Chapter - uh...What chapter is this? Six, I think? Sorry, I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree.
Raine: No kidding.
Stop that! Evil woman. Anyway, regardless of the number, let's get on with it!
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Raine didn't hug people. She just didn't - except her brother, and maybe Colette once in a great while. But this day, as she and Regal were "mingling" after the wedding, she'd received several friendly hugs. First from Colette, of course, as she gave an exhilerated "Congratulations, Professor!" She even tackled Regal with a clumsy embrace, making the couple stifle a bit of laughter.
After her, came Raine's own brother, who gave her a somewhat awkward hug, and extended a hand toward Regal in a very dignified and businesss-like way. The man shook it, visibly trying not to smile. She quirked a smile as Genis walked away, and Lloyd came up. Before he reached them, Regal murmerred to her, "Do you think all of them will come by before it's over?"
"Probably," mused Raine, turning to Lloyd. "Congratulations, Professor, Regal. This is great."
She sighed slightly. "Lloyd. By now, I should hope you don't feel the need to pin that title on me. I'm hardly a teacher, now. 'Raine' will do just fine - the only reason I didn't tell Colette that, again, is because I can't seem to get through to her, no matter what I say."
"Ah...Okay...Raine." Lloyd scratched the back of his head in a way reminiscent of what he had done on the journey three years ago. Shaking his head, he hugged her as Colette had done, and shook Regal's hand like Genis.
"Men," mused Raine, gaining a cocked eyebrow from her husband as both Sheena and Presea took this opportunity. The girl went first in offering an embrace of congratulations to both of them, and the Summoner followed her lead.
"Congratulations, you two," she said as she let go of Regal. "It's about time." Sheena smiled at them, and both Bride and Groom returned it - if on a slightly smaller scale. They were known not to get terribly emotional - at least, not to show it. She was possibly as happy as she could get, and felt certain Regal was in a similar state of mind.
"Thank you," they said at the same time, then blinking at eachother.
"And it starts." Sheena grinned. "The sign of a perfect couple, right there. Well, have fun mingling, guys...And beware, Zelos is coming."
Indeed, the red-headed Chosen of Tethe'alla was coming slowly towards them with an enormous grin. He spread his arms wide as he got closer to Raine, and she flung out a hand to stop him with a scowl. It caught him in the chest, and he stopped with a cough. "Owww. What was that for? I just wanted to offer my congratulations." He pouted at her.
"Yes, well. You can do that from right there," said Raine, her voice taking on a flat tone. "With-out touching me."
"Hmph. Fine." Zelos pouted a moment longer, before he appeared to get over it. "Glad you finally decided to pop the question, mister President. Though I'm a little disappointed that Raine's no longer an option." When they both glowered at him, he continued hurriedly. "But congratulations anyway." He gave a little bow, smirked at them, and trotted off toward Sheena.
Raine shook her head slowly as Regal took her hand again, motioning with his head that they might take a walk along the uncrowded portion of the beach. She nodded, walking beside him. They left the chatter behind; passed all of the people who grinned at them, and the others who scowled at his choice of Bride. "Thank you, Raine," he said.
She looked up, blinking at him. "For what?" she asked, puzzled. What had he to thank her for? Because of her he was now being looked down upon, and yet he thanked her. Why?
"For helping me see you for who you really could be for me." He glanced down at her, giving her a little smile.
"Well," she reasoned, failing to supress a shadow of a smile, herself, "after eighteen years, I figured it was time someone knocked some sense into you."
"Indeed it was. And I thank you for being the one to do so." He lifted the hand of hers that he was holding, and raised it to his lips. He kissed it gently, before lowering it back to their sides, his fingers still woven through hers.
"Well, now. Isn't this cute? We have the Duke and his wife, off for a walk alone on the beach. Such a romantic man, your groom. And just think, he chose little you - you, the lowliest form of life on this planet." It was a new voice, from somewhere to the side. A female's voice, laden with a hint of an accent.
Both Raine and Regal spun around quickly, thoroughly startled. There were four people facing them, three men, and one woman. Her first thought was, "Deryn!", but a closer inspection told her that while David, Eric, and Matthew were all there, the woman was not Deryn Salri. But she did look rather similar...If she had had blonde hair, she would look almost exactly like Deryn, though a little older.
Regal's grip dropped from her hand, and moved to her arm instead, in what she'd come to recognize as a protective gesture.
"A dashing couple, wouldn't you say, boys?" asked the woman, brown hair tossled in the ocean side breeze. There was a murmer of mocking agreement from the men, and Raine stepped forward. His grip on her arm tightened, and he followed rather than letting go. They had not had good experiences with three of these people, and if they had a new leader, she could hardly be friendly.
"Who are you?" asked the Mage.
"Oh, that's right. You don't know me, yet."
"No. We do not - who are you?" echoed Regal firmly.
"Well, you know the boys. Eric," she pointed to the youngest man, who gave a mocking bow, "Matthew," the next, "and David." The last was standing right next to her with a straight face. "And I...Well, I am Karla." A smile curved her lips as she bowed down low. In anyone else, it would have looked respetful. But something about this Karla screamed the opposite. "Karla Salri."
"Salri," repeated Raine, her eyes widened. "Then...you're related to Deryn."
"Correction. I was related to Deryn. She was my baby sister - until she gave up her life. You sent her to prison - you broke her. And because of it, she's dead now. And I cannot forgive you..."
"Deryn forced us to have her arrested. She kidnapped Raine, and attempted to eliminate us twice," retorted Regal, frowning. "Or did she not tell you that?"
"It doesn't matter why you sent her there - the point is that you did. And I am here on my sister's behalf."
Raine held her ground, resisting the urge to step back. Back toward the populated area, where nothing could happen to them. But if they did that, it would show fear and weakness, which she knew Regal would not do, and which she would not do either.
She didn't have her staff, and she was in a gown...They definately had a big advantage over her, but Regal seemed intent upon protecting her. She kicked herself mentally for being useless as the men approached, and raised her hands in a defensive combat position.
Karla giggled. "Ooh, look at the new Mrs. Bryant, boys. She's ready to go! Show 'em a good time, would you?"
Deryn had once said almost those exact words...The family resemblance was uncanny. Raine had only a few seconds to muse upon this before they were overtaken by the band of outlaws. Her own fight didn't last long. With Eric and Matthew distracting Regal, David was able to slip behind her. He elbowed her between the should blades, just hard enough to incapacitate her for a little while, and it worked.
With a surprised yelp, Raine fell sideways to the sand, and knew no more.
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Ouch. Oooh, return of the Salri's! Isn't this exciting?
Raine: No. It is painful.
That's the spirit! Keep watching.
