Tuesday, August 01, 2006

28: My new dress/Church outing

Authoress: The diresphinx




“How is it, ma cherie? Tell me something? Are you stricken or what?” the blond yelled outside my room. He didn’t go into a full volume holler, which would have deafened me. It was an enquiring shout. I looked at myself in the mirror. It fit perfectly! How did my friend manage to do this? His skills of appraisal must be damned accurate.


The front part of the dress was lined with yellow silk ribbons in a row and some pearls. I felt super comfortable in it. The hems were well done. This tailor knew his or her stuff! There was a stale smell from being in the box too long. But I didn’t want to hurt Lestat when he had gone to so much trouble…

I heard Louis ask me- hey don’t keep us in suspense outside. Cannot wait! I let them in. Lestat broke into a joyful smile upon seeing me. I took a step and then fell forwards into his arms. He steadied me. The bottom part of the dress was too long.

Louis ruffled my hair. He remarked, “Tinkerbell. Really sweet and feminine. Stat, you’re such a surprise. But hey why didn’t you make a shirt for me?”

“You didn’t write me half the time. I did not think of it. But I have some more gifts,” Prince replied, a little pissed and also matter-of-factly.

The other sulked. I squeezed his hand and stared into his eyes, Thinking. Could I ask that of him? Would you be hurt? For Claudia was often carried by ‘stat when she was with them. Pointe consented.

Lestat was puzzled. He felt left out when we telepathized. Hearing what I said, he carried me, an arm about my hips and the other supporting my back. I laughed, breathless. “How do you know my size?”


“Well. I asked my good friend. Guess who told me?”


I could not. Running a list through my mind of all the possible connections we both shared. Not likely, not likely….. plus Lestat has Many many social buddies, close or casual.

Louis walked down after us. I patted the space beside me. “Come Stat, sit down and tell me. Plleeease.”

He gave a long pause for a thrilling guess. “Your mother. She was so ecstatic at the idea.”

I gaped. “She didn’t!” Louis covered his forehead like he was gonna swoon. Cartoonish! We burst into mirth. “I cannot believe it. I thought the phone lines were jammed. You used mindspeak?”


“No, email.” And he lied to us about not knowing how to operate the Windows! So cheeky, my mentor. “I wanted you to write. Not internet. That is so insincere. I only resorted to that because of convenience.”

Lestat crossed his legs, turning on the air-conditioner when he glanced at it. The remotes don’t have to be at hand, with us, they can go missing! It is possible to do that. But he made no move to take off his coat. I saw that his bf had noticed and touched his shoulder.

Pointe said,“ I’m sorry I didn’t correspond as much as you’ve liked. (Lestat sniffed) If you feel cold, we’ll just open the windows.”

I nodded too. “Yea. I’m alright. This material is cooling. I’ll always treasure this, sensei-chan.”


“I’m fine, you both. Don’t make me weep, please. I want to be happy. C’mon Louie, your gifts next…” The other bag was all wrapped presents, a few for us and the others for all friends, Quinn, Rowan, Jesse Raven, even Mona whom he disliked… I don’t think he left out anybody. Every single gift was wrapped in different papers.


He chirruped, “I wrapped them myself. My hands are clumsy, but it’s okay right? Not too bad huh.” We agreed. And each one had a little card attached to it that labeled who was gonna receive it.

If the air con got too powerful, I would switch it off. If only I could find the remote!

****************8



The next night, after the excitement, Lestat was lounging on the sofa, sleepy. He had taken Louis and I read the papers, Reader’s digest and some magazines that had come in the mail. “Hey look at this article. The cathedrals are massive. Can you imagine they were built by man? I wish I could go see some up close,” Lestat commented. He slowly sat up, pressing his temple. I pushed the magazine to him.

He smiled his thanks. Browsed it at high speed.

“You have right?” Pointe asked. His hair was short tonight, and growing a little slower. I had recommended using this stunt growth shampoo that stops the regenerating hair for a while. Otherwise he feels hot.

“Huh? In full, I can’t read your mind,”stat murmured.

“You’ve traveled all over.”

The blondie nodded sadly. “I wanna do that again. I’m sure they changed a lot in these times. But I can’t. I feel…..so tired. I tried to levitate for just 15 minutes and it was exhausting. Mojo must think I’ve forgotten him.”

I felt sorry for him. Bored stiff like a prisoner. Dogs are very special to him! There was always the manmade method. “During the hols, we could go to Europe. Let’s go together.” I said.

His azure pupils lit up. Red lips curved up. “Do you wanna? That’s cool. Yea let’s travel together. Louis, what about you?” He embraced him and twirled his hair. The American speech rushed in his excitement.

Louis confided in a stressed tone: You go ahead. I don’t like moving about. My books….

Don’t hurt his feelings, man. I begged. If we talk about this,…. don’t you see that he’s depressed? Lestat should be happy. It’ll make him better.

“Are you ok with it, cher? I do not mind.” He was waiting for our response.

“Yes. I am.”(when I threatened not to kiss him goodnight or buy him anymore special shampoo for reduced growth) “Bianca, anything for her,” Louis added in a gentle lilt. Lestat laughed, a wonderful sound--- full and deep. “My maker, who gave you that ring?”

Detect a jealous tone. Lestat pretended not to hear it. “From David. It’s our anniversary ring. Want to see it? Sure.” He twisted it off. I took it and traced the markings on it. Looked like Par amour for eternity.

“But you don’t wear the one I bought you! So unfair.”

Stat winked at me. Endless teasing. He never takes offence as all fledglings fighting over him’s a great sign of their love. So love is assured. It’s kinda primitive. That made him annoyed and he hit me softly on the hand.

“Krys, say a word in fairness. I spent a lot more on that gold ring than that cheap thing!” Pointe grumbled. He looked extremely pathetic. I sighed.

My David cher wouldn’t give me cheap goods! Retorted silently, but Lestat maintained a relaxed and little grin.
Then “I will I will. I didn’t know you resort to such pitiful tactics. Does he get like that now? My my what a change from before. So submissive then….”

“No. don’t worry L2, I’ll make him wear it,” I answered. Louis smiled.

Lestat threw up his hands, perfectly sculpted like a white statue. “Darn, ganging up against the Maker. Who owns this house may I know? How can you make me wear something?” I shrugged with my famous absent look.

“Dunno but we shall try it and see, eh L2? I wanna call you I and II now. May I?” They both said no in unison. I can’t be totally equal to my older friends. I understand, they’re my guides and my foster parents.

**********


I awoke from my nap. Heard Lestat talking on the phone, his jubilant voice booming from his room on Wednesday, “Hey Peter. I wish to book tickets to France? Yes, both ways. Paris, wanna visit my homeland. Huh? None already, so fast? How about Bordeaux, or Lourdes? Yea, I would love to go on pilgrimage. Please check. Call me back, this number. Haha, no mobile phone. Call me um… around 7 is fine. Thank you!”


Lestat put down the phone and tapped on the keyboard. I stopped outside his door. He didn’t call me to come in. Websites of price lists, airplane companies, country listings. Hmm… why was he multi-tasking? He’d condemned the very act of juggling between listening to music, singing along, doing homework, doing my sketches. His claim is: can’t concentrate on making quality stuff.

Presence that materialized behind me… “Hello, Little One. How are you?” His voice was lower than Louis, and his odor was tangy. He’d just arrived…

“Quinn!” I cried in surprise. “Oh… I’m cool. You’re here. Didn’t know.” He bent and kissed my cheek, a tall and beautiful man in khaki jacket and white jeans. I grasped both his hands and he allowed me to do handshake.

“Hey both of you. come in, why stand on ceremony? He just flew in early. Didn’t lie in?” ‘stat asked in concern. Quinn smiled adoringly. We trooped in, I lay on the soft bed.

Lestat clicked on some things first, then muttered, “All these URLs. Still confused how to call these things.”

“Yes URL is correct. The web addresses,” Blackwood guy said. He was thinking that we could coach an expert from the Ancien Regime!

“Great. I’m finished here. Cherie petit, have you eaten?”

I said yep. I was curious as to what the white box on the table contained. But I couldn’t go open it without permission.

“Oh yea, my aunt made me take a few back. I was thinking you might like to eat them,” Southerner added. Yay! I was onto the brownies.

Then Brat was gonna close the Internet explorer. We protested.

“NO No, I’m done. I am dying to talk to you both. (though we’d just had a super long parent-to-child lecture yesterday) This one’s finished.” We wailed like kids as he used the shortcut method to cut off all the electricity.

“We are dead,” younger vamp remarked, stopping first. I sobbed dramatically.

“Oi, oi! Stop. I wanna talk. I can’t get any tickets to Paris… trying to find other places. Wouldn’t you like to go to New Orleans?......” Lestat went off on another monologue about the sceneries and sights of his homesick country, how he belonged there, blah blah blah. “Hey! Listen to me. Fleur, beloved, darling, why are you so distracted? I thought you liked listening to my voice.”

Yea but not too much. Sorry. I’m not your age---- I replied.

I guess…. He said mournfully, then switch----- You’d love it there! I look forward. Hurry agent and call me. Hurry!!! Where’s Louis? He didn’t leave me a note.

Last time there wasn’t any note, they fought. I closed my eyes to search my short term memory. “Oh. He was rushing off to meet some friends. Late after bathing so long. And he will buy some better rings to make you wear them.” And I read Brat prince’s roving mind. “Um what Ms? You never talk about them.”

Quinn nodded thoughtfully. He touched my hair. I sat down. Lestat pulled on a crimson ribbon for his hair and checked himself in the mirror. Tonight red was the theme, but not scarlet and blood red. It was a gentler red suit. They love reflections, not like the lamia who have no image.

“No. because that’s forbidden. I cannot say… or it leads on.”

“M and Ms,” his brother mused, laughing. I giggled. Lestat scowled.

“Yes yes. Haha. Call him back! Now.” His mood swung to mounting and dropping annoyance. I Sent him my wishes that he not be too provoked, and how sorry Louie was.

The latter closed his eyes and seemed to focus on some form ahead of him. In scanning, they won’t talk, minus all interruptions and stiffen like real statues.

Quinn murmured, Hmmmm… church. Not to disturb him. He’ll be back at 11.

Let’s go. Hey Louieeee could we come to meet ya? I wanna see what church is like, I Sent.The answer came in five minutes. Yes, come. What time will you reach?

Quinn estimated in half an hour. We could fly there, but they were both fatigued so the bus took that time period. I conveyed this to Louis.

*********


For the excursion, I wore gloves and changed to a long multi-pleated skirt. My top was fine, a soft yellow collared blouse. I hoped my friend was not pained as Claudia loved yellow. He made no comment. Lestat’s I’ve already described. Add a top hat, black shoes that click on the pavement. Tarquinn Jr had done away with jeans, since it’s too informal and pulled on forest green trousers, belt. He removed his khaki and revealed a low neck brown shirt, sleeves to the wrists. Do you see the picture? And both have curly hair that cannot be tamed, though I suggested gel. Black curls and goldilocks.

St Andrew’s Cathedral in LongBay. I climbed off the darn crowded bus and took Quinn’s hand. “Hey why don’t you hold my hand?” princie saw that immediately and asked.
“It’s alright.” Jr told me and asked me to catch up with Stat. What’s wrong was Prince could sound teasing and yet it is usually to disguise acute heartache. “Boss, hold on. I’m tired.”

“And I’m mortal,” I sang, running after the prince. He slowed down and I bumped into him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Ok, when you enter, make the sign of the cross. Remember what I said? In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Lestat demonstrated. It is a Catholic ritual and use the right hand. Quite interesting.

The huge building was ahead. A few laity were leaving, some were entering. I watched in fascination. I had passed by on some school excursions but never came in before. Would I be rejected? The stained glass windows had angels and some men painted on them. They were astonishingly well-crafted, I confirmed, zooming in with my superior Hawksight. Right on top was a large crucifix.

The huge double doors. Each had a sculpture of angels engraved, one with a harp, one with a spear.

Come in. once you’ve crossed yourself, prostrate on one knee. To show respect. Don’t worry. God is available to All people, including other believers. Minimise speaking all right? ---- Lestat instructed.

Um, I will be good. But I can talk inside my head. Right?

Quinn laughed. Yes, but not too much. The sanctuary is for praying. Then I followed their example of crossing myself and kneeling on one knee before moving in horizontal to sit. Long brown benches. I thought they were quite hard. We had taken the back row, secondmost back. I looked around at all the other people in the front and wondered where Pointe was.

Where is God? Is He here in the church? I observed the adults whispering and knelt down, eyes closed, slight furrow of their brows. I wanted to ask my friends who this or that statue was, and on the glass. But they were like in a trance praying.

In Temple, we dance and sing. Silence is rare. I fidgeted. And we offer food to the gods. The church was simpler in practice. Right up front was a long table, with a purple cloth. What’s that?

The tabernacle. It represents the Lord. The Host which is a communion will be distributed by the Father to us commoners. ---- Quinn explained. Good. He had stopped ignoring me. Prince was still deeply involved.

Then who are those people? On the left and right? ----- I nodded up. Lestat said not to point.

They are saints. (he told me their names) Catholic saints are revered as very holy people who have seen Heaven. They died of some tragic wrongs inflicted on them. We pray to God mostly. Catholic churches are different in the sense that we believe in using images and statues to remember the people by.

Oooh.------ I knelt too. Hello God. I’m a newcomer. I am glad to be here. Thanks for not blocking me outside the door. I thought I would be, since my beliefs aren’t the same. Please take care of my friends. I know they are sinners, but… they are really sweet kind people. And I love them very much. Quinn, at the end what do I say?

Amen. I repeated and sat down. Lestat finished after a while and smiled at me. The people who sat up front nodded with acquaintance smiles too.

“ So Quinn explained to you? What do you think?” he whispered.

“ Good. I said a prayer. Stat, why did you talk so long? Does Jesus hear you?” I looked into the violets, filled with maturity and experience of hardship. Today they were clear and untroubled.

He listens to all of us, my child. I know he does. (hummed a tune) During mass, we sing songs. I am sure you’ll like that. Shall we come for 6 o’clock mass on Sunday?

I guess too much talking would disturb the others. We spoke little for an hour, till 10.30. Quiet time. I counted 30 people odd.


We found Pointe, in penitent black, fixated on a woman carrying the infant. She ‘s known as Mother Mary or the Virgin. “ Catholics respect her, but it’s not worship. We only worship God,” Louis told me and revealed his happiness on seeing the others of his kind. How many were vampires in the crowd? I could not know…. My friends kill
only evil doers.

“ Sigh. We pray that we are forgiven for kicking badass,” stat remarked softly, holding my hand now.

I like the experience of going to church. I thanked Lestat and Quinn for welcoming me. As a family. Princie sniffed, like he had tears in his eyes. Not all of them are Catholics. Some worship the ancient greek and Egyptian gods like ours.
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