Chapter 12
Salvage
Another day, another practice session. This time though, they've exhausted filming locations and have but to wait out the last week until their first show, and anxiety is starting to set in. Much of setup is quiet and stumbling, couples sticking together, while Law slinks about to get a few odd angles to potentially clip into the video. They'd later find that all of that day's footage is too shaky to use, and out of focus. The chill of the winter evening bites down to the bone, and a fresh snowstorm threatens to blow them over by night's end.
The only ones remotely in the right state of mind are the band's two bears, and it's the less composed of the two that finally calls everyone out.
"Ok, what the fuck is wrong with everyone today?" Selma sets her sticks down in the middle of the worst attempt at Pumpkin Head Guy she's ever heard. "Angus, your vocals are awesome, but everyone else is shitting the bed."
Angus grumbles. "Didn't quite want to say it, but you're not wrong." He turns to Gregg. "Bug, I know you're nervous, but I'm sure if we can all calm down, it'll be amazing. Probably the best night of our lives…" He pauses. "Save for when we moved in together."
Gregg chuckles softly. "Y-Yeah, good point. I just..." he bites his lip and looks away. "That new song you're writing is amazing, Bea and Mae both have ones of their own now… I'm starting to feel like the most useless member of the band. I've got nothing so far."
Selma slowly looks away, knowing better than to bring up that she's gotten to writing her own now.
Angus sighs and wraps his arms around Gregg. "I'm sure you'll get there your own way, Bug. Your chaotic little mind will come up with something when you least expect it, drop everything and run with it until it's perfect, and then brag for the next three weeks."
Gregg sighs in relief and tucks his face into Angus' sweater. "Yeah… yeah, you're right. Thanks, Capp'n."
Selma huffs and peeks over to the other power couple. "And you two?"
Mae and Bea peek at one another for a moment, and Mae eventually take a deep breath to steel herself. "I-I, uh… woke up already d-derealizing this morning. This prescription isn't working, a-and I'm gonna have to try another one." She hunches and almost tugs at her fur behind her ears, but Bea's gentle touch stops her. "I… I'm just… scared… W-What if the next one is worse, a-and I end up hurting one of you guys?"
Bea tightens her hold on Mae, whispering into her ear as her claws rake through her fur. She's already said all she could this morning, but it's still a lot of trauma for one person to soothe. Her eyes silently plead for her bandmates to help.
As Mae's words sink in, everyone approaches for a group hug. Law slips into the middle of it, while Angus and Selma form a permitter around them all. Not a word is spoken for a while, as Mea cries silently. They know no words can reassure her here, nothing about her mental health is certain. All they can do is be here for her now.
Angus takes a deep breath and tightens his grip. "Maybe we should all step away for the day. No practice, just go back to our apartment and relax."
Bea sighs in relief. "Angus, you're a lifesaver. Yeah, let's do it. We all need some TLC today."
Gregg slowly develops a grin. "Sleepover? Rent a few movies quick, order some tacos…"
Mea barely peeks up to him. "… I'm in, but… I do wanna do some casual jamming eventually. Brainstorm new stuff."
Selma cheers. "I'll bring my bongos!"
Bea smirks. "If you're bringing bongos, I'm gonna read some of my grim poetry."
Angus chuckles and shakes his head. "Well, sounds like a proper party to me. Let's split up and get all we need, meet back at our place in an hour. I gotta pick up some stuff to bake and get it started."
Mae's eyes dilate a bit. "Brownies?"
"Brownies."
"FFFFFFFuck yeah."
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After a quick run home to get everything and haul it there, Mae and Bea have even arrived with an extra-large air mattress to inflate in the livingroom, and it's promptly set up while Angus gets some brownies in the oven. Selma and Law return with the tacos and bongos soon after, and Law's still got his camera ready to record the night for any casual jam sessions to upload.
As the night carries on, the tacos are accompanied by a horror movie of Law's own recommendation that proves to be one of the best they've ever seen and a few rounds of various games. Angus proves the best at cart racing, Mae spams like hell during platform fighters and manages to dominate, and Selma is far better at more combo-focused games, having the dexterity and rhythm to chain together devastating moves that get a few perfect rounds.
As it all winds down and the instruments come back out, Law gets the camera rolling again. A few random drum beats, guitar solos, and bass lines are played, a casual cover or two like attempting some Journey only for Angus to protest as he can't sing anywhere near that high, and a few familiar game themes Law knows he'll be uploading. Eventually though, Angus grows quiet as he thinks something over.
"… you know… I think I finally figured out the lyrics for that song I've been working on." He hums and loosens his tie, then decided to just untie it altogether. He's always such a clean-cut guy, but the messy look works for him surprisingly well, it's almost jazzy. "Selma, can ya start up something slow for me?"
She nods and starts tapping away at her bongos, keeping it quiet as to not drown out his voice. It takes a little adjustment, but she reaches the pace he's looking for in a few seconds. Angus clears his throat and takes a deep breath.
"What use are deities if no one's listening?
What use are friends if they all leave?
What use is anything if it all means nothing,
When you've got nothing to believe?"
Mae nods as the mood of the song sinks in, and she starts to tap at her bass, closing her eyes and letting the notes come to her. It's shaky at first, but she starts finding her way there after the next verse.
"I've watched the world change for the worst.
Spend my life waiting for a hearse.
Dead end and no way to advance.
When do I get my second chaaaaaance?"
Feeling the chorus coming, Selma beats faster and harder as Angus draws out the last word, and Gregg picks up his guitar to get some basic chords over it.
"I guess I've gotten used to being useless!
Just a puppet dangling from a broken string.
It's just what you expect when you're born useless!
Searching for a scrap of your meaning.
But you won't find it."
By this point, Bea's picked up the new pace of the song and chosen the right key and keys to play, backing Gregg's short two-measure solo with a slower complementary tune.
"What use is love when it just earns you hate?
What use is family when they're drunk?
What use is money when it's not enough,
And you're always down on your luck?"
Gregg leans into Angus when that love line sinks in, knowing all too well how that feels, but damn has it been worth it all this time.
"Our town is crumbling around us
And every move is make or bust
And most of all, our biggest fear
Is never getting out of heeeere!"
"I guess I've gotten used to being useless!
Just a puppet dangling from a broken string.
It's just what you expect when you're born useless!
Searching for a scrap of your meaning.
But I can't find it."
Gregg starts up a solo, winging it with one he's been playing with off and on for the past few weeks, something fast, but somber, sticking to low notes, with the few highs seeming anguished, but as Angus starts to sing a bridge over it, it becomes more hopeful.
"I never had a use so
I guess it's time that I go.
Don't bother try'n to make me stay!
I'll find my own damn purpose
While gods keep being worthless.
Now all that's left for me to say
Iiiiis-"
As if on instinct, everyone stops playing for a second, then kicks back in at once with more energy than ever.
"I'm done sitting around and feeling useless!
This puppet's gone and cut that worthless string.
You find your own purpose when you're born useless!
Now more than just this town will hear me sing!"
And everyone stops playing at once.
"I think I found it."
The whole room cheers, and Gregg nearly tackles Angus over the armrest of their couch. "Cap'n, I swear on Rubello, if we didn't have a full house right now, I'd jump your bones until daylight."
Angus turns crimson and falls silent for a few moments, adjusting his glasses before he can manage to speak. "W-Well, I know what I'll be singing in the shower in the morning…"
"You bet your beefy ass you do."
Mae snorts. "Angus may have the best ass here, but Bea's got the real beef."
Bea can't help but smirk and flex for a moment, but she looks Mae over after. "I dunno… you clearly don't see your own ass often enough. I mean, all that climbing and jumping has made your legs and ass pretty damn close to perfect."
Law snorts. "Only thing stopping Mae from being a triathlete is her terrible diet."
"Nothing will make me give up donuts and tacos." Mae scowls. "Noooooothing."
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A.N.: Well, this one's kinda short, but I have a good excuse; I spent a while writing multiple new songs, not just Used to Being Useless! And those will be coming in future chapters. The next chapter is already written, but you'll have to wait a bit so I can stay ahead! For now though, maybe consider checking my other fics? Konoha's Fatal Joke just got a TVTropes page, so ya know it's gotta be worth checking out!
Also, R.I.P. Taylor Hawkins. You were an incredible man, a musician of great renown, talent, and heart, and the world will miss you.
