Time. 5.16 pm
Date. ***02.11.2002 UPDATE***
Chapter 3.
Copyright. I do not own The Vision of Escaflowne. Well, technically I do own three tapes but I don't think that's what they are after *snort* But I do own all the characters I have previously mentioned and Palos (I left the poor devil out). Oops.
The Vision of Escaflowne. Rota Fortunae
Chapter 3. Come What May ***EDITED***
* * *
Although the empty darkness finally left him, Van's head pulsed harshly. As soon as his vision could focus, he found himself lying on the lush, velvet grass outside the garden. Celena was yelling into his ear, but he could barely comprehend what her words were. All he cared about was Hitomi. Something was wrong and there was nothing he could do to help her.
"Van! I said, are you all right?" Celena's voice finally reached him, her tone frightened.
"Huh? Oh... yeah... I'm fine," he managed to croak out. It was a lie and she could tell.
"Don't give me that 'I'm fine' crap! You're in pain! You need to go up to your room and lie down right now!" she pulled him up to his feet with amazing strength. Van was surprised how strong this frail woman actually was. Allen must have surprised as well. He just stood there, looking upon the awkward young adults.
"Damn it, Allen! Help me! I can't do this all by myself!"
"Yes, ma'am," Allen said meekly. Van couldn't help smiling. Celena has Allen wrapped around her little finger.
* * *
"Where is the perfume? I thought I packed it into this bag!" Ashira threw apart the contents in her luggage. Dresses, undergarments, and shawls were draped across her bed as Sekhmet sat upon a large leather chair.
"Calm down, Ashira," Sekhmet said coolly, his eyes shut. "Don't get flustered."
"Don't get flustered? Don't get flustered, he tells me!" She muttered something incoherently as she tossed her bag aside and grabbed another one by her side. "We're missing the only thing that could complete this operation and you tell me to calm down?!"
"Yes, but..."
"Don't tell me to calm down, Sekhmet. That perfume, that potion is the only thing that will make Van fall completely for me. If we don't use it, everything is ruined!" She grabbed her blonde hair and yanked, screaming loudly.
"Sit down, Ashira."
"You can't tell me what to do, you're not my father..."
"No, I am your superior and what I say goes. Now SIT DOWN!"
Ashira quickly sat upon her bed, her face scarlet with anger.
"Now... the perfume is right here. Don't worry about it. Just wait for the party to begin and I will introduce you to Van and you can work your 'charm' on him." He grabbed her and held her so that he could whisper into her ear. "Besides, we won't really need the perfume. Once Van knows who you really are, there is no way he could resist you."
Ashira grinned at the thought. He will be mine.
* * *
"Now stay here for a couple hours and rest. You'll need all your strength for your own festival tonight," Celena said as she propped up the pillows. Van lay in his bed, arms crossed upon his chest as he gave her a pouting look.
"But..."
"Don't argue with me, Van!" she pushed him back as he struggled to sit up. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you in a few. Get rest!"
"Yeah right..." he mumbled as she shut the door. His thoughts traced back to the 'vision' he had. Was it really a vision? Or some type of wave of dizziness caused by his lack of sleep? No, it definitely was Hitomi. He could feel her fear. He hadn't seen anything, only darkness. Did she see something in hers? What did she see?
He grasped the pink pendant dangling from his neck and tried to clear his thoughts. He needed to make contact with her. He reached out into the depths of his mind, trying to find a trace of her anywhere, their only link. But there wasn't any.
"Damn it!" he cursed loudly, giving up in frustration. Why did he take advantage of this gift he had? He had the ability to keep in touch with the most wonderful person he had ever met and he lost it. He leaned into the pillows and shut his eyes, remembering the last time they spoke to one another.
---He leaned against the ancient tree and sighed. Crickets chirped happily besides the still lake. The Mystic Moon and smaller counterpart hung in the darkened sky, reflecting against the cool water. He could see the smoke drifting from where he, Allen, and the Crusade crew made camp over the tree line. He was tired; all the traveling to different countries to maintain the Act of Alliance was strenuous. He hadn't had a decent night's sleep in over three weeks.
He relaxed and closed his eyes. He needed to talk to someone, but not Allen. He liked the guy, but he could get quite annoying sometimes with all his honor and chivalry. Plus, he wanted someone else.
He let his mind drift. He knew that he shouldn't try and contact her when he was so weak, but it had been awhile since he last spoke to her. In his mind, he could see the psychic link connecting their two souls together and pursued it. He felt like he was flying, not on Escaflowne or with the use of his own wings. More like floating. Drifting. He passed the smoke, the men laughing and drinking. High over Gaea. He passed the silver disc and straight to the larger orb. He could feel her already. She always had a happy sensation that made him feel content.
He found himself in a darkened room, much smaller than the one that he grew up in at Fanelia. He glanced at his surroundings, feeling a little uncomfortable. There was a small bed with a few bookcases filled with novels written in a strange language. The floor was covered with clothes, books, and what looked like silver, thin, round objects. He knelt down and looked at the item, its iridescent surface reflecting his own face. A small desk and chair sat under the open window with many objects piled onto the surface. An odd looking box sat on the desk with a soft humming escaping from it. Van was interested in the moving pictures across the murky screen. There was another part of the machine, a narrow board full of buttons. Each button had a foreign character he didn't recognize on it. He cautiously pushed one. The pictures disappeared, revealing another screen, more brightly lit than the other one.
"Do you like my computer?" a soft voice asked him.
He whirled around to find Hitomi sitting up in her bed. She wore a simple white camisole and baggy pants, sheets half pulled up to her waist. She sat up, rubbed her eyes and yawned as she walked over to where Van was standing. She plopped down on the ground by his feet and motioned him to join her as well.
"What's a... computer?" he said slowly, pronouncing the foreign word with each syllable.
"It's just a machine I use for schoolwork and talking with people on the Internet."
"Internet?"
"Uh, it's like a communications system like phones. Wait, you don't know what phones are. Let's see...I can talk to anyone in the world by using this computer."
"You have that type of access?"
"Anyone does."
There was an awkward silence pause for a few moments. Van observed Hitomi. She wore her hair a bit shorter than he remembered it. The style made her look much older, more mature.
"I'm sorry I woke you up, but you look really nice tonight," he finally blurted out to break the silence.
She smiled, her face turning a soft shade of rose. "You look the same when I left Gaea."
"Really? It's been two years."
"Maybe its that whole 'you're-what-my-mind-thinks-you-look-like' deal. I don't know what you look like now." She paused for a moment, reflecting on what she had just said. "So what do you look like now?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I'm taller," he replied.
"Hmmmm... and I bet you're much more stronger," she said, a dreamy look on her face. "And you're wings are a lot bigger, too..." Before she could finish her sentence, she quickly brought her hand to her mouth to cover it.
"So why are you here?" She quickly added to change the subject.
Van blushed to her last remark. "I don't know," he replied, pretending to ignore it. "I've... we've been traveling for colors now to unite people under the Act of Alliance so another thing like with the Zaibach empire will happen again. It's really draining me from energy. I barely can talk to you right now."
"How's Fanelia doing?"
Van smirked, not of happiness but of bitterness. "We had to call off construction for awhile. There was a reign of storms for a couple colors and then we had to go around to other countries for the Alliance... it's going really slow. A lot slower than it should."
"It's been awhile, Van, since we last talked. Three or four months now."
"I know. I'm sorry. I've been really busy."
"Well, me too. I'm taking some harder courses at school, I do track and cross-country, I work..."
"You work?"
"Yeah! I just shelve books at the library. I really need the money."
If you were with me, Hitomi, you'd never have to work… he thought.
Van began to trace a design on the floor. "I have to go soon."
Hitomi closed her eyes. "I know. I can feel the connection deteriorating."
"It may be awhile before I can talk to you again. I'm going to be a lot busier."
"Me too. I'm graduating and then off to college. But don't worry, Van. I'll be right here."
Her eyes were still closed, but Van could see a single tear slip down her face. He reached out and gently grazed her cheek with his index finger, wiping the drop away. She seemed so sad, as if she knew something was going to happen. He leaned in, feeling the need to be closer. Did he have the courage to kiss her? He never thought of it before until this moment. He inched closer and closer, only a fragment away from her sweet lips when he felt pulled away. He opened his eyes to see the Mystic Moon in the sky. He sighed.---
That was the last time he had full contact with her. And it ended like that. Neither one telling the other how they felt. I'm so stupid, he thought. I'm never going to see her again.
He opened his eyes, finding his room darkened. Someone had shut the drapery. What time was it?
However, something in the bedroom made him drift away from Hitomi once more. A creaking of the floorboards caught his attention. He struggled to sit up, to see what was making the noise. A wave of nausea swept across as a sudden rush of blood to his brain.
"Who's there?" he cried out.
"MMROWW!" a sleek figure pounced on top of him.
"Merle! That wasn't funny!" he said to the feline female who hugged him with all her strength.
"Lord Van! What happened? I was so worried about you. Celena just told me that you collapsed. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. I'm just tired, that's all," he said, forcing out a smile.
Merle studied him, then shook her head. "You're lying. I can always tell when you lie."
"Apparently, anyone can tell when I'm lying," he muttered under his breath.
"What?"
"Nothing." He looked up at his childhood companion. She had grown so much. No longer was she the playful kitten that he used to tease when they were children. She slimmed out, becoming lean and sleek, like... well... a cat. Her soft auburn hair fell slightly past her shoulders, curling out at the tips. She reminded him of those two cat-girls he fought during the Great War. The ones that loved his brother. Van wished that she would remain the same. But he couldn't. She was now 18 and had to grow up at some point.
"It was Hitomi, wasn't it?" she said, breaking the silence. She stared at him with concerned large, violet eyes.
Van slowly nodded.
"Why don't you talk to her to find out what's wrong?"
Van grew frustrated. "I've tried, but nothing is there." He held his head in his hands. "I've lost her. I've lost her all over. "
Merle could see that she was hurting her friend. She sat up in bed and moved his forelock to see into his eyes. She could see the pain inside of his irises. Giving him a kiss, she crawled off him and snuggled closer to his side. Van placed a hand on top of her.
"Do you remember when I used to sneak in at night and sleep here?"
"Yeah."
"Don't you wish could be that simple anymore?"
"Yeah."
She touched his hand gently. "I've met someone, Van."
Van was stunned. Not just about what she said, but the fact that she said no title before his name. He knew this was serious.
"His name is Nehte. We met in Kadmos when I was studying politics a few colors ago." She paused. "He asked me to marry him."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. I wanted to find out what you would say."
"Why did you think I have anything against this?"
"I don't know. You're my best friend. We've been together almost my whole life. Maybe... I don't know."
He didn't say anything for a few moments, pondering on the thought. "I think you should follow your heart," he said, echoing Celena's words.
Merle beamed at him. "Really? Okay, I think I will. Oh, you're going to like him, I know it! He couldn't come tonight, but he's coming in a couple days," she clapped her hands and threw her arms around his neck. "Besides, its not like I'm going to leave Fanelia. I can't… it's my home… thank you so much!"
Van chuckled as he hugged her back. "Really, Merle. I don't run your life, do I? It's completely your own choice."
"I know, but..." she was interrupted by Allen and Celena's voices shouting once again in the hallway outside his door.
"...look at me! I'm Celena! I have a full head of silver hair, but no one tells me about it because it's just a natural feature!" Allen mocked Celena in a high-pitched feminine voice.
"You can't let go of anything, can you, Allen?" Celena snapped as she opened the door, a pitcher of water in her arms. "Merle, I see you found him."
"What was that all about?" Merle whispered into his ear so that the Schezars would not hear her.
"I'll tell you later," Van whispered back, then grinned at Celena. "I'm all better now."
"Really..." she mused as she poured him a glass of water. "Well, then its time for the festivities."
"What!? What time is it?"
"Van, the sun set a hour ago. It's about to begin."
"Crap!"
* * *
He stood on the front balcony, watching the people of Fanelia pour into the castle gates. Many were already celebrating, letting out whoops and exclamations. He noticed some young maidens waving at him, giggling as they did so. He smiled and awkwardly waved back, sending them into hysterics.
"You have the same effect over women as I do, Van," Allen said behind him.
Van smirked. "Not all women." The cool late-fall air nipped at where his skin showed, but he took no notice. Winter would soon come.
Allen softly smiled. "True. That Ashira-girl has been asking about you all night."
"About what?"
"Nothing much really. Just seeing where you were all afternoon. She said she needed to discuss something with you." He turned to leave. "Are you coming, Van?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be down in a minute." He watched Allen go, making sure he was truly alone. He clasped the pendant in his hands and closed his eyes.
Hitomi. I don't know if you will be able to hear this. Maybe its for the best. This will help me. You're the most inspirational person I have ever met. And it took me seven years to discover it. Allen knew. Millerna knew. Dryden knew. Even Merle knew, although she made fun of you most of the time. I was stupid and ignorant. I had my mind focused on war and protecting you like a possession so I never saw the real you until that day when everything ended. I'm sorry. Please forgive me? Anyway, I wanted to say this so that I will feel more...relieved. I know you and I are different. Different worlds. Different lives. Hell, even different races. This is so hard for me to say. You made me realize that being different is all right. I hid everything from the world. My life, my secret, my emotions. But you brought everything out. I just wanted to say...thank you, for everything you have done. I wish I could see you like before. You've probably gone on with your life. I think its time I should do so with mine.
* * *
The festival in celebration of the reconstruction of Fanelia was finally underway. The grand courtyard was overflowing with people, eager to have a free dinner, dancing, and playing games. Tables were set up for card playing. Children played in the throne room while their parents enjoyed a nice evening to themselves. As revenge and as a joke, Van sent Palos to deal with the kids.
"No, Sasha! Don't touch that! That's an antique! No Seph, you can't sit there! That's the throne. That's where the King sits! No don't... NO!" The elderly advisor ran from child to child, his face sweating profusely. Van peeked in through the window with Celena and Merle by his sides. They tried to muffle their laughter as two rascals tripped Palos.
"I think I better go help him out," Celena said.
"I'll go too," Merle managed to choke out through her giggles.
Van nodded, watching the two girls join Palos in the Great Hall. Merle pointed at Van in the window, and at the moment that Palos followed her trail to where he was, he quickly ducked. He crawled through the flowerbed, stood up quickly and shook the dirt off of his knees, and walked to where Allen stood by the people dancing around the blazing bonfire. He was speaking to someone strangely familiar...
"My Lady Millerna! You came!" he shouted, jogging across the dance floor. He gave her a quick kiss on the hand. "It's been a long time. You look so different."
"That's because I'm pregnant, you moron," she said with a smile. "Sorry, these things just come out. Mood swings, I guess." She gave him a hug hello. "And look at you! No more 'nobody-mess-with-me' attitude. Your eyes, they're more... cheerful… and happy."
"Really?"
She looked at him harder, her dark eyes serious boring into him. "Yeah, you look more at ease."
"Of course he does! He's been under my care," Celena crept up behind Van and interrupted the two.
Millerna crossed her arms. "You just got here!"
"So?"
"You can't take credit just for one day! I meant he's been more at ease for awhile now. Ever since Hitomi left..." Millerna stopped. "Oh gods Van, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I know talking about her is hard for you..."
"Please Millerna. It's all right. I've lost my contact with her. I've lost everything. But I think we have mutually decided to move on." He leaned against the wall. "I mean, we were only children when we met, right?"
"You were 15. That's hardly childhood. Some royal families are already married at that age." She fingered the golden band about her finger tenderly.
"I know, but it's different between me and her. She's unlike anyone I've ever known."
"My Lord, whom do you speak of?" A soft, gentle voice broke Van's conversation. He whirled around to gaze into deep ocean blue eyes and a sea of shimmering blonde hair.
"Lady Ashira! Hello! How are you?" Van stumbled.
"Quite fine. I am having a splendid time here," she said, her eyes never leaving his face. "I didn't mean to intrude, but whom were you speaking of?"
"No one," Van quickly said as Millerna and Celena both voiced "Hitomi."
"Hitomi? That girl from the Mystic Moon? The one that saved us?"
"Uh, yeah," Van felt intoxicated. Her perfume didn't seem strong, but he suddenly felt a wave of emotions come over… almost a feel of desire. Her scent had a particular blend of fragrance, almost artificial.
"Is it all right if I speak to His Majesty in privacy?" Ashira's eyes shifted to the two young women huddling behind Van, a subtle glare of sinister escaping the sapphires.
"Yes, its fine."
"But Van…"
He turned to his friends and mouthed: Don't worry, I'll be fine.
* * *
Ashira led Van to an empty room inside the palace, away from all the partygoers. He followed obediently, never questioning where they were going nor for what purpose. He could still hear the music playing upbeat tunes on drums.
"I'm sorry, My Lord, to take you away from your party, but I needed to speak to you where no ears but yours could hear me."
"That's all right. What's the matter? Is something wrong?"
Ashira shook her head and paused, gathering her strength. "My Lord, I know what you are."
Van crossed his arms in front of his chest, confused and troubled. "What I am? What do you mean?"
She sighed. "I know that this isn't an appropriate subject or anything since I just met you…" she began. "But I've been searching for you for awhile now…"
"I'm sorry, My Lady, but I don't really know…" Van started to say.
"You know what clouds smell like because you can go up and touch them. You know the different feel of winds against your skin…"
"My Lady?"
"I know you are a descendant of Atlantis, a Draconian."
He tried to remain cool. "And how do you know all this?" he asked cautiously.
She took a large gulp of breath. "Because I'm one too." At that moment, she let out her hidden wings, snow white feathers floating to the floor.
"How is this possible? I was supposed to be the last," Van stared at her, perplexed.
"That's what I thought, too," Ashira smiled at him awkwardly, her wings slowly surrounding her body as if to hide her away. "My father was married to a Draconian and they had me. She died during childbirth, so my father has taken care of me ever since. Then, seven years ago, he was one of the soldiers on the battlefield during the final part of the Great War, and he saw a young winged man flying towards Zaibach. He knew that if there was someone else like me… that I would be happy." She paused, turning around. "I've spent seven years looking for you."
Van held the trembling girl close to him. She turned to face him and dug her face into his shoulder. "It's nice to meet someone who knows all the pain I've gone through my life. Hiding secrets, not knowing if there's someone else out there in the world like you."
He didn't know what to do. This young woman is just like me, cursed with a terrible misfortune. She held him so tightly, trembling slightly in the cool night air. Furthermore, he felt strange about her. Not like with Hitomi. When he held Hitomi, he felt energy surge through his body, while this felt calm and relaxed. This seemed so false.
Ashira hid her face even more into his chest, trying not to smile as much. This is going perfectly, she thought. Soon, he'll be mine.
Van felt as if he were sinking into a hole. He lost all resistance, all power. He felt helpless, as though he were under her control. What is this? I am not myself. There is something else. Something that I forgot. Why can't I remember anymore?
A flash entered his mind instantly. So bright. So intense. But in the light, he could see the outline of a feminine body, her green eyes staring into his.
Hitomi!
The burning of the pendant made him snap out of his defenselessness and reverie. It glowed angrily, almost blinding him. Ashira backed up, her wings disappearing as she put her hands in front of her eyes to shield them.
He grasped the stone, holding it tightly in his palm. "It's her! I know it!" He glanced out the window to see a familiar beam of intense light descending outside the city walls. He raced out the door, leaving Ashira alone in the room.
"Damn!" she cursed, her eyes glaring at the single silhouette falling in the light. "She's back."
* * *
to be continued...
Quick bits of info if you would like to know. I saw Moulin Rouge on Friday. Music rocks. Anyhoo, this chapter is titled after my fav song "Come What May". Ewan McGregor's voice is so amazing! Ashira's name comes from The Prince of Egypt soundtrack. I don't remember what song it is, but its during a Hebrew chant. It translates to "I will sing." It has nothing to do with the plot but I thought it was a nice name. Let's see, anything else? Remember the whole Chapter 1 and 2 and Chapter 3 and 4 going together? Yeah, so we will pick up with Hitomi where we left off with her. Then Chapter 5, it will be normal. But like I said, there are going to be so many chapters. *sigh* so much work for jigglykat to do and so little time! Ok, byebye for now.
Date. ***02.11.2002 UPDATE***
Chapter 3.
Copyright. I do not own The Vision of Escaflowne. Well, technically I do own three tapes but I don't think that's what they are after *snort* But I do own all the characters I have previously mentioned and Palos (I left the poor devil out). Oops.
The Vision of Escaflowne. Rota Fortunae
Chapter 3. Come What May ***EDITED***
* * *
Although the empty darkness finally left him, Van's head pulsed harshly. As soon as his vision could focus, he found himself lying on the lush, velvet grass outside the garden. Celena was yelling into his ear, but he could barely comprehend what her words were. All he cared about was Hitomi. Something was wrong and there was nothing he could do to help her.
"Van! I said, are you all right?" Celena's voice finally reached him, her tone frightened.
"Huh? Oh... yeah... I'm fine," he managed to croak out. It was a lie and she could tell.
"Don't give me that 'I'm fine' crap! You're in pain! You need to go up to your room and lie down right now!" she pulled him up to his feet with amazing strength. Van was surprised how strong this frail woman actually was. Allen must have surprised as well. He just stood there, looking upon the awkward young adults.
"Damn it, Allen! Help me! I can't do this all by myself!"
"Yes, ma'am," Allen said meekly. Van couldn't help smiling. Celena has Allen wrapped around her little finger.
* * *
"Where is the perfume? I thought I packed it into this bag!" Ashira threw apart the contents in her luggage. Dresses, undergarments, and shawls were draped across her bed as Sekhmet sat upon a large leather chair.
"Calm down, Ashira," Sekhmet said coolly, his eyes shut. "Don't get flustered."
"Don't get flustered? Don't get flustered, he tells me!" She muttered something incoherently as she tossed her bag aside and grabbed another one by her side. "We're missing the only thing that could complete this operation and you tell me to calm down?!"
"Yes, but..."
"Don't tell me to calm down, Sekhmet. That perfume, that potion is the only thing that will make Van fall completely for me. If we don't use it, everything is ruined!" She grabbed her blonde hair and yanked, screaming loudly.
"Sit down, Ashira."
"You can't tell me what to do, you're not my father..."
"No, I am your superior and what I say goes. Now SIT DOWN!"
Ashira quickly sat upon her bed, her face scarlet with anger.
"Now... the perfume is right here. Don't worry about it. Just wait for the party to begin and I will introduce you to Van and you can work your 'charm' on him." He grabbed her and held her so that he could whisper into her ear. "Besides, we won't really need the perfume. Once Van knows who you really are, there is no way he could resist you."
Ashira grinned at the thought. He will be mine.
* * *
"Now stay here for a couple hours and rest. You'll need all your strength for your own festival tonight," Celena said as she propped up the pillows. Van lay in his bed, arms crossed upon his chest as he gave her a pouting look.
"But..."
"Don't argue with me, Van!" she pushed him back as he struggled to sit up. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll see you in a few. Get rest!"
"Yeah right..." he mumbled as she shut the door. His thoughts traced back to the 'vision' he had. Was it really a vision? Or some type of wave of dizziness caused by his lack of sleep? No, it definitely was Hitomi. He could feel her fear. He hadn't seen anything, only darkness. Did she see something in hers? What did she see?
He grasped the pink pendant dangling from his neck and tried to clear his thoughts. He needed to make contact with her. He reached out into the depths of his mind, trying to find a trace of her anywhere, their only link. But there wasn't any.
"Damn it!" he cursed loudly, giving up in frustration. Why did he take advantage of this gift he had? He had the ability to keep in touch with the most wonderful person he had ever met and he lost it. He leaned into the pillows and shut his eyes, remembering the last time they spoke to one another.
---He leaned against the ancient tree and sighed. Crickets chirped happily besides the still lake. The Mystic Moon and smaller counterpart hung in the darkened sky, reflecting against the cool water. He could see the smoke drifting from where he, Allen, and the Crusade crew made camp over the tree line. He was tired; all the traveling to different countries to maintain the Act of Alliance was strenuous. He hadn't had a decent night's sleep in over three weeks.
He relaxed and closed his eyes. He needed to talk to someone, but not Allen. He liked the guy, but he could get quite annoying sometimes with all his honor and chivalry. Plus, he wanted someone else.
He let his mind drift. He knew that he shouldn't try and contact her when he was so weak, but it had been awhile since he last spoke to her. In his mind, he could see the psychic link connecting their two souls together and pursued it. He felt like he was flying, not on Escaflowne or with the use of his own wings. More like floating. Drifting. He passed the smoke, the men laughing and drinking. High over Gaea. He passed the silver disc and straight to the larger orb. He could feel her already. She always had a happy sensation that made him feel content.
He found himself in a darkened room, much smaller than the one that he grew up in at Fanelia. He glanced at his surroundings, feeling a little uncomfortable. There was a small bed with a few bookcases filled with novels written in a strange language. The floor was covered with clothes, books, and what looked like silver, thin, round objects. He knelt down and looked at the item, its iridescent surface reflecting his own face. A small desk and chair sat under the open window with many objects piled onto the surface. An odd looking box sat on the desk with a soft humming escaping from it. Van was interested in the moving pictures across the murky screen. There was another part of the machine, a narrow board full of buttons. Each button had a foreign character he didn't recognize on it. He cautiously pushed one. The pictures disappeared, revealing another screen, more brightly lit than the other one.
"Do you like my computer?" a soft voice asked him.
He whirled around to find Hitomi sitting up in her bed. She wore a simple white camisole and baggy pants, sheets half pulled up to her waist. She sat up, rubbed her eyes and yawned as she walked over to where Van was standing. She plopped down on the ground by his feet and motioned him to join her as well.
"What's a... computer?" he said slowly, pronouncing the foreign word with each syllable.
"It's just a machine I use for schoolwork and talking with people on the Internet."
"Internet?"
"Uh, it's like a communications system like phones. Wait, you don't know what phones are. Let's see...I can talk to anyone in the world by using this computer."
"You have that type of access?"
"Anyone does."
There was an awkward silence pause for a few moments. Van observed Hitomi. She wore her hair a bit shorter than he remembered it. The style made her look much older, more mature.
"I'm sorry I woke you up, but you look really nice tonight," he finally blurted out to break the silence.
She smiled, her face turning a soft shade of rose. "You look the same when I left Gaea."
"Really? It's been two years."
"Maybe its that whole 'you're-what-my-mind-thinks-you-look-like' deal. I don't know what you look like now." She paused for a moment, reflecting on what she had just said. "So what do you look like now?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "I guess I'm taller," he replied.
"Hmmmm... and I bet you're much more stronger," she said, a dreamy look on her face. "And you're wings are a lot bigger, too..." Before she could finish her sentence, she quickly brought her hand to her mouth to cover it.
"So why are you here?" She quickly added to change the subject.
Van blushed to her last remark. "I don't know," he replied, pretending to ignore it. "I've... we've been traveling for colors now to unite people under the Act of Alliance so another thing like with the Zaibach empire will happen again. It's really draining me from energy. I barely can talk to you right now."
"How's Fanelia doing?"
Van smirked, not of happiness but of bitterness. "We had to call off construction for awhile. There was a reign of storms for a couple colors and then we had to go around to other countries for the Alliance... it's going really slow. A lot slower than it should."
"It's been awhile, Van, since we last talked. Three or four months now."
"I know. I'm sorry. I've been really busy."
"Well, me too. I'm taking some harder courses at school, I do track and cross-country, I work..."
"You work?"
"Yeah! I just shelve books at the library. I really need the money."
If you were with me, Hitomi, you'd never have to work… he thought.
Van began to trace a design on the floor. "I have to go soon."
Hitomi closed her eyes. "I know. I can feel the connection deteriorating."
"It may be awhile before I can talk to you again. I'm going to be a lot busier."
"Me too. I'm graduating and then off to college. But don't worry, Van. I'll be right here."
Her eyes were still closed, but Van could see a single tear slip down her face. He reached out and gently grazed her cheek with his index finger, wiping the drop away. She seemed so sad, as if she knew something was going to happen. He leaned in, feeling the need to be closer. Did he have the courage to kiss her? He never thought of it before until this moment. He inched closer and closer, only a fragment away from her sweet lips when he felt pulled away. He opened his eyes to see the Mystic Moon in the sky. He sighed.---
That was the last time he had full contact with her. And it ended like that. Neither one telling the other how they felt. I'm so stupid, he thought. I'm never going to see her again.
He opened his eyes, finding his room darkened. Someone had shut the drapery. What time was it?
However, something in the bedroom made him drift away from Hitomi once more. A creaking of the floorboards caught his attention. He struggled to sit up, to see what was making the noise. A wave of nausea swept across as a sudden rush of blood to his brain.
"Who's there?" he cried out.
"MMROWW!" a sleek figure pounced on top of him.
"Merle! That wasn't funny!" he said to the feline female who hugged him with all her strength.
"Lord Van! What happened? I was so worried about you. Celena just told me that you collapsed. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. I'm just tired, that's all," he said, forcing out a smile.
Merle studied him, then shook her head. "You're lying. I can always tell when you lie."
"Apparently, anyone can tell when I'm lying," he muttered under his breath.
"What?"
"Nothing." He looked up at his childhood companion. She had grown so much. No longer was she the playful kitten that he used to tease when they were children. She slimmed out, becoming lean and sleek, like... well... a cat. Her soft auburn hair fell slightly past her shoulders, curling out at the tips. She reminded him of those two cat-girls he fought during the Great War. The ones that loved his brother. Van wished that she would remain the same. But he couldn't. She was now 18 and had to grow up at some point.
"It was Hitomi, wasn't it?" she said, breaking the silence. She stared at him with concerned large, violet eyes.
Van slowly nodded.
"Why don't you talk to her to find out what's wrong?"
Van grew frustrated. "I've tried, but nothing is there." He held his head in his hands. "I've lost her. I've lost her all over. "
Merle could see that she was hurting her friend. She sat up in bed and moved his forelock to see into his eyes. She could see the pain inside of his irises. Giving him a kiss, she crawled off him and snuggled closer to his side. Van placed a hand on top of her.
"Do you remember when I used to sneak in at night and sleep here?"
"Yeah."
"Don't you wish could be that simple anymore?"
"Yeah."
She touched his hand gently. "I've met someone, Van."
Van was stunned. Not just about what she said, but the fact that she said no title before his name. He knew this was serious.
"His name is Nehte. We met in Kadmos when I was studying politics a few colors ago." She paused. "He asked me to marry him."
"What did you say?"
"Nothing. I wanted to find out what you would say."
"Why did you think I have anything against this?"
"I don't know. You're my best friend. We've been together almost my whole life. Maybe... I don't know."
He didn't say anything for a few moments, pondering on the thought. "I think you should follow your heart," he said, echoing Celena's words.
Merle beamed at him. "Really? Okay, I think I will. Oh, you're going to like him, I know it! He couldn't come tonight, but he's coming in a couple days," she clapped her hands and threw her arms around his neck. "Besides, its not like I'm going to leave Fanelia. I can't… it's my home… thank you so much!"
Van chuckled as he hugged her back. "Really, Merle. I don't run your life, do I? It's completely your own choice."
"I know, but..." she was interrupted by Allen and Celena's voices shouting once again in the hallway outside his door.
"...look at me! I'm Celena! I have a full head of silver hair, but no one tells me about it because it's just a natural feature!" Allen mocked Celena in a high-pitched feminine voice.
"You can't let go of anything, can you, Allen?" Celena snapped as she opened the door, a pitcher of water in her arms. "Merle, I see you found him."
"What was that all about?" Merle whispered into his ear so that the Schezars would not hear her.
"I'll tell you later," Van whispered back, then grinned at Celena. "I'm all better now."
"Really..." she mused as she poured him a glass of water. "Well, then its time for the festivities."
"What!? What time is it?"
"Van, the sun set a hour ago. It's about to begin."
"Crap!"
* * *
He stood on the front balcony, watching the people of Fanelia pour into the castle gates. Many were already celebrating, letting out whoops and exclamations. He noticed some young maidens waving at him, giggling as they did so. He smiled and awkwardly waved back, sending them into hysterics.
"You have the same effect over women as I do, Van," Allen said behind him.
Van smirked. "Not all women." The cool late-fall air nipped at where his skin showed, but he took no notice. Winter would soon come.
Allen softly smiled. "True. That Ashira-girl has been asking about you all night."
"About what?"
"Nothing much really. Just seeing where you were all afternoon. She said she needed to discuss something with you." He turned to leave. "Are you coming, Van?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll be down in a minute." He watched Allen go, making sure he was truly alone. He clasped the pendant in his hands and closed his eyes.
Hitomi. I don't know if you will be able to hear this. Maybe its for the best. This will help me. You're the most inspirational person I have ever met. And it took me seven years to discover it. Allen knew. Millerna knew. Dryden knew. Even Merle knew, although she made fun of you most of the time. I was stupid and ignorant. I had my mind focused on war and protecting you like a possession so I never saw the real you until that day when everything ended. I'm sorry. Please forgive me? Anyway, I wanted to say this so that I will feel more...relieved. I know you and I are different. Different worlds. Different lives. Hell, even different races. This is so hard for me to say. You made me realize that being different is all right. I hid everything from the world. My life, my secret, my emotions. But you brought everything out. I just wanted to say...thank you, for everything you have done. I wish I could see you like before. You've probably gone on with your life. I think its time I should do so with mine.
* * *
The festival in celebration of the reconstruction of Fanelia was finally underway. The grand courtyard was overflowing with people, eager to have a free dinner, dancing, and playing games. Tables were set up for card playing. Children played in the throne room while their parents enjoyed a nice evening to themselves. As revenge and as a joke, Van sent Palos to deal with the kids.
"No, Sasha! Don't touch that! That's an antique! No Seph, you can't sit there! That's the throne. That's where the King sits! No don't... NO!" The elderly advisor ran from child to child, his face sweating profusely. Van peeked in through the window with Celena and Merle by his sides. They tried to muffle their laughter as two rascals tripped Palos.
"I think I better go help him out," Celena said.
"I'll go too," Merle managed to choke out through her giggles.
Van nodded, watching the two girls join Palos in the Great Hall. Merle pointed at Van in the window, and at the moment that Palos followed her trail to where he was, he quickly ducked. He crawled through the flowerbed, stood up quickly and shook the dirt off of his knees, and walked to where Allen stood by the people dancing around the blazing bonfire. He was speaking to someone strangely familiar...
"My Lady Millerna! You came!" he shouted, jogging across the dance floor. He gave her a quick kiss on the hand. "It's been a long time. You look so different."
"That's because I'm pregnant, you moron," she said with a smile. "Sorry, these things just come out. Mood swings, I guess." She gave him a hug hello. "And look at you! No more 'nobody-mess-with-me' attitude. Your eyes, they're more... cheerful… and happy."
"Really?"
She looked at him harder, her dark eyes serious boring into him. "Yeah, you look more at ease."
"Of course he does! He's been under my care," Celena crept up behind Van and interrupted the two.
Millerna crossed her arms. "You just got here!"
"So?"
"You can't take credit just for one day! I meant he's been more at ease for awhile now. Ever since Hitomi left..." Millerna stopped. "Oh gods Van, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I know talking about her is hard for you..."
"Please Millerna. It's all right. I've lost my contact with her. I've lost everything. But I think we have mutually decided to move on." He leaned against the wall. "I mean, we were only children when we met, right?"
"You were 15. That's hardly childhood. Some royal families are already married at that age." She fingered the golden band about her finger tenderly.
"I know, but it's different between me and her. She's unlike anyone I've ever known."
"My Lord, whom do you speak of?" A soft, gentle voice broke Van's conversation. He whirled around to gaze into deep ocean blue eyes and a sea of shimmering blonde hair.
"Lady Ashira! Hello! How are you?" Van stumbled.
"Quite fine. I am having a splendid time here," she said, her eyes never leaving his face. "I didn't mean to intrude, but whom were you speaking of?"
"No one," Van quickly said as Millerna and Celena both voiced "Hitomi."
"Hitomi? That girl from the Mystic Moon? The one that saved us?"
"Uh, yeah," Van felt intoxicated. Her perfume didn't seem strong, but he suddenly felt a wave of emotions come over… almost a feel of desire. Her scent had a particular blend of fragrance, almost artificial.
"Is it all right if I speak to His Majesty in privacy?" Ashira's eyes shifted to the two young women huddling behind Van, a subtle glare of sinister escaping the sapphires.
"Yes, its fine."
"But Van…"
He turned to his friends and mouthed: Don't worry, I'll be fine.
* * *
Ashira led Van to an empty room inside the palace, away from all the partygoers. He followed obediently, never questioning where they were going nor for what purpose. He could still hear the music playing upbeat tunes on drums.
"I'm sorry, My Lord, to take you away from your party, but I needed to speak to you where no ears but yours could hear me."
"That's all right. What's the matter? Is something wrong?"
Ashira shook her head and paused, gathering her strength. "My Lord, I know what you are."
Van crossed his arms in front of his chest, confused and troubled. "What I am? What do you mean?"
She sighed. "I know that this isn't an appropriate subject or anything since I just met you…" she began. "But I've been searching for you for awhile now…"
"I'm sorry, My Lady, but I don't really know…" Van started to say.
"You know what clouds smell like because you can go up and touch them. You know the different feel of winds against your skin…"
"My Lady?"
"I know you are a descendant of Atlantis, a Draconian."
He tried to remain cool. "And how do you know all this?" he asked cautiously.
She took a large gulp of breath. "Because I'm one too." At that moment, she let out her hidden wings, snow white feathers floating to the floor.
"How is this possible? I was supposed to be the last," Van stared at her, perplexed.
"That's what I thought, too," Ashira smiled at him awkwardly, her wings slowly surrounding her body as if to hide her away. "My father was married to a Draconian and they had me. She died during childbirth, so my father has taken care of me ever since. Then, seven years ago, he was one of the soldiers on the battlefield during the final part of the Great War, and he saw a young winged man flying towards Zaibach. He knew that if there was someone else like me… that I would be happy." She paused, turning around. "I've spent seven years looking for you."
Van held the trembling girl close to him. She turned to face him and dug her face into his shoulder. "It's nice to meet someone who knows all the pain I've gone through my life. Hiding secrets, not knowing if there's someone else out there in the world like you."
He didn't know what to do. This young woman is just like me, cursed with a terrible misfortune. She held him so tightly, trembling slightly in the cool night air. Furthermore, he felt strange about her. Not like with Hitomi. When he held Hitomi, he felt energy surge through his body, while this felt calm and relaxed. This seemed so false.
Ashira hid her face even more into his chest, trying not to smile as much. This is going perfectly, she thought. Soon, he'll be mine.
Van felt as if he were sinking into a hole. He lost all resistance, all power. He felt helpless, as though he were under her control. What is this? I am not myself. There is something else. Something that I forgot. Why can't I remember anymore?
A flash entered his mind instantly. So bright. So intense. But in the light, he could see the outline of a feminine body, her green eyes staring into his.
Hitomi!
The burning of the pendant made him snap out of his defenselessness and reverie. It glowed angrily, almost blinding him. Ashira backed up, her wings disappearing as she put her hands in front of her eyes to shield them.
He grasped the stone, holding it tightly in his palm. "It's her! I know it!" He glanced out the window to see a familiar beam of intense light descending outside the city walls. He raced out the door, leaving Ashira alone in the room.
"Damn!" she cursed, her eyes glaring at the single silhouette falling in the light. "She's back."
* * *
to be continued...
Quick bits of info if you would like to know. I saw Moulin Rouge on Friday. Music rocks. Anyhoo, this chapter is titled after my fav song "Come What May". Ewan McGregor's voice is so amazing! Ashira's name comes from The Prince of Egypt soundtrack. I don't remember what song it is, but its during a Hebrew chant. It translates to "I will sing." It has nothing to do with the plot but I thought it was a nice name. Let's see, anything else? Remember the whole Chapter 1 and 2 and Chapter 3 and 4 going together? Yeah, so we will pick up with Hitomi where we left off with her. Then Chapter 5, it will be normal. But like I said, there are going to be so many chapters. *sigh* so much work for jigglykat to do and so little time! Ok, byebye for now.