As the evening fell, it found the group sitting in another hotel room, looking mildly depressed. Collectively they had found out nothing more than the Finders, there were rumours of a shine but they dated from over a century ago and there was nothing new about it. The locals were all complaining that someone visiting the town had heard of the legend and stumbled on a cave, calming it was the shrine from the myth. Allen and Lavi were reminded of the 'Tree of Life' Innocence they had recovered once.
Sitting in the lobby/living room of the hotel they were in, they were relaxing as well as sulking it seemed. Lavi had a book in his hands, the words in a language no one could recognise, Lenalee and Allen were playing a board game while Kai was grooming and playing with Corbec. Outside the clocks began to strike nine.
Kai stood up as the last chime faded away, a large smile appearing on her face, "okay, boys and girls, time to get some real work done!" She said happily, rubbing her hands together as she stood over them. The other three in the room looked up at her puzzled, "what are do mean?" Asked Allen, a little worried, a playing piece still in his hands.
"I told you, I had a contingency plan," said Kai with a smile, "we found out nothing during the day, now we go to the only place where we will find out anything we need!" Ushering them all to stand up and follow her, she smiled and winked at them as she lead them up to there rooms, "you must promise me all, that you'll follow my lead for this, okay?"
"Um… I guess." Said Allen, a little worried.
"I trust you sister," replied Lenalee devoutly.
Lavi meanwhile was frowning, arms crossed, "what are you doing Kai?"
The older girl just smiled at her reflection in the mirror, her hands running over her hair to make sure her braid was still alright, "I need you all to leave your jackets here in your rooms," she said, almost seeming to ignoring the question. Seeing the looks on there faces, she stopped and looked at them each individually, eyes meeting, "please, little brothers, sister, just trust me. I… You'll understand instantly."
Silence filled the room for one tension filled moment before Allen spoke up, "okay Kai. You've not led us wrong now," he said and removed his red and black jacket, show the simple back muscle shirt underneath, he had not worn his white shirts since General Cross. He tossed the jacket onto the foot of his bed and looked up at the others. Lenalee looked a little worried but unbuttoned her top to reveal a skin tight, strapless top in black, her pale creamy skin seemed to glow in the candle light, a small blush creeping on her cheeks. Kai clucked her tongue and moved over to the girls suitcase, pulling out a plain black jacket and handing it to the girl to wear instead.
"Good," Kai nodded to there show of faith as Lavi removed his jacket. Today he was sporting a simple white shirt underneath his Exorcist jacket, matching nicely with the black jeans and headband he was wearing. "Komui would probably go spare if he knew, but even tying them around our waists the towns people would know."
"So where are we going and what are we doing?" Asked Allen as Kai lead them outside, into the high street, the last dying strands of sunlight glowing brightly enough to blind anyone caught in there gaze. Following the long haired girl closely, she stopped at an ale house a few doors down from there hotel, the sounds of happy regulars filling the night air. Allen paled visibly, memories of his years with General Cross filling his mind, meanwhile Lavi was frowning in puzzlement as to why she had led them to a bar, what could they learn here?
Lenalee was the best, she had never been in a bar before. She had rented accommodation from establishments that also acted as places of alcoholic consumption, but she had never descended into the bar areas before, alone or accompanied. Stopping outside Kai had looked them all over, taking a moment to pull Lavi' head band down to his neck to his complaints as his hair fell into his eyes, reaching out she messed Allen's hair up before turning to gently push Lenalee' hair behind her ears on one side, pulling the other free to half hang in front of her face.
"Okay, follow my lead and hopefully by the end of the night one of us will be able to tell where this shrine might be," said Kai reassuring. The group looked at her, once more uncertainty rang clearly from her three 'sibling's' but she carried on, "alright? Ready? Lets go!"
Pushing in threw the door of the bar, Kai walked in, casual confidence radiating off her as she looked around the low ceiling, long room, her eyes roaming the crowd before she walked up to the bar, waiting calmly while the other man there was served. Lenalee and Lavi hung close behind her while Allen moved forward to lean against the wall next to the bar, casting an experience eye over the laughing crowd in the over warm room.
The floor was a mix of tiles and wooden planks, the bar was of old oak, so old and stained with beer that it bore the same characteristics as stone. Along the walls of the room were benches, with tables in front of them, small stools on the other side, and every seat was full except for one corner. The people in the bar were either laughing, scowling or just watching the new comers with a faint smile of melancholy, remembering there own distant days of youth.
Kai smiled confidently, nodding without realising it before she leaned on the bar, arms tucked under her breasts, her eyes watching the barman as he finished giving the last customer his change. The other three, still close by, silently watching in curious wonderment at what happened next. "Can I help you?" Asked the barman at last, giving them the long careful look that meant he was trying to judge there ages, intensions and if he would get into any trouble letting them stay.
"Yes," said Kai with a large smile, "I'm here to perform the Entertainment for tonight, my message was dropped by this morning." The large man behind the bar stood there, stock still for a moment, frowning before he turned around and moved over to the cash draw, digging threw the slips of paper before finding what he was looking for and bringing it over."My assistant brought in my paper this morning," she said, leaning over the bar until she was on tiptoe, the low neck of her top giving a good view of her small breasts while the fabric of her jeans pulled tight against her arse as she spoke. Allen and Lavi felt there fists tighten as the spotted eyes lingering on the two girls, but when Corbec fell off of Kai's shoulder, chirping in annoyance as his nap was interrupted, the entire bar stopped to watch in a mixture of wander, awe and shock.. The black dragon pretended to ignore the looks he was getting, but decided to sit on the bar in full view and preen his wings before looking up to Timcanpy, perched on Allen's head, chirping up at the golem.
"Yes," confirmed Kai, seeming to ignore the actions of the room around her, pointing down at the paper in the burly mans hands. "I asked my dragon to drop this note in while I was still shopping earlier. It took me a good while to decided which was the best bar in town for me to perform in."
At the subtle mention of this opinion, the barman softened and smiled, "you, you don't want paying for this, do you?" He asked as another thought managed to make it's way thought to his thickly padded brain. Kai chuckled happily, her laughter infectious enough to make the man smile despite himself, "no no, the only payment I ask for, I will get from the customers!" She reassured him, but making him confused as he tried to figure out what she meant.
Turning around at last she leaned on the bar and looked around at the customers, "but first," she said, looking over her shoulder to the landlord again, "let us have a drink, get a taste of that fine ale I've heard so much about!"
A few moments later found the entire group sitting in the only available corner of the large room, occasional curious glance sent in there direction as Kai murmured to them there instructions. "Okay, the main point of this is to mingle with everyone here. They are nothing more than harmless farmers okay? If there were any Akuma here, Allen would have fished them out by now, right?" The white haired boy nodded, sipping his tankard of ale, silver eyes roaming the crowd with an experienced eye.
"Jobs tonight," said Kai firmly, "I'll entertain the masses, I'll lead the crowed but the roles you will play will depend on you all. Lavi, you will wander and listen. You'll be doing the main work here by getting people to talk to you and listening to what they say while I talk.
"Lenalee, dearest sister darling, you will stand at the bar and flirt with the young men that come in tonight, we will be near if anyone tries to get too personal but I think you can handle yourself." There was a blush on the younger girls face, not as bright as they expected, but she nodded firmly, in acceptance of her role, "just don't tell Komui! Meanwhile, Allen, you will start a poker game over here in the corner for those who feel brave enough." A small chuckled came out as a bright light seemed to shine in his silver eyes, pulling out the pack of cards he carried with him always. "Don't keep it low key, no stripping people."
"Okay, I get what we're to do," said Lavi, head to one side as he spoke, trying to judge Kai's approach and the reasons for it, "but why would it make any difference asking them now, compared to earlier?"
"People skills," said Kai with a smirk, holding her hands out palms up, "out there, there are lots of people who are just coming to town for the market. While in here, this is there local! They are as happy and comfortable here as they are in there own living rooms!" Confided the long haired girl, winking at them all, "I'll get the ball rolling and you just keep it going. Just, don't get too drunk okay? I need minds sharp!"
Kai stood up and moved over to the bar, drink still in hand as she turned and leaned against it, every eye in the room was watching her, even if the level of conversation hadn't dropped by one notch. Corbec flew over to her from his place on the table, landing on the bar and chirping up at her. She looked away from the room and smiled tenderly down at the small dragon, offering it a peanut for the bowl on the bar. Sitting back on its haunches, two small paws took hold of the nut and tugged it from her fingers, bringing it close to sniff it cutely before chirping happily to himself and beginning to eat it almost daintily.
"Miss," said the barman behind her and she looked over her shoulder to see him standing there nervously. She smiled warmly to relax him and encourage him, "does the little one like pork scratching'?" He showed her the packet he had in his hand as if to prove his intensions making her laugh quietly, the sound seeming to ring as the room grew quieter with each passing moment.
"His name is Corbec," she said scratching the black dragon on the head while he eyed the packet in the mans hand. "He's perfectly tame, and intelligent enough to know how to look cute, ask him yourself," she indicated, moving aside to allow others to see the display on the bar.
The barman stepped closer, trying not to fidget under the rooms attention, swallowing hard, he gathered his courage, "Corbec," he said and the little dragon chirped in reply. "Would you like to try a pork scratching?" He opened the packet and held out the treat, eyes flicking to Kai and moved closer as she nodded encouragement. The little black dragon cheeped happily and walked forward, stretching his neck out to delicately sniff the treat, before sitting down on his haunches and holding his paws out to accept the piece of cooked meat. The room seemed to fill with tension as the barman froze before pushing the treat into the little paws.
Corbec cheeped happily in thanks and began to noisily crunch away, the entire room sighed, the tension easing away and the atmosphere was one of acceptance for the new group of youngsters. Taking her cue, Kai stepped into the middle of the room, "thank you. Now, ladies and gentlemen, let us not delay." The attention now focused on the sturdy, long haired girl in front of them all. "My name is Kai, and I, will be your entertainment for this evening!"
There was an expectant silence for a moment in which Lavi' snickering could be heard before Kai rolled her eyes, hands on her hips, "don't all jump at once to ask what I'm gonna do," she said getting a room full of chuckles, the smile on her face showing it was all part of the show. "Well, it may not sound exciting yet, but I'm a storyteller. Just a humble little dispenser of tales." She wrapped her arms around herself, sniffing as she downplayed herself and her talent, but the group in the corner were almost entranced by the way she had coerced the entire room into instantly her and what was happening. "But, I hope to amaze you all. Now, does anyone have any complaints? No? Good, but for those who require something more… riveting, my assistant, Allen, will be conducting a small game of poker in the corner."
The people sitting around looked at one another mumbling but no one spoke up, "good! Now, my first tale starts with a man falling out of a bar, into a night that was filled with rain, he landed in the gutter but that didn't bother him as he started to sing loudly…"
Kai never stopped talking long enough for anyone to really get a word in, there was a faint background murmur after a while, as people discussed the story or filled in those who turned up late. Even Allen's game of poker didn't disturb things too much, the distraction of the storytelling allowing him to win without even cheating.
She moved around the room constantly as she spoke, sometimes sitting on a stool or table for ten minuets at a time but always -especially during the more exciting parts of her stories, she was moving, using her hands to help express herself. One story finished and it moved smoothly into the next one, allowing the other two to start to mingle, Lenalee leaning on the bar and playing with Corbec, chatting and flirting lightly but managing to not spend too much time with anyone person, while drinking nothing more than the first drink Kai had brought her. This didn't stop her from getting drinks brought for her, but she passed them smoothly on to Lavi without anyone complaining.
Lavi now, he moved around almost on par with Kai and the shifting crowds of people that either arrived for the evening or had to leave for one reason or another. He positioned himself close to the largest group of people who knew each other and waited as Kai finished her tale, ending it with a bow to the applause.
Pausing long enough to finish a drink someone had handed to her, she looked once more at the room as a whole, "now! Its time for my payment in return!" She said, her words making some of the less drunk people curious, but by this point in the evening, no one cared much as she smiled and spoke. "I'm a travelling story teller, but I'm also interested in learn other peoples stories, spreading them around the world so to speak."
Stopping and changing direction in her wanderings she continued to speak, "so, I'm not going to ask anyone to come up and stand in front of everyone, but, if you know a story, even if you don't think its worthy of being passed on, please, tell one of my assistants. Even Allen over there," she indicated the vicious poker game that was going on, trying not to laugh at the miscellaneous pile of items that was up for grabs in the middle. Allen looked up and smiled warmly at everyone, that same tender smile that he used when he was trying to reassure someone that everything was going to be okay.
"I, meanwhile need to take a small break to use the facilities," she said and turned to look at the barman, who pointed to a door that led upstairs, she raised an eyebrow in question but he just smiled, insisting. The minuet she disappeared, Lavi and Lenalee were swamped by people moving forwards to try and talk to them. Many of them were trying to tell the same story with a few variations, causing a small amount of arguing that ended quickly, there was even one old man, telling a story to Corbec who was nodding in all the right places, dark eyes glittering with intelligence.
Kai was gone for ten minuets all together, but she didn't begin to talk again for another hour, chatting to a few of the regulars that insisted on buying her a drink, asking about the stories or characters she had spoken about. But, it was not long until she was standing the middle of the room again, beginning a fresh tale…