I'm finally updating this story...chapter 4 has been written for quite while and just not finished so i'm sorry. School has kept me busy but since it's summer i'll be able to update this much more sooner. Well on with the story
Disclaimer: All rights on the characters belong to Yu Wo
Sorry for grammar and spelling mistakes, unbeta'd
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Chapter 4:
I collapsed on the couch of a private room just after a meeting with someone. Running around from places to places sure took a toll on my body. Why had this happened again? Oh right. My schedule was packed. I heaved a sigh. At least there's only one last thing to do.
I looked around then at my watch. It's still a bit early and no one's around; maybe I can take a short a nap I closed my eyes preparing for the emptiness of sleep.
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A light rap was heard on the room's door and a person clad and black entered the room. The person was Lesus Judgement. He looked around the room and his eyes drifted over to the couch where he saw a mop of blonde hair stick out. He walked towards the couch and chuckled as he saw Grisia asleep while sitting.
He went closer to her, pulling a few strands of golden hair astray from her face. He then gently laid her slender body carefully on the couch, careful that she wouldn't wake up. He smiled at her peaceful sleeping face. He caressed a hand through her hair and studied her features.
What seemed like an eternity was actually a few minutes, when Grisia shifted her body a bit which caused Lesus to retract his hand and eyes away from Grisia. He smiled to no one in particular at the blonde's actions and decided to wait; after all he knew the blonde had a rough day.
Grabbing a book, he read while waiting for the others to arrive or for Grisia to wake up.
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I opened my eyes only to close them again because of the light. Once both my eyes have adjusted to the light, I sat back up-wait-sat? I could've sworn I took a nap sitting. I looked around the room and was a bit startled when I saw Lesus at the armchair next to me reading a book.
"You're awake. If you're asking why you were laid down, I thought you looked uncomfortable" He said before I could even ask. I scowled and muttered under my breath "Tapeworm"
"How long have you been here?" I asked, straightening myself up and trying to get rid of the creases in my clothes. Once I was satisfied I sat back down.
"A few minutes. Good thing I was the first to come here. Where's Adair?" He replied not leaving his eyes on the book he's reading. Yeah, Yeah. I'm grateful.
"He's supposed to fetch the Long's" He nodded in acknowledgement. And just as I finished saying that a knock on the door came and Lesus stood up and walked over.
"It must be them" he said opening the door.
I also stood up and faced the door to welcome the visitors after all if I didn't what kind of elegant lady would I be! And there's also the fact that my image will be ruined and get killed by father but nonetheless I greeted the visitors.
First Adair came in with Father and Chasel in tow. They took a glance at both of us acknowledging our presence though their faces remained passive. Following them was a man in their late 40's, probably the Long Company's president, wearing a gentle smile though his aura said otherwise. He was wearing an imposing aura of a leader, not one you would like to mess with.
Then came in the last person, she was a girl with long flowing red hair, slim figure, busty chest and a nice face to boot. By my standards she would be considered a 'beauty' just a little bit and she might even compete with me. What put me off was the annoyed expression she had.
She came to a halt when she saw me. I gave her a smile and she eyed me from top to bottom. This went on for a few seconds when she finally smiled and held out her hand.
"Long Shui Han" I was a bit surprised by her actions but shook her hand. "Grisia Sun" I told her. She smiled and we went off to the couch where the others are. We seem to have a mutual agreement about something even though I can't quite pinpoint it.
We sat with the others and discussed about the future partnership we will make. Food was brought in and surprisingly the discussion ended fast and it ended well. Shui Han and I apparently hit it off pretty well. She was actually not that hard to get along with and unlike me she can show her displeasure anytime she wanted to. *Sigh* I wish I could do that.
"Ah. I forgot to say this but Shui Han will also be joining the game" Shui Han's father said chuckling at something my father said. Heh. I can't even remember the last time he made a joke. What's so funny about mushroom tartlets?
"You haven't mentioned it before, have you just come to a decision?" Father said thoughtfully. If I hadn't known him for years I probably would've thought he's a fine businessman. I looked at Shui Han who was practically beaming.
"Hahaha…Well she can be persuasive" her father chuckled though for a split second I thought he sweat dropped. Must be a trick of the light. I mused.
"Which continent would she be in?" I piped in the conversation as to not look uninterested, which was half true at the least.
"She insisted to be in the central continent. Even though she was already a game master for the first person who logged in…Well, that girl did a peculiar request" Mr. Long mused rubbing his hand on his chin as if he had a beard.
"Kids are really strange these days" said father taking a sip of his drink. I scowled, Strange you say…what can be stranger than the things you do in your free time. Setting the cup down he looked back at Mr, Long
"'What was the girl's request?"
Shui Han's face started to give a flush of red. Her father coughed a chuckle before replying
"She wanted to be a boy" came the unexpected reply
My eyes widened and I looked at Adair who was sitting by the corner and saw him give a faint and quick reaction before returning to one of nonchalance. I even saw Lesus flinch! It's not that sex change wasn't common, but doing that in a virtual reality game is rare because it may incite malice among other players. Not to mention about perverts.
"The request was—granted?" stunned, I forced myself to ask. If I were given a request for a game I would have picked something to increase my skills, weapons or even gold. It sure was a peculiar request, it makes me wonder who that girl is or if she's one of those who want a sex change or have different preferences but I'm not one to judge.
"As long as it was in our ability we granted it. But it wasn't really dad who granted the request, it was more like the game decides for itself" Shui Han informed and left it at that probably not wanting to reveal more information.
A few more minutes of small chit chat and Chasel finally spoke up. I actually got startled for a bit because his voice was a deep bass in contrast with my father's tenor or Mr. Han's baritone.
"Since it's getting late why don't you kids head up home while we finish up" he said looking at the other two. We (including Shui Han and Adair and Lesus) nodded. I nodded recognizing the tone he used, it was like a mother telling her children to go upstairs because the visitors would like to discuss things not for them. It's funny how the most intimidating out of these three is actually the most caring and thoughtful. Father wouldn't even give a damn about us staying here.
As soon as we were out we stayed outside for a while, wondering where we're supposed to go. We talked for a while and settled on going somewhere to pass the time and also to get to know Shui Han since it isn't that late as the adults make it to be. We then decided to go to a nearby club which Shui Han suggested was one of her favourites. She also opted to use their car to drive us there, personal driver in tow.
"So what's so special about this club?" I asked as we got in the (hover)car. We were all in a limousine hover car, courtesy of Shui Han, and seated beside me was Lesus and Adair while the seat directly in front of us occupies Shui Han.
"Well it isn't one of those exclusive and fancy clubs that maybe you're used to." She replied sipping a bit of wine.
"Well it's true that we've been to fancy clubs but we're not that new to others either" I said eyeing both Lesus and Adair who just nodded in confirmation. "We've been to a few common clubs too" I added
"Ah. I thought you'd be one of those spoiled rich kids who can do nothing but lay around all day if they've got nothing to do or something like…I don't know eat a lot of sweet things or shop while others do their jobs and the likes. And some of them only prefer really fancy things too, and almost doing nothing to earn them though." she joked and giggled a bit "But you're all right"
"hahahaha" I giggled awkwardly. That's exactly what I do! I averted my eyes from her. I sensed both Lesus' and Adair's eyes on me and gave them a secretive glare. Hey! It's not all that I do! Hmph! They just kept their passive faces on.
"So back to my previous question, what about this club that you really like?" I tried to change the subject but was also a bit curious. It's not like I'm judging her taste or anything but from what I've known she seems to be a cool girl though a bit older than us.
"Oh okay" she gave a smile "Well actually it has 3 floors all in all not much different from usual clubs but the first floor is a restaurant which serves quite a delicious meal. The second and third can actually be considered just one floor the second being just like regular clubs and the third covers only the sides so that you can also see what's going on in the dancefloor on the second floor." She paused for a breather.
"The third floor's mostly for VIP and such but it's common for clubs create stuff like that. But what actually keeps people coming and going are the drinks served by the- might I add- handsome, bartender and the band hired by the club" she then let out a very girly squeal.
"What's the name of the club again?" Adair, who had been very quiet from the start, suddenly asked.
"Ice Emperor club"
"Ice Emperor huh…" It seems rather familiar. I know I've heard it somewhere before but where? I looked at Adair and asked if he's heard of it before but he shakes his head in response. So maybe it's something new?
"Is it new? It sounds familiar" Shui Han sipped her drink from her glass, which she got from the mini fridge. Champagne? Sherry? Wine? Rum? I couldn't tell as she gulped it down right away and exhaled a breath. She set her glass down and faced me.
"Actually, it started about a year ago so I don't think it is that new but…" She trailed off giving off a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You may have heard of the band that plays there, their relatively new compared to the club. Started about two months ago I think, after the last one disbanded. The Dark Nobles, mysterious aura, kind of a Visual Kei feels to them, and their looks-"
"Roland!" I suddenly shouted out. I can feel their gazes on me from suddenly cutting off Shui Han. Shui Han gave me an inquisitive look while Adair remained the same. Is it just me or did Lesus suddenly grew darker for a moment? It must be the lights…. or his outfit today, I swear that fellow wears too much black suits enough to go to a funeral.
"Ehem. What I meant was" I tried to adjust myself "I heard that band from a friend of mine, Roland was his name. I think he told me about it last year, summer before he left to go back to their place. He said something about starting a band and naming it Dark Nobles but it was a quick conversation. I'm surprised I remembered it." I explained and again I swear really that Lesus is becoming darker!
We talked some more when the limousine skidded to a halt and began to descend onto the ground. We got out and were faced with a building. Nothing out of the ordinary. Apparently there were a lot of people going inside right now, it must be a popular club. How come I've never noticed it? We went inside and I was fascinated with the décor.
This is the first floor and as Shui Han said, it is indeed a restaurant. It was decorated quite simply but unique with some of its medieval decors. The sweet aroma of the food wafts through the air and I find myself liking this place. After a moment of noting in my mind to go here again, I realized that we arrived upstairs in the club. The club was ordinary looking, above average at most, with lights, sounds etc. but the security looks really tight. We easily got in cutting through the line- thank heavens, we didn't need to wait through that horribly long line! - with Shui Han being a VIP member and all earning a few dirty looks from those forced to wait.
Inside we could clearly hear the blaring club music (Looks like the band wasn't performing just yet) and a bunch of people were grinding their bodies on the dancefloor. We got a booth on the third floor with a clear view of the stage so we wouldn't have to squash our bodies downstairs to watch them play.
Adair volunteered to order the drinks and everyone spoke out their order. I, for one, ordered grape juice to Adair, giving him a silent signal. With Shui Han here, I must still sadly maintain my image. Everyone knows I can't handle my liquors, though in reality that would be the farthest thing from the truth.
As soon as Adair left, Shui Han began interrogating me about Roland.
"So Grisia, how did you get to know this Roland?" She began with an evil glint in her eye.
I tried not to be pressured by her stare "We were childhood friends, that's all"
"Really? But the way you spoke so fondly of him I would assume something more" She smirked in her drink.
I did not like where this conversation was going. I shifted uncomfortably before turning to Lesus, which I instantly regretted. Lesus was looking down and was seemingly ignoring our conversation but the aura around him appeared to be growing darker and more ominous than before. I gulped wondering what put him off in such a mood, turning back to Shui Han.
"Well, you could say we're best friends. He's helped me a lot when we were young. I've known him longer than I did Lesus" I replied feeling the growing ominous feeling I decided to shut my mouth. My answer apparently pacified Shui Han as she giggled by herself and that's when Adair came back with our drinks.
My eyes lit up with joy as he handed me a colored cup to cover up the contents of my drink. I gave a thank you and he smiled and sat down. Adair took a look at Lesus and sent me a questioning gaze. I shrugged. As if I know. Though I am getting kind of worried.
I took a sip of my drink and was surprised at the taste. It tasted really good. More so than the other wines I've tasted. Yes, you heard it right, Adair got me wine but I doubt Shui Han knows. After savoring the taste for a few more seconds, I was ready to face my fear. A little alcohol always helps in boosting confidence.
I tapped Lesus by the shoulder and gave him a worried look. He stared at me for a few seconds before letting out a sigh and giving a nod. The ominous aura around him receded and he was back to being the cool and composed Lesus that I know. His mood's a lot better now. I wonder what triggered it in the first place. Before I could ask a squeal of a microphone was heard.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I know you've waited a long night for this" A man spoke at the center of the stage. The crowd exploded with cheers. "So we won't keep you anymore waiting and let's get on to the main show for tonight! May I present the Dark Nobles!"
Screams erupted and the faint hiss was heard signaling the activation of the smoke machine. When the smoke cleared up it revealed four individuals. They were dressed in what looked to be punk rock material, complete with black leather pants and tops with some studs as accessories.
Up front there was a rosy haired guy with a black-purple robe hanging from his back, he was holding a guitar and stood in front of the mic. Beside him on the bass is also a black haired guy but he had silver streaks in his hair and had a mask covering the lower part of his face and was wearing black armbands. He seems familiar…That's Roland! On the drums was a pretty blonde haired girl with black ribbons on her hair, she looked too delicate to be on the drums. And lastly on the keyboard was, might I say, a really handsome guy! Brown hair, perfectly sculpted face and body, he's definitely a hunk.
Adair, seeing me staring at the man nudge me by my side and sent me a signal to look at Judgement. Really…Is something wrong with Judgement today? He keeps having these moods and I'm the girl here. Deciding to find out what's wrong with Judgement, I scooted closer to him. He noticed me and gave hum of acknowledgement.
"Anything wrong today?" I asked worriedly. He stared at the other direction (the stage maybe?) and spoke in his tone of denial.
"Nothing"
I pouted. Clearly something's bothering him and he won't talk about it. Pestering him won't make him budge that much so that's not an option, he'll probably just be annoyed of me anyway and I'll be ruining my image. So the only thing I can work with is to wait for him to tell me what's wrong.
"I'm just worried you know. Talk to me when you feel like it okay? There's always that bathroom in your house where-" I snapped my lip shut because of his glare. I'm just trying to cheer you up here!
Lesus then smiled and looked down at the band who was starting to play a song. "Nothing I can't handle really, just somethings… I'm surprised you noticed usually when you are ogling someone you're usually too focused on them" he teased
I hmphed. "It's not ogling; I'm just appreciating their looks. Like I also do to you sometimes." I didn't notice the slight pink tinge of his cheeks as I said that "And besides although that guy is hot, he's not my type" I glanced a bit at him.
Lesus looks more appeased right now so I left him to his musings. I listened to the songs the band was playing while sipping my wine and found that the band was really good. Heck, I could sign them up for our company's sponsorship right now.
"Do they play for an agency?" I asked Shui Han in hopes that maybe I could sign them up. They would be a big hit for our talent agency. I'm just thinking of all the profits they may bring and being the one to introduce them I get a portion of those muwahaha- wait that's not a ladylike laugh.
"Actually rumors are that they're already tied up somewhere, but I doubt it's a big agency. If it was a big agency they'd be famous by now." Shui Han replied disappointment lacing her voice. I agreed with her my face showing my disappointment. There goes all the profit.
We listened to the band play various songs and enjoyed it. We may have refilled our drinks once or twice until the band finally retired. Seeing that I got up and suggested we meet the band and also to welcome Roland back. It wasn't that hard because Shui Han was a VIP and access to the backstage was one of the privileges.
I wonder how Roland has been? He hasn't even contacted me when he got back here…
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Woosh! There ya go, Roland goes in in the next chapter and hopefully it'll be smooth updating from here! What'd you think of Lesus' mood? And who do you think are the band members?
Reviews are much appreciated!