Folken stared down at Adrina in shock. "How?"
"My father was a Draconian," Adrina replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Folken questioned.
"I didn't know until I saw my name on the tree," Adrina answered.
"Why didn't your father..." he trailed off, still trying to get a handle on the situation.
"I don't know," Adrina told him, "perhaps my father didn't even know."
"This is amazing," Folken breathed, "Look at them. Your wings are beautiful. You are beautiful. Adrina..." Folken pulled her into his arms. "I didn't think it was possible for you to be any more beautiful but this... Any who saw you now would know that Draconians aren't demons. You are an angel."
"Folken..." Adrina whispered as tears gathered in her eyes. She had been so worried about his reaction to her discovery but she never imagined he would react with such compassion and love.
"Now I see," Folken confessed, "why you were always so delighted to see my wings. If they are even half as beautiful as yours, then they are a sight to behold."
"Hello Adrina, we just came to check and see if you're o...whoa!"
Adrina and Folken turned to the door. Standing there were a wide-eyed Merle and Zane. No one said anything for a full minute while the cats stared at the snowy wings protruding from Adrina's back. Finally it was Merle who broke the silence.
"Adrina, you have wings!"
Adrina nodded. "Yes."
"Does that mean...?" Merle trailed off as she crept forward slowly, almost as if she regarded the wings as enemies. Nothing was said until Merle stopped in front of her sister, her wary gaze never leaving the feathered appendages. "Adrina, what is going on?"
"I'm a Draconian," Adrina informed.
"What?!" Both cats exclaimed at once.
"You're a Draconian?!" Merle repeated, "How?"
"Father was a Draconian," Adrina explained, "and his mother before him and her mother before her."
"How could you keep this from me all these years?" Merle's eyes filled with tears.
"Merle, I didn't know," Adrina insisted, "not until I found my name on the family tree. Neither father nor mother ever told me."
The tears dried in Merle's eyes and she turned her attention back to the wings. "They're so beautiful. Can I touch them?" Adrina nodded and Merle reached forward and gently ran her hand along the ivory feathers. The wing twitched under her fingers and she instinctively pulled back. "I'm sorry!"
"It's okay Merle," Adrina assured, "It just tickles."
Merle reached forward again and began to stroke the soft feathers. She turned back to the door where Zane still stood. "Zane c'mere! You've gotta feel this! Her feathers are so soft!"
Zane came from the door and stood next to Merle. He shyly looked up at Adrina, who smiled and nodded. He smiled back and reached forward, gently running his fingers across the downy feathers. They both stroked the wings for a few more minutes, ten stepped back. Adrina's back had begun to ache from the unfamiliar weight of the wings and she dismissed them. The cats playfully batted at the few feathers that floated down as her wings disappeared. While the cats played with the feathers, Folken helped Adrina button up her dress.
After all the feathers had been snatched out of the air of fallen to the ground, Merle turned back to Adrina.
"So, what does it feel like to be a Draconian?"
"It doesn't feel any different than before," Adrina replied.
"It's so strange," Zane commented, "You've gone your entire life and never knew you are a Draconian."
"It is strange," Adrina agreed, "but I'm glad I know now. These wings may come in handy some day."
A sudden impact rocked the airship, sending everyone flying. Adrina pitched forward and was caught by Folken, who was holding on to a post on the bed. Merle flailed her arms as she started to fall towards the door. Adrina caught one of her hands and Merle in turn grabbed Zane. A moment later, a second impact shook the ship, causing it to sway back and forth.
After a few minutes, the ship stopped rocking and leveled out. In the hallway outside the room, they could hear running steps and shouting.
"Stay here," Folken ordered, "and hold on. They may not be done."
Adrina, Merle and Zane grabbed onto the bedposts as Folken left the room. The ship began to rock again, but not as bad as before. They waited for a few more minutes, listening to what sounded like a battle on the roof. Finally, Adrina could take the suspense no longer.
"I'm going to see what's going on," Adrina announced and headed towards the door.
"But Lord Folken said to stay here," Zane reminded.
"Since when do the Celone girls listen to men?" Merle questioned and joined her sister at the door. "Come on, let's see what's going on!"
Merle and Adrina disappeared out the door. Zane stayed where he was for a second, then groaned and followed the women out the door. He met with them in the hallway as they headed towards the cargo hold. Before departure, Allen had insisted that a few guymelefs be brought along just in case they needed them. As the three Fanelians entered the cargo hold, they saw that the guymelefs had been dispatched.
"What are you doing here?" Folken demanded as they entered. He stood with Van, Allen and a few of the Crusade II's crew by the open cargo bay door. "I told you to stay in the room."
"Since when do the Celone girls..." Merle was interrupted by a stern look from Folken. He had heard her line before. "...not do what they're told?" She turned to her sister. "Adrina, why did you make us come down here when Folken told us to stay in the room?"
Adrina rolled her eyes, then turned to Folken. "What's going on?"
"We're under attack," Folken informed.
"Under attack?" Adrina repeated, "by who?"
"Naria and Eriya," Folken answered.
"Naria and Eriya?!" Adrina shouted, "Who do they think they are? Ooo, I wish I could pilot a guymelef! I'd make them wish they had stayed with their precious sorcerers!"
Van chuckled. "Calm down. Allen's men are teaching them a few lessons right now."
As if on cue, the ship rocked slightly. Everyone struggled to keep their balance as the motion of the ship slowed and eventually stopped. Once they swaying had stopped, Adrina rushed out onto the open cargo ramp and looked up at the top of the airship. Naria and Eriya's metallic guymelefs were there, along with three from the Crusade II.
"Adrina, get back in here!" Folken called.
The words were tossed away as the wind from the moving airship whipped by her. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and watched as Eriya incapacitated one of the Asturian guymelefs. The other two were holding their own against Naria, but now that the odds had been evened, things were about to get rough for the crewmembers. One spun around and deflected Eriya's attack, but Adrina knew they couldn't hold off the twins forever.
"I wanna see."
Adrina looked down and saw Merle had joined her on the ramp. "Merle, what are you doing out here? Get back in there!"
"Don't worry about m..." Merle was cut off as one of the guymelefs fell on the roof. The ship rocked back and forth and Adrina stumbled. She caught her balance quickly and looked over at Merle. She had stumbled a few feet closer to the edge of the ramp. She regained her balance and started to walk back to Adrina when another tremor shook the ship. Adrina watched in horror as Merle pinwheeled her arms frantically in a desperate attempt to keep herself upright, then lost the battle with gravity and fell over the side of the ramp.
"Merle!" Adrina screamed and without thinking, jumped after her sister.
"Adrina!" Van and Folken called but all she heard was the wind roaring in her ears as she freefell towards her sister. She summoned her wings and beat them furiously. A few seconds later, she caught Merle in midair. Merle wrapped her arms around Adrina's neck and held on tightly. With a flap of her wings, she stopped their fall and began to ascend back towards the Crusade II, which was rapidly pulling away from them. Descending from the airship were two more winged figures.
Adrina ascended with Merle until she met up with Van and Folken. A look of relief washed over Folken while Van's face was a mask of shock.
"Is she all right?" Folken inquired and motioned to Merle.
"Yeah," Adrina nodded, "just a little shaken up."
"We'd better get back to the Crusade," Folken suggested. Adrina agreed and they hurried back to the airship.
As they got closer, Adrina could see that there was only one Asturian guymelef left standing and it was being attacked mercilessly by the twins' guymelefs. She landed on the cargo ramp, as did Folken and Van. They were surprised when Hitomi ran out to them.
"Merle!" she cried and hugged the cat girl as Adrina sat her down, "I had a vision that you fell off the ship! I'm so glad you're okay!"
Adrina turned her gaze back to the battle on the roof as the two girls hugged. She was watching the Asturian guymelef get the life beat out of him when something on the back of Eriya's guymelef caught her eye. It was the control panel cover.
Folken had continued teaching Adrina about science and technology over the years. One of the things she had learned was that as a safety precaution, most guymelefs, including Escaflowne and the Asturian models, had the control panel in the control chamber. The control panel housed all the technological elements of the guymelef and one shot to it would immobilize the guymelef for sure. Having the control panel on the back of the guymelef showed either great arrogance or stupidity.
Adrina unsheathed her sword as a plan formed in her mind. Before anyone could stop her, she took off towards Eriya's gold guymelef, which still had it's back to her. She landed lightly on the guymelef's shoulder and using her sword, pried open the hatch. Inside were criss-crossing wires and several plugs and switches. Knowing exactly what she was doing, Adrina began ripping out wires and plugs she knew would incapacitate the guymelef.
Sure enough, Eriya's guymelef stopped moving and from inside it, Adrina could hear her shouting. Seeing the opportunity, the remaining Asturian melef rammed into her, sending her flying over the side of the ship and plummeting to the ground. Unfortunately this gave Naria the chance to stop the Asturian melef.
As Naria's silver guymelef roughed up the Asturian, Adrina flew quickly over to her. Just as she got even with Naria, the Asturian guymelef fell and Adrina was spotted. Naria grabbed at her but Adrina dodged. Adrina tried to get behind Naria, but the silver guymelef was quick. It kept spinning and trying to catch her. Adrina flew back as the melef's right hand grabbed her, then screamed as the left hand closed around her ribs and lower body.
"Got'cha!" Naria called, "let's see you get out of this one!"
Naria squeezed Adrina hard, cutting off her air and causing pain to shoot through her entire body. She tried to scream again, but no sound came out as spots danced in front of her eyes. Through her haze, she saw Van fly up behind Naria's guymelef. She vaguely heard him pry open the control panel hatch and then the pressure on her body lessened. She slipped out of the hand and began to fall. She stopped a second later as strong arms closed around her. She looked up at Folken and smiled weakly before blackness enveloped her.
------------------------------------------------------------
Adrina slowly opened her eyes. At first, the images were blurry and she couldn't make out anything. She blinked a few times and her vision cleared. She slowly looked around and was confused a second by her surroundings. Then she remembered she was on the Crusade II. She turned her head and groaned as pain shot up her back and into her head. She saw Folken sitting next to her.
"It's good to see those beautiful lavender eyes again," Folken grinned.
Adrina smiled back. "How long was I out?"
"Since yesterday afternoon," Folken informed.
Adrina nodded and winced as her head began to pound. "How bad am I hurt?"
"Millerna said you have a few bruised ribs, but nothing serious," Folken informed, "You should get some more rest though."
"What happened after I fainted?" Adrina inquired.
"The last guymelef that Naria fought wasn't as damaged as she thought and managed to push her guymelef off the Crusade," Folken told her.
"Is everyone okay?"
"Everyone's fine," Folken assured, "although they were quite surprised to fine out that you are a Draconian."
"How did they take it?" Adrina asked.
"I explained everything to them and they accepted it," Folken replied.
Adrina nodded again and cringed as the pain in her head worsened, causing the rest of her body to ache as well.
"Does it hurt much?" Folken questioned.
"A little," Adrina admitted.
"Drink this." Folken held a cup to her lips.
Adrina drank the syrupy liquid. "What is it?"
"A sedative that Millerna gave me for you," Folken informed, "it should ease the pain and help you fall back to sleep."
"But I'm not tired," Adrina insisted.
"Trust me," Folken smiled, "once that sedative takes effect, you will be."
Adrina smiled, thinking he was wrong, but fifteen minutes later she had slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.
"My father was a Draconian," Adrina replied.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Folken questioned.
"I didn't know until I saw my name on the tree," Adrina answered.
"Why didn't your father..." he trailed off, still trying to get a handle on the situation.
"I don't know," Adrina told him, "perhaps my father didn't even know."
"This is amazing," Folken breathed, "Look at them. Your wings are beautiful. You are beautiful. Adrina..." Folken pulled her into his arms. "I didn't think it was possible for you to be any more beautiful but this... Any who saw you now would know that Draconians aren't demons. You are an angel."
"Folken..." Adrina whispered as tears gathered in her eyes. She had been so worried about his reaction to her discovery but she never imagined he would react with such compassion and love.
"Now I see," Folken confessed, "why you were always so delighted to see my wings. If they are even half as beautiful as yours, then they are a sight to behold."
"Hello Adrina, we just came to check and see if you're o...whoa!"
Adrina and Folken turned to the door. Standing there were a wide-eyed Merle and Zane. No one said anything for a full minute while the cats stared at the snowy wings protruding from Adrina's back. Finally it was Merle who broke the silence.
"Adrina, you have wings!"
Adrina nodded. "Yes."
"Does that mean...?" Merle trailed off as she crept forward slowly, almost as if she regarded the wings as enemies. Nothing was said until Merle stopped in front of her sister, her wary gaze never leaving the feathered appendages. "Adrina, what is going on?"
"I'm a Draconian," Adrina informed.
"What?!" Both cats exclaimed at once.
"You're a Draconian?!" Merle repeated, "How?"
"Father was a Draconian," Adrina explained, "and his mother before him and her mother before her."
"How could you keep this from me all these years?" Merle's eyes filled with tears.
"Merle, I didn't know," Adrina insisted, "not until I found my name on the family tree. Neither father nor mother ever told me."
The tears dried in Merle's eyes and she turned her attention back to the wings. "They're so beautiful. Can I touch them?" Adrina nodded and Merle reached forward and gently ran her hand along the ivory feathers. The wing twitched under her fingers and she instinctively pulled back. "I'm sorry!"
"It's okay Merle," Adrina assured, "It just tickles."
Merle reached forward again and began to stroke the soft feathers. She turned back to the door where Zane still stood. "Zane c'mere! You've gotta feel this! Her feathers are so soft!"
Zane came from the door and stood next to Merle. He shyly looked up at Adrina, who smiled and nodded. He smiled back and reached forward, gently running his fingers across the downy feathers. They both stroked the wings for a few more minutes, ten stepped back. Adrina's back had begun to ache from the unfamiliar weight of the wings and she dismissed them. The cats playfully batted at the few feathers that floated down as her wings disappeared. While the cats played with the feathers, Folken helped Adrina button up her dress.
After all the feathers had been snatched out of the air of fallen to the ground, Merle turned back to Adrina.
"So, what does it feel like to be a Draconian?"
"It doesn't feel any different than before," Adrina replied.
"It's so strange," Zane commented, "You've gone your entire life and never knew you are a Draconian."
"It is strange," Adrina agreed, "but I'm glad I know now. These wings may come in handy some day."
A sudden impact rocked the airship, sending everyone flying. Adrina pitched forward and was caught by Folken, who was holding on to a post on the bed. Merle flailed her arms as she started to fall towards the door. Adrina caught one of her hands and Merle in turn grabbed Zane. A moment later, a second impact shook the ship, causing it to sway back and forth.
After a few minutes, the ship stopped rocking and leveled out. In the hallway outside the room, they could hear running steps and shouting.
"Stay here," Folken ordered, "and hold on. They may not be done."
Adrina, Merle and Zane grabbed onto the bedposts as Folken left the room. The ship began to rock again, but not as bad as before. They waited for a few more minutes, listening to what sounded like a battle on the roof. Finally, Adrina could take the suspense no longer.
"I'm going to see what's going on," Adrina announced and headed towards the door.
"But Lord Folken said to stay here," Zane reminded.
"Since when do the Celone girls listen to men?" Merle questioned and joined her sister at the door. "Come on, let's see what's going on!"
Merle and Adrina disappeared out the door. Zane stayed where he was for a second, then groaned and followed the women out the door. He met with them in the hallway as they headed towards the cargo hold. Before departure, Allen had insisted that a few guymelefs be brought along just in case they needed them. As the three Fanelians entered the cargo hold, they saw that the guymelefs had been dispatched.
"What are you doing here?" Folken demanded as they entered. He stood with Van, Allen and a few of the Crusade II's crew by the open cargo bay door. "I told you to stay in the room."
"Since when do the Celone girls..." Merle was interrupted by a stern look from Folken. He had heard her line before. "...not do what they're told?" She turned to her sister. "Adrina, why did you make us come down here when Folken told us to stay in the room?"
Adrina rolled her eyes, then turned to Folken. "What's going on?"
"We're under attack," Folken informed.
"Under attack?" Adrina repeated, "by who?"
"Naria and Eriya," Folken answered.
"Naria and Eriya?!" Adrina shouted, "Who do they think they are? Ooo, I wish I could pilot a guymelef! I'd make them wish they had stayed with their precious sorcerers!"
Van chuckled. "Calm down. Allen's men are teaching them a few lessons right now."
As if on cue, the ship rocked slightly. Everyone struggled to keep their balance as the motion of the ship slowed and eventually stopped. Once they swaying had stopped, Adrina rushed out onto the open cargo ramp and looked up at the top of the airship. Naria and Eriya's metallic guymelefs were there, along with three from the Crusade II.
"Adrina, get back in here!" Folken called.
The words were tossed away as the wind from the moving airship whipped by her. She brushed her hair out of her eyes and watched as Eriya incapacitated one of the Asturian guymelefs. The other two were holding their own against Naria, but now that the odds had been evened, things were about to get rough for the crewmembers. One spun around and deflected Eriya's attack, but Adrina knew they couldn't hold off the twins forever.
"I wanna see."
Adrina looked down and saw Merle had joined her on the ramp. "Merle, what are you doing out here? Get back in there!"
"Don't worry about m..." Merle was cut off as one of the guymelefs fell on the roof. The ship rocked back and forth and Adrina stumbled. She caught her balance quickly and looked over at Merle. She had stumbled a few feet closer to the edge of the ramp. She regained her balance and started to walk back to Adrina when another tremor shook the ship. Adrina watched in horror as Merle pinwheeled her arms frantically in a desperate attempt to keep herself upright, then lost the battle with gravity and fell over the side of the ramp.
"Merle!" Adrina screamed and without thinking, jumped after her sister.
"Adrina!" Van and Folken called but all she heard was the wind roaring in her ears as she freefell towards her sister. She summoned her wings and beat them furiously. A few seconds later, she caught Merle in midair. Merle wrapped her arms around Adrina's neck and held on tightly. With a flap of her wings, she stopped their fall and began to ascend back towards the Crusade II, which was rapidly pulling away from them. Descending from the airship were two more winged figures.
Adrina ascended with Merle until she met up with Van and Folken. A look of relief washed over Folken while Van's face was a mask of shock.
"Is she all right?" Folken inquired and motioned to Merle.
"Yeah," Adrina nodded, "just a little shaken up."
"We'd better get back to the Crusade," Folken suggested. Adrina agreed and they hurried back to the airship.
As they got closer, Adrina could see that there was only one Asturian guymelef left standing and it was being attacked mercilessly by the twins' guymelefs. She landed on the cargo ramp, as did Folken and Van. They were surprised when Hitomi ran out to them.
"Merle!" she cried and hugged the cat girl as Adrina sat her down, "I had a vision that you fell off the ship! I'm so glad you're okay!"
Adrina turned her gaze back to the battle on the roof as the two girls hugged. She was watching the Asturian guymelef get the life beat out of him when something on the back of Eriya's guymelef caught her eye. It was the control panel cover.
Folken had continued teaching Adrina about science and technology over the years. One of the things she had learned was that as a safety precaution, most guymelefs, including Escaflowne and the Asturian models, had the control panel in the control chamber. The control panel housed all the technological elements of the guymelef and one shot to it would immobilize the guymelef for sure. Having the control panel on the back of the guymelef showed either great arrogance or stupidity.
Adrina unsheathed her sword as a plan formed in her mind. Before anyone could stop her, she took off towards Eriya's gold guymelef, which still had it's back to her. She landed lightly on the guymelef's shoulder and using her sword, pried open the hatch. Inside were criss-crossing wires and several plugs and switches. Knowing exactly what she was doing, Adrina began ripping out wires and plugs she knew would incapacitate the guymelef.
Sure enough, Eriya's guymelef stopped moving and from inside it, Adrina could hear her shouting. Seeing the opportunity, the remaining Asturian melef rammed into her, sending her flying over the side of the ship and plummeting to the ground. Unfortunately this gave Naria the chance to stop the Asturian melef.
As Naria's silver guymelef roughed up the Asturian, Adrina flew quickly over to her. Just as she got even with Naria, the Asturian guymelef fell and Adrina was spotted. Naria grabbed at her but Adrina dodged. Adrina tried to get behind Naria, but the silver guymelef was quick. It kept spinning and trying to catch her. Adrina flew back as the melef's right hand grabbed her, then screamed as the left hand closed around her ribs and lower body.
"Got'cha!" Naria called, "let's see you get out of this one!"
Naria squeezed Adrina hard, cutting off her air and causing pain to shoot through her entire body. She tried to scream again, but no sound came out as spots danced in front of her eyes. Through her haze, she saw Van fly up behind Naria's guymelef. She vaguely heard him pry open the control panel hatch and then the pressure on her body lessened. She slipped out of the hand and began to fall. She stopped a second later as strong arms closed around her. She looked up at Folken and smiled weakly before blackness enveloped her.
------------------------------------------------------------
Adrina slowly opened her eyes. At first, the images were blurry and she couldn't make out anything. She blinked a few times and her vision cleared. She slowly looked around and was confused a second by her surroundings. Then she remembered she was on the Crusade II. She turned her head and groaned as pain shot up her back and into her head. She saw Folken sitting next to her.
"It's good to see those beautiful lavender eyes again," Folken grinned.
Adrina smiled back. "How long was I out?"
"Since yesterday afternoon," Folken informed.
Adrina nodded and winced as her head began to pound. "How bad am I hurt?"
"Millerna said you have a few bruised ribs, but nothing serious," Folken informed, "You should get some more rest though."
"What happened after I fainted?" Adrina inquired.
"The last guymelef that Naria fought wasn't as damaged as she thought and managed to push her guymelef off the Crusade," Folken told her.
"Is everyone okay?"
"Everyone's fine," Folken assured, "although they were quite surprised to fine out that you are a Draconian."
"How did they take it?" Adrina asked.
"I explained everything to them and they accepted it," Folken replied.
Adrina nodded again and cringed as the pain in her head worsened, causing the rest of her body to ache as well.
"Does it hurt much?" Folken questioned.
"A little," Adrina admitted.
"Drink this." Folken held a cup to her lips.
Adrina drank the syrupy liquid. "What is it?"
"A sedative that Millerna gave me for you," Folken informed, "it should ease the pain and help you fall back to sleep."
"But I'm not tired," Adrina insisted.
"Trust me," Folken smiled, "once that sedative takes effect, you will be."
Adrina smiled, thinking he was wrong, but fifteen minutes later she had slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep.