2/11/74

[oakandash]

There's supposed to be a trip to the bookstore in four days' time and here it is, four days later. He may not always be a man of his word, but he tried and succeeds more than he fails, and so he stands beside the door to Room 200. It's a nice round number; the guest rooms on this floor are a little scant in comparison to the rest. The business center takes up some space here, and there's a spa and salon somewhere on this floor too. The concept of getting personal care services from robots hasn't ever really appealed to him, so he hasn't sought those things out. But there is a fine complement of guest rooms.

Personally, he's fond of the fourth floor but that's because he's used to it there.

Whether Aya remembers that they'd agreed to test the city together is something he's yet to find out and sure, he could have called and given warning, but where's the fun in that? Best to just do the things they're going to do when they decide to do them and now is a fine time to head to the bookstore... at least in his mind. Aya's mileage may vary.

As usual, he's dressed in black and white, but there's no seeming lack of color.

When he knocks, it's only with moderate expectations. If Aya's not there, he can do other things and if he is, they can make like a pair of humans and explore the city at leisure.

Comments

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

Four days. That's what he said. He can't believe he did.

It's too late to back out now. That thought frustrates him but he prepares to go out anyways. Clothing is easy. A black jacket, dark shirt (the exact color is unknown), and jeans. He doesn't care much about them. What are important are his weapons. All hidden well so no one would ever believe him to be carrying. It's all he can do. Going out with his sword in the open would draw too much attention.

He knows the rumors of the city.

He's putting his cards in his pocker when he hears the knock, he looks over his shoulder it. That's probably Willy. Fine. He's ready.

Going over he opens the door and only spares one glance at the katana leaning against the wall. Then he looks at Willy. The man gets a nod before he steps into the hall and closes the door behind him. That's the only greeting he gives as he heads towards the stairs.

It's too easy to get cornered in an elevator. He tries to avoid them when he can.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

Well. Aya's amusingly icy, not that it bothers him. He's never been one to go in for sarcasm or snappy comebacks. Mostly, he just observes and he's been doing that for a long, long time.

For more years than Aya's been alive, in fact, not that he'll ever need to admit it. Everyone's allowed his secrets. Following his -- companion, he guesses? that's as good a thing to call him as anything -- to the stairs, he takes them with utmost ease. It's just one flight and he doesn't ever mind using them anyway.

Ecologically speaking, it's more friendly, at least back on Earth.

When they get into the lobby, he does talk. "Any special books you're looking for?"

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

He takes notice of the way Willy moves. It would be difficult not to. This may be only one flight of stairs but the ease of which he moves is noticable.

It's a habit to pick up on the little things anymore.

"No." That's the truth. He's not looking for anything special. Just something to read. It doesn't even matter if he's already read it before. That's something that's entirely possible when it concerns him. Then again, this is the future. There could be plenty that he'll find that he hasn't read yet.

He'll see when he gets there.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

There must be a reason why Aya's so taciturn. In his court there's a certain loquaciousness; glibness of tongue is something they're known for, in addition to their skill with music and dancing. He's not used to a human who speaks this little. He could fill the space, but what would be so fun about that? Nothing; he'd miss out on a lot of his observation if he did something like that.

"Well, I'm looking for music books. I'd like to know the music history for this near-century I seem to have skipped right over."

They're at the lobby, and just after that they're at the hotel door, and then walking down the pedestrian mall and still, Aya barely speaks. It's going to make this trip pretty interesting.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

Willy's a musician. Looking for books like that make sense for someone like him. He's read books like that before himself. They were alright. But so often the spaces are filled with pictures to look at. It gets tiring when all he wants to do is be lost in the words on the page.

There's not much reason to respond though. So, he doesn't. Instead, he keeps his eyes open. It's a habit he developed when he became an assassin. Even when he's in a perfectly safe and controlled environment, he still does it. He has to know exactly what is going on. Everywhere.

It doesn't matter to him if he ends up getting killed. If he dies, he dies. Today, he has someone else with him. For that reason, he has to actually be more careful in what he does.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

Because he's a student of human nature, he'll observe... for a little while. He's unused to the completely silent treatment, and at least one of them is sociable. Keeping up in silence will last him another half block or two but he knows himself. He'll get bored with it soon enough.

He's a musician. He's used to response. Applause or jeers, requests for more or people getting up and leaving. And he's really unused to the latter.

And so he watches the way Aya's eyes move, as if every shadow puts them in mortal danger. That, of course, could only be true for one of them and he finds the caution amusing enough. But where's the fun in holding back and holding close all the time?

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

Willy is quiet. He's not sure whether he should be enjoying the silence or if he should start wondering when it will end. The musician doesn't seem like the type who can keep quiet for very long. That probably is the case.

Fine then. He'll enjoy the quiet while it lasts. However short that might end up being.

It gives him time to focus. Be ready for anything. Nothing, random run ins, gunfire...any of that. If he's not ready then it could come at him when he least expects it and it could put them both at risk. That's the last thing he needs right now.

He's an assassin. He's not a bodyguard.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

In his days and travels, he's spent a lot of time alone. Doing anything with Aya is exactly like being alone, but with company. What's the point of doing something with someone else if there's no interaction?

Of course, he could look on it as a game. Whoever speaks first loses: he doesn't really care so much about wins and losses as he does about playing well. Maybe that's it. Maybe Aya doesn't speak for that very reason.

Now it's a challenge. Now he's determined not to be the first one to break the silence, even as he recognizes something: if Aya had wanted to go to the bookstore alone, he could have done so long before now.

So why did he wait? The question puts an unbidden smile on his face. By nature, he's cheerful enough, and he'll also figure out the whys of the situation with or without the help of words.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

Now Willy is smiling. There's a reason for it, he knows that. If he were in the mood to find out why, he'd ask. However, he doesn't care much. Things are still quiet and he likes that. In silence he can have solitude. Even when he's surrounded by people. Perhaps that's why he fell in love with the sword when he was in school. It was a way to get away and be alone in the moments of silence.

That safety net is in his room now. He'll have to make due on his own today.

They step out into the city and his hands hang free. It's easier to grab weapons this way. Far easier.

Killers are out here. That's fine. He's one too. A hunter. The florist shop is nowhere near here. The members of Weiss were given their code names for a reason. Cat breeds. The cat is one of the deadliest hunters out there and the domestic cat doesn't always hunt for necessity.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

The city is a little busier than usual today, he notices, and he wonders if it's a new influx of people or if it's just a congregation in this part of town. In general, the place still feels empty to him, but he's used to the entire population of the solar system being on one planet. Of course it's more crowded there and less here, where there's more room to spread out.

And though he's got a smile on his face, he's well aware of all of his surroundings. Especially when a pair of Dragons walks toward them without even making the effort to hide their machine guns.

You want to just pass on by, he tells them without saying a word. You're not the least bit interested in us.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

Most people are ignored by him. They're harmless enough. The Dragons are another story. The pair have guns in the open and his hand twitches as if to reach for one of the weapons he has. His entire body tenses to be ready for an attack. And then...

"We'll pass by."

"Not interested in them."

He almost stops to watch them just walk past them. That instinct passes him by as they do. He's still tense but his body seems stuck between that and confusion. Why the hell did they do that? It doesn't make any sense.

Unless Willy did something. Like what he did to him. Looking over, he studies the man closely. There is no harshness in his eyes this time. It's more curiosity for the time being.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

The game of silence is forgotten as the near-tenseness of the moment slips away. He watches the Dragons move off down the street, one turning to the other and scratching his chin. When he turns to Aya, he shrugs.

"Bookstore's down this street." The sign ("Shosekishou") is in big red letters; red seems to be a favored color around this place. He doesn't make any noise at all about the Dragons or about the way Aya tensed up or about much of anything else. All he wants are recent music history books.

So far, this has been an interestingly strange day.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

Willy is too relaxed. Others reacted to the guns out in the open but not Willy. That's almost unsettling. As if the musician expected to easily get away or survive or whatever no matter what happened. His eyes narrow for a second then he nods.

There's something...not right about this man. It's bothering him now. Staring straight ahead, he thinks about it as he picks up his pace so he can get to the store.

At least the world inside a book makes sense.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

Back to silence? How dull. As they get to the store, he opens the door and steps inside. Whatever Aya wants to do is fine with him; they don't owe one another a thing and really, it's all good and all fair game. And there's no doubt about it: it is nothing but a game. All of this.

Just a game.

Once they get inside, he heads off to the music section. Some of the books are about people, bands, musicians he knows but others... he's got no idea. This is going to be fascinating.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

His eyes follow after Willy until the books around him distract him. Wandering over to a shelf, his eyes wander over the titles. He's never been in here but he knows where to go anyways. These are non-fiction. Fiction will be on the other side.

Pale fingers run over a spine before he picks one book out. A biography of some famous man who helped build colonies. Alright. He'll take it.

Now, he wanders over to where the fiction area is. He wants stories. At times he randomly grabs a book. But then one catches his eye. The Picture of Dorian Gray. He hasn't read that one in years. Pulling it off the shelf, he sets the five other books on the floor and leans against the shelves to start reading the book.

He doesn't even realize how relaxed he is right now. It's like he's found a comfort zone and has just settled right into it.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

With A Brief History of Music since Colonization in one hand and Woodstock: A Pictorial Restrospective in the other, he makes his way around the bookstore until he finds Aya. He's engrossed in a book, and who's he to disturb someone so obviously content?

No one. Just your run-of-the-mill Lord of the Daoine Sidhe; he doesn't require any special treatment. Where's a brownie when you need one? Someone to sweep up the mess you've left behind? Wait, he knows: he'll take the Phouka, put him on babysitting duty again.

The concept makes him laugh. He knows enough about humans to know that removing Phouka from the picture wouldn't gain him any favors with Eddi after all, even if he doesn't understand the complexities of the emotions that go into that whole scenario. He does know he won't figure them out by sitting around in a bookstore on an asteroid a hundred years in the future.

He should go home.

"Aya."

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

He's a little ways into the book when he hears his name called. Looking up, he blinks until he sees who it is. That's right. He came here with Willy. And it looks like Willy is leaving too. Closing the book and picking up the others, he wanders over to him. Right away his eyes study the books in either hand.

For a moment, he debates saying anything. Then, he opens his mouth and looks right at Willy's face.

"Why are you so interested in books on music?" There. It's out. For once, he'll try indulging his curiosity. He's noticing now that he's relaxed in here but he doesn't care.

That's also a longer sentence than he's used to handing out. That's fine too.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

"So you can speak today. I was wondering." He laughs, but he's not laughing at Aya at all. He's laughing at the absurdity of the situation, the naivete of the question. "I'm a musician."

Isn't the reason for his interest obvious?

"And I have what I came here for. Are you done, or do you want to stay?" He's more than sure Aya can make his own way back if he's not ready to leave.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

There's a little frown at the words but no irritation behind it. He was being quiet on purpose. And that answer brings back memories.

He dated a musician once. When he was still Ran. He'd asked the same question then and gotten that same answer.

Enough of that.

"I'm done. These will be enough. We can leave." After they pay for these anyways.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

"What did you pick?" He's not nosy, he's curious. If Aya doesn't want to answer, that's just fine. He'll see the books as they pay anyway.

This whole trip started as a result of his own talking about the books he had in his room; there's a reason it piqued Aya's interest. Honestly, he doesn't care to pry.

He pays for his books first, then stands aside so Aya can take his turn. It's easy to be patient: time has less significance for him than it does for most people and he's rarely in a hurry.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

While Willy pays for what he got, he goes through his own choices to see the titles again. What he got will be obvious once he sets them on the counter. But he doesn't really mind saying them aloud.

"A biography about someone who dealt with the colonies, a book of poetry, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Tales, and The Lake." That's way more than he usually says. Oh well.

Stepping up, he goes to pay for the books. When that's done, he takes them and looks at Willy. They can go now.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

"I don't think there's such a thing as too many books." He tucks his books under one arm, smiles disarmingly at the sales clerk, and moves toward the door. "That ought to be enough to keep you busy for a while."

It's all just random chatter; he's really not trying to be inane or keep a conversation flowing. It's just filling the space; he had enough of silence on the way over. But its second purpose is to make them look as if they're not paying intent attention to the city around them. He is; he knows his traveling companion is doing the same thing. He saw it on the way here.

But it's not his style to simply come out and ask anyone to tell him their story. No, he'll find things out about Aya in his own way, over time.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

"A week or two." He reads quickly and he has the time to read now. It's strange that he does. Normally, he's too busy. Working days and nights can cause conflicts with a personal life. He hasn't actually had real time for himself in over two years.

"I'll be done by then."

He's calmer now as his eyes take in everything at once. There is a slight tension that has come back. But with danger everywhere in this place, that's not surprising.

He'll have to come back at night sometime. To see how bad things really are.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

"And then you can come back and stock up on something new, or borrow some of mine." He's easy, and he likes Aya. He's a puzzle, and puzzles want to be solved.

For the walk back, at least they're armed with some good heavy books, although he's perfectly capable of defending himself from almost anyone or anything around here with little more than the palm of his hand. Still, he already let that cat out of the bag last time he was out at night with Faye and he'd rather not attract that kind of attention to himself again.

Who wants to have the reputation as the hotel guest who can shoot lightning bolts from his palm? Technically, that's supposed to be kept quiet, but who's here from his people to report back?

No one.

The concept makes him grin.

A little.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

Willy smiles a lot. That's something he's noticed. Most of the time, it seems to be little things he's thinking about. It's an easy assumption to make. Nothing else could be making the man smile as far as he can tell.

Then again, how would he know? He doesn't remember the last time he smiled or laughed.

No, that's not true. He does. It was the night of his sister's birthday.

"Why do you smile so much?" That's out before he can stop it. He can't pretend he didn't say it so he just waits for an answer instead. It's easier to own up to what he said than it is to run from it.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

That's a great question and it makes him laugh that lyrical laugh of his all over again.

"Because I'm a happy person, I guess." His shrug is entirely unconcerned. "I like it here. It's fascinating, and everything is new to me. Out of all the places I've been in my life, this might be the most interesting."

It's certainly the most unexpected.

"Why don't you smile more?" He might as well ask the question. Fair's fair, right?

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

The reasoning makes sense. Though, he's not sure why Willy laughed when he asked.

When he's asked something in return, he looks over. People usually avoid asking him that one. It's trend he's noticed. Most like making assumptions about why he doesn't smile. It's easier than approaching him about it.

"I haven't been happy or content in awhile." Why is he even talking with Willy? He disliked him so intensely to begin with. Now this.

Still, he knows he's not being forced into saying anything. That bit of knowledge does help. A little.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

That's a good answer to a difficult question and he didn't ask it to be judgmental. No, he was just curious.

"Maybe you will be again." That's about all he has to say about it. He can't tell Aya that it will all be over some day; he doesn't have the gift of foreknowledge and even if he did he wouldn't tell someone what he knew. Where's the fun in that?

And maybe part of the reason for them being here is to balance each other out. He doesn't really know, but that could play into it. It would be a lot of fun if his music could be what gets Aya to smile.

That just might happen some day.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

Being happy again is such distant thought that he can't even picture it. He didn't even smile the moment he found out his sister was awake again and alright. He couldn't. Not while knowing that he could never say another word to her nor have her see him again. It hurts but he's stained with blood now and he won't dirty her with it.

However, he can't say 'no, he won't'. He does believe that but he can't say it.

"Maybe."

He doesn't deserve it though. Not after killing people for money.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

Maybe is a start. It's not his mission to bring a smile to anyone's face, but if it happens, he'll be happy to see it.

As they walk back toward the hotel, the streets are fairly quiet. No random violence, nobody really following them. The streets here remind him a little bit of Minneapolis: there's a grit to them and some days they're the only thing here that feels human and real.

The hotel in comparison, with its robots and always-clean rooms and pristing dining areas and glimmering casinos, seems surreal.

"You've been here a little while now. What do you make of the place?" In the distance, the hotel with its 21 stories looms; the spaceport is close already.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

That question is easy. "It's too quiet."

He likes silence. It makes him feel comfortable. But not like this. This isn't natural. Then there are the robots.

"The robots are disconcerting when added to the lack of people."

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

"It takes a while to get used to them." For a little bit they walk along in silence, but then he turns back to study Aya. "I don't know if I told you, but I was the first person to arrive at the hotel. Talk about too quiet: no other people to talk to. Just me and the empty floors and a bunch of robots. That was pretty much torture. Thankfully I had my guitar."

It kept him occupied those first nights until other people slowly started to trickle in. Faye was the next one, he's pretty sure, and then Spike.

And people have come and gone -- he still remembers Rose and wonders if she still remembers him -- and life, as they say, goes on.

"I didn't know much about the city at all those first few days."

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

He returns the look he's being given when Willy shares that little detail. The first person here. That would be maddening. Overly so. For him as well. No matter how he might like quiet moments.

"For how long?"

Might as well find out. It might help with other details later.

Probably not. It's still worth asking anyways.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

"A few very long days." It really was the closest he's come to feeling really crazy, and he didn't know why he was here. There wasn't anyone else to ask. It all just... happened, and now he's so matter-of-fact about it. He comes, he goes, he buys guitars, he breaks strings, he gets new ones. He goes home, visits the humans, sees his own people, rehearses with the band, prepares for war, comes back.

"Now it's like a vacation home for me. But it wasn't at first."

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

A vacation home. He can see how Willy would look at it that way. The little he's seen lead to that kind of reaction to this place when it comes to the man next to him. He's not sure he could ever view this place that way. Well, at least someone does.

"What changed?"

Probably the arrival of people.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

"Other people showed up."

That's the simple and honest truth, and for someone who's neither simple nor honest as a rule, the words tumble out without preamble. "It's solitude that does me in."

That's another truth from him. It's not a habit he's likely to get into, not after so many years of living the way he has and being exactly the way he is. But every once in a while, it's refreshing enough.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

He was right about his guess then. Good for him.

"Solitude does that to some." That's why it's a good punishment for him for all the lives he's taken. He used to be someone who loved people. Loved being surrounded by them.

He dated regularly. He was good in school. His social life was envied by some even if he wasn't a player or overly popular. He just wanted to be with his friends and whoever he was dated at the time.

At home he had his family. It was a good life.

"To most."

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

That last statement is telling. In his book, it means to me when Aya says it. He'll keep that observation to himself; he really doubts spreading it around would be appreciated.

They're almost back to the hotel now; he shifts those books beneath his arm just for a change of pace. He's carried far more than this for much greater distances, but appearances matter. He can mimic almost any action, although his own aren't so very far from human. Not so different that anyone would actually notice.

Aya would probably appreciate a little privacy after that near-confession.

"I might stop in the music store on the way back. Pick up some guitar picks." There: an easy out if his friend wants to take it.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

There's no real interest for him at the music store. That's alright. He'd kind of like to be alone so he can berate himself for almost admitting too much. Jack is already too close with what he knows. He doesn't want anyone else to get there too.

"I'm going to my room." He doesn't want to go to the music store.

That means he'll continue on and leave Willy behind. But that's alright. He needs some time to think. By himself.

[oakandash.livejournal.com]

"All right." He's cheerful as ever about it and doesn't mind in the least. Of course, there isn't a whole lot Aya could do or say that would bother him terribly, beyond the silent treatment, that is. As they ride up the escalator, he readies his key to gain access to the resort. He doesn't need it -- a tiny jolt of lightning from his hand does the trick just as well -- but he won't advertise that fact.

The music store is about halfway down the hallway on their left; he knows they'll make their way there in silence because for all intents and purposes, Aya's already bid his farewells.

And that's just fine. He doesn't really need guitar picks and strings, but then again, when does any guitarist really have enough of either of those things? The answer's never, and he gives a little smile as he opens the door to the shop. He doesn't expect a goodbye.

[abyssinian-20.livejournal.com]

The only goodbye he offers is a nod of his head. Why bother with vocalizing it? Then the door to the shop closes and he continues on.

Into the lobby.

Up the stairs.

Into his room.

There he takes off his shoes and grabs the book he was reading earlier so he can sit in one of his chairs to read it.