Goodness... I really don't know what to do. I'm confused. I'm SERIOUSLY confused... Heck, I don't know what I'm writing anymore. Hey, uh, with regards to the suggestions in your reviews (they were great ones, by the way), I can't 'apply' or should I say 'adapt' them right now. I have another chapter that I have already begun writing in advance and well, that's the only time I could put into writing the suggestions. Is it okay?
This is taking too long. Just read this chapter for now.
Chapter XI
Unable To
-Part I-
Saya and Diva were outside, sitting comfortably in the soft grass. Diva was, as usual, playing with the toys given to her while Karl and Nathan watched them from a short distance, having their morning tea.
"Don't you ever get tired of drinking this everyday at three parts of each day?" Karl asked as he watched Nathan drink his tea pleasantly.
"Me? Getting tired of such a wonderfully healthy drink?" Nathan placed his cup on the saucer. "Not ever!"
"How long have you been drinking this?"
"It was so long ago that I could hardly remember," Nathan said, placing his palm on his temple.
"And how long exactly will you drink this?"
"I don't know, really. Maybe after a few centuries more would I soon tire of this," Nathan sighed. "There are three classifications of tea after all and each classification has several kinds of tea. And so far, I'm enjoying the green tea." He watched the two siblings with amusement. "I never seem to be fed up watching those two getting along so perfectly well either. I should think that I never will."
Karl followed Nathan's gaze. His right arm twitched slightly as he laid his eyes on the elder twin.
-ns-
"Diva," Saya said, calling the younger queen's attention.
Diva had easily disembodied the teddy bear's head and was planning to tear the legs off. "What?"
"You've created quite a mess here," Saya stated mildly.
"So?" Diva was very much concentrating on ripping the bear into two instead of removing its arms and legs.
"Well, it would be hard to clean up later on."
"If it bothers you so much, why don't you start cleaning up yourself instead of complaining it to me?" Diva inquired dryly, obviously irritated at being disturbed.
"Well, if you say so..." Saya stood up without a second's thought and obediently went to pick up all the toys that lay scattered in the grass.
"What's this?" Nathan said after seeing Saya stand up only to pick up all the toys.
"What?" Karl said.
Nathan chuckled. "Dear me, Saya's cleaning up Diva's mess. She must have been told to do so."
Karl stared right at Saya, his gaze growing more piercing as the elder queen was busy fixing the mess.
Arms, legs and heads of the toys lay around. Saya had already quite a bunch of the toys in her arms. As she bent to pick up a certain doll, she felt a sudden uneasiness at the pit of her stomach. She turned and saw that Karl was giving her a cold, severe glare, one which rose discomfort in her. She saw something flash in his eyes. It was somehow full of hatred, unusual joy and…hunger. A chill ran down her spine. She quickly took the doll in her hand and got whatever toys lay nearby and hastened away to Diva's side. She felt sure the moment she left, a manic grin had appeared on Karl's face.
"This is so boring," Diva avowed. "I've had it with these toys."
"Well, what else do you want to play with?" Saya asked, setting the bunch of destroyed toys beside her.
"If these were humans, which unfortunately they're not, I would have some more fun."
"Well, they're not humans," Saya said. "What else do you want to do?"
"When will we leave for London?" Diva asked, ignoring Saya's question and suddenly shifting topics.
"Four days after this," Saya answered. "Why do you ask?"
"I want to make the best out of this place before we leave," Diva replied. "Nathan!" she called.
"You called, my Queen?" Nathan asked, standing before Diva.
"Nathan, I want to head for Paris right now with Saya-neechan."
"What?" Saya stared at Diva in surprise.
"For what reason, my dear?" Nathan inquired, not the least bit surprised at the sudden request.
"Well, we are leaving for London too soon. I figured it would be fun to head to Paris for some 'sightseeing'," Diva replied. "Besides, it's boring here."
"This is too sudden. We can't possibly just go there when we feel like doing so," Saya protested.
"As you wish," Nathan said, dipping his head slightly. "I'll just contact our little driver and we'll leave at once."
"What?" Saya did not believe what she had just heard. "How—" Nathan had already vanished within moments before she could ask him a question.
"What's wrong with you?" Diva inquired flatly.
"Nothing," Saya replied. "It's just too sudden. Can we really go there on such short notice?"
"Of course we can," Diva answered. "And what's the problem if it were too sudden? My children will follow whatever I say."
"I know. But still…"
"If you don't feel like coming along with me, it's fine."
"No. That's not what I meant," Saya said, caught of guard by the dry answer. "I'll accompany you wherever you go."
Diva smiled slyly. "We'll have fun, won't we?"
"Yes."
-ns-
"Damn," Kai muttered as he lay on the bed. He was staring up at the ceiling. Thoughts had been bothering him all morning. Even after Haji told him to rest a few hours earlier, he could not. "It's all the same…" he said softly. "It's all the same! I'm still weak and useless!" he ended up yelling.
"Kai!" Mao shouted at him from the living room. "Stop hollering! It's the first thing in the morning!"
"Oh, shut up," Kai said under his breath. He rolled to his side. Even David sees me as a burden, he thought. He crumpled the sheets in his hand. I couldn't do anything to help. I even caused an unnecessary argument last night. The thought infuriated him. Quickly, he got a pillow and dug his face into it. "DAMN IT!" he yelled.
I'm so reckless…
Momentary silence ensued. Kai decided it was best that he get up. It wouldn't make any difference anyway, some part of him argued as he got out of the bed and headed for the kitchen. No matter how hard you try, you wouldn't be able to accomplish anything.
"I know that!" Kai said angrily, clenching his fists.
"Kai?" Mao said curiously, staring at him in wonder.
"It's nothing," Kai grumbled, rubbing his shoulder. "I was just talking to myself, that's all."
"You don't normally do that," Mao said. Kai sat down on the table and saw that there was already food prepared.
"You cooked food again?" Kai inquired.
"No," Mao replied, frowning. She faced the other direction in indignation. "Lewis cooked this for the both of us."
"Oh." Kai forced a smile.
-ns-
"I'm leaving," Kai said as he stood by the door.
"Again?" Mao said. "Didn't David scold you for sneaking out of the apartment? He scolded me for allowing you to go."
"Relax," Kai said nonchalantly. "It's not like the old man's here anyway."
"Whatever," Mao folded her arms. "I won't be dragged into it when David chides you again."
"Yeah, yeah. It's not a problem," Kai said and left the apartment. I'm used to getting scolded anyway.
"Jeez," Mao said when she was alone. "What's his problem?" She got out a can of soda and opened it. "Darn it. I can't believe that bastard, Okamura, had been brought along. I don't see how he could help anyway. All he does is read, write and talk." She sipped from her soda. "He can't hold a proper weapon either. All he knows how to handle in this world is his boring, old camera."
Even if they left me here, I'll show them that I can still do something. Kai walked down the street. He headed for the park. Maybe she still comes here, he thought as he headed for the swings. Children populated the area, laughing and causing tremendous noise while their parents tried to discipline them. Irene was nowhere to be seen among them. Where else can she be? He tried to guess possible places where he could find the Schiff. And although what had happened to him last night between him and them was clearly a sign of threat from the Schiff, the latter found it otherwise.
He headed down into places where people preferred to go the least. He walked down empty, dark alleys and still did not see any of those he sought for. Did they go further into hiding after knowing of Haji's presence? It was possible. It is still daylight, he reminded himself. After all, they fear the sun. I might still see them.
-ns-
Was this even worth the fuel and time consumed? Saya thought doubtfully as she stared through the window. Diva was leaning on her shoulder and had fallen asleep within the first few minutes as soon as they had entered the limousine. Honestly, Saya sighed, looking down at her. You're the one who arranged for this trip to Paris and now you're the first one to fall asleep.
"We're here," she heard Nathan say. The window from that separated the driver's seat from them lowered and Nathan appeared. "You might as well wake your sister up."
"Right." Saya shook Diva gently. "Diva, wake up." Diva stirred slightly. "Diva, we're here now. We're in Paris."
"We are?" Diva asked sleepily. She sat up straight and yawned.
"Goodness," Nathan sighed. "Your hair is in quite a mess, I must say." He took out a brush from his purse and handed it to Saya. "Saya, please do the honors and arrange Diva's hair for me."
"Alright." Saya reached out and took the brush and gently brushed Diva's hair. "Are you okay?" she asked as she combed her sister's hair neatly.
"I'm…still sleepy."
Saya smiled. "Well, that's what you get for being so rash with going here."
"Enough already." Saya obeyed her and handed the brush back to Nathan.
"Well, where do you two want to go first?" Nathan asked.
"Somewhere worth going to," Diva replied sarcastically. She looked at Saya, as if questioning her with the look.
Saya immediately understood what she wanted to ask. "Well, I'm not so sure. I'm not that familiar with this place."
"I know," Nathan brightened. "It would be the perfect place for the both of you."
"What?" The two girls asked in unison.
"A nice little shop where they would sell gowns and dresses. I know where they sell the best, most adorable little outfits for the both of you," Nathan clasped his hands. His eyes were bright with excitement.
"That's the most boring place I'd ever go into," Diva remarked dryly. She held Saya around the arm. "But since I'm with Saya-oneechan, it would be nice. It will be fun to get her into those little pieces of fabric and silk. Right, Onee-chan?"
"Me?" Saya held out her hands, a ridiculously reluctant expression on her face, hidden behind a silly smile. "I'm not really fond of those."
"No; we're getting you into those dresses," Diva said firmly. "And I'll be the one who would fit you into them."
"No, really—"
"Nathan, have the driver take us to that little store you mentioned," Diva told Nathan, ignoring Saya's protests.
"With pleasure," Nathan replied.
-ns-
"It's late in the afternoon," Kai said to himself. "I still did not catch any sign of them." Where are they? he wondered. He had been looking for the Schiff all morning until then. Yet, despite that there was not a single trace of them. His stomach grumbled. Darn. I forgot to eat lunch. He had not returned to the apartment to have his lunch. He was too preoccupied to do so. However he was aware that such actions would only hinder him from what he wanted to do. So he then decided it was best he go to the nearest restaurant to at least fill his hungry stomach with a bit of food to stop the continuous growls that begged him to feed it.
"Well, I guess this can do," Kai said to himself as he stood before a large restaurant. The sign read "Classique". Classique, eh? Kai smirked and entered the restaurant. Inside, it was quite bizarre in his eyes. There were few customers present. There were lots of unoccupied tables. Kai headed for a small table at the corner where he could watch the comings and goings outside. As soon as he sat comfortably into his seat, a dark-haired waiter with a small mustache and neatly shaved beard approached him.
The waiter, realizing that the Kai was an Asian for he could see that he had Oriental features, spoke in English. "Good afternoon, sir," he tried to say in his best accent. "Welcome to 'Classique', a restaurant where we serve France's most known traditional dishes." He held a menu readily in his hands. "What would you like to have this afternoon, sir?" He handed the menu to Kai.
Kai took it and read the list of dishes. The food where all in French and he had a hard time reading and understanding the dishes. "Er, I'm not so sure…" Kai said, narrowing his eyes at a particular name that seemed very much difficult to read. "Uh, could…could you suggest a meal for me? I'm having a hard time understa—er, deciding, you see."
The waiter bent down and read the menu himself. "Shall I suggest the 'Pot au Feu', sir?"
"What's that?" Kai asked.
"It is called 'French Beef Stew' in English. Truly, sir. This is a classic, traditional recipe, eaten throughout France. It comes from the very heart of the French culture, if you must know, sir."
"I see," Kai said, rubbing his chin. "If that's the case, then I'm having it."
"Is that all you wanted to order, sir?"
"Well, what else is there, anyway?"
"We serve well-known wine here, sir."
"Oh. I see."
"Would you like to order our finest wine here, sir? I do recommend that you do. I'm sure it would be very much…enjoyable if you have your meal with it. I assure you." The waiter took the menu from him. "Would you also be having the wine, sir?"
"Well, uh," Kai thought for a moment. I guess I'm old enough to drink this sort of stuff. "Sure. I would like to have some of that wine you mentioned…since you say it tastes great."
The waiter smiled. "Certainly, sir. Your meal shall arrive after a short while. Please wait until then." He soon left.
Kai observed the people outside for a while. As he sat down, waiting for his meal, his cell phone rang. He answered it.
"Hello?"
"KAI!" Mao shouted from the other line. "You little—'
"Mao, please calm down," Kai said mildly, cupping the cell phone in his hands. The other customers were staring at him in alarm. "I'm in a restaurant right now, somewhere in the city."
Mao, fortunately, obeyed him and lowered her voice. "What do you mean? You're not coming home for lunch?"
"I can't, okay?" Kai said mildly. "Besides, I've already ordered my food."
"What are you doing, anyway?" Mao asked.
"I can't tell you, Mao, at least not yet."
"Why not?"
"Just please listen to me and don't ask," Kai said. "I promise to explain everything to you. But I can't tell you right now. Neither can I tell you my reason for not explaining the whole situation right now."
"If that's the case," Mao said. "Then at least tell me when you're coming back."
"I'm not sure either," Kai smiled apologetically, forgetting to realize that Mao would certainly not be able to see that smile.
"Then let me just remind you: David and the rest are coming home tonight. You better come home before that happens or else I'll search for you myself in this city and I'll haul you back to the apartment." Mao's voice was austere and threatening. "Understood?"
"Yes. I promise to be home," Kai assured her.
"Then I'll be ending the call. Goodbye."
"Yeah. I'll see you later." The call ended. Kai sighed and glanced at the customers. They weren't staring at him anymore. Jeez. She put me in such an embarrassing situation, Kai thought. Just then, the waiter from a while ago appeared, holding a tray and balancing it in one had.
"Viola," he said cheerfully, placing the tray before Kai. "It is just as you had ordered, sir. Please enjoy your meal." His accent was very much of French and it was quite silly for Kai as the waiter spoke in English. The waiter stepped back respectfully and left Kai to eat.
"A weird way of service," Kai said to himself. "It's still friendly anyway."
As he ate, the same waiter came back, holding a bottle of wine. "Would you like a glass of the wine, sir?"
"Uh, sure."
The waiter poured into the glass nearby. "Please enjoy your meal, sir." He turned to leave.
"Hey, uh, wait," Kai said, making the waiter face him again.
"What is it, sir?"
"May I see what kind of wine it is?"
"Certainly." The waiter showed him the label of the wine. Kai's eyes widened in shock. "It's the Chateau Duel 1967, sir." He noticed the disturbed look on Kai's face. "Is there a problem, sir?"
"No." Kai changed his expression to a smile. "I was just surprised, that's all."
"That wine is very much famous for its unique flavor," the waiter said. Kai sensed a slight chilly feeling in his voice. "You will enjoy your meal with this, I'm sure." He left at once after saying those words.
Kai watched him leave. I can't believe it. He remembered Okamura warning everyone regarding the wine. Likewise, David gave a similar warning. "…Apparently, they have spread Delta 67 into different drugs. Even wine… That was why Saya was sent to Lycee De Cinq Fléches in Vietnam because wine was kept there and was occasionally exported to different countries… The wine was named Chateau Duel 1967…"
"They couldn't have…" he said softly. He then realized he was in France. What could he expect? He had learned the wine was made in Bordeaux. Countries were accepting these for the people. Why would the very country where the wine itself was produced be of no exception?
Kai swore under his breath. He pushed the glass of wine farther away from his plate, near the edge of the table, and resumed eating.
-ns-
The waiter soon came back, holding a small tray.
"Your payment, sir," he said, lowering the tray and showing the bill to Kai.
"Here," Kai handed the payment and stood up.
"Did you enjoy the food, sir?"
"I did," Kai replied. "Oh, and you could keep the change."
"Thank you very much, sir." The waiter bowed slightly and then noticed the glass of wine which was left untouched, at the end of the table. "Your wine, sir. You forgot to drink it."
"Oh, that?" Kai smiled apologetically. "I, uh, am a minor. I figured I shouldn't drink those until I reach my proper age." He scratched his head. "I'm sorry if I couldn't drink it."
"It is quite okay, sir. As long as you have enjoyed your meal." The waiter smiled.
"Well, I should be going. I'm looking for some people, you see." Kai turned to leave.
"Thank you for coming, sir. Please come again."
"I will." Kai went out the restaurant and walked away, satisfied. The waiter looked at the glass of wine which was left untouched on the table.
"That was certainly a worthwhile meal," Kai said to himself. Now to get back to work.
As he left, he was unaware that the waiter was eyeing him warily.
Loving grapes, don't laugh if ever this chapter seems ridiculous... I come from the Philippines. Take note: PHILIPPINES. I know nothing about France, or Paris or whatever. Researching all about France would be a hassle. And obviously, I just made up the restaurant 'Classique'. But the food, of course that was real.
So, yeah, there's still the part 2. If you've noticed, my chapters are really getting longer and I have to divide them. Well, it's not like it would affect anything, right?
I will no longer say 'review please'. I shall say from this day forward: 'Please give your feedback.' So that you wouldn't be fed up with my simple request, yes?
