"Fir, it's time to wake up. Fir, come one. You don't want to be late to the party, do you? Wake up!" Mother was shaking me impatiently, getting on my nerves.
"But I'm tired," I struggled while frowning, dazed. "And we just got here."
Whatever happened to that well-known scenario in historical web novels:
"We just finished our journey and are awfully tired. We will rest today and visit so-and-so tomorrow."
???
Did that typical haughty noble scene not exist for this world, where you rest after traveling or something?
"No, we didn't. It's almost nighttime," Mother tapped my shoulder. I resisted slapping it away, since I absolutely loathed people tapping me. Unreasonable anger that boiled up inside, but I pushed it down.
My dazed mind tried to work.
"Evening?"
"Yes, you slept the whole day."
"What?!" I bolted upright, throwing covers off my back. I was laying down in a very soft bed, a room completely unfamiliar and daunting. The feeling that I was in a haunted house was back as I looked around, seeing portraits of unknown people and old items everywhere.
"Let's get dressed, the party is going to start in only an hour. I can't believe we are going to be late!" Mother graciously picked me up while in her own night gown, scolding us both.
"Hey...could it be, you fell asleep too? And that you forgot about the party," I accused, eyes narrowing at her. I could tell that something was off.
Don't blame me when you're at fault too, I thought.
Her face was tightening bitterly as she drily laughed.
"What're you talking about, I'd never forget my childrens' birthday...or oversleep on a day like this."
"Sure."
Thérèse chose this moment to walk in.
"Madame, why aren't you dressed yet?! The reception is going to start soon!" She saw both of us still tired and barely stripping for a bath, and then this whole storm of maids came through the doors after she rang the service bell repeatedly, and we were basically dehumanized. I was scrubbed in places unmentioned, places that shouldn't be touched ever, and places that I was sure I could do myself.
In the end, Mother was given the same treatment as me after they put a magic canceling collar on her so she wouldn't retaliate too strongly.
We looked like we went through a car wash, then a dog grooming salon, and finally a jewelry store, all in one.
Minutes later, we were walking out the door hand in hand, heading for some random and unknown place that the maids didn't elaborate on.
Mother was dressed in a red dress, a modest one with gold highlights and buttons down the back. It had full sleeves with rings to loop around the middle fingers, so they stayed down. Her hair was down in a simple adornment of gold ribbons and metal clasps. Her feet were shoved into high heels, not too high so she didn't eclipse Father who was only a bit taller than her. They were more like wedges, and how I knew that I could only blame on one of my first female friends back in Japan: Matsumoto Kagame.
I was in another light blue dress, no idea why it was blue again, with small ruffles on the skirt part that went down to my ankles. It looked like one of those princess dresses American children wore on Halloween, with the one purple gem on the chest and purple lacing up the front. Even my shoes were purple, for some reason. It felt like I was Ariel the mermaid with the red hair that was hanging loosely on my shoulders, a bit tucked behind my ear and pulled across to the left side.
I'd never looked in a mirror here before, so I had no clue what I looked like. Clear glass was kind of rare, so no hope for that either. I could only guess that I looked like some sort of doll.
There was a little pendant around my neck in a circle shape, what Hera had given me for the birthday I missed. Inside it was a small inter-spacial storage that contained a portrait of our whole family, something they got done last year during the nine lax months.
How quaint...I just realized that my birthday was also the day I died...so it was my "death-day."
Ahahaha...
We'd had to sit in place for a few moments as a water artist manipulated some colors onto a canvas hanging in Father's office. Then, Hera was messing around with her favorite element of water and managed to replicate it onto some paper. It was messy at first, but after practicing for some time she got it down to the last drop.
The portrait gave me the general idea of my looks, but I was only a baby when that was done. So I still had no idea...!
That was her early birthday present to Father, who's birthday was in August...I mean, whatever month represented August in this world again. I always forgot. Oh right, Augesi! The months were something like Janie, Fretuar, Apirl, Maye, Juin, Juley, Augesi, Septi, Octav, Novie, Dectabre, Yuzuie, and Zerlo. So confusing...I didn't always remember them, so only vaguely alike names came out for the months. Sometimes Janie was Januar, for instance. It varied.
The portrait was also for Mother, for me as a late present, and Adri. The pendant was what was from Father. We all got one of some sort and carried a portrait.
It was really sweet, if you asked me. Especially Adri's present to me.
The boy wasn't shy at all as he was left behind in the present giving, so he marched up to me and grabbed my head. His small hands were on my chubby cheeks, dwarfing them.
Everyone there was watching curiously...
...when he leaned forward and planted a big kiss, full on, on my mouth.
And it wasn't short, either. And it wasn't stationery, either. And I think he may have learned tongue...
When he pulled back, the people in the background were aghast as he smiled confidently.
Father came forward with a stoic face and clapped a hand on his son's shoulder, asking, "Son, why did you do that?"
"I see Daddy and Mommy do it all the time! And Mommy always seems happy, so I wanted to make Sissy happy too!" He grinned triumphantly.
"Adri," Mother was covering her face in embarrassment as the nearby servants turned away. "Where did you learn that techniq-I mean how to do that?"
"Grandpa told me that's what ladies like best! Whatever that means," he innocently shrugged.
A side to Father I'd never seen before came out as he started smiling rigidly, eyes dead as he mumbled, "Looks like I'll have to have a long talk with Father next time we meet..."
Then, everyone persisted to teach Adri that that wasn't something he should do again.
He asked if he'd done something wrong, to which they said no. "You'll understand when you're older..." was all Magaris could supply with burning cheeks. Well, he was more handsome than a lot of the men I'd ever met before, in both lives. Kitri, Father, and Blondie not included.
No one noticed as I lay down and curled up, burying my burning cheeks in my hands and twisting the heels of my palms up and down to distract my tumbling mind.
I'm a baby...!!! No weird thoughts!!! He's only two!!! I had thought at the time. But still...my first kiss!!! No! Stolen by a babe!
From that day, I was constantly on guard.
The maids stopped before a door and put their shoulders against both of them. They took a deep breath with their hands on the nobs, then rammed it like a football player. The moment it opened they gracefully stood up like they didn't do all of that just to open the double doors.
Another piece of proof that this house should be redone.
Even from down the hall, before the door was opened, I heard the noise. With the wooden doors opened so suddenly, it was deafening to me who had been straining her hearing for her family. I threw my head back and tried to shy away from the noise, but Mother caught me and starting pushing me forward. She was bent down and had her hand on my back, whispering, "Come on Fir. It'll be over soon enough. Just act natural, okay?"
And then I was nudged forward. I made my senses return to normal and I walked towards the throng of people gasping when they saw me. The first part of the crowd we encountered was full of mixed people, young and old, men and women and children-children they would probably make me play with-staring at me with open mouths.
Five seconds passed.
I immediately wanted to shrink in on myself. What were they gawking at? Was someone behind me? Was something wrong?
They were all facing in our direction. The people they had been talking to were questioning what was wrong since their partners had stopped talking, but couldn't see us. Eventually, the room fell into an awkward hush as people were trying to figure out what was wrong all over. There were the approximated two hundred plus people were here and absolutely silent.
Ten seconds.
I stood there with Mother, shaking slightly. Never before had I had so much attention directed at me, not even in Japan.
Mother just stood there, staring back. I could tell that something in her mind shut down, because she had the deer-in-the-headlights look. An awkward smile was coming to fruition, which I promptly stopped by squeezing on her hand.
Fifteen seconds...?!?!
The maids were long gone, having recognized it would be weird to stand at open doors that should be closed.
So, we just stood there.
Then twenty seconds. And maybe a little longer.
The famous cold sweat bullets of many manga decided to intervene here and leak down my back as I started to shuffle backwards, attempting to hide behind Mother. Father, Adri, and Hera weren't here yet since they were still greeting people out front and the aforementioned grandparents were in another room chalk full of more nobles.
It seemed like if anyone spoke, it would be alright to scorn them.
Then, a little child pushed through the legs of the adults, his blue hair and golden eyes drawing a lot of attention. His clothes looked very stiff and formal, but his demeanor was as light and airy as Kitri and Adri combined.
He had this kind look in his eyes, one that seemed like he didn't mind anything too particularly.
For some reason, he seemed very familiar. Like I should know him from somewhere. I had never seen him before in my life, that much was sure. But I just couldn't put my finger on it...
"Hello," he said in a very soft voice, one that made me think it didn't come from those lips.
"Hello," I answered while coming out only a step. It would be rude to hide behind Mother as I spoke. I was still clutching to her dress and trying to not pull it off, palms sweaty and nervous as the eyes landed utterly on me again, making nonexistent heat waves affect my vision.
"What's your name?" The boy asked peeking around at me kindly. He only looked to be about three years old, one and a half more than me. The same age as Adri and Hera, probably. Since their birthday was today.
His eyes glistened and everyone seemed to take about half a step forward, turning their heads to listen for my answer.
"Fi-Firea..." I mumbled just loud enough for him to hear.
"Fifirea? That's a nice name."
"No," I let out. "Firea."
"Hm? It's Firea? Oh, sorry, I didn't hear well." He tilted his head and produced these self-ridiculing eyes as he shook his head, a slight frown on his face. His face was troubled, toddler features contorting sadly. He mumbled, "Get it together, me!"
He was awfully mature for a child, lacking the constant energy and uncaring demeanor. It was like talking to a polite adult, not a three year old. His words were perfect as well, not broken or being repeated like a child trying to find the correct words.
The people around us raised their eyebrows, nodding to themselves and others as they ease dropped on our conversation. The young boy was oblivious to the people around us, all of the pressure only affecting me.
What's it to you what my name is?
And why are you nodding like, "Very fitting, very fitting."
I felt bad instantly for doing something, I didn't know what, and decided to continue the tiny conversation.
"What's your name?"
He looked back up at me with innocent eyes, the dark blue hair shining like the night sky even in the room of yellow lights.
"My name is Lars," he commented lightly, reaching out tentatively to take my hand. Trying not to be rude, I let him. He was only about half a foot taller than me, but it still felt like he was a giant just like the rest of the people. I shrunk down behind him as he turned around, taking me with him. He became my shield as he led me through the surrounding people, all of them making a pathway for us to go through.
What are you? I mean, who are you? That they would just part so easily for you like this.
I didn't even consider that they parted for me.
We went through the throngs of people, weaving through the large Victorian style room until we reached a door leading outside. I didn't know where it went, but anywhere seemed better than the gazes falling on my back, somehow expectant and forcing beliefs on my shoulders. It felt like my former mother was looking at me from all sides, her husband glaring and not letting up with that penetrating stare.
I was starting to breathe roughly, clutching a little harder onto his hand by latching on both of mine.
I couldn't tell what was happening anymore as I reached my hands farther up his arm, habits taking over from a long time ago. He seemed confused at first, but my eyes were tightly shut to block out the stares, legs stumbling a bit as I went forward with him. After a bit I was all the way on top of his arm, head leaning on his shoulder.
"Takuya..." I mumbled sadly, memories flashing back as tears watered in my eyes. Once again, I was walking on cement side walks in the bustling Tokyo, the arm I was grasping tightly was strong and gentle, the one of someone who cared for me. My head rested perfectly on his shoulder again, our feet in harmony as we walked.
My breathing calmed down as I faded away, rhythmic steps making my memories confused.
I nuzzled my face in smilingly, swaying lightly. There was no opposition from Takuya's side, as per usual. I was always on his left side, like that was my place. He had never acknowledged when I did this other than to offer his arm.
But this time was different. Instead of just being my moving pillow, he reached up with his other hand and started stroking my hair. His head leaned against mine and the arm I grabbed intertwined his fingers with mine naturally, my little ones in his slightly bigger ones.
I forgot the surroundings as my feet tapped away on tile, then stone, and finally grass. I was lulling myself to sleep as I walked, entrusting myself to Takuya so that I wouldn't run into anything.
My consciousness spiked from time to time as I heard sounds of laughter in the surroundings, joyful and entertained.
My consciousness spiked from time to time as I heard sounds of sirens in the surroundings, blaring and ominous.
The grass under my flat shoes softly fell for me to glide forward. The noises around me fell away the farther we got, turning left and right under the white moonlight of Hencia gracing my skin.
The cement under my flat shoes crunched hardly under my feet as I walked forward. The noises around me fell away the farther we got, turning left and right on street corners under the bright sunlight warming my skin.
My mind spun in circles until suddenly, my feet stopped. The one that had stopped first was Takuya, who led me to the side and helped me sit down on the grass. It was very long and dull, not prickly at all. The gardens here were very well maintained.
My eyes were still closed, and I felt the intense urge to fall asleep. I didn't oblige since I didn't want Takuya to be alone.
"No, it's okay. You can sleep, I'm right here," the voice was gentle to me as it lifted me off the arm and onto the lap. "Don't worry about anything, okay?"
I nodded vaguely, snuggling up. The last glimpse I had before I slept was of that strange and wonderful face looking up at the moon, white skin seemingly as bright as snow under the light. The golden eyes glowed like thick honey, royal blue hair littered with white dots that reminded me of stars.
That's not Takuya...
Then, that face looked at me and fell in shadow. But the eyes were still beautiful as they lowered gently, staring at me a little happily.
But he's just as kind and gentle...
Don't betray Takuya! An internal war disturbed my thoughts.
You were never Takuya's in the first place, just friends. What're you thinking?
I closed my eyes, my heart calm with that resolution made in a half-asleep and half-awake state.
Fine... at least he's a cute little boy. I'll let it pass for this brat, at least tonight.
That was it for the night. I was out like a light.