Chapter 55: Arguments: Mira vs. Alora
Today is my day off and it's snowing like there's no tomorrow. Isn't it wonderful? That was sarcasm by the way. "You really like him don't you?" I don't need to stop staring at the snow out the living room window to know that Alora is speaking.
"Yeah," I sigh, with no intentions of hiding it at all.
"You always watch him when he walk down the street, you wait for him expectantly every day and get all excited when he arrives," that I did not expect. Either Alora was very observant or I was very obvious.
"I do?" Am I really that obvious?
"Yes, and when he gets here you're like child on Christmas morning. Why don't you just go out with him?" I have to turn around and look at Alora.
With a surprised expression upon my face I ask, "What?" I blink and stare some more. "I thought you liked him too."
Ureksa looks up from the craft lord report he's been reading and clears his throat as if to remind us that he's right there listening to what we're saying, but we both ignore him, it's not like he hasn't heard this before.
"I don't like the mailman," Alora replies, "I like Ureksa."
My mouth hangs open for a moment before I burst out laughing. "I don't like the mailman either, I like Ureksa too. I like the mail, I don't really care who brings it."
"His name is Sakuro isn't it?" I wonder where Alora is going with all of this. "The one who gave you that bracelet you wear all the time."
"Yes, Master Sakuro the craft lord of Sapphire. He's a dear friend; he's also good friends with Ureksa and sends us both post cards every now and then." I think I know where she's going with this but I'll play along.
"Do you love him?" Alora asked just as I expected.
"Could you be a little more specific about which him this time?" I smile only because I know it will annoy her.
"Sakuro, I heard you were in love with him and that when he gave you that bracelet you promised to wait for him." I have no idea where Alora would get a story like that.
I can't help it but to laugh again. "It wasn't like that at all. You see I can write to all my friends except Sakuro because he's always moving and doesn't have a permanent address. I haven't lost contact with any of them, this bracelet is like a reminder of friendship, to make up for the fact that I can't write back. Besides I already said who I like."
"I guess we're still rivals then..." Why is it that some girls just love to broadcast their feelings while others, like me, find it hard to even accept them, let alone voice them?
"I suppose... but at the same time we're not," okay, time to use my head.
"What do you mean? Are you trying to tell me I don't stand a chance?" That's it, well done, I'm pissing her off. Very soon that mocking little voice will be turned against her.
"What I mean is that I'm not really competing. I'll just act natural, keeping up a pace that isn't really my own can be exhausting. Besides, it doesn't feel honest to try extra hard while you're here. I'll just try hard as I would even if you weren't here; with a pace I can comfortably keep up forever. It feels more honest that way since I'm one of those people who hardly changes as time passes by." In other words, this isn't an effort he'll get for as long as I need to compete, but a preview of my devotion in a future, that's the hidden message here and it makes me sound both smart and sweet. Score! Alora may be skilled with an axe but I'm better at verbal spars.
"Are you saying I'm fake?" That's it, sink deeper my rival.
"I never said that," I am calm and serene on the outside, but very amused on the inside. "If you say you're not then you're not, because that's something only you can decide." In other words, if you feel accused you should ask yourself why you feel that the accusation fits.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Oh yes, this will be the cherry on top, perfect! But I can't say it, I'm laughing too hard. "Are you making fun of me?"
I shake my head and try to calm down long enough to speak but it Alora goes back to our room in huff before I can. "Wait... I was going to say..." Slam! The door is closed.
Ureksa gives me a half confused and half curious look wondering what in the world is so funny. "What's gotten into you?"
I shake my head again, "I wasn't making fun of Alora it's just that I had the perfect thing to say and it sounded so funny I started laughing before I could say it."
"What do you mean?" Ureksa asked and my chance for the perfect answer was set up once again.
I grinned, feeling that I was too easily amused but enjoying it none the less. "Look it up in the dictionary."
"That's my quote," Ureksa laughed.
"I thought it would be funny to borrow it. But I guess Alora doesn't have a sense of humor or she got the wrong idea. I didn't think it would bother her that much that I randomly started laughing. She's always saying I'm childish after all." It may sound mean but overall I'm pleased with the results. I'll still try to have a sudden outburst of maturity and apologize to Alora. Then again, it might not be so mature after all, since I would only be apologizing to annoy her further.
The next day I went to work as always and when I got home at the end of the day, I found Alora in hysterics. I didn't notice that she had left earlier than usual. Ureksa was standing there as if he didn't know what to do with himself. "What happened? Alora are you alright?"
She gave me the nastiest glare. "I won't lose to you!"
"I didn't know there was a contest going on," I reply with heavy sarcasm hidden behind a gentle tone.
Alora goes on into a cheesy and exaggerated speech about love. It's no wonder Ureksa didn't know what to do with himself. I couldn't comprehend the full extent of what she was saying, and I doubt even a dictionary would work, but Ureksa is sneaking away in the background while I continue to stand there. I think the speech ended with something along the lines of, "and I can't wait forever."
I just blinked and continued watching Ureksa make his escape looking over Alora's shoulder, and I whispered, "I can," just loud enough for both of them to hear.
To be Continued
Disclaimer, I do not own Summon Night: A Swordcraft Story. Since I haven't explained the origins of Alora's name I'll do it here. The name is a combination of the words "aloha" and "alluring". "Aloha" can be used for hello and goodbye, which is a reference to Mira's (the narrator) reaction when Alora decided to stay in Vance. She said hello and goodbye, as she decided to leave for Seijin, but in the end change her mind and stayed. The explanation for "alluring" is pretty obvious since it can mean "attractive" which Alora is.
