A Golden Key [Ryuusei]

Delta Ivey was lacking one eye, burned away and left with that striking scar where it had once been, but the lone amber orb she possessed was more than enough for her purposes. Discerning and keen, it all but scanned over the area presented to her, firstly at the crowd who’d amassed. It was one of the less busy times of the day, but the fewer numbers could also indicate lower expectations for whoever would be up soon… Hidden talent or a lack thereof? Delta would soon find out, and the decision between the two would not be a difficult one. Not at all.

Of course, before she heard the pianist, Delta saw him. He came out like a rocket, blasting towards the piano in a beeline as if it were the only other thing in the room. Her amber eye locked onto him, already taken in by his appearance alone. He was a handsome young lad, if one were to speak simply and broadly. But there was also something more to his appearance, a certain… Yearning to it. A desire to break out of it, perhaps? He wasn’t comfortable in that suit of his. His hair, though taken care of, wasn’t particularly groomed or anything. And that earring was striking, practically screaming out that there was more to him than met the eye. Immediately, Delta was intrigued.

Taking her place among the crowd, Delta waited as he sat at the piano - still not a glance towards those watching him. Such behaviour usually indicated an extreme confidence that his music would do the talking, or a shyness and lack of showmanship resulting. Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between, or not even in either realm, but an aspect of the former was all but certain. His playing would speak for him, in a tongue that was unconsciously understood by almost all. People weren’t being dramatic when they called music a language.

Although Delta didn’t speak it on the levels on an expert, this boy ended up being able to convey himself through the feelings of his ‘speech’ alone.

He played from the heart, something Delta realized the moment he first began without referring to anything first. That he’d written it himself wasn’t something that could be immediately guessed, but some connection to this song filled his playing. As the music gently drifted through the air, it was clear to Delta that he didn’t just speak this language, he felt it. Like any professional, the song existed in his mind, in his heart, on the tips of his fingers.

Delta grinned widely at the display, at the talent before her. It didn’t hit her until about halfway through his performance that this was a student. A high schooler. A teenager, and yet, he played with such passion and feeling and professionalism! To call him a prodigy wouldn’t be wrong by any definition of the word. Even more, watching this love for the art flow worth through his hands while he was caged and yearning for ‘something’ was utterly fascinating to the four-armed woman. Only one thing was on her mind when he concluded.

’Oh, I must have him…’

A proper gentleman, he bowed to the audience, to Delta’s natural applause. Which, obviously, sounded like the applause of two people thanks to her extra limbs, no that it could be discerned amongst the others impressed with his work. Yet, as quickly as he’d arrived and beelined for the piano, the boy began to depart. He wasn’t going to escape Delta that easily, though. If there was but a chance she could feature this boy in her establishment, she would reach out and grab it with all four hands!

Delta began making her way through and past the crowd, making use of her excess of limbs to ensure none got in her way as she tracked down the escaping pianist. As he approached the exit, so did Delta near him, calling out in an excitable tone.

”Ah, do not leave so soon, my dear pianist!” If he turned to the source of the voice, Ryuusei would spot the peculiar woman, with her four arms, her light ginger hair, her lone amber eye… Her striking appearance was facing toward him, her lower hands resting low while her upper gestured with her words. ”I must tell you, it was a marvelous performance~ Truly, this school has done you a disservice by only having you play a single song.” Her palms opened, in a sudden gesture of apology. ”Ah, my manners. I’m Delta Ivey. Tell me, dear,  this may seem sudden, but do you play at events often? Or… In any professional capacity?” Of course, she already knew the follow-up, if the answer was no.

Curious and curiouser, was the boy standing before the older woman. He displayed little reaction to Delta's appearance, not even the multitude of limbs or the scarred flesh that was entirely unhidden. Perhaps, being at this rather interesting school, there wasn't much that could surprise or fascinate him to the point of visible reaction. Which was fair, and a perfect trait for Delta's own purposes. However, far more curious was how he spoke to her, following the four-armed woman's introduction.

His manner of speaking conveyed a desire to come across as well-composed and well-mannered, the typical stylings of the upper-class. It sounded natural on his tongue, yet not entirely. To Delta, the way he spoke came across as more... Adaptive than anything else. Likely thanks to the observation she'd already made about his appearance, how that suit seemed so comfortable on him, how it looked like he was ready to break out of it like it were a cage. A trapped being could cry in the anguish of its captivity, was music his way of screaming? Delta's mind was awash, as usual, with the most interesting details and theories she could discern with that amber eye of hers.

He was certainly more humble than one might expect of such a performance, but then again, Delta did suppose it might be relative. His upbringing oozed out of his mannerisms, perhaps his expectations had been already raised beyond reach. Nonetheless, Delta would voice her own opinion. "Nonsense. Undeserved praise comes only with flattery, and I'm not trying to flatter you, my dear~" Of course, that wasn't entirely true, but... Mostly, and that was good enough for her.

When he revealed the infrequency of his recent performances, the knock of opportunity came, and Delta's lone amber eye lit up with glee and curiosity. "So you don't play much anymore, hm?" She hummed lightly, one hand on her chin and another reaching into her purse.

"Would you like to?"

It would become clear right away this wasn't asked out of mere curiosity, as from her purse Delta would retrieve a simple business card, presenting its more elegant side toward Ryuusei. A bar's interior was pictured, a rather nice one at that, with the clear labeling of its name upon it. 'The Fourth Corner'. "You see, I'm the owner of an establishment currently seeking young talent such as yourself to further improve the atmosphere at present. I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this, dear~"

One of her arms extended the business card toward the boy inviting him to take it. "I can tell you much more, if you're interested, but firstly I'll let you know you won't have to wear such a tight and stuffy suit. Undo a button, dear, let yourself breathe~" Delta chuckled lightly to herself, wanting to convey something that might catch the interest of this caged boy before her. "As said, I've more to say. If, of course, if you don't mind me borrowing a bit more of your time. I'm sure you didn't exactly schedule for a job offer."

Of course, this wasn't official in any meaning of the word, but Delta hoped her charm was enough to blunt force her way through this... That innate and caged desire that she thought might be within him, would she be able to tempt it with the promise of a key to his cage? A way to scream?

A freer home, perhaps?

Everything about this boy screamed in some kind of desire, that was all that Delta could presume about him. Whether or not her presumption was correct was another story, but it did end up being what led her to her sudden offer. Perhaps if she gave him a chance to claim something of his own volition, he'd jump at the offer? That was her thinking, the thinking that had motivated her approach to the sports festival in general. Offer these young boys and girls a chance, a strange and enticing chance, a profitable and alluring chance, that would seem to descend from the heavens... Opportunity didn't knock twice, so Delta hoped one knock would get her some employees.

Unbeknownst to Delta, however, it was not any allure of its curiousness that ended up drawing in Ryuusei's intrigue, but instead of normalcy. Her plan of being the saintly deliverer of a pleasant surprise had been successful, but not for the reasons she'd intended. Once the boy admitted he wanted more talk, Delta nodded her head lightly, having foreseen he'd want more information. If he'd excepted the offer without anything more than what little Delta had offered, she might have thought him a bit too trusting of a strange woman that approached teenagers with business cards...

"Of course, of course. Performing wouldn't be your only duties, I am merely... Well, looking for employees with a little something more to them." Unique abilities and traits that she could utilize, was Delta's goal, in order to add even more intrigue and wonder to her lovely establishment. However, Ryuusei did have one stipulation.

"Oh, go ahead, dear. I'll be waiting back here, while you break free of that suit." Delta uttered with a chuckle. The more she thought about it, it wasn't really too notable that Ryuusei was uncomfortable in a suit. Most boys his age weren't exactly fans. 

"Ah, unless there's somewhere better to reconvene." Delta added, allowing Ryuusei to answer before they temporarily parted ways. This was getting interesting, and the four-armed woman couldn't wait to reel in her latest catch. Depending on his answer, the woman would be waiting wherever was best for his return, looking composed and plotting as ever while she prepared herself to answer whatever questions this potential new employee might have. Though Delta was, in many respects, a strange and unconventional woman, she'd managed well enough so far.    

"I'll be waiting~"

Delta hummed as she followed the requests of the young boy to wait. Fortunately, she could be patient if it was to attain some kind of reward, in this case a fascinating new employee with some skills to impress her clientele. It was good that he was interested too, for Delta had faith that a platform in which they could both learn about one another would result in a most beneficial arrangement. He gets paid and promoted through his work, she gets to show off her own eye for people once again.

As per his promise, Ryuusei returned in short order, and would find Delta sat upon the bench, upright and patient as she grinned toward the returning pianist. He was now clad in attire more... Expected of someone his age. The earring and necklace remained, Delta wondering more about these somewhat signature accessories. His clothing was fashionable enough, as far Delta could tell, and much more comfortable than that suit he had on before. The differenece was night in day in that regard.

"Ah, there aren't any worries, my dear~ I think you look much more at home outside that suit anyway." Delta commented with a warm smale, folding her four hands over her lap as she sat straight and proper, amber eye looking over Ryuusei with the same curiosity of before, and all the intrigue and charm. Of course, he was the one with the most questions, given the strangeness of the situation, so Delta would have to make her own assessments based on what he asked rather than her own inquisition to start...

He at least gave her something to bite into with that first question of his!

Right away, Delta's mouth turned up in a smale of amusement, a small beginning of a chuckle escaping her mouth as she raised a hand to her mouth, about to speak before Ryuusei claimed it a joke. It was sudden, certainly, but in a way... Not entirely out of the blue. A bar in Tokyo's premier red light district seeking the employment of a high school boy? He'd every right to suggest it was shady, to ask so bluntly was surely his way of testing that.

He had some general questions about the work, notable not bringing up the idea of payment anytime soon. It was clear any interest he had was unrelated to potential earnings, else he might have asked about this very important facet of this unconventional offer earlier. Delta unfolded her hands, gesturing with them as she spoke.

"Well, my dear, firstly, you don't need to worry about any secretive elements~" She hummed with a half-grin. "The Fourth Corner is exactly what it looks like. I would have it no other way." It was a matter of principle and practicality. Taking sides, doing shady deals, it fractured the neautrality the bar offered, and was really just more of a handful than Delta cared for.

"As for your expected work, it would vary. Our collection of performers is limited, so some nights you may be expected to entrance the clientele with that playing of yours~" A chuckle from her mouth as she made floaty conducting movements with her hand. "Most of the time, your duties would be those of a server, to begin with. Taking drinks and bites to the customers, making sure they're enjoying themselves, cleaning finished tables, etc. You would be a tender of the place~ Working hours, of course, are flexible for someone of your age, and typically afternoons and evenings, with some late nights will be on offer~" Delta spoke with a flowing and fluid nature, going through the relevant aspects as they came into her mind.

"However, I'm not one for... Shall we say, predetermined states~ So, all is negotiable, if you have any further inquiries~" Delta hummed, opening a hand and gesturing towards Ryuusei, passing it back to him. Hopefully he'd have found it agreeable enough so far, and hopefully, Delta would see what else he had to offer.