Yes... finally a chance to start typing!! Winter break BEGINS!!!! Whoo-hoo!!!! A writer's heaven. If they have ideas, that is.
Midnight C: I'm still unsure of whether I should do a love triangle; it's a little too complicated right now, since the ideas are still coming, and I've found in the past that I don't have much imagination. But I'll let you know if it does come up. The Djinn were a little worried, because Alex is the supposed 'bad guy', and now he's all alone with Mia in her room, when they can't get inside without using their powers, and technically they shouldn't use them just to jump inside a window and attract attention... I think.
Fox and Tiger, Snoopy6458, & Rouge-of-Fortune: Thank you!!
Kraken173: Never said it was going to be an Alex/Mia yet... and I'm quite a big Isaac/Mia fan myself. ^_^
Jupiter Girl: Unfortunately, I'm going to take the advice of what you and Triad Orion said in some reviews, and slow down my updates. Because first of all, it's hard to write in a rush, and for me, they're going to be short. Second of all, I have time to perfect it over a longer period of time. Not that I usually change much, just the simple grammar or spelling or plot and fic errors. So yeah.
Triad Orion: I'm a HUGE Isaac/Mia fan. Granted, I don't have many fics up, but only because I've been working on my Tamora Pierce fics and my novel (which is long but quite plotless at the moment). Thank you for reading this fanfiction and Dream Come True too!
Helicopter Pilot: 1) Garet? Maybe, maybe not. It'll be easier if he doesn't, because then Mia has a friendly (and big) pal to confess things to, but it really won't matter (much). If he does pair with someone, I'll let you know. 2) Nah. If Alex gets Mia, Isaac won't just turn to someone else, and vice versa. Alex will... well, you'll find out soon (hopefully) anyway. 3) Is the rating PG right now? If it is, then PG-13, for some heavier romantic themes. Or violence and trauma. But I'm still debating whether to morph the fic into a higher rating.
Alex: Well, you're not that far behind. I haven't quite gotten to this fic. I'm trying to start two others (one of which is a GS A/U fic) at the same time and finish my Tammy fic. @_@ Thanx for reviewing!!
3 – Dance in the Night
The murmur of voices echoed through the cold mountain air, but many people were too busy or layered enough that they did not feel its stinging bite. The stars were out in the background, and light music played from the well-lit Meeting Room of Imil. Laughter and the occasional shout were constantly resonating in the air, making for a most cheerful atmosphere.
There were no clouds to hover in the full moon's light, nor any to cover the happy twinkling of the stars, far above their world in the dark night sky. Many people bundled up in warm skirts for the ladies, and wool jackets and coarse scarves for the gentlemen. Of course, the items of clothing would often disappear from their bodies halfway into the holiday, dancing hard as they would surely be doing in the Meeting Room.
It had been converted successfully into a dance floor, with decorations of cloth streamers and valued paintings. Several of the traveling healers visiting Imil, all Mercury Adepts, had used their magic frivolously for once and encased the room with ice and snow that radiated not chills, but heat, with the help of a visiting Mars Adept. They'd always sworn when they visited Imil, every year after they had done so, not to give in to the pressures of the entire town wanting them to decorate the dance room, but every year, they gave in to the holiday spirit. How merry it was!
Instead of their usual robes or tunics and heavy cloaks and capes, the young Mercury Adepts and local healers were no doubt some of the most eye-catching and graceful looking men and women there, respectively. Not affected as much as the others by the crisp night, they wore lightweight and light-colored fabrics that accentuated their unusual hair and naturally healthy bodies.
In the case of one particular healer, the clothing fit her so well that all the young men of the village who'd previously glanced over her and shifted their eyes to a more voluptuous woman now stared shamelessly at her. The beautiful ankle-length dress was a navy blue, unusual among the healers and fellow Adepts, and contrasted with the ice blue tunic, one of special cut longer in the back than the front. The blue-haired healer still wore her long and heavy purple-and-blue cloak, and continued to wear her warm, fleece-lined boots. The most provocative part of her outfit was most likely her half-bared arms. The tunic only covered her shoulder, but instead of being loose and big like expected, was a snug fit that showed off her modest curves and slim figure. A blouse was worn underneath, made of a sheer blue silk that extended into a bell-sleeve. Starting at the elbow was also a cut that stretched all the way to the end of the sleeve, and showed off her strong arms.
The young men dared to look for so long because the one who was courting her was currently out of Imil, and thus for the holiday. She seemed more desirable, tight ponytail, guarded cerulean eyes and all, than the women they had brought, shivering in their layer upon layer of scarves, coats, and cloaks, not to mention extra footwear and gloves and mittens. Despite her role as the main healer of Imil, the young men tried to look past that and imagine the bounty they would receive if they managed to win her over on the Holiday of Stars.
"How are you feeling, Mia?"
The young healer in question glanced up at one of the visiting Mercury Adepts. "I'm fine. Really. The sickness that plagues this town is no problem to handle at all, not with you to help out during the more dire months. And really, with Alex by my side, we can handle it."
"I do not say you cannot handle the responsibility of the job you have been given, for it was a unanimous consensus that you were of the most reliable girls and healers in Imil. You are kind and caring enough for twenty healers and medics. It is only the concern that you may tax yourself in watching others before taking care of yourself. Whenever we visit, your study glow of health and power always has dwindled slightly, showing that you overwork yo-"
"I can handle it, Elder." Mia said tightly. The Adept could do nothing with the girl's stubborn attitude, and both knew it. He smiled to the parentless orphan, cared for instead of two parents, the whole town. "Young one, I know you wish to prove yourself, and that I will respect." His pale blue eyes looked lazily at the gathering. "Is your fellow healer Alex not here?"
Mia's face fell. "He was called to a village earlier this week, up higher into the mountains. I heard that he was snowed in there, and could not make it to Imil in time for our Holiday dance."
The older man hugged her gently. "Well, such a beautiful young lady such as you shall not be alone tonight."
Alarmed, Mia spoke up. "No, please don't make them escort me! I'll be fine..."
Shorevan looked down at her, puzzled. "Why not?"
"I wish to be alone when Alex arrives," she said quietly. Shorevan's eyes changed, and now he did not look perplexed, but worried and concerned. Why for?
"Are you sure, Mia?"
"Tonight is our night."
The Adept nodded in understanding. Mia was beginning to begin the phase in which young women engaged in sexual relations with their lovers. Luckily she was a healer, better yet an Adept. She could keep herself from becoming pregnant easily with her powers.
"Alex might not come back tonight though. It is a clear night, but I heard that the passes were all snowed closed."
"He will." Her steadfast answer surprised the father-like figure in her life. He cared for her like his own child, but he didn't think he was in Imil often enough to watch over her. And before he'd noticed it, Mia had grown up.
"I don't wish for you to be hurt, Mia."
"Alex won't hurt me. He would never do such a thing."
"Not intentionally..."
"He won't!" Mia's cerulean eyes gazed up at Shorevan pleadingly. "Please. Leave me be. Alex will arrive for true. He promised me he'd save me a dance when he got back, and he's never broken a promise to me before. He would never hurt me by doing so." The man smiled waveringly, and after a few more exchanged comments, left Mia alone at the hill in the safety of the decorated tree. There is a first time for everything, young one...
How I wish Alex was here! She thought plaintively several hours later, once managing to escape all the young men of Imil's grasp after she ventured down to visit Shorevan and the mayor again. Everyone had been begging for dances all night, and for every invitation she turned down, two more came up. It had been trying to ignore the faces of every man who came up to her. I've always been one to give in to everything. Well, except maybe for those arrogant jerks. There were a few who had been certain that she would want to dance with them. At least they won't be so sure now. A grin followed the thought as she settled down beneath the tree, which was at least as wide as some of the average-sized houses in Imil. The hovel was now over, and everyone was most likely back in their warm houses and watching the stars again.
It's so quiet up here. Peaceful. There was no falling snow to marvel, but Mia imagined the last flurry that had been, only mere days before. The flakes were all six-sided, none alike in any way. Some were tipped, or bent strangely. All fell carelessly to the ground, gathering to become this white beauty named Imil. They fell on roofs, and froze the river, froze the cave inside past the river. She smiled wistfully, remembering what Alex had showed her. He made an ice sculpture with his Adept powers and the snow. It was beautiful, an angel. When I asked what it was supposed to be, his answer was so sweet! "Not what, Mia, who. You're the angel." I'd never had anyone do anything like that for me before, until Alex came. Before that, I was always crying myself to sleep, and hating who I was and the powers I held. A Mercury Adept, so rare in Imil that everyone despised who I was. And then Alex came, and I didn't feel so lonely and friendless anymore.
Just in time, a passionate kiss met her lips. Mia returned it fervently, grasping Alex tight against her body. When they opened their eyes for a breather, Mia could see Alex's matching eyes, and his snow-covered clothes.
"You came..." Mia breathed.
"I promised." A caress to her cheek. "Remember?" He pulled her up so the two of the them stood, facing each other, a mere few inches apart. He was dressed in his usual purple and yellow tunic, with white baggy breeches, boots, gloves, and cape. They outlined his strong figure and exuded a peaceful radiance of calm. The perfect atmosphere needed to heal someone.
"I remembered."
They stood in each other's company, Mia hugged from behind by her suitor. They had begun their courtship a few months after his unwilling arrival in Imil, dragged there by his town's healer. They didn't know how to train him; he was outcast cruelly by the mayor and the few in power, who said that he was of evil origin and should not taint the town with his presence. The healer there had never heard of Psynergy, let alone how to use it, and so could not control Alex's angry magical outbursts, but he felt compassion enough to leave for a few weeks to bring Alex to Imil, the healer's hometown. Brought to Imil to train near the Mercury Lighthouse's safety, the Adept currently residing there discovered that both Mia and Alex were Mercury Adepts, unknown before. Their training had begun. The rest was history.
It's getting cold.
I know. Mia started at his voice, then relaxed when she remembered that close contact between Adepts of the same element brought the ability to speak mind-to-mind.
I missed you.
As I, but I'm back now, aren't I?
Was the disease there bad?
Not as bad as here. They are further up, more forgotten. Soon, it is to be the same here. Although Adepts still come, they are dwindling in number. It is a sad fate dealt to those who do not have a stationary home.
Ah well. We should think of more lighthearted things.
Think? I don't intend to think, Mia.
Not knowing what he meant, Mia tilted her head enough that she could see his face. A throaty purr left her throat when he kissed her again.
"I love you." Mia hugged Alex tightly, and he returned every iota of it. Swinging her into the first steps of a dance, he chuckled softly, stepping lightly over the snow.
"Wh- We're outside, Alex!" Mia hissed.
"So what?"
"The whole town's probably watching!"
He only laughed uncaringly. "Do they matter? They know we're going out anyway." He placed a rough kiss at her neck, nipping the skin gently. "Besides. I promised you a dance, and a dance we will have."
"Outside?"
"Yes."
"But it's starting to snow!" The statement was quite true. Clouds had gathered quickly while they had been preoccupied with each other, and snow was beginning to fall again.
"We're Mercury Adepts. Snow and water are our powers. We can stay a little while, at least. One dance, Mia, and then we can go back to my place." She blushed and looked down, but consented.
"One dance."
"I promise." He brought his mouth to hers, gently, as they moved around in a rough circle. Alex pulled away before he would lose his resolve, but snuck in a feathery kiss to her exposed collarbone. They danced until the snow became heavier and warned of a blizzard, and even then they ran, laughing, back to Alex's small room behind the chapel.
Love you, Alex, Mia thought breathlessly after a passion-filled night, just before she fell into a dreamless sleep.
I love you more, Mia.
"Mia?" Someone shook her shoulder, gently.
"Are you awake?" The same voice asked.
"Of course she isn't, witless!" A younger and higher-pitched voice.
"Who asked you?"
"Shh, you'll wake her up!" This one was quieter.
"You probably already did, Isaac."
"Garet, when someone is asleep, you don't shake them and ask them a question as to whether they are awake or not!"
Hushed whispers and a soft thump later, Mia, opened one eye. Ivan opened his mouth to tell the other two, but she shook her head and smiled mischievously. Ivan gave a small smile of his own, and nodded smugly at Isaac and Garet, who were tussling lightly on the ground. Taking a quick glance outside, she realized it was still night.
"You fell asleep." Ivan said softly, waiting for the two Valeans to notice that Mia was no longer asleep. She twitched the fingers of her left hand at Ivan, who nodded again and closed his eyes briefly. When he reopened them, all his Djinn were seated on his shoulders with Gust on his head. Mia tilted her head and beckoned them to her, and all jumped out of their hiding places in her clothes, in her bed, and surprisingly, Mist jumped out of Ivan. Both shrugged when they watched the small blue Djinni wriggle out with Ivan's Zephyr.
"Alright," Mia whispered, and told her Djinn to join the tackle. Ivan's Djinn followed, and it took a moment before Isaac realized that it wasn't only humans giving each other light punches. All of Ivan and Mia's Djinn had jumped onto Isaac and Garet and were jumping in their hair and clothes. After the Mars and Venus Adept stopped, their own Djinn began dancing, so that they looked like jugglers.
"We apologize, Mia, for our minor dis- yah!"
Garet wriggled and reached into his own clothes before pulling out one Mercury Djinn. Sleet continued to jump in Garet's hair until he managed to grab it with both hands.
"Hah!! Got you."
"Hey! Don't handle Sleet so rough!" Mia protested, reaching for the small creature. It huddled at her neck and stared emotionlessly at Garet.
"Sorry." Isaac and Garet chorused. They all had a good laugh, and bid each other farewell to get ready for another day.
Hail bounced onto Mia's shoulder. ::Why are you sad? Isaac not make you happy?::
Mia wiped her wet cheeks. "I have to tell him. Before he disappears like Alex did," she whispered.
::Agreed.:: her Djinn chorused, tumbling over each other and knocking into the wall and door. The healer ran to the door, trying to keep the tears in her eyes from falling. She stumbled down the stairs, almost tripping over her Djinn at one point. He wasn't gone that long. I can still catch him before he gets home. Or I lose my nerve.
::There he is!:: Sleet cheeped, ahead of the others. Just up a flight of stairs, Isaac was walking slowly with Garet, presumably talking. Mia continued to run, breath coming from her mouth at harsh pants. However, just before coming into earshot she tipped forward so she ran on the tips of her light deerskin boots, and was silent.
"Isaac!"
Both he and Garet turned around, surprised. Their hands went to their sword hilts before recognizing the white and blue blur running towards them.
"Mia! What are you doing out so late? You should be back at the inn-" Isaac began scolding.
"Yeah! You might catch something." Both of them looked concerned as she slowed and stopped, staring at them with teary blue eyes.
"Mia... you're crying!" Isaac was more than alarmed; his face was now etched with worry and concern. She shook her head and her tears were renewed at her own memories and at his and Garet's caring expression. Behind her, she could hear someone else running towards them. Ivan.
"I – I had to tell you. Before something happened."
"Mia- you have to get back. You're not wearing your sweaters, or your jerkin-"
"I love you Isaac!"
Only the sound of Ivan's approaching footsteps could be heard, as Mia stared at Isaac and Garet watched, too shocked to tease either of them. Which was what she had been planning on when she'd made up her mind to tell him. Her Djinn watched the two at her feet, heads tilted up at an awkward angle.
"Mia, why did you run from the Inn? Is there something wrong--" His initial thought was cut off by the sight of Isaac and Mia in a tight, loving embrace. Openmouthed, the now seventeen years-old Adept stopped where Garet was, several feet away.
"Did you know about this?" Ivan cried.
Garet only smiled and shrugged.
"They're good for each other."
"..."
"Come on, we should leave them alone." Before Ivan could protest (being as he was quite naive about romance and such), Garet dragged him away to his house for the night and left Isaac and Mia alone.
"Why now?" Isaac's soft, husky voice emitted from his mouth, along with a white cloud of heat.
"I didn't want something to happen to you before I told you I love you. It's happened to me before. With my parents. I didn't want it to happen again." She was about to add more, but Isaac cut her off again with a bruising kiss, holding her possessively but gently. When they released each other, out of breath, Isaac gave her a small, funny grin.
"I should take you back to the inn."
Their laughter hushed murmurs echoed across the town to Alex's ears. He slumped down in the tree, holding his head at his own stupidity. He could think of nothing, only staring
You've lost your chance, Alex... why did you let her go in the first place? Why didn't you at least tell her you were leaving her? Not that wanting to explore the world was any sort of excuse. Just in a bad situation you didn't want to lose your life in. It was either doom Imil or obey Saturos and Menardi... why didn't I just run? I could transport!
You were tired from healing, Alex reminded himself.
Then why turn traitor on your former Master? A voice not h is own asked icily.
I didn't, Mia!! I promise it on my soul.
You still owe me your explanation, Alex, her cold voice whispered across the thread-thin connection. A rustle of leaves down below warned him of her presence. As always, she was stunning at night, all a sparkling blue with a faint glow of happiness surrounding her.
"I'm sorry, Mia."
"You know what? Apologies don't cut it anymore. Do you understand why I was so angry at you in the first place?"
"Y-"
"Well, whatever you were going to say is wrong! I didn't care that you betrayed me when you disappeared, and then I saw you again in the lighthouse helping those two! It was the fact that you turned against your Clan! How could you, Alex? Our clan. You nearly brought the lighthouse to ruins."
"That was not my intention-"
"Then what? So you did want to leave me?"
He sighed in frustration. "No! Don't you see? I was out walking the morning after the Holiday of Stars. Just around the edge of the lighthouse territory. All of a sudden, Menardi is holding a hand of fire in front of me and Saturos is standing behind me with his own sphere of magic. They knew I was the town healer, and that you were a healer, but they didn't know we were lovers. They said I should either help them into the lighthouse, or they would kill... everyone." He shook his head sadly.
"I didn't want to say yes. But it was my life, your life, and Imil's... or them. I didn't want to hurt you. Truly I say it as is." Alex looked at her, seated across from him on his branch of the tree. She looked deep in thought, staring at a spot to his right.
"Why didn't you leave?"
"What would I have said? 'Excuse me, you two freaks, I'm going back to warn Imil of your presence now!' Mia, they probably would have killed me before I could get even ten steps away. They were powerful and dangerous Adepts, Mia."
"True." Her reluctant gaze swept to him again. "Why didn't you leave after they made you go in with them?"
"I tried. But they saw how much power I had as an Adept..."
"Something they could not resist."
"I wanted to tell you. But you were sleeping so peacefully that morning, and I did not wish to wake you just to tell you I was going for a stroll."
"No one could have known."
"All the more."
They sat in silence for a moment longer, Mia calm and studying her former apprentice, fellow healer, and lover, and Alex doing the same. Both pairs of eyes were coldly calculating the story out, fitting pieces of the puzzle together to form a more complete picture.
"So. Isaac."
"I love him," Mia said defensively. Alex only shook his head, the smallest of smiles playing at his face. A knowing look lingered behind his blue eyes.
"You do. But you can't deny that you still love me too. Well, I must be going now! I'll be back, Mia. We're both healers, both in body and spirit. And I can see through you too, to your emotions. You still love me, no matter how much you wish it weren't true. Which is why I'll still be hanging around." She stood up to shout something back, but he was gone.
Mia moaned softly and put her head in her hands. ::Did he make you upset? We can beat him up!:: Spritz said in worry, jumping after her as they made their way back to the inn.
::Let's make his face blue!::
::No, black looks better.::
::Both!::
::Let's go get him!::
"Now, all of you hold on. I don't want you to go beating up Alex. He used to be my friend. Right, Fizz?"
Fizz nodded its little head, seated on her shoulder. The others quieted and followed Mia back to her own room, where she collapsed on the feather bed and turned off the light.
How did this become so complicated?
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I'm sorry I didn't finish this earlier! But what with school, and the beginning of winter break and all... and I'm going skiing on Wednesday! Yahoo!! Review, people! REVIEW!!! Count it as my Christmas present or something.
And one last question, people (I'm really slow): Who's Picard and Dargon?