Disclaimer: All appearing characters and places belong to Namco unless otherwise specified.
The O-dai themes belong to the Zeroshii-Wa, at http/deburu98249.jog. but written correctly. If you visit, don't steal!
Setting: Post-game, about two months after the Rode Ride Tour.
Warnings: Good Lord, what do you mean, this has an actual plot? And it's like 16 pages long? Visit the restroom and get some water. Since when O-dai became so long? Anyway, real warnings: Zelos talks about women's bodies, some violence, some half-nudity, some references to the Rodeo Ride Tour.
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Normal Version,
#13 – Again
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"...very well. We will begin now, if you're ready."
"I'm ready... Robert," Sheena answered and snickered at the way Orochi grimaced at his fake name. "Anything wrong, Robert?"
"Not at all, Danna," the man answered and Sheena smirked again, now at the sound of her own counterfeit name. With the amount of make-up she was wearing, however, it didn't feel alien at all. 'Robert', too, was kind of fitting – Orochi had shed his usual blue attire and had donned an elegant dark-blue coat with gray pants and had tied his hair in a ponytail that fell down his shoulders.
"Then let's get going. We don't want to be late," she picked up her skirt and waited for Orochi to leave the carriage and help her down. The sun was shining lazily over their heads and a soft breeze blew through her hair. Not far from where they had left their carriage they could see a large congregation of people already sitting within the limits of a spacious garden.
Today was a special day for all of Meltokio. After a life of isolation Seles Wilder had finally been released from the abbey where she was kept and was about to join the ranks of the Meltokio nobility. Today a special river-side party would be thrown in her honor.
Not two days ago, however, Mizuho had received a report: there would be an attempt of sorts during the party. The target wasn't clear but few people amongst the guest would be important enough to be in actual danger: his Highness the King and his daughter Princess Hilda, the ex-Chosen of Mana, Zelos Wilder and his sister, Seles Wilder and, finally, the newly-appointed Pope of the Church of Martel.
In a hurry the elders at Mizuho, ex-chief Igaguri included, had decided to send to the gathering a few ninja directed by two of their most able agents; Sheena and Orochi. While they would be dressed as two noble siblings attending the party the rest of their team had already infiltrated into the party dressed as servants.
This was Sheena's first infiltration mission in a long while – ever since she had returned from her trip along with the redhead ex-Chosen she had been sent on a diplomatic mission to Sylvarant, so for almost two months now she hadn't been able to test her combat abilities in a while. To say she was nervous would be a lie, but she wasn't feeling completely sure of herself either.
It wasn't, though, that she doubted her skill – they had proven themselves more than useful during all of her travels and she was conscious enough of how much she had grown, too.
It was all because of the dress.
How was she expected to fight wearing that crinoline-lined, lacy and stuffy skirt? Oh, and high heels. She didn't trust herself to be able to walk correctly right now, forget about fighting.
As if reading her mind, Orochi patted her arm. "Don't forget about the ribbon," he whispered.
"Yeah, how could I?" Sheena murmured back, forcing herself to grin as they walked into the garden. A baby-blue ribbon was tied behind her back in a bow – smaller than the one she usually wore with her Mizuho attire, but pretty nonetheless. When pulled, however, that ribbon would allow her to fight hand-to-hand as if the dress didn't exist at all.
"Robert and Danna D'Leir," Orochi told one of the servants by the gate. The man quickly checked his list before allowing them in with a courteous smile.
"Was it Kazuo back there?"
"Yes. It was hard to get one of ours at the gate, but at least we'll get some control over the guests."
The pair walked closer to the river and looked around, nodding and smiling to whoever greeted them. Given they were at the moment fake nobles it was surprising the amount of people that pretended to know them – after a few minutes they found themselves assuring an old lady that Yes, their mother was doing fine, and of course they would remember to tell her about the tea-party next weekend. Orochi was forced to talk about the 'good old days' with some gentleman he had never met before and Sheena thanked some woman for music lessons she had never taken.
"How are we supposed to keep an eye on the possible victims if we have to talk with every single person?" Sheena muttered to her 'brother' while waving to a group of girls around her age. "I'll be there in a jiffy!" she called to them.
"Perhaps we ought to separate..." Orochi replied, "Find the rest of our people. Two stick to the Princess and His Majesty, two stick with the Chosen and Lady Seles and we find the new Pope."
"You think he'll be the one, then...?" Sheena knew perfectly well that, of all the people her grandfather had sent, the two of them were the most capable ones. It didn't make much sense to keep all their strength in the same place unless they knew for certain who the victim once.
The man nodded. "There is no reason for the King and the Princess to be targeted right now. The Chosen One, and his sister as well, have proven time and again that they can defend themselves. The new Pope, however... he has caused too much controversy since his appointment and it's common knowledge that he has enemies."
"I see... let's set about finding him, though."
The river was crossed by a small wooden bridge, painted in white and adorned with pink and red roses. Not everyone was allowed to go through it though – the other side was reserved for people who were all too important; the stars of the party and the upper-class nobility alone.
Mizuho had, of course, managed to get one of their people to guard that second gate as well, so crossing should have been such a trouble – but just as they were half-way someone took Sheena's arms and pulled back.
"H-hey!" she squealed, almost losing her balance.
"Sh – Danna!"
She looked up and was greeted by a face she hadn't seen for the past two months, a face she had to admit she had missed because she had gotten too used to seeing as a part of her everyday life.
Zelos Wilder smiled mockingly at her, her arm still in his hand. "We meet again," he said, "And again you fall for me. Such is life!"
Well, she hadn't missed his personality that much, so she forced herself not to slap his arm and smiled instead. "Chosen One! What – a – pleasure!" Sheena squeaked, her best imitation of the Meltokio fan-club, "Surely you remember my brother Robert?" she quickly added and pointed towards Orochi, ignoring the redhead's slightly confused expression.
Thankfully, ever since the two worlds had united Zelos had become rather familiar with Mizuho's methods (which is to say he had heard a lot of rumors) and caught up quickly. "Aaaaah yeeeeees, Roooobert! How's everything been, uh? Eh... your... father still into, eh, that thing?"
"Yes, he, uh, enjoys it very much, Chosen," Orochi managed to smile.
"Ain't that great! It's, uh, good to hear he's doing well, at his age and all!" Zelos laughed and then added, in the same conversational voice that however came out rather honest. "I... didn't expect to see you two today."
Sheena stole a look at her 'brother', who nodded. Orochi was right – Zelos was able to defend himself, and he would also be able to take them right next to the King and the Pope.
So she, too, answered in the same conversational code. "We couldn't possibly miss meeting the new Pope, could we?"
"The new Pope, eh..." Zelos mused, "Good enough reason... what say you I introduce you?"
"We would be very thankful, Chosen," 'Robert' almost bowed but caught himself in the last instant.
The ex-Chosen flicked his braid back and grinned. "No problem. Just follow me."
He lead them across the bridge and into the VIP zone with ease, the three nodding and waving at the people they met on the way. Not far from them a small orchestra started playing a slow yet cheerful melody.
Even though the two ninja had seen photographs before the new Pope's youth surprised them all the same. With rather messy brown hair (not messy, Sheena decided – more like unkempt) and fancy white clothes that looked awkward on him the Church's head didn't look to be older than Zelos.
The redhead in question raised an arm and called, "Yo, Sig!"
The Pope interrupted the speech he was giving a young noble and turned around, smiling as soon as he caught sight of the ex-Chosen and walking towards them while the other youth ran away, looking rather relieved.
"Zelos! Well, and here I thought you'd avoid me today," 'Sig' greeted them effusively shaking Zelos' hand.
"A-heheheheh, why would I, now?"
"Because you know that if our debate continues, you'd end up losing..."
"...debate?" Orochi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing that would interest you," Zelos was quick to say but the other man waved a hand, dismissively.
"The Chosen and I were discussing a few days ago about how necessary it is to make Martel look sexy in the new Holy Scriptures."
The two ninja stared at the two men without saying much. Sheena finally broke the silence, "A-ha-ha-hah, Zelos you little...!"
"It wasn't me this time! I said she needs to look motherly, he's the one who...!"
Orochi interrupted, dead serious as always. "Chosen, am I right to believe His Holiness was selected by you?"
"Er – yeah, well, I kinda did have to – " Zelos glared at the two and then turned to the Pope. "Sigrid, these are two, uh, friends of mine. Robert and..."
"Danna," Sheena provided, seeing Zelos hadn't heard her name yet, and offered her hand. "Robert and Danna D'Leir."
"A pleasure," Sigrid bowed hid head and took her hand. "Friends of the Chosen are always my friends."
Sheena was relieved to see none of Zelos' lecherous tones could be found in the man's voice. While the Church of Martel didn't frown upon priest's marriage it was never comfortable to be hit on by a cleric.
"Yeah, yeah!" Zelos grinned, loud as usual, "These two are fans of your ideas, let me tell you!"
The two 'nobles' tried not to look at each other. They had barely read the new Pope's recently-published gospel and Zelos was announcing them as 'fans'?
"Really?" Sigrid's eyes lit up.
"Yep," Zelos nodded, serious, "Specially Robert here. Loves religion, is really interested in that theory of yours... the one about the evolution of rational thought and the use of mana...?"
"Really!"
"Yep," Zelos now patted Orochi's back, "So whaddaya say you discuss all you want with Robert? Meanwhile, Anna and I..."
"It's 'Danna'."
"...can have a little dance, yes? See ya!"
Before Sheena (or Orochi) could complain she was dragged away by the Chosen, who walked straight towards the small orchestra, his usual grin never leaving his face. Sheena tried to look back but the only thing she was able to see before almost tripping over her heels was Sigrid talking very animatedly while Orochi nodded and nodded.
Once they had reached the small clearing over which a few couples were dancing already Zelos stopped and raised an arm. Immediately enough the music stopped along with the couples – he still retained most of his power, Sheena guessed. Zelos commanded the orchestra something that she really didn't pay much attention to – instead she chose to quickly examine what the man was wearing. Much to her chagrin she discovered he had left his sword behind and wasn't wearing an outfit that looked easy to fight with.
Then again, she guessed, why would he bring sword and shield to a social meeting? She had hoped, however...
At this point she was surprised to find one of Zelos' hands at her waist while the other gripped her own tightly. A lively waltz began playing and Zelos started to move, setting the pace. While Sheena had been taught to dance correctly as part of her infiltration training she quickly noticed that high heels made everything rather different and thus found herself moving rather clumsily at first to the point of actually stepping onto Zelos' feet a few times.
"Ouch – be careful, would you?" he whined.
"It's – it's not as if I wanted to dance, you stupid Chosen!" she snapped back. "I'm – I'm only doing this because you dragged me, got it?"
"Yeah, yeah – ouch! You weren't so bad during that ball back with the others..."
"My heels weren't so stupidly high that time," she growled. "And if you try to pull the same stunt..."
The redheaded laughed his dirtiest laugh possible. "Most unfortunately what you're wearing now isn't as grope-able as that other number..."
Sheena bit her lip and stepped onto him with as much strength as possible. Zelos grimaced and paled slightly but didn't stop the dance.
"That'll teach you..."
"...is that how you greet me after an eternity of not seeing me?" Zelos sighed and turned her around (thankfully, she had been ready for the twirl), "You're so cold."
"It was two months, not an eternity."
"Two long months without my favorite girl..." he shook his head. "It's the same."
"You should know by now your lines don't work on everyone."
Zelos laughed softly. "It wasn't a line, though," and twirled her again, caught her back into his arms and twirled her out once more. "Doing better now."
"...I'm getting the hang of these shoes..." she muttered and willed her face not to redden.
"So..." once the song was over Zelos once more started, his voice a little drowned by the sound of the people clapping, "You and Orochi wouldn't visit just for the kicks of the party... well, I wouldn't mind if you did, but Orochi?"
"Anything against him?"
"Oh no, Robert is my friend you know! But I still don't think you came for the party."
She nodded and waited for the music to start again to explain the ex-Chosen about the information Mizuho had received.
"I see..." dancing, it seemed, came almost natural to Zelos, as he was able to stare into the distance and think for some seconds without stopping at all. "So it's Sigrid, the King and Hilda or Seles and me," he grimaced, "What have I done to make people so angry, anyway?"
"I don't know. Perhaps they're angry you hit on their sisters."
"I'm not that bad...!" Zelos exclaimed, "If I had known 'bout this I would've brought my sword or something."
"You've got your magic, don't you?"
"Yeah, and so does Seles, but we can't very well use it at close range... and Sig's not much of a fighter."
"Yes, I noticed. How can he be Pope if he's so young, anyway?"
He grinned. "I picked him, that's why. With what happened with the last one and what not the King allowed me to."
"Ooh, I see," she frowned. "So you went and picked some old buddy of yours then?"
"No. Well, yes. Kinda," he smiled, "I met Sig when I was studying you know, all Chosen-ly things and stuff... he was the only one who would have a drink (well, a lot of drinks) with me every now and then and the only one who didn't disapprove of my hunnies..."
"So a pervert like you, then!"
"Not really! Always more interested in books. He showed me a few, too..." Zelos grinned, "Books with pretty big pictures. Books with pretty boob pictures... ouch! Thought you said you were getting the hang of the heels?"
"Who said that was an accident?"
The redheaded stuck his tongue at her before continuing. "Anyway, he wants to make Martel look all girlie and probably with little clothes and I want to make her motherly 'cause... 'cause I don't want the faithful wishing they could do their Goddess."
"Must you be so crude about it?"
"See? That's what I'm trying to stop! But he insists..." he shook his head. "The real reason I picked him is that he's got pretty progressive ideas. Always has. That's why I stopped getting along with him..."
Sheena cocked her head. "Because of his ideas?"
Zelos nodded slightly. "I hated half-elves. He insisted in them being equal to us."
"I see..."
"Stuff from the past, now!"
Sheena thought for a little while. The song ended and a new one started. She didn't know if she was really having fun dancing with Zelos or if she just needed to talk, but she allowed him to once more sweep her into the music.
"Why don't you ask Lloyd? About the representation of Martel, I mean," she finally said and when she felt him tense up at the mention of their friend she regretted it a little. Zelos and Lloyd hadn't parted in the best circumstances (not that the twin-swordsman had noticed much), but what was done was done and she carried it on. "He saw the Goddess once, remember? Maybe he can help you."
A muttered "...yeah," was Zelos' only reply.
She kept quiet for a few more seconds. "You didn't even say goodbye to him last time we met."
"...I wasn't really in the mood," he twirled her out and twirled her in, stepped backwards and kept dancing.
"I noticed," she half-snarled, remembering their little argument, "But he thought you were angry at him."
"Who says I wasn't?"
"You could've tried to be civil!"
He laughed with a little bitterness embedded in, "If he had tried talking to me..."
"What?" she snapped, defiant.
"I would've punched him," Zelos replied, nonchalant as ever.
"What?" she started, almost stopping their dance, "Just because of ...?"
"Because of...?"
"...nothing," she said and looked down, not able to stop her blush this time. Now she did regret having brought such a theme up.
But Zelos continued. "No, no, continue!"
"Why – why should I? It's stupid!"
"It's romantic!"
"No it's not," she groaned and concentrated on dancing. The ex-Chosen laughed as the song ended and made a little bow.
"Very well, I'll just have to get it out some other time, my Lady. Now... I think I want to warn Seles, if you don't mind?"
She shook her head as they left the dance-zone. "I'll return with uh, Robert, and see if I can get close to the King."
Zelos nodded and once more bowed a little, taking her hand in his, and then left towards the group of young noble-girls in where Seles' pink hair could be seen. Sheena found herself blushing slightly at his courtly manneras and, after reminding herself that they were only a custom amidst the Meltokian nobles and then walked towards the place where Orochi was still nodding at the Pope's speech.
Much to the young holy man's credit though, the ninja seemed genuinely interested.
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"What it is, Brother?"
Zelos grinned broadly and sincerely. Seles had finally agreed to stop calling him 'Chosen', and that made life a little bit better. 'Only because such title doesn't exist anymore!', the girl hadreplied quickly when he had first commented on it, but he knew well enough there were plenty of other reasons.
"Well, I just couldn't help but notice the amount of pretty girls that surround my lovely sister, and what kind of brother would I be if I didn't introduce myself?"
A few girls giggled, a few others (Seles included) raised an eyebrow and smiled as if saying 'Oh, really.'
The ex-Chosen waved a hand up and down, still smiling. "Yeah, anyway, there's a pair of friends I want you to say hello to, Seles, so if your darling friends will excuse me, I'll have to steal you away now..."
The girl sighed. "I've told you a few times, Brother, I'm not interested in meeting any of your... female friends, and I know well enough that none of the Unification Heroes are attending."
'Unification Heroes', the title their little band had acquired. Lloyd and Colette were lucky no one really knew what the 'Heroes' were supposed to look like or they wouldn't be able to do much work at all.
"C'mooon, I promise you it won't be bad at all!" Zelos whined and tugged at the girl's sleeve, which made some of the people wonder who was really the older sibling.
"Fine, fine, if it'll stop your bothering!" she finally exclaimed and got up from the mantle they had been sitting, dusted her skirt and followed Zelos. "Where is this friend of yours, Brother...?"
"Ooover there, the two that are talking with Sig?"
"You just had to introduce that lecherous excuse for a..." Seles stopped herself as recognition kicked in and then exclaimed "The witch!"
"Sssssssh!" Zelos pleaded almost immediately, "Be quiet! And how many times do I have to ask you not to call her that?"
Seles glared at him. "What were you thinking, bringing her to this place!"
"She came on her own! And why are you so angry? We owe her our lives, you know..."
Seles huffed and looked away. He sighed – hehad methis share of females and yet his sister retained the crown as Pride Queen.
"She – she disappeared immediately afterwards and then appears at my ball? She can't do that and expect me to accept her just like that!"
"You can't blame her for that, she was sent on a diplomatic mission..." Zelos muttered back, although he wasn't really happy about her disappearance either. "And she's not here to dance. Listen..."
As quickly as he could, and making sure no one else could hear, he explained the situation to the girl, whose expression went from prideful anger to a more serious face.
"I see... so you think Sigrid will be targeted then?"
"Not sure, but they did ask for him..."
The girl huffed. "Very well. What shall we do now? Two people will not be enough if they have multiple targets."
"I don't think they're alone. Wouldn't be surprised if half the waiters were actually from Mizuho... look," he took Seles' shoulder, "I want you to go and stick next to Sheena, got it? Don't make that look, I don't care if you don't get along with her – you haven't even tried! – you will go with her and stick there. I'm not risking anything."
"I – I can protect myself well enough, Chosen!"
"You didn't bring your weapons, and neither did I. Magic's only good at a distance and these people won't be fighting with bows."
Seles gritted her teeth but, upon seeing her brother's serious expression, she forced herself to quiet. "...very well. I'll do as you wish."
Zelos sighed to himself. "Good. You stick with them and I'll go and see if someone can bring me my sword. Now go."
She nodded and turned. He could see her greeting Sheena courteously and the ninja returned the greeting with as much grace. He turned aside and wondered where his footmen had gone to – he couldn't risk leaving the party to go search for his weapons. Ignoring the people around him he strode quickly towards the bridge, in hopes some of the people there had seen his footmen.
At middle-walk, however, a hand placed delicately on his arm stopped him for just enough to see Princess Hilda smiling at him from under a white parasol.
"Chosen! You wouldn't be thinking of leaving the party, would you?"
He forced a smile (which wasn't hard for him to do) and stopped. "Of course not, your Highness! How could I leave my own sister's presentation?"
The girl laughed softly. "I wish I could've scolded my father like this. He left already."
The Chosen sighed inwards, relieved. One less target to protect. "Did he? Headache or something?"
"He said there was nothing for him to do," she shrugged, "I guess he was right. Most people here are much younger than him."
"Hah! So the old man was bored..."
"So it seems," Hilda suddenly offered her hand, "But I don't think that's the case with you, Chosen? I think I saw you dancing just a few minutes ago."
Zelos was quick to take the Princess' hand softly into his. "An old friend of mine, your Highness."
"I think I recognized her..."
Zelos almost started. If Hilda had recognized Sheena then perhaps he ought to tell her about what was going on and have her leave the place quietly and as soon as possible. Being the Princess no one would be able to argue.
But the girl shook her head. "I must be imagining things. Would you honor me with a piece, Chosen?"
He didn't have time to dance right now, but - "The honor will be mine as always," not for the first time he cursed noble etiquette and his being used to agreeing with girls but none of these was reflected on his face as he lead the girl towards the orchestra.
And then the song that was currently stopped suddenly in a discordant clash as two men toppled onto the musicians, yelling at each other, a third one quickly joining the fight.
Soon a few of the waiters were trying to restrain the men but it just didn't seem to be enough.
"He'started it!" one of the men yelled.
"Mah'ss I did! He... he 'nsulted my sister!"
Hilda scrunched her nose in distaste. "I can't believe they could drink so much so early in the afternoon! And in a social gathering of this level, too!"
The Chosen was about to say something when he noticed that most people had gathered around the dancing area, curious about the fight. Even Sigrid, followed by Orochi, was walking towards the fight and waving at him to join.
There was something off, Zelos thought as he looked around and noticed they were rather alone. It was as if the fighters were trying to attract as much attention as possible; interrupting the orchestra and attacking each other with alcohol bottles, musical instruments and basically anything they could get their hands onto...
Also, he had been around many, many drunks. He knew what they sounded like and these two were faking.So he pushed the Princess to the ground and spun to his right just in time to dodge a knife, take the attackers arm and send him flying away from the Hilda, who had probably realized what was going on because she wasn't complaining.
The attacker (a man who lookedjusta littleolder than him) spun around and once more launched himself against the Chosen, knife first. Zelos would've sidestepped if it wasn't for Hilda, who was still on the floor. Bracing himself he caught his assailant, knife-hand with his right and the man's shoulder with his left.
"So... who you're after, boy?" Zelos managed to ask through gritted teeth. The boy obviously had no fighting experience but had his share of strength. Behind him he heard a scream – a girl. Either the public had finally realized what was going on or Seles and Sheena had been attacked too.
In front, the man snarled and tried to free the knife. "You think you can just forget about us and...!"
"I... don't think we've ever met, actually..." Zelos spat back and smiled.. The 'boy' was obviously not too bright, so if he could only keep him angry enough then he wouldn't realize he could actually attack without the knife. "Care to tell me your name?"
"As if some noble would care about that..."
Oh, man, Zelos thought, people from the slums. Ever since the world had been united many Sylvarantians had moved to Meltokio in hopes of a better life...
...and what they found were the slums.
He didn't want to hurt the boy but he didn't have much chance. He quickly turned his head to see a rather scared Hilda was beingtaken away by two men dressed as waiters but whose face didn't look familiar.
"Oh man..." he sighed and, feeling a little sorry, let go of the man's shoulder and punched him. The attacker stumbled back, dazzled and the ex-Chosen used this time to quickly run to the Princess' side.
"Hilda!"
"Chosen!" one of the men answered before the girl could even open her mouth. "We're here on Igaguri's name! Allow us to escort her to safety."
"What..." Zelos arched an eyebrow, "How can I be sure of..."
A shrill shout, Sheena,interrupted him, however. "Behind you, idiot!"
Of course. He couldn't expect the man to be dazzled for so long.He had been ready though, and knew exactly what trick to play. He turned around, punched the man once and then placed his left arm to the attacker's chest and felt mana running through his veins as he yelled "Lightning Sword!"
He had tried to do magical attacks without a sword once before. The result hadn't been pretty, and this time it wasn't much better. The two men cried out in pain and the attacker fell down to the earth in what the ex-Chosenhopedwas unconsciousness.
"What happened to the time when being a Chosen meant people didn't try to kill you?" Zelos whined and rubbed his arm, which stung a whole lot. He didn't think he would be able to use it for a few minutes. "Oh yeah, they never existed to begin with."
"Absolute!"
"Pyre... Seal!"
"...Seles!" rushing towards the place where his sister and Sheena were fighting, he decided he'd have to believe in what the men escorting the Princess said – no one outside of Mizuho knew what or who 'Igaguri' was, anyway, so they were probably being truthful.
The party-clearing, however, was almost empty by now. Orochi, Sigrid and the Princess were nowhere to be seen now,Sheena was keeping guard while his sister knocked a second man with one of her spells. Besides the man he had knocked out there were three other lying close to the girls and yet another pair next to the dancing area, where a few 'waiters' (all from Mizuho, he guessed) had tied up the ones who had started the fight, which by now was clear had been planned as a distraction.
"Seles!" he called, "Are you fine?"
The pink-haired girl huffed in an effort to hide she was panting. "I managed to keep myself at a distance, unlike someone else."
"Yeah, yeah..." he rubbed his left arm again and half-hid a sigh.He still didn't feel like he could move it but was relieved to find his sister unharmed."How 'bout you, Sheena?"
"No problems here," the ninja answered, "I saw Orochi leave just when you were finishing yours off."
"Where did he go, anyway...? I hope Sig's alright."
"Most unfortunately, people like him tend to stay alive the longest."
Zelos forced a smile while Sheena stifled her laughter. "Aaah, my darling sister shows her charms..." the ex-Chosen was saying when he heard some shifting behind him.
He turned around carelessly only to see the man he had though unconscious or even dead because of Sheena's attack was lunging at him, short sword ready.
"Oh shi..." thought Zelos as he dropped to the floor and tried to raise his arms in an effort to protect himself – it was too late now to try and stop the attack as he had done before – but a sharp, sharp pain reminded him of the inconveniences of using magical attack without a conductor such as a sword. His left arm fell useless to his side and the right one shot up,all too late.
But the attack never arrived. He looked up to see Sheena's figure, dressed up in that ridiculously unfittingpuffy dress, holding the man's sword arm with her left hand and the other with her right.
"...the... ribbon...!" she called at him, obviously having a hard time keeping the man in control.
"...what?" was his answer. Brilliant.
"...pull... the ribbon! The ribbon, you stupid...!"
He needed no more. The redhead took the pale-blue ribbon with his right hand and pulled with all of his strength. To his marvel (and much delight) the entire skirt fell down and pooled around the ninja, revealing a pair of long white legs covered only by a pair of very short pants who happened to be just in front of his face.
Zelos sat back in wonder, knowing fully this wasn't the time to ogle at a girl's butt, but he couldn't really help staring as the girl delivered a round kick to the attacker's head.
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"...here, Sheena," Orochi handled the girl a small bundle without ever looking down – whether he wanted to or not was never known. "You left it in the carriage."
"I couldn't very well be carrying it around the party," the black-haired girl replied and reached into the bad, taking out a pair of black pants. "Has anything been done...?"
The ninja nodded. "The responsible are being held captive for interrogation and His Highness mentioned something about carrying out an investigation to make sure nothing like this happens again, but nothing is definite yet."
Sheena nodded. "And the attackers...?"
"Minor injuries. The one you kicked will be missing a tooth or two, however," she tried not to smile at that, "But nothing serious. Right now the Pope is talking with the King about the problem with the slums."
"They'll finally do something?"
Orochi nodded. "It's sad that measures are only taken when the situation gets out of hand, but at least they'll try now."
Once more she nodded. "Zelos didn't look happy about things... he'll help."
"Yes. About that, Sheena..." the ninja frowned. "Please get dressed."
"What does that..."
"Just get dressed, Sheena," Orochi insisted.
Sheena arched an eyebrow and looked around.
Zelos was sitting just behind them, looking at her as if she were the most interesting thing ever.
"Oh," she said.
Orochi half-smiled and turned towards the redhead. "Chosen," he bowed a little, "Lady Seles has arrived safely at your home, and I've been asked to inform you that your presence is, for the moment, not required by His Highness the King."
Zelos nodded.
"I, however, shall be leaving," he turned towards the girl, "Sheena, don't be... try not to be late."
With that, Orochi left the two relatively alone – a few more Mizuho natives were still in the area along with some Meltokian curious.
She walked to where the ex-Chosen was sitting and he, upon seeing the pants in her hands, frowned.
"Do you really need those?"
She blushed slightly and scrunched her nose a little. "Of course I do! You – this was only for a mission, you can expect me to walk around like this once it's over."
"Why not? They do wonders!" she didn't answer. "You should consider using them daily, in fact."
Sheena groaned and shook her hand at him. "Turn around."
"What for?"
"So I can get dressed, that's what for."
For once Zelos looked genuinely confused. "You're just putting some pants over another pair of pants. Why should I turn around for?"
"I'm telling you to!"
"And I'm telling you you don't need those extra pants! It's not as if I hadn't seen you in undies before..."
She hit him over the head and quickly dressed while he was rubbing his head. She knew she looked silly now, with black ninja-garb and a fancy, colorful corset and gloves.
"Aaah..." the ex-Chosen complained, "I was trying to compliment you and all..."
"What kind of compliment was that!"
"A truthful one?"
Sheena sighed. She hadn't thought the inner-pants to be so short when she chose them back at Mizuho. Zelos, however, had managed to make her feel as though they were a few inches smaller. Of course, of all possible scenarios she hadn't thought Zelos would be the one to pull at the ribbon, and she hadn't thought her butt would be level to his face when it happened. "That's what I get for saving you," she muttered.
Zelos grinned broadly. "What, you saying you want some thanks then? I know, how about a kiss or two?"
"Why would I want that, idiot!"
"Now, don't deny it," the redhead laughed, "You must have been horrified when you saw me in danger!"
She had been – really, really scared. Not that she would accept it. "As if... your sister's right. People like you are the last to die."
Zelos shook his head and laughed once more. "I'm lucky you two don't get along. Don't want to imagine what it would be like if you did," in what seemed an unconscious movement he rubbed his left arm.
"...does it still hurt?"
"Mmh? Nah, not anymore," he demonstrated so by waving his arm around and then, suddenly, placing it on one of her shoulders and bringing her to sit down next to him. "See?"
"...yeah," she answered, looking away.
"Aw, what'cha being all shy for? Not two months ago we were sleeping together in the open!"
"What?.! You – you idiot Chosen! Don't put it like that, pervert!"
Zelos laughed, "Heheheh," then hesitated for an instant, "Seems I'm in your doubt. Again."
Sheena snorted, amused. "Really, for the Chosen One to be saved by a girl two times now...!"
"Hey, it's not my fault. Besides, how am I supposed to repay you if you don't ever get into trouble?"
The two laughed a little and somewhere within her chest Sheena knew that after two months of not even hearing about him she had missed the redhead. She suddenly felt a little like the first day after their trip, when she had woken up alone in her room – just a little lonely, just a little sad.
But when she turned around there he was, smiling as always and playing with his hair while waiting for an answer, which she would've gladly given him if it wasn't because she abruptly realized that she had forgotten what they were talking about.
So she said the first thing she could. "I think I'd like to learn to dance."
He raised an eyebrow, perhaps wondering what had happened with the topic but soon enough he flashed his best smile at her.
"What, feeling bad about trying to destroy my beautiful feet before?" he brushed his hair back, "Well, since you insist in not getting into dangers I can save you from, let's say I teach you? Don't worry, however. In all my life there hasn't been a girl I haven't been able to teach. So just you wait..."
She knew it was all an excuse – for him and for her – but if anyone asked, she didn't care.
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Notes: OMG, so how did this get so long? Answer – I don't know. It wrote itself. In parts, since I have about five hours of free time a week. Therefore it might seem fragmented – it has a kind of plot-esque string that binds it together but it doesn't really achieve the unity of impression that a one-shot should have. I should've checked it (misspelling, grammar, unity) but decided against it since that would add another week and I'd rather move on. So do forgive the bad quality...
...however, even if just for the fact that it came out rather naturally, I think I like this one. It has some kind of semi-plot and all. And for some reason my muse wants to pair Orochi and Seles, but I refuse. And finally, calling Zelos 'ex-Chosen' at times and 'Chosen' at others had a reason, but I forget what it was.
Now – I never ask of the readers anything but comments and critique, but if anyone would draw for me the scene with Sheena's skirt falling and Zelos' going all OMG, I'd be forever thankful, laugh a lot and just be happy.
Thanks to all who reviewed last chapter. I meant to answer but I just couldn't find time. Thanks also to those who e-mailed kind words... I promise to reply as soon as I can. I hope you enjoyed this stupidly long o-dai!
WDR
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#14 – Blush
(which makes it difficult. I'd really really appreciate ideas for this o-dai)
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