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Review-whoring is the last thing I'd want to do, but if people could lead a little review after reading the latest chapter (s), that'd be encouragement enough to continue the story.
And now for… Responses to Reader Reviews! It occurred to me that it was damn selfish for me to expect more reviews if I, the writer, did not establish some sort of payoff for them, right? So here we go:
To TwilightAoi – I found Ditzy!Mai to be a bit too obvious. Why is it that we project the concept of ditziness onto attractive exhibitionist women? I think if someone has the discipline to become a full-fledged Shiranui ninja in that outfit, she's got to have some depth to her.
To Vulpix Misa – I have to admit, I'm liking the dynamic between their characters too. Will have to see where it all ends up.
To LegendarySuperNamek – I have to be honest. Before I did some research on King's character, I originally conceived her personality as she seemed to appear in KoF 95 – as an parody of a parody of a parody of feminism extremism. Then, when I researched her, I realized that she wasn't so much a feminist as a misandrist, and it'll be interesting now to see how those two sides of her impact each other.
To Lunartick – Glad you like it.
Now, on with the show :
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Chapter Five
Iori's plan was simple, and Mai marveled at its genius.
It was all in his movement : a simple standing on the stool and tapping his glass to obtain everyone's attention.
"Hi there, everyone," he said. "Now I'd like to thank everyone for coming. It's taken a lot of work, but I think Terry is going to think this party is a big hit. Huh? Huh?"
Everyone cheered their support.
"Now I've gotten Terry a gift, but no one should feel they have to chip in. However, I'm going to close the open bar, but sell you drinks for a buck less than usual, and that'll go towards his gift. How's that?"
Everyone roared their approval.
He stepped down and leaned in close to Mai's ear. "Charge them two bucks extra," he whispered.
"Right on, boss," Mai replied, sharing his sly smile.
Iori turned around, rather proud of himself, and decided to go from table to table and say hi to everyone. If Eiji wanted a party, by gum, Iori was going to enjoy it.
Ryo Sakazaki sat in a chair drinking a glass of wine. Iori was surprised that King wasn't sitting on his lap. Instead she sat a modest distance away from him, and looking very much like she'd want to sit on his lap.
"Iori," he said, nodding as he passed.
"How are the dojos, Ryo?"
"Fine."
King smiled thinly. "Ryo is a little upset about my recent rejection of his marriage proposal," she said.
"King, don't tell them-" Ryo said.
"I already have, dear, calm down."
"You-?" A wave of emotions surged across Ryo's face and he brought them under control. Quietly, he said, "Fine."
Iori thought it was best to move on and went to the next table. When he did, his vision was suddenly absorbed by the two largest breasts he had ever seen, easily dwarfing Mai's. They were tightly held together by a neon green dress that hurt the eyes, and they belonged to Shermie.
"My dear Shermie," he said, kissing her hand. "I thought you were dead. Didn't Yashiro kill you?"
"Oh ha ha! Reports of my death and so forth-" she said. "Like, I am way too on the ball to die! Life just holds too many opportunities. Sex, for example. Sex is wonderful. Why die when you can have sex? Craziness."
"Question for you, Shermie, darling," Iori said, sitting down at the table beside her. "Why are you sitting smack-dab across from that little bitch Kensou?"
"Hey!" Sie Kensou snapped. "I'm right here, Yagami. You rude little-"
"He's cute, Iori," Shermie said. "Don't you think? Not as cute as Chris, though. Now I think HE is dead. Poor fellow. But ha ha ha! C'est la vie, don't you think?"
"Who exactly informed you two about this party?" Iori asked.
"Mary," Kensou said.
"You're a foolish child for having one, darling," Shermie said. "At this night, in this neighbourhood, we'll wake the dead. You already have Kusanagi wandering about with that mop. Poor zombie."
"Speaking of Kusanagi," Iori said, standing up slowly. "If you'll excuse me."
The object of his attention was a man of breathtaking beauty. A description is needed to drive home the point: Tall and Japanese. Messy white hair. Open-breasted leather suit. Muscular, well-toned, the body of a martial artist.
K' walked up to the bar. Mai dropped the decanter in her hand when she saw him, and it didn't break. She picked it up, flustered, and said, "What'll it be, K'?"
"Brandy, Mai, if you have it," he replied. "How much will it be."
Iori was beside him in a flash, smiling his most winning smile, or, at least trying to. "Your money isn't good here," he said. "Long time no see, K'."
K' blinked at him, then laughed quietly to himself and replaced his money.
When he didn't reply, Iori ventured a move, "What brings you to my shitty little hotel?" (Pawn to B3)
"The party," K' replied. (Pawn to B6)
(Hm, Iori thought. What's his game?)
"Never thought you'd make it out my way," Iori replied. "I'll buy your next drink and we can catch up." (Knight to D3)
"Coming on a bit strong, aren't we?" K''s smile was sardonic as hell. The game was up.
"Am I really that transparent?" Iori asked.
"As cellophane," K' replied.
"Then let me be honest. You're gorgeous. I'm gorgeous. This party sucks; let's go hang out somewhere."
"How much was the brandy?" K' asked.
"I told you-"
"I'm asking Mai," K' said.
Mai glanced from Iori to K', then said, quietly, "Six bucks."
K' tossed a couple bills onto the bar, gave Iori a look that was both teasing and dismissive, then melted away into the crowd.
Mai smiled at Iori, then flattened her hand, holding it in the air. She made a diving sound and dipped her hand some into the bar, where she made an explosion sound.
"Nah, my wings are just clipped," Iori said. "I'm still flyable. Just takes perseverance, is all."
"Sure, boss."
K' walked out into the crowd and found Eiji standing in the corner speaking to Kasumi. K' glided past him and leaned in close, whispering, "You leave him alone, will you?"
"Why do you care so much?" Eiji said, quietly, while Kasumi pruned over the german shepherd puppy. "Billy and I have a stunningly large bone to pick with him."
"I just spoke with him," K' said. "He's done a good job of hiding it, but his pickup attempt was so clumsy as to be revealing. I think he's at the end of his rope."
"Good."
K' stared Eiji down for a few minutes, but if Eiji was superb at anything, it was staring people down. Eventually, K' disappeared into the party and Eiji returned to his conversation with Kasumi.
Meanwhile, Iori took stock on the party situation : Ryo and King at one table, Shermie and Sie Kenzou at another. Eiji and Kasumi were off to the side. Mary, Yuri and May Lee were giggling incessantly, all of them heading into a state of being very drunk. Beyond a group of other people whom Iori didn't entirely recognize, Saisyu Kusanagi was sullenly mopping the floor. Beside him, Malin and Hinako sat at a table, speaking to each other. Among the dancers, Iori could recognize Robert Garcia and others.
And then, suddenly, Ash Crimson was beside him. "Hey, loser," he said.
"Oh Jesus Christ," Iori said. "Get the hell out of here, Ash."
Mai lifted her fan out from under the bar. "You're not welcome here, Ash."
"Sorry if I offended ze mighty powers of Iori Yagami," Ash replied. "However, I do not care in ze slightest if you do not want me here. Kyo Kusanagi is going to be here, and that's exactly what I care about. Mai, get me a spritzer, will you?"
"Piss off."
"Such temper."
Iori stood up, blue fire dancing in his eyes. "Get out of my hotel, Ash."
Ash grabbed Iori's face and shoved him back. Iori fell into a barstool and crashed to the ground painfully.
Ash laughed, then was cut off as Mai's fist cannoned off his face.
She was over the bar counter in a split-second, and her heel on on Ash's throat. "Who invited you, anyways?" she snapped.
Ash's eyes danced with laughter. "Eiji, mademoiselle."
"Stop being an asshole."
"Mais oui."
She helped him up, and they both lifted Iori to his feet.
"Piss off," Iori muttered to Ash.
"Jokes aside," Ash said. "What iz wrong with him? The Yagami I knew wouldn't have gone down zo easily."
"Terry beat the shit out of him earlier," Mai said. "He's not having a good day. You get some ice for him."
"Where are you going?" Ash asked, as she left him with Iori.
"I'm going to have a talk with Eiji," she replied, anger in her eyes.
Ash chuckled and lay Iori out on the bar counter, then lifted up the ice bucket and wrapped a few cubes in some cloth. "One good zing about me being here, Iori," he said, giving the ice to Iori. "is that zuddenly you aren't ze biggest jerk in the hotel."
"Lucky me," Iori muttered.
Then Athena was upon him, fluttering kisses down on his face and asking him what happened and what did that brute Ash do to him, and Iori wondered what he had done to deserve all this?
Oh yeah, he thought. That.