I TAKE NO CREDIT FOR ANYTHING IN THIS STORY EXCEPT FOR MY OWN OCs.
Arginett; This is the longest chapter yet! Hooray!
Steve; The writer owns naught!
EmpressArginett; To answer to a review I received, this story is mostly a comedy, but I've written more description and settings and dialogue into the story, and I'm rewriting the first two chapters to be longer and more slowly paced.
Arginett; And now, Enjoy!
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Last Chapter;
"But then Cecelia realized another thing; Arginett had said foster father. She lowered her eyes, and said quietly, "So you don't have parents either, then?"
Arginett gave her a look, "Nope. That's why you were taking my things, huh? No money. I've got a foster father, who may have been married at some point, but I can't remember to whom. Now, hows about we go sleep, alright?" Cecelia giggled as Arginett practically fled from the topic before she followed her mentor into the tent. Arginett smiled and held out a woolen blanket, "I got this for you; it's a lot warmer than what you've got." Cecelia thanked her and snuggled into it, waiting for her mentor to fall asleep before sneaking out of the tent to sit on a tree stump and think.
Arginett POV
I woke up to the intense and painful feeling of burning. As I was thrashing around silently in the dark, I tried to figure out why I was feeling this way; why were my insides burning? As I finally got out of my blankets and hobbled to the opening of the tent, looking around for the source of this irrational pain. As I did, I suddenly heard something that made my legs practically buckle; it was a voice singing, almost child-like. I sighed as I realized why I was having such a violent attack; innocence. The voice oozed with purity that made my whole body feel as if knives were plunging through it. As I gradually got to my feet, I trudged over to where the feeling was strongest, and I found Cecelia sitting on a log, singing while gazing at something in her hand. As I walked up behind her, I saw that it was a locket with a painting of a boy. I recalled that Cecelia had mentioned a boy that had died when they lived together. Apparently, they had not had enough medicine to heal him properly, and he perished, leaving Cecelia to live on her own. The locket was small, and rectangular. As she suddenly turned around, snapping the locket shut, I caught a glimpse of a delicate engraving on the front. It was of a wolf, which I recognized as the goddess Lupa. She was said to lead deceased children to the next life, and those who see her are granted the ability to see those who had stayed behind; ghosts. I smiled at Cecelia, who had ceased her singing when she had noticed my presence. I sat down, still shaking from the strain of her purity. She glanced at my closed in form with a little concern, but I assured her that I was okay.
"I saw that Lupa was on your locket. Does that mean that she guided your friend?" I received a nod. "If you saw that, then you have the ability to see ghosts?" She stiffened, "I prefer to call them 'imprints of departed souls." I snorted, "From a vast amount of experience on the subject, I can truthfully say that telling them you have pity will just tick 'em off." She stared at me. I grinned, "My childhood was spent gallivanting about with the vast majority of my companions being dead and floating around." She might have turned green at that comment, but it may also have been the reflection of the moon. I smiled, "Tomorrow we'll meet up with a friend of mine. Her name's Lilka. I met her when dealing with a traitorous buffoon who tried to take over my home." That certainly caught my young apprentice's attention. As I saw Cecelia open her mouth to begin talking, I waved my hand in the air, "Cece, it's like 4 in the morning; we both need sleep, so you can ask me questions in the morning." She reluctantly nodded, and then we both went into the tent and fell asleep.
Normal POV
The next morning, Cecelia awoke to the sounds and smells of breakfast. As she leapt out of her make-shift bed, she quickly re-did her dagger sheath-as it had become undone during the night- and walked outside. She was greeted by the strange sight of a woman who was even taller than Arginett, standing next to the said mentor, who was cooking what appeared to be bacon and eggs. At the sight of her, the unfamiliar woman's eyebrow rose, but she made no comment. Arginett caught the look, and turned to see Cecelia standing behind her. "Ah, Cecelia, I'm making- Holy Ra, what happened to your hair? It looks like Steve got to it! Go and make yourself neat or no food for you!" Groaning, Cecelia made to do as she was told, washing, drying, and then somewhat styling her hair. When she came back she saw Arginett lying on the ground. Cecelia ran up to her in concern, but stopped when she heard a deep, throaty laugh coming from the direction of Lilka, and so she shot her a questioning look. Lilka smiled, "Arginett just got the reply from her annual citizen questionnaire. Every prominent Gondorian has to fill it out every year. She always sends in some stupid, humorous answers, and this time they sent a reply. Here, read it; answers are first, then the ministers," She added, holding out a leaf of paper. It read,
Gondor's Citizens Questionnaire; Arginett Endelon
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
You mean one that stands out above all the rest?
Wow… tough question.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
When I'm not dying, running, losing, crying, drowning, burning, bleeding, tripping, crawling, etc.
wise, very wise
What is your current state of mind?
Unstable, or so they tell me.
For good reason!
What is your favorite occupation?
Training, learning, being a monumental pest.
And she's very good at it!
What is your most treasured possession?
My sword! Oh, and my dear family of course.
Sweet... Steve included? Logan?
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My hubby!
The famous Wolverine!
What is your favorite journey?
The hell does that mean?
example: journey to the bathroom when you have to whiz
What is your most marked characteristic?
My endearingly charismatic personality.
of course it is... or maybe your ego
When and where were you the happiest?
When I didn't know what the more twisted fan girls accuse my brother, ex-husband, and current husband of doing
. don't think about that one too much
What is it that you most dislike?
Gandalf
. agreed
What is your greatest fear?
Who do you work for?
Uh... nobody? *cough CIA cough*
What is your greatest extravagance?
Pardon? What does 'ext-er-ravigants' mean?
Funny. Truly hilarious.
Which living person do you most despise?
Living? There's a whole bunch, but probably that sleaze, Gandalf.
lol "sleaze"
What is your greatest regret?
Getting a third apprentice. I hadn't lost my remaining sanity with the first two, but they always say, third time's the charm!
Aww... you had sanity?
Which talent would you most like to have?
The ability to read minds... watch out, world!
oh dear
Where would you like to live?
Anywhere dragons can't get near.
But they're soooo cute!
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Lack of self-confidence. If you can't rely on yourself, you are truly pathetic.
true, true
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Strength, HUMILITY, and the ability to take one of my jokes without crying.
a good combination
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
In my opinion, if you share a trait with me, you're perfect.
Am I perfect?
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I let Saruman get to me, and then i hurt people who i was supposed to be protecting.
wow, deep, i love the truthfulness of this
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Arrogance. I believe that i have enough arrogance to make the world go round.
you do indeed
What do you most value in your friends? Everything! And especially their taste in mercenaries
Meaning you?
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Wolverine! I wuv him so much!
You mean Cyclops, right?
Whose are your heroes in real life?
Omri, Lunatia, and my Valkyrie pal! Aww!
Which living person do you most admire?
Wolverine, Barry, Maccus, and Ari.
Ari! That's surprising! Also, Maccus the baker?
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Innocence. The mere word makes my insides throw up on themselves.
Snow white makes you sick?
On what occasions do you lie?
...I love Steve's urn! Why would you say otherwise? heh, he... *shoots nervous glances at door*
Sometimes the truth hurts...
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
"Because shut up!" and, "leave me be you hellish fiend!"
they match your personality
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would change my past. I've made too many mistakes, and hurt too many people through my blood lust
. D;
*Sweatdrops* Ok, What are your favorite names?
Ashitaka, Margeret, Bran, Mayur, and everything else!
Bran!
How would you like to die?
from the impending doom of Chococalypse
2012
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
Most definitely a peacock. I think i may have been one in a past life, too.
You'll have to fight Lucius for it
What is your motto?
"What doesn't kill you or maul you beyond compare, you probably could have avoided in the first place"
*Steve the orc*
If I were a month, I would be
July, cuz it's temperamental
If I were a day of the week, I would be
Sunday; a school night, the buzz kill, end of the weekend
If I were a time of day, I would be
Noon!
If I were a planet, I would be
The Sun!
If I were a sea animal, I would be
A Narwhal
If I were a direction, I would be
South...
If I were a liquid, I would be
Arsenic
If I were a bird I would be
A jabberwocky
If I were a cat I would be
An Egyptian Mau
If I were a dog I would be a
St. Bernard!
If I were a tree, I would be
Rosewood
If I were a tool, I would be
A dagger!
If I were a flower, I would be
A thorn rose
If I were a type of weather, I would be
A hurricane
If I were an animal, I would be
A peacock; didn't i already tell you this?
If I were a season I would be
Summer!
If I were a holiday I would be
Halloween
If I were a color, I would be
Red or black
If I were an emotion, I would be
Wry amusement
If I were a sound, I would be
The sound of metal on metal
If I were an element, I would be
Fire
If I were a food, I would be
A peach
If I were a place, I would be
El Dorado!
if I were a body of water I would be
a sea!
If I were a song I would be
Bring Me to Life
If I were a gemstone I would be
Gorgonite; it brings out the worst in whoever touches it
If I were a metal I would be
Steel
If I were a word, I would be
Abstruse
"Wow," said Cecelia, trying not to laugh, "You didn't give one straight answer in this thing, Arginett." Her mentor giggled, "Nope. They always try to get me to tell them my secrets in those things. Mines specifically tailored to me; I've seen other peoples, which say stuff like, 'what is your average monthly income?' Min says, 'When are you going to pay your bills?'" Lilka laughed, "That's because you are a mysterious mercenary living in the nicest part of Gondor besides to palace." Arginett inclined her head, "True." Cecelia giggles, and then blushed when her stomach rumbled. Arginett flew off of the ground, and rushed to the table, "I totally forgot about the food! Here!" she said, thrusting a full plate of eggs and bread into Cece's face. "Eat, and don't stop till you can't see your toes anymore." Cecelia rolled her eyes at her mentor's dramatic ways, but sat down and started to stuff herself. Meanwhile, Arginett started to introduce Lilka to Cecelia. "I met Lilka outside of Gondor. Her people, called Valkyrie's, are always trying to kidnap my foster family, and so I'd repeatedly have to explain to them why they couldn't take my foster father. Eventually, they just attacked us." Lilka took over here, "Some of my people were against attacking such a formidable army, but the higher-ups were adamant; they wanted Arginett's family, and they wouldn't take 'no' for an answer." Arginett regained control of the story, distractedly doodling on the make-shift table with her knife, "I managed to… kill most of the important Valkyries, but I wasn't even close to done with my training, and they soon overran me." She paused, and nodded, "Then Lilka did the last thing anyone expected –including her- and killed the Valkyries leader. That caused the ancient laws to be enacted. The laws state that whoever destroys the leader of a Valkyrie clan gains immediate and total control of the clan. Lilka was then the leader, and she 'decreed' that they were to stop attacking us." Lilka took over once more, "I spoke with Arginett and Steve, her foster father, about the incident, and we agreed on a treaty. I had been extremely impressed with Arginett's skills- even though she was still only partially done with her training- and so I asked to join her. We've been partners ever since." Arginett smiled "That we have, Lilka." Suddenly, out of the blue, a small, blurry, purple thing hurled into Arginett, who screamed bloody murder at the top of her voice. After Lilka managed to pull the thing off of Arginett, the said mentor curled up into a fetal position, whimpering. Cecelia knelt next to her, concerned; her mentor had barely blinked when talking about being overrun by a horde of evil Valkyries, but was cowering in fear because of the small bundle that Lilka now held restrained. However, her spasmodic teacher soon regained her composure, and sat up, "What the hell is that doing here?" Cecelia looked to the mysterious thing, and squealed in delight when she saw that it was a baby dragon. "Ohmygodit'?" Arginett groaned, while managing to still look at the dragon as if it were her only problem in life. "No. We are not keeping that disgusting thing anywhere near us." Cece then set about to wheedle her teacher into letting her have the dragon, until Arginett just screamed, "Fine! Keep the damn thing! See if I care! Or, better yet, don't!" She disappeared with a 'Crack!' and Lilka was left with a struggling baby dragon and a gaping Cecelia.
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Cecelia; She just up and left!
Steve; She did indeed… where did she go?
Lilka; Hey, guys… you remember that she can teleport, right?
Cecelia & Steve; …. Of course!
EmpressArginett; Yay, it's done!
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