Vision Of Escaflowne Fan Fiction ❯ Dangerous Wounds ❯ Lions, Tigers, and bear...guymelefs? ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Two years had passed by steadily throughout the world of Gaea. Different styles of clothing became popular and various other changes came about. Asturia was a rapidly evolving country and the new found alliance with Zaibach helped immensely with the technological growth. Still, old traditions did remain the same. Most children were home-taught rather than going to the newly built school for education, and people still worshipped the sea dragon god in church every morning of the last day of the week.

As a matter of fact, that was where the majority of Palas's citizens were and as always, the seagulls circled around the city, releasing cries before swooping down to find a meal. After time, church bells rang out, signaling the ceremony's end. Once the large doors were opened, the music of the pipe organ became audible to those outside. Quite a few people shuffled down the church's steps, chattering amongst themselves. Mixed within this group were two flaxen-haired women; one dressed in blue and the other in yellow. The blue-clad one clutched the end of her skirt, making it easier to move down those stairs. Her hair was gathered back in a bun with coils of gold strewn about here and there over elegant features. The one in yellow followed along with her friend's actions, holding a religious book against her breast. Three rows of hair had been twisted back atop her head and the rest undulated to her mid-back. She smiled some at something the other had said and then both entered a conversation about the sermon. Though, the blue dressed one paused abruptly, glancing around herself.

"What's wrong, Encia?" Questioned the one in yellow.

Encia shook her head softly, looking through the crowd, "Have you seen the children lately, Valeria?"

"No...I'm afraid not..." She responded. "But, I'm certain they couldn't have gone far."

A tawny-haired man stepped up behind Encia, laying a hand on her shoulder. The woman looked up to spot her mustached husband. She couldn't help but smile to him, "Leon...where is Celena?"

Those crystal blue eyes of his shifted to the side in search, coming up empty-handed. Though another look was spared to the door just as their eldest son stepped out of the building, "Allen, where is your sister?"

The eleven year old shook his head unknowingly, "I'm not sure, father..."

"Hm...I don't know, Encia. She might be in the church still..." Leon offered to her and then glanced up as someone he knew came into sight. "Excuse me for a minute..."

Encia sighed, watching Leon head off. She then glanced toward Valeria again with a shake of her head, "I just hope she didn't go far..."

"I'm certain she didn't, but one thing's for sure...my son is probably with her."


Not far from the place of worship, there was a grassy hill which overlooked the city. The hill itself connected to a lush field full of flowers and several other types of foliage. A gentle breeze caused blades of viridian to sway and dandelion seeds were scattered about along with it. This wind carried them into town where they said their good-byes and parted ways to start life anew. It was fairly late in the morning, which one could tell just by the position of the sun in the sky. A white-winged butterfly drifted downward, landing on the end of a polished boy's dress shoe. These two foot coverings lay beside a fancy pair of girl's.

Somewhere nearby, two children were gathered around a berry bush. The boy had the typical bowl cut hair that most of the poor children possessed. At least his outfit was fairly nice, though spending time outdoors like that probably wouldn't be healthy for the dress up clothes. But, the five year old hadn't a care in Gaea about such things. His companion, the girl, had ashen blonde strands which were pulled back by a green ribbon. A pretty, white dress adorned her form and a petticoat forced the skirt to puff up, though the girl herself really didn't like it that way no matter how 'nice' she looked. Eyes of a matching azure hue locked on each other and the two giggled, stuffing their mouths full of the delicious treat. Even more of the tiny fruits were plucked for a later snack.

"You know, Chesta..." The girl began with a mouthful. "We oughta pick all the berries here and take them home."

"How would we carry them...?" Chesta blinked in question and then glanced down at his sticky, red-stained fingers.

"Hm...good question..." The blonde glanced around and then allowed that gaze to lock on their discarded shoes with a thoughtful "hm."

The boy peeked up at her, plunging the juice covered digits into his mouth. Once he cleaned them off, he spoke up, "Did ya think up something, Celena?"

"We can carry them back in our shoes!" Celena declared.

"Ew..." Chesta wrinkled his nose.

"What...?"

"They've been on our feet!"

"So?"

"So...it's gross!"

"Ugh...you're pathetic, Chesta..."

"Well, feet are dirty!"

Celena rolled her eyes upward, pushing herself away from the bush. She lifted up her skirt and then tugged at a few ribbons, allowing the lacey petticoat to drop in a heap to the ground. Her dress fell against her legs and afterward, she settled to her knees. Chesta blinked at her actions, but then turned toward the bush and plucked off a few more berries, popping those past his lips. The blonde girl prodded at a couple stones and her eyes widened in interest.

"Hey, Chesta! Come here and see this..." Celena waved the boy over.

Following the instruction with interest, he took a few steps closer and then squatted down to take a peek at whatever Celena was playing with. A devilish grin crossed the girl's lips as she raised her hand toward him. Pinched between her thumb and index finger was a rather long, segmented insect leg which was attached to a spider's body. Chesta instinctively flinched and backed up a step. Celena couldn't contain the barrage of giggles which crept out of her mouth, but they halted quickly as she looked toward her hand. The leg was still there and twitching as though it was still alive, but the spider itself was gone. She let out a shriek and dropped the insect limb quickly. It was then Chesta's turn to giggle.

Celena puffed up her chest, "Oh, shush up!"

The laughter continued, if not grew louder.

"Quiet, Ches!"

And before Chesta even knew what hit him, he found himself flat on his back with Celena towering over him. The deep cerulean spheres widened in surprise, and Celena could only laugh softly at the lad's expense.

"Celena, what're you doing?"

"Chesta...you're my very best friend, right?"

The bowl-cutted blond arched a brow, "Well...yeah, of course I am."

"And we'll always be friends, right? No matter what happens...right?"

" 'Course, Celena! Why?"

Celena rolled off of the five year old, landing beside him as she stared up at the sky, "I was just wondering. I'll hold you to your word forever and ever, Chess..."

"I know you will..." Chesta giggled somewhat, raising his attention to the sky as well. He pointed upwards, toward one of the clouds. "Doesn't that look like a bear...?"

The girl canted her head, scrutinizing the fluffy shape with a shake of her head, "No...nope! It looks like a guymelef!"

"Nuh uh!"

"Uh huh! A guymelef!"

"A...bear-shaped guymelef...?" Chesta tried to compromise.

Celena laughed, looking over at him, "How about a bear's guymelef?"

"Can bears even pilot guymelefs?"

"They can now!"

"If you say so..."

The two sank into silence, just watching the bear 'melef drift by. It was in that silence, however, that the two children heard their names called in the distance. Chesta and Celena shot upright, looking in the direction of the shouts. Doing so revealed that they were coming from none other than Valeria, Encia, and Allen. Celena gasped and quickly scrambled over to her discarded petticoat, trying with all her might to throw it on before the adults arrived. Chesta just pushed himself up to his feet, stepping over to his shoes and slowly sliding them on. It was a good thing he didn't listen to Celena and removed that uncomfortable shirt.

"Chesta!" Valeria cried with a smile, hurrying forward to gather her son in her arms. "There you are."

Encia came upon Celena's attempt to pull on the article of clothing and she simply shook her head with a sigh, "Celena, what am I going to do with you? We are to make a proper lady of you yet. Perhaps putting you under Allen's constant supervision might be best..."

Allen blinked at his mother's sudden volunteering of him, "B-but...mother!"

"Mommy, the church was boring and me and Chesta only wanted to come up here and play," Celena offered a sheepish smile.

"That's the truth..." Chesta backed her up.

Valeria ran her hand over her son's hair with a shake of her head, "Shh..."

"Celena, you have to learn to stay where you're told to. I can't keep searching for you every time you decide you're bored and head off. You're five years old and you need to start acting your age and listening when you're told, do you understand me?"

"Y-yes, Mother..."

"Good, now gather up your shoes and let's get back home," Encia started off, but paused so that she could glance to the other mother. "Valeria, I'm sorry about all of this. Perhaps we can get together sometime this week for tea?"

"I would be delighted..." Valeria smiled.

"Wonderful! Then I'll see you at some point this upcoming week. Good-bye, Valeria...good-bye, Chesta. Come along now, Celena..." Encia headed back in the direction of town, followed by both of her children.

"Good-bye!" Both replied in unison.

Valeria watched after them for a moment, but then turned to Chesta, "I suggest we do the same..."

* * *

The 'new' Templeton home seemed to be much more welcoming than the last. Perhaps it was because of the brighter shades of flowers or the light pink curtains, but no. It was probably because Zaccheus wasn't a part of it. The day he stormed out angrily was the last day that Valeria or Chesta ever saw him again. Hearing that life was cheaper in the city, when days changed to weeks and eventually months, Valeria had decided to pack up and leave for Palas. It was there that they stayed at a shelter while the mother searched for a job and once she got the money...well, that new house was where the single-parent family wound up.

Chesta had gotten on his pajamas as he was instructed, and he moved to the window of his much larger room. He liked it better there in all honesty. True, a part of him missed his father, but everything was much happier between his mother and him. There were no more sleepless nights caused by arguments, and no more being scared for Valeria's safety. They were both safe in their new house. Chesta smiled at the thought. Yes...life in Palas, Asturia had been like heaven compared to the earlier years of his life. He had his mother, a nice home, and a real friend...Celena(not that Jitters didn't still make a great companion).

"Chesta, are you ready for bed...?" The boy's mother questioned him from downstairs.

"Um...yes! I'm ready!" Chesta scrambled over to the bed, leaping into the covers, and grabbing Jitters tightly.

It took a moment, but Valeria reached the room and moved inside smoothly, her night robes swaying fluidly against the floor. Fingers were curled around a leather-bound book and the woman sank on the edge of the bed. A smile was exchanged between the mother and son before Valeria slowly opened to the book-marked page. Chesta sank down comfortably in the covers, closing his eyes so that his imagination could carry the pictures of the story that weren't illustrated within.

"The castle was dark and not a creature stirred, but the young squire knew somehow that the beautiful princess was captured inside that tower. Thunder crackled in the distance and it began to pour. But, the hero would not give up until he saved the princess from that dragon. To slay the evil beast would make him the town's savior...and that was what he intended to..." Valeria stopped reading once she heard the heavy, sleeping breaths from Chesta. She smiled softly, closing the book and leaning forward to kiss the boy's forehead.

"Goodnight, my sweet Chesta..."