Act 2
Niijima Makoto twisted her lithe frame before the mirror, frowning down at her own bare back. The red dress she wore strapped around the back of her neck, holding up a mostly modest front with no cleavage but bare shoulders. That was normal enough- but the back! It was like she wasn't wearing anything at all- nothing from the base of the neck to small of her back! It was like being naked! And the skirt! The thigh-slits were so high, they were practically hip level!
"Yoshi," said Makoto, her voice full of the doubt she felt, "this dress seems entirely scandalous!"
She turned from the mirror to look at Yoshida Toranosuke. He was standing next to her open wardrobe and was dressed in his most formal and stiff butler's uniform. Yoshida had long since stopped helping the Niijima sisters dress (that becoming an improper task for a male butler when Makoto had turned ten), but his matronly eye still reviewed Makoto's efforts before any formal event- and she would trust no other judge than the lifelong major-domo of the Niijima estate, and her late-father's lifelong companion.
"It does show a bit of skin," Yoshida said with an empathetic tone, "But I assure you, this is the current style of Tock-Yo high society. I went to several boutiques and saw the stock myself, and my dress-maker confirmed it: This is what eligible young women are wearing this season."
"Eligible young women!"
Yoshida's eyes opened a bit wider and he sighed. "Yes, Hime-kun. Young women without husbands are eligible, whether they want to be or not. And if they are eligible, they want to… put their virtues on display."
"Well, I am that! On display!"
Makoto turned back to the mirror, her own crimson eyes gauging her dress with doubtful nervousness. The front of the dress really wasn't so bad, but the ridiculously high thigh-slits hid almost none of the smooth skin of her legs. This was more a dress for her sister, Niijima Sae. She didn't shy away from showing skin- Sae presented her own body as a challenge to everyone: can you see me and not be a fool around me? All men seemed to fail that test. But Makoto didn't want to test men. She didn't want to test anyone. Right now, she just wanted this gala to be over. And to put pants on.
But- at least HE will see me in this dress. That wouldn't be so bad...
Makoto's thoughts of Amamiya vanished as Yoshida stepped into the reflection of the mirror, a parental smile on his face as he gently placed his hands on Makoto's shoulders. "You're the lady of the house tonight. You look the part. You're dressed in the latest fashion." He turned and retrieved a hairband from the make-up desk. It was cleverly designed to look like Makoto's own braided hair. "Put this on and greet your guests. It's time for your entrance."
Makoto settled the headband into her hair and gave herself one final look in the mirror. Did she really have the body to pull this dress off? It seemed better suited to Sae's height and long legs. For the first time since that night, Makoto wished her sister was here. But she was off on some hunt. Yoshida said not to expect her to return for a few more weeks. So, like it or not, tonight Makoto was THE Niijima.
Makoto turned to Yoshida. "Okay, I'm ready, I suppose."
Yoshida smiled slightly, then his face switched back to butler mode. He bowed stiffly. "Very good, my lady. I will introduce you shortly. Step out and descend the stairs, and we will perform the greetings at the base of the steps."
Makoto nodded and Yoshida stepped out of her room. The greeting line. The agonizing formality of the hosts individually greeting every guest in a long queue. It wasn't fun- unless you happened to be interested in social politics and the related gossip. For people who were, probably the formal greetings were the most interesting things of the evening. Father had enjoyed it. And Makoto thought Sae did, too. They'd become something of a team, back when this estate often hosted parties. Back when Father returned home. But then he didn't. And now it was just Makoto.
The successful conclusion of the Kamoshida hunt was only a week past, but it felt like months. Makoto's memory of the day was already beginning to lose its luster, like a dream fading in sunlight.
There was the ride through the city (made slightly longer by the side-trip to drop the Sakamotos at Takemi's clinic). A caravan led by a vampire head, ablaze like a torch in the dim morning sun. The cheers of pedestrians, and the steady horse-clopping of the accidental honor guard of Goro Akechi and his troops. Then, the rather anticlimactic payment of the contract from the junior clerk in the atrium of city hall. Sacked head into the window. A sack of gold back out of the window. And then that was it. A dispersing crowd on the main street, a general gaggle of city life returning to normal, and a weary-looking Amamiya slumped on the driver's bench of their salvaged vampire coach. They'd parted ways and Makoto went home to a relieved Yoshida- and she promptly fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Yoshida began planning tonight's event: the gala of a successful hunt. Father's tradition. He did so much love parties like this. Makoto... not so much. But Yoshida was adamant that traditions be continued. So the gala took shape over the intervening week, around an aimless Makoto- unsure of what to do with herself. Her usual past-times no longer seemed very interesting.
Makoto stepped out of her bedroom and shut the door. She began slowly walking down the hallway towards the atrium. She could see Yoshida ahead, taking his position near the top of the stairs. The gathered guests, unseen by Makoto below, began to quiet and she envisioned them all turning their attention to the major-domo standing expectantly at the top of the stairs above them.
"Ladies and gentlemen," announced Yoshida, ending the last vestiges of crowd murmur from below. "Honored guests…"
Makoto picked up her pace slightly, carefully stepping in her formal, heeled shoes. Her mind focused on the imminent challenge of gracefully descending the staircase in heels and this dress. The bright side of feeling like she wasn't wearing pants was that she didn't have to worry about tripping over her clothing.
"...I welcome you all to the Niijima Estate. And I am honored to present you the lady of the house: Ms. Niijima Makoto."
Makoto forced the ceremonial smile on her face. The same one her Father and Sae used, the same one Yoshida had spent a lot of time coaching into her. She walked to the edge of the atrium banister and silently accepted the customary applause of greeting from her guests. Father would usually say some joke which would get the guests laughing, but Sae would just walk around and descend quietly. Having no joke on hand, Makoto defaulted to Sae's approach and walked around the atrium, past Yoshida, and focused on holding her smile; on descending the stairs without looking at her feet; on instead passing her eyes over the faces of the crowd, seeing without seeing. If she didn't focus on anyone, she could somewhat pretend there was not over a hundred people staring at her legs and clapping. That kept her cheeks from heating up, at least.
The applause increased in volume as she descended, and when she was most of the way down, she paused on the steps and bowed. The applause faded away. She was expected to make a speech, to entertain. She'd been student council president in school, so speeches she could handle- but entertain? That was not her specialty.
"Thank you all for coming," said Makoto, "I'm honored you all came to celebrate my successful hunt. But I cannot claim all of the honor for only myself. A great many people were involved in the effort." She roved the faces of the crowd, trying to find the people she felt obligated to thank from the limelight. Her eyes landed on a middle-aged man of rugged features and close-cropped hair, standing uneasily in an old suit.
"First to Iwai Munehisa, the mechanic who supplies and maintains my gear. If anyone needs high-quality equipment, I cannot recommend his shop enough. It's by the east gate." She saw Iwai look down sheepishly. But she was sure he would appreciate the advertisement for his business amongst all this high-brow clientele.
Next, Makoto's eyes found the Suzuis, easy to mark due to the gap in the crowd made by the sitting Shiho- she was well enough to sit in a wheeled chair now. The black-haired young woman was dressed in a modest dress, and she sat elegantly in the chair- designed by Dr. Takemi and crafted by Iwai. Her parents stood to either side- Mr. Suzui stiff in an over-starched tuxedo, and Mrs. Suzui a flowery explosion of color in a low-bodiced gown. Just behind Shiho was Dr. Takemi Tae, as loyal to her patient as ever. She was dressed in a rather skimpy black dress. Beside Mrs. Suzui stood the bulging form of Principal Kobayakawa- a jello of a man and a reluctant ally, but a politically valuable one. So he was here, too… under the firm thumb of Mrs. Suzui.
"To the Suzui family. Their efforts at Shujin Academy were instrumental in uncovering my target. And physician Takemi Tae, who expertly saved the life of their daughter."
She'd spent a long time thinking of that part of the speech. She couldn't mention too much about the vampire's relationship with Shiho, for fear of socially tainting the poor girl. But she also had to praise Takemi's efforts in saving the young woman's life. Makoto hoped she struck the right balance there. And as for Principal Kobayakawa- he didn't deserve any praise for his complacency. He shouldn't even be here, as far as Makoto was concerned, but Yoshida and Mrs. Suzui had advocated there were advantages in inviting him. Makoto had reluctantly deferred to them.
"And to the Sakamoto family," Makoto searched and found them. Sakamoto Ann seemed to be wearing a dress similar to Makoto's, but blue like her eyes, and much more open in front. Mrs. Sakamoto was next to her, in a more modest green dress of a married woman. Next to her, Sakamoto Ryuji, dressed in an unkempt tuxedo with his shirt untucked.
"Without their help, the hunt would not have been a success." That was an understatement. Ann and Ryuji were instrumental in Kamoshida's defeat. Without them, Makoto would surely have been killed. But she wasn't about to go into detail and advertise the strange powers both Sakamoto siblings were abruptly able to conjure in Kamoshida's Palace. That mystery remained unsolved and alarmingly problematic. Those two were kidnapped by a noble vampire, and when they were next seen, they had magical powers. There was just no way that could be a good thing.
"And finally to my partner…" Makoto's eyes searched the back of the crowd, as that was certainly where he would be. But he wasn't there. So she searched the walls, but no one was leaning against them. Makoto's heart fell. He wasn't here. He hadn't come. That was… disappointing. "Who couldn't make it tonight, but he's known as Vampire HunterJay, and his expertise was essential to the entire endeavor."
Makoto bowed again. "Thank you. And thank you all for coming. I hope you will enjoy yourselves tonight."
As applause broke out again and the guests began talking once more, Makoto descended the rest of the way to the floor. Yoshida was quickly at her side, and the first guests began queuing up for the traditional greetings by the host. Yoshida would introduce the guests, providing their names and occupation, and Makoto bowed and greeted them formally, then they exchanged brief, socially obligated small-talk.
First came high-society folk and city officials that Makoto vaguely remembered from her Father's events. It was a long sequence of people she didn't really know, then finally the Sakamotos were there. They all exchanged more heartfelt greetings, and then the traditional time constraints pushed them on and there was another long sequence of people Makoto didn't really know. Then, it was the Suzui family with Takemi and Kobayakwa. Shiho was looking lively and happy. They all chatted amicably with the traditional empty nothings for the allotted time and then they moved off into the party.
Makoto watched as the Suzuis moved on, Mr. Suzui pushing Shiho's wheeled chair. Takamaki Ann bounded over and took over for him- Shiho looking up at Ann with a bright smile. They all looked happy. Of any event over the past week, the smile of Shiho felt most like victory. The broken girl looked well on the mend.
Yoshida cleared his throat behind her.
Oh! Right! Makoto turned to the next guests in line. A distinguished-looking older man with a stylish mustache stood before her. He was dressed in the traditional formal wear, complete with haori and hakama. Next to him stood a more modernly dressed young man, about Makoto's age. His dangling blue-black hair was stylishly arranged around a sharp, angular face. Blue-grey eyes were rimmed with perfect eyelashes. Did he style them?
"Ms. Niijima," said Yoshida from behind her, "May I have the pleasure to introduce Mr. Madarame Ichiryusai, an art dealer recently migrated from Yo-To... and his ward, Mr. Kitagawa Yusuke."
Everyone exchanged bows.
"I was honored at the invitation, Ms. Niijima," said Madarame, "you have a lovely estate."
Makoto had no idea who this person was, but she nodded her head in acceptance. "Thank you, though Mr. Yoshida deserves all of the credit for it."
"Ms. Niijima," said Yusuke with sudden forcefulness, "Your eyes are sparkling rubies."
Makoto was taken aback by the unexpectedly intense compliment. She felt her cheeks heat up. "Oh! Um- thank you, Mr. Kitagawa."
Madarame flashed a brief scowl at his young ward, and Yusuke shrank slightly under the silent rebuke. Madarame turned back to Makoto and flashed a wide smile of pointed teeth. "I apologize for my ward if he embarrassed you. We attended few social events back in Yo-To."
"Um- no, no. There is no need to apologize for a compliment," said Makoto, still feeling her cheeks warm. She looked from Madarame to Yusuke, but the young man's eyes were now downcast and he was frowning sadly. Makoto focused back on Madarame. "You're from Yo-To then?"
"Previously," said Madarame, "But even the wealthy run out of space for excellent art. It was time to seek new, untapped clientele. So if you have a room that needs something truly elegant, I hope you'll come to my gallery."
"I'll be sure to do that."
They exchanged bows again and Madarame and Yusuke moved on. Yoshida introduced more guests, and more guests after that- all of them blending into a stream of smiling faces and culturally acceptable exchanges of greetings. The line dwindled. Makoto's formal role in the opening of the event was almost over, and she would be able to attend her own party like a normal person. The last couple was introduced, conversed with, and sent off into the gala. Makoto watched them go, sighing with relief and a little disappointment. So it was like she'd thought: he hadn't come.
"And finally," said Yoshida, "I am honored to introduce- ah… I'm very sorry, but were you invited young sir?"
Makoto turned back, her heart jumping into her throat slightly. Yoshida didn't forget guests. But he wouldn't know that she invited this guest personally. For reasons she couldn't quite put into words well enough to explain to herself, she'd not wanted to tell Yoshida to invite him. She'd wanted to do it herself.
A pale, young man stood before them. He had a slight poof of unruly black hair, into which nestled a pair of spectacles which framed strangely grey eyes. He wore a well-tailored tuxedo, and it was the first time Makoto had seen him wear anything other than armor under a baggy coat. He looked… elegant. Noble.
"I was invited," he said.
His grey eyes traveled from Yoshida to Makoto's for a moment. She felt a strange flutter in her chest. Then he looked back to Yoshida and bowed to them both.
"I'm Amamiya Ren. Though some people call me Vampire Hunter J."
"Ah," said Yoshida as he looked Amamiya up and down. He then looked at Makoto with a small knowing smirk. "I see."
Makoto felt her cheeks heat up again. What did Yoshida mean by that?!