ROCK QUEEN

 Today,   this   early   morning   where   the   sky   was   painted   with   colors   of   pink,   yellow   and   purple   he   decided   to   join   her. Guitar   beside   them   as   his   head   lay   in   her   lap.   A single hand behind her frame holding herself up as her gaze was  on   the   ever   expanding   depths   of   the   badlands   seeing   the   small   waves   of   heat   that   were   sure   to   come   to   camp   in   a   few   hours   time.   Soft   humming   of   an   unreleased   song   coming   from   her.   One   hand   lightly   tapping   a   matching   rhythm   on   the   back   of   his   hand.   ❝   I   see   smoke   on   top   of   the   hill   and   I   wonder   if   this   world   could   be   more.   My   life   is   now   but   I   can't   help   but   want   to   live   in   a   time   before.   All   we   see   is   a   man   who   wants   to   drain   the   desert   storms   for   a   lil   bit   of   gold. ❞   Soft   quiet   singing   falls   past   her   lips   in   the   tune   she   was   previously   humming.   Words   finally   finding   their   way   to   the   melodic   and   calculated   tune   she   had   been   humming.   A   few   moments   pass   in   silence   with   a   smile   humming   a   bit   more   still   lacking   every   single   word   as   she   looks   at   him.   Mind   always   pondering   bouncing   and   holding   words   against   the   big   corporations   and   after   a   moment   she   hesitates.   Tapping   on   his   hand   stopping   as   her   eyes   close,   a   deep   inhale   of   what   they   call   the   smell   of   ozone   after   a   storm.   Hand   moving    to   rest   on   his  cheek with  a   warm   nature   she   often   did   not   hold.   ❝ Think   this   sunrise   deserves   more   than   a   song   about   a   corpo.   Not   a   lot   of   good   sunrises   like   this   one   anymore,   least   not   with   good   company.   ❞ 

The   corners   of   Andromeda's   lips   curve   into   a   bright   smile   at   his   words.   That   is   exactly   what   she   wanted   to   hear.   Andromeda   was   always   careful   with   who   she   let   do   work   for   her,   in   most   cases   she   would   handle   things   on   her   own   but   this,   it   was   a   deeper.   This   wannabe   corpo   talent   agent   crossed   a   line,   and   she   was   going   to   make   sure   they   knew   they   crossed   the   wrong   person.   Hence   the   voicemail   left   for   V,   she   had   heard   good   things   about   them.   ❝   You   darling,   knew   exactly   what   to   say.   ❞   Without   hesitating   bright   chrome   bag   is   open   and   she   places   a   shard   on   the   table.   That   was   all   it   took,   that   and   a   few   good   words   from   close   friends   and   Kerry,   Andy   knew   she   could   trust   V.   And   if   she   couldn't   well,   she   had   things   to   take   care   of   loose   ends.      ❝This   guy   is   an   up   and   coming   talent   agent   for   MSM,   tried   to   cut   me   a   deal   and   when   I   do   what   I   always   do   he   retaliated.   Hired   someone   to   steal   something   important   from   me.   Ironically   he   also   invited   me   to   a   party   tonight   and   we   are   gonna   steal   it   back.   That   shard   has   his   personal   information,   and   the   layout   to   his   house.   Fuck   the   chain,   cut   out   a   link   before   it   fucking   even   has   a   chance   to   connect.   ❞         

As   she   takes   a   sip.   of   her   wine   and   Kim   starts   talking   there   is   a   sigh   that   falls   past   Andy's   lips.   They   got   along   well,   and   frankly   Andromeda   enjoyed   the   prespectives   that   Kim   brought   her.   However,   her   blunt   honesty   especially   about   certain   people   and   their   presences   in   her   life   wasn't   always   the   most   welcome.   ❝   Kimmy   I   know.   Trust   me   I   do   but   it's   not   my   party.   ❞   There   is   a   small   pause,   something   tells   her   she   doesn't   know   about   Us   Cracks   yet.   Andromeda   had   met   with   the   girls   and   helped   them   with   one   of   their   songs   just   after   they   got   in   touch   with   Kerry.   And   that's   when   she   was   invited   and   when   she   heard   about   the   song.   Chrome   pink   nails   tapping   along   the   table   before   tucking   back   her   hair.   No   reason   to   skirt   around   it.      ❝I   think   this   may   be   a   launch   party   for   a   song   that   Us   Cracks   and   Kerry   made   together.   I   could   be   wrong   but   Blue   Moon   was   kind   of   hinting   at   it   during   our   writing   session.   I   want   you   to   be   prepped   if   you're   my   plus   one.   That's   all.❞         

While   there   is   a   smile   on   her   feautres   Andromeda   can't   help   but   feel   a   small   twinge   of   worry   and   guilt.   V   was   a   good   friend,   had   been   for   some   time   now   she   had   heard   what   was   happening.   Perks   of   being   close   to   Misty   and   Vik.   But,   there   were   some   things   that   should   not   be   brought   up   unless   someone   else   is   comfortable   telling   you,   this   was   one   of   those   times.   As   her   arms   find   their   way   around   the   other   woman   she   embraces   her   tightly.   Small   frame   suddenly   seeming   far   larger   in   the   warmth   she   had.   ❝   I   promise   V,   but   you   don't   have   to   worry.   It's   just   another   contract   meeting,   and   I   am   going   to   light   that   contract   on   fire   and   throw   it   at   the   jack   ass   trying   to   give   it   to   me.   ❞As   Andromeda   releases   V   she   keeps   her   hands   on   her   shoulders.   A   light   squeeze   before   hesitating   for   a   moment,   Leaving   things   like   this,   it   didn't   feel   right   or   how   they   should.   So,   there   had   to   be   something   she   hadn't   taken   care   of.   But   nothing   was   coming   to   mind   just   yet   so   instead   she   makes   a   simple   offer.   ❝How   about   instead   I   just   call   you   after   and   I   treat   you   to   one   of   those   nice   resturants?   Think   we   both   could   use   a   break   huh   ?❞      

❝   Well,   could   be   argued   just   depends   on   if   you're   trying   to   live   as   yourself   or   as   an   image.         ❞   It   was   honest,   but   also   very   on   brand   for   Andromeda   Sinclair,   honest   about   everything.   She.   had   lived   a   life   that   warranted   that   though,   and   warranted   the   wisdom   in   her   eyes   and   skill   with   a   guitar   and   piano.   Seeing   first   hand   the   damage   that   corpos   and   death   could   cause   she   was   intentional   about   any   and   everything   she   did   and   was   honest   and   blunt   about   it.               ❝Touche,   I   have   talked   to   them   they   do   seem   to   be   doing   a   bit   better   now,   with   age   and   all.   Shame   Johnny   never   got   the   chance   to   be   a   mature   adult   like   the   rest   of   the   world.      ❞         A   small   giggle   before   sighing   softly.   And   then   it   hits   her   for   a   moment,   the   statement   about   Johnny   seemed   to   be   more   personal.   Head   lifting   for   a   moment   studying   the   other   girls   face   carefully.   Curiosity   on   her   face   before   taking   a   moment   to   send   a   holo   to   her   voicemail.   A   slight   tick   upwards   of   her   mouth   before   glancing   at   the   time.         ❝      Speak   like   you   or   someone   close   to   you   knew   him.   I   hope   my   comment   didn't   cross   a   line.   But,   I   do   have   some   questions   for   you,   want   to   join   me   for   a   late   dinner?   ❞

Fingers   curling   around   the   paper   he   gave   her   again   neatly   folding   it   and   sliding   it   into   a   pocket   of   her   pants.   As   he   speaks   about   knowing   a   place   her   features   light   up.   Hand   grabbing   a   classic,   vintage   guitar   before   rolling   her   eyes   and   shaking   her   head.               ❝You   say   that   like   I   hate   driving   with   you.   But   I   couldn't   think   of   a   better   way   to   spend   my   time.      ❞         It's   true,   she   loves   when   they   get   on   the   road,   it's   beautiful   out   here.   The   badlands,   Pacifica,   all   of   the   world   had   beauty   in   it.   It   was   just   a   matter   of   letting   yourself   see   it   and   accept   it   in   Andromeda's   eyes.   Stuff   could   be   real   bad   but   if   you   saw   the   beauty,   you   would   always   have   motivation   to   pull   a   gun   in   an   Arasaka   meeting   room,   at   least   that   was   her   philosophy.   And,   more   importantly,   Andromeda   trusts   him.   That   was   hard   especially   given   how   expressly   anti-everything   she   was.   People   wanted   to   hurt   her,   some   would   stop   at   nothing.   so   trusting   someone   as   much   as   she   trusted   him   was   a   statement   for   her.   It   spoke   volumes   about   the   others   character   as   well   and   he   was   one   of   few   Andy   could   read   as   good,   to   the   very   core.            ❝      You   always   know   the   exact   thing   I   need.   I   am   already   starting   to   feel   the   creative   wall   falling   apart.   So,   onward.   And   if   you   don't   mind   driving   I   got   a   rift   in   my   head   I   think.   The   drive   might   help   me   finalize   it   and   piece   it   together.   ❞