Guten Tag again. If you're new to my stories, then welcome new friend! If not, then you must know how much I've missed you! Anyways, if there are any mistranslations, please let me know and I will fix them. (This was written in German). I've really been trying to make this one all pretty. Reviews are also appreciated if you feel up to it.
So this is clear, this story is AU & VASESHIPPING.
Prologue: Three Years Ago…
When they said it was going to be the biggest thing since heliocentricity, they weren't kidding. It seemed like every news paper, TV station, and professor had crammed into the ballroom. Most of them, as Mana had suspected, probably weren't on the guest list. Yet even her, sporting a one-shoulder Lycra dress blazing with sequins, could go seemingly unnoticed with all the camera flashes and modern artwork. But that was strangely comforting to her. She could dress as flashy as she pleased, and still no one would notice her enough to be concerned about the amount of times she's swiped a wine glass from one of the caterers. If anyone so much as cared to dwell on it, they'd probably assume she was just another sponsor or the wife of one of the diggers. To her continuous surprise, people seem to forget that the man they all came to celebrate and photograph was actually her father; Dr. Aaron Redford himself. But, then again, compared to the lavish party and the greatest archeological discovery in years, it probably wasn't that important.
Mana stood towards the edge of the room, minding to keep within an arm's reach of the doors to the veranda. It was the easiest escape route that the hotel offered. For as long as she could remember, Mana had always hated these parties. There were always strangers' hands to shake, photos to smile for, champagne toasts that sounded more like they came out of an old war movie. And worry. Yes, there was a great excess of that. She knew thinking about work at a time where she should be having fun wasn't healthy, but forgetting about the loads of paperwork and how her partner was fairing without her hardly came easy.
"I hope Tea remembered to take the African masks out of storage," Mana pressed against her thoughts, "they can't stay down there for much longer. Oh! And she needs to turn on the humidifier in Hall C3. I remembered to tell her that before I left, right?"
More than being work-sick, though, was the dread in knowing that the whole family was invited to these things. If she was lucky enough, a few of the more disliked relatives wouldn't be able to make it or their flights were delayed. But this time it wasn't just another one of her parent's book-release parties or even an exhibit opening celebration. This was the real deal. The big shebang. And Mana knew all too well that unless they were dying, everyone was going to show up to celebrate her father's uncovering of an ancient Mayan temple and the six mummies found within.
It wasn't that she wasn't proud of her father- that would be too far a stretch for anyone to suspect- but it was more about the feelings that she'd kept inside for too long. That alone would weigh her down, and even drain the sparkle from her dress. Perhaps another shot of sambuca or tequila would fix that. The whole night, she had only spotted her father once. He was being herded around faces all trying to congratulate him in more languages than she could count. Her mother, too, could hardly sample the hors d'oeuvres without someone chomping away at how proud or relieved she must be. Mana knew coming across one of her aunts or cousins was inevitable, but for now she'd just wait for the crowd to thicken before she made any moves. How she hoped another tray of drinks was coming her way.
"Wow, look what finally crawled out of the museum storage room." a hand reached around her waist, guiding her in one rough tug out into the night. "Don't you explode in the light, little Maya?"
Mana didn't need to turn around to recognize her captor. No one called her "Maya" but her older brother. Because, once upon a time, Mana was one letter away from being named Maya. Her parents were so in love with Mesoamerican history that they even named her brother Teo after the ancient city of Teotihuacan. But their mother decided against Maya at the last moment for reasons she had yet to explain.
"Almost the same could be said for you, Teo." she scoffed. "And look! You're fully clothed. Now you're a little less Cro-Magnon; and what an improvement it is. I didn't even think you owned a shirt."
"Oh ha-ha. Look, my abs have feelings, and they don't appreciate being hidden from the world. What can I say?"
"Hopefully nothing." she joked. She pushed away from her brother playfully, but only she knew that it had a hint of envy in it. Teo smelt of money and some expensive body wash that she had to pull away from. Or those feelings from deep within…
The old duo stepped further away from the glamorous entanglements of colognes and chatter. They took to the steps leading down into the gardens where Mana was relieved by how well her high-heels were behaving. Not a word needed to pass between them as they went- neither of them could stand being in that place for much longer. It was that way for a lot of situations. Although their personalities were complete parallels, somehow their minds managed to race along the same track. People used to confuse them for twins. And it was plausible, excluding the fact that he was six years her senior. The jade eyes she saw in the mirror each morning were the same ones glinting beneath her brother's brows. Her caramel skin was just the extra fabric from the skin that fastened around her brother's sand-dunes of muscle. And even that raggedy gathering of hair on his head and the stubble exploring his jaw bone could, in some way, compare to the radiant bundle tied behind her head.
"Mana-Maya. Reina de las colinas. Que se ve el mundo alla arriba?" Teo's deep voice cut the notes of an already ugly tune. That sing-song taunt used to annoy her more than anything when they were little. Even now it managed to nibble on her nerves, not to mention the lack of talent her brother had in singing it.
Mana-Maya. Queen of the hills. What does the world look like up there?
"That old song again? Ugh, you're so lucky I've had a few drinks tonight. Otherwise I'd have to recall every bit of trouble that tune gave me and shove my foot straight up your muscular ass."
Teo chuckled at that, never failing to find comfort in the familiarity of Mana's threats. Of course, he never expected her to follow through on them, but imagining her frail, tiny body drop kicking his mountainous self was plenty amusing. The squirrel fending off a wolf. It had always been like that; Mana, always the smaller of the two, trying so hard to be big and bad like her brother. Teo could always feel the fire in his sister, sometimes burned by it too. Yet on that night, there was a dusty feeling at her side. Thinking about the childhood memories that had been buried beneath their adult lives brought back an intimacy he didn't know was absent. He hadn't left Hollywood in years- centuries from the feel of it. But when was it ever so cold around his sister? When, he thought hard, had the fire died in Mana? He tried to link her indifference to all the empty glasses she left on the trays of caterers. But that only added more to the puzzle. Mana hardly ever drank more than a glass of wine, and hard-liquor was out of her league.
He stopped walking suddenly. Mana kept on a few more paces until she could feel the invisible cord linking them tug hard on her heart. A silence swept through on the breath of Mexico's warm, night air. The party was nothing but rumbles of undertones from where they stood, like thunder off in the distance. The stench of aristocracy and publicity was overpowered by fruits and the floral décor that ensnared them from all around. They had made their way deep into the gardens, past the parking lot, and so close to the surrounding nowhere that Mana was forced to check over her shoulders a couple of times.
"Teo?" she pardoned, as if sensing the contemplation her brother stirred. "What's wrong?"
It took him a few moments more to summon a reply worthy of the suspense.
"I should be asking you that, Mana." he spoke. The fact that he'd said her actual name was proof enough that this wasn't his usual banter. It brought Mana's gaze completely on him, and thirsting for an explanation as she had with her artifacts and her unfinished notes in the basement of her museum.
A cocked eyebrow and a glare was all the reply she could muster without starting an argument. Getting into a conversation about her downward spiral and lack of family interaction was beyond her at that point. Especially on a night where she knew having to talk to her family was already a fate beyond her control.
"Ok, I know I haven't exactly been the best brother, or son, or grandson, or nephew, or whatever. Believe me, I'm not a exactly a 'close-happy-family' guy myself. And sure I haven't been around all that much. You can beat up for that if you want. But," he sighed, not knowing any better way to say what he had to say, "what are you doing with yourself, Mana?"
No beverage was going to make her forget that. That had been the very question she'd been asking herself for years, the very question she was trying to avoid answering on that night. His words plunged deep into her gut and then bounced back more bitterly than she would have liked.
"What am I doing with myself? What the hell do you mean 'what are you doing with yourself'?"
"You know what I mean. I get that you don't like these parties. I don't either! But every-single-time-" he pounded a fist into his palm as he spoke, "I come out for one of these things, you're either MIA or drunk past your ass. And I don't know if you're just doing this for attention, but you have mine now. So here's your chance. What's up? What's going on? Tell me."
"Are you kidding me with this? 'Every time you come out for one of these things'. Yeah, ok, when? When was the last time your ass left California other than to work on set or something? Hm?"
"You know what? That's so strange, 'cause I was totally just thinking about asking you when the last time your ass left the museum? You know if I could be here for mom and dad more often, I would. I would be here for them, for gramps, for anyone in our family. But you don't know how it is in Hollywood, Mana. You really fuckin' don't. Movies have to come out at a certain time, I have to work with the actors for months teaching them the fighting styles and sequences and use of weapons. It's not like I can just fly out at anytime to celebrate every goddamn thing. But, hell, I would drop everything to come out and celebrate one of your successes- if you actually had any!"
"I will not get drawn in to another one of these arguments, Teo! I won't! We're supposed to be here for father, not counseling!"
He locked his place on the ground, making sure Mana knew she wasn't going anywhere.
"Well we're not in there for father, are we? We're out here because of our problems and our feelings. Neither of us want to mingle with the rest of our family. You more than me. I already made my rounds; talked to aunt Cecile, chit-chatted with the twins, even got sucked into another one of gramp's monologues about his adventures in the Carpathians. Yet they all asked me the same thing: have I seen Mana? And then I find you; avoiding the family like you do your problems, your growing drinking habit, and now this conversation."
Mana could do nothing but howl in frustration. Years of arguing with her brother- whether over toys, riding in the front seat of the car, or who got to eat the last cookie- had made her well adapted to a life in his shadow. He had always been taller, faster, braver, and stronger. She could try to outwit him, but Teo was not as ignorant as she liked to believe. They were raised by two of the most prestigious archeologists after all. Much of their life was lived in the family-owned museum, which Mana had never seemed to grow out of. And as much as she bayed and swore, she couldn't deny the truth swirling around the alcohol in her stomach. Her brother was right, although she'd never let him win.
"Ugh! You are so infuriating! I mean, who do you think you are, Teo?"
"I'm your brother. I may not be the best brother the world has ever seen, but I'm yours. And, honestly, it hurts that you think we're not close enough to tell when something is wrong."
"Nothing is wrong." she turned away from him. Almost childishly. But if it meant hiding the tears that were readying in her eyes, it was fine by her.
"And you believe that? Really believe that?"
Teo's stance went limp. His bouncer demeanor collapsed when a trembling sigh reached over Mana's shoulders. A few sniffles after that almost untied him completely. His sister never cried. He knew that. Mana was rock-solid on the outside. Sure, she was breezy, chipper, and hardly dull in both actions and conversations, but rock-solid nonetheless. Things hardly ever got under skin, she wasn't ever afraid of a challenge, or at least that's how she held herself. But she didn't cry. Didn't complain. She hated to dim a could-be merry moment with a sour attitude or hurt feelings, so she usually sucked it up and vented on her own time. Usually when she was down in the storage room, working on files or cleaning an item for display. Or even arranging the exhibits all throughout the museum to her creative authority. But she never cried. At least not in front of anyone.
"I'm sorry." he tried. "Mana, I didn't mean to get so nasty. It's just… well, you're a really smart person. Smarter than me, that's for sure. You're the only one I know who can catalogue amphorae jars, and speak twelve languages, and recite the Latin alphabet backwards without pausing, and do it all with the biggest smile on your face. Which is why I can't make myself believe that you could con yourself. Something is wrong, Mana. That something is why you're hiding from the rest of the family and turned away from me."
Her first instinct was to loathe him. Reject all forms of help from someone who had just done the impossible with her- reach down to the core of her emotions. Teo didn't expect Mana to say anything anyways. She would need time to seep in the reality of it all. What he didn't know was that Mana had had plenty of time for that. She thought about all the nights she spent late working in the storage room, though it was hardly necessary. Her desk was usually planted over with papers and tools, her desk lamp running so hot after a long day of use that it would burn at times. Pieces of a broken pot or slab that she would need to puzzle together would be scattered everywhere. Mana couldn't imagine one more night down there, alone, wondering and worrying anymore. So as her brother turned to rejoin the party, Mana swung around, tears soaring, and fell apart.
"I just want to be important!" she wailed. Teo came straight back to her, his eyes full of mercy. "Every time the whole family gets together, I can't help but feel so worthless. They all look down on me. I know they won't say it out loud, but I can see it in those looks when they glance between you and me. Everyone is out there exploring or digging or writing books or making movies. Mom and dad are famous! Maybe not 'Rihanna famous', but especially now that dad has made what could possibly be the biggest discovery ever, where do I rank? My name isn't on book covers or in movie credits or lodged in history books. I feel like I'm a big disappointment. Everyone is so proud of you, they have these big fiestas for mom and dad. Gramps talks on almost every documentary the History Channel airs! But me? Who is Mana Redford?"
Teo wished he had answers. He wished that as he pulled his sister close that he could say the words that would cheer her up. It wasn't like he could just go and beat up the bullies on the playground anymore. These problems couldn't be intimidated by his size and strength. They needed time, communication, and certainly a change. Just how he and Mana were going to come by all that was a little more pressing.
"But you are important." he started. "Mom and dad love you just the way you are, and trust me when I say they're proud of you. I get my ear chewed off all the time when mom calls me for the holidays; 'Oh, your sister is such a hard worker. I wish I could see you do that, young man.'" - he dishes out a high-pitched, nasally voice like their mother's- "They couldn't ask for a better Mana. I like you the way you are. Well, for the most part. You're little Maya, after all. Reina de las colinas."
That did put a smile on her face, although through the sticky sap of tears. Her eyes gave up crying, though, and that was a good enough start for her. She hated to cry. Loathed it even. She finally pulled slightly away, swiping the remains of sorrow from her face.
"My makeup is all gross now, isn't it?"
"Yup."
"Figured. I suppose we should head back now. I need to find a bathroom to redo all my eyeliner. This face is my money-maker, you know."
"No wonder you're broke." Teo teased.
She swung a heavy fist into his shoulder. Her body-building brother squeaked like a girl, but winked a smile when it was all over. Teo then offered his arm like a real gentlemen and nodded her over. Mana always imagined her brother's life in Hollywood would be something like James Bond's. A pretty lady hanging over his arm like a coat, parties all day, everyday, and a devilish smile. She could imagine that with how handsome Teo look in a suit, waiting for her to take his arm. And she did, trying to act just as classy as Teo did. They stuck their noses in the air, striding snobbishly back to the party and undecided as to whether they were being satirical or sardonic.
"So," Teo played up his best rich boy voice, "Queen of the hills, what is royalty doing all the way out here in Mexico?"
"I figured I could use a breather. It does get rather stuffy being around all my riches." she met his mockery at every turn.
"What does the world look like up there on your hill? I don't recall you ever letting me come up there and frolic with you."
Back in their old Colorado home, there was a hill in the backyard that Mana used to play on for hours. It was her place and no one else's. Except, of course, when she needed to summon an immediate military meeting of stuffed animals and Barbies. Teo used to get so mad when Mana wouldn't come down. To him, picking an evening of solitude on the hill over a game of soccer was practically criminal. He thought her haughty and rude, owning that hill like an unspoken monarch. So he teased her with a whole song, although nowadays it has faded like an artifact into his measly tune. Reina de las colinas.
"It looks like Egypt." she said.
"Egypt? Why Egypt?" the surprise, and almost disgust, couldn't be kept from his voice.
"I don't know, honestly. It just… feels like home."
Finally they broke character with a splashing of laughter.
It was like this: Everyone in the Redford family was an archeologist. Mostly Mesoamerican or Native American. If not an archeologist, then they were a museum curator, a pathologist, a geologist, paleontologist, anything that followed along that line. If they could work with mummies, artifacts, and have a chance to be interviewed for a documentary on the history channel, they probably did that. Mana came from a long line of pirates and treasure-hunters as far back as she was concerned. Teo even worked in the movie business- sort of- because he was a professional in ancient weapons and fighting techniques. He used to brag about working with actors and stunt doubles whenever he came out to Colorado for a visit. They've all grown up in this world, longing to belong to another, past one. It's in their blood.
But it was deeper than that for Mana. Much deeper. Every bit of history she could get her hands on was a wonder of its own kind. She could take part in telling a story that had long since been forgotten. Perhaps, as she had felt more times than she'd admit, her own story was there, ready to be dug up, pieced together, and shared with the world. She didn't just long to be from another time, she felt it. But it wasn't the way that her parents had felt a love for Mesoamerican history. That's what she did well to keep hidden from even Teo. There may be a disappointment from her family if she'd told that them her true love was in Egypt. And even that was truer than she knew.