For the whole day Filia kept trying to find things to keep herself occupied to pass the time. But no matter how hard she tried, the day just seemed to go slower and slower as time went on. And what was worse she couldn't even think of that many things to do. So she ended up spending most of the day doing pointless things.
But one of the things that had taken a lot of her time was when Filia was trying to decide what she was going to wear to her date that night. She had decided a day or two before was that she was going to wear a dark red dress, but now that it came to the day of the day Filia had reconsidered.
Though the dress was very pretty it didn't look quite the way Filia wanted it to look on her when she tried it on that morning. So that left Filia scrambling through her closets trying to find a dress to wear instead. She wanted to wear something nicer then the dress that she had worn on her date with Xellos but she was having trouble finding something. All that Filia knew was that she was going to wear the new matching necklace and earrings that she had bought before. The necklace was a gold chain with a crescent moon on it with diamonds set in it. The earrings were also crescent moons only they had only a diamond in each of them.
Upon searching deep through her closets Filia found a dress buried back behind a whole bunch of clothing. It was a strapless white dress that was embedded with diamonds. It was a dress that been passed down to her by her mother. Filia had never tried it on before and had no idea whether it would fit or not, but it was a very pretty dress.
Filia admired the dress for a few minutes before deciding to try it on. She looked at herself in her full length mirror with the dress on her. The dress didn't fit. It was a little big in a few areas but it wasn't as if she couldn't hem it up.
At about seven o'clock De Tanga in his Jarred Welmir appeared at Filia's door. He was well aware that he was being watched by a certain trickster priest. Well looks like Xellos is going to be our other chaperone for the evening. Besides Milo that is. De Tanga gave Milo a little pat on the head. He did bring Milo along for the date as he said that he was.
Milo had given De Tanga a curious look when De Tanga first changed into his Jarred Welmir form. But he just yawned and went back to sleep. Unlike some creatures Milo knew De Tanga even if he was in different forms. Or maybe all animals were like that, De Tanga wasn't exactly sure.
He straighten his collar before knocking on the door. Moments later the door opened and Filia come out into the doorway. "Hello Jarred. You're right on time!" Filia smiled as she went outside.
"My Filia aren't you a vision of loveliness this evening?" De Tanga took her hand and gave her a light peck.
Filia lightly blushed at De Tanga's actions. Then she noticed the slumbering kitten in his arms. "My that little kitty sleeps a lot doesn't he?" Filia petted his head and Milo purred in his sleep.
"Normally that this much. But since he's been sick Milo has been sleeping a lot more lately. He'll probably be fine later on in a couple of days. Anyway Milo and I have a little present for you." De Tanga said coyly reaching inside his cloak for a little box that was in one of his pockets. He pulled it out and handed it to Filia.
Filia looked at him in shock. "Jarred you shouldn't have!" Filia exclaimed. Filia was having a little bit of trouble making sure that she was calling De Tanga, Jarred then by his real name. Because she knew from what De Tanga had told her that Xellos was undoubtedly around in the area spy on the two of them.
"Well I wanted to. Once I say it in a store I immediately thought of you. Go ahead and open it." De Tanga motioned at the box in Filia's hands.
Filia looked at the box for a few seconds before carefully opening it. What she found inside the box was a small beautifully crafted crystal dragon. "Oh my-! This is beautiful! I can't believe you got me something like this..."
"Well think nothing of it. It's a gift from me to you. I guess you should take it inside your home and leave it there."
"Yeah I don't want it to break on our date. If you will please excuse me I'll be right back."
De Tanga nodded as Filia left to go back in her home. She returned moments later and went to go lock her door. "So shall we go?" Filia asked him with a smile.
"Yes we shall." De Tanga offered his arm and they linked arms and walked off to their first location.
Xellos glared at Filia and Jarred as they walked off arm and arm. He started to grind his teeth in anger. He was just about to go and follow them when his master summoned him.
Xellos!
Yes Master?
Come here at once!
But Master I'm --
Are you questioning me orders?!
No Master --
Then come here at once!!!
The telepathic link was cut leaving Xellos sitting there torn between to things. A part of him wanted to stay and continue spying on Filia and her date. But the other part of him knew that he had to go and see his master. He sighed and phased out and teleported back his master's lair.
He figured that he was going to have to wait in the hall before he could speak to Greater Beast Zellas but upon arriving he was taken to her right away.
He entered in the dark hall where Zellas sat on her thrown looking very cross. Xellos bowed down before Zellas on a bended knee. "You summoned me Master?"
"Yes I did Xellos... tell me why you have been ignoring your orders?"
"Ignoring my orders? What do you mean by that? I've been doing as you have asked. I have been spying on the golden dragon and ancient dragon."
"Oh really? I know very well that you've been paying a lot of attention to the golden dragon, but none lately to the ancient dragon. Why is that Xellos?"
"The ancient dragon is out on a trip with friends. I didn't think there was any reason to directly spy on him. I have one of my minions currently spying on him and reporting back to me."
"So that makes it okay to put all your attentions on the golden dragon? How do you know that your minion is doing a good job? It seems to me that you've been paying far too much attention. So much that you would even go as far as to leave just to find out information about someone that is associating with her?"
Xellos didn't respond he just stood there staring at the ground.
"Well?"
"I'm sorry Master, I'll be more careful next time."
"You'd better be. Or otherwise I might reconsider continuing having you as my general priest." Zellas gave Xellos a very evil glare before continuing on. "Leave now and go back to your assignment. And I don't want to hear anything of you not completely following my orders." Zellas waved her hand motioning him to leave and Xellos complied.
Once out of his master's great hall, Xellos teleported back to the town that Filia lived in. It took Xellos a few seconds of searching before he found out the exact location of where Filia and her date were.
At this point in their date Filia and De Tanga were walking and talking and laughing away generally having a good time.
"Jarred where are we going first?" Filia asked hoping to pry out some information out of De Tanga about tonight's upcoming events.
"Well you know that I am going to take you to dinner..."
"So are we going to dinner first?"
"We were only yesterday I thought of something we could do before dinner."
"So what are we going to do first then?"
"You'll see." De Tanga mischievously grinned at her.
Filia groaned. She had a feeling that De Tanga wasn't going to be very clear about their plans. Hmm... maybe being secretive is a common trait among monsters. Filia absentmindedly thought.
I suppose you are right about that.
Filia mentally kicked herself. She had forgotten that he could do that. So are you going to be doing this all night whenever I think?
Only when I need to. Oh and by the way Xellos is back. De Tanga pointed out as Xellos resumed his spying.
Why did he leave in the first place?
My guess is that he had to take care to something. Or perhaps maybe he was summoned by his master. In any case we should stop this telepathic discussion for now and get back to talking normally.
Okay. Filia looked around at the area around them. She couldn't tell by the direction that they were heading on where their location might be.
They ended up heading towards the lake near town.
"A lake? What are we going to do here?" Filia looked around all confused.
"We are going to do that." De Tanga pointed to the little boat that was tied to the harbor. "Do you mind taking a little boat ride on the lake?"
"A boat ride? No I wouldn't mind at all. I think it's a good idea." Filia gave him a little smile. "But is the boat safe to use?"
"Yes it is, I tested it yesterday. So shall we?" De Tanga gestured for her to come with him.
Xellos glared at the pair. Damn him! Now it's going to be hard for me to spy on them without being noticed.
Xellos silently grumbled as he watched the pair board the little rowboat. The only real way he could keep a good eye on them and listen in on their conversation was to float right above them. But all they needed to do was look up and they'd see him. And Xellos knew that he's have a lot of explaining to do to Filia as to why he spying on them during her date. Of course there was always the chance that they wouldn't look up or that it would be too dark for them to see him but Xellos didn't want to take that risk. So that only left Xellos with one option, spy on them from afar and not get to hear what they were saying. Xellos teleported to a nearby tree that overlooked the whole lake and sat down on a branch.
De Tanga waited until Filia was comfortably situated in the boat before he started to row off. The water softly splashed against the boat as he rowed with slow even strokes. Both him and Filia were silent as they made they way to the middle of the lake. Once in the middle of the lake, De Tanga placed the paddles back down and the boat slowed down till it only moved slightly with the roll of the waving water.
De Tanga didn't say anything and looked up at the golden dragon that was sitting across from him. Filia was staring back at him with a curious look on her face.
"So?"
"He's over in that tree by the edge of the lake."
Filia gave a faraway glance at the tree and lightly laughed. "So I take it that he can't hear a word we're saying, can he?"
"Most likely not. Unless Xellos has some trick up his sleeve that I don't know about." De Tanga gave out a hardy chuckle.
Milo whom had been sleeping in De Tanga's lap was stirred awake by the sudden vibrations from De Tanga's laughter. The little kitten gave De Tanga an unhappy glare before actually getting a vague idea on where exactly he was. First Milo blinked a few times as he peered towards the edge of the boat to the calm dark water from his vantage point from De Tanga's lap. And then Milo came to full realization on where he was.
"MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOWWW!!!" Milo screeched jumping up and digging his claws deep into De Tanga's right shoulder.
"OWW!! MILO! Stop that!" De Tanga tried to pry the frighten kitten from his shoulder without success.
The fur on Milo's back stood up as he arched it and hissed rather loudly digging further into De Tanga's shoulder.
"You little scaredy-cat! Calm down Milo! You're not going to fall into the water, unless you keep up all this commotion!"
Filia sweatdropped. "I guess we should have figured that this was going to happen. What are we going to do if we can't get him to calm down?"
"The only thing we can do. Put the little guy to sleep." As soon as De Tanga said that he started to whisper something quietly under his breath. Once he was finished Milo was sound asleep. "There. I'll just have him sleep till we leave the boat. Though if I know Milo he's not going to be happy at me for doing this to him, but it's for his own good."
"How's your shoulder?" Filia said leaning over to get a better look at De Tanga's clawed shoulder.
"Oh it's fine. Sure he tore up the clothes I'm wearing, but he didn't leave any marks on my skin. I am a monster after all."
"Hmm... I suppose your right." Filia mused. "But I guess we must have made a big display for that raw garbage Xellos. Hey does Xellos know about Milo?"
"Nope he shouldn't. I haven't had Milo that long and I hadn't seen Xellos in a very long time till recently. So unless he's been having keeping tabs on me then he shouldn't know about my little fury friend."
"But still if Xellos saw that whole display, then he's going to expect to see a mark on your shoulder from Milo's claws. Can you make it appear that you have a wound on your shoulder? Because if Xellos sees you and doesn't see the scratches he might suspect that you aren't exactly human."
"Yup, that's easy." De Tanga winked. Within an instant an angry red wound appeared in the place that Milo had dug his claws into. "So how does that look? Real enough for you?"
"Let me take a look." Filia moved closer to De Tanga and as a result it started to rock the boat. "AHHHH!!"
"Don't move or it will rock it even more!" De Tanga said while trying to steady the boat so as not to tip it over. But instead he caused Filia to fall forward. De Tanga caught Filia as she fell straight into his lap almost falling right onto Milo.
They stayed like that for a few moments both unable to move or speak.
Meanwhile Xellos fell of his perch in shock and splashed into the lake below him.
The sudden loud splash to their side caused Filia and De Tanga to snap back into reality and recoil away from each other. Both of them were extremely red in the face and unable to look each other in the face.
It seemed like an eternity passed by before they dared to look up at each other. And once they did they started to smile which turned into a giggle, which ended up with them both laughing.
"Did you hear Xellos? Right into the water!"
"I know! That must have been quite a sight for him! I wonder what he was thinking..." De Tanga smiled with a mischievous grin.
"And what do you mean by that?" Filia said with an equally mischievous grin. But she regained her stature. "It's not like he'd been jealous or anything."
De Tanga raised en eyebrow at her. She really doesn't realize it does she? Oh well if she did it would make my job far too easy anyway.
Xellos spat out some of the water that had gotten into his mouth, once he had gotten out of the lake. He cursed himself for messing up like that. What the hell is wrong with me?! I shouldn't have fallen like that! Why did I?! It's not like I give a damn what that annoying golden dragon does anyway! Xellos huffed while drying his clothes from back on his perch on the tree.
They sat in the little rowboat for a little while watching the first stars emerge on the blue-black velvety night sky.
"Well I think we've let Xellos suffer long enough, so shall we continue with the rest of our date?" De Tanga grinned.
"I suppose so. Is the restaurant far from here?"
"It's a little bit of a walk. Why are you starving?"
"No, just a little hungry that's all." Filia sheepishly smiled.
"Well then what are we waiting for? Let's get going." De Tanga started to row again, but did so slowly as to not wake up Milo just yet. The whole time he had been sleeping peacefully and De Tanga ruin that till at least they were back on dry land.
Once the boat was docked De Tanga got out of the boat first and then gave Filia a hand up. While getting up onto the dock Filia tripped on her dress and fell forward again. But this time Filia did squish Milo.
"MEEEEOOOWWW!!!" Milo gave a loud shout as he squirmed and jumped out of De Tanga's arms. The started little kitty glared at the two people standing before him.
"I'm very sorry Milo. I tripped." Filia kneeled down and looked at the little kitty.
Milo gave her a consenting look before glaring at De Tanga very angrily.
"What?" De Tanga looked down at Milo who glared back at him. "Alright I'm sorry about the sleep spell, but you were being too frantic. Would you have rather to have been awake the whole we were out in the boat instead of sleeping?"
Milo considered that thought and then did something that sort of resembled a shrug. Then the little kitty looked curiously to De Tanga's shoulder.
"Yes that's your handy-work." De Tanga gave the little cat a pet on the head.
Milo still gave De Tanga a curious look but shrugged it of and hopped back into De Tanga's arms and fell asleep.
"Sometimes I don't understand this little guy. He gets angry because I put him to sleep only to fall asleep again right after I apologized. And he doesn't even seem to be sorry about the scratches he did on my shoulder." De Tanga mused.
"Well Jarred, you were the only who brought him in the boat in the first place." Filia gave De Tanga a sly smile.
"Okay fine. So it was my fault for doing so, but he could have at least had a little bit of guilt for hurting me."
Filia laughed out loud.
"Filia my dear, has anyone told you that you have a wonderful laugh?" De Tanga winked at her.
Filia didn't say anything she just blushed and looked away. "No, no one has ever told me that before..."
"Now I have to say I find that really surprising." De Tanga moved Milo to his left arm and linked arms with Filia with his right arm. "So shall we get on our way to the restaurant?"
"Sure. But which restaurant are we going to?"
"I told you before Filia, it's going to be a surprise. I know it's going to be a place you're going to like."
Filia rolled her eyes and gave a little chuckle. "With you choosing, I'm sure I will."
In the background you could almost hear the sound of a person grinding their teeth in anger from the trees.
[The lyrics used in this songfic part of Mind Games are from the song Don't Know You Anymore by Savage Garden.]
De Tanga lead Filia along the wooded trails leading away from the town.
Another restaurant located out in the middle of no where? Filia projected her thoughts to De Tanga.
Well no, this one isn't in the middle of no where.
Then where is it then?
In the next town.
WHAT?! Are you joking?! That will take over three hours to get there walking!
Oh I know that. That's why I arranged a carriage to take us there.
But that's still going to take a long time!
I know. But we're not going to take the carriage over there.
Huh? But you just said you arranged for it for us to use...
I arranged for a carriage for Xellos to think we're taking a carriage to there.
So just making him think we're taking the carriage?
Yup so that Xellos will be following the carriage around and we'll already be in town. Of course we won't be eating till Xellos gets to town but we'll be doing something else while we are waiting.
So then how are we going to get there?
Well I am a monster am I?
Oh... Filia stifled a silent giggle. "So how far is it to the carriage Jarred?"
"Shouldn't be too much farther."
"So what makes this restaurant so great that we have to go to the next town to eat rather then just eat here?"
"Believe me you'll see once we get there. Our carriage awaits mademoiselle." De Tanga did a funny gesture to the carriage and coachman patiently waiting for them at the end of the trail.
"Greetings Master Jared. I see that you finally made it. Well aren't ya going to introduce me to your enchanting date?" The coachman said with a grin.
"Good evening to you too Kale. Filia this is Kale, Kale this Filia."
"Hello Kale." Filia did a curtsy.
"Good evening Miss Filia. So Master Jared are you and Miss Filia ready to head off to the next town?"
"Yes Kale we are."
"Good then just hop into the carriage and we'll get going. Say Master Jared and in the world happened to your shoulder?"
"Oh I had a little accident on the boat involving Milo."
"Well little kitties don't like water too much now do they? But you know Master Jared you really should get yourself cleaned up or otherwise they might let you into the restaurant."
"I suppose you are right, thank you Kale I'll do just that. So shall we go?" De Tanga motioned for Filia to board the carriage. He helped her up and then followed her right into the carriage.
As soon as they were on Kale got the horses going and they were on their way.
Xellos grumbled as he watched Filia and her date board into the carriage. Why the hell do they have to go to another town to eat for?! What the hell am I going to do while I'm waiting for the carriage to get to the next town!? I can't go to the next town because they could change their minds and go someplace else and I'd be stuck waiting for them and they wouldn't even be showing up. But if I tail them I can't get too close without alerting the coachman. Meaning I wouldn't be able to listen in on their conversation. How infuriating...
So even though he didn't want to Xellos followed the carriage from the sky. This going to be a long trip...
Inside the carriage Filia and De Tanga sat in silence.
So is he following us?
Yup but he's not sitting on the roof of the carriage like I expected him to.
But if he was going to sit on the roof of the carriage then we wouldn't have been able to leave.
Trust me, if he had Kale would have made sure that he got off. So shall we go to town now or do we want to wait?
What do you think? Filia winked.
Within seconds they were both in the next town in the alley between two buildings.
"What's Kale going to think if he stops the carriage and we're not in it?"
"Well Kale's a half monster so he knows that we're not in there. And besides I already told him that you and I would be leaving once he started the coach up. He's going to alert me once the carriage gets into town."
He was half monster? Filia thought in wonder. How odd and I didn't even sense anything from him. "What about Xellos? Isn't he going to realize that we're not in the carriage?"
"Don't worry about that. Kale is making sure that it seems like we're both in there."
Filia laughed. "I have to say De Tanga you sure are a very resourceful person."
"Well I am a monster now aren't I?" De Tanga said with a grin.
"So what do you want to do right now?"
"Well didn't you say that you were a little hungry? Perhaps we can go get a light snack." De Tanga suggested.
"But where?"
"Well it is the moon festival now isn't it? We should be able to find a food stand to get something small to eat in the town square."
"The moon festival? I thought that was only in my town."
"Oh no it's a festival celebrated in quite a few places. It's just that different towns have different ways of celebrating it. Like your town has the whole idea with the fountain. This town's celebration is more centered around music and dancing. So how about we and get that food." De Tanga offered his arm and linked it with Filia's.
With a little bit of searching Filia and De Tanga found a stand with something perfect for them as a before dinner snack. It was a little stand that served little fried fishcakes.
After their little before dinner snack the two of them decided to walk around the town to see what sorts of things were happening. There was singing, dancing, music, drinks, food, lights, fireworks, pretty costumes and beautiful displays. Some of which gave Filia some ideas for future art projects.
They were just about to take part in one of the festival games when Kale alerted De Tanga that the carriage was nearing the town.
Filia we are going to need to get out of the public eye. The carriage is going to be here soon.
Filia nodded and the two of them walked off to a secluded area from which they phased back to the carriage.
Once back inside the carriage Filia fought off the dizziness of suddenly transporting from one place to the next. That's so disorienting... How can monsters do that so much and not be affected at all?
Well that's just the way monsters are. Looks like we are here. De Tanga mentally projected as the carriage came to a stop.
"Shall we?" De Tanga asked with a grin offering his hand to help her out.
"So Master Jared how long are you two going to be?" Kale asked once the two of them were outside.
"We'll be back once we are done eating. But that should be a little while. So why don't you enjoy the festivities for awhile while we're gone?" De Tanga suggested.
"I think I will sir. I'll be seeing you both later." Kale gave them a nod before going off to one of the stands.
"Wow it's really festive over here. Much more then in my town for this time of the year." Filia faked her surprise over the town's festival.
"That's one of the reasons on why I wanted to bring you here. So what do you feel like doing? Eating first or enjoying the festival then eating later?"
"Actually I am a bit on the hungry side, so how about we go and eat first. I'm dying to see this mystery restaurant of yours."
"Right this way mademoiselle." De Tanga linked arms with her once again and directed her to the restaurant that they would be eating at.
Xellos followed them stealthily behind.
The restaurant ended up being a place called La Lune which was perfect considering the moon festival. It was a very old but very elegant restaurant that had a cozy atmosphere with a grand piano in the middle of the restaurant with a person sitting playing soft classical music.
They were seated at a reserved table near the middle of the room right in front of the piano.
"This is wonderful..." Filia gushed.
"I thought you'd like it. So should we start with wine?" De Tanga asked pulling out the wine list.
Xellos got a table as near as possible to them as he could. But considering that this was a ritzy restaurant that was very hard without a reservation. But on the plus side since most people were enjoying the festival at the moment so it wasn't the busiest as it could be. But he was still too far away to hear anything.
Once they had ordered their wine Filia and De Tanga looked over their menus to try and decide on what to order.
"This is all so expensive..." Filia said in worry.
"Money is no object. Order whatever you want, I am paying after all."
"Jared! You can't be serious!"
"Really, I have money to burn, literately so order whatever your hearts content."
Filia frowned which caused De Tanga to laugh.
After a wonderful meal De Tanga and Filia ordered their desserts.
"That was a wonderful meal! Thank you so much for taking me here Jared."
De Tanga winked. "Well I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I still have a few surprises for you yet." De Tanga got out of his chair and walked towards the piano player. He gave the guy a nod and he got up and walked off. De Tanga took his place at the piano.
De Tanga?
Instead of answering Filia he went to address all the people in the restaurant. "Everyone, I am going to perform a song for you all. I'd like to dedicate it someone whom this song might mean something to."
Filia gasped as De Tanga began to play. You aren't going to play the piano in front of all these people?!
Oh and I'm also going to sing as well my dear.
I would like to visit you for a while
Get away and out of this city
Maybe I shouldn't have called but someone had to be the first to break
Xellos glared De Tanga at the piano. Oh isn't this cute. He's playing to her sentimental side. This guy is just too annoying. Xellos glanced over to Filia. She seemed to be so absorbed in his playing and singing to even realize that her dessert had been presented before her.
We can go sit on your back porch
Relax
Talk about anything
It don't matter
I'll be courageous if you can pretend that you've forgiven me
Because I don't know you anymore
I don't recognize this place
The picture frames have changed and so had your name
We don't talk much anymore
We keep running from the pain
But what I wouldn't give to see your face again
Though the more Xellos saw of this man the more he hated him, but still the song he sang someone felt familiar to him. Like in a way he could identify with it in some way. Xellos shook off those thoughts. What the hell am I thinking? Why would I want to seek out forgiveness for? And from who? By Shabrinigdo why does this guy bug me so much?! Xellos mulled.
His food in front of him had long since gone cold and all the waiters and waitresses were looking at him odd.
Springtime in the city
Always such a relief from the winter freeze
The snow was more lonely then cold if you know what I mean
Everyone's got an agenda
Don't stop keep that chin up you'll be alright
Can you believe what a year it's been
Are you still the same?
Has your opinion changed?
Filia came back to reality and noticed that hers and De Tanga's desserts had been brought to the table. Now when did our waiter bring these? And they are melting too. How could I just totally zone out there? Filia's eyes traveled across the room while she listened to De Tanga's song till the fell upon a very disgruntle person a little ways away. There Xellos sat with an extremely annoyed face glaring at De Tanga as he played.
I wonder what's going on his mind... He really looks upset about something. Filia wondered with a giggle.
Because I don't know you anymore
I don't recognize this place
The picture frames have changed and so has your name
We don't talk much anymore
We keep running from these sentences
But what I wouldn't give to see your face again
I know I let down
Again and again
I know I never treated you right
I've paid the price
I'm still paying for it every day
Filia was still watching Xellos who was watching De Tanga. The more the song carried on the more angry Xellos seemed to get. But it was then that he got the feeling that he was being watched.
Xellos looked around the room trying to find the person who was staring at him.
Luckily for Filia she looked away just in time.
I hope he didn't see me staring at him.
Xellos was baffled. Normally his senses were dead on, but there wasn't a single person besides the restaurant staff that was staring at him. De Tanga had everyone else's attention in the room. What the hell is wrong with me today? He wondered.
So maybe I shouldn't have called
Was it too soon to tell?
Oh what the hell
It doesn't really matter
How do you redefine something that never really had a name?
Has your opinion changed?
Because I don't know you anymore
I don't recognize this place
The picture frames have changed and so has your name
We don't talk much anymore
We keep running from the pain
But what I wouldn't give to see your face again
I see your face
I see your face
De Tanga played the last few notes of the song and he got a standing ovation for his performance.
"Thank you very much for indulging me. I give the floor back to your talent pianist." De Tanga motioned to the piano player has he came back to the center of the room.
De Tanga sat himself back down at their table.
"That was wonderful Jared!"
"Thank you very much. Did you like that surprise?" De Tanga winked yet again.
"Yes definitely, as well as everyone else." Well almost everyone...
I take it Xellos was a bit on edge?
Oh yes he was glaring at you the whole time!
Probably because I had stolen your attention so.
Filia rolled her eyes. It was a nice song but who did you dedicate it to?
I'd be lying if I said that I was dedicating it to you. But I think you know who the song was for.
Or whom. De Tanga thought to himself. Xellos you'd better wise up sooner or later or your going to loose something that you didn't even know was there.
After dinner De Tanga escorted Filia outside back to the festival.
Even though both of them had already seen the festival they hadn't taken part in all of the activities.
De Tanga led Filia to the town square where all the dancing was going on. "May I have this dance mademoiselle?" De Tanga tried to ask in a savvy tone offering his hand but the effect was ruined because he had to yell over the music.
Filia Laughed. "I'd love to! But about Milo?"
Milo glared at the festival around him. There was no way he was going to be able to sleep with all this noise. He hopped out of De Tanga's arms and walked off to a more quiet area.
Filia was going to go after him when De Tanga stopped her. "Shouldn't we go after him Jarred? He's just a little kitty."
"He'll be fine Filia. He knows not to get into trouble. We'll get him once we're done." De Tanga winked.
Though a little hesitant about leaving the little cat Filia took De Tanga's hand as he led her to the dance floor.
The music was very loud and festive. There were many types of percussion, guitars, flutes and many types of instruments that Filia had never even seen before. The musicians were all dressed in bright colors and the dancers were all wearing elaborate colorful costumes that whirl around when they danced. The beat and rhythm were fast paced and the melody was rich with many different cultures all mixed together in song.
Filia felt like she was dancing on air as she and De Tanga were swept away by the dancing and the music. It was so fast and so complex but it was so fun. Filia never knew dancing like this could be so tiring but she didn't want to stop. She had this constant grin plastered onto her face while her and De Tanga whirled around the dance floor.
After about fifteen minutes of dancing they had to stop. Filia was about to collapse at any moment.
De Tanga helped Filia to a bench so they could sit down for a few moments while Milo scampered back towards them and hopped back into De Tanga's arms.
Filia stared in wonder with her heart still beating wildly as she watched the dancers. They had been dancing for most of the night and they just kept going and going. They made it look all so effortless and easy but in reality it was very tiring and demanding on the body. Wow those guys are good.
They are aren't they?
I couldn't last fifteen minutes and those guys have probably been doing I for hours. Where do they get the energy?
If it's something you love to do you find ways. But how are you doing? Feeling better?
A little. I still want to rest for a moment or two. What are we going to do after this?
Well we could head back to your town, unless you want to stay a little longer and see more of the festival.
It's not like we haven't already seen the festival and it is starting to get a little late.
Alright I'll notify Kale.
Xellos glared at the couple sitting on the bench. Filia and De Tanga seemed to be having a discussion of some sorts but Xellos couldn't see or hear them properly with all the noise and dancing.
He had been watching them as they had danced glaring at them the whole time. While he watched them he couldn't help but think back to that dance contest he did Filia. Though the tango was a much more passionate dace Filia seemed to have had way more fun doing that folk dancing with De Tanga.
Emotions of happiness practically radiated from the golden dragon and the way she grinned so largely at De Tanga made Xellos' stomach tighten into knots. His teeth grinned and there was a constant crease in his brow.
But strangely enough and true to his character Xellos was still grinning. Though onlookers would comment that his grin was sinister and seemed to look like pure evil.
What do you have planned next for our dear Filia? Xellos glared. He never once stopped to think why he was spying on Filia Filia's date. Why would he care? Why did it matter if she had more fun on this date then the one she had with him? These questions didn't go through his head as he glared at them. He was angry and he didn't even stop to ask himself why. Or if he did he silenced those questions immediately.
Xellos wished he had some sort of dirt on Jared; he had this strong desire to ruin Filia's date. But he had nothing on Jared and he couldn't directly interfere with the date.
The thought occurred to him that he could have done something to the food when Filia and De Tanga had eaten their dinner.
That would have been perfect! I could have tampered wit his food and made him look like an idiot! Why didn't I?! Why didn't I think to do it back there?! Grrrrr......
De Tanga chuckled as he escorted Filia back to the carriage.
Filia raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing." Xellos actually.
What's he doing now?
He's going nuts.
What do you mean by that?
Instead of answering, De Tanga smiled and helped Filia into the carriage.
"So where are ya heading to now?"
"Back to town Kale."
"Alright! Back we go!" Kale started up the carriage while De Tanga sat down across from Filia.
Well?
Well what?
How is Xellos going nuts?!
Now that would take all the fun out of it if I told you. De Tanga winked.
Filia rolled her eyes. Monsters.
Xellos narrowed his eyes at the sight of Filia and De Tanga going into the carriage. Where are they going now? Are they going back already? He thought following them.
When the carriage got going again Xellos again followed them from the sky being as stealthy as possible. He really wanted to hear what they were talking about but he couldn't get in any closer without the risk of being seen.
Before he could have just stayed on the back of the carriage outside the backside window but the curtains had been drawn enough so that if he did so both passengers of the carriage could see him. So he had decided against doing that.
But this time De Tanga reached to close all the curtains of the carriage so that no one could see in at them.
What could he be planning that he could need to close all the curtains?! Indecent thoughts ran through Xellos' head as he turned hopping mad, more so then ever before. He latched onto the back of the carriage, his face just outside the window as he strained to hear what was going on in there. But with the sound the wheels and the horses of the carriage made it made it hard for Xellos to hear anything going in there at all.
What are you doing? Filia raised an eyebrow as De Tanga closed all the carriage curtains. She was still talking through thoughts because she didn't know how close Xellos was.
Just making Xellos' thoughts run wild.
How so?
Think about it, a beautiful woman alone with a charming man. In a carriage where no one can see what they are doing for an hour long ride. De Tanga grinned evilly.
Filia's eyes went wide when she realized what he was getting at. But we're not...
No I am a gentleman after all. But Xellos doesn't know that. And in fact he's right outside the back window. He also doesn't seem to happy.
Why should he care?! I'm a grown woman I can do whatever I want! Filia huffed.
De Tanga just lightly chuckled but didn't answer.
After an hour the carriage came to a stop right where it had first picked De Tanga and Filia in the woods near Filia's town.
Xellos scrambled off the back of the carriage and went back to his safety in the skies. He had heard nothing the whole time he hung on the back of the carriage. But that still didn't lighten his mood. I'm going to end this date! And I'm going to do it very soon! He glared down at De Tanga.
"You two travel home safely y'hear?" Kale more demanded then asked.
"Alight Kale. You travel safely too." Kale gave them both a nod before riding off.
"So what now Jared? Are we going home for the evening?" Filia asked once Kale was gone.
"Well I had one more thing in mind." De Tanga linked arms with Filia and led her through the woods.
Filia regarded him with suspicion but still grinned but didn't ask where they were going. While Milo was getting fidgety and figured he'd like having Filia carry him rather then De Tanga and hopped over to Filia's arms.
"Traitor." De Tanga said to Milo. Milo just yawned and went right back to sleep.
After a few minutes of walking De Tanga and Filia came back to the lake. The blue moon was in its' full glory bathing the whole area with its' pale blue light.
"Wow, it looks so pretty." Filia said in awe.
De Tanga only briefly stared at the moon washed lake before returning his attentions back to Filia. Her eyes seemed to sparkle like the diamonds encrusted in her dress and jewelry. He couldn't help but stare, the graceful way she moved, the playful smile that tugged at her lips, the blue depth of her eyes the whole sight almost made De Tanga hold his breath. She was so enchanting that the only word that came to mind as he looked at her was angel.
She's beautiful, smart, spirited, kind funny and charming. Filia has to be the most wonderful woman I have every had the chance to meet. De Tanga thought with fondness.
You know to tell you the truth I was expecting Xellos to do something like getting a bunch of trolls to ambush us and ruin the date. Filia projected her thoughts to De Tanga.
Well he still might.
Filia suppressed a chuckled.
De Tanga's mood started to darken and he looked away from her. What am I doing? Have I really become this infatuated with her so quickly? I guess life really isn't fair. Xellos do you realize how lucky you are? No of course not. You're such a damned coward that you can't even face yourself. Well you'd better do something soon or I... De Tanga frowned. No I can't think like that. I know how he feels, even if he doesn't. I have to be a good friend. No matter how torturing it will end up being.
Filia stared at De Tanga with concern. Even if she didn't see it she felt De Tanga's mood change. He didn't seem to notice her stare. De Tanga just kept staring ahead off into space far too consumed with his thoughts. He was frowning slightly and for a brief moment Filia saw the true sadness and loneliness within his eyes.
De Tanga?
De Tanga snapped out of his bleak thoughts. Immediately Filia saw the change in De Tanga's eyes as he pulled back up his mask.
Yes Filia?
Is there something wrong?
No why do you ask?
A moment there you looked like you were in a whole different world. And not a nice one either.
I was just thinking about some unpleasant things.
Deciding it best not to pursue the matter Filia didn't question him further.
The two of them walked over to a tree near the edge of the lake and they sat down to admire the stars. The moon gave everything a blue tint, even the stars above them.
"So calm, so peaceful..."
"So beautiful." De Tanga finished off.
Filia smiled in reply. She looked over to him and noticed that he wasn't staring at the stars. She blushed lightly and hoped that he hadn't noticed. She was going to say something when a large mass sprung out from the lake.
"AAAAHHHHH!!! Filia screamed as the creature lunged at her.
With one sway of his hand De Tanga sent the creature flying back to the water with a large energy blast. It caused a large splash, which drenched both Filia and De Tanga.
"What was that?!" Filia exclaimed.
A great way to ruin a moment... "I'm not sure but whatever it was it seems to have gone." He went over to Filia and helped her to her feet. "Are you alright?"
"My clothes are soaked but other then that I'm fine." Filia tried to wring some water out of her mother's dress. She frowned. I hope it isn't ruined...
"Well perhaps it would be best to get you home. I wouldn't want you to get ill from staying in those wet clothes."
"I suppose not. Alright then." Filia took his arm and the started to walk back to her house. Milo didn't seem to happy himself that he was wet.
Tell me De Tanga was that -- Filia started to ask.
Xellos? Yes I'm afraid so. It was one of his mindless minions.
Stupid piece of garbage! My dress is probably ruined and it's all his fault! Filia felt the urge to strike something at that moment.
Who knew he'd be the over jealous type. De Tanga thought but didn't communicate to Filia. It's not like she'd believe me anyway.
They continued walking in silence while a very contented trickster priest followed close behind.