Over The Rainbow
1
A/N For anyone who is reading/has read "Spirit Caller"
YES. This story is canon to Connar's story!
"Over The Rainbow" is a side story that takes place about 3 years BEFORE she started Duel Academy. It places itself during her time spent at Duel Prep School. As such: IT CONTAINS SPOILERS.
So. Spoiler Warning. Enjoy^^
It was the summer before her first term began for her first year at Duel Prep School...
Another crowded party-
Another extravagant event- that the adopted heiress simply had no place at, no matter how polished and proper they presented her to all the gawking bystanders...
Nothing less than the absolute best could be expected from Seto Kaiba.
His adopted daughter, Connar Rose, now Connar Rose K. (Obviously for Kaiba of course) was primmed up and decked out to be the Belle of the ball~
And boy did men try to get on the good side of Daddy's Little Princess~
The corporate heiress, his beloved little girl... Eventually it all became too predictable. Given all of her time forcibly spent at these parties...she was now able to see when someone was faking an interest with her.
Trying to get close to her only to get in good with her father and his money. Some of his advisors even try to 'advise' him to set her up with an arranged marriage in order to "better the company." Her father was having none of that however-
"I never married and I'm a huge success." he stated,"Why should I expect any less from my child?"
"But sir-"
"If she wishes to get married, it will be her choice." he said firmly,"I'll have nothing more of it."
And so it was left at that.
However as is custom to the part of a Coporate heiress's duties, she was still required to take part in any and all of Kaiba Corporation's business parties.
She was to dress to impress~
Always to the nines!
She was to practice proper etiquette, to smile and wave, to bow and be present, stay pleasant, and stand proud. It was always a real drag for her, and also very nerve wracking.
Eyes were always on her, watching. Gawking.
Business partners, potential partners,special guests, celebrities and Pro Duelists alike gathered here to watch her.
Some hoped to sabotage her or hoped she would make a mistake somewhere...
Others wanted to be her.
Or more so be her "mother."
After all, she didn't have one- and her daddy was rich and handsome. Seemed like a shoe in.
Most simply just wanted to use her.
The many types were beginning to become obvious to her and it was exhausting always having to keep face while she, the adopted and motherless child of Seto Kaiba- had to hold and carry the burden of the Kaiba name and its heavy pride and prestige.
It was ever so dreary.
She had to maintain good posture when she sat or stood, and flaunt herself in the dress her father chose for her.
Elegance at its finest~ with its pastel blue sheen that glittered in the right light. It paired well with her cherry blossom hair, and brought out the shine in her bright blue eyes.
"Kyuuu~ Kyuuuuu~"
"Huh!?"
She gasped as the familiar cries echoed around her.
The cries of the duel spirits that never seemed to leave her alone.
"No...You're not real! My father says you're not real!" she would whisper, closing her eyes tight to try and make the mirage disappear...
She would try desperately to block them out. Hodling the fingers of each of her silk gloved hands to her temples to remain in her forced denial.
"Ruby? Ruuuby?" a blue haired boy called for a missing female it seemed.
I don't recognize that guy...
She thought to herself.
He must be here as a special or honored guest...
He was handsome, whoever he was.
His blue hair looked soft and inviting...and he had a pair of emerald greens that melted Connar into a heated fluster of tummy butterflies.
"Come on now, Ruby enough games!" he called out, though he seemed to be keeping his voice low,"Ruuuby~?"
His southern accent was pretty cute too.
Maybe 'Ruby' is his girlfriend perhaps?
She blinked, though the way he was looking around on the ground... crawling under tables and the like- led Connar to have a few doubts in her mind about it being any type of human...Unless they're still playing hide and seek at age 13.
That's how old he looked, anyway-
...Maybe he snuck in a cat.
She giggled.
That would be so cute~
"Kyuuuuuu~"
"Huh?" she blinked and began to look around her for the source of the sound. It was much louder this time, meaning it had to be close by.
Suddenly she felt something brush up against her legs and she let out a startled squeal and darted up from the well decorated table that now had wet spots from a spilled water glass and a dishevaled floral arrangement from having pushed up too quickly. Needless to say, it caused a scene.
Eyes all landed on her and soon the whispers had begun.
"Ms...Are you all right?" A waitor had asked and Connar began to feel the pressure of judgement from the surrounding guests.
"Uh...yes." she stated as she quickly picked up her glass and leaned in close to whisper to the waitor,"There was a bug in my glass, see to it that the remaining glasses you hand out are clean before it becomes a bigger scene!"
"Ah yes, of course!" The waitor panicked and bowed politely,"Thank you madam I will have it taken care of immediately!"
She gave a tender smile and waved the gentleman off.
She felt bad having lied to him like that... but she didn't have any other valid excuse to use.
What was that!?
She asked herself and glanced under the table.
"Kyuuu~!" an excited little cry sounded from the blue creature that leapt happily into her face startling Connar into holding out her arms in defense which the creature took advantage of and curled itself into her arms and began cuddling into her.
Connar blinked in confusion but she could hardly maintain herself.
It's...so...cuuuute~!
She let out an adorable squeal and playfully squeezed the cat like creature in her arms, which seemed to welcome cuddles from her quite willingly.
"Awwwww~ What are you doing here, little kitty~!?" she whispered and took a closer look,"Hey hold on a second..." she blinked,"You're not a normal kitty, are you?" she asked and began to examine the creature she held.
Its coloring was a Sapphire blue and it seemed to have 4 long fox like ears. In fact the critter seemed to share a combination of features with multiple animals, a fox, a cat, and squirrel like hands. Its eyes were a ruby red that matched the gem on its forehead and its long tail held a red orb on its tip that matched its eyes.
It looked like a kind of creature you would find in a fantasy base rpg adventure game. But that wasn't even what caught Connar's attention...
It was the transparency that it displayed with its presence.
It's...a duel spirit!
She gasped and quickly hugged the creature into her bosom where the feline-like animal nuzzled its head. She wasn't sure who she was hiding it from-
but she had to be certain not to panic any guests just incase others could see it.
She hurried away from the eyes of the crowd with the cat like creature snuggled comfortably in her arms. Letting out a heavy sigh she slowly slid her back down a wall and held the creature in her lap.
"What are you doing little kitty?" she asked,"I'm not sure you mean to, but you're causing a major scene!"
"Kyuu..." it gave what sounded like an apologetic purr and pawed its way up to lick Connar's nose.
"Awww~" the pink haired girl squealed and giggled as she lifted the it, "You're just too cute! I'm not mad- but please be more careful or you might get me in trouble!"
"Ruuuuby~!"
"Kyuu!" an excited chirp released from the small creature, getting ancy at the boy's call.
"Ruby...?" Connar blinked and glanced back into its shining red eyes,"Are you Ruby!?"
So you mean to tell me that boy can see Duel Spirits too!?
XXXXX
The blue haired boy let out a heavy sigh.
"Man where could that rascal be!?" he asked out loud,"This party is plum exhaustin' I'd hate for her to cause any trouble though!"
"Uhm...excuse me." a soft voice startled him from behind.
He glanced back with wide green eyes upon a soft spoken pink haired belle... Sho looked to be his age with a shy stance about her, in a custom fitted dress that brought out the shine of her eyes.
"My...howdy, perdy lady who'se talkin' to me!?" he blinked and took a quick hlance around," Well...there's no one else around anyway so...at least I think you were talkin' to me? Right?" he asked blushing awkwardly with a sheepish grin smile that brought a giggle out of Connar.
"You...think I'm pretty?"
The boy exchanged with her a friendly smile.
"Well you're certainly the belle of this ball~" he stated with a cheeky grin,"I didn't think there was anyone my age around here!"
She chuckled.
"You must be a special guest..."
"Yeah, I am." he chucjkled,"But I uh...have a bit of a problem..."
Connar nodded.
"You were calling for a...Ruby, just now, weren't you?"
"Uh...yes I was." he gulped,"B-But don't worry I mean she's not like my date or anything like that so like...if you maybe wanted to dance or somethin', that'd be all right...!" he stated,"O-Oh but I probably should find her first-"
"Kyuuuu~!"
"Huh?" the male blinked as he glanced into the arms of the pink haired girl that which held a comfortably nestled creaturein her arms.
"...Could this be who you're looking for?" Connar asked softly as she held out her arms to him.
"Well hot diggedy! You found Ruby!" he beamed as Ruby leapt from Connar's arms into his and he laughed in full relief,"You shouldn't go runnin' off like that girl you- had me worried sick!" he stated,"O-oh but..." he blinked a few times and met eyes with the pink haired girl who returned her to him,"...You can see her?"
Connar smiled and nodded softly.
"Well I'll be..." he chuckled,"I didn't think anyone but me could see Ruby!" he beamed,"That was mighty kind of you to return her to me, Ms...?"
"Connar." she blushed shyly averting her blue eyed gaze,"Connar Rose K."
"Connar Rose K, Huh?" He blinked and nodded,"Mmhm, thought so! Pretty name suited for a pretty lady~" he grinned and Connar giggled softly.
"Well...thank you." she chuckled softly as she held out her gloved hand,"And you are..."
"Jesse." he said with a smile as he met her hand with his own in a firm clasp,"Jesse Anderson!"
To Be Continued