The Phoenix Sonata - Chapter 7

The camp is now set, Athena and I will stay in the same tent.

A : Hope you don't mind that we will have to sleep together girl !

P : It's not like you take a lot of space plus I used to sleep with a "parasite" up until recently.

A : Ahah ! Seems tough !

I'm glad you're not cautious around me.

P : About what ?

A : Because I'm a dwarf, people in the city always watch their mouths not to say anything uncalled for.

P : I'm not politicaly correct.

A : That's good for me!

The trip was peaceful. Although we are clearly not welcomed by humans, no incidents happened. Rain stayed serious and didn't even wander around, Athena is a short girl full of energy and the secretary got used to long walks. But the more I think about it, the more I have a bad feeling about all this.

R : Alright, almost there ! Things are going to be complicated and possibly dangerous once we reach the Castle. This is our last camp, so let me recapitulate our mission : Witness anything that goes against the peace agreement. They won't let us go around as we please, so here the plan.

Phoena !

P : It's strange to see you talk so seriously …

R : You're the most human looking of us so please make yourself more … discreet.

P : I know perfectly what I have to do without you telling me.

R : I have no doubt about it.

Athena, you're gonna transform into a beautiful elf lady. It'll help make Phoena look more out of the group.

A : Roger !

R : Don't forget there is a witch on their side, be on your guards !

Everyone : Yes !

R : Alright now go to sleep !

Everyone picked their clothes for tomorrow and made sure to rest well.

Later in the night, I was a bit restless at the thought of getting my egg back tomorrow. I headed to the near river to wash my face but when I arrived …

P : Rain !

What you're doing ? You scared me !

R : Can something scare you ? *laugh*

P : …

R : What ?

P : Thanks for the fan-service … ( topless … nice built … )

R : *blush* you're the best at making people uncomfortable you know ? * dress back *

Can't sleep again ?

P : I'm subject to insomnia.

R : Humm …

P : What ?

R : I really don't know much about you.

P : What do you want to know ?

R : Because, I can ask ?

P : I told you already : " You may ask but I may not answer".

R : Alright, let me think …your favorite color ?

P : … Green.

R : Your favorite flower ?

P : Freesia.

R : Season ?

P : Autumn

You don't have somthing more interesting to ask ?

R : It's interesting *smiling*

P : My turn. Color ? Flower ? Season ?

R : Red, Rose and Spring. Something else ?

P : hum … Your type of woman ? *grin*

R : My type … difficult to say … A dignified, kind and intellegent woman with a strong will power I guess.

…

Phoena, have you always travelled alone ?

P : Yeah.

R : Aren't you lonely ?

P : …

How old are you ?

R : Evading the question euh … but how old … more than 2thousands I stopped counting long ago …

P : I see … Aren't you bored ? Living this long …

R : I am. To be frank, it's annoying. I can't really get married, I'm kinda lonely. Not a lot of people can understand, especially humans.

They all wish for immortality without knowing the suffering of seeing everyone close to you die.

P : Sound like you don't like humans.

R : I've grown to be wary of them.

P : Wary ? I don't think humans are much danger, although I do think they're stupid and foolish.

R : That's probably because you haven't seen the atrocity they have commited during the Great War. Humans aren't a menace by themselves but they are a lot of them. Their numbers is where the danger come from.

P : I see, I'm young so I can't really understand that kind of thing.

R : You might be young, you're still yearning to learn. It is a big quality.

P : Really ?

R : Of course, even though you had the luxury to do nothing when you where living at my place, you've gone to the library everyday.

P : I don't like being inactive, doing nothing all day drive me crazy.

R : It's a good thing. By the way, I haven't been able to be a good host with me being almost completely absent all day.

P : It's not like I haven't seen you at all.

R : Right. I'm glad you don't hate me, since you don't like … elves.

P : You're an okay guy so I don't mind *blush*

R : I forgot, What's you're type of man ?

P : *Blushing* Wha – What are you saying ?

R : You asked me so I ask you.

P : *BLUSHING* Not telling !!!

R : Why ? I told you !

P : I don't care !!

R : Come on *smiling*

P : … no way ! * Blushing even more*

The mood kept getting lighter, it was pleasant to relax a bit.

Rain pov :

I'm glad the mood lightened, the heaviness of our mission was starting to exhaust me.

It seems that Phoena have relaxed quite a bit too, she's starting to fall asleep.

R : Phoena ? If you want to sleep, it'd be better to go back to your tent …

P : … hm …

No reaction, hm ? Oh well, I guess it's okay. I've grabbed her by her shoulders, lift her up and go back to the camp. When I got there, I tried to put her back on her camp bed without waking her up.

R : Goodnight.

Athena : ( Mister Rain ? … )

When I woke up, I was in my bed. From what Athena told me, Rain carried me back.

Athena : Since we're alone, I'll dare to ask. Does you and Rain have some kind of relationship ?

P : *blush* No way !

A : Huuuumm … but … don't you love him ?

P : *blushing at max* I … don't …

A : Because he's an elf ?

P : I'm not like that.

A : Huuuummmm … Oh well.

P : ?

We headed to the castle and somehow the reception was a bit awkward.

Guard : Welcome ! Are you the emissary of the Elves ?

Secretary : Seem evident isn't it ?

Guard : Why is a human accompanying you ?

Secretary : She is a guide we hired in order to get here safely and GO HOME safely.

She will be staying with us.

Guard : There shouldn't be a problem.

Please come in, King Rodrick III is awaiting for you.

We advanced in, trough several corridors and rooms. The stares along the way were both frightened and menacing, although not aimed at me.

Finally we got to the throne room doors, entirely made out of gold. Everything in this castle is so flashy and bling-bling, I wonder how foolish this king is …

And then, two guards opened those heavy doors.

Guards : Behold ! Bow your head for King Rodrick III !

Rain : We won't.

The astonishment of the audience speaked for itself.

King Rodrick : I wasn't awaiting less from you. The oldest of the Elves, Rain Hartcliff.

…