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Beneath Two Moons
10. Clear Horizons
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By Jessica Lynn S. (jessica@opalwings.com)
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Spoilers: The entire Escaflowne series.
Warnings: Sensuality, shoujo-ai (romance between two female characters), and a bit of violence.
Disclaimer: I do not own Escaflowne or its characters. No profit is being made from my silly fanfiction hobby. ^_^ I do, however, own this fic and the original characters in contains. Please do not post this story anywhere without asking first.
Summary: Everyone gathers in Fanelia for the wedding. Heartfelt apologies, bachelor parties, and much goofiness ensue. A light-hearted chapter.
AN: Hey, look, I updated! Sorry for the delay; school and guy problems have taken over my life, but both appear to be over for the summer now. ^_^ I thought this chapter would be the last, but it's not. There will probably be one more chapter before this story comes to a close. I hope the shorter chapter length doesn't irk anyone too much. It makes things easier for me to split it up.
Also: I've said it before, and I'll say it again, more plainly because some people didn't seem to understand it last time. If you don't want to see two female characters interacting romantically, avoid this chapter. If you feel the dire need to flame me for it, take a laxative instead. It will do you some good. I keep saying that this story is rated "R" for a reason, and warnings are everywhere. If you ignore them, IT'S YOUR OWN DAMNED FAULT AND I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT! Erm, anyway, on with the fic...
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The most subtle shift of the mattress on which she lay brought Celena out of a vague and fragmented dream. It was Merle, and Celena figured that the cat-girl was probably just stirring in the grip of her own dreams. Celena blinked her eyelids, thick with the dirt of sleep, and closed them again. She was about to drift back into the realm of unconsciousness when she heard the faintest sound of whimpering. Too tired for coherent speech, she uttered a soft groan in response. She heard Merle inhale sharply and the whimpering temporarily cease. Celena was facing away from the cat-girl in the dark room, but it began to dawn on her that something was wrong. With great effort, she rolled over to face her lover. Merle was wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Umm..." Celena asked groggily, "are you crying?" Merle's entire body froze, and quickly re-animated itself as she attempted to scramble from the bed. Her legs tangled in the sheets and she fell to the wooden floor with a harsh thud.
"Merle?" Celena asked, still puzzled. Merle scampered to free herself, and bolted out the door. Celena threw the covers off of her own legs and hurried after her in confusion. She found the cat-girl curled into a tiny ball at the end of the foyer, sobbing into her knees. She reached out and placed a hand on Merle's shoulder. Merle's body was already tense, and her muscles just pulled tighter at the touch. Celena's bafflement at the situation was increasing with each passing second. Just a few hours ago, she and Merle had fallen asleep in each others' arms. Everything was fine then, how could it have changed so fast?
"Have I done something wrong?" Celena asked tentatively. "Have I done something to upset you?" The cat-girl refused to show her face, but shook her head "no" in response to the question. "What is it, then?" Celena asked.
Merle was silent for several moments. Finally, she uttered a reply in the faintest, tear-choked voice: "He probably hates me now." Celena wasn't very conscious yet, but she was conscious enough to know that Merle was talking about Van. Merle hadn't said a word about him since leaving Fanelia nearly two weeks ago. She never told Celena why they had fought, and Celena certainly hadn't pressed her for an explanation.
Kneeling, Celena snuggled up to the cat-girl, wrapping her arms around her and coaxing her to lean back against her shoulder. She shifted the both of them so that their collective weight was comfortably supported by the wall. "He could never hate you." she whispered softly against Merle's pointed ear. It was a fact that she was absolutely sure of. Van loved Merle every bit as much as she did, even if not in the same way.
"I wrote him a very nasty note when we left." said Merle, between sniffles. "Very nasty. Bad words."
"Shh," said Celena, trying to calm her. "You don't want to wake Lynn up." Merle nodded, fighting for control over her uneven breaths. "Do you want to tell me what you fought about?" Merle sighed, her whole body slumping listlessly against Celena's; who tightened her embrace in response, to keep the cat-girl from falling over.
"You," Merle whispered. "We fought about you."
"Me?" asked Celena, arching a single eyebrow. "Did he...know?"
"If he hadn't said anything, I wouldn't have even guessed how you felt about me," Merle affirmed.
The thought that Van knew of their relationship, and perhaps disapproved, made Celena uneasy. She couldn't show that insecurity now, though. Her romance with Merle was uncharted territory; they were both unsure of how anyone would feel about it or react to it, so they kept it to themselves. Allen didn't know, even though it was taking place right under his nose. It was painfully amusing how they could exchange glances and giggles in his presence without arousing any suspicions. Eries was the one they had to be careful around, but if she suspected anything, she said nothing. Celena had assumed that, because Van was so far away, there wasn't the slightest chance of him knowing anything.
"He thought that I would jump into your arms just because I was desperate for love, not because I really loved you," Merle said. "He thought I'd hurt you, or me, or the both of us by being an impetuous little brat like I always am."
Celena hugged her tighter. "You were bold, I'll give you that, but I'm grateful for it. I've never been happier in my life." Merle turned her head, rubbing her cheek affectionately against Celena's shoulder and purring in response.
"Maybe I didn't hurt either of us," she whispered sadly, "but I hurt Van-sama." Celena's eyes were adjusting enough to the dark that she could make out Merle's pained expression.
"He should have had more faith in you," Celena stated simply.
"But can it stay this way forever? I can't tolerate a lifetime of not speaking to him again, but I don't know if I have a choice now!" Merle's words were once again punctuated by sobs.
"Of course not, silly," Celena said. She stroked Merle's hair, which was wildly frizzed from sleep. "We're going back for the wedding, after all. We'll arrive early. You'll have time to talk things out."
"Should we go? Would it really be a good idea?" Merle asked uncertainly.
Celena laughed softly and nodded. "I just said we were going to. We both have a responsibility to be there for Van, and for Hitomi. I love you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let you run away from your problems."
Merle nodded sleepily. The cat-girl's ear pressed into Celena's chest, and she could hear her love's heart beat. It was slow, even and comforting. Celena yawned, and Merle felt very bad for waking her. "Let's go back to sleep," she said. Before she could stand, Celena effortlessly scooped her up in her arms and carried her back to their room.
Van was conducting an inspection of the freshly-scrubbed main hall when Hitomi came trudging into the room, visibly agitated. "The didn't get the napkins yet," she sighed with exasperation. "The guests could start arriving as early as tomorrow, and nobody bothered to order the new napkins."
"Umm," said Van, slightly nervous, "it's easy to go out and get napkins. There's plenty of time left for that."
Hitomi sighed. "How can you be so relaxed?" she asked him.
"I've planned lots of events before this," Van continued, "things are always crazy at the last minute, but they always fall into place, too. You're going to be royalty; you're just going to have to get used to the insanity."
"So much for sympathy," said Hitomi, rolling her eyes.
"I'm very sympathetic," Van responded with a grin.
"And I don't have to marry you," stated Hitomi. It was just an empty threat, though. She wrapped an arm around Van and laid her head on his shoulder, just so he'd know she wasn't serious.
"Darn!" he said, "And I ordered all this food for nothing?" She slapped his arm playfully.
A guard walked into the room at that moment. "Van-sama, Hitomi-sama," he bowed respectfully, "some of your guests have arrived."
"Already?" Van grumbled. He felt mild frustration in having to accommodate someone a day early, when there was still so much else to be done. Hitomi was silent, but she looked equally dumbfounded. Just then, the guests in question appeared in the doorway. Van felt his anxiety dissipate instantly.
"Merle?" he asked in disbelief, as if the cat-girl and her Caeli companion which stood before him were nothing but apparitions.
"Van-sama?" Merle peeped timidly, taking a small step towards him. Her tail nervously twitched behind her, and she stared at the ground. Suddenly and without explaination, her inhibitions failed her, and she rushed from Celena's side into his arms. She nearly toppled him as she clung desperately, banishing all doubt in his mind that she was real. "Are you mad at me?" she asked anxiously, peering up at his face with her wide blue eyes.
"No," He shook his head. "I'm happy to see you. I'm sorry I upset you so much." He spoke with the utmost sincerety as he returned her embrace.
Tears pooled and glimmered in the corners of Merle's eyes. "I shouldn't have left like that, without even telling you I was going," she said. The tears started to seep down her cheeks, and Van promptly wiped them away with his thumb.
"Everything's okay, Merle," he said reassuringly.
Celena walked up beside Hitomi. "Does it ever bother you, even the slightest bit?" she asked curiously, indicating to Van and Merle.
Hitomi laughed. "When I was younger, it did. I got used to it though; that's just them. Does it bother you?"
Celena shrugged. "I was used to it, before Merle was mine," she grinned. "But I suppose I should get used to it again. They are like brother and sister."
"Yeah, they quarrel like it, too," Hitomi laughed. Upon seeing her friends return, she felt like an enormous weight had lifted from her shoulders. Van hadn't been entirely himself since Merle left. He had dealt with his emotions well, but sometimes he got a faraway look in his eyes, and she could tell that he was feeling guilty.
"The dresses are finished now, do you want to see yours?" Hitomi offered. "Those two have a lot to talk about, I think," Celena nodded, and the two left Van and Merle to their own devices.
Merle composed herself. She and Van positioned themselves comfortably on the floor, and Van held her protectively. "It looks like I was wrong," he said, "And even if I hadn't been, the decision was yours to make. I just wanted you to be happy."
"I'm sorry too," Merle replied, "I need to tell you something, though." Van nodded, waiting patiently as she mustered her courage. "After the wedding, I'm going back to Asturia with Celena," she finally managed to say. "It's not because of you, I promise."
"I know," Van nodded. "You're like Hitomi, in a way. If I didn't have these responsibilities, I would have gone to her in her world. I'm sure Celena would have done the same for you. It's just easier for you to go to her, so it's what you have to do, right?"
She nodded. "It's not going to change the fact that you're my best friend, though," she said.
Both Merle and Celena gave their all to aiding in the wedding preparations. Merle was doing her best to make up for lost time. Relieved of some of their responsibilities, Hitomi and Van found it easier to relax. On the morning of the day before the wedding, the majority of their guests arrived. In the late afternoon, Dryden pulled Van aside.
"I've arranged for an airship to pick us up in an hour. We're going out. Be ready," he said with a smirk.
"Where are we going?" asked Van.
"You are a clueless one, aren't you?" Dryden smiled. "Don't worry about it, you'll find out soon enough." Van scratched his head in puzzlement as Dryden walked away.
The room was dimly lit and the air was heavy with the smell of incense. Tables were set up to fully encircle a central stage, where five barely-clad women danced suggestively to slow and rhythmic music. High-class Asturian men gathered at the foot of the stage, whooping and egging the dancers on.
Van's face was bright red, and he seemed horribly interested in the wood grain pattern of his table. He could not believe that Dryden had brought him to this place. Allen, who sat to his right, looked infuriated. "There are many ways in which a beautiful woman can make an honest living besides this, respectable ways!" he exclaimed. "They are being exploited."
"It's their choice," said Dryden, "and they are paid well for it. I'd have to say that their beauty is quite respectable."
"Someone like you would say as much," muttered Allen.
Dryden dismissed the comment with a wave of his hand. "I don't come here often," he said with a grin. "It's just that this is really the last time Van-sama can get away with seeing a woman other than Hitomi naked."
"He's not doing much looking though, is he?" asked Gaddess. He elbowed Van.
"Hmm, uhh...I agree with Allen," Van said.
"The poor boy will probably have a heart attack on his wedding night when he figures out what he's expected to do," Gaddess laughed. Van shook his head and took a sip of the vino in front of him.
He wasn't going to give his friends the satisfaction of knowing he'd already slept with Hitomi, and in fact, did not have a heart attack in the process. As far as he was concerned, those kinds of things were sacred between lovers. What they shared was definitely not something to talk about with anyone else, not even good friends.
Hitomi looked at the burnt loaf and sighed. "I've gotten spoiled here," she said. "It's been too long since I've baked anything by myself."
"You can keep trying until you get it right," Millernia reassured her. "We've got plenty of ingredients. And we are behind you all the way!" She, Merle and Celena had gathered in the kitchen to watch and provide moral support as Hitomi undertook the ritual of baking ceremonial bread. Celena dutifully washed out the mixing bowl as the soon-to-be-queen sighed and began measuring out new ingredients.
"Hey, are you nervous about tomorrow, Hitomi?" Millernia asked.
"I'm just nervous that things won't go as planned," Hitomi said, "I'll be happy when this whole fuss is done and over with."
"No, Hitomi," said Millernia with a big smile. "What I mean is, well, are you nervous about tomorrow night?" Hitomi blinked. "If you're interested, I have some tips on how to make things less painful for you..." Millernia offered.
Hitomi looked down and blushed. "Umm, well, thanks Millernia, but that won't really be nessicary," she said, wringing her hands.
"Oh!" Millernia said, blinking with realization, "So you've slept with him already?"
Hitomi nodded hesitantly. "That makes me look bad, doesn't it?"
"No, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Is Van any good?" the Asturian Queen inquired.
Hitomi merely nodded; a lopsided nervous grin playing on her lips.
The romantic life of everyone present suddenly seemed like a good discussion topic to Millernia. "So, Merle, are there any boys in your life these days?" she inquired, shooting a glance to the cat-girl, who was perched daintily atop a counter. Merle blinked, at a complete loss for words. She and Hitomi exchanged uncertain glances.
"Merle is very much in love," Celena abruptly volunteered, fluttering her eyelashes dramatically.
"With whom?" Millernia asked, in excited anticipation.
"Well, I'm not at liberty to say exactly," said Celena, twirling a single ashy-blonde curl around her fingertip with a coy smile. Merle's face was bright red, and she was attempting to melt into the countertop. "However, I do believe that the object of her affections is really quite dashing. Known through the land for their good looks, and their swordsmanship." Millernia wore a pondering expression.
"Should we discuss Celena's love life now?" hissed Merle from her corner, "And how she writes goofy poetry and songs for the object of her affections? Really," Merle rolled her eyes, "she is totally smitten. It's almost sickening!"
"Sickening, huh?" Celena folded her arms across her chest, feigning a hurt expression. "Who compared her lover to catnip last night? If that's not goofy..."
Millernia blinked in confusion. Hitomi laid a hand on her shoulder. "It's probably best not to ask," she reassured her. Celena had turned her back on Merle, which was a dangerous mistake. The next thing she knew, the cat-girl had snuck up behind her and dumped an entire bag of flour over her head. Celena blinked and sneezed out a cloud of the powdery substance. Hitomi and Millernia laughed.
"That's for talking about my love life without my expressed written approval!" Merle huffed. She sounded angry, but there was a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
"Hey, Merle," said Celena, who looked like a ghost beneath all the flour, "give me a hug!" Merle shook her head and bolted behind Hitomi. Celena chased the cat-girl in a circle around her. Hitomi stepped to the side to avoid incident with the flour. Without any warning, Millernia cracked an egg and let it run down the front of Hitomi's dress.
"Hey, what was that for?!" Hitomi asked, attempting to wipe away the stickiness with her hand.
"It looked like fun?" Millernia offered.
"That's just a waste of food!" Hitomi stammered.
Celena grabbed her arm. "It's us against them!" she announced, pointing to Merle and Millernia. Hitomi sighed and grabbed a pitcher of milk as all hopes of baking bread temporarily slipped away.
Van raised an eyebrow when Hitomi greeted him with eggs on her blouse and flour in her hair, but he didn't ask. She was beaming, as if all of her worries over the wedding preparations had miraculously dissapeared. That was enough to make him happy.
"Where did Dryden take you?" she asked, with innocent curiosity.
"It was a horrible place," he told her, quite sincerely. "I will never look at vegetables quite the same way again."
Hitomi shrugged, then decided that it was best if she didn't ask, either.
AN: The next chapter will have a wedding. And chickens. "Chickens," you say, "really?"
"You'll just have to wait and find out," I say.
"I like chickens," you say.
"So do I," I reply, "so do I."
And we slip into daydream, contemplating our love of chickens.
Or maybe not...