Lost and Almost Forgotten

[Neomage]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Niiiiccceeee!

[Fatalillusion]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Awesome!

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

I deeply apologize for how long this took to come out. The past month, there have been many things hindering and cutting off all the time I would normally have to myself. And one that hindered my ability to type overall (owie). I'm also sorry for the short chapter, I guarentee that the next part will be much longer. I'm mainly cutting it off like this to let you know I'm not dead (and so I can have a two-parted chapter, lol!).

Don't we all hate it when things take over our lives?

Enough of my self pity, enjoy!

Chapter Thirteen: Panic in the Tower - Part I

After Chykisasa came to an agreement with Hiwon-Biwon and Naiko-Paneiko, she and Shantotto left–in a huff. They were trying to get back to the manor before too many Windurstians caught wind of Chykisasa’s return. When Uchi-Buychi saw them leaving, he decided to go to his house as well–in order to not attract attention to himself.

“I had better go to my housey...I have to–er–answer a few questions for my parentarus,” he whispered to her. She looked questioningly at him, and he guessed what she was thinking, “No, you don’taru have to explain anything to them, I’ve been m-meaning-weaning to talk to them l-lately anyway!” he nervously chuckled, feeling Shantotto’s eyes ripping down the back of his neck.

Chykisasa smiled, and waved her hand slightly to him, mouthing a “thank you”. Uchi-Buychi smiled and nodded, and then quickly made his way away from Shantotto, who was still sternly glaring at him from behind.

Shantotto looked at Chykisasa, still consciously controlling her anger. “Come on, dearie, let’s head back–before the ones who know attack!”

Uchi-Buychi purposely walked slowly to his house as he entered his neighborhood. He stared at the ground in thought as he tried to figure out what he was to say to his parents about his behavior. Uchi had never acted so outrageously before. He had been taught to have the utmost respect for the elder members of his family–even cousins. He highly doubted that sprinting out of the house with nightclothes and a newspaper were not examples of respect.

However, etiquette was not the main thing he was worried about. He was trying to figure out how to tell his parents that he was involved in an elaborate cover-up that involved the most important members of Windurstian authority–without telling them about it. Not only that, but he also had to tell them about his first crush and sneaking out–which were worries of completely different origin.

As he rounded the last corner that lead to his house, he realized that his parents would be running the interrogation–not him. He chose to cue off of what they said, and explain only what they asked–in hopes of avoiding certain details.

When he arrived at the front door, he stared at it blankly for a moment, in a feeble attempt to stall for time. Finally, he gulped in spite of himself, and knocked on the door. The door opened after one short knock–as if his parents had anticipated his arrival. It was his father who stood in the doorway, staring at the already melting Uchi-Buyci with eyes of stone.

Uchi’s eyes were locked on the ground, and after a moment he tried to lift them to meet his father’s glare–just as Chykisasa had met Shantotto’s glare. However, he only got to his father’s chin before he harshly muttered, “Well, come in.” Uchi nervously nodded and obeyed.

His mother was perched on a stool with a book on her lap, which she had been trying to read to get her mind off of her son. She watched Uchi enter the room, and sneak over to the couch, which he sat on during every family talk.

His father closed the door rather loudly, and walked over to Uchi–nearly cornering him on the couch. “Would you mind telling-welling us whattaru you think you were doing back there?” he started, making Uchi flinch at his voice. Though the Tarutaru accent was normally considered to be cute and humorous, it could be very frightening with the proper amount of rage.

“W-welly...please, just hear me outaru...” Uchi-Buychi muttered, trying to avoid another one-sided battle.

Uchi’s father opened his mouth and inhaled sharply, but his mother spoke up first, “Luko-Micho, just lettaru him speak,” she said, with a stern calmness in her voice. Luko looked over at her, but she stood by her decision and stared him down. Once she knew he had given up, she looked back at Uchi, “Tell us exactly whattaru happened, and why you didy it,” she calmly asked. “Whateveru it is,” she looked at her husband again, “we will understand.”

Uchi-Buychi opened his mouth and heaved a heavy sigh. “Well...I guess I should startaru at the beginning,” he muttered. “You see...the firsty day I took the semester-wester exam, I ran into Shantotto as I leftaru the Orastery. She had eavesdroptared throughout the whole thing, and offer-woffered to help, saying that I needed help and someone elsey she knew needed a friend.”

“Letaru me guess, you followed her!” Luko-Micho said as he closed his eyes and put a hand over his forehead in shame.

“Luko, let him speaky!” his mother insisted, beginning to become angry with his lack of patience.

“I wentaru with her...but only because I didn’taru see another option!” Uchi pleaded for his own sake. There was silence after he spoke, which he took as a sign to go on, “She explainied everything about Chykisasa to me, without actually using her name of coursey. Apparently, her parentarus were killed in the Meriphataud Mountains, butaru, she was taken in as a slave to the Yagudo.”

He paused, waiting for a reaction. His parent’s faces remained as still as stone. “C-Chykisasa tallied the days she was keptaru, and was released by them for no apparent reason-weason just recently. They warnied her notaru to return to Windurst, but she accidently rany in the direction of here anyway. An adventureru found her and broughtaru her to the Star Sibyl...”

“Star Sibyl?” Uchi’s father interjected, his eyes wide with shock. “Do you have any idea how much trouble-wouble we could getaru into if–no–when she finds out you are involvied?” he yelled. Just as his wife was about to cut in, he turned to her, “And don’taru you stand up for him anymore, Kesisi! If he can’taru fight his own battle-wattles, he should take the blame!”

Kesisi was tired of watching Luko-Micho hurt their son so, and released her inhibitions, “Maybe-waybe if you would think aboutaru letting him speak, he would be able to stand up for himselfie! This is notaru your story, and I’m sure Uchi is old enough to realize the consequences of his own actionies! Perhaps this isn’taru as bad as it sounds! Letaru us hear the entire story and then decide what to do aboutaru it!”

Luko was taken aback at Kesisi’s spontaneous tongue-lashing, and began to see the error in his approach to the argument. After a moment of stunned silence, he nodded and looked back at Uchi-Buychi.

Uchi cleared his throat and continued, “W-well, the Star Sibyl and the ministers decided to keepie her hidden at Heavens Tower until she was ready-weady to facey the public again. She stayed there for aboutaru a week, until they foundie out that when she was young, she had lived with Shantotto as her parents travel-waveled around singing and earning money. So when Shantotto came back, they were reunitarued, and she’s been living withy her ever since.”

When Uchi was finished, his parents simply stared at him, dumbfounded. “So...she simply-wimply introduced you to her? So she could have some sort of...playmataru?” Luko-Micho asked, trying to regain respect from his wife.

“I guessie so, I’m notaru even sure how she knew...” Uchi-Buychi’s voice trail off. He had forgotten that he never meant to explain to his parents how well he had bonded with Chykisasa.

His father eyed him suspiciously, “Knew whataru?”

With both of his parent’s eyes baring down on him, Uchi-Buychi realized that that was not a good time to lie. “Yea-uh...well...C-Chykisasa and I became very-wary good friends...” he started, speaking to the rug below his feet.

“How good of friendies?” his father asked, becoming angry once more.

“Well...a couple nightarus ago...I...snuck out to meetie her...” he mumbled, waiting for one of his two parents to explode. However, no reaction came. They simply stared at him, one with confusion and the other with disappointed frustration. “B-but nothing happenied! We justaru talked...”

Luko was too disappointed to make any snide comments, and simply stared down at his son. However, Kesisi leaned over to him, and put an understanding hand on his shoulder.

“We believe you. Don’taru we?” she asked, turning her head to her husband.

Luko-Micho turned on heel, and began to walk away. “Yeah.”

Kesisi sighed, and looked back at Uchi-Buychi, “I believey you,” she said, putting a hand on his hair, “For now, you’ll have to not see Chykisasa anymore, okie? She is going to have a lotaru of attention soon, and I don’taru want you messied up in that.”

Uchi-Buychi swallowed his tears and nodded.

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The moment they left for her manor, Shantotto knew Chykisasa had a few questions to ask. She even came up with a few rhymes to answer the ones she knew would be asked, and prepared her internal vocabulary for whatever else she may ask.

Surely enough, as soon as they walked in the door Chykisasa swiftly paced to the table and began to write. Shantotto purposely took a lot of time closing the door, to be sure no one had followed them. Once she was sure everything was secure for the moment, she locked it and went to Chykisasa. She read the writing to herself:

“Could you please explain to me why Ajido-Marujido was there?! Since when does he know about me and Uchi?!”

Shantotto knew by the slight grammatical error Chykisasa had made that she was extremely nervous, with a bit of anger mixed in. She nitpicked her grammar a lot when Chykisasa was learning to write, and not typically for amusement. She did it to teach her proper grammar, plus how some will react if she made a lot of errors. Presently, Chykisasa only made errors when her mind was not on writing in the least. Given that writing was her only means of communication, that was not very often.

Shantotto sighed, “It happened after you left two nights ago. Just before dark, up walked Ajido-Marujido. He was mainly concerned with your little semester exam ‘affair,’ and could not figure out why you were there. The Star Sibyl had told the Ministers where you would be, and so he came to interrogate me.”

She stopped out of courtesy to let Chykisasa write a response. She knew if she didn’t let her get her word in, it would only make her more angry. After a few moments, Shantotto read the furiously written words to herself once more:

“So you up and told him everything?! Just like that?! And to him, of all people!”

Shantotto could not help but to chuckle at her response, “Why does everyone hate Ajido-Marujido? He’s not that bad of a person...a bit obnoxious, though.” Chykisasa glared at Shantotto, signaling that she wanted a more serious answer. “But really, he simply would not go away. Until I told him something, he would only stay. I tried to avoid talking of the subject, but his questions were simply too direct. And you know what happens what can occur, when one attempts to lie to a minister.”

Chykisasa sighed in surrender, and walked over to her bed, where her diary was hidden. She walked behind the screen, made it stretch a bit further out, and took out her diary and fountain pen.

As she watched Chykisasa resign herself, Shantotto realized that whatever she sensed while Ajido-Marujido was at her house must have been Hiwon-Biwon. She boiled in her own anger, enraged at how much pain was caused by one reporter, and at how reckless she was.

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Not too much later in the morning, all of Heavens Tower fell into a stunned silence. Semih-Lafihna had a subscription for the Tarutaru Times, and brought it with her when she went to her daily shift. Though Semih normally carried nothing into the Tower but herself, the others already there did not give her any strange looks. When she went to greet the Star Sibyl that day, she brought the paper with her.

“Semih-Lafihna, what is wrong?” she asked, looking at the newspaper and then at Semih with concern. She had already sensed Semih’s discontent.

“Ma’am, it’s Chykisasa–someone has found out about herrr!” she said, just above a whisper. The Sibyl’s eyes widened, and her lips parted. “What’s more, it has been released in the Tarutaru Times!” She handed the paper to the Sibyl.

The Star Sibyl read the article in full to herself, many times over. She spent a lot of time trying to figure out how the information was obtained, and just who the Orastery student and “source” was. Semih waited patiently for her response, not expecting an immediate answer. The Star Sibyl knew that compulsive reactions to delicate situations only spelled disaster, and she was sure to make sure all of her guards knew it as well.

After the long silence, the Sibyl spoke, hushing her own voice, “Does Chykisasa know about this yet?”

“I’m not sure, but I would think so,” Semih responded, shaking her head.

The Sibyl lowered her head in thought. After another pause, she said, “Please, go to Shantotto’s residence and bring both her and Chykisasa here. We can decide what to do after we get their take on the situation.”

Semih bowed, “Yes, my Lady.”

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When Semih-Lafihna arrived at Shantotto’s manor, the door opened before she could even raise her hand to knock. Shantotto, of course, was there at the door.

“It’s about time the Star Sibyl sent someone! There is a lot that has to be done!” Shantotto nearly shouted at Semih.

“Now see herrre, if that is how you will greet a Sibyl Guard with a summons from the Star Sibyl herself, then you are no longer welcome to Heavens Towerrr!” Semih replied, insulted by Shantotto’s reaction.

Chykisasa got up and ran to the door when she knew it was a Sibyl Guard, and swiftly bowed apologetically on Shantotto’s behalf. Semih’s anger was calmed by the polite gesture, and stated her purpose for being there, “The Star Sibyl has seen the article in the newspaper and wishes to see you both, to discuss how we will react to it.”

Shantotto responded before Chykisasa could even blink, “Ohohoho! Well well, just as a matter of fact! We’ve already done something about that. But we will come if that is what the Star Sibyl commands. I think this could use a more constructive plan!”

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Man this is like a chip of a fragment of half chapter...again, sorry ; ;

[Neomage]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

eh, just finish part II!

[Neomage]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

There are bored people out here who need you! Your forceing me to read convensional novels like the Hobbit!(though it isn't that bad, because I still enjoy it and it's required for school >.> Dang you for boring me into doing my homework! I hate you!)

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

I'm sorry, I'll work on it all night tonight ; ; I've been out of town all weekend so I wasn't able to work on it.

And I'm sure you'll enjoy the Hobbit, I had to read it for school too and it was one of the few books I really enjoyed

[Neomage]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Yeah, I like J.R.'s writing so far, on chapter 12 now ^.^

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Once again...sorry for the belated chapter D-: I tried to make up for it with an oh-so-obvious cliffhanger though...oh I'm going to have fun writing the next chapter! And I will try to make it longer and come out sooner (in other words, I'm going on an extremely long car trip this weekend and I get to bring my laptop!)

And it looks like I misnumbered the last chapter o-o; I'll fix that...

Chapter Fourteen: Panic in the Tower - Part II

When Chykisasa and Shantotto arrived at Heavens Tower, there was absolute silence. No one else knew exactly what was going on, but anxiousness and uncertainty hung thick in the air. They could hear their hearts beating as they climbed the dozens of steps to the top floor. When they arrived at the top, the Star Sibyl was in her vestal chambers. There were no ladies in waiting on the top floor–they were dismissed to the lower levels of the Tower, in order to give the Sibyl room to think. Semih told them to wait outside the chambers as she informed the Sibyl of their arrival.

After a moment, Semih let them into the Sibyl’s chambers. Shantotto took a good look around as she entered, for it had been many years since she had last set foot in the sacred room. Chykisasa, on the contrary, was nearly unaware of her surroundings–her mind plagued by other concerns. Semih left the room to get paper and a pen for Chykisasa.

The Star Sibyl noticed their expressions, Chykisasa in particular, and knew that they must have seen the article already. “Good morning, Chykisasa and Lady Shantotto. Can I safely assume that you have already seen the newspaper article?”

Chykisasa nodded absently, and Shantotto nodded as well, along a huffed grunt. “And upon that note, we have taken a bit of action. With the newspaper, we came to a deal that was to our satisfaction.”

She paused out of courtesy, and the Sibyl spoke, “What were the terms of this deal?” she simply asked, hoping with all her heart that Shantotto had not taken things too far.

“Hiwon-Biwon must formally apologize for what he said, and that he got the information when he spied on me and fled. And, Naiko-Paneiko must apologize for publishing what the boy wrote, now that his foot is halfway down his throat.” Shantotto frankly replied, attempting not to be rude as she stewed in her own anger.

The Sibyl was fairly satisfied with the terms of the agreement, “I suppose that is what I would have done in that sort of situation, however I would have preferred that you waited for me to sanction such a movement.” She turned to Chykisasa, as Semih Lafihna walked up the steps into the room with paper on a thin board and a fountain pen in hand. “Was there anything else that you wanted to tell me, anything at all to improve what has happened.

Semih handed the board and pen to Chykisasa, and she thought for a moment about what she wanted to say. All three of the others silently waited as she wrote down her thoughts, staring at the paper, as if trying to read it from a distance. It took her quite a while to get it all down, but when she was done she handed it to the Sibyl, who quietly read it aloud:

“There is another boy involved in all of this, Uchi-Buychi. He is the Orastery student who was mentioned in the article. His parents didn’t know about him and me, and I have a feeling he will be telling them all about it today. I am afraid that they will wrongfully punish him for getting involved, and I am wondering if you could somehow contact them and reassure them that he has done nothing wrong.”

The Sibyl thought for a moment, taken off guard by such an unexpected request. Shantotto was slightly surprised, but felt in her gut that it was coming. “I will send them a letter, stating exactly what you have just said, Chykisasa.” the Star Sibyl replied, unable to refuse such a selfless request. “However, I will need to know a bit more about what you and he did together, if you wouldn’t mind sharing,” she said, a bit embarrassed at what she had just asked of her.

Shantotto cut in at that moment and summed up how she had come across the boy, and what he and Chykisasa had done the past few evenings–in perfect rhyme. When she was finished, the Sibyl nodded and turned back to Chykisasa. “Is there anything else you would like to add then, that directly pertains to the newspaper?” she asked.

Chykisasa thought again for a moment, and began to write her response. The others, again, waited in silence, however Shantotto shifted her weight impatiently, feeling uncomfortable in such an emotionally-tight situation. After a minute or two, Chykisasa handed the paper to the Sibyl once more:

“I think the rest can take care of itself from this point on, however thank you very much for asking. The only other thing I can ask of you is to not punish Hiwon-Biwon or the newspaper too harshly. What has happened has happened, and there is nothing we can do about it now. We need to deal with what they do in the future, rather than dwell on what damage they have already caused.”

The Sibyl nodded, “A very profound statement. I will keep that in mind, child. Unless either of you have anything to add, you may leave now if you wish.”

Chykisasa bowed, and Shantotto spoke, “Thank you very much for helping us with this predicament, if we need you again we’ll make an appointment.” She bowed elaborately, to show that she was being serious.

And with that, the two left Heavens Tower, Chykisasa feeling much more relieved about the situation. Hearing her own statement about not being able to do anything about the past read aloud to her gave it new meaning in her mind, and let her really take in what it meant.

A few more people than usual were in Windurst Walls at that time of day, most of them curious about the article they had read in their papers. They had flocked to the area like buzzards, seeking to feed on whatever information they could find. Some even hoped of seeing Chykisasa, and a few were considering visiting Shantotto herself.

Both Chykisasa and Shantotto were well aware of the inquisitive looks and whispers among the small crowd, however the only figures they paid mind to were the ones standing in front of Shantotto’s manor. Shantotto quickened her pace to see who was knocking on her door, and Chykisasa slowed down as soon as she knew who it was.

It was Uchi-Buychi and his mother, Kesisi. Though Chykisasa had never seen his brunette mother, she knew who it had to have been. A new pang of dread emitted from her stomach, and her worry was restored with full-force.

Uchi directed his mother’s attention to the two approaching them, and both of them became nervous as well.

“Uchi-Buychi and...friend, how interesting,” Shantotto began as she arrived in front of them, hushing her voice in order not to be heard by their spectators. “Might I ask why at my door, you are knocking?”

“I am Uchi-Buychi’s mother, Kesisi,” Kesisi said, offering her hand to Shantotto. Shantotto stared at it for a moment, but then took it and shook limply. It wasn’t often someone offered her hand to her, given her reputation for rudeness. “I supposey you are Chykisasa?” she asked, turning to her.

Chykisasa was dumbfounded not only at Uchi-Buychi’s sudden return, but that his mother was there with him. After a moment of delay, she swiftly nodded her head, and pointed to the door.

“Of course, let us speak of this inside. The attention is coming, but for now we can hide.” Shantotto said, unlocking her door and letting the other three in, locking the door behind them.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other, none of them wanting to begin the conversation. Eventually, Chykisasa walked across the room to get some paper, and Shantotto spoke, “I suppose Uchi-Buychi has told you of their secret meeting...is there any part of the story that needs repeating?”

“No, no, I think we have what happened pretty-wetty well down,” Kesisi responded, “I simply wanted to meet this Chykisasa...” she inadvertently let her voice trail off, looking up at Chykisasa, who was already writing.

Chykisasa looked up at the silence, feeling uncomfortable when she saw that everyone in the room was staring at her. Shantotto again spoke, in order to keep Chykisasa calm. “Well, here she is, just as you have heard. These two are quite the lovebirds, ohoho!” she giggled.

Kesisi laughed as well, trying to assist in lightening the atmosphere. At that moment, Chykisasa finished what she had been writing and was going to hand it to Kesisi.

Uchi had been standing the entire time with his hands deep in his pockets. He was not afraid or nervous, simply embarrassed that his mother was about to meet his girlfriend. “Girlfriend?” he asked in his head as he realized the word he had thought of. Before he had a chance to ponder on it, his mother was reading what Chykisasa had written:

“It is very-wery nice to meet you, ma’am. I apologize for the cover-wover-up we stagied, but there was a lot that needed to be keptaru secret at the time. I am glad that you don’taru seem to be too angry-wangry over what we did, and if anyone is to blamey for this, it’s me.”

Kesisi smiled. “I am not angry-wangry with anyone, Chykisasa, and it is nicey to meet you too,” she said, offering her hand. Chykisasa took her hand and shook it, smiling back. When they were done exchanging greetings, Kesisi turned to Shantotto. “However-wever, I would like to ask something-wumpthing else of you, to clear everything up, if you don’taru mind,” she began. “I thinky both Uchi and I were wondering: just why did you choosey-woose to take Chykisasa in? I know that her parentarus were gone a lot, and thataru is when you spent the most time withy her, but why did they choosey you to take care of her?”

Shantotto looked at Kesisi and smirked, making her internally cringe. She had not been expected to be asked such a direct question, but chose to answer nonetheless, “Ohoho! I suppose that I could construe, given that it must seem very odd to you. It is quite simple, as you will see: I tutored both of her parents at the Orastery. When she was just an infant and needed much care, they began to run low on money, and began to despair. However I had a clever plan: to tutor her as they toured the land! I would keep Chykisasa from public view, and help her with magic, which she had a passion to pursue. And so they let me care for her, until that fateful day occurred...”

When Shantotto had finished, Kesisi and Uchi-Buychi simply stared at her. They had expected a deeper answer, and already knew basically all that she had told them.

Halfway through Shantotto’s story, Chykisasa rolled her eyes. “She’s avoiding the subjectaru again...” she said to herself. “I’ll show her...” and she knelt down soundlessly and began to write.

By the time Uchi-Buychi noticed what Chykisasa was doing, she was holding the paper out to him, smiling. He took the paper and read it aloud, ready for anything:

“Whataru Shantotto means to say is she saw thataru my personality was being suppresseied from all the pity-witty I was getting, so she tookie me in to set my spiritaru free.”

All smiled in spite of themselves but Shantotto, who was beginning to turn a shade of pink. She had always enjoyed Chykisasa’s poignant–though slightly obnoxious–side, but all of the sudden unleashing that part of her seemed to become a less-than-wise choice. After an awkward pause, she coughed, “Well...yes, that would be correct,” she eyed Chykisasa, “And now we will be getting off the subject.”

Chykisasa’s smirk widened with the wondrous feeling of victory. Kesisi and Uchi did their best to not laugh aloud at Shantotto’s lapse in tactfulness.

Uchi, finally, turned and said something to Chykisasa, “I supposey we should be going then, I’m surey you’re in for a big day!” he laughed. Chykisasa laughed for her own sake, but shook her head at Uchi, and then kneeling down to write. Kesisi and Shantotto slowly backed away from the two, giving them their space (and giving them a good view).

After a few short moments, Chykisasa handed the paper to Uchi, who read it to himself:

“No, no, stay as long as you like. I’d really rather have company to talk with right now, considering the most of the company I have soon will only talk about me.”

Uchi smiled and shook his head, “No, no is rightaru–you have a voicey now, Chykisasa! You can tell people-weapole what’s what, and thataru you are a person and not an exhibit-wibbit!” In the thrill of the moment, he took her hands in his, and clasped his palms around hers. Chykisasa stood stunned for a moment, but smiled and held back the tears in her eyes.

Kesisi’s ears perked up in recollection, “Oh, Uchi dearie! We must go home righty away, I told your father thataru we would be homey in time for lunch.” Uchi-Buychi and Chykisasa looked over at her, and try as they may, they couldn’t help but look disappointed. Kesisi felt a pang of guilt in her stomach for interrupting such a touching moment.

“Well...I supposey I must say goodbye now. Take care, Chykisasa, and rememberu to use your voice!” He gripped her hands tighter as a sign of farewell, and Chykisasa shook his hands and nodded. After another moment of staring at each other, Shantotto coughed and their hands parted. Finding no other words to use, Uchi-Buychi simply waved goodbye as Shantotto opened the door for him and his mother to leave through.

Both Uchi and Kesisi left the manor and were immediately blinded by the late morning sun. Once their eyes adjusted, they noticed half a dozen Tarutaru and one Mithra staring at them. Uchi turned around to see if they could escape back into Shantotto’s manor, but found himself staring at a locked door. He swallowed, and whispered to his mother, “Let’s go, staying isn’taru going to helpey.”

Kesisi nodded and giggled, “Hehe, took the words rightaru out of my mouthey!”

And so the two casually strolled away, as if completely unaware of the curious citizens staring at them. A very young blonde-headed girl Tarutaru turned and whispered to another young boy next to him just as the two passed out of earshot, “You thinkie thataru isth tha Orasthery student?” she asked.

The boy turned back to her, “I don’tie know, Pichichi. But there isth only one way to find outaru!”

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For those of you who didn't get it, let's just say the next chapter will have something to do with...onions...

[Neomage]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Curse those SOBs!

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

CHAPTER MOVED! It be down thurr.

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[Neomage]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Hmm...

[Armando]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

I'm only just starting, but I figured I'd comment on this anyways. Very good stuff, it kept me entertained throughout all the while I was reading it. Sadly, I must resume work on my assignments. Keep it up.

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

1. I consider less than a week a few days, so no comments allowed
2. My Internet access has been...choppy lately.
3. I'm sorry I've been dissapointing you, Onionsoldier

I'll just post the entire completed chapter here, and delete the other post up there.

Chapter Fifteen: Onion Intervention

By the sound of it, one would think that the Star Onion Brigade was some gathering of eccentric mages in Windurst’s military system. The Star Onion Brigade (or SOBs for short) is really a group of Windurstian children who fight evils that most adults ignore (mostly involving the notorious Cat Burglar Nanaa Mihgo). They can be quite a nuisance to adults, but mean no harm–to innocent folk that is. No one is exactly sure why they are so infatuated with onions, although they can make for potent stink bombs.

The current leader of the SOB is a young Tarutaru boy name Kohlo-Lakolo. In the SOB, the leader is replaced whenever the rest of the members feel their current leader isn’t doing the job or is too old to be in the club (there are strict age limits in the Brigade, to prevent adult ideas from tainting their plans). Whoever wants to be the new leader nominates themselves, and are quickly voted orally on by present members. If they do not win then someone else gets nominated, but if no one else wants the job then they get it anyway.

The grapevine of the Brigade is very sophisticated, branching through parents, siblings, family friends, and rumors adults are presently spreading (though this is very rare, and is only used when they have nothing else to do). Missions are voted on, and whichever have the most ayes are pursued. Each member is responsible for some aspect of the mission–including the ever important candy rations. If a member fails to complete their assigned task, the punishment is the rest of the members telling them how forgetful and useless they are. However, their reputation is usually renewed by the next mission or so.

Now, the smallest member to ever join the Star Onion Brigade was the young Pichichi (only allowed to join because she could provide Rarab tail snacks from her mother’s shop). She can be a bit klutzy and absent minded, but when given the opportunity, she can shine more brightly than any of the other members.

Kohlo-Lakolo took off sprinting after Kesisi and Uchi-Buychi. Pichichi, caught off guard, attempted to keep up.

“Excusey me!” Kohlo cried as he approached the two. Uchi ignored him, mistaking him for an adult, but Kesisi could tell it was a child’s voice and turned around.

“Well, hello-wello there!” she greeted warmly.

“Hello-wello ma’am! I am Kohlo-Lakolo, and I was wondering ify he is the Orastery student thataru was on the front pagey of the newspaper!” Kohlo proudly stated, pointing directly at Uchi.

Uchi, having no prior experience with children, frankly answered, “I don’taru think that is any of your business-wisiness, kid.”

Kesisi ignored her son, and bent down to whisper to Kohlo, “Yes, Kohlo-Lakolo, he is the boy from the newspaper. But we are a bitsy-witsy busy at the momentar, so perhaps we could speak another timey?”

At this moment, Pichichi finally caught up with Kohlo, completely flustered and out of breath.

“No needy, ma’am, thataru is all we needed to know!” he cheerfully responded, saluting Kesisi and turning to Pichichi. “Ah, Pichichi, there you are! Let’s move out!” he cried, gesturing his arm in the direction Pichichi had just run from.

Pichichi’s body sagged from a long sigh, and she began to walk in the other direction. Kesisi smiled and did her best to suppress a giggle, and turned around to head to her home with her son.

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When Kohlo-Lakolo and Pichichi arrived at the Star Onion Brigade headquarters (behind some yellow warehouse tents in Port Windurst) they were greeted by about half a dozen other children, ranging from Tarutaru to Mithra.

The other children began to clamor around the two Tarutaru, trying to figure out what had happened. Kohlo ignored them, and ran straight to a tall pile of crates at the back of the small area. Pichichi tried to begin explaining, but could not get a word in edgewise amid the chaos. When Kohlo had gotten to the top of the top crate, he tried to began the meeting.

“Hey! Quiet down!” A few of the more mouthy members of the Star Onion Brigade kept on demanding an explanation, despite Kohlo’s attempt to do so. Kohlo sighed and put his fingers in his mouth, just as his father had once showed him. He then jumped completely in the air and blew with all his mite, letting out a piercing shrill.

The other members stopped speaking entirely, and Kohlo began. “Thank you. Brigaders, through a thorough-worrow investigation, we have confermied who the boy thataru appeared in the Tarutaru Times is!” he cried, throwing his right fist in the air. The other members cheered and clapped as well–even Pichichi who was drowned out by the others anyway.

“Now we can go throughie-woo with Operation Silent Onion!” he cheered, the other members chiming in, enveloped by the thrill of the moment.

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Despite the day’s tremendous start, Chykisasa and Shantotto spent most of the afternoon in a quiet manner. Their lack of action made the crowd disperse, however many a citizen passed by and paused for a moment to gaze at the door in wonder, before regaining their presence of mind and moving on.

Chykisasa tried to avert her mind from the day’s chaos with some imported fiction works, while Shantotto fiddled aimlessly with what looked like some sort of cube puzzle. In the past, this had happened on numerous occasions–but usually when they were mad at each other.

Chykisasa began to wonder on this, her eyes unconsciously scanning the same line over and over again. She thought of how her and Shantotto had really become a family unit, of sorts. They had eaten, fought, read, trained, laughed, and learned together for a good portion of her lifetime. They were important to each other, and even if the rest of Windurst didn’t believe it, they would always be each other’s family.

Chykisasa’s thoughts were interrupted by Shantotto’s sudden movement. She burst out of her stool and picked it straight up, walking away with it. Chykisasa’s vision was cut off by the edge of her shade, and she got up to get a better look. Shantotto had taken the stool and put it under the back window, and was standing on her tiptoes to get a good view out of it.

Shantotto made an aggravated and disgusted noise at the back of her throat, and pushed the window open.

“Pesky children! What do you want? Isn’t there anyone else you can haunt?” she asked in the most irritated tone she could muster.

The entire Star Onion Brigade had traveled from Port Windurst to Windurst Walls, after completing their plan of action and having their afternoon snack. They had snuck behind Shantotto’s house when no one else was peering at it, and were clustered around Shantotto’s back window–Kohlo-Lakolo in front.

Kohlo had never spoken with Shantotto before. He had heard much of her, and had seen her before. He honestly thought that she looked like his grandmother, and figured she couldn’t be as bad as the adults said. And, even if it were so, he knew she would never harm a child.

Nevertheless, after hearing her voice, he was as nervous as a baby rarab staring at the point of a sword. “W-w-w-w-wellie...we...w-were w-w-wondering i-ify we c-could speakie with...eh...” and his voice trailed off. He nervously looked back at the other Brigaders for assistance.

One of the twin Mithra managed to squeak something that sounded like “Chykisasa,” and Kohlo quickly went on. “Y-yes! Of coursey! We w-would likey to speak with Chykisasa! I-it is very importantaru...b-but i-if she can’tie s-speak then tha...oh!” he quickly realized what he said and put his hands over his mouth in embarrassment.

“Now see here, child...” Shantotto began to rebuke, but Chykisasa was hovering over her and tapped her on her shoulder. She shook her head at Shantotto, who quickly knew what she wanted, and sighed in defeat.

Kohlo could not tell if what was happening was good or bad, but he was sure he would find out.

“Chyki says you can come in, despite my dismay. You’d better have something good to say!”

“T-t-t-thankie you, ma’am!” Kohlo stuttered as he turned around to his equally afraid companions, trying to remember the way to the front door.

Out of pure luck, no one saw the Brigaders quickly file into Shantotto’s front door. However, Minister Apururu–taking her afternoon walk–caught a glimpse of the door closing. She was Ajido-Marujido’s younger sister, she knew when and when not to pay mind to things. She chose not to take any action, and went on with her stroll. Of course, she knew nothing of the dealings between Ajido and Chykisasa–Ajido saw it best not to get her into everything. Even though they did not speak often, they still cared very much about each other–but seeing it was about as common as hearing them say it.

The children stared in wonder about Shantotto’s manor. Magical equipment and books of the likes they had never seen before were scattered about the walls–not to mention random nick-knacks and decorations from her past students dotting random places in the room.

Pichichi was the first to get bored with her surroundings, and her eyes rested on Chykisasa, who was writing a few things on paper. She had once overheard her parents confiding about Chykisasa’s story. They feared a betrayal by the Yagudo–as many Windurstians did–and were discussing on whether or not they should raise Pichichi to fear them, as their generation had been raised. She heard bits and pieces of the story, and put it all together as she laid in bed that night. However, there were a few pieces missing to the puzzle, and she never completely forgot any of those pieces.

Then, that morning, her parents were enthralled by Chykisasa’s return, and told her the entire story. After the story, in her pure excitement, she accidently hinted at her having prior knowledge. The event snowballed into a long discussion with her parents, and ultimately into her being late for that day’s meeting. She had been taking a shortcut through Windurst Walls when she spotted Kohlo, and began to investigate Uchi’s visit with him.

When Chykisasa turned around to get a good look at who the children were, she noticed Pichichi’s bewildered face, and walked up to her. Pichichi realized how she was looking at Chykisasa, and turned around to the other Brigaders–as if asking them to do something about the attention she accidently seized. But Chykisasa was determined to get this shy and curious girl to speak, and kneeled down to her level. Pichichi was utterly confused.

“Eh...er...h-hellow-wellow misth Ch...Chykisasa!” she stammered as she eyed the paper Chykisasa was holding out to her. “You...w-wanty me to read thisth?” she whispered, in her outrageously childlike accent. The Tarutaru always sounded like young children, however the youth always inadvertently took this to the extreme, considering they actually were young children. Chykisasa nodded to answer Pichichi’s question, and held the paper out a bit further, putting a warm smile on. After a moment of thought, Pichichi took it and read it, almost too quiet for any to hear:

“M-mith Chykisasa s-says ‘Hello-wellow, children! I musth admity, out of all the people-weapole who have tried to see me, you kiddieth are the most intewesthing! W-whataru can I do for you today?”

Kohlo-Lakolo spoke up instantaneously, nearly cutting Pichichi’s last sentence off. “Eh...yes! Well, we were wonderuing if Miss Chykisasa wanted some eh...” he paused, losing his train of thought under the intimidating glare of Shantotto’s eyes. “Spies! Yes, spies to secretly-wecretly get information from the people-weapole of Windurst who might be planning something!”

Chykisasa tilted her head in intrigued thought at the idea, and Shantotto exploded.

“Ohohohohohoho! What a meager plan from such commotion! Tell me, what inspired this wanton notion! Ohohoho!” Chykisasa turned to Shantotto and glared at her in disapproval.

“W-w-we only w-wanted to help Misth Chykisasa...” Pichichi squeaked, as though she were near tears. Despite her natural shyness, Pichichi knew exactly how powerful her abilities of cuteness were.

Shantotto looked at Pichichi, and then Kohlo, and then back to Chykisasa. “Well, tell them what you want, it’s your decision. But don’t come whining to me if it doesn’t work out as good as you envisioned!” she laughed, walking up to her table on the other side of the room.

Kohlo was near his bursting point, “So you’ll do it?!” Chykisasa smiled and nodded, taking the paper back from Pichichi, who was holding it out for her silently.

All the Brigaders squealed enthusiastically–causing Shantotto to flinch–and began giving each other high fives while already crying out “Not it!” in order to gain immunity from being required to bring snacks for their yet unplanned stakeouts.

In the midst of the commotion, Chykisasa handed the paper to Pichichi again. The children were immediately silent.

“She saysth: Go aheadie and do what you plannied, but wemember not to causth any twouble. I don’taru want to be heawing any bad newsth about you guys doing anything baddie-wad fow something I approvied of!”

Kohlo-Lakolo stood straight as a board. “No, ma’am! No one will ever-wever know we are there!” He turned to the other children. “Brigaders, move out!” Chykisasa went to hold the front door for the children. Pichichi was the last one out the door, and just before she left, she stopped.

“It wasth nice meeting you, misth Chykisasa!” she curtsied, and held out the paper to Chykisasa. Chykisasa smiled, and took the paper, and patted Pichichi’s head to show her agreement. Pichichi giggled in embarrassment, and ran out the door after the other members.

Chykisasa approached Shantotto, who was still vainly attempting to stifle her giggles. “Oho, that silly Star Onion Brigade! They manage to be perfect nuisances while providing aid!” Chykisasa was surprised, and wrote something on the paper for Shantotto to read. She was halfway through the sentence when Shantotto cut her off.

“Oho, you want to know how I know them, you say? Too bad! Another story for another day!”

[Ejospike]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

this is the best story ive read by far please keep going

[Neomage]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

It's not the slow updates, but it kinda seems like Pirates of the Caribian 2 now... not much plot but more fillers... I liked the beginning with the yagudo and everything, an the romance was nice suspence to.