* Sea of Change -- Chapter Fourteen,
* Copyright 2002 - Malena
* If you have not read the other chapters, this will not make much sense, go back.
* If you have read the other chapters --- I'm glad you have enjoyed it so far, and glad that you are actually reading this instead of skipping it to get on with the chapter.
Have a mind all your own.
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Chapter: 14 Irony is a Foul Lady
Always laugh when you can, It is cheap medicine. Lord Byron
Tokyo University's art department was one of the best of the country. Any artist, from art to sculpture, photography, music and anything in between would tell you that in order to meet the right people, go to T-of-U. A lot of the best artist had made their humble beginnings here. Added their grain of salt to Japan's prestigious university. Awhile back, wanting to exhibit it's student works exclusively, T-of-U built it's own gallery next to it's department building. One whose architects - at the time of its inauguration - were influenced heavily like the whole of Japan, by Europe. The gallery was styled in a heterogeneous mix of brick and bamboo, paper walls and concrete. A monstrosity of a building that displayed beautifully Japans merger with the outside world. It's first offering of cultural expansion and if not integration, acceptance of different customs and ideals. Due to the vast history this department had, it's students affectionately nicknamed it 'Edo Hall'. Back when Japan was ruled completely by Emperors and it was beginning to walk away from China's influential shadow, Tokyo was known as Edo, and Japan was leaving its childish ways behind, developing itself as a nation and culture that now cannot be confused, mistaken for, or thought of as anything but Japanese.
In this building Kukune found herself one cool evening, overlooking Edo Gallery's main hall, where a round number of thirty of the university's best artist where gathered to begin the national campaign to 'Beautify the Nation'.
"Excuse me."
Kukune looked at the crowd assembled with unease and cleared her throat before trying again to capture their attention again. "Excuse me please. Excuse me."
One or two people from the crowd stopped and looked up at her, but seeing the rest of the crowd continue with their own conversations, they soon lost interest. Kukune frowned and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. The photographer in charge of the whole campaign was due to arrive half and hour ago and they weren't even ready yet. She eyed the crowd with the deadliest stare she could muster, and sighed, as it had no effect what so ever on any of them. Her eyes raked the crowd once more. She froze and unconsciously gasped as she caught the mayor cause of her problems. Takumi, the class clown as he was affectionately nicknamed during junior high, was in the middle of a throng of people. Saying something, anything. Kukune could not overhear due to her distance, but mainly due to all the noise these people made when they were nervous.
* How will I be able to pull this of successfully when I can't even get them to shut up! * Kukune thought to herself.
She had unanimously been voted head artist, and had the prestigious task of communicating with the powers that be herself. This whole "Beautifying the Nation" campaign was an idea straight from the head of the empress, a person Kukune personally admired. And as much as she looked up to her, she knew the Empress was a deadly force to be reckoned with. If this came out below her standards... Kukune shuddered at the thought. She was snapped out of her daze by a gentle nudge.
"Want me to help?" Tenchi cam up behind her and asked sincerely as he looked at the crowd, especially Takumi who was now competing for the crowd's attention with an even louder Mihoshi.
"No, I can do it. It's just that I hate it when a woman gets serious and asks for something to be done, they usually call her a bitch." Kukune's eyes widened slightly. Had she thought that out loud? Tenchi chuckled and nodded in understanding, stepping back a little to give her dominance over the small wooden podium. As she inhaled quick amounts of air, she absentmindedly thought how good Tenchi was getting in bringing out her real thoughts and feelings. Before, it was her who decided when and where she would divulge any information about herself, but lately ... Lately; it had been the other way around. And the thing is, Kukune didn't think he did it on purpose. It was just so relaxing being around him. She didn't have to worry or figure him out like she did with most men. He offered himself to you without playing any games, making you feel that you were all he cared about, at least for that brief moment. Yet ... Kukune knew he indeed was holding something back, and she was absolutely sure he kept that side of himself hidden even from most of his family. It didn't bother her that he wouldn't show her this enigmatic part of himself. Kukune understood all too well that people need something to hang on to that is for themselves only, but that didn't keep her from wondering just the same. * If only that geisha would have had more patience with Tenchi. He would have given her the world. She doesn't deserve him.*
She braced herself to capture the crowd's attention with a hell of a shout, but the knocking of the huge studio doors beat her to it. All artists assembled became quiet in one swift moment, and Kukune was left with a slight ringing in her ears. They all looked at each other, and then at Kukune, awaiting her orders.
* Oh ... so now they want to listen. * She thought exasperatedly with a very obvious roll of her eyes.
A second knock and she approached the door, looking behind her quickly and motioning with her hands to the crowd to relax and look natural. She wouldn't let this opportunity go to waste. It wasn't in her nature to fail, and with that she opened the door, ready to kiss the ass of whomever snobby photographer the empress had deemed talented enough for the campaign.
What she found was a tall, thin man over fifty, with a fantastically white, magician's beard. He was encased in dark, cotton robes that contrasted with the white of his beard spectacularly. She smiled and bowed, unknowingly taking in a whiff of his cologne. He smelled like cognac and cookies, a very exotic, and altogether pleasant smell.
"I am very honored to finally meet you Miyamoto, Basho. Your name proceeds- "
"Please, please call me Basho." He interrupted with a raise of his hand.
Kukune frowned slightly. She had practiced this meeting for a week, and had even prepared a haiku for the occasion, knowing any artist would eat it up.
"And your name Miss...?" He asked.
Kukune's eyes widened and she alarmingly realized she had been silent for a while.
"Where are my manners? I am Kukune, head artist and if you need anything, please feel free to ask. Anything at all, I am at your total disposal." Kukune bowed again, pleased with herself.
"Well ... there is one thing." Kukune looked up and nodded, eager to please. Basho followed her eager nods with a small smile. "Could we go inside? I have been nursing a cold for the past few days, and with winter sneaking up on autumn-"
"Oh yes! I am sorry, please come in." Kukune mentally kicked herself. She was so nervous that her common sense had jumped out the window when she wasn't looking.
She closed the door and took the lead, explaining to him where each hallway led, and offering the names of the artists whose works already hung on the walls. All Miyamoto, Basho did was nod and hum to himself as she explained this and that to him. Kukune was at a nerves end, not knowing whether all that humming meant he was speechless at the talent or that he was biting his tongue to keep from insulting each and everyone of them. She ran out of hallways, and they were fast approaching the main room, where all the other artists where assembled, waiting quietly for them. Kukune strained her ears, trying to hear any memory of the chaos that enclosed the main room just seconds before he had knocked on the door.
As she introduced him to the group, all they did was stand, hands clasped tightly behind their backs. Kukune could have sworn they were all holding their breath, even Takumi who always made fun of famous people, seemed taken aback with Miyamoto, Basho.
Basho looked completely at ease with all the staring and smiled jovially, but that only helped to stiffen the crowd even more. * They look like the Terracotta soldiers in China. * Kukune thought. There were some stifled coughs before a rift on the crowd occurred. After some slight rustling and whispering, Tenchi made his way from the thick crowd and extended his hand, with a slight bow of his head. "It's my pleasure to meet you, Miyamoto Basho. I hope you will be pleased with our work here." Basho smiled and returned his handshake heartily. Kukune sighed and smiled. Leave it to Tenchi to break the thickest of ice. Taking his lead, slowly one by one artists approached Basho, bowing and expressing their admiration for his work. After all, Basho's shots of the Japanese country side and it's people were famous all throughout the world. It was truly a gift he had decided to accept the job and work with them.
"Never knew a bunch of shyer people in my life, and that includes the Sendai's who avoid strangers at all costs." Basho smiled and surveyed the room, before sitting down in one of the chairs strategically placed on the side of a long, oval table. The intrusive table would not be there on the opening night of the exposition, but Kukune knew they would be working many a long night, and the oval table provided a perfect symbol for everyone's equality in the project; a sort of King Arthur and the Round Table trick.
"Okay, first things first. Let's order some sushi, I'm starving." Some random cheers could be heard through the crowd.
*Maybe working with this man won't be as uncomfortable as I had imagined it would be.* Kukune thought as she politely asked Ayeka to order the food for the group.
"How long will you need to take the necessary photos Basho-san?" Takumi asked respectfully after the group had taken more than three hours in getting to know one another while they ate dinner.
"Well... Kukune showed me some of your finished works-"
Kukune instinctively tensed her body. She sensed Basho had a catastrophic 'but' coming up, and she was sure he would politely say he hated everything. But nobody would have known it by just looking at her. Her face was serene, with a very gentle smile adorning her face. There was a faint blush of lipstick that had faded with the sushi they had all just eaten.
"But..."
* There it is. *
"... I not only want to capture the work itself, but the process."
The entire room was silent, all sitting on the edge of their seats, hanging unto his every word, yet not fully understanding what he wanted from them.
"I have found over the years that part of the magic is the process the artist goes through in creating. Be it a painting, sculpture, that perfect photograph. I think if I can manage to capture that, it will make the whole world take notice of the immense talent Japan has, but has never been fully exploited." Basho paused, judging whether these people understood what he was going for. Judging their stupefied expressions, they were more a pack of wild horses running at full speed, yet running to they have no idea what. Basho sighed despite himself.
"A photograph is basically freezing a moment in time, a good photograph tells a story. You guys know the saying, 'A photograph tells a thousands words'. A great photograph imprints a defining moment in the subjects existence. I would like for you all to restart the thinking process in your respective art. I want to capture the toil, sweat, and tears any artist goes through in order to make that perfect something. If there is no emotion in the photo, only a painting, what will that communicate with the audience? Absolutely nothing."
A man about twenty years of age spoke up. "But we only have three months left. I don't know about the rest, but it took me months to finish the works I have." There was a rumble of agreement all throughout the room.
"I understand all the effort it takes, but just bare with me. Lets give my idea a try. If we have not progressed significantly by the end of December, we'll drop the idea and do something else." The room changed tempo and there began a wave of hushed whispers of approval.
"We are near the end of November and opening night is on February..." Takumi made some calculations in his head, leaving his sentence hanging in the air.
"My job will not be fully finished until the end of the exhibition night. I think taking a few pictures of that day will add a definite feel of completion to the project."
Kukune who had been observing the crowd, nodded to herself. "So what do you say guys? I think Basho's idea is very clever."
Everybody nodded and Basho smiled while he slurped his tea with a straw.
"There is one other thing that I must insist on. A fundamental rule that can make or break this whole thing. You only work at night, when me," Basho dug under his shawls and showed his camera to the room. " And my camera are present."
He grinned while everyone laughed.
"I expect for us to spend entire nights here... so please manage your time wisely. I'm a pretty easygoing guy. If you can't make it a certain night, just call me twelve hours in advance. I will leave my number with Kukune. And ... I know you might not feel like painting anything a certain night, or feel all possible ideas escape you, but still come and paint. Even if it's just scribbling, something magical might happen." He winked at the group and clapped his hands excitedly as he stood up and began positioning his camera.
"Alright, lets get started!"
** ** ** **
The main room was full of noise, much like it had been hours earlier. Only now, instead of nervous, nonstop chatter, it was more of a motivated, excited talk. One that seemingly echoed all through out, infecting it's victims with a case of severe optimism. It was this environment Ayeka found herself wandering in. Feeling lonely, out of place, and a bother. Ayeka walked slowly, with her hands clasped together, and quietly observed the different artists begin anew their work. She sighed and continued walking, wishing she felt even one ounce of the eagerness they felt. Her eyes raked the crowd, seeking even a tiny glimpsed of light blue ponytails that would tell her where her little sister was located. Instead of a visual image, she instead heard a high-pitched giggle followed by a wail of a laugh. No doubt in Ayeka's mind it belonged to the blonde galaxy police officer. Mixed with all these giggles and laughter, there echoed a deep, low chuckle. Ayeka subconsciously stopped walking and strained her ears to recognize the sound. All the while her eyes still roamed around from face to face, looking for her sister. She finally spotted them in the far left corner. Mihoshi was sitting enticingly on a stool. One hand on her hip, the other saucily touching her hair, while Sasami continued to giggle from behind the easel. The low, deep chuckle belonged to Tenchi, who just nodded once in a while with a tilt of his head, as Sasami talked in length about Ayeka knew not what. He kept his eyes on Mihoshi and the hand holding the bamboo brush moved a mile a minute.
She sighed loudly at the scene in front of her. All three of them looked so happy and excited. Ayeka liked art; she could spend entire days roaming the halls of museums, like she would often be prone to do in Jurai. Ayeka especially liked portraits of people. As a child she would be able to concoct the person's life story just by the simple portrait. When Sasami was a mere baby, just trying out her legs at walking, Ayeka would take her to the museums, and while Sasami drooled and stumbled around, enjoying the cool marble under her feet, Ayeka would tell her the stories she had made up about each painting.
Looking back at the memory, Ayeka doubted Sasami remembered. That realization hit Ayeka like a ton of bricks. How could a memory mean so much to one person and nothing the other? Ayeka sighed again, and turned her head away disgusted by the laughing site of her family. Sometimes too much happiness could get sickening.
Click!
Ayeka was brought out of her thoughts with a flash of light that hit her face, and made her eyes see tiny spots of green and red.
"Sorry Ma'am, didn't mean to startle you."
Ayeka squinted and blushed as she realized Miyamoto; Basho had just taken a picture of her. * I will probably look like an oaf. *
"It's alright." Ayeka unconsciously straightened her hair with the palms of her hands.
"Don't worry ma'am you look beautiful." Basho said to ease her mind.
Ayeka was caught of guard. She didn't know whether to be pleased or enraged at his comment. On one hand, of course she was beautiful. She was absolutely stunning. On the other hand, no one in a long, long time had given her a compliment so heartfelt and seemingly honest. The most she had gotten where nods of approval from her sister. Ayeka realized just how much she missed being at least for one moment the center of attention. She used to be in the spotlight all the time back when Ryoko still lived in Okayama. Back then; everything had been about her, well about the both of them. And the best compliment anyone had ever given her came one night in Tokyo, when she could not control the flow of tears cascading down her face. She had just discovered Tenchi was happily involved with another girl, she concluded that he had now truly forgotten about her. Waking up in the morning, with her face puffy from crying and her cheeks and nose red, she took one look in the mirror and muttered something demeaning about herself. She had no idea that Ryoko was behind her. "Don't ever say that princess." Ryoko had spoken up with a stern but gentle voice, one that Ryoko had never used on her, until then.
"But look at me Ryoko. I'm ugly. Who would ever want a woman that looks like this? No wonder Tenchi left."
Ryoko narrowed her eyes. "Wait.. Wait a minute. Don't go into conclusions when we don't know exactly what is going on with Tenchi and that girl. As for you."
Ayeka looked up at her, tired of fighting, she waited for her insult with all her beautiful dignity, that made self assured woman that she was, absent
"You look beautiful."
Ayeka's mouth hung open, and she wheezed through her nose. Has Ryoko just said that she thinks I'm beautiful? Ayeka searched her features, trying to catch any indication of a lie, but Ryoko had answered her with no fault in her speech or manner. Ayeka sniffed as Ryoko chuckled while handing her a tissue.
"If I were a guy Ayeka." She looked her up and down with a slow, penetrating look. "The things I would do to you."
When those words rolled of her tongue, Ayeka stared back at her, totally stunned. Ayeka's face burned with embarrassment, but not the one you get when you fall down the stair while everyone is watching. It's the one you get when you don't know what to say to someone you might . Ayeka banished the thought before it had a chance to turn into something else. Though Ryoko probably knew where Ayeka's thoughts were heading. She laughed and turned around, calling over her shoulder, "I'm going to the bath, see you at work princess."
Nothing ever came of it. We found Tenchi and our normal life in Okayama resumed with no problems. Yet I think I'll never be able to forget the look she gave me.
"Ma'am? Are you okay?" Basho nudged her gently on the shoulder.
"Huh?" Ayeka squinted and for a few moments closed her eyes, trying to regain her bearing.
"I'm sorry for scaring you."
"It's okay." She focused on his face and smiled. "I'm alright, you just caught me of guard, but I'm okay."
Basho examined her flushed cheeks with worry, and Ayeka laughed. "Really Miyamoto, Basho I'm fine."
He looked her in the eyes once more before he nodded and smiled himself. "You gave me quite a scare
** ** ** ** ** ** **
(One week later)
"Wow Catara-san. When you said apartment, you should have mentioned an apartment that my entire house could fit in, twice over."
Ryoko grinned and shrugged her shoulders. "Slipped my mind."
"Mmm." Mayuri answered as curiosity got the better of her and she started wandering through the living room and adjoining dining room. "I didn't know you liked western style furniture Catara?" She observed as she ran her fingertips lightly on the back of a King Louis styled chair.
"It doesn't bother me. And after eight hours straight of kneeling in the teahouses, those chairs are bliss." Ryoko smiled at Mayuri's awed expression. "Come on, let me show you your room."
Mayuri followed Ryoko to a spectacularly styled room. High ceilings that could give you a nose bleed if you looked at them long enough. The bed, not futon, was so big you could probably sleep in it an entire week and not hit the same spot twice. The carpet in the room felt like silk under your feet, and Mayuri sighed as she curled and uncurled her toes.
"You like?"
Mayuri looked at Ryoko with a crazed expression and snorted despite herself. "Of course I like. Who wouldn't? This looks like a room where the Emperor himself would sleep."
Ryoko giggled and shook her head. "Your close, but wrong. This room was styled after a design some king in France had made for his mistress. They say, he kept her hidden here for years on end, and the love that enclosed the walls could burst and often did in catastrophic fires which engulfed the entire city at times." Ryoko informed Mayuri with a powerful tone of storyteller in her.
"Nice story Cat." She looked around the room again and grinned. "So what you are basically saying is that this room ... will be for..." Mayuri swirled her hips slightly with a blush creeping to her cheeks.
"Uh-huh."
"So why am I in here?
Ryoko shrugged and flipped her long, flowing hair to one side while walking to the bed. "Thought you would enjoy sleeping in a room with so much history. Seeing that you were the one to lend me all those history books back in Kyoto." Ryoko kept her face carefully relaxed, seemingly carefree in her answer. She did not want Mayuri to know that Ryoko was pulling out all the stops to get her two friends together. Even if a reproduction of some old room seemed ridiculous, it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. Perhaps this old lover's room would be the drop that over flowed the glass, bringing Homino and Mayuri together?
As Mayuri began talking about this and that, Ryoko's mind took the liberty to wander. Mostly on how she would tell her friend she was actually staying in the pent house meant to host parties, and the family really lived one floor down.
I won't leave her alone up here though. I'll take the room down the hall, and maybe we can finally put this apartment to use with ... a party! That's what its for right? A nice intimate... no, rather a fabulously lavish party, with nothing but the most important men! I'll have to make sure that Mayuri's danna is still on his trip and well away from Japan. And I will invite... Ryoko stood up straighter on the bed, while Mayuri kept on talking away. She began counting down her soon-to-be guests with a devilish grin.
I already know who will accept. I have him hanging from my pinky. Then of course I will have to extend invitations to his circle that include Atsumori, Eisaku, Josuke-san, Kiyohira, and Zenko-san. All of them are bores except for Yukimati. He is a nice man, too nice to be friends with that bunch of rats. Also, of course I'll invite Joyoni-ji-san. I owe him for inviting me to his house. Plus, if he comes it will make me look that much better. It's always nice to be surrounded by powerful people. I know by personal experience. You start hanging around with idiots; within two days you're just as idiotic or more so. Now if you indulge yourself with the right people, well then there are no limits.
"Catara? Catara-san are you listening to me?"
"Huh?"
"Catara! I just told you my deepest, darkest secret and you weren't listening."
"No you didn't" Ryoko answered with a narrowing of her eyes.
"How would you know? You weren't paying attention. Now you will never know what I said."
Ryoko cocked her eyebrow. "You were saying something about changing your kimono from pink to black or blue or something."
Mayuri bit her lip. * She was listening, but only accidentally. Her mind was focused on something else. I wonder ... *
"So Catara... How is the atmosphere here? I mean in the teahouses?"
"The men here are no different than the men in Kyoto if that's what you mean." Ryoko answered casually.
"What about the geisha? Are they giving you a hard time?"
Ryoko shook her head as she examined a strand of her hair. "Not really. The way the geisha back in Kyoto told me they would be, I half expected a lynching to have taken place by now."
"Really?" Mayuri asked. "Your lucky then. I have heard some horror stories about a geisha wanting to change cities the way you did."
"I didn't change cities Mayuri-san. It's just my engagements here have prolonged my stay. I am very eager to return to Kyoto, this city doesn't exactly inspire good memories from me."
Mayuri cocked her eyebrow with curiosity. If it had been any other person, Mayuri knew just what to say to find out why Tokyo held unpleasant memories for them, but with Ryoko... She was even better than her in dragging stuff out of people without them noticing, plus she knew all the tricks and would be on to her like moth's to a flame.
There it is again! That acute ringing in my mind. only three people in the entire universe have been able to make me feel like this. Ryoko had been feeling strange for the past few days. Ever since Fei, Ryo-ohki, and her had taken that trip to see the stars. She had felt odd in her skin. Like she was being watched. It had been then that she felt a pressure in her mind. Kind of when you let your leg fall asleep and you only notice what has happened when you feel that sharp tingling overcome your skin. That's how Ryoko felt with her mind. Like she was waking it up from a long period of lethargy.
Snap out of it Catara. You're just being paranoid. To stress her point to her doubting mind, she suddenly asked, "Are you planning to entertain while you practice for the theater?"
"Well I wasn't going to, but since you said it really isn't anything like the horror stories we have been told, why not? There are plenty of rich men here too." Mayuri giggled while revealing her fan from her obi and delicately fanning herself with it.
"Sorry about the lack of air conditioning, with an apartment this big, it would take a small fortune just to keep half of it cool."
Mayuri nodded in agreement.
"Fortunately it's fall, and the nights here are delicious. Remind me to take you with me on Thursday Mayuri, there's a party that you won't want to miss."
"Who's the host?" Mayuri asked curiously.
Ryoko grinned and shrugged her shoulders seductively as she stood up. "I would tell you... but then again I don't feel like it." Ryoko's grin got bigger as Mayuri rolled her eyes.
Mayuri had fed Ryoko those same lines one day back in Kyoto when she had managed to get them invited to a party thrown by the elected official of the Gion district. Neither Mayuri nor Ryoko cared a grain of rice about the elected official, but the stepbrother of the second cousin of the emperor had offered the outer gardens of the Emperor's Kyoto Estate for the party. And the curiosity to contemplate the same gardens that the Emperor, however little, had contemplated himself was too much of a temptation for Mayuri to pass up. She had been a little mad, when at arriving at the famous gates leading to the gardens; Ryoko had been only pleasantly surprised. And that was only because one of Kyoto's most famous waku poets was going to be in attendance. Her eyes lid up when she heard that, but anything Mayuri said about the Emperor, it seemed it went in one ear and out the other. Or rather it didn't go in at all. That lack of respect could lead up to trouble for a geisha, especially one who was as a beautiful as she was outspoken.
"I have to go." Ryoko said with a groan. "I hope Uncle Basho doesn't need me to work too hard tonight, I'm planning to catch up on my lessons."
"Which ones?"
"The Koto. I have an appointment on Saturday, and the Koto would be the best thing for sleepy Yakumina."
"Yakumina's in Tokyo!" Mayuri said in surprise from her sitting position on the bed.
"Yup. And the worst thing is, no matter how much he yawns and doses off in his 'sleeping lotus position', he still asks for me in every tea house we happen to be in together."
"Ug! I feel for you Cat-san, I really do. There is nothing worse for a geisha than an apparently bored man."
"Tell me about it. The way he yawns I'm surprised insects haven't permanently taken residence in his mouth." Ryoko only half joked. "The other night I was dangerously close to spending another boorish evening with him. Thankfully the mistress of the teahouse warned me before I took off my zori, and I was able to slip back out without being noticed."
"I can just imagine you Cat-san. Ducking your way out of the teahouse. Dressed in one of those beautiful kimono of yours." Mayuri chuckled.
"Keep laughing Mayuri." Ryoko dared. "Yakumina probably already knows your in Tokyo. It will only be a matter of time before he asks for you too."
Mayuri gasped and grimaced at the same time. "Your right Cat-san, but I'm here for the theater. As long as he doesn't know where I'm staying, I should be able to avoid him." Mayuri paused and narrowed her eyes at Ryoko's innocent nod of her head.
"Unless someone tells him where I am staying... Catara you wouldn't. Would you?"
"Of course not Mayuri-san! What are friends for?" Mayuri relaxed.
"But if he happened to ask..."
"You'll say you don't know." Mayuri finished for her.
"How could I possibly? Yakumina is such a good man, a man a geisha is incapable of lying to."
"Catara! You just finished telling me how you left a teahouse just to not spend an evening with that good man of yours. Besides, when have you ever told the truth to a man? When has any geisha told the truth while entertaining?" Mayuri coursed her arms over her chest annoyingly. Ryoko's eyes took in Mayuri's body posture, giving her a sly smile that if she were a cat, would send waves of mice scampering to get a away.
"That's because most of the men out there are rats Mayuri."
Mayuri opened her mouth to retort, but closed it unwillingly. She was to going to win this one. "You are not going to let me get out of this will you."
Ryoko bowed her head with the same sly smile, then she walked out of the door of the bedroom, calling out behind her, "Serla will be up soon to say hello."
Ryoko heard frantic shuffling coming out of Mayuri's new bedroom and she smiled to herself. Serla had been Mayuri's big sister, and she always strove to look her best for Serla.
Opening the door to her other apartment one floor down, Ryoko couldn't suppress a groan. * Now to help Uncle Basho. * Ryoko grimaced inwardly at the thought of spending another evening out. Any night she spent at home with Ryo-ohki and Miki were a gift from Tsunami herself, and those fun filled nights were becoming rarer than hearing a cricket chirp in the the dead of winter.
"Oh well." Ryoko sighed to herself and dragged her feet slightly as she got nearer to Basho's home studio. "Hope something interesting happens tonight, I don't think I will be able to keep from yawning otherwise."
"Well look who we have here-"
Ryoko raised a quizzical eyebrow at Basho and shrugged innocently.
"The geisha sending Tokyo into a whirlwind with her mere presence."
Ryoko chuckled and bowed elegantly. Looking up while in her bent over position, she blew her annoying bangs out of her eyes and smiled. "You always know what to say to make a girl feel special Uncle."
Ryoko glanced around the room while she straightened her skirt. Now that she knew for sure she wasn't entertaining tonight, she could finally enjoy wearing regular clothing. It had been so long, she felt self-conscious as she strode around the apartment in a black skirt that reached just below her knees, a tight white turtleneck, and flat Peking Opera styled ballet shoes. Basho's studio was a completely organized mess. Mess because to the untrained eye that's exactly what it appeared to be. Rolls of film made their lazy way across the floor. Clothing lines connected to each other and then to the walls, making the studio have a spider web feel. On many of those cloth lines, countless photographs hung to dry. Dripping chemical juices on the tatami mats strategically placed under them. Near the back of the room, a metal table was placed, with no less that six large cooking trays filled with greenish, bluish, all together coppery liquid. To top all this off, when you were in the studio, it was so dark, you were prone to ruin your shoes with the chemicals on the floor, or maybe slip and fall on one of those countless rolls of film, or if you were careful enough to avoid any of these catastrophes, Basho would trap you for hours on end, showing you his multi volumes of photos. The socket used for a lamp, was replaced by a conservative red light bulb, which at least for Ryoko, made the room that mish more pleasant. Her eyes always could adjust more easily to darkness than to light.
Ryoko smiled and sighed as she carefully tiptoed over everything, and seeing no chairs in sight, sat down on the edge of the metal table while Basho offered her a sip of his tea.
"No thanks." She looked around once more and the developing photos on hanging on one of the cloth lines on the wall caught her attention. They were the first batch of Basho's newest project. They were still fresh, but Ryoko could clearly see the beginnings outlines of a face in one of them. Ryoko leaned in and narrowed her eyes. This person looked familiar, but then again, lately she had met handfuls of people. More than even she could remember. Basho shuffling on her right, made Ryoko remember why exactly she was in here in the first place.
"I have a surprise for you dear uncle."
Basho coughed and smiled behind his handkerchief, waiting for her to continue.
Ryoko smiled and shrugged her shoulders, suddenly overcome with shyness. "Me... Tonight I am making true my promise of helping you out. So... for the next eight hours or so. I'm all yours."
"Perfect! You are a mind reader my dear girl. I was just lamenting on how this cold is slowing me down immensely. And now you come in like a ray of sunshine."
Ryoko, who was basking in his praise, frowned at the mention of his persistent cold. "Have you gone to see a doctor yet?"
"Haven't had the time." Basho waved off her concern and began to shove several items into a leather bag.
"Take this. Do you remember what I taught you about these?" Basho asked as he handed her a case with a box camera.
"Why not?"
Basho coughed again and waved his hands in the air, mocking anger. "Don't you start Cat. I have two women back in the house pestering me to go see a doctor, not you too."
Ryoko bit her lip, she had only noticed Basho's cold yesterday, and she felt guilty. "What's so awful about doctors that you do anything to avoid one?"
Basho sighed as he realized Ryoko wasn't going to let this one slide. "I don't believe in doctors. All those chemicals are not good for the body."
"What are you talking about Uncle? Those chemicals are what cure you." Ryoko answered outraged, and, even though she hated admitting it, a little insulted. She had always been good in math, science, chemistry... And for someone to tell her that all that meant nothing, well that was an insult to the scientist in her. Basho grunted in response and zipped up his bag.
Ryoko frowned and look down at what she was holding. The box camera she had used to photograph cicada trees back in Kyoto. That was Basho's fist lesson to her, about light and subject. Ryoko smacked her mouth in annoyance at his bullheadedness. Didn't he see? He could die! Humans were such fragile beings. Ryoko could not handle loosing someone so important to her, not again.
"What about this Uncle? I know of a Shinto priest that used to be a doctor, we will go see him tomorrow and he can take a look at your cold?" Ryoko used the softest tone possible. The one she reserved when all else had failed and she needed a 'yes' from someone.
"You are relentless you know that my dear?" Basho asked rhetorically. Ryoko nodded and smiled while she stood on tip toes to kiss his cheek. "Now lets get a move on, we're late and time waits for no man!"
"Or woman." Ryoko added with a sly grin as she threw the camera over her shoulder and wrapped herself snuggly in one of Basho's thick shawls.
** ** ** ** ** **
"You know Mihoshi, the captain keeps asking about you. You asked for a sick leave over a month ago, are you coming back to work at all?" Kyone asked her old partner quietly as they gathered once more in 'Edo Gallery'.
Mihoshi frowned and looked at her hands. It was true, after her visit with Ryoko; Mihoshi had decided that the original allure of serving in the galaxy police no longer held its luster for her. After long deliberation on her part, she made up her mind to take some time off. She had hoped to visit Ryoko again; it was always fun to be around her, something exciting was bound to occur. After a few days and with no contact with her, Mihoshi's mind began to wander into other endeavors. She had demurely asked Tenchi for a canvas and some paints, thinking art might be the thing for her. After two strokes of the brush she began was dozing off. After, she had asked Ayeka for some suggestions to pass the time while on 'sick leave'. Ayeka was just as lost as she was, and together no one benefited. Mihoshi toyed with the idea of asking Kyone for advice, but as she approached her during a cool evening, Kyone was sitting in front of the T.V dedicatedly cleaning her pistol, Mihoshi realized Kyone's whole life was the galaxy police, and Mihoshi could tell she was hurt by Mihoshi's decision. * It's not that I don't want to be a galaxy police officer anymore. but that's all I have ever been. What if my true calling is something else but I never find out because of my work? *
"Mihoshi?"
"Huh? Oh sorry! Guess I wasn't listening. What did you say Kyone?" Mihoshi lied.
"Nothing." Kyone almost whispered with downcast eyes.
"Hmm. Basho's late today." Ayeka came up behind the two women while looking at her watch.
"He'll be here." Mihoshi stated confidently as all three women headed to Tenchi's small made up studio in the far end of the gallery.
"We brought refreshments!" Kyone said to Tenchi and Sasami while Ayeka opened the bag of plastic cups with her teeth.
"I'm so thirsty!" Sasami laughed at the trouble Ayeka was having with the bag.
"How's my painting going?" Mihoshi asked excitedly to Tenchi. She had felt honored when he had asked her to pose for him, especially after the whole hospital fiasco. She was glad Tenchi had forgiven her for not telling him about Ryoko.
"I think I need you to sit for me a couple of hours more, and then I can take it from there." Tenchi said as he began choosing the brushes he would be working with tonight. "Have you seen Basho-san? He made me promise not to start working on it until he arrived." Tenchi asked the girls.
"He hasn't arrived Lord Tenchi. Perhaps you can get started on another one before hand."
"Uh-uh Ayeka. Remember Basho's rule? No one paints until he and his camera get here." Sasami reminded her as she eyed her filling cup thanks to Kyone.
"Thanks Kyone." Sasami said as she gulped down the soda.
"Not so fast Sasami, you'll get a stomach ache."
"Sorry." Sasami said with a sheepish grin.
"These brushes still have chunks of paint on them." Tenchi said to no one as his fingers ran through the fine hairs. "I'll have to go wash them."
"I'll help."
Tenchi looked up and smiled. "Thanks Ayeka."
She had been quiet the past week, and Tenchi had no idea on how to help her or what as wrong. He sighed inwardly at her apparent change; glad she was coming out of her sad mood.
** ** ** ** **
"This is the place you have been coming to these past few days?" Ryoko asked in disbelief as she closed the car door behind her. "It's huge!"
Basho sniffled and chuckled at the same time. "That's the university my dear. I've been spending my nights there." He pointed to a drastically smaller building to her right. Ryoko cocked her eyebrow confused. "What kind of weird building is that? They couldn't make up their minds on how to built it?"
Basho laughed and motioned for her to follow him. She hooked her arm with his and they walked briskly. "Only you would criticize a work of Gideoshi's."
"Gideoshi? Yoson Gideoshi?" Basho nodded. "He built this? It doesn't look like his style at all." Ryoko observed the building with amusement.
"Artist's license I suppose, but if you think the outside is weird, just wait. The inside it's just as bizarre. One hall lined with Doric columns, the other with rice paper doors." He opened the door, and Ryoko could hear the radio playing and a couple of unknown voices sing along. Ryoko looked over at Basho quickly, observing the change in him as he deposited his shawls on a chair and prepared his camera. He looked so excited. Ryoko smiled along and threw her shawls on top of his. Hooking her camera's belt over her neck and using it as a necklace. She would take his lead in the photography department.
"Now for you to meet Japan's finest." Basho bragged as he pointed out several self-made studios along the way to the main hall where most of the artists had set up.
Ryoko, not being able to ignore her geisha training, even for a normal outing like this, had her eyes downcast whenever a painter made eye contact with her. Yet she couldn't control the sly smile that crept on her face as she glimpsed their astonished faces at realizing who she was. * I haven't lost my touch. * Ryoko thought with glee.
"Now the rules are you don't stop shooting that camera. Shoot everything and anything you think is interesting. I have-" Basho looked through his bag, "twelve rolls of film. We'll divide them in half."
He revealed a handful of film and handed it sloppily to Ryoko who caught unawares dropped about half on the floor.
"Please, let me get that for you." A man said, whom Ryoko could only guess was in the middle of a painting since his jeans and shirt were covered with smudges of paint, that not excluding his face and arms where the sleeves were rolled up. Ryoko smiled relieved and moved to the side, as he got on all fours to chase after the rolls of film.
"Here you go geisha." He said holding the films with both hands, as one would when catching rainwater.
Ryoko bowed in appreciation and one by one hid the film in her skirt's deep pockets. "Nice to meet you."
"Bokkai." He said proudly and bowed in a very showy kind of way, extending his arms as if he was holding up heavy yards of lace away from his face, a move entirely feminine. Ryoko stared, realizing his cheeks were flushed and his lips shown in a very unnatural way. * Lip-gloss and rouge, and it doesn't look half bad. * Ryoko thought impressed.
"You've met Bokkai I see. I knew you two would get along." Basho interrupted Ryoko's musings with a grin. "But you have a lot more people to meet."
Ryoko nodded and continued to follow Basho down the hall as he talked a mile a minute. Not really paying attention to what he was saying, but observing the types of people he had been socializing with.
* These people look .*
Most of the artists were already setting up their easels for the night. Brushes hung in loose canvas bags in the edges of the easel. Some had brought small couches, pillows, radios, televisions. anything that might make their workspace more comfortable. Bokkai's own studio was divided from the rest by a huge curtain draped over the three easels, giving the appearance of a tepee or a small fort.
"Nice place you got here Bokkai." Ryoko snuck her head in within the curtain opening and eyed his unfinished canvas with puzzlement. Must be a disciple of Picassos, Ryoko thought absently.
"What do you think?" Bokkai asked her with a nod towards his canvas. Ryoko sat down on the only stool currently available inside his tepee as Bokkai turned on the desk lamp.
"Sorry." Bokkai excused himself as he hit Ryoko with his elbow. The tepee studio was small, and all Bokkai could do to fit in with Ryoko was crouch and move only centimeters in any direction.
"Excuse me for the close quarters. I wasn't expecting any company." Bokkai laughed sheepishly and Ryoko smiled along.
"I like your use of color. The desert sky looks spectacular." Ryoko turned to look at him, judging whether her guess at the painting being a desert was correct or not.
"So it's a desert?" Bokkai asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ryoko's eyes widened slightly as she bit her lip. "Well. They would make. It looks to me like-"
Bokkai laughed, interrupting Ryoko's mumbling. "Don't worry geisha. You haven't insulted me this is an interpretative painting. Each person will see what he or she wants to see. The questions is what does it mean that you saw a desert?"
Ryoko narrowed her eyes and laughed. "You got me good on that one."
The small desk lamp formed interesting shadows on the different objects Bokkai had scattered around the confined space. This would be a nice photograph.
Ryoko felt inside her pocket, trying to remember which film speed Basho had given her. With slow film I need a tripod and lots of light. Damn! Well. if I set a fast shutter speed with flash then it might just come out.
Bokkai who sensing her pensive mood, was currently crouching in a position Ryoko could only guess was more uncomfortable to be in than to look at. Half his body was turned out like a half moon, while the bottom half of his body was turned in. It outline terms, he looked like a squiggly line.
"How about a picture?"
Bokkai looked at her with a smile. "I thought you'd never ask geisha."
"Call me Catara." Ryoko smiled. She stepped of the stool only to step on his sandwich. "What is th-" Ryoko looked down and blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry, I just annihilated your food." Bokkai looked down as Ryoko looked up.
"Ouch!"
"Ug! Head butt, the only way to get a headache." Bokkai said as he leaned on one side of the curtain tepee while Ryoko maneuvered her long legs passed him.
"Okay, I'm free." Ryoko joked while massaging the spot where Bokkai's bony forehead had met hers.
"How do you want me?" Bokkai asked as he teased her with a sneak peak of his shoulder.
"That's another kind of photo all together." Ryoko smiled as she set up the camera.
"Yeah, imagine Basho-san's face when if he were to see it! He'd have a heart attack!" Bokkai joked as he sat upright and lit a cigarette.
"What's the cigarette for?"
"All the old painter's photos are with either naked people or stogies. Seeing I have none, a cigarette will have to do. This will be in black and white right?" Bokkai asked with the cigarette resting comfortably in between his lips.
"Yes, now don't move." Ryoko warned.
Click!
"That will be a keeper." Bokkai stated confidently as they left his tepee studio behind them.
"Have you met our head artist yet?" Bokkai asked as introduced her some more artists.
Ryoko shook her head while looking for Basho who had mysteriously disappeared somewhere along the way. They had almost reached the main room.
"The meeting has started." Bokkai whispered in her ear. "We'll just sneak in the back."
"What meeting?" Ryoko whispered back.
"Every night we have a meeting to see how everything is going, to see if we are meeting our deadlines."
"Oh." Ryoko mouthed back. Straightening her skirt and turtleneck. The good thing about having honey colored eyes is they look good with any color. And white, Ryoko had previously found out, made them shine.
* * * * * * *
"How is everything Kukune?" Basho asked as he briskly walked passed her and snapped five photographs of a group of artists conversing nearby.
"Great actually Basho-san. Having you here has seemed to inspire everybody."
"I'm glad my dear." Basho smiled and took a photo of her. Kukune squinted from the flash and smiled. She had learned from the first night that Basho took photographs of everything and anything, and from that point on she had come finely dressed and hair perfect for any surprise photo Basho might be tempted to take.
"Good evening Basho-san! I have the list you asked for ready." Ayeka smile and bowed with Sasami in tow.
"Hello girls. The list? Ah yes, the list." Basho bowed I return and took the paper from Ayeka's hands.
"Hmm."
Ayeka stood still, waiting for his approval. A few nights passed he had asked her for a huge favor. He could not remember all the projects the artists were working on, and had asked for a list of names and where everybody's studio was set up. Ayeka went a step further. She categorized each person by category, painter, sculpture, musician. then each category by alphabet family name. Then on the side of each name a description of her or his current project.
"You truly outdid yourself my dear girl. This is wonderful. I have brought a helper tonight."
Ayeka froze. If he had brought a helper, then what would she do? She had been feeling more and more of an outsider, until Basho had asked for her specific assistance. From that point on she had been running from here to there. Any errand Basho needed she was available. It felt nice to be busy doing something, instead of waiting and waiting. Ayeka had forgotten exactly what she had been waiting for, but remembered quite vividly the sinking feeling of time passing you by.
Basho saw her eyes crease in worry and he smiled. "I think you and her will get along splendidly. I'll introduce you just as soon as I find where she is."
"Everybody ready for the meeting?" Takumi came up behind Kukune and embraced her. "Evening Basho-san."
"Evening Basho-san." Tenchi deep voice echoed in Basho's ears.
Basho bowed to both men. "I believe we are ready Kukune." He gave the main room a quick scan, looking for Ryoko before deciding she must be getting a tour from Bokkai. She'll come by eventually.
As Kukune cleared her throat and began talking everyone settled down. Basho to her left and Tenchi to her right. Beside him were Takumi then Sasami, Mihoshi, Kiyone. Next to Basho was Ayeka. Only a couple of chairs were left empty. Usually they were artists who were in the middle of an inspiration streak and did not want to test their luck.
"December has just started and so far no one has had trouble starting their new projects right." There was a collective hmm of approval that Kukune took as a yes. "Everything then indicates that we will indeed be able to finish Basho-san's idea of inspirational photography to go with the expositions. I know it's tough to come and paint every night, especially because it might come to feel like work and not play, but just remember we all like what we do. Don't loose sight of the fact you are here because you are the best, and because you enjoy painting, or sculpturing, or whatever your talent may be-"
"Catara! Everyone I would like you to meet my adopted niece Catara." Basho looked down at Ayeka and smiled. "Cat-san I would like you to meet Ayeka, you two will be working together on a special project I have in mind."
Ryoko who had just walked in with Bokkai, hand hooked between his arm, smiled as she heard Basho's voice. Her eyes roamed the table. Head held high and shoulders back, she looked at Basho and then at the person who shakily stood up next to him. Really what else could Ryoko do? Irony should be here middle name. What irony, tragedy is more like it. Ryoko tightened her grip on Bokkai's arm, and laughed. She was shaking all over, and her features though jovially in appearance, to him looked strained. Her eyes were hard, and her laughter had erupted from her chest with such force that if she had been a volcano she would have spewed so much lava to create a whole other continent in that single moment.
Next Chapter:
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"A lady came to see you Ma'am" the porter of Ryoko's apartment informed her as he pressed the elevator button, trying to hide how flushed he always got when speaking to her.
"A lady? Did she leave her name?" Ryoko asked as she stepped in and pressed the 'Hold Open' button a bit impatiently.
He looked at the floor and chewed his top bit noisily. "No. she didn't leave a name."
Ryoko waited a second more to see if he had anything else to say and released the button.
"Though I'm not surprised she didn't leave a name. A woman like her, how can anyone forget? She had the most striking hairstyle. Spikes all over like a mane, and her eyes were like emeralds-"
Ryoko's hand shot out to keep the sliding doors from closing. "Wh. What did you say?"
"Come to think of it ." The porter for the first time stared directly into her eyes. "She was the spitting image of you."
Ryoko paled.
* Copyright 2002 - Malena
* If you have not read the other chapters, this will not make much sense, go back.
* If you have read the other chapters --- I'm glad you have enjoyed it so far, and glad that you are actually reading this instead of skipping it to get on with the chapter.
Have a mind all your own.
* Submit your work -- http://www.hostultra.com/archives * Please read - and - review .
Chapter: 14 Irony is a Foul Lady
Always laugh when you can, It is cheap medicine. Lord Byron
Tokyo University's art department was one of the best of the country. Any artist, from art to sculpture, photography, music and anything in between would tell you that in order to meet the right people, go to T-of-U. A lot of the best artist had made their humble beginnings here. Added their grain of salt to Japan's prestigious university. Awhile back, wanting to exhibit it's student works exclusively, T-of-U built it's own gallery next to it's department building. One whose architects - at the time of its inauguration - were influenced heavily like the whole of Japan, by Europe. The gallery was styled in a heterogeneous mix of brick and bamboo, paper walls and concrete. A monstrosity of a building that displayed beautifully Japans merger with the outside world. It's first offering of cultural expansion and if not integration, acceptance of different customs and ideals. Due to the vast history this department had, it's students affectionately nicknamed it 'Edo Hall'. Back when Japan was ruled completely by Emperors and it was beginning to walk away from China's influential shadow, Tokyo was known as Edo, and Japan was leaving its childish ways behind, developing itself as a nation and culture that now cannot be confused, mistaken for, or thought of as anything but Japanese.
In this building Kukune found herself one cool evening, overlooking Edo Gallery's main hall, where a round number of thirty of the university's best artist where gathered to begin the national campaign to 'Beautify the Nation'.
"Excuse me."
Kukune looked at the crowd assembled with unease and cleared her throat before trying again to capture their attention again. "Excuse me please. Excuse me."
One or two people from the crowd stopped and looked up at her, but seeing the rest of the crowd continue with their own conversations, they soon lost interest. Kukune frowned and crossed her arms tightly over her chest. The photographer in charge of the whole campaign was due to arrive half and hour ago and they weren't even ready yet. She eyed the crowd with the deadliest stare she could muster, and sighed, as it had no effect what so ever on any of them. Her eyes raked the crowd once more. She froze and unconsciously gasped as she caught the mayor cause of her problems. Takumi, the class clown as he was affectionately nicknamed during junior high, was in the middle of a throng of people. Saying something, anything. Kukune could not overhear due to her distance, but mainly due to all the noise these people made when they were nervous.
* How will I be able to pull this of successfully when I can't even get them to shut up! * Kukune thought to herself.
She had unanimously been voted head artist, and had the prestigious task of communicating with the powers that be herself. This whole "Beautifying the Nation" campaign was an idea straight from the head of the empress, a person Kukune personally admired. And as much as she looked up to her, she knew the Empress was a deadly force to be reckoned with. If this came out below her standards... Kukune shuddered at the thought. She was snapped out of her daze by a gentle nudge.
"Want me to help?" Tenchi cam up behind her and asked sincerely as he looked at the crowd, especially Takumi who was now competing for the crowd's attention with an even louder Mihoshi.
"No, I can do it. It's just that I hate it when a woman gets serious and asks for something to be done, they usually call her a bitch." Kukune's eyes widened slightly. Had she thought that out loud? Tenchi chuckled and nodded in understanding, stepping back a little to give her dominance over the small wooden podium. As she inhaled quick amounts of air, she absentmindedly thought how good Tenchi was getting in bringing out her real thoughts and feelings. Before, it was her who decided when and where she would divulge any information about herself, but lately ... Lately; it had been the other way around. And the thing is, Kukune didn't think he did it on purpose. It was just so relaxing being around him. She didn't have to worry or figure him out like she did with most men. He offered himself to you without playing any games, making you feel that you were all he cared about, at least for that brief moment. Yet ... Kukune knew he indeed was holding something back, and she was absolutely sure he kept that side of himself hidden even from most of his family. It didn't bother her that he wouldn't show her this enigmatic part of himself. Kukune understood all too well that people need something to hang on to that is for themselves only, but that didn't keep her from wondering just the same. * If only that geisha would have had more patience with Tenchi. He would have given her the world. She doesn't deserve him.*
She braced herself to capture the crowd's attention with a hell of a shout, but the knocking of the huge studio doors beat her to it. All artists assembled became quiet in one swift moment, and Kukune was left with a slight ringing in her ears. They all looked at each other, and then at Kukune, awaiting her orders.
* Oh ... so now they want to listen. * She thought exasperatedly with a very obvious roll of her eyes.
A second knock and she approached the door, looking behind her quickly and motioning with her hands to the crowd to relax and look natural. She wouldn't let this opportunity go to waste. It wasn't in her nature to fail, and with that she opened the door, ready to kiss the ass of whomever snobby photographer the empress had deemed talented enough for the campaign.
What she found was a tall, thin man over fifty, with a fantastically white, magician's beard. He was encased in dark, cotton robes that contrasted with the white of his beard spectacularly. She smiled and bowed, unknowingly taking in a whiff of his cologne. He smelled like cognac and cookies, a very exotic, and altogether pleasant smell.
"I am very honored to finally meet you Miyamoto, Basho. Your name proceeds- "
"Please, please call me Basho." He interrupted with a raise of his hand.
Kukune frowned slightly. She had practiced this meeting for a week, and had even prepared a haiku for the occasion, knowing any artist would eat it up.
"And your name Miss...?" He asked.
Kukune's eyes widened and she alarmingly realized she had been silent for a while.
"Where are my manners? I am Kukune, head artist and if you need anything, please feel free to ask. Anything at all, I am at your total disposal." Kukune bowed again, pleased with herself.
"Well ... there is one thing." Kukune looked up and nodded, eager to please. Basho followed her eager nods with a small smile. "Could we go inside? I have been nursing a cold for the past few days, and with winter sneaking up on autumn-"
"Oh yes! I am sorry, please come in." Kukune mentally kicked herself. She was so nervous that her common sense had jumped out the window when she wasn't looking.
She closed the door and took the lead, explaining to him where each hallway led, and offering the names of the artists whose works already hung on the walls. All Miyamoto, Basho did was nod and hum to himself as she explained this and that to him. Kukune was at a nerves end, not knowing whether all that humming meant he was speechless at the talent or that he was biting his tongue to keep from insulting each and everyone of them. She ran out of hallways, and they were fast approaching the main room, where all the other artists where assembled, waiting quietly for them. Kukune strained her ears, trying to hear any memory of the chaos that enclosed the main room just seconds before he had knocked on the door.
As she introduced him to the group, all they did was stand, hands clasped tightly behind their backs. Kukune could have sworn they were all holding their breath, even Takumi who always made fun of famous people, seemed taken aback with Miyamoto, Basho.
Basho looked completely at ease with all the staring and smiled jovially, but that only helped to stiffen the crowd even more. * They look like the Terracotta soldiers in China. * Kukune thought. There were some stifled coughs before a rift on the crowd occurred. After some slight rustling and whispering, Tenchi made his way from the thick crowd and extended his hand, with a slight bow of his head. "It's my pleasure to meet you, Miyamoto Basho. I hope you will be pleased with our work here." Basho smiled and returned his handshake heartily. Kukune sighed and smiled. Leave it to Tenchi to break the thickest of ice. Taking his lead, slowly one by one artists approached Basho, bowing and expressing their admiration for his work. After all, Basho's shots of the Japanese country side and it's people were famous all throughout the world. It was truly a gift he had decided to accept the job and work with them.
"Never knew a bunch of shyer people in my life, and that includes the Sendai's who avoid strangers at all costs." Basho smiled and surveyed the room, before sitting down in one of the chairs strategically placed on the side of a long, oval table. The intrusive table would not be there on the opening night of the exposition, but Kukune knew they would be working many a long night, and the oval table provided a perfect symbol for everyone's equality in the project; a sort of King Arthur and the Round Table trick.
"Okay, first things first. Let's order some sushi, I'm starving." Some random cheers could be heard through the crowd.
*Maybe working with this man won't be as uncomfortable as I had imagined it would be.* Kukune thought as she politely asked Ayeka to order the food for the group.
"How long will you need to take the necessary photos Basho-san?" Takumi asked respectfully after the group had taken more than three hours in getting to know one another while they ate dinner.
"Well... Kukune showed me some of your finished works-"
Kukune instinctively tensed her body. She sensed Basho had a catastrophic 'but' coming up, and she was sure he would politely say he hated everything. But nobody would have known it by just looking at her. Her face was serene, with a very gentle smile adorning her face. There was a faint blush of lipstick that had faded with the sushi they had all just eaten.
"But..."
* There it is. *
"... I not only want to capture the work itself, but the process."
The entire room was silent, all sitting on the edge of their seats, hanging unto his every word, yet not fully understanding what he wanted from them.
"I have found over the years that part of the magic is the process the artist goes through in creating. Be it a painting, sculpture, that perfect photograph. I think if I can manage to capture that, it will make the whole world take notice of the immense talent Japan has, but has never been fully exploited." Basho paused, judging whether these people understood what he was going for. Judging their stupefied expressions, they were more a pack of wild horses running at full speed, yet running to they have no idea what. Basho sighed despite himself.
"A photograph is basically freezing a moment in time, a good photograph tells a story. You guys know the saying, 'A photograph tells a thousands words'. A great photograph imprints a defining moment in the subjects existence. I would like for you all to restart the thinking process in your respective art. I want to capture the toil, sweat, and tears any artist goes through in order to make that perfect something. If there is no emotion in the photo, only a painting, what will that communicate with the audience? Absolutely nothing."
A man about twenty years of age spoke up. "But we only have three months left. I don't know about the rest, but it took me months to finish the works I have." There was a rumble of agreement all throughout the room.
"I understand all the effort it takes, but just bare with me. Lets give my idea a try. If we have not progressed significantly by the end of December, we'll drop the idea and do something else." The room changed tempo and there began a wave of hushed whispers of approval.
"We are near the end of November and opening night is on February..." Takumi made some calculations in his head, leaving his sentence hanging in the air.
"My job will not be fully finished until the end of the exhibition night. I think taking a few pictures of that day will add a definite feel of completion to the project."
Kukune who had been observing the crowd, nodded to herself. "So what do you say guys? I think Basho's idea is very clever."
Everybody nodded and Basho smiled while he slurped his tea with a straw.
"There is one other thing that I must insist on. A fundamental rule that can make or break this whole thing. You only work at night, when me," Basho dug under his shawls and showed his camera to the room. " And my camera are present."
He grinned while everyone laughed.
"I expect for us to spend entire nights here... so please manage your time wisely. I'm a pretty easygoing guy. If you can't make it a certain night, just call me twelve hours in advance. I will leave my number with Kukune. And ... I know you might not feel like painting anything a certain night, or feel all possible ideas escape you, but still come and paint. Even if it's just scribbling, something magical might happen." He winked at the group and clapped his hands excitedly as he stood up and began positioning his camera.
"Alright, lets get started!"
** ** ** **
The main room was full of noise, much like it had been hours earlier. Only now, instead of nervous, nonstop chatter, it was more of a motivated, excited talk. One that seemingly echoed all through out, infecting it's victims with a case of severe optimism. It was this environment Ayeka found herself wandering in. Feeling lonely, out of place, and a bother. Ayeka walked slowly, with her hands clasped together, and quietly observed the different artists begin anew their work. She sighed and continued walking, wishing she felt even one ounce of the eagerness they felt. Her eyes raked the crowd, seeking even a tiny glimpsed of light blue ponytails that would tell her where her little sister was located. Instead of a visual image, she instead heard a high-pitched giggle followed by a wail of a laugh. No doubt in Ayeka's mind it belonged to the blonde galaxy police officer. Mixed with all these giggles and laughter, there echoed a deep, low chuckle. Ayeka subconsciously stopped walking and strained her ears to recognize the sound. All the while her eyes still roamed around from face to face, looking for her sister. She finally spotted them in the far left corner. Mihoshi was sitting enticingly on a stool. One hand on her hip, the other saucily touching her hair, while Sasami continued to giggle from behind the easel. The low, deep chuckle belonged to Tenchi, who just nodded once in a while with a tilt of his head, as Sasami talked in length about Ayeka knew not what. He kept his eyes on Mihoshi and the hand holding the bamboo brush moved a mile a minute.
She sighed loudly at the scene in front of her. All three of them looked so happy and excited. Ayeka liked art; she could spend entire days roaming the halls of museums, like she would often be prone to do in Jurai. Ayeka especially liked portraits of people. As a child she would be able to concoct the person's life story just by the simple portrait. When Sasami was a mere baby, just trying out her legs at walking, Ayeka would take her to the museums, and while Sasami drooled and stumbled around, enjoying the cool marble under her feet, Ayeka would tell her the stories she had made up about each painting.
Looking back at the memory, Ayeka doubted Sasami remembered. That realization hit Ayeka like a ton of bricks. How could a memory mean so much to one person and nothing the other? Ayeka sighed again, and turned her head away disgusted by the laughing site of her family. Sometimes too much happiness could get sickening.
Click!
Ayeka was brought out of her thoughts with a flash of light that hit her face, and made her eyes see tiny spots of green and red.
"Sorry Ma'am, didn't mean to startle you."
Ayeka squinted and blushed as she realized Miyamoto; Basho had just taken a picture of her. * I will probably look like an oaf. *
"It's alright." Ayeka unconsciously straightened her hair with the palms of her hands.
"Don't worry ma'am you look beautiful." Basho said to ease her mind.
Ayeka was caught of guard. She didn't know whether to be pleased or enraged at his comment. On one hand, of course she was beautiful. She was absolutely stunning. On the other hand, no one in a long, long time had given her a compliment so heartfelt and seemingly honest. The most she had gotten where nods of approval from her sister. Ayeka realized just how much she missed being at least for one moment the center of attention. She used to be in the spotlight all the time back when Ryoko still lived in Okayama. Back then; everything had been about her, well about the both of them. And the best compliment anyone had ever given her came one night in Tokyo, when she could not control the flow of tears cascading down her face. She had just discovered Tenchi was happily involved with another girl, she concluded that he had now truly forgotten about her. Waking up in the morning, with her face puffy from crying and her cheeks and nose red, she took one look in the mirror and muttered something demeaning about herself. She had no idea that Ryoko was behind her. "Don't ever say that princess." Ryoko had spoken up with a stern but gentle voice, one that Ryoko had never used on her, until then.
"But look at me Ryoko. I'm ugly. Who would ever want a woman that looks like this? No wonder Tenchi left."
Ryoko narrowed her eyes. "Wait.. Wait a minute. Don't go into conclusions when we don't know exactly what is going on with Tenchi and that girl. As for you."
Ayeka looked up at her, tired of fighting, she waited for her insult with all her beautiful dignity, that made self assured woman that she was, absent
"You look beautiful."
Ayeka's mouth hung open, and she wheezed through her nose. Has Ryoko just said that she thinks I'm beautiful? Ayeka searched her features, trying to catch any indication of a lie, but Ryoko had answered her with no fault in her speech or manner. Ayeka sniffed as Ryoko chuckled while handing her a tissue.
"If I were a guy Ayeka." She looked her up and down with a slow, penetrating look. "The things I would do to you."
When those words rolled of her tongue, Ayeka stared back at her, totally stunned. Ayeka's face burned with embarrassment, but not the one you get when you fall down the stair while everyone is watching. It's the one you get when you don't know what to say to someone you might . Ayeka banished the thought before it had a chance to turn into something else. Though Ryoko probably knew where Ayeka's thoughts were heading. She laughed and turned around, calling over her shoulder, "I'm going to the bath, see you at work princess."
Nothing ever came of it. We found Tenchi and our normal life in Okayama resumed with no problems. Yet I think I'll never be able to forget the look she gave me.
"Ma'am? Are you okay?" Basho nudged her gently on the shoulder.
"Huh?" Ayeka squinted and for a few moments closed her eyes, trying to regain her bearing.
"I'm sorry for scaring you."
"It's okay." She focused on his face and smiled. "I'm alright, you just caught me of guard, but I'm okay."
Basho examined her flushed cheeks with worry, and Ayeka laughed. "Really Miyamoto, Basho I'm fine."
He looked her in the eyes once more before he nodded and smiled himself. "You gave me quite a scare
** ** ** ** ** ** **
(One week later)
"Wow Catara-san. When you said apartment, you should have mentioned an apartment that my entire house could fit in, twice over."
Ryoko grinned and shrugged her shoulders. "Slipped my mind."
"Mmm." Mayuri answered as curiosity got the better of her and she started wandering through the living room and adjoining dining room. "I didn't know you liked western style furniture Catara?" She observed as she ran her fingertips lightly on the back of a King Louis styled chair.
"It doesn't bother me. And after eight hours straight of kneeling in the teahouses, those chairs are bliss." Ryoko smiled at Mayuri's awed expression. "Come on, let me show you your room."
Mayuri followed Ryoko to a spectacularly styled room. High ceilings that could give you a nose bleed if you looked at them long enough. The bed, not futon, was so big you could probably sleep in it an entire week and not hit the same spot twice. The carpet in the room felt like silk under your feet, and Mayuri sighed as she curled and uncurled her toes.
"You like?"
Mayuri looked at Ryoko with a crazed expression and snorted despite herself. "Of course I like. Who wouldn't? This looks like a room where the Emperor himself would sleep."
Ryoko giggled and shook her head. "Your close, but wrong. This room was styled after a design some king in France had made for his mistress. They say, he kept her hidden here for years on end, and the love that enclosed the walls could burst and often did in catastrophic fires which engulfed the entire city at times." Ryoko informed Mayuri with a powerful tone of storyteller in her.
"Nice story Cat." She looked around the room again and grinned. "So what you are basically saying is that this room ... will be for..." Mayuri swirled her hips slightly with a blush creeping to her cheeks.
"Uh-huh."
"So why am I in here?
Ryoko shrugged and flipped her long, flowing hair to one side while walking to the bed. "Thought you would enjoy sleeping in a room with so much history. Seeing that you were the one to lend me all those history books back in Kyoto." Ryoko kept her face carefully relaxed, seemingly carefree in her answer. She did not want Mayuri to know that Ryoko was pulling out all the stops to get her two friends together. Even if a reproduction of some old room seemed ridiculous, it wouldn't hurt to give it a shot. Perhaps this old lover's room would be the drop that over flowed the glass, bringing Homino and Mayuri together?
As Mayuri began talking about this and that, Ryoko's mind took the liberty to wander. Mostly on how she would tell her friend she was actually staying in the pent house meant to host parties, and the family really lived one floor down.
I won't leave her alone up here though. I'll take the room down the hall, and maybe we can finally put this apartment to use with ... a party! That's what its for right? A nice intimate... no, rather a fabulously lavish party, with nothing but the most important men! I'll have to make sure that Mayuri's danna is still on his trip and well away from Japan. And I will invite... Ryoko stood up straighter on the bed, while Mayuri kept on talking away. She began counting down her soon-to-be guests with a devilish grin.
I already know who will accept. I have him hanging from my pinky. Then of course I will have to extend invitations to his circle that include Atsumori, Eisaku, Josuke-san, Kiyohira, and Zenko-san. All of them are bores except for Yukimati. He is a nice man, too nice to be friends with that bunch of rats. Also, of course I'll invite Joyoni-ji-san. I owe him for inviting me to his house. Plus, if he comes it will make me look that much better. It's always nice to be surrounded by powerful people. I know by personal experience. You start hanging around with idiots; within two days you're just as idiotic or more so. Now if you indulge yourself with the right people, well then there are no limits.
"Catara? Catara-san are you listening to me?"
"Huh?"
"Catara! I just told you my deepest, darkest secret and you weren't listening."
"No you didn't" Ryoko answered with a narrowing of her eyes.
"How would you know? You weren't paying attention. Now you will never know what I said."
Ryoko cocked her eyebrow. "You were saying something about changing your kimono from pink to black or blue or something."
Mayuri bit her lip. * She was listening, but only accidentally. Her mind was focused on something else. I wonder ... *
"So Catara... How is the atmosphere here? I mean in the teahouses?"
"The men here are no different than the men in Kyoto if that's what you mean." Ryoko answered casually.
"What about the geisha? Are they giving you a hard time?"
Ryoko shook her head as she examined a strand of her hair. "Not really. The way the geisha back in Kyoto told me they would be, I half expected a lynching to have taken place by now."
"Really?" Mayuri asked. "Your lucky then. I have heard some horror stories about a geisha wanting to change cities the way you did."
"I didn't change cities Mayuri-san. It's just my engagements here have prolonged my stay. I am very eager to return to Kyoto, this city doesn't exactly inspire good memories from me."
Mayuri cocked her eyebrow with curiosity. If it had been any other person, Mayuri knew just what to say to find out why Tokyo held unpleasant memories for them, but with Ryoko... She was even better than her in dragging stuff out of people without them noticing, plus she knew all the tricks and would be on to her like moth's to a flame.
There it is again! That acute ringing in my mind. only three people in the entire universe have been able to make me feel like this. Ryoko had been feeling strange for the past few days. Ever since Fei, Ryo-ohki, and her had taken that trip to see the stars. She had felt odd in her skin. Like she was being watched. It had been then that she felt a pressure in her mind. Kind of when you let your leg fall asleep and you only notice what has happened when you feel that sharp tingling overcome your skin. That's how Ryoko felt with her mind. Like she was waking it up from a long period of lethargy.
Snap out of it Catara. You're just being paranoid. To stress her point to her doubting mind, she suddenly asked, "Are you planning to entertain while you practice for the theater?"
"Well I wasn't going to, but since you said it really isn't anything like the horror stories we have been told, why not? There are plenty of rich men here too." Mayuri giggled while revealing her fan from her obi and delicately fanning herself with it.
"Sorry about the lack of air conditioning, with an apartment this big, it would take a small fortune just to keep half of it cool."
Mayuri nodded in agreement.
"Fortunately it's fall, and the nights here are delicious. Remind me to take you with me on Thursday Mayuri, there's a party that you won't want to miss."
"Who's the host?" Mayuri asked curiously.
Ryoko grinned and shrugged her shoulders seductively as she stood up. "I would tell you... but then again I don't feel like it." Ryoko's grin got bigger as Mayuri rolled her eyes.
Mayuri had fed Ryoko those same lines one day back in Kyoto when she had managed to get them invited to a party thrown by the elected official of the Gion district. Neither Mayuri nor Ryoko cared a grain of rice about the elected official, but the stepbrother of the second cousin of the emperor had offered the outer gardens of the Emperor's Kyoto Estate for the party. And the curiosity to contemplate the same gardens that the Emperor, however little, had contemplated himself was too much of a temptation for Mayuri to pass up. She had been a little mad, when at arriving at the famous gates leading to the gardens; Ryoko had been only pleasantly surprised. And that was only because one of Kyoto's most famous waku poets was going to be in attendance. Her eyes lid up when she heard that, but anything Mayuri said about the Emperor, it seemed it went in one ear and out the other. Or rather it didn't go in at all. That lack of respect could lead up to trouble for a geisha, especially one who was as a beautiful as she was outspoken.
"I have to go." Ryoko said with a groan. "I hope Uncle Basho doesn't need me to work too hard tonight, I'm planning to catch up on my lessons."
"Which ones?"
"The Koto. I have an appointment on Saturday, and the Koto would be the best thing for sleepy Yakumina."
"Yakumina's in Tokyo!" Mayuri said in surprise from her sitting position on the bed.
"Yup. And the worst thing is, no matter how much he yawns and doses off in his 'sleeping lotus position', he still asks for me in every tea house we happen to be in together."
"Ug! I feel for you Cat-san, I really do. There is nothing worse for a geisha than an apparently bored man."
"Tell me about it. The way he yawns I'm surprised insects haven't permanently taken residence in his mouth." Ryoko only half joked. "The other night I was dangerously close to spending another boorish evening with him. Thankfully the mistress of the teahouse warned me before I took off my zori, and I was able to slip back out without being noticed."
"I can just imagine you Cat-san. Ducking your way out of the teahouse. Dressed in one of those beautiful kimono of yours." Mayuri chuckled.
"Keep laughing Mayuri." Ryoko dared. "Yakumina probably already knows your in Tokyo. It will only be a matter of time before he asks for you too."
Mayuri gasped and grimaced at the same time. "Your right Cat-san, but I'm here for the theater. As long as he doesn't know where I'm staying, I should be able to avoid him." Mayuri paused and narrowed her eyes at Ryoko's innocent nod of her head.
"Unless someone tells him where I am staying... Catara you wouldn't. Would you?"
"Of course not Mayuri-san! What are friends for?" Mayuri relaxed.
"But if he happened to ask..."
"You'll say you don't know." Mayuri finished for her.
"How could I possibly? Yakumina is such a good man, a man a geisha is incapable of lying to."
"Catara! You just finished telling me how you left a teahouse just to not spend an evening with that good man of yours. Besides, when have you ever told the truth to a man? When has any geisha told the truth while entertaining?" Mayuri coursed her arms over her chest annoyingly. Ryoko's eyes took in Mayuri's body posture, giving her a sly smile that if she were a cat, would send waves of mice scampering to get a away.
"That's because most of the men out there are rats Mayuri."
Mayuri opened her mouth to retort, but closed it unwillingly. She was to going to win this one. "You are not going to let me get out of this will you."
Ryoko bowed her head with the same sly smile, then she walked out of the door of the bedroom, calling out behind her, "Serla will be up soon to say hello."
Ryoko heard frantic shuffling coming out of Mayuri's new bedroom and she smiled to herself. Serla had been Mayuri's big sister, and she always strove to look her best for Serla.
Opening the door to her other apartment one floor down, Ryoko couldn't suppress a groan. * Now to help Uncle Basho. * Ryoko grimaced inwardly at the thought of spending another evening out. Any night she spent at home with Ryo-ohki and Miki were a gift from Tsunami herself, and those fun filled nights were becoming rarer than hearing a cricket chirp in the the dead of winter.
"Oh well." Ryoko sighed to herself and dragged her feet slightly as she got nearer to Basho's home studio. "Hope something interesting happens tonight, I don't think I will be able to keep from yawning otherwise."
"Well look who we have here-"
Ryoko raised a quizzical eyebrow at Basho and shrugged innocently.
"The geisha sending Tokyo into a whirlwind with her mere presence."
Ryoko chuckled and bowed elegantly. Looking up while in her bent over position, she blew her annoying bangs out of her eyes and smiled. "You always know what to say to make a girl feel special Uncle."
Ryoko glanced around the room while she straightened her skirt. Now that she knew for sure she wasn't entertaining tonight, she could finally enjoy wearing regular clothing. It had been so long, she felt self-conscious as she strode around the apartment in a black skirt that reached just below her knees, a tight white turtleneck, and flat Peking Opera styled ballet shoes. Basho's studio was a completely organized mess. Mess because to the untrained eye that's exactly what it appeared to be. Rolls of film made their lazy way across the floor. Clothing lines connected to each other and then to the walls, making the studio have a spider web feel. On many of those cloth lines, countless photographs hung to dry. Dripping chemical juices on the tatami mats strategically placed under them. Near the back of the room, a metal table was placed, with no less that six large cooking trays filled with greenish, bluish, all together coppery liquid. To top all this off, when you were in the studio, it was so dark, you were prone to ruin your shoes with the chemicals on the floor, or maybe slip and fall on one of those countless rolls of film, or if you were careful enough to avoid any of these catastrophes, Basho would trap you for hours on end, showing you his multi volumes of photos. The socket used for a lamp, was replaced by a conservative red light bulb, which at least for Ryoko, made the room that mish more pleasant. Her eyes always could adjust more easily to darkness than to light.
Ryoko smiled and sighed as she carefully tiptoed over everything, and seeing no chairs in sight, sat down on the edge of the metal table while Basho offered her a sip of his tea.
"No thanks." She looked around once more and the developing photos on hanging on one of the cloth lines on the wall caught her attention. They were the first batch of Basho's newest project. They were still fresh, but Ryoko could clearly see the beginnings outlines of a face in one of them. Ryoko leaned in and narrowed her eyes. This person looked familiar, but then again, lately she had met handfuls of people. More than even she could remember. Basho shuffling on her right, made Ryoko remember why exactly she was in here in the first place.
"I have a surprise for you dear uncle."
Basho coughed and smiled behind his handkerchief, waiting for her to continue.
Ryoko smiled and shrugged her shoulders, suddenly overcome with shyness. "Me... Tonight I am making true my promise of helping you out. So... for the next eight hours or so. I'm all yours."
"Perfect! You are a mind reader my dear girl. I was just lamenting on how this cold is slowing me down immensely. And now you come in like a ray of sunshine."
Ryoko, who was basking in his praise, frowned at the mention of his persistent cold. "Have you gone to see a doctor yet?"
"Haven't had the time." Basho waved off her concern and began to shove several items into a leather bag.
"Take this. Do you remember what I taught you about these?" Basho asked as he handed her a case with a box camera.
"Why not?"
Basho coughed again and waved his hands in the air, mocking anger. "Don't you start Cat. I have two women back in the house pestering me to go see a doctor, not you too."
Ryoko bit her lip, she had only noticed Basho's cold yesterday, and she felt guilty. "What's so awful about doctors that you do anything to avoid one?"
Basho sighed as he realized Ryoko wasn't going to let this one slide. "I don't believe in doctors. All those chemicals are not good for the body."
"What are you talking about Uncle? Those chemicals are what cure you." Ryoko answered outraged, and, even though she hated admitting it, a little insulted. She had always been good in math, science, chemistry... And for someone to tell her that all that meant nothing, well that was an insult to the scientist in her. Basho grunted in response and zipped up his bag.
Ryoko frowned and look down at what she was holding. The box camera she had used to photograph cicada trees back in Kyoto. That was Basho's fist lesson to her, about light and subject. Ryoko smacked her mouth in annoyance at his bullheadedness. Didn't he see? He could die! Humans were such fragile beings. Ryoko could not handle loosing someone so important to her, not again.
"What about this Uncle? I know of a Shinto priest that used to be a doctor, we will go see him tomorrow and he can take a look at your cold?" Ryoko used the softest tone possible. The one she reserved when all else had failed and she needed a 'yes' from someone.
"You are relentless you know that my dear?" Basho asked rhetorically. Ryoko nodded and smiled while she stood on tip toes to kiss his cheek. "Now lets get a move on, we're late and time waits for no man!"
"Or woman." Ryoko added with a sly grin as she threw the camera over her shoulder and wrapped herself snuggly in one of Basho's thick shawls.
** ** ** ** ** **
"You know Mihoshi, the captain keeps asking about you. You asked for a sick leave over a month ago, are you coming back to work at all?" Kyone asked her old partner quietly as they gathered once more in 'Edo Gallery'.
Mihoshi frowned and looked at her hands. It was true, after her visit with Ryoko; Mihoshi had decided that the original allure of serving in the galaxy police no longer held its luster for her. After long deliberation on her part, she made up her mind to take some time off. She had hoped to visit Ryoko again; it was always fun to be around her, something exciting was bound to occur. After a few days and with no contact with her, Mihoshi's mind began to wander into other endeavors. She had demurely asked Tenchi for a canvas and some paints, thinking art might be the thing for her. After two strokes of the brush she began was dozing off. After, she had asked Ayeka for some suggestions to pass the time while on 'sick leave'. Ayeka was just as lost as she was, and together no one benefited. Mihoshi toyed with the idea of asking Kyone for advice, but as she approached her during a cool evening, Kyone was sitting in front of the T.V dedicatedly cleaning her pistol, Mihoshi realized Kyone's whole life was the galaxy police, and Mihoshi could tell she was hurt by Mihoshi's decision. * It's not that I don't want to be a galaxy police officer anymore. but that's all I have ever been. What if my true calling is something else but I never find out because of my work? *
"Mihoshi?"
"Huh? Oh sorry! Guess I wasn't listening. What did you say Kyone?" Mihoshi lied.
"Nothing." Kyone almost whispered with downcast eyes.
"Hmm. Basho's late today." Ayeka came up behind the two women while looking at her watch.
"He'll be here." Mihoshi stated confidently as all three women headed to Tenchi's small made up studio in the far end of the gallery.
"We brought refreshments!" Kyone said to Tenchi and Sasami while Ayeka opened the bag of plastic cups with her teeth.
"I'm so thirsty!" Sasami laughed at the trouble Ayeka was having with the bag.
"How's my painting going?" Mihoshi asked excitedly to Tenchi. She had felt honored when he had asked her to pose for him, especially after the whole hospital fiasco. She was glad Tenchi had forgiven her for not telling him about Ryoko.
"I think I need you to sit for me a couple of hours more, and then I can take it from there." Tenchi said as he began choosing the brushes he would be working with tonight. "Have you seen Basho-san? He made me promise not to start working on it until he arrived." Tenchi asked the girls.
"He hasn't arrived Lord Tenchi. Perhaps you can get started on another one before hand."
"Uh-uh Ayeka. Remember Basho's rule? No one paints until he and his camera get here." Sasami reminded her as she eyed her filling cup thanks to Kyone.
"Thanks Kyone." Sasami said as she gulped down the soda.
"Not so fast Sasami, you'll get a stomach ache."
"Sorry." Sasami said with a sheepish grin.
"These brushes still have chunks of paint on them." Tenchi said to no one as his fingers ran through the fine hairs. "I'll have to go wash them."
"I'll help."
Tenchi looked up and smiled. "Thanks Ayeka."
She had been quiet the past week, and Tenchi had no idea on how to help her or what as wrong. He sighed inwardly at her apparent change; glad she was coming out of her sad mood.
** ** ** ** **
"This is the place you have been coming to these past few days?" Ryoko asked in disbelief as she closed the car door behind her. "It's huge!"
Basho sniffled and chuckled at the same time. "That's the university my dear. I've been spending my nights there." He pointed to a drastically smaller building to her right. Ryoko cocked her eyebrow confused. "What kind of weird building is that? They couldn't make up their minds on how to built it?"
Basho laughed and motioned for her to follow him. She hooked her arm with his and they walked briskly. "Only you would criticize a work of Gideoshi's."
"Gideoshi? Yoson Gideoshi?" Basho nodded. "He built this? It doesn't look like his style at all." Ryoko observed the building with amusement.
"Artist's license I suppose, but if you think the outside is weird, just wait. The inside it's just as bizarre. One hall lined with Doric columns, the other with rice paper doors." He opened the door, and Ryoko could hear the radio playing and a couple of unknown voices sing along. Ryoko looked over at Basho quickly, observing the change in him as he deposited his shawls on a chair and prepared his camera. He looked so excited. Ryoko smiled along and threw her shawls on top of his. Hooking her camera's belt over her neck and using it as a necklace. She would take his lead in the photography department.
"Now for you to meet Japan's finest." Basho bragged as he pointed out several self-made studios along the way to the main hall where most of the artists had set up.
Ryoko, not being able to ignore her geisha training, even for a normal outing like this, had her eyes downcast whenever a painter made eye contact with her. Yet she couldn't control the sly smile that crept on her face as she glimpsed their astonished faces at realizing who she was. * I haven't lost my touch. * Ryoko thought with glee.
"Now the rules are you don't stop shooting that camera. Shoot everything and anything you think is interesting. I have-" Basho looked through his bag, "twelve rolls of film. We'll divide them in half."
He revealed a handful of film and handed it sloppily to Ryoko who caught unawares dropped about half on the floor.
"Please, let me get that for you." A man said, whom Ryoko could only guess was in the middle of a painting since his jeans and shirt were covered with smudges of paint, that not excluding his face and arms where the sleeves were rolled up. Ryoko smiled relieved and moved to the side, as he got on all fours to chase after the rolls of film.
"Here you go geisha." He said holding the films with both hands, as one would when catching rainwater.
Ryoko bowed in appreciation and one by one hid the film in her skirt's deep pockets. "Nice to meet you."
"Bokkai." He said proudly and bowed in a very showy kind of way, extending his arms as if he was holding up heavy yards of lace away from his face, a move entirely feminine. Ryoko stared, realizing his cheeks were flushed and his lips shown in a very unnatural way. * Lip-gloss and rouge, and it doesn't look half bad. * Ryoko thought impressed.
"You've met Bokkai I see. I knew you two would get along." Basho interrupted Ryoko's musings with a grin. "But you have a lot more people to meet."
Ryoko nodded and continued to follow Basho down the hall as he talked a mile a minute. Not really paying attention to what he was saying, but observing the types of people he had been socializing with.
* These people look .*
Most of the artists were already setting up their easels for the night. Brushes hung in loose canvas bags in the edges of the easel. Some had brought small couches, pillows, radios, televisions. anything that might make their workspace more comfortable. Bokkai's own studio was divided from the rest by a huge curtain draped over the three easels, giving the appearance of a tepee or a small fort.
"Nice place you got here Bokkai." Ryoko snuck her head in within the curtain opening and eyed his unfinished canvas with puzzlement. Must be a disciple of Picassos, Ryoko thought absently.
"What do you think?" Bokkai asked her with a nod towards his canvas. Ryoko sat down on the only stool currently available inside his tepee as Bokkai turned on the desk lamp.
"Sorry." Bokkai excused himself as he hit Ryoko with his elbow. The tepee studio was small, and all Bokkai could do to fit in with Ryoko was crouch and move only centimeters in any direction.
"Excuse me for the close quarters. I wasn't expecting any company." Bokkai laughed sheepishly and Ryoko smiled along.
"I like your use of color. The desert sky looks spectacular." Ryoko turned to look at him, judging whether her guess at the painting being a desert was correct or not.
"So it's a desert?" Bokkai asked with a raised eyebrow.
Ryoko's eyes widened slightly as she bit her lip. "Well. They would make. It looks to me like-"
Bokkai laughed, interrupting Ryoko's mumbling. "Don't worry geisha. You haven't insulted me this is an interpretative painting. Each person will see what he or she wants to see. The questions is what does it mean that you saw a desert?"
Ryoko narrowed her eyes and laughed. "You got me good on that one."
The small desk lamp formed interesting shadows on the different objects Bokkai had scattered around the confined space. This would be a nice photograph.
Ryoko felt inside her pocket, trying to remember which film speed Basho had given her. With slow film I need a tripod and lots of light. Damn! Well. if I set a fast shutter speed with flash then it might just come out.
Bokkai who sensing her pensive mood, was currently crouching in a position Ryoko could only guess was more uncomfortable to be in than to look at. Half his body was turned out like a half moon, while the bottom half of his body was turned in. It outline terms, he looked like a squiggly line.
"How about a picture?"
Bokkai looked at her with a smile. "I thought you'd never ask geisha."
"Call me Catara." Ryoko smiled. She stepped of the stool only to step on his sandwich. "What is th-" Ryoko looked down and blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry, I just annihilated your food." Bokkai looked down as Ryoko looked up.
"Ouch!"
"Ug! Head butt, the only way to get a headache." Bokkai said as he leaned on one side of the curtain tepee while Ryoko maneuvered her long legs passed him.
"Okay, I'm free." Ryoko joked while massaging the spot where Bokkai's bony forehead had met hers.
"How do you want me?" Bokkai asked as he teased her with a sneak peak of his shoulder.
"That's another kind of photo all together." Ryoko smiled as she set up the camera.
"Yeah, imagine Basho-san's face when if he were to see it! He'd have a heart attack!" Bokkai joked as he sat upright and lit a cigarette.
"What's the cigarette for?"
"All the old painter's photos are with either naked people or stogies. Seeing I have none, a cigarette will have to do. This will be in black and white right?" Bokkai asked with the cigarette resting comfortably in between his lips.
"Yes, now don't move." Ryoko warned.
Click!
"That will be a keeper." Bokkai stated confidently as they left his tepee studio behind them.
"Have you met our head artist yet?" Bokkai asked as introduced her some more artists.
Ryoko shook her head while looking for Basho who had mysteriously disappeared somewhere along the way. They had almost reached the main room.
"The meeting has started." Bokkai whispered in her ear. "We'll just sneak in the back."
"What meeting?" Ryoko whispered back.
"Every night we have a meeting to see how everything is going, to see if we are meeting our deadlines."
"Oh." Ryoko mouthed back. Straightening her skirt and turtleneck. The good thing about having honey colored eyes is they look good with any color. And white, Ryoko had previously found out, made them shine.
* * * * * * *
"How is everything Kukune?" Basho asked as he briskly walked passed her and snapped five photographs of a group of artists conversing nearby.
"Great actually Basho-san. Having you here has seemed to inspire everybody."
"I'm glad my dear." Basho smiled and took a photo of her. Kukune squinted from the flash and smiled. She had learned from the first night that Basho took photographs of everything and anything, and from that point on she had come finely dressed and hair perfect for any surprise photo Basho might be tempted to take.
"Good evening Basho-san! I have the list you asked for ready." Ayeka smile and bowed with Sasami in tow.
"Hello girls. The list? Ah yes, the list." Basho bowed I return and took the paper from Ayeka's hands.
"Hmm."
Ayeka stood still, waiting for his approval. A few nights passed he had asked her for a huge favor. He could not remember all the projects the artists were working on, and had asked for a list of names and where everybody's studio was set up. Ayeka went a step further. She categorized each person by category, painter, sculpture, musician. then each category by alphabet family name. Then on the side of each name a description of her or his current project.
"You truly outdid yourself my dear girl. This is wonderful. I have brought a helper tonight."
Ayeka froze. If he had brought a helper, then what would she do? She had been feeling more and more of an outsider, until Basho had asked for her specific assistance. From that point on she had been running from here to there. Any errand Basho needed she was available. It felt nice to be busy doing something, instead of waiting and waiting. Ayeka had forgotten exactly what she had been waiting for, but remembered quite vividly the sinking feeling of time passing you by.
Basho saw her eyes crease in worry and he smiled. "I think you and her will get along splendidly. I'll introduce you just as soon as I find where she is."
"Everybody ready for the meeting?" Takumi came up behind Kukune and embraced her. "Evening Basho-san."
"Evening Basho-san." Tenchi deep voice echoed in Basho's ears.
Basho bowed to both men. "I believe we are ready Kukune." He gave the main room a quick scan, looking for Ryoko before deciding she must be getting a tour from Bokkai. She'll come by eventually.
As Kukune cleared her throat and began talking everyone settled down. Basho to her left and Tenchi to her right. Beside him were Takumi then Sasami, Mihoshi, Kiyone. Next to Basho was Ayeka. Only a couple of chairs were left empty. Usually they were artists who were in the middle of an inspiration streak and did not want to test their luck.
"December has just started and so far no one has had trouble starting their new projects right." There was a collective hmm of approval that Kukune took as a yes. "Everything then indicates that we will indeed be able to finish Basho-san's idea of inspirational photography to go with the expositions. I know it's tough to come and paint every night, especially because it might come to feel like work and not play, but just remember we all like what we do. Don't loose sight of the fact you are here because you are the best, and because you enjoy painting, or sculpturing, or whatever your talent may be-"
"Catara! Everyone I would like you to meet my adopted niece Catara." Basho looked down at Ayeka and smiled. "Cat-san I would like you to meet Ayeka, you two will be working together on a special project I have in mind."
Ryoko who had just walked in with Bokkai, hand hooked between his arm, smiled as she heard Basho's voice. Her eyes roamed the table. Head held high and shoulders back, she looked at Basho and then at the person who shakily stood up next to him. Really what else could Ryoko do? Irony should be here middle name. What irony, tragedy is more like it. Ryoko tightened her grip on Bokkai's arm, and laughed. She was shaking all over, and her features though jovially in appearance, to him looked strained. Her eyes were hard, and her laughter had erupted from her chest with such force that if she had been a volcano she would have spewed so much lava to create a whole other continent in that single moment.
Next Chapter:
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"A lady came to see you Ma'am" the porter of Ryoko's apartment informed her as he pressed the elevator button, trying to hide how flushed he always got when speaking to her.
"A lady? Did she leave her name?" Ryoko asked as she stepped in and pressed the 'Hold Open' button a bit impatiently.
He looked at the floor and chewed his top bit noisily. "No. she didn't leave a name."
Ryoko waited a second more to see if he had anything else to say and released the button.
"Though I'm not surprised she didn't leave a name. A woman like her, how can anyone forget? She had the most striking hairstyle. Spikes all over like a mane, and her eyes were like emeralds-"
Ryoko's hand shot out to keep the sliding doors from closing. "Wh. What did you say?"
"Come to think of it ." The porter for the first time stared directly into her eyes. "She was the spitting image of you."
Ryoko paled.