DisClaimer: i do not own Escaflowne or any of the people in it. Please
don't sue.:0)

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Chapter 5: Hard Choices

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-Dreaming comes so easily... It's all that I've known...
True Love is a fairy tale... I'm damaged, as i'm sure you know...
I'm scared and i'm alone... But i need for you to know...

by -Plumb, Damaged-

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Atrea waking up at the inn Good it's still early, the sun is
barely raising. I should bathe and get out of here as soon as possible.
I am pretty sure that THEY will be looking for me here, considering
what i did last night. Ohhhhhh God. Last night. What i did. I feel
very stupid about it now. What was i thinking? I should not have...
have...kissed him. I don't do things like that. I have had, a lot
more to drink than that. And never did anything that crazy.
talking to her self outloud The fact is HE has been chasing me
for 4 days now. I don't think it is to just Talk either. He probably
wants to kill me or lock me up. So what do i do? I kiss him.....
That was not the smartest move i could have made. Thinking back now
i think i have a death wish. Ever since i came to this planet i have
been saying and doing things that are not like me at all. Given, they
are things that i have wanted to do but never had the courage. I still
am crazy. Kissing him...... This is something to write home about.
I my mother were alive today... Hey ma guess what i did. laughing to
herself .
Ok clean and packed. Where should i go. looking over map I have
not been to Fanelia yet. Since it is back the way i originally came,
i doubt very much they would look for me in that direction. I need to
buy a horse.
purchased horse and takes off to Fanelia
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Floating Fortress
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Dilandau waking up Morning all ready. I swear i did not sleep much
again. That girl is more trouble.....! knock at door" What is it "
shouts Dilandau. " The girl has been spotted leaving Godasiem, Sir "
Dollet yelled back through the door. " Ok let's go then " Dilandau
said as he ran passed him toward the Melef hanger.
Searching continues by air " What was her last known position"
Dilandau asks through the com system. " Over there " Gatti replied.
" There is no sign of her, Damn! " Dialandau yelled. " Ok we are
going to comb the forests, the lakes, the cities, and whatever else
could be considered a hiding spot, you get that dirt bags " Dilandau
shouted very angry. " Go now " Dilandau yelled.
Again... Again she eludes me. Where could she have gone... Hmmmm
Folken will not like this, and he will make my life hell if i can't
locate her soon.
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3 and a half weeks later. Fanelia
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It has been over 3 weeks, and i still have not been found. In fact
i have not seen any sight of them, since Godashiem. Maybe they have
given up. Or maybe they want me to think they have given up, so i will
let my gaurd down. Maybe they went the other direction. Too many
maybes'. I will not let my gaurd down. Look at me, damn i am so
paranoid, with good reason. But paranoid still.
Fanelia is a beautiful country. Lush green forests, clear ponds,
and there are flowers everywhere. I have heard rumors from some of the
locals, that there are Dragons in the area. I always thought, that was
all make believe in children's books. I have not yet seen a Dragon,
but with this planet, anything is possible. I could believe aliens
coming here on holiday too.
There are strange creatures here too. The first week i was here,
i saw a little cat girl. It brings new meaning to pets everywhere.
I know now that i am not dreaming. I gave up the idea long ago that i
was in a coma, having this dream. With this much detail after this
long.... I know now, that i am here. I am not entertaining any ideas
that i can start a life here yet. Seeing as how everyone is after me.
Last week i noticed a pencil drawing of what looked like me, on a
wanted poster. It came from what they call the Floating Fortress. A
man i have never seen before, was showing it to the various people on
the streets. No one gave me up. Not that they would remember me anyway.
I have been keeping to myself a lot. I figure it is safer for now.
I guess it is kinda funny really, i mean, these Zaibach guys are
really getting desperate. I never knew i could be so important.
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Floating Fortress
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" Have you done what i asked Dilandau "? Folken asked. he did not
bother looking up at him or turning around. " Yes Folken, it was a good
plan you had, she fell for it ". Dilandau smiled and said very amused.
" Good, take 8 men with you and go undercover and retrieve her".
"With pleasure " Dilandau said with a smile plastered on his face.
They had known where she went weeks ago. Rather than having another
unfortunate incident, they decided to smoke her out. Folken came up
with a rouse.... He sent a man into Fanelia with a pencil drawing
done of her, in hopes that she would feel safer there, after the man
left. Folken figured, she would think she was safe because they did
not find her. But the real reason he had a man go there, was to plant
some undercover people to I.D. her and follow her. Thus throwing
her off the scent. Dilandau was skeptical at first, but came around
when he saw the plan working so well. Tonight would be the night he
would see her again. He still wasn't sure if he wanted the hunt to end
or if he truly wanted to see her again. He thought about her often.
He dreamed about her almost every night. Her face... in the moonlight,
as she jumped onto the roof...... The secret smile she gave him as
they chased her down the hall...... That kiss...that kiss. He still
blushed every time he thought about it. He never told anyone about it.
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Fanelia
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When did i get comfortable here? It is probably best that i leave
around sunrise. I still have a funny feeling about the man with my
wanted poster. I think i will head toward the mountains, i hear that
they have some wonderful villages in there. Maybe i can study wild
life, or find a place to live. A real home..... Not an inn. 2 hours
until it gets dark. I think i will go for my last drink in Fanelia and
turn in.
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Dilandau
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2 hours until we capture her. I can't believe how giddy i feel.
I am excited that i will win this little game of mine. Knowing that
in the end i always win. Does she know that? I always win. We know
where she is staying, we know what she does with her time, and we
have 8 men, just in case the plan does not go accordingly.
"Alright men, this is how it is going to go... Gatti, Lucas you
take the back door, Miguel, Guimmel you take the window on the side,
Dollet, Noryan you both take the front door, Chesta, Voile you take
the 2nd floor stairs. I will take the inside. I will shout orders to
you, if she resists. That way you know where she will be headed. You
all have trained well for this i expect no failure. Last thing before
we head out, drug her if you have to, but do not harm her, Folken wants
her reasonably heathly. Move out, Get into positions now "Dilandau
stated.
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The Inn at Fanelia
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Ale is so much better than the stuff i drank last time. I have not
had a drop since then. Now i want to celebrate my victory. Cheers.
drinks it down fast " Bar keep, another please ". I yell to him.
I was not paying attention again, as i should have. Because when i
looked up from my glass, Dilandau was bringing me my Ale and one for
himself. I quickly got up and was about to run... when he quietly said
to me as he was sitting down, "your surrounded". " Come have a drink
with me " He cheerfully stated. Resigning myself back to my chair i
complied. He was now sitting across the very small table looking at me.
I took down my hood and grabbed my Ale from him and drank it all very
fast. He smiled at me and said " I have the whole place surrounded,
you won't get far if you run". " Who said i was gonna run " i replied.
" What do you want from me "? I asked him impatiently. He said in a
quiet tone " Folken has questions, we are to bring you to him for
answers ". I paused for a moment to study his face once more, and then
smiled and said " i see. And what makes you think i have answers".
" it is not for me to decide, I am not the one who wants you " he
said smiling at me. I felt disappointed that he said that, i don't
really know why, i just did. My sword was still at my side as was my
bag. I never went anywhere without the 2. I knew that i may have to
leave at a moments notice, at any given time, anywhere. I felt safer
knowing this. My disappointment came out in my voice as i said " What
makes you think that you will catch me FOR THIS FOLKEN GUY". With that
said, i shot up and took my sword out and ran. I was heading out the
front entrance when 2 men came after me. Dilandau was only a second
behind me. I turned around and began fighting them. My fuzzy thoughts
were not helping. Because i drank 2 glasses of Ale i was not focused.
I cursed myself for being so careless. I took one of them down, and
then another 4 guys came at me, now i had 5 to contend with.
I took out another one i floored him and spun around to see 2 more
coming, 8 men! it takes 8 men, to take me down. 1 of the men grabbed me
from behind and tried to hold my arms, a second one came to help. I
kicked one of them, and then Dilandau came at me and held something
over my mouth. Fuzzy thoughts became a blur as i knew i was going
to pass out.
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Dilandau
-------------------
My men were having trouble holding her off. She knocked out 3 of
them, so i ran up to her and put the sleeping potion to her mouth.
She passed out quickly. I grabbed her before she fell and put her in
my arms and carried her to my melef. I yelled to the other men to get
going before anyone noticed what we did. I had to arrange her on my lap
to put her inside the Alseides with me. It was more cramped then it was
before. I made Miguel carry her sword and bag. I made poor Chesta check
her for other weapons. I almost felt sorry for the poor guy. His face
turned 90 shades of red. I thought he was going to pass out too. It
took all the strength i had not to look at her. Every time i did i
wanted to kiss her. I don't understand why i feel this way about her.
She has made my life difficult since the day she arrived. Folken
assured me that no one would harm her, yet i feel very protective of
her. I wish i knew why.
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Floating Fortress
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" So you finally captured her, Dilandau " Folken said pleased.
" She is in the empty room next to mine ".Dilandau said. " Keeping an
eye on her i see, very good Dilandau. I knew you would not
underestimate her abilities ". Folken smiled and laughed. He went on
to say " Come and get me when she is awake ". Dilandau left and
walked down the hall to his room. He paused for a second and went into
hers. He relieved Gatti, and told him to gaurd the door. And then he
sat there and dozed off.
Atrea opened her eyes I was caught. I got careless. It seems that
they have tied my hands to the bed, and my legs together. I guess they
percieve me as a potential danger. It is dark in here, i wonder where i
am. Maybe this Zaibach place or The Floating Fortess. " So your awake "
a voice said. I know that voice. Dilandau. I look over to him, it would
seem he slept here watching over me. No trust these days. They took my
weapons no doubt, what harm could i do tied up. " yes " is all i would
say. " Did you sleep well "? He asked me. " As if you cared " I
whispered. I turned my head so i would not have to look at him. I felt
my eyes starting to water. I was not going to show weakness. I will not
show weakness. He was silent. I closed my eyes, and fell back asleep.
When i woke up, i did not open my eyes this time. I knew he was there.
I can smell his after shave. And his hair smelled like fresh roses.
Sense i had my back to him i could not tell if he was sleeping or
staring at me. A minute later i heard him get up and sit on the bed.
He placed his hand on my back and started to run his fingers through
my hair. I figured the cloak/coat thing had been taken off me as well
as my bag and sword. I could feel his warm hands in my hair and on my
back. I put on my black turtleneck yesterday, so i was sure my tatoo
secret was safe for the time being. He continued to touch my hair.
knock at the door He kissed my forehead and got up to get the door.
" Is she awake "? The voice said. " No Folken, she is still asleep "
Dilandau replied. " Very well, let me know when she wakes up " The
Folken guy said and left.
He sat down again on the bed, and touched my hair. He was running
his fingers through it absentmindedly. I kept me eyes closed and
whispered " Why are you doing this?, what do you want from me"? He said
nothing and continued to play in my hair which was all over the place.
I whispered again on the brink of tears " Answer me ". He said nothing.
He got up and sat down on the chair again. I fell asleep.