Chapter Four: Curses Defined

"Celes..? Celes wake up…"

Why is Kohaku waking me..?

The pianist opened her eyes to the face of the dark violinist. His face was soft, which was strange of a man of his character. He leaned over her, looming, his expression changed to a questioning one. Celes ran her eyes along the scars across his face, and into his deep, dark eyes through his hair that was now hanging down, inches from her cheeks.

"Kohaku…?" Celes asked sleepily, tilting her head to the side slightly. She slipped her arms above her head to stretch. This bed was soft and warm, unlike the huge box car they usually got stuck sleeping in. Hopefully, he wasn't here to wake her up to get dressed and ready for the day.

Snapping out of his trance, Kohaku stood up, coughing awkwardly. "Right, Lucille wanted you up by nine. He left this morning to speak with the lord a while ago. He said that he wanted to you to head over with me later. He wants you to meet him."

Celes sat up, and tilted her head slightly at him. "Meet him? Why?"

"It's part of the Guignol stuff… I got some clothes for you." He motioned behind him to the dresser with an outfit folded neatly on the top. "Hurry, if you can, please. I don't want to keep Lucille waiting." And with that, he stalked out quickly.

So he was there to wake her up.

"Bleh… Come on…" Celes murmured to the empty room, throwing herself up. It was nine in the morning? She had only been asleep for a few hours, but it felt like minutes… Why couldn't Lucille get rid of that bulky piano and place a soft bed like this in its place?

The pianist smiled to herself, flinging her comforter over herself, not completely ready to start the day.

Xxx

With Kohaku driving, the drive to the Goody estate wasn't a very long one. Without crashing (though there were several times, both their lives were in jeopardy), the two arrived at the open gates of the estate, noticing Lucille and Gwindel standing with a tall handsome man with short brown hair in a light brown suit.

Kohaku pulled up beside them, and spoke to the man. "Where do I park this, Master Goody?" his voice seemed to hold a mocking tone, and he glared at the man with his dark eyes.

The man looked to him and smiled with his eyes closed. When he opened them, his eyes went directly to Celes, who was sitting it the passenger seat.

He seemed surprised by her, and he silently stood, staring at her for a moment. His lips tried to form words but they wouldn't come out.

Kohaku snapped his fingers quickly, trying to catch the man's attention. "Motor's running. I need to park. Are you listening to me?"

Lucille looked Master Goody, and put his hand lightly on the shoulder. He turned to face the singer with a warm though crooked smile. "Right." He turned back to Kohaku. "Just follow the drive and take a left at the fork, the park is there."

"Thanks." Kohaku mumbled, stomping his foot on the gas.

Celes hit her head on the seat then turned to watch the three slowly disappearing, all watched the car drive off, Lucille nervously toying with his hat. Kohaku stole a glance at the distracted girl, wondering why Goody was making such a deal of her.

She was wearing one of Gwindel's tuxedo shirts, the one that fit her frame the best, giving a very feminine shape, along with a pair of Lucille's tight-fitting pants and one of his old performance vests. Her hair was braided, and hung limply on her shoulder her bangs brushing over her eyelashes. She looked cutesy and innocent as she usually did. Men looked at her, yeah, because she was… her. But, in Kohaku's personal opinion, she wasn't the breathtaking type. Lucille looked like an exotic woman, and had dainty features. He could have been mistaken for a breathtaking woman. Celes? Not so much…

The drive surrounded the ivory-covered house, and the parking was a bit of an area where two other cars were parked.

Celes looked down to her lap then Kohaku. He parked the car and stared ahead for a moment. Whatever that creep's intentions were, they weren't right in the head. He got out of the driver's seat and went and opened the door for the girl in the passenger seat.

"Careful of what you say, understand me? This man is under high suspicions." Kohaku whispered grisly. "We won't always be able to protect you."

The pianist was confused as to what he was implying, but nodded grimly. She was away careful of what she said. She hasn't spoken out of turn for the worst in such a long time, why was Kohaku so worried about it?

When the other three men walk up to the orchestra's car, Master Goody walked directly to Celes, and held out his hand to her. He was exceedingly handsome, and rather burly, compared to the lean men Celes was used to dealing with. He had the simplest hazel eyes, but they were large and youthful. The smile he held on his pale lips was genuine.

Celes went to shake his hand, but the man grabbed it softly and put it to his lips. "Miss Celes, no?" He had a French accent.

"Uh, y… Yes sir." Why was she stuttering? She never stuttered. At least, not in the presence of a man. A woman who judged her appearance and work, yes, but never in the presence of a man.

"Wonderful to meet you." His voice was so soft…

Lucille watched the top, crushing the brim of his hat in his hands. Gwindel looked to him, and put his hand on his shoulder. The silent action made the man put the top hat back on his head, and regain his feminine posture. Kohaku watched this and laughed out loud at the Singers act of Jealousy.

"I'll show you to our ballroom, where the party is taking place." There was no denying that he was speaking directly to Celes, and made it completely obvious when he held his arm out to the girl to play her escort.

Celes took is graciously. Lucille gritted his teeth together.