"Sir you do realize that you a sitting on trillions of dollars worth of oil and natural gas?" A sharp-looking Japanese man asked in a crisp voice. He had high cheekbones and a voice that scream intellect. He wore a very expensive looking black suit that tailored him just perfectly, making far more attractive than he was. He was shivering like a puppy outside in the middle of winter. He spoke down to the man in front of him, my father.
I'd been train to look for traitorous betrayals of the body to know a person's motives. People may think us mountain folk are dumber than a sack of rocks, but truth is, our parents and the parents before them, are really smart and all that. Heck the mountains is no easy place to be living, to gotta be smarter than a black bear to survive.
Daddy squeezed my knee in reasurenes. I sat at most five feet from this dumb-hoodlum. Oh wait, let me get you up it date.
My name it Misty, Misty Shureman. My momma gave me that name because my momma was always fascinated with the morning mist of the mountains. Yep, the mountains, you didn't hear wrong. Me and ma family live a good 150 miles away from any other human beings. All surrounded by steep mountains o' course! And dat's if you go straight, not including going up and down and around them. That's why ma best friends a black cat named, 'Raider'. I have four brothers and ma daddy. He's smart, but always telling me how smart I am. True I can act proper like momma taught me before she... pasted. But I like ma hillbilly origins. Makes life funnier, ya know?
Also, living up here is tough work. Nobody to count on but you and ya family. And that, ma friend, is why you gotta be smarter than the average bear. In fact, we got something up our sleeve that will make this dummy feel stupi'er than he already is. Heh heh.
"Well, that a lot of shot guns and all, but we aren't looking for no buyers." Daddy said in humble voice. The group well dress men and women behind the suited man, whispered. "We aren't stupid enough to sell these profitable mountains to greedy companies like yours. But we are looking for investors. Misty, ya'd like to take it from here?" Daddy looked at me. His dark red, messy hair looked shaggy, but I've never met a more gentlemen like male. But then again, I don't get out much...
"No thank you, I would like to wait a litt'e longer." I was a little caught up in my daddy eyes. The deep blue reminded me of the large lake a few hundred meters passed ma home. He had a farmer's tan and lots of muscle from the labor he did outside. The plaid brown shirt and blue jeans gave him a young look. The strong, freshly shaved chin and well structured face made me sad. He was so different from my momma. She was wise looking. We really don't have to many photos but she had hair darker than coal, elegate curves and dark cinnamon skin She reminded me of tiana from princess and the frog, from my old story books. She had warm, chocolate eyes that you could just look in to, and you'd know you were safe. "I think you con-fosed dem a litt'e." I explained. My daddy nodded his head in understanding.
"Well shoot, I suppose a better explanation is in order." He smiled cheekily. "Ya see here gentlemen, and ladies, ma darling daughter figure out, in all her smartness, to find a way to make oil and natural gas a reusable resource. We just don't have a way to market it, that's where ya come in." He smiled and nudged my thick muscular knee with his own strong one.
"That's impossible, there is no such process to make fossil fuels into a reusable resource." The asian man countered. I already knew what he was doing, trying to anger me in to revealing the process of how I did it. If they got even a few pieces of what I did and how I did it, they wouldn't need me and ma family. And then bye-bye riches, you were so close to my clutches. Did he really think I'd be that dumb to let him and his goonies steal my idea and hard work? As if! I'd definitely have to plan my words carefully.
"Actually it really wasn't that hard, took maybe a year's worth of work." A sharp replied came from my tongue, I put on a poker face that I had practiced with my brothers when playing card games. "Now we can do this two ways. You can help us market with a great deal of a 3% income into your own company or we can have other companies invest in my work for a 2% income." I smiled as he lost his own poker face for a moment. He turned back to talked to his associates. He turned back to us and looked calm and collected.
"Mr. and Ms. Shureman, I'm believe a proposal can reached. For you simply do not have the resources to connect to other companies about your 'discovery' and a 3% income is highly unacceptable." He practically sneered. Was this dingo making fun of ma family? Why I o'ta... "We we're thinking a 20% income with a contract that would state the basic principles of your family's knowledge limited to Maysayoshi-Companies. Deal?" Oh how this nit-wit was going to feel stupid.
"I don't think so," I began in a official voice, "We know that we can easily get the Ootori family to invest, they are always looking for profitable stock. And the Suoh family is fine with small investments. But the Houshakuji family loves trying new products and ideas. And the Tonnerre's are marvelous when picking a product and understanding the long-term benefits. The Walton's, Koch's, Mar's, Cargill-MacMillan's are all families that we can get to invest for 2% income and spot in history and long term cash as a bonus. As well I have you know, of 2010, it has been an extreme priority to look for highly efficient reusable energy sources. But I'm wiling to rethink with you, and give a 4% income. But I wouldn't know anything about negotiating, after all I am just a dumb hillbilly? Deal, or leave?" I asked. I knew he couldn't say no. This was a deal like no other. I was used to making deals with ma brothers. And after this ma family was gonna be rich fur life, heh, heh.
"Deal." He sighed. Perfect I brought him, honestly I thought I was gonna havta raise the percentage to five, but I figure if I start real low and raise slowly, he'd think he was pushing it. And in fact I got this guy with a sweet deal!
Hillbillies one, rich sobs, zero!
"Golly Gee..." I'd never in my entire life had seen a house that huge! It was made a lot of glass and and white metal and huge planes circled around the house. I walked in awe with slow steps and an open mouth. I just couldn't get enough of this scene. How could one person own all this? The investor rolled his almond eyes at my shock. In return I gave a very unlady like snort.
"You act like you've never seen an airport" He snipped. It was pretty gosh-darn obvious he was still sore about being out negotiated by a hillbilly girl. I internally smirked. But then got the sting behind his words. He was making fun that I never got out and see everyday items, places, people...I didn't fit here. You don't have to be very smart to tell folks are looking at ya weird.
"I haven't." Ma answered was blunt and crude sounding, but I wasn't really in the mood for a mockery.
"Flight 684, leaving for Toyko Japan in 10 minutes." A lady's voice boomed from the sky. Where was she? And how was she that loud...oh. I'm so~ stupid, I completely forgot electronics. Every once a year daddy would go to a town about 200 miles from us and get us things we didn't have or couldn't make ourselves. And every year, Daddy would bring me and ma brothers a heap load of books. Any kind of books, all books, we didn't have cable, or netflix, but we did have books. And I learned a lot of things through books. And this was one of them.
"Damn it..." I heard the man whisper hoarsely. "We're late, we'll need to hurry if we want to make our plane." He mumbled and as soon as he said the words ma brothers went flying through the crowds. Yep, hillbilly interaction 101, never tell them you need to be somewhere quick. Because one, they will rush there and be on time; No matter what. And two, they don't care who they run over.
And me being a hillbilly and all, grabbed that grumps hand, and ran towards our flight. It wasn't hard to find really. Airports are set up by numbers, so they'll have a 1 section 2, 3, 4,5... like that to represent the first number. So we go you section six! Then the eighth row should be our plane. And four should be the fourth plane leaving from that port today. (I have no idea if that's right! But I hear air travel is so hectic, that this would be simpler.)
My arm jerked as after a few moments realized the investor, I know he said his name earlier. I just didn't care enough to pay attention. Stopped and started walking at his own pace. I huffed than rolled my eyes. If he was gonna be that way, fine. He can miss the flight. But this is ma first out of the hills. I ain't missing nothing! I sprinted forward, I was in pure bliss! The wonderful world, I get to see it. For the first time in forever! (Sorry, Sorry...) This was all I ever wanted, (Was to see you smiling! No one, really? I'm I the only one who likes BassHunter?) I closed my eyes for a second, I swear it was only a split second if that! Then I ran into a solid brick wall.
I looked up, angry I made such a fool of myself running into a wall.
I was wrong.
In from of me was seven stunning young men. They looked so fancy. Four of them were in bright colored clothes, two were in dark colored clothes that reminded me of vampires. And there was one in princely white clothes. They easily put me to shame.
To be honest, I was wrenched. Trust me I was ugliest thing on the planet. I had off colored light muddy brown skin that was somehow darker on my shoulders and upper back than ma legs, lower arms and face. Ma hair was thin and curlier than a mattress spring. It started near black at the roots, then turned to a brown, and at the tips was a dark red. And my body wasn't thick, but in no way slim. I was muscular, not fat, I always told ma brothers. And as embarrassing as it is to say this, ma butt was as big as Texas with a waist smaller than Rhode island. Or at least it feels like it, when trying to get clothes or make ma own. I'd had buck teeth that was slightly crooked, my facial feature soft, but scarred from roughhousing and climbing trees. And ma eyes were probably the most repulsive part about me. I had a blue eye and a brown eye, but both were speckled with grey dots. Ma eyes were sunken in and made me look like I had bags under them. Oh and my clothes were patchwork jean overalls with a bright pink bra showing a bit. My hair was cut short to let me work easier. And the worst part at that moment, I wasn't wearing shoes...
They looked at me for a moment. I did the same. There was a pair twins, least I think so. Light reddish, ginger locks contrasted their light skin. They had devilish hazel eyes, and a slim body frame. They looked so perfect next to each other, like you could tell one from the other. A tall well build male with sunglasses covered over his eyes, he spoke, strong silent type to me. But what didn't make sense was how a small blonde child rested on his broad shoulders. The child had big, light brown eyes that made you want to smile. Then their was a slim raven hair man behind them. He wore thing glasses and had sharp feature, but his eyes...They were black. And shone with knowledge. A taller blonde boy cocked his head to the side while he examined me. I don't think he even knows he did it. But he had bright blue eyes filled with charm. And a small petite... Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry...I thought that was a guy! Looking at her know, I see that there was a petite little girl in a red sun dress. My gosh I must look like a fool.
And of all things the pair of twins started laughing. I couldn't tell if it was at me or because I fell. I soon got a very dis-likable answer. And of course with me being me and learning ten other languages, understood their Japanese crystal clear.
"Look Hikaru, some hillbilly girl running like a dumb chicken through the airport!" One wheezed as he double over in laughter. I felt the blood rushing to my upper cheeks as I lost feeling in my lower ones. I clenched my right hand into a fist, I didn't belong here.
"Yeah, look how ugly she is! And look at her buck teeth! I bet her eyes are from hillbilly inbreeding!" The so called Hikaru called back as best he could from his fit of laughter. He was making me mad. First up, I already know I'm ugly, so why do you have to point it out, huh? And I'm not an inbreed. "She must stupider than my ass! Look at her, no shoes! She must be so poor that she can't afford proper clothes" Why I o'ta...
Glasses Guy spoke up, "Just because she doesn't understand our language doesn't mean you should make fun of her lack of looks, intelligence, money and her parents. All through most likely true..." He stated in a cold, heartless voice. I'll have you know sir, that none of that it true! "But I would like to know what is the cause of her deformed eyes." I don't have deformed eyes. Mine are just special, right? Wow, all my confidence I had spent so many years building up, was tore down just like that.
"Aw! Look Mori! She's so ugly, she's cute, like a puppy with two tails or something like that!" The little blonde child stated, at least he had some padding with the insult. The male below him just grunted. Well its not my fault we ran out of good smelling soap three months ago. And my last bath was two weeks ago. Compare most girls after they go through was I go through, and I'll look like a princess!
The girl moved towards me. She had the same eye momma had. The blonde young man grabbed her wrist and yelled at her.
"I will not allow this witch to cast a curse on my little girl!" He pulled at her and the young female rolled her beautiful eyes. She slipped from his grasp and spoke.
"Don't be so mean, I'm a commoner remember? And the dumbest things you've done is forgot to ask her if she even spoke Japanese!" She made it sound so obvious. The twin stop laughing for a moment. I thought they might actually feel bad. The moment ended when they busted out laughing again.
"Yeah right!" I think Hikaru smirked.
"She's a dumb hillbilly, I doubt she can speak her own language right!" Nope that one was definitely Hikaru. To this the girl sighed and looked at me.
"Can you speak Japanese?" She asked in a slow voice. Wow, how kind. Take note of the sarcasm.
"Yes." And with that I got up and stomped away, off on my continued quest to find my flight. And waiting for me at the entrance was the investor. Looking irritated. I wonder how long I made him wait.
"Well? Let's get going!" He huffed and together we got on the plane. And we made our way to the front of the plane in first class. And let me tell you, it was fancy. It was all decorated in white, and fancy leather seats in a circle. Ma family was already talking business with the investor's groups of lackeys. Wonderful
"Ah, dere you are!" My daddy smiled. "We've been talking with Mr. Sohma's (I couldn't think of anything else sorry fruits basket fans) companions. And we thing after we get the business started, you and your brothers should to to school." I felt the breath knocked out of me. In school, with other people? I felt nervous and excited at the same time. What would it be like? Would the other kids be nice? Or rude and cruel like those boys I met?
"Of course it wouldn't be any ol' school. Mr. Sohma's associates tell me about this one really elite and fancy school. O'ly the best of the best go there." He smiled. I bet he could tell I was feeling uncomfortable with this subject. So he was trying to coaxed me into it, by telling me how great it is.
"Your momma, would have so proud to know that your going far." Daddy smiled saddly. Darn it. He was playing the momma card. He said it barely more than a whisper, like he was saying it to himself. But just loud enough for me to hear by 'accident'. He was good, too good.
"Fine, what is this so called elite school that I'll be going to?" I gave up. I might as well make the most of it. Hey maybe I'd even make a couple of friends!
"Ouran High School!" My daddy answer cheerfully. "Ouran even has its own university!" He chirped like a bluebird. I rolled my ugly eyes. At least I'd have my brothers. They looked nothing like me. They were the right shade of light brown, and slim and tall. But muscular, not wimpy at all. And the patchwork jeans and flannel shirts suited them so well. It made them look rustic. And now because of me, they were handsome, athletic, smart and now super rich. Lucky them.
There was Grizzle, we loved to call him 'Grizzly'. If he had a spirit animal it would definitely be a Grizzly Bear. He was the oldest. And frankly grumpy some of the time, but every now and then, he acted like a cub. He was strong as an oxen and as graceful as a bull in a china shop. He had his hair less curly, and more shaggy. But enough curl to heighten his handsome looks even more. He was roughly 7'0" and age 18. But he always coward to ma daddy, like the rest of us.
Then was Bryar, the second oldest. He was a little devil if I ever met one. If that boy had a spirit animal it would be a fox. He the cunning, loop-hole loving, steal your pants from underneath ya kind of brother, ya know? True, he was the weakest in the family, but I think he could get by on that fast-talking tongue of his. Once, he swindled me inta giving him my supper. Dad found out and made Bryar give it back. And was way to good at slipping through your fingers when you needed him to work. His hair was the same at Grizzle's but slightly longer, and thicker. He stood at only 6'0" and age 17.
Next was Timberius, or just Timber. Third oldest and the most thoughtful boy you'd ever hope to meet in your wildest dreams. For some reason he could take the simplest moment in time, and change it to a picture of beauty, or a dark place that you want to escape from. If he had a spirit animal it would totally be a wolf. Not a sneaky kind of wolf, or a dark evil wolf. But a beautiful one that would look at the full moon and howl a gorgeous song. Same kind of hair, but instead of dark brown like the others, his hair was a dark red. Like the tips of mine. He 6'5" if I'm correct. And he's a twin to Saggory, both age 16
And Saggory, the fourth oldest. I'd pay good money to watch any poor sucker trying to out eat Saggory! I think a cute, pink pig would be Saggory's spirit animal. He so cheery, I wish I could be such an optimist. He was super sweet to me. Heck, he'll go out of his away to pick pretty flowers for the dinner table. Though some days I think he's gay...He is Timberius's twin. Standing at 6'4" with the same dark red hair and lighter shade of brown than the rest of us.
Than there was me, the youngest. 6'1" Age 15. And only sister and technically owner of this contract and future owner of trillions of dollars and creator of a new reusable resource. But I had no looks and was as you say, awkward. Hopefully this Ouran High School was just the thing to get me out of my shell.
Not sure what to think, But Just an Idea I'd like to try. A hillbilly going to Ouran High School. Oh yah, that will go real well.
Stang Out!