What is Love?
The sun rose over New Domino City, signaling a new day's beginning. New Domino City in itself was full of privileged people here and there. Most of the celebrities, however, resided in an area known as the Tops. In a penthouse home is where three siblings live, the oldest being a new up and coming model as well as starting out in the music business, and this is where the story begins…
Larissah Warren awoke with her alarm in her master bedroom, sunlight creeping through her closed curtains. The fifteen year old sat up and stretched her arms, letting out a yawn before sighing heavily.
"Today's it. The debut of my new single." she muttered, looking over at her phone screen with the alerted message.
Her bedroom door opened up to a large open living room area that was illuminated by the morning sunlight. The television was turned to the news channel and a boy around the age of ten with short, light teal hair was sitting on the couch.
"Morning Leo." Larissah greeted, ruffling her little brother's hair.
"Morning sis." Leo replied, smoothing out his hair. "You ready for your concert?"
Larissah chuckled, pouring herself a cup of fresh brewed coffee. "It's not really a concert." she corrected. "It's just one song."
"But still, this one song could launch another career for you! You'll be one of the youngest singers in New Domino City!" Leo exclaimed.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." came the voice of the third Warren sibling, not to mention, the youngest. She was Leo's twin sister, Luna.
"Luna's right." Larissah agreed. "Let's see how today goes and if people like the song, then we can talk about an album."
The home phone rang and Larissah went to answer it. "Warren residents."
"Hey, it's Jade." said a female voice on the other line. "Just wanted to let you know that I'm headed to the studio for setup."
"Okay well I'll meet you there and bring you guys some breakfast." Larissah volunteered. "I want to get there early and go over some things before we perform live in front of the entire city on the number one news channel." she lightly chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck.
Jade giggled. "You'll be just fine, but I will take you up on that offer." she said. "But uh pick up two extra because Jake and JJ are tagging along with me."
Larissah smiled, "Good, so Leo and Luna won't be totally bored." she noted.
"Yeah, so see ya in a few?" Jade questioned.
Larissah nodded. "See ya later." she hung up the phone and sighed. "Okay you two, get dressed. I have to get to the studio for rehearsals and setup and other stuff."
The twins went to their rooms to change while Larissah went to hers to do the same.
Across the water was a solitary island that was once part of New Domino, but now it's known as the Satellite, where the not-so-fortunate live. It's here in this sector where another person resides that has a connection to our model/singer in New Domino City.
In a rundown subway tunnel a small gang resided. Two young pre-teens and five teenagers, out of the entire gang, only two were female.
A young pre-teen girl with black hair pulled into pig tails and smoky blue eyes sat cross legged on the floor with her face buried in a magazine.
"I can't wait to hear Larissah's new single live!" she squealed, lowering the magazine. "She's so perfect!"
"Okay, Sheridan, I would love to know if the television is even working." cut in a male teenager with dark blue hair pulled into a ponytail and wearing glasses.
Sheridan pouted and leaned over, "The screen is still a bit fuzzy, Nervin." she informed. "Move a little to the left."
Nervin did as instructed, and the television screen became more clear and focused. A female reporter with long blonde hair known as Angela Raines was standing in front of a news studio.
"Coming up on Good Morning New Domino, rising Turbo Dueling star, Jack Atlas, talks about his dueling skills and how he feels about the Championship Title Match later on today." Angela reported.
An image of a male with spiked blonde hair and purple eyes, wearing a white suite appeared on the screen, the name 'Jack Atlas' in block writing appeared below the picture.
"Why is that traitor's ugly mug on our television screen?" came the voice of a fifteen year old female.
The rest of the group turned around and saw the remaining two members of their group walk in. The teenage female had long black hair that reached to her center back with blonde highlights that framed her face, and royal blue eyes.
"Gee Ven, tell us how you really feel." Blitz said, crossing his arms.
Vendetta shot Blitz a piercing glare.
"Last time I checked sis, you had a thing for that ugly mug on our TV screen." Sheridan giggled.
Vendetta rolled her eyes. "That was a long time ago." she slid her denim jacket off her shoulders and tossed it on the old sofa. "On another note, next time Yusei's going junk diving for parts, Nervin's going with him."
"it's not my fault you missed my obvious trap Ven." Nervin defended. "Otherwise I would've been the one to go with Yusei this time."
"I'm actually glad Nervin stayed here, because no one else knows how to get signal down here." Sheridan cut in.
"Let me guess, something about Larissah Warren." Vendetta scoffed.
Sheridan stood up on the sofa. "Yes, she's signing her new single live on Good Morning New Domino and I don't wanna miss it." the young girl defended.
Vendetta rolled her eyes and sighed. "Okay, since I just spent three hours in the junkyard, I'm gonna hit the showers, while you fawn over your crush on a Tops celebrity."
The older teen walked out of the living room and headed into the old subway restrooms, which also held showers.
"It's not fawning." Sheridan mumbled, plopping down on the sofa.
"Don't let her get to ya." Sheridan's older brother, Yusei, told her.
"I know." Sheridan sighed. She picked up her magazine and continued to read it. The pictures were all of Larissah Warren, various glam shots and a few candid pictures of her and her twin siblings.
"Yusei, think we might meet her someday?" Sheridan asked, looking over at her brother.
"Maybe, you never know." Yusei answered, kissing the top of his baby sisters head. "But, I need to build the Runner first."
Sheridan smiled and hugged her brother. "It's gonna be better than the first one you built." she predicted. "And it'll get us to the city."
"And, maybe you can meet your idol." Yusei added, smiling.
He kissed her cheek and went back to work on building his Duel Runner, which would be the ticket he needed to get himself, and his sisters to New Domino City.
Larissah sat in her makeup chair while an assistant was applying light brown eye shadow, to highlight her hazel colored eyes. Her dark blunett hair was straightened and hung down. She wore a blush pink, short cocktail dress with white wedges
"We're almost ready Larissah." noted a teenage female with short, red hair, Akiza. She wore a short, red cocktail dress with a black ribbon around the waist with matching black wedges.
"Everything's setup." added Jade, who wore a short, dark green dress with a white jeweled belt with gold, open toed, heels.
Larissah smiled at her two friends, "Alright, then let's get ready." she voted.
Akiza and Jade rejoined the rest of the band while Larissah looked over herself in the small vanity mirror.
"You look lovely, as always." a soft, male voice spoke.
A man wearing an olive green shirt with a black vest, jeans, brown boots, and had copper brown hair and hazel eyes, held a small bouquet of white roses and stood behind Larissah. The young singer turned to face him, a smile on her face. Her own hazel eyes twinkled.
"Sayer, you made it." she giggled, hugging him.
"I wouldn't miss this debut for nothing." Sayer replied, pulling away and handing Larissah the bouquet.
"But what about the Movement?" Larissah questioned.
"I can finish up the paperwork after you perform." Sayer answered, tucking some hair behind her ear. "I support whatever decisions you make. You have a beautiful voice Larissah, and I truly believe you can touch hearts with it."
"But what about?" she began to ask.
Sayer placed a finger on her lips, "You're gift is what makes you special." he cut in. "When people are ready to know about us and the Movement, they'll see how special you really are."
Larissah hugged Sayer and smiled, "Thank you for being there." she whispered, pulled back. "Now I have an interview to give and a single to sing."
Sayer kissed her forehead and gave her a gentle smile, "I'll be here, listening." he caressed her cheek. "Now go out there and woo the citizens of New Domino City with your beautiful voice." Sayer gave Larissah a gentle peck on the lips.
Larissah smiled and stood in a marked place, waiting for her introduction.
Sheridan was sitting right in front of the TV in the living area with a smile across her face. A montage of poses all of Larissah appeared on the screen, with her wearing outfits ranging from riding suits to high-end dresses and jewelry.
"She's so perfect." Sheridan sighed, admiring Larissah's modeling photos.
"She has got to be, hands down, the prettiest model in New Domino City." Tank added, staring intently at the screen.
Nervin adjusted his glasses. "Well, she is quite attractive." he noted. "She has curves in all the right-"
"Do not even finish that sentence Nervin." Blitz cut in. "We can all see how pretty she is."
"Yeah, and she's probably like all the other rich cats in the city." Vendetta chided, leaning against the wall. "Stuck up and snobby, probably faking it all for the cameras."
Sheridan looked back at her, "Nu-uh." she rebuked. "Larissah said in her interview in the New Domino Times, and I quote, 'Spending time with my little brother and sister is something I never get tired of. No matter how long of a day I work, I will always make time to spend with the twins. Normally that's popcorn, hot chocolate, and a Disney classic, but that's okay by me.'" she read from the magazine. "And, there's even a photo of her with her siblings." Sheridan showed her older sister a picture of Larissah with Luna and Leo sitting on a pure white couch in their penthouse living room.
"And you actually believe that?" Vendetta questioned.
Sheridan shot her sister a glare and returned her attention to the TV. Larissah was smiling at the camera and sat down on the chair opposite the news anchor.
"So, Miss Warren, what made you want to branch off from modeling and enter the world of music?" she asked, leaning against the arm rest.
Larissah tucked hair behind her ear, "Well I have always loved to sing, of course, it was in the safety of my own home." she answered, smiling. "But, my younger siblings encouraged me to sign up for this contest sponsored by the record company. I don't know how, but I managed to win, and here I am."
"What can you tell us about your new single?" the anchor prided.
"Well it's a slow song, and one that's relatable." Larissah answered. "I told myself that if I ever got into the music business, I wanted to sing songs that everyone can relate to in some way." she added. "And I think this song is perfect for my debut single."
The anchor smiled. "Well New Domino, you heard her. When we come back, Larissah Warren is gonna sing for us live, you certainly do not wanna miss it."
Sheridan let out a squeal of excitement as the news program cut to commercials.
Larissah took a deep breath and exhaled as she stood in front of a microphone stand.
"You have no reason to be nervous, Ris." Akiza told her, leaning on her keyboard.
"You're gonna kill this, and everyone's gonna love it." Jade added, slinging her guitar strap over her shoulder and adjusting it.
Larissah chuckled, "I guess it's now hitting me that this is technically a make or break moment." she said. "I mean the company already signed me, but if this blows, they'll drop me just as fast."
"This won't blow." Jade rebuked.
"It's gonna make you into an even bigger sensation." Akiza added, winking.
Larissah smiled at her two friends, " No matter what happens, I'm glad I could share this moment with you two." she admitted. "We've been best friends since DA, you two are practically sisters to me."
"We're happy to be here." Jade replied.
"Now, let's do this." Akiza voted, switching on her keyboard.
"Okay New Domino, here it is, the moment you've all been waiting for!" the anchor announced, once the programming returned. "Larissah Warren debuting her new single, right here."
The camera panned over to Larissah and her stage band. Akiza played a soft piano introduction that was roughly four bars long.
Larissah gripped the mic stand and took another deep breath, before beginning her song. [1]
"Done chasing, why you chasing?
Something else
I can't take it anymore
Done lying for the truth to...come out of your mouth
When the answers scream loud."
She let her left arm fall to her side and gripped the microphone with her right hand. Larissah closed her eyes as she sang.
"You play the role
I play the lead
We strike a pose
I was too blind to see
This ain't what it seems."
Jade strummed a few notes on her guitar as the instrumental music intensified as Larissah reached the chorus. The glow of the stage lights illuminated Larissah, Jade, and Akiza, making their dresses glitter.
"What is love?
What is love?
When you don't know who you're lying next to, do you anymore
What is love?"
In their rundown hideout, Yusei and his friends were watching the live performance on the TV, and Sheridan's eyes were twinkling as she listened to her idol's new single.
"What is love?
You don't know what love is till you love somebody, bad enough
What is love?
(What is love?)
What is love?
(What is love?)
What is love? Love...to you"
"I love this song!" Sheridan squealed. "It's so beautiful."
Outside of the hideout, Yusei stopped what he was doing as he listened to the song. He wiped sweat from his forehead and turned his attention to the performance.
"It's madness, like an earthquake
They chase your soul
Then you're left with all destruction
You're frozen and you don't change
Who's gonna save us now?
Cause I can't stay this way for long"
Larissah glanced out her peripheral vision and saw Sayer standing by the vanity mirror where she did her makeup. He gave her a small smile of encouragement. Larissah nodded in reply and faced the crowd ahead of her.
"You play the role
I play the lead
We strike a pose
I was too blind to see
This ain't what it seems.
What is love?
What is love?
When you don't know who you're lying next to, do you anymore
What is love?
What is love?
You don't know what love is till you love somebody, bad enough
What is love?
(What is love?)
What is love?
(What is love?)
What is love? Love...to you?"
The instrumental music slowed down to where it was just a soft piano and guitar melody.
"What is love?
(What is love?)
What is love?
(What is love?)
What is love? Love...to you"
Two seconds after the song ended, the crowd erupted into applauses and whistles of approval. A smile crossed Larissah's face as she looked out in the crowd. She looked at her two friends and took their hands, and the three girls bowed.
"I can't wait to hear more songs from her." Sheridan sighed.
"Agreed, her voice is spectacular." Nervin agreed.
"Larissah Warren is gonna be a household name before too long." Tank added. "At least in the city.
"Whenever I get to the city, I'm gonna meet her." Sheridan vowed.
Vendetta stood up and walked to her room, "Yeah, like that's gonna happen." she scoffed.
"You never know." Sheridan predicted.
"You keep fantasizing little sister, whatever will help you get to sleep tonight." Vendetta replied, walking away.
Later that night, everyone was asleep, except for Yusei and Sheridan.
"Yusei, think we can meet Larissah when we get to the city?" Sheridan asked, looking up at the sky.
"I think there might be a chance, but I honestly don't know." Yusei replied.
Sheridan looked over at her older brother. "Well, after you get Stardust Dragon back from Jack, what are we gonna do?" she asked. "Are we gonna stay in New Domino or come back here to Satellite?"
Yusei halted his work and sighed, "I don't know the answer to that either." he admitted, standing up. "It's late, you should go to bed."
Sheridan sighed, "Fine, but you have to tuck me in." she caved.
Yusei smiled and swooped his little sister off the ground and carried her to the section of the hideout that was her bedroom. The blankets were old and tattered, but they had learned to live with it. Yusei tucked in his little sister and sat on the side of her bed.
"I honestly don't know what's gonna happen once we get to the city and after I get back what Jack stole from me." Yusei admitted.
"So we might not meet her." Sheridan deducted. "Ven thinks it's stupid that I look up to someone from the city."
"Don't buy into it." Yusei told her. "You can idolize whoever you want."
"It's just." Sheridan sighed. "Larissah is the kind of girl someone like me would want to grow up to be." she admitted. "Talented and beautiful."
Yusei took his baby sister's hand and squeezed it. "Anything can happen, remember that." he reminded. "Maybe, if some miracle occurs and we can stay in New Domino City, you can be like Larissah Warren one day." Yusei smiled.
Sheridan sat up and hugged her brother, smiling. "Night big bro." she said.
"Goodnight lil bit." Yusei kissed her forehead and shut off the lamp that illuminated the room.
Slivers of moonlight shone through the cracks in the tunnel ceiling, illuminating it slightly. The wall near Sheridan's bed was covered with cutout pictures and magazine size posters of Larissah, all of her in various outfits in different poses.
The moon shone over New Domino City. Larissah stood on her balcony and overlooked the city. She wore a pink robe tied tightly around her. Her arms were folded across her chest, and the skin of her right arm was exposed, revealing a dark crimson birthmark, resembling a spiral winding up a section of her forearm. The neck portion ended with two, small, parallel lines and the tail portion ended in a triangular point.
"What's in store for me now?" Larissah asked aloud, covering her exposed birthmark with her left hand.
A faint red glow radiated from the mark for a few seconds before dimming.
A/N[1]: The song being sung is What is Love? by Lea Michele. This song is title is the inspiration for the story title. Warning now, more songs will be featured throughout this story because of Larissah's fame as a singer/model. I do not own any of the songs, so please, no flames!