Usual Disclaimers apply. You know what is and is not mine.  And it looks like I'm going to be updating by the week it seems… Mainly cause school started.  But I will update every week at least one chapter.  It is my job—no, duty for… I AM ETERNAL CRUSADER!!! (Okay, terrible joke, but points scored for intent, right?)

Luca's Redemption – Chapter Nine

Maroux's Story – Part IV

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Flashback

Location: The Valley of the Departed

Nobody that knew both Kirke and Ronnie Bell, otherwise known as the 'Giant Woman,' would ever, I repeat, EVER expect the two of them to even be dating, let alone get married, let alone be a *happy* couple and even still let alone the people that did not know either of them!  And the expressions on all of our faces supported this.

"A…..aaa…….how….could…" That was me muttering.

"…..it….even…..be possible…" Pahn muttering.

"That…..the two……of you…?" Eikei.

"What's wrong?  Why are you all looking at us like that?" Kirke so casually said.  Maybe he honestly didn't know just so obviously why this was just… wrong.  But hey; it's just a matter of perspective, right?

"Well… The two of you… Just don't… How did it happen?" Eikei managed to get out with out stuttering much.

"Well, it all started after the war… I had just collected my stuff from Toran Castle and was on my way to Jowston.  This was a couple weeks after the war ended and anyone who was still staying there probably was staying there for a while, such as the people who got a position in the Toran Government.  I was at Banner Village, when…"

* * * * * * * * * *

Here, it's Kirke telling a story, so this is Kirke who's narrating.

* * * * * * * * * *

"This new chef isn't doing very well…" One man said.

"That's saying it lightly! She's actually driving away customers!" Another man said.

"Shh!! Keep your voice down. The boss might hear us.  Though, at this rate, the whole inn will go out of business and we'll be jobless anyway…" Said the first man.

I was just passing through the village, and was on my way to the docks to get a boat.  But as it turned out, the next boat would set sail the day after tomorrow.  So, I headed for the inn.  At this time, it was night.  The crescent moon, though seemingly small in size, shined brightly and along with the stars and a few torches lit around the village, made walking around there visible enough.  It was really a beautiful night, very few crickets that seemed so far, yet so close.  The noise—no, the sound they emitted was actually quite soothing, and didn't bother me much that day.  But, just as I was about to open the door, it swung open, and I was tossed backward, falling flat on my ass.

Out the door came about three or four people, all spitting out some kind of food.  They all seem to be cursing at the innkeeper, who followed shortly out the door.  The customers walked away, but the innkeeper went back in.  After I got on my feet again, I tried to open the door again, but was thrown on my ass again, after the door swung open and a couple of guys came out.  They were the same guys I overheard talking about some new chef, so they were in fact employees.

"You know what?! WE QUIT!!!  We ain't gonna be stuck in no poor excuse for an inn, whose got a Giant Woman for a chef!!!" They said.

Again, the owner walked out and yelled "*@&&$^^@&@*!!!" and went back in.  I got on my feet and finally was able to open the door AND walk in without falling on anything!  I went to the counter and ordered some chicken and beer.  The innkeeper yelled the order to the kitchen and I took a seat at a nearby table.  Not long after, my beer came out first, which after a few minutes was followed by my grilled chicken.

"Ronnie? Is that you?" I asked, as I saw her bringing out the food.  I was surprised to see her here, of all places.  Yeah I know she was studying homemaking, but…

"Kirke?  What're you doin' here?" She answered.

She sat down at the table and we started talking.  She explained that she couldn't wait to start cooking for a living, and so she just quickly bought a 'Homemaking for Dummies' book from some peddler and read through it.  After she was nicely sent on leave by her employers at various inns, she ended up in Banner.  And something told me, she was about to get fired again.  I told her my story, and then we were all caught up.

After I was done telling my story, I noticed that my plate was empty.  Heh, I hadn't even realized that I was eating the whole time we were talking.

"Hey Ronnie, how about you fix me up another plate of this chicken? It's really good!  Was the book you bought a bestseller or something?"

Then, she gave me this look.  We just stared into each other's eyes.  Then as Ronnie was breaking into tears, she fell into my arms.  Crying, she said: "That…That was the nicest thing… Anyone has ever…. Said about my cooking…. I…I… Thank you… Thank you so much…"

Then she raised her head and we kissed.  And from that point on, we knew…

* * * * * * * * * *

"We knew we were meant for each other.  And only a few months later, we decided to get married." Kirke finished his story.

Again, three jaws fell to the ground, and three tongues rolled out like a red carpet.

"You mean to say… The two of YOU… Lived out… The romantic dream that… almost everyone in this world has?!?!" Eikei said.

"How… How… How… could this…" Pahn said.

Right now, Kirke, Ronnie, Eikei, Pahn and I had made our way back to Kirke's cabin.  We planned to stay there for the night, since it was already dark outside, and it was dangerous.

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Yikes… That was scary… But, it's their choice right? So just let them be… Anyway, Chapter 10 / Maroux's Story Part five up next.