.
Azure Dreams: Monsbaiyan Tales
Nico
Written by Estrelita Farr
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"Wake up! HAH!"
POW!
"OW! Darn it, Nico! Can't you be a bit more gentle?!"
"Oh, shut up! I can't help being a tomboy, so there! Now hurry up and get up! It's almost high noon!"
The adolescent boy mumbled something under his breath and burrowed deeper into the sheets… only to scramble out of the bed when Nico struck with her foot again.
Nico scowled. Even though her childhood friend had just made his debut as a monster tamer, Koh hadn't changed at all… still an uncouth lazy bum. He just turned fifteen – fifteen! An adult! – and she still had to kick him awake every morning! When would he finally become the handsome princely gentleman his late father was?
She sighed. Probably never.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Monsbaiya, a desert town built around a small oasis, just outside the shadow of the great Monster Tower that loomed overhead. Everything here was old and dusty – the small stone houses the people called their homes, the rickety windmills that creaked with every full turn made in the wind, the awfully discoloured building that was the temple… ugh. There wasn't one bit of culture in this place. What Nico wouldn't give to be in a beautiful, cultured city!
She shook her head. No, she loved this town too much. This was her home. So, rather than thinking of going to a beautiful, cultured city, she would make Monsbaiya one!
"A fountain for the central square!" she cried in the middle of town, jiggling the box that had three coins in it. "Please help us with your donation! Hey, mister, can you spare some change?" She flashed her sweetest smile.
"Outta my way, missy!" the man growled as he rushed on, his hands full of boxes. "I've got no time for this!"
She pouted for a moment, then turned to another passer-by. "Aunty, will you donate for a fountain?"
The woman shook her head. "Sorry, money's a little tight these days…"
The next few passers-by had variants of the same response. "Too busy." "No money." "What? NO WAY!" Soon Nico found the area around her rather empty, people refusing to step within thirty feet of her.
Ugh. How could the people just go about their daily lives without a thought of making Monsbaiya better?
"Darn it!" she cried and kicked a little hill of sand. She watched with satisfaction as the dust rose like a great cloud into the air… and her heart fell as it engulfed her childhood friend nearby.
"H-hey!" Koh spluttered. "What the heck? Nico!"
She gave a sheepish smile. "Oops, sorry, Koh. Didn't know you were there."
A moment of coughing and spluttering later, he dusted his head. "So, what are you doing here? What's with that box?"
Grinning, she tapped the box. "I'm collecting funds for a fountain at the central square. Thought it'd make the place a little more cultural, don't you agree?" She shook her head. "I still remember your dad telling us about the cities he passed on his way to Monsbaiya, especially the one with a park. A beautiful park, where people would come to rest on its decorated benches, watching the fountain gently spurting clear water into the air…" She gave a dreamy sigh. "Those elegant people… they would sometimes have festivals… or concerts…"
"Yeah, I remember Dad mentioning a city like that." He gave a cheeky grin. "But you, an elegant girl at a park? Man, you've got a loooooong way to go!"
Heat rushed to her face, and she lashed out at him with a foot. "Oh, shut up, you!"
He ducked, laughing. "See what I mean?"
She sighed. She knew, she was too much of a tomboy to be one of those elegant, cultured people… but perhaps one day…
"But since you're so enthusiastic about it, here, take this." He suddenly tossed something shiny at her.
She caught it neatly. When she opened her hand to look, however, she gasped.
A gold coin with '1,000' engraved onto it.
Did Koh just give her a thousand Gold? Koh, whose family had nothing to live on for years except for the sales of his late father's tamed monsters? Koh, whose mother had to work multiple odd jobs to care for him and his little sister? A thousand Gold would last them a week!
"KOH!" she almost screamed. "Shouldn't you give this to your mother instead?!"
He waved a nonchalant hand. "Relax, that's not even half of what I gave her."
"B-but where did you–"
"I made it to the third floor of the Monster Tower. Man, you should've seen the monster eggs I brought back!"
Her eyes widened. Koh actually made it all the way to the third floor? Few treasure hunters or monster tamers could reach that high, and he actually did it…
He grinned. "Surprised, eh?"
Nico returned the grin and slapped his back. "Way to go, Koh! Who knew you'd actually do well at the Tower? You might actually be as great as your dad!"
He puffed out his chest. "Of course! I'll be as good as him… no, I'll surpass him!"
"Well, before that, you'd have to beat your rival first, right?" She glanced to the side. "Speaking of which, here he comes."
"What?" He turned, then his face screwed into a scowl.
At that moment, another adolescent boy strode proudly towards them. His elaborate suit of silk that gleamed in the sun, the sleeves puffy, drew Nico's eyes – now that was what an elegant, cultured guy would wear. With a dashing lopsided smile, he gave an elaborate bow.
"Nico Southey, here I am." There was even a hint of culture in his voice. "I, Ghosh Rhode, have come to you."
Koh continued to scowl.
Ghosh glanced at him, then turned his eyes back to Nico. "By the way, did this nincompoop make a donation for the fountain?"
Nico giggled. "He donated one thousand Gold."
"One thousand Gold?" Clicking his tongue, he ran a hand through his hair. "In that case, I shall donate one thousand and one Gold." He gave her two coins. "Now, will you excuse me, my lady?"
With another elaborate bow, he turned and left.
The girl gasped, wide eyes staring after him. Her heart pounded, feeling as though she was floating on clouds.
"H-h-h-he…" She swallowed. "H-he called me a l-lady…"
Koh crossed his arms with a sulk. "He probably meant boggley."
Pop.
Her happiness popped and dissipated like a bubble, leaving behind a bitter taste in her mouth. Heat rushing to her head, she whirled onto her childhood friend and stomped her foot. "Well, you should be a little nicer to her! It's hard to find one as cute as this one!"
Koh gave a nonchalant shrug before leaving as well, in the direction of the Monster Tower.
Nico gritted her teeth and kicked another mound of sand.
Stupid Koh. She already knew he wouldn't understand elegance and culture and probably just thought of her as an undesirable tomboy, but… stupid Koh.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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"Wake up! HAH!"
POW!
"OW! Darn it, Nico! Why'd you have to kick me every morning?! Lemme sleep in already!"
"Hurry up and get up! I've something to show you!"
A few minutes of mumbles and grumbles later, a disgruntled Koh finally relented and got up. Nico couldn't stop grinning as she – after a quick wave to his bemused mother – dragged him out of the house and all the way to the central square.
Then they stopped. Koh's eyes widened.
What used to be an empty lot in the middle of town was now a beautiful new park, the floor tiled with a peaceful combination of white and blue, the decorated stone benches filled with resting people arranged in a square. Right in the centre, drawing everyone's eyes, was a great, elegant fountain, with water pouring down like a waterfall from its top, occasionally squirting water upwards to the delight of wide-eyed children. The sound of flowing water resonated in the air, gentle and calming.
Nico spread her hands. "Well? What do you think? It gives the town a much nicer feeling, doesn't it?"
Her childhood friend glanced around the park. "Wow, you really got it done. Not bad."
"I owe it to you and Ghosh, mainly. I'm really touched."
He puffed his chest. "Yeah, you owe it to me!"
"Yeah, yeah."
She continued to smile proudly at the park, feeling like a mother watching her child become an adult. She closed her eyes, the gentle sound of running water washing over her, filling her heart with peace.
Footsteps sounded behind her. She turned and found herself face-to-face with Ghosh, who had on a silk suit of a different design, smooth and gleaming, drawing her eyes once again. How elegant…
"Nico Southey!" he cried dramatically, hands spread. "It's magnificent! Glorious! Majestic!" The dashing lopsided smile formed on his face. "Such a beautiful place suits you."
Heat rushed to Nico's cheeks. "Oh, Ghosh."
He ran a hand through his hair and smirked. "It's Koh who isn't a good match for this beautiful place, or for you."
Koh scowled. "Well, neither do you!"
"Heh. A barbarian like you wouldn't understand elegance."
"Why, you…!"
As much as she would like to deny it, Nico had to agree; Koh was definitely a barbarian. All her life, she had never seen Koh act gentlemanly – he ate messily with his hands, his words were rough and insensitive… a stark difference from his rival, who had given her nothing but compliments. Why couldn't Koh be as cultural and gentlemanly as his late father, or even Ghosh?
A smug grin on his face, Ghosh held out a hand. "Nico, let's find a quiet place to talk about culture and love."
Her eyes shone. As dignified and ladylike as she could, she took his hand. "All right."
Then they left, leaving behind a flabbergasted Koh.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Nico had never enjoyed her days more. There wasn't a day that she didn't spend with Ghosh, discussing on how to make Monsbaiya more cultural, admiring picture books of other cities at his spacious manor. He was such a pleasure to be with – knowledgeable, generous with compliments and gifts, good-looking, and he certainly had flair. Koh was certainly good-looking too, as his father was, but… if only he was as cultured and gentlemanly like Ghosh.
She stopped. Come to think of it, she hadn't seen her childhood friend in days… in fact, when was the last time she went to wake him up?
She glanced at the clock. Good, it was still morning. Koh never had the sense to wake up on his own before noon, after all.
After dropping a note at the Rhode manor that she would be late today, Nico rushed over to Koh's little cottage, waving a quick hello at his mother as she passed by. However, when she reached his room… she stopped and stared.
The bed was empty. Messy and evidently slept in, but most certainly empty.
Where was Koh?
"He woke up early on his own and went out," his mother said when asked. "Come to think of it, he's been doing that the last few days."
Strange. That wasn't like him at all.
The mother's eyes narrowed in concern. "Did something happen?"
"Oh, no," Nico quickly answered. "Nothing at all."
The girl returned to Rhode manor, meeting Ghosh as she usually did, but her mind kept going back to Koh, her heart unsettled. Was he mad that she was with Ghosh a lot lately? The two rivals had always hated one another, but she never thought Koh would be so petty…
Then, she stopped. Her eyes grew wide.
There, by the fountain park, was Koh, standing face-to-face with a familiar girl.
Ghosh's adolescent sister Selfi, a stuck-up little witch who always acted like a princess, always scantily dressed to the point the boys would always be drawn to her before any other girls. Why would Koh be with someone like her?
The two exchanged a quick word, too soft to catch, then she handed over something large and round over to him.
A monster egg. Something a monster tamer considered precious.
Nico gasped. Selfi, who never gave anything to a boy – or anyone, for that matter – if she couldn't get anything in return. Selfi, who always made a cute face in front of the guys but looked down on Koh… gave something so precious to him?
Pain stabbed at Nico's heart, cold and heavy. Her eyes stung, yet she could only stare.
The sight of Koh and Selfi together… why did it… hurt so?
"SELFI!" Ghosh screamed, making everyone jump. "Get away from that dirty thing!"
Selfi turned, eyes wide, then meekly nodded as she stepped away. "Yes, Brother."
He growled as he whirled towards Koh and shook a fist. "You… you… come back in a million years if you want to seduce my sister!"
Koh gritted his teeth. "What?! I wasn't–"
"Selfi, we're going home!"
Selfi gave another meek nod. "Yes, Brother."
Then, they were both gone, leaving behind the two childhood friends.
Silence.
Pain continued to stab at Nico's heart. It felt as though it was about to burst… as though she was about to burst into tears.
Pain. The very sight of Koh filled her with pain.
"Look, Nico," he began, shaking his head. "It isn't what you think it is."
Pain. Then a burning anger that rushed to her head. Clenching her fists, she glared at him. "Oh, really! I've never seen Selfi give something so precious to anyone! Why isn't it what I think it is?"
"What's with you? Selfi only gave me a monster egg; there's nothing between us."
Pain. Anger. "Oh, I'm SURE there's SOMETHING between you! I'm just an UNLADYLIKE TOMBOY, so why don't you just go and find her and LEAVE ME ALONE!"
He gritted his teeth. "FINE. I'll just go ahead and do that. YOU asked for it." Tucking Selfi's monster egg under his arm, he swept past her without as much as a glance at her.
Burning. Anger continued to burn in Nico's heart. Like a stubborn beast refusing to calm. Then, it slowly ebbed away, like a fleeting dream.
Then realisation struck her.
A gasp escaped her lips. She turned, wide eyes searching for her childhood friend… but it was too late.
He was already gone.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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Minutes turned into hours, hours turned into days. Yet the pain continued to stab at Nico's heart, again and again each time the memory filled her mind. Of seeing Koh and Selfi together, of Selfi giving him something so precious. Of his eyes burning with anger… at her.
Pain.
A gasp escaped her. Eyes stinging, she curled up tightly, wishing the pain would just go away… but it would not. And neither would that heavy weight of guilt on her heart.
Why… did she lash out at him like that? Why… did it hurt so much to see them both together? Why did it hurt so much now… at the thought of Koh's burning eyes on her? Why did she now… hate every fibre of her tomboy self?
Pain. Guilt.
Yes, it was her fault. She was the one who started it. No matter what the reason… she should not have attacked him.
But she could not apologise to him. Each time she thought of going to his house, she froze outside, unable to take a step further as though there was an invisible barrier blocking her. Each time they bumped into each other in town, the burning anger would return and grab hold of her heart, and she would lash out at him again. And again they would part with stabbing words, with burning eyes.
Pain. Guilt. It brought her close to tears. Yet, she could not apologise to him.
She began to spend more and more time with Ghosh in hopes of lessening the pain… but instead the pain grew even more as she began to see Ghosh's flawed gentlemanliness. He was generous with words of praise and compliments, but none of comfort and kindness. He would always talk about himself, touching a little about the subject of culture… but never asked for her opinion on anything. Did he even care about her? Even his lopsided smile that she thought was dashing seemed greasy to her now.
At least Koh listened to her. Even if he always teased her for being a tomboy, even if he was loud and uncouth, at least he noticed whenever she felt down and tried to cheer her up. But now…
Pain stabbed at her heart. Guilt weighted heavily on her heart.
She missed him.
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-o-o-o-o-o-
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The morning desert air was cool, calming. A few people started coming to the fountain park, some sitting on the benches, some exercising, some reading a book. Nico watched them from her bench, smiling inwardly as she saw the peace in them, then felt a twinge of sadness. She wished peace would fill her heart too… but the pain and guilt remained, as though to plague her forever.
Quiet footsteps on the tiled floor, drawing her attention. The green travelling robes worn and faded, the edge of the hat jagged and frayed, a man stopped by the fountain, with a large cello leaning against him. With the cello bow in his hand, he bowed towards the people.
"Good people of Monsbaiya," he said in a rich voice, "I am a travelling cellist. Please listen to my song."
And, with a slow wave of the cello bow, he began playing.
The deep sound of the cello, slow and clear.
The people listened in awed silence. Gradually, cats settled by the fountain, listening with dreamy eyes. Rabbits hopped near, eyes turned towards the cellist, and birds gathered at the edge of the fountain. None of them moved, none of them made a sound. They only listened, as music resonated in the air.
Nico felt the gentle sound of the cello reach deeply into her pained heart. Resonating with her feelings. Tears stung her eyes, and she wiped them away. Why did it… affect her so?
"HEY, YOU!"
Everyone jumped. The cello stopped. All eyes turned as the rabbits fled and the birds took to the sky in rapid twittering. The cats leaped back and hissed, wide eyes aimed towards the newcomer.
Ghost Rhode strode forward, a smirk plastered on his face, his silk suit gleaming in the sunlight. He gave a wink in Nico's direction, then waved the cellist away.
"Move, move, move!" he cried. "You grubby bum, polluting Nico's park!"
Nico gasped, eyes wide, and leaped to her feet. "Stop it, Ghosh! This park isn't just mine, it's for everyone!"
"No, I donated my money for you to build this park, not for people to use it." Another wave at the cellist. "Get out, you bum!"
The cellist's eyes widened. "W-what?"
"Didn't you hear me? I said, GET OUT!"
The crowd muttered among themselves, and Ghosh ignored them. He continued to wave the cellist away, as though shooing away a stubborn cat.
Nico stared.
Was this… really Ghosh's true nature? Rude and heartless? But he was supposed to be a cultured gentleman, so why…?
"That's enough!"
Everyone jumped. All eyes turned, focused on a familiar man standing between Ghosh and the cellist.
Nico gasped.
The brilliant ruby eyes, strong, firm. The gleaming red hair, like the surface of a ruby. Tall. Handsome.
Koh's… father?
She blinked.
No, it wasn't Koh's father… it was Koh himself.
The brilliant ruby eyes, strong, firm. The gleaming red hair, like the surface of a ruby. Tall. Handsome.
Just like his father.
"That's enough, Ghosh!" Koh cried, eyes narrowed into a glare. "Leave him alone!"
Ghosh sneered. "What? So it's just you, numbskull. Is this a deal between bums or what?" He shrugged. "What's wrong with chasing out bums from a beautiful park? A beautiful lady like Nico is more suited for this place!"
He gazed at him, with strong crimson eyes. "The music was so beautiful."
Nico stopped.
Beautiful. The music was beautiful… so that was why her heart was touched. The beautiful sound of the cello, soft and gentle. Resonating with her heart, her feelings. Koh was able to feel it too, that beautiful sound of the cello… but why couldn't Ghosh?
Suddenly, she realised.
A cultural person was not born, or made merely from possession of items, knowledge or skills… it came from the heart. The heart to try to make things better. The heart to see in beauty in things. Appreciate them. Like the beautiful sound of the cello, soft and gentle. And one such heart would have beauty in itself as well; kindness, gentleness…
And Ghosh had none of that.
Nico closed her eyes, then opened them resolutely.
"Yes," she said, facing Ghosh directly. "The music was beautiful. I want to hear more, and I think many of us do, too. Even a cat wants to listen! Why can't you understand that, Ghosh?"
One of the cats meowed, and everyone started shouting.
"Yeah! We want to hear more!"
"Just because you're rich doesn't mean you call the shots here!"
"Get the hell outta here!"
Ghosh gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Several times he opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Then, finally, he threw up his hands and stormed off, deliberately stepping on a cat's tail on the way out.
Gradually, the crowd quietened. The cellist approached Koh and gave a deep bow. "Thank you so much. I was glad that you rescued me, but I was even happier when you said my music was beautiful."
Koh grinned. "Hey, don't mention it; it was the truth, after all. So why don't you continue where you left off? I think everyone wants to hear more."
"YEAH!" the crowd cried.
The cellist smiled, a wide smile full of happiness and gratitude. Another deep bow, then he brought the cello bow to the strings and started playing once more.
The beautiful sound of the cello, soft and gentle. Resonating with everyone's hearts and feelings.
Once again, everyone settled down. The cats curled up. The rabbits returned, hopping into a corner. The birds gathered by the fountain. Listening. Appreciating.
Nico and Koh glanced at each other, then turned away again. An awkward silence grew thick between them.
A moment passed. Another moment passed.
"I'm sorry!" they both cried simultaneously, then blinked. "Huh?"
"Uh, you first?" Koh suggested.
Nico shook her head. "No, you first."
He rubbed his head. "Look, uh… I just wanted to say… there's really nothing between me and Selfi. I just happened to save her from a few monsters at the Tower, so she gave me that egg as thanks. And I'm sorry for losing my temper with you."
She closed her eyes.
Strange. She thought hearing about Selfi would make her angry all over again… but there was no trace of the burning anger. None at all. All that was there in her heart was just calm acceptance.
Koh's eyes narrowed in worry. "Nico?"
She smiled up at him. "Don't worry about it, Koh. I'm not mad. At least, not anymore." She lowered her head. "I realised I was cruel to you lately… and I'm sorry. So, to make up for it, here, give me a punch."
"Eh, forget it. You know I can't punch a lady. Dad always did tell me to take good care of women."
She laughed. "Oh, so Koh actually learned something from his great father! You–"
Then she froze.
A… lady? Did he just call her a lady… a woman?
Koh blinked. "Oh, right. There's something I've been wanting to give you." He reached into his pocket, then dropped something smooth and hard onto her hand.
A bright azure gem, the colour of the sky.
She gasped. "Koh! This… are you sure you could afford this?!"
"That's okay, I found it in the Tower a few days back. I gave Mom the rest of my stuff." He flushed. "I thought it might… you know… like it."
She stared at him. Koh, actually giving her a gift a lady would like?
Then he abruptly gave a roguish grin. "Of course, it'd be better if you really become a real lady!"
She gave him a playful slap on the arm. "Oh, shut up, you!"
Both of them laughed, all traces of tension between them gone.
With that, they parted ways. Nico watched as he waved goodbye, turned and strode away.
The brilliant ruby eyes, strong, firm. The gleaming red hair, like the surface of a ruby. Tall. Handsome. When did he suddenly seem so much like his father?
Nico shook her head. She might still be a long way from her dream of making Monsbaiya a cultural town. But, as she gazed at the broad back of her childhood friend, a vast change from the puny kid she was used to… she smiled to herself.
Starting tomorrow, she would wake him up again… but, this time, she wouldn't need to kick him anymore.
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End of Azure Dreams: Monsbaiyan Tales – Nico.
Author's Note:
You know, this was actually the chapter that had me stuck with writers' block for TWO ENTIRE YEARS! I think the issue was that Wreath's one-shot was more condensed, so when writing Nico's after re-reading Wreath's, my inner editor was so fired up that she tried to fix everything to match Wreath's condensed version… and it basically killed any writing ability I had at the time. Several times I tried reviving the project, and several times I was forced to throw it into the "Stopped Stories" folder. Hence why I didn't post anything on for a while. x_x
Thankfully, I managed to revive my writing ability for this chapter during NaNoWriMo 2013. This time, I did something different… which is, NEVER re-read Wreath's one-shot before writing! I treated Nico's one-shot as what it was – a separate one-shot rather than a connected story – and it flowed much better. :D
I hope you enjoyed reading the fruits of my (two year) labour!
