Originally posted February 23, 2010
((Chance and Kori finally go on a date. This is a cleaned up transcript of a marathon RP session. This whole experience reminded my of the RP ability of Kori's player. By Chance I had found out that OK Go! was playing in Tokyo around the time of this story and had Chance messenger a ticket to the concert. Kori looked up the bar online, found a map of the place, and knew where she would position security if needed. That is an effort well above and beyond what most other players offer.))
He and Yukiko had spent the day together. They haunted the streets and parks of Harajuku enjoying a clear if cool Tokyo day. They played music together for passersby, gathering a few yen for their efforts. Chance learned a lot from her that day, learned just how much he didn't know about music.
He had dinner with Roz at some yakitori-ya in Shinjuku. "it's difficult to muck up meat on a stick," she explained, "But this place just gets it so right." True to his word, he spent most of the night just listening, getting all the details of his friend's life. She never confessed a liaison with Mr. Mori, but blushed furiously when Chance gently teased.
They shared a train as far as Shibuya. Chance departed with a kiss on both cheeks, a big smile, and a fleet of butterflies in his stomach. He found the club and offered his ticket to gain access. He had seen "OK Go" a few years ago at the Metro in Chicago. He hadn't picked up the new disc yet, but he had confidence the creative pop/rock quartet would put on an entertaining show.
He scanned the faces of the few gaijin in the small crowd. He had not specified a meeting place, thinking they would find each other easily in the intimate space. Satisfied she hadn't arrived, he got a beer from the bar, found a spot where he could watch the entrance, and waited.
-- by Kori Arasaka
A scarlet haired woman relaxes in a steam shower/spa, surrounded by a circular floor-to-ceiling glass enclosure and accented with cypress pine wood. The inside of the shower is illuminated by red l.e.d. lights and the melodies of Diana Krall can be heard from inside of the unit.
She lays on her back on the wooden bench, eyes closed, breathing deeply as she massages her neck with her hands and sighs.
"Thank you. ." she whispers to herself, just as the stateroom doors are opened and a tall blond woman strolls in, wearing a black and green outfit consisting of a miniskirt, high heels, and a leather jacket. She carries several bags from a number of elite clothing stores.
"You're not even ready yet are you?" the blond woman says, as she throws the bags onto the bed. I just got back from 5-Chrome in Sendagaya and I think I spent my allowance for the next year or so," she says with a giggle. "My God Kori you won't believe the outfits I put together. Oh and I took a look at the area around the Unit, the Za House building, and the few blocks on the surround. Seems straightforward enough, I'll have a security team on standby for you there. I'll also be in the club as well but I'll keep my distance. Takeshi will drive you there."
The scarlet haired woman takes another deep breath and rises from the bench as the blonde woman looks through the various articles of clothing and opens several packages and boxes filled with jewelry and accessories. She shuts the shower spa off and retrieves a white engraved towel from the door, wrapping herself in it and walking out to the vanity mirror.
"I'll take the bike this time Diana," she says as she dries her hair.
"The bike? No I absolutely think that's a bad idea. .especially now. We don't even know if we can provide one hundred percent cover in that location. You're still a target here Kori. No, Takeshi will. . . "
"No, I'll take the bike Diana, don't worry," Kori says calmly, applying skin creme. "I'll have my locator on me if you need to find me, but I'll be fine. Besides, you should enjoy the show rather than worrying about me. You haven't had a proper vacation in a long time Di."
"I worry about you because If I didn't. bad things would happen," Diana says as she tries on some earrings.
"Like Brazil?" Kori says with a smirk.
"Don't ever mention Brazil again please. That wasn't my fault. I thought he was a foreign exchange student, not a member of some damned occult group. He was gorgeous you have to admit."
"That's your weakness Diana, good looking students who you think need a strong Greek female to take care of them," Kori says with a smile as she puts on a pair of Nina Ricci leather pants, Chanel boots, and a simple red Armani sleeveless top.
"Oh shut it, you're just upset that you didn't go back to the hotel with one of them," Di says with a giggle.
Kori fixes her hair and then grabs her leather coat and a modified motorcycle helmet. She checks the heads up display in the unit and tests the communication gear, multi-spectrum visor unit, and satellite uplink. Satisfied with the function check, she grabs the cycle identichip and waves to Diana.
"Just where are you going? I was going to follow you in the Mercedes.
"I'm heading out early. I'm going to stop by Hato Mori for a short while. It's been a long time since I've visited the shrine there. I'll meet you at the club. I'm sure you'll be there before me anyway," Kori says as she walks out the stateroom doors.
"Fine! I'll just try on more of these clothes that I bought on your credit card!"
Kori smiles as she walks down the stairs to the vehicle storage area. She approaches a motorcycle that is unlike any on the market. The prototype Centurian cycle unit is a product of Arasaka research and design. It's elongated frame and wide tires are meant to balance the extra weight of armor and built-in weaponry while masking the devices in a stylish and sleek body.
Kori straddles the unit, inserts the identichip, and issues a voice command which the on-board computer responds to. She runs a systems diagnostic and, satisfied with the results, slips her helmet on and checks the heads up display and satellite uplink. She issues another voice command and the unit transforms into a ten foot tall bipedal armored frame.
She proceeds with a function check on all of the armored frames systems, and then engages the weapons systems. She unlocks and shoulders a 20mm rail gun rifle originally mounted on the spine and activates two shoulder mounted ten round rocket systems. Several other systems including twin 7.62mm chest mounted guns and a smoke grenade system come online.
She completes the diagnostic testing and the cycle resumes its normal shape. Several members of the crew look on as she guns the engine, sending her over the loading ramp and down onto the dock.
From the communications system in her helmet, an electronic voice can be heard.
“Kori, you've turned off the on-board camera system. What's the matter? Is something wrong?”
“No, everything's fine. The bike works beautifully.”
She arrives at the shrine literally minutes later where she parks the cycle in a nearby alleyway. She disembarks and walks through a tori arch to a sando. She cleanses her hands properly, places some coins in an offertory box and bows two times deeply. She claps twice and then bows her head slightly, closing her eyes and whispering to the kami.
After a few moments, she looks up and bows again before she walks back to the cycle. Several people are looking at her, pointing, and one even takes a photo of her as she prays.
She puts her helmet back on and immediately, a voice can be heard.
“Kori, the forward team has arrived at the location. I'm right behind them.”
“I'm done here. See you at the club. Oh and Diana, I'm taking that outfit out of your salary.”
She smiles and lets out a slight giggle as she speeds towards the Unit.
-- A Joint Effort
Spotting her security detail didn't calm his nerves. He had prepared to spend the night watching the show, having a good time even if left alone. He had prepared for the worst. When he spotted the well disguised Diana, the butterflies in his stomach transformed into pterodactyls. When he actually saw her, he feared an alien moment when the damn things might pop out of his chest.
Kori smiled at the doorman as she entered the room. She spotted Chance and made her way through the crowd with a skill honed by many Tokyo rush hours. Leather pants, a red top. Chance felt conspicuously underdressed in jeans and a faded polo. He exhaled, gathering strength.
He didn't let her speak, quickly placing each hand on either side of her face and kissing her deeply. He felt her lips soften as the returned the touch, warm against his. "Hi there," she said when they finished. "Am I early?"
"I... I don't want there to be any misunderstandings," he replied with a grin. "This is a date."
She looked directly into his face. "No misunderstandings," she confirmed with a smirk.
"And maybe we aren't supposed to be together," Chance continued, fearful he would run out of courage. "I dunno. Are we supposed to know after the short time we've known each other? And the past is only important in that it brings us to this moment and created this amazing, fucking amazing woman in front of me." She fiddled with her right earring, a beautiful pearl and silver design as she listened.
"I leave things to fate," she said slipping her hand into his. He gripped it firmly and stole a kiss. She took both her hands, placed them on his cheeks and drew him forward for another, deeper, eyes closed kiss. Chance caught a hint of radio chatter in the closeness of the space between them.
"I love their music. Nice choice." She said.
"I am glad to hear it. I'm glad you're here. That actually went a lot easier than I thought it would."
"Why?" she chuckled. "You didn't think I'd come?"
"The thought did cross my mind." He sighed. "I was playing 'spot the spook' earlier. Is Diana here yet?"
Kori giggled and looked down at the floor. Chance could hear more radio chatter from the cleverly disguised earpiece. "Diana says 'Hello'" she said. Chance raised an eyebrow. He heard a lot more chatter than just "Hello." "She says 'Nice to see you.'"
"Tell her she should get a better wig." They laughed together. Kori grabbed his hand. "Come on. Let's get a drink."
"Those are quite some pants," Chance commented appreciatively as she led him. Kori suffered an unseen blush.
"Functional," she explained with a smile. "Thank you."
"And what function would that be?"
"My mind at work is all," she answered as they neared the bar. "Tends to be a bad habit of mine sometimes."
"So, is everything I say being recorded?"
"No. Diana is… overprotective of me. But no.
"I have some attractive friends," he told her, lifting his shoulders with mock pride. "I could try to set her up."
"Really? Well she's very easy." Chance heard the yelling across the space between them and above the noise of the bar. "Easy to get along with," Kori added with a sly smile. Chance laughed.
The redhead turned to looks at the bartender and nodded, making eye contact. "What can I get you?" Kori asked.
"Kirin, please," He answered. "What a lady." Kori ran a finger over his hand as she ordered the beer and a strawberry kiss. "I'm thirsty," she added with a wink.
"I'm not sure I can do a strawberry kiss," Chance wondered. "I'm pretty sure I just taste like smoke and beer right now. But I'll eat a strawberry if you have one."
She blushed, nearly matching the color of her hair. "You can try it if you want. It's very sweet."
"I will make whatever sacrifice I must, but I will confess I'm much more interested in the kiss part."
Kori scanned the club again; looking nonchalant as she peered into the four corners of the room, then returned her gaze to Chance. "I think you would like it."
"A kiss? I'm pretty sure." He grinned tilting his head behind him. "I count four. How did I do?"
Kori handed him the Kirin first then lifted a martini glass with a pinkish liquid. "Diana's idea."
They lifted their glasses. "Cheers." She waited for him to drink first. "Mainly the just-in-case policy," she explained
Chance raised his hand in a scout salute. "I promise. I will be a good boy." Kori reached over to pull down his hand. "But what if I don't want you to be?" she asked.
"I am so happy you're here," he beamed then kissed her. "But if you don't want me to be good, then we'll need to leave the mic somewhere else."
"There are a lot of things I'm happy about these days, this being one of them." She ran slender fingers up and down the stem of her glass. "I don't remember living until now, you know."
"No?" Kori shook her head, let her eyes travel to Chance's then back to her glass. She took a small sip.
"Are you living now, Ms Arasaka?" Chance asked, settling his head on her shoulder and kissing her neck.
"I wear so many masks that sometimes I forget or don't even know who I am." She closed her eyes at the brush of his lips against the nape of her neck.
"This tastes like you." He lifted his head to look into her deep violet eyes. "I'd like to be there as you discover you, if you'll have me."
She smiled as his lips curved into a smirk. "You will tell me you like me someday, Arasaka-san," he teased, leaning forward to speak to her earring "Ve 'ave vays of making ye talk."
The crowd cheered as the band took the stage. Kori grabbed his hand and pulled him near the front, excited as if seeing a concert for the first time. Chance followed, buoyed by her enthusiasm and his own excitement as OK Go started into very danceable "White Knuckles." He noticed Diana standing near the stage, dressed to kill and watching the band.
He had not see Kori like this, screaming and moving with the band. Her body swayed back and forth to "Can't Get Over It." Chance reached out to touch her on occasion, as if unsure of the dream. He spent parts of the night, eye's closed, the bass in his chest, the touch of her skin against him.
At some point he hears Diana's voice in his ear. "Don't break her heart." She left before Chance could respond. He leans forward to wrap his arms around Kori and get's close enough to whisper into the earring. "Not a chance." They spent the slower paced "A Million Ways" rocking back and forth with her head on his chest. She reaches back to wrap her arm around his neck to "I Want You So Bad I Can't Breathe."
After "Here it Goes," a giggling Kori dragged Chance back to the bar. "You look alive," he remarked. "So alive."
Kori ran her fingers through her hair. "I haven't been on date since I was twenty five," she remarked with a smirk.
"Why?" he asked and then quickly added, "I'm honored."
The redheaded executive placed both hands on the bar. "Imagine living each day and planning each moment, trying to anticipate and adjust everything, as if playing an infinite game of chess. It leaves very little time to live."
"Thank you for living with me." Sincerity pushed aside a weak smile. He handed her a glass then raised his. "Gezondheid" She smiled and answered with, "Salut."
"Chance, it's everything. Things have set in motion that I can't anticipate."
The young man nodded. "Kori. It's ok. You can be a mom. You can date. Well I'll go so far as to say you can date me." He raised a cute smile.
"I'm 17 years your senior, Chance," she told him with a smile. "I should thank you for considering me."
Chance could help covering his grin with his hand. "Oh my. I've given my dad so much shit about his younger girlfriends. Am I your trophy boyfriend?"
The striking redhead laughed and pointed, her chuckle eventually calming to a grin. "I've never had a boyfriend so…." She shrugged.
"Use me if you must," he offered. "Do you want one? A boyfriend, I mean."
"Use you?" she asked with a giggle. Her eyes studied his face before she leaned in for a kiss.
"You're going to tell me someday, in words, you know," he said, their mouths parting. She bit her lip, looked down, then out to the crowd. "I imagine that even if you're 17 years my senior," he continued with a grin. "You're ticklish somewhere
"No! No!" She laughed as she tucked her arms into her sides.
I lopsided grin spread across his face. "When you least expect it."
She looked at him again. "Wanna get some air?"
--
Kori took Chance by the hand and led him out to a side alley. "Did you drive, or…."
"Hey Kori," Chance interrupted. "No messing about. Are you safe out here?" His eyes traveled up and down the narrow street.
She smiled. "Come on."
"To answer your question. I took the train. I don't know how to drive."
The motorcycle looked larger than others to Chance. Its frame seemed wider, its lines more sleek and futuristic, but too big for just functional transportation. "Wow," he remarked.
"It's a prototype," the redhead said as she removed helmets from a hatch and handed one to him. "I'm testing it out, she added with a smile
"Are you going to lead me to my ruin, m'lady?" Chance asked as he examined the protective gear. "Like some forest nymph, a siren perhaps?"
"Ruin? Perhaps," she answered giggling and straddling the bike. "The night is still young."
"I noticed that you brought two of these," he said, putting on the helmet. "Just saying."
Chance couldn't see her smile. "I did, didn’t I?" She inserted a microchip key into the compact dash. Chance heard a computer voiced status indicator as the interior of the visor lit up with local weather, co-ordinates, time, and some symbols he didn't recognize. He whistled softly. He always hoped to incorporate these systems into his old Samurai Indigo armor.
"What should I hold on to?" He asked.
"Me." Chance wrapped his arms around her, pressing into her back. The engine gave an unusual tone. Kori touched his hands before revving the engine. "The bike runs on a modified hydrogen powered fuel system."
"Hydrogen? Like the Hindenburg?" He gave out a yelp as accelerated down the street. "Whoa. I think you cut off some couriers back there. Nice work!" Chance noticed what he took as a weapons array briefly lit up in the HUD. An image of Diana appeared next to it, but he could not hear her voice. He said nothing as they sped through the streets, content to just hold her. Streets gave way to forest, forest to the Meji Shrine.
Kori parked the bike underneath a huge tori gate, towering among the trees. They took off their helmets. Kori stored them and her jacket in a compartment of the bike, then took Chance's hand and led him forward.
They bowed together at the first gate. A smile spread on her face as she pulled him closer to the waterfront. At the temizuya, she took his hands and poured water on them using a bamboo dipper. She repeated the action with her own hands. Finished with the rinsing, she poured a bit of water into her palm then brought that to her mouth. She held out the dipper for Chance to continue his purification. Satisfied, Kori scooped a small amount of water into the dipper, then let the water run down its length. She returned it to its stand. The redhead bowed her head then beckoned chance to follow her to one of the many shrine buildings.
Chance found her as she bowed deeply twice, then clapped deliberately twice. He stood next to her, repeating the motions. Together, they bowed their heads in silence, as if remembering or reflecting on something. They bowed again a few moments later.
Kori took a few steps back then smiled to Chance. The breezed picked up about the shrine and the trees gave off a gently rustling. She bowed to him deeply. "Thank you."
He returned the bow, nonplussed. "Kori, I…. You're a gift, Kori. Every moment we have. It's a gift. Thank you."
She took a few steps away to drop an envelope into an offertory box and returned. "Kori?" he asked, watching as she took a slow, deep breath, inhaling as if taking everything in, then letting it out in a relaxed exhale.
"It's nice, it's nice to know someone…." Kori looked at him, her hair falling over her shoulders, her violet eyes visible in the moonlight. "You are,… you are so beautiful." She smiled and embraced him.
"I'm going to get used to this, you know," he said, holding her.
"I hope so," she replied, taking him by the hand and leading him back to the bike. She stopped at the tori gate and bowed again. Chance did not hear what she whispered.
As they neared the bike, he gestured behind them. "That's the closest you've come to saying you like me."
Kori pulled her jacket from the compartment in the bike and slid it on. "Some things are better left as a feeling."
"Should I feel that I should plan weekends in Tokyo for the next few months?"
"We have to seriously co-ordinate our calendars," she answered starting the bike and slipping on her helmet. She flipped up the visor. "Climb on." He put the helmet on and hooked a leg over the bike.
"You know, Diana trusts you," she told him over the comlink. "That's very hard to achieve."
Chance struggled with a response before settling on, "I'm glad to hear that." He noticed a set of headlights flip on in the distance. "Your people?"
"I hope so," she answered with a giggle. "It's a little late for tourists." He tightened his grip on her as she accelerated towards the entrance. "You hungry?" she asked.
"In a few different ways, yes."
"I know a great little place near here." Chance could feel her giggle as he pressed next to her.
"I think I need better tech," he remarked as a location popped up on the helmet HUD.
"It's a little different for the area, but great atmosphere nevertheless." The bike sped up beneath them as she guided it through a turn.
"I'm all yours." The HUD revealed the name of the restaurant, Bistrot d'Artemis. "Diana cooks?"
"On occasion," Kori answered. "I go here for the wine mostly. Great selection."
"I can't argue with that. I'm thinking of trying to do a sake matching."
"Hrmm. Interesting. Looking for volunteers?" Kori parked the cycle in a side street near the bistro.
"Why yes, yes I am...."
"I would be most honored to offer my palette," she said slipping off her helmet and smiling. "When would you be thinking of having such a wondrous occasion?"
"Soon, next weekend?"
"That shouldn't be a problem. Just need to check with the boss." She set the lock code on the bike and slid her arm into his, guiding Chance to the restaurant.
"I am so going to get used to this," he said. "Eventually I'm going to say something witty and attractive, endearing, even. For now I'm just in shock."
Kori stopped and turned him to face her. "I am a really simple person. Honestly." Chance moved his head closer and kissed her deeply. She closed her eyes, sinking into the kiss. "No. No you're you not." He said after a long while. "And it's OK with me."
Chance smiled at her smirk. She walked him inside a small but cozy eatery with hints of provincial French décor. "Diana, goddess of the hunt," Chance remarked. "Do I need to make an offering?"
Kori smiled at the hostess, who acknowledged her by name and directed them both to a window table. "It's Diana," she said. "Well it's hers, her restaurant."
"She trusts me?"
"Yes… and it's really unusual of her. She and I have a long history together." The hostess led them both to the table and a waiter brought them ice water and a basket of breads."
"Do you? Trust me?"
Her eye's locked with his. "Yes I do."
Chance blushed. "You may even confess soon, you know, that you like me."
The waiter approached the table and bowed slightly, offering menus and rattling off the specials. Chanced watched Kori as she listened. She spoke up when he made it to the wine list. "A bottle of 2006 Bourgogne Chardonnay please." The waiter bowed and acknowledged the selection, pleased, and then rushed off to the kitchen area.
Kori sipped her water. "That was a really good show. Great choice." She smile and tilted her head.
"It's nice to see them in a small venue like that and I'm glad you liked them. I saw them at Metro, about 3,000 people. This was a lot more fun and much better company."
"I appreciate smaller venues though. More intimate."
"I was going to wait for opening day and invite you to a Cubs game, but I couldn't wait that long."
"Oooh," Kori remarked. "I have a suite at Wrigley field. Definitely."
Chance shook his head lifting his hand to his forehead. "Of course." The waiter approached with a bottle and proceeded with the corking ritual, pouring a sample into Chance's glass. He slid it over for Kori to approve.
"Sorry," Kori stammered. "It's a business thing."
"Don't be sorry, Kori," Chance insisted, shaking his head. "You're at a different level. I will adjust."
"No. I just… Sometimes I should be … Well, humility goes a long way."
"Kori," Chance said as he reached out for her hand. "Just be you." He held her hand against his cheek.
The waiter poured two glasses 1/3 full, smiled, and departed.
"So, what's next for us? Do I need to give a blood sample or...." Chance paused. "You already have a sample of my blood, don't you?"
She smiled and giggle, "No I don't do the vampire thing."
"My ACT's! You have copies on my ACT's." He grinned and kissed her. "Is there anything left that you want to know?"
Kori fidgeted in her seat, visibly struggling with the question. "I hope I don't seem pretentious. I don't want to come off that way."
"No, you don't seem pretentious. How do you want to seem?"
"I want to save the world," she responded with a smile.
"I think you just might be able to, Kori." He kissed her again; trembling as if afraid we would wake.
"I'm just kidding," Kori said with a smirk. "I just want to do as much as I can with the time I was gifted."
The waiter returned and Kori placed an order: Foie Gras, Charcuterie, for appetizers, and then Jarrett D'agneau ((braised lamb)) and Boeuf ((filet mignon)) as entrees.
"You know with so many things to consider in this world, with the powers that be and the metahumans, it's a wonder that any sense of normalcy occurs."
"I think most of us just put it into a SEP field."
"I don't want anything to happen to you or to Akemi. You both mean so much to me."
"I do, hmmm, we're getting close here." He nestled her shoulder to kiss her neck. "So close to a confession. Kori joined his giggle as the waiter arrived with the foie gras and the charcuterie. Chance grinned at him from the nook of her neck, then went back to kissing it. "I could tickle you, you know. We can do this the easy way...."
"Ha! or you can beat me in a kendo match," Kori challenged.
"Ach, you serve weak tea." He lifted his head to smile at her. She returned the smile.
And the evening continued with conversation, laughter, and affection.
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