Chapter 25 - I Do
By anime_goddess05
The sky was blacker than it should have been for the middle of the afternoon. Clouds seemed to cover the expanse of the heavens. Rain was rushing down like buckets, soaking them to the skin. The thunder echoed as loud as the footsteps of the four Soul Reapers. Clothing clung to them like a child fiercely gripping a magic charm, as if the living world would never let them go. Finally, they paused for a moment to catch their breath behind a brick building. One glanced down at the precious cargo in his arms; the newest member of their ranks, bleeding so severely the hakama of her rescuer had stuck to the wound. Her head was tilting back, and she gasped for breath on occasion. They all knew that their time was ticking away faster than they wanted.
Not more than a minute later, they were off again. The sounds of the storm tangled with a torrent of the remaining Hollows roaring in the distance. The wind whistled alongside the echoes of the conflict, yet another hindrance to their progress. Finally, one of them stopped and turned. “We can’t keep running! We have to fight!”
“Don’t be an idiot, Solomon.” The voice of Captain Sosuke Aizen, the fifth squad captain, was clear and calm amidst the chaos. “If we don’t get back soon your fiancé will die.”
Solomon’s eyes went down to the face of the dark-haired girl the captain was carrying. He swallowed, and then nodded. He led the way as they continued onward.
“No.” The girl suddenly leapt up out of Captain Aizen’s arms and spat blood on the concrete. The sounds of skin and cloth ripping made their stomachs turn. “I won’t run away…I won’t run away!” She turned with a dramatic flair and marched back toward the Hollows, her breath heavy. Solomon, still in shock, walked right behind her. Captain Aizen and Izuru, the fourth member of the team, came as well, but rushed ahead.
Solomon looked at his fiancé, brushing her dark hair away from her face. “Your father will never forgive me if I let you die.”
“Don’t worry about me,” she said, smiling at him. “I don’t intend on dying.”
A single tear raced down Solomon’s gentle face as he watched the girl. Suddenly, he drew his zanpakuto and slashed his own hand. “My blood is life,” he told her. “Drink it and you will live.”
“So-Solomon…”
“Don’t you want to live?” he suddenly shouted. “Don’t you want to be with me forever?”
She stared at him with a quizzical expression, and then obeyed his word. Once his blood touched her lips, she could feel her wounds closing up. “Your blood is life,” she repeated, staring down at the shaky hands that were starting to become steady.
***********************
The view of her hands was suddenly blocked by darkness. Roxanne Godderson pushed the dark hair away from her face. It looked just the same way it had so many years ago. Suddenly Istari’s face came into the mirror beside hers. “All finished,” she said with a grin. “How does it look?”
The four women were crowded into the back of Ghost’s Book Store around the only mirror in the building. Istari had come up with the idea of changing the appearances of the two Echelon fugitives, and after a while, Roxie and Winry had agreed. After all, they had just seen Aoi leave, and if Aoi trusted these two then so could they. At any rate, the pair didn’t have much choice.
“Like it did when I was younger,” Roxie replied, feeling how silky soft her hair had become.
“By the way,” Istari said, “you never finished the story about why you had to dye your hair brown in the first place. You just kind of spaced out there.”
“Oh right.” Roxie shook off the memory of her early teen years and began where she had left off. “When I went to register for my position with the coroner’s office, the official told me I didn’t look wholesome enough to work for them, so I was required to dye my hair and shorten my name to ‘Anne’ so no one would think I’m a porn star.”
Ghost shook her head. “Men these days…they think themselves to be manly by making women subordinate.”
Roxie stood from the chair and motioned to Winry. “Now I know you’ll fuss if we have to dye your hair, but at least let Istari cut it.”
“All right.” Winry sighed and resigned herself to the chair. “I’m still a little skeptical.”
“I can understand that,” Istari said, trying to comfort the young girl. “I mean, I did learn to cut and color hair from reading a book. But I’m very confident in my abilities.” With that, she began snipping away at Winry’s waist-length blonde hair.
“So now,” Ghost asked Roxie, “where do you plan to go?”
“I’ll arrange for a pickup for Winry. As for me, I have some other business to attend to.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I shouldn’t reveal that though, for Winry’s sake.”
“Are you with the Syndicate?” Ghost’s eyes locked on Roxie’s.
“I can assure with all certainty, I am not.” Roxie picked up the gold locket around her neck, as was her habit, and twirled it as she spoke. “I’m going to see an old friend, and pick up a new assignment.”
“You couldn’t possibly mean you’re going back to work for the coroner’s office. That’s insanity! You’ll be killed before you even finish your paperwork.”
“Yeah, the background checks are intense, but no, I’m not going back to the coroner’s office.” Roxie dropped the locket and smiled.
The sound of scissors hitting the tile floor cut the conversation. Istari looked at the mirror. “Oops.”
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, ‘OOPS’?” Winry stood and looked at the mirror. On the left said, her hair had been slashed off just below her ear. She leapt up furiously, grabbed the scissors, and launched them at Istari, just missing her and going into the wall behind Ghost.
“Winry.” Roxie grabbed the girl’s wrist as if she were scolding a child. “Didn’t we agree to work on that anger of yours?”
Winry hung her head. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”
“Now then, sit back down and let Istari even it out.” Roxie walked over to the wall and yanked the scissors out. She gave them back to Istari. “You can still cut, right?”
“Oh yes, I’m used to having blades thrown at me.” Istari chuckled a bit. “I can continue.”
Ghost noticed the ring on Roxie’s finger and changed the subject. “You’re engaged?”
Roxie suddenly looked down at the ring and blushed. “I am.”
“And where is this lucky guy?”
“He’s back home, in the Land of the Rising Big Red Dot. He’s in business there.”
Ghost was surprised. “I had no idea you were from there!”
“Yes, well, I came here a long time ago. I didn’t quit get the chance to go back. Business here got me hung up. He was going to come for me.”
“But something happened?”
“I doubt sometimes, more than I should probably. My father was the one who arranged the whole marriage, actually. He was a very powerful person back home, and so my fiancé is following in his footsteps.”
“Ah, so he took over the business?”
“Not quite. He started his own. But right now, I have to focus on the present instead of the past.” Roxie began walking to the front of the store. Winry stood, her hair in a much shorter bob, and followed her former boss. Ghost and Istari scurried quickly behind them.
A confused look crossed Ghost’s face. “Is something the matter, Roxie?”
“Not at all,” the young woman replied with a smile. “Winry and I must get going. But thank you so much Ghost, and you too Istari, for all you’ve done for us. May God allow us to meet again.”
“Wait!” Istari cried out. She grabbed her umbrella from behind the counter and handed it to Winry. “It’s raining, you’ll need this.”
Roxie’s expression suddenly changed and became very distant. “It was raining that day too,” she said softly, and with that, she turned and walked out. Winry ran after her, opening up the umbrella.
After a moment, Ghost spoke. “Istari, did you notice something about Miss Godderson’s necklace?”
“Not really. Was there something unusual about it?”
“Yes. The locket wasn’t connected to the chain. It’s covering the real charm on the necklace.”
“Strange.” Istari said. “What do you think it means?”
“I’m not sure, but the less we know the better. Now let’s get back to work.”
***********************
Samson arrived back at the Café de Lune dripping wet. The rain had not stopped, but he had managed to take an umbrella to his little sister, Anne, at school. The walk was ridiculously long, and public transportation in Actonia was far from reliable. The café was fairly empty so he decided to sit for a moment and dry off, but tripped over something.
“Ow….the hell?”
Samson looked down at Spice, still unconscious, and still lying where she had fallen.
“HIKKI! WHY THE HELL HAVEN’T YOU MOVED SPICE?”
Hikki emerged from the kitchen wiping his hands on a ruffled apron. “I vas vaiting for jour big, ztrong armz to come do zhe job.” He suddenly looked up at Samson, sopping wet, and dropped the utensil in his hand. “Jou’re all vet!”
“I know,” he said, half annoyed. He stood to his feet. “I went to take my sister’s umbrella, but then I forgot to bring one for myself.”
“Vell, ve must get jou out of those vet clothez right avay.” Hikki hurried over to Samson and grasped onto his jacket. He was practically salivating.
“Ahem.”
Samson breathed a sigh of relief as Clarice closed her book and walked away from the table. She gave Hikki the “Touch-Him-And-You’ll-Be-Castrated” look.
Hikki began to pout. “Zhees arrangement ees not going to go vell.” He turned in a huff and walked back into the kitchen.
Samson grinned at Clarice. “You’re going to be my saving grace.”
“What?”
Suddenly Samson blushed a deep red. “Nothing,” he said. I’m going to go home and move my stuff in here. Yes. I’ll do that.” He turned and attempted to escape embarrassment.
“Wait.” Clarice had caught him by the arm. “Can I help you move your things?”
Samson’s eyes widened, and then he nodded. “Sure!” The two of them stepped over Spice as they walked out. Clarice opened her umbrella to cover them as they began to walk to Samson’s.
***********************
“Um, Roxie – uh, ma’am, I know now’s probably not a good time, but where exactly are we going?”
“Shh.” The young man leading them put his finger to his lips. “We’re almost there.”
Roxie put her hand on Winry’s head. “I promise you’ll be taken care of.”
“By the way, Miss Roxanne, you can take the cover off of your necklace now.” The boy gestured to the locket around her neck.
“Right.” Roxie took the formed heart away to reveal a glass cross.
Before they realized it, the three of them had arrived within what seemed like a run-down mansion. They entered through what might have been a grand ballroom. In a corner, a seemingly new grand piano sat collecting dust. “No one’s played it since you left,” the young man said.
“I taught myself,” Roxie said. “When we get time someday, I’ll teach you Aoi.”
He nodded. “All right. Though I doubt I have the talent for it.”
They arrived in another room that appeared to have been converted to a lounge. Two young women and another young man sat talking, but they all became silent when the trio walked into the room.
“Dear God, is it really you?” One of the young women sprang up from her seat and threw her arms around Roxie. “I thought you were gone for good this time.”
Roxie embraced Kaia. “Oh you know me. I’m too stubborn to die, Kaia-chan.”
Cid and Proof also stood and hugged their comrade. “Welcome back,” they said together, and then both glared at each other for sounding like the Doublemint Twins.
“By the way, this is my assist – er, friend Winry. She’ll be in training very soon.”
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Winry said with a bow. “I will do my best in my training.”
Roxie smiled and turned to her longtime best friend, Kaia. “Aoi tells me Furion is in.”
“He’s not in good shape,” Kaia confessed. “But he’d be happy to see you.”
Roxie motioned to Winry. “Let’s go. He’ll want to meet you too.”
***********************
“DAMMIT!!! RAIN!!! WHY THE HELL IS IT RAINING?”
Matrix avoided getting hit in the head with a random object and walked into the room carrying Ozzal’s gun and an entire bottle of Excedrin Migraine. “It’ll stop. Though it is a drought-buster.”
“JESUS OF NAZARETH!! What took so freaking long?” She snatched the Excedrin from Matrix’s hand, almost taking off his pinky, and swallowed the entire bottle. “My migraine got worse waiting for your sorry tentacles to show up!”
“Don’t you be talking about my tentacles woman!”
“I’ll do what I want,” she said, bobbing her head like an uncoordinated child. “I run this show here, dammit! So leave the gun and go get me some of those super rare Limited Edition Ultra Super Spicy taquitos…NOW!”
Jumping up, Matrix dropped the gun on the floor with a loud thud and took off running.
“AND I WANT THOSE SPECIFICS TAQUITOS! NOT THE GENERIC WAL-MART BRAND!”
***********************
“Bless me Father, I have returned.” Roxie crossed herself and sat in the chair beside Sadar’s bed. Winry, watching her former boss, attempted to also cross herself but failed, getting her hands in a tangled mess. She sat down beside Roxie.
“Roxanne. You look well. It’s as if time has been standing still.” The older man looked from his comrade to the young blonde. “And this is our new recruit?”
“Yes sir!” Winry said, standing at attention. “My name is Winry Rockbell, and I hope to be of some use to your organization, sir!”
“My, my, there’s no need to be so formal, child. I’ll be placing you under the care of Kaia for you training.” Sadar glanced back at Roxie. To him, she hadn’t aged a day, but her eyes told the tales of many years of sorrow. For a young woman who had been through hell, she was still content and had a heart for others. It was something the priest had always admired about her. “Is that all right?”
“Of course, Father. I’m just grateful you agreed to take her.”
“We always need the help, especially since I’m out of commission for a bit.” He chuckled slightly. “Speaking of which, we have received an additional agent from your homeland.”
“Oh? Is it someone I know?”
“I believe you are acquainted with this agent. Out at the moment, however.”
Winry looked from Father Sadar to Roxie. The whole scene was strange to her, and she took in all in. The two were conversing as if they were father and daughter or old friends. They were laughing and joking, but at the same time aware of the current events in Actonia. This small scene began to give Winry hope.
***********************
“I think that’s about it.” Samson dropped the large box on the floor. “It’s pretty nifty that we found that abandoned wheelbarrow near the old Spam factory, otherwise this would be ridiculous to carry to the café.
Clarice chuckled. “Right, nifty. Wasn’t so nifty when the owner of this wheelbarrow chased us for a block.”
Samson laughed, putting his hand on the wheelbarrow. “We just did a public service. That fat old man needed to stop asking kids to push his wheelbarrow with him in it. That’s…just…wrong.”
Clarice smiled as she began loading up the wheelbarrow. “So this is the first time we’ve really been alone together, huh?”
“Is it? I hadn’t noticed.”
“It is. We’re always with some other Syndicate members. It’s just you and I right now.”
“Hmm. How about that?” Samson awkwardly leaned back on his heels and fell right over.
“Dear God! Samson, are you okay?” Clarice rushed to his side and sat crossed-legged beside him. She placed her hand delicately behind his back and helped him sit up.
Samson sighed. “I’m fine. Just clumsy.”
“Oh, but look at that ear! You smashed it pretty hard when you fell.” Clarice put her other hand on Samson’s cheek to get a better look. Suddenly the tension in the room became very heavy, and each one could hear the other’s heartbeat. Their faces moved closer…
“JOU ZSTRUMPET! JOU ZSLUT!”
Clarice suddenly let go of Samson and he hit the floor with a thud. “Hikki, what the hell are you doing here? Who’s running the café?”
“I left Jake een charge for a minoote. And a good zthing, too. JOU – ”
Samson sat up on his own this time, and got between Clarice and Hikki. The stare down was intense, but he spoke up. “All right, time out. Let’s get my crap moved first, and fight later.”
***********************
“No, no, you’re holding it wrong.”
“Sorry, Kaia-sensei ma’am.” Winry bowed in apology yet again.
Kaia sighed. “Just tighten your grip on the sword handle.”
“Like this?”
Kaia sighed again. This was proving to be difficult. “No, sheathe it and start over.”
“Okay.” Winry obeyed and sheathed the sword. A breeze blew in the room and suddenly the glass cross around Winry’s neck flew up and hit her in the mouth. “Dammit that hurt!”
As she walked by, Roxie laughed to herself. She remembered when she had first learned to use a zanpakuto as a pre-teen. Now, after having been apart from her swords for so long, it was strange to have them at her side. She continued around the corner toward the former ballroom. The closer she walked, the more she could hear a faint piano melody. Then suddenly the words came to her lips with every step toward the ballroom. “…cantate domino, canticum nouvum laus e jus en ecclesia sanctorum, en ecclesia sanctorum…”
The hymn stopped and Roxie found herself looking at the back of the mysterious musician. He was wearing a white suit, had shaggy blonde hair, and appeared to be tall. Without turning, he said, “Psalm 98. You sing it just as beautifully as ever.”
“I’m surprised I still remember the words. It’s been so long since I’ve had an opportunity to sing.”
“I find that strange. I seem to remember you singing wherever and whenever.”
The voice sounded familiar to Roxie, but she didn’t dare hope. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes. “Those days were a long time ago. I’m a different person now.”
“I hope you have become indifferent.” The man suddenly stood from the piano bench slowly. He was a good foot taller than she was, and the dim light shone like a heavenly light on his hair. He began to turn towards her, his eyes filled with tears as well. “My dear sweet – ”
Roxie’s knees went weak. She fell to the floor, sobbing. “It can’t be! It can’t!”
Solomon raced to her side and knelt before her. “I came for you.”
She suddenly through her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. “I thought you had forgotten me…”
“I would never forget you. I told you we would be together forever. I meant it, Roxie.”
“But so many years…”
“I know. Forgive me. I’m finally going to make it right. I’ve asked Father Sadar to marry us.”
Roxie looked up at him, a smile crossing her face. She took a breath before speaking. “R-Really?”
He wrapped his arms around her again. “Yes. Tonight you will be my bride.”
For a moment, all disappeared: the revolution, the government, Ozzal, the Syndicate, the Order…everything. In that instant, Roxie cried, letting herself feel a way she hadn’t felt in years. And Solomon, having gone so long without holding his bride-to-be, finally felt complete.
***********************
Anne Monroe had already snuggled up in a warm corner near the kitchen (and Spice’s unconscious body) and gone to sleep. However, poor older brother Samson just could not seem to get very far into dreamland. Because of the incident at his old residence, Hikki was adamant that Clarice had to sleep far away from Samson. “I run a respectable café, and jou two must keep eet under control, for the girl, of course.” Hikki’s rationale did have a point, so Samson agreed. But he feared that Hikki would try something while he slept and that Clarice would not come in time to protect him. At any rate, he still was determined to get some sleep, and turned over onto his other side.
“Oh mon petit gâteau de sucre!” Hikki was standing in the doorway wearing a fluffy pink robe, one hand on the doorpost in an attempt to look seductive. “Ee’m going to find out juzt how zweet jou are!”
Before Samson could let out any sort of noise, Hikki was on him like frosting on a cupcake. And for some reason, Samson couldn’t bring himself to scream. In fact, he sort of liked it…
“OH MY GOD!” Samson woke up from the fiend nightmare, sat up, and looked around. His little sister was still asleep, and Hikki was nowhere in sight. He got up, determined to find Clarice, mumbling to himself, “I swear I’m straight, I swear I’m straight, I swear I’m straight…”
Samson remembered the long debate in which Hikki had forced Clarice to make her bed in the women’s restroom. Clarice had also understood Hikki’s concerns, but knew the real reason was so he could try to have his way with Samson. Now, sound asleep, Clarice was dreaming peacefully as Samson swung open the door. The noise startled her and Clarice looked up with a dazed look. “Samson?”
“I SWEAR I’M STRAIGHT!” Samson seemed to lose all his inhibitions as he brought himself down to the floor beside Clarice. “I’m going to prove it to you right now!” In a bold move, Samson suddenly kissed Clarice right on the lips, holding her so tightly she couldn’t move. He pulled back with a flourish, smiling at her. “See? Totally straight!”
Clarice looked confused. “Huh? Wha ou ay?” (What you say?)
Samson considered himself lucky not to have gotten slapped, and decided to kiss her again. The second time, he notice Clarice’s arms had wrapped around him. Heh, he thought to himself, she likes me after all.
***********************
“Well, let’s get this ceremony started, shall we?” Solomon looked at his wristwatch, then over at Sadar, who was making himself comfortable in a chair. “Seems like we’ve been putting this off for centuries.”
Sadar raised an eyebrow. “Figuratively or literally?”
“How’s that?” Solomon diverted his attention to Band, as he sat at the piano. “I had no idea Band could play the piano.”
“That’s how he got his codename, of course,” Sadar said matter-of-factly. “He plays every instrument known to man. And some to monkeys.”
“Ahem.” Kaia called the attention of the two gentlemen to the main doorway. “She’s ready now.” Kaia scurried to sit with the other members of the Order of the Glass as Band played the wedding march.
The doors opened wide and suddenly Roxie appeared in the doorway, wearing a beautiful floor length lavender dress. It was a halter style, but in the few hours prior Kaia and Roxie had managed to sew on quite a few embellishments to make it fit for a wedding. It was the most formal thing available to them on such short notice, but she didn’t mind. She walked holding onto a few flowers that Cid had picked up for her, making her way gracefully toward where Sadar stood with Solomon. The music ended and she stood smiling at her future husband.
“Dearly beloved,” Sadar began, “we are gathered here today, by the grace of God, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Although these are troubled times we live in, it is a beautiful thing when two people decide to – ”
“AHA! I got you!” Out of complete nowhere, Hedwig sprang up and tried to throw his arms around Proof. Proof, having sensed him the whole time, dodged Hedwig effortlessly, sending him hurtling toward Roxie and Solomon.
Roxie spun around and picked up Hedwig by the ear. “YOU LITTLE BRAT!! I’d skin you alive if I wasn’t a good Catholic girl!”
“Sorry! Sorry!” Hedwig squirmed.
“Go sit and keep your hands to yourself!” the bride barked.
“Yes ma’am.” Hedwig sat in a chair all by himself on his own hands.
The ceremony continued. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, by the grace of God, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony…”
***********************
“MATRIX!! THAT’S LONG ENOUGH! WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO…AND MY SPICY TAQUITOS?”
“Coming!” Matrix was so pleased with himself that he had found a way to make the Wal-Mart brand taquitos just like the ones she had asked. He thought to himself that this would probably be a good occasion to ask Ozzal for additional funding for his latest project. He grabbed the plate and began to head out of the kitchen.
“Mmph!”
“Ahh! What the – ” Matrix looked up to see that Amy had found her way out of the lab and was now attached to his head. “Amy! Get off!”
“Mmph!”
Ozzal was growing impatient. “WHOSE TENTACLES DO I HAVE TO CUT OFF AROUND HERE TO GET SOME DAMNED SPICY TAQUITOS?”
“Shit!” Matrix muttered. “Amy, go play and I promise, you can munch on my head later.”
“Mmph!”
Since it seemed that Amy was there to stay and Ozzal was not one to be kept waiting, Matrix took a deep breath and walked with the tray of taquitos. “Here you are, Ms. Ozzal.”
Ozzal looked at Matrix’s latest attachment. “Why the hell is that thing stuck to you? What kind of sick experiment did you run without permission?”
“None, I swear. She just attached to me and won’t let go.” Matrix shook his head to illustrate his point.
“Mmph!” said Amy.
Ozzal rolled her eyes and took a bite of her taquitos. “I see. Now go away so I can enjoy my taquitos in peace.”
Matrix walked out with Amy still stuck to his head, thanking some deity that Ozzal had not noticed the generic taquitos.
***********************
Roxie sat barefoot with her legs crisscrossed on the bed of her room. She was deep in thought about the conversation she had had with Father Sadar after the wedding ceremony. She and Solomon had been asked to confront someone about anti-Syndicate activities, but all of a sudden Roxie felt like the whole revolution had become pointless. Now that she was married, she could go home and be far away from all of the chaos. She could have a normal life, a blue house on the corner, kids playing in the yard…
“Sweetheart?” Solomon opened the door and noticed that his new wife was lost in thought. “Is something wrong?”
She looked up. “Sorry. Just thinking.”
“About what?” He came in, shut the door, and sat beside her smiling. “Tonight?”
Roxie laughed. “No, not that. Far from it.”
“Oh?”
“I was just thinking, are you going to stay fighting with the Order? I mean, we’re married now and we can go home, can’t we?”
Solomon pushed a tendril of hair from her face. “That’s up to you. I go where you go. I’m your chevalier, after all.”
“My what?”
“Never mind, darling. It just means I’ll be beside you no matter what.”
“I…I just don’t know. I feel for these people, I really do, but I’m tired of living for everyone else’s happiness. Is that selfish to you?”
“Not at all.” He leaned back and laid on the bed. “The choice is still yours. Either way, we still have forever. You talk like we don’t.”
“I forget sometimes,” she admittedly, curling up next to him. “So tomorrow, we go back to fight. We’ll take the assignment Furion gave us. Tonight, remind me that we do have forever.”
Solomon laughed. “Gladly.”
***********************
“Sammmieeeeeeeeeee! Sammmmmmmieeeeeeeeeee!” Anne looked around and threw up her hands in frustration. “Where’s my backpack? I’m going to be late for school!”
Samson trudged out of the bathroom, half asleep, looking at his little sister. “About that. You’re not going.”
“Are you freaking kidding me? Why?”
Clarice emerged from the women’s bathroom drying her hands with a book under her arm. “We all thought it would be better for you to be home-schooled because of the current circumstances. I’ll be teaching you.”
“But home-schooling is done at home. This is a café.”
“A technicality. But still perfectly legal, since this is our home now.” Samson smiled when he saw Clarice. “Not like we’re really concerned about breaking laws.”
“Whatever.” Anne rolled her eyes. “You’re the dumbest brother ever.” She walked over to a corner booth of the café and slumped over.
Samson turned to Clarice. “So, um…it was good that you were discreet about last night in front of my sister. That’s stuff I don’t want her to know about until she’s thirty.”
“Last night?” Clarice seemed confused. “What about last night?”
Now it was his turn to be confused. “You know what happened last night.”
“No I don’t. Seriously, did Hikki finally get his hands on you, or what?”
“No! NO!” Samson suddenly felt the urge to repeat last night’s mantra, but stopped himself. “I mean what happened between us.”
Clarice nodded. “Oh, you mean when you kept having nightmares about Hikki and you came to me crying. You were saying, ‘Hold me Clarice, I’m scared!’ It was shameful, really. I wouldn’t dare mention that to your little sister, who possibly idolizes you. I wouldn’t mention that to anyone, for that matter.”
Samson’s jaw dropped. “That didn’t happen! Not even close! I don’t even remember that!”
“Then if you don’t mind, tell me what you think happened.”
“Not ‘what I think happened’, what actually happened. We uh – kissed.”
“We did not. I would remember. You must have dreamed it, you little pervert.” Clarice shifted the book from one arm to the other. “Now I’ve got some teaching to do. Excuse me.” She walked over to Anne’s booth and sat down.
“But-But it did happen.” Samson made a pouty face, but decided to give up the issue.
***********************
Keith Douglas looked at his wristwatch before closing the door to his office. He was trying to figure out how long it would be before the IA agents would begin to follow him. He took a few steps down the hallway and realized it: barely even ten seconds and he was already being tailed. He made his way down the steps and out of the police department, determined to get some coffee and a little fresh air. The only good part about today was that the Batman wannabe wasn’t following him today. It appeared to be three of the standard agents, not very remarkable in any way. Maybe they’ll give up on me soon, he thought.
Noticing a very pretty waitress working at a restaurant across the street, Keith decided he would stop and have coffee. He made sure to seat himself in her area, and was greeted by a warm smile. “Good morning sir. What can I get for you this morning?” The girl was petite but curvy, with a bright smile and deliciously dark hair. She stood with a hand on one hip and her pen poised in the other.
Keith smiled. “A cup of coffee, black. And a side of you, cupcake,” he added with a wink.
“Oh, I bet you say that to all the pretty girls,” she said, tapping his arm softly as she walked away.
He watched her walk, wondering why such a glamorous girl was a waitress. The world since the revolution seemed to be upside down. As he waited for his coffee, he noticed that only two agents were tailing him now. With a glance, he noticed that they both seemed a bit flustered.
It wasn’t long before the waitress returned with his coffee. “If that’ll be all, I can take your money now,” she said sweetly.
“Sure, of course.” He pulled out his wallet, and handed her a five-dollar bill. “Keep the rest as your tip.”
“Thank you sir, I appreciate it. Have a good afternoon.” The waitress slipped into the crowd and suddenly disappeared from view.
After a few sips, Keith realized that the coffee wasn’t very good, so he rose and decided to take a walk around the block before returning to work. He was about halfway through when he realized that only one agent was tailing him. Unconcerned, he rounded the corner to head back up to his office but suddenly came to a stop. “So…guess you wanted a bigger tip, huh? My apartment’s nearby…”
“Don’t flatter yourself. That’s not the tip I’m after.” The waitress’s demeanor had changed from polite and sweet to sexy and dangerous instantly. She wore a trench coat that partly concealed a sword at her side. “I want a name.”
“It’s Keith Douglas,” he said, tugging on his collar and pretending to be cool. “And yours?”
“Me? I’m that girl your mom always warned you to stay away from. But still, for all the IA agents tailing you, you’re not the brightest crayon in the box. And today, the Batman lookalike wasn’t even around. Made it easy to kill off the witnesses.”
Keith was a little shocked. “You did what?”
“Not me. My husband, the one who’s right behind you.”
Keith whirled around to see the handsome blonde man behind him, also wearing a trench coat and sword. “You’re married, what a shame.”
The blonde man spoke. “We want the name of your informant.”
He scoffed. “Like I’d tell you.”
The woman grinned at him. “Did you enjoy your special coffee? It should kick in right about…now.”
Keith suddenly fell to his knees. “Crippling truth serum! You’re one crazy bi – ”
The man grabbed Keith by the hair. “The name, now!”
Keith struggled to free himself. His mind became foggy and his vision blurred. The drug was obviously a powerful one. The woman drew her sword and put it to his throat. “If you want to live, tell us.”
“Y-Yupat,” Keith choked. “His name is Yupat, a reporter for the Orly Review.”
The blonde man released him and the woman sheathed her sword. Keith fell onto the ground and watched them run. All he heard was the woman calling the man “Solomon.”
***********************
Jake emerged from the kitchen whistling with a tray full of croissants. He began to sing, “We’re all in this togeth – whooooooooaaa!” The tray hit the ground with a bang, and the croissants flew everywhere. One even hit Clarice in the head.
“Jake, jou clumsy oaf!” Hikki shot out from the kitchen swearing up a storm in French.
“Sorry, Hikki-sensei. I tripped over Spice again.”
“Arrgh, zhis damn girl! Unconzciouz and ztill zo much trouble!” Hikki used his foot to nudge Spice to an area of less traffic, and then turned back to Jake. “Now go and make zome more, s’il vous plait.”
Jake sighed and went back into the kitchen. “Sorry again.”
Hikki began to fix up his counter, muttering, “Ce garçon est si stupide…merde…”
Samson, who had managed to catch one of the croissants, was now munching away in a corner opposite Clarice. He was still sulking over the fact that she couldn’t remember last night. Why wouldn’t she? he thought. She kissed me back! She put her arms around me! His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a man and woman holding hands entered the café. He’s lucky, Samson thought, he’s married to a hawt chick. I can’t even get a girl to remember I kissed her!
The couple stopped at the counter. Hikki was still shuffling through papers when he addressed them. “Oui, may I help jou?” He looked up at the man and stood with his mouth agape. He was a tall blonde with light eyes, and a carriage that was reminiscent of his beloved, the late Argeno. Hikki suddenly couldn’t control his words. “Oh, jou sir, are très beau, like a prince!”
The woman turned to the man. “Honey, isn’t that sweet? I think he has you confused for your brother, Tamaki-chan.”
The man shrugged. “It hasn’t happened in a long time, and we’re far from home.” He then turned his attention to Hikki. “You are Hikki Follet, am I right?”
“Oui monsieur. What can I do for you? Hopefully I can – ”
The woman put up her hand to stop him. “We have something you must see. A name, and a very important one.” She handed Hikki a small slip of paper and brushed aside a stray dark hair from her face.
Hikki looked at the scribbled piece of paper. “Mon Dieu! Is this correct madame?”
She nodded gravely. “Oui, et vous devez nous fier. Trust us, because we were sent by Furion.”
AD Cast (in order of appearance):
Roxanne “Roxie” Godderson – anime_goddess05 (me!)
Istari – IstariErangua
Ghost – Ghost_of_a_Librarian
Samson Monroe – MasterSamson
Spice – spiceweasel228
Hikki Follet – Kohikki
Clarice Rowe – QueenoftheDorks
Kaia – namek_kaia
Cid – cidthekittyisfun
Proof – NoProof
Ozzal – Lazzo
Matrix – matrixman124
Father “Furion” Sadar – FurionTassadar
Anne Monroe as herself (I guess >.>
Band – bandnerdswimfan
Hedwig – Shins?
Amy – amalgam
Keith Douglas – k_dawg_3484
Jake – Sportsmaster
[as] Anime Cast (in order of appearance):
Solomon (Blood+; slightly more romanticized )
Captain Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
Izuru (Bleach)
Winry Rockbell (FullMetal Alchemist)
Aoi (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex)
References (to non-[as] anime and other things – in order):
“My blood is life.” – Said by Solomon, a reverse on the incident in the most recent episode (22) of Blood+
A reference was made to Solomon having his own business in the Land of the Rising Big Red Dot. This could possibly be a reference to the Solomon organization in Witch Hunter Robin. Or maybe not.
“JESUS OF NAZARETH!!” – An exclamation made by Ozzal, originally made by a good friend of mine named Anna. XD
Limited Edition Ultra Super Spicy taquitos – A reference similar to the “super spicy curry” that Haruko fed Naota (Ta-kun) when Ninamori came over
“…cantate domino, canticum nouvum laus e jus en ecclesia sanctorum, en ecclesia sanctorum…” Reference to the song “Cantate Domino” (“O Sing Ye to the Lord”), also called “Psalm 98”. The version I am familiar with is a four-part harmony, though.
Batman wannabe – Reference to Roger Smith of Big O, Keith’s most commonly assigned IA agent
“We’re All in this Together” – the song Jake is singing as he carries the tray of croissants is from High School Musical
“Oh, jou sir, are très beau, like a prince!” and “…I think he has you confused for your brother, Tamaki-chan.” – References to Tamaki (referred to as a lonely prince) from Ouran High School Host Club. Somehow I think he and Solomon could be brothers >.>
The sky was blacker than it should have been for the middle of the afternoon. Clouds seemed to cover the expanse of the heavens. Rain was rushing down like buckets, soaking them to the skin. The thunder echoed as loud as the footsteps of the four Soul Reapers. Clothing clung to them like a child fiercely gripping a magic charm, as if the living world would never let them go. Finally, they paused for a moment to catch their breath behind a brick building. One glanced down at the precious cargo in his arms; the newest member of their ranks, bleeding so severely the hakama of her rescuer had stuck to the wound. Her head was tilting back, and she gasped for breath on occasion. They all knew that their time was ticking away faster than they wanted.
Not more than a minute later, they were off again. The sounds of the storm tangled with a torrent of the remaining Hollows roaring in the distance. The wind whistled alongside the echoes of the conflict, yet another hindrance to their progress. Finally, one of them stopped and turned. “We can’t keep running! We have to fight!”
“Don’t be an idiot, Solomon.” The voice of Captain Sosuke Aizen, the fifth squad captain, was clear and calm amidst the chaos. “If we don’t get back soon your fiancé will die.”
Solomon’s eyes went down to the face of the dark-haired girl the captain was carrying. He swallowed, and then nodded. He led the way as they continued onward.
“No.” The girl suddenly leapt up out of Captain Aizen’s arms and spat blood on the concrete. The sounds of skin and cloth ripping made their stomachs turn. “I won’t run away…I won’t run away!” She turned with a dramatic flair and marched back toward the Hollows, her breath heavy. Solomon, still in shock, walked right behind her. Captain Aizen and Izuru, the fourth member of the team, came as well, but rushed ahead.
Solomon looked at his fiancé, brushing her dark hair away from her face. “Your father will never forgive me if I let you die.”
“Don’t worry about me,” she said, smiling at him. “I don’t intend on dying.”
A single tear raced down Solomon’s gentle face as he watched the girl. Suddenly, he drew his zanpakuto and slashed his own hand. “My blood is life,” he told her. “Drink it and you will live.”
“So-Solomon…”
“Don’t you want to live?” he suddenly shouted. “Don’t you want to be with me forever?”
She stared at him with a quizzical expression, and then obeyed his word. Once his blood touched her lips, she could feel her wounds closing up. “Your blood is life,” she repeated, staring down at the shaky hands that were starting to become steady.
***********************
The view of her hands was suddenly blocked by darkness. Roxanne Godderson pushed the dark hair away from her face. It looked just the same way it had so many years ago. Suddenly Istari’s face came into the mirror beside hers. “All finished,” she said with a grin. “How does it look?”
The four women were crowded into the back of Ghost’s Book Store around the only mirror in the building. Istari had come up with the idea of changing the appearances of the two Echelon fugitives, and after a while, Roxie and Winry had agreed. After all, they had just seen Aoi leave, and if Aoi trusted these two then so could they. At any rate, the pair didn’t have much choice.
“Like it did when I was younger,” Roxie replied, feeling how silky soft her hair had become.
“By the way,” Istari said, “you never finished the story about why you had to dye your hair brown in the first place. You just kind of spaced out there.”
“Oh right.” Roxie shook off the memory of her early teen years and began where she had left off. “When I went to register for my position with the coroner’s office, the official told me I didn’t look wholesome enough to work for them, so I was required to dye my hair and shorten my name to ‘Anne’ so no one would think I’m a porn star.”
Ghost shook her head. “Men these days…they think themselves to be manly by making women subordinate.”
Roxie stood from the chair and motioned to Winry. “Now I know you’ll fuss if we have to dye your hair, but at least let Istari cut it.”
“All right.” Winry sighed and resigned herself to the chair. “I’m still a little skeptical.”
“I can understand that,” Istari said, trying to comfort the young girl. “I mean, I did learn to cut and color hair from reading a book. But I’m very confident in my abilities.” With that, she began snipping away at Winry’s waist-length blonde hair.
“So now,” Ghost asked Roxie, “where do you plan to go?”
“I’ll arrange for a pickup for Winry. As for me, I have some other business to attend to.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I shouldn’t reveal that though, for Winry’s sake.”
“Are you with the Syndicate?” Ghost’s eyes locked on Roxie’s.
“I can assure with all certainty, I am not.” Roxie picked up the gold locket around her neck, as was her habit, and twirled it as she spoke. “I’m going to see an old friend, and pick up a new assignment.”
“You couldn’t possibly mean you’re going back to work for the coroner’s office. That’s insanity! You’ll be killed before you even finish your paperwork.”
“Yeah, the background checks are intense, but no, I’m not going back to the coroner’s office.” Roxie dropped the locket and smiled.
The sound of scissors hitting the tile floor cut the conversation. Istari looked at the mirror. “Oops.”
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN, ‘OOPS’?” Winry stood and looked at the mirror. On the left said, her hair had been slashed off just below her ear. She leapt up furiously, grabbed the scissors, and launched them at Istari, just missing her and going into the wall behind Ghost.
“Winry.” Roxie grabbed the girl’s wrist as if she were scolding a child. “Didn’t we agree to work on that anger of yours?”
Winry hung her head. “I’m sorry, ma’am.”
“Now then, sit back down and let Istari even it out.” Roxie walked over to the wall and yanked the scissors out. She gave them back to Istari. “You can still cut, right?”
“Oh yes, I’m used to having blades thrown at me.” Istari chuckled a bit. “I can continue.”
Ghost noticed the ring on Roxie’s finger and changed the subject. “You’re engaged?”
Roxie suddenly looked down at the ring and blushed. “I am.”
“And where is this lucky guy?”
“He’s back home, in the Land of the Rising Big Red Dot. He’s in business there.”
Ghost was surprised. “I had no idea you were from there!”
“Yes, well, I came here a long time ago. I didn’t quit get the chance to go back. Business here got me hung up. He was going to come for me.”
“But something happened?”
“I doubt sometimes, more than I should probably. My father was the one who arranged the whole marriage, actually. He was a very powerful person back home, and so my fiancé is following in his footsteps.”
“Ah, so he took over the business?”
“Not quite. He started his own. But right now, I have to focus on the present instead of the past.” Roxie began walking to the front of the store. Winry stood, her hair in a much shorter bob, and followed her former boss. Ghost and Istari scurried quickly behind them.
A confused look crossed Ghost’s face. “Is something the matter, Roxie?”
“Not at all,” the young woman replied with a smile. “Winry and I must get going. But thank you so much Ghost, and you too Istari, for all you’ve done for us. May God allow us to meet again.”
“Wait!” Istari cried out. She grabbed her umbrella from behind the counter and handed it to Winry. “It’s raining, you’ll need this.”
Roxie’s expression suddenly changed and became very distant. “It was raining that day too,” she said softly, and with that, she turned and walked out. Winry ran after her, opening up the umbrella.
After a moment, Ghost spoke. “Istari, did you notice something about Miss Godderson’s necklace?”
“Not really. Was there something unusual about it?”
“Yes. The locket wasn’t connected to the chain. It’s covering the real charm on the necklace.”
“Strange.” Istari said. “What do you think it means?”
“I’m not sure, but the less we know the better. Now let’s get back to work.”
***********************
Samson arrived back at the Café de Lune dripping wet. The rain had not stopped, but he had managed to take an umbrella to his little sister, Anne, at school. The walk was ridiculously long, and public transportation in Actonia was far from reliable. The café was fairly empty so he decided to sit for a moment and dry off, but tripped over something.
“Ow….the hell?”
Samson looked down at Spice, still unconscious, and still lying where she had fallen.
“HIKKI! WHY THE HELL HAVEN’T YOU MOVED SPICE?”
Hikki emerged from the kitchen wiping his hands on a ruffled apron. “I vas vaiting for jour big, ztrong armz to come do zhe job.” He suddenly looked up at Samson, sopping wet, and dropped the utensil in his hand. “Jou’re all vet!”
“I know,” he said, half annoyed. He stood to his feet. “I went to take my sister’s umbrella, but then I forgot to bring one for myself.”
“Vell, ve must get jou out of those vet clothez right avay.” Hikki hurried over to Samson and grasped onto his jacket. He was practically salivating.
“Ahem.”
Samson breathed a sigh of relief as Clarice closed her book and walked away from the table. She gave Hikki the “Touch-Him-And-You’ll-Be-Castrated” look.
Hikki began to pout. “Zhees arrangement ees not going to go vell.” He turned in a huff and walked back into the kitchen.
Samson grinned at Clarice. “You’re going to be my saving grace.”
“What?”
Suddenly Samson blushed a deep red. “Nothing,” he said. I’m going to go home and move my stuff in here. Yes. I’ll do that.” He turned and attempted to escape embarrassment.
“Wait.” Clarice had caught him by the arm. “Can I help you move your things?”
Samson’s eyes widened, and then he nodded. “Sure!” The two of them stepped over Spice as they walked out. Clarice opened her umbrella to cover them as they began to walk to Samson’s.
***********************
“Um, Roxie – uh, ma’am, I know now’s probably not a good time, but where exactly are we going?”
“Shh.” The young man leading them put his finger to his lips. “We’re almost there.”
Roxie put her hand on Winry’s head. “I promise you’ll be taken care of.”
“By the way, Miss Roxanne, you can take the cover off of your necklace now.” The boy gestured to the locket around her neck.
“Right.” Roxie took the formed heart away to reveal a glass cross.
Before they realized it, the three of them had arrived within what seemed like a run-down mansion. They entered through what might have been a grand ballroom. In a corner, a seemingly new grand piano sat collecting dust. “No one’s played it since you left,” the young man said.
“I taught myself,” Roxie said. “When we get time someday, I’ll teach you Aoi.”
He nodded. “All right. Though I doubt I have the talent for it.”
They arrived in another room that appeared to have been converted to a lounge. Two young women and another young man sat talking, but they all became silent when the trio walked into the room.
“Dear God, is it really you?” One of the young women sprang up from her seat and threw her arms around Roxie. “I thought you were gone for good this time.”
Roxie embraced Kaia. “Oh you know me. I’m too stubborn to die, Kaia-chan.”
Cid and Proof also stood and hugged their comrade. “Welcome back,” they said together, and then both glared at each other for sounding like the Doublemint Twins.
“By the way, this is my assist – er, friend Winry. She’ll be in training very soon.”
“It’s nice to meet you all,” Winry said with a bow. “I will do my best in my training.”
Roxie smiled and turned to her longtime best friend, Kaia. “Aoi tells me Furion is in.”
“He’s not in good shape,” Kaia confessed. “But he’d be happy to see you.”
Roxie motioned to Winry. “Let’s go. He’ll want to meet you too.”
***********************
“DAMMIT!!! RAIN!!! WHY THE HELL IS IT RAINING?”
Matrix avoided getting hit in the head with a random object and walked into the room carrying Ozzal’s gun and an entire bottle of Excedrin Migraine. “It’ll stop. Though it is a drought-buster.”
“JESUS OF NAZARETH!! What took so freaking long?” She snatched the Excedrin from Matrix’s hand, almost taking off his pinky, and swallowed the entire bottle. “My migraine got worse waiting for your sorry tentacles to show up!”
“Don’t you be talking about my tentacles woman!”
“I’ll do what I want,” she said, bobbing her head like an uncoordinated child. “I run this show here, dammit! So leave the gun and go get me some of those super rare Limited Edition Ultra Super Spicy taquitos…NOW!”
Jumping up, Matrix dropped the gun on the floor with a loud thud and took off running.
“AND I WANT THOSE SPECIFICS TAQUITOS! NOT THE GENERIC WAL-MART BRAND!”
***********************
“Bless me Father, I have returned.” Roxie crossed herself and sat in the chair beside Sadar’s bed. Winry, watching her former boss, attempted to also cross herself but failed, getting her hands in a tangled mess. She sat down beside Roxie.
“Roxanne. You look well. It’s as if time has been standing still.” The older man looked from his comrade to the young blonde. “And this is our new recruit?”
“Yes sir!” Winry said, standing at attention. “My name is Winry Rockbell, and I hope to be of some use to your organization, sir!”
“My, my, there’s no need to be so formal, child. I’ll be placing you under the care of Kaia for you training.” Sadar glanced back at Roxie. To him, she hadn’t aged a day, but her eyes told the tales of many years of sorrow. For a young woman who had been through hell, she was still content and had a heart for others. It was something the priest had always admired about her. “Is that all right?”
“Of course, Father. I’m just grateful you agreed to take her.”
“We always need the help, especially since I’m out of commission for a bit.” He chuckled slightly. “Speaking of which, we have received an additional agent from your homeland.”
“Oh? Is it someone I know?”
“I believe you are acquainted with this agent. Out at the moment, however.”
Winry looked from Father Sadar to Roxie. The whole scene was strange to her, and she took in all in. The two were conversing as if they were father and daughter or old friends. They were laughing and joking, but at the same time aware of the current events in Actonia. This small scene began to give Winry hope.
***********************
“I think that’s about it.” Samson dropped the large box on the floor. “It’s pretty nifty that we found that abandoned wheelbarrow near the old Spam factory, otherwise this would be ridiculous to carry to the café.
Clarice chuckled. “Right, nifty. Wasn’t so nifty when the owner of this wheelbarrow chased us for a block.”
Samson laughed, putting his hand on the wheelbarrow. “We just did a public service. That fat old man needed to stop asking kids to push his wheelbarrow with him in it. That’s…just…wrong.”
Clarice smiled as she began loading up the wheelbarrow. “So this is the first time we’ve really been alone together, huh?”
“Is it? I hadn’t noticed.”
“It is. We’re always with some other Syndicate members. It’s just you and I right now.”
“Hmm. How about that?” Samson awkwardly leaned back on his heels and fell right over.
“Dear God! Samson, are you okay?” Clarice rushed to his side and sat crossed-legged beside him. She placed her hand delicately behind his back and helped him sit up.
Samson sighed. “I’m fine. Just clumsy.”
“Oh, but look at that ear! You smashed it pretty hard when you fell.” Clarice put her other hand on Samson’s cheek to get a better look. Suddenly the tension in the room became very heavy, and each one could hear the other’s heartbeat. Their faces moved closer…
“JOU ZSTRUMPET! JOU ZSLUT!”
Clarice suddenly let go of Samson and he hit the floor with a thud. “Hikki, what the hell are you doing here? Who’s running the café?”
“I left Jake een charge for a minoote. And a good zthing, too. JOU – ”
Samson sat up on his own this time, and got between Clarice and Hikki. The stare down was intense, but he spoke up. “All right, time out. Let’s get my crap moved first, and fight later.”
***********************
“No, no, you’re holding it wrong.”
“Sorry, Kaia-sensei ma’am.” Winry bowed in apology yet again.
Kaia sighed. “Just tighten your grip on the sword handle.”
“Like this?”
Kaia sighed again. This was proving to be difficult. “No, sheathe it and start over.”
“Okay.” Winry obeyed and sheathed the sword. A breeze blew in the room and suddenly the glass cross around Winry’s neck flew up and hit her in the mouth. “Dammit that hurt!”
As she walked by, Roxie laughed to herself. She remembered when she had first learned to use a zanpakuto as a pre-teen. Now, after having been apart from her swords for so long, it was strange to have them at her side. She continued around the corner toward the former ballroom. The closer she walked, the more she could hear a faint piano melody. Then suddenly the words came to her lips with every step toward the ballroom. “…cantate domino, canticum nouvum laus e jus en ecclesia sanctorum, en ecclesia sanctorum…”
The hymn stopped and Roxie found herself looking at the back of the mysterious musician. He was wearing a white suit, had shaggy blonde hair, and appeared to be tall. Without turning, he said, “Psalm 98. You sing it just as beautifully as ever.”
“I’m surprised I still remember the words. It’s been so long since I’ve had an opportunity to sing.”
“I find that strange. I seem to remember you singing wherever and whenever.”
The voice sounded familiar to Roxie, but she didn’t dare hope. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes. “Those days were a long time ago. I’m a different person now.”
“I hope you have become indifferent.” The man suddenly stood from the piano bench slowly. He was a good foot taller than she was, and the dim light shone like a heavenly light on his hair. He began to turn towards her, his eyes filled with tears as well. “My dear sweet – ”
Roxie’s knees went weak. She fell to the floor, sobbing. “It can’t be! It can’t!”
Solomon raced to her side and knelt before her. “I came for you.”
She suddenly through her arms around him and buried her face in his chest. “I thought you had forgotten me…”
“I would never forget you. I told you we would be together forever. I meant it, Roxie.”
“But so many years…”
“I know. Forgive me. I’m finally going to make it right. I’ve asked Father Sadar to marry us.”
Roxie looked up at him, a smile crossing her face. She took a breath before speaking. “R-Really?”
He wrapped his arms around her again. “Yes. Tonight you will be my bride.”
For a moment, all disappeared: the revolution, the government, Ozzal, the Syndicate, the Order…everything. In that instant, Roxie cried, letting herself feel a way she hadn’t felt in years. And Solomon, having gone so long without holding his bride-to-be, finally felt complete.
***********************
Anne Monroe had already snuggled up in a warm corner near the kitchen (and Spice’s unconscious body) and gone to sleep. However, poor older brother Samson just could not seem to get very far into dreamland. Because of the incident at his old residence, Hikki was adamant that Clarice had to sleep far away from Samson. “I run a respectable café, and jou two must keep eet under control, for the girl, of course.” Hikki’s rationale did have a point, so Samson agreed. But he feared that Hikki would try something while he slept and that Clarice would not come in time to protect him. At any rate, he still was determined to get some sleep, and turned over onto his other side.
“Oh mon petit gâteau de sucre!” Hikki was standing in the doorway wearing a fluffy pink robe, one hand on the doorpost in an attempt to look seductive. “Ee’m going to find out juzt how zweet jou are!”
Before Samson could let out any sort of noise, Hikki was on him like frosting on a cupcake. And for some reason, Samson couldn’t bring himself to scream. In fact, he sort of liked it…
“OH MY GOD!” Samson woke up from the fiend nightmare, sat up, and looked around. His little sister was still asleep, and Hikki was nowhere in sight. He got up, determined to find Clarice, mumbling to himself, “I swear I’m straight, I swear I’m straight, I swear I’m straight…”
Samson remembered the long debate in which Hikki had forced Clarice to make her bed in the women’s restroom. Clarice had also understood Hikki’s concerns, but knew the real reason was so he could try to have his way with Samson. Now, sound asleep, Clarice was dreaming peacefully as Samson swung open the door. The noise startled her and Clarice looked up with a dazed look. “Samson?”
“I SWEAR I’M STRAIGHT!” Samson seemed to lose all his inhibitions as he brought himself down to the floor beside Clarice. “I’m going to prove it to you right now!” In a bold move, Samson suddenly kissed Clarice right on the lips, holding her so tightly she couldn’t move. He pulled back with a flourish, smiling at her. “See? Totally straight!”
Clarice looked confused. “Huh? Wha ou ay?” (What you say?)
Samson considered himself lucky not to have gotten slapped, and decided to kiss her again. The second time, he notice Clarice’s arms had wrapped around him. Heh, he thought to himself, she likes me after all.
***********************
“Well, let’s get this ceremony started, shall we?” Solomon looked at his wristwatch, then over at Sadar, who was making himself comfortable in a chair. “Seems like we’ve been putting this off for centuries.”
Sadar raised an eyebrow. “Figuratively or literally?”
“How’s that?” Solomon diverted his attention to Band, as he sat at the piano. “I had no idea Band could play the piano.”
“That’s how he got his codename, of course,” Sadar said matter-of-factly. “He plays every instrument known to man. And some to monkeys.”
“Ahem.” Kaia called the attention of the two gentlemen to the main doorway. “She’s ready now.” Kaia scurried to sit with the other members of the Order of the Glass as Band played the wedding march.
The doors opened wide and suddenly Roxie appeared in the doorway, wearing a beautiful floor length lavender dress. It was a halter style, but in the few hours prior Kaia and Roxie had managed to sew on quite a few embellishments to make it fit for a wedding. It was the most formal thing available to them on such short notice, but she didn’t mind. She walked holding onto a few flowers that Cid had picked up for her, making her way gracefully toward where Sadar stood with Solomon. The music ended and she stood smiling at her future husband.
“Dearly beloved,” Sadar began, “we are gathered here today, by the grace of God, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Although these are troubled times we live in, it is a beautiful thing when two people decide to – ”
“AHA! I got you!” Out of complete nowhere, Hedwig sprang up and tried to throw his arms around Proof. Proof, having sensed him the whole time, dodged Hedwig effortlessly, sending him hurtling toward Roxie and Solomon.
Roxie spun around and picked up Hedwig by the ear. “YOU LITTLE BRAT!! I’d skin you alive if I wasn’t a good Catholic girl!”
“Sorry! Sorry!” Hedwig squirmed.
“Go sit and keep your hands to yourself!” the bride barked.
“Yes ma’am.” Hedwig sat in a chair all by himself on his own hands.
The ceremony continued. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today, by the grace of God, to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony…”
***********************
“MATRIX!! THAT’S LONG ENOUGH! WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SANDIEGO…AND MY SPICY TAQUITOS?”
“Coming!” Matrix was so pleased with himself that he had found a way to make the Wal-Mart brand taquitos just like the ones she had asked. He thought to himself that this would probably be a good occasion to ask Ozzal for additional funding for his latest project. He grabbed the plate and began to head out of the kitchen.
“Mmph!”
“Ahh! What the – ” Matrix looked up to see that Amy had found her way out of the lab and was now attached to his head. “Amy! Get off!”
“Mmph!”
Ozzal was growing impatient. “WHOSE TENTACLES DO I HAVE TO CUT OFF AROUND HERE TO GET SOME DAMNED SPICY TAQUITOS?”
“Shit!” Matrix muttered. “Amy, go play and I promise, you can munch on my head later.”
“Mmph!”
Since it seemed that Amy was there to stay and Ozzal was not one to be kept waiting, Matrix took a deep breath and walked with the tray of taquitos. “Here you are, Ms. Ozzal.”
Ozzal looked at Matrix’s latest attachment. “Why the hell is that thing stuck to you? What kind of sick experiment did you run without permission?”
“None, I swear. She just attached to me and won’t let go.” Matrix shook his head to illustrate his point.
“Mmph!” said Amy.
Ozzal rolled her eyes and took a bite of her taquitos. “I see. Now go away so I can enjoy my taquitos in peace.”
Matrix walked out with Amy still stuck to his head, thanking some deity that Ozzal had not noticed the generic taquitos.
***********************
Roxie sat barefoot with her legs crisscrossed on the bed of her room. She was deep in thought about the conversation she had had with Father Sadar after the wedding ceremony. She and Solomon had been asked to confront someone about anti-Syndicate activities, but all of a sudden Roxie felt like the whole revolution had become pointless. Now that she was married, she could go home and be far away from all of the chaos. She could have a normal life, a blue house on the corner, kids playing in the yard…
“Sweetheart?” Solomon opened the door and noticed that his new wife was lost in thought. “Is something wrong?”
She looked up. “Sorry. Just thinking.”
“About what?” He came in, shut the door, and sat beside her smiling. “Tonight?”
Roxie laughed. “No, not that. Far from it.”
“Oh?”
“I was just thinking, are you going to stay fighting with the Order? I mean, we’re married now and we can go home, can’t we?”
Solomon pushed a tendril of hair from her face. “That’s up to you. I go where you go. I’m your chevalier, after all.”
“My what?”
“Never mind, darling. It just means I’ll be beside you no matter what.”
“I…I just don’t know. I feel for these people, I really do, but I’m tired of living for everyone else’s happiness. Is that selfish to you?”
“Not at all.” He leaned back and laid on the bed. “The choice is still yours. Either way, we still have forever. You talk like we don’t.”
“I forget sometimes,” she admittedly, curling up next to him. “So tomorrow, we go back to fight. We’ll take the assignment Furion gave us. Tonight, remind me that we do have forever.”
Solomon laughed. “Gladly.”
***********************
“Sammmieeeeeeeeeee! Sammmmmmmieeeeeeeeeee!” Anne looked around and threw up her hands in frustration. “Where’s my backpack? I’m going to be late for school!”
Samson trudged out of the bathroom, half asleep, looking at his little sister. “About that. You’re not going.”
“Are you freaking kidding me? Why?”
Clarice emerged from the women’s bathroom drying her hands with a book under her arm. “We all thought it would be better for you to be home-schooled because of the current circumstances. I’ll be teaching you.”
“But home-schooling is done at home. This is a café.”
“A technicality. But still perfectly legal, since this is our home now.” Samson smiled when he saw Clarice. “Not like we’re really concerned about breaking laws.”
“Whatever.” Anne rolled her eyes. “You’re the dumbest brother ever.” She walked over to a corner booth of the café and slumped over.
Samson turned to Clarice. “So, um…it was good that you were discreet about last night in front of my sister. That’s stuff I don’t want her to know about until she’s thirty.”
“Last night?” Clarice seemed confused. “What about last night?”
Now it was his turn to be confused. “You know what happened last night.”
“No I don’t. Seriously, did Hikki finally get his hands on you, or what?”
“No! NO!” Samson suddenly felt the urge to repeat last night’s mantra, but stopped himself. “I mean what happened between us.”
Clarice nodded. “Oh, you mean when you kept having nightmares about Hikki and you came to me crying. You were saying, ‘Hold me Clarice, I’m scared!’ It was shameful, really. I wouldn’t dare mention that to your little sister, who possibly idolizes you. I wouldn’t mention that to anyone, for that matter.”
Samson’s jaw dropped. “That didn’t happen! Not even close! I don’t even remember that!”
“Then if you don’t mind, tell me what you think happened.”
“Not ‘what I think happened’, what actually happened. We uh – kissed.”
“We did not. I would remember. You must have dreamed it, you little pervert.” Clarice shifted the book from one arm to the other. “Now I’ve got some teaching to do. Excuse me.” She walked over to Anne’s booth and sat down.
“But-But it did happen.” Samson made a pouty face, but decided to give up the issue.
***********************
Keith Douglas looked at his wristwatch before closing the door to his office. He was trying to figure out how long it would be before the IA agents would begin to follow him. He took a few steps down the hallway and realized it: barely even ten seconds and he was already being tailed. He made his way down the steps and out of the police department, determined to get some coffee and a little fresh air. The only good part about today was that the Batman wannabe wasn’t following him today. It appeared to be three of the standard agents, not very remarkable in any way. Maybe they’ll give up on me soon, he thought.
Noticing a very pretty waitress working at a restaurant across the street, Keith decided he would stop and have coffee. He made sure to seat himself in her area, and was greeted by a warm smile. “Good morning sir. What can I get for you this morning?” The girl was petite but curvy, with a bright smile and deliciously dark hair. She stood with a hand on one hip and her pen poised in the other.
Keith smiled. “A cup of coffee, black. And a side of you, cupcake,” he added with a wink.
“Oh, I bet you say that to all the pretty girls,” she said, tapping his arm softly as she walked away.
He watched her walk, wondering why such a glamorous girl was a waitress. The world since the revolution seemed to be upside down. As he waited for his coffee, he noticed that only two agents were tailing him now. With a glance, he noticed that they both seemed a bit flustered.
It wasn’t long before the waitress returned with his coffee. “If that’ll be all, I can take your money now,” she said sweetly.
“Sure, of course.” He pulled out his wallet, and handed her a five-dollar bill. “Keep the rest as your tip.”
“Thank you sir, I appreciate it. Have a good afternoon.” The waitress slipped into the crowd and suddenly disappeared from view.
After a few sips, Keith realized that the coffee wasn’t very good, so he rose and decided to take a walk around the block before returning to work. He was about halfway through when he realized that only one agent was tailing him. Unconcerned, he rounded the corner to head back up to his office but suddenly came to a stop. “So…guess you wanted a bigger tip, huh? My apartment’s nearby…”
“Don’t flatter yourself. That’s not the tip I’m after.” The waitress’s demeanor had changed from polite and sweet to sexy and dangerous instantly. She wore a trench coat that partly concealed a sword at her side. “I want a name.”
“It’s Keith Douglas,” he said, tugging on his collar and pretending to be cool. “And yours?”
“Me? I’m that girl your mom always warned you to stay away from. But still, for all the IA agents tailing you, you’re not the brightest crayon in the box. And today, the Batman lookalike wasn’t even around. Made it easy to kill off the witnesses.”
Keith was a little shocked. “You did what?”
“Not me. My husband, the one who’s right behind you.”
Keith whirled around to see the handsome blonde man behind him, also wearing a trench coat and sword. “You’re married, what a shame.”
The blonde man spoke. “We want the name of your informant.”
He scoffed. “Like I’d tell you.”
The woman grinned at him. “Did you enjoy your special coffee? It should kick in right about…now.”
Keith suddenly fell to his knees. “Crippling truth serum! You’re one crazy bi – ”
The man grabbed Keith by the hair. “The name, now!”
Keith struggled to free himself. His mind became foggy and his vision blurred. The drug was obviously a powerful one. The woman drew her sword and put it to his throat. “If you want to live, tell us.”
“Y-Yupat,” Keith choked. “His name is Yupat, a reporter for the Orly Review.”
The blonde man released him and the woman sheathed her sword. Keith fell onto the ground and watched them run. All he heard was the woman calling the man “Solomon.”
***********************
Jake emerged from the kitchen whistling with a tray full of croissants. He began to sing, “We’re all in this togeth – whooooooooaaa!” The tray hit the ground with a bang, and the croissants flew everywhere. One even hit Clarice in the head.
“Jake, jou clumsy oaf!” Hikki shot out from the kitchen swearing up a storm in French.
“Sorry, Hikki-sensei. I tripped over Spice again.”
“Arrgh, zhis damn girl! Unconzciouz and ztill zo much trouble!” Hikki used his foot to nudge Spice to an area of less traffic, and then turned back to Jake. “Now go and make zome more, s’il vous plait.”
Jake sighed and went back into the kitchen. “Sorry again.”
Hikki began to fix up his counter, muttering, “Ce garçon est si stupide…merde…”
Samson, who had managed to catch one of the croissants, was now munching away in a corner opposite Clarice. He was still sulking over the fact that she couldn’t remember last night. Why wouldn’t she? he thought. She kissed me back! She put her arms around me! His thoughts were suddenly interrupted when a man and woman holding hands entered the café. He’s lucky, Samson thought, he’s married to a hawt chick. I can’t even get a girl to remember I kissed her!
The couple stopped at the counter. Hikki was still shuffling through papers when he addressed them. “Oui, may I help jou?” He looked up at the man and stood with his mouth agape. He was a tall blonde with light eyes, and a carriage that was reminiscent of his beloved, the late Argeno. Hikki suddenly couldn’t control his words. “Oh, jou sir, are très beau, like a prince!”
The woman turned to the man. “Honey, isn’t that sweet? I think he has you confused for your brother, Tamaki-chan.”
The man shrugged. “It hasn’t happened in a long time, and we’re far from home.” He then turned his attention to Hikki. “You are Hikki Follet, am I right?”
“Oui monsieur. What can I do for you? Hopefully I can – ”
The woman put up her hand to stop him. “We have something you must see. A name, and a very important one.” She handed Hikki a small slip of paper and brushed aside a stray dark hair from her face.
Hikki looked at the scribbled piece of paper. “Mon Dieu! Is this correct madame?”
She nodded gravely. “Oui, et vous devez nous fier. Trust us, because we were sent by Furion.”
AD Cast (in order of appearance):
Roxanne “Roxie” Godderson – anime_goddess05 (me!)
Istari – IstariErangua
Ghost – Ghost_of_a_Librarian
Samson Monroe – MasterSamson
Spice – spiceweasel228
Hikki Follet – Kohikki
Clarice Rowe – QueenoftheDorks
Kaia – namek_kaia
Cid – cidthekittyisfun
Proof – NoProof
Ozzal – Lazzo
Matrix – matrixman124
Father “Furion” Sadar – FurionTassadar
Anne Monroe as herself (I guess >.>
Band – bandnerdswimfan
Hedwig – Shins?
Amy – amalgam
Keith Douglas – k_dawg_3484
Jake – Sportsmaster
[as] Anime Cast (in order of appearance):
Solomon (Blood+; slightly more romanticized )
Captain Sosuke Aizen (Bleach)
Izuru (Bleach)
Winry Rockbell (FullMetal Alchemist)
Aoi (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex)
References (to non-[as] anime and other things – in order):
“My blood is life.” – Said by Solomon, a reverse on the incident in the most recent episode (22) of Blood+
A reference was made to Solomon having his own business in the Land of the Rising Big Red Dot. This could possibly be a reference to the Solomon organization in Witch Hunter Robin. Or maybe not.
“JESUS OF NAZARETH!!” – An exclamation made by Ozzal, originally made by a good friend of mine named Anna. XD
Limited Edition Ultra Super Spicy taquitos – A reference similar to the “super spicy curry” that Haruko fed Naota (Ta-kun) when Ninamori came over
“…cantate domino, canticum nouvum laus e jus en ecclesia sanctorum, en ecclesia sanctorum…” Reference to the song “Cantate Domino” (“O Sing Ye to the Lord”), also called “Psalm 98”. The version I am familiar with is a four-part harmony, though.
Batman wannabe – Reference to Roger Smith of Big O, Keith’s most commonly assigned IA agent
“We’re All in this Together” – the song Jake is singing as he carries the tray of croissants is from High School Musical
“Oh, jou sir, are très beau, like a prince!” and “…I think he has you confused for your brother, Tamaki-chan.” – References to Tamaki (referred to as a lonely prince) from Ouran High School Host Club. Somehow I think he and Solomon could be brothers >.>