Lonely
A New Princess Invidia Tale by AMI MEITSU
A/N: This story takes
place in December 2204, during the time when Arty’s on patrol before the
wedding.
A light snow fell in the city covering everything, even the
heads of the lingering shoppers. It was near Christmas and everyone was rushing
to get those important gifts, or take that one picture with Santa, or just
admiring the decorations…
“Mommy! Mommy! look!” One young boy
shouted eagerly as he pointed to a window display.
Out of curiosity Invidia looked toward his direction. The
boy was pointing into the window of a hotel lobby, which was set up with a
model Star Force display and at its center…the Argo. She walked toward
it and then looked down…
“Arty…” She whispered. Then she sighed and continued on her
way, trailing her bags behind her. Four to be exact, it was a lot less than
last year, but she didn’t have to buy much…she was just going to be by herself
for Christmas anyway. ‘All alone for Christmas…’ She thought as she
walked off. ‘What kind of holiday is that?! Stupid government! Sending Arty
on patrol…ruining my holiday…and my wedding!’ She
sighed again and was stopped by some man, when she looked up she saw that he
was with a bunch of others in front of a store; behind them was a sign
advertising a charity. Some brass band was nearby, playing doleful-sounding
Christmas Carols that matched her black coat, boots, and mood.
“Hello, Miss,” he said.
‘Great another one of these guys! Don’t these
charity people have better things to do than troll Christmas shoppers?!’
“We’re here to…” The man continued, but Invidia interrupted
him.
“Yeah, yeah I’ve heard it all before, Raise money to help
children, buy food, donate toys, all of that!” She
reached into her purse and then handed him a bill. “Here, here’s fifty dollars.
Do whatever it is you do and leave me alone!” Invidia huffed. Then she walked
off to her car…
When she got home she sighed and sat down on the couch,
dropping her bags next to her. ‘It’s so lonely without Arty…and there’s
nothing to do. Mama’s birthday has passed, I got my wedding dress, I already
visited Father for the month and everyone’s booked up for the holidays…’ She
then took off her coat and laid down. “I hate the
holidays. After shopping there’s nothing to do…then again… I don’t even believe
in this stupid holiday anyway…” Invidia rolled over and closed her eyes in an
attempt to go to sleep, but as soon as she did, the phone rang.
“Yes?” She said when she answered.
“What’s wrong?” Nova asked. “You sound upset.”
“Nothing really…I’m just a little lonely… What’s up?”
Invidia asked,
“Well, what are you going to do for Christmas? No one
should be lonely then…”
“I’ll be fine. I’ll find something to do; my place does
need some cleaning…”
“That’s no way to spend the holidays; I know. Why
don’t you stay here with me and my parents? I know you could use the company
and I don’t think I could be with them alone for a whole week. They’d drive me…”
“What makes you think I want to spend a week there?”
Invidia asked. “Especially without Derek, who is also on patrol on the Argo with Arty!”
“Not a week, maybe just Christmas Eve night, and what does
Derek have to do with this?” Nova said.
“Well…he loves me and he’s the only one who’ll love me when
Arty’s not around…”
“So he’s your plastic substitute Arty? Because I thought he
belonged to me.”
“Not important, what did you call me for anyway?”
“Oh, I was wondering if you wanted to come over, I need a
favor.”
“What?”
“I’ll tell you when you get here.”
“Fine…I’ll see you in a few minutes, bye,” and with that
Invidia hung up and proceeded to put her shoes and coat back on, only to go out
in the cold once more…
She arrived at Nova’s about a half hour later, twice her
usual time due to the city traffic from all the Christmas events…but she got
there nonetheless.
“You’re late,” Nova teased when she opened the door. Invidia
noticed that Nova had on pants, house slippers, a sweater, and a large frilly
apron.
“Traffic,” Invidia replied simply. “Now what did you need
my help with?”
“This,” Nova led her into the kitchen, which was less like
a kitchen and more like a big mess. Ingredients and utensils were everywhere,
and there were six or seven trays of cookies on the table.
Invidia gave Nova a
look. “What is this?!” she asked.
“Stuff for the EDF send off. Their
plan is for the remaining Star Force members to put together Christmas packages
for the patrol and a small cargo ship will take them out to the Argo. It
wasn’t like this when I started but the generals ordered twice the amount of
baked goods originally planned. I got Trelania and Wendy to help at first, but
they’re both off preparing for the holidays so you’re the only one left…”
“What makes you think I want to make a million cakes and
cookies?! I have things to do too!”
“Well, you’re good at it for one. Those brownies you made
for the send off dinner earlier this year were amazing…even the high command
said so…”
“Well it was Mama’s recipe…and they are fun to make…” Invidia pondered.
“So you’ll help?”
“Fine,” Invidia agreed, “Just tell me what to do…”
“Thanks,” Nova said as they entered the kitchen and got to
work, but halfway through Invidia noticed something…
“Nova?” She asked. “Where’s Setsuna?”
“Hm? Oh she’s asleep. She was getting in my way so I put her down for a
nap.”
“I thought she always stayed out of the way.”
“No. Not when it comes to sweets. She tried to help but
just ended up eating half of what we made, and since this is a big job,
I couldn’t afford to lose so much of it.”
“I see,” Invidia said as she pulled another cake
from the oven. “Now how many is that?”
“Five cakes, fifty cookies, and about twenty-four brownies,
and with each cake being cut into eight pieces that’s one-hundred and
fourteen.”
“And how many do we need?”
“Like three-hundred and fifty…”
“Vhat?!”
“Sorry…” Nova said. “If it was up to me we’d be done by
now…”
Invidia groaned and slumped into a chair. “Let’s see the
high command put up with all this! Why’d they put it on you anyway?”
“I was the only one left who could do it,” Nova said.
“Do what?” said a babyish little voice from behind.
Nova turned. “Hi Setsuna…” She said. “Did you have a nice
nap?”
Setsuna nodded and Nova picked her up. “Are you gonna stay
out of Mommy’s way now?”
“Yes Mama,” Setsuna replied.
“Good, now go say ‘hi’ to Invidia, Okay?”
Setsuna nodded and went over to where Invidia sat. “Hi,”
she said. “Why are you here?”
“She’s helping me,” Nova told her.
“Yeah, what she said,” Invidia said as she got back up and
sat Setsuna in the chair. “Now stay and don’t get in the way. Got it?”
“Alright…” Setsuna pouted but she stayed for a few minutes
before getting up and moving to the living room to watch TV while Nova and
Invidia spent the next four hours baking, icing and wrapping up sweets
before finally reaching at least three hundred and sixty.
“Finally…” Invidia sighed as she fell onto the couch.
“Not really, we still have to clean up and I have to make
dinner,” Nova said.
“Just call out for something,” Invidia said as she rested
her arm on her forehead.
“Only after you help me clean.”
Invidia groaned but she did get up and help, within two
hours the kitchen was perfectly clean and the table was set, even if it was
just for some take out meal.
“You know, for this being an order-out thing it’s pretty
good,” Invidia said as they ate.
“Well, Derek was the one who told me about it in the first
place, I never thought take out could be so good either but…”
“Well it doesn’t matter; I have to leave anyway…” Invidia
started to get up but Nova stopped her.
“No. You’re not going anywhere.”
“And why not?!”
“You’re exhausted; I can see it in your eyes. I’m not
letting you drive home like this and you know I can’t take you, you’re staying
here tonight.”
“No I’m not.” Invidia snapped.
“Yes you are. It’s dangerous to let you drive home in this
condition. So I’m going to find you something to wear and set up the bathroom
while you watch Setsuna for a few minutes.”
“Fine…” Invidia grumbled, then she
walked off and went back to the table with Setsuna.
“Invidia stay?” Setsuna asked.
“Yes, Invidia stay…” She sighed and put her head down just
as Nova came back in.
“Here, these should fit,” She said as she handed Invidia a
purple pajama set.
“Thanks…” Invidia muttered.
“And I set up my bathroom so you could get cleaned
up.”
“Right…thanks,” Invidia said again as she got up and headed
upstairs.
After she left Setsuna looked up at Nova.
“What?” Nova asked.
“Why is Invidia mad?” Setsuna asked.
“She’s just tired…” Nova picked her up. “And you’ll be too
if you don’t go to bed, so do Mama a favor and get out your stuff for bed, I’ll
be there soon okay?”
Setsuna nodded and Nova put her down before proceeding to
clean up as Invidia ran herself a bath upstairs.
‘I don’t see what the point of this is! I can drive…I’ve
driven tired before…it wasn’t the best idea…but I did it!’ Invidia thought as she looked up at the ceiling in the
bathroom. ‘Well I guess it’s too late to worry about it now…and I guess I do
need a bath…’ She quickly looked down at her still flour-covered dress and
then proceeded to remove the pin from her hair before fully stripping and
getting in the bath. It was actually relaxing and she ended up staying in until
Nova told her to get out- twice. The second time she threatened her with
going in and actually throwing her out.
“Alright, alright…” Invidia told her as she quickly got out
and changed into the pajamas Nova had given her which consisted of pants in a
dark purple and a light purple, almost lavender camisole with just a bit of
white lace at the bottom. ‘Well…it is kind of cute…’ She thought
as she looked herself over in the mirror, then she picked up the rest of her
stuff and moved into the guest room to do her hair and go to sleep.
Nova came in a while later to she
how she was doing and smiled when she found Invidia sound asleep.
‘She’s so cute, it kind of reminds
me of Setsuna…’ She thought with a quick
smile before closing the door and leaving, not knowing that she’d soon be doing
the same thing again…but not for such good reasons…
Invidia left early the next morning after breakfast to do
some shopping before the crowds came in, leaving Nova and Setsuna to prepare
for her parents’ arrival.
“Mama, why do I need a new dress to see
Auntie?” Setsuna asked, she sat on Nova’s lap as they looked at little girls’
dresses online.
“Because she likes to see you dressed up for Christmas, and
your old one is too small anyway…” Nova explained as she ran a hand through
Setsuna’s hair. “Now, which one do you like the best?”
“None. I want a blue one, these are all red.”
“Okay then…” Nova clicked onto another page. “How about these?”
As she looked Invidia did the same, only she was looking at
dresses for herself, not little girls…
“Hmm…” she muttered as she looked at the outfits on
display.
“Can I help you, Miss?”
“Hm?” Invidia turned to find a saleswoman behind her.
“I guess…I’m looking for something…something…ah, hold on…”
She took out a pad and a pen she had in her purse and sketched for a minute.
“Something like this, I saw it on your site and it said it was available in
stores…”
The saleswoman just smiled and said “Right this way…” She
led Invidia to another display. “Is this what you’re looking for?”
“Perfect…” Invidia muttered, she then got one in her size
and was getting ready to check out when something caught her eye…She picked it
up and called Nova. “You know how you were looking for a dress for Setsuna? I
think I found it…yes it’s blue, but don’t tell her,
I’ll bring it over when I come for Christmas…alright? Bye…” She then went back
to the counter and asked, “Can I get this one in a box instead?”
The woman at the counter nodded and transferred Setsuna’s
dress into a black gift box.
“Thanks…” Invidia said, then she
paid and left to finish shopping. Afterwards and a few days later she found
herself back at Nova’s, this time, for Christmas.
“Invidia!” Nova said when she answered the door.
“Um…hi?” Invidia said, not sure how to respond to Nova’s unusual
cheerfulness.
“Oh…well, don’t just stand there, come in…” Nova led her in
and stopped her in front of the couch. “Invidia…these are my parents, Natsumi
and Eric Forrester,” indicating a tallish woman with dark hair in a bun and a shorter,
fatter man who wore glasses, had a mustache, and was smoking a pipe.
Invidia raised an eyebrow at Nova’s father, that kind of
name in
Nova read her look. “He’s American born…but when he was
younger my grandfather, who was working for the EDF was transferred to Okasaka
and they stayed.”
“Oh…well…hi?”
“Mom, Dad, this is Invidia, the woman I was telling you
about.”
“You look familiar…” Natsumi said, “Have we met before?”
“You saw her at a reception once…” Nova said. “It was
shortly after she was exonerated and the EDF celebrated its victory while she
gave a formal apology.”
“Right, I still can’t figure that out…why would they send
your father to jail but let you go? You’re just as dangerous, I mean he
did raise you.”
Invidia glared. “What do you mean he raised me?!”she snapped, “My Father taught me more than just
conquest, and he focused on a lot more than that! And if you say
anything about him again, I swear…”
“Invidia, stop!” Nova said.
“But…”
“Yes I know. Mother, don’t you start anything
either! Invidia has it hard enough with people judging her and her background.”
“Fine,” Natsumi said, a little too nonchalantly.
Invidia gave her another look before turning to Nova.
“Where’s Setsuna?” she asked.
Before Nova could answer Setsuna came running up behind
her. “I’m here!” she said.
“Well I’m glad you’re here. I have something for you.”
“Me?”
Invidia nodded and pulled a neatly wrapped present out of
her bag. “Uh huh, this.”
Setsuna looked at it. “Is this really mine?”
Invidia nodded again. “You can open it now if you want;
you’re going to need it later anyway.”
Setsuna looked up at Nova, who gave her a small nod.
“Yay!” She then sat in the middle of the floor and prepared to
open it…but she stopped.
“What’s wrong, Setsuna, sweetie?” Eric asked. “She said you
can open it.”
“It’s too pretty to rip apart,” She then picked it up and
gave it to Nova. “Mommy open.”
“But it’s your
present, honey…”
“I think she wants you to do it so she can keep the paper,”
Invidia said.
“How about I just help you?” Nova suggested.
Setsuna nodded and Nova sat down with her and helped her
carefully open the gift so that the paper didn’t rip. Then, Nova took the paper
and left Setsuna with the box.
Setsuna tore off the ribbon and opened it. “It’s pretty…”
She said, then she turned to Nova. “You said I wasn’t
getting a new dress! You lied!”
“No, I just wanted this to be a surprise. You wouldn’t like
a ruined surprise, would you sweetie?”
“No…”
“Right, now go try it on…”
Setsuna ran off and Nova smiled.
Invidia, not knowing what to say just looked at them and
said, “I’m going to go get settled in.”
“Okay, but don’t be too long. I still want you to sit and
talk so they get to know you better,” Nova whispered to only Invidia.
She nodded and proceeded upstairs to her guest room, where
she set out her blanket and pajamas for that night, and hung her dinner dress
up in the small closet in the room, and then set up the adjoining bathroom so
she could take a shower later. ‘Or maybe I’ll get lucky and Nova will let me
use her bathroom again…the master baths are always so much nicer…’
As she was thinking Nova called her “Invidia!” She said.
“Get down here now.”
“What?” Invidia asked at she came down the stairs…then she
saw what Nova called her for. Setsuna was wearing the dress, which was just
plain adorable, and twirling around. But as soon as she saw Invidia, she
stopped.
“Thank you!” She ran over and hugged her. “Thank you! Thank
you! Thank you!”
“Uh…you’re welcome?” Invidia said as she picked her up to
get her out of the way.
“You two are so cute…I should get a picture!” Nova said.
“No!” Invidia said. “You can take one tomorrow when I’m in a better dress.” She
then put Setsuna down and sat in a chair next to the couch.
“Alright, Setsuna, go change and stay in your room for
awhile so the grown ups can talk.”
“Yes, Mama…” Setsuna left and Nova brought in a tea tray
from the kitchen. She set it on the coffee table and served everyone before
saying,“So, Invidia why don’t you tell them about
yourself?”
“What’s to tell? Everyone already knows what happened.”
“Well what about your interests? You do like fashion,” Nova
said.
“With the way she dresses it’s hard to imagine her having any
fashion sense,” Natsumi said. “You look like you’re in mourning or something!”
“What’s wrong with the way I dress? I like dark colors, so
what? I do wear more than this I’ll have you know! I even sketch
outfits…”
“Really? Do you have any on you?”
“No. I didn’t think I needed to bring them.” Invidia said.
“Well, then…why don’t you tell us about your family life
from your side?” Eric asked while glancing hard at Natsumi, “I’d love to
know how you grew up.”
“Well, I grew up with only my father. My mother, she had
health issues and passed away when I was a baby…it was hard for Father at first
but he got used to the idea of being a single father with a daughter, he never
remarried though, said he always loved Mama and that it hurt to much to even
think of loving another woman.”
“Your mother…what did she look like?” Nova asked. “You’ve
mentioned her, but, I’ve never seen her.”
Invidia reached into her purse, which she had left
downstairs, and handed her a picture. “That’s her, with me and Father.”
“Aw, you looked so cute as a
baby…And you look just like your mother…Except that…”
“She wouldn’t let them put a pin in her hair. Anyway, after
she passed away Father ended up taking on both roles, but he never minded, he
loved me a lot…”
“So he did take care of you, I thought he would’ve
been busy…” Natsumi said. “I mean, with his programs and campaigns of conquest…”
Invidia gave her a look. “You have no idea what you’re
saying! Of course he took care of me! He was always there for me…why
don’t you get it?! His whole world wasn’t conquest! It was me! If
anything had happened to me it would’ve and still would tear him apart! You act
like he’s nothing but a power hungry bastard!”
“Because he is. That’s why he’s in jail, isn’t it? Because
he’s mad for power? I still remember that day he began firing that huge
cannon of his at Earth!”
“Look you…” Invidia growled as she stood up and slammed a
hand on the coffee table.
“Both of you stop!” Nova got between them. “Christmas is
supposed to be a nice, family time. Not the time to start a fight!”
“She’s right,” Eric said, “We were invited here to have a
decent holiday, the least you could do is be nice.”
“Both of you,” Nova clarified.
“Fine,” They both said as Invidia sat back down.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, before Natsumi
caught a glimpse of something on Invidia’s hand.
“What?” Invidia asked.
“That ring…”
Invidia stopped her before she could ask. “Oh, I’m
engaged.”
“Really? Who is he?”
“His name is Arty, he’s part of the Star Force, so he’s on patrol right now. We were supposed to get married
this past March…but then the patrol came up and we had to reschedule. I miss
him, especially around the holidays. He’s the one who taught me about all this
Christmas stuff.”
“You mean you didn’t know at all?”
“No. I’m of a foreign race, not only that but I am
of a different religion. We don’t celebrate Christmas or I didn’t until I moved
here.”
“Didn’t you have to stay here?” Eric asked.
“No. After they figured out that I wasn’t really a threat
the EDF said I could officially go wherever I wanted. But by then I was happy
with where I was and I didn’t have a good reason for moving anyway.”
“And you had Arty…” Nova said.
“That too.”
“Did you have any other men before him?” Natsumi asked out
of pure curiosity.
“Mother…” Nova whispered.
“No.” Invidia answered. “I was much too busy for men;
besides all the ones I met were idiots…So Arty is my first and only love…”
“I would’ve thought someone like you…”
“Mother, why don’t you help me get dinner started?” Nova
asked before anything else could happen.
“Um…alright…” Natsumi followed her and Invidia got up and
went back into the guest room. She sighed and sat on the bed. ‘I hate her…’
She thought. ‘I really hate her! She only thinks one way and it’s just
wrong! I don’t know how anyone can just sit there and say such things
about someone’s family...’
She then laid down and rolled over
onto her side. “Father…” She whispered. “I’m sorry I let her say such things…we
both know that’s not how you are… most of the time.” She sighed again and
stayed that way, just thinking until Nova called her down for dinner. Which, to Invidia’s relief, was pretty quiet so it went by pretty
quickly. Afterwards she excused herself to get cleaned up, and Nova told
her she could use her bathroom again if she wanted too. She took the offer and
set herself a bubble bath, which proved to be pretty relaxing…until she heard
talking in the bedroom.
“Nova…why did you invite her
anyway?”
“Because no one needs to be alone for the holidays, and
with Arty gone she had no one. It just wasn’t right…”
“I know you meant well but I just don’t like her. She’s
pathetic.”
“Huh?” Invidia sat up and listened.
“I mean, she depended on her Daddy for everything
and still does. She uses his money so she doesn’t have to work. And what about her Fiancé? Shouldn’t she be spending the
time writing to him or something? Oh and I found that blanket on her bed what’s
with that?”
“Mother, she writes to Arty all the time, she sent him an
email earlier, Derek told me about it when he emailed me. And that
blanket you’re talking about? He father gave her that when she was about
thirteen, and not having him around…she treasures it, it’s one of the few
things she had when she came to Earth, aside from her mother’s memory items. As
for her money…she’s never had to work before nor does she really get the
concept of working for money, and since it doesn’t bother her none of us bother
with it.”
“So she’s not using you?”
“What?!”
“She just seemed that way. With her background I wouldn’t
be surprised if she was just using you or if her Father was just using her
for his own company. I mean, wasn’t she was the one who made a big fuss
about killing him at the trial? And what did he do? Nothing!”
“Mother!”
Invidia couldn’t listen to the rest of it she just laid her
head on her arms over the edge of the tub and cried. It was a mix of anger and
true sadness. She couldn’t believe anyone would say such things, and as soon as
they left she got out, changed, and went to sit on the bed in the guest room.
She laid down and grabbed her blanket, then she looked
up at the picture of Sabera she had placed on the nightstand.
“At least you don’t think I’m pathetic, heck, you’d be
happy with my reformation Mama…and at least you know how Father truly is…I tell
you, if I could kill her I would…I mean Nova’s father is fine but that Natsumi
woman…” She growled and then said. “I hate her! She’s worse than
Rossana.”
As soon as she said it there was a soft knock at the door,
but she didn’t answer.
“Invidia, it’s me…” Nova said as she opened the door
slightly. “I heard you…and you heard what she said didn’t you?”
Invidia didn’t answer.
“Look, Invidia, I know my Mother can be a little judgmental
and…from only seeing you in trial reports and such she only thinks of you and
your father as one way. Most people do, but that’s only because they don’t know
you as well as I do. And at least my Father is trying, after telling him about
you, he sees the same potential I do…”
“I like him but your mother is just…horrible.”
“You’ll get used to it, but for now just try and show her
how good you are…now, come downstairs…we’re opening presents.”
Invidia gave her a look.
“It’s been a standing tradition in my family that we are
each allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve, and this year that
includes you, so come on.”
Invidia sighed, but she agreed and went downstairs with
Nova and sat with Setsuna on the floor.
Setsuna looked up at her, and then asked “Mama, can I have
a dress like Invidia’s?”
“No Setsuna, you’re too young to wear something like that…”
Nova said.
Natsumi looked Invidia over. The only thing she wore was a
long red, satin-like slip with black lace at the bottom and even at the top,
around her breasts. “Agreed.” She said.
Invidia turned her head with a ‘humph.’
“Anyway…Setsuna why don’t you go first? Which present do you want to open?”
Setsuna looked at the tree and pondered seriously for a
moment. “I wanna open…Pop-pop’s!”
Eric found hers from him and gave it to her. “Your mom
helped me with it, but you should like it…”
Setsuna tore it open to find a little girl’s charm
bracelet. “I love it!” She hugged him, and they moved on and got through
everyone until only Invidia was left.
“Invidia?” Nova asked, as she went over. “You okay?”
Invidia nodded. “I didn’t expect anything anyway…” She
lied, trying to hide the sadness in her voice. ‘They just forgot about me…I
mean her parents sure but Nova?! One of my best friends?’
“Aw, don’t be like that; I have something for you…” Nova
handed her a neatly wrapped box. “It’s actually from Arty; he emailed me the
details and well…just open it.”
‘Arty?’ Invidia
thought. Then, she carefully opened it only to find… “It’s a music box…” She
said. It was painted a glossy black and had a red ribbon around it. She opened
it and burst into tears, not only was the figure inside reminiscent of her, but
it played Sabera’s song.
“What’s wrong? I thought you liked it…” Setsuna patted her
hand.
“I do…it’s just…”
“She’s happy, that’s all. Sometimes people cry out of
happiness, you just get so emotional that it all comes out in the form of
tears…” Nova explained.
“Nice that he would get you something when you didn’t get
him anything.” Natsumi said.
“Don’t you think that if I could send him something I
would?! We’re not allowed to send them anything except letters!”
“You’re not allowed or you just don’t care? ‘Cause if you
did you’d at least try; I bet you didn’t even buy anything for him for after
Christmas…”
“Well, I…”
“Truly heartless, aren’t you?” Natsumi said.
At that, everyone stopped.
Invidia dropped the music box and stood up. “Excuse me…”
She said. “I’m just tired I’m going to bed…” She walked off, but halfway up she
just ran into her room. To make them believe her cover up Invidia climbed into
bed and grabbed her blanket, then…she began to cry. She wanted nothing more
than to just hit Natsumi over the head, but not being able to do that made her
angry beyond measure…and she crossed the line when she said Invidia didn’t care
about Arty and that she was heartless. ‘I hate her…more than ever now! I
tried being good but her!’ She continued to cry until Nova came in
to check on her.
“Invidia?” she asked.
“Huh?” Invidia looked up at her and she immediately came
over.
“I’m sorry about my mother…that was out of line…”
“It’s fine…” Invidia said.
“But you’re crying.”
“I’m angry; she just says that like it’s nothing.”
“It’ll be better tomorrow…I promise, now get some sleep…”
Nova left and she soon fell asleep, only to be awakened
early the next morning by Setsuna. And after she left Invidia sighed and got
up, when she got downstairs Nova was waiting for her.
“Invidia, come here…”
She did and Nova sat her on the couch with Natsumi.
“My mother wants to tell you something.”
“Yes?” Invidia snapped.
Natsumi bowed her head and said, “I apologize for calling
you heartless. It was uncalled for and I know I should get to know you better
before just making assumptions.”
“No,” Invidia said.
“Huh?”
“No. I don’t accept your apology, after everything you did
you have to prove to me you mean it!”
Natsumi threw Nova a look, but she just said, “I didn’t say
she’d take it. Besides, she’s not that mean, she’s just not stupid.”
Natsumi sighed, but did end up redeeming herself later and
they actually had a pleasant time, especially after dinner when Nova took
pictures, including the one she wanted to get yesterday of Setsuna in her new
dress with Invidia. Only this time, Invidia wore her new dinner dress. A black
one with a sideways red sash and a fake red rose on one strap, with it she wore
a black wrap and sandals, but she put aside the wrap to hold Setsuna in the
picture. Then…
“Let’s get a group shot, you too Invidia…” Nova said.
“But I’m not…”
“Come on, don’t you want to remember this?”
“Yes, but…”
Nova cut her off by pushing her into the shot. She then
took the picture, which, unlike the majority of the two days turned out
perfect…Just perfect…