-~--~--~--~--~--~--~
Disclaimer: See Chapter one. Too lazy to write another, and you all know the drill anyway.BRP
Onwards! (don't worry. Ava and the boys will grow up real soon. They won't be 12 for long..).
---~_---~----~_----~---~
Chapter Two
Finagling with Militia
Ava blinked and was back in the present. She was still being pulled down the corridor by the moustache man in armor that Dr. Beku had handed her to once they arrived. Moustache man pulled her through two large steel doors, entering a smaller corridor.
"Now, when speaking to Folken-sama, make sure you address him that way- Folken-sama. Don't stare at his arm, you'll understand what I mean, and keep answers short and to the point. Bow politely when you meet him, and keep your eyes to the floor. Understand?" Ava nodded sickly. "This Folken-sama must be a monster, she thought. Ava pictured a hideous demon of a man, ugly, and evil. "oh dear."Ava said to herself. Suddenly, she was pushed through a large door into a large, dark room with tables of strange scientific equipment and piles of textbooks. Ava trembled with fear as the door slammed behind her. Mr. Moustache was no were to be seen, and neither was this "Folken-sama".
"Well now, you must be Avalon," a soft, deep voice said. Ava spun around. A tall man in a cloak stood there. He had a kind face, with an odd tear tattoo and blue-green hair. His face was warm, and he was smiling slightly, but his eyes seemed sad. "There is no need to be afraid," he said, offering his hand to help her up. I don't see anything weird. He pulled her to her feet, and led her to an overstuffed chair, and sat down in the one opposite.
"Welcome to the Vione. You'll be staying here for a while. My name is Folken." Ava felt relief wash over her. This is Folken sama? Ava took an instant liking to him. "You are to train here as a Dragonslayer. You should be proud of yourself, you're the only girl. The rest are all boys your age. However, there will be some differences. You will undergo special training. You'll still practice and live with the others, but at certain times you will be taking private lessons to develop your powers." Ava's smokey eyes grew wide. He knows about that? Then her face turned red with slight embarrassment. He must think I'm a bit of a freak. Ava knew she was different. She could remember the first time strange things started to happen.
--~-
When she was about 8, thieves tried to steal their livestock. Earlier that day her father was complaining of chest pains, and when he tried to stop the robbers, they knocked him to the ground. he screamed out, clutching his chest, then slumped. He was unconscious. Ava was in terror. She saw one of the thieves beating Stetson, her horse, with a pronged cane. She snapped.
It felt as though something inside her was exploding, and a tingling rush flowed and spread throughout her entire body. She was suddenly acutely aware of herself. She could feel her blood flying through her veins, her heart pounding in her chest, and the tingling sensation that reached all the way to her fingertips. She stared at the thieves. Her hand wrapped around a pitchfork in the round bale beside her. Her rage swelled within her, and she could feel white-hot energy seeping into the pitchfork in her hand. She looked down at it. Frost was forming all along the pitchfork where she had touched it, as well as on her hand. She looked back towards the thieves. She could hear them laughing at her, although it sounded oddly muffled and distorted. Images ran through her mind. She saw them beating Stetson, hearing him cry out. She saw them hurt her Dad. His scream still echoed through her skull. She charged, and threw the pitchfork as if it were a spear. It didn't hit any of them, but landed right among them, trapping one by pinning his trench coat. They stared at it.
"Ha, stupid bitch! You missed!" One said. Suddenly there was a loud blast. The pitchfork had exploded, sending splinters of wood and metal flying at the robbers, scaring some, and impaling others. The dust settled. One man was dead on the ground, a large shard of wood in his eye. Others had more minor injuries, but they took one look at their fallen comrade, then at Ava. They ran. Ava collapsed with exhaustion.
--~-
Ava frowned at her memory, ashamed. Folken laughed softly and said "Don't worry, you'll be fine. And don't let the others pick on you because you're a girl. Show them what you're made of, and you'll do well. Now, lets go get you set up." He reached his own hand out to lead her. And with that, Folken took her hand in his and led her down the hallway.
The two of them stopped in a number of places. First, they stopped at the tailor, where her measurements were taken for her uniform and other attire. Folken showed her where she would be eating, training, and so on, as well as explaining to her about what her role as a Dragonslayer meant, and what to expect. He even told her about twin cat-girls that were about her age. They met with all the weaponry, guymelef, and combat experts that would come to be her teachers. The Martial Arts teacher had a class with him while Folken took her to him, and she noticed that they were all boys about her age. While Folken was speaking to the master, she looked around. All eyes were on her, and a few of them whispered to each other.
Her eyes met with a small blue-eyed boy with a mushroom cut. He was smiling shyly at her, so Ava smiled back. The boy blushed, and his neighbor with fluffy curly hair poked him in the ribs and said something sly. Then she noticed a boy sitting in the front. He had fiery scarlet eyes and silver hair, and a fierce, insolent look about him. She could tell just from looking at him that he was the leader of the boys. He had an aura about him. He was giving her a look that she wasn't sure how to interpret, so she just smiled at him, hoping it didn't show any of the nervousness she was feeling. He looked surprised and puzzled by this. Folken then turned and said to her,
"Now, since we're here, you may as well meet the others." The boys stood at attention, and Folken said, "Alright boys. You have a new Dragonslayer. Folken started introductions with the ones closest to the front. "That is Dilandau" He said referring to the scarlet eyed leader. "This is Gatti, Chesta (referring to the shy smiley boy) Guimel, Dallet (Who winked provocatively) Miguel, Viole, Biore."Folken went on. As he was doing this, the boys sized her up. She could hear some of them whispering louder now. "A GIRL in the dragonslayers?..Can't handle a sword..cook supper for us and sew clothes.." Ava felt blood rising to her face. There is no way in hell she would play housewife for them. She'd show them thing or two. She'd be as good Dragonslayers as they were, if not better. Dilandau looked irritated.
"A GIRL? What the hell were you thinking, Folken? He shouted defiantly. Folken stopped and simply said: "Learn some respect, Dilandau. You'll see." Then he continued, leaving Dilandau looking furious. Folken finished with the last, 14th boy. "And this," putting his hand on her shoulder "Is Avalon, or Ava. She'll be bunking with group A. She'll also be training with you most of the time, but will also be doing some specialty training. Chesta!" Chesta scurried to Folken's feet and bowed. "Y-yes Folken-sama?"
"I want you to show Ava were the dorms and common room are, as well as the mess hall, showers, and training facilities. And the Guymelef hangar." "Yes Folken-sama!" Chesta said to the floor. He turned to Ava, and started leading her away. "Wooohooo, Cheestaaa!" someone muttered as they passed. Ava couldn't see Chesta's face, but she could see his ears turning dark red.
After the mess hall and common room, Chesta and Ava made their way to the dorms and showering facilities. Ava was dreading what might come to be. "Will I have to shower infront of a bunch of boys? What if I have to share a bed with one?." As if to answer her question, as they approached the dorms. Group A on one side, with half the slayers, and Group B across the hall with the other half. Three bulky men were carrying a new four-post bed into the Group A side, Ava's name freshly engraved into the mahogany wood.
"This is were we sleep. I'm in group A too, and so is Gatti, Dilandau, Dallet, Guimel, Miguel and Ryoun." Ava remembered Ryoun as one of the guys making snotty comments about her. Chesta led her into the room after the men had finished with her bed. She saw that the room was very large and open, maybe half the size of a riding arena. The beds and cabinets, one for each slayer, lined the edges of the room, except one wall, which was mostly glass windows which opened to a small balcony. There was a large shag rug in the very center of the room with several overstuffed and beanbag chairs, as well as a short table. There was a bathroom located at either end of the room, with countertops of marble. Big leafy plants were located in random spots throughout the room, as well as antique swords on the wall for décor. Wow. this is unlike anything I've ever seen. Ava marveled. "We should hurry to the showers and hangar, and report back to Folken-sama."Chesta trailed off. Ava grinned at him, "Let's go then,".
Ava absently tugged on her collar. She was in line for food in the mess hall, squished behind Dilandau, holding in her tray what appeared to be melted boot rubber and fertilizer. Smelled like it too. It was lying on a bed of rice. Or what she assumed was rice...it looked more like insect larvae. Somebody behind her in the line had pushed forward, causing the edge of her tray to jab into Dilandau's back. He turned his head and glared out of the corner of his eye. Ava smiled nervously. "S-sorry Dilandau- sama."
Ava made her way back to the table after she had received the rest of her "meal". She scratched at her collar once again. She had changed into her newly tailored uniform just moments before lunch was called. She liked the way the blue in the armor complimented her blue-black hair, but the shoulder plates were a bit awkward, and the leather fit her like a skin, which she was a little self conscious about in a room full of men.
She sat to the left of Dilandau, who was busy glaring at various other people around the room, but ignoring her completely. No matter. She was a little scared of him anyhow. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, and she hated it, it made her feel dirty and violated. She couldn't help think of how Dr. Beku had looked at her..
Suddenly, through the doors on the other end of the large room, she saw Folken enter, who caught sight of her and smiled, making his way towards the Dragonslayers table. Even though he was Strategos, he still sat at the other end of the table, opposite Dilandau. Suddenly, a tray clattered down on the table beside her and Guimel flopped down into the seat. He nodded and grinned at her.
"You're gonna love the food." He said. Ava laughed, thinking that he was kidding, but he proceeded to hungrily stuff himself with the contents of his plate, moaning and slurring about how tasty it was. Ava's lip twitched.
"Gross, isn't it?" said a voice from across the table. "I'll never get used to watching Guimel eat. Or this food for that matter." Ava turned to see Miguel, who sat across from her. He had barely picked at his meal just as she had. "Sometimes it's not so bad, but sometimes...ugh. I feel sorry that on your first time here they had cooked up something particularly rancid." Ava smiled.
"It's alright, as long as we don't have to sit through this every time." Ava replied. She looked down and picked at some of the larvae rice, letting her mind take her from this place. She thought about how little privacy she had in a place like this. She was used to doing and having everything to herself. In every activity throughout the day, she would be surrounded by people. She shared a bedroom with 7 other people, and showered, ate, trained, and rested with at least 15 others. "It won't be so bad," she thought. "most of these people are pretty nice." she looked at Miguel, and Folken, and Guimel, who was finished his meal and asking if she still wanted hers, which, of course, she didn't. "At least the showers are pretty decent," she thought. Each shower was enclosed in frosted plexi-glass that was 5 or 6 feet high, with a black marbled area where the shower was, and an area by the door that was out of reach where they could stash towels and robes and so on. Well, she thought, This won't be so bad after all.
--~----~_-----~-------~------
Dun dun dun!!!
Next Chapter: A day in the life of a Dragonslayer: Reminds me of Hogwarts; Fun with showers and gambling, and Folken's surprise!
Plez Review.
Disclaimer: See Chapter one. Too lazy to write another, and you all know the drill anyway.BRP
Onwards! (don't worry. Ava and the boys will grow up real soon. They won't be 12 for long..).
---~_---~----~_----~---~
Chapter Two
Finagling with Militia
Ava blinked and was back in the present. She was still being pulled down the corridor by the moustache man in armor that Dr. Beku had handed her to once they arrived. Moustache man pulled her through two large steel doors, entering a smaller corridor.
"Now, when speaking to Folken-sama, make sure you address him that way- Folken-sama. Don't stare at his arm, you'll understand what I mean, and keep answers short and to the point. Bow politely when you meet him, and keep your eyes to the floor. Understand?" Ava nodded sickly. "This Folken-sama must be a monster, she thought. Ava pictured a hideous demon of a man, ugly, and evil. "oh dear."Ava said to herself. Suddenly, she was pushed through a large door into a large, dark room with tables of strange scientific equipment and piles of textbooks. Ava trembled with fear as the door slammed behind her. Mr. Moustache was no were to be seen, and neither was this "Folken-sama".
"Well now, you must be Avalon," a soft, deep voice said. Ava spun around. A tall man in a cloak stood there. He had a kind face, with an odd tear tattoo and blue-green hair. His face was warm, and he was smiling slightly, but his eyes seemed sad. "There is no need to be afraid," he said, offering his hand to help her up. I don't see anything weird. He pulled her to her feet, and led her to an overstuffed chair, and sat down in the one opposite.
"Welcome to the Vione. You'll be staying here for a while. My name is Folken." Ava felt relief wash over her. This is Folken sama? Ava took an instant liking to him. "You are to train here as a Dragonslayer. You should be proud of yourself, you're the only girl. The rest are all boys your age. However, there will be some differences. You will undergo special training. You'll still practice and live with the others, but at certain times you will be taking private lessons to develop your powers." Ava's smokey eyes grew wide. He knows about that? Then her face turned red with slight embarrassment. He must think I'm a bit of a freak. Ava knew she was different. She could remember the first time strange things started to happen.
--~-
When she was about 8, thieves tried to steal their livestock. Earlier that day her father was complaining of chest pains, and when he tried to stop the robbers, they knocked him to the ground. he screamed out, clutching his chest, then slumped. He was unconscious. Ava was in terror. She saw one of the thieves beating Stetson, her horse, with a pronged cane. She snapped.
It felt as though something inside her was exploding, and a tingling rush flowed and spread throughout her entire body. She was suddenly acutely aware of herself. She could feel her blood flying through her veins, her heart pounding in her chest, and the tingling sensation that reached all the way to her fingertips. She stared at the thieves. Her hand wrapped around a pitchfork in the round bale beside her. Her rage swelled within her, and she could feel white-hot energy seeping into the pitchfork in her hand. She looked down at it. Frost was forming all along the pitchfork where she had touched it, as well as on her hand. She looked back towards the thieves. She could hear them laughing at her, although it sounded oddly muffled and distorted. Images ran through her mind. She saw them beating Stetson, hearing him cry out. She saw them hurt her Dad. His scream still echoed through her skull. She charged, and threw the pitchfork as if it were a spear. It didn't hit any of them, but landed right among them, trapping one by pinning his trench coat. They stared at it.
"Ha, stupid bitch! You missed!" One said. Suddenly there was a loud blast. The pitchfork had exploded, sending splinters of wood and metal flying at the robbers, scaring some, and impaling others. The dust settled. One man was dead on the ground, a large shard of wood in his eye. Others had more minor injuries, but they took one look at their fallen comrade, then at Ava. They ran. Ava collapsed with exhaustion.
--~-
Ava frowned at her memory, ashamed. Folken laughed softly and said "Don't worry, you'll be fine. And don't let the others pick on you because you're a girl. Show them what you're made of, and you'll do well. Now, lets go get you set up." He reached his own hand out to lead her. And with that, Folken took her hand in his and led her down the hallway.
The two of them stopped in a number of places. First, they stopped at the tailor, where her measurements were taken for her uniform and other attire. Folken showed her where she would be eating, training, and so on, as well as explaining to her about what her role as a Dragonslayer meant, and what to expect. He even told her about twin cat-girls that were about her age. They met with all the weaponry, guymelef, and combat experts that would come to be her teachers. The Martial Arts teacher had a class with him while Folken took her to him, and she noticed that they were all boys about her age. While Folken was speaking to the master, she looked around. All eyes were on her, and a few of them whispered to each other.
Her eyes met with a small blue-eyed boy with a mushroom cut. He was smiling shyly at her, so Ava smiled back. The boy blushed, and his neighbor with fluffy curly hair poked him in the ribs and said something sly. Then she noticed a boy sitting in the front. He had fiery scarlet eyes and silver hair, and a fierce, insolent look about him. She could tell just from looking at him that he was the leader of the boys. He had an aura about him. He was giving her a look that she wasn't sure how to interpret, so she just smiled at him, hoping it didn't show any of the nervousness she was feeling. He looked surprised and puzzled by this. Folken then turned and said to her,
"Now, since we're here, you may as well meet the others." The boys stood at attention, and Folken said, "Alright boys. You have a new Dragonslayer. Folken started introductions with the ones closest to the front. "That is Dilandau" He said referring to the scarlet eyed leader. "This is Gatti, Chesta (referring to the shy smiley boy) Guimel, Dallet (Who winked provocatively) Miguel, Viole, Biore."Folken went on. As he was doing this, the boys sized her up. She could hear some of them whispering louder now. "A GIRL in the dragonslayers?..Can't handle a sword..cook supper for us and sew clothes.." Ava felt blood rising to her face. There is no way in hell she would play housewife for them. She'd show them thing or two. She'd be as good Dragonslayers as they were, if not better. Dilandau looked irritated.
"A GIRL? What the hell were you thinking, Folken? He shouted defiantly. Folken stopped and simply said: "Learn some respect, Dilandau. You'll see." Then he continued, leaving Dilandau looking furious. Folken finished with the last, 14th boy. "And this," putting his hand on her shoulder "Is Avalon, or Ava. She'll be bunking with group A. She'll also be training with you most of the time, but will also be doing some specialty training. Chesta!" Chesta scurried to Folken's feet and bowed. "Y-yes Folken-sama?"
"I want you to show Ava were the dorms and common room are, as well as the mess hall, showers, and training facilities. And the Guymelef hangar." "Yes Folken-sama!" Chesta said to the floor. He turned to Ava, and started leading her away. "Wooohooo, Cheestaaa!" someone muttered as they passed. Ava couldn't see Chesta's face, but she could see his ears turning dark red.
After the mess hall and common room, Chesta and Ava made their way to the dorms and showering facilities. Ava was dreading what might come to be. "Will I have to shower infront of a bunch of boys? What if I have to share a bed with one?." As if to answer her question, as they approached the dorms. Group A on one side, with half the slayers, and Group B across the hall with the other half. Three bulky men were carrying a new four-post bed into the Group A side, Ava's name freshly engraved into the mahogany wood.
"This is were we sleep. I'm in group A too, and so is Gatti, Dilandau, Dallet, Guimel, Miguel and Ryoun." Ava remembered Ryoun as one of the guys making snotty comments about her. Chesta led her into the room after the men had finished with her bed. She saw that the room was very large and open, maybe half the size of a riding arena. The beds and cabinets, one for each slayer, lined the edges of the room, except one wall, which was mostly glass windows which opened to a small balcony. There was a large shag rug in the very center of the room with several overstuffed and beanbag chairs, as well as a short table. There was a bathroom located at either end of the room, with countertops of marble. Big leafy plants were located in random spots throughout the room, as well as antique swords on the wall for décor. Wow. this is unlike anything I've ever seen. Ava marveled. "We should hurry to the showers and hangar, and report back to Folken-sama."Chesta trailed off. Ava grinned at him, "Let's go then,".
Ava absently tugged on her collar. She was in line for food in the mess hall, squished behind Dilandau, holding in her tray what appeared to be melted boot rubber and fertilizer. Smelled like it too. It was lying on a bed of rice. Or what she assumed was rice...it looked more like insect larvae. Somebody behind her in the line had pushed forward, causing the edge of her tray to jab into Dilandau's back. He turned his head and glared out of the corner of his eye. Ava smiled nervously. "S-sorry Dilandau- sama."
Ava made her way back to the table after she had received the rest of her "meal". She scratched at her collar once again. She had changed into her newly tailored uniform just moments before lunch was called. She liked the way the blue in the armor complimented her blue-black hair, but the shoulder plates were a bit awkward, and the leather fit her like a skin, which she was a little self conscious about in a room full of men.
She sat to the left of Dilandau, who was busy glaring at various other people around the room, but ignoring her completely. No matter. She was a little scared of him anyhow. She could feel everyone's eyes on her, and she hated it, it made her feel dirty and violated. She couldn't help think of how Dr. Beku had looked at her..
Suddenly, through the doors on the other end of the large room, she saw Folken enter, who caught sight of her and smiled, making his way towards the Dragonslayers table. Even though he was Strategos, he still sat at the other end of the table, opposite Dilandau. Suddenly, a tray clattered down on the table beside her and Guimel flopped down into the seat. He nodded and grinned at her.
"You're gonna love the food." He said. Ava laughed, thinking that he was kidding, but he proceeded to hungrily stuff himself with the contents of his plate, moaning and slurring about how tasty it was. Ava's lip twitched.
"Gross, isn't it?" said a voice from across the table. "I'll never get used to watching Guimel eat. Or this food for that matter." Ava turned to see Miguel, who sat across from her. He had barely picked at his meal just as she had. "Sometimes it's not so bad, but sometimes...ugh. I feel sorry that on your first time here they had cooked up something particularly rancid." Ava smiled.
"It's alright, as long as we don't have to sit through this every time." Ava replied. She looked down and picked at some of the larvae rice, letting her mind take her from this place. She thought about how little privacy she had in a place like this. She was used to doing and having everything to herself. In every activity throughout the day, she would be surrounded by people. She shared a bedroom with 7 other people, and showered, ate, trained, and rested with at least 15 others. "It won't be so bad," she thought. "most of these people are pretty nice." she looked at Miguel, and Folken, and Guimel, who was finished his meal and asking if she still wanted hers, which, of course, she didn't. "At least the showers are pretty decent," she thought. Each shower was enclosed in frosted plexi-glass that was 5 or 6 feet high, with a black marbled area where the shower was, and an area by the door that was out of reach where they could stash towels and robes and so on. Well, she thought, This won't be so bad after all.
--~----~_-----~-------~------
Dun dun dun!!!
Next Chapter: A day in the life of a Dragonslayer: Reminds me of Hogwarts; Fun with showers and gambling, and Folken's surprise!
Plez Review.