(Update: 07/02/2017)
Chapter Two - Locus in Quon. a place where the rising action occurs
Levi has changed his shirt to a light blue button-ups the stranger gave him ("The brat has a strange thing for buttons" he thought to himself) and rolled the sleeves twice. He didn't use the slacks that came up with the shirt since they were an inch large for himself. He needed adjust them so it fits perfectly.
Levi went out and entered the elevator. He remembered his old life once he sets foot at the recording department of SC Corporation . Still the same place, they didn't made even the slightest of change. Only that there were handfuls of pictures of the SC's new icons.
"LEEE~ VIII~" that call could've woken the universe, and the said guy knows who's the only one who could do that, Hange Zoë. He quickly stepped out o the doorway as he heard steps rushing for him for a bone-crushing hug.
BAM
"Tch," he remarked as heplaced his finger on a table, a speck of dust residing "You never learn do you?"
"LEVI!" Petra shouted and the rest of them emerged, his old band named Wings of Freedom, Erwin and the rest of the people that were in the room. "It's been so long!"
"Wow, you're a changed man! I never bet on you wearing casual button-ups." Oluo scoffed at the smaller, which the latter ignored as Oluo continued to talk gibberish, and bit his tongue.
"You're the famous Rivaille?" The freckled guy he remembered listening to as Marco exclaimed. "A friend of ours has been talking about you."
"Sheesh, yeah." The guy beside him rolled his eyes. Probably feeling jealous.
"Jean, don't be mean." Marco chided. "We haven't properly introduced. I'm Marco. This is Jean, my—"
"Friend." The one called Jean automatically answered.
"Seriously, five minutes in the lobby?" Erwin deadpanned as he entered. "We should be starting right now."
Levi sighed. Everything is as same as old. Only that he's making a solo career.
"Meet the songwriter, Ueno. Ueno, this is Rivaille" Erwin told as he gestured a woman with long black hair. She raised her hand and they shook hands (Well, Levi took it unwillingly).
"So what do you think about the songs?" She asked as she twirled a lock of hair in her index finger.
"Your songs are filled with meaning."-less trash and repetitiveness.he thought "It's… Good."
"It's good to hear you like it!" Clearly, she's not that perceptive when it comes to his sentences, and the others were silently sweatdropping for they knew he can do much, much worse. "Great idols from other countries just love my work."
"Oh, Levi! you should meet my new PA, Armin Arlert." He doesn't want to talk anymore so he reminded himself to thank Erwin for intruding. He was introduced to a boy with a blonde hair that almost reached his shoulders. He possesses a petite figure and a striking blue eyes. "He studies law, so he just works part time here, but the best."
"Nice to meet you, sir." He bowed slightly. "My friends would be so happy to meet you."
"You should be ready now." Ueno interrupted once again, handing in a music sheet. "Don't ruin the song~~"
He walked to the microphone at the other side of the recording area, Ueno stood at the other side of the glass with the recording equipments. The others, Erwin, Armin, and his old band, were there to keep watch.
Levi told that he is ready and the instrumental started and he began.
He remembers how he sing before. There was this album they've had about a war, and he likes the feeling when his microphone was his weapon and be in another place. He hoped that if he enters the studio, he'll be in a battlefield. The other side of the glass was his enemy, waiting for a good fight.
But now, he sees reality, the microphone, the equipments, his audience, and Ueno staring at him totally dismayed.
Before she can even call for a stop, he beats her in doing this, "Can we fucking stop?"
"What's the matter?" The songwriter asked, failing in hiding the disappointment in her tone. "Do you need—"
"The song sucks." He told nonchalantly, like saying that there's a hair on her face. The others went alarmed, knowing what will happen next.
"We can record the other—"
"Every song is shit." He continued. "It means shit."
"What the hell!" After hearing this, Erwin stood up and tried talking to Ueno. "I am the most successful writer, not just here, but also in Hollywood! And you're telling me my work is trash?"
"No. I did say it's shit, you spoiled brat." He remarked with sass. "If you want, go back to Hollywood, they need more there."
"Oh, yeah I am!" She took her bag and worn her coat. Before she storms out, she added "I'd like to see your fall from there!"
The door banged shut. They went silent for a moment, they turned out into chaos.
"What the hell, Levi Ackerman!" His old band said.
"Thank you very much, Levi." Erwin pinched the bridge of his nose. "That just changed everything. She could've accepted a revision."
"Good riddance, that's an hour earlier of what I expected!" Hange exclaimed. "Well, we do have a lot of sponsors that would be terminated."
"Well, we hate her guts but still—"
"I'm going." Levi said, but Erwin stopped him. "What, after what you've done?"
"I can't sing the way you want me to. I can't sing the way I told you before." Levi took his coat and was ready to set off. "It's been four years."
"That is not a reason, Levi Ackerman!" He spat back. This scene has not became unseen by the others.
"Hey, wait guys." They looked at he source, Armin. Erwin seemed to soften down by a bit and Levi stopped walking. "Listen for a moment."
"What is it?" Petra asked.
"Let's say four years is a valid reason." The blonde coconut-head started. "You have lost your connection to singing."
"So, what are you suggesting, Armin?" Mike finally asked.
"Maybe you should make your own songs." Armin said as a matter-of-factly.
"The sponsors want a product next month." Erwin exclaimed.
"They won't sign the contract if we gave them a bad outcome, right?" Armin retorted his point. "I know the time is short, but as long as you know what to write about, who knows? A fan appreciates something that was made by the idol himself."
Everyone looked at Levi expectantly. This is so much for a first day, he thought. What is he gonna sing about, calling people shitty brats and telling them how filthy they are? "Heck, I don't even know what to write about—"
"And, THAT'S where my best friend enters the scene!" As if on cue, the door opened and a dog ran around the room. The bell on its collar ringing throughout the room.
"Tsu-chan!" Petra yelled. The brown poodle leaped the ginger-haired girl. "Aww, I miss you too."
"Sorry, about Tsubasa." Levi looked on the arc of the door. It is the same guy earlier, now without his beanie. "What is it you called about, Armin? My next client arrives in two hours. And I brought what you asked me, what's it for?"
"Good timing!" Armin hugged the brunet for a second. Then he took the envelope in the boy's hand. "We need your help, Eren."
Eren.
Eren.
"About what? Are they overworking you here?" He asked worriedly as he placed his coat on the coat rack without struggle.Must've come here a lot, Levi deducted. "I've heard about Rivaille's comeback in the news earlier. I know it's confidential but when will he be here?"
A chill runs down his spine. What if he learned that he is the guy from earlier?
"Oh, about that. He's actually here." Armin told.
"Here?" Eren asked, like the words did not register in his mind.
"He's actually behind you."
"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Armin!" Eren laughed nervously. "I'm not—"
"Eren." This time, Levi called him. The said boy turned around. He went silent, as if assessing something he remembered.
"It's you." Eren stated in shock.
"Me?" He wondered if it's because of he is Rivaille or he is the one who gave him a shitty time earlier.
"It's Rivaille from earlier."
So it is both then. "Do you hate me?"
"I-I understand, actually." Eren answered. "It's a shame that I didn't recognize you."
"May I speak with you for a moment?" Erwin asked Eren and they both turned away to Erwin's office.
"And look at his works!" Armin whispered as he gestured for the envelope Eren brought earlier. Levi took it and scanned their titles and some of its lyrics. It's filled with emotions; the ones on top were striking with anger and regret, toning down a little bit every next song. Some were getting reminiscent.
"Well, we helped for a bit, but it's mostly him."
And there's this one at the bottom that caught his eye—
"Oi, Armin. Are you plotting against me?" Eren suddenly showed up.
"No!" Armin tensed, silently taking the envelope from Levi so a sound of paper won't give Eren a hint. "So, are you in?"
"Well," Eren started. "I've got a new client tommorow."
"What? Not now." Armin deadpanned
"A man named…" He placed a finger on his earpiece, which Levi didn't notice earlier. "Rivaille?"
"Welcome to the team, Eren!" Petra said.
"What, only Levi could persuade you to help us?" Hange exclaimed and shook Levi "Please, tell him to come with me."
'Wait, Levi?'Somehow, it reminded Eren that he didn't really know Rivaille's real name. And he's
"No, Hange." Mike said. "You can't experiment him."
"BUT I HAVE TO~"
"Oh, by the way Eren. My real name is Levi Ackerman. " Levi called. "Call me Levi."
Levi.
Levi.
Eren's mind blanked out and his head ached. He knelt down and had his hands on his head, like he wanted to rip his hair off. "A-aah.."
They panicked, Armin knelt beside and tried to soothe him. Erwin was calling the ambulance and the rest were fanning him out, or giving him space.
"What's happening?" Levi asked.
"He must be remembering something." Armin answered.
It took another minute when the pain stopped. He opened his eyes, still not seeing, and took a step back. "L-Levi… N-no."
Eren opens the door and runs away. Somehow, it dawned to Levi too.Eren, he knows that name VERY well.
"Does his name happens to be… Eren Yeager" This came out as a statement, he just felt the need to say it. Eren Yeager, now he remembers why there's something unnerving about his eyes. He took his coat and went for a dash.
"Oi, Levi!" Oluo shouted out.
"What's the sudden dash all about?" Jean asked. They all looked expectantly to Armin, for they knew he is aware of Eren's whole life experiences.
"It's all up to them now, don't worry." He answered. But also something struck him. "Wait, do worry. She's there!"
"Who?" Everbody else has wondered and it clicked suddenly.
"Can I leave earlier, Erwin?" Armin pleaded. "More disaster will come."
"Of course. Your work's done anyway." Erwin told. "Just ce earlier tomorrow."
–Chapter 1 Review–
Quirk2: Thanks for the review and the suggestion. For now I've introduced them, but they have a story to tell, don'cha worry!
–Author's Notes–
Oh, no! Why can't they remember?
Hmmm, so I settled on an every Sunday update. Yay, first writing commitment!
I just borrowed Ueno and bring her back… Well, I can't actually think of someone to hate for now.
Any questions? Reactions? Rate and review!
~-Kazzui-Addiction