ii. Back2Basics [P / Mist]

Ah! This was more like it! After a month of being suckered into Asia's finest snores and boredom, the snarkily intrepid American had happened upon something with a little more flair and sauce than the usual doldrums of Naruki City, Japan. Each city had its seedy underbelly, mired with networks of loose shady connections and mutually abusive business partnerships. But Naruki? Eh. Felt a little on the tame side when it came to gang corruption and drugs ruling the streets. Nothing to really bat an eyelash at. After all, James had seen it all and then some from the time he could walk himself to the corner store back in the States. Watching your own cousin fuel the epidemic that lead to riots and race wars just so he could fill his own pockets snuffs out any rose-colored glasses you could hope to wear. The workin' girls sure knew how to abuse the vulnerability those rose-colored glasses gave too. Couldn't possibly feign optimism when you get held up at gunpoint cause ya potential hookup set you up. But hey! Them's the streets, and one man alone can't change em.

But this? Oh these weren't those rough & tough streets at all! Who would've thought the entirety of Naruki's nightlife was off getting faded in the casinos. It sure had the "what happens in Vegas" vibe; James posted at the bar, a peach soju in hand eyeing the line of shot glasses before him. A fluid slick motion and 4 shots filled at the ready, the clear elixirs inviting him to partake. 1. 2. 3. 4. Ahhhhhh. An exhale. Not one of those exaggerated little fits of performance people do after they drink alcohol, just a relaxed little nothing to let off the burn.
What a real smooth criminal. A regular ole' lounge lizard. He'd missed the bar atmosphere but he was certainly no stranger to it. He continued to sit back in his chair at the bar, invisible, a disinterested spectator to the debauchery of the drunks around him.