Chapter 3 Thoughts
[Aster's POV]
"Sartorius? What are we doing here?" I asked as Sartorius gestured me to follow him in the restaurant "Expressivo Appassionata".
"Sartorius?"
A plump chef was welcoming us into our seats in the middle of he room, where a four seated table was reserved just for us. Sartorius had sat down swiftly into the chair opposite where I was standing. Sweet piano music trailed around the room. A large candle was lit in the middle of the table, menus and plates were spread out neatly in front of us. Nearly every table in the room was full. As I sat down reluctantly, Sartorius spoke.
"Aster, today is going to be life changing for you. My cards tell me so. Someone here is going to influence you, a lot." He smiled as he raised his card "The Wheel"
I was dumbstruck. I didn't see why anyone would influence me other than Sartorius himself.
"What do you mean 'Influence'?" I asked impatiently, Sartorius was being so mysterious today, and it irritated me. "Good or bad?"
Sartorius had smiled as he said, "Always both...and you have a little fan coming!" A little boy around the age of eight, accompanied by the plump chef that was welcoming us before had approached the table.
"Mr. Phoenix!" The chef had spoken in a strong Italian accent, "I am Chef Marconi and this is my son Jonathon Marconi. Such a pleasure having you here today!"
I shook his hand, he had a firm grasp. His son, Jonathon, was looking at me intently, admiration clearly shown in his green eyes. I smiled at him as the Chef spoke once again.
"Ah... Mr. Phoenix? Jonathon is a big fan of yours."
Jonathon had nudged his dad as his cheeks reddened in embarrassment, "He has watched nearly all your duels at the Dueling Pro-league!"
Jonathon was now hiding behind his dad.
"Well, is here anything I can do for you, my No. 1 fan?" I asked, amused at his reactions. Jonathon had perked up from his dad's back.
"Mr. Phoenix...C-can I have your autograph please?"
"Sure, sure! Anything you want! Hang on; do you have some paper Sartorius?" I asked. Sartorius was staring straight ahead of me, not appearing to hear my question. "Sartotius?"
"Mr. Phoenix?" Jonathon had spoken. "I've got some paper...can you wait for me please?"
"Sure!"
Jonathon had ran towards the kitchen, bumping into his sister half way. He was so excited that he was shaking his sister on the shoulders. His sister looked at me and flushed bright red as she realized I was watching them. She then skipped off in the opposite direction Jonathon was heading.
"You knew all about this didn't you?" I aimed at my companion. Sartorius nodded.
"The cards don't lie."
"Hmph...I'm not looking forward to having fans crowding around me."
"They won't, but that special someone will."
Jonathon had returned with a piece of paper and pen, and surprisingly, a deck of dueling cards.
He had handed me the piece of paper carefully. The paper was full of pictures of ME dueling, with my monsters. I quickly signed my name, trying to make it as readable as possible, not wanting to disappoint my little fan. "To Jonathon..." I wrote.
"Mr. Phoenix?"
"Hmm?"
"C-can you duel me?"
Sartorius was smiling even more now. He had reminded me to bring my deck today, saying that I needed it for a special occasion.
[After 15 minutes]
Jonathon, now sitting at the seat Sartorius had originally sat (Sartorius happily exchanged seats with him), was concentrating really hard.
I had 3000 Life Points remaining, he had 1000.
I was playing easy on him, since he was a child. I got to admit, he has the skill to enroll Duel Academy! Sartorius was sipping his wine quietly, his eyes scanning around the room.
"Now I send Carnivorous root, plant and stem from my hand into the graveyard," Jonathon had explained, "And I summon Carnivorous Plant in Attack Mode!"
He had laid out his cards correctly on the table.
"Now attack Avian with Stinging Plant Juice!"
I flipped open my trap card "Hero Barrier"
"I activate my face down 'Hero Barrier'. This card negates all damage inflicted upon my monster!"
Jonathon's sister was pulling someone's shirt as they approached. Both of them stood silently as our little game progressed.
I looked up to see the stranger, and I nearly dropped all my cards.
There she was, standing there, she was beautiful. Hair tied up in an elegant bun, wearing a black suit with a blue shirt underneath. Her movements were so graceful and how her voice had encouraged Jonathon, it was so soothing. Like an angel's voice, I wished she was cheering me on instead...
Sartorius had caught my expression; it made me wonder if this, this angel was what the person he was mentioning about before?
"Mr. Phoenix?" Jonathon had spoken, interrupting me from my stare. "This is my sister, Cindy. And this is my friend and pianist, Casey Nagoya."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Phoenix." She had reached out her right hand, gesturing for a handshake.
I was too stunned by her beauty and grace that I took her hand gently and pressed my lips onto the back of her hand. I was shocked by my reaction, and I was sure she was too.
A blush had formed on her cheeks, making it even rosier, and even more beautiful.
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Nagoya."
That was all I could come up with. She smiled that beautiful smile as let go of her hand. We just stared into each others eyes for a brief moment, until Sartorius had kicked my foot, reminding me that I had a duel to continue.
"My draw!" I stated, sounding a bit funny.
Pot of Greed. As I was about to activate the card's ability, Casey had suddenly moved nervously.
I glanced up and saw her face was sweating, ashen, her eyes widened in fear.
"Eh..." She stammered, as she tried to regain her composure. "I-I got to go back to the piano now. Um...I'll see you around."
She took a deep bow and left hurriedly. As I stared after her, my feelings arouse dramatically. "What just happened?"
to be continued.....
Please R&R. Thank you!