"Roger, I think I need more."
Ivory went back to trying to put some of the best T-shirts and pants into her brother's old, worn-out suitcase. She and the person she considers to be her family have been arguing about how much she should bring. Ivory insisted on bringing all of her clothes but was always rejected by the figure next to her.
"You don't have to bring lots of clothes. Why did you bring that shabby cloth? You'll be laughed at by Aaron more and more later!"
"What shabby cloth? This is my nightgown!"
Roger shook his head several times. He was not tired of arguing with his younger sister, who was really fussy and stupid. "Mark my words. Don't bring that. You'll get a lot of new clothes from him. Why should bring your old one?"
Stubbornly Ivory tucked a flower-print short in the middle of the knit sweater she was carrying.
"Only this one, Rog. I promise. Let's just say I can't sleep without wearing this one."
"Okay, alright, alright! You win."
Ivory smiled widely. Roger always relented when arguing with her. That makes her happy to spend a lot of time with her employer's boy.
"That's the last one, nothing else!"
Ivory nodded. "Ayayay, Captain!"
"Good."
Roger tugged at the suitcase's zipper and patted it twice before standing up. His hand reached out to adjust the oversized white long-sleeved T-shirt Ivory was wearing. He smiled at the girl, who looked quite adorable in his donated oversized clothes.
"That's all. Let me take you to The Supreme Council's house."
Unlike last night's banquet, where the participants were picked up by bus, this time Ivory had to leave alone from home. Fortunately, her best friend, a.k.a brother, kindly offered his hand to help her. Ignoring the chill that gnawed at his bones, Roger volunteered to bring Ivory French toast, bacon, and omelets for breakfast.
Since early this morning, Roger has also helped Ivory pack very carefully. He even helped tidy up Ivory's little house before she rebuked him for feeling bad. After all, Ivory has a lower caste than Roger. There was no way she would let Roger clean her house.
As if not tired of reaching out, Roger even persuaded his father to lend him a car to take Ivory to the Supreme Council's house. Therefore, it can be said that eighty percent of Ivory's burden in preparing for Copulation has been treated a lot. All thanks to her best friend, Roger.
"Does it still hurt?"
Ivory felt her left arm which had swollen a few days ago. At first, her hands hurt so much that she couldn't get up from her bed. Fortunately, now her arm is not sore at all. It's a little bruises, but it doesn't hurt anymore.
"No. Already recovered."
Roger nodded after touching Ivory's arm and felt the hardness of the detector on the girl's upper arm. "What about Aaron? He's handsome, isn't he?" asked Roger cheekily.
Ivory sighed heavily as if talking about her potential partner was a very annoying thing for her.
"He is handsome, indeed, and he already has a future wife. Truly the perfect potential partner," said Ivory sarcastically.
Ivory remembered what had happened yesterday after she had left Aaron alone at the banquet night. She fled to lock herself in the toilet and did not return until the event was almost over. She suddenly felt embarrassed at saying such a reckless thing to the Primary she had just met.
Blame it all on Aaron's amber eyes, who look so calm when he looks at her. Ivory was lulled by the blind twinkle of her potential partner until she felt brave enough to speak her heart. Yesterday, she felt upset, sad, and disappointed in herself … and probably with Aaron too. She thought she needed some time alone before a Guardian dragged her out of the tiny cubicle for sampling.
"You just need to finish this show, my dear Ivy. If you don't act too much, you'll be safe." Roger patted his little sister's shoulder for encouragement.
It didn't take them long to arrive at the appointed place. They got out of the car with Ivory dragging the suitcase in her right hand. There have gathered many prospective Copulation participants from various regions. Ivory and Roger walked up to the entrance, where rows of Guardians were guarding. Roger couldn't walk Ivory inside because he wasn't allowed.
"I think that's all I can take you," said Roger. The man stretched his arms around Ivory's small body and rubbed her back, trying to calm her down. "Remember, don't act too much. Just obey your partner's wishes, okay? We will meet in a year. Take care of yourself."
Ivory nodded and tightened the hug. "I'll miss you, Roger."
"Me too."
After that, they let go of each other and waved one last time before separating.
It tasted like deja vu. Ivory remembered when she took her sister to her final Copulation before they parted for good. She couldn't erase the big smile of her sister, who promised to come back safe.
Not pieces.
Or even splinters.
She shook her head vigorously. Get rid of those horrible memories. Panic suddenly hit, but she bit her lower lip hard to dispel the dark image of her past.
"You can do it, Ivory. You sure can." She encourages herself.
Ivory stepped into the gate. She was directed to sit in a place that had been provided. There was already her potential partner in that chair who threw a shady smile at her. Ivory tripped over her own feet again. She almost fell into the Copulation contestant's chair in front of her.
Unlucky. Not a good start. Aaron Magnifico's smile was dangerous.
Ivory lowered her head, trying to avoid eye contact with her potential partner. Remembering the last time she left Aaron without saying goodbye made Ivory's stomach churn. Ivory swallowed and shuffled over to her chair.
"Hi," Ivory said stiffly. Her voice sounded rough and hoarse as if she had just woken up. She cleared her throat once and greeted Aaron awkwardly. "Good morning."
The greeted one replied with a light smirk and patted the chair Ivory was supposed to be sitting on. "Relax and sit down."
Ivory blinked and quickly sat down next to Aaron. She glanced at Aaron briefly, checking his expression. There was no other expression other than the same shady smile as before.
"That's all your stuff? No one else?"
That's all he said...
Should she be carrying more stuff than she is now?
"I mean, didn't you bring your favorite thing?"
Oh, the favorite thing...
Ivory used to have one favorite item that she always carried with her everywhere, but now it's...
"No." Ivory shook her head slowly. "I don't have a favorite thing."
"Dolls, for example?"
Ivory snorted. "Dolls are too expensive for me. In fact, I'm an adult."
"An adult can get a doll as well. You can get it from the doll machine."
"There's no such thing as a doll machine at my place," answered Ivory innocently. "You can only find barren land and bare trees there. No puppet machines."
Aaron nodded lightly. "We'll play it later. You will get your favorite doll."
Somehow Ivory's lips pulled up, curling into a smile at the words of a potential partner.
"Ladies and gentlemen, on this auspicious day, let us welcome the Supreme Council of Amerta with loud applause. Mr. Jared Park!"
Everyone clapped loudly for a moment when a well-built man stepped onto the podium. He looks very dignified and elegant. He is the leader of the country Ivory lives in today; Amerta. Such a respected figure is even feared by everyone. The most vicious-hearted figure Ivory has ever met.
The one who killed her sister.
In one second, Ivory's hatred for the man grew even more.
"Ivory, clap your hands," Aaron scolded.
She clapped her hands briefly with a heavy heart and looked at the figure above with a glint of hatred.
"Good morning all. Welcome to this special Copulation event!"
This time Ivory didn't applaud, though Aaron nudged her shoulder in warning.
"The participants gathered here, you are the chosen people who should be proud because they have been allowed to take part in the sacred event in Amerta!"
Ivory looked at the man who was boasting with a sharp gaze.
"In the future, the children born from this event will become special children who will be very useful in playing a role in the sustainability of this country. They will become Amerta's priceless asset!"
Aaron looked worriedly at Ivory.
"Therefore, forget all your worries, worries, and worries. Entrust your life to this glorious regime. Trust in the Supreme Council, the Savior of the Land!"
"Ivory, stop looking at the Supreme Council with that look. The Guardians are watching you," Aaron whispered.
Ivory ignored the remark.
"Therefore, the Copulation event in 2071 is officially opened!"
With the handover of two palm-sized white swan statues, this year's Copulation event officially began.
Aaron was forced to grab Ivory's hands and move them to clap. "Smile, Ivory. Don't look like you're going to kill him."
Hesitantly Aaron glanced at the Guardians, who were glaring at her suspiciously. He was worried that the two of them would get into trouble if they dared to rebel or show the slightest dislike to the Supreme Council. It's not a good thing to show a bad expression to the leader of Amerta.
"I might kill him someday," Ivory vowed softly to no one.