TITLE: The Greatest Party EVER!
CHARACTERS: Norma, Jay, Shirley, Senel, Will, Grune, Harriet, Chloe, Moses
PAIRINGS: JayXNorma, Norma and Grune, SenelXChloe (slight)
SPOILERS: Grune's CQ
Disclaimer: I still don't own Tales of Legendia. I'll keep you posted incase that changes. Ha….
The Greatest Party EVER!
16 year old goof ball and treasure fanatic, Norma Beatty, could be called the party-planning master. If there was one thing she could do until the cows came home, it was be at or plan parties. But this time, Norma wanted to throw a party that everyone would remember. It was a new year. Well it wasn't really, it was just a year since the Goddess, and valuable friend, Grune "disappeared unto the heavens," as Kratos Aurion said in Tales of Symphonia. Norma however, was done mincing words. Grune was dead. But the treasure fanatic forced a smile, as she decided to throw a celebration on the anniversary of her friend's disappearance to show Grune that everything was ok and to show herself that everything was ok…
It had been a few weeks since Jay the Unseen had gone to Werites Beacon. He had become preoccupied with what he thought were more important matters. However, today the strategist decided to pay his friends in Werites Beacon a visit. He didn't want to say it, and would never admit it, but he was slightly concerned about Norma. She had been very close to Grune, and although she always smiled and joked around, Jay could see that she was struggling to be happy. And who would blame her? Jay shook his head, "I don't need to think about her," he lied, walking out of his fairy tale style home and headed for the duct.
Meanwhile, Norma had been working on invitations for her party. So far they said this:
Norma bash!
Please come.
It's at the fountain again.
And it's at 7:30 tonight.
See-ya!
Norma of the Laugh Brigade
She took a second look at the last line and a small sigh escaped her lips, "I should change that," she smiled half-heartedly, and erased the term "Laugh Brigade" which had just been her and Grune, and changed it to "Fun Bunch," which was the group as an entirety. She smiled again, excited for the party. Everyone would be there. Everyone would remember. And they would all be together.
Norma's work was interrupted when Shirley came crashing through the door, carrying two heavy bags.
"Shirl?" Norma asked, quizzically, "What are you doing here?" she began to flail her arms up and down, "Can't you tell this is top secret? Like, MAJORLY?!"
Shirley picked herself up and grabbed her two bags, "I'm sorry Norma," she blushed at her clumsiness, "It's just, Senel told me to bring you these bags. He said you left a bunch of treasure maps and food at his house."
Norma lowered her arms, "Oh," the awkward wind blew by as the two girls stood in silence, "W-well, I wondered where all that important stuff went!" Norma grabbed the two bags from Shirley and took out a rice ball.
"Um...Norma," Shirley put her hand in front of her mouth, "I wouldn't-" Too late, Norma took a large bite out of the two week old rice ball. Before too long, Norma's face turned green and she ran into the bathroom, "Um…ok Norma, I guess I'll be going…" Shirley tip toed out of the room in the inn, also Norma's residence, and walked back to Senel's house.
Jay entered Werites Beacon just as the Merines was cautiously leaving the inn, "Ah, Shirley," he started. Shirley turned around to face the small boy and smiled sheepishly.
"Good afternoon Jay. It's been awhile since you last came. What brings you here?"
"Ah," he replied, "I'm not sure precisely why I'm here. I just decided to get a change of scenery."
"Oh," Shirley thought, "Hey could you do me a favor?"
Jay put his hands behind his back, "First, you must tell me what it is you want. I cannot make an ignorant decision. I'm not Moses you know."
Shirley blushed again, "Of course. Well, you see, Norma is in her room. She just ate a two week old rice ball and now-"
Jay put up his hand, not wanting to hear the rest, "Say no more," he sighed, "I'll check on her."
"Thank you," Shirley smiled, and headed back to Senel's again.
Norma heard the quiet footsteps of the ex-ninja coming up the stairs. Quickly, she put away her now complete invitations into her messenger bag, where they waited to be passed around to the citizens of Werites Beacon. Then the door creaked open and Jay came in. Norma blushed slightly in annoyance, "Why can't people knock before entering? I mean-"
Jay glared and rolled his eyes, "Well, it appears the only thing wrong with you is the usual screw loose," he spun around on his heel, "For future reference, you may want to lock your door." With that, he attempted to leave the room, but Norma stopped him.
"Now hold up JJ!" she began to wave her arms in the air again, "You can't just disappear then reappear, then try to disappear again without even staying to chat!"
"I have too many things to do to waste time talking to you," he turned around and walked further into the room and sighed, looking at Norma, trying to ignore the slight hurt in Norma's eyes. Why did he have to feel such peculiar feelings around Norma? Just look at her with her bright yellow attire and large brown eyes. But then again, she was…Norma, "What do you want to talk about?" Jay gave in to his judgment and Norma snickered.
"Oh, JJ, You are so sensitive;" she smirked, "That's why you are my favorite."
Jay felt a blush rise to his face, "W-what?"
Norma's snickered remained on her face. For the longest time now, she had been blessed with the glory of having a crush on Mr. No-Emotion, Jay. But she never wanted to let him know, she would rather just dream of him, and not be faced with the harsh reality of the situation. So she sighed, wiping the snicker from her face, replaced by a stupid grin, "J-just kidding," she gave the peace sign. Jay began to stand up, preparing to leave again, but Norma tugged on his sleeve, "W-wait!" she snapped, handing Jay an invitation from her bag, "I'm having a party. Hope you come!"
Jay took a look at the simple invitation and rolled his eyes as he stood up saying, "I don't have time for this," with that, he ripped up the invite and left the room, leaving Norma to stare blankly at the small paper bits falling from the air. She shook her head and began to pick up the pieces. Then she walked over to her bag and set out to deliver the invites to the people of Werites Beacon.
7:30 that night: No one was at the fountain, except Norma, who stood lonely in a scene of bright decorations. (Don't worry G-girl) Norma thought to herself, (They'll be here)
8:00, no one was coming. Norma sighed and stood up, (I have to keep waiting for G-girl…) but now, even Norma wasn't so sure anyone was coming. Suddenly, a drop of rain hit the fountain next to her as she sat down on the ledge and cupped her face in her hands and sighed.
Norma, someone is coming, look!
Norma looked up after hearing what sounded like Grune's voice and whispered, "G-girl?" But instead the rain just fell harder and Norma put her face back into her hands.
Silly, he isn't in there, look at the steps
A gust of wind blew from behind Norma, as if Grune were telling her to look ahead of her again. Norma gasped, unable to move or say anything. There, in the torrential rain fall stood Jay. He began to walk closer to Norma as she tried to stand up, but instead she mumbled, "Why are you here?" as the guilty ex-ninja approached the fountain she was sitting by. He knelt down in front of her and put his hands on her knees, "I thought you didn't have time for me?"
Jay looked into Norma's eyes and stood up, "I made time," he said plainly. Norma blushed, "Besides, you are twisting my words. I believe I said I didn't have time for this, not you."
Norma smiled, "JJ, that's strange, coming from you."
Jay rolled his eyes and blushed slightly, "W-well, I was just trying to be nice…a little, since you look upset."
The treasure hunter stood up and squeezed some of the rain water from her short hair, "Well, thanks," she stammered (Well, G-girl? Should I go for it?) She thought to herself, (I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity.)
CHARGE!
(Right) she brushed her hair behind her ears (Time for Norma to work her charm!) She returned her gaze to Jay's hypnotic violet eyes.
"What is it Norma?" He asked, widening his eyes. Norma stood there for a second then grabbed Jay's ponytail and pulled him closer to her. Shadows hid her face as she bent down her head, leaning on his shoulder, "Ow, Norma? Wha-"
"F-For a genius, you sure have a tendency to be pretty stupid JJ!" Norma half scolded and half sighed, "Or maybe you are just optimistic…"
"About what?" A slight pink spread across Jay's face. Why was Norma acting like this? Why wasn't he pushing her away? The rain continued to fall onto their heads and drench their bodies. Jay reached out nervously with his left hand and placed it on Norma's side, "Is there something bothering you?"
(There's no better time then the present. I just have to blurt it out, like a loud burp!) Norma sighed again, lifting her head from Jay's shoulder, "No-nothing…Go away!" she yelled harshly, while beating herself up in her mind.
A slight look of hurt crossed his face and he removed his hand from Norma's side and he began to walk away, still confused.
Poor Jay, that's not what he wanted to hear. I can tell…
(Grune…) Norma sighed then she smiled and raised her head (No, I have to do it now!) She looked at Jay as he slowly made his way to the steps, "JJ!" Norma called after him, rushing up to him and threw her arms around him from behind, "I love you!"
Jay's eyes widened as he took in what Norma said. Then he spun around in her embrace and hugged her back, "Stupid…" he mumbled.
"H-hey!" she bonked him on the head, "Do you know how hard that was to say?!"
Jay snickered, "I can only imagine. I mean what guy would love a stupid, ironing board bodied, treasure fanatic-"
"Ok, ok…I get it," she let go of him, "I just wanted to tell you that. You can-"
"Except me," he added quietly to what he previously said and reached up and kissed Norma on the lips. A crimson blush painted both of their faces as Norma returned the kiss. The rain continued to fall, but Norma and Jay no longer minded. Finally they pulled away from lack of air.
"Hey you two!" Senel called from the steps, "We've been standing her for several seconds-"
"But you two were so into each other, you forgot 'bout the audience waiting to get into this party." Moses laughed.
Norma looked over at the steps where the entire town stood. They came; everyone came tonight, "Welcome," Norma tried to hide her embarrassment, "To Norma's biggest bash!"
"It looks like any other party…" Harriet sneered, trying to start a bickering with Norma.
Will sighed, "But it feels so different, like there is a real purpose to this gathering."
"It's Grune's party!" Norma repeated, as Chloe joined the group standing next to Senel.
"Then we should enjoy ourselves, for her sake…" Chloe smiled.
"Yeah," Senel replied, taking Chloe's hand. Chloe blushed as the two joined the crowd of people.
"Yahoo!" Moses ran up behind Jay and put him in a head lock, "I never knew you'd had it in ya little bro!"
Jay gagged and glared at Moses, throwing his arm off of him, "Never In your life will you do that again. People might think I associate myself with you!"
Norma smiled and laughed at the two bickering. Then, once again, the wind blew her forward, slightly pushing her up against Jay. He turned around and took Norma's hand, "Are you alright?"
Norma looked up at Jay, but something caught her eye. She saw a glowing figure standing in the ocean of people. The figure smiled, revealing herself as Grune. She gave Norma the thumbs up sign and disappeared into the sky again. A single tear came to Norma's eye and Jay brushed away. The treasure hunter just looked at him and smiled, "I'm not sad. I'm really happy, really…You know what? I think the sky even just smiled at us" She threw her arms round him.
(Thank you Grune. This is the best night I could ever ask for and it's all because of you!)
You're welcome…
A single feather fell from the sky.