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Wednesday, April 30, 2003

Van quickly pulled on the pants, mentally muttering to himself about the close fitting uniform. He was just slightly bigger than Dalet, whic made things really annoying because everything clung to him. He hated that. Stupid Dragonslayers and their stupid too small... He paused suddenly, looking down at the pants. ...GodDAMN it.
Muttering inaudible curses Van adjusted the pants as best he could. Well, he thought sourly, at least I--
There was a slight rustle of leaves, coming from nearby. Van paused. Eyes immediately narrow he picked up his sword and moved silently to Hitomi's position. He paused there again, listening, but heard nothing more.
"Hitomi," he began, walking into her clearing. "Are you-" Shit! He ground to a halt, eyes suddenly averted to the woods. "--Ah, decent? And clothed?"
He couldn't help it--he cold still see her out of the corner of his eye. He masterfully suppressed a deep blush. She was wearing sometihng, not much, but SOMETHING, but it was really very small and open and--
Van quickly tore his eyes away and moved them to her face, trying to keep his expression utterly neutral. "I thought I heard something moving around over here. Just came over to check. Guess it was just you."
Probably thinking I'm a big perv again...dammit dammit... He looked up at her again and suddenly paused.
Her face was bright red.
Van was momentarily confused.
Huh?
He suddenly remembered that he was shirtless. What? Nah, that can't be it. She might be embarassed about my seeing her like this but then...But then...what really was making those rustling sounds? I couldn't have been...? He looked at her a little suspiciously. He wasn't stupid enough to ask, are you blushing? Instead he took a step forward, looking concerned. "Is anything wrong--" he came close enough to reach out and touch her, "-Hitomi?"

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Monday, April 28, 2003

As the familiar hustle of the guards was audible, Millerna yelped as the tapestry was thrust aside to reveal the face of a rather angry looking guard, features set in a menacing scowl.

"Princess Millerna?" the guard asked, a bewildered expression crossing his face. Waving her arms frantically, the princess searched the caverns of her mind for an excuse legitimate enough for the guard to believe, all the whilst swaying back and forth to hide the men. After all, the frame of the secret entrance was not that large, however it wasn't that small...
"Oh! Hello! I was just..." Millerna trailed off, "Looking for Jasta," she concluded, the corners of her mouth tightening as she tried to keep her composure.
"And you ended up here?" the guard replied suspiciously, his hazel eyes then dragging down her face, down her neck, across the rise and falls of her chest, then over her shoulder to meet the fleeting figure of Gaddes as he was the last man to round the corner to wait and hide.
"Orders are to collect the entire party," said another guard quietly behind the first guard, just as the first was about to attack, "Dead or alive."
"The princess?" the first guard questioned, his hazel eyes flickering with interest.
"Her too."
As Millerna's ears picked up the faint words between the two soldiers, her violet eyes widened as she took an instinctive step backwards, and as she took another, then another, she broke into a run, and grabbing Gaddes by the collar she began to break into a sprint.
"They're going to kill us."

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Monday, April 28, 2003

Escaflowne stood up and uttered an irritated sigh, "That was too easy. I suppose I'll never find an opponent that could ever match my abilities. It is truly a shame," he didn't bother to look at the youth's reaction to his observation; it didn't matter to him. He picked up the limp Gatti and tossed him like a sack over his shoulder and made his way to Hitomi's hiding place.
He dropped his burden unceremoniously on the grass and removed the slayer's uniform. He removed everything, save the boy's undergarment. Having finished he walked over to Hitomi and laid the bundle of clothes in her arms, "There you are, My Lady," he said rather pleasantly, "Please change as fast as you can. If you need me I'll be getting myself ready."
Hitomi nodded and watched him walk off. She then looked around for a suitable place to dress, I don't want to be too far away from Van and Escaflowne. Ah, that tree looks good. She sighed as she began to undress. To her delight everything fit her surprisingly well, until she slipped on the jacket. Darn, I can't button the buttons. I have to; I can't have my breasts showing through this shirt. Grrr, stupid boy's uniform! How do I fix this? Hmmm, wait I think I know what's wrong. My bra is an underwire, so it'll push my chest out. Maybe if I take the bra off, my chest will fall enough for me to get this buttoned. Rarr, I hate walking around without a bra. It feels weird, but I guess I have no choice. She took the jacket and the shirt off and then reached back to undo the hooks. She grimaced slightly, Stupid hook, that one always gave me problems, she stopped for a moment and sighed once more, It's too bad Van's so noble, he probably wouldn't dare watch me do this. Her eyes suddenly widened and then narrowed slightly, Say, he's seen me naked how many times now? Twice? You know, I think it's time that I returned the favor. After all, it's not like I'm peeping. I need to know where he is in case we have to get out of here in a hurry. She slowly and quietly backed out from behind the tree. She quickly noticed some movement from a nearby tree. Hitomi slowly took a position where she could see the youth more clearly, he seemed completely unaware of her presence, I've seen him shirtless before, besides there's probably nothing-- her face went bright red as the youth turned slightly,...new. As fast and as quietly as she could she made her way back to her tree. As soon as she was safe, her hands flew to her mouth to stifle her embarrassment, OHMYGODOHMYGODOHMYGOD!

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Sunday, April 27, 2003

Here they come.
He could hear them talking. No, not well trained on foot. With a tiny humourless smile he thought, they should have stayed in their melefs today.
A dark shadow crossed his face as he remembered a very familliar laugh. Dilandau. Because of you...Hitomi almost...
Van's eyes narrowed as the two Dragonslayers came into view. He went completely still, muscles coiled and ready.
"...still, nothing but weird garbled information has been coming from the Emperor--"
"That was a turncoat statement if I ever heard one, Gatti."
Gatti's voice became angry. "And who was the one who thought about getting food for the cat-thing they brought in the other day? You can bite my ass, Dalet. Besides,"
They came into view, walking slowly. Van's gaze locked on them.
"--its Lord Dilandau whom we fight for."
"Damn straight."
Almost there...almost close enough... Van's hand clamped down on his sword hilt.
"...I bet the Maiden isn't that hot," muttered Gatti, half to himself.
Dalet uttered a chuckle. Van could see the tiny insigna of Zaibach on his armor.He drew in a swift silent breath.
"I don't know what you're thinking but if you're thinking what I'm thinking then--"
Van charged out of the brush. They had just passed his original position. THey both started to turn at the sound, hands flying to swords, but Van was on them befroe they could do anything. He saw a flash of white. Escaflowne.
Van, sword drawn, deflected his target's half drawn blade and in the same motion slammed his elbow into the boy's temple.
He dropped like a rock.
Van turned jsut in time to see the other Dragonslayer fall on his face.
He felt that familliar surge of elation.How's that for some effective ambushing?

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Sunday, April 27, 2003

I would have gone for the jumping down from a tree idea, but this should do as well... Escaflowne thought to himself as he settled into his own hiding place. While he waited his mind wandered back to what just transpired. A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth at his new revelation, It would appear that His Majesty seems to be quite fond of self-asserting women. Funny, you'd think he'd find that kind rather bothersome, especially if in future she tries to do to him what she did to me. I bet he's not counting on that. He was probably more pleased with the fact that I got put in my place, but I don't care. I'll do anything for Hitomi; I'm not ashamed of that. If a man takes issue at bending to the will of his love every now and again, than he knows not what it means to truly be a man....
The sound of voices coming from the distance stirred his reverie. He felt his muscles instinctively tense, Here they come.

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Friday, April 25, 2003

Hitomi couldn't help but feel surprised at her sudden assertive behavior. However she was equally surprised at Escaflowne's reaction. How easily he capitulated to her wish.
Good. If I can get him to do as I wish, then there's no way he can ever hurt Van. Intentionally or otherwise...
She also became aware of the youth staring at her. No doubt she thought because of her strong words. But there was something different in his eyes. It was as though some of the innocence that was there before was replaced with something new that made her shiver. But not with fear.
She looked on as Escaflowne and Van took their places in the bushes and a sudden familiar apprehension filled her.
Van....

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Thursday, April 24, 2003

For a moment he just stared at her.
Whoa. Hitomi.
He his eyes went over her, from head to foot, from spread stance to hardened emerald eyes.
Not for the first time the thought crossed his mind that she was beautiful. And sexy. And...
Van stopped that train of thought before it could get out of hand. She was right--they shouldn't be taking stupid chances. He knew that it hadn't been the most intelligent thing to do to try and yell in Escaflowne's mental ear, and that what had come out had been far from cordial, but he was oddly calm now. He had nearly infuriated Escaflowne--but now he knew two things: that the man-melef was not invincible, and that at least some of the powerful skills he possessed were not his alone.
He fought down a self satisfied smile and let his face become a total blank. He didn't want to see her eyes looking at him like that. Besides, he wasn't a total ass. The mission was more important than answering Escaflowne's jabs...at least for now.
His eyes once again turned to Hitomi, and mentally his mind headed a little southward. He did his best to shake that off, hoping to god that his ears weren't red or something. He looked at her, meeting her eyes levelly. He was no slave to her will. But he would respect her wishes, as a comrade,a friend...maybe something else.
He made a slight nod of his head.
He turned to Escaflowne. "I'll take this side," he said, his tone cool, although he certainly hadn't forgotten Escaflowne's unspoken words. "I recommend coming at them from both sides of the path simultaneously, on foot. They won't have anywhere to run." He passed a glance to Hitomi.
"I'm assuming this is okay with everyone?"
She nodded once in assent.
Van didn't really wait for Escaflowne's response. He found a suitable bush far enough along and positioned himself behind it.
Now all they had to do was wait.

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Sunday, April 20, 2003

Hitomi looked on with great apprehension at the silent battle that waged before her. The dark shadows on the faces of Van and Escaflowne frightened her so much she wondered if a fight would ensue between them and instead of the Dragonslayers. But soon Escaflowne's features relaxed and he began speaking, Van's face followed suit but with greater reluctance.
I wonder what that was all about. Oh I bet I know. I'm sure Van is still angry with Escaflowne for the way he acted at the pool. I just hope those two can put aside their feelings for the sake of what we're doing. There's so much resentment between them. I hope they don't end up fighting each other. Especially... I know Escaflowne loves me and I know that Van cares. Oh I couldn't bear the thought of them fighting at all especially over me. And Escaflowne could really hurt Van... I can't let that happen. I won't let it happen.The full extent of Escaflowne's plan settled in her mind. She stepped forward and looked at Escaflowne, "I don't want the two of you doing anything dangerous. You will ambush the soldiers."
"Hitomi," Escaflowne began, "There's no real danger, we can defeat them either way."
Hitomi held her ground. Her voice hardened slightly, "Escaflowne to who's will do you bend? You will ambush them. And that is final."
She saw him open his mouth. He then closed it and cast his eyes downward, "As you wish, My Lady," he softly replied.

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Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Escaflowne flinched in pain as his mind was assaulted. He brought his hand up to his face and pinched the bridge of his nose. An acute surge of anger welled up within him. He did his best to smother it, but it wasn't working. How dare that little punk suggest such a thing? Even though the whole point of Escaflowne's villainous performance in the pool was to convince Van of his lecherous nature, it didn't matter. The melef still felt a deep resentment to that accusation.
And he wasn't about to let it go unanswered. Oh no indeed.
Escaflowne focused his mind and sent his reply back to the youth, Listen, Boy, I could care less what you think of me. The only thing that matters is Hitomi. Besides... His dark pink eyes narrowed into satisfied slits, Do you honestly think you're ready to make love to her? Such bonds are beyond your comprehension. He watched the youth's features twist with rage as a snarl crept over his own pale face. The staring contest lasted only a few moments and as quickly as the silent altercation began, it ended.
Escaflowne's features softened as he turned and looked at the youth askance, �In answer to your question,� he began softly, �No. I do not intend to use any kind of mind control. I do not have that ability. I can manipulate the air and space around a person. I can also control the progression of time in a localized area. I can stop a person by freezing the time in the space that they occupy. I can make a person age or grow younger. I can also constrict or expand space as well. That was how I killed those soldiers on the Vionne.� He suddenly reached for the youth�s sword and unsheathed it. As he drew the blade lightly across his forearm, a pink fluid emerged from the wound. Inside the fluid bright, iridescent particles moved slowly.
�This is the source of my power. Those glittering particles you see are called destiny particles. They control fate and react to my will and to the wills of others. The stronger the will, the more powerful the reaction. His Majesty and I have particularly strong wills and can induce a strong reaction. That is why it is so important for a Fanelian king to have an iron will. It is that along with my own contribution which has kept Fanelia safe for hundreds of generations.�
Escaflowne shifted his gaze to the road, �But I don�t intend on using my powers to their full extent to take out a few soldiers. I think my fists will be more than enough. We can do this either one of two ways. We can either ambush them by coming out of the brush or dropping down from the trees. Or come up on them clearly visible by pretending that we�re drunk or lost or something like that and do a more direct attack. Any one of these ways will be effective, but I guess it all depends on what kind of mood you�re in. An ambush let�s us have more control, while being visible adds to the excitement. What do you think, Majesty? Shall we be cautious or cocky?�

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Monday, April 14, 2003

Van successfully smothered the urge to glower.
Instead he met Escaflowne's gaze squarely and said, just a trifle too pleasantly, "I think it's a very good plan." Some of the bland expression slipped off his face momentarily. His gaze was serious. "But we are all comrades here. No servants." Escaflowne's eyes didn't even flicker.
Van didn't care.
"Allright," he said quietly, breathing a long breath out through his teeth. "They're Dragonslayers. We have to hit them hard and hit them fast. They're elite soldiers, but I believe they specialize in melef battle. So as foot soldiers they won't be too much for us." He turned to Hitomi. "You should stay here." His eyes met Escaflowne's. "We'll take care of this."
Escaflowne nodded without comment.
So far, so good, Van thought. But I wonder what other tricks he has up his sleeve...
Maybe this is a good time to show his hand. In fact, this may be the only time we may get before we're in the thick of things again.
He was abuout to open his mouth, but then didn't, remembering that Escaflowne could read his mind. Hmmm. Interesting.
I wonder...
Van tried first to clear his mind of all thought. When he thought that he had slowly done that, he tried to focus his thoughts all on Escaflowne, but without directing them at him--yet.
Ok, here goes nothing.

DOES MIND CONTROL CLASSIFY AS RAPE, ESCAFLOWNE?

Van jerked back from his thoughts, suddenly feeling sick. He hadn't meant to say that...he hadn't, but since he couldn't pre-form his thoughts, it had been spontaneous.
His eyes flashed to Escaflowne. Not good.
He had gone stock still.
Van had just done the mental equivalent of screaming in his ear. He betted that the man-melef was about to turn around and roast his ass. Van tensed, hand instinctively going to his blade, although he was almost sure it would be of no use to him. He was frozen, waiting.
Well, I wanted his attention...
And now I've got it.

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Wednesday, April 9, 2003

"What are we going to do?" Hitomi asked in a low voice as Escaflowne set her down. She felt his hands push her forward slightly and then turn her to face him. His dark pink eyes studied her intently. She had no idea what he was thinking, but it made her feel awkward and she blushed in spite of herself and his hand reached out and took her chin in order to study the different angles of her face in further detail.
Finally a satisfied smile crept across his handsome features, "I got it."
"Got what?" she asked.
"When you can't come as you are, go as someone else. I think one of those dragonslayers was flaxen-haired..."
Hitomi's eyes glazed over, "Huuh...?"
Escaflowne sighed, "Here is my proposal. When those two dragonslayers return, we intercept them, incapacitate them and take their clothes. This would allow the two of you to walk around Freid more freely. If they have orders to kill you, I'm sure they also have physical descriptions of what you look like. But if you go in disguise, it will help your chances of not being discovered."
"But what about you? What will you do?"
Escaflowne smiled, "Oh, don't worry about me. I have a plan for myself as well."
"It sounds really clever, Escaflowne." Hitomi returned his smile.
"But.." his demeanor assumed a more humble tone. Whether the newfound humility was genuine or manufactured, Hitomi couldn't tell, "This is just the proposal of a servant," he turned and regarded Van with a neutral expression, "What does His Majesty think?"

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Monday, April 7, 2003

The trees soon gave way to a dirt path. Escaflowne stopped and looked in both directions.
"What is this?" Hitomi's voice came from behind him.
"It's the Freid road. This will take us right to the gate. It looks deserted now, it should be safe for us to use, but when we get near the gate, let's take cover in the trees."
The three resumed their walk. Hitomi felt Van's arm slip from her side. The sudden lack of physical contact made her apprehensive. She decided to assuage her fears by making some small talk, "Ummm. You must have a good memory to remember where we're going."
Escaflowne turned his head toward her, "Oh, well it's been about fifteen years since I've been in this area, but you're right, I do have a very good memory," he smiled.
The conversation began and ended there. They walked on for what seemed like hours to Hitomi. She lowered her gaze to the gravel beneath her and focused on the crunching sounds her footfalls made. She became so engrossed in this activity she nearly ran into Escaflowne's back when he stopped abruptly in front of her.
"Wha-?" she ejected, startled. Escaflowne stood with hands outstretched. He turned and said in a low voice, "Into the trees as fast and as quietly as you can." He snatched Hitomi up in his arms as Van followed. They found cover behind some gigantic old trees just as two heavily armed Zaibach soldiers passed by on the road. Hitomi's heart felt as though it had jumped into her throat. Her pulse thrummed as she the words of the soldiers floated to her ears.
"What are we supposed to do if we see the King and that girl?" asked one of the guards.
"We are to shoot them on sight," answered the other.
Hitomi's blood ran cold, 'shot on sight'?
"Oh yeah, that's right," the guard let out a sigh, "Patrolling this road is so boring. I wish we could be with Lord Dilandau."
"Didn't he leave Miguel in charge of patrolling Fortuna Temple?"
"Yeah, I don't know how he managed to get that post."
"He's a kiss ass, that's how."
"Totally. Do we have to go to the edge of the forest?"
"Absolutely. Those are Load Dilandau's order and as Dragonslayers we must uphold them."
Hitomi expelled a short breath as the last of their footsteps faded in the distance. She felt Escaflowne's breath brush her ear, a sensation that normally would have been pleasant to her under different circumstances.
"Alright," he whispered, "Maybe things are going to be a little more difficult than I had planned."

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Sunday, April 6, 2003

Hitomi returned the youth's smile, How sweet of him. He's trying to be brave in the midst of all this. I'll do my part too. I won't let him shoulder that burden by himself. "Yes, Van, we do."
She turned her head as she heard Escaflowne approach. She drew in a deep breath to steady herself, "We're ready to go, Escaflowne."
"Very good, Hitomi. Are you feeling better?" She nodded as he leaned in closer to her as if to see for himself.
He straightened and said, "It would be better for you to rest a bit, but I'm sorry, I will have to ask you to push yourself until we get to the temple. Can you do that?"
"Yes, I'll be fine."
"I promise that after this business is concluded you and His Majesty will be able to rest," his gaze shifted to the trees beyond, "The gate is just up ahead. It shouldn't be heavily guarded, but we must be cautious as we approach, alright? Let's go."
As Escaflowne began to walk, Van and Hitomi fell into step behind. He shot a quick glance at the youth, who had wrapped his arm around the girl's waist, Good. Looks like disaster has been averted. It�s my own damn fault. I'll never let my desire get the best of me again. Ever.

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Saturday, April 5, 2003

Hitomi...my Hitomi...
Holding her in his arms, he knew a moment of happiness so pure he almost caught his breath. At the same time, a clear, unadulterated thought passed through him. The future that he glimpsed will never come to pass.
His eyes unconsciously had gone to Escaflowne. The dread hanging over Van's heart coalesced into something hard and resolute.
"Shhh..." With his thumb he gently wiped away her tears. She would never cry like this again. He'd never let her believe such things again. He smiled at her softly. "It's okay."
He lifted her to her feet. He held her close to his heart, feeling her arms curl around him. He didn't want this moment to end.
With deep reluctance he said quietly, "Escaflowne explained a few things to me while you were out cold. We have to get to Fortuna, and we have to do it fast." He paused for a moment, his voice slightly heavy. "Without the others we can't just walk in there and expect a warm welcome. Freid may be neutral territory, but that means that there's bound to be Zaibach allies everywhere. We'll have to do this quickly and quietly."
He pulled back and looked into her eyes. "We should stay together no matter what." He smiled a little thinly. "After all, the two of us together can stand against fate, no problem. We've got it covered."

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Friday, April 4, 2003

Hitomi's eyes filled with tears. She suddenly threw her arms around the youth and held him as tightly as she could. She whispered fiercely into the flesh of his neck, I love you. I love you so much, Van. I'm so sorry. I just- I'm so sorry for everything."
She pulled back and shot a quick glance in Escaflowne's direction. His head was turned away. She took Van's face in her hands and planted a soft kiss on his lips. Touching him like that felt so wonderful and so different from Escaflowne. Kissing Van was profoundly intimate. In fact, it was even more so than the most intimate act she could ever do with Escaflowne.
She moved back and gazed into his eyes. They had softened greatly from before and had assumed a tender quality she hadn't yet seen.
"I love you..."
Did he really say that? Or did I imagine it? It doesn't matter. I know that he cares and that's enough for me. I've lost so much already. My family, my friends. And soon, I'll lose him too. He truly is the dearest person in the world to me and when he dies my heart will break. I'll never recover. But I don't want to. I don't want to move on and live the rest of my life. I want to stay with him. I want to be with him always...even in death. When he dies, I will die too. I won't spend one more moment on this world without him. There's nothing for me to go to. Nowhere for me to turn. Death will be a peaceful end to my misery.
She smiled sweetly and Van and embraced him once more, I'll always be with you, Van. Always.

[OOC: Wow, I didn't intend to get quite that morbid O_o]

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Thursday, April 3, 2003

Hitomi.
Her eyes were clear emeralds. And her smile...it was more than anything he could have asked for. There was a mental flinch as his mind recalled the image of her ragged eyeless sockets. Van repelled it, and focused on her face, on the here and now. He derw in a breath to say, I forgive you, but the words froze in his mouth. This wasn't the time for them. But...what was it time for? He didn't know.
What he wanted to do was help her up and then get the hell out of here. Away from Escaflowne. Away from Fortuna. But that decision had already been made. He had made it, had sworn to it, and not he was bound to it.
He refused to think of Escaflowne, standing so close. Watching.
Instead he let a small easy smile pull at his lips.
Hitomi.
He suddenly realized that he wanted to hold her. Wanted it badly. Wanted to pull her close and tell her that everything would be okay.
He wanted to tell her more than that.
Van looked down into the depths of her green eyes and touched a hand to her cheek. He said quietly, "...I..." Her smile was so beautiful, her face clear of all the worries that Escaflowne and her visions had put there. Van hesitated. "...I'm glad you're okay...Hitomi."
Stupid...wrong thing to say...
Van hesitated again, Without knowing it he had leaned forward, his eyes still locked on hers, his face just above hers.
This is hard this is hard...But do it for her. Be strong for her. She needs you. But more than that...maybe...she needs to hear this...
Escaflowne had treated him like a boy.
To Allen he was a companion with much yet to learn.
To his mother he had been no more than a pale image of his brother.
To her...he was...something else.
Time to step up. And face the Dragon. A bigger one. And he would not falter. He could not. For this person, this woman, next to him.
For Hitomi.
Then do it.
Her eyes were just beginning to be questioning. His silence was growing long. Van met her gaze. Then he slowly and deliberately leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. It was gentle as he could make it, but almost immediately he wanted more. He pulled back when the tightness in his chest became to much to bear.
I won't let anything happen to you.

Before he could second guess himself, Van, breaking her gaze, said softly, "We're in this together. Nothing will ever change that..." And suddenly his cheeks flushed, he wanted to end it there, he wanted to get up and leave.
Instead he took her face in his hands. "You thought I would leave today. You thought I didn't care..." He met her eyes , his brown gaze clear and steady. He drew in a breath, his eyes closing for a brief instant. His voice came out in a whisper.
"Don't ever think that..."

_____________

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

"Lord Dornkirk!" cried a guard as he ran into the emperor's obesrvatory, "Lord Folken has returned!"
Finally, Dornkirk thought angrily while tinkering with his telescope, "Get him in here now."
"Immediately!" the guard dashed out the door.
"Lord Dornkirk," came a voice from below Dornkirk's platform, "I believe I have cleared up some of Escaflowne's interference."
"Excellent, Garufo," Dornkirk turned a small knob back and forth, "The picture could use a little work, but at least we have the sound back. Garufo, have you gathered any information on our guest?"
"Yes, Lord Dornkirk. When Lord Folken returned with her, she was sleeping. I conducted a small preliminary examination of her while she slept."
"And?"
"She does possess similar abilities to the Lady Hitomi."
"But..."
"Yes.. They are not quite as strong. However," a smile spread across his dark features, "I can always help her with that."
Dornkirk returned the scientist's smile, "Indeed. But I will speak to her first. Gaining her trust is paramount."
"Of course, My Lord," Garufo bowed and turned to leave.
"Garufo, there is one other thing. The experiments will proceed more gradually this time. We cannot afford to lose her like we did the others. She may be all that stands between us and oblivion."

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Sunday, March 30, 2003

"You have no control over me and I will not bend to your will".

Escaflowne looked on at the two young people, mulling over the intense exchange with Van. His eyes narrowed imperceptibly, Fine, Majesty. If you believe providing you with necessary information is exerting control over you, I'll let you sweat it out in the dark on your own. I don't have to tell you a damn thing, I never did. I did so merely out of courtesy and respect. You role in this is merely to play host body to my powers. You truly have no idea the pain and agony that lies in store for you; both physically and mentally. Dai was a strong man, you're just a boy. I'm not even sure if you'll survive long enough to do what must be done. It's a shame that Hitomi didn't fall in love with that Allen Schezar, he is a much more appropriate choice for this mission...
He sighed, But I guess beggars can't be choosers. You think you know everything don't you Majesty? Well, perhaps what we shall encounter next will be enough to humble that arrogant attitude. It has become painfully obvious to me that you are nothing like the man I once knew. And if you ever raise your sword to me again... there will be hell to pay.
Be you king or no king.

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Tuesday, March 25, 2003

"I thought I'd find you here."
Dai turned around abruptly, "Oh, you startled me, Yuri."
"You should be inside with the others, you know, Ruuh will be very upset with you, if you hide out here." she smiled mischievously.
He returned her smile and leaned toward her, whispering, "You won't tell on me, will you?"
She tilted her head to the side, "Maybe..."
He laughed, "I'm sorry. I was never really interested in parties. Even ones held in my honor. You're right though. I don't want to hurt my son's feelings."
She walked up to him, "That's the first time I heard you call him that."
"Well, I think of him as that, even though I didn't father him... I'm just happy I got the chance to be a father to a child."
Yuri cast her eyes downward as an uncomfortable silence passed between them.
"Um.. I should be getting back."
"Dai, wait please." Yuri heard his footsteps cease. I have to say this. If I don't.... I.. Her heart was pounding in her ears. She took a deep breath and began, "I've been thinking about what you asked me."
"Asked you..?"
"You once asked me if I was happy. At first I thought of course I was happy. Koujurou has always been good to me and he's done everything that's been asked of him. But... we don't love each other. We're only together because our parents arranged it. So you see, I've come to the conclusion that I was only deluding myself. That I was never truly happy...until now." She turned around. Dai hadn't moved. His back was to her, facing the camp. "Even though we had to endure all the hardship of war, I've never been so happy, because I've been able to be with you. Dai... I-"
"Don't."
"What?"
"Don't say it."
Yuri bit her lower lip, "What do you mean?"
She saw his shoulders move as though letting out a huge sigh, "Because if you do, there's no going back. We can never go back to the way things were."
She ran to him and embraced him from behind, "I don't want to go back to the way things were," she buried her face in the fabric of his tunic.
Yuri felt his muscles the tension in his muscles and when he spoke his voice was tight," I won't have a cloud of guilt hanging over us, Yuri, I won't!"
"Dai.. we've been told what to do all our lives. All our decisions have been made for us. All our plans... All our feelings. Our lives haven't belonged to us, they've belonged to others. Well I want just for once to do something for me. Just once. I want to be happy, even if it's only for a little while. I'd rather be damned and die knowing I was true to myself than to be saved and have lived a lie. The hell with society and honor." she back away from him and shouted, "I love you! And I don't care what you think!" she turned and looked up at the earth in the sky, "I don't care what anyone thinks! I-!"
Her rant was curtailed as a pair of hands seized her by the arms. Her eyes widened in surprise as Dai's lips pressed forcefully against hers.
He slowly pulled back and said gruffly, "Well all right then, dammit. If you're willing to throw away your honor for me, I'll throw my honor away for you."
Yuri smiled as tears filled her eyes, "I love you so much."
Dai pressed her tightly to him and whispered, "I love you too."

The scene before Hitomi faded into blackness. He really loved me then. Enough to sacrifice what he thought was most important to him. Van...
"I love you."
Van? Is that you?
Hitomi slowly opened her eyes. The youth was kneeling over her with her hand pressed tightly in his.
She looked into his eyes and smiled, "Van.."

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Monday, March 24, 2003

He stopped mid-sentence. What was that? He shot a glance over at Eries, who looked as calm and composed as ever.
Maybe too calm.
"Eries...your silence is most unusual," Aston remarked, his ears suddenly registering the click of the secret door behind the tapestry behind the throne. He turned, quick as a shot, and met the eyes of his two guards, silent as sentinels. A slight motion of his hand indicated the secret door. In front of him, he heard Eries draw in a quick breath.
The two guards began to prowl closer, and Aston turned his impassive eyes on his own daughter, a cold certainty in his chest. "My disappointment with your etiquette is immense, daughter," Aston said calmly. Eries raised her chin ever so slightly.
"My heart would indeed be heavy, father, if the feeling were not mutual."
Aston's eyes went completely flat. She knows. She's known all along.
And Millerna must know as well.
With a flick of his wrist Aston motioned to one guard to get reinforcements. And lots of them. There was no telling if this was a prison break or--
Millerna. Only Millerna could know about that passage.
Aston froze, but it was too late.
A runner exploded into the throneroom just ahead of the squad of guards. He fell heavily to his knees before his monarch, gasping, "Prison break! Prison! The Deep Wing!"
Aston mentally absorbed the blow. His face revealed nothing. All of his suspicions had morphed before his eyes into certainties and he was not sure how to feel but he knew how to act. He turned to the head of the squad and barked, "Commander! I expect this situation to be corrected shortly!" And his eyes swept over Eries, holding herself rigidly erect, blue eyes impassive but her hands holding each other white knuckled.
"Begin!"
This is what must be done to ensure that there isn't a scandal. Word must not leak out. If it does, Asturia is finished.
But will you do this at the cost of Millerna's life? An inner voice whispered softly, in a female tone that was achingly familiar.
And to that, he knew no answer.
As the squad surged past him, uttering battle cries, and he heard the cries echo deep in the bowels of the castle, he stepped calmly down from the dais and left the room.
Forgive me.
He met three honour guards outside the throne room. Two of them he ordered to mobilize the castle's defenses and converge and surround this location. They scurried away. The remaining one was to recieve special orders.
"Captain, Princess Eries does not feel well. Please escort her to her room. And make sure she stays there."

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Monday, March 24, 2003

"Fuck you!" Van snarled and wrenched himself away. He stood backf rom Escaflowne, breathing shortly, images filling his mind's eye with blood. He seethed, teeth on edge, jaw set. His hadn was already on his sowrd, gripping his hard, but he didn't draw it.
"Fuck you," he said again, clearly, the snarl barely out of his voice. "You have no control over me and I will not bend to your will. It will be my choice when the time comes, not yours. This is on my shoulders and I do not need you to describe every horrific detail of what will happen if I get it wrong. I know what will happen if I get it wrong: Hitomi will die. Gaia will die. Everything that means anything to me will shrivel and perish." He stood glaring at the guymelef, who was unnaturally calm, his face alrady setting in lines of dissaproval. Van's sword was suddenly in his hand. He looked down its length, the tip pointing in Escaflowne's face. He did not move, the sword did not waver, but the anger in Van's chest had not eased.
His voice came out of his mouth with a viciousness he had not known he possesed.
"I do not need you to try and scare me into action. I will not stand by and let Hitomi die. I will not stand around and let her take my place!" He sucked in a swift breath and closed his mouth. "But neither will I let you, or anyone else, run my life."
Van lowered his sword and turned away. He stopped. He looked down at the weapon in his hands. If his fingers had not been clenched around the hilt, they would have been shaking. From fear or anger, he could not tell.
He stared across the pool, brown eyes still blazing, but now they were controlled.
He heard Escaflowne move behind him and it sent a shot of anger straight up his back. He knew what he must be thinking. Coward.
Well, he would not get the chance to accuse him of that, on top of it all. Van whirled and stared him flat in the eyes, his sword still in hand. He said very quietly, in a low voice, "I will join with you." His gaze did not waver, but it darkened imperceptably.
"But don't ever again devalue my commitment to this or Hitomi. Ever."
Van stepped back and sheathed his sword. He breathed in a slow breath and looked down at Hitomi, deliberately ignoring the guymelef.
Hitomi. You think I'll never forgive you. His eyes became troubled. How could you think that? His mind traveled back to what Escaflowne had said. It still infuriated him, but when he looked down at Hitomi again his eyes were slightly different.
Van raised his head and looked at Escaflowne for a long moment, his eyes dark but no longer burning. The guymelef's eyes were calm and unreadable. He summoned a deliberate breath, staring straight into those grey depths. He was still shaken by the events of the past few moments, as well as his personal fatalistic prophecy: You will be the one to save Gaia from destruction.
But he needed to say this.
"Don't come between us again," he said, his voice slightly gruff but steady. His eyes became slightly distant as he continued, "...even if it is to protect her." Hitomi...
He suddenly locked eyes with the guymelef again, his gaze hard and sure.
"What goes on between us...stays between us." He held Escaflowne's gaze. The guymelef nodded slowly.
Van went to his knees next to Hitomi. Without looked at Escaflowne, he tentatively reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently.
He thought suddenly, By all the gods...this will be hard. But...it must be done. And I...its like an excuse, but...I want to. For this woman. For Hitomi. She is...
His thoughts broke off, unable to continue. He looked down at the pale oval of her face.
I love you.
THe words came without warning and he almost recoiled. Instead he closed his eyes and tightened his hold on her hand, ignoring the racing of his heart.
For you, Hitomi. For Gaia. And by all the gods this is so tangled and so unfair--but its mine.
And I will save it.

OOC: GAWD that was cheezy--but you made Van SO MAD, Inuki-san I jsut couldn't hold him back. He went at this all on his own, not much help from me. And wheew are we both tuckered out...got to go have a breather... X__x

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Monday, March 24, 2003

Escaflowne looked into the youth's dark eyes, which were steadily growing darker by the moment. He suddenly tossed back his head and began to laugh heartily. "Not the one running the show, huh? No, no, Your Majesty, indeed I am not. I'm a player in this just as you are. Fate is the holder of the cards here, though I admit I do have to power improve our hand." Escaflowne shifted his gaze back to the youth who was now glowering at him. He sighed, "And no, Your Majesty, Hitomi was not coming back here to run away with me. I see your surprise at my presumption. It's understandable. You see, that's another one of my talents; I can hear your thoughts in my head, just as I hear hers and I am also capable of seeing her visions. The real reason she did that is because she is under the belief that if she pushes you away, her vision of you dying won't come to pass since she will end up dying in your place. It's a silly, albeit sweet, idea and it won't work. I tried to tell her so, but as you saw she became very hysterical. She loves you so very much and she can't bear the though of you dying. And even though you might deny it now, I know you love her too." Escaflowne looked off into the water, "I apologize for what you saw. It should never have happened. You see, Hitomi's power comes from a shard of my first drag energist. The shard is inside her body; she was born with it. It connects her to me and she reacts to my thoughts. I know you're aware of my feelings for her. I do love her, I'm not ashamed to admit that at all and I have a perfect right to my own feelings," he heard Van shift and he turned his head. The youth's hand went immediately to draw his sword, but his effort was thwarted as Escaflowne's hand clamped down like a vice over his.
"But that is where my right ends," he said firmly, staring directly into his eyes, "I know I went too far, that's why I acted the way that I did. I was trying to take the blame off of her because it wasn't her fault. My feelings and my will are very strong, and she was overwhelmed. I also did it to see how you would react and I must say the results were very good." He gently took his hand away, "I give you my word, I will never cross that line again. I know you may not believe me now, but hopefully I can prove it to you over time. I'll have to, for I'll end up being a part of you. That is my destiny; to give my powers to you again just as I did before. And your destiny is to save Gaea from destruction. I knew this would be your destiny from the time of your birth. Just after you were born, your father brought you to the shrine to see me. I liked your father very much. He would always come and talk to me. He treated me as if I was another one of his soldiers. I wasn�t a tool, I was a comrade. I still wonder whether or not he suspected I was something more than what I appeared. Anyway,� he waved his hand in a dismissive manner, �He held you up and said, �Look Escaflowne. I have a son, one who will grow up to be strong and wise like his brother.� When I looked at you I immediately knew who you were and that at some point in the future, Gaea would be in great danger. Why else would you have been sent back from the land of the dead? The day you brought Hitomi back with you was when my fears were confirmed. So I made contact with her. I wasn�t powerful enough yet at the time of her arrival to endure the resurrection ceremony. By the time we had made it this far, my strength had grown considerably, and so I called her to me to return me to my true form. The next thing we need to do is retrieve my sword from the Fortona Temple. That sword also doubles as a key. A key to a very important gate. I put a seal on the gate during the first incident to keep the curious out. There are ruins on the other side of the gate. The remains of a destroyed world. And in those remains is information. Dangerous information that cannot be exposed. If it should be it will mean the end for Gaea.�
Escaflowne looked steadfastly into the youth�s eyes, �Dornkirk mustn�t be allowed to get that sword and open the gate. That�s where we three come in. If we get the sword and get to the gate before he does, I may not need to join with you�but if he does�.� He didn�t bother to finish and stood up facing away, �Please remember that I join with who the maiden loves. And right now that�s you. Do everything that you can to keep her love and to love her. That emotional bond will enable me to join with you. If one of you should fall out of love with the other, than I cannot use you. Keep her with you, if she tries to push you away, pull her back. Don�t ever give up,� he paused for a moment, �You..may have to do some things and say things that might seem uncharacteristic for you. From what I�ve seen of you, you don�t seem the sort to immediately express any feelings of tenderness. Don�t look on that as an inadequacy, you�re young and you�re not accustomed to these sorts of relationships. With time things will become easier. Right now, Hitomi is under the impression that you could never forgive her for what happened. You must convince her that this is false,� he heard Van make an irritated noise, �You have to, Your Majesty. I might as well tell you, if the bond between you breaks, I will have to use her instead of you and she will die. But that�s nothing compared to what Zaibach will do to her after she�s dead.�
He turned his head toward Van to see him looking up with a deep dread in his black eyes, �Yes. They violate and mutilate her in ways that are unimaginable. All in name of science. And when they can no longer learn anything new from her remains, they are sent to all the countries of Gaea as a warning against aggression,� Escaflowne knelt down next to Van and leaned in close, his voice low and dark, �Fanelia gets the crown jewel of the body: her head. Luckily you won�t be there when the package is delivered. Merle gets the honor of seeing it.� He motioned to Hitomi, �Imagine if you will those beautiful green eyes ripped from her lovely face. Those soft red lips stitched together. Her soft cheeks slashed and cut, her ears missing-� The youth�s face winced sharply and his hands flew up over his ears, not wanting to hear anymore. Escaflowne savagely yanked Van�s hands away, �Oh no, you�re going to hear it all. After nearly vomiting from this sight, Merle tells the messenger to take the gift and dispose of it. She would obviously never let you see this, you�re condition by this point is so delicate the shock could send you over the edge into the dark abyss of madness. But before the messenger leaves, Merle cuts off a lock of hair. She will later give this to you under the premise that it was Hitomi�s wish for you to have it in the event of her death. The lock of hair never leaves you. You keep it with you until the day you die. A long and distant day in the future. Boy, what a hell that will be. The sleepless nights; the nightmares when you do manage to sleep; the longing; the regret; the guilt of not doing anything to protect her. You slowly begin to unravel, until you�re nothing more than a shadow. This will be the outcome if I give my powers to Hitomi. If I give my powers to you, the outcome will be different. The last time you had to sacrifice yourself, but I swear to you, I will use all my power to make sure that doesn�t happen this time. This time it will be different,� he took the trembling monarch by his shoulders, �So, what do you say, Your Majesty, are you in?�