Hey all! I've been sort of busy and will continue to be fairly busy with final projects and finals coming up over the next week or so but I'll try to keep updating around the one week time frame. I'm also using this story to take breaks and procrastinate so maybe I won't be so slow at updating. Haha.
Anyway, here's the next installment! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own vocaloids in anyway (sadly).
Chapter 4: "Times That Cannot Be Undone"
Flutter… Flutter…
"What pathetic creatures these worthless butterflies are." A well-dressed man in a casual navy-blue suit spoke, toying with the insect, manipulating the flames from the nearby candlewick.
The flittering butterfly, drawn to the flame within the darkness, danced dangerously close to the flames licking up at it. Erratically moving to and fro, the mesmerized insect could do nothing but be magnetically pulled to its fiery death. Its death was swift and beautiful, ending in a short lighting of papery wings.
"They see their own kind perish but still they fly toward death." The man spoke as if talking to a child, condescendingly. Sitting on a nearby rock in the deserted area, hand outstretched to the candle, he killed the butterfly with minimal effort.
Where there was one butterfly, two more with coloring worth noting took its place. The glow of the dying flames dyed each with warmth; one of the winged insects looking almost pink in hue and the other a cerulean color- shifting into ultramarine.
Though their coloring must have been lighter in a properly illuminated area, the candlelight provided an enchanting air about them as they spiraled around each other. Each seemed to challenge the other into decreasing the proximity to the misleading lights before them. Taunting and teasing one another in a simple dance, they continued to flit above the fire.
"Why can they not see? Why!? Why must they still choose that which would do them harm when it will mean their end?!" He spoke with increasing volume, startling the creatures from their aerial waltz.
One butterfly, jowls of the ravenous fires snapping at it, was thrown out of its intended path. The other, not having time to redirect itself, tumbled into the other and together they were devoured by the candle's flame. The remaining carcasses turned into ash, tumbling into a wispy pile of residuum, as it floated into the melting wax pooled around the base.
"See," he cooed at the dead butterflies. "You could have avoided all of this if you had just listened to me earlier and stayed away. You saw what happened to your friends before, right?"
Getting no immediate response, the onyx haired man took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. Letting out a sigh, he blew out the flickering candle- although he could have wiled the flame away- and went inside the house to escape the lunacy of the irresponsible little creatures. The only way to get them to learn would be to remove the temptation as an option.
"Then… then everything will be as it should have been." A cheshire grin- spreading from one side of his once composed face to the other- crept dangerously onto his face.
"Who are you talking to?" A sweet lilting voice called from inside the house.
"No one, Camilla. Just thinking out loud; planning our next operation," he spoke without missing a beat, letting his expression turn friendly and less malicious.
"Alright Teru. Well since you're back, shall I get the Chinese on the phone?" She asked uncaringly. "They're being very…persistent." Her dirty blonde hair illuminated from the outdoor light overhead, she projected a warm countenance though this was not usually the case. Having a different relationship to their boss than most of the others within their organization, she was allowed to have a relaxed conversation.
"Sigh. They're so needy. Why can't they just follow orders and adjust it themselves like everyone else seems to be capable of doing?" He spoke, almost whining, as he walked inside the door Camilla held open for him. "Get that bleeding idiot on the line."
"Roger that!" The woman replied, giving a mock salute, before heading into the small kitchen to use the satellite phone. The landlines were untrustworthy and the only secure line was the encrypted signal that came from their own satellite phone.
The man strode to the kitchen table as well. Setting himself down onto one of the two creaky chairs in the cabin, he propped his black boots up on the second-hand wooden table. He leaned back and made himself comfortable.
"Soon… everything will be set into motion and those fools will be no more." He waited to be handed the phone. "Soon…"
"Miku we have to tell them soon. There's not enough time." A tall purple-haired man spoke insistently.
"You don't think that I of all people know that?" Miku replied sarcastically, shooting the Head of the Fourth Family an edged glare. "I have been dealing with this much longer than you, Gakupo." Though they had all grown up together once before, she couldn't handle the man anymore. He had started to become more and more impatient and annoying as the cycles had gone on.
Miku shifted her weight from one foot to the other in agitation. Perhaps she had made a mistake in telling him. What choice had she had? Her options were running low. Everyone's options were running low. The situation needed to be dealt with soon or everyone would be endangered again.
Teal eyes remained fixated, sneering sardonically at the person before her. Trying to not get wound up, she let out an audible sigh and spoke.
"Look, just give it a little more time. There's still some…unfinished business to be dealt with here anyway. Nothing can be done until then so there is no use in troubling anyone. Let them enjoy a little respite."
"Fine, fine. I'm not trying to be the bad guy, Miku." Gakupo said raising his hands up in surrender, trying to reason with the tense woman. "I just don't want this all to blow up in our faces. You know how dangerous this is; he is."
"I know. I'm sorry..." She said, trailing off as she heard someone approaching.
From her place in the Castle garden, she spotted a blonde ponytail swishing back and forth.
Gakupo had chosen a secluded spot in the back of the elegantly designed landscape. The pathway leading away from the Castle branched out into multiple paths, each to another themed sequestered section. It was a sort of walk through of the different eras and locations on this planet, not simply through ornamentation of the area but also the general atmosphere that cloaked it. This would never be possible anywhere but at Castle Vocalidium.
"Yeah! HAHA! Right?! I told him that but he didn't wanna listen to me." The blonde's voice carried over to the twosome.
Miku glanced at Gakupo before they both simultaneously rolled their eyes at the woman with the side ponytail atop her head. She had spotted them and was carving a way over to them, ignoring the premade walkways.
"…No way! There's no way he did that? Actually, don't tell me. We can talk about it later. Mmhmm. Yeah, I'll call you back. See ya." The woman tapped a device attached to her ear and looked from Gakupo to Miku before settling on Miku.
"Miki wants me to see if you all would help prepare for a party to celebrate everyone's gathering." The blonde spoke, lacking her previous enthusiasm.
"There's a bit of a problem with that," cerulean eyes looked down at the Head of the Twelfth Family, no love lost between them. "There are a few people missing for this little party." Several of the other members of the Order were still en route to the Castle she had guessed since she couldn't get the feeling of them being at the Castle.
"Yes, we know that but Luka said she wanted to have an idea of who would be willing to participate before everything got started."
A flash of hurt flashed over Miku's face. She looked thoughtful suddenly, pretending to ponder the question in an attempt to hide her slip.
"I'm in. Sounds like fun." Gakupo piped up, unknowingly assisting the tealette.
Miku had no intention of interacting with the Head of the First Family, if she could help it. She had found her like she was supposed to. She seemed to be one of the few who always could. Not that that surprised her. Desperately she had searched for the rest of the group but she was always inexplicably drawn to her and her alone.
Once Miku found her- Luka Megurine- the rest of the Order fell in line…mostly. They had gathered, yes, but nothing would go smoothly. As much as she didn't want to admit it, they needed Luka. She was the only one who could run and operate the workings of such a gathering of their kind without arguments and fights erupting constantly. They had all been so peaceful before but things were changing and Miku wasn't sure it was for the better.
"Yeah, I guess I'm in too, Neru." Miku finally responded. "I'll help the kitchen staff. Tell Mrs. Matty I'm in if she'll have me." Mrs. Matty used to let Miku in on some of her wonderful recipes allowing Miku to make a mess of the kitchen while the rest of the kitchen staff giggled and tried to remain focused on their work.
"Where are the rest of them?" Gakupo questioned Neru, seeking knowledge on the whereabouts of those of the Order not already present at the Castle.
"The only ones not in the near vicinity are Ms. Masami and Ms. Kagamine," Neru replied easily.
"Of course," Miku said rolling her eyes. Megumi Masami- Head of the Fifth Family- was the ever-loyal guard dog of the Second Family, namely the current Head: Lily Kagamine.
"They should be returning within the next week. Ms. Masami said she would fetch her in short time," Gakupo and Miku giggled at the unintended reference of Gumi being a dog, livening the mood if only slightly.
"Everyone else is here at the Castle or just outside in the city."
Gakupo took a small metal object from his left pant's pocket, pushing a small button along the edge. A small spring was unleashed revealing a watch face underneath. Noting the time, his eyes grew wide.
"It's been a pleasure but it would seem that a prior engagement shall take me from your presence." He waved goodbye, calling out over his shoulder as he dashed to the closest exit.
"I also have to finish making my rounds and see who else will be willing to join in so I'll see you later," Neru walked off toward another direction, hoping to get back onto her phone.
Miku now alone, walked to a nearby bench and sat down gingerly.
The setting of this particular pathway was a meaningful attempt at recreating the environment from their home. Many had adjusted to life here on Earth over the millennia that they had occupied the planet but the longing for Ekatmatas still lingered. A wistful yearning would overcome them at times and in this garden they could dwell on those nostalgic feelings undisturbed.
Rich turquoise hair gently lifted as a soft breeze went through the cloistered area.
The large frond leaves of the bushes bobbed and draped themselves over one another, creating a natural tempo. Smaller, vibrantly colored- unearthly- leaves from the surrounding trees added to the musical harmony, conjuring a memory from long ago; A time of innocence and triumph that swiftly was overcome and wrought with heartache and betrayal.
Not wanting to relive those memories, however, Miku tried to ignore the grief welling up from within her. Choking down the swelling emotions she spotted a flower; a tiger lily, bathed in violets and blues, surrounded by flitting and fluttering butterflies.
When was the last time she had simply enjoyed the sensation of life, the effervescent bubbling and vivacious struggling to survive and thrive? The last moment she had just been…happy?
The blue-violet lily shifted into a deeper red-violet until it was a rich ruby red and no longer a lily but a beautiful flower of Andalusia placed in the hair of a Spanish woman as she prepared for her dance in the Square's center. Miku's mind had drifted into the past and the present forgotten to the pleasant memories.
A slightly tanned arm was linked with Miku's as her companion tugged her, eager to see the flamenco dancer flaunt her sultry dancing skill. Though Miku mildly protested, she had to admit that she too was somewhat excited to see the dance.
"Luka, sweetheart, you know it's the same dance every time right?" Miku questioned teasingly, knowing that it didn't matter to Luka.
"So. You still get excited seeing it too."
"Not the point right now," Miku said, cutting her off. "The point is that it's supposed to be a sneak peek of the whole troupe.
"But getting to see the whole troupe is almost impossible." Luka quipped, looking at the twirling of red fabric as the dancer lured in more spectators.
"Yes, they are almost impossible to get." Miku reached into her pocket and proudly displayed two tickets for the upcoming show, presenting them to Luka.
"Ah! You didn't!" Luka jumped up and hugged Miku to her. She had been talking about wanting to see the dancing troupe practically since the day they met each other. "How did you manage to get these?"
"I pulled some strings and called in a few favors." Miku looked somewhat smug that she had pulled the feat. Luckily, she had friends all over from her younger days. Oliver had really pulled through this time though. "I hope you notice that there are two tickets there. So, who are you going to take with you?"
"I'm not sure. Do you think Kaito would want to go with me?"
Miku was shocked to hear that she wasn't the first candidate until she saw the smirk on Luka's face. "You!"
"Me?" Luka jumped away from Miku as she tried to catch her. "That is in no way how you should be asking someone to take you somewhere, Ms. Hatsune."She continued trying to run around and away from Miku but Miku was faster than she let on and captured her.
"Har har, Ms. Megurine. Now, if you please?" Miku held her firmly in her arms as Luka foolhardily tried to wiggle out of her grasp. "You know you can't get out so just take me instead, you know you're going to."
Smirking devilishly at her words Luka tilted her head to speak into Miku's ear. "How forward of you, Miku. Out here in front of everyone? I never knew you were into stuff like that."
Realizing the phrasing of her sentence and the suggestiveness of it, Miku blushed furiously and tried to assess whether or not anyone else had overheard. She looked around. It seemed no one had paid them any mind since the dance was still going and Luka took the opportunity to reverse the hold.
"Of course, I'd take you with me. I can't believe you did this for me." Luka leaned over and kissed Miku on the cheek before taking her hand, leading them away from the square. "Now, let's go check out the market since we both finally have the time to ourselves."
"Fine, fine. Let's go."Miku pouted as she was dragged to the bustling market. The pungent musky scents swarmed them the closer they got. Horses milled about, carrying the loads of the farmers and locals alike. Shouting could be heard throughout the market as the vendors delivered their prices and deals while the buyers haggled for a better price.
There was nothing like being in the market. Anything could be purchased if one knew who and what to look for. Today, though, the pair of women were simply browsing the variety of items and the first stop was a grouping of stalls that sold clothing.
Miku sorted through the clothing not really seeing anything worth noting. She stole sidelong glances as she watched Luka. She was radiant as always and the afternoon light coming from the holes in the tarp above, made her look even more spectacular.
Luka, finding a dress she liked, held it up to her body and looked around for a mirror. The merchant gestured awkwardly toward a mirror she could use. As Luka contemplated the dress, several people walking along admired Luka as well. It seemed like she wasn't the only one who had noticed the glow around her companion considering the merchant himself fumbled over his words trying to please Luka.
The woman in question held up the dress and called Miku over. "Miku, what do you think about this one?"
"I think you already have a dress like that in the same exact color." Miku deadpanned, feigning indifference to Luka's selection. The truth was that Miku loved everything Luka picked out because just about everything looked great on her. Even her 'casual' clothes garnered attention if the other customer's reactions were any indication.
Luka, looking pensive, held the dress out before her once again. "I think you're right. No need to have the same exact dress," she giggled and returned the dress.
"We have other colors if you'd like to see them, Señora?"Stumbling toward the back of the stall to retrieve said dresses, he continued speaking to Luka. "For you, a good price, Señora."
"That's alright, we were just looking anyway," Miku cut in before he got too close to Luka. She really hated trying to persuade the merchants that she didn't want something so Miku would step up and save her the hassle. "Thank you for your help, Señor."
When Miku turned back around to talk to Luka, she couldn't find her among the nearby people but then she noticed a head of pink hair lower than usual. As she approached her, she noticed that Luka was knelling next to a small boy with a tearstained face.
"He must've gotten lost," Miku surmised aloud, before also leaning down to the boy's level.
"Hey there buddy. Why don't we walk around the market and help you try to find your parents, hmm?" Luka cooed gently to the young boy who must've been around five or six years old. She'd always had a great rapport with the children and this time was no different for her as the boy hid in the folds of her dress.
"Would you mind?" Luka pleadingly looked to Miku.
"No, of course not. Let's get the little one back to his family." Miku wasn't as thrilled as Luka but she wouldn't let her down. She'd do anything in her power to make Luka happy.
Miku stooped down to the hiding boy in an attempt to coax him out of his cocoon. "What's your name? I'm Miku."
"…" The boy looked at Miku without answering.
"Do you remember where you and your parents were at when you last saw them?"
He shook his head no and stuck his hand out. "I'm Carlito," he spoke quietly, gently easing his grip from the dress and reached to take Miku's hand. Having a destination in mind, he tugged Miku away from a giggling Luka.
Luka, amused by the boy's obvious trust in Miku, followed close behind as they walked. She watched Miku grimace as the boy dragged her about and muddied up her shoes in the process. A bit of the mud flew up when Miku walked through it and landed directly in the center of the boy's face. This caused Miku to break into a laughing fit while the boy tried to clean his face with his shirt. Seeking revenge, the boy looked like he was about to shove his hand into the mud.
"Oh, look." Luka had caught up to the pair and pointed to a toy vendor nearby, attempting to distract the boy before he could carry it out.
The young boy's eyes lit up as he dashed into the tent, lost among the sizable toy collection. Every manner of toy for young boys and girls could be found among the wares: stuffed animals, wooden figures, tops, various sized marbles, beautiful Spanish dolls (as well as their houses) and much more.
Walking past a few wooden poles with carved horse heads on one end, Luka walked over to a jar of glass marbles. The colors reflecting from them created a wonderful kaleidoscope along the nearby toys. She tilted and turned the jar carefully, so as not to break anything, and watched the light move about.
Miku and the boy, Carlito, were busy playing with the small wooden figures and the toy horses. Carlito's toy soldier was trying to do battle with Miku's over the rights to ask the lady of the house for marriage- one of the Spanish dolls near them.
"Hiya! Take that!"Carlito held his soldier up in the air and lunged it at Miku's.
"You can't defeat me that easily, you!" She jabbed her soldier back at the boy, getting fired up over their mock battle. She reached out for the horse toy and placed her soldier on top and play galloped it toward the other of the boy's soldiers. "Arrrggh!"
Not wanting to be outdone, he grabbed his other soldier and charged it forward. "Ah ha! I've got you now!" The soldiers all collided in the center of their play area in a messy pile.
"Bleh… I've been stabbed…mortally wounded…"Miku spoke for her dying soldier, making him stagger out of the pile and off to the side while making pathetic neighing sounds for the horses.
"Now, I have the honor of asking for the Lady's hand!"The toy soldier rode his horse through the air and up to wear the doll was perched.
Luka, having long been distracted from the colorful glass spheres, watched on with adoring eyes. There was something sweet about watching her Miku play with the young boy as if they were family. She would have never guessed that Miku liked kids but it was a heart-warming sight for her. Having children of her own was something she hadn't though of much but she wondered what it would be like if Miku was there by her side, helping to raise them.
"Señor, how much for the winning soldier and his trusty steed?" Miku called over to the merchant with a cheerful smile, gesturing to the toys being flown through the air.
The merchant looked over from his spot just outside the tent, where he was speaking to another man, and walked over to them. "Ah, for these… 250 pesetas for the pair."
"How generous of you. I'll take it." More than thrilled with the thrifty price, Miku pulled a few coins from the bag tied to her belt. She handed them over to the man and turned around back to Carlito. "Since you won the battle, you'll have to live on for your Lady and take him home with you."
Carlito's eyes widened as a large smile overtook his face. "Really? Thank you!" He jumped up, trying to hug Miku with all of his strength.
"Haha. You're welcome." Miku was happy to have made the young boy so happy with such a small gesture of kindness.
"CARLITO!" A woman's voice cut through the air.
The group of three turned to the sound of the voice. Miku and Luka assuming the person to be the boy's mother and looking down at him for his reaction.
"MAMA!" He shouted back, making it clear that she was indeed his mother, and ran toward the woman.
Miku and Luka looked at each other before walking through the aisles in the tent to Carlito's mother. From their position, they could see him hugging his mother until she pulled away from him and held him at arms length.
"I thought I'd lost you! Don't you ever do that again!" The boy received a stern reprimanding from his worried mother before she turned her attention toward them. "Thank you so much for taking care of my Carlito."
"We couldn't just leave him there all alone. It wasn't a big deal." Luka spoke for them both.
"I hope you don't mind but I got him a little something." Miku gestured to the toys she had purchased still in the boy's hand, looking somewhat shy and unsure of the reaction.
"Diós, now he'll always go running off expecting toys from strangers," the woman laughed, looking at her son. "It's quite alright. Thank you again for taking care of him. Perhaps there is someway I can repay you both? My husband and I run a restaurant not to far from here. You should come by."
"Thank you for the offer but you really don't have to pay us back at all."Miku attempted to mind her manners though she really wanted to go.
"Nonsense, come by when you have the chance and we'll treat you to the best food south of Seville." The woman winked before writing something down on a slip of paper and handed it to Miku. "I must be hurrying back now. The kitchen waits for no one!"
In a flash, Carlito and his mother were gone, leaving Luka and Miku to dwell on the odd interaction.
"Well, that was interesting." Luka was the first to speak and break the silence between them. "I never even got her name. Did you?"
"I don't think so. Oh wait, it's here on the paper she gave me." They both looked at the paper. 'Mamá P: Casa del Lobos Hambriento'
"That's an interesting name…" Luka trailed off, trying to think of something to say.
"I'll say. Maybe it has a significant meaning?"
"Maybe it does. I've never heard of it before. I guess we'll have to go by sometime."
"We should. It'd be something new at the least." Miku spoke for oddly titled restaurant and began walking again. Though they had stopped initially to speak with the woman- and the earlier detour from Carlito- they resumed their walk through the market and enjoyed each other's company.
Luka held onto Miku's arm once again and started up a new conversation. "Miku?"
"Yes, Luka?" Miku raised an eyebrow at Luka's hesitant tone of voice.
"What do you think about children?" Luka tried to ask ambiguously. "When I saw you playing with Carlito earlier, I…"She trailed off unsure, afraid of Miku's answer.
"Well, I don't know about the two of us being able to conceive a child…" Miku began, receiving a playful swat from Luka in response. "I never imagine being a mother but I do like kids though and I wouldn't mind being a parent if you were with me." She smiled lovingly at the woman on her arm.
"Oh, Miku…" Luka's chest filled with love and adoration for Miku and clung harder to her. "I definitely wouldn't mind having a child with you either."
"We'd make such great parents."
"Yes, we would. Oh! Let's go feed the birds over there." Luka gestured to the break in the market that led to an open park where a flock of wild birds were busily pecking away at the proffered crumbs.
"Okay, okay. No need to pull so hard. They're not going anywhere." Miku grumbled, reaching the flock and gathering some crumbs to hand to Luka. "We're going to need a bigger house."
"What? What's wrong with our house now?" Luka asked not following what Miku was saying.
"The kids are going to want their own rooms." Miku replied nonchalantly. "I know I wouldn't want to share my room with my brother or sister."
Completely shocked at her response, Luka's mouth hung slightly open before the words registered fully. "Miku!"
"Yes, love?"
Luka tackled Miku and pulled her into a smothering hug, kissing her. "I didn't think you would be so okay with this. I was just trying to gauge your opinion."
"Well, might as well look into it now before you end up bringing home your own herd of them to our small house." Miku gazed into her love's brilliant blue eyes that shimmered with happiness, making note of the particular shade of blue that indicated her emotions.
The cerulean blue shifted to a darker ultramarine, then to a blue-violet, and rested on a red-violet. Turning from the love-filled blue eyes of her once lover to the brilliant coloring of the tiger lily once more.
Natural noises of the wildlife and wind focused in Miku's mind as she left her memories of her and Luka's once love-filled life. She so desperately wished to go back to those ignorant times before she knew of the heartbreak she would suffer.
As the breeze gently blew by, she realized her face was wet with shed tears. While lost in thought, she had begun to cry silently.
Hearing the sounds of familiar voices, she whipped her head around to the source. Luka's stunning blue eyes, filled with mirth, met Miku's dark stormy turquoise ones. Before she could help herself, Miku gave Luka a dazzlingly smile full of the love she once felt for her, stopping Luka dead in her tracks; Shock, confusion and uncertainty blanketed Luka's face. Realizing what she had done, Miku wiped her face of the tears and turned away, feeling more determined to get the job done and rid herself of being in Luka's presence.
It was too late for things to go back to the way they were. Luka had already made her choice and as much as it broke her heart even now, Miku was not the choice she had made. Luka had made it painfully apparent that she wasn't what she wanted and she wouldn't waste her time trying to change her mind anymore.
Well, there ya have it. Didn't see too much of current Luka in this one but not everything gets to revolve around her (yes it does, I'm lying). Lol. We'll be getting back to 'current events' in the next chapter and answering a few things left open before but probably giving you all a whole new set of questions. ;P
Hope ya liked it and please feel free to comment. See ya soon! Caio!
~~Rai
