Disclaimers: I do not own any of the songs mentioned in this story, or Black Cat or Sven Vollfied, who is one of the most delicious anime sex muffins I've ever beheld…but that's besides the point.
Alright, so I had writer's block after the eighth installment of BSOC. I realized that I had run myself into a plothole because the story there wrote itself faster than it developed. In other words, the plot spoke without thinking. So I am doing the best thing I can do…I'm starting on a clean slate.
Call me cheap, but believe me, it will be worth the jump!
So what happened? Well: Sven was able to rat out Shiki as the ringleader who had partnered up with the Bernado family to sell drugs to the college students. Shiki, Maro, and Lugart were arrested, though Gyanza and one other suspect escaped. Lloyd and Rinslet were alright, and Sven got all the stolen equipment back. It wasn't until he got back to his apartment at midnight that he realized he had promised to meet Tearju that day. So, he decided to make it up to her the following Saturday…
Big Sleuth on Campus
Thank god for Saturdays. The past week had almost killed Sven, in a few cases literally. He had helped crack the college's drug case, and as much as he hated it, he had to arrest three of his own peers. Worst of all, he had to do it all in drag. He remembered how much he shocked the other students as he came out of the frat house with the suspects, with his kabob-heeled shoes, smeared makeup, and skimpy dress cleverly ripped to expose his very manly chest. Not that he regretted it, but it seemed as though he had somehow gained superiority over them. And he wasn't used to that.
Still, what upset him the most was the fact that Gyanza had gotten away. Not only did Sven have a personal bone to pick with him, but the IBI determined that he had initiated the car sabotage. Sven could handle getting tripped, being called a baby, or even having one of his research papers ripped to shreds by Gyanza, but this…this pushed Sven over the edge. This made him look like a goddamn idiot for not keeping an eye on things. He could have cost the IBI millions to replace the stolen equipment. It was enough to drive anyone insane.
But Sven would not be weighed down. That's what he had promised to himself, and especially to Tearju. She had told him that there were some things in life that could not be controlled, but that he could control how he handled them. It seemed that Tearju had a certain way with inspiring others, and Sven loved the comfort he felt after she said those simple, powerful words.
It made him love her even more.
To make it up to her, Sven had told Tearju to meet him at Silphy's Café at 8:00 that Saturday evening. (There was no way he could get out Thursday or Friday.) The place was a popular campus hangout with fine coffee, killer scones and pie, and civilized people who did not stagger around bars and frat houses. Every Saturday night there was live entertainment, often performed by the college students. A few noteworthy veterans of Silphy's included the metal group Beryl Roll (with Durham Glaster, Beluga J. Heard, Preta Ghoul and Igor Planter) and the Falcon Cakes (with Woodney on jazz trumpet, Kranzer Maduke on piano, and Deek Slasky on double bass).
What Sven didn't tell her, though, was that he was going to be the entertainment.
At 7:55 p.m., Sven sat on a stool towards the front of the stage and tuned his guitar. He played his black electric guitar as a past time, never expecting to make it big. In fact, he and his little group had been hastily put together just for that night. Sven glanced over at Charden, who was shouting orders to the sound tech guy and practicing some fingerings on his electric bass. Then he turned back to look at Sephiria, who Charden considered a fantastic drummer, adjusting her cymbals and humming a song. All three wore jeans and their choice of t-shirt, giving them the sort of rock group look that blended perfectly with the atmosphere of java and cigarette smoke.
Sven scanned the steady stream of people coming in and those who already sat at the scattered tables. He couldn't see Tearju yet, but he did abruptly realize that he was performing in front of many people he knew; among them were Jenos and Tanya from calculus, Durham and Ash from government, his chemistry lab partner Baldor, and even his ex, Echidna. Suddenly, Sven felt incredibly nervous. He had never really performed for anyone in his life, not counting that middle school talent show where his guitar act got interrupted by a fire alarm. Now he felt exposed and vulnerable.
"Alright, we're starting," announced Charden, who gave a thumbs up to the sound tech guy and nodded towards Sven. The latter straightened up on his stool and dragged the microphone stand towards him. A final glance around the place…where was she?
"Good evening, everyone!" Sven's greeting was met with kind applause. He continued with a tinge of trepidation in his voice. "For those of you who don't know, I'm Sven Vollfied, this is Charden Flamberg, and this is Sephiria Arks…" Great, now came the hard part. With a final futile glance at the door, Sven counted off softly and played the first signature notes of "The Man Who Sold the World."
We passed upon the stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as a surprise
I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone
A long, long time ago
Oh no, not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the man who sold the world…
Sephiria knew why Tearju hadn't come yet. Actually, the seemingly unintentional delay was her fault.
The two girls had become closer in the past few weeks; not necessarily bosom buddies yet, but to the point where they were comfortable talking about certain personal things. Like men. While Sven was still at work on Wednesday and Charden had stepped out for a half hour to pick up some dinner for the girls, Tearju confessed that she was starting to fall very much in love with Sven. From what Sephiria gathered, he knew exactly how to make a woman happy physically, verbally, and emotionally. And apparently, he was a fantastic kisser.
Tearju also admitted that she didn't care for Sven's job, not so much for the fact that it was dangerous, but because at times, she never knew how long she would be waiting. Tearju prayed with all her heart that Wednesday evening was not merely a taste of what their evenings would be like. Between school and detective work, Sven could not spend as much time with her as either of them wanted to. The time they did have together seemed to go by like a flash, and they made the most of it by having actual, deep conversations. According to Tearju, these surmounted all other parts of the relationship because she was getting to know and trust the real Sven.
It made her love him even more.
Now, this all gave Sephiria an idea. She knew how to plan all sorts of things behind people's backs, and neither Tearju nor Sven were an exception. And nothing gave Sephiria a rush like staging movie-quality situations. Having been recruited into the entourage by Charden, she knew precisely when Sven planned to play each of his songs. Thus, an hour before they were scheduled to perform, Sephiria called Tearju and told her that due to some complications, Sven would be fifteen minutes late. If all went well, she would walk in at the best, and most romantic, part that she and several others had secretly coordinated…
At 8: 14, Sven struck the final chord to the third song. Amid the applause, he glanced at his watch and scanned the coffee shop nervously. Where was she? He cleared his throat and took no notice of Durham flashing a quick hand signal and rushing towards the entrance. "Our next song this evening goes out to a very special girl who…apparently couldn't…make it tonight." A few sympathetic sighs resonated through the coffee shop. Out of the corner of his eye, Sven spied Echidna and Baldor creeping towards the stage steps. His ex-girlfriend appeared to be carrying some sort of long, ebony stick in her hand. Yikes.
For a second, Sven diverted his gaze to the wooden planks of the stage, anything to avoid making eye contact with the audience. Yeah, he was screwed. It didn't matter what he did, the Big Guy Upstairs could care less about him and his ideal plans. With a trembling breath, Sven slowly brought his head back up, ready to face any humiliation that might come his way, braced for disappointment and loss of heart.
And there she was.
The crowd had cleared a small space in the middle of the café as Tearju stepped forward. She quietly thanked Durham for escorting her, and he in turn nodded and melded back into the audience. For Sven, it was like he was seeing Tearju again for the first time; she appeared even more beautiful than she had on the day they met. That moment could not have been more perfectly coordinated…Sven couldn't get over it. It was almost as if someone had written out the perfect script for the perfect scene.
Behind him, Sephiria smiled.
Charden came up behind Sven and quietly kidnapped his guitar, but Sven could care less. Right then, he could only see Tearju coming closer to the stage and his hand reaching out for her. Just as the tips of his fingers touched hers, Sven heard a piano melody that he instantly recognized but had not planned on performing that evening. He turned his head and saw Baldor seated at the baby grand. Echidna casually leaning on it, with that black stick (which was actually an oboe) in her hands. Charden had replaced his bass with Sven's guitar, and Sephiria had set up chimes, bells, tambourines, and other percussion instruments beside her drum set. All Sven had to do now was grab the microphone and let the song flow through him…(A/N: for an added effect, play song while reading!)
I feel like I never measure up to who you see
Sometimes I think I can't give you all the love you need
You keep changing everyday
Amazing me in everyway
If I could be the perfect man in your eyes
I would give all I'm worth to be a part of your life
I could promise the world but it's out of my hands
I can only give you everything I have
Sven helped Tearju onto the stage, and as he continued to sing, he held onto her hand and gazed into her eyes.
I never dreamed I could ever feel the way I do
I hope and pray I will always be enough for you
I can only do my best
I have to trust you with the rest
If I could be the perfect man in your eyes
I would give all I'm worth to be a part of your life
I could promise the world but it's out of my hands
I can only give you everything I have
Now he put his arm around her and pulled her body closer to his.
I promise I will hold you through the changes and fears
When life seems unclear
And when I can't be right there with you
I know there's angels by your side
A tear ran down Tearju's face and he softly wiped it away.
If I could be the perfect man in your eyes
I would give all I'm worth to be a part of your life
I could promise the world but it's out of my hands
I can only give you everything...
A tear ran down Sven's face.
If I could be the perfect man in your eyes
I would give all I'm worth to be a part of your life
I could promise the world but it's out of my hands
I can only give you everything... (he took a slow breath) I have…
Baldor and Echidna finished off with a duet, with the green haired girl giving Sven an assuring smile and nod from behind her reed. As the two prepared to hold out their final note, Sven leaned in and pressed his lips against the soft lips of Tearju. The crowd broke out in wild cheers and applause. Once the two broke for air, Sephiria came over to Sven and Tearju, loudly whispering, "Go ahead and take Tearju back to your apartment. We'll handle the rest of the show, and I'll keep Charden out for a long while." She winked at the couple and trotted back to her place behind the drums. Shrugging, Tearju took Sven's hand and together they walked offstage. On the way, they met up with Echidna and Baldor, who got ready for another song.
"Echidna, what are you doing here?" asked Sven as informally as he could.
"Oh, I just thought I would help a friend out," she responded plainly, though she decided to keep the reference of Sephiria being the "friend" to herself.
Sven gave a small nod. "So…I take it that you're alright with me dating somebody else now…"
"Yeah, of course!" There was actually a tinge of honesty in Echidna's voice. "Besides, I found someone who's more my type…" She bent over the piano towards Baldor and gave him a little peck on the cheek. Sven and Tearju exchanged confused glances before leaving the café hand in hand.
A/N: Thousands upon thousands of apologies for the chapter delay, but with this jump, I hope that I can get back on track and dish out more stories! Here's some Q n' A to satisfy you until then. I also want to take this time to say that if anyone likes to do sexy Sven fanart and would like to share it, I will love you forever!
What the hell took you so long, missy? And where are my Black Cat Follies? School has taken up a lot of my time, so if you add some writer's block and my job, you've got yourself a good 4-5 month delay. When the writer's block did dissipate, I had so many new ideas for stories, kind of like a dam bursting. So for about another month, I was trying to figure out what to work on and when. I decided to get BSOC updated before the Follies because Sven needs more love.
But wait, wait, wait…are you ever going to come back and tell us, in detail, what happened during the time jump? Probably not. If I finish this story completely (which will not be anytime soon, there's at least ten more chapters of material I could come up for this) I might. Might.
I know Sven's first song as well as the back of my hand, but I've never heard of the second one. Pray tell, what is it? If you are anti-Clay Aiken, I'm warning you, please skip this part now…oh, you don't mind? Good, because I love him to death. This song is called "Everything I Have" from Clay Aiken's album A Thousand Different Ways, and it is by far one of the most beautiful songs that he has ever done. Even if you're not a Clay fan, this song will tug at your heart strings like nothing else. I chose for Sven to sing this because not only do the lyrics reflect his love for Tearju perfectly, but it also colorfully contrasts the Kurt Cobain song. (Personally, I think Sven's singing voice would be a combination of Cobain, Aiken, and Enrique Iglesias. Talk about a unique sound!)
