Author's Note: This fanfic is based on spoilers, so I suggest you go convince your friends to buy you the rest of the series before you continue on. Then come back and read my beautiful piece of work! And REVIEW! This starts a few years after the show ends, which means Dilandau and the rest of the crew are 17 to 18. Don't be discouraged by the Celena-ishness of the first parts of the story, because I promise, Dilandau IS a major character in this. And so is Folken, and the Dragonslayers, and Hitomi, and Van, and EVIL Allen, too. Be patient, people!!! Please!! And read!
Disclaimer: ^^ This disclaimer brought to you by: A miscellaneous soldier from the Zaibach Army!
Soldier: *comes out nervously, wishing the author hadn't taken his sword away* "Sir! Escaflowne is not owned by the author in any way, sir!"
ACG: "...and?"
Soldier: *Looks at author in confusion, then the light bulb turns on* "Oh, yes. Sir! Although she thinks that she has the right to make hilarious circumstances happen to the characters, after she spent so much of her precious money on the purchasing of the videos, Sir!"
ACG: "Good, good! I think I'll name you Bill!"
Bill: "Okay, Sir."
ACG: "I love soldiers. So quick to call people Sir...^^ ANYway, on with the freakin' story, already!"
Second Destiny By Another Cat Girl
Chapter 1: Dinner
Celena Schezar sat in a rocking chair in her room alone. She was a beautiful woman with short silver hair and brilliant blue eyes, that at the moment were considering the flames in her fireplace. The servants usually didn't light the fire in the grate, but this night was unusually cold, and they made an exception.
"Something about...the fire reminds me of something..." Her brows crossed thoughtfully, and she sighed.
She had been taken to the castle at Palas when her brother, Allen Schezar, had married the Princess Millerna of Asturia. The life was comfortable here, with Jajuka, the beast-man, to take care of her, but something made her feel uneasy. Was Allen urging her to get married, even though she was sure she didn't want to think about marriage until she understood her past? Was it the servants that whispered about her when they thought she couldn't hear? The feeling that they all thought she was cursed?
She shook her head. "No. I shouldn't think like that. I should be thankful that I am alive. That's what Allen said."
Celena still couldn't remember very much that had happened to her ever since she had been kidnapped by the Zaibach empire when she was a little girl. All she recalled was that Jajuka was nice to her when she was all alone. And the demons in the black cloaks took her away from him...and fire, after that her memory was all flames.
She shivered. "It's not a good way to live. What's the point of life here if I...I can't remember? All I know is that I love my brother Allen...and my foster father Jajuka. And that doesn't explain anything at all."
She jumped as the door bounced open and Jajuka came in, furry face as expressionless as ever. "Celena. It is time for dinner."
Celena smiled softly. "Thank you, Jajuka."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Asturia's royal dining hall was nothing less than majestic. King Allen sat at the head of the huge dining table, with Millerna on his left, and Celena sat with Jajuka at her side. Diplomats and royals from the rest of the continent filled the rest of the table.
Celena barely touched her food, bored with the extravagance. She had done very little that day, like she did other days. Needle pointing this, sewing that. It was all very droll, and not taxing in the least, so she was never very hungry.
Allen looked up through his long blonde hair at Celena. "Sister? I'd like to introduce you to Merlot, the Prince of Vendange. Merlot, this is my sister, the Lady Celena Schezar."
Allen nodded to the weasely young man who sat across from Celena, and she stared at the prince, hard. He had greased black hair and overly-bright black eyes, a garish orange outfit that hurt to look at, and a voice that grated on her nerves. She hadn't given him a second glance until now, and had tried to ignore his high-pitched voice when it joined in the rest of the conversation.
"Pleased to meet you, your highness," Celena said dismissively. She turned to say something to Jajuka.
"My lady, your beauty is unspeakable. The angels must look down at you in envy," Merlot said, and it would have been a compliment if it hadn't come from a creep with such an annoying voice.
Celena frowned. There was nothing more irritating than an idiot who had power of any kind. Even the little power of forcing her to speak with him. "Yes. If you say so, my lord."
"I most certainly do," The prince squeaked. His ratty eyes twinkled with excitement. "It would give me great pleasure if you would join me for breakfast tomorrow morning."
Celena gritted her teeth in frustration. Why was it that they couldn't just leave her alone? "I would be happy to, highness."
...but I'd rather dig in garbage. I'll only do it for Allen's sake, for peace's sake, but don't get your hopes up. I'd die before I'd marry you, you filth. Or maybe, killing you would be a better solution...
Fire flared behind her eyelids, and she shook her head, suddenly tired. There it went again, that feeling...like a demon was on the edge of her consciousness, impatiently waiting to emerge...
Jajuka looked at Celena in alarm, understanding the tell-tale signs of Dilandau emerging. "Celena? Are you alright?"
Celena grabbed Jajuka's arm for support, and her eyes went wide, staring through him and smiling evilly.
"No, Celena!" Jajuka whispered harshly. "You must let go of your anger! You are the gentle and kind Celena!"
Celena's eyes focused back on Jajuka, and she breathed raggedly for a few moments. "What..? What was that? What has happened?"
The rest of the nobles were starting to notice the incident, especially Merlot, who looked at the two of them in concern. "Are you feeling alright, my lady?" he screeched in her ears, which almost pushed her over that nameless abyss again.
Allen and Millerna stood up, worry in their expressions. "Jajuka? Is something wrong?"
Jajuka hurriedly stood up and pulled Celena into a standing position. "The lady Celena has informed me that she is not feeling like herself this evening. She will now retire to her chambers for the night."
Allen nodded slowly and sat back down, smiling at his queen.
Celena pressed her fingers to her forehead in pain, and leaned on Jajuka, who helped her to walk up to her chambers.
Jajuka opened the door and supported Celena to her bed. "Are you going to be alright, Celena?"
Celena was already in a deep, peaceful sleep. Jajuka sighed, took off her shoes, and covered her with sheets.
A few hours later, Celena smiled. She was having a good dream about decapitating Merlot. Her eyes glowed red for a moment.
A.N. O_o Is Dilly-sama EVER going to come back? Maybe tomorrow!