Shame these disclaimers are necessary, I'm running out of ways to say "Konami own Suikoden, not me!"

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Elaine's Story - Chapter Five

Blue Lightning & Blackened Hair

(Location – Muse City)

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Elaine emerged from the bath about an hour later. She looked a lot more relaxed, despite looking so pale. She quickly got dressed again, sorting out her hair, clipping on her cape and sheathing her knife in it's hidden compartment.

Ah, the life of the assassin...good thing I look good in black.

She walked past the rooms, hearing soft snoring from one of them (Millie probably) and louder snoring from another (Gee, maybe that's Viktor...although I must admit Andrew snores like that a lot. Wonder where he got to anyway...?). Elaine walked down the stairs, and was amazed to see the bar virtually empty.

Elaine walked over to the bartender: "Hey, where'd everybody go?"

The bartender, the most beautiful woman Elaine had ever seen (well, apart from that princess I assassinated...but that's a different story) responded quickly: "Well, the guys you came in with are all away to see Lady Anabelle."

Elaine looked sad: "Aw...oh well, I guess I'll go explore the city then. Alone."

She pouted playfully, and turned to leave...bumping into a man.

Elaine looked up: "Oh, sorry...wow."

Elaine looked at the man she bumped into, he was mostly dressed in blue (with matching cape and headband!), and the most gorgeous blonde hair ever...(Again, apart from that princess...). He smiled.

"No problem."

The man said something to the bartender before leaving the bar.

Elaine blinked, and seconds later she left the bar too. She ran to catch up with the blue boy.

She called out to him: "Hey, wait a second!"

He turned around: "Can I help you...miss?"

Elaine positively skipped up to him: "Well, my friends are all seeing Lady Anabelle, so..."

The man stopped her: "Ah, so you're friends with Riou then?"

Elaine double quick blinked: "Um, yeah! I'm Elaine."

He looked down at her: "Well, I've heard so much about you from him."

She gulped: "Oh dear..."

He stopped and laughed: "Oh no, nothing bad. Even though you did try to kill Riou..."

Elaine let out a nervous laugh: "Well...I didn't...."

He nodded: "Well, that's obvious."

Oh boy...I sound like such a loser.

Elaine turned to walk away, but he stopped her: "You don't know you're way around Muse, right? Why don't I show you around?"

Oh YES!!!

Elaine casually turned back around to face him: "Sure, why not? But first, what's your name?"

He scratched his head: "Oh...didn't I say. Oh well, I'm Flik."

Flik...hey I know that name!!!

Elaine moved closer to Flik: "Flik...as in "Blue Lightning" Flik? Wow! I mean...that's nice. Really. Ahem."

Damn...

Flik raised an eyebrow: "Well, I'm heading to see the Runemistress first. If you wanna tag along..."

Elaine looked angry: "Hey! I do NOT tag along. I may follow or stalk...did I say stalk?!? I'll be good."

Oh...where's the nearest wall? I need to bang my head against it multiple times right about now.

Flik laughed again: "Come on then. If anything, you'll be entertaining."

Elaine brightened up, before realising that wasn't necessarily a compliment...

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"Here we are, the Runemistress' shop."

Elaine looked impressed: "Coo...so why are you going in?"

Flik showed her his hand: "I don't think my Rune has been attached properly...Viktor scared the Runemaster and he was shivering the whole time...so I'm here to get it done properly."

Elaine didn't bother stifling the laugh: "Viktor does give off that impression. I'm sure he's just a gentle giant though. Bet I'm right!"

Flik simply nodded, and Elaine punched the air in victory. Flik shook his head: "Well, I don't think I've ever met anybody quite like you before."

Elaine spun around: "One of a kind. And I bet it was you who figured out we were in that cell and not Viktor."

Flik nodded in confirmation as he opened the door...

And the world exploded...

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Elaine opened her eyes, and found herself staring at the sky. It was nice and blue, if you like that kind of thing. Which meant she was lying on the ground. Elaine sat up, and tried to piece everything together.

Okay...talking to the way cute guy...he opens the door...and KABOOM! Hey, where is Flik anyway...?

Elaine managed to pick herself up, and soon spotted Flik lying not too far away from where she landed. He had managed to sit up. Elaine went over and helped him up.

Elaine looked around as Flik shook away the cobwebs. The remnants of the door were scattered around; It was lucky we didn't get impaled or something...splintered even.

Flik then turned to the door: "Come on, let's see what happened in there!"

Elaine nodded as they both ran into the Runemistress' shop. They both stopped as they saw the Runemistress and a man with long black hair were arguing.

Black Hair guy was irate: "What do you mean "it was a simple mistake?" YOU'VE TURNED MY HAIR BLACK!!!"

The Runemistress was equally irate: "Oh sure, worry about your stupid hair with that silly strand hanging down your face! What about my shop?!?"

Elaine peeked over Flik's shoulders to see. The man with the black hair looked pretty tall, his hair was indeed black - but there was no way it was black originally, it didn't really suit him. He wore a magician's robe, blue and white, not too loose fitted. And he looked really pissed off...

He continued: "You should know what your own magical items do!"

The Runemistress yelled back: "Well, it's not MY fault you picked it up when my back was turned, was it?!?"

Flik watched the scene, and then a sudden dawning of realisation hit him...he turned to Elaine: "I think I know this guy...it's that guy...it's been years..."

Elaine was about to ask him who it was, but Flik had already walked over to the arguing Runemistress and magician. The magician immediately stopped and looked at Flik. He didn't smile, but his facial expression went to something other than anger.

"Well, if it isn't Flik! It's good to see you again!"

"Hey there. How's things?"

"Not too bad...still searching for him."

Elaine walked up to them: "Hey there, introductions please?"

Flik turned round to Elaine: "Elaine, this is Avara..."

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Whoo! Find out more about Avara in the next chapter!