Hey, it's me! This chapter's kinda short. Sorry. And it is sort of a
cliffhanger…not really…don't kill me…
I don't own Escaflowne. If I did, Van and Hitomi would have kissed at least twice. And Hitomi would've stayed. Sigh…but I don't.
Bittersweet parting
[pic]
The war was over. The Abaharaki had won. Now, in a quiet forest site, where Folken was buried, the Escaflowne stood. Van climbed up the guymelef and removed the energist. "Peace," he said softly. "No more war." Hitomi smiled at him, her throat tight with unshed tears.
Gaddis had been reunited with his lost sister—a happier two could not be found—not only that, but he'd proposed to Merla, and she'd accepted. For Van and Hitomi though, the win was bittersweet. "We'll always be able to see each other when we share a common feeling," Van said, earlier that morning. "Yes," Hitomi murmured. She reached into her pocket and dug out her tarot card pack. "Van, I want you to have these—to remember me." Van accepted the cards with trembling hands. "Thank you," said. He opened his wings briefly, and pulled a shining white feather from them. "Hitomi, take this. Remember me." Hitomi took the feather. "Oh, Van!" she began to cry.
"You will always be here," Van told her softly, touching his heart briefly, "in my heart."
"And you," Hitomi whispered.
Now he hugged her tightly to him. "I'll miss you much, Hitomi," he said quietly. "So will I," she sobbed. He released her and let her back away, into the clearing. There stood Aeries, Merla, Gaddis, Celena, Ariel, Ruku, and the crew of the Scherazade. Van closed his eyes tightly, willing himself to do it. He raised the energist high and…
"I want to go home," Hitomi said. At once, a beautiful chord rang through the woods. It grew into a song. The energist lit up and a blue pillar of light appeared. Hitomi was raised up into it, her face glowing with the light, tears shining in her eyes. "Good bye, everyone!" she yelled. "Van, I'll never forget you! Even when I'm old, I'll never forget! I'll never forget you, Van! Never!" "Good bye," Aeries, Merla, and Ariel shouted. "'Bye!" Ruku and the crew roared. "We'll miss you, Hitomi!" Gaddis cried, hugging Celena to him.
Van smiled. "Hitomi…" And she was gone. There was a dull ache in his chest, an ache that rose to his throat and threatened to choke him. Van did not say anything. He placed the energist beside the Escaflowne, turning his back on the vanishing light. He walked away, his shoulders shaking. Good bye, Hitomi.
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"Hitomi, what happened to your tarot cards?" Yukari asked. The two girls were riding a train to the countryside, where Amano would meet them for a picnic. "I gave them away," Hitomi answered truthfully. She sighed, wistful. Oh, Van… Hitomi looked over at the lake they were passing and saw the young King waving at her, a vision in the water. No ripples parted his image, and the wind blew his raven hair so it fell over his eyes. He wore a red shirt, and tan colored pants, the Dragon Blade hanging from his belt. His gray eyes flashed warmly at her. She knew he could see her. "Van, I'm fine," she murmured. Van smiled.
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Terci hurried through the palace. "Lord Van will be most displeased," she muttered, breaking into a run. Her father had been taken ill, so she was taking his place in the palace, serving his Majesty Van Fanel. She had overslept, not being used to palace rules, and now was rushing to Lord Van's room to air the beds. If she was dispatched, her family honor would be destroyed. Terci came running up the staircase and collided with a young man. "Dear gods! Please, watch where you're going," she chided, and hurried to pick up the fresh sheets that she had dropped.
"I'm sorry," a masculine voice said. It had not completely deepened yet. Terci, kneeling on the ground, tried to refold the sheets. "Here, let me help you." The speaker squatted down beside her and began to fold. Terci caught a glance of messy raven hair and a pair of gray eyes. She gave a little shriek.
"Lord Van! I—uh—" Van smiled. It was a cheeky, insolent smile.
"That's perfectly all right. What's your name? Are you new?" Terci gulped.
"Yes, Lord—"
"Please, no titles," he interrupted. His eyes smiled at her.
"Yes, I'm new, Lor—I mean, Van—my father was taken ill earlier this week and I've replaced him temporarily in his duties."
"Your father is Garu, right? I see," Van wrinkled his nose as he thought. "You don't have to work, you know. Your father has served my family for years—he can take time off whenever he wants." Terci smiled.
"Thank you, Lor—Van, but I'll stay here until he's well anyway." Van nodded. He gathered the sheets up and stood. Terci surveyed her King. He was barely over seventeen and lean. His hair flopped over his forehead. Lord Van was muscular—Terci knew he was an accomplished swordsman, and his gray eyes glinted with something fierce—savage and wild. But they were also sad. Very sad. Rumor had it that Lord Van had fallen in love with a Goddess from the Moon of Illusions. She had returned to her homeland, leaving Van. Terci took the blankets from the King. "Thank you again, Van," she mumbled, curtsying clumsily before running down the hallway to his bedroom to replace the sheets.
Van sighed. He ran his hands through his unruly hair in a futile attempt to tame it. Van walked out onto the balcony to look over his country, reaching into his breast pocket to pull out a single tarot card—L'amore. Fanelia had recovered well from the devastation of the Destiny War two years before—very well. His efforts were rewarded. The Schezars—Gaddis, Merla, and Gaddis' sister, Celena—had also helped with the rebuilding efforts. Princess Aeries, a smiling ten-year old, had volunteered several hundred soldiers from her father's army to help as well. The city had recently been rebuilt, starting with the lowest peasant's hut. Van did not start construction on the palace until after most of the city was finished. The economy was doing fairly well, even if the Destiny War had nearly destroyed everything. Ariel and Ruku had moved into the city—they lived about two streets away from the palace, and he could always visit them. When he wanted his ribs crushed, that is. Van sighed. A seventeen year-old King. A breeze ruffled his hair. The Schezars were coming that night to attend a dinner party, along with some merchants from Daedalus. There was one person he wanted to see, more than anything else. But she was out of his reach. He stared down at the card labeled Lovers and his vision blurred with unshed tears. "Hitomi…" he whispered, "I wish you could see this."
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Hitomi was still on the track team. It was her last year in high school. She still wore her deep brown hair cropped short, though now its tousled appearance gave the illusion that that was the way it was supposed to look, not that she had forgotten or simply could not tame it. She had remained slender, though she had curves now. Her eyes were green, but they didn't sparkle like they used to. They were empty—dull, and lifeless. She looked like she'd lost something very dear to her. Her tracksuit hung loosely—comfortably, on her body, and her stroll was deliberately casual.
Today was the day of an important track meet. She adjusted her shoes as Yukari talked to her. "Hitomi, you're not the same anymore," Yukari said.
"How?" Hitomi asked.
"Well, for one thing, you don't tell fortunes. You seem so…" Yukari struggled to find the right words, "…lonely and sad. Then sometimes you zone out altogether. I'm worried about you. A girl like you would usually have a zillion boys hounding after her—a girl like you would have at least picked one of them. You don't even seem to notice them when they ask you out. Did you meet someone—is that why?" Hitomi decided not to lie.
"Yes, Yukari," she said, tugging on the tongue of the athletic shoe.
"Long distance relationship?" Yukari asked. A whole planet away. Does that count?
"Yes."
"Rich?" Yukari persisted. Kings are rich.
"Oh, yes."
"Hey, maybe I could hook you two up sometime, then," Yukari suggested.
Hitomi sighed. The familiar ache rose to her throat. "It's not possible, Yukari. You wouldn't understand why we can't be together."
"Kanzaki!" her coach barked. "Get to the starting line!"
Hitomi got into her position, steeling her muscles to be ready—preparing for the start. "Runners, take your marks…Get set…Go!" The gun went off with a bang and a puff of acrid smelling smoke.
Hitomi broke into a sprint, oblivious to the fact that she was way ahead of the other runners. She had seen Van at the end of the track. He was holding his arms out, beckoning to her. She could almost hear him saying her name. Van! Van! she thought excitedly, picking up speed. She wanted to crash into him, to have him be solid, not just a dream—to have him take her back, or stay with her…Hitomi broke the tape, crossing the line first while the others were still halfway. She stopped and looked around, confused. Van had vanished. She had only been imagining him—like she always did. She wanted to cry. "Kanzaki, that was amazing!" the coach exclaimed, enveloping her in a hug. "You ran the 200 meter dash in less that ten seconds! Nine point three two, to be exact! That's got to be a record!" Hitomi backed away from her coach's sweaty, smoky embrace. Only to fall into Amano and Yukari. "Awesome, Hitomi!" Amano said. "Yeah, that was great!" Yukari added. Hitomi only nodded numbly as the medal was placed around her neck. Van…
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:Van,: Van heard Hitomi think. :I won the meet today.:
:That's great!: Hitomi heard him exclaim. :I knew you could do it.:
:Van…I miss you,: she thought.
:Same here, you can be sure,: Hitomi sensed him smile.
:How is everyone?: she asked, peeling her sweaty clothes off and slipping into the shower.
:Good,: Van replied. :We've finished rebuilding most of Fanelia. Hey, is that soap I smell?:
Hitomi hurriedly wrapped a towel around herself before answering, :Yeah, I just took a shower.:
:Oh. I have to go now, there's a council meeting about something…then the Schezars are coming over for a dinner party.:
:Okay, Van. Talk to you later, I guess.:
:Yeah. 'Bye.:
Van broke contact with a sigh of discontent. He turned from the balcony and strolled back inside. "Your Majesty! King Van!" Van groaned inwardly. The head of his council, pompous Lord Siel, came hurrying out to meet him. "There is an urgent meeting going on, we must—" "I know, Lord Siel," Van growled. He looked back past the window to where a faint, barely visible Mystic Moon hung in the sky. Hitomi, what I wouldn't give for you to come back.
Van sat down in a chair. His Advisors were all around the table. "King Van—" one began. "What do you want, Lord Caleb?" Van demanded. "What is it now—bandits in the north, dragon hunts, idiotic tax-raising…" he waved his hand as he trailed off. "Ah, no, Your Majesty…it's a different matter all together. One of the heart, I might say," Caleb chuckled at his joke. "What do you mean," Van whispered dangerously. Not another marriage proposal from some crazy Princess from another land…Gods, if it is…I'll fire them all. "Well, sire," Siel said nervously. "We received another betrothal proposal from Daedalus—" he broke off. The look on the King's face could have killed. "I. Don't. Want. To. Get. Married!" he cried, standing and banging his hands down on the table. "Do you understand me!" "Yes, sire," Siel continued miserably, "we realized that—er…quite a while ago…so we…sent the proposal back…Daedalus won't take no for an answer! They're sending their princess over along with the merchants, trying to change your mind. I'm sorry, sire." Van was amazed his advisors hadn't pounced on the chance to get him married. His amazement/delight died as he realized Daedalus wasn't going to give up.
"Well…I'll take care of the envoys from Daedalus. Thank you, gentlemen." "Lord Van, speaking of marriage, you are in need of an heir…" Lord Caleb trailed off as Van shot him a glare. "I'm only seventeen years old, Caleb—I've got the rest of my life for that," Van hissed. He left the table and headed for Folken's grave, in the forest. The site where he'd sent Hitomi back. Escaflowne sat there, ivory white and as magnificent as ever. "Hello, friend," Van said, resting his hand on the guymelef's empty energist cavity. It was so tempting to place it back in…the energist lay on the ground, in the same position—he drew his hand back before he touched it. If it would be so easy to reawaken Escaflowne—not only could he lose control again, he might be tempted to bring Hitomi back. She was happy where she was, he believed. Van's thoughts flashed back to the day when he'd let her go.
He'd hugged her to him. They fit together. He'd never gotten around to telling her how he felt…did she even consider him now? 'You will always be here,' he had touched his heart, "in my heart." And she had answered. "And you." But did she feel the same way about him—did she?
"Folken," Van said, "I need help." He knelt at the foot of the site that had been erected. Lord Folken Lacour de Fanel, King of Fanelia since birth, died Lord of the Dark Dragons, it read. Royal brother to King Van Slanzar de Fanel of Fanelia. The rest of the text blurred as Van's eyes clouded over with tears. "I miss you, brother," he said softly. He stayed in that position, combing the dirt with his fingers. Over the course of the year, a small patch of flowers had sprouted over Folken's grave. Van remembered his brother from when he was younger. Always smiling. His eyes closed and slumped over the gravestone, asleep.
'Van,' Folken said. 'Folken!' Van exclaimed running to greet his brother. Two cat-women hung on Folken's arms, a gold-furred one and a silver-furred one—Naria and Eriya. 'You asked for assistance ruling your kingdom?' Folken asked. 'Yes, brother,' Van replied. 'That is not all, though, is it?' in this dream world, Folken could see through Van's cavalier shell. 'No,' Van said miserably. 'You miss the Goddess, don't you?' Folken said gently. 'Yes…I wish she were back here—with me…' Van sighed. 'You do realize she cannot return unless she wishes it.' 'That's what's bothering me,' Van admitted. 'If she wanted to come back, wouldn't she have already wished for it? What if she doesn't care about me—what if she finds someone else—what if she already has?' 'Van, give me a feather. From your wings.' Folken's voice brooked no argument. Van forced his wings to emerge, a plucked a shimmering feather from near the tip. 'I shall give it to her, in the dream world,' Folken said. 'Thank you, brother,' Van murmured. 'Tell her—tell her I miss her…I'd like her to come back…' He went to embrace his brother but the man and his cat-girls were gone.
Van awoke at the base of the Escaflowne, his hand touching the energist—his wings unfurled. He hurriedly retracted them, wincing, but it did not hurt as much as before. "Hitomi," he said, running one finger down the ruby energist. If only…
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Hitomi was dreaming. She had fallen asleep in calculus class. 'Hitomi,' Folken said. 'You!' Hitomi exclaimed, and backed away. 'I don't wish to harm you,' Folken said calmly. 'I bring something from Van.' He wordlessly handed her the white feather. 'Thank you!' she cried, her eyes growing wide with wonder. 'Van wishes you to know that he misses you and wishes for you to return. Oh, and when you awaken—' Folken said, a seldom seen twinkle in his gray eyes. 'The answer to the next problem is nine hundred and eight meters per second.'
"Hitomi, can you tell us the answer?" someone was calling.
"Hitomi! Were you listening?" Hitomi snapped awake. "Nine hundred and eight meters per second," she said without thinking. The calculus professor was dumbfounded. The girl had seemed to be asleep, and yet she had supplied the correct answer. Hitomi smiled nervously at the professor, her fingers curled around the white feather Folken had given her. She slipped it into her back pack.
:Van!: Van heard Hitomi calling. He felt her mood—anxious, and yet, strangely excited.
:What?: he said. :Is something wrong?:
:I got your feather,: Hitomi said, :It's beautiful, just like all of them are.: She sensed him blushing. Ah…Van? About my returning…Hey, are you there?:
Van had been awaiting the arrival of Sir Gaddis and Lady Merla when Hitomi called. "Van? Hey, Van!" Gaddis shouted. He leapt from the horse, forgetting to help Merla dismount and ran to his friend. Van was standing rigidly on the roadside, not seeing. His eyes were clouded over. "Er, Van?" Gaddis had reached the King. He gave him a light shake, and Van snapped out of it. "Uh…oh, Gaddis! Well, it's been quite a while," Van said, flushing, when he realized what he'd been doing. "Yes, it has," Gaddis said. "Are you okay, Van?" "I was talking to Hitomi," Van mumbled. No sense hiding it. "Oh," Merla said. "How is she?" "Fine, from what I hear," Van said wearily. "She won a track meet yesterday."
"That's wonderful!" Merla exclaimed, squeezing Van in a fierce bear hug. "Hello, young King. The Abaharaki greet you," she added, gravely.
"Um hmm," Van said. "How's Celena?"
"She's fine!" Celena called, dismounting from her horse. She was about Van's age, wavy silvery blonde hair and eyes that resembled Gaddis' to a T. She smiled. "How are you, Van?" Van grinned, taking her hand and giving it a light kiss.
"Oh, fine. The roses lost their fragrant perfume—I missed you so," they both laughed.
"My turn," Celena said, "the air was not as fresh, the sun not as bright…"
Van kept a straight face as he replied, "And the moon was just…some big fat…flat white thing in the sky—" Celena burst into laughter.
"One of these days I'll outlast you!" she giggled. Van had befriended the girl once known as Dilandau Albatou, seeing as she did not retain an abnormal want to kill him anymore.
Van started, then bowed. "I didn't give you a formal greeting. Ahem—as King of Fanelia, I, Van Slanzar de Fanel, welcome you to Fanelia." Merla chuckled, "That was good. You make a good King." 'You'll make a good King, when the War is over,' Van remembered Hitomi's words. He sighed. Hitomi…why did I ever send you back? I was such a fool…
I really feel sorry for Van. All of ya out there—don't you think Bandai or Sunrise or whoever owns the Escaflowne series would put a sequel out?
Van doesn't deserve his loneliness. Don't you think so?
I don't own Escaflowne. If I did, Van and Hitomi would have kissed at least twice. And Hitomi would've stayed. Sigh…but I don't.
Bittersweet parting
[pic]
The war was over. The Abaharaki had won. Now, in a quiet forest site, where Folken was buried, the Escaflowne stood. Van climbed up the guymelef and removed the energist. "Peace," he said softly. "No more war." Hitomi smiled at him, her throat tight with unshed tears.
Gaddis had been reunited with his lost sister—a happier two could not be found—not only that, but he'd proposed to Merla, and she'd accepted. For Van and Hitomi though, the win was bittersweet. "We'll always be able to see each other when we share a common feeling," Van said, earlier that morning. "Yes," Hitomi murmured. She reached into her pocket and dug out her tarot card pack. "Van, I want you to have these—to remember me." Van accepted the cards with trembling hands. "Thank you," said. He opened his wings briefly, and pulled a shining white feather from them. "Hitomi, take this. Remember me." Hitomi took the feather. "Oh, Van!" she began to cry.
"You will always be here," Van told her softly, touching his heart briefly, "in my heart."
"And you," Hitomi whispered.
Now he hugged her tightly to him. "I'll miss you much, Hitomi," he said quietly. "So will I," she sobbed. He released her and let her back away, into the clearing. There stood Aeries, Merla, Gaddis, Celena, Ariel, Ruku, and the crew of the Scherazade. Van closed his eyes tightly, willing himself to do it. He raised the energist high and…
"I want to go home," Hitomi said. At once, a beautiful chord rang through the woods. It grew into a song. The energist lit up and a blue pillar of light appeared. Hitomi was raised up into it, her face glowing with the light, tears shining in her eyes. "Good bye, everyone!" she yelled. "Van, I'll never forget you! Even when I'm old, I'll never forget! I'll never forget you, Van! Never!" "Good bye," Aeries, Merla, and Ariel shouted. "'Bye!" Ruku and the crew roared. "We'll miss you, Hitomi!" Gaddis cried, hugging Celena to him.
Van smiled. "Hitomi…" And she was gone. There was a dull ache in his chest, an ache that rose to his throat and threatened to choke him. Van did not say anything. He placed the energist beside the Escaflowne, turning his back on the vanishing light. He walked away, his shoulders shaking. Good bye, Hitomi.
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"Hitomi, what happened to your tarot cards?" Yukari asked. The two girls were riding a train to the countryside, where Amano would meet them for a picnic. "I gave them away," Hitomi answered truthfully. She sighed, wistful. Oh, Van… Hitomi looked over at the lake they were passing and saw the young King waving at her, a vision in the water. No ripples parted his image, and the wind blew his raven hair so it fell over his eyes. He wore a red shirt, and tan colored pants, the Dragon Blade hanging from his belt. His gray eyes flashed warmly at her. She knew he could see her. "Van, I'm fine," she murmured. Van smiled.
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Terci hurried through the palace. "Lord Van will be most displeased," she muttered, breaking into a run. Her father had been taken ill, so she was taking his place in the palace, serving his Majesty Van Fanel. She had overslept, not being used to palace rules, and now was rushing to Lord Van's room to air the beds. If she was dispatched, her family honor would be destroyed. Terci came running up the staircase and collided with a young man. "Dear gods! Please, watch where you're going," she chided, and hurried to pick up the fresh sheets that she had dropped.
"I'm sorry," a masculine voice said. It had not completely deepened yet. Terci, kneeling on the ground, tried to refold the sheets. "Here, let me help you." The speaker squatted down beside her and began to fold. Terci caught a glance of messy raven hair and a pair of gray eyes. She gave a little shriek.
"Lord Van! I—uh—" Van smiled. It was a cheeky, insolent smile.
"That's perfectly all right. What's your name? Are you new?" Terci gulped.
"Yes, Lord—"
"Please, no titles," he interrupted. His eyes smiled at her.
"Yes, I'm new, Lor—I mean, Van—my father was taken ill earlier this week and I've replaced him temporarily in his duties."
"Your father is Garu, right? I see," Van wrinkled his nose as he thought. "You don't have to work, you know. Your father has served my family for years—he can take time off whenever he wants." Terci smiled.
"Thank you, Lor—Van, but I'll stay here until he's well anyway." Van nodded. He gathered the sheets up and stood. Terci surveyed her King. He was barely over seventeen and lean. His hair flopped over his forehead. Lord Van was muscular—Terci knew he was an accomplished swordsman, and his gray eyes glinted with something fierce—savage and wild. But they were also sad. Very sad. Rumor had it that Lord Van had fallen in love with a Goddess from the Moon of Illusions. She had returned to her homeland, leaving Van. Terci took the blankets from the King. "Thank you again, Van," she mumbled, curtsying clumsily before running down the hallway to his bedroom to replace the sheets.
Van sighed. He ran his hands through his unruly hair in a futile attempt to tame it. Van walked out onto the balcony to look over his country, reaching into his breast pocket to pull out a single tarot card—L'amore. Fanelia had recovered well from the devastation of the Destiny War two years before—very well. His efforts were rewarded. The Schezars—Gaddis, Merla, and Gaddis' sister, Celena—had also helped with the rebuilding efforts. Princess Aeries, a smiling ten-year old, had volunteered several hundred soldiers from her father's army to help as well. The city had recently been rebuilt, starting with the lowest peasant's hut. Van did not start construction on the palace until after most of the city was finished. The economy was doing fairly well, even if the Destiny War had nearly destroyed everything. Ariel and Ruku had moved into the city—they lived about two streets away from the palace, and he could always visit them. When he wanted his ribs crushed, that is. Van sighed. A seventeen year-old King. A breeze ruffled his hair. The Schezars were coming that night to attend a dinner party, along with some merchants from Daedalus. There was one person he wanted to see, more than anything else. But she was out of his reach. He stared down at the card labeled Lovers and his vision blurred with unshed tears. "Hitomi…" he whispered, "I wish you could see this."
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Hitomi was still on the track team. It was her last year in high school. She still wore her deep brown hair cropped short, though now its tousled appearance gave the illusion that that was the way it was supposed to look, not that she had forgotten or simply could not tame it. She had remained slender, though she had curves now. Her eyes were green, but they didn't sparkle like they used to. They were empty—dull, and lifeless. She looked like she'd lost something very dear to her. Her tracksuit hung loosely—comfortably, on her body, and her stroll was deliberately casual.
Today was the day of an important track meet. She adjusted her shoes as Yukari talked to her. "Hitomi, you're not the same anymore," Yukari said.
"How?" Hitomi asked.
"Well, for one thing, you don't tell fortunes. You seem so…" Yukari struggled to find the right words, "…lonely and sad. Then sometimes you zone out altogether. I'm worried about you. A girl like you would usually have a zillion boys hounding after her—a girl like you would have at least picked one of them. You don't even seem to notice them when they ask you out. Did you meet someone—is that why?" Hitomi decided not to lie.
"Yes, Yukari," she said, tugging on the tongue of the athletic shoe.
"Long distance relationship?" Yukari asked. A whole planet away. Does that count?
"Yes."
"Rich?" Yukari persisted. Kings are rich.
"Oh, yes."
"Hey, maybe I could hook you two up sometime, then," Yukari suggested.
Hitomi sighed. The familiar ache rose to her throat. "It's not possible, Yukari. You wouldn't understand why we can't be together."
"Kanzaki!" her coach barked. "Get to the starting line!"
Hitomi got into her position, steeling her muscles to be ready—preparing for the start. "Runners, take your marks…Get set…Go!" The gun went off with a bang and a puff of acrid smelling smoke.
Hitomi broke into a sprint, oblivious to the fact that she was way ahead of the other runners. She had seen Van at the end of the track. He was holding his arms out, beckoning to her. She could almost hear him saying her name. Van! Van! she thought excitedly, picking up speed. She wanted to crash into him, to have him be solid, not just a dream—to have him take her back, or stay with her…Hitomi broke the tape, crossing the line first while the others were still halfway. She stopped and looked around, confused. Van had vanished. She had only been imagining him—like she always did. She wanted to cry. "Kanzaki, that was amazing!" the coach exclaimed, enveloping her in a hug. "You ran the 200 meter dash in less that ten seconds! Nine point three two, to be exact! That's got to be a record!" Hitomi backed away from her coach's sweaty, smoky embrace. Only to fall into Amano and Yukari. "Awesome, Hitomi!" Amano said. "Yeah, that was great!" Yukari added. Hitomi only nodded numbly as the medal was placed around her neck. Van…
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:Van,: Van heard Hitomi think. :I won the meet today.:
:That's great!: Hitomi heard him exclaim. :I knew you could do it.:
:Van…I miss you,: she thought.
:Same here, you can be sure,: Hitomi sensed him smile.
:How is everyone?: she asked, peeling her sweaty clothes off and slipping into the shower.
:Good,: Van replied. :We've finished rebuilding most of Fanelia. Hey, is that soap I smell?:
Hitomi hurriedly wrapped a towel around herself before answering, :Yeah, I just took a shower.:
:Oh. I have to go now, there's a council meeting about something…then the Schezars are coming over for a dinner party.:
:Okay, Van. Talk to you later, I guess.:
:Yeah. 'Bye.:
Van broke contact with a sigh of discontent. He turned from the balcony and strolled back inside. "Your Majesty! King Van!" Van groaned inwardly. The head of his council, pompous Lord Siel, came hurrying out to meet him. "There is an urgent meeting going on, we must—" "I know, Lord Siel," Van growled. He looked back past the window to where a faint, barely visible Mystic Moon hung in the sky. Hitomi, what I wouldn't give for you to come back.
Van sat down in a chair. His Advisors were all around the table. "King Van—" one began. "What do you want, Lord Caleb?" Van demanded. "What is it now—bandits in the north, dragon hunts, idiotic tax-raising…" he waved his hand as he trailed off. "Ah, no, Your Majesty…it's a different matter all together. One of the heart, I might say," Caleb chuckled at his joke. "What do you mean," Van whispered dangerously. Not another marriage proposal from some crazy Princess from another land…Gods, if it is…I'll fire them all. "Well, sire," Siel said nervously. "We received another betrothal proposal from Daedalus—" he broke off. The look on the King's face could have killed. "I. Don't. Want. To. Get. Married!" he cried, standing and banging his hands down on the table. "Do you understand me!" "Yes, sire," Siel continued miserably, "we realized that—er…quite a while ago…so we…sent the proposal back…Daedalus won't take no for an answer! They're sending their princess over along with the merchants, trying to change your mind. I'm sorry, sire." Van was amazed his advisors hadn't pounced on the chance to get him married. His amazement/delight died as he realized Daedalus wasn't going to give up.
"Well…I'll take care of the envoys from Daedalus. Thank you, gentlemen." "Lord Van, speaking of marriage, you are in need of an heir…" Lord Caleb trailed off as Van shot him a glare. "I'm only seventeen years old, Caleb—I've got the rest of my life for that," Van hissed. He left the table and headed for Folken's grave, in the forest. The site where he'd sent Hitomi back. Escaflowne sat there, ivory white and as magnificent as ever. "Hello, friend," Van said, resting his hand on the guymelef's empty energist cavity. It was so tempting to place it back in…the energist lay on the ground, in the same position—he drew his hand back before he touched it. If it would be so easy to reawaken Escaflowne—not only could he lose control again, he might be tempted to bring Hitomi back. She was happy where she was, he believed. Van's thoughts flashed back to the day when he'd let her go.
He'd hugged her to him. They fit together. He'd never gotten around to telling her how he felt…did she even consider him now? 'You will always be here,' he had touched his heart, "in my heart." And she had answered. "And you." But did she feel the same way about him—did she?
"Folken," Van said, "I need help." He knelt at the foot of the site that had been erected. Lord Folken Lacour de Fanel, King of Fanelia since birth, died Lord of the Dark Dragons, it read. Royal brother to King Van Slanzar de Fanel of Fanelia. The rest of the text blurred as Van's eyes clouded over with tears. "I miss you, brother," he said softly. He stayed in that position, combing the dirt with his fingers. Over the course of the year, a small patch of flowers had sprouted over Folken's grave. Van remembered his brother from when he was younger. Always smiling. His eyes closed and slumped over the gravestone, asleep.
'Van,' Folken said. 'Folken!' Van exclaimed running to greet his brother. Two cat-women hung on Folken's arms, a gold-furred one and a silver-furred one—Naria and Eriya. 'You asked for assistance ruling your kingdom?' Folken asked. 'Yes, brother,' Van replied. 'That is not all, though, is it?' in this dream world, Folken could see through Van's cavalier shell. 'No,' Van said miserably. 'You miss the Goddess, don't you?' Folken said gently. 'Yes…I wish she were back here—with me…' Van sighed. 'You do realize she cannot return unless she wishes it.' 'That's what's bothering me,' Van admitted. 'If she wanted to come back, wouldn't she have already wished for it? What if she doesn't care about me—what if she finds someone else—what if she already has?' 'Van, give me a feather. From your wings.' Folken's voice brooked no argument. Van forced his wings to emerge, a plucked a shimmering feather from near the tip. 'I shall give it to her, in the dream world,' Folken said. 'Thank you, brother,' Van murmured. 'Tell her—tell her I miss her…I'd like her to come back…' He went to embrace his brother but the man and his cat-girls were gone.
Van awoke at the base of the Escaflowne, his hand touching the energist—his wings unfurled. He hurriedly retracted them, wincing, but it did not hurt as much as before. "Hitomi," he said, running one finger down the ruby energist. If only…
*****************
Hitomi was dreaming. She had fallen asleep in calculus class. 'Hitomi,' Folken said. 'You!' Hitomi exclaimed, and backed away. 'I don't wish to harm you,' Folken said calmly. 'I bring something from Van.' He wordlessly handed her the white feather. 'Thank you!' she cried, her eyes growing wide with wonder. 'Van wishes you to know that he misses you and wishes for you to return. Oh, and when you awaken—' Folken said, a seldom seen twinkle in his gray eyes. 'The answer to the next problem is nine hundred and eight meters per second.'
"Hitomi, can you tell us the answer?" someone was calling.
"Hitomi! Were you listening?" Hitomi snapped awake. "Nine hundred and eight meters per second," she said without thinking. The calculus professor was dumbfounded. The girl had seemed to be asleep, and yet she had supplied the correct answer. Hitomi smiled nervously at the professor, her fingers curled around the white feather Folken had given her. She slipped it into her back pack.
:Van!: Van heard Hitomi calling. He felt her mood—anxious, and yet, strangely excited.
:What?: he said. :Is something wrong?:
:I got your feather,: Hitomi said, :It's beautiful, just like all of them are.: She sensed him blushing. Ah…Van? About my returning…Hey, are you there?:
Van had been awaiting the arrival of Sir Gaddis and Lady Merla when Hitomi called. "Van? Hey, Van!" Gaddis shouted. He leapt from the horse, forgetting to help Merla dismount and ran to his friend. Van was standing rigidly on the roadside, not seeing. His eyes were clouded over. "Er, Van?" Gaddis had reached the King. He gave him a light shake, and Van snapped out of it. "Uh…oh, Gaddis! Well, it's been quite a while," Van said, flushing, when he realized what he'd been doing. "Yes, it has," Gaddis said. "Are you okay, Van?" "I was talking to Hitomi," Van mumbled. No sense hiding it. "Oh," Merla said. "How is she?" "Fine, from what I hear," Van said wearily. "She won a track meet yesterday."
"That's wonderful!" Merla exclaimed, squeezing Van in a fierce bear hug. "Hello, young King. The Abaharaki greet you," she added, gravely.
"Um hmm," Van said. "How's Celena?"
"She's fine!" Celena called, dismounting from her horse. She was about Van's age, wavy silvery blonde hair and eyes that resembled Gaddis' to a T. She smiled. "How are you, Van?" Van grinned, taking her hand and giving it a light kiss.
"Oh, fine. The roses lost their fragrant perfume—I missed you so," they both laughed.
"My turn," Celena said, "the air was not as fresh, the sun not as bright…"
Van kept a straight face as he replied, "And the moon was just…some big fat…flat white thing in the sky—" Celena burst into laughter.
"One of these days I'll outlast you!" she giggled. Van had befriended the girl once known as Dilandau Albatou, seeing as she did not retain an abnormal want to kill him anymore.
Van started, then bowed. "I didn't give you a formal greeting. Ahem—as King of Fanelia, I, Van Slanzar de Fanel, welcome you to Fanelia." Merla chuckled, "That was good. You make a good King." 'You'll make a good King, when the War is over,' Van remembered Hitomi's words. He sighed. Hitomi…why did I ever send you back? I was such a fool…
I really feel sorry for Van. All of ya out there—don't you think Bandai or Sunrise or whoever owns the Escaflowne series would put a sequel out?
Van doesn't deserve his loneliness. Don't you think so?