No. Escaflowne not mine. Allen Schezar not
mine.
But, Lady Gabriella and other Asturian guards are mine.
~*~*~*~
~*~ Allen Schezar ~*~
In return, Joseph,
Jean-Luc and I planned a birthday dinner for her.
And despite the mess we made in the kitchens as three inexperience chefs,
the ruckus that alarmed the already frazzled and near-fainting cook, and
the miserably charred cuisine that stared back at us at the end of the
evening, Lady Gabriella forgave our failures… Ages later, the memory of
the most unforgettable birthday remained in her heart, forever…
Ah yes… memories forged while with her were everlasting…
~*~*~*~
"They made you *WHAT*?!" I repeated incredulously, staring at my maroon-tressed mentor as if she had sprouted another head.
As per usual, she gave me an open-faced scowl, before aiming a stone paperweight to my head. If the years spent as her student and apprentice has taught me anything, it is to learn how to avoid whatever projectiles she may lay her hands on. I ducked to one side, the sound of stone-hitting-stone echoing behind me.
"They made me Princess Marlene's personal escort," she spat, grumbling something else under her breath. "Some meddlesome old *gazoot* high in the Council decided to rake through my dark history and found I was a fully educated lady in my past life…"
Really, I should learn to master my tongue before it masters me.
I chortled, "You…? A *LADY*…?!"
Ah, I knew that at least *one* projectile object would hit me sooner or later…
"Yes. A *lady*…" she confirmed, the word said as if it were something foul in her mouth, "What do you make of it, Schezar…?!"
"Nothing…" I returned casually, though images of my high-spirited mentor dressed in layered skirts and lacey sashes made me laugh inwardly. Clearing my throat (and mind), I decided to delve into more substantial conversation, "You never told me of your past, Lady Gabriella…"
"There's nothing to my past—"
"Asides from the fact you were a fully educated lady, of course…" I snickered.
"How shall you like to die, *SCHEZAR*?!?!"
"Apologies, but I decline your kind offer," I bowed. Yes, over the colors I have learnt the art of sarcasm to match my mentor gibe-for-gibe…
She leapt to her feet, making strangling gestures towards me, her eyes lit with the passionate fire I found so invigoratingly unique to her personality. Then it vanished – everything – as she collapsed back into her chair with a groan, hand slapped to her forehead and sliding down her face.
"I *swear*, Schezar… One day, you'll be the death of me yet…"
My wholehearted laugh at her animated display lingered long despite our short meeting afterwards…
~*~*~*~
Time to be shared with her was short-lived. Not long after my Caeli Knighthood, the King and Council agreed I should undertake my first mission to test my skills as an Asturian Knight. So, I had to learn how to lead a group of near 40 men with mayhaps only half-a-brain, manage them to build a functional ship equipped with levistones, *and* take them on an 8-color-long scouting trip, as reconnaissance along the border of Asturia then. Sensing my agitation, Lady Gabriella agreed to help me, though only in the initial stages…
~*~*~*~
The Council must hate me some… My new crew was a mockery to an Asturian guard, with only one Pallas-born Asturian to be trusted – Gaddes. I thank the gods above a thousand times over for my capable mentor keeping them in line…
The same way she trained her Junior Knights, she forcefed her 'kindness' to my mismatched men. Yes, I remember the earth-shattering shrieks and blood-and-bruising brawls that followed during the first week or so, but beyond that, the men slowly though begrudgingly learnt that it was wiser to keep their tongues to themselves, their spite hidden.
For the same way she cared for us as her knights – her sons – she cared for the men as well, and treated them like, well… like sons…
"You're not feeding your men enough, Schezar!!" she would scream one day, dragging half-a-dozen of my best builders—to my furious disbelief—to venture out into the woods to hunt. Of course, I could hardly complain as I bit into pieces of barbequed rabbit or ate spicy stewed buck to my fill, a superb improvement from thin gruel and watery soup…
"Your men canna read, Schezar…" she would declare on another, taking my men out of their chores for 2 hours every morning to be taught how to follow Asturian letters and write despondent messages to me (how *did* I survive reading their illegible scratches, I never found out…). Of course, having literate—if not bookishly diligent—followers compared to dundaheads silenced me swiftly…
"Did you know these men have families back home, Schezar…?" she would mumble on a third as we sat together, back-to-back, sipping vino by a warming fire. Later, she would pour out the stories the men told her. The bridges of friendships she helped me build with my men forged an iron-bond eternal[1]…
When she left us three colors later, the men were reluctant to see her go, some crying openly at her departure (of which, predictably, she scoffed at them at first, then drew them into her arms for that well-known motherly embrace). So much for hating the Vermillion Nightmare… or, heh, the Crimson Terror…
She built a family around her, no matter where she went…
Which made me wonder… What about her own…?
~*~*~*~
Often in the midst
of mechanical chores and idle prattle, I would wonder, what past did Lady
Gabriella hide beneath her Firebird armor and honorary titles…? I had only
known of her life during and after the Wars years, saddening my heart
still whenever I picked up the worn book from my private collection.
What had Lady Gabriella been like prior to her years serving in Asturia's
military ranks…?
Hiding myself in the Council's record chambers for a week, I finally found what I was looking for…
~*~*~*~
I discovered Lady Gabriella had been born into a broken home within a forsaken village far from Asturian borders, in a nameless country she still shuddered to think about. Her parents had sold her off as a future-wife to a rich Duke old enough to become her grandfather. Thus, while waiting for her to come of age, the Duke ensured she was properly educated, learning feminine pride and high-standard decorum.
But Lady Gabriella's naturally wild-spirit rebelled constantly against them, growing up bitter with all the confining customs and ridiculous rules. The last straw had been when they announced her upcoming wedding to the bedridden, half-senile shell of a man. Two nights later, she packed up her meager belongings, and ran away…
Of course, they sent the dogs after her, but I found my mentor was as cunning then as she was now. She laid a false trial for the Duke's barking pets, swam across his moat, and emerged on the opposite bank a free woman…
Ah, but women were readily exploited by men in those times, and Lady Gabriella knew this. Thus I found the reason to her obvious lack of upper feminine assets – Gabriel Daniels bound her chest to pass herself as a boy to survive the wilds of the outside world…
Like myself, she lived a year within the forests, teaching herself how to navigate by the sun, Mystic Moon and the stars, how to hunt and how to erect sturdy shelters in the canopy of the trees…
Tired of living alone, she sought civilization and joined a band of ruffians aboard a seafaring vessel. There she learnt how to manage a ship as she worked as one of its crew, as well as learning how to fight and cultivate her sharp tongue…
The ship docked in neo-Pallas sixteen colors later. Fearless and adventurous, she left the sea to try her luck on land once more. She found herself working alongside other lads in a tavern, learning about alcohols and spirits…
Neo-Pallas was in need of knights to defend the palace during its establishment. One of the trials included sword-fighting. Her colleagues goaded her prowess with a blade, and predictably, she did not back away from the challenge. She entered the trials with no intentions in mind… only to end up being named the winner, and thus, given a guaranteed position as an apprentice…
Gabriel Daniels was only 18 years old then…
Nonetheless, the headstrong girl dove into knighthood with an eager heart, slowly climbing her way up the ranks, earning her Knight of Caeli title a little after her 22nd birthday. Surprisingly though, all through the 3 years she stayed within the palace walls, her superiors had *yet* to discover she was female…
It was not done intentionally, everything pieced together by accident. Sir Jacquis, her Caeli mentor, observed her changing body during the years, and one day, decidedly cornered her regarding the slight anomaly. Her lie finally broke, betrayed by her own body she had tried so hard to hide—
But instead of turning her away, Sir Jacquis fought tooth and nail against the Council to allow my mentor to stay. She was, after all, a Knight of Caeli – and at that time, one of Asturia's best. The Council could not deny her numerous achievements, and her services were matched by none…
It was decided – her gender, though forbidden within the ranks of Caeli, would be overlooked this once…
On her 23rd birthday, she reverted to her name proper, her title changed officially – Gabriella Daniels, Knight of Caeli…
~*~*~*~
Sifting through the
last records, I finally pieced most if not all of my beloved mentor's
seemingly lost history hidden in the shadows. It explained the skills she
could never have learnt within the knighthood – independence, survival,
heh, even her fine appreciation for addictive vino…
It also told why Lady Gabriella was so protective over her mentor, Sir
Jacquis…
So… My mentor was a fully educated lady, a survivor of the wild, an
experienced pirate, a learned barkeeper, *and* a Knight of Caeli… And on
top of that, she had seen the rage of a War, built herself a name as
Asturia's most respected Ladies, and served faithfully with the Council…
What hath my mentor *not* done, I wondered…?
The answer was
within myself—
Fostering a love-struck son…
~*~*~*~
"You're a useless little whelp, *Schezar*…" she snorted as I picked myself from the where I had fallen gracelessly, grumbling vehemently and mumbling expletives under my breath. It was embarrassing enough to be caught – but to be caught by *HER*…?!?!
"Why are you here, Lady Gabriella…?" I questioned rather curtly as I headed towards the doors to confirm if they were still locked. They were.
Still enveloped within the embrace of darkness, she taunted with a laugh, "You move a dead tree, Schezar…"
I glared at her – rather, the direction of her voice. Internally, I wondered how she was able to conjure insults befitting every situation… "Well, *thank* YOU, Lady Gabriella…" I hissed sullenly, downing a prepared chalice in one gulp. She laughed once more, and I groaned, "How much did you see, mentor mine…?"
"Oh… not much…" her silken alto returned casually, "Let's see… Princess Marlene requests you to escort to the ball… you accept, stuttering half your words… and then you come here, to practice what-must-be a cross between a waltz and a crabwalk, failing miserably in either…" A snicker, "Dear me, Schezar… For all your graceful skills wielding a sword, you certain *do* possess two LEFT FEET…"
I had blanched, then bristled, "It's not my fault I have no knowledge whatsoever in this field…"
She chortled. "Ah, forgive me then – your Caeli Knighthood does not cover such intimate aspects within its training," the lilt in her voice was unidentifiable, though it bordered on slight mockery. An unfamiliar rustle of what could be silks whispered against the floor, "But perhaps I might enlighten you… as a lady…"
She stepped away from the shadows, and I could not hold back an astonished gasp.
Gone were the severe maroon braids and protective Phoenix armor she usually appeared in. Instead, her tresses had been styled into intricate knots crowning her head, a few strategic locks spared to dust the wings of her bared shoulders. An emerald-and-white gown clung to her gentle curves, simple yet elegant in its design. The verdant silk brought forth the color of her irises of burnished gold…
Goddess…
Lady Gabriella actually… looked… *female*…
She rolled her eyes at my still stunned expression, "*Yes*, Schezar – I *AM* a WOMAN under all that leather cuirass and steel arms…"
How *did* she read my mind so easily…?
Hands on her slight hips, she growled, "*Please*, Schezar… do not tell me I dragged my best gown from the depths of my trunk for naught…"
"I did not know you owned such a fine thing, Lady Gabriella…" I commented when I had reclaimed my scattered senses. Approaching her artfully, I fingered the fine material in admiration. Then I gazed warmly at her, offering sincere praise as I took a hand and kissed it, "You look beautiful, Lady Gabriella…"
She blushed, suddenly bashful. I chuckled at her response… Despite her icy masquerade, she was truly a lady underneath it all…
She growled something unintelligent as she whacked me over the head with an ungloved hand, but her efforts were only half-hearted. I laughed, all indignities forgotten, holding her close to me in gracious appreciation instead… It only served to deepen the glowing red of her cheeks. She sighed, "The things I do to help you impress the love of your life…"
~*~*~*~
Though she disapproved of my relationship with Princess Marlene, she was encouraging yet – in her own way…
Invited to
accompany Princess Marlene to the Asturian Ball, Lady Gabriella risked
palace gossip to teach me how to dance…
Pondering Princess Marlene's likes and dislikes, Lady Gabriella played the
role of reluctant handmaiden to learn secrets to her heart…
Shielding me from the ills of dangerous discovery, Lady Gabriella readily
covered my invisible tracks that may lead to incriminating quandary…
But one day, I asked for too much…
~*~*~*~
"*YOU*?!?!" she gasped even as she backed against the ornate oaken doors and set the locks, eyes wide with incredulity.
I leapt from the Princess' bed and clamped my hand against her mouth. "Lady Gabriella, it's not all it seems…" I pleaded, shaking my head.
She swatted my hand away violently and glared daggers at me. Yet, thankfully, her voice was quiet though edged with steel, "What do you *MEAN* 'it's not ALL it *SEEMS*'?!" She gestured to the scattered clothing and disarrayed bed, "What *SHOULD* I make of *THIS*, SCHEZAR?!?!"
Rushing to the Princess' side as she clutched a handful of silken sheets to hide her nakedness, she groaned, "Oh, Princess Marlene… Tell me you didn't—"
"We did…" we answered guiltily, our fingers intertwined.
She inhaled sharply. "You SHARED a *BED*?!?!" she shrilled at us both, lifting the covers slightly to search for telltale signs of our night's activity, "GODDESS – a *PRINCESS* and a *KNIGHT* OF CAELI…?!?!" She regarded us with concerned eyes, "*BOTH* of you could be *HANGED* for this crime…!!!"
The Princess' golden crown leaned forward to catch my mentor's hand, "Please, Lady Gabriella… You *canna* tell father—"
Our elder held up a hand to stop any further pleas as she massaged the bridge of her nose, a gesture that indicated deep thought. "Children, I canna allow this continue…"
"But we're in love…!" I protested weakly, holding the shaking Princess in my arms.
"I can only *protect* you from so much, Allen…!!" she snapped, flames alive past her burning irises. Kneeling by us, she sighed, "If you truly love each other, then you must end this now, before things get out of hand…!! I overlooked your innocent gestures, both secret and bold… but *THIS*—" she pointed towards the crimson rosette on Princess Marlene's collarbone as well as the dark stain on the rumpled sheets, "—is too much a risk for either of you…"
"Then what can we do, Lady Gabriella…?" my beloved implored, seeking advice from her most trusted escort.
The female guard bit her lip.
"You know what must be done… my children…"
~*~*~*~
The Princess and I
knew the risks when we agreed to see each other, meeting secretly in the
sheltered gardens. But Lady Gabriella was right – we had gone one step too
far… and if we did not act quickly, we could both lose all the things we
had so painstakingly built…
We unwillingly ended our blossoming relationship that same morning. Lady
Gabriella planted a ruse to lure the knights away, granting me the chance
to escape the Marlene's chambers undetected. Meanwhile, my beloved feigned
illness, the mark at her collar blamed on a disagreeable rash, the
bloodstains on her bed to an unexpected change in her cleansing cycle…
Upon retrospection, I believe our separation was for the better…
~*~*~*~
"You've done nothing but BROOD since she left, Schezar…" she grunted as she tugged impatiently at my uniform, straightening the invisible creases and brushing away the imaginary lint. I did not answer her.
"Oh *please*, Schezar – would you at LEAST *TRY* to smile…?!"
I stared sulkily at her, as if I were a young child despite nearing adulthood. Complying only just, I pulled out a smile so fake, it put clowns to shame. She glared gravely at my impertinence. I muttered something imperceptive and blew at the stray lock of gold falling past my eyes. She growled something equally incomprehensible, leaving my side to sort through my things. I sighed miserably, leaning by my window.
It was at these times I was thankful I could act as my whim dictated, knowing my mentor had no qualms against me…
I had escorted Princess Marlene to Freid less than a color ago, the final act of a marriage-alliance forged decades ago when she was just a babe. To part with her had been painful enough, to know she was promised to someone else shattered whatever tattered pieces I had left. Life was indeed unfair…
Upon my return to Pallas, King Aston requested I guard Princess Eries instead. But Pallas had dimmed greatly in my eyes, the absence of an irreplaceable flower hard to ignore. I could not remain here, buffered by an emptiness that gnawed at my heart everyday…
So I appealed the Council transfer my post – to anywhere *BUT* here. Within a week, they sent word to me. My transfer was approved, my new home: neo-Fort Castelo, a desolate outpost along the Asturian-Fanelian border…
This was my last day in Pallas…
"I thought this was what you wanted, Schezar…" she remarked softly, leaning on the opposite frame, studying my profile. I nodded stoically, determined not to show her how much I was torn by the winds of change that I had instigated myself. "Then why are you acting like this, boy…?"
I shrugged casually, still not turning to face her. From the corner of my eyes, I saw her rolling her eyes and shaking her head, mumbling something about 'impossible boys'…
"Come. I have something for you…" she beckoned suddenly, pulling me by my wrist. I was weary and was wishing for death half-heartedly. Lagging unenthusiastically behind her, I found myself pushed into her private study.
"Here, she's yours…" Lady Gabriella spoke, presenting me with a gilded cage covered wholly by its matching maroon canopy. I took it from her hands and stared strangely at her, "Who's 'she'…?"
She smirked, "Why don't you find that out yourself…?"
I lowered the small enclosure onto the table and brushed the velvety material aside. What sounded like a cross between a purr and a coo made me ever more curious. When the protective hood finally fell away from the light frame, I gasped, "Wait – you can't give Yuna to me…?!"
She groaned and whistled. A flurry of feathers dove from the rafters onto her outstretched hand, my mentor's beloved pet landing perfectly and turning its magnificent head to me. Lady Gabriella regarded me as well, "*This* is Yuna… *THAT*, my boy, is one of her daughters – Natal[2]…"
"B-but… I cannot accept such a gif—"
"Too late, Schezar," her golden eyes gleamed mischievously as she leaned over the table to slide the hinged gate on the cage. The ash-colored owl chirruped happily and made its way out into the open, finally settling comfortably on my shoulder. At my wide-eyed astonishment, she explained, "I smoked the cage[3] beforehand, dear boy. Since you're the very next person she saw when coming out of her trance, she will henceforth acknowledge you as her master." She winked, "You're stuck with this one, Schezar…"
"B-but…" I turned to her, "L-lady Gabriella… I-I… don't know what to say…"
"Absentminded *BRAT*…" she commented as she came to me. Burying her face in my chest, she sighed quietly, "Say you'll come back to visit your old mentor once in a while… Allen…"
~*~*~*~
Aoi Akiko rambles:
I have been led to believe that in Escaflowne, a moon = a day,
and a color = a month. If I am wrong, then whack me over the
head. If not, then... try not to get confused as you read the ficlet...
[1] Allen building 'bridges of
friendships' with his men
Allen's crew aboard the Crusade do not only respect him, but I believe
they have forged friendship bonds with him. Just look at Allen in his
Caeli uniform, and his 'misfit' crew... It *would* explain why they follow
his authority so loyally, and even seem to care deeply if anything
happened to him, though they all seem to be soo far apart in rank.
Um... hope I didn't offend anyone...
[2] Allen's owl, Natal
Hmph... I'm very, very new to Escaflowne - seen the series once over a
month ago, and then was deprived of all other anime. Anyway...
I do not know how Allen acquired his owl, Natal (the one we see perched
happily on his *poofy* sleeve...!!). This is my take on it.
Oh, and I like the name Yuna. It's a older term similar to 'Luna', and
since it's an owl, something akin to night struck me as a good name...
[3] '... smoked the cage
beforehand... Since you're the very next person... she will henceforth
acknowledge you as her master...'
This is an old Western Indian trick, smoking falcons, eagles and peregrine
birds. They blow smoke into its hooded face, then release the hood. The
next person the bird sees is automatically its new master...
However, please don't try to do this yourself... I believe they use a
certain type of herb for it... I doubt normal smoke will work...
