Chapter Text
Arisugawa's Locket
Chapter 98: Christmas 2010
May was a little disappointed it wasn't snowing this year, but the brown haired Cyberdoll didn't let it get her down as she supervised the staff. They had opened for the evening only half a hour ago, and already the bar was bustling with people, familiar faces mixed with strangers. Like many other Christmas Eves the bar had eased up on age restrictions, with Ryouko and the other bartenders checking Ids before serving anything alcoholic.
Juri Arisugawa and May had developed a fairly good system, for the nights they worked together. One of them would stay anchored to the bar itself and play the hostess, greeting newcomers and welcoming regulars, while the other would move about the bar making sure things were all right. Then they'd switch, giving each woman some variety.
Nabiki Tendo was dressed in a tuxedo, the brown stylishly moving through the crowd and drawing eyes. Both her and Keiko cut very boyish figures, though Keiko had a more 'Duo Maxwell' feel due to her long brown braid. There were any number of girls sighing dreamily over them both, though the two women mostly ignored it.
The other waitresses were Midori, Excel, Hyatt, Alpha and Mahoro, all of whom were being kept busy by the crowds. They wore a 'uniform' of semi-waitress like outfits, but each brought their own style to it. Alpha wore trousers, a blouse and a apron, Excel and Hyatt wore short skirts, Mahoro stuck with her maid outfit and Midori wore a flamboyant waitress outfit she claimed she got from her last job.
"May, how are things going?" Setsuna asked, the green-black haired woman weaving through the crowds in a stylish black dress.
"Oh, pretty well," May smiled back, "it's busy as usual."
"Good," Setsuna smiled slightly, "and it's going to get busier I think." May looked at her questioningly and she smiled, "Nabiki phoned us last night, looks like we will be buying the building next door and expanding."
"That's good," May decided after a moment's thought. "We'll need more full time staff, though," she cautioned.
"I'm sure you and Juri will have that well in hand," Setsuna said seriously, then excused herself to go meet Juri herself.
May swept the room again, touching base with each of the waitresses as well as nodding to any of the customers who were familiar to her. She was satisfied to see the Kareoke stage busy, the small dance floor packed, the tables filled and several people frequenting the library. Even the upstairs rooms were doing good business, despite it being fairly early in the evening.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
At the entrance there was a bit of a disturbance as a group of young women came in, and Nabiki Tendo frowned slightly. It was obvious to her that several were martial artists, even without noticing the wooden sword the one girl carried. Excusing herself from the customer she had just finished helping, Nabiki headed over towards them.
A young woman with long brown hair looked around, even as several of the girls space themselves around the group protectively. "President, is this some new facility you didn't tell us about?" she asked calmly.
The light purple haired woman was looking around with interest, her eyes shining. "No, this is as much a surprise to me, too Kuon," she admitted. She looked at the boyish woman beside her, "How about you, Nanaho?"
"I don't know either," the red-brown haired woman noted, clutching a yo-yo in one hand. Nanaho's eyes widened slightly, "I do remember hearing a rumor..."
Nabiki was stopped by two young women, one carrying the wooden practice sword while another move with the fluidity of a skilled fighter. "Ladies," Nabiki nodded, "you should probably let me through, so I can explain where you are to your superior."
"Sayuri?" the fighter looked to the girl with the sword questioningly.
The woman studied Nabiki a moment. "Let her through, Kaori," Sayuri decided then looked at Nabiki again, "I will be keeping an eye on you."
"As expected from a good bodyguard," Nabiki nodded calmly then walked on. She walked up to the purple haired woman, instantly assessing she was in charge. "My name is Nabiki Tendo," she nodded respectfully, "welcome to Arisugawa's Locket."
"See? I told you...!" Nanaho murmured softly.
"Hush," the woman murmured back. She smiled at Nabiki, "My name is Kanade Jinguuji, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure's all mine," Nabiki bowed slightly, smiling.
Kuon looked at her with a faint smile, "Would it be impolite to ask how this bar ended up on our Academy campus?"
Nabiki smiled wryly, "It's rather complicated, but putting it as simply as possible the bar moves to where it's wanted."
"Seriously?" Nanaho blinked. "I had heard of the 'ghost' club, but I don't think I had ever expected to go there..."
Nabiki nodded, "Why don't you go up to the bar itself? You can meet the club's owner and talk to her about it."
"I'll do that," Kanade nodded eagerly, and the small group set out once more.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Kirie Kojima shook her head wryly, her brown hair flowing over her shoulders as the dress swirled around her. "I don't know how you talked me into this," she grumbled softly.
Kosame smiled back, the bodyguard and agent dressed in one of her usual suits, though it this case it was a cut above her usual. That and her boyishly short dark brown hair gave her a very butch aura, only softened by her small earrings.
"The dress or visiting this club?" Kosame asked, waving down a waitress for drinks.
"Both!" Kirie laughed softly.
"Welcome to Arisugawa's Locket," Midori smiled, her long brown hair flowing around her. The waitress outfit had a short skirt and tight top, drawing many glances from single women. "What would you like to order?" she asked politely.
"Thank you," Kosame nodded politely, "I'd like to have a fuzzy peach, I think," she decided then looked at her guest, "and you?"
Kirie smiled shyly, "Just a rum and coke, please, and go easy on the rum."
"Just a splash, then," Midori nodded, "I'll be right back."
"The dress, well...," Kosame looked thoughtful a moment, "while I like your fierce side, you have a very charming feminine side too." She smiled as she noted, "Despite your not being entirely comfortable with it."
"I am entirely comfortable with my feminine side," Kirie growled.
"Then why hide your stuffed toy collection?" Kosame teased.
"I should never have told you about that," Kirie groaned.
Midori returned with their drinks, setting them down on the table. "Enjoy," she smiled, "and yell when you want to order."
"Thanks," Kirie nodded as the older woman hurried off. "And this place?" she asked Kosame and waved around covertly at the club.
Those first moment when they walked in had been pretty disorienting to Kirie. She was used to being in school or out in public, surrounded by mixed crowds. Guys always paid attention to her or hit on her, much to Kirie's concealed annoyance. Here there were only women, and even stranger women who were paired with each other or planning to be paired with each other.
"I found out about this club from a friend," Kosame admitted, "but I wanted to share my first time at this club with you."
A faint blush colored her cheeks, "Thank you."
Kosame leered, "I hope it's one of many first times I share with you."
"Pervert," Kirie growled, but she was smiling a bit too.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Hey, Juri," Priss Asagiri grinned as she and her girlfriend, Misato Katsuragi, were ambling up to the bar together. It had been awhile since this pair had been in the club, and they quickly caught up.
"You got married?" Ryouko yelped, the space pirate looking both offended and amused. "Damn, Asagiri, I thought you'd stay single forever."
"Yeah, yeah," Priss laughed, having the hand with the nice white-gold ring.
"It took me some time to bag her," Misato admitted, her matching ring gleaming. She looked at Juri and Setsuna, "You too, I hear?"
Juri smiled back, "Been a while too." She looked curiously at the two of them, "What's been going on in your world?"
"It's been... pretty hectic," Misato admitted.
Other beers the group then began to cover several years of intrigue and plotting between global powers. Sometime after Gendo Ikari's dirty dealings came to light NERV came under UN control. SEELE, the secret conspiracy of old men trying to rule the world, were forced to make their play early. The small scale war that followed was pretty messy, but NERV had three Evangelions to field, so they had a major edge.
"Of course, then the bastards fielded the Mass Production Evangelions," Misato growled.
"How did you handle that?" Juri asked curiously.
"We cheated," Priss smirked. "I saw End of Evangelion on my home timeline, and snuck a copy over to Misato. We used it to figure out our weaknesses and beat the Mps."
"I knew I shouldn't have let you migrate across universes," Setsuna muttered, but was smiling slightly. She shook herself, "So SEELE is done?"
"And on trial for war crimes," Misato said smugly. She raised her glass, "To just deserts!"
"Just deserts," everyone clinked their glasses together and drank.
"Did you bring Rei and Asuka with you?" Juri had to ask, remembering the stir both young women had caused sauntering around in their plug suits.
"Not this time," Priss said, "besides, Asuka shouldn't be drinking right now anyway."
"Why is that?" Ryouko asked, having lingered with her sister to listen in on the conversation.
"Well, alcohol isn't good for the baby," Misato said, sipping her drink to hide her smile.
It took a second to sink in then everyone yelped, "Baby?"
To be continued...
Our Cast: Arisugawa Juri is from Revolutionary girl Utena, Alpha is from Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou, May is from Hand Maid May, Excel Excel and Hyatt are from Excel Saga, Ryouko and Minagi are from Tenchi Muyo, Midori Sugiura is from Mai Hime, Nabiki Tendo is from Ranma ½, Setsuna is from Sailor Moon
Characters: Kuon, Nanaho, Kaede, Kaori and Sayuri are from Best Student Council, Kosame and Kirie are from Girls Bravo, Priss is from Bubblegum Crisis and Asuka, Misato and Rei are from Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Notes: The Misato and Priss pairing is from my old fic Evangelion: Girl's Night Out. The Kosame and Kirie bit continues from my fic Romance 101. I really need to do a chapter two for that, as well as another Girls Bravo fanfiction or two.