Disclaimer: I don't own Xenosaga. The only thing I might own is Miltian Secondary. ;P
Chapter X: Dinner Dilemma
Mizrahi Residence
It was currently dinnertime at the Mizrahi residence. Where a certain red-headed U.R.T.V and his two brothers (who followed suit later) were invited to join. Momo was in her room deciding what to wear while her mother prepared the food. Jr., Gaigun, and Albedo were waiting in the living room watching some cartoons on T.V. Sakura was still recovering from the accident in the hospital.
Oh I wonder what I should wear or say for that matter. Momo was fretting over the situation. She didn't want Sakura thinking she was backstabbing her by having Jr. over for dinner. Although she wouldn't have known since she was at the hospital but Momo tends to overreact on things.
Stop it Momo! Just because Jr. is Sakura's boyfriend doesn't mean you can't be friends with him. And he seems very loyal to her too. She finally convinced herself and checked herself in the mirror before joining the others. Momo wore a simple white blouse and long blue skirt. Good not too fancy or too casual.
"Hi mom, Jr., Albedo, and Gaigun." Momo greeted as she descended the stairs.
"Hey Momo. How's it going?" Jr. responded. They were courteously helping Juli set the table.
"Come Momo. Will you join us please?" Juli asked.
She nodded and sat down with the others, eating quietly.
"So how is school going?" Juli said trying to start conversation.
"Oh it's great." Jr. said.
"That's good. How so?" Juli replied.
"This is the best steak sauce I ever had." He said drowning his steak in sauce.
It took the two ladies a moment to get what he was referring to. Albedo slapped his forehead and Nigredo just frowned.
"I was actually talking about school. But the steak sauce is a family recipe of mine." Juli said.
"Oof My Tea." He said. It took a while to realize he said, oh I see.
Gaigun said telepathically to Jr. Mind your manners Rubedo! He snapped using his real name.
"Jr. could you please speak a bit clearly?" Momo was actually trying to get him to get the hint meaning, Jr. could you mind your manners? It's disturbing. Not knowing Gaigun did the job for her.
"I said, I see." He clarified.
Sometimes I wonder what Sakura sees in him. Momo thought.
She heard some sniggering from across the table. It was Albedo. Gaigun had an amused smile on his face.
Momo looked confused. Could they have read my mind?
Yes, Albedo said. Momo jumped in surprise.
You shouldn't have told her that. Gaigun said.
So what? He said.
Tell you later. Was all he said. Since he didn't want Momo to hear.
What are you talking about? How can you read my mind?
Would you guys quit it! Jr. cut in. Looks who's being rude now.
"How are you teachers?" Juli asked. Not knowing of their mind conflict.
"Um…they're fine. Could I be excused please? Need to use the restroom." Momo excused herself and left the room.
I wonder got into her, Albedo said.
What do you think? You probably scared her! Jr. and Gaigun shouted in unison.
I didn't mean to. I thought she already knew. Albedo said.
Apparently not. Jr. said dryly.
Okay, okay. I'll go talk to her. He said getting up suddenly.
No! I will. Jr. and Gaigun said in chorus. They looked at each other in surprise.
"I will and that's that!" Albedo said aloud. Then he stopped looking at the confusion on Juli's face.
"I mean, I'll complement you for dinner. It's wonderful Mrs. Mizrahi." He said politely. "I'll go check on Momo now. She's been gone for a while." He quickly got up from the table and hurried upstairs.
Juli just nodded and returned to her salad. What an odd bunch, she thought.
Gaigun and Jr. just smiled fakely and began finishing their dinner.
xXx
Meanwhile, Momo was in her room trying to register what happened earlier. If they can hear my thoughts, I hope Jr. wasn't offended by what I said. She thought guiltily. I didn't really mean it.
It's okay. A voice said in her head.
She jumped again and looked around to see where it came from. It sounded like…
"Albedo?" She called.
A knocking came on her door simultaneously. "Maybe I come in?" He asked.
Momo walked over and unlocked her door. "Oh, hi Albedo." She said. What else was there she could say?
"Hey Momo. About earlier, I'm sorry I-we invaded your privacy like that. By reading your mind." He said regretfully. "I can't really help it sometimes. It's how we variant U.R.T.V's are."
"You're forgiven but why did you do that?" She questioned.
"Oh we were just curious." He said. "But don't worry Rubedo didn't hear you. He was too busy eating."
"Well, if for some reason, he overhears tell him I'm sorry." She said.
"Will do. But try not to think about it. Nigredo and Rubedo are trying to listen in. I can feel it." He said pointed to his head.
"Only we three variants can do it, you know?"
"I see." She said. "Well we should probably join the others. They're probably worrying especially my mom."
He nodded and took her hand. "Are you still up for the park tomorrow?" He asked.
"Yes." She said. "But why-"
"I'll tell you later. I don't want them to find out." He said referring to his brothers.
She shook her head and then noticed he was holding her hand. She blushed internally but said nothing.
xXx
When they returned downstairs, Albedo looked at the time: 8 pm. Their curfew was almost over. They had half an hour left.
"I'm sorry but we must be going home now. Thanks for inviting us, Mrs. Mizrahi." Gaigun said.
"Your welcome. Be safe." Juli said leading them out the door.
As they left Rubedo winked at Momo and Nigredo said telepathically, Remember our meeting at the café if you can come.
She nodded shyly and closed the door.
"They're –um- interesting boys." Juli said.
"Yeah they can be a bit goofy sometimes." Momo said.
"Were they talking to you telepathically?" She asked.
Momo gasped. "How did you know?"
"The way they were looking at each other without saying anything was a bit suspicious don't you think?" Juli said.
"I guess." She said.
"You know, Momo. They seem to have an infatuation with you." Juli said knowingly.
"Oh no. We're just friends." She lied somewhat.
"You must be such good friends to go out on dates with each other." Juli said. "I accidentally overheard a bit while we were at the hospital."
Momo blushed and said. "Um…I think I'll call Sakura now. I don't want her to think we forget about her." She dashed down the hall to the U.M.N.
It seems my girls are growing up, Juli thought. And for the first time for years she smiled.
A/N: I thought that chapter was kind of cute. More action will come later. There's still the rose festival and dates to come.
Review Replies:
Devilman666: Thanks. And there aremore conflicts coming up. ;)
Kos-mosMomo: Yep they're all going to date her eventually. And since the Rose Exchange is from Imadoki, I'll dedicate a chapter to you Just tell me how you want it to go and I'll see what I can do.
Lady Nightmare: Not a bad idea. They would make a cute couple. I mean according to this storyline. >.>;
