Tokyo, Japan || December 14, 21:00 EDT ||
Zara couldn't help but burst out laughing while Aaliyah's right eye is twitching. She informed Arthur, Ruby and Zara regarding the play on the 20th of December as one of the main casts. Aaliyah is starting to regret accepting the role and wanting to hang herself.
"Yo-yo-you haha! Oh, the irony behind the cool attitude is going to act like an innocent for her play!" Zara commented while rolling her body.
Arthur sighs heavily and knocks Zara's head lightly. "Stop teasing her and accept it, Zara." He scolded her with an amused look on his face. "Do you know acting, Aaliyah?" Arthur never has seen her acting before or having the interest to play on stage.
"I do but I never join my friend's acting job because they're terrible at it." Aaliyah spoke up bluntly and remembering her friend's shenanigans as they destroyed the whole theatre completely. It became a huge success and forces them to play for 3 weeks straight. She didn't join them that day because Aaliyah was still recovering from her injuries at that time. "Can you take my place, Arthur-san? In case the Team needs me? I have a double job between Japan hero and student France."
"Sure." Arthur smiles as usual and accepted her request. He needs to make amends for leaving them behind. "Shall we tell them?"
Aaliyah is giving them the glare as they flinch excluding Ruby's who's in despair look. "Tell them and you two are dead to me. What's wrong, Ru-chan?" She asks and noticing Ruby's mind is off as she's thinking of something.
"Tests..." Ruby whimpered and holding her head with a fearful look on her face. She didn't want to mention Oichi's plan that she involves Kaldur to solve Aaliyah's love life problem. All the scarlet-haired ever do is tell Aaliyah half-truth and to avoid getting involved in their fight.
"I'm sure you're going to ace it, Ru-chan." Aaliyah assured her and Ruby nodded her head nervously. "Chin up, you work so hard and made it this far to attend one of the best schools."
"Robin and Wally are helping you to study the subjects you're struggling at." Arthur spoke up softly and patted Ruby's head. "Why don't you go to bed early? Panicking won't help you calm down."
"Ye-yeah, sorry." Ruby stands up and bowing at them before heading towards the room.
"Poor girl." Zara commented and hoping Ruby is confident enough to ace her tests.
"Didn't you have the same day as us?" Arthur asks the halfling curiously and wondering why she isn't studying her subjects.
"Yeah, I already know what to answer all my questions." Zara assured them and stretching her arms. "I'm confident enough to pass despite I pretend to be dumb and stupid." Smiling cheekily and giving them a peace sign. "See you tomorrow." Leaving Arthur and Aaliyah alone.
"Are you going to pull this out in 5 days?" Arthur asks her curiously and she remained silent. "It would be hard for you to act."
"I've been helping out their play many times and I know how to portray her, Arthur-san." Aaliyah spoke up and looking down at her script in deep thoughts.
"You didn't know to express the emotions very much." Arthur muttered softly and placing his hands on top of her hands. "I know how much you fond of reading books. Try to understand her character and make people believe that you can do this."
"Arthur-san..." Aaliyah is staring at his warm and kind brown eyes. "I will."
Arthur smiles and ruffling her soft silky blonde hair. "That's my sister."
Gotham City || December 15, 12:30 EDT ||
Ruby is finally breaths again when the final exam ends. She hates the exam because it's intense and waits whether they pass or fail. All of them are going to wait for the results and Barbara patted Ruby's head. "Cheer up, Ruby. I know that you're going to the exam."
"I don't want my friend's effort going to waste when they help my studies, Barbara." Ruby spoke up and leaning on her side. "I did everything I got and all we do is wait for the results."
"Well!" Dick shows up of nowhere and Ruby squeals in fear by his sudden appearance. "Heh~! Sorry, my gem. I didn't mean to scare you." Hugging her behind and smell the scent of the cherry blossoms.
Barbara whacks his head and he cried out surprised. "Knock it off, Dick! Can't you see!? You're scaring her. What are your plans during the holiday?"
"Arthur, Zara and I are going to see our adopted sister to Paris seeing her play on the 20th." Ruby explained and ignoring Dick's mischievous look.
"Ahh~! The city of love." Barbara spoke up in dazed and imagining herself and Arthur are on a date in Paris. She likes Arthur the moment he met her through Dick's foster father, Bruce Wayne, at the party. The brunette saves her life when one of the guys is trying to harass Barbara. Ever since then, Barbara couldn't stop her feelings for him and Arthur didn't know about it.
"Hello! Earth to Barbara~!" Dick sings and sighs to see their red-haired friend is not listening. "Man, she's hopeless." She's not the only one who likes Arthur but also one of their teammates, Zatanna. He feels sorry for Arthur because he has two girls who like the brunette. There's a chance between Zatanna and Barbara to fight their love for Arthur.
Ruby just only laughs nervously and smiles. "This is our last day in school and going to see each other after the New Year."
Barbara snapped out from her daydream and grasping her hands. "Don't worry, I'm going to call you often." She smiles and hugging the girl. "You're so adorable!"
"Hehe! Thank you, Bar-" Ruby was cut off by a familiar voice.
"Ruby! Babs! Grayson!" They turned around to see Zara and Lydia are approaching them. "How's the exam?" The strawberry blonde-haired girl asks them curiously.
"It's fine and yours?" Barbara asks the two girls curiously and she never doubts Zara's intelligence.
"It was easy and the teacher looked surprised I manage to finish it in 10 minutes." Zara answered nonchalantly and Lydia shook her head.
"You make our teacher speechless and got a perfect score, Zara." Lydia pointed out and couldn't believe her best friend is one of the smartest students in their class.
"Heh... how did you fail the entrance exam, Zar?" Dick is teasing the halfling and she glared at him coldly. "You're smart and act dumb." He enjoyed teasing Zara because she easily gets wind up without knowing he's making fun of her.
"Oi~!" Zara exclaimed angrily and kicking his shin as he cried out in pain while holding it. "I did it on purpose because I don't want to stick up snobby teenagers." She hates to be in a group of older people excluding her closest friends.
"You act more mature and not childish, Zara." Lydia commented and smiling nervously. "I find it hard to imagine if you're like us." She thinks of Zara as a mysterious type of girl and lucky to be her friend.
Zara flinched and making cute faces while blushing. Ruby is sweatdropping and wondering if she has a personality disorder or not. "I am a child! I'm adorable and cute!" Winking at them and Dick wouldn't believe her act.
"Lunatic." Dick muttered and Zara heard it perfectly right from his mouth.
Zara smiled with an angry mark on her head but dismissed it. "Ne, Ruby! I have fantastic news for you!" Changing the subject and Ruby is staring at her curiously.
"What kind of fantastic news?" Ruby asks timidly and Zara grinned widely. "Am-am-am I supposed to be scared?" Gulping nervously and holding Dick's hand.
"Aaliyah is going to have a kiss for their stage play in real!" Zara answered happily.
"EH!?"
Mount Justice || December 15, 13:00 EST ||
Arthur explained everything to Kaldur and Wally regarding Aaliyah's situation to help a college project to pass their English subject. Roy happened to get involved in hearing it and he couldn't help but scoff by her main priority while Arthur gives him a pointed look. "She's lucky that Red Tornado or Batman never give us a mission yet."
"Cut her some slack, Roy." Arthur is defending Aaliyah. He sees Aaliyah is been stressed lately between her lifestyle and incoming birthday. The brunette doesn't want to see Roy is complaining about her abandoning them. "The girls didn't have anyone to rely on to protect Japan and they never complain."
"Letting Aaliyah out of your sight, Arthur? It seems like you lost your touch." Roy is glaring at him coldly while Arthur remains calm.
"Enough." Kaldur stops them from fighting before the argument goes worst. "We can call her unless it's an emergency."
"I can take Aaliyah's place whenever we have mission." Arthur explained and giving Roy a cold look. He had enough hearing Roy's whining and insults towards Aaliyah. "She's part of my family and whether you like it or not- I'm not letting you criticize her or the two girls."
"You've become soft, Arthur." He spat angrily as Wally knew this usually happens between short-tempered Roy and calm Arthur are arguing together. "That is your weakness."
"Weakness or not, that doesn't give you a privilege to do what you please towards them. I'm giving you a warning, Harper... leave the girls alone or you're going to face the consequences." Arthur walked out to have some fresh air and Wally couldn't help but followed the brunette.
Kaldur sighs heavily and looking at Roy with a disappointed expression. "Roy, you shouldn't do that."
"It's true Kaldur!" Roy exclaimed and never understand Arthur's affection towards the three girls. "He's blinded by their innocence and kindness! What if one of them is the mole? I'm not going to surprise if Aaliyah is behind this to tear this team apart."
"You need to calm down, Roy." He noticed whenever Roy mentions Aaliyah's name is filled with jealousy and hatred. "Blaming someone wouldn't get us nowhere for this. You need to trust Arthur because he's looking after them."
"I hope you know what you're doing Kaldur." He frowned towards his Atlantean friend. "I can't stand to see Arthur get hurt if they betrayed us." Roy is always overprotective of his friends and going to do everything in his power to reveal who they really are.
"They won't." He assured him and would never believe they are traitors.
Mount Justice || December 15, 19:00 EST ||
"Isn't it fantastic!?" M'gann exclaimed happily and clasping her hands together. "Ohh~! I'm sure their play is going to be romantic!" Squealing and couldn't wait to see Aaliyah's love interest in the play.
Arthur and Zara are explaining the Team of Aaliyah's absence as Kaldur couldn't help but feel jealous of the boy, whom he never met but going to be Aaliyah's love interests. M'gann and Zatanna are giggling or squealing of Aaliyah's college project whereas Artemis hated chick flic play.
"What's the story all about?" Wally asks them curiously since he knows Oichi's plan to pushed a certain Atlantean and Water Dragon Slayer together.
"The bride was framed for murdering the groom's brother on their wedding day." Arthur explained it to them. "She vowed to have revenge for murdering her baby daughter and ruining her life."
"Ah!" Robin nodded his head in understanding and smirked. "I heard there is going to be a kissing scene, is it true?" He questioned the brunette and glancing behind him to see Kaldur scowling expression.
"I think so?" He frowned and trying to recall it. "I haven't read the whole script but I'm going to help Aaliyah. She's struggling to express emotions to portray Katherine Swan."
"What does Katherine look like?" Zatanna questioned him and he smiles secretly.
"You guys are going to find out soon." Arthur answered and his eyes are twinkling in amused. "I have tickets for all of us to see her play."
"Does Aaliyah know about this?" Conner questioned and he just grinned. "She's going to kill you, Arthur."
"Nah, you're going to see what Aaliyah looks like on stage. She's going to be a completely different person." He smiles mischievously and couldn't wait to ruin her play.
Paris, France || December 18, 12:30 GMT+1 ||
Aaliyah is drinking her water bottle while watching the others practicing their respective characters. She's still struggling and trying to have a connection to her character as Katherine Swan but it's difficult. The blonde girl is starting to get frustrated by this play especially it's only 1 day left the practice.
"Aaliyah?" She hums and looking at her partner, David Smith, to be the love interest of her character. "You did a job and you nailed down every soon."
"I wouldn't call it a good job, David." Aaliyah answered and gripping her bottle. "I'm not good enough to convey emotions."
"This isn't about her." David realizes her frustration and Aaliyah remained calm. "This is all about you, Liyah."
"No, it's-"
"Yes, it does." David cuts her off calmly. "Does it has something to do about you being the youngest of the entire college? Aaliyah, it's rare to get a 14-year-old who's going to graduate early before us. You prove to everyone that you're capable of doing it. Aside from studies, you did an excellent job working in the hospital as a volunteer."
She frowned and remaining silent. David is one of the people who could read her like an open book. He may not know her alter ego but David can read her body language. "Why am I bothering to accept this in the first place?" Aaliyah is changing the subject but David won't allow it.
"Aaliyah, answer me this, honestly... you distancing yourself because your birthday is getting near, isn't it?" David asks the blonde girl and she frowned. "Look, I'm not going to pry your life. All I'm saying is- don't let the pasts hold your happiness. You need to open up and learn to let people in your life."
"I don't want to end up getting betrayed, David." Aaliyah muttered and stroking her water bottle. "I lost the count of getting betrayed by my loved ones." She was surprised to find out David is sharp and quickly think to know their deepest desires.
"You never fall into despair yet." David patted her shoulders gently. "You still have goodness within you and still looking out for us. I may not know you very well but- I can tell people are having trouble believing in themselves." He walks away and leaving Aaliyah in deep thoughts.
"Believe in myself?" Aaliyah muttered and holding her right shoulder where the guild mark is hidden invisibly. "Is it wrong for me to be selfish and wanting to be with them?" She's longing for them especially Natsu breaks out her shell and expressing emotions. Aaliyah is treating Natsu as an older to look up despite her adopted brother, Laxus Dreyar, who rarely cares for her well-being.
"Hey, Aaliyah!" One of her classmates called her name and she guarded up her feelings as usual. "We need you to try this costume for our play."
Aaliyah approached the costume designer team and she immediately dropped her drink. "No! I'm not going to wear that dress!" She exclaimed coldly and glaring at them as they flinch in fear by her cold cerulean eyes. "You forced me to replace her and I gladly accept it. We made a deal that I'm not going to wear that dress but no one listens to me."
"Bu-but this costume is needed for our scene, Aaliyah!" Seira exclaimed and clasping her hands together. "If you don't do it? We're going to screw this project and our grade is on the line here!"
Aaliyah laughs coldly and she wasn't surprised how people are using her as a tool. "Failed for all I care." Aaliyah answered coldly and they gasp by her immature decisions. "I can still go back to another year. All you guys care about is for the sake of the grades but never their feelings."
Just when Seira is about to speak and trying to convince him. They heard a lot of screams in happiness and commotion on the opposite department. Aaliyah knows this presence and wondering why her foster brother and her partner are visiting.
"AHH! Arthur Nelson is here!"
"Oh my gosh! He's so handsome!"
"He looks like a model and I wish he's our age!"
"Arthur, look at us!"
"Ohh! Look at the little girl! She's so cute!"
"Is that his secret sister!? She's so adorable and pretty!"
Arthur walked towards Aaliyah with his usual gentle look while she stares at him blank. "Aaliyah, we came for a surprise visit and wondering if you're free now?" He asks her gently.
Aaliyah knows Arthur would meddling her problems especially she's always a straight forward or blunt type of person. The brunette won't even mind getting Zara to involve because she's going to back him up depending on the situation. It wouldn't take a guess for Aaliyah to know it has something to do with her feelings towards Kaldur. How can she have feelings for him? She doesn't belong to this world and they are only here to stop evil mages behind this problem. The blonde girl is going to respect their decisions whether they want to stay here forever to going back to Earthland.
"I am." Aaliyah exhales softly and glaring at Seira and her team for making that gown. "Design a different gown and you have to say goodbye to this project for good."
"That gown?" Arthur asks calmly and he gives Aaliyah a disappointed look. "Cut them some slack, Aaliyah. Give them credits because they make a lot of clothes for you guys to wear on that day."
"Yeah, come on, Aaliyah. I'm sure that the gown would suits you perfectly." Zara commented and immediately adored the gown.
"Do you guys have a death wish?" Aaliyah asks calmly in a dead tone and everyone flinch.
"The Ice Queen did it again."
"She should be grateful! That brat would never appreciate our work of art."
"She needs to act like a lady and speaking so vulgar is unforgivable."
Just a glance from Aaliyah and they immediately shut up. She didn't like people are backstabbing especially forcing against her own will to do what they want. Arthur on the other hand just smiles nervously and hoping Miaka's plan would succeed. "Please forgive my sister's foul attitude today. She's just tired and I'm sure taking a break would make her feel better." He took Aaliyah's wrist and taking her outside to have some hot drinks before anyone could express their complaints to Aaliyah.
Aaliyah is fuming in anger and Zara leaves Arthur alone to face her wrath. Behind Arthur's calm persona, he can be quiet mischievous just like his brother and she wants to wring his neck so badly. "Arthur..." The blonde girl called his name calmly with a hint of cold tone.
Arthur cringed by her unusual angry look and preferred to let Kaldur deals her murderous look than him. He's not even surprised if Aaliyah would throw him up into the sky because she needs to wear that gown for the play. "Give it a rest, Aaliyah. The gown is just harmless and I'm sure it would suit you. Why are you being against it?"
Aaliyah stabbed her red velvet cake forced as the plate breaks into half. She never looks down on her dessert but the main stare is at his hazel eyes. "I'm not against it." Aaliyah lied and clenching her fork tightly as it is bent.
"Your actions say otherwise." He pointed out and cringed by her cold cerulean eyes. "How am I going to understand you? If you're not telling me about it?"
"It gives me a flashback, okay?" Aaliyah throws the fork harshly and Arthur caught it in one hand. "Every-every-everytime I-I see it... I feel like I'm in the tower of heaven all over again." She stuttered and trying to calm her heart rate down. "My brother forces me that gown against my own will to marry my biological brother... despite I'm 14 years old."
Arthur feels guilty for forcing Aaliyah to accept the gown would bring her nothing but flashbacks from being abducted before. Aaliyah is trying to move on from it but sometimes she couldn't stop her hands from shaking in fear. "I'm sorry, Lia. I didn't mean to bring back your pasts." He apologizes and feels awful for his actions.
Aaliyah shook her head since she's being rude to everyone and owes them an apology for snapping at them. "I'll apologize for being rude but they should also consider my feelings. I'm not the type of girl who would do anything to please for their own benefit."
"That's all I could ask, Aaliyah." He smiles and feels relief she didn't murder him yet. "Are you excited about the play? You have to connect the character you're portraying."
"I hate the play." Sighing heavily and sipping her lemonade drink. Aaliyah is already regretting helping them out in the first place. "I'm not even sure if I could ace her role."
"Believe in yourself, Aaliyah." Arthur holds his foster sister's hand. "Express your emotions and what you feel. Not everything has to explain emotions and feelings in a book. Let your heart and mind go what it thinks the best."
Paris, France || December 20, 18:30 GMT+1 ||
Aaliyah exhales softly and looking at the mirror by her own reflection. She hardly recognizes herself in the mirror wearing makeup rarely because Aaliyah prefers the natural look. Someone knocking the door and opens it to reveal Robin and Zatanna. The boy wonder whistles in impress by Aaliyah's look and smirked.
"Heh... the boys are going to fall on you tonight, Aaliyah." Robin is teasing her and Aaliyah shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sure you're going to be surrounded by a bunch of flowers after the show."
"Don't care and I can give it to the other girls." Aaliyah pointed out bluntly and making sure her guild mark is invisible to everyone to avoid getting attention.
Zatanna shook her head by Aaliyah's bluntness. "So, you're the main star for the story?" Changing the subject before Robin could poke Aaliyah any longer.
"Yeah, I was impressed we managed to practice in just short notice of replacing her." Aaliyah explained at her gown wearing a blue dress for the first scene. "I still regret accepting the role because they're forcing me to wear something I despise most."
"That dress?" She pointed her finger on Aaliyah's dress and she shook her head. "Which one?"
"You'll know in time." Grabbing her masquerade mask and looking at them. "You two need to go back to seats because the show is going to start in 5 minutes."
"We will and good luck." They both wished good luck from her and Aaliyah looked curious.
"Where are Ru-chan, Zara and Arthur-san could be?" Muttering under her breath and she walks out of the dressing room.
Aaliyah walked towards the stage to meet up with David and nodding her head. "This is our final show, Aaliyah."
"To portray a very challenging Katherine Swan." Furrowing her eyebrows and feels worried if she failed the play and bringing everyone down because of failure.
"You won't because we saw how serious you are for this project." David assures her and Aaliyah nodded her head.
"Yo, David. It's your turn to show up." One of the crew members told him.
"Good luck." Aaliyah wishes his best and calming herself down. "I can do this."
"Dreyar, you're on now." Someone informed her and Aaliyah exhales softly before appearing herself.
Aaliyah showed up with an awestruck look on her face. Watching everyone dancing on the ball with their dresses and suits. She gulps and starting to say her first line. "Wow... this is amazing." Smiling nervously and twiddling her thumbs. "Will I be able enough to fit in?" Talking to herself and masking her shocked to feel a familiar presence.
"Why wouldn't you?" Aaliyah turned around and gasps in shock to see Arthur is involved in their play. "Everyone are all welcome no matter where you coming from."
"I-I-I... umm..." Aaliyah stuttered and completely forgetting her lines because of Arthur's sudden appearance. "I wasn't expecting a lot of guests." She wanted to dig herself into a hole and forgetting this play.
Arthur smiles in amused and bowing his head at her politely. "I'm Darius Reid, the first son of Kingston Kingdom."
"Ka-Katherine Swan." She stuttered and blushed as Arthur kissed her hand.
"It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Ms Swan." He smiles and looking behind Aaliyah to see someone is approaching them. "If you'll excuse me, it appears my sister lost our butler." Arthur excuses himself to approach a certain scarlet-haired girl.
"Sister? I didn't know that you're friends with Prince Darius." Aaliyah jumps in surprised to see Wally joining their play. "You're blushing!" He looks surprised to see the almighty heartless Aaliyah blushed.
"Keep your voice down!" Aaliyah hissed and slapping his shoulder. "I almost made a fool of myself to see his highness."
"You didn't know he's part of the royal family?" Wally asks with a surprised look on his face and going to enjoy Miaka's scheme for crashing their play. How the Illusionist spirit manages to pull this plan without being noticed by them or Ruby, they would never know. "Most of them know who he is and you failed to notice most of the girls despised you."
"I don't want to be the center of attraction." Sighing heavily and noticing they're not going to stick on their play but to follow their lead where it goes. "Is there anything else that I should know?" Aaliyah didn't know his character's name but decided to keep her mouth shut.
Wally rubs his chin in deep thought. "Hmm... good luck of mingling other men who're going to-"
"Prince Christopher." Conner showed up and using Wally's character name whereas Aaliyah is masking her surprised look. "Your father wanted to speak with you." He bowed down politely to the blonde girl. "Princess Katherine."
"Oh, well..." Wally sighs heavily and looking apologetic to her. "Duty calls sister and please- be careful, father informed me we have an unknown enemy. Stay vigilant and your knight is going to protect you." He whispered at her before kissing on the right cheek.
Aaliyah narrowed her eyes but nodding her head. She's going to stay alert of her surroundings. "I will and thank you brother." How is she going to know which one of her knights and the enemy of this play? "Be careful."
"I always am, my twin sister." Wally smirked and leaving her bewildered.
How is Aaliyah going to keep up her character? She didn't even know which character is going to approach her. She didn't want to stay still and waiting for someone to- "Princess? Have you enjoy the party?"
Aaliyah froze and chanting in her mind she's not having hallucinations to hear a familiar voice. Turning around slowly to see Kaldur wearing his knight armor and he stares at her with a worried look on his face.
To Be Continued