Side Story - Kikyo on stage

Honey bar

It’s been a year since Kikyo appeared in this amalgamation world where people, creatures, and landscapes, have made their own home here. This part of the land she was on was named Rollingsberg after the mayor of this place designated it. Even though they all were from different places, people were still people at the end of the day and needed housing and jobs. Thanks to the mayor being here before the surge of folks popping in, he established many ground rules. The place was home to many who needed a cheap place to live and with vigilantes slowing down the crime rate and the new administration, it was a decent place to live. The neutral ground where it was decided no killing would happen and be a place for a good drink, wings, and the occasional brawl, but that was the unspoken rule of Honey Bar. What? You’re wondering why it’s named “Honey Bar?” That’s a good question. Kikyo was waiting tables while her boss was doing his deal of tending the bar and selling a variety of drinks from beer to spirits and for some of the non-alcoholic patrons they have milk, soda, and juice. Water was free, of course. She started to reminisce a little after giving someone one of their regular alcoholic drinks. Her boss greeted some with a wave as they nodded or gave a “hi” to him. “Kikyo, you are up. Treat our customers nice.” He said in his usual polite and sweet voice. This was “the boss”, real name Winnie the Pooh; a variant Pooh in the multiverse as he had a black t-shirt, an eyepatch over his left eye, and a honeypot tattoo on his upper right arm. He’s been around this place the same time the mayor was and they had a decent friendship. Mayor Rollins would tend to the political sphere and all that entails, while Pooh took on the shadow part of this place which consisted of a black market and other dealings to keep whatever powers that be in check. Not many knew of this except ones that had an eye for such things, however, Pooh wasn’t a “bad guy” in that regard, just someone that shouldn’t be messed with. The raven-haired beauty was styled in a ponytail, a black short-sleeved shirt with a heart logo, a pleated red skirt with black stripes, fishnets on her legs, and pleated metal-styled boots. She accessorized with a black choker, a black sweatband on her right wrist, and fishnets around her left arm. She could recall the first time she got this outfit when she met with Pooh for the first time and helped her out. Kikyo didn’t know why she fell for this particular goth/punk-like attire but it matched her mindset after what she went through. The bear soon offered her a job with decent pay, which she accepted as she had nothing else being a new resident in this place. Kikyo also liked to walk around this place to get a lay of the land, one of the echoes of her past of always walking and being on guard from enemies though she didn’t have to worry much about someone attacking. Sure, there were the occasions when she used her spiritual powers to banish random spirits or scare off some hoodlums and Pooh taught her some self-defense.
Yes, Pooh Bear knows self-defense, don’t ask how that is. While on said walk at the time she found a place she learned as a pawn shop and found a rectangular mini-box with an open lid called a cassette player and had to be told how to use it due to her being from the federal era. At the time she didn’t have any money however, the person working there gave it to her for free for stopping by and even gave her a cassette.
It had the name “Blue Mary Blues” on it. When she put the batteries in as instructed and placed the headphones where they needed to go, she clicked the “Play” button and for the first time, she listened to music with actual words. It had a jazz; smooth melancholy feels to it. After listening to it, Kikyo was open to music and she usually listened to that and other songs floating about in the city that frequented the bar or outside her mini apartment or walking around town. After a month or two of her usual routine at Honey Bar, a band calling themselves “The Flaming Mechs”, a group of four, with the bass player wearing a wolf head and rock-ish attire, Kikyo learned that they played other instruments besides ones for rock or metal, like a saxophone and clarinet, she had a thought as she glanced at the stage set-up. ‘Should I do it?’ were the words thought. Before she would continue, Pooh told her to take a break and motioned for her to get on stage to sing. Her stoic face got a little agitated with that and shook her head. Pooh did a gesture that said “Get up there and express yourself a little” with only his eyes and his hands. After a minute of just arguing with motions of eyes, mouths twitching, and shoulder moving, Kikyo did the suggestion and went to the band. She mentioned if they needed a singer and could accommodate what she wanted to sing. It took a few minutes of asking questions and seeing if they did want this and they agreed though she didn’t sing that night, she promised Pooh she would do it soon, to which he agreed. Going to the back of the bar to see what she wanted to try, they listened to the track 3 times before they could make this work. It took about a week to get things ready for Kikyo’s debut in singing for open mic night but it finally happened. Getting on the stage was a new feeling for the former priestess, she’s never done or conceived of doing something like this before. Looking at the crowd, she noticed Pooh and he gave her a nod of encouragement. She looked at the band and they gave nods themselves as they readied their instruments. She looked back at the front, and took a breath as the lights got dark and a spotlight appeared over her and low lights of red and blue illuminated the bar. She began to sing as soon as the saxophone played for a few seconds.

Blue Mary’s Blues Ah! Kiss Me! The silver-colored town reflects with footsteps Yes! The flowing swirl of neon seizes the hidden shadow
It's no longer peaceful with this dangerous darkness I aim and target it Yes! I ride my Harley to ease my sorrow for a cheap thrill Come On Baby!
Within me time's slipping-falling memories of the wind Yes! My dried-up heart's pain is fixed on the memories in my sleep Listening to Blues...
Ah! Touch Me! In order to live in this blinding town I vanish in the crowd Yes! Later on, wanting to cry with all my heart, I raise a cocktail
All my subordinate needs is dog food in the early afternoon Yes! When I'm stuck in a rut, I just fly away on my Harley Come On Baby!
The reflection of my back in the mirror shows the future I'm searching for Yes, those bone-dry feelings are unconsciously thrown to the sky Good-Bye and I honestly kiss and praise myself, love myself the cheerfulness makes me strong Hey, listening to that faraway, echoing rhythm gives off a surrealistic blues Listen, Hmm...

As the saxophone finished the song, the lights came back on and the patrons applauded and cheered at what they heard and witnessed. Kikyo stood amazed at what she did and the response, she gave a smile, waved, and a bow to show her appreciation. The band also congratulated their new band member and lead singer.
That’s how Kikyo became part of a band and their new name became “Snow Black”. With that memory leaving like the setting sun, the late teen finished bussing another table as the band members came in for a drink. They gave their usual hello to the owner and smiled at Kikyo. The reactions from visitors started whooping and hollering for a performance for tonight. Kikyo stood a little amazed, it was only a few weeks ago she did that song and now they wanted an encore. Sure, she didn’t sing all the time due to working but she was still practicing the new song she heard on the net from some neighbors listening to it rather loudly. She brought it to her bandmate’s attention and they agreed to do that one. They were currently practicing with it on their own time however with what was going on, they asked Kikyo if she wanted to try it out. She turned to Pooh, who just waved in a response that pretty much said “This is all you.” Kikyo gave a sigh; her new life was something unexpected but nothing she’d trade for the world. As she cleaned herself up before heading to the stage where the band was getting things ready, she couldn’t help but notice someone in the crowd, who looked a little too young to be heard but didn’t think much of it as she grabbed the microphone and started singing the newest song from Black Snow, inspired by an 80’s punk synth band. There’s a Hurricane Tonight I kept racing down the stormy highway, searching for the whereabouts of my interrupted dream, letting all my lies and bitter illusions blow off my back, with the wind. We're all just lonely hearts in the big city, everyone is a child lost in love. Day by day in the big city, tears only aggravate thoughts that won't rest. #1: Tonight... "Hurricane" ...I want... "Hurricane" ...to tell you I love you. Tonight... "Hurricane" ...touch me... "Hurricane" ...like you mean it. "Touch!" "Give me Touch!" I cannot share the pain in your heart with darting words that merely placate. I want you to tell me what it is that makes your eyes cloud over. In the big city, our hearts are all torn and tattered, and we're tired of dancing around each other at night, so in the big city's empty days, we waited anxiously for a little warmth. #2: Tonight... "Hurricane" ...I want... "Hurricane" ...to tell you I love you. Tonight... "Hurricane" ...I want... "Hurricane" ...to hold you once more. "Touch!" "Burning Touch!" We're all just lonely hearts in the big city, everyone a child lost in love. Day by day in the big city, tears only aggravate thoughts that won't rest. REPEAT REFRAIN #1 REPEAT REFRAIN #2 "Give Me Touch!" "Burning Touch!"
And with that, this part of the story ends. Kikyo will enjoy her life to the fullest and experience many things, and even friendships that will shape the future of this absurd yet wonderful world.