Places & Things
Public Places
Hogyouku Records
A towering building made of glass, at night it stands white and glowing in the center of New York City, tall and pristine, strangely inviting while simultaneously unnerving. Many hopeful songwriters and musical artists have given up hope after entering the doors to Hogyouku records, viewing the garden in the building's lavish, white marble and glass atrium with its tropical orchids and white leather lobby chairs, its art-deco fountain, and for good reason. If you're intimidated by a lobby? You probably weren't cut out for Sousuke Aizen.
Soul Society HQ
The headquarters of Soul Society magazine is a relaxed but structured place. You can tell when you enter the lobby, full of Elvis memorabilia, paraphernelia and performing arts bric-a-brac. Not messy, very organized, but at the same time respectful of things of the past. The walls are furnished with dark woods, the office buildings surrounded by clear glass. The bullpen is full of activity, open and exciting. It is not uncommon to not be able to pick out a single conversation in the dull roar, paper aeroplanes carrying notes flying above heads in front of computer screens.
Las Noches
Las Noches is a fairly recently founded nightclub, owned by Kisuke Urahara. It's modern and experimental, clean and bright-- not dark and full of smoke like some other night clubs. That's why it draws in giant crowds of 20-somethings looking for a good night out. Safe and clean are Kisuke's ideals for business; safe for the customer and safe for his pocketbook and reputation. After all, it doesn't pay to get fined for fire violations and drug use in the club.
After hours, however, Kisuke opens The Shop, an exclusive club behind Las Noches. Members are paying so much to use the shop, well, Kisuke doesn't mind if sometimes they want to do a little smoking and eat sushi off of naked women.
The Ashcat @ Las Noches
The Ashcat is an ancient bar in New York; it's been owned by Rangiku's family back into the 1920s. Today it is small but popular, getting rave ratings from magazines and food raters. The menu is small, but reliable-- full of English pub favorites and top quality finger foods. The wood is warm and the walls are covered with pictures of Humphrey Bogart, city streets and people who have eaten at the bar before. The feeling is warm and friendly, sensually masculine.
Kisuke Urahara recently offered Rangiku, the former owner, a deal-- for letting him buy her bar out, she is now guaranteed part of the profits of Las Noches (a dry nightclub). Of-age partiers from Las Noches then get a deal on alcohol and food at the Ashcat, and Rangiku gets a subsidy from Kisuke.
Pure Souls Café
A trendy asian restaurant with warm lighted stone seating, koi ponds between rows of booths, and a wall that is a waterfall. Popular Japanese progressive, urban, pop and rock music play in the background, a little louder than most restaurants. It gives Pure Souls a club-like feel. The wait to get in is long-- unless you're lucky. They are specializing in Japanese foods and especially top-quality sushi. Sushi is personally prepared by the restaurant's sushi chef and owner, Sajin Komamura. Dishes are artistic and moderately priced, not expensive, making Sajin innovative in the field of restaurateur.
Private Residence
Vaizard Brownstone
Ulquiorra and Grimmjow
