Author's Note: I had my first Monster today (lo-carb, of course, being a diabetic). I am now jamming to Butterfly of the Right Shoulder. ... I had the Monster at about three. It's almost eight now. A WOOOOO! GO MONSTER!
0o0o0o0o0o0
Two weeks had passed, and Hiyama had grown anxious that Ritsu wasn't going to do anything. It was much like that first night when Ritsu called again.
"Hello?"
"Seven again."
Click.
"..."
0o0o0o0o0o0
"Okay, people, settle down. For our second meeting, I'd like to read out the letter I'm going to send out to all the Populars. All of you Fan Mades and Unpopulars are here to tell me what we need to change, what needs to get thrown out, and what needs to go in. Any questions before we begin?"
Kikaito shouted out, "Why'd it take you two weeks to write it?"
Ritsu glared at him. Hiyama strained to see Kikaito's reaction from his seat next to Lily.
"It took me two weeks because I was planning on some advertisements with our dear friend Leon. He handled the English public, I handled the Japanese public. We know that the Populars will deny. Why not be quick to strike?"
"Fine then. Read out what you have."
To Hiyama's disgust, Ritsu pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, straightened it by rubbing it on the mantle side, and began reading.
"Dear," He waved his hand in a random gesture, "Popular Vocaloid, et cetera, et cetera. I know that it is shocking to hear from a Fan Made, but I will assure you that this is all business and not a ruse to become friends with you. However, both instances would be of the same motive. I, Namine Ritsu, representing the Fan Mades and Unpopulars of Vocaloid, would like to ask you, from one professional to the next, to step down from the spotlight and help us advertise ourselves.
"Yes, I know, this is entirely farfetched, but if you don't help us, it will only make a worse image for yourselves. We will climb up this social ladder one way or another. Our next step will be to go to the big boss at Yamaha and Crypton to demand we be marketed correctly. If that doesn't work, we will begin launching advertisements of ourselves, among other things."
Hiyama cut in: "We shouldn't tell them that we'll start advertising. The element of surprise is vital in this."
Ristu looked him over, then took his pencil and scratched out a few lines of writing. "Thank you, Hiyama-sensei. Now, I'll continue.
"Do not take this as a blackmail. We are not threatening you. We just want your help. It will make you look better in the eyes of the public. They will see you as helping the unfortunate - which, it seems, would just make us look like degenerates shoved in the corner of this company.
"We will be popular one day, and we'd like to have you standing right beside us. Sincerely, Namine Ritsu."
Kikaito piped up, "If you think they'll reject, why even try the letter?"
"It's like a proclamation of war, I suppose. And it's giving them a fair chance to help us that they will obviously deny."
Lily raised her hand.
"Yes, Lily?"
"I believe we need to give them specific things they can do to help advertise us."
Ritsu's eyes shined. "Yes, like what?"
"Like suggesting we be put in their music videos?"
"Yes, that works. Anyone else have any good ideas?" He scribbled down some words on the letter.
Several people raised hands. But before anyone could answer any questions, a man in a dark shirt, and red jacket burst into the apartment without asking. Hiyama, among other people, jumped up, thinking he may be a burgler, but he waved his hand for them to sit down.
Ritsu looked like he could have hit this man. "Rook! You're always late!"
Rook ignored him and sat down on the floor in front of the couch. "What're we talking about?"
"If you were here the last meeting and on time for this meeting, you'd know!"
"Please, don't get on my ass. You're seven. I'm, what? Twenty or so? I don't really take count. But I obviously have some authority over you."
Ritsu's face was getting red, and he looked like he would explode in a few moments. "Well, next time you're late, please don't just burst in. Knock, for God's sake!"
"Whatever you say, sarge." Rook looked around with a bored expression. Like he did with everyone else, he glanced at Hiyama's face for a single glistening moment, then looked away. He was tanned, obviously a Japanese Fan Made since he spoke fluently, had black hair with a thick streak of bright red blossoming in his bangs.
"Hiyama-sensei, would you mind explaining things to Rook?" Ritsu had calmed down a bit, but was still red.
"No problem." Hiyama stood up and moved over to Rook, who was getting up slowly with help from the couch. Once he was up, they moved to the kitchen.
Rook turned to face Hiyama while leaning on the counter. "So, Teach, what's up?"
Hiyama leered at the man. "You may be twenty, but you have the mind of a five year old."
Rook stared him straight in the face. "Yeah, so? Tell me something I don't know, will ya, Teach?"
"If you haven't noticed, everyone out there are either Fan Mades or Unpopulars. We're going to fight the Populars. We start with a letter to the Populars, which we are editing right now. Everyone is suggesting how the Populars can help us out."
"The Populars won't help us. They're too far up their own asses to care about us."
"Exactly. But this way, they won't say that we didn't give them a fair chance. We'll try Crypton and Yamaha, too, but they'll deny as well."
"What do we do after that?"
"Leon launches ads for the English fanbase, Ritsu launches ads for the Japanese fanbase, and I suppose all of the other continents' ads will be handled by Fan Mades who can speak the language."
"And after that?"
"We start attacking the Populars. Apparently, Ritsu has some dirt on them. Or someone."
"Huh." Rook stared down at the ground, then back up at Hiyama. His irises were a bright red. "Well, Ritsu's about to solve all of our problems. Why aren't there more Fan Mades out there?"
"Some left yesterday that considered themselves too popular or fine with their status. Ruko was the first."
"Ruko's a sweetheart when he... she... um... wants to be. Now let's get out there."
"Awesome."