Fire Fury Freedom

by Amanda Rose

  Kairu found himself still not vocally projective, or assertive enough. He’d felt he’d come a long way from his secluded depth of self when he had left Yokutan, but apparently, he’d not changed as much as he’d felt inside. He had to call for the storeowner, those brutes working their noisy tools just didn’t seem to hear him. After the initial feeling of displacement upon entering a place, once he was settled, all went well. Sitting down in the intact plastic covered seat, it crinkled beneath him, within the office he’d been scooted into. “How can I help you Mr. … ?” the man started off. He had a bushy beard and wavy grey hair pulled back. A pencil rested in the crook of his ear, though he wore a shirt and tie he looked as rough as his workers. Just as Kairu had won over the heart of Otojiro, he placed all attention on the owner, and got to him too…

  Down the roads of back streets Suako walked on. There was a certain charm here, unlike when she fled the C.D.F.P. building, and entered into Torusan’s garbage heap of grids through the water-main system. Back there, Suako had found herself intimidated by the trash scattered around, the towering buildings in the distance that she had left behind, and the darkness of everything. She had been in a city she’d never seen before, abducted from her home with her sister in a far-off land that she couldn’t even remember, due to some of the experiments messing up her long-term memory. Torusan was scary, and unfamiliar. Tomakomai was unfamiliar, but inviting. She felt like a little girl again and wanted to play; she wanted the childhood she’d been robbed of. With eyes as wide as saucers, exploration was on Suako’s mind, she’d excavate for questions later…

  “So, ma’am, with that statement shall I presume you are for the construction?” Mei drilled. She stood, with her short-slicked hair and suit giving off a masculine appeal, even without the merciless questioning. “Uh, well… Ahem, yes I am,” the lady replied almost bewildered by the intensity and strength in Mei. She was certainly efficient in her data collection. The first three people she’d interviewed so far were most uneasy, rather terrified, by her dynamic eyes. Green and sharp, they threatened like a blade.

  Mei’s blood was boiling. She wanted the next day to come, she wanted to finally avenge her family. Her patience was running thin for these silly side line jobs, and she had to stop and remember just to breathe. She looked up and noticed the woman almost squirming in her seat, on the verge of perspiring. Clam yourself down! Mei demanded of herself. “I apologise,” Mei improvised, “the Intel board is breathing down our necks. It seems this ‘C.D.F.P. Incorporation’ is impatient to get their building permit. That’s why I was so harsh,” in her words she accomplished two things: An excuse for her own overwhelming emotional attack, second she managed to turn this woman’s view on the C.D.F.P. The lady leaned forward, tables on her desk. “I see…”

  Squeak! The old wooden door rocked on its hinges as it was pushed inward. Jewellery presented itself in unique and interesting ways, draped over ceramic models and crystals, hanging from pins in the walls, and under glass cases. Shinning stones, glowing gems, and polished pearls intertwined in fabulous silvers and gold, or strung on chains. Masumi closed the door behind her to avoid letting in the draft. The lighting was dim feeling Romanesque. Behind the counter stood the merchant.

  Walking as carefully as possible in heals, oh so awkward, and her conforming skirt, Masumi slithered up to the counter. She knew the major factories we’re being bombarded, and that the majority of people in the regular city shops used power too, in some form. Putting on an adult front, or so she hoped, she was ready to try to get some information from the common people…

  Tired of hearing such high regard for the C.D.F.P. Vince took a break. He found a vendor on the street selling hot drinks, so he rummaged up some cold, for his foreign coin would give him away, and exchanged it for the brew. Frothy coffee, topped with whipped crème and cinnamon, tipped toward his lips. The hot and refreshing flavour came in and energised him. The burn of the coffee allowed him to feel his oesophagus as he drank. Vince waltzed into a nearby park and took a seat. He sipped at his coffee as he watched the coming and going of people through the park trail.

  A red cardinal flew up and rested itself next to Vince, landing on the bench. Vince looked down at the bird, and it looked back. He’d never seen one before. It’s bright red body and distinctive black throat melded gloriously. It seemed it to not be afraid in any manner, so Vince pulled a piece of bread from the suitcase and tore free a morsel and tossed it to the bird. Pecking away the cardinal pulled free the seeds and finally consumed the rest of the tasty tidbit. They sat peacefully together for a long while. He’d never experienced such non-hostile wildlife…

  “… This way.” A cold hard slam cast out the bright light. Shadows enveloped the body belonging to the voice. The dark figure, free of detail, led the way, while the echo of footsteps bounced off stone walls. Dim electric light above slowly had eyes adjust to them. There were no windows. Past the titanium door there wasn’t much but stone and steel, both anonymous in the blackness. The hum of electricity, and the sloshing of flowing exposed pipes, permeated throughout. The stench of urine dominated the foul and stale air.

  Around the corner came a rattle of keys, followed by a screech as a barred door pushed forward. Entering the next section of the hall the man behind Mack re-locked the caging door. “Go ahead an take your time sir,” the man said. “Thank you,” Mack proceeded in. Through well kept steel doors, the inmates looked to Mack. His eye was straining to see in the dim light, and he was developing a headache from it. Searching face after face, prisoner after prisoner, Mack marched down the corridor. Mack had visited another prison already. His mission varied from that of his warriors; his true reason for the group division…

  Five o’clock rolled around faster than anyone had expected. For some it was a blessing, for others an all-too soon end to a free day. They gathered in the lobby as they’d planned. At 5:22PM the last, Mack, finally arrived. “Sorry. I got held up,” Mack apologized as he walked up. “So much for punctuality,” Mei rolled her eyes, the stress taking its toll on her. Kato couldn’t help but laugh, there was nothing else he could do to release the tension he felt. It sprung a chain reaction, and soon everyone was laughing, as discreetly as possible due to location and status. Not everyone even knew why he or she was laughing, all they knew in the end was that it felt good.

  It was time to check in. Mei and Kairu handled getting the rooms while the others sat at the end of a of the room, in a semicircle couch, which trailed just slightly away from the main lobby. They were served complimentary tea for there business there. They examined their surroundings as they waited. The marble floor was so well kept it gave off reflection. Rose trees were potted indoors, and bronze trim coiled around the room, accenting it. Scarlet paint, that tricked the eye to look like velvet, covered the walls. Paintings and tapestries hung here and there decorated the interior.

  A sheen seemed to appear on everything under the soft lighting. A low fire crackled, barely heard under the mingling voices of guests and hotel workers. The fire was framed by hand carved cherry wood that hand been covered in some sort of reflective wood protector. On top of its protruding mantle rested three vases, the outer two filled with lavender and the inner one with lilies. There was a green house not a block away from the hotel that had kept them in good supply of bountiful plants and flowers.

  In the centre of the circular lobby a chandelier of crystals and candles sat above the heads of passing clientele. Cascading rainbows, and water-like reflections, projected from the chandelier onto the floor and walls, just like magic. On the ceiling, from which the chandelier emerged, was an enormous and all-consuming mural. It was midnight blue, and the constellations of the stars had been carefully detailed on it in a silver that shinned. On top of it being critiqued to perfection with artistry, the dimensions of the ceiling alone drew the eye upward. In the circular lobby it domed in, and throughout the halls it fell concave.

  Everything was polished in this place, not a hair was out
of place. From the couch they sat upon, to the flowers, and the wardrobe of the staff, it all flowed and seemed paradisiacal. Kairu and Mei returned with keys in their hands. The click of their shoes against the floor drew back everyone’s attention, which had been lost to flawless mastery.

  “This place is amazing,” Mei said twisting her head this way and that as she came back. “It reminds me of my old house… only much better,” Kairu said, remembering those doors to his home which he’d examined so thoroughly as a boy.

  “So, we’re all good?” Mack asked standing up once they were in good ear’s reach. “Yep, no problems. Our rooms are neighbours. We’re in 216-” Mei started. “And we’re in 217,” Kairu finished. They passed out the extra keys. “So, anything else today Mack? I’m tired,” Mei said, her eyes speaking the droll truth of her words. “No. We’ll talk tomorrow morning briefly before we go,” he replied placing his key in an inner pocket of his blazer. “Ok, I’m leaving then. Kato, you coming?” Mei asked rubbing her dreary eyes. “Yeah, I could use a drink,” he replied with just as long a face. He tossed his suit jacket over his shoulder and carried it as such. “Later,” she said as they left.

  Everyone dispersed from there. Mack ended up entering the room first, and alone. Everyone else sharing his room had headed out to explore the city some more. He’d taken the bags and placed them in the room, then turning on a lamp by the bedside, it lit up the room dully. With the illumination a full-length mirror, standing across the room in a corner by the window, could now be seen. Mixed feelings guided him to the mirror standing at the other end of the room. Avoiding a coward’s denial, he brought himself to see his reflection.

  He was it was not as dreadful as he had suspected. His rough face accepted the black patch in almost a mysterious and intriguing way. Tiny corners of white gauze peered out from the sides while it healed. Still, it wasn’t enough, it wasn’t him; the patch was a cover-up. Mack had to see what he looked like beneath it all.

  Slowly but surely Mack brought fourth the courage to pull the black patch free of his face. The gauze stayed stuck to his face, red in the centre where he had last bled. A hesitant hand reached up and pulled the gauze away. He closed his good eye as he felt the gauze come free of his flesh. Reopening his eye slowly it focused and gazed at the image, which was his face.

  It was wet, with translucent fluid. His eyelid had been cut threw entirely in numerous spots. Pulling gently on the recovering glossy skin he looked to his eye. It was a ball of mush. It was as blind as it was when the eye was shut. It was an odd yellowish color, and swimming in bodily fluids trying to mend it. He let the mangled lid close. Searching desperately, he found some new gauze, placed it on the eyes and then covered it with the patch. Looking back into the mirror, he stared reproachfully at the left side of his face.

  Retreating to the sanctity of the bed Mack shunned the mirror. He cursed the truth. Accepting his disfigurement proved more of a struggle than he had imagined. Never having had considered himself to have been one aesthetically oriented, he hadn’t realised how much he cared. He verged on self-pity. Recoiling a moment later, he tried to focus on his mission. Mack needed his full attention for tomorrow, but still, his mind wandered back to the horrid image…

  The burn tingled and popped as it trickled down the throat. Intense artificial grape flavour intoxicated taste buds. Bubbles played hopscotch on tongues. The sweet scent of the drink was not strong, but it lingered on. Suako let go of the pinch on her dainty straw and placed down her glass on the table.

  Vince sat across from her with a white dress shirt and a tie, with his suit he’d worn that day. They were in a fancy restaurant, which was part of the hotels facilities. Their small table was covered with a warm sunflower yellow tablecloth and decorated with a small amber lampshade over a tea-light candle. The table itself rested against a crème colored pillar. Subtle music played from a violinist, which created a delicate yet desirable mood. The electric lights from the ceiling hung on brass chains, matching the other brass incorporated within the hotel, and the minute light let out came through tiny cut outs of stars on the metal ball containing the bulb. Other light sources, used more for their mood defining characteristics, came from candles in mounted holders on the walls.

  Lighting up the room, Suako was the bell of the ball. Vince had managed to get Masumi to get him a special dress for Suako. It was strapless, allowing attention to fall of her amethyst heart pendant, with a deep plunging back. The scarlet satin curved around her body. It fit close to her, with a tulip flare, as it drew near to the hard-dark wood flooring of the dinning area. A wide canary yellow band of satin circled her waist and tied into a bow in the back, the ribbon of which stretched the full length of the skirt portion. Suako was radiant.

  “So, will you tell me now why you’re doing this. You’ve been keeping me in suspense all night. I don’t think I can be patient any longer,” Suako said, reaching for her carbonated flavour pumped drink once more. The clear liquid tingled down once again. “Well, you’re just going to have to wait some more my dear,” Vince grinned reclining in her oak chair. She rolled her eyes and put down the glass again, “Oh, fine have it your way.”

  Click, click and click. “Hello. I’m Yuri, I’ll be your waitress tonight. I have your menus for you here. … Would you like to hear our specials tonight? … All right then. Tonight, our chefs are preparing a special lentil soup appetiser. It is made with some fresh onions, carrots, and celery leafs chopped finely and some imported garlic with cayenne, bay leafs and thyme to taste. Our other special appetiser tonight is garlic bread with the imported garlic we just got in. It comes with melted Parmesan cheese, soaked through with our butter mixture.”

  “Our first entrée for tonight is a honey-roasted ham, which has been slow cooked over the spit for the day. It comes with a small side of baby bok choy, and golden roasted potatoes. Next, we have a yakitori dish of skewered chicken, green peppers and gingko nuts which are glazed in a tare sauce and then grilled over charcoal. Once they are finished cooking one of our chefs pours cool beer over them and sprinkle them with schichimi and serve’s them with steamed leeks. I’ve had it several times; it’s absolutely scrumptious! And the last of our special entrées tonight is a large shiitaki mushroom stuffed with mozzarella cheese and shrimp, then baked in our brick oven, and that comes with steamed asparagus, eggplant and squash.”

  “Shall I give you a moment to decide?” The not-even-winded waitress, Yuri, asked, with a smile plastered on her face, yet it was genuine. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun and she wore a black uniform with simple red trim around the edges. It had a sheen like everything else within the hotel, and appeared to be silk. “Yes, thank you,” Vince replied. Yuri bowed and then left them to look over their menus.

  “Ok, Vince, don’t tell me why we’re here, but at least tell me how you’re affording everything!” Suako insisted with a giggle. Fizzing bubbles danced on top of the drink. “You remember when Mack used to pay us? Well, I found out why the pay stopped. He had been using his own savings from the years he’d worked in the C.D.F.P., anyway, I had mine stashed away. I traded paper money for gold currency, and then traded with Masumi. This is the last bit of my savings that I had hidden away,” he simplistically explained. “Oh…” Suako hadn’t realised what he was doing for tonight. It was understandable, quite possibly their last night in leisure, but still, the last of hard-earned savings gave the evening a certain depth.

  Not knowing what else to do Suako reached for her menu and opening it up. This dinning experience was something neither of them had ever experienced before; it was like stepping into a fairy tale. All of the eateries they’d ever been to before had been in informal setting. In Torusan there were only old run-down places, which used to be Rich Men C.D.F.P. turf, before they had abandoned them for the even better constructed Grid One sector. They had rusted metal walls, and de-fluffing barstools around a food stained counter. And then places like Quan, sitting in the sun on a cloth while one of the Quan
natives simmered up some cod on a grill, or some other magnificent dish that produced a therapeutic scent.

  As it was here, the aromas were of many different kinds, and they called forth all sorts of reactions. The amount of diversity offered here was astounding. All sorts of cuisine ranged here, and it was all authentic Imperial Continental in origin, but that’s where the similarities ended. Everything imaginable seemed to be listed on this menu. It had three pages just on their regular appetisers! Suako couldn’t believe her eyes.

  Explanations went into great detail, and everything sounded so delicious. Suako looked up, almost feeling dizzy, and very hungry. Vince lifted his head in time to meet her gaze. A grin swept across his face. “I’ve never seen so much to choose from in my life!” Suako snickered. “I know,” Vince looked back down at the page, “I can’t even choose what to start with. Any ideas?” “Nope,” a swift reply flew from Suako’s painted lips. She was on the verge of another giggle.

  Click, click and click. A woven basket with a graceful assortment within it was placed in the centre on the table. Egg rolls and a few pieces of complimentary garlic bread with gooey cheese dripping over it spiralled around the innards of the basket. Salivation commenced instantaneously.

  “So, have you decided?” Yuri pleasantly asked, a small notepad and pencil in hand. “Uh… We’ll need a few more minutes,” Suako nearly looked embarrassed, her hot cheeks slightly red. “Certainly. Can I bring you anything from our wine racks in the cellar?” she asked before leaving. Suako looked to Vince, who, in turn, looked up to Yuri, “Yes please. Do you have a good fruity plum wine?” “Indeed. We have well-aged Ume-shu that is quite nice. I’ll bring you some right away sir,” she bowed and excused herself.