Workings of a Happily Ever After, The

by Nona Mae King

  ~*~

  I locked the door of my room and turned off the lights before scurrying over to my computer and turning on the monitor. I logged on to the Internet--after encoding the stream--and found the designated chatroom. I smiled and typed in the greeting message.

  WINGEDHEART: Meg! Hi! This is exciting!

  I giggled. I couldn't help it. Even with what I was currently considering, the prospect of keeping a secret from Zell was always an adventure. MEGAFENIX: I know what you mean.

  WINGEDHEART: So what did you need to ask me that's so secret?

  My smile faded a little bit, fear coming quickly in to mutilate my calm and jumble my stomach. MEGAFENIX: I was hoping you could teach me how to sing in front of people better.

  Rinoa likely fell out of her chair.

  WINGEDHEART: Of course! What made you change your mind?

  MEGAFENIX: Him.

  WINGEDHEART: He didn't talk you into it, did he? This should be your decision.

  MEGAFENIX: It is, Rin. I promise. He deserves to have the best wedding, and I know how much he wants to hear me sing. Besides, he won't care if I'm horrible or wonderful. Just the fact that I stood up there and did it will be enough for him. He's like that. You know that.

  WINGEDHEART: Yes, he is, isn't he? Of course I'll help you, Meg. It'll be hard to keep it a secret if you're always coming out to Deling, or me to Balamb, so we'll have to do a lot of it over the Internet. Do you have a room you can go to do that?

  MEGAFENIX: I'll use my security phone and go down to the 'basement'. The acoustics is great down there, and the phone will be able to get a secure connection. I'll have a little keyboard, too, so that I can play the pitches.

  WINGEDHEART: You know how to play piano?

  I smiled and nodded while typing MEGAFENIX: Yeah. I know how to do a lot of things that I haven't told anyone. Too afraid they'd ask me to play in front of people. Why do you think only Zell knows I can sing?

  WINGEDHEART: ^_^ You're so funny.

  MEGAFENIX: ~_~ I know. So, can we start this weekend? That'll give you enough time to send me some possible songs. I'm a second soprano, btw.

  WINGEDHEART: ^_^ I've got a few in mind. I'll send them over via courier and have you sign for them. No exceptions.

  MEGAFENIX: Thanks, Rin. I appreciate this.

  WINGEDHEART: You're welcome, Meg. And trust me, the terror is worth the look on his face.

  I wistfully smiled. MEGAFENIX: I know.

  Zell was worth a lot of terror.