A: That's right, it's me again. (pathetically goes into a coughing fit)
Zel: You're sick.
A: I'm straight.
Zel: No! I meant you're… contagious.
A: (smiles bitterly) Thoughts so. I am GOING to finish this fic before I cough my lungs out and/or commit suicide because of misery of illness!!!!
Lina: Good luck with that.
A: (cracks knuckles, coughs three time in succession, cracks knuckles again, and starts typing)
"I realize why the guard smiled, now," I said to myself, not bothering to lower my voice. "He saw I had no provisions… He knew… He knew this fate would be worse then having my head chopped off…"
I shivered, and hugged my arms to myself.
The freezing winds whipped around, making the dark forest seem even more daunting then usual. The ice-covered top of a pond rose before me. I stared out over the ice almost wistfully.
Someone was watching me. Their eyes bore holes into my back, just gazing, staring. Watching to see what I was going to do.
I had sat there for ours, and my pursuer undoubtly knew.
Distantly, I wondered, if it was an assassin sent from Sylphiel. I had, after all, offed the guy she meant for this mission.
But why would she care? Everyone knows it's a suicide mission. She could care less whether one or all of us died, so long as she still had luxuries…
My thoughts were effectively interrupted by a heavy cloak being thrown over my quivering shoulders. I hurriedly pulled the garment closer, not bothering to acknowledge the owner.
He, I, and the world knew he was there. No need to state the obvious.
I did not spare him a glance as my shivering gradually stopped. He, for I knew instinctively that it was male, gazed at my half-starved, hollow face, and my piercing, haunted eyes.
Haunted because they knew they were owned by a killer.
We sat there for minutes, hours, days; I no longer bother to keep track of time.
Finally, he spoke, in a far-to-cheerful voice for this winter evening.
"What's a person like yourself doing out here? Particularly without a cloak or jacket, or anything?"
I said nothing. Just stared, out over the water.
"Someone abandoned you, huh?"
Damn you… Just go away… I'm invisible, no one cares…
"Is anyone with you?"
Why do you care…?
"What's your name?"
Two words escaped my lips, nearly lost to the wind, my voice hoarse with disuse. I hadn't spoken a word ever since arriving at the Slave Glade.
"Lina Inverse…"
His eyes widened as I turned to face him.
He had purple hair, with slitted cat eyes that seemed somehow sinister. The most amusing expression of shock was on his face before he pulled together his composure.
"She disappeared years ago!"
I spoke again, my voice sounding little better then the first time I formed words.
"Did I?" A bitter smile formed of it's own upon my face. "I lost count. How many?"
The man's face contorted, his expression suddenly unreadable.
"I see… My name is Xellos."
He held out his hand.
I said nothing and turned back to the water, a clear gesture of dismissal.
Xellos, the bastard, then turned over his wild card, leaving my own eyes wide and moth agape.
"Would you like to go home, Miss Lina?"
I whipped around and grabbed hold of his shoulders, bringing him closer to me. Careful inspection of his face, I released and murmured a dissent.
The man sighed, as if disappointed, and quested for my reasoning.
I ignored him.
The poor soul continued you to chatter to me, my silence transforming it into a monologue.
I pretended not to listen. But how could a broken soul like me, one who had been trapped for years without news o the world, not be fascinated by the world's events?
"… And the last I heard of her, the princess was traveling alone, seeking to 'fulfill justice', but I believe it's just a rumor. Sailune couldn't possibly be stupid enough to let both her and the heir to the throne wander off into places where they could get killed. Hey Lina, are you listening?"
Why is he still here… What could there be that he might want from me …? … Perhaps he is and assassin from Sylphiel… She evidently wants me talked to death…
For the first time in L-sama knows how long, I laughed at my own joke.
Xellos smiled knowingly. I had the urge to slap it off his face and wipe the floors with it. I hadn't had that urge since before I was captured!
"As I thought, simply talking brings life into you."
I turned to face him, my expression undoubtly questioning.
Yet he smiled. "An hour ago you looked ready to die, and now…"
"I thought you were an assassin."
"Maybe I am."
"Your client must really hate me to want me talked to death, then."
Xellos's eyes narrowed.
"I'm just kidding." Sheesh… This guy needs to lighten up!
His face contorted again, this time smiling mischievously.
Something bad is about to happen…Xellos held up his hand and opened it, revealing a golden object, glinting in the faint moonlight.
My key!
"GIVE THAT BACK!!!!" I shrieked, lunging at him.
He backed away quickly, never taking his eyes off me as he retreated.
DAMN HIM!!! I NEED THAT!!!!!
A: Grr… Wish me good health, and don't judge to harshly on this poor fic. Please? (insert puppy dog eyes) Estoy enfermo…
Zel: You speak Spanish?
A: Not really.
Zel: Oh.
A: (coughs pathetically)
Zel: I'll do the disclaimer…
DISCLAIMER: The only thing A owns right now is either a REALLY bad cold or the flu. Neither of which you want.
A: Take it, please!!!!!! I'm dieing…