Okies, I haven't had time to update because I have exams at the moment, but they don't finish for a while so I thought I better update this chapter now and get it done with.

Thank you to chibihitomi, Xanthia Nightshade, neko-chan, Attolia, Lukcy-DicE1012 and Hopelessly Escaflowne for reviewing.

Hope you all enjoy this chapter, we're back to Hitomi, Van and co. but Duke Freid has arrived with Plactu… Ooh…

Chapter Thirteen

The List of All Lists

Allen didn't notice the servants snickering as he passed them by on the way to the Great Hall. Every two seconds he ran a hand through his still pink hair, and adjusted his Knight Caeli uniform. His hair was still a strong pink colour, and his patchy skin was hidden by a white mask of make up, which as of yet, Allen still had to find a way to get rid of. But Millerna had repeatedly reassured him that she noticed nothing wrong with him at all. So off he strode to meet the Duke, his lips upturned in an unnaturally bright red smile.

Merle and Kio watched him go from a hidden alcove.

"You know, he could almost pass off as a girl. A few frilly bows, a nice dress…the works," Merle said with a grand gesture. "You know, before Fanelia fell into trouble and I was forced abruptly to grow up to look after Van, I always wanted a life size doll."

Kio grinned. "Good one, add it to the list."

Merle looked extremely perplexed. "What list?" she said slowly.

He looked at her in glee. "The list of what to do to Allen when he's under the influence of Plactu."

The List of what to do to Allen when he's under the influence of Plactu

Make him a slave- Millerna

Give him a full makeover- Eries

Hey, I wanted to do that? - Merle

Merle, we can share. No worries. We can control him forever- Eries

Control him as a super frilly soldier, under our influence he'll be invincible. Or he'll just get severely hurt- Chid

Dress him up as a girl, either that or give him a badly needed haircut- Merle

Leave him in a room full of all his poor ex lovers- Millerna

Make him have a tea party with me- Eries

Control him and make him smash stuff with his guymelef- Gaddes

Can't we give him green streaks? – Merle

No. That would look awful- Eries

Use him as a fencing dummy- Millerna

Get him to act out a play- Kio

Make him fly- Merle

Merle, that's not possible. Remember, he's not a Draconian like Van. However we can strap him to a rocket and send him flying to through the stratosphere- Millerna

Excellent suggestion. Hey, can I make him a lowly crewman and make myself Captain? – Gaddes

Yeah sure, Gaea knows the Crusade needs a leader like you. But can I make the best suggestion of all? Can we make Allen reveal all his deepest darkest secrets? -Millerna

"Dilandau, can I ask you something?" Hitomi asked, as she settled comfortably beside him.

"Sure, fire away." he replied casually.

"Do you like Celena?"

If Dilandau was surprised by the question, he sure didn't show it.

"Sure I do. She's a nice girl."

"No, I mean do you like, like her?" Hitomi persisted.

"Why do you ask?" Dilandau asked, deciding to play it safe and hear Hitomi's reasons before choosing to answer.

Hitomi gave a small shrug. "I don't know. It's just, you're always with her, and you don't let the other guys get too close."

"Of course, she's part of my Dragonslayers clan, and as a new member she needs to have someone to take her under their wing until she is truly ready to fly," Dilandau said quickly.

Hitomi smiled quirkily. "Considering she's flying the guymelef next to us right this moment, that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever." A sly look managed to find its way onto her face, one that made Dilandau tremble slightly. "Are you sure it isn't that you don't want the other guys hitting on her?"

Dilandau decided he would not answer her questioning. Instead he used a diversionary tactic and asked her a question instead.

"What about you and Van?" he asked, returning the sly tone.

At least Hitomi had the decency to blush, denying nothing. "I do like him, but you know, I don't think it'll work out. I mean, we're from two different worlds- he's a king and I'm…well …I'm me. And besides, if I stay I'll miss my family and…"

Dilandau held up a hand to silence her, a wicked grin plastered on his face.

"Aw Hitomi, I never knew you felt that way about him?"

"What do you think?" she asked nervously.

He squeezed her hand reassuringly. If you really care about him, then you'll find a way to be with him and your family, and he definitely would not hesitate to do anything for you."

"I miss my family," Hitomi said softly, and Dilandau looked at her. "I miss them a lot, and my friends too. But somehow I don't miss Earth as much. If I had to choose between Earth and Gaea, Gaea would be my choice. But I would miss my family and friends too much."

"It'll work out," Dilandau repeated, as he expertly steered his guymelef, as though it were the usual thing for him to drive and comfort girls at the same time.

Hitomi sat quietly for a moment, reflecting on this bizarre life of her.

"You know, in Asturia I thought it was a lot of fun hanging with you guys. But it's not fun anymore, is it?"

Dilandau gave a small, sad smile.

"No it isn't."

If it was anyone BUT Allen, they would've been immediately suspicious if they had stepped into a pitched black hall. However Allen merely tripped up, and was glad the darkness covered it up, and then he checked his outfit for the umpteenth time that day.

A door banged shut, and the Knight Caeli jumped, screaming in a ridiculously shrill voice. Then he laughed nervously.

"Oh Duke Freid old buddy, is that you?" he called out through the darkness.

Sitting on his throne, Duke Freid's eyes twitched threateningly as he gazed in the direction from where that accursed man's voice came. Old buddy! That guy deceived his wife and landed her pregnant, then left her to die from mental anguish. Grrr…just wait until he got Plactu on him.

The priest brushed past the Duke and proceeded in purposefully loud and clear footsteps towards a still un- bewildered Allen.

Outside the hall, an over excited duo of Millerna and Merle had to be restrained. Merle was extremely gleeful whilst Millerna looked decidedly vengeful.

Allen shrunk back at the mean sounding footstep.

"Er Duke?" he ventured timidly. "Is that you?"

HE got no answer. Instead, a hand shot out and grabbed his throat. Allen whimpered as he was dragged forward. He nearly wet his pants in terror as a pair of eerie eyes came level with his. For Allen, this was nearly as bad as that shampoo incident, though not that much.

Plactu made a few hand gestures, and Allen's breath caught in his throat. Alas, it would be the last time he would breathe freely. Allen's eyes dilated, and his body became rigid and unmoving. Finally, Allen was under the complete control of the hynosis master Plactu.

Outside the hall, servants began preparing the hall for a celebration feast.