Mai Legacy
1.26 - Oasis Springs
“We’ll see you in a couple of days,” Susan nodded, handing her luggage off to a flight attendant, who carried it on board.
James and Susan hadn’t ever been separated from Leah and Seth for more than a day before, and leaving them for a week to go to court in Newcrest wasn’t something either of them were excited for. But, Susan wanted to be petty and drag the Le Chiens across the ocean like they’d done to them so many years back, so that was what they were doing.
Seth and Leah, on the other hand, were elated. For the first time in their life, they’d actually have the house to themselves! Not that they were going to do anything, though. Their teen years were far behind them.
“You guys’ll be fine,” Seth grinned. “You’ve done this all before and beaten them, those Le Chiens don’t stand a chance!”
“This is all a long time coming…” James sighed. “Time to end this once and for all.”
Leah and Seth waved as the plane soared off, headed straight for Newcrest.
“Crazy to think dad came from across the ocean,” Leah said thoughtfully.
“Or just coming from somewhere as far off as Oasis Springs to begin with,” Seth added. “That’s quite the journey.”
A couple hours later, Leah hoped off the ferry from Windenburg to San Myshuno. She looked around, wide eyed. Seth climbed off after her, looking a little bit queasy.
“I swear, I’ll never get used to this town. Literally straight across the bay, and everything’s so different! Seth, please help me get to the fashion district, I’ve gotta get into the studio on time!” Leah demanded.
“Just give me a moment…” Seth gulped. “Sea sick.”
“Seth!” Leah whined.
Seth took a moment, then pointed to a massive bridge that stretched over to even more city.
“Ugh, okay, come on Seth, let’s get you seated on a bus or something, you do not look good…” Leah muttered, taking Seth’s hand.
Leah managed to find her way into the studio 5 minutes before she was supposed to go live.
“Leah! What took you so long?” her director swore. “And, it's Karen, by the way? Karen Galindo? You'd know if you actually gave a shit about any of this, little rich girl. Anyway... Leah! Get up there, you better have your material memorized.”
Leah stumbled up to the stage.
“Okay, everyone, places!” Karen said loudly, directing all the camera and audio men. “Seth, wait right over there, you’ll go on when Leah calls for her guest.”
“I-I’m a g-guest?” Seth stammered.
“I decided Leah needed one while I was processing the show before bed last night, had my furniture crew drag that other couch up here this morning,” Karen drawled. “You’ll be fine, just be yourself and stop worrying so much. Also, might wanna lose the sunglasses bud.”
Before Leah knew it, the lights suddenly turned on, and Karen shouted “Action!”
Leah put on her biggest smile. “Hey guys, Leah Mai here! Welcome to Afternoon Tea, a show hosted by yours truly!”
Karen gave her a thumbs up.
Leah abruptly dropped her face into a frown. “I’m sure you’ve all heard about the recent tragedy that struck my family last night… Luckily, no one was injured, and my parents are on their way to settle this all in a court battle against the Le Chiens. I have my brother here to talk about it with me, welcome Seth!”
Seth walked carefully onto the stage and gave the camera an awkward smile.
“You have anything to add, Seth?” Leah asked.
“Well, er, all that was lost was the garden my mom’s been cultivating for the last couple decades… she’s sad about it.”
Karen gave Seth a look that clearly meant go on, but Seth shrugged. He really didn’t have much else to add.
Karen motioned that Leah should keep the show rolling.
“How about we take some questions!” Leah smiled. One of the audio engineers took the cue and pressed a button on his console.
“Hey Leah, big fan!” a voice said. “I just want to know why your brother is so awkward. And why are his eyes so big?”
Leah grimaced. “T-That’s just called genetics.”
That one comment was enough to send Seth running from the studio, leaving Leah floundering in questions she didn’t want to answer.
Later, across the ocean, James and Susan stood in front of the courthouse they’d last entered such a long time ago.
“Well, at least I know what to expect this time,” Susan laughed.
“Ironically, Judge Marshal still works here. He’ll be excited to be dealing with our two families again,” James commented.
“By all means, let’s go in and say hello then!” Susan cheered.
The two strolled into the courtroom. “Hey Ethan!” Susan called out.
“In the Mother's name...” Judge Marshal said under his breath. Then, louder, he said “Please, just take your seats quietly. We can move this case along in a quick and orderly business…”
His voice trailed off as Joaquin walked in, pushing a wheelchair.
Most of Hajar’s hair had fallen out, she looked terrible, even worse than Joaquin did, but she still had the same spiteful look on her face that James and Susan knew so well, and that, if anything, made her look as young as the day she’d first barged into their home.
“I-I see you two didn’t bring your kids either!” James said, attempting to be friendly. Well, friendliness out of pity.
“Yeah, cause we can’t afford it,” Joaquin said, a bite to his words. “You two made sure of that.”
“Joaquin, we didn’t take your legacy armor, I swear!” Susan said lightly. “But, uh, your hair dye is lovely.”
“Notice how they can’t think of anything nice to say about me, Joaquin?” Hajar said loudly. “That just goes to prove that their friendliness is as shallow and superficial as their complete and utter lies.”
James and Susan’s mouths dropped.
“If we could just get this over with, please…” Judge Marshal sighed.
Everyone took their seat.
“Okay, Case: Mai Family vs Le Chien Family. If the accusers could please-“ Judge Marshal said in a tired sounding voice.
Hajar stood up and tottered over to Judge Marshal’s desk. “No. The accusers can suck it, I’ll start.”
She took a deep breath, then, suddenly, put her hand over her heart. She gasped, and fell to the floor.
“We need a medic!” Judge Marshal shouted loudly, rushing to her side. “Does anyone in here now how to deal with a heart attack?”
Joaquin raised a hand, and Judge Marshal urged for him to hurry over. James and Susan watched with a combination of shock and horror.
“Joaquin,” Hajar breathed, her hand stretched out to him.
Joaquin got on his knees next to her, and checked her pulse to start.
“Save… me…” Hajar gasped.
Joaquin looked her dead in the eyes. “No."
Hajar let out a panicked laugh. "Joaquin... you... you don't mean that..."
"Good riddance, Hajar.”
Hajar’s eyes widened in shock.
“It’s time for me to get my life back,” Joaquin said firmly. He stood back up, and everyone stared in complete horror as Hajar breathed her last.
Judge Marshal shook his head, tears in his eyes. “How… how could you? Your own wife…” he breathed in and out several times, then faced Joaquin again. “I-I’m not going to say anything. I’m… I’m so done dealing with both of your families. Please… just leave. Fly back to Windenburg. Let me live out the rest of my days where I don’t have to deal with… this…”
Joaquin nodded, carefully picked up Hajar, and started to walk out of the room. James thought for a second, then hurried after him.
“Joaquin-“
“James, don’t,” Joaquin said firmly. “It’s time our two families kept to themselves.”
“I agree, but-“
“Even with Hajar, my own wife, gone, we’re still not on good terms, James. No matter how much you want to befriend the world, you and your descendants will never be able to befriend my family. Too much has happened now. Goodbye, James.”
This time, James let Joaquin go. That’d be the last time the two ever spoke.
Susan carefully joined James. “James…” she whispered.
“Susan…” James said slowly. “You’re going to need to fly back on your own.”
“Wait, James why?” Susan said quickly. “Our family-“
“Yes, our family. But, right now, I need to go back and see mine. I need to see what became of my parents and their resort… Joaquin was right, most things… they are irreversible. If what just happened in there proves anything, it's that time is finite, and we don't have much left of it. I’d be lying to myself if I said I still expect my parents to be alive and well. But, I swore a long time ago that I’d be back one day with something to be proud of. And that time is now. It’s time for me to get back on that bus that took me away from that place so many years ago and see what's changed.”
Susan took a moment, then nodded in complete understanding. “You know what? You go. I… I can tell this is something you need to do alone. I’ll tell Seth and Leah how much you love them.”
“Thank you, Susan,” James smiled.
A day later, after several hours of asking repetitive questions to various locals, James walked up to a farmhouse. Apparently, someone with the last name of Mai lived there. James had to admit, he did hope to see his mom or dad as he remembered them, young and beautiful. But, in all honesty, he didn't know what to expect. He climbed up the steps, and knocked on the door very carefully.
It opened up after a couple of seconds.
A woman with long black hair stood there and looked James up and down. “Yep. You’re him alright.” she stuck out a hand. “I’m Jamie. Jamie Mai. I’m your sister.”