Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ VIVA ❯ 9: I'm with the Band ( Chapter 8 )

9: I'm with the band.

While Sunday night had suddenly gained a certain popularity in the theatre dorms, Monday night had always, and would always, belong to the music block. Anyone who was anyone descended on Une's dorms, flooding the halls by the droves, eager to hear the latest offerings. What offerings? The only ones that truly exist in a world of sex, drugs and rock and roll. Monday, at the Wing College of the Arts, was Rock Night.

Quatre Winner watched quietly from a corner as the cafeteria was transformed into a wide dance space and a slightly raised stand. Instruments lined the walls, ready to be picked up at a moment's notice when their turn came to jam. Quatre's violin was among them, resting in the very corner behind Heero's guitar and on top of Trowa's flute. His hands were shaking slightly in anticipation. This was, after all, Quatre's first Rock Night.

"Your eyes are about to fall out of your head. Would you like me to catch them for you?"

Quatre jumped, turned quickly, hands flying in all directions, one connecting sharply with a jaw…He cringed as he looked at a suddenly not-so amused Duo Maxwell.

"Sorry."

"No problem," Duo replied shakily, hand rubbing his cheek. "Just don't expect me to sing well tonight."

"You're singing?" Quatre didn't want to sound too eager, but after Dorothy's class performance he was eager to hear just what Duo did when there were no rules placed upon him. What did he sing to let his hair down?

"Yeah, Hilde attacked me at the garage. Apparently Solo got talked into doing a Drum and bass thing with her, then they were suddenly looking at me with those puppy dog faces and I was doomed!"

Quatre gaped. Puppy dog faces? Hilde? And who was Solo? He had a vague memory of Hilde and Dorothy mentioning him, and putting a few things together could only assume he worked in the garage. So what was a mechanic doing playing on rock night? If he was that good, why not join the school? Duo seemed to pick up on his thoughts. Quatre would have more than surprised to know Duo could read everything from the tiny twitches of his fingers, the way his eyes roved in his head, the shape his lips formed, the way he breathed. It was all obvious to a Maxwell.

"Easy enough to get in, Quat. Not so easy to pay for it."

Quatre blushed crimson. It was so hard to recall that not everyone had the same privileges he had. But he was still confused.

"But, you…How do you know…"

"Solo and I grew up in the same orphanage. We're cousins, but we're more like brothers. He got a job here, as a mechanic. I applied for the same job the following year, wanting to work with him, but they offered me a scholarship instead."

Quatre gaped. Duo had applied for a mechanics job? With that voice? And those legs? He swallowed hard and turned away, trying to force the blush from his cheeks, unable to think of anything to say.

"Don't worry about it Quat. We don't, ain't that right Solo?"

Quatre spun again, careful to keep his hands tucked tight against his body and came face to face with Hilde, hanging off the arm of what Quatre could only call one sexy specimen of man. Tall, long sandy brown hair to his shoulders, sparkling blue eyes and a grin that matched Duo's, the grease smear across his cheek only accentuated his appeal. Quatre wondered, idly, if his face would ever return to its normal colour.

"You do the worrying, I'll fix the car," Solo replied with a bark of laugher, tugging gently on the end of Duo's long braid where it rested against his chest, hooked over one shoulder. It looked like an old gesture and it made Quatre to smile to see it. Here was family like he would never know it. Family as he dreamed it was meant to be. Sure, he had the money, but Duo had what mattered. There was nothing to worry about.

"You seen Heero?" Hilde was looking anxiously around and Solo started looking also, his height making it much easier for him. Quatre didn't try to hide his surprise.

"You know Heero?"

"Incredible guitarist with a stick up his arse? Yeah, sure. Does some nice work."

"The guitarist…" Duo suddenly balked, then his voice trailed off quickly and he looked away, refusing to comment. Solo, however, had heard the remark and was studying his cousin thoughtfully. Quatre could almost see the wheels turning in his head and waited for the explosion.

It didn't come. Instead, Solo pointed to a corner where Heero was standing quietly with Trowa and Une and watched as Hilde skipped off in their direction. Then he looked to Duo and waited.

"Don't look at me like that!" Duo snapped, pink flushing over his nose and cheeks. He looked…damn cute like that, in Quatre's opinion. Quatre stopped dead still at that, and recalling what he had thought about Solo had to seriously evaluate his situation. He had never really been attracted to anyone until he met…and then…and now…He needed time to think. Later.

"That's what pissed you off that afternoon last week."

Duo shrugged.

"I accidentally ran into the guy while he was carrying his guitar, but the instrument was fine. No big deal."

Solo's eyes narrowed, sensing not a lie, but a manipulation of the truth. Quatre was finding this little interaction very amusing not to mention enlightening.

"And?"

"And he didn't appreciate it!" Duo snapped, shooting the blackest look at Solo Quatre had ever seen. It was so dark, in fact, Quatre took a hesitant step back. Solo didn't look all that happy either…maybe it wasn't so amusing after all…

"Did he hit you?"

"I can take care of myself Solo!"

"Did he?"

"No! He hauled my scrawny arse a good foot off the floor before I stuck him on his own damn hide!"

They were in each other's faces, red with anger, glaring, gazes clashing when Solo clapped Duo on the shoulder and laughed so hard tears were soon forming in his eyes. The dramatic change had Quatre giggling nervously, trying to figure out if he should try to rejoin the conversation or just run for the hills. Duo finally started to laugh and Quatre felt the tension leave.

"You stuck him on his arse?" Solo finally asked, face carefully blank.

"Damn straight I did!" Duo snapped, still a little angry, though it was obvious he was finding it hard to hold on.

Solo was quiet for a long time. Finally, when he spoke, it was not exactly what either boy had expected to hear.

"I always wanted to do that."

Quatre was left gaping at Duo's side as Solo made his way over to Hilde and Heero. Duo simply laughed.

*

"I still don't see why you wanted to come. Usually I have to drag you down here!" Relena gave Dorothy a knowing look and waited for a reply. While it was not unexpected for Dorothy to turn up at every available social event, Rock Night was not exactly normal fare for the blonde. In fact, Relena distinctly recalled something about Une, kissing and arses being more appealing. Relena really didn't want to consider that any further.

"Rock Night is merely an excuse for otherwise talented individuals to make as much noise as possible, get thoroughly wasted, and to hang themselves all over whatever little drip has their heart throbbing with the excuse that they won't remember anything in the morning if that is what they decide. That said, I am here because Hilde has gotten Maxwell to play again."

"Not that greasy mechanic again?" Relena sneered as she scanned the crowd, and sure enough found them all standing around Heero. It was enough to drive her away, and yet not enough.

"You only don't like him because you know he's good," Dorothy quipped, casting a sly glance at her friend. "Perhaps even better than you…"

Relena stuck her nose in the air and trundled off to Heero's side, leaving Dorothy cackling to herself as Wufei approached, none other than Sally Po at his side.

"Well, well, what have we here…Theatre majors…in the devil's kitchen…"

"What better place for his advocate's to haunt?" Sally raised a questioning brow, a knowing smirk twitching at the corners of her mouth. Dororthy found herself smiling in return. There was something about Miss. Po that was so very attractive. She was so…loud.

"What better place indeed."

"I hear Maxwell's playing with Hilde again," Wufei interjected, onyx eyes glued to the stage and the half arse attempt at punk they were being subjected to. Dorothy saw a light there that was all too familiar. Wufei was in justice mode and for once she had no idea who the target was.

"Make that Maxwell's," came a familiar voice and Dorothy turned to see Solo Maxwell, still half covered in grease, dark denim overalls and a skin tight white tee, looking thoroughly delicious. Hilde had such very good taste.

Wufei looked interested, Sally looked perplexed. Dorothy was thrilled. She grabbed hold of the man's arm and pulled him further across the room, inching their way closer to the stage. It was, after all, important that someone take charge and get rid of the offal from the stage show.

"What do you mean, Maxwell's?" Sally asked, grabbing hold of Solo's other arm, effectively pinning him between them. Dorothy wondered if he had any idea how dangerous that position was. Probably not.

"Duo Maxwell, vocal major," Wufei replied softly, eyes having shifted from the stage to the man in question, standing with Quatre and Trowa in the far corner, apparently discussing a piece of manuscript Trowa was holding up between them. Dorothy thought there were more engaging forms of pillow talk and decided she was feeling deprived.

"Related how?" Sally asked skeptically and Dorothy understood that skepticism. Solo's hair was much more golden than chestnut and while there was something similar to their mouths, that was where the resemblance ended. Solo was handsome, Duo was…a perfected version.

"We think we must be cousins. We're not sure though. Grew up together, lived in the same orphanage." Solo shrugged, glancing over at Duo with a fond little smile playing on his lips.

"Enough sap!" Dorothy whined, releasing her hold on the man and throwing herself at the mixing desk. It was, for some unknown reason, unmanned. Where the production crew had run off to she wasn't sure, but she guessed the empty box of beer at her feet had something to do with it. Not that she minded; lack of crew meant she could make her own.

Flicking a few familiar switches and moving a selected number of faders, Dorothy devoured sound until al that could be heard were human voices and acoustic strums of a guitar.

"Hey, what gives!" A voice cried out from the back of the stage. Dorothy grinned wickedly; it was familiar, and t explained why they sounded so bad.

"Standish, your guitar playing sucks worse than mine! Stick to your trumpet or I'll shove it where the sun ain't shining!"

At hearing her voice Standish turned the strangest mix of green and red, before scuttling from the stage, his band following quickly. Dorothy waved to them with one hand while pushing Solo toward the stage with the other. He took the not so subtle hint and hollered to Hilde and Duo as he climbed up.

"Want some help?"

Dorothy snorted at Sally, wondering what she honestly thought she could do. Theatre majors were such know it alls. That was what she thought, until Sally stepped up on one side, Wufei on the other, and they dimmed the lights, closed the curtains, and began setting up the appropriate effects lines and auxiliary outputs. Dorothy's fingers stilled over the desk, just watching them work. It seemed theatre majors were good for something after all.

"You don't need to know what you're doing to know if it looks or sounds good," Sally explained knowingly. Dorothy just shook her head and laughed, taking the set of headphones Wufei offered and picking up the microphone.

"Doro, you there?" Hilde's voice questioned through the headset.

"No, I'm here."

"We're ready when you are."

"Then let's get this party started."

A loud whoop came from the headset as Dorothy flicked the fader up for the main speakers and waited for the go ahead from Wufei. It took a minute but then her sound crew was ready too.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Her voice came loud and clear through the elaborate speaker system. "Are you enjoying your Rock Night?"

A series of groans, yelps, screams and bellows was her reply.

"Then perhaps we should do something about it?"

People were turning and seeing who had taken over the show. There were several shouts of approval, varying degrees of dismay, and an overall air of curiosity as the room fell silent and waited to see what she had planned.

"How about we welcome back our favourite little rock duo?" She waited until the screams of approval died down again and nodded to Sally, who flicked the curtain switch. As the curtains rolled open Dorothy bellowed: "Ladies and Gents, I give you Inertia!"

A dark blue light fell on the right side of the stage as a cymbal crash opened the start of a short drum solo. A very tight, unorthodox and thoroughly awesome solo, Dorothy noted with approval. She had not been joking with Relena. Despite all her training and time in the school, Solo Maxwell could quite possibly be better, untrained as he was, all his ability completely natural. The very idea infuriated Relena, which of course only made it all the more appealing.

A low bass strain rang out from the darkness and suddenly another blue light fell on the stage, this time to the left, revealing Hilde, hair spiked at the front, not playing her fretless bass but rather a garish sparkling navy and silver monstrosity leftover from the last century. It sounded incredible, the raunchy strains touching something deep in the guts of all listening. People were beginning to dance.

Soft, almost inaudible, Dorothy picked up on a new sound in the mix. She checked the desk, but the faders were all up…what was he doing? Sally and Wufei were talking softly to one another, headsets on, listening to cues only they could hear. Sally suddenly flicked a switch and Wufei connected the effects line from the second auxiliary and routed it to the main speaker. Purple light rained down on the centre of the stage as Duo's voice rang out, low and guttural, building constantly. The crowd was screaming, everyone moving to the fast rhythm kept at exactly 125 bpm.

Every time I look in your eyes I feel the pull to the other side

When I'm lying here in you arms the world doesn't look the way it should

When I'm dying right by your side we've crossed the mortal divide

Every time I look in your eyes, I let the immortal decide…*

Dorothy leapt onto the table beside the mixing desk and began screaming at the band with the rest of the crowd as the song switched to a more industrial beat and the bass line thickened, giving the vocalist room to play. Duo took the cue and went off on a melisma.

The lights were suddenly moving, a strobe taking turns between flashes of color as Sally created a visual feast, Wufei playing with reverb, echo chambers, delay, chorus, flangers…every effect her could get his fingers on.

Something hit her on the leg and Dorothy looked down to see Wufei shaking her headphones at her. Curious, she took them and listened intently, trying to drown out the band from Hilde's voice, who apparently was still wearing her head-mic set.

"Get Heero! I want him for the next song!"

"Alright…" Dorothy agreed, leaping off the table and wondering just how she would accomplish the feat. With Relena no doubt wanting to castrate Solo and Heero wanting to do similar things to Duo, well…the chances of Heero being convinced to play for Hilde were unlikely at best.

She found them just as Hilde was going into a bass solo, switching into a mix of Industrial and Funk that was almost funny, yet completely perfect at the same time. Duo was talking, screaming something at the audience but Dorothy had tuned it out. She was enjoying it too much.

Heero did not look pleased to see everyone's reaction to his nemesis, and Relena looked positively livid. Both looked somewhat strained, which told Dorothy they were actually enjoying the music, they just couldn't stand to accept who was making it. Idiots.

"Heero, you're on the next song. Hilde's orders."

"No."

"Yes."

"I don't take orders from Hilde."

"Fine, then its orders from me."

Heero made to reply when what she had said registered. His look turned calculating as he studied her carefully.

"I know your secret Yuy…" Dorothy winked and turned on her heel to make her way back to the desk, knowing perfectly well that Heero would follow. She did, after all, know his very well-kept little secret. Had discovered it on his first morning at the college, in the showers, much as she had discovered Quatre's…Oh yes, he would follow.

Dorothy grabbed her headset from the desk, nodding to Wufei to let him know that he needed to prepare another input. He started right away, preparing a lot more than she would have thought necessary for one guitar.

"He's on his way up," Dorothy said through the set and heard Hilde squeal in excitement. As if in response she nodded to Solo to fasten the pace and they switched to hard rock forms. Duo cast them a sour look but switched only a second later, somehow making it all flow together seamlessly.

The song came to a crunching finish and Wufei suddenly tossed Dorothy his headset, flicking a last few switches before leaving the desk. Dorothy made to protest when Sally reached across her and turned up the auxiliary fader than led to Hilde's mic set, putting it through the main speakers.

"Thank you! We're Inertia, as most of you know. Please welcome our newest member, Solo's kid cousin Duo!"

Duo balked at the use of `kid' but the crowd was screaming in approval, so there was very little he could do about it. Besides, it was only going to get worse…

"And please welcome our wayward guitarist back…he left at our last little gig, but he's back! My Heero!"

The crowd applauded and laughed at Hilde as Heero came on and she draped herself around his neck, planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek before waltzing over to the drum kit and sitting on Solo's lap.

"And lastly, Solo's backup brigade, who was just making sure we sounded alright before he got his skinny gold butt up here, Wufei!"

The crowd went wild. Dorothy grinned. While Wufei claimed to be a theatre major first and foremost, fact revealed what he truly was; double major, equally as talented in music as he was theatre, and while his music major was theory based everyone who had witnessed the electric orchestra's performance last year knew he was just as talented at the practical side of things, if not more so.

Dorothy found herself screaming in approval with everyone else as Wufei took his place at Solo's side, gently placing a personally crafted percussion kit beside the drum kit. Sally switched on a red light which mingled with the blue, casting purple shadows over the kits, while a yellow light over the guitar end of the stage had Heero suddenly washed in green. Hilde leapt up, moving back to her place beside Heero.

"Ala Mene…"

Dorothy grinned. Ala mene meant `don't go' in Finnish, and was also one of the best rock songs she had ever heard. Misxed with the thoroughly Industrial sound of Inertia it would be stunning, and with Duo's voice…

It began, the drums and bass once again leading it in, followed by guitar and at last the vocals, a sing song verse in the lower register that had Dorothy's breath hitching uncontrollably. If Duo's bedroom voice was even half as sexy as that…And the Finnish was perfect. It seemed that assignment had done his some good after all.

The chorus came in and with it Wufei; a high pitched whirling ostinato sending Hilde into a fever-pitched intensity on the bass and the series of chimes created a counter melody to Heero's guitar riff. The crowd was going nuts by the time the next verse came in. As the second chorus came around there was not a still body in the room and Dorothy caught sight of the lecturers dancing near the back of the room; Une, Treize, Noin, Zechs, even Dermail…

The Instrumental came in and it was Dorothy's turn to play. Wufei had set it all up perfectly, all she had to do was switch the effects auxiliary every two bars…The drums were suddenly in chorus, then the guitar was in flanger, the bass took on a water-based echo chamber and the vocals sounded like gibberish through the space-age reverb. It was…Inertia…Dorothy squealed in delight as she switched them all back to reverb and the final chorus came in. The audience was lapping it up in a wild frenzy and it finally rubbed off on the musicians. Dorothy watched in growing fascination as Duo danced across the stage to the guitarist, flirted a little with Hilde, and then did the unthinkable.

Fingers reached out and lingered mere millimeters from the neck of Heero's guitar, ghosting over the neck, down the body, tracing the shape. Duo danced around Heero, who looked ready to have a heart attack, melding their bodies together without actually touching. Dorothy wondered what it was doing to the usually stoic guitarist…

The chorus came to an end and Heero finally snapped, fingers rushing over stings in the triadic solo, rising, growing ever faster as he stalked Duo across the stage with a peculiar light in his eyes…predatory and dangerous.

The solo ended when Heero walked Duo right off the front of the stage, watched as he was caught by the endearing audience and….Dorothy and Sally both climbed up on the desk and hooted as Heero blew Duo a kiss!

The drone rang out as the band unplugged themselves and sauntered off the stage, leaving the equipment open for others but taking their instruments back to the corner. Dorothy had a feeling the night would cool down from then on, and at the end she would get to hear Quare and Trowa play that weird duet…the one that made her want to rape whatever breathing piece of flesh came by…

Heero climbed down from the stage just as solo dragged Duo away from his newfound fans. They came nose to nose right in front of the mixing desk. Sally made to intervene in what looked ready to become a blood bath as the two locked gazes, but Dorothy clamped a hand down on her wrist and shook her head minutely.

"You…I…"

"Look, I'm sorry about the other day. I didn't mean to run into you."

Heero studied Duo carefully and Dorothy saw the moment he finally gave into the inevitable and laughed as Heero finally said the words.

"Welcome to the Electric Orchestra."