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Elpitha
Aug 6, 2005 17:15:27 GMT -5
Post by Entegy on Aug 6, 2005 17:15:27 GMT -5
If you can't wait, go to ff.net.
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Elpitha
Aug 6, 2005 18:35:43 GMT -5
Post by BorderWolf on Aug 6, 2005 18:35:43 GMT -5
Another great chapter Zin!
*exalts*
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Elpitha
Aug 7, 2005 18:21:45 GMT -5
Post by Candyapple on Aug 7, 2005 18:21:45 GMT -5
That was a very awsome awsome awsome chapter! Kai and Elpitha are a cute couple.
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Elpitha
Aug 7, 2005 23:03:38 GMT -5
Post by BorderWolf on Aug 7, 2005 23:03:38 GMT -5
Maybe, maybe not HarvestMoongirl.
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Elpitha
Aug 8, 2005 16:16:27 GMT -5
Post by Candyapple on Aug 8, 2005 16:16:27 GMT -5
Maybe, maybe not HarvestMoongirl. I mean for now.
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Elpitha
Aug 8, 2005 19:46:28 GMT -5
Post by zinovia on Aug 8, 2005 19:46:28 GMT -5
Elpitha: Chapter 12: Scary Bushes
A/N: Well the twelfth chapter is done. I introduce a few new characters, one of which will have a very important role later on, and you see a little bit into the relationship between Elli and Stu.
PacificTwist: Thanks! At least Kai got something for his almost broken nose!
Krazie4Christ: Funny? Moi? I know not of what you speak!
rilla1989: Yes, Kai isn’t exactly Casanova. He just thinks he is!
Quack-Wabbit: The chapter was meant to fast forward time, show a little “update” on what everyone was doing, and to “upgrade” Elpitha and Kai’s relationship. There is also another purpose to the chapter, but I can’t tell you what it is. You may want to pay attention to the wind. I’m keeping my mouth shut, however. Thanks very much for the comments! I appreciate them.
azn anime addict: Jack? He’s still around, as are others…
DrippingInk: Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
pvc: Thanks so much! I’ve had complaints about monitor clean-up before. My apologies! I already spilled something to you regarding the wind as well…oops!
Jerseyan Iris: Wow! You read all that! Crazy! I try not to be sappy in my lines if I can help it, but my sap detector breaks sometimes. Glad you liked it!
“What took you so long? Do you know how hard it was to sneak out of the house tonight? Elli caught me twice and if she notices I’m gone a third time I’m really going to catch it!” Stu said.
Elpitha folded her arms. “Never mind me. What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk to you.” Stu said. “I wanted to talk to you about May.”
“Couldn’t it have waited until tomorrow?” Elpitha asked.
“No. It’s important. I need to talk to you now. You sure took a long time at the beach! Couldn’t you two unlock lips long enough for you to get home at a decent time?” Stu complained.
Elpitha wondered if Elli had any experience removing high heels from little boys’ behinds. “Let’s go inside and you can tell me about it.” She said.
Stu immediately jumped on Elpitha’s bed and sat down. He looked around the room curiously, wondering what he could tamper with. Mikri followed Elpitha around, wagging her tail happily. The puppy had grown a bit in the last season.
“So what is it that was so urgent?” Elpitha asked, taking a seat next to Stu and facing him.
“May’s been acting…weird lately.” Stu said, nervously. “I’m getting kind of scared.”
“Why would you be scared of May?” Elpitha asked.
“I’m not scared of her!” Stu cried. “I’m afraid that she’s going to do something stupid.”
“Like what?” Elpitha asked quietly.
“Well…she keeps talking about her mom, you know? Wondering why her mom doesn’t like her. I keep telling her it’s better than not having a mom like me, but she won’t listen. She keeps wanting to play on top of Mother’s Hill, and I don’t like it. She gets so close to the edge sometimes. It scares me.” Stu stammered.
“Do you think that she would actually jump or something?” Elpitha asked.
“I…I don’t know. I tell her I don’t want to play there anymore, but she insists on going. I’m afraid to leave her up there by herself, so I tag along.” Stu whispered.
“I see.” Elpitha said pensively.
“May really likes you. I thought maybe you could talk to her. Maybe you could get her to stop going up on that mountain.” Stu said.
“Of course I will. If you ever get scared like that again, bring her over to my house, OK? I’ll see if I can snap her out of it. In fact, I’ll drag her over tomorrow and have a talk with her.” Elpitha replied.
“Great!” Stu laughed.
“Yeah, great. Get out of my house.” Elpitha said sarcastically.
“I’m going!” Stu whined.
“Hang on. I’ll walk you home.”
“No! I need to sneak back in.”
“You can sneak back in. I just want to make sure you make it there OK. It’s almost three!”
The wind was calm and gentle as they rounded the corner towards Stu’s house. It circled them almost protectively as they walked. The sky was clear, and the night was serene. Even the crickets seemed to have fallen asleep. As the house came into view, they noticed that the lights were on. Stu looked up at Elpitha with fear in his eyes. As they drew nearer to the house, he let her walk in front of him, hiding behind her. Elli sat on the front steps, her face in her hands. She looked up when she heard foot steps approaching. For a moment Elli looked relieved, but within seconds anger had darkened her face. She stood up and walked over to meet them in front of the house.
“You!” She hissed at Stu. She reached for him, but he stayed out of reach behind Elpitha. “Come here!”
Elpitha stayed between them. “Elli, calm down. It’s not his fault. I’ll explain.” She said.
“Don’t defend him. He knows what he’s done and he’s going to be punished for it. I said COME HERE.” Elli said angrily.
“Aww, come on Elli. I didn’t sneak out for no reason!” Stu whined, staying out of Elli’s reach.
“I warned you what would happen if you snuck out again, didn’t I? You don’t listen. It’s dangerous late at night! Do you know how worried I was? I thought something had happened to you!” Elli cried.
“Elli, I can explain.” Elpitha pleaded.
Elli took a breath and let it out through her nose. “Fine.” She said. “Come on. Inside.” She said, gesturing to Stu.
Stu backed further behind Elpitha. Elpitha walked around Stu, placing her hands on his shoulders, and gently pushed him forward. He looked at her with pleading eyes, and she gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. As soon as he was within reach, Elli grabbed Stu by the ear and dragged him towards the house. Stu flinched.
“Now you get upstairs and wait for me, do you hear me? I’ll deal with you in a little while.” Elli scolded. She sent him into the house with a light smack to the behind. He came back to the doorway and stuck his tongue out at Elli. However, when Elli took two quick steps towards him, he dashed inside and up the stairs as if his life depended on it. Elli walked back to where Elpitha stood. “You’re very sweet for defending Stu, Elpitha, but he needs to understand that what he did was wrong. He can’t keep doing this sort of thing.” She said.
“Well he really did have a good reason. Actually, I need to talk to you about it. You’re not going to spank him, are you?” Elpitha asked.
“What? Oh, no! He’s had it coming plenty of times, mind you. I could never really hit him, though. The worst he’s ever gotten from me was a tug on the ear or a good pinch. So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?”
“Well the reason Stu snuck out was to talk to me. He’s very worried about May and he knows that I talk to her.” Elpitha said.
“I see. What is he worried about?” Elli asked.
“May is very depressed about the fact that her mother shows no interest in her. He’s afraid that she may do herself harm. Do you know if the doctor can do anything for her? Does he have any experience as a psychiatrist?”
“Well the doctor has had training in all different fields of medicine. He does know the basics, but he’s not a specialist in that area. I’m sure he can do as much as he can for May, but if she’s really depressed, I think Carter may be a better candidate to talk to her. Barley should know as well.”
“Yes, I agree. I’m going to talk to her tomorrow. I’ll visit the clinic some time to see if we can arrange something with Barley.” Elpitha said with a nod.
“That’s a good idea, sweetie.” Elli replied.
“Stu really was concerned. Please don’t be too hard on him.” Elpitha said.
“He should have come to me if it was that urgent instead of sneaking out on his own. I’ll go easy on him, though.” Elli sighed. “So, how did your date go? Did he kiss you?”
Elpitha blushed. Elli laughed and hugged her. “I’ll take that as a yes. Thank you for bringing Stu home safely. I have to go up now and teach him a lesson. Maybe I’ll make him clean out the toilets at the clinic for the next week.”
Elpitha laughed. “You said you would go easy on him!”
Elli smirked and cocked her head to one side. “Would you like to take his place?” She asked, raising her eyebrows.
“Yeah right!” Elpitha replied. “I’d end up drawing an ugly picture of you on the bathroom wall with permanent maker and writing ‘For a good time, call Elli, 1-800-rent-a-nurse’ underneath it!”
The smile disappeared from Elli’s face. “That was you!” She cried in outrage.
“Oh! I couldn’t remember if I actually did it or n…I mean, no! Who would do something like that? Don’t worry, I’ll track them down for you and…” At this point in her proclamation of innocence, Elpitha turned and ran. Elli laughed and watched her go.
Upstairs Stu had changed into his pajamas. He sat on his bed, sniffling as he waited for Elli to come and kill him. He had never seen his big sister so angry, and he was afraid to find out what was in store for him.
Elli finally entered the room and shut the door behind her. She stood for a moment, looking reproachfully at Stu before she spoke. “All right, Stuie. Come here.” She said calmly. Stu immediately jumped down from his bed and dashed to the other side of the room, hiding behind a chair in the corner. Elli sighed and sat down on Stu’s bed. “Come on now, Stuie. Have I ever hurt you before?” She asked.
Stu rubbed his eyes. “No…” He said timidly.
“Then why are you hiding?” Elli asked.
“I…I don’t know..” Stu stammered. “I…I hate you! You never listen to me! You just yell!”
Elli sighed once more. “Alright, Stuie. I’ll listen. Come here.”
Stu slowly approached his sister, finally stopping before her. He flinched as she reached down for him, but she merely scooped him up and cuddled him in her arms. He gained courage, sitting comfortably in Elli’s lap, and told her the same thing that he had told Elpitha that night. Finally he sat in silence, his head resting against Elli’s shoulder as he looked up at her. It was becoming a chore for him to stay awake, the time now nearing four.
“I understand that you were worried about May, and I understand that it was urgent for you to speak to Elpitha. However, you should have come to me first.” Elli said, gently brushing the hair back from Stu’s face.
“You wouldn’t have let me go.” Stu said sleepily.
“Of course not. You’re six years old and have no business running around this late at night. Do you know how dangerous it is? There are wild dogs out there at night. There are wild animals that sometimes wander into town from the woods. You could have been kidnapped. You could have fallen and gotten hurt. Elpitha herself was in the hospital because of that, do you remember? I was so worried. I was so terrified that I had lost you.” Elli replied.
“I’m sorry, sis, I really am, but I had to talk to her.” Stu whimpered.
“If you had come to me first, I would have taken you over first thing in the morning. May is perfectly safe in her bed right now, which is exactly where you should have been. I would have explained that to you, but you didn’t even give me the chance. Instead you went and put yourself in danger needlessly. Do you understand that?” Elli asked.
“Yeah… I won’t do it again…” Stu whispered.
“No, you won’t do it again. I love you too much to let you endanger yourself like that. That’s why for the next few days you won’t be going out at all. You’re going to come with me and help out at the clinic.” Elli said sternly.
“Ohhh… You’re mean!” Stu whined. His voice was weakening and his eyelids were drooping.
“Yes, sweetheart, I’m mean. I’ll be meaner if this happens again, so you make sure you behave yourself!”
“OK, sis…”
“I only want to keep you safe because I love you. You understand that right?”
“Yeah…”
“OK, honey. It’s about time you were in bed. I know I frightened you today, and I’m sorry. You just don’t know how worried I was and how relieved I was to see you were alright. Promise me you’ll never scare me like that again. Do you promise? …Stuie?” Elli looked down to see her brother fast asleep in her arms. She smiled and stood up, gently placing him on the bed. She covered him and kissed him on the forehead before turning off the light and leaving him to get some long awaited rest. Luckily, the doctor was going to be out of town, and Elli had the day off to get some rest herself.
Elpitha had finally reached her door. She was exhausted and fumbled with the doorknob. As soon as she had opened the door, Mikri came bounding out. She jumped at Elpitha’s heels. Just then, a hard gust of wind hit both master and pup, taking Elpitha’s breath away and sending Mikri into a fit of barking. The puppy was frightened and ran. Elpitha gave chase, cursing her bad luck all the while. However, Mikri didn’t run far. She headed straight for the same bushes Stu had hidden in before and stopped. She sniffed at the bushes and then went into another fit of barking. Elpitha ran over and scooped her up.
“Hush you stupid thing! Do you want to wake the whole neighborhood!” She whispered.
The bushes shook, and Elpitha jumped back. A shadowy figure stumbled out of them. He fell forward and grabbed hold of Elpitha’s arm for support. Elpitha screamed in alarm and kicked him hard down south. The figure fell over, groaning in pain. Across the road, the lights came on at the chicken ranch. A young man with sandy colored shoulder length hair came charging out of the house with a frying pan aimed to strike. He wore glasses and was of medium build and height. It was Rick, Popuri’s brother. Now he dashed over to where Elpitha stood and watched the figure rolling on the floor. A woman with light pink hair followed. Lilia was Popuri and Rick’s sickly mother. She followed her son apprehensively, clutching a broom. She joined Elpitha and Rick, prepared to strike if the figure attacked. Popuri came dashing out of the house last, waving a banana in the air.
“Someone help me eat this! He might slip on the peel!” She cried happily.
By this time, Saibara had also woken up, and he came over with a lamp. He shone the light on the figure, and everyone sighed a breath of relief.
“Cliff!” Rick cried. “What are you doing out here! You woke me up and I need to get up early tomorrow!”
Cliff managed to get on his feet. However, he swayed and fell into Elpitha once more. She led him over to her steps and helped him to sit down.
“Drunk.” Saibara grunted.
“I’m sorry I scared you!” Cliff managed to say. “Ann and Duke…drinking contest…came out for some air to get away…”
“Great! We’re not going to get anything out of this drunk idiot!” Rick whined. “What’s the matter with you, Elpitha? You woke us up for no reason! Can’t you tell a loser when you see one!”
Elpitha turned and looked Rick dead in the eyes. “I see one right now.” She said simply. Behind her, Saibara grunted out a laugh.
“Shut up old man!” Rick cried after giving Elpitha a dirty look. “What do you know anyways, you old fart?”
Saibara loosened his belt. “I know how to teach punks respect.” He croaked, advancing towards Rick.
“Yeah right!” Rick scoffed, inching behind his mother. “I need to get up early, I don’t have time for this.” He turned and ran into the house.
Saibara smirked, belt in hand. He turned and left them, entering his own house.
“Mom, can I still eat my banana?” Popuri asked.
“Yes dear.” Lilia sighed, putting an arm around her daughter and heading home.
When Elpitha turned to enter her own house, she found that Cliff had crawled into her living room and fallen asleep in the middle of the floor. She closed the door and stood over him. She couldn’t move him on her own, so she grabbed an extra blanket and dropped it over him before finally heading to her own warm bed. What a night…
Until next time…
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Elpitha
Aug 8, 2005 20:13:00 GMT -5
Post by Butterscotch on Aug 8, 2005 20:13:00 GMT -5
Popuri is special! ^.^ Great chapter. Please don't let anything happen to May! ;_;
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Elpitha
Aug 8, 2005 20:13:37 GMT -5
Post by BorderWolf on Aug 8, 2005 20:13:37 GMT -5
Great chapter Zin. 1-800-rent-a-nurse. lol.
*exalts*
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Elpitha
Aug 9, 2005 18:24:10 GMT -5
Post by Candyapple on Aug 9, 2005 18:24:10 GMT -5
That was a funny chapter! I loved it!
"Mom, can I still eat my banana?" lol that was funny.
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Elpitha
Aug 11, 2005 20:52:55 GMT -5
Post by zinovia on Aug 11, 2005 20:52:55 GMT -5
Elpitha: Chapter 13: Knock Knock
Jerseyan Iris: Glad you liked it! Popuri has a few appearances in this chapter too!
Pacific Twist: Thanks! I intend to mix things up even more, so hold on to your hat!
Azn Anime Addict: ditto. Hope you didn’t get beat up because of me!
DrippingInk: Here’s the update! And I won’t ask, as requested!
Quack-Wabbit: I have a storyline for Mary to add in. Just looking for the right spot. Thanks!
CuddlyBear: Thanks so much! I try!
PVC: Elli was a surprise character for me. I started writing her and ended up liking the character and adding her more. As for the wind…
Farmer Jen: Yeah, gruff old Saibara. Don’t worry! He won’t be getting violent! Cliff is here to stay! And May’s plot is just beginning. Nope. No wine bottles!
Krazie4Christ: Thanks so much! I try to write dialogue the same way I talk to people, if I can help it. I like things to be simple and believable, even if there’s fantasy elements in there.
The sun’s rays gently poked through the blinds to Elpitha’s bedroom window and hit her face. Her eyes responded to it gradually, finally slowly opening and looking around the room. They closed for a few minutes and then opened once more, this time for good. She rose, yawned, and stretched. She smiled down at a squirming glorified rat that decided to hop up on her bed and roll over on its back. She stood up and walked over to her dresser, pulling on a pair of jeans and a sweater. She folded her nightgown and put it away.
“Alright you little beast.” Elpitha said to Mikri as she headed into the living room and began to pull the sweater over her head. She managed to get her head through the top. “Let’s get you some breakfast and then I’ll make a nice pot of coffee. Would you like a cup of coffee?” She laughed.
“I’d like a cup.”
Elpitha froze and just stared for a little while. Then she screamed and quickly pulled the shirt down the rest of the way. Cliff was standing in the doorway of her bathroom with an innocent look on his face.
“Cliff! Why didn’t you…” Elpitha began. There was a knock on the door. Elpitha stomped over and answered it to find Popuri on her doorstep with a banana.
“I heard you screaming! Here! You could eat this and hope he…” Elpitha slammed the door in her face.
“say anything!” Elpitha continued.
“I did! I asked for some coffee.” Cliff replied. However, since Elpitha looked ready to throw the nearby coffee pot in his direction, he continued. “Look, I’m just kidding! I didn’t see anything.”
“You didn’t?” She asked, reaching for the bag of ground coffee.
“Nah, just a quick glimpse, really!” Cliff replied with an awkward smile. “Sorry about that…I just came out of the bathroom and there you were!”
“Ah, it’s alright.” Elpitha replied with a shrug. “It was an accident.” She poured the ground coffee into a filter and stuck it in the machine. “Hung over?”
“Yeah.” Cliff said, rubbing his head. “Feels like I was hit by a truck. I hate it when Ann and Doug rope me into one of their drinking games! Thanks for letting me crash here last night!”
“I didn’t exactly have a choice, but no problem.” Elpitha said with a shrug. There was another knock at the door and Elpitha went to answer it. It was Kai.
“Morning, baby! Do you know why Popuri keeps waving a banana at me through her bedroom window? It’s kind of freaky.” He said.
“I don’t know. She just likes bananas, I guess.” Elpitha replied.
“That girl needs a banana.” Kai mumbled.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Kai stepped inside and sat on the couch. “Is that coffee I smell? I could sure use a cup!”
Cliff entered the room with the coffee pot and three mugs. “Got ya covered, pal!” He said, pouring coffee into the mugs and handing them around.
Kai took a sip from his mug and didn’t speak for a few moments. Then he looked at his watch. “Wow, 6:15 in the morning! You sure are an early visitor, Cliff.” He said.
Cliff laughed his boyish laugh. “No no! I spent the night!”
Kai raised an eyebrow and took another sip of his coffee. “Oh! Well that must have been quite a slumber party! You should have let me know when I dropped you off last night, Elpitha. I could have given Cliffie here some tips.”
Elpitha put down her mug a bit harder than she intended to, splashing a few droplets of coffee on her coffee table. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” She demanded.
“Oh, nothing! I understand if you weren’t satisfied with me last night. You should have let me know. I could have invited Rick over for you. Saibara too! I’d even let him borrow my Speedo!” Kai replied, putting down his own mug and beginning to raise his voice.
“Are you kidding? Cliff was drunk…” Elpitha began.
“Even better!” Kai yelled.
“I was going to say that Cliff was drunk and needed a place to crash! He passed out in my living room and I couldn’t move him on my own! Nothing happened!” Elpitha yelled back.
“Cliffie looks a little too cheerful for a night of nothing, and you’re not exactly depressed yourself!” Kai cried, nearly knocking the coffee table over as he stood up.
Cliff stood in the doorway, wide-eyed, his mouth hanging partially open. “No, Kai, really! I got drunk after being forced into a drinking game with Dough and Ann. I crawled into her living room in my drunken state and passed out. It wasn’t her fault!” He interjected.
“Don’t play innocent, you scavenger! Surviving like a vulture from odd job to odd job! What kind of job did you get last night!” Kai cried, turning to face Cliff.
“Kai!” Elpitha yelled in outrage.
“I…I didn’t! Nothing happened! I…she…well, I saw her for a split second in her bra, but it was an accident! I didn’t see anything, I swear! That…that was it!” Cliff stammered.
“You WHAT!” Kai growled, practically jumping in front of Cliff. Elpitha dove between them.
“Kai! It was nothing! I wandered into the living room in the process of putting my sweater on. I completely forgot that Cliff was here!” She said.
“How convenient for him!” Kai replied angrily. “And for you! You like to play innocent with me! You won’t let me get far, but everyone else gets to round the bases!”
“That’s not true!” Elpitha cried.
“That’s reassuring coming from the town slut.” Kai replied coldly.
Elpitha stared at him in silence, forcing back tears of outrage. “Get out.” She whispered finally.
“Of course. You two want to be alone.” Kai said. He went to the door and flung it open, stomping down the stairs and heading for the beach. As he passed the chicken ranch, a window on the second floor was flung open and a banana flew out, smacking him in the head. He looked up in alarm to see a cloud of pink hair retreating from the window.
“Mom! Mom! I got him! I saved Elpitha!”
Elpitha slammed the door shut and sat down on her living room couch, her head in her hands.
“I…I’m so sorry.” Cliff said timidly. “I didn’t mean to cause trouble between you. I’ll just get out of your way.” He headed for the door.
“No, it’s alright Cliff.” Elpitha said. “It wasn’t your fault. Damn him…”
Another knock at the door made Elpitha look up. She didn’t budge, however.
“I’ll get it.” Cliff said, heading for the door and opening it a crack. “Jack! Hey, how are you?” He opened the door and Jack entered.
“I came to see how you’re feeling after your stay at the clinic.” Jack said. Then he noticed the look on Elpitha’s face. “What happened?”
Elpitha didn’t answer. Instead, Cliff replied. “She had a fight with Kai…over me. I feel really awful…”
“I’m sorry…are you OK?” Jack asked.
“It was nothing.” Elpitha mumbled.
“Doesn’t seem that way.” Jack replied.
“It was pretty bad.” Cliff agreed.
“Why are you so upset? What did he say to you?” Jack asked.
“I told you it was nothing.” Elpitha said.
Jack turned to Cliff. “Well, I passed out in Elpitha’s living room last night. It wasn’t her fault. She left the door open and I crawled in. Kai found me here in the morning and thought…stuff happened…that didn’t! He also flipped out because I walked in on Elpitha as she was putting on her shirt…IT WAS AN ACCIDENT!” Cliff said.
“Well it sounds like a misunderstanding.” Jack said cheerfully. “Nothing to worry about.
“Well he was really mad…he called her a…slut.” Cliff whispered.
Jack’s face turned red. “Is that true?” He demanded, turning to Elpitha. She looked away and he went and stood over her. “Is that true?” He demanded once more. Elpitha nodded. “I’ll knock his head in.” Jack growled under his breath. He turned to leave, but Elpitha grabbed his wrist.
“Don’t…” She pleaded.
Jack sighed and sat down next to her. “Alright, but you better hope I don’t see him on my way home. Come on. Cheer up!”
Cliff exited the room. “You know, Elpitha, I saw you in your bra, and I’m really sorry about that.” He called.
“It’s fine, Cliff. Let’s just forget about it, OK?” Elpitha sighed.
“OK. I just wish I could make it up to you.” Cliff sighed. He came to the doorway and stood there, his shirt over his head as if he was in the process of putting it on. He had taken two bowls and some duct tape and fashioned himself a make-shift bra. He looked up and saw Elpitha and Jack staring at him. “Oh!” He cried, in a mock woman’s scream. He scrambled to pull his shirt down, but it got stuck. “Oh forget it! It’s the twenty-first century!” He said finally. He threw off his shirt, put one hand on his hip, and strutted over to where Elpitha sat.
Elpitha looked down quickly to hide a smile. “Cliff! What are you doing, you goof?” She asked, stifling a giggle.
“What? Aren’t I sexy?” Cliff asked innocently, cupping his “breasts” and adjusting them. Then he pouted and stamped his foot. “I should have used the soup bowls!” He cried in mock tears. “Darn these cereal bowls! Now none of the boys will want me!”
Elpitha couldn’t control herself any longer. She burst into a fit of laughter that threatened to choke her. Jack joined in, and pretty soon they were all laughing. They were laughing so hard that they hardly managed to hear the knocking on the door. Cliff wandered over and answered it.
Saibara stared at the sight before him. Cliff stood there in his “outfit” as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
“I brought this over for Elpitha.” Saibara grunted, handing Cliff a fishing pole. “I upgraded it for her.”
“OK! Thanks! I’ll give it to her.” Cliff said cheerfully.
Saibara didn’t leave. He stood and looked Cliff up and down. Then he put his hand on Cliff’s shoulder. “Listen, son.” He said. “Take it from me. Lay off the drink.” With that, Saibara turned and left. For a moment Cliff looked after him with a confused look on his face. Then he suddenly clutched his “breasts” in realization.
“I think I just gave Saibara a good scare!” He laughed, handing Elpitha her fishing pole. “I’m gonna go take these off!”
Elpitha knocked on Barley’s door. After a few moments, Barley answered with May at his heels. The moment that May saw Elpitha she lit up and hugged Elpitha’s knees.
“Elpitha! Welcome!” Barley said cheerfully. “What can I do for you?”
“I wanted to have a little chat with May and came to ask if she wanted to spend the day with me so we could talk.” Elpitha replied.
“Well that sounds great to me! What do you say, May?” Barley asked with a smile.
“Yay!” May cried happily. “Of course I want to go!”
Elpitha took May back to her house. May sat on Elpitha’s bed, playing with Mikri as Elpitha wandered around the kitchen. She had gone in to get a couple of sodas for the two of them, but now the sodas sat on the counter as she paced back and forth searching for the words to say to May. Finally she leaned against the wall, looking at May through the doorway. How could she bring it up? “May, you know how your mom’s a dirty tramp?” No. Perhaps that would be a bit insensitive. “May, don’t try to kill yourself or I’ll kill you!” That may frighten her. “I don’t know squat about children! If I ever have a kid, it better come with instructions!” True, but not very helpful.
“Elpitha?” May called.
Elpitha grabbed the two cans of soda and headed back into the living room. What would she say? She sat down next to May and handed her a soda.
“Elpitha….my mom doesn’t like me very much.” May whispered.
“That’s wonderful!” Elpitha cried. The kid started the conversation for her!
“What?” May asked.
“Huh? Oh no! Never mind!” Elpitha said. “Listen, sweetie, I actually wanted to talk to you about that.”
“Why? You don’t like me either!” May asked, retreating a bit from Elpitha.
“No! Of course I like you!” Elpitha cried, grabbing May by the wrist and dragging her back. “I just wanted to talk to you about your mother.”
“Oh…” May said, looking down. “You don’t want to be my friend anymore. If my own mommy doesn’t want to see me, then there must be something wrong with me. I guess I understand…” Tears began to form in May’s eyes. She refused to look up at Elpitha.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Elpitha said. She lifted May’s chin up. “There is nothing wrong with you, do you hear me?”
“Then why doesn’t my mommy want me?” May sniffled.
“That’s not your fault, sweetheart. I don’t know your mommy, so I can’t tell you exactly why she’s not here, but I can tell you for sure that it’s not your fault. If your mommy doesn’t want to be with you, then something’s wrong with her, not you. It’s her loss, not yours.” Elpitha said.
“But…if she…if my mommy…if I was better…” May stammered, the tears beginning to flow.
“No, honey. You’re just fine. Your mommy just doesn’t know what she’s missing. I know you miss her. I know how unfair it is that she left you, but that has nothing to do with you. It’s OK to miss and love your mommy, but it’s not OK to beat yourself up over it. Do you understand?”
“But..but…why doesn’t she want me?” May cried finally. She broke down into sobs.
Elpitha panicked. She looked desperately around for Mikri, but just as she spotted her, the dog ran under the bed. “Traitor!” Elpitha thought angrily. May continued to sob and Elpitha was getting desperate. “I suppose I could pick her up…I mean it wouldn’t be that bad. What if she didn’t like it?” She thought, watching May apprehensively. Finally she leaned forward and gently lifted May into her lap.
“It’s not your fault. Life can be unfair sometimes, and I know it’s hard. Look, you have your grandpa, right? And you have Stu and Me and Carter and pretty much everyone in town. Don’t be sad all the time.” She said soothingly.
May looked up with tears in her eyes. “You still like me?” She asked, rubbing her eyes.
“Of course I do!” Elpitha said, giving May a quick tickle.
“Stop!” May giggled.
“Do you feel better now?” Elpitha asked.
“Yeah. Thanks!” May said, hugging Elpitha.
Elpitha resisted the urge to stand up and drop May on the floor in the process. “You know what else might be a good idea? If you talked to Carter about this. I’m sure he’d make you feel better whenever you feel lonely if you don’t want to come to anyone else.”
“I like Carter.” May said simply.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Elpitha replied.
Elpitha spent the rest of the day with May. She was glad to see May so happy for a change, and it helped take her mind off of the fight she had had that morning. She dropped May off that evening, and when she had finally reached home once more, Elpitha spent a little while sprawled on her bed, just staring up at the ceiling. As she stood up to take a nice relaxing shower, Elpitha heard a knock on the door. She took her time about answering it, and when she finally opened the door, Elpitha found that no one was there. Just as she was about to close the door once more, however, the wind picked up and took the towel she had been holding right out of her hand. Elpitha rolled her eyes and ran after it. The towel landed in the tree in her front yard, and she eventually managed to scramble up and grab it off of a branch.
As Elpitha turned to wander back into the house, she looked up at the clear night sky. A sad smile came to her face as she spotted Orion and remembered how Kai had called him “Conan, the Barbarian.” She sighed and forced her eyes back down to earth as she headed for her door. A gentle breeze caressed her as she suddenly stopped and stared. Kai sat on the steps leading up to her porch. He slowly lifted up his head and leaned it against the railing, looking at Elpitha without speaking.
Until next time…
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Elpitha
Aug 11, 2005 21:08:57 GMT -5
Post by BorderWolf on Aug 11, 2005 21:08:57 GMT -5
Well done Zin! Like the part where Popuri nailed Kai with the banana.
*exalts*
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Elpitha
Aug 11, 2005 21:33:39 GMT -5
Post by Butterscotch on Aug 11, 2005 21:33:39 GMT -5
Great chapter. ^-^ I've been wondering this though...why isn't Popuri even a little jealous of Kai and Elpitha?
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Elpitha
Aug 11, 2005 21:41:17 GMT -5
Post by BorderWolf on Aug 11, 2005 21:41:17 GMT -5
Well from the other chapters of this story that are over on ff.net, Kai hasn't show any interest in Popuri.
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Elpitha
Aug 11, 2005 21:49:56 GMT -5
Post by Butterscotch on Aug 11, 2005 21:49:56 GMT -5
Well from the other chapters of this story that are over on ff.net, Kai hasn't show any interest in Popuri. That's not what I asked. -_-; In the games, Popuri likes Kai, so shouldn't she be just a little bit jealous that he likes Elpitha and not her?
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Elpitha
Aug 11, 2005 23:58:07 GMT -5
Post by zinovia on Aug 11, 2005 23:58:07 GMT -5
lol, well all I can say about the kai popuri thing is...wait. once the erm...poopies really hit the fan big time in the karen-rick-daniel-popuri-kai-elpitha thing I have going now, and then...
two points though:
1.) I'm not exactly following the storyline word for word here. there is no elpitha in the game. there is no daniel (you'll meet him later) in the game. may is not suicidal in the game. I'm basically just taking the characters and backgrounds and mixing up a tale.
2.) the character match-ups aren't necessarily going to end up the way they are in the game. I have three new characters in the game: Jack, Elpitha, and Daniel. depending on how they match up, i'll have to mix up the other characters to find them matches. besides, the way popuri is in the story, she's one-step above special-ed. she needs to grow up and I haven't hit that part yet, though it's coming.
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