Oh yeah, no owning. I had too much fun with this part. Read on.
"You know," Batou commented as he and most of Section Nine stood on the sidelines, "I feel more like I should be protecting this party than attending it."
"Ditto," Ishikawa said, "I'm just glad the drinks are free."
"Well, at least one of us is having fun, anyway," Bomer said, nodding at Togusa and his wife, who were laughing as they danced.
Pazu snorted. "You just had to pluck out a family man, hm, Major?"
"You're just jealous your date wandered off with a bar boy," Ishikawa muttered.
"I've explained my reasons," Motoko said, knowing it would be safer if she simply ignored the peanut gallery, "besides, maybe he'll rub off on you lot. You could use a bit of respectability."
The muffled snorts of mild amusement were barely covered by the music. The room was filled to the brim with dignitaries, military officials, members of all political parties, and several nations worth of diplomats already an hour into party mode from dinner. The meal had been far too long for her tastes, stetching over two hours of speeches, eating and ceremony. Motoko had to admit that the formalities weren't for nothing, the new Refugee center was quite an accomplishment for Prime Minister Kayabuki and her cabinet. Not only that, but the welcoming lobby, where the party was being held, was a beautiful piece of work. Black, white, and green marble covered the floors and clear windows rose to meet a silver and crystal chandelier that, with the help of lamps set into the pillars, lit the room beautifully.
Batou moved next to her, muttering, "Who paid for the chandelier? I know it wasn't the government, that thing is ritzy – even if crystal and silver are cake to synthesize these days."
"It's a vintage chandelier from the early 1990's," she said, recalling the pamphlet that she had been given earlier in the evening, "some American pop-star donated it from his house when he went into retirement."
Batou whistled, and it was suddenly echoed very loudly as the sound system squealed. The DJ came over the mike. "Sorry folks! The computer glitched on me – it'll only be a second and we'll get those tunes rolling again." He turned, scratching his head, and disappeared to one of the back rooms.
The dance floor dispersed, Togusa leading his wife back to the stoic members of section nine who were still in the corner. Motoko noticed that the woman looked fairly comfortable, despite the look Pazu was shooting at Togusa.
As if to offset the practically poisonous atmosphere of the corner, Togusa's wife turned to the major, smiling. "Miss Kusinagi, you look amazing! That sapphire blue is really your color, and the beading is exquisite."
Motoko smiled in return, glancing down at the long form-fitting dress. "Thanks, Kumiko, you look lovely too."
Togusa's wife beamed, shifting modestly in her rose ball gown. "Well, I was so happy to be able to fit in it after two children that I couldn't care how out of style it was."
Togusa chuckled, squeezing his wife's hand. "You look wonderful, hon," he said. When she blushed, he looked around. "Hey, where'd Saito get off to?" the man asked, either ignoring or not noticing his comrade's glowers.
"He and his date wandered off to check out the computer guided tours a while ago," Ishikawa said, "They're actually pretty good."
Togusa hummed, and then cocked his head. "Pazu, where's your date? Wandering off with a woman is more your style than Saito's anyway…"
Togusa must have a death wish this week, Batou's voice said privately over the net, Otherwise someone altered his brain to think that his own foot might be tasty.
Motoko smirked, but didn't return the banter, choosing instead to allow Togusa's wife to slide into the role of 'saving the husband from his friends'. "Ishikawa, you said that the computer tours were good?" She took Togusa by the arm, "Come on, honey, it sounds interesting, we can wait for the music to come back on."
Togusa gave his wife a surprised look, but followed her across the room. Motoko just caught her rolling her eyes as they walked away. Ah, the power of the housewife, she finally replied to Batou, ever underestimated…
But never to be undermined. Sounds like someone I know.
She flicked her eyes over to find him grinning, and shook her head, several replies coming to her mind but none of them well advised.
There was a pause, filled mostly with the white noise of hundreds of chatting people, and then Batou's real voice cut through by her shoulder. "Say, Major, when the music comes back on…"
He didn't get a chance to finish the sentence, or, she supposed, the question, because several screams pierced the ambient talk, and silence abruptly fell. All those from branches of security were immediately on guard, but Section nine barely had a chance to settle – because Togusa's voice was the only one still talking.
"Kumiko! …Kumiko! Can you hear me? Kumiko, please!"
I searched and searched and searched, but couldn't find a credible name for Togusa's wife – nobody seems to know (though I think in the English dub the voices for his wife and Miki tachikoma kid are the same… O.o). So I tossed my name into a Japanese name generator and went with that. Apparently it means eternal beautiful child…