AN: thanks for the review I think I finally picked a plot and now the warm up chapters are almost finished. This will hopefully be the last one with a bit more info in them. Major players are introduced and soon the villain shall show themselves.
Oh and Eva's facial markings she had them removed. Why will be explained later.
Flame
Chapter 3: Old faces, New worries
A month had come and gone; now Eva finally realizing this great room wasn't a mistake started to actually unpack. First were her new Nourasian clothing that went into the closet then her earth clothing next to them. The vanity was cluttered with skin and hair care products, brushes and clips, and finally pictures of home and friends.
Eva's Discman shaped like a little creature was still with her. The diplomat had just upgraded this time around. Popping in a CD Eva hit the play button. Brush in hand she mouthed with the words,
" What would I wish for now if I found a shooting star that travels in the sky?"
Dancing with the beat of the music she began to actually sing softly with it.
"That promise I made when you left, will always remain in my heart"
Walking towards the balcony Eva stared upwards into the glittering sky filled with diamond shaped stars.
"Although the flow of time seems to be in a disarray since, if we connected our bright feelings on that bright star" The words flowed out of her like water smooth and crisp. Each one out was strong and filled with raw emotions.
"What would I wish for now if I found a shooting star that travels in the sky?
That promise I made when you left will always remain in my heart."
As the song ended Eva kept her eyes on the starry night. Over the past ten years that song remained her favorite. She knew it from start to finish and sometimes you could catch her humming it. It belonged to an old game but that really didn't matter. As for the band that created it she had all their songs packed onto one data CD.
Turning away from the starry night Eva went about her room. The past month things have actually been going smoothly. It seems Aikka's council accepted her intrusion and allowed her to sit in on their meetings. Most of them were elders who have been around forever it seemed yet they were open and cordial to her. A few of them actually reminded her of the old mail man at her school. Sweet and kind looking for a young woman's appreciation.
It was sort of cute.
Despite that there were only a few Eva worried about. Two of the newer addition to the council and the leader of it. It seems he did not appreciate the fact the king wanted a human and a woman join them. Her response to that was 'pig' of course not out loud.
The two younger ones however made her worry the most. They were political game masters. Eva had enough experience to notice that without exchanging a single word. The worse part of it was the fact they were twins and thus a team. It made her worry not only a bit but a lot. Walk softly and carry a big gun, that's what Jordan told her before she left.
Here she thought the saying was walk softly and carry a big stick..
Right now however she had to get as many men on her side vs. the twins who didn't seem to favor her much. Yet they went out of their way to hit on her in front of gossiping mouths but in private were hostile. Really, they should know the game better then that. Brushing her hair she pulled it into a tight and short stub. Eva slipped into her boxers and nightshirt.
Another interesting thing that has happened this past month was the fact Eva received a tutor. Now her reading level was about 3rd grade, hey it was better then picture books. Maybe by the end of her stay she might graduate to an 8th grade level! If she kept working on it she was sure it would increase over time, hopefully.
Eva grabbed her reading assignment tonight and settled down into her bed. A pale finger underlined each word as she spoke them out loud. After a sentence she would translate it and move onto the next one. It was hard but enjoyable. Plus, it was something to pass the time.
As the night trekked on and the moons started their ways across the sky, Eva thoughts drew away from the assignment to the final race. Aikka never mentioned anything about the race again, yet it didn't stop others. She guessed people really didn't change no matter what planet you were on, everyone wanted to know.
Did she wish for immortality?
Did she wish forever victory?
Did she wish her dead mother to return?
Did she wish to….
All selfish wishes, true she did wanted her mother back but that wasn't meant to be. The Avatar told her that. In a heartbreaking moment Eva came face to face with her mother. She glowed much like in her dreams and in that moment she didn't feel so alone.
However life was cruel as was the Avatar.
Vanishing her mother told her to wish for what she thought was right.
And so she did.
After that the Avatar told her something that day Eva would never forget. Not if she got a bump on the head and had amnesia she would still remember his warning. So she lives everyday waiting for the predicted warning to come true.
When it happened she would be ready to protect the people she loves once more. Even if it killed her. That was the promise she made that day. A promise she meant to keep forever until the end of her days.
Closing her eyes Eva settled into a dreamless sleep.
--
At the crack of dawn and the jetlag now gone Eva took her morning shower. It was her day off and her normal escort was away on kingly business. So there wasn't much for this little mouse to do other then visit the library.
Towel on her hair Eva picked out some cargo pants and a oversized shirt to wear today. It didn't take long for her to dress and exit the room. She prowled like a cat ready to dodge a curious maid or the ever annoying palace womanizers. When the king's away the womanizers would play. A lesson she learned the hard way a few weeks ago when Aikka had to leave.
Safely now in the library Eva picked out an interesting looking book. Climbing in herself proclaim chair Eva enjoyed the quiet morning as the rest of the palace woke.
Breakfast was brought to her in the library by Une. She was a middle age Nourasian maid who loved to fan girl about the prince. Une was also Eva's assigned maid.
"How are you today Lady Eva?" She asked a bright smile on her lips.
Eva turned the page and gave a dull reply. "Oh I am fine Une, a little bored but what can I do?"
"Oh so Sir Huni hasn't asked to be your escort today!" The maid seemed a little shocked and clasped her hands to the face. "Why I heard him talking about it this morning during breakfast!"
Eva's eyebrow twitched in irritation. Oh yes Huni one of two annoyining twins. How she would love to break protocol and call them everything horrible under the sun. They made it a mission to make her life horrible here. Not only spreading horrible rumors among the workers but also to the king! Luckily they only tried that once, the look in his eyes after that was priceless and the fear in the twins was so worth the humiliation.
Yet when the king's away the rats will play.
"Do not tell them I am here got that Une? Make up a lie or something…" Eva gently took the maid's hand. "Okay?"
"Why! Huni is such a beautiful man! Women would kill to be his lover!" Une didn't get it, Eva would kill herself if that happened.
"Please?" Eva pulled up her best desperate look and puppy pout lip.
"Oh alright Lady Eva. You are safe with me! Do you want me to bring your lunch and morning tea here as well?" Une put her other hand on Eva's in a comforting jester.
"If you could be so kind."
"Of course!" Smiling Une left the room a skip in her step.
Once she was safely alone again Eva collapsed in her chair. It was too much they were going to drive her nuts.
"Hiding from your would be lovers Molly the Star Racer?" The voice broke through the comfortable silence of the library. Sitting up she saw a much older and a little less scary care taker of the king.
"Of course I am. Plus they wish only to use me I know this game too well to be fooled by smooth lines and pretty eyes." She waved a hand with a slight grin. "Not at the king's side?"
"Not this trip I am afraid. My trainee is doing this simple mission along with half of the royal guard." The care taker took the chair in front of the diplomat.
"Lack in trust?"
"No I just worry the king would do something foolish."
"Like?"
"Falling for a human girl."
Those words were like one of Aikka's arrows and it hit her heart with prefect and deadly aim. Eva couldn't recover from those blunt words. It was an direct attack, aim to kill her in one blow.
0
"Then don't worry. There is nothing between the King and I. I am here to ensure peace for my planet. Hell I didn't even ask to come!" She was getting defensive. "You don't have to tell me it wouldn't work. I know that already. …I know that already. So get off your high horse!"
He watched her closely, "Is that so? You have no interest in the king or his throne?"
"of course not! Don't get me wrong I love it here but earth will always be my home. I don't have any motives to do a take over here so cut it out. Actually that makes me sick you think so lowly of me." Her voice was sharp and high.
"Forgive me Lady Eva."
Red eyes blinked a few times.
"I had to see your reaction. My job is only to protect the throne and the line. From our experiences your race should not be trusted. However during the race the king did show some…" Eva shook her head gently.
"No…I understand stop." She held her hand up and sighed softly. "You were only testing me and I fell for it…good thing too huh? I… really care of Aikka as well. He is a great friend and a wonderful ruler. I think that's all I am going to allow myself to be for him. A human queen would not fair well here would it? Ah yes I know this game well…." Eva ran a hand through her hair gently.
"Something troubles you."
"yeah…. I am a little fearful…this would mark the tenth year of that race… since I got that prize." Eva allowed her head to hang dully to the side for a moment. "do you believe in fate or destiny?"
"Yes Lady Eva I in fact do." The caretaker leaned forward as if curious of this human woman now.
' a time will come…when you will face an ultimate enemy. In that time of crises you will find old allies..'
"Me too… want to be my escort today?" She gave the caretaker a half smile. "protect me from evil politicians? "
He gave her a half hearted chuckle, "I think they are the ones who need protecting Lady Eva"
---
The two had traveled all over the city and then some. Each one exchanged stories of childhood and enjoyed the simple pleasure of the walk. Soon they had reached the capital's space docking grounds.
"hmm your planet is truly beautiful. You know? Keeping in touch with nature, earth has lost most of that I think…but hopefully with different views integrated with ours…it would make my world a better place." Eva watched as another space craft landed and her passengers exited the craft.
"You are truly a strange woman. "
"Thanks. I take pride in being that." She gave him another bright smile until something rammed into her and gave her a huge bear hug.
"MOLLY!"
Mouth gaping open she stared at the dual hair gunner. He was clenching onto her like his life depended on it. "I never want to fly one of those again NEVER!"
"Eva next time I fly make sure we are on different planes this guy nearly wet his plans during take off and landing." Rick picked the wax out of his ear and gave her a half smile. "Hey little mouse."
"w-what are you two doing here!"
"Came to make sure no sneaky Nourasian get into your pants." Jordan boasted proudly and left out the part of the sneaky Nourasian being Aikka.
Red eyes darted to the caretaker who looked a little too innocent. Sighing she pushed Jordan off her. "both of you go home! I don't need you two messing up my work!"
"I am here on vacation" Rick shrugged and grabbed his carry on.
"and…and I am here with Rick!" Jordan shouted.
"…nice to know you two have a wonderful time doing stuff…" Eva snickered.
"NOT LIKE THAT MOLLY!" Jordan looked horrified at the mere thought.
"I didn't say anything." She just shrugged her shoulders.
Rick just shook his head and muttered 'kids'. The manager walked over to the care taker and held out his hand. " nice to meetcha. Well little mouse if you need us, we will be at the local inn. Come on Jordan lets go."
"But…but Molly don't do anything stupid! Okay!" Jordan said as he jogged to catch up with Rick. A quick wave goodbye and then they were gone.
Turning her head slowly she gave the Nourasian knight a dark glare. " you did this didn't you?"
"I do believe it is time to return to the palace. King Aikka would like to know that your friends have arrived." Again taken back Eva followed him curious of what he meant. He lead her to Aikka's office. A nod told her to enter and so she did.
There sat a tired king with a wary smile. "Did you enjoy your day out Eva?"
"yes. Until something unexpected happen." Eva crossed her arms and tapped her foot.
"Oh yes that… well I figured you might get lonely so I invited those two here." It was so offhanded and cold she wondered what was up.
"well.. Then thank you I guess but… oh well if you wanted them here fine." She uncrossed her arms and turned to leave.
"Was what you said true?"
That statement froze her on the spot.
"Which, I say a lot of things."
"That we could never work."
Great, not only did he trapped her into showing her true colors in the library but told the prince. Or sweet Aikka spied on them , that one was more likely. That little….well he wasn't little but still guh! He tricked her twice today!
"It would be a fool's dream to think otherwise… even if your people did warm up to humans I don't think they would ever allow a human queen. It might happen someday if peace remains between us but…." Eva looked at the prince. 'not now and not while I am a diplomat. It would send the 'she is trying to get to the throne for earth' or that earth is trying to take over. I won't allow that assumption to take root and grow. I can't."
By the time her little speech was finish Aikka had closed his eyes. "That is very wise of you Eva… I too agree with that. So where does that leave us?" He opened his eyes to a smiling Eva.
'Friends. Very good friends just like on Oban."
"Friends?"
"Forever." Smiling Eva walked towards the door she heard him call after her softly then said,
"Forever and ever."
Another day down and yet more challenges await. Why was peace such a tricky thing?
AN: The song is from a translated lyrics from Day After Tomorrow's Starry Heaven. If you want to read the translation and listen to the song its on you tube. Just type in the bands name and you will find the music video. Starry Heaven is the opening for Tales of Symphonia. WOOT go Tales of game they are da bomb.