I Wanna Be An Idol!
Live 3-Act 1
/x/
Danny Hebert arrived to his house, his used red sedan with the faded paint job screeching as both the frame and the engine of the aged vehicle protested at being forced to function. The Hebert patriarch would prefer a newer vehicle that doesn't threaten to fail on him at the most inopportune moment, but that would require money. Money of which he is sorely short of, especially since he is struggling to handle both the daily expenses, the costs of Taylor's medical treatment and the looming spectre of another bill for his daughter's mental health treatment. That the police eventually found her in that locker after someone had filed the missing persons report may have saved her, but a part of her died in that metal box. Danny struggled to banish the thoughts that haunted him again as he went through the police report of what was found inside the locker and what his girl had went through.
"Annette, if only you were here."
Losing his wife had left him with a hole in his soul, much like Taylor left a part of her in that locker. Trudging through the grey skies and chilly wind that cut his face despite it being only four in the afternoon, Danny thought that the dreary weather was a fitting companion for the average life of the common Brocktonian. Struggling with his keys, the balding Hebert swore a blue streak under his breath as he realised he had left his home keys inside. He shambled towards the door, the steps creaking as he climbed on the first wooden plank on the steps before he heard something he hadn't heard for a long time since Taylor came back from summer camp.
Laughter. Not even the bitter laughter he heard Taylor emit when she thought no one was looking, or even the canned laughter of the television when either one of them was watching something distracting on the box. It was a gentle, warm laughter with a musical lilt. that spoke of warm summer days in the meadows and the smell of freshly cut grass on the bright sunny afternoon. He heard rustling of shopping bags and despite his worry for the finances Danny pressed down the frustration of money spent where it shouldn't be spent and tried to focus on the fact his teenage daughter had regained some of her cheer. Putting on his best smile and banishing the fatigue he was feeling, Danny rapped on the door which prompted a scrambled rustling of the paper bags he could hear being hastily grabbed and put aside.
"Dad's home! What if he sees all these that I've bought! We're not exactly flush with cash!"
Ahh. Adolescent short-sighted behaviour and the rush to hide it from their parents. How nostalgic. His nose picked up the scent of perfume and from the few occasions when he met high society during special occasions when the Mayor pretends to care about the Dockworkers, the scent Taylor choose wasn't exactly snatched from the discount store. Danny felt it harder to prevent his temper from flaring up. Such expensive tastes if not nipped in the bud was a recipe for financial disaster. He will have to make a mental note to inform his girl about that.
"What's there to worry about? All these was bought under my account after all"
Hmm, the deep baritone of a man. And while it's not unheard of for teenage boys to sound like a bass blowing a tuba, most teenage boys don't have expense accounts. Danny felt his alarm and ire rise at the same time and wondered if he would be able to prevent himself from murdering this predator.
"Taylor, I know you're inside. Open this doornow!"
Danny winced as he felt his voice raise at the end of his sentence, wondering if it was counter-productive. The wooden door soon gave way and bright light from within the living room soon flooded the grey dreary porch the older Hebert was standing on. But Danny soon found the light from the lighting inside the house wasn't the only one thing that was shining.
"Taylor, you...look beautiful."
Danny always regarded his little girl was the most beautiful young woman in the world in his own eyes. But now, she may objectively be so in the eyes of others. Danny gaped at the stylish light pink jacket over a shimmering white blouse with lace running along the chest and a red clip on tie, brightly adorned with an elegant star pattern. In place of her usual bashful ensemble of jeans and plain sneakers, his daughter wore a black skirt that just hovered above the knees with, a leather belt with a stylish silver buckle in a star design that reflected the light. Black stockings over her exposed legs and still brightly polished leather heels with red buckles made her legs appear far more toned and longer than they used to be. Her thin lips had a shade of light crimson lipstick, which made them appear far more puffy and full than they really are. Eyebrows plucked and trimmed complemented the eye shadow applied and the the earrings with two gold adorned pearls shone like stars on the side of her head. Danny felt his eyes drawn to the light silver necklace that rested on her neck over her open collar, the mini piano keys adorning it looking like droplets of water reflecting the sun. A bright red beret with green trimmings covered her recently redone hair, which now flowed like stalks of ripe barely in the winter breeze.
"Thanks Dad."
Taylorsmiledand Danny felt his breath taken away again. He almost wanted to search for a Halo on the head of his little girl who is now a radiant diva. The older Hebert felt a twinge of pain as the vision before reminded him of his dearly departed wife, when she was at her most glamorous. Danny noticed that the nails on the hands of his daughter, once trimmed neatly with zero frills were now expertly manicured and buffed as they shimmered like chitin on a lady bug, while the scent of expensive perfume reminded him of the danger he had sensed that was stalking his girl. Sure enough, Danny noticed a tall man, muscular but with a visible belly in a suit standing up from the couch with a stony look that went perfectly well with the thinning brown hair. The older Hebert had seen gargoyles with warmer expressions.
Then the suited man smiled and Danny wished he had a gun.
"Dad?" Danny felt soft but firm hands land on his cheeks as his face was pulled towards his daughter.
"I want to be an Idol."
Danny blinked. Is that what they call it nowadays?
"You want to be a graven image of worship?" Danny felt his grip on sanity slip away as he considered the surreal vision before him.
Instead of frustration, Taylor giggled, her light voice reminding him of the jingle of bells.
"Now you're just being cheeky, Dad. I want to become an idol. You know, sing, dance, do endorsements and variety shows? That sort of thing."
Danny now wished his daughter was more normal. Like, she can get involved with a gang, trigger with some grisly superpowers or deal drugs. Instead, she is lured into the sleazy world of entertainment. But before he can speak, he heard the deep baritone of the suited man address him.
"Mr Hebert. Allow me to introduce myself. I am the Producer." Danny turned to glare at the man who is attempting and apparently succeeded in luring his daughter in. Danny felt his fists tightened and a scowl began to form on his face before he felt a warm breeze on his cheek and saw from his peripheral vision Taylor had blown onto his face while wearing an impish grin that showed an impressively polished set of teeth that were perfectly set.
"Still feeling angry?"
Danny gaped at the cheeky display by his recently withdrawn daughter and turned to the suited parahuman with murder in his eyes. The older Hebert shrugged himself free before he grabbed Producer by the collar and glared into his face.
"Undo whatever it is you did to Taylor. And take your shopping with you went you leave." Danny growled out.
"Dad!" The sharp shriek from his child caused Danny to wince. He turned back to his daughter, who stared at him with watery eyes, hurt and disappointment visible on his face. Danny hardened his heart and turned back to the suited cape. Even he knew that Mastered people were plenty irrational and the emotional manipulation was clear to see.
"I've triggered Dad. Before I even met Producer. I think it was during the locker."
Just one statement to calm the beast, as Danny felt ice water douse the raging flame in his heart. The older Hebert turned to look at his daughter, her makeup thinning where the tears ran down.
"You know what my power was Dad? Bugs. I can control bugs! What kind of creeptastic power is that? I even felt my mind start going screwy dealing with this." Taylor walked towards her father, her heels clicking as she strode towards him.
"I wanted this, Dad. Producer told me he could help me show the world my talent. I think I found something I want to do now."
"Mr Hebert." The suited parahuman felt the grip on his collar tightened as he spoke to the father of his latest talent. But familial support is always crucial for most stable Idols and should be sought where possible.
"Your daughter is extremely talented and I feel she can make the world a better place than we found it."
"Through pop music?" Danny snorted even as he let go of Producer. The suited cape straightened his tie and thought of giving another smile, before wisely deciding against it.
"Never underestimate the power of music, Mr Hebert. Sung from the heart, it transcends mere words spoken. And your daughter has plenty of heart, I assure you."
Producer nodded to idol, as Taylor wiped her tears and pulled out her mic.
"Guess you're the audience for my first Live, Dad. Please listen to thisBeginner'ssong."
Danny did not know where the bass or the synthesizers came from, or how the living room of his house was suddenly flooded with strobe lights and smoke.
Danny didn't really care.
He was too busy witnessing the birth of an Idol's first step.
/x/
Shadow Stalker undid her immaterial form as she landed in a backyard of a house bordering Lord Street. The toned Ward patted her costume to ensure it was still her original black bodysuit, woman's scowling mask and cowl before she allowed the instinct to guide her.
Ever since that fat fuck had mastered her, there was this niggling notion at the back of her head that caused her much grief. For one thing- making the life of that jailbait Vista miserable. She who ran around in that green suit with the breastplate and green helmet and visor because doing so was apparently wrong. Just because she's so goddam adorable and makes you wanna squeeze her and hug her and take her home to...
Okay. Okay. Kill Producer and everything will be hunky dory. No more posing in full costume while Phantom of the Fucking Opera plays and she practices her vocals to it.
After all, you don't strain your voice to music all the time. Basic knowledge is that you practice just making the sounds and...Damn it!
"Okay, Sophia. You can do it. You can kill the everloving fuck out of dough boy Chambers without Chewing Knees again. Whatever the fuck that means."
Still, this Master effect at least know how to chose soundtracks. Since she actually kind of liked this score Ride of the Valkyries rock!
The teen was about to embark on her quest for bloody revenge, before she paused and took out a mirror to check her costume. A hero must always look her best when avenging after all!
