(From the music. BTW, I do not won ROTTMNT or A Thousand Years; they belong to their creators.)
After shoveling piles of shit in the stables, it took me hours to get the smell off my body. I had to rely on essential oils and hot water. It kind of did the trick. If you're gonna ask, I burned the clothes I was wearing. I searched through my character's wardrobe; he got decent taste (not enough to not hate it). I wore a light brown sleeveless vest over a simple black turtleneck, brown pants, and black boots. Nightfall came fast here. I roamed through the streets seeing people light candles in the lampposts. I headed for the town square since that's where the real party is located.
As soon as I arrived, the entire square was decorated with flowers. A long table was flooded with food. It almost made my mouth water. Key word: almost.
I grabbed a cup and sniffed the drink. I took a sip. Apple cider. Yummy. Warren popped out of my vest to sit on my shoulder. "What a party. Reminds me of my high school prom except I was much more popular than a wallflower like you", he commented, causing me to roll my eyes.
"If I wanted to, I could dance with a random stranger, but I rather not cause trouble", I reasoned, "Besides, we're supposed to listen for intel on a way to get home."
"Your plan was vague. I'll take point."
"Like you could lead with your "tiny" predicament."
"I can't believe you pulled a short joke on me." I didn't care.
I tried to mingle and socialize with the townsfolk... it didn't go well. Whenever I approached a group, they dispersed like flies. I sniffed my clothes. No foul odor which brings me to my next theory: they avoided me like I'm contaminated because they hate me in general. To them, I'm the town's delinquent. Heh. It's like I never left home. I even tried to be discreet – stealth was my thing – until they left in a hurry. Either they have good senses, or they know when to leave. Here I stand on the sidelines watching everyone have the time of their lives while I drink away my sorrows with apple cider. I gotta admit this was one tasty ass cider.
"I don't get it! This doesn't make any sense!" The worm in my shirt pocket yelled, furiously skimming through his notes. "He's ahead of schedule!"
I picked my ear hoping to dull out the shrillness of his voice. "Dare I ask who?"
"Gregory! The man who is betrothed to your turtle boo! He wasn't supposed to be here yet! He's three days ahead of schedule! Someone knows we're onto them!"
"Yeah, the author", I said, nonchalantly, "They're trying to speed up the process which means we need to figure out who it is and defeat them to escape and something tells me we're short on time. They're trying to make me disappear sooner and prevent Leo from sacrificing himself."
"Which means writing all this was for nothing", Warren said as he crumbled his papers, but I pulled them off his tiny hands.
"Hey, I said these were our cheat sheets and I mean it. So, the author is changing tactics, big whoop. It doesn't mean your notes won't be of help. The author reviewed their past mistakes to get the ending they wanted. The climax would begin, and we wouldn't know about it."
"Master!" I felt the heavy weight of a certain nuisance bouncing on my shoulders causing me to spill my drink. I frowned. I wanted to drink that. "I missed you!"
I turned to Mrs. Cuddles. "Anything to report?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary! Beauty got ready without a struggle, and I helped!"
I narrowed my eyes. "Should I be concerned?"
"No, Master! Cuddles did good! Promise!"
I sighed. She's too devoted to getting on my bad side.
Then, the crowd began to get excited.
"It's Beauty!"
"He's stunning!"
"He's gorgeous!"
"He's like a prince surrounded by guards."
I looked over to see the five turtles walking to the center. Raph the muscles overtowered everyone from the back. The old turtle took front wobbling on his cane. Mikey, the adorable turtle, was on the right. Donnie, sophisticated and wise, was on the left. Leo was in the center glowing as a star. Whoever the author was, they made him resistible. He became the most wanted turtle in the village.
Leo wore a sleeveless light blue shirt with matching leggings, a flowing yellow skirt, and brown ankle boots. He smiled and waved to everyone. I quickly grabbed someone's drink and drank it in one gulp. For some reason, I became thirsty.
"Do you need another drink, Master?" Mrs. Cuddles asked.
"Yeah, I do. Bring two cups, but no alcohol", I ordered, sending her to do her duties.
Then my taste buds went sour seeing tall, buff Gregory approach Leo. They spoke for a bit until the man gave my friend his hand. He didn't hesitate to take the offer. Gregory raised his hand to the band playing in the gazebo. They were playing folk music. Other townspeople joined in. My focus was on the "happy couple" in the center.
"Hey, handsome, wanna dance?" I looked over to see a man swaying back and forth. He obviously wasn't drinking apple cider.
"Pass", I said, scooting away from the stranger.
"Playing hard to get. A dance couldn't hurt." I was grabbed by the wrist. I was pulled to the dance floor with the other dancers. The man was twirling me around without caring if we were bumping into people. When we switch partners, I couldn't be happier. I could hardly say the feeling was mutual for my latest partner; she scowled at my presence. Like seriously, I haven't said a word! The routine went on repeatedly. Dance. Switch. Dance some more. Switch partners after. My feet were killing me which was a first since I have flesh limbs now! It was time to switch partners again. Thank fucking God it was about time! I spun to my next partner, and it was fate I was with a familiar face.
"I see you're having a great time", Leo snarky remarked.
"Oh, yeah. I'm having tons of fun despite each person I was with looking at me like I was carrying a disease", I said, "Nice outfit. A downgrade from dresses, but it's a good look."
"Gee thanks." he rolled his eyes.
"I mean it. You look great. When you came, you brightened up the night sky like a star."
Leo blinked at my comment. A blush spread across his cheeks. "Oh. Wow. Tha-that was some compliment."
I shrugged with a cheek smirk. "I spoke the truth." The music stopped playing. Everyone clapped. A young woman stood in front of the band; the musicians started to play. I recognized the tempo from a movie I watched. I turned to Leo with a smirk still on my face. "Wanna show these guys how we dance in New York?" I asked, offering my hand to my partner.
Lee frowned at the gesture. "I thought you want to be discreet."
I shrugged. "This party is as boring as watching paint dry. If I'm here, I might as well dance with someone I like."
"Heh. True." He took my hand.
I chuckled. "Just remember how we danced at the park. Let the music take you."
"Duh. I knew that."
The woman started to sing.
"The day we met
Frozen I held my breath
Right from the start
I knew that I'd found a home for my heart"
I pulled the turtle close causing him to release a chirp. With a few turns, we got to the right flow. We felt all eyes on us. Again, they could eat dirt.
"Beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow"
"Why do I feel like I know this song?" Leo asked as I twirled the turtle causing his skirt to flutter reminding me of flower petals.
"It's from the Twilight movie. A classic romance song by Christina Perri", I said, "It's called 'A Thousand Years'."
"One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more"
Lee tilted his head up. "Twilight... is it the vampire movie where they sparkle in the sunlight?"
"Yup", I answered.
"Okay. I have to ask. Team Edward or Team Jacob?"
"Time stands still
Beauty in all she is
I will be brave
I will not let anything take away
What's standing in front of me
Every breath, every hour has come to this"
"Team Jacob, obviously."
"Is it because he can turn into a wolf?"
"What? I'm a werewolf fan."
"I'm not surprised."
"One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more"
I playfully narrowed my eyes. I tossed him up on the fountain. I followed him. "Was that supposed to be insulting?"
The slider shrugged, lifting his skirt with a twirl. "I mean to be fair you can also turn into a wolf. You probably see yourself in him." I just looked at my friend. "What? Am I wrong?" he smirked.
I took his hand and pulled him close again. "Not really. I just hate how right you are."
That caused him to giggle while we continued dancing at the fountain. Sometimes we even went in the water splashing water around us. Call it childish but we were having fun.
"And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more"
We got out of the fountain dancing on the stone floors. "Wanna know something cliché?" Leo asked me.
"How so?" I asked spinning him around.
"This song fits us."
I rolled my eyes. "Right. And any other couple would say the same thing."
"Ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh
I love you for a thousand more
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh"
Lee smiled softly. "I mean it. Remember what we've been through so far. Knowing we have past lives and somewhat be... soulmates..." his grip tightened mine. "What if it's... true? What if we're meant to be together? You know! Hypo theory!"
"Hypothetically?"
"Yeah, that!"
"Thank God you're cute."
"One step closer
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more"
"Now that you mention it", I began, "what if it's true? I mean not for us but for Misa and Roku. Those two didn't pass on; they've been stuck in the Living World until they're reunited. Going from body to body just to find each other. They could've given up but their love for each other kept them going."
"Yeah... and I wanna help her pass on."
I blinked. "You mean, you want to do the ritual?"
Lee nodded. "I've met her once and she seems like a nice person. She wants to see her lover again. Being away from him is torture. If I was in her shoes, I would be devastated. I couldn't bear the thought of never seeing you again."
I stopped dancing. The slider pulled me close; he wrapped his arms around my waist. Our eyes locked. "Leo..." I breathed. I smelled his floral scent. Jasmine? Rosemary? It was pretty.
"And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more"
"Merrill..." he bit his lips before taking a breath, "I... I... I wanted to say this for a while now... oh, fuck it! I lo-"
"Beauty! We need you on stage, Beauty!" Big Mama's voice boomed across the crowd.
Leo's grip tightened. I could hear his teeth grinding. "Always something interrupting us", he whispered, then he looked up at me with his façade smile. "Showtime." He walked out of my hold. It felt colder.
Leo came to the gazebo. Gregory held his hand out which Leo took. I grabbed two drinks off a table and sipped the first cup in a single gulp. Watching those two staring into each other's eyes made me want to vomit. They way their gaze never looking away.
I never thought I would be a spinster.
"Beauty", Greg started, "Goodness me, I'm nervous." What a boy scout. "Out there, I was on the verge of madness. Doubts plague my mind like a swarm of bees. Negative thoughts invaded my dreams. I kept thinking I would never make it home. Do you know what kept me going? I thought of you and how lonely you were without me by your side. I thought about how you waited for my return. Here I am victorious. Now as a man who came out of war battles the nerves to confess his heart. Beauty. My Sunlight. My lovely rose. Will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?" As expected, everyone gasped practically on the edge of their seats.
All Leo had to do was say yes.
I noticed how he opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His body was shaking. His breath was picking up speed.
Something wasn't right.
I missed having the mind link.
~Lady Ai~
I need to breathe!
It's hard to breathe!
Is my heart up to my ears?
Why am I hearing my heartbeats?!
Don't overreact, Leon! You need to act! You're in the spotlight! This is your moment! You need to answer the guy! Gregory is kneeling in front of everyone displaying a public engagement. He and everyone want an answer. I glanced to my side to lock eye contact with Merrill. My friend nodded.
The plan was to say yes to the proposal, yet here I am waiting for an objection. I bit my tongue hard enough to taste blood. I looked at Gregory who was patiently waiting for an answer.
"Um..." I started, "I... I... maybe." a chorus of gasps echoed around us. I wasn't able to do it. I couldn't do it. I didn't want to do it.
"Beauty, darling! Do you mean maybe as in a yes or maybe as in a no? We need a straight answer", Big Mama sweetly said.
"Maybe is maybe. It's not an answer now", I answered. More gasps were heard. Oh, my God. What part of "not now" do people not get?!
The mayor moved closer. "How about now?" I rolled my eyes. "You gave it some thought and now you are going to say YES!"
"NO!" My answer caused panic throughout the village. This wasn't how I wanted to approach it. Why couldn't I follow through with the plan? No. I know why, and the answer was staring at me across the crowd. "Look. Can we... reschedule? I'll have my answer 'til then."
The spider yokai laid her hands on my shoulders. "Darling. Sweetheart. We waited years for Gregory to return; Gregory waited for you to blossom into a sophisticated young man. Here he is... standing here... on one knee... proposing... and all you have to say is YES!" she said directing me to the kneeling man.
Right... no pressure or anything...
"Madam Mayor, may I say something?" the buff man stood and whoa, he's huge. I felt like standing next to him. The woman nodded for him to speak. "I understand what Beauty is implying. And I believe we should postpone any wedding planning until further notice."
"What?!" she and everyone asked. I would've said the same thing if my voice wasn't lodged in my throat.
"Beauty and I are strangers to each other. I believe we need a proper courtship. If things go well, then we can get married without delay. If not, then I would respect his decision and move on." Wow. That was rather modern. A date-first get-married-later kind of modern. Something I can respect. "What do you say, Beauty? Do you accept my terms?"
I shook my head. "Um... yeah! Yes! I agree!"
Gregory wrapped his arm around my waist as he directed me to the shocked crowd. "Let us continue celebrating! This night is about a reunion! A reunion of friends and family." still confused, people clapped. Murmurs of me "declining" the handsome warrior's hand. Even whispers of Merrill "persuading" my decision. I couldn't take it! I need to breathe!
I slipped out of the man's grip, and I ran to the woods. I need to get away from their eyes. Stop looking at me! I kept running deeper into the woods until I tripped over a root. I fell hard onto the muddy ground. I sat up. My clothes got dirty. My knee was exposed and scraped. I winced as I moved my leg. I slid to a nearby tree resting my back against the bark.
I wasn't able to do it. I couldn't say yes. On the bright side, I managed to buy us some time. Me and Gregory are a public couple without the pre-wedding jitters. Not exactly part of the plan but it's not like I said no! I said maybe I'll think about it which I won't!
I couldn't say no because I wasn't fully in it... my heart wasn't in it. It sucked that Merrill didn't bother coming after me. Then again, he probably didn't want to add more rumors to spread. A large shadow loomed over me. I slowly looked up to see a big furry creature baring its sharp teeth. Its claws were sharp enough to tear me to shreds. Its breath breathed heavily over me.
It was the Beast.