Author's Note: And here is Chapter Two of Episode Two. I'm sorry it took so long. Gomen-nasai (sorry)! The following scene with Fai's fangirls was kind of inspired by fangirl scene in "Episode 13" of the Fruits Basket anime. Also, the Mason twins are based off of Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin from Ouran High School Host Club. And Owen Hendricks is based off the character of the Class Rep from the Ouran High School Host Club anime. In fact, this little episode was inspired by the plot of "Episode 21" of the Ouran High School Host Club anime. I just hope it wasn't inspired too heavily. Please, review.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own The Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. It is owned by CLAMP. I do NOT own The Crucible, as it was written by Arthur Miller. I do NOT own Fruits Basket. It's owned by Natsuki Takaya. And I do NOT own Ouran High School Host Club, as it's owned by Bisco Hatori.
"So, your arm's back to normal?"
"Indeed it is."
"That's good! We were so worried about you!"
Joannie had to stop herself from gagging. It was the Monday after Fai's sling had been removed, and now, as he and Joannie were eating lunch, his fangirls were once again crowding all around him, fighting for his attention. Since day one, the girls had been sitting at the table with Fai and Joannie, sharing lunches and conversations with them—or, more specifically, with Fai. They pretty much ignored the blonde's gothic companion, as if she didn't exist. In fact, the only thing Joannie got from the table invaders were hostile glances, as if to say, "How dare you sit next to our Prince Charming!" Right now, Joannie was rolling her eyes as a couple more girls were glaring at her. I swear, they're like a pack of hyenas!
One redhead was offering him a box of chocolates. "Um, here, Fai." She said in a timid voice. "I got you some sweets."
The blonde smiled at her as he accepted the gift. "Why, thank you! You're too kind, Miss Theresa!" Theresa blushed furiously until her face was about as red as her hair (1). At the same time, several of the other girls started ganging up on Fai and began shoving their desserts in his face.
"Here! Have some of my pudding!"
"I've got strawberries, Fai! You like strawberries, right?!"
"Have some cookies! I made them myself!"
"She's lying! Those are store-bought!"
Joannie scoffed at the scene in front of her. Pathetic.
"Um, excuse me?"
Both Joannie and Fai turned around at the source of the voice. Standing right by the table was a young girl with chestnut-brown hair and glasses. Joannie recognized her as Carla Lindberg, one of their classmates from English. Inwardly, the she-mage sighed. She's probably just another fangirl of Fai's, she thought.
"Um," Carla smiled meekly at the table's current occupants, "mind if I sit here?"
Immediately, all the fangirls' eyes flared up. "We mind!!" Was the evident message they were sending. But Fai beamed up at Carla and Joannie just gave a mere shrug.
"Why, make yourself comfortable!"
"It's a free country."
Carla happily obliged, her food tray clanking against the table as she sat down between Joannie and the blonde (who was still surrounded by his rabid fangirls). The newcomer was silent for a moment as Joannie picked at her fries and the fangirls trying to convince Fai to go to the Halloween dance with them. Then, Carla tentatively spoke up.
"So," she said as she started unwrapping her burger, "how do you think you guys did on that Crucible test?"
Fai chuckled. "I'm not quite sure how I did. I had trouble matching the quotes."
"Yeah," Carla replied, "Those were hard." She then turned to her gothic classmate. "What about you, Joannie?"
Said girl merely shrugged. "Okay, I guess."
"Well, you probably did better than me," Carla smiled, "I couldn't really get into it; it was too depressing for me."
Joannie said nothing as she munched on her pizza. Carla uncomfortably bit her lip before saying, "Well, at least, it put us in the mood for Halloween. Speaking of which, what are you guys doing this year?"
Fai grinned, ear-to-ear, as he looked at her. "Joannie and I are going on the scavenger hunt!"
"Really?" Carla's eyes widened in excitement. "Oh, I did that once with my sister Katie. It was really fun!"
"Is that so! Then, maybe you could join us, this year?" Fai offered. His fangirls immediately seethed at the possibility of Carla hanging out with their beloved blonde. Joannie looked at them, her eyebrows raised. Well, aren't they territorial!
But Carla only shook her head. "Sorry, I can't. My parents are out of town that day, so I have to baby-sit my little brother, instead. I really wish I could go with you guys, though."
Joannie snorted. "Anytime you wanna switch places, just let me know."
"Huh?" A puzzled Carla turned to Joannie.
The gothic girl only sighed. "It's nothing."
Fai laughed. "Oh, don't worry about Joannie," he said to Carla, "she's just being a Missus Grumpy-Puss."
Joannie's eyebrows twitched. "Well, how would you feel if you got forced into doing some random event?" She snapped.
"Well, I'm sure it's better than lying around in the house, all day," Fai answered, with his famous smile. "Come on, Joannie. I'm sure it'll be fun!"
Not with you, it won't…
"So, you two are here to sign up for the Halloween Scavenger Hunt?" The receptionist asked.
Fai nodded. "That we are, Madame!" He smiled charmingly, causing the receptionist to blush.
School had let out fifteen minutes ago, so, as soon as both Joannie and Fai were all set, they took the barely two-minute walk to the Community Center in order to register.
"All right, then," the receptionist stuttered, "in that case, I'll need you to sign your names here." She gave them the sign-up sheet. "I'll also need to know the names of your teammates."
Joannie frowned. "Teammates?"
"Oh, you didn't know?" The lady said. "Everyone participating in the Scavenger Hunt needs to be in groups of at least four."
"Terrific." The teenage girl grumbled.
"Now, now," Fai said as he waved his finger at her, "there's no need to be down. We'll just have to find two more people to join us."
The receptionist smiled. "Well, take your time. The registration lasts from now 'til Thursday."
"Thank you, Madame!" The blonde bowed gallantly at her, causing her to blush even more. Joannie only shook her head and looked away. You flirt…
"Come, Joannie!" Fai said suddenly as he took her hand and led her down the hallway. "We must go now in search of new comrades!"
"But the receptionist said that we still have a few more days!" She protested.
"Yes," the blonde smiled, "but that's no reason to procrastinate!"
"We could always not do the damn Scavenger Hunt…" she muttered.
"Excuse me? Hey! You two!"
Joannie and Fai turned to see a mousy-haired teenage boy run to them. It took a few seconds for Joannie to recognize him as Owen Hendricks, a former classmate from last year's Health Class. When he finally caught up to them, he panted, "…Sorry…I couldn't…help…overhearing…you two…from over there…"
"Whoa! Don't kill yourself!" Joannie exclaimed as she stared at him.
"…Okay…sorry…"
After a moment, Owen, having regained his breath, looked at them and said, "I overheard you two from back there." He nodded his head toward the receptionist's office. "You guys said you needed more teammates."
Joannie raised an eyebrow at him. "And you're volunteering yourself?"
Owen paused for a moment, and it seemed to Joannie that his face turned a little pale. Finally, he gave a grim nod. "Yeah. I am."
Fai smiled broadly at him. "Well, then, we gladly welcome you to our small but proud band of adventurers! But first," he chuckled, "introductions are in order." He offered his hand to Owen, saying, "Fai Flourite, at your service, Sir."
The boy took the offered hand and gave it a mild shake. "Owen Hendricks."
Fai grinned as he waved toward Joannie. "And this moody but very shy person over here is Miss Joannie Grumpy-Pants Gordan!"
The said girl clenched her jaw. "I can introduce myself, you know." She growled. Fai only laughed.
"Um," Owen stuttered, "it's okay. We've already met. In Health class, last year." He added when the blonde looked puzzled.
"Really?" Fai said. "Joannie, why didn't you tell me you two knew each other?" He mock-scolded her.
"Well, it's hard to say anything when you won't shut up." She muttered. "Anyway," she continued (completely ignoring Fai's "Joannie, you're so mean!"), "now, we just need one more person on our team."
"Never fear, my dear companions!" Fai suddenly declared. "I shall go forth to search for our new and destined comrade! Don't worry! I shall not fail thee!"
Destined…? Joannie thought, incredulously. And why is he sounding like he's on a quest, or something? However, she didn't have to time to ask Fai himself as he was already halfway down the hallway, skipping all the while.
Owen stared after the blonde, looking completely dumbfounded. "…Wow…"
"Yeah." The girl beside him, emphasized.
Owen allowed himself a small smile. "So, you guys decided that you wanted to do the Scavenger Hunt—
"Fai did. I didn't." She made a point to clarify.
"Oh." A crestfallen Owen answered. He chuckled nervously, then. "So, the Scavenger Hunt…I guess it's safe to assume that it's pretty scary, huh?"
"Well, it is called the Halloween Scavenger Hunt." Joannie pointed out, not noticing that Owen was turning even paler.
"Ah. Yes, it is." Owen responded, weakly. He then seemed to perk up at a sudden thought. "But I'm sure they'll know that there are, uh, little kids going on this thing, so all the tricks, props, and stuff will be 'G' rated, right?" He asked, a tinge of hope sounding in his voice.
"Well, it's Halloween, so, I guess you never know." Joannie answered, only vaguely taking note that Owen's shoulders slumped at her reply.
"…Yeah…I guess you're right…" He said miserably. He sighed. "Well, I guess the prize money makes it worth it."
"You mean the five hundred dollar cash prize?" Joannie asked. She had heard of it, yes. The team that first arrived back at the starting point, with the all the search items in hand, was to receive a five-hundred dollars worth of money. The two runner-up teams would instead receive the two-hundred-fifty and the one-hundred dollar prizes, respectively. As for the rest, they would each get a free sundae ice-cream certificate to Buddy's.
Owen nodded at her question. "That's the one." He gave a small laugh. "That's a lot of money, huh?"
Joannie only shrugged. "I guess." After that, the two remained quiet.
They waited for a few moments. Then,
"Oh, Joannie! Owen!"
They looked up to see Fai running up to them, grinning broadly.
"So, did you find anybody?" Owen asked, as the blonde reached them.
Fai nodded. "Indeed, I did! We now have two more additions to our team!"
Joannie frowned. "Wait…two?!"
Fai only smiled brightly as he gave an elegant bow. "Ladies and gentlemen, I would like you to meet…Mister Gregory and Mitchell Mason!" He stepped aside to reveal two identical-looking teenage boys behind him (2).
Joannie stiffened and Owen let out dismayed, "Oh, no…"
One of the twins, Mitch saw her and said in a bored tone, "Hey, look! It's Gordan (3)."
"Who's the nerd next to her?" Greg asked.
"Wait," Mitchell spoke up, "wasn't he the guy whose T-shirt we dyed hot pink?"
"Oh, yeah! I remember that!" Greg exclaimed. He smirked. "We put in a lot of time and effort on that one."
Fai grinned. "Well, I suppose we all should go and sign up, now." But as he started to lead the group toward the receptionist's office, Joannie took his arm and hissed, "Fai, let me talk to you for a minute."
"Wait! Where're you guys going?!" Owen cried out as Joannie began to drag the blonde several feet away (4).
"Joannie? What's wrong?" Fai asked as they finally stopped.
"Not those two." She said bluntly.
He frowned. "I'm sorry…?" He said in bewilderment.
"I am not teaming up with those two jerks!" She huffed.
Fai gave a weak chuckle. "So, I take it you already know Gregory and Mitchell?"
"Unfortunately!" She muttered darkly. She had first met the Mason brothers in middle school. Within a week of first year in middle year, the twins had officially earned the title, "The Twins from Hell." They pulled many a prank on nearly everyone in the school, including Joannie. At least once, had she opened her locker door to be overwhelmed by an avalanche of water-balloons carefully stowed away from within. Twice, she had opened her lunch box (she had done cold lunch then) to find inside a very large and very warty toad. And countless of times, she had found her notebook scribbled upon with nasty caricatures and stupid notes (at which one occasion, she had decided to leave a nasty note herself, in case the twins would repeat their mischief). Yes, she already knew the Gregory and Mitchell, and she wanted nothing more than to keep a ten mile radius between her and them.
"But," Fai said as he scratched the back of his head, "they can't be that bad."
They glanced up just in time to see Greg "accidentally" trip a passersby. "Oops!" The Masons chorused. "Sorry!"
Joannie gave a certain look at her blonde companion, to which Fai answered with a weak shrug. "Well, no one's perfect."
Joannie was just about to say something, when Greg called out to them, "Hey! We kinda would like to get moving!"
"You can save your flirting for another time!" Mitch added. Immediately, he found himself face-to-face with a very furious Joannie, who seemed on the verge of strangling him. "What. Did. You. Say?" She hissed ominously.
"Oh, it's you kids, again!"
All heads turned to the sound of the receptionist's voice, who was looking at them expectantly. "So, you're all grouped up and ready to go?" She asked as she glanced at Fai, Joannie, Owen, and the Masons.
Fai nodded exuberantly. "Indeed we are, Madame!"
"Great!" And with that, the receptionist handed them a clipboard with the sign-up sheet on it. "Just sign your names, here."
Joannie grumbled as Fai scribbled down their names. "Fai Flourite, Owen Hendricks, Mitchell Mason, Gregory Mason…" he read out loud, "and Joannie Gordan."
The gothic girl could only groan as the Masons started mercilessly tormenting Owen in the background. It's official, she decided, I hate Halloween.
Author's Note: Please, let me know what you think. Also, the next chapter may take a while to update. I haven't started writing it, yet.
(1) No offence to any red-haired reader.
(2) Gregory and Mitchell Mason are based off of Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin from the Ouran High School Host Club.
(3) The Masons usually refer to Joannie by her last name.
(4) Poor Owen ... He didn't want to be left behind with the Masons.
