The Light of my Life

Focused Look

The theater was packed, uncomfortably so. Tamotsu despised these sorts of situations. He felt a lack of control that seemed to crawl up his arm, beneath his skin. There was this nagging feeling prodding the back of his head that had been with him since earlier that morning. It wasn't the irritation from dealing with Silvia. He was already used to her nonsense. No, there was something else child crawling around in the crowd.

"Vermin..." The word crawled from his lips with a low, irritated hiss.

Dilwyn, who was standing there beside the manager, was a little shaken by his whisper.  "I-I'm sorry?" The bodyguard peered over his sunglasses at the man. 

Tamotsu tilted his head slightly, but turned his gaze back to his phone. "I have to make a quick call. Keep an eye on things. I smell a rat."

Dilwyn stiffly nodded before Tamotsu turned cleanly on his heel. 

A table had been set up for Lily with the basic amenities: bottles of water, pens, and markers for the time she would be spending at the signing. The young model sat down at the table at the behest of the owner of the theater who had planned this event with the show's writers to not only promote the new series, but his theater which would be holding a special viewing in a month's time. The owner had come down to meet them when they arrived and show them around the floor. Tamotsu wanted to check the emergency exits and the toilets until he was satisfied. He felt it would soothe his anxiety. Even after all that he still felt uneasy. 

"Lily..." Tamotsu's voice was soft, his hand moving to gently rest on her shoulder. 

The woman turned back, remaining in her seat, and turned her bright, red eyes towards the man. "Is something wrong Momo?" She whispered under her breath, a smile on her lips. 

Tamotsu nodded. "I'm calling Liu. I'll be back. Dilwyn is here if you need anything." He paused, thinking for a moment. "I'll just be in that corner. I'll be able to see you." He felt her shoulders relax under his fingers. 

"Okay!" She nodded and turned back to face the crowd. 

The event hadn't started, so the crowd was getting feisty. He would meld the call short. He walked a short few feet away, thumb selecting the contact in question.  Settling his shoulder on the walk, as he was leaned over enough to keep his eyes and an ear on her. With a click the other line picked up. 

["Tamo! What has you calling me so early in the day? Have you missed the sound of my voice?!]

"Yeah. I've missed it." If one knew Tamotsu well the depth of his sarcasm was clear despite his soft tone. 

Across the way Illyana turned her eyes back toward where Tamotsu was standing, listening to his conversation, or at least she tried to. Little by little fans were allowed to start trickling down the line to get their autographs so she was occasionally distracted, thus catching bits and pieces of the back and forth. 

"Don't be stupid." Tamotsu watched Illyana as he spoke. "Did you finish your meeting?"

["Ah yes! We came to a most fortuitous agreement! After some discussion we declared both offered ideas unreal and had opted for your plan instead. Have you decided on out plans?"]

Tamotsu noticed Lily glancing back at him. Waved his fingers quietly. "Yeah. We can still go to Hawaii for vacation. But what about your work?"

["No need to worry aniki! I have everything handled!"]

As Liu chatted on the phone an elderly gentleman walked into the room with a tray of tea and snacks. He wore some exceptional hanfu robes of white and gold, his hair not yet grey, with very few wrinkles on his face and hands. He would come up to Liu, who was chatting on the phone.

"Is that Tamotsu?" The elder would question as he lowered himself into the floor, at the table. "Hello, Tamo. Grandfather loves you! Ho ho ho!" The old seer would declare.

Tamotsu chuckled, knowing well what his grandfather wanted.  "Yeah? Love you too. I'll pick it up after work. I gotta go."

As he hung up his grandfather would look towards Liu, chuckling. "A assiduous grandson." Liu would nod in agreement. "And will you be helping your blood brother with the delivery?"

"Of course Grandfather! You needn't worry." He'd appease his grandparent. "By the way, Grandfather, had father said anything about his interest in purchasing those stocks?"

His grandfather would serve the tea before settling on his bottom. The cups gently bubble with steam, the warm scent of the hot drink filling the room. The elder should rest his hands on his lap as he took a moment to consider his words. 

"It seems he was too late and missed the opening, but he will be leaving that aside for now. He's going to focus on the television station and make sure it's ready for broadcast. It will work out though, so don't worry."

Liu smiled.  "I am not worried, merely concerned. This will be Tamotsu's first time out of the country."

"He will do well. He's adaptable." The grandfather praised. 

It wasn't long after hanging up that Tamotsu joined the group again. So far it hasn't been too rowdy and Lily seemed to be having fun. Since leaving the back rooms Tamotsu's smile had vanished. Working was work and he made sure to block out any excessive emotions during this time. He was there to support Lily and make sure everyone witnessed her true nature. Yet there were still those that had become used to that fiery persona on the runway and hesitated to approach our expected attitude. Comments varied from '...I didn't think you could play this kind of character. ' or '...wow! You're nothing like when you're on stage.' While he appreciated these loose, part time hobbyists finally saw the masterpiece that was Illyana. It made him feel a little smug. He had encouraged her to take the role and kept those producer's fingers close to the grindstone to ensure she got the treatment she deserved. Looking to his phone screen, examining the long crack that had bloomed out into a spider web like pattern. He needed to remember to get a replacement soon. While examining his phone he would feel a familiar prickle inflame his senses. Dark eyes drifted up from his screen. The sound of Lily's laugh rang in his ears as the noise of the crowd was slowly drowned out as he focused at their center. Something was moving irregularly. 

The zealous photographer curled his lips into a dark grin as he weaved through the gaggle of fanatics as they shouted at the top of their lungs, cheering for the white haired beauty. The photographer didn't stand out when compared to the day of the crowd. He was thin, frail looking. Freckles dotted his cheeks with black, curly hair that covered his eyes. They weren't very tall, only about 167cm, but made use of his size to push through the writing throngs of people. He was nervous. The stories surrounding the temptress was one thing, but there weren't any rumors on her manager. Nothing. Finding anything on the man was suspiciously difficult, even when using less reputable channels. He should suspect this man was either a Saint, or someone who was capable of making rumors disappear. You didn't want to be on the bad side of a person like that.

Dilwyn would notice Tamotsu's gaze over the crowd. Taking a moment to look between him and the crowd the Demon would find himself feeling uneasy. Tamotsu's instincts were never wrong and could put many Youkai to shame. But now that his eyes focused on that spot,  he too could notice the strange way people were moving about.  Pressing a button down on his lapel the communication device on his ear would buzz between him, Tamotsu, and the other bodyguards that had been stationed around the theater by the company before they arrived. 

"Keep an eye on the front of the crowds. Something’s going on." Dilwyn's voice carried with ease through the devices. 

With a ring of responses from the other bodyguards the men were on their toes. Dilwyn glanced over to Tamotsu who looked to have a dark smirk curling from ear to ear. It made the larger man shiver. The manager opened his vest before tucking his phone into the inner pocket before he tidied up. He then unbuttoned his sleeves' cuffs before he began to roll them up. The rows of supposedly religious Hanzi script that was inked into his flesh came into view inch by inch. 

In the crowd the photographer was only a few feet from the front of the line. Excitement rolled through the fans as their cheers shook the very ground. The freckled man adjusted his camera. 

Shutter speed. 

Focus. 

Lens wiped. 

With a deep breath he held his finger on the trigger and turned towards Illyana while nestled in the crowd. He pointed his telescopic lens towards the up and coming voice actress. Getting her into the frame a smirk would paint itself on his features. 

"No photography allowed my ass..." The slinky sleaze sniggered.