Hey everybody! As you might already know, Madammina asked me to post the upcoming chapters of "Here Comes the Bride" throughout her summer vacation, which she'll be e-mailing to me as she finishes them. So here's Day 5!
Again, just to clarify, this has been written by Madammina, not me. I just copy and paste. So, enjoy!
Day 5
“Ow,” Riku groaned. Someone – or thing- had suddenly collapsed on his ankles and calves. He sat up in bed and ran his a hand across his face before mumbling “What times isssit?”
“I don’t know… don’t care…” Sora voice floated from Riku’s lower legs. “I haven’t been able to sleep… I just keep seeing…HER…. Everywhere….”
“Sora, if you are talking about Constance, we ARE living in her house. And how did you get into my room? Why are you on my legs?”
“But…”
“No buts. Get off my bed and let me get back to sleep. I haven’t seen anything new for a few days and I don’t want to that to be broken by a lack of sleep.”
“I wonder what her skin feels like?”
“Sora, I do NOT need to hear this.”
“I was talking about her hands, she always wears those gloves just like everyone else here. What were you talking about?”
“Nothing.” Riku answered a tad too quickly. “Either get off my bed or tell me where you were and why you are collapsing on my ankles.” Riku rubbed his temples, though it was too dark to see anything. It was probably 3 AM. Sora always slept so soundly, his mom was always yelling at him to get up every morning while Riku ate toast in the kitchen. He always arrived early, and he had no idea why. Sora always slept late.
“I can’t sleep.” Sora sighed. “I imagine our conversations and she would give me this smile and we dance at a party.”
“OUT!” Riku kicked his legs, throwing Sora to the ground.
Thump After the satisfying sound Riku slunk down into his bed. “I am going to sleep. This bed is comfy. If you want to talk my ear off about Constance, please do it when I can concentrate on something else.”
----
“Sah.” A warm, large hand grasped Riku’s shoulder. “Why is Mastah Sora sleep’n ahn the floor?”
“He finally slept, Rolly? And, please, just call me Riku.” Rolly moved over to the curtains and light flourished into the room. Riku sat up and yawned. “He came here in the middle of the night, talking about Constance.”
“Really, Sah? Well Mistress Hatchaway woul’ like you to come for breakfast then.”
“More etiquette for that party she’s throwing, right? Gah.” He rubbed his head, rolled out of bed, and tripped over Sora’s prone body. “Sora….” He growled. Rolly was trying to look stoic, but a small smile broke though his lips. Riku kicked Sora over as he stood up. “He’s always finding a way to slack off…” Riku and Rolly went to figure out what to wear, as Sora finally woke up.
---
“How is that grape fruit, Miss Kairi?” Kairi bit her lip on the bitter flavor, and then dumped as much sugar as she could on the fruit.
“Just fine, Miss Hatchaway. So, what are we doing today?” She watched Constance cut her eggs and looked back down at her fruit.
“Well, do you know how to play the piano?”
“Nope.” Kairi dug around for another piece of fruit. She wanted some eggs and toast.
“Kairi, you always say ‘No, Miss Hatchaway.’ Nope is too informal.” Kairi nodded.
“Miss Hatchaway, what will happen at the party?”
“It will be your debut and my redebut. It will have been a year since poor George died.”
“I’m sorry, if you want to postpone?” Kairi couldn’t keep the anxiety from creeping into her voice. If her husband died, she wouldn’t want to put herself back on the market after only a year.
“No, it’s alright. It’ll keep my mind off of it.” Constance leaned back in her seat as the door behind Kairi opened. She whirled around and saw Riku striding in, followed Rolly, Kenneth, and a very distracted Sora. “Ah, Mr. Riku and Mr. Sora. How are you this morning?”
“Better after a good night’s sleep,” Riku replied as he slid into his seat and helped himself to some toast. Sora practically fell into his seat and placed his elbow in his eggs. “Or almost a good night’s sleep anyway. Sora, sit up straight.” Sora did so. “So, what are we doing today?”
“I will help Kairi learn how to play the piano. You two have dancing lessons. The lady may fudge it, but the gentleman must know how to lead.” Constance gave an odd grin, and Sora sighed. “After that is done, you can head into town if you wish. Is there anything you wish to get?”
“No, not that I know of.” Riku finished his toast and reached for a pear. “Thank you for the food, it is quite good.”
---
Riku and Sora stared at their partners. As Constance was taking care of Kairi, Riku and Sora were standing in the ballroom and were being taught how to dance by Harriet Burns and Mary Cressida, Kate’s sister. Kenneth sat at the big organ at the end of the room, and began to play a waltz. It echoed around the large wood paneled room, filled with paintings, busts, and one very large chandelier on top. Well, and one inside balcony overlooked by large windows. Wesley stood by the door that lead to the kitchen, and began to narrate the steps.
“Alright, first gentlemen, step up and place your hand outward. Ladies, hold onto the hand…” To Wesley’s surprise, both Riku and Sora proved more agile than expected. They weren’t good by any means (well, Sora may have been a BIT better when it came to keeping time) but, all in all they were fine for beginners. A few hours later, they rested while Kate came in with lemonade. It was a nice break, but not necessary. Sora sighed. He
really wanted to dance with Constance. She was pretty, sweet, and… did he really spend a good portion of the night on Riku’s floor last night? He should probably work on staying in bed tonight. And to not dream about Constance. In his dream they were sitting together, on Destiny Islands again. She and Sora had been playing in the water, and he had been showing off for her. He really wanted to show off his skills for her in real life.
“Do you hear that?” Sora looked over to see Riku stand up. Riku tipped his head in order to hear better. “Kairi is REALLY good.” Sora didn’t hear anything. “But why is she playing that song those drunkards were singing?” Riku started to hum something that sounded off key.
Drunkards? What drunkards? What’s a drunkard? thought Sora.
“Riku.” A feminine voice wafted behind them. Sora whirled around to see Kairi standing a few feet behind him. Constance stood behind Kairi, a frown scarring Constance’s face. “I’m over here.” Riku turned to see Kairi, Constance, and then he paled. He started to tear his hair out muttering something.
“No, no, no. This is not happening. I’m just remembering.” And so he went. After a few minutes of this, Riku turned and bolted down the hallway. Riku was his best friend, always had been, always would be. But right now, Sora was getting worried too. But the only thing he could do was this, just watch and make sure Riku didn’t hurt himself. Sora took a deep breath, then charged after Riku – who had a large head start- and managed to track him down in the conservatory.
---
She hated to admit it, but Ezekiel may have been right. Things were rotten in the state of Denmark and Riku was the cause of it. She had never dealt with a crazy person before and this was rapidly shaping up to be something bad. Riku seemed to be harmless – so far- but his reactions had quickly changed in less than a week from a belief it was heat stroke to he actually thinking what was going around existed… and was scared of it. Constance pulled herself around a corner as the group followed Riku to the music room.
Maybe it was Leota? Constance mused before realizing it couldn’t be right. Leota had arrived AFTER the first hallucination… of George’s portrait sans head. How could? Maybe he was psychic… or possessed. Or just crazy! Either way, Constance needed him out. If not for his safety, then for her own and for everyone else in her mansion. She would give him a few more days but…. She skidded to a stop and saw Riku gripping the back wall and staring at the piano.
“Riku?” She called out. Riku just shook his head.
“There’s no one there.” He muttered. “How is it playing?”
“Riku,” it was Sora this time. “You know it could be a trick piano, right?” Riku nodded, and then pointed to the floor.
“But that doesn’t explain the shadow!” Riku whimpered. “Although maybe the shadow is playing it… but it’s not really moving…just going right and left…”
“Riku, why don’t you go lie down?” Constance gently urged as she walked forward and gripped Riku by his shoulders. He shuddered slightly.
“Yeah… I…” he threw a glance back at the piano. “Are you SURE you don’t hear anything?”
“Yes, Riku, I’m sure. Come on… Rolly! Please take Riku back to bed.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“And get me some Lemonade!” It was getting too hot for this. Who had the brilliant ideas for widows to wear black in the middle of a New Orleans Summer? She pressed her damp gloves to her forehead. Only a few more days of these clothes.
--
This can’t… This couldn’t… I got enough sleep, I’ve been staying inside…. Am I really losing my mind? How? Why? None of my family is crazy, yeah I’ve been more in touch with Darkness then just about anyone in existence but you crave power when you’re like that and I don’t crave power at all. So, what is this? Riku was blinded to the outside world because of his thoughts. He had no idea what was really going on. He could feel Rolly gently escort him down the dark hallways as he staggered towards his room. This… this wasn’t quite right. As he mulled everything over, he didn’t notice Leota walk by.
---
Since it WAS lunchtime now – and Sora was starving – Constance made plans to have a cold lunch sent to Riku in his room while they ate at the table. It was getting weird... Sora was still quiet as he bit into fruit given him as a palate cleanser.
BANG! It was getting kind of normal for Leota to bang into the rooms like this. Sora simply watched as Leota stamped down the aisle, pointed her finger dramatically, and… wait, what?
“Tu m'as tué!” Leota shouted. Sora stared, his spoon half out of his mouth. Was… was that another language?
“Mon mari, c'était un accident!” Wow, whatever it was, Constance was adorable when she spoke it. Even if she looked flustered, and was waving her hands a bit.
“Une hache n'est pas un accident,” Leota replied flatly… if it was Leota. Everyone else was backing up now, but Sora decided to move forward and confront Leota. Constance would be so impressed!
“Er, sir? Who are you?” He enquired. He was just a bit behind her now.
“Êtes-vous sa nouvelle fiancée? Je suis le marquis!” Then Leota turned and spat…whatever that was… out at Constance as soon as she saw Sora.
“Il n'est pas mon nouvelle fiancée! Il est infatué bien.” Constance spoke quickly, was she pleading? Leota turned, raised her hand as if to strike Constance, and Sora reached out to grab her, only to fall under the unexpected weight as Leota collapsed. Kenneth and Wesley rushed to get Leota off him. As he looked up, he saw Constance’s very ashen face. He staggered to his feet and then limped over to her. He held her hand and tried to think of something comforting to say, only to have her slip down into her seat. She was so shaken up by… whatever happened. Sora only followed her lead by sitting in a nearby chair and began to pat her hand.
“It’s alright.” He muttered. “I’ll protect you. I promise.”
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Notes: Betaed by Org. Thank her and give her lots of love for doing this for me! I wish I could see your reactions but hopefully Org'll will let me know. (
Org Note: Yeah, I definitely will!)
As always: what you like, didn't like, and how I can improve.
This husband is the "marquis." He isn't abusive... I just needed a way for Sora to touch Leota.
The French is accurate (according to Google Translate) and it does provide hints. (Please don't post translations though. If you know, great. If not, it will be revealed later) Actually... don't run it through Google translate... you might end up with something to do will alligators.
No real HM references, besides the ghost. Sora's reactions come from Courtly love in Chaucer's time (A course I'm taking)
I should note that 2 years was later reduced to one year.
Next chapter will be short, but there will be a breakthrough... of sorts. Anyway, ENJOY!
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So, there you have it! Please review, and I'll send them Mina's way! Thanks!