This story is going to be a bit longer than I originally predicted, so please bear with me.
Beginnings
By Neko-chan the Mewse
5/29/09
Anise enjoyed walking around in big, bustling cities. It was fun, interesting, and gave her an insight on the current times. Of course, she stuck out like a sore thumb. The Order of Lorelei no longer existed, except as a rebel group trying to bring back the score, so her outfit didn't exactly match the modern fashion. Well, she liked her outfit and she didn't mind sticking out.
Although, some of these dresses were really cute.
"Ooooh," Anise cooed in front of a shop window. The pink dress was just adorable! How would it look on her, though? She eagerly pranced over to the doors to go inside only to find the store was closed. "What? Hey, that's not fair!" Actually, a lot of the stores were closed. What was up with that?
She glanced around, looking for an innocent victim, err, local to interrogate. After some wandering, she found a younger boy to corner. The boy frowned at her, irritated at being interrupted in his skateboarding. "What do you want?" he asked snidely, turning his nose up at her.
Anise immediately took offense to his tone and stance. Nobody turned their nose up at her. "Hey, what's with that tone, you jerk?"
"You're in my way," the boy exclaimed, and yes, indeed, Anise found she was standing directly in his path. What an observant boy, Anise mentally and sarcastically applauded. Then he stuck his tongue out at her.
Anise felt herself puff up with indignation. "Respect your elders!" Anise shrieked shrilly, just about ready to slap him.
"You're only a few years older than me!" The boy shot back.
Anise stomped her foot in frustration, silently cursing her inability to age and definitely missing Tokunaga. She could have used a giant, intimidating six foot doll right then. Instead, she shoved her face close to the child in front of her. "Watch your back tonight, mister," she hissed in a venomous tone. Then she turned and stomped off. Hopefully that threat would keep the brat up all night in fear.
She passed through five different streets before she realized she still didn't know what was going on.
"For the love of Lorelei," Anise sighed. "Can't a girl catch a break?"
She nearly missed Luke's sudden materialization as he fell in step beside her while brushing a few remaining memory particles off his jacket. "What's vexing you?"
Anise sighed again, too exasperated to be surprised. "Nothing, I just wanna know what's going on."
"It's the first Eefretday of Eefret Decan." Luke told her, as if it was supposed to mean something to her. When she simply stared at him, he smiled and continued. "Don't you know? The first corresponding day of the month, they have a festival to celebrate that sentience. It's a worldwide tradition that came into play a century ago."
"Ohhh," Anise's eyes widened. That made so much more sense. "But wait—that means that today's festival is celebrating me!"
"The rest of us always wondered why you never went to your festivals," Luke mused, putting his hands behind his head as he strolled alongside Anise. "Even Jade goes to his. But I guess you honestly didn't know."
"Of course not!" Anise puffed her cheeks in irritation. "If I had known, I would have gone! I love festivals!" She began to pick up the pace when she heard the sounds of the festival but was halted by a hand on her shoulder.
Luke had a strange look on his face. "It's also tradition for people to try and find us. It's a common belief that we attend these festivals, but we don't want them to find out that it's actually true. Be careful, okay?" Oh, so that was concern on his face. That was so sweet and completely unnecessary.
Anise gave him a mock salute and an ear to ear grin. "They won't even know I'm there!"
Luke watched her run off, his mind going through all the possible things that could happen and narrowing down the most likely. There were so many possible futures, but he was Lorelei and he was an expert at predicting the future. With a sigh, he called out to Jade to bail Anise out of trouble.