Business or Pleasure
Falchion piled the unconscious form of
Shikkon Shin, onto his bike and climbed aboard. He had explained the situation
to Mr. Popular, and it concerned Falchion that Popular had not been more
concerned about his comrade. He seemed too formal and business like for
Falchion’s sake. He understood the desires of the Yakuza, but he thought
Shikkon was someone Mr. Popular considered a friend. Apparently it was more a
business relationship than he had perceived.
He barely knew of the place Mr. Popular had
mentioned, but knew where it was. He was beginning to dislike Mr. Popular’s
attitude and frowned at the thought of the end of their conversation. He
wondered what awaited him, and Shikkon, at Mr. Popular’s place. Falchion began
to drive away on his sports bike, and thought about wanting to drop Shikkon off
elsewhere. He shoved the thoughts quickly into the back of his mind as the road
and surroundings became a blur.
Falchion would occasionally check on
Shikkon as they sped down the different streets, and in no time they were
parking in the back alleyway of the Gendaiteki Panda, despite the roundabout
way he had taken. The dimly lit alleyway provided enough cover for Falchion
moving Shikkon off his bike and up against the wall of the Panda. Quickly
locking his bike, he surveyed the building.
He saw no immediate easy access into the
building and had no clue as to which part of the building Mr. Popular lived.
The building itself was several stories high, and too generic looking for a
building downtown. Falchion thought it helped Mr. Popular with his side
business, while running a legitimate business. He took a short breath and went
to work. Time was of the essence for Falchion. He had not only had to get
Shikkon inside and tend to his wounds, but he also had many business
transactions to conduct. Something he wasn't sure the others would understand.
As the maglock on the back entrance yielded
passage to him, he began running over the next course of action for him and his
team. Falchion knew that the others would probably not consider him their
leader, but he liked the idea of having a team. Not to mention he had brought
them all together, despite Requiem’s best intentions. He smirked at that
thought.
Falchion peered around a darkened corner
and saw nothing, but a dimly lit service elevator. Quirking his eyebrow, he
took no more time in moving and carried Shikkon to the simple metallic doors.
His brow furrowed as they reached the elevator. There was only one button, and
it was blank. Deciding not to take any chances, Falchion looked around the back
room for a dark secluded corner. Finding some objects he braced Shikkon on the
floor against the shadowed corner wall. Quickly covering him in several tarps,
ropes, and a few poles Falchion felt comfortable leaving Shikkon hidden.
He moved with unabated speed and upon
reaching his bike, he dialed Mr. Popular. “He’s lying in wait for you right at
the elevator entrance, Popular. I've disguised him as a bunch of materials you
had lying around back there.” He could hear Mr. Popular begin to speak, but
continued, “I will meet with the group in a couple days. In the mean time, try
not to get yourselves killed and don’t worry about Requiem. I will set up a
meeting with him, and work out the details of our next job.” He finished, but
quickly added, “I know it’s not the best of circumstances, Popular, but I've got some major business transactions going down. As a fellow business
associate, I’m sure you can understand. Thank you again.” He could hear Mr.
Popular’s exasperated attempts at speaking on the other end, and smiled
slightly as he hung up.
Entertainment
and Mr. Popular were riding to the Gendaiteki Panda when Falchion called
informing them of Shikkon's whereabouts. Entertainment gave Mr. Popular a laugh
as he sat staring at his phone after Falchion had hung up. His face was one of
disbelief, and after a moment he blinked and put his phone away.
“Was that your mom, Popular?” Entertainment
jabbed at him, taking the ample opportunity to take the cocky Yakuza down a
peg. “No, it was your boyfriend.” Mr. Popular stuck right back at
Entertainment, but his words did little to affect her. Instead she seemed more
interested by what Mr. Popular had to say. This had two effects: one, he was
pleased that she might actually listen to him. And two, it annoyed him that she
was taking an interest into him. The sudden change made Popular squirm a
little, and Entertainment grinned at the awkwardness.
“He told me he was running away, but would
set up a meeting with Requiem for us.” Mr. Popular’s tone was sarcastic and
annoyed, “How convenient it must be for him. To just vanish and run off at his
whims desires, leaving the rest of us to negotiate with Requiem.” Mr. Popular
growled slightly.
“When will he be meeting with us?”
Entertainment said happily ignoring Mr. Popular’s disdain of the situation. Mr.
Popular looked at Entertainment his face filled with disgust. “He didn't specify.” His voice deadpan, as he looked forward. The remainder of the drive
was held in awkward silence, as the two passengers took to their thoughts.
The darkness consumed every aspect of the
alleyway, the only light coming from a small lamp above the Panda’s back
entrance. Entertainment got out of the car and could smell the stench of
garbage in the area and held her breath. Mr. Popular uncharacteristically held
the door open for her, and followed her inside. They rounded the corner and
made their way down the simple hallway towards the service elevator. Mr.
Popular took note of the corner with extra objects placed in an indent in the
wall. Carefully removing the various items Mr. Popular found an unconscious
Shikkon Shin. Placing him over his shoulder with slightly difficulty he mustered
the effort to gently carry Shikkon to the elevator.
Entertainment just watched with intrigue,
Mr. Popular was completely out of character. At least the Mr. Popular she knew,
a callous and arrogant Yakuza, with a side of insanity. A potent combination,
but this side of Mr. Popular was caring and kind. Entertainment had wondered in
the small time she had known him, how he had lived in the underworld so long,
but now she was seeing a side of him that could potentially explain his
survival.
As they climbed into the elevator
Entertainment noticed that the button layout consisted of four floors. Looking
over at Mr. Popular who had the weighty Shikkon braced over his left shoulder,
“It’s yon-kai.” His voice was subdued and calm. Entertainment pressed
the button with the number four, and the elevator gave a short jerk as it
propelled them upward.
The elevator doors slid open effortlessly, and
Entertainment allowed Mr. Popular off the elevator first to take Shikkon off to
a bed presumably. She took a step off the elevator and it was a few seconds for
her new environment to come into view. To the clean air that now surrounded her
she was taken aback and felt as if reality was deceiving her.
“Make yourself at home, I’ll only be a
moment.” Mr. Popular’s voice came from some hidden room. Entertainment slowly
surveyed the luxury apartment with great pleasure. A small fountain greeted her
as she moved away from the elevator. Straight back beyond the fountain the
apartment opened up into a large area that seemed to be a mixture of rooms. She
noticed the large entertainment center that was absolutely top of the line
walled off by a large wrap around sofa. The night seemed ever present by the
massive bay window looking out into the city that transformed the dreary
outside into a lively metropolis. Just beyond the sight of the couch, she could
make out a strange brown table like structure.
Looking
to her left from the fountain she could see down a hallway that eventually
opened up into a kitchen, and had three separate doors along the corridor. To
her right she noticed another hallway that seemed to go on forever. A closed door
at the hallway’s end, and three more rooms completed the make-up of the
apartment.
Entertainment climbed onto a section of the
rather large couch and curled her legs under her. Looking around the living
room from her sitting position, she could easily identify the large brown table
like structure. It was a strange looking addition to the rest of the apartment,
but she had a guess as to what purposes it served. Much like her street name,
Mr. Popular too, striving to entertainment for the world around him, constantly
putting on a show, a front, while the true Mr. Popular remained hidden for fear
of being succeeded.
Upon seeing a small portion of his
apartment Entertainment started to understand Mr. Popular better. His attitude
was mainly for show, and partly to retain a place in the Yakuza. Entertainment
knew all too well the world of the Yakuza, and she could empathize a little
with his situation. He had to overcompensate for the heightened world around
him. That in times past he would've been the cream of the crop, but in this day
in age he was a fossil. A man who kept himself in the peak of physical
condition, but didn't have the luxury of being awakened, believing in the
natural state of man instead of the numerous augmentations that science has
provided, or he had a fear of going under someone else’s knife. Either way if
his attitude wasn't for the benefit of the ruthlessness of the Yakuza, then
Entertainment wondered about Popular’s sanity.
“Sorry about the wait, Entertainment, I had
to take care of Shikkon. Put him to bed so to speak, and he apparently only
sustained a bump on the head.” Mr. Popular came into the living room area with
a bottle of wine and two drinking glasses.
“A bump on the head, that’s it? I got hit
in the shoulder with bullets, and he took a bump to the head.” Entertainment
let out a callous laugh with her statement. “Yeah, I did as well. We got into a
firefight on the highway, and I got grazed. Nothing serious.” He opened to
bottled and poured them each a glass of wine.
“To
celebrate our accomplishment, and to many more.” He raised his glass to her,
and took a sip. Entertainment nodded and downed the glass ignoring Mr.
Popular’s look. He surprised Entertainment by giving a light laugh, and downing
his glass as well. “No need for formalities. We’re colleagues, and relaxing for
a quiet evening together.” Mr. Popular gave her a nod and a smile.
“This
is some table you've got here, Popular.” Entertainment spoke as she inspected
the brown table-like structure. “Table?
That’s no table,” he let out a small laugh, “that is a Jacuzzi.” Entertainment
looked over at him with a slight excitement in her eyes.
“A
Jacuzzi? Let’s get in!” Entertainment said as she stood from the couch. “Just
what I need, after our work today.” Entertainment started removing the belts
and various utility gear she had been wearing since waking up in The Diamond.
Entertainment paused in her haste because Mr. Popular was just sitting on the
couch looking at her.
“Something
wrong, Popular? I want to get into the hot tub.” Entertainment said placing her
hand onto her hip as she shifted her weight. “Yeah, sure, I have to just get it
ready.” Mr. Popular shook his head as if in a daze. His mind had wandered off,
and his thoughts had lingered a little too long in the past.
Entertainment
looked at Mr. Popular half with concern, and half with curiosity. She was
beginning to feel a host of effects; it had been a full night of drinking, adrenaline,
and contemplations on her fellow runners.
She removed the form-fitting body armor,
and climbed into the hot tub. Mr. Popular couldn't help but notice her sculpted
body. Fit from years of training, but she was oddly curvy in all the right
spots. He had never really taken notice of her in a sexual way, but seeing her
almost completely nude, it was hard not too.
“Let’s get some porn on that entertainment
system you’ve got. I want something to fall asleep too.” Entertainment said
playfully, but a yawn escaped her lips as she spoke. Mr. Popular raised his
eyebrows in her direction, but silently moved to where he kept several types of
movies. “Make it girl on girl, I know you love that drek. That’ll be good for
the dreams.” Entertainment laid her head back through her comment and let the
warmth of the water soak her thoroughly.
Mr. Popular climbed onto his massive couch
as the movie began. Flesh danced in and out of the wall-sized screen, and
various body parts moved rhythmically with the music. The two oddly paired
companions slowly dozed off to sleep with the sound of moans and cheap music
ringing in their ears.
Entertainment
woke with the sun peeking through the clouds of the city, and Shikkon shaking
her gently. She felt sore from sitting awkwardly in the tub all night, and her
skin was wrinkled from the now cold water. She felt a shiver, and asked Mr.
Popular where the shower was so she could clean up.
Mr.
Popular took her into a bathroom that was built for elegance and size. Seeing
the giant standing shower, she thanked him, and removed the soaking underwear
that she had continued to wear in the Jacuzzi the previous evening. Grabbing a
plainly colored towel from a closet full of various bathroom amenities, she
began running the water and washed the previous day away.
Shikkon was sitting at a counter bar, munching
on an apple. He always liked coming over to Mr. Popular’s place because of the
food, the real food that was harder to get unless you lived in excess. Mr. Popular
always seemed to have a decent supply of good food, even for the richest of
people. When Mr. Popular entered the large kitchen to scrounge some food, he
nodded at Shikkon.
“Not
one for modesty, is she?” Mr. Popular asked his bodyguard while sifting through
the refrigerator. They always slipped back into Japanese when conversing
between each other. Shikkon continued chewing on his delicious apple, and
replied feebly, “I suppose.” Mr. Popular looked up from behind the refrigerator
door, “You okay? I saw you had a bump, but I didn’t see anything else.”
Shikkon
stopped eating the apple for a moment, “Yes, I’m fine, but I failed you aniki. Nothing can be said more about
it. Put simply I failed at my job.” His eyes were serious and dark. Mr. Popular
nodded at him, “Yeah, but if you killed yourself, despite the honor, I wouldn't have anyone to hangout with. Besides last night was an adventure and I had fun.
All is forgiven.”
Shikkon
just blinked at Mr. Popular, he must have had plenty of fun to be so
nonchalant. Mr. Popular seemingly ignored him as he returned to the
refrigerator and pulled out a variety of greens and block tofu. After dicing
his ingredients into smaller portions, he heated a pan of water and began
cooking. Shikkon fell back into his thoughts, and his apple as Mr. Popular
stirred his concoction. The two companions sat silently listening to the
distant hum of the shower, and boil of water on the stove.
Entertainment
came out of the shower drying her hair, and not bothering to cover her naked
form. She walked into the kitchen at the smell of food. Being a gracious host,
Mr. Popular offered her some of his soup like creation. She politely declined
the food with a gesture, and spoke, “I want to get over to my place and get a
fresh change of clothes. We should be hearing about a meeting with Requiem
sometime today.”
Shikkon
rose from his apple and looked over at Entertainment, “We already got the call.
The meeting is at four this afternoon. Apparently Falchion procured us a
bonus.” Entertainment just grinned at the thought, and walked out of the
kitchen to her clothes and gear.
After
putting away her “work” clothes and armaments into her bag, she looked at the
clothes from the previous night. She had forgotten how much she had drank, and
decided to wear the stained clothes anyway. She would be home soon, and be able
to wear clean clothes. It was better than walking down the street before noon
in the tactical gear. It wasn't a conspicuous outfit she’d seen plenty of
people walking around the city in similar outfits. She just wanted to avoid
being seen in such an outfit, and preferred to look like the previous night had
been a wild party.
Entertainment
spoke down the hallway towards the kitchen, “I’m heading out. I’ll see you
chummers at Requiem’s.” They spoke minimally as she left giving their goodbyes,
which sounded more like grunts than words. When she reached the back alley to
the Modern Panda she felt good about the day. The sun was peeking out from
behind clouds, and they had completed their second Run with minimal difficulty.
Entertainment began her walk home, and took full enjoyment with the stroll. Things
were looking up for her, but she knew the feeling wouldn't last just like the
sun slowly disappearing behind the clouds.
-BIO-
Name: Thomas Michael “Mickey the Quail” Anthoney
Height: 6’1 ft. (185.42 cm)
Weight:
140 lb. (63.63 kg)
Age: 35
Likes: Tea, Chess, Meditation
Dislikes:
The Mafia, most major religions, and
violent video games
Archtype: Mercenary Sniper
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Note: Mickey the Quail was originally created by Tom Savage. With edits and revisions by this blog's author Benjamin Weisman.
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