I'm going to be extremely busy over the next few weeks, so if updates are slow, that's why. So sorry... I'd rather be writing than working on all the stuff I have to do lol.
Now things are really going to heat up! Enjoy this lovely chapter. I enjoyed writing it. :D
Chapter 9 -- Under the Apple Grove, In Which There is Hand-Holding
On the day appointed for the karaoke party, Naesala found himself beginning to second-guess his little plan. Leanne was attempting to help his singing voice become much smoother and more in pitch, but so far she was having little success.
"Listen me. Hear how my voice so smooth," she instructed. She sang an arpeggio on "la" and gestured for him to do the same.
"La, la, la, la-- ack." Naesala groaned. "The day you find a raven who can actually sing, let me know, because I don't think that such a thing exists."
Leanne giggled. "No give up! You can do it!"
"Leanne, why don't you sing a song for me?" he asked with a grin. "Then maybe I can learn a few... pointers."
She frowned. "You just want hear me sing."
"What's wrong with that? You have such a lovely voice!"
She smiled at the compliment and began singing a gentle song in the old tongue. Naesala was completely engrossed in her beautiful voice. He almost forgot where he was when she finished.
"Now, what you learn from that?" she asked, waking him up from his reverie.
He reached over and started playing with her golden hair. "I learned that I need to get you to sing for me more often. That was absolutely beautiful."
"Oh, Naesala..." She shook her head. "You want learn sing or not?"
"Right, right."
They continued practicing until Naesala was finally able to get through an arpeggio without his voice cracking. Of course, his tone was still pretty harsh, and Leanne had a hard time keeping a straight face every time he sang.
"I think that's good enough for now," Naesala finally remarked after about another hour. "I'm gonna need my voice for later on."
They decided to take a walk through the garden, since Reyson was nowhere to be found. Naesala was hoping that the heron prince was out somewhere with Vika. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even notice that Leanne was leading them down a different path than usual. He realized it only when she gasped excitedly.
"What that?" she asked, pointing at a small stone hut that lay before them.
Naesala cringed. Oh crap! That's the other part of the surprise! It's still not finished yet! She wasn't supposed to see it until--
"I go in?" She looked up at him with wide, emerald eyes.
"Not yet, darling. It's not finished yet," he replied. "Let's go back to--"
"What it for, then?" She tugged on his arm, trying to force him to take her to the cottage. "Person live there?"
"Ah, maybe... You'll have to wait and find out!" He started pulling her away. She wasn't supposed to see it until everything got settled! This is bad!
She frowned. "Please? Tell me!"
"I, uh... I'll have to do something first, darling. You'll have to wait, unfortunately." The raven sighed. "We should head back. The karaoke party's going to start soon!" She finally gave in and followed him back.
Reyson and Vika were waiting under the apple tree grove. Vika looked incredibly nervous; her knees were shaking and her face was almost a pale shade of green.
"Ready sing?" Leanne clapped excitedly and ran into the center of the grove. "Who sing first?"
Perhaps I should sing first? Get the worst part over with? Naesala grinned and was about to volunteer when he heard Vika meekly speak up.
"I-I'll go first, I guess," she mumbled. "If no one minds..."
"Of course not!" Reyson blurted. Then he blushed slightly, hoping no one had seen it, but of course Naesala saw.
All going perfectly according to plan!
Vika stood up and cleared her throat. Then she took several deep breaths before she started singing.
Naesala's confident grin slowly melted into a gaping mouth of disbelief. She's actually pretty decent! How is that possible? She's a raven like me! Raven's have awful singing voices! This isn't fair! Then he remembered to check Reyson for his response. The heron prince was nodding in approval, though he wasn't as entranced as Naesala was hoping he would be.
When Vika finished they all applauded. Leanne jumped up and grabbed her arms.
"That so good!" she exclaimed. "Vika have pretty voice! No need be shy!"
The raven girl blushed again. "Well, I've never really sung before... I mean, ravens aren't exactly known for their singing talent..."
So I'm not the only one. That's somewhat reassuring. Nealuchi needs to come out here and sing, too, in order to make me look less bad. Naesala sighed and joined them under the apple tree. "I'll sing next, I guess."
Leanne giggled. "Actually, I want sing now." She winked at him.
She must be saving me from the embarrassment... I love you, Leanne! He smiled. "All right, then. You can sing."
Of course, Leanne's voice was far better than Vika's. Once again Naesala found himself completely entranced by her, so he wasn't sure what Vika and Reyson were doing the whole time.
How come Vika's singing didn't affect Reyson? Maybe it will work the other way around. Maybe Vika will fall in love with Reyson's voice. That could work...
Next it was Reyson's turn. Leanne rejoined Naesala and sat down on his lap, though a quick glare from the heron prince forced her to move to the grass next to Naesala.
"Maybe next time, darling," Naesala whispered. "By the way, that was absolutely beautiful." He pecked her on the ear.
"Thank you. You glad I make you not sing?"
"Yes, actually. How is Vika so good of a singer for a raven?" he asked softly.
Leanne wrinkled her nose. "She okay. Off pitch a little. But better than you."
"Well, I don't know anything about pitch," he replied. He let his fingers become entwined in hers.
"Watch Vika," she whispered. "Maybe she like Reyson's voice. Reyson has good voice."
Sure enough, as Reyson sang an old heron tribe tune, Vika's facial expression changed significantly. Her eyes were almost twinkling, and her face was bright red. Naesala never saw her take her eyes off of him.
"Success?" Leanne asked after Reyson had finished.
"I think so." Then Naesala had the perfect idea. "May I make a suggestion?" he asked the other two.
"Yes?" Reyson's eyes narrowed a little.
"How about you and Vika do a duet?" Naesala grinned. "Duets can be fun!"
"But we haven't heard you sing ye--"
"I like Naesala's idea!" Leanne exclaimed. "Vika and Reyson sing duet!"
Vika gulped. "I don't think I could possibly compare to Reyson... What about Leanne instead of me?"
"But I want see you two sing!" Leanne protested. "Please? Just one?"
Reyson took a deep breath. "I don't mind. What about you, Vika?"
"Fine..." She reluctantly joined him under the tree.
Of course, the only duet they could think of just happened to be a love song. Naesala watched with anticipation as they began singing. Vika's voice slowly became less wavering, and she moved closer to Reyson.
"She more in pitch now," Leanne whispered. "I think it help her hearing Reyson."
Reyson was singing normally until he happened to look into Vika's eyes. Then he suddenly seemed to dive into the song with renewed force. Their eyes had locked now, and their hands had met and were beginning to wrap around each other.
Oh, this is so perfect! Naesala thought. I don't even think they remember that we're here anymore! He decided to test this theory by kissing Leanne's hair. Reyson gave no response.
"Leanne, can I try something?" he whispered. "I want to see how effective this is."
"Okay."
He let his hands slide down her waist. Then he slowly grazed her thigh, which caused her to shudder. He kissed her neck.
Reyson still gave no response.
This is EXCELLENT! This will completely get rid of Reyson! Now he's out of our way!
"I think he in love with her now," Leanne whispered with a soft giggle. Then she tugged on his shirt and pointed at Reyson and Vika. "Look!"
The two were so engrossed in each other now that they were leaning in toward each other. Reyson had such a gentle, loving look in his eyes, one that Naesala had never seen before. Vika's eyes were now beginning to close.
Oh my gosh, KISS! Kiss kiss kiss! That would be the best thing that's happened all day! Naesala sat up straight, watching closely.
Unfortunately, the song ended right there. Vika and Reyson froze for a moment, realizing what was just about to take place. Then they both gasped, turned a deep shade of scarlet, and instantly backed away from each other.
"Oh come on!" Naesala shouted. "It was so close!"
"Almost there," Leanne remarked sadly. "Would have be nice..."
Reyson began stuttering incoherently until he finally managed to get his thoughts together. "I'm so s-sorry, Vika! I guess I got a l-little into the song and I d-didn't mean to seem so improper and... Naesala, stop laughing!"
Naesala's guts were hurting from laughing so hard. He's APOLOGIZING?! He almost had his first kiss and now he's apologizing for it? Oh, Reyson, we have SO much work to do!
Leanne, too, was giggling in sheer delight. She calmed herself down and ran over to console Vika, who had covered her face in embarrassment.
Naesala finally walked over to Reyson and patted him on the back. "Well well, Reyson! I didn't realize you could get so romantic!"
"Sh-shut up!" Reyson stared down at his feet. "I don't know what came over me... I just had this urge or something."
"Um, it's called falling in love," Naesala replied bluntly. "I would say that you're growing quite partial to Miss Vika."
"I am not!" Though the lingering redness of Reyson's face convinced Naesala otherwise.
"Look, Reyson, it's okay. It's normal to want to kiss the girl you like," Naesala noted. "And in a romantic setting such as this, it's hard not to want to kiss the girl you like. In fact, I might go over to Leanne right now and--"
"I was just caught up in the moment. I don't feel the way about Vika that you feel about my sister."
Naesala smirked. "Oh, really? Then just how do you feel about her, hm?"
"Well, I don't want to... m-make love to her," Reyson answered quietly, uncomfortable with the very idea of it.
"They way you held her hand, though..."
Reyson groaned and stormed off.
As I thought. Naesala laughed to himself and looked over at Vika, who had now calmed down and was having a serious discussion with Leanne. I'll leave them to their little girl chat. He began to walk off when he remembered the cottage.
Crap! I've been so preoccupied with getting Reyson together with Vika... I've forgotten the most important thing! I've gotta find a way to propose to Leanne! Especially now that she's seen the honeymoon hut...
