Chapter 2

************************

I adjusted my black, silk gloves and checked my hair one last time in the mirror. I was wearing a chinese style black, silk dress that went down to my ankles. The slit on the side went up pretty far, but since I was an anime character now, it didn't matter. This is MY TIME, therefore I can wear whatever I want! I tightened my hair which was in two ponytails. Each tail was braided, with some help from Amanda, and had red ribbons woven through them. 

"Hmm, She must have been influenced by Miyu, but I really like it…"

I was satisfied with how I looked, so I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway. I walked down the corridor and pushed open a large set of carved, Mahogany doors.

"…Wow…"

I looked around to find the ballroom transformed into a colorful, shiny, extravagant dance room. Wild fabrics were draped on the walls to create a sea of pattern and color. The lighting dimmed the brightness so that everything melded into place.

"It's…perfect…"

Amanda had gone ahead to set up the ballroom for the party. We had split jobs earlier. I was in charge of dinner. I walked through the room towards the kitchen. Amanda popped up in front of me.

"HI JEN!!!"

"BAH!"

"He-he-he…"

"…I hate you…anyways, HOW did you do THIS?"

"Well, I DID have help from Kevy."

"Oh, go figure. I'm going off to the kitchen to prepare Din-din."

"Prepare what?"

"DINNER YOU FOOL!"

"Alrighty, then I'll go put on an announcement that the dinner hall is ready to be occupied."

"Sounds good. I'll catch up with you later!"

We headed out in different directions to prepare for our big party. I walked into the kitchen and stopped.

"I-It's h-huge…how am I going to cook for over…EIGHTY PEOPLE….oh no…I'm in way over my head…I…I…wait a minute! I'm a sorceress, so I can just create food using my magic!"

I cleared off one of the extremely large counters. I put on my apron and cracked my knuckles. I raised my hands above my head.

"Okay…Let's start small…I WANT A HAMBURGER…FROM WIMPY'S DINER!!!"

A giant bowl of Lima Beans appeared on the counter.

"…oh boy…"

I examined a bean and popped it in my mouth.

"Hmm…it's delicious…but it's not what I ordered. This isn't even close to a burger. WHAT'S GOING ON?!? Well, at least I can snack on these while I try again."

I lifted my hands once more.

"Alright, I WANT A PARTY SIZE PIZZA WITH THIN CRUST, EXTRA SAUCE, MUSHROOMS, GRILLED CHICKEN, AND SUN DRIED TOMATOES!"

A jar appeared on the counter.

"…I…DIDN'T ASK FOR APPLESAUCE!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

I took out by rage on the jar by throwing it at the refrigerator. I dropped to the ground and started to cry.

"Why…(sniff)…won't it work?…I have so many people depending on me to give them a good meal…(sniff sniff)…KEVY!!!"

"You rang?"

Kevy stood before me in a rich black tuxedo with a tail. He kneeled down and smiled at me.

"K-Kevy, your wings are gone…"

"Yup. Don't you think they'd be an inconvenience when I'm dancing with all the ladies?"

I giggled a bit.

"Now Jen, what's with the water works?"

He took a handkerchief out of his breast pocket and handed it to me. I wiped my eyes.

"Well Kevy, I can't seem to make the right food. I tried to materialize a hamburger, and I got a bowl of lima beans. I tried to make a pizza, and came up with a jar of applesauce. What's wrong with me Kevy?"

"Hmm.."

He sat down and seemed to be deep in thought.

"…Maybe you weren't concentrating hard enough. You are a sorceress and all, but you must understand that not everything is simple. You just gave the name of the food, and your magic saw it as any food. It can not distinguish names. You have to visualize ingredients, and how it is cooked. Why don't you try it again? Make me a…BLUEBERRY PIE!"

"…um…okay, I'll try."

I wiped my eyes once more and stood up. I raised my hands and imagined the blueberries…the dough for the crust….the oven…

"KEVY WANTS A BLUEBERRY PIE!!!"

A hot blueberry pie materialized in Kevy's lap.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW…….it's really hot…"

"Oh KEVY-BABY, I'm so SORRY!!! I didn't know it would materialize there….sorry…"

I grabbed a pair of oven mitts and grabbed the pie out of his lap. I set it on the counter and turned around to find Kevy holding a plate up.

"After that torture I do believe that I deserve some pie."

"…You're absolutely right, Kevy-baby."

I took a knife out of the drawer and cut him a slice.

"And by the way, Jen, since you brought it up, why have you and Amanda just adopted Kevy-baby as my new name?"

"Because, Kevy-bunny, you are a sweetie pie!…but don't let it go to your head!"

"…right…and don't worry, I won't."

I nibbled on a few lima beans, then cleared off the counter.

"Alright, LET'S MAKE US A FEAST FIT FOR THE GODS!!!"

*****************************

I sat at one of the smaller tables, this one would seat six, and glanced around. Everyone seemed to be mingling. Actually, everyone was pretty much staying in their own groups, with a few exceptions. Mainly the few people who came on their own or as a duo tended to join up at one of the tables for five or six. It did make for some interesting couples, even if they didn't speak. One such table consisted of Otaru, Marine, Lime, Zelgadis and Lina. Though they were speaking, it was rather one-sided. Mainly, they were arguing about the taste of the drinks that were being served by Makoto, Ami, Usagi, Rei and Minako.

I still had to laugh at how we had managed to convince them to help.  Makoto had offered to assist us with serving the appetizers, and when the others had seen what she got to wear, mainly, a thigh length silk dress in the scouts colours, a frilly apron, elbow length gloves, a velvet choker and bunny ears, the all jumped to help. Jen had suggested the bunny ears, and once everyone had seen them, they refused to go without them. The bonus was, of course, that they only had to take off the ears and apron, and they were ready for the dinner.

Lime was continuing to argue with Marine about the drinks. It wasn't hard to hear them, as they were quite loud.

"It tastes like grapes."

"Actually, it tastes like raspberries."

"No, grapes."

"No, raspberries."

"Grapes."

"Raspberries."

"GRAPES."

"RASPBERRIES!"

"WILL YOU BOTH SHUT UP!!"

Gotta love that Lina…Hehehehehe…

 I turned my attention back to my table. Empty…While there was plenty of seats available, no one had sat down. While I had expected the larger groups to stick together, I was a little upset that no one in the smaller groups had joined us. Even Van and Folcan were sitting together, and boy, were they glaring at each other. I looked around. Miyu and Larva were sitting on their own. The Weib Kruez guys filled a table, as did the Gundam Bunnies and the remaining Sailor Scouts and Mamoru were at the one ten person table, there just for them, and the inners, once they had finished.

I sighed and let my head rest on my hand while I picked at the deep red suede pantsuit I was wearing. I loved it, but that didn't help my mood.

Why is everyone avoiding me? I know some of them are going to be upset about me just grabbing them, but I didn't have much choice… Hisoka and Tsuzuki walked through the doors. And I thought I was getting along with most of them….Ohhhh…This is really going to be a long trip if everyone hates me…And whet about Jen? It'll be just me and her here, and if I'm a little depressed about it, Jen will be REALLY upset… Hisoka nudged Tsuzuki and said something. I returned to picking at my fringed jacket. I gotta make sure Jen doesn't notice….But why is everyone acting like this anyway? God, I hope at least some of them will get used to us at least…Otherwise…

"HEY! It's Amanda right? May we sit here?" Tsuzuki was standing right beside me, with a smile so big I worried his face might crack. Hisoka was next to him.

"Of course! Sure!"

"Great, thanks!"  They sat down and Tsuzuki grabbed three drinks from Minako who was fluttering from table to table.

"Here." He offered a glass to Hisoka and myself. "It's just juice, so you won't pass out again, right Hisoka?" Hisoka glared and took the glass.

"I told you not to talk about that." Hisoka turned to me. "We haven't really been introduced. We met Jen before, but it was a little rushed…" He let the statement hang. I nodded that was understandable.

"…Anyway, I'm Hisoka, and this is my partner, Tsuzuki."

"I'm glad to meet you both. Of course, I'm Amanda….Tell me, what do you think of the ark so far?"

"Well we haven't seen too much of it…But what we have seen is amazing." Tsuzuki could only nod, he was busy munching on breadsticks. Jen popped up and smacked me on the head.

"Hey Amanda! Looks like things are going great- is that Van and Folcan? At the same table? Weird. Oh! Look at what I can do!" She pointed her finger and there were now plates and silverware in front of Hisoka, Tsuzuki, myself, and where she would be sitting. She pointed again and a large cinnamon bun appeared on Tsuzuki's plate.

"Just for you Tsuzuki, Hisoka, do you want one?" Hisoka shook his head. Count D was walking past and had seen Jen's display. He grabbed a chair and sat down at the table, looking avidly at Jen. She noticed and smiled.

"Here you go." A  cinnamon bun appeared, along with a place setting in front of him.

"I gotta go. You left me making dinner for 85 people! But I've worked it all out now, luckily. Now, I'm going to add some finishing touches and make the dinner announcement, so don't let anyone in my seat, ok?"

"Of course. Have fun!'

"HAH! Fun! Oh! Take a look at Kevy if you get a chance….He's in a Tux! Actually, just save him the seat, then you'll get to see it, alright?"

"Sure, no prob."

"Ok, see you!" Jen sped off.

"Well, you two get along well." Tsuzuki smiled.

"Yeah we do…Always have. Can't understand why, don't really care. But glad we do….Um…Count D? Where's the Medusa?"

The count stopped eating and pointed to the table where Miyu and Larva were sitting. Sure enough, the Medusa was sitting there, with her eyes covered, as always.

"They're quiet, and aren't stupid enough to remove her eye coverings, and besides, she wanted to sit there, and they didn't complain, so I let her."

"Ok. If you're sure…" I returned to the conversation at hand, mainly, Hisoka and Tsuzuki's argument about the juice….I can't believe that they're arguing about the juice. I took a sip. Actually, it tastes more like kiwi than raspberries or grapes…..

*****************

I walked into the kitchen and admired my "creations".

"Oh goody, this meal is going to be something else. The curry I KNOW will blow people away. At least…I hope it does…oh crap…WHAT IF THEY DON'T LIKE IT?…oh no…"

Kevy burst into the room.

"HEY JEN-JEN!!!"

"…Jen-Jen?"

"Well, if you can call me a stupid name like Kevy-baby, then I'm pretty I can get away with calling you Jen-Jen."

"…fair enough…Kevy?"

"Uh huh?"

"Um, do you think everyone will be satisfied with dinner?"

He looked around at the counters filled with trays of food. He even noticed the oranges cut into the shape of a flower.

"Jen-Jen…have you even LOOKED at your creations? It's fabulous! Everyone will love it. Don't worry…"

He grabbed a tray that was filled with steamed Lobster.

"C'mon Jen, Let's serve these masterpieces."

He was about to step through the doors when I stepped in front of him.

"Nuh uh…I have to ANNOUNCE din-din first."

"Din-din?"

"Shut up…"

I slipped through the doors and motioned to Amanda. She got the message and started to tap her glass with her spoon. She stood up to gather more attention. Everyone became silent. I cleared my throat, which brought the attention to me.

"Ladies, Gentlemen, Adorable children, and the occasional animal…Dinner is now served!"

Applause began and Kevy took this as a sign. He stepped through the door just as I turned to walk into it. Bang. Clatter. Gasp. Realization. Laugh. From the back of the room, one young man laughed the loudest.

"BAH HA HA HA HA HA…."

Everyone turned to Touya.

"That's what you get for the lake incident, bat-boy!"

Kevy and I were sprawled on the floor. Luckily, the Lobster did not touch us…just the surrounding carpet. I was slightly leaning on one of the doors, while Kevy was flat on his face. He lifted his head ever so slowly.

"…bat-boy?"

He looked over at me for some explanation.

"Kevy-baby…I'd like to answer you right now, but when I see three Kevys, it's not a good sign…."

I saw Amanda run over to us along with Tsuzuki. She helped Kevy up ,while Tsuzuki assisted me.

"Oy…that wasn't fun…"

I straightened myself up, and waited for my vision to focus. When it did, I thanked Tsuzuki and grabbed Kevy.

"Do me a favor and clean this mess mage style."

"Will do!"

He waved his left hand and the mess disappeared. We headed back into the kitchen and started to serve the feast…flawlessly this time.

After the dispensing, Kevy and I sat down to enjoy our meal. I leaned over to Amanda.

"How did Hisoka, Tsuzuki and Count D end up at our table?"

"…Luck, I guess…"

I shrugged and looked around at the others. Hisoka was quietly eating his ramen, Tsuzuki was going at his Korean B.B.Q., And Count D was enjoying a cup of green tea with his fruit tarts. Amanda was enjoying a Ceaser salad, Kevy was shoveling down Tortellini, and I was indulging in a healthy plate of Sashimi.

"So…did you guys pick your rooms?"

Count D sipped his tea, then answered.

"I picked my room, but was rather dissatisfied."

Kevy choked on his Tortellini. I gave him a little pat on the back and then turned to Count D.

"How come?"

"Well, I thought it wasn't colorful enough."

"…Uh…"

"WHAT do you mean by NOT COLORFUL ENOUGH?!?!"

"Kevy, CALM DOWN!!!…I can help you with it later, Count."

"Really, Amanda? That would be very kind of you."

"Hey, you guys ready for dessert?"

Both Tsuzuki and Count D's eyes transformed into little hearts.

"I guess that's a yes."

I got up, ready to collect the finished plates. I then realized that I would be collecting plates for over EIGHTY PEOPLE!!!

"Um…Kevy, do you mind helping?"

"Past experiences have proven that helping you is dangerous and foolish…but I'll help anyway cause I'm a nice guy."

He winked. I rolled my eyes.

"Idiot."

Everyone looked over at Hisoka, who was staring at us. Kevy stood up and leaned over the table.

"Got something to say?"

"…You're an I-DI-OT…"

"That's it…"

Kevy began to roll up his sleeves, but I quickly pulled him into the kitchen. Replace the word pulled with dragged. When we were out of sight of everyone, I let him go.

"Kevy, WHAT do you think you're doing?"

He sighed.

"Jen…these guys are really getting on my nerves. Many of them are just smart-asses who aren't even grateful for being saved!"

"Some people are just like that. It's their personality…it's the way they are. I'm sorry they've been bugging you Kevy-baby…"

I gave him a hug. He smiled.

"I'll try to keep my temper under control."

"Thank you, Kevin."

Kevy took a step back. "…Kevin?"

"Yeah…that is your name isn't it?"

He paused for a second, then smiled.

"I like Kevy better…"

…whoa! This is getting way too happy, mushy, 'aww isn't that sweet'.

"Okay Kevy-baby!!!"

His hands became fists and his eyebrow twitched a little.

"Anyways, let's go collect dishes, and serve dessert!"

I skipped out the kitchen doors…he unexcitedly followed behind.

We finished collecting dishes and served cake for dessert. I sat back down at our table. Kevy was already in his seat. Count D was savoring his vanilla cake filled with fruit…Fruitcake?…oh well…Tsuzuki, Kevy and I were enjoying our Strawberry Shortcake, Hisoka had an angel food cake, while Amanda nibbled on her triple layer chocolate cake.

"Jen…this is…AMAZING! The flow of flavor is like heaven in my mouth!"

"Uh huh…"

"I agree!"

"ME TOO!"

"This IS good."

"Thanks guys…"

I'm so happy they like it!!! Mmmm…it IS good. I love it, I love it, I love it!

Kevy, Amanda and I cleared away the dishes, then addressed everyone about the dance.

"Okay everybody, let us remind you that the girls will be leaving by midnight tonight, so enjoy your time together. And don't any of you girls try to hide aboard the guys ship…we have your names, and WILL take attendance. Dinner is officially over, so go and enjoy the dance, or relax in one of the recreation rooms…just have fun. Thanks everyone."

As I finished my announcement, the groups dispersed in different directions. Most headed for the ballroom. I hooked my arms with Kevy and Amanda.

"Let's go dance, guys!"

**************************

I looked around. While nothing was perfect, the dinner went off pretty well. Almost everyone had gone to the ballroom and were mingling, to an extent, and dancing the night away. I watched as Usagi and Mamoru swept across the floor during a waltz. On the other side of the room, Haruka and Michiru were also dancing gracefully. Almost everyone had paired off and was dancing beautifully. Jen and I had decided to mix all music for the dance, so I was sure something more upbeat that didn't involve partners would play soon. I continued to mingle with those sitting or standing around, simply talking or enjoying the music. I stopped by to say hello to Quatre, who was deep in conversation with Cody about digimon. I walked on, and waved to Jen, who was on the other side of the room, talking with the Battle Athletes Victory girls. She waved back, then continued her conversation. I walked on and headed towards The Count and Medusa, when someone tapped my shoulder. I turned to see Duo grinning at me.

"Care to dance?"

"Sure! I'd love to." We stepped out on the floor just as another waltz started to play. This one was much quicker and had an almost techno feel to it. I recognized it from one of my Clamp Campus Detectives CD's and smiled. Duo and I began to waltz around the room, which was lucky for me, since the only dance I knew was the waltz. I smiled at Duo.

"Jen's going to kill me for dancing with you, but that can wait. You're a really great dancer by the way."

"Thanks, so are you." My smile broadened and I continued. "What do you think of the ark? Have you seen the Gundam training grounds yet?"

"No, but I plan to. And the ark is really fantastic. Tell that Kevy he did a good job." Duo didn't sound too happy to say the last part, but I didn't bug him about it. However, I did get a little curious when he started muttering about black wings and Shinigami, but before I could mention it, the song ended and I headed back to the outer rim of the dance. Grabbing a drink, I turned to Duo.

"Thanks for the dance. You were really great."

"So were you. Would you like to continue?"

I listened to the song playing and shook my head. "Sorry Duo, but all I can do is waltz. If you're really looking for a partner for the faster stuff, ask Jen. I know she'd love to, and she's good at it to boot."

"Alright, I will. Thanks." Duo sauntered off and I sat down. While I would have loved to keep dancing there were two things stopping me. Number one was the fact that, like I said, I was useless at anything other than a waltz. Number two was the migraine I was developing. Thankfully, I knew when to cut my losses. I listened to one more song, then quietly left during Just Communication, though I had stayed long enough to see all the Gundam bunnies and Jennifer all glance up at the speakers. The Gundam bunnies all had that look of recognizing something, but only vaguely. I smiled as Jen pulled Duo back out the dance floor, and slipped out the doors.

I considered heading back to my room, but then remembered Kevy had mentioned a viewing room. And a personal collection of anime just for Jen, Janice and me. I headed for the room's general direction.

I eventually made it and opened the carved doors. Inside was a huge group of comfy seats and a large film screen. I sat down and called out "Lights," Grinning as the lighting dimmed. I remembered Kevy's directions and smiled. "Show selections from Amanda and Jen's Anime Database." Immediately, the screen lit up and a list of every anime ever showed up, divided by genre. "Begin programming. Yami No Matsuei. Part Three. Sailor Moon S, the third last episode. Sailor moon Sailor Stars episodes 197-200. Gundam Wing. Episodes 12, 17, 30, 48, 49. Card Captor Sakura, episodes 1 to 4 of the second season. Weib Kreuz episodes 5-8. Random play. Begin." The screen dimmed and I watched the opening for Yami no Matsuei begin to play.

"Ehehehehehehehehehehehehe……………………the surefire headache buster, Anime!!!!"

**********************************