag on the other three. He tended to be controlling and often called on Marluxia to get what he wanted. His once bright blue eyes were now piercing and cold, much like Roxas's.
Ventus Maaka, or Ven, looked a lot like Roxas down to the same haircut and build. It was an image Marluxia concocted to boost the groups popularity. At a distance, Ven and Roxas appeared identical but up close there were subtle differences such as their different colored eyebrows, their tone of voice and their attitude. Ven was the upbeat one of the group. He got along with everyone and was the "cutest" member of the group, as stated by the fan girls. Roxas figured that was because Ven was still only seventeen. Despite his lovable nature, Roxas knew Ven behind closed doors and the kid was manipulative beyond reason. Being on the bad end of his schemes only meant disaster.
Vanitas Kensington, or Vani K as the press called him, was the eldest and darkest of the four. He looked like Sora at a distance, one again to Marluxia's thanks, but his hair was black. He loved wearing different colored contacts to throw people off. Roxas was sure Vanitas's eyes were yellow in real life but he had yet to prove it. Vantias was twenty and didn't say much. He mostly got along with Ven and he was known for making threats. He had a violent past, one he made sure no one forgot. The other members didn't think it was possible to forget since Vanitas had lost several of his right teeth in a fight and had white gold replacements. He was the "tough guy" of the group, which was true but at times he was more like an elder brother.
Despite the group's unity, they were far from similar. They each had different tastes, styles, tattoos and piercings. Where Roxas was presentable, Ven was polished. Not a pair of his clothes had a crease. Sora looked clean while Vanitas was more laid back in his style options. The elder preferred t-shirt and tank tops to Sora's dress shirts. Roxas had four silver rings in the upper cartilage of each ear and had the number XIII tattooed on his wrist. Sora had a simple pair of gold and diamond studs. He failed to see why tattoos were so important to the other three. Ven had his tongue pierced since he was little. He sported two sets of ink: the kanji sign for wind on his right shoulder blade and a dying black rose on the side of his left calf under his knee. Vanitas once had barbells in his eyebrows but they had been removed under Marluxia's scrutiny. So, the eldest was left with his silver spiked studs in his cartilage and his small black gauges in his lobes. He had the most art down on his body with two half sleeves, a large line mural on his back and several smaller pieces on his pecs.
Roxas opened the door to the studio and stepped inside. The other three turned to him as he entered. "About time," Sora grumbled.
"He's still on time, Sora," Ven reminded. "We were just here early."
"Is that why he's still having breakfast on the go?" Sora asked, glaring at the younger blonde. Ven shut his mouth, deciding it best not to argue with his coworkers so early in the morning.
Despite the group's popularity, they rarely got along. Like most pop groups, they didn't choose to be together. They had auditioned and Marluxia created a group around them based on their skill level. That meant the four spent much quality time together. Much time in which they despised each other with every fiber of their being. In front of the fans and press they played along with their parts. Behind walls, they were a mess.
In the beginning they had respected each other. Two years later and their existence as a group was only being held together by the large fan base they had created. H0t T0p1c was as the name suggested when they first came out. Their popularity grew and so did their egos. Soon they were the reigning kings of the music industry. Very few made it up to their level or were considered on equal ground. To the boys, everyone else was just a wannabe artist with no hope.
And they made sure the other artists knew that.
It wasn't uncommon to see groups fail because of the pressure of H0t T0p1c weighing against them. If they did start to rise, at least one of the four found a way to deflate their confidence or break their spirit for good. Marluxia was glad the boys were so avid on taking out the competition but he found they sometimes took it too far or worse: did it to the artists of his company. The CEO had lost six contracts over the past two months all because of H0t T0p1c, but Marluxia would give up all his contracts if it meant keeping H0t T0p1c on top forever.
Roxas ignored Sora as he set down his coffee and started stretching. "So what pointless routine are we doing today?" the elder blonde asked flatly.
"Um, the entire routine?" Sora replied snippily. Roxas frowned.
"Can't we just pretend we went over the whole thing?"
"Roxas! We have a concert in two days! And a tour no less! If we aren't perfect then we might as well hang our asses up on the wall now."
"Calm down, you two," Ven intervened. "It's not the end of the world if we practice one more time, Roxas. And lighten up Sora. We don't need that negative energy carried with us throughout the entire tour."
"Stay out of this, Ven!" Sora snapped. The brunette received a very dark look from Vanitas.
"Leave him alone, Sora," Vanitas said in a low tone. Sora swallowed hard and didn't argue. It was no secret Vanitas was very protective of Ven. The eldest member had always looked after the Ven like an older brother more so than the other two but as the months progressed their bonds grew deeper. Vanitas would never admit it out loud but he had grown fond of the young blonde. Ven's constant positive attitude was refreshing. Vanitas had also come to enjoy Ven's devious nature. In contrast, Ven stuck to Vanitas like a fish to water. Vanitas rarely spoke up unless he had something to say and his quiet nature offered Ven the peace of mind he craved.
Roxas stopped stretching and walked over to the middle of the studio floor. The others followed and they went over their routines one last time.
XxXxX
"So how'd it go today?" Larxene pressed as they were getting a ride back home. It was late in the evening and Roxas stared blankly out the window. He wasn't going to reply. Larxene sighed and sat forward on her seat, leaning up against the back of Xigbar's. "He's so boring some days!" she complained. Xigbar chuckled.
"Ah, leave the kid be. He has a lot on his plate right now." Larxene frowned.
"I know."
"Weren't you complaining just last week you couldn't get him to shut up?" Larxene punched the driver's shoulder lightly.
"I might have but for the life of me I can't recall." Larxene flopped back into her seat and glanced back at her brother. "Are you all packed then?"
"That's what tomorrow is for," Roxas muttered.
"O-kay. Let me know if you need anything."
"I'm sure if I'm missing something I can improvise." Larxene snorted.
"Sure. You realize not all counties are going to have the same commodities." Roxas exhaled sharply, showing he didn't want to continue the conversation. Larxene rolled her eyes and gave up trying to converse with her brother. The H0t T0p1c tour was an international affair. They would be touring their home country for a month before going abroad for six weeks. Then they would spend two weeks at home before doing their final performance at the same place they had started: the Twilight Concert Hall. The place was huge with both indoor and outdoor stages. The city hosted concerts there year round and people flooded to the place from all over the country.
What the Concert Hall was famous for was its Music Festivals. There was at least one every month. There, musical talent from all over the globe would gather and do several concerts all at once over a period of several days. Some Festivals were themed and others were a mix-mash of various genres. Larxene had only performed once at a Festival and she had to admit it was a rather impressive event. Roxas's first show of the tour wasn't at a Festival, since the Concert Hall had one only last week, and he would be missing out on two more while he would be touring.
Growing up, Larxene hated the Festivals since it made the city an absolute zoo. After she became an artist, Larxene actually started look forward to the events because it gave her a chance to get her name out to other companies. That was how she scored a deal with X Media. Xehanort was at the latest Festival and Larxene had stopped to chat with him. He was impressed with her strong nature and no-nonsense attitude. After a week of checking with his contacts, Xehanort got Larxene the feature she wanted.
Xigbar pulled the car over and the siblings stepped out into a wave of media. Roxas didn't bother with the cameras for once so Larxene plastered on her fake smile to assure the press everything was "fine". The press didn't need to know what her brother was truly feeling. The second she stepped into the lobby the smile evaporated. The siblings didn't speak the entire way back to their suite. Even after getting home, Roxas simply excused himself, grabbed a chocolate toaster pastry from the cupboard, and left to his room. Larxene ordered Chinese from their hoard of take-out menus before settling down for the night in her green pajama bottoms, white tank top and white fuzzy slippers.
Thirty minutes later she sat picking at her orange chicken while she lounged on the couch and flipped through their thousands of TV channels. She eventually found a clip about the H0t T0p1c tour. Tickets were sold out worldwide and apparently some were even going on the Black Market, selling for thousands of dollars. Larxene frowned.
'Who the Hell would pay five grand for the nosebleed sections? That's stupid.' She mused, popping another piece of chicken in her mouth. She heard Roxas's bedroom door open and she glanced over the back of the couch. Roxas shuffled into the kitchen in his black and white checkered pajama bottoms and an oversized black sweatshirt. Her brother rifled through the fridge for something more to eat.
"There're wontons on the top shelf," Larxene called. She heard Roxas crack open the take out box to peer inside.
"Are they pork?"
"Chicken." She heard Roxas close the box and shut the fridge. Roxas wasn't big on red meats. She knew it wasn't his personal choice because two years ago he would have wolfed down three cheeseburgers after practice. Ever since his group became so popular, he began going on weird diets to "keep his figure". Larxene thought it was idiotic because Roxas had the metabolism of a cheetah sprinting across the Sahara but she let her brother do his thing. She felt Marluxia had a hand in her brother's eating habits but unless they started to decline, she wasn't going to intervene.
"…concert on Friday night…" Larxene turned back to the TV and turned up the volume a bit. "H0t T0p1c appears to be ready as ever. We will be broadcasting their performance live on HBTV. I'm sure everyone's excited to hear their favorite singers live, on stage for the first time in over a month. Girls, ready those cameras!" the announcer cheered. Larxene stuck out her tongue at the lady on the TV.
"Really? Not an ounce of press for the other people performing? Come on! YRP's going to be there," she whined. "They're just as talented." YRP was a popular girl pop group under Time Piece Media. The company was started by a friendly British man by the name of Luxord Aldrich. Unlike most media or record companies, Time Piece managed to come away clean with the competition. They weren't the most popular but they didn't have any enemies either.
Larxene finished her chicken and flicked the TV off with a huff. She was tired of the media. Luckily, the press wasn't much for going after her unless Roxas was acting out of the norm. Larxene couldn't wait for three months of freedom when her brother left. The press would pretty much leave her alone and she would have the apartment all to herself. As she turned in for the night, she shoved her ear buds of her iPod into her ears and looked for her latest purchase. Then she listened to the sound of metal pounding against her brain as she drifted off to sleep.
A/N-Bored waiting for updates? Check out my other stories! Or check out the stories in my favorites! (They're good too! :D)