I'm back! I am really, really, sorry it took so long. I've been working on this chapter since before I posted the first chapter but with school and life, I haven't been able to finish this until now. I'm currently working on another chapter that was originally part of this chapter but it would have taken forever to finish everything I had planned for this chapter so now it'll just be the next chapter. :3 So, please read, enjoy, and review :3
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Xillia. I only own my OC Twila. :3
"Yes, Lord Maxwell," A spirit with long, flowing dull blue-green hair floated up to sit on the arm of the chair Lord Maxwell sat in. She smiled happily as he patted her head gently. It always comforted her when he treated her like what humans would refer to as a daughter.
"You will have to live for yourself until the day she arrives, Muzét," Lord Maxwell said, staring at the orb in front of him instead of looking over at the spirit next to him. "When she does, you are to protect and guide her."
"Who could you mean?" Muzét asked, her voice as playful as always but with a slightly worried tone.
"The one who will succeed me as Maxwell," he said.
Muzét looked at him, her surprise showing through her attitude. She had always thought that after the Schism had been dispelled and Maxwell faded, either Twila or she would be his successor.
"Take care of her," Lord Maxwell said, snapping her out of her shock.
"Yes, Lord Maxwell," she replied after a minute. For the first time, she felt a slight pain in her chest. He would be leaving her though he had never once abandoned her before. How would she be able to live without serving him?
Perhaps it had been a bad idea on her part but the curious eyes that were watching her spoke differently; there was not even a hint of fear in those amber depths. She smiled very slightly and reached down to help up the little boy in front of her. He responded with a large, kind smile and took her hand.
"Are you alright?" She asked as she released his hand to examine the streaks of dirt and growing bruises that adorned him.
"I'm fine, thank you... uh, what was your name? I saw you around before," he watched her, seeming to be searching for a name. His speech was slightly awkward and he had to search for a few words, like most of the kids around his age did.
"Milla, Milla Maxwell," she responded. The boy's eyes lit up as he seemed to remember something.
"You are from the Sanctuary also!" He said, smiling.
"I am," she agreed. Mentally, she noted that the 'also' should be a 'too' but let it go. Milla held her hand out and the small figure that had been floating about near them shrank until it was the size of a small rock and fell into her hand. "Thank you, Gnome," she told it before placing it in the pouch she had fastened around her hip.
"What was that?" The boy in front of her asked. His smile had changed to a contemplating frown. "Some spirit arte?"
"If you wish to think of it that way," Milla responded. She could practically hear the floating woman reminding her that she shouldn't trust others with the knowledge of who she was until she was strong enough. Whether she was supposed to be strong enough to protect herself or to protect those that knew, she couldn't tell. That woman had always had a way of speaking in riddles that confused her.
"Well, my name's Jude," the boy said. "Jude, just Jude."
"It is nice to meet you, Jude," Milla said politely. She could understand what he was trying to say with that last part; none of the children that lived at the Sanctuary remembered ever having a family and so have no reason to associate themselves with anything more than their first name. In a small town like Flovilla, it was strange enough to have a Sanctuary let alone enough orphans to maintain it. The Flovilla Sanctuary was where orphans that were found locally were taken. Flovilla itself was located in the north eastern reaches, near the farming and orchard village of Hamil.
Milla started walking away from the edge of the town, not even sparing a word for Jude. She could feel the floating woman's presence nearby. That woman wouldn't be happy with her if she got too close to the other people.
"Wait up!" Jude called, his footsteps speeding up as he ran to catch up with the blonde.
"What is it?" Milla asked, turning to look at him as he reached her. He looked at the ground, suddenly playing with a pebble and she sighed. "You can follow me back to the Sanctuary. After that, you're on your own."
The black haired boy looked at her and nodded with a wide smile. He the grin stuck to his face as he followed after her to the only place they could call a home.
The next day, Milla was eating breakfast as usual when Jude came and sat next to her at the table. The Sanctuary was small enough that there was only a few tables but the kids usually ate at different times and even when they were up at the same time, they would stick to their close friends. If they had any, that was.
Milla looked over at him curiously. He gave her a big smile and returned to eating the rice porridge they had for breakfast. She watched him for a bit, dumbfounded by how easily he had approached her. Most people would get scared off by the mere sight of her 'friends' but here he was, making a point of being close to her though he didn't seem to be acting like it. With a shrug, she turned back to her own bowl and spooned down the bland tasting food. He probably simply thought that if he was with her he would be protected from bullies like those that had hurt him earlier.
As the thought crossed her mind, she looked at the younger kid again. Her eyes focused on a bluish mark that was blooming on his left cheek. Other than that though, he seemed almost unharmed; the smile adorning his face seemed to be unhindered by the bruise or any pain. With the knowledge that he was indeed safe, Milla picked up her empty bowl and plate and moved to put them by the sink.
"May I take those, miss?" The old caretaker of the Sanctuary asked, holding out his hand to take the dishes from her. She complied and handed him the dishes. Even though he was supposed to be in charge of her and the other kids there, he acted like a butler of sorts most of the time.
The caretaker was a man by the name of Rowen. Some of the townsfolk talked about how he used to be a strategist for the army before be retired and took over the Sanctuary. He had never told anyone why exactly he took over the Sanctuary but people often said that is was because of his fiancé's untimely death.
Milla started out of the small room adjoined to the kitchen that counted as the cafeteria when she heard Jude talking to Rowen.
"Is there anything I can help with today?" The small boy asked. Milla turned around to see what they were talking about. Jude was looking up at Rowen, a curious and kindly look on his face.
Milla thought back to what the kids from the day before had accused Jude of being: an 'adult-pleaser' and 'suck-up.' he hadn't really noticed it before but she could now see where they got it from. Jude seemed to be the type that always helped out whenever he could. Watching him talk with Rowen, she could see what the other kids noticed. However, she could also see that he didn't have any bad intentions in trying to help out, unlike what the other kids believed.
She smiled and walked back over to Jude and Rowen. She didn't have any plans for the day anyways.
"I'll help out too," Millar spoke up. Rowen and Jude looked over at her as she spoke. Rowen looked at her with his mouth slightly open, surprised, then gave a small, knowing smile. Jude simply smiled happily up at her.
"That works out very well," Rowen said, pulling out a piece of paper and some gald. He handed both to Milla before continuing to talk. "We're running low on these things. It would be perfect if you could go to the shops and pick them up. There is some extra if, perhaps, you would like some snacks."
Milla felt her mouth start to water at the thought of sweets. She nodded to Rowen and pocketed the list and the money before looking down at Jude. He was looking up at her.
"Lets go, Milla!" The younger boy said cheerfully, starting out the door. Milla smiled and followed after him.
And there we go :3 Please let me know what you think. :3 Love getting reviews, as always. Hope I didn't make you guys wait too long for this chapter XD The rest of the main party should be making an appearance in the next chapter and you'll see how I'll tie this part of the story in to the rest of the actual story. Until then, hope you liked it!