A Singer & A Fan - audrey_xo_

Genres: Yuri, Romance, Drama, Historical

(TW: Blood, Brief mention of sui*ide)

Chapter 1

The dazzling blonde singer slowly rocked back and forth and murmured into her mic. "You're making all of my dreams come true."

"So come what may..." She sang and shut her eyes for a moment, her thick, long eyelashes batting.

Annie opened them as she looked up at the dim lights that hung from the ceiling. "I want you to know. I'm yours alone."

She looked at her audience as she sang. "Cause' I'm in love to stay."

The blonde beauty took a breath and held the mic gently. "As we go through the years, day by day."

The Blazer violinists behind her played their instruments intensely as the song went into the instrumental break.

Annie let go of the mic, put her hands together, and slowly rocked back and forth. The fringes on her short red dress moved with her and the sequins reflected the dim lights, sending flashes of shine into the audience.

When the instrumental break ended Annie gently held the mic with both of her hands. Her glistening light green eyes seemed to look directly at me as she sang. "I'm yours alone, 'cause I'm in love to stay."

In that small, intimate moment I felt as though I had been accepted by one of Fuli's angelic Travelers of Yor. Despite my depravity in the past I felt as though I could live on as a blundering fool hopelessly devoted to a woman of immense beauty with a heart where lilies, orchids, and, kindness grew and flourished.

That moment of bliss didn't last long as she then shut her eyes, cutting off our connection, looked down sadly and murmur-sang the last line into the mic. "As we go through the years, day by day."

The band of Blazers behind her strummed their violins as they closed out the song.

The audience went wild in a mixture of applause and cheers. Annie smiled at her fans and said. "Thank you." in her fake, mature talking voice.

Just like that I had fallen more in love.

*

The club's lights were still dimmed so it was hard to make out the brown wallpaper filled with gold peacock feather prints that hugged the wall across from my seat.

Somewhere behind me I halfway heard the bartender and a drunk Blazer talk after the bartender ignored or didn't catch the woman's attempt to flirt with her earlier.

It was an hour after Annie's performance and I was starting to grow tired of the jazz band that played after and the rowdiness of the Hampsur Blazers. More arrived to get a drink during their Friday night excursions and after someone joked about a Nori's regular getting captured by K.U.D.D (Klassikam Undercover Deportation Department) phrases like: "If war breaks out we'll show those Fulians a manner or two." or "This wonderful country would definitely share resources if Fuli needed it, unlike those prickly Fulians. No wonder the smart dames are splitting to smuggle themselves here." were thrown around casually.

If only these women knew the horrors their "wonderful country" puts those Fulians through once they get caught. I bet some wouldn't even care since once they figure out we're from Fuli we're basically seen as aliens to them.

I finished the rest of my Shirley Temple and grabbed my black and gold Nordamu purse. I got up, pushed my chair in and started walking towards the club's exit when I heard the bartender call out to me from somewhere to my left. "Hey, doll."

I looked over. The bartender, a tall woman with brown skin in the standard bartender uniform and an array of gold accessories, was now being left alone by the drunk Blazer.

I walked up to the bar and said. "Yeah?"

She pointed towards a black door by the bar with her thumb. "Someone's waiting out back for you."

I must've given her a confused look cause she started trying to sell me on the idea of going out there. "The dame's very special. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity."

This sounds fishy but I've never seen muggers who use rich bartenders as their cover. It's a very novel way of doing things.

I sighed. "I'm going."

As I walked towards the door the bartender winked at me. "You won't regret it."

I have a sneaking feeling my wallet will.

I waved my hand dismissively at the bartender and put the same hand on the cold, gold door knob.

I opened the door, walked outside, and closed the door behind me. I was in the dark alley in between the Blazer club, Nori's and the tobacconists' shop beside it. There were big green trash cans directly in front me with a few cardboard boxes stacked beside it. Everything was slightly damp as it had rained around lunch time. I heard a loud noise from my left and saw a young woman in an old sweater and dirty slacks throwing a black trash bag in the trash cans further down the alley. She was probably closing up the tobacconists' shop.

Doubt she's the one waiting for me. Muggers don't usually wear this familiar 'It's the last hour of my shift and I'm barely hanging on' kind of expression.

I waited for about a minute, grew bored, and started walking towards the street. I stopped in front of a large puddle and looked down at my reflection. Weary obsidian-like eyes looked back at me.

What do I have to lose...My life of horrendous crimes and misdeeds all wiped away by a judge in the Azurr- No The Doctor's pocket. My life is worth nothing...

I sighed and looked ahead at the street prepared to wait another few minutes until my vision darkened.

"Guess who~" Sang a familiar high, airy voice from behind me.

Annie!?! Is it really her??? H-her hands are almost touching my face!

The woman who was possibly the blonde singer I was madly in love with removed her hands that were obstructing my view. I turned around quickly.

Standing there with her hands behind her back was a beautiful woman with curled blonde hair that went to her chin, pale skin, big green eyes, a mole under her left eye and long eyelashes. She had switched outfits and was now wearing a short black dress with fringe and a strip of sequin around the shoulder and the bottom of the dress. She also wore black fishnet tights, black heeled boots, long mesh black gloves, an assortment of silver and black bracelets, a white beaded necklace, a black sequin headband, and had a black and silver purse on her right shoulder.

"Annie...Am I really the woman you wanted to meet?" I stammered.
I'm just a random Hampsur girl...Surely, I'm dreaming. Or maybe this is a stunt double playing a cruel joke...

The pretty singer clapped her hands and exclaimed. "Yes! I've noticed you've been at every performance I've ever done. You're my most avid fan!"

"I suppose you could say that..." I murmured.

She pointed at me with a finger gun. "I think a fan like you deserves a prize."

"To meet you?"

"Nope. We are going to spend some time together."

What? How is this real?!?

I stared at her for a second before I asked. "Really?"

Annie giggled to herself and then nodded. "Honestly, I've been intrigued by you for a while now. I just felt nervous coming up to a fan."

I felt my face heat up as I murmured. "Thanks...for finding me intriguing."

She closed her eyes as she smiled at me. "Mhm. So do you find me intriguing enough to spend time with?" She asked as she pointed at her face.

My idol's arm fell back to her side as she opened her eyes. Her smile turned into a small frown. "Or do you happen to be preoccupied right now?"

She's so cute....

"No! I'm freer than a Blazer on a Monday. Let's hang out!" I exclaimed speedily.

Annie giggled at me again and raised her right hand and arm in a flamboyant, Raiment kind of way. "Great! I know the perfect starting point for our night out."

"The bus stop should be just down the street." She said while pointing behind me.

I waved my hand. "We don't have to take the bus. I can drive us wherever you want to go...if you're okay with that."

"Of course! The bus always smells horrific and it's always crowded.

I sighed. "I haven't been on one in awhile but that definitely sounds like the NET experience."

My idol nodded, looked past me for a moment and asked. "Is your car parked on the street?"

"It is..." I paused for a moment as I thought about Annie switching outfits (I would've looked at her outfit in this moment but I felt like that would've seemed a little odd.)

"What is it?" She asked.

"Do you mind if we make a quick stop by my apartment?"

I looked down at my outfit. It was a vintage black and (fake) gold military jacket with a (fake) gold rose peeking out of the pocket and a chain attached from the pocket to the top button, a long black pleated skirt, and black dress shoes. To compliment my clothes I wore small gold and black earrings, my Nordamu purse, and some gold rings.

Sort of cool, but not exactly me.

"I'm actually not a Blazer...or a Raiment. I'm kind of in the middle, so I'd like to change into something mo-" Annie suddenly put her finger on my lip which caused me to shut up.

She chided me in a sing-songy voice. "You shouldn't have told me that. When it comes to guests, only Blazers are allowed in Nori's."

The pretty singer moved her hand back to her side as I processed what she just said. "You're really going to tattle on your most avid fan?" I blurted.

Why did I say that?!? Now she's going to think I'm conceited...

Annie gave me a small smile. "Don't worry. I was only kidding."

She continued on. "You looked so sad. I feel bad now."

"It's ok. Life without your performances just flashed before my eyes and it looked quite...bleak." I murmured.

Despite my depressing comment my idol giggled. "I didn't know my little performances were the light in someone's life."

I took a deep breath and looked directly into Annie's eyes as I stated. "It's true. You being here every Friday keeps me going. You're my light."

A light red peeked out from behind her blush touched pink cheeks as she held her left hand with her right one. "T-Thank you." She stammered.

I nodded. There was a small bit of silence before the pretty singer waved her hands at me. "Let's get walking already! We've got a night to burn!"

I felt myself smile as I said. "Sure. My apartment is just down the street." I pointed to my right.

"Excellent!" She exclaimed as I turned around to start walking towards the street.

Annie speedily walked to my left side and took my hand in hers.

Hand holding???

Her eyes closed as she smiled at me. "I'm so excited to show you my favorite places."

I nodded. "I'm excited too..."

My idol giggled at me as she sort of pulled me towards the street. We were further down the alleyway where the moon's casted light was more prominent than the dim lights around the back doors of the establishments attached by the alley.

I glanced at Annie's smiling face illuminated by the moonlight.

She...she's glowing. This is really happening. This really isn't a dream. I'm really about to hangout with the woman I've been in love with since high school.

I had enjoyed all of Annie's cabaret performances but those were little moments in a long, arduous year. Now, I felt hopeful for the first time in a long time. Hopeful that things could actually change for me.

The little time we've spent together makes me want to be greedy...I want to go on real dates, get married, and maybe buy a house together. Am...Am I allowed to be greedy?

When we got to the street the pretty singer froze up and I almost ran into her because of it. I let go of her hand, walked up beside her, and glanced at her face.

Her smile had transformed into an intense frown as her eyes clouded and her eyebrows knotted up.

Fear.

I looked to where she was looking and saw the normal 10 p.m. Hampsur scene. Blazers mucked about all over the street either smoking or talking. The occasional Raiment joined them providing a nice change of pace from the boring suits and sweaters.

Wait...the three women standing around the laundromat. Mauve lapels, black suit, heather handkerchief...The Boucher Family!

I remembered Kazuko's friend Esme's bruised and battered face. A black eye, a swollen cheek, and a missing right ear. She refused to tell us anything but assumptions could be made easily since she tried to swindle a Boucher about five days ago and disappeared the next day only to be found like this.

Annie would never get involved with scum like that.

I looked at the pretty singer's face and she was still frozen in fear.

Or maybe she stumbled into trouble? If that's the case I will protect her.

I felt my knees slightly buckle and my vision blurred for a moment after that thought.

For Annie, I will be strong.

I took a deep breath and took my idol's hand. "Do!"

She looked at me as I continued on, now a little embarrassed about my sudden outburst. "D-do you want to walk the long way? There's a beautiful statue of Mayor Colette in the park across Barri Avenue."

The pretty singer looked ahead for a moment, looked back at me, and then spoke slowly as the color returned to her face. "Sure. I'd...love to see it."

Annie turned around to look down the alley to see what I was talking about. I followed suit and we stood like that for a moment until she looked at me, a familiar smile back on her face.

"Well, let's go!

*

mini glossary for some terms:

Raiment - These women strive to be cute or beautiful. They value fellow Raiments, fashion, and social status the most. They can be seen as cold or condescending but Raiments from Hampsur or Sèche often break this stereotype.

Blazer - These women strive to be cool or suave. They value romantic connections, goals, and literature the most. They are often seen as abrasive but get meek when flirted with. Blazers from the Jubilee often break this stereotype.

K.U.D.D - A group of Fulians that are loyal to Klassikam. They often use espionage to capture Fulians that haven't already been deported.

Prosperina -  Proserpina is a planet that was discovered by 20 women escaping from war on Earth. Most of these women injected a Proserpina plant serum into their bodies that took away their need to eat, and gave them a way to have children (only girls) asexually, and extend their lifespan by two times the normal amount.

Decades after the planet's discovery the women were starting to separate into 2 groups. 1 of the groups valued science, community, and modernism. This group stayed near their rocket and created the country Fuli. The other group valued commerce, industrialization, and nostalgia. This group traveled East and created the country Klassikam. 

This story is set in Klassikam, 100s of years after the countries established themselves, in a time where Earth and it's people have been subtly erased from the public consciousness. It's a tumultuous time as it's been exactly 10 years since a terrorist attack that caused the country to lose 75% of it's energy reserves. Fuli refused to aid the country in their time of need and recently propaganda has been publicized throughout the cities of Klassikam. Tensions are especially high in New Edith, a city where the small number of Fulians living in Klassikam congregated before they were seen as enemies and banned from the country.

A/N: heyhey :) hope u liked this introduction to this whole new world and the v complicated characters this short story will focus on :D