XD
Wanderer
Isaac awoke suddenly deep into the night, a light gasp the only noise to escape his mouth. Habitually he scanned his surroundings, taking in the small room with a trace of confusion. A burst of recognition flooded his mind, his memory reminding him to stay silent because of the warden that lay sleeping on the floor beneath him.
Carefully, Isaac moved from the bed, feeling the aches of his wounds. Still, he managed to stand on the cold wood floor, he was used to pain. So much of the training his father had put him through had paid off, even if it seemed odd at the time.
Using those skills he had honed in many of his childhood games, Isaac treaded the old boards. He managed to not make a single noise, paramount to not waking the resting Mia. Even the care he took in opening the door allowed him to exit the room unnoticed or so he thought.
Isaac left out into the cold Proxian air, feeling the cold wrack his lungs with each deep breath. He cursed his forgetfulness, realizing he had left his favorite scarf back in the room. Going back in would be risky though, so he continued forward, trudging through the snow out into Prox.
--
Very few businesses remained opened late at night in Prox. Any of the appropriate merchants closed down before the sun set. That left three powers to rule over the night market. Brothels, gambling and pubs, the three vices of lust, money and alcohol were the night game for the city. A particular bar always remained opened late, though it was not a popular spot.
A beautiful song rang out from that bar, the melodious singer's voice enticing any unwary traveler to enter the stairwell that led down to the bar's ancient wooden doors. The name of the old bar had long faded from its hanging sign. A winding green dragon was still visible on it though, reminiscent of old legends told of a serpent that would be defeated by mysterious heroes.
Inside, a tall man stood silently behind the bar, absently drying drinking glasses as he listened to the piano play. His long brown hair flowed down his light white dress shirt, not as long as the apron he wore to protect his front. His dark black pants rustled slightly as he moved to place down the glass behind the bar, his soft brown eyes resting on the singer after he finished.
The woman on the stage was beautiful, not only because of the shimmering violet dress. Her short lilac hair still captured his attention, even though they had been together for so long. Her dark purple eyes still shone with a deep intelligence, something that even now he was just beginning to fathom
Her sweet voice still reminded him of when he met her in the Fine Arts Center of Contigo University. Yet this was the future they were relegated to, out of a great many possibilities that held such promise. A bartender and his nightingale, such was the price of their love.
He didn't get much time to think of the past however. The piano had changed its tone, the somber timbre reflecting their dark times. His wife then parted from the stage, taking a reprieve before she would sing again.
She approached the bar gracefully, capturing his full attention as she set down tiredly before him. Her tone was sly when she ordered, "Felix, get me a water on the rocks."
"Very funny, Hama," Felix grinned as he fulfilled the order, making sure he put just the right amount of ice in the glass. There was no rule to say he couldn't excel in a job he didn't choose.
"The place is dead tonight," Hama observed as she sipped her water. There were only two occupied tables in the entire pub. Hama's voice turned to a whisper, "It's ominously quiet."
Felix leaned forward, using his eyes to point to one of the tables, "That's Piers Sherman. He's a doctor at one of the larger hospitals."
Hama barely moved to look, gazing at the man from the corner of her eye to remain unnoticed. The man was dressed nicely, a dark blue formal shirt contrasting with his black pants. However, his unsteady hand on a whiskey bottle revealed a man with a great many personal problems as he poured himself another drink. His jaded yellow eyes gazed into the liquid coldly, his hand only taking a moment to run through his long cerulean hair.
"He's a member of the Mercury Syndicate," Hama observed dryly, taking note of the teardrop pin that was attached to his pocket. It was not surprising, the Mercury Syndicate owned many medical supply companies.
"The man over there is Saturos Smith," Felix's eyes turned to the opposite side of the room, pointing out the solitary man. "He's the police chief for this district."
"Hopefully a war won't break out," Hama sighed, turning slightly to see the Proxian across the room.
The chief looked odd in his white police uniform, his shining badges easily drawing attention. His black police cap lay on the table, a flaming symbol of justice etched in its golden crest. In his light blue hands he held his empty glass, his red eyes closed in concentration.
"This will be a tough crowd to play to," Hama grinned as she finished her drink. The jovial music had resumed, allowing her only a moment to kiss Felix before returning to the stage.
Felix returned to his work as he listened to the exciting tune. He could see that his two patrons were not enjoying the music; however that was irrelevant this late at night.
His work was interrupted though, as the bar door swung open to the cold night air. A young blonde man entered the warm inviting pub, taking a seat naturally in front of the bar while ignoring Felix's stunned stare. Felix stood in silence for a moment, still holding his towel tightly. He could still hear Hama singing despite the blatant interruption.
"We don't serve milk here," Felix finally managed, referencing the man's obvious youth. "Why don't you go home."
"That's okay," Isaac grinned, taking the condescending insult in stride. He tossed a paper bill onto the bar. "What I want is information."
Felix looked up instinctually, noticing that the Proxian cop ears had pricked up. There were rumors that Proxians possessed superior hearing because of their pointed ears, but he didn't want to test their veracity now.
"Then go buy a newspaper," Felix pushed the money back toward the man, his tone clearly suggesting that Isaac should leave.
"The newsstands are closed," Isaac countered.
Felix leaned close, trying to keep the conversation from spreading further. He lowered his voice to a whisper, "look kid go ahead and ask, but I want you out of here right after."
I'm looking for Alex, of the Mercury Syndicate," he made no attempt to hide his voice, in spite of the delicate situation.
Felix could now see a conviction in the man's eyes, something that reminded him of a fire that had burned within him so long ago. It was something to respect, but in this situation is was not a beneficial trait.
A furtive movement from the left table signaled that the doctor had risen, the tall man taking strides toward the bar with careful precision. Felix could now see the strong build of the man, a warning to stray from conflict.
"You should be more careful about who you talk about, boy," Piers grasped Isaac's shoulder in a strong grip. "You never know who might be listening."
"Perhaps I want people to listen," Isaac shrugged his shoulder, forcing Piers to release him. He grabbed Piers wrist as he stood and turned, his presence epic as he forced the man to stare into the eyes of a person a full head shorter.
Felix quietly bemoaned the situation as he looked on, his eyes turning to Saturos for any sign of help. Unfortunately, the cold smile that graced his lips sent Felix the message that he would be the one to diffuse the conflict.
The music had stopped, a stark quiet permeating through the bar. Felix's mind raced as he watched the standoff, only realizing a few moments later that Hama was approaching the two, her gaze locked onto Isaac.
"Little Isaac," her voice caused Isaac to falter, a flash of surprise crossing his face. He released Piers when he recognized Hama, their confrontation becoming of lesser importance.
"Hama," Isaac mumbled at first, a flood of memories overcoming him.
Piers was left, forgotten in the background. A stern look from Felix signaled that he should exit the bar. Felix was certain however that it wasn't over. The Mercury Syndicate wouldn't forgive any transgression no matter how slight.
--
This is actually two pages shorter than my usual chapters, but it was a good place to cut off for dramatic tension. :D
Oddly enough, I recalled the plot for this story in my Russian history class, whole we were talking about Narodnichestvo (populism for you non-Russian historians.) I don't know why I had that sudden epiphany during that, but it was interesting. Fortunately this time I've written a vast character chart to encompass the plot.
On to review-
Yoru No Grim- Are you talking about Anton Chekov, the short story writer? I didn't know he was known for red herrings, and I don't want to have to ask my short story professor. --