AN: Thanks for your reviews. I heart them for all they are worth which is a ton! On with the story I guess, and by the way I haven't thought up a plot yet for this. So sorry if it seems sort of plotless I been toying with a few different ideas but none seem to say 'write me'. Yay for going with the flow!

Oh yes and the number on cure for writers blocks is reviews! So be sure if your fav writer is having writers block send them a review!

Flame

Chapter 2

Through loosely closed drapes the sun sent rays to the sleeping figure. Cracking an eye open slowly Eva sent a glare at the offending light. Lips dry and slightly chapped with the residue from her toothpaste the young diplomat muttered something into her pillow.

A pale hand grabbed the pillow next her hers and chucked it at the window. Sadly that attempt to get back at the sun for shining failed. The sun's light only blazed brighter causing her to scream in frustration. Throwing a mild fit that consisted of screams, kicks, and vicious punches Eva managed to calm herself down.

Ten minutes later Eva was soaking in a pool of steaming hot water. Never in her life has she been inside a bath tub so large! Dunking herself down into the water she reenacted the little mermaid scene. A slightly girlish giggle escaped her lips.

"I am such a dork…"

The bathtub or pool she should say was about the size of a small room. White tile floor encircled the bath pool and a place to shower was set up against the far back wall. It seems their bathing was much like the Japanese back home. Kouji had once told her that they would shower to remove all the sweat and dirt then just soak in the bath tube.

She never thought washing twice would be this much fun.

Doing the backstroke Eva stared upwards at the painted ceiling. The more she stayed in this room the more she thought it was for a royal guest. The thought of this was a mistake was still there but that didn't stop her from taking advantage of it. Oh yes back to the ceiling, it had something maybe a history lesson or a legend painted on there. Warriors in white stood against what looked to be an evil beast of some sort. The evil monster had long horns that pointed upwards, an evil snarl, and red eyes. Maybe the thing about the collective unconscious was universal?

She turned directions once the her back hit the other side of the pool. So lost in the painting Eva didn't hear the knock or her name being called from the main room. Her only thought was focused on what was the story on the ceiling and if she should ask Aikka about it.

"REALLY Lady Eva!"

Startled Eva jumped about three feet out of the water and splashing painfully back down. On the downward fall she accidentally hit her elbow against the bath pool side.

"FUCK! Ow ow ow ow owwwwwww damn it!" Clenching her wounded elbow red eyes darted towards the poor maid. She looked absolutely frighten. Eva took a few sharply inhaled breaths before addressing the maid, "Leave my towel there please? And in my suitcase there is a pair of black pants and a white loose blouse, get them will you?"

The Nourasian maid nodded and quickly left the room in search of those two things. Exhaling as she left Eva looked at her elbow, no blood no damage, in the immortal words of her father and Rick. Red eyes shifted towards the painting. "you evil monster you hurt me didn't you!" A good fist shake at the painted monster Eva deiced it was time to stop bathing.

Plus pruning was unattractive.

Toweling off Eva switched into her neatly laid out clothing. She had guessed that poor woman ran for her life after that display. 'they are going to start thinking -I- am that red eye demon.'

As she dried her hair Eva tried to think of what to do with it today. She could just simply clip it back, or fluff it up a little? There wasn't many things to do with her hair and it didn't help it had a mind of its own too. Eva took a good look at her reflection and deiced to leave it be today.

Finally ready a knock sounded at her door and leaving her vanity Eva opened the door. When then door opened there stood a very commoner looking Aikka. He had on one of those kind smiles yet there was something mischievous behind them.

Eva was starting to think she had been a bad influence on the young prince ten years ago.

"King…Aikka?" Her voice shook a little. 'get a grip! Its him!'

"Lady Eva, I told you once before you are not obliged to say my title. Aikka is just fine like always." He extended his arm again to her. "We shall be late if you dolly any longer. I must show you my lovely city today and there is much to see."

Slowly a more confident smile emerged and Eva took his arm. "If you say so Aikka."

and so the two adventures were off.

---

It was the market place first and that was a sure sight to be seen. Venders of call kind lined the street; there was a skinny man selling knifes and other objects while another large man sold fresh meat of the highest quality or so he boasted. There were jewelry shops and clothing booths and so much more! Carried away in the whole atmosphere of it Eva took the time to chat with anyone who would stop.

"Aikka! Over there!" Dragging the king along for the ride Eva pulled him into another clothing vender. "wow look at these! They are so soft! Feel! Feel!" She shoved the pants under his nose. Aikka gave them a touch and she withdrew them immediately.

"Could I try these on?" The earthling turned to the elderly Nourasian lady.

"Darling those are men clothing I have a nice dre-"

"No no I want these!" Giving up the old woman pointed to the dressing certain.

Aikka only gave the elderly woman an apologetic look. Eva soon appeared and proceeded to try on other pieces of clothing at random. By the end of that trip she had enough cloths to last a while and the elderly lady had a very good sales day.

"Do you like men's clothes Miss Eva?"

Pausing in her step she turned to Aikka then nodded with a cheeky smile. "if I could I would wear men's underwear. However there are some problems with that I don't think you want to hear about. Ever since I was six I been wearing guys stuff. I guess it was a way to get back at my father." Shrugging her shoulders Eva looked forward.

"Your father was that elderly man in your crew on Oban correct?"

"Yeah…he didn't know it at the time though. Man… it was just a mess…." Her feet came to a stop and she glanced at the near by stalls.

"Miss Eva what did y-"

"Don't ask." Back to him and face hidden Eva stared downwards at the ground. "I will tell you what I told everyone else…. I will not tell anyone what I receive for winning that race. That…is left better unsaid." Raising her head she turned and sent him a warm smile. "Let go there next!" Not waiting for a response Eva fled to the vender's stall.

What she didn't want him to see were her shaking hands or the fact she broke out in a cold nervous sweat. Ten years since she made that wish, and ten years she had lived with it not muttering it to anyone. That was how it should be; no one should know what words she muttered that day or were exchanged between herself and the avatar.

That race had been cruel. However, that was life wasn't it, to be cruel and unfair?

Life was unfair.

Thus after her wish was granted and she went on her way a silent promise was made. It was to never utter those words again. Yet, it appeared her wish was coming true slowly bit by bit and now there was only one piece of the puzzle left to fit.

Picking up a beautifully crafted necklace she showed it to Aikka. "You have such wonderfully crafted things here…"

His blue eyes glanced at the star and moon shaped stones. It was a two piece pendant; the first was made out of a slivery color stoned craved into a circle and on the lower right hand side was a star cut yellow stone connecting to the moon. On a neck it would hang at a slightly titled level so the moon would be shifted upwards and it would look like the star was coming out from behind the moon.

"Do you want it?" Eva kept her eyes on the pendant scared to see what emotion would appear in the king's eyes.

"naw… I don't need it." Carefully placing it back Eva turned to face the waning sun. "Its getting late isn't it? We should head back." And without looking back Eva started towards the palace expecting the king to follow her.

It was rude she knew, however he asked something very deep and personal.

Later once in the safe confines of his palace the prince confronted her.

"Are you angry with me?" His large hands grasped her arm gently.

It was odd his strange orange hue against her pale skin. At one time it had been darker and kissed by the sun but now thanks to this job it was pale and fair. The star shape stain on her cheek vanished along with all signs of the racer in her. She went from Molly the Race to Eva the Diplomat and she hated it everyday.

"Why would I be angry at you?" Jerking her arm back Eva began to storm to her room. "Tomorrow I have meetings to get to. Your council correct? After that I think I will take my afternoon in the library. I am allowed there with a baby sitter right?" Eva titled her chin upward a bit and sent a not so happy look at the prince.

"…." He had his own not so happy look on his face.

"well I don't care. I will be going there now." She gave him a respect bow, "thank you for a wonderful day King Aikka. I shall see you tomorrow."

"And dinner?" Nothing in his voice gave away his emotions.

"In my room tonight I think. I am tried and hot." Storming she somehow found the library. Slamming the door for good measure and for anger relief Eva glared at it. There was nothing he did that was wrong but for some reason she was furious. Eva just was and there was no logical explanation she could put to it.

Stomping she tried to find something she could read.

No such luck.

Instead of calling it quits she found a children's picture book and read that. Time past as she flipped the pages idly and before long she was napping within the oversized library chair. Drool had snuck its way out of her mouth and dripped along her right chin. It was the chime of the coo-coo like clock that startled her awake.

That's when she came face to face with an amused looking King and a very cold dinner.

"What…" Eva grumbled and rubbed her blurry eyes gently.

Silently motioning he pointed to her mouth. Blinking a few times Eva's fingers came in contact with something slimly. "OH!" Blushing brightly she quickly rubbed it off with the back of her hand.

"Look…I am…sorry about earlier it's just…."

He shook his head and gave her a warm smile again. "I understand I too took the time to…chew over what you said. It wasn't my place, however your dinner is cold." Blue eyes shifted towards the waiting dinner.

"If you could take me to the kitchen I am sure I can fix that." Raising an curious eyebrow the king lead the diplomat to the kitchen.

"Huh you guys don't have a microwave…so much for reheating it that way… oh well." Eva set it down on the counter and began to eat. She watched with amused eyes as Aikka looked baffled by her behavior.

"What you people don't eat things cold?" It took everything this earthling had not to laugh.

"Most women in my court throw a fit if their dinner is just below boiling." His lip twitched upward as Eva pointed a cold leg of something at him.

"Well sorry to disappoint you but I ain't like no women in your court! I use bad grammar, I spit like a man, slurp with my head held high, and most of all……I LOVE MEN'S CLOTHING!" Laughing softly at herself; Eva was glad to hear his own chuckle within her laughter.

"Miss Eva you hardly ever disappoint me." There it was, something in his voice the same thing happened last night.

Another bright blush streaked across her cheek and she didn't have the power to beat it back. "Well…Well! MOUGHF!" Chomping down onto the meat leg it blocked whatever she had just said. Which by the way wasn't much just a whole but of gibberish.

Once the food was all in her stomach Eva turned to the prince. "I hate wasting food. So… eating it cold was fine plus you never know it could have tasted better cold." Eva gave him a slight wink she pushed herself away from the counter.

This time she extended her hand to him, "Be my escort?"

Taking her arm in his Aikka walked the strange girl back to her room. Again they softly bid the other a wonderful night and that was another day down. It was a bumpy day but a good day.