Post by Seito Risa on Sept 4, 2013 21:16:54 GMT -5
Convincing Ichiro not to come was a difficult chore, but he had eventually understood. He had his own task to deal with, leaving Risa with hers. She tried to remember the last time she had walked down this street, despite the fact that the only thing it did was make her heart hurt. She had been in a bad way then, even before she had come this far. This time her emotional ache was different. She needed something she didn't encounter everyday, and she hoped this was it. The fact she had asked to share it with someone else is what concerned Ichiro more than his not being invited. Not so much for who the person is, but for who is after that person. It is their collective safety Ichiro was concerned for.
SR: "Look, if we panic and hide behind armed guards all the time, then they have won. I refuse to allow them to win."
Risa had been firm, far more convincing than she had felt delivering that line. Ichiro had looked a little put off by that, but set his jaw.
I: "If either of you even smells danger. You call me."
Risa had told him she would. Indeed the bluetooth earpiece had been in place since before she had left the apartment. Now she stopped and looked around. 11:30pm was when she should be in bed. Though those long days and nights of sitting at Ichiro's bedside had caused her to become aware of the American night life. She finally found the bar, recognizing the rather old decor on the outside. She entered through the open door, looking much different than her last visit. She wore silver capris tonight, with silver colored socks and sneakers A silver sleeveless top, sides slit a little, revealing the black halter beneath. Around her neck her charm hung, needed since Monday night. Her watch was not on her tonight, but a simple silver bracelet shone brightly whenever it caught a street light. She walks up to the bar and settles onto a seat and waits for the bartender to make his way down. He pauses and tilts his head, then grins broadly.
John: "Lisa, my girl! It's been weeks! How are ya?"
She smiles at him, brushing a stray bit of hair back behind her ear.
SR: "Good to see you too, John. I'm meeting a friend here tonight. She needs a break. I'll take the usual and please tell me the piano is still in tune."
John pulls out a beer with the label in Japanese, pops the cap and pours it into a cold mug, setting this before Risa.
John: "For you, darling, it's always in tune. Just let me know when you're ready and I'll turn the mic on."
Risa nods, looking around and sipping her beer. The place is a little more occupied than her last visit. The four tables in the back stand empty, a few couples scattered here and there make the place seem fuller and larger than it really is. She turns back to John to ask something, but he is with another customer, one of the couples having approached the bar, ordering nachos from the bar menu. Risa smiles then, turns and glances at the front door. Her phone buzzes and she takes a look. It's a text from her friend.
Text: "Did you pick a place that was hidden away enough? I swear it's got to be a hole in the...nevermind. I see it. Now I gotta find a parking space."
Risa giggles and returns the cell to her pocket and takes a sip of her beer. She doesn’t have long to wait as the friend she’s been waiting on enters through the open door, drawing a pair of silver-framed aviators off of her face as she looks around. Sunglasses at night? So Eden. Risa shakes her head as she studies her friend. She really needed to get Eden to go shopping with her one day.
Despite the warmth of the day, Eden sports a long sleeved black, button-down shirt, the top rising several inches above her belly button and leaving an expanse of skin revealed between the bottom of the top and the top of her very low-slung, somewhat ripped up, silver and black skinny jeans. A black belt with large silver studs on it encircles her tiny waist and zippers adorn the bottom inside of the pants, leaving Risa to wonder exactly what function they serve, or if they’re there just for decoration. Her outfit is finished off with a pair of black, extreme stiletto boots, the heels sounding against the wood floor as she spies Risa and approaches, leaning against the bar.
EM: “Well, you said this place was old, but I didn’t realize you meant ancient.”
Risa starts to say something when Eden looks at Risa's top, frowns, and tugs it down some. Risa gasps and pulls it back up, practically hissing at Eden.
SR: “What are you doing?!”
Eden shushes her and pulls Risa’s hands away, readjusting her top.
EM: “No, no sweetheart, a little bit lower, you gotta let the girls breeeeeathe.”
Risa blushes and Eden winks at her. Such a thing not foreign to her culture, but to her, it was a slight pushing of a personal boundary, at least when not considering ring wear.
EM: “Trust me. Now what’s on the agenda tonight?”
Risa eyes Eden strangely.
SR: "Something is not quite right here. I mean. I'm not complaining. It is just that you seem like you, but not quite...you, you."
Something’s wrong. She’s hiding something, I can tell that much. I just don’t know what it is. I don't know if it's good or...
Eden slaps the top of the bar and grins at Risa as she is startled from her thought.
EM: “All me, all the time, sugarplum. As a matter of fact, Edie’s back and better than ever. Now where is the bartender of this fine establishment? I’m in need of some libations!”
Risa looks around, signaling John over. The bartender looks between her and Eden, polite inquiry written across his face.
SR: “Eden, this is John. John, Eden.”
John holds out a hand to shake and Eden takes it.
John: “Pleasure to meet you, Eden. What’ll it be?”
Eden purses her lips together and scans the shelves of the bar as well as the room, finally deciding as she turns back to him.
EM: “You know, John, I think I’ll have a double rum and coke with a slice of lime. And make the rum dark, please.”
Risa raises an eyebrow at the stiff drink, taking a sip of her beer.
John: “Coming right up!”
EM: “I knew you were the man for the job.”
John flushes under her praise, working quickly to concoct her drink and passing it to her. Eden thanks him and slides a large bill his way with a wink as she squeezes the lime into glass, dropping the whole thing in.
EM: “Keep em’ coming.”
John nods before turning back to his other customers.
John: “Yes ma’am.”
Eden turns back, grinning to face a serious Risa.
SR: "Sugarplum?"
Eden grins, at first resisting then giving in to the urge to muss Risa's hair, which sends Risa's hands flying, trying to rake it back into place.
EM: "It's a...term of endearment. You really need to loosen up."
SR: “You might need to restrain yourself a little. All of that aside, do you really think it is wise to drink like that so close Outlast?”
Eden shrugs as she stirs her drink the small, thin, black straw sticking out of it.
EM: “Can you think of a better time?”
Risa cocks her head as she watches her friend, deciding to ask something now rather than wait until later.
SR: “What happened between you and Zane and why did you go see him? You must know what that’s been doing to Jet and Travis. As soon as they figured out what was going on, Travis called us.”
Eden takes a sip of her drink and then another, her face showing no reaction to Risa’s question. She shakes her head slowly without looking at Risa.
EM: “I don’t want to talk about it. Simple as that. Soooo what are we up to tonight? I know you have a plan, you always do.”
She grins broadly at Risa, the blank look gone so quickly, Risa considered she might have missed it.
SR: "Okay. I will trust you. I do trust you. I just don't want to see you doing anything...rash."
Eden gives Risa a wry smile.
EM: "Me? Do something rash? I'd never."
She chuckles and then looks at Risa seriously.
EM: "I trust you also, Risa. I know I said I didn't before, but that was the anger talking. I didn't mean it. You're one of the few I can trust, along with Jet and Travis, of course. And I lump Ichiro in with you as well, just so you know. Sometimes I wish I could be more like you. But I can't..."
She trails off as she takes a bigger sip of her drink. Risa nods and then brightens, wanting to lessen the serious mood that has suddenly overtaken.
SR: "You were asking about the plan for tonight--"
Risa turns her gaze to John and points at him. The signal doesn't go unnoticed by Eden, who watches with obvious curiosity as John opens a panel and flips a couple of switches. A dim light pops on over the stage nearby. Old, worn out instruments line the back wall. On the stage sits an old bar style upright piano with a mic stand, angling a newer wireless mic out over the keys. Risa walks over to the stage and ascends, walking the creaking floor as if she were a gymnast preparing for the floor exercise, balance and grace. Eden considers this, thinking it might be good take this girl shopping sometime. Oh, the fun! Risa arrives at the piano and settles onto the bench. She plays a few random notes, the people sitting around having drinks or dinner perking up. From their vantage point, half of them can't see Risa's head over the top of the piano. They do, however, see her shadow moving on the wall behind it. Eden has a good view from where she stands against the bar, sipping her drink.
Now this should be interesting.
Eden can't help but smile, wonder what Risa is going to pull next. She senses movement behind her, John emerging with a large bell glass, which he sets atop the piano. Risa whispers something to him, John shrugs, Eden able to read his lips 'I trust you will do fine.'. John returns to the his place behind the bar, not without checking to make sure Eden's drink is still good. It is starting to get low, so he ensures another is ready. Risa looks out, seeing that people are actually paying attention. She blushes but stands...
SR: "Any requests?"
There's a murmur. Eden leans back, crossing her arms over her bare flesh and wondering at the sight before her. From the far end of the bar someone calls out "How about 'If I Only Had The Words?"
Risa blinks, her brow furrows.
SR: "The Billy Joel version?"
The patron nods, others adding their reinforcement to his request. Risa tilts her head in agreement.
SR: "I hope I can remember all of the words. If I don't, you can always sing along."
This draws a few laughs, not all of them of amusement. Eden finishes drink number one and turns, finding number two on a napkin at her elbow. She exchanges the glasses, exchanging a glance with John, who nods. She salutes him and turns back as Risa begins to play and, if that weren't a big enough surprise, sing. Her voice no Billy Joel, but able to carry the tune finely enough.
If I only had the words to tell you
If you only had the time to understand
Though I know it wouldn't change your feelings
And I know you'll carry on the best you can.
If I only had the urge to tell you
If you only knew how hard it is to say
When the simple lines have all been taken
And the radio repeats them ev'ry day.
If I never find the song to sing you
If you always find it hard to comprehend
Well, you know there wouldn't be much meaning
If I had to sing those tired words again.
Eden listens to the song, to the words, and finds herself watching Risa, who almost seems a part of the piano.
She sings and plays with her eyes closed. Weird.
Eden finds herself swaying a little with the music. Risa rolls through the first three versus as if the music were before her. Eden can see as Risa's eyes open, a panicked look for a moment. She manages to cover by extending the interlude. As she winds back around again to the top, her eyes close and she continues to sing.
Life goes on and on
And tonight will soon be gone
But if we try we can be sure.
If I only had the words to tell you
If you only had the time to understand
But I only have these arms to hold you
And it's all that you can ask of any man.
The next verse is filled with 'la' over and over, but Eden, despite the fact she isn't quite on key, rolls with it, singing along. Patrons somewhat nearby pick this up and join in.
I wonder if she even realizes we're here right now. She's totally lost herself in the music.
Indeed, Risa misses not a beat after recovering at the first interlude.
If I only had the words to tell you
If you only had the time to understand
Oh, but I only have these arms to hold you
And it's all that you can ask of any man.
She brings the final refrain to a close, the tone of the piano dying slowly. Several positive comments follow.
Patron: "Not bad. Now if you can do New York State of Mind, then I'll be impressed."
=====Some Time Passes=====
Risa finishes a third song, this one an uptempo number from a musical. Eden can't quite place it, but knows she enjoyed dancing around to it. Even taking a turn with John for a moment. Risa stands up from the piano and steps around, bowing. The crowd greets her with enthusiastic applause. She steps down from the stage, her face coated in sweat, but beaming. John passes the two and retrieves the bell glass from the piano, moving back behind the bar as the two take a seat.
EM: "Not bad. At least you have a sense of rhythm."
Risa gives a nod, finding herself greeted by a smiling John and a fresh cold beer. She takes it and sips.
SR: "I don't get to play nearly as often as when I was younger. I had a crush on a guy in the school band, so I gave up piano and took up two or three brass instruments before I finally gave up. Well, that and he started going out with the Vice President of the Student Council. Kinda put him out of my league."
She shrugs at the memory, taking another sip of beer.
SR: "Ichiro was after him too, at first. He saw the writing on the wall long before I did. He usually does."
Eden lifts her double rum and coke and offers a toast to Risa.
EM: "To your piano playing, darlin'. You are actually pretty dang good."
Glass and mug clink. The two take a drink, Eden draining half of her glass and shaking her head at the strong liquor as Risa focuses on something over her head, the look on her face changing from one of stress-free relaxation and enjoyment to a more serious, concerned one.
SR: "Eden, why is Zane Scott standing in the doorway?"
Eden's eyes widen and she spins around in her seat to see Risa was not joking. She hadn't really thought she was. Zane crooks a finger at her and her lips press into a thin line as she gets up, going over to him. Zane looks her over, a lascivious grin on his face as he leans down, speaking softly to her. She nods and then returns to Risa, the blank look firmly in place.
EM: "Risa, it's been a blast and thank you so much for inviting me. I'd love to do this again, but I have to go. I'm sorry."
Risa grabs Eden's hand and Eden turns back to face her, Risa's eyes pleading as Zane smirks at her from behind Eden.
SR: "No, Eden, please, stay. You don't have to go anywhere."
Eden shakes her head.
EM: "I have to go. I'm sorry."
She pulls her hand away and rejoins Zane Scott, exiting the bar with him, Risa staring after them, her look a mixture of sadness, concern and anger. She takes a deep breath, turning as John arrives.
John: "Your friend done for the evening?"
Risa turns to him, composing her face as well as she can.
SR: "Yeah. Something came up that requires her attention. The problem of being on call I suppose."
She asks about the bill.
SR: "What do we owe?"
John laughs, setting a stack of bills on the bar in front of Risa.
John: "I owe you. Sixty-one bucks. Not bad working for tips. If you ever want to be a singer, I'd give you a spot."
Risa blushes, but at the same time it just doesn't feel right.
SR: "I'm already in the entertainment industry. Athletics side."
John nods.
John: "Well, you will always have a spot here."
She smiles at him, takes the stack of fives, folds it, shoves it into her pocket and steps out. She looks around, no sign of Zane or Eden. She exhales and reaches up turning on her bluetooth.
SR: "Call Ichiro."
The phone rings all of one and a half rings.
I: "Hai?"
SR: "Night ended somewhat earlier than I had planned. Call the restaurant and cancel the table if you don't mind. I'm coming back."
I: "Need to talk?"
She has taken a few steps, but she stops, her car parked nearby.
SR: "No. We've done all that we can. We just have to pray and support now. This isn't going to be easy. Growing up an only child, I never had a sister to do things with."
She pulls out her ring of keys and walks up to the car, opening the doors.
SR: "She left early. She got a visit from..."
She pauses. She closes her eyes, mouthing 'I have to trust in her' to herself.
SR: "From someone who needed to talk to her. We'll find another time to drag her out for some fun. A Karaoke night or something."
That was hard, telling a half-truth to Ichiro. She got into the car, closing the door and pulling the seat belt on.
I: "Should I inform PMN?"
Risa looks back one last time, sadness takes over.
SR: "No...no need to worry them more than they already are. I'll call them in the morning, see when they want to get together to discuss how we will handle DMW."
I: "Hai, Risa-chan. Be careful driving home."
SR: "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Should be home in about fifteen, assuming that I miss the train."
I: "Hai."
She pushs the earpiece, disconnecting.
SR: "I hope I know what I'm doing."
She starts the car, signals and pulls out. As her Camry moves up the street, an old Isuzu pick up pulls out from a few vehicles back and begins to follow...
SR: "Look, if we panic and hide behind armed guards all the time, then they have won. I refuse to allow them to win."
Risa had been firm, far more convincing than she had felt delivering that line. Ichiro had looked a little put off by that, but set his jaw.
I: "If either of you even smells danger. You call me."
Risa had told him she would. Indeed the bluetooth earpiece had been in place since before she had left the apartment. Now she stopped and looked around. 11:30pm was when she should be in bed. Though those long days and nights of sitting at Ichiro's bedside had caused her to become aware of the American night life. She finally found the bar, recognizing the rather old decor on the outside. She entered through the open door, looking much different than her last visit. She wore silver capris tonight, with silver colored socks and sneakers A silver sleeveless top, sides slit a little, revealing the black halter beneath. Around her neck her charm hung, needed since Monday night. Her watch was not on her tonight, but a simple silver bracelet shone brightly whenever it caught a street light. She walks up to the bar and settles onto a seat and waits for the bartender to make his way down. He pauses and tilts his head, then grins broadly.
John: "Lisa, my girl! It's been weeks! How are ya?"
She smiles at him, brushing a stray bit of hair back behind her ear.
SR: "Good to see you too, John. I'm meeting a friend here tonight. She needs a break. I'll take the usual and please tell me the piano is still in tune."
John pulls out a beer with the label in Japanese, pops the cap and pours it into a cold mug, setting this before Risa.
John: "For you, darling, it's always in tune. Just let me know when you're ready and I'll turn the mic on."
Risa nods, looking around and sipping her beer. The place is a little more occupied than her last visit. The four tables in the back stand empty, a few couples scattered here and there make the place seem fuller and larger than it really is. She turns back to John to ask something, but he is with another customer, one of the couples having approached the bar, ordering nachos from the bar menu. Risa smiles then, turns and glances at the front door. Her phone buzzes and she takes a look. It's a text from her friend.
Text: "Did you pick a place that was hidden away enough? I swear it's got to be a hole in the...nevermind. I see it. Now I gotta find a parking space."
Risa giggles and returns the cell to her pocket and takes a sip of her beer. She doesn’t have long to wait as the friend she’s been waiting on enters through the open door, drawing a pair of silver-framed aviators off of her face as she looks around. Sunglasses at night? So Eden. Risa shakes her head as she studies her friend. She really needed to get Eden to go shopping with her one day.
Despite the warmth of the day, Eden sports a long sleeved black, button-down shirt, the top rising several inches above her belly button and leaving an expanse of skin revealed between the bottom of the top and the top of her very low-slung, somewhat ripped up, silver and black skinny jeans. A black belt with large silver studs on it encircles her tiny waist and zippers adorn the bottom inside of the pants, leaving Risa to wonder exactly what function they serve, or if they’re there just for decoration. Her outfit is finished off with a pair of black, extreme stiletto boots, the heels sounding against the wood floor as she spies Risa and approaches, leaning against the bar.
EM: “Well, you said this place was old, but I didn’t realize you meant ancient.”
Risa starts to say something when Eden looks at Risa's top, frowns, and tugs it down some. Risa gasps and pulls it back up, practically hissing at Eden.
SR: “What are you doing?!”
Eden shushes her and pulls Risa’s hands away, readjusting her top.
EM: “No, no sweetheart, a little bit lower, you gotta let the girls breeeeeathe.”
Risa blushes and Eden winks at her. Such a thing not foreign to her culture, but to her, it was a slight pushing of a personal boundary, at least when not considering ring wear.
EM: “Trust me. Now what’s on the agenda tonight?”
Risa eyes Eden strangely.
SR: "Something is not quite right here. I mean. I'm not complaining. It is just that you seem like you, but not quite...you, you."
Something’s wrong. She’s hiding something, I can tell that much. I just don’t know what it is. I don't know if it's good or...
Eden slaps the top of the bar and grins at Risa as she is startled from her thought.
EM: “All me, all the time, sugarplum. As a matter of fact, Edie’s back and better than ever. Now where is the bartender of this fine establishment? I’m in need of some libations!”
Risa looks around, signaling John over. The bartender looks between her and Eden, polite inquiry written across his face.
SR: “Eden, this is John. John, Eden.”
John holds out a hand to shake and Eden takes it.
John: “Pleasure to meet you, Eden. What’ll it be?”
Eden purses her lips together and scans the shelves of the bar as well as the room, finally deciding as she turns back to him.
EM: “You know, John, I think I’ll have a double rum and coke with a slice of lime. And make the rum dark, please.”
Risa raises an eyebrow at the stiff drink, taking a sip of her beer.
John: “Coming right up!”
EM: “I knew you were the man for the job.”
John flushes under her praise, working quickly to concoct her drink and passing it to her. Eden thanks him and slides a large bill his way with a wink as she squeezes the lime into glass, dropping the whole thing in.
EM: “Keep em’ coming.”
John nods before turning back to his other customers.
John: “Yes ma’am.”
Eden turns back, grinning to face a serious Risa.
SR: "Sugarplum?"
Eden grins, at first resisting then giving in to the urge to muss Risa's hair, which sends Risa's hands flying, trying to rake it back into place.
EM: "It's a...term of endearment. You really need to loosen up."
SR: “You might need to restrain yourself a little. All of that aside, do you really think it is wise to drink like that so close Outlast?”
Eden shrugs as she stirs her drink the small, thin, black straw sticking out of it.
EM: “Can you think of a better time?”
Risa cocks her head as she watches her friend, deciding to ask something now rather than wait until later.
SR: “What happened between you and Zane and why did you go see him? You must know what that’s been doing to Jet and Travis. As soon as they figured out what was going on, Travis called us.”
Eden takes a sip of her drink and then another, her face showing no reaction to Risa’s question. She shakes her head slowly without looking at Risa.
EM: “I don’t want to talk about it. Simple as that. Soooo what are we up to tonight? I know you have a plan, you always do.”
She grins broadly at Risa, the blank look gone so quickly, Risa considered she might have missed it.
SR: "Okay. I will trust you. I do trust you. I just don't want to see you doing anything...rash."
Eden gives Risa a wry smile.
EM: "Me? Do something rash? I'd never."
She chuckles and then looks at Risa seriously.
EM: "I trust you also, Risa. I know I said I didn't before, but that was the anger talking. I didn't mean it. You're one of the few I can trust, along with Jet and Travis, of course. And I lump Ichiro in with you as well, just so you know. Sometimes I wish I could be more like you. But I can't..."
She trails off as she takes a bigger sip of her drink. Risa nods and then brightens, wanting to lessen the serious mood that has suddenly overtaken.
SR: "You were asking about the plan for tonight--"
Risa turns her gaze to John and points at him. The signal doesn't go unnoticed by Eden, who watches with obvious curiosity as John opens a panel and flips a couple of switches. A dim light pops on over the stage nearby. Old, worn out instruments line the back wall. On the stage sits an old bar style upright piano with a mic stand, angling a newer wireless mic out over the keys. Risa walks over to the stage and ascends, walking the creaking floor as if she were a gymnast preparing for the floor exercise, balance and grace. Eden considers this, thinking it might be good take this girl shopping sometime. Oh, the fun! Risa arrives at the piano and settles onto the bench. She plays a few random notes, the people sitting around having drinks or dinner perking up. From their vantage point, half of them can't see Risa's head over the top of the piano. They do, however, see her shadow moving on the wall behind it. Eden has a good view from where she stands against the bar, sipping her drink.
Now this should be interesting.
Eden can't help but smile, wonder what Risa is going to pull next. She senses movement behind her, John emerging with a large bell glass, which he sets atop the piano. Risa whispers something to him, John shrugs, Eden able to read his lips 'I trust you will do fine.'. John returns to the his place behind the bar, not without checking to make sure Eden's drink is still good. It is starting to get low, so he ensures another is ready. Risa looks out, seeing that people are actually paying attention. She blushes but stands...
SR: "Any requests?"
There's a murmur. Eden leans back, crossing her arms over her bare flesh and wondering at the sight before her. From the far end of the bar someone calls out "How about 'If I Only Had The Words?"
Risa blinks, her brow furrows.
SR: "The Billy Joel version?"
The patron nods, others adding their reinforcement to his request. Risa tilts her head in agreement.
SR: "I hope I can remember all of the words. If I don't, you can always sing along."
This draws a few laughs, not all of them of amusement. Eden finishes drink number one and turns, finding number two on a napkin at her elbow. She exchanges the glasses, exchanging a glance with John, who nods. She salutes him and turns back as Risa begins to play and, if that weren't a big enough surprise, sing. Her voice no Billy Joel, but able to carry the tune finely enough.
If I only had the words to tell you
If you only had the time to understand
Though I know it wouldn't change your feelings
And I know you'll carry on the best you can.
If I only had the urge to tell you
If you only knew how hard it is to say
When the simple lines have all been taken
And the radio repeats them ev'ry day.
If I never find the song to sing you
If you always find it hard to comprehend
Well, you know there wouldn't be much meaning
If I had to sing those tired words again.
Eden listens to the song, to the words, and finds herself watching Risa, who almost seems a part of the piano.
She sings and plays with her eyes closed. Weird.
Eden finds herself swaying a little with the music. Risa rolls through the first three versus as if the music were before her. Eden can see as Risa's eyes open, a panicked look for a moment. She manages to cover by extending the interlude. As she winds back around again to the top, her eyes close and she continues to sing.
Life goes on and on
And tonight will soon be gone
But if we try we can be sure.
If I only had the words to tell you
If you only had the time to understand
But I only have these arms to hold you
And it's all that you can ask of any man.
The next verse is filled with 'la' over and over, but Eden, despite the fact she isn't quite on key, rolls with it, singing along. Patrons somewhat nearby pick this up and join in.
I wonder if she even realizes we're here right now. She's totally lost herself in the music.
Indeed, Risa misses not a beat after recovering at the first interlude.
If I only had the words to tell you
If you only had the time to understand
Oh, but I only have these arms to hold you
And it's all that you can ask of any man.
She brings the final refrain to a close, the tone of the piano dying slowly. Several positive comments follow.
Patron: "Not bad. Now if you can do New York State of Mind, then I'll be impressed."
=====Some Time Passes=====
Risa finishes a third song, this one an uptempo number from a musical. Eden can't quite place it, but knows she enjoyed dancing around to it. Even taking a turn with John for a moment. Risa stands up from the piano and steps around, bowing. The crowd greets her with enthusiastic applause. She steps down from the stage, her face coated in sweat, but beaming. John passes the two and retrieves the bell glass from the piano, moving back behind the bar as the two take a seat.
EM: "Not bad. At least you have a sense of rhythm."
Risa gives a nod, finding herself greeted by a smiling John and a fresh cold beer. She takes it and sips.
SR: "I don't get to play nearly as often as when I was younger. I had a crush on a guy in the school band, so I gave up piano and took up two or three brass instruments before I finally gave up. Well, that and he started going out with the Vice President of the Student Council. Kinda put him out of my league."
She shrugs at the memory, taking another sip of beer.
SR: "Ichiro was after him too, at first. He saw the writing on the wall long before I did. He usually does."
Eden lifts her double rum and coke and offers a toast to Risa.
EM: "To your piano playing, darlin'. You are actually pretty dang good."
Glass and mug clink. The two take a drink, Eden draining half of her glass and shaking her head at the strong liquor as Risa focuses on something over her head, the look on her face changing from one of stress-free relaxation and enjoyment to a more serious, concerned one.
SR: "Eden, why is Zane Scott standing in the doorway?"
Eden's eyes widen and she spins around in her seat to see Risa was not joking. She hadn't really thought she was. Zane crooks a finger at her and her lips press into a thin line as she gets up, going over to him. Zane looks her over, a lascivious grin on his face as he leans down, speaking softly to her. She nods and then returns to Risa, the blank look firmly in place.
EM: "Risa, it's been a blast and thank you so much for inviting me. I'd love to do this again, but I have to go. I'm sorry."
Risa grabs Eden's hand and Eden turns back to face her, Risa's eyes pleading as Zane smirks at her from behind Eden.
SR: "No, Eden, please, stay. You don't have to go anywhere."
Eden shakes her head.
EM: "I have to go. I'm sorry."
She pulls her hand away and rejoins Zane Scott, exiting the bar with him, Risa staring after them, her look a mixture of sadness, concern and anger. She takes a deep breath, turning as John arrives.
John: "Your friend done for the evening?"
Risa turns to him, composing her face as well as she can.
SR: "Yeah. Something came up that requires her attention. The problem of being on call I suppose."
She asks about the bill.
SR: "What do we owe?"
John laughs, setting a stack of bills on the bar in front of Risa.
John: "I owe you. Sixty-one bucks. Not bad working for tips. If you ever want to be a singer, I'd give you a spot."
Risa blushes, but at the same time it just doesn't feel right.
SR: "I'm already in the entertainment industry. Athletics side."
John nods.
John: "Well, you will always have a spot here."
She smiles at him, takes the stack of fives, folds it, shoves it into her pocket and steps out. She looks around, no sign of Zane or Eden. She exhales and reaches up turning on her bluetooth.
SR: "Call Ichiro."
The phone rings all of one and a half rings.
I: "Hai?"
SR: "Night ended somewhat earlier than I had planned. Call the restaurant and cancel the table if you don't mind. I'm coming back."
I: "Need to talk?"
She has taken a few steps, but she stops, her car parked nearby.
SR: "No. We've done all that we can. We just have to pray and support now. This isn't going to be easy. Growing up an only child, I never had a sister to do things with."
She pulls out her ring of keys and walks up to the car, opening the doors.
SR: "She left early. She got a visit from..."
She pauses. She closes her eyes, mouthing 'I have to trust in her' to herself.
SR: "From someone who needed to talk to her. We'll find another time to drag her out for some fun. A Karaoke night or something."
That was hard, telling a half-truth to Ichiro. She got into the car, closing the door and pulling the seat belt on.
I: "Should I inform PMN?"
Risa looks back one last time, sadness takes over.
SR: "No...no need to worry them more than they already are. I'll call them in the morning, see when they want to get together to discuss how we will handle DMW."
I: "Hai, Risa-chan. Be careful driving home."
SR: "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Should be home in about fifteen, assuming that I miss the train."
I: "Hai."
She pushs the earpiece, disconnecting.
SR: "I hope I know what I'm doing."
She starts the car, signals and pulls out. As her Camry moves up the street, an old Isuzu pick up pulls out from a few vehicles back and begins to follow...
