Originally posted January 7, 2010
((Dani, Roz, and Chance make it to the same bar as a local crimelord))
-- By Rex Celestis
The withered hand gently held porcelain fingers as the couple moved gracelessly across the dance floor. He stepped with the stiffness of age, her with the boredom of youth. As they left the floor, Chance overheard him chastise her in coarse Japanese. "You should learn to Lambada."
The bar struck Chance as similar to any he might visit in the world, yet uniquely Japanese. Dark booths and couches surrounded heavy wooden chairs placed around circular tables. A dimly lighted dance floor stood opposite a hardwood, well stocked bar. A thick cloud of smoke hung in the air. A series of small wooden lockers covered the walls, each filled with a bottle. Patrons could keep unfinished spirits in those lockers, label and names visible. Everyone could see what the rich and infamous enjoyed drinking.
The clientele trended towards older gentlemen in their 60's and 70's, attended to by young women in their teens and 20's. Blonde foreigners moved between tables serving drinks. Someone would occasionally step to microphone to croon a traditional Japanese ballad, or squeak out a current pop tune. Chance felt fortunate. He'd only heard one rendition of "My Way" so far. He still considered the musical value of Min'you just slightly above that of fighting cats.
They had been noticed. From the moment Dani stepped into the hotel lobby, she drew looks of admiration and envy. She looked beautiful in the Gothic costume, noticeable even if Chance thought she looked beautiful in penguin pajamas. Wearing a new top hat and holding a scrounged up walking stick, Chance cut a fine figure standing next to her. Wearing a flattering little black dress, Roz, (Rose for the evening to preserve her cover) took maximum advantage of her cleavage to draw more than a few appreciative glances.
"I'd like to take the train, if you don't mind," said Dani. "I get enough of cabs in MC."
The took the train: the Yamanote from Shijuku to Ebisu then the Hibiya to Roppongi. Other young Gothics surrounded them, Chance translating a string of questions and Dani struggling to understand some very shattered English. Roz kept a watchful eye from a slight distance away, delighting in the interactions between the young couple. They laughed together, shaking their heads at the mention of obscure Japanese bands and shows. One Japanese teen did know Los Campensinos, bursting out into "Suweeto Darueamsu Suweeto Cheekisu!" in the middle of a car.
The trio attracted any number of drink offers once they entered the bar. "Rose" worked the club, saying hello to old friends and other clientele before settling down. With a gentle nod, she identified "their man."
Seiji Takayama had sent a bottle of sake to the table moments after a hostess seated them. The eyes of the middle aged man never seem to wander far from Dani, staring often enough to leave Chance with a slight blush. He seemed so plain to Chance, a well positioned business man out on the town, dressed in a drab suit, his stomach slightly distended from years of heavy drinking. A gaggle of pretty girls surrounded him and his two middle aged companions. A group of young thugs surrounded them, fending off all but the servers.
Chance tried to emulate Rose's skill at appearing to drink without actually drinking. "Keep your glass full," he had warned Dani. "If it goes down they will refill it." Beyond the warnings, the sake and jet lag started muddling his thoughts. A number of terrible plans to get closer to him crossed his mind. One involved going to the men's room together. "Oh sir, I believe you may have worked with my father as much as 16 years ago. Would you happen to know where he is? Oh, and zip up sir. Your fly is open." Fatigue laced a low chuckle. If they could get close, somehow. Get an opportunity to talk.
-- by Camille Brown
Seiji Takayama's attentions had not gone unnoticed by the dark haired necromancer. Throughout the evening she had attended to three things, making sure her glass remained full, avoiding the eyes of the older man, and watching the people parade up to the stage to sing. Despite her work at keeping her sips of the glass to a minimum, she eventually realized that her glass had in fact been refilled a few times, and she was feeling the warmth of the alcohol within her.
She hadn't partaken of any alcohol in a long time, and even the small amount was enough to lower her inhibitions. She could sense the nervousness in Chance, and had noticed him muttering several times as he struggled to figure out how to get close to Takayama. She had found herself tapping along to the rhythm of the songs, and then starting to hum along. She'd been going over the thought of singing since Roz had pointed out that it would get Takayman's attention, and seeing as Chance wasn't coming up with any alternatives, she was starting to feel like she might need to make the sacrifice. She frowned to herself, and forced herself to stop drumming along. Could she really stand up in front of people and sing again. It had been so very long since she'd last braved a crowd, and that had resulted very badly.
When she realized she'd drained her entire glass of wine and it was being refilled, she knew that they were starting to lose their opportunity. She stood up from their table, and walked towards the stage. She would have to have been blind, not to notice how the room seemed to perk up and watch her step up to the mic after choosing a song. She was foreign, she was pale, and she was dressed in Lolita style. To the young girls, she was unique. To the men, she was desirable or just interesting enough to catch their attention. She felt her heart shiver in fear a moment before the beginning notes of the song. She would do this, despite her concern, because it could help Chance.
She hadn't recognized a lot of the music that was available, but was not surprised to find that "No Doubt" was in the listing. She had heard that Gwen Stefani had found herself a rather large fan-base in Japan. Apparently they also liked her older stuff along with the newer songs.
She had to closer her eyes, as she began.
For a long time I was in love
Not only in love, I was obsessed
With a friendship that no one else could touch
It didn't work out, I'm covered in shells
As she hit the high note, she felt her voice shake slightly with emotion. She should have realized that one of her favorite songs would reach into part of her own feelings. She sang loudly, fully projecting to the room unlike the other shy, though enthusiastic, karaoke participants. She found she was singing for herself, and she didn't care what any of them thought.
And all I wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life
And all I needed was a simple man
So I could be a wife
She opened her odd gray eyes, as she poured out the words to the listeners. She found herself meeting the eyes of individuals in the room, seeing similar emotions reflected in the eyes of some.
I'm so ashamed, I've been so mean
I don't know how it got to this point
I always was the one with all the love
You came along, I'm hunting you down
Like a sick domestic abuser looking for a fight
And all I wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life
She held the microphone with both hands, turning as she sang to the different sections of the room. It wasn't that the words were her words, but the concept was her concept. She just wanted to have a normal life. She hadn't wanted her gifts. She'd never found happiness within them. She felt that her necromancy was a burden she had to carry, and that it got in the way of her forming proper relationships.
If we met tomorrow for the very first time
Would it start all over again?
Would I try to make you mine?
I always thought I'd be a mom
Sometimes I wish for a mistake
The longer that I wait the more selfish that I get
You seem like you'd be a good dad
Now all those simple things are simply too complicated for my life
How'd I get so faithful to my freedom?
A selfish kind of life
When all I ever wanted was the simple things
A simple kind of life
The song went on, but Dani's eyes had regained their focus on the room. She had pulled herself back from where she'd gone in order to sing. She was surprised to find that her cheeks were wet, and she quickly wiped them, blushing and bowing to the room. She replaced the mic. Her cheeks were flushed as she moved back towards the table that Roz and Chance sat at. Chance looked as if he was about to say something to her, but she was stopped by one of Takayama's men. He asked her in broken English if she and her friends would like to join Seji Takayama for a drink. The necromancer forced her embarrassment down, accepted the offer and waved Roz and Chance over to their new table for the evening.
-- by RexCelestis
She was going to leave him. Roz watched Dani, listened to the words, the flow. Soon, not maliciously or for lack of want, Dani would break up with Chance. Her voice carried tones of self-discovery, a journey she would believe she needed to take alone.
Gentle and fast, Roz had asked, and the secret agent hoped the young woman cared enough for him to let it happen that way. Roz looked over to Chance, his eyes red rimmed with fatigue. He watched Dani, absorbed her, accepted every part. He glanced out of the corner of his eyes and then turned to face Roz.
"I know, Roz," he said clearly through the music. "It's ok." He smiled, blinking, then turned his attention back to the stage.
Roz looked at her glass, wanting to drink with the man; this man she bathed when he was six, this man she held when Aiko broke his 15 year old heart. This man. She sighed. This man. She wanted to confess, to tell him that she thought about him and tried to make it work the only way she knew how. That she was doing the best she could.
But this moment wasn't about her. It was about them.
She was going to leave him. They would have these moments together and cherish them. She was going to leave him and it would be OK. They would both be the better for it. Like her and Richard, Roz thought. Like her and Colin. She smiled, remembering those moments of her own life and she took a small sip as a toast.
--
"You goodo singu," the aging Yakuza said as he pointed to Dani. The three of them stood by the table, waiting for an invitation to sit down. The gathered friends and goons smiled and chuckled at their boss' excellent English. "My namu Seji Takayama," he continued. You looku sekushi in dressu."
Chance fought the urge to wince. This couldn't go on for very much longer. Takayama would start pawing Dani as soon as she sat down next to him. She had impressed Chance with her courage, willingness to help, and then the quality of her voice. He could not bare to watch this gangster fondle and grope her at the table. They would get the information some other way.
"Fuendo?" Takayama asked as he pointed at Roz and Chance. The two foreigners produced cards and set them on the table. The Yakuza gave up on English as he examined the names. Dani could catch a few names in the coming burst of Japanese. Chance would translate it all, word for word, later.
Takayama picked up Chances card, looking up at the young man once before asking a minion, "Is this Hunter Thomas' boy?"
"I am," Chance answered, using polite Japanese words and phrases.
Takayama's lip curved into a twisted snarl as he turned on his underling. He raised his voice, cutting off the performer on stage. "I can't be seen with this boy you fool! Not while he's in Japan! He is an American spy!" Roz moved her hand onto Dani's arm, urging restraint.
"Who's here?" Chance asked, fighting to remain calm "I'm not a spy, sir. I'm only here looking for my father."
"I can't be seen with you," he said, turning his sneer on Chance.
"Mr. Takayama. I know you worked with my father in the past. If you could…"
"I have never worked with the Americans, you fucking upstart! Typical, sticking your fingers into…" he looked around the bar calling for the owner. Chance felt the press of a goon against him. He took a step back. A fight here would accomplish nothing other than further alienating Takayama and the rest of the Yakuza.
A flustered bartender crossed over to the three. "I think you would be better served elsewhere."
Chance let himself be led out, bowing back to Takayama as long as he could. He watched as the Yakuza left his chair to stand over his kowtowing minion, loudly berating the underling in public.
On the street, Chance turned and held Dani. "Are you OK? You were amazing! You sounded awesome!" She nodded a bit bewildered by the Japanese overload, jet lag, and the speed with which they got kicked out.
Roz looked up, up towards the second level bar they just left. "He doth protest too much, methinks."
Chance looked over at her, not yet willing to remove his arms from Dani. "Yeah. He knew my dad was back in Japan. I bet he knows where. Roz, we need to find out what my father was doing back then." He looked at his watch. "We need to get some sleep, though. I'm fast approaching the point when I'm no good to anyone."
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