RO2
A/N: I love Anonymoussi for being my first review, and Tela for being my first supporter! –hands out Kudos bar(d)s- XDChapter 2: Spying…?
I've been having these… weird thoughts, lately…
… Like, is any of this for real… or not…?
- Sora, Intro(Simple and Clean), Kingdom Hearts
I whirled around, flowers, grass, and hair flying at the same time.
The voice held a smirk this time.
"Oh… but don't worry, you're even cuter."
I gaped. No.
Behold, a whole army. Of so many, I couldn't count. And in front of me was…
"Hellooo, you alright?"
… A Dragonoid of the Mutant Lab.
Fumbling around, I called out behind me towards the now stilled Lottie.
"Lottie—Lottie dear, go back home. Go to Phillie. You know the way back."
"Why?" Lottie questioned.
Oh, Lottie.
"She has… has a present for you. You want your pressie don't you?" My voice became higher with each sentence. Behind me, Lottie giggled. "Oh, yay! Pressie! Kaykay! Byebye, Kiki!"
And I heard her little feet pad quickly through the soft green grass.
Finally, I felt that my little one was safe. Shifting my attention back to the mob, I narrowed my red eyes.
"What—what do you want?"
"We were just passing by," the Dragonoid started dramatically, "when we saw two cute, yet awesomely sexy girls—"
Thonk!
"Oh, just shut up, Darem." A female Joker whacked him hard with her set of cards.
"I love you too, Esttine," Darem muttered from the ground.
The Joker, Esttine, turned to me with a smirk.
"Hi. Who're you?"
I sweatdropped and fought down the urge to retort "Who're you?"
But, remembering my manners, I curtsied, soft silky folds of white moving around me.
"It—it's nice to meet you—" Mmhmm, sure. "—My birthname is Kishaira of the Puppet Strings."
Esttine squealed. "Oh! I knew it! Oooh, I haven't seen one in years!"
"Oh, ehe…" I trailed off, not knowing what to say.
Then…
".. are you going to war too?" I cocked her head, silver-like curls framing my face gently.
Darem, who had finally gotten up, nodded. "Yes. We are on the side of King Tristam III."
I couldn't contain my gasp of horror. The opposing side!
"Oh, uh, that—I should get—it was nice meet you all." Bowing furiously, I flew away, forgetting all about my picnic basket.
"Hey!"
Before I flew any more, I was sent sprawling to the ground.
"I think she's on the other side, Esttine." Darmen's voice sounded above me.
"No, really?" The Joker's voice came out sarcastice, yet strained. "It's such a pity. She's such a nice girl, too."
I spoke up, though terrified beyond my wildest imaginations, mouth choked with flowers. "Wha—what are you going to do with me?"
"What are we going to do with her?" Estiine mused.
Darmen removed his boot from my back. Oh, ow. "We could always kill her."
"Shut up, you idiot." There followed a sound of another smack and a yelp of pain.
The Dragonoid groaned, sprawled next to me in the grass. "Then you think of an idea, genius."
"Fine!" Cards fell from Esttine anxiously as she thought. "We could—we could always… bring her back to the labs?"
My throat choked. The labs…?
"Hey! That sounds actually pretty decent." Darmen sounded impressed.
"So back to the labs it is. Back to Master. She can decide what to do with her, there. I don't want to have to be responsible for her death. Get ready to move out, troops!"
I was hauled upwards, and with a sharp pain that shot up my spine, all went black.
"Hey. Oi. Wake up, girl." A boot scuffed my already bruised backside.
Groggily, I opened my eyes. Where was I—
—Oh, no.
"Kishaira. Honey, can you get up?" The female Joker sounded above me.
"Y—yes. Where are we?" My heart felt heavy, as I slowly floated upright.
"We're at the entrance to the labs." Darem's answer didn't surprise me as much as I would have thought, but still, my fears increased.
"O—oh."
"And they want to see you immediately."
I jerked. "Who—who?"
"She who was left behind, and now rules over this region, so c'mon." That didn't make sense, whatsoever. But it still struck immediate fear into my frail, almost undead, heart.
And I found myself being led through the lab.
"Master, we brought you back a present." Darmen and Esttine bowed low.
I squinted through the darkness. Who was Master? And I was not a present!
A low chuckle sounded from the darkness. "I see that."
"You can—you can do whatever you want with her." And with that, both Dragonoid and Joker disappeared.
I felt my hair whipping around me, as my fear mounted steadily.
No, wait, come back!
"Hiya!" And quite suddenly, the room brightened blindingly.
"Uh—"
"Hey, you!" I sweatdropped profusely as a face popped right up in front of my own. "So you're her! Weee! Funfun! Teehee… nice to meet you!"
I twitched. This was Master…? No way. The person—in weiiird clothing, might I add—in front of me was the weirdest thing that I had probably ever come across, minus me and my Phreeoni experience.
"Aha!" She pouted. "You think I'm weird, don't you? Waaaaahhh, everyone thinks so! You're all so mean!"
"Er…"
"But." And at this, the Master's eyes hardened. "You're on the enemy side. What should I do with you…?" A stony look came over her face.
I squinted, terrified yet amused. Mood-swings, much?
"Ohohoho!" I twitched again as evil-laugh! mode came over her. "I know exactly what to do with you."
I couldn't suppress a shudder. This wasn't good.
"Nope! Quite evil of me, in fact. But it'll work out. Wahahaha!" The Master giggled. Which, in truth, was very scary. Very.
"Wh—what're you going to do with me?" I blurted out, unable to stop myself.
"Ohoho… my child, you are a Godsend. Stay still, this might hurt a bit."
"Wait, wha?—"
Bam!
I yelped in pain as every inch of my body felt as if they were on fire. Collapsing on the ground, I seized my head, barely holding in my screams.
Oh, someone, someone, help me… please, someone, help me…
And quite suddenly, the pain was gone. Gasping, I crumpled onto the floor, tears streaming down my face.
"Heyhey! Are you alright? Oh, no! I didn't know it would hurt that much!" A shadow stood above me. "Can you get up?"
Gritting my teeth, I slowly raised upright, curls hanging limply against my face.
"But see, you're all set!" The Master twirled happily around. I could only stare.
"Set—set for what?" I croaked.
She stopped twirling and gave me a grin. "Hmm! Why don'cha touch that tattoo-like thing on the back of your neck.
Reaching around blindly, I felt my neck around, wondering—
Fssh!
I felt everything leave me in a flash of light, something heavy take its place, and then, I found myself on the floor. Again.
I could feel the Master's beam from down on the tiles. "Take a look at yourself!"
Clumsily, I got to my feet and tried to float.
… But I couldn't.
The Master smiled when she saw my horror. "Nono, dearie. Try walking."
My eyes grew wide at that word.
"Go on!"
Sweatdropping, I awkwardly placed one foot in front of the other, as I had seen my other siblings do.
"Not that way! Over here! This way!" I slowly, stumbling with every other step, followed the Master's motions, walking—walking!—over to a large mirror on the side of the walls.
"Teehee! Go take a look! Check yourself ouuuut!"
Tentatively, I looked in the mirror. And almost died.
Oh. Dear. Angeling.
I wasn't me. I wasn't me at all.
I was human.
Instead of my silvery curls, there was light flaxen, almost white, hair. And my red glowing eyes. They were replaced with a soft gentle dusk. Looking down, I saw that my light silky white dress was gone, and was changed with a rather heavy feeling long red and white dress. And added to my new wardrobe were shoes and a rather heavy mace hanging from my waist loop. I had gotten taller. I had gotten older. Slightly.
Spinning around, and almost hitting my face in the process, I stared at the Master.
"Wha—what'd you—who are you?"
She grinned. "I was hoping you'd ask me that! I am Fern Ninfrem, the most awesomest coolest bestest biochemist there ever was—and ever will be!" She opened her arms wide, in a hug gesture.
I stepped slowly away from her. Uhh…
"Nonono! Don't go away! Come baaack! I still haven't given you your powers yet! A high priestess needs her powers!"
"Urck!" I choked. High… priestess…?
Seeing my choking moment as the perfect opportunity, Fern pounced on me, placing two gloved hands on my forehead.
"Hold still, dearie—I need extra concentration for this one!"
And… Fwabing!
I felt my stomach drop as suddenly, dozens of information and voices rushed into my head… chants… incantations… spells…
And Fern withdrew her fingers. "There! I think that went pretty well, didn't you?" And she beamed at me.
But I wasn't so sure.
"What… what are you going to do with me?"
"I knew you were going to ask me that. You see… I really need help on spying." The biochemist started.
… Er… Spying…?
"In this war, there are many goals each side is after, and things the other side wants to protect from them. In our case, we're trying to protect a certain person who's trying to get himself killed, for Odin's sake!" I watched, fascinated, as her face began turning red. Seeing me staring, she stopped, composed herself, smiled, and continued talking in a much calmer manner.
"Anyways. So that's why, I need you to stalk him. I would have made you a stalker, in that case, but then, I don't think you look as cute as you do in High Priestess uniform. Teehee!"
I sweatdropped.
Fern's glasses gleamed. "I enchanted your earring—" Immediately, my hand shot up to my right ear. Sure enough, there was an earring dangling from my ear. Ow. "—so you'll be able to hear me at all times. Yay! And that way, you won't be confused at what you're doing!" She gave me a peace sign. "So you'll be agreeing to our little plan, unless you want your side to lose the war."
Seeing my shocked face, she added slyly. "And I know that you know that we can beat you if we try hard enough."
I shuddered slightly. "I… no… I…"
"Besides… you don't want to see your family killed… do you?"
No. Nonono. I was going against my family. But there was no use battling a human in words or in war. So…
"… No."
"Good! Then we'll get you in right away!" She clapped her hands together.
I opened my mouth. "But… why is that person so important to your side?"
She looked at me, shocked. Then a smirk took over her face. "Because… he's the prince-to-be."
And with that, I was whisked away in a blinding flash of light.
Bu-bu-bu-thump!
"Oww…" I sat up, rubbing my derriere, which had somehow healed during my little "fairy-transformation-moment" back with Fern: crazy biochemist.
Looking around, I choked. So. Many. Humans.
Everywhere!
'Hey, you! By the way, you haven't ever told me what your name was.' I jumped as Fern's voice sounded near my ear.
Oh, wait. Of course. The earring.
"Kishi." I lowered my voice as a passerby stared at me weirdly.
'Oh. Heh. I think we're going to have to rename you. Kishi sounds to monster-like of a name.'
I blinked. "… Really?"
'Yep!' I could almost see her grin. 'How 'bout… Kyrie?—Kirrie, for short?'
"Kirrie..." I slowly tasted the word on my tongue.
'Good? Great? Alright! And you need a last name. Let's think… Kyrie… let's start with a letter… 'a' sounds good… Astenark?... how 'bout Avinare… nuu, that was my grandauntie's name… scary woman that she was… errrr…. uh… Allestevar? Ohohoho! Yes! That's a good one! Kyrie Allestevar! Coolness!' Pride was evident in Fern's voice.
"Oh… kay…" I laughed slightly, unable to tell her that it would be hard enough memorizing it, less that I didn't know what a last name was.
'A last name is sorta like telling people what clan you came from. Just think about it that way. It'll be easier.'
Mind-reader, I tell you!
'But anyways, now you've gotta look for him—get outta here, Darem! And take your stuffed poring too!—according to this' there was a rustle 'he should somewhere around the fountain in the middle of Prontera. It's in the middle, Kishi. Keep walking north.'
How she knew where I was standing, where I didn't even know, was a mystery, but knowing her crazy ways more than needed, I followed her instructions without questions.
Walking on the cobbled street north, like Fern said, I found the streets becoming more and more crowded. Finally, as my legs, not quite accustomed to walking yet, became weary, I finally spotted the rather large water-sprouting fountain.
But before I could reach there—
"Hey, priestess! Heal!"
"Who's he talking to?" I whispered frantically to Fern.
"Oi! You! High Priestess! Heal me!"
'You, Kishi.' Fern's answer was swift.
"But—but—I don't know how to heal!"
'Don't be silly, of course you do. I didn't give you your powers for nothing, you know.'
"But—"
'Think, Kishi! Reach deep into your mind!'
"But—!" I grew frantic as the yelling voice came closer and closer rapidly. Would humans give you rabies if they tackled you?
Run, Kishi! My mind urged.
Run! I agreed heartily.
But just as I was about to—
"You that make the trees grow, and the birds sing, may you grant me thy authority to restore beauty to its owner!"
I watched, fascinated, as a man in costume, quite similar to mine, except for a hood shielding his head, and more white than red with a hint of gold outline, chanted some kind of spell. Immediately, a greenish glow covered the prey—and my predator—healing him.
Healing him.
'Yeah. Good Odin. Now that you've watched someone in action, maybe next time you could do it by yourself.' Fern's voice entered my mind crossly.
"There," the man was saying to the boy, "now you won't have to bother her."
"Mannn," the boy crossed his arms, "That was okay, but not as good as hers would have been. She was hot too. Whatever." And he left rather grumpily.
Shrinking back, I watched as the hooded man pushed back his cover and walked towards me.
"Hello."
I could only gaze back, horror-struck. A human was talking to me. I knew that Fern was human too, but somehow, she seemed more monster-like in some ways.
'Say something back' Fern hissed in my ear, 'or else he'll think you're weird or something.'
"Er… hi." My eyes were still on him, as his were on mine.
"Sorry about that." He grinned at me, white teeth glinting in the sunlight. "Zandelv can be kind of persisting sometime."
"It…" I fumbled around for words. "… It's… ai—ight…?" I stumbled over the word
'Whoa, you know that word?' Fern sounded pleased. 'Good for you! Slang is the way to go!'
"Mm… are you new in Pront?" He ruffled his rather disheveled brown hair, still staring at me intently. "Well, besides coming here to take the tests, of course."
I felt my eyes become swirly. What… what test…s…?
'Keep your cool. Say that yeah, kinda, and that you're in a hurry. Oh. And apologize. Makes you seem cuter.' The biochemist giggled.
Thank goodness for Fern. In some ways.
"Yes, kind of," I paused, searching for the last part to sound not rude. "But I am in a hurry to meet an acquaintance of mine…sorry…?" I drifted off.
"Oh!" He blinked at me. "Then by all means, I can't keep a beautiful lady from where she needs to go." He smiled at me, azure eyes twinkling, and for a second, I almost melted.
Urgh, Humans.
"Uh… bye." I ducked in embarrassment, and ran quickly into an alleyway, breathing hard.
'Now, that wasn't so bad, was it?' Fern chuckled in my mind, then stopped short.
"What?" My eyes grew wide at the sudden silence.
'After him! Go! Kishi, go! After him, now!' She broke off, gulping. 'Ohhh, how could I have been so stupid—quickly, Kishi—he's the one that we're after!'
I bolted.
19 April 2006
A/N: But you already knew that, didn't you? X3 Teehee. I just luuff cliffhangers! Well, when I'm writing them, of course! XD
Cliffhanger, hanging on a cliiiiff, and that's why we call him cliffhangeeeeer!
Everyone: -sweatdrop-
Ohohoho! But yes, I promised you Kishi-and-family explanations, so here we gooo:
Kishi: Marionette(normal), High Priestess(human)
Age: 17
Relations to Kishi: x.X;;; er… XD
Krehlin: Dark Illusion
Age: 21
Relations to Kishi: Second oldest brother and sibling
Ivan: Abysmal Knight
Age: 23
Relations to Kishi: First oldest brother and sibling
Lottie: Green Maiden
Age: 7
Relations to Kishi: Younger sister and sibling
Phillie: Bloody Butterfly
Age: 19(and a half!)
Relations to Kishi: Oldest sister and third oldest sibling
-blinks- did I get all of them? XD hopefully, I did. Buahahaha! –pounds chest proudly-
Err… ouch. x.X;;
Anywhoos, sorry this chapter is so late, compared to the date on the top. Apparently, my computer decided that it would be a good time to break down the internet once more. It and my modem are good partners-in-crime now. RAAUGH! –superangry face-
Had to spend 10 hours on the phone with Earthlink and having them hang up on me 5 times, I did. T-T;;
Mraw! X3 But, yay! Tis finally up anywhoos, so HAH! –sticks out tongue-
Oh, and just for the info, Fern is the most awesomest coolest bestest biochem that there ever was(and is!), because she has somehow, someway, it is not the authors fault(-shifty eyes-), enhanced the ability to change monsters into humans, and to give them an extra package of gifts.
Oh, and to enchant earrings and change people's clothes Sailor Moon style. Okayokay, not Sailor Moon style. That's just sick. –gross face-
I repeat: it is not the author's fault!
Everyone: -throws tomatoes- Yu-huh, it's your fault, darnnit!
Me: T-T!
But don't worry, the reason will be explained in a few more chapters. –puts on smiley-face mask- But for now, it's a s e c r e t !
Readers: Why would we be worrying, you mental case of a pillow? -.-
Ehehehe… teehee. XD
Love makes the world go round, so on, ho, to the next chapter!
-hopelessmine!