Chapter 09: Doll Grethe A week has passed since the incident with the tiger took place. Noelle was feeling better and decided to drive her motorcycle to school once again. She hoped to see her friends today, as well as turning in yesterday's homework to her teachers. “Finally, it's about time this damn cold was gone.” Noelle thought to herself as she made her way to a parking lot on school grounds. As she pulls in, Noelle stops her motorcycle and pulls the keys out. Then, she opens up the seat and pulls out her bento lunchbox from within the cubby-hole of her motor bike. “Man, I'm hungry...but I must wait until lunchtime.” --- Back at the Marco Polo Inn, Doll, Matthias and Leif were doing research in the individual rooms they were staying in. Doll opens up her lap top and waits for the internet to work. It took a while, but the internet was finally up on Doll's lap top. She types in “The History of the Mad Megs” in the search engine and presses enter on her keyboard. Within a moment or two, many sites popped up, but only a few seemed legit and honest. She clicked on one of the legit sites and waited for the page to load. “I hope this is a legit site.” Doll thought to herself as she waited to the site to load. “So many stupid hoaxes and rumors....I swear....” Then, as the website loaded, she was greeted with two images at the top of the page. The first image was a replica of an ancient map of northern Europe that featured Northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. The map was written in a medieval Germanic language and a crimson X was painted on the top of the Kola Peninsula. The second image featured a German Renaissance-era woodcut picture of a group of armored peasant women hovering over the demons they killed. The head woman in the pic had demon blood smeared all over her face, showing us the proof that she killed some of the denizens of the netherworld. --- The Legend of Doll Grethe and the Mad Megs Legend has it that back in the Middle Ages, Doll Grethe and her band of shrewish thieves and bandits were hired by a priest to loot and plunder Hell. Rumor has it that Hell housed sacred artifacts that could benefit humanity in many ways. Doll and her band of thieves proudly took the job and traveled all the way from what was modern day Netherlands to the Kola Peninsula in northern Russia and nearby Finland. It's been said that a cave that lead to Hell was located in the Kola region. When the found their way to Hell, the Mad Megs showed no mercy to the demonic denizens within the world of darkness. They pillaged, plundered and slaughtered their way to where the seven Princes of Hell were located. Alas, Doll bit off more than she could chew when the oldest of the seven devil princes captured her, used a spell to seduce her fellow thieves into doing his bidding, and was tortured mercilessly by the demonic royal family. Eventually, Doll Grethe was ripped to shreds and died while being held hostage in Hell. The Mad Megs that didn't fall for the Devil Prince's charms escaped from this horrid realm, and thus, the Mad Megs were no more. Though the Mad Megs have fallen, their exploits and foolhardiness was captured in artwork and folklore in the Renaissance era of Europe. Yes, the Mag Megs are gone, but they are anything but forgotten. --- Doll puts her finger on her lower lip and hums. “So, the Mad Megs have been remembered for this many centuries? Inconceivable!” After sitting at her desk for lord knows how long, Doll's foot started to fall asleep. “Ah shit. Not again! Ah well, I might as well walk it off.” As Doll was restlessly pacing around in her room, she heard a knock at the door. “Who is it?” “It's me, Leif? Are you busy Doll?” “Come on in!” As Doll unlocked her door, Leif entered her room. “Are you okay Doll?” “Yeah, I'm fine.” Doll sighed in weariness. “My foot just fell asleep.” “Ah, that sucks. I hate it when that happens.” Leif said back. “Were you at your lap top again.” “Yes indeed.” Doll responded. “I was doing some research, that's all.” Leif lets out a groan of dismay. “You know, this is all easier said than done. Amirani and Mist keep eluding us over and over again. They are much more cunning and intelligent than we thought.” “Yes indeed.” Doll sighed in disgust thinking of that couple. “I'm getting tired. And you?” “Ah, same here. Matthias is already asleep.” Leif replied as he heads back to the door. “I hope you get a good night sleep Doll. Take care!” “Thank you Leif.” Doll yawned as Leif left the room and closes the door behind him. Doll locks the door again and heads back to her bed, laying down and staring at the ceiling before weariness kicked in and was fast asleep. --- Today was a good day for Noelle. Today, Yoshiko wasn't at school today, due to catching a cold that was going around. That made the day so much more tolerable to Noelle and her friends. “Man, what a nice day. I can't wait for lunch!” Suddenly, the bell rang, at it was lunch. Today, Noelle was going to meet Ran outside and eat lunch outdoors on a nice, sunny day. --- Noelle and Ran sat on a picnic table outside the school and started to chow down on their meals. Today, Noelle was having Tarako (salted roe) filled onigiri rice balls, tempura shrimp, scallops, sweet potatoes, bamboo shoots and kabocha squash, as well as an anpan sweet roll for desert. Ran had his usual unique meals from the region he's from, and they both enjoyed each others company. “So Noelle, are you busy this week?” Ran asked. “No, not at all.” Noelle replied, smiling. “Well...” Ran stuttered and blushed. “I was wondering if you wanted to go see a movie together?” “As long as it's not a Chick Flick or a Teeny Bopper film, I'll be okay with it.” Noelle said back sternly. A smile formed on Ran's face. “Really? You're a girl who hates teen films and chick flicks?” “Yes indeed!” Noelle replied cheerfully. “I actually like fantasy films, horror movies and films that involve non-sparkly, non-pretty boy so called monsters.” Ran laughed in delight. “Awesome. I'm starting to dig you already!” “Cool.” Noelle said happily. “And another thing...” Ran added. “What's that?” Noelle asked. “Can I come over to your place some time?” Ran wondered. “I want to see what your place is like. Who do you live with?” “I live with my father at home.” Noelle replied, grinning. “He's a real neat guy. He cooks some divinely wonderful meals.” “And your mother Noelle?” “She has a job in Nevada. She lives with my uncle and my aunt while she works in America.” “Are your parents...” “No, they're not divorced. Mother comes and visits us.” Noelle replied. “Besides, my father and I are going to do something different next year.” “What's that?” Ran pondered. “My dad and I might be going to Nevada next year to visit my mother, as well as my relatives that live in America.” “Neat.” Ran replied. “So, when do you want to hang out?” “How about this upcoming Sunday.” Noelle said. “Is Sunday okay with you?” Ran nodded his head and smiled. “Sure. Sunday sounds great.” “Good. I can't wait.” Noelle cheered as the duo ate away at their lunch. Noelle and Ran had it made this week. No mishaps and no unwanted admirers and so-called “friends” to deal with for now. It seems like things were going smooth...for now anyways....