This song is for the people who live this dream.

[against_all_trouble]

Arthur Black was sitting on the couch trying to tune his guitar, but his perpetually-indecisive roommate has decided that this week she is a singer again.

"Come on, Art, I'm a good singer!" Suzy pleads with big eyes and a bigger wave.

"Suze. That is not the thing that worries me, Suze," Arthur says as he sets down his guitar to the side, "The thing that worries me is that this week you want to sing and the next you'll be back to sculpture. Or painting. Or found-object collages. Or interpretive-freaking-dance!"

"Interpretive dance is silly, Art, why would I do that? And anyway, you know you want to try some of the vocals you wrote ♫ for ♫ high ♫ voices! ♫"

That's two things Arthur is not good at refusing: chances to show off and requests from Susanna Blue. The look he gives back, though, is definitely a scowl. Not a smirk at all. "One of these days, you're going to wear out your welcome... with everyone but me. OK, show up to tonight's practice a little after we start, I'll bring the guys around."

"Yay! You're still the best, Art." She really is happy, that hug was only about a third tackle.

---

Practice comes and goes, and the rest of No Rainbows goes along with Suzy's request. Arthur isn't explicitly in charge, but he's a big personality and the group started out of bluegrass jam sessions he organized, so they're used to following his lead. And her voice is pretty good.

A couple nights later, they are all setting up in the back of an Atlanta restaurant. Suzy's helping Arthur set up the amps while there's still space to move things around near the stage while the other three tune up.

Comments

[against_all_trouble]

Not having tried to do magic much before, Arthur is blissfully unaware that he's made Erica look bad. He'll just keep standing here and holding his friend close and feeling incredibly relieved.

Not that long later, Arthur pulls back and looks Suzy over. She's heavily bruised, but there's no obvious signs of anything more serious.
"Suze, we should probably get going. We think they might be able to track us here. Can you handle going down some stairs?"

[ladysunday]

Suzy is exhausted, not to mention confused, but at least everything feels deadened and distant; she's hurting a little just standing up, but she can handle it.

"I... Yeah. The pain's not too bad. But I might need help not falling."

[sing_for_the_tears]

Erica evaluates the bags. Her: backpack. Arthur: at least also a guitar. Yeah, this one's on her, isn't it.

She scoots over next to them. "I can help with the stairs; Zach, wanna grab your stuff and follow?"

[ladysunday]

"Thanks. Except... Zach?"

She hobbles over toward Erica and the door.

[against_all_trouble]

"We're not using our old names in case they could be listening. Call me Zach and her Morgan. You should pick a new name yourself, but no hurry."

He gets his bag and guitar and heads down the stairs.

[sing_for_the_tears]

Erica smiles grimly. "I've been callin' him Zach like it's my job. Gettin' in the habit, y'know?" She grabs Suzy under the closest arm and helps haul her towards outside and the car. "Zach, got a hand free t'check us out? Or I can do it once we're downstairs."

[ladysunday]

Suzy's pretty out of it, but follows, mostly conscious.

[against_all_trouble]

"Half a hand, at least. I'll get it."

Arthur collects his guitar and the rest of the things and shuffles out to close things out.

A few moments after Suzy and Erica, he gets down the stairs and tosses stuff into the trunk.

He slides into the driver's seat. "Alright, let's put some distance behind us."

See you, Atlanta.