"Fair Game" Part I
NCDavis
Disclaimer: I do not own Sorcerer Hunters or any characters created by Satoru Akahori and Ray Omishi. This work of fiction is for entertainment purposes only and my humble homage to fans and creators. Please save the whip for Carrot.
AN: Written solely in Gateau's POV, "Fair Game" exists within a vacuum of sorts. It's not really meant to fit within a specific timeline of the SH universe, yet it's not AU. The characters are who they're supposed to be and the story takes personal histories into account. In other words, no Tira as Snow White and we're still on Spooner Continent. I'll err on the side of caution and warn that some may see OOC-ness. However, this fic is mainly an exercise in "what if." What if something made Tira take a hard look at her life so far? OOC or a character growing, you be the judge.
Also, bare with me while I find the right combo of font and point.
_____________
He stood silent, watching. The ebony-haired young man knelt down by the bank of the river, while the pink-haired young woman held a basket in front of her, a tail fin protruding from the edge of it. His partners. His torment.
Marron was still, almost in a trance. In a flash, he plunged his hand into the gurgling water. He pulled out another fish without a hint of triumph, calmly placing it in the basket along side the other.
Gateau couldn't help wondering which would be easier: catching fish barehanded or getting a date with the one he wanted. He snorted. No contest. Catching the fish. The one Gateau wanted was more agile, more quick-witted, and more evasive. That was part of the fun. The challenge.
And the gods had finally given him the chance to act.
Carrot and Marron's father, Onion, had taken ill. Their boss, Big Mama, sensed sorcery at work. There'd been a row among Onion's children, both his blood sons and foster daughters, about who would try to find Seiryu's Blood: a hidden magical pool Big Mama had said would yield a cure. Normally the five sorcerer hunters would've traveled together as for any other mission, but sorcery seemed to be rampant the past few months, and the head of the Steller Church had no personnel to spare. So lots had been drawn among the Glace/Misu clan, and Carrot and the elder daughter Chocolat had won the right to go find the pool, leaving Marron, Tira and him as a band of hunters to deal with the current epidemic of kinjyu terrorizing the rest of Spooner Continent.
Gateau turned his attention back to chopping firewood, his usual job as strong man. He was certain both of his teammates knew he'd been watching them, but neither of them had the temperament to call him on it right then. No matter. Despite the troubles around them, circumstance was on his side. There were just the three of them. They were traveling between assignments.
He made another jab at the fallen tree trunk with his hand, breaking it down to a length better served for a campfire. Now that the idea had taken root, the desires he'd kept silent could no longer be denied. He told himself he could have anyone he wanted, in part to keep focused on his quest. It was no boast. His blond looks and muscular build led many a would-be lover to try all sorts of tactics to catch his favor. He'd enjoyed numbers of them, reveled in their skill, their beauty. But none of them had been like this one. Beautiful -- he drew in a breath -- but not willing to even grant him a look of hope that they might one day share a bed.
Tonight that would change.
/=/=/=/
The fire still burned bright as Gateau sat up in his bedroll. He looked across the flame at Marron. It'd taken him months to learn when Marron was truly asleep and when he was just faking it, his eyes closed but fully awake. All signs pointed to the former. Sliding his gaze farther right, he noted Tira's bedroll was . . . empty? He'd feigned sleep himself, but hadn't heard her move. Gateau frowned. It wasn't like her to wander away from camp.
He got up on the alert, yet nothing in the sounds of the surrounding fauna suggested anything amiss. The birds and animals were silent, save for those nocturnal by nature. He would've heard someone approach or any kind of struggle. If magic had been used, Marron would've awakened immediately. He relaxed somewhat as he walked away from the camp circle.
He noticed a single set of footprints leading into the forest. Her footprints. He smiled to himself. Let the game begin.
NCDavis
Disclaimer: I do not own Sorcerer Hunters or any characters created by Satoru Akahori and Ray Omishi. This work of fiction is for entertainment purposes only and my humble homage to fans and creators. Please save the whip for Carrot.
AN: Written solely in Gateau's POV, "Fair Game" exists within a vacuum of sorts. It's not really meant to fit within a specific timeline of the SH universe, yet it's not AU. The characters are who they're supposed to be and the story takes personal histories into account. In other words, no Tira as Snow White and we're still on Spooner Continent. I'll err on the side of caution and warn that some may see OOC-ness. However, this fic is mainly an exercise in "what if." What if something made Tira take a hard look at her life so far? OOC or a character growing, you be the judge.
Also, bare with me while I find the right combo of font and point.
_____________
He stood silent, watching. The ebony-haired young man knelt down by the bank of the river, while the pink-haired young woman held a basket in front of her, a tail fin protruding from the edge of it. His partners. His torment.
Marron was still, almost in a trance. In a flash, he plunged his hand into the gurgling water. He pulled out another fish without a hint of triumph, calmly placing it in the basket along side the other.
Gateau couldn't help wondering which would be easier: catching fish barehanded or getting a date with the one he wanted. He snorted. No contest. Catching the fish. The one Gateau wanted was more agile, more quick-witted, and more evasive. That was part of the fun. The challenge.
And the gods had finally given him the chance to act.
Carrot and Marron's father, Onion, had taken ill. Their boss, Big Mama, sensed sorcery at work. There'd been a row among Onion's children, both his blood sons and foster daughters, about who would try to find Seiryu's Blood: a hidden magical pool Big Mama had said would yield a cure. Normally the five sorcerer hunters would've traveled together as for any other mission, but sorcery seemed to be rampant the past few months, and the head of the Steller Church had no personnel to spare. So lots had been drawn among the Glace/Misu clan, and Carrot and the elder daughter Chocolat had won the right to go find the pool, leaving Marron, Tira and him as a band of hunters to deal with the current epidemic of kinjyu terrorizing the rest of Spooner Continent.
Gateau turned his attention back to chopping firewood, his usual job as strong man. He was certain both of his teammates knew he'd been watching them, but neither of them had the temperament to call him on it right then. No matter. Despite the troubles around them, circumstance was on his side. There were just the three of them. They were traveling between assignments.
He made another jab at the fallen tree trunk with his hand, breaking it down to a length better served for a campfire. Now that the idea had taken root, the desires he'd kept silent could no longer be denied. He told himself he could have anyone he wanted, in part to keep focused on his quest. It was no boast. His blond looks and muscular build led many a would-be lover to try all sorts of tactics to catch his favor. He'd enjoyed numbers of them, reveled in their skill, their beauty. But none of them had been like this one. Beautiful -- he drew in a breath -- but not willing to even grant him a look of hope that they might one day share a bed.
Tonight that would change.
/=/=/=/
The fire still burned bright as Gateau sat up in his bedroll. He looked across the flame at Marron. It'd taken him months to learn when Marron was truly asleep and when he was just faking it, his eyes closed but fully awake. All signs pointed to the former. Sliding his gaze farther right, he noted Tira's bedroll was . . . empty? He'd feigned sleep himself, but hadn't heard her move. Gateau frowned. It wasn't like her to wander away from camp.
He got up on the alert, yet nothing in the sounds of the surrounding fauna suggested anything amiss. The birds and animals were silent, save for those nocturnal by nature. He would've heard someone approach or any kind of struggle. If magic had been used, Marron would've awakened immediately. He relaxed somewhat as he walked away from the camp circle.
He noticed a single set of footprints leading into the forest. Her footprints. He smiled to himself. Let the game begin.