The room was filled with excited murmurs. Sakura could actually here people starting to plan things on what to do.
I hate it when Damaski-is is right. She thought grimly. Apparently, both of them did get a good head start.
"My goodness." Yukito remarked. Sakura looked at him. How will Cedric Tavenzouh reactto everything?
She doesn't have to wait for Touya asked the question for her. "Are you going to get involved?"
Yukito narrowed his eyes. "I'm not going to lie. I am an elite player and I do have existing properties within the game. If they are going to make this kind of setup...it would be a great opportunity for me as well."
Yeah...it will be unlikely for a Viscount to back down on this. Sakura suddenly felt a chill ran down her spine. She turned around just in time to see Tomoyo eyeing her intently. She smiled nervously at her bestfriend.
"BUT..." Nakuru continued to say. "...there are requirements before anyone of you can enter this city." She cleared her throat to make sure everyone shall get it. "...First...you must be a registered player. Meaning rogues cannot have these priviledges. We shall be dealing with real life assets here, so we must at least know your real names. Full-players shall have full benefits with their real identities exposed to everyone. Half-players will have half thebenefits since they don't like their real names to be known to everyone, but rest assured that InterVEST Corp. knows it. Second...you must be married inside the game."
Fujitaka almost lost his grip of the champagne glass he was holding.
"Kinomoto-tosan?" Tomoyo assisted the older man near her.
"I'm fine, thank you, Tomoyo-chan." Fujitaka gave her a nervous laugh.
Yukito, on ther other hand, just kept blinking. "What? Did I hear her right?"
"She said you need to be marriedinside the game." Touya repeated for him.
Yukito's eyes were full of puzzlement, Sakura couldn't help but to feel guilty. Oh Yukito...
"Hold your horses people...I know you are all confused of this second requirement." The woman held a hand high. "I shall explain it all to you." She paused to swallow then spoke once more. "InterVEST is a roleplaying game. It has been apart of many features for all this time, so it is only expected that 'roleplaying' should be fully utilize in our new city. In order to avoid the impersonal feel of technology, a social structure must be formed within the game. And what's there to strenghten this structure but conjugal status of players? Don't worry people...if you get married inside the game, it doesn't mean that you're actually going to be married in real life as well."
There were relieved expressions on the crowd.
"But of course, if 'something' develops between the two parties while in roleplay...there is nothing wrong in getting married in real life as well." She giggled. "There must always be room for love."
"This woman is annoying me." Touya remarked.
Sakura gave a nervous smile.
"Oh...before I forget. Same sex marriage is not allowed among characters. But don't worry, I know there are players out there that signed up using their opposite gender IRL. It's okay. InterVEST doesn't care any less what you are in real life. As long as the couple will be a man and woman inside the game." Then she chuckled mischievously. "I know there are guys out there pretending to be girls inside the game to gain items. Don't lie...I know these things. Same with females using male characters to avoid getting hit on by men. It's plainly alright." Nakuru nodded.
"And that's about it. Those are the only two requirements InterVEST asks of you. Your true identity and massive roleplaying skills." She continued to say. "If any of you have any questions, our game support group are available 24/7."
Sakura could feel the crowd around her going ballistic. Many determined faces were talking to each other in a storm.
"Well I guess, I won't be entering this new city then." Yukito suddenly said.
"Hoe!" She looked up at him.
The silver-haired man placed an arm around her waist and smiled down to her. "I can't very well be married to anyone else but you. Real or not."
"Hoe..." Sakura didn't know whether she would laugh or cry. How could she do this to Yukito? Even before she found out that Damaski-is was Li Syaoran, she still thought of her rival as another man...another young man...which in truth...she might have taken fancy with and ...enough for me to say, 'yes'.
The chirpy woman once again called in everyone's attention. "I know that all of you are planning things but I would like a moment of everyone's time." An attendant went up the stage and gave her metal tablet. "I'm suppose to do this after dinner, but I think I wouldn't want to disrupt the evening after making this huge announcement. So without much further due, I shall go on ahead in introducing full-players name as promised inside the forums. This is a start to promote open interaction of real-life identities. Some might already know who they are in real life but to make things formal..." she started leafing out pages from the tablet on her hand. "Shall we start?"
One by one, full-players got announced. Amazingly, all of them can be found inside the room. Some where prominent people, some just ordinary ones trying to make a living. Then it was Yukito's turn.
"Cedric Tavenzouh...our dashing Viscount of Maran..." Nakuru started to say.
People started to wonder. Sakura could hear excited queries mostly from the female population. She couldn't blame them. Even though, she hadn't met him inside the game nor did any business transactions with him, she was very much aware that Tavenzouh was quite a bachelor inside the game. She should be proud, but some reason...she felt down. Why didn't I come across Tavenzouh instead of Damaski-is? It would have been perfect! We could live a happy life together.
"...is none other than..." The woman continued up front. "...Tsukishiro Yukito."
There were lots of gasp. It was the brilliant engineer of the Kinomoto Developers Corp. Sakura could see some women look at her boyfriend lovingly. There were many approving nods from her father's colleagues. She forced a smile on her face. She needed to smile. She must smile.
Yukito, not used with all the attention, just gavea shyacknowledgement to everyone.
The dark-brown haired woman continued mentioning names on her list. Sakura's bet was that the list was in order of city of origin within the game and wasn't done alphabetically. Then finally...it was his turn...
"And the last but not the least...Helroi Damaski-is..." Nakuru said with a pause.
Everyone fell silent. Sakura could see Tomoyo's eyes grow wide. She was fortunate that her bestfriend wasn't told yet of what happened in the hallway with her brother and Yukito. Or else she might have scolded her there and there. So before she blurt out things she shouldn't after hearing who Damaski-is is, Sakura inched a little towards her and clasped her bestfriend's hand. In return, the raven-haired girl just looked at her questioningly. Sakura looked at her intently and bowed her head apologetically hoping she got the message.
"...the much feared and powerful veteran of InterVEST..." the woman on stage proceeded to say. "...is...Li Syaoran."
There were sharp intakes of breath in the crowd. Some rich individuals only nodded. They were probably the ones who do business with Li Syaoran in real life. Tomoyo's mouth gaped at Sakura and clutched her hand hard. Sakura could only bite her lip in response. For a moment there, she thought her bestfriend will scream, but she was relieved when Tomoyo remained silent.
The guests started to rivet their head towards the center of the room. Sakura glanced up to see Li Syaoran standing in front of the hologram. He was sipping from his glass and eyeing the new city intently.
Touya cursed. "What is he doing there...standing like some cool person."
Yukito could only frown.
Then suddenly Li Syaoran reached inside his tux and pulled out a white envelope.
Sakura's mouth dropped open. He is not possibly going to pass it now? When he said earlier that he was going to submit it, she was kind of expecting for him to do so after the event.
But it seemed he did plan to get things over with when he stretched an arm towards Nakuru.
"Eh?" the woman inquired.
"I am not going to prolong this, so I am passing it now. Might as well make the announcement about it." Li Syaoran said.
People around them were dying of curiosity as to what the envelope contained.
Nakuru opened the envelope and read the documents inside. "I see." She smiled after that. "It seems dear Damaski-is here can't wait any longer. Such enthusiasm, I might add." She placed her mic back on its stand and spoke. "It seems we have our very first resident of Arakkis. This thingI am holding in my hand is none other than an InterVEST conjugal contract between two players."
Again, the room was filled with "what!'s and "you must be joking" remarks.
"As of this moment, Helroi Damaski-is is a married man inside InterVEST."
"Wai!"
"Already! That was fast!"
"Who is he married with?"
"Helroi Damaski-is is now officially marriedto Agatha inside InterVEST." Nakuru continued.
"AGATHA!"
"No way!"
"How could that be?"
Then suddenly Yukito spoke up. "Agatha is a rogue. Although she is as powerful as any elite player...she is not officially registered in InterVEST."
Sakura could feel Tomoyo crushing her hand. I think I'm going to be sick. She said tearfully to herself.
Yukito was joined by other players in his statement.
Li Syaoran smirked and glanced at Yukito sidewards. "That's what you think."
Yukito blinked. "?"
"It is true that Agatha is a rogue." The woman on the stage demanded the attention back to her. "Okay...maybe I should replace that. Agatha WAS a rogue."
"Was?"
"As of this evening, we've received a registration confirmation from her. Agatha registered as a half-player."
The room boomed with murmurs.
"That's not all." Nakuru said. "The legalities of her assets had been dealt with and as per any contract made inside by InterVEST players...Helroi Damaski-is' and Agatha's assets had been agreed on to be combined and merged into one corporation named SkyLark. And this..." she shook the papers Li syaoran just gave her. "...seals everything. To Mr. and Mrs. Helroi and Agatha Damaski-is...my congratulations to both of you for your newly gained resources to compete for real life ones inside Arakkis. May this be an example to everyone...so hurry up and find someone to tag with."
Someone at the back exclaimed. "I can't believe this! Why Agatha of all people? Isn't she suppose to be one of your rivals, Damaski-is? I can't believe you are actually trusting her."
"Yulesses, how nice of you to point that out." Li Syaoran remarked.
The one who just pointed that out was Yulesses Grevor. He was known to be another veteran who was always trying to get into any kind of business transaction with Damaski-is.
"If you are hoping that I would merge with you, sorry to disappoint you, but eventhough Agatha is a rogue, her assets within the game are far more larger than yours. Actually, almost comparable with mine." He continued. "We already know each others worst behavoirs there is nothing left to fear or fake out. I would rather have someone like that than someone only pretending to be nice and then snap at me when I least expected it."
Sakura felt warm inside. Can she really say that she had been truthful inside the game? Did she really showed her very worst to Damaski-is? The answer is yes. She did. So if all those bad things were known...what's left to discover...the good ones? She glanced at the man before them. Is there anything good with a Li?
"Is Agatha someone special, Yukito?" Touya asked his bestfriend.
"Yes..." Yukito's eyes never left Li Syaoran. "...she is. What's admirable about her is that she can take out any elite anytime she wanted. And to think she was just a rogue. Even some veterans would think twice before crossing her path. And all this time, she was in war with Damaski-is. So they had agreed on a truce. This is very unexpected."
If this was some other occasion, Sakura would have jumped for joy on how high Tavenzouh regarded her, but currently she felt like disappearing in the face of the earth. Curses...why do Li's love the spotlight this much?
Yulesses Grevor could only ball his hand into a fist. "Damn it." He muttered under his breath.
"O---kay..." The woman on the stage disrupted the interchange. "...I think that is enough for now." Over-enthusiatically, she gestured her hands around. "Why don't we just go on ahead with the festivities. Maestro please!"
The orchestra below the stage started to play a lively tune.
"Enjoy the food----!" She said lovingly before leaving the stage.
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Eriol was observing everyone from his position at a shaded glass-covered box, opposite from the one the technical group gathered. Li Syaoran really knew how to manipulate a situation to his advantage. Actually, it was quite amusing to see.
"That was intense." Nakuru suddenly barged in from where he was.
"You have no idea how exciting everything looked from up here." Eriol grinned mischievously.
"I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Dah-ling!" She said as she closed the door behind her.
"Uh-uh...what did I say about calling me..."
"About calling you dah-ling..." Nakuru finished for him. "I know, I know." She fanned her hand in front of him. "Old habits are hard to break overnight." Then dreamily, she changed conduct. "No matter...I'll be getting my paws on that handsome architect tonight." You can almost see hearts flying around her.
"Cancel it." The navy blue-eyed man bursted her bubble.
"What!"
"There are changed of plans. I don't think Syaoran and I could stay any longer in this event." He said.
"Hmm?" Nakuru blinked up at him. "Why? What happened?"
"Mei-ling just called. She couldn't contact Syaoran so she relayed the news to me." Eriol supplemented. "Li Yelan just fainted and was rushed to the hospital."
"Eh!"
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Fujitaka slumped down at the comfortablechairinside his study. He felt worned out and his head ached. The evening proved to have challenged his calm side. After all the revelations of InterVEST full-players and announcement of the controversial game city, his family decided to go home and call it a night. There were too many excitements that just happened. He breathe in heavily. His eyes watched the dancing flames inside the fireplace. It was the only light inside the room. The night was deep and for some reason, despite of having a tiresome evening, sleep would not come to him.
There was a knock on the door. "Go ahead, George. We have much to talk about."
The ghoul-like butler stepped inside the room. The shadowy environment helped in exagerrating his eerie aura.
"Iz zer rilly zings zoo talk avout?" The butler remarked.
"As usual, you're so calm." Fujitaka smiled at the older man.
"I zink yah handled zings vack zer, very calm az vell." He walked closer towards Fujitaka.
"Pull a chair, George. And have a seat." The head of the Kinomoto said.
The butler did so and sat across the tired looking man.
"You know..." Fujitaka started to say. "I couldn't believe that someone of your stature would go as far as being our butler."
George smiled. It was different from his usual perk. This time it seemed solid and more humane. "I stil' honor mah duties to zee organiza-shon."
"Ah...the organization." Fujitaka narrowed his eyes. "You truly amuse me of how loyal you are in the so-called organization."
"Yah might zot unzerstand it. Yu ar' young 'n hardly anyvwan from zee Kinomotos nor Lis velieved in it anymor'. It iz zomething yah could zay...forgot-ten."
Fujitaka bowed his head and reached inside the drawer of the desk near the fireplace. He took out a wooden chest and placed it on his lap. "The organization died the moment our two families betrayed one another." Then he opened the small box; exposing an antique knife and a tarnished old picture to George. "This..." he clutched the chest hard. "...died with it."
"Oh...'tis gud. I zidn't know zat yu know zis much from zee past." The butler's normally lifeless eyes glinted. "Iz 'tis why yu zidn't zoo anythin' when yu found ur daughter alone vid Li Syao-ran?"
Fujitaka sighed. "I don't know, George." He started enumerating things. "I don't know why I've accepted your application to be our butler knowing that you own your own hacienda in another country. I don't know why I've ever let Sakura get too much involved with InterVEST."
The older man gave him a questioning look.
"Yes...I know she had been playing much deeper than she claimed to be." Fujitaka nodded. "I pay the bills in the house, and it includes internet service provider ones. I find it puzzling how this house connection can take up much bandwith. So I checked with the ISP and found out that Sakura's extension takes up most of it. I've asked for a specific url she always goes to and my desk got filled with InterVEST log files."
George couldn't help but laugh. "And hir I zought, yu ar' zechnologically-challenged inzividual."
"This is no laughing matter, George. I am not finished yet." Fujitaka said in a serious frown.
"Yez, pleaze...zoo go on."
The other man sighed. "George, you knew right from the start that...that Li boy is Damaski-is, didn't you?"
"Zat iz correct."
"And you let my daughter get deeply involved with him!" Fujitaka motioned exasperatingly. "You promised...when you came here that you are going to look after her."
"I am zill lukin' avter her."
"By practically shoving her to a Li!" He could no longer hide the agitation in his tone.
"Iz being wid a Li iz az vad az yu claim to vee? Iv so, zen why zidn't yu stepped in earlier ven yu followed her 'n found her vid zee boy?" George smartily pointed out.
Fujitaka was silent for a moment. He massaged his temple before answering again. "I don't know." He said weakly.
The older man gave an eerie chuckle. "I'll zell yah why." Then he reached out and grasped the wooden chest on Fujitaka's lap and faced it back to the Kinomoto. "Vecoz, deep inzide...yah still velieved in zis."
The brisk action caused the flames at the fireplace to waver. For a moment there, Fujitaka was greeted by two smiling faces from the very photograph pinned inside the trunk above the knife which carried his family's crest. There were two men standing side by side in the picture. Both looked happy and proud of the jackets they wore on their bodice. The jacket has an emblem embroidered on it. Fujitaka ran a finger across the part of the said emblem.
"Do you still carry it? This symbol?" He asked the butler.
"Yez..." Then George gripped a chain inside his shirt. A gold ring dangled on its end. He gripped it hard. "...alvayz...cloz to mah heart."
Fujitaka looked once again at the old picture. He never really looked at it that much since his father had always kept the forbidden thing in their cabin up North. His eyes fell on the man on the left side of the photograph. He couldn't help but smile as he observed the man. "Lis really have that arrogant aura around them."
George raised a brow and peered at the yellowish image. "hmmm...I guezz...it comez in a vackage. Vat yah got zoo azmit. Zee grandson iz far more handzom zan zee great great great grandfather." He placed a bony hand under his chin. "Vat zon't worry, yu arr far more attractive zan ur great great great grandfather." He said pointing at the man in the right side.
"I don't know whether to be happy or to be sad with your remark, old man."
George leaned back to his seat. "Zon't worry, ur daughter iz having zee same zilemma."
Fujitaka sighed once again and closed the wooden box. "My grandfather once told me a bedtime story. About two friends who had lost their trust with each other for some reason that both could no longer remember. Do you know this reason, George?"
"Zoo vee honest...I zoo not."
"Yet, you still strive to bring those two friends back together again?"
"I cud only hope...to zee zis emblem..." he raised the old ring which dangled on the chain around his neck. "...up in zee wallz of zee two houses once again...'n I velieve..." he continued to say. "...zat I am not zee only one who haz zis kind of goal."
Both men grew silent. Only the crackling of the fire was evident inside the room.
"George..." His head was bent down.
"Yez?"
"Your family had supported our family ever since. So I will..." Fujitaka smiled up to the older man. "...leave my daughter in your hands."
The butler gave a small smile himself. "I vill never live 'er zide."
"Maybe...inside me...I still do hope. To bo honest I am growing tired of this endless fued."
George nodded.
"That is why...I shall remain quiet about the whole thing in regards to Sakura and see what that Li boy can do."