Chapter 23:: The Orphanage
Thanks go out to Kura-Kun, 'Bone', SweetCadbury, duckchick, Jhawk, eternalsword, Aragorn Son of Isildur (Or Sauron), strawberrybubblebath, spoke and The Wise Toad! And as always to Ma-San for keeping me from killing myself during the stressful chapter writing process!
Hey, wanna see what some of the characters look like? Go to my art page, and I use the term loosely, to see what they look like! I also take requests if you want to see a certain thing!
http://groups.msn.com/XenogearsTYODKnightsandGWZSArt/shoebox.msnw
"..Feel better?" Billy murmured, resting his cheek against the side of Karina's head. Karina didn't answer; she just made a soft sigh and nodded.
"Ain't this cute?" Bart asked, walking up from behind the statue.
"Ah!" Billy and Karina both cried out, releasing each other.
"What's up?" Bart gave a slight nod, looking down at Billy. He had a knowing smirk on his face.
"How long have you been looming back there?" Billy hissed.
"Couple minutes. I came looking for Karina. Brad practically has a search and rescue squad out in the cemetery." Bart replied. "You know, you're lucky I found you, Brad would kill you if he saw you hugging onto his sister like that."
Karina stood up slowly, clutching the sides of Billy's jacket that was hanging over her shoulders. "Nothing happened, Bart.. At least nothing that you're thinking of.."
"I know." Bart nodded. "Billy's too geeky to know how his thing works, much less how to use it."
"Bart!" Billy snapped, leaping to his feet.
Bart gave Billy another knowing grin, and then turned away. "You should've been there to see it, man. Brad and Kajumei literally beat the stuffing out of those guys."
Karina looked away, clutching the jacket more firmly than before. "Is that so?"
"Yep. I can't believe that at something this serious and in a place like this, those guys could do such a thing, though." Bart hissed, clenching a low branch on the tree shading the statue of Mother Sophia.
"I can't believe that at something this serious and in a place like this, you can make comments on my.. my.." Billy trailed off, and then squinted at Bart.
"Heh.. Lighten up, Billers."
"Karina!!" Brad cried out, running over the Amour Bridge, straight to his sister. He enveloped her in a tight hug, rocking her back at forth. "Thank god you're OK.."
Kajumei walked up behind him and gave a gentle smile. "How you doing, girl?"
Karina looked sideways at Billy, and then back at Kajumei. "Fine, Kaju.."
Kajumei looked over at Billy as well then smiled, almost knowingly. "That's good, then."
"Did they hurt you..?" Brad pulled her away and began to examine her face or arms for any bruises or scrapes.
"..No.. thankfully.." Karina replied, rubbing her elbows slowly.
"Where did you get this?" Brad asked, looking at the jacket Billy had placed over her shoulders.
"Billy let me borrow it until I could get my sweater back." Karina smiled at Billy, who couldn't help but smile back.
Sierra stepped up, holding out the black sweater. "I wanted to keep it, kid. It's cool." She winked, and then punched Billy's shoulder. "Did you get your lucky charms, Black?"
Billy blushed, looking down uneasily. A heavy slap on his back made him lurch forward. He looked behind him only to see his father, who was holding a large wine bottle. "Ow.. hello, father.. Drinking again, I see.."
"You're damn right, boy." Jessie replied, grinning. "And I can tell you're already more manly than the last time I saw you!"
"I think he got some, Jessiah." Sierra grinned broadly.
"Did you, boy?!" Jessie's face immediately brightened.
"Good lord, you two.." Sigurd hissed, walking up behind Sierra.
"Kehehehe.." Sierra chuckled. "You're just jealous because you haven't gotten any as of late."
"And you have?" Sigurd eyed Sierra suspiciously.
Sierra looked at him blankly then looked at Jessie. "He got me, Jess."
"Wow, ain't he a talent?" Jessie whistled.
Sierra laughed out loud, and then slapped Sigurd's shoulder. "Good one, Sigsipoo!"
"Thanks.. I guess.." Sigurd whispered, rubbing his shoulder.
"I believe that the service is over due to this.. Ruckus.." Citan announced, looking back at the funeral house.
"Pity.." Fei whispered. "..I would've liked to have stayed longer. It was.. comforting in a way."
"Why?" Bart looked over at Fei, who looked up.
"I dunno.." Fei shrugged. "Just that we're not the only was affected by this.. by a long shot."
"..You're right, Fei." Karina agreed, smiling.
"For once." Bart added sarcastically.
"Shut up, Bart." Fei snapped.
"Thank you." Billy sighed.
"..KARINA!" Ziggy yelled, falling out of a patch of woods. "I.. I.. finally found you!" He gasped, pulling a thorn out of his jacket.
"Ziggy.." Karina chuckled as the older man collapsed at her feet. He looked up pitifully, and then leapt to his feet.
"You had me looking in woods and puddles and nasty stuff like that, young hottie!" He hissed, placing his hands to his hips.
"Ha..Hahha.." Rico chuckled, walking up behind Ziggy. He looked at Brad, who was ready to choke Ziggy, and held out his hand as if requesting to let him do the honors. Brad grinned, nodding. "Goodnight, Ziggy." He said, pulling a hammer (Don't ask me why he has it) out of his pocket and proceeding to knock Ziggy out.
"Don't you think he might lose his memory?" Karina whispered, kneeling over and poking the large bump already forming on Ziggy's head.
"Don't you think I don't care?" Rico responded.
"..I suppose.." Karina replied, smiling.
"Well.. I guess we could head home.." Fei hissed.
"Well, isn't that a shame..?" Glimmer asked, walking up, with Orlando following on crutches.
"AHH! GLIMMER!" Bart screamed, falling back.
"Hello, love." Glimmer chirped, waving at Bart.
"What are YOU doing here?" Bart hissed, stepping back.
"Why are any of us here, love?" Glimmer asked, folded his hands on his hips. "Honestly, you're so ignorant sometimes, silly buns!"
"Dude, the gay guy just called you silly buns." Fei muttered, turning a wide grin to Bart.
"Back off, Fei!" Bart snapped.
"I heard about what those horrible boys did to you, Karina dear." Glimmer whispered, stepping lightly over to Karina, knocking Billy out of the way. "I almost sent Orly-baby to go kill them. Then I figured your brother would have handled that."
"Thank you, Glimmer.." Karina giggled.
"Anytime, dear." Glimmer whispered, kissing her forehead lightly.
"OK, that's enough of that." Brad hissed, pulling Glimmer off. Glimmer folded his arms, sticking his tongue out at Brad.
"I'm gay, you overprotective psychopath!" Glimmer snapped. "Besides, Karina dear needs to have human contact!" He finished, looking sideways at Billy.
"Karina has the power to turn gay guys straight." Brad hissed.
"So, that explains it." Bart commented, looking sideways at Billy, who was about to respond before Glimmer cut him off.
"That's insane!"
"Is not!" Brad walked up to Glimmer, towering over the other young man.
"Bring it!" Glimmer folded his arms, looking up at Brad with resentment.
"Aren't you going to stop them?" Kajumei asked Orlando, who shrugged.
"They might go into a mud pit if we let this continue." Orlando answered.
Kajumei gave Orlando a strange looked, folding her arms. "I don't wanna see my man rolling around in the mud with some other guy, who would probably ENJOY it.."
"Take that back!" Orlando looked over at Kajumei. "Alex doesn't like Brad.. Brad's too.. small."
"Brad's not small." Fei whispered.
Orlando looked over at Fei. "I don't mean height, Fei." He said gently.
Kajumei's eyes widened, and she snatched one of Orlando's crutches. "MY man happens to be VERY well endowed, bitch!" She shouted.
"Oh lord, I didn't want to hear that.." Karina groaned, resting her forehead against a tree. "I need to go to my counselor now.."
"Uh.." Billy blinked, looking at the onslaught of insanity. "Could we have a little respect? You know, for why we're here.."
Kajumei shrugged, shoving the crutch back into Orlando's hand. She folded her arms and turned away.
"Well, I'll let him off the hook this one time." Glimmer whispered, backing away from Brad.
Brad gave a sarcastic snort, smirking. "Rrrright, Glim." He hissed, leaning against one of the trees.
"That was insane and completely out-of-storyline." Bart commented.
"Author's fault again." Fei replied. He winced, looking around. "I mean.. uh.. freaky, huh?"
Kajumei put an arm around Karina's shoulder, winking at her younger friend. "Ready to go home, girl?"
Karina smiled slightly, shifting a little. "I guess.." She whispered, looking down. "I am pretty tired."
"Are you going to stay in your own bed tonight?" Bart asked, and Billy immediately turned from his natural skin color to rose red.
"Bart!!" Billy cried, turning to Bart.
"Yyyyyyeeeees?" Bart looked sideways at Billy, grinning broadly. Billy squinted at Bart, shaking his head. He sighed and walked away, perhaps towards the funeral home. "Gee, he's uptight, no?"
"Billy just needs to.. ease up, is all." Karina responded.
"Ease up a WHOLE DAMN LOT." Bart nodded, folding his arms.
"The stick up his butt is starting to come out, no fear." Jessie grinned.
"More like a log." Sierra muttered, leaning against a nearby tree.
Karina stifled a giggle, clenching the jacket. "You're mean, guys.." She whispered, shaking her head.
"You know you want to laugh." Bart hissed. He leaned forward, giving a piercing gaze to Karina. She shifted her gaze, stifling another giggle.
"Stop it." Karina smiled, turning away.
"Oh, sure thing." Bart nodded, winking at Fei, who grinned.
"OK, you two, enough." Elly sighed, squinting at Fei. Fei shrugged, looking up at the sky and whistling innocently.
"I wasn't doing anything, dear." Fei said playfully. Elly slapped Fei's stomach, causing him to lurch forward. "Ow!" He cried out, shutting one eye. "That was mean." He whispered.
"Yeah, yeah, you baby." She muttered.
"Seriously. It hurt." Fei winced. "You have a mean hit, woman."
"You want another?" Elly smiled, winking.
"Nooo, thanks." Fei shook his head.
"Ey, mon, where am I?" Ziggy mumbled, sitting up and rubbing his head. He looked over at Elly, then Kajumei. "Angels.." He whispered, his eyes aglow.
"Idiot." Kajumei muttered, rolling her eyes.
"Come on, Karina.." Brad mumbled butting Ziggy out of the way as he put his arm over Karina's shoulder and walked away.
"See you guys later.." Karina whispered.
"Wait up!" Kajumei cried, knocking Ziggy out of the way as Ziggy tried to regain his balance.
"Mon! Little respect here!" He snapped, shaking his fist after Brad.
"Boo hoo!" Brad called back at Ziggy.
"Mmmmmon!" Ziggy yelled, chasing after Brad.
Elly gave a gentle sigh, looking to the side. "I think I'll go for a walk. Want to come, Fei?"
"Sure thing." Fei nodded, grinning.
"I'm beginning to wonder what you two do on your little 'walks'.." Bart mumbled.
"NOYB." Fei spat.
"Oh well, fine then!" Bart hissed. "You don't have to get all.. all.."
"All what, Bart?" Fei looked at Bart strangely.
"All.. uh.." Bart looked down, squinting.
"Can't think of a thing, can you, kid?" Jessie asked, grinning.
"Damn! I'll get you! You just wait, Fei! As soon as you think you're safe.. BOOM! There I'll be! And I'll have an insult so great, it'll make you hide away in shock due to my extraordinary.. CLEVERNESS! Cue ominous thunder and lightening." Bart hissed, squinting and circling Fei 'ominously'.
"Oh, I'm terrified." Fei said dully.
"As you should be, Fong Wong." Bart whispered.
"Bart, you're an idiot." Elly muttered, walking past him.
"I kno- HEY!" Bart blinked, then turned to Elly and frowned.
"That wasn't even all that clever, but it stopped you dumb, didn't it?" Elly winked turning and continuing on her way.
"Hehe, later Bart!" Fei grinned, traipsing past Bart. Bart watched the two leaving, growling in frustration.
"Curses.." Bart muttered, kicking the dirt.
"Curses, Bart?" Jessie asked, smiling.
"I guess you were duped again, Bart." Sierra laughed slapping Bart's shoulder. "That's great!" She cried, walking past Bart.
"Don't feel too bad, young master." Sigurd sighed, smiling reassuringly.
"Yeah, you might run into a 4-year-old you can insult one of these days." Maria nodded.
"Ahh haa haa haa.." Bart laughed sarcastically. "Your wit amazes me, Maria."
"I'll bet." Maria nodded.
"I'm gonna go find my boy. He might be up to something that I wouldn't approve of." Jessie muttered sarcastically, walking away. Sigurd called after him.
"You mean harass the poor boy, Jessiah?" Sigurd asked.
"You know it!" Jessie responded, throwing his fist in the air.
"Hey, I'm going too!" Sierra broke into a grin, chasing after Jessie. "Come on, Sigsipoo!" She giggled, grabbing Sigurd's hand.
"Yes, Miss Sierra.." Sigurd whispered as Sierra pulled him, trying to catch up with Jessie.
"Oh my.." Citan murmured. "I should make sure they don't leave any mental scars on that poor boy." He said, chasing after the group.
"Whatever." Bart whistled, throwing his arms behind his neck. He walked after Sigurd, Sierra, Citan and Jessie slowly, whistling all the way.
"Wait up!" Glimmer giggled. "I wanna come toooo!" He yelled, following, as well as Orlando.
"Well.. I guess it's just you, Rico and me, Emeralda." Maria smiled.
"Wrong." Rico mumbled, walking away.
"Well then, it's me and you, Emeralda." Maria hissed.
"I wanna find Fei's Kim." Emeralda whispered, walking the way Fei and Elly did.
Maria looked down. "I guess it's just you, Maria." She mumbled.
"I'm here, chu!" Chu Chu cried out, hopping up and down.
"Great.." Maria mumbled, walking in the same direction as Rico. Chu Chu blinked, folded her arms, and then hopped after Maria and Rico.
"What's up, Primera?" Karina whispered, walking into the Gunroom, where Primera was sitting. The young girl held a book in her hands. She looked up, smiling at Karina. "Aren't you tired?" She asked, sitting down next to Primera.
Primera smiled, shaking her head. She set the book down, resting her forehead on Karina's shoulder. She looked up and smiled. Karina smiled in return.
"Karina, do you need anything?" Brad asked, walking in and sitting down.
"No, I'm fine, Brad.." Karina responded.
"OK.." Brad looked down, then back up at Karina. "Kiddo, we need to figure out what we're going to do.."
"..Brad.." Karina frowned, folding her hands in her lap.
"You know what happened to our home in the attack.." Brad murmured.
"..We don't have one to go to.." Karina responded, frowning.
"Yeah.. Ziggy said we could stay with him until we can get a place." Brad looked at Karina, who looked to the side.
"But.. Ziggy was staying with Kajumei's family. He was going to move to Aveh to live with his brothers this summer so he could take a job at a garage there." Karina replied. "Does that mean we're going to move to.. Aveh?"
"..I think that would be best." Brad nodded. "Besides, the job offer Ziggy got was extended to a lot of the mechanics at the garage. And.."
"..You were one of them?" Karina whispered.
"Karina.. It would be.."
"Cimerion's the only home I've ever known.." Karina murmured. "And now that it's hurting, we're just going to walk out on it and go to Aveh instead?"
"We were probably going to move anyway, Karina." Brad said.
"Can't we stay here and help, just for a little while?" Karina asked softly.
"..We'll think about it." Brad replied.
"What about Kajumei?" Karina asked as Primera slowly drifted off on her shoulder.
"Um.. Kajumei and I.." Brad looked away.
Karina paled. "Tell me you're not breaking up."
"No, no, Karina." Brad smiled. "I think I might.." Brad trailed off, and then threw his arms behind his head and laughed.
Karina smiled coyly. "I see." She nodded. "Where is Kajumei?"
"She decided to stay with her mom tonight. Mrs. Heartlock is trying to get things back together from that attack."
"That poor woman.." Karina whispered, scooping Primera up as Jessie, Sierra, Sigurd, Citan, Bart and Billy walked in the room, Billy looking rather flustered. He only had one shoe on, his face was flushed, and his sock had a hole in the big toe. "Ever since Mr. Heartlock died, she's been having so many problems.." Karina sighed.
"Yeah." Brad nodded.
"You're evil, father." Billy hissed.
"I know, boy." Jessie grinned. "Oh, come on, don't you have a sense of humor?"
"What happened?" Karina asked gently.
Billy squinted at Jessie, and then turned to Karina. "My crazy old exuberant drunk of a father ran up behind me and.."
"Yanked Billy's britches right down!" Sierra laughed, slapping her thigh.
"He.. pulled your pants down?" Karina blinked, looking at Billy.
"Boxers and all!" Sierra cackled, grabbing her stomach. "He has chicken legs!"
"We knew that already." Bart grinned. "We DIDN'T know that Billy wore smiley face boxers, though."
"Yeah.. but the price I had to pay for that knowledge is seeing his white little butt!" Sierra laughed, resting her head on Sigurd's shoulder.
"He threw his shoe at me." Jessie laughed. "And it fell into the creek and a fish drug it away."
"That must've been some fish.." Karina whispered her eyes widening.
"It was a little carp.." Bart grinned. "I expected Billy to chase it down the creek. But he, sadly, didn't provide me with that entertainment."
"The best part was that Citan really wanted to laugh, but he didn't want to be rude, so he held it in and his face kind of bulged up and became all red and he looked like a cherry with a ponytail." Sierra grinned.
"I did not." Citan sighed, looking away.
"You betrayed me, Citan." Billy hissed.
"Hmm.." Citan smiled slightly, looking back at Karina. "You are showing your maternal ways, Karina."
"Yes, well your epidermis is showin', doc." Bart folded his arms.
"Maternal ways, young one. And so is yours." Citan pointed at Bart.
"Ahh! Where?!" Bart panicked, looking around. "Don't look at me!" He cried out, running to his room.
"Idiot.." Billy sighed, looking at Karina. She was holding Primera in her arms, the young girl with her arms around her neck, her head resting on Karina's chest. Billy smiled, reaching out to take his little sister. "Is she tired..?" He asked gently, moving his hands away as Karina smiled at him.
"I'm going to take her to her room. Wanna come?" Karina smiled.
"Sure.." Billy nodded. Karina smiled, turning away and heading for Primera's room.
"So, Sigsipoo.." Sierra said down, folding her hands over her stomach. "What are you guys going to do now?"
"..I'm not sure.. We're going to drop Billy, Jessie and Primera off at the Orphanage." Sigurd looked down, sitting next to Sierra.
"What about me, Sigsi?" Sierra leaned forward, batting her eyes.
"Would you like us to drop you off somewhere?" Sigurd asked, smiling. Sierra's smile changed to a frown in a matter of milliseconds.
"What do you mean..?" Sierra blinked.
"We could drop you off somewhere." Sigurd repeated.
"Agh! You stupid.. Man!" Sierra snapped, standing up. "I get all dressed up, do my hair and wear my Passion perfume and all you do is try to dump me off a truck stop where smelly pigs who can't fit into their wife-beaters will hit on me!"
"I didn't say that, Era, I simply stated that.." Sigurd began, starting to stand up. Sierra pushed him back onto the couch and folded her arms.
"You want it that way? Fine! I'll just go and.. and.. ARRGHH!" She screamed throwing her fists in the air, and then turned away and stomped into her room.
Sigurd sat on the couch, a frightened, confused look on his face. "Hyuga.." He whispered.
"Yes, Sigurd?" Citan asked, walking over to the bar to get a glass of scotch.
"Women are.. so very odd." Sigurd said gently, blinking.
"Yes, they are, my old friend." Citan laughed. "But it seems like the oddest ones are the most lovable, no?" He smiled, sitting next to Sigurd.
"Huh?" Sigurd looked over at Citan.
"Oh, nothing, Sigurd, nothing." Citan shook his hand, smiling.
"He means that you have the hots for the monkey woman. Though God knows why, the woman practically eats her own bugs." Jessie mumbled, sitting on armchair next to the couch.
"She doesn't look like a monkey, Jessiah." Sigurd hissed.
"She is quite lovely, Jessiah." Citan nodded, looking at Jessie.
"Whatever you say, man." Jessie shrugged.
"How I wish I could go back to the days where life wasn't complicated.." Sigurd sighed, leaning his head on the back of the couch.
"Ah, yes, when the women were plenty, there were many of people to blow up, beer flowed from fountains, the boy was manly, and I had my gorgeous looks." Jessie sighed, grinning.
"Billy was only a baby then.." Citan said, looking at Jessie.
"He was a manly baby." Jessie smiled.
"How did you lose your 'gorgeous looks'?" Sigurd asked gently.
Jessie frowned. "..It's.. a long story.."
"I have time.." Sigurd sighed.
"..I have to go think." Jessie said suddenly, standing to his feet.
"But.. Jessiah.." Citan blinked.
"See ya later." Jessie waved his hand slightly, leaving the room.
"..Hmm.. Very curious.." Citan blinked, leaning back in his seat.
"She should sleep well tonight.." Karina smiled, laying Primera down on her bed. She pulled the covers over her shoulders.
"Yeah.." Billy nodded, sitting on the bed and brushing a strand of hair from his sister's hair.
"Was it.. Hard.. to raise her?" Karina asked, looking at Billy.
"Not really.. She mostly had to put up with me.." Billy smiled, pulling his hand away. He looked back at Karina, who looked down.
"I'm afraid Brad had a hard time raising me." She murmured. "I was a little too needy.. I would cry and hold onto him whenever he would leave me with one of our neighbors so he could go to work.."
"Primera never wanted me to go to the Ethos.. She knew what was going on.." Billy sighed.
"Brad was such a caring older brother.. he sacrificed so much so I could have a nice life.." Karina sighed.
"He's a good guy, Karina.. Overprotective, but good." Billy smiled.
"You're going to be just like that when Primera starts to date." Karina smiled at Billy, raising one eyebrow.
"I will not." Billy replied, looking away.
"Sure.." Karina rolled her eyes. "Hey, Billy?" She asked, looking at him.
"Yes?"
"..What are you going to do when you leave Cimerion?" Karina asked softly.
"..Well, we're going to go to the orphanage and father, Primera and I will stay there." Billy said.
Karina paused, biting her lip. "..Brad and I are moving to Aveh with Ziggy.. most likely.." Karina whispered.
"Aveh?!" Billy asked, lurching forward.
"Yeah.." Karina looked away. "I think Brad's going to ask Kajumei to marry him so she'll come with us too.." Karina whispered.
"But.." Billy blinked.
"We're not sure about it yet.." Karina sighed.
"I.. Karina.." Billy looked down. He blinked, looking back up. "..Karina..?"
"Yeah?" Karina asked gently.
"How would you and Brad, Kajumei and Ziggy like to come stay with me at the orphanage for a while? You guys can think it over there.." Billy smiled.
Karina smiled back, nodding. "I'd like that, Billy.."
"Then won't you come?" Billy asked softly, taking her hand.
"..I.. I.. Sure.. Billy.." She whispered, nodding.
Billy gave a sigh of relief. "Good.."
"..Well.. I should be getting to bed.." Karina whispered, getting to her feet.
"Goodnight.." Billy smiled, standing up as well. He shyly held out his hand, brushing her cheek. Slowly, as if he were still unsure about what he was doing, he leaned forward and planted a short kiss on her lips. He opened the door slowly, allowing Karina to walk out first. He flipped the light off, and then shut the door.
Primera, who had been 'sleeping', had one eye open. She smiled softly, and then shut her eye and drifted off to sleep.
::The next morning::
"Come on, boy, get ready." Jessie punched Billy's shoulder. Billy was practically sleeping in his cereal.
"What..?" Billy blinked, sitting up.
"You have a cheerio on your nose, boy." Jessie grinned, flicking the cheerio off of Billy's nose.
"..Thanks, dad.." Billy mumbled gently.
"What's got you so tired?" Jessie asked, flicking Billy's shoulder. "Normally you're.. Well, you're never a ray of sunshine, but you're normally insulting me about my parenting skills or manners by now."
"Sorry, dad.. I stayed up most of the night reading." Billy mumbled.
"What were you reading, boy?" Jessie asked, sitting down.
"None of your business." Billy muttered.
"There's my boy! Welcome back!" Jessie grinned.
"Glad to be here, father." Billy hissed, squinting at Jessie.
"So, you have to get ready." Jessie smiled.
"For what..?" Billy looked at Jessie, blinking.
"We're going home today, boy." Jessie said slowly.
"We are?" Billy blinked. "I thought we were tomorrow."
"Sigurd and I decided this morning that it would be best if we just went today." Jessie nodded, looking down.
"Oh.. right." Billy shrugged.
"So, did you invite your wife?" Jessie asked, smiling.
"She's not my wife, dad.." Billy hissed.
"Whatever. Did you invite her?" Jessie asked.
"..Yes. I did." Billy muttered.
"You did? Cool." Jessie grinned. "The orphans can have a more feminine touch."
"Whatever.." Billy rolled his eyes.
"Billy invited me to stay with him at the Orphanage for a little while, Brad.." Karina murmured.
"So..?" Brad muttered.
"I thought.. maybe.." Karina bit her lip.
"Karina, I don't like you hanging around with him." Brad hissed.
"But, Brad.." Karina whispered.
"Don't 'but' me." Brad said, stepping up to a Kajumei, who was standing next to one of the rubble-cluttered areas.
"Morning, you two." She smiled, placing her hands to her hips. Ziggy ran up from behind her.
"Mornin' all!" Ziggy yelled, grinning.
"Fei and Elly are going to join us soon." Karina said softly. She then looked at Kajumei, who had her arms folded now. "Kajumei.. Billy invited me to stay with him at the Orphanage for a while.. do you think I should be able to go?"
"Girl, a getaway of any kind? Hell, go with it." Kajumei grinned.
"See, Brad. Kajumei thinks I should be able to go." Karina hissed, glaring at Brad.
"That's why Kajumei isn't your older brother." Brad nodded.
"I can think of a couple reasons why she wouldn't be Karina's older brother anyway." Ziggy said, looking at Kajumei's chest. Kajumei glared at Ziggy, punching him in the nose.
"Stupid.." Kajumei hissed, placing her hands back on her hips.
"Brad, why are you being so unfair?" Karina asked gently, sticking her lower lip out and making a soft weeping noise.
"Because, little missy." Brad answered curtly.
"Because why?" Karina squinted.
"Just because." Brad replied.
"That's not a very good answer, Brad." Karina murmured. She looked back at Kajumei, smiling. "I'm going to go see our house.." She said gently.
"You sure you want to? It's not a pretty sight." Kajumei commented.
"Yeah. I want to look at some things." Karina smiled.
"Okay. We're going to stay here and clear debris." Kajumei shrugged. Karina nodded turning and walking away.
"Be careful, young lady!" Brad called after her.
"Yeah, yeah." Karina called back.
Brad sighed, turning and kicking something that resembled to be a hubcap. "I have no control over that girl."
"She's a teenager, Brad. Let her live, already." Kajumei replied, pushing a slab of charred wood off of a larger pile of debris.
"I don't want to." Brad hissed.
"She's going to defy you instead, mon." Ziggy added, beaming. "She'll do things you don't want her to do strictly because you don't want her to do them."
"I know. I hate it." Brad muttered.
"Hi, guys." Elly beamed, walking up. She wore a pair of stout working boots, heavy jeans, and a dark blue t-shirt. She was pulling gloves over her hands. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail.
"Where's Fei?" Kajumei asked.
"He's saving a kitten for a little kid." Elly smiled. "Yes, a kitten. There was one stuck up on this really high beam, and he decided to be a hero."
"He has his heart in the right place, I suppose." Kajumei laughed.
Fei walked up, brushing some dirt off of his jeans. "So, what's up guys?"
"Saving a kitten?" Kajumei rolled her eyes.
"Yes, saving a kitten." Fei squinted.
"How cute, mon." Ziggy grinned.
"Shut up." Fei hissed.
The house was practically gone. There was a skeleton of what used to be there, but practically nothing else. There were shingles, bricks and charred timber in the pool, and what was left of the water in the pool was dirty almost to a mud-like consistency. Large portions of the lawn were charred, and more bricks, timber and shingles from their house and their neighbors', were laying in what was left of the lawn. A few of the trees were charred, and some had been felled. The whole scene was like a different world.
Karina breathed in, smelling only smoke and ash. She stepped lightly, looking about what used to be her home. The sight almost brought her to tears. The garden was completely gone, as well as the old treehouse Brad had built for her. Karina turned toward the backyard, feeling a strange urge to go back there to find something, but she didn't know what. She followed her instincts, going up to the gate. She began to push the gate door, but the hinges groaned, and the door broke away, falling to the ground. Sighing softly, she continued into the backyard, walking slowly, trying to figure out why she wanted to come here.
She looked around, blinking from the amount of dust and ash in the air. She felt her hands become cold as she moved further into the yard, not knowing why. She felt her heart stop, and she suddenly froze. She looked at a few slabs of timber laying in a pile, along with rocks and a couple branches. She walked up to the pile, and, without knowing why, she pushed the branches away, tossing them to the sides. When the final piece of debris was gone, she looked down, breathing in slowly. The door to her father's gun cellar lay before her. Slowly she reached out, pulling the door open with a heave. A great deal of ash and dust spewed out, making her cough and choke. After it cleared, she blinked, wiping the water from her eyes. She slowly walked down the cement steps, pulling on the light switch.
She looked around, wondering why she felt so compelled to be in here. She was about to turn and leave when something caught her eye. The picture of her parents, Brad, and herself sat on the workbench. She walked up to it, reaching out slowly to pick it up. This time, she didn't look at the actual picture. Instead, she turned it around, pulling the back out of the picture frame. Her eyes widened as a small silver item fell out of the frame, hitting the floor with a soft tinkling sound. She set the picture frame down, and then kneeled down, reaching to pick the silver item up. She felt cold metal in her fingers, and stood up to be able to see it in the light more easily. It was a cross necklace, the cross with small indentations along the side like that of a key. There was a thin silver chain, polished and in good condition. She blinked; looking next at the heavy door that she always believed led deeper into the gun cellar. Wondering, she turned and walked slowly towards the door. She turned the cross so that the frayed edge faced upward, and inserted the cross into the lock. She blinked, turning the cross like a key, and was amazed when she heard the soft click of the lock opening.
Karina put the cross around her neck, and then reached out for the doorknob. She slowly turned it, the door creaking as she pushed it open. The next room was smaller than the first, and had quite a few locked crates, old dust covered clothes, a couple more gun racks, and lastly, a large mirror in the very center of the back wall. The mirror itself seemed to give off its own sort of light, almost ghostly. Karina walked towards the mirror without even knowing she was walking. Her eyes were locked on her own reflection. The reflection seemed like it was a completely different person. Karina reached out, touching the mirror with her fingertips. She recoiled, whispering, "It's.. It's warm.."
The surface glowed more brightly where she had touched it. Karina felt her hands begin to tremble, and she bit her lip, reaching out and placing her whole hand on the mirror now. The surface warmed more now, and the light intensified, spreading throughout the whole surface. Karina gasped as her reflection changed morphing into a completely different person. The reflection was about her height still, but resembled more of a male. He had pale purple hair, like hers, short and smoothed over his head. He seemed to be her age, as well. He smiled gently, his deep amethyst eyes sparkling with recognition. His skin was the same shade as hers, though it had a sort of glow to it what with the surface of the mirror. He wore a long black coat, the sleeves pulled up around his elbows. There were bandages running along his right arm, ending mid-way along his fingers. The other arm was bare, and his hand had the same bandaging. The young man wore a white button up shirt, with about three gun belts along his waist. He also wore a buscadero rig (A buscadero rig is a leather strap attached to a holster that goes around the leg to keep the holster from bouncing around when riding a horse or running, and also helps to have steady and quick removal of a pistol.). His jeans were black jeans, cuffed up and the bottom to reveal heavy steel toed boots.
The young man smiled again, reaching his hand out towards Karina. Karina felt her heart begin to pound as she reached out, touching the mirror surface where his hand was pressed. In her mind, a soft male's voice began to whisper in the strange language that had been in so many of her dreams. In the same voice, a bit louder than the first, it began in a language she could understand.
~Are you afraid?~
Karina bit her lip, whispering back. "Sometimes.."
~Do you feel the darkness coming?~
"..No.."
~Will you fear it when it comes?~
"..I don't understand.."
~..Karishnia..~ The voice hushed, and Karina felt herself shiver.
"..What..? What did you call me..?"
~..Your proper name.. Who you are, Karishnia..~
"..No.."
~Daughter of the angels, sent here by Korrin.. pillar of life..~
"Korrin? Who.. who is that.."
~..It will all become clear to you, as your desire to come here became clear today. I have been waiting for sixteen years for you to come..~
"Who are you?"
~..I am a soul of the past, Karishnia.. Your past, my lady..~
Karina recoiled, but the voice continued.
~Do not be afraid, little one.. I'm not here to hurt you.. I'm here to protect you.. Just trust me..~
"What am I supposed to do..?" Karina asked, breathing in. The mirror smiled again, reaching out. She almost pulled away as the hand actually came out of the mirror, and touched her face softly. It was icy cold, but she wasn't afraid. The young man smiled again, pulling his arm back to his side.
~Look inside your heart, little one.. It will come to you.. As I have.~ The voice faded away slowly, the light disappearing. Before the young man faded, he looked straight at her, smiled once more, and, barely audible, murmured,
"Ai nim kriine jenn lumberran, mentle len hokuro."
In her mind, the voice began again; "You will know soon enough, my dearest angel."
The reflection faded, and the room darkened once again. Karina felt herself trembling, the room suddenly colder. She spun around as she heard her name called.
"Karina!" Brad called, walking in. He smiled, folding his arms. "What are you doing down here?"
"..Nothing.." Karina whispered.
Brad blinked, looking past her. "How did you get in here?" He asked.
"I.. It.. It was open." Karina lied.
"..Really?" Brad asked.
"..Brad.. where did the mirror in there come from?" She asked softly.
"..Mirror? What mirror?" Brad blinked. "There's not a mirror in there."
Karina linked, turning around. The wall where the mirror had been was blank. The mirror was gone. "..I.. I don't understand.. it was there.." Karina whispered.
"Sure, sure.. Come on, girl, you're probably just tired." Brad grinned.
"I'm not tired, Brad.. Really, there was a mirror there." Karina insisted.
"I believe you, girl, OK?" Brad laughed. "Anyway, I decided.." He began, cringing. "That you could go stay with the little twerp if you want to.."
"..How long did Kajumei have to beat you, Brad?" Karina smiled.
"A couple hits, then she dared me. She said she could spit further than I could." Brad muttered.
"And she won?" Karina asked, her eyes widening.
"No. I won. She punched me in the stomach afterwards, though." Brad winced. "So, I decided that, rather than risk more injury, to allow you to stay with him under my supervision."
"Your supervision?" Karina asked, stepping out of the cellar, Brad shutting and locking the door after her.
"Damn right." Brad muttered.
"Oh please." Karina smiled, giggling.
"Don't you 'oh please' me, little girl." Brad muttered.
"..Oh please." Karina said again.
"Stop it!"
"No."
"..Please?" Brad asked and Karina started laughing.
An hour later:
"..So, we're going to the Orphanage?" Bart asked, looking at Sigurd. "Can our old cow of an airship handle that?"
"Of course it can, young master." Sigurd sighed.
"Excellent. Then, if everyone is prepared, let us depart!" Brad grinned, pointing upward.
"Karina, do you have.. Clothes and all that?" Billy asked.
"Kajumei leant me some of her stuff until I can buy some more clothes." Karina replied.
"Ahh, vacation, all I ever wanted!" Jessie sang, walking in. "Vacation, all I ever needed!"
"..Father, assure me you won't shoot at birds." Billy sighed.
"I can't assure you of that, boy." Jessie sighed as well. "I mean, my red neck genes just sort of kick in and I have to shoot some things, you see."
Billy squinted at his father. "Just don't shoot any of the chickens." Billy turned to Bart. "By the way, where have you been keeping the chickens you stole from my house?"
"I think Timmy ate them." Bart muttered, glaring at the sandworm. Timmy stuck his tongue out affectionately at Bart.
"He ATE my chickens?!" Billy cried out. "How could you let them get eaten?!"
"..I'm just kidding. They've been living in the storage room." Bart nodded.
"So that's why there's chicken feces all over everything." Citan whispered philosophically.
Bart began laughing, falling to the ground. Fei looked at him strangely then rolled his eyes. "You're immature, Bart." Fei sighed.
"Hahahahahah feces hehehe." Bart laughed, grabbing his stomach.
"I'm surprised you know what that is." Sierra muttered.
"Well, I'm ready." Brad walked up, folding his arms at the sight of Billy.
"Glad you can make it, Brad." Billy muttered.
"I'll have my eye on you, bow-boy." Brad hissed.
"Yeah, and I'll try to keep his eye averted." Kajumei muttered.
"And I'm going to attract some honeys!" Ziggy beamed.
"Uh.. Ziggy?" Karina smiled.
"Yeah, hottie?"
"..You know the girls there are little kids, right?" Karina asked.
"What?! Oh, mon, what a rip-off!" He hissed. "Oh well, I might see Kaju- baby in a bikini.."
"Not bloody likely, Zig." Kajumei hissed.
Sigurd smiled again, looking back. "We will be leaving shortly. We should arrive there in about an hour, so everyone, relax until we land."
"Can do!" Bart grinned, going limp.
"Not you, young master." Sigurd hissed.
"What?" Bart blinked.
"You have chicken poop to clean up and chickens to cage." Sigurd muttered. "The mop is in the cleaning closet, and you'll have to trap them yourself."
"I didn't sign up to catch no chickens!" Bart snapped. "Make Billy do it! They're his chickens!"
"He didn't make the mess, kiddo." Sierra squinted.
"Shut up, woman!" Bart snapped.
"Young master.." Sigurd warned, pointed at the door.
"..Aw.. damn.. FINE!" Bart snapped, getting up and trudging out the doorway.
"I think I'll spend my time watching Bart." Fei grinned, following Bart.
"OK, here we go." Sigurd smiled. "Let's see how she flies now that she's nice and repaired." He sighed.
About 45 minutes later::
"Hi, Karina." Billy smiled, sitting down on a couch next to Karina, who was reading.
"Hi, Billy." Karina replied, lowering her book.
"..Are you.. happy to be going with me, you know?"
"..What?" Karina asked, looking amused.
"You know.. Are you happy to be.."
"Your girlfriend?" Karina asked.
"Yeah." Billy replied. Karina just smiled.
"Of course I am. Are you happy?"
"Very, Karina." Billy looked down. "I mean.. I'm sure you've had plenty of relationships before, and I never have.. and.. I just want you to be happy."
"Hehe, I'm bound to be happier with you then I was when I was going with Ziggy." Karina giggled.
"Well-.. What?" Billy looked at her, his eyes widening.
"I dated Ziggy."
"ZIGGY?! WHY?!" Billy yelled, jumping back.
"I was rebelling from Brad.." Karina explained, resting back on her palms.
"Still.." Billy whispered. "You used Ziggy?" He asked, his head shooting up.
"No! I mean.. Well, I DID like him-"
"AHH!" Billy fell back.
"What?" Karina laughed. "This was before I knew he was a huge pig!" She giggled, poking Billy's arm. "And it's not like we did it.."
"Did you.." Billy began, peeking up at her, "Make out..?"
"No.." Karina whispered.
"Oh, good.." Billy sighed.
"But we did kiss quite a bit." Karina added.
"AHH!" Billy screamed again, falling off the couch. "That isn't holy or pious!"
"So?" Karina giggled poking Billy's shoulder. Billy simply shook his head, sitting back on the couch. He didn't remain there long, for the ship lurched to a stop, causing Billy to fly off the couch again and run right into a table.
"Ooooowwww.." Billy moaned, sitting up as Sigurd's voice cam over the intercom.
"We have now arrived at the Orphanage."
Sierra's voice followed. "Full of smelly brats that love to drool all over people and roll in so much mud that they resemble a cesspool!"
Karina giggled, standing up. "Come on, Billy.."
"..Right.." Billy mumbled, sitting up.
"Are you OK?" Karina smiled, picking up her bag and resting it on her shoulders.
"Fine.." Billy nodded, rubbing his head. "Come on." He nodded, taking her hand.
"Orphanage ahoy!" Bart shouted, running down the hall and into the elevator. Billy followed him, as well as Karina. "Glad to be home, Billers?"
"Yes, I suppose." Billy nodded.
"Karina, there may be a bunch of little monsters running around, but I assure you, most of them are harmless." Bart smiled.
"Thanks for the tip, Bart." Karina smiled. "Did you catch the chickens?"
"The little shits scratched, pecked, pooped and poured their feathers on me." Bart muttered. "But I got them."
"You didn't hurt them, did you?" Billy asked.
Bart looked at Billy for a moment before responding, "How much are you willing to pay for that information?"
"What?" Billy blinked.
"I think we're going to have fried chicken for dinner." Bart replied, stepping off the elevator as the door opened. Billy paled.
"Billy.." Karina giggled.
"Oh lord.." Billy whispered.
"Up the ladder to the world above!" Bart called, pushing open the hatch and bounding up the ladder.
"Ignore him. He's insane." Fei whispered, walking in from the bridge. "You two go first." He said gently, gesturing at the ladder.
"OK." Karina smiled, following Bart up the ladder. Next went Fei, Elly, Emeralda, Maria, Rico, and so and so forth.
The wind was brisk, smelling of the briny sea. Karina followed Bart down a series of ladders that led to the ground. When the entire group was on the soft, green grass finally, Billy took a hold of Karina's hand.
"There it is." Billy pointed. Karina smiled, looking a short distance away at a small house, brown in color. There was a small wooden fence around the house. A windmill was off to the side, as well as a swing and two teeter-totters. There were numerous children racing about the front yard.
"It's lovely.." Karina whispered. Brad folded his arms.
"Eh." He shrugged. "It's OK."
"Welcome, one and all, to the Orphanage!" Jessie grinned. "My house before Billy turned it into a drooly kid home." He muttered.
"It's not a drooly kid home." Billy hissed.
"Well, let's go!" Elly laughed, running ahead.
"Yeah!" Fei grinned, chasing after her.
"Come on, Karina! The orphans will love you!" Billy smiled, taking her hand and running after the rest of the group.
"Hey! Hey hey hey! Keep your hands off of my sister!" Brad yelled, chasing the two. Kajumei laughed, following Brad.
"W-Wait up, mon!" Ziggy yelled, following as well.
And so, the group arrived at the Orphanage, not knowing that something was waiting for them, something that would change the course of events completely. (I suck at suspense, you see) Karina laughed as she and Billy ran to catch up with Elly and Fei, the cross from her father's gun cellar bouncing against her chest.
Thanks go out to Kura-Kun, 'Bone', SweetCadbury, duckchick, Jhawk, eternalsword, Aragorn Son of Isildur (Or Sauron), strawberrybubblebath, spoke and The Wise Toad! And as always to Ma-San for keeping me from killing myself during the stressful chapter writing process!
Hey, wanna see what some of the characters look like? Go to my art page, and I use the term loosely, to see what they look like! I also take requests if you want to see a certain thing!
http://groups.msn.com/XenogearsTYODKnightsandGWZSArt/shoebox.msnw
"..Feel better?" Billy murmured, resting his cheek against the side of Karina's head. Karina didn't answer; she just made a soft sigh and nodded.
"Ain't this cute?" Bart asked, walking up from behind the statue.
"Ah!" Billy and Karina both cried out, releasing each other.
"What's up?" Bart gave a slight nod, looking down at Billy. He had a knowing smirk on his face.
"How long have you been looming back there?" Billy hissed.
"Couple minutes. I came looking for Karina. Brad practically has a search and rescue squad out in the cemetery." Bart replied. "You know, you're lucky I found you, Brad would kill you if he saw you hugging onto his sister like that."
Karina stood up slowly, clutching the sides of Billy's jacket that was hanging over her shoulders. "Nothing happened, Bart.. At least nothing that you're thinking of.."
"I know." Bart nodded. "Billy's too geeky to know how his thing works, much less how to use it."
"Bart!" Billy snapped, leaping to his feet.
Bart gave Billy another knowing grin, and then turned away. "You should've been there to see it, man. Brad and Kajumei literally beat the stuffing out of those guys."
Karina looked away, clutching the jacket more firmly than before. "Is that so?"
"Yep. I can't believe that at something this serious and in a place like this, those guys could do such a thing, though." Bart hissed, clenching a low branch on the tree shading the statue of Mother Sophia.
"I can't believe that at something this serious and in a place like this, you can make comments on my.. my.." Billy trailed off, and then squinted at Bart.
"Heh.. Lighten up, Billers."
"Karina!!" Brad cried out, running over the Amour Bridge, straight to his sister. He enveloped her in a tight hug, rocking her back at forth. "Thank god you're OK.."
Kajumei walked up behind him and gave a gentle smile. "How you doing, girl?"
Karina looked sideways at Billy, and then back at Kajumei. "Fine, Kaju.."
Kajumei looked over at Billy as well then smiled, almost knowingly. "That's good, then."
"Did they hurt you..?" Brad pulled her away and began to examine her face or arms for any bruises or scrapes.
"..No.. thankfully.." Karina replied, rubbing her elbows slowly.
"Where did you get this?" Brad asked, looking at the jacket Billy had placed over her shoulders.
"Billy let me borrow it until I could get my sweater back." Karina smiled at Billy, who couldn't help but smile back.
Sierra stepped up, holding out the black sweater. "I wanted to keep it, kid. It's cool." She winked, and then punched Billy's shoulder. "Did you get your lucky charms, Black?"
Billy blushed, looking down uneasily. A heavy slap on his back made him lurch forward. He looked behind him only to see his father, who was holding a large wine bottle. "Ow.. hello, father.. Drinking again, I see.."
"You're damn right, boy." Jessie replied, grinning. "And I can tell you're already more manly than the last time I saw you!"
"I think he got some, Jessiah." Sierra grinned broadly.
"Did you, boy?!" Jessie's face immediately brightened.
"Good lord, you two.." Sigurd hissed, walking up behind Sierra.
"Kehehehe.." Sierra chuckled. "You're just jealous because you haven't gotten any as of late."
"And you have?" Sigurd eyed Sierra suspiciously.
Sierra looked at him blankly then looked at Jessie. "He got me, Jess."
"Wow, ain't he a talent?" Jessie whistled.
Sierra laughed out loud, and then slapped Sigurd's shoulder. "Good one, Sigsipoo!"
"Thanks.. I guess.." Sigurd whispered, rubbing his shoulder.
"I believe that the service is over due to this.. Ruckus.." Citan announced, looking back at the funeral house.
"Pity.." Fei whispered. "..I would've liked to have stayed longer. It was.. comforting in a way."
"Why?" Bart looked over at Fei, who looked up.
"I dunno.." Fei shrugged. "Just that we're not the only was affected by this.. by a long shot."
"..You're right, Fei." Karina agreed, smiling.
"For once." Bart added sarcastically.
"Shut up, Bart." Fei snapped.
"Thank you." Billy sighed.
"..KARINA!" Ziggy yelled, falling out of a patch of woods. "I.. I.. finally found you!" He gasped, pulling a thorn out of his jacket.
"Ziggy.." Karina chuckled as the older man collapsed at her feet. He looked up pitifully, and then leapt to his feet.
"You had me looking in woods and puddles and nasty stuff like that, young hottie!" He hissed, placing his hands to his hips.
"Ha..Hahha.." Rico chuckled, walking up behind Ziggy. He looked at Brad, who was ready to choke Ziggy, and held out his hand as if requesting to let him do the honors. Brad grinned, nodding. "Goodnight, Ziggy." He said, pulling a hammer (Don't ask me why he has it) out of his pocket and proceeding to knock Ziggy out.
"Don't you think he might lose his memory?" Karina whispered, kneeling over and poking the large bump already forming on Ziggy's head.
"Don't you think I don't care?" Rico responded.
"..I suppose.." Karina replied, smiling.
"Well.. I guess we could head home.." Fei hissed.
"Well, isn't that a shame..?" Glimmer asked, walking up, with Orlando following on crutches.
"AHH! GLIMMER!" Bart screamed, falling back.
"Hello, love." Glimmer chirped, waving at Bart.
"What are YOU doing here?" Bart hissed, stepping back.
"Why are any of us here, love?" Glimmer asked, folded his hands on his hips. "Honestly, you're so ignorant sometimes, silly buns!"
"Dude, the gay guy just called you silly buns." Fei muttered, turning a wide grin to Bart.
"Back off, Fei!" Bart snapped.
"I heard about what those horrible boys did to you, Karina dear." Glimmer whispered, stepping lightly over to Karina, knocking Billy out of the way. "I almost sent Orly-baby to go kill them. Then I figured your brother would have handled that."
"Thank you, Glimmer.." Karina giggled.
"Anytime, dear." Glimmer whispered, kissing her forehead lightly.
"OK, that's enough of that." Brad hissed, pulling Glimmer off. Glimmer folded his arms, sticking his tongue out at Brad.
"I'm gay, you overprotective psychopath!" Glimmer snapped. "Besides, Karina dear needs to have human contact!" He finished, looking sideways at Billy.
"Karina has the power to turn gay guys straight." Brad hissed.
"So, that explains it." Bart commented, looking sideways at Billy, who was about to respond before Glimmer cut him off.
"That's insane!"
"Is not!" Brad walked up to Glimmer, towering over the other young man.
"Bring it!" Glimmer folded his arms, looking up at Brad with resentment.
"Aren't you going to stop them?" Kajumei asked Orlando, who shrugged.
"They might go into a mud pit if we let this continue." Orlando answered.
Kajumei gave Orlando a strange looked, folding her arms. "I don't wanna see my man rolling around in the mud with some other guy, who would probably ENJOY it.."
"Take that back!" Orlando looked over at Kajumei. "Alex doesn't like Brad.. Brad's too.. small."
"Brad's not small." Fei whispered.
Orlando looked over at Fei. "I don't mean height, Fei." He said gently.
Kajumei's eyes widened, and she snatched one of Orlando's crutches. "MY man happens to be VERY well endowed, bitch!" She shouted.
"Oh lord, I didn't want to hear that.." Karina groaned, resting her forehead against a tree. "I need to go to my counselor now.."
"Uh.." Billy blinked, looking at the onslaught of insanity. "Could we have a little respect? You know, for why we're here.."
Kajumei shrugged, shoving the crutch back into Orlando's hand. She folded her arms and turned away.
"Well, I'll let him off the hook this one time." Glimmer whispered, backing away from Brad.
Brad gave a sarcastic snort, smirking. "Rrrright, Glim." He hissed, leaning against one of the trees.
"That was insane and completely out-of-storyline." Bart commented.
"Author's fault again." Fei replied. He winced, looking around. "I mean.. uh.. freaky, huh?"
Kajumei put an arm around Karina's shoulder, winking at her younger friend. "Ready to go home, girl?"
Karina smiled slightly, shifting a little. "I guess.." She whispered, looking down. "I am pretty tired."
"Are you going to stay in your own bed tonight?" Bart asked, and Billy immediately turned from his natural skin color to rose red.
"Bart!!" Billy cried, turning to Bart.
"Yyyyyyeeeees?" Bart looked sideways at Billy, grinning broadly. Billy squinted at Bart, shaking his head. He sighed and walked away, perhaps towards the funeral home. "Gee, he's uptight, no?"
"Billy just needs to.. ease up, is all." Karina responded.
"Ease up a WHOLE DAMN LOT." Bart nodded, folding his arms.
"The stick up his butt is starting to come out, no fear." Jessie grinned.
"More like a log." Sierra muttered, leaning against a nearby tree.
Karina stifled a giggle, clenching the jacket. "You're mean, guys.." She whispered, shaking her head.
"You know you want to laugh." Bart hissed. He leaned forward, giving a piercing gaze to Karina. She shifted her gaze, stifling another giggle.
"Stop it." Karina smiled, turning away.
"Oh, sure thing." Bart nodded, winking at Fei, who grinned.
"OK, you two, enough." Elly sighed, squinting at Fei. Fei shrugged, looking up at the sky and whistling innocently.
"I wasn't doing anything, dear." Fei said playfully. Elly slapped Fei's stomach, causing him to lurch forward. "Ow!" He cried out, shutting one eye. "That was mean." He whispered.
"Yeah, yeah, you baby." She muttered.
"Seriously. It hurt." Fei winced. "You have a mean hit, woman."
"You want another?" Elly smiled, winking.
"Nooo, thanks." Fei shook his head.
"Ey, mon, where am I?" Ziggy mumbled, sitting up and rubbing his head. He looked over at Elly, then Kajumei. "Angels.." He whispered, his eyes aglow.
"Idiot." Kajumei muttered, rolling her eyes.
"Come on, Karina.." Brad mumbled butting Ziggy out of the way as he put his arm over Karina's shoulder and walked away.
"See you guys later.." Karina whispered.
"Wait up!" Kajumei cried, knocking Ziggy out of the way as Ziggy tried to regain his balance.
"Mon! Little respect here!" He snapped, shaking his fist after Brad.
"Boo hoo!" Brad called back at Ziggy.
"Mmmmmon!" Ziggy yelled, chasing after Brad.
Elly gave a gentle sigh, looking to the side. "I think I'll go for a walk. Want to come, Fei?"
"Sure thing." Fei nodded, grinning.
"I'm beginning to wonder what you two do on your little 'walks'.." Bart mumbled.
"NOYB." Fei spat.
"Oh well, fine then!" Bart hissed. "You don't have to get all.. all.."
"All what, Bart?" Fei looked at Bart strangely.
"All.. uh.." Bart looked down, squinting.
"Can't think of a thing, can you, kid?" Jessie asked, grinning.
"Damn! I'll get you! You just wait, Fei! As soon as you think you're safe.. BOOM! There I'll be! And I'll have an insult so great, it'll make you hide away in shock due to my extraordinary.. CLEVERNESS! Cue ominous thunder and lightening." Bart hissed, squinting and circling Fei 'ominously'.
"Oh, I'm terrified." Fei said dully.
"As you should be, Fong Wong." Bart whispered.
"Bart, you're an idiot." Elly muttered, walking past him.
"I kno- HEY!" Bart blinked, then turned to Elly and frowned.
"That wasn't even all that clever, but it stopped you dumb, didn't it?" Elly winked turning and continuing on her way.
"Hehe, later Bart!" Fei grinned, traipsing past Bart. Bart watched the two leaving, growling in frustration.
"Curses.." Bart muttered, kicking the dirt.
"Curses, Bart?" Jessie asked, smiling.
"I guess you were duped again, Bart." Sierra laughed slapping Bart's shoulder. "That's great!" She cried, walking past Bart.
"Don't feel too bad, young master." Sigurd sighed, smiling reassuringly.
"Yeah, you might run into a 4-year-old you can insult one of these days." Maria nodded.
"Ahh haa haa haa.." Bart laughed sarcastically. "Your wit amazes me, Maria."
"I'll bet." Maria nodded.
"I'm gonna go find my boy. He might be up to something that I wouldn't approve of." Jessie muttered sarcastically, walking away. Sigurd called after him.
"You mean harass the poor boy, Jessiah?" Sigurd asked.
"You know it!" Jessie responded, throwing his fist in the air.
"Hey, I'm going too!" Sierra broke into a grin, chasing after Jessie. "Come on, Sigsipoo!" She giggled, grabbing Sigurd's hand.
"Yes, Miss Sierra.." Sigurd whispered as Sierra pulled him, trying to catch up with Jessie.
"Oh my.." Citan murmured. "I should make sure they don't leave any mental scars on that poor boy." He said, chasing after the group.
"Whatever." Bart whistled, throwing his arms behind his neck. He walked after Sigurd, Sierra, Citan and Jessie slowly, whistling all the way.
"Wait up!" Glimmer giggled. "I wanna come toooo!" He yelled, following, as well as Orlando.
"Well.. I guess it's just you, Rico and me, Emeralda." Maria smiled.
"Wrong." Rico mumbled, walking away.
"Well then, it's me and you, Emeralda." Maria hissed.
"I wanna find Fei's Kim." Emeralda whispered, walking the way Fei and Elly did.
Maria looked down. "I guess it's just you, Maria." She mumbled.
"I'm here, chu!" Chu Chu cried out, hopping up and down.
"Great.." Maria mumbled, walking in the same direction as Rico. Chu Chu blinked, folded her arms, and then hopped after Maria and Rico.
"What's up, Primera?" Karina whispered, walking into the Gunroom, where Primera was sitting. The young girl held a book in her hands. She looked up, smiling at Karina. "Aren't you tired?" She asked, sitting down next to Primera.
Primera smiled, shaking her head. She set the book down, resting her forehead on Karina's shoulder. She looked up and smiled. Karina smiled in return.
"Karina, do you need anything?" Brad asked, walking in and sitting down.
"No, I'm fine, Brad.." Karina responded.
"OK.." Brad looked down, then back up at Karina. "Kiddo, we need to figure out what we're going to do.."
"..Brad.." Karina frowned, folding her hands in her lap.
"You know what happened to our home in the attack.." Brad murmured.
"..We don't have one to go to.." Karina responded, frowning.
"Yeah.. Ziggy said we could stay with him until we can get a place." Brad looked at Karina, who looked to the side.
"But.. Ziggy was staying with Kajumei's family. He was going to move to Aveh to live with his brothers this summer so he could take a job at a garage there." Karina replied. "Does that mean we're going to move to.. Aveh?"
"..I think that would be best." Brad nodded. "Besides, the job offer Ziggy got was extended to a lot of the mechanics at the garage. And.."
"..You were one of them?" Karina whispered.
"Karina.. It would be.."
"Cimerion's the only home I've ever known.." Karina murmured. "And now that it's hurting, we're just going to walk out on it and go to Aveh instead?"
"We were probably going to move anyway, Karina." Brad said.
"Can't we stay here and help, just for a little while?" Karina asked softly.
"..We'll think about it." Brad replied.
"What about Kajumei?" Karina asked as Primera slowly drifted off on her shoulder.
"Um.. Kajumei and I.." Brad looked away.
Karina paled. "Tell me you're not breaking up."
"No, no, Karina." Brad smiled. "I think I might.." Brad trailed off, and then threw his arms behind his head and laughed.
Karina smiled coyly. "I see." She nodded. "Where is Kajumei?"
"She decided to stay with her mom tonight. Mrs. Heartlock is trying to get things back together from that attack."
"That poor woman.." Karina whispered, scooping Primera up as Jessie, Sierra, Sigurd, Citan, Bart and Billy walked in the room, Billy looking rather flustered. He only had one shoe on, his face was flushed, and his sock had a hole in the big toe. "Ever since Mr. Heartlock died, she's been having so many problems.." Karina sighed.
"Yeah." Brad nodded.
"You're evil, father." Billy hissed.
"I know, boy." Jessie grinned. "Oh, come on, don't you have a sense of humor?"
"What happened?" Karina asked gently.
Billy squinted at Jessie, and then turned to Karina. "My crazy old exuberant drunk of a father ran up behind me and.."
"Yanked Billy's britches right down!" Sierra laughed, slapping her thigh.
"He.. pulled your pants down?" Karina blinked, looking at Billy.
"Boxers and all!" Sierra cackled, grabbing her stomach. "He has chicken legs!"
"We knew that already." Bart grinned. "We DIDN'T know that Billy wore smiley face boxers, though."
"Yeah.. but the price I had to pay for that knowledge is seeing his white little butt!" Sierra laughed, resting her head on Sigurd's shoulder.
"He threw his shoe at me." Jessie laughed. "And it fell into the creek and a fish drug it away."
"That must've been some fish.." Karina whispered her eyes widening.
"It was a little carp.." Bart grinned. "I expected Billy to chase it down the creek. But he, sadly, didn't provide me with that entertainment."
"The best part was that Citan really wanted to laugh, but he didn't want to be rude, so he held it in and his face kind of bulged up and became all red and he looked like a cherry with a ponytail." Sierra grinned.
"I did not." Citan sighed, looking away.
"You betrayed me, Citan." Billy hissed.
"Hmm.." Citan smiled slightly, looking back at Karina. "You are showing your maternal ways, Karina."
"Yes, well your epidermis is showin', doc." Bart folded his arms.
"Maternal ways, young one. And so is yours." Citan pointed at Bart.
"Ahh! Where?!" Bart panicked, looking around. "Don't look at me!" He cried out, running to his room.
"Idiot.." Billy sighed, looking at Karina. She was holding Primera in her arms, the young girl with her arms around her neck, her head resting on Karina's chest. Billy smiled, reaching out to take his little sister. "Is she tired..?" He asked gently, moving his hands away as Karina smiled at him.
"I'm going to take her to her room. Wanna come?" Karina smiled.
"Sure.." Billy nodded. Karina smiled, turning away and heading for Primera's room.
"So, Sigsipoo.." Sierra said down, folding her hands over her stomach. "What are you guys going to do now?"
"..I'm not sure.. We're going to drop Billy, Jessie and Primera off at the Orphanage." Sigurd looked down, sitting next to Sierra.
"What about me, Sigsi?" Sierra leaned forward, batting her eyes.
"Would you like us to drop you off somewhere?" Sigurd asked, smiling. Sierra's smile changed to a frown in a matter of milliseconds.
"What do you mean..?" Sierra blinked.
"We could drop you off somewhere." Sigurd repeated.
"Agh! You stupid.. Man!" Sierra snapped, standing up. "I get all dressed up, do my hair and wear my Passion perfume and all you do is try to dump me off a truck stop where smelly pigs who can't fit into their wife-beaters will hit on me!"
"I didn't say that, Era, I simply stated that.." Sigurd began, starting to stand up. Sierra pushed him back onto the couch and folded her arms.
"You want it that way? Fine! I'll just go and.. and.. ARRGHH!" She screamed throwing her fists in the air, and then turned away and stomped into her room.
Sigurd sat on the couch, a frightened, confused look on his face. "Hyuga.." He whispered.
"Yes, Sigurd?" Citan asked, walking over to the bar to get a glass of scotch.
"Women are.. so very odd." Sigurd said gently, blinking.
"Yes, they are, my old friend." Citan laughed. "But it seems like the oddest ones are the most lovable, no?" He smiled, sitting next to Sigurd.
"Huh?" Sigurd looked over at Citan.
"Oh, nothing, Sigurd, nothing." Citan shook his hand, smiling.
"He means that you have the hots for the monkey woman. Though God knows why, the woman practically eats her own bugs." Jessie mumbled, sitting on armchair next to the couch.
"She doesn't look like a monkey, Jessiah." Sigurd hissed.
"She is quite lovely, Jessiah." Citan nodded, looking at Jessie.
"Whatever you say, man." Jessie shrugged.
"How I wish I could go back to the days where life wasn't complicated.." Sigurd sighed, leaning his head on the back of the couch.
"Ah, yes, when the women were plenty, there were many of people to blow up, beer flowed from fountains, the boy was manly, and I had my gorgeous looks." Jessie sighed, grinning.
"Billy was only a baby then.." Citan said, looking at Jessie.
"He was a manly baby." Jessie smiled.
"How did you lose your 'gorgeous looks'?" Sigurd asked gently.
Jessie frowned. "..It's.. a long story.."
"I have time.." Sigurd sighed.
"..I have to go think." Jessie said suddenly, standing to his feet.
"But.. Jessiah.." Citan blinked.
"See ya later." Jessie waved his hand slightly, leaving the room.
"..Hmm.. Very curious.." Citan blinked, leaning back in his seat.
"She should sleep well tonight.." Karina smiled, laying Primera down on her bed. She pulled the covers over her shoulders.
"Yeah.." Billy nodded, sitting on the bed and brushing a strand of hair from his sister's hair.
"Was it.. Hard.. to raise her?" Karina asked, looking at Billy.
"Not really.. She mostly had to put up with me.." Billy smiled, pulling his hand away. He looked back at Karina, who looked down.
"I'm afraid Brad had a hard time raising me." She murmured. "I was a little too needy.. I would cry and hold onto him whenever he would leave me with one of our neighbors so he could go to work.."
"Primera never wanted me to go to the Ethos.. She knew what was going on.." Billy sighed.
"Brad was such a caring older brother.. he sacrificed so much so I could have a nice life.." Karina sighed.
"He's a good guy, Karina.. Overprotective, but good." Billy smiled.
"You're going to be just like that when Primera starts to date." Karina smiled at Billy, raising one eyebrow.
"I will not." Billy replied, looking away.
"Sure.." Karina rolled her eyes. "Hey, Billy?" She asked, looking at him.
"Yes?"
"..What are you going to do when you leave Cimerion?" Karina asked softly.
"..Well, we're going to go to the orphanage and father, Primera and I will stay there." Billy said.
Karina paused, biting her lip. "..Brad and I are moving to Aveh with Ziggy.. most likely.." Karina whispered.
"Aveh?!" Billy asked, lurching forward.
"Yeah.." Karina looked away. "I think Brad's going to ask Kajumei to marry him so she'll come with us too.." Karina whispered.
"But.." Billy blinked.
"We're not sure about it yet.." Karina sighed.
"I.. Karina.." Billy looked down. He blinked, looking back up. "..Karina..?"
"Yeah?" Karina asked gently.
"How would you and Brad, Kajumei and Ziggy like to come stay with me at the orphanage for a while? You guys can think it over there.." Billy smiled.
Karina smiled back, nodding. "I'd like that, Billy.."
"Then won't you come?" Billy asked softly, taking her hand.
"..I.. I.. Sure.. Billy.." She whispered, nodding.
Billy gave a sigh of relief. "Good.."
"..Well.. I should be getting to bed.." Karina whispered, getting to her feet.
"Goodnight.." Billy smiled, standing up as well. He shyly held out his hand, brushing her cheek. Slowly, as if he were still unsure about what he was doing, he leaned forward and planted a short kiss on her lips. He opened the door slowly, allowing Karina to walk out first. He flipped the light off, and then shut the door.
Primera, who had been 'sleeping', had one eye open. She smiled softly, and then shut her eye and drifted off to sleep.
::The next morning::
"Come on, boy, get ready." Jessie punched Billy's shoulder. Billy was practically sleeping in his cereal.
"What..?" Billy blinked, sitting up.
"You have a cheerio on your nose, boy." Jessie grinned, flicking the cheerio off of Billy's nose.
"..Thanks, dad.." Billy mumbled gently.
"What's got you so tired?" Jessie asked, flicking Billy's shoulder. "Normally you're.. Well, you're never a ray of sunshine, but you're normally insulting me about my parenting skills or manners by now."
"Sorry, dad.. I stayed up most of the night reading." Billy mumbled.
"What were you reading, boy?" Jessie asked, sitting down.
"None of your business." Billy muttered.
"There's my boy! Welcome back!" Jessie grinned.
"Glad to be here, father." Billy hissed, squinting at Jessie.
"So, you have to get ready." Jessie smiled.
"For what..?" Billy looked at Jessie, blinking.
"We're going home today, boy." Jessie said slowly.
"We are?" Billy blinked. "I thought we were tomorrow."
"Sigurd and I decided this morning that it would be best if we just went today." Jessie nodded, looking down.
"Oh.. right." Billy shrugged.
"So, did you invite your wife?" Jessie asked, smiling.
"She's not my wife, dad.." Billy hissed.
"Whatever. Did you invite her?" Jessie asked.
"..Yes. I did." Billy muttered.
"You did? Cool." Jessie grinned. "The orphans can have a more feminine touch."
"Whatever.." Billy rolled his eyes.
"Billy invited me to stay with him at the Orphanage for a little while, Brad.." Karina murmured.
"So..?" Brad muttered.
"I thought.. maybe.." Karina bit her lip.
"Karina, I don't like you hanging around with him." Brad hissed.
"But, Brad.." Karina whispered.
"Don't 'but' me." Brad said, stepping up to a Kajumei, who was standing next to one of the rubble-cluttered areas.
"Morning, you two." She smiled, placing her hands to her hips. Ziggy ran up from behind her.
"Mornin' all!" Ziggy yelled, grinning.
"Fei and Elly are going to join us soon." Karina said softly. She then looked at Kajumei, who had her arms folded now. "Kajumei.. Billy invited me to stay with him at the Orphanage for a while.. do you think I should be able to go?"
"Girl, a getaway of any kind? Hell, go with it." Kajumei grinned.
"See, Brad. Kajumei thinks I should be able to go." Karina hissed, glaring at Brad.
"That's why Kajumei isn't your older brother." Brad nodded.
"I can think of a couple reasons why she wouldn't be Karina's older brother anyway." Ziggy said, looking at Kajumei's chest. Kajumei glared at Ziggy, punching him in the nose.
"Stupid.." Kajumei hissed, placing her hands back on her hips.
"Brad, why are you being so unfair?" Karina asked gently, sticking her lower lip out and making a soft weeping noise.
"Because, little missy." Brad answered curtly.
"Because why?" Karina squinted.
"Just because." Brad replied.
"That's not a very good answer, Brad." Karina murmured. She looked back at Kajumei, smiling. "I'm going to go see our house.." She said gently.
"You sure you want to? It's not a pretty sight." Kajumei commented.
"Yeah. I want to look at some things." Karina smiled.
"Okay. We're going to stay here and clear debris." Kajumei shrugged. Karina nodded turning and walking away.
"Be careful, young lady!" Brad called after her.
"Yeah, yeah." Karina called back.
Brad sighed, turning and kicking something that resembled to be a hubcap. "I have no control over that girl."
"She's a teenager, Brad. Let her live, already." Kajumei replied, pushing a slab of charred wood off of a larger pile of debris.
"I don't want to." Brad hissed.
"She's going to defy you instead, mon." Ziggy added, beaming. "She'll do things you don't want her to do strictly because you don't want her to do them."
"I know. I hate it." Brad muttered.
"Hi, guys." Elly beamed, walking up. She wore a pair of stout working boots, heavy jeans, and a dark blue t-shirt. She was pulling gloves over her hands. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail.
"Where's Fei?" Kajumei asked.
"He's saving a kitten for a little kid." Elly smiled. "Yes, a kitten. There was one stuck up on this really high beam, and he decided to be a hero."
"He has his heart in the right place, I suppose." Kajumei laughed.
Fei walked up, brushing some dirt off of his jeans. "So, what's up guys?"
"Saving a kitten?" Kajumei rolled her eyes.
"Yes, saving a kitten." Fei squinted.
"How cute, mon." Ziggy grinned.
"Shut up." Fei hissed.
The house was practically gone. There was a skeleton of what used to be there, but practically nothing else. There were shingles, bricks and charred timber in the pool, and what was left of the water in the pool was dirty almost to a mud-like consistency. Large portions of the lawn were charred, and more bricks, timber and shingles from their house and their neighbors', were laying in what was left of the lawn. A few of the trees were charred, and some had been felled. The whole scene was like a different world.
Karina breathed in, smelling only smoke and ash. She stepped lightly, looking about what used to be her home. The sight almost brought her to tears. The garden was completely gone, as well as the old treehouse Brad had built for her. Karina turned toward the backyard, feeling a strange urge to go back there to find something, but she didn't know what. She followed her instincts, going up to the gate. She began to push the gate door, but the hinges groaned, and the door broke away, falling to the ground. Sighing softly, she continued into the backyard, walking slowly, trying to figure out why she wanted to come here.
She looked around, blinking from the amount of dust and ash in the air. She felt her hands become cold as she moved further into the yard, not knowing why. She felt her heart stop, and she suddenly froze. She looked at a few slabs of timber laying in a pile, along with rocks and a couple branches. She walked up to the pile, and, without knowing why, she pushed the branches away, tossing them to the sides. When the final piece of debris was gone, she looked down, breathing in slowly. The door to her father's gun cellar lay before her. Slowly she reached out, pulling the door open with a heave. A great deal of ash and dust spewed out, making her cough and choke. After it cleared, she blinked, wiping the water from her eyes. She slowly walked down the cement steps, pulling on the light switch.
She looked around, wondering why she felt so compelled to be in here. She was about to turn and leave when something caught her eye. The picture of her parents, Brad, and herself sat on the workbench. She walked up to it, reaching out slowly to pick it up. This time, she didn't look at the actual picture. Instead, she turned it around, pulling the back out of the picture frame. Her eyes widened as a small silver item fell out of the frame, hitting the floor with a soft tinkling sound. She set the picture frame down, and then kneeled down, reaching to pick the silver item up. She felt cold metal in her fingers, and stood up to be able to see it in the light more easily. It was a cross necklace, the cross with small indentations along the side like that of a key. There was a thin silver chain, polished and in good condition. She blinked; looking next at the heavy door that she always believed led deeper into the gun cellar. Wondering, she turned and walked slowly towards the door. She turned the cross so that the frayed edge faced upward, and inserted the cross into the lock. She blinked, turning the cross like a key, and was amazed when she heard the soft click of the lock opening.
Karina put the cross around her neck, and then reached out for the doorknob. She slowly turned it, the door creaking as she pushed it open. The next room was smaller than the first, and had quite a few locked crates, old dust covered clothes, a couple more gun racks, and lastly, a large mirror in the very center of the back wall. The mirror itself seemed to give off its own sort of light, almost ghostly. Karina walked towards the mirror without even knowing she was walking. Her eyes were locked on her own reflection. The reflection seemed like it was a completely different person. Karina reached out, touching the mirror with her fingertips. She recoiled, whispering, "It's.. It's warm.."
The surface glowed more brightly where she had touched it. Karina felt her hands begin to tremble, and she bit her lip, reaching out and placing her whole hand on the mirror now. The surface warmed more now, and the light intensified, spreading throughout the whole surface. Karina gasped as her reflection changed morphing into a completely different person. The reflection was about her height still, but resembled more of a male. He had pale purple hair, like hers, short and smoothed over his head. He seemed to be her age, as well. He smiled gently, his deep amethyst eyes sparkling with recognition. His skin was the same shade as hers, though it had a sort of glow to it what with the surface of the mirror. He wore a long black coat, the sleeves pulled up around his elbows. There were bandages running along his right arm, ending mid-way along his fingers. The other arm was bare, and his hand had the same bandaging. The young man wore a white button up shirt, with about three gun belts along his waist. He also wore a buscadero rig (A buscadero rig is a leather strap attached to a holster that goes around the leg to keep the holster from bouncing around when riding a horse or running, and also helps to have steady and quick removal of a pistol.). His jeans were black jeans, cuffed up and the bottom to reveal heavy steel toed boots.
The young man smiled again, reaching his hand out towards Karina. Karina felt her heart begin to pound as she reached out, touching the mirror surface where his hand was pressed. In her mind, a soft male's voice began to whisper in the strange language that had been in so many of her dreams. In the same voice, a bit louder than the first, it began in a language she could understand.
~Are you afraid?~
Karina bit her lip, whispering back. "Sometimes.."
~Do you feel the darkness coming?~
"..No.."
~Will you fear it when it comes?~
"..I don't understand.."
~..Karishnia..~ The voice hushed, and Karina felt herself shiver.
"..What..? What did you call me..?"
~..Your proper name.. Who you are, Karishnia..~
"..No.."
~Daughter of the angels, sent here by Korrin.. pillar of life..~
"Korrin? Who.. who is that.."
~..It will all become clear to you, as your desire to come here became clear today. I have been waiting for sixteen years for you to come..~
"Who are you?"
~..I am a soul of the past, Karishnia.. Your past, my lady..~
Karina recoiled, but the voice continued.
~Do not be afraid, little one.. I'm not here to hurt you.. I'm here to protect you.. Just trust me..~
"What am I supposed to do..?" Karina asked, breathing in. The mirror smiled again, reaching out. She almost pulled away as the hand actually came out of the mirror, and touched her face softly. It was icy cold, but she wasn't afraid. The young man smiled again, pulling his arm back to his side.
~Look inside your heart, little one.. It will come to you.. As I have.~ The voice faded away slowly, the light disappearing. Before the young man faded, he looked straight at her, smiled once more, and, barely audible, murmured,
"Ai nim kriine jenn lumberran, mentle len hokuro."
In her mind, the voice began again; "You will know soon enough, my dearest angel."
The reflection faded, and the room darkened once again. Karina felt herself trembling, the room suddenly colder. She spun around as she heard her name called.
"Karina!" Brad called, walking in. He smiled, folding his arms. "What are you doing down here?"
"..Nothing.." Karina whispered.
Brad blinked, looking past her. "How did you get in here?" He asked.
"I.. It.. It was open." Karina lied.
"..Really?" Brad asked.
"..Brad.. where did the mirror in there come from?" She asked softly.
"..Mirror? What mirror?" Brad blinked. "There's not a mirror in there."
Karina linked, turning around. The wall where the mirror had been was blank. The mirror was gone. "..I.. I don't understand.. it was there.." Karina whispered.
"Sure, sure.. Come on, girl, you're probably just tired." Brad grinned.
"I'm not tired, Brad.. Really, there was a mirror there." Karina insisted.
"I believe you, girl, OK?" Brad laughed. "Anyway, I decided.." He began, cringing. "That you could go stay with the little twerp if you want to.."
"..How long did Kajumei have to beat you, Brad?" Karina smiled.
"A couple hits, then she dared me. She said she could spit further than I could." Brad muttered.
"And she won?" Karina asked, her eyes widening.
"No. I won. She punched me in the stomach afterwards, though." Brad winced. "So, I decided that, rather than risk more injury, to allow you to stay with him under my supervision."
"Your supervision?" Karina asked, stepping out of the cellar, Brad shutting and locking the door after her.
"Damn right." Brad muttered.
"Oh please." Karina smiled, giggling.
"Don't you 'oh please' me, little girl." Brad muttered.
"..Oh please." Karina said again.
"Stop it!"
"No."
"..Please?" Brad asked and Karina started laughing.
An hour later:
"..So, we're going to the Orphanage?" Bart asked, looking at Sigurd. "Can our old cow of an airship handle that?"
"Of course it can, young master." Sigurd sighed.
"Excellent. Then, if everyone is prepared, let us depart!" Brad grinned, pointing upward.
"Karina, do you have.. Clothes and all that?" Billy asked.
"Kajumei leant me some of her stuff until I can buy some more clothes." Karina replied.
"Ahh, vacation, all I ever wanted!" Jessie sang, walking in. "Vacation, all I ever needed!"
"..Father, assure me you won't shoot at birds." Billy sighed.
"I can't assure you of that, boy." Jessie sighed as well. "I mean, my red neck genes just sort of kick in and I have to shoot some things, you see."
Billy squinted at his father. "Just don't shoot any of the chickens." Billy turned to Bart. "By the way, where have you been keeping the chickens you stole from my house?"
"I think Timmy ate them." Bart muttered, glaring at the sandworm. Timmy stuck his tongue out affectionately at Bart.
"He ATE my chickens?!" Billy cried out. "How could you let them get eaten?!"
"..I'm just kidding. They've been living in the storage room." Bart nodded.
"So that's why there's chicken feces all over everything." Citan whispered philosophically.
Bart began laughing, falling to the ground. Fei looked at him strangely then rolled his eyes. "You're immature, Bart." Fei sighed.
"Hahahahahah feces hehehe." Bart laughed, grabbing his stomach.
"I'm surprised you know what that is." Sierra muttered.
"Well, I'm ready." Brad walked up, folding his arms at the sight of Billy.
"Glad you can make it, Brad." Billy muttered.
"I'll have my eye on you, bow-boy." Brad hissed.
"Yeah, and I'll try to keep his eye averted." Kajumei muttered.
"And I'm going to attract some honeys!" Ziggy beamed.
"Uh.. Ziggy?" Karina smiled.
"Yeah, hottie?"
"..You know the girls there are little kids, right?" Karina asked.
"What?! Oh, mon, what a rip-off!" He hissed. "Oh well, I might see Kaju- baby in a bikini.."
"Not bloody likely, Zig." Kajumei hissed.
Sigurd smiled again, looking back. "We will be leaving shortly. We should arrive there in about an hour, so everyone, relax until we land."
"Can do!" Bart grinned, going limp.
"Not you, young master." Sigurd hissed.
"What?" Bart blinked.
"You have chicken poop to clean up and chickens to cage." Sigurd muttered. "The mop is in the cleaning closet, and you'll have to trap them yourself."
"I didn't sign up to catch no chickens!" Bart snapped. "Make Billy do it! They're his chickens!"
"He didn't make the mess, kiddo." Sierra squinted.
"Shut up, woman!" Bart snapped.
"Young master.." Sigurd warned, pointed at the door.
"..Aw.. damn.. FINE!" Bart snapped, getting up and trudging out the doorway.
"I think I'll spend my time watching Bart." Fei grinned, following Bart.
"OK, here we go." Sigurd smiled. "Let's see how she flies now that she's nice and repaired." He sighed.
About 45 minutes later::
"Hi, Karina." Billy smiled, sitting down on a couch next to Karina, who was reading.
"Hi, Billy." Karina replied, lowering her book.
"..Are you.. happy to be going with me, you know?"
"..What?" Karina asked, looking amused.
"You know.. Are you happy to be.."
"Your girlfriend?" Karina asked.
"Yeah." Billy replied. Karina just smiled.
"Of course I am. Are you happy?"
"Very, Karina." Billy looked down. "I mean.. I'm sure you've had plenty of relationships before, and I never have.. and.. I just want you to be happy."
"Hehe, I'm bound to be happier with you then I was when I was going with Ziggy." Karina giggled.
"Well-.. What?" Billy looked at her, his eyes widening.
"I dated Ziggy."
"ZIGGY?! WHY?!" Billy yelled, jumping back.
"I was rebelling from Brad.." Karina explained, resting back on her palms.
"Still.." Billy whispered. "You used Ziggy?" He asked, his head shooting up.
"No! I mean.. Well, I DID like him-"
"AHH!" Billy fell back.
"What?" Karina laughed. "This was before I knew he was a huge pig!" She giggled, poking Billy's arm. "And it's not like we did it.."
"Did you.." Billy began, peeking up at her, "Make out..?"
"No.." Karina whispered.
"Oh, good.." Billy sighed.
"But we did kiss quite a bit." Karina added.
"AHH!" Billy screamed again, falling off the couch. "That isn't holy or pious!"
"So?" Karina giggled poking Billy's shoulder. Billy simply shook his head, sitting back on the couch. He didn't remain there long, for the ship lurched to a stop, causing Billy to fly off the couch again and run right into a table.
"Ooooowwww.." Billy moaned, sitting up as Sigurd's voice cam over the intercom.
"We have now arrived at the Orphanage."
Sierra's voice followed. "Full of smelly brats that love to drool all over people and roll in so much mud that they resemble a cesspool!"
Karina giggled, standing up. "Come on, Billy.."
"..Right.." Billy mumbled, sitting up.
"Are you OK?" Karina smiled, picking up her bag and resting it on her shoulders.
"Fine.." Billy nodded, rubbing his head. "Come on." He nodded, taking her hand.
"Orphanage ahoy!" Bart shouted, running down the hall and into the elevator. Billy followed him, as well as Karina. "Glad to be home, Billers?"
"Yes, I suppose." Billy nodded.
"Karina, there may be a bunch of little monsters running around, but I assure you, most of them are harmless." Bart smiled.
"Thanks for the tip, Bart." Karina smiled. "Did you catch the chickens?"
"The little shits scratched, pecked, pooped and poured their feathers on me." Bart muttered. "But I got them."
"You didn't hurt them, did you?" Billy asked.
Bart looked at Billy for a moment before responding, "How much are you willing to pay for that information?"
"What?" Billy blinked.
"I think we're going to have fried chicken for dinner." Bart replied, stepping off the elevator as the door opened. Billy paled.
"Billy.." Karina giggled.
"Oh lord.." Billy whispered.
"Up the ladder to the world above!" Bart called, pushing open the hatch and bounding up the ladder.
"Ignore him. He's insane." Fei whispered, walking in from the bridge. "You two go first." He said gently, gesturing at the ladder.
"OK." Karina smiled, following Bart up the ladder. Next went Fei, Elly, Emeralda, Maria, Rico, and so and so forth.
The wind was brisk, smelling of the briny sea. Karina followed Bart down a series of ladders that led to the ground. When the entire group was on the soft, green grass finally, Billy took a hold of Karina's hand.
"There it is." Billy pointed. Karina smiled, looking a short distance away at a small house, brown in color. There was a small wooden fence around the house. A windmill was off to the side, as well as a swing and two teeter-totters. There were numerous children racing about the front yard.
"It's lovely.." Karina whispered. Brad folded his arms.
"Eh." He shrugged. "It's OK."
"Welcome, one and all, to the Orphanage!" Jessie grinned. "My house before Billy turned it into a drooly kid home." He muttered.
"It's not a drooly kid home." Billy hissed.
"Well, let's go!" Elly laughed, running ahead.
"Yeah!" Fei grinned, chasing after her.
"Come on, Karina! The orphans will love you!" Billy smiled, taking her hand and running after the rest of the group.
"Hey! Hey hey hey! Keep your hands off of my sister!" Brad yelled, chasing the two. Kajumei laughed, following Brad.
"W-Wait up, mon!" Ziggy yelled, following as well.
And so, the group arrived at the Orphanage, not knowing that something was waiting for them, something that would change the course of events completely. (I suck at suspense, you see) Karina laughed as she and Billy ran to catch up with Elly and Fei, the cross from her father's gun cellar bouncing against her chest.