Chapter 38: Becoming Closer
|13th July|Real People Offices|12:09 pm|
Last Sunday, Amara and her companions had come to blows with three powerful members of the Ater Vox. Pierre, Carlos and Josephine proved to be worthy adversaries, that were not to be taken lightly. Therefore, Amara was glad today's tasks at work did not involve dealing with a French psychopath with swords. Prior to today, the team had returned to the other world several times, yet everything was relatively quiet. Roger and Karen had found a second base, which future members would be relocated to. According to Kyle, this base was situated in the basement of an old warehouse.
Today, however, Nathan had invited Amara & Zao to a barbecue he was having at his and Priscilla's home in Nova Albion. Fortunately, it was not going to be a formal event, as Nathan felt it was easier to relax at more casual events. Serena and Blaine had both agreed to come, and Amara expected them to bring Kyle and Lucy respectively. Who else was coming was a mystery, however. Priscilla apparently was busy making sure this barbecue was a hit, and insisted on making the healthiest salad possible.
"Tonight's going to be interesting, isn't it?" Lucy asked. "Blaine invited me to some barbecue this 'Nathan' guy he knows is having. I just hope he behaves himself."
"Of course he will. Why wouldn't he?" Amara said.
"He told me a lot about his rowdy nights out with his friends. Speaking of which, Blaine said he's also bringing Dan, and I'm making Shirley tag along. You did like Shirley, yeah?" Lucy said.
"She's okay. Hmm...Stella, are you up to anything tonight?" Amara asked.
"Yes, I will come to the barbecue." Stella said, grinning. "I just knew you were going to ask me. Not because of the psychic powers, but because the set-up was so obvious."
"That's good. At least I'll know a few more people going." Lucy said. "Oh, and this means I get to meet the fabled Zao. We'll see if he really is as cute as you say he is."
"If he heard you call him that, he'd have a field day. Or in his case, a harbour day." Amara said. "Which for him is every day."
"Lucy, I know you're busy...chatting, but could you come to my office? There's something I want to talk to you about." Karen said, smiling. Lucy eagerly followed her, and the others wondered what was going on.
"Maybe she's getting fired?" Sheila said.
"Or perhaps they're writing an itinerary for the summer sales? I need to get some new bikinis in." Colette said.
"Sounds enticing. Need a second opinion?" Juan said.
"No way! Sheila, tell him to piss off!" Colette said.
"No, you do it this time. I can't be arsed." Sheila said, writing something about extravagant proposals.
"Um...okay. Let me see...piss...off, please?" Colette said. There was a moment of silence before Juan and Colette cracked up laughing. "I can't do it! I can't sound that mean!"
"Even a basket filled with puppies, kittens, and peach-faced lovebirds is meaner than you are!" Juan exclaimed.
Lucy came out of the office a few minutes later. She seemed to be rather happy about something. So happy, she seemed like she was about to burst with joy. Yet she tried her best to play it cool, and sat down at her desk. Yet her happy smiles could not be suppressed. Amara wondered...what could Karen have told Lucy that could make her so exhilarated? Perhaps Lucy was getting a basket of puppies, kittens and lovebirds herself...
"What's new, Lucy?" Stella asked.
"Oh, it's a secret!" Lucy said slyly. "Don't you use your powers to find out!"
"I wouldn't dream of it!" Stella said, with a coy grin.
|Aeternus HQ - Surveillance Department|16:48 pm|
Nina was by herself in the Surveillance Department, staring intently at wall mounted monitors. From the moment the department began operation, the Aeternus HQ exhibited the highest amount of Shadow power. The readings from Takanawa and Farawell had increased noticably since their retrospective Divine Sparks. Nina had spent most of this day examining the readings, in an attempt to spot any unusual patterns.
"Oh, there you are."
Pierre was behind her. He had a habit of entering places very quietly, and the noise from the machines only helped his unknown appearance. Nina didn't respond, but she glared at him with sheer venom in her eyes. "What the hell is up with you? You've been ignoring me all week! Us Ater Vox are supposed to look out for each other!"
"You shouldn't have fought Serena without me! Don't you remember Nihane's plan?! I was supposed to torment my useless sister!" Nina said. "I need to make him proud of me. All I want is for his plans to work. And for him to be proud of me!"
"Oh, get over yourself. At least I got to meet that Kyle boy. It's amazing how a desire for revenge can drive some people." Pierre said, chuckling. "If his anger builds up enough, there will be nothing to restrain him. Now then. Since you've been here for doubtless a long time, do you see any difference?"
"Not that I can tell. The values keep fluctuating. If one of those idiots goes on a Shadow killing spree, the numbers drop a little. It's difficult to tell if simply getting on their nerves makes a difference." Nina said. "Perhaps pinpointing locations in the remaining districts would help."
"Relax. We just have to keep doing it. If it doesn't work, Nihane will come up with a better plan." Pierre said. "Instead of wasting time by observing those values, go out and see if any of our enemies are around."
"Fine. Waiting for the Divine Sparks is so tedious, though. Once it's all over...then life will begin anew, for all of us." Nina said, and then she left.
Pierre chuckled again, and left. Completely reshaping the universe would be worth all the years of hard work - and Pierre was sure this year would be the last one.
|Aeternus HQ - Holy Cross Quarters|16:52 pm|
Carlos was taking a walk around the corridor, having gone through the Holy Cross' belongings. Nothing was of any particular value to him, but alas, their rooms were completely useless now. It wasn't as if they had been any good when they were alive, anyway.
"Flowers, 'hanafuda' cards, soccer balls, and recipe books. What use is this trash to us now?" Carlos said. "We indulged them far too much. What a waste..."
"There you are."
Archibald ran up to Carlos, looking serious. "There's a problem I need your help with."
"The great Archibald Ebert, needing my help? That's unheard of." Carlos said smugly.
"Don't mock me, Carlos. You will recall that a large number of Ornatu Legion soldiers were at Tachibana University last week. Yet they all fell unconscious due to the rising energy of the Divine Spark." Archibald said. "They should have all died when it occurred."
"Indeed. The power of the Divine Spark is beyond comparison. Nothing of Kanaloa remained, right? Same with the cathedral and the university." Carlos said.
"Correct. However, they didn't stay in the university. Someone moved them. It can't have been the Davenport girl - her power is too weak. She must have had help, but none of the rebels know Traesto." Archibald said. Carlos' eyes widened - now he knew what this had to mean. "Someone out there has the power to teleport hundreds of people at once…and they're not on our side. That's something I want to deal with right away."
"Where are the soldiers now?" Carlos asked.
"They wound up somewhere in Legarte. We're working on re-initiating them now, but Josephine says it's going to take a while. You and I have to scour the city and see who used that Traesto spell, right this second." Archibald said, concerned.
"Alright. Sounds like a challenge." Carlos said eagerly, and the two of them left headquarters.
While they headed to Saragel, Carlos started to think - didn't Archibald have the ability to use Traesto? Yet there was no way he'd help save disposable soldiers. That didn't make sense. To think there was a conundrum the Ater Vox didn't have an answer for...it was unsettling. Carlos had to find that answer, and fast.
|Nathan and Priscilla's House|18:40 pm|
Amara arrived at the house with Zao and Stella. One look at Nathan's house, and she already was green with envy. It was like a palace, complete with white marble columns and decorative plants by both sides of the entrance. Stella had been trying to predict the food on offer, but all she could tell was that Blaine, Dan and 'a handsome man' was intending to bring lots of alcohol. All Zao brought with him was his guitar - he had been jamming with his grandfather after work, and felt like playing a few tunes for tonight's barbecue. Amara, however, wasn't so sure Nathan would approve.
"Come on, Nathan's a cool guy! He won't mind, will he?" Zao said.
"Hmm...if it's just for a little while, then okay." Amara said.
"It's strange - in the other world, my other self has known the other Priscilla for many years, but I've never met Priscilla before. Yet, I feel a strange sense of déjà vu." Stella said. "I wonder if she'll notice it too?"
"Probably not..." Amara said. She was still impressed with the size of Nathan and Priscilla's house, which was only slightly smaller than her father's place. I'm kind of jealous, but I couldn't ask Dad to buy me a place like this. He spends enough on the garden back home...
Zao pushed the doorbell, and Nathan answered it. He might have been in casual red clothes, but he still had a formal air to him. Still, he smiled and shook Zao's hand.
"Greetings, everybody. Glad you could make it. Come on in! Nice to see you again, Stella." Nathan said.
"The pleasure is all mine." Stella said. "I take it we're the first ones here?"
"Yes, but you're actually a little early. Priscilla's preparing the salad." Nathan said. "Between you and me, though, I'm more excited about the meat."
"You ought to watch your figure, darling! All that cooked meat is rather fatty! This salad is good for you, you know." Priscilla shouted. Zao chuckled, and they went through to the back garden. It was just as grand as the rest of the house, with a large dining area and gorgeous flowers meticulously arranged. They must have one talented gardener.
"Cooool!" Zao said. "So many chairs! Do you often have people round, Nathan?"
"Sometimes. Mostly it's my father or some friends of ours. Not usually this many." Nathan said, pouring glasses of rosé wine for the women. "Enjoy, everyone."
"Thanks!" Amara said. "Phew, it's really hot today."
"Indeed. Must be about 21 degrees Celsius." Stella said, fanning herself with her napkin. "At least we're outside..."
"I don't mind that much. I love the summer here! My and grandpa always go to Clairdol for a fishing weekend in July. He always catches more than I do, but we still have a great time. Any of you been to that village?" Zao asked.
"No, I've never had a reason to go there. It's probably quieter than Kanaloa is, of course! Also, Blaine and Dan will be here in 16 minutes and 42 seconds." Stella said. "Trust me, I'm right on these things."
"She is, believe me." Amara said, nodding.
"Oh? Then I better get ready for them. I hope Blaine behaves himself." Nathan said, going back inside. Amara, Zao and Stella sat back, enjoying the view of the garden.
"Oh, Amara, I was wondering. You didn't see it, but do remember that special move I used on Carlos?" Zao asked.
"What about it?" Amara said.
"Well, I'm just wondering how I had that kind of power. Up until then, all I had was weak elemental spells." Zao said. "But when I was fighting Carlos, I just really wanted to defeat him...and prove to the others I could fight."
"I wish I had seen it. You did a great job." Amara said, patting Zao on the back. "You'll get better, trust me!"
"Yeah! Then I'll beat Carlos for good! Asa Vashita, baby!" Zao said. Amara and Stella blinked. "What? I heard Nihane mention that thing once."
16 minutes and 42 seconds later
Nathan was busy setting up the barbecue when the doorbell rang - multiple times, almost in a little tune. "I heard you guys the first time! I'll get it." he said, walking to the door.
"Oh, I just realised! You're the Stella Cleon, right?" Priscilla asked, cheerfully. Well, it's not exactly a common name... "I've heard a lot about you!"
"Yes, indeed I am. I can see beyond the mundane and the ordinary. The stars promise me great wisdom and knowledge, as long as I give myself to their calling." Stella said.
"Mudane and ordinary? Don't those two mean the same thing?" Zao asked.
"Quiet, mortal!" Stella snapped.
"Fantastic! Okay then, one of the girls at work, Teresa, thinks her boyfriend Greg is planning to propose to her. So is he? Come on, tell me!" Priscilla said. Stella blinked, and Amara giggled.
"Well, I don't normally provide my services for free, but yes. Teresa's boyfriend, Greg, will indeed propose to her at a candlelight dinner, then take her on a romantic vacation to Venice." Stella said.
"Brilliant! Okay, there's another guy at work called Joe, who is really lazy. Will he ever shape up and work harder?" Priscilla asked.
"Give me a second..." Stella said, already exasperated. Luckily, Blaine and Dan came out to the garden with Nathan, probably much to Stella's relief. Both of them were carrying a heavy case of beer.
"Hey dudes! Good to see you came prepared!" Zao said.
"Damn straight! We thought since we're here at Nathan's, we'd get some manly drinks!" Blaine said, nudging Nathan in the elbow. "I'm just kidding with ya, buddy. Anyway Dan, I wantcha to meet some cool buddies of mine. This dude is Zao, and these ladies are Stella and Amara."
"Nice to meet you guys. How do you know Blaine?" Dan asked. "He didn't tell me he knew so many pretty women."
"Oh, it's a long story." Stella said, with a sly smile to Amara. "Also, Serena and Kyle will be here in 3 minutes and 2 seconds."
"Ah yes, I remember Serena. She was the young girl we met in the department store." Priscilla said. "So is Kyle her boyfriend?"
"They say they aren't dating. It's so obvious, though, isn't it?" Amara said, laughing. "Reminds me of when I was young."
"Twenty one isn't young anymore?" Blaine said. "If anyone shouldn't feel young here, it's us to! We've seen things you kids could only dream of!"
"And forgotten them when we wake up in the morning!" Dan said, grinning.
Amara was glad to see them as friends here, unlike the circumstances in the other world. Then she started to think. She never really had a 'best' friend. She got on well with her fellow art students, particularly Michelle, but none of them were really close to her. Zao was really special, but perhaps the people she had met through fighting Shadows were her best friends now. If only the other her had been as lucky. Still today was supposed to be fun. Amara tried to put those kind of thoughts behind her.
Three Minutes and Two Seconds Later
"Ah, right on cue. Stella, you're amazing! I must ask you more questions later." Priscilla said. Stella breathed a sigh of relief as Priscilla got up to get the door.
"Dear Ishtar, no one remind her!" Stella said, shuddering. "If I have to answer any other questions about her umpteen colleagues, I will scream!"
"Umpteen? That even a number?" Zao asked, confused.
"I...actually don't even know." Nathan said. "I hope Kyle can get through here alright. This is the first time anyone's come here on a wheelchair."
"Kyle was in France with his mom, right?" Amara asked. "Lucky for some."
"Yep. He wasn't looking forward to it at first, but I think I managed to cheer him up a bit." Dan said. "I've seen him a few times, actually. He's a really quiet little guy."
"Hey everyone!" Serena said, entering the garden with Kyle. "Don't worry, Kyle, you'll get along fine with these people."
"If you say so, Serena, but aren't we the only ones still in school?" Kyle asked.
"Don't worry about us! We don't bite...much. Come on, who's left to come?" Zao asked.
"Lucy and Shirley aren't here yet. Let me guess, Stella, you know when they're coming?" Blaine asked.
"In about -" right then, the doorbell rang. "-one second." Stella said.
"Alright! Now we can get this barbecue going. Hopefully, it won't explode this time." Nathan said. Most people laughed, but Kyle looked alarmed. "Relax! It's a joke, don't worry about it. I know how to use this thing, trust me. I tend not to use things I'm not familiar with."
"Really? Then why are you shoving a whole bag of coal into it?" Blaine asked, smirking.
"What the - Damn!" Nathan said, sighing. From the look on Priscilla's face, this sort of thing happened often.
"Hello, Blaine!" Lucy said, running over. She and Blaine exchanged a quick kiss, and Amara noticed Dan looked away. Jealousy, perhaps? Hopefully, with this many people here, she wouldn't have to talk to Lucy too much.
"I didn't expect this. There's a lot of people here." Shirley said. "Hello everybody. I'm Shirley, Lucy's slave - I mean, friend."
"Cool...your hair's blue like mine!" Zao said, grinning. Everybody introduced themselves, although Amara already knew who Dan and Kyle were by now. It was strange seeing Kyle with shorter hair, though.
"Lucy's just as pretty as you said she was, Blaine!" Serena said.
"Thanks, Sabrina!" Lucy said, without even looking at her.
"It's 'Serena'." Serena said, sighing. "That reminds me, I must look up that show-"
Right that second, the doorbell rang again. "Were we expecting someone else?" Nathan asked.
"No, I don't think so. I'll get it." Priscilla said, heading to the door.
"I didn't invite anyone else." Amara said. "What the hell, the more the merrier."
"I'm glad you say that!" Zao said. "Because -"
"Hello everybody!" The newcomer was none other than Karl, holding up a pack of lager.
"I invited Karl!" Zao said.
"Zao, why didn't you say you invited him?" Amara asked.
"I forgot. I've been fishing all day." Zao said, with his perpetual smile.
"Is that what they call it these days?" Dan said, and Lucy and Shirley laughed.
"I don't get it." Nathan said, confused.
"Really? How old are you again? Even I got that..." Kyle said, shaking his head.
"Trust me, he really was fishing. If he's near a body of water that isn't polluted, he'll be there until sundown." Karl said. "Anyway, I'm Karl. Zao's buddy, and the star player of the Saragel Heroes!"
"Hold on. Isn't Karl your ex boyfriend?" Serena asked, looking at Amara. "Are you okay with him being here?"
"It's fine, honestly. I just didn't know he was coming..." Amara said.
"I'm not surprised. Zao forgets everything." Karl said, as he got a beer for Zao and himself. "Oh, you guys already brought some?"
"Yeah. But we can never have enough! Now sit down, while Nathan tries to stop the barbecue from setting the garden on fire..." Blaine said.
"Would that really happen?" Kyle asked, nervous.
"No, Kyle, it'll be fine." Serena said. "Honestly, just relax. You should hang out with more people than just me, you know!"
"Yeah! Broaden your horizons, and see the whole wide world! Or something like that. Here, I'll play you guys a song." Zao said, and he got the guitar and started playing a rather peaceful tune. Amara had never heard him play before, but the way he moved his fingers, plucking the strings...it was so enticing. Every single note he played rang in Amara's ears, and it felt like a dream. She almost wished it was just the two of them, and he was seranading her with the most heartfelt love song imaginable.
"You're good, Zao! I play the piano myself. In fact, I'm a tutor!" Shirley said. "Most of the people I teach don't appreciate the subtlety, though." she said, giving Lucy a sideways glance.
"Well, it's kind of hard to do that when you play it even in the morning when I'm still in bed." Lucy said. "Can't you find a quieter hobby?"
"Like what? Taxidermy?" Shirley asked, with a menacing glint in her eyes.
"Not that! God no!" Lucy said. "Please don't hurt Lilith!"
"Lilith?" Amara asked.
"That's her cat. Don't get her started on that little furball, or we'll be here all day." Blaine said.
"But she's so adorable! The other night, she was under the covers, and I could hear her purring, and then when I woke up she was sitting on my face and I couldn't get her off, so Shirley had to lure her away with her favourite toy, and then when I got back from work she was in the sink..."
Later
"So, have you guys lived here long?" Dan asked, gazing at the rather elegant design of the house.
"Just a few years. It took us ages to save up the money to move, though. Nathan's father offered to help, but Nathan refused. He always tries to do everything himself, don't you sweetheart?" Priscilla said.
"Of course! That's why the barbecue tastes so good!" Nathan said, wiping away sauce from his face. "Oh, yeah...and the salad is...good too. Very good."
"You only ate some because I brought it up, you greedy pig." Priscilla said, playfully hitting Nathan on the nose.
"It's nice to eat meat once in a while. Usually, I just eat fish. Mackerel, trout, salmon, etc." Zao said. "Now I'm hungry again. Pass me another sausage, Karl."
"Sure." Karl did so, and watched as Zao devoured it, messily. "Hey, eat a little slower! These lovely young women shouldn't have to see that!"
"Oh, leave him be. At least he's eaten some salad, unlike you and Nathan..." Priscilla said.
"Um...I was saving it for later. Seriously!" Karl said, quickly grabbing some salad. Priscilla chuckled, and so did Amara. Karl was always more of a meat eater, and she had tried many times to get him to eat more vegetables. At least Zao was a little less fussy.
"So Lucy, what was Karen talking to you about?" Amara asked.
"Well, I suppose I can tell you guys. Roger invited Karen to a vacation in the Bahamas, and so she's leaving me in charge!" Lucy said, ecstatic. Oh. Does that make Lucy my boss?
"She's only told me like five times before now." Shirley said wearily. "Lucy, just remember it's only for a fortnight, so don't let it go to your head!"
"Please, what could go wrong? I've seen the way Karen works. I can do her job and mine no sweat." Lucy said. "I can't wait to see the looks on their faces on Monday!"
"Way to go!" Blaine said, kissing her once again. "Remember your evil plan? This is phase one!" I have a feeling Lucy will have no problem enacting her evil plot.
"As long as you compliment my sublime art skills, everything will be alright!" Amara said. "Congratulations, Lucy!"
"Hey Kyle, are you alright? You've been rather quiet!" Priscilla asked.
"I'm okay. I'm just enjoying the food." Kyle said.
"Hey, why don't we show them your Toulouse photos?" Serena said, excitedly getting out her phone.
"Wait! Don't -" Before he could stop her, Serena was showing the others all the pictures from Kyle's adventures in France. In particular, the one with Kyle trying to chase a duck carrying his beret souvenir had everyone burst out laughing. "Serena!"
"Oh, come on! You look so cute trying to get it back!" Serena said. Kyle, face red with embarrassment, turned away.
"Hey, Stella. You've lived in Kanaloa for most of your life, right? How come I never saw you before you opened your psychic parlour?" Blaine asked.
"Well...I kept to myself." Stella said. "You wouldn't know my parents, I'm sure of that."
"Oh, Stella, that reminds me! I placed an order for this poem collection online, can you tell me if it'll come on time?" Priscilla asked.
"This again? No, it'll be a few days later." Stella said, and she gave Amara a pleading look for mercy. Amara shrugged, leaving Stella to answer most of Priscilla's inane questions.
Kyle, still embarrassed from the slideshow, noticed the tattoo on Dan's arm. "Is that real?"
"Naw, I got some crayons and drew it on. Of course it's real, boy!" Dan said, showing the dragon tattoo off. "When I was about your age, there was this girl at school I liked who was into Chinese stuff. So to impress her, I went and got this beauty on my arm and torso! But it all backfired in my face. Turned out she didn't like tattoos or dragons. Or me, for that matter."
"Really? It looks pretty cool to me! Reminds me of Seiryu of the Ssu-Ling!" Kyle said. Lucy rolled her eyes, but Dan listened to Kyle's brief explanation of the Chinese Ssu-Ling. Dan just smiled and nodded at most of it, but cracked up laughing at the mention of the dragon 'Wang Long'. "I'd be too scared to get anything like that done, though...my mom would kill me."
"Oh, don't worry about that. You're nearly seventeen, right? You just do what you want. As long as you're old enough!" Dan said.
"Alright then. I still don't think I'd get one like yours, though." Kyle said, smiling. "Um, Zao, would you mind playing another song?"
"About time someone asked me to! Here we go, ladies and gentlemen!" Zao said, grabbing his guitar and playing another one of his soothing tunes. It seemed to fit the evening perfectly, as the sun started to set.
Later
Everyone was done eating, and finishing their drinks. Kyle was yawning, yet still chatting to Priscilla about his grades at school and how 'freaking awesome' Fairy Tail was. Lucy didn't seem to share his zeal for the show, however, and instead kept talking about her career as a journalist.
"So Serena, your parents don't mind you coming here?" Nathan asked.
"Please, even if they did I'd still have came." Serena said, angrily. "And you know why."
"Oh...yeah." Nathan said, and Kyle gasped.
"What's this about?" Lucy asked. "Selena having family problems?"
"It's 'Serena'! And yeah, but it's kind of personal." Serena said, trailing off.
"No problem. I don't get on well with my folks either. They never wanted me to move here, but they couldn't keep me away from my friend - or slave!" Lucy said, putting her arm around Shirley.
"Lucy, the only reason I do the chores is because you break dishes all the time." Shirley said, sighing.
"Oh, Karl! Did you get those boots from Richard?" Zao asked. "I wanna see!"
"So does every self-respecting soccer fan. Well, I was gonna take them, but we decided to keep one boot each." Karl said. "I picked the right one, though. That's the foot Gaultherias used to score that famous goal in Mexico!" Now it was Kyle's turn to roll his eyes. Clearly, he wasn't a fan of sport.
"How are you two getting home?" Nathan asked.
"Oh, we'll get the bus." Serena said. "Actually, we'd better get going now!"
"Yeah, it is getting late. Bye, everyone!" Kyle said, waving.
"Take care, man!" Dan said, watching as Kyle and Serena left the house.
"You really like that kid, don't you?" Blaine asked.
"I guess I do. I just like looking out for him. Maybe it's because of...um, never mind." Dan said, shaking his head. Blaine sighed. Apparently, he knew what Dan meant.
"That's so sweet of you! You're such a gentleman." Shirley said, smiling. Dan blushed, and didn't respond. Actually, haven't I seen Shirley somewhere before? Before me and Lucy met her at the mall?
Amara looked to the starry night sky. It was perfect. To see the blackness of outer space, decorated by the bright stars and the pearl moon. It was brilliant. Tonight, she had thought very little of fighting Shadows or the Ater Vox, but had enjoyed spending time with both friends and new acquaintances.
"Let me guess, you want to paint the night sky?" Zao asked, looking at it as well.
"You know me so well!" Amara said. Zao kissed her, and once again Karl looked away. Not that Amara noticed - every time Zao kissed her, it took her breath away. This was only the second time she had felt so in love...
"Hey, get a room!" Blaine said, jokingly.
"That sounds like a good idea..." Lucy said, winking at Blaine.
"Lucy, calm yourself. " Shirley said, finishing her wine.
|Amara's Apartment|12:02 am|
It wasn't until midnight that Amara finally got back. Zao and Karl decided to hit the town, the former promising to find the latter 'the sexiest fan girls ever'. With the prospect of Lucy as her temporary boss, Amara decided she really needed to enjoy this weekend. Perhaps she and Stella could go out to Bar Skadi again - as long as she was wearing the coat provided and had good company, she could put up with the cold.
Lying on the sofa, she started to doze off. It had been a great day, especially since she got to meet her allies from the other world all over again. Priscilla and Nathan were such a perfect couple, and she had been a great host to everybody. Kyle was quiet, but at least he enjoyed talking to Dan. As for Dan, he was much the same as his counterpart, but without the horror of losing Kanaloa.
I guess we never do realise how lucky we have it...
Soon, she drifted off to sleep.
|Dream|
Amara was no longer in her apartment. Instead, she was standing in a small bedroom. This was a minimalist bedroom, perhaps. The walls were plain white, with only a window with beige curtains. The floor was plain wood, without even a rug. The room lacked furnishing - a single bed, a shelf with a small collection of academic textbooks, and a chair. The bare lightbulb lacked a shade.
What's going on? Am I dreaming this...?
There was a boy standing at the window, gazing outside. Amara knelt down besides him, and saw the rain lashing against the window. There were some cars passing by, and Amara noticed their liscence plates seemed different from those in New Motus City. Was she in a foreign country? Just then, she realised that the boy hadn't even noticed Amara besides him, despite no attempt from her to hide her prescence. She turned to him, and gasped. His hair...it was familiar. And those eyes. Could this be...Nihane? The same one she saw being drafted into Archibald's project?
Amara didn't understand this at all. Was this Nihane's bedroom when he was a child? There was hardly anything here. If this was Nihane's childhood, why was she seeing it? Amara looked out the window again. A car parked at the opposite end of the street, and the man driving it got out. His hair was black, but beyond that, Amara couldn't make out much else. The boy gasped, with a big smile.
"That's daddy! It has to be!"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Amara asked.
The boy bolted out of the room. Before Amara could say anything else, she suddenly was at the top of a landing, with the boy. Looking around, Amara could see many identical wooden doors, with words on them. Yet, they all looked fuzzy, no matter how hard she looked at them. This is another memory? Why am I even seeing this?
"Oh, that poor child. $%^*(, he's so quiet, so alone! He never plays with toys or any of the other children. All he wants is his parents." a female voice said. Looking down from the stairs, Amara saw two middle aged women standing chatting besides a statue. Nihane's real name must have been said, because Amara heard that strange white noise. It was like a TV episode that had been edited for syndication - but Amara was right there in this place. An orphanage, where Nihane once lived.
"He's been here for nine years, too. I was here when it happened. A couple came in with their baby, and they looked awful. Such weird clothes, I couldn't believe it. They weren't shabby, just kind of creepy! But they had such pale, gaunt faces. Skeletal, even. All they told me was that they were about to depart from the world, and their baby must never know of their ancestry." The second women said.
"So his parents really are dead? Should we tell him?" The first woman asked.
"No. The sooner he's adopted by a good family, the better. There's no need to tell him about such strange parents. He needs some normality in his life. I'll try to get him to join in tomorrow at playtime." The other woman said, and the two of them walked off. The young Nihane beside Amara looked distraught.
"They're...dead?" Nihane finally said, out loud. "But Daddy's coming back! He'll take me away, and mommy will join us! We'll be like all the other families!" Amara gazed at this pitiful little boy. She knew he would later take control of her city, and infest it with Shadows. But this was only a child. An orphan. She couldn't find it in her heart to hate him.
Nihane's eyes, a deep blue in this memory, started watering. "It's not true! I'm not like everyone else! I'm different! I don't want to live with strangers! I want my real parents!"
"Who's up at this hour of night? Is it $%^*( again?!" an adult male voice asked, and before Nihane could answer, Amara woke up.
"Again...?" Amara said, sitting up. "Why did I have to see that? Nihane's not that boy anymore..."
Amara spent the night tossing and turning, trying to put that memory out of her mind.