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Disclaimer: Escaflowne is Copyright (c) 1996-2000
Sunrise, TV Tokyo/Bandai Entertainment, Inc./Egan Loo.
 I'm merely borrowing the concept and characters for
fun.
Tarot Disclaimer: Copyright Notice. Permission is
granted to copy (unmodified) all or part of the
documents making up "Learning the Tarot - An On-Line
Course" for personal, non-commercial use as long as
the copyright message (Copyright (c) 1995-2002 by Joan
Bunning) is maintained on each document or part. This
material may not be sold, incorporated in commercial
documents or products, or used for promotional
purposes.  
AN: This part is for all those who have been waiting
with varying degrees of patience. I know it takes
quite a while for me to get sections out, but it�s a
complex piece and it makes my head spin to write it
sometimes! 

***************************
PART FIVE: LOVERS
Keywords:
Relationship, Personal Beliefs
Sexuality, Values 
***************************

The Lovers is one card that is easy to remember. Love
and sex are riveting subjects, and, as you'd expect,
this card represents both. The urge for union is
powerful, and, in its highest form, takes us beyond
ourselves. That is why an angel is blessing the bond
between the man and woman on this card. 

In readings, Card 6 often refers to a relationship
that is based on deep love - the strongest force of
all. The relationship may not be sexual, although it
often is or could be. More generally, the Lovers can
represent the attractive force that draws any two
entities together in a relationship - whether people,
ideas, events, movements or groups. 

Card 6 can also stand for tough value choices and the
questioning that goes with them. In some decks, the
Lovers shows a man torn between two women - a virgin
and a temptress. This rather old-fashioned triangle
symbolizes the larger dilemmas we face when we are
tempted between right and wrong. 

The Lovers can indicate a moral or ethical crossroads
- a decision point where you must choose between the
high road or the low road. This card can also
represent your personal beliefs because to make such a
decision you must know where you stand. Following your
own path can mean going against those who are urging
you in a direction that is wrong for you. 

***************************


Hitomi hit the pass code that would give her access to
her phone messages.   Her mother tended to call her
every day, and she checked them religiously.  When the
machine informed her she had a message, she grabbed
the portable (which she had replaced the day before),
and went to the bed, plopped down on it gracelessly,
kicking her slippers off.  She sighed and pressed the
receiver to her ear, wondering if she was going to get
a lecture about not visiting.

'Hello?  Hitomi? I� Well, this is Yukari� can you call
me  back? I� I�d like to talk to you� I�m really sorry
about the last time you called. I�m sorry it�s taken
me so long to call you back, but it�s been a little
bit difficult for me to get the courage--I�m not as
strong as you.  Um� call me. We need to talk. Okay?  
Please?'

Hitomi stared at the phone for a moment, and then, as
though her fingers has a will of their own, she hit
the number three, which erased all messages her phone
service has stored.

And promptly forgot about it.

***************************


�Can I sit here?� Hitomi asked quietly.

Donovan Masanori looked at her and smiled, shoving
aside a few of the large textbooks he had been
studying.   They were in the largest cafeteria of the
campus at noon, and the place was packed. His tray was
heaped with all sort of food, while Hitomi was simply
eating ramen, a small salad, and � her guilty pleasure
� a huge chocolate chip cookie.  �Sure,� he said.

She glanced around.   �Are you meeting anyone?�

�For lunch?   No.   Bri usually has class, and I still
haven�t made too many friends.   Most of Bri�s are a
touch too� extraverted for my tastes, and a lot of
people here don�t like gaijin.�

Hitomi blinked.   �You�re not gaijin�� she said.

He picked up a piece of fruit and chewed on it
thoughtfully before answering her.  �I have American
citizenship.   My mother was Irish, and my father is
Japanese American.�

She looked thoughtful as she settled herself more
comfortably into her seat.   Last night had been full
of awkward silences and bursts of getting to know each
other. She was drawn to him, as he was to her, but
there was still so much to learn.   The chemistry,
though, was undeniable. It was an awkward dance with
steps that she had learned so long ago � Van was a
familiar partner, but for every two steps they
advanced together, they would take a step back.

It was one of the most frustrating experiences of her
life.

Hitomi lowered her eyelids, hiding her thoughts behind
her long lashes. Her eyes were too expressive, and Van
would be able to read her frustration and confusion.�I
just didn�t really think of you as gaijin - aren�t
your grandparents from here?�

�They left right after the war. I had a great-uncle
who was a kamikaze.�  He took a sip of his drink.  �I
suppose that�s part of the problem � I must be viewed
as a traitor.�

�Maybe,� Hitomi answered him.  She had never given too
much thought to what life as a gaijin in Japan must be
like; surely it was unpleasant.  If she and Van
continued to date, which was her heart�s true desire,
they would eventually run into problems.  She felt her
appetite start to leave a little, but forced herself
to continue eating.   A runner had to maintain a good
diet. �But...�

He touched her hand gently.  �I�m sorry, Hitomi.  I
seem to be depressing you.  Maybe I should go sit
somewhere--"

�No!� she interrupted him hastily, her voice forceful.
 �I don�t want to force you out of your chair--you
were here first.  Besides, I want to spend some time
with you right now, since I have track practice
tonight.�

His smile made something inside her body tingle and
heat spread across her face.   �You�re too
considerate, Hitomi-san.  You have to be carefully you
don�t wear yourself too thin.�

Her salad was filled with fresh tomatoes, which she
normally enjoyed, but the cafe was notorious for
adding �special seasonings� for unknown reasons that
would turn the stomach if eaten by the unwary.  �Being
around you seems to fill me with energy,� she
confessed, before picking away at her meal.

�I wonder if we�re falling too fast�� he whispered
softly, in a voice that wasn�t meant to be heard.  
She ignored it politely as he changed the subject,
convinced that they could never move to fast. He had
come back to her across worlds; they had defied fate.
She wanted to be with him forever, now that she had
learned the wasteland her life was without him, but
she knew that Donovan Masanori still didn�t know her
and would be scared by the intensity of her feelings
for him. 

�Did you and Bri run today?� he asked, speaking up.

Hitomi rolled her eyes, then had to wonder what was
getting into her.  Now that she had recognized Merle�s
reincarnation, she found herself being a bit more
prone to exasperation than she had been in years. It
was okay to be annoyed at Bri�s spontaneity, and
arguing with the girl was becoming easier. It was
amazing to have Merle back in her life, even in
another form. �Bri was at my room at four a.m.,
claiming she wanted to get an early start� while I was
brushing my teeth, she fell asleep in my bed and it
took me ten minutes to shake her awake. She�s
absolutely nuts.�

�Insanity does not run in my family � she gets it from
her father�s side,� Van said, winking.

�That�s funny. She said the same thing about you.�

�She lies,� Van said.  �Believe me, she lies. When I
was four, she tried to convince me that if you ran
fast enough, you�d eventually outrun the sun.  Things
haven�t gotten better since.�

Hitomi smiled. �Maybe she believed it.�

�Don�t believe a word she says!� Van warned, waving a
fork to illustrate his words. �She always makes sure
she knows the facts before she makes up her lies. The
most dangerous thing is a half-truth, and that�s
something she specializes in!�

�Really,� Hitomi said.  �I know I should say something
in her defense, but sadly, I have to believe you.�

�There�s no defending someone from the truth.�  Van
gave her a smile.

�The problem is that we often don�t know what the
truth is until after the fact,� Hitomi said
philosophical.  She pushed her tray back, leaving the
half-finished salad there, along with her barely
touched dessert.  Her cookie had been stale, spoiling
her indulgence.  There was no point in eating junk
food if it didn�t taste good.

He nodded. �Yes, but when we intentionally create a
half-truth, that�s another thing.�

�A point.� She smiled at him, brushing her long bangs
out of her eyes.  She needed to get a haircut, or else
they would start getting in her way when she ran. She
could start wearing a sweatband, but she hated them
with a passion. She liked feeling the wind against her
skin.

�Would you� like to meet tomorrow?� he offered. �I
don�t have any classes until four, and we can do
something, even if it�s only meet for lunch again.� He
blushed a bit, and she was enchanted by his shyness.

She remembered how awkward he had been in the past,
and was relieved to see that hadn�t changed. �I�d like
to,� she agreed. �I have morning classes, but after
eleven, I�m free for the day. Maybe we can do lunch,
and spend a few hours together?� Hitomi suggested.
�I�d like to talk more to you.�

He looked like a great pressure had been released at
her acceptance.  �That would be great.  Did you want
to catch a movie� or something?�

She thought on it. �We could, but it�d be hard to
talk. I really� just want to spend time with you,� she
whispered. 

His blush grew even darker. �I want to spend time with
you, too,� he said. �But other girls I�ve dated always
want to do something, and��

�I�m not a normal girl, Van,� she said firmly,
squashing down her jealousy of the others girls who
had dated Van. �I don�t want you to entertain me� I
just want to be with you.�

He seemed to be awed by that idea.  �You�re
wonderful,� he said.  

�It�s nice of you to think so,� she said. �But I�m
only human��

***************************


Leaving Van after lunch had been hard, and focusing on
her classes had proven to be even harder, but Hitomi
had forced herself to. It wasn�t like she could
completely stop her life simply because she was in
love. She had seen other students do it, in high
school and university, and some of them had flunked
out.

Still, she was impatience, and spent a restless night.
When Bri arrived to take her running the next morning,
the other girl was in high spirits, apparently fully
informed about the date and full of advice � most of
which was amazingly wrong for Hitomi.

�Make sure you wear something loose! Easy access!� Bri
advised.

�BRI!� Hitomi said, scandalized.

�I know where a few good love hotels are...�

�And how do you know THAT?�

�Not telling,� Bri said with a shameless wink. �I�m
teasing. Van would be horrified if you took him to one
of them. There�s one that has a Hello Kitty room,
though, which I think might be worth it just for his
reaction....�

�Bri....� Hitomi said. �I�m going to leave you in the
dust today.�

�Fine, fine. I do have a favor to ask, though.�

�After what you just said? I honestly can�t believe
your nerve,� Hitomi said.

�I need to go to the library to return a book, and
look for others for my report for anthropology. Could
you come with me?� Bri asked.

�I�m supposed to meet Van at noon....�

�This won�t take that long! And I hate going to the
library alone. I always feel so out of place.�

� I�ll meet you at eleven,� Hitomi agreed, rolling her
eyes. Bri always got what she wanted in the end, so
arguing with her was pointless.

Of course, as soon as Bri got the library, she
promptly abandoned Hitomi to fight with the reference
librarian Hitomi decided that poking in the reference
section would be more productive, and told Bri
something to that effect.

Bri waved a hand, and Hitomi rolled her eyes,
wandering over to the section on classical literature.
She would have a few reports due in a month, and maybe
getting a head start wasn�t such a bad idea...

She noticed a spider on top of one of the books...

Her natural loathing of the eight-legged creatures
kicked in. She stumbled back, crying out in surprise.
It was only the pair of strong arms that caught her
that kept her from falling to the hard wooden floor,
and possibly injuring herself, which would have been a
disaster. She was a runner, after all, and her body
was her life.

Hitomi craned her head back to try to see who her
savior was, but his face was too shrouded in shadows
from the dim library. She realized that her own form
was probably just as hidden, for which she was
relieved. Her blush of embarrassment would be hidden.
She hated appearing less than graceful, and finding
herself in someone's arms was humiliating.

"You need to be more careful, Kanzaki-san," the
smooth, low voice said. "You could have twisted an
ankle, and then where would our track team be?"

"Where it's always been... First in the area." She
kept her voice level, trying to ignore the strangely
cool hands that gripped her sides.  "One runner does
not make the team.� She waited a second before finally
speaking again. �Um, you can let me go now � I�ve
gotten my balance back."

"Certainly." The hands settled her upright, and she
took a deep breath, turning around to get a better
view of the man.

He was still lurking in the shadows, much to her
disappointment. It was too bad, but all she was able
to get was the impression of height and a lean male
form. His voice sounded familiar, elegant tones
which...

"Have we met?" she asked in confusion.

"I ran into you when you were running one night," he
stated. "You run like the wind, though I wonder what
you're running from."

She shook her head fiercely, suddenly remembering the
man. He had been there that night when her life had
crashed down, when she had learned about Van and Amano
and Yukari. "That night... I was confused. Usually I
run toward something," she insisted.

"Really?" he said, and he sounded a bit doubtful.
"I've watched your races, and there's a duality to
you. You may have your eyes on one goal, but there's
something that dogs your footsteps as well. I don't
even know if you realize it..."

"I-" she started, but he started to turn away.

"Think on it, Kanzaki-san.  I'll talk to you again
soon, I'm sure."

Her eyes widened.  "Who are you?" she demanded as he
started to make good on his retreat.

He didn't answer, and Hitomi wondered if he had heard
her.  She looked over her shoulder, shivering.  If Van
and Merle were back, who was that man? Possibilities
of all the people she had met on Gaea flowed through
her mind like water, one lingering over and over.

Allen...

She dismissed it.  Allen wouldn't be so cryptic. Allen
was a hero to rescue a damsel in distress, but he
would never interrupt her peace of mind the way this
stranger did.

Or� Would he?

She wondered. Donovan and Bri were not the same as Van
Fanel and Merle. A life on earth had changed their
personalities, and while she recognized them, she knew
they were different.  Might that have happened to the
Knight of Asturia as well? �This world is cruel on the
pure of heart, and has no place for heroes�� she
whispered to herself. She leaned towards the
bookshelf, but a voice distracted her from her dark
thoughts and made her forget about the mysterious man.

"Tomi-chan!" a voice squealed, and Hitomi whirled
around, confronting Bri.  Bri smiled at her brightly. 
"Thanks for coming with me."

"It's Hitomi," she corrected automatically, the way
she found herself doing ten times a day. There was
nothing like Bri when it came to being exasperating.
"It's no problem... It gets my mind off the waiting." 

"Are you still nervous? I'm sure Van's just as
eager... But he won't show it, because he's a guy.
He's learned how to suppress that, thanks to his
father."  Bri tapped her chin thoughtfully.  "Well, I
returned my book, so we can get out of here."

"Did you get the other books you needed for your
report?" Hitomi asked.

Bri shook her head, her short red hair brushing
against her cheeks. "Nope. Looks like I'm going to
have to buy them, dammit. I hate spending money on
books." 

Hitomi didn't say anything, merely following the
taller girl out of the library.  "I need to go meet
Van soon... I had no clue what he has in mind." She
forced herself to remain cool, not wanting to give Bri
an opportunity to tease her.

"Maybe he wants to take you back to his apartment for
an afternoon of mad, passionate lovemaking..."

"Bri!" Hitomi objected, blushing. "He's your cousin!
How can you suggest that?"

"So? It doesn't mean I don't realize he's gorgeous..."

Hitomi felt her blush working its way down her neck.
"Bri... Please?"

"Oh, you're impossible. I bet you haven't even kissed
him yet." Bri sighed, but then gave Hitomi a gentle
smile as they hit the steps.

"I..."

"It's okay. Van's different than I am. He takes things
slow, building something than last. The house that is
build on a foundation of stone, rather than sand, and
all that. I think you and he really fit, but you need
to find the right way to discover each other." Then
Bri winked. "Though I did get you something to maybe
make a prettier house." She pulled out a tiny package
wrapped in shiny blue wrapping paper.

Hitomi was touched by the gesture, but reaching out,
she hesitated a thought crossed her mind. "This isn't
condoms, is it?" Knowing Bri, she wouldn't put it past
her.

"No!" Bri huffed, sounding offended.  "Didn't you just
listen to me? You and Van need to take things slow." 

Hitomi bowed her head. "I'm sorry."  She grabbed the
package and tore into it, blinking a bit as she
unwrapped a tube of strawberry lip gloss. "I-"

"I know you don't wear make up, but this is special!"
Bri winked playfully.  "Just because you need to go
slow doesn't mean I think a snail should move faster
than you, babe! Van loves strawberries best."

"BRI!" Hitomi yelled, but it was too late.  The other
girl had taken off, laughing her head off. Hitomi was
left alone, staring at the "Kiss Kiss" strawberry
gloss, wondering. Without allowing herself to think
about it, she uncapped it and applied it.

***************************

The sky was a beautiful light blue as she crossed the
lawn toward where Van was standing, waiting for her.
She smiled at him, her heart feeling lighter at the
sight of his handsome face. Today he was wearing a red
shirt, and it brought her back to Fanelia, when he had
loved her. He didn't love her yet, not as deeply, but
he would. Today was their first real date, and she
knew it would be wonderful.

Van hadn't noticed her arrival, as he was facing her
dorm, obviously expecting her to come from that
direction. She took the opportunity to study him,
notice the maturity time had brought to his body. 

His face had always been angular, and the years had
done nothing to change that. At twenty � for that was
what he had told her he was last night � his features
were striking and memorable, and she knew that he
would age well. His dark chocolate were set above high
cheek bones and under graceful eyebrows, and the
impish grin she could surprise from him complemented
it well. His lips were a bit too thin, perhaps, but
there was something about the way he tilted his head
knowingly that made his presence known.

He was tall, taller than she would have thought him
able to become. He had always struck her as one of
those who would never gain any great height, but now
that she saw him as a man, she realized he had merely
been a late bloomer. She remembered his brother, and
realized that Folken had had a similar build. 

He wasn't handsome in a traditional sense, and he had
none of Allan's sheer beauty, but there was something
arresting about him. She knew that eyes would follow
him wherever he went, and even if he wanted to, he
couldn't fade into the background.

A legacy, perhaps, of a life as a king. She shook
herself from her mental wanderings. It was the here
and now that was important. "Van!" she called.

He didn't start from surprise, as most people would,
but turned to face her smoothly. She smiled as his
face softened, and he lifted a hand to wave at her.
�Hitomi!� he said in reply. �I hope I�m not too
early?�

�Never.� She gave him a grin. �Bri dragged me off,
which is why I�m running a bit late. I�m sorry,� she
apologized.

He held out his arms, and she stepped into them,
accepting his embrace. �It�s fine,� he said, pressing
his face into her hair. �I know how those things
happen.�

Her arms crept around him, and she was quiet,
listening to the warm thud of his heart. He felt warm,
and real. Holding Donovan was better than holding the
Van of her dreams for just that reason. It wasn�t a
dream anymore.

She didn�t know how long they stood there, but when
she heard the catcalls from passing students, she
pulled back, feeling a bit embarrassed. �Are we
getting lunch?� she asked, trying to ignore the hot
blush that she knew had to be coloring her face.

�I have a picnic lunch in my car,� he said. �I thought
it might be nice to find somewhere quiet and just
talk. I don�t have to be back until four, so maybe we
can go to a park.�

She liked the idea. �You made a lunch?� she asked
curiously.

�I can cook!� he said. �I did buy dessert, but that
was because I�m not that good at making chocolate chip
cookies.�

He had noticed. Taking his hand, she let him lead her
to his car.

The park he chose was about half an hour from campus,
even though it was still in the city. Somehow it
seemed isolated, even though there were other
picnickers around. She wasn�t surprised that the food
was wonderful, though eating outside always made her
hungrier. 

Van teased her with the chocolate chip cookies,
keeping them out of her reach. �You need to keep in
shape for running,� he told her.

She scowled at him. �I can run you into the ground.�

�Probably,� he admitted. �If you�re good, I�ll let you
have one.�

Her eyes lingered on the box longingly. �What�s good?�

�I�ll let you know,� he said, hiding the box behind
him with a wink.

It was fun, to be lighthearted and carefree. She had
missed the feeling.

With the wind blowing around them, and the scent of
fresh-cut grass coming from under the blanket they
were sitting on, she felt free. Smiling at him, she
stared into his eyes, realizing that it didn�t matter
if Donovan Masanori was Van Fanel.

All that mattered was that he made her happy.

�Hitomi, if someone said they could grant you anything
in this world, what would it be?� he asked idly.

�One of those cookies,� she answered. 

He blinked in surprise. �You wouldn�t wish to be a
world-class runner or for world peace? Nothing
grandiose?�

She shook her head. �Everything really worth having
has to be worked for. So... I�d settled for a cookie.
It�s the little things, life�s simple pleasures, that
we can just ask each other for. What would you ask
for?�

He thought for a second. �I think I�d settle for a
kiss,� he said, and the smile faded from his lips,
replaced by something utterly serious.

Her breath caught. She and Bri had been talking about
kissing, but...

�I�ll give you a kiss if you give me a cookie,� she
whispered in reply. 

Van moved over to her, cupping her face between his
hands. Slowing, his lips descended on hers, and she
felt something inside of her uncoil as she responded. 
The light pressure was inquisitive, but Hitomi
welcomed it. His kiss tasted like chocolate and made
her body burn. She leaned forward, pressing herself
against him, embracing the sweet feeling of homecoming
and exploration. Her breath stopped as his hands
pulled away and he drew back, only to rest his
forehead against hers.

�I think I should have bought more cookies,� he said. 

That had hardly been what she�d been expecting, and
she blinked in surprise. Then she realized what he was
implying, and started to laugh.

Around three, they packed up their supplies and went
back to campus. She leaned against Van�s side as he
pulled into the parking lot by her dorm.

�I wish we had more time,� she said.

�Are you doing anything tonight?� he asked. �I have to
study, but maybe you could come over? I know we�re not
in the same classes, but...�

�I�d like that. Is seven okay?� she asked.

�It sounds great,� he said, getting out of the car and
going around to open she door.

He was a gentleman, she thought. Sliding out of the
door with his help, she leaned on his arm a bit so she
could stretch. �I think--" she began, but was
interrupted by a voice from behind them.

�Ah, Van!� a voice called, one she recognized. �I was
hoping I�d see you!�

She turned around with Van, about to demand what Amano
was doing on campus and how he knew Van... but her
voice caught in her throat.

Long golden hair flew away from a beautiful face, one
which she had seen every time she saw her best
friend�s fianc�. But it wasn�t Amano...

She knew she shouldn�t have been surprised to see him,
since she knew Van and Merle were on Earth, but the
heart rarely listened to the head�s reason. It was
another spike in her stability to see him, this man
she had thought she was in love with, had confused
herself and Van over. He was exactly as she remembered
him, though he now wore the clothes of a resident of
Earth, rather than an Asturian knight. 
				
Allen Schezar stood before her, and unlike Van, he
hadn't changed at all. 	


***************************

END PART FIVE



Up Next: The Chariot
Keywords: Victory, Will, Self-Assurance, Hard Control

Technical Notes:

Gaijin: foreigner. Usually some social stigmas
attached.

Love hotel: Places where people rent rooms to have
sex, often decorated with �themes.� Yes, I have heard
of a Hello Kitty Room. 

=====
Down, down, down, would the fall never come to an end?
Wonder how many miles I've fallen?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mailing List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Quicksilver/
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