Neo-Kamakura

“Ok, next”, the bouncer called out.

Men and women lined up in neat rows, eager to get their merchandise signed by each of the Scarlet Wings band members. A couple in the back bounced up and down ecstatically while waving frantically at Cassy. Cassy waved gently and smiled back, before flipping the finger at the couple.

“Oh my gods, we love you CASSY!”, the girlfriend screamed, almost fainting from excitement.

Cassy said in a low voice to the bandmates sitting next to them, “I can’t believe the manager passed out from drinking. Didn’t she say she wanted to meet us?”

“Probably for the better today”, Mari replied, signing off on two tune-chip album covers. The chips themselves can hold thousands of songs, but most artists follow the traditional route of keeping things between nine to twelve tracks. Mari continued, “We might have bigger concerns on our hands.”

The line progressed, and each fan got their chance to shake hands and take photos with the three bandmates. Excitement notwithstanding, more than a few eyes darted incredulously towards the tall brooding figure standing beside Mimi.

“Woah. That’s a cool costume. You a cosplayer? You look just like the Blackbird. Can I get a photo with you too?”, one of the fans said, after Mimi signed off on his T-shirt.

Alyx could barely hold back her laughter. “Yeah, Mr. Blackbird” she said, her lips quivering in barely-restrained merriment. “You really nailed the look.”

Caz glared at Alyx sharply, and then at Mimi, “So where’s this opening you so proudly boasted of, Ms. Rainsong?” The fan sensed the hostility in Caz’s voice and took a step back.

“Sorry”, Mimi told the fan. “You’ll have to excuse him. The big man’s had a rough day and isn’t taking any part in any photos. Instead, I’ll throw in a free set of decals for being such a great and patient fan. I’ve seen you at a few of my concerts and I love that you’re always here for us. You’re my idol too.” She pulled up peace sign, gave the fan a wink, and then blew him a kiss.

The fan caught the kiss, fluttering on light feet, before the bouncer chimed in, “Time’s up. Next!” Dragging the content fan away, the next person in line pulled up.

“Disgusting,” Caz mumbled.

Mimi shook her head but didn’t look too offended. “Don’t worry big man. The meet-and-greet’s almost done. I know your heart can’t take such cuteness. Once it’s over, get ready to follow me and Mari to the warehouse,” Mimi said quietly to Caz.

Kids came along with their mother, each wearing specular jackets like Mari, while the mother wore a T-shirt with all the bandmates drawn on in a 2-D artstyle. Mari waved them over to her side of the table, talking ecstatically with the mother while the children laughed. Some of the kids high-fived Mari, who beamed a welcoming smile back at them, and at the parents.

The bouncer announced, “Five more minutes. Any fans left will have to come back next time. However, you can stop by the entrance where you’ll find free merchandise as thanks for your visit today.”

“Cassandra, you’re not coming?” Alyx asked, leaning against the wall, looking somewhat bored.

“Not today. I’ve already had my hands full with someone earlier. Too tired. Plus, Reina needs me back at Necronova for a briefing by tomorrow morning. There’s been movement within the Clan of Tributes. They say members of their Imperial Court there have been sending out their personal investigators into the other districts for reasons we’re still trying to discern. I don’t think you’ll need me there. Four Division hunters should be enough to take on even the Trepidor brothers.”

Caz mentioned, “You sure you should be telling us all this? Seems pretty important.”

“It’s okay”, Cassy responded. “You’ve told us all about your personal bounty request details, and Mimi trusts you, so I trust you. And believe me when I say, you’ll find no better judge of character than our leader here.”

“Aww stop it,” Mimi said, putting her hands on her cheeks and shaking like she was embarrassed. “You’re such a tease.”

Mari thanked the mother and the kids, who waved back before heading out.

A good three dozen people were still waiting in line before Mimi got out a small microphone which generated a Johrei shimmer. Alyx raised an eyebrow. Mimi’s voice amplified in the next moment.

“Time’s up darlings. I’m so sorry. We’re done with the meet and greet for today!” She closed her eyes and turned her head, making fists with her hands and holding them up to her face like a cat does with a paw. “For all of you who are left, don’t worry. We have a follow-up indoor performance tomorrow, with sound-checks and a special announcement regarding our future projects. Come check us out then!” Mimi looked around, as if in thought, and then looked back at Caz, nodding her head ever so slightly.

Caz uncrossed his arms, and straightened, ready for what’s coming next.

Mari whispered to Alyx, who looked a bit nervous, “You sure you want to come along? No shame in backing out now. You’re not really a fighter, no offense.”

“Normally I wouldn’t come along for a hunt, but…this is a personal matter. I have to be the one to see it through”, Alyx said, eyes looking at nothing in particular.

Mari paused for a moment before nodding. “Then try keep up, ok? Things are about to get spicy.”

Mimi announced into the mic, “Hey, I will personally lead you guys out. Each of you gets a free hug and heart-hands from me as a special service as you walk out. And I hope you stay a little bit to hear my words of appreciation for all the support you’ve given me throughout our idol careers.”

The crowd cheered, yelling Mimi and the other band member’s names.

As Mimi led the crowd outside, she pushed open the double-door entrance into the pavilion, where a large crowd of people walked about, looking through the festival attractions and talking amongst themselves. Some were sitting at benches eating food from one of the local food stands. Dozens dressed up in various colors representing each of the different bands. Men and women in neon decal, heavy make-up, and hairstyles of all varieties looked through the various booths for merchandise deals, and in the corner of Mimi’s eyes, she spotted a group of guards, eyeing her casually.

They acted as if nothing was going on, but Mimi knew better. As the crowd behind her gathered, she motioned them towards the grass in front of her, hugging and making heart-shaped signs with her hands for each of the guests passing by. Mari did the same, and Cassy only stared daggers at her fans as if they were utter trash before turning away and harrumphing, which, oddly enough, most of her fans squealed joyfully over. Caz couldn’t comprehend it.

“You see all of them?”, she whispered to Caz.

She couldn’t tell if Caz was scanning around behind his Johrei shards, but he affirmed a moment later. “Group of four is up there, on top of the high rise across the street from the pavilion.” Mimi a glint shining from where Caz pointed out.

Mari noted, “Not really taking any chances, are they?”

Mimi pulled up her microphone again, and more Johrei shimmered in the light. The more Johrei one used for offense, the less you had for defense. All Johrei came from the same pool, unless kept independently in vials for weaponry and the like. Mimi knew this, but proceeded to expend more than usual. At that moment, her voice reached the entirety of the pavilion. Her vocals weren’t loud on a decibel-scale, but the crowd could feel every word, as if she was standing next to each person, speaking directly to them. It was a soothing, almost melodic sound.

“Hello. Testing testing. Just stand there a moment while I figure this out. Ok. Can you all hear me?” Mimi asked, putting her other hand in a thumbs-up motion while looking around the crowd. They all raised a thumbs up in the air. Others in the distance started turning toward her, some looking confused.

“It’s been a year since the Scarlet Wing’s first debut in Necronova. During that time, we had our ups and downs. Well, mostly downs. Those first steps are always the hardest. Advertising in-person, performing at the local mall or on the street, we didn’t have a lot of resources to move onto the next stage, but…” Mimi smiled. “We did have our loyal fans – a strong community of people who gave us hope, when we were at our lowest points in our careers. There were only a few in the beginning – ”

Mimi named a few names, and a couple members of the crowed cheered, while other nodded their heads. She smiled warmly.

“ – but before we knew it, we climbed up the charts. We ended up getting interviews with local podcast stations, sold out at our first convention concert, produced five albums under a major record label, created multiple hit singles, and now…we’re finally here at Psyhi. It….” She began tearing up. “We couldn’t have done it without you, our loyal fans, our friends, our staff. Thank you all. Thank you to those listening for the first time. Thank you to the other acts and Psyhi for such a wonderful and fun event! Thank you!” Her voice became hoarse as she began crying. Mari smiled in the background. Audience members began cheering their support, some professing their love, and even the onlookers clapped in the background.

“So, before we head out for the day, I’d like to impart one last word to all of you. Stay here and enjoy the festivities. Live your lives to the fullest. Come see our show tomorrow, but stay here and support the other artists. We’ll be here, so no need to worry about us. Just enjoy the shows and event for now. After all, there’s still a lot of Psyhi music festival left to explore!”

When she finished, everyone started walking around the pavilion, each with a beaming smile on their face. The guards watching them, began looking towards the booths, the other stages, and headed there to check out the merchandise. The four guards on top of the high rise disappeared from view.

“They’re gone”, Caz said. He looked around. He wanted to chase after them, but something compelled him to stay and watch, “What…did you do?”

Mimi put a finger on her lips and leaned forward, “A siren never reveals her secrets.”

Mari chimed in, “She gave us the opening we needed. Don’t worry, the effects aren’t as strong with Inners. As an Augmentor, it should only feel like subconscious influence to you. For the guards and civilians however…” She looked to the crowds of people circling around the venue. Each person’s eyes were so focused, as if they wanted nothing else in the world except to have a good time at the festival.

Mimi pouted. Mari gave her a wry grin, “Don’t be cute. You were going to tell them anyways. C’mon, no one’s looking at us now. We should head out.”

Mimi sighed. “Ok, follow me. Caz, you’re not rocking an agility-set right?”

“Strength”, Caz replied.

“Hmm. Well, I only got one of those on me at the moment. Mari, you know where it is. Lead Caz there. And bring me my set.”

Mari grabbed a nearby bag and swapped out her armor set. Pocket-space armed, she punched the air and pulled out a series of thin carapace armor pieces, including shoulder-blades, gauntlets, greaves, shoes, and a simple flat chest plate for the front. Handing them to Mimi, each fitted snugly, adjusting to Mimi’s body and interlocked by Johrei shards as Mimi put them on. Her headphones, which Alyx just found out, were technically a modified Enthipid helm. With that, she had the full set, and a burst of adrenaline began surging through Mimi’s body.

She felt raring to go, hopping up and down to test the weight. Armor sets could be as heavy and sturdy as Caz’s or as light as Mimi’s, which also adds subtlety, as hunters don’t often immediately recognize another hunter who is using light armor, the design of which looks almost part of the clothing. These types of armor were more oriented towards Johrei-shield protection and contained less of the Bastion metal underneath. Regardless, the lower weight made agility users even faster than they otherwise would have been, and faster than other types of armor set users.

“Let’s do this”, Mimi started.

“Hey, what are you- ” Alyx began, as Mimi princess-carried Alyx under her arms. “We’ll head there ahead of you Caz. Don’t wait up okay?”

“You’ll be alright?” Caz mused.

“Aww. You worried big guy? Despite how cute I look, I am still a Shogun”, Mimi said. She winked at Caz before springing up to the top of the nearest building, jumping from one rooftop to the next. Caz just shook his head.

“C’mon, it’s this way”, Mari said, running down the road after Mimi. Caz took one quick look at the venue. All the guard patrols were still there, eating food and celebrating with the rest of the festivalgoers. None looked his way.

“A siren, huh?” he murmured to himself, before following Mari. As he contemplated, Caz finally realized why none of Mimi’s patrons ever inquired about her status as a Division hunter.