Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
Escaflowne: All you need is Love, Isn't it?
Chapter 11
Aboard the merchant ship, The Lady Vari; four days at sea
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Hitomi stood about twelve feet from the master as he steered the merchant ship on a steady course for Palas, the capital of Asturia. As the ship rolled on moderately sized waves, the Hitomi looked out over the approaching horizon enjoying the sight of the endless sea. Her enjoyment was temporarily interrupted by an energetic catgirl who was prancing up the stairs to the quarterdeck with two citrus fruits in her hands and one in her mouth.
Stopping next to the master first she handed him one of the yellow fruits then she turned and tossed the one she had in her mouth at the teenage girl. "Here!" She said as she threw it.
Acting on instinct Hitomi caught it in mid-flight. "Ewww! Is that drool?" She held the offensive object away from herself with her thumb and index finger. "You don't actually expect me to eat this sloppy thing."
"Just kidding." Merle said, walking up to the girl and taking the wet fruit from her and handing her the other one. "Besides, you eat what's inside silly."
Holding the lemon-like fruit in her dry hand, she rubbed her other hand on top of Merle's head. "Thanks Merle, I appreciate it." She said with a sarcastic smile.
Through narrowed eyes, the catgirl snarled at her and took a snap at her hand, which she quickly withdrew.
"So where's Van?" The teen asked.
"LORD Van is down below." The catgirl replied as she peeled her fruit.
"Still not feeling well I guess."
"His Majesty doesn't seem to have your legs." The captain remarked.
"Excuse me?" A wide-eyed Hitomi and Merle responded in unison.
"Sea legs. His Majesty doesn't have your sea legs." Clarified the captain.
"Oh." They replied in unison again then stared at each other.
"I hope Van doesn't stay sick for the whole trip." Hitomi worried aloud.
"Stop calling him just Van." Merle whispered.
"Hmm?"
"Its one thing when you do that when the two of you are alone but in front of his subjects you need to address him properly. He is a king remember." Merle continued in a hushed voice.
"Oh, yeah, I guess you're right. Sorry." The teen gave a sheepish grin.
"Humph! Silly girl." The feline replied as she bit into a wedge of her fruit. Instantly, her face puckered up from its extreme sourness. So intense was its flavor that her mouth began to drawl and her eyes began to water.
Hitomi didn't even try to contain her laughter, which caused the Merle to shoot her a wicked glare before she pranced down the stairs, across the deck and up the bowsprit where she sat and finished her fruit.
Finally able to control her laughter, the teen peeled her fruit and bit into a wedge. Instantly her face puckered up and her eyes and mouth watered. This drew a light chuckle from the master who was eating his fruit, skin and all without so much as a flinch.
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AN: Okay, I'll admit it. I've got a thing for catgirls. ^_^ So be sure to expect to see plenty of Merle throughout. Sorry no Van here but he'll be back soon enough.
Again thanks for all the great reviews I really, really appreciate each and every one of them. ^____^
Just to let you know; a master is the captain of the flagship of a merchant fleet.
AmishiPS: Just 42 days till ACEN'03!!!