DamageCtrl/Pasifik's Vault

NaNoWriMo 2009

2009-11-05T23:56:12Z

Gundam GSD Fanfic Readers - I'll be pre-occupied for November trying to do NaNoWriMo. I'm currently at 16K words and nothing makes sense. This... is a problem. :(

I'll get back on the fanfic writing boat sometime in December! Until then, please no hate mail! :D

Much Love,
E

Update Notes on Written Projects

2009-06-04T22:09:43Z

Though the Heavens May Fall

Fandom : Gundam Seed/Destiny
Pairings : Shiho/Yzak, Shinn/Stellar

Where am I? : I wrote out the notes to chapter 7 last night and will try to continue writing out notes for at least another 2 chapters before I begin writing chapter 7. I am still unsure how many chapters there will be, but Stellar's current issue will be resolved by, at the latest, chapter 9. Perhaps 10 chapters total?
How much longer until an update? : Give me until the beginning of July.
Do I plan on completing it? : Yes.

Neither Victory Nor Defeat

Fandom : Avatar: The Last Airbender
Pairings : Starting with canon pairings, assorted; trying to focus on family and friendship

Where am I? : To be honest, I am still unsure whether or not I want to continue this. Part of me really wants to, as a personal challenge. A couple of months ago, after the series finale, I had a bunch of crack fics idea and thought it would be interesting to try to tie them all together in a coherent, not-too-crack-fic fic. This includes various non-canon pairings, including Zutara, and crack pairings. It's a very messy jumble right now.

I'm not sure if I can successfully twist the story with a canon ending into a Zutara in a way I am even mildy statisfied with. On the other hand, it doesn't seem as difficult as pro-canon pairings may insist it is. There are the other pairings I want include and random political intrigue, which I suck at. Ugh...this seems like a lot of work...
How much longer until an update? : If nothing is posted in 3 months, consider it a lost cause.
Do I plan on completing it? : Uncertain.

Original Fiction

Where am I? : I'm just going to wait until NaNoWriMo to start up again. When the time comes, I will only write one story. I'll probably start off a day behind, too, since November 1st, falls on a Sunday and I'll be at a convention, selling my wares. Right now, I'm far too busy with other things, including projects for my anime convention artist alley 'hobby-business' and wanting to finish TTHMF.
How much longer until an update? : NOVEMBER
Do I plan on completing it? : One day...

Questions? Comments? Concerns?

You know where to reach me.

Neither Victory Nor Defeat

2009-05-19T06:43:53Z

Title: Neither Victory Nor Defeat (NVND)

Chapter: Prologue? One-Shot?

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Warnings: NOT PROOF READ. I have no idea where I am taking this. All I know is the mixture of the Korean promo art with Zuko and Katara (= Zutara?) and that the Children of Dune OST drove me to this. It can be linked to "If Only" if you like.

Rating: T (?)

Summary: A short, post-series drabble set on some of the major characters and where they are approximately 3 years after the end of the war.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to go with you?” Aang asked as he rose from his seat. He remained in his spot, hesitant to take another step forward before Katara answered. The brown-haired young woman turned around and gave him a soft smile.

“It’s not too far, Aang,” she assured him with a small chuckle. “I’ll be fine. Just sit here and wait for Sokka and Suki to arrive.”

The bald young man shrunk back as he glanced over his shoulder. A rotund, pleasant old man was humming to himself as he poured tea at the back counter. A wooden tray already carrying a small plate of fresh pastries and two steaming cups of tea waited beside him.

It wasn’t that Aang didn’t want to stay and catch up with the retired Fire Nation General; he was more than happy to busy himself with a good conversation with even better company. It was just that he wasn’t sure he was comfortable with the love of his young life going to see another man, sort to speak. Especially when the mere thought of that man put her in a somber mood.

Regardless, he wasn’t going to stop her. He remained standing as he looked back at the woman paused by the door frame of the Ba Sing Se tea shop. “Don’t stay too late,” he gave her a bright, cheerful smile, hoping to remind her that her kind, loving Avatar was waiting for her. “The Earth King is having us over for dinner. Iroh is even closing shop early for it.”

Katara smiled once more and gave him a nod of her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

Aang kept his smile on his face as the blue-clad young woman stepped outside the door and down the steps to the main road. As soon as she was out of sight, Aang let his positive smile falter.

“You seem troubled, Aang,” a gruff voice said behind him. “Have some tea. It will relax you after your long journey here.”

He could smell the scent of lotus tea before him and turned to the older man with a thankful smile. “Sorry, Iroh,” he said as he took the small, white cup with his hand. “It’s just been tiring dealing with the southern areas and the de-colonization going on…”

“It is understandable,” Iroh said as he placed the tray on the table and motioned for the younger man to take a seat. Iroh took the seat across from him before gathering his own cup in his hand. “Some say that the hardest part of the war is what happens afterwards.”

“You have idea,” Aang sighed heavily as he brought the tea to his lips. He took a small sip and smiled. “It’s delicious.” He took another sip, longer this time, and seemed to relish the taste. “As always.”

Across from him, Iroh chuckled and lifted his tea cup in gratitude. “You flatter me, but thank you,” he smiled. “I am pleased that you decided to stop by before you headed to the palace.”

Aang let out a small chuckle. “We wouldn’t dream of coming to the city and not seeing you, Iroh. Besides, we haven’t seen you in six or so months. Not after Toph’s 16^th birthday.”

“Ah, yes,” the old man nodded thoughtfully. “That was quite an evening. I don’t think the guards Tyro had been training were prepared for our prodigal earthbender’s…er…party.”

“You sound regretful,” a somewhat displeased voice said behind him. Aang lifted his head and grinned as a lean, tall young woman entered with a white lemur perched on her shoulder. “I distinctly recall you were on that table dancing, as well.”

Iroh laughed as he and Aang rose from their seats. “Miss Bei Fong,” Iroh said as he bowed. “Welcome back to the city.”

“Hey, no formalities!” Toph frowned as she uncrossed her arms. Iroh stood up straight and welcomed the young woman into a familiar embrace. “We missed you, Iroh,” Toph said as she gave the old man a squeeze. “Do you know how hard it is to find good tea in the southern Earth Kingdom?”

“I will prepare some extra for you before you three leave this time, then,” Iroh smiled as he released her. “Come, have a seat. I will get you a cup.”

“Thanks!” Toph beamed and casually took the seat beside Aang’s as he returned to his. She leaned back against her chair and stretched her arms back. “Did Sweetness leave already?”

“Yeah,” Aang said. “She said she’d be back soon. How did it go at the base?”

Toph let out an unimpressed snort. “If those lousy excuses for benders are going to be protecting the Earth King, then right now he’s in mortal danger.”

Aang let out a laugh and shook his head. “You didn’t give them one of your surprise tests, did you?” he joked. Toph tensed. Aang paused. She was hesitating. His smile quickly melted as he sat up straight in his chair. “Toph…”

“It wasn’t a surprise if they knew I was arriving today,” she told him. Aang frowned.

“Toph…”

“There wasn’t too much damage done this time,” she insisted. “I mean, if they’re even the least bit worthy of joining the royal guard, then they can easily fix a few doors.”

“How many is a few…?” Aang asked wearily.

“Just two.”

His eyes narrowed, the dread rising in his stomach. “Which two?”

She was silent for a moment longer. “The main gates.”

Aang let out a groan. The main gates to Ba Sing Se’s main military training grounds were pure, hard stone, and, from experience, Aang knew that only truly focused and strong benders could move them without damaging them or the walls they were connected to.

For him and Toph, it would be as easy as lifting a pinky. For new recruits, it would be as difficult as lifting a pinky with the gates resting on top of them.

“Don’t worry,” she assured him with a wave of her hand. “Haru was there. He said he’d take care of it before dinner.”

Aang let out a breath of relief. Good old, reliable Haru.

“Here go you,” Iroh said as he returned with another cup of tea for Toph. “Jasmine, just the way you like it.”

Toph beamed and sat up properly to accept her cup. “Thank you very much,” she said. She eagerly took a drink and let out a content sigh. “That hits the spot.”

Iroh chuckled and nodded as he offered her a fruit tart. “So,” Aang said as he picked one up. “How’s Zuko doing? All his messages have been about meetings and stuff.”

“They sound more like complaints than actual correspondence,” Toph piped before biting into a fruit tart. “Mmm…”

“Zuko has his hands full,” Iroh sighed. “Part of me wishes I could return, but I know he will protest. He says I deserve some peace and quiet.”

“And you do,” Aang and Toph chorused.

Iroh smiled sadly. “Perhaps, but it is difficult to rest easy when your nephew is trying to piece together a country on the verge of civil war.”

Aang paused. The pastry he was bringing to his mouth hovered before his chin. Toph furrowed her eyebrows and swallowed the food she was eating. “Civil war?” the Avatar asked. “Are you certain?”

“It does not take a veteran of war to know when one is threatening to occur,” Iroh admitted. “There are those who had prospered during the war…powerful families who are now on a side opposing Zuko’s attempts to appease the other countries while trying to fix the wrongs that Ozai had done. He has a few good advisors at his side and Mai, of course, has been more than diligent in trying to appease the other families and the nation, but when half the country doesn’t want to change…”

“I see…” Aang frowned. He lowered his eyes.

“What about Lady Ursa?” Toph asked. “Can’t she go back? Maybe she can help gather support for Zuko?”

Iroh looked pensive. “I do not know,” he said. “Azula needs her mother right now, perhaps more than Zuko does.”

“Zuko is one of the most disciplined and persevering people I know,” Aang assured Iroh. “If there is anyone who can put the Fire Nation back on to the path of peace it was once on, it is him.”

“I do believe you are right,” Iroh smiled thankfully. “A man who knows the path should be able to guide others, as well.”

“You need to eat,” Mai frowned as she stood at the doorway of Zuko’s private study, holding a tray of food and some tea.

Across from her, with his pale face illuminated by candle light as he hunched over his desk, endlessly scribbling on parchment, Zuko nodded. “Yeah…”

“Zuko,” Mai took a step into the room, her eyes crinkling as she looked at him. It was wearing him down; the angry nobles, the displaced returnees, the pride-wounded ambassadors. It was breaking her heart to see him as he was. “You haven’t eaten all day.”

“I was busy,” he answered quickly as he lifted a hand and vaguely motioned to the side of the room. “Just put it over there and I’ll look at it later.”

She gritted her teeth. “I brought you food, Zuko, not another document,” she hissed in a low voice. He gave no response. “Zuko, please!” she snapped. “At least look at me!” She slammed the tray on his desk, making Zuko jump as small drops of hot tea flew up from the force.

Instinctively, he snatched up the scroll he had been writing on and lifted it off the desk, as if afraid that his work would be damaged. His gold eyes settled on the tray and the spilled tea kept inside of it. Pale hands were gripping the sides and as he lifted his eyes, another set of worn eyes bore into him.

“Mai,” he said. He gave her a frown. “What are you doing? You almost ruined the proposal for irrigation.”

“Irrigation?” she hissed. Her eyes narrowed as she slammed her hands on the edge of the desk. “Zuko, is that all that is on your mind right now!? You haven’t eaten all day!”

“All day…?” he murmured. He gave her a questioning look. “What time is it?”

“Look your window,” Mai scowled. Confused, Zuko did as he was told and turned towards the open balcony window to his left. The curtains had been open to allow the breeze to enter freely, but past them was nothing but darkness. “You’ve been in meetings all day and when you weren’t in a meeting, you’ve been here doing nothing but working on proposals and agreements.”

Mai’s voice had softened, becoming more worried than angry. “Oh…” Zuko murmured. He slowly lowered the scroll back on to the table. “I...I guess I didn’t even realize…”

“Zuko, please,” Mai pleaded quietly as she rounded the desk. “At least have something to eat. A meat bun, some rice porridge…you can’t work if you’re unwell.”

“I know,” Zuko sighed heavily as he leaned back against his chair and ran a hand down his face. “I know…”

She stopped behind his chair and leaned over it, wrapping her red, silk covered arms around his shoulders. She tucked his head beneath her chin and closed her eyes. “Zuko, please take better care of yourself.” She paused. “You’re worrying me…” she added.

Beneath her, the corners of his lips lifted in a small smile. He raised his arms and placed his hands on hers. “I’m sorry,” he told her softly. “I just…there is just so much to do.”

“I know…”

“I’m sorry I’m putting you through all of this,” he said as he lowered his eyes. “I have done nothing but bring you frustration and pain.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Zuko,” Mai frowned. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to. I love you.”

He basked in her words for a moment before tilting his head back against her. “And I am undeserving.”

“You are hungry, too,” Mai said as she lowered her eye shyly and pulled away from him. “Eat. I will get you another cup of tea to replace the one I spilled.”

“Jasmine, please,” Zuko said as he allowed her to slip away. “Bring the pot and a cup for yourself.”

Mai gave him a soft smile and nodded. “Of course.” She made it half way around the desk when she paused. “Oh, before I leave…” she reached into one her sleeves and pulled out a seal skin case tied with blue chords. “A letter from the Southern Water Tribe,” she said with a thoughtful smile as she reached across the table and handed it to him. “From Azula.”

Zuko perked up and reached forward to accept the message. “Are you sure it’s not from my mother?”

“Yes,” Mai said as she walked towards the door. “Azula’s been writing more frequently lately. This is a good sign.”

“Yeah…” Zuko nodded. The door closed across from him and he was left staring at the pale gray case. He seemed to hold it a moment longer in silence before he finally pulled on the blue chords.

The scroll neatly tucked within the case slid out and Zuko carefully unraveled the message from his exiled and ‘recuperating’ sister.

“Azula!” The black-haired princess rolled her eyes. Honestly, how could Gran-Gran love that man? “Is that the best you can do? I expected more from a prodigy. I would think that your upbringing would not have denied you practice in the arts, but I am beginning to think otherwise.”

Come to think of it, how did Katara come to love the old man as her grandfather and mentor, as well? Was there something wrong with the women in her family? “Master Pakku,” Azula turned around and gave the master waterbender a small bow of her head. “I was unaware you were coming today.”

The white haired man’s piercing blue eyes looked past her and at the gates of solid ice that Azula was supposed to be engraving using finely controlled firebending to melt and shape the ice.

“Hmmm…” He lifted his gloved hand and stroked his beard. “The detail is exquisite, up close…” he admitted as he studied the door. They were for the main gates that would lead to the still-under-construction Southern Water Tribe city, of which her foster family was the head of. Katara had come down on her birthday and prepared one door, but before she could complete the second one, she, the blind earthbender, and the Avatar were called away. She confidently left the duty of the second door not to a waterbender, but to Azula. It had been both frustrating and yet, flattering.

“I am trying to smoothen out the ice from my earlier attempts using heat rather than full fire,” Azula explained.

The old man nodded critically. He continued to study the massive ice door in silence and Azula fidgeted. “You have learned something new,” Pakku said suddenly. “The best method is not always the most powerful.” He turned around and gave her a proud smile. “Excellent job, Azula.”

Praise. Oh, how she loved praise, especially from someone as esteemed as Pakku. She seemed to stand up straighter as she gave him a respectful bow and gracefully accepted the compliment. “Thank you, Master Pakku.”

The old man chuckled. How different the girl was after spending almost three years in the ice and snow. She had threatened to melt the pole when she first arrived, but now, there she was, engraving a Water Tribe symbol carefully for her foster sister.

“It is coming along beautifully, Azula,” a raspy, kind voice said behind her. Pakku’s face lit up and Azula tried to keep the pleased smile off her face. “Katara was right in choosing you to continue in her absence.”

“Gran-Gran,” Azula said as she turned around. The lovely old woman was smiling at her and Azula smiled sheepishly. “I am glad you think so.”

“Kana,” Pakku said as he approached her. “What are you doing up here? We were going to leave for the day in just a moment.”

“I felt like a walk,” the elder shrugged. “Besides,” she began as she looked over at Azula. “You know how your mother still gets lost. All the bright white snow, she says.”

Azula looked curious. “Mother is here?” she asked. Typically, Ursa spent the time Azula was ‘working’ learning various Water Tribe skills. She had become rather adept at cooking Water Tribe food in the year and a half since she first arrived. “Where is she?”

“We ran into Hakoda,” Gran Gran explained. Pakku raised an eyebrow and casually looked away. “She wanted to know when the next messenger ship was arriving.”

“Yes, of course…” Pakku mumbled under his breath. “It isn’t as if the ship doesn’t come at the same time every lunar phase…”

“Oh,” Azula nodded. That explained it. Her mother always prepared a letter to send to Zuko. She had gotten her into doing it also. Her lips curled into a small frown. Now that she thought about it, Zuko’s letters had been decreasing. She would have to mention that in her next letter to him and in her other letter to Mai. Surely not hearing from her son for so long would put a strain on their mother.

A light, laughter floated through the air. It was sweet and familiar. “That’s hilarious, Hakoda! Really, you never cease to amaze me!”

A masculine laugh mingled with Ursa’s signaling not only her arrival, but his as well. From the lower tier, just before the doors Azula was working on in front of the lodge, a beautiful middle-aged woman wrapped in blue and white, with her hood up, was walking beside the Southern Water Tribe’s chief.

“There you all are,” Hakoda’s boisterous voice greeted them as he reached the upper tier. His eyes rose to the ice doors behind them and gave an appreciative nod. “Azula, you’re improving quickly. It’s almost as if a waterbender did them.”

Azula couldn’t help but smile as her cheeks reddened. “Thank you, sir.”

“Oh, Azula…” her mother gushed a she gazed upon the doors. “They’re love-Oh!” Caught up in her daughter’s work, Ursa stumbled forward, her arms flailing as she braced herself for the hard packed snow.

“Ursa, be careful,” Hakoda said beside her. She wasn’t face down on the ice, but she might as well have been the way her cheeks were warming up with embarrassment. Her hands were clinging on to the furs of his outer coat as he held her steady in his arms. Her face had been shoved against his chest. “You are not completely used to the ice and need to be careful where you step.”

“Forgive me!” Ursa gushed as she quickly pulled herself away and straightened herself up. Hakoda kept a firm grip on her elbow, looking serious, to keep her steady.

“Are you alright, mother?” Azula asked, sincerely.

The flustered woman looked at her daughter, touched by her words. The daughter she had left behind cold and wounded was healing and she owed it all to that Tribe and the man beside her.

“Yes, my dearest, I’m fine. I’m getting better, though, you must admit,” she offered. Azula gave her a small nod. Ursa was not naturally graceful on snow and ice.

“Well, then,” Hakoda said with a warm smile. “Shall we all return?”

“We should before the food gets cold,” Kana said. She began to head back, only to have Pakku latch himself beside her and take her arm. “I’m not crippled, Pakku. I can make it down.”

“Yes, perhaps, my love,” Pakku agreed sweetly, somewhat unnerving both Azula and Hakoda behind them. “But, I would at least like an excuse to hold you.”

Kana let out a tired sigh. What was it with the men in her family and their charming personalities? Behind her, Hakoda grinned. He turned to the remaining women. “Ladies? If I may have this honor?” Gentlemanly, he offered one arm to Azula and one arm to Ursa. Ursa giggled.

“Now I see where your son gets it,” Ursa smiled as she gladly took his arm.

On the other side, Hakoda motioned his arm once more. Azula let out a visible, heavy sigh, but looked away shyly as she took his arm and tried to fight down her blush. “Let’s go.”

Ursa chuckled as she allowed Hakoda to escort them back to the main village. “I can’t wait until the next mail ship arrives,” she told them as they walked down the hard packed path. “Sokka and Suki were heading to Ba Sing Se. I’m sure your Uncle will have them send some of his tea down. He does make the best tea you know.”

“General Iroh?” Hakoda asked. He smiled widely. “I hope gets that package we sent with Sokka.”

“What did dad send?” Suki asked as they rode along the ostrich horse drawn carriage to Iroh’s tea house. “Jerky? Smoked fish?” she guessed. “Some sort of preserved meat?”

“Sea weed,” Sokka said proudly. “It makes for a kind of tea. He didn’t think that Iroh tried this particular blend yet, so he sent some along since Iroh always sends them tea.”

“That was sweet of him,” Suki smiled. She leaned back against the seat and leaned her head on Sokka’s shoulder. “I can’t wait to settle into those beds at the palace. Traveling is always a lot more tiring when you’re not a bender or have a flying bison.”

“You’re telling me,” Sokka agreed. They had taken a ship from the Southern Water Tribe to the southern Earth Kingdom, then traveled with a caravan to Ba Sing Se. It had taken quite some time, but Suki was enjoying her stay on solid earth and the mild weather. “Not to mention the food! Can you imagine what’s waiting for us?”

Suki chuckled as the carriage came to a stop. “We’re here, already?”

“Looks like it,” Sokka said as he looked out the window to confirm. He hopped out of the carriage and helped Suki out before paying the driver. He and his wife gathered their belongings and made their way up the stairs to Iroh’s.

“Snoozles!” a voice shouted before they even made it across the threshold. “Suki!”

“Hey! You guys made!” another voice said.

“Aang, Toph!” Sokka beamed with pride as he dropped his bag by the door and ran into the awaiting group hug. Suki let out a laugh and gently placed her bag beside Sokka before being ushered into the group hug.

“How was your trip?” Aang asked.

“We should ask you the same thing,” the female warrior smiled. “Ours was long, but I did miss the Earth Kingdom. Are we ready to go?”

“Wait…” Sokka said as he pulled away from the group. He narrowed his eyes. “Toph…Aang…Momo…” he looked past their shoulders. Iroh was approaching them with a warm, welcoming smile. “Iroh…” He lifted his hand and began to stroke his stubble laced chin. “We’re missing someone…” he murmured as he narrowed his eyes.

“Katara,” Suki sighed. She shook her head. She looked back at the two benders. “Where is she?”

“She…um…went for a visit…” Aang murmured, unsure of how to end it.

“A visit?” Sokka said before he greeted Iroh and gave him a friendly. “Hey, Iroh! Thanks for having us.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” Iroh said. He turned to the young woman who gave him a hug. “My dear Suki, you look lovely as always.”

“Aww…thank you, Iroh. And I can tell from all the other people here that business is doing well?” Suki grinned.

Iroh chuckled. “I’m actually thinking about opening a second store.”

“Oh…” Suki’s eyes widened. “Wow…”

“Wait, who did she go visit?” Sokka said as tilted his head to the side and scratched it. “Haru? Aren’t we seeing him later, at dinner?”

“Actually…” Toph trailed off.

“I hope you like them,” Katara said as she stood over the calm waters of Lake Laogai on a walkway of ice. She looked down at her reflection, unable to see the bottom of the lake as she held the flowers in her hand. “Aren’t they gorgeous? I remember seeing some bushes of them by the tree camp.”

She was silent for a moment, not really expecting an answer. She closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. The cool breeze that came from above the lake caressed her brown skin softly.

She tilted her head back, allowing the breeze to sweep through her thick, unbound hair and lift long strands into the air around her. A small smile reached her lips as tears escaped her tightly shut eyes.

“Everyone is helping in the south,” she whispered. “You’d be proud of them…Smellerbee and Longshot…the Duke and Pipsqueak. You’d be so happy to see them now…happy and free…”

She opened her eyes clenched the flowers in her hand. She looked back down at her reflection and for a moment, if she squinted behind the tears, she could almost see unruly, brown hair and a mischievous smile looking back at her.

“It never ends for us…” she said softly. “The end of the war…it was neither victory nor defeat. It was not even the end…” She smiled softly. “At least you can rest. Your country is free.” “You are free…”

She knelt down by the waters edge and carefully placed her hand made bouquet beside her. She reached into her shirt and placed the incense she had bought into two little stands she made of ice. Using some spark rocks, she lit the ends and placed them into the stands.

It was a comforting smell. Katara sat over her knees and watched the coils of smoke lift into the air hypnotically. This was how one paid respected in to the EarthKingdom, she had learned.

After a few moments, she took her bouquet and gentle released it over the water. She watched as the flowers that her hand had kept together separated as she released them.

“…I’m sorry. I never was able to forgive you…Jet…” She bit her lips and closed her eyes once more. “Give us your strength. We will need it…” she whispered as she opened her eyes.

She watched as some flowers began to sink into the water and slowly rose to her feet. She lifted her head. The sun would set soon. She had to leave.

A final breeze wrapped around her and she took a deep breath.

There was still much to do and much more to live. She was sure of it.

A.N. – I may have started something that’s over my head. Oh boy…Well, off to Fanime Con! :D

Writing Project Postponed

2009-04-15T21:01:32Z

I am suddenly overloaded with work for the convention next month. With less than a few weeks ago, I need to so some final button designs and packages. T_T I also need to work on two pieces of 'easily identifiable artwork' that will be cycled in F A N I M E's Artist Alley. One is for EnS and one is for Worlds of Angels (my friend's Ball Jointed Doll stuff). We're also planning to do an ad in UCI's CACN program, so I need to work on that, too.

I need to update some websites, take photographs of AAlley items, and what not; my goal is get them done 2 weeks before the convention itself. Thank you for your patience!

Original Fiction: The Princess' Mistress

2009-04-09T16:24:48Z

Title: The Princess’ Mistress

Chapter: Three

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Original Fiction

Warnings: Hemorrhages may occur upon reading this. Read at your own risk.

Rating: T to M

Summary: The final hope for a kingdom under attack lies with their young, 17 year old princess, who must convince a neighboring kingdom to help them. When they refuse, she figures her kingdom is screwed. Enter knight in shining armor...

She had always thought that those who had a similar upbringing to hers would have the basic knowledge of the skills she learned as a child. Proper manners, dining etiquette, how to dance…

Clearly, she was wrong.

He was fumbling with every other step and twice his feet had stepped on hers. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from crying out in pain when his shoes unceremoniously slammed over her dainty feet. She could only find solace in that they were closed toed.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered out as his eyes apologetically met hers. “I didn’t mean to! Did I hurt you?”

It would have been unbecoming of a princess to say yes, so Charlotte merely smiled and gave a small, demure shake of her head. “It is fine, Premier e’Xurre,” she assured him behind a pasted smile. “It was an accident.”

A troubled look graced his face and his eyes lowered. She could feel his grips on her hand and waist weakening as he grew embarrassed. “I will take that as a yes,” he murmured.

“How impressive,” a voice said behind them. The dancing couple turned and came to a stop as the still figure appeared beside them. Charlotte turned her head towards the familiar voice, her eyes widening with surprise. “To be able to get Adrian out on the dance floor he so vehemently despises is quite a triumph, your highness.” The Southern Premier’s lips carried an amused smile. “He must be quite taken with you.”

Charlotte could feel her cheeks reddening as she stiffened in place. She watched Premier e’Elleria’s eyes glance over at her companion. The youngest Premier’s eyes were turned away, his cheeks a rosy color as a slight sheen of sweat shone across his forehead.

“Runa,” he began informally. “I…”

“No need to explain,” the older Premier assured him. “Frankly, I’m sure everyone is pleased to see you dancing considering how you used to turn away from it in the past. This is a good experience for you, Adrian, though, Princess Charlotte is my escort to this celebration.” The Southern Premier seemed to pause before taking a step back and offering bow. “Therefore, may I cut in?”

Before him, Charlotte could feel her heart slamming against her chest like crazy. The Premier’s fluid motion, his calm, confident, though slightly teasing voice, and narrow red eyes that held her gaze seemed to close out the rest of the world and make her believe that the only two people on the dance floor were them. Was he seducing her or was he naturally like this.

Either way, she both admired and grew irritated with him.

Unknowingly, she had stepped away from her previous partner. She raised her hand away from his and moved out of his grasp. Her eyes were drawn to the older Premier. Across from her, Premier e’Elleria didn’t seem to move. He seemed to have been waiting patiently for Premier e’Xurre’s response.

“Err…with me or with the princess?” came the younger Premier’s somewhat stupefied answer.

The jarring response halted the princess’ slow movement reaching for the older Premier’s extended hand. Her eyes immediately narrowed and turned towards the other man. “What?” she spat out, unable to stop herself.

She could understand when he blushed with embarrassment or blushed around a pretty woman, but suddenly looking flushed and shy in front of another Premier? And a male one at that? Her eyes darted back to the Southern Premier. He was a monster.

Premier e’Elleria stood up straight, with one gloved hand casually reaching forward and tilting Premier e’Xurre’s chin upwards so that his eyes would meet his. “I was referring to the princess, but if you so wish, I will dance with you afterwards. Northern Premier.”

The courtyard suddenly felt a bit hot and Charlotte could’ve sworn that several women who had been watching from the edges of the central courtyard fanned themselves. The response was far more severe with the Northern Premier. His eyes had widened as his mouth gaped. He seemed to be trying to speak, but nothing was coming out.

Charlotte’s eyes crinkled. “Premier…?” she asked carefully. “Premier e’Xurre?”

“I would be honored…” the younger man murmured as Premier e’Elleria’s gloved hand seemed to almost caress the side of his face. “With a dance…later…”

The older Premier smiled and lowered his arm. “Good,” he answered simply. He turned back to Charlotte and gracefully stepped between the two of them. One hand found itself cupping hers while the other rested gently on her hip. “Thank you for accepting, your highness.”

“Yes…” Charlotte murmured dumbfoundedly. Did she even accept? She didn’t didn’t remember actually verbally accepting… How charming was this man that even another man would so easily give in to him? Furthermore, did the man also like other men!? Charlotte tried to look away from his red eyes. It wasn’t impossible, she supposed.

“Did he apologize to you?” the Premier asked as they casually swept around the inner courtyard. It amazed her how they didn’t run into any of the other dancers.

“Yes,” Charlotte nodded slowly as she tried to focus. “He apologized. I didn’t think he would, but he seemed rather…”

“Childish? Yes, Adrian was raised in a rather sheltered home,” he admitted with a slight frown. “I worry about leaving him without further guidance.”

Charlotte tilted her head to the side and looked up at the Southern Premier. “You two are close?”

“I am his mentor,” the man replied. “His father’s death was unexpected and the duties of Premier were thrust upon him without warning. Adrian had barely finished his schooling. He is an intelligent boy, but not as practiced in the ways of the Premier as the rest of us are.”

“How long have you been a Premier, my lord?” Charlotte asked quietly.

“For a few years. It is a hereditary position, though one can step down if they do not feel they are able to keep up or if there are other…compromising issues that arise,” the Premier told her. He looked down at her and offered her a warm smile. “And please, you are free to call me Runa. Using my title or any sort of honorific may compromise our safety when we cross into Melania.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Charlotte nodded as her eyes widened. “Then, naturally I expect you to call me by my given name with no title or honorific as well.”

“Agreed,” the Premier asserted. His eyes looked at her intently. “Charlotte.”

A small chuckle left his lips as her face flooded with color. He gently released her hand and carefully led her towards one of the seats outside the courtyard where everyone was dancing. Vaguely, Charlotte felt herself sitting down and being told that he would return before watching him turn and approach the man she had danced with earlier.

Looking embarrassed, the other Premier accepted the dance and, to Charlotte’s surprise, placed his hands on the back of Southern Premier’s lower back, just as he had done with her. The blonde sat up straight in her seat, suddenly attentive as she narrowed her eyes and watched the couple dance.

Her lips pursed into a small frown. Odd. When she had danced with the Southern Premier, he had taken the male lead. It seemed only natural for him to. Charlotte expected the same when he danced with the Northern Premier. Instead, it was the Northern Premier who took the lead. Despite the Southern Premier being a bit taller, it seemed just as natural.

“Your highness, you seem a bit flushed,” a voice said behind her. She instantly tensed in her seat as a voice spoke beside her. She turned her head to the side and found a well-dressed man seated beside her. His thick black hair fell over his eyes and his red eyes were smiling at her. He lifted up a drink. “Water?”

“Oh…” And he had a lovely face. Charlotte kept her eyes on him as her hands rose and gently cupped the glass he was offering. “Thank you.”

“It is a warm evening, one should keep hydrated,” he assured her as he leaned back against his seat. “You look surprised to see them dancing.”

“No, no,” Charlotte insisted at first, only to quickly flatter. “A bit, yes…”

“Is it because Runa is taller?” the red-eyed man asked as he brought his own glass up to his lips.

“Hmm? Oh no,” Charlotte replied. “It’s just that this is the first time I’ve seen two men dance so close.”

The red-eyed man froze, the edge of the glass touching his mouth. He turned his head and looked at her with surprised eyes. “Did you just say two men?” he asked, disbelieving.

Charlotte’s eyebrows furrowed and nodded. “Yes. Two men,” she repeated. “Premier e’Xurre and Premier e’Elleria.”

The red-eyed man looked at her in shock. The corners of his lips curled upwards into a wary smile. “Sur…Surely, you don’t really believe that, do you?”

The princess looked at him, confused. “I don’t understand…”

The man placed his glass on the table and looked at her seriously. “Princess Charlotte…”

A second later, glass shattered and a horrified yell echoed across the courtyard. “He’s a woman!?”

Adrian’s eyes widened as he looked over his dance partner’s shoulders, their dance not faltering once despite the yell. “Runa, what was that?”

The corner of Runa’s lips curled upwards in an amused smirk. “The sound of discovery.”

Adrian raised an eyebrow. “It sounded like Princess Charlotte.”

“That, too,” she chuckled. She stepped back from her partner and pulled her hand away from his. “I should go check on her,” she sighed as she looked towards the origin of the sound. She turned back to the other Premier and bowed her head. “Thank you for the dance, Adrian.”

The young man nodded and stepped back as she swept past him. Runa cut through the dancing couples, careful not to disturb them after they returned to the rhythm of the music. She grinned as she approached the shocked looking young woman sitting next to her brother.

Her eyes were wide as a servant finished cleaning up the broken glass at her side. Beside her, Raske was trying to contain his amusement as he assured her that it was a rather common mistake considering the way Runa carried herself.

“You’re not the first to mistake her for a man,” he assured the blonde royal. “Runa’s movements, the way she walks, the way she carries herself, even the way she talks often denotes masculinity.”

“Are…are you sure?” Charlotte asked as she looked over at him beseechingly. “How are you sure? How do you even know the Southern Premier?”

“Hmm? Oh! Forgive me, your highness,” Raske said suddenly. He stood up and faced her. He bowed before her. “I have yet to introduce myself. My name is Raske e’Elleria. I am the head aide to Emperor Kailash and the Southern Premier’s older brother.”

“Older...,” Charlotte repeated unsurely. Her eyes crinkled up. “What?” She spat out. It had to be a joke. She shook her disbelievingly. “Impossible. If you are her older brother, wouldn’t you be the Southern Premier?”

“He would’ve if his body was up to it.”

Charlotte shot up from her seat as Raske slowly rose from his. She stared open-mouthed, unable to help herself, at the other woman she had mistakenly thought of was a man. “Premier…e’Elleria?”

“You sound unsure,” Runa said with a small smirk. “I have only been gone for a few moments and already you forgot me?”

She smiled that winning smile again and Charlotte couldn’t stop the warmth from flooding her cheeks. She wasn’t sure if she was embarrassed for mistaking her for a woman or for still being charmed by her when she knew she was.

Her horrified silence was shaken by Raske’s laughter as he lifted his arm and slung it around Runa’s shoulders. Charlotte’s eyes crinkled up. Raske was just a bit taller and now that she looked at them, his shoulders were boarder and his face more angular. Still, they had the same color hair and eyes. It was as if they were two brothers rather and a brother and a sister. Raske looked over at the female Premier and grinned. “It looks like she doesn’t believe you.”

“Can you blame her?” Runa said as she narrowed her eyes and shot him a glare. “I grew up in an estate filled with men and spent my entire life with twelve brothers! It wouldn’t shock anyone that I ‘carry myself like a man’, as you say,” she spat out, disgruntled.

Raske kept his amused smile on his face as he gave the woman a small shake. He looked back down at Charlotte. “If you look closely, she’s clearly a woman,” Raske pointed out. His hand rose and grasped Runa’s chin firmly. He lifted her head up to reveal a smooth, slender neck. “No apple…” he pointed out. His hand lowered and pointed to her chest without shame. “It’s bound, so you can’t tell, but she’s rather-”

“That’s enough, Kamm Raske,” Runa hissed as she shoved him to the side. She sent him a glare that would’ve reduced weaker men to a shivering pile, but only served to make her relative chuckle. Runa looked down at Charlotte. “Had I know you thought I was a man, I would’ve corrected you. I apologize if I misled you. It was not my intention.”

“Originally, anyway,” Raske added under his breath. She shot him another silencing glare.

“But…” Charlotte trailed off. She lifted one arm and waved weakly towards the courtyard. “When we were dancing…”

“Yes, but when I was dancing with Adrian…” Runa reminded her. Charlotte furrowed her brows. It was difficult to believe. She looked back up at Runa’s face and squinted.

Upon closer inspection, her face was less angular with softer curves than that of her male relative. Her eyebrows were neatly kempt, even if she didn’t paint her face as Charlotte or any of the other women did. It would also explain the well manicured nails on her hands and her small feet.

“It’s hard to believe, I know,” Raske beamed. “That e’Elleria charm practically comes out when she breaths.”

“Yes, it is rather strong, isn’t it?” Runa asked sharply as she crossed her arms over her chest. “I must’ve taken a good deal of it considering your lack of any.”

He gave her a mocking wince and lifted his hand to his chest. “You wound me, my lovely sister.”

“If I did, you would already be dead,” Runa snapped. She looked back at Charlotte. “Princess, does it really bother you so much that I am indeed a woman and not a man?”

“Yes, have you already fallen in love with her?” Raske asked. Runa reached for the sword that was strapped to her waist. Though still amused, Raske stepped to the side and raised his hands to ward her off.

“It’s just…” Charlotte stated. She looked up at Runa, unsure of how exactly to explain herself. “It just simply that you’re more handsome than you are beautiful.”

At that, Raske let out howl of laughter and quickly excused himself before his sister could gut him. Runa raised a hand and gently rubbed the bridge of her nose. Charlotte grimaced. She hadn’t meant for it to sound as harsh as it did.

“Of course that comment would set him off,” Runa sighed as she lowered her arms. “You’re not the first woman to tell me that.” The first woman? Just how many women did she confuse?

“I’m not in love with you, though!” Charlotte insisted as she leaned forward. “Honest!”

Runa looked at her, as if she had said something odd. “I never accused you of such a thing, your highness,” she replied. “No matter how many times it has happened, it still is quite bothersome to know that even other women think I’m a man. I understand full well why, but it does get tiring.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you,” Charlotte said softly. “It’s just…well…you said yourself that you understand why.”

“Never mind that,” Runa sighed as she turned around. “You are welcomed to remain and continue your dance with Adrian; however, I advise that we return you to the palace for some rest. We will be leaving early tomorrow for Elleria.”

Before Charlotte could answer, Runa stepped in front of her. The tired air around the female Premier seemed to have lifted in place of a thicker, tenser atmosphere. Charlotte narrowed her eyes and looked around the other woman’s body.

Standing before the Southern Premier was a beautiful woman draped in white and gold robes dotted with sparking jewels. She wore an elaborate head turban of a headdress. Bracelets and jeweled chains jingled on her wrists. Behind her were two foreboding looking guards wearing white sashes across their chests; members of the Imperial Family’s Royal Guard, if Charlotte identified them correctly.

That could only mean that the woman was one person. “Your Majesty, Empress Sisileah.” The title made Charlotte stand up straighter as Runa gave the woman a formal bow. “How goes your evening, Your Majesty?”

“Well enough,” the other woman replied. Her eyes seemed to drill into the bowed head of the Premier as she stood before her. “And you, Premier e’Elleria…? Did I hear correctly? You are leaving tomorrow?” she asked, almost too eagerly.

Charlotte cocked her head to the side. Did the Empress not like the Southern Premier?

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Runa replied solemnly, keeping her head bowed. “I am required back in Elleria to over see the Red Knights.”

“I see,” the Empress said as she lifted a fan to her lips and gently tapped her chin. Her eyes drifted over to the blonde behind the Premier and narrowed her eyes predatorily. “And who is this?”

Silently, Charlotte willed herself not to shrink back at the woman’s gaze. She stood up straight and grasped the sides of her gown to offer the Empress a formal curtsy that was the rule in greeting other monarchs back in Melania.

“Good evening, Your Majesty,” she greeted sweetly. “I am Princess Charlotte Alix, Duchess of Yin and Forth Princess of Melania.”

“Melania…” the older woman purred as her smile widened. “I am so sorry to hear about the troubles your country is facing, Princess. It is a shame to hear that such a country has been…over run.”

The corner of her eye twitched, but Charlotte didn’t allow her smile to leave her face. “Yes, it is a shame,” Charlotte repeated as calmly as she could. She refused to repeat what she had earlier that day and explode in an emotion-filled, rambling tirade.

“I heard that you’ve been allowed to remain at the palace as a refugee,” the Empress continued. “My husband is most generous, do you not think? Why, to allow a country-less Princess to remain in his home at no benefit to himself is nothing short of saint-like.”

Runa didn’t need to see Charlotte’s hands shaking as they dug into the sides of her robes to know that they were. Her lips tightened into a line as she lifted her hand and raised it over Charlotte’s shoulder.

“My dear princess,” she began softly she gave the younger woman a warm smile. “It is getting rather late and we have a long journey tomorrow. We will need to leave early if we are to reach Elleria quickly.”

Charlotte took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving that of the Empress’. “You are right…” she replied in a tense voice.

Runa glanced back at the Empress. The other woman’s demeaning gaze didn’t waver and she frowned. “Charlotte,” Runa said intently as her hands rose and cupped the princess’ pale cheeks in her palms. “You look unwell. Did something here not agree with you?” she asked sweetly. “Perhaps it is the food? Drink? The air?”

Behind her, the Empress narrowed her eyes. “You seem very close to the princess. Premier e’Elleria. I didn’t know you had eyes for young women,” she smirked.

Runa merely smirked back and drew her arms around Charlotte’s slim shoulders. “I know when to appreciate beauty, regardless of sex, Your Majesty,” Runa replied coolly. She gently ushered Charlotte to the side. “Come, Charlotte. I have already sent message to my brother, Rainier, at my home. He is expecting us soon. Let us get to Elleria quickly.” She gave an almost mocking bow to the other woman. “Have a good evening, Empress Sisileah.” She narrowed her eyes. “Do tell your husband that I will be sure to take care on my journey.”

The Empress’ eyes widened as her face heated into a red glow. Runa lifted her chin proudly and escorted Charlotte to the side. They walked around the outer perimeter of the courtyard, keeping as low profile as possible, as they made their way to the exit. As they reached the carriage waiting for them at the front of the e’Xurre compound, Charlotte looked over her shoulder.

It couldn’t simply have been her that noticed that the Empress was furious.

The door closed as they took their seats inside the carriage. “What was that?” Charlotte asked as she looked from the window to the Southern Premier.

“What was what?” Runa asked as she sat up straight on her seat. The carriage jerked forward and began moving. Runa’s red-eyes settled on the young royal.

“Empress Sisileah,” Charlotte said as she motioned out the window. “Did you see her face when we left? She was seething!”

The corner of the Premier’s lips curled upwards, looking almost as if she won an important prize. “I’m aware,” she assured the younger woman.

Charlotte stared at her as if she had lost her mind. “Do you realize you just infuriated the Empress of Osprei!”

“Of course,” Runa said proudly. “And quite quickly, I may add.”

Charlotte’s jaw dropped. “But why!?”

“She was picking a fight,” Runa explained easily. “You heard her. You were there. She insulted your country and your people. Then she insulted you and basically told you were inferior and did not deserve to be in the good graces of the Emperor.”

Now that it had been said that way, the blonde couldn’t help but rile up again. “I’m aware of that!” she snapped. “But she is still the Empress!”

“She should know better than to go around insulting others, let alone royal family members of other countries,” Runa frowned. “Do not defend her. I spoke up because she needed to be reminded of her manners.”

“But she is the most powerful woman in the empire!” Charlotte choked out.

“No,” Runa said as her lips tightened into a firm line. A darkened look graced the woman’s elegant face and for a moment, Charlotte could feel her blood run cold. Narrowed red eyes pierced her gaze as Runa’s hands folded neatly on her lap. “That title belongs to me.”

Chills coursed through Charlotte’s body as the red-eyed woman looked out her window. “I…but she is the Empress…” Charlotte whispered as her eyes lowered.

“In Osprei, the Empress is only as powerful as her importance to the Emperor. If he had passed on and there was no heir, she would have tremendous power; however, Emperor Kailash is alive and well,” Runa explained. “The Empress is not as educated, not as cunning as the Premiers, nor is does she have a better grasp on politics and ruling a country. The Emperor knows this and so she cannot turn his head more than the Premiers. And out of them, it is I who can turn his head further in any direction.”

Charlotte looked at her, unsurely. “I thought that the balance of power was even with the four Premiers?”

“It is in theory, but it also a matter of who the Emperor trusts. That is where his deciding factor will come from. You should know that,” Runa said as she looked over at her. “That is why the Empress looked more than happy when she heard that I was going to leave the capital.”

The blonde jerked her head back. The Empress had looked eager to hear her words validated. She looked over at the other woman once more. It seemed that she had lucked out when the Southern Premier approached her. Out of all of them, Runa e’Elleria would be the most beneficial to have at her side.

She should have been content with that, but her curiosity was not easily restrained.

“Why does he favor you?” Her blue eyes widened and her hands shot to her mouth. She couldn’t believe she had just asked that question. It sounded as if she didn’t believe the Premier and made her look haughty. Worst yet, what if she was implying something she shouldn’t have been. Her hands slowly lowered as her mouth struggled to come up with an excuse. “I…I didn’t mean that…no…I didn’t mean to insult you. Forget I said anything-”

“The Emperor’s best friend is Raske,” Runa told her without any hesitation. “Raske was born with weak lungs and could never fall into training as the rest of us did due to his health condition. As a result, he spent much of his time here, in the Capital, with Emperor Kailash. Because of our family’s proximity to the throne, they became very close. I am the younger sister of his closest friend, therefore, dots upon me.”

“It is a bit unethical,” Charlotte deduced easily. “Is it not? To favor you simply because you are his closest friend’s sister?”

“He trusts my judgment. It has never steered him wrong, even when we were children,” Runa added. She crossed her legs and looked out the window. “He knows that my brothers and I would support him to the death.”

Charlotte leaned back against the soft cushions of the carriage. “Then his empress is jealous of you?”

A small, bitter sweet laugh came from the Premier. “That’s quite a direct question.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Do not be, I am willing to answer,” Runa explained. “Empress Sisileah is the niece of Premier e’Yovoel. She was the one with the closest age to Emperor Kailash, which was why they were matched together in the first place. Even now that they are married, she still seems to thinks I’m some sort of a threat. I don’t know exactly why, so it is rather useless to ask.”

Charlotte lowered her eyes, seemingly disappointed. “You already answered most of my questions…” she admitted. “And knowing that you control the southern branch of the Osprei military, it is not difficult to acknowledge you as the most powerful woman in the Empire.”

“I sound like a braggart, but it’s been said so many times of me, I can’t help but believe it,” Runa replied. She narrowed her eyes as she saw the looming walls of the palace approaching. “Tomorrow morning, my carriage will arrive to pick you up,” she said as her eyes drifted back to the blonde. “It will take us two days to cross over into the southern province and then another two days to get to Elleria. We’ll take a carriage the entire way there, but after that, we’ll be on horse back.”

“And in Melania?” Charlotte asked hesitantly.

“We’ll take our horses as far as we can,” Runa stated. “As far as a cover goes for us, let me ask you a question…” She leaned forward and smiled. “How familiar are you with the nomadic tribes of our northern region?”

A.N. - Still playing catch up...still...T_T

Original Fiction: Left World

2009-04-07T23:56:02Z

Title: Left World

Chapter: Four - A

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Original Fiction

Warnings: Hemorrhages may occur upon reading this. Read at your own risk.

Rating: T

Summary: Demi-Demon Azalea is a few credits shy of graduating high school on time, but lucky for her, Ola Hel has gotten her into an internship at Centrale Station; the ‘police’ hub for Left World citizens.

Silently she cursed her mother for making her wear the wretched suit. As far as she was concerned, she was far too young to be wearing a white blouse under a gray blazer and a-line skirt. Despite her complaints, her mother insisted on the suit.

“You want to look presentable on your first day!” Kristine had insisted. Was the suit her mother’s idea of presentable?

“Mom, you’re a succubus! Couldn’t you have picked something more…stylish!?” Azalea choked as she looked at herself in front of the mirror. She cursed her mother then, as well. Kristine didn’t have a suit like that in her entire wardrobe. Everything made her look like some sophisticated model.

Which made the insult even worse when she presented her daughter with the bland suit that made Azalea look even plainer than she already felt. Asking her father to validate her opinion of the suit was pointless.

“What are you talking about, princess?” he asked her affectionately. “You look beautiful!”

“Ugh! You have no taste!” Azalea growled as she stormed back up the stairs. She swore to herself that as soon as she got her allowance for the next month, she would go and buy something better. She should’ve known better than to allow her mother to shop for her, as stylish as she was. There was no way she could possibly wear the suit to school.

Immediately after her last period of class, she had rushed home. She had begged Patricia for a ride home, despite the fact that the other girl her own internship after school. She now owed Patricia yet another favor, but was all worth it to avoid having to wear the suit to school. She was sure that even Peter would’ve laughed at her.

“Azalea, let’s go!” her father called from the base of the steps. He looked down at the watch on his wrist. Azalea would start in half an hour and they still had to drive into the city. “You’re going to be late!”

“I’m coming!” The brunette looked herself over in the mirror once more before grabbing her purse and storming down the stairs. Her father held the front door open and ushered her outside.

They piled into his sedan and pulled out of the driveway. Nervously, Azalea shifted in her seat. Her fingers dug into her bag as she went over the directions her Ola gave her. Helene would meet her at the Left World gateway downtown. It wasn’t so much a gateway, like she had read in fantasy novels, but more like a building that shuffled Demons and Blessed in between worlds.

Humans were only allowed to go through with proper visas and even then, it was limited to those who were already involved with Left World citizens. This was enforced by the guards at the front of the Right World entrance. Her father hadn’t even been able to enter until he married her mother.

The car pulled up to the curb of an, neo-Classic building nestled in the civic center area of the downtown. The façade shown to human eyes was that of a random, relatively unknown government building with heavy security.

Guards stood at the front and machines that looked like metal detectors lined the doors. In truth, the machines validated whether or not someone had Left World blood when someone walked through.

“Have a safe trip and make sure to stay with Helene until you get to Centrale Station!” Tony told her as he unlocked the door.

“I will,” Azalea assured him as she rolled her eyes. She wasn’t a child and it wasn’t as if she were leaving the country. She was leaving the human plane of existence, but she wasn’t leaving the country. She quickly opened the door and climbed out of the car. She straightened her blazer and skirt before closing the door behind her and giving her father one last reassuring wave.

Taking a deep breath, she began to climb up the steps of the gateway and headed towards the detectors. The guards, clearly seeing her horns, didn’t give her a second glance as she stepped through the detectors and found herself in the gateway’s central terminal.

Inside was much larger than the outside made it out to be. High, vaulted ceilings glowed with white light as hundreds of bodies moved through its halls. Pillars lined the walls and small pieces of tiles created mosaics on the floor. The offices of the gateway were on the second floor and looked down to the ground level from large viewing windows.

There were also offices of inter-world immigration and naturalization services, as well as an embassy for Left World tourists that were visiting the Right World city. A large fountain was placed in the very center of the main lobby with a statue of an angel holding the hand of a demon.

If it had been several decades earlier, such a thing would have been unsightly, but after several decades of overall peace and tolerance between the two groups, it wasn’t so uncommon to see a Demon-Blessed coupling.

Azalea drew her attention away from the statue and the architecture and focused on finding her Ola. She walked past the information stand and various tourist information stalls before coming to the gateway into the city’s Left World. Clutching her purse tightly under her arm, she looked around for a busty, horned succubus that was supposed to meet her there.

“Azzie!” Right on cue. Azalea turned her head towards the sound and found her Old Hel standing by one of the pillars, waving at her. Azalea smiled, relieved, and immediately rushed over. “Did you have any trouble?” she asked.

“Nope,” Azalea said as she shook her head. “Thanks for coming to get me.”

“It’s not a problem,” Helene smiled a she gave her a hug. She stepped back and furrowed her eyebrows. “Um…What are you wearing?”

Azalea felt her cheeks heat up once more. “Um…a suit. Mom got it for me,” she added.

Helene raised an eyebrow and met Azalea’s gaze. “Why?” she asked, concerned.

“She said…it’s for work…” Azalea murmured. Her mother made a mistake, she just knew it. Looking at her Ola in front of her, Azalea knew her mother had no idea what she was talking about.

In contrast to the business-looking Azalea, Helene was simply wearing jeans and an indigo turtle neck beneath a black pea coat. Her boots were rather simple and black and her hair was pulled up into a pony tail.

Helene let out a heavy breath. “Azalea, for future reference, you don’t need to wear a dress suit. The dress code is an un-enforced ‘business casual’ and even then, it’s common to see interns in jeans and what not since they come directly from school.”

Azalea suddenly wanted to tear her clothes off and burn them. “So…I didn’t have to change?”

“No,” Helene assured her. She put her arm around Azalea’s shoulder and turned her around. “It’s your first day so it’s fine. No need to be worried. I’m sure your mom was only being cautious. If it were somewhere else where the dress code was stricter, you would’ve been lucky.”

Azalea nodded, though still wished she could change. “Yes, if…” she grumbled. “So…how far is Centrale Station from here?”

“Through the main Left World gate,” Helene told her as she led the Demi-Demon through the spacious halls. “You’ll be working at the same branch I’m working in; the San Francisco station. We cover northern California. Most large cities have a station of their own.”

“I see,” Azalea said as they arrived before a large set of doors that lead outside.

“We’ll take you to get your badge first,” Helene smiled as they walked through the double doors that led into Left World. “Stay close to me. Once we get your badge, I’ll take you to resources and someone will show you around.”

“Huh?” Azalea looked at the other woman, confused. “I thought you were going to take me?”

“I would if I could,” Helene said with a small, sad smile. “But I still have to go to work, sweetie. I’m working on a rather important investigation right now and my partner is being of no help.”

“Oh…” the younger woman was clearly disappointed, but nodded. "Okay.”

Helene looked down at the younger woman and smiled warmly. She stopped and gave her a comforting hug. “Don’t be nervous,” she said reassuringly. “You’ll be fine.” She pulled away and waved her arm to the building directly beside the gateway. A relatively new office building seemingly made of mostly glass towered several stories about them. “This is Centrale Station.”

Azalea’s eyes widened. She knew that Centrale Station was relatively new, considering that it was established after the formal peace treaty between the Blesseds and the Demons, but the building was newer than she expected. “It’s…shiny.”

“Yeah, it’s new,” Helene grinned. “We actually moved into it lat month,” she admitted. “The old building was too small.”

“Oh,” Azalea blinked. “Are there a lot of people?”

“Yep,” Helene nodded as she led the girl up the steps. “All of the departments are here. You’ll be working with the other interns. You guys don’t have a set department, but often departments will favor a particular intern for their work.”

Azalea nodded and lowered her eyes. So it was some sort of competition for work? She hated competition. “What about your department?”

“We don’t have interns,” Helene told her. “Investigations is rather confidential heavy, so additional background checks and security measures are needed,” she looked over at the teenager and gave her a reassuring smile. “But if we need coffee or have to have food ordered in, we get you guys to do it!”

Azalea groaned. “I see…” she mumbled. They arrived at a set of glass double doors, where two sets of guards stood on either side. Helene stopped before she entered and took out a badge from her inner breast pocket. She ran it through a small machine attached to the door and Azalea heard the doors unlock.

“Security measures,” she said. “We need to get you a temporary badge first…” Helene held the door open for Azalea and then stepped inside behind her. The blue-eyed teen looked up at the buzzing lobby in wonder. She blindly followed her Ola to the front desk, where she signed Azalea in as a guest.

“Lydia from resources will come down to get her, Inspector Basti,” the Blessed at the front desk said. “Azalea can wait over there.” She motioned to the couches towards one side of the lobby.

“Thank you,” Helene said as she threw the woman a winning smile. She turned towards Azalea and motioned her head towards the lounge. “I can leave you here or I can stay with you. Do you think you can manage waiting for Lydia?”

Azalea hesitated. She was a more than a bit nervous about waiting on her own for the resources person, but her Ola did have work to do. Besides, she would look foolish waiting with her Ola as if she were an incompetent child.

“It’s fine, Ola Hel,” she smiled brightly. “I can wait.”

“Great,” Helene smiled as she patted Azalea on the shoulder. “I’ll come find you before it’s time to go and take you back to the gateway, okay?”

“Okay. Thanks, Ola Hel.”

“Sure thing, kid.” Helene gave the girl another wave before turning around and heading for the elevators. Azalea watched the succubus disappear before slowly taking a seat on the cushioned couch.

She had barely sunk down when another voice called to her. “Azalea Pierce?”

The black-haired Demi-Demon shot up from her seat. “Yes!?” she yelped as she whirled around.

A lovely brown-haired Blessed woman was standing beside the couch, smiling warmly. “I’m Lydia Lesher from resources,” she greeted as she extended her hand. “I’ll be taking you around the station today and showing you where you’ll be working as well as helping you fill out any additional paper work. We were told that you would be here for credits, am I right?”

“Yes, mam,” Azalea agreed as she shook the woman’s hand.

“Inspector Basti has filled out most of your information in preparation for you, so all we need is for you to sign it,” Lydia told her as she drew her hand back. “You’ll be sharing a cubicle with one of our more experienced interns and she’s said she’ll be happy to help you if you have any questions.”

“Great…” Azalea breathed out, relieved. “Thank you so much.”

Lydia chuckled and waved for Azalea to follow her. “No need for thanks. And welcome to Centrale Station.”

A.N. - Last entry today, I swear...

Orignial Fiction - Left World

2009-04-07T23:14:11Z

Title: Left World

Chapter: Three

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Original Fiction

Warnings: Hemorrhages may occur upon reading this. Read at your own risk.

Rating: T

The trip to the art supply store was as close to a date as she had gotten in her sixteen years of life. A boy and girl alone…in some sort of a store setting…and they did stop for food, even if it was just for a bag of Cheetos at 7-11.

Right after the final bell rang; Azalea heaved her bag over her shoulder and made a beeline to her locker. In her hurry, she fumbled over her lock, cursing herself numerous times by the time she got it open on the fourth try. She didn’t want to keep Peter waiting or think that she stood him up.

After shoving in the unnecessary books and taking out the necessary ones, Azalea rushed towards to the front of the school. She squeezed her way through the crowd coming out of building and stumbled out into the front lawn. She craned her head upwards, hoping to find her ride among the throngs of people.

“Azalea!” a voice shouted over head. “Over here! Azalea!”

Her head snapped from one side to the other, desperately trying to find the owner of the male voice. Her eyes finally settled on the young man standing by the flag pole and waving his arms in the air to get her attention. A breath of relief left her as she smiled. She adjusted her backpack over one shoulder and made her way to him.

“Hi, Peter! Thanks again for your help!” she called out.

“Don’t mention it,” he assured her as she reached him. “My dad’s truck is parked in the student lot. Let’s go before the parking lot gets busy.”

Despite their efforts, the parking lot did get busy, as it always did after school. The students who had cars or were getting rides found themselves in the usual queue that lead to the parking let exit.

Azalea sat nervously on the passenger’s seat of Peter’s father F-150, her backpack on her lap as Peter began naming off the things they’d need to buy. As they inched along towards the exit, several people passing the truck called over to greet him when they recognized him as the driver.

Amiable as always, Peter would look away from the front and smile and wave as he greeted them back.

“Peter!” a young man’s voice called out. A head suddenly appeared on the open window on the driver’s side. “Give me a ride home, man.”

“Sorry, Coby, I’m helping Azalea with her project since Patricia’s busy,” Peter told the other student.

The brown-haired fellow basketball player, Azalea recognized, peered into the cabin of the truck and smiled. “Hey! I know you. You’re Patricia’s friend!” he greeted as he gave her an acknowledging nod.

“Yeah…” Azalea smiled politely. “How does she know everyone?” “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” he smiled widely. He slapped his hand against the side of the truck before pushing himself away. “Okay, have a nice time your date, guys. See you around!”

“Coby!” Peter hissed after the other man. Azalea stiffened in her seat, trying to force down the blush that worked its way to her face. Beside her, Peter let out a nervous laugh and casually rolled up the window to prevent another friend of his from popping up. “Sorry about that,” he said apologetically. “Coby has a big mouth and he’s always messing around.”

“Yeah, yeah…” Azalea nodded. Her eyes were fixed out the window, determined not to meet his gaze. A date? Was that what they looked like? Oh, God, how pathetic a date was this if they were going to a craft store? “No worries. I didn’t take him seriously.”

“Good, good,” Peter agreed. They drifted into awkward silence. He swallowed the lump in his throat and scanned the cabin for something to distract them. His eyes landed back on the radio. “Hey, what kind of music do you listen to?” She glanced over at him. His voice seemed louder than normal.

“Whatever is fine,” Azalea assured him. Peter nodded and pressed a button on the controls. A second later, the speakers burst to life with the sounds of pop power ballads from the 80’s.

Peter’s face paled as a panicked expression crossed his face. “It’s my mom’s!” he practically screamed as he began randomly pressing buttons in his attempt to turn it off. After alternately changing songs and making it louder, Peter finally shut off the radio all together, leaving him flustered and red faced.

Azalea bit her lower lip and turned to the side. They were lucky the windows had all been rolled up after Coby. Against her will, she let out a little snicker and Peter groaned. “It’s not that bad…” she offered as she looked over at him and watched him lean over the steering wheel, humiliated. “My mom likes them, too.”

“To be clear, it is my mom’s,” Peter insisted. “I swear.”

“No one doubts you,” Azalea chuckled. Sheepishly, Peter sighed and continued to drive. He apologized once more and exited out into the street.

As they drove towards the store, Azalea felt less tense around him. She had wondered why Patricia never seemed at all bothered by the high school ‘elite’ that constantly surrounded her. Honors students, star athletes, even the loudest and most well known students in the school never seemed to faze the other girl.

After spending some time with Peter, who was apparently far more awkward and ‘normal’ than Azalea initially thought, it didn’t seem like such a big deal to have him around. Of course, they were also alone together rather than in one large, and possibly judgmental, group.

As the afternoon went on, her assessment of him didn’t seem to change. He walked around the store with her, told her what she needed and suggested things. He asked her opinion, to which she kept replying she had no idea what she was doing, so he was free to choose.

Two and a half hours later, they walked out the store with all her necessary materials and she with a better understanding of how her project was going to look like.

“So next Friday?” he asked as they drove down the street to her house. “I’ll come over your house after school to help finish it up.”

“That sounds fine,” Azalea told him confidently. “It shouldn’t be a problem.”

He glanced over at her curiously. “Your parents are okay with that?” he asked unsurely.

“They should be,” Azalea shrugged. “Patricia comes over all the time to help, so they won’t mind.”

Peter seemed to hesitate pointing out that he was a man rather than a woman and that some parents apparently had problems with that, but shrugged it off. Azalea pointed out her house and they pulled up to the curb. Two cars were already parked on the driveway.

He looked out the window to her house and nodded approvingly. “Nice house.”

“Thanks,” she smiled. The door unlocked automatically and she pushed it open. “Thanks for the help and the ride!”

“No problem,” he smiled as he waved at her. “I’ll see you next week!”

She gave him a nod and closed the door. Balancing her backpack over one shoulder as she held her plastic shopping bag filled with pieces of clay in her hand, she walked up the curved walkway to her front door. She fished for her keys in her front pocket and managed to pull them out.

As she opened the door, she heard Peter pull away behind her. He had probably waited to make sure she was at her door before he left. “He’s a lot nicer than I gave him credit for…” She slipped through the threshold and entered her house.

“I’m home!” she called out as she turned around and closed the door behind her. “Mom! Dad!” she shouted as turned back towards the foyer.

She heard rapid footsteps coming from the hall that lead to the kitchen and furrowed her eyebrows. Strange, her parents loved her, but they were so eager to see her that they’d run to the door.

Then she remembered their visitor.

“Azzie!” an energetic female voice shouted. Azalea recognized it immediately. She turned around just as a woman with reddish-brown hair emerged from the hall with her arms wide open. “Azzie! Welcome home!”

“Ola Hel!” Within seconds Azalea was crushed against the ample chest of her mother’s best friend, Helene Basti.

Tall and busty, with thick, back-length wavy hair and long, lean legs was Azalea’s Ola; the Demon equivalent of a Godmother. She was a good head taller than Azalea and had tan skin that seemed to have come from playing on the beach too much. Her mother assured Azalea that Helene’s skin color was natural, as her entire family, even the incubus, had it.

Peaking proudly from her hair were two golden horns that curved around her head like a ram’s. The way they grew out was a symbol of Helene’s bloodline. The Basti were the highest level of succubus and incubus in Left World and Helene was the 7^th granddaughter of its current leader.

That was how Helene met Kristine, the daughter of the Komorov succubus and incubus family. Despite her supposed noble Left World upbringing, Helene was rather casual and relaxed in everything she did, which contrasted with Azalea’s mother, who was rather tense and wasn’t very out-going.

It was a bit like her and Patricia.

“I was wondering where you were when I arrived, but your mother said that you went with your friend to get some items for your project,” Helene replied as she pulled away from the young woman. She held Azalea at arms length and smiled. “I’m glad to hear that you’re concentrating on your school work. Your parents were telling me about the graduation credits.”

Azalea visibly cringed. “It’s fine, Ola Hel. I already talked to my counselor and I’ll be back on track once I take some summer school.”

“And take a full schedule next year. Don’t leave that out,” Helene added knowingly. She took a step back and furrowed her eyebrows. She craned her neck forward and seemed to sniff the air. “Honey, have you been hanging around an unawakened Blessed?”

“An unawake…” her eyes widened. She had completely forgotten about Peter and what Patricia had said. She jerked her head up and met her Ola’s gaze. “How’d you know?”

“You don’t smell like Patricia and I thought you’d be out with her,” the older woman said as she crossed her arms over her chest. Azalea’s eyes tried to remain fixed on Helene’s face. The succubus’ chest always seemed to attract everyone’s eyes when she didn’t put up an illusion of ‘dull-human’ Helene. “But you carry the scent of a Blessed, but it’s not as strong, so I figured it was an unawakened one.”

Azalea stared at Helene, unsure of what to say. She knew that demons had particularly strong senses, but as a Demi-Demon, her ability to identify others wasn’t as keen. “I...well…” she stammered nervously. “Patricia was busy, so one of her friends is helping me out.”

“Oh…That’s nice of them,” Helene said as waved for Azalea to follow her into the living room. “Your mother is in the kitchen,” the succubus said as she reached the back of the couch and leaned over to get her purse. “I just got back from Rome, so I thought I’d drop by.”

“How long are you staying?” Azalea asked curiously behind her. The older woman pulled something from her purse and turned around. She held out a small, plastic wrapped piece of candy to Azalea. “What is it?” she asked unsurely.

“Japanese hard candy,” Helene told her. “Eat it. It’ll take away the scent of the unawakened male.”

Azalea’s eyes widened once more. “How did you know he was male?”

“Males smell different from females,” Helene told her proudly and shook the piece candy to get Azalea to take it. “I’m succubus, I can tell the difference easily. So can your mother.”

The Demi-Demon gave her Ola a curious look, but accepted the candy. She placed her shopping bag on the floor and adjusted her backpack over her shoulder before she unwrapped the green wrapping and placed the small, marble-sized piece in her mouth. Immediately a strong taste seemed to fill her mouth and she made an odd face.

“Ola Hel…” she grimaced. “What is this?”

“I told you, it’s Japanese hard candy,” Helene replied casually. She smirked and fell back against one of the cushioned arm chairs. She leaned back and crossed her long legs. “Do you like it? I’ll give you some more.”

Before the teenager could assure her that she didn’t want any more, a shadow fell over the living area.

“Azalea,” a voice said from the doorway to the kitchen. Both women inside the living room looked up at her father. “Go put your stuff away and then join us for dinner,” he said. He looked over at the succubus on his arm chair and hesitantly greeted her. “Helene.” She seemed to look down on him even as she sat.

“Anthony,” Helene replied coolly. Azalea glanced from her Ola to her father and noticed the tension between them. It seemed that nearly twenty years and the two’s relationship didn’t improve. Helene still thought Kristine could do better and Anthony was convinced that Helene was the devil’s mistress.

“Okay…” Azalea said as she took a step back. “I’m going to put my things in my room…I’ll be down in a few minutes!” she piped.

Before either adult could answer, she quickly scurried up the stairs. She entered her room and tossed her things on the floor before going to the bathroom to wash her hands. By the time she reached the dining room, her parents and Ola were already sitting around the table waiting for her.

The food spread across seemed to reflect a lot of meat; the favorite food of succubus. Azalea took her seat and they began to eat.

“Azalea, I told your Ola Hel about your graduation credits,” Kristine said as she scooped some mashed potatoes on to her plate. “She’s also concerned.”

Azalea let out a heavy breath. She really didn’t want to talk about this, especially not in front of her Ola Hel. “Mom, I told you, I already talked with the counselor. She said I’m fine as long as I pass all my classes in summer school and next year.”

Across from her, Helene cut into a piece of meat. “If you really need credits, why don’t you apply for an internship? You can get some real world experience and get credits for school.”

The young woman shook her head. “I don’t think so, Ola Hel. I don’t have a good enough track record to get one. I did fail a few classes.”

“What about at your parents’ work? Maybe they can help you?” Helene asked. She looked over at Kristine. “Any openings for an intern?”

“We just got them,” Kristine admitted. “So we’re filled until next year.”

“Anthony?” Helene asked as she looked at the blond man.

“None,” he replied. He looked over at his daughter. “But your Ola has a point. Did you look into any?”

“I never even thought about it,” Azalea admitted. She ate a spoonful of mashed potatoes. “I know Patricia has one. She had one since our freshman year and she says it’s pretty easy.”

“She’s on track, isn’t she?” Kristine asked as she poured some sauce over her bit of steak. “Patricia?”

Azalea almost scoffed at the question. “Of course she is! She has enough to graduate now.” She knew full well her parents knew that.

“Too bad you can’t transfer credits from one person to another,” Helene mused. “I can see if there is an opening at Centrale Station. We can always use more interns.”

Azalea looked at the succubus unsurely. “Ola Hel, I don’t now if that will work.”

“Why not?” Kristine frowned. “You haven’t even tried it yet!”

“No, mom,” Azalea sighed. “Centrale Station is a Left World thing…how will my credits transfer over into the Right World?”

“She makes a good point…” Tony admitted.

“Oh, please, Azzie,” Helene chuckled. “We have a lot of interns who are Demi and get credits. We use puppet corporations in the Right World in for that sort of thing. Centrale Station has several Right World corporations that they use as a guise for interns who live in the Right World. It wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Well…what does the intern do?”

“Standard, easy paper work. Making copies, checking mail, filing things…stuff like that,” Helene smiled. “You may be asked to get coffee or something on occasion, too.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Kristine urged as she looked back at Azalea. “You’ll be in an office. That means air conditioning and a comfy seat.”

“How long is the internship?” Azalea asked reluctantly.

“Probably after school for a few hours and then you can extend into the summer if you want and they accept you back,” Helene shrugged. “I haven’t looked too much into it, but I can call the resource department and ask. I also would need to see how many credits they give.”

“Hel, can you call and ask? Maybe get Azalea and application?” Kristine asked hopefully.

“Sure,” Helene nodded. “That’s no problem.”

“Is it safe for her to work there, though?” Tony asked from across the table. “I mean…Centrale Station…isn’t that like the police department of Left World.”

“Taking that into consideration, it is quite safe, I assure you,” Helene told him. “No one can get in or out of the offices without proper authorization and it is a very well fortified building. Plus, I’ll be there.”

“Ola Hel, what do you do in Centrale Station?” Azalea asked, confused.

“I’m an investigator,” Helene beamed. “I’m pretty good, I think.”
Tony rolled his eyes. “Don’t investigators and specific other enforcement departments all have partners?” Kristine asked. Helene nodded. “That consists of one Blessed and one Demon?”

Azalea turned towards the succubus. “Ola Hel, you have a partner?”

“He does the paper work and I’m the active one,” Helene explained. “It’s easier that way. And I’m better at the hands on work that he is.”

“Will I get a partner, too?” Azalea asked.

“No, but you will have to share a cubicle,” Helene chuckled. “At any rate, I’ll call the resources department on Monday and check the specifics. If you think that it’ll be more beneficial than summer school, I’ll try to get you a position.”

Azalea thanked the older woman and pushed the idea of an internship in the back of her mind. She was genuinely grateful to the succubus for her offer, but the idea of working in the Left World was a bit disconcerting.

For one thing, Azalea had only between there a few times in her life. The Left World wasn’t a country or heaven or hell, it was more like a hidden room parallel to the human or the ‘Right World’. It was in a different plane of existence and frankly, Azalea never really understood it in detail.

She’d heard about it from her mother and there were times when Patricia tried to explain it, but at best Azalea knew it was just like the Right World only populated with Left World citizens and had things she always thought of as magical. It was a world where everyone had senses far stronger than that of humans. They could smell and see things that humans couldn’t. Where they could generally do things that humans could not.

Whenever she went to the Left World to visit her mother’s side of the family, she wouldn’t see anything too much of out the ordinary. The buildings were the same. The atmosphere was the same. Blue sky, white clouds; everything pretty much reflected the particular Right World region it paralleled.

The citizens were different, of course. It had been a shock to her when she first arrived, especially considering she came from a Right World country that associated horns with evil. Her relatives had horns and fangs and spewed out pheromones like there was no tomorrow. Not a single one was unattractive or even ‘plain’. It was because they of the type of demons they were, her mother had told her. For a while it had bothered her that she was rather average compared to them, though they insisted she wasn’t.

It had been somewhat distracting at first. She had to get used to the horns that weren’t just on her mother or Ola Hel. She had to get used to the fangs, wings, and occasionally tails of Demons and the brighter glows from Blesseds.

Still, her mother insisted it was basically the same as in the Right World. Azalea just didn’t think it was the place for her. All through the weekend, she hadn’t given the internship at Centrale Station a second thought. For all she knew, all the positions were already filled. Then she received a call at home from Ola Hel.

“You’re going to take it,” the succubus practically demanded of her.

“What?” Azalea asked, surprised. “Ola Hel, I can’t just take it. I need to apply-”

“It’s all been taken care of,” Helene cut her off quickly. “Don’t worry about it. You do work when you need to and the grades of the classes you have passed are sufficient.”

The Demi-Demon let out a hesitant breath. She silently hoped that her Ola hadn’t begged for an internship position for her or anything. It seemed somewhat out of the ordinary that someone like her would get an internship at a place like Centrale Station.

“I’ll think about it,” Azalea offered.

“No, you won’t,” Helene counter confidently.

The teenager frowned. Her Ola was rarely demanding. “Ola Hel-”

“You get five credits per semester and if you intern during your entire summer, you get ten credits for a total of fifteen credits before you start your senior year.” She could almost hear the succubus smirking triumphantly.

“Are you…” she mumbled quietly. The deal was pretty much made if that was the case. Blue-eyes darted over to her mother, who looked eager to find out what the other succubus had said. “Are you sure?” Azalea turned her back to her mother and cupped her hand over the phone. “I mean…are you sure you didn’t hear wrong?”

“Nope,” Helene assured her. “I checked multiple times with several people from resources and they all assured me about the credits that would be transferred.”

Azalea did the math in her head. Counting her classes that semester and two classes over the summer, she would have a total of fourteen credits. If she took on the internship that quarter and opted to continue into the summer instead of taking summer school, that assured her twenty credits.

“Azzie?” Helene’s voice called over the phone. “Azalea?”

The teenager jerked out of her trance and stood up straight. “When do I start?”

A.N. - And so we meet the crazy relative.

Original Fiction: Left World

2009-04-07T22:28:46Z

Title: Left World

Chapter: Two- B

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Original Fiction

Warnings: Hemorrhages may occur upon reading this. Read at your own risk.

Rating: T

A wide smile spread across Peter’s face. “Great!” he beamed. “When are you free after school? We need to go to the art supply store and buy the materials. It shouldn’t cost more than $20…$25 dollars,” he rambled happily.

“That’s fine,” she agreed. “Friday would be good…do you have practice?”

“Not until next week,” Peter told her. “Basketball season is over.”

“Oh, okay,” Azalea looked down at the paper. “Should we go immediately after school?”

“Yeah, it’ll give us time to browse and consider your options,” he nodded. He glanced over at her hopefully. “Is that okay with you?”

“Yes, that’s okay,” Azalea dug for a pen from the inside of her backpack and then scribbled the time and date for their meeting on the corner of the information paper. “Sounds good. I’ll see you then.”

“Sure thing,” Peter said as he watched Azalea stand and return her things to her bag. “We’ll meet at the main entrance. I’ll borrow my dad’s truck that day.”

Azalea smiled and nodded as she slung the bag over her shoulder. “Thanks for your help, Peter. I’ll tell Patricia when I see her.”

“Right, right,” Peter rose from his seat and gave her a stupid smile as she walked out the door.

She managed to walk down the half empty corridor before she found Patricia sitting on one of the benches with a cardboard box of rolled up pieces of poster paper at her side. She casually drank from a bottle of water and lowered it as Azalea approached.

“So…” Patricia began carefully. “Did he ask you out yet?”

Azalea jerked her head back. “What?” she asked as she narrowed her eyes. “What are you taking about?”

“Peter Bennet, the basketball team’s captain…Mr. Number Ten?” Patricia smirked. “You saw him in the photo room, right?”

“Well…yes, but I was looking for you,” Azalea frowned. “I went into the dark room, but he said you weren’t there…” She stared at the other girl unsurely. “What are you doing just sitting here? I thought you had to run an errand for a teacher!”

“I did,” the brown-eyed girl grinned. “I ran some errands, and then stopped by the student center to get some posters to stick up after school, then I ran into another teacher who asked me to oversee some project for the freshman this year and you know I just can’t say no. By the time I got back to the photo room, you and Peter were in some deep discussion and I didn’t want to intrude.”

The blue-eyed teen’s face flamed as her eyes widened. “What deep discussion!?” she choked out. “There was no such thing! He was only offering to help me with a project since you’re so busy.”

Patricia raised an eyebrow. She rose from her seat and met Azalea’s gaze easily. “So the presumptuous idiot thought I couldn’t handle my work load and help my friend at the same time?” she asked incredulously.

Immediately, Azalea shook her head. “I didn’t mean it like that!” she insisted. “He only said that he knew you were really busy and thought he could help you out by helping me out.”

“I see…” Patricia mused. She crossed her arms over her chest. “And what exactly is he helping you with?”

“A biology project. That model of a cell thing,” Azalea reported truthfully.

“And you accepted?”

“Well…yeah,” she shrugged. “I wasn’t going to, but he insisted. It’s not like I didn’t want your help or anything! I did originally go to the photo room to find you!” The girl standing across from her narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Azalea shifted awkwardly under the demanding gaze and lowered her eyes. “I did…” she murmured once more.

For a few moments, Patricia remained silent, as if allowing Azalea to wallow in guilt. “I know,” she said suddenly. Her arms uncrossed and her shoulders relaxed. She casually turned around and lifted the box that was still on the bench. “I just wanted to mess with you a bit.”

Azalea’s face fell. “Patricia!” she frowned. “God, I thought you were mad.”

The other girl shifted the box in her arms and shrugged. “Mad about what?” Patricia chuckled. She looked over her shoulder and grinned. “It’s not like you’re cheating on me with a new best friend.” Azalea blushed.

“Don’t scare me like that…”

“Uh-huh,” Patricia managed to carry the box with one arm and wave nonchalantly with the other as she wandered back up the hall. “I’ll see you later, Azalea.”

“Yeah, later…” she turned around and took a step. “Honestly, Patricia should’ve been born a Demon…”

“Have fun on your date!” She cringed and whirled around to yell, only to be met with Patricia’s amused laughter.

“Patricia!”

A.N. - Playing catch up...this is a super short one to end chapter 2.

damagectrl @ 2009-04-03T17:46:00

2009-04-04T01:06:14Z

Title: Left World

Chapter: Two- A

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Original Fiction

Warnings: Hemorrhages may occur upon reading this. Read at your own risk.

Rating: T

Azalea slowly walked down the halls of the school during the lunch hour. Her eyes were focused on the canary yellow sheet of paper that she had been handed moments earlier by a concerned counselor. It was stapled with a print out of her transcripts, which bared the balance on her graduation credits.

“We can get you into summer school, but you will still only be allowed to take two this summer,” her counselor had told her. “You have very few options other to take on more classes in the next year.”

“If I take them and pass, will I have enough credits to graduate?” Azalea asked worriedly. The rotund woman across from her nodded and adjusted her glasses.

“There shouldn’t be a problem. Let me print you out a schedule of the summer classes being offered this year. You’ve passed all your required classes so you won’t have to re-take anything,” the woman said as she fiddled with her computer. “I would go against signing up for easy electives during the summer because they will give you less credits. Advanced electives, like a foreign language or one of the advanced art classes are your best choice.”

The student had merely sat there, nodding her head as she was shown the yellow print out. Her counselor ran through the available courses with her, giving her a brief summary of each before telling her if it would help or not. Afterwards, she was given a sample schedule of her proposed senior year.

She had tried her best not to let out a pained groan. Every single period was filled. Everyone she knew would most likely have one, if not more, free periods. In fact, she knew Patricia had so many credits that she was only planning to take the minimum amount of classes their senior year. She never envied the other girl more.

After she thanked the counselor, Azalea gathered the information sheets and headed out the door. Not only did she have to worry about the coming summer and year, but she had to worry about her current year. If she failed another class, that would spell even more trouble for her and she did not need to sit through another lecture with her parents.

She released a heavy breath and looked up from the sheet. Her biology class had a project due and she could use all the help she could get. At least her best friend was an honor student who didn’t mind helping her.

“Thank you, Patricia, for being the most reliable friend ever,” she murmured under her breath as she walked down the hall to the photography lab. She vaguely remembered the Blessed’s schedule for that day. It was the one day during the week she did not have a club meeting during her lunch period and, since she lacked a dark room at home, it was also the day Patricia spent her free time in the photography lab to finish her remaining projects.

Azalea stepped through the open door, surprised not to see anyone in the classroom itself. Her eyes moved over to the door that was lined with black curtains. She stopped by one of the desks and placed her backpack on it before unzipping the top compartment and shoving the papers from her counselor inside. She tugged up the zippers before leaving the bag behind and heading to the dark room.

Smiling briefly as she parted the black curtains, she remembered the first time she had entered to try to find Patricia. The teacher told her that the honors student was in the dark room and for Azalea to simply step inside.

Not sure what to expect, Azalea parted the thick, light obscuring drapes and found herself in small room of pitch darkness. Apparently, she had wandered into the space before the actual darkroom, but her confused yells had brought Patricia to her. The other girl claimed she was the worst demon ever after she actually panicked in the dark.

Azalea stepped forward and separated another set of curtains to reveal a larger room bathed in red light. The smell of chemicals was in the air as various student photographs hung from lines to dry.

“Excuse me,” she called out as she looked around the room. She had only been there twice before. “Is Patricia here?”

“Azalea?” Her head turned toward the owner of the voice, surprised that they knew who she was until she saw the owner’s face. “Hi,” he smiled as he lowered his arms after he finished pinning his photograph on to the line. “Patricia went to run an errand for Mrs. Jenkins. She’ll be back in a few minutes.”

“Oh…” Her face was heating up, she could practically feel it. She forgot that Peter took photo, too. “Okay. I’ll go wait outside then.” She turned around, silently hoping that the red light didn’t make her blush apparent as the young man behind her capped a bottle.

“Hey, wait a second,” Peter called out quickly, before Azalea could reach the black curtains. “Can you tell me what you think of my photos?”

The black haired demi-demon looked over her shoulder, surprised. “Me?”

“Yeah,” Peter nodded. “I’ve been asking everyone and can always use the critique.”

Hesitantly, Azalea stepped forward. “I don’t know anything about photography.”

“It doesn’t matter, you don’t need to,” he assured her. Peter encouragingly waved her over and had her stand in front of some pictures hanging on the line.

“Is this the same project as Patricia’s?”

“Yeah, ‘man and nature’,” Peter informed her. “I just finished taking them this weekend.”

Azalea squinted and peered up at the black and white photos. She could make out small flowers, most likely wild flowers or some sort of weed…and then her eyes crinkled up. “Did you take these at the dump?” she asked with disbelief.

Peter let out a laugh and nodded. “I see you noticed the trash pile behind the flowers,” he chuckled. “I thought the whole man and nature thing can be portrayed with our garbage and how even then nature tries to reclaim it for herself, though it may be a losing battle.”

She nodded, carefully taking in the photograph. As she moved on to the next one she looked back at him. “Did they let you go inside the dump to take them or did you sneak inside?”

“I asked and I was lucky enough that they let me go inside,” Peter told her. Azalea looked back at the photograph. She could make out the machines in the background, pushing piles of garbage together to form a mountain that would later be flattened with a steam roller. “I had to go with an actual employee, of course, and I had to wear a helmet.”

“Wow…” Azalea murmured. “That’s a lot for a photo.” She looked back at him curiously. “Did it really smell that bad?”

Peter’s eyes widened as he nodded. “Oh, yeah…you have no idea,” he told her as he leaned back against the counter. He crossed his arms over his chest as he narrowed his eyes. “It was terrible. Even afterwards my clothes reeked.”

Beside him, Azalea laughed. “I bet. How long did you spend at the dump?”

“Less than three hours, but that was more than enough,” Peters told her. “My dad said that if the truck still smelled like the dump in a week, he’d never let me drive again.”

The black-haired girl laughed once more and nodded. “Understandable.”

Peter smiled widely and leaned towards her. “So…what do you think? Does it say anything to you?”

“Only that you’re willing to go through a lot for your art,” Azalea admitted. She leaned back and looked at the photographs thoughtfully. “From what you said, I can see what you’re trying to capture…I don’t really know what else to say. You should ask Patricia. She’s good at this sort of thing.”

“I did,” Peter sighed as he ran a hand through his short hair. “The first thing she noticed was the garbage in the background and then couldn’t stop making cracks about it.”

“That sounds like Patricia,” Azalea nodded. “They came out clear, though, and it looks good.”

“Thanks,” he smiled. “So, why’d you come by for Miss Moon? I usually don’t see you two hanging around each other unless it’s in the morning.”

“I needed help with a project,” Azalea told him, completely forgetting that the young man in front of her was the man she had earlier watched walk off in a trance. When he wasn’t surrounded by the school’s popular crowd, he was sort of comfortable to be around. “I thought she could help me.”

Peter tilted his head to the side, curiously. His eyebrows furrowed as pushed himself off of the counter. “What kind of project?”

“Biology,” Azalea shrugged. She let out a heavy breath and met his gaze. “You guys are in a higher level science class, so it’s probably easy for you.”

“Biology, huh…” Peter thought for a moment. He stood up straight and motioned for her to follow him out of the dark room. “What do you have to do?”

“A model of a plant or animal cell,” Azalea told him. “I’m not creative in the least, so I have no idea how to do it. I doubt a crappy stick figure drawing will be good enough.”

Peter chuckled as he held up the curtains leading outside for her to slip under. He followed her out into the brightly lit class. Azalea stopped to the side to blink and adjust her eyes. When she her eyes adjusted, she walked over to the vacant desk where she had left her bag.

“I remember doing that project,” Peter said as he followed her. “It wasn’t that hard, but an actual 3D model is required.”

“I thought so,” Azalea admitted as she unzipped her bag and dug through its contents. “That’s why I’m here to find Patricia.” She found a pink print out and pulled it out from where it was pinned in her binder.

She held out and Peter took it from her hands. He sat on the desk beside her as he read through the project specifications. “Patricia’s really busy, you know.”

“Yeah,” Azalea agreed. She took a seat on a chair and slumped over her bag. “But I don’t know who else can help me.”

On the desk beside her, Peter glanced down and quickly darted his eyes away. “I can help you,” he offered.

Azalea tilted her head up, looking at him as if asking if he were crazy. “Thanks, but I was under the impression that you’re really busy,” she admitted. She narrowed her eyes. “Aren’t you in basketball, too? I doubt you have time if you’re that busy.”

“Not as busy as Miss Moon,” Peter assured her. He placed the pink paper on the table and tapped on it with his finger. “It’s an easy project. You can get it done in a few hours. It’s really no trouble.”

She looked reluctant. “I really appreciate your offer, Peter,” she told him as she sat up straight. Clearly she was crazy. The most popular guy in the school was basically offering to spend quality alone time with her and she was rejecting him. If his die-hard stalkers heard, she would probably be mugged on her way home.

“To be honest, I can really use your help on this,” Peter said as he smiled weakly. “I owe Patricia a favor and you know how she is with favors…” he trailed off.

Azalea cringed. When the intelligent and extremely responsible Patricia Hyang Moon called in a favor, it wasn’t just a simple one. Once, Azalea had to run out in the middle of her free period to go to Patricia’s house and bring back a pair of shoes because Patricia’s heels and broken. Her house was also up a hill several blocks.

“Yeah, I still owe her several ones for other projects,” Azalea admitted. She looked down at the paper and bit her lower lip. She could ask Patricia and have yet another favor to owe or she could take up Peter’s offer and get to know him better. “Are you sure you wouldn’t mind?”

“I wouldn’t offer if I did,” he assured her. “We just need to go buy the supplies and put it together. I won’t take long at all.”

Azalea let out a heavy breath and weighed her options. “Okay,” she nodded slowly. “Thanks.”

A.N. - I'm still above the required 1,667 words required per day for this project. :D

Original Fiction: The Princess' Mistress

2009-04-02T23:25:17Z

Title: The Princess’ Mistress

Chapter: Two

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Original Fiction

Warnings: Hemorrhages may occur upon reading this. Read at your own risk.

Rating: T to M

Charlotte shifted awkwardly as she stood alone in the corner of courtyard. She had lost sight of her escort shortly after they greeted the birthday celebrant, the Northern Premier, Adrian e’Xurre. His family had thrown him a large celebration inviting all the high ranking members of Osprei. For such an event, the e’Xurre family’s capital city estate was decorated from wall to wall.

Food and drink was plentiful everywhere she looked. Men and women in elaborate robes and uniforms paraded through the courtyard making idle small talk. She felt out of place by herself and silently cursed the person had brought her.

The Southern Premier had left her in the gardens of the palace after they spoke about returning to Melania. He told her that he needed to speak to the Emperor about the mission. Charlotte wasn’t sure what to do afterwards. She paced the garden, silently praying that the Premier did not lie and really was willing to go to Melania. If the Premier could be convinced, then the other Premiers and the Emperor could be as well.

She was on her way back to her room when the Southern Premier reached her once more. He bowed his head and requested a moment of her time once more. Charlotte easily agreed, hoping to find out the results of the meeting with the Emperor. While she found out the results later one, she was first handed over to some servants.

“I need to speak to the other Premiers,” he had told her as he stood to the side. Half a dozen servants surrounded her. They took her measurements, held bolts of fabric against her, and began toying with her hair, almost as if she were a living doll. The Premier stood behind them, watching her carefully. “You will join me.”

“Join you?” she had asked. She grimaced as the servants undid her messy braid and began running a comb through her blonde hair. “Why is my presence needed?”

“You need to assure them that you are a sufficient guide when in Melania,” he replied calmly. “A proper guide is of great importance. You should know the ins and outs of your country. You also managed to sneak across the border. That should also mean that you know how to sneak back in.”

Charlotte lifted her chin proudly. “I’ve studied the lands extensively since I was a child. We won’t even need a map.”

“Good,” he nodded as he caught his reflection in a nearby mirror. He narrowed his eyes and stepped forward. “Are you sure you can get us in contact with the underground?”

“I’m positive,” Charlotte told him confidently. “They will not turn their backs on us if we need assistance.”

“To be clear, if we cannot find proof of Seden-al’s plans to invade Osprei while we are in Melania, I will leave you with the underground and head into Seden-al myself.” He told her as he stopped in front of the mirror. His hands rose and carefully adjusted the collar of his uniform.

From where she stood, surrounded by servants and a three panel mirror, Charlotte frowned. “What makes you think you can slip into Seden-al so easily?” she asked incredulously. “They’re at war right now. They wouldn’t easily let just anyone into their country. Let alone foreign man.”

The corner of his lip curled into a smirk as he turned his head from side to side, carefully making sure that not a single strand of hair was out of place. Charlotte looked over her shoulder. She hadn’t noticed before, but his black hair was in a tight bun at the base of his neck. Not a hair was loose.

He turned around and met her gaze. “I will get in one way or another,” he told her coolly. “That is not for you to worry about. In the meantime, the servants here will prepare your robes for Premier Adrian’s celebration. It is his 20^th birthday.”

“20^th…” Charlotte murmured. Her eyes widened as her hands clenched. “You’re taking me to that disagreeable man’s birthday party!?” she nearly shrieked.

“Contrary to what you saw in the meeting today, he is actually a rather gentle boy. He was only made Premier recently, after the death of his father, and feels intimidated by the older men around him,” the Southern Premier told her. “He’s merely…puffing himself up, sort to speak.”

“Being rude is being rude, regardless of the situation,” Charlotte scowled. She batted away the hands of the servants as she stepped down from her small pedestal. “I refuse to go!”

“Do not be so hasty, Princess,” the man said as he stepped forward. He stepped between the princess and the door, making her stop from taking another step. A warm hand rose wrapped around hers, gently pulling her back to the pedestal where she had been standing. “Do not forget that you need to speak to the Premiers as well. The Northern Premier included,” he added smoothly.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but allowed herself to stand back on the pedestal. He held her hand up carefully as the servants surrounded her once more. “Isn’t there another way to speak to them?” she asked carefully. “Another time, perhaps?”

His fingers slipped around her hand and Charlotte found her eyes wandering over. His hand wasn’t much larger than hers, but his fingers were long and slender. His nails had been carefully cleaned, it seemed, and his hands were smooth.

“I believe the sooner we embark, the better,” he told her calmly. “If I will be inactive in the Red Knights, it is important that the other Premiers know that someone will be doing my work in my stead.”

Charlotte tilted her head to the side curiously as he released her hand. “How many people know of your plans?”

“Only the necessary few,” she was assured. “Once everything is settled here, we will first head to Elleria.”

“What is in Elleria?” she asked as she held her arms up on either side of her.

He paused for a moment as he stood by the window. He lifted his hand and brushed aside the near transparent drapes as he leaned against the wall and peered outside. “It is the main city of the Southern Province and the base of the Red Knights,” the Premier informed her. “I must go there to make the necessary arrangements regarding my position before we leave.”

The young woman nodded. It seemed that the man knew what he was doing. Charlotte, if she wanted any aid for Melania at all, would have to follow him.

After two hours of preparing in that room, she found herself draped in dark red robes trimmed with silver. She was informed that she would be escorting the Southern Premier, which was the reason her clothes were made in the south’s color. Since she wasn’t invited, escorting was the easiest way to enter the function with question. They had arrived an hour or so ago, just as the party was in full swing.

The Southern Premier had slipped away after instructing her to wait for him. That had been quite some time ago and Charlotte wondered if he had forgotten about her or left her there as a joke. She took a deep breath to compose of herself and lifted her hand to call over a server carrying a half empty tray of drinks.

“What is this red drink?” she asked as he stopped in front of her.

“Red wine from the Kulere Basin in the Southern Province, my lady,” the server told her. “It was brought over by special request of Premier e’Xurre.”

Charlotte nodded and carefully took a class from the tray. The server gave her a curt bow of his head before resuming his rounds around the court yard. Charlotte brought the top of the glass to her nose and then drew it back. It was a nice scent. Before she brought it to her lips, a hand closed over the top, making her stop at once.

Her eyes widened as the hand pushed the glass back down and then pried it from her hands. “I’m afraid the legal age of consuming this beverage is eighteen, Princess,” a slightly amused voice said as Charlotte watched her drink being placed on a passing server’s tray. “You are not allowed to take a sip.”

The blonde’s head snapped to the side and frowned. “It is sixteen in Melania,” she retorted quickly. “It would not be my first taste.”

The man in black smiled. “That may be so, but you are not in Melania, Princess.”

She sucked in a sharp breath and turned her head way from the offending man. “If you’ll excuse me, Premier e’Xurre, I am in the midst of looking for the Southern Premier,” she stated proudly as she stepped around the man.

She made it another step before she stopped at the sound of his voice. “Premier e’Elleria is in the middle of an impromptu meeting with Premier e’Helano and Premier e’Yovoel,” the 20-year-old celebrant told her as he took a drink from his glass. Dark eyes seemed to be laughing at her as lowered the glass.

Charlotte slowly looked over her shoulder. “Then I will simply wait,” she replied behind clenched teeth. She was not planning to spend the rest of her evening being the source of entertainment to a man who insulted her whenever he opened his mouth. Despite her thoughts, he had other plans. She began to walk towards an empty table when she heard him call for her.

The Northern Premier appeared at her side, his longer stride easily allowing him to catch up. “I take it you do not like me, Princess?” he asked cheekily. Charlotte continued to walk, ignoring him. “I see…” he determined. “If this is about what I said at the meeting, I didn’t mean to offend you.”

She stopped in her tracks. Her head snapped in his direction as she glared at him. She didn’t care if he was Premier or if it was his birthday. If he addressed her, a princess, like a child, she would gladly do the same to him. “Offend me?” she spat out, disgusted. “Do you think that by simply telling me that you didn’t mean to offend me, you are not responsible for anything? If you dropped a knife and didn’t mean to cut me when you had, it still means you cut me, Premier.”

The young man winced at the tone of her voice. “Then my apologies are not accepted?”

“Did you even have an apology to begin with?” she snapped. She turned her head away once more and continued walking. “You can focus your attention on your other guests, Premier e’Xurre. I am able to wait for Premier e’Elleria by myself.”

Behind her, the black-haired young man tilted his head back and let out an exasperated breath. He really did need to learn when to close his mouth. He looked back at the young woman who was now several steps ahead of him. “We got off on the wrong foot,” he said. He quickened his steps to catch up with her. “I admit, I said some things that were unnecessary. I’ve already been scolded and I do regret my harsh words.”

“Scolded?” Charlotte scoffed. They reached the table and Adrian pulled out a chair for her. It was not missed by the princess and instead, she rounded the table and took the furthest seat across from him. “Does the mother of the Northern Premier need to scold her son at his meetings like some ill-behaved child?” she hissed scathingly as he began to take a seat in the chair he had initially pulled out for her.

The young man paused in mid-seat. His hand seemed to tighten on the table as his face hardened. His eyes settled over her with a cold look in them as he sat on the chair. “My mother passed away with my father in a riding accident last year,” he said in a low voice. “So no, my mother did not scold me.”

Across from him, the woman stiffened in her seat. Guilt tightened in her chest as she lowered her eyes and clenched her hands in her lap. She didn’t know about that. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I didn’t mean to-”

“It’s fine,” he cut her off sharply. Charlotte jumped in her chair and looked at him. “You weren’t aware of the circumstances…” he trailed off softy. Charlotte looked down at the table, unsure of what else to say. They remained in silence for a moment; Charlotte not knowing what to say next and Adrian trying to regain his bearings. “Runa scolded me,” he said suddenly. She lifted her head to look at him questioningly. “Premier e’Elleria,” he clarified when he saw her confused look.

“Oh…” she nodded. She smiled to herself, feeling a bit warm with the knowledge that the Southern Premier had scolded the Northern one for his rudeness to her.

“The point is, I am sorry,” Adrian told her as he sat up straight. “It was rude of me and unnecessary. I was just a bit angry that you’d yell at Emperor Kailash. I understood your anger and frustration, but it was uncalled for.”

Charlotte shrank back in her seat. How horrible was it to only realize one’s foolishness after the moment. She raised her hand and ran it down her face. “I’ve already come to realize just how childish and disrespectful I was being. Premier e’Elleria already told me that I lack finesse and proper strategy in such things.”

He nodded understandingly. The young man looked back towards the open courtyard. “Runa may be a bit longer…” he said as he stood up. He nervously adjusted his uniform. Charlotte watched as he slowly rounded the table and stopped beside her. With practiced grace, he bowed and extended his hand. “May I have a moment of your time for a dance, Your Highness?”

Across the court yard, almost hidden by one of the stone pillars that lined it, a black haired man let out a chuckle. “He has the mentality of a little boy,” he said as he lowered his glass of wine from his lips. “Teasing the girl that he likes.”

“You speak as if you did not do so yourself,” the woman beside him grinned. She watched the Northern Premier remain in his bowed position nervously as Charlotte looked at him in surprise. “All men, no matter what age, have the mentality of little boys, Kamm Raske.”

He laughed and glanced over at the black uniformed woman. “Spoken like a true woman scorned,” he said as he raised his glass to her mockingly.

“If it was not for your weak body, I would hit you.”

“Thank the gods I’m weak, then,” Raske chuckled. From the table, Charlotte seemed to reluctantly agree to dance with the young Premier. She seemed hesitant to take his hand or even follow him to the center of the courtyard for the dance. “Are you going to let them have a dance, Runa? What if he steals her away from you?”

A small snort left the woman’s lips. “I’m not her jealous lover or even another man.”

“You are dressed like one and leave your face unpainted,” Raske pointed out. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you look like Reid.”

The Southern Premier’s cheeks reddened. “I do not look like Reid,” she snapped defensively. “Honestly, Raske, when was the last time you saw our brother? He has facial hair now, you know. A bit on his chin, like Kai. In fact, he and Reagan both do.”

“How disgusting,” Raske frowned. “Who do they think they are? They’re supposed to be cute little boys, not unkempt, crude men.”

“I am somewhat concerned that you say that about our siblings,” Runa sighed. She brought her glass to her lips and took another sip of her wine. “Speaking of them, do you have anything you want me to bring back or tell the others when I reach Elleria?”

Raske smiled widely. “Tell Kamm Rainer to get a wife and Kamm Rasmus to stop cheating on all those poor women.”

“I’m sure they’ll love to hear that.”

“Hmph…my message is nothing compared to what you’re going to tell them. Kamm Rainer will surely lose his mind when he finds out what his precious little Runa is planning to do,” Raske told her firmly. He looked at her, concerned. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“I’ve made up my decision. Kai already lectured me on it and I know Kamm Rainer and Kamm Rasmus will repeat the lecture. I don’t need to hear it from you, too,” she told him, somewhat irritated. “The other Premiers know and agreed to it. It shouldn’t take me longer than a few months to get this done.”

Raske raised an eyebrow. “That’s quite confident of you.”

“I know my level of skill,” Runa replied proudly. “I will get what I want if I have to seduce the Magnus Rex of Seden-al himself.”

Raske’s eyes widened at her statement for he let out a sigh and shook his head, disappointed. “Poor Kamm Rainer…he’d be heartbroken if he heard you say that.”

“I’m twenty-seven and the hereditary captain, I can do what I want,” she said as she handed him her empty glass. Her eyes focused on the stumbling young man trying to dance with the foreign princess in the center of the courtyard. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to show the birthday boy why it is the e’Elleria family that is known for their charm, be they man or woman.”

Raske let out a small laugh as he nodded and watched his cousin easily make her way through the crowds. Those that managed to stop her were only able to get in a greeting before she skillfully evaded them. The Emperor’s aide shook his head. Perhaps his late father was correct.

It had been a shame that Runa, the only granddaughter of their grandfather, had been raised like a boy amongst them. If she had been raised as a proper Premier’s daughter to begin with, the perhaps she wouldn’t be planning on risking her life.

A.N. - I'm making up names as I go along, btw. X3

Original Fiction: Left World

2009-04-02T18:54:07Z

Title: Left World

Chapter: One - B

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Original Fiction

Warnings: Hemorrhages may occur upon reading this. Read at your own risk.

Rating: T

The ten minutes before the bell rang for first period was always one of the busiest times of the day. Students were streaming in from the parking lot, emerging from the surrounding streets, or were being dropped off by their parents at front of the school. Like a herd of wildebeests, they headed into one of the several campus buildings.

Azalea trudged up the front steps of the main entrance, ignoring the groups of people that appeared around her. Cliques of people with similar interests or hobbies crowded around each other, picking up where they left off the day before without so much as a morning greeting.

She couldn’t help but feel self-conscious. She was a lone student walking through a maze of pairs and groups. If she didn’t know any better, she would have thought that they all noticed her walking alone. Azalea kept her eyes forward, avoiding eye contact with anyone.

She hadn’t found herself in such a group for a while now. One by one, the friends she had from her earlier school days were absorbed into different groups by the time they reached high school and the distance between them grew too large for her. In the end, she had only one person she enjoyed spending time with and even then, it was difficult.

It wasn’t that they didn’t get along. In fact, they got along very well. It was simply because her friend was busy. All the time. Azalea let out a small sigh as she shifted her backpack in front of her and began to dig for a book. “It’s like Patricia has a meeting every single day…”

She rounded the corner, intending to go to her locker to drop off her book, when she collided with another body. Eyes went wide as she found herself stumbling back and barely regaining her balance before she actually fell. Her bag had been forgotten and slid down the length of her arm to land on the linoleum lined floor. For a moment, a surge of fury ran through her.

Wasn’t the person watching where they were going? Then again, the same thing could be said of her. She narrowed her eyes and focused on the books and binder now sprayed across the floor, intent on ignoring who bumped into her completely.

“I am so sorry,” a voice said as pale hands hurriedly picked up her things and gathering them in a stack against his chest. “I was trying to text someone and I didn’t even see you.”

Azalea’s head snapped up as she heard the voice. Her eyes widened as her face flushed. The young man carefully balanced her books in his arms as he picked up her discarded backpack and handed it to her apologetically. Brown eyes were crinkled up as he offered her a weak smile.

“Oh…no, it’s fine,” she found herself saying robotically. “You…um…thanks for helping me pick up the stuff.” She accepted her backpack back and held it open as he placed her books back inside.

“I didn’t hurt you did I? I was walking kind of fast,” he continued as he slipped the last of her books into her bag. Azalea carefully balanced the bag as she zipped it closed.

“No, I’m fine,” she assured him. “I wasn’t paying attention either. You’re okay, though, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” he nodded, sending a few stray locks of blond hair over his eyes. “Don’t worry about it. You’re Patricia’s friend, right? Az…Aza…”

“Azalea,” she interjected. A small part of her suddenly rejoiced. He knew who she was! She didn’t think he knew even that. “Like the flower.”

“Ah…yeah,” he nodded thoughtfully. “I know Patricia’s mentioned you a few times. I’m Peter Bennet, by the way.”

He extended his hand. Azalea blinked and shook her head before quickly slinging her backpack over her shoulder and grasping his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Same,” he smiled.

“Peter!” a voice shouted somewhere in the hall behind her. “There you are, man! Listen, can I borrow your English notes?”

The blond in front of her released her hand and let out a small laugh. “Yeah, only if you buy me lunch!” he called over her head. He looked back down at Azalea and gave her a winning smile. “Really, though, sorry about that. Are you sure you’re not hurt anywhere? If I hurt you, Patricia will kill me.”

An amused smile reached her face. “Yes! I’m fine,” she assured him. “And don’t worry, I won’t tell on you.”

He tossed his head back in a laugh and patted her on the shoulder. “Thanks!” he chuckled. “I have to get going. See you around!” He gave her a small wave as he stepped around her waved down the other young man who had called out to him.

Azalea turned around, following the tall, young man with her eyes. He had introduced himself as if the entire school didn’t know who he was. Captain of the basketball team, honor student, and all around popular guy. He even sat at the notorious ‘popular’ table in the cafeteria. And he knew who she was.

“Please don’t stare blankly into space like that,” a voice said behind her. “It’s creepy.”

Azalea’s eyes widened as she turned around and saw a young woman standing casually to the side. A thick calculus book was in one arm as dark brown eyes looked at Azelea. “Patricia!” Azalea smiled weakly. She felt her face heating once more. Had the Korean-American honor student and best friend seen her starting stupidly at someone? “Good morning!”

“I told you that three times and you totally ignored me,” Patricia pointed out. “I even waved my hand in front of your face and all you did was stare at Peter.”

“You saw that!?” Azalea face flooded with color once more. Patricia nodded. She turned around and waved for Azalea to follow her.

“I’m not going to tell you that he’s out of your league,” Patricia stated simply as they reached her locker. She quickly turned the combination lock and pulled it open with a tug. “But frankly, I think you can do better.”

“What?” Azalea jerked her head back. “Patricia, Peter is as perfect as a high school guy can get. He’s tall. He’s handsome. He has a nice body. He’s smart. He’s really nice-” she counted off as her friend shoved her books into the locker.

“And he’s an unawakened Blessed,” Patricia cut her off. Azalea froze in her spot. Her eyes narrowed.

“Huh?”

“No glow,” Patricia said as she raised her hand and waved it over her face. Azalea’s brows furrowed. She was used to the faint glow she could see around Patricia, that she forgot that she was a Blessed. Humans had called them everything from angels to fairies, but the correct term was Blessed. Where Demons had horns and occasionally wings and fangs, Blesseds gave off a faint glow visible only to others from the Left World. “But I can sense another one when I see them.”

“How can he be unawakened?” Azalea frowned. “Either you know or you don’t know what you are, right?”

“We’re not like you guys,” Patricia sighed exasperatedly. “All Demons know what they are eventually. You can’t really hide your horns.”

On impulse, Azalea raised her hand and touched one of hers self-consciously. “Well…you guys glow!”

“Yeah, but we need to find a sort of ‘enlightenment’ first. Most Blesseds that have half-human progeny usually don’t tell them what they really are. Half-Blesseds can’t see Left World or glow, anyway,” Patricia explained.

“So…Peter is half?”

“Nope, he’s full. It seems that his parents just never told him,” the other girl shrugged. “It’s not uncommon.” She closed her locker and began further down the hall. “I have some cousins that don’t know they’re half and some haven’t been awakened.”

“I see,” Azalea said. She looked over her shoulder, as if expecting to see Peter once more. “So…you don’t approve of Demon-Blessed dating?”

“What?” Patricia’s face contorted into a surprised look. “No, I don’t care about that. That’s pretty common now-a-days. I just think that Peter kind of dopey and can’t keep up with a Demon.”

The blue-eyed girl raised an eyebrow. “You do know you just called the most popular guy in the entire school dopey.”

“He knows what I think,” Patricia assured her. “Anyway, if you’re still interested, I can slip him your number-”

“What!? No!” Azalea nearly yelled as she paled. “You can’t do that! He barely knows who I am!”

“He thinks you’re pretty,” Patricia smirked as they stopped in front of another locker. “And here’s your locker. I have to get to class.”

“Wait! Patricia!” Azalea called out. She extended a hand and took a step forward, after the other girl, only to be torn between following and putting her things away. She let out a low growl and turned to her locker. “We’re not done here!” she called out as she moved the dial on her combination lock.

She quickly tossed her heavy books inside and closed it. By the time she turned around, Patricia had vanished and the bell had rung.

A.N. - And the crappy saga continues...This looks so much better in my head...

Original Fiction: The Princess' Mistress

2009-04-01T22:34:02Z

Title: The Princess’ Mistress

Chapter: One - A

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Original Fiction

Warnings: Hemorrhages may occur upon reading this. Read at your own risk.

Rating: T to M

Summary: The final hope for a kingdom under attack lies with their young, 17 year old princess who must convince a neighboring kingdom to help them. When they refuse, she figures her kingdom is screwed. Enter knight in shining armor…

She remained standing before the long, oval shaped table before her. She kept her head high, trying to appear as dignified a princess as she could be, even when faced with the devastating threat in her homeland. Her feet together, her arms stiffly at her sides, and her back straight, she prepared herself for the decision that would affect her kingdom.

She had made her case to the Emperor of Osprei, his four Premiers, and the six various advisors a few hours earlier. She hoped that her request for Osprei’s military assistance in Melania would be granted, as it seemed that Osprei was the only country she could go to for help.

After she pleaded her case, she was escorted out to give the Emperor and his men time to convene and come to a decision. It was a sudden request, she knew that much, and a large one, but it was a desperate one. Her family’s kingdom, a land locked country north of Osprei, had been invaded by their own northern neighbor, Seden-al.

Seden-al had swept in like a plague. Its army easily overtook the northern fortresses and defeated Melania’s modest military. One by one, the provenances fell to the larger, more powerful military power and before long, they had breached the walls of Melania City, home of the royal family and the seat of the kingdom’s power.

Their capital city had fallen and the last the princess heard, her mother, the dowager queen, and her siblings were all either captured and taken to Seden-al, fighting in the resistance, or completely missing. As the last remaining representative of the royal family, she was evacuated from her seat of power in Yin Cliffs and sent into hiding for her own safety.

When she watched the city carved into the sheer cliff walls of Yin be surrounded and overtaken by the Seden-al army, she knew Melania would not be able to fight them off by herself. Tzetta to the west had been invaded just as Melania had been. Rumor had it that the leaders of the theocracy had been killed early on. Tai to the east had a strict policy of neutrality and would not risk involvement in foreign affairs.

Her only option was Osprei Imperial, the only other nation that rivaled Seden-al in both military and economics. They had yet to become involved in the war to their north and had shown no signs of planning to participate.

Now, the lone princess stood in front of a long table. The Emperor sat in the center, flanked on either side by the four Premiers dressed in their black uniforms.

“Princess Charlotte.” From the seat directly right of the Emperor, a tall, muscular, middle-aged man rose. His black military uniform was lined with white and his breast pocket was pinned with numerous strips of color that signified his rank and accomplishments. His black hair was graying and thinning in the front, but his presence still commanded attention as the Western Premier. “Thank you for waiting. We have come to a decision regarding your request for military assistance in Melania.”

She tensed, her breath caught in her throat as she prepared herself. Beside him, a man dressed in a similar black uniform with blue lines rose and lifted up a sheet of parchment. He was taller than his western counterpart and much lankier. His hair, including that of his beard, was now a silver color from his advanced age. He adjusted his glasses before he began to speak.

“After much consideration, it has been decided by his Imperial Highness, Emperor Kailash Faisel VI of Osprei,” the man began. His voice screamed of official authority. “Has found it in the best interest of Osprei Imperial to deny your request for military assistance in Melania.”

Charlotte’s heart stopped. Her mouth parted, but no words came out. They had denied her their help. They had sealed the fate of Melania at the hands of Seden-al. Her heart twisted at the thought. She couldn’t believe it.

Somewhere in the background, the droning voice of the Eastern Premier continued reading from the parchment, explaining why the request was denied. Charlotte could barely hear any of it. Her hands clenched at her sides, turning white as her nails dug into her palms.

Her people were dying and she could do nothing? What was the reason for her being born to rule when she could not even protect the people she ruled over? She had failed them. Osprei had abandoned them.

“My hands are red!” she shouted suddenly, unable to control her disappointment in herself and her anger at Osprei. The Eastern Premier stopped in mid-sentence as the blonde-haired princess before them spoke out loud. Her pale face flushed with anger as she shook. “The blood of my people are on my hands with this failure and do not think that they are not on yours!”

“Princess Charlotte!” the Western Premier called out as he slammed his hands on the table. “Do not raise your voice to disrespect our Emperor simply because you do not agree with his decision!”

“Seden-al invaded Melania, Princess, not us,” a man in a black uniform informed her. Her eyes moved to the man seated on the left side of the Emperor; the Northern Premier. Unlike his the premiers to the Emperor’s right, he and the Southern Premier were younger, with no facial hair or graying locks. Their eyes, however, remained sharp and clear as their seniors. “Are we to blame for Seden-al’s actions?” he asked. The corner of his lip curled into a small smirk. “Or perhaps, even your country’s weak defenses and military?”

Her blood was boiling. “How dare you! My people gave their lives to fight off the invading force! I will not stand here and have you disrespect them! You have no right to say such things when you are just as guilty as Seden-al!”

The Eastern Premier narrowed his eyes and shot her a glare. “Pardon us, your highness, but you are in no place to speak-”

“We do believe that the princess is correct and she should feel free to voice her opinion on the matter, however disagreeable it is,” another voice interjected. Charlotte turned her attention to the man seated directly in the center. He was draped in the white robes of the emperor and his hair was hidden behind the jewel encrusted headpiece he wore. Brown eyes settled on her as a gloved hand rose and stroked the small patch of hair on his chin. “If we do not assist Melania, we might as well be attacking her,” he stated simply, his eyes never wavering as he lowered his hand. “That is what you are trying to say, is it not, Princess Charlotte?”

Her jaw clenched. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she took a deep breath. “Yes,” she replied in a shaky voice. “You are correct, Your Majesty.”

“We understand your anger and frustration, Princess Charlotte, however, you must also understand, as a member of your royal family, that our first priority is the wellbeing of our people,” he told her. “To lend the military power, essentially the lives, of our people to aid in a foreign war will not settle well with Osprei.”

“Then you claim neutrality like Tai?” Charlotte spat out demandingly.

“We simply choose not to get involved,” the Western Premier insisted. “As of now, Seden-al has not encroached upon our borders nor have they made any signs of threat to us. Osprei Imperial Foreign Policy clearly states that we are not to involve ourselves until direct threat is identified.”

“But what if they invade later on? They will have any wealth and supplies both Melania and Tzetta will give them and that will strengthen them for a later attack!” Charlotte argued desperately.

“We will address that situation as it comes, however, we refuse to put Osprei at risk by aggravating Seden-al through aiding Melania,” the Eastern Premier stated.

Charlotte opened her mouth to argue, only to be silenced by the hand of the Emperor. “The decision is final, Princess Charlotte.”

Her eyes crinkled up. “But, Your Majesty-”

“Escort the Princess Charlotte out!” the Western Premier ordered.

Two guards standing by the door stepped forward and Charlotte shook her head. “Wait! Please hear me out! You must help us!”

“Please go and rest, Princess,” the Emperor told her gently. “Osprei will take you as a refugee as long as you wish to stay. You will be safe here.”

“I do not care about my own safety! I care about that of my people!” Charlotte yelled as the guards grabbed her arms. She whirled around, her eyes shooting daggers at the guards as she struggled against their grip. “Release me at once! I demand you release me!”

“Give the princess something to eat before she rests,” the Northern Premier called casually. “She’s clearly tired and not thinking straight.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. She tried to turn to yell at the man, but it was too late. The heavy , wooden double doors closed and she was left out in the hall. Her words died in her throat as she could feel her blood pulsing in her ears. Trying to suppress the growl that rose in her throat, she tore her arms away from the guards and stumbled back.

“I am capable of making it to my room by myself!” she hissed as she glared at them. “You may return to your posts.”

Turning around, she gathered the skirts of her robes and trudged down the hall, ignoring the confused looks she received for her most unladylike movements. She reached her room, a guest room in the Imperial Palace’s inner ward, and slammed her door. She let out a furious growl as she paced the length of her room.

The large room with the elaborate bed and elegant fixtures surrounded her and she couldn’t help but resent herself for her current position. There she was, free of Seden-al’s wrath and safe from its army, while her people were being enslaved and killed. Her safety was not what she was hoping to attain when she crossed the border into Osprei. How could she possibly think about herself when those that had taken care of her were currently under the rule of one of Seden-al’s notorious generals?

What kind of a failure of a ruler was she?

Charlotte closed her eyes and covered her face with her hands as she tried to keep from crying out. She had to think of another way to help Melania and her people. Pacing the room and cursing Osprei for their selfish decision was not going to save anyone.

A knock sounded from her door. “Your Highness, a meal has arrived for you.”

For a moment, Charlotte’s mind went blank. Then, the situation dawned on her and resentment rose. She gritted her teeth. They actually did it. They followed that smug-faced Northern Premier’s order! After he simply said it to mock her! Actually bringing the food to her was like rubbing salt on her wounds. Whirling around to face her door she yelled.

“Take it back! I did not request a meal!” she spat out angrily.

“It was ordered to be brought to you, Your Highness-”

“Then I order you to take it back!” Charlotte snapped. She stormed back across the room and pulled the door open. “Do you think I would stuff myself at a time like this?!” she yelled before she could stop herself.

Her heart froze in her chest. The servant she had expected to meet her just outside her door was gone. The plate of food that was supposed to be in her hands was no where in sight. Instead, Charlotte’s hazel eyes landed on the pressed black uniform of a Premier. Her face paled as she recognized the clothing.

She probably looked like a complete fool raving away after she was denied her request. If she wanted to appeal her case once more, appearing as a spoiled princess was not going to help her.

Her eyes slowly rose. The pins and ribbons denoting rank were perfectly placed on the Premier’s chest. The thin lines and borders of the black uniform were a bold red. Charlotte swallowed. She had just yelled at the Southern Premier.

“Your Highness, Princess Charlotte,” the voice was mellow and calm, not showing any anger or even irritation at her earlier outburst. “May I have a moment of your time?”

He had pale skin, slightly tanned from the sun, black hair, and narrowed red eyes. He was half a head taller than her, but his face didn’t carry the smug look of the Northern Premier he had sat beside. Regardless, directly under the Emperor, he was one of the men who held power.

“Southern Premier,” Charlotte said carefully. She slowly regained her senses and offered him a respectful bow of her head. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to yell at you.”
“If you wish to take out your frustration on someone, I suggest you find someone who has actually wronged you rather than an innocent servant,” the Premier told her sternly. His eyes narrowed and Charlotte lowered her head.

“Yes, Premier,” she murmured guiltily.

“If you have a moment, Your Highness, I would like to speak to you in the garden,” he told her.

Charlotte felt herself take a deep breath before she gave a slow nod of agreement. “Yes, Premier. I have a moment.”

“Good, please follow me.” He turned around and Charlotte stepped out of her room. She closed the door behind her as she quickened her step to reach the premier’s side.

“May I ask what it is you wish you speak to me about, Premier?” she asked carefully.

She looked up cautiously. The man beside her was looking forward, his eyes focused in front of him as he walked. “It is regarding your request for aid.” Charlotte’s eyes immediately widened. She opened her mouth to ask if he supported her, only to be silenced by the Premier’s words. “Do not misunderstand, Princess, I do not wish to have Osprei become involved in a war.”

“Then…what do you wish to talk about?” Charlotte asked as her eyebrows furrowed. She looked down at the walkway they were traveling on and frowned. “The decision was already made.”

“I am aware,” he replied solemnly. They diverted from the hall on to the steps that lead down to the garden. “I have concerns regarding Seden-al that I must address considering my position not only as the Southern Premier, but also as the Hereditary Captain of Osprei’s Southern Army.”

Charlotte looked back at the man, eyes wide with surprise. “You are…the captain of Osprei’s Red Knights?” she asked, unsure.

The Premier nodded. “We are not as large as the other three branches, but I believe our skills surpass that of our counterparts. That may just be me bragging about my men, but I hold them in high esteem.”

The woman nodded dumbly. “What interest does the Hereditary Captain have in my country’s welfare?” Charlotte asked carefully. “You did not speak of any interest during the meeting.”

“The meeting was for the decision of the Emperor,” the Premier told her. “He must do what he sees fit for Osprei. I am now speaking about my decision as the Southern Premier.”

They stopped in the heart of the garden, just before the fish pond and the fountains that poured into it. Charlotte stood behind him as looked down at the water. “What is your decision, Premier?”

“Your argument was not strong enough to convince the emperor, the premiers, or the advisors,” he told her as he turned around and faced her. “Merely telling us that you need help to protect your people only tells us that you are too weak to do it yourself.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened. She gritted her teeth before she took a step back and shot him a glare. “If you came to tell that Melania is weak, I assure you that she is not! I will not remain here if that is all you wish to tell me! Your fellow Premier, the Northern one, already expressed this thoughts on Melania’s military and no matter what he said, Melania is not weak!”

The man remained in his spot, the expression on his face not changing even as her voice rose. “Very well. Perhaps Melania isn’t weak. Perhaps Seden-al was merely stronger,” he stated. “That does not change the fact that Melania has been invaded by, and is losing a war against, Seden-al.”

The blonde-haired woman felt her blood run cold. In front of her, the Premier took a seat on the bench before the pond. Charlotte lowered her eyes. “What did you want me to tell them?” she asked in a low voice. “That we were too weak to defend ourselves and brought this upon ourselves!?” she spat out as she lifted her head. Her eyes bore into the Premier’s. “I did not cross the mountain border in order to have my country be thought of as pathetic and weak!”

“But you did not come to tell us that you were strong, either,” the Premier said as he watched Charlotte’s shoulders slump down. “Your argument was for the benefit of your country. What you should have done was plead the case for the benefit of mine.”

Charlotte’s head snapped up. “What?” she choked out. She shook her head. “How am I supposed to do that? What argument would I have that would make war a benefit to Osprei?”

“You were relying on our benevolence to help you, but as a person of power, you cannot rely on the goodwill of others alone,” the Premier told her. “Seden-al has recently toppled the theocracy of Tzetta. Puppet Lords are being sent from the mother country to strengthen their hold in ruling Tzetta. The same fate is being met in Melania. Once Seden-al has complete control over the regions, both of which are famous for agriculture and trade, there is a chance that Seden-al will use those resources to fund and strengthen it’s army. Seden-al will then control our northern border completely.

“With a well stocked and supported army of Seden-al’s size, it is not difficult to imagine that they would attempt to invade Osprei within a few years. Considering Tai’s strict neutrality, they would be of no help and would probably be the last country invaded, as they refuse to assist either side,” the Premier stated. He met Charlotte’s gaze. “Tell me, Princess, of our two arguments, which would prompt you into action?”
The princess started at him, feeling foolish. She really must have looked like a spoiled, naïve child at the meeting. She lowered her head and clenched her fists. “I understand. I will appeal to His Majesty once more.”

“That is not necessary,” the Premier said as he stood up. “I didn’t come here to help you formulate a convincing argument. If you tell them that now, they will still refuse. You need to prove Seden-al’s intent to attack us.”

Charlotte’s face paled as panic seemed to take over. “But there is no way for me to prove Seden-al’s plans! We can only speculate that they will attack considering their current situation!”

“No, there has to be a long term plan and someone must know it,” the Premier assured her. “I wouldn’t doubt that Seden-al’s top officials know what the long term goal of this invasion is.”

Charlotte’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What exactly are you implying, Premier?”

“I cannot talk the Emperor into aiding Melania and fighting Seden-al. He would not let me dispatch my branch at all,” the Premier told her. “However, he may allow me to go and investigate the severity of the situation myself.”

“You?” Charlotte asked. “You’re a Premier! Your rank is not so easily ignored! If you leave-”

“I may be your once chance and getting aid for your country,” the Premier told her confidently.

Charlotte frowned. “Do you come expecting me to encourage you?”

“I came to ask if you would escort me through Melania.”

“Aide Raske.” A pair of red eyes rose from the parchment he was writing on and met a similarly colored pair. His face frowned beneath his carefully swept back hair as he recognized the person in front of him. “Is Kai in?”

An exasperated breath escaped the lips of the black-haired Emperor’s aide as a figure in black stood before him. “Runa,” he began. He lowered his brush carefully to the side and frowned. “Do not address him so informally when you are not in private.”

The uniform clad Premier sighed. “Fine. Is His Majesty, Emperor Kailesh available? I would like a moment of his time.”

“Typically he would be this time of day” Raske said as he leaned back against his chair. “However, Empress Sisilea has come to see him.”

“How long ago?” the Premier asked.

“That is none of your business-” he began, only to be cut off.

“Kamm Raske…” the Premier’s voice lightened into an endearing tone as he was addressed as ‘older brother’. “I must speak to His Majesty and I will wait. I just want to know if it is a long wait or not.”

The man crossed his arms over his chest. “The Southern Premier does not beg.”

“I am not begging, Kamm Raske, I am merely asking you for a favor,” the Premier replied coolly.

The aide opened his mouth to deny the Premier once more when the door to the Emperor’s private room opened. The guards on either side of the door seemed to straighten themselves more so as two figures in white stepped through the threshold. Immediately, Raske and Runa looked away to give them their privacy as their conversation reached its end.

“Some other time, Sisilea,” the Emperor told his wife. “I have too much work today.”

In front of him, his wife dressed in long, white robes lined with silver pouted. “You cannot show yourself for even a moment? I do not want to attend Premier Adrian’s party unescorted.”

“Then I will have someone escort you, my dear,” the Emperor assured her, tiredly. He seemed unwilling to argue with her any further as he looked past her shoulders, at the two black-haired people at his aide’s desk. “Look there, Premier Runa e’Elleria has arrived to see me. It must be urgent.”

He shot his aide a look, as if telling him to confirm. Raske bowed his head once and rose from his seat. “I regret to inform you, Your Royal Highness, but Premier e’Ellaria has requested a moment of His Majesty’s time.”

Brown eyes darkened as they bore into the head of the Southern Premier. Full lips were pulled into a tight line as the Empress’ grip around her folding fan tightened. “What is it regarding?” she asked, as sweetly as she could.

“I am afraid that is confidential, Your Royal Highness,” Raske informed her dutifully.

The woman lifted her chin and shot a warning glare at her husband. “Very well then. I will attend Premier Adrian’s party alone.”

The Emperor sighed. “Sisilea…” he began as she swept past him. The Empress easily ignored him. As she crossed the room, she shot a deadly glare at the Southern Premier, then disappeared out the doors.

“It’s hard to believe that she and Runa are the same age,” Raske murmured. “She still acts like a little girl who didn’t get her favorite toy.”

“Raske, I don’t know if I appreciate being called her toy,” the Emperor admitted. He lifted his hand and rubbed his head for a moment before turning to the Premier. “I apologize for her rudeness, Runa. I will see you now.”

Runa gave him a curt nod before following him into his study. The well-light room had a high, vaulted ceiling and featured a set of windows behind the Emperor’s desk. The rest of the walls were lined with books and scrolls. It provided a good place for the ruler of the land to focus on his work.

The door closed and Runa turned to the older man.

“Forgive my sudden request of your time, Your Majesty, I-”

“We are in private,” the Emperor said as he took his seat behind his desk. “You may address me informally, Runa.”

“Ah…yes…” the Southern Premier murmured. “Kai, I have thought it over… about what I spoke to you about the other evening.”

The Emperor’s eyes widened. He rose from his seat, his face clearly showing he was against her decision. “You are not going Melania,” he stated firmly.

“Hear me out, Kai,” Runa insisted. “I spoke to Princess Charlotte. She’s willing to come with me to Melania. She can help me get in touch with the Melanian underground, which would be a great help to my purpose!”

“No,” Kailash told her sternly. “It is too dangerous. You could get killed! Are you forgetting that Melania is a war zone, Runa!”

“And I am a soldier, Kai,” Runa reminded him. “Do not forget that.”

The Emperor rounded his desk to stand before the Premier. He was half a head taller, even without his headpiece. “Runa, I cannot, in good conscience, allow you to leave for a war we are not involved it,” he stressed. “You are of a high rank. Who will lead the Red Knights during the time you are in Melania?”

“Kamm Rainer,” Runa replied confidently.

The Emperor’s eyes widened with disbelief. “Rainer would skin me alive if I gave you permission!” he exclaimed. “He will not let you go! He knows how dangerous it is-”

“I am not a child, Kai! I am as much a Red Knight as my men and my brothers!” Runa argued. “And this is my duty! You cannot honestly say that you do not feel the least bit of unease knowing that Seden-al has taken over two countries! Countries that border us!”

“I will not deny that I am wary of the situation and of their threat, Runa, but a single person sent into enemy lines to validate our suspicions is insanity!” Kai exclaimed. His hands rose and cupped either side of Runa’s face. “And for this one person to be you?” He asked as his eyes crinkled up. “How could I possibly let you take such a risk?” he asked in a quiet, pleading voice.

Runa’s hands rose and pushed his away. “Only one person needs to go and I am more than capable of gathering information, Kai. Everyone knows that. The other Premier agree.”

Kailash scowled and took a step back. “They only agree because they want to be rid of you. They think this is a suicide attempt just as much as I do.”

“Kailash,” Runa began carefully. “Seden-al’s Generals are not fools. They know that Osprei is watching them. To expect spies is only natural.”

“That does not put my mind at ease,” Kailash frowned.

“No one will suspect me,” Runa insisted. “This job has to go to someone, especially now. Princess Charlotte herself is willing to guide me through Melania. This is a chance we cannot pass up.”

The Emperor took a deep breath. “I can send someone else with Princess Charlotte.”

“No one can protect her as well as I can,” Runa reminded him.

“Do not be so arrogant, Runa. You are strong, but you are not invincible-”

“No, Kai,” Runa frowned. “There is no one else like me who can take this job. No one else as skilled and befitting of escorting a woman as I am.”

The Emperor stared into Runa’s eyes. Hesitantly, he lowered his. “I will only give you my permission if Rainer agrees to it,” he said in a low voice.

Runa’s eyes closed. “Thank you.”

“He will prove more stubborn than me,” Kai said as he looked down at the Premier. His hands rose and cupped Runa’s face once more. Gentle thumbs stroked the corners of red eyes as his face softened. “You are like my sister. I do not want to lose you.”

The Premier lowered her eyes and nodded. “I understand,” she replied.

A.N. – Story # 2. I may possibly be over doing this…

Original Fiction: Left World

2009-04-01T17:02:21Z

Title: Left World

Chapter: One - A

By: E (DamageCtrl, Pasifik, etc.)

Fandom: Original Fiction

Warnings: Hemorrhages may occur upon reading this. Read at your own risk.

Rating: T

The mood was precisely what she expected it to be; somewhat tense, laced with disappointment, and wary. Across the table, her mother lifted her hand to her head and gently rubbed the bridge of her nose. Beside her, her husband looked down at the notice that had come in the mail, unsure of what to do or say.

She remained seated; her blue eyes darted from one parent to the other as she silently anticipated what they would say. She had already braced herself for the worst.

She knew they didn’t expect her to get straight A’s or find herself in any advanced placement classes. She knew they didn’t expect her to stay on the honor roll, either. She was sure that any hope they had of having a child who did way above average in school went out the door the first time her parents were told she may have to repeat a grade.

However, repeating a grade wasn’t what she was being threatened with at the moment.

“You’re six credits behind,” her mother said in a low, tired voice. “Azalea, that’s three classes. Even if you fill your schedule next year, you won’t have enough credits to graduate on time.”

The sixteen year-old cringed. Pale hands dug into her jeans as she lowered her eyes. There were two semesters per year, with six classes each. Most classes were worth two credits. To graduate, she needed seventy-five credits and, after three years of giving herself one free period per semester, and subsequently failing a few classes, she found herself lacking.

“What if I take summer school?” Azalea asked.

“You’re only allowed to take 2 classes,” her father replied. “And that is only if you can get into the classes.”

“You need to go to your counselor and see what they can do to try to get you into the classes,” her mother ordered. “I can’t believe this, Azalea! Why didn’t you tell us sooner? You said school was going fine!”

“I didn’t know I was going to be six credits behind!” Azalea gasped. “Mom, I passed all my required classes! It’s the electives I failed!”

“Your electives are supposed to be your fun classes,” her mother moaned, defeated as she slumped back against her chair. “How could you fail the classes you picked for yourself?”

The teenager’s eyes darted away. She had tried yearbook, but found that she needed to be more social than she was comfortable with and dropped out. She tried crafts, but found herself skipping so much, she failed. She found out that some of her other electives were only one credit per class period after she was almost done with them.

It was negligence and laziness on her part, but at least she was able to finish the required classes…barely. Why couldn’t her parents understand that?

“Go to your counselor tomorrow morning,” her father told her. “Ask about your options and we’ll talk about it some more tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night?” Azalea whined. She didn’t need to go through this again.

“Well, you don’t have any options right now, Azalea,” her mother snapped. “Honestly, if we didn’t get this in the mail, would we even have known you were in danger of not graduating?”

Azalea bit her lower lip. She watched as her mother raised her hands and pressed them against the sides of her head, just below the base of her horns, and rubbed them. It was a sign of fatigue that Azalea had long recognized. It was probably mainly due to her mother’s stressful job working in the finance department of some technology company in the valley. Then again, Azalea’s grades probably didn’t help her mother any.

“Do you have another headache?” her father asked worriedly as he leaned over and placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Do you want some medicine? Azalea, check the cabinet for some aspirin.”

“I have some Left World pain killers Ola Hel gave me for my cramps,” Azalea offered as she stood up. “Do you want some?”

“No, no, it’s fine,” the older woman said. She lifted her head up and took a deep breath. Her blue eyes met her daughter’s matching ones. “I just had a long day today. Go to bed Azalea. We’ll discuss this tomorrow, when I get back from work.”

Solemnly, the young woman nodded and stepped away from the table. “Fine,” she murmured quietly. She turned and headed for the stairs. She could still hear her parents talking downstairs as she reached the upstairs hallway and made her way to her room.

Tiredly, she fell on her bed. She had heard that letters would be coming in to notify the families of students in danger of not graduating, but she didn’t think her father would get the letter before she did. She had hoped to intercept it. Silently, she cursed her father’s odd work hours.

Unlike her accountant mother, who had a day job with a set schedule, her father’s hours working at the mall varied. By the time Azalea got home that day, her father was already reading the leetter. A disappointed look graced his face and told his daughter that they needed to talk when her mother got home.

That was the last thing she needed. She was already well aware of her less then impressive grades and failure as a student, but she was hoping to make it up that semester and get into summer school in order to get more credits without her parents knowing. Instead, she was met with a guilt trip.

She pushed herself from her bed and headed towards her dresser to change into some shorts and a shirt for bed. She stopped as she met her reflection in the mirror. Narrowing her eyes, she leaned forward and brushed aside some of her dark hair to examine the growth of her horns.

Being only half, they wouldn’t grow to the full extent of her mother’s curved and slender ones, but since her mother was from a strong demon family, her horns would out grow that of a normal demi-demon. Not that it really mattered. Humans couldn’t see Left World attributes, anyway.

Her human father couldn’t see her demon mother’s horns, even after all their years of being married. Nor could he see his daughter’s horns, something he had lamented about when she first told him that she was growing them.

Azalea quickly pulled an over sized t-shirt over her head and body before heading to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She could hear her mother’s muffled voice coming from downstairs. The demi-demon wandered into the bathroom and prepared to brush her teeth. With a toothbrush stuck in her mouth, Azalea wandered back out and glanced over the stair case to see her mother pacing the living room with a phone in her ear.

“Yes, of course you can stay over,” the woman was saying. “Are you on vacation or work? Both? No, I haven’t checked to see if it’s alright with him, it’s not necessary…” There was a pause and her mother nodded. “Fine…Tony! Tony!” She lowered the phone and placed it against her chest as she called for her husband.

“Give me a second, Kristine!” the man shouted from the kitchen. A few moments later he wandered out into the living room, a bottle of beer in his hands. “What is it?” he asked before taking a sip from the glass.

“Helene wants to know if she can stay over a few days,” Kristine replied.

From the stairs, Azalea’s eyes widened. Helene was her mother’s best friend and the daughter of a prominent Left World demon family. If anyone could calm her mother down, she could do it. Azalea’s father had once said it was Helene’s ‘charm’ as a succubus, although it wasn’t supposed to work against other demons, let alone another succubus like Azalea’s mother.

“How long is a few days?” Tony asked his wife cautiously. Her mother once said that in the beginning, her father was somewhat afraid of Helene. They weren’t sure if it was because she was a succubus of high standing or because she didn’t initially like Tony.

“She said no longer than three,” Kristine told him. “And she wants to see Azalea.”

The black-haired teenager smiled, careful not to drop her toothbrush as she walked back up the stairs. She heard her father agree to have the demon stay over as she entered the bathroom. As she finished brushing and washing her face, Azalea let out a deep breath to calm herself.

It wasn’t so bad, she told herself. Six credits wasn’t a painful amount to attain. She just had to focus and make sure she passed all her classes. Despite her attempt at positive thoughts, she still had a difficult time sleeping that night.

In the morning, she trudged down the stairs. Her mother gave her a once over. “Did you not sleep well?”

Sunken eyes turned towards her mother, irritated. Despite having a headache the night before, Kristine looked well-rested and beautiful as usual. Her shoulder length brown hair was shining; her eternally sun-tanned face flawless, even without the subtle touches of make-up. Her clothes looked as if they were made especially for her.

A small bit of resentment flooded Azalea. Of course her mother looked good, she was a demon that was meant to look good. No one would fall for an unkempt succubus. “Why couldn’t I be full demon, like you?” she grumbled.

Her mother chuckled. “You’re still half asleep. Once you’re fully awake, you’ll be fine.”

“Whatever…” Azalea mumbled as she reached into the fridge from some orange juice.

“By the way, your Ola Hel is arriving this weekend,” Kristine said as she buttered a piece of toast. “You have to help clean the house before she gets here.”

A loud groan escaped Azalea’s lips as she turned around and capped the juice bottle she had been pouring. “What? Does it even matter? Ola Hel doesn’t care.”

“I care,” Kristine countered. “I don’t want her to visit and find us living in our own filth.”

“The house isn’t even dirty!”

“It’s dusty.”

“You can’t even tell!”

“She’s allergic to dust, Azalea.”

The teenager bit her lower lip, at a loss defending her argument. “The bathroom is still clean, though.”

“We need to put up the guest towels and the good sheets in the guest room,” her mother countered. Azalea grumbled and chugged down her orange juice as defiantly as she could. “Azalea,” her mother sighed, exasperated. “It won’t take more than an hour or two!”

“What if I have plans?” Azalea asked.

Her mother looked at her curiously. “Do you?”

“I…maybe!” Azalea snapped. She placed her cup in the sink and shook her head. “Forget it, I’m going to school!” She snatched her backpack from the counter as she passed.

“Don’t forget to go to your counselor today!” her mother called as Azalea headed towards the front door.

“I know!”

“I mean it, Azalea! Don’t forget!”

“I won’t!” Azalea yelled back before she closed the door behind her. She adjusted her backpack over her shoulders and headed to her high school two blocks away.

A.N. – One of these days, I’ll write an info page for this.

WARNING: April Mass Writing (Attempt)

2009-03-31T16:33:04Z

April is Script Frenzy, but because my initial idea of Cubicle Pie Zombies for a script would only be 10-20 pages long at the most, I decided not to partake in the event. For those who don't know, Script Frenzy is like NaNoWriMo, only for scripts. You must write 100 pages within the month. My brother says that each page is approximately about one minute of film, but it varies depending on variables, of course.

Anyway, I wanted to do something in April. About 90% of the work for F A N I M E C O N is complete (I'm in the Artist Alley...despite the lack of talent or general ability), so I thought I could get some writing done. I'm slowly but surely working on "Though the Heavens May Fall", the Gundam Seed Destiny fanfic I took a hiatus on back in October.

I haven't written anything original since November's NaNoWriMo (which started off well and then got weird...and terrible). I wanted to write something and decided to do an April NaNo for myself. I have two vague story ideas and will be using this LJ to write them. You may want to remove me from your F-List for a while, as I may flood your Friends page with my non-sensicle chapters. They will be littered with spelling, grammar errors, and typos galore.

Sorry to bother you guys on this, but don't worry, I'll use cuts, so you don't have to read them!

Thank you for your time!!!
- E

Walk on Water - 1

2008-12-24T06:01:53Z

Title: Walk on Water
Rating: Older Teen (?)
Chapter: One
Fandom: N/A - NaNoWriMo 2008 Project
Pairings/Warnings: May cause brain hemorrhages and loss of moments of life. Moments you'll never get back.
Summary: A powerful clan's pragmatic heiress is sent on a journey to retrieve pieces of a bride price for her brother's fiancee due to a century old curse that says men from her family will die when over water. On her journey, she meets the idealistic young captain of a ship and the two ~~fall in love~~...have irreconcilable differences.

It was all because of a century old family belief that she had been given the honor of assisting her powerful clan. Over a hundred years ago, the men of the Kusma clan were cursed by the equally powerful Thauris clan. Aprominent son of Kusma, Cadogan, allegedly kidnapped the leader of the Thauris clan’s favorite grandchild and only granddaughter, Vanora.

In an attempt to escape the families, he stole her away on a ship set for Europe. He made a grave mistake in forgetting that Thauris was a maritime family and had great control over sea trade and travel. The ship was a Thauris galleon and when the sailors loyal to the family discovered that Cadogan had Vanora, they imprisoned him below deck, intent on bringing the both of them back to the mainland.

Before they could, a storm struck and in the chaos, Cadogan escaped. Upon reaching the deck to find Vanora, both were swept off the ship. They drowned at sea.

Furious, the Thauris clan cursed the Kusma clan. Any male of the Kusma bloodline was doomed to die over the ocean. It was a ridiculous claim, or so the family believed at first; however, once several sons of Kusma drowned at sea or met with an unfortunate accident while on the water, the curse became very real.

No Kusma man was allowed on a boat; for fear that the curse would take their lives. For a family whose wealth came from trade, this was a problem. Thauris completely dominated the sea trade and Kusma, in order to stay an equal, dominated the land aggressively.

But in a world where trade over water was necessary, it was imperative that Kusma gained sea lines in order to maintain their status.

The book was closed shut by pale hands as a heavy breath was released. In order to maintain the power and wealth of her clan, her grandfather had sought out the second most powerful sea faring family to merge with in the form a marriage between her younger brother and one of their daughters.

They lucky clan was Winja, the sea trading rivals of Thauris. The Winja clan lived almost a day’s travel away, on the other side of the peninsula, and was just as old and prominent a family as theirs. They ran a successful trade company that had lines across the ocean. It had been decided that a merger would be beneficial to both families, but there was still a price.

“Reda!” a voice called from outside the library doors. A young woman looked up from her seat. Long, wavy black hair, braided, stood out against the rich red of the cushions around her. Her pale, simple robe and slippers made her clash with the elaborate furniture and decorations of the room stained oak room. “Sister, are you in there?”

“I’m in the study, Daniel,” the woman said as she looked towards the sound of the voice. The door to the small, book-lined room opened and a young man peered inside. Short, black hair was cut neatly around his head. Curious gray eyes met hers as he tentatively pushed the door a little further. The woman placed the heavy book on her lap as she smiled warmly. “Welcome home, my brother. Come in.”

A look of relief graced the young man’s face as he pushed the door open and entered. “Mother told me you had arrived.” He was still dressed in his travel clothes. Dark pants and a white shirt beneath a navy colored coat, lined with gold embellishments. It was perfect, elaborate clothing to make his esteemed family background apparent. His short, dark hair was in mild disarray and she could see his riding gloves peeking from one of his pockets. Now that he was home and it was late, keeping up appearances didn’t matter as much.

“Just this morning,” she replied. She moved to the side of the sofa and motioned for him to join her. He rounded the sofa, silently taking note of the comfort of the room, including the warmth the fireplace in front of them gave. The young man fell back against the sofa and leaned his head over the back of the couch. He ran his hand down his face as he let out a heavy sigh. “You seem tired. Was it that long a trip?” Reda chuckled.

“Yes, and to be honest, I don’t know how you can be so calm about this,” Daniel admitted. “You hadn’t even finished school, yet, and grandfather already has something for you to do. You don’t even have any time to rest.” He tilted his head to the side as his eyes squinted. “Speaking of rest, why are you not asleep? It’s quite late.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted. She looked down at her off white robe and the white cuffs and hem of her nightgown that peeked out from beneath its edges. “I thought reading something could help.”

Daniel craned his neck and glanced over at the book on her lap. His lips tightened into a line as he frowned. “Of all the books in the study, you choose that horrible thing?”

His sister grinned. “I find it grossly entertaining.”

“You know, if it weren’t for the story inside of that book, you wouldn’t be sent to Martinique,” Daniel frowned. “You should be throwing a fit and tossing that thing into the fire pit.”

She gave him a dull shake of her head, slightly exasperated at his dramatics. Reda lowered her eyes to the cover of the book. “It isn’t as troublesome at it seams, Daniel. I don’t mind. Besides,” she insisted. “There isn’t anyone else in the family who can do this.”

Her brother crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. “It is my engagement that has caused this.”

“Don’t be so selfish, Daniel,” Reda chuckled as she stood up. “Your engagement to the Winja daughter goes far beyond the two of you. It is for the sake of the clan.”

“I would be happy to help the clan, but marrying Emogene, of all people?” Daniel frowned. “I don’t even think she likes me.”

“Of course she does, brother,” Reda assured him as she crossed the room and slid the book back into its place on the shelf. “You’re Daniel Kusma, the grandson of our family’s leader, educated, and wealthy. Even if father is the youngest son, you will have no shortage of inheritances. Marrying you will attach her to wealth that exceeds that of her other female cousins. That is wealth and prestige.”

“Please don’t remind me,” Daniel grumbled. He narrowed his eyes and looked over at the hearth his sister was standing beside. Reda bent down to poke at the burning logs with an iron stick as her brother scowled. “Do you know how ecstatic she was when the bride price was discussed? It was as if she had found a pot of gold!”

“From what I was told, the bride price agreed upon probably exceeds a pot of gold, or several for that matter,” Reda admitted. She placed the poker back against the stone hearth and faced her brother. “Emogene Winja is a highly sought after daughter. She is the favorite of the Winja Matriarch, who holds considerable power in the family.”

“I noticed,” Daniel frowned. “Father was bowing down to her so much during the marriage negotiations and even Grandfather succumbed to her demands.” He let out a scoff. “Honestly…to promise them the Dawn Star…it’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

“The Dawn Star…” Reda murmured quietly. Her eyes slowly moved to the shelf, where she had returned the book. The Dawn Star was a ruby framed by small pearls and hung from a gold chain. It was one of two pieces of jewelry that Cadogan Kusma had taken with him when he fled. It was said that he probably thought he could later sell the pieces and live like a king.

It was thought that they were lost at sea when Cadogan was; however, a merchant associate of her uncle’s informed them that he had seen the Dawn Star on display in the home of a wealthy family on an island called Martinique. Hoping to regain the necklace for the family, they aggressively offered substantial amounts of money in exchange for the necklace.

Once the other party had agreed to sell it, the necklace was included in the bride price for Daniel’s marriage. The ruby and pearl status symbol tipped the scale and the Winja Matriarch acknowledged the match.

“I think grandfather is giving them too much,” Daniel insisted. “Not only portions of land, enough gold and silver to build a dozen galleons, but the Dawn Star? She’s not worth it.”

“She may not be worth it, but the ties to her family are,” Reda countered. “Ties to the Winja Clan open many doors for the clan, Daniel. It could potentially bring in millions and establish our family in the sea trade.”

From the sofa, her brother narrowed his eyes and looked at her critically. “My God, Grandfather has gotten to you, too.”

Reda raised an eyebrow. “He doesn’t need to,” she reminded him. “It is fairly obvious that this is for the good of the family. It’s the same with Gregory’s marriage, as the rest of our male cousins, Lillian’s, and, eventually, how mine will be.”

“But you are not marrying Emogene Winja,” Daniel persisted. “What do you think of her, anyway? Your letters were rather vague when I had asked your opinion of her. I couldn’t tell if you were approving or disapproving.”

“I do not harbor any strong opinion of Emogene, nor does my opinion matter,” she assured him.

“Then humor me, elder sister,” he urged. “How is she like? You went to the same secondary school as she did, did you not?”

“Brother, she is six years my junior,” Reda reminded him. “I hardly think that I am in a suitable place to tell you my opinion when we shared a year or two, at the most, at the same school, while in different classes. I didn’t even realize we went to the same school until mother wrote to me about her.”

Daniel looked at her suspiciously. “I heard she was active in the same organizations you were,” he told her. “Music and poetry.”

“Daniel, every daughter of a good family was in those organizations,” Reda sighed as she crossed the rooms. “Lillian was, our aunts, even mother. It was practically a requirement for me to join.”

“But you two were there at the same time,” he added. “Surely, you must know something about her.”

“Fine,” Reda said as she turned to face him. “From what I’ve heard, Emogone Winja lives up to the reputation of the Winja women as beautiful, graceful, and very proud of their family. She is not the smartest girl in her class, but I would say her family status makes her stand out. She only surrounds herself with girls of similar status and power, and even then, belittles them when their backs are turned. Such a thing is not uncommon in our world; therefore I don’t see why any of this should surprise you.”

“So, you are saying she is an ignorant, arrogant, untrustworthy snob?” Daniel clarified.

“I said no such thing,” Reda frowned. “And I’d appreciate it if that didn’t leave this room.”

He chuckled and uncrossed his arms. He looked at her older sister curiously. “Do you think she and I will get along?”

“I have yet to see you two interact. I cannot be sure,” she admitted. “But you will try, won’t you?”

“It isn’t as if I can do otherwise if this merger is that important to the family,” he told her. “Besides, Grandfather made the match and Emogene was the only daughter of theirs available for marriage. There really was no other choice. For you, however…”

Reda sat down beside him and sighed. “I’m sure once Grandfather finds a suitable match; he will marry me off, just as he did our cousins.”

“Let’s hope he does,” Daniel told her fondly. “I’d hate to see you with some negligent buffoon.”

“I am sure Grandfather will find someone worthy.”

“You must let me meet and approve of him first,” Daniel smiled. “I cannot let just anyone marry my only sister. He must be a good, worthy man.”

“You need not worry about such requirements, Daniel,” a voice said from the doorway. The siblings looked over their shoulders to the entrance of the study. “I will find a good mach for your sister.”

The young man and woman stood from their seats and bowed respectfully to their ageing grandfather. Despite his graying hair and wrinkled skin, he was still a foreboding man who commanded attention the moment he stepped into a room. His clothes were crisp and new, his hair combed back, not a strand out of place. His lips were pulled into a tight, stern line.

“Good evening, Grandfather,” Reda greeted solemnly. “Forgive us if we have disturbed you.”

“No, it is good that you are awake, Reda,” the man said as he walked into the room. Reda and Daniel bowed as their father and uncle followed. “We need to discuss with you the plans for your errand.”

“Should I leave, Grandfather?” Daniel asked as he stood beside the sofa. The older man shook his head.

“That is unnecessary, Daniel. You may stay.” The young man gave them a small, thankful bow and took a seat on the sofa. In front of him, his sister remained standing.

“I am pleased to be of some assistance to the clan,” Reda told the men as she bowed her head. “I am prepared for the task, Grandfather.”

“As I expected of you,” he replied confidently. “I have discussed it with your uncle and your father. This recent meeting with the Winja clan as established a date for Daniel and Emogene’s wedding. We would like to give the Dawn Star to her in a formal reception before the event.”

“It has been decided that as soon as we can find a proper ship, you will leave for Martinique,” her uncle, the heir to the clan, added. “Tomorrow, an escort and I shall travel to the port to inquire about a ship.”

“Reda,” her father continued. “Be ready to leave in as early as tomorrow night. Father and I have already prepared the funds for the trade.”

Reda remained standing, calm and composed, without any reaction to the order. She lowered her head in a subtle bow before meeting their gaze once more. “I will be ready, Father. Grandfather, Uncle, thank you for your support.”

“Father, Uncle, Grandfather,” Daniel piped from his seat. “How long will it take for Reda to fetch the Dawn Star and return?”

“Two months, perhaps three, at the most, depending on the speed of the ship,” their uncle replied. “We cannot be too selective, as Thauris controls most of the ships at the port.”

“If I may ask,” Daniel continued. “Why do we not request a Winja ship’s assistance?”

“The Winja clan believes we already have the Dawn Star in our hands,” his grandfather replied grimly. “If we were to ask them for aid, it would be most shameful. We do not need to reveal to them that we have promised their daughter something that is not yet in our grasp.”

“Do not worry, brother,” Reda assured him as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “Even if we cannot use a Thauris or a Winja ship, there are independent ships unaffiliated with any clan that will help us. In a port as large as this one, there must be at least one ship.”

Daniel took a deep breath and nodded. “I understand.”

“Good,” the oldest man said as he moved towards the door. “That is all for the night. Daniel, do not forget that your sword instructor will be arriving tomorrow morning for your lessons. Do not be late.”

“Of course, Grandfather.”

“And Reda, a young woman should not be wandering the halls this late,” the gray-haired man added. “Return to your room at once. You may stay awake as long as you wish within.”

“My apologies, Grandfather,” Reda bowed her head as Daniel rose beside her and mirrored her pose. They waited for all three men to exit the room and close the door behind them before straightening up. “Daniel, to be clear, tell me you did not ask how long my journey will last because you plan on fleeing.”

Her sibling rolled his eyes and gave her a sideways glance. “I don’t plan on anything so ridiculous,” he assured her. “I was just curious. If your journey is two months long, it means that they will use that period of time as a marker to when they will hold the engagement party.”

“And you dread it?” she smirked.

“I dread everything that has to do with it,” he spat out. “At any rate, why have they not mentioned your guard? Isn’t it a bit risky to send you out, alone, for that period of time?”

“Uncle and Father have already gone through this with me, Daniel,” she said as she headed towards the door. “There will be no guard. I shall be traveling alone.”

For a moment, her brother remained where he stood, stunned. His eyes widened as his jaw fell, unable to believe what he just heard. “You’re joking,” he choked out in disbelief. “No guard? Do they not realize that not only is a rather large amount of money being transported, but also a Kusma daughter?”

“No, they understand quite well,” she replied as she paused at the doorway. “They also understand that it will be rather noticeable to see several Kusma guards escort me on to a ship. Questions will arise and in order to avoid Thauris and Winja discovering this plan, it has been deemed safer for me to travel alone. Practically in secret.”

“You can’t seriously believe that, can you?” Daniel gasped as he ran after her. He followed his sister out into the hall. “What if the ship they hire is untrustworthy and holds you for ransom or kidnaps you and then sells you off into the slave trade or worse!?”

“Daniel,” Reda turned around and faced her brother in the dimly lit hall. “If Winja found out, there would a chance that the engagement would be called off. What is worse than that is if Thauris found out. With their connections, they could easy threaten my voyage and possibly kill me. Our chances are better if I travel alone.”

“Then why did it have to be you?” Daniel persisted. “Surely, there are others in the family?”

“What man from our clan would gladly step over water?” Reda asked quickly. She paused and waited for an answer. When her brother didn’t reply, she continued on. “I thought as much. You know about the curse. So many have already lost their lives that no one is willing to take another chance.”

“So instead, they’re willing to take a chance on your life?” her brother asked sharply. “Is that it?”

In front of him, the black-haired woman paused and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and turned around to face him. “Daniel,” she began sternly as she met his eyes. “You are not helping. For someone who claims to love me, his wonderful, much honored and respected elder sister, you sound as if you expect me to die so easily.”

Her brother lowered his eyes and frowned. “I don’t want to seem so morbid, Reda. I just can’t help but worry.”

“They would not put me in too perilous of a situation when I bare the entire fate of the clan on my shoulders,” she assured him. “A woman is necessary for this task,” she stressed.

Daniel let out a heavy breath and slumped his shoulders back. “Then why you? We have plenty of female relatives.”

“It is because they trust that I will not betray the clan and run off with the necklace or the money, as well as other reasons,” Reda told him proudly. “That is trust I worked my entire life to establish, Daniel.”

His eyebrows knit together. “You sound as if they’d willingly turn their back on our family if they had the chance.”

“Grandfather believes that in this era of romantics, our cousins are in too frail of a state of mind to be sent on such an important errand. His logic is that I, the most learned, loyal, and level-headed of his granddaughters, am the best candidate to be sent. It is an honor and to be honest,” she told him. “Had they not selected me first, I would’ve been insulted.”

Daniel brought his hand up and ran it down his face. “You are too confident of your standing.”

“I worked hard for it,” Reda reminded him. “Do not worry so much about me, Daniel. I will be fine. Uncle will choose a trustworthy boat and I will return soon, with the Dawn Star in hand.”

Author's Notes: Ugh...What was I on...? This was one of those 'it seemed like a good idea at the time' things. Questions? Comments? Concerns?

At One's Pleasure (Prologue)

2008-08-11T06:43:57Z

Title: At One's Pleasure
Rating: Teen
Chapter: Prologue
Fandom: Slayers!
Pairings/Warnings: AU MODERN (so everyone is human), Xel/Fi with implied Lina/Gourry and Amelia ~~stalking~~ admiring Zelgadiss
Summary: AU - She met him when she found herself locked outside of her office building in the rain, and found that he was everything the other office ladies said he was - handsome, charming, and always smiling They neglected to include that he was a frustratingly irritating deviant.

At One’s Pleasure

Prologue

By: DamageCtrl

* All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Slayers. They belong to their respective creators, owners, licensees.

She stood in front of the towering building dumbly, unable to believe that it was five in the morning, cold and raining, and she had forgotten her badge to let her into the warm interior of her company’s building.

“No…” she mumbled in a low voice. She looked at her reflection on the mirror faced door. Her navy colored pumps did nothing to shield her feet from the rain that fell around her. Her clothes, luckily, were at least dry underneath her dark colored trench coat. For the time being, at least.

Silently, she cursed herself for thinking she wouldn’t get that wet running from the subway station across the street to the front doors of her work place, the Zoana Corporation’s regional headquarters. While she was at it, she cursed Gourry for borrowing her umbrella the Friday before since he had to walk a wasted Lina home. She then cursed Lina for getting drunk, Naga for suggesting they go out for a drink, Amelia for declining and leaving her with two heavy drinkers and Gourry, and finally Zelgadis for claiming he had to ‘work late’ in order to get out of the social activity, thus also leaving her alone with the three.

However, she did have that spare umbrella in her flat. She could’ve brought it, but she thought she wouldn’t need it. After all, it was just a quick scurry across an un-congested street that early in the morning to the front doors of the Zoana building. In fact, it all would’ve been fine and the umbrella wouldn’t have been needed as much as it was now if it weren’t for the fact that she had forgotten her badge.

Without it, she couldn’t get into the building or even into particular floors, due to the company’s strict security measures. If she had come earlier, at eight instead of five, as she usually did, she could count on Gourry, head of building security, to let her in. Or Amelia, the trusty front desk administrator who would not only let her in, but get her a temporary badge to use for the rest of the day.

But at five AM on a Monday morning, Gourry was still probably crashed on the Inverse sisters’ couch across the city and Amelia up for her morning father-daughter jog out it the suburbs; both no where near the downtown building.

This left the procurement department’s Filia Ul Copt alone and wet, unable to enter her work place.

So much for coming to work and leaving early…, Filia thought to herself as her shoulders hunched over. The little boy she sometimes baby-sat was having his first ever school play at his pre-school and, even though he only had to stand on stage dressed as a tomato, he had insisted that she come and watch him. Even if she left work early, she’d still barely make it to his performance, but she was determined to go. After all, she loved adorable little Val like she would her own.

If only she had her badge…

Before she could lapse even deeper into frustration, she felt the droplets of water against her skin cease. She quickly raised her head, surprised, as an arm swept past her and ran a white plastic card against a small black box located beside the door. Immediately, she heard the doors click unlocked.

Filia blinked. Hands covered in black leather gloves closed around the metal door handle and pulled it open. The rain drops had yet to return.

“You do work here, don’t you? Fifteenth floor, south east quadrant?” a cheerful, almost irritatingly so, voice asked.

Blue eyes darted over to the man standing beside her. He was a bit taller than her with thick, purple hair – darker now that it was wet, and tied at the nape. A happy smile was on his face and his eyes were almost hidden behind his bangs. He seemed to work there, as the dark colored suit peeking from behind his opened trench coat met the office dress code.

Barely, she noted. He seemed to be lacking a tie and the top button of his white shirt was undone. She narrowed her eyes. She had never seen him before. She heard him call out to her once more, snapping her out of her thoughts. She looked back at his face as he motioned it towards the lobby beyond the door.

It was then that she realized that he was the one shielding her from the rain. With one hand still holding the door open for her, the other clutched the wooden base of a dark purple umbrella. He stood off to the side, seemingly uncaring that his black trench coat was growing wetter by the second as he held his umbrella over her head.

“You…work here?” Filia tilted her head to the side slightly. She didn’t even hear him walk up behind her.

“You work in procurement,” he answered instead, a pleasant smile on his face. “Miss…Ul Copt?”

She jerked her head back. “Yes,” she nodded once, surprised. “How did you know?”

If possible, his smile seemed to grow wider. “Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to continue this conversation inside?” he asked. “I’m getting rather cold.”

“Oh!” Nodding stupidly, Filia rushed into the building. She chided herself for allowing the poor man to stand out in the cold rain while she stood there like a brainless statue. Where were her manners? She dragged her shoes across the mat that had been put out to stop rain water from being tracked it before she turned around. The man behind her stood that the doorway, closing his umbrella and shaking the water out of it before turning and allowing the door to close behind him.

“Now then,” he said as he approached her. “Since we have established that you work here, may I ask why you were standing outside in the rain? And at five in the morning, no less?”

She could feel her cheeks warming with embarrassment. “I was coming in early so I could leave early,” she admitted. “And I forgot my badge. I couldn’t find it in my purse when I got here,” she said as she showed him her rain soaked bag. “I should’ve checked before I left my flat.”

“I doubt you would’ve found it there,” the man told her. Filia looked at him curiously, but was distracted by a motion of his hand. He waved for her to follow him. Obediently, the tall blonde woman followed in his footsteps as they crossed the wide, open area of the front lobby. Motion detectors sensed their movements and the lights turned on as they approached the front desk. “Filia Ul Copt, if my memory serves me correctly,” he said as he glanced over his shoulder. Sharp, amethyst colored eyes became visible from beneath evenly cut purple bangs. “And it always does.”

For a split second, she felt a cold shiver run down her back. What a…different voice. Smooth and unperturbed, yet at the same time, there was a careful edge to it. Filia had to admit, it was somewhat exciting.

“Yes, you’re right,” she nodded. She watched as he rounded the front counter and stopped herself in front of it. “Err…what are you doing, mister…?” she trailed off, hoping he’d fill in the blank. He paused from where he was crouching beside Amelia’s vacant chair.

“Hmm? Xellos is fine,” he told her cheerfully. “Now…” he looked down at the three drawers that lined the side of the front desk. “Where does she keep her keys again…?”

Blue eyes went wide. “Keys?” Filia’s voice rose. “Wait, what are you doing?” she gushed as her hands slammed atop the counter. She leaned over the side, ignoring the water that fell over on to the desk.

“Getting you a badge,” he told her without hesitation. His gloved hands ran along the underside of the desk. “Bad luck. It looks like she’s changed her hiding place.”

Filia’s eyes widened more so. “You’re breaking into her drawers! You can’t do that!” she choked out nervously. Her eyes darted around the lobby. She was sure the hidden security cameras would catch them. “Stop it!”

“You’re right,” Xellos agreed. Filia let out a breath of relief. “I’ll just pick it open.”

“No!” Filia screeched. She lunged over the side of the counter in a feeble attempt to physically stop him. Xellos looked up just as she teetered on the counter. He chuckled as he leaned forward and steadied her.

“Now, Miss Filia,” he told her calmly. “It won’t hurt anyone. We’ll just get your badge-”

“You don’t have to break into the drawers!” Filia cut him off frantically as she was gently pushed off the counter. Her heeled feet touched the floor once more.

“But surely you know that you can’t even access the fifteenth floor without a badge,” he told her. “How do you expect to get to your office without a badge to let you in?”

“Well…” Filia stuttered. Her eyes darted to the ground, her mind coming up with a more honest way to start her morning. “Err…I’ll just wait for Gourry or Amelia to come in!” she asserted.

He raised an elegant eyebrow in question. “I do believe our dear head of security and front desk admin do not arrive until eight AM,” he reminded her coolly. “That’s a three hour wait, Miss Filia.”

“Yes…well…” she trailed off. She clenched her hands at her sides. “It’s better than breaking into Amelia’s drawers!” she defended.

A light, musical chuckle filled the air. “And so you will wait until they arrive?”

“Of course!” Filia said. She turned around sharply and stomped towards the plush couches where guests would usually wait. “Besides, I may not have to wait that long. Zelgadis usually comes in early and he’s on the fifteenth floor, too. I can get him to let me on to the floor.”

“If you are certain,” Xellos conceded as he moved away from the front counter. “Have a good morning, Miss Filia.”

“You, as well, Mister Xellos,” she replied stiffly as she crossed her arms and sat on one of the couches, her back to him.

“Please,” a warm breath caressed her ear. “It’s simply Xellos.”

She tensed her seat, feeling her pale face inflame before whirling around to see the purple-haired man several paces away, heading towards the elevators. He ran his badge against another black box and the doors to one of the elevators opened. As he turned inside the elevator to press the button for his floor, he caught her eyes once more.

With as sly smile on his lips, he gazed at her for just a second longer before pressing the button…and winking at her.

A sharp gasp escaped Filia’s lips before she quickly turned back around, her hands clenching the wet cloth at her knees. What was that!?

“You should go home, Miss Filia,” Amelia said as she shuffled through her drawer. “You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine,” the blonde assured the younger girl. “I’m just a little flushed that’s all…”

“How come?” Gourry asked as he stood beside her at the front counter. He was supposed to be doing his morning rounds, but decided to chat with the two before heading off.

The corner of Filia’s eye twitched. Why? He wanted to know why? “No big deal…” she assured him as she held her went trench coat over her arms. “Probably because I was a bit water logged.”

“Were you waiting long?” Amelia asked. “Good thing I came in early today.”

“No, not long at all,” the blonde assured her. “Everything was fine,” Until he returned. “I just sat on the couches,” Until he bothered me. “And went through some of my work I had with me.”

“Here you go,” Amelia said. She revealed a white badge with the Zoana logo and Filia’s name, employee number, and picture on the front. “It was turned in Friday night, after you left.”

“What?” Filia frowned. Her eyebrows furrowed. “That can’t be right…I could’ve sworn I had it on me when I left.”

“Maybe it fell out of your purse,” Gourry suggested.

“Another employee found it and brought it to me Friday night,” Amelia told her. “He works on the same floor as you do.”

“Who turned it in?” Filia asked as she clipped the badge on to her blazer. She would have to thank whoever found it.

“Mister Xellos Metallium, the internal VP’s new assistant,” Amelia told her cheerfully. “He works on the fifteenth floor, too.”

Slender fingers stumbled over the metal clip of her badge. All thoughts of thanking him vanished. “He what!?” Filia growled as she snapped her head up.

“He works on the fifteenth floor,” Gourry repeated, slower, as if to help Filia take it in.

“Yes, yes, I got that,” Filia waved her hand in front of her, frustrated. “But…he never told me that! This whole time, I could’ve been getting my work done and he…I just wasted three hours!?” she choked out.

“Did you ask him?” a voice said behind them. Filia and Gourry turned around. A wide smile filled Gourry’s face.

“Lina! Good morn-” His greeting was cut short by a punch to the stomach. He grimaced for a second, but otherwise, it didn’t seem to affect him.

“Do you know what this is!?” Lina demanded as she shoved an empty orange juice bottle in his face.

“Um…an orange juice…bottle?” Gourry asked, confused.

“No,” Lina hissed sharply. “It’s an empty orange juice bottle, you dimwit! You drank all of it this morning and then put it back in the fridge! Now my sister is making me go buy more after work!”

“Sorry, Lina,” Gourry murmured sheepishly. “I’ll pay for it! Don’t worry!”

“You better,” Lina grumbled. She pushed the bottle into his arms, as if he were to keep it as a reminder of his misdeeds. “Anyway,” she started once more as she turned to Filia. “You won’t get anything out of Xellos if you don’t ask him.”

“Lina, you know him?” Filia asked, unable to contain the partially disgusted disbelief from her voice. “That…thing?”

“He’s not a thing, Filia,” Lina sighed. “We went to college together…pre-law before I switched majors. I think he went ahead and finished law school, but he’s not exactly forthcoming with any information. If you want something from him, you have to be direct and choose your words carefully.”

Filia frowned. As if she didn’t like the purple-haired man to begin with. “I think he’s a decent guy,” Gourry asserted. “He even brought Filia some tea, see?” He pointed to the coffee table where a Styrofoam cup was placed. It seemed to be empty.

Filia’s face reddened and she shifted her eyes away guiltily. “How did you know he brought it to me, Gourry?”

“Well, you can’t get into any of the kitchens without your badge,” Gourry smiled, proud that he had noticed the cup. “And Xellos always comes early, so I figured it was probably him.”

“But I wouldn’t go around telling anyone he brought you some tea, Filia,” Lina told her seriously. “If the girls in Accounts Payable hear about this…”

“Wait, what’s going on in Accounts Payable?” Amelia asked, confused.

“You haven’t heard?” Gourry asked, eagerly joining the gossip. “Zel must’ve told you, he works up there.”

Amelia shook her head. “Whenever I ask about his job, all he says is that he’s surrounded by a bunch of man-crazy air heads.”

“He’s got that right,” Lina snorted. “Pay attention, Amelia. The new guy is friendly, acts like a complete gentleman, and rumored to come from old money with a last name like Metallium. That’s prime husband material, right there. You know what that means.”

Amelia’s head bobbed up and down with understanding. It meant all out war for the new guy’s attention.

“I heard your sister is trying to get him,” Gourry added earnestly. “And you know how she is.”

Amelia nodded. Once Naga had her mind set on something, there was no changing it. She looked over at Filia worriedly. “Miss Filia, be careful.”

Filia let out a heavy sigh and rolled her eyes. They made it sound as if she’d be targeted simply because the ever-smiling purple-haired assistant had brought her down some tea. Sure, the tea came as a surprise, along with the comment that set her off.

She had been sitting for almost an hour when she decided to finally take off her coat and place it to the side to dry. Just as the rain soaked material slid off her shoulders, a cool, casual voice sounded from behind her.

“My, my, Miss Filia…if you wanted my attention so badly, you could’ve just asked for my number like everyone else,” he had chimed as he seemed to have appeared out of no where. “You needn’t strip for my pleasure…” Then he smiled, absolutely pleased with himself. “At least not here.”

It was meant to be a joke, she knew that much, but at the time, she was already on her last nerve after being locked out in the rain and having a run in with someone who didn’t seem to care about rules and was, if she wasn’t mistaken, flirting with her. Of course, she had little experience in that sort of thing. She had almost flung her purse at him.

Instead, she had insisted that it wasn’t for his eyes and that she was only taking off her coat. He had easily slid past her, placed a cup of coffee in front of her, and then took a seat across from where she stood. As she tossed her trench coat to the side, she turned back and saw him leaning against the black leather arm chair, legs crossed and arms at his side.

His earlier cheerful smile was still on his face, although it had begun to feel more irritating than cheerful. “What?” she asked with a frown.

His smile grew wider. “I’m waiting for you to continue, Miss Filia.”

She hissed a few choice adjectives in his direction before laughing and telling her she looked ‘glorious when riled up’. He then stood up and motioned to the cup. “I thought some coffee would help keep you warm.”

“I don’t drink coffee,” she stated firmly.

“Oh? What do you drink?”

“Tea,” she stated simply. She raised her head challengingly. “And not that low quality stuff they have in the office kitchens.”

“Such a picky woman you are,” he stated as he stood up. “I came all the way down with a drink and you dismiss my efforts to easily.” Filia felt slightly guilty for a moment.

“You asked and I answered,” she told him curtly. “Thank you for the coffee, Mister Xel-”

“Just Xellos,” he corrected her swiftly.

“Mister Xellos,” Filia insisted behind gritted teeth. “I am quite fine on my own, thank you.”

He gave her a small bow of his head before turning back to the elevators. Filia was sure that it was the last she saw of him. Then, precisely twenty minutes later, he appeared once more.

Two cups of steaming out tea were in is hands. “Lotus,” he told her as he placed a cup in front of her. “Look inside the cup.”

Filia eyed him suspiciously, then eyed the cup. She looked past the rim and allowed her eyes two widen. There was a flower inside, fully bloomed, and the source of the tea. “Where is this from?” she demanded before she blew across the top of the cup.

“Sairaag,” Xellos replied as he sat across from her once more. He lifted his own cup to his lips. “It’s delicious.”

She tentatively brought the tea to her lips. Her face clearly said she was pleasantly surprised. “It is!”

Then he chuckled again. Filia continued to drink the tea in silence, almost forgetting that he was sitting there, watching her carefully, until she was out of her drink. “Shall I fetch you another cup?” he asked.

No. “Would you, please?” Damn it. Filia mentally screamed at herself for speaking to him, but assured herself she was only being polite.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Xellos took her cup from her hands and she noticed he was still wearing his gloves. He disappeared into the elevators and returned almost thirty minutes later.

Filia was glad to have something in her stomach as she drank down her second cup. This time, Xellos was without his and merely sat in silence as he watched her drink from behind his bangs. Filia seemed unaware that she knew of his presence until she spoke.

“This is delicious, where in Sairaag did you buy this?” she asked, hoping for a store name or something of the sort.

“I didn’t buy it,” Xellos answered with a small smile.

“Oh…” Filia trailed off. She took another sip. “Then, did someone buy it for you?”

“No,” Xellos’ smile grew wider and Filia lowered her eyes at her nearly empty cup. A small feeling of dread was gnawing at her stomach.

“Then…” she began carefully. “Where did you get this?” She knew she’d regret asking.

“Miss Sylphiel’s desk.”

She spit out the tea she had been in the middle of drinking. “You stole this!?”

“I wouldn’t call it stealing,” he assured her. “I left her a note and some money to pay for it.”

“But you took it without asking!” Filia shrieked. Her eyes widened as another thought slammed into her. Horrified eyes looked back down at the cup. “And I drank some of it!”

“That you did,” Xellos laughed. “And you said it was delicious.”

“Why did you give it to me!?” Filia gasped as she slammed the cup on the glass coffee table.

“You said you liked tea that wasn’t from the kitchens and-”

“You stole it!” Filia countered. “I drank stolen tea!” Did this make her a criminal? She’d never done anything that bad I her life!

“I take it I don’t get a thank you?” Xellos asked with a smile.

“You rotten little…!” Filia seethed, gritting her teeth to keep from calling him something she might possibly regret.

“I’ll take that as a no,” Xellos said as he stood up. “Well, at any rate, you’re quite welcome, Miss Filia!”

“You tricked me!” she cried out.

“I did no such thing,” he told her calmly as he crossed the space to her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silken purple handkerchief with ZM embroidered on the corner in silver. He easily unraveled it from its neat fold with a flick of his wrist and brought it up to her mouth. “Now, stay still so I can wipe your face.”

“Get away from me!” Filia batted his hand away.

“I’m hurt,” Xellos pouted, amused. “And after I got you such delicious tea, too...”

“Stolen tea!” Filia reminded him as she stumbled back. “I’ll have nothing more to do with this!” She told him firmly. “Just wait until I tell Gour-”

“You really are quite lovely when you’re flushed, Filia,” he cut her off without warning. Sharp eyes pierced into her as they met her gaze. “Quite lovely, indeed. I hope to see you around more often.”

Her mouth dropped. What in the world was he saying? What was he trying to do? Didn’t he know she was angry at him? It was almost as if he set it up just to make her angry. Before she could gather her thoughts for a rebuttal, Xellos was already walking away. A small beep came from the front door and Filia whirled around.

Amelia was entering the building, and, further behind her, running through the rain with his jacket pulled over his head, was Gourry. A surge of confidence filled Filia. Oooh…just wait until I report him for theft! She turned around and Xellos was gone.

In the end, Filia never was able to tell the front desk girl and the head security guard what had happened. Amelia had seen her immediately and told her that she had her badge. Filia assumed she meant her temporary one. Then, she didn’t know how to explain that she had been an accomplice by drinking the stolen tea.

“-charming, and a gentleman,” Lina was saying once more as Filia was pulled out of her thoughts.

Filia straightened up and grasped her coat and purse against her. “You’re also forgetting one thing,” she said as she walked past the blond man and the redhead. “He’s infuriatingly irritating.”

Lina raised an eyebrow as Filia marched straight to the elevator. A small chuckle escaped her lips. “I thought that went without saying.”

Author's Notes: This story is based on this Xel/Fi piece by Sora-ko. I also ran out of Xel/Fi fanfics to read and you know what happens when I run out of fanfics to read. I don't know if I'll continue, but I hope to do so.

Let Justice Be Done - Q & A

2008-05-14T18:31:52Z

Fanfiction: Let Just Be Done
Fandom: Gundam Seed/Destiny
Rating: T
Pairings: Athrun/Cagalli, Shinn/Stellar, Kira/Lacus, Dearka/Miriallia, Yzak/Shiho, etc.
Full Summary: AU - After five years of war, arranged marriages will seal peace between two kingdoms, but one nobleman will seek revenge for his late wife by marrying the woman he believes killed her.

Hello and thanks for reading. I'd like to use this section to answer any questions that may arise after the 20 chapter fanfic is completed. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them here. You will get an answer sooner and others will benefit from reading your questions and the answers. Thanks!

AUTHOR'S NOTES on Chapter 20:

Good God, what was I on? I don't think I wrote it as well as I could've, though in my head, it's much more dramatic then I seem to have typed it out to be. This chapter ended up a lot longer than I initially planned it to be, but I had to insert things overlooking different characters so everything could be tied together. From Kira's rush to Plants to deliver his message to Mayu's escape from the Durandal Estate and back to Athrun angsting with Shinn, all those those served to feed into the moment where Cagalli's actions that night in the border was revealed with Athrun.

So...who was the one that revealed it to Athrun? The answer - Rusty. While indirectly, it was from Rusty's mouth that Athrun heard it.

Now, picking through the scenes, I have some qualms as I think the flow buckles a bit at times. Though, I did enjoy writing Shinn and Cagalli's confrontation. Shinn is just all over the place here. A large, purposely omitted scene was Athrun's brooding in his room, where he finally decides he can't kill Cagalli. He wants to tell Shinn and apologize to him because he knows ow that will affect his relationship with the younger man.

As for Cagalli knowing, I had told you she knows what she's doing. She was fully aware of the risk she ran and was in a sort of state of denial about how Athrun felt for her. Still, somewhere deep down, she knew he loved her and wouldn't hurt her. Odd? Well, no one ever said love makes complete and utter sense. :)

As for the couples left unaccounted for: YS, DM, KL, SS...I do plan to write a sequel which will be listed under Yzak and Shiho has characters, though some of the other pairings will also be included. Especially DM.

Also, I had changed the ending twice. Nothing big, just the final words. If you caught the update as soon as I posted it, you probably read "welcome home", which was changed, five minutes later, to "I couldn't wait". Both fit, so pick your ending. :)

PS - If there are no questions or comments, that's totally cool, too. :D Thanks for reading, everyone!

If you have a question or comment that you would like answered on the reviews page on ff.net, please remember to login or leave an email address where I can reply to you. Honestly, guys, do keep up. I admit, I find it rather irritating when comments and critique, especially long ones, are left and I can't reply. I feel it's rude.

Anyway, I took some time and combed over the reviews, trying to find questions and comments to address. I hope this covers most of the stuff you guys asked. ^_^

Is there a sequel?

Yes, there will be a sequel, though it will not be AsuCaga. While it will contain AxC, it will mainly focus on Shiho & Yzak and Miriallia & Dearka. KiraLacus will be thrown in there, too, but it will will mainly mention the other two pairings. Under the character selections drop down box, Shiho and Yzak will be selected.

When will you post the sequel?

Either late June or early July; definitely after FanimeCon. I'm doing AA this year and I'll need time to recover afterwards.

I'm going to take a break first. :)

Will you write another AxC soon?

I have no idea. I have a lot of time constraints right now with the convention coming up, another convention to attend in July, and a wedding I'm part of in August. Plus I have an unfinished novel I should get back on.

Spelling & Grammar

Typing speed = 100+ wpm, 10K words in 6-8 hours (I don't update for a week or more because I procrastinate most of the time), no beta, one quick read-through and lazy spell check: do not expect anything I write to be more than random brain dribble. I also tend to just stop sentences in the middle of one, depending on where my train of thought is going.

On the part where Cagalli asked Shinn "didn't anyone tell you?" (confrontation in in the final chapter), didn't Cagalli tell Miguel not to tell anyone about their conversation before?

She isn't referring to her talk with Miguel in the stables while in Orb. She's referring to the incident that night on the border. She's asking Shinn if anyone told him what happened that night, after it happened. Didn't Rusty or Miguel tell him the actual events? Didn't he ask them about what exactly happened? That sort of thing.

Stellar's name at the ball's announcement - why Loussier & not Athha?

At the reception ball in the final chapter, most people are expecting an "Athha". In order to avoid confusion (like what happened with Rusty mistaking her for Athrun's wife earlier), she has them use Loussier.

Shinn x Stellar? Where it at?

There will be slight Shinn x Stellar in the sequel (hopefully) :).

The ending was rushed.

Yes, yes it was. The day I was finishing it, I was pressed for time at work at at home.

Have Cagalli & Athrun done "it"?

I'll leave that up to your imagination. ^_^

My perception of "artistically challenged" in how Cagalli claims to be so despite playing the violin well.

I apologize if I was unclear. I should have been more specific on which branch of art I was referring, too. It was referring to crafts and standard studio arts. Though, if you read carefully, you'll notice that Cagalli considers her one artistic saving grace her violin playing. It is just that compared to the others, who seem to excel with things and generally seem more 'feminine' than she does, she feels somewhat inferior. You should also take note how everyone else's particular artistic skill is mentioned as showcased (in books or a contest or display of some sort) somehow, while Cagalli is more reserved about her playing. It is acknowledged that she is an excellent musician, however, she rarely plays in public and uses it as a sort of stress reliever.

As someone who can play things by ear on a clarinet, writes, does studio art, crafts, & design, and sews, I still personally consider myself "artistically challenged", as I'm not satisfied with my abilities.

Whoo...that was a bit of stuff. I'll try to answer more and update as they come in. :D Thanks for reading!

Let Justice Be Done - Fanfic Info

2008-02-08T18:16:11Z

In an attempt to answer the questions posed by some, I have created this fanfic information section in hopes of clearing things up. Please note that there will be some spoilers.

IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT ANSWERED HERE: Please reply and ask me. I'd be happy to answer or at least try to without revealing any spoilers. Thanks!

General Author's Notes on Her Writing
-I tend to write long chapters between 8,000 and 10,000 words long. They all tend to be very wordy, as I try to portray what I see in my head as clearly as possible. As for all the questions, they will be answered as the story progresses. Those that are familiar with my style of writing probably already know that. ^_^
- I wanted to write an AsuCaga for a while, but never had the chance or really felt it was necessary. However, I ran out of long fics to read, so I though I'd write one.
- I selected an AU simply because they're easier for me to write and gives me more creative freedom.
- I will try to update quickly, but give no promises.
- I do not have a beta for this fanfic; it is all basically raw mind dribble with many typos and errors. I type 100+ wpm and can churn out a 20 page story in 6 hours. There WILL be mistakes.
- I actually decided to write the fanfic the day before I posted it and began writing that night. This is entirely done on a whim.
- I have written out the notes for the rest of the story. All that is left for me to do is write it out into a story format with details and stuff.
- This is my first Gundam fanfic! My first actual anime fanfic since...1999. God, I'm old...
- It will get frustrating to read, simply because YOU know what's going on and how it can all be resolved, but also know that the characters aren't going to do what they should do to clear everything up quickly.
- I appreciate everyone's patience on this and thank you all for reading.

Alternate Universe General Information

Setting
I wanted to keep their uniforms, I think they're spiffy. :) But I would have to say picture the setting as a generic anime fantasy story setting. Like in Slayers or something. A sort of medieval European setting, with a slightly more modern, fantasical architectural twist. I have no idea if that even makes any sense...
Orb is a peninsula with out laying islands. It is connected to the mainland and borders Plants to the north and east. It shares the north western border with Plants and the Atlantic Federation. Orb will retain it's tropical atmosphere.

Government
Plants is a monarchy with one royal family being supported by a dozen or so noble houses. The monarch's advisors are called the Supreme Council and consists of noble house leaders and regional officials. Clyne is the current royal house, with it's sole member being Lacus.

Orb is rather unique in that while it has a queen, the queen is an elected official that reigns until they retire or pass on, much like the Supreme Court Justices of the U.S. The queen is advised mainly by three advisors and then supported by the chamber, consisting of regional officials, military officials, council members, and the captains of the Seray.

In Orb, most power is held by women because culturally and economically, women control the nation. Basically, women are the barriers of culture; they raise the children and teach them, but in this case, women also have strong economic power in that they own their own businesses (ex: Kira's mother), and with the establishment of the Haumea Elite, which basically trains women to be leaders, they have long since become a strong military and political force.

That is not to say that men have no place in it, while generally equal, it tips towards the female dominated side. Head of state is almost always a woman and if she is married, her husband is not titled a king, but a queen's consort. Most queens are elected from the Haumea Elite. The previous queen usually suggests a particular Elite who she thinks will do the job well and if that person accepts, runs against whoever else is running, only with the queen's support. More often than not, that is how the current queen is elected. Most come from the Azure or Rouge Seray due to their experiences in their Seray.

The Plants Noble Houses
The main ones we will be dealing with are Zala, Joule, and to some extent, Amalfi. The Campbells, Meer's paternal family (her mother and Lacus' mother were sisters), are also a noble house, but will have no real part in the story.

Zala - The currently leader and only blood related member of the house is Athrun. Upon the death of the Asukas, he took in Shinn and Mayu, legally making them extended family under his care. He has since named Shinn his heir after the death of his first wife, Meer. Shinn carries a hypenated official title, though commonly goes by Asuka.

Joule - Currently lead by Ezalia Joule, a councilwoman and overall woman of influence in Plants. Her son, Yzak, is the heir to the house, though probably won't be getting it anytime soon. Dearka's family is bound to the Joule's to serve a knights, though are not officially part of the house.

Amalfi - Nicol will come by sooner or later...

The Red Knights of Plants
AU Zaft RedGundam Pilots. I think that says it all.

They are the elite military professionals taking orders from generals of the Plants military, although the two captains (Athrun and Yzak) head the two squads. There are very few of them. In times of peace, the Red Knights are split amongst the noble houses as added protection and for assistance in day-to-day work.

Current Red Knights:
- Athrun (captain)
- Yzak (captain)
- Dearka - works under Yzak as his personally secretary/messenger/verbal sparing partner/'friend'. They have been together since childhood.
- Shinn - under Athrun's division, though in peace time spends his time reading and learning the dos and don't's of running a noble house from Athrun
- Shiho - one of the few female Red Knights, she works under Yzak, doing all the paper work and what not when he and Dearka are off. During the war, she had been assigned off the battlefield due to her maternal blood line - her mother was once part of the Obsidian Seray. She joined Yzak's squad officially once Yzak was pulled out of the war.
- Lunamaria - under Athrun's division, spends peace time assisting Athrun and tutoring Mayu.
- Rey - Part of another noble house and spends his time there.
* Rusty is not a Red Knight; he is a personal guard.

The Haumea Elite Seray of Orb
Named after their patron goddess, the group are an elite set of female warriors that must meet a strict code of requirements and pass a series of physical and metal tests in order to enter. There are five Seray, all wearing maroon suits and told apart by the colored bands on their arms. Each Seray has it's own series of tests and most girls will pick one to try to enter. They can later move from Seray to Seray depending on whether or not they pass the tests of that particular Seray. Usually an elite will stay in the same Seray until they retire.

There is no particular reason why there are five Seray, expect that when deciding upon divisions, it just so happened they split into 5 groups.

Current Seray Captains:
- Cagalli - Rouge Seray - Negotiations and international dealings
- Miriallia - Azure Seray - Strategical and tactical division
- Natarle - Obsidian Seray - Information and Research
- Aisha - Chartreuse Seray - Battle division
- Manna - Alabaster Seray - Health and Medicine

There is only ONE active captain per Seray who over sees the day to day. Those who have retired with the status of captain retain their rank (like Erica and Murrue) and still bare their arm bands in more formal settings. If need be, they are called upon for assistance by the current captain or if the need just arises. (ex: Fllay was killed in battle, Aisha, the former captain of Chartreuse, returned from retirement to take her place.)

It is rare that there are active elites past their 40's. Most retire if they get married or just when they feel they can no longer be valuable part of the Seray. Wounded are often allowed to stay on to do less physical parts (i.e. paperwork and reports) of the job. Some leave for other positions (Erica became an Advisor).

Those who are married and chose to stay in the Haumea Elite usually move out of the Seray and into a home in the city with their family. They commute to the estates for training. The only exception is the family of the active captain, which live on the 3rd floor of the Seray.

What of the Men?
They're just like everyone else and get a job. There isn't a particular male version of the Haumea Elite. Men would just join the military. Women also join the military if the Haumea Elite is not for them. The temples around the area and caravans are male dominated. Representatives of provincial areas are split between the sexes.

-The Temple
Working at a temple is a prestigous job and requires a lot of educational background. In order to become a scholar at the temple, Kira has to have a strong foundation in education, history, and religion. The temples have cell lined dormitories for it's scholars (who also travel to teach), and priests, priestesses, etc. Kira has a room at the temple, which is generally communal, and also has an apartment elsewhere.

Orb Queen and Council
- Murrue - Queen of Orb, elected, married to Advisor La Flaga, former retired Azure Seray captain.
- Mwu - Advisor, former general, married to the Queen
- Andrew - Advisor, former general, married to Aisha
- Erica - Advisor, former captain of Azure Seray after Murrue was elected Queen; replaced Advisor Athha after his death during the war.

Cagalli & Kira's Family Situation
- Cagalli lives in the Rouge Seray estate with her squad and adopted sister, Stellar. Kira has a small apartment above his mom's shop, but most of the time, he lives at the Haumea temple, where he studies and has since retreated to after the war and Fllay's death.
- Stellar was found by the shoreline of Orb at the beginning of the war. Cagalli took her in and had her adopted her when Stellar revealed she had no family left. She is on the path to joining the Azure Seray. She considers Kira her brother, as well, and lives with Cagalli. She carries the Athha name.
- Cagalli's father was killed during the war, when the violence escalated in the 3rd year. It devastated the young captain. Her mother passed away earlier.
- Kira's adopted parents live close to the sea shore and are still alive; his mom owns a sweets shop that she and his father run.

The Orb-Plants War
It was a case of subjugation by colonization. Basically, a foreign power floods an area with their people, thus marginalizing the native population and taking away their power, slowly assimilating the land and it's people into itself.
In the case of the fanfic, Plant allowed a large group of its citizens to settle on foreign Orb land, thus out numbering the native Orb people. They were pushed out of their towns and cities and slowly began to disappear. Upon investigation, the disappearances were caused by a systemized genocide. Plants citizens took over an Orb village, the Orb villagers were pushed back. Before they could rebel against the new comers, they were killed by men Le Creuset sent to oversee the colonization.
Orb citizens retaliated, there were riots and deaths on both sides, and subsequently a war broke out. The genocide was covered up by saying it was a simple land dispute.
Fllay and her Seray were the first dispatched to the region and managed to purge it of the occupying power by sending them back into Plants territory. They remained in the disputed area until it the genocide was discovered. Then the Chartreuse and Obsidian Serays stormed the Plants border bastions. Fllay was killed during this time and Aisha returned from retirement to take her place.
At one point or another, the Haumea Elite have gone up against the Red Knights. Cagalli's group brushed paths with part of Yzak's squad, but never Athrun's.

Okay, that's all I have right now. If you have any questions, feel free to reply and I'll try to answer.

Thanks!

Random Vampire Story - Zutara

2007-12-21T21:15:18Z

Title: The Parting

Rating: Older Teen
Chapter: One-shot
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Pairings/Warnings: Zuko/Katara
Summary: Modern day Vampire!Zutara written to Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love”, who was suggested to me by a RotR reviewer. Thank you! In a strange mixture of my modern vampire world, UaSS, and the words of a singer, I came up with this. It’s not much, though…and it’s kind of random. Gah! DO NOT READ IT!! XO

Weeks after her surrogate mother, The Painted Lady, a vampire who cares for new and orphaned vampires, is killed in front of her, Katara is faced with the task of taking her place as the Lady of the House. While she wants to go through with the Lady’s request of protecting the children, she has to consider her own life, which is deeply intertwined with the vampire who turned her centuries earlier.

“She’s been quiet,” Jet said quietly as looked back at the table over looking the dance floor two stories down. “Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.”

“She needs to get out,” Zuko replied solemnly as he waited for their drinks. “She wasn’t meant to stay behind and watch children…” Zuko trailed off. “Even if The Painted Lady asked her to.”

“You’re being presumptuous, Zuko,” Azula frowned as she leaned against the bar counter, her amber eyes still settled on her older brother’s wife and lover across the way. “You can’t expect her to abandon the Lady’s last request of her. She was able to help Katara in ways even you couldn’t.”

Zuko’s jaw locked as his fingers dug into the counter. “I know.” He replied coldly.

Jet glanced from one sibling to the other and let out a heavy sigh of relief as the lycanthrope bartender slid them their drinks. “Take a shot,” Jet told the other male vampire calmly as he gathered his drink and Katara’s. “Then take her down to dance.”

Zuko scowled as he picked up his drink. Ahead of him, Jet began to weave through the numerous bodies of the warehouse-turned-vampire and lycanthrope-club. “How will dancing help her?” Zuko snapped before following.

Behind him, Azula lifted up her dainty glass and took another sip. “You’re the one who said she needed to get out more.”

“I don’t want to leave her stuck in that place…that place where the Lady was killed.” Zuko answered sharply over his shoulder. Azula raised an eyebrow and pushed herself off the counter. She followed her brother, expertly sliding between the other guests before she reached them at the table.

“Katara, have a drink.” Jet offered as he placed the beverage in front of her.

The blue eyed vampiress turned her head and blinked. She had been lost in her thoughts for weeks after her surrogate vampire mother, The Painted Lady, was killed in front of her. Her last words to Katara, before she pushed the waterbending vampire into a hidden room and shut the door, were ‘protect the children’. Then she was brutally killed, Katara unable to stop it.

Since then, Zuko’s beloved wife moved about in state of shock. In her unguarded state, he could feel her turmoil. The pain of losing another mother violently, before her very eyes. The guilt of believing that she, with years of hunting and mercenary work under he belt, was unable to save the woman who stopped her from losing her mind. The determination to go through with the Lady’s last request. The overwhelming sadness…

It had gone on for months. Even after their clan had helped her and the children move from the Lady’s house to a new one; one that wasn’t stained with blood, Katara was unnaturally silent. It was as if a part of her died with the Lady’s body hit the floor, forever changing the course of Katara’s immortal life.

And Zuko had tried to do his part and remain by her side. Nothing had helped. Her words were limited to dealing with the traumatized children. Her actions were almost robotic and the passionate blue eyes he remembered falling in love with when she fell into his arms all those years ago, were glassy and vacant.

He couldn’t stand seeing her like that. It wasn’t what he wanted, what the Lady would’ve wanted, or what anyone wanted of her. His mother, Ursa, had suggested he take her away for a while.

“She was never able to grieve for my sister or sort out her thoughts,” Ursa had told her son sadly. “From the moment my sister fell, Katara had been unable to grieve as she tried to remain strong for the children.”

A week away from the children, the house, and the responsibilities that were thrust upon her without warning, and Katara was still lost in thought. Not a tear was shed. Not a cry uttered. It worried Zuko.

This was their last night before she was supposed to return to the house and resume her duties to the children before a new Lady of the House could be found and take her place. This was her last night to grieve and she had yet to show anything past her unnaturally quiet demeanor.

“No thank you, Jet,” Katara replied softly. She gently pushed the glass away from her. “I don’t feel like drinking.”

Zuko gripped his glass, barely restraining himself to keep from crushing it under his pressure. Silently, he placed the empty glass on to the table and reached for the brown haired vampire’s arm. “Let’s go.”

“Go?” Katara asked weakly. Zuko pulled her off the stool effortlessly and stood in front of her.

“Downstairs to dance,” Zuko told her calmly. “Tonight is the blood rain. You used to love the blood rain.” He reminded her.

Slowly, Katara’s eyes lowered. “I don’t really feel like dancing tonight, Zuko…” she whispered. She made a move to return to her seat, but Zuko’s grip was firm.

“Katara, please,” Zuko implored in a low voice. She lifted her head and met his concerned gaze. “One dance…just give it a try.” Her eyes darted away unsurely and Zuko gently pulled her body closer to his. “One dance…” he whispered in her ear as one hand cupped her cheek. “Please.”

Slender, brown fingers rose and ran over the silk of his shirt. Her downcast head slowly nodded and Zuko barely contained his sigh of relief. He tilted his head and pressed his lips against her temple. He whispered something inaudible to the others at their table before he lead Katara away.

Azula took a sip of her drink and watched as her brother lead Katara away. Her normally sharp eyes were subdued with sadness as the couple disappeared. “Think she’ll be alright?” Jet asked beside her.

She didn’t answer immediately. The entire time Katara had been away, she had been distracted, lost in an internal battle with herself and Azula understood what it was. Katara had been told to protect the children. That mean she would have to stay with them as Lady of the House and take her surrogate mother’s place. That would almost mean she would have to part with her husband.

Azula placed her cup on the table and glared down at it. “Unfortunately, Jet, I don’t believe so.”

Downstairs, music filled the old warehouse as bodies danced beneath flashing lights. Zuko kept his hand tightly around Katara’s as he wove them through the sea immortals. He finally found a space somewhere in the center and turned to face her. He wrapped his arms around her waist as she rested her hands against his chest. They lacked the intense movements of the others around them and instead seemed to just sway to the pounding music. They stood out from the others, but it didn’t matter, not to them.

“What’s stopping you, Katara?” Zuko asked intently as she placed the side of her head against his shoulder.

“What do you mean?” she asked in return. Their voices were low, but years of hunting and honing their senses made their conversation possible, despite the blaring music and pulsating beat beneath them.

“You’re not yourself,” Zuko told her solemnly. “You’re...distracted…”

Katara’s eyebrows furrowed as her fingers dug into his shirt. “I’ve been thinking. That’s all.”

“What about?” Zuko persisted as they swayed amongst the bodies.

Katara closed her eyes. She could hear his heart beating beneath his chest, completely in tune with her own. She didn’t want to answer him then, but knew it would have to come out sooner or later. “The Lady’s last request of me.”

She felt Zuko tense up beneath her for just a brief moment. She lifted her head to look at his face. “It won’t be for long,” Zuko assured her confidently. He tilted his head down to look at her and smiled softly. “Just a few more months. A few years at the most, Katara, and a new Lady of the House will be assigned to take the Lady’s place.”

Katara swallowed nervously. Against him, Zuko could feel her being to tremble, and his smile faltered. “Zuko…” Katara whispered. “These last few weeks…When we were apart…how were you doing?”

Zuko gave her a lopsided smile, amused by her question. “Terrible," he admitted. "I’m sorry if I haven’t been there enough through all of this, Katara,” He admitted sadly. “I’ve been…preoccupied with my father.”

Katara nodded slightly and lowered her eyes. “Do you think you can stand it some more?” she asked, almost hesitantly.

Zuko’s smile left his face once more. “Katara, you won’t have to play the Lady of the House too much longer. You know it wasn’t something you were meant to do.”

“But she asked me to, Zuko,” Katara insisted as she looked back up at him, her eyes no longer glassy and vacant, but desperate. “She told me to protect the children.”

“And you are,” Zuko assured her as he stroked her back comfortingly. “You’re protecting the children until a new Lady of the House is assigned,” His eyes squinted down at her as she looked away. “Katara, you weren’t meant to be a Lady of the Hosue. You were meant to be by my side, as a hunter...as my wife...my life, you know that.”

Her hold on his shirt loosened and she took a small step back. Her eyes began to moisten and he could see her bottom lip begin to tremble. Instinctively, he pulled her closer, his embracing tightening as a muffled cry came from the crook of his neck. One hand rose and stroked her hair, trying to sooth her.

“I’m sorry, Zuko,” she choked out as her fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. “I’m sorry…”

“For what, Katara? You haven’t done anything wrong,” he assured her softly. “It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t stop it from happening-”

“No, no!” Katara pulled her head back and pried her arms between them. She looked up at him with tear filled eyes. Warm, wet trails slid down her cheeks as Zuko looked down at her. “Zuko…” she struggled to speak. “I’m going to stay.”

His eyes widened briefly. “What?”

“The children need me, Zuko,” Katara explained as she stood in front of him, still clinging to his clothes. She could his body tensing. “I can’t leave them like this…”

His eyes narrowed as they studied her face. “Katara…you aren’t mean to do that. You know that…you belong with me,” he insisted as his eyes crinkled. His hands gathered hers and brought them against his lips. “We’re destined to be together. Everything we’ve been through…” He gushed out.

Katara could feel her heart twisting beneath her breast as desperation crossed Zuko’s scarred face. “I…I can’t leave them…” she whispered. “They need me…”

“I need you…” Zuko whispered back. “Katara…”

“I made my decision,” Katara insisted. Her voice trembled despite her attempt to keep it leveled. She lifted her chin determinedly. “I’m going to stay.”

Several emotions danced across his pale face. Confusion, sadness, resentment, and pain. She saw his lips tighten into a straight line as his hands abandoned hers. “You know I’m not allowed to stay with you, Katara,” he stated in a low, bitter voice. “What am I supposed to do when you’re gone? What the hell am I supposed to do!?” he demanded as his frustration and hurt got the best of him.

Tears stung at his eyes as he closed them to keep from pouring out. He whirled around, turning his back to her as he started to walk away. He could feel her heart breaking behind him, but it wasn’t like his wasn’t breaking either. His words were cold and selfish, but he didn’t know what else to say.

For centuries, his life had revolved around her. To say she was everything to him was an understatement. Then, after all that time, she turns her back on him and decides to play mother all on her own? Why hadn’t she told him? Why hadn’t he talked to her?

Because you’d tell her not to, his mind answered him. Zuko’s hands turned into fists at his side. I’d hold her back, bring her with me and never let her return…I’m selfish like that.

“Zuko!” Somewhere, past the music and the sirens that signaled the arrival of blood rain, he heard her voice. It reached his ears clearly, standing easily above the rest of the noise. “Zuko, wait!”

Part of him wanted to keep walking. To leave her like she was leaving him. It’s what she wanted, wasn’t it? Yet another part of him cried out for her. A desperate, utterly devoted side that even death couldn't hold back. He stopped. Hands reached out and grabbed on to him. He could smell her behind him. It was a sweet and heavy scent, one that dulled his senses. He could smell her tears. Feel her body as she pressed it against his back.

He could hear her pleas. She had made her choice. Her duty over him. He tilted his head back and looked up at the high roof of the building. He could see the clear tubes that wound across the ceiling filling with red as the alarm sounded. All around them, people cheered and prepared for the shower of blood that would spray across them in a matter of moments.

“Be angry, I don’t blame you!” Katara cried as she buried her face against his back. “Hate me! Hate me all you want, Zuko! Just not now! Don’t leave it me like this! Please! If this is our last time together, don't waste it!”

Zuko lowered his head. “What do you want me to do?” he asked sharply, his voice cold. “You made your choice.”

Her shoulders heaved as she struggled to breath. Sobs rocked her body as her closed her eyes. They couldn’t part like this. Hundreds of years with him and a bitter parting? She wouldn’t let them. “One more dance!” she cried out desperately. Zuko’s body stiffened before her. “One more dance, Zuko! Please, just one more…one more so I can remember!”

His eyes closed. Moments passed. He didn’t move. Neither did she.

The pipes above them exploded red. Blood rained from the ceiling as vampires and lycanthropes all around them lifted their heads up and opened their mouths. A euphoric feeling filled the room as the occupants reveled in the glorious liquid that washed over them.

The red, red liquid matted his hair and his clothes to his skin as he stood there. Behind him, Katara remained holding on to him as if her very life depended on him. He mentally swore.

She felt his body move and her hands’ hold on him tightened. Hesitantly, she lifted her head, allowing the blood rain to spray across her face as she peered up at him. Pale, red stained hands rose and cupped her soft, warm cheeks.

“You made your choice.” he whispered as he watched streaks of red slide down her face.

“Zuko…” Her voice caught in her throat. His lips slid over hers, the taste of blood mingling with the taste of her mouth. Katara’s body relaxed against his as the warmth of his kiss spread through her body.

The moment was too short for her, no matter how sweet it was. She felt his lips distance themselves from her and her eyes fluttered open. Familiar amber eyes looked down at her lovingly.

“I’ll find out who did this to The Painted Lady,” he told her reassuringly as his thumbs wiped the corners of her eyes. “I’ll make sure nothing like this ever happens again, Katara. When it’s done, I’ll come back for you.”

A choked sob died in her throat as her shaking hands gathered his face in her palms. “I’m still yours, Zuko. I’ll always be yours…No matter what. Always...” she swore.

His arms tightened around her and drew him against her once more. “Always.” he promised in return.

They swayed softly against each other, ignoring the blood and the bodies all around them as they savored their moment. Zuko buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent he knew he would miss. Katara clung to him, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.

Forgive me, my lady…Katara thought as she tilted her head up once more. Zuko’s intent gaze met hers and he smiled sadly. Forgive me…as of tomorrow, I’ll devote my life to the children. But for tonight… Soft lips sealed over hers one last time and Katara’s eyes slowly closed. For tonight…let me have tonight…

For a moment, she remembered the dreams that plagued her centuries ago, before she gave up her mortal life and intertwined her immortal one with him. She could almost see him in front of her, his beautiful, scarred face hovering over hers as pale, gentle hands ran across her flushed skin. She could see his smoldering amber eyes. Intense one minute, then placid the next.

She could feel his eternal warmth, his rough breath, the feel of his silken black hair between her fingers. Even now, she could smell the scent of his blood pumping through his veins as his fangs trailed down the length of her neck, sending delicious sensations through her writhing body.

His warm embrace. The boyish look on his face when he smiled. The loving words whispered with each movement against her. The deep rumble of his throat as she sank into him, relishing the rush of blood that filled her. The feeling of his lips against her tender neck as his teeth pierced her flesh. Tears collected at the corners of her eyes. It was like heaven and she wasn’t sure if she was crying because of the pleasure or because she knew she would never feel it again.

Slowly, wet blue eyes opened. The dark blue decorated canopy of her familiar bed hovered above her. A familiar ache surrounded her body as she instinctively turned to the side of the bed that had always been his.

Fresh warm drops fell across the silk sheets as the realization that her bedside was vacant reached her. Silently, she stretched across his side of the bed, running her fingers across the smooth fabric as the tears poured.

Just like that cool, crisp morning so many years ago, Zuko was gone. And she was alone once more.

He watched her lithe body stretch across the expanse of the bed. Dark sheets collected around bare hips as she caressed the area where he had laid just moments earlier. He could feel the amount of longing, even from outside the house, but didn’t move from his spot.

She had made her choice. She chose duty over him. He smiled bitter sweetly. It was familiar to him…he had once chosen duty over her.

He stood up and lifted his hand to his lips. The blood was still fresh. A warm, pink tongue slid out and licked the rest of her blood off his lips as he turned his back to his lover, wife, and soulmate.

He jumped through the thick foliage of the area that surrounded the house. He had once chosen duty over her, but in the end, they were still brought together. He had no doubt that sooner or later, they’d be together again. It was, after all, destiny.

A.N. – Fin. (XD) Unbetaed HORROR! (Gasp! Shock!) Sorry you had to go through that. Thank you for reading!

Shattering Ice - Chapter 9B

2007-08-11T05:19:00Z

Title: Shattering Ice
Rating: Older Teen
Chapter: 9B
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Pairings/Warnings: Kana/Pakku
Summary: After watching her only grandchildren disappear into the mists after the Avatar, Gran-Gran returns to her tent and remembers a time when she was their age and the events that led her to leave her own home.

Shattering Ice

Chapter Nine

By DamageCtrl

*All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to it.

As soon as she stepped out into the hard packed snow street, she headed for the market. Even if her cousin was taking over while she was gone, she still felt the need to check up on them and make sure her aunt wasn’t overwhelmed. She walked along the docks, and inhaled the cold sea air.

The area was busy with traders from the Earth Kingdom. Numerous merchants were walking around the docks with their Water Tribe counter parts; talking business. “Kana!” a voice shouted to her side. She turned her head and offered a smile to a family friend in the midst of moving crates of fishing nets from the dock to his boat. “Congratulations!”

She jerked her head back. They couldn’t already know, could they? “Ah… thank you…” she answered unsurely. Kana shoved her hands in her pocket and lowered her eyes before quickly walking away.

The closer she got to the market place, the more frequent the congratulatory remarks became. “Congratulations, Kana!”

“You got a good one, Kana!”

“May your marriage be long and filled with children!”

All she could do was smile weakly and give them a small bow of thanks. Family friends openly walked up to her and congratulated her; giving her hugs and complimenting her on the fine specimen of a husband she was able to catch. Catch? Kana kept a smile pasted on her face. I never meant to catch anyone!

It seemed as if it took half the afternoon to just reach her aunt’s booth. As she came into view, her cousin shot up from her stool and began to jump up and down excitedly. “Momma! Momma!” the young woman piped as she rushed to the back room. “It’s Kana!”

The approaching young woman let out a heavy breath. It seemed as if everyone did know. As she reached the booth, her aunt rushed out. “Kana! Congratulations, my dear!”

“Thank you, Aunt Nauja…” the suddenly drained young woman replied meekly. She forced a smile on her face as her aunt threw her arms around her and gave her a crushing hug. The woman and her daughter rambled on about how she knew Pakku was interested in her, and how no one would believe her when she told them.

Kana merely smiled and nodded; only half paying attention. As she stood inside the booth, a few other merchants from neighboring booths came by to congratulate her, some even bearing engagement gifts for her.

“How did everyone find out so quickly?” Kana asked as she pulled her cousin aside while her aunt spoke to the other market vendors.

“From Yugoda, of course,” Sedna chuckled. “Well, momma found out from your mom, but everyone else found out because Yugoda came running through here yesterday screaming that you hadn’t told her you were engaged to the councilman’s son!”

Yugoda… Kana’s eyes narrowed. Suddenly, it all made sense… kind of. “Wait, how did Yugoda find out?” the bride-to-be asked. She had been asleep for over a day; she couldn’t have told Yugoda.

“Who knows,” Sedna shrugged. “But who cares! You’re getting married!” Gleefully, she hugged Kana once more as the young woman stood rooted in her spot. Kana didn’t understand. Why was everyone so happy?

“Yugoda!” The name of her friend cut through her thoughts and Kana whirled around, instantly searching for her best friend. From the crowd surrounding the booth, Nauja was able to pick out and pull in the petite waterbender.

Instantly, the two girls rushed to face each other. “You!” they accused almost immediately. “Me!? Yes, you!” A frustrated look graced both their faces as Kana let out a low growl. She reached out and grabbed Yugoda’s hand, dragging her with her. “Why did you tell everyone I was engaged!?” she hissed in a low voice as she pulled Yugoda into the backroom.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were!?” Yugoda retorted. She lifted her chin up proudly and put her hands on her waist. “I had to hear from Anyu who heard it from Pakku that you were engaged!”

“Spirits, even Anyu knows!?” Kana exclaimed as she threw her arms in the air.

“Forget about Anyu for a second and let me see the necklace!” Yugoda nearly shrieked over enthusiastically. Kana grumbled and tugged down the collar of her jacket to reveal the blue stone against her slender throat. “Oooh…”

“I didn’t even realize it was on until my mom pointed it out,” Kana grumbled as Yugoda made mental comparisons between her necklace and Kana’s. “I can’t believe Pakku told Anyu…”

Across from her, Yugoda pulled back. Her nose wrinkled as she pouted. “Why didn’t you tell me!?” she demanded as stomped her foot on the ground childishly. “You were one of the first people I went to when I was engaged!”

“Yugoda, I fainted!” Kana told her sternly. “Dad told me they accepted a marriage proposal from Pakku’s family and then the next thing I knew, I woke up past midday. How could I tell you if I was unconscious?”

“Wait, wait…” Yugoda said as she shook her head. “You fainted? Why? Were you surprised? Are you okay?”

“I don’t know!” Kana sighed heavily. She fell back against the wall and ran one gloved hand down her face. “It’s… it’s just happening so fast, Yugoda. And to Pakku of all people…”

“What’s wrong with Pakku?” Yugoda asked curiously.

Kana lifted her head and looked at her friend incredulously. “What’s wrong with Pakku?” she repeated, as if Yugoda had just asked her the stupidest question in the world. “What isn’t wrong with him?”

“He’s not a bad guy, Kana,” Yugoda insisted. “He’s your friend, isn’t he? And didn’t you guys have some sort of a truce?”

Kana took a deep breath and nodded her head. “Yes… yes, we do, but still… this is marriage…”

“You’re just surprised,” Yugoda assured her as she patted her shoulder comfortingly. “I mean, you two are always arguing and making fun of each other. This is probably just really shocking to you. You’ll get used to the idea in a few days.”

Kana felt her stomach churn at the thought, but pushed away the doubt and worry that bubbled up. He had been good to her parents and respectful to her aunt. Somewhere beneath his cocky attitude, he was a thoughtful person. Kana gave a small nod. “I’m sure you’re right…” she replied rationally. “I’ll give it a few days…”

“That’s the spirit!” Yugoda beamed. She reached down and took Kana’s hand in hers. “Let’s go!”

“Go?” Kana was tugged forward. She stumbled out into the booth. “Go where!?” she gasped. Yugoda was pretty strong for a petite person.

“Auntie, I’m taking Kana up to the lodge!” Yugoda beamed a wide smile at Kana’s aunt as she waved. “He should be getting out of waterbending practice soon.”

Kana felt the blood drain from her face. “Wa… wait!” She pulled back, but Yugoda continued to drag her forward as they cut through the crowd. “Yugoda!”

“Come on! He’ll be glad to see you!” Yugoda assured her as she excused them both and headed towards the lodge.

“No! It’s fine! I can see him… later!” Much later. Kana added.

Yugoda shook her head. “Nonsense! It’ll be fine, plus I’m going to see Anyu, too,” Yugoda added with a grin. She looked back at Kana and smiled widely. “Besides, the whole tribe practically knows already, so it won’t be a surprise.”

Kana felt her chest tighten. Everyone was accepting it so quickly, but to her, it was going way too fast. Yugoda rambled on and on as she dragged Kana up the city and towards the lodge. Didn’t they realize that days before, she and Pakku were screaming at each other? All of a sudden they were engaged. Didn’t that seem a little rushed to anyone?

“…Give him a chance,” Kana could hear her mother’s voice as Yugoda pulled up her the stairs to the plaza in front of the lodge. “Do not close him out of your heart so quickly…”

“Excellent job, as usual, Pakku,” Her head snapped up as she stopped beside Yugoda. They stood on the edges of the crowd that surrounded the advanced waterbending boys class. Master Sae Kung lifted his arms and returned the water back into the open holes in the plaza. “As expected from you.”

“Thank you, sir!” Pakku bowed his head, a pleased smile on his face as straightened up.

“Tomorrow we will be having an early morning class as we need to adjourn early for a tribal meeting,” Sae Kung told his students as they stood in a row before him. “Be here before dawn,” A series of groans swept past the group, but no one openly complained. When the waterbending master was sure his students understood; he gave them a dismissing nod of his head. “Class is adjourned.”

The young men in the line immediately began to disperse. Kana looked around her as the groups of maidens and young boys began to break apart. She suddenly felt unguarded as the bodies that surrounded her headed in different directions. “Anyu! Anyu! Over here!”

She felt Yugoda’s hand squeeze hers as the female waterbender jumped up and down, waving her free hand in the air to get her fiancée’s attention. Across the plaza, Anyu turned at the sound of her voice. A wide smile graced his face as he lifted his hand. Before he could call out to his fiancée, someone else called out to theirs.

“Kana!” The young woman cringed. She knew that voice. Anyu felt a small breeze fly by him as Pakku darted towards Kana with an elated smile on his face. “Kana, you came!”

“Pakku… good after-” Kana’s eyes widened as she gasped. Yugoda had released her hand and stepped aside just before Pakku swept her up in his arms.

“I told you he’d be glad to see you.” Yugoda chuckled as Pakku loosened his hold on Kana.

“How are you feeling?” he asked intently as he lifted his hand and brushed back the stray bangs that fell over her forehead. “Are you tired? When did you wake up? Yugoda,” he frowned as he looked over at their friend. “Are you sure Kana is up to walking this far?”

“Pakku,” Kana frowned as she pried herself out of his arms. “I’m fine. I woke up earlier… I had a small headache, but its gone now-”

He frowned more so. “A headache?” He turned back to Yugoda. “Yugoda, what were you thinking dragging her up here-”

“Pakku, stop it,” Kana told him sternly as she took a step back. “I’m not a child. I’m fine. Yugoda only brought me up here because she wanted me to see you.” She shot her a glare, and Pakku’s look softened.

“Oh…” he trailed off, sheepishly.

“Kana,” Another voice caught her attention. She looked past Pakku and gave Anyu a smile. Her old friend gave her a small bow of his head. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you…” Kana said in a quiet voice.

“Come on, we’ll all walk back.” Anyu said as he took Yugoda’s hand. Before Kana could reply, a heavy arm wrapped around her shoulder and she was suddenly pulled back against a warm body. Anyu looked past her and shot a subtle glare at Pakku.

“Not tonight,” Pakku smiled cheekily. “Since Kana came up this far, I’d like her to have dinner with my parents.”

“Is Kana even up to it?” Anyu asked quickly. “She did have a headache earlier.”

“She said she was fine,” Pakku told him brightly. He looked down at Kana and smiled. “Right, Kana? You’ll have dinner with my family tonight?”

The young woman stood rooted where she stood, tense and silent. Yugoda looked pleased at Pakku’s offer of dinner while Anyu was frowning. Kana frowned slightly. Why was he frowning? Did he not approve of the match? She glanced back up at Pakku. He was looking at her expectantly. Finally, Kana gave him a small nod. “I suppose…”

“Wonderful!” His happy smile only grew wider as he turned to the other couple. “Will one of you send a message to mom?”

“Mom…?” Kana asked in a low, displeased voice. Pakku didn’t seem to notice. She inwardly cringed as she thought of whom he could possibly be talking about. Was he referring to…?

“I’ll tell Auntie Akna!” Yugoda assured them. “You two go ahead!”

“Thank you, Yugoda!” Pakku gave her a wide smile and then gave a small wave to Anyu. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow, Anyu!”

The other bender gave him a curt nod before Pakku turned Kana around and began leading her in the opposite direction. “Pakku,” Kana said, as she was lead away. “Are you sure it’s fine with your family for me to join them at dinner? It’s very sudden.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Pakku assured her. “You will be part of the family soon. Besides, it will just be us, my parents, and my younger sister. She wanted to meet you, you know.”

Kana nodded dumbly. The feeling of pressure around her chest tightened once more. She was trapped again, but couldn’t bring herself to say no. Pakku looked so eager. But I still shouldn’t have to go... I mean… we’re not married… yet… A small part of her asserted. Kana opened her mouth to protest when Pakku’s next couple of words silenced her.

“Your mother has been very accommodating and kind to me. She insisted I have dinner with her when I came to visit you last night,” he told her sheepishly. A pink tint reached his cheeks as he looked away slightly. “Her food is always very good… I hope you enjoy my mother’s cooking as much as I’ve enjoyed yours.”

Kana lowered her eyes. She took a deep breath. It was only one meal. One simple meal with his immediate family. Her mother’s words echoed in her mind once more and Kana bit her lower lip. She turned her head up and smiled at him. “I’m sure it will be delicious.”

“You’re shaking,” Pakku pulled her closer to him as Kana shivered in the aftermath of it all. “Did the food disagree with your stomach?” he asked, concerned.

Kana shook her head. The food was fine. It was excellent, actually. What had disagreed with her was his family. His father was fine, very welcoming and happy. He even called her his daughter. Pakku’s mother was welcoming enough. She seemed somewhat disappointed. Perhaps she had wanted her son to marry someone else. His younger sister was eager to meet her and kept asking her all these questions about life in the docks; like what she and her friends did for fun.

In general, his immediate family was very pleasant. However, several Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and other extended family had given her a double take, as if questioning why Pakku – the heir to their family’s great waterbending legacy – wanted to marry her.

They had walked into his family’s house and as soon as Sesi discovered she was over, she sent her daughter out to bring the family around so that they could meet Pakku’s future wife. Then, it had become an endless stream of greeting relatives, accepting congratulations, and being grilled on her family’s less than prestigious background.

While most of them had been indifferent to the situation, she had received several negative looks from older members of the family. She could tell they deemed her unworthy of Pakku. Their judgmental looks and critical gaze only made her happy that Pakku was by her side.

Never once did he leave her alone. He stood beside her throughout it all, firmly holding onto her hand and giving her a gentle squeeze whenever he thought she was becoming overwhelmed. At one point, he had even butted in as distant aunt, who was married to another council member, began to question her lineage.

It had been overwhelming. She had been caught off guard. She had felt out of place. She had felt self-conscious. There they were; the upper echelon of the tribe; dressed in the deepest of blues. She stood amongst them; a fisherman’s daughter; dressed in a worn, drab blue coat.

“They were impressed, you know,” Pakku said beside her. She lifted her head up and glanced over at him. He was leading her towards his family’s gondola so that he could bring her home. It was late and he wasn’t about to let her walk alone. “Even the family elders commented on your good manners.”

Kana nodded. “My mom was… very strict about them.”

He couldn’t help but grin. He honestly hadn’t expected her to carry grace and poise. He hadn’t left her side; half afraid she was going to run and half afraid she was going to tackle someone in his family when they became too irritating. Luckily, she was able to hold herself back well. Pakku was proud of her.

He looked down at her and met her gaze. “Even if she weren’t, I’d still want to marry you.”

Part of her wanted to laugh. Another part wanted to shove him away and then scream at him. Oddly, the part that won through was the one that returned his smile. “Thank you…” she said. She turned her head forward. “But I still don’t know why you want to marry me.”

“I told you already,” Pakku replied. “I want to be with you. What more reason do you need?”

“Young Master Pakku,” Kana looked up as they reached the gondolier. He was an old man and gave her a warm smile. “There is a blanket there for you, Miss Kana.”

“Oh… thank you.” Kana nodded dumbly, as Pakku jumped into the gondola first. As he steadied the boat with his waterbending, he lifted his free hand towards the edge of the street and offered it to her. For a split second, Kana recalled the tales her mother had told her when she was a child, the ones of a gallant bender saving the princess and sailing away with her. Carefully, she placed her hand in his and felt a flood of warmth across her face.

Pakku’s fingers closed around her hand and held her steady as she stepped into the boat. Pakku assisted her into one of the seats before sitting beside her. He reached forward and pulled the neatly folded blanket that had been waiting for them up to their chests. Kana settled in as he tucked the blanket around them.

“Head towards the southern docks, please.” Pakku told the old man standing behind them. The gondolier smiled once more and pushed the boat off the sidewalk. As they floated down the center of the waterway, Pakku reached over and wrapped his arms around her. Instantly, Kana tensed up.

She glanced up at him and saw his eyes diverted shyly. His lips were drawn in a tight, embarrassed line as he blushed. It was a bit… endearing.

At least he’s trying, Kana thought to herself. He’s trying to bring you into his family. Trying to make you feel welcomed and comfortable. Just give him a chance… He’s arrogant and stubborn, but he cares about you. You’re lucky that he does.

Kana bit her lower lip and forced herself to relax. Once her body settled into the space between the side of the gondola and Pakku’s warm body, she found that her relaxation was no longer forced. The dull sound of water lapping against the boat. The sound of the wooden paddle moving through the liquid. The rhythmic rise and fall of his chest. They were all calming and eased her nerves.

Pakku looked down in surprise. Kana’s head was resting against his shoulder and his face heated up. While ultimately her parents made the decision to accept the marriage or not, he still wanted acceptance from her. To know that she wanted to marry him or at least would give him that chance. Was she accepting the engagement? Was this her way of accepting it? She never really told him what she thought of it all. Frankly, he had been terrified that she hated him.

He had hoped to make his intentions clear with bringing her to eat with his family. When his relatives suddenly showed up, he was afraid she was going to be scared off. He should’ve known better. Kana was strong. That was one of the reasons he fell for her in the first place.

Pakku’s hand tentatively reached for hers. Gloved fingers slipped between his and he felt his heart jump. A content look graced her face and the weight of fear that had been lingering in the back of his mind was suddenly lifted. Was she happy? Happy to be with him?

“This is still… sudden,” Kana said quietly as she kept her gaze forward. Sudden. She didn’t know how else to describe it. “But I’ll try, Pakku.”

He closed his eyes and let out a heavy breath. “I’ll do everything I can for you, Kana, I swear. I’ll be a good… no, a great husband. I’ll treat you well and give you whatever you need. Whatever our children need.”

Kana chuckled uncomfortably. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves…”

Beside her Pakku blushed. “I still mean it,” he insisted. “I’ll even grant your wish.” He added.

“What wish?” Kana asked tiredly. The steady movement of the boat was lulling her to sleep.

“The one you made that night… about seeing the world,” Pakku told her. He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “If you want to see the world, I promise you that you’ll see it.”

Kana shifted in her seat and looked at him seriously. “You promise?”

Her clear blue eyes and softened features were graced with faint hope. Pakku nodded, transfixed by the look on her face. “Yes…”

Kana relaxed. “Then I promise I will try to be a good wife.”

She was almost asleep by the time they reached the doorway of her building. Pakku walked her up to her flat, afraid that she’d fall asleep in the stairwell and freeze to death. Kana allowed him to without complaint. Akna was up waiting for them and thanked her future son-in-law before seeing him out.

Before he left, he was able to kiss Kana quickly on the cheek and hoped Akna didn’t see. He didn’t stay to see Kana’s reaction, but since she didn’t scream or shy away, he assumed it wasn’t negative. Of course, she was also half asleep. Blushing to himself, Pakku headed back towards where the gondolier was waiting. He made it just past the second building when a familiar figure stopped him in his tracks. Still smiling, Pakku approached the young man.

“Anyu, what are you doing out here-”

“Why did you ask her to marry you?” Anyu said as he stood across from Pakku. “Pakku, this better not be some sick joke-”

Before he could finish, Pakku cut him off with a scowl. “I’ve told her already that this isn’t some joke. We’re formally announcing it at tomorrow’s tribal meeting, Anyu. I love Kana and I want to marry her.”

“You’ve only known her a few months…” Anyu stressed. “And Kana… is Kana. She isn’t like those girls where you live.”

“Exactly! She’s special,” Pakku insisted. “That’s why I love her.”

Anyu took a deep breath, as if to calm himself. “Pakku, my brother gave up his engagement to Kana… because he thinks that you are a better match for her,” The councilman’s son’s eyes widened. He knew that Kahasi might be after Kana, but he didn’t think he was the one who was engaged to her. Anyu continued on. “He heard you that night on the wall and felt that you cared for her more than he did, so he spoke to her parents and withdrew the engagement.”

Pakku felt his mouth dry. “I… I had no idea she was…” Pakku squinted. “But she didn’t know… did she?”

“No,” Anyu replied sharply. “And she won’t find out. At any rate, my brother gave up his fiancée for you. Kana would’ve been my sister and, despite everything, I still consider her as such. If you hurt her in anyway…”

“I won’t hurt Kana,” Pakku insisted sternly. “She will be my wife and I will give her the world,” He paused and looked over Anyu. “Is this the reason you’ve been so rude to me lately? Anyu… I won’t hurt her. I love her.” He repeated earnestly.

Anyu locked eyes with his friend. “To be honest, I don’t know if the match is a good one,” He admitted. Pakku felt a bit of disappointment rising. Anyu was his friend and Kana’s as well. He had hoped the other bender would feel happy for him. “But, as long as you make her happy… I can’t say anything. So…” Anyu extended his hand. “I wish you the best.”

Pakku looked at Anyu’s arm wearily before extending his own. The two locked arms and then brought each other close in a sign of respect. As they parted, Pakku met Anyu’s eyes once more. “She will be happy.” He assured Anyu.

The other bender gave a small nod of his head as he turned around and headed towards his own building. “Just hope it is with you.”

Pakku watched as Anyu disappeared in the darkness of the alley before he headed back to the waterway. He got on the gondola and slid back into his seat before he gave a wordless nod to the gondolier. The ride to back to his neighborhood seemed twice as long without Kana curled up against him.

By the time he reached his house, he was drained. He yawned as he slipped into the living area. His father was sitting by the fire pit, seemingly lost in thought. Pakku was going to silently slip behind him when Siku’s voice called out and stopped him.

“Ah, Pakku, good,” Siku smiled and waved his son to join him. “I was talking it over with some of the council members the other day and it’s been decided that you will be now be attending some of the council meetings with me.”

Pakku jerked his head back in surprise. “Already?”

“Well, you’re engaged now and are on the cusp of becoming a master waterbender,” Siku assured him. “We decided it would be for the best if you start to sit in on meetings. Get used to the way they are held and become involved with tribal governing. You will start learning now and thus when you take your place as a councilman, you will already be fully prepared. What do you think?”

Pakku couldn’t help the smile on his face. Honestly, could his day not get any better? Kana came to visit him. She had dinner with his family and survived. She accepted his proposal. He was able to kiss her without getting slapped. Now his father was going to bring him into the council.

“I… thank you, father!” Pakku bowed his head gratefully as the councilman laughed.

“Tomorrow is the tribal meeting,” Siku told him as he sat up straight in his seat. “We will be dealing with quite a few serious topics. Some of which regard the war.”

“Souzin’s War?” Pakku asked as he took a seat across from his father. Siku nodded.

“It seems that the Fire Nation is advancing…The recent merchant ships delivered devastating news to us,” Siku reported seriously. Pakku’s smile slowly fell from his face as a heavy feeling settled into the room. “The last of the Air Nomad Temples has fallen.”

Pakku’s eyes widened. “That’s impossible…”

His father shook his head. “Earth Kingdom reports say that there are no survivors. It was… complete and total genocide,” He looked at Pakku solemnly. “They are encroaching on Earth Kingdom territory. They are encroaching on us.”

Pakku’s eyes narrowed. “But we fended them off before,” he recalled from his history lessons. “Didn’t we? We have an army of master benders and we’re surrounded on all sides by our element.”

“That was before,” Siku sighed heavily. “But if they are serious about this, they will try again…We have… already lost contact with our sister tribe.” Pakku tensed in his seat.

He had noticed that there were no more Southern Water Tribe ships. Not for quite some time. “Are… are they…” he began quietly.

Siku shook his head. “No… we would’ve heard about it by now if they had been. The Southern Tribe is well hidden. They are safe for now. However, in order to reach us, they must go through waters teeming with the Fire Nation navy. It is a risk they can’t take. We only hear news of them through the Earth Kingdom traders.”

“Regardless,” Pakku insisted. “Water douses fire. We’re surrounded on all sides by water. Surely, we can defend ourselves.”

“It is not always a simple matter of bender against bender, Pakku,” Siku told him. “What matters now is that we protect our own. Protect the city and the tribe.” Pakku’s eyes squinted in the dim light of the room. He could feel his stomach twist.

“Has the council decided on something?” Pakku asked quietly.

Siku lowered his eyes to the fire pit in the center of the room. “It is not yet certain… but it may well happen. In order to protect our people, we will close off all trade with the Earth Kingdom.”

“All trade?” Pakku mumbled.

His father nodded. “All trade. Our doors will be completely shut.”

“Wait…” Pakku sat up straight. “What do you mean completely shut?”

“Once the last Earth Kingdom vessel leaves our docks, no one else will be allowed in; save fisherman in and out of our territorial waters.” Siku explained.

Pakku slowly fell back against the fur cushions. “So no one can enter…” he trailed off. Siku nodded in affirmation.

“And no one can leave.”

A.N. – I know what you’re thinking: Kana would NEVER stay once she found out she was engaged to Pakku, right? Well, they never say she left IMMEDIATELY after the engagement was made. They just said that she left because she didn’t like the customs and stuff. Questions, comments, concerns? Hit me up; note that I reply on my LJ for this. And thanks for reading! Thank you to LotF for her betaing!

Author's Notes: This story is written for </a></b></a>thefireisblack, who requested it after reviewing my mini-challenge of mine. It was betaed by </a></b></a>loveroftheflame.

Shattering Ice - Chapter 9

2007-08-11T05:16:45Z

Title: Shattering Ice
Rating: Older Teen
Chapter: 9A
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Pairings/Warnings: Kana/Pakku
Summary: After watching her only grandchildren disappear into the mists after the Avatar, Gran-Gran returns to her tent and remembers a time when she was their age and the events that led her to leave her own home.

Shattering Ice

Chapter Nine

By DamageCtrl

*All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to it.

She was heavier than he thought, but then again, maybe it made sense. She spent a lot of time working in the market, carrying buckets of ice and fish around. It was only natural that she developed muscles.

“Pakku,” He looked up from where he was sitting on the floor, in the same position he had been when he caught Kana. He had completely forgotten that they weren’t alone. Standing over him, while he held an unconscious young woman in his arms, were two pairs of adults. The fisherman that had called out his name knelt down on the other side of the girl. “Give her to me. I’ll carry her to her room.”

“I can do it,” Instinctively, his arms tightened around her body. He pulled her closer to him as he met Suka’s gaze. “I can carry her to her room.” He insisted.

“Don’t be silly, Pakku,” his mother’s voice wafted over from where she stood behind his father. “Let Suka carry his daughter. You aren’t strong enough to pick her up.”

He bristled. It took all his strength to suppress the scowl that crossed his face. “I said I can carry her.” Pakku told them firmly. His arms carefully made their way beneath Kana’s legs and back. He adjusted his position as the adults around them watched worriedly. Once Pakku was sure Kana wouldn’t slip off, he took a deep breath and stood up.

His legs shook. “Careful!” Akna gasped as she reached forward.

“I have her,” Pakku assured them. He straightened up and adjusted Kana in his arms once more. “Now… where is her room?”

“I will take you there,” Akna said. She brushed past the young man and led him into the hall. Pakku watched his step as he gingerly made his way through the narrow hallway. He was cautious; making sure her head and feet didn’t needlessly hit the walls. Ahead of him, Akna pushed back the door to Kana’s room. “Let me prepare her bed,” she said as she darted into the room. As Pakku brought the unmoving young woman into her modest looking quarters, Akna tugged down the heavy furs that lined Kana’s bed. “Here, put her here.”

Pakku silently did as he was instructed. Kana’s head was placed gently on the pillow; her arms and legs resting in a comfortable position before Pakku pulled his arms out from underneath her and took a step back.

“Will she be okay?” he asked in a quiet voice.

The woman beside him gave him a small nod of her head. “She’ll wake… she was only… surprised. That was all.”

Pakku found himself nodding in agreement. Surprised… was that it? He hoped it was. He stood beside Kana’s mother for a moment longer. “Thank you…” His voice was quiet and Akna almost didn’t hear it.

She turned her head and looked at him curiously. “What for?”

“For accepting the arrangement,” Pakku explained. “I promise you, I will give Kana everything she needs. I’ll make her happy.”

The woman’s face softened. She smiled at him and gently patted his shoulder in a comforting manner. “Then please take care of my daughter,” she replied softly. Pakku looked down at her and met her gaze. “Now… would you please leave the room?”

“Leave?” Pakku’s eyebrows shot up and Akna nodded.

“She can’t go to sleep dressed in her thick over clothes. I’ll change her into sleep wear.” Akna told him. She ushered the young waterbender towards the door and gave him the final push out. Pakku stumbled into the hallway as Akna closed the door behind him.

Silently, he stood in front of the door, staring at the worn grains on the wood. Then it hit him. Her parents had accepted the marriage proposal from his parents, which meant one thing: he and Kana were going to get married.

Fireworks exploded in his mind as a sudden feeling of elation swept through him. Nothing could stop them now. Not family. Not rivals. He was sure that the Chief himself would bless their union. It took all Pakku’s strength not to jump in the air with joy.

“Pakku,” a voice at the entrance of the hallway caught his attention and he turned towards it. Kana’s father stood at the entrance and motioned for him to follow. “There are some details that need to be discussed. We’d like your opinion on them.”

“Of course.” Pakku nodded eagerly and followed the older man. He entered the main living space of Kana’s flat and then joined his parents and her father at the table.

“As I was saying,” Siku began. “Kana will have duties to fulfill as Pakku’s wife,” Beside him, the young man in question felt his cheeks burn. He quickly lowered his eyes before Suka could see him. “Such as join the other wives of councilmen and waterbending masters in assorted events. She will have to help oversee the neighborhood festivals.”

“Of course, that is understandable,” the fisherman said. “And do not worry about Kana’s manners. She may seem tomboyish and loud at times, but she is still Akna’s daughter.”

“Kana plays the flute,” Siku told his wife, almost proudly. “And very well, I might add. I am sure that she will be able to represent the family wonderfully before the Chief.”

His wife gave a small, demure nod. She looked across the table at the fisherman. “Everything seems in order,” the woman nodded. “When should we have someone come to pick up the dowry?”

“Ah…” Suka lifted his hand and rubbed the back of his neck. “You have to understand that we are but a humble fishing family…”

“Suka, no dowry is necessary,” Siku assured him sternly. His wife stiffened beside him and looked at him questioningly.

“But… it is tradition…” she trailed off. “Surely Akna has been preparing a dowry for her own daughter.”

“Oh, she has,” Suka told them reassuringly. “Akna has saved much of her own dowry for Kana; however, by today’s standards, it must pale in comparison, especially compared to the dowry that you have prepared for your own daughter.”

“Worry not about the dowry, my friend,” Siku insisted. “What matters is that my son and your daughter will be married. We will bring Kana into our family welcomingly. We will not need a dowry.”

“I must insist,” the fisherman replied. “It is small, but it will be given. Now, about the announcements.”

“That’s right, we must inform the tribe,” Siku mused as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Pakku,” he said as he looked over at his son. The young man sat up straight in his seat. “When would be a good time to properly announce this? You are in the middle of your waterbending classes, and the festival has already come and gone…”

“We can inform the chief first,” Pakku suggested. “Then the tribe.”

“And what about Kana?” Siku turned back to the bride-to-be’s father. “When does she turn sixteen?”

“In a week and a half,” Suka replied. “We will be celebrating it when I return from my fishing trip.”

“Oh! That’s right!” The councilman slapped the table in front him as he chuckled. “Forgive me, Suka. I must be holding you back from your preparations. You are leaving soon, aren’t you?”

“In a few hours actually,” Suka said as Siku stood up and motioned for his wife to stand with him. “But please don’t feel rushed. It was I who called you here.”

“We are honored that you came to us first the moment Kana’s previous engagement was retracted,” Siku smiled widely. Pakku gave his father a questioning look. Previous engagement? He wanted to ask, but knew it was not his place. The young bender crossed his eyes thoughtfully. The point was that he was the one marrying Kana. “We are very lucky.”

“Are you leaving? Already?” a voice asked behind them. The standing adults turned as Akna walked out from the hallway.

“We’re sorry to have disturbed you, Akna,” Sesi said as she bowed her head. “We lost track of time and have intruded on Siku’s preparation for his fishing trip.”

“Oh, nonsense, it doesn’t take long to prepare now. Everything is ready,” Akna chuckled. She looked over at Pakku and smiled warmly. “If you are leaving, would like you to say goodnight to Kana? I’m afraid she’s asleep now, however.”

Pakku stood up beside his father as he fumbled with his hands. A pink tint reached his cheeks as he gave the woman a small bow of thanks. “If you allow me to,” he glanced over at Kana’s father. “ I’d like to see her once more before I leave.”

Beside him, his father seemed to puff out his chest with pride. Ever the romantic gentleman, that was his son. Akna nodded and Suka gave him a small look of warning before Pakku headed back down the hall. He walked past Kana’s mother and retraced his earlier steps to Kana’s room. The wooden door was partially open.

He stood outside for a second and took a deep breath. His hand reached out and gently pushed the door open. Hesitantly, he took a step into the room. Kana was where he had left her, on her bed. The only difference now was that her hair was down and that the blankets had been pulled up to her chin to keep her warm.

Pakku left the door partially open as he crept into her small room. This time, he was able to notice the small details of the space. The drawers against the wall that held her clothes, the wooden wardrobe in the corner, and even the bed itself looked old and worn. He remembered that she wasn’t wealthy. Everything there might have been a hand me down from relatives.

Still, everything looked comfortable and lived in. Almost warm and welcoming. The blankets over Kana looked snug and worn in. As he neared the bed, he could make out the light blue fabric of the pillows beneath her brown hair. The fabric was thin, but Kana still looked comfortable and that was what mattered.

He paused for a moment and looked over his shoulder. He was right beside the bed and wondered if he was too close. There was a possibility that her father would walk in, and Pakku didn’t want to look as if he were planning something devious. Blue eyes lowered back to the sleeping young woman.

She was prettier with her hair down, he reasserted. Pakku looked over his shoulder once more and then carefully sat on the edge of her bed. His movements were slow and deliberate, trying to keep as silent as possible so as not to disturb the sleeping person. The edge of the bed dipped under his weight, but didn’t make a sound.

He looked down at Kana’s sleeping face. Despite himself, he could feel the soft smile reaching his own lips as he looked at her. Soft brown hair fell over her forehead and he reached over to brush it aside. Before his gloves could touch her skin, he pulled back. Silently, he peeled off his gloves. His hands were warm, yet clammy.

Even if her family had approved their engagement and they were destined to be man and wife, he was still nervous being in the same room with her. It was odd. The first time he had met her, just a few months ago, they had immediately clashed. She was rude, aggressive, and proud.

Nothing of what he had been brought up to believe was good in a woman. Despite what seemed to be all her faults, he’d fallen for her anyway. She had somehow entered his life and took over every thought. And he was grateful that she did. The fisherman’s daughter showed him a world outside of the one he had around him. He had some semblance of a ‘normal’ young life with friends and laughter.

And she had been there every step of the way, coaxing him, prodding him, egging him on. Now, knowing that he would be with her in marriage, he’d never felt happier.

He slipped his gloves into his pocket and felt something cool and smooth to the touch. His hands coiled around the hard object and gently pulled it out of its cloth confines. The glistening blue surface looked back at him as it lay across his palm. Soft velvet fabric imported from the Earth Kingdom trailed from either side of the pendent.

A shaky hand lowered and slowly caressed the symbol engraved upon it. It had taken him a while to work on it. Not nearly as long as other men, as waterbending helped a great deal in smoothing and shaping the stone. However, it was prefect. The symbol that graced the wall and was woven into their lives was carved into the stone.

It was for the Northern Water Tribe. It was for waterbending. It was for the moment they met. The moment he laughed. The moment he realized he loved her. The moment he kissed her for the first time. No matter where she went, she would always be reminded of them. Of him.

His eyes rose and looked back at Kana’s sleeping face. A small smile reached his lips as he leaned forward. Warm fingertips stroked her hair back as he swept it over her shoulder. His fingers ran along the velvet choker. He held the necklace over her slender, brown neck.

It complimented her nicely. Carefully, Pakku leaned over and reached behind Kana’s neck. Making sure not to wake her, he fastened the necklace in place and then pulled back.

It was done. Kana was engaged to him.

He felt his heart swell as he admired the glistening blue stone over her neck. He’d buy her more jewelry later on, of course, but the necklace would always be the defining piece from him.

“I promise you the world, Kana,” he whispered as he stood up. “I promise.”

“Pakku?” A quiet knock rapped against the wooden door and the young man shot up straight. He whirled around, his face wearing a heated blush as he made out Akna’s figure in the doorway. “Your parents are leaving now.”

“Oh, thank you,” Pakku gave the woman a bow as he turned to get one more look at Kana. He’d see her again, soon. He turned his back to her and headed out the door. “I’ll come see her in the morning.”

“Of course.” Akna stepped aside as Pakku walked past her. She reached back and pulled the door closed.

A tiny click sounded and Kana shifted in her sleep. Warm droplets slid from the corners of her eyes.

For some reason, her head hurt. The dull throbbing at her temples woke her from her dreamless sleep. On instinct, Kana raised her hands from beneath the heavy blankets and gently brought them to the sides of her head. As she applied some pressure to the area, she opened her eyes.

They shut almost immediately. Kana’s hands lowered and she turned her head away from the bright light coming through her window. It was one thing to have a sunny day, but it was several times brighter once the sunlight reflected off the ice walls of the buildings across from them that time of day.

Her eyes shot open. Time of day? Kana shot up in bed, ignoring her headache and the cold air in her room as she looked out the window. From experience, the sunlight wouldn’t be reflected into her room like that until well past midday. Her heart stopped.

She had over slept. She hadn’t over slept since she was eight! Not since she began helping her aunt at the fish market…“Oh, spirits…”

Multiple thuds, a groan, and panicked footsteps came from Kana’s room before she tore the door open and shot out. Akna lifted her head and looked up from the sea cucumbers she was slicing on the counter as her daughter hopped into the kitchen in search of food. One hand was desperately trying to put on her boot while the other tugged her coat down the rest of the way.

“Kana,” Akna voiced her concern as she put the knife down and then wiped her hands on a nearby cloth. “What are you doing out of bed?”

“Mom, it’s past midday!” Kana exclaimed as she frantically pointed out the window. She stomped her foot on the floor to try to place it in the correct position before beginning to open all the cabinets. “Auntie can’t man the booth alone!”

“She isn’t manning it alone; your cousin Sedna is helping her.”

“Sedna?” Kana whirled around. Her arms were still raised and holding on to the cabinet doors as she looked at her mother with disbelief. “Mom, Sedna doesn’t know the first thing about fish…” She trailed off as her arms lowered. “How did Auntie know to bring Sedna?”

Akna smiled softly and crossed the kitchen. She raised her hands and gently pressed them against her daughter’s cheeks. Under her mother’s critical eyes, Kana began to squirm. “You look fine…” the woman mused. “You don’t have a temperature… does your head hurt?”

Kana pulled her head back and gently batted her mother’s hands away. “Mom, I’m fine,” she insisted. Her head still throbbed, but it wasn’t painful. “Did Aunt Nauja send for Sedna when I didn’t show up?”

“Actually, I sent for Sedna,” Akna replied as she turned around. Kana narrowed her eyes as her mother returned to the counter. “You were asleep all of yesterday and-”

“Yesterday!?” Kana’s eyes widened. “Wait… no! That’s not possible! Yesterday, I worked at the booth!”

“Do you remember what happened afterwards?” Akna asked. She turned around to face her daughter once more.

The young woman stood in her place, her eyes narrowed as her mind raced with memories. “I… I came home to help dad pack for the trip… but Pakku caught me and…” She blanched. Akna nodded in affirmation as Kana’s eyes widened. A shaking hand rose and covered her gaping mouth. “No… That couldn’t have…”

Akna smiled at her daughter, almost sadly. “You fainted as soon as we told you the news…”

Kana looked at her mother with a desperate expression on her face. “Mom…” She remembered walking into her family’s flat and the smell of food from the kitchen. She remembered the warmth of the room wrapping around her, becoming confining rather than welcoming. She remembered the councilman and his wife. She remembered her father and his words. Then she remembered falling and darkness.

Akna watched the expression dance across her daughter’s face. Realization was followed by uncertainty, and then by horror. “Kana,” Akna began gently. “This should be a happy time for you. You’re getting married. And to a young man who promises to be a good provider for you and your children.”

“But…” Kana’s mind whirled. “To Pakku?” She couldn’t help the whimper in her voice. “It can’t be…”

Akna smiled softly. She gently tugged down the fur-lined collar of her own coat and tapped the blue pendent resting against her throat. Instinctively, Kana mimicked her mother’s actions. Soft, sensitive fingertips touched hard stone. An engagement necklace.

Kana tore from the room, her heart slamming in her chest as she rushed back to her bedroom. She flew through the doorway and headed straight for her dresser. Her free hand grabbed the handle of the mirror lying there and lifted it up. A crescent moon and waves looked back at her from their reflection. They were carefully carved into the shining blue stone.

Kana swallowed. She hadn’t even felt it on when she woke, yet suddenly, she felt its weight against her.

“He placed it around your neck before he left the first night,” a voice said from her doorway. “He caught you when you fell and carried you to your room. He came by yesterday morning to check on you. Then he returned after his waterbending practice and didn’t leave until late in the evening. I’m surprised you didn’t wake up with how he was talking to you.” The woman chuckled.

Kana kept her eyes on the mirror as her fingertips gently stroked the smooth surface. That was it, then. She was engaged. To Pakku.

“Kana,” Her mother’s voice drew her attention back to the doorway. Kana slowly lowered the mirror in her hand as she looked at her mother. The older woman walked into the room and put her hands on her daughter’s shoulders. “Pakku is a good boy. He has been nothing, if not respectful to your father and me. He has come every day to make sure you are okay. I know you two are always at odds, but give him a chance. Do not close him out of your heart so quickly.”

Kana lowered her eyes and gave a small nod of her head. She took a deep breath and pulled away from her mother. “I need to think about this…”

Akna nodded her head understandingly. “There could have been worse matches, Kana. Be happy that he cares for you so much.”

The young woman nodded and watched as her mother exited her bedroom. Silently, Kana closed her eyes. Her fingers never left the pendant around her neck. She traced the outlines of the moon and waves once more. It was happening so fast… she didn’t expect it.

She raised her hand and ran it through her thick, unbound brown hair. She looked down at the mirror once more and closed her eyes. She walked out of her room and down the hall. “Mom, I’m going to take a walk…” she called out lamely as she cut through the living area.

“Don’t stay out too late.” Akna added from the kitchen. Kana closed the door and headed for the stairs. Silently, she fixed her hair into a bun at the base of her neck and then lifted her hood over her head as she walked down the steps to the front door.

Author's Notes: This story is written for </a></b></a>thefireisblack, who requested it after reviewing my mini-challenge of mine. It was betaed by </a></b></a>loveroftheflame.

Shattering Ice - Chapter 8

2007-08-07T19:17:37Z

Title: Shattering Ice
Rating: Older Teen
Chapter: 8C
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Pairings/Warnings: Kana/Pakku
Summary: After watching her only grandchildren disappear into the mists after the Avatar, Gran-Gran returns to her tent and remembers a time when she was their age and the events that led her to leave her own home.

Shattering Ice

Chapter Eight

By DamageCtrl

*All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to it.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Auntie Nauja!” Kana said as she pulled her worn blue coat around her tighter. The woman left behind in the booth gave Kana a quick nod before turning to deal with a customer.

The brown haired young woman looked up at the sky. It would be getting dark soon and she quickened her pace. She had to help her mother prepare the food for her father’s fishing trip. If she finished fast enough, she would take a quick gondola ride up to the oasis to ask the spirits for a bountiful and safe trip for her father.

Her gloved hands moved beside her as she cut through the narrow alleys between the tall ice buildings. Usually, she didn’t take short cuts but she needed to get home quickly. And she wanted to avoid running into one particular councilman’s son.

The incident on the wall was still fresh in her mind. The pleading look on his face, the seriousness behind his eyes, and the imploring sound of his voice had lingered in the back of her mind for days. She had struggled to keep busy, to keep her mind from falling back on the memory. It was not something she wanted to think about.

Marriage was one thing. She had looked forward to that since she was a little girl. However, marriage to Pakku was something completely different. They were from two different worlds. She was a humble fisherman’s daughter. A non-bender. A fish market sales girl. He was the son of an esteemed councilman. A future master waterbender. A young man who had a bright future ahead of him and consequently, required a good wife.

It just wouldn’t do, she sincerely believed. Kana continued to walk, her eyes focused on her feet as her breath turned into small clouds before her lips. Another question had been tugging on her mind, one that had accepted Pakku’s unexpected proposal as something real.

It asked her if she wanted to marry Pakku.

Her heart caught in her throat for a moment. While ultimately, it would be her parents who would accept or decline his proposal, if the fool even bothered speaking to them about it. Yet, a happy marriage would also depend on her attitude towards the relationship and the man. She would be able to tolerate his arrogance to some degree. She would be able to cook and clean for him and do all the things she had been taught a good little wife was supposed to. And he would do all the things a good husband was supposed to: provide for her. His pride wouldn’t let him do otherwise, after all.

Would she be able to have children with him? A rose tint brushed over her cheeks. It seemed like something so far away. She knew children would come along, eventually, but not so soon. She had yet to reach sixteen. Then there was the big question: did she love him?

Love in an arranged marriage always came after everything else. After the questions of status and financial security. Love, if you wanted it, would have to be cultivated between two people. Fate had been lucky to Anyu and Yugoda. Even if their feelings of love towards each other had been less than that of lovers, it would eventually become that. What of her and Pakku? Could she love him?

He wasn’t a bad person. There were times when he amazed her with unexpected, thoughtful actions. Kana wrinkled her nose. But he was arrogant and… weird.

She cringed at the last thought. Of course. What other kind of person would fall for someone like her? She shook her head and turned on to one of the main streets that lead to her building. Of course it would end up being someone weird. She paused for a moment. At least Pakku wasn’t bad looking.

“Kana!” She lifted her head at the sound of her name and froze in her tracks. Her entire body stiffened as she saw the young man in blue jogging towards her, looking somewhat out of breath. “Kana! I’m glad I caught you.”

She felt her heart slam against her chest. She had managed to evade him for a while. Another beat thumped against her chest. She knew she would eventually have to see him again. Another thump. But she didn’t expect it to be so soon. Her chest tightened.

“Pakku,” His name slipped from her lips and he smiled. Kana felt her heart twist; her mind racing to find an escape route. She couldn’t find one. “What are you doing here?”

“Look for you,” He caught up to her and bent over to catch his breath. Then he looked up at her, a pleased smile on his face. “I heard you were... on your way home early today…” he said between gulps of air. “I got out of practice… so I thought I’d walk you home.”

For a moment, Kana couldn’t breathe. Home? Home was where her parents were. “Don’t worry about it, Pakku. I’m sure you’re very busy-” she rushed, only to be cut off by a dismissing wave from Pakku.

“I came all the way down here to see you,” he assured her with a smile on his face. An uncharacteristic red tint graced his cheeks. “I’d be happy to walk you home.”

She inwardly cringed. “Ah… fine…” she murmured. A smile of triumph appeared on Pakku’s face and Kana resisted the urge to slap him. Silently, the two of them began walking down the street. They could see her building in the corner and already, Kana began formulating excuses to keep him from going upstairs, where her parents were sure to be waiting.

The sounds of their footsteps were unaccompanied as they walked together in silence. Kana’s mind was whirling with possible excuses. Pakku’s mind was consumed with trying to find a way to ask her if she had thought about his proposal without looking too eager.

He glanced down at her. She seemed to be lost in thought as well. The contemplative look on her face was soft and thoughtful. He smiled, suddenly happy that he was just close to her. As blissful thoughts ran through his mind, he didn’t realize that they had reached the doorstep of her building.

It wasn’t until Kana’s voice finally pierced through his clouded thoughts that he snapped out of his daze and looked over at her. “I’m sorry, what was that?” he asked, pleasantly.

Kana drew her head back carefully as she looked at him critically. “I said we’ve reached my building,” she repeated clearly. She stood on the first step, just below the open doorway as she backed up into the building. “Thank you for walking me back, Pakku, but I can get up to my flat from here.”

His eyes widened. He wasn’t ready to let her go just yet. He hadn’t even asked her about the proposal. Before Kana could close the door on his face, his hand shot out and stopped it from closing. “Wa… wait!” His voice almost cracked as he struggled to keep her from pushing the door closed on his hand. “Let me walk you to your flat!”

Kana raised an eyebrow from behind the half opened door. “I can walk up a few flights of stairs by myself, Pakku.”

“I insist!” he almost begged. Kana bit her lower lip. She glanced behind her and up the darkened hallway that lead upstairs. “Kana…” She turned around. Pakku was standing at the doorway, an uncharacteristically worried look on his face as he looked at her earnestly.

Her eyes lowered. “I don’t think now is a good time-”

“Kana!” a voice shouted from the stair well and the young woman whirled around. “Kana, is that you downstairs!?”

Pakku couldn’t see the owner of the voice, but he was sure it was Kana’s mother. “Yes, mom!” the dutiful daughter shouted back up the stairs. She left the door way for a moment to move closer to the stairwell. “I’ll be upstairs in a little bit!”

“Is Pakku with you? I saw you two walking down the street.” Kana felt her blood stop in her veins. She could feel her stomach twisting and turning, as if anticipating whatever shipwreck was about to happen.

“I was just walking Kana back to your building, madam!” The young flutist whirled around and took in a sharp gasp as she found Pakku standing beside her; his head lifted towards the stairs.

Kana felt her cheeks burning. The entire building probably knew what was going on now. She quickly lifted her hands and grabbed on to Pakku’s sleeve. “He was just about to go home!” she shouted over her shoulder as she tugged Pakku towards the entrance.

“Don’t be silly, Kana!” Akna’s voice floated back down. “Bring him up here. We’d like to talk to the boy!”

Kana felt the blood drain from her face. Why would they want to talk to Pakku? They couldn’t possibly know about his proposal, could they? She quickly released his sleeves and looked up at him. “Have you spoken to my parents yet?” she asked in a low voice.

Pakku shook his head. “Not since they dropped by when we were decorating for the festival,” He assured her, careful to keep his voice just as quiet. He tilted his head to the side questioningly as he furrowed his eyebrows. “Why?”

“Because you proposed to me!” Kana hissed in a low voice. Slowly, she began to make her way up the stairs. She made sure her eyes were focused on the steps, refusing to look back at the young man following closely behind her. “Or am I right and that was really a joke?” She couldn’t help the slight bitterness in her voice.

Before she could take another step, a firm gloved hand wrapped around her wrist and held her back. Before she could stop herself, Kana turned around and locked on to Pakku’s gaze. “I told you then and I’ll tell you once more. I’m completely serious about this,” Pakku stated sternly. “You may not see how much you’re worth, but I do,” He released her hand and walked past her silently. “If I need to speak to your parents about this, then I will.”

Kana drew her hand back against her chest. There was a fire in his eyes when he spoke to her. Determination and passion. For a split second, she couldn’t breathe. Her eyes followed the shape of his back as he walked up the stairs ahead of her. He was going to speak to her parents now, she was sure of it.

“Pakku!” Her heart began to race as she scrambled up the stairs. “Pakku, wait! Stop!” she gasped as she reached him and held out her arms to stop him. “Don’t!”

“Don’t…?” Pakku paused. For a brief moment, she saw fear in his eyes. They were quickly replaced with determination. “Why?” he demanded.

“They’re… not… ready…” she trailed off weakly. I’m not ready, her mind corrected. Pakku shook his head.

“I should at least ask permission from them to court you,” Pakku told her as he stepped to side. “I’ve gone out of our tribe’s customs by asking you first. I should’ve spoken to your parents for approval,” He mumbled. He gave her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry for that. No wonder you were so angry... it was so sudden.”

Kana shook her head. That was only one of the reasons. “No, Pakku, it’s not that.”

“Then what…” his voice trailed off as he looked down at her, his determined look weakening as another thought crossed his mind. He felt his heart stop. “Could it be that… you… don’t want to marry me?” His voice was weak and strained; both hurt to realize the possibility and terrified of the answer.

Kana searched his face quietly. He looked vulnerable all of a sudden and, yet, hopeful. She wanted to tell him that it wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry him, but as the moment dragged on, she knew that would be a lie. Her arms silently dropped to her side.

“Pakku…” she began carefully. “I-”

“Kana! Pakku!” Akna’s voice cut through the quiet stair well and Kana tore her eyes away from his. “What is taking you two so long?”

“Ah! Forgive us!” Pakku immediately apologized. “We’ll be right up.”

His hand wrapped around hers, pulling her up the stairs without question as she climbed silently behind him. Before they reached Kana’s floor, he carefully let go of her hand. Akna was waiting at the door way to their flat and smiled warmly at the two as they reached the top step. “I was wondering what was taking you so long,” she said as she stepped aside and ushered them in. “Come in! Come in!”

Kana’s feet felt heavy. As if she were being weighed down as she crossed the threshold of her house. The scent of warm stew and the sound of a crackling fire could be heard inside the flat. It should’ve made her feel welcomed. Instead, she felt smothered. Her mother closed the door behind them. She was trapped.

“Father?” Pakku’s confused voice reached her ears and Kana instinctively raised her head. She stopped beside the young waterbender as the three people sitting at the table stood up. “Mother?”

“Mom…” Panic was starting to lace Kana’s voice. “Dad… what’s going on?” Two sets of parents talking in one room; awaiting the arrival of their children together. Her chest felt tight; she couldn’t breathe. It was an arrangement.

“Kana,” her father said as Akna reached his side. “This is Councilman Siku and his wife Sesi. They are Pakku’s parents.”

Her heart was racing. Dread was creeping up her body as she saw the wide smile on the councilman’s face and the proud look he was giving his son. “Kana,” her mother’s voice was gentle. “We have been talking and it has been decided.”

Spirits have mercy on me… Kana silently prayed.

“You are on the eve of your sixteenth birthday,” Suka began. “And so, your time of engagement is near. After much… deliberation... we have accepted Pakku’s offer to marry you.”

Pakku. Engagement. Pakku. Marriage. Pakku… Kana’s train of thought momentarily broke. Kana…Breathe…

“Kana!?” Somewhere around her, someone shouted. Her eyes rolled back and her legs gave way. “Kana!!” Then everything went black.

Author's Notes: This story is written for thefireisblack, who requested it after reviewing my mini-challenge of mine. It was betaed by loveroftheflame. This chapter was too big to split into two, that's why I had to split it up into 3. Sorry!

Shattering Ice - Chapter 8B

2007-08-07T19:15:19Z

itle: Shattering Ice
Rating: Older Teen
Chapter: 8B
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Pairings/Warnings: Kana/Pakku
Summary: After watching her only grandchildren disappear into the mists after the Avatar, Gran-Gran returns to her tent and remembers a time when she was their age and the events that led her to leave her own home.

Shattering Ice

Chapter Eight

By DamageCtrl

*All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to it.

His voice had been solemn. He sounded sincere. Worse yet, he sounded as if he were desperate to let her know he meant what he said. To Kana, that was the most confusing and frightening part of it all. If he meant it, it meant marriage with Pakku. She couldn’t see that. In her analyzing daze, she barely noticed they were approaching the street she lived on.

Beside her, the tall fisherman glanced down. Kana’s face was twisted with concentration, and he was certain that if he didn’t take her hand and physically lead her back home, she would’ve gotten herself lost elsewhere in the sprawling city. A small part of he smiled, remembering years ago when he used to hold her, Anyu, and even Yugoda’s hands as they walked around.

He could never believe how those three ended up in different areas of the neighborhood; lost and in tears because their game of hide and seek went awry and someone couldn’t be found. The tomboyish girl he knew wasn’t like the quiet, brooding young woman he was walking beside.

“You’re not like yourself tonight,” Kahasi began as he looked straight ahead. “Was your argument with your friend worse than usual?”

I don’t even know anymore… “No,” Kana shook her head and tried to lose the contemplative look on her face. “It’s nothing.”

“Nothing doesn’t silence you. Anyu and Yugoda can attest to that,” he told her. He stopped and inadvertently stopped Kana as well. The young woman looked back at him. “If something is bothering you, you can tell me, you know. You used to complain to me all the time about Anyu.” He added with a warm smile. Kana chuckled slightly. Complain was an understatement; it was more like tell on Anyu.

“This has nothing to do with him,” Kana assured him. “I’m fine, Kahasi. I swear.”

He gave her a suspicious look and nodded. He began to walk forward, bringing her forward with him. “I’m going to head out for some over night fishing trips in a few days. Keep an eye on my idiot brother for me?”

“Of course,” Kana nodded. “Someone has to.”

Kahasi nodded. “Also… I’d like to talk to you before I leave. Do you mind?”

“No, of course not,” Kana assured him. “It was my fault we didn’t get to talk. I’m sorry.”

“I told you not to apologize,” Kahasi sighed good-naturedly. They stopped and he released her hand. Kana looked around and realized they were standing in front of her building. “Remember; you can talk to me about anything. I am older and much wiser than you three, after all.” He gave her one more smile and Kana smiled back widely.

“Thank you, Kahasi, I’ll keep that in mind,” He opened the door for her and followed her up to her door. “Did you want something to drink? The water should still be warm from my mom’s evening tea.”

“No, its fine,” Kahasi assured her. She opened the door and stepped in. From the table, her parents immediately stood up. “Good evening.”

“Kana! Kahasi, how was your evening? Did you have a nice talk?” Her father asked expectantly.

His daughter didn’t seem to catch his words and yawned. “No… something came up…”

“She got into an argument with her friend Pakku,” Kahasi reported. Kana wrinkled her nose at him and he chuckled. “Sorry.”

“I’m going to sleep,” Kana told her parents. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Goodnight, Kana.” Kahasi gave her a nod of her head as she disappeared into the hall. Her door closed and her parents immediately turned to look at the young man; concern written all over their faces.

“Kahasi, we are sorry,” Suka said as he gave a bow of his head. “We didn’t know that Pakku would approach Kana like that.”

The young man stood in his spot, his eyes still fixated on the darkened hall where Kana had disappeared to. “Has anyone come to speak to you about Kana?” he asked quietly. They might not have noticed him on that wall as Kana vented her frustrations to the wealthy waterbender, but he had seen it transpire. He had heard what had been said.

In front of him, the husband and wife looked at each other. Suka let out a heavy breath and Akna nodded. “Pakku’s father came just a few moments ago…” the woman admitted. She looked up and studied the man she had promised her daughter to. “We… declined his offer.”

Kahasi closed his eyes for a moment, feeling relief, but at the same time, feeling a new weight rest on his shoulders. He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to look at his would be parent-in-laws. “Kana doesn’t know, does she?”

“We barely found out,” Suka told him tiredly. “Kahasi, we declined the other offer for a reason. We just don’t think his son would fit for our daughter.”

“And we have already promised her to you,” Akna added in quiet voice. “You need not worry about that.”

The young man nodded. He had known the couple his entire life and respected them greatly. They were not ones to break a promise. He stood up straight and gave them a bow of his head. “Thank you,” He told them as the stood back up. “But… this is Kana’s future…”

Two sets of eyes locked on him immediately. “Kahasi…” Akna began quietly. “What are you saying?”

He mulled over his words for a moment and looked away. “Kana doesn’t know about her engagement to me, however, Pakku has made his intentions known.”

“He what?” Suka snapped as he frowned. “What did he say?”

“On the wall,” Kahasi explained. “I saw Pakku reach forward and…” he hesitated. Kana’s parents looked at him expectantly. “He kissed Kana.”

Instantly, Suka was on his feet and heading towards the door. “Suka!” Akna gasped as she ran after him. She grabbed her husband’s arm. “What are you doing!?”

“That boy had no right to touch Kana like that! They are unwed and he has not even come to speak to us and ask for permission, Akna! I’m going to speak to him and his father immediately-”

“Sir,” Kahasi stood in front of the doorway, keeping Suka from walking out. “He asked Kana to marry him.”

The fisherman and his wife froze in their spots. Their eyes were wide as Akna’s hands slipped from her husband’s sleeves. Suka’s mouth hung open before slowly closing. He narrowed his eyes critically. One thing came to the father’s mind. “And what did my daughter say?”

Kahasi’s eyes saddened. “She believed that he was joking, however, from what I saw and heard… Pakku is very much serious.”

“Kahasi,” Akna pulled her husband away and stood between him and her daughter’s suitor. “Does this change anything? Do you not want Kana to be your wife? You asked us years ago.”

“I did and I do,” the young man nodded. “I care for her greatly; as I do my own family. I only want what would be best for her and…” He trailed off.

Suka’s face fell. “Are you… retracting… the marriage offer?”

Kahasi swallowed hard. “No… no…at least not now…” he took a deep breath. “But I need to think.”

“Class adjourned!” Master Sae Kung swept his arms forward and returned all the spare water back into the pools on either side of the plaza. In front of him, his handful of students began to disperse.

Anyu reached into his pockets as he headed for the stairs. He didn’t make it three steps before the sound of Pakku’s voice reached his ears. “Anyu!” The waterbender let out a tired sigh.

“What is it, Pakku?” he asked, not bothering to turn around. The other bender jogged to his side and fell into step with him.

“Your brother,” Pakku began without hesitation. “Kaha… something.”

“Kahasi,” Anyu corrected him. “What about him?”

Pakku looked over his shoulder warily as they walked down the long stretch of stairs. “Does he know Kana?”

Anyu rolled his eyes. “Of course he knows Kana. He’s known her for years. He knows Yugoda and the others, too.”

Pakku bit his lower lip; trying to figure out the best way to ask without looking completely obvious. He looked back at his friend. “I mean… how well does he… know Kana?”

The other young man raised an eyebrow and gave Pakku a questioning look. Surely, Pakku didn’t know about his brother’s engagement to Kana. Kana didn’t even know about the engagement! Carefully, Anyu answered his fellow bender. “Why are you asking?”

Immediately, Pakku jerked his head back. His eyes darted around nervously as walked beside Anyu. “I’m… well… I ran into him the other night. I didn’t know you had a brother!” Pakku added quickly. “I mean… I thought that, as friends… you would’ve at least mentioned it.”

Anyu narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “Pakku, why are you following me?”

“Following…?” The master waterbender’s son looked around. Had he been walking to his side of the city, he wouldn’t have come this far. “Oh… I thought I’d come with you. Hang out… maybe.”

The other young man let out a heavy sigh. “Fine… come on…” Anyu waved his hand and continued walking. “You’ve been acting really odd lately, Pakku,” he began offhandedly as he looked straight ahead. “Even Kana’s mentioned it.”

“She has?” Did his voice just break? Pakku felt his cheeks heat up with embarrassment as he scowled at the ground. “When did she say this?”

“During the festival,” Anyu shrugged. “She’s been really busy since then,” Pakku gave him a questioning look. “At the fish market. Her father is getting ready for another fishing trip, so they’ve been preparing. I’ve barely seen her.”

“Oh…” Disappointment wavered in Pakku’s stomach. He had hoped to at least catch sight of her while he was in the neighborhood. “So… what are you going to do today? Going to your cousin Miki’s? Shopping at the market?” he asked, somewhat hopefully.

Anyu shook his head as they crossed over a bridge. “I’m not a fisherman, but I need to help with the mending of the nets,” Anyu explained. Pakku’s face dropped and his friend smirked. “Still want to come?”

Pakku snorted indignantly and lifted his chin up. “If you can mend a few nets, I don’t see how hard it could possibly be.”

“Right…” Anyu chuckled. “Just don’t get in the way.” He stopped in front of the first floor of one of the buildings and knocked on the frame. Pakku looked up and studied the façade of the house with a frown.

“This isn’t your house.”

“Obviously,” Anyu sighed. A voice called out from behind the door. “It’s my brother’s.” Before Pakku would say a word, the door opened and the fur hanging over it was pushed aside. The councilman’s son’s eyes widened as the fisherman from the night on the wall appeared in the doorway.

“Anyu! Good, you came just in time,” Kahasi smiled warmly at his younger brother. He glanced over Anyu’s shoulder and offered Pakku a welcoming smile. “Pakku, welcome to my home. It’s a bit of a mess right now… I apologize. I was in the middle of mending the nets.”

“Oh… uh…” Pakku stammered. Anyu slipped passed his brother, leaving the unsure young waterbender behind him. Pakku stood rooted in his spot, unsure if he should enter or leave.

“Pakku, come on!” Anyu yelled from within the small flat. “You’re letting the heat out!”

“Right! Sorry!” Aimlessly, Pakku stumbled in, Kahasi closing the door behind him. The room was lit with oil lanterns as netting was spread across the mats and furs. New coils of thread were waiting to be woven into the nets as the distinct smell of the ocean and fish hung in the air.

“Have a seat, Pakku,” Kahasi said, motioning his hands to the free space on the floor that didn’t have netting over it. “Would you like something to drink? Anyu?”

“No, I’m fine, brother.”

“I’m fine, too. Thank you.” Pakku said. He watched as Anyu sat across from him and ran his hands over the netting to find a place to start. Kahasi sat down next to his brother and repeated the motions. As soon as a hole was found, he reached over and began pulling a new strand through the net.

“So, Pakku,” Kahasi asked coolly, without looking up as the thread wove expertly through experienced fingers. “What brings you to my home? Would you like to try your hand at net repair?”

Sheepishly, the younger man shook his head. He was lost just following the movements of their hands. “I admit I’ve never done it before. I might be more of a hindrance than help.”

“Wow… that’s a first,” Anyu smirked as he mirrored his brother’s movements. “Pakku admits he’s not perfect. If only Kana were here to hear that.”

Pakku shot him a glare as Kahasi chuckled. “Well, if you’re lucky, you can catch her before she gets off at the fish shop in a few minutes.”

“Minutes?” Anyu lifted his head up; his hands still weaving through the net with practiced mastery. “It’s not anywhere near sundown.”

“She has to leave early. Suka will be leaving soon and she has to help her mother cook food for the trip.” Kahasi explained. Across from him, Pakku shifted awkwardly in his seat. Part of him wanted to go and see if he could catch Kana before she left. Or at least intercept her on her way home.

However, he didn’t want to make it too obvious. After all, Anyu’s brother had been on the wall that night. He could’ve heard Pakku’s desperate proposal. Or worse; was his rival in the matter. His fingers nervously tugged at his clothes, suddenly feeling the urge to rush out of the meager home.

He glanced out the window and then back at the brothers quickly. It would get dark soon and he’d miss Kana completely if he didn’t leave now. He took a deep breath and began to stand up. “Well… it’s getting dark out,” he began as casually as he could. Anyu looked out the window. There was still light out. “I should get going.”

“Thank you for coming by,” Kahasi said. “I’ll see you out.”

“No!” Pakku nearly screamed as he headed for the door. Two pairs of eyes looked up at him, surprised. He quickly composed himself and gave a subtle shake of his head. “It’s not necessary, Kahasi. Please just continue going about your work. I can see myself out.”

“If you are sure…” Kahasi said unsurely.

“I’m sure…” Pakku assured him. He didn’t want Kahasi to realize which direction he was heading towards. “Thank you for your hospitality! Have a nice evening! Anyu, I’ll see you at practice tomorrow!” With one last, fleeting bow, Pakku ducked underneath the furs that covered the doorway and practically shot out of the building.

“He really has lost his mind…” Anyu murmured. From outside the window, he could see Pakku rushing off somewhere.

“Well… he does seem to be going in the wrong direction.” His brother replied coolly. Anyu snapped his head back up and then turned to the window. Pakku wasn’t heading towards his house. He was heading towards the market.

“Kana!”

“It is fine, Anyu,” Kahasi said as he remained seated on the fur lined cushions; patiently weaving thread through the netting. “It is fine.”

“What are you saying?” Anyu gasped as he looked at his brother with wide, confused eyes. “He’s going after your fiancée!”

“I’ve already spoken to Suka and Akna, brother. Everything is fine,” Kahasi assured his sibling. He looked up and gave his brother a small smile. “Kana will be in good hands.”

Author's Notes: This story is written for thefireisblack, who requested it after reviewing my mini-challenge of mine. It was betaed by loveroftheflame.

Shattering Ice - 8

2007-08-07T19:08:31Z

Title: Shattering Ice
Rating: Older Teen
Chapter: 8A
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Pairings/Warnings: Kana/Pakku
Summary: After watching her only grandchildren disappear into the mists after the Avatar, Gran-Gran returns to her tent and remembers a time when she was their age and the events that led her to leave her own home.

Shattering Ice

Chapter Eight

By DamageCtrl

*All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender or anything related to it.

His legs felt unsteady as the other man’s words reached his ears. Blue eyes were wide as he looked down at the bowed head of the visitor. Did he hear him correctly? Did the councilman just request an audience with him and his wife about their children? The fisherman’s eyes slowly rose to meet his wife’s startled face.

Akna looked just as surprised as he did. Suka fell back on a chair. “Siku,” Suka began carefully as his hand rose and ran through his thick hair. He looked at the councilman with doubt on his face. “Did I hear you correctly?”

“Perhaps we misheard you,” Akna offered the councilman a weak smile. “What about our daughter did you want to speak about?”

Across from them, the revered waterbending master and councilman stood up straight. “Marriage, Akna. Marriage,” Siku informed them. “My son, Pakku, would like to begin seeing your daughter with the purpose of marriage in mind. That is why I am here.”

The married couple looked at each other with uncertainty evident in their faces. A silent conversation seemed to take place between the two before they looked back at Pakku’s father. “Siku, we are very flattered that your son would take an interest in our daughter.”

“Pakku is a very intelligent young man,” Akna added. “We’ve heard all about him and his gifts,” At that, Siku smiled proudly and lifted his chin. “However...” Akna trailed off, unsure how to phrase it. She looked at her husband.

Suka took a deep breath and stood up. “I’m afraid we’ll have to decline the offer.”

The councilman’s smile dropped. A shocked look graced his face as he blinked dumbly at the fisherman. Perhaps they really did not understand what he was saying. “Siku, Akna… do you understand what I am talking about?”

“You request permission for your son to see our daughter with the honorable intent of marriage,” Suka clarified. “And to begin sewing ties between the families, am I right?”

The other man found himself nodded. “If you understand, then I do not see why it has been rejected.”

“Siku,” Akna sighed heavily as she took a step forward. She met his gaze hesitantly. “You do realize that Kana is not a bender.”

“I already know that.” Siku frowned.

Suka tilted his head to the side, confused. “And…you approved of the match?” the fisherman asked. He crossed his arms and gave Siku a questioninging look. “I thought no one in your family married non-benders.”

“They don’t; at least not yet,” Siku explained. He lifted his hand and scratched the back of his head as he tried to come up with the right words. “I don’t want Pakku to… to go through what I… went through.” He admitted quietly. His eyes briefly drifted to the fisherman’s wife.

Akna’s looked softened and she looked over at her husband. Suka’s eyebrows were furrowed; momentarily lost in thought. “And I don’t want Kana to go through what Akna went through,” Suka replied. He lifted his head and looked at Siku seriously. “Akna… suffered because of her relationship to you all those years ago. Your family caused her much needless stress. I don’t want my Kana going through the same thing.”

“Kana is a strong girl,” Akna added. “Stronger than myself, Siku, but as her mother, I do not want to see her go through what I had to go through. Your family elders are strict when it comes to marriage and I don’t want my daughter to have to go through the same experiences I did.”

“But-”

“I’m sorry, councilman,” Suka asserted before the other man could speak. “We know that all parents want their child to be happy, but we just don’t feel that a marriage between our daughter and your son will work out for the best.”

A look of hurt and desperation spread across Siku’s face. He had spent hours debating with the family elders to get them to approve a marriage with a non-bender for hours. Hours of arguing, yelling, and compromise. Finally, the group was split, with Siku’s decision tipping the scale. He had done what he couldn’t do all those years ago and he wouldn’t give up just yet.

“The final decision rests with me,” he stated sternly. “Amongst the family elders… decision was split in two. So long as I support the marriage of my son to a non-bender, no one can stop them.”

“Siku…” Suka began. The other man shook his head.

“Please, Suka, give my son a chance,” the councilman pleaded. “I’ve never seen him look at another girl that like before. He adores her and will treat her well. Everything she ever wanted will be provided for her. I can practically guarantee you that Kana will live the best life possible with the best things possible-”

“Siku,” Suka continued. “We can’t agree to it-”

“Everything can work for them, Suka! The family doesn’t stand in the way,” Siku stressed. He drew his head back and looked at the fisherman warily. “Do you not trust my son with your daughter?”

“It is not that, Siku,” Suka insisted. He glanced at Akna once more before looking at the other man. “Your son is a fine young man, however, Kana is almost sixteen…do you understand?”

“Of course I do!” Siku nearly scoffed. “It is the perfect age for engagement!”

The married couple looked at each other once more. This time, Akna turned to councilman; a bittersweet look on her face. “Rarely is a maiden of sixteen without an engagement or one already planned for her, Siku,” Akna told him in a calming voice. They watched his face carefully, silently allowing her words to reach him. The determined look on the councilman’s face faded. “You understand, then.”

Disappointment swept over the waterbender. It seemed that for the second time, he had failed in the proceedings of love; only this time it was for the sake of his son and somehow, it hurt more. His eyes glazed over as he swallowed the lump in his throat. His voice was shaking slightly. “She is… engaged?” He already knew the answer.

Suka nodded his head. “To a young fisherman who approached us two years ago; Kahasi. He’s been waiting patiently for Kana to come of age to formally speak to her.”

“Is he from a good family?” Siku asked. No one’s family was from as great and strong a lineage as his…

“Yes,” Suka nodded. “Do you know Pakku’s friend Anyu? Kahasi is his older brother. He has known Kana for years.”

“I see…” I’m sorry, my son.

Akna looked at the councilman sadly. “I am sorry to disappoint you, Siku. Pakku, too.”

Siku gave the two other adults a forced smile and shook his head. “No, no… I’m sorry to have bothered you so late about this,” he told him sheepishly. “I should’ve known that at Kana’s age, she would’ve already been promised to someone else…” He let out a heavy sigh and gazed down at the floor, sadly. “My son… will be disappointed.” He’ll be heartbroken.

She was horrified.

Every muscle in her body froze. Her breath caught in her throat, unable to make it the rest of the way out as warm lips pressed firmly against hers. Blue eyes were wide, focused only on the closed lids and all too close face of the man standing in front of her. At her sides, her hands remained stiff while below her, her legs refused to move.

The initial surprise had quickly given in to a horrified feeling as the uncomfortable feeling of Pakku’s kiss made its self known. Kana’s mind struggled to understand what was going on. First, they were arguing. Nothing new about that. Then… then… oh, Spirits…

All he could concentrate on was the kiss. Did she like it? Did she hate it? Could she breathe? It was his first kiss with anyone. He had never paid attention to the act before, only really noticing a few times. However, when he reached forward and brought Kana closer to him and subsequently kissed her, it hadn’t been a preplanned action, and thus, he, too, was caught unaware of its consequences.

His eyes had closed in his nervousness. He loomed over her; his legs began weakening beneath him as the palms of his hands began to grow damp. His heart was slamming against his chest, despite his mind ordering it to calm down. Silently, he prayed that she wasn’t disgusted or would shove him away.

He wasn’t sure if how he’d react if she did.

After a few moments, he could feel his lungs burning. He had to breathe. As his mind struggled to figure out how to properly break a kiss, his body reacted on its own. Slowly, his head drew back; lingering briefly on her soft, moist lips a moment longer before releasing the breath he had been holding in.

Kana felt the quick rush of air against her wind-chilled face as stunned blue eyes stared blankly ahead of her.

In front of her, Pakku looked down at her face. She wasn’t looking at him; her eyes were fixed on his shoulder, a stunned look in them. The hand that had gently grasped her chin slowly lowered. Kana didn’t react at all. Nervously, Pakku studied her, half afraid to say anything, yet, at the same time, wanting to break the silence.

He swallowed; his throat was suddenly dry as he hesitantly lifted his hand. “Kana?”

The young woman closed her eyes, unable to believe what had just happened. Pakku… Pakku of all people had just kissed her. It was unexpected. It was just not done. They weren’t seeing each other. They weren’t engaged. She could barely consider them friends the way they acted towards each other.

Kana’s arms wrapped around her body. Water tribe boys just didn’t go around kissing water tribe girls for no reason. Kisses were supposed to be special. Between two people that cared about each other and now her first one had been stolen by some spoiled rich boy – without her permission!

Pakku frowned. She still wasn’t talking. She hadn’t even bothered to look him in the eyes after he kissed her. His hand rose and reached out for her shoulder. “Kana-”

“Don’t touch me!” Her voice was sharp and clear, defensive and hurt; cutting Pakku like a knife as he stumbled back, his outstretched hand wavering in place as he looked at her with startled eyes. Her own met his eyes with a fierce glare as she stepped back. “What’s wrong with you!?”

Pakku’s eyes widened. His mouth opened slightly before it snapped closed and returned her glare. “What are you talking about!?”

“How dare you kiss me!?” Kana hissed in a low voice. “You had no right to! I never asked for it or for your… advances!” She stuttered.

“Advances…” Pakku mumbled. He growled and gritted his teeth. “Listen, I don’t know why I did it either! It just happened, okay?”

“It just happened?” Kana’s voice went lower as her vicious glare bore into Pakku. “Are you saying it was an accident?”

Was it? Pakku felt his irritation drop. He wasn’t sure.

As he stood there silently, Kana drew her head back and shook her head. “It was an accident.” She asserted quietly; her voice laced with disgust.

Quickly, Pakku shook his head. “No, it wasn’t an accident,” he told her. “I just… you were talking about… about how no one would want you and…” He took a deep breath. “And I don’t think that’s the case.” He silently hoped she would understand that he wanted to do it… that she meant something to him.

Kana stared at Pakku with disbelieving eyes. She could feel her lower lip quivering as her hands shook at her sides. “I see.”

Pakku’s head jerked up in surprise. “You do?” He asked. A weak smile graced his face as relief started rising. “Good… I was afraid you’d take it the wrong way.” He admitted softly.

“Don’t worry about that,” Kana spat out as she shook her head. “I don’t need your pity, Pakku.”

Pity? “What?” Confusion quickly flooded Pakku’s face as Kana shoved past him angrily. “Kana, what are you talking about!?” He whirled around; his arm reaching forward and grabbing her wrist. “Kana!”

A cold slap echoed across the wall as Kana back handed Pakku across the face. With a forceful tug, she pulled her wrist from his grip, and then stumbled back, an angry and hurt look on her face.

“I don’t need your pity!” Kana repeated, stronger this time. “I know that I’m not fit to be a good wife! I’m not feminine or quiet like the others! I already know that! You don’t need to pretend you understand! Let alone pretend to like me!”

As she raged in front of him, all Pakku could feel was the stinging pain across his cheek. He turned his head to look at her with his hand gently resting over his face as Kana yelled at him. Even though she was angry and glaring at him, he still couldn’t help but think she was the most beautiful maiden in the entire tribe. Rosy cheeks, a passionate look in clear blue eyes were incomparable to any one else he’d ever seen.

“Kana,” he began carefully. He took a step forward and looked at her with a softened face. “Kana, I’m not-”

“You’re not what!?” she snapped. She put her hands on her hips as she looked at him demandingly. “Tell me.”

Pakku stood in his place. “Kana,” She looked so intense. Her face was flushed and her eyes were narrowed. “I wasn’t pretending… I…” He felt warm all over. Blood pounded in his ears with every heartbeat. His hands dug into the edges of his thick coat nervously. “I like you… I think… no…” He shook his head and took a deep breath. His eyes met hers. “Kana, I love you.”

Moments passed between them; each second ripping at Pakku’s resolve as Kana stood across from him; her eyes wide as she stared at him. He hadn’t meant to tell her so soon. At least not until he formally spoke to her parents, but the situation had changed, he realized. She wanted an explanation to his actions and he wanted to assure her his actions were nothing but pure.

The young man waited; his whole being in tune to her anxiously.

Then she shook her head. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she gritted her teeth. “I serious when I was talking, Pakku. The least you could’ve done was let me vent out my frustrations without mocking me!”

“Mocking you!?” Pakku gasped. Frustration swept over him as he stomped forward. His arms rose and grabbed on to her upper arms; forcing her to look up at him. “Kana, do you think so little of yourself that you believe I wouldn’t want to marry you!?” he choked out.

Disbelieving blue eyes were his answer. “Don’t joke like this Pakku!” She twisted out of his hold and took another step back.

It hurt him to watch her pull herself away from him, but he won’t give up so easily. “I’m not joking, Kana! This isn’t some stupid prank! I wouldn’t just say something like this without thinking! I want to be with you! Is that so hard to understand?” Pakku exclaimed, almost desperately. Kana froze in her spot and Pakku’s arms fell limply to his sides. A dire look glazed over his eyes as his face softened. “Kana...” his voice was quiet. Kana could hear her blood pounding in her ears with each heart beat as a breath caught in her throat. “Please marry me.”

And for a moment, the world had stopped. The sound of crashing waves against sheer ice wall, the roar of the wind whipping past them had all gone quiet. In that moment, there was only a girl and a boy. There was only Kana and Pakku…neither knew what to say next.

“Kana!?” a worried voice sounded behind Pakku and the young waterbender whirled around. In the heat of their words and the stunned silence of Pakku’s proposal, neither party heard the approaching footsteps of a new comer. For a moment, he wondered if it were the guards, again, coming to check on them. Instead, a dark haired man was rushing forward; a concerned look on his face as he swept past Pakku and reached for Kana. “Kana, what’s wrong? You’re shaking!”

“Kahasi…?” Her eyes widened as the man reached her and placed his gloved hands on her shoulders to steady her. She had completely forgotten that her main reason for going to the wall that night was to meet up with him. He met her gaze steadily with his as Kana snapped her mouth closed and bit her lower lip.

Kahasi? Pakku’s eyes landed on the other man. Tall, dark, relatively good looking if he was to judge. Blue eyes focused on one thing: the new comer’s hands on Kana’s shoulders. And she wasn’t shrugging them off.

“Nothing. Nothing’s wrong,” Kana insisted as she looked away. “Pakku and I were just having another one of our arguments.”

“Oh…” Kahasi glanced over his shoulder and offered the other man a tentative smile. “You’re Pakku? Anyu’s friend?” he asked. His hands slipped from Kana’s shoulders as he gave Pakku a small bow of his head. “I’m Kahasi; Anyu’s older brother.”

“Oh!” Pakku’s eyes widened and he found himself nodding before he returned the bow. “Nice to meet you… ah… Kana and I were just… talking,” He added dumbly. “I apologize if our yelling alarmed you,” he stated, almost mechanically. “Our talking always ends up as an argument.”

The man smiled and nodded his head. He didn’t seem to be the least bit suspicious, but if he was, he was hiding it well. “So Anyu has told me,” he replied. He looked back at Kana. “Are you sure you are all right?” Pakku glanced over the other man’s shoulders. Kana’s eyes were downcast, unwilling to meet his.

“Fine, Kahasi…” Kana murmured. She tugged on the edges of her coat and lifted her head up to look at him with a smile pasted on her face. “What was it you wanted to talk about?”

Talk…? Kana had been heading towards the wall when Pakku had caught up with her. Was it possible that she was going there to meet up with that man? The waterbender’s eyes widened, as he looked frantically from Kana to Kahasi.

“Talk about?” For a moment, the fisherman looked confused. His eyes widened for a second as he remembered why he had rushed to the wall in first place. He had completely forgotten about his goals the moment he heard Kana’s familiar voice shrieking in the night wind. He had rushed over immediately. Now, the young woman looked worn. He gave her a soft, understandingly smile and lifted his hand. He carefully brushed back the stray brown strands escaping from her hair loops. He could wait. Especially after what he heard before he reached them, he needed to wait. “Oh, that… you look tired. We can talk later.”

Kana’s eyebrows furrowed as she frowned. “Kahasi, I came all the way up here because you wanted to speak to me,” She didn’t notice Pakku tense up behind the older man. “What did you want to talk to me about?”

“It can wait,” Kahasi assured her. He tugged off one of his gloves and raised his palm to her forehead. He frowned as his suspicious were confirmed and he drew his hand back. “You feel warm, Kana. You should go home and rest.”

The young woman mulled over the situation and gave a small nod. She released a heavy breath and looked back up at the fisherman. “It has been a long evening, but I’m fine.” She insisted quietly.

“I can talk to you tomorrow,” Kahasi assured her as he put his glove back on. “Come, I will walk you back.”

“I’m sorry, Kahasi.” Kana whispered as she allowed him to turn her around. He chuckled lightly.

“There isn’t anything to be sorry about, Kana,” Kahasi said. He put his hand on her shoulder and Kana looked up at him. “Aren’t you going to say good-bye to Pakku?”

The young man lifted his head up expectantly. Inside, his mind was whirling. His stomach twisted as he waited. Why wasn’t she looking at him? Why wasn’t she saying anything? Kana, say something!

Pakku… She had been trying to ignore his presence. Her eyes were kept downcast as she stopped. She kept her back to him as she lifted her head and took a deep breath. “Have a good evening.”

His face hardened; hiding his faltering composure well enough to keep him from revealing his true thoughts to his fellow tribesman and the woman he was taking away. Kahasi offered him a gentle smile, and gave Pakku a nod of his head before turning around. He stood just beside Kana as they walked to the other side of the wall.

With each step of their feet on the hard packed ice and snow, Pakku’s mind raced with words that needed to be spoken: No, I need to talk to you; Kana, stop; Hear me out; Don’t leave without talking to me… Please… His hands tightened at his sides and he took a step forward.

“Kana!” Her name pierced the cold air and made her stop in her tracks; her face remained facing forward. Kahasi looked back at him curiously. Pakku ignored the other man and looked at Kana’s retreating figure. “About what I said…” His heart was pounding. “I’m serious.”