The Way Things Were
Disclaimer: I don't own Escaflowne, but would you believe me if I told you I did?
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The Way Things Were
Chapter 6
"Where is Lord Daleth?" the shadowed figure demanded to the men lined up in front of him.
"The Lord Daleth has not returned from his… nightly expedition, sir," one of the braver men in the line answered. Not many would be as daring as to challenge his wrath. Frustrated at his second-in-command's dilatory return, he slammed his fist hard on the table in front of him. All the soldiers in the line winced as if they had been struck. He grinned at the fear he struck into the hearts of those pathetic dogs. He knew they were not entirely loyal to him, following whoever held the most power. But for the time being, they were useful to him, and as long as they feared him, loyalty was not a quality required. Snarling his aggravation, he faded into the shadows once more.
"He is to report to me as soon as he returns," he barked an order to the men. "See that he gets the message."
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"Varie, I've been looking everywhere for you!" cried an excited Mattie coming up from behind Varie.
"What's gotten into you?" she asked, a puzzled but bemused expression on her face.
"Just come with me, you'll see!" she squealed happily, and dragged her friend down the long hallway with her.
"Oww, your claws are digging into my skin," protested Varie.
"Sorry," Mattie said apologetically. "But you'll see why I'm so excited."
"Look, Mattie, I have to go have lunch soon. Where exactly are we going, anyway?"
"You don't want me to spoil the surprise, now do you? Just trust me!" Seeing the sceptical look she was given in response, Mattie feigned offence.
"My best friend doesn't trust me?" she pretended to sob, clutching her heart. "Oh, the pain!"
"Ha, ha," replied Varie sarcastically. "You wouldn't trust yourself either, if you were me." In response to that, Mattie could only smirk.
Their footsteps resonating off the stone walls, the girls continued on their way to a destination unknown to Varie. The two friends were each caught up in their thoughts, but the matters on one's mind could never be more opposite to the other's. Yet they were topics that would never be brought up for discussion, even to the most intimate of friends. Both young women jumped as a deep, masculine voice greeted them, snapping them out of their reverie.
"Where are you two trouble-makers headed off to?" a smiling King Van enquired.
"Father, you scared us," Varie said composedly, although still trying to calm her rapidly beating heart.
"Your Majesty," Mattie gave a bob of a curtsy as a proper greeting. "I'm just taking Varie to give her a… ahem… surprise, sire. You do remember that, don't you, sir?"
"Of course," he replied, and, catching the unbelieving look he was receiving from his daughter, chuckled. "Don't worry, I promise you it won't hurt… much." He watched with pride as the statement got the reaction he had been hoping for. Varie's facial expression sent him and Mattie into a huge fit of laughter. After the king and the catgirl had calmed down relatively, Van spoke up again.
"After lunch, just drop by my study for a little bit, Varie. There's something I need to talk to you about." Just then, a loud ringing of the clock tower could be heard, signalling the time was quarter to twelve – fifteen minutes before lunchtime.
"Well, I'll let you girls go. Whatever it is you're doing, though, be quick. We don't want to be late for lunch." And with a wink, he walked off, his footsteps markedly silent on the marble floor. The two girls continued walking, and after a time stopped in front of a hand-carved door with the word "Seamstress" engraved on the top.
"The seamstress?" Varie asked, confused. "Why would you want to bring me here?"
"Why else, genius? We are making you a brand-new outfit to wear to your party tonight!"
"Wha--what?" she was absolutely baffled. "But there's no need to. Besides, you'll never be able to finish in time if you started now."
"Don't bet on it," was the smug reply Mattie gave. "The best seamstresses on Gaea are in this room right now. We just needed your measurements, but Lara told me that it'd be much faster if you stay and so they can pin the material on and stuff. You can be a mannequin for a bit." Mattie pushed the door open and the two girls walked in.
"Mattie, I have to get down to the dining hall for lunch," Varie protested. "Not that this isn't fun or anything," she added, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
"Uh-uh, I've already arranged to have your lunch sent here. You can eat after the measurements are taken. I'm sure Prince Gabriel could do without you there for one meal," she said, a mischievous smirk playing across her face. At the last statement, Varie's face turned a deep shade of crimson and she tried disastrously to hide her embarrassment.
"What are you talking about?" she tried to pretend she didn't understand.
"Oh, come on! I see you two together… you've been literally glued together ever since you met! I'm surprised he doesn't sleep in the same room as you…" she muttered as an afterthought, more to herself than to Varie. If it were possible, Varie turned a brighter shade of red than she already was.
"Mattie!" she protested indignantly, looking down at the floor to hide her face.
"Oops, did I say that aloud?" Mattie said coyly, smiling as innocently as an angel. After a small fit of laughter on Varie's expense, she settled down. "Come on over here and we'll get started."
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Stiffly, Varie made her way to her father's study. It had been a long and arduous hour and a half in the seamstress's, and Varie was completely drained. She was so stiff from standing still for such a long time, and she barely had a bite to eat. Her lunch had been sent to her, as promised, but somehow being a mannequin made her lose her appetite. Groaning slightly, she tried to massage the strained muscles in the back of her neck. She never knew that being measured for a dress could be more tiring than a whole day's worth of training. At least that's what it felt like.
Finally reaching the discernible golden-handled doors, she gave three soft taps with her knuckles. She heard a muffled voice through the thick doors and assumed that she had been beckoned in. A slight twist of the knob and the door pushed open easily, creaking slightly as it revealed her father intently studying a book at his desk. He lifted his head up to acknowledge her, but went back to mark his page before putting the book away in a drawer and turning his full attention to her. Standing up, he came and gave her a greeting hug. Pulling back, he looked her over once and smiled in pride.
"Look at you, all grown up now. You're twenty today! Your mother and I are really proud of you," he said, his hands gripping her shoulders. "So, are you excited for the big event?"
This was the question she had dreaded. How was she supposed to answer? She supposed she should be excited, but frankly she didn't really know how she felt. As if reading her thoughts, Van just smiled.
"I understand, don't worry," he assured her. "I felt the same way too, when it was my 20th birthday. Of course, that was a very long time ago… an old man like me may have bad memories."
Varie could only laugh. "Father, you're not that old. I'm sure your memories are fine."
"We'll have to see if your memory is just as good. Do you remember a story I told you a long time ago, about the Great War?"
"Father, I must have heard a million—"
"This one was about your mother and I. Before she returned to the Mystic Moon, I told you that she gave me something. Do you remember what that was?"
"It was her pendant. The pendant which was the key to the power of Atlantis," Varie answered, as if reading from a book.
"Yes, that's right. You do remember. Well, we've decided that since it's your birthday, and now that you are much more mature and responsible, your birthday gift this year will be this pendant."
From underneath his shirt, Van produced a small pinkish-red tear-shaped necklace. The silver chain on which it hung was now a dirty grey from all the years of wear, but the gem still shone as brightly as ever. As soon as it made contact with her skin, Varie felt a tingling sensation all over her body, and knew that she had been bestowed with something truly magical and powerful. She slipped it on over her head and watched the luminous glow from the jewel slowly fade away. Wearing the pendant felt so right, and she had never felt happier. That was two wonderful gifts for her birthday already.
If things keep going at this rate, maybe it won't be so bad after all, Varie thought. She gave her father a big hug, and he patted her head affectionately.
"Well, we'd better get going," Van said after their embrace. Varie only gave him a confused look, not quite sure what he was talking about.
"You didn't forget, did you, my dear? Duchess Celena is coming! She should arrive at the leviship dock at any moment."
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In a darkened room of the castle, Lord Daleth was receiving a report from his trusted soldier and spy. Their plans were working perfectly, but he felt better knowing his little mole was keeping an eye on the up-and-coming princess.
"You're doing well, my sweet," he said, staring into her golden-yellow cat eyes, and brushing a strand of reddish-pink curly hair from her beautiful face. "Keep this up, and you will be richly rewarded."
And, pulling her closer and quickly brushing his lips over hers, he left in a swirl of shadows, leaving behind no trace of his presence.
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Author's Notes: Yes, I've done it!!! I've written another chapter! Just proves miracles do happen. I know this came out really, REALLY late, but please don't kill me!! Gomen nasai!!!
I'd like to thank my newest reviewer, Striking Cat, for the reviews and the compliments. You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that this is one of the best Esca fics you've read. Thank you so much! My thanks are also extended to:
-le bleu phenix (if you're confused now, that's good because that's what I was aiming for. But don't worry; everything'll be cleared up later.)
-Meghanna Starsong (you know how much I appreciate you, right? Well, if you don't, now you do! Thank you sooo much.),
-Lady Amalthea (I'm glad you're enjoying the story. And yes, I will try to update faster…)
-And last but not least, elektra ^_~! (Glad you decided to post your story. You're a great writer.)
Well, have you guessed some of my plot yet? Do you know who Daleth (and yes, he is the red-haired guy) is talking to? All will be revealed in the upcoming chapters. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated! Stay tuned!
~Seeress
