Tokyo, Japan: 14th June 2004...
The cool breeze that flowed throughout the summer garden blew wisps of wild dark blue hair across Tyson's chocolate brown eyes as he lay on his back on the grass staring at the pale white clouds that stood out against the soft blue haze of the summer sky. He sighed contentedly and let his carefree mind wander, dreaming randomly.
His thoughts were interrupted by his best friend's noisy arrival, and he smiled to himself; for someone preparing to be married, Hillary still had a lot to learn about being a lady.
"What are you doing out here?" She enquired curiously. "You've been in this garden thousands of times before and nothing changes."
"It's peaceful out here." Tyson replied, smiling serenely as the sun peeked out from behind a cloud and bathed his angelic tanned face in golden light.
Hillary carefully stretched out next to him, leaning on her side so she could see his face while they talked. "Don't you want to help with the wedding plans anymore?"
"It's not that, it just gets a bit hectic, I like to kick back and relax every now and then you know?"
Hillary nodded but didn't understand in the slightest; she hadn't stopped for a single moment in planning her wedding to perfection, and she enjoyed every minute of it. "Well we women have to be perfect on our big day." She said, almost defensively.
"Why won't you listen to me when I tell you you're fine the way you are?" Tyson sighed, pretending to be annoyed.
"Because if I listened every time you complimented me you wouldn't do it anymore!" Hillary laughed as Tyson playfully slapped her arm. "Seriously Tyson, you have eyelashes girls can only dream of, perfect skin, you don't have to continually worry about your weight, and you have a totally gorgeous boyfriend." Hillary sighed longingly as she thought of Max, who was currently enjoying a holiday in Spain, courtesy of his Millionaire mother, a famous scientist.
Later Tyson sat in his study, reading the letter over, repeatedly;
Dearest Tyson,
I've been called abroad to do business with a new client in Russia, so I guess we're gonna have to be pen-pals for a while. The boss says the new client is filthy rich, so hopefully I'll get a big fat pay check out of this, and I'll be able to look after you properly like I've always wanted to. I hope you're not too pissed at being given such short notice but this is my big chance to prove myself. Anyway, Hillary needs you to help her sort out that mess of a wedding Max has gotten himself into. I'll miss you koi.
All my love,
Rei Kon xxx
So far apart, he mused sadly, folding the letter and carefully putting it back in the envelope, before retrieving his journal from the drawer and proceeding to log all the events of the day.
Moscow, Russia: 17th June 2004...
Rei boarded the coach after reaching the port on the most southern coast of Russia just before sunset. He gazed out the dirty glass window at the landscape, shaded in reds and oranges by the receding sunlight as darkness began to creep over them.
Three other passengers joined him before the coach finally set off on its journey. During the trip, Rei managed to become vaguely acquainted with the other travellers.
One was a business investor, who took a company card from Rei after being convinced that either Rei himself or his boss could easily get him the best deals on building investments.
One was a rich gentleman, on his way to the casino's of Moscow, no doubt to gamble money he couldn't afford to lose.
The other was an old Russian woman, bound for a remote village in the mountains to visit relatives. She was very quiet, and clutched at something on a chain around her neck fearfully.
Rei was surprised when an hour later the coach came to an abrupt stop. "What the hell's going on?" He yelled at the driver.
"This is as far as I'm willing to take you, its devil's country out there." The driver growled, and Rei thought better of arguing with him, he would simply have to walk the rest of the way. He swung his suitcase off the top of the coach and grasped it with both hands. Then he felt a weak hand grasp his shoulder. He looked down at the old woman who appeared to be holding out her hand at him.
"Before you go, you must take this." She whispered.
Rei looked down at the necklace in his hand. It was an exquisitely carved solid silver crucifix, with a verse of the Lords prayer inscribed on the back in tiny italic writing.
"But Madam I can't take this!" Rei protested in shock.
"You must," The woman persisted, "It's all I can do to help you."
"Uh...O.K I guess..." Rei gave up protesting and slipped the crucifix round his neck, tucking it under his silk shirt. Before he could turn around to thank the old woman, the coach had disappeared into the night, and he was left with the cold night air and the howling of the wolves for company.
In the distance, a large battered looking castle loomed over the top of an icy precipice. "Maybe that's where I'm supposed to be." Rei mused, picking up his suitcase and preparing to set off at a steady pace. He turned to face the dirt track and promptly collided with an old- fashioned carriage.
The driver reached down, and without a word, flung Rei's suitcase onto the top, opened the door, and motioned for him to sit inside.
Once they arrived at the castle, Rei was not surprised to find that the carriage disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared. He shrugged and made his way to the twin oak doors that presented the entrance to the castle. Before he could knock, the door creaked open, and he poked his head around the crack hesitantly before stepping inside. He took in a deep breath as he surveyed his new surroundings; the walls were decorated with numerous paintings, various weapons, and tapestries, the high ceiling was criss-crossed with black painted oak-wood beams, from which hung flags embroidered with what he assumed to be his client's family colours. He gazed wondrously at the delicate details in the stained glass windows, which painted romantic portraits of majestic princes of the old world.
"Chivalry really is dead." He muttered, as he spied one in particular which seemed for gruesome than the rest; the prince did not seem as noble as the rest, but rather like a maniacal tyrant who revelled in torture and death.
"I see you've found my Grandfather."
Rei spun round as the icy tone in the newcomer's voice caught him by surprise, but despite clearly hearing it, he couldn't see anyone else in the spacious room. "Sorry I didn't mean to be nosy." He rubbed the back of his neck and grinned nervously.
"Not to worry, he's kind of hard to miss isn't he?"
Rei gulped unconsciously. "Uh...yeah...you could say that."
"So am I to know why I am honoured with your presence as a guest in my castle, or am I to be kept in suspense?"
"Uh...yeah sorry...erm...I'm Rei Kon, of Tokyo City Estates Inc. I was told you were expecting me." Rei perked is ears, listening for every remote sound.
"Well then allow me to introduce myself."
Rei spun around at the exact right moment and came face-to-face with a youth perhaps slightly older than himself. He smiled and extended a pale white hand.
"I'm Kai Hiwitari-Dracul."
...call out my name,
call out my name in the night,
for bitter love, for bitter pain, ...
The cool breeze that flowed throughout the summer garden blew wisps of wild dark blue hair across Tyson's chocolate brown eyes as he lay on his back on the grass staring at the pale white clouds that stood out against the soft blue haze of the summer sky. He sighed contentedly and let his carefree mind wander, dreaming randomly.
His thoughts were interrupted by his best friend's noisy arrival, and he smiled to himself; for someone preparing to be married, Hillary still had a lot to learn about being a lady.
"What are you doing out here?" She enquired curiously. "You've been in this garden thousands of times before and nothing changes."
"It's peaceful out here." Tyson replied, smiling serenely as the sun peeked out from behind a cloud and bathed his angelic tanned face in golden light.
Hillary carefully stretched out next to him, leaning on her side so she could see his face while they talked. "Don't you want to help with the wedding plans anymore?"
"It's not that, it just gets a bit hectic, I like to kick back and relax every now and then you know?"
Hillary nodded but didn't understand in the slightest; she hadn't stopped for a single moment in planning her wedding to perfection, and she enjoyed every minute of it. "Well we women have to be perfect on our big day." She said, almost defensively.
"Why won't you listen to me when I tell you you're fine the way you are?" Tyson sighed, pretending to be annoyed.
"Because if I listened every time you complimented me you wouldn't do it anymore!" Hillary laughed as Tyson playfully slapped her arm. "Seriously Tyson, you have eyelashes girls can only dream of, perfect skin, you don't have to continually worry about your weight, and you have a totally gorgeous boyfriend." Hillary sighed longingly as she thought of Max, who was currently enjoying a holiday in Spain, courtesy of his Millionaire mother, a famous scientist.
Later Tyson sat in his study, reading the letter over, repeatedly;
Dearest Tyson,
I've been called abroad to do business with a new client in Russia, so I guess we're gonna have to be pen-pals for a while. The boss says the new client is filthy rich, so hopefully I'll get a big fat pay check out of this, and I'll be able to look after you properly like I've always wanted to. I hope you're not too pissed at being given such short notice but this is my big chance to prove myself. Anyway, Hillary needs you to help her sort out that mess of a wedding Max has gotten himself into. I'll miss you koi.
All my love,
Rei Kon xxx
So far apart, he mused sadly, folding the letter and carefully putting it back in the envelope, before retrieving his journal from the drawer and proceeding to log all the events of the day.
Moscow, Russia: 17th June 2004...
Rei boarded the coach after reaching the port on the most southern coast of Russia just before sunset. He gazed out the dirty glass window at the landscape, shaded in reds and oranges by the receding sunlight as darkness began to creep over them.
Three other passengers joined him before the coach finally set off on its journey. During the trip, Rei managed to become vaguely acquainted with the other travellers.
One was a business investor, who took a company card from Rei after being convinced that either Rei himself or his boss could easily get him the best deals on building investments.
One was a rich gentleman, on his way to the casino's of Moscow, no doubt to gamble money he couldn't afford to lose.
The other was an old Russian woman, bound for a remote village in the mountains to visit relatives. She was very quiet, and clutched at something on a chain around her neck fearfully.
Rei was surprised when an hour later the coach came to an abrupt stop. "What the hell's going on?" He yelled at the driver.
"This is as far as I'm willing to take you, its devil's country out there." The driver growled, and Rei thought better of arguing with him, he would simply have to walk the rest of the way. He swung his suitcase off the top of the coach and grasped it with both hands. Then he felt a weak hand grasp his shoulder. He looked down at the old woman who appeared to be holding out her hand at him.
"Before you go, you must take this." She whispered.
Rei looked down at the necklace in his hand. It was an exquisitely carved solid silver crucifix, with a verse of the Lords prayer inscribed on the back in tiny italic writing.
"But Madam I can't take this!" Rei protested in shock.
"You must," The woman persisted, "It's all I can do to help you."
"Uh...O.K I guess..." Rei gave up protesting and slipped the crucifix round his neck, tucking it under his silk shirt. Before he could turn around to thank the old woman, the coach had disappeared into the night, and he was left with the cold night air and the howling of the wolves for company.
In the distance, a large battered looking castle loomed over the top of an icy precipice. "Maybe that's where I'm supposed to be." Rei mused, picking up his suitcase and preparing to set off at a steady pace. He turned to face the dirt track and promptly collided with an old- fashioned carriage.
The driver reached down, and without a word, flung Rei's suitcase onto the top, opened the door, and motioned for him to sit inside.
Once they arrived at the castle, Rei was not surprised to find that the carriage disappeared almost as quickly as it had appeared. He shrugged and made his way to the twin oak doors that presented the entrance to the castle. Before he could knock, the door creaked open, and he poked his head around the crack hesitantly before stepping inside. He took in a deep breath as he surveyed his new surroundings; the walls were decorated with numerous paintings, various weapons, and tapestries, the high ceiling was criss-crossed with black painted oak-wood beams, from which hung flags embroidered with what he assumed to be his client's family colours. He gazed wondrously at the delicate details in the stained glass windows, which painted romantic portraits of majestic princes of the old world.
"Chivalry really is dead." He muttered, as he spied one in particular which seemed for gruesome than the rest; the prince did not seem as noble as the rest, but rather like a maniacal tyrant who revelled in torture and death.
"I see you've found my Grandfather."
Rei spun round as the icy tone in the newcomer's voice caught him by surprise, but despite clearly hearing it, he couldn't see anyone else in the spacious room. "Sorry I didn't mean to be nosy." He rubbed the back of his neck and grinned nervously.
"Not to worry, he's kind of hard to miss isn't he?"
Rei gulped unconsciously. "Uh...yeah...you could say that."
"So am I to know why I am honoured with your presence as a guest in my castle, or am I to be kept in suspense?"
"Uh...yeah sorry...erm...I'm Rei Kon, of Tokyo City Estates Inc. I was told you were expecting me." Rei perked is ears, listening for every remote sound.
"Well then allow me to introduce myself."
Rei spun around at the exact right moment and came face-to-face with a youth perhaps slightly older than himself. He smiled and extended a pale white hand.
"I'm Kai Hiwitari-Dracul."
...call out my name,
call out my name in the night,
for bitter love, for bitter pain, ...