Okage Densetsu - Lookit the Fancy Japanese

Chapter 16 - Speaking Out In Silence

The two allies were running hand in hand out of Triste, Fayth unable to do much but allow herself to be pulled along. They were heading out to the 'real world' to find people to talk with, even if they ignored him. The trip plodding through Pospos field was relatively quiet, even the usual ghosts seemingly unable to see the two. They stopped by the hot springs on the way- everyone stared.

"Dude… did that door just open?" A man who was preparing to take a dip in the springs stared.

"No," Ari spoke as loud as he could, but clearly wasn't heard, "We're here."

"Must be a draft…"

"Say something, Fayth, otherwise you'll never get fixed." Ari nudged her gently.

"Uhm… Yes, we ARE here, standing before you."

Nobody noticed a thing.

"I feel silly doing this, Ari…"

"Ah well, we'll manage. Let's go to Madril- there's tons of people there we can talk to."

"Alright…"

Heading back out, the two went through the tunnel connecting the two 'worlds'. On the way, Ari thought over an idea, and then asked, "Fayth, you said you were a beautiful woman before you turned into this… is that true?"

"…Mostly."

"Mostly?"

"I didn't notice if I was beautiful or not."

"…Oh. But… well, sorry for asking, but you just seem to hide a lot."

"…Yes, I was advised to."

"Will you tell me who told you that?"

"…Not yet."

"Alright, be that way." He sighed, stepping out into the plains area, "Come on, Madril is this way. I've been there enough that I might as well say I live there."

Both walked to Madril, Ari having a hard time opening the gates when he got there. Rather, they had to wait half an hour before a young woman stepped out of the gates, heading off for Rashelo.

"Thank you!" The two shouted at her but were ignored, slipping in quickly before the gates shut.

"Now, there are so many people you can't help but find people to talk with. We can either do this together or split up: Which do you prefer, Fayth?"

""I'll…" She looked around- there were tons of people running around. She closed her eyes, sighed, and then suddenly drew in a long breath. Piercing the air with a brilliant note, she sung at the top of her lungs, beautifully: "Though the silence makes deaf the ears of the world, I shall sing to be heard- though each note that comes out falls dead, you will hear each single word… Until one cannot, the words will be sung; the war over silence so soon will be won. So though one can't hear, I still sing loud and true… I sing to them all, to all, and to you…!"

A few people had looked up during this sudden outburst…

"Yes, Fayth! That's amazing!" Ari applauded, "Your voice is gorgeous!"

"I have trained it for so long… it feels good to let it out. Ari, maybe if you-"

"Nah," He waved a hand, "I think… I have a problem, or did, of being shy. I… didn't like to talk or anything. I believe in order to fix myself… I should be social. At least, then, if I don't return back to normal completely, I will have improved myself somehow."

Fayth nodded, "Very good. Now, if only I could still dance…"

"Who says you can't?" Ari suddenly bowed to her as fancily as he could, "Care to dance, mi'lady?"

"Hmm?"

He stood up, and then took her hand. "You say, 'Yes, kind sir.'"

"Ah, yes, I would be obliged to dance with such a fine gentleman."

"I warn you- I can't dance for the life of me." Ari suddenly put his other hand on her shoulder, and then began dancing as best he could, "At least I can't step on your toes!"

"Heh! True, true!"

The two began a rather sketchy, formal kind of a dance. Fayth simply floated the entire time, but was having more and more fun as the dance progressed. The town passed by the two, unaware- after a few good minutes, Fayth had gotten herself into a quick twirl. Ari laughed, trying to keep on her sides, waiting for the dramatic collapse- she suddenly swiftly fell, and he caught her in one graceful move, grinning down at her as she lay across his arms. She looked up at him, then burst into laughter, the two collapsing over each other. Neither of the two of them knew this brought them a step closer being seen.

"See," Ari laughed, sitting up, "You can dance without touching the ground…"

Fayth 'sat up' as best she could, laughing. She got upright in a minute, dusting her gray dress off. "I suppose I can! Thank you! Hehe!"

"Anytime! Let's find more people to speak with!"

They spent some time speaking to everyone on the upper level, and then headed down the elevator, laughing at each other over some of the stupid things they shouted at people. Reaching the end, Ari waltzed out, and then paused. Glancing down a ways, he noticed someone familiar- Marlene's butler, Beloune. He was muttering to himself, and Ari looked back at Fayth, "Excuse me, I… I'll be right back."

Walking a bit closer, but keeping hidden, (why, he wasn't sure,) Ari leaned over and listened. Beloune was grumbling, "She still remembers that old adventure… That means he still exists somewhere around here… If she leaves for his house again, she may remember…"

"…" Ari blinked…

"I suppose… perhaps she'll be talked out of it this time." He suddenly turned, then crept into the hotel.

"Hey, what in the hell?" Ari suddenly looked back at Fayth, noticing she was trembling, "…Are you okay?"

"H…h…"

"Hey!" He walked to her, taking hold of her, "What is it?"

"No!" She squeaked, "I mustn't! No!"

"Then I'll go in there and find out!" Ari let her go then suddenly marched right into the hotel. He noticed Fayth didn't follow for once, and began to worry. Hurrying down the hall, Ari threw open the door to Marlene's room, who was standing in the corner, talking…

"…I remember, though… I remember… an adventure…" She spoke, clearly to Beloune , "I don't want to go on this adventure… I want to go on that adventure like I was…"

"Your Highness, there was no such thing."

"But… I remember… a face smiling… I want to see that face… and to hear that voice again."

"Marlene…" Ari spoke clearly, "I'm right here, can't you see me?"

"That adventure was… better."

"How?" Beloune frowned.

"Because… because he was there."

"Hmph." Beloune spoke to himself, "She still insists… It's only a matter of time before she goes looking. This means… I will have to start it all over again. Damn deviants."

"…" Ari looked between Beloune and Marlene. Now he seriously distrusted Beloune, even though he still didn't know enough… "Marlene, you can go back! I'll… I'll get myself fixed as fast as I can and come back for you. Okay?"

"…" She said nothing, sighing to herself.

"Just be patient a little longer." Ari suddenly waved good-bye, then hurried back outside to find Fayth. "Hey Fayth, we need to- … Hey."

"…" She was trembling, "A-a-are you okay?"

"…Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

She shook her head several times.

"If you don't tell me…"

"I mustn't…"

"…Fine." He rolled his eyes. "Well, let's get back to- oh, hello-" He had waved at a passing man- Ari suddenly felt as if some new light had been turned on within him- "…Woah."

"Ari! …Ari, you are… no longer transparent!" Fayth gasped.

"…Sweet! Hey! Hey! Can anybody see me yet?"

Nobody noticed.

"Damn."

"Ah, we have to talk with the Ringmaster once more." She smiled, "I… I will turn back with you. There is no point in withering away like this."

Ari smiled, nodding. "Come on, let's go get physical! …Er… not in the… 'wrong' sense."

Fayth simply laughed, then gasped and sped along as Ari took off like a rocket for the elevator.

Both headed, as fast as they could, for Triste. Everything was almost a blur as they ran that way, and before they knew it they were inside. Heading as fast as they came to the park-like area where the Ringmaster could be found. They nearly crashed over him as they came.

"Woah!" He stumbled back as they tripped over each other, "Hey hey, guys! How are you?"

"Ready to go back!" Fayth got herself upright, dusting her dress off.

"Yeah!" Ari stumbled upright, "And quickly!"

"Splendid! Ah… but do you mind an audience?"

The two looked at each other for a minute.

"It will give hope to those still in Triste… That there is a way besides the re-education process. Of course, you don't have to, but…"

"Nah," Ari grinned, "Bring them on over."

"Great!" The Ringmaster headed off, then came back in a few minutes with as many people as he could round up. He spoke to everyone, "Now, you all will get to see something that should give you hope… these two… through speaking out, they have gotten to the point where they can go back! Every single one of you can get back to this point, no matter what you think… Now, let us wish our friends well!"

The group let out faint sounds of praise, but not as much as they could have. Ari smiled anyway, as did Fayth.

"Ready guys?"

"Ready!" They both stood (well, figuratively in Fayth's case) up, looking eager.

"Alright, and a one… two… three!" The man snapped his fingers- suddenly Ari was surrounded by a light magic, becoming completely solid as he used to be. "Now, for Fayth… your process will take a little more work."

"Alright. I'm ready."

Ari grinned- he could still see the people here, but felt like he used to… He waited patiently, watching Fayth.

"One… two… three!" The Ringmaster snapped his fingers.

Fayth was suddenly swallowed up in light, her figure glowing in pure white light. Everyone stared, stunned, then gasped as a heavy 'thud' sounded as she dropped down. She was wincing slightly and gasping for air, as if the process was physically demanding. Lying across the ground, she had two long, silk-smooth legs gracefully lying across each other. She had one arm down for support, and the other was over her heart. She suddenly gasped and moved her arm across her... er... 'top'.

"She's...She's..." Ari stared, though he was trying not to, a heavy splash of color across his cheeks, "She's..."

"...Naked." K.T. stared down at the woman.

"Oh!" She suddenly pulled herself closer together, blushing intensely since everyone was staring. She was, at least, an attractive thing to look at- that didn't help her case any, though. "E-excuse m-me!"

"Whoops!" The Ringmaster was looking away now, "Sorry! I didn't think the physical transformation would, uh..."

"Hold on, Fayth." Ari suddenly pulled his vest off and tossed it to her- she grabbed it and put it on, zipping it up. Then he pulled off his shirt and tossed it to her- she looked at him in confusion, so he explained: "Go ahead and put it on like a skirt. If it stretches out... erm... I can get a new one."

"... N-nobody look." Fayth waited until everyone had turned around, then quickly forced the shirt, collar first, on like a skirt. It was really tight around her waist, but it was better than nothing. "Okay. I l-look awfully silly..."

Ari shrugged, "Better than the alternative. We'll get you some real clothes the next chance we get, okay? And, uh," He turned to the Ringmaster, smiling, "Thanks! Thanks a ton! I don't know what we would have done without your help."

"Hah hah! You still could have done lots. But your welcome!"

"So now we can go back- ... wait. Does this mean... Stan?"

There was a sudden burst of energy behind Ari that was almost enough to knock him over- instantly attached to him was none other than everyone's favorite Shadow King, Stanley, who seemed to have just been in conversation elsewhere: "BWAHAHA! Go ahead, try, woman! You can never defeat me! BWAHA-... Okay. This is SO not where I was a minute ago."

"S...Stan!" Ari sounded happy, "You're back!"

"Huh? What? Oh... It's you, Slave. Where are we? Why is this woman wearing your clothes? WHERE WERE YOU ALL THIS TIME? Explain in thirty words or less!"

"Uh... We're in Triste, town for people that are overshadowed. This here is Fayth, formerly a ghost, who I helped turn back into a human. She's wearing my clothes because-"

"I said thirty words or LESS! Ugh, I still don't know where you were and exactly why she has on your usual attire!"

"Oh, sir," Fayth stood up, still blushing, speaking timidly, "Ari became overshadowed, too. So he rescued me... and he helped me turn back... and when I became physical, I had nothing to wear... so he... gave me the shirt off his back, literally."

"Hmph! At least she is an attractive wench- speaking of which," Stan was trying not to sound happy, but he was clearly overjoyed to be back in his usual shadow, "I got stuck with that fat Rosalyn woman!"

"You... You were..." Ari tried to hold back laughter, "ATTACHED to HER?"

"I could barely breathe! Ugh! The worst part about it was the fact I couldn't appear until she got her parasol caught in a breeze! When it did, I made myself appear- she was threatening to sever me from herself a second ago, and then I randomly appear here. Much better, I'll admit, since I can BREATHE in this shadow!"

"Hehe!" Ari couldn't help it, "I'm sorry, Stan, I didn't try to make that happen."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Now where are we? Why is nobody here but that woman?"

"Clearly, he cannot see the townspeople," The Ringmaster suddenly spoke, "Hello, Shadow King. Remember me?"

"Ah! It's you, that drunkard spreading those rumors and maps around! I should kill you for the agony you caused me!"

"Ah, but you realize..." He brushed his moustache slightly, "I helped you gain all of the power you have now back."

"You n- ..." Stan paused. "...Yes... you did... why, eh?"

"Circus King!" A voice suddenly peirced the air, as the floating guy from Pospos in chapter 13, re-appeared for a second time in the story. "What a thing, that I would find thee here!"

"Hey! It's THAT MAN again!" Stan crossed his arms, "The one with the eyeshadow!"
"Hello," The Ringmaster sighed, "What do you want now?"

"Helping corrupt- hast thou gone mad? To corrupt this world is most bad- though I am of evil, I will complain... I'd rather not go through the rewrite again!"

"Listen," he sighed, "I don't care if you're still evil or what- I'm not anymore. I gave my powers away and stopped being the Circus Evil King."

"What? Why?" Both Stan and the floating guy spoke at once.

"Because I don't like fitting into niches pre-carved for me. This world is nothing but some fancy faerie tale, we're like dolls being moved around to someone else's desire. I don't WANT that, so I quit, see? You... no matter what you say, as long as you keep that form, you'll forever be the same."

"Hmph! Thine words have no effect," The man looked away, nose in the air, "Nor doth thou this world affect!"

"Ex... excuse me..." Fayth spoke timidly, staring up.

"Yes, mi'lady- what odd attire... Doth thou expect admire?"

"No..." Fayth shook her head, "I could care less about being admired for my looks. I wish to be admired by my talents... More than a beautiful woman. Are... are you more than an Evil King?"

The man looked slightly shaken for a second, then continued to look as if he didn't care, "Your words hurt not, change is not sought... Then, this leaves me with one thing: The little Shadow King."

"I am not little!" He yelled, "How DARE you call the Great King Stanley Hihat Trinidad XIV little!"

"Thou art not 'Great Evil King', nor exists such a thing, until I take the title for mine own, and to thou mine powers I have shown. So I await your coming, powerless one, come and find me and we'll have quite some fun!" He laughed, "Beyond Chantal's haunt and gloom, you'll find me in the next place with quite some room!"

"...Does he practice before he talks?" Ari blinked.

"Hmph! Rude little rat!" The Phantom King (Yes, the floating dude) brushed some of his curly hair aside, "You think you're all that!"

"Because I am." Ari grinned.

The Phantom King merely shook his head as he disappeared.

"Grr! How dare he insults me! Then he runs off like a coward! Grr!"

"Well..." Fayth looked at Ari and Stan, "Sir... I still owe Ari a favor. I hope you do not mind if I come along!"

"Fine, but remember, wench: Get in my way, or disobey me, and you die!"

"..." She trembled slightly, nodding.

"Good. Come slave, let us gather the party and attack!"

"Let us gat-... Stan," Ari gave a naughty smirk, "Did you just hear what you said?"

"WHY YOU!"

Ari broke into laughter, "Who are we looking for first?"

"Grr... whoever's closest."

"That would probably be Big Bull- he lives at the Pospos Springs..."

"Then you guys have fun," The Ringmaster smiled, "I've probably got to get out of the limelight, lie low now. There will be eyes sharply fixed on me, not a good situation to get in. Sorry for getting you guys wrapped up in such a mess, but I do appreciate you going out to fix it."

"It's okay," Ari smiled, "It's... it's been interesting."

"Good. Go fix Hidgeway for us- the world needs her voice back. You guys take care!" He waved goodbye as he disappeared.

"Farewell," Fayth smiled, "Thank you."

"Bah, whatever. Let's go!" Stan paused, "...Let's get something for the woman to wear, first, Slave."

"Okay," He held back some laughter, "Mister Bashful."

"Grr! No!"