Okage Densetsu - Lookit the Fancy Japanese

Chapter 17 - Role Call!

"Well, it does say boutique..." Fayth looked nervously between the building in Triste labled 'boutiqe' and Ari who was pointing at it, "...but the person who owns it never sells any of the dresses nor comes out of the house."

"...Then what's the point of having it?" Ari slowly let his arm move to his side.

"Bwahaha! It's a form of evil, Slave: GREED!"

"That's right!" A stuffy voice called from behind the door, "These dresses are all beautiful, but nobody can see them! I can wear them and be beautiful all by myself while the rest of the world is ugly! Hehe! Nobody will ever bring ugliness in here, and I'll never bring beauty out!"

"Everyone here has mental problems, eh?" Ari rolled his eyes.

"HEY! I may be greedy and selfishly vain, but I do NOT have mental problems!"

"Then will you let us purchase a dress?" Fayth looked at the door with a soft expression, "You can still be greedy and use the money to purchase more fabric for more beautiful dresses. You can even give me the ugliest dress in there. Therefore, you will be furthering beauty, see?"

"..." The person inside seemed to be thinking. "Fine... BUT! Never ever tell anybody about this!"

"We won't." Ari and Fayth shook their heads, "Your secret is safe with us."

"...Three hundred gold."

"Hoo!" Stan seemed to get a kick out of this, "Haha, more evil! How pricey!"

"...yeah, joy." Ari began digging in his pockets- he never did get anything from his house before leaving, since he knew Dad would've already either spent the money or had put it away into savings Ari couldn't touch until he was eightteen. From here and there he dug out some gold, and even managed to pull a few from his hair which were nestled under his headband. He finally found the rest of the money in his shoes, shaking them out. "Do you want me to put these in the mailslot?"

"Yes, you dolt!"

Ari bent down before the door and began plunking coins in, speaking the total aloud as he put them through. After getting them all, he caught a paper-wrapped package that popped out. "Thanks."

"Hah! Now I can make MORE beauty nobody will ever see! Bwahaha!"

"YES!" Stan laughed, "I love your style, mysterious shopkeeper!"

"Thank you, thank you."

"Who are you, anyhow?" Ari blinked.

"NOBODY! Now SCRAM!"

"Here, Fayth."

She took the package, "Well... this means we need to find a place for me to change."

"True. Is there... uh... anywhere in this town to do that?"

"Yes, this way." She walked with a graceful stride to the theatre- she left the two in the rows of seats and slipped off into the abandoned stage behind the curtain. She spent some time getting her dress on, and managed to find a pair of matching shoes in a box labled 'Lost and Never Found' and slipped them on. Then walking just behind the curtain, she called, "Ready?"

"Ready for WHAT?" Stan grumbled, "Why are you stalling?"

"Stan... Yes, we are, Fayth! Come out!"

She suddenly burst out from the curtain, her yellow dress flowing into place. It was sleeveless; it remained secure just off her shoulders by the wide, white trim that made a dramatic, plunging neckline and curved gracefully together in the front. The rest of the dress was long, covering her high-heels (in a matching yellow) making her look streamlined. Finishing it off, a yellow choker was provided with the dress as a simple accessory, highlighting the graceful curve of her neck. She twirled close to the front of the stage, clearly pleased with herself, whipping Ari's stretched-out shirt and vest at him in one graceful move, striking a pose as he ducked to avoid getting hit with the flying attire. "Here I am!"

"Woah!" Ari stood up, the shirt hanging off a tuft of hair on his head, "You're gorgeous!"

"...Would've been better with a black trim." Stan coughed.

"Beggars cannot be choosers, Stanley." She praticed off a few dance moves while Ari put on his shirt and vest again, moving gracefully here and there, but not in an organized fashion.

"Aw, come on, Stan," Ari watched her dance, now fully dressed, "There must be SOMETHING nice you can say about SOMEBODY. Nobody else is listening here."

"..." He grumbled.

"I won't say a word, promise." Ari looked up at him, a serious look on his face.

"...You may not understand, Slave, but she reminds me of those women you'd see when you'd pass by a cafe window... With something small to drink, smiling off down the street awaiting someone to sit with them," Stan didn't sound like he wanted to admit this, "...the dreamers. The only female creatures I ever found mildly interesting."

"..." Ari was thinking over what he said, and was smiling in his mind. "Ah, I do understand."

"Bah, no more of this weak, emotional talk! We have to gather the rest of the party, pronto! Up up and GO!"

"Right! Come on, Fayth!"

"Catch me!" She called dramatically.

"Huh?" Ari stood up.

"Catch me!" She suddenly came in quick twirls, then, light as a feather, leaped off the stage. Ari yelped, but managed to catch her, holding her in her pose- she was lying across his arms in a dramatic fashion, one arm over her forehead, "The curtain closes and the audience cheers."

"Hehe, yay!" He laughed, setting her upright, applauding, "We'd ask for an encore but your assitant might drop you!"

The two laughed, to Stan's annoyance, as they headed out the door.

Knock knock!

"Yo!" The door swung open to the Pospos Inn, Big Bull grinning from ear to ear, "Hey! It's Brother! AND YO! BROTHER IN BLACK!"

"Aigh! I told you to stop calling me that, you stupid cow!" Stan shook a fist, "I'm Stanley Hihat Trinidad XIV, NOT 'Brother in Black!'"

"Haha! And who's this? Ah! Pretty Miss! YO, PRETTY MISS, WHASSUP!"

"Whas...sup?" She slowly looked up, blinking due to the snow. "...Snow?"

"S'not snow! HAHA! Get it?" The body-builder laughed heartily, "I was worried about you guys! It was like... I totally forgot about Brother... then I suddenly remembered again! I was about to go out and find you and the Sisters, yeah! Are we heading off again, brothers? Pretty Miss, too?"

"You bet!" Ari nodded, "We're off to round up the others. Do you know where anyone else is?"

"Hmm," Big Bull thought for a minute, "I know Sister Linda is back in Madril, yeah! The Crazy Doc is there at the research center!"

"That Rosalyn woman... I left her near Rashelo," Stan growled, "Do we need to bring her, too?"

"Of course! Sister Rosalyn is so totally neccessairy! Yeah!"

"Yeah..." Fayth spoke timidly, not sure if she was doing it right.

"That's right, Pretty Miss! YEAHZ!"

"Yeahz?" She blinked.

"Never mind that," Ari laughed, "Let's grab Rosalyn next: she sounds closest."

The party, now with Big Bull, headed through the tunnel, heading to the so-called 'Real World'. Heading across the plains, they went straight to Rashelo. Rosalyn- standing on the docks to town, her umbrella securely held over her head, the light sea breeze brushing against her- had noticed them coming, and was hiding a grin as they approached. When they came close enough, she suddenly whipped around, and shouted, "There you are! Where in the hell did you go, Ari? You should be ashamed for just up and disappearing!"

Ari laughed, knowing she wasn't too serious, "Sorry, Rosalyn. I took a vacation and forgot to fax the office."

"Damn, and you missed the budget meeting!" Rosalyn laughed, playfully pushing him, "We were discussing percentages! It was really exciting, until some guy drowned in his coffee mug!"

"Hehe..." Ari was thinking of percentages now - Marlene... "Sorry."

"Sister Rosalyn, yeah! What's up, my homeslice of Swiss Cheese?"

"HEY! What did you call me?"

"Haha! Sister Rosalyn feels the love, yeah!"

"HMPH!"

"Haha," Stan pointed and laughed, "He called you Swiss Cheese. You know... Swiss Cheese is high in fat..."

"OOH! You,... you coward!" She swung her free fist down in the air, "I would've killed you if you hadn't disappeared like that, you stupid shadow!"

"Don't fight..." Fayth suddenly stood between the two, "We must get along."

"Eh, Fayth..." Ari put a hand on her shoulder, "That's like asking a hurricane to stop blowing."

"...Oh. I see."

"Hmph. I WILL kill you yet, Stanley," Rosalyn growled, "But right now it seems we need to gather the party."

"Hehe, stupid, weak woman. You know you'll never defeat me. But yes, time to gather the rest of the victims! Haha!"

"Great! More SISTERLY LOVE from SISTER ROSALYN! Rockin'!"

"STOP IT!"

Everyone (but Rosalyn) laughed and started off, the slightly pissed off (but secretly very happy) heroine followed along, parasol included.

Knock knock!

"Hmm?" A little man in a white coat peeked out the door to Madril's research center.

"Hey," Ari scratched the back of his head, "Is there... a Guten Kisling around?"

"Oh, yes! We are honored to have the famous ghost researcher with us! Please, come in!" He led everyone in the building which was full of machines, leading them to the doctor who was busily recording things in his books, "Doctor, these people are here to see you."

"Huh?" He spun around, "Ah hah! It's only my favorite people- ooh, and a new person to study!

Fayth blinked shyly, sinking a bit behind the group.

"Timid, graceful, like a little doe! Well, what's news?"

"We're coming to collect the party," Ari explained, "Want to come back with us?"

"Of course! You humanoids-and-other creatures provide me with boundless resources for research! My heart is aflutter with the concept of new paradoxial conspiracies and supernatural occurances! Yes! In other words, 'Slap me yellow an' call me Huck, I was a-hankerin' to come!' Aha!" He merged into the group, "I'll be back with more data!"

"Yes sir!" The researchers all called, looking happy.

"What creature do we need to collect next?"

"I think... the one known as 'Linda'." Ari laughed, heading out.

Everyone followed, heading down to the lower level. Linda was dancing away in the main square- more curiously, Ari caught glimpse of Beloune leaving the hotel alone- could Marlene have already gone? Walking up to Linda, he refocused on the girl, then spoke: "Hey, dancer, can I hear a song?"

"Huh?" Linda paused, "Oh, Stanley dear!"

"...Hello, Linda." Stan spoke, flatly, "We need your services again."

"Well, of course!" She giggled, "I couldn't imagine life without you, Coach!"

"Right... Well, who's next, Slave?"

"...Marlene..."

"Huh? BUT SHE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!" Stan was infuriated by this, "She's just a possessive tart!"

"But!" Rosalyn butted in, "She's still important, stupid shadow! We're finding Her Majesty and that's it!"

"Grr... fine."

"Okay Coach!" Linda saluted cutely, standing on one foot, "Give me the order and I move out!"

"Yes... fine... let's go."

"Follow me, I think I know where she-"

"Ari," Linda interrupted, "What happened to the little one?"

"Huh? ...oh, Rin..."

"Oh!" Rosalyn blinked, "I almost forgot! Are we going to find her ne-"

"No."

"...Why not?"

"...we're not." Ari started off, leaving most of everyone confused. "Come on."

They headed through Tenel woods, it being the usual trip: Ghost slaying. However, by now, it was such a peice of cake that time nearly flew past. They trailed along behind Ari, as he hurried for his house- he noticed, upon reaching the gates, that they stood open: Marlene was standing just outside the house, but to Ari's worry, Beloune was nearing her. Suddenly taking off in a headlong bolt, he skidded to a halt in front of Marlene, beating the butler, "Marlene!"

"Oh, Ari!" Her eyes, still lacking fire, seemed to light up a bit, "There you are! Where ever did you go?"

"Sorry," He panted, keeping an eye fixed on Beloune as he passed, "I went on a detour. Are you okay?"

Everyone had gathered up behind Ari by now, but were being quiet, as Marlene smiled softly, "I am now. Now we can continue on our adventure!"

"No, you cannot." Beloune suddenly spoke, directly behind the Princess.

"Who says?" Ari frowned, as Marlene turned around.

"...I wish to go on THIS adventure, Beloune," Marlene explained, flatly, "There is no argument."

"There is no argument that you're not going."

"Hey!" Rosalyn moved to Ari's side, "Since when do YOU get to order Her Majesty around?"

"Heh," He laughed, sneering, "You do not know who you are talking to, woman."

"Hmm," Kisling rubbed his chin, "Something here in the sense of wordplay 'smells fishy'."

"No doubt, Doc!"

"..." Fayth stared from the rear, trembling. She swallowed, then moved to the front in a quick move, shocking everyone, "You can take your classifications and shove it to where the sun won't shine, you foul, terrible-"

"Ah, miss Fayth! You have come out of your state as well! Hmph, more and more of you..."

"Classifications?" Ari suddenly looked at Fayth, "Fayth- what's going on?"

"..." Marlene slowly moved her hand up to her neck, rubbing it as if to relieve tension.

"You deviants..." Beloune spoke darkly, "You, the 'Ordinary Boy'- you've done too much thinking for your own good. Fayth- that voice is not meant to be heard. People like you... you people ruined this world! It's your fault!"

"!" Ari suddenly focused on Marlene, who had moved both of her hands to her neck and now was fussing, "Marlene! Are you okay?"

"It... gets tighter..." She started to turn blue, wincing, still holding her neck.

"MARLENE!" He was instantly beside her, then focused on Beloune: "Why are you doing this?"

"It is your own fault, deviant! This world- this world I seperated from the 'other world'- my daughter, my dearest Marlene..." His tone of voice changed, a sorrowful sounding thing, "All I wanted was for her to be safe... I took the world apart with the power of 'Classification'... so everything could be safe. With Marlene as princess, she could play in this world forever! That is... until you deviants!"

"What?" Rosalyn suddenly whipped out her blade, "What in the HELL are you talking about? Release Her Majesty or die!"

"No... she cannot die..." An insane glint appeared in his eye as he laughed, painfully, "Not in the normal sense... everything was safe, so safe... but... she got lost... lost in the world... I cannot find her anywhere... But what you cannot find you can make: Here is the third Marlene, my gorgeous daughter! To keep her safe, she must sleep... heh... sleep until I can rewrite everything... hehehe..."

"You're insane!" Fayth shrieked, "You CREATED a replacement for your daughter?"

"My precious Marlene, I'm sorry..." He laughed weakly, "Papa will bring you back again AFTER things are righted... my precious..."

Marlene was suddenly ripped from Ari's arms in an upright motion. He yelped and tried to grab her, almost catching her hand as she rose, the girl now turning purple, still weakly fighting to breathe. With a burst of magic, Beloune suddenly jumped up and remained floating behind her. He laughed, having changed in appearance to a now more sinister-looking being, "I will make it safe for you once again! Precious Marlene, please, do not cry!"

"LET HER GO!" Ari shrieked at the top of his lungs, helplessly staring up. He suddenly winced as there was a huge flash of light from above- he gasped, then suddenly caught a falling body- he gazed down at the dull, stuffed face of a doll that looked exactly like Marlene, the colors much darker and the dress tattered. Letting out a choked sob, he looked back at Beloune, "Y...YOU BASTARD!"

"I will destroy ALL of you, ALL of you deviants! I will send the strongest, most classified Evil Kings at you! HAHA! Then Marlene can play again... Go ahead, start to run: you'll never get away... you... you deviants!" He bellowed, trembling with the laughter, suddenly disappearing in a burst of power, leaving the party below stunned.

"..." Ari slowly moved to his knees in an erratic set of movements, cowering over the doll, which he held EXTREMELY close. His head rested against the doll's, the perfect little face of it becoming wet with tears. He let out a few, incoherent sobs, winding up with a loose, painful "Marlene..." He trembled, sobbing, in his huddle, holding the cloth object as close as he could.

"..." Rosalyn slowly knelt down beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder, "Ari... Ari, it will be alright..."

"...Yes, Slave..." Stan sighed, not liking saying it, "...besides, it WAS just a doll."

He sobbed... "I'm sorry, Marlene..."

"Ari!" Mom looked out the door- Linda had snuck inside and quickly explained to the woman, who, no doubt, was the best person on hand for this situation. He dried her wet hands off on the apron she wore, quickly running down the steps and over to him. Kneeling down beside him, as Rosalyn moved aside, she put her head close to his, "Ari, are you okay?"

He slowly leaned over, resting his head against Mom's shoulder, in a clear state of emotional agony.

"Dear, come on now... Let's get you inside..." She slowly pulled him upright, minding the fact he had the large Marlene doll in his arms- she recongized that doll as being her very own from childhood. It had gotten lost when she had moved, and she could remember crying over it for days. Trying to forget her own emotions, she refocused on Ari's, holding him close as she walked him into the house. "Ssh... Ssh now, it'll be okay."

"..." Fayth looked at the ground, a few tears hitting the grass, "I'm so sorry..."

"...Fayth," Rosalyn looked at her, "You didn't do anything..."

"That's what I did wrong!" She shrieked, out of emotion, "I knew what Beloune was and was so... so afraid I never spoke a word! If I had said... I had said... I'm so sorry... this wasn't suppose to happen."

"Hey." Kisling spoke, "Listen, there was still a chance this was going to happen were you to speak about it, anyhow. There's nothing you can do about it - it was said by my Dearest Mother herself that you 'cannot change the painting underneath, but you can improve its image'- in other words, don't cry over the past. It'll be alright. Now we have a team member in there who is in the most agony he's probably ever been. We all need to be supportive when we go in- tears breed more tears. Alright, miss Fayth?"

"...Alright..." She wiped away the tears, looking up with a renewed sense of determination, "...We'll help him feel better."

"Of couse!" Linda twirled, "That's what friends do! Hehe!"

"No doubt, Pretty Miss! Haha!"

"Count me in," Rosalyn grinned, "I can't allow you people to spread merriment without me."

"Then let us go- however, remind yourselves that he still needs time to grieve." Kisling waited until he got nods from everyone, "Alright, let us see how we can help the situation."

"Go team!" Linda giggled as everyone headed inside.