First Attempt - Destined Series (2/?)
Title: First Attempt
Author: la89801
Pairing: None, really.
Rating: Pg -13
Genre: Humor
Date Written: 9/09/09
DISCLAIMER: I own them not! I know them not! Kill me not!
Summary: Have you ever been so drunk that you can't remember what happened the night before? Not Ani!
Word Count: Too tired to count atm. <.>
Author's Note: So, I came up with a better way to describe the scrambled way this story will be written. So allow me to attempt to better draw this for you.
'Random Chapters.' Each one will be a different scene. Some will tie closely into others, while some will stand more on their own. No, they won't all be in order. No, not all of them will be out of order. Just depends.
Does that make better sense? To me it does. So I hope it does for you as well. Now, on with this craziness, with one of my ideas that intrigued me the most.
A.N. 2: This didn't come out nearly the way I meant it to, but what the hell. Just tell me if it's utter crap, and I'll redo it. Maybe.
~*~*~
Whiplasher glanced up from his book as the door was pulled open, revealing a quite fresh-looking Nightmare. Grudgingly, the vocalist returned his gaze to the page in front of him. He didn't feel nearly as fresh, nor did he feel the drive to get up and do something about it. The night before had quite thoroughly drained the man, and really, it was taking all he had to focus on the words in front of him.
Whip felt Night's eyes on him, but the guitarist had enough grace not to bother his friend. He knew that the singer hated being hung-over, even if it was only slightly, like now. He simply passed by, heading to the upper level of the bus. Whip sighed, then tossed away the book, letting his head fall onto the back of the couch. "Fuck it," he grouched.
~*~*~
About an hour later, Whip glanced up as the bus door swung open once again. This time, it was Skinny and Cat, both of them laiden down with armfulls of alcohol. He knew they had been getting on the low side, but damn! He chuckled as he watched them clamor into the kitchenette, setting their collection proudly on the counters. That was Deathstars for ya; they didn't always stock healthy foods, but never were they out of booze!
Skinny caught Whip's eye through the pass-through between the kitchen and the sitting area and smirked. "Heya Andre. Up sorta late, aren't ya?"
Deciding to ignore the bassist's smartass reference to his late night, he simply answered with a question. "What's the occasion? Do we really need that much alcohol...?" Because, now that he was taking a moment to glance over the selection, it did seem a bit elaborate. Usually the band was able to make due with beer to be happy.
Cat giggled mischeviously beside Skinny as he started to put the bottles away. Skinny shared an impish look with the young guitarist before turning back to Whip. "It's for Ani." He answered simply. When Whip only raised an eyebrow in question, he couldn't resist indulging him with their plan. "Last week, she said that no matter how drunk she got, she has always been able to remember anything that happened the previous night." He began, a grin making itself known on his lips. Once Whip nodded, he continued. "Well, she had then gone on to say that perhaps she had just never been able to find the right mixture of alcohol to bring about her forgetfulness..." By now, Whip understood the plan. He also was aware of the fact that the poor girl in question had been joking when she uttered those words. Unfortunately, Skinny and Cat had taken the challenge quite seriously.
The vocalist shaking his head with a low chuckle signaled to Skinny that he needn't say more. The grin still in place, he winked at Whip before turning to help Cat put away their ammunition.
~*~*~
"Remind me again where the hell she's at?" Cat griped, continuing to kick the sofa with his booted heel.
Skinny sighed in annoyance. "When she last called, she said the photoshoot started late, and they wanted her in a few more," he answered from under the arm he had slung across his face. Personally, he was just as put out as Cat, though he wasn't going to show it. The rest of the band seemed just as restless; they had all agreed to hang out on the bus tonight, simply to be able to enjoy the sight of a drunk Ani. The girl was quite prolific on her refusal to drink with them, so tonight was to prove to be fun. However, none of them had expected the delay. Bone had already griped a couple times about the cold beers waiting for him at any given bar in the vicinity.
Suddenly, Skinny heard a yelp, and quickly raised his arm to look toward the sound. The sight that greeted him had him biting his lip to prevent himself from bursting into laughter. Apparently, Cat's insistant tapping had managed to push Whip to his last nerve, judging from the way the older man held Cat's leg in his tight grip. The glare he was sending the youngest was a good clue, as well. "Laaaassshhhheeeeeeeerrrr," Cat started whining, whilst trying to twist out of Whip's grip. "Enough," Whip growled, the fact that he was still hungover becoming apparent. The vocalist was usually a very easy going fellow, always the last one to become annoyed with Cat's antics, and thus usually the one that defended the youngest from the wrath of the other band members. So now that he was the first one to actually jump Cat's shit was not a fact to be taken lightly. Knowing this, Cat proceeded to pout and sink back in his seat, crossing his arms and looking for all the world like a punished 5 year old.
Releasing the boy's leg, Whip groaned and sank back into his seat himself. Damn it, he was going to get a beer soon, whether the girl was back yet or not... Sending a look over at Skinny, he relayed this message with a narrow-eyed glance. When the bassist grunted and only put his arm back over his face, Whip knew his message was received.
The silence lasted only a few minutes more before Nightmare abrupted stood up. "Alright," he started. Once all four sets of eyes were annoyedly set upon him, he continued. "We've been waiting for, over an hour and half by now?" At Skinny's insufferable agreeance, he nodded. "Well, I say we start without her." At Cat's glare, he defended himself. "Really, how much is it going to take for her to become loopy? We have quite a bit of ground to gain on her," he explained.
"He's right," Whip quickly agreed, the open chance to get some alcohol in him not being wasted on the singer. "Besides, when she walks in and sees us already partying, she'll be more likely to join in..." he continued, pushing Nightmare's point.
It was silent for a minute, Bone impatiently waiting for the verdict, and Cat stubbonly refusing to agree. Skinny, however, couldn't believe he hadn't seen this. "Well, fuck..." he finally grunted, sitting up. "You two are right! Let's fucking party!"
Cat blinked, but then realized that if his partner in crime agreed, then he was pretty much outvoted. "Yeah, alright," he gripped, sitting up. "Let's get this going!"
And with that, Bone was the first in the fridge, a beer in each hand.
~*~*~
About an hour later, the door slowly swung open, unnoticed at first by the five buzzed swedes. They were currently gathered around the table in the middle, laughing and slapping down cards in some enjoyable drinking game. Only when he lost and had to throw back a shot did Skinny notice the small girl standing just inside the doorway. Grinning widely, he took in her appearance. Her short, dyed black hair was disheveled to such a level that only hours of labor could have perfected the look. Her bright eyes were laden with smokey colors, her naturally pouty lips were stained a dark burgundy. Her petite frame was wrapped in an outfit that he knew had not been her choice; the torn tank top displayed her entire midriff, and the school-girl short skirt showed off her fish-net laden legs in such a way that she would definitely never have done herself. He chuckled as he stood and made his way towards her. Their tom-boy had been decked out.
The other four men's eyes followed the dreaded bassist's as he stood up, and they all noticed Ani at once. To say they were shocked was an understatement. The first to speak was Cat. "Damn girl," he quipped as Skinny slow walked around her, taking her appearance in fully. They all had to agree with the youngest. Never had the girl dressed in such a way; nowhere even close. The soft sigh and tired look she shot at him kept the boy from continuing, though.
"Hi guys," she finally said softly, stepping further into the front area of the bus. She shot a look at Skinny as he followed her, but the bassist just shot her a silly grin before rushing into the kitchen. Thinking nothing of his antics, she made her way toward the others, trying to ignore the looks they were giving her. "Having fun?" she asked playfully, glancing at the cards in front of them, then up at them. "We are now," Nightmare joked, his alcohol tolerence being the lowest of the boys' causing his lips to be loose. Bone growled and knocked the man upside his head. He couldn't help it. He had always been her self-appointed protector. While he himself had to agree that she looked pretty good in those clothes, he wasn't going to allow any crude comments to be made of it.
Nightmare glarred at Bone, but before he could say anything, Whip stepped in. "Hey, play nice," he growled, giving them both a warning look. He was finally starting to feel better, and he wasn't going to let them ruin it. Looking back at Ani, he gave her a warm smile. "I think all we are all trying to say is that you look very nice, but that it's quite a shocker for us." A blush crept itself across her face, but she still managed a grin and a nod.
"Why, thank you Andre. I appreciate it. But let's not be getting used to it..." she replied, sending a quick glance around the table. "I was just too tired to change out of the shoot clothes, and I wanted to get back. Skinny sounded impatient last time I spoke to him." Just as she mentioned him, his face appeared over her shoulder, and his hand in front of her, sporting a fruity drink.
"Sounds like you need to relax, sweetheart," he drawled playfully, winking at her. She rolled her eyes and smirked sideways at him the best she could, since his chin was resting on her shoulder. She started to protest, but the bassist insisted. "Just one, sweety. It sounds like you need it." Thinking for just a moment, she decided he was right. She really did want to unwind... the photoshoot had definitely been something else.
When she finally took the drink from his hand, Skinny chuckled and gave the girl a quick squeeze of a hug before letting her go. Getting her to accept the first drink he knew was going to be the hardest part of the night. Now, they could have fun.
After a few sips, Ani sighed softly. "Alright, I need a chair," she half announced, half mumbled to herself. Now that she had decided to join them, she was going to let herself relax. She had only gotten half twisted around in her search for a vacant chair to drag to the table when she felt hands on her hips guiding her back. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Cat seating her in the chair he had been in just a moment ago.
"See, I can be nice," he joked, before getting himself another chair, and sitting himself between her and Skinny. She smiled and thanked him, settling into the chair.
Watching her for a moment, Skinny turned to Whip. "New deal?" He asked, and Whip nodded, leaning forward and scooping all the cards toward him.
~*~*~
A few hands later found Ani triumphantly scooping another pile of chips towards herself, while the boys glared on. Nightmare was actually glaring quite profusely at Skinny, having declared it his fault he was loosing. "I was winning until Ani started playing," he gripped. "And you are the one that wanted her delt in!" he accused, pointing at Skinny. Ani giggled and blew a kiss at the disgruntled guitarist, while Skinny scoffed.
"Now don't be blaming me for your poor poker skills, Nighty," the bassist shot back, winking at Ani. Nightmare made a rude noise, but fell silent as Whip dealt out the next hand. A few minutes later, Ani finished off her latest drink and made a move to get up, but Skinny was already there, taking her glass and heading for the kitchen.
"Jonas..." the girl griped, not accustomed to being waited on.
"Let him," Whip told her in a soft, but stern voice. "He just wants you to relax," he finished. He watched Ani sigh, but knew the girl let it drop. He wasn't going to mention the fact that she would probably wobble were she to stand up. She was already a bit unsteady in her chair.
Skinny soon returned with her sixth drink, and they played on.
~*~*~
An hour later found all the chips in front of Ani, and the girl quite happy. "Heh heh, I win!" She announced, throwing her arms up and nearly toppling her chair. If it weren't for Whip's quick reaction, she would have been on the floor instead on in his arms.
"Careful there," he warned lowly, setting her on her feet. She blushed, but nodded. She was unsteady for a moment, but quickly gained the little balance she had left.
"Thank you," she replied, taking a step back from the man that she secretly crushed on. She knew that she was quite intoxicated, and she also knew that if she remained in such close proximity to the vocalist, she may end up doing something she'd greatly regret later. Thankfully, she had always been able to keep herself in check in such situations, no matter how out of it she got. That was one thing she prided herself on.
Skinny watched the girl, his eyebrows slightly furrowed. He hadn't realized what a lightweight the poor girl was. He hadn't meant to get her so drunk so quickly. It was only been barely two hours since she'd joined them. Hmming softly, he went to her and led her to the couch. She went willingly, only stumbling a bit once. It was time to slow it down, he decided. "Hey, Cat," he called softly, turning on the gaming system in front of the t.v. and handing Ani one of the controllers. When the guitarist raised an eyebrow at him, he nodded towards Ani. "Why don't you play Ani that match you promised her a few days ago?" The evil grin that Ani immediately adopted had them both wondering about her actually drunkness level, but Cat quickly consented. He knew what Skinny was doing.
Whip watched Skinny set the two up with the video game, musing to himself. He was probably the most sober of all of them at the moment. None of them were stumbling drunk quite yet, yet the girl was giggly and unsteady. Whip shook his head; they'd have to work on her tolerence if they were ever to take her out with them. The thought made him chuckle softly. How would that go, he wondered. One girl and five guys... he could imagine the stories.
Following the example laid forth by Skinny, Nightmare and Bone holed themselves off into a corner to quietly amuse themselves. Skinny himself rejoined Whip at the table, and sent the older man a smirk. "That happened quicker than I expected," he quietly lamented, causing Whip to chuckle.
"Well, you knew she didn't drink," he answered just as low, sending a glance toward Ani. She was thoroughly enthralled with the game, the alcohol causing her focus to narrow to one thing. He chuckled again; the usually laidback, happy-go-lucky yet always-multi-tasking child wouldn't have heard them even if they were speaking at normal voices. Smirking, he turned his attention back to Skinny, who was now watching him oddly. "What?" he asked, before draining his beer. Skinny simply shook his head, and sat back and relaxed, his gaze lazily settling on his drunk self-appointed charge.
~*~*~
Ani huffed as her animated character once again hit the ground with an over-dramatized wail of defeat. Glaring over at the boy next to her, she didn't hesitate to announce her frustration.
"If you were a real cat, I'd cut off your whiskers..." This caused Cat to pause, and glance over his shoulder at the aggrivated girl.
"Really now?" He asked, an eyebrow raised in wonder. She answered with a curt nod, which turned out to be more wobbily, due to her drunken state. Cat chuckled, and took another swig from his bottle. "Gotcha," he replied, grinning at her.
Ani stuck her tongue out at the offending male, then drained the last of her bottle. Skinny was, again, right there with another one for her, as he had been all night. By this time, she was quite sure that the bassist wanted nothing more than her so drunk she couldn't see straight. However, by now, she also didn't care anymore.
She readily accepted the offered Smirnoff, ignoring the knowing smirk on the man's face. "Nice try," she drawled at him, before taking a sip and sinking back into the soft cushions that she didn't remember being there a few moments ago.
~*~*~
A soft groan from the back of the bus informed the waiting man that she was finally awake. Skinny grinned, getting up and going to her.
"So, how do we feel after 12 drinks?" he asked, politely keeping his voice low as he sat next to her on the bunk.
"Like shit," she whimpered, holding her head and weakly looking up at him, still to far gone to properly glare at him yet.
He chuckled, but not cruelly. He knew all too well how she felt. Rubbing her back gently, he allowed her a few minutes before he asked the question he was dying to voice. "So..." he began, causing her to look up at him. She, however, saved him the trouble.
"I still remember everything," she growled, before pushing him off her bunk.