Tokyo

Mira looked at the kid in front of her who was looking everywhere but at her. What was wrong with him? Getting fed up, she said, "Hey, you're a guy, aren't you? So look me in the face and talk." She heard his order of pancakes and then headed over to the new man who had just entered. And boy, was he a big one! He was absolutely massive sitting down, and he had an entire camera crew following him around. He was definitely familiar looking, but where... Oh yeah! Her Aniki had shown her some pictures of this guy after he came back from college in America. He said his show had been super popular, and that it might come over from the US sometime. Well, star or no star, she still had to serve him normally. She approached and said in English, "Sir, if you can't read the Japanese menus, I can get you an English one."

The man called Bes stepped through the door to the Phoenix Ashes, looking around carefully. He had been guided here by his spirit, and was sure his charge was not far away...he scanned the room with his eyes slowly, just standing in the doorway, hoping that whoever or whatever it was that he was here for would stick out.

Marshall watched the woman thank him, then sit back down next to Zam. Damn television stars. He could swear that something similar had happened twelve times the last time he'd seen Zam in person. Knowing him, he probably didn't even recognize Marshall. But that didn't matter. He scratched a small itch on his back. I must've got an electrical burn from that crazy kid last night... thought Marshall. He'd been itching since then.

Hisashi watched the guy slightly entertained. He was cool! He had an entire camera crew following him around, and he didn't even have to talk unless he wanted to! Still, he couldn't help but notice that Marshall was slightly irritated by his presence. Maybe it was the fact that both were Americans- or so he assumed. All foreigners should wear national flag bandanas on their heads in Japan, to stop the confusion, thought Hisashi, otherwise we'll keep confusing Americans and Englishmen. Besides, there was this one guy in the room whose nationality Hisashi couldn't even place. What was with all the tourists here?

Bes stood there, eyes gazing from place to place inside the room. He wasn't sure what he should do now, standing here in a restaurant. He had money in his pocket, but he wasn't very hungry...or was he? In his hast and excitement, he had forgotten to eat for the past day or two. He was sure this was where he would find the one he was sent to protect; sure this was where his quest would end, or at least where a new adventure would begin.

He eyed the American man at the table, sitting with his entourage. Perhaps it was him? No, no....it couldn't be. Bes was sure it couldn't be. That man had all the protection he needed. Why would he need Bes?

"How can I help you?" Mira asked as a new man came into the shop. And he was unlike anyone he was tall and tan, not a very common sight in Japan. Around his neck hung an amulet that looked like something out of ancient Egypt, made of something golden. He had a calm aura about him, but not one lacking power behind it. She motioned for him to take a seat at a free table. They were sure getting a lot of business recently. As she said this, a Katsu got English menus for all of Zap's crew men. The had to eat too.

Marshall looked up at kid asking about the dress. "To tell you the truth, I hadn't really noticed. I was too busy with my pancakes... and I'm not one to stare at young girls." He glanced around. Weren't there supposed to be more people here?" Hisashi leaned towards the two. "Yeah, there had to be at least eight people here yesterday evening." Marshall growled. "How am I supposed to conduct an investigation if no-one shows up?" He waited for the waitress to approach. He had to pay her... and he had some questions.

Hisashi looked at the other young adult, who seemed a few months older than him. "You were here last night, right? My name's Hisashi." He held out his hand to shake.

Bes grinned kindly as the girl sat him down at a table. As she asked if she could help him, Bes narrowed his eyes and replied, in his relatively smooth English, "Yes...who is that man?" he asked, pointing at the man at the table who seemed to be some sort of celebrity. He seemed curious about the other, but not in a strange way.

Marshall changed his train of thought back to the kid. "My name is Marshall Byrd. I work with the Police Department here in Tokyo." He flashed his badge quickly, since he always liked to do that. "This boy's uncle was attacked last night, and I'm here to investigate the people who were present to see if any are guilty. The ones who aren't showing will be my prime suspects, I guess..." He sensed a strange energy coming from the boy, but couldn't quite place it. Hisashi seemed to not notice it, though, or at least didn't show it. Hisashi was silent for the moment.