Looking out from her porch that faced the castle gardens, Celena Schezar sighed deeply She had stared at the same dragon statue for hours.
It's the middle of the afternoon on a gorgeous day and here I am cooped up here in my room.
She tapped the railing with her fingertips in boredom. Her brother had banished her here, to keep her from wandering around unescorted. For her own safety, her brother had told her. Of course she had protested, but he wouldn't budge on his view. She longed to stretch her legs, and perhaps find herself some company.
I need to get out of here.
Gathering her skirts, she walked across her room to her bedchamber door. A frown emerged on her face when she found that the door remained locked. With a dreary expression on her face, Celena sulked back to the porch railing.
"Hey Celena. Whatcha doing?" Surprised, she jumped at the sound of the voice above her. Looking up, she found a face smiling down at her with a bouncy head of pink hair.
"Merle."
The cat-girl laughed with mirth. "Allen told me he had locked you up in your room. I didn't believe him, so I had to come see for myself. Naughty Celena." Merle bursted into a fit of giggles.
"I'm glad someone finds it funny," Celena huffed.
"I'm sorry. The thought of Allen actually locking you in your room is so weird. I always knew he was stark raving mad." The cat-girl lifted her paw and proceeded to groom herself.
"Merle, could you do me a favour? Please? There's some smoked fish in it for you if you do…" Celena grinned smugly, knowing Merle wouldn't be able to resist the tantalizing offer.
"Smoked fish? Where?" Merle's ears perked up dramatically.
"I have it here in my room." She paused, waiting for Merle's response.
"What do I have to do?" Merle asked, eagerly.
"All you have to do is let me out of here. You can do that right?"
"Can I? I can't believe you'd even ask me that! I take it that it's locked both ways right, right?" Tail flicking excitedly, Merle laughed.
"Yes, it is," Celena called out.
"Okay, I'll be right down!" Merle effortlessly jumped on the ledge of the porch, and climbed down the post connecting the third story with the second. Celena watched with fascination as she deftly picked the lock with ease. Within moments, the door crisply clicked open.
Celena grinned at the cheeky smile on Merle's face. "Clever kitty." Merle beamed at the compliment.
"Gimme!" The childish cat-girl signaled for Celena to hand over her reward with both hands.
"Okay, Merle. Here you go. You certainly deserve it." Celena smiled as she reached for the bag sitting on her dresser, and handed it to Merle.
"Smoked fish! My favourite!" Merle poked her nose into the bag and inhaled deeply. "Smells delicious," she purred with delight.
"Thanks for letting me out." Celena ruffled Merle's pink fluffy head. She was too preoccupied with devouring her savory treat to even notice. "Hey, do you want to come downtown with me to check out the shops?"
"Nah. Lord Van is finishing with his training soon, so I think I'll just stay here," Merle responded, licking her fingers casually.
"Alright," Celena said, sounding disappointed. She hoped Merle would keep her company. "Promise me you'll keep this our little secret? Allen would not be pleased if he found out I left the castle grounds again. I'll bring you back something nice if you do."
Merle chuckled. "Bribing me again? Okay, I'll keep this between us. Don't be gone too long," she warned.
"Don't worry, I won't. See you later!" With a friendly wave and smile, Celena left for the castle entrance.
"See ya!" Merle grinned happily at her fish. A mischievous smirk quirked the top half of her lip.
I wonder what else she has in her room...
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Celena strolled through the streets of Fanalia with a bounce in her step. She loved being able to browse through the shops unhindered, free to go where she pleased. For an hour or two, she could forget her troubles and be merely another face in the crowds.
Intrigued by the smells coming from a nearby tavern, she stopped. The smell was very inviting. Hunger soon overwhelmed her, and she walked into the tavern. Sighing contentedly, Celena took in her surroundings peacefully. Her gaze passed over some middle-aged men grouped together, talking heartily over a pint of ale, and lingered on the petite fair-haired tavern maid brushing hurriedly by them. Celena gasped lightly, eyes freezing on the girl.
I know her…
"Can I get you anything, Miss?" Celena blinked at the tavern maid addressing her.
"Yes, a glass of wine please," she answered, mind elsewhere.
"Alright, coming up. Have a seat. Miss?"
Smiling gingerly, Celena took a seat, all the while watching the honey-haired girl.
It is her! What is she doing here, of all places?
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"Hitomi, would you take this over to the table in the corner there? Rose needs some help unloading supplies into the kitchen." Yukari handed Hitomi her tray, not bothering to pause for an answer.
Hitomi mumbled a curse to herself and stalked off to serve the wine. She roughly placed the goblet of wine on the table, wine sloshing over its edge. "Do you want anything else, Miss?" Hitomi bared her teeth in an angry smile.
"No, thank you. I appreciate your offer, very kind of you." The sweet voice and baby blue eyes looking up at her completely caught Hitomi off-guard.
"You," she exclaimed in an outburst of shock mixed with annoyance.
"It's nice to see you too, Hitomi. How have you been? Good, I hope. Why did you take off like that yesterday?" Celena's face looked slightly hurt.
"I'm working now, I don't have time to chat." On the outside Hitomi appeared calm, but inside she was screaming with panic.
"Well, how about I stop by after you finish working? Allen regrets not being able to thank you properly for helping me when I wa-" Hitomi clamped Celena's mouth shut with a hand.
"Tell the world why don't you?" she hissed softly. "I'd prefer to talk about this later, if you don't mind. Understand?" Hitomi said coldly, green eyes ablaze. Numbly, Celena nodded and Hitomi hesitantly removed her hand.
Celena swallowed hard. "Okay."
"Good." Turning on her heels, Hitomi stomped off.
Rosetta and Yukari gave each other worried glances as Hitomi walked by the kitchen with a murderous look on her face. Curious, Yukari's head popped out of the kitchen to look for the source of Hitomi's anger. She stared perplexed, at the young woman sitting in the corner table. The woman looked pleasant enough.
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Celena planned on sticking around the tavern as long as she was able. It was nearing supper time, and Allen would be at the castle soon, expecting her safe in her room. The situation frustrated her. She became more hopeful as Hitomi approached.
"Outside. Now," Hitomi drilled out in a monotone voice. She nodded crisply towards the door, looking back at Celena with distant eyes. Cautiously, Celena followed, hands folded politely in front of her.
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