A/N- Hey guys! I found a working laptop so I was finally able to get this posted. I'm not going to lie, things have been really tough and I've been struggling to push my business through this pandemic. Drastic measures are being taken and it has left me feeling discouraged and more than a bit depressed. So I actually started a where I'll be posting an original story of my own. It follows a woman named Nora Wicks (because I am in love with that last name) who is pulled into the world of paranormal after her mother leaves her a haunted house in her will. I'm sure you'll be able to pick out some similar paranormal aspects I have used in these cases that I have written so it might be fun! My page is Emzys_corner. All the loves and enjoy the chapter!
Mai had never been in a limo before and she glanced about while Naru took a seat next to her with phone in hand. He checked it, probably making sure none of the camera crew back at base had contacted him, before he slid it back into his pocket and lifted his eyes to hers once more. He didn't speak, as he so rarely did, but the thoughtful and carefully composed expression said much.
Mai knew what was coming. She knew it as soon as he took a breath through his nose and his lips parted to speak.
"No," she said simply, a hand raised, and his mouth clicked shut.
He let the breath back out through his nose and leaned back in the seat with a quirked brow.
"I go first, and not now," she continued and dropped her hand back into her lap. She watched as his jaw worked, clearly debating on arguing the matter, before he nodded and turned to watch as the rest of the group climbed into the limousine.
"I wish we could use limos for all our cases," Monk said with a whistle as he took a seat across from Mai and glanced about.
"Of course you do," Ayako muttered with a sigh as she sat down next to him and adjusted her dress.
The ride was shorter than Mai had hoped, totaling in twenty minutes, but she was grateful to step out onto the pavement in front of a high class hotel. It must have been at least thirty stories tall and advertised class and riches like no other modern building Mai had seen. The architecture alone was timeless, a seamless flow of old and new, with grand arches and modern windows and balconies. A roundabout was set in front of it and several other expensive looking cars were parked to expel their well dressed passengers. Camera's flashed as people paused to have their photos taken. Mai wasn't sure if this was because there were actually really famous people taking part or if they were graduate families who were stopping to commemorate the moment.
Naru had stepped out before her and turned to offer his hand. She smiled hesitantly and took it, delighted at the warmth that spread between them, and lifted her skirts as she stepped down. Luella and Martin had already strolled across the driveway and were caught within a group of several older and well off looking people.
"I should warn you," Naru said quietly as he laid a hand over hers on his arm.
"About what?" she asked nervously, a suspicious look on her face, and stepped closer to Naru as Monk and Ayako climbed out of the limo behind them.
"Dr. Davis!" someone shouted across the portico.
Mai shot her eyes in the direction of Martin, assuming someone he knew was in search of him, but the man seemed not to have noticed and was laughing with a colleague while Luella smiled. Martin glanced over in their direction as his name was called again and Mai frowned. Was he intentionally ignoring that person? She slid her gaze across the groupings of people in search of the caller and blushed when she finally understood. A man was navigating the crowd in their direction, eyes focused on Naru, with a camera in hand.
"Keith," Naru greeted coolly as the man came to a stop a few feet before them.
"What case are you working on now?" the man questioned with a Cheshire grin that rivaled Yasuhara's.
"You know we don't divulge such information," Naru spoke in a light an admonishing tone. Mai gave him a curious look, surprised to find that horrible fake smile he often pulled out for clients plastered across his face, and turned back to watch Keith as he chuckled knowingly.
"Well, I assume things are going well. This is the first time I've seen you in anything but black in years, could it have something to do with the lady at your side?" Keith wheedled.
Mai quirked a brow at his lack of tact and desperately fought the blush struggling to rise across her cheeks in that very moment. She couldn't believe Naru was suffering the man's needling, even wearing a slight smirk, when he would have coldly lashed out at anyone for such a private question back in Japan. But then again, she reminded herself, he wasn't Oliver Davis in Japan. Kazuya Shibuya was a man not held back by notoriety in her home country.
"Mai is quite skilled in bringing out the good in anyone she comes in contact with," Naru responded smoothly and squeezed her hand beneath his as he spoke.
"Does she actually know what your day job is?" Keith asked with a laugh.
"Of course, she is a skilled investigator herself," Naru drawled casually. "If you were hoping for a photo now would be the perfect time. I'm afraid Mai doesn't have the patience for such prying conversations."
Keith looked adequately shamefaced and lifted the camera. There was a flash and then he was gone, calling after some other famed figure in the paranormal field, while Mai's was left utterly flabberghasted by the whole experience.
"That jerk," she muttered and scowled after his retreating figure.
"Don't spare him any brain cells, Mai, you are far above such refuse. In mind and in heart," he assured her quietly.
Mai blushed and dropped her gaze to the cobblestone beneath their feet as they followed after his parents while the rest of SPR lined up behind them. While it was probably one of the most touching compliments Naru had ever paid her she did not view herself above anyone else. She was simply another person with a depressing back story. But then, how was it fair for her to feel as if Naru was in another world? She thought the words over as they walked and then wanted to smack herself. He wasn't saying that she was better than him because of her position. He was saying she was a better person at heart. And that realization made her blush all the more.
"I thought you were a queen tonight, lift your head," he teased quietly.
Mai did as instructed but not before she poked him in the side for his cheekiness and grinned when he tensed and shot her an annoyed look.
Balance restored.
"Oh there you are!" Luella exclaimed as they met her before the doors. "I was worried we'd never see you again," she joked while ushering them in through the glass doors.
The hotel lobby was huge and boasted its own full bar and lounge area which, Mai noted, already had several people crowded around. Even Martin was in the middle of putting in an order for drinks. Crystal chandeliers hung overhead and were reflected by the glossy tile beneath. Tall green plants were scattered about between couches and tables that sat upon plush rugs. It was all a little overwhelming even after Mai had spent the better part of a week in a haunted palace.
"BSPR got money," Yasuhara murmured over her shoulder.
"They're just renting the ballroom, Yasuhara, they don't own it," Ayako corrected dryly as she and Monk breezed past towards the bar.
"What a party pooper," Yasu crowed and shoved his hands into his pockets while John chuckled good naturedly.
"I suppose we'll be at a separate table this year," Mai heard Lin say to Madoka.
"Do you want anything, Mai?" Naru asked and pulled her to a stop by the bar.
"I'm only eighteen, Naru," she shot back dryly.
"Yes, and that happens to be the legal drinking age in England," he said and lifted a menu for her to examine.
Mai took the list with wide eyes. Aside from the mulled wine that Luella had given her when they first arrived in London she had never had alcohol. She knew that it caused people to act silly, and if they drank too much to feel like death the next day, but was clueless as to her own limits and what alcohols were stronger than others. She really wanted to try something but she was also nervous of getting sick or doing something she would regret the next day. And Naru casually looking down at her with his hands in his pockets, waiting for her to make a decision, was stressing her out.
"Why don't you try one of these ciders, Mai."
Wide and grateful eyes turned to Ayako as she leaned over her shoulder to take a look at the menu. She turned back to look at the sections Ayako was pointing out and blinked. They did have a lot of fun fruity options that she imagined she would enjoy.
"You can tell how strong a drink is based off of this little percentage they put next to it. Since you're not too familiar with alcohol I wouldn't do anything over five percent and all these ciders look perfect for you," Ayako explained quietly so the other patrons of the bar would not overhear their conversation. She didn't want Mai to feel embarrassed or pressured by the need to act tough and try something she'd regret. "You can have one and after you've eaten and had some water you can have another. You're going to be a lightweight so that should give you a pleasant buzz while letting you keep your wits about you."
Mai picked out a pear cider and Naru ordered for them. He handed the glass to her while the other guests at the bar noticed his presence and sent furtive glances in his direction. Mai watched as his shoulders tensed, an action that would go unnoticed by most, but given that he was standing so close to her it was hard to ignore. He lifted the cocktail he had ordered for himself, an Old Fashioned, and set a hand on her lower back to guide her away from the bar.
Naru did not usually drink, Mai knew this as fact, so she was surprised he had ordered something for himself. Given his abilities and the strict dietary regiment he stuck to in order to keep himself in check, she assumed such a thing as drinking was bordering on taboo for him. And if the look she caught Lin shooting him from her peripherals, her assumptions were correct, but Naru was rarely a fool and she could only trust him to know his limits.
"There's so many people here," Mai observed as they walked through a set of double doors that had been thrown wide open to allow people into the ballroom. Fifty or so round tables with black table clothes were scattered about the room and a small stage had been set up at the far end with a microphone and several chairs atop it.
"It is a large event," Naru admitted with a tired sigh, "But it is a great networking opportunity for any who are looking to further their carries in parapsychology. While BSPR is the main host, there are several other societies and companies from around the world that come to attend. The field has quickly gained more popularity over the past few decades and more people show every year."
Mai smirked while they made their way around several tables to the one that was just to the right of the stage where Lin and Madoka were already seated with John. It was obvious that Naru found the whole thing tiresome. He found people exhausting in a casual setting so she could only imagine how much he abhorred the high class and disingenuous rabble that accompanied such affairs. Though, she had only witnessed such things through television and had little to no experience herself.
"I don't enjoy being paraded around like a show dog, Martin learned that quickly enough," he murmured into her ear as they drew closer to the table, "Now he just leaves me to my own devices."
Mai giggled but leaned in to nudge him with her shoulder, "You didn't like everyone fawning over you? How strange."
The corner of his mouth twitched, the hint of a smirk, before he pulled a chair out for her and she took a seat cheerfully. Naru sat next to her and took a sip of his drink before he set it down. Mai watched him for a moment before she lifted her eyes to the ceiling above them curiously. A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling in the ballroom and from its base great lengths of silky black fabric fanned out across the ceiling where it was then pinned to the walls and left to drape down elegantly. If it weren't for the smoky marble flooring it would have felt as if they were shrouded in darkness.
"Big Boss, did you choose the color scheme?" Yasuhara drawled as he approached. It seemed he had been thinking along the same lines as Mai. "I feel like I'm attending a cult ceremony . . ." Yasu said with a chuckle, "Or a vampire wedding."
"Spirits are a somber affair," John stated with a soft smile.
"I view it more as just another phase of existence," Yasu challenged amicably, "Spirits who require aid to pass on are no different than a person seeking help from a therapist. Society deems death as dark and scary, so we wear black to funerals, but I hope that as our work continues that fear will diminish and we will approach it with a more therapeutic mindset."
"That was beautiful, Yasu," Madoka murmured and lifted a finger to dab at the underside of her eye.
"I admit, I had never viewed it from that perspective. Of course, my goal has always been to aid but it was always overshadowed with the sadness of a life lost," John pondered aloud with a sparkle in his eyes.
"And, no, I did not," Naru spoke up after the table had once more fallen silent under a thoughtful air. There were quiet chuckles to follow that comment.
"Poor Masako," Mai mumbled. She had glanced over towards the doorway to find the small medium, glowing in her ivory kimono against the black drapes, swamped by excited attendees wanting to speak with her. It seemed that even in England she was quite famous. Yasuhara stood and strode back through the room to rescue her in his familiar trolling fashion. They couldn't hear what was being said but judging by Yasuhara's devilish smirk and the aghast looks of the peanut gallery, it was something horrid.
Mai took a sip of her drink and smiled. The pear cider was delicious and the cheery antics of her companions seemed to have returned after they escaped the Wick's Palace.
"Dr. Davis," a younger man, though looking to be a few years older than Naru, slid up to the table and gripped the back of the vacant chair to Naru's right. He was charming in a mature way, with short brown hair and blue eyes, but his strong jaw and broad shoulders would have sent Ayako's heart fluttering. Even if she and Monk were exclusive, Mai thought bemusedly and took another sip of her cider. "I hear you're posted up at the Wick's Palace this week. Tell me how it is, I beg of you. I can't handle anymore old ladies being haunted by their dead cats," he continued pleadingly.
"But you're doing such good work, Alex," Naru replied smoothly as he leaned back in his chair with relaxed shoulders. It appeared that Alex was someone Naru was well acquainted with and felt comfortable enough with to be himself. They must have worked closely together before, Mai thought, and Alex must have gained Naru's hard earned respect for him provide him with the patience he was now.
"Spare me," Alex shot back with a chuckle, "They're all just lonely and want someone to talk to."
Naru hummed and waved Alex off with a loose hand, "I'll speak with you after dinner. We could use a fresh mind."
"Yes," Alex crowed gratefully and glanced about the now full table, "Is this your team?"
"This is JSPR," Naru confirmed, "You, of course, Know Lin and Madoka, and Hara Masako, I presume."
"Of course," Alex agreed purposefully with another charming smile.
"Next to Hara-san is Yasuhara Omasu," here Yasu lifted a hand and dipped his head with a warm smile, "He is a talented researcher and very levelheaded. Next to him is Takigawa Hoshou; a Buddhist Monk, Matsazuki Ayako; a shrine maiden, John Brown; a catholic priest, and lastly-," here Naru was cut off by Alex who leaned forward to get a closer look at Mai.
"You're Taniyama Mai," he stated reverently.
Mai was immediately overwhelmed by his stare and she nearly dropped her gaze to the table but she recalled, once more, that she was a queen that night and so she quirked a curious brow while fighting back a blush.
"Our Queen of Wandering Spirits," Yasuhara supplied helpfully, causing the table to laugh as he continued to prolong his joke.
"Martin hasn't stopped talking about you since the Venoy Case," Alex explained hurriedly, sensing the discomfort he had caused, "He even showed us footage of the cleansing."
Mai blanched and gripped her drink to keep herself from fidgeting nervously. "Does everyone know?" she asked Naru with a frown.
"Only BSPR, as we worked directly with them by accepting my father's case," Naru assured her quietly.
"It was beautiful, Miss Taniyama, and I hope I have the opportunity to work with you in the future," Alex smiled as he spoke and reached over to offer her his hand.
"Thank you," Mai mumbled with a blush and shook his hand as firmly as she could manage.
Alex departed from the table after that and the group was once more left to their own devices but Mai was acutely aware of all the looks their table was receiving from that point on. It wasn't just her or Naru either. Several people stopped to speak with Lin or Madoka, and others would sidle up to Masako, while a few even approached Monk, Ayako, and John to inquire about the Venoy Case. Yasuhara played the defender, constantly jumping into conversations when they delved a bit too far into detail and would then steer it elsewhere to avoid confrontation.
It seemed they really were the best BSPR had to offer.
It wasn't all good attention though, Mai caught several nastier looks sent in their direction too, but she refrained from giving those too much thought. Naru's earlier words echoing in her mind.
The room filled and tables were seated. Mai noted shockingly, however, that hundreds of people were still standing along the back of the room with drinks in hand. Madoka informed her that the tables would be served food while those who were not expressly invited by BSPR, and had later signed up to attend, would be served a buffet in the dining rooms. She estimated that a total of fifteen hundred were present from all around the globe.
Mai was stunned. She had never thought that her own little family was a part of something that was so much bigger than just Japan.
"The Queen's even watching tonight!" Madoka had then added, gesturing to the professional cameras set up around the room.
Mai coughed as she swallowed her drink wrong and turned to look at Naru with utter betrayal. Yasuhara laughed with delight while Masako lifted a sleeve to her mouth. The Queen? Mai lifted a hand to scratch the back of her ear anxiously before she took a breath to calm herself. It was fine. She wasn't anyone of importance so it wasn't as if she was going to be expressly filmed. If she was caught on camera, it would be by chance, so she just needed to keep her cool and refrain from fidgeting too much.
"It'll be fine, Mai," Madoka assured her from across the table, "Naru only has one speech and will answer a few questions, an hour at most, and then he'll be back at your side to keep you from doing something silly."
An hour?! Left to her own devices?! She was going to screw up so badly, she just knew it. Mai whined under her breath and took another sip of her drink.
"Good afternoon, everyone!"
All eyes turned to the stage where Martin stood at a small podium with the microphone situation before him.
"I'd like to welcome you all to this event. We are here to provide an opportunity to the bright new minds recently graduated while ushering them into the world of parapsychology. Through this, we hope to expand on the world of the paranormal and understand the things long since thought mysterious and taboo," Martin continued and then paused to allow the room to applaud.
Mai did as everyone else and clapped her hands together but her growing nerves refused to allow her to really focus on what was being said.
"The most important part, dinner, will be served after a brief conference, rest assured," Martin continued a bit distractedly. It seemed even he was starving and hoping to move things along. There was a round of laughter after his words and he chuckled before adjusting his glasses and clearing his throat.
"With that being said, I welcome my son, Dr. Oliver Davis, renowned parapsychologist, investigator, and psychic to the stage," Martin stepped away from the podium and his eyes found Naru in the dim room easily.
The room broke into excited applause.
"Go get 'em, Big Boss!" Yasuhara cheered with the rest of the room.
Mai watched with wide eyes as Naru sighed and pushed himself to his feet. Suddenly, hundreds of eyes were on their table, and it felt like needles at the back of Mai's neck. But Naru ignored it all as he crossed the small distance to the stage and stepped up to shake hands with his father, fake smile once more plastered across his face. Martin clapped him on the shoulder before he returned to his seat next to Luella at another table.
"As my father stated; welcome," he began casually, hands slid into his pockets behind the podium with a relaxed posture, "It is always good to see that we obtain more bright and willing minds every year. The study of parapsychology, as many other scientific studies, can be dangerous but rewarding. It is human nature to fear the unknown but it is human progression and growth to stare into the unknown and attempt to learn its secrets. As those who have graduated are taken under the wing of BSPR or its sister companies, we remind you to be brave, to examine and question all of the information set before you, and to never stop learning. It is through your actions the world will begin to understand that which they have feared for so long."
Unlike his father, Mai noted, Oliver Davis had a commanding air about him. Martin had fidgeted and joked, pulling amused laughter from the crowd, but Oliver had them utterly captivated. They may as well have been hypnotized. Even Monk, who had known Naru for nearly four years now, was sitting rapt with eyes wide.
Yet Oliver Davis stood at the podium casually, no note cards or prompter there to assist, as he spoke from his own distant but driven heart.
"There are many renowned individuals here tonight," Oliver continued, "We recommend you speak to as many as you can. It will only open more doors for you. Not only are the three branches of SPR – England, Japan, and the United States – present but famed companies and societies from all over the globe. Credible psychics and spiritualists have gathered to offer you their knowledge and reassurance as you embark on this path. Do not let their presence go to waste."
"Why the hell is he so amazing at everything he does?" Mai heard Ayako grumbling quietly.
Mai begged to differ. The boy sucked when it came to expressing emotions and making his own tea but what he lacked in normal skills he more than made up for elsewhere. No one should be as good at public speaking as him. Mai heaved a sigh and leaned her back against the table so she could comfortably watch over the back of her chair.
"Now," he shifted into a lighter tone of voice, brows raised, "Given that one of the most renowned psychics is standing in front of you at this moment, feel free to ask any questions you may have, and I will answer those I deem worthy."
Monk laughed. The sound broke the crowd from their daze and a smattering of chuckles followed as his died out. It had been such a Naru thing to say and those at the JSPR table were giggling almost uncontrollably. Mai glanced over to Luella to see the woman shaking her head in exasperation while Martin laughed outright.
Two staff of the camera crew appeared among the tables with microphones in hand while several arms were lifted in the air from those sitting at tables and standing around the back. The staff saved Naru the struggle of picking people out of the crowd and chose on his behalf. There was a brief rustling over the speakers before a hesitant but curious voice spoke.
"Yes, thank you," a young man murmured to the staff and then cleared his throat, "I'm hoping to get out into the field myself and do first hand investigations but I want to know what sort of things to expect. Dr. Davis, what was the most difficult case you ever took on?"
Oliver quirked a brow spoke, "There are many aspects to a case from dealing with the clients to researching the history and cause of a haunting and even to the level of danger depending on the spirit. So I have to ask, difficult in what way?"
The young man nodded, grim but understanding, and asked, "I would prefer to understand the dangers more."
Naru gripped his chin in thought, pulling his hands from his pocket to take on the familiar pose, before he tapped a finger and shifted forward. "Two cases come to mind. I will refrain from providing detail that may lead you to identify our clients at the time," he began thoughtfully.
Only two? Mai thought with a snort. She could fill all fingers with cases she had thought her life was in danger.
"The first case I was not present for the full investigation, due to the fact that I myself was possessed, but it revolved around a property by the sea. A demigod had taken roost in a cave and lured hundreds of spirits to it and was using the spirits to attack and control those on the property. In this case, several souls were reanimated and attacked my team, forcing them to retreat, until a cleansing by a shrine maiden could be performed. We then exorcised the demigod with a tokkosho," he shot off factually and gripped the podium. "On this case, the dangers faced were extreme. A powerful psychic was possessed and forced into submission, my team was pitted against a force far exceeding their own, and it was only through combined effort were we able to defeat the demigod."
Mai shivered upon remembering the case herself. She would never forget watching the bodies of those she had so recently seen die come back to attack them and the only thing they could do to defend themselves was to hide behind Monk's barrier.
"In opposition to the last case, this next one dealt with a single evil entity," Naru stated heavily. "A woman who was horribly wronged in life, driven to murder, and then killed herself was left to fester for a century. She often killed other women who fit the profile of her first victim until she eventually became the closest thing to a demon that I have personally witnessed. She was powerful and we were incapable of stopping her without risking our lives. One of our investigators was able to cleanse her where we were unable to exorcise."
The room was silent, intensely so, and the table of JSPR turned grim with the reminder of Prudence. The desperation and horror they had all experienced during their first international case would never leave them. Yasuhara still had the scars from a mirror that had nearly exploded a foot from Mai's face.
"When you take on such cases, it is paramount that you have a valuable team behind you, and know when to pull back," he concluded simply, "Next question."
"How did you cleanse a demon?" a woman's voice rung out.
"Oh man," Mai groaned quietly and turned away from the stage to face the table. The lights had been lowered a fraction so when she glanced about the others at the table she could only just make out their features and it was not hard to see they were glancing at her sympathetically. She was already nervous and her heart was pounding, now her hands were sweaty and shaking, and not even the tentative sips she took of her cider were helping. The story of Prudence was one she would never forget and she was not comfortable with the amount of times it was referenced that night.
"Do you want to go with me to get another drink?" Madoka whispered conspiringly while the others at the table remained focused on the stage.
Mai nodded urgently, the idea of sweet freedom already sending trembles of relief flooding through her limbs.
"As I mentioned, it was not myself that did the cleansing, nor can we confirm that it was a true demon only that the spirit had demonic capabilities. The investigator who did the cleansing had projected onto the astral plane and summoned the spirits mother. As her mother had long since passed on, what my investigator was able to summon was of a more pure and powerful nature than a simple spirit. She allowed this being to possess her and communicate to the spirit on the physical plane. As this is the first time such an event has been recorded I have decided to make this the subject of my next book."
Madoka pushed herself out of her seat and gestured for Mai to follow.
"Is the investigator here tonight?"
Mai froze. Madoka paused. And the table of JSPR all turned their eyes to the girl who had only made it two steps away from the table. Blood rushed to her face and her hands trembled at her side. She turned baleful eyes to the stage and met the cool blue gaze of her boss and love interest. Pure fear, of speaking in front of people no less, coursed through her veins like ice water.
Please don't make me do it, she begged mentally. She was going to die.
His pause and the following sigh through his nose did not go unnoticed by the crowd.
Mai shook her head in adamant refusal.
Madoka patted her shoulder apologetically.
And Naru frowned disapprovingly. To him, speaking in front of a bunch of idiots was nothing.
She swore she felt her internal organs liquefy and pool to the bottom of her feet in that moment. She felt like she was going to throw up and pass out simultaneously and when she swallowed, her mouth was so dry, she nearly choked. Madoka set a hand against her back and pushed her.
"The investigator in question will remain anonymous until further research is performed," Naru stated coolly, "Next question."
Sweet relief. Mai stumbled after Madoka with trembling limbs while the woman led her through the crowd out into the open lobby. There were still a collection of people meandering about, nursing glasses of varying beverages, and Mai was a little annoyed she wouldn't be able to completely retreat from all the prying eyes. Madoka ordered the both of them another drink and they wandered the areas open to the public on the first floor in companionable silence.
When the trembling had finally ceased, Mai informed Madoka they could return, and the cheery woman only nodded and linked their arms together before turning on the spot to head back in the direction they had come.
Dinner was in full swing once they got back and the JSPR table greeted them upon their return with delighted cheering. Mai ignored the blush across her cheeks and sat down with a scoff, of course they would tease her and act like they hadn't expected her to return. She faced spirits and demons on a regular bases and they thought stage freight was what would do her in? She conveniently ignored the fact that she had tucked tail and ran as soon as she had begun to suspect Naru's intentions. If he had asked her to join him on stage she would have surely soldiered through the terror, right?
The room was filled with light conversation while everyone ate but Mai was lost in a daze of emotional exhaustion and relief. She ate absently, movements slow, and found herself zoning out with vacant eyes on multiple occasions. Honestly, she thought with a sigh, she was ready for bed. If it weren't for the fact that there was still another two hours of the event to make it through she would have politely excused herself and happily paid for a taxi back to the Davis household.
She came back to reality when dinner had finished and everyone was ushered out into the lobby while hotel staff cleared off the tables and removed them from the ballroom. Naru had offered his arm once more and she stood at his side while recently graduated students flocked to him to ask more questions that were not answered in the allotted time. Naru spoke with them lightly, bemusedly, and his tone reminded her of the first day she had ever met him. He had adopted the smooth and pleasant persona in order to extract information from her and her friends without arousing suspicion.
"I see you're slowly working your way back to the color spectrum," a feminine voice tittered and Mai resisted the urge to scowl while Naru heaved a quiet sigh.
A woman of obvious wealth and confidence had strolled up as elegantly as any snake and smiled a disgustingly sweet smile. She had dark curls piled atop her head and wore a long black gown that shimmered and sparkled as she moved. She was pale and spoke with a thick French accent that left Mai struggling to comprehend.
"Celina," Naru greeted succinctly.
She's a French version of Masako, Mai grumbled mentally, and heaved a silent sigh of her own.
"I was hoping to discuss a case with you," Celina remarked snidely, "If you wouldn't mind parting with the girl you've been toting around for a few minutes."
Oh. My. God. Mai seethed with such boiling rage she was worried she would take physical action and be thrown out of the gala for the rest of the night. What was worse was that Celina didn't even bother looking at her. She refused to acknowledge her existence while her eyes remained glued to Naru's face. She was nothing like Masako, Mai decided, as Masako would have at least remained civil while throwing in some underhanded insults that would have taken Mai a few minutes to decipher.
Naru's face morphed into one of confusion, brows pinched and mouth pulled into a slight frown, while he seemed to ponder the statement.
"Correct me if I am wrong, Celina, but are you not clairvoyant?" he questioned quizzically.
Celina lifted a brow in trepidation, "Of course."
"In what future do you see me assisting you after such a comment?" Naru asked coldly.
A familiar bark of laughter broke the silence that settled about them while Celina stared open mouthed at Naru. Mai lifted a hand to her mouth and turned her face away in the same moment as Monk made an appearance and threw an arm around Naru's shoulders. Naru, surprisingly unbothered by the physical contact, only lifted a brow impatiently as if he were waiting for Celina's answer.
"That was beautiful, Naru-bou," Monk crowed while wiping a tear from his eye.
"One of these days, Celina, you'll learn," another voice slid in and a new face appeared. An older gentleman, looking to be in his late thirties, made a shooing motion with his hands. Celina scoffed and about faced before fleeing the scene. He wore a wry smirk that blossomed into a full on smile as he turned back to the group. Salt and pepper hair was combed back and brown mirthful eyes danced behind thick framed glasses.
"Dr. Sable, it's a pleasure," Naru stated while fighting back a smirk of his own.
"Have you considered wearing a mask, Oliver? I'm certain it would keep some of these desperate women away from you," Dr. Sable teased, "Though you might have to deal with some of the stranger ones."
"I had hoped that they would fall back once I was taken," Naru murmured and tightened his grip on Mai's hand.
Mai blushed.
Dr. Sable laughed and said, "You clearly know nothing of desperation."
The words plucked a chord in Mai's mind and her eyes fell vacant as a thought surfaced. Florence had been desperate to fill her life with people. She built an extravagant palace to lure people in but after years of trying, she had given up. The day she had killed herself, that desperation had shriveled into apathy. Surely, someone so ready to pass on into the next life would not have lingered. Which begged the question, was Florence even haunting the palace any longer? And if she wasn't, then who was it begging them all to stay?
Mai lifted a hand to her chin in thought, drawing the eyes of her icy employer, while the conversation dwindled to a halt.
"Mai?" he questioned quietly.
Monk leaned over to watch curiously.
Mai tapped her chin as the thoughts continued and fell into a neat organized statement. She lifted her gaze to Naru with scrunched brows and said, "I don't think Florence is haunting the palace."
"What?" Monk stuttered incredulously.
"Florence had nothing tying her to the living world," Mai explained thoughtfully, "She knew her sister was dead and she wanted to see her. When she threw herself from that balcony it was with the intention of moving on. I felt it. So whoever has been begging us to stay is not Florence. And while there are the spirits of hundreds of people there, Masako stated that they were all melded together and inconsistent. Even the message they left us – let us out - makes it seem as if they view themselves as a unit."
"It would make sense," Naru muttered and slid his free hand into his pocket and dropped his gaze to the ground in thought, "If we are dealing with an unknown entity it eliminates all the confusion. We know Florence didn't murder all those people but nothing else was adding up. If someone else happens to be lingering, for completely different reasons, it would simplify things."
"The simplest answer is generally the most likely," Dr. Sable added with an amused air. All eyes turned back to him, remembering his existence, and he offered a freckles shrug and a chuckle in response.
"We'll hold another séance once we return tomorrow," Naru assured her.
"Yes, and until then, you lot should have fun," Dr. Sable advised.
Mai decided that she rather liked Dr. Sable. He was an intelligent man with a good sense of humor and she could admire that. You needed a good sense of humor to work in their field. Naru was the exception, but given that he was the exception for a lot of things, it wasn't all that surprising.
"Well, I'm going to make my way back to the bar," Dr. Sable announced suddenly and clapped Naru on the shoulder, "Don't hesitate to call."
They were let back into the ballroom soon after Dr. Sable departed from them. Mai got to dance with Naru and even though she was inexperienced with ballroom dancing, he guided her well, and she thoroughly enjoyed herself. The close proximity allowed them to speak in private even though they were surrounded by hundreds of people. Naru distracted her with tidbits of knowledge on the people they passed while she struggled not to recall the masquerade from her dreams several nights ago.
"I've pocketed so many business cards tonight from both up and coming investigators to world renowned psychics that I might have to hand some off to Lin," he murmured into her ear as the spun about.
Mai snorted, "I'm sure they're all dying to work with the great Oliver Davis."
"Of course," he shot back nonchalantly.
Mai bit her lip and lifted her eyes to his, searchingly, before she smiled and said, "Thank you for letting me work with you."
"Thank you for suffering my presence," he shot back with a smirk.
"Because of you, I've made a whole new family and I've gotten to experience more than I ever would have. I've met so many amazing people . . ." she mumbled and trailed offer before her eyes brightened once more, "And I've gotten to help so many amazing people."
The hand resting against her lower back drew her in closer.
"I'm sorry for not listening to you so much," she continued demurely, "I always end up causing trouble."
"You desperately want to help and protect all those in need, Mai, I can't fault you for that," Naru muttered and tightened his hold on her hand. "I can fault you for being stupid about it though," he added and watched as her face fell into a rather dry expression. "But I'm also clueless when it comes to tact, as I have been told numerous times by several individuals. I'm sorry for saying such unforgivable things."
Mai smiled brightly, eyes watery, and tightened her own grip on him. "All is forgiven since I got to be the one to apologize first this time," she chided teasingly.
Naru offered her one of his very rare but beautiful smiles and her insides turned to mush for the second time that night, though for a very different reason. All of the tension from the past few days left her and her heart soared in her chest as they spun about the ballroom one last time before coming to a stop far out of the way of the other dancers. Staring up into his gloriously deep blue orbs, she couldn't help but lose herself in all that he was. It was thrilling to know that she had him on her side. In paranormal investigating and in life in general. She never wanted to feel like she had the past couple days again. Without him by her side she had felt as if the whole world was against her. Sure, had he chosen to break things off, she would have eventually moved on but the thought of struggling to rebuild herself when she was so in love with who she was now? And she paused, because she realized, she really did love her life in that very moment. She was once again proud of how far she had come. Sure, opportunities provided to her had gotten her there, but that was life, and her choosing to take those opportunities and to learn and grow with them was how she became the person she was that day.
"You look beautiful tonight," Naru purred as he lifted a hand to cradle her jaw. His thumb smoothed across her cheek and her heart fluttered with the action. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss. It was a rare display of public affection that she had never expected from him, but then again, he had been drinking that night too. She could taste the alcohol on his lips and it was all the more intoxicating. He pulled away from her, gazing into her eyes with an intense passion she saw so rarely, and smirked like the cat that had just caught the canary.
They stood outside waiting for the limo to pull up while other guests trailed out of the hotel, all talking and laughing, but JSPR was a little more somber. Tomorrow they would be returning to a grim and haunted palace, still struggling to understand its convoluted history, while everyone else would be resting.
Mai pulled at the collar of Naru's jacket, which he had provided to her against the chill of the night, and forced the gloomy mood away. She smiled and took a deep breath before letting it out in a light and content sigh.
"Yasu," she sang as the man in question rocked on his feet impatiently, "What are the scores so far?"
Yasu adjusted his glasses, the lenses flashing against the warm lights of the hotel, and chuckled. "Lin has laughed a grand total of three times, John has gotten angry once, and you and Big Boss are at a tie for one ups on each other."
Monk laughed and clapped Mai on the back while Ayako snorted.
"I bet that by the end of this case, Lin will have laughed five times, John will have gotten angry twice, and I'll win with one ups," Mai predicted knowledgeably.
There was the lightest of scoffs from her right and she watched as Naru turned his face away to hide a smile from her peripherals. Clearly, he had other ideas about who would win. They would just have to see about that.
Lin chuckled and belatedly realized what he had just done.
"Ah ha!" Mai exclaimed while Yasuhara let out a bark of a laugh that, had his voice been deeper, would have rivaled Monk's.
The limo pulled around to them in that moment and Mai yawned, waiting for Luella and Martin to climb into the vehicle, before she stepped in and took a seat furthest from the door to make room for the others. Naru ducked in after her and if he sat a little closer than necessary, Mai didn't comment on it. His warmth was pleasant and comforting. While the others joined them she enjoyed the feel of each breath he took and let the familiar scent of pine and his freshly laundered suit invade her senses. Her eyes grew heavy and without much thought she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'm surprised she lasted this long," she heard Ayako comment distantly.
Naru wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, and she smiled sleepily.
When next she opened her eyes, she was lying in a bed, and Naru was sitting at the edge of the mattress leaning over her. She blinked sleepily, noticing that there was no light streaming in through the nearby window, and guessed that it was still night. Naru was still dressed in his black slacks and grey shirt but there was a tightness to his eyes that gave away his exhaustion.
"What time is it?" she mumbled sleepily and glanced down to find herself still in her dress though her shoes had been removed and Naru was in the process of pulling all the pins from her hair.
"Almost midnight," he answered quietly, "Everyone else has gone to bed."
Mai hummed in understanding and let out a sigh of relief as the last pin was pulled from her hair. She lifted her head and ran a hand through her red hued locks to pull the tight curls and coils out. Naru watched as she pushed herself into a sitting position and glanced about the room dazedly. It was the same room she had slept in when they arrived in London. Gene's room. She searched for his presence in the back of her mind as she had then and was reminded all too harshly that he was still missing. His presence was faint and stagnant, like a used piece of gum that had lost its flavor. She heaved a sigh.
"You don't want to stay in this room?" Naru questioned.
"It just feels so strange knowing he's missing," she mumbled.
"Get changed," Naru stated as he stood and rolled a shoulder, "I'll step out and you can stay with me."
Mai blushed but rationalized that it wouldn't be any different than when he had slipped in to read with her the last time they were there. She nodded, rubbing at her face, and stood once he had shut the door behind him. Her bag had been brought up earlier that day when they had arrived to get ready for the gala so locating a pair of pajama pants and a tank top was easy enough. She had slipped out of her dress and hung it up on a hook by the door for safekeeping before she stepped out of the room with her phone in hand.
Naru stood in the hall, leaning against the wall, but straightened as she shut the door behind her. His room was directly across the hall so she wondered why he felt the need to wait on her instead of just informing her of its location but just filed it away as him being worried. Or, more likely, he doubted her mental capacity to withhold the information when she was so exhausted.
Ha.
He guided her in with a hand to her back, something she noticed he was doing a lot of recently, and she stepped into the new room curiously. It was much like Gene's, she noted, with a large bed and large bookcase dominating one wall. But where Gene's room was light and whimsical with its glow in the dark stars and knickknacks, Naru's was dark and mature. Cherry oak furniture and a deep blue comforter slid into view as she left the doorway and glanced about. The knickknacks his room boasted were of a darker nature, she noted with a smirk, and eyed the human skull resting upon his desk next to a collection of books and papers. She wondered if that was his companion. His rubber duck, so to speak, off of which he bounced theories.
Mai flopped onto his bed face first without decorum.
She heard Naru sigh and rolled over so he at least had room before climbing under the covers and pulling a pillow to her face. It smelled of laundry detergent and pine, as to be expected, but the scent was pleasing. She was beginning to think the smell was fast becoming her favorite. It was right up there with the smell of her old home where her parents both had lived.
The warm light that bathed the room in a soft glow was turned off and she felt the mattress dip as Naru slid under the covers next to her. She rolled over, pulling the covers up to her chin, and smiled when she found him already on his side and staring at her. Their eyes met in the darkness of the room, lit with the gentle silver glow of the moon from his window. Naru had propped his head on a hand, elbow buried deep within a pillow, and smirked down at her endearingly.
Mai blushed, grin teasing at her lips, and slid a hand out from under the covers with a pinky extended. Naru glanced down, curious, but decided any contract Mai could provide him he would accept unquestioningly. Feeling like school children, something neither had been able to enjoy for long given their childhood circumstances, they entwined their pinkies together and smiled tiredly.
"What are we promising?" he asked quietly, eyes filled with rare mirth.
Mai only offered a half shrug in response and chuckled when Naru let out an exasperated sigh.