Hmmmm….I've already gotten to chapter ten, huh? This is quite fun, and I want to thank everyone who has reviewed and read my story so far (those who haven't are more than welcome to, and don't feely shy about spreading the word and telling your friends about it;p)
Before anything else, I'd like to answer the questions and confusions brought up in reviews:
Cyathula- I apologize for the mix-up, I suppose I wasn't really clear in my writing. Lloyd's Vorpreal Sword and Flamberge are both currently residing in the Eternal Ring, and they combine to form the Eternal Sword. The swords that Lloyd left behind in the forest were very basic, plain blades he used on minor enemies that didn't deserve to be cut down by the greatness of his most favored swords.
(btw, I did not kill off Colette. She's in the story too. Though I would have no trouble thinking of a way to 'take care' of her…hehehe)
freakyanimegal- THANK YOU! Sorry, but it's always been a dream of mine to write or say something worth quoting (weird, I know). Maybe someday, I will write/say something worthwhile, and someone will put it on their online journals, or maybe I'll hear a stranger speak it as I walk by…
As for all of you wondering what the heck is going on with Lloyd and the Tear and the mysterious group of people- I'm afraid you're just gonna have to wait and watch as the story unfolds (Fehize's guess was pretty good, but not quite either). I hope you all enjoy!
Disclaimer: Legally, Tos does not belong to me, but the pure joy it brings belongs to everyone.
CHAPTER 10
ADAGE TO A DREAM
Long winding stairs of whitest marble. Countless arches, curved gracefully like the necks of swans. Endless corridors etched with ancient markings.
Lloyd found himself wandering aimlessly through the halls of this grand and elegant structure. Out a window was blue sky and lush vegetation overhanging from the many balconies. Crystal clear water streamed along the canals running through the far reaches of the stone marvel.
Without being truly aware of what he was doing, Lloyd walked on until he reached the outside. Before him was a wide staircase, that led to a large platform overlooking the entire grounds. Lloyd began to slowly climb the stairs.
Though the place seemed beautiful and serene Lloyd had had an apprehensive feeling all the while. This feeling only intensified with every step. For apparently no reason, he broke out in a cold sweat and his nerves seemed completely shaken. He forced himself to stop and calm down.
Unable to move or look away, he had to go on. As he moved to ascend, a rushing of small footsteps sounded behind him, and suddenly a small child swished past him. The child ran in an almost fluid movement, as if a shadow, and disappeared from Lloyd's range of sight.
Eventually nearing the top of the stairs, Lloyd saw the child standing at the center of the platform, his back to him. He seemed to be looking at something etched in the ground.
There were now only a few steps left and Lloyd's dread was reaching its peak. The moment Lloyd stood upon the platform, the child turned to him, and for the first time, Lloyd could see what he was staring at. All at once the symbol upon the medallion, carved into the platform, and the face of a younger version of himself hit him full force.
llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
"Has he woken up yet?" an anxious Genis asked his sister as she walked out of the room Lloyd was currently resting in.
Genis and Sheena had gotten up from their seats in the living room of the inn the instant the door opened and Raine came out. Presea had remained seated in a large chair that made the small girl look even smaller and frail (though she was far from it). Kratos stood aloof in a corner of the room, leaning against a wall. He seemed to make no movement at Raine's arrival. Meanwhile, Regal was in the kitchen fixing up a meal for everyone (being made much easier by the fact that his shackles had been removed). It was now noon of the day after the fight in the Under City.
Raine sat down in a chair, concentration and deep thought deep in her facial features.
"No, still sleeping soundly," she said
"It's nothing to worry about though, right? He's just tired?" Genis said in slight anxiety.
It was at times like these that Rain remembered just how young Genis really was, despite his intelligence.
"He'll be fine," she said kindly, "However, there are some things that intrigue me."
"Such as the nature of his collapse," Kratos spoke up and everyone turned in surprise.
"Yes," Raine nodded, "I'm sure fatigue played its part, but it is still strange. What he lacks in book smarts, he makes up in strength. In my opinion, he is too tough for such a violent reaction."
"I agree," Regal now joined the discussion, "There is also the fact that he was trembling dramatically. An effect similar to when the body rejects foreign mana intake."
This time Presea spoke, "Or in other words, when the mana of an exsphere and a human are in confusion if the exesphere is removed without a Key Crest."
"But Lloyd's exesphere has a Key Crest," Sheena pointed out. "And besides wouldn't we have been able to sense if his exesphere went haywire? Especially you guys," she referred to Kratos, Raine, and Genis.
"That's not what you had in mind, though, is it Raine?" Genis asked quietly.
Instead of answering him directly she addressed Kratos, "Because they are humans Sheena, Regal and Presea probably have not felt it yet, but I'm sure you have. Just like Genis and myself."
"Felt what?" Sheena asked curiously.
Kratos was silent for a moment, then nodded, "Odin's Tear. As these two have elven blood, and I am an angel we can feel the energy it is giving off currently, even from afar. If we were closer, you all would probably feel the effects as well."
"Raine and I noticed this energy wave about a day ago," Genis said.
Kratos merely nodded.
"At the time we were unsure what it was, but one thing we definitely knew was that-"
"It was a familiar energy. Like an exesphere," Kratos finished for him.
"Is that what you meant when you said the Tear was similar to exespheres in more ways then one?" Sheena asked Genis.
"Uh…yeah," he mumbled.
For a while no one spoke, everyone deep in their own thoughts.
"Either way, we won't get anywhere like this. Let us eat something and wait for Lloyd to wake up. We can take a course of action after that," Regal walked back to the kitchen.
The mood lifted at that and Genis joked, "It's amazing the level of complexity we can attain in our conversations when Lloyd isn't around."
At that moment a large pillow came flying at Genis's head at supersonic speeds, landing a direct hit.
"Ow!" Genis held his head in his hands.
"Well, he is now!" Lloyd was standing in the doorway, fuming.
"!" Kratos seemed to notice something, but before he could say anything another pillow went whizzing by, very nearly hitting Lloyd.
Instantly, a full out pillow war broke out between the two. They brought it to the bedroom where there was more ammo and crashing, breaking sounds followed. The more mature members of the group could only stared wordlessly at the door.
The sounds of destruction were then replaced by bouts of laughter, and the two were found strewn on the floor among the wreckage. They grasped their guts as they continued to laugh hysterically.
This was immediately halted by slaps to the heads, courtesy of Raine. Her annoyance was all too clear.
"Sorry, sorry," Lloyd laughed, "We'll clean it all up."
The bedroom was closed and labeled hazard zone, and the group moved to the living room for some lunch.
"Right after lunch, you two are to make sure that room is spotless!"
"Yes ma'am," the two sighed.
Lloyd was sitting in a chair and trying to mold his wild bed-head hair, into his wild normal hair. He felt the back of a hand touch his forehead, and looked up to see Kratos checking his temperature.
"What's up?" he asked.
"You've regained some color at least," Kratos mused.
"Huh?"
"?"The room's focus shifted to the redhead swordsman, who stated coolly, "You didn't notice? When you walked in, you were deathly pale, and your body heat had dropped drastically."
Lloyd looked blankly at him for a few seconds, then he cried out with a start, "Oh, yeah! Now I remember! I had this really weird dream and woke up in a cold sweat, and stuff."
"And you…forgot?" Raine asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"Completely slipped my mind when I heard Genis's comment."
"Only an idiot like you could attain such ignorance as to forget you're sick," Genis sighed.
"Shut it, Genis!" Lloyd threw another small pillow, but it was caught mid-air by Raine who shot him a death glare that said 'Don't you dare'.
"What was this dream about?" Regal asked as he brought out trays of food, assisted by Presea and Sheena.
Grateful for the change of subject (Raine looked close to bashing his head in with the pillow [impossible you say? Lloyd was sure she would be able to find a way to do it) he launched into a description of his dream.
"I see…" Raine's eyes started to take on that tell-tale glow of Ruin Mania Mode, "You described it as a castle, yes? Hmm…I'm not aware of any of that size or structure…"
"There is always the possibility that it was merely an edifice created by Lloyd's own imagination, and does not actually exist," Regal reminded her.
"Yes, I suppose you are right," Raine sighed in disappointment.
"Oh, and the weirdest part…" Lloyd reached inside his pocket and pulled out the medallion for everyone to see, "This was the symbol on the platform. I've also seen Loki wearing a medallion like this."
"!"Raine and Genis started in shock and Raine said in a bare whisper, "Wh…Where did you get that?"
"You see, I met this woman in Palma Costa when I got split up from Sheena and Dad, and she told me to follow her if I wanted to find you guys. So I did and after she led me to the forest where you where held in, she left me this and disappeared."
"And you followed this complete stranger? Even though it could have been a trap?" Kratos's voice was calm, but Lloyd could see a flash of anger in his eyes; mixed in was a trace of fear and relief.
"Yeah, I'm sorry," Lloyd apologized, "But, I really felt like I could trust her. If nothing else, I have good instincts, right?"
The edge of Kratos's mouth curled a fraction of a smile, "I suppose you are right. You have to exercise more caution however."
"Yet another piece to the puzzle," Regal pondered, "Raine had filled us in earlier when she called us, but it is only getting more complicated."
Raine, however, was absorbed in the medallion.
"Uh…Professor? Is something wrong?" Lloyd asked.
"This symbol…it appeared frequently in scriptures concerning the Tear."
"!"
"Then could that castle have been built by these ancient peoples?" Presea questioned.
"I honestly don't know. The symbol was never actually addressed by any of the writings. It just kept appearing; mostly in the unreadable sections."
"Agh! This is confusing! It's like everything ties together, but we can't figure anything out!" Lloyd ruffled his hair in frustration.
"Regardless of what we do not know, one thing is for sure," Kratos said calmly, "Odin's Tear is at the heart of this."
"Which means we must find it in all haste," Regal nodded his head.
"Precisely why we are here," Presea said.
"?" Lloyd looked from them to the Professor.
"I had called Regal to obtain information on the process to repair the Tear," Raine explained, "The Lezareno Company has many resources and research information."
"And when Presea and I heard that our friends were in need of assistance we set off for Palma Costa at once," Regal smiled.
"Of course," Presea nodded.
"Okay, so what is it we're going to do exactly?" Lloyd asked.
"What is the probability that you will actually listen to the process if I explain it to you?" Raine sighed.
"Uh…."
"Exactly. I will inform you all about it if the time comes."
"So what are going to do now?" Sheena asked as she collected the empty bowls.
"The first thing to do is go to Gaoracchia Forest and use the Exe-terminal to try and locate the Tear," Kratos said.
"Right, so-" Raine began, however the door opened at that moment and a maid peeked her head through.
"Um, excuse me Miss Sage, but Governor-General Neil wanted me to pass on a message to you."
"Has he returned then?"
"No, he is currently in Meltokio. A meeting of the Symphony is being called, and all representatives have been called. Oh, but the Head Director of the U.S.S. Palma Costa Branch has returned, so he can take over your duties."
"Very well, thank you."
The maid bowed her head and ducked out of the room.
"Do we really have to go?" Lloyd sighed and couldn't help but show his boredom.
"You know the rules. All representatives must be present unless there's an emergency," Sheena stated.
"But this is an emergency!"
"If you had been paying attention, you would know that we still have a couple of weeks before the worst of the possible effects occur," Genis reminded him.
"Actually, Lloyd and Kratos do not need to be present. They are not the heads of any area," Presea said.
"However," Kratos cut in, "Under the circumstances, it would not be a good idea to split up. If this group attacks again, we stand a better chance together."
"This is true," Regal agreed.
"Alright then, It's off to Meltokio," Lloyd perked up. He knew there was no point in moping around, so he'd just try to bear with the boring talk.
Later that day…
The group walked through the front entrance of Meltokio, greeted with the highest respect by the guards.
"I remember a time we had to sneak in through the sewers. Now, they give us a hero's welcome," Lloyd chuckled.
"The meeting doesn't start for another hour," Sheena said.
"We will get ready for the meeting. Everyone agree to stay within Meltokio, and we'll all meet in the council chamber," Raine announced and everyone went their on way.
Lloyd noticed with a chill that as Sheena walked away she was grinning evilly and whispering something to herself that he wasn't sure he wanted to hear. Something about 'that leaves plenty of time…' Lloyd decided to stay out of it.
"So, whaddya want to do?" Lloyd turned to Kratos.
"Lloyd, there is something I have been meaning to ask you," Kratos said seriously.
"Yeah, what?"
"Have you been able to establish a connection with Origin lately?"
Lloyd started and became solemn, "No. Not since I went to rescue Genis and the Professor."
"That would explain why you did not call forth the Eternal Sword," Kratos speculated, "I can not seem to reach him either. I am sure Sheena realizes this too."
"It's like there's a wall or something…but it must not be because the Eternal ring is busted or anything, because I can still pull out my wings."
Kratos raised an eyebrow, "Without the Eternal Sword?"
"Not exactly," Lloyd tried to explain, "I can't speak with Origin, but I can kinda still feel the sword. If I concentrate I can feel a familiar presence in the ring. The Eternal Sword is still there, and I can draw on its powers, but I can't fully form it."
"This is troubling," Kratos said ominously, "Never mind the fact that we can not contact Origin which is a problem in and of itself, but a time when you require the Eternal Sword may come shortly."
"Well, there's nothing we can do about it right now. We might just have to wait it out," Lloyd shrugged.
"Perhaps."
The two were then interrupted by the sound of a large crowd approaching. Even from a distance, the swordsmen could hear the giggles and chatter of a flock of young noblewomen. And that could only mean one thing.
"Yo, bud! How ya been doing?" and none other than Zelos emerged from the crowd, as always grinning like an idiot.
Zelos waved to the pair and made his way to Lloyd. He stopped abruptly though, as one of Lloyd's swords came thrusting forward. If Zelos' battle skills matched his tact, he would have been skewered.
"What the hell?!" Zelos looked disbelievingly at Lloyd who raised his sword to attack again, "What're you doing?!"
"Sorry, Zelos," Lloyd said apologetically, "But trust me, this is for your own good." And Lloyd struck again.
"My own good?!" Zelos was still dodging Lloyd's attacks.
"Yeah, if Sheena finds you-"
Zelos had begun to run away, but he ran smack dab into Sheena and fell to the ground. He looked up to see the 'demonic banshee' glaring maliciously down at him.
"I've been looking for you Zelos."
With the speed of a panther Zelos leaped up and ran over to Lloyd.
"O-on second thought, make it quick," he stuttered.
But before Lloyd could oblige, Zelos was grabbed by the shoulder and lurched backwards by Sheena.
"Oh no Zelos. You're not getting the easy way out. I'm gonna let you live," the evil grin came upon her again and she proceeded to drag him off to who knows where.
"Poor, guy. I couldn't get to him in time," Lloyd shook his head ruefully.
Kratos merely shook his head in exasperation and began dragging his son off to the castle, "Come, let us go. We might as well just wait for the meeting to start."
"What?! Aw man, I don't wanna be stuck in that stuffy room," Lloyd pouted.
Lloyd huffed and puffed, but made no action to go against his father. Any time he spent with his dad was fine with him, no matter how boring.
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
"Duke Regal Bryant of Altamira, President of Lezareno Company."
"Sheena Fujibayashi of Mizuho."
"Presea Combatir of Ozette."
"Professor Raine Sage of Exire, Ambassador of Half elf - Elf Relations."
"Dr. Genis Sage of Exire, Ambassador of Half elf- Human Relations."
The role call had been taken and the representatives of each region had announced themselves. Except-
"It seems we have two representatives missing," reported the Symphony Secretary.
Kratos stood by the outer wall of the round room, Lloyd standing beside him. A circle of chairs had been set up at the edges of a balcony that circumnavigated the room, leaving a wide space in the middle for a podium in which people could take turns to speak before the whole council.
Lloyd looked around to locate the empty seats. His gaze stopped at Sheena, who was sitting opposite him on the other side of the room. Her face was impassive, and Zelos was no where in sight.
"The council leader of Iselia and-" the secretary began but a loud bang halted her.
The doors had clanged open and a flustered figure dressed in white with long blonde hair quickly walked in.
"I-I'm so sorry I'm late," the young woman apologized fervently, "Colette Brunel of Iselia reporting."
"Hey, Colette!" Lloyd called out and waved.
Colette turned excitedly to him and waved back with a big smile, "Hi, Ll-"
She could not finish due to the fact she stumbled forward and tripped, falling flat on her face. She immediately jumped back up and assured everyone she was fine.
"Ah, that's our Colette," Lloyd chuckled to himself.
"That leaves the Chief Attendant of the Conjunct States of Triet and Flanoir," the secretary said as though the disturbance had not taken place.
"A message has arrived and it seems he is currently detained. He will be coming much later. His permission was given to continue without him," one of the guards announced to the council.
"Very, well. We shall then begin," the King of Meltokio stated and the room uttered a sound of consent, "The first order of business will be addressed by Professor Sage."
The people of the Symphony all turned to Raine and she began to speak, "As I'm sure the people in the areas surrounding the Gaoracchia Forest have noticed, an object from the sky crashed to the ground…"
Lloyd knew she was going to explain briefly about the Odin's Tear, and tuned out. He began to look around the room, barely aware of what was being said.
Master of the Pact…
Lloyd snapped to attention at the sound of Origin calling to him, and he could see from Kratos's expression that his father heard him too.
Origin!? Lloyd called back.
Beware…is waiting…Eternal Sword…follow the energy signature…
"What?!" Lloyd whispered, Origin's voice was fading, and now he was silent yet again.
"Lloyd, did you hear that?" Kratos asked, his lips barely moving.
"Yeah, but-"
And that's when Lloyd felt it. The strong energy signature, emanating from the outer gates of Meltokio. Whatever, it was, Lloyd was sure it was waiting for him.
Kratos had felt it, and was about to turn to Lloyd, when said idiot ran swiftly out of the room.
"Lloyd!" Kratos hissed under his breath and followed his son.
The silent escape of the two swordsmen went unnoticed by everyone except their friends, who were startled by their behavior, but were forced to continue on with the meeting.
Lloyd was now running down the large stairs at the center of the city, and Kratos was not too far behind.
"Lloyd! Wait!" Kratos commanded, but as Lloyd turned to respond, he was cut off from Kratos by a large masculine figure, that appeared like quicksilver between them.
The man lashed out at Lloyd with a large sword held in his left hand, a shield covering his right. Lloyd threw himself backwards to avoid the devastating blow, then somersaulted in the air to land at a good distance from the mysterious attacker.
This attacker would have gone after Lloyd again, but he now had to face Kratos' near invisible attacks.
The two sparred for what seemed forever, but must have been only a battle of a few seconds. As Kratos occupied the great warrior's attention, Lloyd decided to try out his new blades.
"Sword Rain Alpha!" Lloyd cried and his multiple sword thrust and deft upper cut managed to decimate the man's shield.
His right arm revealed, Lloyd saw the man was actually missing his right hand.
The man smiled and jumped upon the roof of a nearby house.
For the first time he spoke to Kratos in his husky voice, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "Your skills are indeed impressive. I should like to face you in a real battle someday."
In what seemed and old habit, he stroked his short, coarse beard. Still speaking to Kratos, yet looking at Lloyd, his smile slipped and the gleam faded, "However, it is not your strength I have come here to assess."
Without warning, the man lunged for Lloyd and forced him into a deadlock. Kratos ran forward to aid his son, but was stopped by what seemed to be an invisible wall surrounding the two. As soon as he touched it, he staggered and fell to one knee. Kratos could not seem to control his body correctly, and his vision began to distort.
"Dad?!" Lloyd saw his father fall and instantly, he let his guard down.
"Fool!" the man shouted, and knocked Lloyd down on his back.
Lloyd moved to get up, but the point of the man's blade kept him pinned down.
"My, he broke your shield, Tyr? You're not losing your marvelous skill, are you now?" a musical voice floated through the air.
Lloyd turned his head a fraction to see another strange man standing behind Kratos, who was struggling to get up.
This man was obviously not a warrior, like his companion, for he was slender and his features were soft and smooth.
Again he spoke in his melodical, almost hypnotizing voice, "Is the flaming haired one causing a distraction? I could dispose of him if you wish."
His voice was heavenly, but his words betrayed his malicious nature.
Tyr's face and eyes were unreadable as he spoke, "I have no authority over you, Bragi."
The man known as Bragi merely smiled snidely and with a strength that seemed unlikely of his delicate frame, he grabbed Kratos' shirt and dragged him upward. Kratos made an attempt to fight him off, but he was still feeling the effects of whatever the strange wall was, and Bragi easily ignored him.
"No! Leave him alone!!" Lloyd shouted, forgetting about his own predicament.
Again Tyr pushed Lloyd roughly down, saying darkly, "Your fight is now with me. Do not concern yourself with the fate of others when yours looks so grim."
No emotion showing in his face, Bragi threw Kratos forward, and any one but the four-thousand year swordsman would have landed lamely upon the ground. Kratos, however, managed to get to his feet.
None of this bothered Bragi, who simply gathered energy within his palm and let it loose at Kratos. Kratos prepared his body to jump out of the way, but, then realized his son was lying helplessly there behind him. If he moved…
Before Lloyd's horrified eyes, Kratos was struck down by the blast, that he could probably have evaded.
"DAD!!!" Lloyd screamed and for a moment he seemed to blank out in shock.
"Well, that was boring," Bragi sighed, "I was hoping for a little more-"
He stopped abruptly, and his head turned slowly to Lloyd's direction. A fierce wind began to pierce the air and the atmosphere around them had grown thick with mana.
Tyr had already retreated to his comrade's side, and they both stared in awe as Lloyd slowly stood up, his face downcast, and a faint glow emanating from him.
Lloyd turned to the pair and glared at them through crimson colored eyes. Suddenly, his eyes narrowed to slits and brilliant wings spread behind him.
The glow intensified and he shouted out, "ORIGIN!!"
With that the energy pulsed out in a deadly wave, and before his outstretched hand the legendary Eternal Sword materialized. The wave of energy pushed Bragi and Tyr back a few feet; at the same time, a high pitched screech shot through the air, and the invisible barrier was broken creating a brief vacuum.
The wind inside the space flew in all directions, and it was in this chaos that the pair decided to take their leave. In a flash of light, they were gone.
Slowly, the air settled to its original state. Lloyd stood there for a few seconds, breathing hard and completely dazed.
He then remembered his father, and letting his wings and the sword fade, he ran to Kratos' still frame on the ground.
"Dad?!" Lloyd shook his father, his voice frantic with worry.
"…It will take more than that to kill me…" the bare whisper uttered from Kratos was enough to quell Lloyd's fear.
Grudgingly, Kratos sat up, and with Lloyd's help he was able to stand up and brush himself off.
"Come on, let's get you to the Professor," Lloyd pleaded.
"I can take care of my own wounds," Kratos ruffled Lloyd's hair and smiled, but then his faced turned serious, "What I want to know, though is what just happened. Are you alright?"
Kratos checked his son's temperature and looked him over.
Lloyd, annoyed by his father's lack of self-care retorted, "I'm fine. I wasn't the idiot who didn't move out of the way of an attack that moved slower than a snail."
Kratos merely smiled and said, "You knew that I would never put you in harm's way."
"And you knew I would have gladly taken that hit for you," Lloyd snapped.
"Sorry, not while I still draw breath," Kratos said slyly, "By the way, our friends are coming."
"Lloyd!! Kratos!!"
Sure enough, the whole group was sprinting down the stairs towards them.
"What on earth?!" Raine started.
"What happened?" Colette asked, looking around for the source of immense energy she had just sensed.
"Uh, I'd like to know that myself," Lloyd was obviously just as confused.
"Indeed," Kratos agreed. Then his eyes darted to his left and an almost non-existent smile reached his lips, "It seems we have company."
Everyone followed Kratos' gaze and was startled to see a young man before them, his electric cerulean hair tied in his signature ponytail. An identical smile to Kratos' appeared on the face of Yuan, the Renegade leader.
"Long time no see, Kratos," he smirked, "A few days here, and you're already mixing up trouble."
Okay, I'm done for now. I wrote this at like three o'clock in the morning 'cause that's when I got my inspiration, so don't be upset if it's a little rushed or something. I promise the next one will be better.
Wanted: reviewers with skills in constructed criticism and has opinions to suggest.
Skills necessary: only the ability to dream (and being able to type I guess)
Benefits: Stories have a higher chance of being updated frequently, with higher caliber likely.
Oh, yeah. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! I probably won't get another chance to say it. Out of curiosity, what are people going to dress up as? If you don't mind my asking (I don't wanna hear any nonsense about 'being too old'. You're never too old to gorge yourself on high levels of sugar;D) I'm gonna go with either a Shinigami from Bleach, or dress up in a kimone and black veil with those Japanese straw hats and be some kind of ancient Japanese princess or spirit.
Well, happy holidays. For those who don't celebrate it, I wish you happy days anyway.