Chapter 49
The dance is a poem of which each movement is a word.
Mata Hari
ATTENTION : DUE TO THE MID SEMESTER TEST AND MY WORKS, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO POST UNTIL AT LEAST 21 MARCH, 2009. I DEEPLY APOLOGIZE AND PROMISE I WILL POST AFTER THE MENTIONED DATE, THANK YOU.
One day later, at the main temple in Payon....
Just today's morning, Alphard ordered the remining 57,000 soldiers to spread and make strongholds in the whole Payon's forest, covering the location with Sagramore's strongholds. So, they will know if Valdomir attack them and it will make Payon not too crowded anymore.
Talia, the weird mother of Felicia and Olivia, asked the usual group (Fiorentin, Felicia, Olivia, George, Elraven, Frea, Clyde, and Sasha. Not including Alphard, his husband and George's father, because they are busy supervising the strongholds development. Kirigi and Wendy are busy preparing their own strongholds) to gather in one of the still not destroyed places inside the temple. The usual group sat on a round table.
"OK. I asked you guys to gather here because I have an important news, regarding your beloved comrades, Elraven and Frea" Talia opened the her speech as Frea and Elraven get the attentions of the invitees.
"As you may know from the two, they have some sort of relationship recently. Not only after they met here, but probably at Rachel before they met us, because they happened to see the same dream" The professor continued as Fiorentin and Sasha narrowed their eyes, making Elraven feels uneasy for the attention he's getting. Frea placed her hand on his to comfort him as Talia noticed and smirked.
"And I believe some of us have already been informed that Elraven is a changeling. For those who don't know what is a changeling and how do I know he is a changeling, I will explain it now. Changeling is a child kidnapped by fairies when they were an infant and raised as....monster. But, worry not, Elraven is not a monster"
"Yeah, right" George chuckled listening the last part.
"Pardon me, George?" Talia noticed the chuckles, but George responds by shaking his head, allowing Talia to further ezplain her theory.
"OK, let's continue. Elraven and Frea originated from Rachel, right? Do any of you happen to know that Rachel worshipped the goddess of prosperity, Freyja?"
The invitees nodded, showing their knowledge.
"And do any of you happen to know what Frejya asked every twenty years from the people of Rachel?"
Now, the invitees shake their heads.
"She would asked for a baby boy. For her to be raised as her servant. For the return, she will grant that baby boy some kind of... an inhuman power. Like an extreme durability". Now, everyone starting to get the message.
"Are you trying to say....Elraven is one of those baby boys?" Fiorentin tried to make sure the points of the meeting while staring at the surprised Elraven.
"Most possibly, yes" The statement made everyone gasped and hold their breaths. All the eyes were on Elraven, who widened his eyes listening to the theory of the professor. Talia sighed and rolled her eyes, trying to wait until the atmosphere of the room cooled down a bit.
"Alright, people. Keep the surprise for later, we have no times to waste here" Talia said while clapping her hands, making the attentions returned to her. "If anybody would like to know how do I figure out the truh about Elraven, it's so simple. Based on the story Felicia and Olivia told me about him about his power and his ability, his origin, and many books about gods and goddesses I read during my days as head librarian of Prontera Kingdom Library, I'm one hudred percent sure of it. And not to mention...his dreams. It is said in a book about the deities in Rachel I once read that Freyja lived on a temple in the sky where you can see the brightness of the sun. She often looks alike children although she is one of the oldest goddess exists. Elraven's dream exactly looked like what's written on the book".
The room fell quiet after the last part. Elraven was in deep wonder of himself. "And as for Frea, I assume she is one of Freyja's servants or even.....", Talia stopped her words right there, making Felicia and Fiorentin think that she is hiding something.
"Please, just tell us, mom" Felicia politely asked her mother.
"Well, I'm afraid I can't do that now, my dear. I'm not even sure by myself. I'll keep it for myself as of now. Rather than that, I have some...important questions for Frea and Elraven. Will you two please cooperate nicely?" Talia asked with a grin on her face, making her daughters realize something is going to happen. "What now..." Olivia muttered.
"Well, yeah" Elraven represent both himself and Frea to show their agreement.
"OK. Did you two enggage in a sexual intercourse before? If so, how many times?" The bold question from the former head librarian make the entire guests dorpped their jaws.
"MOM!!! Why did you ask that?!!!" Felicia protested her mother. "It's a personal thing, mom!! You can't ask people like that!!!" Olivia joined her sister. "Oh, good god almighty...." Fiorentin said to herself.
George tried his best to hide his laughter until his face becomes red. "Oh...." Sasha fainted as soon as she heard the question. "No!! Not again!!" Clyde tried to help his sister. Elraven and Frea were speechless, they don't know how to respond.
Talia seems to ignore the protests from her daughters, "So, the answer mister and miss?". Elraven gulped. He looks at Frea who nods as a sign. Elraven slowly nods too. "Yes. Twice" The gunslinger slowly admits, much to the embarassment of the three girls listening him. George was still trying his bet not to laugh.
"HM. Now, it's clear. The reason why Frea begins to see the same dreams as you is the result of your intercourse. Perhaps the two of you somehow related to Freyja in the past, but you just couldn't remember it. I have some advice for both of you to...regain more of your memories by doing some kind of ritual" Talia's statement makes the whole group turn serious again as Sasha finally wakes up.
"What is it?" Frea asked innocently.
"Make love as much as possible. Twenty four seven, everyday. That way you will regain your memories faster. And I suggest, you do it starting tonight, when Valdomir isn't around" Talia answered with a blank expression. "WHAT?!" Fiorentin, Felicia, and Olivia shouted in unison. Sasha faints again as Clyde follows her.
"Wahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! Wahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!" George couldn't contain his laughter any longer. He laughs till he drops himself to the floor, but he's still laughing. Frea and Elraven look at each other and smile (they seem to enjoy this ritual, huh?).
Fiorentin, Felicia, and Olivia sweat dropped, inside their minds :
Fiorentin : Please tell me this is a joke!!!
Felicia : Oh my god.....
Olivia : Memories are in the past. But this ritual will also give something to the future.....
"And that concludes my theory. As the former head librarian of Prontera Kingdom, I promise to search more about your case and help you as much as possible. Now, if I may excuse myself" Talia concludes the meeting as she walks out from the room, leaving the mess she literally created.
Later that night....
Fiorentin is seen sitting in one of the stairs outside the main temple. George and Olivia are hanging out somewhere else. Felicia, Clyde, and Sasha too. As the night grow colder, Fiorentin wonders in her own mind, "Making love? Is that the only way?! At times like this when Valdomir could attack anytime...what if Valdomir attack when they were mas.....oh, fuck!!! Why would I think about it anyway?! That is none of my fucking business!!!!".
"What are you doing here all alone by yourself, Alexandria?" A calm and polite voice makes the former princess turned back as her eyes meet Elraven's.
"Elraven?! What are you doing here?!! Shouldn't you be having fun with Frea right now?" A quick (and rude) reply from the light pink haired girl.
"Hehe", Elraven chuckles, "Well, yeah. But, Frea said it's too early to do 'it', she wants to wait until late night and I agree with her. So, here I am, wondering by myself".
Fiorentin looked down and turned her back again, "Well, enjoy you. Before Valdomir come and attack again, it's a miracle Beelzephir The Chaos spared you".
Elraven sits besides her and responds, "Yeah, it's quite true. But that's a good thing, I guess. That maed me realize that I'm not strong enough to face him. Hell, I barely even made it against Professor Leonid. Maybe I should think of a way to make myself stronger than now".
Fiorentin stares at him, she never thought that The Angel of Darkness would admit his own weaknesses, " Wow, that surprise me, I thought you are always sure about your power. Didn't you always say you would never shot if you were to hesitate?".
Elraven gave a weak smile, "Hehehe. That's true. I guess I should be careful with my own words from now on. But, I promised myself to be better and stronger than I already am right now". The gunslinger words' scantily amaze the lord knight.
"Wow, I thought you are the most insensitive man on earth. But you're not as bad as I thought. You have my respect for you increased!" Fiorentin said with a smile. And this time, it's Elraven's turn to be amazed.
"Wow, I never knew you could be so friendly. You have my respect for you increased as well" The gunslinger replied while he repositioned his glasses.
"Hey, I only tried to cheer you up, OK? So, don't feel any other way than that!!" Fiorentin ensures her point with a red face, but Elraven chuckles nonetheless.
"Alright, alright. But you shouldn't say it with a blushing face, shouldn't you?" Elraven teased the younger girl.
"Oh, yeah?! Well, I'll say it with this!!" Fiorentin pulled out her Claymore much to Elraven's surprise.
"Wait, what you are going to do with that?!! Put it down, Alexandria. You can hurt someone with that" Elraven rose and tried to calm the former princess, to no avail. "What am I going to do? Hmmm, let's see…I guess I will….cut your insolent mouth with this!!!" Fiorentin slashed her Claymore but Elraven quickly dodges it and run.
The lord knight chases him and they run circling the festival ground for some minutes. "Wait, Elraven!!! Don't run!!!" Fiorentin shouted to the gunslinger as they keep running. "I will, if you put your Claymore down!!" The purple glassed man replied.
Finally, after they feel tired of running, they stopped and Elraven apologizes. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it!!!" Elraven shouted an apology as the swinging stops. They sat on the ground, trying to take some rest.
"Wew, princess!! I never knew you could be so passionate with your sword. You really tried to kill me back there, didn't you?!"
"Right. And maybe someday I will truly kill you, prick!!!".
Elraven could see fire on her eyes, "Alright, alright. I surrender. I'm sorry for teasing you, OK?".
Fiorentin sighed and nods, "Alright, but just this time".
Elraven let out a little laughs as Fiorentin suddenly remembered something. "Hey....Elraven?". "Yes, Alexandria?" The gunslinger stares at her, softly. Fiorentin look at him in the eyes, and slowly say, "I'm sorry, for...seounding your neck back there. When you tried to remind me that....I should not hesitate on fighting. I...apologize".
Suddenly, Elraven could feel that the girl sat in front of him isn't a knight who killed dozens of enemies just two days ago in sograt desert without being scratched. He could feel her guilty and her loneliness. "Don't worry about that, Alexandria. The pain has healed. Men, like me, shouldn't worry over trivial things. It's only normal if you have some difficulties on expressing your mind and your feeling. It's all cool. Don't put a sad face like that, Alexandria. You're too beautiful to cry" Elraven comforts the lord knight.
Fiorentin widened her eyes a bit as her face blushes, but quickly smiles, understanding the man in front of her was trying to comfort her. "Thank you" She slowly said. Elraven smiles and rose, slowly chanting a poem, much to Fiorentin's surprise,
See how, like lightest waves at play, the airy dancers
fleet;
And scarcely feels the floor the wings of those harmonious
feet.
Ob, are they flying shadows from their native forms set
free?
Or phantoms in the fairy ring that summer moonbeams see?
As,
by the gentle zephyr blown, some light mist flees in air,
As
skiffs that skim adown the tide, when silver waves are fair,
So
sports the docile footstep to the heave of that sweet measure,
As
music wafts the form aloft at its melodious pleasure,
Now breaking
through the woven chain of the entangled dance,
From where the
ranks the thickest press, a bolder pair advance,
The path they
leave behind them lost--wide open the path beyond,
The way unfolds
or closes up as by a magic wand.
See now, they vanish from the gaze in wild confusion
blended;
All, in sweet chaos whirled again, that gentle world is
ended!
No!--disentangled glides the knot, the gay disorder
ranges--
The only system ruling here, a grace that ever changes.
For ay destroyed--for ay renewed, whirls on that fair
creation;
And yet one peaceful law can still pervade in each
mutation.
And what can to the reeling maze breathe harmony and
vigor,
And give an order and repose to every gliding figure?
That
each a ruler to himself doth but himself obey,
Yet through the
hurrying course still keeps his own appointed way.
What, would'st
thou know? It is in truth the mighty power of tune,
A power that
every step obeys, as tides obey the moon;
That threadeth with a
golden clue the intricate employment,
Curbs bounding strength to
tranquil grace, and tames the wild enjoyment.
And comes the world's wide harmony in vain upon thine
ears?
The stream of music borne aloft from yonder choral
spheres?
And feel'st thou not the measure which eternal Nature
keeps?
The whirling dance forever held in yonder azure deeps?
The
suns that wheel in varying maze?--That music thou discernest?
No!
Thou canst honor that in sport which thou forgettest in earnest.
Captivated by the poem, the lord knight stared in awe. Elraven takes a deep breath after finishing the poem. After regaining herself, Fiorentin asks, "Why a poem all of sudden, Elraven?". Elraven sighed and answered, "Because Frea told me your mom used to recite you a poem, and you like poems as well. That's why I think I would recite one for you!".
"Why, thank you" Fiorentin chuckles listening his answer. Elraven approaches the lord knight and stretches his right hand, "Shall we dance, Alexandria?".
The sudden question makes Fiorentin blushed, "Ah...uh, what? What did you say? Dance?". "You heard it right" Elraven simply replies.
Fiorentin nervously tried to speak, "Why a dance? What about Frea? She will be mad if...". "She won't. This is my apology. You apologized to me, and now, I'll apologize to you. I...mocked you during the festival's night, didn't I? I realized it was ignorant to say that, and now, I would like to apologize by...giving you your dance".
Fiorentin blushed to death listening him, but her feelings couldn't lay as she slowly stretch her arms and...they start dancing.
Fiorentin does not really know about dancing, so she lets Elraven takes the lead. After all, dancing is holding arms together and moves till you get tired.
It was a good dance; they comply with each other's movement. Both Fiorentin and Elraven seem to enjoy their moments. They didn't even notice how time goes by as they finished their deeds.
For once, Fiorentin feels that…she doesn't want to let Elraven's hand go. His hand is soft and warm, the same feeling she got when Elraven patted on her head.
Elraven slowly let go of Fiorentin's hand. The former princess heart was beating so fast. "Wow, that was....amazing, El. I...I...thank you!!" Fiorentin said with a red face as she rushes inside the temple, leaving Elraven stood all by himself, wondering why the princess acts so weird. "What's with her? Oh well, I better get going now. Perhaps Frea is ready, because I am!" Elraven said to himself as he slowly walks inside the temple.
Unnoticed by him, Alphard was eyeing him from afar. "So, I have a hindrance here, huh? It's not good messing with me, Angel of Darkness" The male lord knight said with fire on his eyes.
****
Well, that's it for this chapter!!!! I hinted some romance as a service for Aya the Oneechanbara, because she seems so eager to see Elraven and Fiorentin as a pairing (LOL)!!!!
For those who are wondering what did the characters wear during their free time or when they are not fighting :
1. Elraven likes to wear a formal shirt and his long pants. When he's in battle, he will wear a bullet proof shirt under his gunslinger coat.
2. Fiorentin and Felicia usually wear a long sleeve sweaters and their lord knight's and paladin's skirt.
3. George and Olivia usually change into their acolytes uniform (they used it when they were acolytes, but they find the clothes are useful enough even now).
4. Clyde and Sasha usually wear whatever their vice captain wears.
5. Frea usually wears her hanbok, but her cheap hanbok of course. She will wear the expensive one whenever she celebrates something.
OK, hope that helps!! See u again after the 21 March 2009!!!! ^^