Chapter One: Set-Up
Note: At one point I was going to write a Umi and Ascot fic because there were too many Umi-Clef fics and too little Umi-Ascot fics. My first thought was of Ascot's situation. He had grown all up just for Umi. I remembered when Umi first turned Ascot's life around and Shania Twain's song, "From This Moment" came to mind. Hence the fic is entitled as it is. Unfortunately, I barely started the fic (it's on disk somewhere) and never got around to working on it again. Sad, isn't it? Even with all the many fics that may never be finished and those that are in the works get worked on, but this poor fic was completely ignored. I owe it at least to Ascot to get one chapter done. Doesn't he deserve that much? Well, so I'm starting over fresh and getting this fic worked on! ;; Can't promise anything since I'm really bad about finishing fanfics. I hope you all (yah, even you Umi-Clef supporters too) enjoy this fanfic!
Another beautiful morning descends upon the enchanting land of Cephiro. The crystal blue sky cuddles with a few soft and fluffy wisps of wooly white clouds as the birds begin singing their morning melody. Ascot's eyes slowly open and peer out from his bed and towards the tall and beautiful windows that swing out onto the gorgeous balcony he hardly ever goes out on. He remains in his bed, taking his time in getting up and ready to face another wonderful and angst-ridden day. It has always been mornings like this that makes Ascot glad that his bedroom door is locked...until he remembers that no one locks their doors in Cephiro and that his door doesn't have a lock. Instinctively, Ascot pulls up his blankets up and over his barely visible face in fear of what he knows will happen next.
Sure as the sun shines ("Sure as the sun will shine" if you're a Beauty & the Beast fan .), like a bouncing ball of white fluff and cotton candy, the daily annoyance, Caldina pounces in (ha! fooled you, it wasn't Mokono!) and leaps upon poor Ascot's bed. Ascot refrains from mumbling, least Caldina realizes that he is awake. "Rise 'an shine ya lil sleepy head!", Caldina proclaims as she tears the blankets away from Ascot. "Ugh...Caldina," the young summoner mutters, "can't you go and bother someone else this morning?" "Ah my lil Ascot, I do it jus' cause I love ya! . Sides, I'd do the same thang to Lafarga if I could, but that fella always wakes up toooooooo early for me and lil 'ol me likes to sleep in a little.", the sassy Caldina replies.
"Well I'm up already, so you can go already.", Ascot grumbles sitting up and turning his head away from the vivacious Southern Belle from Chizeta. If not for the really bad case of bead head, one could almost glimpse the hidden eyes of Ascot. "Now that ain't no way to talk to your big sister. Come on 'an give me a hug." "No way!", Ascot protests. (You would too if Caldina came in on you like that. .) "Like, don't be like, stubborn, now, like, mkay Ascot?", Caldina scolds in her manga valley accent. (Personally I like the Southern drawl, but then I guess I'm a lil biased bein' from the South an' all...though only two people in the entire world think I sound like one.) "Not with that accent.", Ascot murmers like one would after hearing someone like Alcyone (or Zoisite if you'd perfer a Sailor Moon reference) laugh.
"Now if you ain't gonna give me a hug this mornin' then I'll just havta (have to, not sure how you spell the contraction) give ya one myself!", Caldina threatens. "Why...", Ascot bemoans his face. "If ya gonna try 'an run now," Caldina warns then quickly glumps the poor young man, "then you'd be a lil too late." "Get...get...get off me! Caldina!", Ascot complains completely smothered and desperate to escape the clutches of the dazzling dancer. "Now ya be a good lil boy and stop a'growin' on me." "Uhhhhh...I stopped growing a long time ago Caldina.", Ascot moans as the ravishing Caldina finally lets go of her death hug on him.
"Now ya go on an' get dressed, ya hear?", Caldina teases as she heads to the door. "I was trying to do that all morning, Caldina!", Ascot whines, glancing at the tall oak doors as Caldina finally exits. Ascot breathes a well-deserved sigh of relief and starts to get up at of his bed. His liberation is quickly ended as his doors come flying open with only his bed concealing his heart printed boxers. "Oh an' I almost forgot to tell ya, we've got someone special comin' ta visit!", Caldina announces. Ascot's heart skips a beat as his face turns beet red. "Umi!", he inquires with excitement. "Nah," Caldina replies utterly shattering all of Ascot's hopes and aspirations for the day in a single word, "Fuu's comin' for a visit. She wants to see her honey bunny Ferio." "Oh," Ascot comments disappointed, but quickly changes his tone to a more cheerful one, "that's good to hear then Caldina." "Well, that's all I wanted to tell ya, so hurry up an' get dressed. I don't reckon Fuu wants to see Ascot in his lil heart shaped boxers.", Caldina teases then finally leaves the room. "Oh great...just what I needed to make this day perfect, Caldina seeing me in my boxers. Stupid bed. Now everyone in all of Cephiro is going to find out what I sleep in."
While Ascot dresses into his usual and recognizable costume complaining about Caldina, the energetic Caldina prances down the hall giggle to herself. "Of course, what I didn't mention was that lil Miss Umi is comin' over to visit too.", she speaks to herself. "Are you pestering that poor boy again?", a familiar voice asks. "Lafarga!", Caldina squeels gleefully glompy the tall and muscular swordsman. Lafarga shakes his head. "Now what makes you think that? I was jus' makin' sure he gets up. Sides, ya can't really call him a boy if he's taller than me.", Caldina retorts twirling a finger lovingly across his chest plate. "Oh, but it's alright for you to treat him like a little kid though?", Lafarga teases. "Of course!", Caldina replies with a wink. "Did you tell him that Fuu and Umi are suppose to come and visit today?", the handsome knight questions his beloved. "I told him about Fuu comin' an' all, but I decided that it'll be best if Umi's comin' be a surprise."
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Caldina?", Lafarga wonders. "Course it is! He'll be soooooo happy to see her! I can jus imagine already the look on his face when he sees that beautiful blue haired missy. Why we outta take a film of it an' have Fuu develop the camera.", Caldina giggles. "You would do something like that, now wouldn't you. Caldina, you're going to scar Ascot for life like that.", Lafarga warns. "Nah, he'll get over, jus like when I came in an saw 'em in his lil heart covered boxers.", Caldina insists giggling. "Oh no...you didn't, did you? You're not going to tell EVERYONE what he wears, are you?" "Nah, now what makes you think I'll do a thang like that?", Caldina replies innocently. Lafarga gives her a stern look. "Come on, now sugar, ya don't haveta worry 'bout me tellin' nobody. Now why would I wanna tell everyone what kind of undies lil Ascot wears? Ya don't haveta worry 'bout me spreadin' it around. But you best keep your mouth quite 'bout, cause Ascot'll be mighty embarressed if anyone, 'specially Umi, finds out about it, you hear?", Caldina insists.
Elsewhere, Master Mage (or Guru) Clef comes across the tall, dark, and handsome Lantis. "Ah, good morning Lantis.", Clef greets. "Good morning to you as well, Master Mage Clef.", Lantis replies. "Where are you off to this early? Don't you know that Umi and Fuu are suppose to come and visit?", Clef inquires. "Yes, Hikaru told me. However, I've already made plans for the morning. I will return later this afternoon, so if they are still hear I'll be sure to greet them.", Lantis informs. "Ah, I see. So is Hikaru coming to visit as well?", Clef wonders. "Ah, not exactly, but she might drop by to see all of her friends though.", Lantis answers. "I see, so you have a romantic day planned for you and Hikaru then?", Clef teases the dark magical swordsman. Lantis coughs in embarressment. "Master Mage! You should know I have nothing of the sort planned. Hikaru and I are having a simple picnic together today. Hikaru and I aren't like that. It's entirely platonic.", Lantis asserts. Clef smiles as he gives a hearty laugh. "With that girl, everything is platonic.", Clef notes.
"I better get going, I don't want to be late.", Lantis excuses himself. "Very well then. Oh, and be sure to say hello to Hikaru for me.", Clef requests. "I will.", Lantis replies setting off down the corridor. His solemn footsteps silently move across the floor in formal military fashion. "Oh hi ya Lantis! Now where ya offta (off to, man I'm really doubting my ability to spell Southern colloquialims) dearie?" Lantis grabs the side of his head with one hand while extending his other arm in a stop sign towards Caldina. "I'm not Lafarga.", Lantis states simply, indicating clearly with his tone that he doesn't want to be glomped or touched. "Ah, you're no fun! Why do ya haveta be such a fuddy duddy? Sides, I can't jus huggle on ya cause I don't wanna make lil miss Hikaru jealous.", Caldina states coming closer liker a lion moving in for the kill. "Now if you will excuse me, I have somewhere to be.", Lantis informs as he continues to walk down the long hallway. Caldina quickly snatches up the tall and dark man's arms, holding him back. "Ya never answered my question!", Caldina pouts. Lantis turns his head slightly towards Caldina, his cold glare burning a hole in her very core. Immediately, Caldina lets go and leaves him to continue on his way, while muttering to herself about how antisocial and dreary he is.
"Hey, Master Mage Clef! Just the person I wanted to see first..." (Uh-oh! Who could this be! You'll have to wait for the next chapter to find out!)