Disclaimer: All characters mentioned below belong to Hiro Mashima but I am sure everybody knew that already.
Part I
…
A deluge of rain poured savagely from the heavens. The clap of thunder, the blaze of lightning, and torrent of daggers rippled through his being. Where am I? It was dark, desolate…and lonely. He tried to speak, but nothing would come out. An endless road stood in front of him, and he didn't know what waited for him beyond it. Why am I here?
Out of the blue, a firm, yet tender hand touched his frozen ones.
Captain? Her crimson tresses flowed around her back like a fiery bonfire in the night. Captain Knightwalker? She pranced around him, barefooted. The fabric of her nightgown was thin, light, and practically see-through. However, unlike him, she remained dry and the rain didn't seem to affect her.
She leaned on him, encircling her arms around his neck, craning her mouth near his ears. The warmth of her lips teased his skin. It felt as if she was saying something and his hands ached to touch her, but a heavy, invisible chain shackled his hands to his side. What? Her mouth moved silently. What are you saying? He wanted to speak out, however, a plug sealed his voice box. "Wake up." She whispered, at first. Wake up? "Wake up!" The second time, her voice was more determined. Then, finally, it turned to annoyance.
The King's eyes opened. Locks of red hair curtained the side of his bed. "King." It was Knightwalker. She was stationed above the bunk bed of the temporary room they shared. "Are you awake?" Still somewhat drowsy, he tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness slapped him really hard. "Where are we?" He asked. His memory was still muddled from the dream he had. "A boat to the island of Iris. A conference and a treaty signing are taking place there. Any of this ringing a bell?" She briefed him on the current situation. "You've slept the entire morning. We're almost there." The whole morning? "I warned you not to drink. After all, his Majesty is a lightweight." He groaned at her insult. A reminder of his inability to hold his liquor wasn't necessary. "I hope I didn't make a fool of myself, Captain." That got a laugh from her. "No comment."
She hopped down from the top bed and glanced out the circular window of the ship. The southern island of Iris was just towards the distance. Iris' enigmatic, angular shaped buildings stuck out like a sore thumb. Several rail tracks that circled around the island like a roller-coaster reminded her of the Royal City's amusement park. To her, it made no sense to conduct an important meeting in theme park. Guessing her thoughts, he said, "Captain, it isn't a theme park. It just has an appearance of one." She scoffed. " So you remember, now?" He simply sighed tiredly as he rubbed his temples. "Were you having a nightmare? You were moaning in your sleeping." Her tone sounded concerned, but despite that, her expression remained blank.
Nightmare? That's right. He bolted up to his feet, and bombarded her with a flurry of unintelligible questions. How she managed to follow him remained an oddity. "What? Raining? Thunder? Frolicking?" Neither rain, nor thunder had collided with them during their travel. The sea was calm, peaceful even. She didn't even want to know what she was doing, "frolicking" in his dream.
More of his babble came out and a feeling of uneasiness began to crowd her. "You couldn't move? Should I call for a doctor?" Her shoulders were shook violently. "You're too cruel, Erza! What were you saying to me? I demand answers!" She didn't have a clue as to what he was prattling on about, but it was trying her patience. "Erza—" A finger on his parted lips interrupted his sentence. "Quiet." The blue haired monarch surveyed their closeness. Her palm was flat against his chest, their bodies nearly brushing against one another. "Cap—" Knightwalker pushed him back on the bed.
"Erza...huh?" She wheeled a cart of food by his feet. His eyes stared at the food, like it was his first time seeing it. "It's a bit cold now, but you shouldn't have overslept." The King's mouth gaped like a fish out of water. He was misled again! "What? Eat. We might be docking soon."
…
The sun was setting, but its spectacular view couldn't be appreciated, at least not by the obdurate Captain. Anger surged through her. "Do they realize they're keeping the King for this?" She stomped ahead of him and breathed. "King or no King, occurrences such as this, cannot be helped. The main witnesses for the signing will be delayed, so let's make the most of it, shall we?" They walked along the boardwalk near the shoreline and a balmy gust of wind blew their way. The area they were in was fairly silent, since it was away from the main attraction of the island.
"The temperate climate of this damn island is its only good feature. Its warmer here, than back home." He smiled tenderly. That was the first time he'd ever heard her refer to the Royal City as her home. "Well, will you look at that? A silver lining. There are advantages when traveling with your King." Her only reply was, "Tch."
Their conversation died, but the soothing quietness that stayed behind was welcoming.
"Captain."
"King." They spoke at the same time.
"You first." Their words were in synch once more.
She turned to him. "Stop it, King! What do you want?" He suppressed a laugh. "The dream. In your opinion, what can you gather from it?" The pair ceased their ambling. "You said I was frolicking? Are you sure it wasn't just Hughes in a wig." Jellal almost choked from her comment. "Erza! No, it was you. Definitely you!" She crossed her arms and contemplated on it. "I haven't a clue." She uttered. "You haven't a clue." The red headed woman growled from the way he mocked her words. "You were trying to impart something to me. It seemed important." The Captain smacked the back of his head. "A dream is a dream. Fretting over trivialities like dreams are a waste of time. Let's head back to the inn. If all goes well, we'll be out of here tomorrow."
A dream is dream, is it? If that was the case, why did it bother him so much?
…
Storms: Part II coming soon...
Oh by the by, my updates might get slower because my classes are starting next week. I'll try to upload as much as I can, though.
Drop a review when you have the time. Thanks and have a nice day.
