El Fenix: 6th Moon festival

===> COH <===> 6/8/2019, 7:48:06 PM <===

	Welcome to Sixth Moon festival at El Fenix!

	The space has been set up for a festival! Fog machines pump mists of fog into the environs, lending to an air of mystery, that when combined with the various colored lights that largey render proceedings in a red tinged hue, creates an otherworldly aura. Ritual drumming and music is performed live by the best performers that Barrio Chino has to offer. The community certainly knows how to throw a party! While its early yet, some revelers have arrived and are busying themselves with drinks and food.

Chihiro arrives to the party, dressed like she might have been part of the entertainment on some other night and maybe at a seedier bar. Only problem with only having a couple of outfits, and clothing not being a priority, your 'best' isn't the greatest.

	Upon invitation from Fenix, Bieta and Kasia are both in attendance. Bieta is dressed in her red cheogsam with the black trim and black pumps and her daughter is wearing a red cheongsam with gold trim, both attire reflecting the colors that Fenix tends to favor. Both Bieta and Kasia arrived earlier and after getting something to drink, they go looking for Fenix within the crowd.

	Fenix is holding court at the circular bar, barking out guidance to the servers and other employees tasked with making the festival a success. Mostly? It consists of making sure food and drink flow freely, and that no one gets too rowdy, too early. At this hour, the event is still "family friendly". There are games and face painting and party favors and the like.
Bieta has voted for you.

	Notably different? A large iron bell has been suspended above the center of the circular bar. It looks imposing and official!

Chihiro wanders over towards the bar as well, seeing as that's where she is most likely to get a drink. She sets herself on one of the stools and looks at what is offered. "Dark rum and coke." Definitely not a traditional drink, but it's not a bad way to relax a bit.

	When he catches sight of Bieta and Kasia from the corner of his sunglassed eyes, Fenix delegates management to an underling and makes his way over to greet the pair. Appropriate beverages are offered to each of them in turn. "Glad you could make it," he says with warmth in his voice and body language.

	Both Bieta and Kasia smile at the greeting and Bieta says, "I am glad that we could make it." Kasia says, "I love coming to the moon festivals. I really like the games." Bieta accepts the drinks and passes the non-alcoholic one to Kasia. "So what is the purpose of the big iron bell?" Bieta takes a sip of her drink.

	Fenix looks up above towards the large iron bell and the rope for ringing it. A smile. "When the bell is rung, that will be a signal to all that the festival will officially be in full swing." He looks to Kasia, then back to Bieta. "If I hold Kasia up, would you allow her to ring the bell?"

	Fenix then looks over towards Chihiro and gives the woman a polite smile. Drinks are half price after the first complimentary one, and food is complimentary throughout the duration of the event.

	Free food. Probably not the brightest move when it comes to Chihiro, as for her size, she is able to put a lot of food away. When the drink arrives, she raises it slightly to Fenix before taking a sip.

	Bieta looks over at Kasia and says, "Sure...I think that sounds like a good idea. Kasia has gotten a little big for me to lift that high...for her to ring the bell...I think."

	Kasia says, "Ma ma!" Kasia slides down off the barstool and makes her way over to Fenix. Kasia stretches her arms up towards Fenix, giggles and says, "can we start the festival now?"

	Bieta says, "Kasia you are becoming a little con artist." Bieta turns and looks in Chihiro's direction and she says, "Good afternoon, Ms. Sato. It is good to see you again."

	Chihiro gives a little smirk and it looks like she is debating saying something, but she decides to go with the title instead of her nickname for the other woman. "Doctor." She replies with a nod. She watches the child move around the bar, but this isn't the US, there are different rules that she's still learning.

	Fenix gives Kasia a grin, then lifts the girl up high so that she can grasp the thick rope that leads up towards the immense iron bell. "Give it all you got, Kasia. So that the whole neighborhood hears."

	Kasia grabs the rope tightly with both hands and pulls just as hard as she can down on it to make the bell ring. Bieta turns her attention towards her daughter and Fenix. Bieta says, "this is one of those times I wish I had a camera with me."

	Fenix holds Kasia up so that the girl can give the bell a god and strong series of rings. Then he'll gently lower her to the ground, and point out towards an ever increasing swell of fog in the space. "Get ready," he mock whispers. "Its coming."

	Kasia stands on tip toe to try and keep her head above the fog in order to see just exactly what 'it' is. Bieta turned around in her seat at the bar and looked off in the same direction as her daughter almost just as expectantly. Kasia tries to wave some of the fog out from in front of her field of view while laughing and saying, "is it more fog?"

	Fenix sets kasia atop a stool, holding her steady so she gets a good view.

	And from within the billowing blanket of fog that clings to the floor of the bar? Comes a dragon! Illuminated by the various red lanterns that hang from the ceiling, it looks menacing in all of its handcrafted glory!

	And now the Dragon Dance!

	The dragon is a long serpentine body formed of a number of sections on poles, with a dragon head and a tail. The dragon is assembled by joining the series of hoops on each section and attaching the ornamental head and tail pieces at the ends. Traditionally, dragons were constructed of wood, with bamboo hoops on the inside and covered with a rich fabric, however in the modern era lighter materials such as aluminium and plastics have replaced the wood and heavy material. This dragon is a red color representing excitement while its scales and tail are mostly beautiful silver colors and glittering at all times which provides a feeling of joyous atmosphere.

	The patterns of the dragon dance are choreographed, and set to the beating of drums. Some of the patterns of the dragon dance will be called out by the crowd, with fanciful names for the different patterns - "Cloud Cave", "Whirlpool", "threading the money", "looking for pearl", and "dragon encircling the pillar". The movement "dragon chasing the pearl" shows that the dragon is continually in the pursuit of wisdom, and is especially auspicious!

	Chihiro stays at her stool, sipping at her drink as she watches the performance. Not something that she might normally come to see, but it is a special occasion. If there is some food nearby, she will likely seek it out, then move back to her spot quietly.

	Kasia lets out a delighted squeal when Fenix picks her up off the floor and puts her in a high place to watch the dragon dance. Both Bieta and Kasia call out the names for the different patterns with everyone else. Bieta would look over at Fenix and mouth the words 'thank you' to him over the din of the celebrants.

	Fenix gives Bieta a grin and a nod. The dragon will dance its way throughout the bar, darting in and out of the fog. Any with Awareness at 4+, or Cosmology at 3+ might notice that the pattern it follows suggests a tracing of ley lines or the like

Kurumi comes in from Tijuana - Del Rio
Kurumi has arrived.

	Chihiro has her plate of random foods, and snacks on it like she doesn't care what is there, she's just wanting to eat some of the food. The japanese woman does watch the dragon move around the room, keeping track of it with peripheral vision mostly, but she's unaware of what it traces.

	Bieta seems to be paying more attention to her daughter having fun at the festival with Fenix. Bieta takes another sip of her drink and spares a moment to look around the place to see if she recognizes any familiar faces besides Chihiro's and Fenix's.

	The dragon moves in a wave-like pattern achieved by the co-ordinated swinging of each section in succession. Whilst this swinging constitutes the basic movement of the dragon, executing more complex formations is only limited by a teamâs creativity. The patterns and tricks that are performed generally involve running into spiralled formations to make the dragon body turn and twist on itself. This causes performers to jump over or through the dragonâs body sections, adding to the visual display. Other advanced manoeuvres include various corkscrew-like rotating tricks and more acrobatic moves where the performers stand on each other's legs and shoulders to increase the height of the dragonâs movements.

	Fenix is moved by the display, and the mercurial manager of the house buys everyone another round on the house. Its 6th moon festival, after all!

Emi has arrived.

Ken comes in from Tijuana - Del Rio
Ken has arrived.

	Chihiro finishes her drink, and before long is almost out of food as well. It's almost like she is continuously eating when there is food available in front of her.

	Heads will likely turn when in through the doors of El Fenix comes perhaps the largest Japanese woman most of the patrons have ever seen, save for the ones who have seen Kurumi before. Being nearly six foot six isn't the only reason she is hard to miss though, she could easily be a model with her figure and like the Devo song says she seems to 'send out an aura of undefined lust'. At the same time there is something dangerous, something predatory about her, the way she moves, the look in her eyes that causes most of the patrons to give her a wide berth.

	Kurumi saunters over to the bar area of El Fenix and flags down one of the staff asking for sake, waiting something passing for patiently while it is prepared.

	Chihiro glances over to Kurumi as she moves in, then looks to Bieta, "You still straight after seeing that one?" She comments with a small smile. It's a teasing manner, but it is fairly good natured at the same time.

	Bieta and Kasia both clap and cheer for the amazing acrobatic performance in front of them. Bieta accepts another drink and makes sure the bartender gives Kasia a virgin version of whatever drink Kasia was given previously.

	Fenix ruffles Kasia's hair, then guides the girl back to Bieta. "Thanks for coming," he says to the woman. "Enjoy the party, but I have some business to attend to, unfortunately." Bieta will get a kiss on the cheek and a hug as Fenix makes to take his leave of her and her daughter.

	Because its at this moment, that a group of Japanese strangers enter the bar and casino (er, not counting Kurumi, of course! she's local!). A short man in a dark suit and dark sunglasses that could pass for a businessman, followed by two taller, impossibly burly men in longcoats and mirrorshades that look like extras from some neo-noir, followed by three women with a lean, hungry look to them.

	Bieta looks over at Chihiro and blinks at her in response to her comment before saying, "I am sorry, what?" Bieta looks at Kurumi and then Chihiro and says, "Ms. Sato, please..." Bieta looks towards Fenix then towards Kurumi then towards Kasia with some concern in her eyes. Bieta hugs Fenix back and says, "Oh wait...well...later then..."

Ken isn't a big-boobed nor is he 6'6", but the guy's a regular patron so he gets a pass at that. Rather than turn heads, he gets brief glances and sneers from the less savoury types around that he's possibly already gotten into a fight with. Dressed in the usual half unbuttoned Hawaiian shirt, with beige shorts and sandals to top his look along with the scent of cheap cologne, the guy literally transforms into your generic everyday Asian guy who looks like he lives through the day by gambling and selling narcotics. The group of Japanese strangers is followed right behind by him, though the entourage can be easily distinguished from him, owing to his looks.

	Kurumi receives her sake at the bar and downs the small karafe like it's a shot eliciting a sigh from the bartender as she asks for the entire bottle... again. Bottle in hand she turns to scan over the crowd of new Japanese entrants, giving them all appraising looks, particularly the man in front between the goons.

	"You have to admit, that when one of the first things that you say to me is 'I'm straight', that's going to stick with you for a bit. Moreso when I wasn't even sniffing in that direction." Chihiro says, looking slightly amused.

	Fenix gives Bieta and Kasia a wave, then makes his way over to greet the Japanese businessman and his entourage. Words will be exchanged in Spanish, of all languages with a bit of both Japanese and Mandarin interspersed here and there. Fenix gives the man a nod, then hops up onto a barstool, yelling above the din. "Drinks are on our guests for the rest of the evening until the booze runs dry!" Well, that was something! The Japanese businessman highroller smiles and then he and his entourage head for the back room.

	Bieta looks Chihiro's way and says, "I was explaining the difficulties I was having with Val to Blod at the time after he asked about what what the problem was. I do not tend to bring such things up at random to people in the streets. Especially when I just met them." Bieta's cheeks are pink. Kasia sits back down on her bar stool and holds her virgin drink and drops her gaze.

	To clarify, the Japanese delegation that just arrived bought drinks for the house until everything gets floated.
Ken brushes past the group of strangers as they pause to chat with Fenix. One of the girls are given a glance by Ken, and maybe a lowering of his glasses then a wink as he passes by, but nothing after. He approaches the bar and slides onto one of the stools, raising his finger to the tender just in time as Fenix announces his statement, a wide grin slowly growing on Ken's face, before he orders himself the most expensive bottle available in the bar. No, /two/, in fact. And then as he watches the group stride into the backroom, the tender gets a nod as he's served his drinks and follows suit soon enough into the back.

You move to El Fenix - Office and Cage Pit
El Fenix - Office and Cage Pit(#11509RM)

	The back of the house -- which also serves as a public Yang attuned temple pulling double duty to Jiutian Xuannu - the goddess of war, sex, and longevity and to Zhurong - the god of fire and of the south -- is where two things are located: the owner's box/office suite, and a large octagonal steel cage where combatants can square off in mixed martial arts bouts for the purposes of betting and entertainment. Security is high here, both in terms of surveillance and armed personnel. One set of security staff patrol the owner's box/office suites, while the other set keep the crowd from getting too rowdy near the cage matches. Waitresses in skimpy outfits wander through the space every so often, serving drinks and cigarettes to the patrons and taking down bets.

	The owner's box/office suite is set along the far back wall, and consists of a large steel door, and an extra wide one way mirrored plexiglass window that provides a view of the action within the cage.

	*** <PLACES CONFIGURED> ***


	*** Nightzone ***

Obvious Exits:
El Fenix - Sala de Juegos <EF>
Ken comes in from El Fenix - Sala de Juegos
Chihiro comes in from El Fenix - Sala de Juegos
Kurumi comes in from El Fenix - Sala de Juegos

	Chihiro ends up following the others back here after not too long, glancing about the place and to the various people that are gathered. "I honestly expected more people to show up for this."

	The back of the house had been cordoned off and reserved. While clearly everything in the room still screamed 'home turf' (the Yang temple elements were present, as always), an effort had been made to make the space accommodating and hospitable and ecumenical as possible, after a fashion.

	The leader of the Wicked City delegation introduces himself simply as Kenzo. The two large men are clearly Demons of Iron and Violence. The three women? They remain unidentified, but also appear o be functionaries of some sort.

	Kenzo looks around the table where drinks have been poured. "So. Who has agreed thus far?" Straight and to the point, while his entourage take a walk around the room.

	Kurumi wanders back, taking a long slug from her bottle of sake and carrying a long wrapped bundle about five feet in length that she must have had stashed somewhere. She lets it to lean against the outside of the cage that surrounds the fighting pit and then joins it in a lean of her own.

	Politics. This is not Chihiro's specialty. She can't help but give the big woman walking past her a glance. She mutters to herself, "Yeah...I know....I would love to take a bite out of that..."

The two bottles of expensive whiskey is held in Ken's hand as he trails the group inside. The cap is popped off and he gleefully swigs from one, keeping the closed other in his hand as he chugs. Ken shuffles through the place and position himself somewhere he can have a better view on their guests, particularly the mysterious trio of women in the entourage.

	Fenix smiles, then knocks back a shot of Japanese whiskey. "Lord Ku of the Thousand Tears was the first. There's a wager whether the Wicked City will or won't be the second." The exact nature of the wager, however, remains unspoken.

	Kenzo knocks back his own whiskey, then eyes Kurumi, then Ken. "You two. You have anything riding on this wager?" Kenzo's exact cast of his gaze remains inscrutable from behind the dark sunglasses he wears.

	Chihiro is ignored by most it seems. She reaches behind her pulling a dagger that looks to be made of bone from under her skirt ands begins cleaning her nails.

	The Demons of Iron and Violence shed their coats back here. The Demons of Iron and Violence are Mikaboshi's answer to Iteration X's Hit-Marks. The coats cast to the wayside, they stand near three meters tall and their bodies are studded with cables and patches of black metal armor. While the Demons of Iron and Violence are typically clad in clear plastic capes, rain-proof gear and armored goggles to protect against blood spatter of their victims, here they lack such accoutrements.

	Kurumi offers Kenzo a smile that would do Mortal Kombat's Baraka proud full of sharp pointy teeth, "Whether you'll compete? No wager, just wondering if you're strong enough, this isn't going to be a game for boys and toys." she winks at him, predatory desire radiating off of her as she looks the Demons of Iron & Violence up and down.

Ken blinks as the man addresses him, finger pointing to himself as he asks. "Me? Nah, I'm just in it for the fights, and I barely wager on myself, you know? Unless it's really worth it." Ken shrugs his shoulders and guzzles down his whiskey. When the iron demons finally reveal themselves and cast their coats aside, Ken almost spits out the liquor in his mouth as he chuckles under his breath. "Cute," he mutters.

	Kenzo offers a shrug. "I'm just here to audit and assess. I count the beans, others make the decisions."

	There's a red gleam behind the dark sunglasses that Kenzo wears as he slowly looks around the room. Apparently? He's counting the beans with this or that sensory effect. The three women type into their tablets with their fingers.

	"No...I'm pretty sure that they'd let me stab them just so that I would get closer..." Chihiro mutters, answering that voice that only she can hear as she looks at the two Demons.

	Kenzo smiles. "I believe there's enough of interest to us in this room that the Demons will step into the cage with whomever of yours wants to make the argument for our participation not being a total waste of time, yes. Assuming that we get the lion's share of the re-broadcast rights, exclusively for a year, of course." REBROADCAST RIGHTS? Apparently there's a brisk trade in supernatural combat bouts! Nothing the Wicked City touches fails to get capitalized and commercialized!

END PART 1!