HEY EVERYONE! THIS TIME IT WASN'T WEEKS FOR ANOTHER CHAPTER! I'M OUT OF THE SLUMP, AND I ALREADY HAVE PLANS FOR THE NEXT TWO TO THREE CHAPTERS, AND THEN THINGS SHOULD GET JUICY! ANYWAYS, ON WITH THE STORY!
Chapter 11: Arrival
"I love you Éclair."
Those words were playing back in Éclair's head even though it was late in the afternoon. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She took a deep breath in, and let it out, calming herself.
"Hey Éclair,"
Her calm lasted less than a second as she heard the one voice she was trying to avoid for a while. She blushed a deep red, and tried to run. Jaxson suddenly appeared in front of her, causing her to run into him falling over.
"Why are you so panicked?" Jaxson asked Éclair, who blushed even more in response. She saw Jaxson stick his hand out to her, Éclair instinctively grabbing it, Jaxson pulling her up. "Come on now. Deep breaths. Breath in," Jaxson said calmly, taking a breath in with Éclair. "And out." Both of them exhaled. "Now, care to tell me what's going on?"
"I just need some time to myself," Éclair replied.
"Okay. I'll work something out, I might just stay here somewhere," Jaxson answered.
"That doesn't sound like you at all," Éclair pointed out.
"I know that this can be very confusing and even strange, and you need some time to think it out, and figure out how you feel. Take as much time as you need. In the meantime, I'll gather my things," Jaxson explained himself, revealing that he knew exactly what was going on inside Éclair's head. "Don't forget to make something to eat in the morning and night," Jaxson reminded, heading out. Making his way back to the house, he packed his things into his duffel bag, and headed back to the castle.
"Okay, let's see. I know Éclair, who needs some time to herself, so obviously not her. There is also Ricotta and Millhiore. I don't know much of Millhiore yet, so not too sure how that would work out. Ricotta I know, but I'm slightly worried about what she might say to Éclair. I don't want her to guilt trip her into accepting my feelings. So the safest choice would be Millhiore. I'll see if I can't work something out with her right now," Jaxson spoke to himself, weighing the options he had. Making his way to Millhiore's office, after getting lost twice, he knocked, followed by cracking the door, poking his head in. She wasn't there, and found it a bit odd, since he was sure she had some kind of paperwork to do before the arrival of the Heroes. Closing the door, he scratched his head, wondering where Millhiore could be.
"If you're looking for Millhi, she's practicing right now," Jaxson heard a familiar voice. Turning around, he saw the chestnut haired girl wearing her signature lab coat.
"Practicing?" Jaxson asked, obviously confused.
"That's right. She has an amazing voice, and she has made it kind of a tradition of singing after the war games when the Heroes come. Why are you looking for her?" Ricotta explained, asking a question of her own.
"Business matters," Jaxson lied. He knew that Ricotta might inform Éclair. And that was the last thing he wanted. "Would you mind telling me where she might be at this current time?"
"She could either be at the stage, the bathhouse, which you should wait for her outside, or her room," Ricotta informed, Jaxson nodding in thanks. As he was walking away, Ricotta spoke again. "What is with the duffel bag?"
"I need to keep it hidden until I can discuss it with Millhiore. That's how I've usually done business," Jaxson spoke, telling her part of the truth. He always kept things hidden for business meetings when he rarely had them. He continued to the stage, which he found easily. Walking in quietly, he saw a glimpse of the pink haired princess. Dashing towards her, he vaulted onto the stage, landing with a thud, causing those who were there to turn to see Jaxson with a duffel bag with him. "Might I have a word with Millhiore in private?"
Everyone looking at him, and Millhiore smiled, nodding. "I'll be glad to in a few minutes. Could you wait in my room?"
Jaxson nodded, and one of the maids signaled him to follow her. Jaxson complied without a word, letting her metaphorically take the wheel. He followed her in silence, until she stopped at a door, opening it.
"Thank you," Jaxson smiled, the door being closed, Jaxson left to the empty room. He placed the duffel bag on the ground, and unzipped it, taking inventory. Confirming he had everything, he zipped it back up, and decided to kill time anyway he could.
/-/45 Minutes Later\-\
Jaxson heard the door open, and turned his head, seeing Millhiore in what he assumed to be what she slept in. "Sorry for bothering you at this time. I was actually wondering if I could stay here for a while."
"Do you not like staying with Éclair?" Millhiore asked.
"No. Almost the exact opposite. Two nights ago, I decided to act as if my returning would be impossible. I then told her my feelings last night, and she's been avoiding me since she doesn't quite understand her feelings for me. I told her that I would stay somewhere else so she could figure it out without avoiding me at all costs," Jaxson explained the situation. "And I would have asked Ricotta, but I don't want to guilt trip Éclair into returning my feelings. If she does, I want it to be her own decision. And that left you being the only other person I know."
"I could let you stay tonight, but you might have to stay somewhere else after tonight," Millhiore informed.
"I understand," Jaxson remembering the conversation he had with Ricotta and Éclair. "And keep it down. From what I've heard, someone overheard you two. I don't know how loud you two are, but keep in mind, some people like nighttime strolls." Millhiore went red, Jaxson simply not giving two shits. He never really cared about other people's sex life, and didn't bother to sugarcoat anything. "So, I'll take the floor, and figure out something tomorrow morning. Night."
And that night, Millhiore had never felt so embarrassed in her life that far.
/-/The Following Morning, 04:43\-\
Jaxson woke up particularly early, and remembered what happened last night. Grabbing his bag, he left the room silently, and headed outside to the roof. Jumping up, he grabbed the egde, pulling himself up, and sat on the roof, watching the horizon. He saw daybreak, and smiled. He hadn't even seen the sunrise in a long time, and smiled.
"I guess this place isn't so bad. I don't think I'll return, even if they make a way for me. I need to protect what's important to me. I'll make sure that Éclair and Ricotta are safe and sound while here. I'll send Shinku back with my decision. Hopefully he will remember to deliver it," Jaxson thought to himself, seeing people starting to wake as well. He saw Éclair walking out of her house, and smiled. His watchful eyes were watching everything in the city, and he then saw Ricotta looking for someone.
"I swear to god Ricotta," Jaxson cursed. Leaving his bag, he jumped from roof to roof until he reached Ricotta, stopping her. "Good morning."
"Good morning to you as well. Say, where's Éclair? She's usually hitting you, or at least glaring at you at this point," Ricotta asked.
"I woke up early, and decided not to disturb her. Watched the sunrise, and preparing for today," Jaxson informed. "Say, you wouldn't happen to know where the Heroes are summoned, would you?"
"It is the same place we tried sending you back. Some of us are going to head there later and greet him when he arrives," Ricotta informed.
"I see. I'll head there then and wait. I bid you ado," Jaxson smiled, parting ways with Ricotta.
"Oh, what did you discus with Millhi yesterday?" Ricotta asked, Jaxson groaning.
'Damn you universe. Damn you to hell,' Jaxson mentally cursed.
"Just some modifications I'll need to make to her room. I decided not to hit her with the other stuff yet, since that takes priority," Jaxson informed.
"Soundproofing will make it so that they can't be as loud, right?" Ricotta asked.
"That is correct. I don't want you or anyone else to hear what they are doing, as what they do together is their own business," Jaxson explained. He saw Ricotta's ears drop a bit, and smirked. "Don't tell me you actually want to hear them."
"I hear somethings, and I want to know if it is true," Ricotta answered.
"Once Shinku leaves, I'll soundproof it. We lurk in the shadows, and wait for them to engage in their activities. We leave once we find out whatever it is you're trying to learn," Jaxson agreed.
/-/1 Hour Later, Summoning Location\-\
Jaxson had waited patiently for everyone to arrive, seeing them do so in a carriage. He simply remained sitting until everyone had gotten off. Éclair had gotten off last, and saw Jaxson.
"Jaxson," Éclair simply said.
"Éclair," Jaxson answered.
However, this left and awkward air that everyone there sensed, Ricotta and Millhiore the most curious. Millhiore knew what the situation was, but she didn't think that it would be how Jaxson described it almost to the T. Ricotta was now looking at Jaxson, giving him a perverted smile.
Jaxson hung back, since he wasn't really interested in how things worked that wasn't tech, science fiction, or things being made step by step (How It's Made is a great show, just saying). He did keep an eye on the platform though. He saw a pink light fade away, revealing Shinku, a duffel bag, and a dog. He couldn't help but smile, since he is a dog person. Well, he was an animal person, but canine and canine subspecies were his favorites. He bent down, and patted his legs, looking at the dog. Understanding that message, the dog came up to him. Jaxson started to pet the dog, and soon scratched behind his ear. He saw their tail wag furiously, causing Jaxson to smile. He looked at the name tag.
"So your name is Tatsumaki? The American translation of your name is Tornado," Jaxson commented, picking up Tatsumaki. He walked over to the others, deciding to be social with people now instead of animals. Standing next to Millhiore, he took a good look at Shinku. Blonde hair kept somewhat neat, a school uniform, and nice shoes. He didn't look like anything special, but he knew well enough that looks are very deceiving.
"Hello Shinku. I'm sure Chase told you about me," Jaxson smiled, Tatsumaki barking once. Putting Tatsumaki down, his eyes practically changed. He looked like a cold-blooded killer, making Shinku take a step back. He gulped once, and stood his ground. "My blade if you will."
Shinku dug through his bag, and pulled out the blade and sheath. Handing them to Jaxson, his eyes changed slightly, but enough to indicate that he wasn't hostile.
"Sorry for the glare. Just testing your bravery. Most people end up soiling themselves. Besides the military and my partner, you're the only person not to wet themselves upon seeing those eyes," Jaxson explained his antics. He walked up to Shinku, leaning in to whisper to him. "Your girlfriend isn't half bad. Just keep it down. Apparently someone heard you once before." Shinku grew red, Jaxson walking away.
"I'll meet you all after the war games! I would like to partake, but that would be an unfair advantage for Biscotti. I'd rather sit back this time. I'll be there, but just in case of life or death situations," Jaxson informed, walking away.
'I could cleave through all three armies if I wanted to. Wait, that might not be a bad idea…'
JAXSON SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO THINK. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS THING THE MIND IS AT TIMES. AND THE REASON I AM ABLE TO WORK ON TWO DIFFERENT STORIES AT ONCE IS BECAUSE I USE AN OLD TABLET FOR WRITING Warriors of Legend, AND MY HOME COMPUTER FOR WRITING The Way Home. ANYWAYS, UNTIL NEXT TIME!