Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Ryan had invited McQueen to a show.

Apparently it was a diner that occasionally invited local bands to participate, usually nearing the nighttime. And from the description Ryan gave her, it sounded like some underground music organization, no doubt dealing in illegal activities. Ryan assured her it wasn’t, just a normal gathering. But it was hard to feel convinced, why play so late? Why be so out of the way? She told McQueen to come see for herself, that it would settle all questions, but she wasn’t exactly super gung ho about it. So she told Ryan she would think on it.

Which is what McQueen was doing, she still had classes and training to go to so she didn’t want it to be at the top of her mind. Ryan had said not to think too deeply, it was just a show after all, and the food was good. If she wanted to go all she had to do was meet Ryan near the sweets shop McQueen liked. She said it was around there.

Of course she had never gone to some shady underground music thing, so she did inevitably think rather deep about it. What if she saw someone from school? A family friend? What would they think seeing the young promising Mejiro at some sort of gang meeting? Would they think she too reciprocated the ideas of the crowd? That she was a gang member?? No, the thought was absurd. She wouldn’t be interwoven into some gang conspiracy!

Why was Ryan asking her anyway? She had countless friends, she could go with any of them. McQueen groaned internally, there was no reason to overthink it, otherwise she wouldn’t be able to focus. Class was still going on after all, right, focus.

Her eyes drifted down her paper, she was doing her first year of Pre Calculus, ahead of many in her year, it was only natural, to claim her title as the best Mejiro stayer, no… the best stayer of her generation it was only befitting of her to be exceptional in all things. That included math, even if it seemed rather ridiculous. All things learned are things used. And she didn’t mind it, math was easy, all formulas and rules. All she needed was mesmerization, nothing special. And the class was nice too, the teacher was good and the students mostly listened.

Mostly…

She felt something dig into the back of her head, before being removed and tapping her again in quick succession.

She turned behind her, trying not to create too much of a display, but she knew if anyone looked over they would very clearly see her displeasure. She couldn’t afford a tarnished image.

As her eyes met her assailant they smiled. Same stupid smile that she used all the time, being caught for a crime, committing the crime, thinking of the crime.

McQueen had gotten used to seeing it. And the one with pink eyes that met hers never got tired of using it.

“What.” McQueen mouthed silently, she didn’t want to create a fuss, she had a perfect record in this class, no disturbances, no mistakes. Yet she knew if she got involved with the one behind her that record would be torn to pieces, and she could say goodbye to a perfect scholarship to a perfect school.

“Watch this,” the troublemaker mouthed back. Her silver hair failing over her shoulders as she leaned forward slightly, covering her mouth as if to stop people from hearing her even though she hadn’t said anything. She leaned back as she grabbed something from under her desk, her ears twitching as she brought it above for McQueen to see. Her eyes widened.

“No.” McQueen whispered, as quietly as she could, but hopefully loud enough to discourage her friend. She knew this would be bad, her ears drooped as she imagine all possible outcomes.

But before all hell could break loose, she never knew why this trouble maker of a girl was in this class. Sure she wasn’t dumb but she had assumed she wouldn’t want to be in any classes that required actual thought and effort. Yet here she was, same class as McQueen, and apparently not failing. She told McQueen it was because she, quote on quote, “Needed a way to mess with Mac-Chan.” So of course the next logical step was to enter the advanced placement pre-calculus class, okay. Made sense.

As the girl readied her weapon of choice, McQueen caught a glimpse of her hands, her nails covered in what she had told McQueen before was paint. Had she been up late again making something? She did seem to have a knack for crafts. One time she even made McQueen a homemade Jack In the Box with her favorite sweets inside…along with fake spiders.

SWOOSH went the paper airplane as it soared through the air, its body transformed into that of a real plane, a little chipmunk guiding it, the sky’s blue around it, its coloring crude. It left the grasp of its creator in a display of sheer power and concentration befitting of a racer who had run in her fair share of graded races. And with that power not only did the paper airplane avoid hitting the teacher, it avoided everyone sitting in the class, cleanly landing in the trash can next to her teachers desk. Except now it was a landing pod, and out came the little chipmunk, cheering as loud as it could for all to see.

McQueen was impressed, she was expecting her to hit someone at least. Maybe even on purpose. And she had thrown it when the teacher was looking away, which was slick. She hated cheering for the idiot, so she kept silent, yet a small grin escaped her.

Of course the teacher still noticed. She had watched the display out of the corner of her eye, as slowly the paper airplane landed in its new home unscathed by Uma or human intervention, it made a slight swoosh sound as it hit the sides of the trash can. Of course even without harm, the criminal who had thrown it was still guilty.

When McQueen turned behind her to see how her classmate had reacted to knowing she was busted, the sight wasn’t what she expected. In the dead silence of the class the girl pumped her fist in the air and at a volume four notches too loud said, “Colby!”

McQueen had no idea who “Colby” was, but she assumed she shouldn’t ask.

“Gold ship.” Her teacher finally spoke up, after such a display she would be remiss to not acknowledge it in some capacity. Her eyes looked tired, far too used to the shenanigans of this one troublesome student to react with any sort of Vigor.

McQueen only sighed, she knew this would be the outcome.

“And Mejiro McQueen.”

All eyes turned to her as her name was called from the one of judgment (as Gold Ship had called her before), her blood ran cold as she lifted herself from her seat, far too loud and far too fast. She tried not to falter in her step as she steadily straightened. Still hopeful all her teacher wanted was for her to bring Gold Ship to the student council's office. She forced a small smile, that was why. She had done it before, she was one of the best students in this class. She was ready for her duty.

“Yes..?” She said with a timidness she didn’t pride herself in. Her tail swished nervously behind her, and she adjusted her feet inside her shoes, in need of some sort of movement.

“Both of you, to the office now. And don’t worry about coming back, this period is almost over anyway. Notes will be available with the class officer.” Her eyes trailed back to the board, her chalk in hand, the problem on the board unfinished. “I will tell the Student Council to expect you.”

McQueen stood stock still, all their eyes scrutinizing her, she was getting reported to the office, what had she done wrong? She looked down at her paper, her notebook clean and tidy, filled with months of notes. Small doodles cleaned the edges of the paper, a small chipmunk danced with the stars and flowers.

Now, McQueen, with shaky hands, tidied up her things. As quiet as possible as her teacher kept talking to the class, already dismissing what had just happened. They were just specks in her world. She didn’t know what she had just destroyed for McQueen.

She was no criminal. But her feet dragged across the floor as she slung her bag over her shoulder, she felt impending doom as she exited the room, her execution was no doubt soon. Was this what despair truly felt like? Being inches away from the jaws of a man hungry beast, their eyes gleaming with the hunger of a thousand men. She was just another lowlife, it had all crumbled before her eyes-

An annoying face intruded her personal space, “God Mac-Chan, why do you look so miserable? You look like Walter White in season five of Breaking Bad when he collapses to the ground after Jack shoots Hank-“ Gold Ship’s voice rises into a laugh, her body doubling over as she points at McQueen. “I was really joking but god I can see the similarities,” her joke falls flat on McQueen, she doesn’t know who Hank, Walter, and Jack are but she hopes she doesn’t end up in whatever situation they were in.

“I got in trouble Gold Ship-san.” Her body was wilting, like a dying flower as she forced herself forward toward the Student Councils office. The words that went unsaid were ones she was ashamed of. She shouldn’t feel that way. It was her own fault…even if she didn’t know why.

“Ah, did you?” Gold Ship puts her hand on her chin comically before raising her pointer finger as her face contorted into a shocked expression. “Is that why you looked so dejected when Teach called on you?? Man that was nothing. If you really want to get in trouble you could try rigging the microwave, I did that once and it blew up in Trainers face.” She laughs again at the memory, “She wanted to blame me but there was no evidence, I hid all my traces behind the shed next to her own house.” She snickered, clearly proud of her plan. “If she ever finds it she's probably gonna think it was some sleep induced nightmare her subconscious made up against herself. In the end she was the culprit and the victim! Man, I'm a genius.” She places her hands on her sides, assuming a stance of superiority puffing out her chest as she once again marvels at her scheming abilities. Unaware that she leaked her most well kept secret to an enemy.

But even though she had, McQueen hardly acknowledges her. Her own brain still tearing itself apart as it tries in every way to justify her innocence, as she does she imagines mini versions of herself in a court room, quickly firing off claims and supporting evidence. Her side (marked by them all wearing bows in different shades of blue) seems to be winning, but it’s hard to tell when the other side (marked by red shaded bows) keeps coming up with refutals to her claims. By the time they reach the student council office the court case is just about finished, and she is all ready to fight for her innocence.

She yelps however when someone pinches her ear. She reaches upwards to block further attacks but is met with none. Her attacker makes no move to do so as she once again smiles down upon her, her hair falling over her shoulders as she bows slightly.

“Finally, an expression change. You know if you keep your face in the same position for too long you won’t be able to change it ever again?” McQueen tenses up at that, now all too aware of her face, is it true? If it is, what if she forever is frowning because of one misstep? What would people think of her then??

She reaches for her face and begins feeling for her mouth, making sure she wasn’t frowning anymore.

Gold ship realizes she has her attention again and flashes a sympathetic expression, her eyebrows curling up as her mouth dips ever so slightly down. “I know, it’s scary imagining it. Like what if this face was all you could ever see when you looked at me?” As she spoke she contorted her face to have her upper jaw jut left while her eyes turned inward.

McQueen only stares silently at her. No longer convinced of the truth of Gold Ship’s statements, she never should’ve worried, it was Gold Ship after all.

As their own silence had befallen them a voice from behind the student council's doors called out to them, albeit muffled, “McQueen? Gold Ship? You may ente- wait can they hear me? Maruzen can you get the door?”

After her words someone did indeed come to open the door, a friendly face around the school, her auburn hair fell in curls around her, her uniform perfectly neat. Her name was Maruzensky and she often stuck around the president. She smiled at the two before ushering them inside. McQueen felt shame that this time she wasn’t just beckoning Gold Ship in, but both of them. It was a silent telling that the teacher had truly convicted her as well.

McQueen walked in like she had just accepted her death sentence and she was being walked to the gallows, she gave up on trying to defend herself. She bowed her head and tucked her tail between her legs, her ears drooping low once again. It was no use. All the red bowed McQueen’s were chasing the blue ones with pitch forks.

“My, McQueen, why do you look so glum?” The president asked. Her name Symboli Rudolph, she was known throughout history as the emperor due to her extensive racing history and dominating force on the field. Apparently she used to be harsher, but a younger presence had softened her. Which wasn’t the point- it was simply something McQueen thought about a lot…McQueen had looked up to her, now all she could do was stare at the ground. Even now she still felt her eyes boring into her, her presence looming large as McQueen shrunk under her gaze. She silently stayed standing.

Gold Ship however took the chance to plop herself down on a chair, legs over the arm rest and almost her entire back on the seat, her head propped up by the other arm rest. “Pretty sure her magical powers stopped working after she got cast out from heaven, she's no longer immortal, of course she might still be. But she's too scared to check.” Gold Ship only shrugged after her completely absurd reasoning for McQueens mood. No one but Rudolph seemed amused.

She smiled softly, “Would that be so,” Rudolph tapped her cheek as she flitted through papers on her desk, “Well there’s no reason for that. Heaven has still given her immortality and magical powers, no need to check. This is only a warning.” Rudolph now looked at McQueen, her eyes knowing. She closed the book in front of her. She had looked so intimidating before. How easy it was to forget she was their age too.

McQueen’s face lifted, she hastily leaned forward, placing her hands on Rudolph’s desk, “You mean..?”

Rudolph nodded, “Your teacher told me before you arrived here that you did not do anything to warrant a mark on your card, just that because you chose to, in her words- entertain Gold Ship time and time again- she thought it best you receive a warning.” Rudolph clicked at something on the phone in front of her before shutting it off.

Entertain? When had she- it didn’t matter. Her death was postponed, the gallows were only a vision, what truly awaited her was cake, a mountain tall sugary beast that she would soon hurl herself at. The relief almost made her dizzy, her smile quick and sloppy, if she had seen it then in a mirror then she would’ve recoiled, very un-lady-like. “Thank you…” she said quietly with a bow. Retreating slightly from the desk.

Gold Ship flicked McQueen’s tail and McQueen restrained herself from lashing out at her, her joy too great.

Rudolph waved her off, “don’t thank me, I'm only the messenger.” She then turned to Maruzensky, “Or am I the judgment? The retribution waiting for us all after the curtains fall.” She trailed off at the end, deep in thought.

Maruzensky only smiled sheepishly, clearly not exactly in tune with the made up story Rudolph and Gold Ship had created. “I’d like to think of you as the almighty, ready to rule over all the Uma’s that reside in your kingdom.” She chuckled at the thought.

McQueen flopped down in the chair next to Gold Ship, her body exhaling in relief, she was still elated that she had been spared, the mini hers in her mind jumped around, both sides colliding with each other, turning their bows purple in shared joy, all was well again.

McQueen felt someone tap her shoulder and she almost yelped, her body just barely resisting the urge to jump from her chair. She kept her cool however. As was befitting of a Mejiro.

McQueen turned to see Gold Ship smirking at her again, her head upside down as she still lay fully sprawled on the couch, her hair falling down over the arm rest, it was getting caught in her head piece, restricting the free flow of her hair.

McQueen wanted to reach out and fix it. Her self restraint got the better of her.

Gold Ships tail slightly swished under her as it fell over the cushions, one leg propped up on the other arm rest while the other leaned languidly over the side.

She smiled wider when McQueen looked over at her, her face squishing as she did, like a chipmunk, “Man that smile you gave earlier was really reminiscent of whenever House is finally able to get Wilson to do something for him, actually it was exactly like it, wait I can show you…where’s my phone…”

McQueen had stopped listening. Again she had no idea who these houses or Wilson’s were, but she could feel all thoughts of chipmunks fade quickly from her mind.

Today was going to be long.

Rudolph and Maruzesky continued talking about something most definitely important, as that’s what the student council talked about, whilst McQueen and Gold Ship got up, heading towards the exit. Gold Ship walked as if she was a burglar, trying not to disturb anyone, hunched over and on her tippy toes, eyes searching around her. McQueen lightly hit her on the head with a sideways hand.

“Wait a minute you two,” Rudolph called to them, she held out a hand as her eyes still stared at a paper in front of her. Gold Ship stiffened and McQueen turned behind her.

“Is something the matter, Student Council President?” McQueen asked, holding the strap of her bag, her next class would no doubt be starting soon. Her tail swished and her ears flicked anxiously.

Rudolph’s face softened, “You can just call me Rudolph, and well…no, you are fine to go. But there is something I need to discuss with Gold Ship.”

Gold Ship, at the sound of her name covered the bottom half of her face with her sleeve and turned around with narrowed eyes, scanning the room for something, “The enemies surround me, they encroach upon my precious land. Stay back, fowl beasts!!” Gold Ship aimlessly swung around her other arm as she kept herself crouched, her feet kicking out as she jumped up randomly as if dodging an attack.

“What is it you need to…discuss? If you don’t mind me being here.” McQueen offered, taking up the duty of messenger because Gold Ship either didn’t care or was being purposely dense.

“Well, it’s about the build up of her mark downs, absences, disrupting classes, and complaints about loud volumes in her dorm. The list continues actually…” Rudolph flipped through her papers, on one was Gold Ships photo, it was from when she was a new student here, she had been wearing her head piece even back then. In the photo, surprisingly, she didn’t smile and was wearing aviator glasses. She still had those too. How was she allowed to do that…

McQueen felt guilt on Gold Ships behalf, how did she keep getting in trouble? Seriously, one would think she would have learned by now. Her eyes turned to the one that was the subject of conversation. She was in fact still messing around, but now she was hiding behind one of the chairs and had formed her hands into what she could only guess were guns. She looked so stupid, McQueen felt a strange sensation in her stomach that she decided to ignore, tearing her eyes away.

“Of course she is still one of our better performing students so she has gotten off light.” Rudolph added on, almost apologetically. “And…other punishments hadn’t exactly…worked..” Rudolph muttered to herself, not loud enough for Gold Ship or McQueen to hear.

Gold Ship perked up at the praise, she held herself poised and adjusted her bow as if it was a tie. “Well thank you Prez, I do like to think of myself as quite the successful entrepreneur, my business has truly been one of many greats. If that’s all I will be going-“ Gold Ship made to open the door, her same play smile still on her face.

Rudolph pulled out another paper from the stack. “Not just yet.” McQueen made to block Gold Ship, eliciting a high pitched wine from her that McQueen had only heard from children. McQueen pinched her ear in response, ignoring the childish complaints.

“Even if we have been letting her off light the amount of complaints truly is…rather absurd.” Rudolph seemed surprised herself, even though she had probably read the file many times and dealt with Gold Ship for even more time. “And because of that it is customary for students to be…given appropriate punishments for their transgressions around the school.” She trailed her finger down the paper, “Taking you out of races isn’t a good one, you do that yourself, making you take supplementary classes isn’t good either…” she spoke as if she had personally witnessed Gold Ship in those classes, unwilling to relive the memory.

“All that leaves,” she paused, “is community service.”

“NOOooOoooo,” Gold Ship cried as she crumbled to the floor by McQueens feet. “Why!? God why must you punish me sooo….”

“It’s not that bad…” McQueen offered. In fact it was pretty good, really light even.

Rudolph smiled at the display, unbothered, “I already picked out a place. An old nursing home just around the bend with Umas and humans alike. I think you would do well there. How about tonight? You have a lot of build up so maybe two days…I can get you in so your out before 8-“

“No, I can’t do tonight.” Gold Ship answered as she slowly banged her head against the door. It was the most serious she had talked all day, yet her posture was still absurd.

“How about tomorrow? I could make that-“

“Nah no dice. Your almighty anchor is busy.”

“Aren’t you the ship?” McQueen whispered, kicking Gold Ship in the side ever so gently when she didn’t answer.

Rudolph glanced at Maruzensky. “You aren’t just saying that are you? Because if you are the time will increase-“

“I can do Saturday or Sunday morning, just- no nights. My liege. Ms Rudolph. Ma’am.” She turned around, finally facing Rudolph. “I uh, have business.”

Maruzensky brought her hand to her face, thinking for a moment, "Don't you have a job? You mentioned something-“

“Alright great talk byeeee~” before anyone could say anything else Gold Ship had already scrambled herself off the floor and ran out of the President’s office and began bolting it down the halls. McQueen swore she saw her do a backflip and cartwheel along the way.

McQueen sighed, already tired. “I’m sorry about her President. I will collect her as soon as I can, when you pick a date please contact me, I’ll make sure she goes.” McQueen bowed before running out of the office after Gold Ship. Screaming for her to slow down. Lowering her voice when a teacher shushed her.

Rudolph smiled humorously as they left. “Hey Maruzen,”

“Hmm?” Maruzensky had been staring at the retreating Uma’s with something of nostalgia, her smile soft as she reminisced. She shook herself out of it and turned to Rudolph, “What’s up?”

“Why did the dolphin chase the boat?”

Maruzensky leaned on the wall beside Rudolph, “I don’t know, why?”

“To find its porpoise!”

“…That one was pretty funny.”

“Thanks.”
—-

During training McQueen performed better than she normally would, she didn’t know why but her trainer was more than pleased.

“Wow it seems we finished everything relatively quickly,” her trainer commented, a smile accompanying her words. She flipped through her clipboard and confirmed they had truly done all they had planned, checking them off as she went. “If you’d like you could head back, or if you want to stay a little longer for some training I can supervise you?”

McQueen used a towel to wipe her sweet as she took a sip of water. She felt as if she did have more in her, she could probably do a few more rounds…

She glanced around at the other uma’s who were currently training. Scarlet and Vodka, a rowdy duo who always challenged each other were currently duking it out on the course, she could hear Special week shouting to them about something, a timer in her hand, Suzuka beside her.

Oh, she had almost forgotten the show. Ryan was still waiting for her answer, she knew it wouldn’t be until much later but she would need time to wash up and find an outfit to wear. Maybe something not super fancy but not too casual? It would be best if she didn’t stand out too much…but she feared what the crowd would look like…

“Uh, earth to McQueen?” Said her trainer, waving her hand in front of her face.

McQueen startled before settling, she finally removed the bottle from her mouth and said to her trainer, “I’ll do one more lap, but I have somewhere to be afterwards.” Her smile was genuine.

“Sounds good to me! Let's see if you can beat your record!”

——-

McQueen didn’t know when she had decided she was actually gonna go. As far as she knew the offer was still up in the air, but now as she sifted through potential outfits she knew she had more than accepted she was going.

It would be good to hang out with Ryan at least…it had been so long since they’d hung out together. Well that wasn’t the whole truth, they met up rather frequently to watch baseball games together but that was a secret. One they had kept well too. No one could ever know they went. Not a soul.

And besides she had never seen live music before. Gold Ship had offered in the past but she had declined out of fear of what music she could possibly listen to. From the short videos she had shown her on her phone she had a creeping suspicion it wouldn’t be something she would like in the slightest. She didn’t even know what she could call those videos…it didn’t matter. She had spent enough time worrying about Gold Ship today, she could do without an afternoon of shenanigans.

As McQueen finally picked out an outfit she could be happy with she got a text. She quickly glanced down at it, it was from Ryan. She put the clothes down and picked up her phone, her phone chain jingling.

RYAN💪⚾️ :YOO mcqueen ya up to go???

McQueen quickly typed out a response.

McQueen: Yes. I have picked out my outfit, I will meet you at the determined spot soon.

RYAN💪⚾️: SWEET!! GLAD TO HEAR IT!! YOULK LOVE IT!!!

The amount of errors in Ryan’s texts worried McQueen, was she okay? Her grammar hasn’t always been this bad…right?

McQueen: I hope so. See you soon.

McQueen looked at herself one last time in the mirror, she was wearing a white collared undershirt with an armless teal sweater and dark brown skirt. It wasn’t her normal outfit but she hoped it was good enough, not too fancy, not too casual. She checked the time, 7:40. Ryan didn’t tell her when the event started nor how long they would be there. Only stating that it was “late.” What in her mind constituted as late? She hoped it wasn’t too bad, they still had school tomorrow.

McQueen slung her bag over her shoulder, her keychains swishing around as she did so. She had two little characters, a small purple penguin she was fond of, and a chipmunk with white patterning, it was old. She had gotten it after she started school, she hasn’t taken it off since. McQueen slipped into her shoes and headed out.

——

“McQueen!” McQueen heard her name being shouted way before she had seen the one calling. Ryan was waving to her with enthusiasm, a giant smile on her face. McQueen felt herself smile in turn.

When McQueen finally got close enough to Ryan she bowed slightly, “I expect you to lead the way.”

Ryan still seemed ecstatic, “Of course!” She was wearing herself an oversized sports jersey and loose jeans, and had earrings of blue sapphire adorned by silver embezzlements, one of the earrings hung lower than the other. It wasn’t anything crazy but it worked for Ryan. She normally wouldn’t dare dress so overtly when it came to her interests, was she not concerned about this place?

McQueen worried if she had overdressed.

“But fiiiirst,” before she could stop her Ryan had placed something within McQueen’s hair. She yelped and almost smacked Ryan in the face. When Ryan retreated McQueen quickly reached up to see what it was, pulling back a blue tinsel extension. She looked to Ryan for an answer.

Ryan shrugged, still giddy. “From what I’ve seen it’s customary for the band to wear tinsel extensions in their hair. I thought one would go nicely with your outfit.” Ryan shrugged. McQueen hadn’t sent her her outfit. She puffed out her cheeks but Ryan either didn’t notice or ignored her. She flicked her tail and pulled out a blue tinsel of her own, “my hair isn’t exactly long enough for it…so I thought my tail would be good.”

McQueen smiled, releasing the air in her cheeks with a laugh. “Yes it is, we match.” Her tail swished back and forth happily. She combed through her hair slowly. It was childish of her to appreciate something as superficial as “matching.” Yet her smile widened nonetheless. “Should we get going?” She asked.

Ryan responded by beckoning McQueen to follow her farther to the right of the sweets shop towards a set of streets that were mostly empty save for a few kids running around and an adult or two holding shopping bags.

After a while they traveled down a set of stairs unknown to McQueen. She had never been over here. Ryan had a slight pep in her step as she chatted to McQueen about miscellaneous things, where she and Ines Fujin had gone shopping, her training, a funny thing in class, a new movie she thought McQueen might like. McQueen was happy to just listen but her cousin had inquired about her day and she felt it only right to share the most exciting- or rather most draining part of it.

“You got in trouble? The great Mejiro McQueen found herself guilty in the student council president's office?? Oh my god Dober is gonna love hearing about this.” Ryan clearly found the whole spectacle hilarious, laughing loudly in the quiet streets. McQueen’s face only burned.

“I didn’t, actually!! And there was hardly any grounds to convict me anyway! It was all Gold Ship’s fault…apparently I had ‘indulged’ her and her shenanigans for too long.”

“My, is McQueen going to get arrested?” A voice she recognized startled McQueen and she halted in her steps. Outside a very boisterous club stood her other cousin, Mejiro Dober. She was wearing a very sleek white dress with black tights, her straight black hair neatly combed. She had her own blue tinsel adorned in her hair. She smiled at her cousins, “I hope if you do I can at least visit you.”

McQueens face was still hot, she tried to defend herself without fumbling her words too badly, “That..won’t be necessary, just a mix up with the student council…” she adjusted her shirt collar, she looked at Dober as she tried to hide her embarrassment, her voice an octave too high, “Dober, I didn’t know you were coming.” She coughed into her hand, attempting to clear an already empty throat.

Dober looked to Ryan, her expression growing pensive. Ryan only chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck, “Guess I forgot to tell ya’. My apologies.”

“Its no worries,” McQueen smiled, turning back to Dober, "I'm glad you're here.”

“Likewise,”

McQueen took her chance to look around at the place Ryan had ushered her to. It was encroaching upon the later hours of night and her eyes had begun to adjust. The streets were mostly deserted and many places had their lights off, even the moon was hiding behind the clouds. The stars out of sight. The only building on the block with its light still blaring was the shop next to them, covered in signs and hanging decorations. It practically invited those walking by to at least look inside to see what all the hubbub was about. It stuck out, yet fit in.

Ryan turned around quickly, her eyes peering through the windows of the place, “Guys c'mon! I think a new band is coming out!” Her eyes glowed as she looked back at the two, her body immediately ready to spring into action. Ryan grabbed both Dober and McQueen by the wrists and pulled them in behind her, the door jingling to announce their arrival.

As McQueen’s eyes adjusted to the new environment slowly, she was immediately met by so much of just every sensation. The first she noticed was sight, it was so bright she could hardly see, she squinted as she trailed behind Ryan, her feet struggling to keep up in the new environment, people were everywhere.

The second sensation she was bombarded with was smell. Fried food wasn’t super common where she had lived, so just the smell was striking enough. So much fried food attacked her senses she almost wanted to plug up her nose.

The third was noise. It was loud, sure, but almost like people were being loud as a collective rather than in factions. Everyone was here for the same thing, the shows that were performed. When her eyes finally welcomed the light she tried for a glimpse around her, and what she saw shocked her. People from all age groups, uma and human were gathered as well. There were some adults sure, but even more teens and kids. Probably brought by parents, or even off by themselves. She noticed a dad pick up his daughter in his arms, he wore a leather jacket with patches all over it. He handed his daughter a fry to which she happily ate it. She wore a smaller version of her fathers jacket.

The overall structure of the place wasn't super big, but it wasn’t something to sneeze at either. There was a main dining area that had tables around for those to sit, some people sat with food in front of them. Some people weren’t sitting but standing instead, or even sitting on the floor. The walls were adorned with pictures upon pictures of music artists from the past, present, Japan, America, and even Europe and other Asian countries if McQueen interpreted right. There were some uma’s but McQueen didn’t recognize them. Posters and signed vinyls also hung with the pictures, almost every inch of wall had something. There was a hanging guitar just next to the stage.

The stage wasn't anything crazy, just a small wooden platform a few feet off the ground, it seemed big enough for a small band to stand on, but not more than 10 people at most. At least not with instruments. Currently there was a band making their way off the stage, carrying their instruments with them as they made their way to the crowds, accepting praise and pats on the back. One of the members seemed to tear up.

It wasn’t what she was expecting.

Ryan looked back at her and Dober, yet her eyes seemed focused on McQueen. She had stopped dragging them by now, leading them over to a table where they promptly grabbed seats and a worker brought over waters. “So, what do you think?” She asked, she had clearly been trying to restrain herself, her excitement noticeable the entire way to the place.

“It’s…different from what I had envisioned.” Was what she settled for. She still wasn’t convinced criminals wouldn’t show up. She smiled at Ryan with a knowing look, “Of course the real show hasn’t even started yet.”

“Of course,” Dober said, “I’ve only been here a few times with Ryan but…the music…even if they don’t write their own songs, it’s incredible.” Her eyes settled wistfully on her water before she took a sip.

All around the Mejiros the diner went silent, someone stepped up on stage, she was an older dark skinned Uma with hair curly and dark, it falling behind her as if like a veil. Her eyes were a dark violet and they turned downwards, her smile was small yet present nonetheless. She wore a long purple dress with black accented designs trailing around it. She held a microphone and a paper in her hands.

She held the microphone up to her mouth and spoke to the crowd of expectant listeners, her voice filled with pure reverence,“Our next band for the night is another local one that has been with us for a while, they come here most nights despite still being comprised of students and racers.” The crowd ooed in response, some already knowing who she was talking about, clearly remembering them.

An older woman next to McQueen was talking to her friend about the group and the details caught McQueens attention, “They aren’t just ordinary students and racers, they are really good. I’ve seen some of their races, it’s crazy they can juggle it all.”

Her friend only shrugged, “When you're passionate about something, you find a way.”

The black Uma continued speaking, “So as some of you have already guessed our second band of the night is…..The Golden Silence!”

Cheers erupted immediately after the name of the band was revealed, Ryan herself started clapping. She whispered to Dober and McQueen, “They are really good, but the last time I saw them their lead singer was absent. They just said she had business to deal with.” Ryan’s smile grew wider, "I'm really excited to hear her sing.”

McQueen made sure to keep her eyes on the stage, waiting for the band's arrival. To find out who these racers and musicians were. Her hands fiddled anxiously with her skirt folds, her shoes clinking against one another.

And out they walked, and as they did the people in front of McQueen stood up, their clapping and shouting growing louder by the second. All in front of her stood bodies. She couldn’t get a good look, she swiveled her head around to try and sneak a look beside someone but with no dice. She was able to catch a glimpse of red and then black but nothing else. She grit her teeth, she wished she was taller. In fact she hadn’t noticed when she had shot up from her chair. She avoided her cousin's gazes and sat down again, smoothing her skirt and trying to look poised.

But god it was annoying, what if they went to Tracen? They were in the area, and they were racers. It wasn’t a bad idea.

As the people finally began to sit and part, McQueen got her look, and a good one she got.

The first member she saw was perhaps the most striking, even if the view was from the back. While everyone else in the group seemed to have mainly black hair, hers was silver, making her stand out from them like an odd duckling. And it fell cleanly down her back in very well manicured strands, flowing swiftly as she sauntered around the stage, her tail following as if like a pendulum. Through her tail and hair she had a single red tinsel strand. Everyone else in her group wore their own corresponding color.

McQueen reached for her own tinsel, her smile softening as she twirled it around her finger.

If her hair didn’t make her stand out her height would, she was tall. Really tall. Almost nearing 182 centimeters no doubt. Although she only caught a small look, when the person moved McQueen thought she saw platforms. They must’ve already been tall, did they really need more height?? And on top of height they also just seemed big, even as they wore loose clothing their build leaked out from the fabric. Betraying their strength.

Their outfit wasn't anything extravagant but it worked. A red top slightly cropped as the ends of it frayed, most likely intentional. They wore along with it a black ruffled skirt that almost completely covered the earlier black and red platforms. In their skirt dangled silver chains, no gold. Despite the name of the band, the member didn’t wear much of it. When she flicked her ears McQueen caught sight of her earrings swinging, also silver.

“She must be the singer,” Ryan commented in a hushed voice, as if scared to disrupt the band. “I’ve never seen her before.”

So she was the singer huh? McQueen narrowed her eyes, keen on observing more.

As the singer talked to her band members she seemed to laugh, throwing her head back. She was getting rather touchy with them all, lightly hitting them or ruffling their hair. She treated them almost how Ryan and Dober had treated her, like a family.

McQueen was still observing the singer when she turned around and her smile froze, she swore her heart stopped in that moment. It couldn’t be- it wasn’t.

Yet it was unmistakable, the lead singer had her eyes, her mouth, her nose. How had she not noticed the similarities in build, in height??

If McQueen ran out now would anyone blame her? No one would notice right?

But even as she panicked she couldn’t look away. She shared all her features yet she looked so different all the same. She wore makeup, makeup! Even McQueen rarely wore makeup, and if she did it was usually just a small bit of mascara or blush. But…this singer, this Gold Ship, she was wearing a dark maroon lipstick, and eyeshadow to match. And it looked good. Not something she would have hastily done, not a one time thing. It looked practiced, and perfected.

Did she actually wear makeup outside of school? Why hadn’t she said anything?

And it wasn’t just that, when Gold Ship readied her guitar her nails were that same maroon. It didn’t look like stick ons. McQueen didn’t know much about guitar but if she learned anything from trying to play Cello and Viola in her elementary school days, having stick ons would not be ideal. In fact less than ideal in many ways!

So once again she could only assume Gold Ship did her nails, and often. McQueen paused for a moment. That shade was familiar, it was the same shade Gold Ship had claimed was “paint.” The cogs began to turn in McQueens head. It meant that everyday she came to school with “paint” on her fingers she had actually been all dressed up for her band.

That liar. She had been in this band the whole time and never mentioned it once.

And lead singer? She had to be kidding. This was all a sick joke. She had heard Gold Ship sing, they had gone to karaoke with a bunch of their friends and she ended up kneeling down before McQueen and told her she would sing for her. Because she participated in winning concerts, and often she might add, she had assumed Gold Ship would be, frankly, good. But when she had opened her mouth an unholy sound erupted from within, she had decided to sing an English song with her voice in the completely wrong tone and entirely off beat. Since then she would offer to sing for them, a plus one for anything music related. And her friends and McQueen alike refused vehemently.

Was she actually good…? Or was it just another of her pranks? When they all started playing she would just be on the guitar, nothing else. That microphone in front of her was just for someone else to use. Yeah, that made sense.

McQueen stared, more than she was willing to admit. Gold Ship’s hair flowed freely, being unrestrained by the absence of her normal head gear, over her shoulders and chest, it swayed back and forth with every step…god was she repeating herself? Why did her clothing fit her so well?? Her makeup so well done, her nails manicured to perfection. A tight knot formed in McQueen’s chest, she felt…wrong. She averted her gaze, it was unbecoming of her. She could ignore her, if she did the knot disappeared, albeit still lingering in the dark.

She had felt it before. She mustn’t let it win.

Behind her Ryan and Dober were whispering among themselves, their eyes glancing back and forth between McQueen and the stage. Before long Dober nodded and Ryan reached out to tap McQueens shoulder.

“Is that Go- oh my god McQueen you look dead.” Dober chastised Ryan but it was the truth. When McQueen had turned to them her face was drained of blood, creating a pale and sickly look that when against her light hair she almost seemed to vanish. Her eyes hung low and her mouth still slightly agape.

When Dober and Ryan brought attention to it however McQueen tried to straighten up and coughed into her hand, “I’m fine. And…yes that is who you think it is.” She replied with anguish. But before Ryan or Dober could respond she slapped her face with both hands and almost slammed her head down on the table. Instead she gently lowered it so her face was spared another mark.

“McQueen?!” The two of them almost shouted, just barely keeping their voices down when they saw people glance over at them.

“I’m fine…” McQueen grumbled from under her breath. Clearly not fine.

Dober, who was sitting next to McQueen, began gently patting her on the head and combing through her hair. She looked over at Ryan with confusion, clearly not understanding the fuss. Ryan however seemed to understand slightly.

Up on the stage a loud crackle rang out, everyone in the diner turned to see a member of The Golden Silence standing before the microphone. They were shorter in stature and had glasses that hung low on their face. They had striking blue eyes that currently glared at Gold Ship, to which she subsequently shut up. Retreating back to her corner of the stage.

Her hair was black with a white underside along with a few white strands in the front, her ears a yellow hue. Her outfit was a black and green overcoat with thigh high platforms, her hair had a single green strand in it. She stared out at the crowd, her eyes surveying. “This is a rather large crowd.” Were her first words, her voice was soft yet didn’t shake. “Im glad you all have come out, it means a lot to us all. I hope that you will not just watch us, but the bands who play after us.” She bowed deeply, “I hope you continue to support us.”

The crowd erupted in quiet applause. Her politeness surprised McQueen, she thought anyone who would appear so close to Gold Ship- or someone who performed in this place would be rather brash, or share similar personality traits as the crowd. Yet her words were uniform and polite. McQueen liked that about her.

“Thankfully we have been able to set up without a hitch,” chimed in one of the others, she walked up from behind the polite Uma with a stern glance. Unlike many of her band mates she wore a white half suit with a short skirt and black high rise boots. One of the shoes was white. Her hair was mainly a ginger color with white strands. Her gaze traveled, just like the polite member, to Gold Ship. “Aneue is reluctant to mention the reason for a slow start last time, and the absence of a certain member. With her here now she should watch as her sins are recounted to the audience.” She looked out to the crowd, “As some of you remember our lead singer was absent last showing, that was because she had messed with our fog machine, setting the fire alarm off at her dorm and forcing an emergency evacuation. As punishment she had to serve a detention, causing her to miss our last show. She won’t do something so stupid again.”

McQueen didn’t look to see Gold Ship’s reaction, but she could guess. She was probably scratching the back of her head in a show of false remorse, her smile slight. Or she would’ve been denying it, her hand flapping as if dismissing the claims.

Dober stifled a laugh next to McQueen, she turned to McQueen, “Is that why we had to evacuate? Perhaps I was wrong, McQueen, I didn’t coin you the type to hang around delinquents.” Apparently Dober’s annoyance from the evacuation had faded, now she was afloat with ideas of McQueen’s social circle. McQueen didn’t want to comment on it, instead she tried to stay focused on the stage. Yet her face grew redder nonetheless.

Atop the stage the sterner Uma smacked Gold Ship square on the head, she stood shorter than Gold Ship and had to reach far above her own head to even make contact with Gold Ship.

Gold Ship vigorously rubbed the spot on her head where she had been violated. “Well to avoid a snooze fest, let’s let the show begin.” Gold Ship finally spoke up, choosing not to address the airing out of her crimes. and when she finished talking she picked up her guitar and played a loud and grating note. It rang throughout the small area, striking McQueen’s ears unpleasantly. It didn’t matter though, because the crowd cheered anyway.

“We will start with covers,” Said Aneue, or the polite Uma. McQueen felt better calling her by something resembling a name. “But after that short set if anyone has requests they can fire them off until the next band shows up. We won’t keep you all long.”

Everyone around McQueen including her cousins whooped and cheered at the announcement. But McQueen didn’t know how to feel. She still refused to look at Gold Ship, averting her eyes even when she placed herself at the center of the stage. She could only manage to look at her shoes. Her shoes looked of good quality, if she asked her would she tell of where she got them? Didn’t matter, she must forget the shoes, forget it! Forget it all!!! She doesn’t even know a Gold Ship!!!

“First song- a little bit of a downer, but I know some folks out there will like it. It was my own personal suggestion so I hope someone does.” Gold Ship’s voice carried across the crowds, eliciting a few laughs and groans alike from them.

McQueen dared to glance up, catching sight of Gold Ship’s hand on her guitar, one hand holding a pic. Her guitar was a dark red, and covered in stickers from the top to the bottom. McQueen swore one of the strings was broken.

Things had been going rather smoothly, no sudden pranks, shouting, nothing…crazy. McQueen could swear that was Gold Ship, looked like Gold Ship, sounded like Gold Ship, but she hardly acted like Gold Ship. Her smile was the same, her eyes had that same glint…

McQueen shook her head, attempting to rid herself of those thoughts.

Gold Ship struck the first cord.

This time it didn’t ring out like a broken microphone, but seemed more intentional, thought out. Will she actually be good? McQueen wondered.

For some reason she hoped she wasn’t.

Following Gold Ship’s lead her band mates struck their own instruments, before she
knew it the entire diner was filled with the noise of their music working in harmony, the polite Uma worked on a keyboard, the more Brash Uma played the guitar as well, her own a cheetah patterned one with yellowish orange color. Two other members that hadn’t talked much, one with a cop-ish style hat and one with a beanie, played the drums and bass guitar respectively.

They didn’t sound…bad. Sure it wasn’t music McQueen normally listened to but the people in the crowd seemed to be enjoying it, swaying back and bopping their heads to the steady beat. Ryan was no different. When McQueen turned behind her her cousin had gotten up and joined the crowd. She gripped her own arm, digging her nails into her skin. She was enjoying herself. Wanted to. But as that bright and loud center opened her mouth McQueen felt her stomach turn.

“1,2,3,4!” She shouted, loud enough to make McQueen’s ears wilt. At her call everyone changed their tune, the beat changing slightly as the song seemed to finally begin.

“There’s a party and we’re all going and we’re all growing up,”

Her voice was quiet to start, but McQueen had never heard her sing like this, it was anxious and it was ready and it was filled with a grief that wasn’t ever present in her before. A grief that appeared the minute she began to sing, her smile had faded and her hands moved without hesitation over her guitar. The crowd had since gone silent.

The song moved fast, lyrics rushing one after the other to take its spot as the next one to leave her mouth. McQueen could only stare. It took a few lines for her to fully pay attention again, and by then Gold Ship’s voice was shaking with control, she slowly got louder and louder as she sang the lyrics with renewed vigor.

“Cause we’ve tried hungry, and we’ve tried full, and nothing seems enough,”

Her voice rose sharply on the last word, it wasn't a voice crack, it was deliberate. She repeated it continuously throughout the song. Her hands glided across the guitar strings, her playing was rough, yet it matched the song in a way.

Had she ever seen Gold Ship practice? She had seen her hands covered in bandages, claiming she got in a scuffle with a raccoon. Was that another coverup? Keeping McQueen farther from finding out. Farther from this version of herself.

“So tonight, tonight the boys are gonna go for more, more, more”

Gold Ship lifted her hand from her guitar and took a hold of the microphone in front of her, leaving her band mates to pick up her slack. She seemed to fill with new energy, and she smiled.

McQueen’s breath hitched, it was so similar to that same smirk she always gave her, yet it was filled with another layer of longing, her eyes half shut. Her chest rose as her lungs let her belt out the next notes.

“And I want a love that falls as fast as a body from the balcony, and I want a kiss like my heart is hitting the ground.”

No matter how morbid her words were, her smile stayed. Even though she was far away, even though she wasn’t singing, McQueen felt it contagious. Her own face contorted in a way she was hesitant to call a smile. Why did she feel so awful. Like she was intruding on some secret thing she was never meant to see. She wasn’t welcome here, her body was screaming for her to leave but she couldn’t move. She was stuck to her chair. Her hand tightened around her arm.

A sick part of her relished in the disgust she felt, she couldn’t look away, yet she needed to, this wasn't her show to see.

“Im holding my breath with a baseball bat though I don’t know what I'm waiting for,”

“I am not going to be what my daddy wants me to be,”

Her voice hushed, the words slowing ever slightly as her hands reached back to her guitar. Her eyes staring at the ground before her. Her voice was shaking again, slipping slightly from her control, yet it was still that same power that demanded a crowd to listen.

Before McQueen knew it the song was over. People were clapping. They stood up, shouting as the band prepared for the next song, the members shifting positions slightly. She stayed in the center.

She was good.

“Pretty good for someone who missed the last show!” Screamed someone from the audience, their laugh almost drowned out by the cheers around them.

McQueen stole a glance, her chest only tightening. On her face was a smile so bright it was almost blinding, her hands clutched onto the guitar she held harder. Her response lost to McQueen’s ears, was Ryan trying to get her attention? All she heard was a low ringing.

“Next one was also my pick, I think you'll start to see a trend. It’s short, and don’t worry, after this I had no jurisdiction.”

The crowd's reactions were again very scattered.

Another heavy beat, this one sounding more sporadic, but just as dreadfully melancholy. It wasn’t just that, it was louder. McQueen hoped her ears didn’t burst.

“Im not doing anything, im not doing anything,”

Her voice was rising with every word, but not as a note change but volume. She was getting louder and louder. Her face contorted as she belted out the lyrics, her arms swinging violently against her guitar. It was no surprise a string had broken.

McQueen wished she could quiet everything around her, for goodness sake why were they so loud? Her sweater felt uncomfortable against her body, even if it was separated by a thin layer its fabric almost seemed to be strangling her, tightening to torment her.

“My body’s made of crushed little stars, and I'm not doing anything.”

“I wanna see the whole world. I wanna see the whole world, I don’t know how im gonna pay rent I wanna see the whole world,”

“Would you kill me, in Jerusalem?”

“Kill me in Jerusalem, Kill me in Jerusalem,”

“Come find me.”

Gold Ship swayed on stage, her tail peaking out from behind her skirt, she glanced over to the drummer, a smile on her face. Before she then looked back at the microphone, her voice the loudest it had been all night, she was screaming now, yet it wasn’t unpleasant.

“I better ace that interview, I better ace that interview, I should tell them that I'm not afraid to die,”

“I better ace that interview,”

She took a breath, renewing herself for more.

“I work better under a deadline,”

Her whole being shook desperately, desperate to get its word out, to speak to shout to be loud.

“I work better under a deadline,”

“I pick an age when I’m gonna disappear,”

She dragged out that last word, staring down at the crowd, her eyes glossing over them, looking through them. McQueen felt a shiver run down her spine.

“until then I can try again.”

“Kill me in Jerasulam,”

“Kill me in Jerasulam,”

“Kill me in Jerasulam,”

“Please, kill me.”

Her voice shriveled, and she quieted, her energy drained. She stared down at the stages floor, breathing heavily, catching herself. Her eyes blurred the ground below her, sweet dripping down to steal her gaze. She hadn’t screamed that loud in a while, her lungs were tired, her vocal cords begging for rest. Her chest heaved as she greedily stole air to feel normal again. Her guitar had gone limp in her hands.

For a while there was silence, and then cheering. The crowd clapped and shouted their praises. She felt a smile creep to her lips, and she peace signed. She never got this drained from training, not even from a race. This was different, it was exhilarating.

She was still trying to grasp what had happened, but she got the gist. Her mind just needed to catch up. They had done well, she knew they would. But it was surprising all the same.

McQueen stayed seated as those around her stood once again. She stared down at her shoes. She had chosen them because they were new and hadn’t yet but covered in grime, she liked that new shine they had. Her eyes blurred the shoes so that they only appeared like muddled smears, blots of paint attempting to garner a shape. Something whole.

Her mind couldn’t help but torment her. Thinking of Gold Ship’s performance. Why did it feel that when she was on that stage, even though she played for a crowd, it was like she was all alone?

Why did McQueen feel as if she was intruding on a secret she was never meant to see? She had only ever known the Gold Ship who messed around, carrying herself with the dignity of an uncivilized animal. Pulling pranks and skipping training. Fooling around in class and getting herself in trouble. Getting other people in trouble.

Maybe the stage was where she belonged, a crowd to watch her perform, unassociated with racing, and with grades. She was a new person up there, and she looked happy. Happier than McQueen had ever seen her. Away from the people at Tracen Academy.

McQueen hastily got up, she saw her chance. She tapped Ryan and Dober on the shoulders, they both turned to her, still relishing in the show as their eyes gleamed in the light, “It’s late, I need to go.” She hastily said, avoiding their eyes, their calls not reaching her ears.

“The next song—-fenomeno suggested——hope you like it!”

McQueen shuffled through the shouting crowds to the doors, squeezing herself out. The bells jingling after her.

A certain singer looked over, her eyes only catching the glimpse of a retreating tail.