Last Night In Tokyo (Cosette)

[ash]

Ash was standing in front of the Sensoji Temple in Tokyo, Japan, all of his siblings were enjoying the night as well, Chet was in the video games, karaoke and dance district, Christina was in the Japanese gay district and Sarah was with Chet. Ash was the only Dixon alone without any plan, he was enjoying a night walk, as he soon saw the Sensoji Temple. Ash remembered that the Temple had a great illumination and it was open during the night, remembering that one of his friends loved this things, Ash quickly dialed Cosette Grace's number.

Hey Cosette... er... er... How are you doing? Wait, I was wondering that if you don't have any plan for tonight, maybe you'd like having a walk with me inside a nice Temple, it has some great illumination... And we can share a prayer there. So what do you say Cosette? Will you do me the favor?

Ash's voice was trembling there, you could tell that he wasn't really used to speak with woman, and even less used to asking them for a date.

[grace]

One last night of nothing to do for Cosette Grace? Hardly, she was most of the way through the sheer excitement of packing to leave when she got the call. Three on one trip, she'd been especially popular this month.

Favor? A beautiful evening out with you in Tokyo and I'm doing you a favor? Fine, but you'll owe me big, Ash.

She laughs a little.

I think I know the one you mean. I've been dying to get there myself, since I got here. Just wait right there and I'll be down as soon as I can catch a taxi from the hotel.

She threw on a long sleeved shirt and skirt before the panic attack about what she'd wear on the plane set in and went to hail a cab outside. After a ride through positively seizure-inducing Tokyo by night she made it to her destination with a big smile as she managed to climb out of the cab and stare up to the top of the pagoda. She loved that there was something like this in the middle of the city. She walks over once she spies Ash.

This place is lovely.Nice choice.

[ash]

As soon as Ash spots Cosette, he starts being nervous, he breathes calmed for some moments till Cosette comes closer to him, then he tries his best to hide his shyness

Thanks Cosette, when I saw this place I really thought it was for you, it's such a mystical place, I used to come here a lot when I was training back in my Japaneses days, I used to jog around this gardens and this wilderness, and when I felt tired I used to enter one of this places and pray for a while.

And maybe it was the religion or maybe it was luck, but during my 3 year stance in Japan, I never suffered an important injury.

Ash looks at the pagodas and he smiles remembering the good times, he then turns at Cosette

Sure this isn't an entertaining place like a disco or a nightclub but sometimes peace is enjoyable, that's what I think...

Ash's voice trembles a bit as he offers his arm to Cosette

M-m-maybe you want to see the gardens first? And have some prayer in the wilderness before going inside?

Ash smiles as he starts sweating, he was nervous as always

[grace]

That sounds perfect. I'd love to give it a try. You know I don't meditate? I obsess, I ponder but no meditation, it sounds like it would be so relaxing. Besides, I'm no good on a dance floor anyway.

She follows but can't help herself from turning around a little and looking at things on the grounds as she passes by them.

So this was where Ash Dixon honed his craft. I would have killed to train here when I was starting out in the business. My gym wasn't exactly in the most glamorous part of London. No gardens or temples about that's for sure.

[ash]

Ash smiles as he takes Cosette to the gardens, he then starts explaining her some things about his life

Well Cosette, before arriving to Japan, I trained in what is now known as The Dixon Farm. A training facility owned and managed by my dad and my mum, it's in Syracuse, NY. I found peace in NY as well I remember running in Central Park during the afternoon, and it was so soothing calm, it was me with the wilderness. But you see when I started looking for contracts, no major promotions wanted to hire me, I just made there some appearances as enhancement talent. Pretty much what Chet is nowadays, but I wasn't even half as charismatic as he is.

So well I decided to pack my luggage and try success overseas. And well I can say it was good. I've been in Canada, in U.S.A, in Mexico, in England, in Ireland but my favorite place is Japan.

Suddenly the wind blows and Ash and Cosette get "showered" with petals coming from a nearby spring tree.

You know... Sometimes I think that it's good to shut up and let nature speak for itself.

Ash looks at a nearby lake and sees frogs jumping there, he then asks Cosette to sit with him in a nearby bench

Want to throw a coin into the lake? It gives good luck Cosette, actually doing that means that you will visit this temple again.

Ash smiles as he throws a yen in the lake

[grace]

Just like the Trevi Fountain! Although I'm still waiting for that magic to kick in. I think I have a few coins left over.

She reaches into her bag and comes back with a handful of yen. Following Ash's example she throws one in.

DoI have to do anything special afterward? Wouldn't want to leave the ritual incomplete.

[ash]

Ash smiles

It's like the Wishbone, you have to throw the coin with all your strength, but be careful you could hit a frog and never say "I will come back" because then the wish doesn't come true.

Ash helps Cosette throwing the coin

Well if I am still with XWA next year and we come back to Japan, we will be able to come back to this magic place Cosette



Ash then spots a prayer zone in the garden he brings Cosette there

Well Cosette this works the following, first of all you give some donative, then you pick up a piece of paper, you write what anxious you, you wrap it up and you tie it to this wood wall. Then you pray and you wish that all your problems come fixed. There is also another prayer wood wall, where the statue of some Shinto God is, and you throw there a coin and you pray for a while too, like you might have seen in Mangas. Well Cosette in which one do you wish to start? I can help you writing the note in Japanese if you want

Ash smiles as he lets Cosette observe the prayer zones in the gardens, wilderness and prayer, couldn't get more mystical

[grace]

Shinto: The coin-operated religion.

“Oh God, I hope no other English speakers were in earshot.”

Sorry, that probably wasn't appropriate. And I really don't mean to sound cynical or anything, so I should probably just stop and appreciate my surroundings.

I think I might have something to add to the wall here but I'm going to write it myself if you don't mind. Top secret and all that. Plus, it may well be about you.

She grins knowingly as she walks over and makes her contribution to get one of the slips of paper. Cosette writes the best she can on the side of the wall making sure to conspicuously look over at Ash from time to time just to make things more interesting. Once she's done she makes sure to tie it just right before stepping back.

Do you feel it? The spiritual essence of all things slowly working their way to my side for once? This place has an energy to it. Glad we came well after all the shoppers and the tourists. I think we need to show a little gratitude for all this with a prayer. Have anything good in mind?

[ash]

Ash laughs at Cosette's comment

Heh all religions are coin-operated, besides they are just some coins Cosette, and we gotta care for them. Without our coins this temples would fall in pieces.

Ash punches Cosette on the arm playfully

And well there are tourists here, a temple illuminated in the night it's always a great attraction

Ash however takes Cosette to the temple entrance, since Ash has somewhat celebrity status in Japan they get a free entrance in the temple

Well now that we are inside, where do I take you Cosette? how about if we go to the roof top and we take a romantic... I mean... Friendly, heh, just fri-friendly, Tokyo at this time of the year is wonderful, the spring trees blossoming, the petals falling, and the city lights standing tall in the city, while it's showered with the scent of the night.

Wow Ash was really romantic there. He even posed for his words, feeling somewhat embarrassed he looks at Cosette

Uh sorry I am starting to look like Chet a bit here hehe But you all love him don't you? Well Cosette up to you, do you want to pray some more? Or do you rather to take a big smell at Japan in this magic night?

Ash was sweating gallons, he was very red and nervous, he stares at Cosette and he hopes that his somewhat social ineptness doesn't get in the way.

[grace]

She nods and rubs her chin as she looks around at the other tourists around.

You're right. I hardly noticed them all until you pointed them out. I know there are plenty of things in the world I should be praying for but for the life of me I just can't think of them. I think the kami here understand my benevolent spirit and genuine compassion for all though.

Right, well, I think the hustle and bustle is starting to catch up to me, Ash. What with everyone milling about like this. I think a little “friendly” one-on-one time would be wonderful.

She walks on toward the temple ready to begin the climb to the top.

[ash]

Ye...yes friendly. Well Cosette, ladies first

Ash shows Cosette the steps that make the way to the roof top as the couple soon finds themselves in the roof top, however there are no tourists there, so Ash and Cosette are alone there. Ash and Cosette go the edge of the roof to see the magnificent views

See Cosette, that's the tower of Tokyo, pride of the city.



It's the tower that always gets destroyed in the Godzilla movies And well Cosette there is the...

Ash moves his head to show another Japanese building but he accidentally hits Cosette with his face, almost kissing her! he didn't hurt her, but it just seemed that Ash had kissed Cosette on purpose. Ash quickly steps back and becomes as red as a tomato, Ash quickly steps back and starts apologizing

Uh.. Er... Ah... Ehm... We... I... So... Sorry, th-th-th-that wasn't on p...p...p...purpose I mean I...

Ash's sweating increases as he fears for what Cosette's reaction could be.

[grace]

“Damn, now he's humiliated all because I probably sent some mixed signal. “

Ash, don't worry, it's alright. Really.

Cosette puts her hand on his shoulder.

I'm sorry if all this is making you nervous. I'd really hate to know that I'm doing to you what everyone else in the world tends to do to me on a daily basis. Except for the sweat... that's an Ash Dixon Exclusive.

She starts to laugh but cuts herself off.

Sorry, not making light.

All I'm saying is I'm having a really good time. Honest. So, let's just enjoy the view here together, OK?

[ash]

Ash chuckled as he took out some pills that prevented massive sweating, he also took a bottle of water and drank a bit from it, he was nearly dehydrating there

Ye... Yeah, as I said sorry for that. Are you enjoying the sight Cosette? It's precious isn't it?

Ash then somehow smells his armpit, dude it was stinking

Ehm, well, excuse me for the sweating, but everytime, I am.. Well, with a woman, and most importantly a woman that I find attractive... How to say this without sounding weird... Well I start sweating massively. Oh dear. All the years of social skill therapy have been completely useless. If I have to be honest with you Cosette. I am not a ladies man, despite this physique and the fame I have in Japan, I never used it to lure women to bed... Well I am not that kind of man, but my only sexual experiences... Happened because the lady was "very insisting"

If you want to hear some gossip, well almost everyone knows that I had a fling with Sumya. That happened because she was drunk, and she practically raped me I mean, she grabbed me and started kissing me and threw me onto bed and well, that was it. But now I feel somewhat responsible for it, maybe my action wrecked her marriage...

Anyways Cosette, if I am telling this is because you are the first woman that has ever wanted me for a friend

Ash smiles as after speaking his mind, his sweating has decreased. Maybe if Ash talked his feelings he'd be less sweaty

[grace]

She smiles hoping to soften the sound of her disapproval.

I'm really flattered Ash, but let's keep the Sumya talk to a bare minimum, shall we? The evening is so much more pleasant without her presence complicating things don't you think? I mean you with your experience and me with my... well I mean... hmmm... I guess I just don't like her. I can't quite put my finger on it though, probably just general obnoxiousness.

I suppose I'm lucky in a way. I don't have anything like that following me around. No wild tales like that for me, just a few guys I managed not to intimidate or bore to death at university.

So I'm really it, am I? I can't believe the only two women with any sort of interest in you were myself and... excuse me, the two of us. I would have thought someone would have made a play to be Mrs. Dixon by now.

She laughed. It was pretty evil of her to try and embarrass him at all at this point but she was just having a little fun.

[ash]

Ash smiles as he looks at Cosette, and prepares his answers, meanwhile he looks at the stars remembering his rather lackluster love life

Heh Well I've had more sex experiences, but the one with Sumya is the one that was more recent, but if I have to be honest, I am glad it ended. Sumya's husband is a 6'11" African beast that used to fight in Pride in Japan, I met him...

Ash quickly resumes his story, he didn't wanted that Cosette thought he was one of this guys who go to bed with his friends' wifes

But, but... When I had that fling with Sumya, I didn't even know she was married... It was the next morning when we woke up, she was crying saying that I was responsible of wrecking her marriage... Well all the Diamonds know Sumya's personality it shouldn't surprise anyone that she said it was all my fault.

Ash smiles and resumes some other love stories

Well other experiences I had... Well in High School I was seen as a jock by most and I got some romances with Cheerleaders mostly, but I didn't liked that, I mean all my teammates from the amateur wrestling team, picked up on other school companions... I still remember the 3 cheerleaders I had romances with, but as I said, it was because they were very insisting, they where called Lacey, Jacqueline and Vivian, all 3 hated Chet with a passion like almost everyone in High School...

Then when me and Chet started training the tables turned, Chet went from being a fool to a complete ladies men, too bad he was pretty oblivious to that. You see almost everyone in this company dislikes Chet for well his bad win/lose record, but I must confess I am pretty jealous of him, he is very extrovert, sociable, witty and dances like I have never seen dance before.

I don't know too much about Christina or Sarah, well I know that I once found Christina aged 12 reading my Playboy magazine and asking me if girls could kiss girls and that she'd like to kiss one of this naked ladies, I didn't took her too much seriously, but I assume I should have, that's why I wasn't surprised when she came out of the closet

And Sarah last I've heard is that she spends so many time boasting about her and her wrestling skills that the guy leaves before anything interesting can happen.

Ash then thinks he's speaking too much

Oh sorry Cosette I just love speaking about my family, their lives are way interesting than mines... I have spoken too much haven't I? Sorry to interrupt you