All My Friends Are Glorious, Tonight We Are Victorious

[Jaxon Scott]

“Bring that back,” Jaxon said, making a rewind gesture with his hand lazily. He licked his lips, nodding along the beat until he waited for the hook to finish, taking a deep breath before belting out the next string of words that he felt like he just couldn’t get to do what he wanted. “God fucking damnit!” he yelled out frustratedly, running his hand over his hair. “Do it again.” he said, clenching his jaws tightly. They went through about a half hour of this. It was a frustrating thing, to feel like you had a really good voice but that sometimes it took a lot of work to figure out what exactly you were trying to accomplish. He paced in the studio, running his hands against the side of his pockets before taking in a deep breath. For the hundredth time, he leaned backward, looking out of the doorway to see if the studio door was open to Tyson’s studio. Nope. Still working. He puffed his cheeks out before drumming his hands. Food.





Jaxon head over to 5SOS studio, pushing the door open lazily. He could see Brayden in the booth, with the rest of the guys hanging out on his end of things. Ian was holding Brayden’s phone, looking ill. “She’s coming. She’s coming here.” he said, taking in a deep breath before looking like he was trying to keep his cool. Jaxon made a slight face, looking up in the booth and nodding at Brayden when he got his attention. He waited from Brayden to come out of the booth, leaning against the door frame. He wasn’t exactly in the band, but they had a habit of spending time together during down time. “You hungry, bro?” he questioned with a lift of his eyebrows. “Blake didn’t put any shit in the kitchen for your dad, so.. we might have to go out,” he said, clearing his throat. “Yeah, I was going to tell you that my sister is coming with some food,” Brayden said, running his hand over the top of his head. Oh, that’s right. Madden’s little kid. “Cool, do you want to listen to what I’ve recorded while we wait? I’m not getting the hook right.. I can’t level out what note I want to be on, it’s all over the fucking place,” he said, stepping backwards out of the studio.





Jaxon scratched the side of his jaw, looking at Tyson’s studio door again as he walked past it. Still shut. He tried not to look too annoyed as he went into his own studio, adjusting a pillow as he walked past so that it was sitting more upright. “Okay,” he said to himself quietly, clicking through a few things quickly on the screen in front of him. He pulled up the most recent recording he had done for Victorious before standing up straight, crossing his arms over one another. He narrowed his eyes slightly as the song came upon the section where he was playing around with his own octaves to figure out what would work best. Where the fuck was Logan? He brought his hand up, wiping the corner of his eye. When was the last time he slept? Jaxon looked at Brayden, giving a slight lift of his eyebrows. “That was good stuff in your studio by the way. Glad to see some happy music coming out of that studio…”

[Brayden Shane Madden]

Brayden and the guys were wrapping up some vocals for a new track, hungry but determined to push through this one while the creative juices were flowing.  He saw Jax push the door open to their studio as Brayden was finishing up and stepped out, "Hey Jax."  brayden grabbed a water bottle and took a drink, explaining that AJ mentioned she would bring some dinner over.  Brayden wasn't naive enough to think she got her kitchen skills from their parents, that was more from her being shunned from childhood Kenzie and forced to play with Blake; which meant she just cooked, and baked.  All the time.  Brayden liked to think when he was little there was a reason Blake and bake were almost the same word.  "Yeah, let's go give it a listen.  I'll be back in a bit," he mentioned to the others, following Jax to his studio.  Brayden listened intently, setting his water down on the counter and sat down.  "Thanks," he nodded in agreement, it was nice to have some happy things to write about.  "Play that again," he said, leaning back and closed his eyes, trying to visualize where that sounded like it would naturally go.  He didn't know how long he sat there listening, when he suddenly smelled... bacon.  "Almost feels reminiscent of Queen, you should go for that note right there."  Brayden looked over to see his sister carrying a container of macaroni and cheese with bacon, and bowls from the label kitchen. "Geez Lex, you're gonna give someone a heart attack stealthing around like that."

[Alexa Jayne Madden]

AJ Had stopped in the 5SOS studio looking for Brayden and left some mac n cheese in there for the guys. She knew Ian was disappointed to see her go but, Brayden was her main belly to feed anyways. After she'd been redirected to the studio down the hall she let out a breath figuring Brayden was with Jaxon. It wasn't like he was new on the music scene, he'd already released albums and they were great. Now that he was a Taboo artist it was a good opportunity to get to know him, except that AJ didn't really figure he'd go for her. Probably thought she was a bit young for him maybe. Either way, he was friends with her brother and she really needed to stop being involved with Brayden's friends; it never ended all that well. She just couldn't shake the school girl crush she'd developed the first time she heard him warming up at taboo in a studio across the building and thought Sinatra had been reincarnated. It was all downhill from there; she was hooked. She had a thing for Sinatra and dapper men. Too bad he never noticed her, he seemed super focused. Not that she was all that vocal when she was around anyways; when AJ was at the studio she was usually just keeping Brayden company or Emma, or offering help writing bios and musical descriptions for websites and CD inserts. She had a knack for music references.



"Sorry," she said, setting the bowls on the table and starting scooping mac into them, "I didn't mean to interrupt, maybe some food might help whatever bump you're trying to smooth out." She usually steered clear of the studios when people were hard at work, unless someone asked her opinion. There were so many talented musical people around anyways. "It's super appreciated, thanks," Brayden added, taking a bowl from her and gave her a fist bump. AJ cleaned up the rest to take home, picking up the other bowl and offered it to Jaxon, "In case you're hungry." She offered a warm smile, shocked at her self for suddenly feeling shy. It was probably what he was wearing, because hot damn, he looked fine. I mean, who even wore shoes like that in daily life. So attractive.

[Jaxon Scott]

Jaxon lift his hand up, scratching his thumb against the top of his forehead as he listened to what Brayden had to say about the track. His phone buzzed again, for what had to be the hundredth time today. He reached into the pocket of his slacks, looking down at the notification on the screen. There was the devil emoji next to her name, and there she was hounding him. Again. He’d already explained in the morning that he was going to be in the studio all day. Jaxon took in a deep breath, hearing Braydens’ little sister come in, but looked at Brayden with a slight roll of his eyes. “Some chicks want the musician. But then they don’t want the musician,” he muttered, referring to the fact that they never wanted them to work. “Hey,” Jaxon said, giving her a quick nod of his head he tossed his phone on the counter and turned his attention to looking back at the microphone on the other side of the microphone, bringing his hands up to the top of his head. “Alright, Ashley.. come here..” he said, dropping his hands. Jaxon nudged the macaroni to the side just for a moment, not that he didn’t appreciate it, just he needed a females opinion for a moment. “Stand here,” he said, moving her with his hands on her shoulders until she was standing in front of the glass. Jaxon looked down at his phone, vibrating again with a phone call this time before he went into the studio and shut the door, asking Brayden to start it back up. As he waited for the track to come on he let out a quick yell, trying to get his voice raspy to get the Queen note that Brayden had been talking about. Jaxon stepped up to the microphone, rolling the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows. The track started halfway into the song, and taking Brayden’s notes he sang into the microphone to finish out the song. After a couple of tries he looked at Brayden, offering two thumbs up to see if it was a go. After getting the Madden nod of approval he stepped back into the other side of the booth. “Hey, you didn’t notice if the AAR booth door was open, did you?” he said, looking at Brayden’s little sister before finally picking up his bowl of macaroni. ”Thanks,” he said with a hint of a smirk before shoving a giant bite into his mouth.

[Alexa Jayne Madden]

Well, then.  AJ gave him a look as he set the mac and cheese down, "It's AJ, actually."  She sighed, letting him drag her over to the glass, crossing her arms.  Well, at least she was right.  He did not know she existed beyond being Brayden's kid sister.  Awesome.  She wasn't going to pretend like his vocals weren't incredible, if she weren't staring at his arms after he'd rolled up his sleeves.  He hit that note the way she imagined he would, you're welcome, she thought.  Though she wasn't getting any credit for that apparently.  People thought her brother was a talented musician, and he was, but people either didn't know or forgot that AJ was a Madden too, who did they all think Brayden went to when he couldn't figure out a melody?  Their parents were both musical, AJ had a good ear.  AJ nodded her approval too though, it had a much cleaner finish now.  He asked if the AAR studio was open.  AJ though for a moment, "The door may have been open when I walked past."  So it was open, why he was asking her was lost to AJ; it wasn't like her voice was heard here anyways.  "Any time," she muttered, smirking.  He sort of came off as an ass, but she'd spent too much time with perfectionists to know better.  It was part of the deal with people who actually made good music.  Focus.  "Lexi, where are you going after this, home?"  She shrugged, "I think I'm gonna go see a movie."  "With who?" Brayden asked through a mouth of mac.  AJ made a face at him, gross, "Just with myself," she said.  "That theater in Greenwich Village is showing Casablanca."  "You've seen that a million times," Brayden laughed.  She didn't care, she had a weakness for oldies.  "It's not until later though," she shrugged.  She didn't really have anywhere to be at the moment.  She thought she could just hang out with Brayden but, alas.  He was occupied.

[Jaxon Scott]

Jaxon was chewing on his macaroni and cheese, which he was surprised to find had bacon in it. Actually, this was probably the best meal he’d had in recent memory. He hadn’t gone home in a while, and he didn’t really take a lot of the girls he was seeing to nice restaurants. They didn’t seem like nice girls. After he swallowed, he looked at AJ and gave a slow smile, “Why don’t I just call you angel instead?” he said, giving her a quick wink. “This is really good.” he said, setting the bowl down so he could get something to drink. He picked up his phone, scrolling through the pissed off texts from Brittany, but not bothering to respond to them. When AJ mentioned that she was going to see Casablance, he looked up, watching the exchange between Brayden and his little sister. He’d called her Lexi. AJ. He flinched his eyebrows slightly, taking another bite of the macaroni and cheese. “I’ll take you, Alexa.” he said, moving some of the macaroni around with his fork. He stepped toward the door, just in time to see the AAR booth door shut aggressively. With a clench of his jaw, he turned back to face them and gave a shrug of his shoulder. “Why doesn’t she just hang out here for a while until the movie starts,” Setting his own bowl down he filled it back up with another scoop of macaroni and cheese, sort of messing up everything she had put back together. Placing his fork with a sense of finality into the macaroni and cheese, he held the bowl out to Alexa. ”You should probably eat. “ he said, noting that she did not smell like cheese. Or bacon. She smelled like jasmine, honestly.

[Alexa Jayne Madden]

AJ rolled her eyes, Ashley, Angel, Asswipe, what did it matter.  Besides, AJ answered to so many things.  AJ, Lex, Lexi, Alex, just not normally Alexa.  No one called her Alexa, not even her parents, which was crazy because they'd picked it and AJ actually liked the name Alexa a lot.  She just thought AJ was so much cooler than Lexi when she was 12 when she demanded everyone start calling her by her initials.  Not that Brayden ever did.  She offered thanks though when he saif the mac was good, and bit back the desire to respond that she knew it was good.  It was Aunt Blake's recipe, it was damn good.  AJ just added bacon because, you know, boys loved bacon.  Jaxon said he would take her to the movie and she shook her head, "Oh, no, you don't have to-" but he was already peeking out the door, looking a little irritated honestly.  He must have really wanted to talk to Tyson.  AJ disregarded the fact that he was talking about her to Brayden like she wasn't there, because at least she was allowed to hang out.  Like she needed permission.  AJ took the bowl from him, offering what probably looked like a polite smile, but held it in her lap where she was sitting.  He was sort of confusing, like he just up and decided he was going to start acknowledging her.  She took a small bite of mac and cheese, startled for a second when she leaned down to take a bite and her hair fell over her shoulder.  She'd forgotten for a second she'd gotten it cut.  "So..." she said, trying to think of polite conversation, "How far along is your album?"  AJ was determined to get the music and movies column in her schools new magazine, and Jaxon's new album honestly would be a kick ass story, if she could get Logan to sign off on the idea.

[Jaxon Scott]

Now that it seemed settled that he would be going to the movie with her, it may have just been him but it felt like the dynamic in the room had shifted slightly. He loved black and white films. It wasn’t like any of his friends here liked to go to those things, and he was sick of going to them alone. Or worse, with his mom. As much as he loved her. He looked over at Alexa, pleased to see that she was eating when she asked him a question regarding his album. He lift his eyebrow slightly, trying to think of how much exactly he had left. “All I’ve really written are radio singles. I need to get some filler stuff. Uh… “ he said, tilting his head side to side, ” If I had to put a time estimate on it, I think I would have another couple of months left.” he answered, taking a long drink of water. “I haven’t had a romance song in a long time.... No inspiration,” he looked over his shoulder at Brayden. “I was hoping to get one on this album, I just don’t know the direction that I would want the tone to be.” Jaxon leaned against the counter, crossing his right foot over his left before crossing his arms. ” Didn’t you have long hair?” he questioned with a slightly confused expression. “It looks good,” he said, shrugging his shoulder. “Alright, back to work,” he said, standing up and stretching his arms out before going back to the booth. After another couple of hours he knew that he needed to wrap things up if they were going to make the movie on time. But by now it had started raining. He scrunched his nose, running his hand over the back of his neck. “Hey, bro. Thanks. I’ll talk to you later,” he said, giving a nod to Brayden before turning to look at Alexa. He lift his eyebrows at her, taking in a deep breath. “Okay,” he said. He moved closer to her, standing in front of her as he reached behind her to get his jacket. “It’s raining,” he said, gesturing with his other hand toward the window. “Here.” he said with a slight gruff to his tone before placing his jacket over her shoulders.

[Alexa Jayne Madden]

AJ listened, mentally noting the album progress.  That would work nicely if she got that column.  Which she would, because she was herself and she wanted to be a journalist and chronicle all the music and film and the arts.  Interview new artists, follow trends, introduce people first.  Interesting that he thought about the idea of having a romance song on the album, like it was a staple.  Though the amount of times he checked his phone and then made an annoyed face, made her think after he made that comment earlier about girls, maybe it was for the best.  There was no musician, and then the musician.  It wasn't separate, it was all the same person.  To have one you had to take the other.  But that was probably the difference between groupies and real life girls.  It was why musicians never dated fans.  Aside from her parents, but that didn't count, mom ended up being in dad's circle of people.  Plus they were just destined to be together.  Her parents were crazy, but obviously crazy in love.  try growing up in that house and not have high standards of what relationships were supposed to be.  "Oh, I had it cut," she replied, surprised he would even notice something like that, and blushed slightly when he said it looked good.  She could feel Brayden smirking at her across the room.  AJ watched quietly for a while, offering input every now and then if someone asked, subconsciously checking to see if Tyson would become available and if Jaxon would jump at an opportunity to talk to him, about whatever was so important.  After Brayden said goodbye AJ almost forgot that Jaxon said he would take her.  He was standing in front of her, reaching for his jacket, and she felt trapped in the best way, except she still didn't think it necessary that he take her to a movie.  She glanced outside to see that it was, in fact, raining and he placed his jacket around her shoulders.  "Oh, thanks." she said, a little baffled by his sudden change in attitude toward her.  Just a few hours ago he was calling her Ashley.  "You really don't have to take me, unless, obviously, do you... like old movies?"  She stopped for a second, taking in what he was wearing and a smile grew on her face, "You do, don't you?"  It sort of made sense, the clothes, the Frank Sinatra vocals, the gentlemanly gestures.  He was a total classic.

[Jaxon Scott]

“Nonsense,” he said, making a face as though it was absurd before she could finish her question. “I’d love to go see Casablanca,”. Jaxon turned, picking up a few more of his things, placing his phone in his pocket, clicking his watch back into place on the inside of his wrist, picking up his car keys. He took in a slight breath, looking at her with an amused grin as she seemed to ‘figure’out that he was into older movies. He leaned in, whispering to her quietly, “Guilty,” he said before leaning back, placing a finger against his lips as though it were their little secret. It wasn’t like he shoved down people’s throats that he was “punk”. If they paid attention they could tell that he was into the more classic style of living and arts. He pointed at her lazily, turning as he headed toward the door. “You have a lovely smile. You should do it more often. It’s something I’m working on myself,” he said, his eyes scanning the AAR studio door. Lights off. It wasn’t necessarily that he had changed behavior toward her in an intentional way. It’s just that she had said something that caught his interest. Was that egotistical? He saw a lot of beautiful women in his life, and the last thing he needed at the studio was a distraction. So usually, yeah.. he had a tendency of ignoring people. He wasn’t sure where Alexa had parked, but he gestured for her to follow him. A lady driving in the rain seemed like a hazard he didn’t want to have her deal with. His mom had raised him to a certain code. “ I first got into old films because when I was a kid.. I would stay home sick from school just to watch Hitchcock movies with my mom. She loved him,” he said, giving a slight smile as he opened the passenger door for Alexa. “Eventually that transitioned over to other movies. I like their sense of….style.” he added lazily, giving her a small wink before shutting the door and going to the drivers seat. “ I will take it then, that you are a Frank fan,” he said, thumbing through his phone quickly before he put the playlist on and started his car up. He brought his hand up, looking at his watch. They had enough time to stop and get something to drink before the movie. She was a little person. It was cold and rainy. She’d been helpful in the studio, so the least he could do is get her a hot chocolate. “How does a member of the Madden family become interested in movies that don’t include the Simpsons?” he questioned, giving her a playful smile before singing quietly along to the music.

[Alexa Jayne Madden]

Maybe he had taken a liking to her for their mutual interest in classic films.  If you could call it that; AJ adored them.  It didn't matter the reason, but she was pleased that he was interested in spending any time whatsoever with her, and also pleased that he seemed to be good company.  And polite, opening doors and all.  Though when he commented on her smiled she dropped her eyes, this was probably like the fifth time he'd made her blush, which was a rarity.  AJ pulled her seatbelt on and nodded, "I love Frank, I used to dance around to his records," she mused, thinking about his comment, though she had to admit she wasn't entirely sure where her interest had come from.  Jokingly, she said, "If you would believe it, I actually played by myself a lot as a kid," she laughed.  But if he'd met Kenzie he would understand.  AJ was never allowed to play with them, which was mainly where her friendship with Emma started.  "When I was like seven we were supposed to be going to the movies and Kenzie said I couldn't sit with them.  Instead of sitting with whatever parent we were with I was so annoyed that I walked out and decided I was going to watch a different movie by myself.  The screen next door was showing Roman Holiday and, I don't know," she laughed, "it all just felt so glamorous.  The way they talk and act toward each other, oh and the clothes.  I didn't understand a lot of it but it seemed like magic to me." she shrugged.  "I read a lot of biographies, watch a lot of films.  Eat a lot of popcorn," she joked.  He probably thought she was rambling.

[Jaxon Scott]

Jaxon kept his eyes focused on the streets, the ever changing lights. It wasn’t until he looked over at Alexa that he noticed how beautiful they look glowing over her features. He watched for just a moment, before looking back out into the busy city. The traffic seemed chaotic, but with the soothing sounds of Sinatra playing at a low volume in the car, and his lazy mannerisms in driving, it felt calming just sitting here listening to her talk. “You don’t look like you eat a lot of anything,” he said quietly, giving a slight shake of his head. At least she had eaten tonight. Brayden was the opposite. That kid always had food in his face, and yet didn’t put a pound on. “I haven’t watched Roman Holiday in a while,” he said aloud, though it came off in a wistful tone, as though he was making a mental reminder to watch that the next time he had free time. Jaxon took in a deep breath, finding parking along the street in front of a small café that wasn’t very far from Greenwich village. He parked, looking at Alexa and smiled. “I thought hot chocolate sounded good..” he said, looking over her small frame again. She must be cold with the rain and everything, and he wasn’t going to ask her. Girls had a habit of not admitting things like that sometimes. “Indulge me,” he said, as though it was all a favor unto him. Jaxon got out of the car quickly, managing to get to the passenger side door before she could open, and opened it himself. He whistled quietly to himself, closing the door behind her before he went to reach for the café door. “This place makes their hot chocolate on a stove…” he said, giving a slight nod as though that were impressive. But to be fair, he wasn’t sure what her experience was with homemade hot chocolate. The Madden parents seemed like instant packet people. Not that it was bad. “So how come you’ve never talked to me before? Am I that scary at the studio?” he questioned as he went to the counter.

[Alexa Jayne Madden]

AJ rolled her eyes but laughed a little.  People were always a little in disbelief over her small size, but she swore she ate.  She wasn't one of those girls who ate food like crazy and didn't gain an ounce; she ate just what she needed.  It was just genetics, as her mom was pretty small too.  At least he had seen Roman Holiday, which she was gathering he'd probably seen every old movie and classic that she had.  She wondered if he held Paris in such high esteem like she did, it was the center of all her favorite Audrey movies. Sabrina went there to learn the wonders of French cooking, Jo pursued a career as a Parisian model adorned in iconic Givenchy couture, Regina leads a wild goose chase across the Paris streets after the murder of her husband.  Hot chocolate did sound really wonderful, coming back from daydreams of the late actress, and she just smiled knowing she had no choice but to indulge his wishes. AJ only ever had homemade hot chocolate at the Renner's and that wasn't super often.  At the Madden house they had instant from packets.  She did love those little marshmallows.  AJ followed him to the counter, tucking her hair behind her ear, shrugging, "You're not, I just usually stay out of the studios when people are working.  I'm not the person people ask for when they record," she laughed.  There were other people for that.  She stayed out of people's ways.  "Besides," she added with a smirk, "You thought my name was Ashley just a few hours ago.  I know I go unnoticed a lot," she teased.  And she liked it that way.  It left her a lot of time to do the things she liked; read books, listen to old albums, analyze them, practice her French, get secret time alone at her mom's studio.  Being a Taboo kid meant living under a microscope and kids like Kenzie and Brayden were far better at it.  AJ soaked up whatever time she had being just slightly invisible every now and then.  "Are you good friends with Tyson?  He's a friend of your mom's, right?"  Maybe he'd give an explanation as to why he was borderline stalking the guy.  Though she had to admit Tyson was a great resource to have in terms of music recording.

[Jaxon Scott]

Jaxon tilted his head side to side when she mentioned that he thought her name was Ashley. “I stay pretty busy at the label. I don’t know most people’s names. Plus you have the double edged sword of being Brayden’s sister. Which means you’re a definite no-no, since he and I are good friends,” he said. “Good enough that I probably should know your name, but even better that I knew to stay completely away from you,” he said, giving her a smirk before speaking to the young teenager behind the counter. After asking for two hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies, he walked over to the other side of the counter where they could wait. He doubted highly that she ever really “blended”into anything. It’s just at the label people were sort of wrapped up in their own world. But she wasn’t… clearly, as she asked about Tyson. He lift his eyebrows, crossing his arms as he looked over at her. Observant little munchkin, she was. “Yeah, they are friends,” he said with a nod. “I wouldn’t say I am necessarily friends with him. I just…” he said, pausing for a moment before shrugging his shoulder. “I liked his music growing up a lot. I like to hear his input sometimes when it comes to mine,” he said, scratching at the edge of his collar bone, eager to change the subject. “What about you, any idols in your future career endeavors?”

[Alexa Jayne Madden]

AJ nodded, Brayden did have that annoying quirk about his friends dating his sister though AJ knew he just hated seeing her get hurt. Especially when it was by his friends and then he had to side with his sister.  But just because she was Brayden's sister didn't mean Jaxon had to stay away from her altogether, he just probably would get a slap on the wrist for trying to date her.  Unless of course, that was his way of saying maybe he would and it was easier to just not be involved.  Too late now, since AJ wasn't going to pretend this little outing hadn't happened.  If she had any chance with the guy she was going to go for it and Brayden could just get over it. "I like his music too," she agreed while they waited for their drinks.  She knew her dad respected him too.  Seemed like a plausible reason to want to talk to him.  AJ shrugged, idols?  "Not unless you count Audrey Hepburn," she joked, "I really want to be a journalist though, report on contemporary arts; music, movies, etc.  I wouldn't pretend I don't already have a leg up in the industry, so I figure I may as well use it to my advantage.  There's too much main stream and not enough of a push to see what else is out there."  She chuckled, "I sound like a hipster.  But I really just appreciate what people are doing, even if it's a little unnoticed by the general public.  I want to try and change that," she said as she grabbed her hot chocolate and cookie and thanked the girl, moving to go find somewhere to sit.  "What made you change your sound anyway? Frank Sinatra meets Queen meets Fall Out Boy?  I think it's great, don't be mistaken.  If you're gonna do it, Taboo is the place."  And wasn't that the truth.  Taboo was the place where the artist molded their own sound and Logan made sure the public accepted it.  Which basically meant it was the place dreams came true.