Chapter 27: Lonely Heart

|Takanawa - Miyazaki Sushi|13:32 pm|

Miyazaki Sushi was a moderately successful sushi restaurant in the eastern part of Takanawa. It's popularity had declined slightly in recent years due to the emergence of sushi chain restaurants, but Amara preferred the fresher food available at Miyazaki. The place was decorated to be as autheticly Japanese as possible, having various oriental plants, furniture, and even replica katanas on the walls. Today, she was here with Zao for lunch - she had already come to expect that if Zao was taking her anywhere, fish would be involved.

"Thanks for taking me out today. You really do eat anything fish, don't you?" Amara asked, as Zao wolfed down some salmon roe.

"Hell yeah! It's like fish were born so I could catch them! And eat them! And brag about how big they were!" Zao said. Amara laughed as she saw all the sauce around his mouth - he wasn't the cleanest eater. Still, Amara felt like all her worried went away whilst she was with him. His carefree attitude just made it hard to feel down.

"So, did I tell you about Blaine asking Lucy out? I dunno what he sees in her - oh." Amara said. "Wait, of course I do. She's young, pretty, and isn't short!"

"Hey, give him some credit. This Blaine guy doesn't sound that shallow - even if he does give weird nicknames to his motorcycles. Maybe he and Lucy will hit it off, like we did!" Zao said, grinning as always. "Hey, we could do a double date. Or maybe a triple date if we get Nathan and Priscilla to join! Or even better, a quadruple date! Serena and Kyle could join us!"

"But they're not dating. So they say, anyway. I dunno, maybe it's the age difference that bothers me. I mean, they might want different things in life. I just hope it doesn't end up like Karen and her husbands."

"Karen's your boss, yeah? Wasn't she pining for her first love?" Zao asked.

"Yeah. I think his name was Roger. I don't think going after him is the answer. She needs to move on, and pick a man without a criminal record!" Amara said. "Don't I sound so pretentious?"

"Well, maybe just a little, but you being beautiful helps!" Zao said, laughing. "But maybe you can help her avoid any really bad men tonight. Think of it as working overtime - with a chance of extra pay, if you play your cards right!"

"Ha, I guess. Anyway, you want more sushi, right?" Amara asked, wiping her face - knowing that Zao wouldn't be doing the same.

"Of course. I need some halibut, this time." Zao said, eagerly eyeing the conveyor belt. Amara decided she'd get some more too - she'd need the energy, for all the partying she and the girls would get up to tonight! Amara started to wonder…where had she heard the name Miyazaki before? Recently, too.

The answer literally came to her, as a familiar Asian young man entered the restaurant with another familiar face. Kazuya and Richard! Amara tried not to stare, but knowing they could be dead in the other world, she felt strange seeing them again. The two of them were talking about something involving a vacation to Hokkaido, but Amara couldn't follow them. She was lost in thought, over the Holy Cross. They really did care about the people of the city, and they were just being used. If only she could have saved them...

"Hey Amara! How about some wasabi on yours?" Zao asked. "It tastes awesome!"

"No thanks. That stuff's intense!" Amara said, watching as Zao ordered a lot more food for them. It was going to be a long evening.

|Saragel - Skadi|22:00 pm|

Otherwise known as the 'Snowshoe Bar' and named after a goddess of Norse mythology, the bar/restaurant Skadi was famed for everything being made out of ice. Thus, Amara had to wear one of the special jackets they provided - but she was still freezing. She didn't cope well with cold weather, but she didn't want to offend Karen, since it was her idea to come here.

"Oh, you're here! I was certain I'd come here early. My intuition must be fading!" Stella said, in one of the thick coats. She didn't have her turban on, and from what Amara could tell, was just wearing a regular black outfit. "How was Zao?"

"Oh, great! We were at Miyazaki Sushi, so he's stuffed. Damn, this place is cold."

"What did you expect?" Stella said, grinning as Amara shivered. "Not to worry, Lucy shall be here in four minutes and thirteen seconds. Let's order some drinks, shall we?"

Four Minutes and Thirteen Seconds Later

"Oh, hello." Lucy said, sauntering up in a coat as well. Stella smiled, proud of her accurate prediction. "Shirley couldn't come, she apparently found her 'creative instincts' and wanted to write piano songs tonight. Lame, I know!" That doesn't sound lame to me, but I kinda wish she was here. Oh well. "Colette and Karen not here yet?"

"Nope, still waiting for them. So, got anything planned for the weekend?" Amara asked.

"Well, I thought about it, and Blaine does seem like an okay guy. So I called him and asked him if he wanted to meet me tomorrow. I'm not sure, but I think 'FUCK YEAH!' means he really wants to go." Lucy said, with a slight smile. "I guess if it makes him happy, I should go! We're going to meet for lunch, but I'm kind of nervous. Maybe I should ask Colette what to wear -"

"Try a blue shirt and black skirt combo, with some nice zip-up boots and some gold bangles. Also, don't use eyeliner, your eyes look great without it, but try a bit of foundation. Lipstick too - and I know just the shade!" Colette said, right behind Lucy.

"Argh!" Lucy screamed, and Amara burst out laughing. Stella tried to contain her laughter, but failed. "Don't do that!

"Relax, Lucy, you'll be fine. Remember, he's probably just as nervous as you are." Stella said.

"Really? Blaine doesn't strike me as the type that gets nervous." Amara said.

"Who's Blaine again?" Colette asked.

"Oh, he's a friend of Amara's who asked me out yesterday. He's kind of hot, a bit older than me, and he has a motorcycle." Lucy said.

"Wow, you go girl! In that case, we'll have to try a different approach. How do you feel about padded bras?" Colette asked.

"I do not need one of those, thank you very much!" Lucy exclaimed.

A few minutes later, Karen showed up, dressed up to the nines. Everyone else was wearing fairly stylish clothes (except for Colette, who always wore stylish clothes), but her outfit was just stunning - her red Chinese floral dress, her diamond earrings, and her studded black heels.

"Wow!" Colette said, astonished. "Where did you find that dress?! It's so gorgeous!" Amara stepped back, in case Colette had a fit.

"Haha! Now, now, Colette, the evening's still young. We've got lots of time to discuss our outfits. It is annoying having to wear these jackets over them, though." Karen said, putting on a thick jacket. The five of them ordered more drinks, and sat at a table, ready for a long and alcohol-laden night.

|Dan & Blaine's House|10:14 pm|

Finally, it was ten o'clock, and it was time for Dan to come home from his late shift. Two years ago, he would have actually looked forward to getting home on a Friday - sure, he'd have been tired, but he'd still have the time to tell his little brother about his day, and listen to all the goings on at Matthew's school. Then, despite it being late, Matthew would get dinner ready, complain that Dan had made him hungry, then they'd watch television (usually cop shows, or some talk show hosted by some dude called Keiya), and fall asleep on the couch.

Now...usually, there was no one home. Blaine would be out riding his Black Lightning, having a nap or out drinking, and Dan would have to cook dinner himself - and he was no good at it, judging by Blaine's squeamish expression most nights. Even if Blaine was home and awake, they usually didn't have much to talk about. Still, it was better than living alone, but so was working on an oil rig. These days, life felt like a routine. One that he didn't want, but couldn't figure out how to stop. Only meeting Kyle had changed that routine, just barely.

"Dammit..." Dan sighed, taking off his hat.

"Hey man! What're you so depressed about? Wearing that dumb uniform finally gotten to ya?" Blaine asked, coming downstairs.

"Watch it, buddy! This thing ain't dumb. I'd say the hat gives me some extra man points. More than your uniform, anyway!" Dan said, hanging up his jacket. "What are you lookin' so chipper for?"

"Well, remember that Lucy chick I was telling you about?" Blaine said, struggling to contain his delight. "Guess who she called to invite for lunch tomorrow?"

"No way! That Swedish guy who washes our windows?" Dan said.

"No, you dumbass, me! For the first time in years, Blaine Spencer is going out with a woman! I know I sound like a kid, but damn, I can't believe it!" Blaine said, punching the air in triumph.

"Finally! It's about goddamn time someone in this house got a girl!" Dan said, high fiving Blaine. "Well then, my friend, we need to celebrate! Tonight, we're going to The Mole!"

"Okay. If we're lucky, we might find you a woman too. There's got to be someone out there who'd find that goatee a turn on." Blaine said, lightly punching Dan on the chest.

"Well, if those sideburns got you a girl, so can this beauty!" Dan said. "Just let me change clothes, and we'll be out of here faster than you can drink a Pina Colada!"

"The record's 42 seconds. I might just beat it tonight!" Blaine said, punching the air.

|Saragel - Loco Dance House|12:02 am|

Loco Dance House was a club that offered pretty much what it said on the tin - dancing and madness. Tonight, the theme was Latin Rhythm - which Amara just could not dance to. Try as she might, she couldn't match all the belly dancers in the music videos. Stella, on the other hand, was dancing like crazy, and everyone was surprised she was so agile.

"How does she manage it? She has to work out. I assumed she only left her house to go to work." Karen asked, dancing (badly) herself. She was already bit tipsy, having drank the most. "God, Amara, you haven't got any rhythm."

"Well excuse me! I'm just not used to this kind of music." Amara said, exasperated.

"Well, I think I know what we need. Another round of drinks! Cocktails, ASAP!" Karen said, laughing. Colette and Lucy were discussing the perfect outfit for a date with Blaine, but Lucy wasn't really focusing - not that it stopped Colette's reccomendations of lipstick. Karen and Stella went off to get drinks for everyone, so Amara just stood around, watching people dance to the music.

"Okay, I think I can do this!" Amara said, trying to dance, but she still couldn't match the fast beat - and finally, she slipped, much to the crowd's amusement. "Be nice, guys! I'm new!" Amara said - even though she had been to this club before. Standing up, she tried more and more exotic dance moves, with little success. Still, there was something fun about making a fool of herself.

"Here you go, my dancing fool!" Stella said, handing Amara a strawberry daiquiri. "I never thought I'd enjoy this kind of thing, but I do love to dance. If I wasn't a psychic, perhaps I'd have become a back-up dancer, or something."

"You're certainly good at it! C'mon, teach me!" Amara begged. "Please, help me! You're my only hope!"

"Alright, my apprentice. Let's see if we can turn one of those left feet into a right one." Stella said, giggling. And so, for the next half hour or so, Amara and Stella tried dancing to the Latin beats. The only result, however, was Colette laughing hysterically and Lucy sighing, although she was giggling all the same.

|Saragel - Leopard Jungle|1:15 am|

The girls were in yet another club. One of Amara's favourites, all the staff were dressed up in revealing leopard costumes, and the tables and dance area were themed like a jungle. Thankfully, the music was more suited for club dancing, so Amara could actually match the rhythm. Or at least, if she messed up, no one would care.

"Well, this is no fun. We can't make fun of you dancing anymore!" Lucy joked, drinking her gin & tonic.

"Yeah - oh, look at him!" Karen said, pointing at a young man with a Mohawk. After more alcohol than everyone else, she was slurring her words, stumbling and practically drooling after most men she saw. Seriously? She's thirty five? No wonder she didn't want to go alone!

"No, Karen. He's too young for you! Bad girl!" Stella said, grabbing Karen's arm. "Honestly, that's the fifth time tonight we've had to stop you!"

"But he's so hot!" Karen said. "Besides, Lucy's going out with someone older! Why can't he?"

"One, I haven't even gone out with Blaine yet. Two, he's not hot. Three, he's with his boyfriend." Lucy said, pointing to the other man.

"Oh, hell. I need another drink. Stella, come help me?" Karen said, hiccupping.

"Alright..." Stella said, sighing. "I suppose the evening is still young at 1:34 ante meridian." The two of them went off again, and Amara had a feeling Karen wanted to hit another club. Colette was still fixated on clothes (but when wasn't she?), constantly commenting on the other dancer's outfits.

"Oh my god, no co-ordination at all." Colette said, disgusted at one dancer's admittedly thrown-together outfit. "I bet they wish they were as cool as us."

"Yeah, we're the classiest bitches in town!" Amara said, giving a thumbs up.

"I...didn't expect to hear that from you, Amara." Colette said, stunned.

"Sorry, I think the drink is taking it's toll on me! I need to go here with Zao sometime. I get the feeling he's got some cool moves." Amara said. As Stella returned with drinks and a very drunk Karen, Amara started to dance to the energetic violin song, which was a much better way to tire herself out than fighting Shadows.

Half an hour later

"Hey, where's Karen?" Lucy suddenly asked. "She got us drinks half an hour ago, then she went away."

"Oh god. She's not set her sights on another man, has she?" Colette asked. "With her clothes, there's no way a man would say no! Unless he's blind, of course."

"Colette, you - never mind. I'm going to find her." Amara said, glad to get away from dancing for a while.

Looking all over, she didn't see Karen, and started to get worried. Everyone else was just partying the night away, the smell of alcohol thick through the air.

"Karen! Where are you?" Amara tried shouting. With the loud music, of course, no one could hear her. "Oh, damn it! She's not gone to get married again, has she?!"

"Is something wrong, madam?" A man asked. He had short light blonde hair, with a bit of stubble, yellow eyes and despite being in a club, was smartly dressed, with a black shirt and a red tie. Not only that, he had shiny black shoes. He's a bit overdressed for a club. I bet Colette could help him find a new wardrobe within minutes.

"It's nothing serious, I'm just looking for someone. She's probably just gone to the bathroom." Amara said, and quickly ran away. Finally, in the corner of building, she saw Karen. Amara couldn't believe her eyes. Karen, completely inebriated, was desperately clinging to the arm of a college-aged boy, who looked very uncomfortable.

"Come on, let's go to my place! It's no fun on your own. I'll show you a good time!" Karen said, almost falling over.

"Someone help me! This witch won't let go!" the boy whimpered.

"Karen!" Amara shouted, running over. "Leave this dude alone! You're hurting him!"

"Oh, thank god! I thought she was gonna kill me! Hey, you're not so bad. Why don't you and me have a dance?" the boy asked, with a cocky smile.

"I can't right now, I'm sorry." Amara said, dragging Karen off. She thought he noticed the man with the tie staring at her, but she knew she had to get Karen home.

"What happened?" Colette asked. "Her makeup is all smeared!"

"Does that matter right now?! Karen, what have you been doing?" Lucy asked.

"She's been all over the men, that's what!" said a woman near them - one of the many whom Colette criticised. "Right slut, she is. She's been here before, going after any man in sight. You'd be better off without that whore." Amara had to admit, Karen wasn't behaving appropriately. Even so, she looked up to Karen. She may have been her boss, but she was a friend, and she had made great success in her career. Amara felt like punching the rude woman, but Stella grabbed her fist.

"Don't let it get to you, Amara. We need to get her home. I'm a bit tired now anyway." Stella said, calmly.

"Aww, seriously? Well, I guess there's next time. Karen, what do you think?" Colette asked.

"Ngh...oh...Roger..." Karen muttered, drunk out of her mind. Colette just blinked, confused.

"...If she thinks Colette is a man, then it's settled. We get her home!" Amara said. "Except I don't know her address."

"Me neither. Lucy, do you know?" Colette asked. "You are the assistant editor, after all!"

"Yes, I do know that! I know the address, but the only thing is, I don't think I can afford the cab fare." Lucy said, groaning. "I usually just get the night bus home, so I didn't think I'd need a cab."

"Don't worry, I'll cover the fare." The man with the tie had come up to them. Why was he offering to help? Lucy glared at him, but didn't say anything. "It's dangerous outside at this time of night. I'd like to make sure she gets home safely." He said.

"Okay, thanks. C'mon, let's go." Amara said, and they left the club, Stella and Lucy carrying a delirious Karen out of the club.

Outside

"You girls can go on ahead. I'll help Karen get home!" Amara said, after Lucy gave her the address. She was helping Karen walk, who didn't seem to even know where she was, considering she was mumbling something about 'igloos'.

"We're all going home now, right? See you Monday." Lucy said. "Oh, and I'll let you know how it went with Blaine. I just hope I don't oversleep."

"Oh, there are worse things that could happen than that. Not sleeping at all, and constantly yawning so it looks like you're bored is worse. You need to look interested, or he won't be!" Stella said.

"Not to mention wardrobe malfunctions. Oh my god, those are a nightmare on first dates!" Colette said. She, Stella and Lucy wandered off, leaving Amara with Karen and the well dressed man.

"Um, who are you?" Amara asked.

"I'm Roger Martin. I know I'm a bit overdressed, but I didn't really have any casual clothes to wear." he said. "It happens when your daily schedule revolves around meetings, constant phone calls or deciding which stores to open."

"You run a mall or something?" Amara asked. Since they were waiting for a cab in the queue, she might as well make conversation. Besides, she'd rather it was him than the man with the nose ring.

"Ray Solar Mall, to be precise. Not to brag, but I think I've done well. Since it opened, it's become one of the city's most popular shopping areas." Roger said, looking rather tired himself. "But it's been non-stop work since then. I don't get much time to go out like I used to. I guess I'm not 'cool' anymore."

"I wouldn't say that. You're not bad looking! I bet a lot of girls would think you were cool!" Amara said.

"Hey, handsome..." Karen said, still completely intoxicated. "Don't you look familiar...but you can't be him...he's young...and you wouldn't abandon me, would you?"

"Ignore her. She must get like this when left to herself. This is the first time I've ever gone out with her, actually." Amara said. "It was nice of you to help her out, though. I assure you, she's much better sober! Karen's my boss, and she just got divorced for the fourth time."

"Four divorces?" Roger said, with a solemn look on his face. "I see. Has she mentioned a first love before?" He asked.

"Huh? Yes, actually. She said he was some guy who wanted to be a successful businessman, and his name was Roger. Hold on, are you...?!"

Roger simply nodded, looking at Karen with pity. "Yes, I'm the same person. We haven't seen each other for 14 years."

"So you're the one she keeps talking about. I know it's none of my business, but what happened between you two?" Amara asked, trying to stop Karen from falling.

"I wanted to go study abroad, but she didn't want me to go. We had a huge fight, and I left, thinking I'd never come back. Truth is, I came back four years later, but I never found her again. I assumed she left the city. I wish I hadn't seen her like this." Roger said, as the cab came up to them. "Please get her home safely, and don't tell her it was me. I can't face her yet. I never saw this coming at all..."

"But wait!" Amara said. "I'm sure she'd love to see you when she's sober!"

"I assumed she had moved on...I guess I was wrong. It's my fault she ended up this way. Please, keep her safe. Goodnight." With that, Roger left, and Amara had to get Karen home herself.

|Skylark Terrace - Karen's Apartment|2:12 am|

The place was perfect, almost showroom new. With nice glass modern furniture, a great view of the city, and a trendy looking kitchen, Amara looked at the large apartment in envy. Yet, she had to get Karen to bed and go home herself - and she was a little tipsy herself.

"Phew..." Amara said, leaving the room. Karen could barely walk, and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. "Just my luck." Luckily, Karen had a spare set of keys, so she could lock the door without leaving Karen in the apartment. Now that she had met the man Karen longed for, what should she do? She could probably find Roger in the mall if she wanted, but would Karen want that?

Yet, Karen's desperation had already led her to heartbreak, not once, or twice, but four times. Even then, she could have gone through tons of boyfriends who used her, knowing she wouldn't leave until things hit rock bottom.

"What can I do?" Amara asked herself. Without an answer in sight, she left the apartment, to head to her own. She may have only known Karen for a short while, but she still wanted to help her somehow.

|Other World - Takanawa - Kitamura Dojo|2:30 am|

Josephine was standing outside a dilapidated dojo, next to some broken ornament that used to be a tacky lion statue. With trash all over the path, and graffiti all over the walls, Josephine laughed.

"To think, the resonance came from this ugly place. My darling survivor, I will set you free now."

Walking towards the dojo, the wind blew, and the last leaves blew off the recently dead tree. Josephine knocked on the door, with no response.

"I know you're in there. Trust me, if you have any sense, you'll join us! I would welcome you with open arms, even if you were a Prince Charming or a damsel in distress. Let me show you something. Come forth, Cybele!"

Josephine's body, surrounded by a red aura, released an almost nude female with light orange skin. With long flowing silver hair with a black streak, she had scarlet eyes and pink lipstick, combined with faint yellow tattoos all over her body and a small jewel between her eyebrows. Her only clothing was a long white tabard and silver bracelets and anklets. Her face had an evil, sultry look, and she was armed with golden toothed swords.

The door of the dojo slowly opened, and Josephine smiled, with evil delight.

"Ah, you poor beautiful maiden. How tragic that you wasted your gift, stuck in this lonely shell. Do not fear me. I will save you from this wretched land. Move out of the dark, and take my hand." Josephine said, holding out her hand.

The woman in the darkness took her hand, and Josephine chuckled. This was a victory over Archibald at last.

|Farawell - Derelict Skyscraper|2:30 am|

Archibald stood outside a tall skyscraper, which over the years had became uninhabited and infested with insects, as well as many Shadows. Yet, he had heard reports of homeless men trying to get inside for refuge. They were desperate for any kind of shelter, even if they had to spend the night in fear of a Shadow attack. Recently, these men had been driven out of the skyscraper with serious injuries. One of them didn't even make it out at all. Their reports were almost incomrephensible, but they all mentioned a 'scary man' who had strange magic.

"Well, a Persona user hiding from us, ey? I think he'll find that I'm much tougher to get rid of than a few measly vagrants." Archibald looked up at the crumbling structure, with a sinister glint in his eyes. "I'm sure Josephine won't be happy to find out about this. That merely sweetens the pot, of course."

He stepped inside, awaiting the very moment he would have to awaken Thor. For surely Thor would have a playmate tonight.