Disclaimer: Escaflowne does not belong to me and I'm glad it doesn't because I would probably do a very bad job. .
Trying out my hand in escaflowne. Tell me what you think hmm k?
Hesitated strike, Hesitated kiss
It's hard to find relief when fate swings you to one direction
you can try to run but destiny will still unfurl
I grasp for a dream that I can hold onto
until that fortunate day I come face to face with you...
Gaea"You intimidate your villagers, that's all my king." The man spoke clearly, saying what he meant but also careful no to patronize the young king.
The king of Fanelia smirked and propped his elbows onto the table, playing with the rim of his mug. Bored he answered, "They're all mindless doorknobs, ready to do whatever I command them to do, and I like it that way. They should know whose boss."
"But you are king my lord, shouldn't you show a little more compassion? Maybe set an example?" The man was getting along in his years and he felt that everything he had taught his lord hadn't really sunk in. He was still that moody, cocky, arrogant boy that always got what he wanted and listened to no one.
Van threw the mug against the wall across from him, making the man duck swiftly and shake his head in disbelief. The fragile piece of clay shattered into tiny, little, sharp pieces and gently fell to the ground in soft bell like rings.
"Did I ask for your opinion Balgus? I rule this land, when I want your help I'll ask for it. I'm Van ruler of Fanelia, the people of this land will get soft if you show compassion, stupid people all take things for granted." his voice was very calm, but hatred in his controlled voice was still quite evident.
A quiet but clear voice came out from the corner of the room. "I'm sure all the man meant was that you should treat the people with a little more respect then you do. They're people with feelings."
"Allen You're siding with Balgus?" the king laced his words with sardonic amusement. "You always take my side. I would think that you'd know you can't afford another mistake like the last time." Van positioned himself in his chair so he could face his friend, and give him a cold glare.
Allen didn't say anything but didn't look away either, displaying that calmness in what he usually did when he had no answer to something.
"Watch yourself Allen, we've been friends a long time so I trust you but don't ever decide to go beyond anything." He locked eyes with his friend; their eyes were talking in a language no one else could understand, though everyone knew what it was that their king was referring to. The act had happened quite a long time ago, but everyone knew that the lord had yet to still forgive the knight.
Van narrowed his eyes and got off his chair, pushing himself from the table with angry ease. He didn't say anything more as he treaded out the room.
"You know where I'll be." The young knight whispered before he too left the room with a grim line portrayed on his lips.
Earth
"Hurry up sis! You're moving like a turtle!" the young boy ran the rest of the way up the large hill, waving his arms frantically at the girl running the rest of the way up the steep hill, a large bag hung from her shoulders.
"Wait up." She panted, making her way beside the boy. She looked up and glared at him. "Why am I holding all the stuff? You take it for awhile." She slowly began ripping the bag off her shoulders and gladly threw it to the ground. She rubbed her neck, and massaged her shoulders, trying to get rid of the indents the heavy bag straps had made into her skin. "It's like they're burned in.," she muttered. She glanced back at her brother who was looking out into the horizon. He hadn't heard a word she had said.
"Hitomi! C'mon, I hear mom and dad calling." He stuck a chubby little finger out into the woods just right of them. "I think they found a nice spot, let's go check it out. Grab the bag, let's go!" the boy didn't stop to wait for his sister but ran into the forest without another thought.
"Hey! Wait, the bag..." Hitomi sighed and begrudgingly put the bag back on. She felt a hundred pounds heavier as she did so. Frowning, she followed the sound of her brother's gleeful screams. His voice was getting fainter and fainter with each passing second.
Her hand wiped the sweat off her brow as she called out her brother's name. "Hey where are you?! Don't kid around! It's starting to get dark! Mom?" her voice turned to a harsh whisper as she began to realize she was lost. "Dad?!" She wasn't scared just angry that her family would leave her like this. Her feet seemed to have a mind of their own, as they started at a faster pace, desperate to find human life.
She thought about heading back to the hill, but she wasn't sure if she should take the right or left to get back. "Okay, calm down girl, it's just the dark. The moon's bright and they're bound to be searching for you, just keep moving." She continued her gruelling pace as she reconciled herself softly. Finally she broke into a run and tripped on a hard rock on the ground.
"Oww." She rubbed her nose until it turned red, and moved her arms and legs around just to make sure there wasn't anything wrong with her. The brisk air was making her numb so her feeling wasn't all that great. "When I find them..." She muttered and cursed silently while her eyes scoured for the large thing that had cause her to fall. A large stone lay in front of her glowing a warm pink in the dark of night. She crawled closer to it.
Hitomi's hand curiously reached out and covered the thing. Its seemed to glow darker under her, and it was warm. She pushed her palm harder onto the pink stone, gathering as much warmth as she could. Her other hand did the exact same thing. To her surprise, now that she was closer to it, the stone was actually a crystal. She admired the circular thing for a minute. It was roughly the size of her own hand and cut quite sharply. She lifted her hands off it to see her face being reflected on each little pink octagon piece.
She blinked when the crystal immediately turned paler when her hands were no longer touching it. Experimenting, she placed her hands back on. The crystal grew darker just as she thought it would've. Odd.
"Must be sensitive to things." She said quietly to herself, using common logic. Hitomi picked the crystal up and gently rapped on it with her knuckles. Well at least she knew it wasn't fragile. She smiled and put it back on the ground, remembering she had to find her family members again and that she was getting sidetracked. She slowly began to rise to her feet, but couldn't help but lift the thing up once more. It really was a pretty little piece of work. I wonder if it's valuable?
Hitomi picked up the now red crystal in her right hand and lifted it high above her head towards the moonlight. I wonder who made this thing?
Suddenly a light pink beam came down right at the young girl. Hitomi gasped as the beam came crashing over her. Her feet were slowly leaving the safe, ground and to her surprise she was being raised off the ground by a force she couldn't see. She clutched the crystal to her heart. She could feel the pressure between her and the space round her. It was getting harder and harder to breath. She shut her eyes tightly until she hit ground once more.
Hitomi didn't know how long she had been lying on the ground, but she finally lifted her eyelids. She looked around. Everything appeared the same. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself up on her feet, only without any avail. The moment she rose she fell back down.
"Ugh," she quickly covered her mouth as a sour taste crept up her throat. She felt as if she had just been on a roller coaster and needed to puke.
Doing her best to stay still, she waited until the feeling was gone. Disgusted, she coughed out the remnants that were still invading her mouth.
Once again she got up to her feet, this time careful not to make any sudden movements.
Where am I? Why does the air suddenly smell better? Did that beam really come out from nowhere?
Hitomi was surprised to still see the crystal clutched to her chest as if she and it were inseparable. Is this what caused the beam? She let it drop without another thought and stared at it.
Is that why it was in the middle of nowhere, because it's dangerous? What did it do to me?
Hitomi rubbed her temple as she tried her best to clear away all these questions. All but one could not escape from her. Why did she feel like she wasn't where she was three minutes ago? Her gaze drifted back to the pink diamond. It looked so harmless, sitting there.
She bit her bottom lip as she decided what she was going to do next. She tried to walk away but the diamond just kept flashing in her mind. Finally she gave in and grabbed the large thing, adding its weight with the rest of her supplies.
Zipping the bag up she took a few long, deliberate, deep breaths and when she decided she was ready to move around again she frowned at her three possibilities.
Left? Right? Straight? Why did they all have to look the same? All dark, black and dripping wet, like it had just rained. She gave a quick look over at each road. She couldn't describe it but there was a powerful urge inside her that was saying to the left.
Shrugging, she went with her instincts. She didn't know how long she had been walking for but she stopped when she saw a light. Straightening up she forgot about her weariness. That must be them! A wave of relief flooded over her. She charged into the direction, not even stopping when the sticky mud ran into her socks.
Her eyes widened as she dug her heels into the ground and barely managed to dodge the tree in front of her. Is that who she thought it was? He looked just like...Amano?!
Hitomi pushed a large branch down with her arms, hiding behind a large oak tree and peering out through the large leaves, wondering why she was hiding from him. She realized why she was just then.
At first glance he sure looked like Amano, but as of now he definitely was not. Hitomi rested her head on her arms and watched the young man, clad in his medieval clothes, a sword in his gloved hands. He was practicing she realized.
Hitomi didn't know swords could be that graceful. The blonde man controlled it with such ease, as if it was the lightest thing in the world.
As he moved with the sword, Hitomi studied the man the best she could. His hair came down in solid strands, thinning at his waist. It was an odd style that seemed to suit him perfectly. His sleeves were white and a thick rich blue cloth hung from his broad shoulders down to his calves. The designs on the cloth were hard to make out, and so were the little details of his well- tailored ensemble in the dark.
Shadows were playing on the man's face, so his features were well hidden, but the shape of his face was so familiar. The shape of his body, just like...well frankly like Amano. Where was she? Why was she so intimidated she couldn't even get herself to move?
"If you want to come out, then come out."
Hitomi's eyes widened as her hand came towards her chest protectively, letting go of the tree branch as she did so. Taken off her guard, the large piece of wood snapped back without another thought and slapped across her unprotected cheek. Hitomi pushed her eyes tightly together and made no sound as she fell to the cold, wet ground. Quietly she held her breath, scowling at herself for being so clumsy.
"Are you alright?"
Hitomi looked up and locked eyes with the handsome, young man. For a moment she thought she had heard actual concern in his voice but she was sure she was mistaken. Though she was completely sure something, perhaps surprise had flashed in his eyes the moment she had met his gaze.
Up close Hitomi could tell she was definitely wrong when she had thought he looked like Amano. Something was different and even though she couldn't tell what that thing was it was what separated the two from each other. His face appeared so calm and was a perfect poker face, as her brother would say. His eyes portrayed no emotion.
"Oh, I'm fine." She answered; embarrassed at the state she was in now. "You scared me." She added, irritated as she could feel the grimy earth underneath her. "Can you give me a little warning next time?"
At first Hitomi thought he had put a hand out to help her up but she soon realized that he was holding out a yellow, almost gold handkerchief towards her. She just stared at it until he let out a sigh of what was close to disgust and walked away leaving her yet again alone.
Curiosity eating away at her, Hitomi begrudgingly rose and watched the man as he treaded to the lake and bent down. She wasn't able to make out what he was doing because his back was towards her but she just looked on, blinking when she heard gentle splashing and then as fast as he had walked away from her he walked back to her.
"Here take this to clean your scratch."
"Oh." She said dumbly, wondering why she hadn't understood when he had first offered the cloth. She touched her cheek softly before taking the handkerchief, biting her lip as the sharp pain tremored through her face. Grateful, she dabbed at her wound and then the rest of her face that felt as dirty as the rest of herself.
"Thank you." She said, giving the man a tentative smile. "By the way who are you?"
The man looked at her as if she was a child and was surprised at what she had asked him. "You aren't from around here." He merely stated.
Eh? How did he know? Hitomi's eyebrows knitted together as she gazed back up at him. Is that why he was surprised when he first saw me? She should have been scared that she was with a stranger but she wasn't. He just looked too much like her friend Amano and he had helped her somewhat, no he seemed harmless. But then how harmless could a person who wielded a sword with such grace be?
"How could you tell?" she asked suspiciously. "Because I didn't know who you were?" she stopped to think a little. He must have been very popular if one person-Her! who hadn't recognized him was a blow to his ego.
He didn't seem to want to answer her as he directed his gaze back towards the shimmering lake.
"Are you going to a costume party?" her mouth formed the question sincerely. "You're clothes are uh, strange."
"I should say the same for you."
"What's wrong with my clothes?" she glanced down at her pants and shirt, screening them over with distaste. Besides the mud splattered all over her she thought she was dressed well enough. "Hey where are you going?" Hitomi frowned as her arms dropped to her sides. She watched as the man picked up his sword and began walking out of the forest. He stopped when she called out. He half tilted his head to face her.
"I never meant to strike a conversation with you."
A half puzzled, half disappointed look formed on Hitomi's face. "Well can you help me out of this place?" she chuckled sadly at herself while she tried her best not to make eye contact with the man whatsoever. "I don't know where I am and I would be very grateful if you could show me a way out."
He stared at her for a very long time after that, making Hitomi feel awkward. Finally he raised his hands in a weary gesture. "Follow me."
Van brushed away the hair that was covering the woman's closed eyes. The way her face was so pale, close to becoming translucent worried him. Her beautiful, long, gold hair fell dully to her waist. He sighed sullenly as he held her hand.
Van gestured over to a servant to clean the woman's face. He had thought the water might have wakened her, but so far everything they tried had been in vain.
Flashback
"Millerna, what's between you and Allen?" he demanded so angrily it made her flinch. Hardly, had he ever raised his voice at her. They had been standing here for so long in silence. The sudden outburst surprised her.
Earlier they had been attending a formal party held by Folken and his business partners. It had also been learned that Folken was to prepare himself to attend a business trip and his young brother would be taking over for a short period of time. The fact from this had left Van in an irritated mood, but it had just added to his troubles when she had stayed close to Allen throughout the time.
Millerna wrapped her arms around her shoulders. The cool night air was going through her thin sleeves and causing her to shiver. "We're friends Van, just like your friends with him, we've been friends since childhood. I don't understand what's the problem right now. Why are you so angry?" she stood stiffly with her hands behind her back while Van paced back ad forth on the balcony.
He stopped abruptly and positioned himself in front of her. A frustrated expression grew on his face. "Then why are you always so happy with Allen?! How come when you're with me you look like you're so distant?" his arms threw themselves down in frustration. "If you don't want to be with me just say so." He locked eyes with her. "End it now if you want to be with Allen." His arms crossed themselves as he looked to the night sky. "Before I fall even more in love with you." He quickly pushed past her and left the room in a rush.
End Flashback
Van pressed his thumb and pointer finger to the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. That was the last time they ever really got to speak to each other before the attack. God, why had he be so stupid? She may never wake up. It was all Allen's fault. Well at least partly. When could he hear her voice again? It was making him crazy.
Suddenly, he felt a twitch in his hand. A cold, small hand had moved and he had felt it. Eyes wide he glanced down at his hand still holding Millerna's. His heart skipped a beat once she twitched against his warm hand. Van's grip on her hand tightened as he waited for one more move, so he could prove to himself that he wasn't going crazy. There was hope, yes there was definitely hope.
Hitomi felt her heart soar as she saw the opening of the forest. Happier than she had ever been she followed the young man out.
The whole journey had consisted of silence. Hitomi hadn't minded though, it was a nice peaceful walk, something that she had never done with anyone. Nonetheless she had trusted this stranger, and now that the walk was over she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She did however now understand his personality and she knew she would be able to comfortably have a conversation with him as soon as he started one.
Hitomi stood, confused. At first she had been gleeful at finding the large hill again but as she glanced down it, she couldn't see any trees. Actually she saw a small town! What foreign place was this? Her eyes followed the man as he started to make his way down the hill.
"Excuse me, can you tell me where I am? Where did you take me?"
"I didn't take you anywhere, I lead you out of the forest like you asked."
Hitomi frowned. She wasn't sure if he was being a smart aleck or just being blunt. Either way she felt cheated. Where was her family? She had hoped they would be at the hill. "Wait! Stop." She took a couple large strides and stopped in front of him. "I really need to know where I am." She didn't want to burden him so much but she was beginning to feel quite alone and he was the only she had.
He gave her an incredulous look. "Lady, you're in Fanelia" he tried to brush past her but with no avail. She stepped right back in front of him. "What do you want?" he asked, rolling his eyes.
"Fanelia? That was not what it was called on the map." She tapped her finger on her chin before she looked up at him. "Do you live down in the village?"
"You know you really are irritating." Disconcertingly he pointed one end of his sword high up in the air. Hitomi followed it. She blinked a few times at what she saw.
"I live there."
What she saw blew her away. In fact it was breathtaking. It was a mansion! No a castle! Did people actually still live in those? It looked like something from a fairytale.
The whole thing was mainly a creamy white. Hitomi counted three fairly low towers, there may have been more hidden behind each other. Their tops weren't covered but had a grate like fence. Then there were four larger towers with pointed, red tops, each carrying a flag she couldn't make out. Three of the shorter towers were in the back and the tallest and most breathtaking of all stood proudly in front of the rest, gleaming a soft yellow as the night was beginning to set.
A drawbridge caught her attention while it was being let down. Even from so far away she could hear the cranking of the metal rubbing against each other as it allowed the bridge to hit the ground. She imagined an old man pushing a large wheel handle that connecting to the chains.
Hitomi stood on her toes to see if there was a moat like she saw on television, but the surrounding land was covered in lush, green vegetation. Large, evenly trimmed bushes ran along the east side of the castle, as for the west side she wasn't able to get a glimpse of what was behind. South of the castle she could make out large trees, and flowers of all colours looking like large mats covering the earth. All the hills with button like flowers scattered over them were located at the back before yet again another forest started again.
To the north a long winding path seemed to run its way down into the village. Small shrubberies and hedges bordered the road. Hitomi squinted to see people out in the front. She couldn't tell what they were doing, considering she was so far away.
Hitomi was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a rustling of clothes and her gaze snapped back to the familiar back of the young stranger. He was leaving her again. Quickly she scolded herself for staring so long.
"I must have looked like a loser," she grumbled to herself. "He probably thinks you're a self absorbed person." She did her best to catch up to him. Since when are you jealous of people with nice houses?
"Uh, well you must know this place very well then. Do you know if there are any motels here?"
"Motels?" he questioned, not slowing his pace as he and she entered the village. Hitomi noticed many people were staring at her. Some even whispering. She didn't look that bad did she? Her face flushed.
"That's right a motel. It doesn't have to cost a lot; actually I don't even want it to. I'm just going to stay the night and then I'll be on my way."
"You want a place to stay?"
Hitomi blew a frustrated sigh. "That's what I said, is there any place like that here?" she gently messaged her shoulders. They were going numb with the weight of the bag she was still carrying.
"There's only one place like that." He looked her over. "I don't think you want to go there. It's not suitable for people like you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
The man crossed his arms. "Can't you just go back to where you came from?"
Hitomi opened her mouth to say something but shut it instead. "I don't know. Maybe."
"Master Allen!"
Both the heads of Hitomi and Allen snapped to the direction of the voice.
A middle-aged man was charging towards them, his hair was hidden under a large helmet that appeared as if it was cut very sharply. Darkish, grey strands of loose hair whisked out from under the helmet and were blowing in all directions. His face was of pure franticness though it could've been from terror or joy.
His horse was roughly two times the size of Hitomi but he was still pretty far away so up close he might easily have been larger. His coat was glossy and a healthy glare was shining off him. You could tell he was well taken care of. When they stopped in front of her Hitomi could tell that both horse and man were getting along in the years, although they still appeared strong and capable. The horse's legs were still strong and muscled. He wasn't overweight or too thin. The way his intelligent eyes watched everything that was happening around him, tentatively made Hitomi want a horse of her own. A horse just like Balgus's.
Hitomi let out a small gasp. No one had told her the man's name yet she had said. She had never met the man yet she was completely sure his name was Balgus. She was so deep into her concentration she didn't notice when the man whispered something into the young man's ear. She felt odd as if something wasn't right.
Finally she looked up when a loud whinny from the horse surprised her. "Wait!" she called out immediately as she watched the young man mount the horse and begin galloping off. Her own legs shot off as she tried her best to chase the only person she felt safe around with in this odd place. She stopped to a halt when she lost sight of him. Panting she collapsed to the ground. She was lost, dirty, hungry, with no one around but strangers, and she didn't know where her family was.
Wearily she ripped her backpack off her shoulders and set right next to her as she unzipped it to reach for a bottle of water. She took many large swallows in before she remembered she should save some in case she wouldn't be able to find water here.
In the village everyone had gone inside to bed leaving her alone, except for the odd person who still couldn't take their eyes off her, probably because she had been part of the big scene. She hoped she hadn't somehow ruined the young man's reputation; perhaps that's why he had run away on horse.
Now what am I going to do? I'm so tired, but mom and dad might still be looking for me. I can't let them get too worried. Hitomi sighed and her shoulders drooped. I'll just take a little break and start looking again. Yes, I won't rest until I find them.
Slowly Hitomi stood up and grabbed her bag back up. Preparing herself she lifted her head up to stretch out the sores kinks in her neck. She breathed in the fresh, warm air of the night and stared up into the sky. It wasn't cloudy but she could spot no moon. Ahh there it was, the beautiful full, blue-Earth!?
So how was it? 0o well it'll get a better in the next chapters, I mean Van will meet Hitomi soon...though he won't treat her very well ;p haha. But what's between Allen and Hitomi I wonder? Just keep in mind this is a Van and Hitomi ficcie and they will meet up sooner than later. Well if you decide to put a review in, tell me whatcha think hmmm k? . Oh yeah and it would nice to know if you have any questions about this chapter? Is it too confusing? Do I need to explain more stuff? more often than not, probably haha You know that kinda stuff....anyways thanks for giving this story a try and the next chappie will be up as soon as possible. I have a good feeling about this story people.... Haha this is me signing off. - Silent wanderer