AN: OMGWTFBBQ! I'm back. Oh no. :0 Sorry for the delay. My fandom for dragonlance dimmed somewhat. Hehe. Other fanfics have kept me busy. -Cough-
Dalamar Nightson: Hehe. I have nothing against Par-Salian, surprisingly...
Evenstar02: If I had Dalamar in every chapter, it just wouldn't work. The poor elf needs a break from my abuse. But today's you're lucky day, Dalamar's in this chapter... Althouugh that might not be a good thing for him. lol.
kari2500: Squirms Thankies.. xD
Eeyore: Honestly, I'm glad you do. :O
Chapter 8 "So clichéd"
Dalamar entered his Shalafi's study. He wasn't surprised to find that Bupu was there. She was always with him now, wearing those black robes. The elf couldn't help but feel a bit left out and jealous.
"Shalafi…" He said, bowing. Bupu said the exact same thing at the exact same time. Dalamar blinked, confused.
"Yes, Bupu?" Raistlin turned to the gully dwarf. Dalamar stared.
"She's reading your spell books!" He cried, "Are you mad?"
Raistlin gave Dalamar an amused smile, "Well, she is my new apprentice…"
"What?" Dalamar squeaked, "What about me?"
"What about you?"
"Well… I thought-"
Raistlin stood up regarding the young elf in silence, the look of horrified realization dawning on Dalamar's face reflected in the mages mirrorlike eyes. Then, slowly, Raistlin advance upon the young apprentice, his black robes rustling gently about his ankles. Stricken with terror, Dalamar could not move. Spells of protection slipped from his grasp. His mind could thing of nothing, expect two flat, emotionless, golden eyes.
Slowly, Raistlin lifted his hand and laid it gently upon Dalamar's chest, touching the young man's black robes with the tip of one finger.
Dalamar's face turned white, his eyes widen, he gasped. Raistlin traced his finger over the elf's chest.
Dalamar giggled.
"S-stop it!" he laughed uncontrollably and squirmed, "….tickles…. stop!"
Bupu regarded the elf coldly and snapped her book shut.
"I will make tea for you now," she said to Raistlin, who was still poking Dalamar.
The dark elf stopped laughing. His Shalafi removed his hand. Dalamar collapsed onto the floor, staring aimlessly. There was a dull throb on his chest…
"She… makes your tea now…?"
Raistlin walked around him without even a glance.
"Come, my apprentice and personal tea maker," He said to Bupu and then they left. Dalamar felt the need faint.
In a frenzy of inner pain, Dalamar ripped open his robes. Crimson red stained his chest in big bold letters. A dreaded word was burned onto his flesh, forever permanent.
'REJECTED'
oOo
His eyes flared open.
"AHH!" Dalamar screamed, flinging off his (bed) covers, "NO!"
The dark elf laid sweating on his bed, breathing heavily. He forced himself to sit up. Cautiously, he unbuttoned his night shirt and peered at his chest.
It was smooth, pale, and unmarked. Dalamar fell back, relieved. He stared vaguely at the ceiling.
Four days… four days…
It had been four days since Dalamar had a lesson with Raistlin. Four days since Raistlin had given him the slim volume of magic spells by Fistandantilus. Four days that Bupu had spent with his Shalafi.
Dalamar had been patient and considerate, but this was enough.
He got up from his bed and dressed himself. The Toaster was perched on top of his dresser. Dalamar gave it a paranoid look, but patted it reassuringly for no reason. It just seemed right.
For four days Raistlin had been neglecting his duties as Dalamar's shalafi and Master of the Tower. It was time to gently, but firmly, break it to him that being an evil mage did not include being friends with a gully dwarf.
The elf drew out his curtains, expecting the morning light to hit him full on the face.
Unfortunately it was still night.
Dalamar groaned and fell back into bed. Stupid dream.
oOo
It was early in the morning, but Bupu and Raistlin were already up. They still haven't finished talking about Raistlin's plans to become a god yet. They sat across from each other at his desk.
"…And then she'll help open the portal since she can't resist my charms," said Raistlin, reading over his notes.
Bupu nodded in agreement. Who could resist Raistlin? His plans were good, but the only thing Bupu didn't like was all the indirect seducing that was involved.
"I wonder, though, if-" Raistlin stopped suddenly and coughed. He clutched at his chest and covered his mouth, trying not to show Bupu that he spat out blood.
Bupu was already getting out her lizard. She leaned over and attempted to put it over Raistlin's head. However, the Archmage had other plans. He jerked his head out of the way.
"No…" he wheezed and choked on the phylum that built up in his throat. He shook his head and waved a feeble hand. Raistlin needed his tea. Where was Dalamar?
"No! You need this. Hold still!"
Bupu roughly grabbed Raistin by the collar and pulled him closer, waving the dead lizard near his face. She was either amazingly strong or Raistlin was amazingly weak, but both of them tumbled down. The mage bumped his head against the dulled corners of his desk and Bupu fell over him. It's very complicated to explain.
Gosh darn it, I absolutely hate clichéd scenes like this.
Now this is a classic awkward position found in practically all lame romance novels, anime, movies, or stories. You know how it goes, right? Guy and girl are alone. Girl slips and falls on guy (or vice-versa). Girl ends up on top of guy. They stare for a bit. Guy leans forward and kisses girl (or vice-versa). Then depending on the rating of the book/anime/movie, they would usually start making out.
This fic is rated T, for teen.
Therefore, kissing and tonguing are allowed. To an extent.
Bupu blinked.
Raistlin blinked.
They were silent for only a second.
Bupu grinned and placed the dead lizard around his neck.
"There! See? You all better now," she said, clapping her hands. Raistlin smiled.
"Sorry about this," he said, "but I need you to get off-"
Dalamar appeared beside them, holding the Toaster in his arms.
"Shalafi, we really need to talk," he said, his voice filled with determination. Realizing that Raistlin was currently more horizontal than vertical, the elf looked down at the pair and stared. He turned away, covering his hand over his mouth.
To write out the thoughts that whirled inside his head would be impossible.
"Need… chamber pot… must throw… up…"
Actually, Dalamar did a pretty good job summarizing it up himself.
Bupu got up from Raistlin and helped the mage back onto his feet.
"Dalamar, you have a very dirty mind," he said, smoothing out his robes.
But the elf was hyperventilating, "I thought- …But you were- she was-… on top-… down-… together- …on ground- …only assumed…! Trouble breathing- Rejected-on-chest-"
"I merely had a bad cough and since no one was there to fix my tea-" Raistlin cut in. Dalamar flinched, remembering the dream, "-Bupu had to use her magic. I'm afraid I wasn't prepared at all, and I fell, dragging her down with me."
"Oh…" said Dalamar weakly.
Raistlin remained silent for awhile.
"You said you wanted to talk to me," he prompted.
"Oh, yes…" Dalamar said, shifting the Toaster to one arm, "May I request that we talk privately?"
"You may."
Dalamar rolled his eyes, "May we talk privately, Shalafi?"
Raistlin nodded and murmured something into Bupu ear. The gully dwarf tilted her head, giving Dalamar a warning look then went outside the room. The dark elf silently watched her leave and did not make a sound until the door clicked shut.
He stared at Raistlin, letting his master feel his writhing anger show in his slanted gray eyes.
"What?" Raistlin snapped.
"As your only apprentice," Dalamar said with quiet malice, "I may have some priority to remind you where you stand. You are the Master of Past and Present. You are my Shalafi. You are a servant of Nuitari, a black robed Archmage. The Master of the Tower of Palanthas."
"I know where I stand, Dalamar," Raistlin said, turning away, "You have no-"
Dalamar grabbed his master and shook him by the shoulders.
"But lately, you haven't been any of these, have you?" he hissed, glad to hear that his voice didn't sound as hysterical as he felt.
Less than a second later, the elf received a full blow from a pair of mesmerizing golden eyes.
"I suggest you let go, apprentice."
Dalamar staggered back, releasing Raistlin from his grip. The two were locked in each other's gazes. Finally, Dalamar lowered his eyes. His Shalafi was back.
"Did you study the book I gave you?" Raistlin asked curtly.
Dalamar tossed the blue bound book with careless grace. Raistlin caught it.
"Memorized it, front to back."
"In four days?"
Dalamar smiled thinly, "There wasn't much for me to do."
"I see…" Raistlin was musing through his shelves. He selected a particularly thick volume and tossed it at the elf. "Read and memorize this."
The book fell into Dalamar's hands and smacked against his chest. His breath was knocked out.
"That's.. it?" he wheezed.
"Yes," Raistlin said, heading over to the door where Bupu was waiting.
"W-wait!" Dalamar placed the book on the ground and hurried to his mater's side, "Please, Shalafi! I haven't learned anything! We haven't conducted any experiments! I haven't done any magic. My mind is aching for that feeling again. For four days, Raistlin! That wonderful sensation, Shalafi… magic running through your blood. Don't you miss it too?"
Raistlin hung back. He looked at Dalamar with a sort of surprised expression.
"It… really hasn't cross my mind," he said eventually, "but I will worry about that later. I'm afraid we've kept Bupu out there too long."
Dalamar stared in disbelief.
"No, Shalafi. I need you today. I want your time. Just today."
There was something in his voice that made Raistlin stop once again.
"You were creating Life, remember? The slugs…" Dalamar was saying, "Jake… by all means, I think he should be dead now. You didn't feed him for four days…"
"By the gods, you're right!" Raistlin rasped. He had totally forgot about his creations. Dalamar blinked, not expecting to hit home.
"You will go to the lab with me?" he asked.
"Yes," Raistlin said, ignoring the look of victory in the elf's face, "but what will we do with Bupu?"
Bupu, Bupu, Bupu… it's always about her, Dalamar thought. Out loud, "Let her spend the day at Palanthas."
"Yes, I wanna go!" Called out Bupu. We can assume that she had been listening the whole time.
Raistlin looked slightly embarrassed. Dalamar was just relieved that the gully dwarf wanted to go.
"Then it's settled," Raistlin said, opening the door to let her in. Bupu instantly clung on to his robes. "Come, Dalamar. I will be in the lab."
He disappeared along with Bupu. Dalamar nodded absently and murmured the same spell, but not without glancing uneasily at Raistlin's desk…
The W.U.S.S. Fairy peeked out from behind Raistlin's desk. He was alone. The Fairy growled in frustration. Things were not going the way they were suppose to…
He winked out of sight, leaving behind a colorful glow of haze.
Bupu walked amongst the civilians and travelers of Palanthas. She idly fingered the ruby colored bracelet Raistlin had given her so that she could return to the Tower at the end of the day. Dalamar warned her about thieves and kenders, so Bupu tucked the shiny object away, covering the bright garnet under her dirty sleeve. It felt better wearing her old clothes.
The streets weren't jammed packed but it would still be considered crowded. More than once she received a few rubber necks.
"It's clean!" A young woman said in astonishment, pointing to the gully dwarf. And people would stare.
Bupu shied away, looking desperately for an escape from the curious eyes. Spying a dreary looking alley, she ran towards it, little shoes flopping desperately over cobblestones. Once she was safe in the alley's dark surroundings, the gully dwarf plopped herself down. She peered around to see if they were any rats running around.
"Bupu!"
A dirty hand shot out and grabbed her by the shoulder. Bupu whipped around and was prepared to knock the attacker down with her bag.
"Hegg!" she exclaimed once she recognized the other gully dwarf. And not just any gully dwarf…. Her apprentice.
Hegg stood before her, cowering in the most undignified manner. He was one of the few who really knew what was in Bupu's bag. He knew that it contained a lot of heavy things.
"Hegg, what you doing here?" Bupu demanded, slightly miffed that one of her subjects had followed her.
The young male gully dwarf rummaged through a bag that he also carried. It wasn't as big as his master's, but it was just as dirty. He pulled out a curious looking stick and held it up for Bupu to see.
"Me followed stick," he said, "it lead me to you."
Bupu glanced at the Stick of Finding and frowned. The stick was truly magical. All the wielder had to do was to throw it in the air and say the name of the person they wanted to find then… poof! The stick would land on the ground, pointing in the right direction. No, no… don't you dare tell me it is impossible that Hegg made it all the way from Xak Tsaroth to Palanthas. No, it wasn't just a weird coincidence either. The stick IS magical, I tell you.
"Why?" Bupu asked, crossing her arms.
Hegg tilted his head and shrugged. He stuffed the stick back into his bag.
"You left, not telling nobody. I came to find you," he said and leaned close to her. He sniffed, wrinkling his nose as he did. "You smell funny."
Bupu pulled away, tugging at her hair.
"Clean, I smell clean," she replied softly, almost guiltily. However, gully dwarves weren't particularly aware of that emotion. Too complicated.
Hegg blinked. Seeing that his master was somehow disturbed or bothered by something, he took her arm.
"Come, come! Me find rats for you!"
Bupu brightened, "Where?"
"Come, come!" was all Hegg said. Grinning, he lead her off deeper into the alley…
oOo
The orange sun dipped precautious under the stone white buildings of Palanthas, as if hesitant to touch the horizon…
Bupu was now as dirty and smelly as she was before Dalamar gave her the bath. Not bad for a day's work. She and Hegg had spent a fun-filled day together doing what gully dwarves may do. This might've involved drinking water from gutters, eating garbage, and stuff… er…
Bupu noticed the setting sun and her hand went straight to the ruby jewel on her arm. She would have to go back to Raistlin before dark.
"Me go now," she said to Hegg, giving him a fond smile, "Lots of fun today, huh?"
Hegg was making mud pies. He stopped and grinned happily.
"Okay!" he said, grabbing Bupu's hand with his own muddy one.
"Let go!" Bupu squealed and yanked her hand back.
Hegg obediently released her. He furrowed his thick hairy brows. "We not go home?"
"You go home, I go back to pretty man," Bupu explained.
"Pretty man? Where?" Hegg looked cautiously about. Of course he had heard about the pretty man. Bupu had often talked at length about him back at home.
"He live there." Bupu solemnly pointed to the Tower, it's black spiral tips just peeking over the top of Palanthas' buildings.
Hegg stared. The Tower was always sinister-looking and even more so during sunset. The gully dwarf's eyes widen.
"You not go back there," he said stubbornly, gripping Bupu's hand once more.
"No…" Bupu squirmed, "I want to go back. Go home Hegg!"
"Go back?"
Maybe it was the utterly bewildered tone in Hegg's voice that started it, or maybe it was the sheer thought of remembering where she stood back home…. but… there was this feeling…
A feeling so horribly complicated.
…And for no reason, tears started to fill her eyes. She repeated herself, louder, "Go home!"
Alarmed at the sight of his master crying, Hegg held her hand tighter. "Why?"
Bupu sniffled, "I love him." That much was true, but was there something else that held her back?
Hegg approached this with the grace of a fish on land, "Him human. He not love you."
Bupu suddenly rounded on him, slapping Hegg with her free hand.
"I don't care!" Bupu screamed, "I don't care! I love him! Go home!"
Hegg gawked at Bupu. He was hurt. His cheek was stinging and there was this oddest feeling around his chest that made his want to throw up or scream or… something.
"Fine!" he yelled, shoving Bupu away from him, "I go home!"
The two gully dwarves parted ways, throwing each other defiant glares. Hegg rubbed his aching cheek while Bupu tried to dry her eyes with the back of her hand.
The orange sun finally got the courage to graze against the point where the sky met the earth. It couldn't stay in one place forever… It slid down effortlessly, knowing that it would return in the morning.
End Chapter 8