| A~ni ( “Big Brother” ) --------> Chapter 2 (Narrator) In the last chapter, the housemates introduced themselves and were preparing for a Bar-B-Que. Hearts were stolen and friendships formed immediately for some guests. We continue now with the cookout. ************************************************************************************** Relena burst outside into the heat of the evening. She found all seats around the table to be taken and harrumphed her way over to the hammock. She figured that she was above the common folk’s talk, anyway. Duo was teasing Makoto as she stood watch over the grill. In the meantime, Ami was talking to Quatre about chess games. Usagi, Minako and Rei sat talking in a small huddle while Heero, Trowa and Wufei sat watching and evesdropping. Mamoru came out of the house in just his swimming shorts, attracting stares from the females and glowers from most males. Seeing a spot open in the hammock by Relena, he headed over to take a seat. Usagi’s eyes burned into his back as he brushed past her, but he didn’t seem to notice. “Hi again. Is this seat taken?” “Erm… no, of course not,” Relena beamed. Usagi turned to Mina and Rei. “Who do you guys think we should vote out the first time?” “Usagi! Thinking ahead? That isn’t like you at all!” Rei gushed. “I think we should all make a pact to nominate Ronita,” Usagi whispered. “Ronita? Oh, you mean Relena,” Minako corrected her. “Whatever. It doesn’t really matter, does it?” Usagi caught Heero’s eyes on her and waved sweetly. Two can play at that game. Unfortunately, Relena was too wrapped up with her infatuation for Mamoru to even notice. Makoto announced that the burgers were ready, and everyone gathered around the table to pig out. Pig out they did! The GW boys and Usagi ate two hot dogs and two hamburgers each, while the other girls and Mamoru managed one of each item. Five bags of potato chips disappeared. After their stomachs were full, they eyed the pool longingly. Nobody had the courage to get in though, not even Mamoru. His mental excuse was that he had been told not to swim until half an hour after eating, although a verbal excuse was not needed. As everyone sat in a glazed-over-eyes-way-too-full stupor, Duo attempted to lighten up the group with some comedy. “Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because secretly, Shinigami was number 7, and everyone should live in fear! BWA HA!” Wufei slowly pulled out his katana. Duo took the hint and sat down quickly. Dusk soon turned into night and one by one, the housemates headed inside to claim rooms. Relena, being the proper young princess that she was, suggested that they split the rooms into a female room and a male room. Everyone groaned about how it wasn’t a boarding house, so couldn’t they have some fun? They also pointed out the fact that there were three bedrooms with four beds, so it was impossible to split male-to-females at this point. Mamoru pushed through the nonsense into a room. Relena trotted eagerly after him, followed closely by an enraged Usagi. Wufei, Quatre, Rei and Ami took a room while Duo, Makoto, Trowa and Minako flocked to another. Heero stood glaring, wanting to sleep on the couch but somewhat upset about Relena’s flirtation with Mamoru. He sighed, walked slowly towards the bedroom, flinching only at a high-pitched giggle that could only belong to a certain spoiled girl. After a few hours of talking and giggling, the guests finally settled down and dropped off into Dreamland. Most slept too heavily to have lucid dreams. In fact, Duo was the only one to remember his dreams that night. He was in his beloved Shinigami and could only see the silhouette of the person standing in the cockpit with him. Try as he might, he just could not see the face. He awoke early, frustrated and hungry. ************************************************************************************* The next day, bright and early (yet still later than Duo’s awakening), the voice of “God” awoke the houseguests. They were told to wake up and come out into the living room as they were. Relena was horrified – her hair…. Her face!!! The rest of the housemates partook in Relena’s horror, as she was really quite terrifying. In any case, once all were assembled in the living room, they were told of the challenge of the day. Immediately after breakfast, they were to clear the table and draw names of the other houseguests. The name that they picked they were to draw a portrait of. The few that were artistically inclined were somewhat excited. The majority was artistically challenged, and pondered who would look best as a stick figure. Makoto and Duo took charge of the food once again, this time with Quatre’s help. They made heaps of blueberry pancakes with maple syrup. Usagi reversed the order of her meal into maple syrup with blueberry pancakes lost deep within the ocean of sticky sweetness. Needless to say, she was recharged and ready to face whatever the day may bring. After breakfast, they spilt into groups to wash and dry dishes and to prepare the table for the challenge. Relena sneaked away to tame her hair and wipe the raccoon circles away from her eyes. Waterproof and smudge-proof mascara my ass. The names were drawn in this matter: Relena picked Mamoru’s name and grinned. Heero picked Usagi’s name and groaned. Duo picked his own name and smirked. Trowa picked Quatre’s name and shrugged. Quatre picked Ami’s name and smiled. Wufei picked Trowa’s name and snickered. Mamoru picked Makoto’s name without emotion. Rei picked Minako’s name and laughed. Ami picked Rei’s name and got to thinking. Makoto picked Wufei’s name and gawked at him. Minako picked Heero’s name and cried. Usagi picked Relena’s name and cackled viciously. (Narrator as God) – All right houseguests, can you hear me? “Yes.” (Narrator as God) – Good. You have unlimited time and drawing supplies, but all must remained seated at the table as the portraits take place. Once all have finished, you will vote for the drawing that you feel best represents the person that it portrays, be it from some sort of symbol to an actual portrait of the person. The winner will get his or her choice of the meal to be prepared by gourmet chefs for you this evening. You may begin! (Narrator as Narrator) – The heat is on and the challenge begins! Do the housemates know enough about each other to draw something that can represent them? Tune in for the next chapter of A~ni! |