A/N: I apologize for the late update and would like to make it up to all of you by making this extra-long chapter. I would like to thank:
ChaseingTheWind for beta-reading, she is both mentor and friend and I appreciate all the help she gives me;
Delta5744 for his inputs, I followed your advice with Flaky's social interactions;
Lady Sissel Torikki for she is the reason why Lammy is Flaky's first friend. I do hope she is to your liking, my lady.
Please do leave a review or PM me your thoughts, suggestions, comments, etc.
Arguments
"But I don't want to go to school!" a frustrated red head told her dad for the hundredth time. Okay, that was the third time but she was sure her dad wasn't counting. "You've never sent me before. You can teach me at home like you always do."
"Flaky, you have to go to school," her father said, sitting on the red, cozy couch. "There you will learn plenty of things, meet new friends, and experience the ups and downs of growing up."
Flaky stood in front of her dad, both scared and angry, "You can teach me yourself, Dad. You know everything!"
Flippy couldn't keep the smile from forming on his face, "Although that's very flattering, Flaky, we both know that isn't true. You will learn more from your teachers. They will teach you about science, math, history and everything you wish to know."
"They'll be mean to me; the other kids will tease me and I'm sure the bullies will pick on me the most," Flaky was sobbing now, tears were freely falling from her crimson eyes, "They'll all hate me!"
Flippy gently pulled his daughter within the comforts of his arms, "Now, now, little one, no one will tease or bully you. If they do, your daddy's going to take care of it."
"But-," Flaky rubbed her eyes in surprise. She could've sworn her dad's eyes just flashed golden.
"Hm? Something in my face, Flakes?" Flippy stared at his daughter with his emerald eyes.
"I… I… Don't think that's a good idea. They'll just pick on me more and call me names like 'daddy's girl' or 'crybaby'," Flaky sadly said, forgetting her dad's eyes and focusing on her current problem.
"First of all, you ARE daddy's girl," Flippy hugs his little Flaky who was now sitting on his lap. "And you are a crybaby. Just last night you were crying a river from that movie. I never seen anyone cry over Titanic as much as you did."
"It was a very sad movie," Flaky snuggles against his dad, inhaling his perfume. She couldn't really put her finger on it but this was a scent very distinct to her dad and she loves it, it relaxes her for some reason. "And don't distract me, Dad. I still don't want to go to school."
"You're twelve years old, Flakes," Flippy said, almost sounding remorseful. "You're growing up and there are a lot of things I can't teach you. You need to learn these things on your own and I believe school will be the best place to do it. You get to spend time with kids your age, make friends, and have lots of fun. You'll face challenges that will help you grow into a fine lady."
Flaky looks up and smiles at Flippy, drying her eyes with the back of her hand. "Alright, daddy. I'll try this school-thing but if doesn't work out-"
"It will, Flakes," Flippy cut her off, his smile reaching his ears. "Trust me."
Flaky, locks her crimson eyes with Flippy's emerald ones; giving him a sweet smile before snuggling against Flippy's chest and sailing to a sweet blissful dream,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Fliqpy stood in front of his bedroom window, staring at the darkness that envelops the world every time the sun sets on the horizon. He continued to nurse his glass of whiskey while pondering over his current predicament. The source of his troubled thoughts was currently siting on his bed, or their bed, reading some stupid book about parenting. Honestly, he could not look at him without lashing out. The ungrateful bastard was getting on his nerves and even his third glass has done nothing to soothe them. Fliqpy could not comprehend why he still continued to remain here; where he is neither appreciated nor acknowledged. He was treated as a prisoner; a monster locked in a caged. And for what? What was his crime that deserved such a punishment? Was it the murders he committed? The buildings that he demolished? Perhaps it was those people he burnt. Maybe it was all the carnage he brought unto the world. No. All of these 'evils' was necessary. These where not his crime. If Fliqpy was honest to himself he would've figured it out already. His crime was love. Yes, it may sound cliché but that was his grievous crime. His love for Flippy was the sin that forged his very cage. This devotion he has for the emerald veteran was his downfall. Despite this, Fliqpy still continues to protect Flippy even though the former has insisted that he no longer needs him. But this was a lie as well and Fliqpy knows it. For if it was true, then Fliqpy would've cease to exist. He needs me; this was Fliqpy's conclusion. This is his resolve. For as long as his emerald veteran has need of him, he will stay. Fliqpy will keep his existence, while all their enemies will lose theirs.
Tonight his charge is safe, and he needs to address him about a certain topic; so Fliqpy turned to face his counterpart who was still reading his stupid book and asked, "Why send her to school?"
Flippy set his book down on his lap and answered, "It's a miracle that you're capable of speaking; here I thought yelling profanities is all you know."
"And you have grown quite the spine; here I thought it was made of jelly," Fliqpy countered, taking a small sip from his whiskey.
"I have a daughter now," Flippy picked up a picture of Flaky that he kept on his nightstand, "I have no time to be scared."
"So it is true," Fliqpy's golden orbs narrowed, "that imp is the source of this resolve you have. The courage you now possess comes from her; and thus my cage was reinforced."
Flippy, replaced the picture on the nightstand but gave no answer to the monster in front of him.
"Are you that confident that you would risk sending her away," Fliqpy continued, smiling wickedly, "or maybe it's foolishness?"
"I will not let you hinder the growth of my daughter," Flippy stood up and faced his enemy, his resolve as hard as steel.
"And what could that pathetic institution give to her that we can't," Fliqpy's golden eyes met Flippy's, both locked in a staring duel; their stance were solid, each was ready to pounce on the other but neither wanted to make the first move.
"Friends! Independence! Hope! These are the things I could never give her for I, myself, do not have them," Flippy turned his back on Flippy and closed his eyes, "You took all those from me. You robbed me of my chance of living."
"I saved your life so many times I've lost count already!" the golden eyed guardian yelled at his charge with disbelief. How could he accuse him of such a thing when he has done the exact opposite?
"Only for you to take everything that mattered to me," countered Flippy, pointing at Fliqpy as if his finger would hurt the beast, "I have a family, friends, and a life before the stupid war. They were waiting for me and I longed to be with them. But you took them. One by one you destroyed everything that I love. You've taken away my friends, my family… You took HER away… She… She was…"
Fliqpy's grip on the empty glass tightened to the point of causing it to crack. He couldn't believe how ungrateful and selfish his emerald veteran had become. In his rage he flung the glass at Flippy only for him to dodge it, hitting the lamp on the nightstand. But Fliqpy was too quick and he managed to pounce on Flippy, pushing him unto the bed and pinning him against it. The two jade knights stared at each other as if they were boring holes on the other's head.
"She would've hurt you! She would've broken your heart and push you off the cliff of despair!"
"I would've jumped for her!"
The loud smack of Fliqpy's palm seems to echo around the room as it collided with Flippy's cheek. The man under Fliqpy had his eyes open in complete shock. It has been a long time since his mortal enemy has managed to hurt him. The pain almost shook his resolve but he quickly regains his wits and stared at his captor with defiance. What met his eyes was the same as all the previous times. Fliqpy's pair of sorrowful, golden eyes.
"How could I protect you if you, yourself, wish your own demise?" asked Fliqpy, his grip on Flippy's arms loosening.
Flippy took advantage of the opportunity and flipped them over. He pinned Fliqpy's arms his right hand while his left held Fliqpy's throat. He gritted his teeth and said, "I don't need your protection, monster! The war is over and I have no need of you. Why don't you just disappear?!"
"Make me," the captive monster stated calmly.
Flippy tried to tighten his grip on Fliqpy's neck but his shaking hand just won't listen to him. Seeing his captor struggling caused Fliqpy to smirk. He grabbed the stupid book Flippy was reading that was conveniently within his reach and whacked the head of the pathetic excuse of a soldier on top of him.
Fliqpy got up, still holding the book, and stared down at the fallen Flippy, "Weak! You're a weakling, Flippy. And that's why I'm still around. That's why-"
Fliqpy's rant was cut off by the opening door of their room. As the lights from the hallway pierced the darkness of the room, he saw, at the entrance, the red headed imp that Flippy calls his daughter. She was wearing a pair of pink pajamas with little strawberries scattered on it. Flaky, how he hated that name, was rubbing the drowsiness from her eyes that now displayed concern. Fliqpy stared at her with his golden ones.
"Dad?"
"Go back to bed, rascal."
"I heard a loud crash and got scared," Flaky was slowly walking towards his dad and she gasped as she saw the broken lamp on his nightstand. "What happened, Dad? Are you hurt?"
Fliqpy slowly walked towards the curious little girl, smiling wickedly, while toying with the book in his hands. His golden eyes were lock on Flaky's pretty face; he let out a small chuckle that went unheard. Flaky just stood in front of the bed, watching her dad curiously. Fliqpy eventually reached the little imp and knelt in front of her. He held her gaze with his own; his left hand held her face as his right slowly raised the book over his head. Fliqpy grinned at Flaky as the thick book came down on her head.
"What's that, Dad?" Flaky asked as her father gently taps her head with the book he held.
"I fell asleep reading this and had a nightmare," her father explained.
"Parenting for Single Parents," Flaky read the title and frowns, "That's not a scary book."
"Believe me, Flaky," the man in front of him laughed, "Parenting is very, very scary."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"So I'll pick you up after school," Flippy pats his daughter's head as he gives her some final instruction before letting her go on her adventure, "No talking to strangers, pay attention in class, make friends and try not to eat the meatloaf they serve at the cafeteria. I packed you your own lunch."
"Thanks Dad," Flaky smiled weakly, "There's no chance I can talk my way out of this, is there?"
"Nope," Flippy answered, grinning. "You'll be fine. It'll be an adventure!"
Flaky gave her dad a goodbye kiss and reluctantly got out of the car they were riding. Flippy smiled at his daughter, "Do your best, Flakes!"
Flaky smiled for her dad and as their car rode off, she turned around to face her school. Several students were walking through the wide gate that had a giant book made of stone on top of it. She stared at the weird sculpture and wondered if she would survive if that fell on her. She pondered on this for a few moments before she was interrupted by a gentle tap on her shoulder.
"Excuse me," said a girl with long, wavy, purple hair that had an indigo bow on one side. She was wearing a pair of circular glasses that sat on her button nose. The white turtle neck sweater she wore seems very cozy and covered a generous portion of her thighs. The black leggings look really good on her as well. And those boots made Flaky a little bit self-conscious with her attire which consists of a pink t-shirt, a pair of blue jeans and white sneakers. She never really tried dressing up before and was contented with what she could find first in her closet.
"Yes?"
"Can you please show me where Narra Building is?" she asked Flaky, who was still eyeing her boots.
"Oh! I'm sorry. I'm also new here," stammered Flaky. "I'm also looking for Narra Building. If you want, we could look for it together."
The girl smiled at Flaky and answered, "That is very kind of you. I'm Lammy by the way. Lammy Renne."
Flaky smiled back and offered her hand, "Flaky Navarro. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lammy."
"Same here," Lammy took her hand and they shared a friendly handshake. At this exact moment Flaky was very thankful to her dad for buying her that book on how to make friends. This may not be as bad as she thought.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The two girls eventually found themselves completely and utterly lost. It wasn't apparent from the outside but the school was enormous. And it doesn't even look like any school they both have ever seen; it was more like a town. The streets were lined by different kinds of kiosk selling all sorts of wares. There were shops, restaurants, arcade, and so many things that they don't even know. Everything was just so overwhelming for the two young girls.
Flaky and Lammy both sat on a wooden bench; both exhausted from all the walking they've done. They have long given up on finding Narra Building and decided instead to explore their new school. "I don't think this is a school, Flaky," Lammy laughed, "This is more like a town or a city even."
"Leave it to my dad to enroll me in a weird school," Flaky chuckled, "I'm glad I met you though. This would've been a lot worse if I didn't."
"Same here," Lammy smiled at her new friend, thankful for her company.
The two girls sat in peaceful silence, content with each other's company; each gazing up at the clear blue sky and enjoying the shade that the large oak was currently giving them. But the peace was not meant to last for it was disturbed by a heated argument behind them.
"I'm telling you, Frank William Abagnale was unconquerable. He practically succeeded in everything that he attempted, together with dodging the police and even the FBI," one of the voice stated.
"Bill Mason is known to have stolen a whopping $35,000,000 from private residences AND has stolen priceless jewels from socialites and celebrities," declared a much deeper voice, "He even stole from Robert Goulet, Bob Hope, Truman Capote, Johnny Weissmuller, and twice from Phyllis Diller!"
The two girls turned around and saw the source of the arguments. At first they thought they were seeing double but after a clear inspection it appeared that Flaky and Lammy were looking at twins. Both have tousled, dark green hair although one had a fedora on his head. They were wearing white long-sleeved buttoned shirt with an open black vest on top, a pair of black slacks and what appear to be black dancing shoes. They also wore a pair of green John Lennon glasses that barely covered their sea-green eyes.
"I prefer Doris Payne," Lammy suddenly said, surprising and catching everyone's attention, "She would dress up all classy, enter the stores of the most expensive and glamorous of jewels, get the clerk busy or mesmerized them by her charms, then make them forget the number of items they have shown her, and leave with style, having stolen a handsome jewelry item."
Lammy then gave Flaky a look that said, 'Your turn', and Flaky couldn't believe her friend. What is she thinking? Taking a deep breath, Flaky look at the twins who were actually waiting if she has something to add and she calmly said, "Without weapons, nor hatred, nor violence."
"Albert Spaggiari!" shouted the twins in unison, "Classic."
"I believe that the best thieves must follow these wise words," continued Flaky, trying and praying that she won't start stuttering like she used to do, "For a thief is different from a common thug or a derange murderer. The goal of thieves is to take without being seen; to acquire wealth without hurting his victims. A true thief relies on wits not force."
Lammy raised an eyebrow and gave Flaky a surprised look which she just whispered, "Dad likes teaching me weird things."
"That was-"
"Beautiful!"
"You've describe-"
"-our very definition-"
"-of what a thief-"
"-should be."
The twins surprise the two girls yet again as they expertly take turns talking without missing a beat.
"I'm Shifty," declared the boy with the fedora.
"I'm Lifty," stated the other twin as they leaned against the other.
"And we are the Giambruno Brothers!" the twins shouted in unison.
"For thieves, you boys are quite loud," Lammy rubbed her ears, but still had the amused look on her face.
"We're not-"
"-actually thieves but-"
"-are just huge fans of them."
The interchanging voices blended so well the girls could hardly tell whose talking.
"I'm Lammy Renne and my friend here is Flaky Navarro," the purple princess introduces themselves with a cheerful smile.
"You two seem new around here," Shifty gently fiddles with his fedora and looks at the two girls with curiosity.
"If you want, we could show you around," Lifty turned his gaze toward his brother, asking for his approval, "Right, Shifty?"
Shifty just tipped his fedora in response but Lifty knows this was a yes.
"Flaky, it appears we just met our tour guides," Lammy said to Flaky.
Flaky was grinning now. She looks at Lammy, then to Shifty and Lifty and she couldn't stop feeling the butterflies in her stomach. The day was not yet over and she already made three friends. This was a great start to her school life, albeit missing her class on the first day. But Flaky decided to not sweat the details. This was still more than what she had hoped for. Maybe her dad was right. Maybe this school-thing won't be so bad after all.
A/N: Narra is a tribute to the national tree of my country.
And the school is unnamed… I'm accepting suggestions for that.
This is my current work schedule:
0400-0800 Bridge Duty
0800-1200 Overtime on Deck
1600-2000 Bridge Duty
2000-2200 Updating Documents
As you all can see, I am swamped with so much work. Bear with me and my slow updates.