Until the Stars Carry Me Away

My fab four being lovely and dramatic as always. totaldramadevotee

Characters: Adelia, Jinta, Mai, Izumi

Words: 3341

It had played countless times on the radio over the past few days, making her shifts near unbearable when the familiar tune came on. It was so annoying, how a simple song had wormed its way into her brain, festering and playing on loop after loop. She wished that Leanne would play another station- anything to give a hint of variety. Alas, just as she was shoving the tune out of her cerebellum, the opening notes chimed through the stereo. It wouldn’t be so bad, if it didn’t so desperately make her want to sing along. Her lips parted, but she quickly pursed her lips into a smile, refusing to sing.

She gracefully skirted around racks, doing her job as per usual; organizing clothes, working on new designs, skillfully avoiding Daniel… the usual routine. By the end of her shift, she counted that it had played five times- the established average for a six hour shift. Adelia caught herself humming softly as she packed up her purse to leave. She sighed softly, slinging the purse over her shoulder. She had an hour and a half before she was expected at Jinta’s residence- she was invited over for dinner, something that had become a regular invitation. That being said, she only accepted every so often, as to not be an intruder.

As Adelia walked home, her thoughts wandered to the Kusakabe siblings. She had already picked up on the sheer fact that Izumi did not care for her in the slightest, to put it lightly. Mai appeared indifferent, yet not in a malevolent way. If anything… Mai seemed wary of her, yet welcoming of her presence, as if she was appreciative of Adelia’s effect on her brother, yet she was still trying to decipher the blonde. This was enough for Adelia, though she was prone to become extra careful in her facade if Mai probed too insistently.

They were a curious trio, and even though one third of the group loathed her, Adelia couldn’t help but enjoy their presence. At the same time, it made her a tad nervous in a way she rarely felt. It reminded her of when she first came home with Rodney- the feeling of being an outsider amongst a family. It was a detestable feeling, yet Adelia stifled any discomfort in her hopes that she would mesh well enough with the trio.

Soon, it was evening, and Adelia arrived at the Kusakabe residence, knocking lightly on the door. Mai was the one to answer, looking the petite woman up and down. As always, Adelia was wearing a lovely dress of her own design, looking nothing short of a model.

Mai gave a glance at Adelia before calling out over her shoulder to the other two occupants of the apartment. “The step-blonde is here!” she called out, and Adelia stifled a laugh. Although she would not readily admit it, Adelia thought the term was adorable, and witty as well. Mai caught a glimpse of this smile, taking note while allowing Adelia to step inside.

Adelia slipped off her shoes, as per usual, and meandered into the kitchen, humming softly without even thinking about it.

Jinta heard the quiet melody, and glanced up, smiling slightly. “Ah, good evening, Adelia. How was work?” he asked curiously, setting down his knife and putting his attention onto her.

“Oh, the same as ever.” she responded, ceasing her humming. “I cannot get a particular song out of my mind and it won’t stop playing on the radio at work, but aside from that minor inconvenience, all is well.” she reported.

“Is that so?” Jinta mused, furrowing his brow as if he were trying to recall something. “If my memory serves correctly, I’ve never heard you sing before.” he determined, though meant nothing by the statement. He was merely stating a fact.

“I suppose that’s true. It’s not really a necessity, though.” Adelia countered.

“Naturally. I do wonder, though…” he began, then shook his head. He didn’t want to open up that can of worms, for fear that the question would be turned on him.

“Wonder? What about?” Adelia inquired, curious. Mai walked by the kitchen, glancing at the two of them.

“Probably wondering if you can sing- didn’t want to ask, though, ‘cause you’d ask him if he can sing. And he can’t. At all.” Mai translated the situation, causing Jinta to shoot her an irate glance. Mai simply smirked in response, and Adelia’s interest was further piqued.

“Is that so? Surely you can’t be that bad.” Adelia persisted.

“Do you remember the mandrakes from the first Harry Potter movie? Imagine those, but…. worse. Far worse. Then you have an idea of almost how bad he is.” Mai explained, snickering. The cultural reference was lost on Adelia, but she did get the gist of Mai’s intent.

“That bad, hm? Well now I’m even more curious, you know.” Adelia smiled, giving a teasing glance at Jinta.

“Oh, come off it. And what about you, hm? Do YOU sing?” he retorted, trying to push the issue away from himself.

“I wouldn’t say I sing, necessarily. I also wouldn’t say I’m bad at singing if I were the type to sing.” she declared, crossing her arms.

“That so, French Fry? If you’re not bad, how come you don’t?” Mai asked. Jinta wondered why Mai bothered to inquire, not understanding that she was trying to figure out the blonde. Unbeknownst to him, Mai was careful to see who was potentially getting so involved with her brother. Although not possessive like Izumi, she did care to see that her brother was being treated well, even if she would never admit such a thing. Furthermore, she couldn’t help but find Adelia rather attractive, but still couldn’t get a decent read on her.

“French Fry? Goodness, the nicknames just don’t cease, do they?” she mused, a calculated laugh escaping her lips. As she spoke, Jinta held his breath; it had begun to become blatantly clear when she was wearing her facade. After seeing her so vulnerable and honest, it was almost uncomfortable to watch Adelia in a defensive poise. “I simply don’t sing because I have no reason to. I suppose I am prone to on rare occasion, but it’s just not an everyday occurrence.” Adelia responded cryptically.

“That makes no sense, even when I don’t take into account how you talk like a dictionary.” Mai deadpanned, rolling her eyes.

“Oh? Allow me to try and explain. Music is… hm, how do I phrase this? Pardon my loss for words… it’s simply that I believe music is too precious and meaningful to waste with nonchalant singing and trivial tunes. Music is a language of emotion, so to speak.” Adelia tried to explain, and although Mai had a hard time following such an explanation, she began to understand the point Adelia was getting at.

“That so? Huh.” Mai mumbled, for once refraining from tacking on a snide remark. Instead, she opted to reflect on what she was just told. In the split-second of silence, Izumi emerged from the hallway, where she had been eavesdropping.

“Oh, you’re here.” Izumi noted flatly, saying nothing else as she paced towards Jinta to watch him cook. Adelia gave a polite nod, opting to stay out of Izumi’s way. That tended to be the best course of action. Somehow, Jinta was still quite unaware of the animosity, though Mai was fully observant and in many ways tried to ease the tension.

“So, is dinner ever gonna be ready, bro?” Mai asked, sitting down at the table.

“Patient as ever, I see.” Jinta rolled his eyes, and Adelia giggled softly. Izumi looked over her shoulder, shooting a glare at her. Adelia stayed calm, standing her ground and maintaining a tall posture. She wouldn’t let Izumi get to her- she didn’t know why Izumi found such fault with her, but she would not let it interfere regardless. “Though to answer your rudely phrased question, it’s almost ready.” Jinta added, focusing back on the dinner preparations.

“Would you like me to set the table?” Adelia offered politely, pacing towards the kitchen.

“I’m already on it.” Izumi objected, hastily grabbing a stack of placemats no sooner than Adelia had opened her mouth to speak.

“I see- my apologies.” Adelia gave an apologetic curtsy, careful as ever to stay pleasant and lukewarm. She refused to start anything, even if Izumi appeared to try at every turn to irritate her.

Soon enough, Jinta was dishing up the meal. Adelia then noted the scent in the air, and confirmed her realization as she eyed one of the plates- beef bourguignon. She couldn’t help but smile, and skirted her way behind Jinta to help him dish up the plates.

“It smells absolutely wonderful.” Adelia noted.

“I would hope so- it is your favorite, after all.” Jinta said knowingly, a coy grin making its way across his lips as he revealed the intentional nature of the night’s menu. Upon hearing this, Izumi scowled, though only Mai saw.

“You didn’t have to, you know.” she murmured, leaning in and planting a quick kiss on his cheek before carrying two plates to the table. Jinta’s face quickly grew hot, the tips of his ears tinted a light red.

“Of course I know that. I wanted to.” he protested, careful not to stutter.

“Then I greatly appreciate it.” Adelia expressed her gratitude, sitting next to him at the table. Izumi looked at her plate, looking at Jinta.

“Why are there so many onions? I hate onions.” she muttered disdainfully.

“I tried not to put any on your plate, but I couldn’t pick out all of them. You should eat them- they’re good for you.” Jinta advised his little sister in a fatherly tone.

“I’ll take any onions you pick out- I love them, actually.” Adelia insisted, smiling sweetly at Izumi.

“No. I’ll just eat them, I guess.” Izumi denied any kind gesture of Adelia’s in a heartbeat, though in reality she would likely try to hide her onions in her napkin so she neither had to eat them nor take up Adelia’s offer. She tried to calculate how she could be discreet, as Jinta would surely scold her for wasting food. “There’s just so many.” she added. Jinta said nothing, though Adelia quickly realized why that was- she’d said it herself, and she’d told him before how she liked extra onions.

For some time, the four of the ate in silence, with the quiet tapping of silverware filling the air. Izumi stared daggers at Adelia, while Mai tried to gauge the entire situation, not caring for the escalating tension. Jinta glanced at his lover as if he were about to say something, though paused when he caught sight of a stray hair on her shoulder. It bothered him, and he began to reach to brush it away. However, he paused, instead electing to ask her.

“Adelia, do you mind if I- there’s a hair on your shoulder. I mean, you could get it, I just figured I would ask…” Jinta murmured, trying to make a habit out of such a gesture. Hearing this, Izumi perceived the situation incorrectly, and her lips curled into a snarl.

“You make him ask permission to touch you?” Izumi accused her, unamused. Adelia’s eyes widened, and she quickly shook her head.

“Oh, no, I don’t- Jinta just so happens to be a gentleman. Surely you know that.” Adelia protested as she plucked the stray hair away. She spoke in a defensive manner, not wanting to even come close to alluding to the reason he made it a point to ask. However, her words instead came off in such a way that ignited Izumi. Meanwhile, Mai tried to comprehend what was going on. A light went off in her mind, and Mai calculated a hypothesis. If she was right, she needed to shut Izumi up immediately.

“I’d think I’d know my own brother a bit better than some girl he’s only known for a few months.” Izumi retorted. “And while he is polite, it’s a bit much to ask someone if the can brush off a hair.” she shot back icily. Adelia felt herself being backed into a corner so to speak, with all eyes on her. Jinta didn’t know what to say; he didn’t understand why Izumi was so focused on this detail.

“It’s just a habit he’s developed, I suppose.” Adelia said firmly, her heart rate increasing.

“Yeah, but why? Did you make him start doing that? That’s so weird.” Izumi gave a dry laugh that felt like a lashing against Adelia.

“It’s not that weird. Maybe our bro is just learning to be less of an ass for once.” Mai hopped into the conversation, trying to deflect the focus off of Adelia. Izumi gave a double-take at Mai as she defended Adelia, and felt slighted that her own sister would be taking a side at all, much less one that wasn’t her own.

“Are you serious, Mai? It’s so weird- who thinks they’re so much better that they have to be asked to be touched? Isn’t that, like, really vain?” Izumi became more agitated, trying to drive her point home. Adelia’s chest tightened- it was weird, wasn’t it? It was weird that she was so intimidated by any form of touch, and that her boyfriend felt the need to ask. It was weird, wasn’t it? Adelia’s face grew paler than ever, and she simply nodded.

“Yes, when you phrase it like that, it is a bit odd. Jinta, really, there’s no need.” Adelia said quietly, sitting up straight. Her voice lacked confidence, but was still firm and collected as ever. She felt herself hollowing, hiding behind the armored walls of her facade. Mai fell silent, simply watching these events transpire.

“It’s not weird. What if I just feel like asking? Some people just have different circumstances-” Jinta began, before Adelia quickly stood to her feet, causing him to fall silent.

“It’s not a matter of different circumstances. It’s just- excuse me, please.” Adelia suddenly turned, walking out of the room and down the hallway. Jinta then realized what he’d said, alluding that anything would make Adelia different in a suspicious way. He instantly felt guilty, and silently berated himself for such a slip of the tongue.

Izumi ignored such a concept, simply teeming over with agitation while Mai pieced together the situation, finding it to support her theory. She was almost certain she was right, at least to some extent. And when it dawned on her what Adelia’s circumstances could potentially be, she rose to her feet as well, pacing towards the hallway. She glanced over her shoulder at Jinta and Izumi.

“I’m going to go do damage control, since you clods have foot-in-mouth syndrome.” Mai rolled her eyes, then focused on her sister, a suddenly serious glint in her eye. “Izumi. You should apologize. I mean it.” she said firmly before disappearing into the hall.

Adelia had found herself in the bathroom, the door ajar since she didn’t bother to remember to close it. Instead, she leaned against the counter, taking deep breaths. She felt so cornered, as if the walls were inching closer and closer to her. They were going to suffocate her, they were going to crush her. even brushing her wrist against the counter caused her to jump back.

Mai caught sight of this sudden motion, and turned on the bathroom lights. Adelia whirled around, staring at Mai.

“Oh, hello. I was just taking a moment to myself, if that’s alright.” Adelia said, a glassy look in her eyes. She was going to be calm, as always. She had to be.

“You said you’ve got a song stuck in your head, right?” Mai muttered, ignoring the elephant in the room. It wasn’t like Adelia wanted it addressed, and Mai didn’t know how to talk about such serious matters, anyways.

“Pardon?” Adelia gave a curious look to her.

“Earlier, you were saying how this one song keeps playing at work. What song? I’m curious.”

“Oh? I don’t know the artist, admittedly, but the title… I believe the title is “I Take Flight”.” Adelia recounted, now distracted by the thought of that catchy tune. Her breathing slowed notably as she thought of the song.

“Let me hear it, it doesn’t sound familiar.” Mai demanded, leaning against the doorframe with crossed arms.

“You want to hear it?” Adelia repeated.

“Unless you really can’t sing. In which case, spare me. But something tells me you’re not half bad, and I want to know this song that’s bugging you. Maybe I can play it while you’re sleeping and get it even more lodged in your head, if you get on my nerves.” Mai teased. Adelia saw what she was getting at, and smiled softly, letting her guard down, even if just a bit.

“Alright, alright. Though talent is objective, so if you think I sound awful, you could take the high road and simply say it was lovely.” Adelia retorted, teasing as well.

“Come on, I’m not that nice, French Fry.” Mai huffed. “Now out with it.”

Adelia cleared her throat, recalling the tune. She then began to sing it for Mai, her lyrics soprano tone filling the air.

“I can’t be held too tightly,

My spirit quivers like a kite,

But when you love me without strings,

I take flight.

I want to burn more brightly

Than all the shooting stars at night,

And when you wish the best for me,

I take flight.”

Mai was admittedly impressed- she really did have a lovely singing voice. Mai closed her eyes to listen carefully, absorbing the gentle melody. It was a slow song, not like the upbeat and catchy tune she was expecting. However, it did have a pervasive quality to it, in an odd way.

“So that’s the song that’s bothering you?” was all Mai responded with at first.

“Bother is one way to put it, but I suppose you’re right.”

“People tend to cling to songs they identify with.” Mai said in a matter-of-fact tone. “That song isn’t catchy, but it’s caught you. Or something.” she shrugged.

“Songs we identify with?” Adelia murmured, considering the lyrics. Her cheeks tinted a slight pink. “Well, I suppose so. I didn’t really think about it that way.”

Mai smirked slightly. “Well, know you have.” she added. “Now, I’m gonna head back out before my food gets cold, or Izumi sneaks bites off of my plate. You do you, I guess, but I don’t see why you’d want to awkwardly stand in a bathroom for much longer.”

Before Adelia could respond, Mai walked back into the dining room, sitting back down. Jinta looked to her expectantly, as if he was hoping to get some form of an explanation.

“She wasn’t lying- she can sing.” Mai informed her brother.

“What are you talking about? Is that what you two were doing back there?” Jinta asked, terribly confused.

“I told you I’d do damage control.” Mai responded vaguely. “Can’t let the step-blonde get away just because you two have no tact half the time.”

Jinta processed this, then gave a teasing smirk. “Oh? So now you like her?”

“I didn’t say I did.” Mai huffed indignantly.

“Great, now I have to worry about my sister stealing my girlfriend.” Jinta joked in amusement.

“Even though I totally could, that’s nothing you should even consider a possibility.” Mai assured him with an eyeroll for good measure.

Meanwhile, Izumi picked quietly at her food, watching as the stars and the sun orbited the earth.

Adelia soon rejoined the group, and although Izumi was too cold to apologize as she ought, she still found herself lulled into a brooding silence for the remainder of the meal.

When Adelia finally headed home, she glanced up at the night sky as she walked, a misty look in her eyes. Although so far away, she felt as though the warmth of their light could almost reach her, down below on the cold earth.