This is a private rp with @Cecilia Deux-Le

OCC NOTE

:

Reducio

This is a pre-hogwarts of when these two characters were still 6-7 years old. So if you notice the characters are somewhere else in elsewhere, it should be fine right because this is a flashback. I repeat, flashback. A memory a long time ago. M E M O R Y .

Or are we doing something wrong? ;-; please feel free to owl me a correction ( without anger please we all gotta be cool and calm here )

She gave a sweet smile and a waved at her last guest, who, after insulting Fumiko's dress all day promised to bring her shopping one day because apparently, Fumiko's incapable of buying a decent dress herself. " I can't wait for you to show me true fashion, Alliya~ " she skilfully lied with a smile.

'Like your poofy bright yellow dress was any better, you spoiled brat ' was what Fumiko really meant. She truly hoped she didn't make Aliya too interested in her. A whole day of shopping with her felt like torture, by looking at Aliyas handmaid's reaction when she heard her young lady suggestion

7-year-old Fumiko investigated the bubbly see-through liquid through the small walled glass cup in her small hands. Wondering what would happen if she splashed it on herself right now. Perhaps she could get out of this horrid dress . Hiding in the music room playing her violin, Florence all night.

She smiled at the thought. That'll be much more entertaining than watching men in their overpriced tuxes/suits, gelled hair, and women with their glamorous ( at least in their eyes ) dresses and 8-inch heels mingle.

The only job Fumiko was given in this party was to entertain guest that wasn't old enough to talk about frivolous topics like the weather and oh I heard you're child got into Harvard conversations. So far she did a splendid job, using her acting abilities.

She couldn't count the times where she wanted to slap her guests. Especially around those snobby bunch that can't shut up about how expensive their hairstyle and dress was. They were boring Fumiko out of her mind that at some point she tried to make a conversation about bubbles and the newest flower that was recently discovered.

The only thing that replied to her was silence.

After that, it was back to clothes and bragging about wealth.

If only her parents weren't having their date, which Fumiko's 7-year-old mind thought they went somewhere to eat dates. She didn't recall her parents ever having that level of craving for dates but she let it slide.

Her aunt was the only one available to care of her today. But the moment Fumiko stepped int this mansion, she was dragged into the dressing room like a rag doll. She couldn't even remember what happened in there but next thing she knew, she came out looking like.

She grimaced. This. She admits her hairstyle was quite cute but she just wanted to tear off her dress and burn it with glee. It felt itchy and the butterflies in it kept poking her arms and she walked.

Just as she took a deep breath and drink her apple juice, her aunt's sickly sweet voice interrupted. " `Sweetie~ come over here for a minute will you ?~ " she didn't like how she called her ' sweetie '. That was a signal that meant she wants Fumiko to act like they were close to impress a guest.

Won't be the first this evening honestly.

So that's exactly what Fumiko did, she smiled at her aunt, making her way towards her gracefully, " Yes, auntie ? " her voice coated with warmth when she arrived beside her aunt.

She then noticed the tall figure her aunt was talking too. Fumiko tried not to be intimidated by his looks and give him a bright smile that the figure didn't return immediately. An obvious deep scar left on the side of his face and his eyes, Fumiko couldn't help but wonder what deep secrets they held, what things they'd seen Fumiko's child like mind would never understand.

" Fumiko...." her aunt placed a gentle hand on Fumiko's shoulder, it felt foreign but she knew it was all an act, so she would do the same. " This is August Deaux-Lee, and his son~ "

She didn't like how she said ' son ' smelled like trouble. Like she had something devious up in her sleeve and she espected Fumiko to catch on. ( She didn't ) " Cecilia Deaux- Lee ~ "

It was only then when Fumiko noticed the small boy, hiding behind Mr. Deaux-Lee's legs. She had to blink a few times to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her.

It was her first time seeing a boy that was 10 times prettier and more feminine than Fumiko will ever be.

For a split second, she thought of making him switch outfits with her. He'll rock in this butterfly dress but, Fumiko would still look like a girl trying on a tux. She brushed away that idea quickly.

She felt exaushtion overwhelm her for a second. How long does she have to act so nice in front of guest. She wanted nothing more than too nod and turn the other away, ignoring the boy. " Nice to meet you, Cecilia ~ " hiding any exaushtion she felt carefully behind a sweet smile . She swore her cheeks felt a bit sore from all this.

Her aunt smiled, looking pleased with the scene. Fumiko felt satisfied being the cause of her aunt's smile. " Why don't you take Cecilia on a tour of the house? " she suggested but anyone who knew her understood it was more like a command. " I need to talk to August for a while "

Ew she used his first name. Fumiko, who was still every sensitive with the use of 1st names hid her disgust behind an excited smile. " Ah~ Can I show him the rose garden? " she forced herself to squeal girlishly, earning a nod from her aunt.

Perfect~ She gave a short bow to Mr. Deaux Lee before taking Cecilia's hands into her own. She tried to ignore how soft they were compared to Fumiko's. This is not the time to be envious of a boy's hand.

" Cmon~ the rose bushes are a must go visit place in the Vinscott mansion! " she didn't even give him time to respond before pulling his arm away from the crowd.

One thing she was grateful for shy people was that they tend not to fight back.

She basically skipped on her way outside, silently winced at every step that hurt her feet but gave a girly impression to her guest who awed at the sight. Once she got out of the house away from the guests eager stares, her aura completed dropped.

She stopped skipping and dropped her grip on Cecilia as she gave him a blank look, " Come with me " she commanded and she continued walking through the dimly lit garden. Once she noticed Cecilia not following close behind, she turned back and gave him a look.

" Or don't, you know. But you know who's going to get disappointed if you come back in that stuffy party without me " It wasn't hard to figure out his situation. He's a shy kid. His father bought him to this party in hopes he'll meet new friends. Cecilia looked like someone who would do the kindest things for the ones he loves but his shyness prevents him for making a lot of friends.

She felt bad for forcing him into this, but she felt too tired to act any too much. She got a feeling Cecilia was different from all the snobbish guest that she meet here, so it was even more reason to talk to him properly.

OCC nOTE:

MY GOOOOODD SOO LONNG DEEEFFFF??! ( aH and yes Fumiko didn't know Cecilia is blind

He doesn’t like the party, the people with their heavy scent of rose perfume (that doesn’t really smell like rose). Besides, the kids weren’t really interested in him since all they want to talk about is toys and dresses. The adults are boring, showing off their newest cars and house, and the ladies are busy talking about their hair and ridiculously expensive necklace.
People are too crowded, noisy, he had to put away his cane since it would be inconvenient use it when people are everywhere. Instead, he just clenches on his father’s vest and follows behind him
His father who is currently talking to the party host with Cecilia hiding behind his legs like August was some kind of shield that could block the sickly sweet voice from the lady. Cecilia wonders how Mrs. Vinscott could keep up that tone without getting exhausted
But then, when they were talking with Cecilia as a topic, Mrs. Vinscott decided to call her niece with a dearing tone that’s too fake to Cecilia’s ears.
As he had expected, her voice is not as sweet as her aunt, but it’s still sugar-coated. He smiled shyly as she greeted him, people’s attention started to focus on him and Fumiko, all was looking at them in awe.
“Uh, nice to meet you…”
“Why don't you take Cecilia on a tour of the house? " Mrs. Vinscott nicely cut his words " I need to talk to August for a while"
“ Ah~ Can I show him the rose garden? " Cecilia wasn’t in the mood to get separated from his father, especially in a new place like this.
“You don’t have to…” He stopped as he was startled a little bit as Fumiko grabbed his hand, she didn’t even give him the chance to deny her invitation.
" Cmon~ the rose bushes are a must go visit place in the Vinscott mansion! " And before he could react, she had already drag him out of the crowd and to the garden, leaving the social awkward August with the ladies. Also, who would go and see rose bushes at night? Even he knows it's abnormal, and he is blind.
The garden wasn’t something he had imagined in mind, the crisp sound of wind and the cold atmosphere are something from a ghost story. A chill ran down his spine as he could feel the gleeful aura he could feel from Fumiko suddenly dropped. She’s no longer “jump-walking” like she did a moment ago.
“Come with me” Her voice was blank, commanding, it was nothing like her candied and cheerful voice. The girl did a great job of scaring Cecilia, he was a little bit frozen, all he wanted is just to run back to his father (liike a chicken). But he didn’t bring his cane right now, so…
How could a person change their personality so fast, even his father Lucas couldn't do that??
“I think… I’d prefer… uh… going back to pops… ” His voice is tiny compared to hers right now, it sounds hesitate like he doesn’t want Fumiko to hear it. He is so confused now, since he didn't know what to do, the girl changed so quickly that he's not sure how to react to 
“Or don't, you know. But you know who's going to get disappointed if you come back in that stuffy party without me” His father… she hit the right spot, he doesn’t know how August gonna reacts, but he knows it wouldn’t happy. August bought him a bunch of things just to get ready for the party and make friends, and now he was going go back to the party and tell him "Uh... she is scary, so nope"?
Nope, he's not going to do that, he wouldn't want to hear the disappointed tone from his father.
After a long moment of hesitation, he decided to speak up
"Um... uh... fine, but where are we going. And what are we doing" Cecilia asked, completely clueless to what the girl was doing "By the way, I.. uh... don't think I want to go see the rose bushes " He was thinking of the rose thorn while saying that, just in case he tripped on something and fall on the roses. He like flowers, but not really keen on rose because of it.
Cecilia slowly walked to Fumiko's voice direction, praying in his head 
"Dear God, if you listening, S.O.S"

"Um... uh... fine, but where are we going. And what are we doing" Cecilia asked, completely clueless to what the girl was doing

" Getting away from that stupid party, that's what " she grumbled but it was soft enough to sound assuring. " You don't like parties either right? That horrible strong perfume they wear and-"

She winced for a second as she realised how sore her feet must've been by now. With an annoyed sigh, she took out her shoes, leaving her bare feet on the grassy grounds of the garden. " Damn shoes " she muttered, loud enough for Deaux-Lee to hear. Though she wanted to throw these shoes as far as she could, she couldn't exactly come back to the party bare footed.

Her aunt will literally disown her.

Leaving it somewhere near the bushes, she focused hard to try and hope to remember where she placed them for her to retrieve later. The garden, though dimly lit with tall lights it was enough for her to see where she was going.

"By the way, I.. uh... don't think I want to go see the rose bushes "

She looked at the boy for a a second, surprised that was the first time someone wasn't interested in seeing a rose garden. It also surprised her to see him speaking up his concerns. Unconsciously, she gave him a short applause, impressed how he fought his shyness to share this with her.

She had a guilty feeling she had scared the boy to some degree.

" Don't worry. I lied " she said with a monotone voice, like it was a normal thing a 7 year old does. " Rose gardens are so over-rated. Pretty to look at but really who hasn't seen a rose before. It's everywhere. I'm actually glad you weren't hoping to see a rose garden " she sounded much more softer now. It was probably because with each step they took, they were getting closer to her favourite part of the garden.

Or maybe because her feet didn't sting every time she took a step now.

Once they arrived at their destination, she turned to face Cecilia, her genuine cheery aura surrounding her with a big grin on her childlike face.

Help with visualisation ( because I'm crap at describing things )

Reducio

" Welcome, to the Common Gardens~ " she gestured to the large circular space in front of them. Bushes of different flowers all with various shades, mixing the air around them with an unfamiliar but pleasant scent that makes you just want to stay here forever.

Though it didn't look as amazing as it did in the morning, it was the perfect spot to get away from the party. " My aunt usually avoids this garden " Fumiko informed " She doesn't like the different colours and she thinks it's too small so we'll be safe here " she said it like her aunt was some kind of monster they were hiding from.

" I know...it doesn't look like much now since it's night but just stand here-" her eyebrow twitched in annoyance when she noticed Cecilia was still too far away. Once again, she took his hand and lend him in the middle of the garden. " Just stand.... here -" she repeated as she took a few steps back from the pretty boy.

" Close your eyes and just smell the air ~ " she gleefully suggested. This was the first time she bought a guest here. She felt a bit jumpy showing her 2nd favourite place in the Vinscott Mansion to Cecilia, whom, though it wasn't known to her, she had already taken a liking to the shy boy.

After giving him a few seconds to smell the air, she told him : " Take a smell around ~" she was oblivious to how odd that sounded " find a fragrant you like the most. I know every single flower here and I'll tell you what the flower represents " she smiled sweetly at him, possibly scarring him with all her personality changes tonight.

Though this was just a tactic to get him to be more cooperative with her suggestion, it felt nice to share this with someone she barely meet. There was just this thrill she couldn't explain and she wanted more.

OOC NOTE :

@Cecilia Deux-Le , find a flower that connects with your character the most. Pick one you'll think will have a rather interesting reaction to Deaux-Le when he finds out what the flower he picked means.

How come this lovely girl, who seems to be enjoying the party inside so much, now is talking about the party like she’s… distaste it, deeply. Her voice is grumpy, but there’s a warmer tone underneath the rough sounds that make Cecilia feel less scared, even feel assured, maybe he’s just imagining…
“Damn shoes” Fumiko whined, frustration build up in her voice
“Hey..!” He stops before the girl noticed, he was about to tell her not to say ‘damn’. But hey, gotta be smart and don’t tell what this girl what do, she’s still a stranger (you’re life’s in her hand now, be smart Cece). Cecilia couldn’t just scold Fumiko like he’s her mom or something. “Uh… it’s nothing”
Cecilia heard a short applause just after he expressed his distaste for rose, but didn’t know what for though.
" Don't worry. I lied Rose gardens are so over-rated. Pretty to look at but really who hasn't seen a rose before. It's everywhere. I'm actually glad you weren't hoping to see a rose garden " Her voice is so different now, softer, lighter, but still not like how a kid would speak. It’s kinda... Wednesday Addams in her good days. But Cecilia is no longer feel too confused anymore, he’s probably getting used to the way Fumiko voice change,… or ways.
He followed Fumiko’s voice way too slow, one of his hand was searching the leafy fence for a sense of direction, but it didn’t help much but keep him standing, without his face on the ground, of course.
Fumiko started to talking about her Common Garden without acknowledging that he is still too far from her, he could hear her just fine from this distance since Fumiko’s voice is clear and kinda easy to follow. Her voice is kinda excited with some cheerfulness, Cecilia thought as he became more relaxed, maybe Fumiko is not as scary as he thought she is, yes, a little weird now and then. She’s just like a normal kid like him. A cheerful kid who’s showing their parents her drawing.
But now when he started to really think about their interactions, Cecilia realized, did she not know that he’s blind?
“Hey, I don’t like watching rose becau…” He was trying to tell Fumiko when she stopped talking. Suddenly grabbed his hand and just dragged him to where she wants him to be.
" Just stand.... here -"  At least he wouldn’t have to be worried about tripping on something and painfully kiss the ground with his face then.
The aura around them just changes slowly as they walk closer to where Fumiko refers as Common Garden, which is a weird name to give to a garden.
" Close your eyes and just smell the air ~ " Fumiko suggested, sounding gleeful. He doesn’t really need to follow the instruction, but still closed his eyes

He knew that there’s a really nice floral scent that this place has since he had walked out of the door. But now, he was overwhelmed in the flowers’s fragrance, it’s not like any of the flowers he had seen, it’s like smell every flower at once, the feeling was so refreshing with a little breeze surf through his light blonde curls. He was drowned in the pleasant feeling until startled by Fumiko’s voice again.
" Take a smell around ~" That might sound odd to others, but not Cecilia, who is currently breathing a lung of fresh breeze and flower fragrant right now " find a fragrant you like the most. I know every single flower here and I'll tell you what the flower represents "
“Flowers having meaning?” He asked again, in surprise
He didn’t know that flowers have meaning? It smells nice and people seem to like it, but he never thought of something like each flower has a meaning.
In this garden, flower's scents are everywhere and mixed together. But Cecilia could still find what he wants due to his sensitive nose. There is a sweet scent of flower, some have soapy odor, some have a drunky kind of smell. He liked all of them, couldn’t choose between anything, but there’s no flower that has the kind of fragrance that he wanted to find. Cecilia walked around Fumiko a little bit, just to make sure he didn’t miss any flower.
As he was going to his final decision, Cecilia sensed a really nice fragrance, it isn’t too intense smelling. It didn’t have the soapy scent going with it, it’s just… have a nice aroma, not too much, elegant and pure, what he couldn’t describe with words, English doesn’t giving him much ways to describe the scent.
“How about.. that?” Cecilia said as he was pacing to where the fragrance from, careful not to step on anything but grass. “this?” he could smell the flowers clearer now as he touched the leaves from the flower’s bush, but not so sure where the flower is, maybe he’s made a mistake, or it’s just that the flower is too small for him to easily locates where they’re.
“This is a flower bush, right? What is the flower’s name?” His face has brightened a lot more since he entered the Common Garden. He’s almost forgotten about his shyness and replaced it with a bright smile on his face. "And what does it means?"

See Cece, a little  social party won't kill ya.

“Hey..!” He stops before the girl noticed, he was about to tell her not to say ‘damn’. But hey, gotta be smart and don’t tell what this girl what do, she’s still a stranger (you’re life’s in her hand now, be smart Cece). Cecilia couldn’t just scold Fumiko like he’s her mom or something. “Uh… it’s nothing”

Fumiko couldn't help but smile, amused how she truly did scare him a bit for him to bite down his tongue. She would need to fix that soon if she wanted his cooperation.

“Flowers having meaning?” He asked again, in surprise

There was the question she loved to answer too much, shown with the bright smile on her face. " Flower Language ~ " she said, her tone proud but soft " I wouldn't be interested in flowers if they didn't have meaning. I find it interesting how some pretty flowers that smell so nice could have such a dark symbolisation "

She glanced at a patch of small flowers on the other side of Deaux-Le. She was relieved he didn't choose those flowers. " For example, that Anemome patch over there " she said, her eyes still glued to the pleasant looking pink/purple flowers. " They look beautiful, but the hide a dark meaning. Forsaken, Abandonation, Deceit, Lies " with each word she said, she skilfully made her tone more menacing to fit the word, and to see Deaux-Lee's face contort in fear.

“How about.. that?” Cecilia said as he was pacing to where the fragrance from, careful not to step on anything but grass. “this?” he could smell the flowers clearer now as he touched the leaves from the flower’s bush, but not so sure where the flower is, maybe he’s made a mistake, or it’s just that the flower is too small for him to easily locates where they’re.
“This is a flower bush, right? What is the flower’s name?” His face has brightened a lot more since he entered the Common Garden. He’s almost forgotten about his shyness and replaced it with a bright smile on his face. "And what does it means?"

She took graceful steps, barefooted to the boy, peering over his shoulder to see what flower he choose. Fumiko couldn't help but notice the calmer aura around him, and that pretty smile he wore on his face oh dear how could anyone looked so innocent right now.

Fumiko had a new rival.

" You choose Jasmines~ " she mused, not really surprised at what he choose. " One of the best smelling flowers here. Their meanings are different depending on the colours, but you seem to be more drawn to the white ones " she smiled, getting close to the flower as Deaux-Lee is.

" Honesty, innocence , purity, luck..." gently, she plucked a jasmine from it's stem. Giving it a twirl between her fingers. " Mostly, it represents gentle love. One like a soulmates. Understanding each other and all. ' What is love without happiness ' ya, something like that ", she payed close attention to Deaux-Lee, who still had his full attention fixed on the flowers.

Wanting to tease him, she placed the jasmine flower and tucked it in behind his ear. Taking a step back to have a nice view of his reaction when he realises the flower on his ear. " And beauty ~ back in the days, women would wear these to attract the attention of men with their appealing scent.Eventually leading to marriage, then babies, and finally death~ " she cheerfully said, contradicting with what she just said about ' death '.

Unable to contain her excitement, she said in a teasing tone ," My my...you look much more prettier wearing that than anyone I have ever seen. Including myself ~ " it was in a lighthearted tone, one that wasn't used for mocking.

He truly looked adorable it make Fumiko slightly flushed at the sight.

For example, that Anemome patch over there " she said, her eyes still glued to the pleasant looking pink/purple flowers. " They look beautiful, but the hide a dark meaning. Forsaken, Abandonation, Deceit, Lies "

Cecilia was somewhat spooked by how realistic Fumiko sounds when she spoke, it gave him a chill as though each word just pierced through his heart, make him feels... heavy. But that feeling wasn't something the young Cecilia could have understood. Cecilia just thought the feeling was just he panicking. Cecilia thought that he did a good job of hiding his fear from Fumiko, but he's blind, how would he know if his face's looking like a puppy with their tail behind their legs?

Cecilia tried to shrug all the weird feeling he off to ask Fumiko about the flower

The little boy was startled as Fumiko already got behind him. It was so quiet that Cecilia wondered if she's even wearing shoes?

" You choose Jasmines~ " she mused, not really surprised at what he choose. " One of the best smelling flowers here. Their meanings are different depending on the colours, but you seem to be more drawn to the white ones "

Fumiko moved closer to him as she started to explain the meaning of Jasmine, the flower he chose from all the gorgeous flowers in this garden. Cecilia was thrilled by Fumiko's explanation, how could a little white flower that he couldn't even find where it's, can have all those beautiful meanings. He was still focused on the flower bush to search for the flowers Fumiko tucked something on his ear, Cecilia realised that it is a Jasmine because of the fragrance coming from the flower.

" And beauty ~ back in the days, women would wear these to attract the attention of men with their appealing scent. Eventually leading to marriage, then babies, and finally death~ "

Cecilia didn't noticed the word 'death', or is it that he's trying to ignore it?

His initial gut just told him right up that new the tone Fumiko was using, it's just like Lucas's. His initial gut just told him right up that Fumiko was teasing him with a nice proportion of light sarcasm. Which made him blushed lightly since she implied that he's... a woman who's wearing a Jasmine flower tucked in his ear. He completely ignored the ' to attract man' and surprisingly succed

"Hey! I'm not a girl!" His weird English accent is too thick right now as he's getting flustered, his voice was a mixture of Asian, Italy and French accent.

Fumiko was probably getting too excited, she just blew at him a cannonball of complements that seems genuine, and not mocking. The honesty in her voice is what made him blushed so much, his face is so hot that if he want to cool down himself with water, the water would be boiling the moment it touches his face.

Fumiko was right, the warm silver of Cecilia's shined under the moonlight made his face looks brighter even in the darkened garden.

"Uh~ um, thanks, I guess I look alright. I'm sure that you're looking great too if you tuck one in your hair" At least she doesn't have a washing powder perfume scent around her, and her voice, the cheerful voice he meant, is really nice to listen to, not too soft like his voice, but strong and vibrateted. In Cecilia's words, her voice sound like the glass pieces tinkling

And Fumiko would probably more suitable for the Jasmine since her hair is black, the white of the flower would pop nicely on the black color

As you can see easily, Cecilia's never good at receiving compliments, he tends to direct the compliment toward others. Now he's covering his face with his tiny palms as he felt his burning skin under his fingers "But just to be clear, I'm not a girl"

He didn't removed the flower tucked on his ear, just routinely make sure that the flower is on his ear all the time, he seems to like this flower very much. Cecilia broke the comforting silence with a little question, mostly just curiosity, he wanted to know more flowers and their meaning

"Well, I guess Jasmine is my favorite flower now" It suits him, Jasmine isn't too beautiful and gorgeous, but he's fine with it, it's just nice, but has a nice aroma. "But what about yours, do you have a favorite flower?"

"Hey! I'm not a girl!" His weird English accent is too thick right now as he's getting flustered, his voice was a mixture of Asian, Italy and French accent.

And that was all it took to get Fumiko to burst out laughing. It wasn't his odd accent at all, it was how he so strongly defended himself. His face, red with embarrassment, the high pitched tone, it was all music to Fumiko ears and make her think this party was worth coming too if Deaux-Lee is there.

" Oh my..hahah I like you Deaux-Lee.." she panted out, tired from all the laughing. This was coming from a child who is too sensitive about 1st names, but will casually say they like you. " You're the best guest I ever had to entertain. If I did what I just did to the previous guest, they'd say something like,' You're right Fumiko~ I ammmmm beautifulllll~". She mocked the way Alisya would respond and continued to laugh.

"Uh~ um, thanks, I guess I look alright. I'm sure that you're looking great too if you tuck one in your hair" At least she doesn't have a washing powder perfume scent around her, and her voice, the cheerful voice he meant, is really nice to listen to, not too soft like his voice, but strong and vibrated. In Cecilia's words, her voice sounds like the glass pieces tinkling

" Hmm?~" she perked up after she calmed down from her laughing fit. " Oh, I would do that..jasmines look good on anyone but ... they don't really suit me~," she said it like it didn't bother her. Innocence? Purity?Honesty?

None of those meaning fit her in her opinion. She's here at a party pretending to be someone she wasn't to impress people she didn't even care about. Where's the honesty in that?

Though she was being honest at the moment now that she was alone with Deaux-Lee. She took another jasmine and placed it behind her ear. " I guess I can wear it tonight. Just for fun~ ". Now they truly look like friends. This would make her plan easier.

As you can see easily, Cecilia's never good at receiving compliments, he tends to direct the complement toward others. Now he's covering his face with his tiny palms as he felt his burning skin under his fingers "But just to be clear, I'm not a girl"

Fumiko lightly chuckled at his 2nd attempt to make that statement clear. She loved the 1st one much more though. " Whatever you say, Buttercup~ " she mused, obviously avoiding to give s straight answer. Fumiko refused to tell him she believed him considering her aunt called him Mr. Deaux-Lee's son.

Wheres the fun in that?

"But what about yours, do you have a favorite flower?"

For a second, her mood couldn't help but drop. She was hoping to avoid this question. She thought for a while, wondering if she should lie to him or tell him the truth. She clearly liked the boy and was enjoying his company.

But she's a mere child that has not faced the grief and horrible events that will take place in the future, so she hummed a bit, certain of her decision.

She placed a finger on her chin and tilted her head, pretending to think. " Hm...that's going to be hhaardd...I know a lot of flowers and I'd hate to pick one over another... " she was playing dumb on purpose.

" My most favorite flower...Baby's breath~ " she pointed to the small patch of tiny cotton balls like flowers. " Freedom and purity~ " . She definitely strived for those.

" The flower I relate to the most..Daffodils ~", the flower patch wasn't that far so she simply gestured to them.

" When I'm with you, A new beginning, and..." she trailed off, thinking of her always absent mother. " Unrequited ...a- aum.. unrequited love~". She forced herself to sound cheery.

" Had a boy I confessed my love too recently. As you can see, I got rejected ~" she lied, adding a giggle.

Like hell, she'll ever confess her love to someone. She's only 7! She didn't understand some of her classmates that are currently ' dating '. Eww just EWW.


She paused for a moment, thinking this was the best time to set out her plan before he questioned if she lied about her rejected love. " I didn't bring you here to show you flowers all day " her tone wasn't as dead as the beginning of their journey to the common gardens. They just sounded too serious that it contradicts her playful tone just moments before.

" I see you're only here to make your father happy, and he will be even more so if you come out of this party with a friend, right? Well since I know your situation, I'll explain mine. " She sat on the bench the garden provided and messaged her feet, though free from those nightmare shoes, they still sting a bit.

"I'm sure you were confused about me being all happy in the party and then I bring you out and BOOM! " she yelled the boom part for special childish effect " I hate this party with all my heart " she deadpanned, going back t messaging her feet.

" My parents are out date-ing and my aunt is the only one available to take care of me. So I was forced into this itchy dress and horrible small shoes as if my feet weren't enough small.." She looked at Deaux-Lee straight into his light purple eyes.

" My aunt. Is someone I want to impress. I want her to like me. So I pretend to be like ' that ' - ", she referred to the social girly girl she was before," - so she would like me. If she knew I was like this, she'll never even say my name again ".

Enough messaging her feet, she clasped her hands together in a dominant stance. " I need your cooperation. To pretend to be my friend. At least in front of my aunt and your father. My aunt wants me to marry you and your father wants you to have a friend. I don't see a reason why you should refuse this. We make both of them happy and content. Do we have a deal, Buttercup? "

Her childlike mind didn't see anything to be embarrassed about when talking about marrying Deaux-Lee. Thinking it was just another phase of her aunt's tedious matchmaking and not considering Buttercup's feelings at all.

She waited for his response to her proposal.

Cecilia laughed with her a little bit, still kinda flustered. He's someone who is easily influenced by others, a laugh as genuine as Fumiko's would easily bring out Cecilia's sheeple nature, people laugh and cry, he can understand them and therefore, affected by their emotions.

He didn't make any comment when Fumiko said she wasn't suitable to wear a Jasmine flower on her head. Visual isn't his thing, and would never be understood by the blind boy. He didn't say anything because he believed if he touches the wrong subject that he knows nothing about, Fumiko would, again, probably tease him. Or worse, become grumpy like she did before they came to the garden.

Maybe one day, when Cecilia had grown up, he could tell Fumiko how she's suitable to wear a flower crown of Jasmin. At least, to his viewpoint. Fumiko tucked a flower on her hair anyway. A small smile painted on Cecilia's lips.

Fumiko lightly chuckled at his 2nd attempt to make that statement clear. She loved the 1st one much more though. " Whatever you say, Buttercup~ " she mused, obviously avoiding to give s straight answer. Fumiko refused to tell him she believed him considering her aunt called him Mr. Deaux-Lee's son.

"Waiteee, you just called me Buttercup?" He shouldn't have had anything against the nickname, but it sounds kinda adorable. But it makes him feel like Fumiko doesn't really sound convinced that Cecilia is a boy, and now that's why he doesn't like it. Her voice is so amusing, show him how much fun she had of teasing him.
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A little bit of silence formed before Fumiko answered his answer, it didn't seem like a pleasant silence, not a break silence for Fumiko to think about her preference of flower, but rather, a hesitating silence.

She started talking again, answering his question. But in the tone that he hates the most, faking. The false sweet voice, the stresses in her voice that is so unlike her laugh just a moment ago. Her cheery voice sounds so
forced, she, for some reasons didn't want to answer the question.

" Had a boy I confessed my love too recently. As you can see, I got rejected ~" she lied, adding a giggle.

He was too shocked. She could have told him anything, and he would have believed it like a lamb. But Fumiko, out of all the kids would tell him about her crush. And what more surprising, is the fact that she had a crush. This must be a joke or something. Maybe Fumiko is just like the normal girls in the party, having fun and deliver crushes to other boys

There was another silence that followed Fumiko's answer, painted vibrantly with Cecilia's deep confusion.

" I didn't bring you here to show you flowers all day " She was using monotone, but as I said before, Cecilia got used to Fumiko's strange voice changing, so impressive that he thought for a moment, the girl should become a voice actor in the future, or, more visually, an actor.

" I see you're only here to make your father happy, and he will be even more so if you come out of this party with a friend, right? Well since I know your situation, I'll explain mine. "

Fumiko completely snapped Cecilia out of the pleasant mood with all her blank tone and mechanical kind of speech. It was like having a fun time like this didn't affect her positively one way or another.

He could only agree with her about the party, it is absolutely terrible, Cecilia hated it too. By the way, wonder how August's doing, that explained why she was so quiet walking the whole time.  But the rest of her speech was alien to him, to the point that the boy just frozen for a little bit.

It was said to please Fumiko's aunt, but why didn't she just show Mrs. Vinscott who she really is, how Fumiko was really are is a lot more lovely than how she was at that party, pretending to be the sweet girl that she hates so bad.

" I need your cooperation. To pretend to be my friend. At least in front of my aunt and your father. My aunt wants me to marry you and your father wants you to have a friend. I don't see a reason why you should refuse this. We make both of them happy and content. Do we have a deal, Buttercup? "

"Wait, what? Marry?? Your aunt wants what?" Now just look directly at his face, you should know that his brain had been fried already with all these complicated people just crashed into his peaceful life, first August, now Fumiko and her aunt. Also, why the hell would Mrs. Vinscott want them to get married?

"Fumiko, I... don't think I would... make a deal with... uh... you. I'm sorry" Cecilia sorry right after he denied her offer "I... I know that you ... uh... have problems with your aunt" Then Cecilia took a deep breath to pump him so bravery to face Fumiko's possible serious anger coming at him. As if he was preparing for a cold and deadly snowstorm

"I don't think, Lying is a good thing to do. And even if you can lie, I can't. I wouldn't lie to my parents, or anyone for that matter. I want them to be happy, but not by lying to them" He said, as tough as he could with the soft voice, he never learned, but he knows, lying is only like building a castle from sand, it would falls, anytime "And I don't want to pretend to be your friend" He stressed the words 'pretend' and 'friend' heavier than the whole sentence. He could sense the aura from Fumiko, and the blind kid could tell you that she is not, happy, probably would come up with a threat

"I can't be your fake friend."
"But I can be your friend"

It is an offer, Cecilia was waiting for an answer. He didn't have any deep meaning in his speech, it just that, he is different from Fumiko, he can't be a fake friend to anyone, he meets someone and he can only express what he thinks of the other, it would stress him out, keeping a facade in front everyone all the time.
"Let just be friends and that's all, you don't need to lie to your aunt, and I don't have to hide my fathers, and we would get each other a friend" Cecilia said, pointing out all the positive aspects to convince Fumiko.

Safe to say, she was slightly pissed. Leaning more towards annoyance. Slightly disturbed by how kind this kid was. She let herself feel envious of how truthful he was and how much he valued honesty. She heard stories from her father that mother was like that.

Honesty...she wasn't familiar with that term. She thought about what Deaux -Le said about wanting them to be happy by not lying. Her 7 year old brain got really confused over this, wasn't it the other way around? Shouldn't we put down our selfishness to make them happy?

Her young self just didn't understand. To her, it was selfish to act the way you want when it effects others. But she did understood how they probably could never see eye to eye regarding this topic, but she wasn't too bothered by it.

Fumiko wasn't one to believe a friendship shouldn't consist of some different views and interest. Ah, she used that word again, ' friendship '.

What was this kid getting himself into? Her irritated aura dropped as quick as she let out a disappointed sigh. She stood up for the bench and started walking towards Deaux-Le in a slow manner.

" You did just see how much of a good liar I can be, Buttercup " despite the cool tone she used, she grew fond of her nickname for the boy. " I probably have more fake friends than the strands of your pretty blonde hair" she took an unattached strand and admired how curly is was before dropping it to the ground.

" And you want to be friends, with me ? Hah~ how funny " she deadpanned. It was her lack of self-confidence that was talking, and Deaux-Le could sense it, despite how she perfectly acted like she was mocking the boy for his choice of friends.

She wanted to be friends with the boy. She never had this much fun in her aunt's party and she felt oddly calm around him. Like she could trust herself to be...well...herself. She didn't realize how tired she was until he asked her to be his friend.

Despite her cold response, she was secretly brimming with joy when he had asked. This might as well be the first time someone suggested being friends with her and not the other way around. And such in a genuine tone and scared her.

He shuddered under the cool tone Fumiko used, much remind him of the flat cold metal surface, and more was that he surprised of her sudden touch when she came closer toward him without making any noises. She was probably the only one who can sneak up to him without his notice. Beside, Cecilia was too anxious over Fumiko's words as she took some of his curls before dropping it at the end of her sentence.

Instead of answering his question, Fumiko gave him an indirect answer that doesn't even sound like an answer. It just straight up telling him 101 reasons to not be thought, Cecilia actually doubted his own request for a glimpse of thought, but he immediately feels a lack of the confidence that usually visible every time Fumiko speak.

But now all he could hear from Fumiko's words were doubting and unsure, as if instead of criticizing him, he was wondering if, it's was her doubting herself.

"You're no liar" Cecilia said, doesn't have the shaking tone he used before. At least he knows that she didn't lie to him about the flower and such, and if those are her lies, then be it, because he was having a lot of fun with her, real fun. So that is when lies don't matter because it makes other happy " And even if you are, then I know your lies aren't bad, if it is, then I wouldn't have asked you to be my friend"

She didn't lie to him when she was smiling, having fun. Although he still doesn't know much about her yet, maybe she was faking to have fun all along. But no one can keep up a lie for too long, and if they do, then he just thought that it might be really tiring whatever the purpose of the lies are.

"If you're my friend, then you don't need to lie to me" Cecilia smile a positive smile as he tried his best to navigate where Fumiko's so that he can face Fumiko directly when he speaks (but fail miserably without his notice) "Besides, I'm pretty sure that my pops want me to have a real friend, and your aunt probably want a real friend for you too"