Aria of Symphony: thanks again to those who've reviewed. I hope you get the story so far.
Disclaimer: I do not own Ragnarok. Just the characters and the plot.
Amethyst Eyes and Blue Skies
Chapter 3:
Chase sat idly beside Alexia as she chatted with Yvonne. He had led Alexia to the place where Yvonne could usually be found. So now, he was toying with Alexia's binoculars as he listened to her talk with the Professor. She had taken it off and he had borrowed it since he had gotten tired of twirling around the dagger he always carried around. Beside him were Alexia's buckler and her quiver of arrows.
"So, I take it you're back, Aisha?" Yvonne said.
Alexia nodded. "I'm sorry for suddenly disappearing like that. I wanted to tell you about it, to say goodbye, but I was afraid of putting you in danger and I didn't want you worry."
"Well, I was worried for a while, but I knew you were with Jahred and I knew he could take care of you. I'm really glad you're back." Yvonne said, smiling.
Chase found out from their conversation, that Alexia and Yvonne were best friends. They had been since they were young. Yvonne was a pretty, young professor with white blonde hair and emerald green eyes. And right now, those emerald eyes were shining with happiness and joy, now that Alexia had come back.
He shifted a little and leaned his head back against the tree. They were seated in the guild's small garden. It was a small circular space framed with rose bushes and in the middle sat this huge tree, which they were presently under. He looked at Alexia from the corner of his eye and couldn't help but grin. She was beautiful, that was for sure. But he wasn't here to admire her beauty though; Rafaele had appointed him her personal bodyguard and wanted him to keep her company at all times. Good thing Alexia didn't seem to mind, she even seemed to be thankful for his presence.
"You aren't going to like what I'm about to tell you, but you're my best friend and you deserve to know." Alexia said.
He listened as Alexia explained to Yvonne about her predicament. She also told the professor that she didn't go by the name Aisha anymore. The professor was shocked when she found out Jahred had been killed. Apparently, Yvonne and Jahred had met. He listened to them recount old times until it was time for the professor to leave.
"I've missed you Alexia. And I'm sorry about Jahred. It must've been hard for you." Yvonne said while smiling at the gypsy and then blushing as her gaze met Chase's.
"You have no idea. I've missed you too and I'm sorry I haven't kept in touch. It's good to know you're still in Shadow Crest." Alexia said.
Chase watched as Yvonne stood up, a smile still on her face. He watched as her eyes shifted to Alexia's neck. He followed her gaze and realized she was looking at the choker around Alexia's neck. How had he not noticed it before? It was made of fine purple leather with Shadow Crest's insignia, a purple moon that was lined with diamonds. It was gorgeous and it fit Alexia perfectly. It was different from the cuff he wore, which was also made of purple leather, the quality wasn't as good as Alexia's but was good enough, and instead of diamonds lining the purple moon on his cuff, it was lined with silver.
"Take care of yourself, Alexia. I wish I could stay longer but I've to see to the new recruits. Kara had me make sure that all the newly recruited professors are all able bodied and skilled." Yvonne said, looking a tad bit apologetic.
Alexia stood up. "Thanks. You do that." She said as she watched Yvonne wave goodbye and turn her back on them.
Chase stretched and got to his feet; he placed the binoculars around Alexia's neck then grinned. "Nice choker you got there." He said conversationally.
Alexia grinned. "Thanks. It was Rafaele's gift to me before I quit. I told him to give it to someone else who deserved it more than I did, but he didn't." She said, a small smile creasing her lips.
The stalker smirked and nodded, his bangs fell onto his face but he made no motion to brush them away. Through his bangs, he could see her looking at him curiously. He grinned then gave into his curiosity.
"How did you and Rafaele meet? I mean, you are one of the guild's founders right?" Chase asked. "And, how old are you anyway?"
Alexia looked at him, blinked then smiled. "I'm 28. And yes, I helped Rafaele and Xylon make this guild."
"28? Really? You look younger." Chase said. "So? Tell me, how did you three get to know each other?"
Alexia grinned. "Thanks, I suppose, and as for meeting Rafaele and Xylon? That was when I was still a novice, a long time ago."
They were walking out of the small garden now, past the stares and curious glances of the other guild members. Chase could hear them whispering and gossiping but he didn't care. Why should he? He didn't care what they said about him anyway. And, looking at the gypsy beside him, it was pretty obvious she didn't care either.
"I met Rafaele and Xylon in one of Prontera's many fields. I was trying to kill a poring and failing miserably." Alexia said, smirking.
Chase chuckled. "What happened next?"
"Well, I didn't notice the two knights who were there watching me, so I was surprised when one of them came up to me and helped me."
"Which one?" Chase asked.
Alexia grinned. "Xylon. And, after we had killed the poring, he patted me on the head and told me to be careful next time."
Chase snickered as he ran a hand through his purple hair, it was funny, come to think of it, the gypsy standing beside him right now was a force to reckon with, she could easily defeat lord knights and paladins, but a poring?
"I was young and stupid and hopeful, so I asked them if I could tag along. They were reluctant at first but finally they agreed. The three of us got along fine, even if they were quite older than I was. I was 7, I think, and they were about, oh, 18, I think? It's funny, really that a seven year old could get along with 18 year olds, but we did and that's that. I guess I was like a little sister to them and they were quite protective of me back then. Telling me what to do and what not to do."
"I suppose it didn't take long for you to reach the ranks of a sniper. And your parents? They let you out into the world at a mere 7 years old??" Chase asked incredulously.
"My parents are both travellers, they didn't mind much, as long as I kept in touch. Also, I forgot to mention that there was that time when I left Xylon and Rafaele for a few months, to train with Arella. She helped me a lot and she's the reason why I became a sniper so quickly. Becoming a gypsy though, well, I had a harder time but I enjoyed it a lot. Comodo's a great place and the night skies are always filled with stars." Alexia said, smiling.
Chase nodded. "Tell me, do you miss being a sniper?" The stalker asked since he couldn't help it; he wanted to get to know the young woman beside him right now.
He noticed Alexia tense for a moment then relax. "It's not easy, I'll admit. There are times when I wish I was a sniper. But the truth is? I'm enjoying myself as a gypsy. Sure, I'm not the best but I kind of enjoy using the whip better than I did the bow." Alexia finally admitted.
"Ah." He said, because seriously, what else was he supposed to say?
"How about I show you to your room then I bring you to town, how's that sound?" He finally suggested.
Alexia smiled. "Really? Aren't you too busy? I mean, you know, your position and all."
Chase shook his head. "Hey, Rafaele made me take care of you. And I'll do just that." He said with a wink.
Alexia grinned.
"Hey Chase!" a voice interrupted them.
They turned and walking towards them was a gunslinger. He had messy chocolate brown hair and brown eyes to match. He was smiling at them but his eyes were on Alexia.
"Hey, Zephyr." Chase said in reply.
The gunslinger holstered his guns, gave Chase a little nod, and then turned his gaze back to Alexia.
"New recruit?" Zephyr asked.
Alexia and Chase shared a look. "Yes, she's new." Chase finally replied.
"I see. Well, hi there, I'm Zephyr. Nice to meet you." He said reaching out and taking Alexia's hand in his own. He bent down and pressed a quick kiss to the back of her hand, his eyes focused on Alexia's sky blue orbs the whole time.
Chase raised an eyebrow and nudged Alexia playfully on the shoulder. She smirked.
"Nice to meet you, Zephyr. I'm Alexia Flowstring." The gypsy said as she freed her hand from Zephyr's grip.
Chase then put a hand on Zephyr's shoulder. "I suggest you don't do that. Flirt with her I mean, Rafaele will have your head." He warned, winking at Alexia. He could hear her stifling a laugh beside him.
"Will he now?" Zephyr asked, one chocolate colored eyebrow raised.
"Well, you really shouldn't be flirting with new recruits Zephyr, you'll give her the impression that all the men in Shadow Crest are huge flirts." Chase said. "Besides, I have to show her to her room, so, excuse us."
He put a hand on Alexia's shoulder and turned her around. He couldn't help but chuckle when Alexia turned her head to give Zephyr one last glance and an air kiss. He watched as Zephyr grinned and a blush spread across his cheeks.
"You know, you really shouldn't tease him like that." Chase said as he chuckled.
Alexia found no need to reply to that so she merely shrugged.
He led her to a building that looked quite old and worn from the outside, but inside it was warm and homely. He watched as a small smile graced her features. He led her up the stairs and was glad that right now, all their guild mates were out training and mingling with their new members, so the place was quiet and it was easy for him to show her to her room.
He reached the second landing and stopped for a moment. He wasn't sure if there were any vacant rooms on this floor though.
"Alexia, ah, I'm not sure if there are any vacant rooms on this floor." He said as he looked around at the vast corridors lined with dozens of doors.
She laughed and pointed to the stairs leading up. "Let's go up then, I'm sure there are vacant rooms on the third floor." She said as she headed towards the stairs.
He followed her up and couldn't help but notice how finely toned her body was. She had milky white skin, luscious red lips, sky blue eyes and jet black hair. He eyed her shoulders then her long slender arms covered by sleeves that extended from her silver armlets and went past her hands. She also boasted a pair of long, slender legs covered by a flimsy silver fabric that stretched from the thin straps of her dark blue bikini and was cuffed around her ankles.
"This one's free. Mind if I take this room?" Alexia said, shattering his train of thought, which he caused him to become slighlt self conscious considering the way he was studying the gypsy from behind.
"I'll wait outside." Chase said.
"Aw, just come in." she said as she entered the room, leaving the door open for him. He watched as she set down her buckler and her arrows against the wall, then she tossed her binoculars onto the bed, followed by her Alice doll. She then untied a small pouch that she had tied to her buckler's strap and placed it on the small desk.
"Wait a minute, that's all you have?" Chase asked.
Alexia nodded. "I placed everything else in storage. Which isn't really much, I'll just get them when we head to town." She said, shrugging.
He nodded and watched as she opened the small pouch and took out Yggdrasil berries, white potions and a blinker. He watched as the gypsy tied the blinker around her eyes and let out a breath. She walked to the bed and retrieved her Alice doll and put it back on her head. She turned to face Chase with a small smile on her lips.
"What's with the blinker?" He asked. "Won't it be hard for you to walk around, considering the fact that you've just blindfolded yourself?"
Alexia shrugged. "Not really. I can feel the rhythm of things in my surroundings. Gypsy training and all, for minstrels it's sound, for us gypsies, it's the rhythm and movement in things. This is just like training I suppose."
"Huh." Chase said, mollified.
Alexia chuckled. "Don't worry about me; I've done this a lot of times already. And besides, it is your job to take care of me right?" She said, cheekily.
He grinned. "From vice leader to babysitter. Rafaele owes me." He said.
Alexia laughed and walked past him out the door.
"I have a question, how can you sense the rhythm of the door, of this room, if they aren't moving?"
Alexia grinned. "Easy. I've been in this place for far too long not to have memorized every nook and cranny in these buildings. And that room you're standing in? It belonged to me before I left."
"Huh." Chase said, further mollified. Alexia laughed at him. He grinned then stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. "Well, come on then, I said we'd go to town right? And you have to get your things from storage."
As he watched her descend the staircase, it was hard to believe that the young woman he was with was suffering. If not for the flashes of hurt and pain he'd seen in her eyes, he'd think she was lying about her assassin cross's death. Not to mention the fact that it was hard to tell whether her smiles were faked or not.
"Chase!" He heard her call. "Hurry up!"
He laughed and descended the last few steps. He walked beside her as they left the shadow of the building, past the curious stares of their guild mates and then out the guild.
Unbeknownst to them, a lone figure was watching them from a window, high above their heads.
"So you're back, it seems, my dear, sweet Alexia. You're in for a world of hurt, my dear gypsy girl. Best enjoy your time while you still can."
The lone figure took one more look at the gypsy's retreating back. "You should never have come back."
Aria of Symphony: So ends the third chapter. Any comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! And please, for any questions and stuff, feel free to ask. If there's anything confusing, please tell me so I can revise it. Review please! Criticize! I'll need those to improve my writing and this story too. Thanks again!