Well, here is number two. Hope you like it. I'll have the next few up ASAP okies?
Chapter 2
"Where is Lord Van?" Merle asked a maid, worry in her voice. "He wasn't in his room, in the castle or in the gardens. Something must have happened." Merle exclaimed, suddenly frightened.
"I'm sure that King Van is fine." The maid's reassuring words never help at all. She was still worried about him. She knew he could take care of himself but why would he leave and not tell her. She sighed and walked outside and began to nervously claw at a stump that had been rejected long ago. It was the only thing that ever seemed to calm her. The rustle of trees off in the distance caught her attention. Her ears perked up and she bounded off. She sniffed the air and smiled. "Lord Van!!" she shouted and tackled the trio just as they emerged from the forest.
"No! Merle!" Hitomi shouted but it was too late. Van was knocked to the ground. All that could be heard was a loud "Umph!" from Van.
"What the hell happened?" Merle asked flabbergasted at the sight of Van. She sent accusing looks at Hitomi and her friend. "It's you again." Merle said in a rude tone which irked Yukari. She failed to hold her temper at bay and began to yell at the cat girl.
"Now listen here you...you....THING!" Yukari fumed.
"What did you call me?" Merle asked as if she never heard.
"What? Never heard me? And with ears like those, how do you expect me to believe that?" Yukari shot back. "You are so strange!"
"Me? Strange? You should take a look in the mirror! What in the name of Gaea are you wearing? You look like you just stepped out of a circus!" Yukari blushed. She had to admit that she did look out of place as she stood there in her blue satin pajamas with moons printed on them, her hair messed up and smudged make up. For the first time in her life, she was at a loss for words. Hitomi chuckled.
"I hardly think it's all that funny." Merle commented, her tail straight out behind her indicated that she was extremely pissed off. Her nose was turned up and her arms were crossed over her chest stubbornly.
"Come on Merle. We have to get Van to the castle. He's pretty beat up." Hitomi said and helped him to his feet. "Just what happened anyway?" Merle asked, a little calmer than before. Hitomi explained as they made their way to the castle gates.
"It's amazing that you have rebuilt almost the entire city already." Hitomi commented.
'Well, there still is a lot to do but Lord Van has really been an inspiration to the people here. They have all chipped in in any way that they could. Besides, out contractors work around the clock, and it had been almost a year since you were here."
"Really? It has only been about 4 or 5 months on the Mystic Moon." Hitomi exclaimed in disbelief.
"One sec okies? Millerna and Allan are visiting. I'll go get them." Merle said as she ran into the courtyard. She returned moments later, Millerna at her heels.
"Oh Van." she said. "How do you get yourself into these things?" Millerna teased.
"It's a talent." He replied and followed her.
"Where is Allan?" Hitomi asked.
"He'll be along soon. He's finishing up in one of the gardens."
"Oh."
Yukari looked disgusted. No one even noticed her. "What am I black?" she muttered to herself.
"Here you go Van." she said as she opened a heavy wooden door. " Just rest for a minute and I'll patch you up. You will be all fixed up by the time supper is served."
"Could you leave please? Everything just goes smoother with less people around." Millerna said as nice as possible. She never wanted them to think that she was being rude. Hitome nodded and pushed Yukari out. She looked at her friend and decided that she needed some cheering. She smacked her arm and took off down the hall.
"Your it!" she shouted.
"Oh yah?" Yukari smirked. "We'll see about that!" she said as she took off after her.
The two ran flat out down the halls, up the stairs and right into Allan. Hitomi, oblivious to his presence, ran into him. She fell back and landed on her rump.
"Ouch! That hurt." she exclaimed.
"Can I help you my lady?" she heard a familiar voice. She looked up and a smile spread across her face. Allan offered his hand to her.
"Allan!" she practically shouted and leaped up. She gave him a hug.
"Ha ha, nice to see you too." he exclaimed. Then his gaze fell upon Yukari. She blushed and looked away.
"And who might this lovely young lady be?" he said in a sweet tone as he walked up to her and kissed her hand. Now it was Hitomi's turn to look surprised. She looked at her friends in confusion but she wasn't noticed.
"I hope you will stay with us for a while." he continued. Yukari just nodded.
"Let me show you to your rooms." he exclaimed.
"Rooms? But we weren't expected."
"You, Hitomi were expected for some time now and there are plenty of fine room to suite your lovely friend." Allan gushed. Hitomi rolled her eyes. "Right this way." he motioned.
They walked down long hallways and up winding staircases before pausing in front of a door. He motioned towards Yukari. "This will be your room." Allan motioned as he swung open the door. It was beautiful. Long, elegant curtains framed a huge window. There was a chest of drawers made out of mahogany and a breath taking bed against the far wall. A picture hung above the headboard and a gauzy material formed a canopy.
"I'll have a maid fetch you a dress. I would imagine that you would like to change."
Yukari nodded and ventured into her room. As soon as the door was closed and their footsteps could no longer be heard she squealed and took a flying leap onto the bed.
"Maybe this place isn't so bad after all." she concluded happily.
~*~
"This will be your room Hitomi." Allan said with a mischievous grin. "Van had this room rebuilt just for you." Hitomi smiled. Van always was a sweetheart, even though he never always showed it.
"There is a dress waiting for you in the closet." Allan finished before leaving her to change. Hitomi looked around the room. There was a large window as in Yukari's room with elegant drapes however this one was accented by stained glass. A chest of drawers sat across the room with a matching chair and golden handles. There were vases of flowers on the window sill. She walked over and opened the window. She loved Gaea. There was no traffic, pollution or anything like that. The view was beautiful. She saw the mystic moon high in the sky and smiled. After a few moments, she ventured to the closet. She pulled open the doors and took out the dress. It was a pale lilac and trimmed at the hem of the skirt and sleeves with tiny beaded patterns. It had a scoop neck line and was slim. The crest of Fanelia was carefully embroidered in the back. The skirt fell to the floor and flattered her figure. She sized her image up in the mirror. Satisfied, she ran a brush through her hair and left the room.
She was stopped by a maid. "Miss, don't wander too far, Supper will be served soon and your presence is requested." Hitomi nodded.
"No problem." she said smiling and went to find Yukari.
Yukari was dressed in a pretty blue dress that resembled hers but it wasn't at intricately designed. It too had a scoop neck like and had puffy sleeves. It showed off her figure perfectly and her hair was pinned back with fresh lilacs from the garden.
'Do you think Allan would like it?" she cooed. "It's so beautiful!" Hitomi smiled at her friend. She was about to say something but was interrupted by a maid. "Miss hitomi and Miss yukari. We are to escort you to the dining hall. As well, well will be your personal maids so if you need anything, just ask." Yukari grinned. "This is soooo cool!" she said with a wide smile.
The ding hall was large and contained many tables of gold plated dinner wear. People sat down chatting and joking. These people obviously were guests and workers at the palace. As the door opened, a hush fell upon the room as the girls followed their maids into the room and up a small flight of stairs to the head table. They stopped in front of the King and bowed.
"Miss Hitomi and Miss Yukari." The girls blushed slightly as they were shown their seats. Hitomi sat next to Van and Yukari next to Hitomi. Hitomi looked next to her and sighed. Her friend was sending Allan happy glances and he was returning to them. "I guess that Millerna and Allan never ended up together anyway." hitomu said to herself. Then she blushed as she felt Van take her hand in his. She looked at him and smiled.
"You look beautiful." he commented.
"Thank you for the dress."
"Don't think anything of it." He said and returned her smile. At that moment, servants filed out of the dining room doors with silver platters in hand. They were placed on the tables and supper began. It passed rather uneventful but pleasantly. The casual talk never interested her. The politics and government issues seemed to bore her. She looked at Van who answered their question. Come to think of it, Van had matured a lot since she last saw him. She had a hard time to believe that this was the same person. But at least he was happy, and so was she.
As supper began to wind down, people began to get restless, but no one ever left before Van. Hitomi wiped her mouth with the napkin next to her plate and placed her fork on the napkin. Soon afterward, Van finished and took Hitomi's hand. He stood up without making a sound. The members of the head table stood then the rest of the room followed. Van turned and the two walked out of the room, signaling that supper had ended.
"I want to show you something." Van said. Hitomi nodded and followed him up a long flight of stairs that seemed to have no end. Then finally Van stopped in front of yet another door.
"Close you eyes." Van asked. Hitomi smiled and obeyed.
"Yes your Majesty." Hitomi teased. She felt Van lead her outside. She felt the cool night air against her warm skin.
" Open them." Van said let her hands go. Hitomi gasped slightly to find herself on the roof. She looked up at the sky and smiled.
"It's beautiful!" The starts are never like this back home." Hitomi remarked.
"You could put the brightest star to shame with that smile." Van commented and motioned for them to sit down.
They sat next to each other and Hitomi leaned into his chest. She could hear his steady heart beat.
"I could stay here forever." she sighed.
"Your more than welcome to, my lady."
Hitomi smiled and snuggled up closer to Van and he wrapped his strong arms around her. "I know." She replied and she was seriously think of it.
"You look beautiful tonight." Van said as he gazed up at the stares.
"You already said that. But thank you anyways." Hitomi said a grinned.
"I can't say it enough."
"That dress was my mothers. I knew it would look as good of not better than it did on my mother."
"It was your mother's? They maybe I shouldn't be wearing it." she said, uncertainty in her voice.
"Keep it please." he asked as he looked down at her.
"If you insist." Hitomi mumbled as their eyes locked. They began to lean into each other.
Hitomi's mind seemed to whirl the closer she go to him. She felt her eyes close slowly.
"This it is!" Hitomi said to herself.
"LORD VAN!!!!!!" Merle shouted and bounded out onto the roof and hugged him.
"Oh! Hi Hitomi." she said and smirked slightly.
"Hi Merle." Hitomi replied in the most cheerful voice she could muster. Secretly, she wanted Merle to disappear and leave them alone. She couldn't believe her........that cat!
"I'm going to bed." Hitomi said and stood. The mood had been completely destroyed. "I'm cold." she said and made her way down the stairs.
"That was close...too close." Merle muttered under her breath as she let out a sigh of relief.
Chapter 2
"Where is Lord Van?" Merle asked a maid, worry in her voice. "He wasn't in his room, in the castle or in the gardens. Something must have happened." Merle exclaimed, suddenly frightened.
"I'm sure that King Van is fine." The maid's reassuring words never help at all. She was still worried about him. She knew he could take care of himself but why would he leave and not tell her. She sighed and walked outside and began to nervously claw at a stump that had been rejected long ago. It was the only thing that ever seemed to calm her. The rustle of trees off in the distance caught her attention. Her ears perked up and she bounded off. She sniffed the air and smiled. "Lord Van!!" she shouted and tackled the trio just as they emerged from the forest.
"No! Merle!" Hitomi shouted but it was too late. Van was knocked to the ground. All that could be heard was a loud "Umph!" from Van.
"What the hell happened?" Merle asked flabbergasted at the sight of Van. She sent accusing looks at Hitomi and her friend. "It's you again." Merle said in a rude tone which irked Yukari. She failed to hold her temper at bay and began to yell at the cat girl.
"Now listen here you...you....THING!" Yukari fumed.
"What did you call me?" Merle asked as if she never heard.
"What? Never heard me? And with ears like those, how do you expect me to believe that?" Yukari shot back. "You are so strange!"
"Me? Strange? You should take a look in the mirror! What in the name of Gaea are you wearing? You look like you just stepped out of a circus!" Yukari blushed. She had to admit that she did look out of place as she stood there in her blue satin pajamas with moons printed on them, her hair messed up and smudged make up. For the first time in her life, she was at a loss for words. Hitomi chuckled.
"I hardly think it's all that funny." Merle commented, her tail straight out behind her indicated that she was extremely pissed off. Her nose was turned up and her arms were crossed over her chest stubbornly.
"Come on Merle. We have to get Van to the castle. He's pretty beat up." Hitomi said and helped him to his feet. "Just what happened anyway?" Merle asked, a little calmer than before. Hitomi explained as they made their way to the castle gates.
"It's amazing that you have rebuilt almost the entire city already." Hitomi commented.
'Well, there still is a lot to do but Lord Van has really been an inspiration to the people here. They have all chipped in in any way that they could. Besides, out contractors work around the clock, and it had been almost a year since you were here."
"Really? It has only been about 4 or 5 months on the Mystic Moon." Hitomi exclaimed in disbelief.
"One sec okies? Millerna and Allan are visiting. I'll go get them." Merle said as she ran into the courtyard. She returned moments later, Millerna at her heels.
"Oh Van." she said. "How do you get yourself into these things?" Millerna teased.
"It's a talent." He replied and followed her.
"Where is Allan?" Hitomi asked.
"He'll be along soon. He's finishing up in one of the gardens."
"Oh."
Yukari looked disgusted. No one even noticed her. "What am I black?" she muttered to herself.
"Here you go Van." she said as she opened a heavy wooden door. " Just rest for a minute and I'll patch you up. You will be all fixed up by the time supper is served."
"Could you leave please? Everything just goes smoother with less people around." Millerna said as nice as possible. She never wanted them to think that she was being rude. Hitome nodded and pushed Yukari out. She looked at her friend and decided that she needed some cheering. She smacked her arm and took off down the hall.
"Your it!" she shouted.
"Oh yah?" Yukari smirked. "We'll see about that!" she said as she took off after her.
The two ran flat out down the halls, up the stairs and right into Allan. Hitomi, oblivious to his presence, ran into him. She fell back and landed on her rump.
"Ouch! That hurt." she exclaimed.
"Can I help you my lady?" she heard a familiar voice. She looked up and a smile spread across her face. Allan offered his hand to her.
"Allan!" she practically shouted and leaped up. She gave him a hug.
"Ha ha, nice to see you too." he exclaimed. Then his gaze fell upon Yukari. She blushed and looked away.
"And who might this lovely young lady be?" he said in a sweet tone as he walked up to her and kissed her hand. Now it was Hitomi's turn to look surprised. She looked at her friends in confusion but she wasn't noticed.
"I hope you will stay with us for a while." he continued. Yukari just nodded.
"Let me show you to your rooms." he exclaimed.
"Rooms? But we weren't expected."
"You, Hitomi were expected for some time now and there are plenty of fine room to suite your lovely friend." Allan gushed. Hitomi rolled her eyes. "Right this way." he motioned.
They walked down long hallways and up winding staircases before pausing in front of a door. He motioned towards Yukari. "This will be your room." Allan motioned as he swung open the door. It was beautiful. Long, elegant curtains framed a huge window. There was a chest of drawers made out of mahogany and a breath taking bed against the far wall. A picture hung above the headboard and a gauzy material formed a canopy.
"I'll have a maid fetch you a dress. I would imagine that you would like to change."
Yukari nodded and ventured into her room. As soon as the door was closed and their footsteps could no longer be heard she squealed and took a flying leap onto the bed.
"Maybe this place isn't so bad after all." she concluded happily.
~*~
"This will be your room Hitomi." Allan said with a mischievous grin. "Van had this room rebuilt just for you." Hitomi smiled. Van always was a sweetheart, even though he never always showed it.
"There is a dress waiting for you in the closet." Allan finished before leaving her to change. Hitomi looked around the room. There was a large window as in Yukari's room with elegant drapes however this one was accented by stained glass. A chest of drawers sat across the room with a matching chair and golden handles. There were vases of flowers on the window sill. She walked over and opened the window. She loved Gaea. There was no traffic, pollution or anything like that. The view was beautiful. She saw the mystic moon high in the sky and smiled. After a few moments, she ventured to the closet. She pulled open the doors and took out the dress. It was a pale lilac and trimmed at the hem of the skirt and sleeves with tiny beaded patterns. It had a scoop neck line and was slim. The crest of Fanelia was carefully embroidered in the back. The skirt fell to the floor and flattered her figure. She sized her image up in the mirror. Satisfied, she ran a brush through her hair and left the room.
She was stopped by a maid. "Miss, don't wander too far, Supper will be served soon and your presence is requested." Hitomi nodded.
"No problem." she said smiling and went to find Yukari.
Yukari was dressed in a pretty blue dress that resembled hers but it wasn't at intricately designed. It too had a scoop neck like and had puffy sleeves. It showed off her figure perfectly and her hair was pinned back with fresh lilacs from the garden.
'Do you think Allan would like it?" she cooed. "It's so beautiful!" Hitomi smiled at her friend. She was about to say something but was interrupted by a maid. "Miss hitomi and Miss yukari. We are to escort you to the dining hall. As well, well will be your personal maids so if you need anything, just ask." Yukari grinned. "This is soooo cool!" she said with a wide smile.
The ding hall was large and contained many tables of gold plated dinner wear. People sat down chatting and joking. These people obviously were guests and workers at the palace. As the door opened, a hush fell upon the room as the girls followed their maids into the room and up a small flight of stairs to the head table. They stopped in front of the King and bowed.
"Miss Hitomi and Miss Yukari." The girls blushed slightly as they were shown their seats. Hitomi sat next to Van and Yukari next to Hitomi. Hitomi looked next to her and sighed. Her friend was sending Allan happy glances and he was returning to them. "I guess that Millerna and Allan never ended up together anyway." hitomu said to herself. Then she blushed as she felt Van take her hand in his. She looked at him and smiled.
"You look beautiful." he commented.
"Thank you for the dress."
"Don't think anything of it." He said and returned her smile. At that moment, servants filed out of the dining room doors with silver platters in hand. They were placed on the tables and supper began. It passed rather uneventful but pleasantly. The casual talk never interested her. The politics and government issues seemed to bore her. She looked at Van who answered their question. Come to think of it, Van had matured a lot since she last saw him. She had a hard time to believe that this was the same person. But at least he was happy, and so was she.
As supper began to wind down, people began to get restless, but no one ever left before Van. Hitomi wiped her mouth with the napkin next to her plate and placed her fork on the napkin. Soon afterward, Van finished and took Hitomi's hand. He stood up without making a sound. The members of the head table stood then the rest of the room followed. Van turned and the two walked out of the room, signaling that supper had ended.
"I want to show you something." Van said. Hitomi nodded and followed him up a long flight of stairs that seemed to have no end. Then finally Van stopped in front of yet another door.
"Close you eyes." Van asked. Hitomi smiled and obeyed.
"Yes your Majesty." Hitomi teased. She felt Van lead her outside. She felt the cool night air against her warm skin.
" Open them." Van said let her hands go. Hitomi gasped slightly to find herself on the roof. She looked up at the sky and smiled.
"It's beautiful!" The starts are never like this back home." Hitomi remarked.
"You could put the brightest star to shame with that smile." Van commented and motioned for them to sit down.
They sat next to each other and Hitomi leaned into his chest. She could hear his steady heart beat.
"I could stay here forever." she sighed.
"Your more than welcome to, my lady."
Hitomi smiled and snuggled up closer to Van and he wrapped his strong arms around her. "I know." She replied and she was seriously think of it.
"You look beautiful tonight." Van said as he gazed up at the stares.
"You already said that. But thank you anyways." Hitomi said a grinned.
"I can't say it enough."
"That dress was my mothers. I knew it would look as good of not better than it did on my mother."
"It was your mother's? They maybe I shouldn't be wearing it." she said, uncertainty in her voice.
"Keep it please." he asked as he looked down at her.
"If you insist." Hitomi mumbled as their eyes locked. They began to lean into each other.
Hitomi's mind seemed to whirl the closer she go to him. She felt her eyes close slowly.
"This it is!" Hitomi said to herself.
"LORD VAN!!!!!!" Merle shouted and bounded out onto the roof and hugged him.
"Oh! Hi Hitomi." she said and smirked slightly.
"Hi Merle." Hitomi replied in the most cheerful voice she could muster. Secretly, she wanted Merle to disappear and leave them alone. She couldn't believe her........that cat!
"I'm going to bed." Hitomi said and stood. The mood had been completely destroyed. "I'm cold." she said and made her way down the stairs.
"That was close...too close." Merle muttered under her breath as she let out a sigh of relief.