Pride of Sakura
Chapter 2: Elbow in the Butter
AN: Alternatively titled "Gray Lucy no Yuutsu"—I mean OH FU—You didn't see that. Lucy's character is that of a melancholy girl, with secret lakes of energy and insanity. As for the runaway imagination thing, I find it easy to write because I do that myself in real life. Reality kind of implodes in on itself when I'm bored with something, so I substitute my own to make it entertaining. Kekekeke. XD
It's not actually a good habit.
Disclaimer: I OWN PSU. (Gurhal System explodes.) Kay, so maybe I do not.
X X X
Looking back, I wondered how I managed to stand. Trailing behind Izuma Rutsu into the Pagoda of Air would normally have been one of my greatest dreams. Except then it would have been different. I would have been attending a lunch date with The Maiden herself. And Izuma Rutsu would be carrying on about how much she missed me, and how I was welcome any time I liked. Also he'd make a pass at me, perhaps ask me to bear his children. I'd give him a hard time, and then say yes anyway. Nay, instead of innuendo and tea, he was politely telling us off for our conduct.
"I understand Sezaburo-kun's obvious anger at the destruction of our trees, but his reaction was disgraceful," he was saying, leading us through the pristine hallways to what I assumed would be a torture chamber. I looked over at Yuu in triumph. "Although, perhaps Gray-san should have reconsidered bringing her malfunctioning P.M. elsewhere…"
He threw back my own look at me. It was scary. I never realized I could look like such a bitch. We arrived at a little sitting room, and he waved his hand for us to sit. I tried to fold my knees under myself neatly, with my hands folded on my lap. I succeeded, but felt kind of imbalanced. Also I had the suspicious feeling that my thigh-fat was bulging out and overflowing, like a great waterfall of flab down each side of me. I tried to clear the mental image. Jenna stood behind me, hands folded behind her back at full attention. However, she still had the boot on her head, so taking her seriously was still rather difficult. Yuu had folded his long legs under himself in mere moments, and was gazing intently at his leader. I tried to do the same. It was hard. My mind and eyes kept straying to the cascade of hair down his back. I wonder how long it took him to grow that…I also wondered if he had ever slammed it in a door or whipped around really fast, thusly smacking someone in the face with it. Maybe even The Maiden herself?! Oh God, I held my breath and tried stabbing my imagination with great prejudice.
"Well, I'm glad I could find you two so easily, then," he smiled easily, eyes twinkling. I found myself completely seduced by his gentle voice. I knew now why so many people said he was easy to talk to. I hoped that maybe this meeting would help stay the steady sinking feeling in my chest, instead of worsening it. I managed to bow my head and apologize, to my complete surprise.
"I'm ever so sorry. It was wrong of me, and I shouldn't have chewed Sezaburo out—I mean raised my voice to him." I took a deep breath and looked up. He nodded his head, and then looked to Yuu. The Numan almost rolled his eyes, but managed to apologize himself.
"I should have shown more compassion towards Gray-san, and should not have raised my voice to a lady." He didn't conceal the sigh at the end, however. The Minister gave him a stern look that sent Yuu into complete paralysis, and then turned his attention back to me. Oh, crap.
"Yours and Sezaburo-kun's mission is to clear the Mizuraki C.D. of harmful wildlife. This is a standard procedure mission. However, the creatures there are far more dangerous than you encountered in your training."
I had a sudden flashback of Laia Martinez yelling at me about stepping on flowers. It then spun to me making a comment about her wanting to get in a married man's pants. She chased me with that spear all the way up the hill…Then there was with Hyuga Ryght, who kept starring at my breasts. Then after him, I trained with Leogini Swakakbaka-Berabubua-I'm-Not-Even-Gonna-Try, whatever his face was. He seemed to weave in and out of the shadows somehow. One minute he wasn't there, and the next he was standing directly behind me, making some booming comment of happiness. You'd think it'd be hard to loose a six-foot-five beast in bright red, but I'm talented at things like that. He was also a closet Shifta addict. He doesn't get buffed enough or something. He did some sort of little dance every time I used one of those techs.
"Can't possibly be worse than my first run there…," I mumbled. He tilted his head and smiled at me in a questioning sort of way. Uh. COVER, COVER NOW. "O-oh pardon. It's just that the first time I went to the Conservation District, I uh…ended up fighting a Tengogh, and it was pretty traumatic…?" That Tengogh happened to be a blonde beast with a spear that seriously needed anti-anxiety meds, but I decided not to go into that little detail.
His smile faltered, and he looked concerned. FOR MOI? Astounding. "My, how dreadful."
"Lucky for me my instructor is a very skilled woman." Skilled in the art of Unrequited Horny-ness and taking it out on other people. By that I don't mean in the pleasant sexual way. Not that I would ever know, by the way. In my opinion it looks kind of gross and unsatisfying. But yeah, anything and everything with her results in PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.
He nodded. "Indeed. I hope things will go far more smoothly this time. Because, unfortunately, the Tengoghs have become a bigger problem than usual. Sezaburo-kun is quite the marksman, and especially good at taking those creatures down. As for you, I will trust you to support him and provide back-up damage."
I nodded, and so did Yuu to my right. "I shall request that you leave as soon as your get your P.M. fixed…"
Jenna tilted her head at him. "Only as soon as you get a haircut."
Silence. Dreadful silence. I did like my therapist said, and tried to visualize positive solutions to the current dilemma. In my head, Neudaiz imploded on itself, silently and instantly. That solved the problem! But nay, perhaps the planet could stay intact after all. He laughed, and picked up a long strand.
"Oh? Does it need a trim?"
"The ends are slightly frayed. Trimming is for both health and appearance. I recommend doing it within approximately thirty-seven hours, at your rate of growth." She said this quite calmly, stepping forward to place her hand on my shoulder. "Now Mistress, I believe Master Rutsu has given you the task of putting my face back together."
Yuu's shoulders were shaking with barely-hidden laughter, but he cleared his throat. I prayed I wasn't as pink as I felt. I'm so used to embarrassment that I can actually feel when my face is turning red. It's rather unpleasant, like perhaps a deadly virus creeping onto your cheeks, and everyone can tell.
X X X
Going outside was a great relief, understandably. I still didn't feel so great. Blowing it with Yuu was disappointing, deeply so. I finally get to spend a bunch of time with a Numan, on Neudaiz. He's particularly cute too, and my partner. So of course I make him hate me. Yuu walked ahead of me, eyes scanning the perimeter. It was rather awkward. Half of me wanted to remain in this weird silence. If we act like it's resolved, we can act like it didn't happen. But that was sort of bad as well, because then my imagination took over trying to figure out whatever he was thinking. That's never good, as you've certainly learned by now. The other half of me was perfectly content to wait until we were in some sort of secluded clearing, and then take out one of my biggest staves, and just starting wailing on his spine with it. Screw TECHNICS, I say. I kept myself content with this mental image while I treaded the familiar path to my "Johnny's" place of residence. Yuu was silent the whole time, unquestioning of my directions. When we were finally close, I uttered the one sentence that was hopefully guaranteed to save both of our lives.
"If she offers you any food, say we've just eaten. In grotesque proportions."
"She?" He gave me a dark look, and then smirked. CRAP. I forgot. I've known him for barely two hours, but I've already figured out he's the sort of asshole that you have to use reverse psychology on. I steeled myself as we walked up the front steps. Of course, she through open the door as soon as I got near it, thusly nearly knocking me down the steps.
"Luce, I missed you"! Said Numan cried, and was immediately buried in the biggest boobs this century.
"Hi, --aya," I said, or attempted to say. She let me go, smiling at me and beckoning for me to come in.
"Come on, come on. I'll make you some tea."
That sounded safe. I walked in, while Yuu starred in wonder at her. Yea, she has that effect on males. Jenna bowed and then strolled in. One of Maya's neatly plucked eyebrows went up. "I guess I have some work to do." Yes, Maya Shidow. She's an old friend of mine. We were in training together. She likes to tweak P.M.s under the codename "Johnny."
Jenna put her hands on her little hips, and looked way up at Maya. "Yes! Also, allow me to sample your shoe closet. Mistress's is quite unsatisfactory. She has no sense of feminine pride," she whined, and set to making herself at home.
Maya turned to Yuu. "Ah, hello! Lucy's partner?"
"Ah, yes." He bowed. "Sezaburo Yuu, at your service."
I sighed, feeling more depressed than usual. Which said something. I desperately wished that someone could faun over me, even just a little bit. I knew deep down it was a superficial, stupid, wish. But I wanted it. No matter what I did, though, I couldn't muster any ill will towards Maya. Her giant chest had weaseled us out of some insane situations before.
Maya giggled. "Aw, good for Lucy." She then jostled off humming to prepare tea before I could question her exact meaning, and how she wanted me to kill her. "Sit down"! She ordered from the other room. I sat down at the table, mindlessly smoothing my hair. Yuu gave me a weird look.
"Interesting choice of friends, Gray-san."
"Call me Lucy, and shut up about Maya. She's awesome," I said.
"How informal. I request you call me Sezabu—".
"Shut up, Yuu-pii," I said in exact unison with Maya, who was standing over him smiling in a creepy way. She put down the kettle and cups, then gracefully settled herself next to my partner. He looked rather embarrassed, but chose to glower at me. It was rather cute. His black eyes narrowed, and his bottom lipped popped out a bit. You know you're depraved when someone is death-glaring you, and all you can think about is how cute their face is while they do it. Maya poured the tea, chatting idly about work and her beloved Photons. Meanwhile, I thought of ways to try and remedy the bond between Yuu and I. I wasn't coming up with much, except plotting to steal memory erasing drugs. I guess the matching towels thing was really going to be a no-no. I sighed.
"So, I guess you're here on business, huh?" Maya giggled, looking at the boot on Jenna's head.
"Yeah…she took some damage a couple days back. The boot thing just started today, though," I mumbled. "Her logic drive is shot to bits, too."
Maya did the "tut-tut" thing, waving her finger. Jenna put her hands on the table. "Rutsu-sama has requested that I be fixed, so Mistress and Angry Numan Master can continue with their mission."
The scientist tilted her head. "Rutsu-sama? You visited Rutsu-sama?"
"Yes. He needs a haircut. BADLY."
I put my head down on the table, ignoring Jenna's comment. "More like we had a time out with him."
She sighed, and took off her glasses to rub them clean on the tablecloth. "Oh, dear. Well. I'll call you later for all the details."
I nodded, attempting to count the stitches in the cloth. It was a far better task then trying to look Yuu in the eye. I decided I better anyway. Looking up was a mistake. Seeing Maya and Yuu there made me even sadder. They were so picturesque sitting there together, so fair-skinned. Yuu's eyes were so dark you can't even see the pupil. Both of them were so beautiful, and I was so…
"Lucy, your elbow is in the butter."
Yea, that sentence basically completes me. "Speaking of butter…" Yuu started. Oh God. ASSHOLE. My thoughts of trying to make up with him were quickly being smashed to bits. "I'm starving."
"Oh? Well that works out, actually. Want to try something I made myself?"
"Certainly," he smiled, all charm.
"Great!" She literally bounced off her chair, and ran into the other room. He turned to me, grinning. Sezaburo looked completely sadistic. It was kind of hot, but mostly terrifying. I quickly ran through my head, looking for excuses. Stomach virus, lack of taste buds due to 3rd degree burn, anything. I then thought of Maya's personality, and settled on the oldest excuse in the book.
"So, I guess we shall see about—".
"YOU can---enjoy it," I grinned as Maya skipped back into the room, carrying a plate full of what looked suspiciously like mud bricks.
"Enjoy!" She clapped, then looked to me. "Not hungry, Luce?"
"Oh, me?" I fluffed my bun, then tried to look demure. "Diet," I pseudo-whispered. Haha. Like I would ever go on a diet. MAIDEN BOMB would be on tour by then. I literally had a fully grown male Beast comment on how much I can eat. He was deeply impressed.
She nodded. "Yea, they're pretty high-cal," she sighed. "More tea?"
I nodded and smiled directly at Yuu, who had bitten down. The green staining his cheeks brought out the colors on his vest so well.
"Master Ears, you should seek a lavatory immediately," Jenna piped in. I sipped my tea, still grinning at him.
Victory. Flawless, I might add. Then why did it feel so empty?