Fifteen: Lalulalula
A world between life and death. It holds more than you think
She stirred as someone was shaking her from her sleep. The dream she was having turned fuzzy and in an instant was lost to her thoughts forever. Dreams...they only last so long before you completely forget they ever happened.
"Mrs. P." The voice sang from above her, "Mrs. P. It's time to wake." The tenor voice again rang in her ears and with a bit of hesitation she opened her violet coloured eyes. Her white gloved hands reached up to rub the sleep from her eyes as she sat up.
"Who wakes me at this hour?" She asked in a sleepy tone.
"Why of course, it is I, Mrs. P. Jack. You remember me, don't you?" the man's voice sounded so soothing that she figured it could even lul her back into sleep. But she fought it off, looking at him. A rather tall man stood, hovering above her. He wore a rather fancy looking black cocktail jacket with matching trousers. A purple bow-tie stood out against the revealed white of his dress shirt. The girl placed her hand in his gloved one as her eyes traveled to his face. A rather large Jack-o-lantern stood where his head would be, the inside remaining unlit giving his carved pointy smile and eyes a black shade.
"Of course, Jack. Of course. Forgive me, I'm still a bit tired."
"Ah, Mrs. Pumpkin, don't you fret. Ol' Jack can understand. You took quite a long nap though I was afraid you'd never wake up." The man called Jack helped the red-headed woman to her feet. She dusted herself off and looked around.
She had been napping on the deserted cobble-stone street of a large city. The tall buildings were shaded by the dusk of the sky above, but every single window was lit up bright. The sky over head was a darkish blue with mixes of light and dark purple here and there. The moon was nowhere in sight though. Where could he be?
"Mr. Jack, what time is it now?" The woman named Mrs. Pumpkin asked. Jack tilted his head and hummed in thought.
"Why I'm not sure. But my isn't Mr. Moon sleeping late tonight?" He asked this with a bit of humor in his voice. Mrs. Pumpkin nodded her head in agreement. She adjusted the suspenders on her shoulders, and picked up her hat from the cobbled road. After adjusting it upon her head she looked to Jack who was gazing longingly at the sky above.
"Mr. Scarecrow visited me today." He said.
"Did he?" Mrs. Pumpkin humored him. He looked back down at her, his smile looking more humble.
"He did. He inquired about your health. You have been feeling sick as of late, have you not?"
"I have felt a tad sluggish recently."
"Yes, I told him I'd take great care of you."
"That's rather kind, Mr. Jack." Mrs. Pumpkin gave him a smile of her own. Somewhere in the city a clock struck the hour. All at once several citizens composed of ghosts and ghouls exited the buildings. They payed no mind to Jack or the woman as they coupled themselves with partners. From the sky it seemed a slow and gentle waltz began to play throughout the place and all couples began to dance.
"What goes on?" Mrs. Pumpkin asked, looking about.
"Why, it's time we woke up Mr. Moon don't you think?" Jack replied, "He'll wake to our fun and our dancing and wish to rise to join us. Shall we dance, Mrs. Pumpkin. You and I?" He asked this gently, offering the young woman his hand. She, without hesitation, placed her smaller one inside it. He placed his other palm against her waist and she on his shoulder. He was so much taller than she that she could almost not reach it. They began to move with the music, spinning and stepping perfectly to the beat. Her long red hair danced about her body when the night's wind picked up with the speed of their spinning. Jack kept his gaze firmly on her and she on him.
"Mrs. Pumpkin I must say you dance devinely."
"You are not so bad yourself, Mr. Jack." She laughed and Jack's soft chuckle joined in. The music was changing the more they danced. The couples around them maintained the slow pace they'd started out with, but Jack and his partner weren't going to let the new tempo get the better of them. They spun faster, they're feet moving in perfect sync. Then he twirled her around, and pulled her back into a dip.
"Put aside those heretical feelings, Mrs. P." He said, their faces mere inches apart. She let him pull her up from the dip and begin to fall into step once more.
"I have no plans of heresy, Mr. Jack." She said.
"I would hope not." He grinned.
"Oh, Mrs. Pumpkin! Excuse me!" The young lady turned her gaze from Jack for the first time to gaze into the crowd of dancers. Breaking through the couples was who looked to be a scarecrow, his suit stuffed with rotted and old straw that his body was made of. He pushed through the crowd as best he could till he reached the two. Jack put on a stoic expression, placing his hands into his pockets.
"Mr. Scarecrow, how lovely to see you." Mrs. Pumpkin greeted as he took her hands between his straw ones. He smiled at her, his eyes sparkling behind his glasses.
"And I you, Mrs. Pumpkin. You did call me here, didn't you?" He asked, his turnip shaped head tilting slightly.
"I don't recall." Mrs. Pumpkin replied politely. The scarecrow smiled at her none the less.
"Pardon me, Mr. Scarecrow, but why have you interupted our dance?" Jack asked, taking Mrs. Pumpkin's hand. Scarecrow still kept her other in his and he seemed to glare up at Jack.
"As I have told you earlier, Mr. Jack, I have wished to speak to Mrs. Pumpkin all day." He said. The scarecrow's marble black eyes glared at the pumpkin-headed man. Jack seemed none too surprised at his hostile behavior; instead he stroked his thumb over the fabric of the young lady's hand in his own. Scarecrow looked back to Mrs. Pumpkin with softness in his eyes once more.
"What is it you wish to speak to me about, Mr. Scarecrow?" She asked him. He fumbled for a moment, giving Jack a few looks before opening his mouth.
"I wished to speak to you...perhaps in private?"
"As you wish." As Mrs. Pumpkin followed the scarecrow, Jack held onto her hand as far as he could before letting it slip out of his grasp. He watched with a growing fear in his gut as they headed for a spot outisde the dancing crowd.
"Pardon me." Jack turned quickly upon hearing the soft and high voice. A small girl no older than sixteen held his sleeve in her gloved hands. She had a small smile on her face, her red hair tied up in swirling pigtails. She wore a yellow dress with black ruffles coming from the bust and skirt and straps on the shoulders. On her back were what looked like small bat wings that were a part of the dress itself. A small yellow star was painted just below her left eye.
"Would you like to dance with me, sir? I haven't a partner." She asked him. Jack smiled at the young lady.
"Why, it would be an honor, miss." He chuckled, taking her hand in his own. The girl grinned as he pulled her into the dance, moving as gracefully as he had with Mrs. Pumpkin. They twirled to the fast beat of the music, the girl in Jack's arms grinning in her fun.
Meanwhile, Scarecrow had pulled the Mrs. out of the crowd of dancing ghouls. She faced him with a gentle expression on her young face. Scarecrow smiled softly at her.
"How are you, Mrs. Pumpkin? Are you well?" He asked her. She chuckled a bit and patted his hand.
"I am a tad drowsy as of late, but you shouldn't worry. Mr. Jack has-"
"But Mrs. Pumpkin, I have a feeling that...that Mr. Jack shouldn't be trusted." Mrs. Pumpkin's brows furrowed at the scarecrow's words, "I have a terrible feeling about him."
"Mr. Jack has been nothing but kind, Mr. Scarecrow. What reason causes you to doubt him?" The scarecrow let out a long sigh, his eyes looking at the cobbled pavement.
"Most who venture with him," he said in a low voice, "Do not return as he does."
"Do not...return?" She echoed him, puzzled. The scarecrow nodded.
"Mr. Jack...makes regular trips to the city. When the moon does not rise is when he comes. He takes the citizens and ushers them to dance, and dance they do. As they dance, Mr. Moon rises to their fun, and in doing so he opens the gates for Mr. Jack. Mrs. Pumpkin, he takes those people into God know's where and they are never heard from again." On his last line, Scarecrow lowered his voice dramatically. The people dancing around them hadn't even taken notice of their existance, however. The violet-eyed female furrowed her brows as she stared at the cobble stones.
"And those that escape Mr. Jack," Scarecrow continued, "They leave the city in fear of him. They only had that glimpse of the place he takes them too. That place where most are afraid of going, and the only ones who truely wish to see it are those who are weak, foolish, or downright selfish. Do you understand me, Mrs. Pumpkin? I am worried for you. Mr. Jack has taken a fine interest in you."
At this Mrs. Pumpkin blushed profoundly. Of course, she'd realized this, but hearing it out loud was just...so overwhelming. The pumpkin-headed man had only been in the city a few days but he had spent as little time as possible away from the Mrs.. She had not had any reasons to deny his company and, in fact, had found it quite enjoyable. But she also trusted the scarecrow, undeniably. If what he said was true...what could be done about it?
"If this is true, Mr. Scarecrow...then..." She trailed off, exposing her nervous tick of fiddling with her suspenders. The scarecrow sighed in relief to have no arguements from the young woman.
"If you would, Mrs. Pumpkin, you could accompany me to my home where we shall keep you safe until Mr. Jack has departed once more." Mrs. Pumpkin opened her mouth, perhaps to agree, only to feel a hand upon her shoulder. Turning, she flushed to find Jack smiling down on her.
"Mrs. P, have you forgotten our dance? My newest partner is not as skilled as you are." He laughed a tad, motioning at the other girl over his shoulder. The drill-haired girl was currently spinning in dramatic circles, dancing with a young man with a long red ponytail, his face closely resembling her own. They both had large grins on their faces.
"Of course I haven't Jack. Mr. Scarecrow was just inviting me for tea before the dance ends." She looked back to the scarecrow, who nodded. Jack's smile faltered.
"Oh? But I thought that I would fix us all some of my pumpkin pie."
"No offence, Mr. Jack, but I don't have a liking for pumpkin pie." Scarecrow's harsh words did nothing to lower Jack's grin.
"You've never had it though, have you?"
"That does not mean I cannot hate it."
"Never the less, Mrs. Pumpkin, there will be time for tea after our dance...Unless you are saying you have no wish of my company this evening?" Jack looked at the woman with a touch of sadness and she felt her heart sink. This seemed impossible. She could neither go with Jack, nor could she not got with him.
"Of course not, Jack! Don't you say such things, putting words into my mouth that were never there in the first place." She scolded him, and the grin re-appeared on his face. He offered her his hand, and turning to give the scarecrow an apologetic smile, she took it. He lead her back into the center of the street, their shoes making pleasing sounds against the cobblestones. Their waltz was playing again, but this time at a slower pace than before. They positioned themselves, threading the fingers of their clasped hands together in such a way that made the young woman flush red once more.
They danced. The finest pair among the crowd, flowing so gracefully and matching the others steps so perfectly. The Jacaranda trees around the city must have bloomed recently, for in the light wind of the night, their petals came dancing across the street as if wanting to join the city in it's party. The pink petals swirled around each couple, but they paid no mind to it, save for the red-headed girl and her partner who found them absolutely facinating. Mrs. Pumpkin and Jack took little notice, but they only had eyes for the other at this time.
The young woman found herself staring into the triangled shaped holes that stood for Jack's eyes, coming to the shocking realization that she was both afraid, and utterly enamoured with this man. As if sensing her thoughts, Jack tightened his hold upon her waist, pulling them closer to each other.
"So, what was it that you and Mr. Scarecrow discussed?" He asked her, casually. He twirled her before bringing her back as close as possible; their faces were inches apart. Mrs. Pumpkin's breath caught in her throat, her feet stalling for a moment before Jack again took the lead.
"I've told you. He invited me for tea." She replied. Jack gave her a knowing look, and she casted her eyes downward.
"That could not have been all?"
"But it was."
"Is that so...?"
"Are you asking if I'm lying to you, Jack?" For a moment, Jack's expression turned from knowing to hurt. He looked a little ashamed of himself.
"Uhm...no of course not, Mrs. P." He said this a little soflty, the grip around her waist loosening to a gentle hold. He twirled her again, the tempo picking up with a new song.
"Please forgive me," he continued, "but perhaps it is only my jealousy acting up once more."
"Jealousy?" The woman questioned, her cheeks reddening.
"Of course. Here I have a simply beautiful woman in my arms, and some other gentleman tries to whisk her away from me? Who would not find themselves just a bit bothered by that?"
"I'm flattered.." She replied meekly. Jack smiled, pleased with this reaction. She gave him a sheepish grin of her own.
It was that moment that the large clock tower sounded from afar. It was...what time was it exactly? The red-head stilled, turning her violet coloured eyes toward the large clock. The hands read no definite time, and instead turned as if having no control of itself. The hands moved slowly across each number, the second and minute hands moving faster than the hour of course. They seemed almost indecisive of where to stop. Not even the clock knew the time! But the chimes continued.
Four...five...six...seven...
The couples across the street slowed their dancing with each loud boom of the bells. Each would turn and stare at the clock.
Eight...nine...ten...
Jack, Mrs. Pumpkin, and the strange girl and her partner were the only ones still twirling to the now fading waltz.
Twelve...Thirteen?...Fourteen...Fifteen...
How many chimes were to come? Usually there were but 12 at maximum, right? As the chimes continued, there was a building chill in the air. Mrs. Pumpkin shivered, wrapping her arms about herself. Jack only pulled her against him, perhaps to warm her, but for whatever reason, she felt a sense of comfort while pressed against him. He was warm, despite the chills. She peeked from behind his arm toward the sky behind the clock tower. The moon. Mr. Moon had heard them! He had finally risen to the sound of the chimes! Perhaps the reason why they had not stopped?
They only ceaesed after the twenty first ring.
Mr. Moon was huge tonight, making the little town seem so much smaller; lighting up the entire sky as well as every single thing around it. One could even see the interior of Jack's pumpkin head. Then a curious thing happened.
They seemed to come out of the moon himself, but it was more as if they appeared to dissappear into him. No one could tell where exactly they lead by sight alone.
A set of stairs. Appearing from thin air, reaching their base at the foot of the clock tower.
"Finally!" Jack boomed, catching the attention of the crowd, "Mr. Moon has decided to join us! He invites us to finish our dance at a closer stage!" The people around him cheered and began their way toward the steps immediantly, excited to have recieved such an invitation from the mighty Moon himself. Jack remained as he stood, still hugging his dear Mrs. Pumpkin close. She was intent to stay there as well, fearing getting trampled in the midst of excited dancers. One by one she watched them step onto the staircase, take several steps upward and fade into the moonlight. She imagined somewhere wonderful beyond that point.
Perhaps a full ballroom, with tables with elegant cloths, and mountains of food upon them. A fountain that spilled nothing but sweet wine. Proper dresses for the women and suits for the gentlemen. And everyone would dance out on a glorious marble flooring, amongst pillars that stood to hold up a glorious glass ceiling that was clean and clear to reveal the night sky and Mr. Moon looking in on them as they danced and laughed. Tapestries would hang from every corner and chandeliers would brighten the room with a warm glow from each individual candle.
From her left, a movement caught her eye. In the shadows, behind an old market booth, stood a man in a suit much like Jack's. His hands were defined with black gloves that looked old, scuffed. This man had the head of a goat, with long sharp horns curling from each side. His eyes were a deep shade of red..glowing even. And they were watching her. Intently.
"Jack..." She whispered against the cloth of his suit. The Pumpkin-headed man turned his attention to her, and then to where her eyes were.
"The Goat..." He mumbled. "Pay no mind to him, my dear. He need only wait his turn; he goes last."
"Why is that?"
"It is his place." At this, she pulled back just a bit to stare up at him. He returned her gaze, taking her hands.
"Shall we, Mrs. P? It's your turn now." He said this gently and she turned to gaze at the emptying square before the clock tower. Most everyone had gone. The only remaining people were the strange drill-headed girl and her look-alike dance partner. They seemed to be taking their last looks of the town before taking each other's hand and dissapearing into the light.
"I'm afraid.." Mrs. Pumpkin mumbled, the chill of the air catching her breath and turning it into a white puff. It seemed...ominous. Even more so when she realized that she was afraid. She didn't want to follow them. She wanted to stay here...with Jack, and Scarecrow, and dance until the morning. Just the three of them.
"Mrs. P...I'll be with you the whole time. There's no need to fear-"
"That's a lie and you know it, Jack." The old Scarecrow pushed his small glasses up onto the bridge of his wooden nose, and placed his hands upon his straw hips. Jack scowled at the thing.
"Calling me a liar again?" He asked in a harsh voice. The scarecrow acknowledged nothing of this, but instead took the hand of the young miss.
"Mrs. Pumpkin. If you go with this man, you'll never come back. Is that what you wish?"
"W-what?"
"Mrs. P. Do you think I would lead you to danger?" Jack asked, only to be glared at by the scarecrow.
"Of course you would, Mr. Jack. I've seen you do it to countless others. What's so different now?"
"I wouldn't let anything hu-"
"Don't feed me that, Pumpkin. I know perfectly well what you do with these people. It's not her time yet!"
"No! I've done my waiting!"
"I'm telling you it isn't her time! You'll have to extend your wait."
"Please stop fighting!" The two men looked at the shorter woman before them. She had her eyes closed...clenched actually. Like she had a headache. Then with a gasp, her eyes flew open once more, though instead of violet, they were now a bright emerald. Scarecrow grinned; Jack sighed.
"You hear them, don't you?" Scarecrow asked the girl. She nodded.
"Go then." He said this, wretching Jack's hand off of her's, "I'll go with you." Mrs. Pumpkin gave a hestitant look towards Jack, but he smiled sadly and shook his head.
"We shall meet again, you and I, Mrs. P. Go on." Jack then turned his back on her, walking toward the steep staircase to the moon. He beckoned for the goat man to follow; the sound of hooves echoed through the empty street.
Mrs. Pumpkin again turned her attention toward the voices calling out for her. Calling out a name that was familiar and yet not at the same time.
"Miku-nee!...Wake up, Miku-nee!"
"Hatsune-chan, can you hear us?"
"They're waiting for you." This was all the scarecrow said before he gave her a light shove that sent her falling toward the ground.
With a loud gasping breath, her eyes flew open to reveal the sky draped with a rising sun. Pink, orange, and a bit of blue lingered there. She was lying in a bed of tall grass, that had collapsed beneath her weight. With a few coughs she gripped the blades between her fingers, trying to ease the pain that came with trying to catch her breath.
"Miku-neechan! Are you alright?"
"Rin-chan, don't smother her!"
"But-..."
As the world around her grew clearer, the emerald shaded eyes came to land on those of a deep blue. Blonde hair framed her doll-like face...but something was missing. A bow. The bow was gone. There were tears on her face.
"Rin-chan?" Miku muttered. "What happened?"
"The train crashed." Rin answered immediantly, "Apparently some man had sabotaged the tracks. The whole front car exploded...Teto-chan and Ted-kun...they were...on that car..." Rin's voice cracked as she relayed this news. Miku felt her heart jolt in pain, followed by her leg.
"When the train crashed you went flying out the window. Len-kun and I managed to avoid getting hurt. But we were so worried about you, right, Len?"
Miku turned to the blonde boy beside her. He looked at his twin before looking back at the older teen and nodded.
"We had no idea where you flew off to...Luka-onee's already called the hospital and things like that. She's ok too." He said. Miku looked toward the burning wreckage of the train off in the distance. It seemed upon finding her, the twins had dragged Miku into a safer area...though she was clearly injured.
"Your leg...does it hurt?"
"Very much. I...I think it's broken."
"We'll get you help ok?"
"Are there any other survivors?" Miku asked, propping herself up on her elbows. From here she could see the ash and blood covering everyone's clothes, and skin. It made her stomach turn.
The twins sent looks at each other before looking at the ground. That was a clear answer all it's own.
"You were out for such a long time...we thought you might have..." Rin trailed off as she began to hiccup; holding back her tears.
We were only coming home from vacation... Miku thought as she layed back down onto the grass, Teto-chan...Ted-kun...They're gone...All because of that man who sabotaged the train...that...that...GOAT.
The word surprised her...but it seemed almost fitting for such a man. In the distance, sirens could be heard as they rushed toward the scene. For some reason it reminded her of chimes of a clock...perhaps she'd heard it in a dream?...But then...you know dreams...they only last so long before you forget they even happened.
AN- If you can't tell, this is based off of "Mrs. Pumpkin's Comical Dream." If you haven't heard that song yet, shame on you. I'm totally in love with it. But anyway, this is my take on it. I actually really like the idea of JackxMrs. Pumpkin. Because I kind of see them as...not related to Vocaloid. Like Miku is supposed to be Mrs. P...but at the same time, Mrs. P is a completely different character, ya know? Eh... Maybe it's just me. xD