Chapter One

"Nggh… Who the hell would be calling this early in the damn morning!? I still haven't gotten over my morning hangover!" Revy yelled, throwing a shoe at the phone, and missing by a mile. Rock smiled worriedly. For a woman who was such a sharp shooter, she sure had terrible aim with her shoes. And besides, it was almost 10:00.

"*Sigh*. Don't worry, Revy. I'll answer it…" Rock sighed. He walked over and picked up the phone, waiting for a moment before answering.

"Good morning. Lagoon Company, Rock speaking. How may I help you?" Rock asked politely, sure that the person was a would-be client

"You don't need to be so damn formal, you fucking stiff!" Revy yelled from the background.

"I can see that Revy is as friendly as ever…" Frederica said in what Rock assumed would be a sarcastic tone, if she was able to add inflection to her voice.

Unfortunately, she wasn't. Her throat had been cut years before, though Rock had never learned what happened to cause the incident, and he decided not to ask, as it was probably none of his business.

"Oh, Miss Sawyer." Rock said politely. "We haven't heard from you since Miss Yifei came to Roanapur."

"I do not know who 'Yifei' is. But it has been a long time. I am calling to arrange a job for Lagoon Company."

"Really? I never knew cleaners like you needed jobs done by people like us." Rock said. He was slightly perplexed, now.

"It is not a complicated job. But it is an important one, and I could not think of anyone I would trust more than Dutch and his company. Please come down to the café near where you usually have your face shaved in the morning at noon today. We will talk then."

"Couldn't we just talk over the phone? The lines are so bad in this place that there's no possible way that anyone could be listening in." Rock asked, slightly concerned that she knew where he had his face shaved. Though, he knew that he should have long since stopped thinking of anything as 'out of the ordinary' in Roanapur.

"It is not fear of being tapped. It is that I do not want the rest of the crew to hear. I wish you to come alone, as well."

"Should I bother asking why?" Rock asked, trying not to sound suspicious. Of all the people he knew from Roanapur, Frederica was pretty scary, or she was when she wanted to be. She talked about taking a person out in buckets like it was a pleasant memory.

"Because of all the members of Lagoon Company, you seem the most diplomatic. You can bring a phone if you like, to phone Dutch when we negotiate the price. But you must come alone."

So that was how Rock found himself sitting in that café with some noodles, staring across the table at the now silent goth girl who seemed to positively radiate sadism. He had seen her use her chainsaw, and she was scary efficient with it.

"Ohayo gozaimasu, Okajima Rokuro." Frederica said with a slight smile. Rock returned the greeting, not bothering to tell her that she should have said 'Konnichiwa' since it was afternoon rather than morning. It didn't really matter.

"Good afternoon. You don't need to speak Japanese. I can speak several languages, including English." Rock said politely. "Now, what kind of delivery were you looking for?" Rock asked. He had already spoken to Dutch, so he didn't need to bring a phone. He could make the deal by himself. Rock was surprised, though, to see Frederica blushing in front of him.

"I did not ask you here to make a delivery. I did not wish to speak over the phone because I am aware of the hostility that Revy shows to those who make advances toward you." Frederica said, surprising Rock with how much she knew, and also with the direction the conversation was taking.

"I want to ask you if you would go on a date with me."

"But… I-I… And…"

"I am aware that we are not really close friends, and I am not expecting a relationship from this. I have simply never been on a date before. I have been in Roanapur since I was young, and have not had many chances for social interaction."

"But… But why me?" Rock asked, becoming more confused by the moment. He was sure that someone as talented at what she did, and as pretty as she was, could find a more appropriate date for herself.

"Because of everyone that I know in Roanapur, you are the one I find I can trust most, and the one that I dislike least." This was not strictly true. She had no problem with Shenhua or Lotton.

Rock found her choice of words odd, though. Typically when someone was asking for a date, they tried for more sophisticated, and less coarse speech. But, this was Roanapur, and so, Rock wasn't overly concerned.

What did concern him was that her choice of words seemed to indicate that she more or less disliked everyone in Roanapur

"Sure. I'll go on a date with you. Did you have any particular plans? That would make things easier for me… I don't have much experience, either."

"That surprises me, Rock. You seem like the kind of man who would have had many girlfriends in the past."

"Well, in Japan, social dynamics aren't quite the same as they are in Roanapur. I wasn't as attractive as most other men my age."

"Well, regardless, I do have a plan. We will go to a movie. We will each buy our own snacks. We will go to dinner, and pay our own bill. Then, you will walk me back to UG Pork, and we will part ways for the night."

Rock rolled his eyes at how very finely she had cut down the night's events. She knew exactly what she planned to do, but no clue as to what dates were really supposed to be like. Typically…

"Usually, I wouldn't argue with a woman who could dissect me with a chainsaw, but typically, on dates, the man pays for things, and the date is supposed to be… Romantic, and slightly less strictly planned…"

"If you truly wish to pay for my food as well as your own, I will not object." Sawyer said flatly. Rock couldn't help but roll his eyes again.

"I'm only saying that you said you wanted to experience what a date was like. No offense, but what you described sounds more like a business meeting and a show." Rock said. Now, he had experienced plenty of those.

"Very well. I suppose I will have to follow your lead on this date, then, Rock-kun…" Sawyer said with a smile that looked more like a sadistic smirk with the way the light caught her eyes. This caused Rock to shiver slightly.

"What night would you like this date to be, Miss Sawyer?" Rock asked politely.

"Call me Frederica. If we are to be going on a date, I would at least like to pretend that we are well acquainted. And please make sure that Revy does not follow you. I will bring my chainsaw. But I do not wish to have to use it."

"R-right. People typically don't bring weapons on dates, Miss Sawyer…"

"If you would feel more comfortable without it, I will refrain from bringing it. I would advise that we at least bring a weapon. It is not safe in Roanapur at night with no weapon. I am not nearly as talented with knives or guns, but I could bring one if necessary."

"N-no… Bring your chainsaw, if you want to."

"Then, I will see you at 6:30 this Sunday. The movie starts at 7, so be sure you are not late."

"Hey, Rock! Where the hell are you going on Sunday with that stupid shirt and tie!? I told you to wear the Hawaiian shirt that I got for you on days off! And besides, we're supposed to go to the Yellow Flag tonight for some drinking. Didn't Dutch tell you that?"

"Well, yes. But I told him I couldn't join you guys. Besides, I do have a life outside Lagoon Company."

"Pfft! No you don't! What are you gonna do? Go out on a date with your nonexistent girlfriend? Like any girl would even want you…"

"Maybe I just want a peaceful evening. Could I borrow a gun? I know I couldn't fire one of your Berettas, but I'm sure that you have other guns." Rock asked politely.

"Do you even know how to shoot a gun? A stiff like you is more likely to hurt himself than an enemy. Just pray for your safety. It's about the best you can do."

"Well, all I really need to know is aim and shoot. I don't think I'm really going to get in any trouble. It's just for added precaution."

"Fine… Here's a 9 mm. You point, you aim, and you shoot. Safety's on. Safety's off. Be sure it's off before you try to fire. If it's not, you'll be dead before you get a second chance to shoot."

"Thanks. I owe you one. If I use it, I promise, I'll refill the cartridge." Rock said politely, finishing tying his tie, and walking out the door, putting the gun inside his belt. Revy watched him go with great suspicion, and decided that drinking could wait.

She quietly went to the window and jumped, and hid in an alley, and waited for Rock to walk out. She watched for a moment as he walked down the street, then hid again as she saw what he was really up to. She saw him greet Frederica. They talked for a minute or two, and though she couldn't hear them, she could tell they were in a hurry. The two ran off, and Revy followed after them.

"Wait. We are being followed. Do you have a weapon, Rock?" Frederica asked. Rock nodded, and pulled out his gun. Frederica couldn't help but laugh at the pathetic gun that he was holding, but she tried to stifle it, not wanting to offend him. He wasn't a fighter, anyhow. He was the diplomatic member of Lagoon Company. So she merely took out her chainsaw, and revved it a few times until it roared to life.

"Come out in the open. You cannot hope to hide from me, and we are in a hurry." Frederica said coldly. Revy sighed, and walked out with her hands up. Normally, she would come out guns blazing. But she knew that she couldn't get one up on Frederica so easily. Her chainsaw was truly the worst enemy of Revy's own guns.

"Rock. I asked you to make sure that you were not followed by her. I do not wish to fight you, Revy." Frederica said, being surprisingly diplomatic. "I asked Rock on a date because… Well, I have never been on a date before."

For a moment, Revy was silent, but then, she began laughing rather rudely, causing Frederica to blush rather ashamedly, and try somewhat futilely to appear smaller. She put her chainsaw away. She was being honest when she said she didn't want to fight Revy.

"O-oh… You were being serious? But why choose Rock of all people? You're pretty, you're strong, and you're talented. You probably could've gotten any number of men to go on a date with you. But you choose him?" Revy asked derisively, pointing at Rock.

"He seemed to me to be the most honest, and 'normal' person in Roanapur. As such, I chose him because I wished to experience a normal date, rather than what someone like you would likely consider a date, where you would go to some sleazy motel and fuck until the sun peeked over the horizon." Frederica said resentfully, not bothering to use more polite language. Revy looked truly surprised at what Frederica was saying.

"You mean, that isn't what a date is supposed to be?"

"No, Revy. That is not a date." Rock said. "Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll be late for the movie if we don't hurry up."

"Where the hell did you get the money for a movie!?" Revy yelled.

"Unlike you, who blow all your money on alcohol, guns, and cigarettes, I save some of my money for occasions like this. Now goodbye. Please don't follow us." Rock said, turning around, and heading toward the theater.

For a moment, Revy raged in her own head, but then gave up, and went back to their hotel. She couldn't let on that she really liked Rock. That would totally ruin her image.

"I admire the way you handled her, Rock. You were less spineless than usual." Frederica said in her usual blunt manner. Rock sighed, and rolled his eyes.

"Miss Sawyer? I have a favor to ask."

"I would be glad to do a favor for you, Rock. I owe you, anyway for taking me on this date. The movie theater is right here, by the way."

"Well, you don't actually owe me anything. I'm glad to be able to help, but do you think you could train me with a weapon?"

"Why would you ask that of me? Admittedly, I am the best in Roanapur with a chainsaw…" Frederica said with a mild blush. "But there are easier weapons for one of your… slightly unmuscular constitution to use. Perhaps you should consider a gun, like Revy, or knives, like Shenhua. I have used both, but I would not claim to be talented with them."

"I'm actually stronger than I look, but you have a point. I was planning to ask Revy to help me learn how to shoot a gun. But I wanted to be fluent with more than one weapon. After all, Revy would be SOL if she ran out of bullets, and Shenhua would be SOL if her knives broke…"

"That is not entirely true, Rock. They both are talented at martial arts, and street fighting. A weapon user cannot simply rely on a gun or a knife. They must be prepared to improvise if they run out."

"Are you good at martial arts, Miss Sawyer?"

"Buy the tickets. We are seeing Carrie. No. I am not as good at martial arts as Revy or Shenhua. But I am also not a bounty hunter or a mercenary like Shenhua and Revy. I am by and large a cleaner.

"I execute people who have crossed the wrong person in inventive and grotesque ways to set an example. That is why I use a chainsaw, and why it would be unwise for you to attempt the same. I am often referred to as 'Leatherface'."

"I see. Then I'll simply have to ask Revy. Let's go. The movie should be starting soon." Rock said, grabbing Frederica's hand and running into the theater. Rock had already seen the original Carrie in theaters and on tape when it came out. It was a good movie. He had also read the book, as he was a fan of some of Stephen King's works. But he had not seen the remake.

He wondered now if it would be any good. In his experience, horror movie remakes were not really any good. But he had agreed to the date, and so, he would go along with it. He paid for the tickets, and took Frederica's hand and moved over to the snack counter.

Rock wasn't entirely sure if he should buy anything other than candy that was clearly sealed in a bag, to avoid getting sick, but Frederica ordered a large popcorn, and so, Rock decided that if she wasn't worried, that he shouldn't be either.

After all, why would a movie theater poison their customers? Revy would be in stitches if he did get poisoned, but for the time, he did like popcorn, and so, he ordered a medium, not wanting to gorge like Frederica seemed to be doing (it was hard to believe that she was still so thin if this was how she ate.

"I do not normally eat like this. I am simply hungry tonight. Though I have been known to eat rather vast amounts of food. That is why I am so rarely invited to acquaintances' houses." Frederica said in her usual mechanical monotone. Rock knew she couldn't help it, that she needed the device to speak at all. But it was slightly disconcerting.

He had heard recently of a type of surgery that would allow a person to gain the use of their voice back after they had lost it by being cut across the throat. The magazine had said that there had been some success, but that it was far from assured, and that it was expensive, and insurance didn't usually cover it.

"Hey, Miss Sawyer?"

"Frederica. We are on a date, not in a business meeting." Frederica corrected Rock. He sighed and nodded.

"Frederica-san, then. You know, there's been news recently that there has been some success in restoring the voices of those who have had their voice box damaged…"

"While I admit that my current voice is at the very least disconcerting, and even frightening to some, I have never had a need to have my voice fixed. There are a few things I miss about having a real voice, though."

"Really?" Rock asked politely. "Like what?"

"I used to be an excellent singer when I was a child. I enjoyed it a great deal, and hoped to be a professional when I grew up. My voice box was cut, though, and I can no longer do that. I have even lost my passion for dancing since I lost my voice."

"Have you ever looked back and wished that things could have been different?"

"Wishing is for characters in Disney movies. In real life, dreams do not come true just from wishing for them." Frederica said in that same monotone, but Rock could sense a tinge of regret, and even anger in her voice.

"Well, it's true that wishes don't come true just because you want them to. But that has never stopped people from wanting something, even if they can't have it." Frederica looked up at Rock. She was not a very tall woman, and it was slightly surprising that she could heft her chainsaw so proficiently. But she was certainly strong. At that moment, though, as they sat down in the theater, Rock thought he saw a tear about to form in Frederica's eyes. But it was gone almost as soon as it came.

"Crying will get nobody anywhere. It is for fools who cannot fix their own problems. Those who cry 'save me' and 'help me' should not live in such an unforgiving world."

Rock sighed, hearing this statement. Frederica was almost as pessimistic as Revy was, though at least Frederica seemed to have some sense that she at least should feel compassion for others, unlike Revy, who seemed to think that anyone who wasn't like her was an idiot.

"Rock… If I tell you a secret, can you promise to keep it? If you tell anyone and it reaches my ears, I will know who told."

"Of course. Keeping secrets is easier in Roanapur since nobody inherently wants to mind other people's business." Rock said with a smile, though he wasn't sure if Frederica agreed with that.

"I do not know if I would call it 'love'. I have nothing to compare this feeling to that I could determine that. But I like you in a way that I do not like anyone else in this city. And so, I want to ask if you would be amenable to a second date on a later occasion. Again, I would not expect you to commit to anything.

That is not the way it usually works around here. But I would like to see more of you." Frederica said, blushing again, seeming very much like a normal person. Rock was truly surprised, but he kept his voice down as he spoke.

"But why me? We have almost nothing in common. You're a successful cleaner, and I'm just the probationary member of a delivery group."

"It is because you seem… normal to me. You remind me of the world I used to live in, and it is pleasant to be in that world, even for a little while."

"You have a point. I learned that I could never go back to my old world the hard way. I had to watch someone to whom I had become attached die in front of me to realize that Japan was no longer my home. Roanapur is my home, now, and I can never go back… And I don't think I'd want to if I could."

"The person that died… It was a woman, correct?" Frederica asked, showing surprising insight.

"Y-yes. A girl named Yukio Washimine. She was the daughter of a Yakuza boss, but, up until then, had never wanted anything to do with her father's world. Unfortunately, her father died, and the Council would only accept a blood relative of his to act as a replacement.

"And she was his only daughter, so she was forced to take up the role of the boss of a Yakuza group at the age of sixteen. She was sucked into the dark world of the night, and it drove her to suicide. My family has always been Christian. My church preaches that suicide is a mortal sin, and that those who commit suicide will go to Hell for their transgression.

"I stopped believing in God shortly after I came here. What god would allow such pain and suffering in the world. But I can't deny that I feel slightly guilty. I know that there was little I could do. Miss Balalaika had set her target on Yukio's group, and once Miss Balalaika sets you as a target, you either depart the country or depart this earth. But still… She reminded me of the life that I used to have."

"For a time, I wished that I might go back to my old life. But eventually, I gave up wishing for something that could not happen, and accepted the life I now have. I can no longer even remember what my family looked like.

I was from Germany, originally. But my hometown is a blur to me, now. And do not feel that you must lose your humanity. I admire you for retaining your sense of right and wrong, even in a world where there is evil all around you…" Frederica said, reaching up, and pulling Rock in to kiss him. Rock gasped as Frederica's lips connected with his, and he was sure that he felt her smirking, even as she kissed him.

"Damn. The movie is over. We have been talking through the entire film. We missed it. Well, I saw the 1976 version. I cannot help but think that it was better, anyway. Do you still have money? If so, we should get dinner…"

"You're still hungry? You just ate a large popcorn right down to the bottom…" Rock said, amazed that anyone could eat that much.

"Yes. I did not get to eat today. I had many bodies to clean today, and I decided to work through breakfast and lunch. It is not a big deal. Let's go…" Fredrica said, grabbing Rock's hand, and pulling him out of the theater.