A good day, or just the quiet before a storm?
It was Thursday already – one week of the suspension over Hisoka mused to himself, checking the time on his watch. 4pm – the actors would be occupied by the Director until six, and they'd all get shuffled off to the gym. He had two hours before his compulsory attendance was required as well. Damn – you really couldn't do much in two hours.
In his boredom, he couldn't help but recall the frantic urgency felt by the rest of his co-workers during lunch. Over two matters to be precise, one good, one bad.
The good was very exciting indeed – there was a new competitor in town, or will be. He had heard of the corporate giant a few days ago, at the Karaoke night when Karasu was muttering about the unfathomable reasons behind his twin brother's actions of late. He had never been friends much with Karasu's twin. In fact, it was popular opinion that you just did not get along with Salar because that man had a vile and twisted mind coupled with a sense of humor to match. He might be a model of what Kaéry could turn out to be, but no, that kid still had a lot of humanity left within him. Salar on the other hand, did not.
Which helped to explain why the man didn't hesitate to leave Anime City behind in pursuit of greater glory under a new 'Master'. Hisoka felt disturbed – the director of this company must be some megalomaniac and control freak to require his 'subordinates' to address him as 'Lord'. Surely Salar was above that – above reducing himself before anyway at all, let alone some tycoon with too much money on his hands. There wasn't some darker, murkier relationship between them could there? His thoughts trailed off endlessly. Hisoka physically slapped his cheeks a few times to punish himself for soiling his own thoughts with the disgusting images.
Salar, have a relationship with someone? God save us all. The man was the north pole incarnate. You felt cool standing next to him under the glare of a harsh summer sun. He treated his brother more like a business partner than a brother.
The exception, of course there is always an exception, was with Karasu's wife. At one stage, it wouldn't have been unfair for people to mistake Salar and Lola as a couple. They were intimate with each other, openly affectionate, frequently seen with arms slung around each other's shoulders. Back in those days, Karasu's jealousy soared in leaps and bounds. He stopped buying magazines for a full six months and he became even more detached from his own brother – if they could be any more cold and formal towards each other already, sheesh. Lola on the other hand, was not the type of woman to give explanations either. She was headstrong, resolute and did not feel shame or regret in anything that she did, otherwise she would not have done them in the first place. Karasu knew better than to irk his girlfriend with repetitious questions, but that left him hopelessly and helplessly frustrated. Had he ever caught the pair in bed? How laughable –Salar finally deigned it upon himself (and for the soul of his poor brother) to explain to the Ex Club just exactly what was going on, he casually said that he and Lola had formed a blood pact to become brothers.
Brothers?
Salar elegantly shrugged, gave a smile that didn't seem to reach his eyes and patted Karasu's cheek, telling him to mind his own business and leave his elder brother to lead his own life in his own way.
Still, Karasu maintained his doubts and kept a firm watch over Lola as unobtrusively as possible. Four months later, he managed to get her pregnant and they married. Nine months later, when little Kay was born, his existence alone seemed to form a living barrier and obstacle to whatever strange 'relationship' Lola had with her, now, brother-in-law.
Salar hadn't been the same since Kaéry's birth. At the few Ex Club gatherings that he did attend, there was a gathering cloud of sullen brooding on his brow. His famous stabs of wit and insults, humor at the expense of others, became less and less frequent. Sometimes, you could see him passing silent daggers at Karasu if he thought his brother wasn't looking. His ice blue eyes sometimes looked like they were calmly and quietly contemplating murder. Other times, he was somber and unsmiling face would stare off into a distance, caught up in his own thoughts and pity the poor soul who happened to disturb him.
Lola sometimes turned up to the Ex Club gatherings, and Salar would be a totally different person. Hisoka didn't know if it was an act or not, whether the man was just pretending that he was still a part of the group and socializing with the rest of the men. His tight lipped smile and forced pleasantness was actually more reminiscent of a coiled cobra, ready to strike. Once, Hisoka caught him gazing longingly, almost painfully, at Lola, arm-in-arm with her husband, but quickly covered up with another gracious smile and raised his glass of champagne as Lola turned around, feeling someone watching her back.
He didn't attended any social functions last year and less and less was heard of him. Only Kuroro the other day was bothered enough by Salar's quietness to raise the question to Karasu, and they found out that he had dumped Anime City behind him to work for Vallanor. A corporate group that looked poised to crush Anime City and remake it in its own image. Salar had known about Vallanor's intentions right? Why would he destroy a place that he'd spent most of his life?
The bastard always had a twisted sense of humor.
And during the Hunter actor's lunch break this afternoon, they caught a glimpse of the man who had remade himself into a 'General' of Vallanor.
A large pavilion had been erected in the city park where he and Illumi had lay on the grass the other day, chatting without end. Don't think about Illumi! He growled, trying to reorganize his thoughts. The pavilion in the park was a surprise as the event had been kept under maximum security. Not even the newspapers' agents at the mayor's town hall had any clue what was about to hit them in the face.
The tent stood out like an ebony monolith shimmering with silver wisps like endless trickles of water down the massive sides of the tent. Vallanor had come to Anime City, and Salar was spearheading the attack.
He was off to one side, in an unnoticeable corner watching the ecstatic crowds mill in and out with showbags full of merchandise and information pamphlets from all the fancy stores and tables set up. He was dressed in a sharp, black militaristic uniform lined with silver. Even though it was summer in Anime city, he wore the trench coat like it was the most comfortable thing and stood straighter than a soldier at attention. He had…changed. Hisoka only realized now as he saw the image in his mind that Salar was now a much more…focused man. He had a goal now, a point that he had to reach, no longer drifting aimlessly, wasting his talents and skills around the likes of Legato and his ilk. He had lost weight and his cheeks sunk into horrid hollows on his face, only giving his features an even sharper look. When Salar turned to study the crowd, his eyes met Hisoka's briefly, and the jester couldn't believe just how cold and closed Salar had become. He felt like he was a stranger under the gaze, or an enemy who had to be studied and observed so that Salar could find ways to destroy him. It gave him the smallest insight into a man who no longer knew about kindness or mercy, compassion or love. Whatever he had done in Vallanor, it had stripped him of anything that made him remotely resemble a human, leaving behind only a determined, focused, single minded being with nothing but this one goal to live for. But Salar tilted his chin slightly when he saw Hisoka, in greeting, and smiled to show that he saw him too. It was a smile that foretold destruction. Hisoka hurriedly turned away and struck a conversation with the first person he saw just to fend off the spears of ice trying to dig into his bones.
"Ah Machi – do you recognize who that man is over there?" he said loudly, just to be sure he still had his own voice and could hear it. "Salar's come back to town – you better tell your brother so we can get together and throw him a 'Welcome Back' party."
The short woman glared at him irritably. She was busy testing out a new set of perfumes that Vallanor was promoting and enjoying every molecule of fragrance before Hisoka interrupted her with something inane.
"Who the heck is Salar?"
"Machi…" Hisoka mockingly said with reproach.
"Hang on…that name is familiar…." She slipped the tester cards into a small plastic sealed bag provided by top class sales people and turned her full attention to her co-worker. Her eyes followed Hisoka's gaze across the sea of people to a tall, lean man with fashionably fine hair and handsomely archaic features who held himself in every way a gentlemen.
"He looks like Karasu….OH! That's Karasu's older twin! I didn't know that he worked for Vallanor!"
"Yup, he sure does now."
"Do you suppose I could go up to him and ask for discounts on these perfumes? They are priced so damn high that my Hunter contract could probably only afford six bottles!"
"Well," Hisoka drawled "you can ask him when you get your brother to throw him a welcome back party. I know a lot of other people who would also like to speak with him."
Machi nodded firmly, but didn't say anything else as she flitted off with Shizuku and Paku to look at some dresses and the new season of autumn coats. Baffled, Hisoka trudged out of the tent and saw Killua with Senritsu, looking around purposefully.
"Ah Hisoka!" Senritsu called out and madly gestured for him to go over. Not that he really wanted to, but the Director's son was with her, so he had to oblige.
"Yes?"
"You should be the first to hear this. Then decide what you will make out of the news later." The short woman said gravely. Hisoka nodded, not paying much attention but listened nonetheless.
And that was the bad news of the day. More trouble. And he was somehow right in the thick of things.
Hisoka walked down Endless Parade towards his own apartment, away from the busy scenery of the city, leaving the large black pavilion behind. He could still see the flag of Vallanor riding the winds with a wild kind of glee however. Sickened, he trudged along towards his shabby and run-down block of apartments, grinding his teeth as he allowed the bad news to replay in his mind. He didn't want to hear it, but some things you had to hear just so you could stay alive and survive.
Word from the brat Killua was that Illumi was missing. At first instance, Hisoka had simply no idea how he could be responsible in any way. After all, he was the one that had been attacked at Fantasia. It should be the other way around – he should be the one avoiding Illumi, if anything else. But no, somehow, the newcomer had managed to twist his perverted little game to new degrees and angles in every passing minute. By vanishing, Hisoka was somehow to blame.
You are supposed to be chaperoning him – weren't those the orders of the mighty Director himself?
Hisoka wanted to hit Leorio for saying that, but it wouldn't do any good to his image if he lost his cool in front of so many people. So he forced himself to be calm and began to compile a believable set of excuses and reasons for why he shouldn't be held accountable.
I'm just a chaperone right? Just an escort to show him around the city. It's not like I'm a baby sitter – I don't owe him any responsibilities. He could have gone missing whilst I had my own private life to lead. You're not going to take away my private life now are you Director?
Hisoka groaned – the likely answer was 'yes', given the Silva's reputation for being uncompromising.
So the director was determined to take away his private life. But what if he said that it was Illumi who insisted on having some time off to be alone? Illumi wasn't around to contradict him anyway, and similar to an old Chinese proverb – dead, or rather missing in this case, people can't stab you in the back.
You should not have let him out of your sight – is a very likely and very Silva response given that man's inflexible stubbornness. And his reply would be? Look Director-sama, I completely acknowledge the fact that when I signed up with you, you had every right to take away my personal life. However, Illumi does not seem to be under similar impressions – and you saw the newspapers already. Did you want the press to see me constantly hanging around Illumi?
Brilliant Hisoka! Sheer, simple, brilliant genius at work! They could give you an award for that – just make sure you look slightly distressed at the news, but at the same time a bit indignant as to how the director could blame you for it. Then in generous kindness offer to look around the city with the other co-workers.
The magician was so pleased with himself that he almost banged his forehead
into a light pole but managed to stop himself just on time. The more he
thought about his excuse, the more he thought that if all this 'nen' stuff
from Hunter x Hunter was real, he'd definitely be the Henka type.
His acting and skills of subverting the truth were just too…brilliant –
he'd already said brilliant right? Just no better word to describe his
genius.
9:30pm – Toguro's Gym Lobby
"Yes! Another gym session over for the rest of the week! How shall we celebrate?"
"How can you celebrate at this time Hanzo? We have to get our priorities straight." Shizuku pulled out a clipboard with some paper and retrieved another pen from her bag. She sat down on one of the more cushy chairs provided by gym reception.
"We have to commit ourselves to a systematic sweep of the city. I think we ought to split up into groups. Here, sit down and help me divide the actors whilst half of them are still preening in the bathrooms."
The bald ninja cocked an eyebrow. "And how come you're not preening either?"
"I have short hair." Shizuku responded primly and her firm silence indicated that she wasn't going to elaborate. So Hanzo shrugged and let her scribble some names down. He personally didn't think the other actors would agree to this whole search party idea anyway, even if Hisoka was embroiled right in the very thick of it. After all, it was Thursday night and they were allowed to be late on Friday mornings – milk these precious days for all it's worth. He disinterestedly studied the various plastic pot plants dotted in the corners of reception, sniffing at the tackiness and general lack of taste, then spied a very familiar figure stepping out of the elevators and heading towards the exit.
"Kurei!" he called out.
A young man who had just possibly just reached his twenties, exuded nervous energies and almost jumped as Hanzo called his name, frantically look about for the owner of the voice.
"Over here Kurei!" the older man waved. The boy looked at him for one, longer than comfortable moment, with an expression of confusion. He cautiously approached the pair of Hunter actors.
"Excuse me," he said in with the refined airs of a cultivated and highly well mannered gentleman. "But I don't seem to be able to recognize you. How is it you know my name?"
"Don't be such a stiff Kurei! I met you briefly when I was still contracted to Hokage Village. You might have seen me in Yu Yu Hakusho as one of the contestants for Genkai's apprenticeship?"
"Yu Yu Hakusho…as in the show that Flame of Recca shamelessly ripped off? Oh yes…I'm starting to recall you now…was it…Hanzo?"
The ninja playfully frowned at him. "What happened to you man? Hokage Village was having fits and spasms after you left so abruptly. They had to find a replacement for you, and ratings have plummeted for Flame of Recca since. Your character wears the mask all the time, but everyone knows it isn't you."
Kurei just nodded politely as Hanzo rambled on but sneaked a few glances at the clock on the wall, and fingered his own watch…only to realize that it wasn't there!
"Excuse me – I must have left my watch in the bathrooms." He made a mad dash to the closing elevator just as another handful of Hunter actors alighted. Some curiously watched him madly jabbing at a button in the elevator, but turned around as the metal doors silently slid shut.
"Hello! Shizuku? Earth to Shizuku?!" Paku was waving her hands in front of a seemingly petrified young woman sitting stiff as a rock on the couch. The pen had long ago slipped from her grasp.
"SHIZU!" Paku half shouted into her ear, accompanied by bouts of rigorous shaking.
The figure on the couch almost jumped up in fright as Paku managed to pull her out of her trance.
"Wha?"
"Yeah – Wha? I was just about to ask the same. What are you doing sitting there like you've just seen Medusa with your mouth open like that? Close it! It's unattractive!"
Shizuku hastily clamped her teeth together and shook her head slightly to clear her head.
"Did you see his eyes?" she murmured dreamily after a while, threatening to slip back into her previous, prone form.
"Oh no you don't!" Paku snarled, then seized her by the elbow, almost dragging her up so that she was standing. You couldn't daydream half as well on your feet – empirical studies had proved it somewhere, so Pakunoda thought.
"Shizuku, are you not feeling so well? Did you over-exert yourself at Taibo this evening?" Nobu stepped forward and placed a hand on her forehead.
"They were like liquid pools of a indigo – so warm and kind and gentle. I was happily drowning in bliss – why did you pull me up?"
Machi also stepped forth to study the dreamy gaze in Shizu's eyes with a certain amount of horrid fascination. They all began to crowd around her.
"He was the most beautiful creature I've ever beheld. My soul will be his forever more. I just need to ask him to marry me now. I'll even transfer all my assets to him if he so desires."
"Have you joined some crazy cult recently Shizu?!" Paku's voice began to creep with hysteria. "What's happening? You were fine in the showers just minutes ago! Shizuku – guys, get me some water – we've got to splash some sense back into her!"
"Who is Shizuku-san talking about?" Gon asked from a fair way behind, unable to push through the crowds to get a better look. They all turned to him and said "Yeah, who's enchanted our no nonsense Shizuku?"
The elevator dinged open again and more Hunter actors poured out.
"Why's everyone still crowded in the doorway?" Phinx sharply asked, immediately sensing amiss by the way that the people were forming a circle around a particular object, or someone. He still had a small comb in his hand and was still midway in fixing his hair but couldn't do it in the bathroom because time was pressing on, whether you were ready or not. He sighed irritably, like the Dancho beside him and pushed past them all.
Shizu was slack faced, even though it was not supposed to be possible when you were on your feet, and her eyes were more unfocussed than a drug addict high on coke could ever be. Drool was gathering on one side of her (open) mouth and frankly, no one wanted to help her wipe it away. She looked so frail and unsteady on her two feet that any nudge would tip her over. But even then, she was so caught up in some heavenly image of beauty that she couldn't have possibly noticed. People were stirring uneasily amongst themselves. Hanzo especially – he was with her only moments ago – and whilst he was talking to Kurei, someone must have fried her brains.
Paku rapidly relayed all the information she could coax out of Shizuku to Dancho, and the older man scowled even more fiercely.
"I've seen these symptoms before." He grated harshly with fevered anger. "It was after the first Sailor Moon season when my brother shot to fame. Girls would crowd outside our home sometimes screaming and yelling for him, and when he appeared, they all just quieted down as they drank in his image."
"Even the drool?" Neon leaned in close to Shizu to get a better look herself.
Kuroro's scowl darkened impossible. "Especially the drool. Has Darien been here?" he glared all around him instinctively like a prey who had just caught a whiff of a predator.
"Dancho – she just said something about Hanzo's friend!" Neon cried out loud.
All eyes gleaming deadly accusation swung to the man who was strenuously shaking his head.
"I was just talking to Kurei a minute ago – some of you saw him push past you to get to the elevators. I haven't spoken to anyone else before you guys came down. The receptionist! She'll vouch for me."
"Kurei? He's back in town?" Kurapika spoke up for the first time. "Didn't he leave after he accidentally offended Recca? In a hurry – if I remember correctly."
"Yeah – he's back, dressed from head to toe in the latest fashions and the most expensive silks. Speaks like a social elite too."
Kurapika reacted as if Hanzo had been talking about a complete stranger. "You sure that was Kurei? I remember working with him at the community centre looking after homeless and under privileged kids. He was never that well off, even after he got the contract at Hokage Village, and I always remembered that he stuttered. I always had to tell the other children not to laugh at him."
The other man was going to argue some more but then the doors to the gym slid open, and everyone in the gym foyer felt as if the air conditioner had been turned on full blast. Gon fought from shivering.
A man stepped in with infinite grace and control in his every movement. He was dressed in a black Armani suit that he seemed to be born in for he wore it with such familiarity and ease. Some instinctively fell back, but Hisoka and Kuroro made their way to the front. It made them feel safer that great slabs of muscle like Ubo, Franklin and Bashou also remained at their side.
The leader of the Genei Ryodan took another step forward, separating himself completely from the group who had practically retreated to the farthest corner and huddled like frightened and bleating sheep. Ubogin snuck a quick glance and tried hard to tell his feet to stay firmly implanted where they were and not to get a rush of sensibilities and cower with the rest of the group. The pressure emanating from the man alone caused him to breake into a cold sweat.
"Hello Salar." Kuroro said slowly, caution heavy in his voice. He wanted to make as plain as day to the man in front of him that his guard was up. There was no use trying to fool Salar – there was no such way.
The cold and impassive man deliberately lowered his eyes to Kuroro a fraction too late as if to diminish his existence.
"Drosgen." He nodded formally. "I heard that you broke away from your parents. So this is who you've joined." His sharp gaze swept over to the huddling troupe, eyes devoid of emotion or judgement, just intently observing them all like a wolf who had slipped into the chicken pen. They all felt like shooting ducks.
"And I heard that you ditched Anime City behind to join some company called Vallanor." Kuroro said with equal steadiness.
"Yes – things were becoming stale and stagnant around here. There was no novelty about this place any longer. I needed to see more, make use of my talents before I went crazy from the sheer boredom." Salar frankly admitted. He spoke softly, but each word had some mysterious force behind it that everyone easily heard it above the whirring of the fans or the radio quietly playing overhead on the PA.
"This isn't the best place for a reunion. I'll send out invites in a few days time to announce my return to town, if anyone will come. Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm here for other business."
He made past Kuroro without waiting for an answer and headed straight for the elevators.
"I'm sorry sir, but it's patrons only from this point." The receptionist nonchalantly pointed to some gaudy yellow tape stuck to the stiff grey carpet. Toguro had been thinking about firing her because of her lack of enthusiasm and professional spirit on the job. Many people had complained about her general lack of care for anything, and she turned up to work each day as lifeless as a zombie. She seemed oblivious to the icy fires of Salar's stare, and surprisingly, the tall man didn't push the point. Against expectations, he cautiously stepped behind the yellow line and gave the receptionist a small smile. Some of her cluelessness drained away and her face paled a bit, but not completely.
The elevator door dinged open again for the third time and a figure recklessly rushed out and crashed into the dreaded man.
"Kurei." Salar said gravely, holding the boy steady to prevent either of them from falling over. Kurei blinked a few times, stunned momentarily, but when he recognized the voice, he jumped in fright and jerkily stood straight. Salar was still gripping his shoulders firmly to steady him and only let go when he thought it was safe to do so.
"I left my watch upstairs back in the bathroom. I searched for it and – "
"Come on, our table is waiting." Salar had turned around and was walking towards the sliding glass doors already, deciding to let this matter slip away. Kurei visibly brightened up and trailed behind the man.
"My god! What a handsome little boy we have here." Paku suddenly stepped in front of Kurei so that he almost buried his face in her generous assets. He stumbled to a halt just on time before he could embarrass himself and starred in fright at Paku's predatory grin with widened eyes.
Paku found herself being drawn into those bottomless indigo pools that beckoned and called to her soul, but years of seducing men gave her steel and determination not to sink as Shizuku did. She was the temptress and did the beguiling, never the other way around. But she allowed herself to express admiration.
"My my, you do have gorgeous eyes." She whispered. Her hand shot out to cup his chin and tilt his head up so that she could get a better look. "and such fine skin too. Smoother than mine – do you bathe in milk boy? Have someone give you facials every day, a beautician to sculpt your eyebrows, a dentist to give you pearly white teeth? My gods," her voice dropped even lower. She felt the irresistible pull of attraction and it was getting harder and harder not to swoon and become entranced. "did some artist try to conceive perfection, then like Athena breathed life into his creation? You – "
Kuroro's eyes widened impossibly with fear as Salar was standing behind Paku, one hand slowly ascending to grip her shoulder and pull her away. No! – he didn't want Salar to touch her! He didn't want Salar touching anyone here! He tried to speak and move and his body seemed just so slow to respond.
Cold fear hammered in Paku's body resounding most painfully in her belly and breathing became laboured and shallow. Her body was frantically trying to warn her of imminent danger from sheer instinct of survival alone. Kurei's enchantment over her suddenly severed, she was back in the real world and she threw herself to one side immediately, spinning around with incredible speed and hissing angrily like an feral alley cat to face her attacker.
By then however, Salar had already left the building with Kurei running to catch up.
"What the hell was wrong with me! Dancho! Explain to me what I was doing just then!" Paku raved, almost close to tears after she was certain that the strangers were out of earshot. "What was I doing?!"
"Calm down Paku!" Kuroro desperately gestured for all the other women to help him comfort her. "Calm down!"
"How can I calm down?! I stood there like some shameless nymphomaniac, a dominatrix wanting to consume this young boy! And Salar! I felt like he was going to stick a knife in my back."
Veize had her arms around Paku's shaking shoulders and Shizuku had offered her the seat. Salar's presence had quite readily knocked her out of her previous trance. Pakunoda sat down and buried her face in her hands.
"He was so beautiful." She said after a while, putting on a courageous face and trying to even out the hackles in her voice. "I felt like I was staring into the face of god but couldn't withstand his perfection and would die otherwise if I looked too long. Like a moth to a candle flame." Pakunoda sat there for some time, hands pressed firmly in her lap but her face slack and dejected. She waited for her breathing to steady, drawing in deep breaths. Finally, she gave a bright smile.
"I think I'm ok now. So – where did we want to spend this evening?"
"You sure you don't want to go home and lie down early tonight?" Menchi asked.
"I think I'm fine. In fact, I need a bar and a martini. Lets get out of this place and never think about what happened here tonight ever again."
"Agreed." All the people murmured.
Friday, 8:30am
"Boss-sama!" Mindy exclaimed from behind the counter. She was in the middle of fixing the pink silk scarf that came with her navy blue uniform when the first customer to step through the doors of Fantasia on Friday morning was Kikyou-sama's eldest son himself who had disappeared for almost a week. She threw her up in a shriek of joy and rushed towards him.
"Boss-sama!" she called again, wrapping her arms around him. She wondered if he had suddenly hissed in pain or taken in a sharp breath, so she slowly untangled herself from him.
"Kikyou-sama has been worrying for days about you Illumi-sama. Where have you been?" she immediately blurted out.
"aww...look at you Mindy-chan. There's no need to get so worried – I am a grown man after all."
Mindy sniffed a bit and rubbed her nose, beaming the brightest smile she had at Illumi.
"Where's Linda?"
"It's her day off today."
Illumi nodded and looked around the store, surveying the racks of clothing with keen sight (although his right eye still stung like crazy). Sales were good it seemed.
"So Boss-sama."
"Yes Mindy?"
"Where did you go these past seven days?
He gave a silver laugh unfettered by restraint and clear of worries. "I was in New York attending the catwalks for next season's clothes, getting inspiration and ideas."
"At least you could have left a message." Mindy said crossly, reprimanding him as she helped him out of his coat. He went over to the counter and opened his shiny black briefcase.
"See, even when I was on the plane, I was already coming up with new ideas. Mum will definitely want to have a look at some of these designs."
The petite shop assistant inquisitively peered at the pictures from the other side of the counter and delicately creased her forehead.
"Boss-sama, these are…mens clothes."
"I know Mindy, I designed them."
"But – "
"Fantasia will be opening a brother store, hopefully before autumn kicks in. What do you think Mindy?"
She looked at him blankly, blinking like an owl in broad daylight.
"What about your own toy store Illumi-sama? If you try to set up the men's store, you won't have any time for what you want to do."
"Of course there is time. I can manage – in fact, I've spent all my phone's batteries talking to promoters and advertisers, inquiring with the manufacturers to see if they have any extra labour to spare. Half of it is in motion already Mindy. I'll have enough spare time to do my own stuff – what did I tell you about worrying?"
They shared small laughter for some time, studying the designs as Illumi laid them on the counter.
"Oh – pass me the phone please Mindy – I have to call mum and tell her that I'm back."
The youthful girl shook her head and gave a small sigh as she handed the receiver to Illumi. "You're going to cop an earful you know."
He scoffed playfully at her statement and dialed the number with lightning quickness. "Bleh – I get it all the time anyway. I've had plenty of practice – I'm immune."
"I wish I were too!"
It was another bright day in Anime city with not a single fluffy white cloud in the sky. The sun beat down on the beautiful and attractive residents but they took full advantage of the sunshine and lounged in the open areas of the cafés dotted along the trendy streets for the fashionable. Others took to the park, sun backing on the stiff grass or chatting away beneath the shade of a tree. The Director had exhibited another rare bout of kindness – all the actors knocked off work at 1pm exactly. Lunch time – Anime city was alive with people, the mouth watering aromas of food came from all directions and everywhere your eye could see were good looking people. Where else would you want to be.
"Yes!" Killua pumped his fist into the air as he raced down the street to catch up to the group of actors waiting for him. "I just got a call from Karuto! She says Illumi's back!"
"Good for you Killua – now you don't have to put up her tantrums anymore."
"Yup," Killua replied, giving Gon his cheekiest grin. "In fact, I'm so happy that lunch is on me today! Charge it to the company card and lets stuff our stomachs!"
They were working on two of the OVA scenes today, cramped and confined in the artificial darkness of the studio when the warmth outside was just reaching out embrace them. Only five of the Genei Ryodan cast had to turn up today for the hotel scene just before Kuroro's kidnap. Senritsu was also involved again – she frequented the Hunter Works building more often these past few days as the Director really wanted to get the OVA out of the way, then wait for Hisoka's suspension to finish and fill in the scenes with him involved. The car scene had been particularly troublesome. Kuroro donned on his jet black coat lined with silver tipped fur (he loved the look, but didn't really want to admit it), then had to have a length of chain tightly wrapped around him.
"How are you supposed to gag someone with solid chain?!" he complained, which was rare for him given that he was a professional actor from the age of five already. Paku, who had been sitting in a corner having finished her scene this morning, gave a small laugh but had enough sense to look away.
"Don't worry Kuroro-sama. The chain's just got to stick on your face tight enough, you struggle against it slightly and given your brilliant acting skills, you can make yourself look like you've been gagged. Remember, the camera loves you!" April said with unusual cheerfulness. But of course – good weather can do that to someone.
"Toby, the lights! I'm not going to be able to see half of Leorio's face if you put those lights there! Move it that way…a bit more…"
Meanwhile, Kurapika's face concentrated intently on the words of the script, making sure he had every last word memorized. The other actors all took things in their stride and never seemed to stress. He was the one who had to make a special effort just so he could keep up. He didn't want to sigh in case the Director heard. He guessed this was better than being stuck behind the counter at McDonalds serving rude and ungrateful customers. He made a few magazine headlines these days and was in good company. Got to work to keep things the way they are.
Kurapika almost jumped up in fright as someone patted his shoulder. He turned around to see Senritsu give him a toothy grin and felt his heart start beating again. Damn – six months in front of the camera already, and he was still so nervous before each shot.
Senritsu had her rabbit teeth fixed on by the make up artists and told Kurpika that he'll do fine – as always.
"I don't know Senritsu." The teenager confided to her. "This is just…so not me. I mean, I'm supposed to literally go berserk in this scene and hit Kuroro! It says here on the script – in bold – that I thwack him hard. Thwack! I've never thwacked someone before! See – I had to check the dictionary to find out what it means and write it down in the margins just in case I forget."
The poor boy looked so nervous that under the gaze of the bright spotlights, you could see a fine film of sweat covering his brow.
"Keep it up Kurapika. This sort of nervous energy always gives you the best work. Have you discussed the scene with Kuroro yet?"
The blonde set aside his script and rolled his shoulders to relax himself.
"We talked about some bits at length, but right now, he's too busy with the chains. Oh Senritsu…I really have a bad feeling about this."
"Kurapika, you haven't even got your red contacts on yet – go put them on, the Director looks like he's almost ready to start. Where's Leorio?"
"Well dressed and ready to go!" the man said cheerfully behind them. He was being exceptionally friendly today – Senritsu just wished he'd try to be like this more often. Kurapika disappeared to get a transformation for his eyes, whimpering on the way to the make up rooms.
"So Senritsu, it's one of your bigger parts today. Are you prepared?"
Senritsu clasped her hands to her ears and put on a face of horror. "No – I don't want to hear this anymore! What kind of man can produce such terrible music of the heart? Nooooo!"
Leorio cackled loudly and Paku, still sitting on her chair nearby with two boys at her feet had to clamp their hands over their mouths from laughing insanely.
"Damn Senritsu – I hope I don't start laughing next to you." Leorio feigned wiping a tear.
"You so much as even grin and stuff up my big speech, and we'll never be out before 1 o'clock."
The cover was taken off the glossy black car, the cameras were in place, the Director raised his voice and called the people to their places.
"We're cheering you on Senritsu!" Gon called out brightly. Senritsu bared her rabbit teeth at them, scowling viciously.
"Don't you guys even DARE to squeak!" she growled, ignoring further hoots of laughter.
Kurapika raced from the dressing rooms, clutching onto his wig in case it fell off. That's right – he was supposed to look like a female attendant, complete with blush and lipstick and frilled collar.
"Get in the car, get in the car." Toby hissed, aware that the director was about to look their way. And so the scene got under way.
The director clapped his hands and people got down to work.
"Remember Kurapika – you're psychologically unstable in this scene – I want to see hints of madness and lunacy in your expression and voice."
The blond squeaked a response, and the film got rolling.
Kuroro was in his element, analyzing his precarious situation with casual calmness, talking to Kurapika about the value of the hostages and goading him to kill him.
And then came the clinch phrase with Kuroro and his 'coffee break' analogy and Kurapika's first attempt at 'thwacking'.
"Cut!" Silva called out sharply.
Kurapika's hands shook like an old man with Alzheimer's disease. He could see Silva's disappointed face.
"Where are my punches?" he demanded, stalking towards the car and peering in ominously.
"I'm thwacking away sir! Honest!"
"Can I have the dummy again? Kuroro – out! We've got three to four seconds where Kuroro's face is not on camera when you hit hiim. If Kurapika doesn't turn into a savage by the time the dummy is here, we're going to stay and get this right even if it means you're all OTing!"
Some stage hands quickly transferred a Kuroro lookalike dummy wrapped in clinking chains. The real person hopped out of the camera's way and observed the performance. Kurapika was in the back seat, his eyes were a dull red, but computer enhancements would make them glow. He looked uncomfortable, looming almost horizontally over the defenceless dummy and shifted his elbows to make sure he had enough space.
"Now Kurapika, I want you to imagine that this is the person whose guts you've hated for the past decade." Silva began.
"But I don't hate anyone!" the boy immediately protested.
"Damnit! How about: this man here has raped your sister and is now in chains before you." Silva's eyes narrowed and his voice dipped low into a hypnotic whisper. "Your beautiful kid sister Kurapika – her smiling face now scarred, bruised, ruined because of this man in front of you. She sobs instead of laughs and she no longer plays with the other children in the playground. Instead, she sits aside and draws disturbed and twisted pictures, talks to people who aren't there." There was a nasty grin on Silva's face as he drew even nearer to the boy.
"She doesn't recognize you anymore, doesn't recognize your mum or dad. And it's all. Because. Of. This. man."
The blonde teenager's breathing rapidly increased as he tried to solidify such terrible images in his mind and rage began to tingle in his veins. His face scrunched up with violent anger as he fuelled it on with impossible images of brutality. With a vengeful growl, he launched himself at the mannequin, beating his fists on him like there was no tomorrow.
Silva urged them to roll the film whilst Kurapika did everything from bite, scratch, punch and jab at the doll. He burned out in one minute and fell back on the seat, huffing and puffing. The director of Hunter Works clapped his hands.
"Spectacular. Great work Kurapika. Just hold on to those thoughts a while longer ok? Kuroro – get back in the car!"
The bewildered and breathless boy nodded, swallowing a lump in his throat. The director told him to hold onto his anger. His script had written in bold barely restrained anger in some parts of the car scene – got to remember that. Be restrained when Leorio and Senritsu talks. Kuroro had his 'what were Ubo's last words' conversation – barely restrained anger Kurapika! He reminded himself with fanatical zeal.
"Ok – we'll get up to the part where Kurapika is on the phone to the Ryodan again, then go back and focus on Senritsu's speech. Cameras!"
Senritsu got her moment. She perfected the 'staring off into the distance meaningfully' look and held trembling hands about her head. She stirred emotions of disbelief in her voice and it steadily increased in volume towards the climax!
"How can a man possess such terrible music? How can a man live his life knowing that it could end the next minute and not give it a care in the world? I don't want to hear this anymore! I don't want to hear either of you anymore!"
"CUT!"
Leorio erupted into irrepressible laughter just as the Director ended the scene and he kicked at the useless pedals and pressed the car horns. It seemed that the other observing actors were suffering similar reactions. Even Senritsu herself was clutching her stomach hard. She did it – it was over acting, but it would sure as hell fit into the atmosphere the editors would finally be able to create, and she managed not to think about Leorio's grin as she performed one of her most important parts.
"I can't believe how successful this has been today. All right – day's over – get out of my studio."
Downstairs in the foyer, they all commented on each other's performance and congratulated each other's efforts.
"Senritsu, that was truly magnificent work there. The director will probably give you more lines next time." Kuroro nodded beside her. Senritsu positively sparkled – to be commented by such an old hand and professional in the industry was recognition enough. She could swoon.
"Paku, why are you still in your costume anyway?" Kurapika asked as they stepped out into the open sun, squinting whilst their eyes adjusted to the bright lights.
The voluptuous woman gave him a sly look. "Because I look good in it."
"Ahh..Killua-sama, there's a phone call for you." The receptionist called the child back. He told his friends to meet him down the end of the road and would catch up shortly.
"Righto. Machi, Nobu and Shizu should also be down there as well – pity they decided to leave after their scene this morning. They missed all the good bits." Dancho commented. "And as always Kurapika, your acting is brilliant. I could have sworn that you were going to hit me at any moment when I sat next to you in that car. Imagine that – you, unfriendly. Those two words just don't mix."
The blonde produced a weak laugh and his shoulders slumped. "It's over – and the director's probably going to get me to do it again so he can obtain more angles. I still can't believe I was able to get so angry."
"When the Director puts his mind to it, you can't not be angry." Paku said, and they all nodded in agreement. "Hey Gon – your neck ok? The director did say to lift you off the ground that way."
Small fingers reached up to a tender throat and gently stroked some faint marks. Gon smiled and shook his head.
"It's all professional – I understand Paku. My super bitch manager Mito sure was having fun last night when we were preparing me for it. I bet she loved the sensation of being able to wring my neck."
"Sensation of my hands wringing Killua's neck – yes. Yours, no." Leorio added. People emphatically murmured in agreement.
And that was when the albino child ran down the street with the good news.
"Kurapika!"
Gon, with the sharpest eye sight out of them all, gasped in horror.
"Pakunoda, get out of here! It's that guy from the gym last night!"
They saw a well dressed figure rapidly closing the distance towards them. He was wearing a crimson polo shirt and a pair of Levis. His fine black hair was tossed about even with the slightest breeze. From far away, you could already appreciate the glowing alabaster skin and be seduced by the smooth and soothing voice.
"Kurei?" Kurapika walked a few paces away from the group and hesitantly gave the man a wave. He looked back at his co-workers, unsure as to how to proceed.
"Just find out what he wants and get us out of here!" Killua hissed, then immediately put on a blank face as Kurei reached Kurapika.
"Hey Pika!"
Author's notes: beta reader? almost zilch. Cliff hanger - I try.
If people DO want to comment and say they liked/disliked the story, I would really appreciate it if you could also tell me why you liked/disliked the story so far. And could people please give me their ideas and impressions of my original character Salar? He's here to stay, for good or bad, and now's the only time you'll probably get a say if you don't like him =D