Mirage was starting to wonder if this had been a bad idea or not. The woman was leaning against the door and on the other side of it her daughter was after long last meeting her father. She had no idea what had taken over her but the morning after Christmas she decided to give the man a call.
Chicha was staring at her sister who seemed to be going through a roller coaster of emotions at the moment. It had been odd when Mirage decided that today was girl's night and they were leaving the men home while they had fun. It was weird because the last girl's night she had been to was about four and it ended up with her running from a landslide.
After a quiet drive to the restaurant, Mirage had dropped the bomb. And no it wasn't just any bomb it was THE bomb, it was Little Boy and like the Japanese victims of that explosive they were not prepared for it the very least.
Esme didn't know if she was ready, she didn't even have the time to mentally prepare herself. It was from this that an argument broke between the mother and daughter with Chicha as the bias mediator on Esme's side.
And now they had managed to push Esme into the private room inside the restaurant where her father was waiting.
"You could have given me a name" Chicha finally said making Mirage look up "It's been almost two decades and you didn't even give one hint and now you're giving your child to him on a silver platter"
"There would have been a lot of tension if I told you who he was" Mirage gripped on the wooden handles of the door.
"Like that isn't happening right now" Chicha rolled her eyes "Now tell me why did you drag me here as well, it's a good thing I told Chaca to home cause dear Mama know what could have happened then"
The platinum blonde pushed herself away from the door "Why don't we talk in our table"
"Oh I had enough intermissions" Chicha crossed her arms "Just tell me, you know very well after all the years I've been good to you, that aside from Esme herself I should know"
Mirage tightened her mouth forming a line on her lips.
"Well you're just going to shut up?" Chicha's voice was starting to raise again.
She then said a name.
Chicha's eyes widened and for the second time that night she was rendered speechless.
". . . you're . . . could you repeat that?" the Latina croaked.
Mirage had what's best described as a sad smirk "Buddy Pine, he's Esme's father"
"Up and early I see" Anna said as she joined her sister in the living room while holding a cup of coffee in her hand.
The sisters have been staying at the Cynyr's apartment for a few days already after getting Eilonwy out of the hospital (much to Arthur's chagrin he indeed had to use a helicopter for the task).
The Llyrs stayed in the vacant rooms of the former tenants before going back to their home the previous day, Taran with them. Merida only stayed one night and returned to the Porter's place because she had to care for the poor Professor while Jane went away looking for her mother.
It was Tuesday two more days till the New Year and three more days till Elsa and Arthur's engagement party. The matter had been decided during the sister's first morning at the Cynyr's.
Elsa was looking at the sunrise before she was joined by her sister "Well you know I always like to rise up with the rest of the day" the elder girl said.
"The view was better back home" Anna mused, indeed watching the sunrise from the ports of Arendale was a little more calming than the buildings covering the London skyline.
"How can you say that?" Elsa chuckled "You usually wake up by ten"
The strawberry blonde blushed "Well at least I can see the sun either way, it's always raining here"
Elsa just gave her sister a smile "So why are you up early?"
"I uhh . . . you know what they say about New Year's resolutions" the younger Vinterdotter did a cheeky smile.
"You wanted to see the engagement ring" the platinum blonde smirked.
Anna blushed and sipped her coffee.
Elsa sighed "He'll give me the ring on the morning of the engagement party"
"I can't believe you made the party before the ring" Anna waved her hand "I know this isn't an ideal union for the both of you but come on at least try to be romantic to each other, you're going to get married for goodness sake"
Elsa took her cup from the coffee table "We've just got too much to settle, if you want Arthur to bend down on one knew by New Year's Eve then that's your problem"
Anna sighed "I thought we were hiding so why the engagement party"
"I doubt the Chernabog's will destroy an event they're invited to" Elsa sipped her tea.
"INVITED!? We're inviting them?" the younger girl blinked "Then why the heck did we go through all that effort to escape the hospital!"
"Only Aunt Cruella is invited to the event" Elsa explained "She seems more civil than the rest of them, and from what I hear Uncle Vlad would rather keep away from any matter involving his wife"
"And how sure are you that she won't bring her husband and . . ." Anna gulped "Son"
"Then we'll just have to tell them they won't have cake" Anna turned to see Arthur leaning against the doorframe.
Elsa stood up "Are you going to check the banquet hall?"
"I'll be sure to take pictures" Arthur went over to the sisters "Are you sure you don't want to come? It's our engagement party we're planning here"
"I rather plan here" Elsa smiled "I don't want to ruin the media's surprise" it was a given that since the Pendragon's were quite an influential family having their sole heir getting engaged to the daughter to a former Prime Minister were bound to be a tabloid catch.
Anna rolled her eyes "You're just being 'cautious'" she air quoted.
"I better take measurements as well then" Arthur rubbed the back of his neck "Now if I only knew where I put my measuring tape"
"You're an architect student I'm sure you know something about interior design" Elsa waved her hand.
"I design the building, the décor is something else" the blond reasoned.
That was when Ector Cynyr came to the room putting his coat on "Well we better head off then, we've got a lot of things to prepare aside from the room"
Arthur muttered "Why didn't we just get an organizer or something"
"Because I want to make sure everything is up to OUR standards" the older Vinterdotter crossed her arms.
This made Ector chuckle "Already taking the mistress role I see"
"Now I hope she'll also take the wife role seriously as well" Anna sang.
This made Elsa blush "Anna I am capable of being a lady of the house"
"Sure you are" Anna nudged her future brother-in-law "Sorry she hasn't had any dating experience"
The usually pale face of Elsa was now as red as a tomato "Anna if you must know I did have former relations"
"Umm . . ." Arthur raised his hand trying to deviate himself from the conversation "I guess I better . . ."
"Arthur you better not just give her the box like the newspaper or something" Anna nodded "Yeah like come on you do have something planned right?"
This made the Brit blink "Uh . . . isn't that supposed to be a surprise?"
"Oh yes!" Anna covered her mouth.
"Anna your basis for romance is just in those low brow novels and tv shows your oh so fond off" Elsa glared.
Now it was Anna's turn for her cheeks to redden "I . . . was . . . ok Arthur I think you better go ahead" the strawberry blonde pushed both men out of the room "Now go get those measurements and my sister can start planning her perfect . . ."
Arthur raised a hand "Anna I think I forgot my . . ."
"Goodbye!"
On a cold December morning Kronk was busy carrying bags and trying to fit them in his Kia "I think a cab even has more luggage space than this"
"That's because it's usually the Dwarfs who use this" said Royal D'Kipir "We can't use government vehicles now"
"Then this will have to do" Kuzco was wearing a long black sweater that reached his knees, black skintight pants, black oxfords, a white trench coat and a wide white brimmed hat.
"Kuzco I don't think your head could fit in the car" Kronk was just wearing his red knitted squirrel sweater.
"Then we'll make the car fit in my head" the man then went inside the car only for his head to get stuck at the door.
Kronk shook his head and went for the driver's seat "Come on Kuzco our flight is due in three hours"
Kuzco then adjusted his head so that he could fit through the door. This made his hat hit Kronk's cheek and since Kuzco didn't plan on taking the thing off it's more like it'll leave a mark after this.
"So long boys, send Arthur my regards" the weirdly hatted man waved along with the Seven Dwarfs.
As they drove Kronk couldn't help but ask "Does Malina know we're leaving?"
"She wouldn't care" Kuzco opened a pack of macadamia nuts "She avoided me during the Christmas party remember?"
"That's because she never went to the party" Kronk replied.
Kuzco waved his hand "Details"
The former Squirrel Scout then concentrated on the road only to gasp and immediately hit the brakes pushing the two boys forward. Kuzco's face planted unto the screen with his chest crushing the macadamia nuts. Kronk's face was facing side wards because of the stupid hat and his large body pushing the horn of the steering wheel making a loud horn noise that could be hear within a 4 meter radius.
When the airbags finally came off they were pushed back with Kuzco hitting his seat while Kronk was forced out of the car because he could no longer breathe. He had automatically face planted on the road; the large man lifted his head to see the feet of the person whom he had almost run over.
"Malina why were you in the middle of the road?"
The girl tapped her foot "Are you guys going on a trip?"
Kuzco's voice was muffled by the airbag so his cursing could not be understood.
Malina scanned the clearly packed car "That's a lot of stuff, are you going to Disney already?"
"Just a moment" Kronk then stood up cracked his head and stretched "Ok now I'm good"
The air bags finally deflated and Kuzco finally sucked in air "How are these supposed to be life savers?! I almost died of Colon Cancer!"
"Are you two ignoring me?" the woman placed a hand on her hips.
"If I ignored you then you would have been roadkill by now!" Kronk pointed out.
Kuzco was busy fanning himself "Ok big man get back in the car we are waaaay behind schedule"
"Wait I'm still lecturing Malina!" Kronk grabbed the girl by the shoulders "Do you know how much guilt would flow through my veins if you were to ever die by my hands"
"Umm Kronk" Kuzco paused in his fanning "Technically it was the car that would kill her you didn't even lay a hand on her"
"That guilt would slowly creep me into my sleep I would forever replay the image of you being crushed by this screaming metal death trap!" Kronk's face was inches away from Malina "Do you think I would even sleep just thinking of that?!"
Malina pushed herself away from the man "Kronk I know you wouldn't kill me, you're too much of a care bear to do that"
"Didn't they have a lion in Care Bears?" Kuzco pondered "And then there was an elephant as well"
"Then why did you do that!" Kronk was oh so very close to pulling his hair at the moment "I would have rather died in your place if I could"
"Kronk! I'm alive see!" Malina waved her hands.
"So would they be called care lions? Care elephants?" Kuzco rubbed his chin "A Care Monkey?"
At this the girl groaned "Kuzco would you stop talking about Care Bears!"
"That's because you don't even care!" Kuzco yelled back "Kronk let's go, we're going to be late for our flight!"
Kronk sighed "Malina I'm sorry but we really have to go"
"Then I'm coming as well" she pointed at her luggage on the side of the road.
Both boys looked at her incredulously "WHAT?"
"You heard me! I'm coming along" she crossed her arms.
"Well too bad!" Kuzco waved his hand "We can't fit your BIIIG EGO here"
Malina glowered "I could say the same for you"
Kronk tried to reason "Seriously Malina I really don't think you could fit here, it took us a while to even get all the luggage in"
"Then I have my car" and indeed net to her bags was her car.
Kronk scratched his head "Then why didn't you just follow us to the airport? You didn't have to make a scene"
Malina gaped before replying "Well it would be rude not to ask your permission"
"The exposure to the cold freezes them quickly" Eilonwy explained as she placed berried on a baking sheet "This prevents the formation of large ice crystals, which destroys cell walls and makes berries lose their structure and become soft when they thaw"
Taran looked at her weirdly "So you're not making a blueberry cake?"
She shook her head.
"Then what are we having for lunch?" he asked.
"Bacon with avocado dip" the girl smiled.
The red head sighed heavily "Should have just gotten rice and mixed it with powdered milk"
Angharad and Geraint went to buy groceries leaving the two young adults to their own devices. Eilonwy could now walk without any assistance though she would be very slow at it and there was this odd flip she would do with her feet as she moved.
While the blonde was chopping avocados she asked "So when are your parents coming home?"
"By the third" he replied leaning against the counter "Though after the New Year's party I'll be heading back to the house"
At this Eilonwy frowned "Don't you like our company?"
"I have to clean the house for my parents" Taran shrugged "And we'll be seeing each other at Disney either way"
She took another avocado and chopped it "You know, you appeared in my sleep a lot after the accident"
"Really?" Taran asked.
"Yes, along with Arthur, Lady Macbeth and Mallowman" she smiled "Aww Mallowman"
The boy raised a brow "Mallowman?"
"You know Stay Puft" she placed the chopped avocados in a blender.
"Stay Puft Mallowman?" he paused for a few moments "What were we? The Ghostbusters?"
She turned around and clapped her hands "Yes, though Lady Macbeth was using an arrow and Arthur had to use a giant sword he named Excalibur and you . . . well you just used your fists"
"I'm not gonna ask why I'm as per usual defenseless" Taran pushed himself away from the counter "Tell me when you're done cooking I'll take a nap"
The girl frowned again "Am I still your apple?"
Taran paused on his way out of the kitchen "What?"
"Would you still be willing to sin for me? Would you forgive even if what I did banished us from the Garden of Eden and I bear a murderer of a son who killed his own brother?"
"You're Biblical referencing is making me kinda feel guilty" Taran nodded "Yeah it's still awkward and . . ."
The avocados in the blender were completely forgotten until they popped out spreading puree within a 5 meter distance; among those directly hit was Eilonwy.
She turned towards the blender, the back of her blonde hair now green "Oh dear, even you feel my grief"
Taran immediately put Eilonwy to one side and unplugged the blender "Why don't you take a shower first and I'll just order take-out"
"But the bacon!" she gasped.
"Will be toast if you cook it" Taran then noticed that she had already taken the bacon out of it's packet "Oh great"
"Stand clear and let me handle this" Eilonwy closed her eyes and raised her arms "I must remove the tension I am building before it goes to other objects"
Taran ran a hand over his hair "How about you settle them in the bathroom and let me cook"
She just started humming.
"Fine you wanna make me close your chakras" Taran threatened "Then so be it" he then leaned over to the girl and closed the gap between them with his lips.
Eilonwy's eyes were still closed but when Taran stepped back he noticed that her cheeks were now more pink "You opened my chakras" she quietly said.
"Go take a shower, your dripping avocado on the floor" Taran smoothly said.
Out of the three of them Taran was the competent cook, while he couldn't face off Tiana in a cook-off he could at least avoid a screaming Gordon Ramsey. (He went to a cooking workshop of said chef when he was ten, made him learn a lot of stuff aside from cooking).
So it wasn't a surprised for Eilonwy, after her shower, to see that he had managed to salvage a few of the avocados and manage to cook it with bacon. "I thought we ran out of tomatoes" she asked as Taran served the bacon guacamole.
He shrugged "Stole them from the neighbor's yard"
"Of course" she said drying her hair with a towel.
Taran was already seated and was placing a few on her plate "There I even had the trouble of using the avocados"
She placed the towel around her neck "I was going to use them as a puree"
"We can't have everything" he said starting to eat.
Eilonwy sat down "I'm sorry"
Taran looked up.
"I didn't mean to say those things at the restaurant" she stared at her plate "I didn't mean to sound so . . . naïve of our relationship"
He dropped his fork.
She looked up "I guess you're mad again"
"Do you love me?" he asked staring at her.
Without hesitation "Yes"
He smiled "Then we don't have a problem"
She stared at him "Just like that?"
Taran picked up his fork "Yes, cause love is usually just like that"
Esmeralda stared at the man in front of her. As soon as she sat down she had lost the ability to speak, it appears so did Mr. Pine.
The two had been starring at each other for a few minutes before the silence was broken by Buddy "So it was you all along"
Esme gulped "So . . . you already knew I was your daughter?"
"Your mother likes to ensure what she presents to the board is full proof" he chuckled a bit "You were not an exception"
She couldn't believe it, the whole time her mother had been working for her father just to provide for her. She couldn't believe that the whole time her father was closer to her than she thought.
"You know" Esme looked up when he spoke "The first time I saw you, I started to get a hunch"
Esme cocked her head "First time?"
"When your mother brought you to the office" he played with the glass of wine in his hand "She said you were her niece but everyone knew she was lying. People were just wondering why though."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Esme asked.
Again the man laughed "That's a good question" he sipped his wine "You've probably heard of me from your mother"
She nodded "She does say a lot about you"
"I'm pretty sure it was all bad stuff" he smirked.
Again she nodded only slowly "She said you were selfish and egotistical"
"I'm glad I didn't pass down that gene to you then" he looked at her "Wanna know I how hooked up with your mom?"
"That she never told me" Esmeralda blinked.
"He leaned back against his chair "Well I was sixteen my mother had won a free vacation to Spain and we were staying here for the week. But you see my mother never really took the heat very well so she spent most of the trip in her hotel room while I ended up going to the tours alone."
Esmeralda nodded him to continue.
"So anyway I was sent by my mother to buy her this . . . err cream yeah let's call it that" he coughed "By the way your grandmother is still alive"
Esme realized she'd been a bobble head the entire evening with her nodding "Well . . . that's good to hear"
"But if you're asking for your grandpa forget it" he then went on "Anyway I ended up getting lost on the way to the hotel and ended up going around in circles and boy was it hot then I was sweating and it was already getting dark. I went to the side of the road to just cool off and wait for whatever I was waiting for, and it was here when I finally caught eyes on your mother."
"She saw me grumbling and decided to offer me help which I took at once, and it was partially because I was tired but mostly because your mom was pretty hot. She was basically a goddess guiding the lonely traveller to his home or something like that ok moving on. She brought me to the hotel and before she left I asked if she wanted to hang out because I thought why not at least try because my vacation was really depressing anyway might as well make it worthwhile by being rejected by a hot Spanish chick. Surprisingly though she said yes."
Esme was getting into the story "Then what happened"
"Well the following days we went around Spain saw the sites even the weird ones no one goes to and one way or another I was really starting to like her, and I believe she felt the same way to. So on my last night in Spain she brought me to this party of a friend I think and well she was really sad that I was leaving and she even cried at the middle of the dance floor."
At this Esme tried to imagine her now independent mother, crying in public for a guy, it was kind of difficult for her to imagine.
"So of course I tried to reassure her that we would keep in touch, but we had no idea how that was gonna work out. So your mother just told me to give her one last memory before I left" Buddy snorted "And you know if she told me that a few days ago I might have just went with it without feeling any remorse and probably brag about it in school on how I hooked up with a hot Spanish chick"
"But you didn't" Esme played with her fork.
"I didn't. I actually didn't want to do it at first but eventually went along with it." He sighed "The one reason why I strived to work my butt off working part time at some pizza parlor and trying to get a scholarship was just so I could get back to her. Everything I did, this company was just for her."
"Then . . ." Esme looked up "Why didn't . . ."
"I didn't call I tried, your mother did give me a number but international calls were expensive and my mom would always tell me to forget about that girl and start working on the backhoe of the farm. I did send letters but I got not reply and I doubt they had internet at her place"
"Why didn't you say anything?" she said. "I'm pretty sure she would understand"
"She told me to forget about that girl" he smirked "She said that girl was long dead and that we were complete strangers and I should treat her as an employee of this company. And if she wants that it's fine . . . but then . . . you came to the picture"
"I always thought I was a constant reminder of failure to my mother" tears were starting to form in her eyes "And here I am following the same path she took"
At this Buddy's eyes went wide "Don't tell me . . ."
She smiled sadly "I know, we've just met and . . . I really have a lot of things I wanna say and a lot of things I wanna do with you" she gulped "But I understand if you think I'm shameful . . ."
Mr. Pine closed his eyes "Huh . . . this morning I found out I was a father and now" he opened his eyes "I'm gonna be a grandfather"
Right now she was crying "This is such a terrible time, I don't really think I could blame anyone now but myself"
"Esme" the man did probably the most compassionate thing he's done, he told a hold of her hand "Of all the things I've made, and that's a lot of awesome stuff, you're the one that tops the list. And there's nothing that can ever tarnish you in my eyes, because in the end you're still my daughter."
The girl smiled "Thanks . . . dad"
"So how was the banquet hall?" Taran asked. He had left the house when Eilonwy's parents got home and met up with Arthur for coffee.
They were currently walking around with cups of coffee in hand from Peyton and Byrne "Should have brought Elsa, it was tiring answering questions about decorations"
"I'm surprised Ector let you run off alone now" Taran sipped his Cafetiere.
"He's actually behind us" Arthur turned around followed by Taran. And indeed a few feet behind wearing a very thick black camouflage coat, a knitted bonnet and shades was Ector.
"This reminds me of when we were in primary school" Taran laughed "Remember that ski trip we had before?"
"The one where he actually hid in a cave near the resort and ended up waking up the bear living inside?" Arthur laughed at the memory "Kay had never been so embarrassed"
The red head shook his head "And that other time we went camping and Ector accidently crashed into the scoutmaster's tent"
"When did this happen?" the blond was confused.
"Oh uhh . . . moving on" Taran did a smile. "So do you think we'd still be doing this if your parents were still alive?"
Arthur stopped walking "Define doing this"
"I dunno, having this silent war between Chernabog" Taran faced his friend "You going to Disney and marrying Elsa"
The boy remained silent for a while.
"Sorry I guess . . ." Taran stopped when Arthur spoke.
"I'd probably be more concerned on my final thesis right now" the blond smiled "And trying to tell my girlfriend to stop tying herself to a tree"
Taran snorted "Don't remind me, I had to make sure Eilonwy didn't see me use tissue paper for a month"
"Her taking out the toilet paper in the restrooms was the worst" Arthur cringed in memory "We checked in hotels just to use the bathroom"
"Oh yeah and John Smith was one of the few who used leaves as toilet paper" Taran was now laughing hard.
"I've never seen sorority girls go so primal" Arthur finished his Espresso "Even Belle looked a little scarier than Adam and that's saying something"
"Wonder what Merida did during that time" the red head pondered.
"She was still high school at the time" Arthur threw his drink on a nearby waste bin "Like Mickey Mouse help us all if that happens"
"I don't know if you noticed" Taran adjusted his scarf "But I think that Lady of Scots has a crush on you"
Arthur gave him an incredulous look "Preposterous, I think she's a girl that swings the other way"
At this Taran almost tripped "The fact the you used the word preposterous means you've spent too much time talking with Hautecourt, also when did you come up with a conclusion that Merida was a lesbian"
"She . . . just seems a little too attached to girls to me" Arthur explained as though it were a simple fact "I mean you should have seen her when she was watching Anna in the hospital the first time"
The red head gave him a side glance "I think Elsa would be more fitting for that category, I mean . . . I heard a few rumors about her and some chick named Astrid from Dreamworks"
"When did you start listening to Miss Cowabell's gossip blog" Arthur asked sheepishly.
"Well we can't help but see that almost all your exes were closet lesbians" Taran chuckled.
This made the Pendragon blush "Shut up"
"Well first there was Penny" Taran counted with his fingers.
"Who made out with Eilonwy" Arthur answered with a smirk.
This made Taran grumble "Yes, but that was one time" he continued "Then there was Rebecca or should I say Pocahontas"
"If I recalled it was you who tried to hook me up with her" Arthur glared.
"Then there was Elinor . . ." Taran continued.
"Elinor was very straight, so straight that she went for my best mate in the tennis team" Arthur sighed.
"I can't believe you didn't kick Lance out of the team" Taran was raising three fingers in the air "I mean he slept with your woman"
"He's one of our best singles players" Arthur waved his hand "And you just dated one girl, one girl, don't throw everything at my face"
Taran smiled "And I like to keep it that way"
"Excuse me boys" Ector interrupted them from behind "But Anna's been asking for dinner on the phone"
"Well it is starting to get dark" Taran pointed at the setting sun.
"What did she want?" Arthur asked.
Ector raised his phone "Anything with bacon"
Taran laughed.
"Guess we better head to the grocer's" Arthur shrugged and they both went for the nearest Sainsbury.
As soon as they entered though all three boys suddenly stopped in their tracks "Hey . . ." Taran said.
"Do you fell . . ."Arthur continued.
"Something odd" Ector finished with a gulp .
The three stared at each other for a while before Arthur brought out his phone "Ok let's see what we can make with bacon"
"I'll go get the cart" Taran then ran towards the area filled with carts.
Ector couldn't help but laugh "Just like when you were kids"
Taran was about to pull a cart when someone suddenly pushed him and he landed on the floor. "Hey! Listen you!" Taran was about to start an argument when the man glared down at him.
Immediately Taran's body froze, the man had eyes of a hawk and was staring at him like he was a rat ready to be eaten. The man's face was so pale it looked grey and his mouth was to thin it was like a slit on his face. When the man smiled he saw how red his tongue looked and it almost looked at though blood was coming out.
Before Taran knew it the man was gone.
Aladdin was defrosting meat by placing it in a plastic bag, then putting it on top of an upside-down aluminum pot. He then took another pot and filled it with room-temperature water and set it on the meat.
"Now it should take five to ten minutes for the meat to be defrosted" said Al's uncle Genie who was currently dressed up like Julia Child "Thank high school science for that trick"
The Arabian wiped his hands with a dishcloth "So . . . what are you gonna cook for dinner?"
"Why my specialty" Genie did his usual smile "Korean BBQ"
Al looked at him in confusion "Didn't Martha Stewart just makes pies?"
"She does not" Genie raised his head "And I am not Martha Stewart now" he did a curtsy bow "I am Julia Child"
The younger man blinked "I don't think that sounds even Asian"
"Now aren't you being racist" Genie scoffed as he started preparing his needed materials "So how is the madam doing?"
"She's doing fine" Al leaned against the counter "She's having a nap now"
Genie hummed "Since when isn't she taking one I ask"
"Don't you think it's a little too early to cook dinner?" Al checked the clock "It's just three in the afternoon"
"Making barbeque especially Korean takes time, don't rush it" the cross-dressed man was now fronting a Southern accent "Now boy why don't you mind entertaining me with some crazy college stories of yours, you haven't said much since you got here"
The Arabian shrugged "Not much to . . . oh yeah during one of the sorority Christmas parties there was a heart found inside the toilet"
This made Genie freeze at what he was doing "THERE WAS A WHAAAATTTT?!"
"Seriously no one knows where that came from" Al rubbed his chin "Shang thinks there's some syndicate going around in the school:
Genie cringed "The crazy stories just keep getting wackier don't they?"
The young man again shrugged "Well you wanted a crazy story"
"That was more of a morbid tale" Genie then went over to his niece and nudged his ribs "Nothing to say about your love life?" he then pouted his lips (which were in heavy red lipstick) and did a kissy noise.
And it was Al's turn to cringe "You gotta stop doing that you're creeping me out"
"Come ooooon" Genie said in a sing song manner "College is a place where a boy can grow into a man by groping that slutty cheerleader while still going out with that weird chick from pottery class"
"I think I'll pass that offer thank you" Al said about to leave the kitchen.
Genie pulled him back "Come on, you seriously haven't gotten a girl to get your attention? Or did you fail to get her attention?"
The man sighed "You could say that"
"Oooh, teenage heartbreak this sounds interesting" Genie took a stool and sat on it "Now tell me what happened" he spoke in an Austrian accent.
Al sat on the counter "Well yeah there's this girl I really liked . . ."
"Ooooh" Genie was jumping like a schoolgirl "What's her name? What's her sign? Does she go for Katy Perry or Taylor Swift?"
The young man raised his hand "Her name is Merida, I think she's a Scorpio and I doubt she listens to either of them"
"I see an alternative chick" Genie nodded "Well we could definitely work with that continue"
"Uhh . . . ok yeah" Al shook his head "She's Scottish . . ."
Genie interrupted again "Oh my gosh she's . . ."
Al rolled his eyes "Let me guess Braveheart"
"No" Genie waved his hand "James Bond"
"Isn't James Bond English" Al paused "But they're basically in the same island . . . would you stop interrupting me!"
Genie zipped her lips.
"Ok she's Scottish, takes veterinary medicine, she's the captain of the archery club, she's got this really awesome vibe around her, she's one of the boys, she's funny a little dense but that just makes her cute" he smiled "And she has really really curly red hair that just goes everywhere"
Genie was looking at his phone "What's her name Merida . . .?"
"Are you looking her up on Facebook?" Al asked.
"Heavens no" Genie rolled his eyes "I'm looking for her at Instagram"
"She doesn't have a Instagram" Al replied.
"Oh yes alternative" Genie nodded "Ok let's see what's her name on Facebook?"
"Merde the Nuts" Al chuckled "Yeah she's sooo alternative"
Genie scrunched his brows "Shit the nuts? Well sense of humor there . . . oooohhh she does have . . . quite a lot of hair, and it's everywhere"
"Yeah it is" Al nodded.
"Hmm but she is cute" Genie scanned through her profile "I approve of her, so when have you two lovebirds start dating?"
"Umm . . ." Al quickly grabbed the wooden spoon as some sort of security blanket "We're not dating"
Genie lowered his phone "You are nooot? Now goodness Al we already had this talk. You can have ANY girl as long as you put . . ."
"She likes someone else . . ."
"Your dignity . . ." Genie paused again "And does this person know she likes him? Or a her because you know times are changing"
"It's a dude, and they're friends so you know" he slumped his shoulders "Kinda harder to break that"
"Have you tried asking her? I mean she's still open you can change her mind" Genie said being supportive.
Al waved his hand "I did, but she ended up trying to beat up a professor for him"
Genie shook his head "Mmm hmm, great friendship right there"
"Yeah . . . I probably got no chance with her anyway" he sighed "And I've pretty much settling to that fact"
"Aww come here" Genie said hugging him "Now we all know . . ." he paused when he sniffed something "Is something burning?"
"I don't remember you cooking something" Al asked in confusion.
That was when the lady of the house came "Did my meatloaf cook yet?"
"Insanity is hereditary, you can get it from your children" Kuzco said reading a copy of People Stylewatch. They were currently in their suite at COMO The Halkin after checking in at around four twenty-four in the afternoon.
"So where are we having dinner with Arthur?" Kronk asked after he had finished packing his bags.
Kuzco flipped a page "Well we're still debating if we should eat at their place, eat at the restaurant here or risk going out even though the food probably tastes better there"
"Hmm . . . well I assume it's safe to go out since they plan to do the engagement party at Duke's" Kronk sat on the white sofa.
The slim Incan lowered his magazine "Duke's? I thought it was here!"
"It says so on the invite!" Kronk brought out the pink butterfly-shaped invitation "There 9pm at The Duke's Hotel"
Kuzco read the invite "Wait a minute why didn't I get an invite? And if I remembered the two just planned this engagement party last week!"
"Well I got my invite before our flight" the large man grabbed back the paper "And don't crumple the thing it's pretty and you can't get into the party without it"
Before Kuzco could even whine Malina opened the door, since for obvious reasons has a separate room from the two men. "Guys, so aren't we gonna eat yet there's a restaurant downstairs"
"Oh we're waiting for Arthur to tell us where we're eating" Kronk waved his hand.
"Arthur? Oh he knows we're in London?" Malina asked surprised.
At this Kuzco rolled his eyes "Well we are going to an engagement party, ONE I APPARENTLY WASN'T INVITED TO!"
The girl's eyes widened "Engagement party? That's why we're here?"
At once both boys covered their mouths "Umm . . . excuse us for a moment" Kuzco said before dragging Kronk to a corner "Wait, you haven't told her?"
"I thought you told her" Kronk said in defense.
"Why would I tell her, I didn't know she could even buy a last minute ticket" Kuzco still wondered how she even got the money for it in the first place.
Kronk shrugged "Well there were only three other people in the plane so I guess . . ."
"And that means we have to pay for her room as well" Kuzco hissed "And do you know how much they rate here?"
"Then why did you go for a fancy hotel than just the one near Arthur's place" Kronk reasoned "I mean I'm sure there are good hotels in Oxford"
"Not gonna risk it" Kuzco rubbed his chin "So should we say, she probably know Anna since they're both annoying people who ask too much questions"
"That's journalism for you" Malina said sneaking up on the two boys yet again.
For the umpteenth time they both jumped in shock "Would you quit eavesdropping?!" Kuzco yelled "You're not supposed to be here in the first place"
Malina placed a hand on her hip "Well if you two just decided to stop hiding secrets then I would just leave you alone"
"There are reasons why secrets are hidden" Kuzco poked her nose "And why sometimes people call you guys nosy"
"There are reasons why friends tell each other everything" Malina lifted her chin "And why sometimes people call you guys mistrusting"
Kronk groaned "Let's just tell her anyway, she could be your date since you didn't really like the idea of cross-dressing"
"Woah" Kuzco raised his palms "First of all" pointing to Malina "That was called no lack of boundary, second" pointing at Kronk "You were supposed to cross-dress, not me"
Before Kronk could reply he felt his phone vibrate "Oh I got a text . . . it's from Arthur he says we're eating at Marianne Resto because Kuzco will probably whine about not showing off in public" Kronk lifted his head "His words"
Kuzco flipped his hair "Well tell him we'll be there shortly, and we also have a stowaway with us"
"Look if you're just going to treat me this way, fine" Malina heading for the door "I'll just buy something from the convenience store and eat in my room"
"Which I am still paying for" Kuzco snapped his fingers.
She held the doorknob "Fine! I'll ask the front desk to transfer me to a cheaper room!"
"Sure have fun finding one in your budget" Kuzco then walked out to his room to change.
Once Kuzco was off Kronk went over to the girl "Malina wait, you should come with us you know Arthur wouldn't mind paying for an extra, and he just got his inheritance I'm sure he has enough money"
Malina sighed "So Arthur's getting engaged to Elsa"
Kronk blinked "How did you know that?"
"Well you said Arthur's engagement and from what I heard you said I was close with Anna" Malina explained "And since I know Anna is probably still hung up on the whole Hans thing that the only other reason why Anna would be in the party because her sister Elsa was engaged"
Kronk's mouth dropped "You got that just from that"
"Also I saw the invite you dropped when Kuzco dragged you" Malina smiled.
Kronk rubbed his chin "Why didn't I think of that" he then turned to the girl "Ok you better get changed then, Marianne is kind of a fine dining place"
"Sure" Malina nodded before leaving the room.
Kuzco opened the door from his room "Is she gone"
Kronk turned to him "I can't believe she fell for it"
"Well pretending that we're hiding the engagement from her and thinking she's so smart at figuring it out but the real reason we're here is because we're hunting for a Mongolian Hannibal?" Kuzco did a wide smile "I was emperor during high school for a reason Kronk and it wasn't just good looks"
Dining in the Porter house always felt cold for Merida, and it wasn't from the breeze coming from the wide open window. She had to admit when Jane left the house to go search for her mother the house started to feel kind of empty. Sure the Professor would do something outrageous like think he was Willy Wonka and try to bring children from the neighborhood and try to prank them with candy, but as the days went by the old man would either just sleep or spend the day sitting at his chair by the window starring into the abyss.
For Merida being in a dead house was like being in an asylum because silence was something she thought was an abnormality that could only happen with dead people. There were times the girl thought she was going to go crazy and do a very Victorian like suicide attempt one of these days but before she could do such an act someone would call her cell and make her forget about her temporary insanity.
"I think we should give the walls a new paint job" the Professor's voice woke Merida from her thinking.
The red head blinked "Pardon?" great she was now using formal terms.
"The blue walls make the room feel cold and empty" the old man crossed his arms "We should choose a brighter color, like yellow that's Jane's favorite color"
"Huh ya right" Merida stood up from the chair she sat "Is there anything else ya need Professor?"
He was still looking around the room "I think we should redecorate the entire house, you know to surprise Jane"
Merida blinked "Isn't she coming back tomorrow?"
"Well then we have to do what we can then" the Professor placed his hands on his hips "I just realized this house is irritating me, it's so empty when there are only two people inside and it becomes desolate when you're alone"
"Uhh . . . yeah" she really didn't know what to reply to that.
The man pounded his fist "Yes, we need to remove this negativity from this house" he turned to Merida "Now young lady you go buy paint outside while I start planning on how we're going to flip this house"
Before she knew it she had come back to the house with three cans of mustard colored paint, after Merida had managed to move around the furniture in the dining room and the Professor filled the floors with newspapers, the two had finally begun painting.
There were a few moments of silence between the two before the Professor spoke "Is there anyone who fancies my daughter?"
Merida paused for a moment "Well not one that I'm aware of Professor"
"Well my daughter is quite beautiful, not as much as her older sisters but enough to catch attention" the man refilled his roller "Though she's also quite smart only problem with her is that she has what I believe is called low self-esteem"
"She also tends to rattle a lot when nervous" Merida remembered the first time she met her.
The Professor chuckled "Oh well I believe she got that from me, well they do always say if she wasn't a girl she would have been my junior"
"Well me paw always seys Imma bit like him wen he was younger" Merida recalled the days where she would mud wrestle with her father when she was still a young girl.
"Well how bout you young lady any men who fancy you" the Professor went to the other side of the room "Surely there are some gruff men who shown interest in you"
The red head pondered for a moment "Well der was dis boy who asked me ta be his date for the Christmas party in our school"
"And did you accept his invitation?" the man asked.
"Well I did but . . . something happened" Merida blushed remembering how that situation ended up with her having Arthur's clothes, which she still has not returned along with that damn engagement ring.
At this the Professor got curious "Got into a fight?"
Merida snorted "I did, but not with me date"
His eyes widened "Oh dear was there a third party?"
"There was a dunderhead of a professor . . ." she paused when she remembered that was Mr. Potter's nickname "Teacher . . . photography teacher"
"Why did you get into a fight with a photography teacher?" the man didn't realize he wasn't anymore painting a wall but a painting that Merida had not removed from the walls.
"He insulted a friend of mine" Merida noticed her tray was out of paint so she put her roller down and went to refill the tray.
The professor chuckled "My you ladies love to stand up for each other"
The Scot was opening the can of paint "The friend was a boy"
"Ooooooh" the Professor did a little knowing smile "That boy must have been a pipsqueak to not handle his own battles, not unless the teacher he was spatting with was a woman"
Merida waved her hand "No the teacher was a definite male, he used to play rugby they say"
The Professor dropped his roller "And you fought with him?"
"Actually I tried to . . ." Merida stood up "He threw me into a pool and peed on the pool"
The old man cringed "I never understand those wild college parties, where was Jane during this?"
"Busy organizing the gifts I think" Merida rubbed her chin.
Mr. Potter sighed in relief "Well that's good, so about that incident what happened afterwards?"
"Well I lost myself after wards, woke up in my friend's room, the same friend who's I defended and he said after the incident he brought me to his dorm asked their superintendent to wash me and made me use his bed" Merida smiled after summarizing.
The man asked "And what happened to the boy who asked you?"
Merida thought "Well he said he was fine after the incident, the last time I saw him was the mornin' after da party"
"Merida may I ask you" the Professor looked at her more seriously.
The girl blinked "Yes?"
"This boy, your friend . . . umm what's his name" he was getting confused referring to the subject via noun.
"Arthur" she answered.
"Ah yes Arthur" the old man raised his finger "Do you fancy the boy?"
At this Merida took a step back "Umm . . . I . . ." she didn't see the can of paint behind her and she tripped causing for the color of mustard to cover her from head to toe.
The Professor could only stare "Oh my"
"I guess we'll take redecorating some other time" Merida muttered.
The décor of the restaurant was a bit more toned down than what Malina had been expecting but at least she could feel comfortable. Sure she knew the people she was eating with but she couldn't help but be reminded of her status compared to her friends.
Kuzco was the son of a famous folk singer and had been raised by the governor of their district, Kronk's family had been in the military and his uncle was the current head of the Armed Forces, Annd and Elsa were the daughters of a former Prime Minister and of course there was Arthur, which in all honesty didn't even realize he was big bucks until recently.
And then there was her, simple Malina Zamora who had a plumber dad and a housewife mother who did handicrafts on the side. They were just a simple family who worked hard in order to provide for their daily needs and extra effort for Malina's education. At an early age she had already known what hard labor was like helping her mother basket weaving and selling them on the local market or door to door.
She knew that in order to be successful in life she had to strive for it, she then made sure to have good enough grades in order for her to have scholarships just so her dad wouldn't work double just worrying about her tuition. So when she met Kronk and Kuzco during high school she had to admit she was very annoyed by Kuzco. While Kronk was more humbled and down to earth Kuzco would flaunt his wealth on a daily basis that he actually at one point bought the school just to name it after himself. And yes that set back their friendship pretty hard, and when she found out he actually had a crush on him she just became confused.
Over the years Kuzco has one way or another toned down in his extravagances for the sake of Malina, meaning he would actually be willing to buy something from Gap without crying. But now here she was dressed up in what could probably be what her mom wore during her wedding, a shapeless off-white sun dress (it was a civil wedding), while Anna's purse looked like something that could pay for her car (it was on loan). She even had to borrow sandals from the said girl as well because she didn't have anything that seemed right for the place.
"Sorry for crashing in you guys like this" Malina said putting on the sandal Anna brought, they were currently in the restroom.
"Oh it's alright" Anna gave her a thumb up "I'm actually glad you're here, you know since Merida's been busy being, believe it or not, a caretaker"
Malina stood straight "Well, she did seem to take care of you fine when you were in the hospital"
At this the Scandinavian winced "Please no more mention of the word hospital, especially around Arthur, he's as sick of those white buildings as me" she was wearing a yellow dress with a purple floral design and black sandals.
"So was he the boyfriend of your sister that you never met?" Malina said doing a last minute check on her hair. "I'm surprised Arthur managed to keep that under wraps from me"
Anna shook her head "Umm . . . no but she told me about the guy, he seemed like a total bore"
"So I assume you're maid of honor?" Malina asked as they went for their table.
"Like of course!" Anna winked "I'd literally annoy her to giving it to me so to save time she gave that special honor to me"
"Oh there you are" Elsa said looking up from her menu "You two start ordering the waiter will be back in a while" she was wearing a white structured playsuit and white Manalo Blahnik heels.
Kronk rubbed his chin "Hmm . . . soo much wine"
Kuzco was wearing a gray vest over a white shirt and maroon pants "Well don't be too shy on the prices we know who's paying" he did a cheeky smile.
"Kuzco!" Malina scolded.
"It's alright Malina" Arthur smiled. He just wore a black shirt over a black dinner jacket and navy blue pants "He's paying for the drinks"
At this Kuzco snorted "Where's the cheapest one here"
Elsa closed her menu "I'll have the Roasted Daylesford chicken" she turned to the girls "How bout you?"
Anna scrunched her brows "Hmm, probably what you're having since the rest seems to be fish and fried oranges"
"Is it just me or are you and Kronk on the same color wheel or something" Kuzco commented.
Indeed Kronk was wearing a purple shirt with black pants and black tie. This little tidbit couldn't help but make Anna blush a bit upon realization.
"Well isn't that cute" Malina teased.
The large man just gave the strawberry blonde a gentle smile "Well since Kuzco seems to have Malina now as a date for the engagement party why don't we go with each other?"
"Kronk you're being too forward!" Kuzco hissed.
"Who said I was going with Kuzco!" Malina interjected.
Arthur raised a hand to call the water. Kronk ordered the oak smoked Irish salmon, Malina ordered Atlantic turbot with girolles à la crème, Kuzco went with Saddle of Rhug estate salt marsh lab and Arthur ordered baby beetroots (which Kuzco teased) and wrapped the whole thing up with a bottle of 2007 Corton Grand Cru 'Le Rognet'.
"As I was saying" Malina said after ordering "I am not Kuzco's date"
"Oh come on it'll be fun" Anna reassured her friend "And isn't that the reason why you're here?"
Kuzco snickered "Well you do owe me for paying your flight, your room and your food"
"I'm paying for her food" Arthur commented.
"And I paid for my flight" Malina crossed her arms.
"I'm paying for you room and drinks!" Kuzco raised his hand "Now excuse me I'm going to powder my nose" the man rose and went for the bathrooms.
Elsa blinked "Isn't that an excuse for women?"
"Kuzco is someone who cannot be distinguished by gender" Arthur explained "One must simply ask what his mood is"
"You're making him sound like a hermaphrodite" Malina raised a brow.
"Yeah . . . will you excuse me I have to take this" Arthur stood up and placed his phone on his ear and left the table.
As soon as they were gone Kronk asked "So how are you preparing for the honeymoon?" he said moving his eyebrows.
Malina kicked him from under the table "Kronk!"
Anna just blushed while Elsa coughed but she was also blushing.
"What?" Kronk asked "Anyone would want a piece of that Pendragon ass"
Kuzco was leaning against the railing, he was at the veranda of the restaurant waiting for Arthur to come and indeed he followed. "Powder your nose?" Arthur put his phone back on his pocket and brought out a box of Gold Flake.
"Seems like you haven't gotten a puff in a while" Kuzco commented.
"Elsa is worried I'd die of hypothermia" Arthur placed the stick in his mouth and brought out his lighter "So I assume you wanna talk about . . ."
A/N: At last after almost a year I've done it! Yes this story will not die no matter how stressful my final year of college is. I'm really really sorry about the delay and probably most of my readers probably moved on haha. I don't know when I'll update next but I will update because this story must be done, and damn it I've finally picked an ending.
Again I'm sorry.