[Vanessa Star]

Music was the only solace Vanessa had in her tumultuous arrival in Japan. She pissed off the wrong people and now she was broke, homeless and doing the pettiest of crimes to improve her slim quality of life. Still, this beat being a do-gooder who cow-towed to big-wigs for a terrible loan. The industry was terrible, but all these caged artists made some pretty good music. With the money she's made mugging people in Shinjuku, she's scraped up enough to find Shibuya and walk out with a music player.

The money was for the travel, but nobody said anything about the music player she wanted. The shop she found had some retro pieces, which appealed to her. Something without radio, something aesthetic to the punk style she maintained. With a red jacket on, dusty and dingy from her street-living, she just seemed like another poser punk when it came to those that spent the day in this shop. This was one way to fly under the radar.

That was...until she ran into the elitist clerk who spoke on a classic punk band by the name of the Pebblestone Peasants. English rockers that had some niche in Japan for the audiophiles. "Look, look, I understand that you like them because they're from the 'Queen's Land'...but they weren't legit. All of their music was for some image that hid the riches they really had." Vanessa slammed her hand down on the counter and pointed at the clerk.

"You bloody poser! How dare you insult their integrity. They played for riots, rebellions and didn't become donkeys for the lizard labels that took everyone's money!" Going back and forth, Vanessa's face began reddening deeper and she was almost tempted to play a little music for the shop...

Yusuke Komoriya

[Yusuke Komoriya]

[attr="class","Im"]

[attr="class","really"] [attr="class","exhausted"]Nut up or Shut up [attr="class","rhythm"] Yusuke was in a bit of a dry spell once again when it came to his funds.  He made enough for his concerts and side-gigs, along with enough funds to keep him and his double life alive; however that was quite literally it.  The Bat-Man had to sell off an instrument he had for a long, looong while which was absolutely upsetting.  So he did what he always did in a money crunch, sold himself off to whomever needed assistance. And in a rather odd stroke of fortune, a Music Store in Shibuya had needed his services.  Apparently their electronics in the back were going haywire, and they couldn't afford the prices of a regular electrician to properly vet the problem and figure out why things were going pretty screwy.  Hence why he was in the back area, working on the fusebox with a toolbox nearby as it sounded like a boxing match was about to start up front. He wore his usual civilian clothing, which included a white t-shirt with a design of sorts on the front.  Today's design was of a sheep emoji.  Over that shirt he wore a blue and violet jacket, along with garishly violet jeans and simple black sneakers.  It wasn't the first time the clerk was being elitist today alone, as he had something to say about every other bit of band the patrons of the store were interested in.  Yusuke had his own phone recording the last bit of the conversation as the clerk was intentionally egging on the customer, who responded in an equally abrasive fashion. "AY!  I've had enough of your crap!"  Yusuke called out from the back, his voice bouncing off the walls as he peaked his head from around the corner of an open door frame, the only thing separating the back of the store from the front, "Clerk guy.  Don't know what your high horse is, but come off it.  You want to pick fights with customers, I'll tell the boss you're the reason why I'm being hired to fix this place instead of a proper electrician." To accentuate his point, Yusuke would flip a light switch by the back door area into the off position.  But instead of turning a light off, half of the TVs that were playing music videos throughout the store just shut off.  The mop-haired bat locked eyes with the clerk some more as he added on, "And if you really want to take this high horse, pull up receipts or else you're just being an obtuse prick for sake of being an obtuse prick." Having said his piece, Yusuke would pull his head in towards the back area once more as he fiddled with wires on the fuse box and electronics panel to continue figuring out what kind of devil's ritual was performed to keep this place running. (tagged)⏤ Vanessa Star,

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MADE BY MIZO

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[Vanessa Star]

[attr="class","body"]

Oh, this guy was getting on Vanessa's nerves. She had her hand tap-tapping away at the counter as they bickered back and forth. She had half a mind to make everything sing and everything explode and all the wonderful fireworks going off in this bastard's face. Maybe when it was even uglier than it was now, he wouldn't be so snobby and elitist! "Free fuckin' bloody world, man! You can't be hatin' on history when you don't got the slop up here!"

Jabbing her temple with her finger, she was moments away from socking the clerk into oblivion before a wonderfully punk heteromorph popped out from the back. Telling off the clerk in the most embarrassing way possible for him, Vanessa leaned back and crossed her arms with the biggest shit-eating grin on her face. "Ah, so a dumb bloke who's work ethic is a load o' tosh. Nice. Maybe quit while you're ahead since you don't know SHIT!"

Loud-mouthed, foul and aggressive. Vanessa was the spicy, chaotic kind of person who wasn't above kicking someone when they were down if she felt they deserved it. The lay-up from Yusuke was a welcome surprise that invited cheers from those that just saw the clerk being rude. With a casual middle finger to the clerk who tried stopping the fallen star from going to the back, she leaned in the doorway and watched the bat boy fiddle with his work.

"Sorry for the kerfuffle disruptin' the good work. I bet the place couldn't even handle one strum of electric jazz without you. Anyways, thanks!" She began walking out after saying her piece. There wasn't much she could do, she didn't really have money and the clerk made her need some fresh air. Japan has given her a hard enough time, but the rock-star aesthetic of the electrician made her feel that he deserved thanks on the account of probably being another slave cog to the machine.

As soon as she was outside, the clerk had a strange burst of courage and followed her. "Aye, what the fuck?"

---

Yusuke Komoriya

[newclass=.body b]color:#f629a9[/newclass]

[Yusuke Komoriya]

[attr="class","Im"]

[attr="class","really"] [attr="class","exhausted"]The A-Hole tax Yusuke wasn't going to get in the middle of the argument itself, because the clerk may very well be right.  However, he seemed to not know the true adage behind the phrase 'The Customer is Always Right.'  Many seem to just focus on that first half of the full phrase for bad customer service teachings, but the reality was that 'The Customer is always Right in Matters of Taste,'  Effectively if the customer wanted to buy music from what he considered posers, then fuckin' let them.  Picking fights with customers over taste or what he believes is right is stupid unless he has the proof to back it up. In essence, the worker was very much unqualified to remain in customer service.  The Store Owner was actually a very good guy, Yusuke worked for him short of a year to make ends meet after all.  He didn't deserve some pinhead driving away customers.  Yusuke continued to try and work on the fuse box mess, hearing that the woman was approaching. She apologized for interrupting the work, mentioning how the place couldn't handle even electric jazz without him.  "Think nothing of it, I just like doing right by people.  You're welcome and take care!"  Waving her off, he would continue to fiddle with the fuse box as he heard the the lady go out the door.  Though, from around his corner, he could also hear the Clerk move with a heavy purpose in his step. "Damn it Tanaka, hire better people," Yusuke mumbled under his breath as he got up and moved through the store.  He would watch the clerk wind up a grubby fist for a punch, and reached out to the arm to swing him up and over onto the music store floor.  "Striking a leaving woman from behind?  That's like, three layers of shitbaggery you're under doing that?" Groaning to himself, he would already see and hear people dialing for 911 for an assault that had occurred.  Yeah, this was gonna ruin Tanaka's weekend, but this was his responsibility as a store owner.  "I ain't got no more business here today," Yusuke would chime out as he pulled out his phone, texting Tanaka that he's bouncing on the job due to his clerk being extra aggressive and that he'll continue fixing the fuse box at standard pricing. "Name's Yusuke.  Working works up an appetite...  Wanna grab a bite?" Yusuke offered as he flashed a wallet in his hand, having swiped it from the wannabe thug that was currently seeing stars on the ground.  A smirk on his face grew as he fished out a couple 10,000 yen notes before tossing the wallet over his shoulder and onto the guy's chest.  Even going as far as pushing the notes onto Vanessa while saying, "The food's my treat, the A-hole tax is his treat." (tagged)⏤ Vanessa Star,

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MADE BY MIZO

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[Vanessa Star]

[attr="class","body"]

Oh, Vanessa has a dear savior. The asshole that wanted to teach her a lesson was taken down and told off by the bat-boy. On one hand, she hated the idea of owing anybody or needing her battles fought for her. On the other, the guy had it coming. It was either him or her, Yusuke just beat her to the punch.

The bat-boy had a bigger heart of gold than her, considering what he said to her thanks. Still, anybody would want to clock the elitist douche. Being met by bat-boy, she crossed her harms with a cheeky smirk. "Needn't a lad or lass to fight my battles, but he deserved it." Admiring how bat-boy took the guy's money, she felt her stomach grumble. There wasn't a single proper meal since her arrival and she felt no shame in a free one now.

"Oh, you're speakin' music to my ears, lad." Snapping her fingers, she let him lead the way. "Name's Vanessa, but the streets know me as Star Power." The streets did, in fact, not know she was Star Power. Back home, she had the nickname of Cherrybomb. While they readied their stomachs and cantered their feet in merry unison, she pulled out a wrinkly pack of cigarettes she stole. Pinching off the tip, it let off a little ring before turning cherry-red and popping like a firework.

The ignition lit the cigarette and let her begin smoking. "Nasty habit, but the streets are nastier and I need a lil' edge off. Anyways, you want a light?" She didn't mind sharing, she got them for free. Taking a heavy draft and exhaling with a sigh, she wondered if this bat-boy was one of the cool ones or the goody-two-shoes types. "Tell me a little about ya, Yusky-Boy."

---

Yusuke Komoriya

[newclass=.body b]color:#f629a9[/newclass]

[Yusuke Komoriya]

[attr="class","Im"]

[attr="class","really"] [attr="class","exhausted"]Reasons to Start, Reasons to Quit [attr="class","rhythm"] After laying the bad employee flat on the floor, his ear twitched upon hearing Vanessa call out to him in regards to his act of chivalry.  Turning around, the mop top punk only shrugged his shoulders at the idea behind the Vanessa's claim.  "Maybe, but that ain't the kind of guy I am.  How 'bout this, I let you take the shot next time then?" Yusuke admitted and offered with a cocked smile of his own, internally regretting using a little too much force in taking this meathead down.  He was supposed to be less active while in civilian duty, yet his body had moved before Yusuke's mind fully caught up. Yusuke also offered her both the idiot's A-Hole tax, and a bite to eat since he enjoyed the company of this fellow punk.  She took him up on his offer and let him lead the way, in which Yusuke would definitely head towards a place nearby.  "Pleasure meetin' ya Miss Power," Yusuke would reply back kindly, "But f'real 'nessa, I know a place nearby.  Poki Bowl Ramen and Sushi, been there plenty of times.  Best ingredients for the best price." Once again his ear twitched upon hearing the odd sound of crinkling papery-plastic, which caused him to have his head turn and watch her light a cig.  "Hmmm?" He hummed while watching her use her quirk, finding it rather interesting as it sounded a bit musical before it let off a pop.  She commented about how it was a nasty habit but it was what it was, offering him a light. "A decade too late offering me, friend," Yusuke would hum out, turning his face forward as he wasn't going to judge her vice, "I quit after I was done with 'em."  He could still recall being convinced to try some to take the edge off of when it came to processing his brother's death.  Yusuke would soon turn the corner and start crossing the street as the crossing-counter dropped was in the single digits. In the midst of the crossing he was able to hear her asking about him.  "Oh, me?" He spun around and started walking backwards, facing her the entire time as he would use his echolocation to avoid walking into people, "I'm just your local every man.  Born in Osaka and moved to Tokyo a little over a decade ago, managed to make ends meet by doing bullshit jobs here and there.  Got lucky and I get to be a part of some music gigs in the area so I have a stable enough job." "How 'bout you, you're not a local 'round here.  Plus you look a bit worse for wear now that I take a third and fourth look at you," The way he addressed it was a little blunt, but Yusuke was wanting to learn quite a bit more about Vanessa's situation.  Her dirty attire plus the mention of the streets being nasty, just something about that rang some bells in the back of the Bat-man's head.  If there was an injustice or a person in need in front of him, Yusuke couldn't help himself. It's what Makoto would've done, anyways. (tagged)⏤ Vanessa Star,

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MADE BY MIZO

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[Vanessa Star]

[attr="class","body"]

Vanessa liked Yusuke's style, even if the kindness made him a bit soft and green around the ears. Yeah, green around the ears. Not extremely tougher than Vanessa to the point where she'd get steamrolled if push came to shove (this is totally the case). As they walked and she smoked, he'd turn down her courtesy cigarette which was more of a relief than she'd admit. These things were expensive. Sharing one? She was an idiot for even thinking it!

As he described the food they'd enjoy together, she nodded along like she understood. She hadn't the opportunity to properly enjoy Japanese Cuisine, as the most complex dish she was accustomed to was butter chicken and tikka masala back in the Queen's Land. While they walked to the restaurant, they'd get more chummy with one another and speak on their backgrounds. Not a problem, this was the opportunity Vanessa needed to reinvent herself.

Vanessa? "Badass punk from the tough boroughs of G-B. Ole' Queensland. A tough nut who's had better days, shipped over here when I made the wrong person mad. So, homeless, penniless. Scrounging for what I got. Listen, Yussy," Swaying her head towards the bat-boy, she took a drag and let the corner of her mouth push the smoke away as a courtesy. "I'm not a good rule-follower. So, don't mind me if I rock-and-roll a bloody bloke or two."

Shrugging, she wasn't afraid of a tussle. She wished she could make things pop and sing more often than she did, but fisticuffs were for everyone. "So, life is really about the grind now. I just haven't found the stone to do so." Smoking her cigarette solemnly, she wondered if her 'punk' lifestyle was worth being poor, hungry and filthy all the time. "I'm a musician, you know. Maybe we can rock it out sometime, yeah?"

---

Yusuke Komoriya

[newclass=.body b]color:#f629a9[/newclass]

[Yusuke Komoriya]

[attr="class","Im"]

[attr="class","really"] [attr="class","exhausted"]Scoping some Talent [attr="class","rhythm"] During the walk and talk down the sidewalk and across the street, Yusuke would share a good bit of his current story even though he left some details out.  Not a lie of omission for anything nefarious, but the bat was always a bit wary of oversharing details of his personal life thanks to his double-life as a Vigilante.  It'd be just goofy to share all of these details at first meeting, but at the very least Vanessa very much piqued his interest.  As the crossed the street, Yusuke inquired about her own story and learned that she was a self-proclaimed Punk from Great Britain.  Apparently immigrating over to Japan after getting some guys angry, and so was homeless and penniless.  "Really Nessie?" Concern filled his voice as his bleeding heart hurt for her, "Shit, that's beyond rough I gotta say.  Was in that position for a while 'til I had a bit of lucky myself."  He would let that sentence end before he blurted out an offer of that same kind of luck to her, as she would probably reject any offer as some sort of pittance.  He'd need to play it smart to give her an opportunity to pull herself out of the gutter. A couple buildings away from Poki bowl, she'd admit her as being not a good 'rule-follower' as she put it.  "Nah don't mind, 's long as it ain't the wrong people gettin' hurt," Yusuke shrugged as he would pause right at the door of Poki Bowl.  Willing to wait out with Vanessa until she was done with her smoke, so the two would more than likely just hang out until they were ready to head on in. Standing out in silence as Vanessa worked on her cig, the gal would share that she was a bit of a musician herself.  Yusuke's ears twitched a bit upon hearing this, letting out an optimistic, "Oooooh?"  His smile would shrink a little, as he would let himself think some options over in a moment of contemplation.  After all, there was never a shortage of needing musical talent for mixing music, as he was attempting to expand his talents into becoming a label.  Be much easier to help mix and create music through others as well as dedicate the rest of his free time to vigilantism. "I'd like to hear some of your work!  Do ya got any recordings uploaded somewhere on the internet before moving to Japan, or do you need an instrument to play?" Yusuke would inquire as he would reach into the interior of his jacket, going for an inner pocket that has a bundle of business cards...  But stopped, as Yusuke soon realized he would want to hear the talent before making any offers.  Instead he opted to pull out his cellphone, and offered it to Vanessa if she said there was some online samples of her work somewhere on the interwebs. (tagged)⏤ Vanessa Star,

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MADE BY MIZO

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