The name's Instinct, nice to meet ya! 90% nerd 10% done with the world's shit (not y'all, you're amazing! ❤️) . Lives in Germany. Welp, fandom trash in front of you! Multifandom fangirl of everything awesome! 😁 🐮🦔🦉 (pfp done with https://picrew.me/image_maker/1175508 )
Funny enough, inspired by my own thoughts here, so have the absolute chaos of Arora and Hemlock realizing they might be in over their heads for this one...
Set me Free (but not for long)
This was not what he was expecting to immediately hear the moment the tracklist came up in Dancerush Stardom after the trio linked up the arcade cabinets they were standing on, let alone picked by someone completely new to the game.
But here he is, hearing the first beats of Set me Free, one of the games Boss Songs and the one missing the illusive EXC mark for a full perfect combo on Charlie's account Undead_Dancer, coming from the speakers of the three matched up cabinets in the arcade that he invited the rest of the band to. Hovered over by none other than Hemlock. He only looks over in absolute shock and frustration at the tall australian that is Dead as Disco's bassist.
This will not end well.
"This sounds cool", he hears the voice of his friend and bandmate seconds before he hits the Select button and the screen gets briefly illuminated by flame animations on the side with an accompanying air horn sound. The song was chosen.
Set me Free by kors-k vs BEMANI Sound Team "L.E.D."
A boss song. Level 10. The most brutal Level 10.
Alright, Standby in the Center of the stage!
was the announcement of the game, showing some additional safety tips while the cabinets load in the map.
"It's your funeral dude", Charlie sights before turning his attention back to his screen. Despite the clear rule to ask him beforehand in case someone wants to pick a song to avoid any and all Boss Songs, but here they are.
They avoided Let me see you Dance thanks to Arora asking before not choosing the song, but couldn't avoid the OG boss track thanks to Hemlock.
Arora and Hemlock don't even know what's coming up, let alone how to play the game, now standing on the dancepads next to him, about to face one of the infamous two boss tracks that challenge even the most skilled players.
And this is their intro to one of Charlie's favorite rhythm games.
... And a chance at an EXC for himself.
Not to mention hearing the small crowd of regulars and fellow Dancerush players who know Charlie not from his band, but from the hours spending time together in this very arcade grinding the songs in search of high scores and style, cheering his player name in-between the people cheering for him, Hemlock or Arora.
This is not Charlie Disco from the famous band Dead as Disco for them.
This is Undead_Dancer, Dancer mostly for short, a fellow DRS player and one of the aces of the arcade in the game.
They want to see that EXC coming from their fellow player.
Ready? Go!
The game announced and the song begins.
This is it - no return to the menu for any of them.
Both Arora and Hemlock definitely were into for too much that they can handle.
Missed steps, broken combos and a lot of shouting in frustration by both of them, but both of them held on decently. Arora moreso than Hemlock due to her being an AI.
Meanwhile with Charlie it was full on concentration. The steps and improvised flourishes sharply matching the song, each step, slide, down and jump lighting up the pad beneath his feet and the screen in front of him with perfects while the driving beat was basically fighting him like in a boss fight.
One Great or lower and the EXC is gone. Maybe even forever. But that's not a thought Charlie spend even a millisecond on.
The crowd around the four cabinets was getting louder with each section of the song played through, cheering the three players on.
The last note of the song came up and with it, the results a few seconds later.
Both Arora and Hemlock managed to get through with the blue CLEAR flourish on screen signaling that they made it through, with three stars and one star respectively and both are out of breath and visibly trying not to collapse immediately, but they made it, the crowd around them cheering for both of them loudly.
But the cheers were the loudest at the most right hand side of the crowd as the neon pink and yellow EXCELLENT flourish came up on screen at the end of the song, making not just only the crowd jump up and scream in excitement, but also an overjoyed and happy, although also frustrated, scream came from Charlie himself.
"Goddamn FINALLY!", a mix out of relief, frustration and exhaustion made itself immediately noticeable in his voice as the results showed up. "Holy shit, this took ages!", he shouts, before letting out an exhausted scream after shortly crouching down on the dancepad in disbelief.
Prophet and Dex, who were watching the entire thing from a distance were sorta impressed. Prophet definitely moreso than Dex, but that's not saying much a lot of times.
Meanwhile Charlie's currently getting swarmed by his fellow arcade players congratulating him on the result, especially some of the other players who got through the same song earlier, while the rest of the band's waiting to get over to the bar of the Arcade to pick up something to drink and take a break.
But that's something that's going to take a while.
Just a random thought, but rhythm beat em up crossover (with two honorable mentions in there) in which Peppermint decided to fine tune the temporal displacement feature of 808, just to tune it a bit too well, to the point it drags in a resurrected legendary drummer, a two piece band consisting out of a guitarist and drummer, a delinquent vocalist and a literal mute demon (the first and last ones come with floating sidekicks in form of a skull looking like a disco ball and a winged demon skull). Not to mention the entire group can freely travel between those areas on top of that.
There's legit almost no braincell between these guys at times 🤣
(also yes, that's partially where my hc of that idiot ain't having any other candids outside than being a motion blur, eating or having an absolute stupid/affectionately expression is coming from)
Charlie being the most popular DaD member not by being a talented drummer and looking jaw-droppingly hot and handsome in photoshoots and/or event pictures, but by being the absolute sweetest guy (and sometimes oblivious idiot for comedic moments) around
You can't tell me the fan interactions with Charlie wouldn't go viral on how cute and wholesome they are
OH MY GOSH HE WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A DORK TALKING TO FANS PLSSS THAT'S SO CUTEEEEE you know hes That good when the fans are more endeared by his goofy natural swag 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
It's so cute when he interacts with the fans, hell probably even more so during solo stuff (like IDK, Miku Expo maybe? He's a Vocaloid fan after all and yes, he IS doing all the fanmeets before the concerts as well)
Also, I just know people have compilations of Charlie being adorable dorky but also an idiot and a menace as well
Especially with comedic timing for the idiot part bc you cannot tell me he wouldn't have that on unintentional lock 🤣
(also yes, that's partially where my hc of that idiot ain't having any other candids outside than being a motion blur, eating or having an absolute stupid/affectionately expression is coming from)
Charlie being the most popular DaD member not by being a talented drummer and looking jaw-droppingly hot and handsome in photoshoots and/or event pictures, but by being the absolute sweetest guy (and sometimes oblivious idiot for comedic moments) around
You can't tell me the fan interactions with Charlie wouldn't go viral on how cute and wholesome they are
(also yes, that's partially where my hc of that idiot ain't having any other candids outside than being a motion blur, eating or having an absolute stupid/affectionately expression is coming from)
Oh yeah, before I forget - rhythm game nerd Charlie and you can't pry that headcanon from me.
Most favorite games are DDR - StepMania X - Dancerush Stardom - Chunithim in no particular order and you can bet he has records on most games he regularly plays (also, at least one limited edition arcade card from his favorite local one that has all of his accounts for any of the games linked on it)
And you can bet he's gonna watch tournaments and showcases during events
Additionally - at least Hemlock and Arora decided to test their skills in Dancerush, picked Set me Free and everyone besides Charlie failed
(chart btw for reference)
You just KNOW Charlie looked at whoever picked the song in absolute disbelief before pulling barley an EXC (almost missed the full perfect by one step, do note that the EXC is a Full Perfect in DRS) while just absolutely panicking in his mind and also screaming in frustration but also excitement afterwards (and probably downing whatever he had of his soda or water left at that point in one go)
Just realized that Charlie being a Vocaloid fan means that he definitely knows a few choreograpies from songs he loves and for some reason I feel like both Conqueror and INTERGALACTIA are definitely in that assortment, probably Into Starlight as well
Intergalactic Bound probably as well to name at least one Miku song
Should probably get this outta my system bc this is hanging there since forever rn...
Longer post, so fic drabble will be beneath the read more, but basically Vice deciding to give Charlie room to finally get the girl he wants to since the beginning of the night - even if it means to get the rest out of The Encore for a while until the idiot finally realizes what's going on with him and his current partner in crime.
The Encore was quiet. Well, it's always quiet, but right now it was even moreso.
No chatter between the others who were trapped here for some reason, no soft drumming by Stix from the bar - only the rain hitting the windows alongside the quiet sounds of the city as well as the jukebox quietly playing the mixtape that sat basically since forever in the drafts before Charlie gifted it to his former mentor before the band's first world tour stop.
It's weird - almost uncomfortable to the drummer.
What did Vice do to them?
Speaking of the floating skull, he wasn't to be seen anywhere else either. Mentioned something about "Good luck" towards Charlie, before disappearing for some unknown reason before he entered the familiar floor to the bar.
Charlie sights, before looking around again. Someone has to be here. Maybe Phoenix? He hasn't seen anything of his friend and battle partner so far, maybe she's currently hanging out in The Encore.
The thought almost immediately heated up Charlie's cheeks and ears for some reason. Both of them alone in the bar feels so intimate to Charlie even without realizing it, but it's probably nothing. Nothing at all.
But his racing heart says different.
Closing his eyes for a second, concentrating on the sounds and beats of his surroundings, trying to calm himself down from... Whatever is making his stomach all twisted up and fuzzy, he caught footsteps a bit further down in the bar, going towards one of the VIP seats at the side of the stage.
Footsteps that match the sound of the biker boots from the person in question.
The fuzzy feeling returned almost immediately as well. But... He never thought of Phoenix in that way.
Sure, he thinks her dark brown hair fading into a bright orange at the ends and the light blonde highlight in the fringe is beautiful, especially when it's flying behind her movements during fights, the brown eyes highlighted by green eyeshadow in various green colors were all too mesmerizing to look at, that her outfit consisting out of an orange off-shoulder crop top, jeans shorts and black biker boots alongside her fingerless gloves was perfectly highlighting her energetic personality and athletic body without being too much of a hindrance when she's fighting alongside him as well as her personality being an absolute delight to be around. Possibly for forever in his opinion. Not to mention her voice and vocals being a beautiful mix out of the sorta low cadence that a cool and caring big sister has and the power of an absolute rock goddess. The amount of song and cover ideas flooding into his mind after hearing her sing....
Nope, he's not hopelessly head over heels for her.
Absolutely not.
He's sure about that, even if others seemingly say otherwise.
Still not explaining why he reacts like that thinking about her.
Definitely something to sort out later. Right now he probably should talk with Phoenix about whatever is going on right now.
That's the plan.
Well, at least a plan. The other one is trying to find Vice and ask what the ever living hell is going on here if he's not going to find Phoenix.
But, he probably should figure out if he's right about his assumption of Phoenix being in The Encore before anything else, so VIP lounge it is.
And well...
There she is, hanging out and sitting on one of the couches, her focus being on the handheld she's seemingly playing a game on the sleek device, a fighting game if Charlie recognizes it from the rhythm of the button presses alongside her focused expression on the face.
He doesn't want to disturb her in the moment, but on the other hand, this is probably the only way he might get information on what is even going on in the bar right now.
Great predicament to be in right now...
Welp, time to downplay the nervousness that for some reason is building up.
"Hey Phoenix.", Charlie greets her with a small smile while walking over to the couch she sits on, "You didn't saw the rest of the band nor Stix anywhere, did you?"
"Nope.", she answered, before setting the game she was playing on pause and putting the handheld onto the table before her, "And here I thought you would know something about that."
Charlie sighs, before sitting down next to Phoenix.
"Nah, even Vice didn't say shit at all about that.", he added, "But for some reason I feel like it was him."
The girl leans forward a bit. "For what reason?", she asks, making the other lean back into the sofa they're sitting on.
"Honestly, I don't know.", Charlie admitted sheepishly, "But I also ask myself, why aren't you affected by whatever's going on right now..."
That made Phoenix think. "I could think of some reasons why, but then again... It's Vice.", she sighs in annoyance, "And you know how much I trust him."
"As far as you can throw him?", the drummer echoed Phoenix's comment from their first meeting with Vice with a laugh, making the singer laugh as well.
"Yeah.", she grins, "Still hasn't proven me false tho."
God, why's she so pretty when she laughs or does anything?
"Fair.", Charlie grins back, "But... What are some of the reasons you think The Encore's basically just straight up swept empty except for us two?"
"Hm...", she thinks for a second, before leaning over to Charlie, making the drummer blush even more, "My biggest guess is that it has to do something with us two."
"U... Us?", Charlie asks, completely forgetting to stay composed, thanks to her close proximity, "What do you mean with that?"
"I mean...", Phoenix trails off, leaning closer towards Charlie, a small blush now forming in her face, "Isn't like it's just us two here, sooo..."
"Y-yeah....", Charlie nodded, "As if I'm right now not alone in the room with literally the hottest girl ever."
Silence. The rain is still hitting the windows of The Encore, the night life is still quietly buzzing and the jukebox changed to a song fitting the moment.
"... I just said that out loud, don't I?", Charlie breaks the silence that lay between the two, seeing the brown haired girl next to him, a bright red blush in her face.
"Yep.", Heat answered, not even attempting to cover her face with anything.
Great.
"I...", Charlie starts, trying to awkwardly move the conversation to something different, but Phoenix suddenly was right in his face, only centimeters separating their lips now.
"Oh no, we're not shifting topics here buddy.", she immediately cuts him off, "'Cause I wouldn't be surprised if this is gonna end up as a Finally get together or get stuck here situation."
With that, she almost immediately sat back next to Charlie, her cheeks still burning. "Also sorry, didn't meant to go up into your face like that... Personal space and all that...", Phoenix apologizes right afterwards, turning her face away.
Charlie sights. Why is it making so much sense what Phoenix said?
Almost everyone seemed to be adamant that he has feelings for the singer, even if it's...
"... Painfully obvious...", Charlie spoke out in embarrassment, earning a confused reaction from her.
"Come again?", Phoenix asks confused.
"I'll absolutely chuck Vice at the next wall if he's the first one to come back after this....", he groans in frustration, "Why is he even trying to interfere here?"
Phoenix suddenly realizes what Charlie was going on about. "In all honesty, same.", she added, "This is probably the most insane thing that someone dares to try and get a couple together."
The singer laughs before standing up, "But..."
"Phoenix.", Charlie almost immediately grabs her hand and pulls Phoenix slowly down to himself, "I definitely feel like we're both willing to give this.... us a shot, especially me, but are you completely sure about this? I mean, worst case I'll only be here for one night."
Phoenix sits down in Charlie's lap, lips almost touching again for the second time already. "I'm more than fine with that. Even if we don't manage to get you to stay permanently.", she smiles softly, "Which is honestly something I already kept in mind the entire time."
"Well damn, gotta step up my game then to stay here not just for the band, but for you as well.", Charlie grins with the absolutely most lovestruck smile ever, but before he could even continue, he feels Phoenix's lips on his own in a kiss.
It felt perfect. Even moreso than what he could've imagined so far.
"See, I told you it wasn't that bad!"
... If it wasn't for Vice suddenly popping up in the moment, literally ruining everything and jumpscaring the couple out of the kiss.
Phoenix at least catches herself quickly with her hands on the backrest of the sofa to not full on smush Charlie into it, meanwhile Charlie's back of his head hits the same backrest lightly, but not before accidentally headbutting his partner as well.
"VICE!", both of them shout in frustration - the romantic tension that build up in the last few minutes gone.
"Oh, sorry, was I interrupting something?", Vice asked, feigning innocence.
