I have some great news, guys! Besides from the appearance of a new chapter of "Ed's Song"…that's kind of a given. Starting with the next chapter, I will begin honoring some of the requests that have been entered via review. P.S. If requests are PM'd I'm liable to lose them since I don't use that system all that much. I would've started that with this chapter (because I've put it off for far too long), but I wanted to do something special.
Why is this chapter so special? Because I usually don't listen to new songs, but I absolutely love this song. I hope I do it justice with this chapter! Thanks, in advance, for reading!
P.S. I totally forgot about the "mini-arc" but it's finished cause I don't remember where I was going with it, so…enjoy?
Counting Stars—German Nightclub
"I can't do this!" a voice growled loudly, echoing through the empty apartment. The owner of this voice crumpled up yet another paper and tossed it into an already-overflowing trashcan. "Why the hell did I ever agree with Alphons's suggestion to play at that nightclub. I don't even like nightclubs!" Grabbing another piece of notebook paper, Edward Elric set to work again. "Just write down how you feel," he muttered. "Your advice isn't helping, Heidrich!"
It was not long before this new piece of notebook paper was crumpled up and joined the others in the trashcan. "Why am I losing sleep over this stupid—" He cut himself off as inspiration struck. Quickly before he lost the words, he grabbed another piece and began to scribble out the words in his head.
Heidrich returned home shortly after Ed finished writing. He did not even have time to ask his roommate how he was doing before Ed shoved the paper in his face. "How is this? Give me your honest opinion."
The other boy's eyes scanned over the words. "I think it looks good on paper. Of course, you're Edward Elric, you can pull off pretty much anything. This is your song for the nightclub gig?" Ed nodded an affirmative and Heidrich smiled. "It should go over really well. Germans usually like English songs and since English is your native language…Yeah."
Ed had a couple days to practice his new song before premiering it at the nightclub. Heidrich was there to encourage him and on the day of the performance, it was Alphons who helped calm Edward. "Trust me, it sounds great. Everyone's gonna love it. I'll be there too, so no worries. It's okay to be nervous, but don't make yourself sick over it. You've got this."
Taking a deep breath, Ed opened his closet to pull out the outfit he had chosen to wear for the show. It was modeled after the clothing he had worn while living in Amestris. Because he'd grown quite a bit, he'd had to have this outfit custom made and he believed it to be an excellent replica. He'd even managed to find black combat boots to go along with it.
When he was ready to leave, he locked up an empty apartment; Heidrich had already headed out to the nightclub. It was a short walk to the nightclub and it was definitely not hard to miss; the lights of the building lit up the whole block around it. Inside the stage had been set and Ed quickly retreated backstage.
What if Heidrich wasn't right this time? Since coming across the gate to this strange place, the only person who'd ever heard him sing was Heidrich. From backstage, he heard the music in the room begin to die down and a softer music begin to drift in. That was the cue. Well, here goes nothing.
The stage was dark and with his black outfit he was certain that no one even saw him enter. That was the intent. On his way up to the front of the stage, he picked up the live microphone sitting on a small table which was carted away by the stage techs once he successfully had the microphone in hand.
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars,
He slowed his voice down, allowing the suspense to grip the audience's attention. Yes, he had them right where he wanted them. Let's go.
Yeah we'll be counting stars…
The stage lights ignited suddenly and the song picked up. This was what he had come here to do. These spectators, nightclub attendees, would leave impressed. He promised himself this. Music echoed loudly through the nightclub floor. So far so good; he had everyone's attention. Now to blow them all away.
I see this life like a swinging vine
Swing my heart across the line
And my face is flashing signs
Seek it out and you shall find
Oh, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told
I feel something so right
Doing the wrong thing
I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive
It felt almost foreign to hear his voice reverberating through the walls of a nightclub. Such places did not exist where he was from. It also was weird to know that the people he was singing to do not naturally speak the language in which he was performing. He could see, though, that, at least for now, they seemed to be enjoying themselves. Did they like the lyrics or just the beat of the song?
The last time he had performed live had been at the Amestris Music Faire which was a totally different setting. How was he supposed to act here? Some of the spectators were giving him funny looks. Was it because he had been stick straight up until now? He caught a glimpse of Heidrich in the front of the crowd. The boy motioned for him to dance. Dance? What? That wasn't in the job description! It can't hurt though. As he began to sing the song's chorus, he started to jump around the stage.
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Until this point, he had mostly kept his voice in the lower octave of its range but even he knew that skilled singers often could use multiple octaves. Time to kick it up a notch!
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars
By now, he no longer noticed his dancing. It felt natural to jump around to the music he had prepared for these lyrics. Heidrich must've been right too because the crowd was no longer rigid either. They too danced along, some even mouthing along to the words as they jumped around with their hands in the air.
Surprisingly, this was actually pretty fun. He would definitely have to thank Heidrich later for setting this up. He began the next verse, occasionally pointing out to the audience as he jumped around the stage.
I feel the love and I feel it burn
Down this river, every turn
Hope is a four-letter word
Make that money, watch it burn
"Sing with me now!"
Oh, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
He could hear the crowd echoing his words. It was truly amazing. What an awesome experience this has been already and he was only halfway finished.
I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told
I feel something so wrong
Doing the right thing
I could lie, could lie, could lie
As he repeated the lyrics, the people in the audience did the same. That must be a good sign. He must be doing this right. Just keep doing what you're doing. You're doing great, Elric! The music dropped out and the dancing crowd (Ed included) momentarily slowed. However, it was all staged. Everything was going just as he'd envisioned.
Everything that downs me makes me wanna fly
The music returned and cheers erupted as everyone continued dancing along with the beat.
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars
The music dropped out once again but Ed clapped out the beat of the song with his hands. Those in the crowd, seeing what he was doing, started to mimic. Soon, the whole place was alive with the sounds of timed clapping. "Oh…"
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I've learned
After only one verse, the crowd began to repeat the same lyrics. Each repeat grew louder and steadier. What a great crowd this was! Ed truly could not be happier to be performing for them tonight.
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I've learned
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I've learned
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I've learned
Again the music dropped out. The audience really seemed to enjoy that effect.
Everything that kills me…
He slowed up his movements, dragging out this line. It created suspense and tension…and his spectators loved every minute of it.
… makes feel alive!
The crowd's cheers drove him on, encouraging him, propelling him to finish this song.
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been playing hard,
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been playing hard,
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be, counting stars
He turned the microphone out to the audience. "Finish the song for me?" he yelled out to them. The audience sang out the final verses of the song.
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons are learnt
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons are learnt
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons are learnt
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons are learnt
The song ended and the crowd ceased their dancing to turn and give Ed a serious round of applause. He bowed and was certain that his wide smile could be seen even from the back of the room. "Thank you! You were a wonderful group! I hope to play something for you again someday!"
Ed did not linger around the nightclub; he really did not feel like being stopped every five seconds to sign an autograph or explain his whole life story. As it was, he still did get stopped several times before making it outside to the street and beginning his walk back to the only place on this side of the gate that he could call home. The lights in the apartment were already on when he got back; Heidrich must not have stuck around either.
Entering, Ed found his roommate reading a book. Heidrich set the book down when he heard Ed arrive. A silence passed between them, but Ed wanted to know what he thought of the performance. Edward had been surprised earlier to hear that Heidrich would be there to support him; nightclubs did not seem to be the type of setting that Heidrich frequented. "So…what did you think?"
"Well, honestly, I thought you were super awkward at the beginning."
"Gee, thanks."
"When you loosened up a bit, though, it was actually quite good, definitely entertaining. Trust me, that crowded loved it. I wouldn't be surprised if they ask you to sing there again someday."
888
A few days after his nightclub performance, Ed, donned once again in the boring drab worn typically by the citizens around him and his long blond hair tied back in a loose ponytail, left the apartment to run errands for the day. The boys needed groceries and Ed needed fresh air.
As he was walking to the store, he was stopped short as he heard a sound drifting on the soft wind. No, that wasn't possible. It couldn't be…but it was.
Lately, I've been, I've been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I've been, I've been praying hard,
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Kids nearby were singing the words he had just sung only a few nights ago. Adults hummed to the tune of the song as they did their gardening or while walking through the streets. "Hey, look!" someone called out, "it's Edward Elric!"
A crowd gathered around the aforementioned young man and he found his elbow room and personal space decreasing quickly. "W-what? Um…hi…why am I being crowded again?" he asked them, although he was certain that he knew the answer.
"The song you sang at the nightclub—" a woman started, but was quickly interrupted by another young man.
"—it's a huge hit. Everybody loves it! You're a new idol!"
"It's catching on across the world too!" A younger girl spoke up. "I got a telegraph from my friend in America. She's heard it and she loves it. The Americans love it. When the Americans love something, it becomes popular so quickly!"
Ed had never expected this. What had he…no, what had Heidrich gotten him into now? "Oh man…"
Not going to lie, this chapter was fun to write. Updates on this story may come faster if all chapters are this fun. Well, Ed's now gotten himself in way over his head. Good thing the chapters are no longer interconnected, ne?
Starting next chapter, I will begin writing based on requested songs. If you've got a song, you can still request it. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!
Posted: December 2, 2013