Disclaimer: [zzz] Escaflowne does not belong to me.
Author's Note: Three years later which means Lisette Cassimey is 15, Migel and Celena are both 18.
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________
Chapter 3
Night at the Cassimey mansion in Palas
Migel gazed at his sword laying in its black velvet case. The softly glowing candlelight shone off the blade, casting little cascades of light on the wall of his room. For some reason, despite the excitement of being made a Knight Caeli today, he felt gloomy and depressed, growing more so as the night progressed. 'What's wrong with me?" He thought. For the past year, he had trained hard to succeed. He was hailed as an exceptional student in the arts of war by the masters and had even caught the attention of Sir Allen Schezar. But somehow this achievement just didn't...feel...right. He felt like he was living another man's life, that this façade hid his true self-and what was his real identity? Will he ever know? Lost in his reverie, he missed the approaching steps.
"Hi."
Migel whipped around. It was only Lisette. She smiled tentatively at him.
"You're still up." Migel stated softly. She shrugged and didn't meet his eyes. At fifteen years of age, her parents had long ago abandoned all concepts of curfews. With a swish of her yellow satin dress, Lisette sank uninvited on to Migel's favorite couch. She shook her straight blond hair forward to veil her eyes as she watched the young man standing tall by the mahogany table.
She sighed. "I wish for once you could be...happy. You know Des, in the three years I've known you, I don't think I've ever heard you laugh."
"But I laugh at Rian all the time." Migel responded, his tone lightly teasing but his green eyes glanced away.
"Hey, that doesn't count. Oh never mind..." An uncomfortable silence stretched between them.
Migel brushed his fingers over his sword. "I had that dream again." Lisette frowned.
"The one where you were--"
"Yes. I'm in the guymelef; it's night I think. Blood and fire fill my vision, and the stench is unbearable. I try to loosen my collar, and that's when I noticed that I can't move, I can't escape. And I realize, with perfect clarity, that I'm going to die--"
"Please, Des." Lisette said quietly. These violent dreams of his frightened her, and she was unable to soothe him.
"Sorry Lizzy, didn't mean to be such a damper. Cheer up." Migel walked over to her and patted her head, like he would to a pet. Lisette understood that it was his way of dismissing her. The intimate mood was gone anyway. Lisette got up and walked slowly to the door.
"Will you be attending the dinner party at the Schezar's on the 15th?" Migel asked her.
"Of course!"
"Save me a dance?" She grinned at him in response and nodded happily.
********************
Schezar's household, near dusk
Celena Schezar gravely regarded her own reflection in the mirror. Fine, wavy flaxen hair framed her face; she brushed a tendril off her cheek. Her finger lazily traced a feather-light path down her smooth right cheek. Dark blue eyes became murky and unfocused.
"Lord Dilandau, I don't think you should touch the wound." Gatti said nervously.
"Shut up!" The force of the backhanded slap fell Gatti to the floor.
And where was Gatti now? Oh yes, dead with the others...with Migel, the boy with the chestnut hair, jade green eyes and that oh so charming smile. Her heart twisted at the memory of his face, beautiful and noble. Dilandau's yearnings and sorrows came rushing back to her, how desperately he had wanted Migel to love him, not the puppy-like adoration of Chesta and the others, but.... How Dilandau had hated himself for not being able to demonstrate his emotions better and then it was all over before it even had a chance to take its first flight.
"Damn you Van Fanel, you never even gave me a chance to say good-bye to him. To any of them." Had she just said that aloud? Lately, she had found it difficult of sieve out her thoughts from his, her words from his. Sometimes, she had trouble remembering her past life as Dilandau, and at other times, like today, the memories were so vivid that she seemed to be living them. 'There was such comforting certainty when I commanded the slayers. I knew what my role in the world was. I was confident. Oh, I'd give anything to live that life again. No more doubts about whether I really belonged here.' She thought.
"Lady Celena?" A knock came at the doors. Celena snapped out of her musings.
"Enter." Her voice was clear and steady. A maid came in, bowed politely enough and handed Celena a sealed note, it was from the Cassimey house.
"Dear Sir Allen and Lady Celena Schezar,
We thank you for your very kind invitation, but unfortunately, my husband and I will be unable to attend due to a previous engagement at the Government House. I am happy to say, however, that the rest of our family is looking forward to the party. Please expect the presences of Lady Lisette, Lord Rian and Sir Desral Cassimey on the 15th.
Yours, etc.
Lady Asha Cassimey"
Celena folded the note into a tiny square and threw it disdainfully into the wastebasket. She disliked Lisette and her silly brother; they were much too...upbeat. She had never met their cousin Desral though. It was only within the past year or so that she had recovered somewhat from her experience as Dilandau, and there were still many courtiers she had not been introduced to. However, Allen had mentioned this Desral Cassimey on numerous occasions, usually in praise of his skills as a knight. It was about time she put a face on this much-mentioned Cassimey.
******************
The 15th, Schezar household.
"Oh Celena, this party is delightful!" Lisette exclaimed to her friend, meaning every word. Celena smiled, but her eyes remained distant. The two girls made quite a pretty picture standing together near the large open doors that led into the back gardens. Lisette looked like the personification of sunshine in her golden gown, her wheat coloured hair falling straight about her bared shoulders. In contrast, Celena was dressed in an ice-blue dress. Her fair skin and pale, silver hair was pulled back from her face with diamond combs, dramatically enhancing her large, sapphire eyes, and delicate face.
From the corner of her eye, Celena caught her brother conversing with the Princess Eries, discussing state affairs, and no doubt about the young Duke of Freid's unprecedented decision to open trade with the new Zaibach Empire.
Lisette's eyes suddenly lit up, and unconsciously, she smoothed her hair. The reason for this was that a young man near Celena's age was striding over to the two girls. 'I've seen those eyes before.' Celena thought to herself.
"Oh Desral, you came after all! And late as usual." Lisette teased, "No matter, here, let me introduce my dear friend to you. This is Lady Celena Schezar. Celena, my cousin, Desral Cassimey." Lisette turned to Celena with a grin.
"I'm dreaming," Celena whispered harshly "I'm dreaming. I must be dreaming." Celena felt semi-hysterical laughter bubble up within her. Lisette looked at her friend in confusion, what was going on here? Migel paled and became aware of a dizzying sense of déjà vu.
"Celena, are you alright?" Lisette asked very concerned.
"Oh! I'm...I'm fine. I just felt faint for a moment. Could I trouble you into getting me a drink?"
"Oh, I'll go at once." Lisette hurried off. Celena watched Lisette disappear into the crowd and thought acidly, 'Yes, go way little girl, and never bother us again!' Finally, after three long years, she (or was it he?) was reunited with Migel.
Celena took a step closer to Migel. She brought her palm up to gently touch his flushed cheek. Instinctively, he flinched. Her lips curved into a smile that was half sweet, half feral.
"I know who you are...Migel, Migel Labariel..." She murmured to him, "But why the silly pretense?"
Migel blinked, tiny disjointed shards of memories came flooding back to him.
"...We attack Fanelia at dusk..."
"...Dragonslayers ready!..."
"...Migel!!..."
Dilandau.
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Author's Note: Yep, the old Migel is baaaaaaaack! No more Mr. Nice Guy, from now on, it's war cough Van cough.
Thanks Sakura.
Crystal, you'd better be reading this ;-)
THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS FOR CH.2!! HOPE YOU LIKED CH.3!
Author's Note: Three years later which means Lisette Cassimey is 15, Migel and Celena are both 18.
************************************************************************
________
Chapter 3
Night at the Cassimey mansion in Palas
Migel gazed at his sword laying in its black velvet case. The softly glowing candlelight shone off the blade, casting little cascades of light on the wall of his room. For some reason, despite the excitement of being made a Knight Caeli today, he felt gloomy and depressed, growing more so as the night progressed. 'What's wrong with me?" He thought. For the past year, he had trained hard to succeed. He was hailed as an exceptional student in the arts of war by the masters and had even caught the attention of Sir Allen Schezar. But somehow this achievement just didn't...feel...right. He felt like he was living another man's life, that this façade hid his true self-and what was his real identity? Will he ever know? Lost in his reverie, he missed the approaching steps.
"Hi."
Migel whipped around. It was only Lisette. She smiled tentatively at him.
"You're still up." Migel stated softly. She shrugged and didn't meet his eyes. At fifteen years of age, her parents had long ago abandoned all concepts of curfews. With a swish of her yellow satin dress, Lisette sank uninvited on to Migel's favorite couch. She shook her straight blond hair forward to veil her eyes as she watched the young man standing tall by the mahogany table.
She sighed. "I wish for once you could be...happy. You know Des, in the three years I've known you, I don't think I've ever heard you laugh."
"But I laugh at Rian all the time." Migel responded, his tone lightly teasing but his green eyes glanced away.
"Hey, that doesn't count. Oh never mind..." An uncomfortable silence stretched between them.
Migel brushed his fingers over his sword. "I had that dream again." Lisette frowned.
"The one where you were--"
"Yes. I'm in the guymelef; it's night I think. Blood and fire fill my vision, and the stench is unbearable. I try to loosen my collar, and that's when I noticed that I can't move, I can't escape. And I realize, with perfect clarity, that I'm going to die--"
"Please, Des." Lisette said quietly. These violent dreams of his frightened her, and she was unable to soothe him.
"Sorry Lizzy, didn't mean to be such a damper. Cheer up." Migel walked over to her and patted her head, like he would to a pet. Lisette understood that it was his way of dismissing her. The intimate mood was gone anyway. Lisette got up and walked slowly to the door.
"Will you be attending the dinner party at the Schezar's on the 15th?" Migel asked her.
"Of course!"
"Save me a dance?" She grinned at him in response and nodded happily.
********************
Schezar's household, near dusk
Celena Schezar gravely regarded her own reflection in the mirror. Fine, wavy flaxen hair framed her face; she brushed a tendril off her cheek. Her finger lazily traced a feather-light path down her smooth right cheek. Dark blue eyes became murky and unfocused.
"Lord Dilandau, I don't think you should touch the wound." Gatti said nervously.
"Shut up!" The force of the backhanded slap fell Gatti to the floor.
And where was Gatti now? Oh yes, dead with the others...with Migel, the boy with the chestnut hair, jade green eyes and that oh so charming smile. Her heart twisted at the memory of his face, beautiful and noble. Dilandau's yearnings and sorrows came rushing back to her, how desperately he had wanted Migel to love him, not the puppy-like adoration of Chesta and the others, but.... How Dilandau had hated himself for not being able to demonstrate his emotions better and then it was all over before it even had a chance to take its first flight.
"Damn you Van Fanel, you never even gave me a chance to say good-bye to him. To any of them." Had she just said that aloud? Lately, she had found it difficult of sieve out her thoughts from his, her words from his. Sometimes, she had trouble remembering her past life as Dilandau, and at other times, like today, the memories were so vivid that she seemed to be living them. 'There was such comforting certainty when I commanded the slayers. I knew what my role in the world was. I was confident. Oh, I'd give anything to live that life again. No more doubts about whether I really belonged here.' She thought.
"Lady Celena?" A knock came at the doors. Celena snapped out of her musings.
"Enter." Her voice was clear and steady. A maid came in, bowed politely enough and handed Celena a sealed note, it was from the Cassimey house.
"Dear Sir Allen and Lady Celena Schezar,
We thank you for your very kind invitation, but unfortunately, my husband and I will be unable to attend due to a previous engagement at the Government House. I am happy to say, however, that the rest of our family is looking forward to the party. Please expect the presences of Lady Lisette, Lord Rian and Sir Desral Cassimey on the 15th.
Yours, etc.
Lady Asha Cassimey"
Celena folded the note into a tiny square and threw it disdainfully into the wastebasket. She disliked Lisette and her silly brother; they were much too...upbeat. She had never met their cousin Desral though. It was only within the past year or so that she had recovered somewhat from her experience as Dilandau, and there were still many courtiers she had not been introduced to. However, Allen had mentioned this Desral Cassimey on numerous occasions, usually in praise of his skills as a knight. It was about time she put a face on this much-mentioned Cassimey.
******************
The 15th, Schezar household.
"Oh Celena, this party is delightful!" Lisette exclaimed to her friend, meaning every word. Celena smiled, but her eyes remained distant. The two girls made quite a pretty picture standing together near the large open doors that led into the back gardens. Lisette looked like the personification of sunshine in her golden gown, her wheat coloured hair falling straight about her bared shoulders. In contrast, Celena was dressed in an ice-blue dress. Her fair skin and pale, silver hair was pulled back from her face with diamond combs, dramatically enhancing her large, sapphire eyes, and delicate face.
From the corner of her eye, Celena caught her brother conversing with the Princess Eries, discussing state affairs, and no doubt about the young Duke of Freid's unprecedented decision to open trade with the new Zaibach Empire.
Lisette's eyes suddenly lit up, and unconsciously, she smoothed her hair. The reason for this was that a young man near Celena's age was striding over to the two girls. 'I've seen those eyes before.' Celena thought to herself.
"Oh Desral, you came after all! And late as usual." Lisette teased, "No matter, here, let me introduce my dear friend to you. This is Lady Celena Schezar. Celena, my cousin, Desral Cassimey." Lisette turned to Celena with a grin.
"I'm dreaming," Celena whispered harshly "I'm dreaming. I must be dreaming." Celena felt semi-hysterical laughter bubble up within her. Lisette looked at her friend in confusion, what was going on here? Migel paled and became aware of a dizzying sense of déjà vu.
"Celena, are you alright?" Lisette asked very concerned.
"Oh! I'm...I'm fine. I just felt faint for a moment. Could I trouble you into getting me a drink?"
"Oh, I'll go at once." Lisette hurried off. Celena watched Lisette disappear into the crowd and thought acidly, 'Yes, go way little girl, and never bother us again!' Finally, after three long years, she (or was it he?) was reunited with Migel.
Celena took a step closer to Migel. She brought her palm up to gently touch his flushed cheek. Instinctively, he flinched. Her lips curved into a smile that was half sweet, half feral.
"I know who you are...Migel, Migel Labariel..." She murmured to him, "But why the silly pretense?"
Migel blinked, tiny disjointed shards of memories came flooding back to him.
"...We attack Fanelia at dusk..."
"...Dragonslayers ready!..."
"...Migel!!..."
Dilandau.
************************************************************************
Author's Note: Yep, the old Migel is baaaaaaaack! No more Mr. Nice Guy, from now on, it's war cough Van cough.
Thanks Sakura.
Crystal, you'd better be reading this ;-)
THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS FOR CH.2!! HOPE YOU LIKED CH.3!