Like a puppy.

After clearing your conscience and remembering how much money was on the line, you told yourself that you’d just reboot and and try again in the morning - confident that Mikka would just make another plan that’d allow you to do something close to the same thing. Though, he might be understandably upset with your choice to spoil his first chances at getting what he wanted…

In the morning, you wake up to a new city - Deadwood is covered in snow. You saw it at night, but now that it’s had time to settle in, you were surprised to see the drastic difference it’s already put. The guards and other city life is slow to wake up with you, but you can already see a few of the dancers leaving the hotel to do their practice. When you check your clock, you realize it’s almost 8AM. So, this is a “late day” for the Japanese?

You shower and prep for the day. You grab your suit, tie, and then your new polymer pistol from the desk and make for the theater. The morning’s mean winter bite cuts through the fabric of your outfit, but you don’t have to endure it for long, as you are soon inside the theater, where it seems the furnace is working overtime, but not to the unbearable heat it had worked itself into the day before.

You enter the main where with the stage and see all the dancers eating and chatting, still easing into the day while their directors and managers loom over a table with some papers. This is surprisingly relaxed. You start scanning the room and spot Akiko, who is talking to Kenji. They seem to be having a fairly serious conversation; even from the distance you are at, you can see that Akiko has a serious expression drawn over her face. She blinks and then spots you. She bows her head slightly, giving you a smile and some raised eyebrows.

Before you can meet up with them both, Mikka suddenly pops into view. He doesn’t look very happy. And you already know why. “What was that last night?! We almost had it in the bag.”

You shift gaze and turn to face him. “I didn’t want Kenji to piece anything together.” You managed.

“He would have probably killed one of us overnight if he somehow pieced together what you had planned. Did you see how fast he sobered up?” As you continued, Mikka’s expression lightened. He quickly spotted Akiko and Kenji as they spoke.

“You don’t suppose they’re talking about us, do you?” He asks.

“Hard to say. Akiko didn’t know a thing, but it wouldn’t surprise me if she pieced something together and asked Kenji about it.” You sigh, wondering what to do. “We might have to do something to get them away from each other so we can get a second chance.”

“Warren, you’re a contractor! Think of something, or else I’m gonna keep my money.”

You shift legs, giving him an offensive stare. “I don’t need money right now, you jackass. Listen, I’ll think of something. I suggest you do that same thing so we get some fresh ideas out there.”

Mikka lets out a heavy sigh. “Whatever. I’ll tell Zuprik what’s going on while we’re all here. Keep me posted, OK?”

He turns away and starts walking towards another set of guards. You don’t remember seeing them from the day before, but there’s probably some rotation going on for rest. You stroll over to Kenji just as Akiko goes off somewhere else. You smile at him, but he doesn’t do the same in return.

“How are you feeling today, Kenji?”

He doesn’t answer. You pucker your lips and stuff your hands in your pockets. He’s definitely told on you. That was probably the last time you were going to see Akiko. You offer something else to talk about, but he remains stubborn. Feeling a little awkward, you step back and decide to look around.

… Kenji goes off too, probably to find Sachio, if he hasn’t already. For the most part, the day is rather boring, as much babysitting gigs usually are. You watch the dancers on your down time and then patrol around the building. The lack of warm clothes means there aren’t a lot of outside checks. Which is fine by you. It seems to have started snowing again, probably cancelling any shows they had planned out for the week. This doesn’t stop them from rehearsing they have however, as they dance and talk about every little detail.

Sachio made an appearance for a little while, and she seemed like herself, laughing and breaking formation every time there was a mistake. She makes the most herself, but it doesn’t seem to anger or upset anyone. It breaks the tension of the stage and the outcome is usually met with a lot more cheers and happiness. Kenji appears out of nowhere in everything she does. He doesn’t come into the open though, which means he’s probably just there to make sure she’s actually on stage and that you, Mikka, and Zuprik are all in the same area.

Slowly, a plan builds in the back of your head… The rest of the day is eventless. You return to the hotel, but instead of you looking for someone, someone is looking for you! Mikka gestures you over to join him where food is usually sold, where you met Akiko for the first time. He’s alone and the diner is mostly empty. He asks what you’ve come up with.

Giving the room one more good look, you hunch over and start telling him one you noticed and how you could use it to your advantage. He points out a few problems and then reinforces some of the hardpoints. You begin doing the devil’s work in person. Nothing is written, but everything is shared. You go over the finer details in the first hour, even going as far as to order food while you make sure that everything is at least hand-tight before bringing together more of the pieces of your plan. You’d have to make sure that nothing is leftover and that every speck left behind can’t be noticed. Your stomach starts to turn slightly - this wasn’t really right, but then again...Having all this extra money for when you leave the north is going to be really nice...

From the sound of it, you’re going to have a busy morning. You’re gonna have to get up early and get a head-start before Kenji has a chance to even wake up. You retire to your room and start dressing down. Your tie loose and your blazer missing. Soon you unbutton your blouse and recline into the chair. Only thing missing is a smoke...