Okage 2 Chapter 2: Dreaming of the Past
Finding himself unable to sleep, Ari decided to see if remembering the stuff about Marlene would help him rest. It started to work. Here we look into Ari's dreams to see a part of what happened before Beiloune made his unexpected return.
It was three years ago that Marlene came into Ari's life. After returning from his journey, Ari is met with a pleasant surprise. His mother introduces him to a girl dressed in white. That girl was Marlene. The two of them walked into the home together, hand in hand with a smile on eachother's face. Nothing could have removed that smile, even when Stan came back to reclaim Ari as his slave.
"What a touching scene but, you are still my slave boy." Stan said
"Umm... Stan... Can it wait?" I just got home and-" "YOU don't have a choice in the matter. I, Evil King Stan, am still free to do whatever I want to you!" Stan interupted. "YOU will behave and come with me."
"Let me handle this Ari." Marlene said. "If I remember correctly, I own 70% of Ari while you only own 30%."
"Wait. You weren't the Marlene I made that deal with. How do you know that?" Stan said.
"I don't know how to explain it but it was like i was able to see and here through the doll version of me. It's how I know about Ari and you Evil King Stan." Marlene said.
"But the person I struck a deal with was a doll. It shouldn't even count." Stan said.
Ari and Marlene spot something fall from the sky with a massive thud. Stan turns to see what it is. A pair of legs are sticking out from the ground. A bright, white light glows as the legs dissapear and James sprouts out from the ground.
"Master, if I may speak a word of advice?" James asked. "You have to remember that Ari just came back from a very long adventure. A good master would give his servants a break. If you overwork you slave, he won't be able to work as efficiently."
"You do bring up a good point James." Stan Said. "Very well then. Slaveboy, you've earned yourself a little vacation."
Alot of things changed with Marlene's arival. Everything in Ari's home seemed brighter. His mother seemed more cheery than usual with Marlene helping in the kitchen. Ari started to get alot of romantic advice from Annie and his father. Ari's grandparents would often start talking about their first years of romance. Even Stan softened up with Marlene's arival. Stan started ordering Ari around alot less. It would seem that all it took was a bit of home cooking.
"Stan, would you like to join us for supper this evening?" said Ari's mother.
"Ehh, why not?" said Stan. "This will be the first time i've had food in over 300 years."
Stan's first time at the dinner table was also the first time everyone had a dish prepared by Marlene.
"Hmm. This stew is good but not great. Did you try anything different with it today?" Annie asked.
"I must agree." Said Ari's father. "This doesn't have as much flavor as usuall."
"The meat is cut small enough for me to enjoy." Said Ari's Grandpa. "I'm not complaining but, there aren't enough vegetables in it. You kinda missed the ball this time."
"I didn't cook it." Ari's mother said. "Marlene was the one who made dinner."
Marlene looked down in embarassment.
"You'll get better with time." Ari's grandmother said. Ari decided to try it himself.
"This taste great." Ari said.
"You're just saying that." Marlene said
"I really mean it. I like this stew alot." Ari said.
"Trying to schmooze your way into her heart slaveboy?" Stan said. "But I must agree with slaveboy." Realizing how nice he just sounded, he quickly said; "But what do I know. I haven't had real food in 300 years."
Ari and Marlene would often be seen in town together running errands for Ari's mother. The first time was awkward though as everybody talked about them. Afterall, no one had ever seen Ari with any girl besides his sister, much less a girl that wasn't from the village.
"Ah, so the name of your village is named Tenel?" Marlene said
"Yeah. This is where we get everything for our home." Ari said.
"A great hero like you must have been popular growing up here." Marlene said. "You must have been a real lady killer."
"Yeah...something like that." was all Ari can say.
They walked through the gate. Upon entering the gate, they were greeted by the villagers. Some were there to congradulate Ari for making back from his adventure. All of them wanted to know more about the mysterious girl that Ari had walked in with. It wasn't a big deal. Ari and Marlene were mor than happy to answer everyone's questions. They completed the errands on time, even with everyone stoping them to ask questions. Just as the were about to leave through the gate however, Ari hears the voice of an unrequited childhood crush.
"So who is this?" the voice said.
Ari turned pale for a second. He turned around to see Julia.
"So?" Julia said impatiently. "Are you gonna answer my question?"
Ari managed to regain his composure on time.
"Yeah. This is Marlene. She started living with my family a couple days ago" Ari said.
"Nice to meet you." Marlene said. "So how do you and Ari know eachother?"
Ari felt an uneasy feeling in his stomach.
"He used to have a crush on me." Julia said.
"She had to cut to the chase." Ari thought to himself.
"How interesting." Marlene said. "Oh! Ari, we better get back home otherwise your mother and I won't be able to make dinner tonight."
"Right." Ari said somewhat releived. "We should get back. Bye Julia."
Along the way home, Ari was looking at Marlene. He was surpised at the calm demeanor on Marlene's face even though she just came face to face with Ari's old crush.
"Is something wrong?" Marlene asked
"Huh, oh. Nothing is wrong." Ari stammered. " You weren't bothered with meeting Julia?"
"Why would I be?" Marlene asked. "Is it because she was your old crush?"
"Yeah." Ari said with an embarassed look on his face. "What did you think of her by the way?"
"She seemed like the controlling type. The kind that would take advantage of a person's kindness." Marlene said. "Sorry if it felt like i was rushing but, I couldn't stand to be around her for too long."
"Don't worry about it." Ari said. "I wanted to get away from her too."
"Tee hee. You're so cute right now Ari."
"Huh? What?" Ari said not believing what he heard.
"Nothing." Marlene said flirtingly. "Race you home."
Marlene started running towards the house. Ari trailed behind.
NO FAIR! I'M CARRYING ALL OF THE STUFF!" Ari yelled.
A couple months later, the circus would once again find itself outside the small village of Tenel. For one week, Ari would find himself the most nervous he's ever been. Even if they have been living together for a while, Ari had to muster up all the courage that he had to ask Marlene out on a date to the circus. This was certainly a challenge because the last time he asked out a girl, he got crushed. Ari decided to plan his move in the basement.
"How do I go about this? Should I just go out and ask her?" Ari thought to himself. "No, that's so ordinary. Ugh. How do i do this?"
Just then, Annie walks in to see Ari pensively thinking to himself.
"I had a feeling you'd be in here you dork. Trying to figure out how to ask Marlene to the circus?" Annie said.
"How can you tell?" Ari said. "Is it that obvious?"
"It was written on your face ever since you've heard the circus was coming." Annie said. "So... Did you figure out how you're gonna do it?"
"Not really." Ari said. "I really don't know what to do."
"You're so pathetic." Said Annie "It's easier than you think. You gotta make it as romantic as possible. Get her some flowers and candy."
"That sounds more like something I would do if she was my lover." Ari said.
"You have to spoil the girl Ari." Annie said.
"I know for sure that she isn't the spoiled type." Ari said. "Maybe that will work on you but not her."
"Are you implying something?" Annie asked.
"Kind of... I'm gonna go upstairs." Ari said.
Ari managed to escape the wrath of her sister unharmed. He decided that this is something he should think about with fresh air. Before he was able to exit the door however...
"Slaveboy, you seem tense for some reason. Is something wrong?" Stan asked.
"Where'd you come from and why do you keep coming to my house." Ari asked.
"Don't take that tone with me boy. And the reason why i'm coming here is because I like Marlene's cooking." Stan said.
"I did noticed you only come here on her night to cook... whatever." Ari said. "You wanted to know the reason why I'm tense right now right? I wanna ask Marlene to the circus but I don't know how to go about it."
"GWA HAHAHA. Is that all slaveboy?" Stan said. "This is no problem. 300 years ago I had many women at my feet." Stan said.
"What's your secret Stan?" Ari said.
"Well it's very easy." Stan said. "All you have to do is seize them. JUST TAKE THEM AWAY. CHAIN THEM UP. THEY ARE YOURS TO CONTROL."
"Uhh... Stan... I'M NOT TRYING TO ENSLAVE HER!!!" Ari said.
"Hmph! Well you can forget me ever giving you advice ever again." Stan said. "I'll have you know that I was trying to be a good master to my slave."
"Ugh... this was a mistake." Ari thought to himself.
"Sorry Stan. Maybe some other time." Ari said.
Ari decided to head to town. He thought some time in Tenel would do him some good. It probably would have worked if it wasn't for the fact that Julia was right at the gate.
"Well if it isn't you Ari." Julia said. "Looks like something is bothering you. I wonder if it involves Marlene."
Ari suddenly turned pale.
"Looks like I hit the nail on the head." Julia said. "I don't blame you though. Every guy in the village has been fawning over her. I bet a bunch of people have already asked her on a date to the circus."
Ari stayed silent.
"So that's all it takes to make you less of a man? If only I was able to do that earlier. Too bad I already have a date for that night. See you around Ari." Julia said teasingly as she walked away.
"What the hell did i see in her again?" Ari asked himself. "She did let out an interesting bit of information though. It sounds like I should say something before someone asks her out."
"Ask who out?" Marlene said from behind.
Ari suddenly found his face get hot. His heart started beating faster. His breathing started to get shallow. It took the greatest amount of effort for Ari to regain his composure in order to face Marlene.
"Uhhh... Hi Marlene." Ari said.
"Your face is all red." Marlene said. "Are you sick or something?"
"No... I'm fine." Ari said.
"It's now or never." Ari thought to himself.
"Are you free next week?" Ari asked.
"Yeah...why do you ask?" Marlene started to blush a little.
Ari took a deep breath. "Do you wanna go to the circus with me?"
"Uhh...Yeah... I'd love to go with you." Now Marlene's face was red.
"Really? You mean it? That's Great. What was I worried about again?" Ari said.
"What was that last part?" Marlene asked.
"Nothing. C'mon, I'll walk home with you." Ari said. "By the way... has anyone else asked you yet?"
"Yeah, alot of people did. I turned them all down though." Marlene said.
"I have no idea why i'm gonna ask this but, why?" Ari asked.
Marlene started to blush. "Because I was waiting for the right guy." Marlene said.
"Are you talking about me" Ari said.
"C'mon Ari. Let's get home. I'll make your favorite dessert tonight."
"Okay then... I'm looking forward to it." Ari said.
The night of the circus came. Ari was waiting for Marlene in the hallway. Beads of sweat were collecting on his forehead. His breathing became shallow. The wait was becoming unbearable. He probably would have keeled over if his sister didn't spot him on her way to the door.
"Hey Ari." Annie said. "Waiting for Marlene to come out?"
"Yeah." Ari said. "I'm assuming you're going to meet some guy?"
"Yep." Annie said. "I was gonna meet him early but..."
"But?" Ari asked.
"Seeing you as nervous as you are is just too sad." Annie said
"You can tell?" Ari said.
"It's soooo obvious you dork." Annie said. "What are you so nervous for?"
"Uhhh...well..." Ari said pensively. "It's the first time Marlene and I have gone out on a date."
"Yeah. I don't blame you. How long did it take you to ask her?" Annie said.
"What was that last part?" Ari asked.
"Nothing." Annie said teasingly. "Anywho... You gotta be more confident. Niether of you are gonna have a good time if you are so nervous."
"True...Okay then. I'm gonna take some deep breaths and calm down now." Ari said.
"There we go." Annie said. "Besides, you two were meant for eachother. Opposites do attract."
"What are you talking about?" Ari asked.
"Well, she's cute and popular and you're not popular and you look like a dork." Annie said sticking her toungue out.
Ari tried to grab his sister. "WHY YOU LITTLE-"
Before he can get ahold of her, he hears Marlene's door opening.
"What's going on out there?" Marlene asked. "What's that yelling all about?"
"Nothing." Ari said. "Just telling Annie to be careful and have fun right Annie?"
"Yep." Annie said. "I'm going to see my date now. Have fun you two."
Annie walked out the door.
"Uhh.. Marlene? Are you coming down yet?" Ari asked.
"I will." Marlene said. "I'm just a little shy right now."
"Why?" Ari asked.
"Your mom insisted that I try on this dress." Marlene said. "It may look a little familiar to you. Try not to be too shocked okay?"
"What makes you say that?" Ari asked.
Marlene then made her way down the stairs. The dress she was wearing looked similar to the one that the "Doll Marlene" wore. She was even wearing red shoes. Ari just stood there blushing. Not because he was shocked at the dress but, because he was awestruck at Marlene's beauty.
"Ari what's wrong?" Marlene asked.
"Nothing's wrong. You look beautiful tonight." Ari said.
Marlene started to blush. "Uhh... Thank you Ari."
"You're welcome." Ari said. "Shall we go?"
"Yeah. We'll be late if we don't hurry." Marlene said.
Ari and Marlene made there way to the Circus tent at a brisk place. When they reached the enterance, Ari was caught off guard by who was waiting for him.
"Well, it's been awhile hasn't it Ari. You've changed considerably since our last encounter."
"Block! It has been too long. What's going on? What are you doing outside?"
"Waiting for you." Block said. "Come. I've saved some good seats for you and your friend."
"Thank you block." Ari said.
"No problem. Just make sure you two meet me backstage after the show okay?"
"Will do." Ari replied.
Block went around to a back enterance. Ari and Marlene walked into the main enterance.
"Do you know him?" Marlene asked.
"It's a long story." Ari said. "Let's just say he helped me out during a tough time."
"I have to start the show soon." Block said. "You two better get inside."
"Yes sir." Ari and Marlene said simultaneously. They both let out a giggle on the way in.
Ari and Marlene made their way to their seats. It was a tight squeeze trying to get past the audience.
"Wow! Front row!" Marlene said. "You have such a nice friend."
"I know." Ari said.
Ari took a look around from his seat. The atomsphere was full of excitement. The crowd was loud and restless. In the center stage, there was a seesaw and a tall platform near it. There was a giant ball near the edge of the ring. The Pillars supporting the tent had platforms on them connected to eachother by a rope. A trapeeze set was hooked up to the pillars to keep them from swinging. Just then, the lights suddenly went off.
"Are they starting?" Marlene asked.
"I guess so." Ari said.
The spotlights went on. The lights focused on Block. Block started talking into a megaphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen of Tenel. Today we bring you what promises to be our best show yet. For our opening act, we'd like to treat you to our most nimble actrobats."
Four men dressed in leotards made their enterance with very graceful flips. They made their way to the platform and seesaw. Two of them got on the seesaw while the other two made a human tower. The two on the seesaw went up and down. They timed their jumps and landings so that they went higher and higher. When the one closest to the human tower got as high as he can go, he backfliped towards the human tower.
"What is he trying to do? He's going to get hurt." Marlene said.
The acrobat then made a successful landing on to the human tower.
"That's so cool!" Marlene said in facination. The crowd cheered in amazement.
Block got back on the megaphone.
"And now for the next act. We present to you a display of great courage. Our next act for the evening is the high wire balance act."
One of the men from the last act climbed up one of the pillar and took a pole with him for balance. He then begun the treacharous walk across the rope.
"Is he seriously gonna wak across that?!" Marlene said in astonishment.
"I guess so" Ari said.
About midway across the rope, the man stopped. He then started to flip forward in place.
"Ah! He's crazy!" Marlene said.
The man then made his way across to the other platform and bowed. The crowd clapped and cheered as the spotlight made its way back to Block.
"The next act is a highflying act filled with peril. The next act is the Highflying Trapeeze Swing."
A man climbed one pillar while a woman climbed the other. The woman started swinging on the trapeeze. She transitioned from swinging from her hands to swinging from her legs. She then started doing flips while clinging on to the trapeeze.
"She's so graceful." Marlene said.
The man on the other side started to swing and do tricks.
"He's really good too." Marlene said.
The man changed his position so that he's clinging to the trapeeze with his legs. The woman went back to the platform to reset.
"What's gonna happen now?" Marlene asked
"I don't know." Ari said. "I missed the circus the last time it was here."
The woman took off from the platform hanging on to the trapeeze. At the peak of her swing, she let go of the trapeeze and did two flips in the air. The man swinging by his legs then caught her by the arms. They both swung safely to the platform and took a bow.
"That's so cool!" Marlene said excitedly
Block got back on the megaphone.
"Our next act for the evening shall be entertaining. In this next act, we send out the clowns."
The spotlight then turned on to an enterance. Many clowns started to come out. Some were juggling pins. Some were juggling balls. Others danced around throwing pies at eachother.
"They're kind of... creepy." Marlene said.
"Just smile and wave Marlene." Ari said.
One clown picked up a bucket and threw water onto a clown on a unicycle who was carrying flowers. The crowd laughed. Another clown then picked up a bucket and ran towards Ari and Marlene.
"KYAA! HE'S AIMING FOR US!" Marlene yelled.
She grabbed Ari and held on to him tightly. Ari held her too and did his best to shield her. The clown emptied the bucket on to them. Instead of water however, confetti came out. The crowd laughed and Ari looked up.
"Marlene, you can let go now." Ari said. "It's just confetti."
"Huh? Really?" Marlene looked up. "Ah! They got us good."
Marlene then realized that she was still holding on to Ari. She let go and immedietly turned red from embarassment.
"Sorry Ari." Marlene said. "I didn't mean to do that."
"Don't be sorry." Ari said. "I thought it was cute."
"You wierdo." Marlene said. Her face turned even redder. Ari decided to take a chance and held her hand.
"Let's just enjoy the show okay Marlene?"
She started to blush less. "Okay Ari."
Ari looked at Block. Block was dying with laughter. The spotlights shifted to the clowns entrance again. This time a giant rat with a pink parasol came pirouetting out.
"Hmmm... He looks familiar." Ari said.
"Huh? What makes you say that?" Marlene asked.
"Ah! I've fought him before." Ari said. "He joined the circus after he lost to me. I can't believe that's what they have him doing."
The rat started to dance around the ring. He then jumped on to the ball and started to dance. He went around the ring while spinning on the ball with one foot.
"He doens't look like much of a fighter." Marlene said.
"He actually caused alot of trouble in Madril." Ari said. "But that's a story that will have to wait."
The clowns began to make their exit off the stage. The rat follwed them, still dancing on the ball. The spotlight went back to block.
"Ladies and gentlemen. For tonight's final act, we proudly bring you 'The Great Magician Epros' and his lovely assistant Linda!"
The lights went out. The spotlights focused on a blonde-haired man wearing wearing a tuxedo. He stood on the tightrope as if he were balancing effortlessly. He smiled at the crowd. Then he fell forward and dove headfirst toward the ground. Marlene closed her eyes in terror while Ari just smiled.
"Looks like he's going all out with his tricks tonight." Ari said.
"What?" Marlene asked.
Seconds before he hit the floor, he slowed down and fliped forward, allowing him to land softly on his feet.
"No way!" Marlene said. "Don't tell me. You know him too?"
"Yep" Ari said.
Epros smiled at the crowd once again.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I hope you enjoyed the show. The end draws near, as you all know."
Ari spots Linda wheeling in a table with a top hat and door of some sort. She positioned the door so that the crowd saw it from the side.
"My first trick involves this door. I need a volunteer to please, step on the floor."
A man stood up behind Ari. "I gotta see this." he said.
"Ah! Perfect. Step on down. Hurry up before the crowed frowns." Epros said.
"So what's the trick?" The man asked.
"Excelent question. Just walk through the door. That's all you have to do. Nothing more." Epros said.
"Heh. Whatever you say bub." the man said.
He opened the door and walked through it. It seemed normal until everyone realized that he didn't come out the otherside. Epros then closed the door and set it on fire. He let it burn until nothing but embers remained on the ground. The crowed was shocked. Epros then held the hat in his hand
"Do not be alarmed. No harm came to him. He shall come from this hat when I tap it's brim."
Epros held the hat with the opening facing the bottom. He tapped the top of the hat 3 times. The man fell out of it, landing on his buttocks. The crowed cheered while the man looked around, disoriented and confused. Epros displayed a couple of tricks before the show was over. At the end of it all, Ari and Marlene go to see Block backstage.
"Ah, you remembered." said Block.
"Is there a reason behind this?" Ari asked.
"There's no real reason. Just wanted to say hi." Block said. "Epros and Linda requested it too."
"My my, it's been a long time. You seem to be doing fine." Epros said.
"Hey Ari. Long time no see. Do you know where Stan is?" Linda asked.
"He didn't wanna come." Ari said. "I'm pretty sure that the circus isn't his kind of place anyways."
"Aww. I was hoping he would cheer me up. They won't let me sing." Linda said.
"Can't imagine why?" Ari answered somewhat sarcastically.
"So Ari, we gotta ask. This girl with you, is she your girlfriend?" Block asked.
"Ah! This is Marlene." Ari said.
"Hello." was all Marlene was able to say.
"But we saw her... turn into a doll." Linda said in shock.
"I guess I can explain it all." Ari said.
Ari talked about how he came across her and how it surprised him to see her too.
"Wow, that's so interesting." Linda said. "It's like you two were fated to meet... I wish I had the same thing going on with Stan."
The group chatted and shared stories untill it was finally time to go. On the way home Ari spots something shining off the road out of the corner of his eye.
"Marlene, can you wait here please?" Ari asked. "I'll be back in a jiffy."
"Okay Ari." Marlene said. "But please be quick. It's dangerous at night."
"I will." Ari said.
Ari went to investigate the shining object.
"Just as I thought." Ari said to himself. He picked it up and walked back to Marlene.
"Umm... Marlene. This is for you." Ari said shyly.
"It's so pretty. What is it?" Marlene asked.
"It's a Moonlight Flower. It's a flower that shines in the moonlight." Ari said.
Marlene put the flower in her hair.
"It's so pretty." Marlene said. "Thank you Ari. I'll cherish it forever."
"You're welcome Marlene." Ari said.
"Why are you so sweet to me?" Marlene asked.
"I love you." Ari said.
Ari realized what he said and covered his mouth. He looked down and turned red with embarassment.
"Ari... do you really mean that?" Marlene asked as she started to blush.
"Yeah... I do." Ari said. "It's been on my mind for a while... I didn't think it would come out like that though. Do you feel the same way?"
Marlene looked down. "I do... I... I love you too Ari."
The two of them embraced, just taking in eachother's warmth. They looked each other in the eyes. Slowly there faces came closer together. Just before they kissed, Marlene backed away.
"Ari... before we do this, can I ask you to do something for me?" Marlene asked.
"Go ahead." Ari said. "What do you want me to do."
"I want you to wake up." Marlene said.
"What?" Ari said.
"Just wake up...WAKE UP!!!"
Ari jolted awake. He looked up and saw Rosalyn standing over him.
"Good morning sleepyhead." Rosalyn said. "Do you always hug and kiss your pillow when you sleep?"
"No..." Ari said embarassed.
"I guess you were dreaming about her." Rosalyn said.
"Something like that." Ari said.
"Get packed up. We gotta start heading for Rashaelo." Rosalyn said.
"Yeah. I'll get moving." Ari said.
"Just wait for me Marlene. We'll finish that dream later." He thought to himself.
Okage 2 Chapter 2: Dreaming of the Past
-END-
Editors notes: Yeah... this chapter took way too long but, it was worth it in my opinion. Would have gotten it done sooner but school has been driving me crazy. Originally, this chapter was supposed to feature the three years that took place before the intro. I decided that would be too long after the start of my clinicals. I will admit that I made Julia seem like more of a bitch than she was in the actual game. But hey, I think any girl that only likes a guy because he was easy to control, is a bitch. In the circus scene, I purposely made Marlene seem somewhat childish. You gotta remember, in the game she was trapped in Triste for who knows how long when she went missing from Beiloune. That may have been a bit of a spoiler but why would you read this if you didn't beat the game? Am I right? Epros's dialogue drove me up the wall when I tried to write it. Poetry was never my strong point so trying to make him rhyme everytime he speaks was a bit of a headache for me. I might not make him speak alot when he comes back to the group. That is alot better than not making him rhyme at all in my opinion. The part where Ari confessed to Marlene was something from my own experience. I accidentally blurted out to my girlfriend that I loved her even after planning how I was gonna say it over and over again in my head. It's something that I feel would have fit Ari's personality after the first journey (the personality I intend on giving him anyways) because he goes from an overshadowed boy to someone with a voice but still has a bit of a hard time expressing himself (Another part borrowed from my actual life) . I hope you enjoy this chapter. The next one might take longer to release assuming that school is gonna start getting in the way more. Untill next time, see ya.
