Disclaimer: I don't own Radiata Stories or any of the characters.

Admired Miranda

I: Clueless

The first time they saw the young girl cutting her way through the crowd, they were understandably puzzled. She seemed to be in a great hurry to find whatever it was she was looking for, yet those that got close enough noticed she retained a smile even as she searched. As the days went on they got used to her. She continued coming and going, always running to catch whatever continued eluding her. She didn't seem to be bothered at all by this daily exercise; in fact, some people suspected she was actually enjoying herself.

It was a warm, clear day that found the girl dashing in front of the Vareth Institute doors. By now those that wandered the area knew who she was and made way for her. She gave them a smile of thanks, slowing down to search this area. She had to shield her eyes against the glaring sunlight. All around her people were going about their daily business but none of them was the person she wanted to find.

"Excuse me, miss. Are you lost?" She turned at the voice. A long-haired individual stood before her clutching a thick volume and wearing the uniform of the institute. She saw the person's fair cheeks turn a light pink, probably because of the heat.

"I'm not lost," she replied with a smile. "I'm just looking for Master Godwin."

"Master Godwin of the Olacion Order?"

"Yes, that's correct." She was pleased that others outside the order knew of him. "I'm fairly certain that he came this way."

"I haven't seen him, but then… I'm in the library a lot, so perhaps he is here. I'll keep an eye out for him." This person was very friendly, and had a nice voice. She didn't interact with people outside the order very often and was feeling a little shy.

"Thank you very much." She paused to give the area one last look-over before deciding to move on. "I should be going now. Goodbye, kind sir." She smiled and hurried off. The person watched her, first feeling stunned and then delighted.

"She called me sir!"

She finally caught up with her master teaching the young ones. It didn't look like the lesson was quite over so she had some time to catch her breath. Eventually the children filed away back home and she rejoined her master at last. The small old man beamed up at her.

"Well, hello, Miranda. How was your day?"

"It was very pleasant, thank you," she replied cheerfully. Even though she spent most of it chasing after him, she had been able to enjoy the calm weather and warm sun. "Actually, I spoke with someone from the Vareth Institute today."

"That's good." Godwin bobbed his head happily. "The guilds need to maintain a bond, both because one cannot be stronger than the other and also to learn from each other." Miranda nodded in understanding, pulling the door open for the old man.

At this time of day, the chapel was fairly quiet. Even High Priest Kain was absent, out seeing the town with Achilles. She knew her friends were all hard at work and once she saw her master to his house, she could visit with them. True Godwin didn't really need her as an escort but she liked being by his side. It was the least she could do in return for the chance to be his pupil.

"Now, Miranda," said Godwin, pulling her out of her thoughts. "Allow the events of the day to leave you as we prepare for meditation."

"Yes, Master Godwin!"

---

Once again the girl would find herself stopping in front of the Vareth Institute in her search for the elderly priest. Many people that were walking through at the time waved at her; she smiled and waved back before turning her attention to finding her master.

"Hello again. Still looking for Master Godwin?" She turned and saw the same student she had spoken to before. Remembering how pleased her master had been when she mentioned talking to the individual, Miranda held off her search to answer.

"Yes, I search for him every day. He's very fast on his feet, you see, and it's part of my training to run over town looking for him."

"Like a game of Hide and Seek," the youth suggested with a light smile.

"I haven't thought of it that way… Yes, I suppose it is like that." She chuckled a little. The young man fidgeted a bit on his feet; Miranda watched him, thinking perhaps that he was worried he would miss class. "I hope I'm not keeping you. I know studying in the Vareth Institute is very important."

"Oh, no! You aren't at all. I'm doing independent research. I just… I wondered if I could have your name. You rushed off so quickly before that I didn't get a chance to ask."

"Oh!" The girl flushed in embarrassment. "How terribly rude of me! I hope you'll forgive me. My name is Miranda."

"I'm Felix." They smiled at each other. Miranda didn't know what to do now; the position of the sun made the decision for her.

"I hope you don't think I'm being rude again, but I really must be moving on. It was nice to speak with you again, Felix." She waved, and was off again. Felix watched her go before turning to go back into the institute.

Despite people's assumptions of him, Felix was a normal male that just happened to be blessed with astonishing good looks. As he entered the library he thought he saw someone staring at him from behind the bookshelf. Probably just someone else who thought he was a girl. He didn't know what he could do to convince his admirers he was male; as long as they didn't try to make moves on him, he was okay.

He went to his desk and opened up a book, but didn't read any of the words. Miranda had charmed him the first moment he saw her; then again, she seemed to charm just about everyone who saw her. It took a while to pluck up the courage to speak to her but he was well-rewarded by being called "sir". That alone was proof that this was a special girl. Now he finally knew her name.

THUMP!

The noise startled him. Looking around, he saw that it was just Marietta. Sighing, he went over to help the clumsy girl to her feet. She was always falling down or knocking things over. She grinned at him and adjusted her round glasses.

"Thanks, Felix."

"Say, Marietta…" He just got an idea. It was probably a crazy one, but he was too embarrassed to ask one of the guys for help. "What do girls like?"

"Huh?"

"I mean…" He paused, feeling awkward. "If I wanted to give a girl something, what should I give her?"

"Ooh, does somebody have a little crush?" Marietta teased, poking him in the arm. Felix batted her away.

"It's nothing like that!" She laughed, and the twinkle in her eyes suggested she didn't believe him. He was blushing but he hoped she would think it was a flush of anger. "It's no one you know, so stop teasing and just help me."

"Well… all girls like flowers. Or… most of them do. I think." He turned his head so she wouldn't see him rolling his eyes. That was no help at all. Still, it was the best idea he had.

---

The day was breezy, the perfect weather for running. When she stopped to check around the wind would play with her long hair and cool her off. She passed by the Vareth Institute as usual and was surprised to see Felix outside waiting for her. He was shaking a little and she was concerned that he was sick or something; his flushed cheeks certainly made it look like he had a fever.

"Hello, Miranda," he greeted, and even his voice trembled a little.

"Felix, are you all right?" She peered at him closely. For the first time she noticed he was clutching a bouquet of flowers. "Those are very pretty. Did someone give them to you?"

"What?" He looked puzzled before realizing she must have meant the flowers. "Oh, no. Actually, ah… I thought that maybe… you would like them." She blushed, lowering her eyes shyly. She didn't know what she should say; she had never been given flowers before.

"That's very kind of you. Thank you." She took the flowers from him. "Now please, go back inside. I would hate for you to get sick on my account."

"I'm not sick!" he protested; his voice cracked strangely, which didn't help convince her.

"Please, please go inside," she begged earnestly.

"Well… all right. If it's that important to you." He smiled, disappearing into the institute. Miranda made sure he was inside before she hurried on. Maybe while she was by Morfinn's she could get some medicine for Felix. She didn't know the boy's sickness but Morfinn was a good doctor and would know what to prescribe if she told him the symptoms.

"Good day, Miranda," the old man greeted her. "If you're looking for Master Godwin, he just left."

"Actually, sir, I was hoping to get some medicine for a friend of mine. He looked very sick today and I'm worried about him. I don't know what he has, but he was shivering and he looked very flushed, and his voice cracked a little when he spoke to me." The doctor said nothing, watching the girl thoughtfully. His eyes flickered to the flowers she held.

"Yes, I think I know what's wrong with him. It's actually quite common." He turned his back on her to shift through his medical supplies. A few minutes later he turned back with an opaque bottle in his hand. "Give this to him when you see him next."

"I will, and thank you very much." She pocketed the bottle and hurried on to meet with Master Godwin. She planned to ask him permission to go home before their meditation, so she could put the flowers in water.

"You're a little later than usual today, Miranda," he said when she finally showed up.

"Please forgive me, Master Godwin. I was speaking with Doctor Morfinn."

"No harm done, my girl," he chuckled. He eyed the flowers she was still carrying. "Did the doctor give those to you?"

"Oh, no! My friend-- the one I met in front of the Vareth Institute-- he gave them to me!" She smiled, holding them out for her master to smell. "If I may, I would like to rush home and put these in water. I've never received flowers before!"

"Of course," he said with a grin. "I'll give you two minutes."

"Thank you for understanding, sir." She hurried off before she squandered any more of her remaining seconds. She also put away the medicine bottle Morfinn had given her. She only hoped Felix wouldn't get worse before she could see him again.

The next day she ran a bit faster than usual. She wanted to give herself plenty of time to visit Felix and make sure he was feeling better before she rejoined Master Godwin. He was not waiting outside as he had been for several days now; she worried that perhaps he had indeed gotten worse and was now resting in bed. So she did something she had never done before: she went inside Vareth Institute.

The place was rather large, and off to one side she saw a board with strange scribbles all over it. She ignored that and instead directed her attention to the girl sitting behind the desk. This surely was a receptionist of some kind. The girl smiled pleasantly at Miranda as the priestess approached.

"You're from the Olacion Order," the girl stated. "How may I help you?"

"I would like to know where Felix is, please," Miranda requested. The girl smiled a bit wider, her eyeglasses gleaming.

"Would you, now? He's in the library right now, just over that way. I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you." Puzzled, Miranda thanked the girl and followed her directions to the library. Sure enough, Felix was seated behind a desk with a large book laid out in front of him. Miranda thought she saw someone peeking at Felix from behind a bookcase, but it might have only been a shadow flickering from the lights.

"Felix?" she said nervously, approaching the boy. He glanced up and nearly jumped out of his chair, his face turning bright red.

"Miranda!" he cried, much louder than was proper in a library. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

"I was very concerned about you since yesterday," she explained. "I went to see Doctor Morfinn, and he told me to give this to you." She held out the medicine bottle. He reached for it, squeezing her hand just a little before drawing his hand away.

"I'm… pleased you did so much for me," he said with a faint smile.

"You seem to be doing better today, but please be sure to take that medicine all the same," she advised. He nodded, clutching the bottle like it was a precious treasure. "I can't linger here for much longer. I'll see you tomorrow, Felix." She waved, and left the library.

Felix was not sick at all, but he opened the bottle anyway. Miranda had gone through a lot of trouble to give it to him. To his great surprise, a slip of paper fell out of the bottle. He picked it up and unfurled it. It was in the doctor's scratchy hand:

"It seems from what Miranda said that you hold a strong attraction to her. The girl naturally is too innocent to be aware of it. I suggest that before you do anything, you speak to Master Godwin. He is closest to Miranda. Signed, Morfinn."

His heart was thundering loudly in his chest. The note crunched in his shaking hand.