Persona BLEACHED 4: Chapter 36

Chapter 36: The Chill Before
December 18, 2031
Los Angeles, Earth-727. Mid-afternoon at Barbara and Kibō's apartment.
"Alright, now bend your left leg up." Annette said to her daughter, who was lying facedown on the sofa.
"Mama, do we really gotta be doing this now?" Barbara asked.
Sitting at the kitchen counter, watching every move, were Kat and Ibuki. "I don't see a problem." the former chimed in.
"There's gonna be a lot more people watching you tomorrow night, honey. Nothing wrong with a few last minute stretches." Annette advised. "Is everything okay? I'm feeling a lot of tension here..."
"Everything's good. I'm just...real nervous about tomorrow." Barbara replied. Kat and Ibuki remained silent. They knew the real reason.
"You've done this a hundred times before, Barbie. It should be natural to you by now." Kat said.
"Never in front of such a big audience! And I'm so used to playing the lead songstress, I've never played the villain before." 
"Talent scouts love someone that can vary up their performances. Don't want to end up being typecast all the time, do you?" Annette asked.
"If you're really that tense, I know a few massage tricks we can try out. Dunno if it works as well on a dancer as it does before a fight, but wouldn't hurt to try." Ibuki suggested. "Oh, not that I'm downplaying your physical therapy skills, Ms. Annie."
"I didn't take any offense, sweets. Maybe natural muscle's what she needs. Give it a go." Annette got up.
"You could always ask Keebie. We both know what a good little masseuse he is." Kat cheekily said.
Ibuki rubbed her hands together. "I'm about to ruin ya, Barbie doll."
"Be gentle...!" Barbara panicked.
Outside the apartment, Kibō returned, wearing workout garb and wiping sweat off his face. As he reached for his key, he heard the sound of moaning. 
"What the...?"
He opened the door. He wished he hadn't.
"Loosen up a little, Babs, you're too pretty to be this stressed!" Ibuki was right on top of Barbara, rubbing her shoulders.
"Uggggh...Ibuki, you're too...ooooh, that's iiiiit..." Barbara was blushing red. 
She looked and saw Kibō at the door, a confused look on his face.
"K-Keeb! How long have you been standing there?!"
"...long enough." he responded. "I guess one twin wasn't enough, huh, Ibuki?"
"She's too yummy for you to have for yourself! I wanna have a turn!" Ibuki responded.
"Get in line." Kat took a bite out of a pretzel.
"I'm not your guys' plaything! This is just a de-stressing exercise, Keeb, I swear!" responded a flustered Barbara.
"Doesn't look like it's doing the job." Kibō commented.
"Cuz you interrupted, you buzzkill! Go hop in the shower and leave us in peace!" Ibuki griped.
"I'd do what she says, Keeb. Those aren't muscles I would mess with." Annette ate from Kat's bag of pretzels.
Kibō looked like he wanted to say something, but thought better of it and walked away.
"So, Bookster. You ever given Sparky this kinda session?" Kat asked.
Annette plugged her ears. "La la la la la, I'm not listeniiiiing..."
"I won't say anything in front of Ms. Annie." Ibuki responded. "(Not yet.)" She mouthed, leading her and Kat to laugh.
"Where is Starbolt, anyway? He promised he would make it." Annette asked.
"Things on his end are, um...a little hectic. But he should be here soon." Barbara replied.
"(Wonder how long they can keep Ms. Annie in the dark. Poor lady worries about them enough as it is.)" Kat thought.
"Guess I'll get started on dinner. Everything in your kitchen's intact, right, Moonbeam?" Annette asked.
"Yes, Mama." Barbara responded with a tinge of annoyance.
Annette turned her attention to the kitchen. "Um, Ibuki...could you please get off me now?" Barbara asked.
"Woops, sorry about that." Ibuki got up. Barbara sat back up.
"Hey." Kat got up and whispered. "I know why you're bummed. It's okay. We're all thinking it. This is your element, though. A night where you don't have to think about it."
Barbara sighed. "It's too much. It's just too much to think about. How am I gonna give it my best tomorrow when there's a million things going through my mind?"
"Cuz you're you. You're a star. This is what you were born for. You're gonna knock this out, just like always. Whatever's coming is tomorrow's crisis. We've gotta keep it together, otherwise the bad guys win before it starts. Focus on what's in front of you, and that's being the most delightful Snow Queen you can be. Feel me?"
Barbara nodded.
"You want to hug the kitty?"
"I'd rather hug my best friend."
"I can do that, too."
The girls hugged. "Thanks, Kitty Kat. I'm okay now."
"Don't mention it. Got any input, Bookster?"
"I'm not gonna steal your thunder. This is what you're good at. You should've been a cheerleader." Ibuki replied.
"Oh lord, me with pom-poms? Bleeeeh."
"I think you could pull it off." Barbara added.
"Nope nope nope. Not happening. That'd be more of your kinda thing."
"Funny you should mention that...I was actually thinking of trying out for the school dance team. It'd be a fun way for me to keep my skills sharp when the theater's taking a break."
"There ya go, Barbie! I think you'd be great at it. Just try not to overshadow the other girls, eh?" Ibuki replied.
Lights flashed outside, before quickly fading out. "I think homeboy's here." Kat said.
Ibuki opened the door. "Hey. Sorry I'm a little late." Max was there.
"You're here and that's what matters, lover boy~." Ibuki kissed him.
"There's my scruffy little man in uniform! They been keeping you busy?" Annette called out from the kitchen.
"You can...definitely say that." Max responded. "Oh, you're here too, Kat? Any of the others make the trip?"
"Just me. Everyone else flew back to be with their fams once exams were finished. I'm headed back home myself after tomorrow. I had to support my bestie in her finest hour, though." Kat replied.
"And I absolutely love you for it." Barbara chimed in. "So they're finally letting you go without a chaperone, Maxie?"
"Yeah...sort of. I did bring someone along, but only because they wanted to come." Max answered.
In walked Candice. "Hello again, Barbara. It's been a little while."
"Oh, hi, Candice. I didn't expect you to come, too. I thought you were still on the island." Barbara said.
"I was up until a short time ago. Mother and I returned to New York for a little while to help with--"
Max glanced at Candice. 
"--holiday preparations. Difficult to do that when you're so far away, you understand."
"Hey, hold on a second...your eyes...you can see right now, can't you? But you're not in the water..." Barbara questioned.
"Oh, that's because I have this." Candice lifted her arm, where a transparent, azure-colored bracelet was dangling from her wrist. "Father helped develop this for me. The inside contains salt taken straight from the ocean. I can see so long as I'm wearing this. Now I can enjoy watching you perform without any issues!"
"Aww, you came all this way just to watch me? That's so sweet."
"I feel like I'm missing something here." Annette cut in.
"Oh, sorry, Mama. This is Candice. You know how the other world has a Max? There's another me there, too. Candice is her daughter. Candice, this is my mom, Annette."
"Hello there, Ms. Annette. It's a pleasure. I've heard many a wonderful thing about you from Barbara." Candice greeted.
"Oh, what a polite young lady you are! How did you two meet, exactly?" Annette asked.
"I was transported here by accident. Barbara helped keep me company while I waited to be returned home. She helped me with a--"
Barbara glanced at Candice.
"--jellyfish that was drifting too close to shore. She's helped me a few more times since then. I feel like I've found a kindred spirit with her, and when I heard that she was having a performance, I asked Mother if it was okay to come over for a visit. I asked if she could come as well, but..."
"We get it. Official business matters." Kat interjected.
"I hope I'm not intruding on any of your plans. I was really hoping to spend time with you while things aren't precarious at the moment."
"No, no, you're not intruding at all. I'm really happy that you came. I've just got a ton of things going on right now." Barbara replied.
"Why don't we go for a walk by the beach where we met? Nothing clears my head more than the feeling of the water on my feet."
"Okay. Is it alright if I go out for a bit, Mama?"
"By all means. Dinner won't be ready for a while. Just be careful that there aren't any rogue penguins waddling about." Annette responded.
"Penguins aren't around here, Mama...right?"
"Outside of the Galapagos Islands, penguins live exclusively in the southern hemisphere. No rogue band would swim its way here." Candice replied.
"That...came out pretty quick. You know a thing or two about the ocean, don't you?" Annette asked.
"Father is a brilliant marine scholar. Everything I know, I learned from him. Or from Mother Ocean herself."
"W-what she means is, she's learned from experience--" Barbara interjected.
"No need to beat around the bush, Moonbeam. Hearing the voice of nature isn't a foreign concept to me. It's the least weird thing I've heard in the last two years." Annette responded.
"You might not think that once you see her talking to a school of fish..." 
The two girls left, and Annette returned to the kitchen.
"So, Sparky...how are things going over there?" Kat asked.
"Hectic. They're mobilizing every division that they can. And the old man...I haven't seen him in days. Emily says he was in a state the last time she saw him." Max replied.
"You can't blame the guy. Finding out what really happened to his wife. Now every enemy he's had is gonna be in the same place. I don't think it's exaggerating to say how important this is for that entire world." Ibuki responded.
"Hope he doesn't go crazy from all of it. That nutball would take it as a win." Kat said.
"I think that's why Her Honor was so quick to let Candice come over for a few days. Gets her away from all of it for a while." Max surmised.
"I'd bet they all wish they could be so lucky."
"Alright, enough grim talk! Sparkplug, get on the couch! Time for a de-stressing!" Ibuki ordered.
"W-wait, what do you mean by--GAH!" Max got out, before Ibuki grabbed him. 
---
Down by the beach, Candice was standing ankle-deep in the water. "Hello again. It's been a little while, hasn't it?"
Barbara was right behind her, watching. "(If I didn't know any better, I'd think she was crazy, talking to the water.)" she thought.
"Don't be shy, Barbara. Come and join me. The water isn't that cold."
"Well...if you say so." 
Barbara kicked her shoes off, and stood next to Candice. "There, see? Perfectly fine."
"It's not as chilly as I thought it'd be, but it's still kind of frosty."
"Maybe I'm just more used to it with all the time I've spent swimming. So tell me, Barbara. What do you hear? Besides me, of course."
"Uh, hmm..." Barbara kept quiet for a moment. "I hear the waves. The seagulls. People bustling over by the boardwalk. Sorry, am I allowed to be this casual? Aren't you technically a princess now?"
"No crown has been placed on Father's head as of yet. He'd likely prefer to keep it that way. Even if it was the case, I wouldn't want you to talk any other way than how you're used to. I wouldn't want to be an elitist sort of royal."
"I guess that makes sense. You already carry yourself like a princess. You're so elegant and kind."
"Oh, don't make me blush. It's just how I was raised to behave." Candice turned a little red. "But back to my earlier question. You know what I hear when I'm close to the water, yes?"
"Yeah. You can hear the ocean speaking to you. The creatures that live in it, too. It's a really special gift you have. I wish I could do something like that."
"What makes you so sure that you can't? Have you ever tried to?"
"I'm pretty sure I could tell if the sea was speaking to me. Besides, it's not like I'd have a reason to be able to. I don't have the kind of intimate connection you have to the ocean. I'm just a gal from the plains of Oklahoma. I'm as far from the ocean as you can get."
"I don't think you're as far away as you think. Your power is over water, isn't it?"
"Yeah."
"And your mother didn't think my abilities to be strange at all. It seemed rather natural to her. Your family has Native American roots, yes?"
"Yeah. Mama's a Cherokee. She's said that our gods are the forces of nature themselves."
"And is the sea itself not a force of nature?"
"Well, yeah."
"I don't see much distance between you and Mother Ocean. She certainly doesn't."
"Candice, I'm not like you. I can't hear her like you can."
"You just called her 'her'. You can hear her if you reach out."
"I..."
Candice took her hand. "Concentrate. I know that you can do it. Empty your mind and focus on one thing. It's been inside of you all along. Let her voice reach you."
Barbara took a deep breath. She closed her eyes.
"....."
"....."
"...I can't hear anything."
"Just a little bit more. Have faith."
"....."
"(Hello, Barbara.)"
"....!" Barbara gasped.
Candice smiled. "I knew it."
"That...that was...why did I just hear my mom?"
"She's speaking to you with a voice she knows you'll be comfortable speaking with. I hear my mother when I'm speaking to her, too. Listen to what she has to say."
"O...okay." Barbara diverted her attention. "Are you...Mother Ocean?"
"(I am, indeed.)" the voice replied.
"This...this is crazy. What am I supposed to say to her?"
"Tell her what's troubling you. Whenever I'm worried about something, I turn to her to help ease my soul. Let her guide you as she's guided me." Candice suggested.
"I...I'm just...I'm so afraid."
"(Of what, my child?)"
"Everything! A war is coming...so many people are gonna be hurt or worse...I don't want to fight, I hate seeing people get hurt! I thought things could finally start going back to normal, and now this is happening. How can I even focus on the play tomorrow when I know what's coming?"
"(The ones most harmed by conflict are those who live with kindness. But your kind soul is precisely what those you hold dear need in such a trying time. You need not shed blood to aid those close to you.)"
"How am I supposed to do that?"
"(Through your healing touch. And through your beautiful voice and dance. The people you love will feel invigorated from seeing and hearing you perform. Keep their spirits raised. Keep that loving soul through all of this.)"
"Help them...through my voice and dance..."
"(Have faith in yourself and those you love, Barbara. That is how you survive today and the days to come. I will always be here to listen when the days become difficult. Stay strong.)"
"I...I will. Thank you, Mother Ocean. I'll do everything I can for everyone. Thank you for your wise council. And for letting me hear your voice."
Barbara opened her eyes. "That...was incredible. Um, Candice? Are you crying?"
Indeed, Candice was wiping away tears. "I'm...I'm so happy. Nobody else has ever heard her voice before. No one else in Lemuria, or anywhere. At last, someone else who listens and understands her the way that I do. Oh, I can't contain this joy I'm feeling...I have to thank your brother for this. If I hadn't been sent here, we never would've met. You're the kindred spirit I've been searching for my whole life!"
Barbara had turned beet red. "I-I don't know if I'd go that far, but--"
Candice tightly embraced her. "I want us to be friends forever, Barbara. This is so wonderful..."
Barbara finally relented and returned the hug. "I'd love that. Just promise me no more sharks."
---
It had become readily clear that the apartment was not meant for six people.
They were spared from a seventh, with Annette booking a hotel room nearby. But now came the matter of splitting two beds and a sofa between six people.
"You're not sleeping on the beach, Candice." Barbara insisted.
"I've done it before. It's no worry for me." Candice replied.
"Well it's a big worry for me! Who knows what kinds of weirdos run around there at night? You deserve better than sleeping outside with no cover."
"So how are we gonna do this?" Ibuki asked.
"Boys on the couch." Kat responded.
"I am NOT sleeping with him!" Max and Kibō both refused.
"Sure about that? These years are about experimenting and finding yourself. Y'all could learn something about yourselves."
"You're walking a tightrope there, Kitty Kat." Ibuki responded.
"Well we're not about to have three people to a bed." Max stated.
"You'd like that, wouldn't you, Sparky? Your main squeeze and your ex in the same bed with you. Gets you hyped just thinking about it, doesn't it?" Kat teased.
"I could just have you sleep outside like an alley cat."
"You want me to sing and dance covered in uncanny valley CGI while I'm at it?"
"Please, anything but that!" Barbara responded. "There has to be an easier solution to this."
"I'll take the couch if no one else wants to." Kibō said.
"He in the doghouse enough to be used to that?" Ibuki asked.
"Only when he mixes in his laundry with mine." Barbara replied.
"It was the one time!" Kibō denied.
"That I know of."
"Anywho, that frees up his room. And nobody's stealing the lady of the house's quarters from her. So..." Kat stated.
"I call dibs on Keebster's digs." Ibuki immediately interjected. "And I'm just gonna put it out there, I'm only partnering up with one bloke." She grabbed Max's arm. 
"So now I get to smell Keeb all night. Great." he uttered.
"Looks like it's happening after all." Kat joked.
"Shut up." both boys responded.
"So, princess, it's either you or me spending the night in lavender-scented paradise." 
"I really don't want to put anyone out of their way." Candice replied.
"And I don't want you to sleep on the floor or anywhere without a roof. Besides, Kitty Kat, you could just turn into a cat and, I don't know, curl up at the edge of my bed." Barbara pointed out.
"...do I get cuddles?" Kat asked.
"That's fine. But no brushing up against my legs. I'm serious."
"You're breaking my heart here, boo."
"One belly rub tomorrow morning. That's as far as I'm going."
"Hmmm...deal."
"How is *any* of this normal?" Max questioned.
---
"Y'know...not many people have big posters of their mom front and center in their rooms." Max commented, referring to the large poster of a younger Kyoko in her wrestling garb. It was autographed, bearing the words "To my #1 Fan!!! Love, Mom!!!" surrounded by hearts.
"Hunh, I've got that same poster on my wall." Ibuki said. "Plus you don't have room to talk about a guy being a mama's boy."
"I...okay, fair enough."
He turned around to see Ibuki lying on the bed, longingly staring at him. She patted the spot next to her. "Y'know, some people have a hard time sleeping without a cuddle buddy."
"Should I go get Kat, then?"
"Dork. C'mere."
With a hint of nervousness, he obliged and got on the bed next to her.
"You look tired." she pointed out.
"I am. It's been one hectic fight after another, and the worst one's right around the corner. I've been stabbed, shot at, made to feel the worst kinds of fear...please don't tell my mom any of that."
"I won't. I'd be sending her to an early grave. Just think that you've got a break from all that. And it won't be much longer until it's just you and me and our shiny new apartment. Which I hope doesn't get blown up by all the fighting. Even if Rinnie's crazy plan works and they get everyone out of Tokyo, the rebuild's gonna be insane. I mean, Rumi just got done fixing the salon back up!"
"Buildings can be rebuilt. As long as we make it past this, I'll take any sort of rebuild job." He sighed. "I'm sorry this is what I'm putting you through."
"What's my favorite saying?"
"Fight for the happy ending."
"When we're finally sitting on the couch watching some cheesy movie, not a care in the world, it'll mean that we made it. It's one more fight we gotta make it through. I know what you're gonna say. 'Do I really deserve it?' You don't have to keep taking the hits for that. That's on Captain Thunder, not you."
"I *am* Captain Thunder. Or, I was. You can't tell my story without including him. There's no getting past that."
"But there's *moving* past that. Don't let him spoil everything you have going now. The guy that changed me and the guy I'm talking to aren't the same. If that wasn't the case, you'd have an arrow in backside right now."
"That's...reassuring that I don't."
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"I love you. I'm serious. You don't have to be spooked that I'll do something. And you don't have to feel guilty about me saying that." She nuzzled in closer. "You're not the only one that's spooked. It'd be just my luck to have the world fall to pieces after I'm finally in a good spot."
"We're not gonna let that happen."
"Damn right we aren't. I plan on seeing Kanae-chan grow up. And, you know...if things go a certain way..."
"Whoa, whoa, WHOA!"
"Not right NOW! Obviously not right now! Just saying, y'know...maybe one day. Lot's gotta happen first, but...this is super awkward now, isn't it?"
"Yes. Yes it is."
"Sorry."
"No, don't apologize."
"You wanna just cuddle?"
"In Keeb's bed?"
"He doesn't have to know."
"*I'll* know. And so will she." He pointed to the poster.
"Okay, yeah. Guess I'll just have to wait till we're home to--"
"Oh my GOD, will you two just start making out already?!"
The couple both got up. "Kat?! Were you listening to all that?!" Max demanded.
"...meow?"
"That's it, I'm getting the spray bottle!" Ibuki griped.
"Hisssss!"
Tiny footsteps could be heard sprinting away.
"Ugggh. If I wasn't sleepy I'd go chasing after her. Wasn't she supposed to be with Barbie?" Ibuki asked.
"She probably broke the 'no legs' rule and got kicked out. That girl, I swear..." Max replied.
---
December 19, 2031
"*yaaawn* Morning, everyone." Barbara walked into the living room.
"Morning, sunshine. Take the load off, I've already got the waffles going." Max responded from the kitchen.
"Oooh, been a while since I've had breakfast from you." She sat at the counter. "Where's everybody else? Just you here?"
"Yup. Mama followed Keeb to the gym, Ibuki and Kat went out shopping, and Candice left for the beach to, I'm assuming, talk to a pod of dolphins. So it's just you and me for a while."
"Must've really needed the sleep if I didn't hear anyone leave."
"That's good, isn't it? You'll be at 100% for the show tonight. Do you still need to practice?"
"I've got my lines down pretty good. The thing I'm really nervous about is my big introduction scene. It's over-the-top, flashy, menacing, you get the idea."
"Afraid you can't pull off the villain role after all?"
"No, it's not that. I want to make it look like I'm ice skating. It has to look as seamless as possible. The stage is gonna be suitable for doing it, but I want to be absolutely sure I can pull it off."
"How about I help you out after breakfast? Just for some last-minute adjustments if you need them."
"You really want to help me practice?"
"Yeah. It'll be like when we were kids. The others shouldn't be back for a while, so it's not like we'll have an audience."
"It was one thing when we were kids, but you sure you're not gonna be embarrassed dancing with your sister?"
"When have I ever been embarrassed doing things with you? Never have been, not gonna start now. You've been prepping for this for months. Obviously it's important to you, so why should I have a problem lending you a hand?"
Barbara giggled. 
"Did I say something funny?"
"Oh, no. It's nothing. I'd love it if you could help me practice."
"Good deal. But first, waffles."
After being presented with the stack of fluffy delectables, Barbara took a bite out of one.
"I know I'm no Natty when it comes to good eats, but I like to think I can still make a good meal."
"Mmmm...! Oh my God, don't try to play the humble game, this is so good! They're just like the way Mama makes them!"
"Well, I did learn from the best. Try not to eat it too fast, don't need your stomach acting up today of all days."
"Oh, no no no, I'm savoring every last bite! If my stomach's gonna make any kind of noise, it's gonna be a happy tune~!"
In a few minutes, the plate was barren of anything but crumbs. Barbara wiped her mouth clean. "Oooh, I. Am. Full. I'd ask for seconds if I wasn't sure it'd weigh me down later."
"Any other day I'd be more than happy to. But I can't be jinxing you at the last minute. Have to start the day off right."
A smile decorated her face. "There it is. There's what I've been missing."
"What, waffles crumbs?"
"All this time since you've been back, you've been so gloomy and mad at yourself. It's been almost two years since I saw this. My sweet little brother that loves doing things with me and Mama and not caring if people think it's embarrassing. I've missed him like crazy."
"I'm the last person anyone would call sweet."
"What else would you call making me breakfast and wanting to help me practice my routine? You've always been a sweet guy, Maxie. I'm glad the last couple of years haven't changed that completely."
"Now you're really trying to embarrass me..." Max looked away to try to mask his reddening face.
"Let me go get my shoes for tonight. Time to work off those waffles. I'll just be a sec~!" Barbara ran to her room.
"Careful you don't trip!" Max cautioned. "Me, sweet. Well, as long as she can be her old happy self again. Can't remember the last time I heard that hum in her voice."
"Okay, all ready." Barbara returned.
"Boy, those are, uh...shiny."
She was wearing light blue ballet slippers with intertwining straps reaching up close to her knees. "Yeah, I know. Wait till you see the whole outfit. I'm gonna be washing glitter out of my hair for weeks after this. So, how should we do this? I show you the routine, and then we work on some stretches?"
"Sounds good to me. Just be careful not to bump into any furniture."
A short while later outside, Annette returned with Kibō. "So I found this really cool shop that sells vintage vinyls. I don't know if your parents have a record player, but if you could give me a list of their favorite acts, I'll see what I can come up with." she said.
"Well as long as it's intense and metal they'll be into it. Mom's been getting more into Limp Bizkit lately--" Kibō opened the door.
"--Alright now try to hold that pose for a minute." Max was on the floor, with Barbara standing on his back.
"Aren't you thankful I'm not wearing heels for this?" Barbara looked up. "BAH! When did you two walk in?!"
"...am I just gonna find you doing weird stuff every time I come home now?" Kibō asked.
"D'oh, you said no one would be home for hours!"
"That was the impression *I* got! Mama, I can explain--" Max responded.
"There's no need, Starbolt." uttered an emotional Annette. "I've been wanting to see you two being your old selves for a very long time. Oh, this is more moving than any gift I could've gotten!"
"I'm *begging* for a normal conversation in this apartment." Kibō uttered.
"Oh, boy oh boy. Ain't this a wholesome scene." Kat had suddenly appeared with her phone out.
"Don't you DARE save this!" Barbara demanded.
"It'll be in my memory banks for life."
"You don't have room to judge! The most I've seen you do with your sister is trade dirty memes!" Max replied.
"Well that's just not true. Some of them are PG-13."
Ibuki walked in, hands on her hips. "You never let *me* stand on you like that."
"You're not helping! And not in front of my mom, please!" Max demanded.
"Ohhh, this is so embarrassing..." Barbara stepped off.
"What's all the commotion about?" Candice entered. "Hm? Why are you on the ground, Max? Did you trip over something?"
"This might've been a mistake after all." Max uttered as he stood up.
"It's the thought that matters to me, bro." Barbara assured.
"Me toooooo!" Annette walked over and embraced her children.
"Mama, seriously, not so tight..." Barbara uttered.
"Nothing to see here, folks. Just a boy and a girl that love their mama and makeshift balancing acts." Kat continued filming.
"Grrrr..." Max grumbled.
---
Geffen Playhouse, located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Later that night.
"Boy, they ain't afraid to toot their own horn a bit, are they?" Kat, dressed in formal wear along with the rest of the group, looked through a brochure. Everyone was seated inside the 500-seat main theater.
"It's LA. Of course they're gonna boast. Of course, when you've hosted names like Alfred Molina and Idina Menzel, it's gonna be hard not to." Max replied.
"And now my baby's gonna be up there. Oh God, I'm already starting to lose it..." Annette fanned her face.
"Easy does it, Ms. Annie. Don't get your mascara running before she even pops up." Ibuki handed her a box of tissues.
"Oh, this is going to be so whimsical. I've never seen a play before, as much as I've wanted to." Candice said.
"They don't allow saltwater in theaters where you're from, huh?" Kat asked.
"Oh, I wish we could be giving her some last words of encouragement right now. She's been so nervous about this. I feel like running back there and giving her the biggest hug!" Annette proclaimed.
"You'd just be covering yourself in glitter, Mama. Plus you've hugged her enough for three plays worth of reassurance." Max replied.
"Barbie'll be fine. She was born for this. She's just gotta block out the 500-plus pairs of eyes staring at her. Can't be that hard, can it?" Kat asked.
"I get nervous from having five people watching me work out." Kibō replied.
"She'll find a way to tune it out. I've had thousands of people watching me in the ring. She's gotta focus on what's right in front of her." Ibuki said.
"I'm sure the balancing act totally helped, too." Kat chimed.
"Least I actually tried helping her out instead of pawing at her legs as she slept." Max sniped back.
Kat proceeded to nonchalantly lick her index finger and swipe it down Max's sleeve.
"Oh, for--! Do you only act civilized when Carrie's around?!" he griped.
"Sorry, my hand slipped."
"Can you believe those two used to be an item?" Kibō whispered.
"Honestly, the teasing is a dead giveaway." Candice responded.
"Oh, would you look at that? They've got bios in this thing." Kat cleared her throat, and started speaking with a posh accent. "'Ms. Barbara Jadefang (born October 9, 2012) comes to Los Angeles from Tulsa, Oklahoma. With a specialty in drama and musical theater, she brings a wealth of experience that includes two years abroad at Tokyo's renowned Naruki Ascension Academy. Broadway is her ultimate goal, and she has the talent and infectious personality to make it happen. Barbara credits her success to the boundless support of her mother, Annette; her twin brother, Max; her boyfriend, Kibō; and her best friend, Kat, along with the rest of their sizable friend group.' Hey, look at that, we're famous!"
"Mentioned in the same brochure as Neil Patrick Harris. It's all gonna go downhill from here." Max replied.
"I'm sealing that brochure in a plastic baggy as soon as I get home." Annette declared.
"You're about ready to burst into confetti, aren't you?" Ibuki asked.
The lights in the theater dimmed. "Ooooh, here we go, I'm already shaking...!" Annette uttered.
"Please just stay in your seat, Mama..." Max requested.
And so began the retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's seminal classic, 'The Snow Queen'. To begin with, several 'demons' emerged, led by the Devil himself, carrying a mirror that, as explained, could only reflect people's worst aspects. The Devil and his underlings boast about taking the mirror everywhere, causing mischief and despair wherever they went.
"This ain't historically accurate. The Devil's not an Australian chick." Kat whispered.
"Shush." Max responded.
The demons start the climb up to Heaven, intending on inflicting their mischief upon God and his angels, but their laughter is so intense that they lose their grip on the mirror, and it falls, shattering into snow-like fragments that disperse across the Earth. Anyone hit by these shards has their eyes become like the mirror, only able to perceive the worst in people.
The story then shifts to a boy, Kay, and a girl, Gerda, living next to each other and becoming close enough that one might confuse them for being siblings. Kay's grandmother tells the children of the Snow Queen, who rules over bee-shaped snowflakes and appears where the snow is most prevalent.
"Babs, queen of the bees. Think she could pull off black-and-yellow stripes?" Ibuki questioned.
"If she had anything in her wardrobe that wasn't blue, maybe." Kibō replied.
"Oh, I think our queen is about to make her entrance." Candice whispered.
The scene transitioned to Kay looking out his window into the frosted lands beyond. The stage's light blue spotlights focused in on what he was looking at: a figure in a fur coat as white as snow. She gave Kay a beckoning wave, but the boy instead darted back into the safety of his room.
"There she is there she is there she iiiiis...!" Annette looked about ready to fly out of her seat.
"In pricey-looking fur, no less." Kat uttered.
Time passes, and one summer day, shards from the broken mirror make their way into Kay's eyes, making the boy cruel and aggressive towards everyone around him, including Gerda. The following winter, he winds up hitched to a white sleigh carriage. At the end of the ride, its driver reveals herself. The Queen proceeds to dramatically toss aside her white coat. Along with the intertwining ballet slippers, Barbara was garbed in a glittery white dress, a clear crown on her head, and wore a silver wig.
"Hello, my dear boy. There's no need to worry about that dreary little town of yours. You're safe with me now." she said in a noticeably more mature voice.
"Oh, *honey*." Kat seemed to swoon.
"In your seat, please." Max grumbled.
Barbara kissed Kay twice; once to numb him from the cold of her palace, the other to make him forget all about his life back home.
"I'd better not see you get jealous, big guy." Ibuki cautioned.
"I'm not that naive to think it's anything but an act." Kibō replied.
Time passes once more, and a heartbroken Gerda begins to search for any sign of Kay. Though initially believing that he had drowned in a nearby river, she comes to realize from the river itself that he did not, and so sets off to search for him.
"Guess you're not the only one that can talk to water, huh, Your Highness?" Kat asked Candice.
"Hush." Candice responded with.
The girl's journey takes her to a sorceress who hypnotizes her into forgetting about Kay, then disperses all the roses in her flower garden, as the flower symbolizes Gerta's friendship with Kay. The sight of one triggers her memory, and after interrogating the entire garden, realizes nothing new save for the fact that Kay was still alive. She flees the garden and continues on.
"(I wonder if Professor Kubo or Dr. Wolfe have any flowers that prickly. Or chatty.)" Max thought.
After being gifted warm clothes and a carriage by a princess and a prince she mistook for Kay, Gerda is taken hostage by robbers and locked in their hideout. A little robber girl helps to free her, and after being told where Kay is being held, makes her way to the Snow Queen's palace. On her way there, she is told by a Finnish woman that the secret to freeing Kay lies in her childish innocence.
Arriving at the palace, Gerda prays for safe passage, and this prayer allows her to make it through the dense snowflakes guarding the entrance. She finally finds Kay, entranced on a frozen lake, and is told by the Snow Queen, sitting menacingly upon her throne, what has happened.
"He lies upon the Mirror of Reason. I will gladly free him, so long as he solves my puzzle. Those pieces of ice he is so enamored with must be made into a word. Forge my phrase, and he is free to leave." Barbara instructed.
"And to think she was nervous about playing the villain. Our girl is *owning* it up there." Ibuki stated.
The warmth of Gerda's love melted the ice holding Kay's heart and eyes captive, and he returned to his old self. Their celebration was so joyous that even the ice fragments joined in. Once it was over, the ice fell down, spelling the word the Queen had set out: 'Eternity'. Freed from her grasp, the pair escape from the palace, and having grown up over the course of the journey, return home.
With the tale concluded, the audience erupted into applause. The cast all came out, and took their bows.
"MOONBEEEAM! YOU WERE FLAWLESS, BABY! MAMA LOVES YOOOOU!" Annette called out.
"Thank God it's already loud in here." Max uttered.
Back in the dressing room, Barbara was busy changing out of her costume.
"Absolutely brilliant, Barbara. How are you feeling?" an older man, the production's director, asked.
"Ohhh, still got butterflies. Or, snow bees I guess. It felt like a blur." Barbara replied.
"It's something you'll get used to. You certainly didn't look nervous from where I was watching. Oh, there's also this. A gift from a fan."
He handed her a bouquet of white flowers, with a note. "'If the Snow Queen ever needs a knight, I'm here. - Ishimaru K.'"
"Aww, my knight. And he even color coordinated."
"Excuse me, Ms. Jadefang?" a theater attendant appeared.
"Yes?"
"There's a couple of people asking to see you. A young man saying he's your brother and a young woman who identified herself as 'Anne Hathaway'."
"Oh boy. Let them in."
Max and Kat entered the room. "Wazzup, gurl? Out here with her snowflakes. You were glowing." the latter hugged her.
"Thanks so much...Anne." Barbara replied. "What'd you think, Maxie? Was I selling the villainy enough?"
"I thought I was watching Calypso for a second there. You should've seen this one swooning at the voice." Max replied.
"Guilty as charged." Kat replied.
"So how'd it feel up there? You looked as confident and in your element as usual, but I know how good you are at this."
"I was nervous, I won't try to hide it. But after a bit it started feeling natural. Once I stopped thinking of anything except making people happy with my performance, it all came out better. I hope that's how it came out, anyway. Did I miss any steps?" Barbara asked.
Max shook his head. "None at all. It was exactly how we rehearsed it. Beautiful."
"Aw, you're gonna make me blush, little bro."
"Oh, and uh..." Max held up the pamphlet. "Thanks for the shout out. I hope you realize Mama's gonna hold onto this forever."
"Oh, I'm sure. I could hear her at the end shouting. Where's everybody else?"
"Out front waiting. They weren't letting a lot of people back here. Thought it was best if we gave Bookie a few minutes to help your ma calm down a bit. Before she started throwing up rainbows." Kat replied.
"She was about ready to leap up and hug you. I thought Ibuki was gonna have to hold her down." Max added.
"Oh, wow. Glad that didn't happen. Tell them I'll be out in a few minutes. Just gotta finish getting changed and saying goodbye until next year. I'll catch up." Barbara said.
"I'll be counting the moments, sister." Kat replied, and she and Max walked out. "You heard, her, right? 'Until next year'. Not a bit of hesitation, either."
"Yep. I think her mind's finally in a good spot. Exactly what I wanted to see." Max replied.
A few minutes later, Barbara stepped outside. "Hi, everybody~. Sorry to keep you. It's very hard to get out of the palace, you understand."
"Oh, my baby my baby my baby!" Annette excitedly embraced her daughter. "I'm so sorry if this is overboard, but you looked so radiant up there! I've never even heard that voice out of you before, it was so stunning!"
"Thanks, Mama. I practiced that voice for weeks."
"I see you got your flowers, Your Majesty." Kibō said.
"Yes I most certainly did, my brave knight~." Barbara pecked him on the cheek. "You're a sweetheart~."
"Man, did I miss that melody in your voice. That's the stuff that lights up a room. Or a hall filled with five hundred people." Ibuki said.
"That was truly wonderful, Barbara. I'm so happy I was able to see it. I only wish Mother could have found time to be here." Candice chimed in.
"Don't be so sure about that."
Candice turned around. "...! Huh? Mother?!"
Bobbi appeared. "Good evening. I was hoping you hadn't left yet. Would've been an extra difficulty tracking you down."
"Your Honor? What are you doing here?" Max asked.
"Same thing as you. Watching a play." She turned her attention to her younger counterpart. "Hello again. Sorry to barge in at the last second."
"No, it's totally fine, I'm glad you could come. Oh, Mama, this is--" Barbara began.
"I've already worked out who it is, Moonbeam. You're the 'other' Barbara. This polite young thing's mother, right?" Annette asked.
"That would be me, yes. And you must be these two's mother. Your Max told me all about you. Love the earrings, by the way. Native American?" Bobbi asked.
"Cherokee and proud of it, ma'am."
"Your calling me that makes me feel old. But in any case, my schedule opened up, and I decided to make a quick visit after all. Truth be told, I was happy to hear that you're a theater girl, Barbara. I actually wanted to be an actress myself when I was younger."
"Really? How come you didn't go through with it?" Barbara asked.
"Duty called. After my brother lost his wife, I felt that I needed to be around him more. I had to choose between my passions and keeping an eye on my family. I don't regret the choice I made. But seeing you up there, it woke that old spark up in me, at least for a moment. So thanks for that."
"Why not try to find me if you were in the building, Mother?" Candice asked.
"I arrived a bit too close to the start. By that time it was standing room only. Wasn't fun on the knees, but that's what happens with last-minute entrances." Bobbi looked at Max. "Ah, and one other thing. About your return..."
"Did you want me to head back sooner?" Max asked.
"The opposite, actually. We've decided to give you all of winter break and the New Year to stay here."
"Wait, really? So then..."
Ibuki grabbed his hand. "Thank you thank you thank you, miss. Now I've got the time with this handsome lad I want. You have no idea how happy that makes me."
"I feel the same way, but why the sudden change, Your Honor? Did the old man--"
"For the time being, I'm the one making those kinds of decisions. My brother...isn't doing so hot at the moment. So I'm taking some of the load off. I'll still need you back before the big operation. But I thought extra time with your friends and family would help you mentally. Consider it a Christmas present from us to you." Bobbi answered.
"The old man news aside, that's great to hear. I know these ladies would've gone back to depression city if he had to leave early." Kat chimed.
"I really, truly appreciate this, Your Honor. Thank you." Max said.
"Does your being here mean I'm going home early, Mother?" Candice asked.
"Things are still too hectic at home. I'll let you know when it's alright to go back. How's the bracelet holding up?" Bobbi asked.
"It's been working perfectly. I was able to see the play without any issues."
"Good. Hope this means the days of having to bring a bowl of saltwater with us everywhere are over. Your father can have a good idea every now and then. Now, where are you all headed to?"
"We were gonna go have dinner at a fancy restaurant a few blocks from here. You're more than welcome to come with. I know that'd make Candice happy." Barbara replied.
"I hear this place has especially good seafood." Kibō said, before catching a glance from Candice. "Uh, if you're into that sort of thing."
"Do they serve...anything else? I'm not overly fond of eating my friends." Candice stated.
"Let me pull the menu up." Kat took out her phone. "Smooth, Keebie." she whispered.
"I forgot for a moment, okay?" Kibō whispered back.
"I hope you're okay being around this crazy bunch, Your Honor." Annette said.
"Please, you should see the people I associate with. I've got decades worth of insane stories to tell." Bobbi replied.
Ibuki nudged Max as the group began walking. "This is how it's supposed to be, right? Crazy and fun, like always."
"Yeah." Max pictured Johnny in his mind, looming and sinister. "I hope it lasts longer than a month."
She put her head on his shoulder. "It's gonna. I'm starting to believe it now."
With his band of chaos around him and the woman he loved on his shoulder, for the first time in a while, he was starting to believe it, too.