Part 22
Kwannon's favourite colour is purple. She recalls this little incident in her childhood where her mother-Kyoko is her name but her last name is long forgotten now- would joke her daughter wants to be the colour purple because she´s always wearing something purple on her. Now, as she´s on England, London, all her memories of Japan must be forsaken. Her mother is nothing but a distant memory(she recalls the last day with her family before the silver samurai murder them. Sunfire, younger and full of doubts, manages to smuggle little Kwannon away and she never saw him again. She´s not sure she wanted to) and modest apart, Kwannon is doing alright in London.
Right now, Kwannon is walking on the streets of London. Is so crowed since Queen Gloriana is giving birth to a child(well, what else one can say in this situation? Do you dare to call Queen Gloriana´s baby “a thing”? But...can the Queen accept such humane names?) and everyone is more than ready to give presents to the “child” and well, Kwannon is not excluded of this list as she did send some gifts to the Queen as well, but, right now all eyes are on Kwannon and for the wrong reasons.
Betsy Braddock is one of them. Is not unusual for British women to have a romanticized version of Japan. And really, Kwannon could excuse that in Betsy, she could, if Betsy didn´t make this her sole reason to interact with Kwannon and her insinuations. Oh, sometimes Kwanon fears the woman would steal her body(she had nightmares with that and could swear someone was laughing at her. Someone watching a white woman stealing her body and stepping on her and was laughing)
“Kwannon. Using green is a bit tacky, don´t you think?” Betsy is wearing purple and Kwannon wants to fight right here and there. She was the one to wear purple first, yet, is Betsy who is considered the model for “purple”. Let it go, Kwannon is not worthy. She thought to herself. No one fights a battle with a Braddock and wins.
“Queen Gloriana loves those types of dresses, plus, green is the colour of hope. Cause I have hope...you would finally get the clue about my feelings towards you and would do the proper thing you British ladies love to rehearsal with each other and would never again address your ugly mug to my presence” Kwannon has a long-suffering sigh as she looks at Betsy with nothing more than contempt.
Betsy Braddock is not self-aware or perhaps does not care about Kwannon´s opinion to take a metaphorical clue, instead, she´s talking in regards to the wedding. And is not need to be a genius to know what Betsy is thinking in regards Ariel and Count Darkholme´s wedding.
“You must be excited to see your friend marry” Betsy speaks with a facsimile of a genuine smile. “And sure must be prepared to protect your friend from Goethes. Is nice to see friends supporting each other like that. Will you use your ninja skills?”
Kwannon would like to tell her to go to a place where the sun does not shine, but, this name, Goethes, seems fairly familiar. “What the Goethes have anything to do with this wedding?” she does not confess she does not know what they are, a familiar name is one thing but is not jogging her memory right now.
“Oh...” now Betsy has a concerned look on her expression as her purple lips twist into a frown and Kwannon has a bad feeling about the whole interaction. “Is a gang who Count Darkholme used to deal with” and her serious expression indicates that she knows what Count D truly is and what he does. “they are responsible for the death of his first wife and...I heard they are not pleased with Count D ...But, sure you and the rest have a plan to prevent Ariel to be devoured”
Now Kwannon is scared. She can hide all she wants those emotions, but, is still there. The image of Ariel being devoured is still real (no Sunfire to save you-a nasty voice plays in her mind. What you´ll do?) and Kwannon makes a perfect believable lie and leaves Betsy with her own devices and thoughts.
Kwannon needs to speak with the Darkholmes now. Meanwhile, Betsy is smiling so widely and gesture Doug-who was near during the entire conversation- to come closer to her as her part of the masterful plan is over.
“Ok, do you think Amanda will do her part?” Doug asked offering his right arm to Betsy as they walk in the crowned street of London. They´d have to spot a nice gift to Queen Gloriana.
“She´s the type that knows all types of sordid people. That I can trust” Betsy offers and notices his concern, so, using her telekinesis to use her fan she whispers into his ear. “Are you afraid for her life? Relax, Doug, Ariel won´t be hurt. I promise you. Do you believe me?”
“Always, Elisabeth. Always”
Meanwhile, on the Braddock state. Jaime Braddock is receiving an interesting image telepathically and has an excellent idea for one problem that seems without any solution.
“Brian, I think I found a good candidate for our sister”
“Sure not Count Darkholme...he´s not interested and going to marry in a few weeks”
“No, someone that can make our diabolical and mischievous sister more prone to listen...”
“Who is this candidate? Another lady? Lady Fantomex returns to Paris a few years ago and...” Brian trails off as no one needs to mention how that relationship was bad. Jaime coughs as to change the subject and tries again.
“Is a secret, but, trust me on this one little brother, this person manages to touch her heart and that´s not an easy feature to accomplish”