_____________

Friday, March 21, 2003

The words were spoken too late. Millerna's delicate hands were already encircling the brass knob, and as she gently opened the heavy door, she came face to face with the back of a painfully familiar tapestry. Her violet eyes widened, alarm running through her faster then an Asturian mare.

"Shh!" the princess hissed, shutting the door back again with a dry click. "It's the throne room," she said, "You jinxed us, Gaddes," Millerna added, a weak smile on her features. Breathing in, and exhaling sharply, the princess nibbled nervously on her bottom lip, looking into Gaddes' chocolate brown eyes for any ideas. His brown orbs were for once, blank.

"How many people in there?" the lieutenant asked, and Millerna's brow furrowed slightly.

"I never looked," and with a nod from Gaddes, the men looking at her anxiously, Millerna hesitantly placed her hand on the chillingly cold handle. She wasn't used to people relying on her, and she didn't want to let them down. As she gently opened the door, the soft sounds of her sister's voice gracing her ears, Millerna was about to shift the the tapestry ever so slightly when a shuffling was heard.

"Princess Millerna? What are you all doing here? Gaddes?" came a dangerously loud voice, and Millerna whipped around rapidly. Moleman. The sound of her sister's voice stopped immediately, and she could hear the rising volume of the guards voices, growing like a swarm of angry wasps.

_____________

Friday, March 21, 2003

Escaflowne sighed heavily from his seated position near the bank as he watched Hitomi running toward him with Van in a desperate pursuit.
And here I thought leaving those two by themselves would help them, but it seems it only made things worse. I just don't understand teenage angst. Looks like the adult is going to have to put a stop to this nonsense.
Hitomi came to an awkward stop. She quickly bent down and pulled on his arm with a look of utter terror in her eyes, "Come.....on..." she panted.
Escaflowne didn't move, "Where are we going, Hitomi?"
"Hurry," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.
"You know," he began, "this won't work. You can't take his place, Hitomi."
Van quickly approached them, "Please!" Hitomi cried, "we have to go!"
Escaflowne looked up into her eyes, "I'm not going anywhere without him."
Hitomi shook him, "Don't you get it?!" she cried, her voice shrill, "He'll die if he stays with us! He'll die!!"
"And I won't have you dying in his place!" he shouted angrily, "If you replace him, your death will be for nothing. His death will mean something. He will be the one who will save Gaea from Dornkirk. That is his destiny. It's what he was born to do. And I ask you not to interfere with that. It will only make things more difficult for the both of you."
"I will!" she shouted hysterically back, "I will interfere! He doesn't deserve this! It's not fair! I won't let it happen. I won't..."
Suddenly she began to fall, Escaflowne caught her just as she collapsed, "Hitomi?! HITOMI!" he shook her limp body.
The youth ran up to them, panting. His eyes fell on Hitomi and his face went white.
Escaflowne held out a reassuring hand, "It's alright, Your Majesty. She just fainted. She'll be fine in a few minutes," he set her down gently on the ground. As Van knelt next to her, Escaflowne passed a hand wearily over his face, "What am I going to do if she won't join us, Your Majesty? What am I going to do?

_____________

Thursday, March 20, 2003

Folken walked through the dark corridors, memories of his little brother flitting through his head. Shaking his head of the thoughts he stepped into a dark room.

A tiny window provided the only light. There were torches on the walls, but he didn�t bother with them. He had become accustom to the dark. The dark was his home. The dark was were he belonged.

_____________

Thursday, March 20, 2003

Gaddess started to follow her. Her blond hair leading the way. �Let�s go men!� He yelled back over his shoulder.

Following the princess he began to wonder where this staircase led. �Umm� Millerna? Do you know where this staircase leads? I mean you did say you couldn�t remember if there were any secret passage ways� This could lead us anywhere, even right into the middle of the palace��

_____________

Thursday, March 20, 2003

What--
"Hitomi!"
What is she--
And then suddenly, he knew. It hit him like a slap in the face.
In a split second he was off after her. "Hitomi! HITOMI!" He tore through the brush. He could see her head, see the paleness of her hair and her shirt, moving ahead of him, drawing away--Where was she going?!
Stupid! Think you can nullify my vow? Think you can just walk out of my life? Think you can just come in here and tell me-that-and then just LEAVE? You can't just-- Van exploded into a clearing, saw the lake, recognised it, saw--
Escaflowne!
Goodbye, Van.
--leave me? His eyes widened and then narrowed, understanding and sudden anger flashing through them in a split second. He ignored the cold tightness in his chest as he glimpsed Hitomi's familiar running figure closing the distance between her and Escaflowne.
"HITOMI!"
He sprinted towards them, pushing himself hard, harder than he had ever done in his life, not sure if he would make it before something happened, before--
he takes her away from me--before she disappears--just like--
And suddenly he had no more words, could not force them out of his mouth. He just ran.

Can't believe
I'm such a stupid
fool.

"HITOMI!

_____________

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

Hitomi turned to face him and cautiously ventured away from the tree, "Well.. I guess what I do depends on you..." she sighed, "Van.. I know there's nothing I can say to take back what you saw. I can't tell you how much I wish that never happened. Escaflowne gave me the reason why it did, but I don't think it will make you feel any better if I tell you."
She walked back over to him. She looked up into his eyes and softened her voice, "If you don't want to come with me to Freid, I completely understand," she saw him open his mouth as if to object but she continued, "I know you said before that you felt it was your responsibility to look after my safety, but I don't want to be a reminder to you of what happened tonight. I've already caused you enough pain and hardship. So please consider any obligation to that effect nullified."
Her eyes blinked several times as the old image of Van impaled on his sword in the castle was replaced with a new image of her impaled on his sword.
I see. If I push him away like this, I'll take his place... She turned and wrapped her arms around herself and said in her most convincing voice, "Actually I think that's a good idea. I mean, staying with me is just a waste of your time, isn't it? You need to be out finding your people and rebuilding your country."
She quickly moved to the edge of the small clearing and stopped abruptly. I have to be strong, it's the only way. Don't fall apart now, come on. . Hitomi took a deep breath, "Please don't think I didn't mean what I said earlier. I do love you, Van...so much...but-" her hand clamped over her mouth, nearly overcome with emotion but she immediately composed herself, "I guess some things aren't meant to be... Goodbye, Van."
She took off running as fast as she could toward the pool. Her head was reeling and her legs shook so violently that she could barely keep them moving, but she pushed herself forward as fast as she could. She didn't dare to think of the future implications of her words. She only focused on one thing. I have to get to Escaflowne before he does. If he stops me I won't be able to pull this off. I'm so sorry, Van, but this is the only way I can save you.

_____________

Tuesday, March 18, 2003

He could barely hold himself in check. The sight of Escaflowne was burned into his mind. A hot flare of anger had exploded in his chest when Hitomi had moved to defend him. It had frozen him to the spot, his anger gone hard and black and molten. He sucked in a long slow breath through his teeth.
Calm down. You need to calm down. Balgus always said your temper would get you into trouble. GET CONTROL, DAMMIT!
Van let the breath out, trying simultaneously to let some of the tension out of his shoulders.
He suddenly realized where Hitomi was.
He hadn't noticed her move. Her back was to him. He couldn't see her face.
He tried to keep his voice calm.
"Would you mind telling me just what he was doing here just now?" Her shoulders hunched slightly
Calm, Van!
but then--
"And I heard what you said. But the fact still remains that--" he broke off, bitter images flashing in his mind's eye. Without his knowing it, his hand had clamped hard around the hilt of his sword, with no intention of drawing it. He flinched his hand clear of it and the hand balled into a tight fist.
"What were you--" Van stopped again, deliberately snapped his mouth closed. He closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them. He gathered himself with an iron fist and then raised his head, expression as impassive as he could make it.
"What are you going to do now?"
There was a breath of silence. Van's voice became quieter, but there was no less steel.

"What are we going to do now?"

_____________

Monday, March 17, 2003

He came to look for me? Maybe Escaflowne was right... Maybe he does still care...
Her relief immediately turned to anxiety as she looked at Van. His hand was slowly rising up to the hilt of his sword. Suddenly, an image of Van rushing toward Escaflowne with his sword held high flashed in her mind.
Her green eyes widened in horror,Oh God. He really wants to kill him! I have to stop him!
She quickly rose up and walked over to the youth, "Van...," she said in a soft, low voice, "Everything's o.k. Everything's fine, you don't have to worry..." The youth didn't look at her but continued to stare at the object of his anger. Hitomi moved a few steps until she was in Van's direct line of vision and tried again, "Van, it's all right." Van's eyes still didn't move.
Oh no! what do I do? He's not listening to me...
She heard Escaflowne's voice behind her, "I'll wait for the two of you near the pool. Excuse me."
Hitomi instinctively held onto Van's arms as Escaflowne passed and disappeared into the brush. The muscles in the youth's arms were tense and his jaw was set. She let go of his arms and stepped back, "He was explaining where my powers come from...," she began awkwardly trying to change the subject, but Van was as still as a statue.
He's so angry and hurt... And it's all my fault. What can I do? I can't do anything. I can't make up for this. I guess Escaflowne was wrong. He must be wrong. Even if he ever did feel anything for me, I'm sure he doesn't now. I wonder why he went looking for me in the first place. She walked over to a nearby tree and leaned against it with her back to him. She looked up at the sky, God, why can't today be yesterday? She sighed as the sight of the Mystic Moon became blurry.

_____________

Monday, March 17, 2003

Van didn't want to let Escaflowne go. His last words still burned in his ears, and the anger still pumping through his veinslonged for a violent release. He was utterly still, his eyes dark, was Escaflowne disappeared into the trees. Then he sheathed his sword in one concise movement, jaw still tight. He stepped out of the water.
Escaflowne's warning made him want to grit his teeth. He didn't know what he meant by the last part, but right now he didn't want to think about it.
He needed to cool down and think about...
Hitomi.
Van let out a long breath from between his teeth. I have to go to her. She'll be afraid... he knew that that wasn't the right word, but he had trouble even thinking about the events too closely. ...violated, humiliated, used...
I swore once that I would be there for her for as long as I drew breath. I will not betray that promise now because of my own stupid pride.
Van moved into the brush where she had disappeared. He remembered with a tinge of embarrassment the last instance in which he had blundered liek this. Eyes scanning a little from side to side, watching for any telltale white fabric, Van called out, "Hitomi?"
There wasn't an immediate answer. Van stepped forward, into a clearing he hadn't known was there. His eyes immediately fell on Hitomi--thank the gods, fully clothed--and then registered the guilty sort of surprise on her face.
"Wha--"
And then he saw.
"Escaflowne." His voice was low and sharp, but inside him his temper flared again, black and powerful.
He had nothing else to say. There was nothing he could force past his lips. Escaflowne said he could kill him without laying a hand on him? Well let him try!

_____________

Monday, March 17, 2003

Hitomi roughly pulled on her clothes with shaky hands.
I can't believe he did that to me! How could he do something so awful? I'm so humiliated!
She sat down on the grass, now fully clothed. She brought her knees up to her chin and hid her face, "God," she sobbed, "I want to die..."
A twig snapped.
Hitomi's head flew up. Her wide eyes turned cold, "Oh...it's you. Not done with making a fool out of me, are you? Care to do it some more? Well I'm sorry to inform you but I don't really feel like playing that game anymore."
Escaflowne didn't respond.
His silence angered her exponentially, "What's the matter with you?! I thought you cared! I thought-!"
"You thought I'd be a slave to whatever you desired," he interjected.
"That's not true! Don't put words in my mouth!"
"I'm not doing that at all," he replied calmly.
She looked at him for a moment, trying to think of how to respond, "But.. Dornkirk... He told me..." her voice faltered.
"I know what he told you. I listened to the entire conversation while en route to the Vione," a mild annoyance entered his voice, "You see, this is what happens when ancient oral history, which is changing all the time by the way, is recorded in a book and then the book is considered sacrosanct. I'll have you know that the oral version of my origin wasn't created until twenty years after the fourth king of Fanelia was crowned. It was merely a publicity stunt to boost his popularity with his subjects. He felt the people had "lost their identity". Of course it had absolutely nothing to do with the fact he was an incompetent fool!" he crossed his arms and rolled his eyes. After a moment he sighed and continued, "I'm sure you can guess how accurate the account when it was told by an idiot who never saw the battle, nor knew any of the players. I'm sorry, Hitomi, but Dornkirk was misinformed about a few things."
"I see," her voice was barely audible.
"Well," Escaflowne moved closer and took a seat next to her," Not entirely misinformed. There is a bond between you and I. And I could say I am your slave... at least in one way... But the relationship is similar to one that exists throughout the whole universe: a reaction for every action. Your thoughts and actions affect me, as mine do you. And this time that is especially true. When Yuri died, she took that piece of my drag energist with her to the next life. She told me she would do that in order to keep it safe. And it is safe. It's in place where no one would ever think to look."
"Where is it?"
Escaflowne took her hand and placed it over her abdomen.
Hitomi looked at him with abject surprise, "It's inside me?!"
That's why you feel that buzzing sensation. You feel me drawing power from it. Because it's inside you, you sense my thoughts and actions more acutely and your reaction is stronger," he looked away, "I'm sorry about what happened earlier. It's just that... I hadn't seen you in so long and... I missed you. I lost myself and my feelings overwhelmed you," he turned back and looked steadfastly into her eyes, "I swear to you that will not happen again. You have my word."
Hitomi watched him stand up, "But then why did you act the way you did before? Why did you say those things to Van?" Her eyes widened as the realization came to her, "You did that so Van wouldn't be angry with me."
"That was one reason," he answered softly.
"I'm not sure if it will make any difference. I'm sure he'll hate me regardless."
Hitomi, he can't hate you. He loves you far too much."
She looked at him curiously, "How do you know?"
Escaflowne looked up at the Mystic Moon and smiled, "Nevermind how I know... I just do."

_____________

Sunday, March 16, 2003

Escaflowne gazed steadily into the boy's eyes fully satisfied with his reaction. After a short silence had elapsed, he gently pushed Hitomi away. She immediately made a dash for the bank, clumsily fighting the water as she ran. Despite Escaflowne's neutral expression, a strong stab of remorse cut through him as he watched her run into the brush.
I'm sorry, Hitomi, but I had to do it.
He advanced towards the youth, never taking his eyes off him. Van in turn, kept his blade pointed at the ex-guymelef, watching his every move. Escaflowne stopped, his expression changing to one of somber approval," I feel the hatred inside you. How much you want to kill me. That's good. You'll need that kind of anger and determination to bring down the Zaibach Empire."
Escaflowne turned his back to the youth and ascended to the bank. The familiar red cape, now much smaller, appeared out of thin air and draped his shoulders. Once on land, he turned to face the youth. White, loose-flowing garments formed his pants. Two wide strips of the same fabric moved up his bare chest from the pants and joined with the cape.
"But allow me to remind you of something. You remember what I did to those soldiers on the Vione," a small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth, "I don't need a sword to kill you, Your Majesty. And soon...you won't need one either." He then turned and disappeared into the trees.

_____________

Sunday, March 16, 2003

Folekn stepped out of the guymelef and leaped silently to the ground. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her sway and then topple to the ground. He was by her side in a moment. He knelt and touched cool fingers to her face and throat. She will be fine. The ride over was too much for her. Folken gently gathered her into his arms and moved past the Zaibach soldiers hastening to his side.
"Lord Folken..."
"In a moment," Folken said.
"But Lord Folken--"
"I will call you when you are needed," Folken said, smoothly cutting him off. His maroon gaze halted any other efforts the soldier might have tried.
Folken opened the door to his private quarters and stepped inside. The door closed and plunged the room into darkness. He moved quietly, not needing the light. He laid Yukari down on the bed and covered her. He lit a small blue flame so that if she waked, she would not be frightened. Then he stepped back, a slight shadow crossing his face. For a moment she had looked somehow like Van.
He had not forgotten the look in his brother's eyes.
Folken was still for a moment. Then he silently turned and went out.
There was still much to be done.

_____________

Sunday, March 16, 2003

Yukari just stood there. She can feel the wind brushing against her giving her Goosebumps I.....I don't feel so well... Yukari shook and tried to walk ahead. Suddenly her vision became distorted and her last step made her fall to the ground while fainting. Her body felt limp and silence filled her head as she crawled into a deep slumber as she became cataleptic.

_____________

Saturday, March 15, 2003

At her first sound of pain Van's eyes went as hard and black as twin blades. He didn't take his eyes off Escaflowne for an instant, but he knew a moment of anger so great he could hardly breathe.
His jaw tightened and tightened as Escaflowne continued to speak. Trying to bait me...trying...trying and succeeding--but he won't win. I will not kill him unarmed in cold blood!I will not!
Escaflowne looked down at Hitomi's nakedness, his sick sneer on his face, and Van wanted to kill him. To cut out his eyes so that he cold never everlook at her that way again.Calm. Think. Now. A hard coldness settled over him. He did not allow himself to focus on Hitomi. He saw only Escaflowne. He held himself completely still, muscles coiled and thrumming with his rage. The tip of his sword did not waver. Its silver edge continued to point at Escaflowne's smug face.

"Not a chance," Van said, his voice almost a clear, controlled hiss. His gaze unwavering, he stepped down into the pool and approached them. He stopped when his sword blade was four feet from them.
Escaflowne's pale eyes were watching him, patronizing, mocking. Icy anger rose up in him. The voice that came out of him then was one that he hadn't known he possessed.
"Let go of her. Now. I will not wait. Let her go if you value your life."

_____________

Thursday, March 6, 2003

Oh God! How can this be happening? How?! Hitomi never felt so humiliated. She looked up at the sky begging for something to fall down and strike her dead. She wanted to die, to disappear.
I knew this would happen. I knew I wouldn't be able to fight Escaflowne's influence. Now I really have lost everything. Van hates me now, I'm sure he must. There's no way he'll forgive me. Not for this... Never. He probably thinks I'm some kind of two-faced- , tears fell silently from her eyes, I told him I loved him! And now this happens? He'll never believe anything I say after this. God, I want to die... I do love him...so much.. and he'll never love me back. She turned her face away from the bank, unable to look at Van. I'm sure he will leave. Not because he's intimidated but because he doesn't care. He won't defend me. Why should he? Why should he defend someone like me? He despises me. And I despise myself.

_____________

Wednesday, March 5, 2003

Millerna's gaze lingered on the door blocking her future. Sighing, she shut her violet eyes, desperately searching the caverns of her mind for anything. Anything at all.
"I'm sorry," Millerna finally spoke, "I can't seem to think of anything". She winced slightly as she saw all the men grimace slightly, their hands preparing to reach the hilts of their swords.
"I really can't remember," she whispered to Gaddess, and she leaned against the damp stone wall of the prison wall.
"Maybe if I..." she began, when suddenly the wall behind her pushed inwards, then swung to reveal a twisting stair case. A smile curled on her pink lips.
"I guess luck is with us," she laughed, for the first time in a while, and gingerly stepping through the thresh hold she began to mount the steps as the men followed.

_____________

Tuesday, March 4, 2003

Escaflowne bit down on the urge to laugh. Funny, I was expecting 'GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF HER, YOU-'insert colorful experlative. I didn't expect him to be so frank with me. He sighed inwardly, I daresay I'm almost disappointed.
Escaflowne shot a glance at Hitomi. Her eyelids were heavy. She was still under the influence of his gentle ministrations. I never expected my energist to have such an effect on her. If I stop, she'll come out of it. I have to make a decision. I can't allow her to take any blame for this, it could ruin things for her and the boy. Hitomi slowly opened her eyes. She looked up and over to the bank. Her eyes widened in horror, "Va-!"
Escaflowne clamped his hand over her mouth. He pulled her up and pushed her in front of him, savagely tucking Hitomi's arm behind her back. She cried out in pain but the cry was stifled by his hand.
Villain it is...
Escaflowne turned to the boy and put on his best sneer, "You're right....Van. I was only interested in one of us going to sleep actually. You see, I'm so very tired of walking around in that dreadful metallic husk. I wanted my old body back. My real body. And this pretty little thing," he motioned to Hitomi, "Has the power to do that for me. So after the two of you went to sleep, I called her to me. And I was my old self again. Then I saw her falling back into the water, just like the last time, but this time I was there to catch her. When I held her in my arms I felt how soft she was and I thought...well.. What the hell?" he laughed coldly, "But then of course you had to ruin my fun. In another minute she would have been screaming my name at the top of her lungs. And what pretty lungs they are," he gazed down at her exposed torso. Hitomi struggled trying desperately to break free. Escaflowne only smiled and continued in his most condescending tone, "But of course you wouldn't know a woman like that, would you? Hmm? Now be a good boy and run along. I fully intend to finish what I started here."
Come on, Majesty. Assert yourself. Don't let me walk all over you. This will be the test. If he walks away, then there's no way he's strong enough to face the enemy that awaits nor is his love for Hitomi genuine enough to survive. Let's see how strong he truly is.

_____________

Monday, March 3, 2003

Van woke. He wasn't sure just what had made him open his eyes, but there was definitely...something. An odd laconic sense of apprehension settled over him. It wasn't dread...but...
The silence...?
Van shot to his feet like a rocket. He whirled, scanning the clearing, eyes wide. Hitomi...Escaflowne...gone. Both gone. For a moment of black conviction he was sure that they had left him here in the forest while they went to Freid to retrieve the sword.
No. Never happen. It just wouldn't make sense--unless she had another vision.
Van went to his knees, hand tracing the imprints left in the ground by them both. Hitomi had walked, Escaflowne had--
Just like last time.
The pool.
A lance of ice went through him at the thought.
Hitomi! I'm com--
A sound. Van froze, eyes narrow. That must have been what had wakened him. It came again, longer. Unmistakable.
In the darkness the blood drained from Van's face. He was off like a shot, plunging through the black forest, not feeling the branches that whipped his face.
His mind was white.
He exploded into the clearing, seeing the pool, the starlight the--
Escaflowne and Hitomi.
Van ceased to breathe.
She was naked, glistening, head back, eyes closed, mouth open, another sound issuing from her mouth.
And holding her...Escaflowne. There was no other explanation. Van's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, eyes fixed on the scene before him.
Hitomi... Van suddenly realized that his jaw was clenched so hard it felt like it was going to break off. He finally expelled a long, slow breath through his teeth. His dark eyes blackened.
He strode to the side of the pool.
"Escaflowne." His voice cracked across the clearing like a shot. He saw the pale white head turn in his direction. Van's sword was drawn, tip pointed unwaveringly in Escaflowne's direction. Looking dead into his eyes, Van said levelly, "I thought it was you who wanted us to get a good sleep tonight."

_____________

Sunday, March 2, 2003

Escaflowne was mildly surprised at his brazenness, he hadn't intended for things to go as far as they had.
I need to pull back before things get really out of control... He paused. But it's been ten thousand years since I've touched her! I've missed her so I-! No, no, I need to stop He shook himself mentally. Now isn't the time for this... But... He smiled down at her, her eyes were tightly closed, every muscle in her body was taught and a tense expression played on her features, I might as well finish what I started....

Oh God, what is he doing to me? The sensation caused her to bite down hard on her lower lip, a deep blush formed in her cheeks. It felt as though her body was being assaulted with tiny electric shocks. I don't understand... It... It hurts..... But it feels good. The sensation shifted slightly. Hitomi gasped and her eyes flew open. Her hands tightly clutched Escaflowne's shoulders for support. I feel it even more now...Oh God.. I... I can't take it anymore. It's too much.. I! I!
A loud scream shattered the calm of the night. She fell against him, her body shaking violently. She thought she heard him laugh softly as he wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face in his shoulder, her breath still heavy. Slowly her thoughts began to come together once more and one thought was at the forefront of her mind.
How does he know me? How?

_____________

Thursday, February 27, 2003

I had forgotten how sweet she tasted; how soft she felt...
Escaflowne pressed her tightly to him as he deepened the kiss. She offered no resistance only encouragement as she slid her hands up his arms and wrapped them around his neck.
This kiss, she thought as an image of Van flashed in her mind, it feels just like the kiss Van gave me last night..but..
Hitomi broke the kiss and said breathlessly, "It was you..."
Escaflowne didn't answer, but kissed her again. He then pulled back and whispered, his hot breath brushing her lips, "Yes, it was me."
But how? How could I have seen Van? Her head was gently nudged backward, exposing her neck. If that was Escaflowne....where was...Van?
Escaflowne's lips traced their way down Hitomi's throat, slowly taking her soft flesh gently into his mouth. Hitomi smiled as her mind clouded and a drunken haze settled in, I like that... It tickles though... It feels like he's sucking on me... It's weird, but I like it. Hmm if the girls could.... Girls? What girls? Who am I thinking about? And what was I thinking about just before he started kissing my neck? She tried to concentrate on her previous train of thought, but got nowhere. Oh whatever... I guess it isn't important. Not as important as feeling good. And this feels REALLY good. She felt his arm encircle her waist and lift her slightly out of the pool. She didn't notice the slender fingers of his other hand, sink beneath the rippling waters.
Hmmmmm, she thought lazily, I wonder what's going to happen next......
Ooooooooooh my GOOOOOOOOOD........

_____________

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

Arise, my love...
Hitomi opened her eyes and disengaged herself from Van's embrace. Her mind was void except for one thought: Escaflowne. She chose a different direction out of the clearing and walked into the trees. A short while later, the trees gave way to a pool, much like the last one she encountered. She crossed to the edge of the pool and gazed at Escaflowne, who was sitting on the other side. Hitomi undressed slowly and ventured into the water. She held out her hands to the metal beast and began to sing.

Dies irae, dies illa
Solvet saeclum in favilla.

Quantus tremor est futurus,
Quando judex est venturus,
Cuncta stricte discussurus!

Tuba mirum spargens sonum
Per sepulcra regionum,
Coget omnes ante thronum.

Mors stupebit et natura,
Cum resurget creatura,
Judicanti responsura.

A white light grew and enveloped Escaflowne. The pleasant sensation, old and familiar surrounding him. He smiled his last disembodied smile.

Liber scriptus proferetur,
In quo totum continetur,
Unde mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit,
Quidquid latet apparebit.
Nil inultum remanebit.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?
Quem patronum rogaturus,
Cum vix justus sit securus?

Rex tremendae majestatus
qui salvandos salvas gratis
sale me, fons pietatis.

Confutatis maledictis
Flammis acribus addictis,
Voca me cum benedictus.
Oro supplex et acclinis,
Cor contritum quasi cinis,
Gere curam mei finis.

Hitomi felt her strength giving way. She swayed backward toward the water below. A pair of hands reached out from the light in front of her, catching her before she fell. A new, much more human looking being emerged from the light as it diminished. Hitomi blinked her eyes several times as the influence over her mind faded. She looked up into the man�s face. His skin was chalk white and seemed almost translucent in the moonlight. His hair, which was as white as his skin, hung in his eyes. He pulled her up and pressed her gently to his bare chest. She could feel the warmth radiating from him. It was more intense than anything she had felt before. But it didn�t make her feel content. It made her feel heady and drunk. An intoxicated smile spread across her features as he wrapped his arms around her.
�Hitomi..?� his voice was soft and low.
I�m in trouble ,she thought.
He pushed her back. His magenta eyes gazed into hers. His handsome face smiled as he bent toward her. His lips covered hers.
I�m in big trouble!

[OOC: Ohohohoho! >:)]

_____________

Tuesday, February 25, 2003

The white dragon turned his head to the sleeping couple. Thank the Gods! I thought they would never go to sleep. Now it's time for me to get to work!
Escaflowne vanished into thin air...

Hitomi floated contentedly through her sleep. Surrounded by darkness, she was lost in her thoughts.
Hitomi...
She raised her head and looked around, "Who's there?"
Come to me...
"Escaflowne? Oh-!" She felt a buzzing sensation beginning to grow in her abdomen, "What..What's happening...to...me?" The sensation worked its way through her body. Her limbs froze and her minded clouded.
Something's taking control of my body and my mind,she thought.
Come to me, my love. Free me from my prison...
Hitomi gazed into the darkness with dilated pupils, "Yes, I shall..."

"NO! NO DAMMIT!" Dornkirk shouted. His anger was so profound it caused a tight sensation to form in his chest. "I have to stop him! I have to!" He grabbed the pendant and held it before him, focusing all his will. He opened his eyes, and to his dismay, nothing happened. A soft laughter began to fill Dornkirk's observatory. It grew louder and louder until it filled the room with a cacophony of sound.
"Try harder you stupid, old fool! Come on now, put your back into it!" the voice shouted mockingly.
"I will stop you, Escaflowne!" Dornkirk countered.
"Your bravado, although amusing, is useless now. You have as much chance of stopping me as a twig does a tidal wave. I'm much too powerful now...Dornkirk... That's your name, isn't it? Hmmm, funny, you look familiar too. Well, no matter, you shall meet your end just as Derek did all those centuries ago."
"But I have the shard, Escaflowne! This is your heart!" He shook the pendant in his hand.
Escaflowne uttered another sinister laugh, "I'm afraid it isn't, Lord Dornkirk. I'd hope you'd credit me with more intelligence than that. It would be foolish to place something so valuable to me in plain sight where any idiot could get his hands on it. I enchanted that shard with some of my powers in order to fool anyone who came across it into thinking it was my heart. But, alas, it is merely an ordinary drag energist. I originally thought that anyone would see through what I did, however, I never imagined there would be people as gullible as Leon Schezar and you. You had that man killed for a worthless piece of junk that you ended up losing anyway! Truly pathetic! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some business with my lovely mistress. I know how much you like to peek in on us, but I regret to inform you that it will not be possible this time. I must protect my mistress' modesty and I can't let you see anything that could be possibly.... indecent. Good day, Lord Dornkirk."
"Escaflowne!"
"Bye now."
Dornkirk moved to his telescope just in time to see the image of Hitomi and Van blur and vanish.

[OOC: I'll get to the resurrection tomorrow, I didn't want the entry to go for too long :p]

_____________

Monday, February 24, 2003

Van only looked at her, thinking, No. You either keep up with time or your drown in it. There's no other way. Not even in sleep can you escape it.
But when he looked down at her again his eyes were troubled. He watched as she lay down and curled up slightly. He saw her eyes drift closed. Unconsciously his hand settled over the hilt of his sword.
The silence stretched on. His brown eyes took in the silent scene, but he couldn't place the odd sense that passed over him. Van shifted, slightly uneasily. "Go to sleep," he said softly. Before she could respond, he turned and passed out of the clearing. He turned, finding a new space without much undergrowth. She was still and motionless next to the great ghostly form of Escaflowne. Settling into his fighting stance, Van breathed slowly and deeply. He drew his sword and held it vertical before his face, eyes half closed. In the semi dark, he began. Strike, block, thrust. Just as Allen had taught him. The faint hiss of the sword blade through the air was like an old friend. Van thrust forward hard, every movement sure.
Flesh quivering along the length of his blade.
That soldier I killed. I did it just like this. Was that fate, then, for him to die?
He stopped. A shadow crossed his face.
He sliced the air. He imagined other soldiers, faceless, falling before it. He slowed.
A sudden image of Hitomi rose up in his mind's eye. He felt the determination crawl up his back, the same way it did when he was protecting her.I would do it again. If it meant saving her life.
The blade hissed through the air again.
But what if that's what Fate wants me to think? ...will that be my downfall?...protecting her like that? Van stopped dead. He felt his heart beating with the exertion. He wiped a hand across his face. He turned. She was still sleeping peacefully, by Escaflowne's side. He was close enough to see the rise and fall of her breath. In one motion he turned away and slashed a clean diagonal strike through the air. If that is how it must be. On my honour, I swore that I would protect her. And I will not stop.
Van slowly sheathed his sword, his eyes distant.
He stood over her, watching her sleep. He was utterly still. But how can we change the course of time?
Her face was usually serene and beautiful while she slept. On this night, it seemed that a shadow lay over her.
That will not be your fate, Van thought with sudden vehemence. Do you hear me, Fate? That will not be her fate. You may have put this burden on her shoulders, but it is that very power which will harness you. And I may only have my life and the power in my hands to fight you, but I will do it.
Until my last breath.
Van got down in his knees next to her. Her arms were crossed over her chest, warding off the night chill. Her back was to him. Van hesitated. Then he lay down next to her on his side, as close as he dared. Slowly he settled an arm over her. He held his breath for a moment. She didn't move. He relaxed, shifted slightly, and was pressed gently against her. He could feel the steady rise and fall of her breath, and the warmth emanating from her back. He tightened his arm around her slightly, and then he was content. Van let his eyes close and drifted slowly into sleep.
In the dark, the faint uneasiness in him vanished like smoke before the wind.

_____________

Sunday, February 23, 2003

Hitomi let out a shallow breath, "Yes, Van, I hear you." She covered his hand with her own," I want to believe that things can be different. That we can change the future. That's why I asked you not to kill anyone anymore. The anger and impassivity that you feel could overwhelm you and you mustn�t let it!" She rose up on her toes and kissed him softly and the lovely feeling of peacefulness came back to her. She broke the kiss and whispered, "Let's get some sleep. It's been a long day..." She took the youth's hand and led him out of the trees closer to Escaflowne. She stopped near one of the dragon�s hind legs and let go of Van's hand. As she knelt down on the ground she murmured, "When you're asleep, you don't have to think about anything. You don't have to worry. The world goes on without you and leaves you frozen in time..."
When I sleep I don't feel any pain. Sometimes I wish I could sleep forever...

_____________

Sunday, February 23, 2003

Van stilled at her sudden embrace. He felt her cry into his shirt. He drew in a sharp, slow breath, his eyes clenching tight. He breathed out, eyes coming open, some of the tension leaking from the knotted muscles in his back. One hand reached up and touched the arms that encircled his waist. He could feel her tears soaking his shirt.
Hitomi...
He turned and suddenly had her in his arms, holding her hard to him, teeth clenched, wanting a reassurance that he knew she could not give. A shuddering breath came out of him.
"Hitomi..." the words lodged in his throat. His head shook back and forth, "This isn't what should happen. And I'll be damned if I--" his words suddenly choked off. What he had meant to say flashed numbly in his head. If I let you die before I do...? No. In her vision she is the one who sees me dead. And that means...that I will die before she does. And...then I can't...
"No." The word came out of him hoarsely. "That is not how it's going to be. Do you hear me, Hitomi?" He pulled back from her and took her face in his hands, forcing her to look at him. His voice dropped and became quiet, but each word thrummed with resolution.
"That is not how it's going to be."

_____________

Sunday, February 23, 2003

Her hands instinctively flew to the sides of her face at the youth's sudden fit of anger. She had feared that this new information would upset him all the more and it looked like that fear had been actualized. Hitomi began to cry softly. She couldn't hold her tears back any longer. A sudden urge to hold Van swept over her and she ran over to him. Embracing him from behind, she buried her face in his back and cried, "I'm so sorry, Van."
God, why do things have to be this way? Why?

_____________

Saturday, February 22, 2003

Van passed a hand over his face. His eyes shifted slightly away from her and fell. He didn't want to see the fear he had put into her emerald eyes. He suddenly felt like he'd been slugged in the gut.
Van thought dully, Why?
Slowly he turned away, put his back to her. One hand came up and pressed to his face, fingers stiff and clawed like those of an old man.
"Then what's the point?" he whispered to himself, to her, to Fate. His face suddenly twisted.
"What the fucking hell is the point of it all?!" he bellowed. He slammed his fist into the nearest tree, the blow shuddering all the way up to his shoulder. For a second he knew a moment of the blackest rage he had ever felt. The kind of anger that could seize him and bend him to its will. Van hissed a breath in through his teeth. He bent his head, the sudden rage leaving him as quickly as it had come. And in its wake it left only ashes.
Van's jaw clenched. He stepped back from the tree but didn't turn around.
No.
"Hitomi...I..."

_____________

Saturday, February 22, 2003

The harshness of his tone made her jump slightly. She could tell from his expression that he had a very good idea of what she was talking about, though she was surprised at his reaction. She expected him to be angry, but not necessarily with her. As far as she was concerned she had two options: she could either make an attempt to cover-up what she was talking about and try and lie her way out of it, or she could plow ahead and tell him everything.
If I try and back peddle, he might not let it go, but if I tell him everything he may get even more angry. She considered her options for a bit longer and then sighed and cast her eyes downward, "When I was in the stables waiting for you and Millerna I started to brush that tan horse. As I was brushing him I began to see things.
I'm riding a horse very much like him. The horse is out of control and I can't stop it no matter how hard I pull on the reigns or how much I plead with the horse to stop. As we pass the trees, the branches scratch and cut my face," Hitomi raised her eyes and looked calmly into Van's hardened gaze, "Then suddenly we break through the trees and there's...nothing. The forest gives way to a steep cliff. The horse makes a desperate attempt to stop by rearing up on its hind legs. I'm thrown off and fall backward as the horse plunges over the cliff into the ravine below. I can hear it screaming as I fly through the air. As I fall, I can see the earth and the moon pass into view...and I think about you. And then I hit the ground. I feel a pop in the back of my neck, almost like..." she looked around and found a small branch and crushed it under her foot. The branched snapped loudly and split in two, "like that," she concluded. "It will be instantaneous, I'll feel no pain. I'm sorry, I didn't want to tell you, you have enough to think about. But I thought if you knew I was going to die too...maybe somehow you might feel better... I realize now that I was wrong. I don't know when it will happen. It maybe tomorrow or it maybe years from now. But it will happen here, which means I'm not going back to my world. This is now home for me, until I get on that horse..." She wrapped her arms around herself, "There was one good thing that came out of that vision. I realized how important you were to me. I realized how much I love you..."

_____________

Friday, February 21, 2003

All of the sadness and empathy in the air suddenly stopped. Van stared at her for a a moment, his brown eyes passing from impassive to very hard. He had heard her, heard every word. He didn't move. His eyes were fixed to her face.
Her eyes were large.
Van opened his mouth to say something, found that he could not. He took a shallow, deliberate breath.
His voice came out low and quiet and the edge in it was unmistakable. His eyes never left her face.
"What?"

_____________

Tuesday, February 18, 2003

Hitomi felt as though a great weight had been lifted from her. He listened to me... Now there's a chance that things will be different...
"I'm so glad," she sighed deeply into his tunic, "Now maybe we can change things..."
She pulled back and looked into his eyes expecting to see his reassurance. But their expression made her heart sink. They were distant and resigned. He doesn't believe there's a way to change things. He truly believes he's going to die in the way I described. His hope is gone...
She walked a few steps away from him and focused her gaze on Escaflowne, "I'm so sorry, Van. I wish I could have happy visions. I wish I could give you good news," she began to feel tears brim her eyes, threatening to spill onto her cheeks, "I want to tell you that you'll have a long and successful reign over Fanelia with Merle at your side. I want to tell you that Allen and Millerna will be happy. I want to tell you that Gaea will be alright. I want to tell you that you'll find a way to send me ho-" She stopped short as her voice broke overcome with emotion. Her hand flew to her mouth and she held herself in an effort to gain her composure. After a few moments she took a deep breath and started again, "-you'll find a way to send me home. But I can't. I can't tell you any of that. I wish I could..."
She suddenly felt an odd impulse overtake her, "Hey, it's not so bad. I mean, you're not the only one who's gotten some bad news. You're not the only one who's going to-" She froze utterly stunned. God! What am I saying? I can't tell him that. I can't tell him about me! What am I crazy? That's not fair to him at all. Maybe he doesn't understand. Maybe he thinks I'm talking about someone else. Oh please, God, let him think it was someone else.... She slowly turned back to face him.

_____________

Tuesday, February 18, 2003

He had expected his mind to go numb with all the information. He had expected his thoughts to grind to a halt. He had expected something dark and prophetic--but he had not expected this.
He stared at her, expression fixed on his face. The brief spark that had lit in his mind when she recounted the first vision was overwhelmed by the darkness of the second.
Soldiers. War. Death.
He had expected his own incomprehension and denial at her dread-filled words. But instead his mind took the concept and observed it as objectively as if it were a notched sword blade.
My death.
It was so simple. He had brushed wings with it on several occasions, in the heat and fire and frenzy of battle. But never had it been impressed upon him with this sort of...frankness. And now it was laid out for him to see.
Chained to a wall. Slain by my own blade. An example...But to who? For what?... His thoughts came slowly and impassively. Does it matter. All of her other visions came to pass. And it seems that there has already been a legacy of lives lived like this.
Van continued to look at Hitomi, but he wasn't really seeing her. His face still hadn't changed.
So my fate is not in my hands after all.
He was surprised at the bitterness in the thought, but ignored it. Hitomi's green eyes were wide and filled with a deep seated dread. She was pleading with him, telling him not to kill anyone lest he follow in Dai's footsteps. Her eyes were more beautiful than any precious gem. He did not want to make her cry.
The thought left him with a faint hollow feeling in his chest.
Hitomi...
When she put her head to his chest, he instinctively put his arms around her. It came so naturally now.
At her murmured words into his chest, Van held her very close, his brown eyes open and staring off into the foliage. He bent his cheek to her hair and said quietly, "I will do whatever must be done. If I'm not supposed to kill anymore, then I won't." His voice fell and became husky.
"Don't worry. I'll always be here."

...Liar.

_____________

Monday, February 17, 2003

She leaned back against a tree and began, "I didn't want to tell you this before because I didn't want to make you worry about nothing. But one of my visions has come to pass and I have no reason to doubt that the others won't either. When I was at Eries-san's estate I had a few dreams. One involved me falling and then being caught by a person with wings," she looked up at him, "which turned out to be you. In the other dream, I was in a forest and I heard someone crying. When I found the person, she was all dressed in white and leaning over a tree stump. I knelt down next to her and asked her what was wrong and when she looked up I saw that she was me. She looked just like me, except she was older. When she spoke it was all in metaphor, very vague," she thought back to the woman's words, "She said that she cried for the sorrow of yesterday and the joy of tomorrow. Then she pulled a ring from her sleeve. It had green and pink stones on it..." she looked over at the dragon in sudden realization, "like Escaflowne. She told me to remember that love is more powerful than life or death. That it transcends time. It's everlasting and eternal."
I looked down at the ring, but when I looked up she was gone. I continued on and found myself in a field. There had been some awful battle and there were bodies everywhere. Some of the men who were still alive grabbed at my ankles and begged me for help. I told them I'd help and I ran to a castle that was nearby. And when I got inside..." Hitomi took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around herself as she recalled the horrible image, "I saw you.. You were chained to a wall and...and your sword was stabbed through your chest. I ran over to you and started to cry and then, even though you were dead, you looked up at me and said, 'Hope is power. A wish can change the future.' Then I woke up. You see that's why I ended up falling asleep on you that night, because I was afraid of what I had seen. I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want to make you worry, so I made up that stupid story about my bandages.
I've had several dreams about the woman. In the last few I've been seeing events through her eyes. Her name was Yuri. She came to Gaea from Earth over ten thousand years ago. When she got here a soldier named Dai, who looked almost exactly like you, found her. Dai was a general in command of a rebel army who was fighting against an oppressive empire. Escaflowne was a present to him from the emperor for his service before he left his country and became a rebel. We had many conversations. But one of them seemed very important. Dai said he left the empire because he was tired of the tactics that they used in battle. He said that he tried to speak up against it, but he was ignored and told to fight on. He eventually turned into himself and became cold and impassive," Hitomi walked back over to the youth and put her hands on his shoulders, "When you killed that guard in the forest, those words and the sight of you dead in the castle flashed in my mind. I think that they are related somehow. That's why I don't want you to kill anyone anymore. If you do, you might bring about that end. And if what you said in my dream was true, then maybe there's a chance. Maybe we can change things," she laid her head against his chest. "Please, Van. Help me. Help me to change the future."

_____________

Monday, February 17, 2003

He felt his own cheeks flush in response to her blush. Wonder what she's thinking...maybe she's still a little nervous too. Although he knew that shouldn't make him feel better, it did anyway. He smiled a little lopsidedly as he watched her face pass through several shades of red. He was wondering what he should say. There was this nice warm feeling in his chest at her words, but just as he was about to say something her face stilled and became serious.
When she looked at him again she looked almost...grave.
Van instinctively felt the urge to put the heel of his hand on his sword hilt. She knows...something. And it doesn't look pleasant. Has something happened to Merle? Allen? Millerna? By all the Gods I hope not.
He was immediately attentive. Her next words brought a cold wash of dread up his back. Something is going to happen...but not to Hitomi. Don't tell me something like that. I don't want to hear it...it would mean...that there is nothing I could do to stop it...and--
Van drew a steady breath and looked her squarely in the eyes.
"What is it?"

_____________

Monday, February 17, 2003

"Whatever happens, I'll be by your side"

Hitomi's smile broadened as those words successfully quelled her uneasy feelings. And to think that when I saw my grandmother I didn't want to go back because I didn't think he wanted me. I was so stupid. The thought made her stomach lurch. How could I have wanted to leave him? Van, I�ll never leave you either. Ever.
Her expression turned to one of curiosity as she heard him murmur those strange words and watched him bow his head. As his gazed met hers she smiled warmly and said, "How pretty. I have so many questions about your people, but I don't know how to ask them. Maybe from being with you, I can learn more. I...I do want to learn more about you...� Her cheeks turned red once more, Argh, why am I so embarrassed when I talk about this? Her thoughts drifted back to the night before when she first saw his wings. How they seemed to glow in the moonlight and were such a stark contrast to his darker skin. How his hair hung in his face. How warm his skin felt.. How soft his kiss was.....
The redness in her cheeks deepened, but she shook it off, Come on, Stupid, this is no time to start lusting after him. But.... I guess in the future if things ever got more serious... Maybe I can ask him to leave his wings out before we-
Hitomi didn't let herself finish the thought. She looked back to Escaflowne, her mood becoming more serious and business-like. They were close enough to Freid and she may not get the opportunity to speak with Van alone for some time. I have to tell him why I want him to stop killing. Maybe then he'll listen to me...
She looked at him and took a deep breath, "Van.. There's something I have to tell you. I think it's time you knew..."

_____________

Saturday, February 15, 2003

OOC: Sorry�I�m backpedaling, but hey, I�ll bring us all up to date in the end!

A small smile curved Van's lips at her words, though his eyes were still slightly distant. He looked at her over his shoulder, really despising how good he felt at her descriptions of the wings. She wasn't looking at him. Van grimaced slightly. Probably waited too long to respond. Idiot, Fanel, idiot. But he didn't sense much ill will, and she was still holding his waist. Her arms were very nice and warm.
Van smiled to the wind, where she couldn't see. Well, it hasn't been the worst day...there was a near death experience and some embarrassment, but it could have been worse. His revived pleasant mood darkened a little at that. Yes. It could have been much, much worse. She could have died, right there, beneath my hands. He remembered the sick paleness of her face, how waxy and lifeless it had looked. She did die. The thought made him cold. She said that she saw someone...her grandmother? The remembrance was tinged with an odd sense of dread. It sounded fatalistic, he recalled. Something about the short time they would be together�
Have no regrets�
No regrets? Van�s thoughts were uneasy. This might not end well�for either of us. On such a bleak note his silence stretched on, much longer than he had intended. When Escaflowne began the descent, Van felt first a slight fear�Had the energist given out?�and then a rush of irritation. The melef was just taking them down wherever he felt like it. Van was within an inch of giving Escaflowne a piece of his mind when the melef justified himself. Van felt a bit abashed. He made a mental note to avoid blurting out his irritations like an idiot. But that thought didn�t quite quell the rush of anger.
He felt Hitomi get off. He mentally grimaced. He wanted to go after her, but he pulled himself up short as he saw her stop and then lean against a tree.
What is she thinking? What is she seeing?�Hopefully not thinking about how I blew her off�eerrr� Van stilled for a moment. He looked at her, standing alone by the tree, and squared his shoulders. I need to be her strength now. He jumped off of Escaflowne. I will be here for her when she needs me. Whatever the cost.

No regrets.

Van came up and stood beside her. For a moment he saw a troubled look pass over her face and then it cleared. A corner of his mouth lifted slightly. She returned his smile. Van turned and looked into the forest, his gaze looking beyond the vegetation to Freid.
�Whatever happens, I�ll be by your side,� he said quietly. For a fleeting moment he wondered if he was starting to sound like Allen. He ignored that thought, but it didn�t banish the dread at the base of his spine. Against his will, part of an old Draconian saying rose to the forefront of his mind: �though flights of anger and whimsy may take me far, you are forever my homecoming. �And may the call of the bloodless kin guide you to safe ground,� Van said softly, the last part slipping out of him just like in the old days. Though his cheeks heated up slightly in embarrassment, Van bowed his head and let the silence go on for a moment, as was the ritual. For the first time in many a year, it had felt right. Add it had been the first time he had recalled anything of his family without the remembrance of flame.
He slowly lifted his eyes to Hitomi.

_____________

Thursday, February 13, 2003

Hitomi slipped off the dragon's back and hopped down. She strolled over to a nearby tree and leaned against it, looking off into the forest. Freid.. We're almost there. She wondered what it would be like. Would it be easy to find the sword? Would anyone be after them? She was hoping that Escaflowne would give them more information once they got inside. Escaflowne... Another thought that had been nagging at her brain. What did he look like? Was he human? Did he look more like a beast? Will things change between us? I know he loves me... But... Will he pursue me once he's in his true form? I don't think Van would like that at all. And what about me? She thought back to the times when Escaflowne had held her in his ethereal arms. She thought about how she felt. She clasped her hands together as she felt her cheeks flush, His embraces felt wonderful. Like nothing I had ever felt before. I feel peaceful when I'm with Van, but...somehow Escaflowne is different. When he's near I feel as if I'm on fire. All my inhibitions vanish. I lose track of myself and even my mind. Passion, lust, abandon. They're almost the antithesis of what I feel with Van. But they're no less powerful and they could get me into alot of trouble. Oh, God, please let Escaflowne not be handsome... It will make it all the more difficult to fight that strange pull he has on me. I have to fight it, I have to. If I don't I could lose everything...

_____________

Tuesday, February 11, 2003

Dornkirk uttered a huge sigh of relief as he watched Folken's guymelef into the hangar of the Vione through his microscope, "It appears as though she's having visions as well. Good, very good. She may be more powerful than I had anticipated and I think I have the perfect lure to get her to help us. Hurry, my dear, the entire future of Gaea is riding on your delicate shoulders!"

_____________

Monday, February 10, 2003

Yukari wanted to scream but her voice was dry and her eyes just stared down at the view below her. She tightly gripped onto Folken's guymelef afraid that she would fall. Yukari held her breath in anticipation. Finally she could see in the far distance a flying fortress. That must be the Vione.... Her pulse quickened and she griped the guymelef even harder. Her heart was screaming and her head pounded. She could no long hold on to the guymelef and she let her hands fall. She felt sick and the pulsing of her heart became faster and faster. What's happening? Her vision became blurry and as she shut her eyes instant trance feel upon her. She awoke to the sound the guymelef landing. Yukari let out a load scream. Her pulse was just as quick as before and her head was still pounding. Something about her dream... or was it a dream? Did I faint? "Folken?..." she whispered waiting for an answer. Her health gradually started to come back. Yukari lifted head and took a step, a bit jet legged. "Folken?" she cried out once more. Where am I? Is this his 'flying fortress'?

_____________

Monday, February 10, 2003

Dornkirk shoved his telescope away angrily, "Blast it! Where is that damned Folken? The dragon is nearly ready to resurrect!" He turned the pendant nervously in his hand, "At least he hasn't realized he's missing one of the pieces to completing his goal. Still....that doesn't ease my worry. Hurry, Folken! Hurry!"

_____________

Monday, February 10, 2003

Escaflowne gazed ahead. There's the edge of the mountain range. We're nearly there. His eyes shifted towards the setting sun. Almost nightfall. Might be good to enter the territory under cover of night, we won't be as noticeable. But.. First thing's first.. He began to descend unbeknownst to the pilot. He felt Van pull back trying to regain altitude, but to no avail. Escaflowne gently set down in a wooded area just passed the mountain rage.

The dragon turned his head to his passengers and spoke, "Now we shall rest a bit and enter the country after night as fallen. I suggest you get as much sleep as you can, you'll need it once we're inside."

Once the maiden is asleep, I'll call her to me and she will free me from this prison. A small shiver of excitement went through him. Soon I will be the man I was once again...

_____________

Saturday, February 8, 2003

"Millerna, where exactly does this door lead? There's got to be a better way." This is a castle after all. There's got to be a secret passage or something... That's it! Smiling at his own genious, Gaddes voiced his thoughts to Millerna. "Maybe a secret passage or something. Common Millerna think. We don't have long." Allen will be ready soon.

_____________

Thursday, February 6, 2003

After a bit of silence, Hitomi raised her head, I hope I haven't over-stepped my bounds by commenting on a touchy subject. I thought I was making him feel better, but I guess not. Damn... The winds had gotten rougher the closer they got to Freid and Hitomi had grown steadily colder. She tried not to let the air bother her, but she shivered in spite of herself. Part of her was dreading going to Freid for it would bring them that much closer to the end. But she couldn't help looking forward to their eventual landing as well. She tried to focus on the trees and countryside below. Everything looked so lush and green. She found herself smiling at the little fields and villages that peppered the hills and valleys.
"Everything looks so peaceful," she murmured to herself. Her gazed moved up to the Earth and she sighed. I wanted to go back so much before...but now... The very idea makes me so sad. I don't want to go back. I want to stay here with him. Forever. Van.... She gently ran her fingers through his hair.

_____________

Monday, February 3, 2003

Nariya didn't let her suprise show. Her sister's eyes were steady in the dim light. Nariya wasn't sure just what Eriya's feelings toward the kit were, but it was best that she didn't harbor any negative feelings. It would be better for the mission. Best to get the kit to her King and get her off their hands.
Nariya nodded at her sister. "Correct. Now, what we have to do is get to our melefs with the kit--without anyone seeing us." Nariya shot a sly smile at her sister. "But we know how to do that very well."
Her thoughts were already on the little one. How to get her to the melef bay...Merle. She said her name was Merle...
Nariya angrily silenced her thoughts and set her jaw. Stupid kit! Better be cooperative when we get there, or you will have to answer to me.
"Let's go," she growled, her eyes already on the door. Without a glance she moved past her sister and went out.

_____________

Monday, February 3, 2003

His words shocked her. Partly because of what he was saying and partly because of how he was saying it. How can he be so blase about that? About having something that could get him killed in such a horrific way? It's not right. How dare they treat his people like that merely for being different!

She tightened her embrace around his waist, "That sounds so cruel.. On Earth, you would be considered an angel. Angels are mythological beings, though some believe that they are real...and....maybe they are, who am I to say? Anyway, they serve God. They are soldiers and messengers. And they are very beautiful. When I saw you last night," Hitomi felt herself blush, "you reminded me of an angel. It's hard for me to understand how something so beautiful could be considered so profane. I hope that even if you can't show them to anyone else...you'll...," she paused, "you'll at least show them to me..."
She buried her face in the fabric of his tunic, God...I'm such a dork.