Disclaimer
Tenchi and all associated characters are the property of AIC and Pioneer LDC. I don't own any rights to them. Any other characters are property of their respective copyright holders, not me.
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Ladies Night Out
Chapter 1
Poor Ryoko
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Note: This story takes place about 10 months after Jurai, Here We Come.
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DING.
The welcome bell at the temple gate rang while Urd was in the bath. "Hey Keiichi, can you get that? I'm in the bath."
No answer.
DING.
The bell rang again. "Bell? Skuld?"
Nothing.
"Damn." The platinum haired goddess got out of the tub, wrapped her wet hair in one towel and another that barely covered her assets went around her body. "Whoever it is is gonna get an earful along with the eyeful," she muttered as she floated out into the courtyard in the direction of the gate.
DING.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." Urd reached the gate and threw the latch. The portal swung open. "Just what's so important that you had to interrupt my…" A cyan haired, golden-eyed woman stood there grinning at her.
"Hello Urd," Ryoko said. "Mind if I come in?"
The goddess blinked rapidly several times. "Uh, sure. But why didn't you just come through the wall, or fly over it? The wards won't keep you out you know."
"I know," replied Ryoko, looking around. "And if I'd known that you were the only one home I probably would've, but I didn't want to interrupt, you know, anything… And besides, that little robot, what's his name kinda scares me."
Urd snorted. "Banpei. And what's there to interrupt? Keiichi still hasn't made his move, even with all my urging." Urd led the way back into the temple. "So Ryoko, what brings you out this way anyway? I thought you'd be home with Tenchi, Ayeka and the new baby."
Ryoko shrugged, "Yeah, well I suddenly found myself with a free evening. Tenchi's off somewhere in the mountains training with Yosho and Ayeka's mothers showed up this morning out of the blue so she doesn't need any help with little Juro."
"Feel kinda like a fifth wheel huh?" said Urd wrapping an arm around Ryoko's shoulders in sympathy.
"Yep," the ex-pirate agreed with a smile. "So I was wondering… Wanna go out and have a few with a Princess of Jurai?"
"Sure, I don't have any other plans. Let me change." Urd suddenly spun around, offering Ryoko a spectacular view of a heavenly body if she'd been at all inclined to look, and was suddenly dressed in a very provocative leather outfit.
"Ready," the goddess announced.
Ryoko produced a low whistle. "Not trying to give anyone a heart attack, are you?"
"Nope. These are my everyday go to town clothes; why, is there something showing?"
"Not quite."
"So you wanna grab Mara to go with us?" asked the Norn.
"Nah, I don't feel like fighting tonight, just a little bar hopping. I borrowed this from Washu." Ryoko pulled out a small device and showed it to Urd.
The bronze goddess blinked at the thing a few times then asked, "What is it?"
Ryoko examined it closely. "It's a randomizer," she pronounced. "We punch the button and it randomly picks a bar somewhere."
"Cool!" exclaimed Urd. "Uh, where somewhere?"
Ryoko shrugged noncommittally. "I dunno, anywhere is fine. When we get tired we just press the 'HOME' button and it brings us back to our starting point. According to Washu anyway."
"She told you this?"
"Not really, but that's what the instructions say. Shall we?"
"Ok, let's go."
Ryoko pushed the button and the two disappeared from the temple with a dull flash.
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They reappeared in an alley off of what seemed to be a main street in some small town. Urd poked her head out into the thoroughfare and looked around. There didn't seem to be anything dangerous but something didn't look quite right. Ryoko stepped around her and out into the open. She started across the street to a building with flashing neon lights. Urd followed and stopped her halfway across the street. There seemed to be no vehicle traffic, just pedestrians.
"Where you goin'?" the goddess asked.
Ryoko nodded toward the building. "To the bar of course. Where did you think?"
Urd looked up at the flashing lights. "How do you know it's a bar?"
Ryoko pointed to a neon tube twisted in a strange shape. "It says so right there. Can't you read? Seems to be a pretty high-class place too, a good place to start the evening."
Urd followed the pirate's pointing finger and peered up at the lights. "Uh Ryoko, I hate to say this but that's not a language I'm familiar with. And I know quite a few."
Ryoko punched Urd lightly on the shoulder and laughed. "It's not a language silly, it's the galactic standard symbol for a drinking establishment." She continued across the street to the door and went in.
Galactic standard? wondered Urd. GALACTIC standard! Oh no! She rushed after her friend. "Hey, Ryoko! Wait! Where are we?!" She caught up with the other woman just as she reached the bar. "Ryoko," she panted. "We're not on Earth anymore, are we?"
Ryoko looked around the place, which had gone silent at the sound of her name. Everyone's head turned to look at the two. The ex-pirate swallowed hard. "Um, nope, I don't think so. In fact, looking at some of the patrons in here I would say definitely not. Damn that Washu!" She felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning, she found herself face-to-face with what was obviously a cop or bounty hunter of some kind.
"Ryoko?" he asked in a low, menacing voice. "That wouldn't be 'Space Pirate Ryoko' by any chance, would it?"
Ryoko smiled sweetly at him. "Ex-Space Pirate Ryoko, yes. That's me. Why, want my autograph?"
"Heh, no. Ex or not, there's still a bounty on your head and you don't look so tough."
Ryoko grinned. "I don't have to be anymore. In case you haven't heard I'm a princess of Jurai now."
"Sure you are," said the man reaching under his jacket. "And I'm the Empress' long-lost brother. Now you can come quietly or dead. Either way's the same to me."
Urd stepped between them. "Wait a minute, WAIT A MINUTE! Did you just say Empress?" She whirled on the cyan haired woman. "Ryoko, not only are we not on Earth, we're not even in our own reality."
The man tried to push Urd aside. "This doesn't involve you lady. Don't get in my way or you're going to get hurt too."
The goddess turned back to him with narrowed eyes. "What did you say?" she asked in a voice dripping with sweetness.
The bounty hunter pushed a little harder but Urd wouldn't move. "I said don't come between me and my prey or I'll have to hurt you too," he growled.
Urd planted her feet and put her fists on her hips. "That's what I thought you said. Ryoko's a friend of mine and you'll have to go through me first."
"Urd…" said Ryoko trying to move the goddess out of the way herself so she could defend herself. "I'll handle this."
Sparks began to crackle from the goddess' eyes. The bartender ducked behind the bar shouting "No weapons, no weapons!" All the patrons except one dived under the tables.
"Urd Lightning Strike!" the goddess commanded raising an arm over her head. A bolt of electricity shot down from nowhere and blew a hole in the floor a couple of feet from the bounty hunter. Although it didn't actually hit him, the energy discharge was enough to knock him off his feet. On his way down he hit his head with a solid crack against the foot rail of the bar; he went out like a light.
The single person seated at a darkened table in the back started clapping slowly. "Impressive, but you need to work on your aim a bit My Lady," said the figure as it stood and started toward them.
Urd gently kicked the fallen bounty hunter. "I think I did ok. Wanna try me yourself?"
"Oh no, I know better than to go up against a goddess, even a goddess second class."
"Then how about me?" asked Ryoko as she formed a plasma ball and squeezed, making her energy sword.
The figure paused for a moment. "And have all Jurai after me for attacking a member of the Royal Family? I don't think so. Besides, your mother would never forgive me."
Ryoko's sword fizzled out. "My mother? How do you know Washu?"
The figure stepped into the light. It was obviously a woman and a small buff-colored animal was perched on her shoulder. She threw back her hood to reveal a tattooed face with light blue hair.
"Nagi!" exclaimed Ryoko. "What are you doing here?"
"I was about to ask you the same 'princess'," said the hunter. "That is before this fool stuck his nose in." She poked at the other hunter with her foot eliciting a moan. "He always was an idiot. I hope he's not hurt too bad though, we've crossed paths a few times and traded information."
"Nah, he'll live," Urd said. "His head's as hard as a rock."
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Nagi chuckled. "C'mon, let's go somewhere where we won't be bothered and you can tell me everything that's been happening to you, including how you managed to get here."
*****
They ended up in a small dive on the seedier end of the town. Aside from a few looks in their direction and a few catcalls directed at Urd (from both male and female patrons) everyone seemed indifferent to the fact that a woman who looked like the most wanted space pirate in the galaxy had just walked in. Nagi gestured to the bartender and he walked to a booth in the even more dimly lit back and tossed out the drunk who was passed out there. A quick swipe with his damp cloth and he gestured for the three women to have a seat. A moment later three beers had magically appeared on the table.
Nagi took a sip of her brew. "So, you two decided to do a little bar hopping and you ended up her. What'd you do, steal one of Washu's gizmos?"
Ryoko felt her face flush a bit and was glad it was dim in the booth so that Urd couldn't see. "Not exactly," she replied, pulling out the device. "See? I asked Washu to make me something that would take me to random points on Earth. The only criterion was that there be a place to get a drink nearby."
"Let me see that thing," said Urd as she held out her hand. Ryoko handed it to her and the goddess turned it over to look at the back, squinting in the dim light. "Damn, can't see anything here. Hold on a moment." A dull glow emanated from her hand as she read the markings on the back. "Designed by Washu Technologies, Pat. Pend." She looked a bit farther down. "Lovingly assembled by… Ah ha!" She held it out so that the others could see. "See this rune?" she asked, pointing to the symbol with a glowing finger. "That's Skuld's mark. Washu may have designed this but my sister built it."
"So?" wondered Ryoko taking a drink.
Urd took a swallow and grimaced. Beer was ok but wasn't exactly her favorite beverage. It would do for now though. "So, knowing Skuld she tweaked it a bit," the goddess explained
"Tweaked?" Ryoko choked on her beer. Nagi began pounding her on the back.
Urd nodded. "And she always builds with off-the-shelf components. What was the last thing she worked on with Washu before this?" she asked.
Ryoko's face took on a strained look. "The Reality Hopper," she said quietly.
"Mmm hmm," the goddess bobbed her head. "And I'll bet she used parts from that to build this. Either that or she substituted things trying to make it more efficient. Yup, Sounds just like her."
"That means we can't get home. Oh Tenchi!" the pirate moaned.
"I didn't say that. That feature probably works as advertised and if all else fails I'll just call my Father to come get us."
"Your father?" asked Nagi.
"That's Father with a capital 'F'," said Ryoko. "Her dad's the Almighty." Nagi mouthed a silent 'Oh' and rolled her eyes indicating that she thought Ryoko was crazy. She took a swallow of beer and banged her now empty cup down on the table. A refill instantly appeared.
"Good service here," Ryoko observed. She put her own empty cup down and a full one took its place.
"I like it," said the bounty hunter. "They don't ask too many questions and the owner doesn't put up with any crap from the clientele. In here, everyone's equal."
"And the beer's good," mumbled the pirate around the lip of her cup.
"And the beer's good," agreed Nagi.
"They got anything stronger, like sake?" asked Urd. She took another sip of her drink and grimaced again. "I'm not much of a beer drinker," she explained.
Nagi snapped her fingers and pointed at Urd. The beer mug vanished and was replaced by a tall fluted glass. "Not sake," the hunter said. "But I think you'll like it."
The goddess took a tentative sip of the drink. Her eyes widened and she downed the rest in one gulp. "Ahh," she exclaimed, approval written all over her expression. "That is good. How's about another?" A full glass was soon in front of her and she finished it with one long swallow. "Again," she called.
Nagi looked at the goddess in disbelief. "Those drinks… One of them is supposed to last all night. Two of them'll knock out a Tybearnean."
"A who?" asked Urd as she finished her third one.
"A large, four armed humanoid known for their ability to metabolize alcohol rapidly," said Ryoko signaling for another round. "Hey barkeep, gimme one of what she's having." Two more of the tall drinks appeared on the table and a beer in front of Nagi. This time the goddess sipped slower as Ryoko took her time over her drink.
Nagi nursed her beer until the other two were done. "If you're bar hopping do you mind if I tag along? I'm free tonight and as long as you're sure we can all get home…"
Urd looked across the table at Ryoko who just shrugged. "I guess. But we plan on doing some serious drinking."
"Then you'll need someone to watch your backs. You're not on Earth you know."
Urd chuckled, her cheeks just slightly pink from the alcohol. "Sort of like a designated driver, right? Well, let's get to it then. There's a lot of booze out there with our names on it."
The three stood and started for the door. As they passed the bar Nagi threw a handful of coins onto its surface. "Keep the change," she said as she passed the bartender. The coins disappeared and he nodded at them.
Ryoko looked back as they left. "Ya know, I didn't see him move the whole time we were in there except for clearing the booth. Strange." She turned back to the other two and pulled out Washu's device. "Ok, let's see where we end up next."
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To be continued
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Author's Notes
This was going to be just a single chapter but once I got started it kept getting longer. And longer… Anyway, it'll probably run three or four chapters long unless…
I know, I'm going to throw this one open. If anyone else wants to write a bar scene for these three (there will be a fourth a little later) I'd be interested in seeing it or at least hearing about it. It doesn't have to be very long and if it fits into the concept and the writer gives their permission, I'll put it in with full credit to the author. If you're interested in doing this and want to know who the fourth is (before I actually use this person) then email me and I'll let you know the ground rules for this fic. Otherwise I'll just continue plodding along on my own
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Review Responses
Sorry, as this is the first chapter there are no reviews yet. If you want a reply to a review of one of my earlier stories email me and I'll be glad to oblige you.
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BobR