Log started on Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000, 8:19 PM EST by "Greywolf2" at "Holodeck2"

( Starting Cambot Listing MaxChar 2048 Delay 2 OOC ) (OOC) Tue Apr 4 1900 05:19 PM by "Greywolf2" at "Holodeck 2" (OOC)

Pagoda Garden
Atop a skyscraper in Little Mercury, a finely manicured garden has been built, in the center of which is a wide structure fashioned to look like a pagoda, but with electric lights and "art deco" styling, overlooking the streaming lights of traffic on the Rim Highway. Inside is one of the finest nightclubs in this part of the Perimeter of Luna City, with a sunken central floor where the best tables in the house are located, flanked by raised tiers of additional tables overlooking the main stage. Each table is lit by a paper lantern sitting in its center, warmly lit from within by an occasionally flickering electric bulb. The ceiling rises upward, revealing the interior of the stacked levels of the pagoda, culminating in a skylight that frames the poisoned Earth floating far above.

Taro Hidaka has been placed at a table right up in the front, with as clear a view of the stage as any in the house ... and, vice versa, it seems, as a golden, two-tailed vixen purrs into the microphone up on the stage, framed by a spotlight that reflects shimmering motes on the walls and ceiling from the sequins on her crimson gown.

With his hands folded formally on the table, the other Kitsune sits, watching the stage behind dark glasses. He is in many respects an opposite of the Kitsune on stage, almost like some strange reflection. Tonight he is unable to cloak himself in a shadowed corner, and even though he is of dark color, no one would miss him where he sits now. Because of this and other reasons, the man finds himself more than a bit unsure, but in some strange way being in the open for once has its comforting side, too.

The vixen purrs, "Tell me, have we met before? Were we friends, or something more? I just have to ask you one more time,"s

"Yesteryear or yesterday, when you look at me that way, I just can't hold onto reason or rhyme..."

"Tell me ... tell me ... tell me now, what's on your heart?"

"Tell me ... oh, please tell me ... tell me now ... what's on ... your ... heart?"

Her voice holds out the last word, as her eyes close and her hand sweeps out on the last note. And then she stops, and the audience politely applauds from scattered corners of the room, as most of the tables are empty.

When the song finishes, Taro unfolds his hands too and claps, giving more genuine applause than the others of the room. He smiles to the stage faintly too.

The vixen smiles and bows, scanning the room ... her gaze lingering a little on Taro's table. Then, she walks over to the side for a brief interlude, while the instruments play an interim melody.

Once the vixen begins moving off, Taro follows her with his gaze. When she reaches the side, he reaches up toward his head and removes those dark glasses of his, revealing his eyes in an unusual display. The glasses are then folded carefully and tucked inside a pocket within the breast of the man's suit. No longer shaded, his golden vulpine-slit eyes watch the stage.

A waiter stops by the table. "Here is your glass of water, sir." He sets down the glass in front of the vulpine.

"Thank you," Taro tells the waiter without looking his way. He then reaches over and picks up the glass and holds it in his hand for the moment.

The waiter bows, and heads off, leaving Taro alone. The vixen, meanwhile, standing over to the side and leaning against the grand piano, looks up momentarily, her own golden eyes locking momentarily with Taro's ... and then she smiles self-consciously, shyly looking aside.

Taro continues to look toward the vixen for a time after she breaks off her gaze, only becoming aware of his staring after a moment has passed. He lowers his head again and studies the contents of the glass for awhile instead.

A rustle of fabric alerts Taro to the vixen's approach. She leans over the table. "Any requests?" she whispers.

The black-furred Kitsune's ears flick at the vixen's voice, and he soon looks up to smile at her. "I, really ... " he takes a quick sip of water before he continues, " ... Do you happen to have a favorite? That is what I would like to hear," he finally answers.

The vixen smiles. "I have one favorite ... though I do not sing it often. It does not translate so well into English."

"Then perhaps, if it is acceptable, you would sing it in Japanese? It would do me well to hear our language in such a way," he asks, tail flicking occasionally.

The vixen smiles. "Perhaps." She turns about, her two tails sweeping behind her, as she heads back up to the stage.

The vixen says something softly to the band, and they nod. She steps up to the microphone, and closes her eyes, looking as if she is in deep concentration.

While Destiny Blue makes her way back on to stage Taro puts down the glass and reaches up to smooth his hair. When she returns to the microphone he again folds his hands on the table, leaning forward slightly and ears once again perked.

The vixen smiles, and says, "This is a very ancient song, dating back to before the Exodus from Dark Eden..."

Chimes ring, and the vixen begins to sing, "Mai agare suzaku ... miracle ra..."

"Before the Exodus?" whispers Taro to himself as he watches the vixen before him.

"Densetsu ga ugokidashite ..."

"Hontou no watashi ga hirogaru ...""

In the background, a backup singer whispers into the microphone, "(Touku hibiku wo ai ni)" as Destiny continues, "Anata ni michibikarete..."

"(Mezameteyuku tamashii)" ... "Hikaridasu mou hitotsu no sekai..."

As the song continues, Taro's tail begins to flick behind him all the more. His ears twitch, and he reaches back into his suit to remove the glasses placed there. Once he has them, he unfolds them and places them back to cover his eyes. Hidden behind the tinted glass, his eyes narrow.

The vixen looks momentarily down at Taro's table as she continues the song, and she frowns faintly as she sees that he has put his shades back on.

She continues through with the rest of the song ... and when she finishes, even though many of the patrons don't know Japanese, it's still wonderfully sung, and she receives her due of applause.

Despite a growing anxiety, Taro unfolds his hands and meets the applause of those around him. He wills himself to relax, and again his tail returns to its still position brushing the floor. He even manages a faint smile, knowing enough to fake one when necessary. For now it is indeed necessary.

The performance goes on, and Taro's glass is refilled. The vixen occasionally glances toward Taro's table, though she seems a little more nervous than before. At last, she sings her last number for the night, and as the applause dies down, she takes her bows, and then steps off of the stage.

Once the performances is done and things begin to die down, Taro stands from his table and begins walking off towards the shadows near the edge of the stage. The fading light plays eerily on one colored such as he, for when light no longer reflects off his fur he becomes considerably harder to spot. Were he not wearing a gray suit, one might easily miss him.

He's left alone there for some time, and then Destiny steps down and gives him a tentative smile. "I'll go change into something a little less awkward. And then we can sit down and talk for a while? I hope you'll be able to wait around a little longer."

"I will be perfectly happy to wait for however long you need, Miss Blue. And then we can speak. I am in no hurry," Taro tells the vixen, as usual devoid of the cues of speech that might hint as to how he feels. "Thank you for the performance, as well. You are quite talented."

Destiny smiles. "Thank you. I will return shortly." And then, she glides off to her dressing room.

While Destiny Blue changes in her dressing room, Taro makes his way over towards Chang with questions in mind. "Hello, Chang," he greets the man with a polite nod of his head. "If you are not busy, might I inquire of you about Miss Blue?"

The proprietor of the establishment nods to Taro. "Certainly, Officer Hidaka," he says.

"I thank you. And ... you need not think of me as Officer Hidaka tonight. I am off-duty, and these questions are not related to police matters," the Kitsune folds his arms and nods his head, "I wish to know how Miss Blue came to sing here? Are you aware of which city she came from?"

Chang smiles. "She came here with recommendations from San Dorado, on Mars. She has also performed in Vega City. The work here, however, is a little more regular."

Taro again nods his head. "Has she mentioned her home town by any chance? I had been wondering if we were from the same city," asks the black-furred Kitsune.

Chang nods. "Longshore," he answers. "Mercury," he adds, stating the obvious.

"Ah, thank you. Do you know if she had any relatives there, existing or deceased? It has been some time since I left that planet, but it would be of use to know if I had met her relatives at some point." The Kitsune smiles a little, looking hopeful.

Chang ponders this, then says, "No, she has not mentioned family."

"C'mon, killer. Why don't you ask Blue herself these questions?" comes a familiar voice. It traces back to gangly looking fellow down leaning with his back against the bar, curiously unnoticed until now. Though Jimbo is dressed in a simple grey sport coat and slacks, he must've gotten off duty fairly recently, since his goggles remain perched on his head, forgotten. A drink of some sort sits in one of his hands. His usual lopsided smile is in place.

Taro glances off toward the voice and looks at the man for a moment before answering. "It is useful to know facts about one, so as to create avenues for interesting conversation topics without accidentally stumbling across something she may wish not to speak of," he answers.

Chang laughs lightly at the revelation of strategy.

The male Kitsune inclines his head to Chang. "I thank you for answering my questions. I trust you will not mention them to Miss Blue? I would not wish her to think me one to snoop." He smiles again.

Chang waves his hand. "Not at all." He smirks, then backs away, leaving Taro and Jimbo.

Jimbo tilts his head, sleepy eyes revealing a bit of amusement. "If you want, I can do a background check down at the station." He takes a sip of his drink, raising it at the departing restaurateur, and shakes his head. "Seriously, man ... you don't have to do all that. Nothing beats getting to know someone by being with the person, and you can't do that without a little risk, eh?"

After a moment's pause, his grin widens just a little. "Didja give her the flowers?"

"You Capitols, always with your risks," says Taro as his smile fades back to his usual neutral face. "And yes I brought flowers, and they were accepted. I believe she was quite pleased with them."

Jimbo sets his glass on the top of the bar, and feels around on his person until he finds which pocket he put his pack of cigarettes in. He begins tapping one out. "So then.. what're you going to do with this info?" He flattens his voice out, lowering his brows into a stony expression, and deadpans, "Hello, Miss Blue. The night is optimal, is it not? Sources lead me to believe you are from Mercury, having performed in Vega City and arrived here on recommendations from San Dorado of Mars. Relatives we have contacted have been compiled in this easily referenced list for your convenience."

Taro narrows his eyes behind his glasses. "Duffy, now you. I do not see what this interest is in my personal affairs," whispers the Kitsune. He then glances back toward where the dressing room hallway sits, and shakes his head.

There's no sign yet of Destiny. But then, it takes time to change out of an outfit like that.

Jimbo grins. "It's only 'cause we care, buddy. You gotta loosen up." He smacks his wrist to launch his cigarette at his mouth, trying to catch it, but it rebounds off the side of his face.

When the cigarette rebounds off the other officer's face, Taro's ear twitches. He shakes his head a little as the other officer goes to recover the lost smoke.

As he stoops to retrieve it, the man adds, "I'm not saying I've got miracle advice that makes the gals go all gooey, or that that's even what you want ... but they only go for 'strong and silent' in 'Gunhawks'." Rising back over the bar, Jimmy tries the trick again, this time managing to catch the smoke.

"And how would you presume I 'loosen up'?" asks Taro once Jimbo has returned his head above-table.

"Have a facial expression?" ventures Jimmy.

A golden, two-tailed vixen steps out of the backstage area, wearing a conservative but semi-casual dress and dress-jacket, wearing comfortable flats rather than high-heels as she makes her way over to the table, smiling toward Taro, and looking faintly surprised as she sees Jimbo.

The black-furred Kitsune's eyes narrow some before he gives up and closes his eyes. "I'll consider your advice," he tells Jimbo. "But I would really rather handle this matter alone."

The vixen walks up. "Oh, so you did decide to drop by!" She smiles to Jimbo. "Thank you so much for the bouquet. Officer Hidaka did a wonderful job of picking out the flowers. And I think it was so thoughtful of you -- though unnecessary. I realize you were just doing your job."

"I was just leaving," replies Jimmy, with another momentary widening of his smile. He takes up his drink without bothering to light his cigarette, and touches the side of his goggles. "'Evening, Miss Blue. Catch you later, Taro."

"Good bye Jimbo, and do try and not smile too much when you leave here," Taro tells the departing officer. He opens his eyes once again, and turns around to incline his head to Destiny Blue. "I am glad to see you have returned, Miss Blue."

Jimbo says, "No problem, Miss Blue. Dawn Alert's here for the people, right? Glad there's no hard feelings...." The blondish officer laughs, "I'd hate to have to try to enjoy your singing while avoiding those pretty eyes of yours. Well, I better get home. Take care, you two. See you another night, eh?" With that, Jimbo drains his glass, and sets it on the bar, walking off towards Chang. "Okay, how much do I owe now?"

Destiny laughs and waves after Officer Watterson, then turns back toward Taro. "And I'm glad to see you haven't slipped off while I wasn't looking." She takes a seat at the table. "Now then ... how long have you been in Luna City? You're the first fellow Kitsune I've met since arriving here."

Once Destiny Blue has been seated, Taro moves to sit across from her. "I had no intention of leaving, Miss Blue. Did I appear that way?" He looks over his shoulder off where Jimbo departed and frowns. "If you are curious, the other officers seem amused at my being here. They delight at seeing me uncomfortable, I believe." He returns his gaze toward the woman. "I have been here roughly four years. And you?"

"Oh, only weeks, really," says Destiny, smiling at the Kitsune. "I travel a lot. I'm still trying for that 'big break'. Maybe I'll find it here on Luna."

"Do you think you will be leaving soon, then?" asks Taro.

Destiny grins self-consciously. "Oh, I hope not! I plan to stay here a while. But, really, there's no way of knowing. I don't exactly choose when a new opportunity may arise."

"What brought you to Luna City, might I ask?" Destiny puts in. "It's a long way from Mercury -- a long way to travel to become a police officer, it would seem."

"Well, I can only hope you plan to stay. As has been said, our kind are uncommon. You are the first of note I have seen since I left Mercury." The man folds his and pauses, considering, before answering the question. "I left to escape the conditions in which I lived. I was not content to live as a peasant, in squalor. I would risk guess it may have been similar with you; you do not belong in filthy places."

The Kitsune frowns. "Well, no, not really. My family was treated fairly well. We were in the service of Lord Toronaga. But, still, I wanted something a little more than just singing for the lord's birthday parties." She smirks faintly.

"You are one of the fortunate then. One could be jealous were it anyone else." Taro smiles faintly. "I would not think then I had met any of your relatives, although I had brief brushes with the samurai class as a guard. Ah, yes, I never did ask your name. Is Destiny Blue your real name?"

Destiny smiles. "It is a translation of my given name -- Unmei Aoi. Or, that is, 'Destiny Blue'. It is the Mishiman tradition to give the surname first, but here, people assume that 'Destiny' is my first name, and that 'Blue' is my family name."

"And, no," clarifies Destiny, "my family was not Samurai. There are no Kitsune Samurai. We were peasants, in the service of Lord Toronaga, though my family was given to performing well enough to please the lord, and he treated us well."

Taro gives another one of his faint smiles. "It is a name well suited to your profession. And yes, I realized you would not be samurai. I was referring to your service to your lord. That is a boon many Kitsune do not possess. Very lucky. Oh yes, that song, where did you learn it? One does not hear such ancient songs every day."

Destiny looks faintly sad for a moment, then says, "It is a very special song to me." She pauses, then says, "I sang it as my last performance on Mercury. It was my one opportunity to sing for Lord Moya, the Prince of Earth, ruler of Mercury, himself. He was pleased, and my family was greatly honored. I was very afraid, for if I did not please him, it would bring dishonor upon Toronaga, and in turn upon my family. So to please him was a defining moment in my life."

"I received many offers as a result of my performance," Destiny says, "which led me to Venus and then Mars ... and finally here."

"I am sorry if I brought up a painful memory. I do not wish to upset you," says Taro with a frown. "It must be from another event then. The one you describe seems so happy. I am glad that you succeeded."

Destiny says, "Oh ... well ... it was just a very frightening time in my life, as well as a joyous one. Lord Heir Moya is a very ... unpredictable man. He can be very generous with those who please him ... but very cruel to those who do not."

The black-furred Kitsune nods in understanding. "Yes, despite my lowly position I too heard of his ways. I am thankful that I was able to escape from that planet, myself." He casts a glance towards the bar. "I have been told I should 'loosen up', so I will go against my better judgement and ask -- would you like something to drink? Eat perhaps? Or for that matter, much of anything?"

Destiny laughs softly, then says, "No ... no, not really. Usually, about now, I would just be getting ready to go home. If I eat this late, it will keep me up all night."

Taro reaches up and adjusts his glasses a bit. "I fear then I have run out of ideas for 'loosening up'." He bites his lip. "I do not suppose you would like to do this again sometime?"

Destiny smiles. "I do suppose I would. Perhaps on an evening when I'm not performing, so we can have a little more time."

For once, Taro gives a smile that comes close to actually looking bright. "I will try to 'loosen up' more next time we meet," he says, as he reaches a hand up. Again he removes his glasses, and this time he places them on the table under the hand that took them off. "I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable earlier, Miss Blue."

Destiny smiles back. "That's quite all right. Now ... if you'll please excuse me, I should be heading home. Until next time...." She gets up from her chair.

"Of course. If you like, I will escort you to whatever vehicle you use, presuming you are not driven," says Taro as he moves to help Destiny Blue leave her chair.

Destiny giggles. "You are too kind..."

Some time later, after Taro has escorted the lovely Miss Blue to her Sunset Glider, he meets up with Duffy back at the Pagoda Garden...

Duffy looks a bit out of sorts, dressed in uniform as he is. "Things got a little bit exciting; some punks shot up my car, but it's in at the shop now. I guess that you had a quiet evening, huh? Anyway, I'll take you back to your place, and you can have sweet dreams." He winks and then leads Taro down to where he's parked his squad car.

Walking along with Duffy, Taro just shakes his head. "I cannot believe I was talked into that," he tells the other officer. His ear flicks and he shakes his head again. "I suppose I owe Jimbo a donut now."

*** GM Note: Hero Points awards (for this and "Blue Roses" log) -- Duffy: 2; Jimbo: 2; Taro: 3. Totals so far: Duffy: 10; Jimbo: 7; Taro: 6.

Log stopped on Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000, 11:37 PM EST by "Greywolf2" at "Holodeck2"