Chapter 6
The next day the family made preparations. The younger ones where fitted with costumes which would repect the traditions of the event. All of the children didn't want to sit still while their mother would fit their dresses and overalls, playing outside with the neighbours was much more enticing.
But whine and stuggle as they might their mothers will was superior and after the final child was done all stormed out wanting to recouperate the lost time.
Rosetta now was the only child left it seemed as the elderly woman was assaulted by many questions regarding the outfit. There where some loose ends and little things that weren't that suited and she quickly fixed them.
Amazing what those nimble finger could do as the elder finished. Out of rather simple black clothing she quickly fashioned a goodlooking dress fitting the occasion. It almoast looked tailored by a fashiondesigner.
The red hair in contrast with the black clothing was quite beautiful and even Rosetta admitted it to be quite elegant.
Altough her youngest years she lived mainly in highsociety since coming to the stage she lost all high etiquette and adopted a more leasurly manner. It was quite a rarity to see her like this, she might have rivaled Layla in elegance if she had met the blond right now.
May's mother was happy to have made the guest more presentable and knew that her work for the moment was done.
Rosetta however was a bit surprised not having the elder look after May's clothing, but realized that she probably left that up to her. That was what she thought, but it probably was just because May was old enough to take initiative over herself.
But even so there was no need to get ready alone she then thought as she rushed to her friends room. As she opened the door she felt herself freeze up as the site was bewildering. May hearing the girl come in turned and suffered a similar reaction as they looked at eachother.
Their skirts where of similar length, but both of them looked unique. Rosetta had a thin top which had dents and inlays that obviously hinted at its origins from France. May however had much simpler black top which however simpler in design did not lack elegance. It fitted the blackhaired girls countours quite well and the dark color seemed to make her slightly less voluptuous then what she really was which fitted the occasion.
"She looks so adorable." thought the redhead even after considering the sad event they where participating in. May had similar thoughts but none went deep as they remebered why it was they where dressing up so elegantly in the first place.
Undetailed the chinese garment might have been but the little precious stone that was gracing her neck made it that much sweeter in appearance.
The last thing the redhead noted as she finished examening and apreciating what her friend wore was the solid headband. It in a black color complemented the dress very nicely but either then that it served no real practicle purpouse as the chinese still had her hair tied in her awkward ponytails. Both left eachother with quite an impression. Even in such sad times they admitted that the other one could look beautiful even tough unwillingly.
Both were pleased as the deceased woman would probably have wanted them looking their best.
They changed in their individual rooms and then resumed their talks and stories. Fitting the occasion May told her most of the stories she knew with her departed family member.
Rosetta enjoyed all of them, she always had and now she could apreaciate them even more. However it was getting late again and they had to call it quits. May altough having planned to recite the poems rather then read them could not learn them as it made her sad everytime she read one of them.
Rosetta suggested to her mother that she should read and it was aprooved, it didn't really matter anyway.
The next day everybody was up in the early morning. Rosetta and May got changed in their rooms whilst the younger children had to be dressed by their mother so they wouldn't ruin the suits.
As everybody got into the car the redhead quickly noted that her friend had become silent. She understood and didn't feel like talking either. The minivan was quite large so May and Rosetta stood next to eachother near one of the window. The blackhaired girl was lost in thought looking outside.
The redhead was content to simply sit with her. The children also where unusually quiet. It seemed that only now they started feeling the pain of the loss. It was a long trip which lead back to the city.
However this journy would not just simbolize the way to the funeral, but May's return to the Kaleido Stage along with Rosetta. The chinese had decided that she would continue pursuing her dreams, but now not just to bring joy to the audience but also would do it in the memory of her departed grandmother who at first was the only person who encouraged her to pursue a life at the stage.
May's thoughts where interrupted when she saw the blackpainted high fence with sharp tips. Now was the time, she hoped she could pull trough.
Evergreen Cemetery
At the entrance to the graveyard a small group of people waited. Rosetta the first time they saw the crowd realized who they where. Their features where distinctive enough hinting at their asian origins.
Altough being a catholic funeral some wore small white armbands. Out of the vechicle May's parents got out first and where greeted by older realtives. They had welcoming smiles, but still where griefstruck over the loss. Some however didn't share the older members sorrow as it was more of a family obligation then a sad event. With such an extended family it was no surprise they couldn't keep close contact. Together they could have been called a clan, which in a way they were. After the introductions of the adults was done the rest of the elderly members greeted the two and each offered a small envelope.
The contents where a mystery, but Rosetta remebered beeing told once that at traditional chinese funeral the most apropiat gift was a envelope with money to aid the family struck by the loss.
With the formal greeting done May and the rest where signaled to follow. The children got out on one side and May on the other. Rosetta was a bit unsure what to do next but as the chinese extended her hand to help her out she didn't hesitate to grab it.
Out of the vehicle the younger ones mignled with their smaller cousins which they hadn't seen since the last major family event. It seemed altough loose, the family bonds still prevailed.
But as Rosetta got out helped by May some of the members almoast yelled in shock. Maybe it was the intense red hair or the girls unasian looks but many where surprised to see someone like her, they thought this was an exclusive family event.
As much as Rosetta had been accepted by May's family as one of their own this did not apply to the rest of the extended family as they were almoast insulted by her presence.
The redhead was quick to pick up the discontent faces, which expressed all manner of irritated questions
"Who is she?" "What is she doing here?" "That girl shouldn't be here." "This is making a mockery of the funeral." "Why is she here." "Why would they bring a stranger with them."
The elder of the chinese knew there must be a solid reason for her participation, and if May's family accepted her so would they. However the younger and middleaged family members didn't share their point of view and stared at her almoast accusingly.
Rosetta usually enjoyed having eyes on her, just like in the shows, but these stares filled with suspicion she felt more keenly and it hurt her. May seemed to notice how unconfortable she felt and gave her a look that quickly brought her friend on her feet.
The thought behind the look in the chinese eyes "Come with me." was picked up by Rosetta who brightened up as from people she had just met she had no reason to want to be accepted.
They walked side by side, just the two of them and caught up with May's parents.
The other relatives were surprised to see them so confortable with themselves, some now saw that she deserved her place among them, but others where still convinced she had snaked her way in and considered her presence a insult to the whole family.
It took a few minutes before Rosetta and May arrived at the chosen spot and beheld the coffin already locked down. One of the womans whish was to disallow anyone from her family to see her dead body.
It made things a lot easier to some, especially for the children.
Many brough flowers near the grave and places flowers on the sealed coffin. Two priest then started the ceremony. First one would read in english then pause and left the other one to read in chinese. It seemed that not all the relatives where as adapted as the departed woman was and needed a translator.
Almoast an hour lasted the procession and after that a round tablet was passed. The one who had it in hand would then speak his mind and express the thoughts on the departed woman. This mourning monolouge became longer as many took turns to speak. However neither Rosetta nor May expressed themselves as only members who were head of a family were allowed to speak.
After another hour of memories and mourns the session finally ended. However as everyone prepared themselves and thought the coffin was about to be lowered May took a few steps closer.
In her hand a small booklet with a red outer cover and only two pages. Everybody around settled down as they understood that May who was one of the closest person to the deceased was about to read something in her honor. It took a while after after a silence settled.
The wind started blowing slightly and the blackhaired girl took one last breath and opened the book. She started reciting in a slow but strong voice.
'We've known lots of pleasure,
At times endured pain,
We've lived in the sunshine
And walked in the rain.'
The chinese took a deeper breath and continued.
'But now we're seperated
And for a time apart,
But I am not alone-
You're forever in my heart.'
The chinese seemed to show slight signs of wanting to skip but she forced herself trough it, holding back tears that desperatly needed to be shed.
'Death always seems so sudden,
And it is always sure,
But what ... But what is ... what is'
The girl stopped unable to speak another world her hand that was holding the small book shaking uncontrolably. Her fight against her tears was clearly audieble and made other relatives cry.
She struggled to maintain her voice and continue the peom, but felt herself unable as a freezing air seemed to lock her in place, cold but also dry, she found herself unable to speak.
As much as she had mentally prepared herself she could not pull trough and was about to quit. The other family members didn't know how to react, they understood the troubles she was going trough, but none knew how to proceed in this situation.
This cold numbness that overcame May was starting to get more and more unbearable. The left hand that was not holding the book shaked even more violently as all feel seemed to be lost from it.
Altough surrounded by many caring relatives she felt alone, uncapable of departing from the deceased woman she cared and looked up to.
However a new well of strength sprung in her as she felt her numb hand come back to life as warmth seemed to emanate from it.
She quickly looked next to her the moment she felt it and was surprised by what she saw. Next to her having taken her hand caringly was Rosetta.
Whilst she had almoast crumbled under her sadness the redhead did not hesistate to offer her support. The other family members where shocked, some wanted to jump in, to them it seemed the worst of insults. How does she dare interrupt May whilst she was reciting?
But as they saw the chinese not reject the support but welcome it they finally realized just how close they truly where. All their previous preconceptions were washed aside as now they saw they could fully accept her. The redheads girl support always had a deep effect of May who's tears where testimony to her relased feelings. But the tears now where not of sorrow, but of joy.
With her right hand conforting May's left Rosetta took the the small booklet with the other one and now was holding it together with the chinese. The blackhaired girl stopped shaking and noding once apreciating her friends gesture, but also signaling her.
Together as they where they found limitless strength in eachother and together read the peom from the begining.
'We've known lots of pleasure,
At times endured pain,
We've lived in the sunshine
And walked in the rain.
But now we're seperated
And for a time apart,
But I am not alone-
You're forever in my heart.
Death always seems so sudden,
And it is always sure,
But what is oft' forgotten-
It is not without a cure.
I'm walking now with someone,
And I know He'll always stay,
I know He's walking with you too,
Giving comfort everyday.
There may be times you miss me,
I sort of hope you do,
But smile when you think of me,
For I'll be waiting for you.
Now there's many things for you to do,
And lots of ways to grow,
So get busy, be happy,and live your life,
Miss me, but let me go.'
They took a small break wich signaled the first peom had eneded and the second one was to begin. Despite her tears May's voice was clear and together with Rosetta sounded soothing and melodic as they read with intonation.
'Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die!'
The words sounded as if they had come from the deceased woman herself, as she did not want her family to mourn her and forget her. If there was any doubt to that the last poem cleared that up as the two girl in unison read it.
'You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she's gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.'
Even in death the woman was imposing and left a mark on everybody. The now knew to keep her alive trough their memories. With that the funral had ended and the two girls parted hands not wanting to give a wrong impression, but still nothing both had experienced before had made them feel so comforted and cared for.
A usual sad event this funeral however had marked a new depth in the two girls friendship and the succesful introduction of Rosetta in May's family. Neither could have felt happier, but today also both planned to return to stage.
Back at the dormitories the cramped minivan now bussling with excitement dropped the two off. May's mother gave her daughter one last hug, but also embraced the redhead thanking her. Rosetta was quite flustered after such a parting and rembered the mothers words. "Take care of May and yourself."
Following after all of today's events both girls desperatly needed rest. Sora seeing the two still in the clothes from the funeral decided to catch up with them tomorrow.
"They must have been trough a lot." she thought, but then noted the pleasent expressions. "At least they had eachother."
May's Room
'Back to my old life.' spoke the chinese alone.
"This is where I belong." she thought as she changed and got ready for bed. The setting sun enhanced the calm disposition she was in.
"My place is here with the stage..." she continued pondering. "That's what she would have wanted." considering ther departed grandmother. "... with Rosetta by my side." she completed the thought.
If before she braged about being selfsufficiant and independat after what happened in the last days she would be lying. All this time she people at armslength, but only the redhead could get closer to her and she admitted to herself, having someone to look out for her, to listen to her, to endure her tantrums, to give care when needed and even when not needed was something few people had accomplished for her.
She wondered if Sora could or would have done the same, but the lavanderhaired girl didn't know how to focus her care like Rosetta could, usually she would act led by a her inborn good nature and polite ways, but only that much compassion could be given that way.
Somehow unexplicably the redhaired girl could give that little bit more, the thing she truly needed. But if Rosetta was the only one who could create such care she would not hesitate to accept it.
Selfish as it seemed she would go to the end of the world for this feeling. The chinese settled down, ate a small bit and eagerly awaited to see what tomorrow would bring.
"What was it that Sora once said, 'Everyones bright future?' "
Rosetta's Room
'Welcome back.' said a small spirit startling the redhead who was unpacking. She calmed down recognizing the voice.
'Glad to be back. But weren't you with me the whole time?' The man shook his head. 'No. I had to leave two days ago to watch after some newcommers. They are more troublesome this year.'
The redhead was a bit surprised, she thought Fool had followed her as she had spotted him on several occasions, but the last days her mind had been somewhere else.
'Can any of them see you? 'she asked curios, because it was the first time she heard about him getting involved with other performers besides her and Sora. The spirit again shook his head again.
'None of them, I think it will take some time before the stage calls a new star, but even so all performers of this stage are mostly my responsebilty.'
A silence settled as the redhead was left to reconsider his words. She got up and went to get changed. Fool uncharacteristicly didn't attempt to follow. The day's events involving the younger performers had taken more out of him then he realized, but as Rosetta got back he rembered that she too was under his care and as such wanted to know what was going on that might affect the stage.
'How was your trip?' The rather simple question triggered a big smile from her as she started retelling the other days events.
Fool as patron of entertaintment always enjoyed a nice story and was quite amazed by the leaps in emotion she and May had taken. He hadn't heard of such clan-like families since his first years as spirit of the stage, but the sheer deepness of the bond astounded him even more.
This sort of friendship could potentially elevate the stage and if that was the case he would push things in the right direction. A few minutes after the tale ended Fool was still locked in his thoughts plotting diffrent courses of action seeing how it would fit into the big picture when Rosetta who noted his thoughtfull expression remebered a question of her own.
'Fool?' The spirit snapped out of it as his thoughts had almoast turned into daydreams.
'Yes?' he asked back curios.
'Would you mind telling me what the future holds?' The man raised an eyebrow curiously. It had been quite some time since anyone asked for his counsling.
People would rather not spoil future events by knowing them so he usually had to forceread them so they could avoid potential troubles.
'I wouldn't mind at all.' said the spirit summoning his tarot cards spreading them, focusing on the question as he always did then drawing one with his eyes closed deliberatly so fate could tell him directly.
He looked at the card but gasped as he saw it. Rosetta saw his shocked expression and quickly asked.
'Is there anything wrong?' The man tried to avoid discussing what he had jus seen.
'Its nothing, get to bed.' That only deepened the redheads worries.
'What is it? Tell me!' she demanded.
'No!' yelled the spirit back then added. 'Its nothing for you to worry about.'
Then he vanished so that he could compeltly avoid being asked again. He looked at the card in his hand again after reappearing somewhere outside.
"If this is true then her time at the stage could end quicker then she thinks. It all depends on the choices she makes."