~Chapter 3~
'Val's POV'
He'd never understand women. They were just too damn confusing, Filia especially. He knew that what happened had shook her up a bit but was that a reason to avoid answering questions he desperately needed to know? He had so many and he felt that she was the only one that could give him his answers. Even Jillas and Gravos wouldn't answer him and they were his best friends. And what was going on with Xellos? Val didn't want to think what would have happened if he didn't come to save her in time.
Ohh so many mysteries…
Then there was another question that prodded at the back of his mind. Why was he so angry with Xellos? Yes he was outraged by his actions, he would be even if it weren't Filia, but when he saw him kiss Filia a wave of jealousy washed over him. Every time he saw Filia's sweet face, or the way she would flip her hair, Val would get a different feeling that was quite nice. He wanted to continue having this feeling; he wanted to have Filia.
'Where did that come from?' Val hung his head between his hands.
'How can I feel this way about her, she's practically my mother. But why does my heart pound at the thought of her being more than just a mother.' Val began to blush from remembering the incident over last summer. 'That was so embarrassing, not to mention Filia ran off like I had some kind of disease or something. I couldn't help it she was so alluring then, with her sundress on and the way she looked with the tea from my hair on her face. Why did she have to runaway?'
Val was extremely hurt by Filia running off and felt even worse when it seemed she avoided him.
Filia was always there for him when he needed her, only this time he needed badly and she wasn't there at all.
Val began to wonder when he started to feel this way about Filia, was he always like this or was it just now he started too? He remembered when he was still a child that he always thought of Filia as a princess. She was a golden princess of light that deserved to be loved and cherished. He would daydream of him and his princess together; he would do anything to make her happy. It was almost like a schoolboy having a crush on his teacher. But this feeling was more than just an ordinary crush it was something much deeper.
Val couldn't think straight anymore and thought that it'd be best to take a walk outside to clear his head. He usually didn't enjoy walks by himself but this was one of those times he needed to think things out without any disturbances. 'I never really knew how peaceful the forest could be.' Val thought to himself as he walked along the leaf-strewn path of the forest just on the outskirts of the town he lived in. So beautiful was the forest that he forgot the reason why he was out there in the first place. It seemed a waste to dwell on negativity with such beauty before him. 'I really should bring Filia with me sometime; it would be very special to share this with her. Not to mention romantic.' Val silently scolded himself with that thought in his head. 'I came here to not think of Filia anymore, but still a picnic in one of the clearings just the two of us...' Val didn't realize it, but he was so wrapped up in thinking of Filia and romance, that he became lost. When he finally noticed unfamiliar surroundings he did his best to not panic.
'Now what am I going to do? No one knows where I am, I don't even know myself.' After walking around in circles for a bit, Val became very frustrated and plopped himself down on the ground with a heavy sigh. 'It's not so bad, I mean someone is bound to see I'm gone, so I might as well stay right where I am.' So Val just lay there on the soft earth and after a couple of minutes dozed off.
~A few hours later~
An icy breeze forced Val to unwillingly come out of his nap. After blinking his eyes open a couple of times, he had to let his vision adjust to the sudden darkness of the forest. 'It can't be that long after dusk, I guess no one is going to find me in the dark so might as well try to find my way back.' Val stood hugging his arms around himself as another cold breeze hit him. Winter was coming much sooner than expected, and it wasn't a good idea to be out in the woods without shelter or food. Val was just about to start his way back when he saw a glowing figure in the corner of his eye. Thinking that it might be a bandit or worst, Val hid behind a bush well concealing him from sight. Watching from his hiding place Val saw the figure again only this time it lasted longer and was in the shape of some sort. It seemed to be the form of a girl running through the woods. 'Why would a girl be running in the forest at night let alone the fact she is glowing?' Val was confused by this and as if a moth attracted to a flame, wanted a better look. He figured that she might be in trouble and thought he could help her not afraid of the fact she was glowing, so Val went after her. He followed her for quite a bit hiding behind trees now and then, when it seemed she sensed his presence. Not one time though could he see her face, she would keep it hidden from view. After awhile Val saw that he wasn't far from the edge of the forest that led into town, but the girl he was following seemed to disappear. Giving up his search he made a turn towards town when he came face to face with a pair of glittering eyes as green as fresh young leaves.
Val was speechless; she was one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen. She stood no higher than his shoulder with a slim petite figure, which was showed off by a short pale orange peasant dress. Her face was framed by petal pink hair that curled past her ears. (Sort of like Fuu from MKR) It was a perfect contrast to her dazzling eyes that Val could not seem to look away from. 'Could she be the girl I was following?' Val wondered. Realizing he was staring Val decided to introduce himself.
"Hello my name is Val, I don't believe we ever met."
The girl just continued to look at him not saying a word. Val became real uncomfortable from the lack of conversation and wondered if he said something to make her just stare at him like that.
"Ahh what might your name be Miss?" Val hoped that she would at least answer that, but the girl just simply stood there. So Val thought that maybe she was just playing with him and turned to leave but she grabbed his arm in protest. Val looked back towards her and noticed that the look on her face was almost telling him not to go.
"Um do you need help with something?" She shook her head no but still kept a firm grip on him.
"Well can you at least tell me who you are? If not then I really need to get going, my family is probably worried that I didn't come home yet."
The girl looked as if she was contemplating something and slowly let go of Val's arm. Val was becoming more confused by the minute from the girl's actions and watched her curiously as she patted her throat. Val then realized she was signaling that she couldn't speak.
"Oh I'm so sorry I didn't realize, I feel so dumb." Val hung his head down but the girl lifted his chin so he would look at her. Val saw in her eyes that it was all right and was comforted by the green orbs.
"Gee I wish I knew your name at least."
The girl cocked her head to the side and smiled while reaching around to lift a delicate chain from around her neck. Handing it over to Val he gazed at it seeing the intricate woven designs and when turned over it had a word engraved.
"Ailah. Is that your name?"
She shook her head very enthusiastically and Val grinned happily now having a name with her face.
"Well it is very nice to meet you Ailah." Ailah gave Val a sweet smile to let him know she felt the same way.
Soon the two new friends started to make their way home.
Little did they know high above them in the shadows of the trees, a dark figure watched them. Showing off a fanged smile the figure let out an evil chuckle.
"The plan is in motion!"
To be continued…
A/N - I didn't die! I'm still here just to let you know, gomen for having this chapter out so late, but I've been busy with end of semester stuff. I should be able to work more on it when winter break starts. Who is this Ailah? And who is the dark figure? When will the next chapter be out? All these questions will be answered and more in later chapters. In the meantime please give your feedback to let me know what you think! And a special shout-out to Lady Shinjitsu for making me post this chapter sooner than later! ^_^
'Val's POV'
He'd never understand women. They were just too damn confusing, Filia especially. He knew that what happened had shook her up a bit but was that a reason to avoid answering questions he desperately needed to know? He had so many and he felt that she was the only one that could give him his answers. Even Jillas and Gravos wouldn't answer him and they were his best friends. And what was going on with Xellos? Val didn't want to think what would have happened if he didn't come to save her in time.
Ohh so many mysteries…
Then there was another question that prodded at the back of his mind. Why was he so angry with Xellos? Yes he was outraged by his actions, he would be even if it weren't Filia, but when he saw him kiss Filia a wave of jealousy washed over him. Every time he saw Filia's sweet face, or the way she would flip her hair, Val would get a different feeling that was quite nice. He wanted to continue having this feeling; he wanted to have Filia.
'Where did that come from?' Val hung his head between his hands.
'How can I feel this way about her, she's practically my mother. But why does my heart pound at the thought of her being more than just a mother.' Val began to blush from remembering the incident over last summer. 'That was so embarrassing, not to mention Filia ran off like I had some kind of disease or something. I couldn't help it she was so alluring then, with her sundress on and the way she looked with the tea from my hair on her face. Why did she have to runaway?'
Val was extremely hurt by Filia running off and felt even worse when it seemed she avoided him.
Filia was always there for him when he needed her, only this time he needed badly and she wasn't there at all.
Val began to wonder when he started to feel this way about Filia, was he always like this or was it just now he started too? He remembered when he was still a child that he always thought of Filia as a princess. She was a golden princess of light that deserved to be loved and cherished. He would daydream of him and his princess together; he would do anything to make her happy. It was almost like a schoolboy having a crush on his teacher. But this feeling was more than just an ordinary crush it was something much deeper.
Val couldn't think straight anymore and thought that it'd be best to take a walk outside to clear his head. He usually didn't enjoy walks by himself but this was one of those times he needed to think things out without any disturbances. 'I never really knew how peaceful the forest could be.' Val thought to himself as he walked along the leaf-strewn path of the forest just on the outskirts of the town he lived in. So beautiful was the forest that he forgot the reason why he was out there in the first place. It seemed a waste to dwell on negativity with such beauty before him. 'I really should bring Filia with me sometime; it would be very special to share this with her. Not to mention romantic.' Val silently scolded himself with that thought in his head. 'I came here to not think of Filia anymore, but still a picnic in one of the clearings just the two of us...' Val didn't realize it, but he was so wrapped up in thinking of Filia and romance, that he became lost. When he finally noticed unfamiliar surroundings he did his best to not panic.
'Now what am I going to do? No one knows where I am, I don't even know myself.' After walking around in circles for a bit, Val became very frustrated and plopped himself down on the ground with a heavy sigh. 'It's not so bad, I mean someone is bound to see I'm gone, so I might as well stay right where I am.' So Val just lay there on the soft earth and after a couple of minutes dozed off.
~A few hours later~
An icy breeze forced Val to unwillingly come out of his nap. After blinking his eyes open a couple of times, he had to let his vision adjust to the sudden darkness of the forest. 'It can't be that long after dusk, I guess no one is going to find me in the dark so might as well try to find my way back.' Val stood hugging his arms around himself as another cold breeze hit him. Winter was coming much sooner than expected, and it wasn't a good idea to be out in the woods without shelter or food. Val was just about to start his way back when he saw a glowing figure in the corner of his eye. Thinking that it might be a bandit or worst, Val hid behind a bush well concealing him from sight. Watching from his hiding place Val saw the figure again only this time it lasted longer and was in the shape of some sort. It seemed to be the form of a girl running through the woods. 'Why would a girl be running in the forest at night let alone the fact she is glowing?' Val was confused by this and as if a moth attracted to a flame, wanted a better look. He figured that she might be in trouble and thought he could help her not afraid of the fact she was glowing, so Val went after her. He followed her for quite a bit hiding behind trees now and then, when it seemed she sensed his presence. Not one time though could he see her face, she would keep it hidden from view. After awhile Val saw that he wasn't far from the edge of the forest that led into town, but the girl he was following seemed to disappear. Giving up his search he made a turn towards town when he came face to face with a pair of glittering eyes as green as fresh young leaves.
Val was speechless; she was one of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen. She stood no higher than his shoulder with a slim petite figure, which was showed off by a short pale orange peasant dress. Her face was framed by petal pink hair that curled past her ears. (Sort of like Fuu from MKR) It was a perfect contrast to her dazzling eyes that Val could not seem to look away from. 'Could she be the girl I was following?' Val wondered. Realizing he was staring Val decided to introduce himself.
"Hello my name is Val, I don't believe we ever met."
The girl just continued to look at him not saying a word. Val became real uncomfortable from the lack of conversation and wondered if he said something to make her just stare at him like that.
"Ahh what might your name be Miss?" Val hoped that she would at least answer that, but the girl just simply stood there. So Val thought that maybe she was just playing with him and turned to leave but she grabbed his arm in protest. Val looked back towards her and noticed that the look on her face was almost telling him not to go.
"Um do you need help with something?" She shook her head no but still kept a firm grip on him.
"Well can you at least tell me who you are? If not then I really need to get going, my family is probably worried that I didn't come home yet."
The girl looked as if she was contemplating something and slowly let go of Val's arm. Val was becoming more confused by the minute from the girl's actions and watched her curiously as she patted her throat. Val then realized she was signaling that she couldn't speak.
"Oh I'm so sorry I didn't realize, I feel so dumb." Val hung his head down but the girl lifted his chin so he would look at her. Val saw in her eyes that it was all right and was comforted by the green orbs.
"Gee I wish I knew your name at least."
The girl cocked her head to the side and smiled while reaching around to lift a delicate chain from around her neck. Handing it over to Val he gazed at it seeing the intricate woven designs and when turned over it had a word engraved.
"Ailah. Is that your name?"
She shook her head very enthusiastically and Val grinned happily now having a name with her face.
"Well it is very nice to meet you Ailah." Ailah gave Val a sweet smile to let him know she felt the same way.
Soon the two new friends started to make their way home.
Little did they know high above them in the shadows of the trees, a dark figure watched them. Showing off a fanged smile the figure let out an evil chuckle.
"The plan is in motion!"
To be continued…
A/N - I didn't die! I'm still here just to let you know, gomen for having this chapter out so late, but I've been busy with end of semester stuff. I should be able to work more on it when winter break starts. Who is this Ailah? And who is the dark figure? When will the next chapter be out? All these questions will be answered and more in later chapters. In the meantime please give your feedback to let me know what you think! And a special shout-out to Lady Shinjitsu for making me post this chapter sooner than later! ^_^
