I'm sorry this took me so long to get out. Things have been nutty lately.
Thanks to all those wonderful people who reviewed *blows kisses* And yes, I
have every intent on finishing this story, for those who inquired.
Disclaimer: Don't own Escaflowne. Etc. Jessica loves Simon from American Idol (who doesn't?!)
On with the show
---~-----~------~-----
Unlucky 13
------------------------
Ava spent the next 16 hours in the infirmary, in a dead slumber. When she finally came round, she was quick to discover a complete rape kit had been completed and reparations to her ankle (which had only been sprained) had been made, as well as treatment for minor cuts and bruises. Creepy as the Madoshi may be, they get their job done in a hurry.
Within an hour of her waking, Ava was anxious and fidgeting. So, when the Madoshi had turned their back, she grabbed her robe and bolted silently for the door. Her Armour hadn't been anywhere around her beside, but as the set was so badly damaged, it had likely been thrown out. No matter, she had more in the tiny closet in her room.
She scuffled through the halls on her stiff ankle, stopping at her room to get fresh armour, and set about finding the Dragonslayers. After finding an emptied training facility and emptier common room, she found them huddled in a uniform circle, with Dilandau speaking to them from the centre. It looked like they were strategising something. Clanking hurriedly down the stairs to join them, the Dragonslayers all turned to look at the noisy interrupter. A few murmurs broke out, but when Dilandau saw her he approached, instead of shouting across the hangar.
"Go back to the infirmary," was all he said when he got within speaking distance. Ava was slightly taken aback. "You aren't in any good order to participate in our mission. I can't risk having useless weight added." His words cut her more then she let herself know, but she retorted anyway.
"I'm fine. Really. The Madoshi said I was in perfect health, and they released me. Sir," It was a blatant lie, and the inner voice nagged her that if her commanding officer discovered she had outright lied to him, she'd be in heaps of trouble, but Ava shrugged the voice of worry off. She didn't want to be left behind again.
Dilandau looked like he was about to give in, but instead he stepped closer and murmured quietly,
"You're supposed to report to Folken, aren't you? About.what happened?" Ava had genuinely not gotten wind of any order such as that, and said so. Dilandau hesitated a moment, but finally gave in.
"Alright. But the second you start to bring us down, you're back to the Vionne. We are only as strong as our weakest 'Slayer."
-----~-----~---
This battle was going downhill, and was going to get worse before it got better.
The Dragonslayers were in a shallow lake, surrounding the Escaflowne. They successfully tracked and encircled the Dragon, and successfully ambushed, but were met with peculiar results.
The King of Fanalia should have been dead in one shot. But instead, he deflected every oncoming attack from the Dragonslayers, much to the chagrin of Dilandau. In fact, it quickly became clear, thanks to the keen observation of Miguel, that the girl perched on his shoulder seemed to be able to decipher where the attacks were coming from, before they even happened.
Now, however, Allen Shezar had joined the fray. Great. He quickly abolished the small advantage Dilandau had on Van. His death-grip by Crima Claw. Immediately, the Dragonslayers could see that the addition of Allen Shezar was making quick work of them, beating them off Escaflowne with fervency. Fanel used this to his advantage too; he hacked the arm off of Miguel's incoming Guymelef, and knocked him to the shore. Miguel didn't get up.
Ava and the others tried frantically to maintain their ground. Dilandau, having seen Miguel be knocked about, growled into his comm., and blasted a claw at Escaflowne. Van's sword deflected it at the last moment, causing a stray tentacle of the fluid metal impale the Guymelef of Shezar, just as Folken shouted into their comm.-links that a Freid Convoy was approaching.
Dilandau growled back. " Dragonslayers, move out!" Gatti's protesting voice crackled.
"What about Miguel?" He was rewarded with a cuff by Dilandau's great red arm. "I said, MOVE OUT! We're already in over our heads,"
----~-----~------~
The disgruntled Dragonslayers padded back into the hangar and docked their Guymelefs, only to be greeted with a party of military officials standing in a group near the doors. Puzzled, Dilandau approached them.
"What the hell is going on?" he demanded, true to his form. A Madoshi from the back of the group stepped forward, and was rewarded with a sharp glare from Dilandau.
"We want Avalon to come with us," he said, using Ava's obscure full name. Uh oh, she thought. Dilandau turned to her, and she shrugged, before falling into step behind the men there to retrieve her.
They lead her into a great, darkened room, and sat her at a desk under the only light. She looked from person to the person, suddenly feeling supremely tiny and vulnerable, due to her last experience at being subject to the mercies of a male in power.
One stepped forward, his face cold and impersonal.
"You are facing charges of murder, on account of the death of Ryoun Iori, and are henceforth suspended from the duty of the Dragonslayers," he said, in an even, monotonous tone.
Ava's stomach leapt to her throat. Murder? She looked around frantically for someone to interject.
"I didn't murder him! It was an accident, he was trying to k-" "-This will not be discussed now, by the reason of law." Said the monotone man.
Ava sunk helplessly in her chair in defeat. What could she do? She likely faced a trial or some other sort of repercussions for her actions.
She was so wound up in her thoughts, it had hardly registered that she had been dismissed by the group of men and had made her way to the common room in a daze. She shoved the door in, and saw the Dragonslayers piled on the floor and on cushions and beanbag chairs in the middle. She flopped down beside Guimel and curled her knees under her chin, resting her head on them. They looked at her, but nobody spoke
"They suspended me," she said, not looking up. "They think I murdered Ryoun, and I'm facing an enquiry, by the sound of it."
---~-----~-----~----
A few days passed, and everyone was in an ill mood. Dilandau was grouchy, even for him, as Miguel, easily one of his best 'Slayers had been captured by Fanel's little company. Whenever confronted by the issue, he slapped on a façade of confidence, but Ava was sure he was worried about him. And, in turn, the Dragonslayers were irritable and demur.
One lazy afternoon, Ava had spent a few hours killing time by working out, and headed to the showers. In a fuzzy thick black robe, she stopped at the lockers to grab her shower bucket, and was greeted by a lone Dilandau, who was unlacing his shirt.
She said nothing at first, and neither did he, although Ava could feel his presence like a wet blanket. He continued to peel off his shirt, leaving only his leather pants on, with his dogtags clinking against his sweat- sheered chest
Suddenly he spoke.
"They have ordered me to testify in your defence regarding Ryoun's murder." Ava didn't say anything for a moment, then spoke up. "I didn't murder him," she said quietly, more to herself than to him. He paid no heed. "Yes you did. But that's not t he point. It's whether or not it was justified." Ava undid her hair.
"What do you think will happen?" To this, Dilandau unwound the athletic tape on his hands thoughtfully.
"Hard to say. You get off with just a slap on the wrist. Or maybe they'll kick you out. Who knows, maybe they'll see it as an honorific act," Ava snorted.
"Somehow I doubt that. I've had to struggle with those supremeist military pricks since I got here. They hate me, and they'd sooner appoint me the arch-bishop." Dilandau managed a wry grin. The dark circles under his eyes and his tired mouth suddenly became all the more pronounced. She was picking up her bucket and heading towards the shower stalls when she heard Dilandau's voice over her shoulder again. This time, it was oddly subdued, somewhat strangled and strangely calm.
"Miguel's dead."
---------------------------~--------------------------------------~
Thanks again to all those lovelies who review. Sorry again for my tardy.
I'm so tired. This was a yucky chapter to write.
NEXT CHAPTER: Ava's Enquiry, (or lack thereof), Dilandau gets even, and All-around-good fun.
For all those who would like to be informed of updates, please SPECIFY that you would like to be on the list, and don't forget to leave your email addy ^_^ Thanks!
Disclaimer: Don't own Escaflowne. Etc. Jessica loves Simon from American Idol (who doesn't?!)
On with the show
---~-----~------~-----
Unlucky 13
------------------------
Ava spent the next 16 hours in the infirmary, in a dead slumber. When she finally came round, she was quick to discover a complete rape kit had been completed and reparations to her ankle (which had only been sprained) had been made, as well as treatment for minor cuts and bruises. Creepy as the Madoshi may be, they get their job done in a hurry.
Within an hour of her waking, Ava was anxious and fidgeting. So, when the Madoshi had turned their back, she grabbed her robe and bolted silently for the door. Her Armour hadn't been anywhere around her beside, but as the set was so badly damaged, it had likely been thrown out. No matter, she had more in the tiny closet in her room.
She scuffled through the halls on her stiff ankle, stopping at her room to get fresh armour, and set about finding the Dragonslayers. After finding an emptied training facility and emptier common room, she found them huddled in a uniform circle, with Dilandau speaking to them from the centre. It looked like they were strategising something. Clanking hurriedly down the stairs to join them, the Dragonslayers all turned to look at the noisy interrupter. A few murmurs broke out, but when Dilandau saw her he approached, instead of shouting across the hangar.
"Go back to the infirmary," was all he said when he got within speaking distance. Ava was slightly taken aback. "You aren't in any good order to participate in our mission. I can't risk having useless weight added." His words cut her more then she let herself know, but she retorted anyway.
"I'm fine. Really. The Madoshi said I was in perfect health, and they released me. Sir," It was a blatant lie, and the inner voice nagged her that if her commanding officer discovered she had outright lied to him, she'd be in heaps of trouble, but Ava shrugged the voice of worry off. She didn't want to be left behind again.
Dilandau looked like he was about to give in, but instead he stepped closer and murmured quietly,
"You're supposed to report to Folken, aren't you? About.what happened?" Ava had genuinely not gotten wind of any order such as that, and said so. Dilandau hesitated a moment, but finally gave in.
"Alright. But the second you start to bring us down, you're back to the Vionne. We are only as strong as our weakest 'Slayer."
-----~-----~---
This battle was going downhill, and was going to get worse before it got better.
The Dragonslayers were in a shallow lake, surrounding the Escaflowne. They successfully tracked and encircled the Dragon, and successfully ambushed, but were met with peculiar results.
The King of Fanalia should have been dead in one shot. But instead, he deflected every oncoming attack from the Dragonslayers, much to the chagrin of Dilandau. In fact, it quickly became clear, thanks to the keen observation of Miguel, that the girl perched on his shoulder seemed to be able to decipher where the attacks were coming from, before they even happened.
Now, however, Allen Shezar had joined the fray. Great. He quickly abolished the small advantage Dilandau had on Van. His death-grip by Crima Claw. Immediately, the Dragonslayers could see that the addition of Allen Shezar was making quick work of them, beating them off Escaflowne with fervency. Fanel used this to his advantage too; he hacked the arm off of Miguel's incoming Guymelef, and knocked him to the shore. Miguel didn't get up.
Ava and the others tried frantically to maintain their ground. Dilandau, having seen Miguel be knocked about, growled into his comm., and blasted a claw at Escaflowne. Van's sword deflected it at the last moment, causing a stray tentacle of the fluid metal impale the Guymelef of Shezar, just as Folken shouted into their comm.-links that a Freid Convoy was approaching.
Dilandau growled back. " Dragonslayers, move out!" Gatti's protesting voice crackled.
"What about Miguel?" He was rewarded with a cuff by Dilandau's great red arm. "I said, MOVE OUT! We're already in over our heads,"
----~-----~------~
The disgruntled Dragonslayers padded back into the hangar and docked their Guymelefs, only to be greeted with a party of military officials standing in a group near the doors. Puzzled, Dilandau approached them.
"What the hell is going on?" he demanded, true to his form. A Madoshi from the back of the group stepped forward, and was rewarded with a sharp glare from Dilandau.
"We want Avalon to come with us," he said, using Ava's obscure full name. Uh oh, she thought. Dilandau turned to her, and she shrugged, before falling into step behind the men there to retrieve her.
They lead her into a great, darkened room, and sat her at a desk under the only light. She looked from person to the person, suddenly feeling supremely tiny and vulnerable, due to her last experience at being subject to the mercies of a male in power.
One stepped forward, his face cold and impersonal.
"You are facing charges of murder, on account of the death of Ryoun Iori, and are henceforth suspended from the duty of the Dragonslayers," he said, in an even, monotonous tone.
Ava's stomach leapt to her throat. Murder? She looked around frantically for someone to interject.
"I didn't murder him! It was an accident, he was trying to k-" "-This will not be discussed now, by the reason of law." Said the monotone man.
Ava sunk helplessly in her chair in defeat. What could she do? She likely faced a trial or some other sort of repercussions for her actions.
She was so wound up in her thoughts, it had hardly registered that she had been dismissed by the group of men and had made her way to the common room in a daze. She shoved the door in, and saw the Dragonslayers piled on the floor and on cushions and beanbag chairs in the middle. She flopped down beside Guimel and curled her knees under her chin, resting her head on them. They looked at her, but nobody spoke
"They suspended me," she said, not looking up. "They think I murdered Ryoun, and I'm facing an enquiry, by the sound of it."
---~-----~-----~----
A few days passed, and everyone was in an ill mood. Dilandau was grouchy, even for him, as Miguel, easily one of his best 'Slayers had been captured by Fanel's little company. Whenever confronted by the issue, he slapped on a façade of confidence, but Ava was sure he was worried about him. And, in turn, the Dragonslayers were irritable and demur.
One lazy afternoon, Ava had spent a few hours killing time by working out, and headed to the showers. In a fuzzy thick black robe, she stopped at the lockers to grab her shower bucket, and was greeted by a lone Dilandau, who was unlacing his shirt.
She said nothing at first, and neither did he, although Ava could feel his presence like a wet blanket. He continued to peel off his shirt, leaving only his leather pants on, with his dogtags clinking against his sweat- sheered chest
Suddenly he spoke.
"They have ordered me to testify in your defence regarding Ryoun's murder." Ava didn't say anything for a moment, then spoke up. "I didn't murder him," she said quietly, more to herself than to him. He paid no heed. "Yes you did. But that's not t he point. It's whether or not it was justified." Ava undid her hair.
"What do you think will happen?" To this, Dilandau unwound the athletic tape on his hands thoughtfully.
"Hard to say. You get off with just a slap on the wrist. Or maybe they'll kick you out. Who knows, maybe they'll see it as an honorific act," Ava snorted.
"Somehow I doubt that. I've had to struggle with those supremeist military pricks since I got here. They hate me, and they'd sooner appoint me the arch-bishop." Dilandau managed a wry grin. The dark circles under his eyes and his tired mouth suddenly became all the more pronounced. She was picking up her bucket and heading towards the shower stalls when she heard Dilandau's voice over her shoulder again. This time, it was oddly subdued, somewhat strangled and strangely calm.
"Miguel's dead."
---------------------------~--------------------------------------~
Thanks again to all those lovelies who review. Sorry again for my tardy.
I'm so tired. This was a yucky chapter to write.
NEXT CHAPTER: Ava's Enquiry, (or lack thereof), Dilandau gets even, and All-around-good fun.
For all those who would like to be informed of updates, please SPECIFY that you would like to be on the list, and don't forget to leave your email addy ^_^ Thanks!