A/N: Chapter 2 coming at you! Boy, is this one late. I usually get these chapters up faster than this. Oh, well! It's here now so enjoy and let me know how I'm doin' yeah?
At dismissal, Cierra was back in her messy blonde bun. Butters shuffled awkwardly to keep up with her as she rushed down the steps. Stan and Kyle were walking at a slower pace and discussing their plans for the contest. Kenny soon joined them but Cartman pushed past all three of them to catch up to Cierra and Butters.
Cierra was staring at her smartphone, looking over a large checklist.
"Okay, Butters," she began, "We're gonna have to go to my place and pick up all my supplies; The deadline for the contest is coming fast and we've got a LOT of time to make up for."
"Right," Butters nodded.
Cartman caught up to the two blonds and addressed Cierra.
"So, cuz," he said, "I was thinking we go with a series of my best photographs," he made a frame rectangle with his fingers, "but use them to tell a wordless story," he said dramatically. "You know a spin on the idea of a 'picture book'. What'dya think?"
Cierra didn't respond, still heavily engrossed in her conversation with Butters.
"Do you think your dad'll mind if come over for the next few days?" she asked. "We still have a lot of work to do for the dress."
Cartman's eyes narrowed and he sported a frown. "Uh, cuz? I'm pitching ideas to you," he said irritably, "For the contest? The one we're entering?" he gestured to himself and Cierra. "To win my tickets to the Comic Con?"
"I'm sure he wouldn't mind," Butters responded, "As long as we still do our homework and stuff."
"Damn it! Homework!" Cierra said with gritted teeth, "We'll both just have to get it done quickly. We can't make a masterpiece overnight!"
"Umm, hello?!" Cartman waved his hand between Cierra and her smartphone screen. "Cuz, I'm talkin' to you!"
"Sounds great, whatever," Cierra said dismissively, still staring at her checklist. She looked to Butters and declared, "Come on, Butters; we gotta get to the hotel-Now!"
They both walked off, completely unaware of Cartman's disbelieving stare following them.
"Ugh!" he sputtered. "Stupid, fucking dresses," he grumbled. He sneered and turned back to his three friends.
"So, we'll start after dinner," said Kyle, "Brainstorming session?"
Stan nodded.
"Can you believe that bitch cousin of mine?!" Cartman groaned. "Who's gonna help me with my entry now?!"
Stan and Kyle looked to each other.
"I thought you and Kenny were gonna work together," said Stan.
"Kenny?!" Cartman squeaked. "You're kidding, right? He's poor as shit! He's got no sense of artistry! He can't even afford a pencil!"
"Hey!" Kenny mumbled in protest.
"Hey nothin'! You're not getting a free ride on my artistic talent, Kenny!" Cartman said. "Fuck! that!"
"Well, Stan and I are already working together," said Kyle, "And if you need help Cartman and Cierra's not available-"
"No. Fucking. Way." Cartman repeated. "I'll get her to help me, eventually. And I'll win the visual arts category." Cartman said confidently. "Kenny isn't even worthy to lug my equipment around."
"Man, fuck you," Kenny gave Cartman the finger. "I'll do my own entry and win tickets for myself."
"How about if you win the tickets, you sell the extra ones?" Cartman suggested. "You and your family can have frosted Poptarts for dinner. Ahh!" he gasped in a mock dramatic tone, "Or maybe even Toaster Strudel!"
"Up yours, fatass!" her mumbled angrily as he walked away.
"Fuck you, Kenny!" Cartman shouted after him. "Now, where'd my two bitches go?" he mumbled to himself.
Butters and Cierra arrived at the Ichiban Hotel in record time. They approached the front door but Butters hesitated making Cierra turn back towards him.
"Come on, Butters; we gotta go!" Butters wore a worried frown and Cierra returned it. "What's the matter?" she asked in a concerned tone.
"Umm…" he rubbed the back of his head and leaned closer to Cierra. "I'm still banned from the hotel, remember?" he said
"Oh, yeah," Cierra said flatly as she remembered. "Hmm…" she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Okay, I'll go in, get as much of my supplies as I can," she explained, "and bring them down so we can both bring them to your house." She headed to the door and turned back to Butters. "Just wait out here, okay?"
Butters sat on the sidewalk and nodded to her.
"I'll be right back!" she said and hurried into the hotel's lobby.
The lobby of the hotel was just as luxurious as its outside. Crystal chandeliers shimmered across the ceiling and the floor was golden yellow carpeting and scarlet marble, shined to perfection, with an elaborate pattern of the hotel's logo near the entrance. A medium-sized fountain could be seen in the middle of the lobby and comfortable red armchairs and sofas were situated near potted cherry blossom trees.
Cierra headed towards an elevator and zipped inside before its doors closed. She gently pushed aside some guests in business suits and pressed the button for the 42nd floor. After the guests got off at their respective floors, the elevator slowly rose to Cierra's stop. There was a faint ding! and the doors opened to release her.
She quickly headed for her suite's door and as she came to it, she saw something she recognized immediately: a bright green, see-through tote bag rested right outside of her door. A paper tag bearing a familiar family crest dangled from its handle and Cierra came closer to get a better look at it.
'No way...' Cierra thought. She examined the tag in her hand. 'It couldn't be….'
"Cierra Cartman?! Cierra-chan, is it really you?!" An approaching voice cried out excitedly.
Cierra looked behind her and saw an Asian-American girl her age rushing towards her. She was wearing an emerald green dress with white leggings, a pair of bright yellow ballet slippers and two large ponytails secured with ice blue hair bobbles.
"Kobi?!" Cierra held out her arms just in time for the girl to capture her in a powerful embrace.
"Ohhh…" the girl moaned happily, "I'm so, so, SO delighted to see you again, Cierra-chan!"
"I can't believe it's you, Kobi!" Cierra said happily. "All the way from New York City to South Park!" She pulled away slightly and asked. "Wha-what are you doing here?"
"Well…." Kobi released Cierra. "...Papa has to deal with some business in town and after hearing he was heading to the Ichiban here in Colorado, I thought 'Why not take the opportunity to see my best friend in the entire world again?'!" She quickly grabbed Cierra again and brought her into another hug while grinning ear to ear.
"Oh, I'm so glad to see you again, Kobi!" Cierra said with a smile.
"But, of course!" Kobi said. "We're best friends, after all!" She took Cierra's hand and began to lead her back to the elevator "Now come, come! We've got SO much catching up to do!"
Cierra gently pulled away from Kobi's grasp. "Oh….I wish I could, Kobi," she began.
Kobi turned to Cierra and raised an eyebrow. "But….?" she asked suspiciously.
"But I've gotta carry all my dressmaking materials downstairs," Cierra explained.
Kobi's eyes widened. "Oooh!" she squealed in delight. "Another Cartman Creation?"
"Yeah," said Cierra, "And it's for an upcoming contest."
Kobi gasped and put her hand on Cierra's chest. "Do you need any help?" she asked. "I've got my sewing kit and a dressmaking dummy in my penthouse."
Cierra raised an eyebrow and said. "Really? That's a lot to bring for just a visit."
"Oh, well," Kobi stammered but quickly stated, "You never know when inspiration will strike, yeah? Plus, I remember you saying you broke your old one, so I got you a new one!"
"Oh! Thanks, Kobi!" Cierra said gratefully.
"Oh, you're very welcome!" Kobi said graciously. "But, um, why do you need to bring your supplies downstairs?"
"Well, Butters is helping me make the dress," said Cierra. "He's...sort of been my replacement dummy for the past few weeks."
"Butters…?" she touched her chin thoughtfully, "the new friend you've told me about? Oh-ho, that's adorable!" Kobi giggled. "Is he here right now?!"
"Yeah, outside." Cierra suddenly got an idea. "Actually, Kobi, would you mind doing me a big favor?"
"Oh, I'd do anything for you, Cierra-chan!" Kobi put an arm around her friend and held her close. "What is it?"
"Well…." Cierra said hesitantly.
Butters still sat on the sidewalk outside of the hotel and drummed his fingers on the concrete softly. He sighed and fidgeted impatiently, waiting for Cierra's return. As he began to succumb to his finger's humdrum tones, he heard the hotel's door open again and Cierra's voice faintly traveling from it. He turned to greet his friend but his face slightly fell when he also saw someone he didn't recognize.
"Butters! C'mere!" she gestured for him to approach her and Kobi. "Butters, this is Kobayashi, Ichiban. She's one of my oldest friends from back in New York!"
"Oh….well, uh..." he held his hand out to Kobi, "N-nice to meet you."
Kobi grinned and shook his hand enthusiastically, "And a positively elated hello to you, Butters!"
"Cierra," Butters said as his voice vibrated from the force Kobi's handshake, "I thought we were in a hurry to get back to making your dress."
"Our dress, Butters. And we are! Kobi and I just came out here so we could all head up to her penthouse suite. We're gonna continue the dress right here!" Cierra pointed to the hotel.
"But, Cierra," Butters continued to vibrate and Cierra put her hand on Kobi's to make her stop shaking his hand. Kobi grinned sheepishly and pulled away.
"Sorry about that," said Kobi, "I just love meeting new people! Especially when they're my age!" She gestured to herself.
Butters steadied himself and continued. "Well, anyway. Cierra, I can't go into the hotel. I'm banned, remember?"
"Not anymore you're not!" Cierra said joyfully. "I talked to Kobi," she placed a hand on Kobi's shoulder, "and she got her father to pardon you!"
"Her father?" Butters raised his eyebrow.
"Butters…." Cierra explained, "The Ichiban Hotel? Kobayashi, Ichiban?"
"Wait!" Butters shook his head in disbelief, "You're the Ichiban in The Ichiban Hotel?"
Kobi nodded. "The hotel chain is owned by my dearest Papa, Kobayashi-San. What good is it being an heiress if you can't throw your weight around once in a while?"
"Wow! Uh, thanks, Miss Kobayashi," said Butters.
"It was my pleasure to help a friend," said Kobi as she beamed at Cierra. "Now, come! Come, come!" She gestured for them to follow her, "from what Cierra-chan has told me, we've all got some serious work to do!" She pointed a declarative finger to the sky and sped through the revolving door.
Cierra giggled at her friend's antics. "She can be a little crazy, huh?" Cierra admitted. "But she's really nice," she said to reassure Butters. "And you heard her; she loves meeting new people."
"Yeah," Butters said, "I guess so."
"I know she can be a lot to take in," Cierra continued, "But trust me," she put her hand on Butters shoulder, "we're all gonna become the best of friends." She removed her hand from his shoulder and the two walked through the revolving door. Kobi bounced up and down as she eagerly waited beside the elevator. Its doors opened and she gestured them to quickly enter. They were the elevator's only riders and Kobi still bounced and squealed in anticipation as the elevator doors closed on them.
A/N: Hmm...seems like a cross between Rarity and Pinkie Pie if you ask me. Introduction of new characters for the win!
