For Krusette and for those who still believed on this. Thank you.
THE FACE KEEPER
My concept about grandparents are: Kitchen's open for 24 hours, dessert comes first, laugh, giggle, snuggle, sleepovers are welcome, negotiable bedtime, unlimited playtime until you're on the verge of dying because you're so hungry and so tired, cookies for breakfast, extra sweets, and of course, expect to be spoiled.
But not until now. Though I thought it was what I've always thought since Jii-chan was like that. Yeah, but like I said, not until now.
Oh well, I'm on my third fruit juice (why on earth can't I have a cocktail!?) when my eyes finally found Hyuuga who seems to woo her grandmother's attention. He doesn't look good. He's tensed in a weird way as if he's trying to get inside a tower without waking up a dragon. He keeps following her, speak a little and... well, the old lady seems not to care. I'm not sure about their personal relationship since I was raised seeing grandparents being so fond of their grandchildren and I can guess I was a million times luckier than he is.
"Hello there..." a man's voice just appeared. I turn back to find a slender guy in a usual business suit. He's got blue eyes under brown brows and lashes. He's maybe in his early thirties and he has this friendly atmosphere in him.
"Hi..." I greeted back. His smile widened as he extends his well-manicured hands.
"Giuseppe Violle* from the European Alice Watch, I assume you are the Chairman's daughter, Mikan Sakura Yukihara?"
"Wow..." I exclaimed. "I've heard about you! Oh my God, You're the Editor-in-Chief of the Official Alice Gazette here in Europe..." I answered in awe as I reach for his hands. "Yes, I am Mikan..."
"My pleasure to meet you, mi lady." he even bowed. "I was surprised to see you here, well, I didn't expected..."
Yeah, how should I put it... that we 'legally' crashed this wedding to get hold of the old Igarashi woman, uh-oh... No. "It was an abrupt and unexpected invitation..." I blurted out of guilt and let out a smile.
"Oh... sure, so I... might as well take this opportunity to meet you in person, excuse my persistence..." he smile shyly. I don't know why he should feel that anyway. I'm not a celebrity or anything. "Will it be okay if I ask some questions and feature you in the November issue?"
Hu-waaaat? Me, featured in the mag!?
"Ahmm... it's okay to ask questions but please don't feature me—"
"Actually, it's okay..." Hyuuga's voice just butted in. He was beside me, a hand around my waist and he kissed my head! I elbowed him fast and hard on his waist which made him flinch. "Right, honey?" he added.
HONEY!? My eyes widened. And did Guiseppe's. I can see shock and and a big question mark on his forhead right now. But Guiseppe instantly recovered, and I bet he's seizing this opportunity that Reddie's pushing me also to be featured.
"Surely we should arrange a schedule..." he said with every bit of excitement.
"Yeah..." Hyuuga groaned. He looks at the editor as if sizing him up. "Why don't you give us your business card so we can give you a call?"
Guiseppe immediately reaches for his jacket's inner pocket and took a card from his wallet. He extends it to Reddie who examines it at once. Reddie looks up at him with a fake business smile. I can tell its fake since he's the male Kristen Stewart version when it comes to obvious expressions. "Can I expect a call soonest?"
No... my hands are full when it comes to schedules. "I..uhm..." I stammered, and that made me late to defend myself from another obligation-assult.
"Soonest." Reddie nodded and I mentally glared at him. He flipped the card in a very gracious manner which looked like finger yoga to me and slid it into the inner pocket of his coat. I still can't get over to the fact that some guys are more gracious than my clumsy self, I glared at the sky. His other hand slid up to my shoulder and he pulled me closer, so close that my face tensed instantly and my arms where imovable. "Now, may I excuse ourselves—"
"Wait, are you two an item?" Guiseppe's abruptly asked before we can even turn to leave.
The corners of my eyebrows kissed at the center. "What item?"
"Media terms..." Reddie whispered almost inaudibly and then he exhaled. "Yeah we are." he answered. We are!? What item!? "But we'll answer questions during the appointment. Good day Mr. Violle." and with that, he grabbed me in a rotation towards the other direction— to the dance floor... which, in other terms, means danger. Hyuuga's dancing feet never made a good impression to me so far.
"Tell me we're just passing by and we're not going to dance..." I hopefully asked. As I tried to smile, I realized I'm getting so tired of the fakeness of every "friendly, sweet and charming" aura I'm extracting.
Though, on the other hand, I'm getting better at acting. I may even consider a career after all this stressful crap.
He tried to smile at me but failed. Sometimes I wonder if his facial muscles are impaired that he can't even manage to smile. I pitied him… a little. "I'd love to tell you that, but unfortunately... I have an impression to make." He said.
Did he just snoop into my head? He's planning to dance!? Seriously? "If you're talking about your two left feet making a good impression, forget it. They're kind of hopeless you know..."
He stopped right in the middle just behind me, slid his left hand down my left arms and took my hand. Next thing I knew, his right hand's on my waist and in a slight push, our right hands were above our heads as he made me turn so I could face him. My knees weaken at the sudden movement, my visions blurred too. I totally lost my balance but he got me. But as he pulls me up, slowly, everything became dark, the pastel background became a starry night sky, the scent of the flowers became the sea breeze and I can smell wine... and him. But everything disappeared when I felt a stinging pain on my ring finger. He's hurting.
"Stop..." I whispered. "Don't force it..." He winced discreetly but he nodded. "Breathe..." I told him as he pulled me again. Our proximity was so close I could burn, and it worsen when he leaned his head on mine... and we started dancing... very slow.
"Didn't you see anything?" he asked, still with his eyes closed. It was better that way, I could stare at him directly without being disturbed on the inside. His red eyes are quite bothering.
I remebered that he was asking. "I did." I replied. His eyes opened and my blood started getting stirred again.
"But you... we're not hurt...?" It was more of a question.
"Yeah, I didn't... maybe because unlike the other times, I just let the visions flow and stop."
"Did you ever wake up in the morning in regret... because you we're in a very good dream and it just stopped because you have to wake up." he asked. His voice was so soft, I almost thought I was dancing with a different person.
I smiled at him and dropped my head. "Yes, I did. And even if you close your eyes again, you can't come back to that dream. But we have to let go for a while... those kind of dreams still come back... if they're really in our hearts and minds."
He slowly nodded, breathed and looked away, "That was deep," he said. He pulled me closer, much closer, I remembered that it was awkward. Sooooo awkward.
"Your feet are making a good impression today..." I tried to change the topic feeling the blush heating my skin.
"I'm safe on slow dances." he said. "And it's not my feet who's trying to make an impression..."
"You?"
"Yeah, me... and you, also. Technically speaking, us."
"Wu-wu-wait... Us!? What's with us!?"
"We're making an impression."
Screw impressionisms. "Like what?"
"That we're an item."
Here comes the 'item' again. "Silly media terms. What do you mean by 'item'? We're people, not stuffs, things, and objects."
"Item means couple."
My mouth dropped. "Ridiculous. It's far from the word!"
"That's why its silly, remember?"
"Yeah, its silly. because we're not an item."
He made that disappointed sound and looked at me with pity. "I don't get it..." he said, "You work on the show business and you don't know those kind of terms?and besides, I'm courting you..."
"And that does not make us a couple. And excuse me, I work as a model and not a linguist." I retorted.
He narrowed his eyes on me as if I'm not yet intimidated by his red eyes and luscious lashes.. "Hardheaded brat. Why don't you just dance with my tune by now and help me stir my grandmother's attention, hm?"
"By playing girlfriend? Haha, I don't get how that can get your granny's attention."
He lowered his head beside my ear making us dance cheek-to-cheek. My blush worsened. "She's sensitive when it comes to our romantic relationships..." He paused to nuzzle my hair. I think I'm starting to convulse.
"Will you please stop—"
"…because I'm engaged..."
"Engaged!?" the adrenaline of the shock enabled me to push him at an arm-length's distance. "And you want me to play as the third party!?"
"Yes, but not really."
"Ugh..." I groaned, looking away or I'll puke at his face. "I don't get it but I know that doesn't sound good to me."
"Now here's the plan..." oh God, he totally ignored my groans. "We'll take advantage of the presence of the media like Violle, make them think that we're love birds, make the heresayers say what they have to say and let it all intrigue the Lady Kora. With that she'll come around."
I gave him a silly but sarcastic smile. "Just make sure it works."
He just smiled in reply.
OH MY GOD. HE SMILED!
THIS IS CRAZY! HE REALLY DID SMILE!
"You're freakin' sick, you smiled!"
...but then he rolled his eyes. Oh, wasted.
From then on, he didn't say anything. We just slow-danced for around five minutes until I noticed the looks thrown at us by guests. Reddie held me tighter, even caressing the small of my back but kept his cheek near my temples to avoid eye contact. I guess he's not just used to this kind of proximity to the opposite gender. A couple more minutes and the most intimidating pair of eyes landed on our direction, enough for me to break my silence.
"Hey…" I nudged him. He raised his head to meet my eyes. "Fine… this is a brilliant idea. Some more minutes and we're roasted." I sarcastically told him and he responded with a smirk.
"Just do what you're doing and get ready to be grilled." He said. With that I formulated as many speeches that I can make just to explain to the old lady why I'm dancing "romantically" with his engaged grandson. I'll start with her unapproachable attitude then proceed to her gandkiddo's crazy-provoking ideas and—
"Excuse me sir." A young man approached us, "Your presence is demanded in the house master's study. I'll usher you this very moment." He said with so much eagerness and courteous demand.
Reddie gave him a nod and turned to me. "Good job," he whispered as he raised his arms so I can hook mine on it and followed the guy inside the mansion.
The posies on the hallway didn't help to ease the jitters in my veins. I've never had a vis-à-vis encounter with the Lady Igarashi but with Reddie's reactions, I can't help imagining that I'm going to encounter Maleficent and stupidly prick my finger on a freaking needle and sleep and snore eternally while my prince keeps himself busy flirting with another French girl or worse, a half-Italian girl with blue hair-highlights. And that's the worst death heaven can give me.
Finally the guy opened the cream-colored door and instantly revealed Maleficent, I… mean… Lady Kora. I have to clear my throat or I'll simply choke to my death.
Lady Kora stands taller than I am, but shorter than Hyuuga. In contrast to the figure I've been imagining, I gaze at her like looking at a beautifully- sculpted Victorian life-sized figurine. Is she really 77 years old!? She looks like forty-something! No kidding, she's nothing like Maleficent in a meter's distance but more like… Snow White's evil queen step-mom! Yes, a cross between Cher and Charlize Theron! I think I'd agree to grow old right now if I can look like her!
"Be seated," she said as she crossed the room towards the wine. "So what's these fuss all about Natsume?" she asked. Her accent is painfully sharp like her gaze. So she's the real deal, eh? A little far from that woman with a welcoming smile whom I met during the first night of the gathering... Or maybe Reddie just pressed the wrong mood button. Still I hope she won't swallow us whole.
"I need to know where Mito Imai's alice stones are?" Natsume answered. Lady Kora's eyes narrowed at him and I have to swallow so I can breathe. If Konan is scary, this lady is a heck more terrifying.
"What for?" she asked again as she relaxingly pour some wine on her flute, and by the tone of it, she's gonna grill us first for an acceptable reason before we get what we want. "Don't tell me you want it for yourself Natsume?" Reddie's jaw suddenly clenched as if his grandmother's words hit something in him. He wants it, too? Why? Does he need it?
"Maybe..." Reddie finally sounded out.
A ghost of a smile crossed Lady Kora's face. "Don't kid me, young man... You don't and will not need it."
"Maybe I do.."
"As long as you don't get crazy with your alice, you will be fine." she retorted. And what on earth are they talking about? What's with Reddie wanting it? Don't tell me he's the bad guy here… You know… that kind who helps you get something and then suddenly steal it and run off to the sunset while you wallow in the grief of your stupidity.
"Mama, it's complicated but we need it. Please..." Hyuuga begged. Now there's "complicated"! Now I can understand them.
The lady's gaze at us became more intense. It was like she's mentally shaking us for an explanation and I'm totally rattled. "No..." she said dismissively. "You can't even convince me—"
"My lady... please..." I whispered in her head. Her eyes suddenly flicked to my direction. "Hyuuga is telling the truth, it's complicated... Too complicated that I have to use telepathy."
"Well young lady, that is quiet intruiging. Please tell me how this request became complicated."
Reddie's eyes widened. He has no idea that I already butted in, and now he's giving me that this-is-trouble look. I gave him the I-know-so-shut-up look. "Would you believe me if I tell you that we're from the future? I mean, 2012?"
She gave me a ridiculous look and sipped from her glass. "No."
I sighed and cleared my throat to make my voice clearer. Suddenly, the anxiousness disappeared. "See, that's what makes it complicated. You wouldn't believe us. But trust me, my lady… I'm not going as far as using telepathy just to explain to you who we are. I take you know the rules of time traveling, am I right?" I asked, she nodded. I switched to telepathy again, "No one must stay for more than an hour but in our case, we're staying longer to accomplish a mission. We're tricking time and we can't be noticed that's why I'm using my alice to convey this complicated information to you. Chasing you already took us almost a day, what more if we're trying to accomplish the whole mission?" I added.
"You have your mother's sharp sense of communication, young lady…" she remarked with a scary smile that the nervousness came back and made me want to become a turtle and hide on my shell.
"I'm sorry—" I muttered.
"Don't apologize. You got me there." She said and then turned to Reddie. "So your mission is to get the Imai's Alice stone?" she asked him particularly. Reddie nodded and before he can even open his mouth, Lady Kora opened hers. "And why?" she turned to me this time.
"Hime-sama is sick, that's all we know since we can't remember everything. But I believe they're not going as far as sending us way back here just for that alice stone if it's the only way we can save her." I told her relying only on my faith.
She was so composed, I can't make any reaction out of it. Though woman, I thought to myself. Or maybe with that age of hers, she'd become so wise and cunning that trust became much more precious than sympathy. Sometimes, wasted 'trust' makes life apathetic.
Finally, she let out a sigh. "Oh well, how should I know you're telling the truth?" She eyed both of us.
"You also have the ability like my mother, why don't you try peeking on our heads if you have doubts?" Reddie challenged her. I can't believe he can even do that. Okay, so maybe he's just confident.
Lady Kora smiled at her grandson and looked at him for almost a minute then turned to me but finally scowled. "She's nullifying me." She finally said.
My eyebrows rose. Me? I glanced at Reddie who rolled his eyes on me.
"Can't you even control your own alice?" He asked through gritted teeth. I was about to say something but he cut me off. "Ignore her… My head is more open for examination—"
"You head, my dear, is a mess of memories about a rust-haired girl, a wedding, a dance, summer and scents of strawberry. How do you expect me to find answers in that?" This time, the grandmother rolled her eyes on Reddie.
Whoa. That was harsh. I can't imagine that a guy actually thinks about weddings and summer and strawberry! He must be gay… he could possibly be. I covered my mouth but my giggle escaped. Two pair of super serious eyes looked at me intensely.
"Are you done giggling Lady Yukihara?" she asked.
"I'm sorry," I coughed out.
"Well then," she exhaled and raised her chin at me. "Be done with your gay-thoughts about Natsume and focus on lifting your nullification for a while. I'm wasting so much time here."
I heard Reddie whispered the word 'gay' and 'what!?' and then he gave me an annoyed and questioning gaze. I replied with a shrug and inhaled deeply, imagining vibrations of the space surrounding me, the heat leaving my body, and then as if I'm a sponge, I took in everything I felt around me and channeled it in my chest. It felt like a big lump of fire until it slowly calmed down into a flicker of ember. When I opened my eyes, Lady Kora was still looking at me calmly.
She exhaled exhaustedly, "Still not good enough." Then she stood up. I tried to take hold of the alice inside me, calming down in hopes that in the next second, my head would open up to her. "You're a natural nullifier. Your alice's base is on your head that's why it is very much protected. You can control your alice to the point where your body could be actually vulnerable but your brain remains intact. It's not your fault anyway."
"So you've… seen or processed… nothing?" I asked her.
She nodded. "Nothi— wait." Her body made a full rotation towards me, eyebrows knitted. I felt scared but a breeze of hope fanned on my face hoping that she finally saw something.
"What is it?" Reddie asked his grandmother.
"Sweet potatoes?" She said, amused but composed. Although she looks like she wants to laugh.
"Wait, what's with sweet potatoes?" I finally asked her, then I looked at Reddie but he looks like he has no idea also so I looked back at the older woman.
"…and milk, apples… roses… piano music…" she went on. I felt nauseous, my mind drifted under my control. It was a pleasant morning, but I can feel my head spinning. Suddenly I'm sitting in front of a piano, there was music but I'm not playing it, and my head's leaning on someone's shoulders…
…
*FLASHBACKS
"Would you like to explain why you're looking at me like that?" he suddenly asked, and then he touched the last note.
…
"I think I like to have milk…"
"I want sweet potatoes too, boiled, and apple pie, and—"
…
When I opened my eyes, Lady Kora was sitting on her heels in front me. "They're not your memories." She said. She too was a little confused.
"No… they're mine, I just… like… saw them…" I said wearily.
"I can't get into you head, it was someone else's head, I can't be wrong…"
"You could've possibly gotten into my head. Why are they the same—?"
But she totally ignored me. "Unless—" she reached up her hand and pressed the tip of her fingers just beside my tonsils. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it again. She stood up, still gazing me. Her face was surprisingly calm but my insides are in turmoil. What happened?
"It's a long story but I don't know where the stone is." She finally said, meeting both our eyes.
"What!?" Reddie burst. "We went through all these and you knew nothing!?"
"Calm down, lad." She said. "We don't keep secrets the traditional way. We are better than that. I once knew. But for the sake of safe keeping the mere information of its whereabouts, I took it out of my memories and gave the fragments to a normal human being. That way, anyone who tries to spy on me would fail to find the answers in my head." She finally explained.
"Who's this person?"
She went near Reddie and touched his forehead. "Find him. He knows the map, from then on, you two are on your own."
"Who is he?" Reddie asked. "Any name?" he added, but the lady shook her head.
"Why don't you tell us… directly? I… do you still doubt us?" I asked her.
"Not at all." And she did the creepiest thing that she can do. She smiled at me. At first I was surprised, scared even. But the smile was so warm and motherly… the kind of genuine smile mom always give me. "There's enough proof for me to believe you." She went back to her wine and sipped some more. She looked back at both of us, "Actually… someone else in this room, besides the two of you, convinced me pretty well." Then she smiled… and disappeared.
We were both silent for a pretty long while. Finally Reddie stood up in front of me. I felt it was unnecessary but I glanced up at him.
"What did you do?" he asked with a full-blown curious tone.
I shrugged. "You heard her. It wasn't me."
...
and yes I know I deserve a lot of scolding from you guys, so do it. T_T But really... I'm very, very sorry. And I promise you I will still write even if it takes a long time. We'll finish this. Thank you everyone!
Seriously and Sincerely,
Me.
...
CREDITS:
Make you feel my Love - Ed Sheeran (Played while the two were dancing)
White Houses - Vanessa Carlton (Ending)
