A New Beginning
Author's note: This is the continuation of my previous fic "A New Hope". I wasn't sure to continue telling the story of Shaina and Southern Cross Silver Saint Georg but some friends encouraged me to do it. This is the result.
I want to thank all the people who supported me in the last months who are so dear to me. Special thanks to Melissia for inspiring me with her Shaina, especially in "Un caballero para una amazona", in which she is able to show the Silver Saint's human face with her weaknesses, sins and virtues. This fic is for all of you. I hope you like it.
Besides, I had decided to post it on Mother's Day to celebrate all women who are mothers and those who aren't but have a big generous heart, too!
A New Beginning
Chapter 1: The Place
It was a wet cool autumn evening in Athens. The Mediterranean Sea looked gloomy grey and wild. It had been raining cats and dogs during the day but it seemed to be getting better as soon as the sun went down. Under the moonlight, the Twelve Temples shone with a magic light. Behind them, the barracks nestled in the hollow between two mountains were alive with people walking, chatting and hanging around. In fact, the most comfortable living quarters belonged to the Silver Saints, the Bronze fellows had more modest cabins and the guards lived in bunkhouses. Of course, male warriors' barracks were separated from the female Saints' places and their disciples. Men were not allowed to go to the female living quarters after the sunset unless it was an emergency. Whoever dared to break that rule, there was death penalty.
Outside the barracks, there was a long path that led to the little town of Rodorio. Standing uncomfortably against a marble column in the entrance, Shaina waited for the Southern Cross Saint Georg (1).
She closed her eyes before she regretted being there. Although being reluctant at the beginning, she finally accepted to go out to dinner with him. So she got ready and silently slipped away the female Saints' barracks, hiding from Marin and the other girls, and marched towards the entrance. She didn't want gossip.
Stealthily, she had walked fast and arrived five minutes before at the meeting point so Georg might not complain that she was not punctual. There was no sign of the Silver Saint so she sighed as her fingers smoothed her clothes. Because it was just a gathering of fellow Saints and not a date, she put on simple garments. In order to keep her face concealed, she wore a sort of Venetian white and black metal eye mask which half-covered her face. It would allow her to eat and drink but not to show her features to the man. Anyway, she was stuffed with that stupid law that forced female Saints to kill or love those men who watched their faces. However, tonight she felt safe with her face concealed with that mask because she didn't want to openly deal with Georg. There was something in his straightforwardness that made her uneasy. It seemed that the man was able to read her inner thoughts. In fact, he guessed her attitude and feelings when he saw her by the cliff.
Although not trying to be dressed up, she looked smoother and more relaxed with that attire than in her training gear. Her green silky hair was carefully brushed. For the occasion, she was wearing a grey high neck sweater, olive green boot cut stretch wool trousers and a light grey rain jacket. Instead of her fancy signature high-heels, she had a pair of flat black booties. All in all, she looked more like a young boy wandering around the marble ruins than a girl going out to dinner. So she felt more comfortable to face her comrade.
Having forgotten her watch, she didn't know what time it was. But Shaina tried to figure out by looking at the smiling moon and twinkling stars. It was dark and damp but not too late. So she secretly hoped he didn't forget the meeting. But the minutes ran ahead.
Before Shaina ran back to her quarters, she saw him coming down the marble stairs showered by the moonlight. Georg happily whistled as he walked towards the marble columns near the Sanctuary entrance. He wore regular fit grey wool trousers with a leather black belt, white linen shirt and dark grey tweed jacket. His golden mane was neatly combed backwards under a grey tweed hat. His short stubble style of beard made him look very manly and reliable, not a teenager like Seiya and the other Bronze Saints. Even without his training gear, Georg was both handsome yet imposing man.
With smiling blue eyes, he greeted her with that husky deep voice she remembered so well. – Hi, Andromeda Shun!
In response to his greeting, Shaina just burst. – I'm not Shun, half-witted!
Georg laughed aloud. After he winked at her and replied. – You look like him now. Well, with a pretty eye mask! Maybe I need glasses…
The Amazon was getting angry so she just hissed. - It's not funny, slick scoundrel!
The man amusingly said with a wide grin. - Let´s see: where are those sexy training clothes and high-heels, madam?
- What do you expect? - Her cheeks were red now. – I'm not a hooker, sly cocky!
- There's no need to be disgusting. – He retorted and coldly stared at her. – Why are you always angry, Shaina? What's your problem?
Showing her claw-like hands and standing in an offensive position, the girl shouted. – Stop it! I wouldn't endure more nonsense! I just came because you asked me to go out for dinner!
- I didn't mean to offend you. - Crossing his arms on his broad chest, Georg calmly replied. – I was teasing you. What's happening? You seem to be always under pressure…
Shaina sighed as she put her fists down. – It's not your business.
- I have a business with you now. - His blue eyes fixed her as he slowly repeated. - Are you ready to have dinner somewhere in Rodorio instead of taking your meal at the chow hall?
With a sneer, Shaina bitterly answered. – Well, I'm here now. What do you suppose I'm waiting for?
He gazed fixedly at her. Then, a hearty laugh was his answer. - You female Saints are not used to hang around as male Saints do! We're just out for dinner. You don't need to be a bitter company, do you?
Not caring for her answer, Georg happily whistled and went across the Sanctuary entrance. Shaina blinked as his tall frame moved forward. Then, he walked down the slope to the first lights of the small town.
Shaina went down, too, following him. – Hey, I'm coming!
Without stopping, he said back. – Well, come faster, Silver Saint Ophiuchus Shaina! I'm hungry so I wouldn't stop for pleasantries!
While they walked towards the town of Rodorio, Shaina remembered that Pisces Saint Aphrodite used to go to dinner to a fancy Italian restaurant which was the best in town: "Le Sette Lune Piene" (2). The Gold Saint bragged that he was treated as a VIP there. When he invited Deathmask to dinner, the Italian warrior was impressed by the outstanding quality of food and the wines which were the very best. Even Saga and Kanon celebrated their birthday with a nice meal there offered to a small party of Gold Saints.
Although she didn't know the address of that famous restaurant, she knew by intuition that they were leading to that place. Shaina looked at him who continued whistling a merry tune while walking. She realized he had a very alluring after-shower lotion that was a combination of cedar, lemon and mint. However, she was puzzled because Georg didn't even try to hold her hand neither to take advantage of the shadows to steal a kiss so far. So she kept watching him.
Meanwhile, they met few people on the dark streets and yellow lights waved from the windows. When they went across a happy couple, she noticed that the guy fondled his girlfriend. Her cheeks went red again and she gasped.
- Are you okay? – Georg asked her.
Having problems to answer back because of her embarrassment, she just mumbled.
He shrugged. In fact, going out to dinner with an Amazon was a very difficult task. That was the reason why many Saints preferred to date villagers instead of comrades.
They left the main road to go left where some nice houses where located. With a knot in her stomach, she silently followed him. Her mind was in a turmoil because of him. It was expected that a gentleman who wanted to impress a lady would bring her to the best place in town and shower her with kind words, delicious food and wonderful drinks. But he was wandering aimlessly without even saying her the niceties of etiquette. She was puzzled. It was like being alone.
After walking some blocks, Georg quickly led her towards a broad street where some market stalls and barrows offered different kind of food and other delicacies. They approached a lively colourful one in the corner. He sat on the bench near a wooden table under a worn-out faded blue awning in front of the small kitchen.
With a broad smile, he announced. – Here we are!
Shaina stared at him, blinking to clear her gaze. – Aren't we going to "Le Sette Lune Piene"?
- That Italian restaurant? Of course, not! - He laughed aloud and winked. – We're going to have proper food! A real Greek feast tonight!
The Amazon was petrified, as Medusa had turned her to stone.
Turning around, Georg asked aloud to the vendor. - Vasilis, what do we have today?
A middle-aged man came out the stand, cleaning his hands in a greasy grey apron. – Georg, what a pleasure to have you here again!
Pointing Shaina, the Silver Saint said. – I have an Italian guest who's eager to have some of your best Greek dishes.
With a gentle smile, Vasilis offered. – Today's Special is Aggeliki's Koulouri stuffed with black olives, Kotosoupa and Moussaka (3).
Facing Shaina, Georg explained. – Koulouri is a stuffed bread and Aggeliki's food is just delicious. Kotosoupa is a tasty soup, a mixture of vegetables: carrots, cabbage, onions and potatoes. You'll love Moussaka because it's a better version of your lasagna. Moreover, Valisis serves home-made yogurt!
The girl's mouth was wide open and no sound came out her throat. Taking her silence as a "yes", the guy addressed the vendor while she was getting mad at him. – Bring us two of Today's Special and a lemonade jar, Valisis!
Vasilis grinned and replied. - I would bring some fresh-made baklavas for free!
Georg and Vasilis kept on exchanging pleasantries for a while. Shaina was speechless and wanted to run away.
Looking around the market stalls and how comfortable his fellow Saint was, she felt a bit depressed. It wasn't the dinner she expected. Inwardly, she wanted something more special. On the other hand, she was afraid that Georg led her to a gourmet dinner in a fancy restaurant. She feared he offered her champagne and other drinks to make her tipsy. Afterwards, she was ready to stop him whenever he tried to seduce her. But she had been wrong.
Silver Saint Ophiuchus Shaina had so much pride that she would have not gone out to this place. All in all, this was unacceptable.
(1) Southern Cross Georg appeared in Saintia Sho manga. He met Shaina in my previous fic "A New Hope". This is the continuation of it.
(2) Seven Full Moons.
(3) Moussaka is an eggplant-based dish with meat which is very similar to a lasagna.