Disclaimer: I don't own Magic Knight Rayearth, or any of its characters.
Notes: Things are starting to heat up a little, aren't they? Thanks to all my reviewers. It may not seem like it, but this story is going somewhere, trust me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: The Red Moon
For about a week, Umi entertained herself by spending time with her daughter, and with Fuu. The three women could be seen all around the castle doing various things; picking fruit, riding horses, strolling through gardens, or sewing quietly. They spoke very little about Hikaru, and even less about Clef. All that occupied their minds now was trying to go back to some sort of normalcy. Before Umi had been exiled, the castle seemed very much the way it was now, with Umi idly passing the time doing whatever she pleased, and with very little activity within the castle itself. It was peaceful, but slightly suffocating.
And it was rather odd, but whenever Umi looked outside, she noticed strange things. The summer was definitely beginning to draw to a close, and autumn would be coming soon. In the fields below the castle, she noticed people gathered around, erecting dozens of tiny woodpiles. And that was all. Just woodpile upon woodpile littering the fields.
Bonfires... isn't that for...
She wondered a few times about it every time she looked outside. But such a silly oddity was always immediately dwarfed in her mind by her lavender-haired Mage.
She saw very little of Clef in that week. He had mostly kept to his chambers, tending his wounds and keeping himself isolated. His depression was great. She didn't bother to visit him.
Instead, she tried to strengthen her own abilities. For a few days, she had taken to practicing easy spells with Fuu, and dueling every so often with Ferio to regain her old fencing abilities. After all, what good was all this power returned to her if she didn't hone it. To truly return to her old strength, however, she would need Clef. His training and teaching were unmatched in the entire land. Only he could bring out her true abilities. But he was secluded, so she would wait.
Chiharu she kept by her side almost constantly. On her request, Umi would shoot little streams of water at her, chasing her about the room, laughing and teasing her. Chiharu couldn't get enough of it, and loved her mother's new 'tricks'.
"Teach me magic one day, Mama," she would say over and over.
"Yes Chi," Umi always replied, "I will. One day."
Before the lonely castle women knew it, yet another few days had passed. Umi found it quite remarkable. Had it really only been a little over a month that she was in Cephiro? So much had happened... enough events to fill up a lifetime, as a matter of fact. It was all rather overwhelming. This is what she dwelled on late one evening, soaking in the luxurious women's baths of the castle. Her hair was tied in a knot on her head, and rather than wrap herself modestly in a towel, she bathed naked, entertaining her daughter. Other women were there, too. Caldina and Fuu were a few feet away, talking amongst themselves. Caldina, bold and immodest as always, bore herself to the entire room, thinking nothing of her blatant nudity, splashing about in the water. Umi found herself spacing out, and realizing every few minutes that she had been casually staring at the woman's generous bosom. Ah, she was quite jealous of that girl. Umi had never had much chest to speak of.
Chiharu sat peaceably in Umi's lap, blowing bubbles in the steaming water. Her head was covered with pink, raspberry scented suds. Umi brushed the bubbles off and kissed the top of the girl's blue little head. She did her best to keep a looming thought away. Indeed, it had been a thought hanging over her head for quite some time now.
Am I doomed, now, to this stagnant castle lifestyle? Forever?
Across the expansive bath, she saw Fuu eyeing her. It seemed that Fuu was doing that overly much in the past few weeks, watching her carefully. What a concerned friend. A little too concerned for Umi. It was starting to needle her.
"What?" she asked waspishly.
Fuu smiled sweetly and said, "Nothing, Umi-san."
The bluette stared down into the water, annoyed, but slightly ashamed at her outburst. She sighed gustily and patted her hair. It could use a good washing.
"Come on, bebz," Umi said, scooting Chiharu off her lap. The child was submerged briefly, causing Umi to giggle. Chiharu rose a second later looking slighted. "You can swim perfectly well, don't look at me like that."
Caldina, who had been wading around aimlessly, made her way over to the two women. "Washin' your hair, eh?" she asked. "Here, I'll help." She snatched the soap bottle from Umi's hand before the bluette could protest. She squeezed it's contents onto Umi's hair and began scrubbing it roughly into the blue hair.
"Ow!" Umi gasped, swatting Caldina on the rump. "Be more gentle!"
Caldina laughed. "You can't be a tenderhead with all this long hair, Umz!" she said. "Relax, you're not a kid, after all!"
Umi frowned. "Just don't pull so."
Chiharu, giggling to herself, climbed back into Umi's lap and rubbed her palms into Umi's soapy scalp. "Helping!" she chirped.
Umi relaxed into Caldina's kneading fingers rather reluctantly. And Chiharu's glowing little cheeks finally brought a smile to her face. "I was overdue for a relaxing bath," she said.
Caldina nodded. "It's like old times. Just passin' our time doing whatever we pleased... it was so peaceful after you girls fixed Cephiro up. It's still like that, more or less."
"Well, it's a little unsettling, to be honest. It feels the same, I guess, but...well, everything feels changed."
Caldina shoved Umi's head underwater to rinse it. ""What do you mean by that?"
Umi shoved Caldina away from her, spluttering with fury. "Nevermind, forget I said it!"
"Seriously, what's botherin' you?"
"Like I said, everything is weird... the same, but different... weird!"
The Chizetan smirked. "So-o-o, does 'everything' know you're feeling this way about him?"
"That's not what I meant!"
"Sure it wasn't, little lady, but you didn't answer my question. I want to know what's up with you and that Mage of yours."
Umi turned up her nose. "Dunno. I haven't seen him in days."
"Well, he gets like that, ya know, lockin' himself in his rooms for weeks on end."
"It doesn't matter. I'll see him when I see him."
The pink haired woman settled down next to Umi, grinning ear to ear. "I expect you two will be prancin' about arm and arm soon..."
"When did we ever prance around arm in arm?!"
"I seem to remember a time when you two could be seen around the castle, unable to keep your hands off each other--"
"As if," Umi said scathingly. "We were always quite discreet!"
Caldina giggled. "I'm an excellent spy, little lady! I caught little peeks of you every once in a while, alone in the gardens or off in the orchards, being oh-so-naughty."
"Caldina! How weird!"
"Not so weird! It gets boring here sometimes! I always like a bit of scandal!" She laughed loudly, and Umi continued to scowl. "Your cheeks are turning pretty pink, there, Umi-chan!"
"Not!" she cried, turning away. "I'm done bathing now, see you later!" Umi rose from the water, taking Chiharu's hand in hers. The little girl protested.
"No, mama, I want more bath!"
"But baby-y-y," Umi whined.
Chiharu plopped herself firmly on the steps of the bath and refused to move. Caldina laughed again. "She ain't goin' anywhere, Umz. Just relax, all right? Gosh, you're so tense."
"Ah, geez," she moaned, settling back down into the water. "I came in here to have peace and quiet, not to be assaulted by all you palace biddies!"
"Well, you're not my only source of entertainment now. Clef caused quite a stir, reviving your mashin like that! Everyone's talkin' about it. Even the townfolk know! The whole country's abuzz about you two!"
Umi shrugged. "Glad they have something to occupy themselves with."
"Well," Caldina began, lazily flicking the water with a finger, "You don't have to worry about them being bored, little missy. Tomorrow's the Red Moon Festival."
"Huh?" Umi blinked.
"Fuu and Ferio have to go into the fields with all the country folk and bless them tomorrow. And tomorrow night is the night of the Red Moon. All the folk'll be lightin' the fires and dancin' around, painted up like savages."
"Oh, right," said Umi, "I don't know much about it. I only danced in the fields a few times."
"And went off into the forests with the rest of the young, fornicatin' kids, didn't you?"
Umi colored. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Right," Caldina laughed. "Well, at any rate, that's what goin' on tomorrow. Fuu didn't tell you did she? Ah, well, around noon, they'll bless the fields and have the big festival, you know, to get the gods and goddesses and whatnot to make their land fertile, all that business of the Old Faith."
"And then the fires," Umi repeated.
"Yeah, the fires. Once the sun goes down and the moon rises, all red and big, ya know, we'll all dance and drink and all that. I go myself every year, just to dance and enjoy watching all the little painted country folk worship their gods."
Chiharu was listening intently to the conversation, very much liking the idea of dressing and painting herself up to go dance in a field at night. "Mama, I can go?" she asked.
"Maybe, Chi, but it'll be late. You'll have to nap during the day tomorrow."
Caldina pulled Umi to her, saying, "You know what they do in those fields and forests during the Red Moon rites, Umz! Don't let a little girl go out there, too!"
Umi made a dismissive gesture. "As long as she keeps to the open fields and the fires, she'll be fine."
"Well, I suppose Lafarga and I can keep an eye on her..." Caldina thought aloud. Then she smirked. "So does that mean that you plan to go off into the forests too?"
"All right, enough," Umi said, rising from the water again. "Chi, you can stay and play if you like. I'm going to get something to eat." Still naked, Umi plodded away from the giant bath and grabbed for a fluffy white towel. Her skin was hot and pink from the water, and she noticed with irritation that soap suds still clung to her hair.
"See you tomorrow in the fields, little missy!" Caldina called after her.
Umi turned and gave her a withering look before retreating from the room. She'd grabbed her robe and slipped it on and made her way to her chambers for some peace and quiet. And rest, she supposed. The Red Moon Festival lasted throughout the night. She'd need the rest.
Thank God, she thought to herself. Something to break up this horrible monotony!
In her room, on the wall, was a large painted calender. She peered at it. Mostly Cephran numerals and symbols covered it, and she couldn't really remember how to read them (Indeed, she had never been good at reading Cephran). The current day was the equivalent of Thursday in her old world, and on the day after, a large red circle was painted next to the date. The Red Moon. How could she have not noticed it before?
She shuddered and closed her eyes, remembering a night years ago all too well. She, scantily clad in skins and painted head to toe, the painted man before her, the fires, the bushes...
It had been only one of their very many scandalous encounters, but it was Umi's favorite. Festival time. They were the fertility rites, not only of the land, but of the women, who often stole into the nearby willow groves and laid with the men. It was a very religious, symbolic thing, men and women coming together, representing the father sky and mother earth, propagating the species. The women often left the fires with their wombs quickened.
Sure, she'd join the simple folk in their dances. It was always fun. Did she have anything better to do? Not really.
The next morning, Umi found Fuu in her Queen's chambers, fixing her hair into complicated plaits. "Umi-san," she said kindly.
The Water Knight hung in the doorway. "Getting ready?" she asked.
Fuu placed a pin in her mouth, nodding. "Just the old rituals of the tribes. Will you be attending?"
Umi shrugged. "Maybe. I dunno." She stepped forward to help Fuu braid a few brightly colored ribbons into her hair.
"Well, I have a few things you could borrow, if you'd like. Just dress colorfully. That's the way of the Festival. Fruitfulness, healthy vitality, bright color, all those things."
"I remember," said Umi, tying little knots with Fuu's hair. "I just don't practice that faith. Neither do you. We never did."
"It's my duty as Queen. No more. Even Ferio does not practice the old religion, but does as his people would want him to do by participating in the ceremonies; the blessing of the fields and the prayer for fruitfulness of the animals."
"But that's during the day," Umi reminded her. "When they light the fires as the Red Moon rises, it turns into a jungle."
Fuu shrugged. "It makes the simple folk happy. They have difficult lives, you know. These festivals and rituals of theirs brings joy to their simple little hearts. I call all of it...yes, even the shameless fornicating in the forests, Umi-san, perfectly innocent and harmless."
"Did I say anything about it? I enjoy the rites. The fires and the drums and the dancers always excited me. I'll attend the fires tonight and dance with the other painted people. Perhaps in somewhat of a disguise. I wouldn't want to cause a commotion. But I probably won't attend the blessing of the fields. I don't practice that faith. It'd be... sacrilegious, or whatever."
"If you paint yourself up enough for the nighttime rites, I doubt anyone will notice you."
Umi tied another love-knot into Fuu's hair and patted it, smiling at her finished work. "You're going all out this year, aren't you? Any shiny robes for the blessing?"
"Green and pink, for the color of earth and flowers. And a little gold for wheat."
"Fuu," Umi said softly, tying one last green ribbon into one of Fuu's long plaits. "Have you heard news of Hikaru?"
The Queen paused in the application of golden eyeshadow to her brows. Her lips, which had been shaded with neutral color to blend with the rest of her face, pursed. "No news from the Fortress in the Forest of Silence, Umi-san. I'm sorry."
Umi pulled away, expecting as much. She glanced over at the bed where a set of colorful robes lay. "I'll help you," she said distantly.
Fuu stood beside the bed, allowing Umi to gently unfold the robes and slip them onto her slender frame. Quite luxurious was the fabric of the robes; thick heavy silk, smooth and clean. Definitely of the Cephran style, with the wide sleeves and the tight corseted waist. A small golden circlet lay on the bed. "No crown?" Umi asked.
Fuu took up the circlet and, very delicately, situated it on her plaited head. "Not for this festival. I'm to be Queen and represent the land, true, but in such a case, I am woman like every other woman there, and fellow child of earth. Very earthy is the theme of this holiday, much focus on the human element and the value and beauty of the earth beneath our feet."
"But Fuu," Umi said again, diverting from the topic of the festival. "Surely there's some way we can speak to Hikaru! Isn't there some spell? What about Clef's orb? Or his mirror? I'm sure he'll let us use those--"
"And what good would it do, Umi-san?" Fuu asked very seriously. "Hikaru-san is to be there for another week and a half. If we were to infiltrate the magical barriers there, which I assure you would be very difficult, then seeing our faces or hearing our voices will make her sad. Very sad. You know her; she cares nothing for herself, only for our well-being. Just... leave her be for the little time she has left there."
Umi rolled her eyes. "Always this tenderness and walking on eggshells about supposed 'barriers' and 'taboos' against us. So what if anyone told us we can or can't do something? We're the Magic Knights! We're the reason Cephiro even exists right now! Fuu, seriously, can't we just--"
Fuu tugged her arm away impatiently, causing the long pink ribbon that Umi had been tying there to rip. "I'd rather not discuss Hikaru right now," she said tersely. "We've had these talks before Umi, it just can't be done--"
"Well I want to talk about them!" Umi shoved Fuu forward, forcing her against the thick wooden bed post. She took up the strings of Fuu's corset and yanked at them hard. "This is ridiculous! We should have free reign of this place, Fuu! Cephiro is our world, too!"
"Free reign you say? As if we were tyrants? Doing whatever we please? Umi, that's how all the wars in our world started, you know! Napoleon and Caesar and Stalin! All those men had free reign of their countries, and look what happened."
"Fuu, don't be stupid, we're good people! How could you even compare us to old Earth men like that?!"
"Nevermind," Fuu said, gasping when Umi yanked again on her corset. "Thank you for helping me, Umi-san. Ferio is in the other room preparing as well..."
Umi knew Fuu well enough to be able to sense when she'd lost a battle. Sometimes, Fuu could be pried into speaking, as she was quite pliable most of the time. But, every once in a while, the iron will that Umi knew she had showed through and Fuu was immovable.
The Water Knight folded her arms over her chest. "And will you two be attending the fertility rites tonight?"
Fuu had her back to Umi and her hand on the doorknob. "It isn't seemly for the King or Queen to attend rites such as those." She paused for a moment, then turned slightly and murmured, "We shall be in disguise." And then, she left, closing the door behind her.
Umi shook her head, exiting the room in a secret way that only the three Magic Knights knew of. An emergency exit that lead to the courtyard outside the castle. She ducked behind the removable painting and slipped down the dark, damp corridor to the outside. It was bright and hot, as per any normal Cephran day, and now that she was actually outside, she could see and hear all of the people gathered. Everyone was dressed in bright silks, carrying little handmade replicas of their gods and goddesses, and other such artifacts of the Old Faith. Later that night, most of them who were not too prudent would be dancing around the fires. When the moon was at its highest, the men and women would leave to join in the forests together. The symbolism was fascinating; the union of man and woman, the fertility of the earth, the joining of mother and father. Whatever it was, it was fun. She'd only participated once, the summer before she'd been exiled.
Umi allowed herself only a moment or two to reflect on that night. Just a moment for the sapphire eyes to burn into hers, for the chalky, painted flesh of the man to press against hers...
She headed back to the Magic Knight Wing of the castle to seek out her daughter. Neither would attend the blessing ceremony, but they would definitely watch.
"Umz," said a silvery voice from behind her. Umi turned away from the festival scene and looked upon Caldina. She smiled.
"You don't participate in the blessings of the fields either?" she asked.
The Chizetan shook her head, joining her in leaning over the great stone balcony. "Nah. I'm from a different planet entirely. Why would I practice this religion?"
Umi shrugged. "Because of Lafarga?"
"Oh, I'll be in the fields tonight. So will he. But as for the actual, I dunno, ceremony of it... it'd be sacrilegious of me to join. I don't believe in that faith."
"Neither do I, that's why I'm up here," said Umi. She wrapped her arms around Chiharu, who she had perched precariously on the stone. The child held colorful ribbons in her chubby little hands and watched in awe as dozens and dozens of people below milled about the open field. Umi squinted, then shaded her eyes with her hand. Far below, she could see the bright green gleam of Fuu's robes. She stood next to Ferio, carrying a large clay jar and pausing in her strides to pour water into the dry dirt at her feet. It was another symbolic thing, apparently.
She leaned her face into her palm and said, "This is a pretty weird tradition, but anything is better than just sitting around looking pretty all day."
Caldina nodded. "Bo-ring, if you ask me. Even with all that Selece business."
Chiharu fidgeted in Umi's arms. "Mama, look at the Queen!" she bubbled.
"Yes, baby, I see her. Isn't she pretty in her summer silks?"
"Ferio looks pretty sharp himself," Caldina commented. He stood beside Fuu, holding smoking incense, clad in his own shining silks to compliment the summer festival.
Chiharu's hand squeezed Umi's. She motioned for her mother to look down at the crowd below. There, she could see a lavender head moving among the other heads. "Ah, Chi," she said in the girl's ear. "Good eye. It's Clef, isn't it?"
Chiharu moved her face close to her mothers. She peered at her from the corner of her large eye. "It's been a long time since I saw him," she whispered.
Umi watched his movement through the crowd. "Me too." The dark looming thoughts came again. She still hadn't properly discussed what had happened down in the dungeons with him! He'd been locked in his room for days! She sighed into Chiharu's hair. Would the pace of time never slow? Sure, she felt bored here without Clef or Hikaru to talk to, but all the days bled together and passed quickly, giving her no time to stop and enjoy anything.
Monotony broken up by parties, or ceremonies, or scandals, or festivals, like this one.
"We should make him talk to us today," she whispered to Chiharu. "If he can come out and face all of Cephiro, than he can face us." The little girl said nothing at first as she watched Clef's form below. Eventually, though, she turned to her mother and nodded. Umi knew she wouldn't voice it, but Chiharu wanted to be close to Clef as badly as she did. "All right then, we're a team," she said. "We'll break him."
She squeezed Chiharu's hand again and watched the ceremony below avidly. It had been years since she'd seen it performed. There were so many people, all strolling the fields respectfully, bearing flowers and tied bundles of wheat. She could hear whispered chants. Fuu's voice rang in the clean afternoon air, giving her blessings to the land and asking the gods to make it fertile, and to give rain.
"There's Lafarga," Caldina beamed. Umi followed her gaze and spotted the tall, blond man, dressed in traditional Cephran garb, standing among the other knights who practiced the Old Religion. She noticed that Galerick was not among them. Indeed, nowhere in the crown could she discern his pale shaven head.
"See Bannie anywhere, Chi?" Umi asked. Chiharu shook her head, not taking her eyes off of Clef's form. Umi grinned into her child's hair. "Baby, you're keeping your sights on him, aren't you?"
Chi looked embarrassed. "Mama..."
Umi squeezed her. "It's okay. Stare all you like. And don't pretend like you're not... it's okay if I know your secret."
"Secret?" Chiharu repeated.
"Yes, that you really do like him and you want to be around him as much as I do! Don't fret about it. We'll see him tonight."
"We're dancing tonight?"
"Yes. If you want to."
Caldina nudged her. "So you'll be there, too?"
"Yes," she answered. "I never pass up the opportunity to go dance. It'll make me feel common again, you know, not this gilded pretty little Magic Knight bird alone in my lofty castle cage..."
Caldina edged closer to the two women and peered through slanted eyes at the crowd below. "Will you go off with him?" she asked quietly.
Umi kept her eyes on the crowd, only glancing briefly at Caldina through her lashes. "Does he even go to the fires anymore?"
"Not in a few years, no. But he may, since you're here."
Umi shook her head. "It would be a contradiction, if he did. He told me himself that he didn't think himself worthy of me. Why would he take me tonight, and not any other night?"
Caldina smiled. She gazed at Umi now. "Because it's the night of the Red Moon. It's not like any other night, little missy."
"He doesn't practice that religion," said the bluette.
"Not really, no, but he believes in the gods. He also believes in the union of the land created by the people in the forests. It's symbolic, with great magic behind it. He'd definitely be thinking it was a tribute to his gods."
"Ah," said Umi. Again, she spotted Clef's lavender hair below. He was separated from the throng, now, standing alone in the field. In his hand was a long wheat stem. He paused in his slow walking and looked as if he were about to turn around, but stopped. He must have felt their presence and opted not to look back. Umi sighed again. "It'll at least be an opportunity to talk to him. We haven't spoken much."
Caldina patted her back. "Look, they're nearly finished. Soon, the people will gather in the towns and participate in the bazaars. You know, gather their acorns and carve their gourds, arranging shrines to their gods. Let's go inside now. I'll make some tea."
She retreated into the castle, but Umi clung to the stone balcony, staring down at Clef. Chiharu stared with her.
"Mama," she said softly. It seemed as if she were about to ask Umi a question, but after a time, decided against it and remained silent. She released the colored ribbons in her hand and watched them dance in the wind, floating down to the earth below.
The tea was rather tasteless, Umi remarked. She sat in her room before her large mirror, staring absently at the array of decorated bone pins and jewels laid out before her. In the mirror, she could see the sky outside glowing a bright gold. The sun was setting.
"Ow," she gasped when Caldina pulled a strand of her hair too hard.
"Sorry," said the Chizetan.
Umi handed her a pin, and she took it. "Careful with the flowers, they were hard to find."
Caldina nodded and continued to decorate Umi's head. She'd taken the liberty of tying her long blue hair into two tightly wound knots on the top of her head, and had braided in several small flower buds. With the carved ivory pins, she secured the loose strands of Umi's hair.
"And what shall I wear?" asked Umi.
"Dunno. Whatever you want. But dress as much as you can like everyone else so ya won't be noticed. Remember? Simple leathers'll do. A little cloth over your pelvis, some sandals. Or no shoes at all, whatever you prefer. Many of the folk go shoeless."
I look like a savage, she thought, staring at her reflection. She'd taken a lot of blue and pink paint earlier and decorated her cheekbones with it. Now, she took the blue dye and drew it beneath her eyes, over her lids, around her brows, across her nose. She raised her arm and drew decorative designs on them, tracing the pink and blue paint with a finger.
Caldina noticed that her face has a slight pout to it. "What's on your mind, missy?" she asked.
Umi took to staring at her reflection again. "I... I dunno... still really worried over Karu, I guess..."
Caldina nodded and pinned back some more blue hair. "Is that really it?"
"Yes, it is. I talked with Fuu earlier, but she wouldn't hear anything I had to say."
"Umi, darlin', you really shouldn't fret yourself over little Hikaru. She's a tough girl, she'll be okay."
"It's not just that, Caldina! It's the simple fact that we can't get to her! Fuu forbids me to do anything! She cares too much about the Council and their precious laws! Surely you can understand me, right? You're not from this land, you don't give much regard to its laws!"
All Caldina could do was shrug. "Since you ladies left the second time, all we could turn to was the Council. We had no idea you'd return after all, and even though they're a bunch of old buzzards, they keep the land in relative order and peace."
"That's a load of crap!" Umi cried. "Sorry, Chi," she said to the little girl, who gave her mother a reproachful look. "Seriously, this is so ridiculous, we're all together again, aren't we? We can fully manage this country along with Ferio, and Clef as well, if we can boot those old men out and give him back his title."
"Come," Caldina said, "your hair is done." She pulled Umi up and forced her to stand. "Take these, put them on."
Umi sighed unhappily. Would no one listen to her?
Caldina handed her a simple leather top which covered what was necessary, and only what was necessary. Another leather bottom she gave her, with small white skirts flowing from it. Umi tied the articles of clothing on reluctantly. "Alright!" said the pink woman, "Hold your arms out. I'm gonna paint your stomach." There, Caldina drew a large full moon in red paint. Above it, the sickle moon, and around the sides, various Cephran religious symbols; symbols of the gods, all in blue.
"How do you, a Chizetan, know all these symbols? And why blue?" Umi asked.
Caldina motioned to her own body. "I've painted many a lady with these things. Lafarga taught me how. I painted myself earlier, see? And the blue's for the night sky, duh."
Umi patted her hair, smiling despite her anxiety and annoyance with Caldina. "It feels like Halloween. I love dressing up... and it's been ages since I got to wear getups like these..." She smiled over at her little daughter. "You look pretty too, Chi!" She'd also decorated Chiharu's hair in a similar fashion, with a ring of bright flower buds around her head and dressed her in a little white dress. Her face was also painted.
"Here," said Caldina, handing her a small tube of lip paint. "You gotta paint your mouth with this. It's flesh colored. The lips have to blend with the face, they can't be red or pink like they usually are. They gotta be the same color as your skin. The paint and the eyes are the only thing we should be able to notice."
"What an odd tradition," Umi smeared the paint over her pouted lips. She gave another slight frown. How often had she and Hikaru taken turns painting each other up like this?
"All right ladies, let's go watch them get started," said Caldina. She led the two women out onto Umi's balcony so that the girls could see the fields below.
Umi saw many people gathered, but they looked very different than they had hours before. Now, all she saw was skin and red and blue dye. The sun was almost completely set now, and over the mountains, Umi saw the faintest wink of the red harvest moon.
"Look, Chi," she whispered, pointing to the red beacon in the sky.
Below, a huge bonfire had been erected. It was tiny, of course, to their eyes, being so far away... but when they finally went down to the fields, the woodpiles would tower over them, reaching to the stars.
The people below all bore unlit torches. Umi scanned the castle battlements, searching for the archers she knew should be there. According to the people, it was against tradition to bear any flame into the field on foot. The fires would all be lit from afar, by the Cephran archers with flaming arrows. It was symbolic of the gods coming from heaven to light the ceremonial fires.
"There they are," she said to Chiharu, pointing the little girl to a tower not too far from her private balcony. She saw several men and women, all wearing leathers and painted in symbols, staring out over the field, holding their large war bows.
"What are they doing, Mama?" she asked.
"They'll light the fires with flaming arrows soon. Just watch."
"When?"
"When the red moon is full in the sky, over the mountains. Over there, see? We can see some of the moon. When we can see all of it, they'll launch their arrows, and the dances will begin."
One of the archers in particular caught her eye, and she smiled at the glint of familiar plaited blonde hair. She was just close enough to be able to distinguish Fuu's eyes in the twilight. She'd rid herself of the glasses and was largely unrecognizable in her common leather outfit and heavy paint. But she saw the familiar green eyes beneath the gold and blue dye. Fuu spotted them and gave a wink, returning her gaze to the field with the other archers.
A small sadness panged Umi. Years before she'd been exiled, when Fuu was unmarried and they were all three powerful, single women, they stood on this very balcony, watching the lighting of the fires. The three friends, full of love for one another and for the country they watched over.
Umi traced the cold metal of her ovum gem with an idle finger. "People will see this and know me," she said. "We can't cover this thing up." Chiharu, too placed her hand on the gem, feeling its smooth coolness with her palm.
"It'll be dark, little lady, have no fear. It would take me a few minutes to be able to recognize you looking the way you do now! You're painted nearly head to toe!"
"True."
All three women stared at the setting sun. It was nearly completely blotted out behind the mountains now. The sky was changing from bright gold to softer and darker shades of pink, purple, then dark blue...
The red moon shone brilliantly over the far off mountains.
"Ah," said Caldina, "the archers... look at the archers."
She was excited. Giddy. Her white dress was crisp. She fingered the pink buds tied into her hair and could smell the stiff astringency of the blue paint on her face and arms. Her mother's own dyed arms surrounded around her protectively, and her slender hand held her own.
The whole day felt like some grand festival, and she looked around happily, taking in the beautiful scenery of Cephiro. Yes, she loved this place. The rolling hills, the frosted mountains, the orchards, and the tall, pretty castle...
Chiharu was beside herself with excitement. And now, the red moon glared over them, whole and round.
Her mother gave her an excited squeeze and directed her attention to the tower some distance away. It didn't take an excellent pair of eyes to tell her that one of those far off people was the Queen. Chiharu watched her and the other archers light their arrows dipped in pitch in a small fire pit built into the tower. One by one, each archer lined up at the edge of the battlement and aimed for the field.
"There they go," the woman Caldina had said. "It's time. We should go now!"
Chiharu looked her up and down, smiling. She liked this lady, Caldina. Indeed, she liked nearly everyone she'd met here. Caldina, the twin Princesses, and especially Queen Fuu and Princesses Hikaru. Even the tall, silent Lantis she was fond of, and of course Galerick.
And though she hated to admit it, she rather liked Clef. It was a complete turn-around from the way she used to feel, of course. At first, the old man frightened her, then she hated him because of the anxiety and pain he aroused in her mother. But now... when she saw him covered in cuts and bruises and bleeding like he was... well, she wasn't quite old enough to understand it, but her heart had melted for him... and now her mother was happy when he was around. So, shouldn't she be too?
And where was he, anyway? Chi scanned the crowds below and could see no sign of him anywhere. He had been there earlier, but now...had he locked himself in his rooms again?
"Mama," she said sadly, "No Clef."
Her mother shrugged. "Maybe later, Chi."
She stared long and hard into her mother's eyes. They seemed to mirror her anxiety. Though Umi never said anything, Chiharu could almost hear her thoughts. I hope he comes tonight. She wanted to say 'Me too, Mom,' but she didn't. Her mother knew, it wasn't necessary to voice it.
Oh, but more time to think about that later. She saw each archer draw their flaming arrows and raise them to the heavens. There must have been thirty or so people gathered atop that lonely tower.Finally, when the sky ahead was its deepest dark blue, they released their arrows. Each tiny point of light soared into the sky. Chiharu watched their progress with fascination. They arched and came down in a rain of fire, striking each individual bonfire and igniting in a roar of flame.
Cheers erupted from the painted people down below and Caldina clapped wildly. "All right, let's go!" she urged, pulling on the two women.
Her mother had voiced aloud the concern that she would be recognized again. Even Chiharu feared that people would see her and question her. But, Caldina assured them once again that they would not be spotted. This was confirmed when she pushed them out into the grounds of the castle, right into the midst of the crowds. Chiharu had gasped, hiding her face in her mother's neck. Umi, too, went rigid, pulled along by Caldina. But every face around them was heavily painted, every stomach decorated with the Red Moon, every mouth painted neutral and blotted out. Many people even wore masks made of wood and feathers, all fashioned after the faces of animals. No one even so much as blinked at the trio of women.
A young girl to their right drew Chiharu's attention. She was tiny and blonde, but her face was covered by a great furry animal mask... it looked very much like a cat. And her skin was painted with bright red and gold symbols, like hers was. She bore a small ceramic pot full of wood and oil attached her her hand by a long, thick wire.
"Mama," she whispered, "what's that?"
Umi, her delightful, beautiful, wonderful mother, pressed her face to her ear. "She must be a fire dancer, Chi-chan. They dance with flames... she'll swing that around in great circles and dance around the fires, calling on the gods. She's a fire elemental, see her fire tattoos?"
Chiharu stared around her in awe. So many people, so much paint and skin and excitement! It was truly a festival! The crowd pulsed around them as they all drew closer and closer to the open fields next to the castle. The biggest bonfire was now roaring with flame. It was so tall, too! Chiharu gaped at it. So bright and hot; even from so many feet away she could feel its heat.
People were beginning to disperse, making their way to various tall bonfires, and the beating of drums could be heard in the distance. People with the hanging torches all lit their tools and prepeared to swing them in great arcs over their heads. Yet more people bore long, smooth wodden staffs, with each end dipped in pitch. They, too, were lit and swung about in great fiery circles.
Caldina was bouncing up and down with excitement. "Over there!" she cried. "The fire at the far end of the field! We'll go there! Look, the children!"
Chiharu squeaked in excitement. A crowd of children, led by their mothers, circled the farthest fire. They, like her, were dressed in dresses or breeches and painted head to toe, with flowers adorning their hair. They bore hollowed out gourds and tiny tied up bundles of wheat... even tiny little straw replicas of gods and goddesses. They cheered and giggled, dancing about the fire hand in hand.
Umi smiled. "Go on baby, go have some fun!"
Chiharu pulled away from her mother, joining the other children. She had found little Gwennie, the Queen's daughter, and even said hello to Hiro, who was standing with the other young palace boys. The Queen, however, was nowhere to be found, probably making her way there after the lighting of the fires.
Yes, she definitely loved this night. An exciting night! In Tokyo, she had never had this much fun at any festival, The people here were so different, so simple and friendly, and she loved them. Gwennie took her hand and swept her off into the great circle formed by the other children. She glanced back at her mother repeatedly, smiling and waving. If any other festivals like these existed, she definitely wanted to stick around for them. If it meant waiting a few years, then she would. She loved Cephiro, and gave no thought to returning to Tokyo. She was very truly happy here, on this dark night with the red moon and these painted children and roaring fires. The celebration of earth and people and life... Tokyo had no such vitality.
"Mama!" she cried again, giggling.
Umi sat on the grass with Caldina with her head in her hands, winking mischievously at her. She didn't need to use words to describe their great love... they were connected now in a way that Chi had never felt before. Their bond was strong; never to be broken.
Somewhere, off in the distance, she thought she could feel the presence of the Master Mage, but her eyes couldn't find him.
"Ah, it's getting warm!" Umi said, stretching her long legs out on the grass and spreading her bare toes. She gazed up at the sky, at the round red moon and the twinkling stars. The sky was completely dark by now, and soon the moon would be directly overhead.
She looked fondly over at a trio of young girls. They looked to be no older than thirteen or so, and they huddled together, giggling and dancing with their flaming batons. Familiar, right? she thought to herself happily. She cast her eyes about, searching for Fuu, but the Queen had not yet appeared.
Caldina had risen from her spot on the ground and joined the children in dancing. She had Chiharu's little hand in her own. Umi looked down at the gourd Caldina had given her. It was full to the brim with a dark red drink.
"It's the spirit everyone drinks at this festival," she'd said. "It's said to open the gateways of the mind to the spirits when you drink it! Go ahead, take a few sips. You'll feel giddy as a school girl and dance all night long!"
Umi sniffed the concoction suspiciously, wincing as she did so. It was very strong, with a lot of liquor, and some spices she couldn't discern. Her tongue flicked to it, tasting it.
"Eeeech!" she cried, wiping at her mouth. "So strong!" It left a spicy aftertaste in her mouth.
When she thought no one was looking, she turned her head to and fro, searching for the pale form of Clef. She didn't see him anywhere. Ah, would that he would come tonight... she thought. Again, the memory of his face lit by the bright fires flashed in her mind. And the darkness of the forest that he lead her to that night so many years ago, the coolness of the grass between their bodies...
She braced herself and took a great swig from the hollowed out gourd in her hand. The spirits burned her throat and chest and made her head spin. "Gods!" she said aloud. "What awful stuff!"
Caldina had flounced over to her. "Ah, good. Drink up, missy!"
"Caldina, how can you drink this stuff? It's horrid!"
She giggled. "We drink it only during this festival, lil' lady! It's not so bad, really, once a year."
"I don't ever remember drinking this stuff before."
"No, and you wouldn't have would you? You weren't old enough then."
"I was fully eighteen my last year here! I could have if I wanted to!"
"Ah!" Caldina cried, ignoring Umi. "Lafarga's here!"
Umi turned and saw the great blond man making his way through the crowd towards them. He was bare from the waist up and painted red and blue like they were. He smiled at Caldina.
"Hey, darlin'!" Caldina flung her dark arms around his neck. "Dance with me!"
He nodded and bent down to steal a few drops of Umi's spirits. He made a face as it settled down into his stomach. "That's what I said!" Umi laughed up at him.
"Princess," he said politely. "You're looking well. And you sure do look like a proper Cephran tonight."
Umi nodded. "All thanks to your little wifey, here."
"Yep!" Caldina beamed. "Ain't I good?" She motioned to the towering fire before them. "Little Chi is over there dancing with the other kids! Aren't they sweet?" She clung to Lafarga's arm. "Hopefully, in a few years, we'll have our own little kiddies to bring to the fires!"
Lafarga patted her head. "Indeed, we may," he said fondly.
Umi watched the scantily clad Chizetan drag her husband over to the fire and pull him into a dance. It came naturally to Caldina of course, being Chizetan born. All she was missing were her fans and veils.
On the far side of the fire, she could make out the figure of a tall, lean man. He, like all the other men, was clad only in leather breaches, bare of foot, and decorated with dye. His eyes gleamed at her through the darkness; a bright gold. She couldn't see his hair color in the darkness; could only tell that it was dark and tied back with a leather string, but when he winked at her, she immediately recognized him. It seemed Ferio, too, joined the dances. She wouldn't have recognized him; his face was almost entirely painted in green.
"Hey there," he said to her, kneeling before her.
Umi reached out and poked at the cross-shaped scar on his cheek. "With these painted over, no one would ever recognize you," she said.
He nodded. "That's the idea. Fuu says it would be 'unseemly' for us to be dancing here. So, we disguise ourselves pretty well and come to join the festivities."
Umi giggled. "Fuu's a little too fond of that 'unseemly' word. And what should she care? She's the Queen, after all. Everyone loves her."
Ferio winked again. "Well, her favorite part of the rites is going off with me into the forest..."
"Ah," Umi laughed. "Well, good for her. Have fun, you two."
Ferio took the gourd from her and drained its contents. "So I guess you're alone tonight, huh? No Clef?"
She shook her head. "Haven't seen him since the blessing earlier today. And even then, I only saw him from afar. Caldina says he doesn't attend the rites anymore."
"It's true, he doesn't. But I bet he would this year, for you."
Umi blushed. "You think so?"
He punched her playfully in the shoulder (a little too hard, as usual) "I know so. I'm a man, aren't I? I know how his mind works. He doesn't want other women, and so he hasn't been to the fires for years. But for you..." he smirked at her. "He'll be here. Trust me."
Umi clapped excitedly. "I hope so!" She pulled Ferio down to her, forcing him to sit. The two watched the fire peaceably, laughing at the stumbling children and absently pulling up shoots of grass. This time tomorrow, this field would be plowed and sown with seeds, and then it would bear its grain.
"Come on," he said after a time. "Your man isn't here, so I'll keep you. Dance with me."
He pulled her to her feet and dragged her over to the fire. It's heat warmed her flesh, making her turn a flushed pink. She noticed that her steps seemed languid and slow. The spirits must have been kicking it. Ferio's hand on her back felt distant and fuzzy.
"Oh," she said clumsily, "I feel drunk..."
"And so you should!" he said. "It's the night of the Red Moon!" He pulled her close, pressing their bodies together. She blushed.
"What a shameless dancer you are."
"What can I say? I'm quite a charmer of women," he smirked, turning her around. Her head felt wondrously light and dizzy, and she took Ferio's arm and moved against him to the beat of the drums. It was growing ever louder, and now a few deep flutes and tambourines joined in. Ferio spun her around and yanked her close again, swaying with her to the music. His calloused hand slipped around her tiny waist, guiding her along the ring of the fire.
"Oh this is fun!" she giggled against his chest. "It's been too long, Ferio!"
"I agree."
"But it makes me a little sad," she said, raising her arms above her head. She swayed her hips against his. "Karu should be here."
"Not to worry, she'll be released by this time next week." He took a knee before her and led her around him in a circle, as most men did in these kinds of dances.
She pulled him back up and took his hands. "Oh yeah, I can feel it now... that stuff is starting to go to my head again..."
"Here then," he said, taking up another drink. "Another gulp or two will have you feeling great. And try not to think of Hikaru. Just have fun."
"Oh no, I couldn't," she said, pushing the liquor away. "I've always been a bad lightweight, I'll be on the ground soon if I have too much of that stuff."
"Just drink," he said, shoving the drink to her mouth. She took it hesitantly and took two large sips.
"That's more like it," he said.
Umi folded herself against him, giggling. "Another few drinks and I may just go off with you into the forest!" she joked.
He laughed openly. "Well, if you won't tell Fuu-chan, I won't."
"In your dreams," she swatted his chest. He pulled at her again and led her closer to the fire. How familiar he was with her, circling her slender wrists with his hands and leaning his naked torso against her own. But not overly familiar; Ferio never was.
Ferio continued to play along with her joke. "Don't pretend like you don't want to."
"Oh, I probably did, at one time. When we first met out in the Forest of Silence, I thought you were quite the looker."
"But you didn't like me anymore after that?"
"Nope," Umi teased, "not since you first opened your mouth."
"Funny, funny Umi-chan," said he, dipping her low to the ground.
"You dance divinely, darling," she purred at him.
He chuckled low in his throat. "You know it. And speaking of darlings," he said into her ear. "Look over there."
"Oh, Fuu!" Umi said. Across the way, she could see three figures walking towards the fire. Lantis and Galerick, both dressed as Ferio was dressed in only leather breeches, flanking Fuu, who carried her war bow and quiver by her side.
Lantis paused next to Ferio, looking stoic as ever. Galerick smiled at Umi, then moved towards the fire, picking Chiharu up in his arms and twirling her about.
Fuu dropped her bow and arrows and nearly threw herself at Umi, kissing her full on the mouth.
Umi laughed. "Fuu-chan, what are you, drunk already?"
"No-o-o," Fuu said in a very uncharacteristic high-pitched giggle.
"Right."
Ferio's eyes raked salaciously up and down Fuu's nearly naked form. "Ah, m'lady," he said, taking her hand and kissing it. He slid his arms around her and shamelessly caressed her flesh.
Fuu blushed against his mouth. "Ferio, not here, there are children around..." She completely contradicted herself when she returned his passionate kisses.
Umi grinned and looked back at the fire. Galerick and Chiharu circled it slowly, like a pair of lovers. The smile on Chiharu's face couldn't have been wider. Galerick, too, looked as if he were having a ball.
Fuu and Ferio retreated to the outer ring of the fire and traipsed along it, hand in hand. Yeah, rub it in, Umi thought almost bitterly. She resumed her spot on the grass and admired the scene around her... all the painted men and women, the glow from the fires and the spinning, glowing arcs created by the fire dancers. She noticed that in the middle of the field was the central bonfire; the tallest of them all. Several men were crowded around it.
Lantis moved to stand next to her. "Princess," he said respectively.
"How odd to see you out of your armor, Lantis!" said Umi.
"I dress accordingly for the festivals, lady. I even dance a little, isn't that odd as well?"
"Oh, I remember you and Hikaru getting pretty silly around these fires a few times."
She regretted it almost instantly, for Lantis' dark face seemed to grow even darker. "Yes, well," he said. "I wasn't going to attend, but the Queen begged me to."
"Leave it to Fuu. She just wants you to have a good time, not hole yourself up in the castle." Ferio had left Umi the strong drink. She didn't touch it because her head was already throbbing pleasantly. She offered it up to Lantis instead.
"Thank you," he said, draining the gourd. Umi giggled.
"Yeah, drink it up. You don't get too many other opportunities."
Fuu left the fire ring to join Umi. She held out her hands and Umi took them. "Dance with me," said the blonde. She pulled Umi much the same way Ferio had, twisting her hips around to the rhythm of the drums. Umi obliged.
"Umi-san, what's this? Stop waltzing."
"I can't help it," Umi giggled, her head swimming. "You can take the girl out of her snobby Tokyo life, but you can't... well, you know."
"We will dance this night away!" Fuu said happily. "And soon, the men will gather and perform their ritual dance. Do you want to watch?"
"Sure."
What little flesh showed from beneath Fuu's heavy paint was very flushed. She stumbled over her feet a few times and gigged almost nonstop.
"Oh, Fuu, you are drunk," Umi commented.
The Queen made a dismissive gesture. "I only had one drink, and I'm allowed to, aren't I? It's a special night."
"You look so cute like this, by the way," Umi commented. "You should always plait your hair like that."
"Yes, well, you know..."
Ferio stood off to the side, looking put out. "Who am I supposed to dance with?"
The two girls laughed. "Lantis doesn't have a partner," Umi offered.
He looked over at the Kailu, raising an eyebrow suggestively. Lantis only shifted his weight on his feet and said nothing
Fuu collapsed into giggles and led Umi away. "Come on Fuu, pick it up," said the bluette. "All right, one two three, one two three, one two three, step lively now! One two three, one two three..."
"Oh," Fuu sighed, "I'm not nearly coordinated enough for this."
The two bumped into Galerick and Chiharu, nearly tumbling to the ground. Galerick steadied them with his free arm. "Partner switch!" Umi declared, stealing her daughter away from the young knight. Gau took Fuu's hand and continued their waltz, or tried to.
Chiharu was glowing with happiness, "Mama!" she cried, clutching her neck.
"Hello my darling." Umi spun her around in circles, laughing gaily. "We're going to go watch the men do their fire dance. Wanna come?"
"Yes, fire dance!"
"All right, look, Ferio and Lantis are already headed over there. See the big fire in the middle of the field? That's where we're going."
"Gau too?" she asked.
"I don't know, baby. Maybe. We'll see." Still spinning around, fully dizzy and light-headed now, Umi grabbed Fuu's arm and stepped carefully through the dew soaked grass. "Come ladies, let us frolic."
Ferio and Lantis led the way, their figures dark, outlined splendidly in the glow of the fires. Damn, she thought drunkenly, but do Cephran boys ever look so good. Chiharu's little face was bright and curious. She stared with wide, curious eyes at the dozens of men gathered around the huge central bonfire, all holding long, smooth wooden staffs or hanging torches. Soon, they would light the ends and dance, giving tribute to their gods.
"Come, sit here." Fuu pulled the down to the ground and watched Ferio and Lantis join the other men. They took up their staffs and stood stock still, appearing to be in prayer.
"I didn't know Ferio practiced the Old Faith," Umi noted.
Fuu shrugged. "He doesn't, but he was raised it it, so he performs these dances accordingly."
"Look, Chi," Umi said. "All the boys. Don't they look handsome in all their paint and leather?"
Chiharu's eyes found the form of Galerick standing to the far right, and she called out his name. "Ah yes, he dances too this year!" Fuu cheered. "His first year! Boys in Cephiro are considered men after their sixteenth birthdays, and then they can participate in the rites."
Umi scanned the row of backs. She could distinguish any man in particular, as the fire was too bright, and she was a little let down when she could see no sign of Clef.
"Come on Ferio, you said he'd come," she whined aloud.
"Said who'd come?" Fuu asked.
"Do you have to ask?"
The blonde giggled, taking a small sip of the strong spirits. "We'll see. The moon isn't even at its highest yet. The night is young!"
The drums died down in the background, and most of the dancers in the field had now converged around the central fire. Many men, at least thirty, now spread out, holding their lit torches. Lantis took up his flaming staff and held it over his head. Ferio mirrored his actions, and the men who held the hanging torches began to spin them in wide arcs. In the darkness they made bright, glowing circles. Drums beat loudly, and those swinging their torches moved away, all turning and maneuvering in sync.
"What, do they get together for rehearsals or something?" Umi asked, watching their perfectly harmonized movements.
Again, Fuu collapsed into giggles, and Umi resolved to ask her no more questions, silly little drunk girl that she was. Not that she had any room to patronize Fuu for being tipsy. Her own head was swimming pleasantly, and every few moments, it seemed as if she could feel the pulse of life around her, the power of the rites.
She clapped excitedly as Ferio took his flaming staff and spun it beside him. Sparks leapt from all the men's fires. Galerick, she saw, merely held his own staff and stood still. Many of the youngest boys did. Soon, they all converged in the center.
"The youngest have their own rites to perform," Fuu said. "Watch Galerick! He must be ecstatic!"
Umi would have obliged if she could take her eyes off the form of one of the men standing the farthest to the right. In each hand, he held a lit baton, spinning around smoothly in his fingers. He was kneeling close to the ground.
"Oh, Chi," Umi breathed, squinting into the firelight. All she could make out was pale skin brightly decorated in blue, and hair tied back into a small ponytail. But she couldn't see his face.
"Mama, look," the little girl said, nearly jumping out of Umi's arms.
The men stood, finally, and along with sevral other men, bent their bodies against the ground and tossed their flaming staffs into the air and catching them, performing complicated acrobatics.
"Like a circus!" Chi giggled.
Umi had to stifle a giggle herself. They all did look rather silly... where were the lions and elephants? She kept her eyes on the figure to the right. It was too familiar... surely it was Clef... but she couldn't be sure. Turn! she implored silently.
When the oldest men knelt to the ground and stilled their flaming weapons, the youngest gave their own tribute, flaming and spinning and tossing.
"Fuu," Umi hissed. "I think that's--"
"No, surely not, he's too tall." said the Queen.
"How can you tell? He's kneeling!" Umi squinted hard at him. Turn, turn, turn...
Finally when the man did turn, Umi moaned in disappointment. It was in fact not Clef. The jaw was too prominent, the eyes too big, and in the light of the fire she could now see that his pale hair was blond, not lavender.
"Damn!" she swore. "Where is that idiot!?"
"Mama! Language!"
"Sorry. But come on, Chi, I was all excited for a minute." Umi rubbed her face. Under the influence of the spirits, it felt numb and tingly. "Maybe we could go walk and look for him."
"Don't be ridiculous," Fuu said, struggling with the word in her drunken state. "Sit with me, don't leave me alone."
"Caldina will come over to you!" Umi snapped.
"No-o-o."
"Fine, fine." She clung to Chiharu and turned around, scanning the crowds. No sign of the mage anywhere. But it was quite dark, she could hardly distinguish any individual face.
The crowd erupted into cheers and clapping, and Umi turned to see that the dance was finished. The men had lit a ring of fire around themselves, casting even more brightness into the starry night above them. The moon was nearly at its highest.
Ferio found them, glistening with sweat and still bearing his torch. "Ladies, come now, continue your dancing. The night isn't half over yet!"
He took Fuu's hand and helped her to her feet. The giggling young blonde was blushing furiously. All aroudn them, young people were grabbing for each other and stealing off into the dark fields around them
"And there they go," Umi said.
Chiharu blinked in their direction. "Mama, where they going?"
She patted the little blue head. "To bed, baby. Wave goodnight."
Ferio and Fuu stole off together, and Umi sighed, making her way to the nearest fire. She would sit and watch the other young folk dance, drink, and make merry, perhaps even dance a little herself. Galerick was near at hand, and he joined them eventually.
"Blessed be the Red Moon!" he said, taking up a drink of his own and drinking it like it was water. "Now I'm hot, ugh, and sweaty too... but excited! Are you enjoying yourself, Princess?"
"Shh, don't call me that so loudly, people will hear you..."
"Sorry," he whispered. "An exciting dance, too. It's my first year, since I'm properly a man and all."
"Congrats, Bannie, you're such a big boy."
"Big boy!" Chiharu chirped.
Galerick gave her a withering look. "Yeah, thanks."
"Gau, dance with me-e-e," Chiharu squealed, throwing herself at his naked torso.
Umi grimaced. "Ew, Chi, he's all dirty, you'll get icky sweaty smeared paint all over your face."
The little girl only giggled happily and clung to the young knight, ignoring her mother completely.
Then they, too went off close to the fire, leaving Umi sitting alone. She looked down at the neglected drink that Galerick had left. She took it up and downed it in one gulp. Well, why not? She was alone now. No one to dance with or...or go into the forest with...
Well, Galerick is free, she thought absently. Then she covered her grinning mouth with her hand, shuddering in disgust. EW!
When she looked up, she spotted a lone figure standing against the main fire. It was Clef, no doubt about it.
His back was turned to her, and even though she couldn't see his face, she knew it was him. Ah, he was leagues away! Should she call out to him?
She wanted to get up and walk to him, but she was rooted firmly to the spot. In fact, she feared that if she got up, she might sway and fall over.
"Clef," she whispered, fingering the leather ties at her waist nervously. He just stood there, watching the fire. He seemed oblivious to all the activity around him; the beating drums, the chants and calls of the locals, the laughter and singing...
Finally, he turned to look over at a group of women dancing provocatively around a neighboring bonfire. He stared at them for a while, then looked up into the sky. The moon hung high, blood red.
He, too, seemed to be searching for someone. Her, of course. He felt her there, but in the darkness, he couldn't find her.
Here, over here, dummy, look, look!
But he would not turn. Umi clutched her fists. Wouldn't just turn around already and look at her!?
"Princess?" Galerick asked, looking concerned. Chiharu clung to his side, happy as a clam. "Something the matter?"
Umi continued to gape at Clef, not answering.
Galerick followed her gaze and made a knowing sound. "The Guru." He handed Chiharu off to her. "Here, I'll be back."
"Hold up, you're not going over there, are you?"
"Of course," he grinned. Little Chiharu fretted in Umi's lap. She stared anxiously at Clef's back but didn't call out to him, or say anything to Umi.
"Bannie, no-o-o," Umi whined.
"What? Don't you want him to come over here?"
"I'm nervous now! So nervous! Oh, what will I do, he's there, he's right there!"
She watched with wide, terrified eyes as Galerick strode across the dewy field and stood by Clef's side. The Mage turned to him and laughed, clapping him on the back. The two exchanged words Umi couldn't hear. She clung desperately to Chiharu, a complete and total nervous wreck.
Galerick leaned in close to Clef and said something to him in confidence. They spoke back and forth, just laughing and staring into the fire. Umi scowled after watching this for about ten minutes. What on earth could they be talking about?
Chiharu was now tugging at Umi's short little skirt. "Mama, dance, dance!" she begged.
Umi didn't take her eyes off the pair. "Wait, Chi, just hold on..."
"No, Mama, come on! Dance with me!"
She allowed Chiharu to pull her to her feet and circled around the far side of the fire with her. The little girl twirled in circles next to the blaze, giggling with the other children there, spinning around with her little bouquet in hand.
"Chi," Umi groaned, taking the child's hands. "Oh, all right, okay..." She picked her up and spun her around. Uh-oh she thought suddenly, bad idea... The liquor sloshed around in her belly and her head spun. The ground felt as if it were moving.
When it felt as if she were about to fall over, Umi steadied herself and circled the fire again. It was agonizingly hot, making her skin burn bright red. "Oh baby, baby... I'm dizzy." Chiharu petted Umi's arm as if trying to still her nausea. "Chiharu," Umi began, "It's odd that you opted to dance instead of wait for Galerick and Clef. Why didn't you wait? They would have come to us, don't you know?"
The child only giggled and smiled that infuriating knowing smile she always used. "Mama... I know." And again, was all giggles. Apparently she'd taken to ignoring Clef's proximity in all the excitement. Galerick appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and stole Chiharu away.
"Gau!" Umi gasped. "Where's--?"
He skirted the ring of fire and winked at her before disappearing behind the flames, child in tow.
Umi's stomach fluttered as she whispered, "Ah-h-h..."
Clef took her hand, stealing her from behind. She gasped aloud. "You!"
He was smiling at her, his face gloriously illuminated in the fire. Dark blue paint smeared his cheeks and forehead, and ancient symbols adorned the rest. He didn't say anything to her, only wrapped a slender arm around her waist and pulled her along with him. His hair was tied back in a ponytail, and most of his lavender locks fell in his face.
"Clef, where have you been?" she asked. "I've been looking for you all night!"
He shrugged. "Around. Watching the commonfolk."
She ran a hand over his decorated arms and neck. He looked maddeningly handsome, clad only in his common leather breeches.
To her delight, his eyes trailed up and down the length of her shapely, unclad body. He smiled. "I like this look on you."
She laughed into his shoulder. "This savage look? Thanks." She so desperately wanted to inquire as to how he was feeling, if he was all right, still depressed, and whether or not he would continue to isolate himself... but she didn't. The words never quite came. It would be an anticlimax of sorts; a damper on this spiritual, magical night. The drums beat hard in the night and the calls and singing of the folk around grew louder. Her skin buzzed pleasantly with the liquor. Soon, she began to sway, moving her hips against him to the music.
The pair then danced together like that under the stars and the gleaming red moon, slowly circling each other, then coming together, very slowly and sensuously pressing their naked forms together. Her hand rested on his smooth, chalky chest, gently tracing the ancient Cephran runes painted there. Ah, how his hot, smooth skin excited her!
"Come," he whispered in her ear. "Come with me." He kissed her then, softly, passionately. The dark red spirits lingered on his pale lips.
"Clef, I--"
"Please. On this night... please."
"I thought you said you'd wait," she smirked. "until you felt you deserved me."
His smile was slow and secretive. "Like I said.. for this night. It's in tribute... be mine, out there in the darkness... It won't be us, after all. Tonight, I am not Clef and you are not Umi. You're the mother earth, and I'm your consort, the lover, the father."
Umi looked over his shoulder at the tiny form of Chiharu. She danced around wildly with the other children and with Galerick, laughing and talking up a storm. Umi had never seen her quite so happy.
"But Chi..."
"I'll bring you back to her," he said.
She looked at him, up into his eyes and smiled.
Assured that Chiharu would not notice her, she took Clef's mouth with her own, drinking in his taste. "All right."
It was surely a night she would never forget. It was so reminiscent, of course, because of the one time they'd shared all those years ago. But now, there was more love, much more longing.
The liquor was still burning strong in her when he laid her down on the cold, wet grass. The blackness overhead, the leaves silhouetted against the night sky, the locusts, the sound of drums in the distance... his hands on her, his lips...
He rid her of her clothing very quickly and discarded them into the brush. She clutched at him and bit her lip, stifling her cries. He took her fiercely, hungrily, and for a moment it was almost as if she could see the shadow of ancient gods around him, and the shadow of the earth mother around her own flesh, and she couldn't see his face anymore, but that of some horned lover, the man of the earth.
"The lover, the consort," he whispered to her. "And you are the mother, the mother of all things..."
She raked at the grass beneath her, drowning in him and all his scent and flesh. Somewhere deep inside her, her power awakened, and soon her whole body tingled with its cold electricity. It was the union, man and woman, so very magical under that sorcerous moon, and his life spilling into her completed a powerful cycle that lingered in her skin for hours afterward.
When they were spent, he rested his cheek against her bare stomach. His breath came quickly in gasps, and his own flesh was slick with sweat.
"You've come to me tonight as a god," she said quietly. "But, if I like the man better, do you think the old gods will be angry?"
He smiled and kissed her again. She pulled him to her without shame, with no thought of their prior situation, as if no time had ever passed between them; almost as if they'd never left this shady grove. He tenderly kissed her bare breasts, her neck, her smudged face. Earth, grass, sweat, leaves, stuck in his hair and to her stomach.
It pained her when he pulled away, when his flesh ceased to touch hers. "Come," he said. "Back to the rites."
She lay on the grass staring up through the trees at the Red Moon. It was as if she could feel the pulse of the life around her flowing through her tingling flesh. She could hear the love and life in the fields, the throbbing vitality of everything and everyone.
He dressed her, touched her lovingly one last time, then led her from the groves. In the midst of the fires, she found her daughter still dancing with Galerick. The child's eyes were heavy and weary.
"Come on, my love," she said softly, scooping up the little body. "We're going home."
Very near them sat Fuu and Ferio, leaning against each other and smiling serenely. Fuu looked up at Umi. "Yes, we're tired as well..."
Ferio pressed feather-light kisses on her jawbone, causing Fuu to giggle and blush. "Time for bed, ne, Fuu-chan?" he asked, seemingly oblivious to anyone around him. Indeed, it seemed as if the two lovers were in their own little world.
Clef remained standing near the fire. He was looking at Umi with glinting eyes. "Will you retire?"
Chiharu's head lolled onto Umi's shoulder. "Yes, I think so."
"Shall I walk you to the castle?"
She sighed contentedly and took his hand. "Sure."
When he wasn't paying attention, Umi deposited Chiharu into his arms. He struggled with her, surprised, but cradled her against his naked chest. The child was sleepy and quite pliable and did not fret in his arms. Actually, it seemed as if she wouldn't be anywhere else in the world but where she was. If she were fully awake, Umi was sure she'd blush and hide behind her legs, even run from Clef... it was a sweet sight. Chiharu curled into his neck, wrapping a tiny arm around his neck, sleepily tracing the painted, scrolling runes on his chest.
He kissed her sweaty forehead. "Hello, my girl." He looked up at Umi. "There's no chance..." he began, pausing.
Umi yawned. "Huh?"
He looked embarrassed. "I don't... I hope I haven't gotten you with child... again..."
She laughed at him. "No way, old man. I've been on potent birth control for years."
"Birth control?" he repeated, confused.
"Prophylactics," she repeated. "One's enough. I don't need another."
The trio left the burning fires, the beating of the drums and the chanting of the countryfolk behind, disappearing into the shadow of the castle. The Red Moon above them would soon sink behind the mountains, and in a few hours, the sun would come up. Umi's own eyelids were starting to grow heavy, and she stifled a yawn behind her hand.
Clef left them outside her chambers. "Good night," he said.
She pulled her to him for a sleepy kiss. "Will you come stay with us?"
"No," he shook his head. "I'll go to my own rooms."
Umi pouted. "But why?'
"I don't think she'd be very comfortable waking up in my arms." He handed his daughter over to her.
"You'd be surprised," Umi said, smiling knowingly at the child.
He shrugged. "Another night, perhaps." He kissed her hand and turned on his heel, disappearing down the hallway. She noted with amusement that he had a certain lightness in his step; the kind of walk every man who ever just laid with a woman had. She shook her head and entered her room. "Good night, Clef..."
Clef was mildly surprised to find Ferio waiting for him outside his chambers. The young King was still covered in earth and paint. His expression was quite serious.
"Clef," he said.
"Highness?" Clef asked.
"I wanted to wait until the festivities were over, so, here we are."
Lantis stepped out of the shadows, looking solemn.
Clef blinked at him. "What? What is it?"
Ferio took his arm. "We should talk, now. I don't like the events in the castle as of late. The lawmaking."
"Events?"
"I have a proposition for you," smirked Ferio. Lantis followed behind them and Clef was swept, bleary and confused, into the darkness of his chambers.
Author's Note: For those of you who squeed over the idea of Umi becoming impregnated by Clef again, don't get your hopes up. I have no plans of making Umi a mother again.
Royal Blue Kitsune: What fun is it to be an authoress if I can't meddle a bit with my readers? Ha, joking. But really, I've delivered pretty well of LantisxHikaru fluff so far, haven't I? I'll continue, and you won't be disappointed.
Selene Thalia: Yes, it's the loyal ones like you who keep me going. Thank you for the review, I hope this chapter makes you all giddy and giggly like it did me!
aRLegOdDesS: I'm so awesome for spelling your name right all the time now! Woo! Anyway, thanks for the review. This chapter definitely warms the heart, I think, all happiness and love and carnal desire, haha. Go Clemi!
schooltrackstar: Yes, Clef is tall like his OAV form, but that's as far as the similarities go. He looks like he does in the anime, not with the weird eyes and hair like the OAV. He's definitely a bish in this story.
Aruka: I won't insert too many more rays of sunshine or butterflies, although there will definitely be more heartwarming stuff to come! It just can't all be rainbows from here on out, ya know? You'll see what I mean.
silverkrystal11: Thanks for your review! Yes, Clef and Umi are a SUPER KAWAII couple!
jem1711: Writing squabbles between the two lovers is one of my favorite things to do. They're so funny when they fight! Both are so stubborn and bullheaded, they fascinate me, really.
Kana090: Well, I'm glad you deemed the chapter good enough to review! I really hope you review more! And sorry for the delay with this chapter, finals week was last week.
nieshka: Another update for you. Enjoy!
Seumari -tai yuna-: Hells YES, finders keepers! Anyway, I was happy to see your name pop up again. This chapter makes me giddy, like some of the others. 17 for instance, is one of my favorites. It's one of those "Ooooooooh, heeheeheeeeeeeeCLEMI!!" chaps. I hope you like this one as well!