Episode 1-2 Moving on (3)
Wednesday, December 24; 11:30 pm
30 minutes until midnight and the people around are having fun at karaoke, Tita Maribeth and Maribelle singing out loud with the other maids and butlers, and everybody is happy since the family has a celebration here at the house with the other people in their home besides them.
They didn't care about the gift opening later, they just want to get drunk especially the mother and daughter.
I just facepalmed at them doing it while Tito Emman is laughing at them, they both singing out of tune that I feel pity in the karaoke box that's why the maids, butler and even the guards are hyping them up enjoying the moment they both singing an Aegis song in out of tune mode. (Search Aegis songs, you'll know why it's popular song in the karaoke in the Philippines.)
I here I am with Tito Emman beside me, having fun ever since I came here 6 in the evening carrying roses for Tita Maribeth and 2 Jars of Pesto sauce for Maribelle.
All that they do, I feel homey when coming to their home. The comfortable feeling, smell of the food even though it's not yet in the dining table, A DAMN Christmas tree with full of gifts near below it, and a worthy of a place can be called 'Home'.
I finished downloading the GAIA in my gaming capsule together with Boom meeting so whenever Maribelle calls; I'll be there to answer. We didn't yet to create my character because I'm busy doing my usual routine and making pesto as a gift while she is busy on the preparation because she will cook tonight some of the dishes especially the roast beef which Tito Emman spoils the surprise last saturday.
The time goes point to 12:00 we all said "MERRY CHRISTMAS!!" and we got to hug each other while Mang Toñya is singing 'We wish you a merry Christmas' heavenly at the karaoke microphone. We're opening gifts when Maribelle see my 2 Jars of Pesto which is she wants to eat when she sleepover to my house, She never expected it so she smiles so much that everybody is noticing it.
"Sorry Tito Emman, I didn't have a gift to give to you."
"Jon, you already gave a lot. You did get your priorities straight though."He said smiling at me turning his head pointing at the 2 ladies holding my gifts.
We walk at the table to sit there watching them opening gifts while Mang Toñya is still at the microphone singing 'All I want for Christmas is you' now, oh man she is about to do a Christmas concert.
"Did you enjoy your time here?" He said to me.
"Yes, Tito. The Dinner was amazing."
"I told you, you didn't expect that the roast beef would be that good."
"Shoot! Your right! Damn, I can tell that Tita Mari didn't cook the roast beef the moment I taste it but I never expected to be better."
"I know right? Its Maribelle's specialty is the long cook foods while your Tita is more on the opposite side of what Maribelle is doing."
"Now, I understand now that the food she prepares when she is hosting a party is so not that time consuming."
"That's why you will never see her to be haggard at cooking at all" Tito Emman said proudly.
"Then why she is still cooking Roast beef even though she's not adept to it?"
"Because whenever I ask to bring you here, she will cook your favorite dish when it's possible because she makes her happier that you're eating so happily when you come here that's why she stills cook it despite its Maribelle's forte and also she didn't have time to cook it until her vacation.
"What you're trying to say is that I'm her favorite?"
"It sounds about right."
"Aww, I'm flattered."
"You should be, she's rarely likes Maribelle's friends much less to suitors."
"Oh, really? I never thought of that."
He looks at me and laughs. He murmurs something before he continues.
(He murmurs "This guy is numb as hell.")
"Well, we're now both retiring starting next year huh." Tito said to me
"Yeah, I never thought I'll retire this early. I didn't have any pension yet." I joke to him
"Sad for you though, I got free movies every Tuesday though." We both smiled and laugh. Oh my, I can relate to him what the hell.
"What will you do for the meantime after the turnover?"
"Maybe spend more my time with Maribeth, then go over to do my hobbies like Archery, and Shooting.
"Really you do that? I think I want some pointers from you on how to do those things, I want to do that a long time ago."
"Sure, I'll pitch you from my connections to that. Just give me your free time."
"After I'm completely healed and finish my therapy sessions, I can call you on that."
"So if you have a hobby like that, so did you do some martial arts a while back?" I follow up with another question.
"Great question, I did. My martial art style is Kali."
"What? You did learn a Filipino martial art!"
"So don't mess with me son, haha!"
"I sure do double think about fighting you, Tito." I said with my hand rising up.
"Well I don't have a hold of a candle against Maribeth though."
"Why, she did kali too?" based on what I learned of Tita Mari, it's no surprise that she know one or two."
"Nope, she learned all the Japanese Martial Arts."
"Whoa! Now I know why you got whipped Tito."
"Hey!!" He raised his voice, embarrassed for what I have said to him. Then he smiles like a villain "She does, she does."
I put my palm to my forehead, shaking. He didn't deny means he got beat up by her in the past which means it's confirmed.
I tap his back for emotional support because deep inside him is hurt. He only nods for the appreciation to the gesture.
"JJ! Thank You!"
"No problem."
"Hey you didn't open your gifts yet."
"Really, I have one too? Are you sure?" She only nods and there was 2 gifts left at near the Christmas tree.
I'm overwhelmed by the gesture; I don't know what to say. Besides my parents, no one gives me presents even in my birthdays.
I hug Maribelle because I feel the one of the gifts are coming from hers.
"You really didn't have to do that but thank you."
"How did you know that one of them is mine?"
"Hello! One of presents is pink color, who else do that huh? You're giving it away that you made the wrapping." I said like its 'No shit, Sherlock.'
She laughs while eye rolled at her, then I hug both Tita and Tito on both sides of my arms and whisper "Thank you."
"You're welcome 'iho." They both said in unison
I open the big red box first, as I tear it up I found in a long black case are 3 axes there, 2 are the same size while the other one is steel but smaller than the two. And I look at Tito Emman.
"I remember you told me that you like axes, but you can't find one so I order those axes customized in the US to be comfortable in your hand and your height." He said to me
"You see Jon, those 2 similar axes different from the other. Besides the color, the black axe is the one that is sharpened while the grey one does not have a blade which an axe for practice. I know you will have a hard time since it's long and heavy but I gave you a customized one and you can feel the comfort when you grip it and also you like challenge so I gave you a hard one." As he is explain to me.
Well I hold the 2 axes respectively and feel the comfort like it's made for me; it will be a great pass time to practice on how to use it. Then I saw the other one that is shorter but it looks modernized and applicable in this era.
"As you can see this is the shorter and obviously the modern one, this is the tactical axe. The rubber grip of body and the thin axe head. It is not for civilian use but when you can handle one properly, it is one of the best tools for survival."
I'm in awe on what he said I'm geeking out right now because I understand what he was saying. The last one is popular to law enforcement officers because of the all purpose utility and leaning on the use as a combat weapon so it's kinda badass. I wish that I will have an opportunity to buy from a blacksmith but instead it became as a gift from me.
Maribelle is pouting of how grand the gift was and the couple laughs even I only chuckle.
"Don't be like that; gift giving is not a competition, you always told me that the thought that counts right?"I said then she nods and hugs her for comfort.
"Now let's see your gift then shall we?" she smiles again while I kept the axes in the case.
I pick up the small pink box and tear it up and see the badge almost the size of my palm. It is a face of a white wolf with black eyes and strands of black fur but it is not a face of an actual wolf which place in a lower part of the badge and the tail covering entirely the shape of a crystal.
"What is this badge?" I ask her.
"Well that badge describes of who you are." She shortly said
"Look, I'm slow in this kind of thing so please elaborate further."
"The wolf represents guardianship, loyalty, instinct and unwavering spirit just like you did in your career with your partner but you notice the face right?" I nod in agreement. "It is a face of a fox which symbolizes intelligence and wisdom which you teaching them as a manager, coach, and player at the same time just both animals guide their peers."
"Whoa! That's cool; it definitely describes me as a person but not entirely." I have doubts but it can describe me as a person.
"Nope, that's the only half of it. Twist the pin on the back of the badge" she said and I do twist as it unveils gradually the changes.
As I twist it, the head is rising at the middle of the badge showing its wolf - like body but it changes to black fur while the strands becoming red and even the eyes became red too. What amazes me is that the one tailed wolf becoming a black nine tailed fox with a red menacing eyes and standing proud like looking down on its enemies.
"Now you see the changes, in German Folklore the wolf is representing fear and destruction. While being a Black nine tailed fox represents the Japanese Folklore of Yoke as mischievous creatures that use its high intelligence to trick and malice to the people surrounding it then what if it reaches enlightenment to being a nine tailed fox, it will bring Fury and unrelenting dominance that causes war and scarce."
"Now I understand, it means to say that describe me as an ally like the white badge represents and black badge represents me as an enemy is what you're trying to say?"
"Yes. Everything that has been doing is always for others but if someone messes with you or the people you know, they will slowly perish."
I'm in awe because it's not as grander that the other one, this one has a deep meaning which give a lot of thought.
"I don't know what to say, a simple thank you cannot describe the gift you guys gave me but I always cherish it." I'm smiling ear to ear to the gifts given to me.
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The party ended still Mang Toñya singing at the karaoke, the only brake she got was to eat, laugh with us and also let the other guys sing then she goes for her 2nd concert like it's her 1st time to hold karaoke for a long while. At least the background music was great until I leave.
I'm not that tipsy because I drank 2 bottles of beer and a hot water while talking with Tito Emman. I relate to stories he told by how managing employees and shit because I've been through that and also told my side of the story on how I became a man I want to be in my career.
Maribelle insisted joining me to my house and her parents allow it but I want to let her stay here since she drunk as hell. Well, she is persistent so I gave her ride on the back of my mountain bike carrying the axe case and badge on my chest.
I put the drunken woman in the bed in the room beside mine and go to the living room to put the case near the wall where I will display it tomorrow, I go to my room thinking that I will create my character but I realized that I didn't ask Maribelle what will be her nickname was if she create a character.