Chapter 2
"Nuh, uh" "nooo!" "Get off!". Nala and Alex were fighting at the table yet again. "If you get your disgusting feet off of the chair, maybe you could eat more". "I am trying to enjoy". "Oh my gosh, Alex it doesn't matter if your food touches! It's fine!" "No, it is not!" "it is unstructured, unruly, and an incumbent of textures". "It all goes to the same place, anyway". "it's fine!". "No, it is not". "go away!". "No, you go away!". "Girls, what is this about?". Mrs. Ross asked, dejectedly. "she's weird mom, she won't let her food touch!" "She keeps complaining about it!".
"Well, it's what she prefers". Mrs. Ross said. "just respect it, and if you don't particularly care for it, don't eat with her". "Fine". Nala said, picking up her plate. She'd just finished eating her egg. "I don't know why you put with her". "Can't we just have the Monkey men pick her up?". "ok, Nala", Mrs. Ross's voice was on an edge. "That's enough!". She was trying to calm the situation before the fighting began. Their fights were bad. "Fine". She went over to the Home Office that was a closed in space, right by the front door, where their dad liked to do paperwork. Alex still looked at her whiteboard, nodding.
Nala pushed open the door and went in. "Hey, Alex do you want to play?". Alex still looked at her board. "Alex." Nala said annoyed. "Alex". "Do you want to play?". "You see, Nala". Alex put down her marker. "I don't play". "what?". Nala huffed annoyed. "I am working on a rudimentary, rough sketch portrait of the universe". "With complimentary standard ratio equations needed for opine". "playing is of the essence of failure, and subpar parenting". Alex said. "So weird". Nala huffed, annoyed. "Come on, are you playing or not?". "No". Alex said. "Fine whatever". Nala said. "well then". Alex still looked over her board. "I thought my De posto Facto would never leave".
Mrs. Ross cleaned the counter, picking up a fridge certificate for STARS, a program Alex completed. She heard the doorbell ring, all the way in front. So, she had to walk an extra 5 ft. Kuki Sanban stood behind the door, smiling politely. Mrs. Ross answered it, saying pretty cheesy, "oh, hello there, Kuki!" "How are you?". "wonderful, Mrs. Ross Thank you for asking. Um…". "would you like to come in, see the house?". "I just got new add ons". "Sure yes of course, oh! These add ons are so pretty!". "anyway, I was wondering if Alex can come out and play?". "Sure". "oh, Alex…" "No, don't worry I'll find her". Kuki turned and ran the other way. Until she saw her in the office. Going up, she wrapped her in a hug. "Hi Alex!" she said excitedly. "give me a kiss". "Hi Kuki". Alex said, Turning around to hug her. Kuki had wrapped her arms around her, kissing her on the forehead in the process. Her thin lips sparkly with an apricot gloss were seen, as she looked at her. Very thin, as a split. "Alex", Kuki had said in a gentle voice, feminine in nature. "Be sure to meet us at our treehouse in a short time".
"I will, although I do need to do some physics equations". "Alex" Kuki said, gently. Her squinted eyes were hidden, and her lips looked thin, as she continued to look at her, repeating the same instructive. "Meet us at our treehouse, in a short time". "You know where it is, yes?" "We would like to speak with you". "Are you able to do that?". "But, I need to solve the Bonheur optimum". "We know physics is important to you". Kuki said, gently still, "Although, we would like to speak to you of course this afternoon".
"About what, though? I….". "Oh, well, you'll see, when you arrive". Kuki said, gently. Her lips remained pursed, as she gave instruction. "Remember to come at 2:00pm sharp". She said. "Sector V is located at Adult way St. at 1456 Birchwood ave. enter through the elevator doors". "You will then be able to speak with all of us". "Alex". "Did you understand that?", she said, airily and quickly. "Do you need me to repeat it?". "No," Alex said. "Good". She said, smiling. "Okay." "I… I don't…." "I don't want to talk to the Kids Next Door though". Alex said. "Well, we're your friends". Kuki reminded. "We're here to help you". "Help me with what?". Alex asked.
"Well, something of yours we've noticed you've had trouble with". Kuki said. "I don't recall ever having trouble with anything". Alex said. "I am a little behind on the Bonheur optimum but.." the gloss on Kuki's thin lips shone, as she continued to speak. A fellow woman, a girl, acknowledging Alex. "It isn't something to be solved". "Rather it has been experienced". Kuki said, airily and quickly, in a thorough manner. "You've had difficulties your entire life due to it". "Due to…. My…. inability to numerically calculate for these equations I'm trying to do". "Alex" Kuki said again, in an airy voice. "Don't be naive, Alex". "You should have some knowledge as to why we're calling you".
"Alex, oh Alex". Kuki said softly. She sat on her knees, turning her head with a dissatisfied look on her face. "Oh, Alex". "Hmmm". She closed her lips looking on as she spoke to her, "Bestest friend in the universe". "well, rather, meet us in Sector V at 2 pm sharp". She informed. "Wait, hold on". Alex continued.
"What do you all know about me?" "oh, well, that you're an amazing best friend, and Rainbow Monkey princess, like me". Kuki said, happily. As if she were trying to cover something up. "But, you'll know once we ask you". Kuki assured. "Meet us", Kuki shushed Alex softly as Alex was becoming hysterical, nervous about what Kuki was entailing by giving these instructions. "Meet us in Sector V at 2pm sharp, Alex". Kuki repeated. "You know where we're located". Alex nodded. "Cool!" Kuki clapped her hands. Then hugging Alex. "well, then". She said, pursing her lips. "See you there".
Alex gathered her things, headed out the door. A "shining star" shirt was worn as she walked out, looking for this Sector V treehouse. "Um… ok" she said apprehensively. "I… I don't even know the KND that well". "Why would they want to talk to me?" "I... I don't know". She said. Kuki met her outside of their treehouse. "So, are you ready to meet our friends?". She asked. "I already know most of everyone". Alex said hesitantly. "Aside from Wally". "Oh, well, no one really knows him, that well". Kuki said, quickly. "Although he is very special". "Wait, are you dating him now, or…?" Alex asked picking up her head. She looked very tiny and unsure. Much like an underdeveloped six- year- old would look.
"Mmm hmm". Kuki nodded, sighing. "He is great". We are very much in love". She said gently. "Is there anyone special in your life, Alex?". She asked, with a cheery tone returning to its rightful spot. "Well, I have my parents, and my sister". She replied. "I… also have my friends". "Mm hmm. Oh well" Kuki turned her head. "I thought there'd be a boyfriend in that list, somewhere". "Are you thinking of loving anyone, in the near future?". "No. I'm going to try and pursue new methods in research". "Expansion of knowledge is what I strive for". Alex said. "Hmmm". Kuki said thoughtfully. "So, you don't love anyone right now?". "No." Alex said. "I' am never going to". "Well, your mind might change over time". "You may meet that special someone". Kuki said, sighing longingly. "I love Wally". "He's amazing". "I just love how his hair is just below his eyes, and how his dimples go up and down when he laughs". "I don't really know him that well". Alex said. "Mm mm, those aren't the qualities you should look for in a boy". Kuki reminded her.
As another certain Woman they spent time with, hailing from Nowhere, (Kansas) Muriel Bagge told them. "He should be strong willed, thoughtful and considerate of your time". "Well, Wally isn't perfect". "I've certainly had to tell him to stop being a slob, and share with others more, but, he is a great person that I will continue to love no matter what". "You have to have faith in those you love". "No one is perfect, but they are perfect, as they are". "With a little correction from you," Kuki continued, "You both will live, and grow together". "Yeah, I'm pretty sure" Alex said. "Don't be one of those girls who believes loving someone is the most important thing". "Remember to make yourself happy first". "A woman is as strong as she is happy". "That, and boys are below any equivalence". Alex added. " Yes, and below Rationale". Kuki said, walking. "I don't know, if you wanted to ask, I… I like my mom and my sister". "I feel like my mom is the only one that understands me, and I don't know, if I want to be left alone, she leaves me alone". "I like my sister because she's the one I grew up with". Alex stated. "That's cool!". Kuki said. "I love my sister, and my mom too!". That and there was the given that the two families had spent a day together not too long ago.
They had a girls day, at a spa. "So, what're your in thoughts on dualism?" Alex asked. Yes, it was a pretty random inquiry at a time where two girls were walking around, playing outside; a non sequitur at a sweet spot. "Alex" she said softly. "Dualism is the idea of two oppositional forces always in adversity with one another". "The idea of your energy, balance, and positive aura, being in competition with an opposing, negative force". "It is Buddhism and it is believed to be in balance". Her thin glossed lips closed once again. "Cool, isn't it?". One couldn't help but accurately portray a stout late 90's, early 2000's, Millennial, notably Asian, bent on the haunting, dim lit, chique nature of adulthood, of a depressing mount, that one would favor as "grown up", when in actuality it was dark, and "edgy".
It was unusual for Kuki to wear lip gloss. Even if she was more feminine in nature, she never wore jewelry or makeup, (rarely). Abby usually dressed much more "girly" in nature. She also had bigger thicker lips. It was weird. "Yes, I suppose it is". Alex said. The treehouse looked pretty standard, like what a normal treehouse would look like, as they got ready to climb up. "Well, we're here". Kuki pressed a button to reveal a red, dimly lit elevator. The elevator looked chic, as two silver industrial sized doors opened to reveal a glass floor. Alex looked around nervously, as the wide elevator went up to Sector V's headquarters.
Up there, 5 kids all with a plain, serious look on their faces glanced at Alex, studying her. "Well, hey there how are you?" the African American girl asked, happily. "I'm doing just fine, thank you". "I already woke up at 7am this morning to disseminate the Bonheur optimum and it's going quite nicely… except my calculations seem to be a bit off". Alex said. "The what…?" "The Bonheur Optimum, it's a new way of looking at magnetic thrust". "Mmmmm." She nodded understandingly. "Cool beans. Well, I'm Abby". She reached over, hugging Alex. "mmmm. That's a cute shirt". She said. "Yes, my mom bought this for me". "Oh, well it certainly looks sparkly". Abby commented. "Mmmm. is that usually what you like to wear?". "Yes, although it emits no bravado". Alex said. "Hmmmmmm".
Observantly Abby looked up and down, studying her in a way. Big footsteps were heard coming down the hall. "Well hey, that looks adorable on you". Tiny Alex turned around, her big eyes were seen as a puzzled look of naivety widened on her face. Hoagie, in full goggles, turquoise shirt, and gloves was seen. "You're quite a superstar in that shirt". He chuckled. Everyone else gave him a flat look. "I admit that was quite flattering". Kuki said. "I do admire your perseverant spirit". Alex said. "But the joke did not go well".
"My name's Alex. what's yours?". "Hoagie". "Pleased to meet ya". She went to shake his hand, but he pulled her arms. "Get in here, I'm a hugger". With that, he pulled her into his portly stomach. "Mmmmmm". "You're pretty thin". "Yes. my mom and I are getting it looked at by my local Pediatrician. We think it may have something to do with an iron deficiency, or a low sugar content". "Either, way blood tests administered through Quest outpatient facilities are still determining the cause". "Mmmmm. You usually get your blood taken?". Hoagie asked. "Yes, monthly, although I despise of needles". "Mmmmm". Hoagie said, nodding. "I hate needles too". He said gently. "I usually hate going to the doctor's for shots". "If there's a lollipop waiting for me at the end, I'm all for it". He said.
"The sugar content in an average lollipop is way too high". Alex said. "They're also a safety hazard". "Safety hazard?" Hoagie continued working on the gravity compensator. "Lollipops are delicious". The two talked and ribbed at each other, each operative welcoming Alexandria in their own special way. Even Wally had brought out the hamsters, for Alex to hold, and pet. "Hmmm, surprising". A shadowy figure had said. Nigel spoke to Kuki individually, outside of the treehouse. "Yes, yes", was what was faintly heard as the two colluded. "Keep being a direct influence on her, yes, share the Rainbow Monkey with her, and…." before he had left, he'd remembered one last thing, "Invite her to dinner". Kuki nodded understandingly, aware of what her mission was.