Disclaimer- I do not own Dewprism (a.k.a Threads of Fate) or Mahou Sensei Negima!
Zazie Rainyday- The Unfortunate Marionette
Episode 1: That One Day Out of the Year
"BUZZZZZ!" "SLAM!" "buzzzz," "SLAM! SLAM! SLAM!" "uuuuuzzzz," "WHAM!" "……..zzz." "THAT'S IT!" a silver haired, slim figured, brown skinned young woman snapped as she shot out of her queen size bed and out from underneath her fluffy plush black comforter. Reaching in her black silk pajama pants she pulled out a small mallet and tapped in her palm glaring at her nearly destroyed automatic alarm clock, which already looked like it had been flattened by a steam roller, thrown out of a window, and then crushed by a jackhammer.
"Zazie you really should," the young girls well built hazel skinned roommate started looking into Zazie's golden brown eyes with a matching pair of her own as she raised her head out from under her navy blue comforter.
"I REALLY SHOULD WHAT MANA!?" Zazie snapped as the hand with the mallet started shaking violently and her short silver hair rising up slightly.
The hazel skinned beauty sat with a shocked expression on her face blinking a few times before she merely tossed her long black hair and looked at her bedside calendar. After running her finger down the dates to find the present day she simply nodded and grunted before saying, "Nothing, continue." With that said, Mana laid back down and closed her eyes, but not before grabbing some ear plugs in anticipation of the chaos that was soon to come.
"zzzz burt burt burrrrrr……….." was the last sound the alarm clock made as it slowly died and faded out of existence.
Zazie turned to face the clock with a shocked expression on her face before she gritted her teeth and yelled, "HEY I WASN'T FINISHED WITH YOU YET!" With that said she proceeded to pulverize what was left of the unfortunate device with her mallet.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"So are you going home to visit them?" Mana asked not looking up as she polished her M40A1 with one hand and flipped her omelet with the other as both girls sat in their kitchen dressed in their school uniforms.
Zazie grunted affirmatively as she took one last sip of her tea and grabbed her suitcase heading towards the door.
"I'll just tell Negi sensei you're sick, but what time do you expect to be back so I can inform the headmaster?" Mana said as she got up and put her gun in her glass case awaiting Zazie's response.
"I'll be back by tonight, there's no need for me to stay there more than a few hours, and Mana," Zazie stated as she opened the door but paused before exiting and said, "Thank you." Mana simply nodded in response as she locked the case and went to grab a plate from the cabinet. Zazie stepped out of the room and closed the door behind her before she headed down the hall way toward the stairs.
As she began walking down the hall Zazie saw the bubble gum pink haired Makie Sasaki come out of her room still dressed in her pajamas as she let out a loud yawn and stretched. As she finished stretching she turned to look down the hall, with eyes still full of sleep, and noticed Zazie standing a few feet away from the stairs with a suitcase in her hands. Just as she was about to ask Zazie where she was going she suddenly remembered the date and, with a shocked expression and wide eyes, quickly ran back into her room to hide.
"I must really be intimidating," Zazie said to herself with a shrug as she headed down the elegant staircase of the large dormitory and towards the grand doors that led to the outside world. As she stepped outside into the cool fall breeze she simply closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. After a moment she shook her head slowly, opened her eyes, and continued towards the bullet train station.
It was the perfect weather for a walk, but Zazie could careless. All she had on her mind was getting on the bullet train and heading for the airport. Even as beautiful leaves of all shades of reds, oranges, and yellows danced around her feet flowing like water with the powerful cool fall winds Zazie still remained oblivious. As she continued to walk she felt herself growing a little cold and stopped to open her suitcase in order to retrieve her red scarf, little did she know however that this would cause some serious complications in her plans.
"Zazie-san, what are you doing out here? Class is going to start soon," Negi-sensei said as he walked over towards the hunched over Zazie.
Zazie's eyes grew wide as she immediately jumped back and looked at her sensei regarding him with eyes full of surprise. "Negi-sensei! What are you doing out here at this time? Isn't your class about to start soon?" Zazie inquired as she reached behind herself and whipped out her scarf and immediately shut her suitcase.
"Well this is usually the time I get done training with Evangline-san, so I simply head to class from there after taking a shower there," Negi stated as he continued to eye Zazie quizzically, "But enough about me, is something wrong Zazie-san?"
Upon seeing the look of concern in her sensei's eyes Zazie could help but feel her cheeks flush for a moment before she shook her head and replied, "Please take up anything concerning my absence in today's class with the headmaster sensei." With that said Zazie swooped up her suit case, gave Negi a small polite bow, and briskly walked past him toward her destination.
"Well that was strange, and I think that's the most Zazie-san has ever spoken….period," Negi said to himself as he scratched his head with a look of puzzlement in his eyes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I don't even know why I do this to myself every year," Zazie complained to herself as she bought a plane ticket.
"Ah Zazie-chan it's so good to see you again!" beamed a brunette from behind the counter. She wore a typical airport attendee uniform with a gold name tag that read Lucil. He flowing brown hair was currently done up in a bun which allowed several males a better chance to view her stunning snow white skin, slender face, and pouty lips. When Zazie had first met the woman she couldn't help but to feel slightly jealous despite herself, but as she grew to know the woman year after year they became good friends and Zazie found her self not caring as much anymore.
"Let me guess the usual right?" the green eyed attendee stated as she printed out a ticket for Zazie and handed it to her with a broad smile on her face as she winked and said, "No charge on this one."
Zazie blushed at the woman's kindness before she took the ticket begrudgingly and retorted saying, "I could have paid for it you know, it's not like I don't have money."
The Lucil continued to smile and waved off Zazie's attitude saying, "I know sweetheart, but think of this as a late birthday present. Okay?"
Zazie simply looked at the woman with a out any emotion on her face before she gave the woman a small smile and replied, "Thank you Lucil-sempai." With that said the two women said their goodbyes and Zazie went to board her plane.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Zazie-chan, it's about time you arrived," stated a man who looked almost identical to Takamichi, aside from the fact that he had dark brown skin. Aside from his skin color the man wore an identical white suit with the same black dress shirt, the only thing missing being Takamichi's pink tie, and an identical pair of glasses. Zazie gazed at the man as she stepped out of the airport terminal, and slapped her forehead with her free hand as she looked at the large sign the man was hanging up and elaborate sign that read "!Marry Me Zazie-chan!"
"Deku!" Zazie growled as she dropped her suit case and ran up to the man and jump kicked the sign out of his hands. After that she proceeded to mash it underneath her feet and stomp it to oblivion.
"Awww, Zazie-chan I spent all night making that sign!" Deku whined as he watched Zazie pick up what remained of the sign and throw it in the garbage.
"Deku-kun, do you know how wrong it is for you to even think about me like that?" Zazie said as she stomped past him and snatched up her suitcase.
"Well considering you only complained this one day out of the year I figured it was okay, besides I'm only two thousand," Deku said with a shrug before he asked, "And you're like what sixteen, it's only a 1984 year age difference. On top of that, I recall there was a time I couldn't get you to leave me alone. I mean you even tried to follow me to the bathroom one time!" His last comment made Zazie blush wildly as she stomped past him towards the exit.
"Hey, you can give the rest of the world the silent treatment but I already know you," Deku called out as he slowly walked towards the exit as he whispered to himself, "In fact, up until you went to that Mahora Academy you had planned on marrying me anyway."
As Zazie threw her suitcase into the trunk of the limousine Deku walked out and proceeded to open the door for her. "Here you are madam, ladies first," Deku stated as he bowed waiting for Zazie to enter the vehical.
Zazie blushed wildly once again as she walked past him and entered the car. 'I suppose I can't really judge Asuna for liking older men,' Zazie thought as Deku walked around and entered on the other side.
"Would you like a drink?" Deku asked as he pulled out a bottle of Smirkoff Vodka and poured himself a glass, "It helps me ease the pain, might do the same for you."
Zazie stared as the man downed the contents of the large glass in one gulp before he let out of satisfied sigh. "You know I'm not old enough, and alcohol is the coward's way out in situations like these. I prefer to embrace my pain, instead of running from it," Zazie stated in a matter-of-fact tone as she turned and gazed out the window.
"Is that so Miss. Antisocial?" Deku questioned as he poured himself another glass, "Well I chose to drown my sorrows when the time comes, and to still embrace the life I have. Which some might consider better than trying to fight the pain and closing yourself off from the world." Upon finishing his statement he noticed Zazie flinched a bit, and immediately regretted what he had just said. "Look Zazie-chan I didn't mean it like that I just…" Deku started before he was cut off by Zazie holding up a hand.
Without turning to face him Zazie simply said, "Don't apologize when you're right, that makes me feel even worse."
"Zazie-chan," Deku whispered softly to himself as he stared at the young woman for a moment before taking the cap to the bottle and screwing it on tight. After he placed the bottle back in the fridge they both sat in silence the rest of the car ride.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You know it's just like I remember it," Deku commented solemnly as he and Zazie walked through the leaves that crunched nosily underneath their feet. Suddenly an ice cold gust of wind whipped through and caused Zazie to shiver as she wrapped her scarf tighter in an attempt to ward off some of the intense cold. Suddenly she felt something heavy weigh down on her shoulders and whipped her head around to see Deku trying to put his blazer around her.
"Here, you'll catch cold out in this kind of whether. I don't know what it's like in Japan right now, but here in East Heaven it's cold," Deku stated as he wrapped his blazer around Zazie's shoulders and pulled her closer to him so she could receive some of his warmth before he smirked and added, "On top of that, I don't think it's ever a good idea to wear a skirt when it's windy, too many things can go wrong."
Zazie blushed at Deku's touch and also as she recalled the many times girls either had their skirts fly up or lost their cloths due to strange powerful gusts of wind. For a while she had speculated that it might have been Negi-sensei's doing, and after the festival she had been proven correct. 'How right you are Deku, how right you are,' Zazie thought to herself as she continued to walk with Deku under the frozen cedar trees as they continued to walk down a forested path towards their goal.
After a few minutes they arrived at a large clearing surrounded by the rest of the woods. The area was decorated beautifully, with large fountains sporting various stone figures ranging from a man with wild hair wearing a grand suit of armor, a flowing cape, and a gem in the center of his forehead, to a young woman with long hair that as separated into two flowing pigtails who wore a large elegant dress. Next to the statue of the young man stood a statue of a young curvatious woman with short hair who wore a more a long elegant dress. Behind the figures were three headstones which Zazie and Deku slowly approached.
By the time that Zazie had reached the headstone in the center she was shaking violently as she bent down and wiped away some of the vines accumulating on it. "Hello father…..it' been a while," Zazie said her voice cracking as a small smirk graced her features and tears started flowing from her eyes as the once emotionless orbs were replaced by ones full of sorrow, "I hope it wont bore you, but I kinda want to tell you, mom, and aunty Mint what's been going on since I last saw you."
Deku recognized that the young woman need sometime alone so he carefully excused himself as he walked down another path. As he crunched through the autumn leaves Deku thought about the past and about all the things that had gone wrong in his long life as a doll of Valen. He knew how painful his life was without ever having had parents in his life, save Valen but her really didn't count in Deku's book, but at this point could only imagine what Zazie had been going through having lost her parents at such a young age. He knew what he felt when he had heard of the death of his comrades, but he was sure that it didn't even compare to Zazie's pain. Suddenly Deku came upon a small weather worn grave with a small blue and white stripped headband on it.
"It's been a while little brother. I don't know why they had to do you like this but I'll still come and visit you even if no one else cares, because I know it wasn't your fault. You never had any ill will toward any of us, you were simply inexperienced in Valen's ways," Deku stated as he brushed of the headband lightly and removed some of the growing vines and moss from it. "You know it took me a while to even get them to bury you properly, but I still wanted something grander for you. However the citizens of East Heaven wouldn't have it, prudes all of 'em if you ask me," Deku finished with a chuckle before he added, "You know Zazie's here, she should becoming to visit you shortly."
"I'm already here," Zazie stated as she stifled a sniffle and crouched down and rested her head on Deku's shoulder while wrapping his blazer tighter around herself. "Hi uncle Ruenis, it's been a while….I've really missed you too. I know I say this every year, but I still want you to know that I don't blame you for anything….okay?" Zazie asked as she planted her index and middle fingers on her soft lips and then pressed them on the headstone.
"I think he's always known Zazie-chan," Deku said pulling the young woman into a tight embrace before sighing tiredly and asking, "What do you say we go to the palace and have get something to eat. I don't know about you, but I think Princess Mint would be very upset if we let a feast in your honor go to waste. Plus your aunt Maya has been in a fuss since you haven't come to visit in a year."
Zazie simply nodded into Deku's shoulder before they both stood up saying one finally goodbye to Ruenis and heading to the place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"ZAZIE-CHAN!" a young woman wearing an elegant powder blue and white gown and a blue and white headdress yelled as she ran up and pulled the unfortunate Zazie into a bear hug. "HOW HAVE YOU BEEN, IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE I LAST SAWYOU!? HAVE YOU LEARNED HOW TO CONTROL YOUR POWER YET!? ARE YOU EATING ENOUGH!? WHY DO YOU HAVE THIS MAKE UP ON YOUR FACE!?" Maya continued on endlessly as both Zazie and Deku tuned her out.
'There's only one way to save her from this,' Deku thought as he reached in his pocket and fished out a carton of cigarettes. Lighting one he took a nice long drag on it before he blew the smoke out of his nose. Suddenly Maya's rant stopped abruptly as her face changed from one full of concern to one scrunched up in disgust. Whipping around she glared at Deku before she ran up and snatched the cigarette out of his mouth and stomped it into oblivion on the elegant red carpet beneath her feet.
"DEKU-SAN!" Maya started putting extra emphasis on the san, "WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT SMOKING? HOW UNBEFITTING OF AN ALLEGED GENTLEMAN! AND YOU DID IT WITH ZAZIE-CHAN PRESENT NO LESS!"
Deku simply shrugged as he motioned for Zazie to sit down and enjoy the meal while mouthing he would deal with the queen.
Zazie simply nodded and mouthed a silent thank you before she turned to face the banquet set out before her. Looking around the room as she sat down she took time to admire the Chinese style architecture that surrounded her. The red's, white's, and gold's of the room flowed seamlessly together and developed a regal essence that Zazie had felt nowhere else she had been. After taking time to let it all soak in she immediately dug in grabbing bits a pieces from several dishes, such as a portion the garden fresh fruit salad that tasted crisp and slightly refreshing as she allowed the juices and assorted flavors to dance on her tongue. She bypassed the pumpkin's citing that while they may be entertaining to play with or juggle, there was no way she was going to eat one. Maya had constantly said that she was like her aunt Mint in that regard, even though they weren't blood related and she wasn't nearly as bad as her sister who would often times faint at the sight of a pumpkin.
As Zazie finished pilling her plate with food Maya had stopped reprimanding Deku and they all sat down to eat. During the meal there was a little small talk made here and there, but a majority of the meal was eaten in silence…..that was until Maya let all hell loose.
"Well I've been thinking a lot lately, and I have determined that it is not appropriate for Zazie-chan to be leaving alone without a proper guardian," Maya started before she was cut off by a heavy sigh from Deku.
"Don't even think about it Maya, she likes Mahora so there's no way I'm going to let you transfer her back here. You got it?" Deku questioned as he stabbed his calamari with his fork and shoved it into his mouth indignantly.
Maya puffed out her cheeks and narrowed her brow before she said, "Well since you have no real authority it wouldn't matter if I did or not, but seeing how as that wasn't what I was going to say I'll let you go with a warning Deku-san."
Deku merely shrugged in response as he took his napkin and wiped the soy sauce from the corners of his mouth.
This only served to agitate Maya further and caused a vain to start throbbing in her forehead, but she immediately calmed down and gave Deku a wicked smirk. "Well like I was saying, I believe that you, Deku, should escort Zazie-chan back to Mahora Academy," Maya said as she daintily took a sip of her red whine.
Upon Maya finishing her statement both Zazie and Deku spit out their beverages and eyed Maya with eyes as wide as saucers and mouths hung agape. After a moment Zazie simply reverted back to her emotionless self, and left Deku to deal with it as she continued her meal in silence.
"Maya-sama you can't be serious can you!?" Deku started with his eyes still wide, "I mean it's an all girls school, they'll think I'm some type of sex offender!"
"Don't worry, I've already had them sign you on as an assiatant teacher to Zazie-chan's sensei Negi Springfield," Maya said as she took another sip of her wine before adding, "There is no discussion about it, you will be going back with Zazie-chan and that is final. So I suggest you pack your bags when you finish."
Deku opened his mouth as if to say something else, but immediately closed it again and scowled before he grabbed his bowl of rice and began furiously woofing it down.
"You know I don't see what the problem is, in fact I have arranged joint living quarters for the both of you," Maya started as both Zazie and Deku spit out the contents of their respective mouths and eyed Maya as if she was clinically insane. "I mean Zazie-chan loved you as a child, and even as a preteen if I recall correctly," Maya said before chuckling into her hand softly, "In fact as I recall she not only followed you everywhere, including trying to follow you into the bathroom, and she did say that she wanted to marry you when she was old enough."
Zazie and Deku blushed as red as tomatoes at Maya' last comment and both demurred while simply looking down at their plates.
"Well I'm off to bed!" Maya said happily, "I wish you both well, and have a safe trip back! OH! Before I forget, Zazie-chan Deku will be also instructing you on how to use the power of the Dewprism." With that said Maya waved goodbye to the gawking pair as she left the banquet hall and headed towards her bed room.
"That woman," Deku started.
"Is insane," Zazie finished
To Be Continued
Next Episode: Meet Assistant Sensei Deku Chiyuu!
Author's Note- Well what do you guys think about my new fic? I know, it doesn't seem quite as good as Bloodlines might have, but I think it could be interesting. Anyway, as far as my other stories, such as Tenchi Muyo! Hayabusa or Keitaro the Turk unless there are specific request to finish those, I might scrap them and work solely on this one. Well tell me what you think! AS ALWAYS, PLEASE REVIEW :D
P.S.- I know that Zazie seems a bit out of character, but since she's never really in the show or mangas I think I should have a little freedom. However, I will keep the interactions with other students similar to both the manga and the show in later chapters.