All righty! Finally finished reformatting. Any C&C would be wonderful :)
Disclaimer: Vision of Escaflowne is owned by.. some.. company. The music is Yoko Kanno though..
WARNING!!
Spoilers, Adult language
-- Attached file included as plaintext by Listar --
-- File: dil2.txt
** Chapter 8 **
Allen, of course, questioned Celena's pallor and her tendancy to
yawn throughout the morning, but the day before had been spent
shopping and packing, and she convinced him those were the causes.
Despite the reassurance, he was quick to notice the way her eyes
glazed over at breakfast and the way she jumped whenever someone
spoke to her. It crossed his mind to convince her not to go at the
very last minute. He turned to her as they were walking to the
carriage.
Celena folded her arms and frowned. "Don't even start."
Gaddes leaned to one side and smirked from the driver's seat.
"Gotcha before you even opened your mouth, boss."
Allen sighed and entered. Celena followed soon afterwards and sat
across from him. Gaddes barked at the horses, the crack of a whip
followed and they were on their way. Allen reached over and took
his sister's hand.
"Are you completely certain you feel all right?" he asked, gazing
worriedly into her bag-heavy eyes.
"Just anxious." She waved her free hand at him, nonchalant. "All
the excitement kept me awake last night." A smile blossomed on her
pretty face.
There was no doubt Allen disbelieved her, but there was also no
gain in telling him the truth. Without letting him get another
word regarding the matter, Celena began firing enthusiastic
questions about this, that, and everything having to do with the
upcoming ceremonies. The trip would not take very long, perhaps a
few hours through the countryside, parts of Pallas, and to the
palace, and she would not let him for an instant think of turning
the carriage around and dumping her back at the family estate.
While she faked listening to her brother's descriptions of various
figures of the royal court, she forcefully crammed down another
rising throng of memories. It had taken the better part of the
night before to regain her composure. Whereas before she'd had
some scattered remanents of what remained of Dilandau (her eating
habits, her sword skills), as well as those repeated terrifying
experiences in her dreams, she'd never felt fully connected with
him. It was if she'd been a forced witness, but never a
participant. Now she was being filled to the brim and beyond with
every sensation, visualization, and psychological turnings that
had ever occured to the body that had once been hers, and hers
alone.
And now she was losing sight of where Dilandau ended and
Celena began.
Despite the overbearing headache, she discovered an eerie calm to
her consciousness, as if penting up those memories had been
perpetuating her Sickness. Her prime difficulty was an utter sense
of disorientation. A whirlwind of visuals and emotions ran across
her mind's eye, all clamoring for attention at once. Several early
morning hours passed while she lay, gritting her teeth and
clutching her legs to her chest, forcing herself to bear through
the onslaught. Dilandau was determined to prevent his obliteration,
even if it meant driving her insane. He'd forgotten, however, that
through the years, Celena had managed to survive even if buried,
and her resolve had strengthened since she became the dominant
personality. Daylight had colored the skies by the time she'd
emerged victorious, and she realized that her time spent sleeping
had been sorrowfully brief.
"...Although sometimes he occassionally drops by to give Princess
Millerna a present or two. It's quite remarkable sometimes the
items Dryden brings from those... far away... lands..." Allen
trailed off when he noticed Celena's blank expression. She made a
perfunctory nod at the end of his sentence. Frowning, he snapped
his fingers in front of her eyes.
Celena blinked at him. One instinct told her to slap the insolent
dolt. The other froze, startled that she would even think of doing
so. She apologized and forced out a yawn.
"Sorry, Allen," she murmured. "I must be more tired than I thought.
Do you mind if I take a nap? Things will probably be very busy at
the palace."
"Certainly, Celena." Allen smiled. "You'll need your energy."
Allen watched as Celena nestled down in the cushioned seat. She
threw him an affectionate smile before closing her eyes. He
clasped gloved hands together, reflecting on how her hand had
twitched in her lap, and the uncharacteristic irritation that
had flashed across her face. A frown creased his lips. She was
hiding something again, and it was more than some little mishap
the night before. Confronting her directly could possibly be
disasterous, especially if her sanity was at sake. The courier who
had delivered his invitation had mentioned an invitation was also
being sent to Zaibach. Allen only hoped that a Madoushi or two would
be sent along with the usual pack of politicians and military
figures.
Celena felt her brother's eyes drive into her. The scrutinization
was almost unbearable, too closely associated with memories of
being treated as an experiment in the name of Fate. She knew,
though, that her brother wasn't fooled by any of her explanations
(not to mention her "nap"). But she knew, without a doubt, that
Allen would do what was best, especially since her own abilities to
determine up from down was severely crippled. Regardless of all the
confusion, one driving urge kept her determined to make it through
this trip.
She (he) absolutely had to see Van.
** Chapter 9 **
Celena was... bored.
With all the hustle bustle surrounding her brother, Celena was
included in the ceremonies only as a token appreciation to the fact
that she was a Schezar. Therefore, although she'd had to learn
where to stand when the procession for Van ended at the entrance of
the palace (which was, unsurprisingly, right next to her brother at
the end of the long line of nobles, soldiers, and gawkers), she was
afterwards left to dwadle in one of the gardens with the daughters
of the Asturian nobles. After a few of the girls recognized her
from Allen's social gatherings, and identified her as that "strange
Schezar," she was primarily left alone. Of course, some of them
tried to get friendly with the Great, oh so Handsome Knight Allen
Schezar's sister, but the chattering and the gossip made Celena
cringe and Dilandau irritable. Neither of the responses that had
popped in her head seemed very appropriate. She managed to fend
them off by acting shy and quiet, and found a secluded spot where
she could enjoy the scenery and discreetly listen in to the
conversations.
Other than the usual talk about who had married whom and who was
going to marry whom, she learned that part of the mania surrounding
Fanel's visit to Asturia was an apology. Apparently the Asturian
King had "mistreated" Van upon his first visit proceding the
destruction of Fanelia. According to the ladies, not only had Van
attacked Zaibach troops without provocation, he had courted the
princess Millerna and had been rebuffed. However, Millerna had
eventually re-evaluated the prospects of being married to a King
(demolished country aside), and had disappeared from the palace.
However, by then, Van had already by then fallen in love with some
mysterious foreignor...
The girls sighed and continued elaborating on the supposed love
triangle. Nevermind the fact that Millerna had often made it clear
her rather scandalous attraction to Allen; this was a far more
interesting tale. Of course, Dilandau knew the true circumstances
surrounding Asturia's decision to mistreat Van, which did not
involve romantic encounters of any sort.
Ignorant twits.
Celena grimaced. The boredom was starting to add to her agitation,
and she was losing the already tenuous line between her mind and
Dilandau's. Her head pounded as she was distracted by a particular
conversation.
"...and they said that King Van has no queen yet!"
"Oh! Then who's that cat-girl? I hear they're very very close."
"Bah. It would be absolutely vile if the king married a beastwoman.
Could you think of the children?"
"Oh, you just want him for yourself." A chorus of giggles followed.
"It couldn't be that bad." The voice lowered to a stage whisper.
"I heard he's really an Atlantean!"
"Oh that's just silly."
The same voice continued, just audible to Celena's ears. "No more
silly than this other one I heard." Petticoats and hardened lace
shuffled as her cohorts leaned in. "That mysterious Zaibach Captain?
The really handsome one that slaughtered half our troops? I hear
-he- was really a -she-."
Celena swallowed. The girls all gasped and giggled some more.
"Now that's silly."
"You're just saying that because you don't want it revealed you
really were attracted to him!"
The girls shrieked with laughter. She had to get out of there.
The urge to begin removing those meticulously designed hair styles
by ripping them from their roots was becoming far too strong, and
it wasn't just Dilandau suggesting the act.
A sudden happy chorus of squeals heralded another thankful
distraction. The loud clanks and thundering footsteps from below
the garden balcony spoke of a series of Guymelefs making their way
to settle for the upcoming ceremonies.
All of them clambored over to the side to gawk at the knights,
including Celena. Although Dilandau scoffed at the rustic,
relatively small Guymelefs (why, even the Alseides designs were
far more advanced), Celena gaped. She'd never gotten a real chance
to see many before her absence, and here was a whole company of
them! She even lost her desire to remain inconspicuous when
Scherezade came into view.
"Allen! Allen!" she cried, waving her hands frantically, a smile
blossoming on her face.
The facial plate of Scherezade whirred and flipped open. Allen
threw an affectionate look at her before resuming his duties. The
other girls cast threw jealous looks in her direction. They began
whispering behind their hands, trying to point out every fault of
hers they could muster. Celena didn't care. It had been a long,
frustrating day, and just seeing her brother made even her problems
with Dilandau seem insignificant.
After a while, Scherezade had disappeared, and the girls had
resumed pointing, giggling, and making flirtatious gestures at
the line of knights, both in and out of Guymelefs. Celena suddenly
realized that all the attention had been directed away from her.
And over there, within perhaps one hundred paces, was an open,
unguarded door.
How could she pass this up?
** Chapter 10 **
/ Butterfly.
/ Pretty.
/ Fly fly.
/ Catch!
/ Pretty wings. Up down up down.
/ Fly away? Want to leave me?
/ DEAD. EAT. No leaving now.
/ Look.
/ Man. I like this man. Pretty man.
/ Stretch arms. Hug? Smile.
/ Angry. Why so angry? Why?
/ Jajuka? Going inside?
/ But. Want to touch the man.
/ Madoushi man is shouting.
/ Smile. Smile...smile...
/ Table.
/ No.
/ Needles! Madoushi! PAIN!
/ NO!
/ SCREAM.
// Whisper. "Where is this?"
// "Centralized headquarters."
// Louder. Demanding. "Why? How did I get here?"
// "You were transported here after receiving medical attention.
// I believe that blow to the head during the last sparring session
// may have jumbled your memory."
// Pause. Thoughtful expression. "I see." Adjust clothing.
// Irritable. Upstart peon better watch himself. Visions of Crima
// Claws blasting through unguarded Guymelef backside. Smile. "Have
// they been assembled?"
// Nod. "We begin training tomorrow. I assume you'll want to oversee
// it yourself?"
// Sneer. Low, eager voice. "Of course. I want to be there to
// personally make sure these fools know who's their commanding officer."
/ Grave. Mother.
/ Sorry, mother. Sorry...
/ Brother. Princess. Smile.
/ Moth! Pretty.
/ Fly fly.
/ Catch!
/ Don't fly. Don't leave me alone.
/ Crush. Mash.
/ Open. Dead...no...
/ NO!
"Celena?"
// What? Allen...? "Celena?!"
// Angry. "Wha--What is this? Are you a doppelganger?!"
// Look around. Unfamiliar! Panic! "Where am I? WHERE AM I?!"
// Scream. "JAJUKA!!"
// Uncloaking Guymelef. Comforting sight. "Lord Dilandau!"
// "Jajuka!" Grateful. Euphoric!
// Fading Allen. "Dilandau? Wait!"
"Yo, Celena. Hey. Wake up."
Gaddes had tried snapping his fingers, clapping, and poking. He'd
found her standing in the middle of a hallway, thankfully one that
few people frequented, the expression on her face vapid enough to
rival a porcelain doll's. Just when Gaddes was about to full-out
slap her (how he would explain that to Allen he wasn't certain;
however, having her remain in such a state was not the better
alternative), her mouth began twitching. Recalling her outcry at
their last sparring session, he clamped a hand over it, just to be
sure.
The shock of having his palm slap against her jaw jolted Celena
from her reverie. She blinked a few times, clearing away the
confusion, then began flailing her arms about wildly.
"Whoa, easy there." He released her. "I came to find you since you
weren't at the garden. Van's airship is arriving and you need to go
stand and look pretty." He grinned.
Celena took a few moments to sort through the haziness. She
remembered walking out of the garden, turning a corner, and
discovering the castle's seemingly neverending supply of decorative
rooms. As she was admiring the way the daylight streamed in
through the windows, enhancing the coloration of the furniture,
she'd felt a sharp pain in the back of her head, as if a string
had snapped on the web she'd built to reign in her/his memories.
Her vision had blurred...
"Are you all right?" Gaddes's frowned in concern.
"Yes," she whispered. Then, recalling her current situation, she
repeated her answer, louder. "Of course! I think I must still be
exhausted from yesterday." She forced out a shakey laugh. "A nap in
a bumpy carriage isn't exactly restful."
"Oh?" Gaddes looked wounded. "And I thought I'd driven it so
smoothly."
Celena genuinely giggled at Gaddes' morose expression. She looked
up at him. Although he was smiling, concern still bent the flesh of
his forehead. She drew in a shakey breath. "Gaddes," she pleaded,
"if... if you see me starting to look like that again, wake me up?"
Her eyes widened and her heart throbbed in panic. Should Allen, or
anyone else for that matter, catch her in that state...
He frowned. His tone gained an edge, "Celena..."
"No! Please!" Desperation laced her words. Celena knew her sanity
was deteriorating, but the thought that she may never see the King
sent her anxiety spiralling. Dilandau's desires were easy enough
to ascertain now that she was privy to his more inner thoughts; he
was still hellbent on revenge, and for more reasons than just his
scar. This insight was proving to be more and more the curse; for
her own motivations and rememberances were buried in his. Dilandau
had been the dominant consciousness for too long. Seeing Fanelia
was at least a desire that they both genuinely shared, and she
absolutely needed to find out why.
Gaddes sighed. "All right, all right, can't refuse those puppy
dog eyes. What's going on now, anyways?" An eyebrow arced up in
curiousity.
She bit her lip. "I promise, everything will be better later." Then,
in a brighter tone, "Shouldn't we get going?"
"Sure, little lady." Although he smiled back at her, he was
unethused. This would be Big Secret Number Two he'd be keeping from
Allen, and their close relationship had already been bruised by Big
Secret Number One. He couldn't afford to do so again, for his sake
and for Celena's.
Gaddes led Celena down corridors and hallways that became
increasingly more populated. At every corner they turned he would
look back to see whether or not she was still following. Thankfully,
she was, glancing at him every so often to be sure of her path,
then resuming looking at everything around her with bright-eyed
wonder. Other than her pallor, there was a childish innocence about
her that he couldn't help appreciate. It was only in her eyes that
the aura fell; for those blue depths were haunted by the knowledge
of the psychopath that lay within. Gaddes only hoped Van would only
see the Celena that was marvelling at an exotically decorated
pheasant that was rolling by her on its way to the banquet hall.
And not the one that had been determined to spill his innards onto
the forest floor.
** Chapter 11 **
The plan was to have Van's airship land at the harbor, then have a
stately procession leading from there to the palace, with the King
at the head and a score of Fanelian and Asturian military as the
train. It was a plan to not only present the King as a vital figure
of state, but also to help boost the morale of the people of a city
which had taken a severe beating during the war.
The words that Fanelia had used to relate his opinion regarding
the whole event were somewhat less than royal.
Celena listened with bright eyes while Millerna retold the tale.
The beautiful Asturian princess folded her arms, put on an
appropriately dark glare, and proceeded to mutter Van's entire
dialogue word for word, some of which would have made the Crusade
crewmembers blush. She completed the recital by sticking her pouting
red lips forward and putting on a sullen expression that was an no
doubt an exaggeration of what the King had thrown at his advisors.
Celena giggled.
"Millerna!" gasped her sister. "That was completely inappropriate!"
"Oh, Eries," sighed Millerna, waving her hand slightly in the
elder's direction. "It's just a joke."
The three of them were waiting, rather impatiently, at what would
be the end of the procession. "Well, to finish what I was saying,"
Millerna continued, "it was lucky that Allen was there to convince
Van to do this. I think it's a wonderful excuse to have a festival!"
Celena couldn't help notice how Millerna gushed at the mention of
her brother's name. It hadn't escaped her more asture sister's eye
either. Upon their introduction, Celena had been taken aback by the
stark difference between them. It began with Gaddes' gallant
introduction; a gentle kiss onto a gloved hand. Eries had given him
the proper headnod befitting the social difference between her and
the mere airship commander, whereas Millerna had rather shamelessly
offered him a coy smile and some batting eyelashes. Gaddes had
grinned mischieviously back, while the elder sister glared
balefully at him from one side.
Celena was introduced next, along with the regret that Sir Allen
was not there to do so himself. At that time she was free to drink
in the sweet peach and white ruffled ensemble that Millerna had
decorated herself with (including ribbons in her hair and matching
jewels), and blanch at the dark grey and pale green that Eries had
dumped on. She'd even completed the nunnish look by bundling her
hair into a plain white hat, leaving only her gold-adorned ears
exposed. Celena, despite her short hair and relatively plain sky
blue dress (although anyone looked plain next to the radiant
Millerna), looked more like a princess in comparison.
Eries' lips had been pressed into a thin line. "When is Dryden
returning again, Millerna?"
The younger woman frowned and turned her nose up into the air.
"Oh, I don't know." Her tone held an undercurrent of regret,
hidden admist a feigned annoyance. "He mentioned that he may drop
in for the festival. Who knows." She thrust her wrist in front of
Celena's face. "Look! Isn't it just splendid? He brought it to me
from Zaibach! It's just wonderful that we can trade with them now."
"It's very nice, Miss Millerna," Celena murmured, flinching
slightly. The bracelet's design integrated a complex pattern with
gold overlaying silver in a manner that was unique to Zaibach's
advanced artistry tools. Despite the beauty, it reminded her a bit
too well of the other metalworking technology that Zaibach prided
itself in: Guymelef production.
Millerna lifted a delicately shaped eyebrow at Celena's reaction.
She'd been privy to Celena's secret almost immediately after it
had been fatefully discovered by Allen and her sister, and she'd
worried what might have become of her since settling home. Allen
had spoken with her at far-spread intervals, and at those times
he'd only had brief respites to hold the conversation. The words
from him had been that his sister had been doing well. Despite his
smile and his assurance, Millerna had read the concern in his
shortened smile and lowered tone, but there had never been enough
time to explore the issue further. Upon learning of the whole
upcoming affair concerning Van, she wondered, and worried, about
how much of Dilandau would be attending.
Celena was proving to be rather sane, although quieter than the
other bimbos that had been dragged along with their influential
fathers (Gaddes had quipped that he and his other fellows were
having bets on how many of them it would take to drive Van crazy
at the ball later. Gaddes had bet 3; Millerna bet 2). Her medical
instincts had also picked up Celena's exhaustion, which she guessed
to be from lack of sleep. There was also something else, something
that she couldn't quite put a finger on. Celena's demeanor (what
little of it she had exposed) was beginning to remind her of
someone, just who could it be?
A fanfare blared from a short distance away, and a chorus of
hearty cheers immediately followed. Millerna threw away all her
apprehension and grabbed Celena's wrist, pulling her for the
gates. "They're here!" she cried. "Let's go and watch!"
Celena let out a small squeek in protest, then allowed Millerna to
haul her forward. She tried to convince herself that it was the
excitement that had her heart pounding against her ribs, but she
couldn't deny the fear the laced her veins. They stopped at the
entrance of the palace, where Allen and the rest of the royal
entourage were waiting to greet the Fanelian King. Eries arrived a
few moments later in a far more dignified walking manner. Millerna
took the prominent position as representative of the Asturian royal
family, Eries stood behind as the secondary representative, and
Celena stood behind Allen as she was told. Her brother gave her
an affectionate smile, which she responded to in kind.
The fanfares were becoming increasingly louder. Great cheers of
greeting and celebration burst and expanded, annoucing to the
smaller group where in Pallas Van was currently walking.
It all suddenly faded from Celena's view...
// Even through the mists I can see that despised figure, his red
// shirt leading the way like a beacon. It would perfectly marvelous
// to break open the skin underneath and watch the blood of a King
// spread across the floor. Make him pay for the bite of his
// dragon...
// ...He wasn't even looking, the fool. Up on the skywalk the
// Strategos shouts. Even sweeter. Would the little boy's last
// thoughts be of how his brother betrayed his own country? How dear
// Folken let me murder its children, allow his soldiers rape its
// women, command our Guymelefs to burn its proud buildings to
// dust and powder?
// I have him!
// Damn bitch.
// I hate you...I'll watch your rich blood pool at my feet. I'll
// let all the soldiers on Vione taste your woman before I roast
// her alive. I'll--
// No...
// My face...
// MY FACE!
Celena's eyes widened, and her right hand quivered as it moved to
cover the right side of her jaw. Her mouth dropped slightly in
astonishment.
A man riding a chestnut horse, closely followed by a combined group
of proud Fanelian warriors and elegant Asturian soldiers, broke into
view admist another round of fanfares and cheers. From a distance,
all that could be made out was a suit of dark armour, the chest plate
tan and emblazoned with a white and blue insignia. Red tassles
quivered slightly in the spring breeze. Dark blue plates covered his
arms and forelegs, while a brown shirt and pair of white pants
engulfed the rest of him. A pitch black mop, unstyled and hectic
from the wind, topped the rough combination, obscuring most of his
facial features. Fanelia looked more dressed for war than for a
political reception.
Celena's breath quickened.
// ...Small flying ship
// ...almost there...
// almost have the dragon...
// almost have him...
// Dragon dropping from the sky, landing as the grand Guymelef.
// Advancing Dragonslayers. Outnumbered! Our triumph, OUR victory.
// Slaughter.
// Not him. Us. US!
// They're dying, crying, begging for mercy, for help!
// Chesta! Gatti! Viole!
// ..no..NO..
// Help them HELP ME alone alone no one else he's
// THERE he wants ME
// he'll violate me he's coming COMING
// he's stopped. he's screaming...
// ...no no no GET AWAY GET AWAY GET AWAY GET AWAY
// HE'S HERE AGAIN!
// HE'LL DESTROY ME!
Eries' deceptively calm eyes followed Celena's hand from her side
to her cheek, then fixed upon her face as the color drained. To the
unknowning observer it seemed as if she was merely staring in
childish wonder at the approaching King and his followers, but Eries
knew better. Her frown deepened. She looked up at Allen. He was
ignorant of the turmoil beside him, eyes focused on his approaching
friend. She turned, gestured slightly at a palace guard and
whispered in his ear.
Van hopped off his horse at the foot of the palace entrance admist
the rapidly decrescendoing cries of the Asturian populace. He
ascended the steps at a moderate pace, one hand on the sword at
his side.
// Kill him first...
Allen took a few steps down to greet him, their hands clasped in
greeting. A smile of delighted recognition broke on the two men's
faces. The people once again bellowed out their appreciation, for
two of the heroes of the War of Destiny were now face to face in
front of them; the Knight and the Wayward Boy King, like some
fanciful picture from a folktale. Their personal words of greeting
were lost among the cheers.
// ...before he kills YOU.
"Stop it," Celena commanded herself, her voice lost among
the cacophony. She forced her hand down from her face and back to
its proper position at her side, her eyelids smashing shut in the
effort to push Dilandau into the back of her mind.
Admist the quieting clamor, Millerna managed to cry out the proper
greeting to the royal visitor. "King Van Slanzar de Fanel! As
representative of the Asturian royal family, I, Princess Millerna
Sara Aston, welcome you to our country."
"Thank you," came the short, gruff answer.
"Ah, Van!" Allen exclaimed. The soft slide of her brother's hand on
her back jolted Celena out of her reverie, causing her to stumble
forward. She stared at the ground, the blood rushing to her face in
embarressment.
"This is my sister, Celena." Allen shot Van a warning look. He'd
warned him ahead of time that they'd been trying to hide Celena's
alterego, as well as the decreasing stability of her mental state,
but he was uncertain about how Van would react to her in person.
Celena swallowed, thrust aside all apprehension, and shot her head
up to gaze at the man before her. She gasped.
Van stood before her not as a king, but as a battle-hardened
soldier, one hand hovering naturally over his sword-hilt. He was
slightly taller than she was, but still not quite to her brother's
height, and the frame underneath the worn armour was beginning to
show hints of broadening beyond the boyish, lanky young body. A
simple blush teardrop pendant, tapering softly at the bottom in
gold, hung from his neck, clashing with the sharp edges to the
Fanelian insignia on his chest.
Despite the oddity, it was Van's eyes that held her. They were
piercing with a combination of emotions that battered at both of
the personalities swirling within her. He hated Dilandau, the signs
hidden in the stiff setting of his frown and the twitch of the
fingers over his sword-hilt. The urge to respond to his unspoken
desire to destroy rushed the adrenaline into her veins. Even so,
another emotion held her at bay, tearing through Dilandau's desire
to thrust himself at the King and throttle him with his bare hands.
Love.
It was bitter, flavoured with angst, despair, and loss. From the
bottom of their souls it came, even though they understood the true
objects of their affections were lost to them, perhaps forever.
Through the terror and the confusion, Celena responded the only
way she could.
She ran.