Yesness! Another chapter! Arwyn still hasn't given me any inspiration on UFN though. Pooper scooper.
Anyway, because this particular fic has so many details to it, you may want to check out the site I made: http://www.angelfire.com/anime3/abydospersephone/index.html. It exists for the sole purpose of explaining things to you!! Plus, it has pictures of Airship Escaflowne courtesy of my lifemate's 3D art program!! Please check it out J.
Ditto, except I know have Sage's permission to use her name. Thank you, Sage, and I humbly implore you to take a gander and my website! Oh, and I also own the strange unnamed language that appears in this chapter [which, by the way, is explained more thoroughly on the aforementioned website].
~*Chapter Two: Revelations*~
Merle held her stomach, laughing hysterically. "That's a good one!" she managed to exclaim. "Can't say I've ever met someone claiming to have the name of an airship!"
Van, though he truly felt amused, had no reaction. He simply narrowed his eyes as he faced the woman claiming to be Escaflowne. "Explain," he ordered—not meanly, but expecting obedience.
The woman frowned a bit, but decided it was best to explain. She moved her hands in an grand gesture, and answered, "I am the soul of your ship." She paused for a moment, obviously not liking the rest of her explanation. "I belong to you, King Van."
For a moment, Van was quiet and Merle had not even heard the woman, because she was still laughing hysterically. Finally having processed the information, Van smiled what was probably his first genuine smile in a long time. "Only someone of good intentions would admit to belonging to a king." He extended his gloved hand and it was met with one of the woman's hands. Still smiling, he bowed slightly and commented, "Gaddes really can do wonders."
The woman nearly beamed with happiness. "You know Father?"
Van looked surprised to say the least; not only because of the woman's revelation but also because of the fact that Merle was still laughing so hard that she actually fell through the entrance of the airship and the opening closed behind her, thus locking her out. He shook his head to return his attention to the woman. "Gaddes is your father?" he questioned somewhat uncertainly.
"Yes, King Van," the woman answered happily.
"Please, just call me Van," Van requested. "I hate pleasantries, especially titles."
The woman nodded, and before she could comment further Van again spoke. "Do you like your name?"
The woman looked startled, her eyes holding confusion. "What?"
"It's a simple question," Van replied. "Do you like your name?"
"I…guess I do," the woman answered. For several minutes, she and Van simply stood in silence. Then, Van looked deeply into her eyes; his gaze being almost hypnotic to her.
"You have beautiful eyes," he complimented suddenly.
Now the woman was utterly obfuscated. First, Van had been stoic and authoritative. But now he's complimenting me…? Finally realizing that she had indeed been complimented, she smiled and blushed prettily.
Not letting the woman say anything, Van continued. "The name Escaflowne doesn't suit you." He paused, trying to squelch the blush that was beginning to creep up his cheeks. "Hitomi would be so much better. It…means Mystic Eyes."
The woman smiled. "That's a very pretty name."
Van couldn't help but smile too. I seem to have a habit of smiling around her… "Then…may I call you Hitomi?"
The newly named Hitomi nodded happily.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Magaycks Iliocksramdel?" (My Lord?)
"Telhagaecksycks acksramecks acksdelvelacksnagacinnaicksnagaginna" (They are advancing.)
"Pelacksramdelocksnaga?" (Pardon?)
"Telhagaecks icksnagahagabelickstelacksnagatelsaga ocksfam 'Gaea' acksramecks acksdelvelacksnagacinnaicksnagaginna teleckskinnahaganagaocksiliocksjinnaickskinnaacksiliiliycks" (The inhabitants of 'Gaea' are advancing technologically.)
"Delockseckssaga telhagaickssaga magaecksacksnaga…?" (Does this mean…?)
"Yckseckssaga." (Yes.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"A penny for your thoughts," Allen spoke as he observed Gaddes chuckle sporadically.
Gaddes breathed in deeply, crossing his arms behind his head and leaning back on the chair. "Nothing."
"Liar," Allen accused. "I've known you so long that I can tell when you're hiding something."
"Is that so?" Gaddes teased. Sitting forward again, he sighed. "I…suppose I miss her."
Allen smirked. "You, the almighty Gaddes, are suffering from empty nest syndrome?" Quickly turning serious again, he continued. "But that is not all. There is something else that you are hiding."
Gaddes looked to the floor. "There's something I didn't tell Celena and Dilandau to put in the manual."
"And that would be…?"
"Escaflowne can go beyond the sky."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Van became inquisitive. "You said you were Escaflowne's soul, right?"
Hitomi nodded.
"How…how was I able to shake your hand then?" Van asked. "What exactly are you?"
"I am a hologram," Hitomi answered. "Father programmed me to be real to the touch because he didn't want me to seem like a ghost." She paused for a moment, then blushed slightly. "Do you think he did a good job?"
Van's eyes widened, almost achieving the deer-in-the-headlights look. "I-I-I," he stuttered. He cleared his throat and began again, looking sterner this time, "Yes."
Hitomi smiled, but before she could say anything a loud banging could be heard accompanied by a very loud "VAN-SAMAAAAAA!!!"
Van sighed. "That would be Merle. I suppose it's about time for dinner, so I should go."
Hitomi nodded, understanding. "Flip the green switch again before you leave. And by the way, Father gave me a list of men and women worthy to operate Escaflowne. Would you like me to give it to you tomorrow?"
"Sure," Van answered as he turned to flick the switch. But before his hand touched it, he spun around. "Umm…goodnight, Hitomi," he said with a smile.
"Goodnight, Van," Hitomi replied, returning his smile. "I'll have to give you a tour tomorrow."
Van nodded, still smiling. Finally his hand hit the green switch, and he watched as Hitomi returned to wherever she came from in the same bluish white light. He lingered for a moment, staring at the place where she stood and gingerly clasping the pendant around his neck in one of his gloved hands.
And with an uncharacteristic melancholy sigh, Van exited.