#okinawa

*A nod Yes, she'd probably like that, she's not 20 yet so she still can't buy....booze....*Tyler just now realizes that he might have a minor in his bar but decides to ignore that and his troll instincts for now and smiles politely to Beth. At that moment Ken the cat hops onto the bar and lets out the cat equivalent of a yap, chirping and growling at something to the right of Beth. Looking over, it seems Billman's been sitting at the bar this whole time, listening and nodding to the two. When Ken starts to growl he gets up, saying something Beth can't hear before he wanders into the crowd. Tyler shakes his head before winking to Ken I'll shoot Yoshino a text, she's usually up pretty early. *Thinking I think I have a bottle of that pink stuff that she likes.. *scratches his head As for the Habu Sake, I can think of a couple bars we can try, they're on Gate2 street as well.

She puts down her glasses and looks over to where the cat is growling. "What did he say?" Then she looks to Tyler with a bit of a puzzled expression. "I am old enough to drink." She gives her naturally dazzling smile. "I have ID too. Real ID. I am 22. It's hard to get around by ones self if you are younger. So...morning then?" Said as though she is just going site seeing.

*Tyler clears his throat Sorry, I wasn't sure. You just got that timeless look There's that Entrepreneur charm* Billman was saying that "Cocktails" has a jar of Habu Sake. *Checking his watch They're still open if you want to try, only a couple blocks down the Street. *It's 1ish. Not closing time yet for most places on a Saturday Or we can get it on our way back from up north.

"Na, lets do it now. I mean the sooner the better, right?" She stands soothing her skirts and running her fingers through her hair. She picks up her pack, she is never without it after all, and slips some sandals on her feet. "Okay. Lets do this."

*Tyler nods to Beth and gets back up, brushing off some of the sand and dirt off of his khakis from earlier. He folds his map into one of his pockets and motions to the bartender to take back the habu sake. He holds the door open for Beth as they walk back out into the night.* Cocktails is a....*He tries to find the right words Servicemen call it a "Buy-me-drinky-bar" but I don't think your States have an equivalent. The staff are all Women, and if they're not serving drinks they hang out with the patrons, flirting with them. What most of the servicemen don't realize is that the ladies get paid based off of how many drinks the men buy them. Usually something very watered down. *They head in the opposite direction of Jimmy, passing by a bookstore, a costume shop, and a few other bars before coming across a rundown little joint, "Cocktails" written in neon letters on a sign in the same font as the Tom Cruise movie from the 80's. As they enter, there's no bouncer to check ID's. instead a gaggle of japanese women greet them at the entrance, trying to take Tyler and Beth's hands so they can sit. The bar itself is the very definition of a dive bar. Creaky old wooden floors and stone walls that couldn't have been built any later than 1960. The bar itself is relatively low to the ground,the stools being very squat. Several booths line the walls and two old karaoke teleprompters are bolted into the corners. A large Okinawan flag hangs from the ceiling. Various japanese women and American servicemen also look up when Beth and Tyler enter. One of the bartenders, a woman who's got her hair up in pig tails, shouts and waves to Tyler Tiger-saaaaaan! *Tyler turns a shade of purple

She nods as she walks along, listening to Tyler. She does put her glasses back down, taking in the view, both living and not so living. "Oh boy." Said as he describes the bar. Then she blinks again as they enter. This is going to be interesting! Though she does not voice this thought. Instead she sticks close to Tyler and puts on a slightly ditzy/friendly smile.

*With her glasses on, Beth can notice that their are a LOT of dead servicemen hanging around these Women, making the bar seem even more claustrophobic. Most of the women range in ages, but all seem to be trying to dress for that 18-25 year old servicemen demographic, the amount of makeup more obvious on some than others. Tyler gives a small bow to the pig-tailed woman, addressing her in proper Japanese rather than the local Okinawan Mami, it's been a minute. I didn't realize you took over this operation from Kimmi.. *Mami hops the bar and playfully pretends to punch Tyler in the gut a few times before jumping up to try and give the troll kin a hug* You silly man, what are you doing on this end of town and who's your friend? *She looks to you. Out of the corner of her eye Beth gets the feeling that she's being watch

Beth follows suit, bowing and addressing Mami in proper Japanese. "I am Beth, thank you for having me. This looks like a popular place to be." She darts a quick look about, as much as she can without moving her head, trying to make it seem as though her attention is still fully on Mami. Dead things. Suddenly seeing unicorns and little chimera with lots of teeth, even if its most of the time..seems just a bit better in comparison.

*For the most part the wraiths stick to their perspective ladies. Jealously scowling at the new men that the women are hitting on. Two [living] servicemen at the far corner of the bar seem to be eyeing Beth. If she gets a good enough look she may recognize them as the two guys who were coming out of Club Mickey and the "Banana Show" earlier. The Caucasian with a shaved head and small round glasses is talking to his hispanic friend with the crew cut and buggy eyes who seems to still be in a state of shell-shock. Attention back to Mami now, she's laughing at a question Tyler posed You want my ENTIRE jar of Habu Sake? Are you crazy? That's my best seller, Tiger.

She comes back to the conversation at hand. She stays quiet though, keeping an eye on the two men and an ear on the conversation at hand. Did they need an entire jar? She tries to remember while keeping 'watch'. This is Japan and so far, Japan is weird. She would not be surprised of one of those service men suddenly shaped-changed into Godzilla or the like. She frowns slightly, for only a moment. Perhaps they could go to another place and steal the sake...if need be? She would hate to steal from a friend of Tylers. A thief she maybe..at times..but she has a code of conduct!

*Tyler's got his arms folded Mami, I'd pay you for it but you see it's complicated and technically I can't use money. *She gives him a funny look before finally acknowledging Beth Are you putting him up to this? Some kind of phillipino game? *Before she can answer, the caucasian serviceman walks up to Tyler and Beth, speaking in slurred English Hey, you run the Crazy Horse, don't you? How come you don't do Karaoke, this place even has it. *Tyler raises an eyebrow, an idea hatching. He speaks to Mami What if we held a karaoke contest...winner takes the jar *Looking over to Beth now How's your singing voice, Beth? *Mami snorts And what's in it for me? *Tyler looks through his wallet I can pony up a cash prize if we're not the winners...

*The drunk serviceman seems excited at the proposition Shit I'll take a jar of Habu Sake, all the guys in the BArracks would love it! *Tyler looks over to the guy. Who asked him?*

She looks to Mami, perhaps to correct her? But then the service men speak up with their question. Then she blinks at Tyler. "Um...its fair I suppose, never got complaints from the caravan." What Mami asked clearly forgotten, or perhaps just not important to her. "I guess we better win then." She nods.

*Mami shouts to the bar patrons* OY! Karaoke Contest! You wanna win this? *Plunks down a large jar of Habu Sake onto the table win the crowd. *She turns all the TVs to Karaoke mode and gets the microphone, looking for takers. The bespectacled serviceman gets up first, grabbing the mic and waiting for The Who's "Talking about My Generation" to start playing. Tyler finds a seat. The guy's friend wanders over to Beth and Tyler, his state of shock having subsided it seems. He looks to Beth Don't encourage him.

"Don't encourage who?" Glancing just barely over the rims of her dark glasses, in the bar lighting he might only notice dark eyes. A bit sparkling ones. "Tyler here or your friend?" She finds a seat too, next to Tyler if she is able. She takes off her glasses for a moment, letting her hair block her odd gaze.

*He looks over as his friend starts to belt out the first few lines, not very well, but then again it's a shouty kind of song My friend Richmond over there. *He offers a hand I'm Roman. Well, Zeke, but everybody goes by their last names on Base, y'know? *Looking back over to his friend I just got on the Island and he was "Showing me the sites" *a shudder I don't think I'll ever look at bananas the same way again. *Tyler snorts at something, ignoring Roman as he seems to be observing the crowd. The crowd reacts positively for the most part, but the locals don't seem that impressed. Roman speaks again Richmond has a point though, why are you two starting this here?

She smiles at Roman. "I'm Beth." Speaking English of course, with her strange yet exotic accent. "I am just visiting for the most part." Then she looks to the stage, wincing just a bit. "Bananas...huh...thanks for the warning." Then she seems to think again as she offers up. "We really like sake?" A hint of that enchanting grin as she blows a curl out of her eyes for a moment, only to have it fall back. She does avoid direct eye contact, that last more than a few seconds.

*Roman dopily agrees with her statement about Sake I think it's okay, the drinking age is lower here so I've been trying a few things out. *Richmond is on the bartop now trying to do his best impression of the Who's singer. Roman rolls his eyes before looking to Beth again Do you know the Orion Beer song? That might do it..Rich will never shut up about that jar if he wins it.. *Roman scratches his head you didn't hear that from me though...

*Tyler looks to Beth curiously before looking to Roman and replying cooly Thanks for the tip..

"Sake is best at room temp or even warmed." Said as by way of advice. "Really good when they pour it into one of the cups then the over flow in to the little wooden box." She winks. "Advice for advice..right?" She smiles then and looks to Tyler. "I am a quick learner it you wanna do it."

*Tyler seems to be uneasy about something I'll try to lead if you want to duet it.. *Richmond's song is done. Folks applaud and he bows a few times before handing back the microphone to Mami. Tyler walks over and whispers to Mami who changes a couple settings on her karaoke machine before handing him two microphones. He walks over to Beth with the two mics and gives her one, his hand slightly shakey It's just now occurred to me that I'm not -*He's interupted by Mami announcing their names. The televisions turn blue as words in both Japanese and English appear on the screens, a sanshin can be heard plunking the happy bouncy introduction to what amounts to Okinawa's version of "Sweet Home Alabama". Taiko drums beat and it's showtime! Tyler manages to get the first two words aaaaand his throat closes up and his eyes dart about nervously, sweat forming on his brow..

Beth raises a brow. Improvising?! She was born for this. She takes over, following the words and bouncing ball on the screen. She is no siren. But she can carry a tune rather decently. And her command of Japanese does come in handy. She even sings to Tyler and the crowd in turn, trying to help him out of his stage fright...after all this is a song he should know. She thinks?

*At first Tyler's drowning in his own flop-sweat, the Troll kin seemingly not ready for any of this despite it being his idea. Was he expecting Beth to do the work? He manages to get his shit together about halfway through the first chorus though. The locals including Mami are clapping along, and the Americans seem to be enjoying it too, about as much as they liked Richmond's song anyways. The spirits seem to be on Beth's side though, having grabbed their attention with that ear worm of a song. By the time the song is over Tyler has been swept up in Beth's showmanship, providing a decent second-banana so to speak as everyone applauds.

*Mami looks about the crowd to see if there are any more takers. She asks for a round of applause who the crowd liked better. It seems to be about evenly split. The ghosts would have pushed things in favor of Beth but their applause can't be heard and counted. :(*

Beth bounced along with the music as it went on. She is not that much of a dancer either! But hey..she has enthusiasm? And on second thought perhaps she can steal the Sake. She blinks at the ghost though, as her glasses were put back on before she went on stage. Though she frowns ever so slightly as the applause seems so split. She ponders what might happen next, then again...she did have fun. Though that song might never leave her head. Instead she adapts a charming smile and she tries to play to the crowd, trying to get them to clap louder during their turn if she can.

*It definitely seems like an even split. Mami ponders things for a moment before she smiles to Beth, Tyler, and Richmond It looks like we need a tie-breaker! *Pointing to Beth and Richmond You two, your best songs, head to head deathmatch! *Richmond orders a shot of vodka for himself and a sake and tea for the lady he's with. She smiles to him and sips at the drink, a veeeerrrry subtle eyeroll as she watches him down the shot, kiss her cheek, then walk back to the front of the bar with his mic. He gives a competitive wink to Beth before launching into "The Trooper" by Iron Maiden. He sure likes songs that are more "shouty" than "singy" but he does a surprisingly good job of nailing the chorus wails for a drunken lout. Tyler looks to Beth, wondering what her song will be..

/roll noexplode 3 Richmond Karaoke

She seems deep, deep in thought as she ponders about her song. She knows so many. She seems deeply unsure about what to sing. English. Japanese? Old fashion or more modern? She nibbles on her her lower lip. Then she eyes the spirits. If only she knew more of what they would like. She has no real knowledge of ghost or Japanese jingles. She lets out a little sigh. She has to figure something out!

*Eyes are on Beth now, Tyler tries to encourage her with an english saying he once overheard Break your leg.

She nods to Tyler and takes the stage. She requests Black Sabbaths N.I.B (Though she asks to shorten the opening rift, as they would be there all night) Its dark, and rocky, yet Beth seems to fall into it so naturally. AND she manages to add hawk some Japanese into places of the song.

"Oh yeah..Some people say my love cannot be true,Please believe me, my love, and I'll show you, I will give you those things you thought unreal
The sun, the moon, the stars all bear my seal ...Oh yeah!"

Seductive, dark, perhaps a touch wicked. Yet she seems to be able to meet all the songs points.

"Follow me now and you will not regret, leaving the life you led before we met. You are the first to have this love of mine, forever with me 'till the end of time. Your love for me has just got to be real, before you know the way I'm going to feel. I'm going to feel, I'm going to feel."

Her words seem to be directed towards each and every man in the crowd, perhaps some of the ladies too. Seductive, wicked, who knew the little linguist had it in her?

" Now I have you with me, under my power. Our love grows stronger now with every hour. Look into my eyes, you'll see who I am. My name is Lucifer, please take my hand. Oh yeah. Follow me now and you will not regret leaving the life you led before we met..."

She moves into the last part of the song. Moving with the music. Not so awkward now. A song after all, is just another way to tell a story. At the end she does not bow as she normally would. Instead she takes a strong stance, hands on hips. Her eyes just gleaming over the tops of her glasses.

She blinks behind her glasses at the child and watches a moment, before finally bowing to the crowd. Then she smiles at Mami, thanking her and the crowd in Japanese. Still wondering the whole time about the kid and the pudding pop. She makes a mental note to ask Tyler later. Do ghost eat?

*Richmond and Roman walk up to Beth and Tyler. Richmond offers a congratulatory hand to her before opening his mouth Do you work at the U.S.O. on Camp Futenma? I don't think I've seen you around before. ...the bar on Camp Butler maybe? *Roman rolls his eyes and puts a hand on Richmond's shoulder C'mon Rich, we gotta walk up sobriety hill. Congratulations Beth! *Tyler exchanges some words with Mami, palming her something before he turns back to Beth Bravo, you broke your leg, yes?

She shakes her head. "Nope. Nice to meet you both though." Said to Richmond and Roman. Then she turns to Tyler as they walk away. "Both of them I think." She gives a little smile to Mami. "Thank you again." Said with a respectful bow.

*Mami gives a small nod back to Beth You keep Tiger out of trouble, his heart is too big to say No. *Tyler mutters something before nodding back to Mami and holding the door open for Beth as they go. He seems to relax a little more once outside. It's 3ish by now, and everything is slowly starting to close up. Green Honcho Taxis scurry off full of servicemen trying to sober up -or at least trying to seem sober enough- for when they have to get past the gate guards on base. Drinking age is still 21 on site after all. Although the streets are filled with less living people, there seems to be about the same amount of spirits wandering about. Tyler speaks up That place was claustrophobic. If you can't tell by now I don't care for tight spaces.

She nods to Mami then heads out of the bar. She actually pats his shoulder with one hand. "You made it dude. In open spaces now." She looks about. "Mostly." She shakes her head. "Can you hear them too?" She asks in the low whisper, as though not to bother the dead. "I can't imagine."

*Clears his throat The ones that CAN talk, yes. I don't think the others have proper writing tools in their world..pantomime works sometimes...*waves it off the ones in there seemed to like you, if you couldn't tell. *Scratches one of his head bumps I'm sorry I choked.

Her brow furrows. "Hey, can the dead like eat? Things like pudding pops I mean." Then she pauses a moment. "Hey man, its cool. Got it covered." She pats his shoulder once more. "If you did not come up with the idea for the contest, we might have never have gotten the sake."

*He shrugs I figured an honorable contest would be better than just straight stealing from my ex-girlfriend. *small smirk. He furrows his brow at her question Eat? No. Well...not per se. Shinto priests leave offerings of food to certain spirits but they don't actually EAT it, it's more symbolic. What's a pudding pop?

"Huh..Ex-Girlfriend? That had to be ... awkward." She winces. "Pudding pop. Its like...um...frozen chocolate pudding. Like a frozen icecream..sorta of. I thought I saw a little girl with one, she walked through a wall."

Yeah. Well. It's a small island. *He shrugs before letting out a small nervous chuckle. Glancing at Beth again That doesn't add up. Your little girl, I mean. May I see your glasses?

"Sure, if you like.." She takes them off and offers them out Tyler. She is curious herself after all. "Perhaps he did more than just magic them?" She watches Tyler closely.

*He stops walking and examines her glasses a moment, turning them over a few times before looking at various spots where presumably spirits are. He flicks the glasses in front of his eyes quickly, like cycling through different photo lenses. He checks out a couple innocent looking buildings and even gives Beth a once over just to be sure. He frowns and hands the glasses back to her with a shrug They seem "fine" to me. When I look at a spirit through them it's a double vision, like wearing two sets of eyeglasses at the same time. Nothing seemed "extra" or out of place...scratches one of his bumps curiously* You must have seen SOMETHING, though, what could it have been?

"Me? Something chimerical or fae like you mean?" Her head tilts. "Odd." Now she seems very curious and tired as she shambles along beside him . "Or maybe a random vision?" She is thoughtful now.