Reeve: “I *hate* this! What happened to us?”
Originally Published: 9/20/01 . 60 pages
Synopsis
Rufus and Lizzie are thrilled about the bands doing a tour together, but no one else seems too excited. Before the end of the last song, can everyone make things right again?
Ramble Milestones
Nothing this time.
This was the original note at the end of this ramble: Holy crap! 100 rambles! *blink blink* I have NO life. Geez. I still can’t believe I made it this far. Thanks to everyone who supported me! I’m far from done!! I’ll be back. And with more humor no less! I’m far from done with playing with this gang. *laughs evilly* Also there was this original note before the ramble where I basically thanked everybody I knew for contributing to the rambles in some way. Honestly, I was surprised I had done so many. This was just supposed to be a little thing I was doing for fun at first…then it kind of took on a life of it’s own. Now I can’t believe I wrote so many in so little time. I used to have a lot of time for writing. Not so much anymore unfortunately. Anyway, the drama finally ends here for awhile. Rufus and Zell share a tender moment over his death threat (that sentence seems weird), and there are plenty of song lyrics that took me forever to clean up when doing the editing this time around. Each of the songs was chosen because I liked it, obviously (except for the J. Lo one.), but also because it fit in with what was going on. The Police song, “I’ll Be Watching You” is about a stalker, of course, and “Angel” involves drug use. And I must admit that even though I have a good voice there’s no way I could fully pull off the Mariah Carey song I gave myself in this one.
(hello again. if you’ll remember before we left off last time, Lizzie just announced that the girls are going on tour with the guy’s band…)
Ashley: “A tour with Supa Ego?”
Noelle: “What exactly is this gonna consist of?”
Lizzie: “You know, we do some duets with the guys, lots of people come, we make lots of money, we start rehearsals tomorrow!”
Girls: *whine* “Tomorrow?”
Lark: *mumbles* “Great.”
Shell: “Fine with me. I need a new bodyguard, by the way. And make him hot. And rich.”
Ashley: “Are there such things as rich bodyguards?”
Shell: “Fine. …Just make him hot then.”
Lizzie: “Fine, Shell. Katie, what’s wrong with you?”
Katie: *looks over shoulder* “Huh? Oh, nothing…”
Lizzie: “Um, okay then. Oh, and yeah, later we have a double interview with the guys.”
Girls: “WHAT?!”
Lark: “Talk about last minute!”
Lizzie: “Oh please, like it’s a big deal.”
Katie: *looks over her shoulder*
Noelle: “What IS your problem, Katie?”
Katie: *jumps* “Nothing! Geez! Leave me alone!”
Ashley: “Yeah, like you’re one to talk, Noelle.”
Noelle: “Huh?”
Ashley: “Who are you gonna dump tonight?”
Noelle: *glares* “Aw, go to hell.”
Lark: *mutters* “Geez…”
Lizzie: “Guys! Knock it off! We have press to do! Now go put your smiles on, and go get ready!”
Lark: “You know…you’re really starting to annoy me…”
Lizzie: “Shut up! I made you! Now get ready!”
(the girls grumble and leave the room quite unhappily.)
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(several hours later, the girls show up for their interview. the guys are already there, and seated. rufus is standing before them, directing them.)
Rufus: “Before you say *anything*, think ‘what would Rufus want me to say?’, and then say that. Don’t say anything you would *really* say, because that’s probably wrong.”
(we get a good look at the guys now. they all look like the walking dead.)
Rufus: “And smile, damn you! Or none of you get paid!”
(they all smile fakely)
Rufus: “Better…” *turns and sees the girls* “Lizzie! Great to see you! I have some last minute things about the tour I wanna go over…”
Lizzie: “Great!” *gives lark a shove* “Go sit.”
(they go off and talk while the girls go over and wordlessly sit besides the guys. no one talks for awhile. Katie keeps looking over her shoulder, and zell is practically trembling. irvine looks somewhat hung over. sephiroth looks bored, tseng looks like his best friend died.)
Lark: “So.” *pause* “What’s wrong with your group?”
Sephiroth: “Irvine’s hungover, Zell’s dead on his feet, Tseng cries every five minutes, and I keep thinking how sad it is that this is my reason for existence.”
Lark: “…I see.” *looks away*
(vincent walks in)
Vincent: “Lark, I–” *stops as he sees sephiroth* “Uh…”
Lark: “What?”
Vincent: “…Never mind.” *turns and leaves*
Lark: *mumbles in annoyance*
Zell: *worriedly* “Are we gonna start soon?”
Katie: “Yeah…” *looks over her shoulder*
(rufus reenters, grinning)
Rufus: “All right! Is everyone ready?”
Everyone: *mumbles unhappily*
Rufus: “Great!” *claps hands together* “It’s like printing my own money….” *grin*
(a chipper woman wearing too much make-up comes over, grinning)
Interviewer: “Hi, everyone! It’s such a pleasure to be able to interview you all at once! I’m Daisy, and I’ll be conducting the interview.”
Irvine: “Yeah…” *checks watch* “Are we gonna start soon, or what?”
Camera Guy: “One minute till air!”
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(meanwhile, back at the ramble room, the now usual group is gathered around the tv. squall looks half asleep. reno is sipping from his flask, but he looks less bitter, just plain sad. all the girls; rinoa, selphie, quistis and yuffie, look on excitedly. red is calmly resting his head on his paws. reeve sits nervously, rubbing his hands on his thighs restlessly)
Yuffie: “It’s going to be starting soon!”
Selphie: “Awesome! This is gonna be the coolest thing *ever*!”
Reeve: “Are you taping it?”
Quistis: “Of course!”
Rinoa: “Shush! It’s starting!”
(on the tv, we see daisy)
Daisy: “Hello, and welcome to my special, exclusive interview with the members of Supa Ego and Naughty Angel. Rufus, Sephiroth, Tseng, Irvine, Zell, Lark, Ashley, Noelle, Shell and Katie are all here to talk with me about themselves, and their music.” *smiles* “Hello, everyone. It’s great to have you.”
(a shot to the group, where everyone has transformed into looking all smiles. the only one who looks truly genuine is rufus)
Everyone: “It’s great to be here.”
Daisy: “There have been rumors forming that you’re going to tour together. Is that true?”
Rufus: “Actually, it is. We’re going to be touring together very soon.”
(back in the ramble room)
Girls: “OMG!!! AWESOME!!!”
(back to the tv)
Daisy: “How exciting. Since you’re all friends, you must be looking forward to it.”
Lark: “Of course.”
Daisy: “Now I have a question for each of you. First, for Rufus. How has your sudden fame changed you as a person?”
Rufus: “I don’t think it’s changed me too much. I still think I’m the same kind and humble guy I was before.”
(ramble room)
Reeve and Reno: “Yeah. Right.”
Reno: “They should pay me to tell the truth about that jerk! And I’ll do it for cheap!”
(back to tv)
Daisy: “I see. Well I guess that’s good news. Shell, what do you have to say in response to the accusation that you’re a diva?”
Shell: “Jealously.” *flips hair over shoulder*
Daisy: “…I see.” *pause* “Zell, what’s your favorite part of performing?”
Zell: “Uh…yeah… What’s not to like about it? I like everything, I guess.” *shrug*
(back to the ramble room)
Squall: “What’s wrong with Zell?”
Rinoa: “Yeah… He does seem subdued…”
(back to the tv)
Daisy: “Ashley, there’s been some rumors surfacing that you’re dating your bodyguard. Is that something you’d like to confirm or deny?”
Ashley: “I won’t deny it. I am dating my bodyguard, Ashley Riot.”
(ramble room)
Squall: “That’s gotta hurt Seifer.” *grin*
(tv)
Daisy: “And Irvine, how does it feel to inspire so many to copy your ‘cowboy’ look?”
Irvine: “It’s cool.” *shrug*
(ramble room)
Reno: “Jerk.” *sips from flask* “Who the hell wants to be like him?”
Quistis: “Reno, you two are practically twins.”
Reno: “…No. Shut up.”
(tv)
Daisy: “Noelle, what do you think of your fans?”
Noelle: “The fans are just great. I love them all.”
Daisy: “And Tseng, you’re the most popular of the group among the ladies. Do you have a girlfriend?”
Tseng: *fidgets* “Um, no, not right now. But I am looking, of course.” *nervous smile*
(ramble room)
Reeve: *sob* “Oh god! No! I knew it! I knew I wasn’t good enough for him! Oh, what am I gonna do?!”
Red: *mumbles* “He’s more pathetic than I am.”
(tv)
Daisy: “I see. And Lark, there’ve been rumors that you have a boyfriend. Is this something you’d like to share?”
Lark: *looks uncomfortable* “Um…no, not really. There is someone, but I’d rather not talk about it.”
(ramble room)
Reno: “‘Cause her freakin’ boyfriend is three times her age.”
Reeve: *sobs loudly* “Tseng doesn’t love me anymore!”
Red: *paw to his head* “Oh, we are falling apart all the more.”
(tv)
Daisy: “I see. And finally, Sephiroth. Who, would you say, is your greatest inspiration?”
Sephiroth: “It may be cold to say so, but there really is no one in particular that I can say was an inspiration to me.”
Daisy: “Ah. I see.” *pause*
(ramble room)
Yuffie: “This is the worst interview ever.”
Selphie: “Yeah, really!”
(tv)
Daisy: “Well, folks, that’s my interview. Short but to the point. I look forward to seeing these two great groups tour together, and I bet you will too. Thank you.”
(in the ramble room, they shut the tv off)
Reno: “Well that was a waste of my time.”
Yuffie: “You spend all your time drinking, you drunk!”
Reno: “Yeah, well… I could have spent it doing that.”
(he gets up and leaves)
Quistis: “Please. Could he miss Irvine any more?”
Squall: “Hm. I wish they would all stop touring and come home. It’s boring around here.”
Everyone: *blink*
Squall: “What?”
Rinoa: “You’re right, Squall.” *sigh* “It’s cool that they’re famous and all, but we need them back.”
Squall: “Whatever. Of course I’m right.”
Reeve: *sniff* “I’m going out. I’ll see you all later.”
(he gets up and everyone watches him exit)
Selphie: “Poor Reeve! He’s such a pathetic loser!”
Red: “I must admit, in an odd way I’m sure to regret, I miss Barret and Cid.”
Yuffie: “Yeah… I miss my daily dose of vulgar language.”
All: *sigh*
(back at the tv studio, the crowd is breaking up)
Rufus: “Sephiroth, what the hell was that answer? Couldn’t you make something up?! Now you sound stupid!”
(sephiroth could clearly care less, and he just shrugs and walks off, brushing past lark as he exits. lark gives him a glance as he goes, looking reflective.)
Rufus: *frowns* “I wasn’t done talking! Don’t walk away from me when I’m talking! I made you!”
(irvine checks his watch and slips out. zell looks nervous and stays very close to rufus. tseng stays seated in his chair, head in his hands. Ashley takes ashley’s arm and leaves. Noelle quickly slips out.)
Shell: *takes out a cell phone* “I have to call Rude, and tell him–” *pause* “Oh wait.” *she frowns and leaves*
(Lizzie enters)
Lizzie: “Well that interview blew…oh well, we’ll move on and start rehearsals for our concert tomorrow, and then start touring the very next day! Boy things are going fast! I have so much stuff to do!”
Katie: “Where are you going?”
Lizzie: “Just to take care of a couple of things.”
Katie: “Can I come?”
Lizzie: “Uh…sure.”
Katie: “Good.” *looks over her shoulder* “Let’s go.”
(they leave)
Tseng: *sighs and gets up slowly* “Well, I better be going.”
(he starts to leave, but just as he reaches the door, rufus calls to him)
Rufus: “Don’t let me catch you on the phone!”
(tseng gives him a sideways glance that’s rather nasty before he leaves)
Rufus: *sigh* “What I have to go through for this.”
(he goes to move and nearly trips over zell)
Rufus: “Ah, ah, ah! Watch my private space!”
Zell: “Uh…” *rubs the back of his neck nervously* “Can I stick with you for awhile, Rufus?”
Rufus: “Are you planning to get me drunk and rape me?”
Zell: “NO!”
Rufus: *shrugs* “All right then. At least one of you appreciates all I do for you guys. Let’s go.”
(they leave. that leaves lark sitting alone. just as soon as she gets up, vincent comes into the room. he doesn’t look too pleased.)
Vincent: “We need to talk.”
Lark: *annoyed sigh* “What is it now?”
Vincent: “Are you ashamed of me, Lark?”
Lark: “What? No! Don’t be ridiculous!”
Vincent: “Then why wouldn’t you talk about me during the interview?”
Lark: “I wasn’t supposed to talk about you at all!”
Vincent: “I don’t think that’s the real reason. You’re ashamed of me. You are. You’re ashamed of my age. Ashamed of *this*.” *holds up claw*
Lark: “No! Don’t talk about yourself like that!” *she grabs vincent and holds him tight* “Oh, Vincent.”
Vincent: “…This isn’t working, is it?” *rests his head on her shoulder*
Lark: “No. …It’s not.”
Vincent: “I *do* love you, Lark. It’s just…”
Lark: “I know. I feel the same.”
Vincent: “…I suppose…” *he looks up* “…That this is the end.”
Lark: *small smile* “I suppose it is.”
(they kiss briefly, and then embrace again)
Vincent: “Well, it looks as if you are single again.”
Lark: *squeezes her eyes shut* “Yeah. I guess so.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(the next day, the girls arrive at the stage for rehearsal. the guys are already on stage, standing around.)
Rufus: “Hi, you guys! Excited?”
Girls: *shrug* “Yeah/I guess/Why not?/Eh.”
Rufus: “…Right. Well, me too! Now I’m gonna need each of you to pair up with one of us, okay? I’m gonna be nice and let you guys pick.”
Noelle: “RUFUS!!!!” *runs over to him and almost knocks him down*
(Katie chooses irvine, Ashley makes a beeline for zell, and lark picks tseng, leaving shell with seph)
Rufus: “Okay, I’m gonna put the music on, and we’re just gonna practice our dance moves.”
(and he does put the music on. and the pairs start dancing, but they’re concentrating on more than that…)
Ashley: “You look distracted, Zell.”
Zell: “Huh?”
Ashley: “Ow! My foot!”
Zell: “Oh, sorry. Dammit!” *snaps fingers* “I am a jackass!”
Ashley: “Huh?”
Zell: *looks up* “What?”
Ashley: *places a comforting hand on his shoulder* “Are you okay?”
Zell: *shaking it off* “Yeah. Yeah, sure. Fine. I can do this.”
(meanwhile…Katie is looking very distracted, and irvine just keeps screwing up…)
Irvine: “Sh*t, that’s not right.” *stops* “Katie.”
Katie: “Huh?”
Irvine: “We’re doing this all wrong.”
Katie: “Oh. Sorry. Are you okay, Irvine? You look really tired.”
Irvine: “I’m awesome. Are you okay? You seem like, totally distracted.”
Katie: “Yeah… Um… It’s nothing. I’m hearing things, that’s all.”
Irvine: *shrugs* “Whatever you say.”
(meanwhile…)
Shell: “We make an odd pairing.”
Sephiroth: “Your sister hates me.”
Shell: “Lark? Hate you? No way.”
Sephiroth: “She does. I can tell.”
Shell: “She does not. She was just mad at you because you hate yourself.”
Sephiroth: “………..”
Shell: “You might want to think about that.” *mumbles* “I’ve got some stuff to think about too…”
(meanwhile)
Rufus: “You seem quiet today, Noelle.”
Noelle: “Oh, I’m sorry. How are you?”
Rufus: “I’m just great! Richer than ever! How about you?”
Noelle: *shrugs* “I’ve been better, I’ve been worse.”
Rufus: “Excited about the concert?”
Noelle: “Yeah… I guess…”
(meanwhile…)
Tseng: “I hate this band.”
Lark: “Huh?”
Tseng: “I hate it. I wanna quit, but I can’t.”
Lark: “Why not?”
Tseng: “Because I’m making a lot of money, and we really need it.”
Lark: “Really?”
Tseng: “Besides, I know Reeve likes me being here. If he didn’t… I wouldn’t do it.”
Lark: *frowns* “Hmmm…”
Tseng: “Forget me–how are you?”
Lark: “….Vincent and I broke up.”
Tseng: “…I see.”
Lark: “Not surprised?”
Tseng: “Not really. Besides, I’m guessing it was mutual.”
Lark: “It was. …It was a stupid thing to do in the first place.”
Tseng: “Lark… I hate to say it, but…” *meets her eyes* “You can’t win.”
Lark: *looks away* “…I know…”
……………………………………………………………………………………..
(later, after the rehearsal, everyone is splitting up and leaving. rufus is sitting at the table, going over figures or something. zell stays behind, a towel over his shoulders)
Zell: “Uh…Rufus?”
Rufus: “I don’t want to hear you’re in love with me.”
Zell: “No!” *pause* “Um… I have something to show you. Serious.”
Rufus: *turns* “Is it about money?”
Zell: “Um. No.”
(he reaches into his pocket and takes out of a piece of paper that has obviously been folded and opened many times. zell’s hands seem to shake as he holds it)
Rufus: “What’s that?”
Zell: “…Something I got in the mail… It’s…um…uh…” *gulp* “Death threat.”
Rufus: “WHAT?!?!” *stands up* “Let me see that!”
(zell hands it over and watches somberly as rufus reads it over seriously. when he’s done he looks up at zell)
Rufus: “Forget it.”
Zell: “Huh?”
Rufus: “Don’t worry about it.”
Zell: “Don’t worry about it?! Are you crazy!! They want to kill me!”
Rufus: *tosses it in the garbage* “It’s kids play.”
Zell: “What?!? Wha–what are you doing?!”
Rufus: “It’s nothing. Trust me. If it was, I wouldn’t have thrown it away.” *turns away*
Zell: “What the–?! It’s nothing?! What makes you the expert?”
Rufus: *clenches fist* “I just *know*, okay?”
Zell: “How! Tell me *how*!”
Rufus: *yells and whirls around* “I get them all the time, okay?!”
Zell: *blink* “R-Rufus… Y-You do?”
Rufus: *hangs head* “Yeah. Of course I do. Look at my job.”
Zell: “…Oh.” *pause* “I see.” *pause* “…It scared me.”
Rufus: “…I know. Don’t worry about it, okay? You’re a good guy.”
Zell: *eyes brighten* “Really? You mean that?”
Rufus: *very small smile* “Yeah. Actually I do.”
(zell grins and grabs rufus in a big bear hug)
Zell: “Thanks, Rufus! You rock too!”
Rufus: “Heh…Thanks, Zell.” *pats him on the back*
 ………………………………………………………………………………………
(meanwhile, in loser land, the walls are plastered in posters of tseng and sephiroth…hojo is staring lovingly at one of the tseng posters. kuja sits licking an ice cream cone on the couch. nida is drawing a mustache on an irvine poster. scarlet is filing her nails. heidegger is playing with a paddleball. stinky is curled up in a ball on the couch)
Hojo: “I just can’t buy enough of these.” *dreamy sigh*
Kuja: *bitterly* “I’m five times more beautiful than him.” *licks ice cream* “Five million times prettier.” *pause* “Hojo, have you noticed what I’m doing??”
Heidegger: “Gya haa haa! Licky licky!” *the ball of the paddle ball bounces up and hits him in the face* “Gya haa haa! Owie!”
Nida: “Stupid jerks.” *draws devil ears on irvine* “I could start my own band and do WAY better than them.”
Scarlet: *snorts*
Stinky: *looks up and snorts too*
Heidegger: “Gya haa haa! Snorty!” *ball hits him in the face* “More owies! Gya haa haa!”
Scarlet: “Nida, you’re freaking me out more than Hojo.”
Nida: “No way! Come on! He’s been staring at that poster and drooling for three hours!”
Hojo: “He has such lovely skin…”
Kuja: “My skin is better! All my moisturizers cost 500 dollars a month!”
Scarlet: “Are you jealous?”
Kuja: *pouts* “No… Just annoyed. *I* should be on a poster.”
Heidegger: “Gya haa haa! Jealous!”
Kuja: “Am not! Shut up!” *throws ice cream at heidegger*
Heidegger: *licking it off his face* “Gya haa haa! Yummy!”
Nida: *drawing an ‘x’ over irvine’s face* “Take THAT pretty boy! Hehehehehehehe!”
Scarlet: “Freak.”
Hojo: “I hope they make one of him with less clothing…”
Kuja: *standing up* “For the love of Revlon, I’m constantly wearing a thong!”
Heidegger: “Gya haa haa! Where’s Sir Stringy II?”
Stinky: *snort*
Scarlet: “….I’m with the skunk.”
……………………………………………………………………………………………
(meanwhile, lark has ‘disguised’ herself (by putting on sunglasses. *snort*) and gone into a local music store. she goes over to where the supa ego posters are and picks out two sephiroth posters. as she’s turning to go, she accidentally bumps into someone. she keeps her head down)
Lark: “Oh, I’m sorry.”
?????: “Oh, not a problem– …Lark?”
Lark: *looks up and her eyes widen* “Reeve?”
Reeve: *blink* “Hi.”
Lark: “Hi! Reeve!” *grabs him and hugs him* “It’s so great to see you!”
Reeve: *hugs back* “It’s great to see you too, Lark. We miss you all, back at the ramble room.”
Lark: “Aw….I miss you guys too.” *tries to look at what he’s holding* “What are you getting?”
Reeve: *clears his throat* “Um…just a few…posters…”
Lark: *looking closer* “…Tseng?”
Reeve: *uneasily* “Yeah.”
Lark: “Aw… You must miss him.”
Reeve: “I never even get to talk to him.” *hangs head* “And those TV interviews always make me feel worse… …I’m afraid he’ll find someone better…”
Lark: “Don’t you dare say that!” *lifts his face up* “Tseng loves you more than anything, silly! He would never leave you! How can you be so insecure?”
Reeve: *shrugs* “I just wish he would come home. That’s all I want.”
Lark: “I see.” *presses her lips together*
Reeve: “What are you getting?”
Lark: *blushing* “Um…two…Sephiroth posters.”
Reeve: “Two?”
Lark: “One for Vincent…and one for me.”
Reeve: “…I see.”
Lark: “We broke up.”
Reeve: “I’m sorry to say I’m not surprised.”
Lark: “Heh…” *looks away* “Tseng said the same thing.”
Reeve: “Did he?”
Lark: *nods once*
Reeve: *sad sigh*
Lark: “…I’m sure… I’m sure you’ll see him soon.”
Reeve: *shakes head* “Have you ever heard the song he sings, “Again”? You know, the one they ripped off Lenny Kravitz?”
Lark: *nods* “I love that song.”
Reeve: “…I love it to… It…it makes me cry, every time I hear it. And it kinda–” *embarrassed smile* “Sorry.”
Lark: “No, keep going.”
Reeve: “It’s just…when he sings it…it sounds like he’s crying too…”
(lark hesitates for a moment before she grabs reeve and hugs him again. he holds her and buries his head in her shoulder)
Reeve: “I *hate* this! What happened to us?”
Lark: *closes her eyes* “….I really don’t know…”
………………………………………………………………………………………..
(Noelle sits on the bed in her hotel room, the trash can at her side. she’s going through her wallet, throwing out all the guys numbers she’s accumulated over the past few weeks, one at a time. before she trashes them she gives them a neutral look over, and then tosses them away like they mean nothing. as she gets to the last one, she crumples it up and throws it into the trash with annoyed sigh. she then looks down for the next one, but sees she’s out of numbers and the next item is a pic of her and reno. she’s sitting down and laughing. reno has a playful arm around her shoulder and is leaning over to kiss her while staring at the camera. Noelle stares at the picture, a tiny smile curving at her lips. she stares at it for about a minute before her face grows hard, and she throws her entire wallet to the floor as she stands up in anger)
Noelle: *pulling at her hair* “F***! I still love Reno!”
(she stomps into the bathroom and slams the door.)
…………………………………………………………………………………….
(we see the outside of a large stadium. we then see our ramble room leftover gang: quistis, yuffie, selphie, rinoa, squall, red, reeve, and reno standing in line with tickets)
Quistis: “This is so great! I can’t believe we got tickets!”
Rinoa: “Thanks to Lark! How cool!”
Reno: *frowns* “Yeah. Great.” *puts his flask in his pocket*
Reeve: “You didn’t have to come.”
Reno: *looking away mutters* “Yes I did.”
……………………………………………………………………………………….
(meanwhile, backstage, everyone is running around crazily. lark is putting on her makeup when Lizzie comes over accompanied by rufus, who’s dragging sephiroth)
Lizzie: “Lark, we have a last minute plan.”
Lark: “Huh?” *turns around* “What’s up?” *looks at seph warily*
Rufus: “We need another song to fill the program. So you and Sephiroth are going to do a duet.”
Sephiroth: “I told you, I REFUSE.”
Lark: “What? No, we can’t do that.”
Rufus: “You have to. You’re the only ones who know the song.”
Lark: “What? What song is it?”
Lizzie: ” ‘Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart’. I know you know it.”
Lark: *frowns and looks at seph* “Yeah.”
Rufus: “Then you’ll do it?”
Lark: *still looking at seph* “I will if Sephiroth agrees to.”
Sephiroth: *pouting* “Fine. But don’t expect it to be the most heartfelt piece you ever heard!”
(he stomps away, nearly slamming into vincent in his fury)
Vincent: “Ah, excuse me…” *sees who it is* “Oh. Sephiroth.”
Sephiroth: *snaps* “What are *you* doing here?”
Vincent: “Watching the concert.”
Sephiroth: “Watching your *girlfriend?”
Vincent: “No.” *beat* “We broke up.”
Sephiroth: *all anger fades from his face* “W-What?”
Vincent: “Lark and I broke it off. We weren’t compatible.” *not making eye contact* “There’s only one person… I can love more than anything in existence.”
Sephiroth: *visibly falters but gets it together* “Yeah. Enjoy the show.”
Vincent: *sad sigh*
…………………………………………………………………………………….
(meanwhile, back in the audience, the gang has taken their seats, and *who* do they meet up with??)
Selphie: “Seifer! Laguna, Laguna! And Ward and Kiros!”
Laguna: “Hey hey! Hi, kids! Hi, son!”
Squall: “Dammit.”
Quistis: “I wasn’t expecting to see you guys.”
Laguna: “Lizzie gave me 4 tickets, half off! So I invited Seifer and my friends.”
Kiros: *rolls eyes* “Does Ward even have to say anything?”
Ward: *shrugs*
Seifer: “……….”
Squall: “How’s it going, man?”
Seifer: *mumbles* “Whatever.”
Squall: *blink blink* “I suddenly feel weird…”
(vincent comes over and is surprised to see the others)
Vincent: *blink* “Oh. Hello.”
Yuffie: “Vincent!! Hi!!”
Vincent: “Hello.”
Reeve: “I heard about you and Lark. I’m….sorry.”
Vincent: *shakes head* “Don’t be.”
Rinoa: *gasp* “You guys broke up?”
Vincent: *nod* “Yes.”
Rinoa: “Oh.”
Vincent: “It was entirely mutual, and not meant to be.” *he sits*
(and then who quietly comes over and slips into his seat…)
Reno: “RUDE?!?!?!?”
Rude: *looks up and peers over his sunglasses* “Reno?”
Reno: “Rude!!”
(reno practically jumps over the whole group and pounces on rude, managing to knock him to the floor)
Yuffie: *blink* “That’s the first time I’ve seen Reno really move in a like a month.”
Reno: “Rude, you big jerk! It’s great to see ya!”
Rude: “Good to see you too, Reno.”
Reno: “I thought you were Shell’s bodyguard!”
Rude: “We broke up.”
Reno: “No sh*t, man! That sucks.”
Rude: *shrugs* “She sent me the ticket for the concert. I don’t get her.”
Reno: “How many times have I told you she’s a crazy bitch, man?”
Rude: “You say that again, man, and I’ll punch you through the roof.”
Reno: *grins and punches him playfully in the shoulder* “He~ey! That’s my buddy!”
Yuffie: “Um…you guys wanna get up off the floor? It looks kinda weird.”
Rude and Reno: “Ugh!” *they quickly get up*
Reeve: *quietly to red* “I suppose all Reno needed was a friend.”
Red: *mutters* “Don’t we all.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………
(backstage…)
Barret: “Yo! I just took a peek in that there audience, and like all our pals are there, yo! Even that there red/cat thing!”
Cid: “@#%@#$^#$&^#&!!”
Zidane: *sigh* “I wish they would get tired of this music thing so we could get back to the ramble room.”
(just then ashley comes running over, and sighs)
Barret: “Yo! What wit’ you?”
Ashley: “I just broke up with Lady Ashley. And she didn’t seem too upset.”
Zidane: “Why’d you break up with her?”
Ashley: *shrugs* “Her heart just wasn’t in it.”
Cid: “#$%#$^$&#$&#$&%^ %^$@^$#& @#^@^!”
Barret: “Yo! You be right, Cid! But I guess we’ll never know!”
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
(meanwhile, to the performers…they’re running around like crazy people…)
Lark: “Where’s Tseng?? I have to talk to him!!”
Lizzie: “There’s no time! You have to get on stage!!!”
Lark: “Crap!”
Rufus: “Everyone do good!! No screwing up!!”
(while the opening music is playing, they stand silently in the wings, waiting to go on and thinking…)
Katie: No one’s watching you… Relax… Relax… *takes a deep breath*
Zell: Everything’s fine… Just smile, and do your best.
Ashley: Oh god, why do I hope he’s out there so much?
Irvine: Just focus on the show… Focus on the show, man…
Shell: You’ll do it… You’ll do it…
Tseng: I hate this… I hate this…
Lark: You can get through this… Don’t let him bother you…
Sephiroth: You can do this… Don’t worry about them. You don’t need them.
Annoucer: “And now, presenting the sold out joint concert: Supa Ego and Naughty Angels!”
(the crowd goes wild, and everyone smiles from ear to ear as they go out and perform. and they go on for quite awhile, the audience going crazy the whole time. finally the action dies down, and they all run off stage again)
Lark: *out of breath* “I have to….tell Tseng something.”
Lizzie: “Now’s not the time. Irvine has his number.”
Announcer: “Now, as a special treat, each of the members will perform one solo piece.”
Lizzie: “Where’s Katie? She’s up next.”
(onstage we can see irvine. he takes the microphone, breathes deeply and starts to sing ‘every breath you take’ by the police’)
Irvine: *sings* “Every breath you take…Every move you make…Every bond you break…Every step you take…I’ll be watching you.”
(now irvine’s singing is in a background as the backstage scene continues)
Lizzie: “Has anyone seen Katie??”
Everyone: *shrugs*
Lizzie: “Sh*t.” *goes off to find her*
Irvine’s voice:Â *sings* “Every single day…Every word you say…Every game you play…Every night you stay…I’ll be watching you…”
Lizzie: “Katie?!?! Where the hell are you??”
(she pauses as she hears crying coming from the bathroom. she raises an eyebrow and rushes in there)
Irvine’s voice: *sings* “Oh can’t you see…? You belong to me. How my poor heart aches with every step you take…”
(Lizzie sees Katie on the floor crying softly)
Lizzie: “What’s wrong with you??? You have to go on next! Get up?”
Katie: *shakes head* “I–I can’t…”
Irvine’s voice: *sings* “Every move you make…Every vow you break…
Every smile you fake…Every claim you stake…I’ll be watching you.”
Lizzie: “What do you mean you can’t?!?! We have a ton of people waiting outside to hear you sing!!”
Katie: *sniff* “I can’t do it… I… I’m…”
Lizzie: “You’re *what*?”
Irvine’s voice: *sings* “Since you’ve gone I’ve been lost without a trace.
I dream at night I can only see your face. I look around but it’s you I can’t replace. I feel so cold and I long for your embrace. I keep crying baby, baby please…”
Katie: *trying to not break out in sobs again* “I…I’m being…stalked…”
Lizzie: “What?? No you’re not.”
Katie: “Yes I am! I know I am!!”
Irvine’s voice: *sings* “Oh can’t you see…You belong to me…
How my poor heart aches with every step you take…”
Lizzie: *sighs and sits next to her* “What gives you the idea that you are?”
Katie: “I…I feel like someone’s always *watching* me.”
Lizzie: “You’re *not* being stalked. Have you actually seen anyone?”
Katie: “No. Are you calling me paranoid??”
Irvine’s voice: *sings* “Every move you make. Every vow you break.
Every smile you fake. Every claim you stake. I’ll be watching you.”
Lizzie: “No… I’m saying that you’re nervous because your sudden fame has made you realize that people are taking more notice of you than before.”
Katie: “…So you’re saying I’m crazy.”
Lizzie: “No!” *sigh* “Look, Katie. You’re not crazy, and you’re not being stalked. You just have to learn to live with it!”
Katie: *pauses a moment before shaking her head and standing up* “No. I’ll do this song…” *pause* “But this is the last one.” *she walks out*
Lizzie: “…..Sh*t.” *rests her head on her knees*
(back on stage…)
Irvine: *sings* “Every move you make. Every step you take.I’ll be watching you…”
(and with that, the song ends, and the crowd goes crazy. irvine simply bows his head before leaving the stage. reno watches him with a frown, and as irvine leaves the stage he leaves too, tripping over everyone)
Rude: “Where you goin’ man?”
Reno: “I’m just so damn stupid, man. There’s nothing worth this.”
(rude watches him strangely as he leaves)
Announcer: “And now, here’s Katie from Naughty Angels singing “Angel”!”
(Katie steps onstage, looking pale. she takes the mic and starts to sing ‘angel’ by sarah mclaughlin.)
Katie: *sings* “Spend all your time waiting…for that second chance…for a break that would make it okay…there’s always one reason…to feel not good enough…and it’s hard at the end of the day. I need some distraction…
oh beautiful release…memory seeps from my veins…let me be empty
and weightless and maybe…I’ll find some peace tonight.”
(we go to the back to irvine’s dressing room where he sits at the table, a small plastic bag full of a white powdery substance in front of him. Katie can be heard singing over the intercom system. he stares at it for a long time before taking it in his hand and weighing it thoughtfully, flashbacks flashing through his head)
Person 1: “You gotta take it, man! Everyone in the ‘in’ crowd does it!”
Person 2: “Yeah, man! And look where it got *us*!”
Person 3: “If you’re feelin’ down, this’ll make you feel a hundred times better! You gotta try it!”
Katie’s voice: *sings* “In the arms of an angel…fly away from here…
from this dark cold hotel room…and the endlessness that you fear…
you are pulled from the wreckage…of your silent reverie…you’re in the arms of the angel…may you find some comfort there.”
(with shaking hands, irvine opens the bag.)
Irvine: *mutters* “I need to feel better…”
(he peers into the bag, looking increasingly ill and shaking all the more.)
Irvine: *chokes out* “Oh…*god*…”
Katie’s voice: *sings* “So tired of the straight line…and everywhere you turn…there’s vultures and thieves at your back…and the storm keeps on twisting…you keep on building the lie…that you make up for all that you lack…it don’t make no difference…escaping one last time…it’s easier to believe in this sweet madness oh…this glorious sadness that brings me to my knees.”
Irvine: *slams down the bag* “No! I can’t! I can’t! This isn’t going to help me! It’s not!!”
(he’s still shaking horribly as he collapses in tears on the dressing table)
Irvine: “It’s not… It’s not…”
(back to the stage)
Katie: *sings* “In the arms of an angel…fly away from here…from this dark cold hotel room…and the endlessness that you fear…you are pulled from the wreckage…of your silent reverie…you’re in the arms of the angel…may you find some comfort there….you’re in the arms of the angel…may you find some comfort here.”
(at the end of the song the audience goes crazy)
Katie: “…Thank you. Good-bye, everyone.”
(and as she walks off stage, she manages to smile a little. before she leaves the building entirely she shrugs a little at Lizzie, who just turns away)
Announcer: “Next is Shell from Naughty Angels singing a song she calls ‘very special’ to her!”
Laguna: “Hey hey! I wonder what that could be?”
Rude: *shrugs*
(shell comes up on stage, and confidently takes the mic. she starts to belt out her fave, ‘love don’t cost a thing’ by jennifer lopez)
Shell: *sings* When you rolled up in the Escalade…Saw that truck you gave to the valet…Knew that it was game when you looked at me…Pulling up your sleeve so I could see the Rolley bling…Saw you later in the corner booth…Raising up a toast so I would notice you…But your heart’s a mess
Think you outta know…Doesn’t matter if you’re balling out of control
All that matter’s is…That you treat me right…Give me all the things I need
That money can’t buy, yeah…You think you gotta keep me iced. You don’t.
You think I’m gonna spend your cash. I won’t. Even if you were broke…My love don’t cost a thing. Think I wanna drive your Benz. I don’t. If I wanna floss I got my own. Even if you were broke. My love don’t cost a thing.”
Rude: *trying not to laugh*
Shell: *sings* When I took a chance…Thought you’d understand…Baby, credit cards aren’t romance…So you’re tryin’ to buy what’s already yours
What I need from you is not available in stores…Seen a side of you that I really feel…Doing way too much, never keep it real…If it doesn’t change, gotta hit the road…Now I’m leaving, where’s my keys? I’ve got to go…All that matter’s is…That you treat me right…Give me all the things I need
That money can’t buy, yeah. You think you gotta keep me iced. You don’t.
You think I’m gonna spend your cash. I won’t. Even if you were broke.
My love don’t cost a thing. Think I wanna drive your Benz. I don’t. If I wanna floss I got my own. Even if you were broke. My love don’t cost a thing. A thing, a thing, a thing. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You think the money that you make. Can substitute the time you take. Take the keys here to my heart. Then you can win my heart and get what’s in my heart. I think you need to take some time. To show me that your love is true. There’s more than dollar signs in you. Then you can win my heart and get what’s in my heart.
(shell spots rude in the audience and maintains eye contact for the rest of the song)
You think you gotta keep me iced. You don’t. You think I’m gonna spend your cash. I won’t. Even if you were broke. My love don’t cost a thing. Think I wanna drive your Benz. I don’t. If I wanna floss I got my own. Even if you were broke. My love don’t cost a thing.”
(the audience goes nuts and shell smiles and bows, blowing several kisses to the audience, most directed at rude. as she goes to walk off stage, rude gets up)
Laguna: “Hey hey! Where ya going?”
Rude: “I’ve been called.”
(he heads backstage)
Announcer: “And now, everyone please welcome, from Naughty Angels: Ashley!”
Seifer: *sighs sadly and rest his head on his hand*
(Ashley comes on and takes the mic. she then starts to sing ‘dreaming of you’ by selena. seifer stares at her)
Ashley: *sings* “Late at night when all the world is sleeping. I stay up and think of you. And I wish on a star that somewhere you are. Thinking of me too. Cause I’m dreaming of you tonight. Till tomorrow I’ll be holding you tight. And there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be…Than here in my room dreaming about you and me.”
(meanwhile, backstage, we can hear Ashley singing onstage as rude runs into the main area where he sees shell sipping from a water bottle. he just stands there like a dufus and stares at her until she notices him. when she does, she just kind of stares back at him)
Ashley’s voice: *sings* “Wonder if you ever see me. And I wonder if you know I’m there. If you looked in my eyes. Would you see what’s inside. Would you even care?”
Shell: “Yes?”
Rude: “You called?”
Shell: *grins from ear to ear* “Damn straight I did, Rude! Damn straight I did!”
(he runs over and hugs her)
Ashley’s voice: “I just wanna hold you close…But so far…all I have a dreams of you. So I wait for the day. And the courage to say how much I love you. Yes I do!”
Rude: “I’m sorry, Shell. I’ve missed you.”
Shell: “I’ve missed you too, Rude… And it’s not just the gifts. …Even though you’re by no means to stop buying me stuff, Rude.”
Rude: *smiles* “Yes, Shell.”
Ashley’s voice: *sings* “I’ll be dreaming of you tonight. Till tomorrow I’ll be holding you tight. And there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be…Than here in my room dreaming about you and me.”
Shell: “I…owe you an apology too…” *gulp* “I never meant to drive you away. I’m sorry.”
Rude: “It’s okay, Shell.”
Shell: “No, it’s not…” *sigh* “Just say you forgive me.”
Rude: “I forgive you, Shell.” *hugs her again*
Ashley’s voice: *sings* “Late at night when all the world is sleeping. I stay up and think of you. And I still can’t believe. That you came up to me and said “I love you”. I love you too!”
Shell: *quietly* “I love you, Rude.”
Rude: *closes his eyes and smiles*
Shell: *punches him lightly in the shoulder* “Say you love me too, Rude!”
Rude: *smiles and leans down to kiss her* “I love you too, Shell.”
Shell: *right before she’s kissed* “We’re going shopping after this, Rude.”
Rude: *just before kissing her* “Of course we are, Shell.”
(back onstage, Ashley is singing, and doesn’t seem to be paying much attention to anything. she seems to be looking past the audience)
Ashley: *sings* “Now I’m dreaming with you tonight. Till tomorrow and for all of my life. And there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be…Than here in my room dreaming of you endlessly”
(seifer stares at her, completely mesmerized)
Ashley: *sings* “Dreaming of you tonight. Till tomorrow I’ll be holding you tight. And there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be…Than here in my room. I’ll be dreaming of you tonight…Endlessly…And I’ll be holding you tight…Dreaming…with you…tonight!”
(when she finishes, everyone claps madly, and she curtsies, giving seifer a quick look before going off stage. he sits up quickly)
Seifer: “Did you see that?”
Squall: “See what?”
Seifer: “She looked at me!”
Squall: “Whatever.”
Seifer: *excitedly* “Maybe she wants to get back together with me!!”
Squall: “Whatever… It was just a look.”
Seifer: “I gotta get backstage and talk to her!” *he runs off*
Announcer: “And now, also from Naughty Angels, Noelle!”
(Noelle comes on, smiling. she takes the mic and sings ‘i wanna be with you’ by mandy moore)
Noelle: *sings* “I try but I can’t seem to get myself to think of anything but you. Your breath on my face your warm gentle kiss, I taste the truth. I taste the truth. We know what I came here for…So I won’t ask for more…”
(meanwhile, backstage, seifer is trying to fight his way in, but the security guards aren’t letting him pass. the sound system is so loud we can hear Noelle perfectly)
Seifer: *trying to shove past* “Come on, man! Ashley knows me! We used to date! Really!”
Guard: “Yeah, right, buddy. We hear that all the time.”
Seifer: “I’m serious!! Come on, jerk!” *gets pushed back* “Ashley!!!! *Ashley*!!!”
Noelle’s voice: *sings* “I wanna be with you. If only for a night. To be the one whose in your arms who holds you tight. I wanna be with you. There’s nothing more to say. There’s nothing else I want more than to feel this way.
I wanna be with you.”
??????: *coming over* “Pardon, what’s going on?”
Guard: *jerks his thumb in seifer’s direction* “This punk is trying to get in. Claims he knows Ashley.”
Ashley: *steps out*
Seifer: *runs a hand over his face* “Aw….sh*t.”
Ashley: “Let him in.”
Seifer: *perks up* “Huh?”
Guard: “Are you serious?”
Ashley: “He’s telling the truth. Let him in.”
Seifer: *blinks in amazement*
Guard: *shrugs* “If you say so, Mr. Riot.” *steps aside* “Go on in, man. Sorry about the trouble.”
Seifer: *still amazed* “No problem…”
(he walks just past the guard and then stops to look at ashley)
Seifer: “….Thanks.”
Ashley: “She was never mine at all.”
(seifer smiles a little and continues inside)
Noelle’s voice: *sings* “So I’ll hold you tonight like I would if you were mine. To hold forever more.And I’ll saver each touch that I wanted so much to feel before…To feel before. How beautiful it is. Just to be like this.”
(seifer jogs into the main room, where Ashley is seated before a mirror, freshening up her makeup. he stands behind her and stares. she notices his reflection in mirror and looks up, but doesn’t turn around.)
Noelle’s voice: *sings* “I wanna be with you. If only for a night. To be the one whose in your arms who holds you tight. I wanna be with you. There’s nothing more to say. There’s nothing else I want more than to feel this way. I wanna be with you.”
Seifer: “Hi.”
Ashley: *looks down* “Hi.”
Seifer: “I liked your song.”
Ashley: “Thanks.”
Seifer: *carefully* “Ashley…” *takes a step forward* “Do you hate me?”
Ashley: *shuts her eyes* “No… Not at all.”
Noelle’s voice: *sings* “Oh baby…I can’t fight this feeling anymore. It drives me crazy when I try to. So call my name…Take my hand…Make my wish… Baby, your command?”
Ashley: *turns around* “Don’t be stupid.”
Seifer: *grin* “You’re gonna take me back.”
Ashley: “Arrogant jerk.”
Seifer: “I love ya.”
Ashley: *mumbles* “….Fine.”
Seifer: “What?”
Ashley: “I said fine, you big stupid jerk! Now get over here and kiss me!!”
Seifer: “Whoo hoo!” *runs over and kisses her*
(back onstage)
Noelle: *sings* “Yeah…I wanna be with you. There’s nothing more to say. There’s nothing else I want more than to feel this way…I wanna be with you…I wanna be with you…Wanna be with you…yeah…I wanna be…I wanna be with you…I wanna be…I wanna be…I wanna be with you…Yeah
I wanna be with you…I wanna be, I wanna be baby…I wanna be…I wanna be with you, yeah…I wanna be with you…I wanna be with you…”
(as she finishes, the crowd cheers madly. she smiles graciously)
Noelle: *mumbling as she leaves the stage* “…Dammit, Reno.”
Announcer: “And finally, the last of the Naughty Angels! Everyone, please welcome, Lark!”
(lark takes the stage, and takes the mic. she takes a deep breath as the crowd looks at her expectantly. then she begins to sing ‘anytime you need a friend’ by mariah carey)
Lark: *sings* “If you’re lonely…And need a friend. And troubles seem like…They never end. Just remember to keep the faith. And love will be there to light the way.”
(meanwhile in the back, reno is looking around the hallways for any sign of irvine. lark can be heard singing over the intercom)
Reno: *mutters* “Come on, man. Where are ya?”
(then he stops suddenly as he hears crying coming from a room labelled ‘dressing room’. he looks shocked at first, then clears his head and goes over, pushing the door open slowly)
Lark’s voice: *sings* “Anytime you need a friend, I will be here.
You’ll never be alone again. So don’t you fear. Even if you’re miles away.
I’m by your side. So don’t you ever be lonely. Love will make it alright.”
(reno still looks shocked as he looks at where irvine is collapsed in tears. he looks speechless for a moment before he comes in, shutting the door behind him. irvine hears this, and looks up, wiping away his tears quickly)
Lark’s voice: *sings* “When the shadows are closing in. And your spirit diminishing. Just remember you’re not alone. And love will be there…To guide you home.”
Irvine: “What the *f*ck* are *you* doing here?!”
(reno whirls around to face him, and as he does, his flask falls out of his pocket and smashes on the floor, breaking and spilling the remaining liquid onto the floor. he doesn’t even blink)
Reno: “I came to say hi to my friend.”
Irvine: *turns away* “You must have the wrong room.” *he sniffs and wipes some cocaine off his wrist*
(reno’s eyes narrow as he notices the drugs sitting there)
Reno: “How’ve you been?”
Irvine: “Just *fine*.”
Reno: “Oh yeah?” *he comes over and picks up the bag and shoves it in irvine’s face. irvine turns his face away* “Then what the *f*ck* is this?!”
Lark’s voice: *sings* “Anytime you need a friend, I will be here.
You’ll never be alone again. So don’t you fear. Even if you’re miles away. I’m by your side. So don’t you ever be lonely. Love will make it alright.”
Irvine: “It’s none of your business.”
Reno: “What the f*ck is this about, Irvine? You’re taking drugs now?? How f*cking stupid are you?!?”
Irvine: “What are you, my father!?”
Reno: “No, I’m your *friend*! That’s why I expect the truth!”
Irvine: *turns away and mumbles something*
Lark’s voice: *sings* “If you just believe in me…I will love you endlessly
Take my hand. Take me into your heart. I’ll be there forever baby…I won’t let go…I’ll never let go…”
Reno: *snaps* “What?”
Irvine: *snaps* “I said I didn’t take it!”
Reno: *spins him around so they’re face to face and glares* “Say it to my face.”
Irvine: “I didn’t take it!!” *tears fall from his eyes* “I didn’t take it, Reno!”
(he breaks down crying and reno hesitates a moment before drawing him quickly into a stiff but comforting hug. irvine holds onto him like a lifeline.)
Lark’s voice: *sings* “Anytime you need a friend, I will be here. You’ll never be alone again. So don’t you fear. Even if you’re miles away
I’m by your side. So don’t you ever be lonely…It’s alright…It’s alright
Yes…You know it’s alright…”
Reno: *closes his own eyes his voice a bit choked* “You stupid kid… You’re just a stupid kid…”
Irvine: *still sobbing*
Reno: *pats him on the back* “It’s okay, buddy.” *sighs* “It’s gonna be okay.”
(back onstage…)
Lark: *sings with her eyes shut concentrating* “Anytime you need a friend, I will be here. You’ll never be alone again. So don’t you fear. Even if you’re miles away, I’m by your side…So don’t you ever be lonely…Love will make it alright.”
(and the crowd goes nuts again. lark smiles and waves a bit and then heads off stage with a sigh. tseng is standing in the wing, waiting to go on. her eyes widen at the sight of him.)
Announcer: “And now…”
Lark: “Tseng!” *grabs him by the shoulders* “I’ve been looking for you!”
Rufus: “Let go of him, Lark! He has to go on!”
Lark: *ignores him* “I’ll say this in as few words as I can.”
Announcer: “From the group Supa Ego…”
Tseng: “What? What is it??”
Lark: “Reeve’s scared you’re gonna leave him and he wants you *home*.”
Tseng: *eyes widen* “What? When did he tell you this?”
Announcer: “Please welcome, Tseng!”
Rufus: “Get out there.” *shoves him onstage*
(tseng looks back offstage at lark, his mouth hanging open. she just smiles and gives him a thumbs up. tseng looks rattled as he goes over to the mic and picks it up. the music for ‘again’ by lenny kravtiz, starts again. in the audience, reeve moans and puts a hand to his head, tears already in his eyes)
Reeve: “…Sh*t…not this song…”
Tseng: *sings* “I’ve been searching for you…I heard a cry within my soul.
I never had a yearning quite like this before. Now that you are walking right through my door…”
(and at that moment, tseng looks into the audience and sees reeve sitting there, looking up at him all teary eyed. he stares back as he continues)
Tseng: *sings* “All of my life…Where have you been? I wonder if I’ll ever see you again. And if that day comes…I know we could win. I wonder if I’ll ever see you again.”
(tseng walks forward towards where reeve is sitting, eventually getting down on one knee and still staring at him)
Tseng: *sings* “A sacred gift of heaven…For better worse wherever. And I would never let somebody break you down. Or take your crown, never…
All of my life…Where have you been? I wonder if I’ll ever see you again.
And if that day comes…I know we could win…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again.”
(reeve sits trembling a bit, still crying)
Tseng: *sings* “I’ve searched through time, I’ve always known
That you where there, upon your throne. A lonely queen, without her king
I’ve longed for you, my love forever…”
(by this point it is very obvious tseng is singing just for reeve. during the musical interlude, he brings his finger with his ring on it to his lips and kisses it, prompting more tears from reeve)
Tseng: *sings* “All of my life…Where have you been? I wonder if I’ll ever see you again. And if that day comes…I know we could win. I wonder if I’ll ever see you again. All of my life…Where have you been? I wonder if I’ll ever see you again…And if that day comes…I know we could win…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again.”
(by now tseng’s voice is starting to shake. seeing reeve cry is making him start to cry as well.)
Tseng: *sings* “All of my life…Where have you been? I wonder if I’ll ever see you again. And if that day comes…I know we could win. I wonder if I’ll ever see you again.”
(now totally crying but somehow managing to keep singing well enough.)
Tseng: *sings* “I wonder if I’ll ever see you again…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again…I wonder if I’ll ever see you again…”
(at the end of the song, the crowd goes crazy. tseng kisses two of his fingers, blows a kiss and mouths, ‘i love you, reeve’. he then turns and runs off stage)
Rufus: “What the hell was that?!?! What-what-I don’t even know what to say!! What am I going to tell people now when they see you telling a *man* you *love* him!?!”
Tseng: *smiling despite the tears* “Easy.” *presses the mic into rufus’ hand* “I quit.”
(rufus’ jaw hits the ground, but he’s too stunned to say anything as he hears the announcement in the background that it’s his turn to sing. meanwhile in the audience, we see all the girls crying)
Selphie: “That was so sweet!”
Rinoa: *poking squall* “Why can’t you be like that??”
Squall: *sorely rubbing his arm* “Whatever…”
Laguna: “Hey hey! Where did Reeve go?”
Kiros: “Ward says you’re an idiot!”
Laguna: “…But Ward didn’t even move his lips…”
(meanwhile, rufus walks onstage, visibly upset. he does manage to quickly compose himself though, and he starts to sing ‘standing at the edge of the earth’ by blessid union of souls)
Rufus: *sings* “I knew that this moment would come in time. That I’d have to let go and watch you fly. I know you’re coming back so why am I dying inside. Are you searching for words that you can’t find? Trying to hide your emotions but eyes don’t lie. Guess there’s no easy way to say goodbye…”
(reeve apparently got backstage pretty easily, and he’s running down an otherwise deserted hallway. rufus can be heard singing over the intercom system. so he’s running until he’s out of breath and has to stop. he pants, leaning with one hand against the wall for support. he hears footsteps running towards him and he looks up to see…)
Tseng: *calls* “Reeve!!!” *runs for him*
Rufus’ voice: *sings* “So I’ll be standing at the edge of the earth…Hoping that someday you’ll come back again…I’ll be standing at the edge of the earth hoping for someday…”
(tseng runs over and hugs reeve. reeve holds him close, still panting from his running)
Reeve: “Oh god….you made….cry like a baby…”
Tseng: *looks up* “I cried too.”
Reeve: *smiles* “You always….cry.”
Rufus’ voice: *sings* “Don’t misunderstand what I’m trying to say…
I don’t want to let you leave this way. I want you to know that I stand right by your side…”
Tseng: “Lark told me you wanted me to come home.”
Reeve: “Of course I did! I hated to be away from you! I was so scared you’d find someone else, someone younger, someone better, and more handsome than me…”
Tseng: “No! No! Never!” *takes his hand and presses a kiss to his palm*
Reeve: “And you…” *eyes filling with tears again* “You kept denying about the ring…” *starts to cry again*
Tseng: “I had to, and I hated it. Oh, Reeve…” *cups his cheek* “Don’t cry. Don’t cry. I never took it off, I never will.”
Rufus’ voice: *sings* “And I know this may be…The very last time that we see each other cry. But whatever happens know that I’ll…I’ll be standing at the edge of the earth…Hoping that one day you’ll come back again. I’ll be standing at the edge of the earth hoping that someday…You’ll come back to me…I’ll be praying for whatever it’s worth…Believing that one day you’ll come back to me…I’ll be standing at the edge of the earth…Hoping for someday…”
Tseng: *holding reeve close* “I quit the band. I won’t be away from you anymore. Don’t cry… Don’t cry…”
Reeve: “Never again?”
Tseng: “Never *ever* again.”
Rufus’ voice: *sings* “And I know this may be…The very last time that we see each other cry. But whatever happens know that I’ll…”
Tseng: *lifts his chin so they stare at one another* “If someone wants to take me away from you, they’re going to have to kill me first.” *smile*
Reeve: *small trembling smile* “Don’t even joke like that.”
Rufus’: *sings* “I’ll be standing at the edge of the earth…Hoping that one day you’ll come back again. I’ll be standing at the edge of the earth hoping that someday…You’ll come back to me. I’ll be praying for whatever it’s worth
Believing that one day you’ll come back to me. I’ll be standing at the edge of the earth…Hoping for someday…”
(this is the part where they kiss for a looooooooooooooooong time…)
Rufus’ voice: *sings* “Waiting for someday… Believing in someday… Praying for someday, I’ll be… Longing for someday… Clinging to someday… Cherishing someday, I’ll be… Thinking of someday… Dreaming of someday… Wishing for someday, I’ll be… Living for someday… Counting on someday… Knowing that one day…”
(they finally break apart)
Reeve: *eyes still closed* “Mmm… I love that song…”
Tseng: *nuzzles him* “Hm?”
Reeve: “The one that you sang. I love it.”
Tseng: “I hate it.”
Reeve: *opens his eyes* “Why?”
Tseng: “Because it made me miss you even more.”
(back onstage…)
Rufus: *sings* “I will see you…”
(as he finishes, the audience goes nuts. but rufus just hangs his head and walks off stage, shoving the mic into the hands of a puzzled sephiroth)
Sephiroth: *sighs and mumbles* “Here goes nothing.”
Announcer: “And now, from Supa Ego, give it up for Sephiroth!”
(sephiroth looks very stiff as he comes on stage, tightly holding the mic. he tries to avoid looking at anything in particular as he starts to sing ‘unchained melody’…i forget who sang it originally)
Sephiroth: “Oh…My love, my darling, I hunger for your touch, Alone. Lonely time. And time goes by, so slowly, And time can do so much, Are you still mine? I need your love. I need your love. God speed your love to me.”
(vincent is staring at him, trying to fight off tears, but doing a poor job of it. sephiroth opens his eyes by this point and starts to tentatively scan the crowd. he spots vincent and then quickly looks away)
Sephiroth: *sings* “Lonely rivers flow to the sea, to the sea, To the open arms of the sea. Lonely rivers sigh, wait for me, wait for me, I’ll be coming home, wait for me.”
(sephiroth reluctantly looks back at vincent, and stares at him)
Sephiroth: *sings* Oh… My love, my darling, I hunger, hunger!, for your love, For love. Lonely time. And time goes by, so slowly, And time can do so much, Are you still mine? I *need* your love. I *need* your love.
God speed your love to me.”
(as the song ends, the audience goes nuts, and sephiroth stares at vincent a little longer. vincent doesn’t clap or anything, he just stares back. finally sephiroth snaps out of his momentary daze and he quickly gets off. vincent stands)
Laguna: “Hey hey! Everyone’s leaving!!”
Vincent: “Hm.” *smiles* “He needs me.”
(and he heads backstage, meanwhile, onstage…)
Zell: “Hey, good job, ‘Roth.”
Sephiroth: *brushes past him* “…………”
Zell: “Uh…okay.”
Annoucer: “And now, from Supa Ego, please give a hand for Zell!”
(zell grins and goes out on stage waving, he then starts to sing ‘your song’ by elton john)
Zell: *sings* “It’s a little bit funny this feeling inside. I’m not one of those who can easily hide. I don’t have much money but boy if I did. I’d buy a big house where we both could live.”
(vincent goes backstage and questions a few people who all point him towards one of the single dressing rooms. he knocks, but when there’s no answer, he just opens the door and peeks in. you can hear zell singing over the intercom. sephiroth is standing there, two hands braced on the dressing table. he doesn’t move at all as vincent enters.)
Vincent: *gently* “…Sephiroth?”
(sephiroth says nothing. vincent steps even closer until he’s right behind sephiroth)
Vincent: “Sephiroth, I–“
(before another word can come out of his mouth, sephiroth whirls around, grabs vincent by the shoulders and pulls him into a kiss. vincent remains stiff and wide eyed)
Zell’s voice: *sings* “If I was a sculptor, but then again, no. Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show. I know it’s not much but it’s the best I can do. My gift is my song and this one’s for you.”
(vincent finally breaks away, gasping)
Vincent: “Sephiroth, what–“
Sephiroth: *clinging to him* “Vincent… Vincent, I’m sorry!”
Vincent: “Uh…”
Sephiroth: “Shell was right! I hate myself! I hate myself, and it made me hate everyone else…” *looks up* “Even those…I love…”
Vincent: *sighs* “Oh, angel.”
(sephiroth pulls him into another kiss, but this time vincent responds to it.)
Zell’s voice: *sings* “And you can tell everybody this is your song. It may be quite simple but now that it’s done. I hope you don’t mind. I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words…How wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”
(as they break apart)
Vincent: “I’m sorry, angel.”
Sephiroth: “What the hell are you sorry about? You did nothing. I’m the one that ruined everything. With you… And Lark… And my mother… And everyone else…” *voice wavers* “You were the only one who loved me, Vincent…and you never left…even when I was so mean…….. Can I kiss you again?”
Vincent: *nods*
(and they do)
Zell’s voice: *sings* “I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss. Well a few of the verses well they’ve got me quite cross. But the sun’s been quite kind while I wrote this song. It’s for people like you that keep it turned on.”
(and as they part…sephiroth’s eyes are still closed, and vincent tips sephiroth’s chin back)
Vincent: “Angel.”
Sephiroth: “Mmm?”
Vincent: “Do you still love Lark?”
Sephiroth: *frowns* “It’s hard to say right now.”
Vincent: “I see. Well, that’s okay.”
Sephiroth: “I’m quitting this band. I don’t need it.”
Vincent: *small smile* “Well that’s okay too.”
(back on stage)
Zell: *sings* “So excuse me forgetting but these things I do… You see I’ve forgotten if they’re green or they’re blue. Anyway the thing is what I really mean. Yours are the sweetest eyes I’ve ever seen. And you can tell everybody this is your song. It may be quite simple but now that it’s done
I hope you don’t mind… I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words…
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world…”
(and the crowd goes wild as he finishes, and zell leaves the stage all smiles. in the audience…)
Rinoa: “Zell seemed better.”
Squall: “Yeah…”
(backstage)
Rufus: *running around madly* “LARK!! SEPHIROTH!!! YOU’RE ON!!”
(lark comes over and sighs)
Lark: *dully* “I’m ready.”
Rufus: “Where is Sephiroth?!?!”
Sephiroth: *enters* “Calm down, Shinra. You think I would miss my last performance?”
Rufus: “Last performance?!?! Oh, I’m ruined!!!” *buries his head in his hands*
Lark: “That makes two of us.”
Lizzie: *in the background* “Aw, sh*t!”
Lark: *looks at seph*
Sephiroth: *looks at lark*
Lark: “I guess this is it.”
Sephiroth: “I guess so.”
Announcer: “And finally tonight, a special duet. Please welcome Sephiroth and Lark with their rendition of ‘Don’t Go Breakin’ My Heart’!”
(the crowd cheers loudly as they come out on stage and as the music stands they just kind of stand there and stare at each other. lark smiles a little, and seph smiles a little back)
Sephiroth: *sings* “Don’t go breaking my heart…”
Lark: *sings*Â “I couldn’t if I tried…”
Sephiroth:Â *smiles more and sings* “Oh honey if I get restless…”
Lark: *smiles more too and sings* “Baby you’re not that kind.”
Sephiroth: *places a hand over his heart and sings* “Don’t go breaking my heart…”
Lark: *taking a step towards him and singing* “You take the weight off of me…”
Sephiroth: *smiles and sings* “Oh honey when you knock on my door…”
Lark: *sings seductively still smiling* “Ooh, I gave you my key.”
Both: *sing with complete confidence grinning and coming closer* “Ooh hoo! Nobody knows it!”
Sephiroth: *steps forward and sings* “When I was down…”
Lark: *sings and steps forward* “I was your clown…”
Both: *sing* “Ooh hoo! Nobody knows it!”
Sephiroth: *sings and extends a hand to her* “Right from the start…”
Lark: *sings as she takes it* “I gave you my heart. Oh ho. I gave you my heart.”
Sephiroth: *pulls her closer as he sings* “So don’t go breaking my heart.”
Lark: *raises an eyebrow and sings* “I won’t go breaking your heart.”
Both: *lock eyes as they sing* “Don’t go breaking my heart!”
Sephiroth: *pulls her against him and sings* “Nobody told us.”
Lark: *sings* “Cause nobody showed us.”
Sephiroth: *meets her eyes and sings* “And now it’s up to us babe.”
Lark: *sings seductively staring back* “Oh… I think we can make it.”
Sephiroth: *leaning down slightly so his face is closer to hers and sings* “So don’t misunderstand me…”
Lark: *sings unmoving* “You put the light in my life.”
Sephiroth: *sings* “Oh you put the sparks to the flame.”
Lark: *sings* “I got your heart in my sights.”
Both: *sing grinning from ear to ear* “Ooh hoo! Nobody knows it!”
Sephiroth: *sings* “When I was down…”
Lark: *sings* “I was your clown…”
Both: *sing* “Ooh hoo! Nobody knows it!”
Sephiroth: *sings as he leans closer* “Right from the start…”
Lark: *sings* “I gave you my heart. Oh ho. I gave you my heart.”
Sephiroth: *sings as he goes even closer winks* “So don’t go breaking my heart.”
Lark: *sings knowingly* “I won’t go breaking your heart.”
Sephiroth: “Don’t go breaking my heart….” *kisses her on the cheek*
Lark: “I won’t go breaking your heart.” *kisses him back on the cheek*
(and with that the song ends, and the audience gives them a standing ovation. sephiroth remains close to her)
Sephiroth: *whispers* “Friends?”
Lark: *whispers* “Finally glad to see you’ve come around, you big oaf.” *takes his hand and squeezes it* “Forever.”
(all the other former members of supa ego and naughty angels, as well as all the FF characters there that night run on stage, grinning and congratulating one another. everyone looks really happy.)
Barret: “Look! It be cat/rat/moo!”
Red: “….Hello.”
Barret: “Yo, Cid’s got somethin’ ta say. Tell ‘im, Cid.”
Cid: “%$&^#%^&#$^#$^$#&#$&%#^*$#^$%^$%^$#%&#$&$%^$@^@^@$^#$^@$^@#^@%#^ #%@#^@@#$^%$%#@$%@#%#$%#$^%@#^@#^^#$^#^#^#$^#$^#$^@#^!@$%!@%^#$^^#^
#$%#@$^#@&^#^#@$^#$^#^#^@#^@&%&$%^#$^ #$%#@^@#^ #@^#@^ @#^ #@^ #@^^@^ #^%@#%^@#^@#^#$#@$^, #^$@#$^@#^@#^@#^@#^#! #$%#@^@#^#@$^#@^#$!! #$#^
#$#%^#@^@#^$#. @#$^#@$^@#^@#^, #$#@^#@^#@$^, $#^#@^@#^#^@? #$#@%#@$^ #^$@^@#$^#@$^#$^@#$^@#^@^.@#^@#^#@^#$^#@^.@#^@#^$@#^#$#@^?@#^$#@$^.”
Red: *blink* “I too apologize for the way I acted.” *mumbles to himself* “They’ll be back to their old selves tomorrow, but I appreciate the effort.”
(with a deep sigh, rufus takes up the mic. there are tears on his cheeks)
Rufus: “Attention everyone. If you could just be quiet a minute.” *everyone quiets down* “I would just like to formally announce that this is the last concert to be given by Supa Ego and Naughty Angels. It’s been fun… But we’re going to go back to our normal lives. We’re really so happy that we had such great fans supporting us. So thanks, and we’ll see you on the oldies station.”
(rufus frowns shakily as he puts the mic down, like he’s gonna start crying. tseng comes over and gives him a hug, which he gladly accepts. and impromptu party starts to break out of nowhere)
Zidane: “WHOO HOO!! PARTY!!!!” *runs through with a balloon tied to his tail*
Barret: “Yo! Let’s play pin da tail on da donkey!!” *points to red*
Cid: *laughs*
Red: “I knew it.”
(laguna goes over to Lizzie)
Laguna: “Well, Lizzie, did you have fun?”
Lizzie: *mutters* “I wanna shoot something…”
Laguna: *holds up hands defensive* “Hey hey! Watch it! I’m important!”
Lizzie: *a smile pulls at one corner of her mouth* “I know, you big dope. Come here.” *grabs him and hugs kisses him*
Kiros: “Ward says he hates PDA!”
Ward: *hits kiros on the head*
Kiros: “Ow!!”
Shell: *admiring the ring on her finger* “You did good, Rude. You did good.”
Rude: *nods* “Thank you, Shell.”
Shell: “By the way, here’s the updated list of stuff I want.” *holds out empty hand*
Rude: *peers at it over his sunglasses* “Your hand is empty, Shell.”
Shell: “I know! Let’s dance!” *grabs him and drags him off*
(Katie is leading the time warp with the other ff girls)
Katie: *singing* “Let’s do the time warp a~g~ain!!”
Zell: “Hey, Squall! Did you see how famous I was? I was famous!”
Squall: “Whatever…”
Zell: “I love you, Squall!” *throws his arms around squall*
Squall: *frozen wide eyed* “Uh…Zell…”
Seifer: “Hey, Ashley?”
Ashley: “What?”
Seifer: “Did you sleep with Ashley a lot would you say?”
Ashley: *annoyed* “Seifer…”
Seifer: “What? Are you gonna answer my question or not?”
Ashley: “Here’s my answer.” *grabs him and kisses him hard* “Good enough?”
Seifer: “Heh… Fine.” *grin*
Reno: *lifts champagne glass* “To the coolest guys ever.”
Irvine: *lifts his glass* “Damn straight, man.”
(they clink their glasses together and drink.)
????????: “…Mind if I join in?”
(they look over at where Noelle stands, holding her own glass)
Reno: “Uh…” *blink blink* “Sure.”
Noelle: *smiling a little as she clinks her glass to reno’s* “I still hate you, you know.”
Reno: *sips his glass with a small smile* “Yeah. I figured.”
(meanwhile, outside, it’s a full moon, and lark, vincent and sephiroth, all hand in hand, lark in the middle, walk away from the lights of the stadium and the parking lot)
Lark: “Well…that was fun.”
Sephiroth: “No it wasn’t.”
Vincent: “I agree, angel.”
Sephiroth: *grins* “That’s why I love ya, Vincent!”
Lark: *happy sigh* “I’m so happy it all ended up well. Now we can all stop *fighting*.”
Sephiroth: “For now.”
Lark: *laughs lightly* “Yeah, that’s probably true.”
Vincent: “It feels as if we have been doing this for *so* very long…”
Lark: “Yeah…it does…doesn’t it?” *sigh* “It all comes to this, I guess. I wonder where we’ll go from here.”
Vincent: “I suppose only time will tell.”
Lark: “So, Sephiroth, what do you think?”
Sephiroth: “It’s terrible.”
Lark: “You don’t even know what I’m talking about.”
Sephiroth: “It still stinks.”
Lark: “Oh shut up. I think I’ve learned a lesson from all this.”
Vincent: “What is that?”
Lark: “Never let anything surprise me.”
Sephiroth: “A little slow on the uptake, are we?”
(lark stops and hits him playfully before running off.)
Sephiroth: “Get back here, woman!”
Lark: “Come and get me, Sephy-sama!” *keeps running*
Sephiroth: “Come on, Vincent.”
(he grabs vincent by the claw and they take off after lark. and off they go towards the horizon, and god only know whatever the hell lies ahead.)
THE END
but is it really ever?
The Rambles Live! 