Chapter 45: The Knighting Gale
Haru was leaning against the wall and listened to her mix, she was giving it her all and he knew that there was no way he could compete with her clean style. It was a sound he had become enchanted with, however he knew there was more to come from the one who taught him what sound really was. It got louder and he felt the building shake as the bass pounded. He spotted a slender blond on the dance floor, his body seemed to be the example of her mix and people backed off and gave him room to work. He moved smoothly and Haru looked up at Alex, her brow was covered with sweat and she was holding the headphones to her head with one hand. "Epicenes in the slightest sound," he whispered. There was a waft of something familiar and he was snapped from his thoughts, Haru's black eyes narrowed and he whispered, "Shinigami." William adjusted his glasses and looked over at the Undertaker. "Four of them, so Claude you sent something to protect her," said Haru. He was mildly amused he didn't think Claude would call shinigami to protect her; she wasn't even contracted to either to them. The mix came to an end and Haru looked up in the booth, Ash was standing there, "Don't worry kids, there's more to come. Haru who was advertised decided it would be more enjoyable to listen to two DJs battle, you just heard the first one," Ash paused and looked to Alex. It was clear he needed a name. She was dressed oddly, Alex smiled and shrugged, "I went by Knighting Gale prior to this," she whispered. Ash stared at her and smiled, it was an apt name for her. "Knighting Gale!" he called and there was a roar, "Now Haru will take the booth," said Ash. There was an even louder roar as Haru walked into the booth and Alex stepped out.
"Let's wake this house up!" he shouted as he opened with a booming bass. Unlike Alex who was breaking into her own personal compositions and referencing Dunstep, Haru brought out popular favorites which everyone knew. Grell looked at William and whispered, "I liked Alex's mix better." William nodded in agreement; he thought that Haru would bring out some interesting sounds, only to bring the same material as every other DJ. Yet the people were still grooving to it, Ronald looked up to Ash's office to see the man in white looking at Haru, his arms were crossed and he clearly looked displeased. Haru's eyes opened and he looked out of the corner of his eye to notice how annoyed Alex looked. Haru grinned and did a massive scratch which causes every dancer to pause as Haru cracked out some of his stuff. Chinese instruments were weaving into electronic elements and everyone paused, Haru smiled as he pushed the tempo and added a few new elements. A smile of satisfaction curled his lips as he watched the people in front of him grove. Ronald looked at Haru with a hint of confusion and whispered, "This is the best Japan has to offer? Najubes was better." William looked at him confused and Ronald pulled out his cell phone as he walked over to the bar, Haru's turn was coming to an end and he knew he had to get Alex to really bring it. William fallowed behind him and said, "We're working so no alcohol." Ronald turned around and glared, "I wasn't I was getting a Club Soda." William paused and crossed his arms, "From what I've seen you drink like a fish." Ronald blushed and scratched the back of his head, "Ah those times I came in smashed, well that was only after one glass," he said sheepishly.
William stared at him in shock, "From what I heard you chug it like its water, one glass?" he asked. Ronald. Ronald sighed and said with a hint of embarrassment, "I'm a light weight when it comes to alcohol. I've never had much of a tolerance, now Grell Sempai, he can drink." William felt annoyed with himself he couldn't believe that he actually believed the rumors Allen had told him. "Sorry," whispered William, Ronald shrugged and smiled, "Don't worry about it." Ronald's phone vibrated and he looked at it, "She got it and says she's bringing out the stuff she was known for," said Ronald. William was confused for a moment and Ronald looked at the bartender, "Club Soda," said Ronald firmly. William watched as Ronald leaned against the bar and smiled, "See no liquor," he said, "However don't tell Allen or Eric, or any of the guys at the office." William chuckled and nodded, "You're secrete is safe with me." He looked at Ronald and realized how little he knew about him, he was known as a heavy drinker and partier, almost wild, and yet in truth he ordered virgin drinks and partied because he enjoyed it. The bartender slid his drink across the counter and Ronald caught it effortlessly, "Ah Haru's turn is coming to an end," said Ronald which pulled William from his thoughts. Grell walked over to the bar with the undertaker not too far behind.
"What are you drinking?" asked Grell curiously and Ronald looked at the glass, "Gin Fizz," he said smoothly, the room was so dimly lit that it was impossible to tell that the contents of the glass weren't foggy. Grell smiled and called, "You who! I would like an American Beauty!" The bartender nodded and the Undertaker added, "A Black Witch." The bartender smiled, it was clear he didn't get to make that drink often either. William adjusted his glasses and said, "I do believe I told the both of you that we're working," his voice was as cold as ever. The Undertaker shrugged and said, "I'm retired, the rules don't apply." William sighed, he was well aware of that and then turned to Grell, "You aren't!" he shouted. Grell pointed at Ronald's glass, "He's drinking," he whined. William sighed he knew Grell was going to do this, "It's Knox, taking him to a bar and him ordering a drink regardless of my orders," said William snidely. Ronald glared and Grell placed his hands on his hips, "One drink, that's all I want besides I won't get hammered after a single cocktail." The bartender served both drinks and smiled, "You're American Beauty," he then dropped a piece of dry ice in the other and said happily, "You're black witch." Ronald watched the drink fizz as the Undertaker took it and ginned. Grell's cocktail was a deep red and it was apparent why the red head had even selected the drink in the first place. "Haru's music is different by Alex's has this unusual undertone," said Grell. Ronald smiled, "You thought her first mix was interesting just wait until you hear her work her magic with the second one." Grell and the Undertaker looked confused until they watched her take the booth again.
There was the distant sound of chatter however it wasn't from the people in the room, it came from the speakers. "There's enough chatter why is she adding more?" asked Grell there was a hint of annoyance in his voice. William was about to comment when he heard the soft chime of a distant melody it was warm and soothing compared to the energetic music Haru had played. There was a tap on snares and suddenly the piece came to life as she threw in a guitar and a few voices. It was a smooth and clean sound which was refreshing; Ronald smiled and whispered, "That's what the Knighting Gale should sound like." William closed his eyes and said, "I actually like this." Alex smiled as she slowly introduced other elements filling the voids with sound of not only instruments but people. The piece transformed as the chatter faded and the guitar changed into something slightly more rhythmic and funky. The snares were turned off on the drum track and she threw in a breathy sound of a clarinet. William's eyes flickered open, "This sound?" he asked curiously. Alex's blue eyes were closed as she navigated everything blindly. Tthe sound of a Double Bass's strings being plucked, a soft deep echo which broadened the spectrum. Her eyes flickered open as she made each one more intricate and a man whispered, "This isn't sold anywhere." William turned around and looked at the man, he had emerald green eyes and silver hair there was a woman wrapped around his arms and he paused, "Arnold Sterling?" asked William. Sterling held a finger to his lips and pointed to the girl in the booth, "This is an original, if I knew she could create this kind of sound I would have gotten her sooner," he whispered.
William stared at him and noticed how Ash had vanished from his post, the piece became solemn and lonesome as she added a muted trumpet and the clarinet vanished. It was heart wrenching yet beautiful. "She really does give all her soul," said Sterling. Ronald froze and looked at him oddly, the way he said it sounded almost like Claude had on the phone. The piece became chaotic as she reintroduced elements which caused the crowd to grove even more. Ronald watched as she shifted gears and added another piece. "I wonder how much her soul would sell for?" William tensed and looked at Sterling, "What?" asked Ronald. Sterling smiled and laughed, he then turned to his date and disappeared into the crowd. "Ash, Ronald we need to find Ash now!" shouted William over the thumping of the bass. Ronald paused and looked at him in confusion, "He can't sell her soul." William shook his head and said, "Sterling can't but Seiki can." William's eyes widened and he stared at him, he had forgotten about the orb he had picked up. William dashed up through the crowd and spotted a number of demons. He had no idea how they had even managed to surpass Ash's bouncer. His heart was pounding in his ears as he managed to get to Ash's office.
In moments he had thrown the door open to find Ash looking at the crowd. "You bastard! You stated that there wouldn't be any demons other than Seiki in the club!" he shouted as he leapt across the room and lifted Ash off the ground by his lapel. Ash stared at the dark haired shinigami in shock, his lavender eyes were filled with pure surprise. "What?" he asked after a moment. William grit his teeth, his eyes looked more dangerous than possibly Claude had been. "Demons are in your club," repeated William. Ash shoved William away and hastily sprinted down the stairs, "How the hell did they get in? My bouncers are trained to detect them," he shouted. William paused Ash really didn't know about the demons, "You don't know?" Ash glared and replied sharply, "If I did do you think I would have let her perform here? I don't need problems from Claude who could sue me for all I'm worth or Sebastian who wouldn't mind encasing me in bronze." William nodded, "That doesn't matter we need to get the demons out, but I didn't see their auras," he continued. Ash froze and looked at him in confusion, "Yet you saw them?" William sighed and continued, "Yes physically we all have lists of demons which cause issues and what they look like, they were also flaunting contracts." Ash grit his teeth it was clear this wasn't even in his mind. "How many?" he asked. William paused, he looked into Ash's eyes and responded plainly, "I don't know, I saw at least 15." Ash cued his bouncers to sweep the floor and looked at Ronald who was clearly attempting to make his way to the booth and the silver haired Undertaker as he managed to get on the side of the booth. Ash and William made their way through to find Grell panicking, "Guys there are five demons in that corner." Ash and William looked around and began to wonder how many people in the room were human. "Why can't we see their auras?" yelled Grell over the speakers. William and Ash replied in unison, "We don't know!"
Alex was midway through the mix when she noticed Ronald, she was confused for a moment. It was impossible for an outsider to enter the booth. She was about to ask him what was going on when she saw it again, sleek silver hair and a slender figure in black with a wide smile. She shuddered and her eyes widened, he was holding a flower in his fingertips and she felt her knees go weak. Sebastian and Claude weren't there to protect her, she was actually in danger again. She looked at Ronald nervously who pointed to the Undertaker, "We'll protect you," Ronald mouthed.
He did intent to protect her however he had no idea how, there were already twenty demons in the room and a majority of them were looking at her. There was no way he could tell her what Sterling had been talking about or the fact that demons which Ash had planned to keep out had gotten in the club despite his security. No matter how he thought it out they were sitting ducks unless Claude and Sebastian managed to swing in. There were too many demons for four shinigami, no matter how skilled to handle.