Chapter Text
July 15th, 1927
“Ochako love! Can you come help me with washing the dishes?” Her mother called. Ochako put down the book she was currently reading. It was another Agatha Christie book she had picked up. It was pos-i-lute-ly the berries.
“Coming mama!” She called back, getting up. She padded through the hall of their small house and into the kitchen. Her mom was humming along to the radio, soap already covering her hands.
“I’ll wash you dry and put away okay sweetcheeks?” She said, with a look. Ochako winced internally, sweetcheeks is what her dad used to call her.
“Yeah mama that’s fine.” She smiled. Her mom hummed along to the radio as they worked. But it was nervous humming. There was something tense and nervous in the air.
Her mom was scared to tell her something.
Ochako hummed along with her mom, ignoring the tension, her hips swaying slightly, twirling as she put plates and utensils away. Her mom watched her with sad, careful eyes.
“Ochako baby.”
“Hmm? Yeah mom?” She asked, turning back around. No more humming. Awkward. Quiet. Tense. Charged. Her mom only called her baby when she had bad news to tell her
“Your pen pal has asked if you’d like to live with her in New York for a while. She sent me a letter asking about it. Her friend took her in, and she has a larger house and she sent out for other friends since she doesn’t want to live there alone with her friend and her friend’s fiancé.”
Ochako just stared at her. “Mina said that?? Really?” She asked after a moment of just gawking at her mother. She nodded.
“It’d be for a while, or until you want to come home-” then it hit her. Her mom was bringing up Mina for a reason she didn’t want to acknowledge. To get her to go to see Mina.
“But...that means I have to leave you alone, mom.”
Don’t get her wrong. She’d love to go to New York. The height of flapper fashion, dancing, giggle water, people. She loved the idea of it.
Not the idea of leaving her mother.
Her father was American, and her mother was Japanese. Her father fell in love with her mother on his trip abroad to Japan. They married and moved to America where Ochako was born.
Then her father went to fight in the war.
He lost his life Gallipoli.
It was just her and her mom.
“I know darling but this is a once in a lifetime-”
“But I’m leaving you all alone in this crappy leaky house!” She snapped, looking at her mom with tears in her eyes. “I promised daddy that I’d stay with you momma!”
Her mom sighed, looking at the ground. More bad news? “It...works for both of us. I got a new job, but only I can live there. It pays well, provides shelter and food. I’ll write every so often! But I need this job love,” her mom said, looking up at Ochako.
“A...new job?”
“One room housing. It can only be me. It pays ten an hour, and they provide food and water along with a home. Please love, just so I can make enough so we can move to New York.”
“If I go to New York, I’m getting a job myself.” Her mom pursed her lips. Ochako was stubborn, she took after her father like that.
“Well I can’t stop you. Mina can, but I’m not her.” Her lips quirked into a smile. “But be careful okay?”
“I still don’t like this.”
“My friends are going too.”
“The ones…?”
“Who lost their husbands in the war? Yes.” Ochako nodded, thinking. Her mother wouldn’t be alone, they’d work hard together to shift over into a better life style.
And she would get to see Mina for the first time in forever...
“The more I work the better. You’d move with me...it would be nice to see Mina again. In New York City no less!” She murmured. Her mother slowly smiled. She was getting through to her daughter, faster than she thought.
“Is that a yes?”
“As long as I can work.”
Her mom laughed. “That’s all up to you love.” Ochako smiled.
“Then it's most definitely!”
Her mother clapped, Ochako jumped up and down. “I’m going to New York!”
“We’ll be getting out of this old house!”
“To dreams and adventure!”
“To food on the table and lots of love! But don’t go too crazy with the love dear. I hear New Yorker men are a new breed.” She winked. Ochako blushed, ceasing her bouncing.
“M-Momma geez! But...I didn’t think about that...”
Her mom just laughed, teasing Ochako’s hair. “Oh I’m just teasing ya. Go pack now. We leave in two days.”
“Two days?! And you’re telling me now?! MOMMA!” She laughed, patting Ochako on the shoulder and sending her up the stairs.
“Well this old gal spaces and gets nervous sweetcheeks. She still loves ya darlin!”
--~~--~~--~~--
July 17th, 1927
She stared up at the train, her chest constricting. She hated the idea of leaving her mother. Hated the idea of her mother leaving her . But the prospect of New York and a new adventure excited her.
The two days of packing and getting ready had let her have time with coming to terms with going to another place without her mom.
She just hoped her mom would be okay.
Her mom just watched her, smiling. “Go love, get on before it takes off without ya. I’ll write when I get to my flat. Write when you get to Mina’s! Tell me all about everything okay?” She nodded, mute. Her mom hugged her, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Love you to the moon and back darlin. Good luck out there, be careful okay?”
She hugged her mom back. “You too. I love you so much momma. Make lots of money so you can come live with me sooner okay? Be careful,” she whispered. Her mom laughed.
“One of us needs to be careful, and it sure as hell ain’t me. Stay safe, aware and have fun kiddo. Your papa would be so proud of you.” She started tearing up.
“Love you so much momma.”
“I know sweetcheeks, now get on that train!” She said with a laugh, tapping Ochako lightly on the butt pushing her in the direction of the train. Mina, thankfully, had sent her a ticket to come up to New York, with a couple bucks for a cab. A ten. A lot of money. For a cab. And in general. For her at least. She touched the money, remembering the letter that came with it.
People will try to pickpocket, so don’t let anyone get close to ya okay?
She smiled, stepping up into the train. It was warm from the July weather, but it was comfortable. “Ticket miss?”
“Uhh umm yeah h-here,” she said handing it over. He stamped it, nodding, and gave it back. She was sent on her way to her seat, which was empty by the window. She smiled.
She’d see the ground, the sky, everything, all the way to New York.
“This is the berries!” She whispered to herself, putting her suitcase under her seat. She sat down, just staring out the window. It was a lovely day, making it a lovely train ride.
The sky was bluer than the sea, with fluffy clouds.
Granted those dark clouds did hold the chance of rain. She didn’t like that.
She just leaned against the wall, looking out the window real dramatic like. She felt like she was in a moving picture.
She giggled to herself, pulling her legs up onto the seat to curl up into herself. Her dress was a mess, and she only had a couple dollars. Maybe she could talk to Mina about a new dress.
Really make her look like she was in the pictures.
She grabbed her braid, pulling it over one shoulder.
The train jerked forward, and started to move. She didn’t notice, her stomach twisting as she pulled farther and farther away from her mother. Her hands went to the locket around her neck as the land started turning into a whirl of colours.
She didn’t really want to go. It was a new adventure, a new place to go, new friends, places, food, clothes, fashion, but her mother wasn’t there with her.
She was going to make enough to bring her mother to the city. Even if it meant spending all her time working.
She already lost one parent.
She wasn’t going to lose the other.
She let herself smile as the first few drops of rain fell against the train darkening the sky.
--~~--~~--~~--
The first time she stepped off the train, she nearly passed out. Her eyes were saucers. She was a country girl. Used to lot’s of land, not many buildings or people. Used to animals and a large sky enveloping her in a hug as she ran through the grasses.
New York central station was most definitely not like that.
It was grand, with lots of people milling around. Lots of statues and marble floors. More windows than she’d seen in her entire life. So much filtered sunlight and the sound of rain pattering against the ceilings.
Her hands went to her locket again, feeling comfort in the touch of the warm metal. She never opened it. Not after that day...not ever again.
She shook her head, tucking her hands into the pockets of her thinning jacket. Add that to the list. She shouldn’t ask for much, just one or two new dresses and a new coat. She’d work hard to pay for them.
She smiled softly to herself, lifting her suitcase. She walked through the halls and main station, feeling overwhelmed, and yes, a bit lost. The rain sounded like it was getting stronger, which worried her as she didn’t think to bring an umbrella.
She stopped at the steps where Mina said to catch a cab and get to her address (which was on a slip of paper Ochako didn’t let go of).
She chewed on her lower lip, how the hell was she going to catch a cab if the only car she’d ridden in was her dad’s old broken down Ford Model T he’d gotten at the dump and fixed up??
“Hello little lady. Need some help from a strappin young man like myself?” Someone asked from behind her. She whipped around, holding her suitcase like a weapon. He held up his hands in defense, like he could protect himself from a suitcase.
She relaxed a bit, watching this stranger carefully. Her eyes darted up and down his form. Black hair that curled around his face and ears. Messy. A hat covered some of it, making the curls go wild. His eyes were a pretty soft green that reminded her of the valley in the spring. Of her father carrying her around and climbing trees.
She shook her head, backing up to the stairs.
He had a brick-y almost build. Stocky, but lean. Muscle was most likely hidden under his baggy jacket.
Which meant he was much bigger than she was. Don’t get her wrong, she could take care of herself in a fight, but that didn’t mean someone couldn’t be bigger than her in mass.
And she did admit he was handsome too.
That didn’t hurt.
But his eyes unnerved her. Beautiful, haunted, and searching. But whatever the hell was he even looking for?
“I dunno. I do need help, but I don’t think I’ll ask a stranger such as yourself. ‘Might try to take me for a ride and I certainly don’t want that.” She backed up another step. She was getting dangerously close to the steps.
He knew that.
He didn’t try stopping her.
“Well that’s too bad sheba. I can seem to help with your luggage, or any... other problems of yours,” he said with a wink and a wolfish grin. She narrowed her eyes. Forward lad wasn’t he?
“The only other problem I have is catching a cab to get out of this rain and away from you so I think you should carry on and bother some other gal like the drugstore cowboy you seem to be. Good day,” she huffed, turning to go down the stairs.
Too slippery.
Dammit she was going to fall.
And if he caught her and it turned into some romance novel of what her mother read she would die. She would rather fall down the stairs than be caught and fall for someone like him.
Just as that hateful fate and god would have it, he caught her as she fell.
Just as she worried. And not wanted.
Dammit.
He was strong. One arm under her back, the other holding her arm that was holding the suitcase. One of her legs touched his side, her dress riding up. She blushed wildly. He smiled again. That same wolfish grin.
“Wow. Didn’t think I’d have you falling for me this early. But I like a little chase sometimes you know.” He smelled good. Aftershave and something minty too. Maybe some strawberries were added to that mix. His face dipped lower. She growled.
No time to think like a ditz Ocha.
“Just put me down. I’m not falling for you now or ever. Much rather would have broken something falling down those stairs than having you catch me cowboy,” she spat as he lifted her back up. His eyes flashed.
“Dunno about that sheba. You might die falling down the stairs. I know you’re hard headed, but your nogger ain’t gonna protect you from marble stairs. Especially slick rain steps.” He tsked. “The worst kind.”
She rolled her eyes, smoothing out her skirt. She looked away, touching her locket. How the hell was she gonna get away from him? And catch a cab!
“Pretty necklace.”
She sighed, looking back at him. “Thanks, it’s from my father.”
His eyes flashed with recognition. “Ah. Sentimental. How's your pop doing? Here to visit him?”
Her voice was flat. “He’s dead.”
She looked away again, chin held high. She didn’t care if he knew her dad died. She didn’t need any more pity, but she didn’t care who knew. Everybody loses someone in their lives.
She just lost her dad too soon.
When she looked back she noticed how his eyes flashed with awe, concern, pity, and sadness. And empathy. That was new. “Oh...I’m sorry sheba I didn’t mean to open old wounds. I apologize,” he swept into a bow, pulling his cap off. His hair spiked up, making her giggle.
“I accept your apology, but I would like to be left alone than you,” she said turning back around to decide how she was going to catch a cab. He smiled.
“As part of my apology, I will help a young lady with her troubles with a cab. Come with me, miss,” he said, setting his cap on his hair. It was wet.
She realized with a jolt they’d been standing in the rain when she fell. “I ah-” he held out his arm, crouching down slightly, with warm eyes. She sighed, before taking it. She wasn’t going to like it, but fine. She’d let him help her.
His jacket was soft and warm under her fingers. She blushed looking away as he led them down the stairs and into the street. “Watch this sheba,” he whispered, letting go of her arm. She immediately noticed the lack of warmth.
Damn him.
He hollard, waving his arms. A cab stopped. He talked to the person driving, handed them a couple coins and waved her over. “Thanks for the adventure sheba, have a nice ride,” he said with a wink, kissing her cheek lightly.
She gasped, wondering if she should slap him or not. He just pulled away, grinning wolfishly. “Can’t blame a man for kissing the most beautiful girl in the city. See ya around sheba,” he said with a wave, running into the rain.
She held a hand against her cheek, face burning.
“Good riddance you...you CAD!” She yelled after him, waving her fist. She growled, getting into the cab and slamming the door.
“Where to miss?” The driver asked. She just handed him the slip of paper. He nodded and they were off. She patted down her jacket, making sure she was alright. Seemed to be in one piece.
When they arrived at Mina/Momo’s house she realized she was not all in one piece .
“He stole my ten dollars,” she whispered.
“What was that ma’am?” The cabby asked. She didn’t answer, as she just fumed in silence, as he stopped.
“Damn you whoever you are,” she muttered. She opened the door, and stepped out, bag in hand.
“Do ya have a tip for me ma’am?” The cabby asked. She narrowed her eyes, nodding.
“Yes. Don’t kiss strange men.” And she slammed the door.
“He stole my damn ten dollars the cad,” she muttered, stomping up the path to Momo/Mina’s estate. It was more Momo’s estate, but Mina had taken it over a little and turned into a house that welcomed all kinds of people. Like...a boarding home almost.
Momo didn’t mind, she quite liked the idea of helping other people with her home, and having them help her take care of the house too. She had lots of empty rooms and the house got lonely.
She jogged up the path, holding her hat to her head because the wind was blowing things away. And she liked her ratty cheap hat thank you very much.
She got to the porch, watching the chaos that the rain had brought. She knew those clouds were bad. And now she was soaking wet, mad, and short ten clams.
She knocked on the door, rubbing her arm. Someone called back from inside. “Coming! Just a sec I need to oops-” crashing, someone yelling, footsteps. Ochako giggled, that was Mina all right.
The door swung open to reveal the manic girl. Mina’s face broke out into a huge smile as she looked Ochako up and down. “You’re actually here. My pen pal. Ocha you’ve made it!” Mina giggled, cheering. “Welcome welcome!” She said, wrapping Ochako into a large hug.
“Ack Mina I’m gonna get your nice dress all wet!” She squealed. Mina just waved it off.
“And? I can dry this dress, I can’t hug you for the first time in the rain ever again. So here we are,” she said, pulling away to give Ochako another once over. “New dress. Dry these and then burn em.”
“Wha- Mina! These are my clothes!” Ochako clucked. Mina was very straightforward, but that’s what made her fun.
“Ochako they are patchy and soaking. You need new rags girlfriend. Maybe something...more flapper-y. That’ll work. And please tell me you’re open to letting me cut your hair. You’d look so gorgeous with a bob. A new style and you for this city.” Mina also talked a lot more than she remembered.
She blinked. A lot to take it. “L-Let’s just keep with the new clothes for now.” Mina smiled.
“Gotcha! Now c’mon! Let’s get you out of the rain and those clothes!” She led Ochako inside. The house was huge. The foyer covered in a plush carpet. Marble flooring, with slight pillars. A grand staircase that made her almost feel princess-y.
Mina seemed to read her awe with ease. “Regal I know. Momo really knows how to build a house, don’t she?”
“Mmmhmm this is gorgeous.”
“Ahahah I know. You’re lucky. Your room is only on the second floor, four floors man. It’s a mess. Second floor is nice and even. One flight of stairs to climb, and the rooms are nicer. We decided to give you a smaller room with a fantastic few of the gardens.”
She nodded, overwhelmed. “Sounds good. I like a smaller space. Better for me.” Mina nodded.
“My room is on the third floor.” She made a face, making Ochako laugh. “And now you get to go up there with me and change your appearance since you. Are. Soaking. You can take a bath with any of my bath supplies and whatever I have in there.”
She nodded as they walked up the stairs. “Hey Tooru c’mere!” Mina called. A girl popped out from the left side of the stairs. That was fast. “Oooh new time, nice. Can you take Ocha’s luggage here and get it to her room?” Mina asked. “Please.”
Tooru nodded, smiling. “Nice to meet you Ocha. Mina’s been super excited over the fact you were coming. Welcome! Now this isn’t usually my job, but Mina called in a favour.” They shared a cheeky look.
She smiled back, as Tooru took her suitcase. “T-Thank you!”
“You should take her to Momo about getting her a job at the...place,” she continued on. Mina nodded.
“Mmhmmm she does have the looks for a performer, Momo would like that. If she cut her hair that is. If she can sing and dance we are golden.”
“Right since the last girl quit.”
“Yeah...Izuku isn’t easy to work with,” Mina said with a sigh. They giggled, before going their separate ways. Ochako was confused, why did they talk about her (or maybe not her, but she’s going with that they were talking about her) in front of her .
Granted it was about a paying job though.
If it were about her she wouldn’t mind performing. Her dad...he loved hearing her sing. And she loved it. But maybe she could try singing again…
She shook her head. They might not even be talking about her anyways. She just smiled, following Mina up some more stairs and down a couple of halls. Then they arrived at her room. It was a bigger room (almost as big as her house dang) with a small bed, vanity, bathroom and closet on one side and a dresser on the other.
“Just change and leave your clothes over there.” She pointed by the door. “I’ll get clean stuff for ya, and if you change your mind about your hair,” she said with an eyebrow wiggle. Ochako giggled.
“Maybe. I’ll think about it.” Mina nodded, as Ochako walked into the bathroom. It wasn’t too big, had a small tub with a toilet and sink. The mirror was pretty though.
She smiled to herself, taking her heels off and stripping her socks off. She shut the door, and then got to work on stripping the wet dress that kept clinging to her skin. “Ugh,” she said with a wince.
It was not fun to peel off, some of the fabric was darker than the other pieces, seeing the patchwork and batteredness of the dress. Yeah she needed a new dress. Her poor mom had to keep fixing this poor dead dress.
She slipped it down her shoulders, and pulled the rest off. It felt good to get it off. She went over to the tub, turned the water on and waited for it to warm. She caught her own eyes in the mirror, and sighed.
Maybe a haircut was in order.
--~~--~~--~~--
“Really?! You want one? Oh my god yeah!!!” Mina cheered when she told her about how she wanted to cut her hair. She nodded nervously. Mina could be a bit...ah overactive. Mina clapped her hands.
“Y-Yeah. Please nothing overboard,” she pleaded. Mina just smiled, looking pos-i-lute-ly excited.
“Awesome! I left a dress out for ya, and some new shoes that I think should fit out on the bed. Your old stuff will be brought down to be washed later. I’ll set up my stuff here while you get dressed okay?”
She nodded, going to Mina’s bed to see what she laid out for her. It was a simple cream dress with a lace hem. Simple sleeves that rest a few inches above her elbow. It fell to her knees, and she felt a little...bold wearing it.
She felt like a real flapper.
She giggled, twisting and letting the lace fly out around her legs.
Mina watched her, smiling. “I do hair and makeup where I work. Also waitressing but still. I do this haircut a lot, but in different ways, so you’re in safe hands,” she said, patting an old chair in front of her vanity. The rug was covered by sheets of old painting plastic.
She untied her braid, walking over and sitting down. “You’re gonna be a real twenties girl when I’m done with you,” Mina said with a grin, fluffing Ochako’s hair.
When the first lock hit the ground she knew things were going to change. For better or worse? She’d have to choose.
A flapper.
A city girl.
For her mother.
Each piece of her hair that Mina cut off felt like a chain, and each one cut was another chain gone. Her heart felt lighter too. She knew where ever her father was, he would be proud. She was changing with the times, and going with the flow.
Yet being Ochako Uraraka all the same.
She loved it.
When Mina finished she looked like an entirely different person. Her hair was straighter than she remembered. It hugged the back of her head nicely, almost perfectly. Two thick strands of her hair were longer, curving around her jaw. The rest of her bangs set nicely against her forehead and curved against her face.
“Ooh you look like a flapper queen! So ritzy!” Mina cooed, cleaning up the plastic as Ochako admired herself for a moment.
“You’re incredible Mina! No wonder so many ladies have been getting this haircut, it’s simply the berries!” She gushed. Mina giggled, finishing cleaning.
“Glad you like it. We just have one last thing to do and then you can get some rest. ‘Kay?”
She nodded, smiling even broader. “I really love this Mina. You are amazing. How aren’t you doing actors hair for the films?” She asked standing. Mina blushed, waving her hand.
“Oh please my name ain’t big enough for that girl.” They laughed, leaving her room and going down the stairs.
The girl who they talked to earlier, Tooru spotted them. “Oh you convinced her! And damn Ocha you look gorgeous. That haircut brings out your eyes and your bone structure. I wish I had cheekbones like yours! So refined!” She said, with glittering eyes. Ochako laughed nervously.
“Really? Huh. I’ve been told all my life that I have a chubby face.”
“Nah you have a refined face Ocha. Like a model. Your chubby cheeks just bring it out more!” She blushed.
“I wouldn’t say that-”
“I would. Now go on you two, Momo’s waiting for ya. Good luck,” she said with a wink and skipped off. Mina just smiled, guiding Ochako down the stairs and to a room that was just under them. Almost like a secret room.
“Tooru is sweet. I like her,” Ochako said as Mina knocked on the door once, twice and then two taps. They even had a secret knock. That was super cool. Granted people must ask to meet the man of the house so they had to disguise a bunch of things...interesting.
“I know right? Most people here are super sweet. And they aren’t we just kick em out into the street..” She giggled, but Mina looked serious.
She stopped giggling as the door opened. The office itself was simple, a small plush rug, a desk and a couple bookshelves. A woman was sitting at the desk smoking a cigarette. She smiled when she saw Mina.
“Mina darling. Who’s this lovely little thing?” She asked, looking at Ochako. She felt...overshadowed in the older girl’s presence. She had a regal air to her, like she was made of rich gems and soft smiles. She was nice.
As far as she could see.
“This is Ochako. My pen pal you know her. Her mom agreed to send her all the way out here, isn’t that the berries?” Mina said with a large smile. Momo’s smile grew brighter.
“Oh that’s wonderful! And I truly adore your hair Ms. Uraraka. Mina cut it?” She asked. Ochako nodded, smiling. Momo clapped her hands. “Wonderful! And that dress is simply lovely against your form. I will make sure to get you more in a smaller size and different colours. Cream is lovely against your skin.”
Ochako nodded, overwhelmed. Mina giggled. “Getting down to why we’re here, do you think we have any jobs for her at the place?” She asked. Momo sighed, thinking.
“Hmm well our last performer quit. Izuku truly is hard to work with,” she said with a sigh. Mina giggled again.
“He is cute though.” Ochako blushed, Momo laughed.
“We do have that position open though. Can you sing and dance? If not we still have being a waitress or assistant bartender?”
“I-I can sing. And dance a little...”
Momo clapped. “Ooh wonderful! We have a big crowd tonight, and we need a performer. You and Izuku can play songs you both know and make up the choreo on the spot, we just need you in. But, we need to know if you can sing well .”
Mina nodded. “You want me to sing for you. Right now?”
“Well we need to get down to the speakeasy soon so...the next ten minutes.” Well she was blunt. She blinked.
“Uhh okay?” She was a performer at an illegal underground bar.
Sounded fun. And almost...risqué if she was being honest.
She liked it.
“Is it okay if it’s a song soldiers sang? My dad sent this back as a joke and I...memorized the lyrics.” Momo giggled.
“Oh that’s fine. Sing anything. Anything at all. When you’re ready love.”
She nodded, taking in a small breath. “The Bells of Hell go ting-a-ling-a-ling, for you but not for me.” She tapped her foot, forward, then back. “And the little devils have a sing-a-ling-a-ling, for you but not for me.”
Momo giggled a little, Mina was smiling, holding back her laughter. Ochako smiled back, jumping up into a twirl, before landing in a slight bow with her hands out. “Oh death where is they sting-a-ling-a-ling, oh grave thy victory? Oh the Bells of Hell go ting-a-ling-a-ling, for you but not for me,” she sang.
Momo clapped, her face bright with smiles. Ochako felt herself blush. “Oh you’re wonderful! You have a real stage presence, and I’m sure you can match wits with Izuku. And your voice is just sweet and almost perfect! I’m sure you can drift down into lower notes in your range,” Momo was raving, mumbling, almost...ranting.
Ochako laughed nervously. “Y’all really need this performer huh.”
She smiled. “Well yes, and a new face will be pos-i-lute-ly wonderful.” She blinked. Was getting a job anywhere this easy?
Momo smiled again, clapping. “Here let’s get you to the speakeasy, so you can meet everyone. You and Izuku can work on a song or something after work. It’s going to be a long night I warn.”
--~~--~~--~~--
She stared at the old building, they had hidden the entrance to the side, had a secret knock, and then down stairs and through a few halls that were there to save the alcohol in case of a raid.
They walked down the stairs, the lace swinging around her legs. She smiled as they opened the door to reveal the speakeasy. Large ceilings, a stage with a piano and an orchestra pit for the band.
A bar rested across from the stage, with tables and a place set out for dancing. A blonde man was wiping down the tables, a man with black hair hanging over his ears was cleaning up the bar. Waiter and bartender.
She looked around but it was notes being played on a piano drew her attention. She gasped.
“YOU!” She yelled, stomping up to the stage. The pianist turned, smiling, a hat resting on his curls, but his eyes were still oh so infuriating. Once those eyes landed on her he paled. “YOU! YOU STOLE MY TEN DOLLARS!”
“W-Wha me? Do that? Never,” he replied. She lifted herself up on the stage, he stood and backed away. She pointed a finger to his chest. Like a dagger.
“You. Stole. My. Ten. Dollars,” she growled. He gulped, opening his mouth to reply.
“Oh you two already know each other! Wonderful!” Momo said, interrupting him, with a smile. She clapped her hands.
“No shit they’ve already met,” one of the waiters said. Momo ignored him.
“Doll I truly don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, holding his hands up in a surrender.
Her voice was just seething with hatred. “You know what you did cad. I want my ten dollars back.” He seemed nervous. “Now.”
“Well doll there was this guy. Homeless, has a large family-”
“You spent it didn’t you.”
“Uhh…”
“I still want my ten dollars back.” Her eyes were narrowed into slits.
“Oh do you think you can perform with him?” Momo called. Ochako flipped him the bird, and turned back to Momo.
“Yeah sure. As long as he gives me my ten clams back soon.”
She could hear his sputtering, and she smiled. Oh this was going to be fun. “Guess we need to get to work to get to know one another Izu ,” she said turning again to look at him. His eyes were narrowed.
“Yeah?”
She made her voice sugary sweet. She didn’t want to, but anything to annoy him was worth it. “And after work too. Guess you won’t be getting rid of me for a while huh Izu? We’ll have to get nice and personal…” she said leaning into him, he jumped slightly at her touch, she smirked.
“And close,” she whispered, head tilting to look at him. His eyes were drawn to her face, more specifically her lips. Perfect.
She yanked him down by the tie, he almost yelped in surprise. She may have been a naive county gal but she knew her way around misdirection. She slowly worked to untie it, letting her fingers grace the skin of his collar and neck.
He blinked, nice and slow.
Then she skipped away, silk tie in hand. She tied it around her head. He blinked out of his stupor. “Hey- WAIT THATS MY NICEST TIE!” He yelled, chasing after her. She cackled.
“Well it’s mine until you give me my ten dollars back.”
He stopped, hands on his hips. He looked offended, she just shot him a sweet smile. “Mine until I get my money back~” she sang in a sweet voice.
“How long do I have to deal with you today?” He asked in a quiet voice.
“Hmmm I'd say from now until waaay after work Izu,” she said. He groaned, and she grinned again.
Her time in New York was about to get so much more fun.