Dreams, he had been told once, could be distinguished from reality because nothing hurt in a dream. How wrong that was. Then again, he wasn't even sure this was a dream, the visage of the girl in front of him terrifying, monstrous, as she latched onto his arm, teeth sinking into his flesh. Somewhere, he could hear someone screaming, and he thought he might have been saying something himself, but the words weren't coherent to his ears as she continued to tear at his flesh, working her way up his arm as she continued to devour him while still alive.
With a scream, Jun jolted awake, sitting up in his bed.
The digital readout of the alarm clock in the room proclaimed it three AM or so. The model swept a hand through his hair, finding himself soaked with sweat as he tried to bring his ragged breathing under control. Footsteps sounded outside the hall, and then his father opened the door. "Jun," Eikichi called to the younger man, expression lit with worry. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"
"Dream," Jun managed around a dry throat, then swallowed. "Just a bad dream. I'm okay."
The middle-aged Japanese man came over and sat on the edge of Jun's bed, putting a hand on his son's shoulder. "A bad dream? Was it...." Eikichi paused, unsure whether he should ask. "Was it about your childhood?"
Jun shook his head firmly, causing his lavendar hair to ripple. "No, no, nothing like that," he reassured Eikichi. "This was just a scary dream. Guess I've been watching too many horror movies," he attempted to joke weakly. Eikichi didn't look very convinced. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?"
The older man shook his head, rubbing at some stubble along his jawline. "Just on the feed-the-bottomless-pit-aka-Emi shift."
"Want me to watch over her for a while?" Jun offered. "I probably shouldn't go back to sleep right away."
"I'll be fine," Eikichi reassured him, "and yes, you should. No one cares what a scriptwriter looks like, but you need your beauty sleep. The baby's fine."
Jun smiled at the thought of his newborn little sister, and laid back down on the bed. "Okay, father. I'm going back to sleep now, honest."
Eikichi grinned slightly before rubbing at one eye, standing up again. "Good boy. You rest up now; you've got work tomorrow. Japan expects to see your handsome face bright and awake."
"Yes, father." Eikichi shut the door, leaving the room dark again but for the alarm clock's digits. Jun lay in bed for a while, then rolled over, fumbling for something on his nightstand. Taking the slim book in hand, Jun moved over to the window, using the light from outside to see the pages as he searched. Scanning the pages, his finger finally stopped on a passage toward the end of the book.
"Chapter five," he murmured hoarsely to himself.
"Boo."
Chiron let out a squeak as she jumped in surprise at the unexpected voice, whirling. Blue eyes met her own yellow ones, and the older man grinned at her. "Hi there."
"Sol!" she squealed in surprise, giving him a tight hug. "You came to visit!"
Nikado suppressed a sigh at her insistence of using his god name, and grinned instead. "Been a while, hasn't it? I wanted to see what the lot of you had done with the place."
The godling took him by the hand, eager to show him around. "Okay! Wanna see the gardens? Or you can come play with me in the ruins? The gardens are doing great. We have so many flowers now!" she chattered eagerly.
He laughed, letting her lead him toward the mentioned gardens. "Is Do...er, Janus around?"
Chiron pouted at his attention not being solely on her before pointing toward the house where the pair resided during their time on Themis. "Yeah, he's inside."
Nikado gave her a smile and a quick tug on her braid, causing her to yelp and reach for his own ponytail. "Thanks, Chiron, you're a good girl." She puffed up at the praise. "Mind if I talk to him alone for a bit? Then we can play all you want til I go back."
"Okaaay," she sighed, opening the door for him.
The tall Japanese man stepped inside, immediately spotting his target. The silver-haired man noticed him as well, expressive violet eyes widening slightly. "Nikado. What brings you here?"
"Yo," he greeted with a wave of one hand. "Thought I'd stop by. Looks like the place is coming across nicely."
Domani gestured for Nikado to take a seat, which he did casually. "Yes, Favonius and Flora especially have really put a lot of work into it."
"But not you?"
"Not as much," the younger man confessed, rubbing at his neck. "I've been on Earth a lot, and then there's Chiron."
"Sounds busy," Nikado agreed sympathetically.
Domani rested his gaze on the other man. "What really brings you here, Nikado?"
He laughed at the question. "Why's everyone always questioning my motives? I am as pure and innocent as freshly fallen snow." Catching Domani's look, he stopped avoiding the question. "I wanted to see how Themis was coming along, and also how you and Chiron were doing. I hadn't seen you in a while."
Domani crossed his arms. "I hadn't quite forgiven you for springing Jun on me like that, you know."
"You liked seeing him, admit it." Nikado brushed the complaint off with a wave of one hand. "What's the harm in seeing him? If you were really serious about leaving Domani Genoa behind and being Janus, I imagine you wouldn't come to Earth at all."
Domani sighed, looking out a window which had no glass pane. "I miss him," he confessed at last.
"I knew you would," Nikado replied with a nod. "You could see him, you know."
Domani shook his head with a little sad smile. "He's not a god anymore. What's the point? I may as well get used to living without him."
"What, so you can be miserable longer?" the older man scoffed. "C'mon, he's got a good fifty years or so left in his lifespan at least. Live for the moment, man. It's what I always do."
"Yes, it would often explain your lack of foresight," Domani replied dryly.
This was responded to with a 'tsk' and a waggling of one finger. "Nonsense, I always keep one eye on the future. It's such an exciting thing to watch, after all."
Domani chuckled slightly, and Nikado watched him for a long moment. "Actually, I had another question, as well. Have you heard from Jeanne lately?"
"No, I hadn't." His expression darkened. "And I don't really hope to, either."
"I thought as much," Nikado sighed. "Well, keep your eyes open and let me know. Domani...." Nikado regarded him for a long moment. "Are you okay with this? Living on Themis?"
"Well, it keeps me busy and gives me something to do," Domani replied cheerily, "and besides, it's better to raise Chiron here until I can get her not demanding worship from all the mere mortals." And it was better than being alone on Earth, but he left that part unsaid.
Nikado nodded acknowledgment at the answer but showed no other reaction before standing up. "You're leaving already?" Domani asked in surprise.
"I've got a very important appointment," Nikado apologized, then grinned. "With a certain young charge of yours and a few games."
Domani laughed at that. "You two go have fun."
"I always do." With a grin and a wink, the older man ducked out the door, calling for Chiron.
Domani sat back after the other man left, thinking about nothing in particular until the door opened again a while later, Favonius peering in. "Janus," he greeted. "I just spoke with Chiron. She says Sol visited earlier. Is that true?"
"Yes, it's true," Domani replied casually, not catching onto Favonius's tone right away. "We had a little chat."
"About what?"
"Nothing serious. How Themis was coming along and so on. Why do you ask?" Domani looked a bit puzzled.
"That's all? That's all he wanted to know?"
"Yes." Domani regarded the other god quizzically.
Favonius shook his head. "Okay. It's just...it's nothing. I'm sorry to disturb you." The blond man excused himself swiftly, shutting the door behind him. Maybe he was just assuming too much ulterior motive on the part of Sol, but the fact that he hadn't yet been to Themis was suspicious, to say the least. It was something to keep an eye on.
There she was again. He'd seen her in his peripheral vision earlier in the day, and just assumed she was a new hired hand of Leonard's to tote around the lights and camera equipment. It was the eyes that had caught his attention; the dark brown eyes that had a distinctly Western shape were not so remarkable in themselves, but the expression of loathing they held was enough to make him break into a cold sweat. The model searched his mind for someone he might have offended that would have reason to follow him around, but came up blank, although he couldn't deny that she seemed familiar somehow.
"Jun? Jun, pay attention to me," Anko scolded firmly, tapping him between the eyes with the handle of her blush brush.
He blinked, turning to look at her again. "I'm sorry," he apologized automatically. "What were you saying?"
The woman let out a sigh of exasperation. "Honestly, Jun, you've been a total space cadet today. As if we weren't behind as it is!"
"It just means you lot will be working late," Mihail replied casually from where he was looking over some papers.
"Yeah, well, so will you!"
Jun smiled slightly at his coworker. "I'm sorry, Anko, I'll try harder."
"You'd better," she scolded, giving him another tap with the brush. "Leonard, we're ready over here."
Although Mihail tried to rush the work along, between the backlog and Leonard's perfectionism, it was after sunset when Jun finally left Solar Flare Production's building. Mariko had already gone home early, and Eikichi had been working from home so to keep an eye on the baby, so Jun decided not to bother with a taxi and just walk home instead.
The night air was pleasantly cool, and Jun found himself in high spirits, the mysterious foreign woman from earlier all but forgotten until she appeared again. It was the footsteps he heard first, following after him, stopping when he did, so that it seemed almost like an echo of his own feet. But the sound was different, feminine, like the click of stilettos. Feeling weary and irritated, Jun turned around with a scowl. "Why are you foll--"
There was no one there. The model frowned to himself, then continued walking, but it wasn't long before he heard the footsteps again. Again, dark brown eyes caught in his peripheral vision, glaring at him. Scowling, he increased his pace, and the steps behind him also became faster. Breaking into a run, Jun darted around a corner into the nearest building, hoping to shake the mysterious follower.
Almost immediately, his senses were assaulted by a combination of bright flashing lights, rumbling bass music, and heavy smoke that probably wasn't tobacco. Jun resisted the urge to gag on the sickly smell, ducking to the side as a couple passed him by, laughing loudly at some joke. Well, he reflected, at least maybe his pursuer wouldn't expect to find him here. And maybe he wouldn't stand out too badly; his distinctive naturally lavendar hair was practically unnoticeable among the rainbow of dyed colors bobbing around the room.
Taking a deep breath by the door where the stench wasn't so horrific, Jun reluctantly paid the entrance fee and moved into the seething, writhing group of young people. He only had to stay a little while, he told himself, leaning against an open space on the wall. Just long enough to make sure he'd lost his pursuer.
The room seemed to be filled largely with young adults, some younger than him, all moving around in various attempts at dancing. Some were drinking, others were trying to sing along with the music. Jun felt a bit relieved that he'd been spared an adventurous teenage spirit.
Across the room, he spotted someone else leaning against the wall in a similar fashion, a tall man who seemed to be even older. Jun blinked in surprise as recognition slowly hit, identifying the other man as the author of the book whom he had visited a few months ago. Seeing him so unexpectedly brought the dreams and the book back to the front of Jun's mind, reflecting once again on the realism of the dreams and the possible connection this man had to them.
Nikado didn't seem to notice the model, and was instead watching another person: a younger man, not particularly unique-looking, doing karaoke badly with a few other people. As the song ended and the group stepped down from the stage, the historian pushed himself away from the wall, moving toward the man. Jun peered above the heads of the crowd, watching as Nikado took the targeted man by the arm, pulling him firmly toward a side exit. Feeling curious, Jun moved to follow.
"Geez, what are you doing, Ryouji?" Nikado's voice could be heard as Jun paused by the exit. "You said you were going clean, didn't you?"
"Sorry, sensei," the other man replied slowly. "I don't know what...it was just one."
"Just one means you're still doing it, and THAT is not quitting," the historian scolded, crossing his arms. "If you don't want to quit, that's fine, but if you are, you need to take it seriously. You can't just waffle between the two options."
"I know, sensei," the younger man answered tiredly. "I want to quit, I really do. I just don't have the strength."
Nikado's expression softened as he put a hand on Ryouji's shoulder. "That's not true, Ryou-kun.And I'm here to help you, remember?" He pulled a small notepad out of one pocket and scribbled something down. "Here, I'm going to give you something. This first number is for a very good lady therapist of mine. She works with people like you."
He shook his head. "I don't have the money for a doctor."
"We'll work it out," Nikado reassured him. "I'm here to help, remember? Besides, she'll work with us; I got her son through high school," he added with a grin and a wink. "It'll be cheaper than going out and partying, trust me. Now, this second number," he continued, "this is my cell number. I've always got it on me, so whenever you feel like coming down here, give me a call instead, okay? I'll give you a hand."
Ryouji looked off to the side. "It's too much, sensei. You shouldn't go to such lengths for someone like me."
"Don't talk like that," Nikado scolded. "Let's get you home. Do you have someplace you can get cleaned up first?"
"I've got a friend nearby." The younger man tucked the paper away in his pocket. "Thank you, sensei. I'm going to try harder, I mean it." He bowed, and Nikado moved to follow, but Ryouji stopped him with a slight smile. "I'm not that bad off, I can still walk just fine. It's not far."
Nikado smiled as he watched the man go. "I think he'll be fine," he commented to the air. Don't you agree, Watanabe-san?"
Jun choked in surprise at being caught. "I'm sorry!" he blurted out, flailing a bit in embarrassment. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop. I was just...that is...I didn't expect to see you in a place like this."
The historian chuckled as he turned to face the model. "No harm, no foul. Come out of there before you start smelling like pot. The same could be said for you, I suppose; what brings you here?"
Jun shyly came out, standing near the other man. "I was being foll...." It sounded silly even to his ears. "No, no reason in particular. How have you been, professor?"
Nikado waved a hand at the title. "Call me Nikado. I'm not big on formality. And I've been fine, just as usual. What about yourself?" He grinned brightly. "Still enjoying the book?"
Jun looked to the side. "Is that supposed to be teasing me?"
"No, no, nothing like that," Nikado reassured him with a wave of his hands. "I'm a curious sort, I wanted to know how it was working out."
The model shook his head slightly. "It's...I can't remember what it is that I've forgotten that's so important," he began slowly. "I keep seeing what's in the book, and other things, but I can't remember what I forgot."
"It might just be a matter of time," Nikado mused, more to himself than Jun.
"Nikado," Jun began slowly, "there really isn't anything you can tell me about this book?"
"Nothing you would find useful at the moment," the older man replied seriously.
The model lowered his head, trying to hide his disappointment. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to keep bringing it up. You're probably tired of me and my silly dreams."
Nikado raised an eyebrow. "You think they're silly?" Jun looked to the side, not answering, and the older man sighed, feeling a bit guilty. "Look, Jun, I'm a historian. Truth is usually more bizarre than the fabrications of any human mind. Of course, it's not really my place to question what it is; what do you think they are?"
Jun couldn't quite answer, still feeling embarrassed. "...Memories, maybe," he said at last. "I don't know."
"Well, I can tell you a funny thing about memories," Nikado remarked. "People don't forget things on accident. If you think you've forgotten something important, perhaps you should think about why you might have forgotten it as well as what you've forgotten. Anyway," he changed the subject with a cheery tone, "did you manage to get ahold of Domani?"
Jun shook his head. "I've gone by his apartment a few times, but he's never home."
"A little troublesome, eh," Nikado mused. "Well, let's see what we can do about that. You working tomorrow?"
"No, it's my day off."
"Thought as much. Tell you what, why don't you go see the tower tomorrow?" Nikado suggested cheerfully. "It's quite a popular place, you know; someone unexpected might show up. Especially around lunchtime."
Jun smiled slightly, the meaning of Nikado's message clear. "Perhaps I'll stop by, then."
The older man grinned, throwing his arm around Jun's shoulders. "You should get home too, it's late. Want me to walk with you?"
"I...." He was about to decline, but the idea of his follower came back to his mind. "It's not far," he said apologetically.
"Well, lead the way!"
Nikado proved to be an interesting person to hold a conversation with; Jun listened gladly as he chattered on about various periods of history here and there; China during the Warring States period, Rome in the late days of its ancient empire, Japan during the Kamakura bakufu. Jun couldn't help but be impressed at the level of detail he could rattle off with barely a prompt; no wonder he was the Tokyo Historical Research Centre's head of research. The model almost felt a bit sad as they arrived at his house, and belatedly realized he hadn't so much caught a glimpse of his follower during the walk home. It was probably just his imagination, he chided himself, after being tired from a long day. "Thank you for walking with me, Nikado."
"Don't forget, the tower tomorrow!" the historian reminded him cheerily as Jun entered the house. Turning to go after the door shut again, Nikado stretched a bit. Well, it had been a productive evening. He'd dragged Ryouji out of trouble and touched bases with Jun again all at once. And now, he was pretty sure he knew how to find Jeanne....
