Pairing: NadiexEllis
Warning: Shoujo-ai
Word Count: 639
Disclaimer: I own nothing in connection with the characters and places used within this non-profit fanfiction.
--
Rewritten
The winter night had fallen quickly during the time Nadie had spent taking a shower to unwind after a hard afternoon of stock checking and moving heavy barrels and crates. When she stepped back into the bedroom she shared with Ellis, she was surprised to find herself almost in darkness. The only source of light was the one coming from the small desk lamp Ellis was under as she bent over something on the table.
Padding silently across the room, Nadie flicked on the light switch and giggled when Ellis jumped in surprise.
"You'll hurt your eyes in that light," Nadie said. "What are you doing anyway?"
As she approached Ellis, Nadie was taken by surprise when the blonde suddenly covered whatever she was doing with both her arms and hunched over it like a vulture defending its kill; hiding it from view.
"You can't look yet," she said, determination radiating from her voice. "I want to finish before you read it."
Although feeling very stumped, Nadie nodded and went to occupy herself with drying her hair and trying not to wonder about what Ellis was doing. She didn't manage to do the latter.
--
The only trouble Nadie had found with the shop was that it was set within a very seasonal location. During the summer there was no end to the people coming from far and wide to hike through the mountains, camp in the fields and fish in the lakes which surrounded the shop. But then winter would come. And nobody wanted to hike, camp or fish in such cold weather. The shop still received customers, but only from local residents and that was just about enough to keep the business afloat.
That was why Nadie and Ellis took no money. Just a room to stay in and food to eat in exchange for their needed services.
Standing behind the counter for so long with no business had caused Nadie to become very good at getting lost within her thoughts. So good she didn't hear the door opening and the sound of boots clumping across the wooden floor. Nadie was nearly knocked backwards with surprise when something was suddenly pushed under her nose. She blinked and saw Ellis leaning over the counter, holding a book before her.
She blinked. "Ellis?"
"Nina-san wants me to go and help her around the back for a while," Ellis said, smiling as she did so and continued to hold out the book. "But I wanted to give you this before I went. It's what I was doing last night. You can look now."
"Sure," Nadie said, nodding and taking the book from Ellis' hands. The blonde granted her a wide smile before hurrying away to the back gardens.
Looking at what Ellis had given her, Nadie instantly recognised the cover. It was the book Ellis had been reading whilst on their travels, just before they had met Miguel. It wasn't the exact same copy, but definitely that book.
She felt even more puzzled than she had the previous evening and wondered what would compel Ellis to give it to her. She knew how Nadie felt about the very coincidental names of the characters.
Opening the book, Nadie's queries were instantly answered. Thumbing through the pages, she discovered that Ellis had crossed out every 'Miguel' and written her own name instead. Selecting another page at random, Nadie began to read:
"Ah, Ellis. From the day I set my eyes on you, I fell in love."
"Same here, Nadia. I can't imagine a life without you."
Ellis and Nadia. In their hearts, a burning flame of love.
The non-existent business remained so, which Nadie didn't mind during this occasion because it meant she was able to finish the book. There was no doubt within her mind that she definitely preferred this version.
END
AN: Why yes, I'm afraid I did take the extract straight from episode 6.
