The holy tree Flagoon's branch's gently swayed in the wind. A calm breeze flowed through Siaraag, signaling the beginning on another peaceful day.
Sylphiel in the wee hours of the morning breathes in the fresh and cold air as she walked around the wooded trails around Flagoon. Not a soul was in site while Sylphiel went on her morning walk and she comfort in the peacefulness of it all. Or at least that was what she had thought. Out of now where three bandits rush in front of her path.
"Give us all your money and you wont get hurt!" Said bandit one.
"I-I-I-I don't have any!"
"See told you this was a stupid idea! Who would be walking this early in the morning around here and have money too?!" Bandit two said to bandit one.
"Shut up! She's just lying! Now give us your money or else!" Bandit one yelled at Sylphiel.
"Or else what?" A voice said from behind.
Everyone looked over and saw a tall man with long blond hair and blue eyes. He had his sword out and ready.
"Ha think you can take on the big boys huh, son? Well we'll just cream ya!" Bandit three said with a cocky voice while staring the newcomer down.
The blond-hared swordsman was silent but returned the bandit's glare. The staring match continued on for awhile till one of the other bandits got impatient and rushed the blond stranger. The blond stranger was calm and barely reacted to the bandit. With only one swift motion the bandit ended up on the ground. The blond stranger turned his eyes to the rest of the bandits. They were wide eyed, and then they rushed out fast with only a dust cloud of them remaining.
"Thank you Mister -- Um what is your name?"
"Gourry, Gourry Gaberieve. And what is your name Miss?"
"Sylphiel. Pleased to meet you. Thank so much for saving me! I don't know how I could ever repay you!"
"Oh there's no need to repay me -- "
Just then and there Gourry's stomach started to grumble.
"Ha, ha well it looks like I can repay you after all. How about you come with me and I can cook you something to eat?"
"Really? You mean you actually so that?"
"Oh it's the least I can do."
Gourry walked with Sylphiel, both had large grins on their faces. Gourry's was because of the food he was going to get and Sylphiel's was because of Gourry. He's so sweet and handsome. A little chibi Sylphiel appeared in a thought bubble with blushed cheeks and hearts and stars floating around her.
Gourry looked over at Sylphiel and saw that she was in La la land. Wow she sure is cute. But she probably has a boyfriend. With that thought realized Gourry just pushed it out of his mind. That was his philosophy. Forget whatever makes you sad and depressed.
Not to far into town Sylphiel stopped at a house which was here home.
"Please come with me inside."
"So this is were you live? Wow it's a lot larger than most of the houses in this town."
"Well my father is the mayor of Siaraag."
"Oh. What's a mayor do?"
"Runs the town, see to things that are troubling the townspeople, acts as a representative of Siaraag, takes care of things dealing with the law. You know things like that."
"Wow, sounds like a lot of work. Hey, Sylphiel why were you walking all alone like that? Isn't this a little early for most people?"
"Well it's a habit of mine. When I was really little my mother would take my on early morning walks. Though Siaraag is usually peaceful, everything seems so new, clean and overly peaceful bright and early in the morning."
"Why weren't you with your mother today?" Gourry asked as they sat down at a table. Sylphiel's face darken with a touch of sadness. Gourry knew right away that he said something he shouldn't have.
"I guess I would be walking with my mother on these early morning walks. That is if she was still alive..."
"I'm sorry."
"No don't be. You didn't know, and plus it happened a long time ago. So tell me, what would you like to eat?"
Gourry thought pensively for a moment. He was going to try to be polite and not ask for much but his stomach took control of his mouth and blurted out a request for an almost impossible amount of food. Sylphiel just laughed out merrily.
"My what a healthy appetite you have! Most people now a days don't eat enough. It's good see that not everyone is like that."
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked for so much."
"Don't be sorry! After what you did for me, cooking you one meal is nowhere near enough of a reward. And don't you worry about it being too much. There is plenty of food in the kitchen. But I think I will get my father up. That way I can make him breakfast as well. Please excuse me."
Sylphiel left Gourry in the dining room and headed for her fathers room.
"Father? Good morning father. I'm going to make some breakfast, do you want some?"
"Um... ah... good morning Sylphiel-dear. Ah yes some breakfast would be great."
"Okay then you get ready and join Gourry in the dinning room."
"Gourry? Whose Gourry?"
"Well I went on a walk this morning and I was attacked by bandits. Gourry saved me. He didn't want a reward, but I couldn't just have him leave without giving some sort of thanks. And since he was hungry I decided to cook him a large meal. Do you mind father?"
"No Sylphiel I don't. Bless your kind heart. My what a kind and polite daughter I have." Sylphiel's father said with pride.
"Well you get ready now. I'll expect to see you in the dinning room with Gourry when I finish cooking."
"Okay Sylphiel."
Sylphiel went back into the dinning room and told Gourry that she was going to start cooking and went to the kitchen. After she left Sylphiel's father came down to great Gourry.
"So you must be Gourry. You saved my little girl huh?"
"Oh well it was nothing Mister... Mister...?"
"Oh please just call me Jason." (Relm: If you know Sylphiel's fathers real name I would really appreciate it if you could tell me. But why did I choose Jason? Don't know it was the first name that came to mind.)
"Well Mister Jason, it was really nothing. It was just a few stupid bandits trying to get some quick cash from a defenseless young lady."
"Which you stopped. But really I wish Sylphiel wouldn't go on those early morning walks. Even in such a peaceful place as Siaraag, you can still never know what trouble could be lurking about. But what can I say? She only does it as a way of honoring her mother."
"Yes I heard that she had died a long time ago."
"Sylphiel was very young at the time. But come now new meetings are not a time to discuss such depressing things! I know my daughters motives for her early morning ventures, but why were you traveling out this hour?"
"Normally I sleep like a log but lately I have been worried about running into someone that my sleep hasn't been as good."
"Running into who?"
"My twin sister Jinny. She has a large temper and she's a bit angry about me leaving on my own like I did."
"Why are you traveling alone Gourry?"
"I needed to get out of my house. There was too much fighting going on there."
"Something you did?"
"No more like what my brother didn't do. There was this sword thingy that my parents wanted my brother Aaron to take but he didn't want it. I don't know why my parents were so angry, but they really wanted him to take the sword."
"Did he?"
"No, Aaron is a priest. He doesn't believe of owning things that are used to hurt other people. But it got my parents really angry, saying that he was disgracing our family tradition."
"What happened to the sword?"
"Well I figured since the sword was causing so much trouble because no one wanted it that I would just take it myself."
"Is there anything special about the sword."
"Um, no I don't think so..." (Relm: This is the sword of light, but Gourry being Gourry just isn't cluing in on it)
Back in the kitchen Sylphiel was cooking up a storm. Not only was she making everything Gourry wanted, she was also making a hell of a lot more extra too. Well if Gourry-dear is hungry there is no sense just giving him a little bit of food. Makes you kinda wonder what Sylphiel's definition of 'a little' is.
For a few hours Sylphiel was cooking and Gourry and Jason were talking about lots of things. Though finally Sylphiel finished. Sylphiel amazed her father so much with the large amount of food that he was too stunned to speak.
"I know it's a bit much, but when I started I just couldn't stop cooking."
"Wow Sylphiel you're the greatest!" Gourry said already digging into the food.
Again a little chibi Sylphiel appeared in a thought bubble. It was blushing and jumping with glee. (Relm: Can you tell that she likes him? ^_^)
It didn't take Gourry to polish off most of the food, but of course he did leave enough food for Sylphiel and her father. Jason was still stunned. He had never seen someone eat so much food like that before. But what also stunned him was the effect that Gourry was having on Sylphiel. She's usually quiet, sweet and withdrawn. But she seemed almost brighter and happier than usual. (Relm: Not to mention she was grinning like an idiot. Okay I'll stop talking like this now.) Finally Jason regained his voice.
"So Gourry what are your plans? Are going to be staying in Siaraag for a while?"
"I guess I could. I really don't have anywhere special that I need to be. Or at least I can't remember if I have."
"Where would you be staying?"
"Is there an inn around here?"
"Yes, but I would like to know, would you care to stay with us?"
Sylphiel nearing choked on the food that she was eating.
"Father do you really mean it?"
"Yes dear I do. Gourry is such a nice young man, and I would be glad to have him around for a little while. So tell me Gourry, would you care to?"
"You really mean I can? Gee thanks! But wouldn't I be a bother?"
"Oh no you wouldn't. But if you feel the need to work to stay here, then why not help me out with a few odd jobs?"
"Okay, I can do that!"
"Alright then it is settled."
After that Gourry stayed at Sylphiel's home and started a generally daily routine. In the mornings Sylphiel would make him and her father breakfast, then Gourry and Jason would go and do various things around the town. At lunch they would come back for more of Sylphiel's cooking, returned to work and then came back for dinner at nighttime. But after dinner Gourry and Sylphiel would take a walk around together.
"Gourry-dear are you enjoying yourself here?"
"Oh yes, but I feel as if I'm outstaying my welcome."
"No you aren't. I wouldn't care if you stayed with us forever." Sylphiel quickly covered her mouth after she said that. She couldn't believe that she had said it out loud.
"Well I guess I wouldn't mind staying here forever..." He looked down at Sylphiel. Her bluish hair sparkled light silver in the moonlight.
"Oh Gourry..."
"But I can't stay. My sister would probably find me too soon. And besides if I want to be a mercenary like I want to be I have to get out there and do stuff. You know?"
"Yeah I do. But could you promise me something?"
"Sure, but I don't have a good memory."
"That's okay. After you leave... could you please... visit me sometime?"
"Oh of course! Hey I would kill hordes of trolls just for some of you cooking. I've never had someone cook for me that was a good as you."
Sylphiel both blushed and chuckled at his comment.
"But Gourry, when do you think you would be leaving?"
"I think I should leave soon. Tomorrow even."
"Tomorrow? So soon?"
"If I don't leave then I probably wont be able to leave."
"I understand. But please just remember your promise."
"For you Sylphiel, anything." He said as he scooped her up in a big hug. Sylphiel sighed with content. She loved the feel of being in his arms. When they finally broke off the hug, Sylphiel and Gourry returned back to the house.
The next day Sylphiel and Gourry said their good byes, and Gourry left to travel. Both felt sad and missed the other, but felt better in the remembrance of the promise that had been made.
Part 2 | Fanfiction