Disclaimer: I do not own Angelique or any of the characters within. All original characters are copyright to me. Please ask permission to use them in fan fiction or the like. NO TAKEY OR I BREAKY!!
Chapter Two:
Ange stared at the imposing building in front of her. Made entirely out of black marble and about three stories tall it didn't resemble a library in the least, despite the claims of the sign that hung out front. Intimidating, black, snarling lions loomed a few feet to her right and left. Their massive size and terrifying expression gave her the chills. The dark, circular windows that gave off no light from within didn't help the overall feeling of unease either.
After wandering back in the direction she thought she had gone, Ange had gotten even more lost that she was originally. Having noticed the sign outside this building, she had come up to it in the hopes of finding someone inside that could give her directions. Upon seeing all of the building and its daunting exterior, however, she was beginning to have second thoughts. Taking a deep breath, she stole herself and stepped carefully up to the massive dark wood doors. Before she could hesitate any longer she had taken a hold of the brass handle and had pulled the door open. Quietly she stepped inside and shut the door behind her. She stood still for a moment gazing at her surroundings.
The same marble that comprised the exterior also made up the interior. The walls and floor were made of it as well as the counter-tops for the, currently unoccupied, front desk. Despite this, the inside of the building was much brighter and more welcoming than the outside had been. In fact, Ange surmised that had the walls and floor been a different material she would have believed she had stepped into a different world. One thing that caught Ange's attention first was that the first floor contained a plethora of beautiful sculptures. In one corner was an ornate sculpture of a woman frolicking with flowers knitted through her long hair. A lion figure sat near the staircase that stood directly in front of the doors, but instead of having its claws bared and snarling, it was laying peacefully, a serene and majestic look on its face. Everywhere she looked she saw statues of beautiful quality.
To the left of the door was a sitting area which had four overstuffed sofas arranged in a square. Comfy pillows were strewn over the sofas and all over the floor near the coffee table that was situated in the center. Potted plants were just as abundant as statues and nearly as varied. Everything from a palm to a small potted daisy, sitting on the front desk, was present. Stepping fully into the room, she saw several rows of dark wood bookshelves behind the staircase and opposite the lounge.
"Hello?" she called into the still air. Nothing moved. She headed for the staircase, deciding to look on the other floors for assistance. The second floor was much as the first, only with many more bookcases and no lounge area, though Ange could see several comfy chairs hiding in and amongst the shelves.
"Hello? Anyone here?" she called once more looking to her left and right. It didn't appear that anyone was here either. As she turned to head up to the top floor she felt a hand grab her shoulder. With a small squeal she spun around. Standing in front of her was a young woman, her right arm full to the brim with books.
"Sorry about that! Didn't mean to scare you," she said adjusting the mountain of literature before continuing, "Is there something you're looking for?"
Ange calmed herself and nodded. "I, um, I was looking for someone to give me directions to the capital building. I'm a little lost," she said smiling sheepishly.
The young woman smiled kindly at her, her silver eyes sparkling, revealing several flecks of gold in there depths. "It's pretty easy to get lost in this city. I can show you the way if you want," she offered brushing a strand of hair away from her face. Ange thanked her and accepted her offer. "I just need to drop off these books at the front desk first so the librarian can have them sent to my house," she explained heading downstairs next to Ange.
As they walked, Ange studied her new companion. The woman looked to be in her early 20's with a strong and athletic build and warm tan skin. She was at least 10 cm taller than Ange and carried herself with a confident air. Her hair was a little past shoulder length and was a rich mahogany in color. It was naturally wavy and framed her face in a cascade of waves and curls. Her clothes, Ange noted, consisted of a pair of dark blue jean shorts, flip flops and a green t-shirt. Comfy and casual. The only thing that denoted anything to the contrary was her earrings. She had two piercings in her left ear and one in her right. The bottom piercing on each ear held a silver stud. The top piercing of the left ear held a sapphire crescent moon. Ange guessed that the top piece cost a pretty penny from the way the color shone so vibrantly.
The young woman dropped her books on the counter and wrote a note for the librarian on a small piece of paper. Adjusting the tote bag that was on her right shoulder she turned back to Ange just in time to hear her stomach growl.
"Hungry?" she asked with a slight chuckle to which Ange blushed and nodded grinning. "I know a great cafe nearby so we can grab lunch at if you want. I'm starved myself."
"Sounds wonderful!" Ange said enthusiastically as her stomach gave another gurgle. The woman laughed and opened the front doors for Ange.
"Oh, by the way, I'm Ange. What's your name?" she asked stepping out into the sunlight.
"I'm Eryn. Nice to meet you, Ange-chan," she said sending her a dazzling smile that made Ange's face warm, "The cafe's just down the street a ways." Ange fell into step with Eryn as they walked a block down the street to an outdoor bistro that was bustling with business. Through Eryn's connections (she apparently knew the owner as she walked up to him and began talking animatedly with him in a language Ange couldn't place) they were soon seated at one of the best tables.
"May I ask what language that was you were speaking?" Ange questioned as she waited for her tea.
"Italian," Eryn said placing her napkin in her lap, "My Dad taught me how to speak it when I was really young. The owner, Louis, has been a friend of my Dad for forever. We frequent this place when we're in the area."
"So your family travels a lot?" Ange asked intrigued.
"Dad travels a lot because of the type of work he's in and we usually tag along," she explained smiling and leaning back in her chair, "It's a lot of fun but it's always nice to not have to live out of a suitcase for a while."
Ange smiled back at Eryn. It was effortlessly easy to converse with her. She was friendly and warm. The two spoke throughout lunch, which turned out to be a yummy piece of lasagna, and even after the bill had been paid. Ange felt at ease for the first time since she had come to the Main Planet. For just a little while, she forgot her harrowing experiences thus far. It was as if she had known Eryn her whole life.
Eryn spoke quite a bit about her family, consisting of her father, two brothers, and uncle. Ange thought it must be wonderful to have such a large family. She had been denied that as a child living in the orphanage. Just by talking with Eryn, however, she made Ange feel like she was already a part of the family. She listened and laughed and talked like she was an older sister. Too soon, though, Eryn stopped and pointed in front of her.
"There's the capital building," she said indicating the familiar stone building.
"Thank you very much," Ange said bowing. With a quick thought Ange stood. "...Ano...could I come and visit you and your family sometime?" she asked nervously.
"Sure!" Eryn replied, "Is there a phone near where you live?" Ange assured her that there was, as she quickly thought back to the phone booth at the inn near the barrier that shielded the Sanctuary. Taking a piece of paper and a pen from her tote bag, Eryn jotted down a number and handed it to Ange. "Just call this number and I'll come and pick you up. That way you won't have to go into the city."
"Thank you! I'll come as soon as I can!" Ange exclaimed happily.
"Ange-chan!!" a yell came from behind her. Turning, Ange saw Victor-sama searching frantically up and down the street.
"Over here, Victor-sama!" she called back waving her arm to attract his attention. Victor-sama spun and upon seeing her relief washed over his face. He started toward her as she turned to once again thank Eryn. But when she turned, Eryn wasn't there. She leaned back and looked in the small alleyways nearby and down the street but her new friend was nowhere to be found. Blinking, Ange turned to see an out of breath Victor-sama standing next to her.
"Are you alright?" he asked looking her over.
"I'm fine, Victor-sama," she said and then explained the events of the day, purposely leaving out her meeting with Eryn. Eryn's quick exit made her feel as though she shouldn't mention it.
Victor-sama nodded after her tale and smiled down at her. "I'm just relieved that you're safe now." The sound of feet running up the street made him turn. Oscar-sama was now running towards them.
"Are you alright, Ange-chan?" the normally composed Oscar-sama asked an edge of worry in his voice. She smiled, reassured him she was, and waited patiently as Victor-sama filled him in. Oscar-sama chuckled at the end of the tale and offered her his arm. Giggling slightly, Ange took his arm as he led her in the direction of the parking lot.
"Our business here is finished so we should return to the Sanctuary," Victor-sama said checking Ange one more time to make sure she was alright.
"So General Winthrop knew where to find the Mikelos Clan?" Ange asked as they walked.
"Better than that," Victor-sama said with a smile, "The head of the Mikelos Clan was visiting him at the time. So we informed him of the current situation. That's why it took so long."
"Once he informs his clan he is going to speak to Her Majesty soon regarding the action to take now," Oscar-sama said as they turned into the parking lot.
"I wonder what will happen next?" Ange mused, mostly to herself.
"That is for another day," he answered his gallant nature coming back to him, "You must be tired after your adventure, milady. I believe it's time we departed."
Oscar-sama opened the door for her and she slipped inside and leaned back. Turning, she glanced out the back window momentarily at the place where Eryn had left. She smiled. Turning her attention back to the drive home and the thought of a well needed nap, she started to plan her next visit to the Main Planet.
It's not such an scary place after all, she thought happily.