Chapter Seventeen: "Very funny Scotty, now beam down my clothes." ~A website "Rise and shine sleepyhead." Eva's voice called out to her. Suddenly the covers flew off Jezabel's head and the bright sunlight came streaming in. "I said rise and shine." "Fine, I'm up." Jez also grumbled a few other things, but Eva didn't catch those. Slowly Jezabel sat up and let her eyes come into focus, at least there wasn't any training today. She and Miguel had stayed up on the balcony late last night, and then broke into the kitchens for a snack. Jez wasn't hungry, but Miguel certainly was. "What time is it?" "Five-thirty-two." Eva replied cheerfully. Jez groaned and fell back onto the feather pillow. "Oh no you don't. Get up and try this on, I want to make sure it fits." Eva said as she shoved Jezabel behind a woven screen and tossed her a deep purple dress. "A dress? I'm not wearing this." "Not now, but you will have to later. Put it on, at least see if it will fit you." "Fine." Slowly she shrugged off her pajamas, and slipped into the velvet, and satin-lined dress. "I'm going to need help lacing up the back." Eva appeared behind her and started working behind her. "Ouf, not so tight! I can't breathe." "It has to be tight, there's a built in corset, so try to suck in your stomach." Jez wanted to protest, but didn't. The lack of air was making her head swim. 'Now I know why a couple hundred years ago fainting couches were a necessity.' Jezabel herself felt like passing out, but how good a Dragonslayer would she be then? "Hang on, almost done." A low growl was the only response given. "There." She shoved Jez in front of a mirror now, and both girls were shocked at her appearance. "My God." Eva breathed "Holy crap." Jezabel's hair floated in waves from last night's braid around her shoulders, hiding the bruises from her armor. The neckline was wide and low, but not like the dresses worn at local taverns, no this was a dress for royalty, and Jez said as much. "I can't wear this, this is meant for a queen, not a soldier." "Correction, Dragonslayer. You're about as close to royalty without direct ascension to the throne. It suits you well." "Thanks, Eva, but I'm still not a Dragonslayer." "No, but you will be before you take this dress off after the ball." They admired the flowing skirt and tight bodice some more, and gazed at the intricate stitching of silver threads that swirled around at her feet like little gusts of wind caught in the material. It was a little easier to breathe in now that Eva had finished with her tugging and pulling, but still felt too tight. "It fits like a glove, so can I take it off?" "Yeah, you're going to look so beautiful at the Zaibach Ball," she said wistfully. Jez snorted, then Eva's words sunk in, "What? A ball? As in like the big elegant parties with a bunch of political leaders, dancing, and drunks?" "Yes, that's a less than stylish way to put it. It'll be held at the end of this month, the last moon of red. Today is the seventh moon. That gives you about twenty-one more days to worry about it." "Great. So, why do I have to go?" "The Zaibach Ball is a celebration of the founding of Zaibach, as part of the Dragonslayers you will be expected to attend. But, it's still not for awhile." "Good." She marched over to the screen, and Eva followed undoing the snug lacing in her back. When Jez re-emerged in her regular uniform she felt much better. "Now, this is an outfit I can handle. I hate dresses." "I agree, that's why I'm the only female servant that wears pants." Eva smiled smugly, pointing to her khaki trousers that were tucked neatly inside her boots. "I put up a huge stink over that one, but no one cares anymore." Jezabel rolled her eyes, "I'll see you later, and don't get too relaxed I will pay you back for making me wear that ridiculous corset." she threatened. Smiling angelically, Eva's gaze followed her out the door. Jezabel was just in time for breakfast, and the dining hall was already littered with her comrades-in-arms. Taking her usual seat across from Gatti and next to Miguel Jez sat down. "There you are," Miguel said, "I was wondering if you were going to even get up." "No, I've been up. Eva had me try on a dress." Gatti choked on his juice, "You, dress? I'm not laughing, I'm not laughing." he ended up laughing. "What," defended Miguel, "I think she would look great in a dress." "Oh I'd look fine in it, I just can't breathe. Stupid corsets." Helping herself to some toast and a glass of milk she continued, "I'm guessing the Zaibach ball is a formal thing?" "Yes." "So why don't we just wear our uniforms?" "Because it's fun to mess with people's minds." Gatti answered, "You make polite conversation with a political figure, and when they ask you what your position is and you say Dragonslayer. Oh, you have to love the look on their face." "The Dragonslayers are feared, but tolerated at events like these." explained Miguel, "In fact our division of the army is the only one that can attend the founding ball. The other soldiers go to the parties that are thrown by the common folk." "Well don't I just feel special." "You should. But, I don't think that's the only reason why you are coming." Miguel winked. "What? Come on, tell me." Jezabel pleaded. Viole leaned over and whispered, "He means that you'll be initiated into the Dragonslayer ranks during the ball." Her mouth dropped in a soundless 'O.' "Don't worry, you've been good enough for a long time, but Dilandau wants it to be seen by the political figures that they have more to worry about than adolescent boys, now they get to worry about spitfire girls as well." Regaining her breath Jez managed a weak smile and timid chuckle. No longer interested in her food she began tracing a pattern in the dark wood of the table while sorting out her thoughts. ***** "Jez, wait up!" She stopped and turned around to see who had called out to her. Miguel ran after her, his brown hair shifting with every step. "Hi, what's up?" Jezabel greeted him, wrapping her arms around him. He gave her a quick peck on the cheek, "I was wondering if you're up for a small journey?" "How small?" "About forty-five minutes from our current location. Right now we're on the Dark Continent of Asquard. It's been cleared with Lord Dilandau, so it's now or never." "Well, let's go. The most I've seen of Gaea, was some forests, and the Vionne." Laughing to himself Miguel lifted her up off the ground and carried her to the guymelef chamber. "You know, I can walk." "I know, but since I can't be your knight-in-shining-armor humor me a little." "Anything for you my knight-in-black-and-blue-armor." she joked, smiling innocently. "Cute." He replied rolling his eyes. Reaching the hanger Jezabel went out to prepare her usual Oriades unit while Miguel was fine tuning his Aroides unit. (A more advanced form of the Oriades.) "You almost ready Miguel?" Jezabel's voice sounded a tad impatient, even he could tell that over the crackling of the intercom. "Yes ma'am." he shot back sarcastically. "I'll ignore that this time." It was a perfect day for flying. The sun peeked in and out of the clouds at regular intervals, and the slight breeze felt wonderful whistling through the metal machines. Below them were valleys and mountain peaks scattered in a haphazard fashion, dotting the landscape. Snow still covered the tops of a few them, but sometimes it was hard to tell if it was snow or the thick fog that accompanied them everywhere. Jezabel didn't notice too much of the landscaping though, she was too busy working on her stunt piloting maneuvers. The only time she got a good look at it was while in a dive. Up, down, barrel rolling, and spirals. It was all fun, and a steady stream of laughter supplied by Miguel only encouraged her. She continued her imaginary game of cat-and-mouse until they landed at their final destination. An ancient ruin. Jez hopped out of the Oriades unit and ran up to Miguel, her boot making an echo on the sandy-toned cobblestones. Here the snow had long since been gone. Large trees surrounded the entire area and vines littered the walls. In some places completely covering it. "This is so amazing." Around her the air felt alive, sizzling with energy, making her body tingle with it. Like the lives of those that once lived here still lived on, it felt rejuvenating and thrilling all at the same time. "What is it exactly?" She couldn't take in enough of it at once, her eyes darted everywhere taking it all in at once. It was like stepping into a clash of ancient cultures, architecture from the Aztecs, Roman's, Egyptians, and even Greek made itself aware to her. "This is a ruin from Atlantis." If Jezabel's eyes could have gotten any bigger, they did. "Atlantis - The Lost Empire?" "If that's what you call it." "Something isn't making sense." Her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. Miguel looked at her puzzled. "On Earth there is a myth about Atlantis, but according to legend Atlantis sunk beneath the waves long ago, and hasn't been found since. So how can there be two Atlantis's on two worlds?" "According to Gaean myth," Miguel explained, "Gaea was created by the people of Atlantis from the Mystic Moon. And because the." "The power of Atlantis is the power of wishes! I remember now." she finished for him. "Why didn't I think of it before!" she slapped her head amazed at her own stupidity, "That dream, it was more than a dream, it was a history." "Jezabel, I'm not understanding." "I had a dream a few weeks ago, or a vision, something like that, and I saw Atlantis in her final moments, I saw the creation of Gaea. I saw the council, and the little girl, and that cat!" "Cat?" "The one that hangs around my room sometimes, the one with the strange eyes. She's the guardian of Atlantis. Because the little girl, and the old man, and." she smiled. "Jez, I think you need to sit in the shade, just for a little bit." "No, I'm fine." she protested, "I just need to burn up some energy." "Very well, follow me." He walked to a vine-infested wall, and pushed the curtain of plant not to reveal a wall, but an entrance to a stadium of sorts. Jezabel was thundershocked. A low whistle was her only comment. "This is the best training facility on Gaea, at least I think it is." Miguel said proudly. For once Jezabel was sure that he left no wall between them, the barriers had been broken down, and she could see straight to his soul. "Care to test it out?" Like a coliseum stone benches circled the area, and in the arena were all sorts of strange looking items. Truthfully, they looked like wooden dummies, and they looked well used judging by the deep grooves scarring their exterior. "With pleasure." Jez replied sinisterly. Miguel showed her what each of the objects was for and critiqued her skills. "Thrust down harder, like you mean to kill it. Fix your gripping, better. Thrust, block, retreat, charge. Good." Things continued until about high noon when the morning's clouds went away and left the burning sun with no relief. "You're getting sloppy, take a break." She sat down somewhat heavily on a stone beach, breathing harder than she normally would have after training in the Vionne. "Follow me." "Where?" "Shade and water, this place is too hot right now." He shrugged out of his armored jacket and tossed it on a bench, his undershirt following it. Jez did the same, except she left her shirt on. Even without him training, you could see the sweat glistening off Miguel's skin. "You won't want your boots either." He suggested. After the 'extra-baggage' had been removed, and the company was feeling more relaxed he led Jez to a miniature forest at the base of a gentle waterfall. Weaving his way through the practice targets to an Oasis at the far end of the ruins. The banks were mossy, and water oozed up between their toes. The air was misty and moist from the pool and waterfall, rounded pebbles lined the bottom of the river, and massive trees blocked the sun's harsh rays. Falling to her knees Jezabel scooped up some of the clear water to ease her suddenly dry throat. In her eagerness however, she leaned over too far and tumbled into the river pool. When she resurfaced, sending droplets of water to shower the bank, she was greeted by the melodious laughter of Miguel. And without further incident he was in the water next to Jez. Her heart began racing as she brushed a strand of wet hair away from his eyes. As he slipped his hands around her waist. Never before had she felt this way about a person, on Earth she had shrugged off love as unneeded, but here she found it as a necessity. Was she becoming weak, or simply stronger? "What are you thinking about?" He bent down a little so their eyes were level with one another. "I can see your thoughts running through, I just can't read them." "Your eyes are very beautiful." Jezabel blurted out, promptly blushing, turning her attention to the clear water that flowed lazily around them, bubbling with conversations to itself, embracing them with a hug that held everything. "As are yours." Unsure of herself, Jezabel changed the subject, "How did you find this place?" The moment had been broken, Miguel unhooked his encirclement of arms to float lazily in the slow-moving waters. "My parents showed it to me, when they died I lived here for awhile until I was sent to a boot camp. There I met Lord Dilandau. What is your family like, your adopted one that is." "It can be nice, but it can also be a drag." Her fingers trailed in the clear water, and she continued softly, "My parents love me to death, and my little brother loves to aggravate me. I know my parents love me, but they love me so much that they didn't give me the freedom I wanted." Jezabel began having flashbacks of her former home, spicy smells of the kitchen, her dad's stern and deep voice, her mother's light laughter followed by cheers or groans form James, depending on how his video game was coming along. "They'll probably never let me out of their sight again if I ever go back." "They might and they might not." He reasoned, "Now how about a practice match?" "I'm there!" Her eyes lit up, and she began to swim for the bank. The two started circling each other, 'Always wait before making the first move. Read his body language, he'll give himself away.' Jez reminded herself. First she saw his body tense, and then his eyes widen a split second before charging her. He brought his sword down to meet hers, blades ringing with dissonance. Miguel attacked again and again, and neatly Jezabel blocked it. Being defensive was saving her skin, but she couldn't keep this up. Time to throw in an attack of her own and soon. The blistering sun drained their energy faster than either thought possible, but still they kept going. Sweat beads flew down their faces like little waterfalls, blurring their vision, but still they kept going on. On stone benches, around the dummies, in the clear, all were suitable areas for their match. Blocking again. Finally when the next blow came Jez stopped called on an extra bit of strength she had stored away and swung her sword so it was on top of his. Seizing her chance Jezabel crouched low like a tiger queen stalking her prey, and delivered a swift kick catching Miguel behind the knees. He stumbled forward, the dusty stone turning a shade darker from the sweat droplets, and landed on top of her. His sword still pinned by her own, and his face floating inches from hers. Grinning diabolically Jezabel flipped Miguel over her head using her legs to propel him up and over. Miguel, however, had anticipated this move. Letting go of the sword he curled into a ball and rolled, landing on his back. Jezabel leapt to her feet, but before she could retrieve the neglected sword, it was pointing at her abdomen, and she could hear a triumphant "Dead." coming from below her. Miguel grinned, looking up at her panting figure, perspiration glistening off her skin. "Not bad, I can't think of many fully grown and trained men that could withstand all those charges. But you blocked every one I threw at you." She blushed at the praise while offering a gloved hand to help him up. By now the sun was starting it's last leg, and would soon disappear under the mountaintops. Neither of the two had noticed the dark clouds that began to roll in until it started raining. "I think we might want to head back, Miguel." "Let's go, I don't think this storm is going to lighten up." Sprinting to their guymelefs they tried to outrun the rain, but instead it kept coming harder and harder. Hurriedly Jezabel clamored up the mecha trying desperately not to slip on the slick metal. She finally made it in, and started it up. "Ready?" Miguel's voice seemed slightly agitated. "Yes." Quickly, they took off, but Jezabel was lagging behind. "Come on, speed up." she focused all her attention with trying to catch up to Miguel. But rather she kept slowing down. "Miguel, we have to turn back, I can't see a thing, and at the rate I'm slowing down, I'll crash if I don't land." "What's wrong?" The rest of his sentence was drowned out by the static crackle. "I don't know, I think the boosters got wet." she explained dismally. "Head back, I'll radio in that we'll be detained, We'll stay the night here." Jezabel backtracked the short distance they came, and landed as best as she could considering the conditions. Miguel landed shortly after her, sending up sprays of water and bits of rock as he landed. Tonight was not a good night for flying. Jez followed him as her walked his Aroides unit underneath the shelter of a large overhang. He slid down and waited for Jez. Cautiously, she made her descent, but even so the metal was wet and offered very little traction. Suddenly she had the sensation of flying, like the one in her dream, only it was flying it was falling, Jezabel's feet took most of the initial shock, but her butt took the rest. "Ow." she whispered, and stood up and Miguel made a mad dash for a small cave opening, with Jezabel close behind him. Finally, in the shelter Jezabel stopped to appreciate the raging storm for what it really was. Miguel was grumbling about something in the background. "Great no fire, no light." Digging in her jacket pocket she hoped her flashlight was there. It was. She flicked it on and scanned her surroundings. The walls were dark, and rough, caked with mud and lichens from years past. But, surprisingly it was dry, and the bottom was soft and sandy. Why does everyone have the impression that caves were damp and dreary? Or maybe it was a principal of Gaea, one simply never knew. "There's part of the problem solved." He looked as though he wanted to ask more, but didn't want to question their good fortune. Anticipating the second part of the problem she asked, "Where do we get a fire then?" "Let me see that thing in your hand." Jezabel shined it at his face, his damp hair hung every which way, the lavender shirt clung to his damp skin tightly, exposing his fine muscles and thin waist. She handed it to him. "Stay here." She shrugged and turned to watch the storm as Miguel disappeared around a corner. Lightning split the sky with it's jagged white blades, thunder shook the land - trumpets blaring a challenge to anyone that cared to defy this great power. After a few minutes Miguel returned and signaled for Jezabel to follow him. She crept up behind him and slipped her hand into his. The bend expanded into a large cavern, not as dirty as the entrance, but when you lived in the ground there was bound to be some dirt. Like the entrance the walls were jagged, but some of the ledges served quite adequately as shelves. In one corner was a mattress constructed of straw, and in the center of the room was a pile of sticks which Miguel would make into a cozy fire in no time, once he found a flint. "Is this where you used to live?" Jezabel asked watching him hunt around the room peering in little crannies. "This and one other spot." He was now trying to use a reddish rock that Jez had found earlier, and surprisingly it worked. The smoke drifted out a little hole in the ceiling towards the back end of the cave. Jezabel suddenly became aware of his arm gently resting across her shoulders, his damp skin was cool to the touch, and she could feel the strength that ran through his arms. "I know this might sound awkward," Jez started, "But Miguel, what's it like when you're dead?" He paused, gathering his thoughts while gently rubbing her shoulder. "It's like having a hallow feeling inside you that won't leave, it's a constant. You don't feel anything, the complete opposite of alive, you're like a machine, mindless, soulless. But it makes you appreciate life and the blessing that it is." He brought her closer to emphasize his point, "If I were still dead, I would have never met you. He kissed the top of her head mumbling something sweet and incoherent. As the other arm snaked around her torso, embracing her. The storm continued and Jezabel was soon lulled to sleep that falling rain and crashes of thunder. Miguel looked at the girl slumbering in his arms, she was unlike any other girl he had ever met or even looked twice at. She was literally, otherworldly. Most girls were ditzy and weak, sweet and kind, but they always needed someone to protect them. But here he could watch her back, and she his, that made their love so wonderful, not a matter of need, a matter of wanting - it was a mutual agreement. She was strong mentally and physically, and it was her personality that made everyone like her, hence her being adopted as a little sister. And under it all there was a currant of great strength that she didn't realize, but he could feel it, as did the other slayers. They all knew she could easily surpass them. Dilandau knew it from the beginning, or he would have never let a female into the ranks. But, he wondered, would Jezabel ever realize this strength and use it to her advantage? Again he saw how different he was from the other girls, even the other spitfires. Some girls simply agreed to whatever their loved one's had to say, and catered to their worldly needs, but he didn't want that, no, he wanted Jez, a companion, not a servant. He smirked and brushed a strand of damp hair away for her face, how calm she looked in slumber, but once those eyes opened she was pure energy. She was nothing like those other girls. He doubted if he could ever talk her into wearing a dress. And he was right, Jezabel would never wear a dress of her own free will. Slowly, so as not to disturb her forty winks, Miguel laid her down amongst the straw. He lay awake next her, holding her close to his heart, he didn't want to miss a thing about her, he didn't want to take his eyes off her for an instant. And somehow he knew that this was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, as sure as the blood flowed in his veins, this was his soul mate. The little archangel in his arms.



A/N: Fluffy no? *Drowns in sap* I can't believe I wrote all that fluffy stuff.yeah, anyway. This took me longer to write than I thought, wow. But hey whatever. Lemme know whatcha think. And as always R&R! Oh, and I do promise a bit more action in the future, but there's one more little fluff scene up for the next chappie, ^_~. Ciao! Ice Eyes