(I'm back! All right, I can't stop dancing to weird Al's CD, Poodle hat. It's so cool! Anyway, on a more serious matter, I'm sorry I haven't updated in a really long time, it's just I've been really busy. At first I wanted to get a chapter up a week, but I fell behind, and well...My computer broke down! Or really, my brother was messing with it and broke it! All of my work is stuck on that computer, with no way to retrieve it, when I remembered that I made a copy of this chapter, so I'm going to go ahead and update. If I don't update for a while, bear with me, because this is just as frustrating to me as it is to you, believe me! I promise I'll update more, when I can get on my computer again! Sorry... Please forgive me... You know how it can be... Onward to the fanfic!)
I don't own Esca, so please don't sue.
Merle had given them a brief tour of the castle that night, and they discovered that it wasn't complete after all. Many wings were still unfinished and some walls weren't even constructed yet, so their original thought was proven wrong. It wasn't done yet.
XX
A little later, they made their way back to Hitomi's room, and as soon as they got inside, Merle told them both that She had personally set up a special welcome for Hitomi and Yukari, and that it would be formal.
Hitomi's eyes grew so wide, and her cheeks so red, Yukari almost fell off the chair she was sitting on in her laughter.
"Why formal? We don't even have dresses!" Yukari asked regaining her balance, surveying Merle with a beady eye.
"No reason," she had replied, waving her hand as if to swish a thought away, although Yukari saw her wink at her when Hitomi wasn't looking.
"It won't be that bad, girls. I just invited a few of the court to come and greet you, so don't worry."
Hitomi's expression turned sour, and the color from her cheeks left it.
Merle saw her sudden mood change, and tried to comfort her, "It won't be that bad! I promise there won't be that many people, and it won't take all night...I just think you should have a proper welcome!"
She waved her arms and smiled feebly, her voice shaking slightly.
Hitomi's mood didn't seem to be improving, so Yukari decided to step in, at least to help Merle, if she really thought a 'proper welcome' was what they needed.
"I'll go, Merle. I wouldn't mind getting a better welcome then the one we got at the gate. I would love some food! Hitomi, wouldn't you? I know Van would love to see you there tonight, too."
Suddenly it hit her; say the magic "v" word and you can't go wrong with Hitomi. It was like there was a big smile button painted on that word in her mind...
"Okay, Merle, I'll go...I just hope there won't be too many people..." Hitomi replied quietly, the color returning to her cheeks.
Yukari was cracking up, both inside and out.
"what could we wear? I didn't bring anything formal... I wasn't really thinking about dinner..." Hitomi whispered, looking down to hide her blush.
I know what you were thinking about... Yukari thought to herself, a wide smile spreading across her face as she watched Hitomi.
"Don't worry about the dresses," Merle added with a slight grin. "I've already got it prepared."
XX
Dinner that night was rather odd to Yukari.
When Merle said formal, she meant it. Everyone was so formal about everything.
The hall was decorated brilliantly, with grand red fabric lining the walls, and thousands of candles floating seemlessly on Chandeliers made of gold that shined as bright as the sun.
The people of court would curtsy and bow, as if it were a giant dance in a fairy tale movie, and Yukari couldn't help but smile as she stepped into the hall.
She gasped as she viewed the people clearly, she saw that everyone was dressed to kill.
Merle had picked out a very pretty dress of lavender for Yukari herself to wear. Something thin cut and short, with matching white sandals and she had her hair up in a curly ponytail wrapped with matching ribbons. Something conveying quiet beauty. She walked in alone, not escorted by anyone, but she knew it would only be a matter of time before she met someone, hopefully to spend the night with. Especailly since Hitomi probably won't spend much time with me...
Yukari's dress was very pretty on her, but she had a feeling Hitomi's dress was meant to cause attention.
She wore a beautiful long satin evergreen colored dress, shimmering as the light reflected off it, billowing at her waist to compliment her hips, with a lighter green collar to match. Her shoes were off white sandals, but high in the heel, that wrapped her feet in an elegant design of white roses.
When she entered the hall about five minutes after Yukari, Everyone stood up, and Van walked in with her on his arm.
Van wore long sleeved white shirt made of a special fibers Yukari had never seen before, that made it sort of glow, and matching white slacks, loose fitting, white a gold belt bearing the Fanalian royal crest. At his side was his sword, weighing down his belt and loose pants.
Every eye was on Hitomi and Van, transfixed by Hitomi's beauty and grace as she walked by Van to the table.
Yukari couldn't help but be a little jealous of Hitomi and the attention she received, but she almost commanded awe and appreciation with her young, vibrant face.
When She sat down, Van, who had moved the chair out for her, sat beside her, with Yukari sitting next to Hitomi and Merle on the other side of Van.
She was wearing a flirty red dress, slightly low necked and spaghetti straps, and a shining red ruby around her neck on a choker, with matching red earrings, complementing her ears and hair, which now covered a portion of her back, waving into big curls at the bottom.
Beside her was a young man Yukari didn't know, a cat with blue untidy hair, who every once and a while, would steal a glance at Merle with big yellow eyes, his brownish orange fur puffing slightly.
It's cute to see blush on a furry face.
The dinner was delicious, filled with food Yukari had never known, but everything tasted and looked great.
Hitomi drank quite a bit of pink liquid, that was tart but sweet, like strawberries or raspberries, but obviously alcoholic by Hitomi's slight slur in speech as the night wore on.
Occasionally Yukari would hear someone ask Gothel who She and Hitomi were, and he would pass them off as distant cousins to Van or Himself, but Van ruined that.
When Dinner was over Van rose to his feet and announced music and Dance, and instantly took Hitomi's hand, helping her to her feet, and they somehow floated over to the dance floor.
Yukari was surprised to hear Van speak "Music" and "Dance" at the same time. She suddenly felt very uncomfortable.
XX
Okay…just do as Allen told me.
Uh…oh no…What was I thinking…She is so beautiful…Wait! Why am I nervous?
Remember. It's Hitomi.
Van took Hitomi's hand in his, led her onto the floor, and began to dance.
He tried not to trip over himself and look composed, but he couldn't concentrate when he realized he was totally alone on the floor holding Hitomi close to him.
He had been taught to dance as a child by his mother, but he was rusty, so during a weird day when Allen offered, he was taught all over again. How stupid he thought he was that day, but it shut Gothel up.
Better to be taught by someone he rather liked verses someone he didn't.
He was very uncomfortable with everyone watching, but soon they were joined by Merle and Donte, followed by the other quests, and finally began to relax and just enjoy the moment.
XX
It was the best night of her life! All the people, the food, her friends there, and Van holding her close as the swirled around the room filled with music and laughter.
She couldn't believe she was here.
She let herself go in the time she spent in the hall that night. She wouldn't let herself think of anything else but how good all of this night felt to her.
She didn't care if the whole world was destroyed the next day, as long as she spent all of tonight with Van and all the people here she loved.
Occasionally she felt herself stumble on the fabric at the bottom of her dress. She wasn't used to wearing long skirts, and the sandals were slightly uncomfortable, but as long as everyone else in the room was jealous of her, and Van loved it, it was worth it.
After awhile of dancing, she could no longer stand on her feet, so she asked to sit down. Van sat beside her at the table, but soon after, people started coming over to them and asked questions.
"Who is this lovely girl, sire?" A woman in a horrid ugly yellow button down dress with brown pointed boots.
When they tried to explain without confusing her, she got up and walked away.
More people of the court, lords and ladies from the surrounding countries, came to investigate the young maiden in green hanging off the King of Fanelia's arm.
When they both finally had had enough of the stupid questions that led to nowhere and the stares and strange comments, they got up and walked out of the hall.
"How do you put up with that all day, Van?" Hitomi questioned as soon as they did where safely out of earshot.
"I don't know," he responded, sighing. "They're never like this..." he paused, then finished, slightly chuckling, "Well, they've always been like that. You just tune it out after awhile. They don't care for a response, just care about saying something."
XX
Yukari saw Hitomi and Van leave the hall, and suddenly felt very alone.
She was sitting in the biggest table, with at least thirty empty places surrounding her.
Merle had left shortly after Hitomi and Van did, with the cute cat boy from earlier, so she sat there for twenty minutes, the people at the nearby tables and dance floor cutting glances at her now and then.
She was bored and tired. After the dinner she felt so lonely...No one seemed to care if she was around, and the night was proving to be uneventful for her. No one walked up to her to ask her to dance. She was confused, and being confused and lonely took its toll on her already worn out nerves.
Why won't anyone dance with me? Am I really that ugly? I'm so bored…maybe I'll just leave…Like anyone would notice…I wish I was in bed. This night is a wash out. Might as well head back…
She was about to just leave and go to her room and contemplate why she had decided to go with Hitomi at all, when someone walked up to her.
The young man from earlier, the guard in the great hall had walked slowly over. He sat down beside her once he came to the table and smiled in an inviting and pleasing manner, helping to brake the ice.
"Good evening madam." he continued to smile, the small collection of freckles close to his eyes reaching up into them, blending beautifully.
Yukari suddenly didn't feel so lonely anymore. She smiled back, feeling her face blush as she took in the features of his face and body.
He wasn't wearing armor now. He was wearing a long-sleeve black shirt, made of material that looked light and thin. she guessed it was like silk. His pants were a navy blue, and around his waist a belt and sword, bearing the arms of the Fanalian royal guard. The mark of a knight.
" Madam Yukari? I think that's your name…My name is Spark." He bowed his head then raised it again, trying to keep eye contact.
"I know you don't know me, but will you dance with me?" he asked, holding out his hand.
She rose to her feet and nodded, taking his hand. He led her out onto the dance floor.
Yukari could feel her heart skip a beat as he pulled her into his embrace, letting her feet and body move with him and the beautiful music around them. His smile warmed her.
He seamed gentle and kind, someone to hold her and keep her safe in this unfamiliar and alien world.
"Why did you want to dance with me?" she asked as they started dancing.
"I guess… I thought you were too beautiful to stay alone. When I first saw you, I thought, "She's gorgeous. Uh…"
He stumbled, seaming to loose his concentration.
His words had taken Yukari by surprise. She blushed deeply at the response, trying hard not to look too pleased with herself.
"Thanks. I was feeling a bit lonely."
Spark held her closer to him, and they seamed to float, the world around them lost in a blur.
XX
They had reached the courtyard. Slightly larger in scale then Merle's garden outside, it had many native plants from the forest. Trees where surrounding the entrance to the yard.
The smell of sweet flowers just in bloom filled the air, the night sky shining brightly above them.
As they got closer, she could see in the center of the yard a monument of a stone Escaflowne, the guardian God of Fanelia, standing alone in the night air, surrounded by water.
Hitomi could see the glimmer of an energist on the chest, probably the same one Van had used in the war that now seemed so long ago.
She went over and sat down on a bench underneath a large oak tree. Van walked over to her, standing facing the fountain, looking to the sky.
They were quiet for a moment, breathing in the fresh air around them. "Van?" Hitomi called to him.
"Yes?" he answered, not looking at her.
"Come sit with me."
Another silence followed where in Van did and said nothing.
This response was slightly disappointing to Hitomi, who expected some response to her question, but he just stood there.
"Van?"
Van remained silent, looking away.
XX
What am I going to do? Stop thinking and just answer!
He wanted to just go to her and tell everything he wanted, tell her how much he missed her, say he wanted her to stay with him forever, but the last time that happened he lost his nerve.
The memory hurt as much as her slap did.
His silence was hurting her now, he knew, but what would he say?
He turned around to face her. She looked very confused, her eyes pleading response from his.
He could feel his face burn, and he slowly walked over to her and sat down.
She leaned close to him, obviously cold. He tried to be bold and put his arm around her. He could feel her relax as he held her.
"Hitomi?" He whispered, trying to work up his nerve.
"Yes?" She responded, looking up to him.
He paused. "I…wanted to talk to you about something."
He took a deep breath, willing himself to continue.
"It's been a long time since I've danced. I wasn't too bad was I?" he heard himself say.
He cursed himself inwardly as he said it.
Hitomi laughed. "I haven't danced with anyone for a long time." she responded. "I thought I was going to trip for a moment at the beginning, but thank God you were dancing with me. You're a really good dancer."
Van smiled. "Well, I just learned. Mother taught me when I was younger, but I was rusty, so Allen helped me out."
Again he cursed himself, but she laughed heartily when she heard of his teacher.
"Allen? I never thought you of all people would ask for help from him about something like that!"
Van couldn't help but laugh too. "It was pretty hard to ask. The weird thing is though, he seamed to enjoy it." She burst out laughing again, this time covering her mouth with her hand.
Good. She's not mad anymore. Perfect timing.
"Hitomi?" He said to her, grabbing her hand.
She stopped laughing and smiled sweetly at him, "Yes?"
Van took a deep breath. "I've wanted to ask you something for a long time."
He paused, looking into Hitomi's glowing evergreen eyes, seeing himself reflecting back to him. He looked scared. The truth was that he really was frightened that she might react differently then what he hoped if he finished.
It would be so much easier if I kissed her.
He blushed at the thought, but the thought lingered, until he was no longer afraid of a reaction.
It would only be a small one…She is so beautiful… Why not? I know she loves me, and I have to stop being a coward.
"What is it Van? What do you need to ask me?" Hitomi asked, smiling a small smile of encouragement for him.
Her smile was more than he could take. He moved suddenly forward in an effort to kiss her, but something startled him, someone standing by the entrance to the garden, and he fell on her instead.
"Am I interrupting something?" a voice from the open gate called.
Van hesitated in moving from on top of Hitomi, as if to protect her.
The person that had asked the question stepped from the shadows to reveal a tall man in the armor of an Austrian knight, long blonde hair, and brilliantly blue eyes like pools of cool mountain water.
He walked over and sat beside Hitomi and Van, tangled up on the bench a smile across his youthful face.
"Van, Hitomi! I see you're doing well."
Van got up quickly and moved away from Hitomi, trying not to show his blush to Allen, though secretly stabbing him in his mind.
Hitomi's face was a dark red, greeting Allen as best she could in the time given. When all the sound she could produce was gibberish, Allen hugged her fondly, telling her how great she looked.
"You look so grown up, Hitomi! I haven't seen you in two years! Have you missed me?"
She nodded, still trying to regain composure. "I've missed you. How is your sister?"
Allen laughed and pointed over his shoulder, "She's fine." He responded. Behind him was Celina, a beautiful girl of 19 holding her hand to her face in an effort to hide the surprise of seeing Hitomi and Van in the garden.
Hitomi looked down and didn't look at Allen.
After a few moments of silence, Allen suggested they go inside, so they all got up and walked back inside, Van looking at his feet, Celina looking away from all of them, and Hitomi to the sky. Allen seemed to be the only one not effected by the moment, looking cheerfully ahead.
The rest of the evening they spent inside, introducing themselves and Allen and Celina to the ladies and lords of the court, until it was nothing more than a continuous chorus of oohs and ahs for nothing. The night had become very boring, lasted longer then expected, and soon they were all very tired.
As Van and Merle saw off the rest of the quests, Hitomi, Yukari and Spark sat with Allen and Celina. Yukari and Spark were kind of in a world of their own, so Hitomi had the time to catch up Allen.
A few minutes of talking about the restoration of Austuria and surrounding countries, then Allen started asking questions about Hitomi. She told him about all her doings and goings, and soon afterwards, Spark left to go and see off the rest of the quests and make sure the castle was secure.
Hitomi introduced Yukari to Allen and told her how she had come with her. When she was finished Allen smiled warmly at Yukari. "What a lovely young girl." Allen kissed Yukari's hand affectionately, making Yukari blush.
Celina suggested that Yukari and her go talk in private, so Allen and Hitomi were left alone in the empty hall.
"Hitomi, I had heard from people within the alliance that you might come." Allen began, as soon as Yukari and Celina were out of earshot.
"I know." She responded, sitting opposite him at the table, looking down. "Van told me."
There was a pause, then Allen continued.
"You know why they want you?"
She nodded. "I'm their "secret weapon"." She looked down at her feet, and didn't say anything for a little while, obviously saddened by the fact.
"I'm sorry."
Allen leaned over to her and hugged her gently, expecting her to cry or sob, but she looked up and smiled, hugging him back.
"I didn't come to help them."
"Huh?" Allen was taken aback by her sudden change in attitude.
"What do you mean? Hitomi…"
Allen watched as Hitomi looked up into his eyes, and he could see that the young girl in his arms was no longer that. Now she was a young woman with sparkling emerald colored eyes and soft smiling face that looked like a cool morning in winter, with full lips the color of his mother's favorite flowers.
In spite of himself, he felt a twinge of blush across his face as he looked at her, and suddenly had an uncontrollable urge to kiss her.
He held her closer to himself, trying very hard not to do what he would have liked, but she brought him back to reality when she blushed deeply and finished her thought.
"I came to help Van."
He was a little surprised at first by her response, but his face softened and he smiled again. He kissed Hitomi on the cheek and whispered to her, "I know."
(There. The end of chapter! This chapter was somewhat long, but that's okay. I hope you all liked it! The next chapter is going to hopefully be not as long as this one, but I hope you enjoy it. I think this is turning out to be an interesting fanfiction. Oh, and I know Allen was supposed to show up the next day, but he was already there. Gothel told him that there were quests, but he got his info a day off. Allen's entrance was unexpected. The feast was just a welcoming for Hitomi, and the fanfic. I know, I'm a little late, aren't I? Well, maybe Van planned the party a bit earlier, but Hitomi came the same day as a coincidence.
On the other hand, was it fate?
(Bad joke.)
Did you like how I dressed everyone up? I think I liked Merle's outfit the best, although I modeled it after Naria and Eria's dresses at the end of the series. I thought they were gorgeous. Oh, and about the failed kiss attempt by Van, I thought it was funny!
Allen ruins everything, and he didn't even care. Van seriously wanted to kill him at that moment, but at least he's closer to Hitomi now. Read the next chapter to see what happens next! R&r, Please, and I hope I get the next chapter up soon...)