(D12, ME, Sango Station) Swan Song

[Yasuki Taraka]

The great thing about Sango Station was all the little places that were nearby. For example, The Boogie Box: Despite it's name, it was actually a karoke lounge. The owner had gotten the idea for the name going to certain 'dance' clubs over in Aoihama. Despite the weird name, the older karoke machines had a number of songs to pick from, and drinks and snacks were readily available via communicator.

Taraka had gotten a room, and was flipping idly through the catalogue wondering who'd be singing tonight.

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi arrived.

"Yasuki-san, I had no idea there was a karaoke place here! We should make a regular event of it. I love to sing!"

[Yasuki Taraka]

Haruhi arrived.

"Yasuki-san, I had no idea there was a karaoke place here! We should make a regular event of it. I love to sing!"

Taraka laughed.

"Not all the treasures are hidden in the jungle of trees, Kakita-san. If you're looking for the treasures of the concrete jungle, you come to me." she said.

"I would be happy to sing with you regularly...after all you give me courage to sing first." she offered honestly.

She'd go ahead and cue up a song to sing for the Crane:

"You say if you could fly, you’d never come back down
You only have eyes for that blue, blue sky
You’ve yet to learn what sadness is

And are just now grasping what pain is like

Even the feeling i have for you

Must be expressed with words

As you awaken from a dream into an unknown world

Spread your wings and take flight

You say if you could fly, you’d never come back down

You aimed for those white, white clouds

You know if you can just make it through, you’ll find what you seek

So keep trying to break free, to that blue, blue sky

That blue, blue sky

That blue, blue sky

With a sound like all politeness was gone,

The rusted old window broke

Look, your so sick of looking at that cage that you’re throwing it away

Without ever looking back again

That throbbing beat takes your breath away

And you kick open that window and take off

You said that if you ran, you would obtain it

You’re tempted by that distant, distant voice

It grasps your far too dazzling hand

Untill you pursue that blue, blue sky

I understand that you are falling, but continue to follow the light

You say if you could fly, you would never come back down

You search for those white, white clouds

If you break through, you’ll know you’ll find it

So try untill you break free to that blue, blue sky

That blue, blue sky"

No training, middling pleasant voice, but Taraka did enjoy singing just for singing's sake.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshu also arrives and stands in a corner with her arms folded above her chest to watch the little show before joining the other two women.

[Kakita Haruhi]

Taraka laughed.

"Not all the treasures are hidden in the jungle of trees, Kakita-san. If you're looking for the treasures of the concrete jungle, you come to me." she said.

"I would be happy to sing with you regularly...after all you give me courage to sing first." she offered honestly.

She'd go ahead and cue up a song to sing for the Crane:

"You say if you could fly, you’d never come back down
You only have eyes for that blue, blue sky
You’ve yet to learn what sadness is

And are just now grasping what pain is like

Even the feeling i have for you

Must be expressed with words

As you awaken from a dream into an unknown world

Spread your wings and take flight

You say if you could fly, you’d never come back down

You aimed for those white, white clouds

You know if you can just make it through, you’ll find what you seek

So keep trying to break free, to that blue, blue sky

That blue, blue sky

That blue, blue sky

With a sound like all politeness was gone,

The rusted old window broke

Look, your so sick of looking at that cage that you’re throwing it away

Without ever looking back again

That throbbing beat takes your breath away

And you kick open that window and take off

You said that if you ran, you would obtain it

You’re tempted by that distant, distant voice

It grasps your far too dazzling hand

Untill you pursue that blue, blue sky

I understand that you are falling, but continue to follow the light

You say if you could fly, you would never come back down

You search for those white, white clouds

If you break through, you’ll know you’ll find it

So try untill you break free to that blue, blue sky

That blue, blue sky"

No training, middling pleasant voice, but Taraka did enjoy singing just for singing's sake.

Haruhi listened to the song. She applauded enthusiastically when Taraka finished.

"Oh! That's so beautiful. Haunting! You did it justice. And I need to write those lyrics down. They just spoke to me so much!"

Senshu also arrives and stands in a corner with her arms folded above her chest to watch the little show before joining the other two women.

She waves at Senshu when she catches sight of her. A bright smile.

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi listens and cheers enthusiastically for all who are taking turns singing.

When it is her turn, she sings a song about first love. A sweet, tender delivery in that emotive voice of hers.

[Pre-Chorus]
I wonder where you'll be tomorrow at this time
And who you'll be thinking about

[Chorus]
You are always gonna be my love
Even if someday I fall in love with somebody once again
I'll remember to love, you taught me how
You are always gonna be the one
Now it's still a sad love song
Until I can sing a new one

[Verse 2]
The frozen time is about to move
And it's full of things I don't want to forget, oh

[Pre-Chorus]
Tomorrow at this time, I'll surely be crying
Thinking about you
Yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus]
You will always be insidе my heart
Here thеre will always be a place just for you
I hope that I have a place in your heart too
Now and forever, you are still the one
Now it's still a sad love song
Until I can sing a new one
Oh, oh
You are always gonna be my love
Even if someday I fall in love with somebody once again
I'll remember to love, you taught me how
You are always gonna be the one
It's still a sad love song, ooh, yeah
Now and forever, ah

[Yasuki Taraka]

Snip

Snip

She waves at Senshu when she catches sight of her. A bright smile.

Taraka clapped as the Crane finished her song.

"Very well done Kakita-san. Now stop lurking over there like some kind of lurker, Bayushi-san and pick a number. We want to hear your passionate voice." she encouraged.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

What a song! Senshu approaches and picks a number, still in awe by Haruhi's performance. She sits down at their table and orders a beer.

"Hello, ladies." She greets them. "I heard about an invitation to a karaoke party and resistance was futile. How have you been doing?"

[Yasuki Taraka]

What a song! Senshu approaches and picks a number, still in awe by Haruhi's performance. She sits down at their table and orders a beer.

"Hello, ladies." She greets them. "I heard about an invitation to a karaoke party and resistance was futile. How have you been doing?"

"Celebrating like it's our last chance to see new friends for quite some time." Taraka offered. "Who knows when we'll meet again? And yourself, Bayushi-san? All packed up?"

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi had studied Senshu's face after her song. A reverent offering.

"Karaoke was such a good idea!" she added, smiling at them both.

"This place will not be the same with so many leaving." Would they ever see each other again? Would she see Senshu again? "But who can say what the Fortunes yet have in mind for us. Two years ago, I could not have imagined Nakahama. Let alone that it would become my home."

[Bayushi Senshuken]

"Ara, ara! Let's not get sentimental. We had a good time, no? An excellent time!" She says to both of them, but mainly looks at the Crane. The song was so damn good that she just cannot allow sentiments right now, or she will break like a twig under a boot.

" Pack up, yes." She replies to Taraka." Things seem to have worked out, right, partner? You should come to the world of dreams and see the lab. Our lab."

[Yasuki Taraka]

"Ara, ara! Let's not get sentimental. We had a good time, no? An excellent time!" She says to both of them, but mainly looks at the Crane. The song was so damn good that she just cannot allow sentiments right now, or she will break like a twig under a boot.

" Pack up, yes." She replies to Taraka." Things seem to have worked out, right, partner? You should come to the world of dreams and see the lab. Our lab."

Taraka shrugged.

"I wouldn't mind that. I might even demand you show me twelve days of fun to rival the days we've had here." she challenged her.

She tossed the controls over to the Scorpion.

"Last one to sing has the first duet. You and Kakita-san, show me what you've got."

[Kakita Haruhi]

"We had a good time, yes," she echoes. Sincerely. Content.

"I learned a great deal. I ... I am ready to thrive here. But every bold step, every confident choice... it will be because of what I learned in these first twelve days."

She turned to Yasuki-san.

"Now that is a fine idea that we create a tradition among all the 'Nakahama 12-Nighters' that each time our paths cross, we shall deliberately try to entertain each other for a 12-day period. Vacations in our lives."

A duet?

She would see what Senshu wanted to do.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshu catches the control and laughs.

"That would be a good tradition to uphold, indeed. I'll start with Yasuki san first." She turns to her. "In fact, partner, when you come over, I will be honored to host you in my mother's estate. Our province is not the most cosmopolitan, but it's still the World of Dreams. Plus the lab and the testing facilities are there."

With that said, she raises and offers a bow to Haruhi. It is one of those gracious bows that the fairytales of the old talk about." You are the one that I want? But you need a woman who can keep you satisfied instead of a man? It's classic for a reason and I've already got chills, they're multiplying." She uses the lyrics to tease and winks playfully in the end.

[Kakita Haruhi]

She smiled, liking the invented tradition very much.

Ah, that bow! Thrills and chills were indeed multiplying.

"I know that one! How perfect."

She followed her to the stage, feeling very much like a shy girl who had learned to be a little wilder. A fun song. She could sing it with a joyful heart.

"You've got the first verse, right?"

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshu nods and strides in with the swagger of someone who absolutely has practiced this in the mirror. Then she sees Haruhi and freezes for half a beat. A fullbody, oh-no-she’s-hot pause, before snapping back into motion with exaggerated nonchalance.

She pretends to adjust her jacket even though she’s not wearing one, and begins circling, steps wide and a little too dramatic, like she’s stalking an opponent in a ring. Her hips do a swivel that is technically rock n roll but more in a 'lioness deciding which part of the gazelle to start with' way.

She never takes her eyes off Haruhi. This is not dancing. This is targeting.

At her singing lines, Senshu snaps her fingers theatrically enough to summon lightning. Between snaps she throws in a weight shift that pushes her shoulders into a confident, almost cocky sway. It’s less of 'step-step-tap' and more of 'I strike true due to my charisma modifier'.

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi enjoys the feeling of being the stalked gazelle. She is riveted to the spot and her eyes track Senshu's every motion.

When it is her turn, she comes right in with her section, voice as remarkable and emotive as ever.

Stalked but newly confident. Head held high. Aware of her worth.

You better shape up,
'cause I need someone
and my heart is set on you.
You better shape up;
you better understand
to my heart I must be true.

Someone. She was as open to a man as a woman. And she was aware Senshu was leaving. But it was good advice. She imagined future Senshu - changed for knowing Haruhi - finding at last her best self and best possible partner.

There would still be a chance on the chorus to say how much she had wanted her. In every moment they shared.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

Senshuken also sing her part of the lyrics, but truth be told she's mostly focused on the choreography.

When Haruhi 'pushes' her, she sells it. She throws herself into a backwards slide that would get full marks at a dance off or a kabuki stage. One hand flies to her chest. Scandalized, betrayed and delighted at the same time. Her foot skids just enough to look stylish without becoming a real fall.

As the chorus hits, she launches forward with side steps so quick they border on martial footwork. Her shoulders bounce in rhythm, but her spine is straight, confident. She moves like she owns the dance floor.

She occasionally throws a quick half turn to check that Haruhi is following and every time she sees her, Senshu smirks like this is their ultimate mating ritual.

[Kakita Haruhi]

Haruhi loved to dance. And it was one of her specialties!

And this was - she realized - another chance to re-enact a scene from a happy ending movie, which was one of the things they had enjoyed the night before.

She threw herself into the performance. A dance of equals. A dance of passion. A dance of declarations. A dance that was a great deal of fun and suggested a rather striking amount of chemistry between the two young women.

A farewell to remember. A memory to cherish.

[Bayushi Senshuken]

The song comes to an end and Senshu grins happily when she bows to the audience and reaches for Haruhi's hand so that they can walk back to the table together. "You were awesome." She will lean in to whisper to her ear if they indeed return together.