A/N: Hello, everyone, Dark Duran here. So I began this story, as a means to work on between intervals whenever I need a break from working on 'A Perfect Circle'. This, unlike my other story, is MUCH easier to write, so I'm guessing the chapters will tend to be longer. Keep in mind this will probably be updated at a slower pace. Also, this actually isn't angst as you probably noticed, nor is it written based on descriptive dialogue, meaning I'm completely out of my element here. But either way, I hope you enjoy 'Uneasy Hearts Weight the Most'.
Some Things to Touch Upon: This story holds some suggestive material such as language, alcohol, drugs, sexual themes and crude humor. Also, any characters associated with My-HiME belong to Sunrise Inc.
Also, none of the lyrics or song names used in this story belong to me, UNLESS I say so in this header. They will belong to their respective creators.
Anyways, please read, and please enjoy.
Uneasy Hearts Weigh the Most
Chapter 1: Idiot!
Dust bellowed up along the road. The sun glistened in a fiery red over an enormous wheat field that moved in unison with the wind. The rays of the setting sun glowed in particular, along a set of auburn locks pushed up against a car window. It was a beautiful sight, the way the colors blended so perfectly. Especially because it made the violet eyes under that fiery hair stand out so much.
"I heard your voice through a photograph," A girl with chestnut colored hair sang out of tune.
"I thought it up and brought up the paaast," Another girl with more vibrant red hair chimed in, loudly.
"Once you know, you can never go back-"
"I gotta take it on the other siiiide!" They both sang together at the top of their lungs, chestnut hair swerving the car all over the road, while bright red hair pumped their fist out the window.
"Gah, shut the hell up, the both of you!" The redhead shouted from the backseat, kicking the back of the driver's seat with a force something fierce. "You've sang the same freaking song 4 times in a row!"
"Oi, calm yourself, juggernaut jugs." The second redhead, Nao, deadpanned, turning her body around in the seat to face the girl in the back with a smirk. "If we listen to the same song over and over, it'll make all of the music at the concert way better."
"No, no it won't. Now please change the song before I throw myself out the window." The busty girl crossed her arms over her chest, her cheeks also lightly pink from the ridiculous nickname her friend gave her.
"You should be thankful, Mai." Aoi, the driver, responded, looking into the rearview mirror into Mai's violet eyes. "Listening to Red Hot Chili Peppers on repeat while on your way to an amazing concert is probably a lot better than being stuck at home."
Mai continued to frown for a minute, before sighing and allowing herself to lean back into the grey leather interior of the seat. She looked out the window, eyes lightly squinting from the bright red sun. "Yeah, you have a point. Still, I'm sure Akane is going just as crazy as me. Right Akane?"
A more slender girl with shorter, and lighter brown hair was looking out the window. Startled at the mention of her name, she whirled her head around. "Ah-uhm, w-well, I don't mind, really. At least it's a good song."
"Ugh…" Mai groaned loudly, slumping forcefully into the leather seat. "You never take my side, traitor." She mumbled, turning her head away like a pouting child.
"Uhm…sorry…" Akane grumbled, feeling a bit awkward having been stuck into the situation.
"Ah, don't worry about it, Kan-chan." Nao sat right in her seat, waving her hand dismissively. "She's just being bitter 'cause her favorite band won't be at the show tonight."
"AM NOT!" Mai leapt up, hands on the roof of the car as she leaned over and glared at Nao from the back.
"Sit down, moron!" Aoi swerved a bit, taken by surprise at Mai's antics. "If I have to brake for any reason, I don't feel like pulling pieces of you out of my windshield."
Mai, after a moment, sighed loudly and again, forcefully plopped into the backseat, now crossing her legs. "Traitors."
"Right.." Aoi yawned. Then her eyes lit up a bit, a smile forming on her face. "We're just about there, actually. I just wanna get right out of the car and make a beeline for the booth before there's a huge line. You guys all set?"
There were responses that implied the entire car was ready, and with that, Aoi slowed the vehicle and drove onto a gravel path off the side of the street they had been on. It lead them onto a winding road that was surrounded by a thicket, with several other vehicles making their way through. They winded back and forth a couple of times along the road, before the sunlight came through at the end, and they drove out into the evening sun. There was a lot of open space surrounded by trees, one gate that led to the side where people paid for parking, and another that asked for tickets or for people to pass in the tickets that they pre-ordered. And while Mai was tired from the long drive, and practically wanting to shoot herself because she never wanted to hear Otherside again, she was happy that it was a nice, clear evening. She could feel that tonight was going to be really fun. Or at least, interesting.
"Bah, I can't believe they make you pay for parking and a ticket. What a bunch a' rip-off artists." Nao scowled as she crossed her arms, her head leaning against the window as her eyes wandered over the crowds of people making their way through the gates.
"It's not even that big a deal." Aoi said calmly. "We're all pitching in for parking, which isn't too expensive to begin with, and we all bought our tickets online anyway."
Oh.
Oh crap.
"…Oh. Shit…" Mai, who had been sitting quietly in the backseat, suddenly jumped up, and her pretty eyes were wide in horror. "I didn't buy a ticket."
The car came to a screeching halt, everyone messily sliding toward the front of the car and then violently slamming back down.
"The hell, Aoi!" Everyone, except Aoi, yelled in unison.
"YOU FORGOT YOUR WHAT?" The now enraged brunette whipped around, fingers digging into her seat as she turned around to give Mai a godawful glare.
"I-I forgot to buy one online! Eh…" Mai felt herself shrinking under the heated gaze of Aoi, wishing the back of her seat would just melt and make her disappear into it. How the hell could she have forgotten possibly the most vital variable of this trip in the first place?
"We've been driving here for 2 hours and you just now decided to mention that?" Aoi was nearly tearing the leather interior with just the force of her fingers, before she sighed loudly, turned around and slumped in her seat. "Alright-alright-alright, just…just-everyone give up their share for parking and we'll figure something out after." She had one hand with the palm up for taking money, the other pinching her nose irately.
"Damn Mai, usually you're the responsible one. How the tables have turned." Nao smirked, as she opened up her wallet, took out a 5 dollar bill and smacked it into Aoi's hand. Akane reached over and placed her share a bit more gently into Aoi's hand as well, still kind of quivering from the brunette's previous outburst.
"Gah, shut it, Nao." She grumbled, also placing her share into Aoi's open hand. "I'll just…go to the booth and buy one, that's all!" She smiled triumphantly, nodding her head. Yeah, that's all she has to do. It's a perfect plan, right? Nothing can go wrong, right?
"In that line?" Nao questioned with amused green eyes looking over at the crowded line that stretched from the gates, almost to where the entrance for the cars were. Which was almost the entire length of the parking lot.
Mai saw this, her face visibly paling. She groaned loudly. "Well, it's not like I have much of a choice at this rate."
"You could probably flash someone and they'd give you like, three tickets." Nao burst out into mirthful laughter, which was very quickly ended with a harsh thwak against the side of her head.
"Nao, shut up, time to get out of the car." Aoi deadpanned; she had already parked in a space that could be described as the middle of the parking area.
"Ow, what the shit was that for? I expected that from Mai!" She yelled, green eyes glaring at Aoi, who shrugged her shoulders.
"Felt like it. Now hurry up and get out!" With that, the brunette practically jumped from her seat and out of the door, slamming it behind her. There was a giggle in the backseat, and Mai managed to slide out of the car just in time to escape Nao's death glare and fist. Akane had already been standing outside, using her phone to text rapidly with a rather ridiculous smile on her face.
"And what are you so happy about?" Aoi questioned with a raised eyebrow, walking over to Akane and awaiting the other two.
The lighter chestnut-haired teen gazed up with a wide smile. "Kazu is going to drive up here in a few hours, when the show's done, so he can come to the after party with us."
Seeing just how excited the other girl was, Aoi smiled and rolled her eyes. "Jeez, I might go blind from how bright you are right now." She put her hand over her eyes to pretend blocking light.
Akane only chuckled lightly, and both she and Aoi turned when Nao and Mai walked up next to them. The more busty redhead sighed, straightening out her short, black skirt. It was only spring, which meant the nights weren't exactly the perfect temperature, so she also sported a dark blue hoodie with a thick, white stripe on one side, and a gray v-neck t-shirt underneath. She also had on white low-top Converse.
"Okay," she breathed. "I'll just go up, buy my ticket, and I'll be all set. Don't worry about it guys." Mai smiled reassuringly, almost a little too sure of herself.
Aoi, who had been wearing a brown coat with a pseudo-fur collar, tight bleached jeans and a halter top, quirked her brow and then shrugged as she turned towards the side-gate that led to the entrance booths. "Whatever you say, Mai. Let's just hurry this up before we miss any of the good lineups."
Nao appeared the most badass of the group, in skin-tight jeans that had tears all down the legs, red Nike sneakers with yellow laces, a torn up yellow band-tee with "We Came as Romans" along the front in thick blue letters, and a black hoodie with buckles over the biceps. Grade A badassery right here, she thought, a smirk appearing on her face as she followed along with the gang.
Akane had returned her attention to her phone again, barely paying attention and hardly keeping up with the others as she dove right into the sappy text conversation between her and her boyfriend back home. She wore a red hooded sweatshirt with the hood over her head, a pair of dark capris, and a pair of green sneakers.
Eventually, they were all standing with each other in line, which was still as horrifying long as before. The distress on all of their faces was evident, but Nao looked more ticked than anything.
"I sweat to christ if We Came as Romans goes on before we're done, I'm buying an ice water just for the purpose of dumping it down your shirt." The vibrant redhead's arms were crossed, and her weight rested on one hip.
"Calm down, jeez. Why don't you guys just go on in, and check out the times for each lineup while you wait for me? This will probably go by fast anyways." Mai's brow furrowed in annoyance, and figured letting Nao go in was the best probable way of getting her to shut up.
"Are you sure, Mai? I can wait with you." Akane smiled, having only looked down from her phone for a mere second. Then a beep sounded, and she was eyes-deep in the contraption again.
"If you're on that thing all night, god help you when we get in a moshpit." Aoi deadpanned.
Akane's head jerked up, eyes wide. "L-Like hell I'm going in one of those!" She cried. Nao snickered and Aoi smirked.
Mai just rolled her eyes, then turned to smile genuinely at Akane. "Nah, you three get the most out of it. I made a dumb mistake, so I can deal with missing a few minutes." Or hours…ugh.
"Well, I don't see the problem." Aoi shrugged, hands in her coat pockets. "Just call us or something when you get in and we'll meet, okay?" She and the other two girls began turning towards the other, much smaller line, where people simply handed in their pre-ordered tickets and had their hands stamped.
"Sure. Have fun, guys." With a wave, the trio left, and Mai turned back around, sighing. She ran a hand swiftly through her fiery mane, violet eyes pleadingly staring up toward the front of the line.
Sigh…I have the feeling this isn't going to be the only unfortunate thing to happen tonight, either.
About 45 minutes passed, before Mai finally came up to the front of the 'Services' booth, where they also sold tickets at the door.
"Excuse me, could I have one adult ticket please?" She asked eagerly, her face a bit brighter now that she was finally at the front desk.
The gruff looking man with plenty of tattoos made a face. It looked…pitying. Mai blinked.
"Sorry, miss. We sold out a while ago. I was hoping you were going to ask for directions or something."
Mai was completely floored for a second, before her jaw dropped. "You've…got to be kidding me."
He shook his head, a look of sympathy on his face. "Y'know, you didn't hear this from me…" he leaned his head down a bit and talked a lot quieter. "A lot of the people you see walking 'round here are selling tickets for a little higher price than usual. You might have to spend a little more, but a ticket's a ticket." He leaned back up, smiling. Mai, still a little distressed, sighed and nodded, but made sure to thank him as she walked away.
Jesus Crap. What am I supposed to tell the others? Am I gonna have to sit out here for god knows how many hours? Do I make them cancel so they can hate me for pretty much an eternity? Mai sighed so loud, anyone in the vicinity could practically FEEL her stress. She wiped a hand over her face, leaning towards the side of the gate. Her violet eyes scanned over the area. A few people were scantly spread out, stopping people and offering them what appeared to be the tickets the man at the booth was talking about.
Hm, I probably should at least TRY and get a ticket that won't leave me broke. Mai thought to herself. Her eyes darted over the few people that she could tell were trying to sell tickets. Now, which one should I ask first…hm? Is that a…girl?
Mai squinted her eyes a little. She couldn't tell if it actually was a girl, or just a girly-looking dude with really long, really dark hair. It was hard to tell, the figure wore mainly guy's clothes, after all. They sported a grey beanie over their completely straight, blue-black hair, a black and aquamarine plaid button shirt, skinny black jeans that even looked a little slack, and black and white checkered slip-on shoes. That, and she was also facing them from behind, unable to see their face or if they had boobs or not.
"Well…they look the least sketchy in this bunch…" She mumbled quietly to herself. She was precarious at first, but eventually, she pushed herself up from the gate, and made slow, steady strides toward the stranger. They had been tapping their foot to some unknown beat, she noticed, and raised a brow. Uh…there's no music playing just yet, what are they tapping to?
Eventually coming up behind this person, Mai stood a bit awkwardly, before slowly opening her mouth. "Uhm, hey…are you selling tickets?" She asked softly, hands dove deep in her hood pockets.
A moment passed, the stranger completely ignoring her.
Mai blinked in surprise, leaning in a bit. "Uhm…hello?"
Still nothing. The crap, was this person deaf? Mai's brow furrowed in irritation, and finally lifted her hand, prodding the stranger in the back with her finger. "Hey!"
She jumped back a little, because the other person jumped as well, and whipped around so fast that Mai barely had time to blink. When she collected herself and took in the sight in front of her though, she almost didn't catch her jaw dropping.
She could tell it was a girl now, with very stunning features. Her hips were a little thin for a girl, which was what made it the most difficult to figure out her gender from behind. But her skin was a milky color, and her face had a gauntness to it. What was most enticing about her though, were those big, soft emerald eyes that near perfectly matched her button shirt.
The girl blinked, then she took out the white earbuds in her ears and smiled. "Hello." Her voice was a soft, low one, a bit of a mix between a mature woman's and a young boy's voice, and it was a little raspy as if she were used to yelling often.
Mai was a little delirious for a moment, before she shook her head, feeling her face warm up in embarrassment. "A-uhm, hi…are you selling tickets perhaps?" Mai was a little more quiet than usual.
The girl blinked, eying her for a moment. Mai cocked a brow. The hell, it wasn't that weird of a question. She thought, waiting for a reply from this girl, who suddenly smiled, shaking her head.
"Nope, sorry, no selling tickets here." She answered cooly, as if it were good news, or something.
Mai let out a sigh, running her hand through her hair quickly. Great, I really don't feel like doing this all night. "Oh well. Thanks anyways, bye." But before she even managed to turn around, the girl spoke up:
"Buuuut, I do have a ticket with me." The dark-haired woman pulled a small square out from the little pocket on her shirt, which was indeed a folded up ticket.
Mai's head snapped around and she gawked at the piece of paper, smiling wide. "Oh, wow, really?" She beamed in excitement.
"Yeah…it's mine." The woman made an even bigger smile, her dimples lightly showing up on her face. Hearing this, Mai's face visibly dropped, like someone was just murdered in front of her. Then her eyebrows went together in slight annoyance.
"O…kay. Nevermind, then. I'll be going now…" How rude, she mused, beginning to turn away for the second time.
"I'm just kidding. You can have it!" The girl chuckled playfully, holding it out just like a piece of candy to a small child.
Mai, even though she felt a bit dubious, turned again, a brow risen suspiciously. "…Really?" When the slightly taller woman kept her hand out holding the ticket, Mai smiled a little more, reaching for the little square. Before it slipped out of her grasp yet again.
"No, not really." This time the bluenette laughed out loud, she probably thought this was the funniest thing in the world. Mai, however, was not amused in the least bit, and was losing more patience every second she spent around this girl. Both hands on her hips, she leaned forward and glared into the other's vibrant emerald eyes.
"Listen, I bet you think this is hilarious, but I seriously need to get a ticket so I can meet my friends in there, or I'm stuck outside all day. So if you could please stop being so damn rude and decide if you want to sell me the ticket or not, I would really appreciate it." Mai retorted, her tone a lot more sharp now, and those violet eyes of hers gleamed intensely.
The other woman blinked a bit, before her natural expression turned into a wide smile. She held out the ticket yet again, an amused glint in her eyes. "Don't worry. I was serious the first time when I said I had a ticket for you."
After a long moment of Mai contemplating the seriousness of this rather peculiar person, she sighed, relaxing her arms and slumping her shoulders. She reached into her skirt pocket to pull out her wallet. "Thank you. So how much do I owe you?"
"You can have it…" she began, bringing her hand with the ticket away and pressing a finger against her cheek. "If you give me a kiss. Right on the cheek."
Mai froze like she had just been shot. Her head whipped up instantly, eyes large and a little startled.
"..Uhhmm…"
The stranger laughed, almost hysterically. After collecting herself and wiping a lone tear from her lightly colored face, she kept poking her cheek. "Oh, come on. Just one little kiss. For me?"
Mai instantly felt her lip twitch, as she stared at the woman's cheek. I mean, it's not like she's unattractive…I'm pretty sure I don't swing that way, but it sure is better than paying somewhere around $100 for it…Plus, it's just on the cheek, it won't count.
Nodding, Mai slowly put her wallet back into her pocket, looking back up at the strange woman in front of her. "Well…whatever floats your boat I guess…" She mumbled, and she could feel the instant heat on her face as she took a few tentative steps closer.
The other girl's amused smile became even bigger, as she playfully leaned her head forward, the side of her face towards Mai. The redhead's brow furrowed. Jeez, it's a damn peck on the cheek, why am I blushing like mad?
But when she shut her eyes for a moment and put her lips closer to the girl's face, when they touched, it felt…weird. Why is her skin damp? And so…warm? What in- OH MY SWEET LORD.
Apparently, this mischievous beauty took the opportunity while Mai's eyes were closed, to face forward, so that Mai's lips came right in contact with hers, meshing their mouths together in a kiss. Mai's eyes widened in complete shock, whilst the woman opened her eyes slowly, emeralds gleaming in amusement while she smirked in the kiss. Mai pulled away as quick as she physically could, heaving for breath and nearly trembling in anger.
"Aww, thanks! Here ya go, like I promised." The bluenette, completely oblivious to Mai's obvious discomfort and rage, held the ticket out again. "You're a good kisser, by th-"
THWAK!
"I-I…IDIOT!" Mai practically screamed as loud as she could, her entire body trembling and her face even more red than her hair. The palm of her hand burned, since it had just collided with the other woman's face, which was so powerful that it sent her to the ground in a curled up position.
Mai bent down, snatched the ticket loosely being held by the bluenette, and whipped around, stomping off.
The freaking nerve of that…PERVERT! How DARE she kiss me like that? Not to mention she made me look like a damn fool, teasing me like that before letting me have the damn ticket! Mai was fuming, her face still a bit red, both from anger and embarrassment. She put her hand up to her mouth, fingers lightly grazing her lips. Her mind was suddenly flooded with picture of those eyes, dark and mischievous, and that smile…then the feeling of her lips, soft, thin, a hint of cigarette on her breath…
She didn't like cigarettes, but found the taste to suddenly seem alluring.
She had to take my first freaking kiss…damn everything. Mai sighed audibly. Wait, why the hell was she thinking about those things? No! Brain somewhere else! Booth! Entrance! Concert! Friends!
After shaking her head, quickly typing into her phone that she found a ticket and was making her way inside and sending it to Aoi, she slouched, face up to the lightly grey sky. She groaned.
And the day's just begun. She thought in horror. What the hell waited for her inside, she wondered?
"Mai, hurry up~." Aoi fidgeted as she talked in an impatient, sing-song voice while looking at the time on her phone. "The stage we're going to be at starts playing in like, ten minutes!"
"Relax, they're going to have a couple opening shows that will most likely suck anyway." Nao blew a strand of red hair out of her eye, her arms crossed as she looked around, bored.
"I don't care! I wanna get to the front! Or atleast somewhere in the middle." She swayed back and forth, eyeing the gate Mai would be coming out of any minute.
"You sound like a bratty little kid." Nao deadpanned. Aoi glared and Akane giggled.
"Look, there she is!" Akane pointed, and the others turned as well, to see a …pissed off? Mai walking quickly over to them. She looked up at the trio, not at all smiling.
"Hey guys. Sorry I took so long. It was a… huge pain trying to get a ticket." Her voice was a little low, and she was frowning. She whisked some hair out of her face again.
"Really?" Aoi blinked. "What happened?"
"Let's just say that I had my first kiss, finally." Mai rolled her eyes, clearly irritated.
Again, Aoi blinked, twice. "…What?"
Mai groaned loudly. "Forget it, forget it. Let's go!" She then turned on her heel, walking briskly in the direction of the stage they were about to watch.
"…Mai."
"Huh?" She whipped around quickly, staring at Aoi, who was pointing behind her.
"…Stage's this way." She deadpanned. The other girls snickered.
The redhead blinked. "Ah. Right, sorry!" She smiled, walking just as briskly in the other direction. The others followed, looking at each other and shrugging before going along as well.
It had started raining lightly. A few bands had already played, Nao was able to swoon all over her favorite band when they finally came on, and they were all pretty dirty. They had mud on their faces and their clothes, and in their hair. Akane also moved away from the group when they stayed for the moshpits. Nao had a little blood on her lip, Aoi had a cut on her face, and Mai was spared any damage to her face but had a few bruises on her arms.
"Phew, I'm getting tired. Been hours since we got here." Nao yelled, since the crowd was loud even at intermission.
"I know. But the last few bands are coming up, and you know who's gonna be up next!" Aoi called back, rubbing the scratch on her cheek and smiling excitedly.
"Hells yeah!" The girl jumped up, a newfound energy waking her up.
"Who's playing next?" Mai yelled, pulling her blue hood over her head. Not that it mattered, she was pretty much soaked at this point.
"Oh, you'll see!" Aoi leaned into Mai's ear. Then, the crowed suddenly went into an uproar, because the next band was walking their way onto the stage. Akane, Aoi and Nao smiled wide, cheering and already clapping. Mai raised a brow and looked to the front of the stage. This band is getting more hype than any of the previous ones. Wonder what the big deal is… she was then able to make out the people on stage.
…Oh, dear god.
Mai could see them, alright. It looked like they were all girls, which was already impressive. There were four of them. The first to walk on stage was the drummer, who sat at the completely translucent drumset in the back. She was a little on the short side, but was thin and had an impressively athletic body. She had short black hair, messed all over the place, and this pair of incredibly startling but mesmerizing golden eyes. She had on a pair of black and green Circa skate sneakers, a piercing just under her lip and two in her left ear, a pair of grey cut-off jean shorts, and a simply white v-neck tee that was tight against her figure. She waved to the crowd while twirling a drumstick, and they responded with whistling.
The second to appear was the bassist, who swung their double-necked instrument around themselves with ease, showing off the peace sign as she came on stage. She looked a bit older, only about her mid twenties, though, with a lot of vermillion hair pulled back messily by a headband and yellowish-green eyes. She had on a black, noodle-strap top, black armbands with red X's on both her biceps, and baggy cargos with black sneakers. She had both earlobes gauged, but they were pretty small, not those gross, large ones.
A good majority of the ground instantly swooned when the guitarist ran on stage, holding up their quite impressive -looking guitar to the audience with one arm, and then bringing it down. This girl was the tallest so far, with tanned skin, a set of thick-rimmed glasses, and messy black hair. She also looked the most boyish, because she wore a baggy black and white jersey that said The Misfits, that hid her figure, and wore a pair of skin-tight, black jeans. She had a pair of blue Vans shoes on. Stepping up to her microphone and eyeing the crowd, she winked. The crowd swooned and cheered again.
"My god, the guitarist is amazingly hot." Aoi was gawking at the woman on stage, eyes never leaving the sight. Mai rolled her eyes.
"Meh, I like the drummer more." Nao stated bluntly. Though it was a little difficult to make a blunt statement at the top of her lungs with the ridiculously loud crowd.
"But no one beats the singer." Aoi quipped, and both Nao and Aoi smirked at each other in agreement.
I have the gayest gay friends, ever. Mai grinned to herself, eyes watching the stage curiously. I wonder who the singer is, out of curiosity…
When the last member of the group made their way onto the stage, the crowd went completely nuts, even Aoi, Nao and Akane.
Mai just felt her jaw nearly hit the floor, and she felt like there was lead in her stomach.
Oh. Oh god.
Walking to the center of the large stage, lights now flickering for effect, was the main singer of their group. A gray beanie, aquamarine button shirt, skinny yet slightly loose jeans, and black and white slip-ons. Oh, and straight, dark blue hair, milky skin, and the most beautiful green eyes anyone's ever see.
And a bruise on her left cheek.
"Hey, everbody! How's everyone!" The girl yelled into the mic, that same playful, raspy voice. Mai's eye twitched.
The whole crowd roared, clapping and whistling going on for quite some time until the girl at the microphone hushed them.
"Awesome! Because we plan to make this already amazing night even more amazing! But if we want that to happen, we need your help! This place needs to get fucking crazy! Are you ready?"
The crowd was so crazy, it felt like the ground was shaking.
"Alright! Start this shit up!" And at that queue, the bass of the double-peddled drums beat rapidly, and the guitarist worked her fingers so well to create a quick and brutal rhythm. The singer took the mic from the stand, instantly beginning to travel around the stage before coming to the front and raising her hand, yelling:
"This is Orchestra of Wolves and our first song is called 'Uneasy Hearts Weight the Most'!"
Then the rhythm of the entire song changed, shifting to a softer, funkier kind of sound. The singer swayed in time with the guitar, then the drums beat loudly in the huge amplifiers.
" To feel her touch…
It's almost impossible to hold still
Maybe we can go back to…the way it was
Well at least let me love you the same."
Mai was surprised at this, to say the least. She anticipated something a little more…hardcore, given the little speech that singer just gave. But her voice was mesmerizing. She swayed with the music, catching that perfect pitch that fit so perfectly with the notes of the guitar, in fluidity with the deep bass and momentum of the drums. In the next verse, the whole band voiced in song:
"I got lies to tell your children!
When my smile pierces through your bones!
Right through your bones!
(Through your bones…)
The grass is green inside my yard!
I can make you laugh so fucking hard it hurts you
Inside your bones!
(Inside your bones…)
The blue-haired woman bent down, smirking to the front of the crowd as they reached up, trying so eagerly just to touch the girl. She stretched out her hand, barely grazing their fingers, and stood back up.
"When she talks, I listen, she's in the shower and her skin glistens
Like oh my god, I like it…
Like oh, oh god, I like it…
I suggest a drive, let's take the back road
Let's get lost, let's lose our minds…"
Mai couldn't help but feel…seduced, in a way. The way this girl sang, her slightly nasally tone that was weirdly consuming, that high pitch and thick pronunciations… not to mention the way her gorgeous eyes loomed over the crowd like they were hunting, searching, looking into her soul.
There was a moment it seemed like she was looking right at Mai, who froze completely stiff. What's with that look? Why did it make her feel like the girl could see everything she was feeling?
"Hey, little girl, I think we found it tonight
I think we glow that fuckin' bright, oh!
And when she laughs I like it
Like "oh ha ha ha ha ha"!
The song continued over a repeated verse. It wasn't intense enough for moshing, but everyone jumped around, yelling and clapping, whistling and singing along with the song. Mai smiled a bit, her body moving along with the song after getting used to it. Whether or not the singer was an utter delinquent, they had a good sound., and she has a beautiful voice, she caught herself thinking, blushing pink and shaking her head.
"Holy shit, she smells like heaven,
Been best friends since we were eleven
And oh my god, I like her.."
"Yeah, I heard you like her...
Baby, I thought that we had something
Compared to him, I'm next to nothing
And oh my god, I like her..."
"Yeah, I heard you like her..."
Suddenly, the guitarist began a string of intense rifts, and then the singer smirked. The crowd suddenly got even more excited than they were before. It seemed like the best part of the song was about to come up, or the breakdown at least. The raven-haired woman rushed to the front of the stage and yelled to the crowd:
"Everyone get the fuck up!"
They did just that, when a burst of hardcore sound came down on the crowd, each of the musicians head banging in unison. Then she whipped her hair over her head, out of the way, face turning red as she yelled with an incredible force:
"I am a million fucking bucks!
I am a thousand fucking bucks!
Your bitch is dead, she was hit by a truck!
What the fuck!"
Okay, if Mai wasn't impressed before, now she was impressed. Kudos to one of the only girl singers I know that can scream well, she then chuckled lightly at the sudden change in pace of the song. She also admired the aura she was feeling off of the group on stage. They beamed with confidence, and the singer wore a proud smirk, as sweat glistened attractively over her face in the bright stage lights. Sweat, attractive? Jeez, pull it together Mai. You don't like the music THAT much. She shook her head again.
"Holy shit she smells like heaven,
Been best friends since we were eleven
And oh my god, I like her.."
"Yeah, I heard you like her...
Baby, I thought that we had something
Compared to him, I'm next to nothing
And oh my god, I like her..."
Yeah, I heard you like her..."
As soon as the song ended, everyone screamed and howled, the slightly panting and sweating musicians all waving their hands on stage. Breathing softly into the microphone, the singer put the mic back on the stand.
"Th…thank you all! It's a…wonderful night for an awesome concert. If you haven't seen us before… we are Orchestra of Wolves, and I'm Natsuki. We would really appreciate if you check out some of our music online." She smiled, her dimples back on her face.
Ah… a name to a face, now. Mai quirked her brow in amusement, a smile on her lips. This night was fun, and now she actually felt bad for what she had done to the girl earlier. Maybe, she thought, she could manage to find the girl later, and give her a sincere apology-
"What's that on your face!" A random person yelled in the crowd. Natsuki blinked, putting her hand to the bruise on her cheek.
"Oh, this?"
Mai turned white.
Then the singer grinned. "Well, I actually got this today! I was minding my own business, when suddenly this really pretty girl just came on up asking for my ticket! Now I was all for giving it to her, all I wanted was a little kiss, that's all. And she slapped me and took the thing! Can you believe it?"
There was a mix of booing, laughing, and gasping. Mai just stood there, completely dumbstruck.
"Th-that is NOT what happened!"
Aoi whirled around then, eyeing the redhead curiously. "Who-what now?" She yelled.
"Th-that girl was being a complete jerk to me!" She yelled as she pointed a finger to the stage. "She tricked me and told me she was just wanted a kiss on the damn cheek, and then made me kiss her on the lips! She took my first kiss, damnit!"
Wondering why Aoi wasn't responding, Mai blinked, and looked up at her friend. Who of which was staring at her as if she spontaneously grew a third boob.
"Uhm…" Mai stood there, unsure of what to do.
"Y-You…" Aoi could barely comprehend speech, lifting her hand slowly and pointing. "You kissed her?"
"Uhm…well, yeah… I didn't want to, I mean-MMPH!"
The guitarist was idly standing on stage tuning her guitar when she decided to look up at the crowd. Almost instantly, her steely eyes fell on Aoi and Mai, who appeared to be lip-locked in a pretty passionate kiss. A wide, chesire grin appeard on her face, and she gently nudged Natsuki. The singer stopped mid-sentence to face her friend, who jerked her head in their direction. Eying the two, Natsuki's grin also spread into a wide smirk.
"mm-BAH! AOI, WHAT THE FUCK!" Mai yelled, at the top of her lungs, face completely flushed, her chest heaving as she stared at Aoi in nothing less than bewilderment.
"YOU HAD HER LIPS ON YOU! I WOULD DIE FOR THAT!" Aoi responded loudly, and by now a few people were watching them in mild amusement. Hell, even the band on stage.
"What the hell, are you a creep or what? Get a life!"
"That's easy for you to say! You're the one that macked it with Natsuki fucking Kuga-"
"I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHO SHE WAS! And she TRICKED me!"
"Oh, that is SUCH BULLSH-"
"Hey there, girl on girl action going on over here?"
Both Aoi and Mai immediately stopped yelling, turning their heads to the projected voice on stage. It was the guitarist, who was wriggling her eyebrows suggestively. The crowd laughed.
But then before Mai could blush any more from embarrassment, as if that were physically possible today, she was caught in a locked gaze with confused, emerald orbs. Natsuki grinned wide in surprise, pointing right at the redhead.
"Hey, that's her, right there!"
"Who's who?" The guitarist questioned, turning her head as she stood next to Natsuki.
"That really pretty girl who bitch-slapped me!"
All eyes that could do it, sat right on Mai. The crowd was silent. White as a ghost, Mai looked up at the sky.
Hey, God or Buddha or whatever? Could you send down one of those lightning bolts for me so I can just get electrocuted and die? No? Okay.