This Slow Dance
A/N: told from Van's point of view too, and will be until Hitomi comes fully into the story again :P this is something new for me, as I normally have things in Hitomi's POV
On to Chapter 3! I'm greatly enjoying writing this story :D
Chapter 3
The salt water sprays up the side of the boat again, but I don't care to step away from the railing, taking the blast of cool water falling in mists to the face. My hair and bare arms feel damp, and I'm astonished at the warmness of the weather here, far warmer than Fanalia even. Warmer then Asturia on the coast.
We're coming into the harbor off the city of Zulan. I watch as the fishing boats come in for the evening. Tanned heads turn to regard our ship as we pass them buy, tanned backs shift and move over their catchings. Woman are at the ports, dressed in pretty colors with their done up in extravagance, and I wanders if they're there to sell themselves to the fishermen coming in from a long day of work.
As we come in closer, I get the strong smell of fish and other sea creatures up for sale in the markets along the shore and marvel at the glorious colors that seemed to be everywhere. Some boats even had sails in bright oranges. Purples. Blues. Pinks. Red. I've never seen anything quite like this place.
I lick my lips, noticing how dry they are and get the strong taste of salt on my tongue.
Dryden steps up to my side, and looks odd to me, free of all his layers of expensive clothing. Very uncharacteristic in the same sort of clothes I'd been fitted into. Long tunic type shirts with elegant gold or silver clasps down the front. Long, smooth fabric that trails to the knees and baggy pants or shorts -- what I preferred -- to allow free movement.
Being made King and finally marrying Millerna was good for Dryden, who, for once looked very clean without stubble.
I run a hand distractedly over my own cheeks and chin where dark stubble had grown during our journey over.
"Beautiful place isn't she?"
I blink, distracted, and look back towards the harbor. "Yes... but I can see where this country could have it's dark secrets..." My eyes fall to the prostitutes along the marketway.
"Every country has dark secrets..." Dryden trailed off distractedly, and I feel myself flush much to my horror, thinking about my own secret buried under my shoulderblades.
Wanting to change where this conversation may be headed I regard Dryden a moment before speaking. "You've been here before?" It wouldn't surprise me if he had. This place suited him.
"Ah yes. Many times. I know the magistrate in this country very well. Or... at least my father does."
Ah... no. Didn't surprise me and somehow I figured the King of Asturia had come here with less then virtuous intentions, as I'd already been told about the rather large number of beautiful women on this island.
I search for something intelligent to say, but can come up with nothing, blinded by the vibrancy of the colors around me as the shipmen began to uncoil the heavy ropes and throw them overboard, caught by muscular natives on the docks below. There is a sudden lurch as the whole ship comes to an abrupt stop and, as if the volume had been turned down before, there was suddenly a blast of noise from the whole harbor that threw me off immensely.
Dryden is waving to someone, and I peer down over the railing to see a tall, skinny man in elegant robes waving up at us. There seems to be an entourage of women behind him, and I find myself wishing I could simply stay on the boat with Allen's crew.
The crew, much to my amusement seems to be wishing they were in m position, as I find them obviously eyeing up the women waiting for us.
Allen himself is now striding across the deck towards us, dressed in his usual attire despite the heat and bellowing orders to his men -- who scramble to their jobs and away from staring at the fancy women -- over the sounds of the city beyond.
Dryden's hand is on my shoulder, and I regard him carefully, realizing I must look a little weary and I try to force myself to relax. "Ready, King Van?"
I feel he used the title just to throw me off, make me a little more embarrassed at my obvious discomfort. I scowl at the older man while shrugging away his hand and making my way towards the plank that had been lowered to allow us to exit the boat.
I'm not sure if I'm ready, as I have no idea what I'm getting into.
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The man, it turns out, is a rich land owner in Zulan named Mar Ritka and is a friend to Dryden's family which makes me instantly conscious of him.
The women, it turns out, are his lovers. One, whom we were introduced to, is his wife named Lanay, a very pretty willowy women with dark features and a shy smile. I regard her with just as much caution as Mar Ritka, as I find it odd that she allows him to have so many lovers in his bed, despite the fact I've learned it's a custom here.
... And one I find uncomfortable and unthinkable.
The other women are performers. Singers, and musicians he informs us with obvious pride in his voice as we race through the streets in something like a carriage. He owns a small entertainment house in the city and just recently entered into the business as 'that's where all the money is these days'. I hate this man who wishes to dabble in selling women simply to make a profit and I can't help but scowl to myself the entire way while him and Dryden talk.
Allen seems to share the same feelings towards our host as I do, but I don't speak to him either, preferring to envelope into myself as I can't help but think that perhaps Hitomi is in this city somewhere.
Could I be close to finding her?
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The inn -- if you can call it that -- that we're staying in is very elegant and full of dainty things, small doors with intricate little designs and paper panes with painting on them. It is also full of dainty women who seem to be around all the time. Bringing us teas and food and preparing baths when we wish to have one.
I feel uncomfortable being waited on like this, but know this is the way they make money. I always make sure to tip them generously, but because of this they seem to prefer assisting me over Allen and Dryden and the other older delegates from the Destiny Council that came along with us. It's tedious trying to avoid them, so eventually I've just given in.
The women that work here are owned by the owner. A fat man who wears a lot of jewelry. Women are not allowed to own property here.
I'm anxious to get back to Fanalia so that I may press for more women's rights. After seeing their treatment here, it's the least I can do for them.
The thought of Hitomi possibly being here, going through this, being owned by someone makes me feel sick to my stomach and very, very angry.
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The Emperor's palace is even more disgusting to me, but I can't deny it's beauty. I've never seen a palace so large and so detailed. I've never seen any sculptures so beautiful as the ones hidden in the private garden behind the palace. I've never seen a palace with it's own working city within. It's wondrous and horrible at the same time, and I feel trapped walking through the halls after meeting with the strict looking Emperor who was once considered our enemy, and in my mind, still is.
The Emperor allowed a meeting in a weeks time to go over the names on the list. We'll be bringing some of the deserters back to be put on trial, and bringing back the war prisoners to be set free.
I wonder if Hitomi will be among them.
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One of Dryden's good friends from his past has come to visit. An attractive man with lighter features than the inhabitants of this country. Dryden later tells me the only reason he's come here is because he has major debt elsewhere.
I'm suspicious of the man, but can't refuse his offer to come and see a popular show tomorrow night in the Palace city. Mainly I can't refuse because Dryden pushes me into it. Mainly I can't refuse because I have a strange feeling about it and if don't go I will wonder what I missed.
Allen straight out refuses. He's been in a foul mood lately, hunched over his papers and disappearing often to make sure his men aren't buying women from the docks.
It's so warm here I feel sticky when I go to sleep, which makes it difficult to release some of the tension I feel when I toss and turn all night.
I don't like that Hitomi is so close, but at the same time I seem to relish in. Dive in the feeling.
I don't like the feeling I get when I think of the upcoming show. However, I don't think I could refuse to go, even if I tried.
I feel I need to be there, but I can't explain it.
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A/N: next chapter... the show and...guess. Just guess. hahahaha
Review please! I love reading them so much :)