Disclaimer: Do not own Escaflowne.
Japanese Lesson No. 4
Obi: belt
Shiroi Tsuru: white crane
O-hayou: good morning
Kari Sono: the hunting garden
Kimi: you
Chapter Seven Coincidence
When the first beam of morning light darts on Hitomi's serene face, her green eyes open. The thick long eyelashes quiver, and within a split of a second everything comes into focus. Gazing upon the jade sword supported by the ebony stand, she can't help but let the smile flow. As if going back to the past, she ethereally gets off the bed and picks up the clogs. After tightly bonding the snowy kimono with a pale violet obi, she quickly braids her hair into a loose ponytail, leaving the shorter one on the temples free. Crossing the veranda, she peeks toward the other side of the living room. As expected, Millerna is still sleeping. Last night Millerna took out every kimono from her wardrobe and put it in front of her chest, occasionally with a giggle. In the end, it was Hitomi who chose a pink one embroidered with shiroi tsuru for her, effectively ending the overheated selection and putting her into sleep.
As soon as she slides the door open, the cool autumn wind scented by kiku instantly pulls her thought back to the childhood. Without realization, she picks up the reed broom under the eaves. The season of autumn hasn't dominated Fanelia long enough, yet loosen leaves have paved the ground into a world of golden. Clearing flowers in spring, dust in summer, leaves in autumn and snow in winter has been her first lesson in the morning ever since she was five. The ritual was even arranged before breakfast. It makes one more patient and observant, and it grants one some precious time to think over the plan of the day. She grips the broom and collects all the dead leaves together. With a hint of amusement, she purposely steps on them, making the crispy sound dancing in dry air.
"An interesting good morning." The sliding door is once more opened, causing the wind chime to hum in delicacy. Millerna is kneading her groggy eyes, apparently still sleepy. The uncombed hair dangles around her shoulder, accenting her flushing cheeks.
"O-hayou." Hitomi replies with gentleness.
"My princess, how many more strange habits that are unknown to me do you have?" Millerna tilts her head, blinking her eyes.
"Many more, indeed. Maybe I'll cook breakfast for you some day. How does that sound?"
"I see. You broom, you cook, and you even wear bushi suit. Why do you need me as a maid?"
"Hurry to dress up. Dryden San may show up any minute now."
Listening to Millerna's busy footsteps inside, Hitomi fixes her sight upon the cloudless blue sky. The day is extremely cool and bright, a perfect timing for hunting. The past looms over her, screaming to her for remembrance: riding with Father on hills and shooting down eagles. She recalls the time when she shot down a boar and was ready to slaughter it with the jade sword. But she was stopped by his strong hands. The similar green eyes revealed such sorrow that tinted her mind forever: "Promise me, kid, never freshen this sword by blood..."
"Freshen this sword by blood" Hitomi murmurs, "Come, Fanel, show me your fangs."
"Van Sama's hunting skill is excellent." Dryden suddenly walks into the front garden, obviously misunderstanding Hitomi's saying. He is dressed in a navy blue bushi suit, with a slender katana attached to his waist. Totally contradictory to his usual dissipated pose, his dark brown orbs are now burning with spirit and excitement.
Hitomi is used to keeping her opinion inside, but it certainly doesn't mean that she is not sharp. Though having contacted him for merely several days, she has already noticed the final destiny of Dryden's eyesight-Millerna. It is full of sincere love and deep respect, and forms a ridiculous irony with his appearance-that is considering him being cynical and careless. "Addiction? Perhaps the sliest person still holds a moment of fragile truth." She dwells on the thought secretly.
"Millerna will be ready very soon. Please wait for a moment." Not wanting to mess up with him today, she replies politely.
" Oh, it is all right." Dryden abruptly feels nervous at the hearing of the name, but calms down instantly: " The sedan is waiting outside. Van Sama has to accompany Heka Sama according to etiquette. I was ordered to escort Hime Sama and Millerna to the hunting palace."
"I understand."
The two people falls into silence until Millerna lightly appears. Dryden's eyes are fired with enthusiasm, but through the many years of training he is able to cover it up without a trace. Clearing his throat, he points his fingers towards the exit. Hitomi soothes her dress one more time. As the elongated wide sleeves brush over her waist, the swish sound of fine silk echoes in the air.
******************
Is this the royal hunting palace? Standing several metres away from the entrance, Hitomi becomes overly quiet and unapproachable. This is her first time to step outside of Prince Residency and walk on the natural ground of Fanelia, to feel lively and relief. Though the hunting palace takes only a simple structure of a square, it is capable of holding hundreds of people with its gigantic size. Even after being baptized by countless years of bloody storm, the stone lions in front of the gate still stare intensely at the mysterious forest. The word "Kari Sono" is stylishly carved in a stone board, casting an aura of arrogance and dignity.
"Hitomi, Hitomi!" Millerna's urging voice brings her back to reality, "I've been calling for a while..."
"Gomen. I was distracted." Hitomi tightens her fist in the sleeve, her heart rippling with anxiety. Today is the day to meet King Goau, to win peace for her people. She must be courageous.
"This is also my first time to Kari Enkai. It is magnificent!" Millerna joyfully squeaks, putting her tiny hands at the chest, "Come, we are lucky to see Van Sama and General Schizar's masterful hunting skill. It's said that they are at even odds against each other... Oh look, Dryden is walking towards us."
After Dryden randomly passes his horse and the rein to one of the servants, he walks straight back to where Hitomi and Millerna are standing. Kami Sama, he cannot wait for one second longer. Millerna is as lovely as the spring sakura, beckoning him and forcing his gaze to focus solely on her. Secretly he thanks Van that the order was just to escort Hitomi Hime to Kari Sono. This gives him a perfect excuse to take the leave with Millerna. "If possible, I would like to lead Millerna inside. Van Sama should be around and he will certainly come to Hime Sama."
"Eh?" Hitomi blinks. Though being a bit questionary, she still nods her head trustfully: "Then, please take good care of her."
Somehow Dryden's heart starts to flow with guilt and worrisome. But as soon as he casts his sight on Millerna, his concern subsides. Against Millerna's protest, he extends his hand to her...
As Hitomi watches two of them fading away, she suddenly feels like being attacked by a surge of loneliness. It is true that she is free from the prison now, as free as she wishes, but the result of being alone in a foreign country daunts her. She is used to having people talking to her, arguing with her, fighting with her, like Millerna, like Dryden San and even like Van Fanel... They make her feel real. At this moment, she can only stare at people who pass by nonchalantly and grimace as if being torn apart. The stone lions in front of her seem to enlarge themselves a thousand times and snarl at her. Unconsciously she withdraws without turning her back.
And that is when she hears the wild howling sound of a horse. Swiftly twirling around, she is frightened by the scene. Merely three steps away, a white steed stands up under the sun and tramps the ground fiercely, causing dust to fly in the air. The horseman on the saddle powerfully catches the bridle and gingerly soothes the steed. After several minutes, the spirited thing finally calms down, flickering its head and snorting.
"Kimi! Why did you walk backwards? Are you seeking for death?" Hitomi is immediately surrounded by a group of samurai. The one who questioned her obviously is the leader. Half-covered by wicked blue bangs, his dark eyes are oozing killing instinct. His katana has already been drawn out of the sheath.
"Take it back, Gaddes. She didn't mean to. But a samurai should never point his sword toward women." The horse owner commands.
"Yes, General Schizar."
General Schizar? Does she know that name from somewhere? And all the secretive murmur, frequent inquiry, and idolatrous worship of Millerna flushes into Hitomi's mind. Curiously, she widens her eyes.
The first word she manages to utilize to describe the man is "flawless". His lean but tenacious body proves to be an incarnated vision under the blue garment and golden cloak. Though his skin looks paler than other warriors, his deep-locked eye brows, straight nose and firm chin speak of the ambition. His full lips are carved into a subtle smile, capable of alluring the first kiss from the most innocent girl. The golden locks cascade down freely, a rebellious way against the traditional ponytail that most samurai apply.
But these cannot make Hitomi quake. The only thing that plucks her heart is his azure eyes. Hitomi is too keen to ignore one's most expressive part, for even disguised people have a moment of revelation. From her point of view, Allen Schizar's eyes possess the most brilliant sky blue, yet within a flick of a second the hue can be shaded into a dark tempest, unpredictable, unmeasurable and unreachable. "Where is your soul indeed, I wonder?" She lingers on the puzzle.
Allen Schizar is quite agitated today. After the relentless entanglement with Lady Eries last night, he determines to break up with her forever. This is certainly not the first case. Spiritless women such as Eries have stuffed the whole royal court. If he wishes to get rid off them diplomatically, he can still face them with ease at their next encounter. But because of Eries' haste temper, he has come to the Kari Enkai without a partner. No matter. As long as he arrives at Kari Sono, it is easy to pick any woman that pleases him. "Those stagnant women!" Just as he is deeply indulged in his own thought, Scharizard is abruptly threatened, obliging Allen to meet a pair of emerald.
Most women either cry in fear or hide at a corner under such condition. Surprisingly the one in front of him has rooted her feet on the ground. Sandy blonde hair floats with the wind and jade eyes hold much tranquility as well as courage. "She is very pretty, but surely can't be the most beautiful one I've ever laid eyes upon..."Allen makes a quick evaluation, "yet there is something about her which makes her glow..." His heart skips a beat: "The spirit! Haven't been excited for a long time..." With practiced grace he leaps off the steed and walks straight toward her, extending his gloved hand. His eyes are flooding with conquering fire and he reveals a satisfactory smile: "Pleasure to meet you. I am Allen Schizar. Do I have the honor of knowing your name?"
"Allen, Heka Sama is waiting for you at the garden." A familiar baritone cuts through the conversation, making both Allen and Hitomi turn. There are the agate eyes shooting out icy warning and the stern lips exposing pride. In an instant Allen Schizar's face darkens-his rival is here.
"Van..." He speaks out the name.
Japanese Lesson No. 4
Obi: belt
Shiroi Tsuru: white crane
O-hayou: good morning
Kari Sono: the hunting garden
Kimi: you
Chapter Seven Coincidence
When the first beam of morning light darts on Hitomi's serene face, her green eyes open. The thick long eyelashes quiver, and within a split of a second everything comes into focus. Gazing upon the jade sword supported by the ebony stand, she can't help but let the smile flow. As if going back to the past, she ethereally gets off the bed and picks up the clogs. After tightly bonding the snowy kimono with a pale violet obi, she quickly braids her hair into a loose ponytail, leaving the shorter one on the temples free. Crossing the veranda, she peeks toward the other side of the living room. As expected, Millerna is still sleeping. Last night Millerna took out every kimono from her wardrobe and put it in front of her chest, occasionally with a giggle. In the end, it was Hitomi who chose a pink one embroidered with shiroi tsuru for her, effectively ending the overheated selection and putting her into sleep.
As soon as she slides the door open, the cool autumn wind scented by kiku instantly pulls her thought back to the childhood. Without realization, she picks up the reed broom under the eaves. The season of autumn hasn't dominated Fanelia long enough, yet loosen leaves have paved the ground into a world of golden. Clearing flowers in spring, dust in summer, leaves in autumn and snow in winter has been her first lesson in the morning ever since she was five. The ritual was even arranged before breakfast. It makes one more patient and observant, and it grants one some precious time to think over the plan of the day. She grips the broom and collects all the dead leaves together. With a hint of amusement, she purposely steps on them, making the crispy sound dancing in dry air.
"An interesting good morning." The sliding door is once more opened, causing the wind chime to hum in delicacy. Millerna is kneading her groggy eyes, apparently still sleepy. The uncombed hair dangles around her shoulder, accenting her flushing cheeks.
"O-hayou." Hitomi replies with gentleness.
"My princess, how many more strange habits that are unknown to me do you have?" Millerna tilts her head, blinking her eyes.
"Many more, indeed. Maybe I'll cook breakfast for you some day. How does that sound?"
"I see. You broom, you cook, and you even wear bushi suit. Why do you need me as a maid?"
"Hurry to dress up. Dryden San may show up any minute now."
Listening to Millerna's busy footsteps inside, Hitomi fixes her sight upon the cloudless blue sky. The day is extremely cool and bright, a perfect timing for hunting. The past looms over her, screaming to her for remembrance: riding with Father on hills and shooting down eagles. She recalls the time when she shot down a boar and was ready to slaughter it with the jade sword. But she was stopped by his strong hands. The similar green eyes revealed such sorrow that tinted her mind forever: "Promise me, kid, never freshen this sword by blood..."
"Freshen this sword by blood" Hitomi murmurs, "Come, Fanel, show me your fangs."
"Van Sama's hunting skill is excellent." Dryden suddenly walks into the front garden, obviously misunderstanding Hitomi's saying. He is dressed in a navy blue bushi suit, with a slender katana attached to his waist. Totally contradictory to his usual dissipated pose, his dark brown orbs are now burning with spirit and excitement.
Hitomi is used to keeping her opinion inside, but it certainly doesn't mean that she is not sharp. Though having contacted him for merely several days, she has already noticed the final destiny of Dryden's eyesight-Millerna. It is full of sincere love and deep respect, and forms a ridiculous irony with his appearance-that is considering him being cynical and careless. "Addiction? Perhaps the sliest person still holds a moment of fragile truth." She dwells on the thought secretly.
"Millerna will be ready very soon. Please wait for a moment." Not wanting to mess up with him today, she replies politely.
" Oh, it is all right." Dryden abruptly feels nervous at the hearing of the name, but calms down instantly: " The sedan is waiting outside. Van Sama has to accompany Heka Sama according to etiquette. I was ordered to escort Hime Sama and Millerna to the hunting palace."
"I understand."
The two people falls into silence until Millerna lightly appears. Dryden's eyes are fired with enthusiasm, but through the many years of training he is able to cover it up without a trace. Clearing his throat, he points his fingers towards the exit. Hitomi soothes her dress one more time. As the elongated wide sleeves brush over her waist, the swish sound of fine silk echoes in the air.
******************
Is this the royal hunting palace? Standing several metres away from the entrance, Hitomi becomes overly quiet and unapproachable. This is her first time to step outside of Prince Residency and walk on the natural ground of Fanelia, to feel lively and relief. Though the hunting palace takes only a simple structure of a square, it is capable of holding hundreds of people with its gigantic size. Even after being baptized by countless years of bloody storm, the stone lions in front of the gate still stare intensely at the mysterious forest. The word "Kari Sono" is stylishly carved in a stone board, casting an aura of arrogance and dignity.
"Hitomi, Hitomi!" Millerna's urging voice brings her back to reality, "I've been calling for a while..."
"Gomen. I was distracted." Hitomi tightens her fist in the sleeve, her heart rippling with anxiety. Today is the day to meet King Goau, to win peace for her people. She must be courageous.
"This is also my first time to Kari Enkai. It is magnificent!" Millerna joyfully squeaks, putting her tiny hands at the chest, "Come, we are lucky to see Van Sama and General Schizar's masterful hunting skill. It's said that they are at even odds against each other... Oh look, Dryden is walking towards us."
After Dryden randomly passes his horse and the rein to one of the servants, he walks straight back to where Hitomi and Millerna are standing. Kami Sama, he cannot wait for one second longer. Millerna is as lovely as the spring sakura, beckoning him and forcing his gaze to focus solely on her. Secretly he thanks Van that the order was just to escort Hitomi Hime to Kari Sono. This gives him a perfect excuse to take the leave with Millerna. "If possible, I would like to lead Millerna inside. Van Sama should be around and he will certainly come to Hime Sama."
"Eh?" Hitomi blinks. Though being a bit questionary, she still nods her head trustfully: "Then, please take good care of her."
Somehow Dryden's heart starts to flow with guilt and worrisome. But as soon as he casts his sight on Millerna, his concern subsides. Against Millerna's protest, he extends his hand to her...
As Hitomi watches two of them fading away, she suddenly feels like being attacked by a surge of loneliness. It is true that she is free from the prison now, as free as she wishes, but the result of being alone in a foreign country daunts her. She is used to having people talking to her, arguing with her, fighting with her, like Millerna, like Dryden San and even like Van Fanel... They make her feel real. At this moment, she can only stare at people who pass by nonchalantly and grimace as if being torn apart. The stone lions in front of her seem to enlarge themselves a thousand times and snarl at her. Unconsciously she withdraws without turning her back.
And that is when she hears the wild howling sound of a horse. Swiftly twirling around, she is frightened by the scene. Merely three steps away, a white steed stands up under the sun and tramps the ground fiercely, causing dust to fly in the air. The horseman on the saddle powerfully catches the bridle and gingerly soothes the steed. After several minutes, the spirited thing finally calms down, flickering its head and snorting.
"Kimi! Why did you walk backwards? Are you seeking for death?" Hitomi is immediately surrounded by a group of samurai. The one who questioned her obviously is the leader. Half-covered by wicked blue bangs, his dark eyes are oozing killing instinct. His katana has already been drawn out of the sheath.
"Take it back, Gaddes. She didn't mean to. But a samurai should never point his sword toward women." The horse owner commands.
"Yes, General Schizar."
General Schizar? Does she know that name from somewhere? And all the secretive murmur, frequent inquiry, and idolatrous worship of Millerna flushes into Hitomi's mind. Curiously, she widens her eyes.
The first word she manages to utilize to describe the man is "flawless". His lean but tenacious body proves to be an incarnated vision under the blue garment and golden cloak. Though his skin looks paler than other warriors, his deep-locked eye brows, straight nose and firm chin speak of the ambition. His full lips are carved into a subtle smile, capable of alluring the first kiss from the most innocent girl. The golden locks cascade down freely, a rebellious way against the traditional ponytail that most samurai apply.
But these cannot make Hitomi quake. The only thing that plucks her heart is his azure eyes. Hitomi is too keen to ignore one's most expressive part, for even disguised people have a moment of revelation. From her point of view, Allen Schizar's eyes possess the most brilliant sky blue, yet within a flick of a second the hue can be shaded into a dark tempest, unpredictable, unmeasurable and unreachable. "Where is your soul indeed, I wonder?" She lingers on the puzzle.
Allen Schizar is quite agitated today. After the relentless entanglement with Lady Eries last night, he determines to break up with her forever. This is certainly not the first case. Spiritless women such as Eries have stuffed the whole royal court. If he wishes to get rid off them diplomatically, he can still face them with ease at their next encounter. But because of Eries' haste temper, he has come to the Kari Enkai without a partner. No matter. As long as he arrives at Kari Sono, it is easy to pick any woman that pleases him. "Those stagnant women!" Just as he is deeply indulged in his own thought, Scharizard is abruptly threatened, obliging Allen to meet a pair of emerald.
Most women either cry in fear or hide at a corner under such condition. Surprisingly the one in front of him has rooted her feet on the ground. Sandy blonde hair floats with the wind and jade eyes hold much tranquility as well as courage. "She is very pretty, but surely can't be the most beautiful one I've ever laid eyes upon..."Allen makes a quick evaluation, "yet there is something about her which makes her glow..." His heart skips a beat: "The spirit! Haven't been excited for a long time..." With practiced grace he leaps off the steed and walks straight toward her, extending his gloved hand. His eyes are flooding with conquering fire and he reveals a satisfactory smile: "Pleasure to meet you. I am Allen Schizar. Do I have the honor of knowing your name?"
"Allen, Heka Sama is waiting for you at the garden." A familiar baritone cuts through the conversation, making both Allen and Hitomi turn. There are the agate eyes shooting out icy warning and the stern lips exposing pride. In an instant Allen Schizar's face darkens-his rival is here.
"Van..." He speaks out the name.