I Knew You Were a Weirdo
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XIII - Encounter, Part Two
Dinner went along rather smoothly.
Not so much for Johnny and it took some firm insistence from Nooshy to eat his meal.
His change in countenance had not gone unnoticed.
The way his shoulders slumped and the crease in his brows as he fiddled with his meal was a dead giveaway.
Johnny had always worn his heart on his sleeve, therefore his attempts to hide his true feelings would serve more to attract attention than not.
"Johnny? Everything ok?" Buster asked.
"Huh?" Johnny said, coming out of his melancholy state just long enough to get back to eating his avocado casserole. "Uh yeah, I'm fine."
Ash narrowed her eyes, popping a cherry tomato smothered in vinaigrette in her mouth. "You've never been a very good liar, Johnny," she said whilst his mouth was full.
Meena, being the most diplomatic, put a hand on Ash's shoulder before looking at the young gorilla. "Do you want to talk about it tomorrow, Johnny?"
"It's not mine to talk about, Meena."
"Is it serious?" Meena asked anxiously.
"If it concerns someone else and it was told in confidence then it most certainly isn't his to share or for us to pry," Nana said sternly, sipping a cup of tea, wafting herself with her ever-present fan.
"But it's clearly eating at you Johnny," Rosita said with the familiar concern of a mother. "Are you sure you don't want to-?"
"I can't!" Johnny said, raising his voice.
His face fell when he realized what he just did. "I'm...I'm sorry Rosita, I didn't mean to yell."
Rosita smiled assuredly, not the least bit rattled by Johnny's outburst. "It's ok sweetie."
"Where's your dad?" Ash asked. "Did he go out again?"
Johnny flinched. "No, he went to bed."
"At this hour?"
Johnny clenched his jaw. "He was...tired," he said slowly and warily.
Nana eyed the young man sadly, a knowing look on her face. She looked at Clay Calloway and there was a similar look of sadness in his eyes. Neither of them spoke but the look they both gave each other was a silent message and it was clear to them both what was going on.
Nana looked at Johnny again, a look of pity and sadness in one. And the way Nooshy was running her hand across his forearm as though trying to soothe him, a look of deep pity and sadness on her face. I thought there was something off about his father's behavior as well as his performance when he's doing security.
Nana swiftly closed her fan as though it were a switchblade knife, attracting the attention of those sitting close to her.
"Nana?" Eddie said, slightly startled.
"Not now Edward." Nana placed the fan on the table and ate her tomato bisque with an accelerated fervor, losing none of her graceful poise.
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Later that night…
Johnny laid on his bed, covered up to his chest, both hands folded across his middle.
He laid there, staring at the ceiling as though he might draw comfort by staring at the specks of dried paint.
He was restless.
He could not take his mind off how his father had acted before going to bed himself.
And what it all implied.
The way he dragged himself to bed. And he's never gone to bed this early. He didn't even eat.
Johnny's lip trembled and he covered his eyes as he felt warm wetness on his hand. I can't lose my dad too. I already lost mum. I can't...I can't…
Johnny was snapped out of his thoughts when felt his phone vibrate.
Searching under his covers, he found it just under his left thigh.
He looked at the screen and saw that it was a message,
Nooshy: You ok?
Johnny frowned sadly. He opened the message app and typed.
Johnny: No
Nooshy: Wanna talk? In person?
Johnny: It's kinda late
Nooshy: So? You're not sleeping well if you answered my message so soon
Johnny sighed.
Johnny: Ok. Where?
Nooshy: Balcony? The big one?
Johnny bit his lip. The balcony? At this hour when they're supposed to be in hiding? Would they be exposed if they stood on the balcony? But this was a safe house after all, wasn't it? Obviously when Nana put them up, she'd have to take into account that they'd use the balcony at some point and she'd have to have considered that maybe the criminals looking for them might try to shoot them using sniper fire.
Johnny: Wouldn't we be exposing ourselves if we go on the balcony?
Nooshy: What?
Johnny: You know, being in hiding and all?
Nooshy: XD Ok, kitchen then?
Johnny: Sure
Not wishing to wake up his roommate Alfonso, as quietly as possible, as light footed as possible, Johnny slipped out of bed and tiptoed out the door.
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Walking on the expensive carpet in his crew socks, dressed in a pair of casual dark blue slacks and a white undershirt, Johnny entered the kitchen to see Nooshy, wearing a light-blue, fleece pajama short sleeve with full-length bottoms, cross legged and barefooted, sitting on the center countertop, sipping a cup of tea.
Johnny looked grave. "Uh...is that Nana's tea?"
"Yup."
Noticing the semi-horrified look on Johnny's face, Nooshy grinned. "She said it was ok."
"Ah, good," Johnny said, a bit relieved. Noticing the teapot still steaming, he cocked an eyebrow.
"You made it?" Johnny asked.
"Mmhm."
"I didn't know you knew how to make tea."
"You also didn't know I like Mary Poppins."
Johnny chuckled. "Well, so do I."
Nooshy smiled smugly. "Not many guys do." She placed her cup in a saucer and offered a second cup to Johnny and held up a sugar pot with the graceful poise of a proper lady. "One lump or two," she said in a dramatically posh tone.
Johnny covered his mouth to keep from laughing. "Two if you please your lady ship," he said, mimicking the same noble tone.
They laughed, albeit quietly, so as not to wake the others.
"What a couple of hams we are, eh?" Nooshy said, wiping a tear from her eye.
Johnny smiled sheepishly but then his smile fell. "So...talk?"
Nooshy shared his sad look, and then placed the tea cup and sugar down before slipping off the counter space.
She approached Johnny and placed a dainty hand on his broad chest. "Let's sit down."
Putting an arm around him, Nooshy led Johnny to a set of tall leather armchairs by the fireplace, which was still active per design.
Nooshy sat Johnny down before taking a seat herself.
She decided to cut right to the chase.
"You're worried about your dad?"
Johnny bowed his head, his hands on his knees. He nodded glumly.
Nooshy's heart felt like it was being wrenched in two. Seeing the sweetest guy she ever met like this, it anguished her so much, pain erupted in her chest as though invisible fingers were trying to rip her heart out. "Is it bad?"
"My dad's doctors told me this would happen if he didn't take it easy." Johnny sniffled. "They were very explicit about the signs when it would reach the next stage, where treating it would become...more difficult." His voice was breaking. "I knew from the moment I saw it. He never goes to bed this early. Never. And he was so tired, so sluggish. The way he dragged himself to go to his room, it was like he was forty years older. I told him, begged him, pleaded with him to take a break." His eyes welled with tears and wiped them away. "He was...he was going to take a holiday. But now...with everything that's happened...he won't rest…not until all this mess blows over. Not until he knows I'm safe, even if it kills him. My dad…my dad..." Johnny could say no more as he covered his face with both hands as choked wails of despair came forth.
Suppressing tears, Nooshy stood up and held Johnny's head close to her and he wrapped his arms around, holding on to her for dear life as he cried. Johnny slipped and slid out of his chair, to the floor and Nooshy sat down so she could rest his head in her stomach. She silently cursed Big Daddy Marcus. What in the world was he thinking?! Keeping a secret like this from his son for who knows how long!
"I…" Johnny gasped through his tears, his face buried in Nooshy's stomach. "I can't lose him Nooshy...I can't lose my dad too."
"Shhh, shhh," Nooshy cooed, soothingly stroking his black hair, as she gently rocked the trembling young man back and forth.
"I...can't...I can't...not him...not my dad!"
Nooshy's lip quivered, her own eyes filling with tears. Johnny sounded so young, so vulnerable. The mind-shredding dread of losing his father was just too great for him to bear. It was like he was coming to pieces. It killed her inside.
"Nooshy...I can't lose my dad...he's all I have…"
Nooshy turned Johnny's head so that he would look her in the eye.
"That is not true Johnny!" Nooshy exclaimed fiercely. "Whatever happens, WHATEVER happens, you have us! You have your uncles, Mr Moon, Miss Crawly, Rosita, Ash, Meena, Porsha, Clay, Nana, and ME! Whatever happens, we're here!"
Nooshy placed both hands on Johnny's wet cheeks and caressed them. "I'm here."
Johnny's eyes clenched and he bit his lip to keep from sobbing out loud.
Nooshy, smiling sadly, cradled Johnny's head once more, letting him cry into her shoulder. "Johnny," she whispered into his ear. "Whatever is going on with your dad, it doesn't mean there's nothing that can be done to help him."
"You don't know that!" Johnny wailed.
"And you don't know that there isn't!" Nooshy answered back pointedly. "You can't give up like that!"
"Why not?!" Johnny said. "What can I possibly do to fix this?!"
"Well worrying about it certainly won't help."
Johnny gasped sharply as he turned towards the sound of that familiar stern and gruff voice.
Placing a hand over his racing heart, Johnny saw the form of Nana Noodleman, sitting in an armchair just a few feet away, garbed in a purple nightgown and matching slippers, sipping a cup of tea.
The old sheep smiled. "You brew a very good tea, Nooshy."
The young lynx made no attempt to hide her startlement at the matriarch's sudden appearance. "Um...thanks."
"I didn't wake you did I?" Johnny asked shakily.
Nana chuckled lightly in her throat. "No dearie, I never fell asleep. Actually, I was already up and about. I noticed you slip out of your room and when I saw how you dragged yourself to the kitchen, I knew that all was not well."
Johnny looked stricken. "When did you come in here? And how much did you hear?"
"I came in right about when it was said that you still have all those that have been named." Nana took another sip of her tea. "And then I sat down. I didn't hear much but from what I gathered from what I saw tonight and what was said at dinner, I believe I can guess what it was all about."
Her stern look fell and looked very sad. "But you needn't worry Jonathan, I am many things but a gossip is not one of them. I am decades too old to even entertain such frivolous habits."
Johnny let out a breath. "No one is supposed to know-!"
"Was your father at least courteous to tell you himself?"
Johnny flinched. "He didn't tell me…I...I found his diagnosis report in the garbage and I confronted him about it. About a month after we left Red Shore…" Johnny did not look sad anymore, he was angry. "...the diagnosis was almost a year old."
Nooshy gasped. "What?!"
Johnny grit his teeth. "When I confronted him, he...he...said he didn't want me to worry! Worry?! How could I not worry? I mean...he had no plan of telling me! When was I going to know otherwise?! When he goes to sleep one night and doesn't wake up the next day?!" Angry tears leaked from his eyes. "His doctors told him to take it easy and now...but now it might be too late to do anything about it!"
Nana frowned as she closed her eyes. She considered contradicting him, having a working knowledge of dealing with clients and financial partners with terminal illnesses. She had wanted to say something but something in her heart held her back.
Last thing I want to do is give the boy false hope.
Brandishing her ever-present fan, Nana grimaced. "That man," she said contemptuously as she wafted furiously. "Most irresponsible thing I ever heard of."
"I know," Nooshy said, frowning to herself. I have half a mind to have words with that fat headed father of his.
Sulking and slightly depressed, Johnny didn't see Nana kneel beside him and offer a second teacup and saucer.
"Jonathan. Drink this, it will help."
Johnny wiped his nose. "What is it?"
"It's special tea. Mint. It'll help."
Johnny looked at the old sheep for a moment. Then he took the teacup and saucer, and very slowly took a sip.
He recoiled and coughed, barely managing to keep the tea from spilling.
"Take it slow my boy," Nana said, trying to keep from smiling. "It's got a kick to it."
Nooshy covered her mouth to hide a snicker.
"Now...why don't you get up from the floor, have a seat and we'll have a chat." Nana motioned to Johnny's seat.
"A chat?" Johnny asked.
"Yes," Nana said, nodding. "Unless you think you're up for going to bed the way you are now?"
"Well…" Johnny said, rubbing the back of his head, but he reluctantly took his seat. "...I really don't know what to say. I mean...my dad is dying and there's nothing I can do to stop it."
"You're afraid."
Johnny almost snapped but he kept his voice down. "Of course I'm afraid! My dad is going to die!"
If Nana was taken aback by Johnny's outburst, she showed no sign of it. "My own doctors have been telling me the same thing for decades, Jonathan." She smiled and inhaled as though she was smelling a sweet fragrance. "And I'm 93 and I've never felt better."
Both Nooshy and Johnny's faces went blank.
"And before you ask, there is no great secret. I don't have a magical family tea recipe or have personal access to a technological fountain of youth. I am simply passionate in my wish to live. It is my will to live that drives me...and clean living."
Johnny and Nooshy looked at one another in awe.
Nana sighed. "Yes yes, it's all very astounding but my point being, Jonathan, that a doctor's word is not the end-all, be-all. Your father may yet be saved."
"What do I do?" Johnny said, still sounding quite hopeless.
Nana frowned sadly. "Johnny, I know you don't want to hear this but if your father refuses to rest, then there is not much you can do."
Johnny gasped out a sob and Nooshy rubbed his back soothingly.
"However, I will do what I can to look into possible treatments for your father's ailment."
Johnny looked up, cheeks wet with tears. "You will?"
Nana nodded. "But I can only promise I'll look into it and see what can be done for your father's heart. It is a condition of the heart, yes?"
Johnny gaped. "How-?"
"I know it when I see it because my Bernie had the same thing."
Nooshy blinked. "That was your husband right?"
Nana bowed her head. "Mmhm. He was a good man."
Johnny stood up from his seat, looking quite unsure on how to respond to the old sheep's kindness. "Nana...I don't know what to say."
Nana smiled warmly. "You needn't say anything Johnny. It's my pleasure…" She sighed deeply. "Besides, I understand what it means to lose a parent, all too well. It is not a tragedy I'd want for anyone, not even my most bitter enemy."
Nooshy said nothing. It was true. The loss of a parent was something no one should have to endure. The despair of knowing you'd never feel their warm arms around you again while living, their warm, loving voice whispering in your ear that everything would be ok, the love and kindness in their eyes looking at you, as though you were the center of their world. Knowing you'd never see or know that again while living, it was almost unbearable.
No, Nooshy wouldn't wish it on her worst enemy either. Her heart clenched at the thought of her own losses.
There's my little firefly.
Nooshy gasped inwardly at the familiar voice in her head.
No! Enough! No more!
She bit her cheek and tongue to stow away the memories.
"Nooshy? Nooshy dear, are you alright?"
The young lynx lifted her head. "Yeah Nana?"
"You seem distant, are you alright?"
Nooshy shrugged. "I...I'll make mention of it tomorrow...maybe.
Johnny chuckled lightly, seeing his friend's transparency as almost a foreign thing, even though it was barely an attempt at opening up, but knowing her it was a huge step. Granted, Nooshy had always spoken her mind, but when it came to her own personal insecurities, she preferred to keep it to herself. "Wow! You've been opening up a lot more lately, Nooshy."
Nooshy smiled at him. "Yeah...I guess I am. Being almost killed and hunted will do that I suppose."
Johnny lost his smile. The very inkling of what happened and possibly and nearly losing this girl who means so much to him, it was too painful to even fathom.
Nooshy caught this and mentally kicked herself. "Oh...oh, Johnny, I'm sorry."
"It's ok Noosh." He wiped his eyes before any new tears could form. "I've never been more scared in my life then when I found you that night."
The trauma was fresh and raw in his mind, even though it had been almost a month since it happened. The blood. The fact that Nooshy was not moving. It broke his mind and shattered his soul. The dread of her possibly dying and the many, many regrets he'd have for the rest of his life.
The regret of not giving something back to her for the help she gave him when he so desperately needed dancing lessons, the regret of losing possibly the best friend he ever had, missing that joyful spring in her step, her indomitable inner strength, how she never took nonsense from anyone, the way she smiled, the way she laughed, that adorable rare giggle, how great she was with kids, and that face she made when presented with her favorite ice cream.
But most of all, the regret of never taking that next step and what a coward he had been to her.
That night when he finally mustered up the guts to ask her out and her saying yes was the best night of his life, and hopefully only the best night of his life so far.
Nana nodded grimly, wafting her fan with greater abandon. "It was a horrible shock for me as well, dear. Only when I saw on the news of the attempt on Mr Moon's life could the shock come close to." Trembling, she shuddered softly.
Nooshy placed a hand on Nana's arm. "Are you ok?"
"Oh don't fuss," Nana said. "Just a bad memory. I was almost in no shape at all to attend your showing at the Majestic."
"It was that bad?" Johnny asked, worry creasing in his brow.
"Mmhm."
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"This just in," said Linda Le Bon, the horse talk show host looking very grim and aloof as though she had just received the shock of her life, as she spoke on set at the Crystal Theater. "A shocking turn of events and I for one am truly shocked and can scarcely believe what has happened."
An image of Jimmy Crystal and Buster Moon appeared on the screen of one of many of Nana Noodleman's televisions.
"Jimmy Crystal was just arrested on charges of attempted murder." Nana Noodleman blinked, wondering if she heard correctly.
Le Bon continued. "The attempted murder of Buster Moon."
Eddie gasped, stepping back, almost falling over in shock of what he had just heard.
Douglas Hobbs, the butler of the Noodleman household, gasped, eyes huge.
The only sound that could be heard was the sound of the tv.
The picture cut to CCTV footage of what looked like the highest backstage platform at Crystal Theater.
"Theater security footage as well as eyewitness testimony confirms that Crystal Entertainment Founder and CEO, Jimmy Crystal had accosted New Moon Theater owner, Buster Moon and attempted to drop him off the highest platform in the Crystal Theater."
The footage cuts to Jimmy Crystal stepping off the platform lift, a struggling Buster Moon he had by the collar of his dress shirt, and then carrying him to the edge of the catwalk and dropping him.
"NOOO!" Eddie screamed, hands outstretched instinctively as though he might be able to stop his best friend from falling to his death.
Mouth wide open in shock, Nana dropped her tea cup and it shattered when it hit the floor, spilling tea and cup shards all over the carpet of her living room.
Eyelids shuddering, head swimming, a hand to her forehead, Nana stumbled backwards.
"NANA!" Eddie cried, sprang just in time to catch his grandmother.
"MADAM!" Douglas shouted in shock and alarm. He went to the closed double doors and opened them. "Donna! Call the doctor! DONNA, CALL HIM NOW!"
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Finishing her tea, Nana shook off whatever discomfort she felt crawling up her spine. "I had awoken the next morning and you can imagine my relief when Edward told me that Buster was alive and quite well." She frowned disdainfully. "After he had been found in the morning after running away."
"Yeah, that was pretty dumb," Nooshy said, grimacing.
Johnny nodded. "You really care about Mr Moon, huh Nana?"
Nana smiled and looked off distantly. "For a time, I could not tolerate him because I thought he had become another charlatan in the entertainment business. I knew his father and I knew he'd be heartbroken, seeing the theater and its business he had worked so hard to buy for his son falling apart. And…" Nana took a soothing breath. "...when he put on that show barely three years ago, it was like something that I thought had died out inside of me was rekindled and brought back to life. So naturally, I did what I had to do. Couldn't let such a marvelous legacy bite the dust and allow such raw talent to go to waste." She winked at Johnny and he was abashed.
"That was a really nice thing you did Nana," Johnny said, scratching the back of his head.
"Really nice," Nooshy said, smiling up at the old sheep. "And you've really gone above and beyond for us lately. You may have saved all our lives Nana."
Nana smiled, a bit sheepishly, as she intensified the wafting of her fan. "Call it paying it forward."
"Ah yeah," Johnny said, nodding. "You were in a similar situation after…" He grunted sadly. "...and then this Don Tee puts you up in one of his hotels."
Nana nodded, but then grimaced in discomfort as rubbed the back of her neck.
"You ok?" Nooshy asked.
Nana moaned. "My neck is a bit stiff but that's all."
As the old sheep took another drink from her teacup, she nearly jumped when she felt two small hands gently rub where her shoulders meet the neck.
"Is this ok?" Nooshy asked meekly.
"Oh…" Nana said, not quite sure what to think of this. "...oh dearie...thank you...but really this is not...oh." She closed her eyes blissfully as though the tension in her neck and shoulders began to subside as Nooshy's thumbs pressed in just the right spot under the wool collar.
"Oh...goodness…that feels...so wonderful." Nana arched her back slightly to adjust herself so Nooshy would have better luck reaching the especially sore areas.
Johnny's mouth dropped open, scandalized by what he was seeing.
Nooshy was giving Nana Noodleman, Nana Noodleman, a neck and shoulder massage.
And she was letting her.
And she didn't seem to mind in the least.
Nooshy was bold, in fact boldness was a word Johnny associated her with, along with spunky, spritely, fearless, cool, and crazy.
Beautiful.
Shaking his head from the intrusive thought with a rosy tint in his cheeks, Johnny's mind continued to reel from what he was seeing.
Nana Noodleman had the reputation of being a mean, old sheep as well as one who did not like to be touched, ever.
And Heaven help anyone who so much as laid a finger on her.
The former was obviously an exaggeration. The latter however...well clearly that was only partially true.
Eyeing the young gorilla and his look of shock, Nana leaned in slightly with one cloven hoofed hand shielding the side of her mouth as though relaying a secret.
"She's very good," she whispered before winking at him.
Johnny gulped nervously. "Well she did have a lot of practice at the…" He trailed off as though remembering that that was on the need to know basis.
Nooshy didn't seem to mind. "...the homeless shelter where I spent most of my teen years," she said without taking her eyes off what she was doing.
"Oh," Nana said. "Yes, I did hear about that. And you were comfortable?"
"Quite comfortable," Nooshy replied, smiling lightly as she remembered. "Plenty of nice families with nowhere to go. Grandparents who have been abandoned by their families, many with back and neck issues."
"Oh," Nana said again, albeit with sharp emotion. "Poor souls."
"Yeah," Nooshy said sadly. She decided to change the subject. "You know, Nana, I don't know how we can ever repay you for your hospitality."
"Well…" Nana said, smiling cheekily. "...this is a good start. It took over a month for my grandson to get this right, but you...you got it on the first go."
"Like I said," Johnny said, grinning from ear to ear. "Lots of practice. In fact, since we're all being hospitable here…"
Johnny took a leather foot stool right by the fireplace and placed it by Nana's feet.
Nana blinked as Johnny placed her feet on it.
Nooshy smirked. And he says I'm bold.
Nana gasped lightly when Johnny gently slipped her slippers off.
"Oh...oh no, Jonathan, that's...thank you...but this is not...oh...oh my…" Nana trailed off, the soothing massage cutting her off completely.
Johnny's hands worked like Maestro as he gently rubbed Nana's cloven hooves in between his thumb and forefingers while doing the same with the ankle just above it.
Overcome with ecstasy, Nana leaned back with a relaxed smile as she allowed both Nooshy and Johnny to continue in their wonderful treatment upon her aged person.
"Oh…bless your little hearts," Nana said, her own heart overwhelmed with tender emotion as they started manifest as tears in her eyes. "Bless you both."
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Eddie yawned as he walked sleepily down the carpeted hallway.
He casually and tiredly walked into the kitchen.
Noticing a kettle of tea still steaming and recognizing the strong scent, he knew it was his grandmother's special tea.
That should help me sleep.
He poured himself a cup and took a swig. Baring his teeth as the strong content of Nana's mint tea burned his throat and nostrils slightly.
Oh yeah, there it is.
Noticing a shifting shadow illuminated by the fireplace, Eddie tiptoed and craned his head slightly to have a look at whoever was congregating in the living room.
He had to force himself to keep quiet when he saw what he saw.
It was his Nana, seated in one of her luxury armchairs.
And she appeared to have a blissful look on her face.
And was in the middle of receiving a shoulder, neck and foot massage.
From Nooshy and Johnny.
Eddie's mind was blank.
He looked into the contents of his teacup.
I don't know whether to dump this or down it.
He thought for a moment, then shrugged.
He drank some more and headed back to his bedroom.
Just keep walking Eddie.
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Elsewhere…
A black panther in a pampered suit sat slumped forward in a steel chair in a dark room with a single light.
Actually, his suit was no longer pampered. It was torn and ripped in several places. A jacket sleeve had been torn off at the shoulder. His tie disheveled and loosened. White dress shirt was bloodied in certain places.
The black panther, chained to the steel chair, lifted his head. His nose was broken, bent to the side like that of a boxer. Some of his teeth were missing, knocked out. His left eye was blackened and swollen shut.
His right eye was barely open but he could see well enough to know that he was not alone.
There before him stood a tall, broad figure. There garbed in black was a white tiger mammalite, middle-aged, full of muscle, blind in his right eye, a blue film covered it, garish burns and scarring on the right side of his face and neck. A portion of his right ear was missing, as though something hot and sharp had cut it.
His left eye, a smoldering chestnut color, was staring down the black panther in icy fury.
He leaned forward until his face was just inches away from his captive.
And he spoke in a dangerously low voice and in a thick Russian accent, his sharp teeth bared in anger.
"Who ordered DiMarco to target the Moon troupe?"
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Nana walked down the hall with Nooshy and Johnny in tow. She had the same blissful smile on her face.
"Oh, my feet are in Heaven," she said as though it were a dream, wafting herself with her ever-present fan.
Johnny smiled meekly as Nooshy gave him a playful elbow in the ribs.
"You sly thing," Nooshy whispered, a smile plastered on her face at the young gorilla's boldness. "Didn't think you had it in ya."
"Didn't think you had it in ya," Johnny replied, grinning smugly.
Almost without thinking, in a spirit of playfulness, he winked at her.
Nooshy's face fell into a blank, slightly startled look, a rosy tint showing on her cheeks and in her ears.
Johnny's face fell into one of mild panic. "Uh...sorry."
Nooshy smiled a small, meek yet abashed smile. "S'okay."
Both Nooshy and Johnny instinctively stopped when they noticed Nana had stopped at a large door. She was looking back at them with a cheeky grin.
"Well...here are my chambers. Thank you both so much for walking me to my room."
"Our pleasure," Johnny said, smiling as he lightly scratched the claw marks on his cheek.
"Mmhm," Nooshy said, hands held nervously behind her back as she idly kicked her foot.
"And thank you both again for the soothing treatment, it was…" Nana slowly blinked as though reminiscing her days as a diva. "...magnificent."
Nooshy put her hands on her hips proudly. "You're welcome."
Johnny cleared his throat sheepishly. "It was nothing really."
Nana scoffed. "Nothing? Jonathan, if any masseuse I ever hired could do half a good job at your age, I'd hire them for life."
Nooshy patted a bashful Johnny on the back. "Isn't he modest?"
"He really is," Nana said and then she blew a kiss in a manner similar to when she did so when she saw Out of this World at the Majestic Theater.
"Sleep well my dear's."
And then she reached for her door, only for Johnny to beat her to it.
He opened the door for her. "There ya go, Nana."
Nana smiled warmly at the young gentleman.
Putting a loving hand on his cheek, Nana kissed Johnny on the other cheek. "Good night Jonathan."
Johnny bowed his head, blushing madly.
Nooshy raised an eyebrow at the Noodleman matriarch, which seemed to suggest jealousy but the playful shine in her eye made it clear that it was a feigned jealousy.
Catching the look, Nana put a hand to her mouth, feigning terror.
With that, Nana retreated to her bedroom and Johnny closed the door behind her.
Noticing Nana's odd look, Johnny turned back to Nooshy, mouthing the word 'what,' hoping for some kind of explanation.
Nooshy held her hands out, palms up, for the universal sign of not knowing.
Johnny wasn't buying it but decided to let it go. "Right, let's turn in."
Nooshy placed a gentle hand on Johnny's arm. "Are you ok now?"
Johnny nodded before yawning. "Yeah...yeah, I'm ok. Thanks Noosh, you're...um…" He paused. "...you're a true friend."
Nooshy smiled but it did not reach her ears, showing that perhaps she was not entirely pleased with being referred to as just a friend.
Johnny seemed to have noticed and was a bit stricken by the almost imperceptible sign that Nooshy was less than happy. "You really are Noosh...my best friend...through and through."
Nooshy grunted in dissatisfaction as she crossed her arms.
Johnny slumped his shoulders. "Can I walk you to your room?"
Nooshy shrugged uncaringly. "Sure."
00000
Nooshy's bedroom door.
"Well...here we are."
"Yup," Nooshy said flatly, arms still crossed.
She motioned to open her door, not bothering to say a word of good night.
Johnny felt his stomach twist. He did not want to end the night like this.
I asked her out and all I could call her is a friend? Geez, what is wrong with me? I need to fix this. I have to.
"Nooshy wait."
The lynx stopped reaching for the door and turned her head. "What's up?"
"I just want to say good night…" Johnny gulped nervously, wrenching his hands. "...and I'm really looking forward to...um…" He cleared his throat again. "...going out...us going out."
Nooshy looked back at him with a warm smile, ears red. "Me too."
She turned her head away bashfully, eyes downward.
Johnny turned his head away as well, mind in overload as he considered his next objective.
It's now or never. Besides...it'll make us even.
Turning back, Johnny took a step towards Nooshy, who still had her head turned, and leaned his face towards her.
Nooshy, noticing the sudden movement, turned her head to look up at Johnny, whose face was coming quickly towards her.
Her mouth opened slightly.
And then, before either could react…
...their lips met in a tender if only an accidental kiss.
And in the fraction of a second, it was as if a bolt of lightning came upon them and caused an electrifying reaction of drastic proportions to pass through their lips and into their bodies.
Both their minds went blank.
Both their eyes, staring into each other's, widened in dumb shock.
They recoiled as though their lips had burned them.
Turning away, utterly flustered, flapping her arms frantically and then putting her hands on her burning cheeks, Nooshy began to gasp and hyperventilate.
Face burning hot and completely flabbergasted, Johnny stepped back and stumbled, landing on his butt. His hand was on his broad chest, his heart beating a million miles per minute.
Nooshy turned back to look at Johnny. "What...what...what was that?!" she cried.
Johnny held his hands out, palms up. "That was meant for your cheek...and then you turned your head and you...so...well…yeah."
Nooshy blinked, cheeks and ears burning red.
Johnny whimpered to himself, fearing that this might be the end of everything that both he and Nooshy held so dear.
But something curious happened.
Something bubbled up from inside of Nooshy's stomach, going past her chest cavity, then her throat until it came forth in the form of an uncontrollable giggle.
Nooshy covered her mouth to prevent the giggles from spiraling into wild, hysterical laughter. She bent over as she nearly fell over, grasping her belly.
She barely succeeded in keeping her voice down.
Johnny covered his face with both hands, cheeks burning almost to the point that his head felt like it was on fire.
Of all the ways I could mess things up for us...
And then two, soft dainty hands grabbed his own to uncover his face and Nooshy was there, just inches from his face, a growing smile on her face and still giggling, looking him in the eye, tears of laughter streaming down her face. "Ya great big weirdo!" She pulled him to his feet. "Up ya go!"
Shaking, Johnny looked at Nooshy, feeling very embarrassed and very ashamed. "You're...you're not upset?"
"Pfff! As if!" Nooshy said, beaming, her eyes smoldering with something beyond infatuation. "Guess we're even, right?"
Johnny was still gaping but his countenance at once changed and he was grinning goofily. "Well...I dunno about that."
Nooshy raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Could we...well...since we plan to go out anyway...maybe try again?"
Nooshy's eyes widened a fraction. She looked down, ears down, and then she looked back up at him, lips quivering nervously. "S-s-sure," she stuttered.
Johnny covered his mouth as he almost choked with laughter. Nooshy never stutters.
And yet to him, it was one of the most adorable things he had ever seen her do.
"O-o-ok," Johnny stammered. "Ready?"
Nooshy nodded furiously.
She approached Johnny and driven by pure instinct, placed both hands on his broad, muscular chest. He gasped slightly at the touch. Nooshy stood the tips of her toes and she slowly closed her eyes, her heart racing, threatening to burst out of her chest.
Johnny, placing both hands on the lynx's delicate shoulders, leaned down, eyes also closed, his own heart accelerating once more.
Time seemed to have slowed down for them both.
And then their lips found each other.
It was the most beautiful moment they had ever experienced.
Johnny's mind was overwhelmed with blissful ecstasy. Nooshy's lips were so warm, soft and sweet. He could've sworn he could taste strawberries and chocolate. They would be the sweetest strawberries he had ever tasted and the richest chocolate he ever sampled. And the way she wrapped her arms around his head and shoulders, and how she cradled his head so gently and lovingly, he wanted to stay that way forever.
Nooshy felt like she was floating on air and she essentially was when Johnny encircled her in his arms, one arm around her tiny waist and the other around her shoulders. He gently lifted her off her feet and in the middle of all that bliss, she craned one foot in the air behind her, pointing her toes in a manner that you might see in a cheesy soap opera. She had imagined it but she never knew how wonderful it would be. How safe she'd feel in his strong arms and how warm he'd be. And the kiss, it was cool and warm at the same time, and it was like the freshest mint ever.
That mint tea really did the trick, she thought.
After what felt like an eternity, the kiss ended.
Nooshy's eyes were half closed as though she were dreaming and yet awake. She purred very softly. "...oh my," she murmured.
"Yeah...I know," Johnny said breathlessly. "You were good."
"First kiss?" Nooshy said, arching a mischievous eyebrow.
Johnny gulped, sweating a bit. "Y-yes."
She winked. "Mine too."
"What? Really?"
Nooshy shrugged. "Never had a boyfriend. Never wanted one."
Johnny's heart skipped a beat. "Has that changed?"
Nooshy giggled. "What do you think?"
"Oh, um...ok...um...Nooshy?" he whispered, wringing his hands again.
"Yeah?" she said with a radiant smile, a smile which caused Johnny's heart to flip.
"Will...you...um…I was wondering...if you would…that is to say...uh..."
Johnny was cut off when Nooshy put two dainty fingers on his lips. "Of course I'll be your girlfriend, you weirdo."
Johnny's face changed in a way that would shock you like ice suddenly melting in the presence of summer. He slowly blinked as an absolutely idiotic grin spread upon his face, a look that caused Nooshy to cover her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"Well...good," Johnny said. "Um...g'nite?"
Waving a nervous hand, Nooshy replied, "Night, love."
Johnny blinked as a blush shone on his cheeks at the nickname. He then awkwardly turned to walk away but was stopped when Nooshy grabbed his arm with both hands and pulled him into a hug as she wrapped her thin yet strong arms around his waist.
Johnny sheepishly returned the hug, resting his chin on top of her head.
"You give the best hugs," Nooshy whispered into his chest.
"So do you," Johnny replied.
After almost a full minute, they ended the loving embrace and Johnny, taking one last look into Nooshy's gorgeous amber-brown eyes, walked down the hall back to his room.
Before turning the corner, he turned and waved goodbye to his best friend, now-girlfriend.
Nooshy, with the most adorable dreamy smile on her face, waved back before quietly slipping into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
With a joyful kick in his step, Johnny practically waltzed back to his bedroom.
00000
Eddie emerged from his room with a now empty tea cup.
Better put this in the sink. Nana hates it when I leave tea ware just lying around.
Just as he turned a corner, he almost cried out in fright as a swift but massive shape waltzed past him.
It was Johnny.
He had the most ridiculous smile on his face and he was waltzing and prancing down the hall like a drunken ballerina.
Eddie watched him go and disappear around the corner.
Rubbing his eyes, wondering if he were still asleep, Eddie looked back down in his teacup.
Ok...no more mint tea.
00000
Nooshy dropped onto her bed, arms outstretched with the biggest smile on her face, sighing dreamily as she touched her lips, still tasting the mint tea that was on Johnny's breath.
Wrapping herself in her covers, she nestled her head into her pillow, falling asleep almost instantly, the same dreamy smile on her face.
And just across the room, Porsha laid in bed on her side, her back to Nooshy. Her face was buried in her pillow, a silly girlish grin on her face as quiet squeals leaked out.
She could hardly contain herself.
It's finally happened! It's finally happened! They're a thing now!
"Eeeeeeeee!"
Nooshy's eyes shot open at the shrill squeal and an annoyed grimace was on her face. She didn't bother to turn her head.
Listening through keyholes again Porsh?
"You just had to, didn't ya?" she said flatly.
…..