The Last Luna: Chapter Three

The Puppeteers’ Tavern

It was nearly seven in the morning when I woke up. I instantly asked Grandpa about my clothes. And as expected, my grandfather gave a permission to go out of his mansion and buy my stuffs on the city, with Amelia and Mike of course. I immediately ran to my room and took a cold shower and hauled Amelia to the garage where Mike was busy wiping the car.

“Let’s go, Mike.”, I commanded and he opened the back door for me. I entered flawlessly, regardless of the few times of riding a car. Amelia seated beside Mike on the front seat.

As he drove out of the mansion, I felt a sudden increase on my heartbeat. Surely I was nervous. It was first time (out of five years) to get out of the van Dross’ house.

“Excited on your school’s stuffs?”, Mike asked.

“Yes.”, I lied. I wasn’t excited on school or clothes since I already have them. I am really excited about seeing the city, the shops, the stores, and the people on my age, the beggars and the buildings.

I moved closer to the window. Mike opened it for me. I smiled at him. Sure thing, the air I inhaled was not as fresh as the air on the garden, but my body was so happy that it couldn’t feel any difference. Some things had change, like the model of the cars, the altitude of the buildings, the name of some shops and bars, and one thing, I hate the way the girl with red hair pulled her dog with the chain. Poor dog.

“Why?”, I asked Mike when he parked the car on a free lot.

“Lady, we’re to take a walk. I thought you’ll love it.”, Amelia said.

“Excellent! What are we waiting for?”, I said impatiently. I opened the door and went out of the car. I took a deep breath before following Amelia and Mike who just entered a boutique.

“Good morning. What can we do for you?”, a woman who looked like a man asked.

“Lady van Dross needs some clothes.”, Amelia said formally.

“Lady van Dross, of course. Please follow me.”, he or she said as he led us to another room.

“Actually, I already have some clothes for you, Miss van Dross.”, he or she said.

“You do?”, I asked, wondering where he got my sizes.

“The man with you, I believe the one named Mike went here last month. He brought a fashionable dress of yours, lady. I copied the size and make more dresses for you, madam.”, he or she said again on a flirty, but proud tone. He revealed a rack of clothes when he pulled the curtain.

“Can Lady Lynette see it?”, Amelia asked.

“Of course.”, he or she answered.

I can’t believe this. So, Grandpa really planned this. He even made a tailored dress for me!

I pulled the first one that I saw. I smiled with Amelia.

“That is my Golden Brocade, Three-piece ensemble. Included is a beautiful Satin Chemise, a Bodice made from black velvet and fully lined. The Skirt is made from the same black velvet and brocade damask fabric.”, he said as he pulled the gown on my hand. “Mind to wear it so we can see if it fits you?”, he asked.

“I trust you,.”, I said. I don’t know his name, so I added, “Miss?”,

“Oh you’re so clever to call me Miss! I am George Smartens, but you can call me Georgia. I’ll love that.”, she said. A gay.

“Thank you, for making this gown. But I think I can just use it when there’s a party on my school. I really appreciate it, George. I mean, Madam Georgia.”, I smiled.

He smiled back and discussed shorter dresses. Actually, he can prance it and just give me the clothes. The town was so big, and my time left was just limited, and I don’t want to dissipate it on just listening to him or her.

When Amelia noticed how bored I was, she cuts off George and grabbed the clothes. I followed her, surprised by her impolite actions.

Next stop, the Winter Shop with a drawing of a smiling snowflake on the wooden flap.

“Who are they?”, a lady asked. I’m sure she’s a girl. Trust me.

“van Dross.”, Amelia said.

She smiled. I don’t know that our kin has a large influence on Oxford.

“Here.”, she said as she handed Amelia a crimson box with lavender band.

“Thank you.”, I said before stepping out of the not-so-visited store.

“Hungry?”, Mike asked.

“No.”, I answered.

“Then what do you want to do?”, he asked again.

“There is this place that I really wanted to go to since I was a kid.”, I said.

“Sure. Where is it?”

“I can’t remember the way, but I do know the place.”, I said.

“What is it, then?”, Amelia asked curiously.

“The Puppeteers’ Tavern.”, I answered.

“A pub?”, Mike asked.

“Yes.”

“Why do you know such place?”, Amelia asked.

“Stop asking, Amelia. Just bring Lady Lynette to the place.”, Mike interrupted. Thank God!

The walked to the tavern was just short. At least, Mike had an idea on where to find the city’s most famous bars. The Puppeteers’ Tavern was no like the other bars. It was a quiet place and no smoking is allowed, a saloon where smokers are not accepted.

The door of the pub was made of wood, burnish to perfection. It was raucous on the place where we were standing, thanks to the horses and engines that pass by on this pub. On the other side of the buffed door comes a dimmed place. There are chairs properly arranged, circling each table with a couple of wine glass. The old man, whom I believe to owned the name of Omar Diplexer. He was a witty man, and he is on his late 50’s or something. When I was young, I can still remember myself, following my father when he and my mother were arguing about the rose garden of Grandma. So, I followed father when he entered a tavern (a spy!). Luckily, he didn’t notice me, or no one noticed me. I hided on the darkest corner of the area and watched my father as he cried in front of Mr. Diplexer. I can’t understand what he was talking about that time, since he was drunk. But I really felt that he and my mother had a hard fight about that patch. I wanted to help him that time, since I cannot just stand and observe my dear father crying and sobbing helplessly. But I can’t aid him around; I am with Grandpa’s side. I want to have a garden that can help us to cherish Grandma. I cried silently while standing, and no one seemed to notice me. But I stopped crying when I heard the pub owner talked to my father like he was his brother. He told father that he was wrong. He told father that he was selfish on the fact that he has an allergy to rose that’s why he’s not on favor of creating an ample rose garden. I wanted to punch him, but I can’t. First, he was so huge. He was muscular. And second, he was the only one who made my father to stop crying. Instead, I hugged my father on the back and asked him on what he was drinking. He was shocked at first, with his ten-year-old daughter hanging on a bar. But of course, with my charm, he permitted me to stay with him and told me lots of stories about the tavern and Mr. Diplexer. He said that Omar was his colleague and one of his closest friends in college. He told many stories that I could hardly remember them. On our way home, Omar threw a bottle of wine to my father. It was later revealed that Omar Diplexer was Grandpa’s godson. He was my grandfather’s best friend’s son that owned a developing wine business on the southern tip of Ireland.

He looked deep on my eyes, and he putted the rug on his back pocket.

“Long time no see, Sir Omar.”, I greeted, using the name that I heard my father called him before.

“van Dross’ daughter?”, he asked, studying every viewpoint of my appearance.

“Lynette. The one who cried softly on that side”, I answered, pointing the corner where I stood and watched my father.

“Sure you are. You got your mother’s hair and your father’s eyes. Perfect combination. Have a seat. I believe you’re still underage. Juice? Coffee? Tea?”, he offered.

“No, no. Thank you by the way. I just need the same wine you gave my father when I was ten. Cholas’ Pleasure 1799, if I’m correct.”, I said.

“Cholas’ Pleasure. I think you’re the only guest that can remember the name. It was old, but delicate. Can you linger for a minute?”, he asked.

“Positive.”, I answered.

He asked for a minute, but he gave me the wine on just eight blinks of my eye. He handed me a wooden box with a number-lock. I stared at him.

“Need for a code?”, he asked.

“No. I knew it, I supposed”, I said. And then I rolled the numbers until I arrived at a pretty combination.

60506

The box opened. Haha! I knew it! I opened the container and ogled at the old urn of wine, labeled with Cholas’ Pleasure 1799. It was green bottle with a cork stopper and it was, a star for eyes. It’s astonishing.

“Thank you. Is it gratis?”, I asked.

“It was the last one, why not?”, he asked back. I giggled.

“Thank you.”, I said. I was planning to stay a little longer when Amelia reminded me of the time.

“I think you need to go home, brat.”, Omar said. He reminded me of that crude Nathaniel, who forced me to call him Nate since we’re relatives.

“Brat’s not a nice word, Omar. Thank you again for the wine, and for the seat. Hope to see you again in good vigor and as a well-mannered chap.”, I said.

“Thanks for the insult. Say my love to your Grandpa.”, he said as I went into the car.

He waved when the car started to move. I rolled down the window and wave back with him. He’s one of the persons that I’ll miss when I am on that twaddle school.

“Lunch time. I hoped Lolita cooked.”, Amelia prayed.

“Trust, Amelia. Relax.”, Mike said, and then he chuckled. Amelia’s forehead formed a crease.

I rested myself on the car. I was hungry, but the moments with Omar made my heart and mind full. I’’ tell you this, when I was 10, I developed a delightful crush on Omar but of course, I quickly realize that he’s too old for me. And, he has his partner. But they don’t have a child. I doubt why.

“Lynette?”, Amelia called.

“Hmm?”, I looked at her.

“You’re gripping on the box tightly. It can harm your hands. Loosen it a bit, dear.”, she said.

“Oh, thank you Amelia.” I was carried away with my thoughts. I placed the box on the biggest pocket of my jacket.

“We’re here, ladies.”, Mike called.
I am excited to see Grandpa’s reaction when I gave his personal brand of heroine.