Chapter Text
It's really hard trying to find a reason to wake up every morning and then get ready for a job that you hate. Don't even get paid that well either and yet you still have to be there on time or you're sacked. She wishes she could just do that, just quit but looking for another kind of work would be just as pointless and exhausting as staying.
Some days they just hoped an apocalypse would happen so they could stay inside, loot whatever they wanted or needed and kill anyone they didn't like or even better, die on the first day. Imagining things like these are what keeps them going while they've been forced to mop the entire main area of this stupid video store for the third time today, it kept them busy though since the store was empty most of the time and just sitting behind a counter doing nothing would've driven them insane.
While zoned out the ring of the doorbell snapped her out of her own daydreams. Instinctively she looked up to see who it is, taking a quick breath in to fully prepare their customer service personality. Only to fully take in the man that just came in, he had green skin, wore an upside down cross necklace and had a weird odor to him which they could never place their hand on and always just hoped it was roadkill.
Oh great, it's murdoc what the hell does he want now, it's too early to be dealing with his bullshit.
They thought to hide any outer emotions but their body language was practically screaming about how they didn't want to see him and yet he instantly beelined to them with that dumb grin like he was planning something evil and selfish.
"Lexy!" He greeted her quite loudly, she cringed at the nickname and groaned. "It's alexis. If you need to shorten it just say Alex" They rolled their eyes while scoffing but that didn't wipe that smug grin off his face, in fact it looked like he wasn't even listening to what they were saying, his grin widened.
"Whatever, sunshine" Murdoc shrugged off their words like it was nothing. "Sunny." They corrected him on the nickname that they've had for literal years, he's just doing this to piss them off at this point. No one can genuinely be this annoying without it being a way that they get off or something.
"I've started a band and I need you on the keytar or just keyboards in general" He offered the propistion to them like he was going to scam them in some pyramid scheme, actively ignoring their previous correction on their name.
They processed his words in silence for a minute or two which did leave both of them in an awkward pause, "Maybe also an extra hand on songwritin' too," He cut through the silent tension and offered something extra so they'd snap out of their muted state.
"Why?" They asked genuinely, still holding onto the wooden stick of their mop. Leaning against it with a hand resting on their hip."Well, our frontman is going through some rough patches after he caught his bird getting it on with another rather good looking fella" that meant he was talking about himself. "So if I want my band to move forward i need someone to take his place, temporarily even" He explained with the fakest genuine smile he could possibly muster up.
"So.. what's in it for me?" She raised an eyebrow in suspicion. Murdoc, a man they've known for years, against their will, just started a band out of nowhere and is actually asking for help? And even more farfetched is that he wanted her in the band.
His eyes widened slightly, cursing underneath his breath trying to quickly think of something so they'd instantly be on board with him or else he'd have to resort to kidnapping again. Looking around frantically for something, anything really.
"I'm waiting.."
"Weed–!" He instantly blurted out which left both of them stunned for a few seconds or so, they blinked and chuckled a little.
"Weed?"
"Yes! All the drugs you need, only if you agree to join." Murdoc said, clearing his throat and trying to play it all cool. He grinned again, sure bribing someone through their addiction might look bad but he always gets what he wants, no matter what.
"Fine– whatever, I'll join this stupid band of yours, if the drugs come for free." They stretched out their hand for him to shake. Honestly they regretted it the second their arm moved forward, it felt like they were making a deal with the devil, in a way they were..
The green man enthusiastically shook their hand with that evil smile again. "Perfect. Meet me at that old studio up the hill, you know? Kong studio. In the afternoon preferably"
"Okay, weirdo." They pulled their hand back after he held onto it for an uncomfortably long hand shake, wiping their hand on the side of their shirt.They continued with their cleaning once he started making his way out of the store.
The rest of the day went painfully slow, they gratefully took their 15 minute break to smoke a quick fag and luckily only had to deal with a handful of customers for today. They leaned over behind the cash register and just stared at the hands of the clock that was mockingly placed right across from them, just a few more minutes. They rolled their eyes, huffing as they rested their head ontop of their hand.
Alexis thought more about this band, are they really going to put themselves in this? It's most likely not going to last so who cares, they did need a reason to get out of their suffocating flat from time to time and also get away from their even more so suffocating boyfriend. While in their own thoughts they heard the doorbell ring again to see the familiar face of their coworker which meant their shift was finally over. Swiftly grabbing their bag after clocking out, waving to their coworker with a slight smile on their face. God it's good to get out of that hellhole.
The taxi came to a screeching stop infront of an old creepy gate that had a path which stretched out towards Kong studios. They'd hate to admit it but it did send shivers down their spine, looking up at the pointy stakes that shaped the top of the gates. The second they closed the car door the driver sped off before they could say anything, luckily they had paid already, actually the man insisted he be paid beforehand..
"Fucking hell.." They cursed and muttered to themselves, nervously fixing their hair and clothes clutching their bag. They were basically sweating in their outfit like it's understandable to wear double layers in this weather since it is starting to get colder out but they're just melting here. Alexis just sighs since it was just her stupid boyfriends idea, more like demand, that she wear extra layers.
Don, her boyfriend, basically forced them to wear something more "formal" and "modest" the second he heard the name Murdoc fall from their lips when they were talking about what happened at work today, and yeah sure they guessed that's a fair reaction that man does have a reputation of sleeping with alot of people but they've known that weird green man for a long time and he's never been weird with her. If anything Murdoc was nicer to them than Don has been lately, why they've stayed with their boyfriend for so long is beyond me even.
The gates seemed to open by themselves and a loud creaking noise followed swiftly which made them step back in fear and shock. Just as they were trying to calm down their heartbeat from practically jumping out of their chest, Murdoc popped up out of nowhere infront of them and as a quick reflex, their fist ended up connecting with his nose.
"Ow! Fuck-!" Murdoc covered, his already previously broken nose with his hand which they were not aware of, blinking through the water that was welling up in his eyes "What the hell?!" He screamed out and they only looked at him with wide eyes. "Shit— sorry, god I just— I thought, this place is just giving me the creeps and you popped up! And, fuck I'm sorry" Panic hit them just as hard as they physically hit Murdoc.
" 's fine. I'm fine.." Murdoc tried to look smug and.. chuckle? They assumed that that was what he was trying to do but he groaned in pain before any sound really came out of his mouth. He played it cool and shrugged off the pain but they could see him wincing, they decided to not kill his ego and kept their silence. "Come on in and I'm sure none of the zombie apes will kill you."
The what.
The whole walk from the main grounds to the studio itself was a blur, they could only remember the weird trees and the sense of dread they got from just looking at them. "Welcome to the studio! I'll introduce you to everyone." Murdoc shouted out, which caught the attention of the little girl in a red jacket and the man with completely white eyes next to her. They also spotted a blue haired man sitting further away with no sign of interest in anything. He must be the frontman then, the guy who's girlfriend got taken by murdoc, she was nowhere to be found though, she must have left the band understandably, they don't know why he stayed in the band since they thought Murdoc was the whole reason she's not here. Would be pretty awkward if your ex lover was in the same band as you but they're pretty sure it's more awkward if the guy your ex cheated on you with was in the same band as you, but hey it's not their life so they don't judge.
They don't even understand the point of dating the same person you're in a band with cause if that person turns out to be shit, you'd have to either leave the band or bear through playing songs with the person you hate the most. On the more optimistic side, that person could be the person you've been missing this whole time but they're not a positive type of person so they don't really think of it like that.
Murdoc leaned over against them and started pointing at the people sat infront of them. "That's Noodle, our guitarist" that's a ten year old girl but okay "and russel, our drummer!" The man on the couch waved at them when Murdoc introduced him so they happily waved back.
"And of course, there's me on the bass" He confidently added which just made them roll their eyes in second hand embarrassment. "Oh and that moping sod over there is 2D, our singer"
2..D? What a peculiar name, not that stranger than Noodle but still. They hadn't even noticed how his eyes were just pitch black, they wondered what happened there.
"Guys, this is Sunny our keyboardist! Temporarily only, I think" Murdoc explained and all they could do is awkwardly smile and wave. They didnt even think about how he introduced them as Sunny and not Alexis, didn't seem that important really.
"I'm fine with that." Russel replied non chalantly, Noodle shaking her head positively and yet no response from 2-D whatsoever. "Alright then, that's enough chit chat, let's get to recording now, shall we" Murdoc announced and even though they had zero idea what they were meant to do they just walked behind him, hoping he'd explain further.
During the recording, the booth was filled with laughter and chatter instead of what they were actually supposed to be doing, even 2D joined in.
Russ filled them in on the big parts that they missed out on like the finer details on what happened with Murdoc and 2Ds ex, who they found out is named Paula. They also found out about how he beat up Murdoc and broke his nose, that information made them feel a bit more guilty about hitting Murdoc earlier but it also made them feel better since their assumption of Murdoc being the man who took 2Ds girlfriend was right. They also got the story about how the band got Noodle and how she came over here, shipped in a box..? They laughed when they were told this, thinking it was some stupid joke only to find out they were being completely serious.
The rest of the night was spent with laughter and music, it was really nice how welcoming everyone was, it's been a long time since Sunny has felt this accepted. Once the recording was done and they all said their goodbyes, Murdoc gave them their well earned bag of the substance that they were promised. Oh they are for sure coming back here again.