I wish I owned this, I don't. Alternate story blah blah blah
...
Seraphim Ephyon, I'm gonna have to do the Mick Bon Jovi one,
sorry ;;. The one I'm worried about, is Engimatic Paradise Giga Weapon X, or whatever the hell that scenario is called.
I don't want to repeat Le Tresor Interdit.
Magil: Caught Between Love and Adventure
"Boy, did her information help. I though the perimeter's counterspell would be quite a problem."
Kid's braid sways gently from side to side in the cool nighttime breeze.
So far, we've managed to slip through the magical shield network undetected and sneak into Lynx's domain. Still,
this inner region can make from some pretty tough travel.
Kid, Magil and I compose this party of three...
However, while walking behind Kid, I can't help but notice her ponytail endlessly swishing back, and forth... back,
and forth... back and, forth...
I'm starting to get sleepy... so, so sleepy...
Mmm, sleep...
"...Serge..."
"Serge!!"
"Huh!?"
"Snap out of it, lazy bones!"
Looking up, the tall, shadowy mansion of Lord Lynx looms before me. I can't believe we're there already... I must have really been out of it.
"The hell were you daydreamin' about, mate? Let's go!"
Kid says, disappearing into the mansion.
"Hey, wait up, Kid!" I shout, frantically chasing after her. However, she's already deep inside.
The darkness engulfs me...
Passages extend to the left and right. Whereever we turn,
darknes awaits...
We head down the path. After a while, it ends at a stained wooden door.
"Guess this's the study."
This huge room is faintly lit by the moonlight, shining in through a tall window. In the back of the room stands a large, ornately decorated desk.
Row after row of bookshelves house thousands of thick,
dusty books. A painting is hung on the rear wall, sharing space with various exotic curios.
I walk over and open a drawer in the mahogany desk.
The drawers contain writing materials and documents,
arranged in an orderly fashion. Unfortunately, they don't seem to contain anything worth mentioning.
But then, a small picture in the drawer catches my eye.
It's a portrait of a friendly-looking girl with a faint smile on her face.
I hold it up, wondering who it could be...
"It's prolly Lynx's adopted daughter," Kid says, looking over my shoulder with her nose crinkled. "...Pedophile."
A faint gasp from behind me suddenly catches my attention. Turning around, I see Magil walking over to us with his eyes fixed firmly on the picture. I don't think I've ever seen him quite like this before...
"What is it, Magil?"
My question visibly startles Magil, but after a few moments, he returns to his usual wooden face.
"...Nothing."
His firm response doesn't leave much room for questioning.
"We're wasting valuable time. We should look elsewhere,"
Magil says abruptly, turning towards the door.
Kid and I look at each other, perplexed.
"What's his problem?"
"Don't ask me..."
"Hey Magil, wait up!"
Suddenly, a bloodcurdling screech cuts through the darkness! Scared stiff at the deafening sound, I look up to see two gigantic, maddening red eyeballs staring straight at me!
It's a gryphon!!
Before I can unsheathe my knife, it starts to flap its wings viciously, conjuring a tremendous gust of wind!
I'm knocked clear off my feet, banging my head up against a wall!
"Serge! You okay?"
My body aches from head to toe. I struggle to ignore the pain as I hastily get back up!
I bend down to grab my knife. As I stand back up with it in my hand, I suddenly realize the gryphon has already cornered me off! It stands no less than a few feet in front of me, its enraged red eyes glowing like ember!
The gryphon swoops down, aiming its razor-sharp talons directly for me!
"Aaaahhh!"
I tried to duck, but it only allowed the horrid claws to dig into my back!
Rolling around on the floor, I shake myself free of its grip! Scampering away, I grit my teeth and try to ignore the blaring pain.
I take a moment to duck out of the action and catch my breath.
"Serge, get yer arse back here!"
I look up to see Kid squaring off with the beast, landing an uppercut directly into the base of its right wing!
Her blow was well placed, adding injury to an already open wound the gryphon had suffered. It reels backward,
screeching in pain!
It's now or never, I tell myself! I sneak up on the gryphon from behind, trying to stay within its blind spot.
But then, all of a sudden, the gryphon snaps around,
billowing its scalding breath down on me!
The gryphon's wings flair up, coming at me for a swatting attack!
The moment I go to duck down low, I see its wings graze the air just inches above my head!
That was such a close call! I quickly get up and ready myself for what's next.
Trying to break free of that ferocious, visceral gaze, I remember the knife I'm holding and grip it tight!
Quickly switching my knife to a backhand grip, I swing at the gryphon's neck with all my rage!
I send my knife arcing through the air, hoping to connect with raw flesh!
It reels back in pain!
The gryphon starts to slowly move in one me, one step at a time. Then, suddenly, it stops. With a blank look in its eyes, it stumbles a bit, and comes crashing to the ground with a huge thud!
Before long, we're greeted with a beautifully ornate set of doors on the right! Strange... there's a distinct smell of flowers coming from here.
Various trinkets have been scattered around this decorative room, adding a bit of charm to an otherwise dreary mansion.
A luxurious desk and a light, fluffy bed add to the elegant nature.
"Is someone there?" a woman's voice asks all of a sudden. Kid and I instantly hide behind a closet, ready for anything.
A fair girl comes into view from out of a dark corner.
"Hmmm... it must have been my imagination," she says,
apparently not yet aware of us.
I remain perfectly still while holding my breath,
wondering what to do next.
Then, all of a sudden, a shadow over by the desk begins to tremble!
Magil...!
He suddenly materializes, placing himself directly across from the girl!
She' overcome with shock, seeing this. In desperation,
all she can do is muster out the words "Who... what.
what do you want...?"
I hope this girl can recognize a good thief when she sees one...
"We're thieves, but we mean you not harm," I say hesitantly, wondering if that came out right.
Kid stares at me doubtfully, most likely confused by what I'm getting myself into.
Seeing the situation unfold before her eyes, the girl stands there with a blank look on her face, pale as a ghost. "Who are you people...?" she asks, unable to mask her increasing fear.
Magil steps in and speaks in a comforting tone. "I apologize on behalf of my party if we starttled you. We intend no harm, my lady."
Despite his persuasiveness, the girl seems to remain unconvinced, and starts to panic. "Stop, thieves! Don't come any closer!"
This is hopeless...
I move over to the bed and start to pull off the sheets.
Kid comes oevr and helps, saying, "Whaddaya say we toss her in the dresser."
Magil approaches us and grabs the sheets out of our hands before we can make our move. With a look of pity in his eyes, he looks back towards the girl.
She seems shocked at this turn of events to say the least, not knowing what to think.
"Sorry Magil, I was only trying to do what's best," I say, ashamed.
However, before Magil can respond, the girl takes a breath, and turns to us to speak.
"Magil? You're Magil? ...Did you once go by the name.
Gilbert?"
Hearing that name, Magil takes on a look of shock.
"Riddel? Is that you?" He says in a suprisingly vulnerable tone.
"Gilbert! It's really you! My dear, dear Gilbert," she says,
taking his hand.
Gilbert? What the...?
"I have worried about you ever so mych," he says in a deeply sentimental voice.
Kid, suddenly tinged with anxiety, interrupts the two.
"Hey, lovebird! We're here for the Frozen Flame, not damsels in distress, remember?"
"The Frozen Flame?" asks Riddel, bewildered.
"Ah yes... these are my companions," Magil says in his usual, dry tone a moment later.
Kid and I glance at each other.
"This evening is a blessing, bequeathed to us by that shimmering red jewel's fate," Magil says to Riddel.
Oh, brother... All this girl stuff is starting to unravel him...
Kid starting to get agitated, however. I've got a feeling there are few things that could keep her from getting the Frozen Flame tonight, and none of them wear high heels.
Despite her increasing impatience with the situation,
Magil goes on... and on... "...Ever since my childhood, I have thought of you... My heart has yearned ever so madly, only for you."
"Oh, Gilbert..."
"It is true, my dear Riddel. Therefore... about the promise..."
Suddenly, Riddel turns away from Magil. "Promise?" she asks in a voice so quet it's almost inaudible.
"Yes, my dear... surely you haven't forgotten our secret promise... the one we made to each other on that beautiful day in the garden. You have not forgotten the vows of marraige we bestowed on one another, have you?"
Riddel continues to avert her eyes from Magil. "I will hear no more of this childish nonsense!" she shouts, burying her head in her hands once again.
"...Is there someone else?" Magil asks after a moment or two, barely able to keep himself composed.
"Gilbert, I..."
She breaks off, unable to finish the sentence. Her shoulders sag as she starts to lament again.
"Sheesh, Magil... talkin' to her like that ain't gonna help!
Save yer issues for Lynx!" Kid interjects, bringing Magil back to reality.
Riddel continues to sob, more and more bewildered by the moment.
"This is hopeless, mate! We've wasted enough time here,
we gotta get goin'!"
"But as it is, leaving this lovely lady alone would be a mistake. She may tell someone about us, or perhaps she's in danger," Magil says to Kid, staring at Riddel.
"Sheesh, I know why you wanna stay here, and it ain't that," Kid says, rolling her eyes.
"Kid, please, leave this to me!" Magil shouts.
Riddel, watching all this, stares at Magil intensely,
probably now wondering if he's the one with something to hide.
Magil feverishly explains. "Please allow me to introduce Kid, a business associate of mine."
Kid, bored to tears, does her best to get us out of this situation. "Business associate? Is that what yer callin' me now? Aw c'mon, mate... just last night you were..."
Dammit! I can't believe she's saying this!
I rush to cover her mouth up with my hands, saying,
"Er... she's a little confused right now, don't mind her.
heh..."
After a moment Kid stops wrestling me and I let go of her. Teeth marks as red as blood stand out on my fingers...
"Gilbert... you really think I'm a lovely lady?"
Seeing a new ray of hope before his eyes, Magil picks up where he left off. "Only of the loveliest kind, my lady.
Indeed, it's true, you have blossomed into fair and delicate young woman."
I'm staying out of this, I say to myself. I've got enough problems with my own love life...
But then, suddenly, another voice echosed out, enetering in through the doorway! "Mistress Riddel, you will remember to mind your manners around our guests,
won't you?"
Who's this?
"Oh Noelle, you know how I dislike it when you call me Mistress!" Riddel exclaims.
She continues, slightly embarrassed. "This is Gilbert,
Noelle. Surely you remember him from long ago, when I was but a child."
After a while, it dawms on the elderly woman that she once knew this man, and an expression of recognition comes over her face. "Ah, yes... Master Gilbert. All grown up, I see. And what a fine gentleman you turned out to be!"
"Aw, now we're never gettin' outta this," Kid says,
sitting down on a couch with her hed in her hands.
Could this still be a trap I wonder...
I stoop down to where Kid's sitting and whisper,
"Magil's got more experience than us... I think we should let him handle this."
Kid goes utterly numb.
The maid notices us whispering to each other and takes a step backwards.
"Well... who is this young lady?"
"Ah, these two are my business associates," Magil says,
offering a simple introduction.
"...I... I see. Since Master Gilbert says so, I will extend my welcome to you. I am Lady Riddel's personal servant. My name is Noelle."
"Nice to meet you."
"I have known Master Gilbert ever since he was a wee lad..."
She goes on, telling us about various things from their past. It seems like they've had quite an illustrious upbringing.
"...And so, Master Gilbert and Lady Riddel often shared one another's company, stealing each other's eyes.
However, one day, he was whisked far away..."
"Could this get any more exciting?" Kid asks.
Noelle and Kid exchange looks, but continues momentarily after recomposing herself.
"...Once, in a secret meeting at their favorite flower garden, an oath was made between the two. In that beaautiful courtyard, future prospects were indeed planned upon..."
However, the maid's eyes darken as she continues.
"But, as everyone knew, Lady Riddel had already been assigned a suitor!"
Riddel's shoulders sink upon hearing this. "Noelle! Why did you have to mention that! Now our oath is void!"
Magil's eyes shimmer in the dim light.
Through all this, Kid has been just about pushed to her limit. Unable to be obedient any longer, she stands up,
eyes flaring.
Kid leaps out ahead of Magil, confronting the two/
"Listen up! I'm the great thief, Kid! And we're here tonight in this mansion to..."
But she's broken off by the maid! "How dare you, you rude young lady! Surely you know better than to act in such a way before the Lady of the House!"
"Hah! You got somthin' comin' to ya, you old wench!"
Kid snarls, now eye to eye with Noelle.
Magil quickly comes between the two, first addressing the maid. "Please, do not worry. I have never shown any malice towards you or Riddel, nor have I ever meant any harm and I will not allow any to happen in the future.
Please accept my apologies on my accomplice's behalf."
"Master Gilbert..."
Continuing on, he turns toward Kid. "Perhaps is would be best if we left."
"Huh!?"
Kid and Noelle exchange glances.
Then, at the same time, one single idea seems to pop into both Noelle's and Kid's minds.
"What in blazes are ya thinkin'? Runnin' off with Riddel!?" Kid yells, at the very same moment Noelle shouts "What in the world, m'lady! How could you think of elopement at a time like this!?"
Magil's mouth drops wide open. "No, that is not what I meant..."
But it's useless. The yelling resumes, louder than ever,
hopelessly drowning out Magil's reasoning.
"What kind of a gentleman do you think you are?
Honestly, thinking of eloping without telling a single soul!" Noelle ensues, before stomping out of the room in a rage.
"Dammit, we gotta think about the Frozen Flame here!"
Kid shouts, tugging on Magil's shirt.
Riddel doesn't seem to be very happy either, having once again regressed into tears.
Magils' voiw of love seems to be on its last leg. I'm starting to wonder if there's any hope for this situation at all anymore...
In any case, Riddel can't possibly want to be burdened with all this torment. If I could just talk her down out of all ot this commotion, it might be all right. If only I had more options...
"It won't be a bad life, living with him. He's a good guy."
"A good thief, perhaps! Everone I know would be ashamed to talk to us!" Riddel whimpers.
"Whaddaya got against theives now!? Ain't nothin'
wrong with bein' a theif. It's an honorable job, ain' it,
Magil?"
"...If Riddel wishes it, I will hearby end my career as a pilferer. Therefore, we..."
"M... Magil??"
Kid and I are floored. This girl must really, really be something...
Magil's presented a good case, but I just don't know if Riddel's swallowing it all.
Suddenly, alarms blare out all around us!
"Damn that bloody maid!"
What do we do now!? Flustered, I look to Magil.
"We must be on our way," he says.
Riddel nods after a moment. "Indeed, it's best for you to leave tonight," she says. "In time, perhaps you may return. Then, I might be able to look upon you as a friend."
A friend... a friend...
Hearing that word in terms of their relationship seems to strike through Magil's heart like a searing hot knife.
"No! I will not leave without you," he yells suddenly!
"Riddel, please, I beg you! Come with me, now!"
Footsteps can be heard from down the hallway.
"The guards are coming for us! Quickly!"
Magil lightly picks Riddel up, putting her over his shoulder as he makes for the door!
"They're getting closer!" Kid says, peeking around the corner.
With his cape gallantly fluttering behind him, Magil bolts down the hallway!
Come on, they're right behind us!
Oh no, there they are, right there!
Hah! Like a hurricane, Magil effortlessly rams one of the guards into the wall while I knock the other senseless without even stopping!
At last, we've slipped out of the huge mansion.
I'm utterly exhausted. I gasp huge breaths as I stumble down onto a nearby grassy cleaing, deep in the woods.
But suddenly, thunderous booms start to echo out from far behind us!
Looking up into the open nighttime sky, fireworks of all colors adorn the starry evening.
I stare upwards, dumbfounded.
"What's goin' on?" Kid asks.
Then, through the trees, I look up at the manion, and all my questions are answered. There, we see all the occupants of Viper Manor, waving and cheering for us.
"Long love Mistress Riddel!"
"Hip hip, hooray!"
"Good luck!"
"We'll all be over for brunch once you're settled!"
Then, Kid nudges me, pointing to the rooftop.
And there, Lord Lynx sits solemnly with a teat in his eye,
waving to us.
"The father of the bride..."
Riddel lifts her head up to speak, briefly pausing from her joyful sobs.
"All this fuss... all this fighting..."
"It is I who should be apologizing, my lady," Magil says,
putting his forehead to hers, wiping her cheek with his handkerchief.
"Oh Gilbert, it's the same old you," she says, sighing.
From far across the landscape, a deep shimmering light begins to fill the sky.
"Look, Riddel... there's our Frozen Flame," Magil says,
pointing towards the morning sun.
Magil: Caught Between Love and Adventure
The End
And so, the curtain closes on another tale. However,
another time, after the spotlight had faded from Gilbert,
Riddel, and Noelle...
...In another place and another time... a similar band of adventurers had come forth, equally unsuspecting of their other selves, and life went on as they strode out into the great unknown.
But that's a story for another day. For now, I shall put down my pen."
As I softly close my grandfather's diary, I hear my mother's voice call to me from downstairs.
"Didn't you hear me? You friend is here!"
I turn around, already knowing who it is. My door opens quite energetically, where I see a strangely nostalgic girl barge in.
"Serge! We found some ruins of an old mansion up in northern Kitsune Forest today! Come on, let's go exploring!"
The End...
The thing I like about this scenario is that there isn't a "bad guy". Don't get me wrong, I like a good villian as much as the next guy. However, sometimes its just nice to get away from that and into romantic stories such as this.
And yes, I Iam/I a guy. Not all guys are shallow emotion-less drunkards :P.
Seraphim Ephyon, I'm gonna have to do the Mick Bon Jovi one,
sorry ;;. The one I'm worried about, is Engimatic Paradise Giga Weapon X, or whatever the hell that scenario is called.
I don't want to repeat Le Tresor Interdit.
Magil: Caught Between Love and Adventure
"Boy, did her information help. I though the perimeter's counterspell would be quite a problem."
Kid's braid sways gently from side to side in the cool nighttime breeze.
So far, we've managed to slip through the magical shield network undetected and sneak into Lynx's domain. Still,
this inner region can make from some pretty tough travel.
Kid, Magil and I compose this party of three...
However, while walking behind Kid, I can't help but notice her ponytail endlessly swishing back, and forth... back,
and forth... back and, forth...
I'm starting to get sleepy... so, so sleepy...
Mmm, sleep...
"...Serge..."
"Serge!!"
"Huh!?"
"Snap out of it, lazy bones!"
Looking up, the tall, shadowy mansion of Lord Lynx looms before me. I can't believe we're there already... I must have really been out of it.
"The hell were you daydreamin' about, mate? Let's go!"
Kid says, disappearing into the mansion.
"Hey, wait up, Kid!" I shout, frantically chasing after her. However, she's already deep inside.
The darkness engulfs me...
Passages extend to the left and right. Whereever we turn,
darknes awaits...
We head down the path. After a while, it ends at a stained wooden door.
"Guess this's the study."
This huge room is faintly lit by the moonlight, shining in through a tall window. In the back of the room stands a large, ornately decorated desk.
Row after row of bookshelves house thousands of thick,
dusty books. A painting is hung on the rear wall, sharing space with various exotic curios.
I walk over and open a drawer in the mahogany desk.
The drawers contain writing materials and documents,
arranged in an orderly fashion. Unfortunately, they don't seem to contain anything worth mentioning.
But then, a small picture in the drawer catches my eye.
It's a portrait of a friendly-looking girl with a faint smile on her face.
I hold it up, wondering who it could be...
"It's prolly Lynx's adopted daughter," Kid says, looking over my shoulder with her nose crinkled. "...Pedophile."
A faint gasp from behind me suddenly catches my attention. Turning around, I see Magil walking over to us with his eyes fixed firmly on the picture. I don't think I've ever seen him quite like this before...
"What is it, Magil?"
My question visibly startles Magil, but after a few moments, he returns to his usual wooden face.
"...Nothing."
His firm response doesn't leave much room for questioning.
"We're wasting valuable time. We should look elsewhere,"
Magil says abruptly, turning towards the door.
Kid and I look at each other, perplexed.
"What's his problem?"
"Don't ask me..."
"Hey Magil, wait up!"
Suddenly, a bloodcurdling screech cuts through the darkness! Scared stiff at the deafening sound, I look up to see two gigantic, maddening red eyeballs staring straight at me!
It's a gryphon!!
Before I can unsheathe my knife, it starts to flap its wings viciously, conjuring a tremendous gust of wind!
I'm knocked clear off my feet, banging my head up against a wall!
"Serge! You okay?"
My body aches from head to toe. I struggle to ignore the pain as I hastily get back up!
I bend down to grab my knife. As I stand back up with it in my hand, I suddenly realize the gryphon has already cornered me off! It stands no less than a few feet in front of me, its enraged red eyes glowing like ember!
The gryphon swoops down, aiming its razor-sharp talons directly for me!
"Aaaahhh!"
I tried to duck, but it only allowed the horrid claws to dig into my back!
Rolling around on the floor, I shake myself free of its grip! Scampering away, I grit my teeth and try to ignore the blaring pain.
I take a moment to duck out of the action and catch my breath.
"Serge, get yer arse back here!"
I look up to see Kid squaring off with the beast, landing an uppercut directly into the base of its right wing!
Her blow was well placed, adding injury to an already open wound the gryphon had suffered. It reels backward,
screeching in pain!
It's now or never, I tell myself! I sneak up on the gryphon from behind, trying to stay within its blind spot.
But then, all of a sudden, the gryphon snaps around,
billowing its scalding breath down on me!
The gryphon's wings flair up, coming at me for a swatting attack!
The moment I go to duck down low, I see its wings graze the air just inches above my head!
That was such a close call! I quickly get up and ready myself for what's next.
Trying to break free of that ferocious, visceral gaze, I remember the knife I'm holding and grip it tight!
Quickly switching my knife to a backhand grip, I swing at the gryphon's neck with all my rage!
I send my knife arcing through the air, hoping to connect with raw flesh!
It reels back in pain!
The gryphon starts to slowly move in one me, one step at a time. Then, suddenly, it stops. With a blank look in its eyes, it stumbles a bit, and comes crashing to the ground with a huge thud!
Before long, we're greeted with a beautifully ornate set of doors on the right! Strange... there's a distinct smell of flowers coming from here.
Various trinkets have been scattered around this decorative room, adding a bit of charm to an otherwise dreary mansion.
A luxurious desk and a light, fluffy bed add to the elegant nature.
"Is someone there?" a woman's voice asks all of a sudden. Kid and I instantly hide behind a closet, ready for anything.
A fair girl comes into view from out of a dark corner.
"Hmmm... it must have been my imagination," she says,
apparently not yet aware of us.
I remain perfectly still while holding my breath,
wondering what to do next.
Then, all of a sudden, a shadow over by the desk begins to tremble!
Magil...!
He suddenly materializes, placing himself directly across from the girl!
She' overcome with shock, seeing this. In desperation,
all she can do is muster out the words "Who... what.
what do you want...?"
I hope this girl can recognize a good thief when she sees one...
"We're thieves, but we mean you not harm," I say hesitantly, wondering if that came out right.
Kid stares at me doubtfully, most likely confused by what I'm getting myself into.
Seeing the situation unfold before her eyes, the girl stands there with a blank look on her face, pale as a ghost. "Who are you people...?" she asks, unable to mask her increasing fear.
Magil steps in and speaks in a comforting tone. "I apologize on behalf of my party if we starttled you. We intend no harm, my lady."
Despite his persuasiveness, the girl seems to remain unconvinced, and starts to panic. "Stop, thieves! Don't come any closer!"
This is hopeless...
I move over to the bed and start to pull off the sheets.
Kid comes oevr and helps, saying, "Whaddaya say we toss her in the dresser."
Magil approaches us and grabs the sheets out of our hands before we can make our move. With a look of pity in his eyes, he looks back towards the girl.
She seems shocked at this turn of events to say the least, not knowing what to think.
"Sorry Magil, I was only trying to do what's best," I say, ashamed.
However, before Magil can respond, the girl takes a breath, and turns to us to speak.
"Magil? You're Magil? ...Did you once go by the name.
Gilbert?"
Hearing that name, Magil takes on a look of shock.
"Riddel? Is that you?" He says in a suprisingly vulnerable tone.
"Gilbert! It's really you! My dear, dear Gilbert," she says,
taking his hand.
Gilbert? What the...?
"I have worried about you ever so mych," he says in a deeply sentimental voice.
Kid, suddenly tinged with anxiety, interrupts the two.
"Hey, lovebird! We're here for the Frozen Flame, not damsels in distress, remember?"
"The Frozen Flame?" asks Riddel, bewildered.
"Ah yes... these are my companions," Magil says in his usual, dry tone a moment later.
Kid and I glance at each other.
"This evening is a blessing, bequeathed to us by that shimmering red jewel's fate," Magil says to Riddel.
Oh, brother... All this girl stuff is starting to unravel him...
Kid starting to get agitated, however. I've got a feeling there are few things that could keep her from getting the Frozen Flame tonight, and none of them wear high heels.
Despite her increasing impatience with the situation,
Magil goes on... and on... "...Ever since my childhood, I have thought of you... My heart has yearned ever so madly, only for you."
"Oh, Gilbert..."
"It is true, my dear Riddel. Therefore... about the promise..."
Suddenly, Riddel turns away from Magil. "Promise?" she asks in a voice so quet it's almost inaudible.
"Yes, my dear... surely you haven't forgotten our secret promise... the one we made to each other on that beautiful day in the garden. You have not forgotten the vows of marraige we bestowed on one another, have you?"
Riddel continues to avert her eyes from Magil. "I will hear no more of this childish nonsense!" she shouts, burying her head in her hands once again.
"...Is there someone else?" Magil asks after a moment or two, barely able to keep himself composed.
"Gilbert, I..."
She breaks off, unable to finish the sentence. Her shoulders sag as she starts to lament again.
"Sheesh, Magil... talkin' to her like that ain't gonna help!
Save yer issues for Lynx!" Kid interjects, bringing Magil back to reality.
Riddel continues to sob, more and more bewildered by the moment.
"This is hopeless, mate! We've wasted enough time here,
we gotta get goin'!"
"But as it is, leaving this lovely lady alone would be a mistake. She may tell someone about us, or perhaps she's in danger," Magil says to Kid, staring at Riddel.
"Sheesh, I know why you wanna stay here, and it ain't that," Kid says, rolling her eyes.
"Kid, please, leave this to me!" Magil shouts.
Riddel, watching all this, stares at Magil intensely,
probably now wondering if he's the one with something to hide.
Magil feverishly explains. "Please allow me to introduce Kid, a business associate of mine."
Kid, bored to tears, does her best to get us out of this situation. "Business associate? Is that what yer callin' me now? Aw c'mon, mate... just last night you were..."
Dammit! I can't believe she's saying this!
I rush to cover her mouth up with my hands, saying,
"Er... she's a little confused right now, don't mind her.
heh..."
After a moment Kid stops wrestling me and I let go of her. Teeth marks as red as blood stand out on my fingers...
"Gilbert... you really think I'm a lovely lady?"
Seeing a new ray of hope before his eyes, Magil picks up where he left off. "Only of the loveliest kind, my lady.
Indeed, it's true, you have blossomed into fair and delicate young woman."
I'm staying out of this, I say to myself. I've got enough problems with my own love life...
But then, suddenly, another voice echosed out, enetering in through the doorway! "Mistress Riddel, you will remember to mind your manners around our guests,
won't you?"
Who's this?
"Oh Noelle, you know how I dislike it when you call me Mistress!" Riddel exclaims.
She continues, slightly embarrassed. "This is Gilbert,
Noelle. Surely you remember him from long ago, when I was but a child."
After a while, it dawms on the elderly woman that she once knew this man, and an expression of recognition comes over her face. "Ah, yes... Master Gilbert. All grown up, I see. And what a fine gentleman you turned out to be!"
"Aw, now we're never gettin' outta this," Kid says,
sitting down on a couch with her hed in her hands.
Could this still be a trap I wonder...
I stoop down to where Kid's sitting and whisper,
"Magil's got more experience than us... I think we should let him handle this."
Kid goes utterly numb.
The maid notices us whispering to each other and takes a step backwards.
"Well... who is this young lady?"
"Ah, these two are my business associates," Magil says,
offering a simple introduction.
"...I... I see. Since Master Gilbert says so, I will extend my welcome to you. I am Lady Riddel's personal servant. My name is Noelle."
"Nice to meet you."
"I have known Master Gilbert ever since he was a wee lad..."
She goes on, telling us about various things from their past. It seems like they've had quite an illustrious upbringing.
"...And so, Master Gilbert and Lady Riddel often shared one another's company, stealing each other's eyes.
However, one day, he was whisked far away..."
"Could this get any more exciting?" Kid asks.
Noelle and Kid exchange looks, but continues momentarily after recomposing herself.
"...Once, in a secret meeting at their favorite flower garden, an oath was made between the two. In that beaautiful courtyard, future prospects were indeed planned upon..."
However, the maid's eyes darken as she continues.
"But, as everyone knew, Lady Riddel had already been assigned a suitor!"
Riddel's shoulders sink upon hearing this. "Noelle! Why did you have to mention that! Now our oath is void!"
Magil's eyes shimmer in the dim light.
Through all this, Kid has been just about pushed to her limit. Unable to be obedient any longer, she stands up,
eyes flaring.
Kid leaps out ahead of Magil, confronting the two/
"Listen up! I'm the great thief, Kid! And we're here tonight in this mansion to..."
But she's broken off by the maid! "How dare you, you rude young lady! Surely you know better than to act in such a way before the Lady of the House!"
"Hah! You got somthin' comin' to ya, you old wench!"
Kid snarls, now eye to eye with Noelle.
Magil quickly comes between the two, first addressing the maid. "Please, do not worry. I have never shown any malice towards you or Riddel, nor have I ever meant any harm and I will not allow any to happen in the future.
Please accept my apologies on my accomplice's behalf."
"Master Gilbert..."
Continuing on, he turns toward Kid. "Perhaps is would be best if we left."
"Huh!?"
Kid and Noelle exchange glances.
Then, at the same time, one single idea seems to pop into both Noelle's and Kid's minds.
"What in blazes are ya thinkin'? Runnin' off with Riddel!?" Kid yells, at the very same moment Noelle shouts "What in the world, m'lady! How could you think of elopement at a time like this!?"
Magil's mouth drops wide open. "No, that is not what I meant..."
But it's useless. The yelling resumes, louder than ever,
hopelessly drowning out Magil's reasoning.
"What kind of a gentleman do you think you are?
Honestly, thinking of eloping without telling a single soul!" Noelle ensues, before stomping out of the room in a rage.
"Dammit, we gotta think about the Frozen Flame here!"
Kid shouts, tugging on Magil's shirt.
Riddel doesn't seem to be very happy either, having once again regressed into tears.
Magils' voiw of love seems to be on its last leg. I'm starting to wonder if there's any hope for this situation at all anymore...
In any case, Riddel can't possibly want to be burdened with all this torment. If I could just talk her down out of all ot this commotion, it might be all right. If only I had more options...
"It won't be a bad life, living with him. He's a good guy."
"A good thief, perhaps! Everone I know would be ashamed to talk to us!" Riddel whimpers.
"Whaddaya got against theives now!? Ain't nothin'
wrong with bein' a theif. It's an honorable job, ain' it,
Magil?"
"...If Riddel wishes it, I will hearby end my career as a pilferer. Therefore, we..."
"M... Magil??"
Kid and I are floored. This girl must really, really be something...
Magil's presented a good case, but I just don't know if Riddel's swallowing it all.
Suddenly, alarms blare out all around us!
"Damn that bloody maid!"
What do we do now!? Flustered, I look to Magil.
"We must be on our way," he says.
Riddel nods after a moment. "Indeed, it's best for you to leave tonight," she says. "In time, perhaps you may return. Then, I might be able to look upon you as a friend."
A friend... a friend...
Hearing that word in terms of their relationship seems to strike through Magil's heart like a searing hot knife.
"No! I will not leave without you," he yells suddenly!
"Riddel, please, I beg you! Come with me, now!"
Footsteps can be heard from down the hallway.
"The guards are coming for us! Quickly!"
Magil lightly picks Riddel up, putting her over his shoulder as he makes for the door!
"They're getting closer!" Kid says, peeking around the corner.
With his cape gallantly fluttering behind him, Magil bolts down the hallway!
Come on, they're right behind us!
Oh no, there they are, right there!
Hah! Like a hurricane, Magil effortlessly rams one of the guards into the wall while I knock the other senseless without even stopping!
At last, we've slipped out of the huge mansion.
I'm utterly exhausted. I gasp huge breaths as I stumble down onto a nearby grassy cleaing, deep in the woods.
But suddenly, thunderous booms start to echo out from far behind us!
Looking up into the open nighttime sky, fireworks of all colors adorn the starry evening.
I stare upwards, dumbfounded.
"What's goin' on?" Kid asks.
Then, through the trees, I look up at the manion, and all my questions are answered. There, we see all the occupants of Viper Manor, waving and cheering for us.
"Long love Mistress Riddel!"
"Hip hip, hooray!"
"Good luck!"
"We'll all be over for brunch once you're settled!"
Then, Kid nudges me, pointing to the rooftop.
And there, Lord Lynx sits solemnly with a teat in his eye,
waving to us.
"The father of the bride..."
Riddel lifts her head up to speak, briefly pausing from her joyful sobs.
"All this fuss... all this fighting..."
"It is I who should be apologizing, my lady," Magil says,
putting his forehead to hers, wiping her cheek with his handkerchief.
"Oh Gilbert, it's the same old you," she says, sighing.
From far across the landscape, a deep shimmering light begins to fill the sky.
"Look, Riddel... there's our Frozen Flame," Magil says,
pointing towards the morning sun.
Magil: Caught Between Love and Adventure
The End
And so, the curtain closes on another tale. However,
another time, after the spotlight had faded from Gilbert,
Riddel, and Noelle...
...In another place and another time... a similar band of adventurers had come forth, equally unsuspecting of their other selves, and life went on as they strode out into the great unknown.
But that's a story for another day. For now, I shall put down my pen."
As I softly close my grandfather's diary, I hear my mother's voice call to me from downstairs.
"Didn't you hear me? You friend is here!"
I turn around, already knowing who it is. My door opens quite energetically, where I see a strangely nostalgic girl barge in.
"Serge! We found some ruins of an old mansion up in northern Kitsune Forest today! Come on, let's go exploring!"
The End...
The thing I like about this scenario is that there isn't a "bad guy". Don't get me wrong, I like a good villian as much as the next guy. However, sometimes its just nice to get away from that and into romantic stories such as this.
And yes, I Iam/I a guy. Not all guys are shallow emotion-less drunkards :P.