-EDIT-so, in case you guys aren't aware by now, I've been editing some earlier chapters and fixing a few minor spelling/grammar issues and adding some stuff to fit in with the story LATER. So I hope you enjoy the improved version. Thanks, -Ivyflightislistening, April 24, 2011
XXXXX
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Wow, so much for a quick update. School began a while ago, but I wasn't that busy. I've been working on a lot of stuff recently, though. Musical, sports, other stories… but I'll try to update at least once a week.
Haha, thanks, Maddy! I'm glad you liked it, I definitely did, too. I think I might go back and edit some of the previous stuff for a bit more humor and less mush.
Bubbly-chan! Thank you for multiple reviews :D I've read one or two Alex Rider books, been meaning to read the rest but haven't had time. I looked up Alex Pettyfer, I could definitely see him as Iggy!
Rainie16-Sorry for the wait, Mr. Bumble had me at gunpoint for talking about him so degradingly :D
cleo272-who cares if it's normal? Haha, sorry, I'm a crazy random person like that.
LovelyNBlue-thanks!
Rose-YES! Gods, I hope that Rob and Kristin aren't chosen for Max and Fang, that's who she wants. Nothing's decided, but… She better not ruin it!
Terri-glad you liked it! Thanks and sorry for the wait…
fictioncrazy04-love your username!
lexigrrl09-haha, yeah I've done that.
pinkcatheaven-updaaating!
jkb237-ha, thanks!
1910tsuki-yeah, I'm sort of working with first to die, not necessarily in the book. Yeah, I'm pretty sure that if that happened March 26th would become a national day of silence day :D And I updated it so now fluff is explained.
Again, sorry for the wait, so without further ado…
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Although I sent the younger kids up to bed around nine, Ella, Iggy, Fang and I waited out for mom to come home. Ella was nearly bouncing with excitement to hear about what happened, but about half an hour after I barked at Gazzy to stop bothering Nudge and that no, Total did not have fleas and he could sleep with Angel, I had another apocalypse attack. It wasn't any nicer than the previous one, just more death scenes with birds circling overhead. The four of us were examining and talking them over carefully when mom came home.
"How did-" She began, but then saw the papers strewn across the table and our worried looks and put her purse down to look over my shoulder. On the floor were the last set for comparison.
"My AL teacher said it was Mayan." Ella mentioned casually, completely forgetting her previous curiosity about how the date had gone.
"Which brings us…?"
"Nowhere." I sighed heavily and reached for another cookie. One of the greatest discoveries of the day was that Ella could make cookies almost as well as mom. I think I might kidnap Ella to cook for me on weekends. "How was the date?"
"It wasn't a date." Mom huffed, glaring at me before hanging her coat up in the very closet we had nearly broken earlier. "It was a discussion between friends over dinner, and it was fine, thank you very much."
"Glad to hear it." I grinned, trying to ignore the pictures as Fang swept them up and pushed them under the toaster, face down.
"Has Jeb called?"
That was unexpected. I glanced at Fang, but he didn't know what she was talking about either. By the way she had bounced from subject to subject, I could tell this had been bothering her and decided against a snide comment.
"No. Should he have?"
"I called him earlier, on the way to the date-"
"Ha!"
"Ella." I waved her down with a smile, but mom didn't relax. Something was clearly not right.
"And he said he had to go. I told him to call back around nine, by the sound of it he was in a city and his voice sounded off."
I checked the clock on the microwave. It was nine thirty. We all knew how Jeb was about times, he was always on time. He wrote down on his Crackberry calendar to call people back. Despite myself, I did feel a twinge of worry. Not for Jeb, really, but if something was targeting him, maybe it would target my Flock. He was famous or something in the creepy mad scientist world for helping out in our 'becoming' or some crap like that.
"He probably got stuck in a meeting or something." I covered up my panic with logic. "Plus, he was in a city, right? Maybe he got mugged. I bet if we called him back some druggie will pick up and ask where we live. Then he'll wonder if we want to partake in any drug running with him over the Canadian border."
"Yeah, because girls are above drug running." Iggy snorted. I ignored him.
"He didn't say much, just to stay on alert and not be lulled into a false sense of security. To watch our for yourselves, and watch the movies, and he did… he did say he was sorry." She cleared her throat. "On a lighter note," mom smiled at us, clearly not wanting us to worry. "Or, maybe not, depending on how you look at it, John Abate called. He helped me form the CSM, as you know, but he told me that the governor would like to help us out. Spread the word."
"That's good." I brightened considerably. "Who's the governor? I think we should meet this guy, or send him one of Angel's drawings which are really cute and he could hang on his fridge."
"That's not it." Mom seemed to be watching me, and I felt the 'maybe not' part would be coming up. "He decided there should be a formal gathering of lots of businessmen and women and important people in the government. A party, if you will. One completely devoted to 'going green' to show that people can have a good time without destroying anything while politicians talk about other ways to do so." I had a bad feeling about this and gulped. "So," mom continued. "In a few days, three actually, there's going to be a formal dinner at the statehouse. Everything will be lit by smokeless candles and mirrors, there will be a live band, and I don't know the details. I do however know that it is a suit and dress event and that the governor very much wants you to come. I, ah, spoke to him after I talked with John, and he says speeches or announcements aren't necessary, just knowing that you're there would be an encouragement to everyone, so I think attending would be wise, even if you do not want to go for personal reasons."
She had lost her collected tone at the very end and now looked like I was about to whip her with my belt collection.
I was still processing what she had said.
"Wait." Iggy breathed. "The governor of Arizona wants us at a formal thingie?"
"With music." Mom added helpfully. "Dancing. Plenty of food."
"All for climate change?" Ella clarified. "With a ton of snobby adults?"
"Yes and yes, but there will be kids there, too. Relatives to the officials."
"With dresses?" I paled. "Suits?"
Mom smiled slightly. "You would have to wear a dress. If you went." She sighed and patted my shoulder. "It would just be you four, the other three aren't old enough. I'm not telling you to go, but I would like you to consider it and properly think things through before you decide on anything."
I was still sitting sort of slumped in my chair when she went upstairs, Ella trailing after her because she had school the next day.
"So," Iggy said. "I dunno what you guys are thinking, but I think it sounds completely unappealing but we should go anyway."
I looked sharply at him. "What?" Okay, so I sounded a little harsh, but I didn't know if I had heard him right.
"I hate the idea of having to wear a collared shirt and nice pants, especially because they never come in cool colors. I hate the idea of having people stick their hands out and wait for me to shake it, and I hate the idea of government officials who think they're all high-and-mighty." He sighed heavily. "But I do think that we need to do it for Dr. M and the CSM, though. And maybe these nuts could see they could have their formalities without wasting a ton of stuff."
"But I'd have to wear a dress." None of the other stuff had really reached me yet, although I could see the logic behind what Iggy said, and I didn't like any of the stuff he had talked about, either.
"You could go with Ella to pick one out. And Nudge." Iggy teased me. "Charlotte Russe. Delias. You name it."
"God no." I groaned, burying my head in my hands.
"And then jewelry." He continued. "And shoes. Six inch stilettos. Then you could go to that make-up place I heard Ella telling Nudge about. Sephora, and have professionals do you up. Of course that still leaves your hair-"
"Please stop." I begged. "Don't make this any worse than it already is."
"We wear suits." Fang said quietly, saying the word like it was a curse word. Though from the way those seemed to be thrown around, it was said more like a curse word should have been said. "You and Ella wear dresses. Make an appearance. Eat. Clap for the band. Leave while making an impression."
"Quick, easy to remember, my kind of plan." Iggy clapped his hands together. "I just really hope these violinists and harp players and classical crazies know what they're doing because have you ever listened to a bad cello player? I mean, way to bust my ear drums."
"I have to wear a dress." I moaned. "I mean, couldn't I at least wear a suit? I'd even wear a pink suit if it made them happy, but no, it will have to be a frilly girly thing with skimpy straps and a huge skirt and Nudge and Angel will be gushing over it and they'll make sure I can't burn it and Iggy, I would so let you blow that up. I mean, it must be better than jeans! More fabric."
"Not really." He concluded with an evil smile. "The tulle and lace is really just a pain and smells bad. Not a good combination."
I banged my head against the table.
"And it probably won't cover up my wings so everyone will be staring and-"
"Talk to Nudge." Fang interrupted quietly. "She'll help you find one if you take her shopping."
I glanced at him, and he almost smiled.
"Since she knows all that, like what the designers are talking about and all, she can help you get the least detestable." He continued. "And you can wear shorts underneath."
"I guess." I groaned and ignored the half eaten cookie in front of me. Suddenly it didn't look so appetizing. "You guys are so lucky you don't have to deal with all this."
Then I stalked upstairs as they both collapsed in laughter. I would so choke them with their stupid ties. How, oh how had I gotten myself shanghaied into this? I made a beeline for the bathroom, because if anything at all would help, it would be a hot shower. And screw it all if I woke anyone up.
"I want this one to have peanut butter, jelly, and fluff!" Angel announced, tugging on my arm as I spread blackberry jelly across some whole wheat bread. I know, I know, eating healthy. No McDonalds? Well, we're on the run most of the time, so we can't be picky, but wheat bread had actually grown on me since trying it at mom's house. Angel already had one just jelly sandwich, one with this marshmallow paste called fluff, one with peanut butter, and now she wanted all three. Meaning between her and her brother, they used up a whole bag of bread. Explaining why we usually got the el cheapo ninety-nine cent stuff. Why were we using up six plus loaves of bread do you ask? Well because the Flock was going on a fieldtrip! To the park! So Total and Akila could chase ducks and Angel and Nudge could kick a soccer ball back and forth and Iggy could beat the school skippers at basketball, of course! Then, since I had informed the others of my decision early that morning, we were headed to *shudder* the mall and meeting my mother there.
Ella already had a decent dress she had worn to a semi-formal, but I had gotten the feeling that she was more excited about picking a dress out for me than for herself, judging by the magazine cutouts I was bombarded with. Mom was picking her up after school so she could come critique our choices and dance in the land of lace. Of course mom was very happy that we decided to go, but she tried not to show it as she left for work. Gazzy had laughed outright at the thought of the boys in suits, and then when Angel said she wanted to help me pick out the dress with Nudge, hadn't been able to breathe. Total was just glad we were being civilized. I wanted to kick him.
"There." I stuffed the eight sandwiches the pair of eight year olds shared into an empty bread bag and put the whole thing in a backpack, right next to the other eighteen. You don't need to go to school to learn math, just hang out with us around lunchtime. Four for each of us, then two for Total. Four times six is twenty four, plus Total was twenty six sandwiches and Akila's dog food. In another backpack, we had a cooler of ice for Fang's throat (though Iggy had snuck it in. The Ring Wraith himself would never allow such a thing as to be cared for. Gah.) Then some individual lemonade thingies. Juice pouches. We were all set in the food department, but Fang brought along the ever present iPod and speakers, too. In my opinion, we were set, but no, of course Nudge had to bring along some magazines to 'educate me' so we could get a good feel of what I was looking for. I was looking for torn jeans and a baggy I LOVE NY t-shirt, but I guess that wasn't acceptable because Nudge hit me when I said so.
"The boys don't get education." I grumped as we took off behind mom's house, taking to the air easily and quickly gaining altitude. I wasn't actually sure of where we were headed, but somewhere with woods and a clearing would be good.
"Suits are easy." Nudge rolled her eyes. "They just have to match. Fang will just wear all black, and Iggy loves color, so he'll make sure his is colorful but not clashing. Easy enough. Do you have any idea how many dress choices are out there? High back or low? Sweetheart neckline, high collar, train or no train, and what kind of skirt?"
"What the h-e-double toothpicks is a sweetheart neckline?" I asked, chucking the magazine she had handed me and making her dive for it. She caught it easily, and swooped back with a glare.
"If you read this you'd find out!"
"Shoes." Angel piped up. "I so get to pick those out."
"Sleeve length." Nudge added immediately. "Do you have a preference?"
"I think she should go sleeveless." Said Angel, smiling. "You're so pretty Max."
"Angel! Nudge! I swear to God I will duct tape your little mouths shut if you ask me one more question about these freaking dresses and talk about… appearances!"
"Don't give her a heart attack." Iggy warned, trying to mask his laughter with a cough.
"I thought you said you had shoes picked out?" Gazzy reminded me helpfully, smiling sympathetically.
"Thank you." I ruffled his hair with a grin. "And yes, I do."
"What-"
"Ella's black flat shoes."
"But those are so boring!" Nudge protested, glaring at me. "I mean, heels! You have great legs, you should wear heels! You could so totally pull them off, you can't wear those! I mean, yeah, they're cute, but you need something stupendous, something classy, something out of this world, something-"
"And the dress will be modest and completely cover my back. A jacket would be nice, too, to cover up any stray feathers-"
"But-"
"No jewelry or make up," I was on a roll, despite the fact that each word I said seemed to carve Nudge and Angel hearts out. I averted their eyes; the infamous Bambi eyes would NOT draw me in. "No lace, tulle, or an extra BS. No bright colors. Probably black, because white would show my wings-"
"Your wings are so pretty!" Angel squealed, putting her hands in a prayer gesture. "Pleasepleaseprettyplease? Black is so… Fang! I mean, he's always thinking you wings are-oh, sorry."
I blushed furiously, trying to hide it and failing miserably as Gazzy, Iggy, and Nudge had to stop midair and lose a few feet of altitude due to the fact that they couldn't breathe through their laughter.
"You two lovebirds." Total sighed. "But if we have to go through with this for my wedding, I almost want to skip the whole thing."
"What are Max's wings, Fang?" Iggy lost another ten feet as Fang kicked him. "Brown? Mottled? Eagle-like? Or, as Angel so put it, pretty? That was my face! You're going to make me drop Akila!"
"Guys!" I nearly had to shout, and flew around our close group twice to grab their attention. "Landing! Fang, kill Iggy once we get to the ground. Gaz, man, gotta breathe. Angel, Nudge, you can pick out my dress if it follows those guidelines-"
"There'll be nothing to pick." Nudge grumped as we angled downward. "Clothes Nazi."
"Maybe dark blue." I allowed after a moment before touching down. "Or dark green."
"How about silver?"
"No." I gritted my teeth, trying to keep from tearing Angel's angelic little head off her body.
"But-"
"I said no."
The tone of my voice ended discussion on the matter for a while, and I thanked whatever gods may be for that, in the least. Despite the heat, though, I shouldered my jacket and folded up my wings. I didn't know if I wanted to hear exactly what Fang thought about my wings, but I felt a little self-conscious of them, then. A little happy, too, though. Just a little.
"Pond up ahead!" Gazzy bounced, not even minding the heavy backpack on his shoulders. "Race ya there!"
I kept looking out at the water, about every five minutes or so. Angel had been under a while, but when I'd least expect it, she'd pop out, happy and cheerful as ever. Therefore, my suspicions about a Lake Ness Monster or Atlantis were clearly all fantasy, but still…
I'm fine, Max. Angel called irritably. But the fish say 'hi.'
I sighed, not bothering to reply and got to my feet.
"Max!" I turned toward where Gazzy and Nudge were squaring up against Fang and Iggy in a somewhat clear area, a soccer ball at their feet. "Come join our team and stop worrying about Angel!" Gazzy touched the ball with his toe. "We're losing."
I grinned as I walked over and took a ready position on Nudge and the Gasman's side. There were rough goals on either side of the clearing, and if Fang or Iggy didn't mow me over before I got there, I was pretty sure I could get a goal once I got halfway to the other side. That was a pretty big 'if,' though.
Gazzy passed the ball to me, and though none of us have ever been on a soccer team in our life, we're all pretty good. Genetically enhanced, good hand-eye coordination, enhanced sight, it all helps. I tried to dribble away from Iggy, who streaked toward me like a bullet, but ended up passing it to Nudge, who was promptly tripped by Fang.
"Hey!" She squeaked on her hands and knees. Without pause, she rammed the ball with her head toward Gazzy, who intercepted and passed to me. "Foul!" Nudge was still yelling. "You're not allowed to trip people! No!" Iggy caught the ball off my toe, so she did the only logical thing and tackled him, trying to grab the ball to throw at me.
"Talk about fouls." Iggy spat dirt out of his mouth, but the ball was squished underneath him and Nudge, and she was still trying to get at it while Gazzy tried to push Ig to the other side and Fang waited patiently nearby. I hung back, and as soon as Gazzy had the ball with Iggy pinned under Nudge, I leapt at Fang.
He had been about to snatch the ball away from Gazzy, but it's kind of hard when someone slams into you, causing the pair of human/avian crosses to slide across the mud in a mess of torn up grass. Easily, Gaz scored and did a victory lap around the field while the four of us got up slowly.
"Ah." I twisted around, stretching my back muscles. "Think I pulled something there."
Fang snorted, cracking his knuckles and testing his ankle warily. One whole side of his face was covered in dirt, and his clothes weren't much better. His hair, spiked with mud and grass, looked like a hedgehog's nest. Laughing quietly to myself, I began to pick at the chunks.
"Way to go." I told him. "We'll never be able to go shopping like this!" Yet, for some bizarre reason, I did not sound put out in the slightest.
"Because that was completely my fault."
"You could have let Gazzy score." I pulled a stick from his hair, enjoying the half amused expression on his face. I turned, checking the lake again. There was Angel. Phew.
"And as for you," I heard Fang snarl at Iggy, who was laughing over something with Nudge. "You should have blocked that."
"What?" Iggy whipped toward us, furious. "It's a game, Fang! I was on the ground, if you didn't effing notice-"
"I didn't say anything!" Fang turned on his heel, locking eyes uselessly with the tall blonde.
"Gazzy." I cautioned, watching the eight-year-old roll on the ground in hysterics as the two older boys slowly realized what had happened and turned to look at him. "What have I told you about-"
"Not causing extra angst among Flock members because it's rude and we have enough issues without killing each other." He imitated me pitch-perfectly, down to the patronizing tone and glare. "But you don't yell at Fang for going invisible or Iggy for feeling colors!" He was back in his old voice, and playing with me. I sighed heavily.
"That's because I generally can hit into Fang whatever I can't get through his thick skull and I'm glad that Iggy can feel colors. Kudos for him. Go swim and get some of that dirt off of you."
"You're twice as dirty as I am!"
Rolling my eyes, I darted forward and scooped him up and over my shoulder like a sack and began to walk toward the water's edge.
"Max! No!" He pounded my back between giggles. "Put me down! Please! It'll be cold and, no, don't put me down here! No! I was kidding!"
I dangled him above the water, upside down. "You were kidding?"
"Uh huh!" He begged, swinging side to side. "Please! I was-"
"Iggy, don't even try to push me in." I interrupted coldly, whipping around before Iggy could get a step closer. He looked disappointed. I turned back to Gazzy, taking a step closer to the edge of the slippery dock. It was old, and I didn't honestly trust it to hold any more weight, so I hoped Nudge and Fang had the wisdom to stay back. However, just as a tip for future reference, old docks are often mossy and untrustworthy. Especially when rather rambunctious kids have been diving around nearby. The wood just might be incredibly slippery, so when the kid you're dangling rocks violently, your foot sort of slips over the edge, and then you grab onto the blind kid that just happens to be standing close by, but he's not expecting it, so he is dragged forward in a mass of tumbling birdkid and a huge splash.
Just to warn you.
I surfaced, coughing to clear the water from my lungs. Iggy was already treading water calmly and looked as if he was thinking about how my head would look on a stake.
"That was so priceless, guys!" Nudge doubled over in hysterics, actually pounding the dirt with her fist. "I mean, Iggy, if only you could have seen your face!"
"I was sorta expecting it." Gazzy spat some water between his front teeth at me. "You would have dropped me anyway."
"Probably." I allowed, ruffling the blonde hair plastered to his head. "At least it's sunny."
"Yeah, we're in Arizona, Max." Iggy rolled his eyes and began to swim towards the shore.
"I noticed." I said darkly before ducking under the water to rub some of the dirt off of my skin and hair. Five minutes later, I was mostly successful and kicked through the water back towards the dock. Shivering despite the heat, I pulled myself up and over to where everyone was gathered by our packs.
"Glad you could join us." Nudge tossed me a sandwich and a towel, and I quickly settled down into the sun. On my right, Fang was alternating chewing peanut butter sandwiches and ice cubes and playing hang man with Gazzy. Nudge had been working on helping him with his letters after she had gone to the Day and Night school, so he could now read basic words. So far he had D _ A _ ON, Gazzy had rather liked mythical creatures ever since Ella showed him some of her old illustrated books. Angel left Iggy's side (handing out sandwiches and juice pouches) and brought over some crayons and paper, followed by Nudge and her insufferable magazines.
"See, Max?" She pushed one of the slightly crumpled drawings at me. "I was thinking about your guidelines for your outfit, so I designed a special Max Dress. Nudge helped."
I took the paper, righted and smoothed it, and looked. There was a stick figure (a croquis, Nudge called it, a model for designs) with black, flat smudges for shoes. The dress was basic, a dark blue color that ruffled from the waist to the bottom, known as a mermaid train, according to the girls, and nearly covered the black shoes and sleeves that reminded me of the long, elegant ones that the elves wore in my new all-time favorite movies, Lord of the Rings. I still needed to thank Ella properly for enlightening me to their amazingness. It wasn't too bad. The skirt would allow me to wear jean cut-offs underneath without anyone being the wiser, and maybe I could just pretend to be Arwen all night. But I doubted we'd find anything like that at Mesa Mall.
"See," Nudge pointed to the skirt. "It's long, we thought you would like that, and it's modest, but figure hugging so you'll still be a bombshell. Plus, Angel thought you might not mind as much if you look like an elf. We had to ask Fang what the elves look like in those ring movies you like, because that was Angel's idea, since you love them so much. We knew they wore dresses, and he gave us enough information for this. The ruffles provide a modern twist, but then we thought we could do two tiny braids in your hair and pull them together in back for a little crown-y thing." Nudge demonstrated, pulling some long chunks back. "What do you think?"
"You asked Fang. For dress input?" I looked at him, incredulous.
"They asked what elves wore." He rolled his eyes and drained his lemonade.
"It doesn't look too terrible," Gazzy peeked over my shoulder. "Not like something some girl on MTV would wear. Or London Hilton."
"Paris Hilton." Nudge corrected, but she was grinning ear to ear with pleasure. But then, after my lack of comment, she seemed a bit discouraged. "I mean, if the elf thing is too much for you, we don't have to do the hair, and this is just a rough copy thing. They might not even have anything like this in stores; I bet you'd have to go to Middle Earth Suppliers Inc. for it-"
I clamped my hand over her mouth and smiled at her. "No, Nudge. It's probably the best dress I'll ever have to wear. And the only one. But it's best for the only. Thank you."
Nudge and Angel beamed.