Love can Change You 3
"So what's your name?"
Hitomi blinked. "Hitomi. Hitomi Kanzaki". She mumbled nervously. What did one say to a soldier?
As if knowing what she was thinking, he smiled. "I'm Chesta. Nice to meet you".
"Likewise".
They walked on in silence for a moment. Then Chesta asked "Didn't I see you before?" He thought for a moment. "The fort! It was in Allen Schezar's fort! You remember?"
She remembered. In fact, the memory made her blush. Allen had kissed her in front of those people. Including.
Chesta laughed at the look on her face. "Don't worry about it. From what I've heard, that's the LEAST of what Schezar does!"
Hitomi laughed too. "It's funny because it's true!" That caused the two to laugh even harder.
When they were done, Hitomi asked Chesta a few questions about himself. "Well", he began, "I was born in Daedalus. I worked in a bakery until I was eight. That was when I was chosen to sign up for the Dragonslayers."
Hitomi was surprised. "You didn't have a choice?"
Chesta shook his head. "Nope. After I passed, I spent the next seven years on the Vione which is where I am today." He smiled. "I guess I'm still part baker, because I was elected the official Dragonslayer chef."
"Back where I come from, you don't join the army unless you choose to."
Chesta looked at her in surprise. "And where do you come from anyway?
"Believe it or not, the Mystic Moon." She couldn't help but laugh at the look on Chesta's face. "I've never seen anyone as stunned as you are now!"
He recovered quickly and grinned. They talked to each other about normal teen stuff. Sports. Friends. Experiences. When they came to a door, Hitomi was annoyed. She'd have liked to talk to Chesta for a while longer.
The diminutive Dragonslayer handed her a key. "This is your room." He paused. "You want to rest now? Or maybe, if you're staying for a while, I could introduce you to a few of the slayers?" Hitomi looked surprised.
"How did you know that I might be staying?"
Chesta shrugged. "I didn't. I just guessed. So, you interested?"
Hitomi hesitated. Then, "I think I'd like that."
Chesta beamed. "Great! Follow me."
He led Hitomi along the winding halls of the Vione, pointing out various locations as they went along. Soon Hitomi knew the way to the mess hall, the 'melef bay, the observatory, and the swimming pool. Eventually Chesta led her to the medical bay where he opened the door to find two young men in blue and black uniforms, talking to each other. They looked up as Chesta and Hitomi walked in.
"Hi Chesta!" the shorter one called. He had dark green hair and eyes. "What brings you to this neck of the Vione?" He casually glanced at Hitomi, froze at what he saw, then slipped into lady-killer mode nearly as fast as Allen Schezar. "Hello young lady. Or perhaps I am mistaken. Surely a creature of such infinite beauty must be angelic in origin. My name is Viole. What might yours be?"
Hitomi's lips twitched. It was growing. She couldn't help it! Much to Viole's chagrin, she burst out in hysterical laughter and couldn't seem to stop herself.
Through the tears coming from her eyes she saw Chesta shake his head ruefully. "Her name's Hitomi. Lord Folken wants me to show her around so I'm taking her to meet the guys. That is until you incapacitated her just now!"
The taller boy smacked Viole upside the head. "One of these days, that voice of yours is gonna get you in trouble."
Viole grinned. "I can't help it! I've got to keep ahead of Dalet!" To Hitomi he said, "Sorry about that. But Dalet and I are keeping score and, right now, he's ahead."
Hitomi managed to compose herself. "It's alright."
The taller boy pushed up his glasses and ran a hand through his brown hair. "Welcome to the Vione. I'm Ryuon." He extended a hand, which Hitomi shook.
Chesta seeing that Hitomi had recovered her senses, asked, "Do you guys know where the others are at?"
Ryuon thought. "I think they're in Gatti's room", he replied. "Do you mind if we tag along?" Viole asked.
Chesta looked to Hitomi who nodded quickly. "That'd be great!"
***
Folken stood, head bowed in respect, before the monitor. This room was always cold, but it seemed colder now as Folken awaited a verdict on his plan. He had thought of a way to phrase the idea to his emperor then gone straight to the communications chamber. He though he'd done well. If he hadn't, Dornkirk would likely turn Hitomi over to Dilandau.
"Hmmm."
The not quite word brought Folken's eyes into the face of his master.
"Your plan is a good one Folken." The cyborg sighed inwardly. "Yes. Place her in the Dragonslayers. Train her. She will fight for Zaibach. And nothing will stand in the way of our destiny."
Folken's heart twinged a little at the last order. "My lord. Is it such a good idea to put her in the Dragonslayers? Dilandau-"
"Dilandau will follow my orders."
"Yes my lord."
The screen blanked. Folken was left with his thoughts. He was worried. Not about Dilandau, he had absolute faith that the emperor could control him. But what would he do if Hitomi chose to leave?
The Strategos sighed. He knew he would face this problem from the moment he decided on this plan. 'I'll just have to follow through and hope for the best.' Somehow that wasn't very comforting.
Folken shivered. He really didn't like this room.
***
The quartet had headed down the maze-like corridors of the Zaibach airship. It was very confusing, and almost impossible to find where you were going. Fortunately Chesta, Viole, and Ryoun had years of experience memorising these halls, and Hitomi was swiftly learning. Soon the group reached a door that had raucous laughter coming from it. When Chesta opened it, there were a dozen armoured young men laughing, joking, and playing cards. Two were even singing.
Hitomi, with much coaxing from her new friends, stepped through the door and into the room.
Viole smiled at Hitomi again then went off to talk to a group of people, while Chesta and Ryoun made her nervous by flanking her like a pair of bodyguards.
Almost immediately, a boy with long brown hair strolled towards her with an almost certainly empty bottle in his hand. "Hello cutey!" The drunken boy slurred. "Yah up to a night out?" he winked. "I'll make it worth your while!"
Chesta and Ryoun frowned. But before they could do anything Hitomi put her hand the boy's chest and shoved. The boy stumbled into a chest, then fell over.
Then she smiled sweetly. "Sorry pal, but you're not my type."
Viole, just returning with three other boys, saw the whole thing and smirked. He'd remember that one always! "I could've told you that'd happen Dalet!" He began the introductions. "Gang, meet Hitomi. Hitomi, meet Miguel, Gatti, Guimel, and the one on the floor is Dalet."
As they greeted her variously, Hitomi studied them. They weren't like any soldiers she'd ever seen and pointed it out.
Gatti laughed. "Oh we can be soldiers! Just not tonight. Tonight is our day off!"
"We don't get many, so we savour what we get." Put in Guimel.
"Tomorrow it'll be back to business as usual when Lord Dilandau gets back." That was Miguel.
Suddenly Hitomi went cold. "Dilandau? Dilandau Albatou??"
Miguel frowned. "Yes. You know him?"
Hitomi shuddered. "Lets just say we've met and I'm not eager to repeat the experience."
"Not pleasant, eh?"
"Not in the least".
Chesta had an insight. "Wait a minute. Did you used to travel with Van Fanel?"
Miserably, Hitomi nodded.
Guimel whistled softly, and even Dalet seemed to sober up.
Suddenly Chesta saw a loophole. "Hey! You were with lord Folken earlier. Are you his guest?"
"Yes."
A universal sigh went up around the circle and Ryoun gave a laugh. "Well then you're safe. Lord Dilandau wouldn't threaten Lord Folken's guest."
Guimel laughed. "Now that that's out of the way, who's up for poker?"
Dalet Chesta and Gatti agreed. Chesta was worried about leaving Hitomi alone in a room full of boys, but she just said, "I can take care of myself."
And so she wandered around the room talking to some of the others but mostly just looking around. That is until she bumped into someone.
"Sorry". She murmured, only to find herself pushed up against the wall.
"Watch where you're going!" Her attacker growled. To Hitomi's surprise it was another girl. Her black eyes were glaring furiously from an oval face framed by long black hair.
"Sorry". Hitomi went defensive. "I was thinking of something else."
Black eyes smirked. "Either that or you can't think at all!" She looked Hitomi up and down, and snorted. "From the looks of you, I'd say that's likely!"
Hitomi's eyes narrowed as she started to get pissed. "Excuse me your majesty", she said, her tone heavy with sarcasm. "Wasn't aware you were to important to be polite!"
***
Chesta was having fun kicking the guys' asses. He was winning for the fourth hand in a row, when he heard voices raised. 'Ah it's probably just some of the guys letting off steam.' But then he heard Hitomi's voice rising to match an equally female voice, and he instantly dropped his cards and started moving towards the sound of the argument.
"Who do you think you are anyway? Treating me like a ditzy hooker!"
Chesta winced. Hitomi sounded angry. He broke through the circle that had grown around the scene and was greeted by the sight of Hitomi face to face with a furious Refina.
Knowing Refina, this would get out of hand if he didn't do something. He hurried over to the girls in a vain attempt to stem the hostilities. "Okay, this has got to stop. Now".
Hitomi glanced at Chesta, then seemed to relax. Not so with her opponent.
"Come on. Knock it off Refina." Chesta was desperately trying to restore order to the situation but Refina dispelled any such hopes by turning around and yelling "Mind your own damn business Chesta!"
"Hey! Don't yell at him!" Hitomi shoved the other girl away from her new friend.
Refina slapped Hitomi across the face, screaming "Don't order me around bitch!"
Chesta shivered as Hitomi's top lip lifted in a snarl and her green eyes glinted in rage and.was that delight?
"Thank you for giving me the excuse." She whispered. Then Chesta winced as she hauled off and belted her across the face.
"Bitch fight!" Shouted someone who sounded like Dalet. Instantly the circle of boys started cheering on one or the other.
The fight was swift, brutal, and totally one sided. Refina had more experience, but most of it was with a sword. Hitomi had actually been in lots of fights in school and had never lost. That was because, like Refina was doing now, those girls had all scratched, pulled hair, or bit while Hitomi had beat the living crap out of them. Like now. Plus she had the advantages of size and strength.
Chesta closed his eyes so he didn't see what happened. When he opened them, he saw Refina. On the ground. With bruises on her face, and several teeth missing. Hitomi stood over her foe with that strange smile on her face.
Suddenly, the Slayers started clapping. Hitomi looked up in surprise. They were cheering on HER? Who'd just beaten up their friend?
As if reading her mind, Ryoun and Gatti led her away. "Congratulations!" Ryoun was grinning from ear to ear. "You've just done what we've all wanted to do since meeting her."
Hitomi stared. "Say what?"
Gatti grinned. "She's an arrogant bitch who treated us like scum. But, being the gentlemen we are, we couldn't do anything about it!"
"You've just become the friend of every male Dragonslayer in the Vione!" Miguel put in.
Hitomi blushed happily. She hadn't lost her new friends!
Chesta slapped her on the back. "Well now that that's settled, why don't the lot of us get some food?"
Hitomi realised how hungry she was and quickly agreed. As she left the room, she looked around at the friendly Dragonslayers. 'I think I'm going to like it here.' was her thought.
***
Refina watched the new girl walk out of the room, with some of the guys, with a cold fury burning in her aching chest. She took stock of her losses. Four teeth, a black eye, and her dignity.
"I'll get her for this" She whispered to herself.
A/N: Oooooh! Hitomi's found new friends! But also a new enemy. What will happen next? Find out next time on Escaflowne!
"So what's your name?"
Hitomi blinked. "Hitomi. Hitomi Kanzaki". She mumbled nervously. What did one say to a soldier?
As if knowing what she was thinking, he smiled. "I'm Chesta. Nice to meet you".
"Likewise".
They walked on in silence for a moment. Then Chesta asked "Didn't I see you before?" He thought for a moment. "The fort! It was in Allen Schezar's fort! You remember?"
She remembered. In fact, the memory made her blush. Allen had kissed her in front of those people. Including.
Chesta laughed at the look on her face. "Don't worry about it. From what I've heard, that's the LEAST of what Schezar does!"
Hitomi laughed too. "It's funny because it's true!" That caused the two to laugh even harder.
When they were done, Hitomi asked Chesta a few questions about himself. "Well", he began, "I was born in Daedalus. I worked in a bakery until I was eight. That was when I was chosen to sign up for the Dragonslayers."
Hitomi was surprised. "You didn't have a choice?"
Chesta shook his head. "Nope. After I passed, I spent the next seven years on the Vione which is where I am today." He smiled. "I guess I'm still part baker, because I was elected the official Dragonslayer chef."
"Back where I come from, you don't join the army unless you choose to."
Chesta looked at her in surprise. "And where do you come from anyway?
"Believe it or not, the Mystic Moon." She couldn't help but laugh at the look on Chesta's face. "I've never seen anyone as stunned as you are now!"
He recovered quickly and grinned. They talked to each other about normal teen stuff. Sports. Friends. Experiences. When they came to a door, Hitomi was annoyed. She'd have liked to talk to Chesta for a while longer.
The diminutive Dragonslayer handed her a key. "This is your room." He paused. "You want to rest now? Or maybe, if you're staying for a while, I could introduce you to a few of the slayers?" Hitomi looked surprised.
"How did you know that I might be staying?"
Chesta shrugged. "I didn't. I just guessed. So, you interested?"
Hitomi hesitated. Then, "I think I'd like that."
Chesta beamed. "Great! Follow me."
He led Hitomi along the winding halls of the Vione, pointing out various locations as they went along. Soon Hitomi knew the way to the mess hall, the 'melef bay, the observatory, and the swimming pool. Eventually Chesta led her to the medical bay where he opened the door to find two young men in blue and black uniforms, talking to each other. They looked up as Chesta and Hitomi walked in.
"Hi Chesta!" the shorter one called. He had dark green hair and eyes. "What brings you to this neck of the Vione?" He casually glanced at Hitomi, froze at what he saw, then slipped into lady-killer mode nearly as fast as Allen Schezar. "Hello young lady. Or perhaps I am mistaken. Surely a creature of such infinite beauty must be angelic in origin. My name is Viole. What might yours be?"
Hitomi's lips twitched. It was growing. She couldn't help it! Much to Viole's chagrin, she burst out in hysterical laughter and couldn't seem to stop herself.
Through the tears coming from her eyes she saw Chesta shake his head ruefully. "Her name's Hitomi. Lord Folken wants me to show her around so I'm taking her to meet the guys. That is until you incapacitated her just now!"
The taller boy smacked Viole upside the head. "One of these days, that voice of yours is gonna get you in trouble."
Viole grinned. "I can't help it! I've got to keep ahead of Dalet!" To Hitomi he said, "Sorry about that. But Dalet and I are keeping score and, right now, he's ahead."
Hitomi managed to compose herself. "It's alright."
The taller boy pushed up his glasses and ran a hand through his brown hair. "Welcome to the Vione. I'm Ryuon." He extended a hand, which Hitomi shook.
Chesta seeing that Hitomi had recovered her senses, asked, "Do you guys know where the others are at?"
Ryuon thought. "I think they're in Gatti's room", he replied. "Do you mind if we tag along?" Viole asked.
Chesta looked to Hitomi who nodded quickly. "That'd be great!"
***
Folken stood, head bowed in respect, before the monitor. This room was always cold, but it seemed colder now as Folken awaited a verdict on his plan. He had thought of a way to phrase the idea to his emperor then gone straight to the communications chamber. He though he'd done well. If he hadn't, Dornkirk would likely turn Hitomi over to Dilandau.
"Hmmm."
The not quite word brought Folken's eyes into the face of his master.
"Your plan is a good one Folken." The cyborg sighed inwardly. "Yes. Place her in the Dragonslayers. Train her. She will fight for Zaibach. And nothing will stand in the way of our destiny."
Folken's heart twinged a little at the last order. "My lord. Is it such a good idea to put her in the Dragonslayers? Dilandau-"
"Dilandau will follow my orders."
"Yes my lord."
The screen blanked. Folken was left with his thoughts. He was worried. Not about Dilandau, he had absolute faith that the emperor could control him. But what would he do if Hitomi chose to leave?
The Strategos sighed. He knew he would face this problem from the moment he decided on this plan. 'I'll just have to follow through and hope for the best.' Somehow that wasn't very comforting.
Folken shivered. He really didn't like this room.
***
The quartet had headed down the maze-like corridors of the Zaibach airship. It was very confusing, and almost impossible to find where you were going. Fortunately Chesta, Viole, and Ryoun had years of experience memorising these halls, and Hitomi was swiftly learning. Soon the group reached a door that had raucous laughter coming from it. When Chesta opened it, there were a dozen armoured young men laughing, joking, and playing cards. Two were even singing.
Hitomi, with much coaxing from her new friends, stepped through the door and into the room.
Viole smiled at Hitomi again then went off to talk to a group of people, while Chesta and Ryoun made her nervous by flanking her like a pair of bodyguards.
Almost immediately, a boy with long brown hair strolled towards her with an almost certainly empty bottle in his hand. "Hello cutey!" The drunken boy slurred. "Yah up to a night out?" he winked. "I'll make it worth your while!"
Chesta and Ryoun frowned. But before they could do anything Hitomi put her hand the boy's chest and shoved. The boy stumbled into a chest, then fell over.
Then she smiled sweetly. "Sorry pal, but you're not my type."
Viole, just returning with three other boys, saw the whole thing and smirked. He'd remember that one always! "I could've told you that'd happen Dalet!" He began the introductions. "Gang, meet Hitomi. Hitomi, meet Miguel, Gatti, Guimel, and the one on the floor is Dalet."
As they greeted her variously, Hitomi studied them. They weren't like any soldiers she'd ever seen and pointed it out.
Gatti laughed. "Oh we can be soldiers! Just not tonight. Tonight is our day off!"
"We don't get many, so we savour what we get." Put in Guimel.
"Tomorrow it'll be back to business as usual when Lord Dilandau gets back." That was Miguel.
Suddenly Hitomi went cold. "Dilandau? Dilandau Albatou??"
Miguel frowned. "Yes. You know him?"
Hitomi shuddered. "Lets just say we've met and I'm not eager to repeat the experience."
"Not pleasant, eh?"
"Not in the least".
Chesta had an insight. "Wait a minute. Did you used to travel with Van Fanel?"
Miserably, Hitomi nodded.
Guimel whistled softly, and even Dalet seemed to sober up.
Suddenly Chesta saw a loophole. "Hey! You were with lord Folken earlier. Are you his guest?"
"Yes."
A universal sigh went up around the circle and Ryoun gave a laugh. "Well then you're safe. Lord Dilandau wouldn't threaten Lord Folken's guest."
Guimel laughed. "Now that that's out of the way, who's up for poker?"
Dalet Chesta and Gatti agreed. Chesta was worried about leaving Hitomi alone in a room full of boys, but she just said, "I can take care of myself."
And so she wandered around the room talking to some of the others but mostly just looking around. That is until she bumped into someone.
"Sorry". She murmured, only to find herself pushed up against the wall.
"Watch where you're going!" Her attacker growled. To Hitomi's surprise it was another girl. Her black eyes were glaring furiously from an oval face framed by long black hair.
"Sorry". Hitomi went defensive. "I was thinking of something else."
Black eyes smirked. "Either that or you can't think at all!" She looked Hitomi up and down, and snorted. "From the looks of you, I'd say that's likely!"
Hitomi's eyes narrowed as she started to get pissed. "Excuse me your majesty", she said, her tone heavy with sarcasm. "Wasn't aware you were to important to be polite!"
***
Chesta was having fun kicking the guys' asses. He was winning for the fourth hand in a row, when he heard voices raised. 'Ah it's probably just some of the guys letting off steam.' But then he heard Hitomi's voice rising to match an equally female voice, and he instantly dropped his cards and started moving towards the sound of the argument.
"Who do you think you are anyway? Treating me like a ditzy hooker!"
Chesta winced. Hitomi sounded angry. He broke through the circle that had grown around the scene and was greeted by the sight of Hitomi face to face with a furious Refina.
Knowing Refina, this would get out of hand if he didn't do something. He hurried over to the girls in a vain attempt to stem the hostilities. "Okay, this has got to stop. Now".
Hitomi glanced at Chesta, then seemed to relax. Not so with her opponent.
"Come on. Knock it off Refina." Chesta was desperately trying to restore order to the situation but Refina dispelled any such hopes by turning around and yelling "Mind your own damn business Chesta!"
"Hey! Don't yell at him!" Hitomi shoved the other girl away from her new friend.
Refina slapped Hitomi across the face, screaming "Don't order me around bitch!"
Chesta shivered as Hitomi's top lip lifted in a snarl and her green eyes glinted in rage and.was that delight?
"Thank you for giving me the excuse." She whispered. Then Chesta winced as she hauled off and belted her across the face.
"Bitch fight!" Shouted someone who sounded like Dalet. Instantly the circle of boys started cheering on one or the other.
The fight was swift, brutal, and totally one sided. Refina had more experience, but most of it was with a sword. Hitomi had actually been in lots of fights in school and had never lost. That was because, like Refina was doing now, those girls had all scratched, pulled hair, or bit while Hitomi had beat the living crap out of them. Like now. Plus she had the advantages of size and strength.
Chesta closed his eyes so he didn't see what happened. When he opened them, he saw Refina. On the ground. With bruises on her face, and several teeth missing. Hitomi stood over her foe with that strange smile on her face.
Suddenly, the Slayers started clapping. Hitomi looked up in surprise. They were cheering on HER? Who'd just beaten up their friend?
As if reading her mind, Ryoun and Gatti led her away. "Congratulations!" Ryoun was grinning from ear to ear. "You've just done what we've all wanted to do since meeting her."
Hitomi stared. "Say what?"
Gatti grinned. "She's an arrogant bitch who treated us like scum. But, being the gentlemen we are, we couldn't do anything about it!"
"You've just become the friend of every male Dragonslayer in the Vione!" Miguel put in.
Hitomi blushed happily. She hadn't lost her new friends!
Chesta slapped her on the back. "Well now that that's settled, why don't the lot of us get some food?"
Hitomi realised how hungry she was and quickly agreed. As she left the room, she looked around at the friendly Dragonslayers. 'I think I'm going to like it here.' was her thought.
***
Refina watched the new girl walk out of the room, with some of the guys, with a cold fury burning in her aching chest. She took stock of her losses. Four teeth, a black eye, and her dignity.
"I'll get her for this" She whispered to herself.
A/N: Oooooh! Hitomi's found new friends! But also a new enemy. What will happen next? Find out next time on Escaflowne!