Thanks for all of the feedback about the ending of Chapter Three! I took
all of your advice into consideration. You'll just have to read the chapter
to see what I did. I apologize if you don't like what I made happen; I'm
just trying to do what the majority of you suggested.
Oh, and before I start the chapter...I had this idea for a fic called 'Finding Nino' (a parody of the movie 'Finding Nemo') and I wanna know what everyone thinks of it! I wrote more about the idea in my profile, including a few parts I have already assigned. Thanks to ArcticFlame for already giving me some suggestions!
Ok, no more boring stuff...here's Chapter Four.
Chapter Four
Sain couldn't find any more girls outside, so he ventured indoors. It was still fairly early in the morning - only around ten - so not everyone was done eating breakfast. Sain heard voices coming from the dining room, so he headed in that direction.
"...but don't tell anyone else about it," someone was saying. Sain perked up when he realized it was Rebecca. Maybe she was admitting her feelings for him to somebody! "It's invitation only." Never mind. It had nothing to do with him. He felt disappointed, but decided that it didn't mean that Rebecca DIDN'T like him.
"Don't worry, I won't," the other voice, who, to his delight, Sain realized was Priscilla. Two girls in one room! How lucky! "But...is there some particular person you don't want to come?"
"Well...not exactly..." sighed Rebecca. "It's more like I don't want Sain to find out about it. He'll try to spy on us, and eavesdrop on our conversations. He did it last night; I heard him outside of the door. I don't know how I can get him to stop bothering us. Why can't he get it into his head that none of us LIKE him that way?"
Sain felt his cheeks flush. Was that really how all of the girls felt?
"Oh, I see," agreed Priscilla. "I won't tell Sain about it."
"Good," Rebecca replied. "Well, I still have some other people to invite, and Lowen said it's my turn to make lunch today...so I've got to be going. I'll see you later, Priscilla!"
After they had exchanged farewells, Rebecca left the room and ran right into Sain.
"Oh, hello, Kent!" she said brightly. Then she continued out the door.
Sain realized that since he looked like Kent, everyone would treat him much differently. In fact, all of the girls probably liked Kent better than Sain because he didn't flirt with them and because he was always making sure Sain didn't cause too much trouble. Sain decided that he could use this horrible spell to his advantage! Now he could still go spy on the girls, and they'd think 'Kent' was just keeping an eye on things.
"You're a genius, Sain," he muttered to himself. He almost didn't see Lord Pent coming towards him from the other side of the hallway.
"Kent! Can I speak with you?" asked the Etrurian mage. Sain tensed up and began to panic.
"Um, Lord Pent," he said. "Um, what do you need to talk to me about?"
"It's about your companion," Pent said. "You know, Sain."
"S-Sain??" cried Sain. "Why??"
"He has proven himself to be immature and lacking control over his actions," Pent continued. "Ever since he tried to hit on Lousie, I've decided he needs to learn his lesson. I know you already have many responsibilities, being liege to Lady Lyndis and all, but could you at least keep an eye on him? I know you already do, but perhaps if you watched him even more..."
"Ah...well...I think Sain can handle himself!" Sain said. "He...he just wants to have some fun."
"Don't we all," sighed Pent. "But really, not only has my wife complained about him, but several of the others, including Rebecca, Florina, and Fiora. Maybe you could talk to him...I don't know if he'd listen, but it's worth a shot."
Sain felt his palms grow sweaty. It hit him that no one approved of his actions. No one understood his love of women, or his easy going nature.
"I - I don't know," he finally said.
"Well, think about it," Pent said, turning to leave. "If you don't do something, I will. I just thought you'd have a better chance of getting through to him. "
All of the sudden, Sain felt very depressed. No one liked him. They wanted him to be a clone of the dutiful Kent. He needed to be alone. He ran off to find someplace he could go.
"You're expecting me to believe that YOU are really Kent, and that person who I talked to this morning...is really Sain??" cried Fiora. "I don't believe it!"
"I knew you wouldn't believe me," sighed Sain. "But it is true..."
"Of course you would turn this into some kind of joke, Sain!" said Fiora. "Everything is a joke to you! Did you drug Kent?? Because that is the only logical explanation for all of this..."
"I did not drug anybody!" cried Sain. "I am Kent, not Sain, like I explained already. Now he is making me look bad by flirting with girls!"
"This is too hard to believe," Fiora shook her head. "I'm sorry. If you can't tell me the truth, I will have Lady Lyndis come and chastise you for it later."
"Oh no! Don't tell Milady Lyndis!" cried Sain. "She will never believe my story! Now I will be ruined forever!"
Fiora narrowed her eyes. "Well, what do you suggest I do, Sain?"
"I...well, I am not exactly sure," he began. "...yet."
"Lyndis is looking for Kent," Fiora said. "I am going to find her, and then we will see what is wrong with Kent. If you did anything to him, we will shortly know."
She walked away quickly, not knowing what to think.
Kent sighed with frustration. Everyone thought he was Sain, the world's most irresponsible cavalier, and also that 'Kent' was crazy. Even Fiora, the one person who he could talk to in this army, doubted him. Things couldn't get much worse than this.
There was a saying that the way to a man's heart was through is stomach. Serra didn't know why this saying only applied to men. Her heart could definitely be won through her stomach.
Ever since she'd gone on a trip to Etruria with the Lords Uther and Hector a year or so ago, and dined on their fine delicacies, she had become addicted. She had especially enjoyed their famous orange bananas. She had brought several back to Ostia with her, but they had only lasted for so long. Every day, she had longed for another chance to eat an orange banana. She knew it sounded silly, but it was true.
That was one reason why she had told Sain to find her an orange banana. The other reason was because she needed a boyfriend, for her image. Erk had rejected her, and everyone else was either taken or not interested. Sain seemed the next best option.
Serra had seen the Etrurian-born Louise carrying a box of orange bananas into Castle Pherae when they had first arrived. Through gossip, Serra discovered that Louise refused to share her bananas with anybody, not even Lord Pent. She was just as obsessed with them as Serra herself was. Serra decided to steal the bananas, but didn't want to get into trouble, especially not with the Mage General of Etruria and his wife. So, she decided, she would have Sain do it for her. It was a wonderful plan. And it worked. However, even though she had the orange banana, she did not have Sain.
He had seemed so different today. More like Kent than himself. Why had he changed his mind about her so quickly? Had her irresistible charm and beauty left her overnight? That had to be it! She decided to ask the other girls for advice at their sleepover tonight. The others would sympathize wit her and be able to help her.
Serra slowly peeled her banana, and took a big bite. Ah, the taste of an orange banana...
"PENT!!! MY BANANAS ARE MISSING!!"
Louise had been hungry, so she'd gone to the kitchen for a snack. But her treasured orange bananas were all gone!
"Louise?? What is it?? Is something wrong??" cried her frantic husband, bursting into the kitchen. He found Louise sitting on the floor, in tears.
"T-they took the bananas!" she cried. "Y-you know I can't live without them..."
"Well, the doctor did say they had to be an essential part of your diet in order for you to be healthy but..." Pent began. "I'm sure they'll turn up somewhere. Besides, Lady Eleanora might have some laying around. This kitchen is huge, after all."
"But I'm hungry!!" cried Louise. "I want them now!"
"Be patient, my dear," said Pent. "We will find those bananas...I will find those bananas for you, no matter what it takes!"
Kent was at a crossroads. He had no idea what to do. He decided to take a ride to clear his mind. His horse was in the stables of Castle Pherae, so he went there. When he arrived, he found the stable mostly empty, except for Florina, who was changing Huey's water.
"Hello, Florina," he greeted her absent-mindedly, heading towards his horse's stall.
"Um, uh, um...h-hello...S-sain..." said the shy Pegasus Knight. Kent could imagine why she'd be afraid of Sain.
Kent began to put the saddle on his horse when Florina's soft voice called out.
"Um...uh...I-Isn't that...K-Kent's horse?" she asked nervously.
Kent realized that he was indeed saddling his own horse, and not Sain's. It must have looked wrong. Kent had never trained with Sain's horse, so he couldn't go riding after all. Unless...
Lying was something Kent abhorred, but today he was Sain. He could do whatever he wanted. Maybe he should enjoy the freedom. No one expected Sain to follow the rules.
"Kent asked me to take his horse out for a ride," Kent explained confidently. "That's all."
"O-oh," stuttered Florina. "Uh...well then...I have to go." She ran out of the stable.
Kent decided today was the day he could have some fun. People thought he didn't like anything except doing work, but it wasn't true. Deep down, he was just like anybody else. If he was stuck like this, he might as well enjoy it.
"AAH!!" cried Lucius when he looked up and saw Kent in the doorway of Castle Pherae's chapel. After a moment, he regained his composure. "Oh, good, Sain's not with you...He would probably forget that I'm not a girl! You two gave me quite a scare this morning with that whole switching bodies thing, y'know! That was just a joke of Sain's, wasn't it?"
Kent sighed. "Oh yes...it was indeed a joke. It's a joke on us, too."
"Thought so," Lucius said. "Sain can be crazy at times..."
"It seems no one trusts m - I mean, Sain. Even though he just tries to have fun and cheer everyone up. I am deeply depressed by this discovery. I - I mean, he is my best friend! I don't know why no one appreciates him."
Lucius smiled at the redheaded cavalier. "Why, that's so kind of you, Sir Kent, to care so much about your friend! If I can help you in anyway..."
Kent perked up a bit. "Thank you for treating me with such kindness! No one has spoken fondly of me all morning!"
Lucius shrugged. "That's my job as a monk, I guess..."
"Anyways, I came here to say some prayers to St. Elimine," Kent continued. "To...restore my broken soul. Are there any prayer books in here?"
"There's probably one on the shelf over there," Lucius said, gesturing towards the wall. "Me and the other members of the church of Elimine...well, I guess just me and Serra, really...put some things on there."
"Thanks," Kent said, making his way to the shelf.
"I'll be going," Lucius called. "I'm done my prayers, and I need to brush my hair! I hope your prayers go well."
He left the room, not suspecting a thing.
Sain sighed as Lucius left the chapel. Too bad Lucius wasn't a girl. If he was...
"Don't think about that!" Sain instructed himself. "This is why no one likes you! Because you like girls! Now concentrate on finding a prayer book..."
Sain looked up and down the shelf. There were several historical accounts regarding St. Elimine, and some books filled with hymns. Finally, on the bottom shelf, Sain saw a leather-bound book that resembled the prayer book he used at home in Caelin. He picked it up and went to sit in one of the pews of the chapel.
As he opened the book, however, he realized that this was definitely not a prayer book.
This was because, inside the cover, an inscription read Serra's Journal.
I'm sorry! I know I always end these chapter with cliffhangers.
Please review!
Oh, and before I start the chapter...I had this idea for a fic called 'Finding Nino' (a parody of the movie 'Finding Nemo') and I wanna know what everyone thinks of it! I wrote more about the idea in my profile, including a few parts I have already assigned. Thanks to ArcticFlame for already giving me some suggestions!
Ok, no more boring stuff...here's Chapter Four.
Chapter Four
Sain couldn't find any more girls outside, so he ventured indoors. It was still fairly early in the morning - only around ten - so not everyone was done eating breakfast. Sain heard voices coming from the dining room, so he headed in that direction.
"...but don't tell anyone else about it," someone was saying. Sain perked up when he realized it was Rebecca. Maybe she was admitting her feelings for him to somebody! "It's invitation only." Never mind. It had nothing to do with him. He felt disappointed, but decided that it didn't mean that Rebecca DIDN'T like him.
"Don't worry, I won't," the other voice, who, to his delight, Sain realized was Priscilla. Two girls in one room! How lucky! "But...is there some particular person you don't want to come?"
"Well...not exactly..." sighed Rebecca. "It's more like I don't want Sain to find out about it. He'll try to spy on us, and eavesdrop on our conversations. He did it last night; I heard him outside of the door. I don't know how I can get him to stop bothering us. Why can't he get it into his head that none of us LIKE him that way?"
Sain felt his cheeks flush. Was that really how all of the girls felt?
"Oh, I see," agreed Priscilla. "I won't tell Sain about it."
"Good," Rebecca replied. "Well, I still have some other people to invite, and Lowen said it's my turn to make lunch today...so I've got to be going. I'll see you later, Priscilla!"
After they had exchanged farewells, Rebecca left the room and ran right into Sain.
"Oh, hello, Kent!" she said brightly. Then she continued out the door.
Sain realized that since he looked like Kent, everyone would treat him much differently. In fact, all of the girls probably liked Kent better than Sain because he didn't flirt with them and because he was always making sure Sain didn't cause too much trouble. Sain decided that he could use this horrible spell to his advantage! Now he could still go spy on the girls, and they'd think 'Kent' was just keeping an eye on things.
"You're a genius, Sain," he muttered to himself. He almost didn't see Lord Pent coming towards him from the other side of the hallway.
"Kent! Can I speak with you?" asked the Etrurian mage. Sain tensed up and began to panic.
"Um, Lord Pent," he said. "Um, what do you need to talk to me about?"
"It's about your companion," Pent said. "You know, Sain."
"S-Sain??" cried Sain. "Why??"
"He has proven himself to be immature and lacking control over his actions," Pent continued. "Ever since he tried to hit on Lousie, I've decided he needs to learn his lesson. I know you already have many responsibilities, being liege to Lady Lyndis and all, but could you at least keep an eye on him? I know you already do, but perhaps if you watched him even more..."
"Ah...well...I think Sain can handle himself!" Sain said. "He...he just wants to have some fun."
"Don't we all," sighed Pent. "But really, not only has my wife complained about him, but several of the others, including Rebecca, Florina, and Fiora. Maybe you could talk to him...I don't know if he'd listen, but it's worth a shot."
Sain felt his palms grow sweaty. It hit him that no one approved of his actions. No one understood his love of women, or his easy going nature.
"I - I don't know," he finally said.
"Well, think about it," Pent said, turning to leave. "If you don't do something, I will. I just thought you'd have a better chance of getting through to him. "
All of the sudden, Sain felt very depressed. No one liked him. They wanted him to be a clone of the dutiful Kent. He needed to be alone. He ran off to find someplace he could go.
"You're expecting me to believe that YOU are really Kent, and that person who I talked to this morning...is really Sain??" cried Fiora. "I don't believe it!"
"I knew you wouldn't believe me," sighed Sain. "But it is true..."
"Of course you would turn this into some kind of joke, Sain!" said Fiora. "Everything is a joke to you! Did you drug Kent?? Because that is the only logical explanation for all of this..."
"I did not drug anybody!" cried Sain. "I am Kent, not Sain, like I explained already. Now he is making me look bad by flirting with girls!"
"This is too hard to believe," Fiora shook her head. "I'm sorry. If you can't tell me the truth, I will have Lady Lyndis come and chastise you for it later."
"Oh no! Don't tell Milady Lyndis!" cried Sain. "She will never believe my story! Now I will be ruined forever!"
Fiora narrowed her eyes. "Well, what do you suggest I do, Sain?"
"I...well, I am not exactly sure," he began. "...yet."
"Lyndis is looking for Kent," Fiora said. "I am going to find her, and then we will see what is wrong with Kent. If you did anything to him, we will shortly know."
She walked away quickly, not knowing what to think.
Kent sighed with frustration. Everyone thought he was Sain, the world's most irresponsible cavalier, and also that 'Kent' was crazy. Even Fiora, the one person who he could talk to in this army, doubted him. Things couldn't get much worse than this.
There was a saying that the way to a man's heart was through is stomach. Serra didn't know why this saying only applied to men. Her heart could definitely be won through her stomach.
Ever since she'd gone on a trip to Etruria with the Lords Uther and Hector a year or so ago, and dined on their fine delicacies, she had become addicted. She had especially enjoyed their famous orange bananas. She had brought several back to Ostia with her, but they had only lasted for so long. Every day, she had longed for another chance to eat an orange banana. She knew it sounded silly, but it was true.
That was one reason why she had told Sain to find her an orange banana. The other reason was because she needed a boyfriend, for her image. Erk had rejected her, and everyone else was either taken or not interested. Sain seemed the next best option.
Serra had seen the Etrurian-born Louise carrying a box of orange bananas into Castle Pherae when they had first arrived. Through gossip, Serra discovered that Louise refused to share her bananas with anybody, not even Lord Pent. She was just as obsessed with them as Serra herself was. Serra decided to steal the bananas, but didn't want to get into trouble, especially not with the Mage General of Etruria and his wife. So, she decided, she would have Sain do it for her. It was a wonderful plan. And it worked. However, even though she had the orange banana, she did not have Sain.
He had seemed so different today. More like Kent than himself. Why had he changed his mind about her so quickly? Had her irresistible charm and beauty left her overnight? That had to be it! She decided to ask the other girls for advice at their sleepover tonight. The others would sympathize wit her and be able to help her.
Serra slowly peeled her banana, and took a big bite. Ah, the taste of an orange banana...
"PENT!!! MY BANANAS ARE MISSING!!"
Louise had been hungry, so she'd gone to the kitchen for a snack. But her treasured orange bananas were all gone!
"Louise?? What is it?? Is something wrong??" cried her frantic husband, bursting into the kitchen. He found Louise sitting on the floor, in tears.
"T-they took the bananas!" she cried. "Y-you know I can't live without them..."
"Well, the doctor did say they had to be an essential part of your diet in order for you to be healthy but..." Pent began. "I'm sure they'll turn up somewhere. Besides, Lady Eleanora might have some laying around. This kitchen is huge, after all."
"But I'm hungry!!" cried Louise. "I want them now!"
"Be patient, my dear," said Pent. "We will find those bananas...I will find those bananas for you, no matter what it takes!"
Kent was at a crossroads. He had no idea what to do. He decided to take a ride to clear his mind. His horse was in the stables of Castle Pherae, so he went there. When he arrived, he found the stable mostly empty, except for Florina, who was changing Huey's water.
"Hello, Florina," he greeted her absent-mindedly, heading towards his horse's stall.
"Um, uh, um...h-hello...S-sain..." said the shy Pegasus Knight. Kent could imagine why she'd be afraid of Sain.
Kent began to put the saddle on his horse when Florina's soft voice called out.
"Um...uh...I-Isn't that...K-Kent's horse?" she asked nervously.
Kent realized that he was indeed saddling his own horse, and not Sain's. It must have looked wrong. Kent had never trained with Sain's horse, so he couldn't go riding after all. Unless...
Lying was something Kent abhorred, but today he was Sain. He could do whatever he wanted. Maybe he should enjoy the freedom. No one expected Sain to follow the rules.
"Kent asked me to take his horse out for a ride," Kent explained confidently. "That's all."
"O-oh," stuttered Florina. "Uh...well then...I have to go." She ran out of the stable.
Kent decided today was the day he could have some fun. People thought he didn't like anything except doing work, but it wasn't true. Deep down, he was just like anybody else. If he was stuck like this, he might as well enjoy it.
"AAH!!" cried Lucius when he looked up and saw Kent in the doorway of Castle Pherae's chapel. After a moment, he regained his composure. "Oh, good, Sain's not with you...He would probably forget that I'm not a girl! You two gave me quite a scare this morning with that whole switching bodies thing, y'know! That was just a joke of Sain's, wasn't it?"
Kent sighed. "Oh yes...it was indeed a joke. It's a joke on us, too."
"Thought so," Lucius said. "Sain can be crazy at times..."
"It seems no one trusts m - I mean, Sain. Even though he just tries to have fun and cheer everyone up. I am deeply depressed by this discovery. I - I mean, he is my best friend! I don't know why no one appreciates him."
Lucius smiled at the redheaded cavalier. "Why, that's so kind of you, Sir Kent, to care so much about your friend! If I can help you in anyway..."
Kent perked up a bit. "Thank you for treating me with such kindness! No one has spoken fondly of me all morning!"
Lucius shrugged. "That's my job as a monk, I guess..."
"Anyways, I came here to say some prayers to St. Elimine," Kent continued. "To...restore my broken soul. Are there any prayer books in here?"
"There's probably one on the shelf over there," Lucius said, gesturing towards the wall. "Me and the other members of the church of Elimine...well, I guess just me and Serra, really...put some things on there."
"Thanks," Kent said, making his way to the shelf.
"I'll be going," Lucius called. "I'm done my prayers, and I need to brush my hair! I hope your prayers go well."
He left the room, not suspecting a thing.
Sain sighed as Lucius left the chapel. Too bad Lucius wasn't a girl. If he was...
"Don't think about that!" Sain instructed himself. "This is why no one likes you! Because you like girls! Now concentrate on finding a prayer book..."
Sain looked up and down the shelf. There were several historical accounts regarding St. Elimine, and some books filled with hymns. Finally, on the bottom shelf, Sain saw a leather-bound book that resembled the prayer book he used at home in Caelin. He picked it up and went to sit in one of the pews of the chapel.
As he opened the book, however, he realized that this was definitely not a prayer book.
This was because, inside the cover, an inscription read Serra's Journal.
I'm sorry! I know I always end these chapter with cliffhangers.
Please review!