Charles Patricius

[Apollymi]

"Mm-hm... Nice to know some things don't change~" she mused about Hiruko in general. The casual flirting happening between Shutara and Hiruko, let Miko know her younger self had been more reserved than she needed to be. "I've definitely been misinterpreting that sort of thing..." she observed of herself. It mattered very little now, given her own understanding of things, but... it was still interesting to know she'd done such a thing so purposefully. 'Told ya' we could fuck 'em all!~' were the words she heard in her head from her darker side, which showed in the briefest moment of a golden pupil with a dark iris so fast it could have just been a trick of the light. "Things spiraled for me pretty quickly..." Miko uttered earnestly. She'd been very honest with Hiruko when she'd first met him about her lack of understanding and experience with social things. Her social ineptitude seemed to be something understood though... With the knowledge of her second life even without all of the details, Hiruko could understand her quite a bit. What was more he claimed she should give the series a more earnest read given its accuracy and her current developments. "I'll definitely do that,Or I could get you to read it to me instead... that would also work♪~" Miko chirped that flirty little suggestion slipping out even in present company.

Shutara for her part in this saw the changes in Miko even from just the previous day. "Sou, you do actually understand that sort of thing now...Haha~ Miko-chan's all grown-up~" the bunned girl mused seeming to think something interesting was on the horizon. Maybe, she wouldn't be an old woman when she finally saw the show she'd been waiting for. Before that though, Hiruko spoke of potential makeouts and making himself scarce before anything like that happened. Apparently he didn't think either needed a wingman, and in processing those words, Shutara laugh but Miko managed to look shocked as it seemed that Hiruko was separating from her. "I mean I'd never turn down a wingman.... Wait, there's a make-out option?" she uttered quickly causing Shutara to gasp before the brunette realized what she'd said. "Oops that... slipped out... but like I meant it. It's just my inside voice has been so loud recently. And these lines for friendship are getting really blurry lately," Miko admitted. Shutara only shook her head... "I do have to wonder how you met, but don't worry about that sort of thing, no need to be in a tough spot, you could carry on. Iia, Miko-chan, if you think that... you really were a bit naïve all those girls only skinship baths and random sleep groping are where this whole option came from~" Shutara teased the young girl making her face puff up. "I meant that platonically at the time... well, maybe not the sleep thing, though I do that to anyone I am willing to sleep around so...." Miko tried but failed to properly defend herself. "Uh-huh... well you never seemed that platonic. But that doesn't change much anyway... any other revelations you're working on? I figured you're here because of that clusterfuck of emotional baggage that is a sober Mitchel. And before you ask... I can't deal with him when he's like that, besides I'm still waiting on my hotel room and I have to work early tomorrow. I don't need that much down in my life," Shutara mentioned knowing from experience that Miko needed to be kept on track. And it wasn't that she wouldn't make out with the girl, she just also knew the depth of another person's temperament and didn't want to throw the girl under the bus with him either. They argued enough as it was... no need to stoke that particular flame.

[Bloodedge]

Instead of reading through the series herself, it seemed Miko liked the idea of Hiruko reading it to her. The actual conceptualization of reading a manga to someone was strange, he did catch the flirt and manage to roll with it easily enough. "You'd miss the visuals if I did that. Maybe a live reenactment would be a better option," he claimed. As Shutara said, it did seem Miko was developing the ability to perceive and react to flirty conversation. From Hiruko's perspective, that growth had all happened in the past two days. Things weren't as they seemed on the surface though, he knew.

Moving on to the matter of Miko and Shutara potentially making out, the former expressed surprise at the option's existence. "Like I said: it's pretty accurate," he mentioned in passing. The openness of characters' dealings with each other in that series was quite true to reality, at least in his experience thus far. Miko didn't mean to vocalize that question, but there was nothing to be done about it... and it was an honest utterance either way. Hiruko would let the pair of girls reach whatever conclusion they came to in conversation, adding just a little note about how he and Miko met when Shutara expressed her curiosity. "Lucky strike," he called the situation. As the pair carried on with their conversation, he prepared to make an exit. It was seeming more and more like the aforementioned make-out session wasn't going to happen, at least not presently. Before he passed Miko by, however, he leaned in to deliver a simple piece of advice. "In horse racing, you have to put your chips down before the race starts," he said, and that was all. Hiruko would henceforth be moving toward the door.

[Apollymi]

Miko's flirt was one which was rolled with, but someone like Shutara fully understood the way Miko would go about being read to in that situation even without knowing of her oral fixation directly. Small as she was, the girl was prone to lap sitting when she was younger... she imagined that such behavior made a resurgence as she grew in maturity. Still, how would Miko be reacting to that mention from Hiruko with a smile, "I wouldn't miss the visuals, but I'll take that too♪~" she chirped. Well, that was odd to hear about not food, for Shutara but it also fit the way Miko was in general. "This is great~" Shutara mentioned, it really was like watching someone take their first steps, which in the case of this particular individual was even better considering she'd started withdrawing before this point.

There was accuracy in the 'open relationship' status of Air Gear face claims, from Hiruko's perspective. Miko only had surface level understanding but that sort of thing was crazy, well not really considering what she'd done to her own friend group technically. As their conversation progressed Miko was realizing that she really had just been missing things. She wouldn't take to heart not realizing the girl based thing simply because of the way girls were in general. A lucky strike had been the note made about the meeting between Hiruko and Miko... and Shutara looked at the brunette and shook her head, "Accident?" she posed that question almost rhetorically. "I tripped..." Miko mentioned sheepishly. A shake of Shutara's head occurred as she imagined such a meeting and had several options none of which she was willing to confirm at present. But before he slipped away Hiruko did have something to offer, something about putting chips down on horses before the races started. Gambling was this man's bread and butter, so Miko gained understanding of his advice with that as context. "Sou ka..." Miko gave her understanding, but how would she be behaving about it? Well, the answer would come as she addressed the rest of Shutara's clauses. "Yeah, I am here for that... I've never seen Mitchel sober, so I don't have much comment on that, but I also haven't heard any of his newer music. On purpose because I'd rather hear him perform it..." she said. "And yeah, I realized... that nickname of his for me is mean. Also I'm being brave so, can we keep this between the two of us for a while?" she added pouting just a smidge as she took out her phone. "Picture? I forgot to get one yesterday♪~" Miko uttered. Shutara moved forward coming off the wall, with nothing resembling wariness even after what she'd seen of the girl's activities. "Yes on both accounts. And your nickname is accurate and in fairness you changed his first~" Shutara mentioned making Miko pause slightly. She'd done that... she realized while she was withdrawing from her misunderstood oddities, the realization hit and Miko nodded her understanding. Surely she couldn't go back to that though... "Your secrets are safe with me, always~" Shutara mentioned as she draped herself over the smaller girl's shoulders. bending to accommodate a together selfie. A few were taken with various poses mentioned, so that Miko could add Shutara to her list of surprised targets. At an innocuous moment she'd peck the other girl's cheek, causing a look of surprise and a cheeky side eye before it was returned. That shouldn't have surprised Miko but it did... "You can't go looking surprised when you're being like that~" Shutara mentioned. as she stood up straighter. When she did that Miko noted that her midriff was within strike range so she'd be 'placing a bet' and outing herself a bit. So smoothly did she turn and strike slipping her tongue over smooth but slightly present girl abs before looking up into Shutara's actually shocked face. "If I lick it, it belongs to me♪~" Miko chirped triumphantly. Straight to extremes did that one go... well, at least this was in the right direction. Ah, well... even though she was keeping secrets, Shutara would still be rubbing something in... as Miko dropped her bag to exit the tour bus... she'd be sending a short text with light amusement to Mikami Takao... "I got a bestie selfie set today~" she teased.

[Bloodedge]

Perhaps an interesting reading session was in the cards for Hiruko's future. Well, something noteworthy was always ahead; this was no exception to the rule of thumb. He had little more to say beyond advice given to Miko, but much more observing to do. The two girls ahead of Hiruko made an interesting pair to watch. He had no issue visualizing multiple continuations of their meeting, but more importantly... a spark of pride struck Hiruko when Miko's advancements became the obvious route. A would-be innocent peck on the cheek occurred during a would-be friendly photoshoot, only to be returned in a seemingly teasing manner. It almost seemed like Miko would collapse under the pressure of returned gestures, but then... she struck the killing blow by licking the other girl's abdomen and making one hell of a declaration. She took ownership of whatever she licked, did she? How interesting. "There are a lot of things to be said about that line y'know?" he interjected. With that, though, it seemed they were ready to head into the studio. "Save some for me though, Taracchi. Ja~" he bid while stepping out of the bus.

Meanwhile, Mikami Takao was sitting in the control room just outside the booth a certain Michel Cave would be recording in. "Alright, if you're sure you're ready to lay it down... I'll mix," he said to the other male who was already making his way in. Takao's phone buzzed, however, taking his attention for a moment. "Oh, hang on. Your fix might be here," he interrupted. Ah, but seeing that message had Takao's brow furrowing lightly. "Bestie selfie set? The hell does that have to do with anything?" he wondered aloud. In text, he seemed a bit rushed. "Are you here yet? Hurry up or you'll miss it." That message was sent while Mitchel, or rather the artist Chase, slipped a pair of headphones on in front of the recording microphone. "You right to fire it up mate?" Mitchel asked from within, his voice sounding devoid of joy. "Yeah... yeah, just give me twenty seconds," Takao answered.

[Apollymi]

Interesting reading sessions were indeed in the works for Hiruko's future. Miko wouldn't forget the desire, even if it was put aside for some other time. Shutara on the other hand, wouldn't be forgetting a moment of absolute degeneracy which came along with a sentence she'd only ever heard from the girl in relationship to food before this point. She didn't collapse or fall to a bit of teasing, no... she retaliated. "I wasn't expecting that... full of surprises, Miko-chan~" Shutara mentioned. Having sent a text message to Takao, she was sure one of them would be receiving a reply. The words of Hiruko about that statement were also worthy of note, first from Miko herself, "Right... you didn't know about that yet..." Miko mentioned of Hiruko. Actually, now that she was thinking about it, she'd never claimed a bit of Hiruko either. That was definitely in her to do list. "I'd only ever heard it about food before..." Shutara mentioned casually. Perhaps one day she'd realize that the meaning hadn't changed at all, but that would take a crash course in magic which Miko wasn't ready to give just yet, well except for the slip, "It's still about food, Shu-nee♪~" Miko said her eyes narrowing slightly, that little hint of dominating deviance peeking through an otherwise docile girl. "I think that line is for her... and I, am more shocked..." Shutara said with her hands up, about saving something for Hiruko. "Ja ne... Hiru-aniki, Miko-chan~" she stated as both were preparing to head off.

Of course, before she could fully slip that phone back into her pocket Miko received a text. She read it quickly her eyes sparkling with particular light that Shutara recognized, "First floor booth down the main hall to the left~" Shutara said. "Music♪!~" Miko turned excitedly. She wouldn't want to miss a track recorded by Mitchel at all, even if he was in less than his most reasonable state. Actually with her magical knowhow she was sure that she could help him at least a little. At the very least she'd end up trying. "Come on, Hiru-nii♪!~" Miko had gone into hyperdrive, sending a quick message in return. "OMW :3" that was all as she sped towards the direction given, figuring that Hiruko would catch up or... be right beside her, whichever worked better for him. She'd be busting into that door company or not, in exactly 15 seconds after leaving the tour bus.

[Bloodedge]

And so, farewells were bid. Hiruko offered only an additional over-the-shoulder wave to Shutara upon receiving her parting words. With that, there was only one more hiccup: a text received by Miko. She read it and reacted quickly, only to hear directions to the destination ahead. Immediately, Miko entered a rushed state the likes of which Hiruko hadn't seen since that first night at the casino. Even he was urged to hurry along. "Hai hai. After you, Boss~" he said jokingly. Given his significantly longer strides, his movements didn't have to be hurried at all. He took a pace that was just slightly above a casual stroll while easily remaining right behind Miko, all the way to the booth.

Fifteen seconds after that message was received, Takao was leaning back in his chair. Mitchel seemed about as ready to perform as he could in this situation, and lo... as if he knew the amount of time Miko would take, Takao began playing the instrumental. He let it go for a short period while Mitchel got a feel for the rhythm. That man stood in the booth, a mop of white hair swaying gently as his head nodded to the sound of synthesizers and saxophones: a staple of his music. Blue eyes closed, then opened to narrow slits while Takao raised his hand. Three, two, one, he counted down with his fingers. "You're late," he said away from the microphone, expecting those words to be heard by a certain brunette. Just then, his last remaining finger pointed toward Mitchel... and the music started from scratch.

[Apollymi]

Farewells were bid and instructions given. A rushing Miko was a different kind of cute. Her little legs were moving quite fast and though she was only moving at 'human' understandings of fast speeds, she'd still end up where she was supposed to be in exactly fifteen seconds. That didn't stop her from noticing the still more casual stride of Hiruko, she scoffed. "I miss being tall people," she uttered while feeling the slight grievance caused by being surrounded by those of longer legs for hundreds of years. No matter, there was music afoot and she'd be experiencing it as soon as possible. By the time she slipped into the booth she was dropping her bag and hearing the commentary of the man who was mixing. Her eyes and ears were open and those gentle jazz tunes were a good sound calming but for a different reason.

"Usuh! I was being helpful no sass..." she uttered quickly. Still, once her focus was gathered it went completely in. She found herself staring at Mitchel and taking in that visage she'd once been so familiar with. Like many others his features had faded in her mind quite a long time ago... but the sound of his voice was one of many she'd listen to. There was something. She sank into the sounds and waited... pupils dilated. Miko was the sort to completely engross herself in some things and those included, sex, music and food. In this case, music once lost to her, was about to flow in new form straight from an individual... she had to hear it, to feel it...

[Bloodedge]

As they moved toward the recording booth, Hiruko had reason to question the brunette. That could come later, of course. She made an implication of previously being taller than her current self, and supporting evidence said it had nothing to do with just being around shorter people normally. The magical world was becoming more and more interesting. Moreover, Hiruko had a thousand questions. What were businesses like? Could he still turn a yen into a billion via the usual means? Maybe they used shillings or drachmae, something older to this world as such tropes commonly did. Those questions would all have to appear later though, as they were entering the booth to an apparently impatient Dreameater.

Miko was late. She was being helpful, but her timing had little to no involvement from Takao's perspective. "Helping clean someone's face? Priorities really in order~" he teased with a bit of snark. No matter. The music was beginning. Mitchel drew breath just before the instrumental's very first drumbeat. Already, there was something strange in the air. Longing, lack of direction ─ such things flooded the booth in a metaphysical way the very moment Mitchel leaned closer to the microphone.

"Yuh~
It's getting harder to move♪
I'm back on them 30s,
My cup isn't dirty, but you've been diggin' up the truth♫~
Haven't slept in like four nights now,
Blame it on substance abuse♪
Out in the deep end, I'm swimmin', I'm swimmin' again♫~
... Yeah, uh♫~"

[Apollymi]

All the questions Hiruko had, Miko could answer. But they weren't questions for now. No, as they stepped into that booth, Miko was accosted by 'Dreameater' about her tardiness, and the state of her priorities. As she stood in front of the glass watching Mitchel, she didn't miss a word uttered by Takao either. In fact, she could only scoff even as her eyes hadn't moved at all. "I help where I can... and my priorities are beyond in order," Miko stated just as tersely. The truth of the matter was, there were very few things that could ever draw her away from music. In fact, she'd been doing nothing but prioritizing other people for most of her time back on Gaia. Leaving Hiruko for Kazu... making sure her friends were settled before going on a bender. Abandoning her snack for Hiruko and now here she was standing in a booth a day ahead of schedule, just to make sure that she could be here for Mitchel. Oh well, she supposed whenever she got around to explaining things it would all make sense. Until then... she was hit by feelings so familiar her eyes widened.

Longing, lack of direction those things resonated with Miko... so deep in her soul that several other versions of her briefly flickered in her eyes. That sound was too much... it felt like it could drown her... "It's too familiar. I don't like how this feels already..." she murmured quietly mostly to herself about the feeling before Mitchel started singing quieting her mouth but making her mind race. That feeling had her with a hand steadying her own heartbeat. She could feel all the depression and sadness, Mitchel might have been swimming but Miko was drowning in his emotions. "That's stifling," Miko said completely understanding why this man wasn't allowed to be sober. These emotions were tangible and those with magical senses nd the musicians themselves could likely feel them. Miko had only recently started processing her 'longing' and now she was experiencing someone else's... still she needed to know where this song picked up. When the softness or happiness would appear.

[Bloodedge]

"Whatever you say, Mimori~" was Takao's only response to Miko's utterance. He didn't agree with her statement, but he didn't have to. Very often did they disagree on such simple matters; it never made a difference in a relationship such as theirs. With the song beginning and Mitchel's first verse in progress, they found absolute agreement. Indeed, Miko's opinion was no different to what Takao's had been during the writing process earlier. There was a dark emptiness seeping through Mitchel... and it was definitely stifling. The difference between them was in the hope Miko had ─ her waiting for softness or happiness. Takao knew... it wasn't coming.

"You said, 'Take it easy, otherwise, I'm leaving.
Yeah, I don't wanna stay and watch you die,' ay♫~
Longest that I've stayed clean, my whole body's shaking♪
I'm using music to distract my fucking mind!♫
... Uh, so─

I wrote this song for you!♪
I bought these drugs for you, yeah!♫
I don't know what to do!♪
I'm stuck in a loop, stuck in a loop!♫
I wrote this song for you!♪
Put down the drugs for you, yeah!♫
I don't know what to do♪~
'Cause I fell in love with you!♫~"

[Apollymi]

At Takao's words, Miko pouted, not because they were disagreeing but because she understood that nickname now and it grated her, even though she was quite fond of it by now. There were small arguments peppering their interactions but nothing ever changed for Miko and apparently nothing ever changed for Takao. They could always agree about the music though they saw it from completely different perspectives. And as Miko held out hope for a change in the pace and tone of this song... she was introduced to deeper and deeper depths instead. The words offered by Mitchel as he sang didn't perk up, he sank further into a listlessness which Miko fully understood but knew to be negative. Between the lack of drugs in his body and the message f the song, MIko's soul was feeling obliterated by the sadness and depression. Her nature wanted to help but more so than that she was feeling the words too much.

The music itself was carrying her even as she rubbed the space on her chest trying to relieve that pressure which she'd sunk so deeply into. Whoever this song was for, it wasn't her, but she could still feel it. Too much sadness. So as that brief pause took place the music made her move. Though words weren't normally her thing... she still found herself leaning over Takao to push the button for the mic in front of him which would implant itself into the recording. Her voice, clearly full of the emotions she felt from the song, she had but one question to add, one thing she felt this song needed in a perspective change. That melodic voice carried his melancholy and her own as she questioned him directly. Her hopes were shattered as she felt that the sadness would never let up. The darkness in these depths no light was coming for them...

"Why do you hate me?"

With those words leaving her mouth she let go of the button and continued to watch she didn't know why she felt that question needed asking, but she knew it was the right thing to do.

[Bloodedge]

Now that the new song's hook was wrapping up, Takao expected a smooth transition. What he got instead, was the realization of Miko's approach as she took the controls long enough to insert her voice. That... was incredibly strange. Takao knew the lyrics beforehand. He knew the feeling from earlier, and knew the projected assumptions in Mitchel's mind. The question Miko spoke into the microphone was perfectly suited to the moment... but when did she develop that sort of ability to read emotions? Takao had always felt like the only one with the ability to do so. Well, now wasn't a time to question it. If she could feel that, she could understand the depths of a sober Mitchel and how much of a problem it was. Sadly, things would only get worse from there. Verse two was what finally motivated Takao to make that phone call and refrain from leaving this man alone.

"I could never hate you♪
Despite the words that you've been saying♫
I've been having breakthroughs♪
And hoping you were proud, just maybe♫
Anxiety drives me insane♪
And my newest addiction is pain♪
I know I said it was a phase♪
Five years later, still stuck in my brain♫~

... The letter pays due... yeah♪
Check the time, give me a cue, my daaarling♫
Yeah, I'll tie up the noose...
Then I'll be swinging from the ceiling fan,
I'll let my soul loose! Yuh♫~

I wrote this song for you!♪
I bought these drugs for you, yeah!♫
I don't know what to do!♪
I'm stuck in a loop, stuck in a loop!♫
I wrote this song for you!♪
Put down the drugs for you, yeah!♫
I don't know what to do♪~
'Cause I fell in love with you!♫~"

[Apollymi]

Miko's understanding, of music, sound and emotion had been developing steadily over her life in Alaya. She'd always had some innate ability but her social ineptitude didn't allow her to understand certain things as clearly. In this particular case, her own life experience made her hold a deeper value to the sensation of longing, one could say it'd been a staple of her life for longer than most other emotions. As the song progressed smoothly past that bit of uttered speech which seemed to invite the answer. A new low was approaching and she could feel it. Like a storm over the horizon the pressure in the air seemed to change and once again she was rubbing her chest as if to assuage her own heart, as if she could make that feeling stop.

"It's never a phase..." Miko murmured the truth of such things even from her own experience. She knew that as truth. She'd even tried other methods to rid herself of her own feelings before. All it ever created was that bitter cold void until something else was found to fill it. Granted it'd taken quite a few somethings, but it was managable, she knew it was. Ah, but Mitchel had other... darker things to say. A sober Mitchel saw things differently. He entertained no plans to wait around... he didn't intend to continue in his suffering. Those words he sang almost mournfully hit Miko's ears with alarm bells. Too real was the feeling and the picture painted in her mind. To earnest were the words that he'd actually go through with the plot to end his life. No... that couldn't be allowed. The call that had her here an entire day ahead of schedule made so much more sense. This man couldn't be left alone with the demons of his emotions. He needed emotional coddling, stabilizing and to be pumped full of enough drugs to mellow out that hollow feeling some girl left in his soul. "There are better ways to deal with the void..." Miko muttered, her eyes shifting to make sure there were no ropes or loose cords anywhere. Actuallly it was good they were on the first floor too. Mitchel couldn't be allowed any stranger ideas. It was good she knew someone who could gather what was needed. She didn't know if she'd recover from another near death experience this week. Her heart couldn't handle another one so soon after the first.

[Bloodedge]

It's never a phase, Miko said in response to some choice lyrics heard. Her ability to feel the music had grown so significantly, Takao felt a kindred spirit within the control room. She clearly understood the gravity of the situation here. Only after she spoke those most recent words, did Takao rotate his chair to look in the brunette's direction. He finally noticed there was another person here as well ─ a familiar one at that. Hiruko had been leaning against the doorframe, and could be seen acknowledging Takao with a nod and a two-finger salute, not wanting to interrupt an obviously emotional moment. Nodding acknowledgement in return, Takao spoke for the first time in a couple of minutes. "It's safe. Nothing to worry about," he said to the girl, knowing what she was scanning the area for as he'd already done the same thing. "Are you just on a really weird Air Gear trip?" he asked, noting Miko's current outfit and the sudden appearance of an old... coworker, in all technicality. All the while, Mitchel continued with a slower tempo for the final verse.

"Yeah... calm down♪~
I've been on the comedown, yeah♫~
Going through withdrawals...♪
Help me when I fall, 'cause you know that I've been honest♫~

I wrote this song for you!♪
I bought these drugs for you, yeah!♫
I don't know what to do!♪
I'm stuck in a loop, stuck in a loop!♫
I wrote this song for you!♪
Put down the drugs for you, yeah!♫
I don't know what to do♪~
'Cause I fell in love with you, baby!♫~

It's driving me crazy!♫
A thousand apologies couldn't make up for the time that I've wasted!
YE-EAH!♫~

I wrote this song for you, yeah!♪
I bought these drugs for you, yeah!♫
I'm so in love with you, girl
I'm so in love with you!♫~

... I'm so in love with you!♫~"

[Apollymi]

Miko was wound up in feelings she shared, not just magically that resonated with the lyrics of Mitchel's music. She'd continue listening even as Takao finally turned to face her. She noted him but didn't remove her eyes from the booth, if only as an extra measure to make sure that Mitchel couldn't hurt himself. Still, the friendship between the two had obviously been around for a while, enough for him to assure her that there was nothing to worry about. "Good good... there's too much intention in those words right now..." she uttered, relaxing slightly but still finishing her visual sweep, which she would have done as part of her OCD regardless of what she'd been told. "Twice in five minutes. I really didn't even finish Air Gear... I'm just testing the waters a bit," she mentioned huffily. A gentle blush came to the girl's face as she chewed the inside of her cheek as contemplated a bit of tsundere activity and stating that Takao could have just called her cute. "Still, I understand the early call now..." she mentioned finally pulling her eyes away from Mitchel to look at Takao. "Please tell me that's the worst of the stuff he wrote today..." she needed assurances about the content of his music. Her own hollowness was still a little too fresh for her to want to do anything but fill herself if she was going to have to hear something worse than this man's bleeding heart and suicide note. Miko understood that bit far too well... perhaps they could simply sit on it and let it drift for a while and maybe they could get a narcotic into Mitchel in the meantime so that he could move on.

While that group got into the proper swing of music, a different group was gathering. A few texts had been sent out and a few offers were taken up. One such person taking up an offer, was a purple haired woman who was still rather casually dressed and now walking towards the apartment of the convenience store to pick up a friend. "Ri-chan, we're going to be late... and you set this up," That purple haired woman mentioned. "No way... I'm ready~" she claimed as she trotted downstairs in a black mimi-dress and a pair of heels to head out. "See, I even finished everything else. How do I look?~" she asked of Saori who shrugged. "Like you're on a bender," she said which only made Rita smile more, and laugh from the center of her body. "Hai hai, that's about right. Hiroshi-san, I'm going to be out late tonight. Just close up as regular and tell Naoki-chan anything he needs to know before you send him home for the night!~" she claimed ready to take Saori's arm and head for the bar a few blocks over. A table there had already been set up and a group of three other women were gathering in the same place. A blonde way to thick for her own good, in a button up and a mini -skirt. A dark haired woman thin but grumpy stuffed into the corner and another blonde in a short dress with tanned skin and a happy grin on her face. Whispering among themselves.