Aedan Connors's Story

The band room was packed. Or at least, Aedan thought it was. Along with running the band, Wolfgang and the rest of them helped the music teachers.

Aedan was stuck in the back of the class, being a good little doll as he gently strummed on his guitar. A few freshman had shown up, each sporting a different disability. And as they came up, Wolfgang would pull his whole silent judging thing and size the poor kids up as soon as they reached the front of the line.

“Aedan,” The boy turned, only to face another band member. This was Azure, a similarly large built man. His skin was the color of ebony and reflected his heiratege all too well. Azure was the main drum player, and he did it fantastically, even though he was missing fingers on each hand. He had prosthetic fingers that moved with the drum sticks.

“It's good to see you come back this year,” Azure grinned, gently patting Aedan's head. “I was really scared you weren't gonna show.”

Aedan smiled, it was nice to feel missed.

Wolfgang watched the two, absently listening as some tumor laden child tried to play the violin for him. She wasn't bad, not in the least, but she was no where near good enough for his band. Soon he would grow tired of this, and he knew that. It always happened. But, as long as his perfect little Doll kept him company, he could bite through it.

As Azure talked, the blonde listened absently. This is what he was good at. Listening.

"Generally speaking, when inviting someone somewhere, you also provide a time," Azalea said as she walked through the doors of the music room. She looked like an utterly different person, now that she was clean of blood without a single visible flaw, not a bruise, not a cut, nothing. Her pink hair cascaded down her spine in perfect waves, not a strand out of place. She smiled as heads turned to either gawk or glare at her. She had that effect on people, the Punch or Obey effect, she liked to think it was.

She glanced briefly at a girl who was playing the violin and pursed her lips. "Tilt the bow slightly towards yourself and lower your shoulders," she found herself saying.

"I don't need your advice," the girl snarled, glaring at Azalea the skater chick with pink hair. Azalea grinned, shrugging.

"Suit yourself," she said, sashaying past Grumpy Violin Girl and walking straight for Aedan. There was only one thing she knew about guitars: she had no freaking clue how to use them. She'd done a little snooping around before she walked into the music room and she'd gathered White Wolf - or Wolfgang, she thought his name was - was some sort of lead singer of the school's fanciest band. Looking at him now, she found she had an uncontrollable urge to kick his perfect ass.

She turned her attention to Aedan then, watching the way his fingers seemed to almost caress the strings and the way his forehead furrowed slightly in concentration. All in all, he looked like he hated his skill and guitar as much as he loved it. She understood, somewhat, it was the same reason she'd dropped violin and later singing. It became more of a chore than a hobby once you got really good at anything. People expected things of you, expected you to perform and sing like an Angel every time and they were cruel when you didn't live up to their expectation. People used you, too, and Azalea was neither a fan of being used and of having things expected of her.

"Do I get a free performance?" she said with a soft smile. Even her smile looked different, her crimson lips and deep cupid's bow no longer visibly cracked and her skin void of a single flaw or bruise. She stretched out her long legs, crossing them at the ankles as she leaned back on her palms, humming softly to herself. 'Honey-sweet voice in zero gravity,' Sage liked to call it. She did have a lovely voice, she supposed. She sang, once, had a band, once, was actually not a weirdo, once, had friends, once, wasn't faintly creepy, once.

(The white handbag is a dick,) she signed to Aedan, referring to Wolfgang. (If he ever pushes you around, tell me. I'll grill his lady ass and make him cry like a little cucumber.)

Azalea sat up, then, bending over Aedan and brushing her lips over his as she whispered in his ear, "Yeah, I really don't have anything to say. That was just an excuse to kiss you, I think. Is Wolfy staring? I'd love for him to try to kill me." Azalea smiled, brushing her lips over his earlobe. "Look suspicious, Aedan."

Aedan didn’t need to look up as Azure stopped talking, his voice trailing off in wonder.

"Generally speaking, when inviting someone somewhere, you also provide a time,"

He had guessed it. His lovely Azalea had passed through the doors. Continuing his strumming, he concentrated on each note. He had to prove he was still perfect for the white haired man across the room. The summer hadn’t changed him, or at least that’s what he wanted him to believe.

Contrary to popular belief although the Great Aedan Connors – European transfer hottie of the boys dorms and fan-bringer to the band Fault Unknown – had just that, fans.

With his inability to sign very well, Aedan had never been able to fully incorporate himself into the buzzing society of Yamaku Academy. Sure, both genders seemed to flock to him after he helped Wolfgang start F.U, but no one actually ever wanted to be his friend. Maurice would have to have been the only exception.

"Do I get a free performance?"

Aedan smiled, snapping from his thoughts as he looked up to her, his fingers never ceasing their strumming. Giving a light nod he continued to strum. As he played, he gave the girl a sideways glance. It looked as if the fight had never occurred.
Azure could only stare. Taking the woman’s presence as a sign to leave, he simply patted Aedan’s shoulder and left. A form of congrats? Possibly.

When Azalea began to sign, Aedan smiled once more. She was getting better, possibly already better than him.
Nodding gently, his fingers began to pick up the pace.

Softly, Dirty Little Secret began to weave it’s way into the conversations and ears of those in the room.

----

Wolfgang watched with hatred as Azalea strolled in, announcing her presence rather abruptly. This girl, who ever she was, was going to prove to be a problem. When she addressed the violin-girl, he began to tap his fingers on his desk.

He would remain quiet, and just watch.

“How was that?” The young freshman asked as her song drew to a close. Her large brown eyes sparkled with hope, one that Wolf had seen so many times before in the helpless young talents who dared venture through his door.

“We’ll-…” One of the other band members started, a kind grin gracing her face.

“Get out.” Wolf snapped, watching with some sadistic pride as the light immediately cracked and dimmed in the girls eyes. “Come back when you can impress me.”

The little girl, now fighting back tears, gathered her things and promptly left the room, not wanting to further embarrass herself.

Wolf didn’t look the least bit bothered, more bored though. So far today, they only had two nobodies who proved they could actually play. As his cobalt eye flickered back toward his guitar player and the girl, the music had started. Aedan, HIS Aedan, was
playing for someone else.

If one looked close enough, they could almost see the rage building inside the lead singer. He would deal with Aedan later… Now there were too many people, and the band still needed its popularity.

(Wolfgang + Sage = The death of mankind

Wolfgang = Sage = Dickheads

Wolfgang + Azalea + Sage + Aedan = Really two sided orgy

Wolfgang + Azalea = A lot of injuries

Wolfgang + Aedan = Strangely hot but also really weird

Sage + Aedan = No. Just no.

Aedan + Azalea = OMFG)

Azalea grinned as she signed this, giggling under her palm. She flicked her eyes over to where Wolfgang stood and blew him a kiss. (Dibs being your official translator,) she told Aedan with a gentle upward tilt of the corners of her lips. (Wolfy over there can't read, can he?) she asked. (If not, we can share all our dirty little secrets,) she signed with a wink in reference to the song he'd previously played. (You're really good,) she told him. (You should ditch his silly little band and make one of your own. With lots of Chinese girls.) Azalea laughed, it was a lilting, melodic sound, albeit a little strained with some darker undertones. Still, she sounded free and genuine enough.

(Poor girl,) she signed when Grumpy Violin Girl stormed out the room, clearly holding back tears of humiliation and rejection. She glanced at Wolfgang, wondering how something so beautiful could be so cruel and deciding, of course, she knew how. It made her want to scratch her eyes out and leave ugly scars running across her face in a tic-toe formation. (How can you stand him?) Then, thinking about it, she added. (Is he your sex partner? Lover? Cupcake? Honeybooboo?)

She pursed her lips, watching the way people skittered around Wolfy and almost seemed to bow to him - literally and metaphorically - every time they came within his vicinity. (How good is he?) she asked Aedan, then, without waiting for an answer, stood. (However good he is, I can match it or beat it,) she signed with a grin.

"Plus," she said aloud. "I happen to be emotionless as well as unfeeling. Pssh-tk, what his humiliation?

"Oh, lord almighty," she said sarcastically, curtsying as one might after being forced to curtsy a million times in ballet. "You grace me with your presence. Holy God of Music," she said with a dramatic fall to her knees. "Let me play for you," she said, a strange muffled chuckle escaping her lips. Azalea bowed her head in mocking submission, a performance that came to a halt and waste when she jumped up without permission from the White Wolf.

She skipped along the rack of violins and picked one in a heavy black case. Azalea pulled out a red electric violin the shade of her crimson stained lips and tucked the body between her shoulder and neck after plugging it in. She gripped the bow she'd waxed with a practiced precision and pressed the hairs to the strings.

"Btw, I haven't played in a year," she mouthed to Aedan. "God, I'm comforting," she chuckled to herself, shaking her head and tuning the violin.

"Ooookay," she muttered. "Prepare to have your mind blown or your hearing," she said aloud. "Same, same. Bad music is actually good... No, that is a lie."

She inhaled and exhaled in the silence as people waited to see if she would live up to her attitude. Azalea closed her eyes, feeling the old, familiar and comforting grip of the violin's neck and the tuck of her thumb between the - well, this wasn't wood - metal of the bow. She also had never played an electric violin before, she noted. Wow, Azalea, wow, she thought drily.



Then she played.

A perfect note sang from the violin, then another and another. It began slowly, the waves and vibrato of the violin in Azalea's hands haunting, like an abandoned home and a violin that had not been played for millenniums. Suddenly, it burst into something that might've been rock or metal, Azalea pressed down on the pedal, an almost electric guitar sound escaping from the amplifiers. Her fingers moved faster and faster, the notes changing so fast, one needed to be musically gifted and partly supernatural to catch them.

Azalea paid no heed to the people around her, but faintly noted a guitar and drum set had joined her, she adjusted her playing accordingly. A soft smile rested on her lips when she slowed her playing to something that was hopeful and filled with longing. It brought to mind rolling hills and rivers that stretched endlessly. Her fingers trembled on the strings to create a haunting vibrato, Azalea snapped her closed eyes open and stared straight at Wolfgang, challenging him. Then she turned her gaze to Aedan and played more furiously. Her eyes seemed to glass over as she thought of Sage.

When the music was reaching an end, Azalea's fingers shot down the strings with the precision of someone who considered the instrument to be an extension of her limbs. The music trailed through the doors and filled the entire academy, it became angrier and angrier and somewhere, Sage was smirking at his success.

Waves crashed into the shores and raindrops shattered on pavements.

Azalea played the last note.

She slapped the violin back into her casing and rolled her shoulders, shaking out her shivering body. She was trembling and she wasn't sure if it was from the emotions or from playing an instrument she hadn't touched for a year so viciously. Then she decided it must've been all of the above and because she'd forgotten to breathe as she played.

Azalea pursed her lips and sat down where she stood. She was never, ever getting up. Wolfgang would have to pick her up and throw her out if he had any hopes of her leaving. Her butt ached from playing a violin.

"Wow," she said. "I'm really out of practice." She dropped her head onto the carpeting and lied down. "I need a massage," she groaned into her pink hair.

(Wolfgang + Sage = The death of mankind

Wolfgang = Sage = Dickheads

Wolfgang + Azalea + Sage + Aedan = Really two sided orgy

Wolfgang + Azalea = A lot of injuries

Wolfgang + Aedan = Strangely hot but also really weird

Sage + Aedan = No. Just no.

Aedan + Azalea = OMFG)

Aedan laughed softly, swiftly calculating the ships and their possibilities of actually happening.

I dunno, I might have to recalculate those odds.

(You should ditch his silly little band and make one of your own. With lots of Chinese girls.)

If only, if only.

(How can you stand him?) Then, thinking about it, she added. (Is he your sex partner? Lover? Cupcake? Honeybooboo?)

The blonde gave a soft shrug, his face turning a light shade of pink.

Well, something like that I guess.

(How good is he?) she asked Aedan, then, without waiting for an answer, stood. (However good he is, I can match it or beat it,) she signed with a grin. 

Laughing softly, Aedan leaned back against the wall, watching her go about and address Wolfgang, who gave her a rather bored looking glower.

Oh, lord almighty," she said sarcastically, curtsying as one might after being forced to curtsy a million times in ballet. "You grace me with your presence. Holy God of Music," she said with a dramatic fall to her knees. "Let me play for you," she said, a strange muffled chuckle escaping her lips. Azalea bowed her head in mocking submission, a performance that came to a halt and waste when she jumped up without permission from the White Wolf.

As she picked up the violin and began to play, everyone froze. It took until the end of the song before Wolf stood up and moved over to Aedan, grabbing him and pulling him off to the side for a moment. Now just what in the world could they be talking about?

Azalea sighed when the White Wolf dragged Aedan aside. She had no idea why Aedan bothered with the d- Why did she bother with Sage?

Exactly.

She wanted to haul Wolfgang off of Aedan but she understood that that might not be what he wanted, or it might. Both? Neither? She didn't know. She did know. She swept her gaze over everyone - most of them who were still gawking at her - noting the way they stood. She spotted someone who stood out, somehow, Azure? Yes, she believed the name was Azure. Azalea sighed, tucking her knees up to her chest and resting on her hands. Didn't they know it was rude to whisper behind her back? Well, no, they were in front of her but... Whatever.

Azalea hopped up, rubbing her light grey eyes and yawning. She headed for the door.

"Wolfgang is making his decision," someone said.

"So?" she mumbled.

"When Wolfgang is making a decision, you wait," came the reply.

"Mmmasdfghjkl," she muttered, walking out of the music room. Wolfgang this, Wolfgang that. I'm not his bloody homie.

"Razer Blazer!" she gushed, grinning when she spotted the handsome brunette down the hallway. "Oh how I have missed you!" In the last 3 minutes during which we were apart. She ran towards him, her now perfectly neat and glistening pink hair a waterfall cape behind her. Her bruiseless, cutless face was flawless and the marks where Sage and the boys had grabbed her hidden beneath the long sleeves of the school uniform. She slammed her lips against his, tackling him to the ground as she kissed him furiously. She was bent over him, their limbs tangled as she ran her tongue along his lower lip. Azalea laughed, jumping to her feet and helping Razeluxe back to his feet.

"Ooo, who's this pretty thing?" she asked with a smirk as she took in the pretty, shy-looking girl. She was so cute. "I'm hurt, Raze. Why would you keep this angel all for yourself?" Azalea pouted, taking the dainty girl in a suffocating hug.

"Oh, what's your name? Cutie patootite?" Azalea laughed. "I'm Azalea, but please, call me 'My Queen,' 'Your Grace' or 'Goddess of Everything.' Unless, of course, you'd rather address me by the names of these sexy D-cups?" Azalea asked with a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows and a groping of her said D-cups.

"Did you two hear? Did you two hear?" she gushed. "That superb violin playing came from these sexy fingers," she said, holding her hands up. "I can do... A lot more... With these hands," she purred, tossing them a wink and making crude, slide up and down gestures with her hands. She let her gaze drop below Raze's waist and laughed, knowing how fidgety it made him. "You'd think you'd had a lot of hands... On your lollipop," she said. "With the way you look, Raze.

"Music room, leggo," she said, grabbing each of them by their hands and hauling them to the music room. Azalea shoved them forward and hopped up and down behind Razeluxe to be seen, her breasts bouncing with the rest of her.

"Look what I found!" Before Wolfgang could say anything, she lifted a palm to stop him. "They play killer triangle," she said, gesturing towards the small percussions for emphasis. "And c'mon, that," she said, gesturing towards Raze or, well, his hips. "Is backup dancer material, and she's..." Azalea let her gaze undress the girl she'd hauled. "Practically... Hey, you want my number?"

Satomi smiled a little in relief as Zeal reassured her that Azalea's brother wouldn't be in her class.
“I saw the class list. If my eyesight hasn’t failed me too, we’re in the same class.” She then bit her lip as she realised that one of the people she'd met here would have to be in the same class as the pink haired beast man. Or at least..that's what she thought he was. She began wondering how much of a threat he was to Azalea and assumed that he was a threatening as a lethal injection to a prisoner.
"Is it bad that I'm glad he is not in our class?" She asked out aloud before she closed her eyes for....goodness knows how long. When she opened them, the dog and the black haired, black eyed boy had vanished and she turned her head to see that Zeal was comforting the brown haired girl.

Not wanting to intrude, she had been about to excuse herself from the infirmary when Azalea came back in with the force of a cyclone, service dog in tow. Satomi watched the goings on in amazement as Azalea kissed and hugged the blind young woman and then proceeded to borrow a lollipop from the nurse's jar of them. She let out a startled squeak as Azalea kissed her and she blushed darkly, looking down as Azalea escaped with the lollipop and Satomi's first kiss. She stood up, her eyes shadowed by her bangs for a moment before she bowed again and cleared her throat.
"I think...I should leave. I want to find a nice spot outside to sit for lunchtime." She said just before the blind young woman; trying to avoid a newcomer, bumped into him and fell over.

"Oh dear...is she alright?" She asked before her pocket started vibrating and she took out her pager. She fished it out and looked down at it before her lips pressed into a thin line and her eyes darkened a little in sadness.
"Nice to meet you all...I shall see those whom are in class 2-2 for English." She said before bowing again and trying to help the blind girl up before hurrying out the door.

~~~~

She skirted out around the masses of people coming out of the opening ceremony. Coming out into a small courtyard just underneath a small window which was a part of what she thought was the music rooms. There was a small stone bench underneath the window and she settled down on it, glad for an 'anchorage' point of some sort. She watched the sun stream through the trees and wished that she could hear the cicadas making their world famous whirring, feeling as though she was floating in a pool of water with her head back as the life sustaining liquid slid into her ears. She gripped the hard black plastic case of the pager and glanced down at it, breaking the sensation of floating.

"Mary's birthday today!! Okaa-san's birthday today!! Happy birthday Mary, happy birthday~" The words sent a slow sadness sliding through her before she swallowed thickly. Satomi gave a slightly wobbly smile to the pager before she turned it off and put it back in her pocket. She leaned her head back against the wall behind her and felt the vibrations of an amplified instrument against the back of her skull. It lasted for barely a minute and she realised that she wanted to sing now...for the first time in a year and a half she was willing to sing even without being able to hear herself.

She made a beat from what she remembered of her favourite song and smiled before opening her mouth. She let out a hauntingly bittersweet voice as she though back to her mother, her voice drowned out even the cicadas as she tried to remember her mother's face as she hit her long, perfectly pitched note. Her voice was hard to describe as it was both powerful and clear, many singers could have power but would have horrid pronunciation. She was warm in some places, icy in others and it created a good blend of emotion and skill. But the fact still remained that she both loved and hated her mother; loved her for the time that they'd had with each other and hated her for leaving before she even had her first good news to tell her now absent mother. The dappled sun turned her hair to burgundy fire as she belted out the song to her heart's content. Though there was no sound that she heard...she still had perfect pitch from the days before her hearing loss and it became her advantage now.

She had no super powers, but her voice remembered everything, the high notes to the low and her memory for music scores was impeccable. Her eyes sparkled for a moment before she let out the last word and then sat there quietly as her breathing came in short gasps.
"I think I might survive here...despite this strange first day." She said to herself, the essential irony rooted in the fact that she had talked to herself...though she could not hear a word. Unaware that the music room was still in use.

ATTENTION STUDENTS

This years first Concert by Fault Unknown

Held in the auditorium

Next Thursday

TICKETS ARE ONLY $10

Seats are limited

Ask about the drawing for a backstage pass!!!!

Adean looked at the poster with as much malice as he could muster, staring back at Wolfgangs perfect face. He had lost track of Azalea and the Brunette who had graced his world for the short time, but with Wolfgang hounding him about practice and rarely being let out of his room by Maurice, friends were a thing that were becoming a rare luxury.

Brushing a hand through his hair, his attention turned back toward his phone and the pile of loose fliers. He still had many more to hang up by the time practice started....