Mai Legacy
1.8 - Party at the Ruins
Seasons had passed since that party at James’s house, and not much had changed. Susan and James both pretended that what Eliza had said never happened. She kept spending more in more time in Windenburg- both to stay away from Bob and to convince James and Susan to get together, but they’d both gotten really good at tuning her out. It only got bad when Akira and sometimes Penny joined her in the taunting.
Not much had changed between him and Jacques either. Akira always insisted that Jacques was definitely plotting something, as he spent most of his time locked in his room with loud music blaring so Akira couldn’t listen at the door. Apparently, the most he saw of Jacques was when they had their weekly date night- a day that kept getting more and more awkward. But Akira was still insistent that eventually, Jacques would turn around and be more like he had been back at the beginning of their marriage.
James lit the fireplace he’d recently had installed in his much improved house, and smiled to himself as he looked around. He was really starting to make something of himself. His house actually looked livable, and his paintings were doing well. He still wasn’t recognized as a legacy family, mainly because he had no family in Windenburg, but that had always been the backup plan for him. So, James wasn’t too bothered.
Tonight, James was meeting with Susan at the Romance Festival- known for spontaneous decision making leading to either new romance, marriage, or just casual hookups. Penny called it the number one hotspot for unwanted pregnancies and overall thought the whole event was trashy, but James and Susan had decided to go anyway, against her advice.
However, they’d both made it very clear- they weren’t going on a date, they were going to make fun of the grossest couples. And, afterwards, they were going to meet up with Akira, Salim, and Penny for a winter themed dance party in Windenburg’s ancient ruins. Eliza was back in Willow Creek dealing with Bob, so she couldn’t make it. However, James had invited Joaquin as well, his next door neighbor, as he felt the two of them had the potential to be really great friends. Joaquin had been the reason he’d acknowledged his own singing ability and met Susan, as well as the rest of his friend group, after all. He owed a lot to him, and regardless, Joaquin just seemed pretty laid back and probably pleasant to hang around with.
Regardless of Penny’s criticisms, James arrived, dressed in all white. Apparently, it was the thing to do at the Romance Festival. James had been sure to read up on the various things most people did at the festival, and one that really struck him was the idea of wearing white to represent ‘purity’. James personally felt that it was all pretty ridiculous, but he was sure that he and Susan would have fun together.
Spotting James from across the square the festival was set up in, Susan waved and hurried over.
“James! Come on, we’ve gotta drink from the punch bowl. Apparently, it’s tradition,” Susan said, gesturing towards some punch fountains across the square. "It's said that the liquid grants good romantic luck for the night. Personally, I think it's all a load of bullshit, especially because before she hated it, Penny and I came here together more than enough times and never met anyone, but hey. Tradition, right?”
“I can’t even imagine Penny here,” James smiled, shaking his head. “She’s so convinced that the Romance Festival is nothing but a flimsy excuse for people to sexually assault people."
"Oh, it definitely is," Susan nodded. "Coming here alone is nothing but a mistake. But hey! We’re here together, James, so we'll be fine. Come on, let's go and get some punch, and pray it isn’t roofied!”
Susan led a very apprehensive James over to a fountain, behind which an old man stood.
“That’s the Love Guru,” Susan said, gesturing. “Apparently, he can tell you your whole entire romantic future.”
“Seriously? People believe that?” James asked.
Susan shrugged. “Honestly, I’ve never tried it so I really can’t say. But here’s my theory he just drinks a ton of the mystery punch, and because it’s always just a little spiked, he gets drunk off his ass and believes he can see the future. Well! Anyway! I’m going to dash and buy a t-shirt, do you mind waiting here?”
James shook his head. “Not at all!”
Susan hurried away, and then it was just him and the Guru. “So, tell me. What’s my romantic future?” James asked sarcastically.
“One like you does not ask. Why ask when the answer is right in front of you?” the Guru smiled.
“No, you sicko! You’re not my romantic future! First of all, I’m not into men, and second, you’re definitely out of my age range.”
The Guru sighed. “No kid. Look, this is just another crappy job for me, because I’m in-between jobs again… you don’t care. Just… look past this screen behind me.”
James sighed, and did as he asked. His eyes widened when he saw, Susan, standing in line at a booth selling t-shirts.
The Guru slipped back into his persona. “I see a great family stretching out, seas of faces. Why, even the very next generation, a glimpse of blonde hair.”
James ignored him, and backed away so he was standing at shouting distance.
Luckily, he didn’t have to stand there for that long, as Susan was back soon enough. She led him over to a picnic table, and the two took a seat. Susan took out a brown paper bag, reached her hand in, and threw a shower of rose petals over the both of them, laughing.
“Bought those from the vendor, it’s crazy what they sell here,” Susan said.
The two went on talking for the next hour, but all that James could think about was what the stupid Love Guru had said. He couldn't believe he'd been dumb enough to talk to him. Sure, he was just some man trying to make ends meet, but his Guru persona was frighteningly convincing. And above that, of course he’d tell him that his romantic destiny was with the woman he'd come to the Romance Festival with. Right?
As the time they had to leave for the party at the ruins got closer, conversation lulled for a bit. After a while, Susan spoke up. “Hey James. Can I admit something?"
"Of course, Susan."
“Can I start this off by asking you not to be mad at me?”
James nodded.
Susan gave James a tight lipped smile. “Well. Here goes. I, uh, lied at that pool that one day. I was interested. I think that, honestly, in my mind, I was treating that day like some sort of first date. And.... when you asked, I knew that I couldn't date a man I've known for literally two days. Relationships like that always turn into the guy using the girl for sex, and I’d really like not to get my heart broken. Plus, I'm not that stupid, you can't learn who a person is in just two days. So, of course I said no. I, uh… I don’t think I ever got over you, though… which Eliza never lets me forget. Bu.. we’ve known each other for a while now, James. So… this time, let me ask. James, will you be my boyfriend?”
James nodded. He was so relieved. "Yes, Susan! I would be thrilled to! You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you to ask me. I definitely had my suspicions because of Eliza, but she also seems to bully everyone around her, so I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I decided to just wait and see, and I’m so happy I did.”
Susan let out a huge sigh of relief. "That should not have been so hard to say! I mean, I already knew you liked me, but for some reason, I had to drag you to the damn Romance Festival to finally work up the courage."
"Well... let me be even more spontaneous here," James said, feeling bold. He wasn't sure if it was whatever had been in that punch talking, or if he was just spurred on by Susan's sudden revelation, but regardless, he threw all the caution to the wind and said what was on his mind. "Susan, what the heck. They have a wedding arch here and everything so... let's just get married."
Susan fell silent. Her mind was racing at a million miles an hour. This was… so beyond ridiculous. So reckless of a decision. But she knew she loved James. She really did. And a part of her was really excited picturing the looks on everyone’s faces when they showed up to the ancient ruins and announced that they’d gotten married.
”I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but... let's do it, James."
Smiling at each other, the two got up and headed over to the arch in the middle of the square.
“I know this isn’t formal or proper in the slightest, but Susan Harper, will you marry me?”
“Oh, you stupid karaoke boy... I will, James Mai,” Susan beamed.
Fireworks erupted from behind them as they had their first kiss.
As James and Susan slowly meandered away from the festival, snow started to fall and slowly blanket the ground.
“Should we, uh, go back to our places and change for the ruins?” James asked.
Susan nodded. “We’re going to freeze to death in what we’re wearing now. Let’s meet outside when we get there so we can head in there and surprise every last one of them.”
“Sounds like a plan!”
The couple kissed again, then they headed their separate ways.
A bit later, they met up outside the ancient ruins. They were running a bit late, but they weren’t all that bothered. All that meant was that everyone would be there to hear their shocking news.
Sure enough, when they approached the ruins, they found all the people they’d invited hanging around outside, waiting for them. Akira, as one could expect, was entertaining Salim and Penny with a joke. Joaquin stood a little back from everyone else, clearly seeming to feel a bit out of place.
“Hey, would you look at that? Our star crossed lovers have arrived!” Akira proclaimed, noticing them walking in. “You know, when Eliza isn’t here, I’ve really got to pick up her slack.”
“You know… about that…” James smiled.
Susan held out a hand with a ring on it.
Recognition dawned on Penny’s face, but Salim and Akira didn’t seem to get it.
“Nice ring, I guess?” Salim said. “Why are we talking about your new ring before, like, anything else? Let’s just go dancing already! Standing around in the cold like this is starting to get painful.”
“No, no, no!” Penny shrieked. “Salim, you are so stupid! It isn’t just any ring- that’s the ring they give you at the Romance Festival if you decide to get married! Holy shit I can’t believe you guys really-“
“Wait, you guys got married?” Akira exclaimed. “But you two weren’t even dating! Oh, Eliza is going to love this, I can’t wait to call her and gossip about it for hours.”
“I think we all saw this coming,” Salim shrugged. “But congratulations!”
“We just got to talking, and one thing led to another, and here we are!” Susan grinned.
“I never imagined you two would be the ones to be this reckless,” Salim sighed.
“Susan, you’re coming with me,” Penny said, grabbing her arm. “Girl talk time. You are going to spill everything to me- in excruciating detail.”
Before Susan could protest, Penny has dragged her into the ancient ruins. Salim and Akira weren’t far behind as they headed for the dance floor, but as James made to follow him, Joaquin grabbed his arm, stopping him.
“James… why am I here? I’m not friends with anyone you know, and, I mean, we’re barely friends to begin with. Why invite me when you clearly intended this to be some meetup for a tight-nit group?” Joaquin muttered.
“That’s exactly it, Joaquin!” James said. “I want you to be part of this group. I want to be your friend, and I’m hoping that this night can maybe lead to that.”
“I guess, James,” Joaquin sighed. “I… I’ll try. I’m, uh… there’s some stuff going on at home, so I can’t stay long, but I’ll stay for as long as I can.
“I’m glad. Before we head in there, can I thank you for pointing out my talent for singing to me? Honestly, without you, I wouldn’t have met anyone here, I wouldn’t have even met Susan, who’s… now my wife! Saying that is really going to take some getting used to… honestly, you started everything for me.”
“Wow. I certainly didn’t expect it to have that big of an impact, but… yeah. You’re welcome, I guess.”
“Let’s head in,” James said.
The two then headed to the dance floor, and joined everyone else.
Their group danced for a good hour, laughing and talking. Eventually, Susan, Penny, and Salim broke off, Joaquin went off to drink, and James was left with just Akira. They danced for a bit, joking around and talking about James’s surprise wedding to Susan, then Akira suddenly spotted a woman with short black hair and a lot of tattoos in the crowd.
“Ulrike!” he called out.
The woman turned around, and spotting Akira, started waving enthusiastically.
Akira gestured for both Ulrike and James to follow him, and they all stepped away from the dance floor for a bit.
“James, this is Ulrike,” Akira said, gesturing. “She’s a friend of mine and Jacques’s, and she’s super into art just like you! She’s actually the curator of the Casbah Gallery, and the moment I saw her here, I thought it was the perfect time for you two to get acquainted.”
“And Ulrike, this is James. He’s a really good painter, and I think he could help you create some stunning displays for the gallery.”
“Ah, I see. The man Jacques hates so much.”
“It’s… not… they just got off on the wrong foot. That’s all…”
“Speaking of Jacques, how are you two?” James asked.
Ulrike nodded. “Jacques refuses to tell me anything either. I haven’t seen him in person in months, everything meeting we have about acquiring more art is through phone calls now… So, now that I’ve got one of you here, talk to us, Akira. What’s going on?”
Akira looked down at the ground. “Sorry… I, uh, just don’t like talking about it. That’s why I haven’t told you guys about it. Jacques… his health isn’t too good. His doctor says that it’s because he’s so angry all the time. But even just hearing that made him angry… he wants to do so many things, like, I know he still has it out for you, James, but he can’t. We’re just hoping that with enough rest, and work on our relationship so he’s no longer frustrated in his home life, he can move down a road where he isn’t as ruled by his rage.”
James looked down at the ground sadly. “Akira… I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
Akira shrugged. “It’s hard for me to talk about.”
“Akira, I’m going to drop by sometime in the next week just so he has some company. I think seeing a friend might do him some good,” Ulrike said firmly. “And you’re not arguing against me on this.”
“…alright. I guess.”
“And… James, was it?” Ulrike asked.
James nodded.
She slipped him her business card. “Give me a call. Akira’s recommendation is more than enough for me. I’d love to meet with you and talk about displaying some of your art.”
Ulrike gave the two a brief wave, then headed out of the ruins and off into the night.
Akira turned to James. “Um. If you’ll excuse me, James, I think I need to take a bit of time to myself right now.”
“Of course,” James nodded.
Akira headed off, and left with nothing else to do, James returned to dancing. Susan, Penny, and Salim were still off somewhere, probably gossiping about their marriage, but James didn’t even know where to begin looking for them. The ancient ruins were pretty expansive.
James danced and danced and danced, trying to shake off his worries about Akira and Jacques. Eventually, he was joined by Joaquin. The two of them danced without exchanging much of a word, but it didn’t feel awkward. The two of them just clicked, and James was glad. He had been right to invite Joaquin tonight.
As they danced, Joaquin spotted two imposing looking figures strutting towards the ruins with a purpose.
“Hey James. Check it out.”
James looked over, and he could have sworn that one of them looked oddly familiar.
A woman with black hair with blue highlights overheard them, and looked over. She was able to recognize them in an instant. “The Fengs are here!” she called out loudly. “Everyone, scatter!”
The DJ fled his booth, leaving the lights flashing, and once the music stopped, everyone on the dance floor recognized who was on their way in and scattered, the panic in the air palpable.
James turned to the girl, stopping her before she fled the scene. “What’s wrong with the Fengs?”
The girl gave him a look. “What’s wrong with the Fengs? Are you kidding me? You must be new… If we get too loud, they take a lot of enjoyment in shutting this place down.”
“I can stop that for you,” Joaquin said casually. “I know the Fengs pretty well, so I’m sure that if I just explain the situation, they won’t bother us.”
“Same here…” James said, giving Joaquin a confused look. How did he know the Fengs too?
“You both know the Fengs? Who even are you?” she asked quietly.
“Just call me James. And this here is my friend, Joaquin. Who are you?”
“Aarohi- but please don’t tell them that. I’m one of the people that puts this whole thing together, and from the rumors I’ve heard, I do not want to get on their bad side. I mean, I’ve heard they control all of San Mushuno!”
“Yeah, they’re wealthy, but they’re pretty far from controlling San Myshuno,” Joaquin frowned. “Sure they look threatening, but they’re actually pretty kind, genuine people. They’ve helped out my family on more than one occasion.”
“Do you want us to go talk to them for you?” James asked.
“Absolutely not,” Aarohi snorted. “I don’t know who you guys think you are, but I’m not risking getting into hot water with them. I’m wasting time here as it is.”
Aarohi then ran off into the night, not even taking a look back.
“That was weird…” James muttered.
Joaquin nodded. “I don’t understand why she would react with horror. The Fengs aren’t bad people.”
“Exactly! Susan was a little thrown off when we ran into him at a public pool, but that was only because he’s not the sort of man you’d expect to casually run into.”
“Let’s just tell them to leave,” Joaquin said. “This evening actually had been pretty fun, and I don’t want it to end early. …thanks for that, James.”
James grinned. “Of course! Let’s keep this party going seeing that it seems like we’re the only two bold enough to talk to them.”
James and Joaquin walked over to the entrance to the ancient ruins, where Victor and a woman James assumed was his wife were talking.
“…Rosaline is ridiculous. Hearing this, from across the water? Impossible,” Victor was saying to his wife.
“Just another reason we can't rely on them any longer. They’ve gotten to be beyond irritating. With your current project, I'm sure-“ Lily muttered quietly, but she stopped herself when she saw James and Joaquin approaching.
“Hey Victor, long time no see. I’ve heard you’re trying to shut down this dance party?” James asked.
“Yeah, what gives?” Joaquin added.
“James. How nice to see you again. I trust you have your armor in a safer place? And Joaquin! It is a surprise seeing you here… I thought you’d be at home with your home life changing as it is.” Victor said.
“I really don’t think a night off will hurt-“ Joaquin muttered.
Victor’s wife ignored him, and started pacing around James. “Ah! So this is the James I’ve heard so much about!. I’m Lily, Victor’s wife. It’s a pleasure. I’m always thrilled to hear about new legacies forming, it really switches things up when they get too boring.”
James nodded that Joaquin had a strange reaction. His eyes jerked to the floor, and the smile he was wearing dropped from his face.
“Regardless, you two shouldn’t fear,” Victor said. “We’re only here because one of our close friends contacted us about the noise here. We came to shut it down, but frankly… that’s proven to be unnecessary.”
Joaquin looked at James with the faintest trace of tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry, but did I hear that you’re starting a- a legacy?”
James nodded. “Yeah, why?”
Joaquin looked at the Fengs for help, then when it was obvious that they weren’t going to, turned back to James. “You can’t. My family's already established a legacy in Windenburg. You need to go elsewhere.”
“I a-already have started,” James stammered.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing? What a legacy even is? You can’t have a concentration of power that close together, fights always break out. Call off your legacy!”
“I really like you, Joaquin, but I’m not going to put my life plans on hold for you-“
“So much for being friends, James,” Joaquin snorted. “It’s clear that you have no idea what you’re doing- there is far too much you don’t know. So, either you take down your legacy, or I will.”