Chapter Seventeen: In the Last Slow Hours of Morning
Clay Cliff Fortran thrashed about in the bed he shared with Saki.
A sound sleeper in his youth---sound enough to endure the moans and cries that punctuated Zero Enna's nightmares---he began having trouble falling asleep.
What started as a series of tics and tremors could escalate, in calmer moments, to a series of moans and screams, punctuated by thrashing arms and legs.
Last night's revelations had startled Clay beyond anything like belief.
One fitful doze gave way to another, drenching him in cold sweat.
Saki sat up, pressing a cold towel to his face and arms. Clay, come on, snap to!
Her hand jerked back: the twins delivered a set of kicks. Nicky? Arianna? What is the unsuspecting world in for? She leaned in again, toweling her husband's face.
Clay---where the hell are you? Come back!
Clay went limp; his breathing evened out, as he spiraled into a new dream:
A large Christmas tree, decked with handmade stars, lights, and strings of lights, stood in the far corner of Zero's living room. Trays of food, ranging from blini and mushroom-eggplant paté to roasted venison, sat on the table amid cold plates, salads, and side dishes.
Although Zero did most of the cooking, the guests brought dishes, desserts, and wine. A few came early, to help decorate the living and dining rooms. Yamagi, Roose, and Tsukasa had been here since morning, setting up the wardrobe and the lighting for the dinner show.
Clay Cliff Fortran sat on the sofa, holding his wife's hand. His eyes dropped to the rounded, swollen belly where their twins kicked and shifted. He wore his trademark black, with a fitted, dark green velvet jacket. She wore a dark plum dress, spiked with coppery threads.
He saw Garu chase Rioroute up the stares, a mischievous, predatory light in his eyes. Zero conferred with Yamagi and Roose. Clay sighed. I get the feeling they're going to recruit me for the show. Zero bounded over, winking at Saki. "Can I borrow your husband for a bit? I promise to bring him back in one piece---more or less."
The dark-haired man led him into the kitchen, handing him a tank top and black leather pants. "Go get changed. We need you to get this party started."
"What the hell?" Did Saki put me up to something? Clay fumbled for words, as Zero pushed him into the laundry room.
"Yamagi and Roose are having a few last-minute alterations to their costumes. They wanted to know if you'd do your Lizard King."
"I guess." Clay undid his ponytail, shaking out waves of golden-brown hair. "Which song should I do?"
"We've got the music for 'Hello, I Love You'; will that work?"
Clay stripped to boxer briefs, and began to ease the leather up and over his legs. He pulled on the tank top---black to match---and tucked it in, zipping up the trousers. He put on a pair of black boots, and found a forest green poet's shirt. He slipped it on, leaving it open.
He studied himself in a mirror, as the voices of the guests rose.
"Good evening, ladies and Germans!" Zero had launched into his usual emcee patter. "Glad to see you here, and Garu, please try to keep Rio from circling the buffet table." Laughter followed the comment. "Seriously, you are such a lovely audience---and without further ado, let me introduce the Sex God Emeritus himself---our own Lizard King---Clay Cliff Fortran! Give him a hand, everybody!"
Clay removed his glasses and took a deep breath. As the music cued up, he began to saunter, hips swaying to the vamp from an ancient Farfisa synthesizer. For a split second, he felt a chill race up his back. Stage fright, Fortran. Remain calm. You'll have them begging to pop olives into your bellybutton. He swaggered up to the microphone, and began to sing:
"Hello, I love you; won't you tell me your name? Hello, I love you; let me jump in your game. Hello, I love you; won't you tell me your name? Hello, I love you; let me jump in your game. She's walking down the street, blind to every eye she meets. Do you think you'll be the guy to make the queen of the angels sigh?"
Saki grinned at him, as he removed the microphone from the stand, and milled through the crowds. He grabbed a glass of vodka and cranberry juice, downing it in one swallow, and began to undulate in front of Zero, who swatted his backside and shoved him toward his wife.
"She holds her head so high, like a statue in the sky. Her arms are wicked and her legs are long. When she moves, my brain screams out this song." Clay dropped to his knees, half-slithering toward Saki, a feral grin across his face.
"Sidewalk crouches at her feet, like a dog that begs for something sweet. Do you hope to make her see you, fool? Do you hope to pluck this dusky jewel? Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello, I love you. I need my baby---yeah."
He slid up to her lap, kissing her belly, as the guests whistled and cheered.
Zero took the mike from Clay, and spoke again: "Your Lizard King and mine, give it up for Clay Cliff Fortran!" He waited until the applause faded. And now, stepping to the stage---Frida and Agnetha, the lovely ladies of Fabba ABBA!"
Roose and Yamagi came down the stairs to thunderous applause. They wore matching white jumpsuits, which flared out at the sleeves and the legs. Yamagi's suit shimmered, violet sequins accenting the silk-screened floral pattern. Teal sequins covered the front of Roose's suit. The taller man, whose locks hid under a wig of straight, flax-blond hair, smiled at his koibito. Hey, Chibi-chan, ready for the fun?
The music came up, and the two began lip-synching: "My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender! Oh yeah! And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way! The history book on the shelf is always repeating itself! Waterloo, I was defeated; you won the war! Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore! Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to! Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you! Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa, Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo!"
The guests joined in the singing, as the lights began to flicker.
"My, my, I tried to hold you back, but you were stronger! Oh yeah (oh yeah). And now I see my only chance is giving up the fight. And how can I ever refuse? I feel like I win when I lose. Waterloo, I was defeated; you won the war! Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore! Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to! Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you! Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa, Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo! So how can I ever refuse? I feel like I win when I lose. Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to! Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you! Whoa- whoa-whoa-whoa, Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo! Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa, Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you! Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo!"
The music faded; Yamagi and Roose bowed as the guests cheered.
Zero wrapped his arms around the two. "The lovelies of Fabba ABBA! Stick around, they'll be back!"
The doorbell rang; Zero leaped out of Roose and Yamagi's arms. Clay sat in his wife's arms; when the door opened, he gasped.
Hiead Gner stood in the doorway, dressed head-to-toe in charcoal grey, with black boots and a cape. The guests fell silent.
Clay felt a tremor, as his wife pulled away. Oh god, no, he's arrived.
Ruby-red eyes latched onto Zero's; he took the dark-haired man in his arms, crushing their lips together in a fierce kiss.
They broke the kiss, arms entwined, as Clay looked on.
"You're dead." Clay's eyes widened.
"You should know better, Fortran, than to presume." Hiead's lips curved up into a dark smile. "But the dead send their regards."
The crowds blurred.
Lights began to dim and swirl, as Hiead strode toward Clay.
"The time has come to settle the score." Hiead paused. "You have a lot to answer for. An awful bloody lot. Tell me, how did you come to the conclusion that Rei would be the hero, that I'd be prime cannon fodder? What, in your eyes, made me so fucking expendable?"
Zero approached, sidling up to Clay. His eyes narrowed, as he hissed, "Did it make you feel good, to separate me from my koishii? To break Ikhny? Did you get off on seeing me at that bloody Borstal? And what about Kizna?"
Clay shrank under the scrutiny of the two men. "But I didn't mean it, I didn't mean you to suffer, I just wanted Zion to be safe."
Hiead raised an eyebrow, a derisive chuckle in his throat. "Safe? I lost seven years of my life! Seven years I should have spent with Rei. And what happened in those seven years, Fortran? You unleashed a plague on this world---a plague by the name of Quark.
"How many people will die in your 'safe' world, Fortran? How many have, already?" He glanced at Zero. "Maybe our Mr. Fortran would like to meet some people. Mickey Traherne, perhaps? Or would you rather sit with Ryker Kuerten? Then again, maybe it wouldn't be so wise to see the son of one of your major patrons."
Clay sat, frozen, hands trembling.
Zero regarded him, wavering between sorrow and scorn. "Tell me something: when did you die?" Clay recoiled. "I mean, when did you start believing that you, the Last Observer, had the right to play god?" He watched, as Saki came forward. "And how could you know, and say nothing? Especially since Ikhny was your friend---and as far as I knew, you never once objected to her relationship with Kizna."
Neither Clay nor Saki dared answer.
Hiead took their hands in his, a steely fire in his eyes. He spoke, in a soft tone: "You will never bring them back. You can never reverse the damage you've inflicted.
"But you can prevent some greater hurt in the future. You'll understand soon enough."
Clay woke, tears running down his face; Saki looked at him, saying: "Are you here, love?"
He collapsed into her arms. The two wept in silence, tears ripe with bitterness and sorrow.
As the sun rose, the two looked at each other.
"We have to tell them."
"We have to vanish."
"Not without telling the whole story."
"Yes. We have to tell the whole story."
"I'm scared, Saki."
She rested her head on Clay's shoulder. "So am I, love. So am I."
Clay fumbled for his cell phone, which lay in a pile of papers on his nightstand.
He dialed, waiting for a reply.
A sleep-fuzzed voice answered. "Hello?"
"Zero? Clay here. Is Hiead with you?"
"He is. Why? Dude, is something the matter? You sound like you've been gargling rusted scrap metal."
"Screw what I sound like! Saki and I need to speak with both of you, and soon."
"Come over, then. I'll have breakfast ready. How does 9:30 sound?"
"We'll be there. Thank you, Zero."
"See you then."
"See you." Clay hung up, slumping across the bed, tears scalding his face.
Author's Notes
Here's the newest chapter of RSA, for your reading pleasure. Thanks so much for reading on, and for your patience.
KLMeri: All ten fingernails in this story? I'm glad that you have enjoyed it! I promise not to be too cruel to Clay---since in my prequel I've designated him a Sex God ; I've given him a very Doors-y moment in his latest dream. Since he's married, and soon to be a father, he is, by the standards of singles, retired from the field---in other words, a Sex God Emeritus. (Of course, to Saki, he is and remains a stone-sweet Sex God.)
AA-Chan: you are way, way too kind! Thank you so much for the wonderful words! Did your mum fix any sweets? If yes, how were they? As for seeing first kisses, well---they are on the way, in the prequel. That's all I can say for now.
To the invisible reviewer: Thank you, and I shall continue. Promise.
D-Chan: welcome back, and thank you. Bellissima, I'm just happy to hear from you.
Music Notes: In the dream sequence, Clay performs "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors (written, if memory serves, by Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek). Yamagi and Roose perform to the tune of "Waterloo," one of my favorite ABBA songs, written by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson. Their working moniker comes from a scene in Muriel's Wedding, where Toni Colette and Rachel Griffiths perform that very song at a resort. (If you see it for no other reason, the "Waterloo" scene is worth every penny!) As for the title, it's a line taken from the Crowded House song, "Into Temptation."
Next Chapter: While fixing breakfast, Zero gets an unwelcome visit. Clay and Saki arrive; the long-awaited confrontation begins. Stay tuned.
As always, I welcome all of your comments, always. Thank you so much.
Antoinette (poetisa)
P.S. I'm thinking of creating a 100 review special. Free space for all! Interested? Please let me know.
Clay Cliff Fortran thrashed about in the bed he shared with Saki.
A sound sleeper in his youth---sound enough to endure the moans and cries that punctuated Zero Enna's nightmares---he began having trouble falling asleep.
What started as a series of tics and tremors could escalate, in calmer moments, to a series of moans and screams, punctuated by thrashing arms and legs.
Last night's revelations had startled Clay beyond anything like belief.
One fitful doze gave way to another, drenching him in cold sweat.
Saki sat up, pressing a cold towel to his face and arms. Clay, come on, snap to!
Her hand jerked back: the twins delivered a set of kicks. Nicky? Arianna? What is the unsuspecting world in for? She leaned in again, toweling her husband's face.
Clay---where the hell are you? Come back!
Clay went limp; his breathing evened out, as he spiraled into a new dream:
A large Christmas tree, decked with handmade stars, lights, and strings of lights, stood in the far corner of Zero's living room. Trays of food, ranging from blini and mushroom-eggplant paté to roasted venison, sat on the table amid cold plates, salads, and side dishes.
Although Zero did most of the cooking, the guests brought dishes, desserts, and wine. A few came early, to help decorate the living and dining rooms. Yamagi, Roose, and Tsukasa had been here since morning, setting up the wardrobe and the lighting for the dinner show.
Clay Cliff Fortran sat on the sofa, holding his wife's hand. His eyes dropped to the rounded, swollen belly where their twins kicked and shifted. He wore his trademark black, with a fitted, dark green velvet jacket. She wore a dark plum dress, spiked with coppery threads.
He saw Garu chase Rioroute up the stares, a mischievous, predatory light in his eyes. Zero conferred with Yamagi and Roose. Clay sighed. I get the feeling they're going to recruit me for the show. Zero bounded over, winking at Saki. "Can I borrow your husband for a bit? I promise to bring him back in one piece---more or less."
The dark-haired man led him into the kitchen, handing him a tank top and black leather pants. "Go get changed. We need you to get this party started."
"What the hell?" Did Saki put me up to something? Clay fumbled for words, as Zero pushed him into the laundry room.
"Yamagi and Roose are having a few last-minute alterations to their costumes. They wanted to know if you'd do your Lizard King."
"I guess." Clay undid his ponytail, shaking out waves of golden-brown hair. "Which song should I do?"
"We've got the music for 'Hello, I Love You'; will that work?"
Clay stripped to boxer briefs, and began to ease the leather up and over his legs. He pulled on the tank top---black to match---and tucked it in, zipping up the trousers. He put on a pair of black boots, and found a forest green poet's shirt. He slipped it on, leaving it open.
He studied himself in a mirror, as the voices of the guests rose.
"Good evening, ladies and Germans!" Zero had launched into his usual emcee patter. "Glad to see you here, and Garu, please try to keep Rio from circling the buffet table." Laughter followed the comment. "Seriously, you are such a lovely audience---and without further ado, let me introduce the Sex God Emeritus himself---our own Lizard King---Clay Cliff Fortran! Give him a hand, everybody!"
Clay removed his glasses and took a deep breath. As the music cued up, he began to saunter, hips swaying to the vamp from an ancient Farfisa synthesizer. For a split second, he felt a chill race up his back. Stage fright, Fortran. Remain calm. You'll have them begging to pop olives into your bellybutton. He swaggered up to the microphone, and began to sing:
"Hello, I love you; won't you tell me your name? Hello, I love you; let me jump in your game. Hello, I love you; won't you tell me your name? Hello, I love you; let me jump in your game. She's walking down the street, blind to every eye she meets. Do you think you'll be the guy to make the queen of the angels sigh?"
Saki grinned at him, as he removed the microphone from the stand, and milled through the crowds. He grabbed a glass of vodka and cranberry juice, downing it in one swallow, and began to undulate in front of Zero, who swatted his backside and shoved him toward his wife.
"She holds her head so high, like a statue in the sky. Her arms are wicked and her legs are long. When she moves, my brain screams out this song." Clay dropped to his knees, half-slithering toward Saki, a feral grin across his face.
"Sidewalk crouches at her feet, like a dog that begs for something sweet. Do you hope to make her see you, fool? Do you hope to pluck this dusky jewel? Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello, I love you. I need my baby---yeah."
He slid up to her lap, kissing her belly, as the guests whistled and cheered.
Zero took the mike from Clay, and spoke again: "Your Lizard King and mine, give it up for Clay Cliff Fortran!" He waited until the applause faded. And now, stepping to the stage---Frida and Agnetha, the lovely ladies of Fabba ABBA!"
Roose and Yamagi came down the stairs to thunderous applause. They wore matching white jumpsuits, which flared out at the sleeves and the legs. Yamagi's suit shimmered, violet sequins accenting the silk-screened floral pattern. Teal sequins covered the front of Roose's suit. The taller man, whose locks hid under a wig of straight, flax-blond hair, smiled at his koibito. Hey, Chibi-chan, ready for the fun?
The music came up, and the two began lip-synching: "My, my, at Waterloo Napoleon did surrender! Oh yeah! And I have met my destiny in quite a similar way! The history book on the shelf is always repeating itself! Waterloo, I was defeated; you won the war! Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore! Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to! Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you! Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa, Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo!"
The guests joined in the singing, as the lights began to flicker.
"My, my, I tried to hold you back, but you were stronger! Oh yeah (oh yeah). And now I see my only chance is giving up the fight. And how can I ever refuse? I feel like I win when I lose. Waterloo, I was defeated; you won the war! Waterloo, promise to love you forevermore! Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to! Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you! Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa, Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo! So how can I ever refuse? I feel like I win when I lose. Waterloo, couldn't escape if I wanted to! Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you! Whoa- whoa-whoa-whoa, Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo! Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa, Waterloo, knowing my fate is to be with you! Waterloo, finally facing my Waterloo!"
The music faded; Yamagi and Roose bowed as the guests cheered.
Zero wrapped his arms around the two. "The lovelies of Fabba ABBA! Stick around, they'll be back!"
The doorbell rang; Zero leaped out of Roose and Yamagi's arms. Clay sat in his wife's arms; when the door opened, he gasped.
Hiead Gner stood in the doorway, dressed head-to-toe in charcoal grey, with black boots and a cape. The guests fell silent.
Clay felt a tremor, as his wife pulled away. Oh god, no, he's arrived.
Ruby-red eyes latched onto Zero's; he took the dark-haired man in his arms, crushing their lips together in a fierce kiss.
They broke the kiss, arms entwined, as Clay looked on.
"You're dead." Clay's eyes widened.
"You should know better, Fortran, than to presume." Hiead's lips curved up into a dark smile. "But the dead send their regards."
The crowds blurred.
Lights began to dim and swirl, as Hiead strode toward Clay.
"The time has come to settle the score." Hiead paused. "You have a lot to answer for. An awful bloody lot. Tell me, how did you come to the conclusion that Rei would be the hero, that I'd be prime cannon fodder? What, in your eyes, made me so fucking expendable?"
Zero approached, sidling up to Clay. His eyes narrowed, as he hissed, "Did it make you feel good, to separate me from my koishii? To break Ikhny? Did you get off on seeing me at that bloody Borstal? And what about Kizna?"
Clay shrank under the scrutiny of the two men. "But I didn't mean it, I didn't mean you to suffer, I just wanted Zion to be safe."
Hiead raised an eyebrow, a derisive chuckle in his throat. "Safe? I lost seven years of my life! Seven years I should have spent with Rei. And what happened in those seven years, Fortran? You unleashed a plague on this world---a plague by the name of Quark.
"How many people will die in your 'safe' world, Fortran? How many have, already?" He glanced at Zero. "Maybe our Mr. Fortran would like to meet some people. Mickey Traherne, perhaps? Or would you rather sit with Ryker Kuerten? Then again, maybe it wouldn't be so wise to see the son of one of your major patrons."
Clay sat, frozen, hands trembling.
Zero regarded him, wavering between sorrow and scorn. "Tell me something: when did you die?" Clay recoiled. "I mean, when did you start believing that you, the Last Observer, had the right to play god?" He watched, as Saki came forward. "And how could you know, and say nothing? Especially since Ikhny was your friend---and as far as I knew, you never once objected to her relationship with Kizna."
Neither Clay nor Saki dared answer.
Hiead took their hands in his, a steely fire in his eyes. He spoke, in a soft tone: "You will never bring them back. You can never reverse the damage you've inflicted.
"But you can prevent some greater hurt in the future. You'll understand soon enough."
Clay woke, tears running down his face; Saki looked at him, saying: "Are you here, love?"
He collapsed into her arms. The two wept in silence, tears ripe with bitterness and sorrow.
As the sun rose, the two looked at each other.
"We have to tell them."
"We have to vanish."
"Not without telling the whole story."
"Yes. We have to tell the whole story."
"I'm scared, Saki."
She rested her head on Clay's shoulder. "So am I, love. So am I."
Clay fumbled for his cell phone, which lay in a pile of papers on his nightstand.
He dialed, waiting for a reply.
A sleep-fuzzed voice answered. "Hello?"
"Zero? Clay here. Is Hiead with you?"
"He is. Why? Dude, is something the matter? You sound like you've been gargling rusted scrap metal."
"Screw what I sound like! Saki and I need to speak with both of you, and soon."
"Come over, then. I'll have breakfast ready. How does 9:30 sound?"
"We'll be there. Thank you, Zero."
"See you then."
"See you." Clay hung up, slumping across the bed, tears scalding his face.
Author's Notes
Here's the newest chapter of RSA, for your reading pleasure. Thanks so much for reading on, and for your patience.
KLMeri: All ten fingernails in this story? I'm glad that you have enjoyed it! I promise not to be too cruel to Clay---since in my prequel I've designated him a Sex God ; I've given him a very Doors-y moment in his latest dream. Since he's married, and soon to be a father, he is, by the standards of singles, retired from the field---in other words, a Sex God Emeritus. (Of course, to Saki, he is and remains a stone-sweet Sex God.)
AA-Chan: you are way, way too kind! Thank you so much for the wonderful words! Did your mum fix any sweets? If yes, how were they? As for seeing first kisses, well---they are on the way, in the prequel. That's all I can say for now.
To the invisible reviewer: Thank you, and I shall continue. Promise.
D-Chan: welcome back, and thank you. Bellissima, I'm just happy to hear from you.
Music Notes: In the dream sequence, Clay performs "Hello, I Love You" by The Doors (written, if memory serves, by Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek). Yamagi and Roose perform to the tune of "Waterloo," one of my favorite ABBA songs, written by Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Anderson. Their working moniker comes from a scene in Muriel's Wedding, where Toni Colette and Rachel Griffiths perform that very song at a resort. (If you see it for no other reason, the "Waterloo" scene is worth every penny!) As for the title, it's a line taken from the Crowded House song, "Into Temptation."
Next Chapter: While fixing breakfast, Zero gets an unwelcome visit. Clay and Saki arrive; the long-awaited confrontation begins. Stay tuned.
As always, I welcome all of your comments, always. Thank you so much.
Antoinette (poetisa)
P.S. I'm thinking of creating a 100 review special. Free space for all! Interested? Please let me know.