Ashlyn looked shocked. "You're a fan of this Kassy as well?"
"Absolutely! We're all huge fans of hers! Her music is truly life-changing. She's the most incredible and enchanting singer in the world. Both Kai and Larisa are also big admirers. Her talent is simply incomparable," Eliza explained with a heartfelt smile.
Larisa began her dance performance in front of the floral boutique, her movements fluid and graceful. As the music played, she started dancing and singing the lyrics of a well-known Kassy song:
♪ Butt butts, booty bounce, cheeky groove! Kassy's got that playful move! Bounce bounce, wiggle wiggle! In a world where booties jiggle! Slap that booty, make it clap, Kassy love, no need to nap! Cheek to cheek, a sassy dance, booty magic, let's dance ♪
Larisa's interpretation of Kassy's dance moves was something else. She was all hunched over, as if trying to give herself a spectral high-five with a backside slap. And yet, there she was, hovering mid-air, her hand effortlessly gliding through her own ethereal form. Her hand simply passed through her body, reminiscent of a misguided attempt at ghostly twerking, culminating in a pose that would leave any human resembling a pretzel—one that would break many bones if attempted by a human.
"Wow, Larisa knows all the words to this amazing song!" Eliza exclaimed hyperactively.
Lillian, slightly cheered up and breaking free from the emotional slump she had been in, said, "It's absolutely hilarious how this silly ghost girl manages to sing those saucy songs with such innocence and cluelessness about what she's actually saying. I didn't know she knew the words. I had no idea she had even heard this song before. But then again, it's one of Kassy's most renowned and played songs."
Ashlyn shot us an intrigued, almost mocking look as she took in the three of us fangirling over Larisa's performance of the Kassy song. With a raised eyebrow and a touch of sarcasm, she remarked, "That is quite the song there. I can see why it's so 'life-changing' for you ladies."
Eliza and I stood there, brimming with pride that Ashlyn was showing signs she liked Kassy's songs, all while Larisa continued to dance. She kept repeating the same lines of the Kassy song over and over, likely because she didn't know the rest of the words. Gradually, she transitioned into a completely different Kassy song, singing, ♪ In my head, I see you all over me! In your head, your fulfilled fantasies; you'll be screaming... ♪ When she reached the "Ooooohhh" part of the song, she playfully leaned right into Ashlyn's ear, provoking an instinctive moan of "Aargh!" from Ashlyn before Larisa could finish the line. Ashlyn mimicked the action of controlling a music system, mockingly pretending to mute Larisa.
"It is 'Ooooohhh', not 'Aargh!'" Eliza corrected her, nitpicking as if the correct lyrics were a matter of life and death.
Ashlyn remarked, "Ladies, ladies, I've hit my limit with..." She scanned the three of us before altering her course. "As much as I adore the Kassy songs, let's prioritise these photos right now, alright, Starr-chasers? And about Kassy..."
Ashlyn's phone started ringing, and she promptly picked it up.
A simultaneous sigh escaped the three of us. So much for prioritising.
Ashlyn didn't bother looking at the phone; she simply answered with a firm, "Not now," before setting it down.
"So... Kassy has quite a devoted fan base, it seems. I will speak to my management to gather more information about her disappearance, but please, don't get too excited. There are a few suspicions that I don't want to delve into right now. Since you are my friends, I will try to find out what happened to her."
"We've heard rumours about her dying and being kidnapped by crazy fans, but they are all speculations," Lillian stated.
"No. It's not anything like that," Ashlyn replied.
"So she's alive?!"
Ashlyn looked at Larisa, then back at Lillian, and said, "I will investigate and find out."
The way she was talking suggested that there was something she knew about Kassy that she didn't want to share. Still, there was one thing she should have been able to answer, so Eliza asked, "So you've actually met Kassy... in person?"
It was evident that Ashlyn simultaneously enjoyed being the one among us friends who was in the know about Kassy, but her lack of substantial information was seriously making her uneasy.
"I haven't actually met her before, and seeing how much she means to all of you, I really do want to make the effort to meet her now. And on top of that, my friends, I am curious, too." She looked at each of us one by one and gave us all a big smile.
A warm smile naturally graced my lips whenever her eyes met mine. The way she chose to call us friends, setting aside labels like StarrGazers or Starrlings, and the tender use of my real name, Lillian, all conspired to reach the depths of my soul. Every word she uttered carried an authenticity that profoundly moved me, making her message genuinely touching and soul-stirring.
With a sudden change in tone, Ashlyn reverted to her old posh-girl demeanour, as if she had flipped a mental switch, similar to an actor on set hearing the word "action" and instantly assuming their character. "My dearest Starrlings, we are graced with this exquisite moment as we embark upon the recreation of 'The Creation of Ashlyn,' in a manner reminiscent of the iconic canvas, 'The Creation of Adam,' a piece of work I hold in high admiration indeed. I am fervently compelled to present my own cosmic rendition of it involving the three of you. Larisa, you shall serve as my ethereal angel for these re-imaginings."
Eliza gazed at me, and our eyes met in return. "Eliza," I murmured, "I'm familiar with the painting she's referring to."
"Me too," she responded. Eliza's expression revealed her genuine effort to grasp the weight of Ashlyn's words within that expansive speech.
"I find the painting quite appealing," I admitted softly.
"Lillian... I think she wants us to be naked," Larisa whispered in my ear, and Eliza overheard.
Eliza suddenly blurted out, "I know they're naked in that painting. I don't mind getting naked for this photo because it's The Creation of Ashlyn, and it needs to be special. But can you make it quick? It's, like, pretty chilly out here. I mean, I know good art can't be rushed and all, but I just... yeah, okay, just do it, and, like, we shouldn't overthink it so much."
Ashlyn gasped and gazed at Eliza in utter disbelief. "While I did mention that this was slightly below my personal preferences in terms of class and sophistication, I certainly didn't mean the standards should plummet to the very centre of the Earth."
The trio huddled closely, their heads bent together in a conspiratorial whisper. They were crafting a plan to genuinely joke and provoke Ashlyn.
"I think Kassy will like it," Larisa said. Eliza and I nodded in agreement.
"Agreed. Let's do this! For Kassy!" Eliza's voice rang out passionately as she rose to her feet and began to unhook her sleeves in a slow, mocking manner.
Before Eliza could take another step, Ashlyn's gaze shifted from her to each of us, and she uttered, "Ladies... ladies! Let's pause for a moment. This is my brainchild! My vision involves showcasing the perfume, with both of you pointing to it, held gracefully by Larisa. Never did I mention or even hint at the notion of either of you parting with your attire."
"I know," Eliza stated with a grin. "I just wanted to see your reaction to me pretending to undress. Your face!" she teased.
"Humph," Ashlyn huffed. She scanned her surroundings, sighed, and swiftly scrolled through the pictures already captured on her phone. "We've actually got plenty of sufficient photos, so let's just move on."
Ashlyn put on her shades, entered the floral boutique, and made a shooing motion with her hand, indicating that she didn't want the three of us to follow her inside.
"She puts on her shades before entering a building but keeps them off when outside?... ummm... why?" I asked.
I observed Larisa following behind Ashlyn, and I discreetly signalled her with a soft "psst," encouraging her to rejoin us. Larisa seemed unaware that Ashlyn didn't want to be followed
Eliza commented, "Ashlyn puts on her shades because she disapproves of you. Have you not noticed she puts on her shades when she wants to cover her face from ugliness?"
I countered, "Me? Weren't you the one on the verge of stripping? I'm thankful Ashlyn stopped you before things got out of hand."
"You're quite the one to talk, Lillian, or should I say 'towel-vixen street-wanderer'..." Eliza jested.
That towel thing again. I had been hoping to forget that embarrassing experience.
Before I could say anything, Eliza interrupted, "Shh for a second. Florists like this, especially the ones named after notorious mafia kingpins, are often fronts for shady dealings."
At least she didn't yak at me that time.
Outside the store, the three of us tried to listen in on whatever was going on inside.
"I am about to make your store popular with all the photos we have taken outside. Make sure you leave me a review on how good I am."
"Ah, zut alors! Wait, you were, how you say, out-zide my store?" an ambiguously accented man's voice said from inside.
Outside the store, it exuded the charm of the most exquisite floral boutique one might find in Paris. But as Ashlyn stepped inside, the enchantment faded into stark reality. The counter was strewn with papers, and lifeless plants occupied the shelves. The floor beneath Ashlyn's feet felt sticky, emitting an unsettling, squelching sound with each step.
Flies and wasps darted to and fro, adding to the scene's discord. In one corner, a dishevelled teenager, resembling a mischievous Gremlin, sat in a chair. He was absorbed in manipulating a petite gas lighter, bearing the weariness of someone who hadn't known sleep for a week. Dark, heavy shadows framed his eyes, telling tales of exhaustion and unrest.
Ashlyn looked back at the guy behind the counter with the odd accent and said, "We were just outside your store for over an hour taking photos! Did you not even notice us at all?"
"Oh, no-no! You want to make, um, donasheen, yes?"
"Donation!" Ashlyn exclaimed, frustration evident on her face. "I just gave you..." She sighed, her irritation palpable. "Fine, you can have a donation from me."
Ashlyn glanced around, searching for something on which she could write her name, avoiding touching anything that seemed dirty or unsanitary in the store. The only item that appeared remotely clean was the large paper bag situated in the middle of the counter. Proceeding cautiously, Ashlyn wrote her name on the paper lunch bag, unintentionally crushing the contents as she pressed down with the pen.
The man behind the counter stared at her as if she were desperately hungry and attempting to access the bag for something to eat. When she handed him the bag and stated, "Here is your donation," his expression shifted to one of perplexity as he received the soggy paper bag with her name written on it.
"Um, donasheen? It's just my, uh, pas-finie burger, no?"
Ashlyn shook her head and explained, "You silly lost soul, that's my autograph. You can sell it on eBunnee at a high price."
The man took the burger from the bag, holding it up, grease dripping down the side. He exclaimed, "Ah! You'll buy it at a high price?!"
For the first time, he spoke in a way that was fully comprehensible in English, though still struggling. Ashlyn tried to hide her disgust and simply said, "Oh, I'm really sorry, but I'm actually a vegetarian, so I'll have to pass on that. By the way, I just wanted to let you know that my autograph could fetch a pretty good amount on eBunnee if you ever decide to sell it! Just a little tidbit for you."
She pointed to the autograph on the bag and gestured to some loose coins on the table to help illustrate its value.
"What eBunnee?" the man asked, his voice tinged with confusion.
"What in the starrs? Is this guy joking or something?" The utterly blank expression on his face showed that he had no idea what eBunnee was. Could you believe that someone didn't have an eBunnee page? It was practically a cardinal sin these days. Now, it seemed as if Ashlyn was in danger just by being in the store. Not having an eBunnee page, or even knowing what it was, ranked among the scariest things in the world. Who exactly was this alien?!
Speaking of aliens, the teenager—a Gremlin-like creature—had been provocatively holding the lighter under his hand, burning the underside, while maintaining a blank expression as he stared at Ashlyn unflinchingly.
Ashlyn had initially thought it was some kind of threat he was making towards her, but the way he twitched when she looked back at him showed he really liked her and was performing this act to try to impress her. As she continued to look at this fool in total disbelief, he persisted in holding the lighter even closer above his hand. Slowly, he pulled away, and his face went wide-eyed as if he had just experienced an electric shock. She noticed a tear building up in his eye. "What a complete idiot," she mused to herself. Clearly, he had hurt himself and wanted to scream, but he was struggling to maintain his composure and not make a sound.
The man behind the counter wiped his hands before casually setting the burger down amidst a clutter of food packets and papers. With a nonchalant gesture, he cleaned his greasy hands on the sides of his shirt. The repulsive scene prompted Ashlyn to stifle a surge of queasiness rising in her throat. Swiftly redirecting her attention, she focused on a paper bag resting on the table. To her surprise, she discovered a red substance slowly seeping from its base.
The teenager contorted his face into an expression resembling a reverse 'O,' as if he were desperately trying to hold something back. Ashlyn looked at them both, very unamused. "I am wasting my time here," she decided. Without a backward glance or farewell, she quickly left the scene. After shutting the door behind her at the floral boutique, she heard a piercing scream in the air: "Argh! My hand! Water! I need to stop the burning!"
Ashlyn shook her head, bemused by the absurd lengths guys went to in an attempt to impress a woman. "Maybe, just maybe, try having a conversation?" she mused to herself. "That would be a good start," she thought. "Rather than just sitting there, giving her a deathly stare, and awkwardly attempting to act cool by torching his hand. At least he knows a bit of English," she mused. Convinced he was mute since he hadn't uttered a word, Ashlyn thought. And if he were seeking a good English teacher, the person behind the counter would undoubtedly be the worst choice.
As Ashlyn approached us, she noticed that both of them were clearly loitering and eavesdropping on the conversation taking place inside. "Something wrong?" Eliza was the first of the three to speak, which was appropriate since she was the closest friend to Ashlyn and had known her the longest.
"The starrs just didn't align," Ashlyn replied, pressing her lips together in discomfort from what she had seen back there.
"Um... so, what was the reason behind the loud scream I heard as you left?" Eliza inquired further.
Ashlyn said, "Caveman has discovered that fire is indeed hot."
Feeling apprehensive about asking for elaboration, Eliza prepared herself for the next question: "So, you're a vegetarian? It's always nice to learn new things about you."
"I am now," exclaimed Ashlyn, with the repulsive image of the burger a guy had been holding burnt into her mind.
The discussion about vegetarianism triggered a memory in Lillian. She recalled reading something on eBunnee about how, no matter how hard people try, they can never truly be vegetarians. She couldn't recall the exact phrase but attempted to paraphrase it. Excited and eager to contribute to the conversation, she asked, somewhat overenthusiastically, "Isn't it true that no one is entirely vegetarian? You inadvertently swallow flies and insects while walking?"
"Lillian!" Eliza shouted. "Look who you're talking to!"
"What!?" Lillian exclaimed.
"Ashlyn doesn't need to hear things like that! Keep it to yourself, okay?"
Seeming unperturbed by Lillian's comment, Ashlyn offered a minimal reaction to the distasteful information that had just been revealed. With a composed demeanour, she responded, "Eliza, thank you. But after witnessing the horrors of just being inside 'THAT,'" Ashlyn gestured towards the floral boutique, "words like that will no longer have any effect on me. One might say I've become temporarily desensitised."
Eliza looked intrigued. "It does have an appealing exterior, though. But is it really that bad inside? I'm growing quite curious now," she commented.
Ashlyn replied swiftly, "Inside, the place is ugly, and the people are ugly. Anyway, we have places to be, my little shooting starrs."
"Are we finally going to see that ghost cat? I hope this long journey is worth it. Mr. Kitty, you better not disappoint!" Lillian said joyfully.