Chapter 7, The family discussion and the start of school
*A year passes since then and Tifa hasn't changed into her dark for since. Strangely she also hasn't appeared to have aged either since that day, much to everyone's surprise and concern.At one point Loki decided it would be best to teach her the art of illusionary transformation jutsu since it wasn't a dark magic.She was also taught in several basic jutsu's and about the existence of other worlds and realms.*
*Later that night as the 9 yr. old Tifa slept in her room, the oldest members of the Symphonia family gathered into a large meeting room todiscuss several topics about politics, underground jobs and overall plans. During the meeting Fiona and Wilder suggested that Loki and a few of the younger children spend a few years at Decalo City to help them learn Social skills and how to lead a normal life.*
*After Much Discussion the Symphonia family decided as a whole that Tifa, Angelo and Reika would move to Decalo City with Loki and attend the school's there. Matilda and Obelix informed the children's butler's and maid about the news and that they'll remain at the main mansion while the children are living in the Decalo Mansion.*
*A week later and the children are Sitting in a limo on their way to the Airport.*
Loki:Aren't you little munchkins excited?*grins mischievously as they took their spots in the limo.*
Tifa:*smiles happily*I can't wait to see it uncle! This is so exciting.
Angelo:*grins confidently*Well there's probably lots of ugly people there that will definitely need to wear my my designs.
Reika:*sighs exasperatedly*Hey stop that Angelo, your being annoying....
Angelo and Reika:*starts arguing as the limo drove off.*
Tifa:*looks out the window and says out loud*I hope where we are going is beautiful.
Angelo and Reika:*They both stopped and look at each other before agreeing with her and relax.*
Loki:*Laughs at how Tifa was able to calm them down before looking out the window as* Oh, we're here kids!
*The limo arrives at the airport and several hours later arrive at the Decalo Airport.*
Tifa:wow……*Steps out of the airport and looks around at the city, marvelling at the Crystalline trees and mini gardens that grace the front windows of every building.*
Angelo:I-it's so………*rendered speechless by the beauty of both the bejeweled flora and gorgeous jewelry and designs that graced the stores and civilians who are wearing them.*
Reika:Is this……a dream?……*stares at the almost picturesque city they're in.*
Loki:*chuckles at the children's reactions at seeing Decalo for the first time.*Welcome to Decalo City, also known as the city of bejeweled gardens. Paradise to jewelry dealers and designers alike. This city is blessed with special minerals that cause plant life to crystallize into vibrant see through versions of themselves. Even to this day scientists can't figure out how this is done, but it's this city's greatest treasure. You should all see their central garden, It's renouned as the most beautiful place in the world.*he points at a glittering multicolored tree that's visibly huge and marvellous that's a great distance away.*Especially with the oldest and biggest Sakura tree at it's center, you'll never find one as beautiful and multicolored as it anywhere else.
Tifa:I WANNA GO THERE!!*is extremely excited and sparkly eyed at all the beauty and pleasant smells around her.*
Angelo:*Is still rendered speechless*
Reika:*gulps before speaking up in a stutter, visibly overwhelmed.*W-we best reach our new home guys, it's getting late.
Loki:*nods before ushering the excited Tifa, stunned Angelo and overwhelmed Reika into another limo. After everyone was in the limo drove off to their mansion South of the city, it's crystalline hedges and front garden welcoming them to their new home in decalo.*
*The next morning everyone settled down and started to get accustomed to the gem-like scenery.*
Tifa:*Is getting dressed for school in her favorite set that Angelo made for her before leaving her room.*What do you think everyone?*smiles before doing a short twirl.*
Angelo:*checks her out, making sure nothing is out of place with his first made outfit*Looks great on you Sis!
Reika:I agree with Angelo, it does look nice.
Loki:Come on, it's time to go to school.
Tifa: Ok!*smiles before walking out of the mansion and towards the limo with Angelo and Reika.*
*moments later her and Angelo are standing in front of the school, following several children around their age to eventually walk into separate classrooms. Tifa was then in a classroom filled with students sitting down and a middle aged lady standing next to a teacher's desk.*
Ms.Lissa:Tifa please come over here.
Tifa:*walks next to Ms.Lissa*
Ms.Lissa:Class this is Latifah Symphonia, she's moved here from out of country. Please treat her nicely and help her be acquainted with everything.*she turned to Tifa and smiled* Please tell us more about yourself.
Tifa:Hello everyone. You can call me Tifa and I like to cook, play music and help my brothers, sisters and cousins out.*she said politely, unaware that everyone was looking at her and her pretty twintails* This city is very pretty.*she smiled brightly at everyone, instantly charming most of them with her looks and her sweet nature.*
boy #1:I've never seen that outfit your wearing before. Where did you get it?
girl#1:yeah, it's very pretty!*asked enthusiastically*
Tifa:My brother Angelo made it for me. It's the first outfit he's made. He's in Fifth grade and he's gonna be a designer.*smiles happily at how her brothers outfit is being complimented.*
??:………really? looks to pretty to be handmade.*a girl at the very back of the classroom states coldly, causing both students, Ms.Lissa and Tifa to look at her.*It's just some dumb lie to make herself look good.
Ms.Lissa:Sarah! There's no need to be mean.*gives her a stern look before turning to Tifa.*You really shouldn't tell lies though.
Tifa:*shook her head before stating to Ms.Lissa with a frown* It's not a lie, check the tags.*she showed Ms.Lissa her back so she could check the tags Angelo sowed.*
Ms.Lissa:*knelt down and checked the tags and saw how homemade and almost amateur they were.* Your right.*She got up and turned back to the now whispering students.*Tifa is telling the truth, these clothings are in fact homemade.
*The students all started asking questions again as Sarah slumped into her chair, utterly humiliated and upset.*
Ms.Lissa:Quiet everyone*turned to Tifa.*Can you please sit next to Ryan? It's the only desk empty.*asks Ryan to raise his hand so Tifa can see him.*
Ryan:*Raises his hand from his spot next to a window overlooking the playground.*
Tifa:*walks over and takes her seat.*Hello Ryan, I hope we get to be friends.*smiles lightly before turning her attention to the Ms.Lissa as class began.*
*Hours later the lunch bell rang without incident. Tifa walked out to the playground, deciding to eat her lunch under a tree.*
Tifa:*sat down and was about to eat when she overheard an unnerving sound. She looks up to see three 5ths graders beating up someone before throwing their lunchbox into a nearby stream.*
Bully#1:You think your so high and mighty huh! To good to eat with with the rest of us.*kicks the person again*WELL TO BAD! now you have no lunch.*starts laughing with his two peers.*
Tifa:…………………*clench her fists and gets up quietly, a second later the three 5th graders were unconscious with no visible injury.*Pathetic…*glances down to see it was Ryan who they were bullying.*Ryan………*turns and gets Ryans lunchbox from the steam. Once she got it and walked back to Ryan she deftly picks him up and carries him to where she left her lunchbox, which was a bit far from the bullies.*
Ryan:*slowly regain consciousness and opens his eyes to see Tifa looking at him. He realized that he was resting on her lap and quickcly sits up, the action causes the Purple gem necklace to hang out of his shirt.*
Tifa:Are you ok?*she noticed her necklace and mentally smiled that he kept it all this time.*Do you feel pain anywhere Ryan?
Ryan:*was filled with a strange sense of deja vu after looking at Tifa and remembers when he was saved 2 years ago.*have we………met before?
Tifa:*just smiled back at him and huged him.* I was wondering when you'll remember me. I'm so glad you kept my necklace safe.*she scooted back and asked Ryan again* Are you sure your ok though?
Ryan: Oh, I'm fine……*his stomach growls*My lunch!
Tifa:*hands him his lunchbox*here. I got it back from the stream but it got socked. If you want you can have some of my lunch, more then happy to share.*smiles as Ryan eyes glowed when she said that.*
Ryan:THANK YOU!!*smiled as she opened her lunchbox only to remember something.*Oh, I forgot.*He takes the necklace off and hands it back to her.*This is yours, I've kept it so I could give it back to you. I'm glad we're going to the same school. Lets be friends!*Smiled*
Tifa:*Receives her necklace with a relieved smile*Thank-you………I want to be friends too.
*at a distance a girl looks at them with a sneers as they chatted before walking off unnoticed.*
*A year passed by and Ryan becomes best friends with Tifa. They frequently did homework together and hanged out at Tifa's mansion, playing games, watching tv and listen to Tifa play different musical instruments. Sometimes Tifa would help him learn some basic songs on the piano and they'd do duets. As time went by Ryan also became acquainted with Loki, Reika and Angelo.*
*during a nice clear day a 10 year old Ryan walks up to the front door to the Symphonia mansion and rings the bell.*
Ryan:It's me, Ryan. I'm to show Tifa the Main Central park.*hears hurried footsteps as Tifa quickly opens the door with a medium sized basket in her hand.*
Tifa:Sorry I made you wait Ryan. I made lunch for us, figured we could enjoy a picnic while we're there.
Ryan:*was silent when he saw Tifa, staring at the beautiful lace fringed peach floral dress delicately and sparingly studded with flower gems.*Beautiful………………
Tifa:*smiles*Isn't it? Angelo just finished it yesterday and wanted me to wear it. Anyways, lets go.*chirps excitedly*
*as they're walking down the sidewalk towards the famous Central Decalo park Tifa notices Sarah walking into a runned down mansion.*
Tifa:Is that Sarah's home?
Ryan:*cringed at hearing her name*yeah………she's bad news Tifa.
Tifa:*looked at Ryan curiously*Why? I know she's not the nicest but everyone seems to avoid her.
Ryan:well………she's never been friendly and ever since her younger sister passed she became nastier.
Tifa:Sister?
Ryan:You weren't here then. You see Sarah had a sweet little sister, as sweet as you and well…her name was angel……Sarah was always jealous of her. One day though she stopped going to school and after a week both teachers and students sent letters asking what wrong……………*stays quiet as Tifa had a bad feeling at what he was going to say next.*"Apparently" she got badly sick and died. At least that's what her parents informed everyone. The poor girl was cremated before we even knew she was sick……*he growled angrily*They only told anyone what happened AFTER police came to their house on the matter. A lot of us think something happened but because nothing was left of Angel we can't do anything about it……………*he stopped as he spat the next words out hatefully*She wasn't even remotely sad Tifa, if anything she LAUGHED at Angel's death! Calling her weak for getting sick at all.*looks at Tifa seriously*Promise me you won't even THINK about talking to her. Sarah is dangerous………(and I don't want to lose you.)*whispered the last of his sentence as he starts walking towards the park again, holding Tifa's hand firmly for self reassurance.*
Tifa:Ryan………*walks beside him and lightly squeezed his and reassuringly.*
*They finally reach the entrance to the Central park and Tifa looks up to see the branches of Decalo's Historical tree stretched up high above them.It's multicolored blossoms glistening in a welcoming manner.*
Ryan:*looked up at the branches happily*That's the Great Rainbow Sakura Tree, it's existed since WAY before Decalo was a city. In fact it's what made this place popular back when it was a small village. Legend states that this very tree saved everyone from a ferocious storm that would have otherwise destroyed Decalo. Ever since then it's been revered, hence the reason the immediate area here is reserved as a natural garden. It seems to have wonderful air that's almost restorative.*he lets out a relieved sigh and relaxed as they walked through the garden.* People are permitted to sometimes plant seeds here but it's been a rule to never uproot an existing plant and just leave the seed be after it's planted. Amongst the several different plants you'll also see remnants of the original Decalo village as well as ponds and small steams. Don't be surprised to see wild animals here, I've even seen a BEAR walk through this park.*he smiled reassuringly*don't worry though, no one has ever been attacked. The animals here are fairly friendly and docile.
Tifa:*looks around in aw*This place is its own ecosystem.*looks at a crystalline Apple tree.*Are the fruits edible?
Ryan:yes, they are. The fruits are as edible if not more delicious than normal fruits.*he walks up and plucked a crystal apple before handing it to Tifa.*Take a bite, it isn't hard.
Tifa:*Hesitantly bites the crystal apple and is surprised at how crisp and juicy it is.*Its sweet!
Ryan:*laughed happily at her reaction to the apples texture.*I told you it's edible. follow me, I know a great place to have our picnic.*grinned before walking of with Tifa following behind him.*
Tifa:*followed him to a clearing that overlooked a tranquil pond with ducks swimming and an open house covered in crystalline vines, giving it a fairytale like look to it. The only sign of modern civilization was Tifa and Ryan.*
Ryan:I figured we could eat here in on the ground since the view so pretty.*smiled as Tifa set down the picnic blanket and unloaded the contents of the basket on it.*
Tifa:This place is so beautiful, makes you feel like your in a dream. right?*she looked at the pond serenely.*
Ryan:*stares at Tifa with a faint blush*(She looks so beautiful…………even more beautiful then usual……)*absentmindedly reached for Tifa's twintail but stopped himself before she noticed and pulled his hand back, embarrassed at what almost did.*(Wh-what did I almost do?!)*he shook his head before deciding to try one of the sandwichs Tifa made.*……Your food is always so delicious.*immediately grabbed another sandwich.*
Tifa:*turned to Ryan and smiled happily.*I'm glad you like it. I worked hard on preparing the food.(I wanted it to be perfect for the picnic.)*she blushed as her smile became more radiant, causing Ryan to look down shyly before stuffing his face with a fruit parfait.*
Ryan:*swallowed before speaking again.*well…you succeeded, the food is great.*noticed that it was getting dark and gets up.*We should head back Tifa, Reika will get worried.
Tifa: Ok.*gets up*I really enjoyed the picnic, I hope we'll do this more often.
Ryan:*suddenly blushed* S-sure!
*They gathered the leftover off the picnic and headed back to Tifa's home safely before a limo driver takes Ryan back to his house.*
*The next day Ryan gets surprised when his parents returned from a military meeting.*
Ryan:*looks shocked at seeing them*M-mom! Dad! When did you get here!
Ermando:*gives Ryan a stern and unforgiving look*We returned last night before you returned from your friend's place. Tell me………Who is this girl you've been associating with!
Frederica:*hugs Ryan*Oh, tell us sweetie! What's she like? What does she look like? You absolutely MUST bring her over today!
Ermando:yes………bring your friend over for brunch. I would like to see her for myself.*said in a permanent glare.*
Ryan:*looked absolutely pale at what happened and timidly nod.*
Ermando:*twitched at his son's silent response as Liam weakly but cheerfully walks towards Ryan with a crutch.*
Liam:Brother! You look so well………and pale.*smiled as he weakly hugged Ryan.*
Ryan:Liam! How are you doing? Are you ok being up like this?*quickly escorted Liam to a nearby chair.*
Liam:*coughed for a moment*I'm fine, can we meet your friend?*asked sweetly.*
Ryan:……………ok, I'll call her.*awkwardly calls Tifa to meet at his house after he quickly explained how his parents and younger brother are home and want to meet her.*
*moments later the limo stops at Ryan's home and Tifa gets out and walked to the door.*
Tifa:*politely knocks*Morning Ryan, may I come in?*The door got immediately open by Frederica who gave Tifa a bear hug.*
Frederica:Your so ADORABLE!! The way you talk and act is so PRECIOUS!!*gushed at Tifa as Ermando lets out a stern cough.*
Ermando:Will you release our guess so she can properly introduce herself dear?
Frederica:*released Tifa and quickly helped her into the house where a frightened Ryan, giggling Mikoto and smiling Liam were sitting on a couch.*Take a seat sweetie.*motions to a chair facing everyone.*
Ermando:I'll start with the introductions. My name is Ermando Carbuncle and beautiful lady here is my wife Frederica. You already know Ryan and Mikoto but the boy next to them is our youngest son Liam.*he looked at Liam softly before glaring at Tifa.*Now that's out, Who are you?
Tifa:*is unfazed at the glare and responded with a smile.*My name is Tifa Symphonia, daughter of Obelix Symphonia and Matilda Symphonia.
Ermando:*was intrigued by the familiar names and his tone soften* Obelix and Matilda? Haven't heard their names in a long while.
Frederica:You know them?*was curious at the change in his attitude.*
Ermando:*whispered softly*yes………I went to the same school as Obelix Symphonia. I do remember him marrying a Matilda too. To think we'd meet their daughter. She looks and acts nothing like them yet she has that same calm composer as Loki.
Tifa:*smiled at hearing Loki's name*You know uncle Loki as well? If I knew you were friends with him then I would have brought him with me.
Ermando:WHAT?! You mean he's here?*looked pale at her comment before replying.*No, he does not need to come over.*he thought to himself*(how did she hear me? I whispered so not even Mikoto could hear.)
Frederica:Well its good to finally meet you Tifa. We'll be staying for a week so please don't be a stranger.
Liam:*turns to Mikoto*She's even prettier then you described Sis.
Mikoto:*giggled happily*I know. right? What I wouldn't do to have pretty hair like hers!
Ryan:*let out a sigh of relief that his parents didn't chase Tifa away with their behavior towards her.*
*Tifa spent the remainder of the day hanging out with the Carbuncles and Ermando acknowledged that Tifa was a good role model for Ryan while Frederica saw them as a definite pair.The week passed by and Tifa, Ryan and Mikoto said their goodbyes to Frederica, Ermando and Liam.*
*Two years passed by and Ryan and Tifa became closer friends. Though as time passed they also became acquainted with several other students their age and befriended them.*
*On the morning of their first day of 7th grade Ryan and Tifa were walking to school with Shun and Kotaro.*
Tifa:Today is such a wonderful day. right?*beams with enthusiasm as her twintails danced in the breeze.*
Shun&Kotaro: (If it wasn't then it sure is now!)*They stared at the cheerful Tifa, ultra thankful that their walking along the the "Twintailed princesses" of Decalo City.*
Ryan:*laughed as they walk through the school gates.*We've just entered schoolground. Isn't it to soon to be so certain?*stated with a faint smile.*
Tifa: Of course its wonderful, I'm with my friends. Am I not?*smiled back at them before rushing to the door, the boys following suit, unaware of a masked figure within the shadows.*
:Soon…………*they smirked underneath their mask as they vanished in the shadows.*
:Where am I?*looking around curiously as she walked, more curious about the Shadow Realm than anything else. As time passed and no signs of life was seen anywhere the girl became slightly frustrated and concerned.*