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- Once upon a time, in an underground speakeasy; a group of friends had gathered... Because one blasted rain ruined their entire plans for today! Urgh! - Ivy hit her head against the bar counter.
Well... Due to the circumstances, no one could blame her frustration. Summer is beautiful and just as tricky part of the year. Clear and sunny sky can quickly turn into long days of grey clouds pouring on you with endless rain. Which is why you should plan your days rather carefully.
- They said on the radio that it should stop raining tomorrow. - Freckle tried to cheer her up.
- I know. - Ivy turned her head to him – But it’s the last day of summer holidays, I wanted to make it remarkable.
- Not to worry misses Pepper! - Rocky cut in – Allow me to entertain you on this gloomy day with music.
- Ugh, Rocky I appreciate that, but-.
- Ah-ah! Who said that it would be a simple symphony. - Ivy looked puzzled at Freckle, but he seemed to be just as clueless as her – Follow me.
As for a self-taught, Rocky had a hand with Violin, and not just by holding it. Yet... Do you know the “everything in moderation” quote? (...) Yeah. But it was still better than sitting still by the counter, so they followed Rocky on the stage where the band was slee-, that is playing. Although, because it was their time of break they chose cards over instruments.
- Hey Zib, I challenge you to music-battle.
- Hey, no. - Zib said without lifting eyes from his cards.
- Rules are simple. The first one who stops playing; loses.
- Still no.
- The winner gets to have one favour from the loser.
- My favour would be silence, which I can get by ignoring you.
Zib was sure known for his sharp tongue, but he often forgets whom is he dealing with. Rocky’s enthusiasm didn’t die down, as he smirked and took his violin from the stander.
- I suppose you’re right. There is no fun if we know the winner would be obviously me.
- Ha! - Zib coughed with laughter – And why is that?
- You play the saxophone. Which means that you use your breath a lot. As experienced as you may be, I never heard of improving lung captivity by smoking cigarettes. - he tunes the violin.
While Zib’s pride was being wounded, the rest of the band couldn’t hold their laugh at this young boy’s smart and quite reasonable argument. But such cheek could have not been taken just like that. Zib threw his cards away and took his favorite instrument to tune it.
- The one who plays longer wins? - Zib asked.
- That’s right. - Rocky answered – Ready? - the music-battle starts.
- That was way beyond easy. - Ivy mumbled.
- Well, he doesn’t seem to mind it. - Freckle noticed Zib’s focus.
- Mh, by the way have you seen miss Mitzy?
- Not since this morning. Maybe she’s in her study.
- Maybe. I’ll go fetch her.
With that she kissed him on the cheek and walked away, leaving the poor boy standing still as rock. No one seemed to mind it, except for Victor who had broken another glass in his palm. Luckly there was only one person by the counter, and he was well aware of Victor’s ways of dealing with irritation.
- You’re still not a big fan of his I take it? - Wick asked.
- Vlk nemá sily, tak mu aj ovca na chrbát vyskočí. - he responded polishing another glass.
- (...) Sorry?
- When the wolf has no strength, even a sheep will jump on his back.
- W-well, I’m still not sure what does it mean.
- Good afternoon. - Freckle greeted them as he sat down next to Wick.
- Ah, good afternoon. We were just speaking about you. - Wick changed the subject.
- Oh.
- You and miss Pepper are getting along as I see.
- W-well. - Freckle blushes – I suppose so.
Freckle was a well-behaved boy, most of the time to be exact, but it wasn’t enough to convince Victor as a suitable match for Ivy. As strongly as he would deny it, she feels like a daughter to him. And what kind of a father would he have been if he wasn’t to make sure in what company his child is associating with. Freckle might have been young but it obvious that he didn’t have any hidden intentions towards Ivy. Still, it was just one thing to be relieved about. How these bones dressed in skin were supposed to keep her safe in the first place? So here it is, if he truly was willing to keep meeting with her, he had to prove it.
- Have you thought about the future yet? - Victor asked bluntly.
- Huh!? - Freckle blushed - Ah-ah, well, I-I'd be lying if I said that I didn’t, but it all depends on how we will get there. O-of course there’s a lot of things we need to get through first, but, I-I mean and-.
- And what if you run into trouble? - Victor cut in.
- Huh? - Freckle stopped confused while Victor placed his bended arm on the counter – (...) Huh?
- Let’s wrestle.
- Huh?! - Freckle snapped.
- P-pardon me for interruption Victor, but I think that’s a bit-. - Wick tried to intervene but was stagged with Victor’s cold gaze.
- If you really think you’re worth being called the man a woman needs, prove it. - Victor growled.
This simple sentence made Freckle understand what Victor meant. Somehow his trembling hands stopped shaking as he grabbed the older male’s hand. The boy’s face was serious. Even if he knew the outcome, he still had to try at least. To prove Victor that his feeling towards Ivy were not mere crush nor killing time fun.
While boys were having their fun, Ivy was on her way to Mitzy’s office. She cherished her friends deeply, but even tomboys had to spare some of their time for ‘ladies only’ company. Not to mention that she wanted to talk about some solutions for their financial issues, but there was no harm in killing two birds with one stone, right? At least that’s what she was hoping for. The door to Mitzy’s study was crack-open, so she could see inside of the room. But even a blunt girl like her wouldn’t dare to walk into a room, where her boss was sitting on the desk, looking at her late husband’s portrait. Even if her face was saying otherwise, she couldn’t even bring herself to cry now. Has she shed too many tears already? Was she just too tired of mourning? Or was she simply saving them for later? (...) Maybe. With a quiet sigh, her eyes wandered to the door.
- Oh, Ivy darling, what brings you here?
- Um... I just thought I could use some lady company. - she walked in.
- Hm-hm. - Mitzy chuckled – Sounds lovely. Here, take a seat.
Ivy settled herself on the chair in front of the desk while Mitzy turned around to her. But even facing each other and exchanging smiles didn’t help her find a topic to talk about. Some other than the club’s economy.
- How are things going between you and Freckle? - Mitzy asked.
- Great! - she exclaimed – I mean... I can’t complain. Like... It’s not like I want us to go on another level right away, but...
- But?
- Sometimes I wonder if he even sees me as a woman. I mean I am a woman but, um... Actually, never mind, please forget it.
- I think I know what you want to say honey. - she jumps off the desk – And trust me, that is perfectly normal. - she opens the wardrobe – How about a little makeover?
- Scuse me? - Ivy tilted her head.
From the wardrobe, Mitzy pulled out a dress. It was just as sparkly as a night sky, made of blue soft fabric with one deep cut to elegantly expose the leg and no sleeves. Ivy was astonished by its view to the point that she wanted to refuse wearing it, but with a bit of Mitzy’s insistence; she soon gave up. Mitzy used to wear it when she was younger, so it was a perfect choice for another young lady. But it was merely a starter. ‘Now let’s take care of your hair.’, Mitzy said as she found her old curlers. Curly hair didn’t suit her, but since she bought them, it was a waste to throw them out. And so, after years of wait; they could be finally used properly. Mitzy put them or Ivy’s hair one by one. It would be better to put them on wet hair, but this should be enough to keep them wavy for some time. Next step; the most important part of women’s look, right after clothing of course, makeup. Ivy settled herself on the chair in front of the desk, while Mitzy found her cosmetics and took them out of the drawer. ‘Close your eyes.’ she said to Ivy and sat down on the other chair. As she was delicately putting eyeshadow on her eyes, Mitzy couldn’t help but smile at how that little girl who was running around quickly has turned into this young woman. But it was no time to space out, she had to focus on turning this pale face into one that will cause every man to fall on their knees in front of her.
- There, beautiful. - Mitzy complemented her sparkly dark eyelids.
- Can I open my eyes now?
- No, no sweetie. - she opens mascara - We’re not done yet.
- Ok.
While Mitzy was taking care of her eyelashes, Ivy was praying for this to end soon. She wasn’t used to take such care of her look. Usually, all it took her to do was to wash her face and curl her hair up maybe. So now, having her someone add eyeshadow, mascara and lipstick already... Felt kind of weird. ‘And few more details’, Mitzy whispered as she stood up and walked back to the wardrobe. She took some things and went back to Ivy.
- Try these on. - Mitzy put small black heels beside her.
- (...) - Ivy put them on – They're alright.
- That’s good, and now. - she hands Ivy long black gloves – Remember darling, - she stands behind her – the shorter your sleeves are, the longer your gloves should be. - she put white fur boa on Ivy’s shoulders.
- I will... So, is that all?
- Hmm... - she hummed thinking – One last detail. - Mitzy walked to the chest of drawers and took out a flat box – Close your eyes.
When Ivy did as she was asked, Mitzy walked to her and put a necklace on her, made of white pearls and little diamond earrings shaped like hanging tears. Now it’s time for the cherry on this beautiful cake. Mitzy gently removed the curlers from Ivy’s hair and replaced them with a hairpin with a white rose.
- Do you want some perfumes?
- Um, sure.
- Suit yourself. - Mitzy opened one of the drawers, which was full of little perfume bottles.
Back at the club boys were having their sweet bonding time, while competing with each other. Where Rocky was still battling with Zib and Freckle was doing his best to win against Victor in arm-wrestling. Although it was more of watching a little boy trying to move mountain. So sad that it was almost amusing. During all this time, Victor’s arm didn’t move even by an inch, while Freckle was about to lose all of his breath. Seeing that, Victor decided to end his suffering and pulled his hand down, winning the contest. Letting the boy to finally rest. He already knew how this would end up, but it was still frustrating. Because no matter how long he would deny it, he’s weak. Too weak to keep Ivy safe. He knew that she was no fragle girl, but what kind of a man would he be if he let her face everything on her own.
- Pathetic. - he scolded himself.
- It sure is. - Victor heard his mutter - A dry branch can do more damage than you. - Freckle couldn’t deny – But. Practice makes a champion. If you start now, maybe you will get some muscle, before marriage.
A short silence broke out between them. While Freckle was holding his hand on his sore arm, Victor was looking down at him with serious eyes. But Wick didn’t seem to understand this silence as he broke it.
- Marriage? I think there is still plenty of time before that. Don’t you ag-.
- Yes sir. - Freckle said.
The boy’s determined eyes caused a little amused smirk to creep on Victor’s lips. Approving his efforts, he raised his hand for Freckle to grab it. The boy’s eyes didn’t even wave as he shook the older male’s hand.
- Ha-Ha! - Rocky laughed cheerfully.
- Damn it! - Zib hissed.
- I told you.
- Yeah, yeah just name your price kiddo. - he shrugged as he lit a cigarette already.
- I was thinking about a duet for the audience.
- (...) - Zib took a drag and blew it out – I'm not sure if you noticed but we already played one and there’s almost no one to play for.
- That doesn’t count as it was to find the winner. - Zib groaned in response – Oh, come on.
- Ha~, I’ll finish this one and we can play.
- Aye-aye captain!
- For what sins? - Zib muttered.
- Gentlemen, can I have your minute? - Mitzy got everyone’s attention – Let me present to you miss Ivy Pepper.
From behind Mitzy’s back, from dark corridor could be heard a quiet and soft sound of tapping heels slowly, which was slowly growing louder. Till the figure could be finally seen. Everyone’s eyes were now focused in one direction, and no one could blame their astonishment. The dress was sparkling even more as Ivy was moving forward on the stage, time to time showing her leg from behind the elegant cut. The blue on her eyelids flashed under the stage lights as she kept them half-closed, while the hairpin was holding her wavy hair. The white boa slid from her shoulders, but hands placed on her waist kept it. And let’s not forget about the jewelry, which shone like stars on her. Such a breath-taking look could not go unapproved. As soon as Ivy walked out on the stage, the band complemented her new glow with loud whistles and clapping. But the one who was still watching her in awe; was Freckle. That was it, that was the push he needed. In order to keep the chance of being beside her and having to see her look as beautiful as she only wants to be, he has to become stronger. Although this wasn’t the only lesson someone learned today. Now we know that children grow faster than we can imagine. If someone has the courage to change, you just need to give them some time. And most importantly... Smoking doesn’t improve your lung captivity.