Chapter 7

Ballroom Pt.

Tired and laughing, both Hitomi and Yukari rolled off the path and walked awkwardly in their roller blades over to a large clump of grass and bushes. Hitomi threw herself very unceremoniously onto the soft grass, leaned back, bracing herself with her arms behind her and looked up at the sky, sighing in contempt. "I love it here, I really do."

"That's good, Hitomi." Yukari grinned at her, untying her own blades. "I wish I could stay here! It's so beautiful."

Hitomi began untying her blades in turn, staring out into the garden as she did so. She was unable to see anything but trees and shrubs however. No sign of her friends. She wanted to get a better look at them all, but she went by to fast too see. She wanted Van to have his little plan. "You can come visit me if you want." She looked over at her friend and smiled, than nudged her playfully so that Yukari had a put out an arm to keep from falling sideways. "No, you have to come and visit me. I'm not giving you a choice in the matter."

Yukari laughed as Hitomi got both roller blades off her feet, sighing and stretching out again, wriggling her toes in freedom.

"I don't think that would be a problem. Amano might not like that, he's so intensely into school and all."

But Hitomi had stopped listening. When she had moved her hand back, her palm and fingers had come in contact with something hard protruding from the grass. Turning, she found a stone platform, so covered in grass she wouldn't have seen it if she hadn't just felt it. "What-" She moved closer, and began to gently move some of the grass and dirt away.

"Hitomi?" Yukari watched her in interest, then, realizing what she was doing, began to help. "What is this?"

They uncovered a small portion of the stone, revealing strange letters and symbols carved perfectly into the large slab. Hitomi sat back and blinked at it. "It's..." She furrowed her brows, than lent forward again, brushing her fingers along a part of the writing. "This is Atlantis writing."

"Atlantis?" Yukari turned to the stone with excitement. "How can you tell?"

"Because, I've seen this before." She started to feel that weird feeling over take her again, like the last time she had seen such writing. The letters blurred in her vision and she felt as if her mind was leaving her...

"Come away from that."

Both girls jumped, Hitomi breaking out of her trance in an instant. She spun around to stare in shock at the women standing before them.

"Come away from there, please, Your Majesty." She held a slender hand out towards Hitomi, giving her a small smile. "It's not safe here."

"What is it?" She stood on her own, not needing the older women's help. She eyed her carefully. The women was wearing a long dress done in the traditional way of this country. Though it was plain and boring, just a white colour, she wore it well. Her hair was done up in a mass of curls, and a small golden circlet wove through it, binding pieces away from her face. Her face itself was smooth, and untouched by wrinkles, but when she smiled, small lines showed at her mouth and eyes. Her eyes were a crystal blue and held a large amount of knowledge it seemed.

"Just a burial ground, nothing more." The way the women said it made it seem like there was something more to the stone. "It's very very old."

"It has the writing of Atlantis on it." She said, after bending down to retrieve her skates, Yukari doing the same.

The women smiled again. "I did say it was very old."

Hitomi narrowed her eyes in thought, but the women was suddenly bowing to her, holding herself up with such grace it could rival her grandmother's. "My name is Corilith. I am the guardian of this place."

Hitomi curtsied, well Yukari bowed. "It's nice to meet you. I'm really sorry, I didn't know this was here."

Corilith shook her head. "Of course, it is pardoned, Your Majesty." She turned and left without another word.

"That was... odd..." Yukari turned to her best friend, raising an eyebrow. "Wouldn't you say?"

"Just slightly..." They passed curious looks at each other.

"Here you are." They both turned to watch Amano walking towards them, grinning at them with amusement.

Hitomi looked around, puzzled. "But where's Josceline?"

Amano suddenly laughed. "He had a little fit and an old women took him to get tea."

"That was my grandmother." She shook her head. "He had a fit?"

"Said he didn't want to look after a crazy person anymore." He chuckled well Yukari laughed outright.

"I'm not crazy!" But Hitomi laughed too, than she realized something, and eyed her friend curiously. She never really noticed it until now... but it was the same with her brother and mom too. "How do you understand what everyone is saying here?"

Yukari blinked at her. "Is that suppose to make sense?"

Hitomi sighed in irritation. "When Van came to Earth with the dragon and he yelled at us and you didn't understand him..." She trailed off seeing the blank look on both her friend's faces. "Oh right... that was the first time... it was different the second time..."

"What are you babbling about Hitomi?"

Hitomi rubbed her temples, trying to think things through. "I'm surprised you know and understand the language on Gaea."

"Oh that!" Yukari grinned at her and Amano. "Your dad had to do something weird to use on the way here, said some cool words, than gave us these." She pulled out a long cord type thing from her sweater, showing it to her. Hitomi stepped forward and took it into her hand, examining it. It was made of two tightly wrapped cords of a dark blue fabric. Her dad had used magic? She stared at it.

"I didn't know your dad could do that Hitomi." Yukari tucked the cord back into her sweater when Hitomi let it go.

"Neither did I..."

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Hitomi's heart pounded loud in her ears and she listened to the sounds of talk and laughter coming from the large room she now stood waiting to enter. She pressed her forehead against the cool smooth dark wood of the large double doors in front of her, and heaved a very large, over exaggerated sigh. Josceline crossed his arms in annoyance, but refused to look at her or talk to her.

She stood straight again and smoothed out the dress she was wearing for what seemed like the hundredth time. She was doing it so often it was becoming habit, so she forcibly placed her hands back to her sides, the brass and gold bracelets clanging against on another as she did so. Her hair was fixed in random small braids here and there, and strands wrapped in a silky red fabric. Her dress reminded her something out of a Greek movie (AN: Think what Helen was wearing in the movie Troy, if you haven't seen it, meh...) all draped in silken decorated fabrics and pinned at the shoulders. Her pendent lay against her chest, and she decided to fiddle with that rather in be distracted with the state of her dress.

She turned to Josceline again, trying to meet his eye, when, once again, he refused, she put her hands on her hips and glared at him. "You can at least talk to me, it would make this whole waiting thing more bearable."

He turned and shot her a glare of her own. "You ran off on me today."

"We were only having fun Josceline." She blinked. "Did you really care that much."

He made a 'pfft' noise, and turned away again.

"I'm sorry, I really am." She held a hand out to him. "Truce."

He looked down at it with distaste, than up to her face, his nose wrinkled, making him look younger. "What?"

"Truce? We can be nice to each other now." She cocked her head to the side and smiled. "I know you can be nice, and I know you have a good personality, underneath your tough guy act."

"I don't have a tough guy-" He stopped, sighed, than took her hand. "Truce." He pulled away just as suddenly and stood by the door again as if nothing ever happened.

Hitomi shook her head and smiled to herself, facing the door again. She visibly paled however when the heard the sound of trumpets or whatever wind instrument they were using, from the ballroom. That was her cue.

Josceline turned to her with a mischievous grin, than went to the door. One side was already being opened by a man servant in uniform, well Josceline opened the other side. "Ready?" Hitomi blinked at the bright chandelier lit room before her, her eyes grazing over all the colourful and different outfits from people all over Gaea, all watching her. She swallowed back the sudden urge to be sick and took a rather unsteady step forward.

Josceline was at her side in an instant, giving her his arm for support. They began to slowly make their way down the staircase and into the ballroom. She just barely heard her name being announced by a man at the bottom of the stairs.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Van had been seated at a table with Merle, Millerna, Dryden, Allen and Selena. Obviously his Aunt Lorilae knew that he didn't like to sit with perfect strangers at such occasions. He wasn't big on such things in the first place. The one's that Hitomi knew from Earth were not seated with him. He scanned the room. They were sitting nearer the royal family, looking out of place.

He looked over at his friends now. Merle was deep in a conversation with Selena about... it appeared they were talking about being on ships... but he wasn't quite sure. Allen seemed deeply absorbed in an argument with Dryden over the Celestial Gates. (Allen thought that they weren't anything special well Dryden fully believe the legends about them), and Millerna was having a light conversation with an older duchess seated in the table next to theirs. Van sighed and began to fidget with his suite. The outfit was fine for formal occasions in Fanalia, but here in La Vallex he was dying of heat.

He sighed and stopped though when Merle sent him a nasty glare. She had told him earlier not to complain about his suite and just to think that 'poor Hitomi has to meet all these people tonight' well he just gets to sit there and eat.

Griffin had come over to talk to the group several times. Everyone taking an liking to him when he finished the tour for the queen. Millerna seemed quite taken with the boy, and insisted that when she get back to Asturia, she would befriend one right away. Dryden had rolled his eyes.

Everyone suddenly fell silent, as several man stood on the far wall and blew into strange brass instruments, emitting a loud musical note that drifted across the large ballroom. All was quiet, even the colourful draping fabrics that hung along the ceiling seemed to still from their gently movement the open patio doors provided. The two large doors at the far end of the hall slowly inched open, and Van felt all his breath leave him.

Hitomi stood at the top of the stairs, starring down at the whole party before her. The dress she had on was breathtaking...

She moved forward slightly, than Josceline was at her side, helping her along down the carpeted steps that led to the dance floor below. All eyes were on Hitomi.

A small man dressed in rich colours went to the bottom of the stairs and said in a loud, carrying voice, "May we present, Her Majesty Lorilae's granddaughter, and Heir to the throne of La Vallex, the Seeress from the Mystic Moon, Hitomi Lorilae Kanzaki Do'Urden."

Men at arms along the patio doors and opposite wall all stomped their pikes against the hardwood floor at the announcement, just as Hitomi stepped carefully onto the dance floor and began her trek to the family dais where her grandmother and father were seated. (Her mom and brother were seated just to the side of the platform).

"Hitomi!" Millerna had turned from her conversation when the instruments were blown, and now stared in shock as the girl walked down the long room to the other side. "But... how..." Everyone else besides Van and Merle were in shock as well. Van looked around at the table behind him. Duke Chid was seated with other nobles from Palis (AN: is that what it's called, I don't remember... it's been a while since I've watched it. Runs to DVDs), he too was staring at Hitomi, but a small smile was on his young face.

When Hitomi reached the dais and sat down an array of comfortable looking pillows, everyone at Van's table turned to look at him. He simply shrugged.

"Why didn't you tell us she was the heir?" Allen glared at Van, but he ignored it.

"I wanted it to be a surprise."

"And what a surprise it is." Millerna cut in, not wanting the knight and king to get into a fight. She was still staring at Hitomi, her mouth slightly open. "I would never have guess that..."

"She will make a nice queen." Dryden placed a hand on his wife's arm, than turned to Van. "I suppose your happy she's back, Van."

Van smiled but didn't say anything as he turned to look at Hitomi once more. She was sitting on her knees, her dress wrapped around her well enough that she could get up easily if she needed. She held her chin up a certain amount that gave her authority, and at the same time, allowing the chandelier candlelight to bounce of her hair and eyes. She had begun to get a tan, he noticed with a smile. The sun in this country was enough to tan anyone in a hurry. As he continued to watch, she lowered her eyes to her knees, than smiled and laughed at something her father had leaned over to say. The dangling earrings her grandmother insisted she wear catching the light as well. (She had to get three holes pierced in each ear, as was traditional of a queen in La Vallex). He forced himself to turn away and Merle leaned over to his side.

"She looks beautiful, doesn't she?" Her voice came out in an envious sigh and she placed her forehead on Van's arm. "She'll make you very happy Van."

He looked down at her, than back up to the platform. Lorilae was getting up to talk. Everyone fell silent as she stood. As she walked forward, Van's eyes fell over the 15 men and women who sat to the other side of the platform, the opposite side of Hitomi's family. They were all dressed in simple white gowns and wrappings. The men wearing white light pants and white shirt underneath a white silken shawl. Van felt a chill up his spine. These were the Chain of 16, Lorilae being the final member.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Kings, Queens, Dukes, Duchesses, Knights and Guards..." She opened her arms out wide, her dress (similar to Hitomi's) flowing down to the ground in gentle waves. "I welcome you on this night to witness the coming of my granddaughter into the world she truly belongs." People clapped. "I have little to say however, and I don't wish to bore you." She smiled, her face crinkling up with mirth. "A feast and entertainment await you!" Louder clapping.

She returned to her seat in front of Hitomi and her son, watching as maids swept into the room carrying trays upon trays of excellent exotic and native food to every table.

oooooooooooooooooooooo

The food was served and eaten when Hitomi was told to rise and make the rounds around the room. So, nervous as hell, with Josceline beside her, she made her way slowly around the room, starting with her friends from Earth.

She greeted them enthusiastically, telling her she was doing fine and that she looked beautiful before she had to move onto the next group.

When she finally reached Van's table (It wasn't too long after, they were seated only 3 tables away from where she was sitting), she had gained a bit of confidence. Everyone was being so nice to her. She had, for some reason, expected a huge backlash towards her, maybe even fear at her being from the Mystic Moon. But after leaving the 2nd table, she realized that they all knew of her as the Seeress, who helped rescue Gaea from it's destruction. OK... so not frightened... but it was still embarrassing.

"Are you guy's enjoying yourselves?" She stepped up beside Millerna, causing them all to stop their conversations. She looked for reassurance in Van's direction. He just smiled sweetly at her.

"Hitomi!" Millerna had shot out of her seat and was giving Hitomi a rather bone crushing hug. "I can't believe it!" She stood back, holding her at arms length and smiled brightly at her. She still looked the same, just held herself better and she had a happy, content look about her. "Your really a princess."

Hitomi laughed and ushered Millerna back into her seat. "I really am." She stood straight again and smiled at the group. "Strange, huh?"

"It makes sense though." They all turned to Dryden who was smiling at her cheerfully. "You have the ability to see what others can't. It's a common trait of La Vallex royalty..." He trailed off and rubbed his ever stubble chin. "Now why didn't I see this before..."

"Hitomi," Merle motioned to the girl beside her. "This is Selena. You never really got to meet her last time."

"No." Hitomi smiled at her, than lent across the table to shake hands with the girl who once was Dilandou. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." She smiled at Hitomi and bowed slightly in her chair. "I've heard so much about you."

"I'm sure some was really really weird."

Selena looked at her in shock than laughed.

"Anyway..." She made an unsure look over to her grandmother. Lorilae was making continue motions to her from her spot on the dais. Hitomi sighed and turned back to the others. "I have to keep going, I'll talk to you later though."

As she passed, Van casually touched her fingertips with his own, letting them lightly trace along to her nails. Hitomi purposely slowed down, enjoying the sensation, until she was too far away for it to go on any longer.

Van was still trying to get the tingling in his fingertips to go away when she was several tables over, and he found himself feeling light-headed and dizzy. Merle leaned over and asked if he was feeling all right, but he only smiled and nodded so she left him alone. But the feeling wouldn't go away. He felt intoxicated, like he had too much to drink. His body felt heavy, and his mind was numb. When she passed, he had noticed she smelt of some exotic fruit, and her skin was like silk to the touch. He felt a sudden intense urge to touch her all over. Just take her from this place and somewhere they could be alone.

He knew right then, that he needed and wanted her.

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O.O see, I told you it will start getting a bit more 'spicy'... if you don't like spicy, I will work it out. Anywho...-sigh- I din't want to, but I had to split the ball into two chapters... I got to the 5th page and suddenly realised I wouldn't be able to fit all I needed. -shrugs- Soooooo... dear readers... you shall see the rest very soon.

I write very fast on a computer you see.

Erm...and... I forgot to do this.

I DO NOT OWN ESCAFLOWNE.

Though I'm sure none of you have a brain the size of a pea... I thought I should say that. Even though it shouldn't even be necessary... lots of people do it... but WHY! If you have a story in FANFICTION that should be what your writing. I can understand if you write your own characters as all my own characters BELONG TO ME.

So, that's that. I'm done my ranting.

Now..

REVIEW! I command!...even though this chapter sucked...argh! so little in here! Not happy with it at all!