.-Return to Innocence-.
-. Annoyance .-
Oops, I forgot all about the disclaimer in the first chapter. So here it is.
DISCLAIMER- I do not own Shadow Hearts and its characters
Don't we all wish we did? Sigh... Oh, and thank you Gutterfiend. That script FAQ helped out alot, so I don't have to sit, play the game, and write at the same time! ;
I also changed the story to PG-13 it's no where near R... yet. cackle
And I got some really lame humor in here, that's a warning!
----------------------------------------------------------
This is a war we live, and the sides are drawn.
we're all wrapped up in fatigues
and they wear us out.- Marches and Maneuvers, Thursday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Huh? Hey! What are you doing? Wake up! Were you attacked or something? I told you it was dangerous, didn't I?"
As long as I pretend I was harmed, maybe he'll leave me alone and I can be on my way.
"Looks like I'm the one who's gettin' all tingly inside. Maybe I should make a move."
Dear God... just go, go...
"Um, hello," His breath was cold, his voice seductive, and he was next to me.
Please... no... Not now.
I heard clothes move, as if rising. "Hey Girl! Don't just lie there like a dead fish, get up!"
Damn, maybe laying pretending to be faint wasn't such a good idea. He could have smothered me for sure. I struggled up and turned around coming face to face with... him? I can't see well in the dark, especially without my glasses but I haven't worn them for months. I hate those things.
I heard a dark chuckle... Yeah, it's the dunce. I backed away not wanting to be near the lunatic's presence.
"You take one look at me and run off, then you faint. You got no manners, you know that?" He scolded me!
Anger meter rising...
Have to have a good come back.
"Well, it isn't my fault I ran away, you know. Touching me inappropriately... what am I supposed to do? Enjoy it?! For one thing, I don't even know you. Then, dashing away from you, I picked up a good sized rock to toss at your randy head, but a damn wolf just had to show up hoping to take a good bite outta me, luckily I smashed its brains out! See,"
I lightly nudged the wolf's corpse with my black shoe causing it to turn over on its stomach showing the fatal wound I had created.
"And then a blood thirsty bat comes over to say "Hello" out of nowhere! I tried to smack it with that stick over there but the sucker was too quick and it bit me! See, see!"
I indicated the massive tree branch and I shoved my hand in his face moving it rapidly.
"And...And..."
I was fumbling with my words I got so angry. Seeing me in my bewilderment, he interrupted abruptly. "Yeah, there's a lot of hungry wolves and blood sucking bats out here." That's all he's going to say?
You don't care about my well being at all, do you?
"You're probably attracting them... you smell pretty good, ya know?"
I forgot all about my potent fragrance I wore. It was my mother's she always let me borrow it, saying she was told old to wear it on her once beautiful skin. And after all these hours... it's still in use? Stronger then I expected.
I hope he doesn't mean I smell good elsewhere...
Uh oh! My Bible, did I leave it on the train?
Last time I remembered, I saw the demon and ducked for life, leaving my bible by its lonesome on my empty seat
. I really did forget it.
My face most of shown some signs of regret, the young man looked at me with concern, I think...
"What's up?"
"I... I think I left something. .on the train, something... very important..."
And special to me.
"I dunno what'cha mean, but I found a weird type of book on a seat I think you were sittin' on. It pretty much smelled like the perfume ya got on, take a look."
He reached in his coat and pulled out something light colored and glistening. My Bible, he has it! Without thinking I quickly snatched it out of his hands. He seemed baffled at my reaction.
"Oh, sorry... it's just; this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much."
It means a lot to me.
An actual smile creeped on my face. "Well, yeah... anyway don't run off like that, 'k? Cuz if I don't do what the voice says my heads gonna split open."
Huh... voice? The woman's voice?
"...huh?" I asked, confused.
"Don't "huh" me, someone or something is pretty damn insistent that I protect you."
No thanks... I don't need your help.
"Excuse me..? Thanks, but no thanks. I can handle this on my own. No need for help from some ill-mannered vulgarian like you." I started to walk off in a frivolous manner.
I'm not a baby.
"Huh. Ya got guts. Sorry baby, the voice is orderin' me too; it's always "Go protect that person." or "Go to that town." Tough luck, yer comin' with me."
The voice? It tells him what to do?
It said something about Darkness and Light.
Maybe it wasn't stupid after all... what does that mean?
I became curious in this turn of events so I decided to stick with him finally. I know something is going on. Not everything is just peachy yet.
I sighed and looked over my shoulder. "Alright then. But like I just said before hand, I can defend myself." My voice full of force and dignity.
I know exactly what to ask next.
"So, that's why you were on the train? The "voice" told you to aid me?"
"Yup." he stood proudly.
How cool n' collected you are.
At least one of my questions was answered... but meekly. It still seems sorta far-fetched. When I practiced the arts of an exorcist of course I would believe in this sort of thing. But... I've giving up all my beliefs.
I was a terrible exorcist next to my father... I should have saved him but I was only a novice I had no idea what to do with so little time.
It's my entire fault. Forgive me.
"But thanks to that voice, I'm changing from your ordinary bad-boy type into a real psycho."
I already knew you were a bit... nutty.
"What about you? Hey, are you psycho too? Do you see weird things?"
Guess I'm not the only of an unsound mind. But my gift is far over lunacy. I have a six-sense, or that's what Father said.
I can see things most others can't, and I have frequent premonitions. But... that dream... Dad said I was a Key. Was he talking about my six-sense? Maybe I'm more precious then I think.
I nodded my head slowly. "..Maybe."
He has this voice... among um, other things. Is he really that perpetual? The craft of the Devil himself?
If we both have some of dementia then,
Eventually we'll end up butchering each other.
"Well you don't seem quite like me, but whatever. We can't just chat all day."
I think you mean "Chat all night." Unless you're colorblind.
I spoke up coyly "You're right. I suggest we find a town or something. I'm starving to death here." I added dramatically.
I haven't eaten anything since early morning in ChangChun, and all I have eaten was a small bit of plain rice. It was very light, something I wasn't quite use to.
I ate a ton in Europe for breakfast. Boiled eggs, French toast, buttered pancakes, waffles with the sweetest strawberry syrup, fresh blueberries, warm oatmeal, and chilled orange juice. Thanks to my speedy metabolism I'm sure not pudgy.
Yes, Alice Elliot is a pig.
"Hey, I was thinkin' the same thing, c'mon." I held my neglectful Bible close to my chest, breathing in its hearty scent, and began to follow him.
"Oh yeah," he turned to face me, "Almost forgot. The name's Yuri. You can call me Yuri."
My body began to tremble, my arms shook violently, my hands quivering, I dropped my bible. It landed in the dirt, dust flying.
"Y-yuri?" I stuttered in apprehension.
"Yeah...? What's wrong with it?"
That's the name I whispered out in my dream. The tower. The same name I'm sure of it. And he was there too, dashing towards that immense creature floating above in the windy clouded sky.
I was saying something in the lines of "No, don't." Maybe telling him not to head for the strange monster? No questions about it, I said his name and something about his soul with my voice full of lament.
It was just a dream Alice, calm down. Come back to your senses.
"Oh! Nothing, nothing. Nothing is wrong with it... it's... it's a very nice name" I grabbed my Bible, dusting it off. He must think I'm crazy, busting into such a fit as that.
I guess I should tell him my name now...
".. Yuri." I began slowly keeping it in my memory.
Just as I said that, the moonlight went full out on the plains causing a bright glow as it began setting higher in the turbulent sky. It luminated his face. I could finally see him.
He appeared to be Asian... but not quite. I suppose half? Guessing Russian from his name. And very boyish with light brown eyes. But from what I saw his outward appearance was quite attractive in my eyes, dare I say sensual.
The only boys I saw in London were fair haired and blue-eyed, quite a bore. I began to shiver and started having butterflies in my...
Groin.
"I'm... I'm. Uh... my names... Um... I'm..." I stuttered, staring at his flawless features.
Oh, what's my name..?
"You are... who? Get on with it, we don't have all night." He seemed sort of cross as he folded his arms.
Oh yeah, Alice. That's right.
"Uh... Alice... E-elliot. Yes, I'm Alice Elliot. Nice to meet you, Yuri." I finally said matter of factly once my quivering came to a stop.
Phew, that was quite unlikely. Must you be so handsome, Johnny-come-lately?
"Alice, huh? Even your names cute."
He thinks I'm cute!
"Please stop with the mindless flirting, you're starting to irritate me already, don't say such things to a lady. You must be more mannered around women."
Why can't I just accept it? Me and my big mouth.
"Well well well, you don't got much demeanor yourself, girl. Dressed like a..." He sought out the cross around my neck. "Like a Christian... and."
I rudely interrupted, "Ex-Christian."
Strained on the "Ex".
"Oh, well excuuuse me! Yeah whatever, you cursed up a storm when that maniac dude had you up in his hold, so don't you dare start with shit about me."
..You didn't!
My brows formed in a scowl as I gripped my Bible tight, threatening to strike him square in the face with it.
"You shut your stinkin' mouth! And if you try to feel me in such a lewd manner again I swear I'll rip you limb to limb and feed your bloody body to the wrenching wolves!"
I lie too much.
He held his hands up in defense sarcastically showing he wasn't truly scared of my reaction. "Ok, ok! I got it. I won't touch you! Right, we're off..."
Why did I have to lie..?
I looked over to find what should be a path but it was overflowing with water. The river I threw my rock in earlier. Yuri stuck his leg in it,
"Hmm, too deep. Looks like we can't go this way, you might get yer noble clothes damaged in this murky cryptic body of water, we wouldn't want that now, would we?"
Yeah too bad I'm not like that, but whatever.
"Ha ha, very funny. If you're gonna be such a smart-ass about it, let's just find another route." I walked to the left coming face to face with... a giant spider? I'm definitely not seeing things... how did it get so huge?
I'm so sick of bugs..
Ever since I stomped on ants when I was five.
"Ahh! What the..?" I staggered back, aghast.
Yuri came around to face me. "What is it now?! Whoa!" He came running, probably to "save" me.
Don't waste your breath.
"Don't even try it! I said I can guard myself!" I shouted looking right at him while throwing my Bible aside and kicking wildly at the spider's head.
"Umm... Alice? I think you a... better step aside." He muttered cautiously, cracking his knuckles.
"I said shut it!" I kicked the spider roughly. It squeaked like a distressed rat and suddenly spewed out a dark green putrid liquid covering my whole upper body.
I'm not blaming Yuri; I didn't care about his warning.
Stunned, I swiftly picked up the large stick I had in my hands when I tried to strike the bat, and jabbed it into the spider's gray skittish body. It lay lifeless, preferably dead. I killed another living thing. I collapsed in front of it leaving the stick in its horrendous body.
One more epic action saga point for Alice Elliot!
Yuri walked up to me, "Yo Alice, you ok? ...Phew you stink!" He stopped mid-track, holding his nose.
Ugh, what did the rotten spider do to me? I smell like over aged cheese.
"...Yeah so? I did it didn't I? I defeated something without your help at all! I told you."
I stood full of triumphal. This was too easy; if another spider comes I'd just keep repeating my forced kicking.
Yuri smirked darkly, "You sure are right about that, but uh, Alice you really smell..." He paced towards me lazily. I gave him a quizzical look. "..What? Who cares, I'm sure it'll fade. Geez."
I winced as it started to burn badly.
...Or maybe not.
He instantly picked me up, tossing me over his shoulder.
"Let go, let go you nauseating lout! What do you think you're doing!?" I yelled punching his back. It reminded me so much of Roger Bacon actions.
"Nu uh, no way Alice, I'm not traveling with a stinky little girl." He replied calmly.
Next thing I knew I was dumped harshly into the river. I hardly knew how to swim, but with a quick adrenaline rush, I promptly stuck my head out from its freezing depths, feeling the green liquid slowly slide off my gaunt body.
I hate water! I hate getting wet! Damn you, Yuri!
"What on Earth!?" I screeched climbing onto the dusty bank my clothes soaking wet, clung on me tightly as I spat out water, rolled over, and wheezed in a haze.
"Heh heh, you needed a bath. So... I gave ya one." He chuckled and grinned.
I was already uneasy with his brazen antics. "Gee thanks, it was always my dream to get thrown in an icy cold river by a disobedient young mindless man."
I rolled my eyes frankly annoyed with my wet clothes and drenched hair.
"Oh, don't get so namby-pamby. Yer lucky I'm nice enough to do that, cuz if I didn't yer skin would start to ooze off slowly, yeah? It's what those spiders do." He shrugged.
"...What?!" I eyed him in disbelief.
"Well usually they aim that gunk to hit yer asshole so you melt from the inside and once ya all soft and gooey they take a bite outta ya." He seemed so informational; I just hope he wasn't telling the whole truth.
Cute, real cute.
"Ew! That's just grievous!" I blurted out staring absentmindedly at the deceased spider.
"See? You're lucky yer cute enough for me to save your dainty lil' ass."
Amen.
He headed to the left where I began after this whole incident. "Hurry up."
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming." I once again picked up my Bible and followed behind leisurely, careful to not walk on the spider's unpleasant corpse.
I have a feeling I'm going to hate you.
We soon came to a different area. It had what seemed a few old sluice gates, nothing more. My feet soon became weak, my head cloudy as I slumped to the ground, everything went foggy.
"Damn, a dead end." Yuri kicked the ground, I moaned slightly. "Alice..?"
He too, became a blur, as I unexpectedly blanked out. After what seemed a few seconds, I eased my eyes open, I was still there.. in the plains but it was more dark and gloomy and I was left in solitude.
Yuri... where are you?
I heard a noise in the distance, a sound of clashing metal and soon after, battle cries. I stayed low on the ground as it came closer.
Abruptly, a swoon of men can lashing about, riding atop strong legged horses, swords and arrows filling the air. They appeared to be Chinese but dressed in a manor of the Middle Ages, like an age of the dynasties I heard about in my history lessons.
I gasped and rolled over as an arrow came my way and hit a stout man squarely in the chest.
They can't see or hear me? Is this from the past? Ghosts, perhaps?
a subtle voice rung in my head. It was the woman's; the one Yuri had said he heard. Only I could her quite clearly.
"The war... from centuries past... an old age in China.. spirits linger... un able to visit their next forbidding life."
Her voice echoed in my mind as the once gallant Chinese warriors disappeared and an illumination occurred... is she trying to tell me to exorcise them?
I'm no good at that, please don't ask me...
"Yo, Alice? What's wrong now..? Sheesh..." It was Yuri's voice. And I'm sure as hell wasn't pretending this time. I really did dream... or have a vision I should say.
"Unh..?" I came to my senses, quickly standing on my feet.
"I'm... I'm sorry it won't happen again, promise!" I gave a cheap smile and a salute to go with it.
Yuri smiled faintly, "Up and at 'em, solider. Anyways, while you were out I figured somethin'. Maybe we could drain the water with one of these handles." He kicked it gently.
"So, that's why you didn't pester when I was out, hmm?" I put my hands on my hips and faced him closer.
He scratched his head. "Uh... I guess? But uh, bout this handles, they all seem rotten, not used in years I 'spose."
And I know why...
"...The war." I whispered slightly as more droplets of water splashed from my head onto my Bible.
"Come again?" Yuri asked, deathly confused as he struggled with the gate.
"They haven't been used because of a great war that raged here in an early decade, a dynasty if you will. I... I think the ghosts are still here, they don't want us to leave. They want company..."
I looked on with great remorse as I saw remnants of the warriors through my physic ability of seeing the paranormal.
"...You sure you're okay? The spider's toxic got to ya?"
Must I give you a thorough explanation?
"Yuri, listen to me... I can see them... I can feel them. They are still here, no doubt. I haven't told you and I thought I wouldn't have to tell you so soon, but I have a six-sense..."
"A six-what?"
I sighed at his unintelligent remark.
And he says he gets around a lot?
"A six-sense... I can see, hear and feel things other cannot, and like I said I can hear the ghosts... feel their pain..."
"I see... I'm not gonna argue with you so I'm just gonna have to believe you and yer "six-sense.""
I stomped my foot, agitated. "Look, do you want to get out of here or what? Why would I lie about that? How could I come up with something like that? Oh you make me so..."
I gritted my teeth and balled up my fists.
"Okay, okay!" He held his hands up. "So, whaddya wanna do then? Run around screaming "Shoo! Shoo! You pesky chink midgets! You can't take our souls!""
"Will you stop being so rude, they are Chinese, say it right!" I picked a twig out of my soaked hair and flung it at him.
"Shoo! Shoo! You pesky Chinese midgets, you can't take my soul, only Alice can!"
If that was some sort of sexual joke, I'm not buying it.
"Well... anyway I can take care of this.. I'll get us out of here for sure." I opened my Bible trying to remember the right chant to bring lost souls to the Holy Land.
"W-what are you doing, now? This isn't time to be readin' and-"
"Be quiet, Yuri! I'm going to exorcise them..." I closed my eyes in concentration hearing their pleas of help.
"...Exercise? But aren't you just... kinda... standin' there?" he seemed so stumped as he leaned against the gate arms crossed.
I'm not going to answer your naive questions any further. Shut up!
Closing my eyes, I lightly whispered the séance, a white radiance emitted from my book, casting light around the whole area. The souls of the lost warriors quietly vanished, heading to the Heavens for their good will, thanking me in return.
I did it... I actually did it.
As soon as the light died down, I opened my blue eyes and closed the Bible. I sighed at my finally good deed.
Did you see that, father?
"I think the handle will work now..."
Yuri looked around astonished, "Huh? Uh right... I was uh, thinkin' the same thing."
Sure you were dumb ass.
I walked over, water making squishing sounds in my shoes. I pushed him aside and turned the handle lightly. The sound of water draining came to my ears.
"Well, it looks like it might take awhile for the water to drain, but I think after it's done we'll be able to move forward."
"Hm, yeah, I guess. Wanna take a rest?"
Heck yeah.
"Um... sure." I craned my neck to find a secluded spot cluttered with rotten wood. "There's a good place, we can build a fire with that wood there. So I can... ahem, dry off." I looked at him darkly.
"If that's yer way of thankin' me, sure. A nice romantic fire, just the two of us, staring at the star filled night sky."
Not again...
"Nice try, Romeo." I began to gather sticks of all sizes and picked up two stones to start a fire and headed over to the spot, flicking the stones together a small flame occurred and blazed out on the wood.
Wow, I can survive without thought to it.
"Hey, wait up! I'm s'posed to do that, I'm the man around here!" Yuri whined as he caught up.
"Too late! Don't try to pick fights with estrogen." I smiled as I sat down near the smoky flame. Yuri kneeled down across from me.
"So..."
Please don't try to commence idle chitchat, I'm wiped out.
".. Hm?"
"How come you said ex-Christian earlier? What made you stop your religion?"
..I caused my Father's death. He died because of me.
"I really don't want to talk about it." I blurted as I bundled myself up on the dusty ground hoping to get dryer.
"But..."
"None of your business." I snapped back.
"Jeez, that time of the month?"
I said nothing in response. I didn't want to start another argument.
"Alright, alright already. I'll leave you alone."
Thank you. Took you long enough.
"Hey, Yuri?"
"Yeah?"
I was so exhausted I deserved a break; my eyes were growing weary as I stared at the sparkling embers, so I guess I'll say it.
No need to be prudish.
"..Goodnight."
-----------------------------------------------------------
Whoo-hoo chapter 2, is done. Whew, this is taking along time. Alice and Yuri aren't even in the village yet. Oo; So I guess you know what Chapter 3 is gonna be.
Geez I want more reviews, even though it is crap. XD oh and yes I might put an Alice x Yuri lemon, even though I never written one. -- and If I don't I can assure you they will get it on, don't fret. -;;
Questions? Comments? E-mail me! ...if you want. -- kiss kiss
And about Alice seeing the war, I got the description from the sluice gate handle in the game. It said something about a war I think? So I got a lil' creative.
- /A Lifeless Beauty/ -