Track 3 — Featuring VTuber, Bambii
Tariq Amir Francois, the self-styled Cool Cat, had an irresistible pull toward recording studios that led him through life's wildest escapades. With his ears perked and a tail that turned heads, he carried the invigorating scent of the ocean wherever he roamed. But nothing could hold him back! His exhilarating journey took him from the sun-soaked shores of Virginia to the majestic mountains of West Virginia, through the vibrant streets of Chicago, and into the electrifying energy of Detroit. Along the way, he faced fierce challenges; locals chased him off or even threw punches. Yet, Tariq was unyielding—he lived through a cat-tastrophe where the younger generation only wanted to listen to hip-hop. In comparison, the older generation truly embraced the timeless classics and original hits. Instead of backing down, he dug deep and pressed on while learning from the older generation how to become better as a musician.
With every strum of his guitar—complete with a jaw-dropping flamethrower feature—he wove a spellbinding intergalactic tapestry of music while making sure to record it on his phone, of course. When he lost track of his passion, he'd exuberantly call out its name—Wild Cub—adding flair to his adventures. Refusing to depend on gas stations, he made his oil, proving he had the sheer grit to keep his momentum going. His dreams propelled him toward the dazzling lights of—
One day later, Tariq had his legs on the steering wheel, sleeping while a brick was on the accelerator. He was asleep when he heard a bump in the road. He woke up and saw a duck on the windshield. He turned his head and pressed the windshield wipers to get the duck off. He stretched his neck and got up for cranberry juice in the cooler. He drank some, then took it back over To drive once more with a blueberry pop tart in his mouth while seeing the sign:
Las Vegas, Nevada, is the glitzy playground where stars are born, and Hollywood dreams shine like fake dusty diamonds. And it was just an hour away.
Meanwhile, one hour later, lurking in the shadows was a notorious leprechaun, navigating the streets of Las Vegas in broad daylight, half-singing, half-rhyming as he pursued an audacious quest for gold. "Ahhh... glorious golden palaces overflowing with riches. I'll snatch 'em up and leave 'em gasping, those dirty sons of bi—" But before he could finish his filthy, mischievous plan, a familiar hippie van thundered down, crushing him beneath its wheel with a resounding thud! "Oh no, did I hit something? Oh no, what a cat-lamity!" Tariq gasped, glancing nervously back to check for damage, but quickly brushed it off, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." He replied, continuing his pursuit of the purr-fect parking space, excitement crackling in the air. The adventure was about to unfold purr-fectly!
Once he snagged a parking spot, Tariq hopped out of his van. He was sporting his grandfather's lucky shirt from his seafaring days, a cheetah-print jacket, and tiger-striped tattered pants. A choker reading "danger" adorned his neck, jewelry around the rest of his jacket, while his twin-tailed guitar, Wild Cub, was now an eye-catching orange with splashes of cheetah print. With his treasured guitar stashed safely in its case, he surveyed the charming roads and vibrant buildings of sunny Las Vegas. He spotted musicians and homeless souls scattered about—some hustling for a quick buck while others were once-rejected artists who sacrificed everything to chase stardom—just like Tariq. Suddenly, a desperate thief almost managed to snag his beloved WildCub! An exhilarating chase ensued, with Tariq leaping over cars and darting through alleyways, giving the guy and his goons a sound wallop they wouldn't soon forget. Seeing so many young and old struggling was heart-wrenching, but Tariq knew he had to focus on his path. He thought about how he could make a difference for others. Suddenly, a cat-citing idea sparked in his mind—Tariq would gather a band of talented souls willing to showcase their gifts to the world. They weren't buying it until he offered them food and instruments, which he had in the back of his van. After a few hours, A few passersby shot them skeptical glances, mistaking them for mere homeless drifters, but Tariq knew they were on the brink of something extraordinary! Before they knew it, everyone started making a beat, kids and adults alike, playing like it was a Hollywood performance.
**Starry Dreams in Vegas**
(Verse 1)
It's our time to shine,
Under those neon lights, it's my time to fly,
With a smile so bright, and my heart in the game,
Las Vegas, oh Vegas, you'll remember my name!
(Chorus)
Oh, I'm gonna be a star, dancing in the night,
With glittering lights and everything right,
Singing my dreams, oh can't you see?
The heartbeat of Vegas is calling for me!
(Verse 2)
The crowd will cheer, I can hear them roar,
On that big ol' stage, I'll give them more,
With a wave and a wink, I'll steal the show,
In this world of magic, just watch me go!
(Chorus)
Oh, I'm gonna be a star, dazzling and bright,
With laughter and love, everything feels so right,
Spinning my tales, watch the joy set me free,
The heartbeat of Vegas is calling for me!
(Bridge)
In a tux or a casual, I'm ready to play,
With the rhythm of life, gonna rock it all day,
From the strip to the crowd, I'll light up the way,
Oh Vegas, oh Vegas, hear what I say!
(Chorus)
Oh, I'm gonna be a star, shining like the sun,
With dreams in my pocket, I'm ready for fun,
Every night's a new song, I can't wait to see,
The heartbeat of Vegas is calling for me!
(Outro)
Oh yeah, Vegas, I'm on my way,
To paint the town gold, every night, every day!
With the love of my fans, we'll be wild and free,
The heartbeat of Vegas is calling for me!
As the crowd swelled during the performance, an electric buzz filled the air, excitement crackling like lightning. Cheers erupted as patrons showered the stage with everything from cash and jewelry to playful items like women's underwear and used cans, blending humor and generosity in a splendid spectacle. Tariq caught up in the adrenaline, felt a wave of gratitude wash over him as he performed alongside talented musicians, eagerly distributing their earnings while setting aside just enough for a new pair of perfectly fitting boots—his old ones were practically begging for retirement—plus a new tire for his van after that mysterious hit earlier, and a comforting cup of coffee.
Fortune smiled upon him with a vibrant coffee shop just around the corner. Stepping inside, he was greeted by a colorful mix of patrons, some resembling glamorous movie stars, others sporting a more laid-back vibe. "One cat-icano please, or maybe a purr-fait or a white chocolate fur-appe," he announced with a cheeky grin, only to raise an eyebrow at the puzzled expression on the cashier's face. With ears tuned to the humor of the moment, Tariq chuckled, "You mean an Americano, right?" The barista said not amused by the playful banter, but it did flow effortlessly, "Americano, caticano, Potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto—you know what, let's call the whole thing off!" In that instant, he recognized the magic of laughter and connection within the most straightforward exchanges.
People around him reacted—some shot him sneers, others burst into giggles, while a few were lost in their phones. Just as Tariq was about to leave, his gaze collided with that of an angel. She exuded a playful, pink bubblegum vibe, adorned in seductive attire that perfectly complimented her alluring hourglass figure. Her wild blonde pigtails danced with every step, her plump lips looked irresistibly kissable, and her blue eyes sparkled with heart-shaped allure, making one wonder if she was an extraterrestrial or just rocking some phenomenal contacts. Striding in with glistening gold earrings, platform high heels that elevated her presence, and a dazzling pink rhinestone bag cradled in one hand, she was glued to her brand new phone, completely captivating the atmosphere around her. She approached the barista's register and began ordering: "Can I get one frappe with five or seven pumps of three different flavor syrups? I'll also have a strawberry and butterscotch, a large caramel frappe with extra whipped cream, extra caramel, one bag of Mint Majesty, one bag of Jade Citrus Mint, five honeys, five pumps of peppermint, and half of the cup has steamed lemonade." The barista stared in disbelief, trying to keep up with the extensive list of items she ordered.
"That was just my first three orders!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm electric. "For my fourth, I'd like an iced coffee with twelve pumps of sugar-free vanilla, twelve pumps of sugar-free hazelnut, twelve pumps of sugar-free caramel, five pumps of skinny mocha, a splash of soy, filled to the star on the siren's head, ice, and double-blended, please!" Her jaw-dropping request left the staff momentarily speechless; it seemed ludicrous and potentially revolting. Yet, the woman just chuckled, reveling in their astonished faces. Tariq's heart raced like the crescendo of a love song, each note amplified by her voice, an intoxicating mix of New Jersey and California accents.
"Half-caff, non-fat, what?!" The bewildered barista wondered, trying to process her outlandish order as the bubbly blonde continued.
Finally, she made her customary drink: a short white chocolate mocha frappe with a single shot of espresso, two pumps of white chocolate mocha sauce, two pumps of strawberry sauce, rainbow sprinkles, and whipped cream. It was a petite eight-ounce beauty compared to the taller 12-ounce option. In this case, size truly mattered!
"Um, okay, what name would you like on the coffee?" The barista was having a brain fart moment, really trying to rack his brain around all those orders while Tariq was writing everything down from the first order up to the last. Trying to think of something, after a minute, the woman replied, "Hmmmm, never really thought about it—maybe Mark, Sergey, Samantha, Bill & Savanna—" Giggles erupted among the crowd, entertained by the woman's playful antics. On the brink of a headache and irritation, the barista tried to regain his composure. "Ma'am, I'm talking about your name!"
"O~h, why didn't you just say so? It's Bambii," she replied with a hearty giggle before heading to her seat to await her order. The barista was worn out and dreaming of a break, but with staff shortages, he felt overwhelmed. Suddenly, Tariq approached, extending a handful of napkins. "Hey, hey, hey, don't cry, buddy! I get that you've had a long day. Here are the napkins with all her orders written down, so you don't have to worry anymore, okay?" The barista had never experienced such kindness from a customer—especially not someone willing to part with their last bit of cash and a harmonica for reasons unknown. He grabbed the notes with wiped tears and a fresh perspective and dove into Bambii's unique orders. Tariq went over wanting to talk to Bambii, who was busy texting her online followers worldwide, even the weirdos. "Bambii, I was wanting—" Before he could finish that sentence, Bambii held her hand out at him to stop, "I'm not going to sleep with you. I'm not going to date you, and if you're looking for a good time, I'm only good with goldfish."
Tariq wasn't expecting that reaction from her, but you could understand where she was possibly coming from without fully understanding. So, out of Goodwill, he pulled a deck of cards from his pocket and set them on the table before sitting across from her, which surprised her. "Hey, what are you trying to pull?"
Tariq gave Bambi a puzzled look, "Honestly, nothing. Knowing that your order would take a while, I only wanted to offer you some time, so wanna play some Go-Fish?"
Bambii looked away and blushed in embarrassment, puffing out her cheeks. "All right, but just one game and no funny stuff; I've got my eyes on you, Buster." Tariq only giggled at her cuteness, took the cards out, shuffled them, and passed them to both. "Whatever you say, Ms. Bambii, as the old saying goes, curiosity kills the cat."
Bambii was confused and replied, "What cat?" She was looking around, trying to find the cat, but that only made Tariq giggle even more, moving his luscious afro out of the way and revealing his cat ears while using his tail to give her another playing card. This was shocking to Bambii, but the following words shocked Tariq, "Wow, that is so cool; how did you get those ears and tail?"
Tariq giggled and shook his head while playing with Bambii in Go Fish. "Let's just say I had some bad luck in the past four months, to where I got these ears in the tail along with much more over the holidays. Honestly, it's a blessing and a curse; if I could go back in time and change everything, I would! I just saw that my family would know I miss and love them.."
Bambii might not be the brightest blonde in the world, but she is definitely in the running for having the biggest heart, and she could tell that the man before, with cat ears and tail, was indeed hurting. "If I could go back in time, I want to meet Snoopy." That simple gesture made him laugh and put a smile on both their faces while they continued to play until someone won—It was Bambii. "Booyah!! In your face!" She did a happy dance and did not realize how much time had passed before her order was ready. Before leaving, she had an idea. She knocked on the window to get Tariq's attention and signaled for him to come with her. She pulled him away when he got outside so he could catch the trays of coffee while waving goodbye to the barista. They made one stop: the apartment she shared with her coworkers, Felicia, Julia, and Crystal. This led to Bambii, who gave them their drinks and filled them in on how they met. Yeah, she never asked his name. Still, he gave it to them through the cracks in the door, which led to them giggling. Still, Bambii told them pacifically, "After what happened with my ex, I don't think that it's appropriate to get into a relationship right now, but I want to take this guy on a tour of Vegas and all our hotspots."
Before they knew it, Bambii was taking Tariq on a shopping trip, where she was the one mostly shopping, but when she got to the shop she wanted to walk into, she stopped. Perhaps it was because of its price or how her boss prohibited that outfit. Tariq conceded disappointment on her face, and how she wanted the outfit, a sexy bunny girl attire, so he advised her: "Your value is far greater than you ever realized. You only live once and must remember that you can't stay in the shadows forever. Whether you are working or not, trying to build something or being under someone else, I believe you can do it." This made Bambii smile widely and suddenly hug Tariq; this alluring sensation made his tail curl, his ears moved with happiness, and his heart skipped a beat. Sadly, the moment was canceled because a car show was happening within the mall, which led to the two going to check it out. "Billy Wyatt, let's show these lovely folks what we have for them tonight!"
With that, the curtain opened to reveal a dazzling pink futuristic car. Bambii, bursting with excitement, sprinted towards it, her platform shoes adding a comical edge as she nearly stumbled. "A car! Look, friend, I won a car!" She hopped onto the podium, waving enthusiastically to the crowd, but Florida quickly stepped in, blocking her from getting any closer.
"No, you didn't win a car!!" Florida shouted, shaking her head in disbelief.
Bambii gasped, her eyes wide with astonishment. "Oh my God, you won a car! Congratulations!" She reached out to shake Florida's hands, but Florida swiftly slapped them away, steeling herself for a reality check. "Nobody won a car! You're confusing the audience!" The energy in the room crackled with anticipation as the comedic chaos unfolded. Tariq filled his ears, and moving meant danger, so he dragged Bambii out of there, "Wait, my car!" Tariq couldn't help but giggle that Bambii still believed she had won a car.
Next, they went to a salon where both could get a nice spa treatment and even get their hair done, which benefited Tariq. His tail glistened, and Tariq's cat ears became more visible, thanks to his new dreadlocks. This alien mutation gave Tariq some blonde streaks in his hair. However, whenever a machine was put on his head, An electric charge from a certain someone would short out the machines and nearly start a fire. The two of them went all over Las Vegas throughout the day, talking and getting to know each other. Bambii loved music almost as much as Tariq, but she loved his passion for the art of music. They listened to songs in an album shop and even ate a bite. Still, surprisingly, Tariq was given a tray of fish and other stuff by a rich guy who finally got in touch with his family, which brought him back to the fact that he was one of the homeless people; it was meow-vicious!
Throughout that time, the two told jokes and played songs to wear, even though they danced in public and took pictures. By the time the sun set, Bambii knew she needed to go to work. Tariq wanted to come along, but Bambii was a little hesitant. However, Tariq used his ultimate weapon on her—Kitty cat face. The face that originated from a cat in boots just by a glance made the strongest people weak. As we knew it, we were back in the central area of Vegas. We are. Now, many places were up in lights. Bambii told Tariq to wait so she could talk to her boss about it. She worked at a strip club, and he saw a poster that showed everyone performing tonight: Felicia/Fancy, Julia/Juicy James, Crystal/Crystal Candy, and—Bambii Bimbo?