Sorry for the lateness of this chapter, but this chapter is a forced chapter and I am not too happy with it, so I apologize for any and all roughness of this post.
Chapter Six
Careless Whisper
After stepping out of the shower, Rei found that she couldn't get that intense dream out of her mind. Her body was still very sensitive to any sort of feeling or touch over the supple surface. Instead, she went to her window and sat down and stared out at the night sky that was starting to lighten with the coming day. She tilted her head to the side, as she heard a slight sound just outside her door in the main room of the penthouse. It was so slight, but she had taught her senses over the years to become more acute. She rose from the lotus position and made her way to the door, to open it slightly and glance out into the other room.
She saw the now familiar form of Vicious moving towards a door that seemed to lead to an inner office. A few numbers were punched in on a keypad and the door opened and he slipped inside. She wondered what it could be that would have him up before the crack of dawn. A blush tainted her cheeks as the dream became vivid again. She decided to make herself known, so she closed the door quietly, and grabbing a simple robe, slipped it over her body and then re-opened the door and stepped out closing the door loudly to announce her presence.
Vicious then re-emerged from his inner office, and Rei noticed that the door didn't close completely. "Vicious," she said softly and felt her cheeks flushed when he turned his cold gaze upon her. "You are up early," for lack of a better conversation starter.
Vicious approached her. "I could say the same of you," his voice, normally causing fear in others seemed to do something to her insides. "Why are you up and prowling around?"
Rei smiled sweetly. "I couldn't sleep. I had an...unusual dream." Really starting to blush, Vicious taking note but not questioning it. "Then I heard some noise out here and came to investigate."
Vicious just nodded. "Shin and I will be gone most of the day, having to deal with syndicate affairs." He pulled an envelope out of his coat pocket. "Here is a pass key card and a voucher. Get what you need and I may have a job for you when I return." He then turned and entered the elevator.
Once she was sure he was gone, curiosity got the better of her and she silently opened the door and stepped into the inner office. She made her way to an ornate desk and noticed that a door on the desk was standing silently open. Looking inside she found a couple of medicine bottles. She pulled them out to look at and noticed that they were to help combat severe migrains. That explained some of the questions she had. Closing the door, making sure it was locked, she left the office, making sure that door was locked and then, with the envelope in her hand, made her way to her bedroom.
She sat down on the bed and stared at the envelope in her hand. Laying it aside, she went to quickly dress, and then realized, she had no idea where to get breakfast. Oh well, with a shrug, she slipped on her temple tunic, which was comfortable, and the left the room. She hoped she could find a cafe or restaurant nearby to where she can get a simple meal.
XXX
As Rei finished her meal, she noticed some of the shops starting to open up. She had the voucher that Vicious had given her, but she also had the money her grandfather had also given her, to help compliment her style of carrying out assignments. She suspected that Vicious wanted her to get some girlie stuff, and she would, but first she needed to find a weapons store that dealt with older weapons. She was looking for something in particular and would tear Mars apart to find it if needed.
She was wondering a bit aimlessly down the street, when a weapons shop caught her attention. She had the money her uncle had given her, and so, she wondered if she could find what she was looking for. She slowed for a bit and then entered the shop.
Spike Spiegal wandered down the road, a cigarette in his mouth, and his hands in his pockets. He was just wandering aimlessly, trying to relax, when he saw a woman...or at least her profile, he could swear it was Julia! He saw her walk into a weapons shop, and he followed her inside.
She was browsing around, and noticed the man who had entered and then went about looking at the many swords and what have you, but she still hadn't seen what she was looking for. She noticed the clerk was busy at the moment, and decided to wait till he was free, so perhaps he could give her a lead onto what she was hunting for.
Spike followed the girl, and then gently touched her arm. "Julia?" he asked softly.
She turned at the touch and the man's voice. "I'm sorry. My name is Rei."
He stepped back, the look on his face a little dissapointed. "Oh.. Im sorry. I thought you were someone else." He said. "I apologize. You looked almost exactly like her, from the profile."
She offered a understanding and warm smile, as a hand was run through the ebon locks. "No apology needed. No harm was done, Mr?"
"Spike.. Spike Spiegel." he said, with a half-smile. "Rei.. thats a real pretty name."
She intended to remember that name and find out a bit more about this man. She didn't know why, but there was something about him that she couldn't put a finger on. "Thank you." She offered a bit of a blush at the compliment, unuse to such things. She also found herself at a loss for words. "Just what is it that you do, Mr. Spiegel?"
"Im just your friendly neighborhood cowboy, ma'am." he said, leaning against the display case. "What brings a very lovely lady like you into a weapons shop?"
She tilted her head at the mention of 'cowboy' unaware of what the term meant. "I'm trying to find something for my grandfather," the lie rolling easily off her tounge. "Forgive, but what is 'cowboy'?"
He stopped, and smiled. "It means bounty hunter ma'am." He wasn't surprised she didnt know. Her outfit looked like she belonged in an office setting. "So what are you looking for? Im pretty good with weapons myself."
"Looking for a couple of fans," she said with a smile. She left off just what she wanted to do with the fans, so played the farmgirl routine. "It's for my grandfather."
Spike smiled, walking over to the asian weaponry section. "Lots of swords, throwing stars, and other, less esoteric weapons." he pointed towards a pair of warfans. "Those are warfans... sharp blades instead of material. Maybe thats what your looking for?"
She moved over there, "yes, but not what I had in mind. I am sure I will find it." She stopped and looked at Spike. "So, make any money in the bounty hunting business?" She absently picked up one of the warfans, and twirled it around like she knew what she was doing.
Spike watched her, smiling at her skill. "Well, not recently. Seems like every chance we get ahead, we get in debt again. We make just enough to get where we are going for our next hunt, and maybe some more for cigarettes and food.. but thats about it." he smiled. "But its a living!"
"Sounds like it's a harsh life," putting that one fan down. "Of course, I guess life is harsh in one way or another." She was absently still looking over the weapons, her intent was much on studying Spike as much as possible.
Spike picked up a pair of nunchuks, and twirled them around his body, just testing the weight.. He put them back on the wall. "Eh, weights a little off."
"I see you know something of weapons, Mr. Spiegal?" She leaned back against the display case still observing him.
He nodded. "When your a cowboy, you have to be ready for every eventuallity." he said, picking up a wakasashi, and twirled it around his wrist. "Hey, this one's real."
She giggled a little at that. "Aren't they all real?" Returning to the warfans, picking both of them up this time and working with them.
He watched her, and smiled. "So what do you do for a living, Rei?"
"My grandfather funded this little trip for me to Mars. Just a chance to get away from Earth and see new things." Well, it was a little lie, cause some of it was true. "I'll have to go back soon though."
He nodded. "Thats a shame. I'd love to get to know you better." He said, smiling at her.
She really blushed at that. "I am sure you would be happier with women who are..not so out of place? Besides, I am sure your woman would have something to say about that."
He shook his head. "I havent seen Julia in a long time. And I like women who are out of place. Brings out the guardian angel in me." he said.
"Guardian angel? I think I could take care of myself if the need arose," still blushing and trying to hide it by pulling her hair over her cheeks. "But the sentiment is nice."
He smiled. "You sure you dont want to go for coffee or a bite to eat?" He was bored, and she was livening up his day.
"Sure. Let me get these fans for my grandfather." She turned to the clerk and paid for them, in cash of course and once they were wrapped she then turned back to Spike. "Ready."
He hooked his arm for her. "Right this way, my lady."
She gingerly put her arm through his, and was thankful she wasn't wearing those awful heels that she wore the other night. "I am surprised you don't have a women." But she didn't feel the same thing when she looked at Spike that she felt for Vicious, and blushed again as she remembered the dream.
He mistook her blush. "Oh I used to... but that was a while ago. Ive been lonely alot recently. Im just glad I got to meet you. You are the bright spot to my day." He walked her towards the coffee shop, and lit another cigarrette.
She chuckled. "Those things are said to kill people, " indicating the ciggy butt. She was still looking around at the world around her. "Would be a shame if the universe was deprieved of even one soul."
"Well, I'd end up killing alot more people if I didnt have one." he said with a smile. "So your from Earth? I didnt think anyone lived there anymore because of the constant meteor falls."
"There are still a few around, who have learned to live with it. It does take some getting use to." They arrived at the coffee shop and she found them both a table, taking great care with her packages. She then giggled a bit. "I guess I better also get a few things women need. Grandfather thinks it would be good for me."
Spike smiled. "Like what, langerie?" He was looking forward to seeing her in a tiny outfit. "Care to model for me?" he chuckled.
"I am afraid that such articles of clothing would be saved for my husband if I got married." One could tell by her actions and the tone of her voice, she was embrassed at the mention of something like that. Course, she wouldn't mind Vicious looking, she thought.
He shrugged. "Damn. That would have been icing on the cake. But at least I got to see your smile."
"I think you are what I have heard called..a flirt?" Giggling a bit more. At least this Spike was a lot more easier going than her employer. It was a nice change.
He nodded. "One of the biggest flirts around." he smiled.
"But then I don't understand why you are lonely? " She really didn't understand, and was curious. "Perhaps, since I am new here, people and places I should stay away from?"
He shrugged. "Stay away from anyone having to do with the Red Dragons... Theres alot of nasty people involved with that place. The White Tigers are also nasty. Stay out of Oldtown. Just dont even go there." He smiled. "At least not without a bodyguard."
"Red Dragons? White Tigers?" She smiled a little. "Who are they?"
"I guess you could call them gangs." he said.
Rei smiled and then rose from the table. "It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Spiegel, but alas, I still have errands to run and then I have to meet a friend for dinner." Without waiting for him to say anything else, she headed out of the coffe shop and made her way back to the building complex, stopping in a woman's shop to pick up a couple of things before heading back home.
