The Next Generation 7

(Camera shows stage. Stage is dark. Suddenly, BloodHound Gang's 'The Bad Touch' starts playing. After a few moments of this, when the lyrics start, the stage lights up and Allen moonwalks onto the stage. He begins his routine, which combines stripping and dancing in a style that makes any fangirls reading this swoon. After the first two verses, Magicman and Dilandau-with-a-cowboy-hat come in. Staring at the sight of their narrating stage being defiled, they go bananas. Charging forward, they grab Allen and drag him into another room. Magicman shoots the record player with a bolt of lightning, and it shuts up.)

Magicman: I'm so sorry that you had to witness that! I should have hired more security! Rest assured that this will not happen again. Now, while we rectify this problem, why don't you read the story?

Dilandau-with-a-cowboy-hat: While you're out there, could you get a blowtorch?





Setto woke up at his usual time. That is to say dawn. Yawning, he stretched and rolled, inadvertently falling from his soft, warm bed onto the cold, hard floor.

"Damn!" He swore. Cursing to himself, Setto picked himself up and began the remarkably short process of picking what to wear. However, instead of his usual haphazard collection of pants, shirts, and jackets, there was some fine clothing. Some fine clothing that would likely cost the price of an Alseides. Setto stared in shock.

"Cripes!" He said to himself. "Either I've gone to heaven, Van's servants set this up, or Yukari is playing a cruel joke on me." He looked around suspiciously, but could find no evidence that his sister was behind the remarkable change in dress ware. Smiling happily at the change, Setto reached in and pulled out a black leather overcoat with twenty pockets, and some dark blue pants. Looking himself over in the mirror, he smiled. "If I was a married man, then I'd be depressed." He said. "But since I'm not a married man." He strolled out the door, whistling happily.

It didn't take long to find what he dubbed the eating hall. He had a good sense of direction, especially in big buildings.

Now, early on Setto had learned that most people waited for the sun to come up before beginning the day's activities. Any other than farmers to do otherwise were generally regarded as partially crazy, and Setto was no exception (which made sense if one took into account who his parents were). But on this morning, he found someone up before him.

Sabrina Veers was chewing discontentedly at a strip of bacon. Watching her surreptitiously, Setto decided that she must have been up for at least an hour. Her long black hair was smoothly combed, her blue eyes held no trace of sleep, and her dark red dress was completely unwrinkled. However, she still held that same melancholy look that she'd worn the night before.

Setto's first thought was, 'Wow! Someone who gets up before I do!' His second thought was, 'Gee, she looks so sad.' And his third thought was, 'I think I'll go cheer her up.' With that in mind, he strolled forward, still whistling merrily. When he came near her, he bowed.

"Good morning Lady Veers!" He said cheerfully.

If anything, she looked even more depressed than before. She just nodded slightly in acknowledgement. Setto took that as a cue to continue.

"Mind if I join you?" A grunt was his response. Deciding that he'd have to try harder, Setto sat down.

Reaching over to the platter on the table, he piled a plate high with various breakfast foods, topping it off with a pastry of some sort. Re seating himself, he began to eat with great enthusiasm. Between bites, he made small talk.

"So Lady Veers, what brings you to Fanelia?" Setto asked. He got no response.

"It's quite a beautiful country, isn't it? The forests in particular are spectacular. There's a place called Dragon Stream. If you wait long enough, one of them will come down to drink. They're an amazing sight, Lady Veers. The winged ones, I mean. The land dragons look kind of slimy, because their scales are all so tiny it looks like skin. But the sky dragons. Now, THEY are beautiful! They come in all sorts of colours. Once I saw an albino! I tell you Lady Veers, you haven't seen beauty until you've seen an albino dragon drinking from a stream in the early evening." Setto sighed with remembrance. "Hey, I know! Maybe, Lady Veers, I could take you up there some time. You could see one for yourself-"

"Sabrina".

Setto stopped and turned to the girl in surprise. "Pardon?"

She had stopped eating, and was looking at Setto in a peculiar way. "My name is Sabrina. And you can drop the 'lady' bit too." She added, her voice carrying the echoes of bitterness long mulled over.

"Alright" Setto replied.

The two ate for a few more minutes in silence. Finally, Setto asked, "You don't talk much, do you Sabrina?"

Not looking up, she shook her head. "I don't get much reason to."

"Well, maybe you should talk more. People would be more friendly if you talked to the more."

Sabrina snorted. "The only ones interested in talking to me are arrogant young nobles looking for a bride." Setto smiled.

"I take it that you don't fancy any of these suitors?"

"No, I don't."

"Oh. None at all?"

"No. I prefer being alone."

"Don't you have any friends?"

"No".

"Oh".

Neither talked for some time. During this time Sabrina finished eating. Pushing her plate away, she stood up. Setto watched her curiously.

"Where are you headed?"

"The library. It's basically the only place I can go."

"Why can't you go into town?"

"Oh I can. I just have to have a dozen bodyguards surrounding me at all times, is all. It's like that everywhere. Long ago I got sick of it and just stopped going out."

Setto smiled eagerly. "Well then Sabrina, it's about time that someone taught you the basics of a fine art called 'Sneaking Out'.

Sabrina looked at him like he was insane. "Are you insane?" Go figure.

"It's quite possible."

"If I try to go out on my own, then the castle guards will tell Kasar. Then I'll be locked in my room all day. I may not have much choice on where to go, but at least I have some choice!"

"You won't get caught."

Sabrina snorted again. "I suppose you're too good for that?"

Setto puffed out his chest. "I, my friend, have never been caught sneaking out once."

Sabrina was sceptical. "Never?"

"Well.once" Setto shivered. "My parents once caught me sneaking back in. That put me off sneaking out. When I'm at home, at least". He regained the tone of pride. "But no one but them has caught me. In my hands, you're as safe a baby dragon guarded by its mother."

Sabrina hesitated. "Well."

"Oh come on! Live a little!"

"Oh alright."

Setto beamed. "'At a girl!" He grabbed her hand. "Lesson one: Never go by the front door." He ran down the hall, dragging a surprised Sabrina with him.

This was going to be so fun!

***

Four hours after Setto woke up Yukari began to stir.

Groaning, she turned over, pulling the covers over her head. But she couldn't get back to sleep. Some bird was constantly chirping just outside her window. Swearing softly, she pulled her pillow over her head. If anything, the tweeting got louder. Then, another joined it!

Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!

"SHUT UP!" Losing it, Yukari jumped up, grabbed the closest object (a marble figurine), and hurled it out the window. The glass shattered like.glass, and the birds ceased their infernal chirping as they flew for their lives.

Yukari stood in her room, panting heavily, momentarily blinded by fury.

At that precise moment, Mark burst into her room, dagger drawn. "Yukari! What's happen-" He skidded to a halt in the middle of the room, his eyes bulging. His face reddened considerably, and his jaw nearly hit the floor.

Yukari looked at him weirdly, anger vanishing. "What? Cat got your tongue?" Mark just stood there, gaping. "No? Well what then?" No answer. Yukari was getting annoyed again. "Look, either tell me what's up or get out!" Slowly, Mark rose a shaking hand and pointed it at her. Yukari looked down at herself. As comprehension dawned, red tinged her cheeks.

It had been remarkably hot last night. So hot, in fact, that Yukari had been unable to sleep, and only drifted off when she'd taken off all her clothes.

With a mortified squeak, Yukari dove under her cover at the same time that Mark clapped a hand across his eyes. "What the hell are you doing in here?!" She yelled, her voice strangely high-pitched.

"Well, I was walking down the hall, looking for the dining hall when I heard a scream and the sound of glass breaking. I thought you were in trouble so I rushed in to help." Mark may have had his eyes covered, but that didn't stop his mind from dwelling on what he'd seen. Her long legs. Her well formed hips. Her full breasts. He slapped himself across the face. 'Get a grip you pervert!'

"Mark?"

"Yeah?"

"What was that sound?"

"I slapped myself."

"Oh".

Silence. Then.

"Mark?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you still in my room?"

Pause.

"That's a good question."

Silence. Then.

"Mark?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you please leave so I can change?"

"Oh. Sorry".

His eyes still covered, Mark managed to back into the hall and shut the door. When he was gone, Yukari crept out from under her covers and sat shivering on the edge of her bed. That was.exciting??? Yukari groaned and held her head.

"Calm down girl" She told herself. "Why are you so worked up? You didn't blush like this that time you went swimming and Setto hid your clothes. You had to walk through town naked, and not once did you get so worked up!" She shook her head to clear it. "Now think. You're not leaving this room until you figure it out." Her stomach growled suddenly. "Just make it quick."

Standing up, Yukari started to pace the room. She walked the length and breadth of her room before stopping in front of her mirror.

"Look" She said to her reflection. "You're strong, you've faced down fighters before. So why is an accident like this freaking you out? Is it because Mark is so sexy?" Yukari's eyes widened and her jaw nearly hit the floor. If she'd known it, she looked just like Mark had a minute ago.

"Did I just say that?" She shook her head. "I must be hearing things. I could have sworn I heard me say he's sexy." She scowled at her reflection. "Stop saying that!" She scolded.

As usual, her reflection didn't answer. But her stomach did. It growled even louder and threw in a few gurgles. Yukari sighed. You just couldn't win against your stomach. "I'll think about this later."

Recalling the heat of the night before, Yukari quickly threw on a pair of light pants and a shirt. She immediately noticed that they were too small, fitting her like a second skin. But she was damned if she was switching! It was going to be hot today and this was the coolest set of clothes in the wardrobe!

Checking herself out in the mirror, she did have to admit that the effect was marvellous. The red and black shirt left her waist and stomach bare, but revealed nothing of importance. The light blue pants were slit up to the knee on each leg, making walking easier and cooler.

When she had finished with her earrings, Yukari looked at herself in the mirror again. "Well girl, you're not going to overheat. Now your only worries are marriage proposals and being mistaken for a hooker. You can deal with both so I guess you're set for the day." Turning, she left her room and went to the dining hall.

***

When Yukari entered, Van, several nobles, and Mark turned to stare. Yukari smiled. She always did enjoy attention. 'Maybe I should change all my clothes to look like this.'

Everyone watched as she strolled down the hall and heads turned to watch as she passed. Sitting beside Mark, she beamed. "I look like a slut, don't I?"

Mark seemed to have lost his tongue. "Hbbglurgdhm."

Van sprayed juice from his nose laughing. Wiping his face with a cloth he grinned. "If you want to know the truth, yeah you look a little slutty."

Yukari nodded. "I thought so." With that, she picked up her fork and ate breakfast. She really was enjoying all the attention. Especially Mark's stunned stare.

She blinked. Not that again.

Van seemed to know something because he was watching the two, grinning all the while. "So Yukari, are you going down the bazaar today?"

Yukari looked up sharply, a gleam in her eyes. "Bazaar?"

Van nodded sagely. "You must have noticed all the merchants. This is the biggest week of the year! Traders and performers of all kinds come from all across Gaea to sell their goods in Fanelia." His eyes twinkled. "Maybe Mark could help you carry your packages?"

Mark joined Yukari in shooting a death glare at Van. The king didn't even flinch. He just sat there sipping his drink and watching the young almost-couple blush together. "Come on you two. It will be fun! I'd go but I'm too busy at the moment. Loads to do. But I can't let you two miss out on this. Go out and enjoy yourselves." He smiled. "That's an imperial command."

Van knew that he'd pay for this sooner or later. But it would be worth it. These two were slowly but surely falling in love. It had taken a war for him to realise that he loved Millerna. He hoped these two didn't have to go through the same thing.



Magicman: I'm such a sucker for romance, aren't I? Well, read the next chapter to find out what's next.on Escaflowne! And don't forget to review!