A Blast from my Past
Chapter 4: Optimism is King.
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Shadz: … Oh, fack it! I've missed you guys! –Hugs the reluctant band-
2D: Err… yea'… we've missed yeh too…
Noods: Yes. Of course.
Russ: … what they said.
Shadz: Really? Oh, you guys! –More hugs-
Muds: Oi! Cut it out! What are yeh? A carebear?
Shadz: I hate that show. Drives me nuts. And that horrible 'boo-bah' is right up there in my temper list as well. I can't stand it.
Russ: I didn't know that.
Shadz: You learn something new everyday, Russ. Take the last… 14 minutes off.
Russ: Thanks…?
Noods: This conversation is rather tedious, can we please just read this chapter? I am eager to see what happens with my acquaintances. The title is rather mind-boggling.
Shadz: Yeah, I've no idea what it means myself. 'Optimism is King'? That makes this story sound like some recluse preteen reading her medieval fantasy books with a box of chocolate cake and patiently waiting for her fictitious knight in shinning armor to jump right out of her foot-long mirror on a noble steed. Well it's better than my last constant line of 'the (something)'… Y'know… Sometimes I think that I use more input and hard work into writing my author's notes rather than the actual chapter…
Muds: Really? You don't say.
Shadz: -frowns- I'm just board. I have nothing to do all day and no one to talk to, I feel totally cut off from the world and everyone around me! This'll send me into my deep depression again, which I believe I suffered about a year ago, this time. It's screwed me up, man…
Noods: Well maybe you should go out more often.
Shadz: What's the point? As soon as I even step foot outside, I shrivel like a worm. I'm much better off in the confined space of my room… When I become claustrophobic, I'll take it as a sign: It's time for a bike ride.
Russ: -smiles fearfully- … right… We'll go now… -everyone runs away-
Shadz: -sighs and inserts a fresh blank page into my typewriter- I should get back into poetry again…
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Noodle's hand curled into a fist and she raised it against the door but held it in midair while her mind raced and filled with apprehension and worry. "Just knock, just knock. They'll understand the necessaries… Oh god… Murdoc wouldn't allow such a concept… He'll slaughter me for sure…"
Violet walked up behind her, "who will slaughter you?" she asked contently. Noodle turned around hastily and bit her lip as the rest crowded underneath the small shelter of the verandah. Melanie ran up in front of everyone next to Noodle and panted hoarsely as her hair and clothes dripped with rain.
"What's the hold up? Aren't they home?"
"No, it's just… they might be a little surprised about having 9 guests so spontaneously."
"Well… I mean, Noodle, it's great but if it's going to be too much of a problem then we don't want to cause any trouble. We can leave now if it'll-"
"No! No, you can't leave! Where will you go? You're in the middle of nowhere with no transport and I already told you, you don't want to be caught in our storms." Melanie sighed miserably as did everyone else in unison. Noodle shook her head regaining her composure and opened the door abruptly and dragged a frightened Mel into the ground floor lobby. Her mouth dropped and she twirled in her spot and examined the area thoroughly in total amazement while Noodle gathered the others in to do the same.
"Whoa… You must be fricken rich, man…"
Noodle blushed modestly, "well… we did sell about 6 million copies of our latest album worldwide…"
"Ah. So you're a real band then. Sorry, I thought you were just trying to make a good impression on us. You did from the start, mate, I love your hair!" Melanie grinned and stroked a stray piece of her deep violet hair from the back of her head.
Noodle smiled and moved in front of them all and attracted their attention. "Guys. Um… Just stay here in the lobby for now and I will go and inform my band mates of your presence and bring them here to meet you all. I'll be back in a minute!" and with that, Noodle ran through a door to retrieve her friends.
The 9 teenagers waited dolefully in the lobby as the looked around like rabbits caught in the headlights. Melanie smiled and walked up to the desk and pointed up at the brightly lit sign of Kong Studios. "You lot have no idea how fortunate we are to be here! Our last shelter was an old amnesic grandma's cottage where our bunkmates were mangy multiple felines. Here… we practically have a separate room each!"
"AWESOME! OUR VERY OWN ROOMS!" Jason cried excitedly but Melanie stopped him with a solemn expression.
"Don't get your hopes up too high. Noodle said her friends might not appreciate us being here, eating off their wealth. We're peasants to them. We don't need much; we'll only stay till we stack up our stomachs, have a little rest and grab a few supplies then we're leaving before they come. We don't want to endanger her or her friends, alright?" Everyone nodded. "Ok… thanks guys." Her friends only cast a glimpse of a uplifted smile before they sighed wearily, on the verge of breakdowns again no doubt. Melanie dug deep into her inner core and tried to find the true respect she had for her companions and express it in a way they knew she cared for them.
"Listen. Guys… now is probably not the best of times but… I just want you all to know that… I'm here for you. Most of the time, I'm stressed or I'm worried and I want to apologize if you felt like I was mocking you or pushing you around or whatever. I know I haven't ever really got to a good start with anyone. A small quantity of you, I've just come across from around the country with the same past and I've literally just dragged you into this horrible mess and the never-ending wild goose chase around the universe. I know it's been bad. We've lost 3 friends already… and we may lose more… sacrifices must be made… but we'll make it in the end. We'll go back to Japan, find the military compound and Mr. Kyuzo who will help us change. So we can be normal… and no more running ever again. You guys aren't my friends… you're my family." After Mel's speech, everyone brightened up and smiled gratefully at her. She smiled back in happiness and turned her back to them to wipe her crystal tears. Their journey's been tough. But they'd survive. Their lives lay in her hands and she'd be the one to lead through every distraction possible to reach their destination and achieve their goal.
"That was very sentimental, Mel. It's beautiful the way your words comforted us all and lit up our hopes to guide through darkness," Violet spoke in a dreamy voice. Suddenly, Mel's ear picked up some movement.
"Pipe down, hippy," she whispered. A great start already. "I hear something… there!" She pointed at a lone door to the left behind the counter before them and they all froze in terror as they heard footsteps drawing closer… and closer… until the door opened and out stepped 2D. He gazed at the nervous kids before him and walked to the counter before he did a double take and his black orbs widened in absolute shock causing everyone to gasp. Melanie coughed and smiled politely, keeping her cool. "Hi there! You must be one of our Asian girl's friends, yes?"
"…… NOOOOOOODLLLLE!!!!" 2D screamed straining his voice to its screeching peak and the adolescents cowered together in distress. Almost immediately the same door Noodle disappeared behind burst open and she stumbled out in alarm and looked around at 2D followed by a confused large African/American man and an annoyed and scary looking… erm 90 year old Goth. Hypothetical age to them all. Their was a long silence where the only sign of movement was daunting eyes spinning around the room and examined everyone around them. After what seemed like a life time, Jason finally broke out the first physical activity and looked around while rubbing his neck, all eyes on him.
"So… ah… what kind of music do you play?" Good approach.
"… WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE A BUNCH OF TEENAGE BRATS DOING IN MY CRIB?!" The kids drew back in fear and Noodle coughed uncertainly and turned to a deeply enraged bassist knowing he wouldn't like what was coming from his guitarist. One. Little. Smidge.
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I'm leaving it right there now… 'Cos I want to. And why not? If I pause then I'll get back on my story and be like '…I had a great idea for this… what was it?' y'know. Might as well just finish up and leave it for another rainy day before I make this into a novel or something drastic. Oh! Look, see? I've been on so long that the infomercials have changed from the collection of bald guys to the hot bikini girls and Herculean abs…… -winks- Excuse me, my lads and lovies.
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