6. Goodbye, Kenichi
"What's that?" asked Kenichi as he walked alongside Sanguine down the sunset-lit streets of Metropolis. He peered over her shoulder at the folder of papers she was scribbling in.
"It's a Marduk profile. As the party's leader, I have to file their statistics and keep track of them," she explained. She lifted her head and called out behind her. "Rock! Are you coming with us or not?"
Rock snapped the locket shut and looked a couple of metres straight ahead to where Kenichi and Sanguine were walking. "Yeah, yeah-in my own sweet time!" As Sanguine turned back to her papers, he slipped the locket inside his shirt and looked at the ground again. "Don't know why I listen to you...You may look like her, but you're not my mother..."
Kenichi tried to suppress a giggle, but couldn't, making Sanguine leer at him vehemently. "What now?"
"I have a feeling that he's ashamed to know us," he replied, looking upwards at the sky.
Sanguine narrowed her eyes even more and focused her attention on the papers once more. "Anyone would be ashamed to know you, that's for sure."
Kenichi ignored the insult. "I also have a feeling that a certain someone has a feeling for someone..."
Sanguine's lip began to curl and instantly Kenichi regretted what he had said. "I sympathize him, that's all. I'd feel the same way for you if your parents died in the war and then you tried to be loved by a surrogate father, but couldn't because you were always pushed away and it seems that the only way to get his attention was to save his life by ultimately risking yours. Maybe."
"Uh-huh, sure..."
Sanguine whirled fully to him so that she walked sideways. "I hope you know that he's right behind us?" she whispered angrily. "I don't have to escort you to the airport, you know. And besides, I'd be nice to me if I were you-because when Tima's back I'll know just what to say to her about you!"
"At least I'll admit it. You know, this job is really stressing you out-"
"Are you guys going to hurry up or what?"
Kenichi and Sanguine turned, completely oblivious to the fact that they had stopped to argue while Rock passed them. "I'm only carrying your bags for a limited amount of time, Kenichi."
"It still amazes me how you managed to fit Tima in that suitcase," Sanguine said, indicating to the largest suitcase that Kenichi held.
"Who would have guessed that her materials were so flexible," responded Kenichi doubtfully with a shrug. He cast a longing glance down the elevator leading to the airport's lower level. Below, people were commuting from newly arriving and departing flights. He could see the planes taking off and landing through the huge glass windows. He turned back to Sanguine, pretending to deny Rock's presence. "Though we've had our disagreements, I'd like to thank you, Sanguine, for helping me with Tima. I'll be back in a few weeks, so don't worry. Same room, at the Hotel Coconut. Oh yeah-and if you find Fi-Fi, tell it where I've gone. I haven't been able to find it for the past few days."
Sanguine took off her sunglasses and fought hard to hold her tears back, winning the battle though her eyes were watery. "No problem, will do. You just finish rebuilding Tima. Say hello to your uncle for me."
Kenichi nodded, then leaned in closer to her and dropped his voice as he spoke. "I'll leave you two to your own business." Seeing her face blush with anger and embarrassment, he turned to Rock with a stern scowl. "I won't let Duke Red know if I do get her online, okay, Rock?"
Rock seemed stunned at this comment, drawing back and raising his eyebrows behind his sunglasses. "Th-thank you...K-Kenichi..."
Kenichi's scowl faded into a wide, relieved grin. He extended his hand. "I believe we can start over again, Rock. Once I get back."
Rock relaxed and slid his black gloved hand into Kenichi's. He returned a small smile. "Yeah... Tell Shunsaku Ban and Tima that I'm sorry. I owe you an apology, too."
"Apology accepted. Well, I'd better get going. I wouldn't want to miss my one and only flight out of here. See you!" With that, he picked up his two bags and hopped onto the elevator.
Sanguine was silent until Kenichi had reached the bottom of the elevator and commenced running to the right side of the large hallway below. "Bye, Kenichi! Have a nice trip and come back alive, or I'll kill you!" she yelled, cupping her left hand around her mouth and waving the other in the air.
Rock cast a confused and disgusted glance at her. She noticed it and looked at him. "What?"
"One, that doesn't make any sense and two, my Father made you Marduk leader? That's funny-I don't see any pigs flying."
Sanguine placed her hands akimbo after putting her sunglasses and hat back on. "You're just jealous because he chose me instead of you this time."
Rock began to saunter away, and instinctively Sanguine followed. "Hardly," he replied, shaking his head.
Sanguine jogged to keep up with him. "You say that but you don't mean it. Come on, you're supposed to help me with the filing."
"Fine then. Hand me the folder."
She did so.
Rock ran his eyes over the first paper rapidly. He stared a little longer than necessary at the picture of the party member. "Name: Sanguine Algethi. Gender: Female. Age: 16. Height: 5"5. Hair: Brown. Eyes: Green. Birthday: July 20, 2090. Birthplace: Toronto, Canada. Blood Type: A. Gunning Level: Intermediate. Agent Rank: 01. Notes: The leader of the party and is to work closely with Duke Red and agents 02 through 04. Younger sister of agent 09 (Blade Algethi). Protective, moody, intuitive, obedient and intelligent. Expected to progress well throughout time in the Party."
Rock turned to Sanguine and took his sunglasses off. "Hm...Interesting profile..."
"Where do they get this information, anyway?"
"Reliable sources, then they form it into this little package here. Of course, this is rather vague compared to some of the other files the Metropolitan government keeps about us. Some of them probably even know the exact number of hairs on your head."
Sanguine snatched the folder from his hand as he waved it in front of her. She flipped to the second sheet of paper, reading it over briefly in her head before smirking and reading it aloud to Rock. "Name: Rock Red. Gender: Male. Age: 16. Height: 5"6. Hair: Brown. Eyes: Blue. Birthday: May 16, 2090. Birthplace: Megalopolis, Republic. Blood Type: O. Gunning Level: Proficient. Agent Rank: 02. Notes: Vice commander and is to work closely with Duke Red and agents 01, 03, and 04. Orphaned after World War 3 of 2093- 2095. Now the foster son of Duke Red. Former leader, but has been demoted. Solemn, obedient, ruthless, quiet and intelligent. Rehired and expected to progress well."
"You hear that? I'm two gunning levels above you. The highest level in fact-that you can achieve. They might as well name the exceeding level in my honour," scoffed Rock.
"Yes, and it has nothing to do with the fact that you've been handling firearms much longer than I have, Mr. Former Leader?" she retorted, pushing the folder back into Rock's chest with mock anger.
Rock turned to the third page. "Name: Devin Halberd. Gender: Male. Age: 23. Height: 5"9. Hair: Blond. Eyes: Blue. Birthday: April 7, 2083. Birthplace: Metropolis, Republic. Blood Type: A. Gunning Level: Proficient. Agent Rank: 03. Notes: Is to work closely with agents 01, 02, and 04. Son of a wealthy merchant. Close ties are noticeable with agent 02 and former agent 04. Apathetic, ruthless, loyal, cunning, and respectful. Has served on party three years to a good record."
Rock handed the folder back to Sanguine, who then turned to the fourth page. "Name: Fornax Derringer. Gender: Male. Age: 20. Height: 5"10. Hair: Blond. Eyes: Green. Birthday: September 21, 2086. Birthplace: Washington DC, USA. Blood Type: AB. Gunning Level: Proficient. Agent Rank: 04. Notes: Is to work closely with agents 01 through 03. Has family complexes and is a "ladies' man", to quote, though knows when duties come first. Is aspiring to be a politician. Deceiving, disciplined, diligent, amicable, and calculating. Expected to progress well throughout time with party."
By the time the two had made it back to Duke Red's makeshift mansion, the two were surprised to see a multitude of servants moving things out of the mansion and into a large hovercar, almost hovertruck. Sanguine was finishing reading Dactyl's profile. "Name: Dactyl Mouse. Gender: Male. Age: 14. Height: 5"4. Hair: Orange. Eyes: Grey. Birthday: October 10, 2092. Birthplace: Cosmopolis, Republic. Blood Type: O. Gunning Level: Novice. Agent Rank: 12. Notes: Is to work closely with agents 09 through 11. Is unsure of himself at times, and therefore allows vulnerability. Shy, quiet, pacifistic, obedient, and compassionate. Not expected to withstand pressures of party for long."
Sanguine lifted her head and stared down at the paper wistfully. "I feel sorry for Dactyl. His lifelong dream despite the fact that he's the lowest rank of the Marduk hierarchy, yet he's afraid to face it. That boy needs motivation."
"I wouldn't worry about him," he replied dismissively. "If he wasn't meant for it, he wasn't meant for it. It would be unfair to thrust something he can't undertake on him."
"Hm..." Sanguine sighed, tearing her eyes away from Rock and back to the photo of Dactyl. She closed the folder and tucked it under her arm as the two walked through the main entrance hall.
Sanguine didn't know where she was going, just that she ought to follow Rock a while longer. They both walked in silence for a long time until they reached the third level-the one containing Rock's bedroom. They were a few feet away from the door when Sanguine broke the awkward silence.
"Rock? What is your surname?"
Rock paused and ogled her with his hand curled around the doorknob to his room. "What do you mean, 'my surname'? Red...Isn't it obvious?"
"No, no, no, I mean your real surname. The one that belonged to your real father-to your family."
Rock was surprised at the question, though his expression was hidden behind his glasses. "Uh...I'm...not exactly sure... It's been so long since I've used it, I hardly remember anymore... Something like Ri-Ri-g-gel? Rigel? I don't remember..." Rock could remember his real surname perfectly well, knowing that his name wasn't anything near 'Rigel', it didn't even begin with an R. However, Sanguine appeared satisfied with his faulty answer.
"Oh. That's a nice name..." she trailed off. She turned to leave and head back down the stairs.
Rock watched her, not wanting to feel empathy or compassion towards her. His heart and his mind fought the battle, until one had won. "Sanguine!"
She turned away from the staircase which she had been about to saunter down. "Yes?"
Rock moved swiftly over to her so that he wouldn't have to shout across the hall. "Where are you going?"
"The Hotel Coconut. It's where I've been staying in Metropolis since I made friends with Kenichi."
Rock took his sunglasses off and cast sideways glances out of embarrassment. "Maybe you don't have to go there... Maybe my father would allow you to stay here in the mansion?"
"Where?"
"Dunno, but if you talked to him, I'm sure he'd find somewhere. A Marduk leader shouldn't have to fend for her poor helpless self out there in the wild Metropolis. You'd get practice with gunning down robots, but hey, wouldn't you rather rest easy after a long day's work?"
Sanguine turned to face him fully, a smile creeping across her features. She took off her sunglasses and gave him a mocking scowl. "Are you saying I can't take care of myself? This from the one who-"
"Sanguine, Rock! There you are! I've been looking for you two!"
The two turned to see Duke Red advancing up the staircase with wide, friendly arms. He no longer had a wheelchair, no longer had bandages, and no longer needed an escort for mere walking around. He was fully recovered, and was wearing a white suit with red bow tie-the type of garb he wore for a special occasion.
When he reached them at the top of the stairwell, he ushered them forward and put his arms around the shoulders of both of them, making Sanguine pull away slightly and Rock stand still, though he felt extremely uncomfortable, not used to such affectionate gestures. "Where have you two been all day?"
Sanguine and Rock glanced at each other, as if expecting the other to make up some satisfactory excuse.
"We've been patrolling the streets, Father...ZONE-1 especially... It's the most robot-rampage-prone area, after all," lied Rock for the second time that evening.
Duke Red paused to consider this for a moment before taking his arms away and continuing. "Well, I'm sorry to give this announcement on such short notice, but there is going to be a ball, tonight... It's a special event to celebrate the reconstruction of Metropolis and the Ziggurat, hence the name, Metropolis Reconstruction ball. It's amazing how quickly they were able to rebuild the city... Almost like a miracle heaven sent... Anyway, all of the survivor political figures will be there, along with other imperative guests. I would like you two to dress appropriately. It is to be held in the Ziggurat's new festivity hall." With that, he turned to leave.
"Oh, um...Duke Red, sir?" Sanguine called.
"When is this ball to take place?"
"In an hour and a half. Sanguine-you should see Enmy-she has your dress and everything else ready. Oh, before I forget, Tima's old room is now yours. Rock? If you would care to show it to her?" On seeing Rock's compliant, yet annoyed nod, he departed down the staircase, muttering something about, "Must tell the other Marduks..."
Sanguine and Rock were still rather baffled even when Duke Red had left their sight. Rock finally came to his senses and turned to Sanguine. "Well, that solves one problem..."
Sanguine drew a sharp breath in, feeling the wind sucked out of her stomach. "E-Enmy? Does it have to be so...tight?" she gasped.
"Those were Duke Red's instructions, and I intend to follow them. Besides, it's not that bad. Young Tima used to wear one all the time, and she never complained," she replied simply, pulling the strings even tighter.
"Yeah? Well, she was probably used to it. Girls in this modern society don't have to wear corsets..." Sanguine countered.
Enmy tied the strings together in double knots so that they wouldn't come loose. "Oh, stop whining. It's only for a special occasion. You want to look nice for the government officials, don't you? Here-your dress."
Enmy reached for the light purple, silky fabric that lay on the bed once belonging to the human Tima. She held it out in front of her to display it to Sanguine, whose eyes widened in wonder. "It's beautiful..."
"Try it on, then," Enmy said, handing the dress to her.
Sanguine took it and slipped into it, pulling the thin wisps of fabric up her arms and reaching behind her neck to zip up the neck part of the dress. She moved to the mirror and stared at herself in it. It had a turtleneck and no sleeves, since the end of the sides cut off a while before her shoulders even started, exposing the end of her collarbone. Two thin strips of fabric went around her upper arms and at the bottom of the dress on either side was a slit up to just above her knee. The armbands were of a darker shade of purple. She examined the artificially-thinned figure that the dress accentuated. She then turned to Enmy. "Um...don't I need shoes?"
"Yes, of course, and gloves, too." Enmy for the bed again, handing Sanguine a pair of dark purple gloves and high-heeled shoes, a darker shade still.
Sanguine slipped into the shoes and slid the elbow-length gloves over her hands. She glanced disappointedly down at the shoes, lifting the hem of her skirt. "High-heels? Duke Red wants me to wear high-heels? How am I supposed to walk around in them? They were only created to look pretty, I'm sure..."
"Sit down," Enmy ordered, motioning to a nearby chair. She reached into the pocket of her petticoat and pulled out two gold bands. She reached for a brush on the dresser and began running it through Sanguine's hair. "Like I said before, it's only one night. Just think of making a good impression, since you'll have the appearance."
When Enmy had finished making a bun high on Sanguine's head and tying it with the gold elastics, she reached to the dresser for a pair of gold earrings. She fit them to Sanguine and then motioned for the girl to stand up in front of the three-profile mirror.
"A little weird..." mumbled Sanguine doubtfully.
Enmy squinted her eyes and cocked her head to one side for a moment, examining her. She then ushered Sanguine out the door hastily. "It's perfect. Go, go now... the others are waiting in the ballroom of the Ziggurat a good ten blocks down!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Confused about the Red Mansion/Ziggurat layouts? Well, that was one of the plotholes I failed to recognize. The other day I just realized that Duke Red's office, Tima's room, and all those other things were actually *in* the Ziggurat, but of course, since this takes place after the Ziggurat's collapse, it's kind of hard to have rooms in a non-existent structure. So, I borrowed Reziimthestrangeone's "Duke Red Mansion" idea for the original plan (please don't kill me, I meant well), but now that doesn't work out! So, to make this all function properly, Duke Red has a makeshift mansion where he used to live before the Ziggurat was built and his main living were quarters transported there. They just kept the duplicate layout in the Ziggurat as in his emergency residence for reasons I don't know. Get it? Got it? Good.
"What's that?" asked Kenichi as he walked alongside Sanguine down the sunset-lit streets of Metropolis. He peered over her shoulder at the folder of papers she was scribbling in.
"It's a Marduk profile. As the party's leader, I have to file their statistics and keep track of them," she explained. She lifted her head and called out behind her. "Rock! Are you coming with us or not?"
Rock snapped the locket shut and looked a couple of metres straight ahead to where Kenichi and Sanguine were walking. "Yeah, yeah-in my own sweet time!" As Sanguine turned back to her papers, he slipped the locket inside his shirt and looked at the ground again. "Don't know why I listen to you...You may look like her, but you're not my mother..."
Kenichi tried to suppress a giggle, but couldn't, making Sanguine leer at him vehemently. "What now?"
"I have a feeling that he's ashamed to know us," he replied, looking upwards at the sky.
Sanguine narrowed her eyes even more and focused her attention on the papers once more. "Anyone would be ashamed to know you, that's for sure."
Kenichi ignored the insult. "I also have a feeling that a certain someone has a feeling for someone..."
Sanguine's lip began to curl and instantly Kenichi regretted what he had said. "I sympathize him, that's all. I'd feel the same way for you if your parents died in the war and then you tried to be loved by a surrogate father, but couldn't because you were always pushed away and it seems that the only way to get his attention was to save his life by ultimately risking yours. Maybe."
"Uh-huh, sure..."
Sanguine whirled fully to him so that she walked sideways. "I hope you know that he's right behind us?" she whispered angrily. "I don't have to escort you to the airport, you know. And besides, I'd be nice to me if I were you-because when Tima's back I'll know just what to say to her about you!"
"At least I'll admit it. You know, this job is really stressing you out-"
"Are you guys going to hurry up or what?"
Kenichi and Sanguine turned, completely oblivious to the fact that they had stopped to argue while Rock passed them. "I'm only carrying your bags for a limited amount of time, Kenichi."
"It still amazes me how you managed to fit Tima in that suitcase," Sanguine said, indicating to the largest suitcase that Kenichi held.
"Who would have guessed that her materials were so flexible," responded Kenichi doubtfully with a shrug. He cast a longing glance down the elevator leading to the airport's lower level. Below, people were commuting from newly arriving and departing flights. He could see the planes taking off and landing through the huge glass windows. He turned back to Sanguine, pretending to deny Rock's presence. "Though we've had our disagreements, I'd like to thank you, Sanguine, for helping me with Tima. I'll be back in a few weeks, so don't worry. Same room, at the Hotel Coconut. Oh yeah-and if you find Fi-Fi, tell it where I've gone. I haven't been able to find it for the past few days."
Sanguine took off her sunglasses and fought hard to hold her tears back, winning the battle though her eyes were watery. "No problem, will do. You just finish rebuilding Tima. Say hello to your uncle for me."
Kenichi nodded, then leaned in closer to her and dropped his voice as he spoke. "I'll leave you two to your own business." Seeing her face blush with anger and embarrassment, he turned to Rock with a stern scowl. "I won't let Duke Red know if I do get her online, okay, Rock?"
Rock seemed stunned at this comment, drawing back and raising his eyebrows behind his sunglasses. "Th-thank you...K-Kenichi..."
Kenichi's scowl faded into a wide, relieved grin. He extended his hand. "I believe we can start over again, Rock. Once I get back."
Rock relaxed and slid his black gloved hand into Kenichi's. He returned a small smile. "Yeah... Tell Shunsaku Ban and Tima that I'm sorry. I owe you an apology, too."
"Apology accepted. Well, I'd better get going. I wouldn't want to miss my one and only flight out of here. See you!" With that, he picked up his two bags and hopped onto the elevator.
Sanguine was silent until Kenichi had reached the bottom of the elevator and commenced running to the right side of the large hallway below. "Bye, Kenichi! Have a nice trip and come back alive, or I'll kill you!" she yelled, cupping her left hand around her mouth and waving the other in the air.
Rock cast a confused and disgusted glance at her. She noticed it and looked at him. "What?"
"One, that doesn't make any sense and two, my Father made you Marduk leader? That's funny-I don't see any pigs flying."
Sanguine placed her hands akimbo after putting her sunglasses and hat back on. "You're just jealous because he chose me instead of you this time."
Rock began to saunter away, and instinctively Sanguine followed. "Hardly," he replied, shaking his head.
Sanguine jogged to keep up with him. "You say that but you don't mean it. Come on, you're supposed to help me with the filing."
"Fine then. Hand me the folder."
She did so.
Rock ran his eyes over the first paper rapidly. He stared a little longer than necessary at the picture of the party member. "Name: Sanguine Algethi. Gender: Female. Age: 16. Height: 5"5. Hair: Brown. Eyes: Green. Birthday: July 20, 2090. Birthplace: Toronto, Canada. Blood Type: A. Gunning Level: Intermediate. Agent Rank: 01. Notes: The leader of the party and is to work closely with Duke Red and agents 02 through 04. Younger sister of agent 09 (Blade Algethi). Protective, moody, intuitive, obedient and intelligent. Expected to progress well throughout time in the Party."
Rock turned to Sanguine and took his sunglasses off. "Hm...Interesting profile..."
"Where do they get this information, anyway?"
"Reliable sources, then they form it into this little package here. Of course, this is rather vague compared to some of the other files the Metropolitan government keeps about us. Some of them probably even know the exact number of hairs on your head."
Sanguine snatched the folder from his hand as he waved it in front of her. She flipped to the second sheet of paper, reading it over briefly in her head before smirking and reading it aloud to Rock. "Name: Rock Red. Gender: Male. Age: 16. Height: 5"6. Hair: Brown. Eyes: Blue. Birthday: May 16, 2090. Birthplace: Megalopolis, Republic. Blood Type: O. Gunning Level: Proficient. Agent Rank: 02. Notes: Vice commander and is to work closely with Duke Red and agents 01, 03, and 04. Orphaned after World War 3 of 2093- 2095. Now the foster son of Duke Red. Former leader, but has been demoted. Solemn, obedient, ruthless, quiet and intelligent. Rehired and expected to progress well."
"You hear that? I'm two gunning levels above you. The highest level in fact-that you can achieve. They might as well name the exceeding level in my honour," scoffed Rock.
"Yes, and it has nothing to do with the fact that you've been handling firearms much longer than I have, Mr. Former Leader?" she retorted, pushing the folder back into Rock's chest with mock anger.
Rock turned to the third page. "Name: Devin Halberd. Gender: Male. Age: 23. Height: 5"9. Hair: Blond. Eyes: Blue. Birthday: April 7, 2083. Birthplace: Metropolis, Republic. Blood Type: A. Gunning Level: Proficient. Agent Rank: 03. Notes: Is to work closely with agents 01, 02, and 04. Son of a wealthy merchant. Close ties are noticeable with agent 02 and former agent 04. Apathetic, ruthless, loyal, cunning, and respectful. Has served on party three years to a good record."
Rock handed the folder back to Sanguine, who then turned to the fourth page. "Name: Fornax Derringer. Gender: Male. Age: 20. Height: 5"10. Hair: Blond. Eyes: Green. Birthday: September 21, 2086. Birthplace: Washington DC, USA. Blood Type: AB. Gunning Level: Proficient. Agent Rank: 04. Notes: Is to work closely with agents 01 through 03. Has family complexes and is a "ladies' man", to quote, though knows when duties come first. Is aspiring to be a politician. Deceiving, disciplined, diligent, amicable, and calculating. Expected to progress well throughout time with party."
By the time the two had made it back to Duke Red's makeshift mansion, the two were surprised to see a multitude of servants moving things out of the mansion and into a large hovercar, almost hovertruck. Sanguine was finishing reading Dactyl's profile. "Name: Dactyl Mouse. Gender: Male. Age: 14. Height: 5"4. Hair: Orange. Eyes: Grey. Birthday: October 10, 2092. Birthplace: Cosmopolis, Republic. Blood Type: O. Gunning Level: Novice. Agent Rank: 12. Notes: Is to work closely with agents 09 through 11. Is unsure of himself at times, and therefore allows vulnerability. Shy, quiet, pacifistic, obedient, and compassionate. Not expected to withstand pressures of party for long."
Sanguine lifted her head and stared down at the paper wistfully. "I feel sorry for Dactyl. His lifelong dream despite the fact that he's the lowest rank of the Marduk hierarchy, yet he's afraid to face it. That boy needs motivation."
"I wouldn't worry about him," he replied dismissively. "If he wasn't meant for it, he wasn't meant for it. It would be unfair to thrust something he can't undertake on him."
"Hm..." Sanguine sighed, tearing her eyes away from Rock and back to the photo of Dactyl. She closed the folder and tucked it under her arm as the two walked through the main entrance hall.
Sanguine didn't know where she was going, just that she ought to follow Rock a while longer. They both walked in silence for a long time until they reached the third level-the one containing Rock's bedroom. They were a few feet away from the door when Sanguine broke the awkward silence.
"Rock? What is your surname?"
Rock paused and ogled her with his hand curled around the doorknob to his room. "What do you mean, 'my surname'? Red...Isn't it obvious?"
"No, no, no, I mean your real surname. The one that belonged to your real father-to your family."
Rock was surprised at the question, though his expression was hidden behind his glasses. "Uh...I'm...not exactly sure... It's been so long since I've used it, I hardly remember anymore... Something like Ri-Ri-g-gel? Rigel? I don't remember..." Rock could remember his real surname perfectly well, knowing that his name wasn't anything near 'Rigel', it didn't even begin with an R. However, Sanguine appeared satisfied with his faulty answer.
"Oh. That's a nice name..." she trailed off. She turned to leave and head back down the stairs.
Rock watched her, not wanting to feel empathy or compassion towards her. His heart and his mind fought the battle, until one had won. "Sanguine!"
She turned away from the staircase which she had been about to saunter down. "Yes?"
Rock moved swiftly over to her so that he wouldn't have to shout across the hall. "Where are you going?"
"The Hotel Coconut. It's where I've been staying in Metropolis since I made friends with Kenichi."
Rock took his sunglasses off and cast sideways glances out of embarrassment. "Maybe you don't have to go there... Maybe my father would allow you to stay here in the mansion?"
"Where?"
"Dunno, but if you talked to him, I'm sure he'd find somewhere. A Marduk leader shouldn't have to fend for her poor helpless self out there in the wild Metropolis. You'd get practice with gunning down robots, but hey, wouldn't you rather rest easy after a long day's work?"
Sanguine turned to face him fully, a smile creeping across her features. She took off her sunglasses and gave him a mocking scowl. "Are you saying I can't take care of myself? This from the one who-"
"Sanguine, Rock! There you are! I've been looking for you two!"
The two turned to see Duke Red advancing up the staircase with wide, friendly arms. He no longer had a wheelchair, no longer had bandages, and no longer needed an escort for mere walking around. He was fully recovered, and was wearing a white suit with red bow tie-the type of garb he wore for a special occasion.
When he reached them at the top of the stairwell, he ushered them forward and put his arms around the shoulders of both of them, making Sanguine pull away slightly and Rock stand still, though he felt extremely uncomfortable, not used to such affectionate gestures. "Where have you two been all day?"
Sanguine and Rock glanced at each other, as if expecting the other to make up some satisfactory excuse.
"We've been patrolling the streets, Father...ZONE-1 especially... It's the most robot-rampage-prone area, after all," lied Rock for the second time that evening.
Duke Red paused to consider this for a moment before taking his arms away and continuing. "Well, I'm sorry to give this announcement on such short notice, but there is going to be a ball, tonight... It's a special event to celebrate the reconstruction of Metropolis and the Ziggurat, hence the name, Metropolis Reconstruction ball. It's amazing how quickly they were able to rebuild the city... Almost like a miracle heaven sent... Anyway, all of the survivor political figures will be there, along with other imperative guests. I would like you two to dress appropriately. It is to be held in the Ziggurat's new festivity hall." With that, he turned to leave.
"Oh, um...Duke Red, sir?" Sanguine called.
"When is this ball to take place?"
"In an hour and a half. Sanguine-you should see Enmy-she has your dress and everything else ready. Oh, before I forget, Tima's old room is now yours. Rock? If you would care to show it to her?" On seeing Rock's compliant, yet annoyed nod, he departed down the staircase, muttering something about, "Must tell the other Marduks..."
Sanguine and Rock were still rather baffled even when Duke Red had left their sight. Rock finally came to his senses and turned to Sanguine. "Well, that solves one problem..."
Sanguine drew a sharp breath in, feeling the wind sucked out of her stomach. "E-Enmy? Does it have to be so...tight?" she gasped.
"Those were Duke Red's instructions, and I intend to follow them. Besides, it's not that bad. Young Tima used to wear one all the time, and she never complained," she replied simply, pulling the strings even tighter.
"Yeah? Well, she was probably used to it. Girls in this modern society don't have to wear corsets..." Sanguine countered.
Enmy tied the strings together in double knots so that they wouldn't come loose. "Oh, stop whining. It's only for a special occasion. You want to look nice for the government officials, don't you? Here-your dress."
Enmy reached for the light purple, silky fabric that lay on the bed once belonging to the human Tima. She held it out in front of her to display it to Sanguine, whose eyes widened in wonder. "It's beautiful..."
"Try it on, then," Enmy said, handing the dress to her.
Sanguine took it and slipped into it, pulling the thin wisps of fabric up her arms and reaching behind her neck to zip up the neck part of the dress. She moved to the mirror and stared at herself in it. It had a turtleneck and no sleeves, since the end of the sides cut off a while before her shoulders even started, exposing the end of her collarbone. Two thin strips of fabric went around her upper arms and at the bottom of the dress on either side was a slit up to just above her knee. The armbands were of a darker shade of purple. She examined the artificially-thinned figure that the dress accentuated. She then turned to Enmy. "Um...don't I need shoes?"
"Yes, of course, and gloves, too." Enmy for the bed again, handing Sanguine a pair of dark purple gloves and high-heeled shoes, a darker shade still.
Sanguine slipped into the shoes and slid the elbow-length gloves over her hands. She glanced disappointedly down at the shoes, lifting the hem of her skirt. "High-heels? Duke Red wants me to wear high-heels? How am I supposed to walk around in them? They were only created to look pretty, I'm sure..."
"Sit down," Enmy ordered, motioning to a nearby chair. She reached into the pocket of her petticoat and pulled out two gold bands. She reached for a brush on the dresser and began running it through Sanguine's hair. "Like I said before, it's only one night. Just think of making a good impression, since you'll have the appearance."
When Enmy had finished making a bun high on Sanguine's head and tying it with the gold elastics, she reached to the dresser for a pair of gold earrings. She fit them to Sanguine and then motioned for the girl to stand up in front of the three-profile mirror.
"A little weird..." mumbled Sanguine doubtfully.
Enmy squinted her eyes and cocked her head to one side for a moment, examining her. She then ushered Sanguine out the door hastily. "It's perfect. Go, go now... the others are waiting in the ballroom of the Ziggurat a good ten blocks down!"
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Confused about the Red Mansion/Ziggurat layouts? Well, that was one of the plotholes I failed to recognize. The other day I just realized that Duke Red's office, Tima's room, and all those other things were actually *in* the Ziggurat, but of course, since this takes place after the Ziggurat's collapse, it's kind of hard to have rooms in a non-existent structure. So, I borrowed Reziimthestrangeone's "Duke Red Mansion" idea for the original plan (please don't kill me, I meant well), but now that doesn't work out! So, to make this all function properly, Duke Red has a makeshift mansion where he used to live before the Ziggurat was built and his main living were quarters transported there. They just kept the duplicate layout in the Ziggurat as in his emergency residence for reasons I don't know. Get it? Got it? Good.