Chapter 13: Parting
AN: *smiles* HI! Hope you all like this chappie and sorry for the short delay. Oh and about the numbers, I know I killed Miguel off and *has to stop and hide under her desk as a rush off screaming Miguel fan girls stampede past* that there are only seven left now but lets just pretend that there where nine to begin with OK! *Wipes forehead with the back of her hand and stares at the smoke clouds left behind by the Miguel fans* wow, if I knew he was that popular I never would have killed him....
Hitomi's ears complained almost immediately after Dilandau had pushed open the large double, looming, doors. They creaked loudly in a complaint that no one heard as smoke filled air laced with musical laughter exploded in the new arrival's faces.
Entering the establishment emerald eyes narrowed as the female slayer surveyed the tavern's interior. Numerous hanging torches littered the stone cold walls, their golden light bouncing off the massive common room tables and chairs and into the mages eyes. Torn grey rugs were placed randomly over the stained wooden floors. Hitomi sighed, 'It's not much, but I guess it'll have to do.'
Ignoring the crimson-eyed commander as he ordered the other slayers, Hitomi moved through the crowd of regular patrons and customers and headed for the bar. The bartender was a rather large woman; her light blue eyes suggested hidden intelligence, a warning sign that Hitomi took in mentally. Upon seeing the new customer the plump woman bounced over happily, ready to serve.
''My companions and I request a room for tonight.'' The slayers tone was firm but polite.
''Well then lass,'' the owner replied in a thickly accented voice, ''I will see what is available. How many need beds?''
''Eight.'' Hitomi stated, not looking back at her travelling partners to confirm the number.
The woman nodded in reply and moved out of sight behind the bar. Moments later she returned. ''We have four rooms in total, each with two beds.'' Hitomi 's nose scrunched up unconsciously, she would have to share with one of the slayers.
''Very well, how much will it cost?''
''Including food, refreshment and later activities?'' The barwoman asked, an eyebrow raised. When Hitomi simply nodded the woman's face lit up again, ''then that'll be a hundred gold pieces.''
Coins changed hands and Hitomi walked back to the others, graceful as always in her navigation of the many drunken patrons. ''There are four rooms available.'' She reported to Dilandau, her expression unreadable. Dilandau smirked for a second then flashed the shorter slayer a look of confusion. ''How did you pay for it all?'' He asked.
''Contrary to your belief Dilandau-sama,'' Hitomi stressed the title, suddenly annoyed with the albino's incompetence, ''my life did not begin when I met you.'' She finished, secretly enjoying Dilandau's slightly shocked expression. Turning her back on the party she moved towards the stairs, ''I'll see you in our room.''
~~~~~
The sudden turn of weather later that evening left all of the tavern's customers restless, but the 'unexpected' arrival of a party of soaked courtesan's soon lightened the mood. In the higher levels of the noisy establishment Hitomi watched the rainfall from her place atop a small windowsill. The droplets of water running down the transparent, and surprisingly clean, material kept the honey haired girls mind from wandering to far.
At least that had been the plan.
All to soon Hitomi was bored and suddenly she found herself thinking about what she was going to do tomorrow. They where currently residing in a small village just a few miles away from Fanelia's capital. She was finding it to believe just how long she had travelled with the slayers.
A whole month had past, four weeks of horse riding dragon slaying and late night camps. They had not encountered their nameless enemies; Yukari was in none of the towns or small farming communities that they had past through on their journey to the capital and Miguel's death remained un-avenged.
Exhaling deeply Hitomi tried to ignore the high pitched, obviously fake, laughter ringing up from below the floorboards. She couldn't understand why she cared so much, but metal images of an overly kind courtesan draping herself all over the reckless, especially when drunk, commander of the dragon slayers made the emerald eyed young woman want to march down into the tavern's common room and drag the boy back up to the higher levels by his, probably smoother than silk, slivery hair.
''For creators sake!''
Hitomi's arms flew into the air uncharacteristically as she jumped down from her perch and reprimanded herself. What difference did it make if he was down there...having fun. They would most likely never see each other again after tomorrow anyway and her purpose in this failing country, even though she still had no idea what was, was much more important then some stupid hormonal urges anyway.
Collapsing back onto her bed she exhaled deeply. Stupid. That's what the whole situation was, pointless and humiliating she didn't care how normal it was, these feelings would be her undoing. She knew that simple fact all to well, but why did part of her confused mind not care?
''Hitomi? May I come in?''
Van's smoothing tones, slightly muffled by the door, entered the room and the emerald-eyed slayer sat up. ''Sure.'' Was the reply she gave and Van opened the door. Walking into the simply furnished room, Fanelia's youngest prince offered a smile and closed the door behind him.
Hitomi smiled back slightly in return. Van could be the sweetest thing on the whole of Gaea, well when he wasn't wielding a sword anyway. Why couldn't Dilandau be more like the raven-haired young man standing before her, patiently waiting to be offered a seat? In fact wouldn't it have been so much easier just to have fallen in love with Van instead of Dilandau in the first place?
Green eyes suddenly widened. 'Fall in WHAT?'
''Err- Hitomi, are you OK?''
Van's confused tone and expression to match brought Hitomi out of her echoing realisation. ''Oh, I'm sorry, please sit down.''
Van smiled again and sat on the opposite bed and watched as the young woman shook her head violently only to stop suddenly mere seconds later and meet his eyes. ''What do you want?''
The chocolate red-eyed slayer grinned slightly and rubbed the back of his neck. ''I just thought I should come up and let you know that our,'' Hitomi wasn't surprised when Van sniggered at this point, ''commander has collapsed due to either too much, or not enough alcohol.'' Hitomi rolled her eyes. ''The others are bringing him up now, I came up ahead to warn you.''
Both slayers stood up calmly when the door burst open and Dilandau's form entered, being held up by Gatti and Dalet. ''Put him on the bed.'' Hitomi ordered, her tone screaming controlled rage and the boys didn't need telling twice.
''He probably won't come round till the morning.'' Gatti stated after they had placed the still form onto the brown-sheeted bed. Dalet started fidgeting after only a matter of seconds and Hitomi told them as politely as she could that they could return to their previous activates.
''I think I'll get going to.'' Van said, already moving towards the door. ''It looks like I'll be the one navigating tomorrow.'' He finished, taking one last look at their commander, shaking his head and leaving the room, the door closing softly behind him.
Hitomi moved towards her secret object of affections and sighed, she pulled the covers up to Dilandau's chin and moved back to her place on her own bed. She sat down and rested her elbows on her knees, her own chin on her palms. 'Oh dear,' She thought mentally, 'What am I going to do with you.'
~~~~~
Van lead the party towards the main gates and approached the guards stationed there. Drawing himself up he opened his mouth, about to announce their arrival.
''Save your poetic greetings traveller for you enter a graveyard. Grand titles or the amount of coins in your possession are of no consequence here. For all men are equal in the face of death.''
Eight sets of eyes narrowed in unforgiving glares at the doomsayer. The light brown haired man, about thirty rotations by Hitomi's reckoning, suddenly shrunk back into the wood behind him. His boldness blasted aside by the faces of the armoured warriors. ''It would be wise if you moved aside and let us speak to someone who knows what the hell their talking about.'' Van said in harsh tones, watching as the blue tunic glad profit of doom almost ran away from the slayers party.
Jumping down from their horses both the commander, who with Hitomi's help had gotten over a surprisingly heavy hangover, and the young prince approached the two rusted up guards and began what looked like a very involved conversation.
Hitomi blinked once or twice and soon turned round in her saddle when she felt about ten eyes boring into her back. ''What is it?'' She asked when the slayers averted their orbs quickly, only to have them brought back by Hitomi's inquiry.
''We were just err-'' Chesta started, struggling with his words.
''Wondering when, I mean if-'' Gatti took over, only to fail just as miserably seconds later.
''Because, you see, we kind of like having you around and-'' Gimuel took up the challenge of forming a coherent sentence but his outcome was no better.
''Are you going to leave?'' Dalet blurted finally and no one breathed until Hitomi smiled sadly.
''I'm sorry, but yes, I think it's time to say goodbye.''
AN: *smiles* HI! Hope you all like this chappie and sorry for the short delay. Oh and about the numbers, I know I killed Miguel off and *has to stop and hide under her desk as a rush off screaming Miguel fan girls stampede past* that there are only seven left now but lets just pretend that there where nine to begin with OK! *Wipes forehead with the back of her hand and stares at the smoke clouds left behind by the Miguel fans* wow, if I knew he was that popular I never would have killed him....
Hitomi's ears complained almost immediately after Dilandau had pushed open the large double, looming, doors. They creaked loudly in a complaint that no one heard as smoke filled air laced with musical laughter exploded in the new arrival's faces.
Entering the establishment emerald eyes narrowed as the female slayer surveyed the tavern's interior. Numerous hanging torches littered the stone cold walls, their golden light bouncing off the massive common room tables and chairs and into the mages eyes. Torn grey rugs were placed randomly over the stained wooden floors. Hitomi sighed, 'It's not much, but I guess it'll have to do.'
Ignoring the crimson-eyed commander as he ordered the other slayers, Hitomi moved through the crowd of regular patrons and customers and headed for the bar. The bartender was a rather large woman; her light blue eyes suggested hidden intelligence, a warning sign that Hitomi took in mentally. Upon seeing the new customer the plump woman bounced over happily, ready to serve.
''My companions and I request a room for tonight.'' The slayers tone was firm but polite.
''Well then lass,'' the owner replied in a thickly accented voice, ''I will see what is available. How many need beds?''
''Eight.'' Hitomi stated, not looking back at her travelling partners to confirm the number.
The woman nodded in reply and moved out of sight behind the bar. Moments later she returned. ''We have four rooms in total, each with two beds.'' Hitomi 's nose scrunched up unconsciously, she would have to share with one of the slayers.
''Very well, how much will it cost?''
''Including food, refreshment and later activities?'' The barwoman asked, an eyebrow raised. When Hitomi simply nodded the woman's face lit up again, ''then that'll be a hundred gold pieces.''
Coins changed hands and Hitomi walked back to the others, graceful as always in her navigation of the many drunken patrons. ''There are four rooms available.'' She reported to Dilandau, her expression unreadable. Dilandau smirked for a second then flashed the shorter slayer a look of confusion. ''How did you pay for it all?'' He asked.
''Contrary to your belief Dilandau-sama,'' Hitomi stressed the title, suddenly annoyed with the albino's incompetence, ''my life did not begin when I met you.'' She finished, secretly enjoying Dilandau's slightly shocked expression. Turning her back on the party she moved towards the stairs, ''I'll see you in our room.''
~~~~~
The sudden turn of weather later that evening left all of the tavern's customers restless, but the 'unexpected' arrival of a party of soaked courtesan's soon lightened the mood. In the higher levels of the noisy establishment Hitomi watched the rainfall from her place atop a small windowsill. The droplets of water running down the transparent, and surprisingly clean, material kept the honey haired girls mind from wandering to far.
At least that had been the plan.
All to soon Hitomi was bored and suddenly she found herself thinking about what she was going to do tomorrow. They where currently residing in a small village just a few miles away from Fanelia's capital. She was finding it to believe just how long she had travelled with the slayers.
A whole month had past, four weeks of horse riding dragon slaying and late night camps. They had not encountered their nameless enemies; Yukari was in none of the towns or small farming communities that they had past through on their journey to the capital and Miguel's death remained un-avenged.
Exhaling deeply Hitomi tried to ignore the high pitched, obviously fake, laughter ringing up from below the floorboards. She couldn't understand why she cared so much, but metal images of an overly kind courtesan draping herself all over the reckless, especially when drunk, commander of the dragon slayers made the emerald eyed young woman want to march down into the tavern's common room and drag the boy back up to the higher levels by his, probably smoother than silk, slivery hair.
''For creators sake!''
Hitomi's arms flew into the air uncharacteristically as she jumped down from her perch and reprimanded herself. What difference did it make if he was down there...having fun. They would most likely never see each other again after tomorrow anyway and her purpose in this failing country, even though she still had no idea what was, was much more important then some stupid hormonal urges anyway.
Collapsing back onto her bed she exhaled deeply. Stupid. That's what the whole situation was, pointless and humiliating she didn't care how normal it was, these feelings would be her undoing. She knew that simple fact all to well, but why did part of her confused mind not care?
''Hitomi? May I come in?''
Van's smoothing tones, slightly muffled by the door, entered the room and the emerald-eyed slayer sat up. ''Sure.'' Was the reply she gave and Van opened the door. Walking into the simply furnished room, Fanelia's youngest prince offered a smile and closed the door behind him.
Hitomi smiled back slightly in return. Van could be the sweetest thing on the whole of Gaea, well when he wasn't wielding a sword anyway. Why couldn't Dilandau be more like the raven-haired young man standing before her, patiently waiting to be offered a seat? In fact wouldn't it have been so much easier just to have fallen in love with Van instead of Dilandau in the first place?
Green eyes suddenly widened. 'Fall in WHAT?'
''Err- Hitomi, are you OK?''
Van's confused tone and expression to match brought Hitomi out of her echoing realisation. ''Oh, I'm sorry, please sit down.''
Van smiled again and sat on the opposite bed and watched as the young woman shook her head violently only to stop suddenly mere seconds later and meet his eyes. ''What do you want?''
The chocolate red-eyed slayer grinned slightly and rubbed the back of his neck. ''I just thought I should come up and let you know that our,'' Hitomi wasn't surprised when Van sniggered at this point, ''commander has collapsed due to either too much, or not enough alcohol.'' Hitomi rolled her eyes. ''The others are bringing him up now, I came up ahead to warn you.''
Both slayers stood up calmly when the door burst open and Dilandau's form entered, being held up by Gatti and Dalet. ''Put him on the bed.'' Hitomi ordered, her tone screaming controlled rage and the boys didn't need telling twice.
''He probably won't come round till the morning.'' Gatti stated after they had placed the still form onto the brown-sheeted bed. Dalet started fidgeting after only a matter of seconds and Hitomi told them as politely as she could that they could return to their previous activates.
''I think I'll get going to.'' Van said, already moving towards the door. ''It looks like I'll be the one navigating tomorrow.'' He finished, taking one last look at their commander, shaking his head and leaving the room, the door closing softly behind him.
Hitomi moved towards her secret object of affections and sighed, she pulled the covers up to Dilandau's chin and moved back to her place on her own bed. She sat down and rested her elbows on her knees, her own chin on her palms. 'Oh dear,' She thought mentally, 'What am I going to do with you.'
~~~~~
Van lead the party towards the main gates and approached the guards stationed there. Drawing himself up he opened his mouth, about to announce their arrival.
''Save your poetic greetings traveller for you enter a graveyard. Grand titles or the amount of coins in your possession are of no consequence here. For all men are equal in the face of death.''
Eight sets of eyes narrowed in unforgiving glares at the doomsayer. The light brown haired man, about thirty rotations by Hitomi's reckoning, suddenly shrunk back into the wood behind him. His boldness blasted aside by the faces of the armoured warriors. ''It would be wise if you moved aside and let us speak to someone who knows what the hell their talking about.'' Van said in harsh tones, watching as the blue tunic glad profit of doom almost ran away from the slayers party.
Jumping down from their horses both the commander, who with Hitomi's help had gotten over a surprisingly heavy hangover, and the young prince approached the two rusted up guards and began what looked like a very involved conversation.
Hitomi blinked once or twice and soon turned round in her saddle when she felt about ten eyes boring into her back. ''What is it?'' She asked when the slayers averted their orbs quickly, only to have them brought back by Hitomi's inquiry.
''We were just err-'' Chesta started, struggling with his words.
''Wondering when, I mean if-'' Gatti took over, only to fail just as miserably seconds later.
''Because, you see, we kind of like having you around and-'' Gimuel took up the challenge of forming a coherent sentence but his outcome was no better.
''Are you going to leave?'' Dalet blurted finally and no one breathed until Hitomi smiled sadly.
''I'm sorry, but yes, I think it's time to say goodbye.''