Garden Party Summer 2008
A hand of fear clenched your heart, twisting it out of shape as your ears picked up the clamoring of guests in the grand courtyard down below as you sat still in your quarters within the Pschent's palace, as the last bit of makeup was applied to you.
Even though your quarters, you stayed should you or anyone being summoned, was in the west wing looking at the gardens, the guests' voices echoed throughout the halls and a part of you wished you could be deaf; perhaps that would lessen your value.
As badly as you wanted to tremble all over, you remained solid and squared. A part of you wondered, as the servant holding a small paint brush dipped in rich reddish-brown paint your lips if your mother had felt this way too? She was around your age with her first Garden Party, that's what others told you.
Her heart was breaking now, you were sure of it.
"Finished. Mistress."
Those words told you it was time, your heart clenched tighter. You felt perspiration coming, you needed a fan or something if anything was out of place then….then…..
"Here my Lady," Roselyn said calmly coming over with a small fan and gently began fanning you.
The soft breeze settled your nerves, and after another minute, you were ready.
Elegantly you stood, being mindful not to wrinkle the off-shoulder, gold dress. The tiny crystals twinkle on the waist against the muted glow of your room light. Puff sleeves add grace, which you weren't truly fond of, and the skirt flows as you move down the corridor. Creating a picture of simple, captivating beauty. A thought that churned your stomach.
It was a sea of people, that's all you could register when you finally arrived. You were quite sure these people had faces but all you saw, besides hungry and predatory eyes, were scribbles instead of heads attached to bodies in fancy suits. The hunger in their eyes….the second you stepped one foot into the courtyard you'd become prey.
You couldn't go back, you took the step and focused on the melodious music playing moderately, being mindful to ensure conversations could be exchanged.
Like bees to flowers, you were instantly swarmed by others, some even broke away from a family member they were conversing with to come to your presence.
You smiled disarmingly to each person and reminded yourself to be mindful of every word, response, and gesture you exhibited. The Pschent's eyes were everywhere.
"Only seventeen, goodness. Are you certain?" A guest jested heartily, he was an older man, at least four decades older than you. His thinning hair and crow's feet face it away.
You just smiled charmingly with the faintest of laughter slipping out. Inside your stomach churned.
"Yes. Quite." You answer lightly. No sharpness or gloom in your tone one bit. "I suppose I might have sprouted sooner than expected."
"Indeed," he breathed sweatily, taking an uncomfortable step closer, shrinking the gap established.
Your skin crawled and every fiber in you wanted to rip away. But you kept face and remained.
"You're quite kind, sir," you said mirthfully. "Too kind."
That pleased him and moved in closer, his eyes hotly elevating you, "And I can be kinder." His tone lowered crawlingly, "I told your mother the same thing."
You gagged inside. Revolted. You needed to leave him. Your eyes swiftly search for a seamless way out. You found none. You had become distracted for a brief moment to escape you realized you didn't respond.
Your heart panicked.
You needed to say something but your tongue seemed nailed. No word was uttered….no action taken…your mind blank and rattled with disgust. A hitch formed in your throat, you caught it just in time and did the only thing you could…shut your eyes and wish for headphones.
Present
Your eyes open quizzically at the photo on your laptop screen of this girl, Nobuko Takada an idol and suggestion for a model to promote your new line. It was sent over by one of your associates.
You sat in your home office, in a sports bra and yoga pants late morning, handling your other job…business. There werefabric choices, colors, and some designs needing to be finalized spread about orderly across your desk and some on the floor.
The girl was beautiful and cute. Friendly and cheerful covered her. She was a popular idol so it would make sense. Compared to the others you've seen she seems to fit.
You send your approval and insist they move forward.
"Now, let's see," you mutter turning your attention to the designs, you hold up two colors and fabrics square, "No these won't work."
You set them aside and choose another, "Possibly." You mark it and it aside.
"Oh, these might be good," you spot a color, you scoop it up, and take a deciding moment. Just as you were about to decide your phone rang.
You begrudgingly set what you held down and answer it, kindly.
"Hello, Ijichi."
"Hello May, I've got an assignment for you. Though I might be a tad delayed."
That surprised you, "You? Delayed? Is everything alright?"
He paused for a moment but you heard the hitched sigh, "Yes. I just have to fix something in a report."
"Is it mine? In the last three assignments I followed everything properly. Is it Masamichi? Is it the cute caterpillar plushie? He didn't like it, did he? If not I can get a new one."
Ijichi chuckled, "No. That's not it. Though he did say next time he can't accept your bribe. It isn't ethical."
A soft laugh broke through your lips, that is something Masamichi would say. You had no doubt in your mind the way he looked when Ijichi gave him your 'bribe' from the last assignment. You had accidentally caused a bit of damage, by a bit you had to pay into his account to cover the damages. So adding the plushie didn't hurt.
"It's not a bribe," you release a few chuckles and pick up the colors again, "bribing is what my auntie Emiyo did. Always supplying him a lunch or the newest item on the menu. Not to mention discounts. So mine isn't even close to a bribe. I just provided something he liked."
"That's the same thing."
He was right by definition, and you laugh. "Observant as always."
"With you. I have to be. Now, back to the original topic, I'll send you the address where to go. Alright? I should only be ten minutes late."
"Okay."
Another call was coming in. You glanced to see who it was and your heart dropped, it was 'Geto'.
"May? May! Are you still there?" Ijichi called shaking you from your paralysis.
"Mmm, oh, yes I am." You respond doing your best to keep your tone tempered.
"Is something wrong?"
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm just trying to finish up some work. You know with my new line. Just distracted that's all. I heard you, you'll be ten minutes late and you'll send me the address."
He paused for a second with a cough, "Yes."
You weren't sure why but you picked up hesitation in his tone.
"Okay. Well, I shall see you there. Do you want me to leave now? I can leave right now." You said with calm urgency.
"No. I wouldn't reach you in time." He said, your stomach knotted but you said nothing of it, "How about in the next forty-five minutes okay?"
You wanted to say no, "Alright. In the next forty-five minutes. See you soon, Ijichi."
"See you soon, by May."
"Bye."
He hung up first and you waited a few seconds listening to the dial tone before hanging up yourself. Your smile melted off your face and the focus shine your eyes held vanished. With one finger you tap your phone screen and see 'Geto's' missed call and voice message.
You weren't sure which to choose, you picked the voice message and braced yourself for whatever he needed to say.
You weren't however ready for this voicemail.
"Hi Mommy, it's Daiki."