AHHHHH SORRY!!!!!! I know it's been really long since I've updated but
I.....I have no good excuse, I was just workin' on other stories and got
lazy! Gomen Nasai!! I hope you enjoy this long awaited chapter of Orphen
and Cleao's reunion!! Oh, and if anyone is Jewish who reads this, I just
sang this song in choir and I really liked it so I used it and the name of
a Jewish holiday. Please don't hurt me for it, I'm sorry if I offend
anyone, I don't mean to!
Disclaimer: I don't own Orphen or the Festival of Lights holiday or the song, just this story.
************************
Two weeks later:
A weary and tired Orphen walked down the long road that led into the large city which Majic and Cleao resided in. Tied to his side was a small leather pouch that held a rare and delicate weed, one that would help cure Cleao. Around him, the crickets chirped quietly in the darkened night. As he came over the top of the next hill, Orphen was surprised to find the city in a glow, filled with bright lights.
He mentally cursed them and himself. He had forgotten it was the Festival of lights and was also a big occasion. Orphen also cursed them for celebrating when Cleao was lying motionless in her bed, pale and thin. Sighing, he continued on his way, knowing that he'd have to travel through the festive town if his wished to returned to the Everlasting mansion.
When he entered the city limits, he could clearly hear the loud, lively music and the laughter of men, women and children. In some way, he felt better; hearing some comforting sounds but his heart ached to see Cleao again. Orphen walked towards the center of the city where a large bon fire had been started. This was the center of activity with dancing, singing and food. Suddenly, from around a corner, came a long line of people; holding hands and skipping in and out of crowds.
As it passed, he noticed one figure at the end, "Majic?!" He shouted.
The boy was startled out of his dance dream and broke away, "Master! You're back!" He smiled broadly.
"Yes I am but my question is why aren't you at Cleao's, watching her?" He demanded warningly, sending shivers up Majic's spine.
"Leave him alone, Orphen. There's nothing wrong with him being here." He heard an all too familiar voice bark, but with a teasing sound. He turned around slowly as if afraid he would be hallucinating.
But no, right behind him stood Cleao with little Leki by her feet. Her elbow length hair was in curls and held back by a green headband, showing off her dazzling green earrings. She wore a green outfit that consisted of two pieces. Her top showed off her mid-section but also her shoulders and was long sleeved. Her skirt fell down to her ankles and would billow out when she spun around. Around her barefooted ankles were a set of golden ankle bracelets and matching ones around her wrists. In her arms was a wooden bowl with freshly cut flower petals.
"C-Cleao?" He asked, disbelieving his eyes.
"Hi Orphen." She smiled brightly.
With shaky steps, he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. A very shocked Cleao dropped her bowl and let the flower petals spill to the ground. Everything around them seemed to fade away as the blonde haired beauty stood motionless in his arms. Without her shoes on, she only came up to Orphen's broad chest, "I was really worried about you."
Closing her wide eyes, she allowed a gentle smile to grace her lips. She managed to pull her arms up and wrap them around his neck. Standing on her toes, she leaned in close to his ear, "Thank you." He soft voice whispered into his ear and her breath tickled his ear.
Their private moment was shattered when a burly figure pushed through them. They broke apart and watched him run by. From the way he came, a woman's cry was heard, "Stop that man!! He stole my necklace!" The man turned and smirked at the woman, allowing them a clear view of his face.
Cleao gasped, "That's him!"
"Him who?" Majic asked.
She growled along with Leki, "He's the one who tried to rob our house." In the blink of an eye, she had taken to the chase and followed him through the ever-moving crowd. Orphen's mind was still digesting the information
"The one who nearly killed Cleao." Was all that could come out. His face twisted with anger and he also followed Cleao's retreating form. Majic and Leki attempted to follow as well but were lost within the stream of people.
Meanwhile, Cleao was hot on the trail on the man, 'He won't get away.' She thought, picking up speed. The man turned around and saw Cleao following him. Narrowing his gaze, he attempted to weave in and out of stands and crowds, but Cleao always managed to keep one eye on him. She noticed she was nearing the end of the festival area and she had lost sight of him, "Where did he go to?" She whispered to herself.
Suddenly a hand lashed out from around an alley and grabbed Cleao by the throat. She tried to let out a scream but all that came out was a small squeak. She felt herself being shoved against a wall painfully, "I recognize you." She heard a deep voice hiss.
His eyes narrowed dangerously, "You're the bitch who gave me this scar!" She peeked through her eyes to see a pink scar down the side of his cheek, "I should have finished you off the first time." His hand tightened its grip around her throat.
Cleao felt her airway being cut off and things began to get hazy. Just as she felt herself loosing her consciousness, a bright pink light blinded her and the hand released her. Immediately she took a large gulp of fresh air and slid to the ground. A large shadow loomed over her and she looked up, afraid that it might be her attacker, but was relieved to see a very concerned Orphen, "Orphen?" She asked.
He knelt next to her, "You ok?" He asked.
"Yeah," Cleao replied, rubbing her throat, "Just give me a few minutes."
"That was really stupid, running off on your own like that." He scolded, "What would have happened if I didn't follow?"
She smiled cheekily, "I don't need to think about it, 'cause you showed up!"
He sighed and sweatdropped, "Cleao.."
The blonde looked over at the bright lights of the inner city and gasped, "Oh no! I'm gonna be late!" She sprung to her feet and began running out of the alley and towards the center bon fire.
"Cleao, wait!" Orphen called, but it was no use. He sighed and began to follow, "She needs to rest."
*~*~*~*~*
Orphen had wandered back amongst the main crowd, which had gathered infront of a large stage set up next to the bon fire. He had already found the woman and returned her purse, but had no luck in tracing Cleao. A portly man waddled onto the stage and motioned for the crowd to quiet down. Once it was silent, he began speaking, "Thank you all for coming on this happy occasion! Out festival is a great time for the town and as tradition, the towns' dancer will perform the customary song!" He exited the stage and all was deathly silent. Suddenly, drums began to beat from all around as if there were many instead of a couple. The stage was pitch black as all the lights were off when they suddenly lit up the stage. A figure was seen with her back facing them and in an oddly familiar green dress.
"What the hell is she doing?" He murmured to himself, but an old woman next to him heard.
"Didn't you know? The Everlasting family is the town's traditional bloodline dancers. Cleao's mother was one, so was Marie-bella and now Cleao's the dancer." She explained in a hushed tone. When the drums were at their loudest, Cleao spun around and began singing.
Come celebrate, join us in singing
This is the festival of lights
This holiday and all it's bringing Began with such a wondrous sight
She held a tambourine in her hand, which she beat in rhythm with the drums and danced around the stage. Her skirt fluttered about in green blurs and it seemed ad though she was floating. Her motions were those of a gypsy dancer, mysterious and seductive.
Light all the candles far and near Singing the songs for all to hear Dance in a circle round and round Spinning together with the sound
Orphen was, to say the least, beyond shock to see Cleao dancing and singing. She always seemed like such a klutz and he would have never guessed she could sing so well. It wasn't her movements that attracted him, but her eyes, their light blue shade that sparkled in the lights. They always seemed the brightest when she smiled and right now, her face was glowing.
Children laughing, people clapping Music comes from ev'ry where Stories told 'bout days of old are Drifting through the wint'ry air
By the third round, she was moving in a blur, the music was at its fastest and the crowd was clapping to keep the pace up. Cleao, however, was exhausted. She knew she should have staid in bed for at least two more days but she couldn't let the entire town down. So now here she was, spinning rapidly on the stage with everyone watching her with adoring eyes. Cleao wished that this look would come from Orphen; she didn't care how anyone else saw her but him.
This festival of lights
On the final line, the crowd had joined in the sing loudly as she whacked her tambourine with every syllable sounded out. Even after the last line, the music played a few measures in which she twirled in a smooth circle until it ended on a sharp beat. Cleao stopped abruptly and fell to her knees.
The crowd roared and applauded wildly. She breathed in and out heavily, cheeks flushed and eyes drooping. Her head was pounding and it wasn't from the noise. Cleao felt dizzy and light-headed, wanting nothing more than to give into the darkness. But, instead she staggered to her feet and acknowledged the crowd before stumbling off stage. There, she was met by a few of the aids of the show that congratulated her. However, she didn't notice any of them for she had finally allowed the dark to take her and Cleao fell the floor.
******************************
How was it? Sorry again for the long delay, I'm pretty sure that the next chapter will be the last one! Thanks to the loyal people who reviewed and read!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Orphen or the Festival of Lights holiday or the song, just this story.
************************
Two weeks later:
A weary and tired Orphen walked down the long road that led into the large city which Majic and Cleao resided in. Tied to his side was a small leather pouch that held a rare and delicate weed, one that would help cure Cleao. Around him, the crickets chirped quietly in the darkened night. As he came over the top of the next hill, Orphen was surprised to find the city in a glow, filled with bright lights.
He mentally cursed them and himself. He had forgotten it was the Festival of lights and was also a big occasion. Orphen also cursed them for celebrating when Cleao was lying motionless in her bed, pale and thin. Sighing, he continued on his way, knowing that he'd have to travel through the festive town if his wished to returned to the Everlasting mansion.
When he entered the city limits, he could clearly hear the loud, lively music and the laughter of men, women and children. In some way, he felt better; hearing some comforting sounds but his heart ached to see Cleao again. Orphen walked towards the center of the city where a large bon fire had been started. This was the center of activity with dancing, singing and food. Suddenly, from around a corner, came a long line of people; holding hands and skipping in and out of crowds.
As it passed, he noticed one figure at the end, "Majic?!" He shouted.
The boy was startled out of his dance dream and broke away, "Master! You're back!" He smiled broadly.
"Yes I am but my question is why aren't you at Cleao's, watching her?" He demanded warningly, sending shivers up Majic's spine.
"Leave him alone, Orphen. There's nothing wrong with him being here." He heard an all too familiar voice bark, but with a teasing sound. He turned around slowly as if afraid he would be hallucinating.
But no, right behind him stood Cleao with little Leki by her feet. Her elbow length hair was in curls and held back by a green headband, showing off her dazzling green earrings. She wore a green outfit that consisted of two pieces. Her top showed off her mid-section but also her shoulders and was long sleeved. Her skirt fell down to her ankles and would billow out when she spun around. Around her barefooted ankles were a set of golden ankle bracelets and matching ones around her wrists. In her arms was a wooden bowl with freshly cut flower petals.
"C-Cleao?" He asked, disbelieving his eyes.
"Hi Orphen." She smiled brightly.
With shaky steps, he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her. A very shocked Cleao dropped her bowl and let the flower petals spill to the ground. Everything around them seemed to fade away as the blonde haired beauty stood motionless in his arms. Without her shoes on, she only came up to Orphen's broad chest, "I was really worried about you."
Closing her wide eyes, she allowed a gentle smile to grace her lips. She managed to pull her arms up and wrap them around his neck. Standing on her toes, she leaned in close to his ear, "Thank you." He soft voice whispered into his ear and her breath tickled his ear.
Their private moment was shattered when a burly figure pushed through them. They broke apart and watched him run by. From the way he came, a woman's cry was heard, "Stop that man!! He stole my necklace!" The man turned and smirked at the woman, allowing them a clear view of his face.
Cleao gasped, "That's him!"
"Him who?" Majic asked.
She growled along with Leki, "He's the one who tried to rob our house." In the blink of an eye, she had taken to the chase and followed him through the ever-moving crowd. Orphen's mind was still digesting the information
"The one who nearly killed Cleao." Was all that could come out. His face twisted with anger and he also followed Cleao's retreating form. Majic and Leki attempted to follow as well but were lost within the stream of people.
Meanwhile, Cleao was hot on the trail on the man, 'He won't get away.' She thought, picking up speed. The man turned around and saw Cleao following him. Narrowing his gaze, he attempted to weave in and out of stands and crowds, but Cleao always managed to keep one eye on him. She noticed she was nearing the end of the festival area and she had lost sight of him, "Where did he go to?" She whispered to herself.
Suddenly a hand lashed out from around an alley and grabbed Cleao by the throat. She tried to let out a scream but all that came out was a small squeak. She felt herself being shoved against a wall painfully, "I recognize you." She heard a deep voice hiss.
His eyes narrowed dangerously, "You're the bitch who gave me this scar!" She peeked through her eyes to see a pink scar down the side of his cheek, "I should have finished you off the first time." His hand tightened its grip around her throat.
Cleao felt her airway being cut off and things began to get hazy. Just as she felt herself loosing her consciousness, a bright pink light blinded her and the hand released her. Immediately she took a large gulp of fresh air and slid to the ground. A large shadow loomed over her and she looked up, afraid that it might be her attacker, but was relieved to see a very concerned Orphen, "Orphen?" She asked.
He knelt next to her, "You ok?" He asked.
"Yeah," Cleao replied, rubbing her throat, "Just give me a few minutes."
"That was really stupid, running off on your own like that." He scolded, "What would have happened if I didn't follow?"
She smiled cheekily, "I don't need to think about it, 'cause you showed up!"
He sighed and sweatdropped, "Cleao.."
The blonde looked over at the bright lights of the inner city and gasped, "Oh no! I'm gonna be late!" She sprung to her feet and began running out of the alley and towards the center bon fire.
"Cleao, wait!" Orphen called, but it was no use. He sighed and began to follow, "She needs to rest."
*~*~*~*~*
Orphen had wandered back amongst the main crowd, which had gathered infront of a large stage set up next to the bon fire. He had already found the woman and returned her purse, but had no luck in tracing Cleao. A portly man waddled onto the stage and motioned for the crowd to quiet down. Once it was silent, he began speaking, "Thank you all for coming on this happy occasion! Out festival is a great time for the town and as tradition, the towns' dancer will perform the customary song!" He exited the stage and all was deathly silent. Suddenly, drums began to beat from all around as if there were many instead of a couple. The stage was pitch black as all the lights were off when they suddenly lit up the stage. A figure was seen with her back facing them and in an oddly familiar green dress.
"What the hell is she doing?" He murmured to himself, but an old woman next to him heard.
"Didn't you know? The Everlasting family is the town's traditional bloodline dancers. Cleao's mother was one, so was Marie-bella and now Cleao's the dancer." She explained in a hushed tone. When the drums were at their loudest, Cleao spun around and began singing.
Come celebrate, join us in singing
This is the festival of lights
This holiday and all it's bringing Began with such a wondrous sight
She held a tambourine in her hand, which she beat in rhythm with the drums and danced around the stage. Her skirt fluttered about in green blurs and it seemed ad though she was floating. Her motions were those of a gypsy dancer, mysterious and seductive.
Light all the candles far and near Singing the songs for all to hear Dance in a circle round and round Spinning together with the sound
Orphen was, to say the least, beyond shock to see Cleao dancing and singing. She always seemed like such a klutz and he would have never guessed she could sing so well. It wasn't her movements that attracted him, but her eyes, their light blue shade that sparkled in the lights. They always seemed the brightest when she smiled and right now, her face was glowing.
Children laughing, people clapping Music comes from ev'ry where Stories told 'bout days of old are Drifting through the wint'ry air
By the third round, she was moving in a blur, the music was at its fastest and the crowd was clapping to keep the pace up. Cleao, however, was exhausted. She knew she should have staid in bed for at least two more days but she couldn't let the entire town down. So now here she was, spinning rapidly on the stage with everyone watching her with adoring eyes. Cleao wished that this look would come from Orphen; she didn't care how anyone else saw her but him.
This festival of lights
On the final line, the crowd had joined in the sing loudly as she whacked her tambourine with every syllable sounded out. Even after the last line, the music played a few measures in which she twirled in a smooth circle until it ended on a sharp beat. Cleao stopped abruptly and fell to her knees.
The crowd roared and applauded wildly. She breathed in and out heavily, cheeks flushed and eyes drooping. Her head was pounding and it wasn't from the noise. Cleao felt dizzy and light-headed, wanting nothing more than to give into the darkness. But, instead she staggered to her feet and acknowledged the crowd before stumbling off stage. There, she was met by a few of the aids of the show that congratulated her. However, she didn't notice any of them for she had finally allowed the dark to take her and Cleao fell the floor.
******************************
How was it? Sorry again for the long delay, I'm pretty sure that the next chapter will be the last one! Thanks to the loyal people who reviewed and read!!