Encounter It was another sold out show. One of their last few before they moved onto the next city. The band had been belting out music all night, giving it everything they had. So it was really no surprise that Utena wasn't the only one sweating under the harsh blinding lights of the stage. No one in Crysanthium Ecstasy was able to make out individual features in the cheering throbbing mass of bodies before and around them, but they could feel the energy of the crowd and hear the somewhat off-key locals who sang along with them. Jared struck a sharp resounding cord, and their fans roared in approval. His and Utena's voices blended into the final lines of the song, his deeper masculine voice complimenting her slightly higher and smoother one nicely. "Leave me to my swinging...just leave me to my swinging...just leave me...just swing!" At the final slam of the twin sets of drums and the last quick jerk of the various strings, the entire group simultaneously collapsed away from their instruments. The crowd was in a frenzy. Suddenly the burly guys in security shirts had their hands full trying to keep the more zealous from climbing up the bars to reach the raised stage. The pink haired woman swiped her hand across her forehead, her pink curls damp around her ears. Declarations from members of the crowd barely reached her ears as she picked up the mike from it's stand. The slightly husky sound of her voice already had immediate effect and the seething mob calmed. The concert hall fell silent as she addressed them with her infamous half-cocked smile. "I can't thank you all enough for comin' out tonight. You made it happen!" Cheers erupted and she waited until they finally quieted again. "And for being such a kick-ass crowd-", she was cut off again by mayhem and gave a chuckle that electronically rippled across the crowd through the massive speakers situated around them. "-we're going to play one last song for you before we end this." The noise that followed made the floor tremble. Utena situated the mic back in its stand and swung her guitar around on its strap. Looking back at the grinning faces behind her, she called "You all ready?" Eric gave a nod with a thumbs up and the others acknowledged. Mason called back jokingly, "Think you can stay standing long enough for this last bit?" Jared laughed away from the mike, even as Mason began clicking his drum sticks together over his head, "She'd better...I'd hate to see what they'd do to her if she didn't..." Utena casually flipped them off and turned back around counting in her head. Once Eric had played the first four measures, she and Jared exploded into the microphones... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Later, the band walked behind stage. Some moved with limps from having leaped, stomped, and crashed about during the last show. All were sporting a more costly wardrobe than when they had first signed their contracts months ago, although most had stuck with their tastes. As one they headed for the lounge that had been prepared for them, knowing their instruments would be well taken care of by the staff. Eric held Mason's hand loosely, and little Violet was being cuddled by Jared (who had easily picked up the smaller gothic girl). She gave a rare happy smile as the brotherly gesture swung her to and fro. The corner of the lead singer's lips tugged into a soft smile at the sight. She ran a hair through her soggy pink curls tiredly. She squeezed her eyes shut as a pain flashed through her brain like fire. Her head was buzzing...had been buzzing a lot lately... She ignored it. As they entered the lounge, where they had been scheduled to meet with those who had backstage passes, camera bulbs flashed to life and left spots in the pink haired woman's eyes. She kept her smirk plastered on her face due to increasing practice. As the flashes slowed and her eyes adjusted to the room, she could make out the shapes of six various young people. All who seemed about to burst in their excitement. Utena chuckled inward darkly. She still couldn't fathom why their fans could be so obsessed with them. To her, they were still the same measly band playing at shifty bars. But to their fans they were idols. Lance and Mason were flashing their million watt smiles as two punk dressed girls clamored over to them with hearts practically in their eyes. Jared had slung an arm around one scrawny beaming kid and was taking a picture. Eric was in the middle of chatting with a guy who was obviously trying to pick her up. And Violet was shyly standing to the side, having received a cola from a gentlemanly fellow. She was handed an autograph book, which she obliged by signing with her ornate signature. Tenjou was so caught up with watching the others that she was suddenly surprised when the kid Jared had been with, along the two girls, suddenly rounded on her. "Oh wow, it's such an honor to meet you!" "Ten, I absolutely love your voice! I have all you guys' cds!" "Can I get a picture and an autograph?" "Omigosh you're even hotter in real life!" "Wow, is that a new tattoo?! It's awesome!" Utena tried to keep from stepping back nervously as she gave a small nod and a murmured word of thanks. A handmade tablet was shoved eagerly into her hands. No sooner had she finished signing that one that she found herself the object of a double embrace between the two girls. A sudden flash blinded her world. Two more came over for autographs and then she was in the midst of a group shot with her fellow band members. Her head buzzed harder, and her eyes narrowed in discomfort. Her tense body started as she felt a large warm hand on her shoulder. But she quickly relaxed as she recognized it as Jared's. With him there as an anchor, she managed to steady her reeling mind. Once the picture was taken, she walked away towards the refreshment table, a headache beginning to stab between her eyes. "Would you like a towel?" The blue eyed singer was leaning tiredly on the table's edge, her brow still slick with sweat from the concert. Without looking over her shoulder she gratefully accepted a small white hand towel. Mopping her brow and turning around she gave a plastered-on smile. "Thanks, I really-", her words died in her throat. Before her stood a dark skinned beauty with long trailing violet hair. She was dressed in a business woman's silk blouse top and slacks, gracefully poised on high heels. Her good looks were enough to hit anyone like a truck, but it was the dark cold chill that ran down her spine that stopped Utena cold. With that chill came a dark anger that broiled deeply, somewhere in her stomach. Her jaw clenched. Jared came up beside her and gave her a discreet nudge. Giving herself a mental shake, Utena forced a smile back on her face and continued, "I really appreciate it." She was certain the sudden awkwardness had to be plain to everyone in the room. 'The hell was wrong with her? Pull it together!' was the look that came from Lance. The dark woman smiled, "Hello Utena." Jared immediately looked up and gave a suspicious frown as he turned to his friend. Utena's fake smile had faded into what appeared to him to be cold confusion. "I go by the name 'Ten'. 'Utena' is not a name I use." The woman's warm smile never wavered, "But your name was Utena Tenjou once...don't you recall?" Utena began to frown as well. "Sorry...it's just 'Ten'...now who might you be?" The woman gave a bow and switched to Japanese, which only the pink haired girl was able to understand. "I am Himemiya, Anthy. And I've known you since before you became 'Ten'. But it seems as though you haven't remembered yet." Utena's smile returned, but her eyes had gone as cold as winter skies. She replied in Japanese as well, astounding Jared who looked completely lost with the exchange. "Nope, you must be mistaken. Or you're just another one of these idiots who write and email us about being old friends and acquaintances. I don't know you." That feeling that hadtingled down her back and across her skin remained, strengthened, but she doggedly refused to let it show. Something else was coming to the forefront of her senses: The scent of roses was perfuming the air. It was a scent Utena despised more than anything else. The woman allowed a glimpse of frustration and impatience to mar her features, but then the smile was back in place quick enough. The so-called Anthy Himemiya bowed and presented her a vase of a dozen white roses along with a business card. "Well then, will you not at least accept this then, Ms. Ten?" Utena warily took the vase and card, reading it quickly. It stated boldly: Anthy Himemiya- West Shore Catering and Floral Services. The woman opposite her smiled, and it lit up her face like that of a divine goddess. Utena suddenly felt the urge to take the vase and smash into that pretty little head. But Jared on the other hand was blushing slightly, and looked like he had been hit between the eyes by a sledge hammer. "Perhaps we'll be in touch, who knows...maybe you'll have need of my services someday...even if it's just to talk." Anthy switched back to English with this last statement and Jared grinned at Utena lecherously. The woman in question however merely shook her head, her voice coming out strangely through her clenched teeth. "I highly doubt that." And with that said, she spun on her booted heel and headed for the door. There were noises of disappointment behind her, but her new manager and a couple of security guards stepped in to begin ushering people out. Back in her dressing room, Utena glared at the vase of flowers in her hands. She moved to toss them in the trash bin, but stopped and placed them on Violet's table instead. The girl would appreciate them more anyway. She did however tear the business card in two and threw the pieces away as she took a seat in her chair. A moment later, her chattering band mates came in, situating themselves about the room. Jared came in last, making cow eyes at her reflection in the mirror. 'Ten' groaned, already knowing what was to come. "Woo woo! Wow Ten, a total lady killer, eh? So is that the way you swing then? She sure was hot enough." Eric raised an eyebrow in mild surprise, "What chick was this?" Jared grinned mischievously, "The knock-out indian broad. The only one who didn't look like a total groupie." Mason gave a burst of laughter, "Woah ho! Some girl checkin' you out, huh?" Utena gave a huff of annoyance and crossed her arms. "Can it already." But Mason only grinned wider, "And here I thought you were a man-eater." He made a lewd geature with his face and hands as Eric shoved him off the chair he was sitting, "That's so gross you pig." Utena smirked at the two men and batted her eyes, growing quite tired of being the butt of their jokes, "Well now, I'd like to consider myself an 'equal opportunist'..." She made a kissing motion at Jared, "...Just not with either of you." Jared gave a mock cry of pain, "Ouch chickie, that hurt! Careful with that acid tongue of yours, you'll bring a man on his knees." Then he grinned devilishly, "Which may not be so bad." The others groaned at this lame comeback, except for Violet who was blushing. His gaze became serious however as he locked eyes with her reflection's, since her back was turned to the group. "But still...it's weird how she knew your real name...nobody should, 'cause we never use it for anything...you know her or somethin'? Sounded like she spoke chinese or whatever it is you speak..." "Japanese..." Utena remarked absently, her face one full of brooding. She frowned and shook her head, "I don't know her." The room was quiet a moment, until Lance broke it abruptly, "Could she have, ya know...known you from before?" The room became tense as Utena said nothing. Eric unable to stand it anymore leaned over and punched him hard in the arm, " Ass! Don't bring that up. It doesn't matter she's got damn amnesia-" she broke off her statement, looking embarrassed. "S-sorry..." Lance shrugged, "What? I was just sayin'...I mean like, maybe she could help or something. Get you into contact with some people. I dunno." Utena stood and gave an amiable shrug. "It doesn't matter. No worries... I don't care about the past anymore. 'The future is now', right?" She picked up a pack of cigarettes and gave a small wave. "I'm going out back for a smoke. I'll catch up with you guys back at the hotel later." The gang gave a nod, and Violet went to collect her roses, "Is it okay? I can have these?" The pale woman gave a smile and tossled her hair, "Yeah. I'm allergic to roses." After closing the door behind her, she gave a nod to one of the security guards standing by the back door. He assured her the area was cleared of people. She pushed the bar and stepped out into the cool night, leaning against the side of the building tiredly. Her form was shadowed from view for a moment until a tiny click was heard and a small flare of light lit up her chin and cheeks in its glow. The light went out, but the glowing end of her cigarette was still visible. Rings of spicy clove smoke drifted upwards as she breathed and then exhaled. She closed her eyes, just concentrating on the taste of the slender tube in her mouth. It would be quite a while before she would show back up at the hotel. Her head was buzzing again...
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