The Light of my Life

The manager had returned only to find they were no longer in the backstage area. It hadn't taken him long to find the dressing rooms. The stagehands had already put out all the clothes for the models to sort between themselves. They were all lovely pieces made by lauded experts in the field. Each set was from a named designer that the women would be showing the best of. He could hardly wait to see Lily blow the tops of those stubborn vultures who insist on getting to smear her image. After tonight there would be none who would dare forget her name. 

He would be making sure of it.

"Momo!" Illyana clasped her hands together, smiling wide. 

Her movements were smooth, the clothing she wore standing out from the casual outfit she had traveled here with Tamotsu in. Even the lovely Cora seemed plain beside the Vampir. 

Tamotsu gave pause, opening his mouth and leaving his jaw to hang in surprise. His rust colored eyes focused completely on her form, tracing every inch with a critical regard. He wasn't sure what it was he was seeing, but Illyana was something out of fantasy. She almost looked like a perfect replica of the statuette he kept sheltered behind glass. 

She wore a white blouse that was wide on her body. The sleeves had a pleated design on each side of the arm, the cuff decorated with silver buttons encrusted with emerald stones. The collar was wide, but was tied off at the back of her neck with broad ribbons of fabric. The waist of the shirt had a decorative stitch making a clear division between the bustier and lower hem.

A bright green ribbon was tied around her neck, a large bow sat nearest her left cheek. At its center was a clear, crystalline stone that glittered like a rainbow. A small pin of green flowers held her hair in a high braid, while the tail end of the hairstyle hung over her shoulder. 

In addition to the blouse was a long skirt that touched almost to the ground. It was a slightly darker forest green, the bottom trim lined with soft frills. It was a wide gown and made Illyana look as if she was gliding along the ground. As much as Tamotsu wanted to deny himself the truth he couldn't help but see that model back in his home. 

Silvia crossed her arms over her chest, the woman herself wearing a body tight business suit top and skirt. With just a glance at her hair one could see where Silvia got her idea for Illyana's hair style. They matched, but with Lily's round face it looked much more vibrant. 

Cora giggled into her hand. "I think he likes it." The dark haired woman looked towards Lily with curiosity. "Have you got to pick out the outfits you are going to use for the shoot?"

Nodding the Vampir put her hand to her chest. “I have, you should pick out the ones you like before the other girls get their hands on them."

Silvia canted her head, putting her finger to her cheek. "The show doesn't start until eight this evening, and they're setting up now. Father should be here within the next hour. He had an emergency meeting with the head of the --"

~c l i c k~

All three women paused, halting all sides of their conversations before turning their gaze at the line manager. He stood with the tray of coffee with the bag in his left arm while he looked to be typing rapidly on his phone. Feeling the stares he rolled his rust colored eyes up from the screen. 

"The coffee is melting." Seeing as they finally stopped talking. 

"Momo...?" Illyana wanted to ask him if he had heard or… but he should have with his wolf ears. 

Tamotsu set down the tray on the vanity. "You can take mine, Cora-san." He didn't mind giving up his coffee but he would be adamant about his croissant. 

Taking the soft, flaky bread he would sit down to the side on a stool. Tamotsu never seemed to pay attention to anyone when he was on his phone, but Illyana knew how truly attentive he was. Even as he ate she could feel his eyes gently brush over her skin every so often. To think she had never noticed before. She had seen him looking in her direction on occasion and did sometimes feel like she was being watched. She couldn't have imagined that he was always there supporting her from the sidelines. She took his efforts for granted for so long because she felt like he was just there to babysit her, rather than take care of her. 

Now she wouldn't dream of him not being by her side. She may not be able to confess to him, at least until she can figure out how to deal with her mother. Illyana was not responsible for her estate. All of her money and major decisions were made by her mother who was the executor of her estate. Even if she desired Tamotsu to stay, if her mother decided to fire him or send him away she could do so against her will.

The three women resumed their talks.

Cora frowned "You're so sweet Tamotsu-kun. Thank you." Seeing as she hadn't much in the way of caffeine today she didn't mind getting a boost. "By the way Lily-chan, did you hear about Jade's new acquisition?"

Taking her coffee into her hands the half blooded Vampir turned to Cora with a curious tilt of her head. "I don't think I have...?" The business side of things wasn't Illyana's strong suit. 

Silvia narrowed her eyes. "Should you be speaking of such things in front of us?" In this, Silvia's ability was stronger, seeing as her acting position in the Agency was quite high. 

Cora waved her hand dismissively. "Oh bother, don't act so serious. Lily-chan and I are just models in all this. I bet you already knew the day of."

Now Lily was curious. "Tell me."

Cora smiled brightly. "It looks like they got the old Dynamis property in Akihabara."

Lily looked quite surprised. "Is that the place that sold figurines of famous people, right?" She couldn't help but glance in Tamotsu's direction. 

Lily shivered. When she looked over he was looking right at her. She quickly looked away. Tamotsu quietly went back to his task. 

Lily blinked. "Wait, nee-san. Wasn't father looking at that property?"

Silvia sighed. "Yes, but it seems Jade Ring made an offer before we did."

"Well that isn't what's important." Cora assured them. "Lily we can ask to get figures of ourselves made~!"

Cora was right. It didn't matter if her father owned it or Cora's company, either of them could pull the strings to get it done! 

Would Tamotsu buy the figurine? When she saw his collection she was, at first, taken aback by its sheer size. But when given a chance to look around, one of the first things she would notice was how tidy it all was. Even his painting space was free from the usual stains that came from regularly painting. The glass was free of fingerprints and so clean it was like the pane wasn't even there. 

It wasn't until she had, what he called little Lily, in her hands that she realized the amount of care he put into the hobby. What kind of patience and respect he must have for the art and product to treat it like a living breathing entity.

Would he take care of her like that?

Even if Vampir and Lycans didn't get along, did that mean they had to follow that standard and become enemies? Even if the answer was yes, she could not. She not only deeply cared for Tamotsu, but she loved him. She couldn't give him up! He said he would always be there for her so long as she wished for it and he had never lied to her!

Her own figurine.

The very idea sent Tamotsu to paradise. If he could have a model of Illyana that was official he could die happy. But for now he was content with the photo he snapped of her with his phone while they were talking. He wasn't one to do such things, but once the place got crowded he wouldn't have time nor be lucky to get so close up. 

Outside of the convention center in a stretch limo, was Sahar Helel and his secretary Chishi. Chishi held a bit more than such an ordinary position. She secretly served as a director for the company and would ensure its continued growth for years to come. But thanks to Jade Ring they were at a standstill. With their purchase they were all but sure there was a mole. But the more they looked into it though, the less it made sense. 

Chishi had followed the paper trail to the Yakuza, only for a front company named Red Wolf to appear among the names. It was rumored that Red Wolf was a European company owned by gangsters, but the name on the registry was Xie Mu Dinbang. Very clearly Chinese. It wasn't until Tamotsu's father's name showed up among the list of board members that they began to suspect him. Hiro Okurin had a position as a worker within Red Wolf and had stolen sensitive documents from Blood Moon headquarters. Before he was able to pass the documents to their drop off, he was stopped by force. 

Sahar sat with the phone to his ear. "Nothing?"

Lilitu was on the other line. She had gone to the office to call her husband. 

"He barely looked away from his phone. I think that boy is really a hikikomori in disguise. He doesn't interact with anyone unless it's work related, but I know he knows something. That man was his father. "

Sahar sighed. "I will look deeper into this, but for now do not interfere with the boy's work. It seems he really does know that photographer and can get Illyana set up with him. This will mean our foot in the door on the States’ soil.

Lilitu was not pleased, but if she could meet the photographer and join the photoshoot....