Danuki Diary - pt 7

    Journal, there are times when sometimes I don’t see an obvious answer. It’s always been one of my bad points pa used to say. My stay here has been just that; a giant misunderstanding. I’m writing this with a rather sizeable tightness in my chest and I’m sure if I looked in the washroom mirror I’d be as red as a beet. A recap first however before I state the nature of this feeling. While my last entry ate a whopping 8 pages of this journal leaving not much room left in the journal, thankfully I have more.

    Like I said in the last entry Miyabi asked for Myself, as well as our two guests James and Emily, to come to the parlor after a late breakfast. Emily, James and myself piled into the small room that was essentially 3 couches arranged around a table, sunlight pouring through the window that sat behind one of the couches. Emily and James took the couch on one side while I sat at another. We held a brief conversation as we waited for Miyabi to make her presence.

“Anon, you have any idea of what this is about?” James asked, “kinda want to get going since we left Benji in charge and when he’s got Mellisa’s coat on he kinda scares the customers.”

Having heard his name now for the 2nd day curiosity gained a hold of me,”who is Benji?” I asked James.

“My kid brother, married a wendigo named Melissa years ago when he was about your age or so and wendigos have this massive fur cloak thing they give to their husbands that’s got a bit of magic in it that works as a ward when they’re out in the wild,” James said.”The thing is though when he’s wrapped up in it he looks like a damn monster, I had customers too afraid to go up the mountain once because someone spotted him while he was looking around for poachers.”

“I know what Miyabi is doing,” Emily said, interrupting my chance to ask James more questions.

“Well what is it Emmie?” James asked, “I’m sure even Anon wants to know.” his words earned a nod from me.

“You’ll see,” was the only response from Emily. A massive grin on her face told me she definitely knew but wasn’t going to tell at the time.

    Miyabi entered the parlor sometime later, holding a familiar looking envelope. Staring hard at it I realized it was the one I had seen her pick up from the town hall 2 days prior. Sitting down, Miyabi sat  next to me tucking her large bushy tail between herself and I before opening the envelope.

“This came in about 2 days ago, Anon you remember that I picked up something from the town hall right? Miyabi said laying the papers on the table in front of us.

“So what are they?” I asked.

“They’re marriage license forms,” Miyabi said placing one of the sheets in front of me. “Couples wishing to marry need to fill them out. As well as have two people witness it.”

    Looking over at Miyabi I saw her smile back at me, a tinge of red crossing her face as we made eye contact. I felt the tightness return along with the warm sensation that accompanied it.

“Anon, do you know why you’re here?” She asked me.

Miyabi’s question stung, reminding me of my position. “My parents sold me to you to save their skins,” I said looking down at the floor. “I even saw the bill of sale.”

“Bill of…” Miyabi’s words trailed off into a giggle. “Anon, that wasn’t a bill of sale, that was just a confirmation of a dowry. I didn’t have any paper on me at the time so I grabbed a copy of paper I keep around when I buy assets.”

I looked up, her words didn’t quite register, “a what?” I said rather puzzled.

“It’s an old practice Anon, it’s basically a gift to the husband’s parents from the bride’s when they get married.” Miyabi explained.

    I froze, it felt as if the entire world had been dropped on my head as I took in this information. I knew what those words meant but I was having a hard time coming to grip, my nervous laugh showing itself again.

“Miyabi I think you broke the poor kid,” I heard James say.

“Anon,” this time it was Miyabi’s voice, her hand holding mine. “I know this is a bit much for you, if you want we can do this some other time…or you can go back home if you really don’t want to be here.” she said as I heard sadness creep into the last few words.

    I only had one question floating in my mind, knowing the answer now I’m glad I asked it.

“How...how did you know I even existed?” I asked, trying to steady my breathing.

“My maids deal with the farms in the area, we’ve dealt with your family’s farm for a few years now.” Miyabi said, “when I heard your farm was going to go under I thought of a way to help you and your family.”

“So I really was sold off,” I said slumping me shoulders. “Just give me that pen, I’ll sign whatever. I guess I have no real say in it.”

“I didn’t expect him to react like this,” I heard Emily say from somewhere. Tunnel vision had taken over and I could only focus on the paper in front of me.
“Son, before you go signing that, I want to ask you something.” James voice again, I shook my head trying to regain focus. “Has Miyabi ever treated you as anything less than an equal?”

I shook my head at James’ question,“no, Miyabi has always been nice to me...which always made me suspicious of her intent since I came here.” I replied, my focus returning little by little.

“Didn’t you ever stop and think why you didn’t eat with the maids, but with Miyabi herself? Did you even ever bother to ask Miyabi?” James said continuing his questioning.

I felt my face flush with embarrassment, “I...no, no I didn’t.”

“Son you have a bad case of taking things at face value you know that?” James said, “your parents saw an opportunity for you to live a better life, so why not take it?”

    James’ words had registered with me, more than that I knew he was right and there was no real use being upset about this.

“You’re right James,” I said turning to Miyabi to look her in the eyes. “It’ll take some getting used to but I’ll do it if it will make Miyabi happy.”

    I took turned my attention back to the form, grabbing the pen and filling it out. I gave the form one last look over as I finished it before setting the pen back down and giving Miyabi my attention once more.

“I apologize for the rough start, I hope you’ll forgive me Miyabi.” I said.

Miyabi just smiled in that way that causes a tightness in my chest and pulled me into a massive hug, “it’s ok Anon. I’m sorry for not telling you from the start.”

    The peacefulness of the moment didn’t last long as James interrupted us, Emily clinging to his arm beside him. Miyabi let go of me so as we could return to the matter at hand.

“I guess I have to apologize now too.” James said with a grin plastered on his face, “but Emily and I have a timetable to stick to. I’m sure you also want some privacy.”

    James grabbed the pen, spinning the forms around as to have them face him. With a few movements he signed the papers for himself before handing the pen over to Emily, who had a bit of trouble holding the pen in her massive paw hands. When both of them signed Miyabi took the papers and placed them back inside the envelope.

“Well that’s taken care of, I hope Emily and you can get home safely,” Miyabi said. “Would you like us to see you two off?”

“Nah, I’m sure you two have some things to talk about.” James said as he stood, offering a hand to Emily. “Well in any case, do try to take it easy on Anon Miyabi he’s just a boy after all.”

    Following James’ cue I helped Miyabi up, and together the four of us headed to the front doors. As we stepped into the foyer, Miyabi called for the maids to bring James’ and Emily’s luggage to the door. We said our final good-byes as we waited for the luggage, James offering me some advice. I’d rather not list some of this advice, it was rather explicit in nature. When James and Emily left, their auto traveling down the winding driveway and off into the distance I excused myself so I could come up here and record today’s events. It’s a bit after lunch as I finish today’s entry I wonder if I should tell Miyabi I record events and my thoughts in journals, it shouldn’t be too much of a secret after all. I’m going to leave now journal, I intend to rejoin Miyabi and start down this new road with her.