This was it, the PRT fundraiser. It'd been set up in a hotel courtyard, with areas for stands to sell hero merchandise and food, and a raised platform at the far end with a plinth and microphone where announcements would presumably be made.
They'd arrived early despite the shitshow with Über and Leet, yet all that was forgotten as Takeshita's head darted around at the sights. Mr Hotaro could only give me a sorry glance as he was pulled towards a stand selling poorly made replica masks of the Wards, leaving me to explore on my lonesome, something I inwardly appreciated.
My busking plus working with Tieu gave me a rather large sum of pocket money, though I didn't think there was anything here worth buying. Right now it was just being stashed in a debit card and forgotten about.
The place kinda reminded me of Comicon, especially as I rounded a bend and spotted a huge group of people lining up to get autographs from some Wards. Twenty dollars per thing signed, all of which would go to a 'good cause', meaning people hurt in battles the PRT participated in and caused.
I let out a huff of derision and walk past, eventually spotting a booth standing out from the rest, one which had vinyl records on the walls, CDs in displays, and other music-related memorabilia.
"I thought this was supposed to be a cape-themed event?" I question as I walk over, noting on little traffic this particular store was getting.
"Eh, probably a poor decision on my part. Shoulda remembered things like this are for kiddos, that and the cape freaks who couldn't give a hoot about the arts. 'Sides, this is a cape-themed front," he gestures at some CDs.
Indeed, most had some random hero's face slapped on them. I doubted all of them had personally created them, instead just sponsoring a band or something for PR. Some were Rogue capes I'd never heard of before, some were PRT, hell, there was even a couple released by 'public' villains.
"Got any recommendations?"
The clerk shrugs and presses play on a nearby machine, already fitted with a disk. What starts is some kinda singing-rap-virtuoso combo, not RNB but close to it, it was also in French... "From a guy calling himself 'Ponsier', not the biggest fan personally but folks seem to like it."
"Uh, got anything else? I like rap as the next guy but I'd rather understand what I'm hearing."
The guy shrugs, "Sure..." he actually bothers to pick one out this time, "Got a preference?"
"How about whatever's the best rated right now?"
"Oke... Try this one. It's from a new rogue cape calling herself 'Canary'. Hit the top of the charts as soon as she released her first single."
Honestly, I was sceptical that I'd find anything worth listening to, but as soon as the song started playing I was blown away. Like the sweetest hymn from the best choir you've never had the opportunity to hear, combined with modern notes electric guitar, piano, and electronic additions that only enhance it.
If I had to compare it to anything, I'd say it's a combination of Adele if her voice had more volume and was capable of a higher pitch, Ed Sheeran during his 'soulful' phase, and that helium-taking choirboy.
I didn't even realise three minutes had passed until the song ended, I blink as I spot the crowd around me that'd gathered to listen...
"How was it?" the guy asks with a smug grin.
"Angelic..." I mutter, "What's her power? Must be voice related..."
He shrugs, "Probably makes her a better singer, she ain't been to public with it. Song's called 'Without Whisper' by the way, interested in buying?"
I nod and absentmindedly take the bag and walk away. That was an experience, and I can't imagine what it'd be like in a live concert. Her power couldn't only be related to 'singing' though, given how people were now eagerly buying Canary CDs from the booth... Some kind of mental influence to boost her popularity maybe?
"Oh hey, it's Guitar-Boy!" a voice exclaims, prompting me to turn as people in front of me go glassy-eyed. I remember this effect vividly, "'Vicky'." I say, turning to see 'Glory Girl' and another similar-looking girl with her.
"You remember! Ah! This is Crystal, my cousin!"
"Hiya, so you're the cutie Vicky was teasing Amy about." the blonde woman smiles sweetly, obviously trying to extract more gossip material.
"What's to tease? All I said was she is the best hero around." I shrug. I still stood by that even as I learn more about cape society. Even this fundraising event was fucking stupid when you looked at it all properly and without bias.
"Maybe, but you're the only person who isn't benefiting from her healing that says so! That's a big win in her books. You shoulda seen how happy she was after we left, I've never seen my sis smiling like that! -What I'm trying to say is, thanks! Ames' really needed that."
"Uh huh, so shouldn't you two be signing autographs with the other heroes? Or is New Wave just here to spy on their competition?"
Crystal barks a laugh, "Competition with the PRT? No way in hell that's ever happening!"
Victoria rubs the back of her neck, "Uh, my mom told me to come here... Says I could learn something." she shrugs, "New Wave tries to keep a good distance with the PRT anyway... Got anything good yet?" she gestures at my bag.
"Just some music by Canary, heard of her?"
"Heck yeah! Uncle Neil almost crashed the car when she came on over the radio."
Crystal smirks, "I seem to recall you asking Carol if we could bring Canary onto the team."
"Y-yeah, and!? You can't say she wouldn't be amazing!"
"No one even really knows what her power is... Does Vicky have a crush?" she snickers.
"With a girl!?" she squawks, "There's no way!" she gives her cousin a shove before looking back at me, "Ah, I never did get your name, so unless you wanna be called 'Guitar Boy' forever you should spill... No 'John Doe' nonsense for you!"
"Kieu." I sigh, at least now I had an identity to throw around.
"Kew-ew?"
"Good enough."
"Well, enjoy the rest of the event Kieu! Vicky's got a rendez-vous to get to." Crystal winks, drawing another embarrassed cry from the girl.
"See you." I wave them off.
-----------------------------
"Hey! You!"
Uuuuugh, why can't people leave me the fuck alone. I'm not that popular am I? I barely know like six people in this whole fucking city!
I reluctantly turn and a sweaty balding man in a blazer over his tacky-looking shorts run up to me. "I've been looking for you everywhere!"
"Why..." I exasperatedly respond.
He pulls out a business card from his pocket, accidentally splaying half of them onto the ground in the process. "I'm representing 'SuperTalent', an agency with over two hundred talented young members with extremely bright futures! But even among our eclectic number, you are the star I've been looking for! I-I'm willing to sign a contract here and now with your guardian's permission, five-no, ten thousand dollars sign-up bonus!"
...
Isn't it illegal to goad a child into signing a binding contract? Sure he asked for Tieu to come make it official but as far as he was concerned we're a poor immigrant family. Ten thousand dollars was like waving a gold bar in our faces.
Unfortunately for this guy, he wasn't talking to a child.
"What are the stipulations?" I inquire.
"Uwa? Ah, stipulations-, just let me." he opens his suitcase and pulls out some papers before coughing into his fist, "For starts, seven years-"
"No." I say and leave. This fool wanted me to sign up for seven years? Seven years where they'd stifle my attempts to renegotiate my contract should I make it big. Plus the percentage they'd presumably steal from me. To put it politely, I'd rather ram my cock into a mincer.
"W-wait! P-please!?"
----------------------
Soon enough to main event of the fundraiser starts, the PRT heroes and Wards all gathered up on stage as Miss Militia goes through a speech thanking everyone involved. I tuned most of it out honestly, until Kid Win flew down from the sky on his hoverboard to the cheers of the crowd.
Takeshita was beside me and Mr Hotaro was hopping up and down like she was on a sugar rush as Kid Win starts his own speech. "Uh, hi everyone, I'm Kid Win if you didn't already know-, but thank you all for coming! This is a big topic, and a big issue when it comes to cape-stuff, I don't even need to say anything for you all to know what I'm talking about. Villains and heroes breaking sh-*cough*, stuff.
Even the Wards are guilty of it, we try our best but when you're working with powers there's no certainty of what might happen. That's why I'm proud that this event was held, for us to give back to the community when we fail to stop things fast enough." he starts, the eleven to fourteen yearold stumbling over his words slightly... I'm not sure if his stumbles were scripted though, to give a more 'human' feel to one of the Wards.
"Today alone we've raised," he glances down at the plinth, "Three hundred thousand dollars to aid in the reconstruction and revitalisation of damaged property." he leans forward with a visible grin, "I don't know about you guys but that's fu-, super cool!" he exclaims, drawing a chuckle from the crowd at his slip.
After finishing his time Miss Militia steps up to thank the organizations who'd donated, specifically high rollers who'd given over ten thousand. She then goes on to outline just where the funds would go, and how to apply for some if you were the victim of cape-related destruction.
To me, it seemed like the event was starting to wrap up, but Takeshita was unwilling to go until she'd met every hero... So, I left and headed to town.
After my meeting with that talent agency goon I'd decided to say 'fuck-it' and start my career. I'd been thinking about ways to go about it but determined the 'Justice Bieber' method was my best option.
Gaining a following on the internet shouldn't be too hard, especially since I was going to drop a thousand or so dollars on equipment. That wasn't my only plan however, after hearing Canary sing, I figured I might as well make use of the songs sung by female singers I'd otherwise not be able to use.
I'd shoot her an email once I had some stuff uploaded, it'd be my 'portfolio' if you like. If I managed to get in contact with her I'd send her a song to get her interested. Famous singers were notoriously prideful, so I doubted she'd willingly do anything with a thirteen-year-old unless I brought some serious shit to the table.
Oh yeah, it was all coming together.
Unbeknownst to me however, I'd already gained a following... Something I wouldn't find out until I got home...