Three days later and Someone Like You was top of the charts across not only America, but Britain and most of Europe too. Canary, who'd already been famous, had her fame skyrocket from 'well-known artist' to internationally renowned superstar.
As for me? Well. Canary had admitted in a radio interview that she hadn't been the one to write the song. That caused a tsunami of people to look at the song credits, which listed Numsix as the writer...
Numsix...
I couldn't fault Canary since I hadn't given her much, but really? That's the best she and her manager could come up with? I let out a sigh, wondering how much my paycheck would be...
As if sensing my exasperation, I hear a knock and a familiar voice at the door. Opening it, Takeshita rushes past me and throws herself on the couch while an apologetic Mr Hotaro watches on.
"Something wrong?" I question, the girl was usually excitable but not to this extent.
"Ah, we were in the market and she found something you might like... Apologies again." he says with a nod.
"A gift?" I ask incredulously, "This a late Valentine's present, Takeshita?" I ask, causing her face to explode in a blush.
"W-w-what-no! Stupid! Who'd like you like that anyway? You're always so grumpy! And you never play with us, and your smile is stupid!" she says before sticking her tongue out at me, all while hiding a shopping bag behind her.
I fold my arms, "Maybe I don't smile because I hate the way it looks? I don't wanna look stupid after all." I remark.
"What-no, I-... You're doing this on purpose! Here, take it, idiot!" she flings that bag at me.
...
"Clothes?" I mutter as I pull out some kind of dark blue zip-up jacket. It wasn't waterproof or anything but didn't feel cheap... But, as soon as I got a closer look I had the urge to burn it.
"Why are there are cat ears on the hood...?" I question. This was a fad back in my original world too from what I recalled, cat headphones, fake ears, etc, all from Japan... I'd thought and hoped it wouldn't be a thing since Japan had been almost completely destroyed, but I supposed some trends were unkillable.
"It looks cool! Plus, you remind me of a grumpy cat, so it suits you." she exclaims.
"Gee, thanks." I sarcastically say.
"Well? Come on! Put it on, put it on, put it on!"
...
"If I put it on will you go away?" I ask, well aware the ABB had a job for me in the afternoon. They wanted me to check up on some Merchant affiliated drug dealer who was apparently selling shit to kids. Not a bad job, if you didn't consider the reason they wanted him gone is because he was selling to potential ABB recruits, and because he was selling on their turf without permission.
"Yeah!"
"Shita-chan has a dentist appointment anyway." Mr Hotaro informs, getting a groan of protest from the girl.
"Fine." I toss it on, feeling the slightly baggy coat wrap around me. It was comfortable, but not substantially better than what I already owned... Like I'd ever wear something with fucking ears either. "Thanks for the gift. I'll have to remember to get you something next Valentine's day."
"Awawawa-! O-Oji let's go already!" she storms out of the door at that.
"Hmph, never seen her so excited for the dentist." Murata jokes, but doesn't immediately follow her.
"By the way... It looks as if the protest will happen. All I need to do now is arrange for the PRT to oversee it." he says, knowing such an event would need protection against the inevitable ABB retaliation.
I shake my head at him, still thinking it was a stupid idea. "Good luck with that, I'd be surprised if the PRT sent a single officer to help, let alone a cape."
He smiles and walks to the door, "We'll just have to hope then, won't we?"
"Yeah, 'hope'." I drawl.
-------------------------------
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♦ Topic: Protest on Docks in ABB territory?
In: Boards ► News ► Brockton Bay
Harold_Tobisax5 (Original Poster) (Veteran Poster) (Brockton Bay Resident)
Posted on March 2nd, 2010:
Hey, I've been hearing rumours lately about some protest that's gonna happen in the center of ABB turf. Idk if its real or not, but if it is I hope to god it's not real. That can only end badly!
► Carlionus_Franks2 (Brockton Bay Resident)
Replied on March 2nd, 2010:
I heard about that too, apparently people have had enough of 'ABB Tyranny' and decided to make a show of it. Personally think its idiotic and suicidal, but if it makes the PRT get off their asses, it might be worth it.
► Reg_Joe_Pho (Brockton Bay Resident) (Cape Stan)
Replied on March 2nd, 2010:
A protest sounds like a breath of fresh air tbh. Whens the last time there was some peaceful public disturbance? All we have right now is cape destruction or petty crimes. Something like this might just unify folks against a common goal...
Now to wait and see if the PRT makes a statement.
[NotFknLikely.png]
► XxxFangerbingerxxX (Veteran Poster)
Replied on March 2nd, 2010:
I've already sent a message through their public line, and I encourage everyone else to do the same. I see this protest as an absolute win. About time someone stood up for what's right!
► Treejoox6
Replied on March 2nd, 2010:
@XxxFangerbingerxxX has the right idea, already sent mine. Hell, if this sht works then maybe we can do the same to the other gangs? I've personally had enough of the E88 harassing my fkin business!
NO I DON'T WANT YOUR PROTECTION YOU GODDAMN NAZIS, GET THE PROGRAM!
...
► Point_Me_@_The_Sky (Verified Cape) (New Wave) (Brockton Bay Resident)
Replied on March 3rd, 2010:
Hell yeah! Let's get this thing rolling! I dare you to stop us ABB douche bags!
► Jerry_Nelly5 (Brockton Bay Resident)
Replied on March 3rd, 2010:
THE QUEEN HATH SPOKEN! ONWARDS MEN!
[OrcsChargingHelmsDeep.video]
► Crusadoor9 (Cape Fan)
Replied on March 3rd, 2010:
Wouldn't Glory Girl be the Princess...?
...
► Gallant (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on March 3rd, 2010:
I like the idea, but it all comes down to the execution. Whatever happens, I just hope no one gets hurt.
► Kid_Win (Verified Cape) (Wards ENE)
Replied on March 3rd, 2010:
People are worried about the ABB, just let the PRT handle it. It's our job isn't it to sort out cape stuff.
[WeGotchuFam.png]
► Guitar_Boy69
Replied on March 3rd, 2010:
You heard it from @Kid_Win folks, it's the PRT's job to help deal with these crazy criminal gangs. If a Ward says so it must be true, despite how obvious it should be!
A government funded organization should be protecting our right to peacefully protest, epsecially against criminal organizations who brutalize American citizens!
[TELLMENO.Gif]
--------------------------------
Director Piggot scowls at the people sitting opposite her desk. She'd had people keep a close eye on this situation, yet these petulant teens had all but volunteered the PRT for it.
Chris and Dean, Kid Win and Gallant respectively had gotten them involved with their careless messaging over Parahumans Online. Something they couldn't easily take back now that it was recorded on the internet, not acting meant the public would crucify them, especially if something went wrong... Which was likely given how things were progressing.
"Kid Win." she grinds out with gritted teeth, "What gave you the authority to speak for the PRT? You've been with us for what, two months? I wonder what else you will do given half a year... Would we have a thousand civilians outside the rig with invites to a party?"
Chris holds his palms up pacifyingly, "Hey, while that sounds like a funny idea, I wouldn't go that far. 'Sides, we're not gonna ignore this protest, are we? Everyone's talking about it... It's our job to help, right?"
Dean nods as the Director glares harder, "I have to agree with Kid here, even if we don't make any promises to assist with the event, people will expect us to-"
"DO YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT!? Did you think some arrogant kids would know that better than us!? You are still Wards, yet you act like you're Alexandria, or Eidolon! There are ways these things are done here, procedures we must follow! If I listened to every hair-brained scheme a teenager comes up we'd all be on fire and underwater right now!" Piggot shouts, causing Kid Win to shrink into his chair.
She rubs her face and leans back in her chair, "Dean, you will lose a month's pay. Chris, you will lose two, and have Tinker materials restricted. You are excused."
...
"Arnold, have the PR department make a statement, we'll be assisting the protest."
"Director, won't central disagree with-"
"I've made the decision. If they want to veto it they can do so, we'll make sure the public knows whose decision it is, however." she states, unwilling to lose her job over some higher-up asshole with power-complex.
-----------------------
POV : Kieu
It's actually happening, and I have no idea if the ABB will do anything to stop it. The protest has gained national attention over the past week, and the thread on PHO got so big that it had to be locked, causing dozens of others to be created to talk about it.
I know for a fact the ABB have been asking around to find who the organizer is, but Murata managed to somehow keep his identity from them... I wasn't going to offer him up either, so maybe he'd last long enough to make it through.
The PRT had also stated their intention to oversee the event, though they haven't made known who would be participating on the Cape side, which is smart as the gang won't be able to plan around them.
Regardless if I thought it was stupid or not, I'd spent some of my now rather large savings from' Someone Like You' on advertisements, signs, and other things to help the protest. Twenty thousand dollars wasn't much compared to my a hundred thousand and climbing paycheck.
Yeah, international hit songs made people rich, who knew!?
I wouldn't be able to personally participate in the protest, given my affiliation, but that didn't mean I wasn't going to watch it. Apparently Amy and New Wave were going too, since the PRT had given the green light by getting involved.
-------------------------
March 10th, Day of the Protest...
Murata had informed me that the gathering would begin in city central, before marching down the main street to the docks, then circling around the entirety of ABB territory.
When I reached the protest I was surprised by the turnout. Over five hundred people had arrived with more to be seen, public figures were also around following the news crews broadcasting the event.
The PRT had pulled out all the stops too, with PRT vehicles following the veritable parade, and Capes patrolling around like attack dogs. The Wards were here, which was a surprise given how protective they were of them, but I imagined Kid Win's unofficial announcement had something to do with it.
From where I was standing, in the shadows of a building next to the protest with a hood over my face, I could already see Vicky, or Glory Girl considering she was in costume. She was slowly hovering over a cape in tinker tech armour, a slight blush on her face and in rapt conversation.
Kid Win was sitting on his hoverboard over everyone, eyes searching for any potential threat. Something I appreciated with how lackadaisical Glory Girl was acting... The ABB wasn't to be fucked around with, who knew what those crazy bastards would do.