So, here we are again. This is the longest chapter so far, i'm going to try to make them longer as we go along, but personally, i don't like 5,000 word chapters so they'll be not too much longer than this, ok? any italics used in the story are flashbacks, and i'll try to keep them to about one a chapter, too many gets confusing as i have learned. So enjoy the next chapter, there is both plot and fluff in here!!!
"So...you mean she leaves him all alone down there to be with that guy???" Glitch was becoming indignant at the plot of what had always been DG's favourite show; The Phantom of the Opera. She could understand Glitch's point, however. "Yes, Glitch. Christina leaves Erik down there, because, in the end, that's what he wants her to do. He'd never be able to fit anywhere, and he loves her enough to want her to be happy."
"I still think it's a rotten deal," Glitch muttered to himself as Cain unlocked the door to their apartment. They wandered into the living room, taking up their usual positions on various furniture, just enjoying the quiet after such a loud show. DG soon got up, looking for something to drink, and voyaged into the kitchen.
The first scream could have cracked glass.
By the second had worked its way up into her throat, she recognised the intruder, and ran over to her father as Cain burst in, gun cocked, ready to kill whatever was going to hurt their princess. He stopped at the heart-warming reunion taking place in front of him, replacing the gun and relaxing the tiniest bit. Az stood in the back of the group, just as tall as the men, hanging back; never quite sure if she belonged.
The question of that was soon answered as Ahamo pulled her towards him for a rib-cracking hug. "My god," he muttered, running his hand through her dramatically short locks. "What the hell happened to your beautiful hair?"
Az shrugged, "I thought that since the rest of the family had such long hair, I might as well be the black sheep." She tugged at her father's ponytail, "besides, it was starting to attract attention; not too many people here have hair to their waist."
Ahamo nodded; one of the stipulations their mother had placed upon them was to remain inconspicuous, and to blend in at almost any cost. He looked around at the group, "we need to talk."
"Well, come on in," DG offered, motioning toward the living room. Ahamo shook his head, "at home, your mother needs to speak to you."
"What? But we still have another three months and-" DG sighed at the expression on her father's face. "Fine, but can we pack our things first?"
Ahamo gave them an hour to pack up what had become important to them. He meandered through the apartment as they packed, ogling at the umpteen pairs of jeans DG packed. She caught him staring. "Well, I don't like dresses that much and I don't know when I'll be able to come get more."
"With the R.T.V.D you should be able to come back almost any time," Glitch cut in, throwing a duffle bag on the floor. "It got the Consort here all right didn't it?" Ahamo nodded; the Realm Traversing Vehicular Device was one of Glitch's greatest inventions, and it had been totally created after the surgery.
"We ready to go?" inquired Cain, grabbing Az's bag along with his own, and looked at Ahamo. "Might as well get a move on."
Emily paced impatiently across the entrance hall of the Northern Island. She had just made another turn when she saw the light that informed of incomers from the Other Side. She rushed towards her fast-approaching family, grabbing her girls towards her in welcome. Ahamo motioned two pages to collect the baggage and led the group towards the throne room.
"So what's up, Mom? Why the big rush in bringing us back?" DG pulled away from her mother's hug to look into her face.
The queen sighed. "The remnants of the Long Coats have found a new leader. We don't know who he is, but they're getting quite powerful and numerous. Important people in Central City have started receiving threats from these renegades; kidnapping, murder, and impending war. And we ourselves have received a letter."
Ahamo looked at his wife. When he'd left, there'd been no letter. He pulled the sheaf of paper from his wife's hand and began to read aloud.
"My dearest royal family.
Far too long has it been since I've seen you last. The magnificent queen and her handsome consort, as well as their exquisite daughters. Such beautiful daughters. In fact, because it has been so long, I was thinking of taking your girls on a trip. A long trip. Actually, I was thinking of picking them up next week on their return from school. Around five sound good to you? Don't worry, they won't need protection, they'll be perfectly safe with me and my men.
Good day to you,
Wanu"
Cain looked at the royal consort as he finished reading. "Wanu? Who the hell is Wanu?"
Ahamo looked up from the parchment and glanced around. "The new leader of the former Long Coats. But now they go by the name of Muhk Luyd. It's from the language the Ridanhk used hundreds of years ago. We all believed the language was lost.``
``Aparently not.`` Cain cut in. He was pacing, running a hand through his hair. ``If we can find out who these people are, we can stop them. As long as we don`t go back to the Other Side, the princesses will be safe.``
Az chanced a glance at her sister. She sighed softly at DG`s upset look. `Listen, their priority is to keep us safe, and we should probably listen to what they say.``
DG sighed, ``I know, but it`s hard knowing that we`re going to be followed every moment of the day. But on the bright side,`` she continued, looking around at the assembly. ``I can continue my lessons with Toto, right?``
The queen nodded, thankful of her daughters' cooperation. "Why don't you get some sleep, it's been a long day everywhere."
DG walked her sister to her chambers, and then settled down in an overstuffed armchair in her room. Sometimes, she reflected, it's easier not to wish for so much. It had been a long road from a waitress in Kansas to a princess in the O.Z. She heaved a sigh; one of the few things that held her together were her friends; Raw, Cain, and Glitch. Somehow, just thinking of Glitch made her smile, he was always there to comfort her, to listen, and to protect her. DG looked into the flames of her fireplace. Only once since the Fall had he ever needed comforting himself.
Glitch paced anxioiusly around the waiting room of the palace's infirmary. In a short while, alchemists would do their best to reunite him with the rest of his brain. He still hadn't decided if he wanted it or not. "It's hard to make up your mind when you don't have one," he joked with DG. DG walked up to the agitated man as he rounded another turn, she sat down singing quietly to herself.
I could while away the hours, conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain.
And my head I'd be scratchin' while
my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.
I'd unravel every riddle for any individ'le,
In trouble or in pain.
With the thoughts you'll be thinkin'
you could be another Lincoln
If you only had a brain.
Oh, I could tell you why The ocean's near the shore.
I could think of things I never thunk before.
And then I'd sit, and think some more.
I would not be just a nothin' my head all full of stuffin'
My heart all full of pain.
I would dance and be merry, life would be a ding-a-derry,
If I only had a brain.
Glitch looked at her, temporarily distracted by the song. "Where did you learn that?" he asked, sitting beside her.
"I'm not sure," DG replied, frowning at her clasped hands. "It's just one of those things you always have at the back of your mind, you know?"
"I don't," Glitch replied, smirking at his princess. "The only think I've got in the back of my mind is a hole and some straw from sleeping on the ground for so long."
DG smiled at her friend as the Alchemist walked into the waiting room. Glitch stood up, turned to look at DG, and gave her a small smile. She jumped up and hugged him as hard as she could. "Don't worry about me," Glitch whispered. "They'll put me back together in no time." He rubbed a tear running down her cheek with his thumb, and walked into the operating room.
Glitch knocked softly on DG's door. "May I come in?" he asked, not sure if she had fallen asleep yet. His question was soon answered as the door opened, and DG pulled him over to the fireplace. He sat for a while, his arm around her shoulders as they sat on her small couch, but he soon got up and started pacing.
"Is this the new 'in' thing here or am I missing something?" DG looked at her oldest friend carefully.
"DG, there's something I have to tell you." Glitch was becoming more agitated, wringing his hands and staring at the floor.
"Well, spit it out. Don't give yourself a hemmorage or something." DG got up as well, and grabbed Glitch's hands in her own, effectively trapping him.
"DG I-" Glitch's confession was brought abruptly short by a loud scuffling and screams just outside her door.
Ok, some new names I took from the al-bhed language. Here`s the pronounciation.
Wanu: WAH-noo
Muhk Loyd: moo-HAWK LOO-oid
Ridanhk: RYE-dank
Awahili: I'm sorry about the last chapter being so hard to follow! I read it and i realised how bad it was! :( hopefully this chapter is a little better!!!
Shiroi Usagi: YAY FOR DUST!!! I'm glad you're going to be watching this one, and for being a fan of Glitch/DG pairing.
KLCtheBookWorm: I hope my response helped you, and i fully intend on bringing that up in a future chapter, perhaps even the next one. I hope this chapter helps you warm to the story!