Fragments of a Rose Stained Glass
Feana Griffke
Disclaimer: I do not own nor intend to take credit for Utena or any related copyrighted materials and characters. Thank you and enjoy!
Chapter 7
Visions of her face skew my dimmed vision... Pained and trapped in a cage of razors, she stares at me in silent question. All I can do is reach out to her, but I know it is hopeless... I will never be strong enough... to save her.
I wake, startled by the breath of a stranger above me. I reach up and grab the intruder's neck with both strong hands, my eyes shooting open to see his face. "Damnit, Touga, its a Saturday for goodness sakes!" I release him slowly, and he rubs his injured limb with care. "Sorry, little Miss Tenjou, but I thought you had to go shopping for the carnival tonight." I glare at him accusatorily. "But this early?" "Princess, I did not want you to sleep the day away! For, you see, it's already noon. So don't go throwing blame around carelessly." I sit up straight, making sure to push him back with an outstretched arm, and curse aloud. I am to meet Tsuki in fifteen minutes at the mall. My regret at offering Touga sanction in my house almost subsides for a moment. He may have use yet. Seeing my expression, he hands me my clothing and slowly closes the thin room door behind him. I reach down and lock the door like a serpent lashing out at its prey, and quickly change. By now, Tsuki was used to me being occasionally tardy and was probably prepared to wait at least fifteen minutes. I run out the door, calling out to Maro that I would be back at four. The car keys ready at hand, I slide into the faux leather seat and start her up. I take much pride in my vehicle... She seems to represent who I am inside. Beautiful, strong, a little young and perhaps naive, but at the same time timeless with a dark wisdom and mystery. At least, that is what I like to think.
So I drive to the mall, park my baby, and dash to our designated meeting spot. "Only five minutes late this time, eh?" Tsuki laughs at my uncomfortable grimace, and ushers me down the corridor. Tonight is the carnival. The 'Festival of the White Rose'. The hundredth annual was being held tonight, and while the roses were no longer restricted to the white variety, the same basic traditions were still followed. Wild drunkenness, games, food, and entertainment. And of course, the relatively new addition of Karaoke. But as all local holidays, a town tradition was followed. There was a medieval theme to the festival, and all people were dressed in their velvet and silk finery. Contests were held for the best outfits, most beautiful roses, and for the finest couple. They would be crowned the prince and princess of the festival, and if the prince could defend his princess from anyone who dared to try and take her away until midnight, they would become the royal couple and receive gifts aplenty. And I, having a sense of romanticism, had often dreamed about claiming this position with Anshii. Thus I am more than anxious about the events of tonight.
But then again, I am rearing myself up for nothing. Only the most bizarre twist of fate could bring her here now, and the time that has passed brings me to despair.
Tsuki looks over at me, concerned. "Hey, stay chipper, Utena. Surely the fried foods won't give you heartburn that bad!" I chuckle softly, and she rubs my shoulder. "Aww, cheer up, chika. You never know, there may be a chance..." I look over at her. She could be so thoughtful- and she always knew exactly what was bothering me. I give her a sad smile, and she points to a store on the far wall. "Hey, I know what would cheer you up!" And as I tasted the first bite of my triple chocolate brownie fudge ice cream, I knew everything would be all right.
xixixixix
I am walking downtown again, but this day the sun greets me warmly like an old friend. Chu chu is singing a ditty he heard on the television, and I am searching for a dress shop. A short while ago I was enjoying a cup of tea at the shop across from my hotel, and I overheard a couple of girls excitedly talking about an upcoming celebration. I saw the flier they were peering at, and quirked an eyebrow. "Ladies, if I may be so rude as to interrupt, what is this celebration that has you so excited?" The looked at me as if I was stupid, or maybe oblivious, and one spoke. "Every year this town has a festival celebrating roses. It is supposed to honor the spring equinox as well. The whole celebrating roses before summer thing is stupid to me, but who am I to say? Anyhow, its like a huge deal, and we all dance and play games and dress like medieval people and stuff. Its fun, and the parents don't care if we get pissed drunk. Where have you been and not heard of it? There was a huge national story about it like five years ago!" I sighed. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." The girl shrugged, and handed me the flyer. "Take this, and go get yourself a medieval looking dress or something. I think you'd have fun. You seem the type." With that, she gestured to the girls and they walked out, fashionable purses at hand. I shrugged, and continued with my tea.
And now I am shopping for said dress, with thoughts of dancing with Utena filling my head. Maybe she will be there... If she is in this town she will most likely come, right? I sigh and look up just in time to see a dress shop on my left. I give it a once-over for a quality check, and noting the banners declaring that 'yes, we do have medieval dresses on sale!' I walked inside. A tall slender woman that looked to be in her twenties prances up to me, a wide flashy grin splayed on her face. "Hello miss, how may I help you on this fine day? A last minute medieval dress, perhaps?" I smile at her and nod, needing no words as she enthusiastically drags me over to a large rack. "Hmmm, let me see, you will probably need something pale to contrast with your complexion..." The woman becomes absorbed with her search immediately, and I casually walk to the other side and shuffle through the wide selection. Finding a deep violet and lavender dress that matched my hair, I hold it up for approval. "Oh my, yes, try that one!" With flourish, she guides me to a dressing room and lays the dress on the chair. "If you need any help with the corset part, let me know dear!" I carefully slide the door shut and remove my clothing. With reverence, I slide on the dress and tighten the built in corset back. I had had many years of dressing myself in such a way, and I could do the impossible with ease. But, since Chu chu is here, I have him finish the back by tying a little bow of the ribbon. I sheepishly admire myself in the mirror, my reflection pure and undaunted now. I look simply beautiful. Chu chu whistled his admirations, and I walked into the main storefront. The lady who had assisted me grins widely and claps her hands, chewing her gum rapidly in excitement. "Oh, my. You'd make a fine princess, my dear!" I smile at her, thinking 'You have no idea' and walk back to the dressing room. I exit with the dress in both arms, and the woman rings up the total, taking 20 off for 'such a fine young woman'. I thank her and leave, a grin plastered on my face for the first time in a long while. I actually have hope...
xixixixix
My ice cream long since swallowed down into my stomach, I rise from the table Tsuki and I were discussing school at and throw away my trash. We walk into the main fray of people once again, and head for the tailors' shop. We slip inside and the man at the register greets us warmly. "Utena! How is my favorite customer doing today?" I chuckle and hug him. He is Maro's good friend Mathieu. They had been close since grade school when Matt moved to Japan, and he now supplies a great deal of my household's clothing, from uniforms to suits to the occasional dress on my part. He runs the store with his wife, and they always greet me, their 'big niece Utena', with all of the kindness they were famous for. He waved at Tsuki and called for his wife, Veronica, to come and say hello. "So what will you be needing today, niece? An outfit for tonight perhaps? Will you be in a dress to confuse your admirers? Or would you prefer more masculine attire?" I crack a grin, and hear Tsuki struggling not to laugh behind me. "You know better than to laugh about my clothing choice, Tsuki. Matt, I would like nothing better than a fitted, elegant, princely tunic, complete with tights, boots and a ring. Only, I already have the ring and dark boots. Though I do not know which color the outfit should be..." He grins and shows me to the back, and his wife rechecks my measurements. "Looks like you're just the same as always, at least physically..." Veronica smiles at me and winks. She whispers in my ear, "Have a special someone tonight?" I blush and shoo her away. Curse her for being a maternal figure! Tsuki takes a guess at the subject, shoots me an awkward smile, and selects the design she wants. They adjust her dress slightly, and tell me to be back in an hour and a half to pick up my tunic. I nod and depart, anxious about tonight. But first, where to find some tights...
Ok, I will stop being anticlimactic.
Cassandra-Thank you, I am allright.
Kino amiko-Here we go!