Chapter One
Turnabout Superstitions
Carnivals were supposed to be fun.
But in Ema's perspective, it only meant time away from work. Time away from work meant giving the fop a broader opportunity to give Ema more work.
So when Trucy begged Ema to take time off of working and have a little fun, she was naturally reluctant to do so. However, Trucy was Phoenix's daughter, and Phoenix had helped Ema so much in the past that it seemed like her duty to repay him (and perhaps his daughter as well).
"That Ferris Wheel was awfully big, Trucy," Ema said. "I can't believe it didn't freak you out even a little." Trucy shrugged and took a lick out of her ice cream. "I'm not afraid of heights." Ema rolled her eyes. "You make it sound like no big deal." Trucy walked over to a small, purple tent that didn't look like it was receiving much business. "What's that...?" she asked, tugging Ema to come look. She squinted her eyes to read the small text. "Fortune Telling, 5$ per person. Meet the magnificent Madame Melivolia!" Trucy scrunched up her face. "Melivolia?" Ema never believed in fortune telling. It just was based off a couple of cards and a stupid glowing ball. Trucy looked up at Ema. "Do you want to try it?" Ema didn't want to disappoint Trucy. "Do you want to go in?" Trucy looked at the sign again, curious. Trucy nodded. Ema handed the five dollars to Trucy, and she grabbed the money and practically flew through the flimsy tent curtains.
"Who be zhere?" It was dark in the tent, and all Trucy could make out was some lady's poor English. "Um... Trucy?" A spherical object started glowing from the center of the tent. "Tucy? Come, pleaazee..." As if on cue, a chair lit up. "My name is Trucy."
"Okay, Tuzy... let us begin. Sit." Trucy cautiously made her way to the glowing chair and sat reluctantly. "Plaze your hanz on the table, pleaze, Tuzzy..." Trucy did so, and she could feel the lady's cold hands touching each finger delicately one by one. "I zee a cat in zour future, Tuzie..." Trucy furrowed her eyebrows. "A cat?"
"Dzo not inzerrupt!" Madame Melivolia continued moving her hand over Trucy's fingers. "Za cat bringz zou fortune..." Trucy shrugged. "I guess that's cool." Madame groaned. "Dzo not inzerrupt! Zou are dzone now!" She shooed Trucy away. "Fine." Trucy walked out.
"How'd it go?" Ema popped a Snackoo in her mouth. "You try it. But whatever you do, when she starts messing with your hand, don't interrupt her." Ema laughed. "No thanks. I'm not going in there." Trucy pouted. "Yes you are! Now go! I'll pay you back the five bucks afterwards." Trucy pushed Ema into the tent.
"Who be zhere?" Ema dropped her Snackoos. "Aw, crap!"
"Zhelllooo?" Melivolia called. "Just a second! Geez!"
"Vell, come vhen zou veel vready!" Ema picked up her Snackoos and sat down in some ridiculous glowing chair. Ema put her hands on the table in front of her, assuming that's what she should do next. "Zvery good... vet's ztart..."
"I zee you have anger provlems... perhazs trvy vinding a good man who can keep vou under control... tall... blond... popular..." Ema spit out her Snackoo. "WHAT?"
Madame Melivolia stopped touching Ema's hands. "Honestly! People tovay have no resvect! Out you go, and leave da five dolvars!" Ema slammed the money on the table and threw a Snackoo at the lady.
"What happened in there? You look upset." Trucy licked her ice cream. "I don't have anger problems if that's what you're asking!" Ema snapped. "I mean... I'm sorry, Trucy. That lady really ticked me off." Trucy grinned. "It's fine. I know where we can go to make you feel better..." Trucy spun Ema around to face a large ride in the distance. "The Ferris Wheel!"
Ema went to work the next day in an especially bad mood, and to see her least favorite person again was just an addition. "Good morning, Fraulein," Klavier grinned, leaning on the doorway and blocking Ema's only pathway to her office. Ema stood a good distance away from the doorway and crossed her arms.
"What do you want?" Ema asked. Klavier raised himself off the door and moved towards her, making Ema feel uncomfortable. "Ah, you amuse me, Fraulein..." Ema still didn't falter. "Just move along, fop, so I can get to my office. You're are the one who wants me to work all day." Klavier moved aside reluctantly as Ema stomped through the doorway. Even he knew when not to push her. Ema walked over to her office in the corner. She sank down into her chair, exasperated. Would I really fall for such a fop? It seems very unlikely. Klavier had so many other admirers, he doesn't need me... Oh god... am I actually considering what that stupid lady said?
"Stupid..." she groaned, before realizing that she said it out loud. A million thoughts were bursting through her mind right now, and the last thing she wanted to do was work. "Is something disturbing you...?" Klavier popped his head through the doorway. "Ack!" Ema flipped over her coffee mug. Coffee dripped from Ema's nose to her lab coat. "Oh Fraulein..." he chuckled as he came her side. As he was about to take off her lab coat, Ema pulled away. "The last thing I need is your help." She grabbed her mug, Snackoos, and lab coat. "I'll be back after lunch. You owe me at least a small break." Klavier grinned. "How about I buy you a quick drink? Don't I owe you at least that much?" Ema threw a Snackoo at his face. "No. No you don't."
Ema started regretting her choice. After spilling her coffee, she had nothing else to drink. After what felt like eternity, she couldn't bear the thirst anymore and stomped over to Klavier's office.
"Uhh...Klavier?" Klavier glanced up at the door, carelessly. Seeing that it was Ema, he straightened up. "Yes, detektiv? Are you here to accept my offer?" Klavier chuckled. "This is not a date!" Ema announced. "I never said it was, Fraulein, unless you want it to be." Klavier said. Ema's face flushed when she noticed this was true: he never did say it was a date, unlike all the other times he asked her out ever so obviously. "Fraulein, shall we leave? Or do you wish to stay in my office?" Ema rolled her eyes. "Just buy me a drink."
Klavier drove confidently, Ema noticed, then forced herself to look out the window. Klavier must have noticed, because he smirked.
"I don't mind, Fraulein, if you find me interesting to look at." Ema was about to Snackoo him, when she realized he was driving. "I don't find you interesting. I'm... just making sure you don't crash the car!" Ema furiously looked out the window again. If she ignored him, then he wouldn't talk to her, right? Klavier started losing confidence. "Fraulein?" Ema was starting to lose patience with all this fop. "WHAT DO YOU WANT?" she screamed. This was harsh, even for Ema. Klavier tried to keep his cool. "I just wanted to ask you where you wanted to go, detektiv." Ema was slightly disappointed. The fop was now referring to her as detective. At least it was better than that German name she never understood.. Then she realized that maybe Klavier was not interested in her anymore. After all, "detective" is a much more formal title. Ema's face started to fall. Wait, what am I doing? Why should I care what he calls me? "Dumb..." she muttered. Klavier glanced at her. "You know detektiv, I happen to be very smart." Klavier tried to remember what being a celebrity taught him: never show weakness. "That's not what I... oh whatever." Ema rolled her eyes and turned the other direction. What a fop. A stupid, pathetic fop she would never, ever fall in love with no matter what a little "fortune" said.
Author's Note: This fic is a collaboration between both SixelaNinja and QTrain. It was hard morphing our writing styles together, but worthwhile in the end. We appreciate all your reviews and guesses! :)