(AN: I recommend listening to this song in the chapter before you read: Can't Be Sure by The Sundays)
"Give me a story and give me a bed~ Give me possessions~ Oh, love, luck and money they go to my head like~ WILDFIRE~!"
Raven sat, buckled in her seat. Her heart was hammering so violently in her chest, she felt like it was going to shake free from her rip cage. As she stared out the window, she saw the city of Paris grow smaller and smaller as the jet ascended higher in the night sky.
There was this music playing softly on overhead speakers. Raven had never heard it before… she didn't mind it, actually.
Mau5 sat across from her, also staring out the window with much bewilderment. He had obviously not flown in a plane before.
"This is… WHOA~ Just like flying."
"Mau5… we are flying. In a vessel."
"It's so coooool~" Mau5's grin had return to that naïve smile she remembered seeing when he first tried human food.
Raven chuckled at Mau5.
It was only going to take a few hours to get into London. It was probably going to be in the early hours of next day when they landed. Then they had the whole day to rest before the show in the next evening. Raven wondered to herself… should she make a run for it before the show? When everyone least expects it? Or wait until after the show, when everyone is tired and less alert.
It was a hard decision.
"It's good to have something to live for, you'll find… live for tomorrow~ Live for a job and a perfect behind, HIGH TIME~!"
She tipped her head back and started to listen to the music in the plane. She tried not to think too much on this escape issue, since it was making her nerves go crazy.
What if I can't do it…?
Raven felt her hands grip the armrest of her seat tightly. She couldn't help it… The question was repeating itself constantly in her head.
Her eyes fluttered to the floor, trying to avoid looking upon the mouse DJ across from her.
Still her mind felt crossed and stumped. Part of her was screaming:
'You have to make a run for it! Don't be crazy! He took advantage over you, he raped you, he enslaved you! Run! You have to run!'
And the other part of her was rationalizing, sympathizing:
'Yes, he did wrong, but he admitted it! Deep down, he really cares, and he didn't mean to be so ruthless. He's lonely… you know what that is like; being alone. And you know what its like for a creature, such as himself to be outcaste and different than everyone else.'
Psycho… He really wasn't much different than Psycho.
Raven continued to stare at the floor, her eyes sharply intense from concentration.
Avoiding eye contact didn't help… because, low and behold, Mau5 said: "Raven? What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Mau5."
"You still look upset…"
"Trust me, I'm fine." This time she looked him in the eyes to try and ensure him. His face was blank again.
"England, my country, the home of the free~ Such miserable weather~ …But England is as happy as England can be~ WHY CRY~?"
Raven looked up at the speakers above. She snorted at the song playing… It's lyrics were making her a bit irritated now.
Yes, England is my country. Yes, it is a happy place. I'm crying because I am no longer there… in my place.
Mau5 had read too much of her thoughts. He stood up and sat down in the seat next to her.
"Raven…"
"Wot?" Raven said, biting her lower lip.
"You're not happy… you're upset about something…"
Raven closed her eyes, sighing. "I'm nervous."
Mau5's head jerked up in surprise. "Nervous? Oh, that's nonsense, lil Raven~ There is not way you're still nervous… Not after already performing three times…"
"I am though."
"Why?"
She shrugged. It was all absolute rubbish, and she knew it. But if it kept him from pestering her, she'd go with it.
Suddenly, large fingers closed around her jaw line and her face was turned up to Mau5.
"Raven, you said you promised to not be sad when we get there and perform."
Raven shook her head free from his grasp, leering at him just a bit. "Yes, and I plan to keep that promise."
"And did you know that desire is a terrible thing~ The worst that I can find~ And did you know that desire's a terrible thing~ But I… rely… on mine~ ..AaaaAAH~!"
Daniel walked into the private cabin. Raven glanced over at him. He nodded to them both and then exited into the pilot's cabin, where he would meet up with James.
"Raven~ why don't we practice together once we've had some rest?"
"You mean dancing? After we've landed?"
Mau5 nodded, grinning again.
"Uh… sure I suppose. I mean, don't you have to practice your music or something?"
"Nope~ I've got it all figured out. Besides, you'll feel better about the show if you practice some more…"
Raven mumbled sourly, nodding her head.
"England, my country, the home of the free~ Such miserable weather~ …But England is as happy as England can be~ WHY CRY~?"
There was a bitter guilt bubbling in her stomach. She felt this decision now had no good outcome, regardless of what she chose to do.
You have to do this… you're not happy living like this. You can't live with him.
Her lower lip quivered a bit. No. Don't show any weakness.
I want to be home. But I don't want him to… to...
"Raven~ What do you think we will-"
"Shh!" Raven silenced him.
Mau5 turned to look at her again, cocking his head to the side. She still had her eyes closed, as if deep in thought.
"Listen. No more talking, just listen to the music."
Mau5 turned his head up, his large, circular ears moving forward as he listened.
"Did you know that desire is a terrible thing~ It makes the world go blind~ But if desire is such a terrible thing You never really don't mind~!"
Mau5 blinked at the speakers above, frowning just a bit. "Why is it that human's music can sound so sad? This… it sounds sad and happy at the same time~"
Raven's head sunk down and rested on Mau5's shoulder. Her eyes remained tightly shut. She was completely silent, as she absorbed the emotions that the female singer expressed in her song.
Mau5 began to pick up on this mood. He looked down at Raven, closing his mouth and daring to not speak another word. A small sense of worry was beginning to build in the back of his mind. The silence, he knew however, must not be disturbed.
Why was there anything to worry about? He didn't know…
"And it's my life~ And it's my life~ And though I can't be sure what I want anymore~ It will come to me later~"
Mau5 rested his chin down on top of Raven's head, taking in a deep breath. He did not like this sudden atmosphere that had crept in under his nose. But he knew he had to respect Raven's wish and be quiet, and listen to the happy, sad song. His tail flicked impatiently, the curiosity building inside of him. Though this feeling was unpleasant, he did like Raven being here… so close.
Raven no longer wanted to hold it completely in… so she let it leak out… just a bit… she let one small tear trickle down her cheek. She knew she would get through this; … it was just going to feel horrible for now. The guilt will go away… eventually.
"And it's my life…
And it's my life….
And though… I can't be sure… what I want anymore… it will come to me later..."
…
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
Thump-kkkkkkzzztaa-Thump!
The bass pulsed heavily in the small, enclosed room. It was so loud and intense.
Raven's heart was beginning to beat in sync with it. Her head bobbed slightly as she felt her feet itching to move.
"Which song is this again?" she asked.
"Brazil~ The second version."
"Wot happened to the first one?"
"I just didn't like it… well, didn't feel like it was good enough. So I tweaked it around~" Mau5 said, smiling smugly. He was quite proud of his work.
She didn't blame him. Many could argue his music was way to simple and repetitive. But that is what made it work; the simplicity captured the listener in a trance and the repetition kept them moving, flowing… and dancing.
Mau5 turned to Raven, holding out his hand. "Dance with me, Raven~ Don't worry about trying to look professional… just dance what you feel."
Raven tried to hide her frown. What I feel? What she felt wasn't exactly a good emotion. But she would hide it… bollocks and all.
"Alright, fine, Mau5. But you will have to follow my lead."
"Of course~" He grinned at her.
The music started with small pulse of sounds, as Raven and Mau5 began to move about the small hotel room they were staying in.
Jumping, thrusting, shifting, stomping…
Raven and Mau5 moved in sync, side by side, as the second edit of Brazil began to build. They twisted their hips, their feet beat the floor over and over, and their hands moved about in the air.
The music was building into captivating symphony of synths and glitchy sounds. Then it dropped.
Raven and Mau5's dancing became light. They tip-toed about, swaying with the waves of rhythm. Raven gasped as she let her body guide her. There was definitely something in the music pattern that was triggering her brain to feel relaxed. She could feel the rush of blood throughout her entire body warming her arms, legs and even her fingers. The light tip-toeing beats began to slowly build up. Raven smiled. With one look, she nodded to Mau5. Their thoughts connected and were on the same wavelength. As the music began to grow, their movements became stronger and more dramatic.
"Okay, Mau5. See how we are making this pattern with one… two… skip-jump-three?" Raven pointed out.
"Yes~"
"Okay, a beat immediately after every other 'three', I want you to hunch over and make your back straight."
"Hm?" Mau5 seemed confused, but curious all the same.
"You'll see…" As the music continued to grow, Raven waited a few more pattern cycles.
"Okay… now!"
After Mau5's feet touched flat on the ground from his jump, he leaned forward, making his back as parallel as possible with the floor. At the same moment, Raven took a side step towards him, leaning sideways and touching her right shoulder to his left. Then with a swooping kick, she pulled herself into a roll over his back. Her left shoulder now touched his right and her feet landed her perfectly next to Mau5 on the next beat of 'one'.
Raven grinned. "Perfect."
Mau5's grin was even larger. "Oh~ that was wonderful. Fit well with the song~"
Both of them continued to stay in sync with their pattern and staying in time to the music.
"I've always wanted to try that trick…" Raven paused as the next roll came in. She flipped around on Mau5's back and then danced her way back around in front of him to his left. "But I needed a dance partner in order to do it."
"I have an idea, lil Raven~"
"Hm?" Raven asked, watching their feet move.
"Let's keep that rolling trick to every other third beat, but instead of you…" He paused so that they could perform another roll, "doing the next one, why don't I try rolling on your back?"
"Uh, sure why not?" Raven nodded, liking the back-and-forth idea.
"Think you're strong enough to hold me up?"
"So long as you don't stall and roll over quickly, I should be fine."
The two of them lined up again. This time, after they skipped and kicked, Raven leaned forward and Mau5 leaned against Raven's left shoulder, kicking his body over her. Raven grinned, proud to see Mau5 was picking up the dance pattern very quickly. Suddenly, Mau5's red tail batted Raven in the face once his feet landed down next to her. "Ah, watch your tail!" Raven sputtered, swatting it away from her. Mau5 only chuckled as he danced around her and back to her left. "Sorry~"
The music began to become heavier and much more vibrant. Mau5 turned to Raven, nodding. "Take it away~ I'll observe from here."
Mau5 danced off to the side and leaned against the wall. Raven waited for him to be clear before she began to spin. Then she dropped down on her hands and began to twist and flex her legs around in the air. She used just the palms of her hands, the sides of her fore arms, and the lining of her shoulders as support, as her legs flung around in circles and her core bent and rotated to the rhythm. Moments like this, she thought. This is wot I really live for.
Just as Raven really began to get in the movement of the song, the door to their room opened and James walked in. Raven immediately jumped back up and stopped dancing. Mau5 quickly turned to the stereo system they had set up on the nightstand and paused the music. Both he and Raven stared at James with large eyes. James only chuckled and shrugged. "What're you guys doing?"
"Dancing~" Mau5 said delightedly. "Well~ having fun, more than actually practicing."
"That's cool, that's cool… well I just wanted to remind you, we only have little over an hour before the show starts. So you might wanna eat and get ready."
"Thanks, James. Guess we lost track of time." Raven replied.
James shook his head, waving his hand. "No problem, that's what I'm here for. I'll let you two kids get dressed and I'll meet you in the hall with Daniel so we can grab a bite to eat on our way out." James closed the door behind him.
Mau5 turned to Raven, motioning to the bathroom, "You may change first~"
Raven smirked. "Alright, thanks." She went over to the suitcase that was packed for her in the corner of the room. As she fished around for all the pieces of her raver costume, she looked over her shoulder at Mau5. "Hey… curious question I thought of when James called us 'kids'… How old are you technically, Mau5?"
Mau5 slightly cocked his head as he answered, "Depends on what you're considering… My age in mice years is like… 102? But in human years, I'm only 5."
Raven raised an eyebrow. Bloody hell… he really is a little kid… "So… how are you so… older lookin'?"
"The mix between the mouse genetics and the human genetics. My body's aging process is that of a male human, but at the aging speed of a mouse," He opened his suit case, and pulled up his tux suit on a hanger. He looked it over as he continued to explain: "I grew up a lot quicker than you probably did. But I'm going to stay like this for a good 70 years before I become technically old…"
Raven nodded slowly. It made sense, but how Daft Punk managed to get that to work still amazed her. She didn't think how it could be physically possible for a living being to have a mix of two completely different species' genetics.
Raven finished grabbing all of her stuff and shuffled into the bathroom. With the door closed, she dropped her pile of clothes on the top seat of the toilet, and picked up her black and white mask. She pulled it tightly over her head, and peered at herself through the fabric and into the mirror.
Time to do this. It was time.