Chapter Eleven
The Mark of a Dragon
"If ya aren't ready in five minutes ya are going to be late, God-Damn it!"
I glanced over at Rose, who was still in a bad mood after being drugged the other night. I wasn't concerned about being late to the ceremony. After all, the other boys would come even later. Still, just to keep her from screaming, I quickened my pace and was ready in two minutes. The outfit for the ceremony was simple, and for good reason. I wore no shirt at that moment, though I had stuffed a simple white one into my bag while Rose wasn't looking. My pants were leather and reached down to my ankles. And, just to please my mother, I had put my long dirty blonde hair back in a small ponytail. Strangely enough, my hair changed colors yearly. Last year it was dark brown. Now it was reverting back to blonde. I wished it would make up its mind, and I really wished I knew which parent to blame.
"All right, all right, I'm ready," I shouted, swinging my bag over my shoulder and heading out of the room. "Please tell me it's warm."
"Swelterin'," Aireff replied. He had actually dressed in a semi- formal outfit, and his hair was actually smooth and neat. It must've taken a lot of convincing from Rose to achieve it.
Ruben rushed into the room. He was the only man in the house who actually looked halfway decent. Only Rose could beat him out, with her pretty sleeveless lavender dress that revealed two scars on her shoulders that met a third vertical scar under her neck. Her long blonde hair was set up in two braids, with a third tiny braid passing over her face. I thought she looked gorgeous, but you don't tell Rose that.
"Finally," Rose muttered. "Are we in order?"
"We never are," Aireff replied with a laugh.
With that, we headed outside. I looked around immediately for Freya, but she wasn't around. She was probably too busy trying to convince her mother to come to the ceremony.
I was wrong. When we reached the castle grounds, I was surprised to see Arana reading a book. She wore a simple turquoise dress that matched her eyes, and there was a blue flower in her hair. She looked nice, except perhaps for the fact that she glared evilly at me as I passed. I stuck my tongue out at her, and that was our greeting.
I at last found Freya. She wore a teal sleeveless dress, and was chatting with Puck. Well, actually, they weren't chatting. Puck was trying to pull Freya's hair, and Freya was talking in an attempt to get him off.
"'Ey Freya!" I shouted.
"Hang on. Puck, get off!" Freya screamed, finally wrenching Puck off her hair. She shoved him into the King's maid's arms. "Finally!"
Freya rose to her feet and walked over to me.
"I hate Puck," she said.
I laughed. "I don' blame ya."
"You look nice. Well, for you anyway," Freya told me, grinning. "You can never get dressed up, can you?"
"Nope," I replied. "Don' see the point."
"So people like you and will talk to you, of course!"
"Heh. When are we startin'?"
"In a few minutes. So soon I'll have to be serious."
"I don't like it when you're serious."
"We've all changed."
"Aye."
A gong sounded, causing my ears to ring. Everyone rose to their feet and looked in the direction of the sound. I noticed Arana drop her book and salute.
Ah, now I understood. I padded over to the other contestants. Freya quickly followed. Everyone quickly lined up, while Puck suddenly found it appropriate to start shouting nonsense. Everyone groaned, and a few covered their ears. I just hoped the site of his father would shut Puck up.
Soon, the door of the castle opened, and the King of Burmecia stepped out. Puck shut up at the site of his father, and instead began clapping until the maid finally got extremely sick of him and slapped his hands. The King ignored his highly annoying son and instead walked out and past everyone, receiving bows and salutes. He soon reached the hedges that separated the actual castle grounds from the path leading to them. He turned to stare at us all, his purple cloak blowing softly in the breeze.
"Welcome," the King said, and his voice traveled on the wind and through out the grounds. "to a ceremony of great importance. Three years ago young lads and ladies were chosen to enter through the door of the Dragon Academy to learn the hardest of subjects. Today, they will be honored due to success in an Academy. Today, people of Burmecia, we will honor the newest Dragon Warriors!"
The crowd burst into cheers. Even Arana was clapping, though she looked highly bored. Puck laughed gleefully and began clapping maniacally. Ebon squeezed his way through the crowd. It was clear that Junes had taken a good look at him, but even clearer that Junes had done little. He walked over to the King, and they exchanged bows. He then took his place beside the King without another word. The crowd slowly fell silent, and the King took a deep breath.
"We shall now call the new Dragon Warriors. If they accept the oath, then I acknowledge their skill," the King said as he took out a machete.
I stared at the machete curiously while the first contestant was called up. Everyone was silent except for the King, but I couldn't hear anything. I was lost in my own thoughts. I put my bag down, figuring it wouldn't be right to have it when I was called.
Minutes passed with me still not paying attention.
"Fratley."
The King spoke my name, and automatically I walked over. Though I had been paying no attention, I knew to fall onto one knee, and bowed my head, staring at the ground. I felt the machete on my shoulder.
"You have been given the chance to protect one of the most ancient cities that still stand: Burmecia. Will you promise to be honest in all regards? Will you swear to not make a difference between friend and foe, and regard them as equals in dangerous situations? Will you swear to be serious in all matters, regardless of the situation? Will you swear to put the innocent before your life? Will you swear to protect Burmecia with your life? Will you swear never to neglect your duties? Will you swear it all?"
A brief silence followed the end of the King's speech. I took a deep breath.
"I swear it."
My words rang through the area despite their direction toward the ground. The machete left my shoulder.
"Then, I dub you Sir Fratley of Burmecia!" The King shouted.
It happened so quickly that I didn't feel it. The machete slashed my shoulders lightly, making to diagonal cuts that would eventually meet if longer. Another smaller vertical slash was made just below my neck. It was made to look like a dragon. It was the mark of a Dragon Warrior.
The crowd erupted into cheers. I rose to my feet and bowed. The King smiled. I walked away, and suddenly was being squeezed to death by my mother, which was pretty mortifying. She finally released me, and I saw that her eyes were full of tears.
"I'm proud," Rose muttered, smiling. "I'm so proud of you."
"Let go of 'im, ya are embarrassing 'im," Aireff said, smiling.
Rose instead hugged me again. I sighed with annoyance. She released me and walked back over to Aireff. I followed. The crowd was silent again, and it took me a few minutes to realize that the King was reciting his speech to Freya. We all listened intently. I stared at Freya, who was kneeling on the ground, staring at the ground. Her eyes looked shinier than usual, and I soon realized that tears brimmed in her eyes. When the King fell silent, Freya took a shaky breath.
"I swear it," Freya managed to say, and I realized she was nervous.
"Then I dub you Lady Freya of Burmecia!" the King shouted, and soon Freya had the same mark as the rest of the Dragon Warriors.
The crowd began their normal loud cheering. Freya rose to her feet. She immediately looked over at me. I smiled warmly and she rushed forward. I met her rush and pushed her close to me in a tight embrace. I kissed her on the forehead.
"Holy crap, how'd I make it?" Freya whispered.
"You're Freya. Naturally ya made it," I whispered back.
"Huh," Freya muttered.
I released Freya and she backed up. The King had finished speaking and returned to the castle. Ebon had quickly followed, and the crowd was slowly making its way into the castle. I grabbed my bag, then followed Rose and Aireff into the castle. Inside, the castle was beautiful with fancy decorations. There was plenty of room to spread out, and the crowd had indeed spread to take the entire room. The King was sitting in his throne, talking in a low voice with Ebon. Drinks had been set up near a closed door, and Junes was standing nearby these drinks. A good portion of the crowd was grouping near the drinks.
"Do you see Arana?" Freya asked.
"No," I replied.
"Good," Freya replied. "I don't want her asinine ways ruining the party."
"At least ye mothe' wasn' huggin' ya ta death," I muttered.
"I don't even know where my mother is," Freya replied.
"She's talkin' wit the King."
"Oh joy. Want to get a drink?"
"Sure."
We walked over to the drink table, squeezing our way through to see the drinks. We took some wine and headed away from the table.
"I've never had this stuff," Freya said.
"I 'ave, though m' parents don' exactly know," I replied with a soft chuckle.
Freya took a sip of the wine.
"Not bad," she said.
I drank all the wine in one sitting, startling Freya.
"Jeez, you didn't let that go to waste," she commented.
"Never," I replied with a smile.
Freya tried to do the same thing, but ended up spitting half the wine out.
"It's too strong! How do you do it?" she asked.
I shrugged. Freya finished the rest of the wine and looked around the room.
"Everyone seems so happy," she commented.
I nodded agreement. "Indeed."
"I wonder if they'll serve food."
"Maybe."
"Are you going to say much else?"
I smiled. "Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know - Hey, look, that door's open!"
I looked over at a door in the east wall to discover that it was open. Apparently it was okay to explore that way. Freya and I glanced at each other. We then headed through the doorway. We were in a small room with a fire roaring in a fireplace. This was dull for us and we headed through another doorway to find ourselves in a bedroom. Freya walked over to the bed and sat on it, feeling the top blanket's fabric.
"It's soft!" she commented.
"Of course it is, it belongs ta the King," I said with a laugh. I then shivered. "Cold in 'ere."
While I ripped open my bag and put on my shirt, Freya grabbed the pillow on the bed and examined it.
"Fratley, what is this?"
I walked over and sat beside Freya. I examined the odd patterns on the pillow.
"I don' know," I replied.
"Curious," Freya muttered. "Almost looks like a - an eidolon?"
"An eidolon? But which one?" I asked.
"I don't know," Freya replied, tossing the pillow back to its original place. "But that's the impression I got."
There was a brief silence. Freya fell backwards and onto her back.
"The King has such luxury, and some people can't even afford a half- way decent home," she muttered.
I also fell backwards and onto my back. "It's always like that."
"But why? Why can't the royalty share their wealth?" Freya asked. "I don't understand it. Why can't they share?"
I began to play with Freya's hair. "I don' know. But some royalty does try."
"Some," Freya said. "The King does try, but there are still those homeless. I wonder how they get food?"
"Scavengin'."
"If only someone could provide them with food. I don't know, Frat. We just promised this big oath, and the royalty barely do half of it."
I nodded agreement. "Yeah, well maybe when ya are rich an' famous ya won' want to give away ye money."
Freya chuckled. "Like I'm ever going to be rich or famous."
"Ya never know what the future may 'old."
"True." Freya trailed off as her eyes met mine. "You're so cute."
"Stop that. I'm supposed ta be callin' ya cute."
"Well, you're too late."
"Ya do realize that we're in the middle of a royal room lying on a bed, and that someone could barge in at any time?"
"Yes. And I don't give a shit."
"And ya do know the first thought ta cross their mind, right?"
"Yes. And -"
"Ya don' give a shit."
"Exactly."
I rolled my eyes with disbelief. Freya smirked, staring at me. The castle seemed quiet, as the stone walls blocked out any noise.
"I don't think anyone's going to barge in," Freya said quietly.
"An' why would they not?" I asked, still playing with Freya's hair.
"Because the wine and beer is out there, not in here," Freya commented.
I laughed. "Good point."
"Speaking of wine, I still have this stupid glass," Freya commented, holding up her wineglass. She put it aside. "Ah well."
"Don' forget that when we leave," I reminded her.
"I know." Freya looked up at the ceiling. "Darn. Castles ceilings are just as dull as regular ones!"
I laughed and kissed Freya on the cheek. "Are ya surprised?"
"Yes," Freya said. "You'd think they'd decorate the ceiling too."
"Why would they bothe'? And may I ask why you trailed off?"
"Oh, well, I just want you to kiss me again."
"Of course. All right, ya silly girl, I'll obey."
And indeed, I did obey.
"Ya always find some way to make me give in," I told Freya as I lied on the floor ten minutes later, watching her.
"Make you give in to what?" Freya asked. She was lying on the bed on her stomach, smiling contently.
"Well, I'm always tryin' to keep serious and sane, but the next thing I know I'm kissin' ya. What spell have ya cast on me, woman?" I asked.
"The spell of love," Freya replied. "And remember, it's only been around for 24 hours."
"Feels like 24 years."
"Frat, we haven't been alive for 24 years."
"Oh yeah."
Freya laughed. "You ditz."
"Ditz? Freya, I'm a dimwit, not a ditz."
"You're neither."
"But ya just -"
"Oh, I know, but I was kidding," Freya said. She slid onto the floor, watching me. "Wonder if they brought out food."
"Most likely," I commented, rising to a sitting position. "Why? Ya hungry?"
"No. I want to stay right here, alone with you."
"Aww, 'ow sweet," I said, smiling. "I'm surprised ya can stay sane for this long wit me."
"You took away my sanity long ago, Frat," Freya replied.
"Oh my. We must find it!"
"I don't know where you left it," Freya said, lying down.
"Stop that."
Freya smiled. "I think you placed it in your heart."
"Oh please," I said, smiling in return. "Stop temptin' me, ya torturer!"
"Torturer? I like 'tormenter' better. Sounds more professional."
"I'm not a professional, so there."
"I've noticed. You have the intelligence of mud."
"Thanks," I said downheartedly.
Freya laughed, rose to a sitting position, and kissed me. "Oh hush. I'm kidding! Come on. Let's get up off the floor and back into the main hall before Rose notices we're missing."
"Good plan. I like that one," I commented, rising to my feet. "An' don' forget the stupid glass!"
"Where were ya two?" Rose asked when Freya and I returned to the main hall. "The food was brought out five minutes ago!"
"Explorin' the castle," I replied.
"Yeah right," Rose muttered, but she didn't ask any more questions.
Aireff laughed. "Leave them alone, Rose, or I'll tell them 'bout us."
"Shit, don't ya dare!" Rose snarled.
Rolling my eyes, I slipped past my parents, Freya following. We each grabbed a plate, piled it with food, and sat down at the table. The King glanced at us briefly, but said nothing. We began to eat, and I noted that Rose and Aireff had disappeared.
"Notice someone missin'?" I asked Freya.
Freya looked around, then grinned. "Your parents."
"'Ow 'bout we tease them late'?" I asked.
Freya's grin became wicked. "Sure."
We both snickered, then resumed eating.
I love how parents will scold you for doing something, then do the same thing. But the thing is, with me as a son, and Freya as my girlfriend, you never get away with it. Ever. And one thing is for sure.
The day of the ceremony was definitely an extremely entertaining day.
----------- I couldn't think of a good ending for this chapter. Oh well. Anyway, so Freya and Fratley are finally Dragon Warriors! We're going to skip about a year or so ahead for the next chapter, and you may just know what comes next. Stay tuned!
Updates may become slower since my parents are going to let me get rats! Yay! =) But that means I need to read about care, cages, etc. before I actually get them. And then there is the actual buying! So if updates are slow, it's because I'm getting ready to buy rats!
This story is copyright to me. Some events, characters, locations, and Gaia in general are copyright to SquareEnix.
The Mark of a Dragon
"If ya aren't ready in five minutes ya are going to be late, God-Damn it!"
I glanced over at Rose, who was still in a bad mood after being drugged the other night. I wasn't concerned about being late to the ceremony. After all, the other boys would come even later. Still, just to keep her from screaming, I quickened my pace and was ready in two minutes. The outfit for the ceremony was simple, and for good reason. I wore no shirt at that moment, though I had stuffed a simple white one into my bag while Rose wasn't looking. My pants were leather and reached down to my ankles. And, just to please my mother, I had put my long dirty blonde hair back in a small ponytail. Strangely enough, my hair changed colors yearly. Last year it was dark brown. Now it was reverting back to blonde. I wished it would make up its mind, and I really wished I knew which parent to blame.
"All right, all right, I'm ready," I shouted, swinging my bag over my shoulder and heading out of the room. "Please tell me it's warm."
"Swelterin'," Aireff replied. He had actually dressed in a semi- formal outfit, and his hair was actually smooth and neat. It must've taken a lot of convincing from Rose to achieve it.
Ruben rushed into the room. He was the only man in the house who actually looked halfway decent. Only Rose could beat him out, with her pretty sleeveless lavender dress that revealed two scars on her shoulders that met a third vertical scar under her neck. Her long blonde hair was set up in two braids, with a third tiny braid passing over her face. I thought she looked gorgeous, but you don't tell Rose that.
"Finally," Rose muttered. "Are we in order?"
"We never are," Aireff replied with a laugh.
With that, we headed outside. I looked around immediately for Freya, but she wasn't around. She was probably too busy trying to convince her mother to come to the ceremony.
I was wrong. When we reached the castle grounds, I was surprised to see Arana reading a book. She wore a simple turquoise dress that matched her eyes, and there was a blue flower in her hair. She looked nice, except perhaps for the fact that she glared evilly at me as I passed. I stuck my tongue out at her, and that was our greeting.
I at last found Freya. She wore a teal sleeveless dress, and was chatting with Puck. Well, actually, they weren't chatting. Puck was trying to pull Freya's hair, and Freya was talking in an attempt to get him off.
"'Ey Freya!" I shouted.
"Hang on. Puck, get off!" Freya screamed, finally wrenching Puck off her hair. She shoved him into the King's maid's arms. "Finally!"
Freya rose to her feet and walked over to me.
"I hate Puck," she said.
I laughed. "I don' blame ya."
"You look nice. Well, for you anyway," Freya told me, grinning. "You can never get dressed up, can you?"
"Nope," I replied. "Don' see the point."
"So people like you and will talk to you, of course!"
"Heh. When are we startin'?"
"In a few minutes. So soon I'll have to be serious."
"I don't like it when you're serious."
"We've all changed."
"Aye."
A gong sounded, causing my ears to ring. Everyone rose to their feet and looked in the direction of the sound. I noticed Arana drop her book and salute.
Ah, now I understood. I padded over to the other contestants. Freya quickly followed. Everyone quickly lined up, while Puck suddenly found it appropriate to start shouting nonsense. Everyone groaned, and a few covered their ears. I just hoped the site of his father would shut Puck up.
Soon, the door of the castle opened, and the King of Burmecia stepped out. Puck shut up at the site of his father, and instead began clapping until the maid finally got extremely sick of him and slapped his hands. The King ignored his highly annoying son and instead walked out and past everyone, receiving bows and salutes. He soon reached the hedges that separated the actual castle grounds from the path leading to them. He turned to stare at us all, his purple cloak blowing softly in the breeze.
"Welcome," the King said, and his voice traveled on the wind and through out the grounds. "to a ceremony of great importance. Three years ago young lads and ladies were chosen to enter through the door of the Dragon Academy to learn the hardest of subjects. Today, they will be honored due to success in an Academy. Today, people of Burmecia, we will honor the newest Dragon Warriors!"
The crowd burst into cheers. Even Arana was clapping, though she looked highly bored. Puck laughed gleefully and began clapping maniacally. Ebon squeezed his way through the crowd. It was clear that Junes had taken a good look at him, but even clearer that Junes had done little. He walked over to the King, and they exchanged bows. He then took his place beside the King without another word. The crowd slowly fell silent, and the King took a deep breath.
"We shall now call the new Dragon Warriors. If they accept the oath, then I acknowledge their skill," the King said as he took out a machete.
I stared at the machete curiously while the first contestant was called up. Everyone was silent except for the King, but I couldn't hear anything. I was lost in my own thoughts. I put my bag down, figuring it wouldn't be right to have it when I was called.
Minutes passed with me still not paying attention.
"Fratley."
The King spoke my name, and automatically I walked over. Though I had been paying no attention, I knew to fall onto one knee, and bowed my head, staring at the ground. I felt the machete on my shoulder.
"You have been given the chance to protect one of the most ancient cities that still stand: Burmecia. Will you promise to be honest in all regards? Will you swear to not make a difference between friend and foe, and regard them as equals in dangerous situations? Will you swear to be serious in all matters, regardless of the situation? Will you swear to put the innocent before your life? Will you swear to protect Burmecia with your life? Will you swear never to neglect your duties? Will you swear it all?"
A brief silence followed the end of the King's speech. I took a deep breath.
"I swear it."
My words rang through the area despite their direction toward the ground. The machete left my shoulder.
"Then, I dub you Sir Fratley of Burmecia!" The King shouted.
It happened so quickly that I didn't feel it. The machete slashed my shoulders lightly, making to diagonal cuts that would eventually meet if longer. Another smaller vertical slash was made just below my neck. It was made to look like a dragon. It was the mark of a Dragon Warrior.
The crowd erupted into cheers. I rose to my feet and bowed. The King smiled. I walked away, and suddenly was being squeezed to death by my mother, which was pretty mortifying. She finally released me, and I saw that her eyes were full of tears.
"I'm proud," Rose muttered, smiling. "I'm so proud of you."
"Let go of 'im, ya are embarrassing 'im," Aireff said, smiling.
Rose instead hugged me again. I sighed with annoyance. She released me and walked back over to Aireff. I followed. The crowd was silent again, and it took me a few minutes to realize that the King was reciting his speech to Freya. We all listened intently. I stared at Freya, who was kneeling on the ground, staring at the ground. Her eyes looked shinier than usual, and I soon realized that tears brimmed in her eyes. When the King fell silent, Freya took a shaky breath.
"I swear it," Freya managed to say, and I realized she was nervous.
"Then I dub you Lady Freya of Burmecia!" the King shouted, and soon Freya had the same mark as the rest of the Dragon Warriors.
The crowd began their normal loud cheering. Freya rose to her feet. She immediately looked over at me. I smiled warmly and she rushed forward. I met her rush and pushed her close to me in a tight embrace. I kissed her on the forehead.
"Holy crap, how'd I make it?" Freya whispered.
"You're Freya. Naturally ya made it," I whispered back.
"Huh," Freya muttered.
I released Freya and she backed up. The King had finished speaking and returned to the castle. Ebon had quickly followed, and the crowd was slowly making its way into the castle. I grabbed my bag, then followed Rose and Aireff into the castle. Inside, the castle was beautiful with fancy decorations. There was plenty of room to spread out, and the crowd had indeed spread to take the entire room. The King was sitting in his throne, talking in a low voice with Ebon. Drinks had been set up near a closed door, and Junes was standing nearby these drinks. A good portion of the crowd was grouping near the drinks.
"Do you see Arana?" Freya asked.
"No," I replied.
"Good," Freya replied. "I don't want her asinine ways ruining the party."
"At least ye mothe' wasn' huggin' ya ta death," I muttered.
"I don't even know where my mother is," Freya replied.
"She's talkin' wit the King."
"Oh joy. Want to get a drink?"
"Sure."
We walked over to the drink table, squeezing our way through to see the drinks. We took some wine and headed away from the table.
"I've never had this stuff," Freya said.
"I 'ave, though m' parents don' exactly know," I replied with a soft chuckle.
Freya took a sip of the wine.
"Not bad," she said.
I drank all the wine in one sitting, startling Freya.
"Jeez, you didn't let that go to waste," she commented.
"Never," I replied with a smile.
Freya tried to do the same thing, but ended up spitting half the wine out.
"It's too strong! How do you do it?" she asked.
I shrugged. Freya finished the rest of the wine and looked around the room.
"Everyone seems so happy," she commented.
I nodded agreement. "Indeed."
"I wonder if they'll serve food."
"Maybe."
"Are you going to say much else?"
I smiled. "Like what?"
"Oh, I don't know - Hey, look, that door's open!"
I looked over at a door in the east wall to discover that it was open. Apparently it was okay to explore that way. Freya and I glanced at each other. We then headed through the doorway. We were in a small room with a fire roaring in a fireplace. This was dull for us and we headed through another doorway to find ourselves in a bedroom. Freya walked over to the bed and sat on it, feeling the top blanket's fabric.
"It's soft!" she commented.
"Of course it is, it belongs ta the King," I said with a laugh. I then shivered. "Cold in 'ere."
While I ripped open my bag and put on my shirt, Freya grabbed the pillow on the bed and examined it.
"Fratley, what is this?"
I walked over and sat beside Freya. I examined the odd patterns on the pillow.
"I don' know," I replied.
"Curious," Freya muttered. "Almost looks like a - an eidolon?"
"An eidolon? But which one?" I asked.
"I don't know," Freya replied, tossing the pillow back to its original place. "But that's the impression I got."
There was a brief silence. Freya fell backwards and onto her back.
"The King has such luxury, and some people can't even afford a half- way decent home," she muttered.
I also fell backwards and onto my back. "It's always like that."
"But why? Why can't the royalty share their wealth?" Freya asked. "I don't understand it. Why can't they share?"
I began to play with Freya's hair. "I don' know. But some royalty does try."
"Some," Freya said. "The King does try, but there are still those homeless. I wonder how they get food?"
"Scavengin'."
"If only someone could provide them with food. I don't know, Frat. We just promised this big oath, and the royalty barely do half of it."
I nodded agreement. "Yeah, well maybe when ya are rich an' famous ya won' want to give away ye money."
Freya chuckled. "Like I'm ever going to be rich or famous."
"Ya never know what the future may 'old."
"True." Freya trailed off as her eyes met mine. "You're so cute."
"Stop that. I'm supposed ta be callin' ya cute."
"Well, you're too late."
"Ya do realize that we're in the middle of a royal room lying on a bed, and that someone could barge in at any time?"
"Yes. And I don't give a shit."
"And ya do know the first thought ta cross their mind, right?"
"Yes. And -"
"Ya don' give a shit."
"Exactly."
I rolled my eyes with disbelief. Freya smirked, staring at me. The castle seemed quiet, as the stone walls blocked out any noise.
"I don't think anyone's going to barge in," Freya said quietly.
"An' why would they not?" I asked, still playing with Freya's hair.
"Because the wine and beer is out there, not in here," Freya commented.
I laughed. "Good point."
"Speaking of wine, I still have this stupid glass," Freya commented, holding up her wineglass. She put it aside. "Ah well."
"Don' forget that when we leave," I reminded her.
"I know." Freya looked up at the ceiling. "Darn. Castles ceilings are just as dull as regular ones!"
I laughed and kissed Freya on the cheek. "Are ya surprised?"
"Yes," Freya said. "You'd think they'd decorate the ceiling too."
"Why would they bothe'? And may I ask why you trailed off?"
"Oh, well, I just want you to kiss me again."
"Of course. All right, ya silly girl, I'll obey."
And indeed, I did obey.
"Ya always find some way to make me give in," I told Freya as I lied on the floor ten minutes later, watching her.
"Make you give in to what?" Freya asked. She was lying on the bed on her stomach, smiling contently.
"Well, I'm always tryin' to keep serious and sane, but the next thing I know I'm kissin' ya. What spell have ya cast on me, woman?" I asked.
"The spell of love," Freya replied. "And remember, it's only been around for 24 hours."
"Feels like 24 years."
"Frat, we haven't been alive for 24 years."
"Oh yeah."
Freya laughed. "You ditz."
"Ditz? Freya, I'm a dimwit, not a ditz."
"You're neither."
"But ya just -"
"Oh, I know, but I was kidding," Freya said. She slid onto the floor, watching me. "Wonder if they brought out food."
"Most likely," I commented, rising to a sitting position. "Why? Ya hungry?"
"No. I want to stay right here, alone with you."
"Aww, 'ow sweet," I said, smiling. "I'm surprised ya can stay sane for this long wit me."
"You took away my sanity long ago, Frat," Freya replied.
"Oh my. We must find it!"
"I don't know where you left it," Freya said, lying down.
"Stop that."
Freya smiled. "I think you placed it in your heart."
"Oh please," I said, smiling in return. "Stop temptin' me, ya torturer!"
"Torturer? I like 'tormenter' better. Sounds more professional."
"I'm not a professional, so there."
"I've noticed. You have the intelligence of mud."
"Thanks," I said downheartedly.
Freya laughed, rose to a sitting position, and kissed me. "Oh hush. I'm kidding! Come on. Let's get up off the floor and back into the main hall before Rose notices we're missing."
"Good plan. I like that one," I commented, rising to my feet. "An' don' forget the stupid glass!"
"Where were ya two?" Rose asked when Freya and I returned to the main hall. "The food was brought out five minutes ago!"
"Explorin' the castle," I replied.
"Yeah right," Rose muttered, but she didn't ask any more questions.
Aireff laughed. "Leave them alone, Rose, or I'll tell them 'bout us."
"Shit, don't ya dare!" Rose snarled.
Rolling my eyes, I slipped past my parents, Freya following. We each grabbed a plate, piled it with food, and sat down at the table. The King glanced at us briefly, but said nothing. We began to eat, and I noted that Rose and Aireff had disappeared.
"Notice someone missin'?" I asked Freya.
Freya looked around, then grinned. "Your parents."
"'Ow 'bout we tease them late'?" I asked.
Freya's grin became wicked. "Sure."
We both snickered, then resumed eating.
I love how parents will scold you for doing something, then do the same thing. But the thing is, with me as a son, and Freya as my girlfriend, you never get away with it. Ever. And one thing is for sure.
The day of the ceremony was definitely an extremely entertaining day.
----------- I couldn't think of a good ending for this chapter. Oh well. Anyway, so Freya and Fratley are finally Dragon Warriors! We're going to skip about a year or so ahead for the next chapter, and you may just know what comes next. Stay tuned!
Updates may become slower since my parents are going to let me get rats! Yay! =) But that means I need to read about care, cages, etc. before I actually get them. And then there is the actual buying! So if updates are slow, it's because I'm getting ready to buy rats!
This story is copyright to me. Some events, characters, locations, and Gaia in general are copyright to SquareEnix.