Chapter 6
Jun looked out the window of the limousine trying not to fidget.
Anthony at the last minute had arranged for her to be picked up and he would meet her at the Art Gallery. Jun did feel a bit disappointed that he would not be picking her up himself, but she supposed that being one of the main organizers of such a big society event he probably had to be there earlier than his other guests.
He would be taking her home later though.
So I suppose it compensates she thought- looking out the window again at the passing lights on her way to the city. She had spent the afternoon at the hairdressers and having make-up done, and then getting dressed... She was wearing her favorite perfume called 'Beyond Paradise.'
She hoped he liked it.
For once when it came to the business, Jinpei had been right; they could afford to pay some casual staff. Her friend Jill had been looking for casual work and Kathy was an apprentice chef who wanted extra cash to travel. The Snack J in the past two years was doing very well Jun was still very cautious towards money but peace times did bring in a lot more customers.
Well time to think of others things than the Snack J.
Feeling a little more nervous now Jun looked at her hands- her nails were French manicured but still trimmed to a sensible length.
Her thoughts fleeting back to the lunch date a few days ago with Anthony had been wonderful they talked and laughed.
He was a very intelligent man, and she found she could hold a good conversation with him. His dress sense was as immaculate as his manners, something she really wasn't used to in a man. Around him she had a sense of formality.
Unlike Ken-Who she would sit with and talk with on different levels for hours, and feel she tell him just about anything, except maybe how she felt for him over the years.
Anthony had lightly kissed her lips when they last parted after lunch and it surprised her that she did not feel weak in the knees from it.
It was nice but it left her feeling a little confused.
He was handsome, sent her flowers, called her, took her out to lunch, paid her attention and when he lightly kissed her she didn't feel… well blown away by it. Maybe she just needed to give it time to get to know him more. She wasn't experienced really in getting to know someone on a romantic level. Maybe she was expecting too much too soon…sighing she tried to gather her wander thoughts in.
The limo was pulling up in front of the Gallery and Jun could see Anthony waiting for her.
"Jun you look beautiful," he said helping her out of the limo. She smiled into his sparkling eyes as he gently took her hand in his. It was more difficult than she thought to get of a car in and evening gown with getting it wrinkled and be graceful at the same time.
"Thank you Anthony, I've been looking forward to tonight." She smiled wistfully wonder what the night ahead would bring her.
She didn't know what else to say after that, so she let him lead her up the wide sandstone stairs into the building.
The Art galley overlooked the waterfront of Utoland's main business district. It was an old sandstone building owned by the local government and the management of the gallery was contracted privately.
Utoland did not have a strong art culture but the local government had decided to encourage aspiring you artist to bring people to the small nation.
The galley had artworks for sale and was working on establishing a museum. The exhibit was to help encourage that, since it had become know that Gatchaman and the Science Ninja Team likely lived in Utoland.
There were a lot of people at the exhibit already, mingling and looking at the artwork. Jun out of habit and years of training took in her surroundings quickly checking exit points and strategic positions.
Ryu was there already with some nibbles in one hand and a glass of champagne in the other talking to a girl with blonde hair and pretty features that she didn't know. By the way she was leaning toward him she was most likely his date. He glanced in her direction giving her smile before returning to the conversation.
The hall that the official opening would take place ran off the open promenade that faced towards bay. There were two set of large double doors wide open that allowed a good view into the room. The promenade was softly lit by lamps Banners hung from the ceilings advertising the exhibit with "Real Hero's," and dates on them, an air brushed picture of Gatchaman.
She couldn't see Jinpei yet, but then he had just left minutes before her to pick up Kerry his new girlfriend. She looked over to where one of the paintings was on display on the other side of the room to see Ken standing in front of it alone.
Where was Claudia? She thought, she had to look twice to recognize him, but it was defiantly him. She let her eyes rest on him for a moment and the feeling of butterflies started in her stomach.
He was always a handsome man whether in civilian dress or birdstyle, but tonight he looked gorgeous.
His thick chocolate brown hair that she always felt like taking a comb to had been trimmed and brushed back with neat waves framing his face and fell just below his collar.
The black tuxedo sat well on his medium 6'1 frame and broad shoulders, and when he turned and looked in her direction she tried to suppress the flush rising to her cheeks and felt her chest tighten.
His blue eyes stood out against the light tan of his skin and the bow tie and crisp white shirt and blue vest made him look sooo handsome it was almost intoxicating. She had to look away before anyone noticed her reaction, so she chose to follow Anthony into the auditorium.
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He'd been there for about half an hour before he saw her walking through the door.
Ken was looking at an air brush picture dictating the Phoenix in firebird mode.
It showed the phoenix head on, as if the consuming flames were transparent somehow showing the warship under the flames. The background was black.
That's a really good picture actually, he thought before looking over to hall entrance and catching a sight that took his breath away. At any another time he would recall every detail as to how she looked that night, but in that moment he was mesmerized.
Ken had seen Jun in many different lights over the years, in battle poised to take on Galactor goons moving with such deadly grace.
He could see her standing with her hands on her hips scold look on her face while she argued with Jinpei at the Snack J about work that needed to be done- the sunlight shinning through her tinted visor as they observed a peaceful moment during a mission.
A look of wonder at the beauty of the ocean before her as the phoenix dived into the sea, and her soft smile and kind eyes sitting at a table opposite him late at night over a glass of wine and quiet conversation. A warm wonderful feeling flooded him.
She was so beautiful in every memory but he had never told her, duty had always came first personal feelings second.
The teal green gown's soft flowing fabric hugged her every curve and shimmered as she moved. The colour made her soft ivory porcelain skin glow. Some of her hair was caught up in lose curls that sparkled a little when she turned with small diamond pins, some of her black hair fell in loose curls around her face and down her back .
He caught her eyes for a moment across the promenade then she turned to follow Anthony into the Auditorium.
" You really should tell her you know." Ken turned to find Simon had walked up behind him he turned to face him before replying. "What do you mean, tell who what?"
Simon let out frustrated breath this was going to be difficult. Either this cute guy was clueless or deliberately acting dense. "Jun, you should tell her how you feel about her." Ken stood silent looking at this person who hardly knew him, but seemed to read him like a book; Simon had a very open nature and you couldn't help liking him.
" It's none of you business." Ken told him, he was about to walk away from him Simon spoke again." Maybe, but she really is a catch you know, and I get the feeling in her life she has never really been told by people closest to her. I don't know the kind of life she's had, but you seem to have known her for a long time. You can't keep it in forever or else you'll become some Greek tragedy or something. She deserves someone who understands her. I've only know Jun a short time but I do consider her a friend." Ken now knew what Joe meant when he said he didn't like to be lectured.
With
that Simon huffed and walked away to talk to someone who had called
out his name.
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Jun scanned the room again and found Dr Nambu talking to a group of older men;
Joe was over near one of the large windows over looking the bay. His attention was completely absorbed in the conversation he was having with a very beautiful young woman. She almost came to his shoulder with a shock of long dark copper curls that fell almost to her waist, and almond shaped Violet/blue eyes with clear ivory skin.
She held herself with an air of confidence- she was wearing a simple pale blue satin gown. She was a very elegant woman. Not generally Joe's type Jun observed as she looked around for a possible neglected date.
Jinpei walked in the auditorium moments later with Kerry, she was a little taller than Jinpei, thin but pretty with a bubbly personality.
" Hi Jun!" Kerry chirped as they walked over to her "Wow she said this is lovely Jin." She said wide eyed as she looked around the room with paintings on the walls big floral arrangements in the corners. Glass cases in the centre of the room displaying other sculptured artworks.
A painting took Kerry's attention and she headed off to look at it.
Jinpei looked at his sister and gave her a rare compliment "You look great sis, is that him?" Jinpei was looking over at Anthony who was talking to some city officials.
"Yes that's Anthony, what took you so long getting here?" Jun frowned.
Jinpei frowned a little. "Frowning makes your face wrinkle faster." Jinpei's said with a cheeky grin. Jun resisted the urge to smack him across the head."whats your excuse?" she asked pursing her lips instead.
"Well you know, Kerry was still fussing over her hair with her mum when I arrived, and her father took the opportunity to lecture me on getting his daughter home before midnight pointing out to me that she's only 16 etc etc and he probably shouldn't be letting her out in the city with just me alone. If only he knew." A sly grin spread across the Swallows face as he looked at a picture of himself on the other side of the room.
"Jinpei," she said looking into his young face. "You've had it lucky in some ways, take note and make sure you get her home at a reasonable time or it's all down hill with her dad from now on." Jinpei looked annoyed with her last comments so he turned to walk over to Kerry and looked over his shoulder at his sister." I know, I know."
Before Jun knew it she was back at Anthony's side being introduced to people who belonged to Utoland's society circles.
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Ken had walked into the auditorium and was nabbed by Dr Nambu as soon as he spotted him. He spent the next hour being introduced to various people that Dr Nambu felt he should know. He was introduced as one of the ISO's test pilots.
The whole time he kept tabs on where Jun was in the room. The conversation he was in with a visiting politician from Austria was interrupted by Anthony who had gone to the microphone to start the official opening of the exhibit.
He talked for a few minutes on how it was wonderful to see everyone here and started introducing some of the Gallery's main sponsors. Ken observed him during the speech, he was very polished in manner and Ken could see why Jun would be charmed by him.
Didn't she deserve the best? He though.
What could he offer her? An airfield. He had no money, so he found when he really sat down and looked at his finances the other day. He smiled to himself at the memory; he figured it wouldn't hurt to look at a few other clothes while he sorted out a tux for the night.
He discovered that department stores offer "store cards." It was the only way he was able to buy the shirts, couple pairs of dress pants, new jeans and sports coat, three pairs of shoes and some accessories, the older man who worked in the department was helpful.
Ken had no idea how to put things together, and he had to get it together for her, so he secretly paid off his tab at the "J" he winced at how much the bill was but bit the bullet and did it.
It was a start to get out of debt, and she didn't deserve to be taken advantage of like that. He even booked himself in to see a financial planner the next week to work out how he could make a profitable business out of the airfield, offer flying lessons maybe??
Some of the official introductions over Anthony proceeded to introduce Kray Wilson the artist.
"Good evening everyone, I hope you are enjoying yourselves and my art. It is an honor to be invited to present my work in such a beautiful city…"He droned on in a boring tone still he continued to talk, and Ken tuned out a little as he observed some of the people around him. "Now to conclude my talk I would like to make a presentation to Dr Nambu of the ISO, who I believe heads up the Science Ninja Team who are our" Real Hero's." I have always been a fan." Dr Nambu made his way to the podium as one of the Galleries assistants handed him a large picture that was as tall as he was.
Kray Wilson held up the artwork and Ken was impressed with the detail. The faces were not accurate beneath the visors but the expressions were. They looked more like animated characters to him.
The team in the picture was set against a stormy blue sky with the god phoenix in the background with each of them posed for action holding their weapons and Joe with a feather shrunkien in his mouth and gun poised in his hand, Jun's Yo yo posited to strike, Jinpei with his boulers in flight, and Gatchaman was closest holding his bird rang in the air like he had just caught it. The painting was amazing in detail and really did catch their characters.
"Thank Mr. Wilson" Dr Nambu said addressing the people present. "It will hang proudly in the ISO office for all the team to see. I'm sure they will love the detail you have gone to. Once again on behalf of Gatchaman and the science Ninja Team, thank you." He finished and left the podium handing the painting to one of the officials to take back to ISO headquarters. Dr Nambu never did say more than he needed to.
Ken watched Anthony walking around with Jun for a while longer; He was placing his hand in the centre of her bare back.
Damn him! Jealously rising in him again.
He was distracted by Joe who put a glass of champagne in his hand and indicated that he follow him out of the room. They walked out into the promenade area of the gallery.
"I thought I'd help you escape Dr Nambu for a while." Joe casually leaned on the railing.
"Thanks," Ken replied. "What friends are for, so how's your evening going?" Joe asked taking a sip of his champagne. Ken didn't reply for a minute and looked closer at Joe something was different about him. "So how's yours, who's the red head? You haven't been far from her all evening, why didn't you bring a date?" Ken questioned him taking the topic of conversation of himself.
Joe grinned and his whole face lit up. "The answer to your first question is her name is Madeline. She is my date." Ken could stop the surprised look that came onto his face. "She's not normally your type- she doesn't look like she hangs around racing circles."
Joe looked back into the room at his date for a minute. "You're right she doesn't I met her a few days ago outside the city hall. " The smile stayed on his face as watched her.
"I'd driven past there a few times, and spotted her about the same time each day, this time I was early in the city just driving around and decided to see if she'd be there again. I parked the car and when I got there she wasn't out the front, so I went inside and heard this beautiful music come from the main hall so I went in." Joe had a faraway look on his face as if reliving a joyous moment as he continued his story…
" …There she was in the hall all by herself playing the flute… Beautiful moment…. She's 1st flutist in the city orchestra." Joe sighed. Ken studied the Condors face, he never had that doe eyed look in his eyes. It just wasn't Joe. "Anyway she stopped playing and looked at me and smiled and asked me if I had a request…We got talking after that and I asked her if she had time for coffee. We talked for hours, I felt like I'd known her for years. We could just talk about anything… well almost. I just want to spend time with her. I suppose when you have a chance at something you just have to go for it. I had to die to find that out."
A troubled expression flinted crossed Joes face. Something of the old condor was still there."I'll have to eventually tell her I'm not completely normal, and I don't know how a girl like her will react when she find's out I live in a trailer among other things, guess it's time to do something more permanent with my life." Joe said "Cheers," then he clicked glasses with Ken and headed back to Madeline.
Well there's a first time for everything thought Ken. The Condor is in love!
When Ken walked back in Jun and Anthony had not moved for where they were and Anthony's hand had moved lower on her back.
Enough is enough!he thought and headed over in their direction.
"Good Evening Jun." He greeted her and smiled politely.
" Ken! "She said as if being taken by surprise. "You know each other," Anthony said looking from one to the other. "Yes." Jun said to him"Let me introduce you. Ken Washio is a test pilot at the ISO and a regular customer at the J, this is Anthony Querreo he is the director of the Gallery."
Anthony extended his hand to and Ken. Who gripped his hand in a manly handshake Ken didn't let go before he'd tightened his grip enough to make Anthony wince at pain that went through his hand. Ken smiled at him like a chess player trying to guess his opponents next move on the board. Anthony cleared his throat understanding the signals Ken was sending out.
" Well Ken, I hope you have a good evening and enjoy the artwork." He then skillfully directed Jun away from him.
The evening after that was filled with music and people mingling drinking champagne and looking at Kray Wilson's paintings and giving expert opinions.
Ken was looking at one of the portraits the artist had done of the Swan. It was part of a series of action shots that he had done of each of them. There were three painting together about A3 size. He had made her stances look so graceful. Just like a real Swan…
" What was that all about Ken?"Jun's voice came quietly as she can and stood beside him after finally finding a way to get away from Anthony without being too obvious.
"Have seen some of these pictures Jun they're really very good, it's a shame they are way out of my price range." He tried to change the topic knowing where it was going.
Jun sensing just that, asked her question again." You're avoiding the question Ken."
"I know." He responded looking back at her. He drew a breath before continuing
" He's a lucky guy you know, to have attracted you into his life." He looked at her standing there glass of champagne in her hand, looking up at him through her dark lashes with that questioning look he had seen at times over the years.
" Jun you look beautiful tonight, you always have been to me… I just thought you should know." Ken could keep the emotion out of his voice, feeling embarrassed and not knowing what to do next he looked back at the painting of his Swan.
" So do you, always…" Was her response and Jun walked away.
He watched her walk over to Anthony the back of her dress showed her elegance and soft skin that he just wanted to reach out and touch. Her beautiful dark hair that he could run his fingers through, as he watched her move slowly to the music in another mans arms.
The strands of a song that was playing caught his ear. The soft music had a romantic tone to it and gave the listen a sense of longing.
…There's such a sad lov…, Deep in your eyes, a kind of pale jewel…Open and closed within your eyes…I'll place the sky within your eyes…
The words of the song some mirroring how he felt.
There's such a fooled heart…Beating so fast in search of new dreams…
As the rest of the evening progressed he watched her interact with other people and the other strands of the song played in his mind;
As the pain sweeps through…Makes no sense for you…Every thrill has gone…
Ken thought of all the times they had gone into battle together.
But I'll be there for you-oo-oo…As the world falls down
Suddenly he felt himself falling…and he could control what was happening to inside his heart.
Makes no sense at all, makes no sense to fall…, falling in love…. As the world falls down.
How could he have been so blind for so long and never acted on how much he loved her. Taking so much for granted in his life with her there.
He was such a fool. He felt it fully as the realization that he really could lose her forever came on him.
Fool he thought over and over……He had to take a chance. He began to imagine what it would be really like to have Jun as his girlfriend, what his life could really be like with her by his side every step of the way…Joy filled his heart at that moment.
I'll paint you mornings of gold…I'll spin you Valentine evenings…
He imagined taking her for flights in his Cessna, a romantic weekend away together…
We're choosing the path between the stars… I'll leave my love between the stars…
Ken didn't want to lose her to someone else; she was so much a part of his world He had to find a way to tell her. As the evening drew to a close and he said goodbye to the other team mates he made his way to his car. The rest of the song still playing in his mind;
"Falling, Falling in love…"
Ken looked up and saw Anthony helping Jun into a red Ferrari with the soft top pulled up.
He froze momentarily before getting in his car and looking in the direction that the Ferrari pulled out he decided to follow them.
The thought that this guy would seduce her that night drove a resolution into him; it was not going to happen while he was around.
He loosened the bow tie at his neck, kicked the car into gear and followed behind them at a safe distance.
Where was he taking her?
Not in the direction of the Snack J he noticed!
Song Lyrics
"As the world falls down" by David Bowie for Labyrinth.
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