May 27th, The Destiny's Bounty, 4:30pm
The days when I used to mop floors in a rickety old restaurant seem so distant now, despite it only being two years ago. Meeting Lilly, losing Luo, discovering my powers...it all seems like it happened thirty years ago. Even losing my mother feels like centuries ago, but that doesn't mean the pain doesn't still stab at me like a fresh wound. In fact, everything that feels distant feels new...if that makes sense at all. Maybe it's just because I'm 20 now, and feeling like an actual adult. It's something alright.
I was surprised by how fast my birthday, May 5th, came and went, though it wasn't forgettable. I was busy with everything that day, whether it be watching the Kodomo no Hi festivities happen in the City below from the deck, listening to Cole tell the history of a holiday he celebrates on that day, Cinco de Mayo, and everything about the area of Puebla in an old country named Mexico, or just anticipating the gifts and surprises I'd get. I wasn't disappointed at all with my birthday gifts (because I got a motorbike. Pretty sweet, right!?). The only thing that disappointed me was that I couldn't get a second piece of my birthday cake because Cass and Cole had taken the last of it. I'm not going to complain though, I do know how to bake a cake for myself.
Since the defeat of Nadakhan, I've been able to make up with my father and managed to keep what's left of my sanity, despite the media stalking our every move. The Voice still talks to me and points out the most unsavory things about my teammates, but for the first time in my life I'm not ignoring it. I feel like it's trying to warn me of something. Even if it disguises itself as my mother's voice, I still feel like it could be trustworthy. There has to be a reason why it's there, right? It wouldn't be put there just to go "Hey, you look like that one weird anime ninja,", would it?
Though, despite all this, I still feel as though my days are perfectly normal now. The uncomfortableness of being within the celebrity spotlight has been an everyday thing now, though I'm extremely uncomfortable with those who try to leak our personal things on the internet. Why can't I just live securely? Why do I have to worry about my phone number being given to millions of this country's citizens? Just let me live in peace for god's sake!
But what am I saying? My life will always be some sort of chaotic mess. I mean, look at me now, someone's talking to me in my head, I'm scheduled to go on a double date with Ashley and Nya with Lloyd despite what I've done, and I'm sure something's going to go absolutely wrong within the next few weeks. There's never any rest for us, and I'm getting tired of it all! When will I get my vacation!? When can I just be calm!?
Now I sit here in my room, staring at my neutral expression in the mirror as I tie my hair into a neat bun, the gold pearl bracelet on my wrist tapping my head every now and then. I have thirty minutes until Lloyd and I are supposed to meet Ashley and Nya at some restaurant I don't know, and honestly I still feel like I'm not ready enough. Even if the deep pink eyeshadow that dusts my eyelids is finished, it doesn't feel ready enough. The glittering, gold hairpins I use to hold the bun in place don't feel snug enough. The pastel dress I sit in now doesn't feel tight enough, and just overall I don't feel ready. I actually think I look like a beautified trainwreck.
Either way, I don't understand why I'm fancying myself up like this. I'm not trying to impress anyone, even though the thought of impressing Lloyd is nice. We're just supposed to be friends, and I want to keep it that way until he's like, 19, or something. Though, I guess Ashley and Nya think I shouldn't, considering their excuse for asking us (They said Lilly didn't want to go out, which is BS because she knows that place serves ice cream and she sure as hell would be going if she knew.)
I think I'll call the way I look now "cancy" or "fasual". You know, a fusion of fancy and casual. I look plain enough to not look like a princess but I look fancy enough to get into a high-class restaurant. It's perfect enough to impress anyone, but I'd rather impress myself. I want to look good for me, because I'm cute as hell...most of the time. That's my opinion though. I'm not going to be like Kai and flaunt my personal opinion about myself though. Arrogance would be my downfall.
As I steadied the bun on my head, a gentle knock on the door broke the silence in my room. "Hey, it's me," I heard Lloyd on the other side, "We have about fifteen minutes, are you ready?"
"Yeah, hold on a sec," I replied, slipping my small feet into a pair of black flats. There was no way I'm going to this in what Ruby calls "lady stilts". I've had about enough with heels. I'm afraid I would sprain my ankle if I went out in those now. I patted at my head absentmindedly, missing the silk, magenta bow that used to tie my hair into place. Someone better remind me to curse Nadafugly for eternity. I don't care how ripped and beat up it was, I loved it. It was a gift that was personal to me.
I quickly opened the door, meeting a slightly formally dressed Lloyd. He wasn't suit-n'-tie formal, but it was at least "cancy" to compliment my look. Though, his white-blond hair began to stray from where it was brushed, wisps of hair hanging over his face. His cheeks were as pink as my dress though, as his irises changed colors between blinks.
"A-Are you ready to go?" he asked, stuttering. I smiled, nodding.
"As long as you're ready. I just can't wait to see the breadsticks," I replied, walking out of my room. Lloyd nodded, chuckling.
"Wasn't it last time that you shoved a whole bunch of breadsticks into your shirt and tried to run out?" he asked. I blushed in embarrassment.
"I just thought if I shoved them in my shirt they wouldn't question it," I admitted, recalling it all. I remember having to pull breadsticks out of both my shirt and bra. To say the least, it was one of the most awkward and embarrassing moments of my life. It's even worse than that time I was caught singing a cartoon theme in the locker rooms at school in 6th grade. I really hope all my teammates on the track team have forgotten my weirdness. I wonder what they think of me now actually. Surely they must see me on the TV sometimes. Are they proud, jealous, or disappointed?
"Do you wanna take our dragons...or your motorbike?" Lloyd asked me as we walked outside, ignoring a mocking whistle from Hunter, who had passed us earlier. I wouldn't dare take my bike in a dress.
"I'd burn my legs if I took my motorbike. Let's just take our dragons," I answered him, summoning my dragon instantly. Though, what perplexed me is that when my dragon appeared, it's eyes were a smoky black instead of a mix of magenta and lavender. I stared at it for a moment before shaking my head and mounting the dragon, being careful to not lose my flats. Once I saw that Lloyd was ready, we headed out, my nerves on edge for how this was going to go.
Ninjago City, 5:00pm
I anxiously crossed my legs at the table where we sat as we waited for Ashley and Nya to arrive, the occasional stares of those around us making me want to just become invisible. Some pointed out that we were obviously the pink and green ninja, while some thought we were just some young couple on a date. Either way, I felt as though I should be anywhere but here. It's just as bad as those kids in high school who would be nice to you while discreetly making fun of you. Both make me want to teleport to some far off beach island. I'd love to have Alex's powers right about now.
"You don't think there will be rumors in that stupid teen magazine, do you?" Lloyd whispered to me, noticing a few of the stares as I dug my nails into the cotton tablecloth.
"If someone gets a picture then the tabloids and teen magazines will be all over it," I whispered back, tucking a stray lock of hair behind my ear. I didn't fix my hair very well after the trip here. I should have just gotten a car.
"What can we do to stop it then?" Lloyd asked nervously. I shrugged.
"Nothing we can do. No one will believe it anyway. Reminder these magazines are the ones that believed all the Asian members of our team were related or some crap," I told him. I'm still bitter about that, because that was utter BS. The only reason why they thought that was because of race, and I'm still disgusted. 80% of Ninjago's population isn't even white anyways!
"I wouldn't have been surprised if they just thought Lilly and I were secretly related somehow," Lloyd took a sip from his glass of grape juice.
"Hey, she has successfully crossdressed as you before," I reminded him, giggling at the memory. The media was so confused and it was great! Now the tabloids think we're hiding a Lloyd clone even though it was clearly Lilly due to her darker skin tone. Well, people never could tell Clark Kent from Superman or Marinette Cheng from Ladybug after all. That was just using a mask though.
"Hey nerds!" I heard a familiar voice greet us suddenly. I then looked up to see Ashley and Nya standing by the table, Ashley wearing a sleeveless blue sundress while Nya wore a red and gold sleeveless jumpsuit. They both looked absolutely stunning. I almost envied their looks.
"Did the waitress ask for your autograph yet?" Nya asked Lloyd as they sat down. He shook his head, chuckling.
"We actually haven't had a waiter or waitress come by yet. I think they're scared to approach me," he told them, crossing his legs like I had done. Nya and Ashley giggled.
"Why? Lloyd, you're friendlier than anyone I've ever known," the master of water refused to whisper, making me nervous as they spoke. The tabloids will surely know we were here now.
Lloyd rubbed his neck, his cheeks pink again. "The magazines don't seem to think so. They think I'm some sort of possessive guy like those guys in romance movies. They also think many other wrong things about me."
The boy's cheeks grew a darker shade of pink with the last statement. I didn't even want to ask what they said, because it was guaranteed I'd hear about all these "rumored scandals" I don't want to hear about. I paused to take a drink as Ashley's eyebrows raised, then lowered. "Are they the people who pressured you guys into making a shirtless calendar?" she asked.
I inhaled so sharply in surprise I choked on my soda and an ice cube, causing me cough and gag like a dying man. Ashley snorted as Lloyd panicked. He reached out to help me but I waved him away, finally spitting the ice cube out. That's the last time I try to eat ice cubes during discussions like this. Though, I don't ever recall any of us doing a shirtless calendar! When did that happen!?
"I'm guessing Kyary over here may like the idea of that," Ashley giggled, as Nya raised an eyebrow.
"Did they really do that?" she asked. I didn't hear the answer as Lloyd handed me my napkin, asking me if I was okay. I nodded, looking for any stains on my dress. I was lucky to not have any.
"I'm upset they haven't even asked you ladies to do anything except pose for magazines. Why can't you all do PSAs and make cameos in movies?" Ashley asked, pulling her soda can out of her purse. I guess no one is utilizing the glasses this restaurant has that comes complimentary with their "bring your own drink" promotion. Maybe I'm being too classy. I don't know.
"So, uh, change of subject...how are you all doing?" I spoke up, not wanting to talk further on this subject. I'm afraid I'd I have to pull my Ace Card if it escalates.
"I'm doing great," Nya smiled, "I just heard Dogshank got a job as a model for hair and that a scientist is working on a serum to reverse her reptilian features. It's put me in a good mood all day."
I honestly never saw what Nya saw in that woman, but I'm not going to judge. Some see things that others don't. "I've been okay," Ashley sighed, "The cheer team for my college is in a bit of a struggle because of low participation. I'm sure I can fix it though. I know more people will join. It doesn't even have to be just girls!"
"I hope everything gets better for you," Lloyd frowned sympathetically. Ashley nodded.
"I hope so too. I really don't want them to choose another team," she said, taking a sip of her soda. "But it's almost as if the coach of the other team is brainwashing the college to choose them. It's so odd."
Sounds a lot like what your current team is doing to you, doesn't it Seiko? the voice whispered to me. I couldn't help but partly agree. It's all I've seen. Everyone's true selves have slowly been becoming much more evident in my eyes, and now I'm starting to wonder if I can even trust them anymore. Even with his failing health I've questioned Sensei Wu's actions. He's been so sneaky and so suspicious I've wondered if he's just brainwashing the whole team. He seems to have brainwashed Misako well.
"Karma, did you hear me?" the sound of Nya's voice broke me out of my thoughts. I looked up from the tablecloth, spotting an old waiter standing next to the table. Spotting a menu, I quickly picked it up and fumbled with it, looking for anything with pasta and/or cabbage. Wasting no time, I ordered spaghetti, seeing the old man smile. He placed his notepad in the red handkerchief tied around his neck before walking off. I can't believe I was so zoned out I ignored the waiter. This has to be one of my rudest moments on record. Oh, how embarrassing!
As the date carried on, I couldn't help but find myself becoming bored. Even when my food arrived I felt no excitement. Was it because the voice kept revealing the deceit of my friends as we all talked? I'm not sure, but I'm suddenly feeling distant from the people I sit with. It's as if they all are in a different country.
I tried to eat my food, but it only ended up tasting wrong as I thought further on what all had happened in the past month. I couldn't help but question the past words Lloyd had said to me about maintaining peace instead of getting revenge. I questioned Lilly's words about forgiveness. Something just didn't settle right with me. Something with Sensei Wu prohibiting the Dark Arts just wasn't right with me.
Don't some people deserve to be killed for their actions? Don't they deserve no forgiveness whatsoever? What's so wrong with using something used for evil? As long as I'm not killing people with it I'm fine! There's nothing wrong with it!
I could barely hear my friends as we finished dinner and walked out of the restaurant. Through, as I was the last to step out, I felt someone gently tug my skirt. Calling a "Wait up!" to my friends, I turned to find that a girl about my age tugged on it, her eyes seeming familiar for a moment. Despite the lower light of dusk, I could see that she had short, red hair and purple eyes. Her skin was pale and she was skinny. She wore a dark purple dress and just black tennis shoes. She must have been kicked out for looking too plain.
"C-Could I talk to you?" her voice shook as she talk, her expression in distress. I wanted to say no, as I thought she were some sort of secret mugger, but something in my mind told me she was in dire need of help. I nodded hesitantly, following her by the alley as my friends waited. Her eyes still seemed weird to me, and the fact that a small scar was peeking out from beneath her long sleeves made it even more odd. I shook it off though. Everyone has scars, right?
"I-I'm sorry if I'm scaring you, but I needed to ask a question," she stuttered, leaning against the wall and poking her fingers together.
"Okay, go on," I told her, listening. The girl hesitated for a moment.
"A...voice in my head has been telling me t...to recruit the other people it talked to and it told me you...were one of the people I had to team up with," she told me. I began to notice that she had dark circles under her eyes and that she looked quite tired despite looking stressed as well. I wanted to decline, thinking she was hyped on drugs or something.
She's not lying, the voice admitted, I've declined to say anything though as you always ignore me. I sighed, looking at the girl. She looked even more nervous now despite her tired eyes. Their purple color still haunted me though. Should I? I don't even know who she is, but this voice has faith in her. Perhaps this disembodied voice knows she's okay?
"It's alright if you don't want to join..." the girl told me, poking her fingers together again. I shook my head.
"No, I will join you. You really look like you need help anyways," I accepted. Her face lit up immediately, her nervous frown becoming a relieved smile. What's so wrong with helping a poor soul like this? We can't assume everyone is a knife-wielding mugger. Besides, it's time I started listening to my head.
"G-Great! Could we meet here again tomorrow? I can try and bring the others," the girl said, to which I nodded. She looked genuinely excited. "I can't believe I actually talked to a celebrity!"
I watched her run off and wave excitedly in the other direction as I went to regroup with my friends. Even though the meeting was quite odd, I couldn't help but have good feelings about this girl. Perhaps she can tell me more about the voice and where it came from. Maybe now I can finally get an answer for my month-long question: Is my team really untrustworthy?