So, as promised, here is chapter 2!
741852AuthorNicolaStarlaLili: I'm glad you liked it! I hope I won't deceive you!
And once again, I don't own Tales of Vesperia and its characters.
Enjoy!
02. Halure's festival
"Princess Estellise !"
In the library, a young pink-haired girl was too absorded by her book to pay attention to the call, who was coming from the corridor. Her green eyes were literally devouring the pages of the book, dancing through the lines and the writing.
Someone knocked at the door. But still, the girl was keeping reading.
And finally...
"Princess Estellise, are you okay? I'm entering!"
A knight opened the door and enter the library, making the princess finally snapping out of her book.
"Oh!" she said with a surprising tone. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm sorry, Princess. I was calling you, but you didn't answer. I thought something happened, so I took the liberty to enter."
The princess blushed and smile, embarassed.
"Oh, I... I'm sorry!"
"So," the knight continued. "I've come here to inform you that everything is set for the departure. We're ready to leave at anytime you want."
The young princess joined her hands, pleased by the news.
"Thank you! In that case, I won't make you wait any longer. I'll just pick a few more books before we leave."
"May I help you carry your books to the coach?"
"Really, you'll do that? I'll really appreciate if you can carry these, then." With her finger, she pointed several and enormous piles of books, next to her. The knight shivered.
"Err... yes, as you wish, Princess."
"Thank you!".
The knight took a first pile of book and said, before leaving the library.
"Then Princess, I shall take my leave."
After the knight managed to close the door behind him, the princess closed the book she was reading. "Memoirs of an old fool" by Albertio Duponte.
A book that once belonged to her mother, and dealing with the story of an ancient Commandant of the Imperial Knight. Very little is known about him, just the fact that he was considered a crazy old man until his death. He claimed during nearly all his life the existence of mysterious creatures half-human and... half-wolf. But no one believed him, because there were no traces of their existence anywhere.
Albertio Duponte died twenty years ago. For a short moment, the princess felt sad for him. Dying alone... that must have been very hard...
At the end of the book, there were a few sketches the author had drawn. And of course, most of them were sketches of the "Flower Woman", as he had called her. The sketches depicted a beautiful woman with black ears, a silky tail, flowing black hair and flowers surrounding her. The drawings were so accurate that the young girl wondered if that woman really exist...
"It might be not impossible" she murmured, as she added the book to her already imposant stacks of books. "After all, entelexeia exist, even if they were described as legends and myths. Anyway... I won't let that kind knight do all the work alone!"
Now walking along the corridor (she was having difficulties to walk since the pile of book she was holding was really heavy), she remained pensive, recording about the events that happened to her a few months ago.
Estellise, commonly known as Estelle, is a princess who lived during her entire life locked in the castle. Her only friend, at that time, was a young knight named Flynn Scifo. And then one day, when she discovered a conspiracy implying that Flynn was in danger, she tried to escape the castle in order to find him. While trying to do so, she met Yuri Lowell, a skillfull swordman and Flynn's childhood friend. Together, they escape the castle and set on a journey.
An incredible journey, it was. They met new friends: Rita Mordio, an "explosive" mage from Aspio; the young Karol Capel; the mysterious Raven and the beautiful Krytian Judith. She also remembered her numerous (and failed) attempts to pet Repede, Yuri's faithful dog!
And they discovered different cultures, different cities, different people...
All of this began because Yuri just wanted to find the thief who stole the Aquae Blastia from the Lower Quarter; and Estelle just wanted to warn Flynn about the danger that was threatening him. Finally, they were dragged into something that were surpassing their imagination and ended up saving the world... from the Adephagos. This dark entity was really frightening, and if they hadn't done anything, it could have swallowed the entire planet! Estelle shivered as she remembered that.
But now, the Adephagos isn't a danger anymore. Together, they destroyed the Adephagos once for all by giving away all the Blastia, an Ancient technology and support of human's developpement and life for many years.
It's been a few months since the Adephagos incident. Life was slowly returning to normal. But people had some difficulties to deal with life without Blastia.
Estelle was so deeply lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Flynn calling for her.
"Lady Estellise, be careful!" But that was too late. As a result, she ended up bumping against him.
"Aaah!"
The books scattered everywhere on the marble floor. When the princess finally understood what happened, she found herself lying over a young blond-haired knight, whose blue eyes were looking at her with worry. She blushed.
"Oh, err... Flynn!" Estelle immediately got up. "I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"
"Urgh... Don't worry, Lady Estellise, I'm fine. You're not hurt?"
Estelle shook her head, saying "no". Then she started to pick up the books.
"Hum... I'm really sorry! I was lost in my thoughts, and then..."
"Well, I pretty much figured it out. There, let me help you."
"No, you don't have to...!"
But Flynn wasn't listening to her.
"So, you're going back to Halure, right?"
"Yes," Estelle answered. « I just came here to borrow some books. But I really wanted to bring more!"
"Oh..."
Flynn looked at the books. There's already plent of it, and she wanted more? Well, that's the Estellise he know.
"But you can come back here anytime you want, as Master Ioder said", Flynn commented. "Even if you're not anymore a candidate to the imperial throne, you are still a member of the royal family. Master Ioder said that you are always welcome here"
"Yes, I guess you're right..."
The blond knight accompagned Estelle to the castle's main entry. There, the knight from before was waiting for her.
"Princess, we are now ready to leave."
"Thank you for your hard work! And thank you too, Flynn."
"It was all my pleasure. Are you going to leave now?"
"Yes, I must be in time for Halure's festival, in two days. And you?"
"Well, what I'll do for now isn't very important for you to know..."
But when he met Estelle's sparkling eyes, he sighed.
"Hum... just fullfill my duties as a Commandant. Ah, could you please do me a favor?"
"Of course, what is it?"
"Yuri will be at the festival, right? Please tell him that he stills own me a fight."
Estelle giggled.
"Yes, I won't forget."
"Well then," Flynn finally said, bowing. "Have a good journey and please, be careful. I really wished I could accompany, but I'm afraid my new duties as Commandant are keeping me here." Then he speaked to the knight. "You there! I'm entrusting Lady Estellise to you!"
"Yes, sir."
"Don't worry, Flynn, I'll be fine!" Estelle pouted. "You know, I still can use my healing artes!"
"I know, but still, be careful. I have recent reports about strange monsters wandering and attacking travellers on the roads..."
"Strange monsters?"
« Yes. Unknown monsters, even the monster specialists claimed they had never saw such creatures before; they weren't repertoried in any books, nor previous studies."
Estelle frowned.
"Oh, I'm sorry if I did scared you!"
"No, it's all right. Everything will be okay. I haven't met such monsters on my way to Zaphias, so..."
A second knight caught up with them.
"Lady Estellise, your coach is ready!"
"Oh, hum... Thank you. I'll be right there. Well Flynn, I hope we'll meet again very soon!"
"I'm looking for it, Lady Estellise."
Estelle smiled to him and bowed politely, as she always do, before leaving the castle, flanked by the two knights. Flynn stayed in front of the castle's entry until he loose sight of the princess.
A dark room with a crackling fire as the only source of light. Walls made of white paper and dark wood.
Three people, sitting on the wooden floor around a crackling fire. The room was so dark, so it was impossible to distinguish their faces.
A female voice, rather sensual and mature, came out from the dark.
"You know why I asked you to come here. The humans will hold a festival in the city of Halure, where the Great Tree stands."
"Seriously? Can we go there?" asked an impertinent and joyfully male voice.
The first voice sighed heavily, with exasperation.
"You're always thinking about having fun, don't you, Kansei?"
"Well, parties are fun! Especially the human ones!"
"You're incorrigible..."
"In fact, Chie already sent Okugi to the human city," said the third voice. A surprising soft and gentle voice, contrasting with Kansei's voice. "Right, Chie?"
"Yes indeed, Shinsetsu. There will be a lot humans gathering there. So we're expecting demons to appear..."
"Eeeh?" Kansei interrupted. "You sent Okugi? Why not me? You know that Okugi is a depressive and boring princess..."
"Yes, that's why I sent her rather than you!" Chie answered dryly. "Okugi knows how to be quiet and discreet, unlike you. The last time you were in a human city, you were drunk and almost revealed our identity!"
"Ooh, that was decades ago! You still remember that?"
"Of course I am. You know what it imply if humans discover us!"
"Huh, stop it, you're sounding like Okugi now..."
"But you know, Chie, the situation now is critical." Shinsetsu said. "The Seal is getting weaker and weaker. More and more demons can pass through the Gate. Humans are getting aware that monsters they don't usually see are attacking them. I think that very soon, we won't be able to hide ourselves anymore..."
Chie remained silent.
"Our sister Shinsetsu is right, Chie" Kansei's voice has suddenly took a serious tone.
"Well, I must admit you're right." Chie resumed. "As you said, demons are now spreading all over the world. They're going to attack at any time, even in full day, in empty places as crowded places. We won't be able to act like we did during those last thousand years."
"So, what should we do?" Kansei asked.
"I guess we have no choice but wait."
Halure's streets were full of people running here and there. Everyone was busy with preparations for the festival. As Estelle arrived and went down from the coach, she suddenly felt that the city was so lively than ever.
The knight who was driving the coach went down as well and bowed.
"Princess, where should I put your belongings?"
"Oh, please bring them to my house. I'll..."
"Miss Estellise!"
It was the mayor of the city.
"Welcome back, Miss Estellise! We were waiting for you!"
"Thank you! But please, call me Estelle. I think I already told you that, right?"
"Well... you're a princess, so... I'm not really used to that... Anyway, you have came right in time. A librarian from Aspio has just arrived this morning. She said she wanted to settle some details with you about the festival."
"Wow, I didn't expected her to come so quickly..."
"Also, the guild you invited is here. I think they're at the bottom of the tree right now."
"Really? Thank you for telling me that. And you, how are you doing with the festival preparations?"
"We're adding the finishing touch. It's the first time I've seen the inhabitants so happy and excited! This all thanks to you. You were the one who suggested the idea of a festival..."
"Well, I wanted people to smile and have fun. Especially in those days... after the Adephagos incident..."
"Yes. That thing was really frightening. Now... I never expected life to be so difficult without blastia..."
Estelle remained quiet and noticed a inhabitant coming in their way.
"Mister Mayor, we need you at the inn!"
"I'm coming! So, Miss Estellise, I must go back to work."
"All right. If you need something, please don't hesitate to call me."
"You're so kind, as usual! But you're busy too, so we'll try to do things on our own, as best as we can."
He bowed and left. Estelle looked at the tree, joined her hands and closed her eyes.
"I'm so glad that Karol and the others managed to come! Well, let's not make them wait any longer!"
As she walked to reach the top of the hill, she could hear "Welcome back, Miss Estellise!" or "How are you, Miss Estellise?" from the people along the streets. Even children rushed to her and asked her to play with them.
"Oh, I'm really sorry, but I've got friends waiting for me. I have to meet with them as soon as possible."
"So, when you're finished, will you come and tell us a story?"
"Yeah, a story!"
Estelle smiled.
"Yes, of course. Just wait for me tonight, under the tree, okay?"
"Yeah, yeah!"
Then Estelle noticed a young girl standing away from the other children.
"Annabelle, you'll come too, right?"
The young girl hesitated. She has brown hair tied in pigtails and blue eyes, and she's very small and skinny despite she's eight years old. Estelle came to her and kneeled.
"I'll be very pleased if you come, actually."
Finally, the young child gave her the hint of a smile. Estelle smiled too.
Annabelle is a young girl who came to Halure two months ago. She was in a pretty bad shape and in a state of shock. But even if Estelle and the villagers took care of her, Annabelle had remained silent during the first weeks, and one day she suddenly said "Mom and Dad aren't here anymore".
Although the circumstances of her parents death are still vagues, Estelle and the villagers decided to not rush things and to give some time to Annabelle.
Now Estelle is pleased to see the girl a little more opened. She even made a few friends, but she's still in shock and doesn't speak too much.
"Now I really have to go," said Estelle, getting up. "Or my friends will be angry at me!"
After the children left, she finally managed to reach the top of the hill. Everybody was there, looking at the tree in full bloom.
The first one to notice her was Judith, the beautiful blue-haired Krytian. Wearing her usual revealing outfit (a few male villagers who happened to pass by nearly fell when looking at her), her crimson eyes were looking at the princess coming to them.
"Oh, look who's there."
"Estelle!" said the youngest and shortest one of the group. Karol Capel, it's his name, is the boss of the guild Brave Vesperia, despite his young age.
"Everyone! I'm so glad to see you again! And Rita, you're here too!"
"Well, circumstances made me to be there."
Rita Mordio was also there, standing next to Karol. The young mage, a native from Aspio, seemed to be rather happy to see the princess. Though she wasn't willing to show it to the others.
Raven, the oldest one of the party, can be seen further courting some young womans. But Estelle's eyes were looking here and there; someone was missing.
"Hum... where's Yuri?"
Karol's bright smile faded a little bit.
"Well... how to say it..."
"He's actually away for one month, with Repede," Judith explained. "A job in Mantaic. Even if you sent us the invitation letter two weeks ago, he said he won't be able to be there in time."
"Oh... I see..."
Estelle was in fact a little bit disappointed. Since she left the Imperial Capital, Karol, Rita and Judith came very often to visit her; Karol and Judith giving her news about the guild, Rita about her research on mana... And during her numerous stays at Zaphias, Raven escorted her very often as Captain Schwann.
And as for Yuri... Well, she hasn't be able to see him for two months now. According to Karol, he was the most busy member of the guild. Now that Blastia have completely disappeared, Yuri is really sollicited for escort and hunting... thanks to his notoriety as an excellent swordsman.
"And talking about the guild... how are you doing, Karol?"
"Well, we have new members now! But they couldn't come here because they're in the middle of a job too!"
"You have new members? That's wonderful!"
"That's awful instead," Rita commented. "They're as idiots and cowards as Karol, anyway."
"Rita, you're mean!" Karol was outraged. "They're respectables members of our guild... and they're nicer than you..."
As a response, Rita simply punched him in the head.
"Ooouch!"
Estelle smiled. It was like old times, when they were all travelling together. But...
"I really wished Yuri had come, though..."
"Don't worry about that," Judith told her. "He said that once the job finished, he'll pay Halure a little visit."
"If you say so..."
The mayor appeared before them.
"Miss Estellise! The librarian is waiting for you. I asked her to wait for you at your house. You shouldn't keep her waiting."
"O... okay". Estelle faced her friends. "Hey, I have an idea, why don't you come at my house? I've got some cookies and cakes..."
Karol jumped up and down.
"Cookies and cakes, you said?"
"Did ya' just said librarian?"
Everyone turned back. Apparently, Raven had finished courting the two ladies, who were leaving with blushing faces and grins from ear to ear.
"Poor things..." Judith was watching them with a worry expression.
"Why are ya' sayin' that, Judy darlin'?"
"I wonder what you said to them..."
Raven crossed his arms behind his head.
"Anyway, we know the issue. They'll end up in tears."
"Oh, sweet Rita! I'm not that kind of man, ya know!"
"Shut up, you old pervert."
The mayor were watching those "strange" people arguing with each other, half-amused, half-embarassed.
"Hum... Miss Estellise..."
"Oh yes, I'm sorry. Come on, everyone, my house is just over there!"
On the way to Estelle's house...
"The librarian's name is Mystery Waterflow" Rita suddenly said to Estelle.
"Eh? How do you know that?"
" Actually, when I was getting ready to leave, she came at my house, and asked me to accompany her. I still don't know why she hadn't called a guild for that."
Raven sneaked between Estelle and Rita.
"Mystery Waterflow, huh? Oooh, I can imagine her... a sensual and mysterious woman... a paradise for the great Raven! Can you describe her... ouch!"
Rita stepped on Raven's foot.
"You'll be disappointed, old man. Actually, I don't even know how she looks like."
"What do you mean?"
"She's entirely wrapped in a long dark cloak. And her face is hidden behind a strange mask, too. During all the travel, she didn't removed it. Even for sleeping and eating. Man, a painful one! First, she asked me to accompany like if I was her dog, and during all the travel it was like I was a ghost to her... What's with her anyway?"
"Oooh, I see... a capricious beauty hiding herself? But don't worry, the Great Raven is here and will bring her beauty to light!"
"Estelle, let's hurry."
"Huh... yeah..."
"Hey! Don't leave me behind!"
A little away from the others, Estelle's house was a charming and lovely building, with a little garden full of colorful flowers behind. The house, built with cream stones, supported by dark wooden planks, was standing on a wood platform, and stairs were leading to a rounded shaped door. Some plants were climbing over the walls.
"Welcome to my house!"
"My, what a lovely house" Judith commented. "It's like a fairytale cottage..."
"Yes. The people here really did a good job..."
Indeed, when the news about the princess coming to live in Halure, the villagers immediately rallied together and built the house... And when Estelle arrived, the house was ready and already furnished.
A voice, coming from nowhere, reached their ears.
"I was waiting for you, Princess Estellise."
Someone was standing there, just next to them.
"Ah!" Karol was surprised. "How did she get there without us noticing her? I was sure there wasn't anybody just before..."
The woman was entirely wrapped in a dark dress, with a large hood hiding her head and hair. Her face was hidden behind a rather strange mask. But the most strange thing... there weren't any holes for the eyes into the mask.
This matched perfectly Rita's description.
"You're Miss Waterflow, right? Nice to meet you. I'm Estellise, but please call me Estelle."
"I will stay with Princess Estellise." The voice was cold and quite deep.
"Really, I wouldn't mind if you..."
"I said I will stay with Princess Estellise, thank you for you concern. So, I am here to talk with you about the festival's preparations," the woman abruptely continued. "About the reading session you're going to give under the tree. It would be better if we can talk in a more private room."
"Oh, err... right. Yes, you're right... What about my house?"
"I don't mind."
"I've also invited my friends..."
"Neither."
"O... okay... so you can go ahead. I think the door is opened. The living room is just next to the entrance."
The woman bowed her head and entered the house. Estelle sighed.
"Wow... sweet Rita, ya didn't said to us she was so frightenin'!" Raven frowned.
"I didn't? Well... To tell you the truth, she didn't speak at all during the travel. Worse than that Duke guy."
"She's really scary..." Karol added. "And can she see where she places her feet? The mask is entirely hiding her face, even the eyes!"
"Anyway, let's go," Rita reached the entrance. "If we solve that matter quickly... then we can get rid of her and forget her quickly."
"I wonder what she'll do if she had actually heard you, Rita..." the young boy said.
Estelle was looking at her house's door. What a strange woman, indeed... she was still shaken by that woman's coolness.
Festivities have now began. During the first day, the festival went well without major incidents. Music was resonating through the streets, people can be seen dancing everywhere. There were also delicious meals, drinks, conferences around the tree about it history... Estelle was really happy. There was also people coming from all over the world! Right there, she had just finished talking with a couple coming from Dahngrest.
It's sunset now. Estelle was preparing herself for her last reading session of the day. Helped by Mystery, both of them were installing chairs and lights, at the bottom of the tree.
"I'm really glad you're here, Miss Waterflow. Thank you for your help!"
Mystery simply bowed her head and left silently. Estelle took the book she was going to read to her future audience; actually a story she had just written a few days ago. The story about a forbidden love between a simple citizen and a noble woman...
Night was now well advanced. Many people came to hear Estelle's story. There was a great silent, as everybody was captivated by the story. Only the sounds of cicadas could be heard.
The end of her story was welcomed with overwhelming applauses. Then came the time for congratulations; even Laura Tellias, a famous author and one of Estelle's favorite ones, came to personally greet her.
Now people began to disperse, on to the next step: eat, drink and dance until the morning!
"That was awesome, Estelle!" Karol exclaimed, raising his arms.
"Thas was good, but... ya' should have based the guy on Raven the Great!"
"Shut up, you old man." Here's Rita with one of her favorites sentences.
"You're really a good writer. Love stories... I really love that kind of stuff, you know. I had a great time hearing you." Judith complimented her.
"Thank you, everyone!"
"So, what should we do now? " The Krytian continued. "I don't think those people are ready to sleep."
"I'm not against a little cup of wine" Raven said.
"Ooh great..." Rita groaned. "Listen, old man, if you go wild, I don't know you, right?"
"Sweet Rita, why are you so mean... ?"
"And stop calling me like that!"
"I think there is a candy shop somewhere" Estelle stated. "Why don't we all go together? It's just next to the bar."
"Yeah, candies!" Karol jumped.
"All right, then. To the candy shop." Judith concluded.
As they were going to leave, a voice interpellated them from behind.
"Woah, you're not going to leave me behind and have all the fun for you, don't ya'?"... then followed by a well-known bark.
Hum... I know it's a boring chapter (difficult to write though...), plus I've got the uneasy feeling I'm missing something... ah, well...
Things should get more interesting in the next chapters...
Reviews, reviews, please! Tell me what did you think of that!
EDIT: had to correct the layout... wanted to separate the different parts with stars, but... stars didn't show up... -sigh- so I used instead the horizontal ruler...