Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the concepts of the Xenosaga games. I'm just playing with them, and then I'll put them back in their boxes, Mommy, I promise. I'm making no profit out of this story, and if you sue me, you'll only get a few lint balls. I wouldn't bother with it, really.
I do own this story, and plagiarizing it would make you a sad, sad, creepy little person. It'd also make me angry, and I bite. So save yourself some rabies shots and don't even try to nick it, okay?
Currently unbeta-ed. If you'd like to volunteer for the position I'd love you forever.
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Chapter Four:
ashes, ashes
we all fall down
MOMO poked her head into her mother's room, glancing around. "Mommy," she called out, raising her voice just slightly in case her mother was in her bathroom. "I'm going to Layla's. I'm on duty today with Maki!" Cheri gave a warbling chirp that MOMO generally translated as her greeting, or a demand for attention. The kitten was decidedly intelligent. MOMO giggled, adding, "Cheri's coming with me, she says."
"Have fun, MOMO," Juli said, coming into view, holding two blouses. She held them out for inspection. "I'm going to a meeting on the Durandal today, but I should be back in time for dinner. Which do you think?"
MOMO smiled, bringing her finger to her lips as if in thought. She knew her mother went to the Durandal to meet with Ziggy, who she seemed to have established something of a rapport with. MOMO went with her sometimes; more often she met Ziggy at the private beach. Junior had given them permission to use it as often as they pleased, and it had become one of MOMO's treasured places.
"Mm, I think the gold. It makes your hair and eyes stand out. And it looks good with that black skirt you picked." MOMO decided finally, nodding her head decisively. Juli smiled at the small Realian, tilting her head. "All right, enough with your flattery. Go on now. You don't want to be late... Remember how much trouble that little Maki got into the last time?"
"Aa," MOMO ducked out, only pausing to stick her hand back in to wave at the laughing woman. Juli was still a little awkward with showing her affection, but the little things she did now, like asking MOMO's opinion on her clothing and her smiles, meant the world to MOMO.
In fact, with Cheri added to the mixture, MOMO was happier than she'd ever been before.
And yet...
"Junior.." MOMO sighed, as she slid on the black patent shoes that Maki had insisted were the only shoes cute enough to grace the feet of Layla's Special Maid Service. "Why are you avoiding me?" It had been a week since the word had gotten out that the Little Master was staying on the Foundation for an unspecified amount of time. And yet, MOMO had gotten no word from the red-haired URTV. She hadn't even seen so much as a coat tail. MOMO scowled slightly. "Stupid boy," she muttered, unconsciously repeating one of Claudy's favored statements. She stomped her foot firmly into her other shoe for emphasis, and opened the door. Turning her head, she addressed the kitten riding on her shoulder, "If he's going to ignore us, then we'll just ignore him back, ne?"
Cheri gave a dubious mew.
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Junior sprawled in a chair beside the window, a book held open in one hand. The cover was old, but reverently preserved. Some of the color has faded, but the picture of the lion was still striking. Its eyes were as crystal blue as his own. "There is not much point in finding a magic ring that lets you into other worlds if you are afraid to look at them when you have got there," Junior quoted, thoughtfully. "Is that what you are, MOMO? Mizrahi's magic ring...?" Junior narrowed his eyes slightly, turning to stare out the window. "No... You're more than that..." The red-headed U.R.T.V.'s fingers rubbed against the pages restlessly. "You're a Lucy." Junior's lips twitched upwards involuntarily. Yes, MOMO was definitely a Lucy – valiant and kind, but with an inner innocence, a childishness that somehow suited her sweet nature. "A bit of a crybaby too... Not like..." With a sigh, Junior laid the book across his lap. "Sakura." His fingers clenched. It still hurt so bitterly to say her name. If MOMO was Lucy then Sakura was Susan, beautiful and gentle. Junior's eyes darkened, remembering the last sight he had had of that lithe, happy girl.
"Anou, Momo-chan… Just try it! It's really good!" A loud, wheedling voice blew the image right out of Junior's mind. "I mean, I know the name is kind of funny, but..." Junior's eyes widened. MOMO was here? What could she possibly be doing here? Without conscious thought, Junior darted into the wardrobe against the wall to hide, closing the door just as the voices came down the hall.
I'm such a dork, he thought, letting his head fall back to rest against the back of the wardrobe.
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MOMO shook her head at Maki, grinning. "Forget it, Maki-chan," she answered, pushing the maids' cart into the next room as the other girl got the door. "Black-Black just sounds a little fishy to me... are you sure Dom didn't just pawn it off on you to turn your teeth funny colors again?"
Maki pouted, pushing some of her cinnamon colored hair back behind her ear. "Yes," she said, putting her nose in the air contemptuously, "I checked my teeth after the first piece." MOMO giggled. "Anyway, Layla wants us to do a really good job on this room, Momo-chan." MOMO had already begun straightening the room, which had quite a bit strewn around. "'Cause it's a special guest's..." Maki tilted her head to take in the peach haired girl's expression. MOMO paused at the dresser, taking in the gun ammo there, as well as the holster slung over the bedpost, turning her back to her friend. "It's Little Master's, right?"
Maki frowned slightly. She'd never heard that tone in Momo's voice before. The quietness of the girl's tone wasn't unusual in and of itself, but the normally bubbly girl sounded so remote. "Momo-chan?" Maki asked, putting a hand on the shoulder that Momo's kitten wasn't occupying. MOMO turned her head, giving the sensitive girl a reassuring smile. "It's nothing, Maki-chan. Just thinking that the room is messier than the rest..."
Maki nodded, though her expression showed that she wasn't fooled. "Still cleaner than when that new girl of Caito's was staying here." Maki scrunched up her nose, "I still can't imagine how she managed to make that much of a mess!"
MOMO laughed, letting Cheri pad down her shoulder to the dresser-top. "I can. Have you ever seen Claudy's room?" Maki's eyes widened and she nodded emphatically. "I guess it's just a talent some people have." Looking around the room, MOMO put her hands on her hips. "Looks like Little Master has it as well!"
Maki giggled, relieved that her friend was joking with her. If Momo was able to laugh, then things couldn't be too bad, she reasoned. "Ah, at least he doesn't leave his underwear around! Never go in Dom's room without giving him at least two days warning!" At that statement, Momo went scarlet, making Maki laugh so hard she had to lean against the bed to stay upright. "Of course, if it was Momo-chan who saw his undies, maybe Dom wouldn't –"
Maki's words were cut off by a pillow to the face. "No way! Maki-chan, you're perverted!" Maki was about to retaliate when Cheri began pawing curiously at the door to the wardrobe. "Eh? Momo-chan, what is your kitty doing?"
MOMO turned, frowning slightly. "That's odd. Cheri's usually very good about not scratching at the furniture…" The kitten bumped the door to the wardrobe open triumphantly, darting inside. "Ack! Cheri!" MOMO pushed the door the rest of the way open, bending to scoop up her inquisitive cat. "No shedding on other people's things!"
Maki let out a smothered giggle, and MOMO realized belatedly that Cheri was rubbing against a pair of ankles, clad in black pants. Looking up, startled gold met sheepish blue.
"Uh, hey..."
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A/N: Uh-oh… Junior's in trouble now! What will MOMO do, now that she's face to face with the object of her frustration? What will Junior do about all the closet jokes that he's gonna have to deal with now? Find out next time. XD