Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there lived a little princess who was very sad for her mother and father had died.
Before the princess appeared a traveling prince on a white horse. He had a regal bearing and a kind smile. The prince wrapped the princess in a rose-scented embrace and gently wiped the tears from her eyes. "Little One," he said. "Growing up alone in such deep sorrow, never lose that strength or nobility, even when you've grown. I give you this ring to remember me by, we will meet again one day."
Perhaps the ring the prince gave her was an engagement ring....perhaps. But so impressed was she by him, that the little princess decided to become a prince herself someday.
But was that really such a good idea?
Mm...that dream again. Lina rubbed her eyes and sat up in her top half of the bunk bed. She cast a sleepy eye down to her signet. "This ring is all I have...it's my only real proof that I actually met him. The Arena, the Rose Bride...did this ring really lead me to this?"
The door opened slowly as to not disturb anyone. "Oh, good morning Lina-sama." Sylphiel entered the room carrying a load of laundry. She looked up with adoring eyes. "I washed your uniform."
I was led to this but......
Why?
Lina picked at the remains of her massive breakfast. She honestly didn't know where the meals where coming from, Sylphiel didn't cook all the time and there was no staff in the building. She eyed the empty dining room critically. "Isn't there ever going to be anyone else here?"
Sylphiel took a careful drink of tea. "Isn't the quiet nice?"
"Look, there's something I've meant to ask you."
"Yes Lina-sama?"
"Sylphiel, do you really have no friends?"
"Of course I do!"
"Thank goodness." smile
"Right here. ^_^" She motioned to Shabby-chan, who had somehow managed to get his evilly cute head stuck in a milk glass.
Lina sighed, grabbed the weird-ass thing in one hand and the glass in the other. "Sylphiel that's, uff" Lina gritted her teeth, how in the hell had Shabby-chan managed to get stuck like that? Finally, with a loud pop, she managed to separate the two - Shabby-chan of course landing safely on the table while her and the glass crashed to the floor. "what I meant @_@"
After the rather hearty breakfast and some aspirin to rid that damnable fall-induced headache, it had been concluded that it was time to leave for class. Not that this was a happy decision mind you, in fact it was met with much whining and complaining but had been decided nonetheless. Lina of course walked with her bag slung boyishly over one shoulder and Sylphiel demurely carried her bag in front of her. After several more minutes of doting and the like Lina decided now would be the best time to chat with her "Bride".
"Would you please stop it with that Rose Bride and Lina-sama stuff!?"
Sylphiel looked over, genuinely confused. "I shouldn't?"
"Good morning Lina-sama!!" The SILs chorused to the side.
"Morning. Hello. How are you?" Lina waved at the condensing group of students as they got closer to the school. Sylphiel smiled sweetly, glad that Lina-sama seemed to have so many friends. "Hi. Ah....blush" Lina finally took notice of her hypocritical behavior. "Anyway, it's ok if they call me that, but.... it's weird when you do."
"But I'm Engaged to you Lina-sama."
"Sylphiel!! Look," Lina hurried her pace. "Listen well, cause this is the last time you'll hear me say something like this! Despite all appearances, the way I dress act or....l - lo - look, I am a normal girl. I don't want a Bride, I want a guy!! And I do believe you lack the equipment!"
"Glad to hear that," a suave voice commented to the side.
"Eh?"
"Hi. I'm Zelgadiss Greywords." He walked right up to her. "Student Council President."
"Good morning Zel." Sylphiel smiled.
"You know him?"
"Well of course, she is the Rose Bride."
"So you're into that stupid duelling game too?"
"You haven't told anyone right?" He leaned down to whisper into her ear.
snort "Yeah, Hey guys! This ring opens up the Forest and there's this upside-down spinning castle and this girl who makes a sword come out of her chest and - "
" - Good." He looked a bit relieved, be it real or an act she couldn't tell. He graced her with a languid smile, oozing off experienced charm. "You know, you're beautiful when you're angry."
She raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"Lina Inverse," he murmured to himself, running a lean hand through her silky red hair.
SMACK Lina casually but firmly knocked his hand away with her ringed fist, Sylphiel watching the scene with concern, "Ever hear of personal space Mr. President?"
"Oh don't be like that." He nursed his sore hand. "After all, it is apparent that we share a common bond Lina." He held up his signet for her to see.
On any other day, she would have laughed at him and beaten the crap out of anyone who tried to pull such a stunt but...something about him; sun highlighting his indigo hair, glistening signet, something... "That ring.... why do you have that ring?"
"So I could one day meet you of course."
Her prince kissing her tears away, a gift....what did he.....
Zel smiled inwardly. Gotcha. He smoothly brushed past her, side barely making contact with side. Mmm, she faintly smelled of roses..."I'd like to get to know you better Lina."
Could...
Could he be?
"If it cannot break out of its shell, the chick will die without ever being born," Zel recited. "We are the chick. The world is our egg. If we don't break the world's shell, we will die without ever truly being born. Smash the world's shell!"
"For the Revolution of the world!" Luna and Rezo joined.
Zelgadiss closed his eyes, contemplating. "Yesterday Zangulus fought Lina Inverse again...and lost."
click As always, Rezo was timing the irrelevant and scribbling furiously in his notebook. "Zangulus hasn't come out of his room since. I don't think that he'll be in class today."
"Forget about him." Luna turned to face Zel. "Is this girl trying to bring Revolution to the world like the rest of us?"
"No," He ran a hand through his blue hair. "She's different from us."
"Then why does she wear a Rose Seal?"
"Yes...why indeed."
Lina once again stared out the third story window. No, it was not the same window that looked over the rose garden, it was the third story window that just happened to look over a certain student council president. A certain student council president surrounded by a throng of girls.
She would soon learn to regret her daydreaming ways. "Liiinaaa-kuuun!!" Naga roared mightily, hurling herself at Lina and sending them both through the window.
"Levitation!!" Isn't it great that Lina has such good reflexes? They both floated safely back into the room, Naga still on her back. sweatdrop "You are going to be the death of me!!"
"OHOHOHO!! Then you should feel honored! Death by Naga the White Serpent OHOHOHO!! Greater man have wished - "
" - anybody home?" Lina waved her hand in front of Naga's glazed eyes.
blinkblink "What was I saying? Oh well, I'm sure that they where words of wisdom OHOHOHOHO!" She moved away from Lina to the window. "Ah, I see."
blush "What?"
chuckle "Spying on Zel ne?"
"Wha-wha!!!"
"You better forget it Lina-kun." She watched him walk away with his entourage. "All of the girls are after him and he always breaks their hearts. In the end a block of ice....but I suppose that strengthens his appeal."
Lina joined her by the window. "There's no way someone like that could be my prince on a white horse."
"Huh?"
"Nothing."
"Who did you get paired with in your dorm Lina-kun?"
"Sylphiel Himemiya."
"....Really? Oh dear, ohoho."
"What is it?"
"You better stay away from her. I've heard lots of horrible rumors."
"Rumors?"
"Yeah, of what she did once to a popular boy..."
The force of the slap knocked Sylphiel into the wall. With a little whimper, she held her cheek and looked at her three assailants.
"It's your fault!" Martina cried, hand still in air. "Zangulus-sama won't come out of the Kendo room because you made a fool of him!"
"Yeah you jerk!" Her buddy added.
"Heartless bitch," sneered the third.
Sylphiel intently studied the crack in the sidewalk.
"Say something!" The mint-haired girl demanded.
"What do you think you're doing!?"
"Uh oh," the trio warbled at the arrival of the petite figure.
"This does not uphold the Codes of Justice!" The girl yelled, blue eyes blazing. "If you have a problem then go to the council with it!"
"Th-that's ok ^_^;" Martina-tachi broke for it. "Bye!"
"Daijobu!?" The small girl cried with real sincerity, turning her full attention on Sylphiel. Sylphiel studied her for a moment; she was very pretty with large, sweet blue eyes and short black hair. Her hair was held back from her face by a yellow headband and she wore the normal girl's uniform.
"Daijobu. You're name is...Amelia right?"
"Sugoi! ^_^ I didn't think you knew who I was!" She studied her for a moment. "Wow! You're so pretty Sylphiel-san!!"
"? Th-thank you."
"Anyhoo, I'm the captain of the school dance committee and - oh where did I put it!?" She frantically searched her pockets. "Aha! Here!" She thrust the small card into Sylphiel's hands. "And you've been nominated to be the Dance Queen."
"...I..."
"You are coming right!? All the guys who voted for you would be so upset if you didn't!! Besides, friendly smile I've always wanted to get to know you better!"
As overwhelmed as she was by the girl's hyperactivity, it was all Sylphiel could do to look at the sunny girl in shy confusion,
It was all or nothing, the battle of a lifetime had begun...
Sylphiel carefully drew a card from her opponent. The damnable joker. "Oh dear," she smiled sweetly. "You win again."
Lina looked up from her comfy perch on the floor. "Uh look, Sylphiel..."
"Yes Lina-sama?"
"Do you really have no friends?"
"Yes I do, right here."
The crab-like monster turned away from his hand of cards and graced Lina with a glare that would have sent lesser mortals running. "Shaaa."
sweatdrop "Well, I guess he is your friend but..."
knock knock "Excuse me," a voice called from the other side of their door. "I have a delivery for miss Sylphiel Himemiya and miss Lina Inverse."
"Yes?" Lina opened the door and the delivery boy bowed and handed the first box to Sylphiel. "As you have been nominated to be the Dance Queen, the committee would like you to wear this dress. We look forward to your presence." He handed the second package to Lina. "And this is for miss Inverse from President Kiryuu."
"I've got nothing to do with it!"
"I do believe that there is an invitation and message card in the box." He bowed again and took his leave. "Good night then."
She shut the door behind him. "Oookaay..." She turned around in time to see Sylphiel hold up an exquisite dark green dress that matched her eyes. "Wow Sylphiel..."
She tore her eyes away from the full skirts and semi pouffy sleeves. "But what about yours?"
Lina eyed the package warily. "I dunno." She carefully began to - oh, who are we kidding? This is Lina after all. She proceeded to demolish the box in her zeal to get to its contents. After finding such said contents she crashed to the floor as she tends to do. "What the hell is that thing?"
Of course she was referring to the very expensive white off shoulder gown. The very feminine gown with lace and a perfect red rose at the bodice. "Does he really expect me to go anywhere where I'd have to wear that!?"
"You're not going?"
Lina snorted in reply.
"Then neither will I."
"Wha-what?!" She watched incredulously as Sylphiel refolded the dress into her still-in-contact box. "Why not!?"
"I really don't like places with crowds of people." She smoothed out the soft fabric and replaced the lid. "After awhile everyone begins to look the same and I get very frightend." Lina watched with somewhat sad eyes as Sylphiel happily reassumed her card game with her 'friend'. "Besides, I can't dance that well. Ok, now it's Shabby-chan's turn."
Something in Lina snapped, how could she be so dismissive, didn't she care at all? "No, no! You should go! You have to go! You have to make some friends!!"
"Shabranigdo!"
"I know, I know, but you really need people friends!"
After a moment, the Bride laid her cards on the table and smiled at her Victor. "If you say so Lina-sama."
"uh....good." She glanced at the message card sporting the SD Zel blowing kisses. "See you on the night of the ball? Does this guy think he's Don Juan or something?"
"Do you know, do you know? Have you heard the news?"
"Oh dear girl, what do you know?"
Are you really surprised that the shadow-play club is having practice in the sunset? For shame, you should be used to that by now. Of course the little shadow puppy wagging its tail is a little odd...
Shadow Girl A: The upcoming ball is the talk of the town!
Shadow Girl B: Yes, it has all of the girls in an uproar!
They are now dancing, A-ko dressed as a prince, B-ko as a princess
A: dips B-ko They may call it a ball, but it's really a trap.
B: But can it be considered a trap if the culprit doesn't know?
A: How can they not?
B: There are ways.
A: Such psychotic behavior is sure to amaze!
Together: A-ko twirling B-ko One, two, three, one, two, three, how shameless can they be?
Zel stood in quiet contemplation outside of the balcony, away from the hustle and bustle of the party. The moon shined upon his white uniform, making him look nearly erethal.
"Guess who?" Small, soft hands playfully covered his eyes.
"Stop it, Amelia," he mock-growled.
"Isn't it a lovely night," she nestled his arm. "Onii-sama?"
He looked down at her fondly. "Now how did I get such an adoring little sister?" He offered her his arm and led her back into the party. Murmured from the crowd caused them to look up, Sylphiel and Lina just arriving, much to the SILs delight.
"Lina-sama is in girl's clothes!?"
"She looks cool in her uniform but - "
" - She's so pretty in a dress!"
"Yeah," piped the newest member. "You can tell that she's a girl." She was immediately silenced by the glares of her clubmates.
"Hey, androgynous is in!"
"Don't you ever watch anime!?"
Getting back on track: "That's right!" Amelia broke away from Zel. "Sylphiel-san has been nominated to be the Dance Queen, and I have to show her where to go!"
Zel was too transfixed on a petite red-head to answer. "Ah yes, Lina..."
Up on the balcony, said red head sneezed.
"Bless you," the ever helpful Sylphiel chirped.
"Thanks." She surveyed the room and blushed. "I knew I shouldn't have worn this dumb thing." She was obviously referring to the very feminine-out-of-character dress that Zel had sent her.
"Forgive me, Lina-sama." Sylphiel bowed her head in shame. "You're embarrassing yourself for my sake."
sweatdrop "Is it that bad?"
"There you are Sylphiel-san!" Squealed a petite brunette.
The pair glanced over to Amelia, who was wearing a very flattering yellow evening gown. "Sylphiel-san, that dress looks great! It matches your eyes perfectly, oh I knew it would look amazing!" she gushed. She grabbed Sylphiel's arm and began to drag her away. "Come with me, please. All nominees have to go over here."
Lina felt herself grin as the two walked away - no, as Sylphiel was dragged away by the bubbly younger classman. "Look at that. She actually does have a friend!"
"Shabranigdo!" A lil demonic voice called from the refreshment stand.
Sweatdrop "Sorry, sorry."
"Magnificent!" Zel looked very pleased as he admired the way the dress made the best out of her small frame. "Who would have imagined?"
blush "I don't know exactly what you where imagining, but this," she disdainfully picked up part of the long skirt. "doesn't suit me at all!"
"Nonsense, you could be a queen in that dress!"
Lina blushed harder and turned away.
He crept behind her and nearly laid his head on her shoulder. The dizzy heat prevented her mind from calling an attack on the flirtatious young man....really. "Don't you think that we make a picture-perfect couple Lina?" He whispered softly into her ear.
As Amelia led a content Sylphiel across the room, she got a strange itch in her nose. As most are wont to do with an itchy nose, she let out a dainty, lady like sneeze. And all hell broke loose. Well, not really, but the change was instant. Her eyes darkened profusely and her posture straitened until it could be called arrogant. With a tricky smile at Sylphiel, she dropped the other girl's hand and left her in the middle of the dance hall.
"Wa-wait..." Sylphiel's voice barely reached a whisper. The cold sweat ran down her pale face as she looked around. All of the people - staring at her - laughing at her... hate - a mob..........................hatehatehate. She turned her eyes to the floor and froze.
Amelia leaned languidly on a marble pole as she watched the scared girl.
"She's wearing your special dress, ne Amelia-sama?" Martina walked up behind her, dressed in a pale blue evening gown, her other two bully friends with her.
"And it looks so nice," sneered one of the girls.
Amelia graced them with a crafty smile. She looked across the room and nodded to the waiter. He picked up a nearby bottle of champagne and began to work his way across the room.
Amelia's smile continually became darker, promising revenge on her unfortunate victim. The one who stole my brother from me.... is about to be utterly humiliated.
As the waiter got close to Sylphiel, the cork just happened to pop off. It was all Sylphiel could do to shield her eyes from the liquid spray. Now all eyes where on the girl in the soaked green dress. "I-I'm sorry!" The waiter tried to wipe off her dress with his towel. Amelia licked her lips like a child waiting to receive their dessert.
"Daijobu," She managed.
Finally, Amelia's eyes began to smirk in satisfaction. Oops. I put that enchantment on the dress myself. The soaked spots on the gown began to eat away. You should never get it w~e~t......
"Shall we dance?"
"H-hey, stop!" Lina's mind began to work enough for her to break away. "I....I'm not into these kinds of parties."
"Then why did you come?"
She began to turn to face him, feeling very unsure. "Because... I thought that......."
He offered a gentile smile. "I what Lina?"
She looked away at something, anything - yes that spot above his head would work quite nicely. Have to breath, have to think....she couldn't tell him. But if -
All thoughts immediately came to a halt as an anguished scream filled the elegant dance hall.
"What!?" Lina rushed to the rail. "Sylphiel!!"
She was crouched on the ground, shivering from coldness, or humiliation, maybe both as she salvaged the remains of her dress. One sleeve, the entire back and bits of the skirt where missing. She felt her throat clench as the tears threatened.
"Sylphiel!" Lina called again, running for the stairs.
Zel frowned as he came across a smug girl with short black hair. "Amelia's behind this." He ran a hand through his soft hair. "Bad timing."
Lina didn't care how cheesy, how third rate it looked. Muttering a quick spell, she thankfully threw off the frilly dress. "Sylphiel!"
The humiliated girl looked toward the stairs with tear filled eyes. Lina stood at the top, proudly wearing the same 'princely' attire she wore while duelling. "Lina-sama?"
Amelia frowned at the boyish girl. "What the - ?"
The small red head took a few impossible leaps from the stairs, crashing onto a few tables and finally landing before the Bride. "Lina-sama?"
"Shall we dance?" she asked with a sly wink. Pulling a pure white table cloth from the nearest table, she wrapped it around Sylphiel, using a simple spell to form a more exotic dress than before.
"Shabranigdo!" Shabby-chan started up the orchestra.
Sylphiel beamed at her Victor, face shinning in relief and gratitude.
Lina smiled back. It was a simple thing to pull of really, anyone that new basic magic could do it. But it made Sylphiel happy. She really did look lovely in the greek-like dress. She offered her hand and Sylphiel accepted it readily. Lina didn't really care what others would think, she had to make it up to Sylphiel....
Amelia glared at the strange couple. After all, the 'prince' was taller than her 'princess'. Her eyes continued to become more and more menacing. Just who is she?
"Amelia, do you ever give up?" Zelgadiss walked up behind her.
"Whatever do you mean?" she asked innocently. "Onii-sama, who is the girl dancing with Sylphiel-san?"
"Lina Inverse."
"Lina Inverse," she repeated, her voice acid dipped in honey.
"Isn't she great? Still, it's a shame she took off the beautiful dress I sent her."
She looked at him incredulously. My brother gave a dress to HER? That girl?! Thankfully, before Amelia could get even more menacing a random dandelion fluff brushed past her nose and she gave out a little sneeze. "Oh," she exclaimed with bright blue eyes. "that's too bad Onii-sama." She smiled happily, it was so nice that Onii-sama had found a girl he liked soooo much...
To Lina's surprise and delight, Sylphiel laughed a little as they twirled around the floor.
I would rather be a prince saving a princess than a princess waiting to be saved.
Yes, she had been led to this and now she knew why.
The Prince and her Princess.