DISCLAIMER: Suikoden 2 and all its elements are properties of KCET. The fanfiction belongs to littlemaiko. Stealing is prohibited.
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~ Silent Little Mermaid 6 ~
Kuskus, a small port town surrounded by walls and filled with people making living out of trades, smelled of Lake Dunan like Coronet did. Jess figured that the similar aquatic odor was only natural; if only he could grow to like the fishy smell, he would have no problem with the current work.
"So... these volunteer people are going to do all the work for you?" Flik asked upon seeing the group of about twenty people previously rallied by Fitcher.
Nodding, Jess handed neatly-written copies of directions to the volunteers. Small spots of ink on his slender fingers made it obvious that he had hand-written those instructions beforehand. He shook hands when offered to, smiled when one was given, and nodded to any simple question before dispatching them all to go stand at the main gate and the port. All that Shu had assigned him to do was to keep figures of everything that entered Kuskus. Although the reason for this meticulous work had been untold, the chamberlain could guess that there was Highland involvement.
// Black Market? Information leak? Spy transactions? //
Deep in thought, Jess didn't notice that he was left alone in the lobby of the inn with Flik.
"They all went to work. Diligent people willing to serve the JSCA, eh?" The Blue Thunder commented lightly as he moved closer to his companion. He blinked a little when Jess handed him a folded piece of paper with secretive discretion. The younger man's tea-colored gaze told him that he was not to open the note until no one else was watching. "Fine."
Jess took out the notebook from his pants pocket and readied a sharp pencil, writing out to Flik, "You will work for me as an extra hand. Stay with me during the day and act as a bodyguard would. When the night comes, do as I have written you to do. And no questions."
"All right, Mister Chamberlain. Whatever suits your fancy." With a deliberate joking tone to trick anyone into believing that Jess was merely fussing with him, Flik escorted the other man upstairs to the room they would stay in.
Even after they had entered the room and made themselves comfortable, Jess did not offer to elaborate on anything. He only patted on his shirt pocket in a seemingly natural motion, but that, Flik guessed with accuracy, was a gesture that he should tuck the note away somewhere.
// So he thinks there's some conspiracy going on. Not from Shu's end, but on the other that Sir Strategist wanted us to probe about. Huh, 'not a dangerous job' my ass... //
Flik sat down on the bed with unslung Odessa against his chest, just watching Jess. The lithe chamberlain ignored him for the most part, reading a book with reading glasses on. The time passed by with slowness of a worm.
"Jess, how about some dinner?" The mercenary asked after infinite seconds had passed.
Putting the book down most reluctantly, Jess nodded and placed the glasses down on the lamp table. His tea-colored eyes had taken on the look of overused puffiness, making Flik chuckle. He shut up upon receiving a mild glare, but that was only a discouragement and didn't stop him from musing inwardly.
**********
Although the amount of trade between Musean side and Kuskus had reduced much because of the war, Jess was shocked by how many boats still crossed Lake Dunan. He identified most merchants as those acquainted with Shu, doing business and also working for the head strategist to deliver information. There were few other names of companies listed which the chamberlain did not recognize.
// So this is what Sir Shu wanted me to check. If he can get his merchants into Highland-ruled side, then they can get someone over here... //
Jess frowned and tapped at the paper, not as concerned with the object of the trade as he was with the boats and people. He had little experience dealing with spies and he doubted Flik had any. All he knew was that only a fool would go asking around for whereabouts of a spy. He'd have to work stealthily, using the blue-clad swordsman as a pawn.
Flik, having read the instructions given, left the inn during the night to visit the town tavern. He never came back smelling strongly of ale, which meant that he did his job well. Jess sent him there to listen in on any curious conversations involving JSCA's movement.
A crumpled piece of paper Flik had tucked under Jess' pillow last night reported too many suspicious persons. The chamberlain had to accept that, however, since many talked about JSCA as their heroes. He also took in the surprisingly well-written penmanship of the swordsman; no doubt, Flik had learned it from his deceased beloved.
// Odessa Silverberg. Such a famous woman. //
However, now was not the time to think over the dead. Jess set out to meet a few merchants for whom he had letters from Shu. As always, it was business first and all else later.
**********
Not so clad in blue, Flik sipped at the lightest alcohol he had ever tasted prior to past few nights. He had to admit that he looked nothing like his usual self, dressed in plain black tunic and pants with just Odessa to identify him as a swordsman. Jess had ordered him to do all this, and the instructions impressed him much. How the clever chamberlain had messed up so horribly at Tinto, he couldn't fathom.
// Blood getting to his head, probably. But he is one smart cookie. //
"This seat open?"
Looking up to the gruff voice, Flik just nodded upon seeing a dock worker. He didn't want a company now, since he wanted to concentrate on what was going on inside the tavern, but it could never hurt to be joined by someone as unsuspicious as this man.
"Haven't seen you around here." The man, who had simply introduced himself as Gene, studied Flik's handsomeness with scrutiny.
"Well, I'm not from around here. A hand for hire, in case you are curious." Flik returned, measuring the nonchalance of his tone. He wished that he had Shu or Klaus' talent for manipulative conversation; whatever he said, he had to watch his tongue yet make sure that he didn't sound too cautious.
"Oh really? A skinny dude like you? Heh, guess the army's needing all men they can get."
"I suppose so."
"...Even that little silent kitten."
Vivid blue eyes immediately snapped wide and Flik fought hard not to let his hand fly to the hilt of Odessa. Gene merely flickered the dark gaze to the sword and curled his thick lips. The look was no longer that of a dock worker but a sly someone who knew works of the dark side of politics.
"You shouldn't leave such cutie alone in a room, Blue Thunder."
Flik breathed with desperate effort, feeling his heart clench up into a tight ball. "What have you done..."
"Nothing yet, I wager. But in about 2 minutes, he'll be swimming in Lake Dunan." Gene chuckled low, a sneer telling Flik that they both knew what he was suggesting. Seeing that the other had his hand at the sword now, the spy raised an eyebrow. "If you be smart, you won't draw that here. Too many people and our undercover will blow. Come with me, pal, and I'll escort you back to the inn."
// How could I let this happen? I failed Odessa, I am to fail Jess...? //
For a moment, Flik found himself in the dark underground alley of Lenan Camp. The cold water line connected to the town well ran to one side and the old meeting place of the Liberation Army was to the other end. It was the vision from the dream he suffered in the past three years; the dream of Odessa's death which he had not witnessed first-hand. A spray of red and waving auburn-brown tresses beneath the surface of ice-cold water burned into Flik's senses. The pain of loss, shattered pride, all fears and tears reminding him of the grief.
// I was not there for her. //
"You will not... touch a strand of that hair..." Flik hissed quietly, the rage in his voice only heard by the spy in front of him.
Before anyone could scream or even steal a glance at what he did, Flik slammed a small thunder ball against Gene's large back. He aimed for the heart, coldly calculating that this death could be diagnosed as a sudden heart attack or the likes.
"I guess you drank too much for your heart to handle."
Flik spoke loud and clear for the master of the tavern to overhear, and left the scene with an excuse that he will go fetch a doctor.
**********
Jess woke up to the feel of cloth pressed against his lower face. Two hands held him down with ease while another pair muffled his already silent cries. Although it was dark, he saw the attackers clearly.
// Dock workers...? //
Sweet, clinging smell of drug soaked in the cloth took over Jess' consciousness. He kicked and tried to shake his head free of the sleep-coaxing substance. However, he was already tired from the medication he took for chronic insomnia, and with arms and legs pinned so efficiently, the most he could do was arch and squirm until his entire body numbed.
// Damn it...... //
Dimmed mind fought hard to remain somewhat functional, and Jess felt himself being lifted and eased into cloth. He wondered where he may be, but the sound of cloth rubbing against cloth and strips being tied told him that he had been tucked inside a bag of a sort. A large bag with its mouth closed and secured, acting as a cage.
"Ready to go for a little swim, lil kitten?"
A gruff voice mocked from the other side of the bag. Jess grunted without a sound as he was hefted by the waist and slung over a broad shoulder. A hand groped over the coarse fabric of the bag to caress at his hindside and thighs, almost regretfully at the inevitable death he would be dealt with.
"Hey, Ronan, you sure we can't fuck this darling before we throw him to the lake?"
"Nah. We'll go buy some women afterwards."
Biting his lips so hard that the lower one bled, Jess wiggled as much as possible under the bundle. He wished for his voice, would have traded anything for the ability to scream out for help. Rather than fear of death, he hated dying and being forgotten like nothing had passed.
// And it would not be a death worth some merit. By Muse, I don't want to die like this!! //
Jess cringed as the vulgar hand slid around his body to touch him elsewhere. The mild groping tore no reaction from him, but the trip through the cool night air felt like forever.
// Flik....... //
NEXT
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~ Silent Little Mermaid 6 ~
Kuskus, a small port town surrounded by walls and filled with people making living out of trades, smelled of Lake Dunan like Coronet did. Jess figured that the similar aquatic odor was only natural; if only he could grow to like the fishy smell, he would have no problem with the current work.
"So... these volunteer people are going to do all the work for you?" Flik asked upon seeing the group of about twenty people previously rallied by Fitcher.
Nodding, Jess handed neatly-written copies of directions to the volunteers. Small spots of ink on his slender fingers made it obvious that he had hand-written those instructions beforehand. He shook hands when offered to, smiled when one was given, and nodded to any simple question before dispatching them all to go stand at the main gate and the port. All that Shu had assigned him to do was to keep figures of everything that entered Kuskus. Although the reason for this meticulous work had been untold, the chamberlain could guess that there was Highland involvement.
// Black Market? Information leak? Spy transactions? //
Deep in thought, Jess didn't notice that he was left alone in the lobby of the inn with Flik.
"They all went to work. Diligent people willing to serve the JSCA, eh?" The Blue Thunder commented lightly as he moved closer to his companion. He blinked a little when Jess handed him a folded piece of paper with secretive discretion. The younger man's tea-colored gaze told him that he was not to open the note until no one else was watching. "Fine."
Jess took out the notebook from his pants pocket and readied a sharp pencil, writing out to Flik, "You will work for me as an extra hand. Stay with me during the day and act as a bodyguard would. When the night comes, do as I have written you to do. And no questions."
"All right, Mister Chamberlain. Whatever suits your fancy." With a deliberate joking tone to trick anyone into believing that Jess was merely fussing with him, Flik escorted the other man upstairs to the room they would stay in.
Even after they had entered the room and made themselves comfortable, Jess did not offer to elaborate on anything. He only patted on his shirt pocket in a seemingly natural motion, but that, Flik guessed with accuracy, was a gesture that he should tuck the note away somewhere.
// So he thinks there's some conspiracy going on. Not from Shu's end, but on the other that Sir Strategist wanted us to probe about. Huh, 'not a dangerous job' my ass... //
Flik sat down on the bed with unslung Odessa against his chest, just watching Jess. The lithe chamberlain ignored him for the most part, reading a book with reading glasses on. The time passed by with slowness of a worm.
"Jess, how about some dinner?" The mercenary asked after infinite seconds had passed.
Putting the book down most reluctantly, Jess nodded and placed the glasses down on the lamp table. His tea-colored eyes had taken on the look of overused puffiness, making Flik chuckle. He shut up upon receiving a mild glare, but that was only a discouragement and didn't stop him from musing inwardly.
**********
Although the amount of trade between Musean side and Kuskus had reduced much because of the war, Jess was shocked by how many boats still crossed Lake Dunan. He identified most merchants as those acquainted with Shu, doing business and also working for the head strategist to deliver information. There were few other names of companies listed which the chamberlain did not recognize.
// So this is what Sir Shu wanted me to check. If he can get his merchants into Highland-ruled side, then they can get someone over here... //
Jess frowned and tapped at the paper, not as concerned with the object of the trade as he was with the boats and people. He had little experience dealing with spies and he doubted Flik had any. All he knew was that only a fool would go asking around for whereabouts of a spy. He'd have to work stealthily, using the blue-clad swordsman as a pawn.
Flik, having read the instructions given, left the inn during the night to visit the town tavern. He never came back smelling strongly of ale, which meant that he did his job well. Jess sent him there to listen in on any curious conversations involving JSCA's movement.
A crumpled piece of paper Flik had tucked under Jess' pillow last night reported too many suspicious persons. The chamberlain had to accept that, however, since many talked about JSCA as their heroes. He also took in the surprisingly well-written penmanship of the swordsman; no doubt, Flik had learned it from his deceased beloved.
// Odessa Silverberg. Such a famous woman. //
However, now was not the time to think over the dead. Jess set out to meet a few merchants for whom he had letters from Shu. As always, it was business first and all else later.
**********
Not so clad in blue, Flik sipped at the lightest alcohol he had ever tasted prior to past few nights. He had to admit that he looked nothing like his usual self, dressed in plain black tunic and pants with just Odessa to identify him as a swordsman. Jess had ordered him to do all this, and the instructions impressed him much. How the clever chamberlain had messed up so horribly at Tinto, he couldn't fathom.
// Blood getting to his head, probably. But he is one smart cookie. //
"This seat open?"
Looking up to the gruff voice, Flik just nodded upon seeing a dock worker. He didn't want a company now, since he wanted to concentrate on what was going on inside the tavern, but it could never hurt to be joined by someone as unsuspicious as this man.
"Haven't seen you around here." The man, who had simply introduced himself as Gene, studied Flik's handsomeness with scrutiny.
"Well, I'm not from around here. A hand for hire, in case you are curious." Flik returned, measuring the nonchalance of his tone. He wished that he had Shu or Klaus' talent for manipulative conversation; whatever he said, he had to watch his tongue yet make sure that he didn't sound too cautious.
"Oh really? A skinny dude like you? Heh, guess the army's needing all men they can get."
"I suppose so."
"...Even that little silent kitten."
Vivid blue eyes immediately snapped wide and Flik fought hard not to let his hand fly to the hilt of Odessa. Gene merely flickered the dark gaze to the sword and curled his thick lips. The look was no longer that of a dock worker but a sly someone who knew works of the dark side of politics.
"You shouldn't leave such cutie alone in a room, Blue Thunder."
Flik breathed with desperate effort, feeling his heart clench up into a tight ball. "What have you done..."
"Nothing yet, I wager. But in about 2 minutes, he'll be swimming in Lake Dunan." Gene chuckled low, a sneer telling Flik that they both knew what he was suggesting. Seeing that the other had his hand at the sword now, the spy raised an eyebrow. "If you be smart, you won't draw that here. Too many people and our undercover will blow. Come with me, pal, and I'll escort you back to the inn."
// How could I let this happen? I failed Odessa, I am to fail Jess...? //
For a moment, Flik found himself in the dark underground alley of Lenan Camp. The cold water line connected to the town well ran to one side and the old meeting place of the Liberation Army was to the other end. It was the vision from the dream he suffered in the past three years; the dream of Odessa's death which he had not witnessed first-hand. A spray of red and waving auburn-brown tresses beneath the surface of ice-cold water burned into Flik's senses. The pain of loss, shattered pride, all fears and tears reminding him of the grief.
// I was not there for her. //
"You will not... touch a strand of that hair..." Flik hissed quietly, the rage in his voice only heard by the spy in front of him.
Before anyone could scream or even steal a glance at what he did, Flik slammed a small thunder ball against Gene's large back. He aimed for the heart, coldly calculating that this death could be diagnosed as a sudden heart attack or the likes.
"I guess you drank too much for your heart to handle."
Flik spoke loud and clear for the master of the tavern to overhear, and left the scene with an excuse that he will go fetch a doctor.
**********
Jess woke up to the feel of cloth pressed against his lower face. Two hands held him down with ease while another pair muffled his already silent cries. Although it was dark, he saw the attackers clearly.
// Dock workers...? //
Sweet, clinging smell of drug soaked in the cloth took over Jess' consciousness. He kicked and tried to shake his head free of the sleep-coaxing substance. However, he was already tired from the medication he took for chronic insomnia, and with arms and legs pinned so efficiently, the most he could do was arch and squirm until his entire body numbed.
// Damn it...... //
Dimmed mind fought hard to remain somewhat functional, and Jess felt himself being lifted and eased into cloth. He wondered where he may be, but the sound of cloth rubbing against cloth and strips being tied told him that he had been tucked inside a bag of a sort. A large bag with its mouth closed and secured, acting as a cage.
"Ready to go for a little swim, lil kitten?"
A gruff voice mocked from the other side of the bag. Jess grunted without a sound as he was hefted by the waist and slung over a broad shoulder. A hand groped over the coarse fabric of the bag to caress at his hindside and thighs, almost regretfully at the inevitable death he would be dealt with.
"Hey, Ronan, you sure we can't fuck this darling before we throw him to the lake?"
"Nah. We'll go buy some women afterwards."
Biting his lips so hard that the lower one bled, Jess wiggled as much as possible under the bundle. He wished for his voice, would have traded anything for the ability to scream out for help. Rather than fear of death, he hated dying and being forgotten like nothing had passed.
// And it would not be a death worth some merit. By Muse, I don't want to die like this!! //
Jess cringed as the vulgar hand slid around his body to touch him elsewhere. The mild groping tore no reaction from him, but the trip through the cool night air felt like forever.
// Flik....... //
NEXT