tushanshu | 1 ☆ Video

[Well. Barnaby has certainly Seen Some Shit, but this easily takes the cake for the most ridiculous. Still, he can't argue against what's in front of his very eyes, even if he's still skeptical about a lot of the explanations he received earlier.

The only option is to proceed to the best of his ability, which is why he turns to network of people who have already been in his shoes. He wears a neutral, polite expression as he address the public.

By the way, he pretty much looks like a pink Iron Man, though he has the sense to show his face by lifting his face plate up when addressing a large group of people for the first time.]

Hi, my name is Barnaby Brooks Jr. A couple of things:

First, has anyone seen a Japanese man with a dark complexion, a beard, and in his late thirties/early forties? We were together before I arrived here, and I would like to confirm his whereabouts if possible.

Second, as I understand it, we're expected to find employment. My question is, does anyone here work at a bar? My prior work experience was as a hero, but I'm under the impression there isn't much money to be made from that here, so I'm considering becoming a bartender.

Also, I heard there were a lack of clothing designers here. Tailoring and sewing aren't my expertise, but I did create my own clothing line back home. Is there a demand for that sort of thing here, or would it likely be on a strictly voluntary basis?

I'd appreciate any assistance.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, the first would clearly be the whole bad boy persona with the tight clothes and the black nail varnish. Oh, and broody. Very broody. That's a crucial ingredient.

[Interesting. That's actually not what Barnaby had expected to hear. Back when he was trying to climb his way to the King of Heroes title, he had been vying with Sky High for popularity and points. No one in their right mind would describe someone so earnest and campy as a "bad boy".]

I can't say that kind of character would do very well in my industry back home. Teasing the audience is all well and good, but my company has no use for the rebel type. What's popular likely changes depending on the industry, the demographic you're targeting, current social mores, as well as the culture as a whole.

[Actually, he has "tight clothes" and "broody" (at least in private) down, but there's no reason to point that out.]

Sounds more like you're missing a key demographic. The trick is making the audience thing there's a heart of gold in the poor, tortured soul. Oh, but if they could just fix him.

[ He's not entirely sure where this guy is going with the company stuff, but he's rolling with it happily enough. Commodifying people was what the human race did. They were very good at it, so why not do so to their heroes. ]

Also, tight pants.

I'm not saying there isn't a demographic for it, but it's a moot point if the sponsors aren't on board with the idea. The business was originally started as a way to make the public less afraid of NEXTs--

[It occurs to him that this kid has probably never heard the term before.]

--that is, people with special abilities or powers. Heroes are supposed to represent the best of what NEXTs have to offer, so it's important that they smile for the cameras, engage with their fans, and present themselves as people who will uphold the status quo. For most sponsors, a tortured bad boy doesn't really fit into that mold, and people are slow to take risks when big money is involved.

Ah, image rebranding. I think I get you now, I've been somewhere similar. Sensitive, polite, and wholesome in the aforementioned tight pants really would get you further, wouldn't it? Once the market matures, though, it'll be black eyeliner and gratuitously apparent inner conflict abounds.

[Barnaby actually gives a small, amused smile.]

Have you considered a career in marketing?

It's always worth keeping one's options open. I wonder, think you that it would have any cross-over with the profession of law? I have considered going to law school.

Possibly. Marketing firms usually wind up having to draft an assortment of contracts before executing a new PR campaign. You could always make them your niche.

Now that does sound fun.

[ Once he's accomplished his schemes, he was going to take a vacation and play at being a human lawyer type one of these days. It sounded fun. ]

'Twas nice talking to you. I'll let you get back to more pressing matters, as it seems you have a good few.

Sure. Although, I don't think I caught your name.

I didn't throw it out there, did I? Loki is my name.

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