Hopefully everyone understood Chapter 2! fewf!
Alright, this took me a little time because I really didn't know where to start from here. Hopefully this chapter will be a little longer, but who knows, whatever shakes my tree!
Any questions, feel free to review and ask. Any grammatical errors you spotted in the first couple chapters- I don't really care, people should be smart enough to figure it out anyways ^_^ Hope you guys are enjoying!
Disclaimer: Once more, I do not own Dark Cloud. Yeeeesh.
Chapter 3: Changes
Seda could feel his heart racing as he picked up speed. In his haste to leave his castle, he almost forgot to bring any supplies with him on his journey. The purging of his dark blood had stripped his dramatic abilities, but left him with traces of a few others which he had learned to develop. His speed, though somewhat natural, had been honed to perfection to the point where he was practically hovering- which was exactly what he was doing over a rather large body of water. Seda cast his eyes over the ocean, Has it always been so blue? He hadn't been out much in the past 3 months, and had found that almost a soft glaze had come over his vision causing him to be almost sensitive to the every day elements. Nevertheless, it was a sight for his sore eyes. Without a doubt, the greatest treasure of Queens. Ironic, he reflected, that he was on his way to cart off its largest nuisance. The corners of his mouth couldn't resist a small smile as he remembered the great commotion she had caused in the small sea-front town. Quite fittingly, most of its citizens lived in the greatest fear bordering on reverance of the lady-Genie. She passed it off with contempt, as if the only reason they had to fear was that she was the supposed wife of the Mayor. From what he understood, their supposed marriage had worked out fine at first- he was more than happy to accommodate and keep her in prestigious and undisturbed quarters if she was willing to secretly grant his wishes and schemes on the side. Gradually, as he was beginning to figure was typical of her personality, she grew weary of his frivolities and gave up on being a normal wish-caster altogether. Much to her extreme satisfaction, she lived just like a Queen. Commanding fear and respect from her 'husband' and even the most frightening of his cronies.
I think this respect is more of fear. I'm sure they'll be more than willing to let me take her of their hands. Seda thought shrewdly as he made his descent towards the dock. If she would not come willingly, and why would she? Seda thought as he fingered his sword at the hilt- then he would have to force her. And for the first time since he had set out on his quest, he stopped walking and hesitated. It's a simple sacrifice, no one said it wouldn't be completely selfish. He looked at his long trusted sword dubiously, the blade glowing a fiery red in the light. This doesn't feel right. And in a flash his hesitation was gone, replaced with sharp resolve. It doesn't feel right because you don't have that twisted double nature to make excuses for you anymore. You just have to do this.
But it plagued his mind the whole way to the town.
Seda tried his best to implicitly ignore the obvious stares from the town-folk as he strode with his regal air through Queens. He had racked his brain and easily recalled Toan telling him that this Genie had come from the Mayor's house in the center of the town. He remembered his incredulity that the boy would give up this information so freely, clearly his generation did not know the advantages of such knowledge. Then again, he reflected, he had not realized how beneficial this knowledge would be to him until he had scanned his texts.
Seda paused; he was quickly approaching the Mayor's residence, and had not yet formulated a plan. He needed a way to channel the pure energy of the wish-caster towards the Heavens in order to receive a forbidden wish. The channeling part is easy enough, there were constructed diagrams and instructions on tools and machinery that had been used through the ages in attempts to conjure the magic. But Seda had an easy advantage over most men, he still had supernatural abilities running through his veins and, he thought with a grin, a particularly vivacious little Genie. So yes… apparatus would not be the problem. The problem, is materials.
Whatever inclination the girl may have toward me, I doubt it would be enough to surrender her entire being for it. Seda continued to rack his brains. And, he thought almost in relief, it would be of no use to apply force. For he remembered at that instant, that it needed to be a willing action. He smirked, it was simple. He would have to trick her. Make her believe that it was just a simple favor to him, nothing more. Its not like you haven't done anything this underhanded before, he reminded himself bitterly, You can do it again. But how? From what he remembered, the Genie girl was a complete cynic, skeptic and a little bitchy. It could prove to test his wit and persuasion to the highest degree, and he'd never been what you'd call social. Ha.
Remembering the urgent nature of his calling, Seda ended his brief train of thought. He was a King, and would fear nothing. With that, he brusquely opened the door of the Mayor's mansion.
He was interrupted by a harsh man's voice as he entered, "Hey!!! What in the hell do you think you're-
The man gulped and finished quickly when he saw who was standing. Seda smirked inwardly, he'd always been able to intimidate those he needed to mould to his advantage.
"Thanks," he replied coolly as he grabbed the wine cup the man was holding and took a quick swig. "Disgusting," he commented with almost a smile as he threw the wine into the fire along with its container.
"Just what do you think you're doing in my house??!" came the mayor's thick, reedy voice from behind his desk. Seda fixed him with a look that made his blood freeze. He walked over to the desk deliberately and pulled out his sword and began admiring the handiwork for effect. The Mayor just stared. His henchmen behind him were looking aghast at the affront this mystery man had presented their boss. The man whom Seda had deprived of his alcohol had been reduced to a muttering heap in the corner, a victim of Seda's awe-inspiring presence.
"I wish to know," Seda started, but seemed to reconsider. This was all the chance King needed to sum up the pretenses of authority, "I won't tell you a god-damned thing!"
Seda looked sternly at the pompous red-faced man before once more returning his gaze to his sword in what could have been construed as an almost nervous habit.
"I'm looking for someone I understand to be here," he began carefully, choosing his words to the baited breath of those in the room, "I'm looking for the Genie girl."
There were audible gasps, the music turned off, and the twittering man in the corner passed out in a dead-faint. Even the Mayor was looking noticeably pale. "I don't know what you're talking about," was all he could stammer in his disbelief.
Seda hid and registered his shock, "No? I don't believe you." He drew up closer to the Mayor so that he was leaning on his desk and grabbing him by his expensive linen shirt. His voice was sweet and quiet, but the intent was all to clear, "Now why don't you tell me where I can find her before things start to get nasty." There was no threatening in his voice, but it only made the Mayor's resolve break.
"Everyone OUT!!!" he yelled in an attempt to regain some dignity to the bemused audience, "OUT!!! Everything is under control!!!" In a few minutes everyone except his few trusted associates had cleared the room in a mixture of bewilderment and excitement. The Mayor quickly shut the door behind them, and scuttled back to his desk fanning his brow. "Now Sir, I'm sure we can be gentlemen about thi-
"No," Seda said calmly but bringing his blade menacingly towards the Mayor. "I asked you a question and I want an answer,"
"A question…??" said the Mayor helplessly.
"Yes," said Seda starting to get impatient and a little worried, but never showing it. "Where is the Genie girl?"
In a vain attempt to break the tension, one of the King's men ventured "Boss! Maybe he's looking for Ruby…"
"Ruby," Seda purred, as if tasting the name as he had done with the man's wine. "Yes, it was Ruby." He remembered clearly now. But he was not doing this for nostalgia. "Now why don't you be co-operative like your buddy here and tell me where she is."
The Mayor shot his man a look that clearly indicated he was in for some sort of punishment but faced Seda with stone eyes. "She's not in town anymore."
Seda was taken aback, but years of trained civility had taught him not to reveal this. He quickly scanned the Mayor's eyes for any sign that he may be concealing something, but found he didn't need to. He whirled on the King's talkative right-hand man.
"Where could I find her?" he asked condescendingly to the henchmen who was now sweating and nervously glancing back and forth between Seda and the King. He watched the man's eyes widen as he began tightening the grip on his sword. He inhaled impatiently,
"Look, if you can't be reasonable I'll just have to.."
"Two houses down from the east side entrance! Thick white bricks. Top balcony, can't miss it!!!" the man let out all in an over-excited and nervous tremor still eyeing Seda with the greatest fear. Thankfully, it was all he needed to say. Seda hated nothing more than sniveling, spineless, and disloyal men. Still, he granted the man a rare smile.
"Thank you." He replied, sweeping almost gracefully towards the exit leaving King huffing and puffing and his men still speechless. Seda paused for a second, and then stooped momentarily to the man (still) collapsed in a heap on the floor, and patted his head patronizingly. "Good boy," and with that, he was gone.
The second Seda was out of the house he took off in flight, not caring what anyone nearby would say. He was too excited, he could feel his emotions stirring for the first time in ages. It won't be long. Soon, my love and I will be together once more…
He soon spotted the aforementioned house, and he began making his descent. He then realized, that the roof of the house was actually a poolside. And what's more, there was someone beside it. He quickly swooped around before they could have a chance to see him and began hovering around the ridges of the roof-top; Just enough so he could see what was happening on the roof, but so that they would not be able to see him. He would let himself be seen when it was time. Seda let his eyes sweep over the pool area. It appeared that whomever had been using the pool had been out for a while, a towel was neatly draped over the end of a pool chair. The chair was imprinted as if someone had recently been sitting, and there was a half-empty glass on the adjoining table. Where the hell is she?
Seda let his impatience get the better of him and he hopped over the rail, soundless as a passing breeze. His eyes did another scan and this time came up true. There she was. She appeared to be gazing off the other end of the balcony, at what, he couldn't quite see. He was taken aback at how easily he was able to recognize her. She had her lavender hair pulled back with the same mass of braids and jewels, and she had that same meticulously painted face characteristic of the generation. His eyes roved over her attire and he blushed, she was wearing a cropped, floaty material peasant top and a loose fitting pair of white Capri pants. It was different than the typical outfit he remembered, and he had a mind to comment when he recalled with embarrassment that she had not yet realized his presence. He remembered asking her how she could dress in such a manner, and remembered her smart-mouthed quip, "If you can't be an exhibitionist in this life, when can you??" Seda had to give her that much. She managed to pull it off smartly and with class usually reserved for those in more, erm, dignified attire. Yes, this was the Genie girl, umm, Ruby, he had met before alright… just about everything was the same- except her countenance.
He realized suddenly and with surprise that her usual confidant air was completely gone. The superior aura she had emenated during the entire journey months before left no traces that it had ever existed in the first place. Could something be wrong? He found himself wondering with mounting concern for his old friend. He didn't have much time to keep thinking. He felt the burning of piercing emerald eyes completely transfixed. When did she turn around? How long was I staring for?
Ruby's confusion quickly went to embarrassment, and then like lightning to anger. Flushed features and fury stamped on every line of her pretty face,
"What the hell are you doing here?"
Seda groaned. That's twice in one hour. I'm on a roll. And for the first time since he had set out, he began to doubt the outlook of his plan. Examining the beseechingly beautiful countenance of his would-be experiment, for the first time he lost his words and had no idea what he could possibly say to this fiery individual to bend her to his will. Seeing the cold and pure rage in her eyes, he couldn't begin to fathom what was running through her mind…
It's Seda, It's Seda, Omigod, Omigod, Omigod, be cool.
Ruby grimaced as she felt Seda's cold, unconvinced stare. What could he possibly be doing here? And what does he want with me?
End of Chapter 3.
I couldn't think of a better place to end it. ;-) Sowweee!