"You have to stay calm, Mom will sort everything out," my mother said, looking at me proudly.
"You look more nervous than I do."
"Well, not every mother goes with her son to sign a contract that will change his life."
"Touché."
We were currently in a taxi heading to Columbia Records' offices. Not much time had passed since the director's notice and Columbia's agent's call. The skyscrapers were impressive at first glance — maybe the next Baxter Building would be in one of them.
When we arrived, the record label's opulence left both of us in shock. Polished marble, chandeliers, well-decorated carpets.
We walked up to the receptionist who didn't take long to attend us; she asked me if she got paid extra for always smiling or if she was some kind of mutant gene. At least she was polite and let us into the waiting room.
A few minutes passed and I started doing a little beatbox with my mouth. Not too loud, just enough so only I could hear it.
"Nervous?" — well, apparently I wasn't the only one hearing it.
"A little. It's not something you do every day. What if I don't convince the casting director?"
"You will, of course. They wouldn't have made us come all the way here otherwise, right? This is just a formality for you to join them."
"I hope so... If I don't manage to convince him, would you still buy pizza on the way back home?"
Mom just laughed.
"You should have more faith in yourself. You sang amazingly and anyone who doubts your talent doesn't deserve you." Mom hugged me and stroked my head. "Besides, if they reject you we'll go straight to the competition so they'll know what they missed."
This time it was my turn to laugh. No matter the world, a mother's love is stronger than you think.
"Damon." A tall man in a suit approached us. "It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Frederick and I'll be the one evaluating your audition." He shook both my mother's and my hand.
"You must be Mrs. Blake, right? As you know, we're only going to verify your son's talent, and if he convinces the higher-ups he'll be able to sign an agreement with us. And who knows — maybe in the future he could be the next face of our label."
They took us to a studio where there were more people. We greeted everyone and they asked me to go into the recording room. Before I went in, my mother kissed my forehead and wished me luck while she stayed in the control room.
Inside the recording room there were a variety of instruments and a microphone. I got a little excited when I heard Frederick speak out of nowhere through the speaker.
"All right Damon, we heard your presentation from that time but the executives need one more song to be sure. Do you have another one you want to sing? Or shall we give you lyrics to perform?"
"No, I have another one I wrote recently." I lied a little — it was from another world, but it didn't matter much.
---------------------------
I got this feeling inside my bones
It goes electric, wavey when I turn it on
All through my city, all through my home
We're flying up, no ceiling, when we in our zone
I got that sunshine in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet
I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops (ooh)
I can't take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally
Room on lock, the way we rock it, so don't stop
And under the lights when everything goes
Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close
When we move, well, you already know
So just imagine (just imagine, just imagine)
Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance
A feeling good, good, creeping up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
All those things I shouldn't do
But you dance, dance, dance
And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
Ooh, it's something magical
It's in the air, it's in my blood, it's rushing on
I don't need no reason, don't need control
I fly so high, no ceiling, when I'm in my zone
'Cause I got that sunshine in my pocket
Got that good soul in my feet
I feel that hot blood in my body when it drops (ooh)
I can't take my eyes up off it, moving so phenomenally
Room on lock, the way we rock it, so don't stop
And under the lights when everything goes
Nowhere to hide when I'm getting you close
When we move, well, you already know
So just imagine (just imagine, just imagine)
Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance
Feeling good, good, creeping up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
All those things I shouldn't do
But you dance, dance, dance
And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance (come on)
I can't stop the feeling
So just dance, dance, dance
I can't stop the feeling
So keep dancing, come on
(Oh, yeah, yeah)
I can't stop the, I can't stop the
I can't stop the, I can't stop the
I can't stop the feeling
Nothing I can see but you when you dance, dance, dance
(I can't stop the feeling)
Feeling good, good, creeping up on you
So just dance, dance, dance, come on
(I can't stop the feeling)
All those things I shouldn't do
But you dance, dance, dance
(I can't stop the feeling)
And ain't nobody leaving soon, so keep dancing
(I can't stop the feeling)
Everybody sing
(I can't stop the feeling)
Got this feeling in my body
(I can't stop the feeling)
Got this feeling in my body
(I can't stop the feeling)
Wanna see you move your body
(I can't stop the feeling)
Got this feeling in my body, come on
Break it down
Got this feeling in my body
Can't stop the feeling
Got this feeling in my body
Can't stop the feeling
Got this feeling in my body, come on
---------------------------
When I finished singing I stared at the mirror and listened as the others spoke among themselves; my mother let out a few tears while smiling at me.
"All right Damon, you can come out. You can go to the waiting room with your mother; we'll call you when we have a final verdict."
I sighed as I left the recording room. My mother hugged me and we went to the waiting room. We waited about fifteen minutes until they called us into a room where there were some suited men who radiated authority.
"Damon, after discussing it for a few moments we believe you have a unique talent," Frederick began, gesturing with hands adorned with a gold ring. "You have the voice and the image. We think you're the next big talent this label needs." One of the suited men beside him handed us a contract; I suppose he was the company lawyer.
My mother skimmed the contract and looked at them seriously. "Excuse me, Mr. Frederick. This says my son will receive 10% of each album. Why so low? And what about his education? My son will finish school. I know many artists tour and I don't want my son to neglect his education."
"Well, the reason for such a low percentage is because the label makes an investment in your son. I mean, we'll put up the money to record the album and singles, and also pay for promotion," he replied naturally. "Besides, your son hasn't made a name for himself in the industry yet. So tours won't happen for now, and he won't have to worry about stopping his education."
The discussion lasted more than two hours. In the end I settled on 15% of album profits and the label agreed to speak with the high school so they'd support me if I ever had to go on tour.
===========
I collapsed onto the couch thinking about what had happened, pulled out my phone and called the group so they'd come to my house.
They had become my closest friends and I wanted to share this achievement with them, besides Felicia being my girlfriend.
At night I planned to continue my vigilante affairs and think of a name since people had already started asking me that every time I rescued them.
A familiar meow sounded nearby. "What's up, Felix? Are you hungry already?" I stood up and served his kibble, gave him some pets before sitting at the table with Mom.
"My little one, I still remember when you were only four years old and played astronaut," my mother said while holding my hands. "Now you're a man forging your path. You know not to stray, right? No matter how tired or stressed you are, never fall into bad habits."
"Don't worry, Mom, I'll make you proud."
"That's the least of it, Damon. I'm already proud of you. From the first day I held you in my arms, I always have been."
It had been some time since I cried — practically since my previous life — but it was impossible not to in this situation.
"Enough crying or the house will look like a funeral. Better celebrate. Let's eat the pizza before it gets cold."
I took a bite in silence while a few tears kept falling; I needed to make myself stronger faster. To protect everything I love, I had relaxed for too long and wasted valuable time I could have used to become stronger.
That night the guys arrived and we had a mini party among ourselves. The living room atmosphere was warm, lit by dim lights and filled with the delicious aroma of pizza and snacks.
Harry tried to juggle some Cheetos to impress MJ, while Peter and Gwen sat on the sofa.
Felicia had curled up next to me. "I still can't believe it. It's Columbia Records! My boyfriend is about to make history!"
I laughed at her excitement. "I haven't made history yet. I just signed a paper. Now comes the hard part of recording an album."
Peter looked at me. "Still, it's impressive. Columbia is where the greats recorded. Elvis recorded there in his early days, Bob Dylan and more."
"Now there's Nas and Cypress Hill," Harry said, chewing the Cheetos he'd been juggling.
"You have to tell us what was the most impressive thing you saw in those giant offices," Gwen said, ignoring Harry's comment.
"Who cares about the offices? It's Columbia! Think about the parties! The trips! When's the first concert?" Harry, as always, was the most enthusiastic.
MJ laughed while eating some snacks. "Let's toast to the pizza and to the future artist Damon Blake!" She lifted a soda.
We all toasted and the sound of their laughter filled my chest with warmth.
"Thanks, seriously. It means a lot to have you all here."
Felicia cupped my face with her delicate hands. "I know this is an important step, but you have to promise me you won't push yourself too hard."
"I will. It's just the shock of all this. The studio is much more demanding than I thought."
Felicia kissed my cheek softly. "Listen to me, Damon Blake. It doesn't matter if your record sells one copy or a million. It doesn't matter if tomorrow you decide you hate singing. Whatever happens, you have me, your mother, and these idiots."
The noise of the party slowly faded. I said goodbye to Peter, Gwen, Harry and MJ. Felicia hugged me before leaving.
I went to my room and pulled out my notebook thinking about what name would be best for a vigilante — some people I'd saved were asking who I was.
I wrote down the first ones that came to mind and when I looked up a few hours had passed. Soon it would be my time to patrol the area and earn XP.
I put on my vigilante suit in the dark of my room and climbed out the window.
That night was productive. I stopped a couple of armed robberies and broke up a small street fight. They weren't epic battles but I was becoming more efficient against the thugs.
Around two in the morning, while patrolling the rooftops near the industrial area, I stopped at the edge of a tall building. I could see a car speeding with loud music; at first I thought they were just drunk people, but I could see they were carrying high-caliber weapons.
I followed them, jumping between rooftops until they stopped and I had to hide in some bushes near where they'd parked. From there I had a clear view of several abandoned warehouses by the train tracks.
A large warehouse — the most isolated of all — had its loading doors slightly open. What was more revealing was the dim light coming from inside and the constant movement.
I saw several armed men going in and out, loading and unloading suspicious boxes.
While I watched, a light flashed in my field of vision.
It was the system notification:
[NEW MISSION: FIRST GROUP CONFRONTATION!]
Neutralize the criminal operations base in the Warehouse
[REWARD: 100 EXP AND POINTS PER HENCHMAN DEFEATED, 200 EXP AND POINTS FOR DEFEATING THE CRIMINAL BOSS (KILLGRAVE)]