31st Dec
Kyoko had endured 2 hours of Julie-ness while performing the tea ceremony. She had dressed for the part, wearing a kimono and followed all the traditions. She had discovered two new shades of red after Julie saw her in her outfit and spent 20 minutes declaring that Kyoko was the cutest thing on the planet, then a further 15 minutes insisting Ren marry her. Right now.
She was exhausted at the end of it and had been looking forward to the peace and quiet of the Darumaya while getting ready for Lorys party tonight.
Julie dashed those hopes by latching onto Kyokos arm and refusing to let go.
She had even gone so far as getting the driver to stop at the restaurant so she could grab Kyokos outfit. Kyoko had not been allowed to leave the car.
Now she was sat in a salon chair with a charcoal mask on while a woman did something with her hands. Julie was in another chair humming to herself as someone worked on her hair. Ryu was in another chair getting her nails done. Jelly was in a fourth chair. She had burst through the salon doors about half an hour ago, declaring that anyone who went anywhere near Kyoko with a make up brush would find one of hers somewhere unpleasant.
Kyoko relaxed into the chair and occasionally giggled at the stories Jelly and Julie were telling. They were telling one about the time they had climbed Lorys fence because they wanted to use his pool and he had come down in the morning to find the ladies passed out on pool chairs and his pool full of bubbles.
Kyoko looked at the clock.
"Julie. Its half 6."
"What?!"
She tried to sit up, forgetting she was having her hair done, a handful of hair was yanked out and a brush left in. Jelly laughed as Kyoko worriedly asked her if she was okay. She was still snickering when she put Kyokos chair upright so she could work her magic.
"Muse-sama?"
"Yes Kyoko-chan? Don't move."
"Why are you working on me? Why wouldn't you let one of the others?"
Jelly tapped the end of Kyokos nose with a brush and declared:
"Because you are MY canvas!"
As if that settled matters and carried on.
Julie just shrugged at the look Kyoko was giving her.
After what would seem to men like hours, but was in fact barely even one all 3 women were ready.
Julie conjured images of Jessica Rabbit. Jelly, Marilyn Monroe. Ryu was wearing Grecian inspired dress and looked like a goddess.
Kyoko was wearing blue, figure hugging, off the shoulder with a slit up the knee.
When they joined the men in the foyer at the venue their jaws hit the floor. Ryu took a picture of their reactions. She'd have to get this one framed.
Once they picked up their jaws, Yashiro had some bad news.
"Misako is here."
A collective groan rose.
Jelly, Kuu and Julie looked confused so Ryu and Yashiro gave them a quick breakdown.
"And she still has a job?"
They nodded.
"How?" Julie asked, utterly amazed.
They shrugged.
A voice from behind had them turning.
"I have given your guards instructions that she is not allowed to go near you without permission."
Kyoko looked at Lory with grateful relief.
"Now lets go party!"
A while later, Kyoko and Ren were talking to Director Shin and some of the crew about Ever After. Suddenly her guards appeared. They had spotted Misako and she was storming towards them.
Ren was still talking to Shin, so she squeezed his arm. He excused himself and turned to look and sighed.
He caught Julie and Kuu looking at the scene with interest. He looked at Kyoko who nodded to him and then the guards, who vanished, melting back into the crowds.
Ren whispered to her.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded.
"Let her embarrass herself."
She stomped to a halt in front of them, hands on her hips. She looked like malibu barbie. Her hair was platinum blonde and the 'dress' she was wearing barely qualified as so. It was a stretch of metallic silver material that was barely clinging to her chest and buttocks. Yards of tulle jutted out from her hips and trailed to the floor. The front was left open.
Kyoko idly wondered how the dress was staying up.
She had felt self-conscious in her dress with its slit but after seeing what Misako was wearing, instantly felt better.
Misako pointed a sharp acrylic nail at Ren and in a demanding voice, commanded him:
"Dance with me. Now."
Ren held in his smirk and replied with a polite but firm no.
Director Shin extracted himself from the other crew and engaged the couple in conversation, ignoring Misako, in hopes of avoiding what they all knew was coming.
In a wheedling, high pitched shriek she again demanded that Ren dance with her, this time punctuated with a stomp of her 4 inch stiletto heel.
Ren said no again and Misako took a step forwards.
Kyokos guards appeared out of nowhere and each held up a hand.
Misako blinked then laughed.
"An entourage? Thinking highly of yourself you little tart. No one here even knows who you are."
Kyoko felt Ren grow still. She looked up and saw Kuon glaring down at Misako.
She nudged him in the ribs and shook her head. Kuon looked at her, bemused, but shrugged and handed control back over to Ren.
Kuu and Julie had come over and Julie had actively engaged Shin in conversation about creating a clothing line based on the movie.
"Oh my gods! Is that Hizuri Julie?"
Misako forced her way between Ren and Kyoko, adding a little elbow on Kyokos side, pushed Director Shin out of the way and planted herself in front of Julie.
"Oh my, you are! I am your biggest fan! I only wear your line!"
Julie looked her over.
"I had nothing to do with that monstrosity you are wearing."
Misako flushed bright red.
She started stammering while Julie scrutinised her. Misako squirmed under the intense gaze.
"T-this belongs to a-a umm…. designer friend of mine! She asked me to wear it tonight as a favour."
"Hmm, isn't that nice?"
Julie looked like she didn't believe her. With a sniff and a dismissive look she turned to face Director Shin and carried on her conversation.
Ren and Kyoko had stepped up to the group during Misakos embarrassment, to prevent Julie from slapping her more than anything else. They tuned into the conversation just as Julie was imploring Shin.
"You must let me have her! You must. She'll be simply perfect for the line."
Shin looked uncertain. Misako looked smug.
(A/N Misako thinks they're talking about her.)
"She'd be perfect! You've seen how she's dressed tonight, and you've obviously seen her in costume. Just imagine it!"
They could see Shin was warming to the idea. Misako looked like the cat who got the cream.
Kyoko would have given anything for a photo of Misako Mia's face when Julie pulled Shin around and pointed at Kyoko and Ren.
"Actually, they would both be perfect!"
Shin caught the look on Misakos face too and smiled a little. Julie looked at him with eager eyes.
"Let me have the pair. Please?"
He looked to the couple, who shrugged.
He turned back to Julie and recoiled as he was hit full force with Hizuri Julies puppy dog eyes. He threw his hand over his eyes and practically ran away from her, almost shouting,
"I'm sorry! I'll think about it!"
Kuu, Ren and Kyoko laughed at Shin's escape from the pouty face.
Misako turned to Kyoko with a look of pure hatred.
"You bitch!" she hissed before stalking away.
They all looked confused as she walked away. Kyoko hadn't said one word. Julie broke the tense atmosphere.
"What a terrible person."
With that she flagged down the nearest server and grabbed 4 glasses of champagne.
Kyoko just looked at hers.
"Julie. I'm not old enough."
"Oh hush. It's one glass and it's Lorys party So enjoy. It's nearly midnight."
Julie clasped her arm and gave it a squeeze. Julie went to stand by Kuu and Kyoko leant against Ren suddenly tired. She examined her champagne glass as she felt the excitement in the room build.
TICK
10
Julie and Kuu each placed a hand on Rens shoulder and tried to convey all their love as well as they could in public.
TICK
9
He shot them a smile and a nod.
TICK
8
They moved and did the same to Kyoko.
TICK
7
She tried to convey what she felt in the look she gave them.
TICK
6
They stepped back and looked at each other.
TICK
5
Kuu announced loudly that his resolution was to love his 'beautiful flower' even more in the new year as he did in this one.
TICK
4
Ren took Kyokos hand.
TICK
3
He leant in.
TICK
2
He clinked his glass against hers.
TICK
1
And he kissed her
"HAPPY NEW YEAR" rang throughout the room.
CLICK
The camera shuttered. The photographer looked furious.
The urge to hurt her welled up. But it would not do to release that rage in here. It would be reckless. She is on the list but the other pupil has proven tonight that she needs the extra lessons. As much as hatred for Kyoko flowed through their veins, she'd at least had the decency to wear something relatively modest so as not to embarrass Ren. The loud mouthed bitch had dressed like a hooker and had disturbed Ren in front of all these people. Yes Kyoko could wait. Misako had to learn her lesson.
