Invidia’s Lonely Vacation

an Invidia short by AMI MEITSU

Many people would think that having two weeks off would be fun…unless you had to go away and work…

“Arty!” Invidia whined, she gave him a sad look from her place on the bed. It was nighttime, near ten o’clock when Arty told her the news. He was supposed to have the next two weeks off, but that changed when the EDF wanted to send him off for more diplomatic stuff.

“I’m sorry Princess, I have to. And I’m really sorry that you’re going to be alone, but my parents asked to take the kids on vacation.”

“But you that when you’re not here I feel lonely!”

“I said I was sorry, I just found out today, and I leave the day after tomorrow, early in the morning.”

“So…Why don’t we just make the most of the time we have before you leave?”

“Well tomorrow I have to pack, and I’ll be really busy so…”

“Then we’ll start now…” Invidia purred as she leaned over and kissed him…

He returned it and worked on getting her out of her clothes as the night continued.

Two days later, early in the morning, as Invidia slept, Arty went about doing some last-minute packing for the trip, to make sure he wasn’t missing anything. This one was longer than the previous trips he had gone on; the last one had only lasted one week. ‘I’m not sure about leaving her…’ He thought as he sat on the bed, just watching her sleep. ‘I know she’s strong, but sometimes being alone gets to her, she starts to feel like no one’s there for her…’ He put his hand over hers. ‘But I promise I’ll try and make sure it doesn’t happen I’ll call you everyday…and e-mail you…’“I don’t want my Princess feeling so alone…” He whispered as he lightly kissed her on the head. “I love you, Princess…”

“Hm?” Invidia slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him.

“Morning, Invidia.”

“You have to leave, don’t you?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, but after I leave, you’ll be all alone.”

“It’s okay…just try to have a good time and don’t work too hard.”

“I’ll try…bye Princess…”

Invidia looked up at him, she had such a sad look in her eyes, and he did too. Invidia was practically hypnotized by them though, and they stared for another minute or so before their lips met and Arty gave her a soft, sweet kiss.

“I love you…,” he said.

“I love you too…Bye…” Invidia said as she laid back down. ‘And I’ll be fine…don’t worry…’ She thought, but she was half-lying to herself, at first she liked her time alone, but by the second evening she was beginning to feel a bit sad. She missed Arty a lot, and it was hard to realize that he wasn’t coming through the door at four o’clock like he always did. She just sat on the couch reading, at the time, but couldn’t concentrate on the book; she needed someone to talk to, so she got up and called Nova. Nova often gave pretty good advice regarding things such as these, she’d been home alone with Setsuna when Derek went away sometimes, more so when Setsuna was younger and luckily, she was the one who picked up the phone.

“Hello?” She asked.

“Nova, it’s me.”

“Invidia? What’s wrong? You sound a little depressed.”

“I’m not depressed, I’m a little lonely, Arty left and I needed someone to talk to. You understand these situations more than my Father or anyone else does.”

“Oh, well how long is he gone for?” Nova asked.

“Two weeks, and I admit I like being alone at times, but other times it feels lonely without him or the kids around, and being alone for two weeks might make it worse.”

“Hmm…” Nova thought for a minute. “I know, why don’t you come with us on vacation? Since we’re all off we’re going up to the lake house for a little vacation, would you like to come with us?”

“Uh…” Invidia pondered for a minute. ‘I guess I could go, it might be a nice change of pace…maybe getting me away will make me feel better.’ “All right, I’ll go.”

“That’s great, we’re going to leave tomorrow afternoon at about one o’clock, sorry about the short notice.”

“It’s perfectly fine, I’ll see you then. Bye.” Invidia hung up the phone, and headed into her room to pack, she didn’t have much time, but she knew what had to be packed, or she thought she did. Since it was late springtime, and it was a lake house Invidia knew she had to bring more than her gowns. ‘Maybe I need a sundress?’ Invidia thought.‘And a couple different skirt and shirt sets…’ She looked through the stuff in her closet and the clothes thrown all around the room. “And Nova’s probably going to force me to go swimming…wait do I own a swimsuit?” She was talking to herself as she rummaged through things, and even though she hated wearing them she knew she better bring some kind of swimsuit just encase. Though, she doubted that she’d do much swimming, it’s not that she couldn’t, in fact she could swim pretty well, as, her Father had her take lessons when she was young. Then, when she got older she stopped, mostly because she didn’t have time and by then she hated wearing swimsuits because they showed off too much and she like wearing clothes that covered her up.

‘Hmm…’ Invidia thought as she looked through her clothes. ‘I guess I’ll have to buy one, I should call Nova again and ask her if she wants to come with me, she could help…’ Before she did that though, Invidia managed to finish packing and ended up with four different bags, two with clothes and other two with her bathroom stuff and a couple things for bed. She knew they’d already have stuff like bedding but she wouldn’t be comfortable without having her blanket at least, or if she couldn’t sleep there were her mother’s CDs and of course a little toy called Sabera-bear. It was a black teddy bear with a red ribbon around its neck that had ‘Sabera’ written on one side of the ribbon. Invidia didn’t sleep with it, but she kept it in the room, her mother had given it to her when she was a baby and afterwards it was put into a trunk with her mother’s stuff to prevent her from throwing it out. Invidia still had the trunk stored away in her closet but she left the bear out on her dresser, it was one of the few connections she had with her mother…She sighed as she looked at it.

“You’ve been shoved in a trunk amongst her clothes for so long; I don’t think I can put you in a suitcase…” Invidia whispered. ‘Great… I’ve gone crazy! I’m talking to a toy! But…It is form Mama, in fact, it’s one of the few connections I have with her now…’ She thought as she put the bear down in her suitcase and closed it, finally ready for the trip ahead.

The next afternoon, Invidia arrived earlier than they told her to, mostly because she wanted to see if they had enough room for her stuff. Not many people brought as much as she did on vacations…but no one was surprised.

“Bringing more than you need again?” Setsuna teased.

“No! I do need this stuff, when I go away I have a tendency to bring things that will make it feel more comfortable to me.”

“Nothing wrong with that.” Nova said. “And with you I can understand why, it deals with the past, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.” Invidia admitted, when she was first on Earth she felt so out of place, so she got into the habit of buying things in dark colors she liked and it made her feel more comfortable to be surrounded by things she liked.

“I don’t think it matters as long as you’re comfortable where you are.” Derek said, then, he kissed her lightly on the head and they left.

Invidia stared out the window the whole way there noting that the scenery looked fairly nice.

“Beautiful, huh?” Nova asked. “That’s why I like it here, it’s quiet and there are so many nice things to look at…”

“I see…” Invidia said, as she continued to stare. ‘Arty likes things like this too…that’s why he’s always trying to get me out in the spring time…Arty…I miss him.’

“Invidia, are you all right?” Setsuna asked.

“Oh, I’m fine.” Invidia said, but she knew she was lying, she wasn’t completely fine. Things changed a little when they arrived though, the place was just amazing, not as good as Arty’s parents’ place in the mountains but good enough.

“It’s nice.” Invidia said.

“I hope so, with all the money we paid for it!” Nova told her.

Invidia just looked at her.

“Invidia that was supposed to be a joke.”

“It wasn’t funny.”

“Never mind that, let’s just go already!” Setsuna said as she ran up to the porch, dressed in a light blue sundress that Nova had bought her yesterday when she went out with Invidia. With it, she wore white sandals and a blue ribbon that tied her hair back, she looked very pretty. Nova wore a similar outfit in light pink and without a ribbon, while Derek wore just a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. They made Invidia feel a little out of place in her blue gown.

Nova smiled at her daughter. “Not before you came get your stuff! You’re old enough to carry it!”

“Fine…” Setsuna fake-grumbled as she came back down and Derek went up to unlock the house, carrying his, and one of Invidia’s bags with him, Setsuna also had one and Invidia carried the other two.

“Invidia what is in all of these anyway?” Derek asked.

“Clothes, and a couple other things, where do I stay?”

“I’ll show you your room.” Nova said. “And you might want to get changed; you can’t be comfortable like that.”

“How are you supposed to go swimming?” Setsuna asked. “We were going to go after we unpacked.”

“Well…I did bring a swimsuit…but I doubt it’ll see much use…I really don’t feel like swimming now…” Invidia said. ‘Or ever.’

“Oh come on!” Nova said as Invidia followed her to her room.“You have a really cute swimsuit, and it doesn’t show off too much…”

“No.” Invidia said flatly as they came to one of the rooms in the hall.

“Well, this is your room, and at least consider coming out with us, that’s why you’re here. It is vacation.”

“I will consider it Nova.” Invidia told her as she left. Then, she put one of her suitcases on the bed and started to unpack, when she did she picked up something that she didn’t remember throwing in there, a picture of her family, including her Father. She smiled, she knew she was going to be lonely but she hoped they were having fun too, and for a minute she was glad she threw it in there, she figured she did it because she wanted some trace of her family there. Invidia sighed and finished unpacking, then, she changed her clothes and went down to the lake with everyone else.

“Invidia!” Nova called when she saw her. “You did come down, and you look nice!”

“Thanks.” Invidia said as she looked at herself. She wore a black sundress with a matching pair of black sandals and she even wore her swimsuit underneath, just encase she wanted to go in the water, but, for now she sat on a towel with Nova, who wore a blue bikini.

“So, you finally decided to come out, huh?” Derek teased; he was in the water with Setsuna.

“Oh be quiet…” Invidia snapped.

“Why don’t you come in?” Setsuna called, she wore a red bikini. “The water’s nice!”

“No thank you.” Invidia said, then, unexpectedly, Nova pulled her into a hug.

“Come on, just cheer up.” She said. “You act like you’re out of place.”

‘I am…’ Invidia thought as she watched them. They all looked so happy, it just made her feel worse, she felt like she was intruding in their happy family. She sighed as Derek came over.

“And what are you sighing for?” He asked.

“Nothing.” Invidia lied.

“You just need to cheer up, why don’t you come in the water?”

“I can’t…” Invidia stood up and back away. “I mean…I can’t swim,” she lied. “And my swimsuit…”

“You’ll be fine.” Derek then got behind her and undid the strap that held her dress on.

“Derek!” Invidia blushed heavily as her dress fell. Underneath it she wore a black and red two piece swimsuit with the top split black and red. It was a long top and with it she wore a skirt-like bottom. She had gotten it because she didn’t like bikinis and didn’t really want to wear a one piece swimsuit so she just opted for one with a longer top. She couldn't remember what it was called.

“Why are you blushing? You look cute.” Nova said.

“But…you know how I am and…”

“Just come on!” Nova grabbed her hand and led her into the water, which actually felt nice, Invidia had to admit. And, it sort of cheered her up, it was actually fun and it helped her to think about things for awhile…but only for awhile.

She started to feel lonely again that night, she was used to having Arty around especially then. She never minded sleeping alone; she just missed his warmth some nights, and this was one of those nights, even Sabera’s recordings hadn’t helped. Invidia sighed and looked up at the ceiling; she sat on the bed in her nightgown with her ‘blankie’ in her arms, just cuddling it. She heard Derek and Nova in their room getting ready for bed as she looked around and sighed again. ‘It’s just lonely…I need some kind of company…it would help…’ Invidia then got up and wandered into Derek and Nova’s room. Derek was lying on the bed, waiting for Nova to get done in the bathroom. Invidia climbed up on the bed and looked at him.

“What’s wrong?” He asked. “Are you lonely?”

Invidia nodded.

“Aw, come here…” Derek let her lay down next to him.

‘He’s warm…just like Arty…’ Invidia looked at him. “You’re warm.” She said.

He just smiled at her, she was so cute, and he didn’t mind her being there, she needed love.

“And what’s this?” Nova asked when she came out. “Has Derek left me for another woman?” She teased.

“No, she got lonely.”

Invidia looked up at her, as if to say ‘I’m not leaving, I’m comfortable here.’

“Aw…” Nova got into bed and laid on the other side of Derek. She didn’t mind Invidia being there either, she looked content and Nova didn’t want to mess with her.

“Well…Looks like I’ve got two beautiful women to sleep with.” Derek teased.

Neither of them minded though, they were comfortable and safe, that was all that mattered.

“I love you.” Nova said to Derek.

“I love you too…” He kissed Nova on the head and Invidia gave him a sad-ish look, as if she was saying ‘what about me?’ “And you.” Derek also kissed Invidia’s head.

She smiled as she finally began to fall asleep.

When Invidia got up the next morning she found that Nova had gone off, leaving just her and Derek together. She blushed when she realized that her head was lying on his chest, and that she liked it! He was warm and it reminded her so much of Arty…

“Good Morning Princess.” Derek said as he woke up himself.

“Hm? Oh, morning.” Invidia told him, she didn’t move.

“Invidia, I have to get up at some point.”

“No, I like this. You’re warm and I’m comfortable, don’t make me move.”

“Sorry Invidia, you’re going to have to move.” Derek moved her over. “And you have to get up too…”

“Fine…” Invidia muttered as she got up and followed him down into the kitchen, where, Nova and Setsuna had breakfast waiting.

“You two got up just in time.” Nova said.

“Did you have fun last night?” Setsuna teased.

“Quiet you!” Derek said. They all laughed and Invidia felt a slight ‘pang’ in her heart. Wishing that she could do the same kind of joking with her family now…The feeling was re-occurring throughout the day as she watched them have their fun and she stood back brooding to herself, and after dinner she just sat on the couch looking depressed while everyone else talked. Invidia felt like she wanted to cry, she really did feel out of place…

“Invidia?” Nova went over. “Are you alright? You just seem so sad…”

“I miss my family.” Invidia admitted. “I mean you’re all so happy with each other and I feel so out of place…” It was then that she began to cry.

Nova hugged her. “I’m sorry, I thought bringing you here might help by giving you a change of pace. I didn’t think about anything else…”

“It’s not your fault. I thought it was fine until I actually came, but I don’t regret it at all, I like it here, I just didn’t expect to feel so…”

“Lonely?” Setsuna said.

Invidia nodded and Nova hugged her.

‘I wish I could do more…’ Nova thought. ‘Wait a minute! Maybe I can…I can’t cheer her up but maybe someone else can…’ Then she came up with a plan, something that she knew would make Invidia feel much better…and the next day, she used it. She left after lunch to put it all into place.

“Where’s she going?” Invidia asked Derek.

“I don’t know.” Derek lied, Nova told him about the plan already. “Shopping I guess, while she’s gone Setsuna and I are going down to the lake, while we’re gone why don’t you take a nap?”

“Hm?”

“You look tired and it’ll be quieter with everyone gone…”

“All right.” Invidia nodded, and after they left she went back upstairs and slipped out of her dress so she could sleep, and stayed asleep until Nova came back an hour or so later.

“Invidia?” Nova whispered as she gently shook her. “It’s time to get up, I have something for you…”

“Hm?” Invidia looked at her.

“Come downstairs, I have something to show you…”

“Fine…” Invidia sat up and yawned. Then, she got up and threw her robe on over her slip and followed Nova. “This better be good.” She said.

“Well, just see for yourself.” Nova said when they reached the bottom of the stairs.

Invidia looked around and sitting there on the couch she saw… “Father!” She ran over and hugged him.

“Yes, Hi, Princess…” Zordar said.

“But how? Why?”

“You were just so sad, and since Arty and the kids are away I thought maybe your Father could help.”

“Thank you.”

Zordar pulled Invidia over into his lap. “So what am I going to do with you now? I didn’t expect to be brought to a lake house.”

“You could come down to the lake with us! It’s really nice.” Invidia said. “It’s kind of nice to just sit and watch the water.”

“I guess that’d be all right.”

“Good! Let me get dressed and we’ll go down!”

“And when do I get to see this new swimsuit of yours?”

“You told him?!”

“Maybe…” Nova said.

“You suck!” Invidia teased.

“I know.” Nova teased back.

Invidia just smiled at her, and a little while later she sat with her Father out by the lake and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I love you…” she said.

“Yes, I love you too, Princess.” He looked at her. “Speaking of that, who’s my little Princess?”

“Father, don’t make me say it!”

“Who’s my little Princess?” Zordar asked again.

“Me?”

“Yes, you.”

Invidia laughed and he hugged her.

And, later that night Invidia laid down with her Father and went to sleep truly happy for the first time in three days, she also realized that being alone wasn’t really that bad if you were surround by people who love you, so she was upset for almost no reason…But, that doesn’t mean she wasn’t happy to see Arty when he came back after she got home. She sat in the dining room waiting for him with one of his favorite dinners, homemade lasagna that Invidia used his recipe for. She immediately got up when he came in the door.

“Arty!” She said.

“Hi Invidia.” He hugged her and gave her a quick spin. “How was your vacation?”

“Fine, your trip?”

“Also fine, but I’m glad to be back home, I missed you a lot.”

“I missed you too…”

“I love you,” Arty said, the he leaned down and kissed her.

“I love you too…” Invidia said, then she gave him a kiss of her own, and then, they just stood there for a minute enjoying each other’s company…

Both of them just happy to be back together…at last…