Thanks to shadowneko003 for the kind of review I was just wishing I could get. My major involves the art department. I can take advise and criticism. I always forget about Nel's name. The spacing was just a result of not proofreading before posting. I guess it got lost between text edit and I'll remember that now.
It had been one full year since the peace treaty between Ariglyph and Aquaria had been officially signed. To celebrate, the town of Peterney threw a huge week long festival for everyone in both countries. The Queen was staying in the home of the noble families, but given the great number of people, not everyone could stay. The inn had promised Nel that there would always be a room for her, so she she decided to see if they kept to that promise even now. Sure enough, she had no problem getting a room.
Albel did not understand why he had to attend a ridiculous festival, but he grudgingly followed his orders. He was not, however, ordered to stay with the King, the other noblemen, or the soldiers. That damn inn was giving him a room whether they liked it or not. He'd make one of the occupants disappear if he had to do so.
He marched past the apologetic sign that declared no rooms were available and straight to the desk.
"Room." he wasted no words.
"I.. I'm sorry sir, we"
"I want a room." Using his claw in a grand gesture, he dragged the book containing the names of the patrons across the desk. With a slight smile-like look, he noticed one name he'd be happy to get rid of.
"Zelpher"
He grabbed the pen and marked out her name to put his instead.
"Key." he demanded.
The poor girl scrambled to get it. She figured Nel could handle him later. She wasn't about to make him mad.
He took the key and strolled down the hall.
Two hours later, Nel returned. The girl had meant to warn her, but had gone on break. Nel walked to her room, clueless of who was waiting inside it.
She walked into the room and realized right away that something was wrong. She didn't even get to shutting the door.
"Nox"
"Zelpher"
"What are you doing in my room"
"I decided I wanted this one for myself"
Exasperated, she heard herself ask why. She had meant it as a question to herself as to why was this happening to her, but he answered.
"I like the view"
Ridiculous, she thought.
"Better than the other rooms here"
"Yes"
"There is only two views in this inn. The street and the other street"
"I like this view of the other street"
"Get out of my room"
"This is my room, Zelpher. You go stay with one of your little runeology maggots"
"There is no where else to stay and this is my room"
She was beginning to get very mad now and it only amused Albel.
"I'm staying"
"That's it" Without thinking, she rushed across the room, flipping over the table, and diving at him with only her hands as weapons. It had been a long trip on a long day. Albel felt the rush of a fight fill him and he knew this would be very satisfying. After dealing with those foolish nobleman and idiot soldiers for the past week, he was ready for a good fight. leaving his katana sheathed, he stood to meet her attack. The scuffle ended up taking place on the bed. After about fifteen minutes, Nell had pinned Albel. Then, slowly she felt like she was being watched. She sat up and looked over her shoulder to the door.
The desk girl had returned from her break and had gone to check on Nel. She arrived just as Nel had pinned Albel and was now standing awkwardly at the door. Nell quickly realized what it must have looked like from the door, but before she could tell her it wasn't what it looked like, the girl ran.
Albel took this opportunity to throw her in the floor. Grudgingly, Nell pulled the covers off the bed and curled up on the floor. It was late. She was tired. She would just deal with him tomorrow. Surprisingly, he rolled over and went to sleep himself.
9/5/07