* SPOILERS FOR 1ST TIME VIEWERS! *
Author's Note: I've made this chapter as sort of a quick filler to lead on everyone who wants another chapter. Hopefully you won't be hurt when you find out my twist. ;-; Can't tell you what it is, though. You can beg all you like: animeangel2007@yahoo.com I'd also LOVE criticism if anyone has some to offer – all this happiness has been making me go nuts. ^-^() I promise this won't be the last chapter.
Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN ORPHEN!!! ::unending wail of sorrow.:: ;-; I should, though. I'd make it quite successful. ;D
And of course, due to popular demand, THE FANFIC!! YAY! (Ch. 4)
Ch. 4 – GoneOrphen looked at Stephanie seriously. Attempting to keep a straight face, he only ended up blushing even more. He thought over what she had said; he would have to do it on his own. There was no one else that could convince Cleao that he was speaking the truth. She would only believe him, and for one reason: he was the one she had loved.
"What if she…" Orphen mumbled, head dropping. "I don't want to take that chance."
Stephanie groaned at him – he was being absolutely impossible, and all over telling Cleao he liked her. It was not a big deal to her; she had known it would happen sooner or later. As far as she was concerned, there was no doubt of Cleao not saying her feelings as well. She would surrender to Orphen's arms, and welcome them happily. Yet Stephanie did wonder about what Orphen was saying.
It had been a long time, now past a year, since he had last seen her. She immediately flushed away the idea for his sake. No, she would not see him turned down by a young seventeen-year-old girl. Cleao would just have to accept – there was no other way for it to be.
"Look, she won't, okay?" grumbled Stephanie. She scoffed at the look on his face. "I know Cleao – she's just not that type of person."
"You're underestimating her, Steph," he grinned. "She's a sweetheart with a lovely temper no one can cure."
She ruffled his hair and boiled her own cup of coffee, exhausted from the tedious conversation. Cleao would never leave Orphen's side! And that day Cleao had helped him escape from the killing doll; she wouldn't have forgotten something like that, the delight that had sprung forth from her heart. It had blossomed quickly, even if Orphen hadn't believed that it was she, not Stephanie, that had helped him.
Another thought skipped into her head, and this time, it wasn't so joyous. Swiftly, Stephanie's heart thumped loudly inside her chest. There was a day in her mind, one full of clouds and mists. Orphen had almost hit Cleao in fury – she had insulted Azalie and ran with Lecki onto the transport in escape. He had followed her, anxious and worried. He had never told her more about what had happened between them while they were gone. That couldn't possibly make Cleao turn away, could it? She shook her head, it wouldn't happen.
"I'm sure you could if you tried, Orphen," Stephanie smirked, teasing him a bit. "She'd listen. She listens to every would that you utter, everything that comes out of your mouth." He shrugged.
"She's independent, not weak," Orphen sighed. "Cleao's got a mind of her own – even if it is a violent one."
Stephanie laughed at this quick comment. "You had better not tell her that, or she'll never like you." Orphen grunted, and Stephanie grinned at him; he was so determined.
* * * *
Hartia stared down at his filthy pupil in disgust. How he could have possibly gotten that dirty in an hour was unthinkable. He did not want to know how he had done it, he just wanted him clean. His father would have taken him out of the Tower instantly. Hartia shuddered, and shoved Majic into the bathroom, ordering him to take a shower.
"I DON'T SMELL!" whined Majic, miserable with his master's discontent.
Hartia laughed, and collapsed onto his bed. "Majic, my friend, you do. Now take that shower!" He could hear his pupil's grumbling, and instead of smiling, Hartia picked up a heavy volume of potions to pass the time.
"Honestly, Master," Majic cried from inside. "I don't smell! I'm just… a bit grimy." He didn't want to think about his punishment – a couple hours of studying would make up for it. All he wanted was to get his master out of his current mood. Hartia had been cantankerous all week, and now that Majic had made him laugh, it was out of pity for him alone. Outside the bathroom, Hartia just continued laughing. His gentle laughs started to irritate Majic, nipping at his delicately pale skin like small cuts.
"I was just decorating for Halloween!" he snapped, explaining himself. "I fell off the ladder, and Eris and I got into a tumble in the leaves and…" Majic blushed at his own words. He didn't want it to travel all over the school. Least of all, he didn't want Hartia to know. Hartia chuckled at Majic's last words.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone, Majic." He relaxed immensely at these words, and felt his entire body become loose. A few minutes later, he opened the door, hair still dripping water a bit.
"Uhm… Okay," Majic fumbled with the last button on his shirt. The door to their room opened silently, and a small, pale girl stepped in, shutting it immediately behind her. Her brown eyes gleamed in distress, shining in the sunlight which streaming through the stained-glass window.
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Majic!" she cried, throwing her arms around his waist, holding him tightly to her. She hadn't meant to get him in trouble, and although she knew he would be now, there was nothing to do but apologize. He looked down at her, and returned her embrace warmly. Gently, Majic stroked her short brown hair, shushing her.
"It's not your fault, Eris…" he soothed, rubbing her back in hope to cool the crystal tears running down her cheeks. She moved her head to lean her ear against his chest, slowly stopping to cry. His breathing alone comforted her and she began to break into a sweet smile. He kissed her cheek, and she nuzzled herself against him. Hartia tapped Majic's shoulder, and whispered a couple of words to him.
"When you're done with all this mush, we'll work out your punishment, you troublesome child." He sighed. "Majic, how come you're such a ladies' man?" Majic just smiled at his teacher – he knew that he was only jealous of his skill with women. Through being his student, he had come across Hartia's unfortunate relationship tales, with a few good mixed in between. Eris looked up from her tight embrace.
"You want to know why he's such a ladies' man?" she giggled, turning pink, shyly. "Because he's so sweet and understanding." Majic grinned at her, and kissed her nose.
"I can't stand you teenagers. You're giving me a headache," Hartia complained thoughtfully, and scratched his head. Eris laughed again at his childish state. "Adolescent people know how to make someone feel uncomfortable…" He blushed from the response he had gotten to his question. Eris gave him a silly yet comforting hug. Majic chuckled to himself, and pulled her back to his side.
* * * *
Cleao tickled Lecki's stomach with one finger. He yelped and rolled onto his back, pawing at her small hand. His green eyes shone at her and reflected her own image. She looked into his eyes again, and tapped his nose playfully. Her trunk thumped against one wooden side of the cart, and sat up very straight instantly, in a slight reflex.
"Well, we'll be seeing old friends soon, now, won't we Lecki?" Cleao smiled down at her pet, now curled into the crook of her arm like a baby, snoring softly. His foot twitched a bit, swatting away a fly.
"Yes… We should be there by now…" she murmured to herself, and set him down on the floor. Cleao climbed towards the driver's seat, and tapped his shoulder.
"When are we going to be there?" she whined a bit, laughing at the old man's curious expression.
"I know how much you want to get there, but Mary Anne can only go so fast, Miss Cleao." Cleao perked up at a bit at the name of the horse. She stifled a laugh, thinking of Hartia's "gentle" Caroline. It definitely had been too long for everyone to be apart. She missed the life too much.
* * * *
Orphen grumbled a bit as he hammered at one of the wheels. The nail wasn't going in, and with out it, the wagon wouldn't move. He gritted his teeth, and pounded harder. Finally, it drove through the wood, keeping one of the spokes attached – at least, for now. Gently, he clucked to the mare. He would need to find Cleao, and as far as he knew, there was only one place to find her: Everlasting Manor.
Would he make, though, was the question. The wagon was falling apart by this point, and he didn't want to make anymore stops. He continued as the sun set, lowering it's golden rays below the distant hills.
Author's Ending Note: I have to admit this took my mind off quite a bit of schoolwork. ;; Yet, since you all demanded more, I'm readily serving it. Sorry for all the temptation, but don't jump to happy conclusions. This chapter was mainly for fillers, and Kenta Divina wanting to know what's going on – plus I wanted to do a bit on Majic, Eris and Hartia.