No one is reading this huh? T-T [whimpers] Anyways I found a few problems with my first 3 chapters:

1. Chris is apparently tone deaf… Eck! I can't change the story not though!!! Gahhhh! X.x Maybe I can get away with saying the rune helps people sing? Oh drat… I dug myself into a hole…

2. Both Prologues are kind of sketchy… I guess I'm going to have to re-write them sooner or later…

3. When I uploaded chapter one the song's title never appeared… for your info, the song is A Deus (deas) from grandia II. The translation is at the end of this chapter…

Ok…

Star-cursed Flight

By The Black Gryphon

Chapter 2: Birth

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The past few days were what many would call hell. Nadir had suddenly pulled out a insane rehearsal schedule out of nowhere and that is when chaos began. Nei found herself pulled this way and that as measuring tape was wrapped around her in an effort to get the costume right. The whole castle was abuzz simply to appease the drama king. Day and night the set began to grow and the actors continued to perfect their lines. Even though some of the cast had a few problems with their costumes (mainly the men and the Tights issue), everything seemed to flow perfectly. The stage was set the music had been rehearsed, and the script and timing had been engraved into the actor's brain. Which meant everyone was dead tired.

The sun had risen well over 3 hours ago, but the drained actress was still sound asleep in her hammock, subconsciously hoping that the slave driver would allow his poor 'actors' to sleep in. Fate however was a cruel, drama loving woman. Shifting as the last wisps of sleep faded away, Nei opened her eyes slowly, only to come face to face with a rather close mask in her face. Normally one would pass out of sheer horror (the way she had been worked to the bone), but she was made out of sterner stuff. She merely screamed at the top of her lungs.

Roland watched as Percival dragged a reluctant Borus off his bed. The swordsman of rage was not known for his early risings, and the muffled protests he was making wasn't making him more dignified.

"Two more minutes…"

"If I gave you two, then you wouldn't be up for another HOUR! Now lets go before Lady Chris is forced to wait any longer!" Percival suddenly found himself on the floor as Borus leapt up and was heading out the door, only to have Leo snag him by the collar of his Night shirt.

"Perhaps it would be better if you changed into something more… suitable." Leo commented as he threw Borus back onto his bed. At that moment, any vestiges of sleep were banished as a loud scream echoed through Budehuc.

"What was that?" Percival turned to Roland who was gone. A open window was all that signified how he had disappeared. "Hrm…"

Nadir never expected that kind of response from his sleeping heroine, nor did he ever dream that a sharp object would be poking the back of his head. Slowly, he turned his head only to see that the arrow was held by Roland, who had a peculiar look on his face.

"Lady Nei, are you alright?" Roland's eyes never strayed from the Drama director's mask.

"I-I'm fine…" Only then did the arrow disappear. Figuring that now was the safest moment to slip away, Nadir snuck off. He could bother his actress later. This left the two elves alone, Roland with a stern look on his face and Nei's a bright red tint.

"Sir Roland?" For some unknown reason, she felt very timid around him. Roland turned his head towards the elf maiden. "I never got to say this, but thank you for saving me a while back."

Roland blinked and a tart response flew out of his mouth before he realized it. "I was surprised that you were foolish enough to leave the castle grounds alone. You should be more careful in the future."

It almost felt like he had just slapped her on the face and she looked down on the ground before uttering a weak, "Oh." Desperately she looked around for a reason to leave and spotted her Lyre. She silently picked it up and bowed to the knight before dashing off. Roland watched as she disappeared under the deck and then muttered to himself, "Idiot…"

Hugo panted as the twin snake's main head seemingly shrugged off his attack before dodging the right head's attempt to rip off his arm. His mother's whip had entangled the left head which allowed Beecham, and Emily to pound the thing senseless. It was left up to him and Nei to hold the beast's attention while Rody continued to chant. It tried to grab his leg with it's sticky tongue but squealed in pain as Nei slammed down on it's mouth, causing it to bit down on it's own tongue. Gracefully she leapt backwards beside Rody and closed her eyes, feeling the power of the Jongleur rune begin to awaken. Slowly, she began to sing the Song of Madness, her power seeping into the warrior's arms and strengthen their blows. The left head fell lifeless as the whip around it's neck finally snapped it's spine. Blow after blow fell down onto the main body when a bolt of lightning soared down and finished the great beast off. Carefully skirting around the corpse, Hugo began to work on the chest's lock.

"This should help with the castle's funds." Lucia noted as Hugo continued to work on opening the chest.

"With that many mouths to feed, I was amazed that it ran out so fast." Emily replied as she leaned against a rock.

"Actually that was partially because of Wan Fu. He's been banned from the food area and one of our warriors has to make sure he doesn't get back in. Who knew he could eat in one day what a whole army could in a week." Beecham scoffed when the chest opened and revealed rare armors and pouches of potch. They all nodded and closed the chest, Emily grabbing onto one side, Beecham the other. Hugo then stared into the blinking mirror and they found themselves back in the castle, a worried Thomas and Sebastian waiting for them. Emily and Beecham followed Thomas and Sebastian while Hugo left to freshen up with Rody. Lucia glanced at Nei, who remained quiet all this time and then at the direction Hugo and Rody had left.

"Care to join me in the bathing house?" Lucia asked, snapping Nei out of her trance.

"Oh, um… alright…" Nei began to climb up the stairs to her room when she passed Roland. The two of them glanced at each other, Roland's face stern and hers pained, before continuing on their way. What Nei didn't see was that Roland's expression wasn't that of Disgust, but concern for the blood and random cuts on her body. Lucia's expression had soured and she leaned beside the elevator, waiting for it to arrive.

"Are all Ironheads as stupid and dimwitted as you were just then?" She spat out before disappearing into the elevator. Roland had no time to reply before Leo had called to him the meeting room.

"What was that Barbarian saying to you?" Leo questioned. Roland merely shrugged it off. He would have another chance to talk to the Lady Nei later.

"No no no! Where is the passion? The ROMANCE?" Nadir cried as Nei fidgeted on top of the balcony set. Below Roland stood to one side, his eyes distant and unfocused on the director's rants.

"The main rehearsal is tomorrow and the day after that is the Main event! What happened to all the tension, the atmosphere, the DRAMA?"

"MAYBE if we weren't all TIRED," Borus began, "We could actually FINISH this play and GET IT OVER WITH! We all have more important duties to attend too!"

Nadir remained quiet before sighing is overdramatic sigh. "Alright then, tonight you shall rest and tomorrow you will rise to the glory that is acting!" Basically take the rest of the day off…

"Why can't he ever get right to the point?" Borus grumbled as Percival just chuckled. They expected Roland to follow, but stopped when Roland remained on the set, as well as Nei. With a low chuckle, Percival lead his comrade away to leave the two 'lovers' alone. Nei glanced around her and slowly moved towards the hidden stairs when a voice stopped her.

"Is something wrong?" Nei froze and shook her head, not daring to look behind her. She waited a second before continuing to descend down the stairs.

"I.." Roland paused, unsure of what to say. His pride wouldn't let him admit he was wrong, but he knew that he was the cause of all this tension between them. Nei wouldn't turn to face him, which made it harder to tell what her reaction would be. "… Good luck tomorrow night." Roland finally blurted out. Internally he was yelling at himself. That was NOT what he wanted to say.

"You too…" Was Nei's response before she disappeared backstage. The creaking of the door was heard and he shook his head. As he left the tavern/stage, Percival and Borus greeted him with a sly look on their faces.

"So how did it go?" Percival question, only to be answered with a stern look and the back of the elfin knight.

"Pretty!"

"I did a exceptional job, if I don't say so myself."

"Your look astounding!"

Various comments showered in around the brightly blushing Nei, who was dressed in her outfit for the play. Since there were no pictures nor any idea of what kind of outfits they wore in the time period in the play, Martha had to use some of her creativity. Using the only clues they had (that Juliet and Romeo were of high class and that most of their wear were much like Zexen fashion) Martha used a old dress they had found in the attic and added onto it. It was actually Eike who had found the trunk full of clothes and this dress had stood out. The corset like top was a pale blue, studded with tiny crystal beads in a flower pattern on the top while the rest of the dress was a deep sea blue, the hem barely brushing the floor. Her back was bear for the purpose of the costume wings that Nei would have to wear in the ball scene, but Martha had ripped off the old puffball like sleeves and simply copied the sleeves of Nei's normal outfit, again the same color of the skirt. Too add to the costume, they hung a old crystal bead tiara over her forehead.

"The hair just doesn't fit." Luce pondered out loud as she experimented with Nei's hair. "Maybe if was down…" And thus began the debate on how to fix the Elf's hair.

"WOW! Your hair is so long! I didn't know it went down to your butt!"

"CECILE!"

"What? it does! see!"

"CECILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Hurgh, I think this jacket is a bit too tight on the collar." Borus groaned as he attempted to let in some air.

"I think that your supposed to leave it open." Percival commented as he made sure his rapier was firmly attached to his belt. Roland watched as the two mock practiced Percival's duel to the death, Percival imitating how Nadir had shown them how Mercutio should of died, causing everyone to laugh. Even Hugo chuckled a bit, though he was slightly uncomfortable in his outfit. Even though Martha had designed it with his Karayan heritage in mind, it still was leaning towards Zexen fashion. Luckily the two fashions didn't clash. Roland, figuring he had enough, stood up and headed towards the door. Everyone else was too caught up in the excitement of the last major rehearsal that they didn't even notice. He adjusted the collar to his black jacket, making sure that no pieces of lint or dust rested anywhere on the fabric or gold designs. They had talked Nadir out of the tights luckily so he was wearing a pair of simple grey pants and leather boots. Outwardly he was calm and neutral, but internally he was at war with himself. How did this whole mess start? Oh yes, with the play of course. He couldn't wait till this whole fiasco was over with, that was definite. Then maybe life would go on normally and he would no longer find himself questioning himself and his decisions. A door creaked open as a frantic Nei tried to escape her torturers from destroying her hair with scissors and hot curlers. She rounded the corner, only to slam into Roland. She started to fall backwards but was steadied by his arms around her. It was an instinctual reaction by Roland, but he had little time to ponder over it as he heard the cries of an over ecstatic Cecile and the chatter between Luce and Martha. Grabbing her hand, he murmured for her to follow and the two elves disappeared further into the castle. Opening the door to the Knight's quarters, he ushered her in and closed the door, waiting for the footsteps to fade away.

"I believe that they have left Miss Nei." Roland said coolly as he turned towards Nei, only to freeze as he took in her appearance. She was laying down on the bed, breathless from running. Her hair farmed her face and he felt his face grow slightly hot. She was beautiful. Had it been that long since he had last felt the need for companionship? He had little time to ponder this as she stood up.

"Thank you for… rescuing me." She smiled an uneasy smile before heading to the door. Before she could of opened it however, Cecile's voice came closer and closer and she backed herself away from the door, as if it would of alerted the young 'soldier' and right into Roland again. The two had no idea of what to do and silence took control as Nei sat down on a chair and began to fiddle with her hair.

"Miss Nei… I'm…" Roland began, catching the attention of the female elf. He struggled on what to say since Elves are a proud race and not used to admitting their mistakes.

"It's alright I forgive you…" Nei interrupted him, her eyes staring out the window. Well at least that was off his chest now. Before he could fully relax, she asked him a question.

"Do you find my behavior odd, Sir Roland?" Blinking, he thought back to all the times he talked to her and then nodded.

"Sometimes your way of talking and reacting to these humans surprises me. Why do you ask?" She paused and then turned to him.

"What was the Village of the Elves like?"

Roland was by now thoroughly confused. Why was she asking such a thing? While it may be a possibility that she was born after the great tree had been burnt down, where else could she of have not lived there? Surely her parents would of returned... There were no other Elvin villages that people knew of and the only other reason would of..

"…"

Judging from his expression, Nei knew that he had finally figured it out. "I've never really stayed there for more then a day or two since… What I am trying to say is that I was raised by a human couple…"

As promised, the translation to the last chapter's song.

A Deus/Deas:

Birth of sun, words, miracle

Pure water, a tear

Peace, light, love...

Fruit, Growth (?), breath, freedom

Harmony, blessing wind

Thanks...

Storm, unquiet, darkness

Sunshine, happiness, thanks to God (both male and female)

Reviews? Anyone? Please?