AN: Ok, last chapter before I quit..~sniffle~ since nobody review my story
except for me..^^* and my friend whom I'd like to dedicate this chapter to
^_^ (P.S. thanks to all the others who reviewed me as well…all 3 of you
^_^) Well, here goes…I don't own anythin'
" Now if you'll excuse me, your highness, I'm going back to the castle." She slapped the reigns lightly against Demon Riders sides and walked off, leaving me feeling like an idiot. I sighed, nudging Lightning forward. Rose 1, Me zip.
* * * * * * * * * * *
I sighed, flopping onto my bed and toying with mother's necklace, which had appeared on my bedside table after the joke I played on Van with Demon Rider, who was now the only horse I rode. It had already been two months here. 'And an argument with somebody practically every day,' I thought wryly. Reflecting back, I figured it was probably because I had elected my "show no emotion" policy when dealing with people. I had managed to convince a seamstress to make me more 'Mystic Moon' clothes, meaning so far I didn't have to wear a dress. And it would stay that way. Just then the doors to my room burst open and a flurry of fur ran in and jumped on me.
" Rose! What are you doing in bed?? It's Fanelia's anniversary festival tonight!" I groaned, trying to regain my breath.
" Merle…can't…breathe..." I managed to choke out, coughing violently. She grinned sheepishly and moved off of my ribs. I sat up, rubbing my side.
" Sooooo, aren't you coming?" I sighed.
" Merle, we've been OVER this a million times. Festival means dressing up, which means acting like a lady, which means flirting and giggling like an airhead." I rolled my eyes.
" And I'm NOT doing any of those things. I'll just go eat in the kitchens, then stay in my room." Merle jumped up and down on my bed in frustration.
" But you HAVE to come!" I held up a hand.
" No, actually, I don't. I'm not a citizen of Fanelia." Merle narrowed her eyes and her tail puffed up, making me slightly nervous. Then her claws came out, which made me scramble back to the headboard.
" You're coming if I have to DRAG you there!" She growled, and my eyes widened.
"Merle, are you in here?" Millerna's voice carried into my room, and she walked in holding a bundle of cloth. I glared at Merle, who was grinning impishly.
" I knew you'd accept my 'invitation' Rose." The cat-girl was crazy. They both advanced on her.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Van and Allen were walking down the hallway when they heard a piercing shriek. He looked at Allen, who was blinking. Just then a door burst open and a figure in shorts and a t-shirt run down the hallway, shoving past them. They stumbled, caught off guard.
" ROSE GET BACK HERE!!! YOU CAN'T HIDE FOREVER!" An infuriated Merle ran after her, brushing by them as well. Van stared at Allen, and then Millerna poked her head out of the door, laughing. She was holding a dress in her hands, and a light clicked in Van's mind. He burst out laughing.
" I think they found out what she's afraid of, Allen." Van grinned from ear to ear. This was the best revenge he could think of after the horse incident. Allen chuckled.
"It may become revenge for you, Van." He seemed to read his mind sometimes. Plus the fact that Van had ranted for 20 minutes about it to him. Now Van just looked blankly at Allen.
" Huh?" Allen laughed again.
" Never mind Van. I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually." Van glared at him, still not getting it. Allen grinned, then headed down the hallway.
" You think we should help Merle find Rose, Millerna?" Millerna laughed, pointing in the opposite direction.
" I think she already found her." They turned to see Rose being dragged by the wrist, struggling violently. It was amazing that Merle was able to hold onto her.
" I'm. Not. Wearing. A. DRESS!" Rose cried furiously, nearly clawing at Merle's hand. The cat girl just grinned.
" Yes you are, now shut up and get back inside. Hello Lord Van, Allen." She smiled brightly at them, walked into the room and shut the door behind her. A wail was heard, and then silence.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Rose glared at anything and everything. She couldn't believe it. Merle and Millerna eventually got her to stop struggling, at the threat of being used as a scratching post. She glanced at herself in a mirror as she waited for Merle to drag her into the city for the festival. She was wearing a red dress made of a satin-like material. It had extra fabric at the neck, so it drooped in folds in a modest scoop neck. The sleeves went down all the way to her hands, but they had not fingers, so they looked like gloves. The dress fell straight to the floor, billowing out slightly, but otherwise very plain. Her hair was swept up into a fancy bun, with pearls strung in it, glistening in the light. All of her bangs were pinned back. 'This isn't me,' Rose thought frantically. 'I don't look like this, I don't WANNA look like this, because otherwise I'd have to act like I-' A memory rose, and she pushed it down, face contorted in pain. Then with a blink, it was gone. 'I said I'd forget…and I have.' With that, Rose reached up and pulled a wisp of her medium long bangs from the pins, wetting it slightly with her fingertips that she had placed in her mouth, curling it slightly. 'There.'
" Rose, you look fantastic!" Merle squealed as she emerged from the bathroom. Rose gave a half-hearted smile, and then cast one last glance in the mirror as Merle dragged her out of the room. 'Maybe I'll have fun tonight…'
* * * * * * * * * * *
Van looked at all of the laughing people in the city square. He was sitting on a quickly erected dais, watching. The councilors had some sort of idea that the king should be 'dignified and calm' during festivals, meaning…
" I never get to have any fun." Van complained to Allen, who was satisfied just crowd watching, for now. Allen chuckled.
" Well, that's the price of royalty, I guess. If you DO go down there the girls will be swarming all over you and your councilors will be trying to set you up with some sort of nobility. You're really better off up here." Van sighed.
" I guess so." Allen glanced at him.
" Van, are you ok?" He looked at Allen, feeling a little guilty for making him worried.
" No, I just…I don't know, something feels like it's missing." Allen looked out at the crowd, deep in thought.
" Maybe it WOULD be better if you went into the crowd, socialize with people. I think you're lonely. Oh look, there's Merle." Allen grinned, watching Merle approach with a reluctant looking lady behind her.
" Molesting some new princess, no doubt, by the look of things." Van glanced up as Merle ran up the steps.
" Lord Van! You don't look to happy, what's wrong?" Merle hugged his arm, and Van mentally winced. Did he really look that depressed?
" Merle, what did I say about matchmaking?" She shot him a look of confusion as the lady behind Merle walked onto the dais.
" Miss, you'll have to excuse Merle's-' He stopped mid-sentence as she laughed.
" Really Van, we have to stop meeting like this." The girl grinned, laughing.
" Rose?" His eyes widened. But…but…she was beautiful! The girl shrugged, tugging at the dress.
" Yup. I think you need to have Merle de-clawed, your highness." Van chuckled as Merle grinned sheepishly.
" Ah, the famous scratching post threat?" Rose nodded, shooting another glare at Merle, who just glared back. Van chuckled. Allen stepped forward, bowing to Rose.
"My lady, your mother was right in choosing such a name for you. Truly, you are more beautiful than the flower itself in full bloom, it's petals blowing through the gentle breeze. You are most like a Lady of the Rose." He took her hand and kissed it. Van frowned slightly as Rose blushed a bright red. She took her hand away.
" I dunno Allen, Lady of the Rose doesn't sound right." She teased. Van couldn't help but take a shot.
" More like the thorns of a rose than any other part of it," he said, fighting a surge of what felt suspiciously like jealousy. Rose's face remained impassive.
" Yes. More like thorns." She said icily, then looked at Merle.
" I'm going into the city to look around. I'll see you later." With that, she nodded at Allen, turned, and left. Both Merle and Allen glared at him.
" What?" They shook their heads in disgust at him, and went after Rose. Van sighed. 'Ok, so maybe I shouldn't have said that…but it's true! She's never nice, she's rude, emotionless…' He watched the figure in red weave through the crowd, disappearing into the festivities. 'Didn't she know that it was a compliment?' He asked himself silently, settling back into his chair.
'Correct me if I'm wrong, but that in no way sounded like a compliment Van.' A voice startled him. A very familiar voice.
" Hi….Hitomi?" He asked quietly, not even daring to get his hopes up.
'Sort of…I died a while ago, Van.' Gasping, Van closed his eyes for a moment, then remembered he was in full view of everybody.
'Surprising, isn't it? I guess that Earth and the Mystic Moon have time differences. Anyway, just try to be a little nicer to her, ok? She's having a rough time with this, and being a little…well…rude…is her way of dealing with it. If you REALLY need help I'll come talk to you, but other than that this is pretty off limits. I have to go, ok Van?' And just as soon as she came, the voice in his head left, leaving him feeling depressed. 'So…all that time that I was asking her what Hitomi would do….oh gods, I need to find her and apologize…' Van stood, heading into the crowd.
MWAHAHAH! Cliff hanger not really but kinda…will Van be nicer to Rose after his little encounter? Or will she just make it difficult? TUNE IN if I get enough reviews to make me feel like writing ;-;
" Now if you'll excuse me, your highness, I'm going back to the castle." She slapped the reigns lightly against Demon Riders sides and walked off, leaving me feeling like an idiot. I sighed, nudging Lightning forward. Rose 1, Me zip.
* * * * * * * * * * *
I sighed, flopping onto my bed and toying with mother's necklace, which had appeared on my bedside table after the joke I played on Van with Demon Rider, who was now the only horse I rode. It had already been two months here. 'And an argument with somebody practically every day,' I thought wryly. Reflecting back, I figured it was probably because I had elected my "show no emotion" policy when dealing with people. I had managed to convince a seamstress to make me more 'Mystic Moon' clothes, meaning so far I didn't have to wear a dress. And it would stay that way. Just then the doors to my room burst open and a flurry of fur ran in and jumped on me.
" Rose! What are you doing in bed?? It's Fanelia's anniversary festival tonight!" I groaned, trying to regain my breath.
" Merle…can't…breathe..." I managed to choke out, coughing violently. She grinned sheepishly and moved off of my ribs. I sat up, rubbing my side.
" Sooooo, aren't you coming?" I sighed.
" Merle, we've been OVER this a million times. Festival means dressing up, which means acting like a lady, which means flirting and giggling like an airhead." I rolled my eyes.
" And I'm NOT doing any of those things. I'll just go eat in the kitchens, then stay in my room." Merle jumped up and down on my bed in frustration.
" But you HAVE to come!" I held up a hand.
" No, actually, I don't. I'm not a citizen of Fanelia." Merle narrowed her eyes and her tail puffed up, making me slightly nervous. Then her claws came out, which made me scramble back to the headboard.
" You're coming if I have to DRAG you there!" She growled, and my eyes widened.
"Merle, are you in here?" Millerna's voice carried into my room, and she walked in holding a bundle of cloth. I glared at Merle, who was grinning impishly.
" I knew you'd accept my 'invitation' Rose." The cat-girl was crazy. They both advanced on her.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Van and Allen were walking down the hallway when they heard a piercing shriek. He looked at Allen, who was blinking. Just then a door burst open and a figure in shorts and a t-shirt run down the hallway, shoving past them. They stumbled, caught off guard.
" ROSE GET BACK HERE!!! YOU CAN'T HIDE FOREVER!" An infuriated Merle ran after her, brushing by them as well. Van stared at Allen, and then Millerna poked her head out of the door, laughing. She was holding a dress in her hands, and a light clicked in Van's mind. He burst out laughing.
" I think they found out what she's afraid of, Allen." Van grinned from ear to ear. This was the best revenge he could think of after the horse incident. Allen chuckled.
"It may become revenge for you, Van." He seemed to read his mind sometimes. Plus the fact that Van had ranted for 20 minutes about it to him. Now Van just looked blankly at Allen.
" Huh?" Allen laughed again.
" Never mind Van. I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually." Van glared at him, still not getting it. Allen grinned, then headed down the hallway.
" You think we should help Merle find Rose, Millerna?" Millerna laughed, pointing in the opposite direction.
" I think she already found her." They turned to see Rose being dragged by the wrist, struggling violently. It was amazing that Merle was able to hold onto her.
" I'm. Not. Wearing. A. DRESS!" Rose cried furiously, nearly clawing at Merle's hand. The cat girl just grinned.
" Yes you are, now shut up and get back inside. Hello Lord Van, Allen." She smiled brightly at them, walked into the room and shut the door behind her. A wail was heard, and then silence.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Rose glared at anything and everything. She couldn't believe it. Merle and Millerna eventually got her to stop struggling, at the threat of being used as a scratching post. She glanced at herself in a mirror as she waited for Merle to drag her into the city for the festival. She was wearing a red dress made of a satin-like material. It had extra fabric at the neck, so it drooped in folds in a modest scoop neck. The sleeves went down all the way to her hands, but they had not fingers, so they looked like gloves. The dress fell straight to the floor, billowing out slightly, but otherwise very plain. Her hair was swept up into a fancy bun, with pearls strung in it, glistening in the light. All of her bangs were pinned back. 'This isn't me,' Rose thought frantically. 'I don't look like this, I don't WANNA look like this, because otherwise I'd have to act like I-' A memory rose, and she pushed it down, face contorted in pain. Then with a blink, it was gone. 'I said I'd forget…and I have.' With that, Rose reached up and pulled a wisp of her medium long bangs from the pins, wetting it slightly with her fingertips that she had placed in her mouth, curling it slightly. 'There.'
" Rose, you look fantastic!" Merle squealed as she emerged from the bathroom. Rose gave a half-hearted smile, and then cast one last glance in the mirror as Merle dragged her out of the room. 'Maybe I'll have fun tonight…'
* * * * * * * * * * *
Van looked at all of the laughing people in the city square. He was sitting on a quickly erected dais, watching. The councilors had some sort of idea that the king should be 'dignified and calm' during festivals, meaning…
" I never get to have any fun." Van complained to Allen, who was satisfied just crowd watching, for now. Allen chuckled.
" Well, that's the price of royalty, I guess. If you DO go down there the girls will be swarming all over you and your councilors will be trying to set you up with some sort of nobility. You're really better off up here." Van sighed.
" I guess so." Allen glanced at him.
" Van, are you ok?" He looked at Allen, feeling a little guilty for making him worried.
" No, I just…I don't know, something feels like it's missing." Allen looked out at the crowd, deep in thought.
" Maybe it WOULD be better if you went into the crowd, socialize with people. I think you're lonely. Oh look, there's Merle." Allen grinned, watching Merle approach with a reluctant looking lady behind her.
" Molesting some new princess, no doubt, by the look of things." Van glanced up as Merle ran up the steps.
" Lord Van! You don't look to happy, what's wrong?" Merle hugged his arm, and Van mentally winced. Did he really look that depressed?
" Merle, what did I say about matchmaking?" She shot him a look of confusion as the lady behind Merle walked onto the dais.
" Miss, you'll have to excuse Merle's-' He stopped mid-sentence as she laughed.
" Really Van, we have to stop meeting like this." The girl grinned, laughing.
" Rose?" His eyes widened. But…but…she was beautiful! The girl shrugged, tugging at the dress.
" Yup. I think you need to have Merle de-clawed, your highness." Van chuckled as Merle grinned sheepishly.
" Ah, the famous scratching post threat?" Rose nodded, shooting another glare at Merle, who just glared back. Van chuckled. Allen stepped forward, bowing to Rose.
"My lady, your mother was right in choosing such a name for you. Truly, you are more beautiful than the flower itself in full bloom, it's petals blowing through the gentle breeze. You are most like a Lady of the Rose." He took her hand and kissed it. Van frowned slightly as Rose blushed a bright red. She took her hand away.
" I dunno Allen, Lady of the Rose doesn't sound right." She teased. Van couldn't help but take a shot.
" More like the thorns of a rose than any other part of it," he said, fighting a surge of what felt suspiciously like jealousy. Rose's face remained impassive.
" Yes. More like thorns." She said icily, then looked at Merle.
" I'm going into the city to look around. I'll see you later." With that, she nodded at Allen, turned, and left. Both Merle and Allen glared at him.
" What?" They shook their heads in disgust at him, and went after Rose. Van sighed. 'Ok, so maybe I shouldn't have said that…but it's true! She's never nice, she's rude, emotionless…' He watched the figure in red weave through the crowd, disappearing into the festivities. 'Didn't she know that it was a compliment?' He asked himself silently, settling back into his chair.
'Correct me if I'm wrong, but that in no way sounded like a compliment Van.' A voice startled him. A very familiar voice.
" Hi….Hitomi?" He asked quietly, not even daring to get his hopes up.
'Sort of…I died a while ago, Van.' Gasping, Van closed his eyes for a moment, then remembered he was in full view of everybody.
'Surprising, isn't it? I guess that Earth and the Mystic Moon have time differences. Anyway, just try to be a little nicer to her, ok? She's having a rough time with this, and being a little…well…rude…is her way of dealing with it. If you REALLY need help I'll come talk to you, but other than that this is pretty off limits. I have to go, ok Van?' And just as soon as she came, the voice in his head left, leaving him feeling depressed. 'So…all that time that I was asking her what Hitomi would do….oh gods, I need to find her and apologize…' Van stood, heading into the crowd.
MWAHAHAH! Cliff hanger not really but kinda…will Van be nicer to Rose after his little encounter? Or will she just make it difficult? TUNE IN if I get enough reviews to make me feel like writing ;-;