Chapter Three:
Sunday morning came all too slow for Ange. When it finally arrived, she had everything already prepared for her trip. Now came the hard part.
Ange pulled her backpack on her shoulders and quietly slipped out into the hallway outside her bedroom. Her feet making tiny tapping sounds on the white marble floors, she made her way as stealthily as possible out of the residential building and onto the garden path. Going through the main entrance would be impossible without giving away where she was going. So instead of heading south to the gate, she veered east toward the main gardens. Following the path she came to the center of the gardens where the giant fountain was located. She stopped and looked around casually, as if taking in the view. After making sure no one had followed, she turned off the beaten path and into the flowerbeds, careful not to tread on anything. Picking her way past the dew-covered violets and peonies, she ducked under the low branches of some bottle brush trees. Stepping behind the thick layer of small trees, she saw she was now out of sight from the path. Breathing a small sigh of relief, she kept heading east, shadowing the path. After 10 minutes, she finally came to the portion of the garden that ran alongside the barrier. The stone wall that encompassed the entire length and width of the gardens stood in front of her as usual. Using the low hanging branch of the old oak tree that sat in this corner of the garden, she hoisted herself up to the top of the stone wall.
Thank goodness it's not any taller, she thought gratefully as she situated herself on the wide top. Carefully she scooted her way down the wall until she came to rest directly above a tree stump on the other side. Gently she lowered herself down and hopped off the stump onto the grass. Three feet in front of her was the barrier. If she looked directly at it she saw only the fields on the other side. But if she turned her head and looked out of the corner of her eye she saw the shield sparkle and fizz as it stood protecting the sanctuary. It was designed to keep all those not authorized from accidentally falling into the Sanctuary. Luckily for her, however, as Etoile she could come and go as she pleased.
Taking a deep breath she strode forward her hand outstretched. Her fingertips came in contact with the barrier's cool surface. For the breadth of a second the barrier tugged and held then ever so slowly her hand sunk through the barrier and onto the other side. She pushed forward and the rest of her body slid gently through. Standing in the bright sunshine of the field she smiled and looked behind her. Where the Sanctuary should have been, Ange only saw a thick dark forest. On the tree nearest her was the Crest of the Cosmos of the Divine Bird. Looking around she made a mental note of where she had emerged then set off down into the field in the direction of the town that lay on its other side.
Fifteen minutes later found her in front of the town inn. To the right of the quaint wood building stood a red phone booth. Grinning widely she ran into the booth and shut the door behind her. Pulling out the number Eryn had given her, she picked up the receiver and dialed.
"Hello, this is Eryn," came her friends voice on the other line.
"Eryn, it's Ange!" she chirped excitedly.
"Hey! How've you been? Are you in town?" Eryn replied.
"Hai. I'm outside the Rengeston Inn on the outskirts of the city," she explained.
"Alright, I know where that is. I'll come and pick you up. I'll be a few minutes," Eryn said happily.
After saying there short goodbyes, Ange stepped outside and made her way to the shaded awning of the inn. She sat down on one of the wooden benches and waited for Eryn. True to her words, Eryn was there in ten minutes. However, instead of pulling up next to the inn in a car as Ange had though, Eryn came riding up the street on a jet black motorcycle. A faint cloud of dust settled around the vehicle as Eryn slid to a stop in front of Ange.
"Hi! Hope you don't mind riding," she said chuckling at Ange's expression while handing her a helmet. Ange grinned and took the offered item before slipping it over her head. Eryn pulled her swiftly up behind her and informed her of the correct place to put her feet.
"You shouldn't have to hold on too tight. I'm going to go slow," Eryn explained as she brought the bike around and slowly took off down the road she had emerged from.
Ange smiled widely as the scenery flashed around them. Eryn had been right about not having to hold on tight. The leisurely pace afforded Ange the best view of the passing countryside and guaranteed that she wouldn't fall off. Still, her arms were wrapped loosely around her friends waist just in case.
"So you don't live in the city, Eryn-chan?" Ange asked loudly as the street led them into a grove of oak trees.
"Nope. My house is on the outskirts like the inn. It's not too far from here either," she answered keeping her eyes on the road.
"Do your father and siblings live with you?" she asked leaning forward to catch her reply.
"Not all of them. My brother Nico lives with me since his high school is close to where I live. My brother and Dad live in the main house where I grew up. It's not too far from here but still enough to make a commute from my home shorter then from there. My uncle lives in an apartment in the city. He likes the city life. Says it's exciting," she said shaking her head, "Quite frankly, I like living where I do. It's much quieter. Although, it is farther away from the bookstores."
"You must like to read," Ange said, thinking back to when she had met Eryn in the library.
"That's an understatement if I've ever heard one!" she laughed causing Ange to laugh too, "I love to read! The whole family does. We're all a bunch of book nerds."
The two women broke out into a peal of laughter. The remainder of the ride was just as animated as the two talked and talked.
"The house is just up ahead," Eryn said after a while, nodding at the end of the oak grove. Ange closed her eyes as they emerged from the muted light of the grove and into the sunshine again. Opening her eyes she blinked and gasped.
Two hundred feet in front of her sat a two story, pale green house. A wrap-around porch with a white roofed awning circled around it. The home itself sat in a large glen. Next to the house, on the right side, was a small pool of water surrounded on all sides by a garden. Roses, wisteria, bluebells, daisies, and all manner of flowers and bushes occupied the garden. And this portion was merely the beginning. The garden wrapped around the side of the house and towards the back yard, too. Ange made a mental note to tell Marcel-sama about it when she was able. He would love it!
"It's so cute!" Ange marveled.
"Thanks," Eryn smiled fondly and directed the motorcycle along the gravel path to the side of the house. The duo slowly slid to a halt and Eryn shut off the engine and kicked out the prop. Taking off her helmet she shook her mass of waves free and took Ange's helmet once she had removed it.
"That was fun! I've never ridden a motorcycle before," Ange said as Eryn placed the helmets in their proper places on the bike then turned to walk to the porch.
"I got my license a while ago. I thought Dad was going to have a heart attack when I told him I was taking lessons,'" Eryn chuckled over her shoulder as she fished out a key chain from one of the front pockets of her blue jeans. She hopped up onto the back porch. Unlocking the back door, she swung it inward and stepped in to what Ange assumed was the kitchen. Ange wiped her feet and walked inside.
The inside of the house was just as wonderful as the outside. The kitchen had reddish stone flooring. The cabinetry was made of oak with silver handles and glass fronts. The table was huge and made of the same wood as the cabinets. She noted with an inward smile that a small bookcase full of cook books and what looked like history books lined the wall opposite the door. Eryn wasn't kidding, she thought. The walls were painted a warm yellow-gold. The window coverings were a warm cream color with gold colored trim. Ange marveled at how such a simple space could be so warm and inviting.
"Have a seat," Eryn said going behind the large island that was in the middle of the cooking area, "You hungry? I was going to make breakfast."
Ange sat and was about to answer when her stomach gave a rumble.
Eryn laughed jovially, "Sounds familiar! Alright, how do pancakes sound?" Ange had to strain to hear the last part since Eryn's head had disappeared underneath the counter as she rummaged for pots and pans. Ange giggled.
"Sounds wonderful!" she exclaimed, remembering how long it had been since she'd last had pancakes. It had been about 3 months ago, when Olivie-sama had taken up a bet with Leonard-sama to see who was the best cook. Ange couldn't even remember what had initially started the debate. The results, though, were hysterical. She had been sitting outside helping Marcel-sama in the garden when a flour coated Leonard-sama and Olivie-sama had come running up to her, each with a plate of pancakes. She and Marcel-sama had been so shocked by their appearance that they had burst into laughter at the sight of them. Once they had calmed down and tasted the two Guardian's pancakes they soon discovered that neither of them were all that wonderful at cooking. Olivie-sama had even mistaken the salt for sugar.
She giggled at the memory as Eryn finished mixing the ingredients together.
A loud thumping sound, like that of running footsteps, came suddenly from upstairs. Ange jumped slightly as a curly reddish brown haired head popped out from the other side of doorway that led to the rest of the house.
"Please tell me that is what I think it is?!" the boy asked hungrily.
"Depends on what you think it is," Eryn said cocking an eyebrow at him and grinning. The boy, who was exceedingly taller than Ange's 164cm height, zipped fully into the doorway and over to Eryn to peer into the contents of the pan.
"Hmm," he pondered thoughtfully at the golden brown disk in the pan, "Looks like frisbees again."
Eryn swatted his head with a towel as he laughed. He strode back over the doorway and yelled up the stairs that were just on the other side.
"ERYN'S MAKING PANCAKES!! BETTER HURRY UP IF YOU DON'T WANT ME TO EAT THEM ALL!!"
Several shouts of indignation drifted downstairs as Ange heard more footsteps up above her. The boy chuckled, then turned and stopped as he caught sight of Ange.
"Hey! You didn't say we were gonna have company, Sis," he exclaimed glancing back at Eryn.
"This is Ange-chan. The one I was telling you about. Ange-chan this is Liam, my oldest younger brother," Eryn stated as she poured more batter into the pan.
"It's nice to meet you, Liam-san" Ange said bowing her head politely.
Liam chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of his head, "You don't have to use -san. Just call me Liam!"
"Or Nut Case, whichever you prefer," a deep male voice said from the doorway. Eryn gave a bark of laughter as Liam rolled his cerulean blue eyes at the new comer.
"Love you too, Dad," he grumbled then wandered over to Eryn to attempt to snitch pieces of the pancakes.
Still laughing, Eryn introduced Ange to their father, Alan. He chuckled as he stepped fully into the kitchen. He was a few centimeters shorter than Liam with a more muscled physique compared to the younger man's lean, wiry frame. He had curly brown hair that was cut short and combed back in a clean professional look. His black dress pants, crisp white dress shirt, and shined black shoes completed the air of professionalism. His eyes were the same silver color as Eryn's but she was much tanner than both he and Liam who had cream colored skin. At first glance he appeared very intimidating as he towered over her. However, when his gaze drifted to her he smiled warmly down at her and the unease melted away. Gently he took one of her hands in his.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ange-chan," he welcomed, kissing the back of her hand. Ange blushed and smiled back up at him. His gentlemanly manner reminded her of Oscar-sama but his jovial sparkling eyes and sense of humor were reminiscent of another Guardian of Fire.
"It's nice to meet you too!" she said sweetly. He smiled again and released her hand.
Smiling he took a book from the nearby book case and moved into the empty seat on the other side of the table. Liam sat down on Ange's left hand side, shortly after his attempts at stealing pancakes proved unsuccessful.
"NICO!! FOOD!!" he shouted over his shoulder.
"Si, fratello!" a soft tenor voice called from up the stairs. Ange turned toward the doorway just in time to see an young boy in a pair of dark slacks with a white dress shirt walk through. Eryn and Liam's younger brother, whom she was pretty certain this was, was slightly taller than Eryn and had chin length dark red tresses. His eyes were a bright blue that matched the color of his brother's. His skin, however, was much paler than the rest of his family and appeared to be almost as smooth as marble. He noticed Ange and blinked then smiled.
"Hello, my name is Nico," he said shifting his thin yet strong figure effortlessly into a bow.
"I'm Ange," she replied smiling brightly.
"Oh, you were the one Eryn met last month right?" he inquired tilting his head slightly a charming smile lighting up his face. Ange blinked slightly then nodded. She had almost forgotten how quickly time passed here.
"What does 'fratello' mean?" she asked struggling slightly on the pronunciation.
"It means 'brother,'" he supplied chuckling, "It's Italian. We have a tendency to use it a lot."
"Morning, Nico," Eryn called from the stove as she finished piling the pancakes onto separate plates, "You're just in time. Could you come help me set these out?"
He nodded, bowed his head again to Ange, then walked over to help his sister.
"Wise choice to not ask Liam," Alan murmured as he placed a bookmark in the history novel he was reading.
"I'm just not loved at all!" Liam wailed in mock despair. Ange and the others laughed as the plates found their way to the table. Six plates were placed on the wood table. Blinking Ange turned to Eryn as she sat in the seat near Ange at the front of the table.
"Who is the extra plate for?" she asked in confusion.
"That would be me, my dear," a velvety voice floated across her ear. Ange squeaked lightly then spun around to see another tall man standing behind her. He had the same curly brown hair as Alan but instead of being cut short, his went all the way to his waist. He was lean and thin like Liam with the same cream colored complexion as well. He was dressed in a pair of dark blue jeans, soft brown suede boots, and a dark blue dress shirt. His shirt was partially open at the top allowing Ange a view of his surprisingly muscular chest. This, coupled with the fact that he was exceedingly handsome – and that his face was very close to her own – caused Ange to blush crimson as he smiled gently down at her.
"Behave, Uncle," Eryn chided patting Ange's shoulder, "Ange this is our Uncle Kayne. He comes by every Sunday for breakfast."
"And every Thursday for dinner," Liam added.
"And every Saturday for lunch," inserted Myrna-chan helpfully.
"And every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday for a light snack," teased Alan-san.
"I can't help that Eryn's cooking is wonderful. Besides, I'm not the only one," Kayne-san said chuckling lightly as he took Ange's hand and kissed it lightly.
"N-nice to meet you," she said a little breathlessly.
"Ciao, bella. It's nice to meet you too. I'm sorry if I startled you," he apologized his soft voice easing her discomfort. She smiled and shook her head. His warm smile and graceful movements reminded her of the kind Guardian of Water, Lumiale-sama. They would probably get along well, she thought cheerfully. As he took his seat next to his brother, Ange caught sight of a grinning Eryn and rolled her eyes at her. Eryn chuckled and dug in to her food as the others followed suit.
The pancakes were delicious. They were perfectly light and fluffy and paired with the warmed maple syrup it was like heaven. As the food quickly disappeared, the family chatted lively with one another about events of the previous week, each other and, the most frequent topic, what books they'd read. Ange found that she was welcomely included in the conversations and it felt, once again, like she'd known these people all of her life. As she laughed and talked with them she realized that this was a lot like dinner with the Guardian's. Lively, fun, and never dull. Smiling she took another bite of the syrup drenched cake and thought happily about both of her families.