Diving For Pearls (Jingo)

[Hana Yamato]

Hana had gradually gotten used to the bar. Sure, it was still more than a little uncomfortable when she first slipped into the water and was immediately exposed to a large number of eyes, but within a few minutes of flitting about, resting on the rocks beneath the surface, and a few flirtatious winks, Hana found everything that much easier. And with the growth of her confidence in working topless, like all the other girls playing mermaids, came more requests for her to join the tables to keep company with the men dining there.

Sometimes the conversations turned a bit salacious, but she was handling those easier (with the help and advice of her coworkers). And sometimes she was merely decoration for whatever conversation was going on. That was far easier for her than anything else, since she could preen and be friendly with everyone.

The one thing that surprised her was how those conversations assumed that she had no head on her shoulders and couldn't think for herself. Hana heard things. And remembered. Sometimes things... connected in a way that made her feel uncomfortable or unsafe. The men who enjoyed this bar weren't always your average Joes.

However, she kept her mouth shut. Hana knew that certain things could put you in danger, and she wasn't about to hazard her income. So tonight she flitted about in a pink tail (her coworkers had jokingly hid all the rest so she'd have to wear her least-favorite colored tail) to match her hair. She'd already received a few unwelcome jokes about how the drapes matched the tiles, and had even already been asked to join a table while they had discussed business. What made her night was that a new customer had caught her eye. He stood out in a crowd, at least to her, but being alone here? That was unusual for a lot of customers. She slipped down to the rocks next to his table and gave him a friendly smile and wave. It seemed like a shame for him to be all alone like that.

[Jinguuji Kurisu]

Like people saying goes, there is always a first time for everything. That evening proved that phrase to be true. Jing had been hearing about a particular bar, one rumored to be, in his mind, man friendly. Surely he heard about many places similar to this, however, this business supposedly acquired a little more a classer fill to it. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t matter to Jinguuji. An experience is all he desired for this evening.

A good time eating, looking at beautiful woman and last but not least, fathering information. All types of scum in all different colors had to shoot the breeze inside of that establishment.

”Ohohoh”

[/b] Jing strolled in casually, head on swivel, and that grin on his face seem to stretch more than usual. Barely inside of the Mermaid Bar and tingles were already stirring over his body. ”Good evening, miss. Ladies. Gorgeous, all of you. I swear. “ [/b] A chuckle escaped as his skinny hand waved peoples around him.

Quickly, he made himself comfortable at one for the tables, ordering a few drinks for himself. Alone for the night because his digimon companion refused to even tag alongside of him, guess he won’t look like he’s talking to air today. Leaning back in his chair, he licked his peachy lips cleaning it of the alcohol, and then nibbled on a few peanuts.

Upon scanning the area, there seemed to be no interesting figured today. Or well, he didn’t care too much about it; the urge to relax was defeating his usual self. Although, there was someone making way towards him, a pretty mermaid who’s tail matched the color of his phone. Pink, one of his favorite colors actually. She waved. So he waved back, almost beckoning her to come closer. He did want her too.

”Yo~.”[/b] he said plainly, yet emphasized on the o. Of course, he could spit out a horrible pick up line, but that never was his character. Maybe later. ”Think ya can come over relax with me?”[/b] Though she was topless, he didn’t only focus on her breast. Even if he did, she wouldn’t know. ”Drinks on me.”[/b][/center]

[Hana Yamato]

Hana was a little surprised when the man asked her to join him. She smiled, nodded, and headed for the discreet exit to the tank, then headed back to where the man was sitting. Her steps were delicate but sure - she'd spent enough time prancing around in the tails to have developed some grace in them - and she slid down into the chair across from him. She had to admit, it was a little more intimidating than she had thought. He looked almost predatory. At the same time, it was rather thrilling to be asked to join a single man. Before it had always been groups. With him, Hana knew that she was wanted for her company... though that might have been in addition to her looks.

Hana wasn't unaware that she'd been made up to be as physically attractive as she could be, with tiny flowers decorating her hair, a hint of make-up, and body glitter highlighting the curves and hollows of her body. It made her feel a little more vulnerable than she might have felt otherwise.

All the same, the intrigue and almost exotic looks of her dining partner meant that she wasn't about to refuse. "Good evening. I haven't seen you here before - are you new? I could recommend a drink or two that's the bartender's specialty." Part of her job description was to do this small sort of selling chit-chat, and to drink with the customers if they wished, but there was more that Hana wanted to talk about. She gave him a bright grin, then leaned forward to ask him curiously, "And what brings you here all by yourself? Most men I see here are with friends or business partners or the like. Since I'm hogging all your attention tonight, I'm probably making the rest of the mermaids jealous~!" She gave him a playful wink. "Maybe I should have a name for such an interesting man?"

At that point a waitress came over, and Hana gave her the usual order: one of the bartender's specials (one of Hana's own personal favorites) for herself, and paused for him to give his own.

[Jinguuji Kurisu]

At the moment, Jing eyes were having all sorts of problems, good, bad and a goodier. It became so bad, his mind began making up words. Exactly where were his eyes supposed to land and stay? After all the enchanting girl whom now waddle to his table – which much have taken practice considering the tail she wore – had to many entrancing area to focus on. ”Yeah. This is the first time I’ve been to a place like this, Ima’ late bloomer. Though–“

[/b] One more scan of her body occurred before settling back on her cute face while pondering. ”I’ll settle with the specialty.”[/b]

Adjusting in his seat, he leaned back a bit, relaxing. Part of the reason why he invited her over, besides from her curvaceous appearance, he simply didn’t want to be alone since his lacked a partner. And she worked in the establishment, surely she knew her customers to an extent, but questions that can come later. He just needed someone to talk and listen to. ”Ima lonely, boring man. I needed to get out some. Plus I kinda heard this place was well…”[/b] pausing, he turned around viewing the scene of people socializing, men with the beautiful woman. ”This is your place, yanno what I’m tryin’ to get at, right? Heh. So please indulge me and I’ll try the same. ”[/b]

Ensuing removing his black jacket, his legs crossed elegantly as the idea of revealing his name floated about. There was no harm in doing so was there? Who knows this lady could turn out to be his future investment – a friend. ”Pulease. I think you here with me is making all the other beady eyed men jealous. Ima’…have to watch my back now. Thank you.”[/b] he chuckled at what he believe to be true and continued. ”My names Jinguuji, nice to meetcha.”[/b] He stuck out his out to shake hers. ”Does the majestic mermaid have a name? Or should I should I go about calling you Suisen after one of the flowers decorating on ya?”[/b]

Peering up at the waitress, he thought for a second to think what he wanted but nothing came. Recalling back, there never was a time he became a big drinker so he didn’t know the names of beverages. ”Gimmie the same thing she’s gettin’”.[/b][/center]

[Hana Yamato]

Hana noticed his wandering eyes but wasn't about to say anything about it. This was her job, after all - to be looked at and appreciated for her physical beauty. And he wasn't nearly as creepy about it as some of her other customers. Or irritating, as her fanclub often was. All in all, it was downright flattering that he was as appreciative and not-creepy about her body as he was. He was also relaxing, to boot. "Yes, it is pretty interesting. I'd never head of a mermaid bar before I saw the wanted ad. I was so interested I came in that day to apply! And it seems to have worked out pretty well." She shrugged, a happy smile on her face.

His black jacket came off, and she noticed that he was build thin but strong. It added to the fox-like appearance he had, and that rather amused her. Hana wasn't nearly as put off by it as previously thought. He was nice and not creepy, whatever he looked like. And a flirt. She giggled when he let loose a line about how all the other men in the room were jealous. "Suisen would actually work. Or Sakura, or Riko, if you so desired. My name is Hana, so it's very general purpose." She laughed a little as she took his hand and shook it in turn. "It's very nice to meet you, Jinguuji."

Hana nodded to the waitress when he said he wanted the same drink as her. That made her night. It arrived in a flash since it was served straight from the bottle. "This is a little something called Bounce," Hana said as she raised her own little sifter. "It's whiskey - very strong, it needs a high alcohol content - that's been stored for about a year with berries in it to suffuse the liquor with their essences. Each vat has a different berry when they do this. Some have blackberries, some raspberries, some blueberries, and so on. So each time you have it, there's a chance it won't be the same thing you had last time." Her eyes danced as she sipped at her drink, feeling a light tingle of alcohol down her throat, but much of the burn mellowed out by the flavor of the berries.

It would only take three or four of these to down a grown man. "I wouldn't drink a whole lot of it, but this glass is quite good."

She'd never been able to handle a whole lot of liquor, so even with a few sips, she was feeling more relaxed and willing to talk. Her hand reached over to his. "So, a late bloomer coming to a place like this, huh? Does it measure up to what you thought it would be like? We try to fulfill whatever dreams men might have about a place like this." And around them that could be seen. Girls in the tanks preened and swam in gentle curves that showed off their bodies to the best advantage, or were talking with men from where they lounged at the top. Even more were sitting at various tables, water glistening off of their skin like it did Hana's, equally made up to attract the most men possible. They were a dizzying array of colors, and so many were pretty.

Hana never really felt that she was up to the standards they set, so couldn't help but feel flattered that Jingo had chosen her out of all the rest. "You made a girl feel like a star, talking like you do. The rest of the men might be jealous, but the moment the girls hear about you, they'll all want to come and sit by your side." Her smile was genuine. Few men paid true compliments to the mermaids. It was really a nice thing when someone like that came in.

[Jinguuji Kurisu]

Noting to himself, her hands were soft and smooth maybe because she was always in the water. Obviously he was a man, a simple one, so he actually didn’t feel too sure about that answer. Before opening his mouth to comment, their drinks where sat on the table in a snap. Both of his thin eyebrows rose in unison out of respect for the service. “Thanks and a Bounce you say…weird name.”

[/b] Eyes lingered on the glass like it would share secrets if he examining, all while she explained the details of the drink.

Raising the beverage, he tipped it her way lightly, thereafter he took a few sips to feel it out. It didn’t burn his throat but he still felt the twinge of whiskey. ”Oh man…raspberries. Oh this is delicious. Heheh”[/b] he looked at her than back at the drink, looking like an eager kid nibbling on a new tasty piece of candy. Another gulp down, one that made him smack his lips. ”I won’t drink too too much. Agreed…again.”[/b]

She could see a smile was always plastered on his face, through good and mostly bad, yet this smile was quite genuine. This place. This drink. His companion for the night. All of it added up to wonderful half hour, that’ll desire to do once more in the future, many times. He laughed when she continued the conversation, she was a good waitress, and he liked people that talked with him forcing anything. ”It’s great, Suisen. Heh. All the rowdy men must love hearing that, fulfilling their dreams and all that jazz. In a sultry tone, they puss be puddy in your hand”[/b] he spoke to her, yet attention was on the drink he swirled in his hand, eyeing for the fruit.

Looking back up, he stared around again. There were so many times one could do that and not feel so creepy. Would acknowledging how wonderful the establishment is and could be, turn him into a creep? Didn’t matter, the thought was washed away as she grabbed for his hand, obviously he allowed it. His long fingers tapped her lightly, seemingly feeling her out. ”Please don’t make me laugh. I’m makin you feel like a star. Haha. Ima dork that’s all, I like to be honest. You got some enchanting aura around ya, Hana. Pretty and curvy -- Yanno what?”[/b] An idea struck him out of his complimenting sentence, but surely they heard enough compliments, right? How about you let me taste you drink, hmm?”[/b] He smile widen as he leaned his face in closer. ”Let’s make everyone a lil more jealous, eh fins?”[/b][/center]

[Hana Yamato]

Hana giggled slightly when he said that Bounce was a weird name for a drink. "It's the bartender's idea of a joke, since she says that anyone who drinks more than a little will pass out so hard they'll be bouncing off the floor." Her own glass had the flavor of blackberries and she was deeply enjoying it. It was also nice to hear that he liked it, as well. He was surprisingly good company and it pleased her no end. Even moreso, she enjoyed the little nickname that he'd picked out for her. It was rather cute. 'You should hear what the more experienced mermaids can do to men," she said with a wink. "They're able to do more than turn men to putty." Statues, more like, when one of them really decided to turn on the charm. All the eyes in the place would turn to them. It was a skill Hana hadn't even begun to master.

Her eyes danced with amusement when he looked around the place. It was no shock that he wanted to see all that he could. Even before she'd started working here, Hana wasn't unaware of the fact that female flesh was an endless diversion for men, and there was far more of it here than one usually encountered outside of a nudist camp. Some of their regulars behaved more lewdly than he did, so she felt like smiling endlessly at her good luck.

Responding to her touch and comment, he leaned forward with a suggestion that he taste her drink. Already pink from his attention, her flush deepened a little more. But a mischievous sparkle was already in her eyes as she raised a finger to his lips. Her voice had gone low and sultry. "I'll be happy to let you taste as much as you want," her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, making her suggestion entirely unmistakeable, "but it will have to wait until I'm off hours~! Mermaids are untouchable while working unless you'd also like a taste of security." A playful smile danced on her lips as she said it. This place considered itself classy for a reason.

Hana didn't make it a habit to pick people up in bars, or up anywhere, actually. But she couldn't deny how attractive she was finding this silver-haired smiler. With her financial needs met for her family (mostly), why couldn't she kick back and have a little fun? Men hadn't even been on her radar when her family had gotten into trouble, and she certainly hadn't had time for them when she went out to help support them!

With that thought, she stood up, letting him get a good, long look at all of her curves. "I'll meet you out front after midnight." Tonight she wasn't going to linger for anything - five minutes after and she'd be looking for him. She made her way back to the tank and slipped in. Hana couldn't overtly flirt with him while in the tanks, but she made sure that while she was working she sent a few extra winks and waves his way, along with giving him at least one nice show.

[Jinguuji Kurisu]

If only that smile of his ceased to be perpetual, she could witness a genuine grin of interest drawing on his thing face. That one finger pressed against his raspberry flavored lips, made him wiggle inside. A light chill vibrated though his body; quickly his lips puckered against that single finger shushing him. He spoke of putty earlier, well; he was mere steps away from being scooped up and shoved into a jar. Becoming another trophy for this fine establish. ”I’m sure glad I decided to get out of the house and come here tonight.”

[/b] Eyes tried and failed to tear away from her moisten lips, her idea of tasting much as his gluttonous hunger desire continued to swirl in mind.

He whistled, not in a cat calling way but in a ‘she is wearing me down’ fashion. He chuckled, enjoying the flirty; warm front that moved in his atmosphere wants she accepted his invite. Beats out lulling in out of boring conversation until one of the old guys raise something of interest to speak about. Curious eyes rolled over her curves again, which he always been a fan of. Strange, the first three or four times looking over her tantalizing flesh; he never noticed a dolphin on her left arm. This is what woman does to men, turn their mind into mush. Although the word security snapped him out of the stupor.

”N-no. I’m allergic to security. I break out in bruises and blood. I’m good without it.”[/b] He gulped the rest of the liquor down, head shaking due to the kick of the whiskey all in one go. ”I understand. After hours. Heh. I won’t be going anyway.”[/b] To his misfortune, she waddled back to her duties. Back into her pond, attracting all of the perverted eyes with just a wink and a twerk of her hips, by far the main attraction.

After a nod and a wave, Jing hit the table excitedly. ”Another glass of bounce, please!”[/b] He had to do something past the time.

***

Midnight rolled in. Like Jing told her he’d stick around, keeping his promise. Why not continue having a fun conversation in the afterhours? There he stood outside, waving ever so slightly, feeling absolutely wonderful. His brain felt like it was on wave. And greeted every single person that past by him. ”Man this is jus’…it’s jus’, yeaaaah.”[/b] He nodded, agreeing with whatever he was trying to tell himself. ”Pretty hot ain’t it, Peepi? Oh wait you – you ain’t here. Traitor. I think Ima…exactly.”[/b] Right after those words, the wobbling smiler removed his purple shirt and draped it over his head. ”Much, much bettah. ”[/b] Suppose he doesn’t mention it to people, but he dislikes clothes anyway.[/center]

[Hana Yamato]

Hana had rushed to dress once hours were over, donning her usual uniform of a hoodie, short shorts, and knee-high boots that were worn enough to have molded themselves to her calves. She was amused that during work hours she was exposing one half of her body, while exposing the other half off hours. Her share of her tips were dumped into her purse, and she quickly swallowed a touch more bounce (blackberry again) while she dashed outside, knowing that the man she'd met earlier was waiting for her. Or, at least, he should have been. Her eyes caught sight of a man who'd put his shirt on his head. That shirt looked awfully familiar.

She tiptoed forward, hearing himself talk nonsensically to himself. She couldn't help but muffle a chuckle, then reached out to grasp his arm. "Evening there, Jingo." Hana couldn't really recall his entire name from earlier, but this was a close approximation. "You look like you're having a good time. Care to let me join in?" From the looks of it, he'd had too much bounce. She'd warned him against that! Oh, well. He didn't seem in much position to have fun with her tonight, but that was okay. If she played her cards right, he might come to the club again.

She couldn't stop a shy grin from spreading across her face as she checked him out. Even with his shirt on his head, the rest of him looked pretty good. He wasn't attractive in the conventional way, but the litheness of his body reminded her of a sea serpent or eel - something that could move quickly and strike dangerously. The thought trailed across her mind that she hoped he bit just a little. Her hand reached up to pull the shirt from his head so that he didn't draw too much more attention than he already did. They made quite a pair - a silver-haired half-naked man with a pink-haired mermaid. It sent a chortle of laughter through her as she contemplated their state briefly.

First things first, though. Right now the most important thing was getting him someplace where he could sober up. His place seemed the best bet, since Fang was not going to take kindly to having a stranger at home. Her arms slipped around his waist so she could hold him. "Gonna have to let me know where you live. I wanna take you home tonight." Her eyes flashed seductively, but honestly, she figured that it was so late that if she could take him home then she could crash on the couch and head home in the morning before he woke up.

[Jinguuji Kurisu]

Slowly his neck twisted to face the familiar voice wiggling sweetly in his ear. Father time must have been turning his clock quickly, because Jing didn’t have a clue. He would have sword it she came out thirty-minutes early. Smartly he suffocate that inclination, there weren’t any use in being wrong about this. ”I don’t mind. Two is better than one…yanno.”

[/b] Indeed, fun was being had to a certain extent, that is. Yet he didn’t even know where he was going with that last sentence. Too much exaggerated fun of standing in one spot fogged his brain. Or is that Bounce evil doing?

”Jingo…”[/b] he echoed, exhibiting parroting skills at its finest. Yes, he only just realized after answering to the name, that she dubbed him something different. ”I l-like it.”[/b] he nodded more than once and got a good look at her new attire. Obviously her upper torso was no secure and concealed from the public. No cry’s from him though. She had her land legs back, which made him giggle like a small child. As he gazed down were her fins were supposed to be, he notice a lovely set of legs restricted by short shorts and knee high boots. Staring continued for a minute. She really knew how to flaunt her body, sharing small doses and still keeping a few areas mysterious. He could be putty now. But he held it together, soon as he pulled attention away from her streamline legs.

”W-wow. You are simple gorgeous, yanno, that right?”[/b] he honestly stated, something that happens often. There’s no denying her spectacular looks that seem to be taking the edge from the Bounce off. ”You gotta get that all the time, huh?”[/b] Her cold hands secured his lean waist, making him flinch lightly, though he leaned against her anyway. Upon mention her coming to his house for the night, he paused when taking a step forward, simultaneously rising a warily eyebrow. There couldn’t be foul play in this...could there? Nevertheless he wasn’t entirely ready to go home just yet, not to the little one eyed bastard, digimon. He continued his stride forward.

”Wh-why are we settling in soooo early, surely there are other activ-act-activities to dive in. Let’s have good time, Suisen.” [/b] he chuckled, swaying light in her grip. She had to have some spunk and fun in here with that pink head of hair. Because pink and fun always mixed, way better than blonde.

”Let your hair down and show off those legs! Yeah?”[/b][/center]

[Hana Yamato]

Hana was incredibly, unbelievably flattered by his attention to her legs. It made her feel good to know he was attracted to the entire package, not just what he saw at the bar. She shrugged modestly when he said she probably heard compliments about her beauty a lot. It was true - most customers did compliment her when they were talking to her - but she didn't hear it outside of work, and most definitely hadn't heard it from a customer when she wasn't wearing her costume. "You'd be surprised at what you hear from customers." She shrugged. Whatever compliments she received, sometimes the drunken insults were more telling.

What intrigued her was the idea that he wanted to go out with her for even more fun. She looked at him, considering what there was. A grin crossed her face when she realized what tonight was. "Rave happening at the park tonight. Come on!" There would be blacklights and glowsticks and music. When she had been living in the park, it had been her favorite thing to watch, but she'd never really participated.

Hana gave him a nudge in the right direction, keeping an arm around his waist just in case. He wouldn't be so out of place without a shirt, and she'd fit in just fine. And glow-in-the-dark paint was good for many, many interesting things. As it was, they were coming across a few people who were leaving it, spattered in glowing colors and laughing and having a good time. They were only a couple of blocks away from it as it was.

"So has any woman ever told you that you're pretty handsome?" she flirted back. The bounce she'd gulped before joining him was making its way through her veins quickly. She was feeling fairly frisky herself, wanting to have some fun. "You look like you could be dangerous, but you're nicer than the regulars. They're dangerous. Real dangerous. 'Nd I don't want that. Just want to flirt with danger." She frowned, wondering if that came out wrong. Did she want to flirt with danger? Yes, but she was also hoping danger would do naughty things to her.

Her line of thought started going off track as they came to the park entrance, which had people and glowsticks and paint for anybody to take. She grinned at Jingo. "You ready?" From here, they could already hear the music and see the faint, neon-colored hues that people had painted themselves. And for the most part, it was dark, the blacklights on stage providing the only light for the evening.