Chapter 3: Playwright
Haruka was angry. No, she was more than angry, she was completely enraged. Standing in her father's room, she fumed. The Lady Suen had somehow managed to elude her. She searched the city and surrounding areas so thoroughly too. How could such a small, helpless girl get away from her that easily? How could she be so careless? Haruka did not like herself very much at the moment, and so many scenarios were running through her head of what she could have done, and what she should have done. And the fact that her best friend, Makoto, was no where to be found only added to her agitation. It wasn't like her to just disappear. When she'd returned to her friend's cabin the night before, she wasn't there. Haruka waited around for at least thirty minutes, and still nothing. Then, remembering whom Makoto's guest had been that night, she went to the wine maker's place in the city, only to find that his daughter was asleep and had not been out since early that evening, before Haruka made her first visit to Makoto. This left Haruka worried and even a bit suspicious about her friend. It wasn't like Makoto to lie to her about something like that, and it would be silly to anyway. It was Makoto's business of course, but Haruka still didn't know why she'd need to lie about it. Unless the girl herself wanted her identity left unknown, but she and Makoto told each other almost everything.
Haruka felt somewhat guilty at that thought, for there were things that she was not aloud to tell Makoto about. She told herself that it was for Makoto's own good that she not know, but she still felt guilty, and her father's orders were not to be questioned. She could only hope that there was no connection to the two disappearances. Makoto was hopefully going show up some time today and tell Haruka that she was stupid for worrying about her.
Now she had to tell her father the bad news. Tell him of her failure to bring back Lady Suen. She couldn't help but feel lousy as well as angry. It was her fault that Suen got away.
"She has...escaped," her smooth, feminine voice echoed in the large room. Haruka's voice bore a strained tone that told of much regret on her part. The recipient of this news was not surprised. He stood at the balcony, still as any of the stone statues that graced the palace's marble halls. It was nearing dawn and many of the palace occupants had yet to sleep. Haruka stood in the blue darkness of the room behind her father. She looked at his long, sandy blond hair. It was slightly darker than her own hair, which was much shorter; it only reached just below her chin and was damp and unruly from the storm earlier. She'd been meaning to cut it before it got much longer.
A deep sigh came from the large man's direction. "Then you will go after her at once and bring her back."
"Of course father. I will do as you command." She gritted her teeth.
"This is serious. Do not fail me, my daughter. The fate of this land rests in our hands, and if the Bellonaens catch wind of this, then we shall be the next kingdom to fall into ruins. I will not have my people suffer."
"What of the suffering of others? Can we not do anything father?" Her tone was stilted, and she hated herself for it.
His gruff voice answered, "There is nothing that we can do but save ourselves. It is the only way to ensure the future of our kingdom at this point."
"You are the one who holds the key, yet you will hand it to the man who will destroy us all." She couldn't help but saying what was on her mind. After all, she would be leaving soon anyway.
"I keep this kingdom safe. If others cannot do the same for their people, it is no concern of mine." He turned around to look at her, "I hold many keys. Remember that Haruka, for if the Lady Suen is not returned soon, I have ways of buying time from the Bellonaens."
Haruka smirked behind her hair, which hung in front of her face. She was looking at the floor, sure that she must be wearing an awful expression. "You are such a coward," she seethed.
"What does that make you then?" he asked calmly. "You can take the throne any time you wish, but I wonder what holds you back. I know that you have grown stronger than me my daughter. Why not, then, kill me and take my crown? It would be so easy for you. Then you may rule this land to your liking." He smiled ruefully and turned back to face the balcony. "You do not though, because you have your mother's weakness."
Haruka clenched her fists by her sides. She wanted to kill this man. To murder him. Make sure that he could never speak ill of her mother again. Oh how she wanted to. "I am not a murderer," she shot back, "I will wait until your own cowardliness gets you killed. Then I will gladly take your crown." 'Because I still love you dammit, you murdering, cowardly son of a bitch. You are still my father. Mother would never forgive me if I did such a thing.' She had killed people. Many people. But Haruka never killed out of malice. She'd fought for her father in the past, during the civil wars in Enlil, when they were struggling so hard to bring the land together. That's when her mother had died, and when her father became the man he was now. She hated him, but she could not forget who he used to be. Holding onto that memory was the only thing that kept her from slitting his throat.
"If you are done with your report, leave. I have other matters to attend to." He waved a hand, dismissing her. "Send word back as soon as you have her. There is a ship awaiting you at the docks, ready to leave. I will expect you to be gone before sunrise."
She paused a moment before leaving, debating on wether or not to tell him of Makoto's disappearance. She knew that she should, because there may be a connection, but at the same time she feared what that connection might be. 'What business is it of his what Makoto does anyway,' she concluded finally, 'I will find her on my own.' She took one last look at the man that she called her father, and felt a pang of sadness. 'Maybe I won't come back this time,' she mused. 'I wonder if you would even care.'
Upon exiting her father's room, she headed to her own to gather the things that she would need for her journey. Haruka was very tired, not having gotten any sleep since the night before last. She was making a mental list in her head, while walking. Her mind kept wondering though, so she gave up, her long strides taking her quickly down the marble hall, cape billowing out behind her. Any servants that saw her coming knew to move out of the way. It was not good to cross her when she was in this kind of mood. When she came to her room, she pushed through the double doors fiercely. Entering the room, she was surprised to find someone already there.
"Looks can be dangerous weapons Haruka. I do hope that no one other than your father ever has the misfortune of causing you to wear that one again. I am almost tempted to run away at the sight of you." The voice was young and amused. It fit the small frame that stepped closer, into the light.
"What are you doing here?" she said, harsher than she'd intended.
"Well hello to you as well."
Haruka shook her head, sighing as she went to sit on the bed, "I am sorry to be so rude. I have had many troubles this past night."
"So I have heard," the voice was sympathetic.
Haruka forced a smile, "Hello to you, Lady Metis, I trust things are going well in Theia."
"I have told you to call me Ami, Haruka, and no, you know that things are not going well anywhere in this world."
"Tell that to my father then. He thinks that all our troubles will just go away soon. Once I have brought back Lady Suen that is."
"Yes, I know. This is the reason that I am here. My mother has sent me this time Haruka. She bade me to come with the excuse of visiting a friend, but you know it was to see what your father is up to. I am to go with you on your hunt for Lady Suen now though. He seems to want to be rid of me as soon as possible, and I have been informed that we are to leave before dawn."
Haruka's head snapped up in disbelief, and took in the woman's appearance. She hadn't changed much at all since a year ago, when she'd last seen her. The Princess of Theia was a small woman. She had a pale complexion with cute, delicate features. Her blue hair was just to her shoulders; longer than Haruka remembered it being. And of course, her ever present owl companion sat upon her shoulder. The little grey owl hooted happily at Haruka as it shifted its weight from foot to foot with impatience.
"I will not allow it," she said resolutely. "It is a ridiculous idea, and very dangerous. You would not be safe. No." She was shaking her head.
"It is not for you to decide, and the order has already been made. I want to go Haruka. The world is a big place, and I have seen but little of it. Come now, please do not make a fuss about this. I can take care of myself." She pleaded with the sandy-blonde.
"Why does he do this..."
"Because he is the King."
"I am nothing then, but another servant to him."
"You are his daughter Haruka, and all parents love their children." her voice was filled with sadness.
"Heh, he has no love left. His love died with mother, years ago. I just remind him of something he lost, something he tries to forget." Her head was in her hand as she leaned on her knee. There was a minute of silence before she continued. "Fine then, I will not object to you coming. I will need some company to keep me sane anyway."
Ami smiled at this and took Haruka's hand. "It is not so bad Haruka. You can get away from this place for a while. It has been months since you were last on a ship."
Haruka stood and began to gather her things. "There is something else Ami. Something that makes me hesitate to leave." She opened her wardrobe and removed some articles of clothing. "Makoto is missing."
Ami looked up, "For how long now?"
"Only since last night, but it is not like her." Haruka went on to tell Ami of the events that had occurred the night before. She left nothing out, for Ami would know if she did. Ami was a smart girl and could not be easily fooled.
When she'd finished her story, Ami sat for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Haruka."
Haruka continued to pack. "Hm?"
"You are not going to like my theory at all, but I would like you to hear me out okay?"
"Sure, I will hear you out. You are rarely ever wrong, and I value your opinion greatly Ami. Why would I not now?" She smiled as she folded a shirt.
"Well, I warned you." She shifted on the end of the bed and put her hands in her lap. "Let me ask you something Haruka, just in case my memory has gotten a bit fuzzy."
Haruka laughed at that. "Okay Ami, when that happens, I will be senile anyway and it will not matter. Go ahead with your question.
"One day I asked Makoto what kind of a woman she preferred over any other. She told me that she absolutely adored a woman with blonde hair. She also gave me many reasons, that I will not repeat in this lifetime, as to why she was partial to long blonde hair, the longer the better she said. Now, is my memory correct Haruka?" She was blushing a bit, but hid it well.
Haruka laughed, "Perfectly accurate, as usual Ami," She smiled at the blue-haired girl. "Though she was not very picky, I will tell you that. How could she be? There's not even anyone like that on Enlil..." Haruka went about the room, grabbing things and stuffing them into some bags she had on the bed. Ami watched Haruka, knowing that it would hit her eventually, but waiting for it. Suddenly, as if she'd heard Ami's thoughts, Haruka slowly stood up, holding two pairs of boots from her wardrobe. She looked over at Ami, doubt in her eyes.
"She would never do that." She said.
"I told you that you would not like my theory."
"Well, let us hear the rest of it then," she brought the boots over to the bed, putting them in one of the bags, looking a bit disgruntled.
"You did not see who she was with last night. She lied to cover up their identity, whoever they were. Now, just for a moment, imagine that it was Lady Suen."
"She would not do that to me." Haruka almost yelled.
Ami stood up and faced Haruka, "It is not all about you Haruka. Makoto is a grown woman, who can and will make her own choices. If she chose to help Lady Suen, then that was her choice. She must have had a reason to do it, and I cannot blame her if she did. You were very busy these past months, Haruka, were you not? Do you monitor every move that your friend makes?"
"Well, no, but we are friends. I thought we told each other everything!" Haruka sat heavily on the bed, then cursed when two of her bags fell over onto the floor.
"Makoto would never do anything to intentionally hurt you Haruka. Can you honestly tell me that you did not feel sorry for the girl yourself?" Ami's tone was soft as she looked at Haruka.
Haruka did not look up, but put her head in her hands. Ami sat on the bed and, leaning on her knees, she stared at the floor for a bit, not wanting to invoke Haruka's wrath lest she say something that would offend her. Haruka acted tough, but she could be really sensitive when it came to talking about her friends.
"Right as usual Ami." Haruka left her seat on the bed to begin picking up the scattered contents of her bags. "I have been very busy these last few months. So busy that any visits I should have been making to Makoto were put off. She understood, and I knew that she did. I took advantage of that, did I not?" She smiled sadly in Ami's direction, but did not wait for an answer, "I did not want to keep Lady Suen locked up in that room. When the Belonaens brought her to us, I was surprised, for my father did not see fit to inform me before her capture. I was to be her guard. Seeing to it that she was comfortable and safe. However, he did make sure to inform her of who exactly her guard was."
Ami grimaced at this point, knowing what was to come.
"Yes, I think we both know of my reputation throughout the Kingdoms. I am a vicious killer. A warrior of destruction, who spreads chaos wherever she passes. I show no mercy to man, woman, or child." She smirked, "Some of them even say that I have killed gods. Though it is not unheard of I suppose, and it is possible. Have you heard the new one?" She asked Ami in a nonchalant way.
"You are out to kill the leaders of the other seven kingdoms now, right? Well, many think that you are responsible for killing the Royal family of Ki. The Kingdom of Ki has been leaderless for some twenty years now, and supposedly it is your doing. Should I even mention Queen Tiamat? You have made quite an enemy of her daughter I hear...I am surprised that the sea has not swallowed this land already."
Haruka actually laughed a little, "They have not the man power to go to war with us, that is the reason she could not retaliate. Besides...that was an accident." She bent her head down. "Why would I want to kill other gods and goddesses? They really need a tyrant, do they? With me as the scape goat, others can get away with anything. My father knows this and plays it to his advantage. During the civil wars, years ago, I did not create this image for my father, but to protect a friend. It has always been for my friends. Though I have few of them." She looked towards Ami, smiling as she finished packing her things and placing the bags on her bed once more.
"We are not your only friends Haruka. The soldiers look up to you, and some of the servants..."
"They fear me Ami."
She was silent.
Haruka extended a hand to Ami, indicating that she should stand. "Lady Suen was terrified of me as well; that is part of the reason she fled. They all fear me, and it is something that I have grown used to.I think I had a moment of insanity yesterday...when I let her escape." Haruka paused.
Ami continued to listen intently, standing next to the taller woman.
"I was sitting there at the window," she motioned toward it. "My relief had come mid afternoon and I was to continue my visual over her later in the evening. When at first I saw her, my instinct was to follow, capture her, and return...but I did not. For some reason I just did not want to see her held up in that room again. I defied my father by not following, and I think that is part of the why. I sat with childish arrogance thinking of the look on his face when he found out. I was happy with my choice." Haruka laughed shortly. "Then, oh but then, I thought of the consequences. I remembered exactly why we were keeping her, and that thought is what sprung me to my feet in an instant. I do not think I have ever been more like Makoto than in that instant. Caring not for the bigger picture, but thinking only of the moment, and living in that moment."
Ami nodded, "Makoto never does think on anything. Though she does have an uncanny ability to get out of pretty much any situation she gets herself into."
"Yes, and let us hope that her luck is still with her. I am working to correct my mistake now by capturing Lady Suen. Our countries depend on her return. How selfish I was to let her go like that. I was only thinking of myself and appeasing my own conscience."
Ami put a hand on Haruka's shoulder. "Do not ever be ashamed of that. Without a conscience like yours, Haruka, you would be a tyrant and all the rumors about you would be true. As it is, there is nothing we can do about what has happened, but we can move forward. You searched hard last night to find that girl, and it has worn you out. Beating yourself up about it will not help." She walked over to the door and stood, waiting for Haruka to follow.
"I think it is good that you are coming with me Ami."
"Oh really?"
Haruka hefted her bags onto her shoulders and came to hold the door open for Ami."Yes, you know how bad I am with navigating. I am horrible when it comes to reading the stars and using compasses and all that mathematical gibberish." She scowled playfully at Ami.
Ami smiled and stepped through the door, thinking of how good Haruka was with changing subjects"Then it is a good thing that I am coming. They have a head start on you already. It would be a shame to let them progress any farther by getting lost."
Haruka then grinned wickedly, and Ami was suddenly reminded of the way Makoto looked when she was about to tease her. "Oh, they will not get very far."
"Haruka...what did you do?"
"I merely took their wind from them."
"That was very clever of you," said Ami, nodding her head in admiration.
Haruka smiled triumphantly and began walking, "Yes, it was. I am glad that you agree."
"Quit being so modest now," Ami rolled her eyes behind Haruka.
"I have bought us quite a bit of time I hope. They may be able to row, but I doubt that they can keep it up too long." She motioned with her hands while talking, "Though I am going to need to return the wind soon. The people cannot go without it for very long. If I could better control my power, I would have been able to locate a more exact position to take it from. We will just have to catch up as much as we can before I return it, which should not take very long."
Ami walked with Haruka now. "I guess desperate times call for desperate measures. It is a wonder that you are still on your feet with all the energy that you expended. When you become more adept at concentrating your power, then you will not have to go to such extremes to do something like this. You may grown more on this trip you know."
Haruka nodded. "It will be a long time before I am a true goddess of wind and sky. I will learn as I go."
"I am sure that we will both grow Haruka."
They made there way down the halls of the palace, and headed to the docks, where they were set to depart just as the sun bathed the sails of their ship in it's bright, warming light.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
She was in that place again. The one she visited many times in her dreams throughout these past years. The dreams were always so real, like they happened yesterday. She supposed that they might as well have for as clearly as she remembered each detail of every horrible moment. She deserved it, this she knew. It was one more small way of atonement, if that was even possible. She liked to think that maybe it was. Maybe there was some way to stop these nightmares from happening. Until then, though, she was to suffer for her sins.
Now, gazing out over the twilit field, she could smell the blood and taste the metallic tang of it in her mouth. Was it her own blood? Someone else's? She didn't know, nor did she ever find out. There was never an explanation. How many bodies were there? Lying around her in brutal disarray. A massacre spread out before her in testament to what had been done. The evidence of her guilt hung heavily in her hand. Cold steel against her fingers and palm. Blood dripped from the heavy blade. To stand anymore was too much of a labor, and so the sword dropped from her hand and she along side it. Falling to her knees on the burnt, blood-covered ground. It was so dark now, the moon hidden behind the smoke from the fires. She wanted to end it now, try it again. It never worked, but one more time wouldn't hurt. She almost laughed, of course it would hurt! It always hurt, and damn herself for still trying it.
So she drew her dagger like so many times in the past, and without hesitation, plunged it as deeply as she could within her chest. It hurt! Damn did it hurt! It burned worse than any fire could. It seemed to connect with every nerve in her body. She screamed as the pain tore through her chest, and her blood joined that of her victims. Falling on her side, she curled into a fetal position and held onto the dagger, still firmly planted in her chest. Maybe she could will herself to die this time. They all died so easily! Was it too much to ask that she be allowed the same?
But then, as always, they came. Taking the dagger from her chest was a struggle, for she did not relinquish the tool of her destruction so easily. Oh, but they were smarter now. They learned from their mistakes. In the past, some had died, but now they came at her with swift organization. It took many of them, and the best. When at last she was subdued and the dagger agonizingly pulled from her chest, they took her to another place of nightmares. This one she never left. It was always the last thing she remembered before the dreams started to haunt her.
A dark room. Pitch blackness. Nothing but feeling. She could feel the heavy air and smell the mold that surely clung to the walls, ceiling, and floor. Feel the cold stone of that floor, and the wetness that saturated her clothes. The worst part though, the very worst part of all, were the chains. Cold and heavy, they bit into her skin, pinning her securely to the floor in front of her. Her legs shared a similar fate, shackled together at her ankles. She could smell the blood on the chains, left there from her previous struggles. Hurting herself or anyone else was now completely out of the question. They would wait now. Wait for her to come back to them. Who was she? She was sanity, the one who would set everything right. The struggle would go on for a little while, but she would hold rein over this shell once more. Then another darkness descended over her, and her thoughts were no more.
Waking up on the cold stone floor, that same voice greeted her. The one that she knew would take her away from this room and treat her like the human being she should be, and the nightmare that she woke from each time would remain just that. A nightmare. Not to be spoken of or dwelled upon. That voice comforted her, telling her everything was fine and all was good again.
The chains and shackles were removed, and she felt a faint pain in her chest. Strong arms lifted her to her feet and helped her walk to the door. The light hurt her eyes, but she was able to lift her head just high enough to give a feeble smile to her helper.
"Welcome back Makoto," said the woman beside her.
"I don't know how you could possible still mean that Haruka..." Makoto stated lamely, almost falling as she tried to walk.
"I will always mean it Makoto," Haruka spoke firmly, holding Makoto up, "No matter what happens, remember that we are always going to be friends. Nothing can destroy that."
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
Makoto awoke with a start, her clothes drenched in sweat and her breathing heavy. The dream had scared her. It was more confusing than her previous ones. Was it possible to dream within a dream? She knew what she had done, but she never remembered any of it. At least, not that close to remembering it, to still be there among the aftermath. It wasn't a good sign.
Makoto's head hurt like seven hells for some reason and she felt a little disoriented. She sat up and started lifting her arms to stretch, but was halted by something holding them together. Oh shit, her thoughts echoed in her mind. Then she realized that she was moving. Well, she herself wasn't moving, but the floor certainly was. Makoto's mind registered that she was most likely on a ship. Lowering her arms, she tried not to panic. Can't panic, it won't help me...this room though, she looked around in the darkness, it's...small. It was indeed small, and very dark. No windows, her breathing became labored. Nope, not good. Too much like back then. She felt at her wrists. Cold metal. They were chains. Tremors ran up her body for a moment, but she held them at bay. An anger flared in her as well, so she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Now don't be stupid, you don't even know where you are. Just figure this out and we'll take it from there. Slowly, she opened her eyes and tried to stand, finding that she had been sitting on some sort of small bed, though it was hard to tell in the darkness. Having succeeded in standing, she looked in the direction of the chains on her wrists, even if she couldn't really see them. They felt small enough. With a mighty jerk, she pulled her wrists apart, snapping the chains in the process. See, she said to herself as the chains hit the floor with a loud clank, These chains break. Nothing like back then. There was also no smell of mold or stagnant air, but of oak and pine. There was not doubt that she was on a ship.
A noise from somewhere in the darkness made her look up. Then, suddenly, she was bathed in light as a doorway appeared not far from where she was standing. She squinted and covered her eyes against the brightness, seeing only an outline of the person now filling the doorway.
A melodic voice reached her ears. "You okay? I didn't realize the light went out, sorry about that. You didn't fall down or anything did you? I heard a sound..."
Makoto felt someone brush by her and jumped out of the way, taking a defensive stance. In the light from the door she could see the figure moving about the room, like she was looking for something.
"Aha, here we go." Then the room was illuminated with the light from a small oil lamp. "There's usually more than this, but we'll have to make due with it. This room isn't used much."
Makoto was looking at the back of a woman's head. She was blond and a few inches shorter than Makoto herself. She contemplated her options. There was a door. She could try to make her getaway now. Obviously she was chained for a reason, and when the woman in front of her turned around she would see that the chains were no long present. Then again, if she was on a ship, what were her chances of getting anywhere? Zero. Never cared much for swimming.
Finished with what she was doing on the table, the woman turned around to face her. Makoto rubbed her wrists nervously and looked over at the blonde. When she saw her face, Makoto was at a loss for thoughts or words. She stared for a moment at the beauty before her, the unique features that regarded her with appraisal. Then she looked away, across the room, at anything that was not remotely similar to smiling blue eyes and perfect, pink lips. So she's one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen...big deal. That doesn't excuse the fact that I may be her captive.
"You certainly like to break things now don't you." Her voice reached Makoto's ears again, and she was certain that the woman was teasing her.
"What makes you say that?" she countered.
"Oh, nothing. You won't make a very good hostage if you don't cooperate. We'll have to find some new chains." she walked around Makoto to stand in her line of sight. "They weren't really my idea anyway, but orders are orders."
Makoto gave her a cold look. "Being a hostage isn't my style at all, but I am pretty good at breaking things. The next set won't last long either, and I don't just do chains."
"Really?" Came her peppy voice. "Here I thought that you were only a good escape artist."
"Chains are nothing, but take your neck for instance," she looked up into the blonde's eyes, "I could snap it like a piece of straw." She half smiled as the woman's smile faltered for an instance, then it returned.
"I'm very aware of who you are, and I can understand you're being upset, but that won't change your situation. Say you do kill me. You're on a ship in the middle of the ocean, with a crew of trained mercenaries. How far did you plan on getting?" Her voice was calm and pleasant, not near as frightened as she should sound in Makoto's opinion.
"It wouldn't change my situation? I think it will do just fine actually. Maybe I'd get lonely after a while, being on board with no one around, but I'm sure I'd figure something out sooner or later." She took a step toward the woman, but the blonde didn't move. "Or maybe I should take a hostage of my own, you think?"
The blonde did step back this time, and continued to do so as Makoto came towards her, but her smile stayed all the same. "Then we have something and common, you and me."
"Oh?" Makoto was advancing forward a bit faster, almost a step away from the woman now. "What's that?"
With a wink, the blonde took one more step back and was next to the door. Her hands were behind her back, so Makoto assumed that she was about to make a run for it. Oh no you don't, she thought, lunging forward. Before she could register what had happened, she felt the something cold and hard hit her head from the side. She was knocked on the floor, now looking up at the woman standing over her holding a chain. She looked at the chain with some shock. It was one of the chains that she'd snapped only minutes ago. The blonde swung the chain over her shoulder and smiled down at her sweetly. She must have got it when she brushed past me in the darkness, Makoto thought angrily.
"I don't make such a great hostage either," she winked again and opened the door, stepping around it and looking down at her.
"Maybe not," Makoto's voice was filled with hostility, "but I'm absolutely sure that you'll make a great corpse." She shot forward as the blonde stuck her tongue out, making a rude gesture at Makoto. Before she could grab her, the door was shut and bolted from the outside.
A singsong voice came from the other side. "I don't think soooo!"
Makoto slammed into the door, and pounded with her fists. "Oh, I do! Believe me," she let out an angry laugh, "better run, I don't think this door is gonna hold me. Compared to those chains, it's like parchment." She pulled back and hit it hard in the middle with her fist. There was a small cracking sound, and she heard and almost inaudible gasp from the other side. Makoto leaned against the door and said lowly, "Well, what are you waiting for...I'll give you a head start."
There was silence.
"Well then...time's up!" She then hit the door again, and this time it splintered and gave a little. I'm not supposed to be here dammit! I don't know who these people are or where they came from, but I do not appreciate being taken from my home! And I will NEVER wear chains again! She was incredibly angry now, all thoughts of calm slipping from her.
"You idiot! You just had to make this hard didn't you!" The blonde's voice held anger of her own. "Dammit! I hate it when Rei's right!" Makoto heard footsteps quickly retreating down the hall.
I'm supposed to have a week off! I'm going to fix a client's boat tomorrow and start work on a new ship next week! I can't do that on a ship in the middle of the ocean! She pounded away at the door. How he hell did I even GET here! Just when I was starting to have a normal life! The door split in half as she kicked it into the hall beyond. Stepping over its remains she left the room and turned to see the blonde woman to her right, waiting with two men by her side in the narrow hall.
Makoto smiled, "And here I thought you'd turned tail and ran."
She smiled back, "Nope, I just needed an audience. I always do." She bowed slightly in Makoto's direction, "I am Minako, number one Playwright and first mate of the Dysnomia. And you are Makoto, correct?" Their eyes met.
Makoto nodded and smirked at the blonde. "Our acquaintance will be short, I assure you."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
A little while earlier...
"No Mina. I already told you to go take care of Lady Suen. Why do you insist on countering everything that I say?" Rei's voice was loud in the still dawn air. There hadn't been so much as a breeze for hours and now they had to rely on rowing to get them moving. It wasn't making as much progress as she'd hoped, but it was something. They could only hope that whatever was making it so calm ended soon.
"Why do you insist on avoiding her now that she knows who you are? It was all well and good when you just whisked her away into the night, giving her no hint of your identity." Minako crossed her arms. "You had this coming and you know it."
"I was going to break it to her later, when she had time to recover from what she'd been through!" Rei snapped back. Some crew members nearby hastened their steps, disappearing down the stairs to the lower deck. They were the relief for some of the current crew members who were rowing down below. "That's why you should be the one to tell her. She probably won't even listen to me now." She sounded gloomy.
"Since when are you one to worry about what other people think of you? Just go tell her what's going on and I'm sure that she'll understand. She probably feels like a rag doll that's been thrown around for the past two weeks." Minako looked over at Rei from her seat atop a crate. "It'll at least give her some sense of calm."
Rei, who was leaning against the next crate over from Minako, pointed to the air in front of her, "Hello there Lady Suen, lovely day isn't it?" she gave a short bow, " I am Lady Rei Enyo, hailing from the Kingdom of Bellona. Yes, the very same people who ripped you from your home and brought you to this far away land to be used as a hostage in a great plot to overtake the high throne. Now, won't you listen to everything that I have to say and trust me on this, hmm?" Lowering her hand, she crossed her arms and frowned at her boots. "Calm? You think it will make her calm?"
"Well, when you put it like that..." Minako mumbled. "Has anyone ever told you that you have absolutely no tact?"
"Yes."
"'k, I think you should just tell her then and get it over with. Does it really matter whether she agrees or not? I mean, it's not like she has anywhere to go."
"It will be much better if she cooperates with us though." Rei looked out over the ocean, letting out a low sigh as she watched the light from the sun dance off of its still surface. "And," she said hesitantly, "I don't like seeing her cry like that."
Minako raised one eyebrow as she watched Rei, but said nothing. Rei was a very guarded type of person and would not open up even if Minako questioned her. She'd learned long ago not to wear herself out by trying.
"What do we do about this Makoto woman then? It was your idea to take her as a hostage."
"I didn't hear any objections from you when you went tearing off the ship after her." Rei said flatly, glancing at Minako through slitted eyes.
"I was going crazy on this ship okay. It was the prefect excuse to get off of it for a while, though short as that was."
"We've got to make her understand her situation. She's just a bargaining chip. Plain and simple. If she is the Jackal's friend then we can use her as leverage to keep that woman at bay. We threaten to do away with her friend, she keeps her distance. If it turns out that the Jackal could care less, then we can put her to work on this ship. That's that." Rei finished with a nod.
"Kinda mean there ain'tcha chief?"
"I've gotta be if we're going to do this. Our people are at stake as well as others. I'm not going to let them down. If it means making some sacrifices along the way then so be it."
"Yeah, but for a moment there, well, you kinda acted a little teensy bit like your father." Minako had her hand up, indicating with her thumb and index finger the little teensy bit, and squinting her eyes.
Rei shot her a look that would make any man cower and beg forgiveness, but Minako just raised her hand higher and mouthed, "little teensy bit," hunching her shoulders slightly.
Rei rolled her eyes and pushed away from the crate, walking towards the stairs. "Go deal with what's-her-name, and I'll go explain the situation to Lady Suen." Minako hopped off of the crate with a bounce to her step. "But!" Rei's voice warned, "Do not underestimate this woman. She is the Jackal's friend remember. Anyone who is a friend of that woman is not to be trusted." Rei looked over her shoulder at the blonde. "Understood?"
"Yes Rei. I understand, so quit worrying so much. I mean, she wasn't so bad last night. It was almost too easy to catch her. I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself. She's only mortal after all." The blonde shrugged.
"That reminds me. Don't tell her your real identity, and don't plan on telling Lady Suen either. The less they know, the better, and safer, for them both." Rei pointed.
"Right, right. Keep it quiet. I'll be the Jack up our sleeve." Minako gave Rei a thumbs up.
Rei stared at her for a moment, "That's an Ace, Mina..."
"Huh?"
"It's an Ace up our sleeve. I hope for your sake, that you never cheat..." Rei shook her head and walked off.
"I don't have to cheat!" Minako yelled after her. "I can have anybody I that I want to begin with!"
"Not that kind of cheating! You ass!" Rei's voice came from downstairs, now that she was out of sight.
"Yes, the ass does help," Minako said in an even tone, following Rei down the stairs.
Continued...