#okinawa

*As they enter, they walk past an ID booth, a woman in a sailor outfit waves from inside of it cheerily Ohaiyo gozaimasu! *The club itself is...something. Right by the ID booth is a long bar, another lady idly texting on her phone as one guy stares drearily at his drink. Tables and chairs cover the dance floor during the day, but what's really noticable is the mural. All of the walls are one giant mural of a western landscape. Cowboys, riding on bulls shoot at Nazis on horses, one part of the mural features a cowboy roping a ufo with a cityscape backdrop. The woman in the id booth greets you again

"Ohaiyo." Beth parrots back as she attempt to take in the club and her surroundings. "Soba o teikyō shite imasu ka?" (Do you serve Soba?) Might as well ask after all. Then she looks over to Murphy to see how he is taking it all in, as she adjusts the thick strap of her bag on her shoulders.

*Murph has a big grin on his face. He tips his hat up to the Mural and looks to the lady in the booth My compliments to the Artist, I feel like I'm back home! *The woman gives a practiced smile and nod, but her eyes say she didn't understand him at all. Looking to Beth she replies through the voice-hole No..but we can make you some? Have a seat at the bar.

She code switches as though she has been speaking Japanese since she was a toddler. "Thank you. Do you take American money? Should we go exchange for Yen?" Then she looks at Murphy and back to the woman. "He likes the decor." English comes off her tongue next. "We might need to get some Yen Murph."

*The woman shakes her head Only Yen right now, too much trouble with servicemen. You two don't seem like that. *s There's an exchange machine across the Naha courtyard, by the taxis.

*Murph I mean we ain't trying to be a hassle.. *In response to Beth

She nods to the woman. "Arigatō" Then she turns to Murph. "There is an exchange machine just across the courtyard, near the taxis." She smiles a little. "Wanna go check it out?"

*Murph nods, heading for the door Sure sure, I'm starving.

She heads out with Murph, digging in a side pocket on the way. "Want some jerky Murph? For a snack?" What was she? A freaking boy scout? She can't help but look around again once they are outside.

*He Grumples and accepts. As they walk back down the way and through the courtyard near the fountain Murph stops to admire the Shisa statue for a moment I had one of those once, strange old thing wouldn't stop yapping. *He pats it on the head before he keeps moving. On the other side of the courtyard just pass the Naha banner everything opens and there it is, the Pacific ocean. Coral and shell shops line the opposite sides of the block buildings, several bars are just a fall across the road from the golden sand. The waters are oddly calm for a beach, almost no real waves. Down past one of the docks a Coral Reef Tourboat can be seen, possibly explaining this hydrological mystery. A line of bright green taxis lines the sidewalk. Murph looks about for the change machine, a row of vending machines containing cigarettes, liquor, and sunscreen grabbing his interest

*He answers Hello? Oh hey Tyler! Yeah we're here, had a long bus ride and kinda sore, trying to find food and...hm? *turns his back to Beth, muttering into the phone like I said, fine fine.. okay bye. *He hangs up We should probably grab a cab, that was Tyler, owner of the bar I'm playing

She pauses to inspect the machines too, though she does keep a lookout for the exchange machine. Hunger is calling. She does chuckle at the bright green of the taxis. When the phone rings she starts too. "Oh? Will if we need a cab, we better get some yen." She looks for the machine. "The women did say it was near the taxis."

*Murph nods. Hiding in the middle of the row of various vending machines for Boss Coffee he finds it. It looks like an ATM straight out of the 80's. He pushes a button and an exceptionally sharp Japanes voice starts squawking at him. He panics and presses another button, this time..Dutch? He fans himself with his hat, hoping that if he gives it money it will just work...plink plinkkashhhhhhhh a buttload of coins fall out in denominations ranging from 100 to 500 yen* Umm...I think we're good?

*Putting all the coins in his hat for now, he knocks on one of the cab doors, surprised for a minute that the driver is on the other side but then again, they drive on the left here. Gate 2 Street? *he waves Beth over to get in

She snickers, she can't help it, as Murphy deals with the machine. Then she steps in when he is done. Putting some coins in her bag. "Just in case." She states to Murpy. "Like if for some reason we get separated. Then she heads for the cub Murphy selected, getting in as directed, skirts, hat, large back pack and all.

*The driver eyes the two for a moment before starting the cab timer and off they -jesus this guy is hauling ass!- Murph eyes him for a moment before guessing he knows what he doing. He looks to Beth Sooo yeah, Tyler. Friend of mine, met him while he was a kid in his 20's *Says the Grump in his 30's. His dad was a serviceman here and his mom is a local. He travelled with me for a bit and I helped show him the ropes some, but you know how it goes. *Speeding through Naha City, they hit the highway. They pass the base of a large hill, Harrier jets and Cobra helicopters can be seen flittering about the top, an American airbase of some sorts must be there. Still speeding, swathes of forest intersperse with small block apartments, on their left the road suddenly drops off and they're driving along the coast

She look so startled as the taxi hauls off. She does however loosen her death grip after a bit. She watches as buildings, traffic and other things zoom past the window. She nods to Murphy. "So he just decided he would stay here? and now he has a club?"

*A nod. His folks separated. He called me up the other night, said he'd bought The Crazy Horse on Gate 2 street and had fixed it up. Not sure where he got the money for that kind of real estate but he's always been a resourceful guy. *Late afternoon as they continue to drive. Gate 2 street is named that because it's off of the second gate entrance to the local airforce base. Lots of servicemen come here to drink at the bars since the drinking age is 18 here. *Murph clears his throat Tyler assured me it would be the right kind of crowd, but I'll get a feel for folks before I go on..

She nods a bit. "I see, so we are straight on for the gig then? Perhaps they will have food there." She gives a little smile. "Its been fun so far though? Yes?" Then she blinks. "What is the 'right' kind of crowd?"

I didn't come all this way to play at another Rowdy Trout, I'm too old to get any more ass-whoopin's Beth. *Frustrated sigh I had to fire my Manager, so I've been going into a lot of gigs blind lately. *Cracks his knuckles. They finally pull up to a curb and the driver opens their doors. Very late afternoon, the place hasn't fully come alive yet. Alternating pavement and cobblestone streets line Gate 2, at the beginning of the block is an arcade, peaking inside the large glas windows you can see rows and rows of white consoles, almost like slot machines. Definitely not slots though, the consoles filled with SNK and Street Fighter style games. As they walk down the streets a pattern starts to emerge: Bar, food shop, drug store repeat. Most of the bars are up flights of staris, most of these building having been old apartments at some point. There are exceptions, such as Toriyama's, a world famous tatoo parlor. A yakitori stand is on an intersection, servicemen lined up for the small treats. On the other side of the road a strange sight can be seen: An old japanese man is playing a sanshin and shouting in english, although it's hard to tell from the other side. Murph keeps an eye on the bar names, which are handily in English for the troops Side Door...Club 29 Palms...Amazonesu.. Bar Prince..Ah! *He points. A small glowing white and red sign with "Crazy Horse" written in both languages. He holds the door for Beth before ascending the rickety wooden stairs. At the top is a sign. One arrow points to Crazy Horse, another points to a tatooo parlor. Convenient!

She studies the different bars, shops and food stands that they pass. She looks like she wants to go in each everyone, but true to her word she follows Murphy. Hopefully the place his gig is at, has food. No one wants to see a hangry Beth. Its just not pretty sight. "He better have some good bar food Murph. I'm telling ya." She does eye a few of the service men, and gives the old Japanese man a glance. The mix of sanshin and English is just so odd.

She does give a slight chuckle as she works out what the old man is saying. But continues following Murph, right up to the door.

*Murph comes to the small wooden door and is tempted to knock. Just as he's about to it opens and Tyler's standing there to greet him with a frown. Tyler is 6'3", very broad shoulders and even larger biceps, rather strange compared to your average Japanese man. He's wearing a black polo shirt and green kahki pants with boots. You could almost mistake him for the Bouncer. His black hair is in a crew cut, and he has a matching thin goatee, and there are what look like two rather large...bruises? bumps? It almost seems like he has troll horns just trying to burst from underneath his skin. When he speaks, it's calmly but in a strong tone. * I thought I smelled an old bag of bones. *He holds his gaze on Murph for a moment before a big grin crosses his face* How ya been Bluesman? *Murph laughs, shaking Tyler's beefy hand Beth this is my old friend Tyler Tanaka. Tyler this is Beth.....just Beth! *Tyler smiles to her, voice still soft Friends call me Tiger.

Beth changed her hat for tinted glasses as the day wore on. She just glances over the rims of them now. Dark eyes with just a touch of sparkle, to go with her long wild curls and cafe au latte skin tone. She gives a sassy little grin. "Tiger hrmmm? Guess Murph is not a friend then." Her nose wrinkles cutely. "Cause he just calls ya Tyler." But her grin is there to soften the teasing, her tone friendly. Her accent as usual, such an odd blend. So many rolled into one, it makes her sound almost as exotic as she looks.

*Tiger smirks, eyes focusing on hers for a second before looking to Murph That's a story for another time.. as Murph would say. Did you travel okay? *Murph shakes his head We got turned around up in Yanbaru, just came up from Naha. *Tiger blinks Those are opposite sides of the island Murph...*He shakes his head and laughs Are you hungry? Please come in, we've got time. *Going through the small wooden totally not a fire hazard by japanese codes I guess door, the place opens up considerably, very high ceilings. It's all wood, and as you walk various parts of the place creak but it's not dirty. On the contrary Tyler's clearly put money into this. Near the entrance are chairs and tables, including some mounted to the walls. The bar itself is in a sunken island, stepping down the stairs the bar is in the shape of a wide horsehoe. Behind the sunken bar is more floor and then the stage, a large blue banner with "Mississippi Murphy!" written in red. Tyler gets out an electric wok Want some Soba?

"Soba?" Beth perks up, suddenly 'Tiger" has all her attention. As they go through the venue she looks around, though she keeps her glasses on. She seems rather use to wearing them. "If you can make homemade Soba, Tiger, then you will be a hero!" Said almost earnestly. "And we got lost because I thought I saw something and I begged Murphy to follow. My fault really.

*He turns on the wok and puts in some oil. He just sorta nods at her story Lots of strange stories come out of Yanbaru. I've been meaning to..investigate. You're lucky Murph was with you, almost impossible to get lost with an Eshu. *Murph walks up with a smirk Yeah, ALMOST. Do ya have a rooftop or something I can light this on? *Murph holds up what seems to be spliff. He gives a small shrug I was crammed into a ball on a bus, you know how gangly I am.. I'm sore.*Tyler clears his throat and points to a backdoor, Murph following his direction. He adds the noodles to the wok and stirs for a moment in silence. So. Murph and you travel a lot, or are you new to all this?

She pushes her glasses back on her hair. Her sparkling eyes, lit with the night sky in full view. "Not new to traveling, I was sort of born into it." She watches him as he starts to cook. "You have known Murphy a long time?" One brow lifts.

*He smiles Let's just say you're not his first "Travel Buddy". Although I'm judging you're better suited for it than I was...just not in the blood. *He rubs his "horns" as if to make his point" Murph found me while I was still trying to figure out my place in the world..both worlds I guess. This one and the world of the dead. Can you see them too? *He adds some chicken and a yaki sauce to the wok

She blinks. "Can I see dead things?" She shakes her head. "No, not usually. You can?" Perhaps sensing a story. "I dream though. I dream of a lot things that just happen to come true.

I can see them, but....it's up to them if they want to listen to me. It's sort of like when I pop dross and can see what Murph sees.

"What a strange talent, it must have been startling at first." Her wide eyes are now focused on him instead of the food. "Perhaps I could dream about them, but I have never seen them on my own."

*He shrugs, stirring the noodles, the aromas mingling like saucy lovers in a...saucy sauce. I grew up with it, assuming that was just how the world was. My mother thought I was talking to imaginary friends. Murphy...never liked it when I pointed them out, said the dead should stay dead. These dreams..did you dream of your visit here?

"I think I have, I think I have been dreaming of it. I did not dream on the bus though, so perhaps I am where I should be." She pauses then and her eyes go wide. "Say, do you know any redcaps in a long coat?"

*He raises an eyebrow No... there aren't many "Fae" here honestly, this is a crowded little island, and the "locals" can be unwelcoming. *Murph walks back in, stretching That smells great! *Tyler nods to him and gets some plates, scooping them both out some fresh hot chicken yakisoba I trust you didn't disturb my chickens? *Murph nods back before diving into his bowl

Tyler looks to Beth* I keep chickens on the roof. For the eggs. *A pause Lots of folks do it.

"Better then keeping them in a camper!" Said brightly before she starts consuming her own bowl of food. "This is so good..." Made out between bites.

*He nods to the two, cleaning up the wok and setting it aside to cool down It's almost sundown, I'll open the doors soon so people can come in. *Murph nods to Tyler, speaking in between bites I won't lie Tyler you've really cleaned up this place. Remember we got into that fight with those two jarheads when this place was a pit? *Tyler nods again Very rude of them. But yes, I came into some money recently, a spirit led me t- *Murph puts down his chopsticks Tyler I don't wanna know. *Tyler nods again, clearing his throat Okay. *Murph eats in silence

She puts her glasses back down. Dealing with questions about her eyes is always awkward. Beth looks towards Tyler. She clearly wants to know..but she says nothing. She just continues to eat.

*They finish up and Tyler nods to the doorman to open. Hey people are here! Servicemen and locals alike start to filter in. Murph eyes the crowd for a bit, eventually nodding in approval once it's apparent they're not gonna need chicken wire around the stage. Tyler has taken on bartender duties it seems You're more than welcome to hang here if you want. Orion? *He offers her an Orion beer

She takes the beer in hand and toasts Tiger with it. "Thank you." Slipping easily into Japanese once more as she turns to watch Murphy set up on the stage. She smiles slightly. People, music, a full stomach and a new country. It can't get much better.

*Tyler responds in turn in Japanese this time You speak Japanese? *It's a crowd now, people are gathered around the stage with drinks and Murph has pulled up a chair, lowering his microphone as he sits down Well how're y'all tonight? I heard tell some folks wanted to here some Blues? *The crowd cheers. Two very shrill cheers in particular stick out in the crowd. Murph chuckles Oo! Don't spook me now! Well let's get this party started, eh? *He opens with a new number he's been practicing

"Of course I do." She gives a pretty smile and her accent now, in Japenese, is almost perfect. Only native speakers might figure out she has not known it from birth. She looks about, trying to figure out who the more shrill noises came from.

*Tyler smiles again, serving two Marines some beers before responding Did you learn on the mainland? My mother taught me. *Murph finishes the song. The servicemen, always polite, stop what they're doing to clap, a lot of the locals whistle, and there's that girlish shriek again. As Beth looks she can see two japanese schoolgirls in matching uniforms. The uniforms are gold, red, and white, and Hello Kitty is printed on the front. They're clapping excitedly. Murph tips up his hat and mutters something about Cheap Trick Thank ya...y'all a good crowd, I can tell. Not like them folks over at Club Fujiyama's, am I right? *Some people cheer, the two school girls squeel ....Okay so this here's one of my favorites..

"I learned from a woman who traveled with the caravan I grew up in. She traveled with us for a while when I was about ten. I called her Yuki." She gives a fond little smile at the memory. "She saw that I had some talent with languages and that I learned fast. She taught me the basics of writing, then left me with books so I could learn the rest on my own." She claps when the music ends, smiles when a new song begins.