Emcee Entity
A Seto & Téa fanfiction
brought to you by Cherie Luster
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Disclaimer: I do NOT own Yu-Gi-Oh! (smuggles Mokie outback) hehehe...
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A/Ns: SQUEE! I JUST LOVE AND APPRECIATE MY READERS SOOO MUCH! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND ENJOY!
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Téa already said it once, but she would say it again, "Wow." Mokuba had been right, Focus Studio was even cooler on the inside then the outside.
Her eyes roamed the pristine, white walls of the lobby. They were decorated with pictures of Tokyo's most well-known celebrities. Téa gasped, realizing that she recognized several of the smiling faces. B knows Utada Hikaru! The picture was signed: B, you're the best! Love always, Ru. A huge, crystal chandalier hung from the dome-shaped ceiling in the center of the room. The floor was highly polished white marble, and there were several doors leading out of the lobby. A smiling receptionist greeted the trio as they approached her desk.
Téa and Mokuba acknowledged her with a nod of the head and a smile, but Seto completely ignored the woman and stalked away, muttering incomprehensibly to himself. Mokuba watched Seto disappear into the studio's kitchen before turning to face Téa, wearing an uncharacteristically serious expression. "Big brother is jealous, Téa."
Téa stopped admiring the room and looked at Mokuba, confused. "Jealous?" she repeated. "Of what?"
Mokuba was about to answer her when B and Seto (who was holding a mug of chocolate flavored coffee) walked into the room- B from the entrance, and Seto from the kitchen. They stopped walking and looked at each other. B grinned and Seto sneered. Mokuba shook his head and mouthed the words 'I'll tell you later' to Téa, who tensed, feeling the animosity between the two men.
"Mr. Pierce!" the smiling receptionist called out from behind her desk, waving several small squares of paper anxiously.
Téa's head seemed to spin into another dimension as she turned every which way looking for "Mr. Pierce."
B looked at Téa and laughed richly, brown eyes twinkling. "She means me, Téa. My real name is Ben Pierce," said B, smiling at the embarrassed girl, "but people tend to call me B, for short. I like it myself because I think it sounds more mysterious..." He trailed off, then caught her eye and winked at her. "Don't you?"
Seto dropped the mug of coffee he was holding.
Everyone turned to look at him, startled.
Seto was shaking, face flushed. "Listen," he made air quotations with his middle and pointer fingers, "B," he paused, "I don't have all day, so if you could do your job sometime this century, that'd be grand."
Téa and Mokuba stared at him with open mouths.
B considered Kaiba for a minute. "You're right of course," he said finally, smiling before turning to the kindly receptionist. "Yes, Anna?"
"Your messages," she said simply, handing him the slips pf paper.
"Thank you," B said. "If you would just clean up Mr. Kaiba's mess..."
"Of course sir," she said, bowing before leaving to fetch a mop.
"Thanks again, Anna!" B called after her retreating back.
He then turned to Téa and smiled. "Alright, this is how it's gonna go down, Téa. First, you're going to go see Ruby, she's our wardrobe consultant and the door next to the kitchen. Second, comes hair and make-up, complements of Mavis, his door is to the left of Anna's desk. Lastly, you'll meet Focus Studio's incredibly hot photographer," he struck a pose for affect, "me, and," he pointed to the very last door, "I'll be waiting for you in there."
Téa blinked, feeling a little overwhelmed. It must have shown on her face because B smilled reassuringly at her.
"Don't worry, Téa. You'll be great," he said, after kissing her cheek. "See you in a few." He winked at her again, nodded to (a fuming) Kaiba and (a scheming) Mokuba, and left them alone in the lobby.
Téa brushed the spot on her cheek where B had kissed her with her fingertips, blushing prettily.
Mokuba rolled his eyes and grabbed Téa's hand, pulling her through the door labeled 'wardrobe.'
What is with me today? Thought Seto, now alone. Usually I get along fine with Pierce but he is REALLY pissing me off today, flirting with Gardner like that. Damn, I need to get out of here a.s.a.p. before I end up doing something I'm liable to regret later on in life...
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Téa could not believe her eyes. Surely she was dreaming. Racks upon RACKS of all the latest fashions and hottest designers stretched as far as the eye could see. She could just barely make out a mirrored dressing room with a standing poof in the very back.
"Oh my GOD!" Téa squealed, dragging Mokuba over to the nearest clothing rack. "Mai would KILL to be here with me."
Mokuba shook his head, smiling at the young girl's antics as he watched her race from rack to rack. She ocasionally shouted out the names of what he assumed were famous designers with disbelief. It's not like the clothes were going anywhere!
"This is so awesome!" Téa jumped up and clapped her hands with glee. Her arms were already loaded down with her kill when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. She spun around and came face to face with a tall, dramatic looking redhead who pulled her into a bone-crushing hug.
"Uh...hello?" Téa greeted, unsure of the woman's identity.
The woman released her and grinned, bouncing so exhuberently before Téa that she reminded the brunette of a buoy in the water.
"Hi! You MUST be Téa! Oh, I am SO excited to work with you! You're just GEORGEOUS!" The woman then whipped out a tape measure and began measuring Téa, who felt as if she was trapped in the majic card "Giant Trunade."
Téa smiled as it clicked. "You're Ruby from wardrobe then?"
"That's me." The woman replied, pausing to write down Téa's measurements on a pad of paper, using a pencil from behind her right ear. "So Téa," she asked, looking up, "are you ready to become a star?"
Téa blinked, temporarily stunned. Me, a STAR? That's when the reality of the situation hit her. "Well," she said, "I suppose..."
Ruby just laughed.
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Meanwhile, at the Turtle Gameshop, Yugi was saying goodbye to Joey and Tristan.
"Listen, Yug. Ya know I would stay longa but I hafta get goin' cause Serenity is coming ta visit wit my ma and I don't wanna miss 'em..." Joey said, looking eagerly at his good friend.
Tristan perked up at the sound of Serenity's name. It was common knowledge of their group that Tristan had a sizeable crush on Joey's younger sister. "Hey man," he said, looking over at Joey, "do ya mind if I stay over at your place tonight?"
"I don't think dat's a very good idea Tristan..."
Tristan's hopeful expression faded. "Why not?" he demanded.
"Cause Tristan. I don't wanna hafta keep guard outside my little sista's bedroom door all night. I wouldn't get a wink of sleep!"
Tristan considered this for a moment. "Yeah, you're probably right," he said, shrugging.
"Dat's what I thought," Joey said, nodding impressively. "Hey! Wait just one minute!" He rounded on Tristan. "ARE YA SAYIN' DAT YA WOULD TRY TA SNEAK INTO SERENITY'S BEDROOM!
Tristan nodded. "Yep. That sounds about right."
"GAH!" Joey waved goodbye to Yugi (who was sweatdropping anime-style as he closed the door) and chased after Tristan, who had gotten a head start.
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Seto Kaiba had fixed himself a second cup of chocolate flavored coffee (that was so strong that it had the texture of mud) and was now standing outside the wardrobe telling himself that he would not be pathetic because he was the CEO of a major gaming corporation and was therefore not allowed to be pathetic. Then (after a couple gulps of coffee), he thought that if anyone other than himself heard this argument they would think it feeble and then find him pathetic. After finishing off the cup of muck, he then wondered why he used the word pathetic so much. Note to self: Must expand vocabulary! He was about to go back to the kitchen for a refill when he heard a man speaking through the wardrobe door:
"...big for you, but try it out. It looks like a tight fit but let me see..."
The-man-was-going-to-die! Kaiba pounded on the wardrobe door and then wrenched it open. "What the hell is going on in here!"
"Hey Seto!" Mokuba sat on a chair in the corner kicking his legs happily.
Téa was standing on a poof admiring the big floppy hat she was trying on in the mirror.
"Mr. Kaiba! How are you!" Ruby made her way across the room to where he stood and dragged him into the large, circular dressing room.
Kaiba cleared his throat. "I heard a man's voice through the door and I-"
Ruby cut him off. "Oh," she laughed, "you heard my assistant Jorge. He ran into the back room just now to get Miss Gardner a bigger size in that style of hat," she said, gesturing to the hat Téa was wearing.
So this must be what that mutt Wheeler feels like all of the time. A complete and total idiot.
Just then Jorge returned carrying the hat. "Here you are, Miss Gardner," he said, handing it to her.
Téa smiled at him and swapped hats. "Thank you, Jorge. But what did I say about calling me Miss Gardner? Please, my name is Téa."
"As you wish, Téa," he replied, trying the informality out on his tongue. "May I also say that you look stunning in that hat?"
Téa grinned, accepting his compliment. "You may," she said.
Mokuba went to prod Kaiba but Ruby got there first. She nudged his arm, startling the young CEO into speech.
"Yeah- I mean yes," he said, "it looks...uh...nice...Téa."
Téa turned surprised eyes on him. "Thank you, Seto," she smiled at him.
Ruby and Mokuba silently high-fived eachother.
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Yugi was busy dusting off the shelves of the gameshop for his grandfather, Solomon Motou, when he came across a picture of Téa. He paused and picked it up, smiling as he remembered the day he took the picture.
(FLASHBACK)
"How do I look guys?" Téa was getting ready to go out on stage in her first-ever highschool ballet recital and the whole gang was there, of course, for moral support.
Serenity immediately hugged the brunette and assured her that she looked amazing.
"Sugar," Mai spoke up, "you don't even need talent, looking as smoking as you do."
"Thanks Mai," Téa paled, "I'm just nervous because this is a really important ballet and I want to do it justice..." she trailed off then beamed at them all. "I truly appreciate you guys coming here to be with me today."
Joey sidled up to Téa, grinning goofily and slung an arm around her bare shoulders. "I just can't believe dat a pro dance-ah like you is nervous at all. You're gonna get out der and wow dat audience wit yer sweet moves and whateva. I'm serious! I'd give ya a noogie right now if I wasn't afraid of messin' up yer hair," Joey gave Téa a quick squeeze and a kiss on the temple, then he released her and went to stand by Mai who touched his shoulder briefly as if to say 'that was nice.'
Tristan managed to stop hyperventilating over (a very scared) Serentity for a moment in order to give Téa a quick peck on the cheek and wish her good luck.
Ryou Bakura, their good friend from London, England and a real sweetie, gave Téa an extra long hug and then motioned for his "twin brother" Ryo (who insisted on being called Bakura), to come forward and give Téa the cute little stuffed bear (the ballet edition) that they had gotten for her.
Duke Devlin, the creator of Dungeon Dice Monsters, gave Téa a beautiful orchid flower and a hug.
The Ishtars (Ishizu, Marik, Malik (yes, Malik came too), and Odion), took wishing Téa good luck in turns and presented her with a mini-mural from Egypt that depicted the silhouette of a single dancer in the middle of a dance for the pharoah.
Finally it was Yugi and Yami's turn to step forward.
"Here Téa, this is for you- from Yami and me," Yugi handed Téa a long, thin box that bore the name of a famous Japanese jeweler.
Téa looked at the two questioningly. "Guys?"
"Open it," they commanded.
Téa opened the box and gasped. "...Oh...Yugi...Yami...I love it."
Nestled on a plush pillow was a dazzling crystal heart on a sterling silver chain.
Yugi cleared his throat. "It was Yami's idea but I designed it myself, it's completely unique."
"I bestowed upon it the title of Téa's heart," Yami said.
"Why is that?" Téa asked, on the verge of tears.
"Well," Yami began, "a crystal is perfect in the sense that it is completely clear, never will you find one that has been marred. Crystals are just naturally exquisite. For that reason I named it after you. Although, even in all it's glory, it will never outshine you, Téa Gardner.
Téa began to cry (thank GOD for waterproof mascara) and everyone rushed in for a group hug.
Mokuba Kaiba appeared suddenly from around the corner (pulling Seto along by the hand with some difficulty) and ran up to where everyone was gathered backstage calling Téa's name and waving a brightly wrapped package.
"We're here now Mokuba, slow down!" the elder Kaiba hissed to his eager little brother.
Mokuba let go of his brother's hand and ran into Téa's open arms.
"Mokuba!" Téa exclaimed happily, "You came!" she hugged the younger Kaiba tightly.
"Of course I came!" he smiled, hugging her back, "I brought big brother too!"
Téa looked up and spotted her icy classmate a few feet away, supervising from a distance. She waved to him but he only narrowed his eyes at her. "Wow, Mokuba. How did you manage to get your brother to come inside with you?" asked Téa curiously.
"Oh, that's easy. I stuck out my bottom lip and turned my sweet, welled-up puppy dog eyes on him."
"In other words, he didn't stand a chance right?"
"You got it," Mokuba said, smiling at the dancer.
Téa grinned and ruffled the boy's hair affectionately.
"Oh! I almost forgot!" Mokuba thrust the package into Téa's hands, "I asked Seto to get something special for you and this is what he gave me. I have no idea what it is because it was already wrapped. He said it was a surprise..."
Téa looked up at Seto and saw that he was watching her intently, obviously waiting to see what she thought of his gift.
"C'mon Téa. Let's see what da human popsicle got ya," Joey said, narrowing his eyes at Kaiba who continued to stare at Téa.
Here it goes. Téa slid her index finger along the length of the present in order to break the tape. Someone took great care in wrapping this gift and Mokuba said it was already wrapped when Kaiba gave it to him... Téa removed the wrapping paper and froze.
Mokuba's eyes widened in shock. No one spoke a word.
"I'll be waiting in the limo Mokuba," Kaiba turned his back on them and began striding toward the exit.
Téa's head snapped up as she came out of her stupor. "KAIBA! WAIT!" she ran after him.
Kaiba had just barely turned around when Téa, completely forgetting who he was, catapulted herself into his arms and hugged him.
Everyone blinked. What had just happened?
Téa removed herself from Kaiba and took a couple of steps backward, waiting for the end of the world. However, the end of the world didn't come and so she said: "Please Kaiba, I'd love for you to stay and watch the ballet with the rest of my friends."
Kaiba looked down at Téa. "I think I will," he said, "I've always enjoyed the arts."
(END FLASHBACK)
Yugi shook his head. Perhaps the night would have turned out better for him if Kaiba had never showed up. Though Téa cried upon receiving his and Yami's gift to her, she was pretty hung up on Kaiba and his stupid gift. Yugi placed the picture of Téa, who was smiling up at him, back on the shelf and sighed. To this day that antique music box sits on Téa's bedside table and sings her to sleep every night...
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Questions, comments, concerns? Let me know via your review and stay tuned!
Cherie
P.S. Thank you for bearing with me here. I have no internet at home right now because my mom got fed up with our old internet provider and I have to go to my grandma's house to upload my stories onto fanfiction now so I'd really appreciate your continued patience. Again, THANKS!