第15章

Luna was a daydreamer.

She often imagined the world in the airy brackets of possibility, twirling like a breath of wind in her palm, spilling like a wisp of whimsy on her canvas. Her daydreams were populated by memories and imagination work, interweaving what-ifs, lazy watermelon summer days, her favorite pair of shoes with pink ribbon socks, her small fingers clutching her mother's skirt as villagers carried in baskets of fresh harvest, rowdy fishermen feeding a stray cat, and, at the end of it, the last note of the music box, the sun against the rippling blue sea, calm, clear, bottomless. There was a squeal of pleasure; it was her first time seeing it. An excited tug at her mother's skirt, shells slipping from her tiny fist. Can I touch the water? Her father calling; the picnic was getting cold. Her daydreams were like that. Removed, like something found at an unattainable peak, intimate, and solely hers.

Never before had Luna daydreamed about a man. She wouldn't have known how, hadn't the initiation crept into her mind so unexpectedly, last night, as she watched Draco's thumb part his lips, delivering the grain of rice he'd collected so lightly beside hers that she never felt his touch. As she stared up at him, close enough to tuck her chin on top of his knee if the fancy struck, she'd glimpsed the illicit curve of his tongue, and a sudden desire for retaliation had gripped her. Then, as if an uncharted facet of her had spontaneously unlocked, she imagined her lips meeting his in pursuit of her stolen grain. It was a flash-like vision, shaping up in a split second before disappearing self-effacingly, but the fact that he'd sat so close as it happened enhanced Luna's embarrassment…as a result, she had tossed and turned in bed, generally warm and sleepless. The morning brought little change in feeling; as the sun spilled on her bed from the open shaft between her blue curtains, Luna rubbed her eyes, blinking introspectively at the ceiling before turning to her coconut-scented panda plushie for council.

'Ne, panda san, atashi nante atama okashikunai?' She mumbled in Japanese.

Hey, Mr. Panda, do you think that I'm going crazy? (Literally: that my head is weird?)

Mr. Panda looked back at her with his benevolent, beady black eyes, offering no wisdom, only the fluffy, squishy built of its body. So Luna hugged it to her chest as she tiptoed out of bed. The morning passed uneventfully save for Professor Leusandro assigning the project of designing a functional item inspired by the stars for the midterms. Trailing down inspiration, Luna stepped out to the large glass solarium where rows upon rows of easels were lined at the disposal of any bearer of pencil or brush, and a hand that tingled for art. She had an hour to go before lunch time. She bent forward slightly in her leaf printed tent dress, inspecting the tall sketchbook like a come-alive doll inspecting a ladybug, hair spilling over her shoulder as it caught the filtering sun. Her pencil brushed the paper. The lead rendered something that whispered to her, drawing her closer; the full curve of his bottom lip, the sensuous, dipping corner of his mouth, the sharp ghost of his jaw, and it was only when her fingers traced back the lines and her own lips neared the canvas that Luna's trance shattered, and she whirled around with her back to the easel as though to hide her work from the conveniently empty solarium. She quickly pocketed the sketch, pressed her hands to her cheeks, fanned herself, settled cross-legged on the floor, and impulsively called her aunt.

'Yes...just there, careful not to break that pyramid figurine! It's irrecoverably precious...! Sorry Lulu, I'm having someone move in a new piece of storage, a rather spectacular mummy box from an ex-haunted house I ordered for cheap off of…what was the funny name…ah yes, Wheezes4urHouses. Have you heard of the website? It's rather niche. Right up my alley.'

'No, I haven't, but I'm sure it's a good purchase; one can never have enough storage, as you always say.'

'Yes, precisely, and the fact that we agree on this spiritual question is why you are my favorite niece.'

'I am your only niece,' Luna smiled.

'Well I'm quite satisfied it's you! Did you want to discuss something, darling? How's it progressing with the beautiful young man who wants to marry you?'

'Aunt Cassandra…can I ask you something particularly strange? As in, strange-strange?'

'You know I adore strange-strange questions, especially yours. Shoot!'

Luna cleared her throat. 'Let's say a girl is attracted to a boy...'

'Hmm…a girl,' Cassandra interrupted, 'as in, my little niece?'

'Let's take it theoretically, if you don't mind...'

'Mind? Me? No nay never! Theorize away!'

'A girl is attracted to a boy...' Luna continued, pausing to bite down her lip, 'and suddenly her mind starts...making up scenarios with the boy. Inappropriate ones. The girl is ashamed but it doesn't quite stop her mind in the slightest. It doesn't care and produces more. The girl is losing sleep now. How can the girl repress these…'

'Fantasies?' Her aunt offered, the smile in her voice unmistakable. 'Oh, Luna, darling, it is perfectly natural to experience strong attachments if the boy in question has already offered himself to you for the rest of your lives, it is mere anticipation, something you look forward to. You were wondering if you were ready. There's a good signal you are, love.'

'I feel too embarrassed to meet him now.' Luna said in a small voice.

'And I want to meet him terribly soon, my sweet. Invite him over, why don't you? What about this weekend?'

'Aunt Cassandra...I was meaning to ask…why are you so relaxed about this?'

'Because I'm Doctor Cassandra Lovegood; the learned know me as Doctor Love! My advice is always good. Stuff for business cards, isn't it? Too bad I never got any printed.' Luna could imagine her aunt preening herself. 'He's already done it the high-risk way of directly asking for your hand when many older, grown men are afraid of that kind of commitment and responsibility. In fact, it's gotten rare enough to be seen as avant-garde! Now, moving on to the next most important bit, what is your gut feeling telling you? When he's there, do you feel secure, or do you feel a sense of foreboding that tells you: Luna, run! Run and don't look back!'

Cassandra marked a dramatic pause.

'Girls naturally know these things, love, though I have seen many of my, ahem, patients quiet down the danger alert and later remember that they had felt it quite starkly and regret their oversight, coming to me to mend their little hearts, digging through my tissue coffers because being Doctor Love is a year-round job.' She exhaled a longsuffering sigh. 'Last year was particularly dreadful, oh Lord, was it something in the air? I do not know. I was left tragically tissue-less and my ears nearly fell off from all the plights of the broken-hearted…! Now that I think about it, since I am always ready to give advice in the matter, I have heard so much from all around the world and I daresay matters of the heart are universal. The smart must learn from history first and experience second, which is what a never-been-married expert like me felicitates herself for! Now, having established that your instinct is your advisor, what does it tell you?'

'When he's there,' Luna blurted, 'I feel safe and comfy and I don't want to move. Like a cat on a laptop. It can get overwhelming, like I could melt on the spot and have to be scooped up...or something.'

The rich laughter of her aunt pealed through the speakers.

'I can't believe I just said that.' Luna tapped her forehead.

'You've always been one to be spontaneous about your feelings my dear. Don't be surprised if it applies for your future husband.'

'Future...husband?' Luna blushed profusely.

'Why yes! What else are we discussing here! If you want him to be, that is. Do you?'

'I'm…afraid.'

'Of what?'

'Of drowning...in him. When I look at him, unlike other people, I can't see the bottom, I don't know where he ends. He's fathomless.'

'With a resume like his I'm not surprised! But how is that a bad thing?'

'It's an intimidating thing, an unpredictable thing.'

'Luna, let me rephrase. Do you want someone else to marry him?'

'I...if...'

'Do you or not?'

'Hum...'

'Fine. You asked for it. Get ready for a rapid-fire. Ready? Reply without thinking.' Aunt Cassandra took a deep breath, releasing it in the first speedy question. 'Bees or butterflies?'

'Butterflies.' Luna replied quickly.

'Lilies or lilacs?'

'Lilacs.'

'Red or blue?'

'Blue.'

'Love or hate?'

'Love.'

'Let macaroons air dry or not?'

'Let!'

'Let the caged birds be free or not?'

'Let!'

'Let Draco marry someone else or not?'

'Not!' Luna gasped, covering her mouth with her free hand.

Ichatta! (I went ahead and said it…!)

'Well, that's that. You can't retract now. What are you waiting for to tell him?'

'I haven't had the opportunity yet. I'll try to talk to him…'

'Today!'

'Today…' Luna nodded nervously.

'That's right, my niece! Don't make me go down there and have you two talk it out while I watch! Corner that laptop and get your talk, kitten! Then tell me everything. I have a very good feeling about this! I'll talk to your father at your signal; oh imagine how relieved he will be! The poor man deserves some peace of mind. Quick now, let it be done before the day is through!'

'Yes. Thank you Aunt Cassandra.'

'…Careful not to touch that, it's cursed! Ugh, I swear, such incompetence! Bye, my dear, I must go deal with the delivery dolt, I need to send him back with an antidote in case he wakes up with a toilet paper fever curse.'

Luna closed her eyes and allowed her head to fall back against an easel leg. Goodness, why was she so warm?

'Woah.' A monotone voice droned beside her. Luna's eyes fluttered open to land on Lory Luminee, vested in customary black-on-black, lying flat on his back, right at her feet. The unexpected apparition didn't stir. 'Nice voice you have. I could just close my eyes and meditate to it.'

'Why are you on the floor?' Luna asked neutrally.

'Reflecting on life,' Lory spoke tonelessly. 'We talk about nothing all the time, but I don't know what nothing means, do you? I don't know what everything means either. My scope is limited, so I extend it through art.' He recited. 'Chaos is not in the world, it is inside me, so it attracts me, traps me. I must draw order from what is outside of me.' He now twisted a white flower stem between his fingers, raising it in front of his face, taking a solemn whiff. 'Like this.'

'Oh, that's very—'

'You like? That was a poem I wrote just now. No big deal. I'm random like that. Also, here to invite you to the Halloween party. If you want. You don't have to. Leah and I will be rocking. I'm doing rounds inviting people. Gotta move. See ya. Maybe.'

Just like that, he rose from the floor, ruffled his mass of thick black hair to life, and left in a jingle of heavy chains. The back of his T-Shirt read I'm Trapped. Was that the concept? A flyer was left behind.

Luna smiled. Everyone had their little worlds living inside of them, their own kaleidoscopic spectacles. Art was the outlet, the portal through which someone's imagination and desires could be glimpsed. It did not lie.

Just like the unfinished sketch she'd stowed away in her bag.

暂停

'I didn't expect you'd want to meet solo, Malfoy,' Daphne smiled, tapping her short nails against the square tabletop in the open space adjoining her prestigious ice rink, 'not that I'm complaining. How have you been? Busy, I bet. You look…well,' she eyed him as he leaned back imperially in the seat facing hers, 'you know how you look.'

'Why didn't you refuse?' Draco asked.

'Cutting right to the chase yes? You've always been allergic to small talk.' She rolled her eyes. 'Or any talk.' She fixed both elbows on the table, lodging her chin onto her palms, a playful smile curling her mouth. 'Well, if you must know, someone predicted my career will be over soon, like a seer kinda thing. If I can't do figure skating, I figure I'll just do the next best thing; marry well. You're not a bad catch, Malfoy. Why should I say no? I've heard you're in need of a wife, too, so it's a win-win.'

'For that you'd have to meet my terms, Greengrass.'

'Terms? Ah, yes, terms. Don't worry, I know the drill. We don't even need to be exclusive as long as I mother your heir, hmm? I'll steer clear off your way. That's what you want, no?'

Draco crossed his arms, his eyes piercing through her. Her smile faltered.

'You realize it's not sustainable?'

'What is?'

'What you're doing right now.'

Daphne snorted.

'As if you care.'

'Remember the locker-room fire in high school?'

'What about it?' Daphne leered.

'I know it was you.'

'Oh yeah? Why didn't you say anything?'

'Not my business, was it?'

Daphne shook her head reproachfully.

'Typical Draco Malfoy. You never gave a damn, did you? You had your closed clique and wouldn't allow anybody close.' Her mouth twisted in a derisive smile. 'To think that our parents thought you were nice to me, that you looked after me. In reality it was like you didn't know I exist. I didn't know whether I wanted to hate you or date you. I guess now we don't have to hate-date, we can just rich-marry.'

'Were you trying to get yourself expelled?'

'I dunno,' Daphne shrugged. 'I'd been suspended from my team because of a fake blonde who'd stolen my rightful place. Call it my self-destructive phase?'

'It's not a phase. You're doing it now.'

'By marrying you? Why, think you're gonna be destructive to me, Draco? Good, that puts you right in my comfort zone.'

'It's only a couple of months until the national championship. Why are you quitting now?'

'Listen to yourself! You might make a girl think you cared.'

'Granted, what you do with your life is inconsequential to me, until you agreed to this engagement.'

'Oh I'm going for it. Elvira said I should.' Daphne leaned forth, angling her protein shake's straw toward her mouth. A sly smile stirred her lips. 'You didn't look vanilla to her. Didn't register from the way you move. I could always tell. You have French blood, don't you? I can picture you being French all right.'

Draco checked his watch disinterestedly.

'The beach venue is stunning.' Daphne rambled on, 'You don't like the idea of us having cute invitation cards with D&D stylishly printed on them…?'

'No.'

'Why? It's not like you're spoken for, are you?' She chuckled. 'That's just the thing, thinking you're too good for the world, you end up all alone. Remember your high school surname? The Ice Prince. That was me, by the way. Anyway, you're here now, aren't you? Talking to me. That's gotta count for something.'

'I'm giving you the decency to retract now while you can. Tell your father you don't want this, or I will.'

'Why?' Her face fell. 'I thought you needed a wife? I'm doing both of us a favor here.'

'I decline the favor.'

'And why is that?! It's not like you're in love with someone else, with that ice heart of yours!'

Draco raised a defying eyebrow.

'Wait…is that it?' Daphne raised a thespian hand to her chest, 'Did the stars and planets and whatever else align and you actually like someone?'

'Something like that.'

'I don't believe you. You're just saying that to dump me.'

'It's that simple, though. I'm interested in someone else.'

'How interested?'

'Obsessively.'

Daphne sneered. 'Draco, don't you know that marrying your obsession is a stupid move? You'll kill off the vibe. Marry me, and you can keep her as a side pet. You can even pretend I don't know about it, keep the angst alive, all on me. Am I golden or what?'

Draco gave her a dark look.

'Please,' she rolled her eyes. 'Don't look at me like that, like I disgust you. Don't you dare. Just because you got to enjoy a sheltered life doesn't mean the rest of us did.' She dropped her voice, her expression turning solemn. 'I'm talking about the club. The Death Eaters. Rings a bell?'

Draco nodded.

'So you know…? The, er, parties they hold?'

'I've seen.'

'Did you hear about Riddle, then? That git's just got ousted. Hasn't been seen since. You don't think his manic father killed him off, do you? Wait, let me guess, not your business, hmm?'

'Not unless he shows up in front of me.' Draco said, registering the information with more curiosity than he let on.

Daphne leaned away, her careless smile returning to her face. 'So, are you coming to the meeting with the parents or no?'

'The meeting is getting cancelled because you realized you didn't want this engagement.'

'My parents will nag me for years if I refuse someone like you. How do you expect me to live with that?'

'You'll figure it out. I'm leaving.'

'Wait.' Daphne rose from her seat abruptly. 'Don't go. Please, listen, I need this. The club is trying to involve me, they're threatening to end my career…Elvira is already deep in, she can't help me, she can't even help herself! I'll be safe if I can marry you, I know your family cut ties with the club years ago. You're probably on their radar but so far they haven't been able to suck you in. I don't want to end up like the others. Please, Draco.'

'What's stopping you from leaving the country?'

'Like Nott, you mean?' She scoffed. 'I guess living between cybercafés for protection wore him out. China's good, one of the few places the club doesn't have much clout. But I'm not loose tied like Notty. I can't go anywhere. I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I don't want to leave Astoria alone. Elvira's bad influence on her.'

'Don't look for easy solutions.' Draco said, gauging her sternly. 'Drop your victim mentality, pursue your career, protect your sister, find a way out for both of you. The onus is on you.'

'Why should it be? I never asked for this.'

'But you need this. It'll give you purpose. If you have one, you can't afford to self-destruct, can you?'

Daphne looked up at him silently for a moment. Her lips formed a small smirk and she looked to the side, shaking her head.

'Do you know what makes you really hot? This,' she gestured generally his way. 'You don't give a damn about people's feelings, but at least you're not a cheap sleazebag. I hate you for it, you know. In a world like ours, what the hell gives you the right to be decent?'

'I had a decent teacher,' Draco deadpanned.

Daphne smiled acrimoniously.

'Who is she anyway, the girl you're after? Is she some other rich heiress? Is she from our world?'

'She isn't.'

'In that case, you better hide her well, there's a price tag on your name and she won't be safe for it.'

Draco's jaw tightened at her words; he couldn't deny or deflect them.

'At any rate, if your thing doesn't work out, my door remains open.'

'No thanks, Greengrass.' He began to step away from the table before giving her a last look that surprised her. 'Good luck.'

Daphne nodded. She looked away to hide the shadow of a clean smile.

'Don't regret it, Malfoy.'

Because what is an Asian drama inspired fic without a dark veer and hidden secrets?

And the fluff, gah, I can't believe the fluff that's coming up...:')

Question: can anyone guess what pairing I have in mind for Doctor Love-Cassandra the OC Archeologist? I'm actually in a dither between two options. I'll reveal them in a couple of chapters and you can help me choose!

James Birdsong: Isn't that a lovely name! Thank you, I see and appreciate all your messages, including on my first fic :-)

MuffinMoe: Mission Angel babies hahahaha I died. I love your explanations about Draco's authorial/business visions both being fulfilled by Luna, it's pretty spot on. The whole point of this fic is LunaxDraco fluffy fluff in a realistic setting entirely under my control. Did you see this dark secret club society thing coming? I remember you mentioned liking a good villain. How about a whole system of villains? As you see, I'm here to serve...and I'll take you up on that rice porridge anytime (I want the authentic Japanese stuff. See you there. Blaise will be the over-excited guide xD).

Carina: Welcome, lovely of you to stop by. I want to acknowledge your effort and give you hope; ten years ago I used to read stories in English with a translator too! It helped me get loads of vocabulary as a non-native English speaker! Now I've gotten better, don't give up, you can do it :D

Until the next one! ^ v ^)/