Goddess
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Post by Hotori on May 11, 2014 2:32:07 GMT -5
In a secluded part of the nation, there is a large and beautiful forest. It is said that there are mineral springs dotting the forest, and lovely clearings, and that in all, it is perhaps the most wonderful forest In all of the nation.
But it is also said that the forest is haunted...that in the middle of it, there lies an ancient, abandoned palace in ruins, and that the palace is inhabited by a demon who loves to steal small children and devour their souls. It is said that if one dares to enter the forest, one would hear voices, but find nothing but animals...no possible source for the voices. It is even said that the animals themselves seem...too smart, to aware, and that it is likely they work for the demon to lure children to their doom.
It is, of course, hard to tell how much is truth and how much are stories made up to make children behave. There is, however, a long-standing legend from the area that may be the origin of all the rumors.
The Legend
Over a thousand years ago, there was a vast and beautiful palace in the middle of the forest. It consisted of the palace proper, and a surrounding village where the servants lived. The palace and city were completely self-sufficient, with livestock and fields for growing food and rice. The servants were treated fairly, and most willingly followed the family's orders without a second thought.
The family consisted of a noble lord, his wife and two children. The oldest was a boy, his heir, and the youngest was a girl, his treasure. The wife, who, despite trying, had been unable to carry any other children to term, died in childbirth with the girl. The girl, though loving and gentle, had not been unscathed by the difficult birth, and was born blind, but the father and son did their best to raise her, and loved her unconditionally. When she was still young, the father remarried, hoping to have a female to help the girl grow properly. The new wife was jealous of the daughter, and treated her unkindly when it was just the two of them. The girl was sweet and just, and didn't wish to get the new wife in trouble, so she bore the abuse in silence.
When the boy was twenty-five, and the girl was but thirteen, the new wife tried to convince her husband to send the girl away in an arranged marriage. The husband refused, and the wife was angry. She told the girl that night that she would be rid of her one way or the other.
Shortly thereafter, the daughter fell ill, and despite the best efforts of all the doctors and healers they sent for, died just a few days after getting sick. Father and son were heartbroken, though the son knew something the father did not. He had heard the wife threaten the daughter, and though he could not prove it, he knew deep within that she was responsible for his sister's death. He waited until his father was away, defending the boarders of their vast territory, and confronted the woman.
She confessed she was a Sorceress, and that she had cursed the girl to die. At that moment, word arrived that his father had died on the battlefield, and, overcome with grief at all of his loss, the son took out his sword and slew the evil Sorceress.
With her dying breath, and all of the magic she possessed, she cursed the son, saying that he would know no peace until he found someone who could love him. Her words puzzled him at first, but he was suddenly wracked with pain. He began to grow dark black and purple scales all over his body. His finger and toes lengthened and turned into talons and claws. His features became more reptilian, and he sprouted large, leathery black and purple wings from his back and curly silver toned horns from his head. Only his eyes, a deep purple, remained as they once had been.
Her death curse did not stop with the son, however, and soon, all over the palace, those servants who were loyal to the father and son, and fond of the daughter and late mother began to change as well. They took the forms of various animals, though they realized they could still speak, and their minds had remained human. Those who did not transform fled and swore never to speak of it again.
As she died, the Sorceress's body turned to ash, and sank into the earth beneath her. The son lost consciousness that night, the grief and pain proving too much for him. The next morning, he awoke to find a shrine that had not been there the night before, right where the Sorceress had lain. He entered, and found a beautiful glowing sakura tree. He could tell it was magic, as each blossom seemed to emit it's own light from within. He reached out and touched a blossom, and a single petal fell to the ground and shattered into dust.
“Be careful, young Lord...” The Sorceress's voice called out to him, and he saw her in the shadows at the corner of the room. “Each petal is a year that you have left until the curse is final.”
“Explain yourself!” He roared in a voice that matched his appearance.
“It is simple. The only people who loved you are all dead now.” She smiled cruel. “So, if you can find someone who loves you unconditionally before the last petal falls, you-” She motioned to the entrance to the shrine. “-and all of your servants will be restored, and may live the rest of your lives as you see fit.” She shrugged. “If not, you will remain in this state for all eternity.” She laughed cruelly. “Good luck finding someone to love you as your poor blind sister had...”
“How are you still here?” He asked. He had killed the woman, after all.
“I used the last of my life force to cast this spell.” She explained coolly. “As such, I am bound to this three, the source of the curse, until it is either broken or expires.”
With a growl, the son drew his sword and charged the tree, intent to cut it down and be rid of the woman's ghost. He could not, however, as it was protected from any such attack. He rebounded harmlessly to the wall of the shrine where he stood seething in anger, trying to ignore her taunting laugh.
“I'm not completely heartless, however.” She said with a smile that said otherwise. “I left you all one way out. You will not die, and you will not die from illness or injury,-though I'm sorry to say you will feel pain...” He thought she sounded anything but sorry. “If it all gets to be too much, you can take your own lives.” The ghost smirked. “So tell me, young Lord, how great is your sorrow? Shall you put an end to this curse quickly...spare yourself years of pain, and free your little servants...” She shrugged. “Or will you be stubborn...and hold out hope that someday, someone will look past the monster you are now and learn to love?” The words 'hope' and 'love' were dripping with distaste.
The son said nothing, but turned and stormed from the shrine, pausing only when he spotted a wolf, who identified himself as the head of security, and issued the order that no one was to enter the shrine, under any circumstances, unless he said otherwise. He then stormed off to his room to try and come to terms with all he'd learned that morning, and all he had become.
Unbeknownst to him, the wolf had not been the only servant lurking outside the shrine, and several maids had overheard the entire exchange. By evening, all of the servants...which numbered in the hundreds...knew the details of the curse they found themselves under...
It is said that young lord lost his humanity and became the demon rumored to stalk the forest surrounding his palace home. Though it seems far-fetched to most, there are some who claim to see the Demon Lord, as he is called, taking to the skies over the forest on dark cloudy nights when it will be harder for him to be spotted. Though no one claims openly to believe the tales, children are told to stay away from the forest, especially at night, and though it provides a nice short-cut, travelers always take the long road around the forest...
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Post by Hanako Gina on May 11, 2014 12:40:25 GMT -5
Picture of 5 year-old Gina <3
Gina Hanako was a happy child and though her parents were already very demanding with their child they were very proud of her. They never showed it though. She learned at a very young age to push herself to the limit but she did not regret it and now she was learning to dance because she loved it and she had talent, besides her mother had always wanted to become a dancer and she never could. She was also learning the martial arts, influenced by her father who seemed eager to cultivate her body and mind. She also undertook the normal education of a child of her age. However, not everyone was happy with her and there were some that showed a great amount of jealousy. It was sad but even children could get carried away if their parents did not look after them.
Gina was rather innocent at that time and never believed she and enemies or anyone wanted to harm her. So that allowed those classmates to plan a way to ensure she would never be a successful person, even at class she was way ahead of them with everything she did and though she id not show off, she was well aware of that and she was proud of her work and the person she was becoming. Her parents realised this and grid to keep her humble and sweet but it was her way of protecting herself, indirectly, from her classmates and since she could not truly sense this danger she continued to grow in wisdom and knowledge and enjoyed every single thing she did.
Even if it was simply strolling with her father, Li Bing, on the shores of Okinawa’s coast. She showed great curiosity of the wilder life about her however her mother Aiko always warned her of going to far into the woods for legend had it a man-dragon attacked whoever dared to come to his domains and so they instilled in her a reverent fear of this man and whenever she walked close to the forest she wondered if he was as evil as everyone made him to be. Sometimes she wanted to enter the forest and find out for herself. But if she died her parents would not be happy and would miss her greatly and so she dismissed the idea and moved on with her life. Of course, she did not know her life would change overall.
On a midsummer afternoon, she was walking back from her dancing lessons and decided to go through the small forest path everyone used. It was then she realised five children, three boys and two girls were waiting for her and she stopped on her tracks. They were from her school but several years younger, some of them siblings to her classmates so she wondered why they were giving her such dark looks. She thought of ignoring them and going back but one of them called out to her and she froze in he tracks. They surrounded her and said that unless she quite school they would not let her leave this forest.
As if that was such a simple thing for her…She could not quite on something she enjoyed doing so much, besides, her parents would be so let down and she would feel like such a naughty little girl. No, she could not do such a thing, she tried to run away form them and back to the road when one of them pushed her and she fell down a slide rolling on her body until she reached the bottom and she yelped in pain.
She looked behind and saw them running at her and she felt tears streaming down her eyes and she begged them to stop, but they kept coming at her and so she got up and ran away, her dance shoes forgotten on a tree branch where they had landed. She ran as fast as she could but she was so sore form her lesson, she decide to go deeper into the forest and she did not look back while they cursed at her and kept running after her.
She finally slipped down and saw what looked like an old fence and she squeezed through without thinking on the consequences and then yelled in pain when one of them finally caught her and threw her to the floor. The other children seemed to recognise this place, but they paid no heed to the old legends, Gina was shaking and crying and she covered her face to shelter herself from these mean children. Their leader smirked and said, “This is the palace…why don’t we let the dragon do our job for us?”
Gina’s eyes opened widely and she looked around and realised this place did exist after all. Why did she not run back out of the forest so someone could help her instead? Now she was truly done for and she sobbed when one of them picked her up harshly holding her arm and forcing her to follow them, she kept begging them to release her and not take her to any child-eating-monster. They merely laughed and pressed on until they reached the entrance of the great house, it looked abandoned buy they did not care, if no dragon ate her they would kill her there, no one would know.
They tossed her inside and she landed with a cry and she whimpered and curled up to protect herself form these children. She was terrified of both the children and the dragon-man, it seemed that whichever way she went she would die eventually. The children smirked and one of them drew a knife, “Call him dear or I will knife you to pieces…” They laughed and she ignored them and kept pouring her misery out, at this rate she would have no more tears left. the boy with the knife approached her slowly… his hand raised…
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Goddess
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Post by Hotori on May 11, 2014 14:22:47 GMT -5
Hayate knew the moment the children entered his forest. His guard paroled the area around the palace to keep the inhabitants safe, not only from humans but also from the actual wild animals that lived there. Still, he'd given orders that no children were to be harmed. He knew what they said about him...what he had become according to the legends, and he found it ridiculous. Why eat children? After all, if he ate all the children, there would eventually be no adults to have more children. It just didn't make sense to him. So yes, he knew there were children in the forest, and though he was curious as to why they were not frightened away as all others were, he gave them little thought. Even if they were in the forest, they would avoid the palace. "Sire..." A voice called from nearby. "Those children have entered the palace grounds. It seems one is hurt, and the others are chasing her." Hayate looked over to see one of his patrol, who had been forced into the form of a raven, had landed on the open windowsill to give his report. "Are they headed for the house, Teru?" "Yes Sire. Shall I have Edo and the the others frighten them off?" If they were all bullying one child, a pack of wolves showing up would probably not serve to scare them. "No. I shall handle it." With that, he stood and left his room. He heard the children open the door to his home, and most likely toss the child they were teaming up against inside. He moved silently, something that surprised many given his appearance, and as he neared, he could hear crying. “Call him dear or I will knife you to pieces…”He did not wish to scare the girl any more than she already was, but he had a feeling he'd have to be quite terrifying to get these children to leave. He stepped into the shadows at the edge of the room, and sae the boy who was speaking had a knife in his hand. He gave a long, low growl as he stepped from the shadows into the patch of sunlight, extending his wings and doing his best to look as scary as possible. "Who dares to disturb my solitude?" His voice boomed with anger as he strode forth, his clawed feet making little clicking sounds on the hardwood floor. "Trespassers must be punished." The five children froze, looking up at him with matching expressions of shock and terror. "He's...he's real..." The boy with the knife stammered, dropping it. Hayate stared them down for a long moment, though it seemed they were too scared to move. He gave another low growl, and that snapped them out of it. "Just leave her!" One girl shouted. "Let's get out of here before he eats us too!" With that, the five children turned tail and ran as fast as they could. He waited until they were out of earshot before he called out. "Teru! Make sure they leave the forest." "Sire!" The raven agreed before taking flight to gather a small group to watch them go. Once the threat was gone, he looked down at the girl. she couldn't be more than five, with pretty white hair, and tear-filled emerald eyes. Hayate folded his wings and crouched next to her, his eyes softening and his voice far more gentle than it had been when dealing with those terrible children. "Are you hurt, little one?" He gently reached out a hand to her, but did not touch her, as he knew she was still frightened. "You will come to no harm here. I do not eat children." He smiled just slightly, and it felt alien to him. "There is not enough meat to make it worthwhile..." He heard one of his maids, in the form of a small spider monkey, scurrying in the next room. "Mei! Bring something to dry the girl's tears." "Sire." She assented, and ran to fetch a handkerchief, outrunning and holding it up for him to take. He did so, and held it out for the girl. "You are among friends here. No one shall harm you." He assured, tone still gentle. "My name is Hayate. Tell me, what is yours, child?" He would not blame her if she ran off frightened, as the others had, but he at least hoped she would let him make sure she was uninjured first. If she did leave, he would dispatch someone to make sure she made it home safely. Something about him reminded him of long ago...when Yori had been that age, before his father had married that horrible woman and doomed them all. She had been such a happy child. The thought of what that woman had done to the poor, innocent flower reminded him of the situation before him now. He had a feeling the girl had done nothing to deserve the hatred of the other children...perhaps, except, for causing jealousy, but that was their own fault and not hers. He had no sympathy for petty, jealous people. He waited in silence for the girl to decide to trust him or run away frightened. He hoped for the former, but expected the latter...
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Post by Hanako Gina on May 11, 2014 14:50:29 GMT -5
"Who dares to disturb my solitude? Trespassers must be punished."
"He's...he's real..."
"Just leave her! Let's get out of here before he eats us too!”
"Teru! Make sure they leave the forest."
“Sire!”
Gina did not dare move the moment she heard that powerful growl. However, she gasped when she realised she did not feel at all threatened with that man or creature nearby. She was far more terrified of the children that had brought her such discomfort and she even found the courage to look up and heard the claws of his feet making steely noises as they cracked on the floor and yet he did not break the ground or scratch the beautiful flooring. How could such a thing be? The other children were terrified and probably would leave her here, but she…she stopped sobbing and laid her eyes on that man-dragon and stared at him in awe. She was not sure what made her trust him but, she knew she did and nothing would ever change that from that moment forth. It was strange to come across such conclusions even though she still did not know what the man was capable of but, if he was lonely she wanted to keep him company for a bit and make him happy. Everyone deserved to smile.
Once the children were gone she sobbed a bit and felt him approach her. Instead of attacking her as they claimed, he crouched next to her and did is best for her not to feel threatened. She rubbed her eyes for a couple of moments and blushed lightly when she looked at his handsome face despite his dragon-side.
“Are you hurt, little one? You will come to no harm here. I do not eat children.”
She looked into his deep purple eyes and gasped silently, she did her best to dry her eyes once more, she probably had a few bruises and cuts but nothing serious. She shook her head when he asked her if she was hurt, but then managed a weak smile when he said he would not hurt her. It was probably the stress of the whole situation but she stood up and ran toward him and jumped into his arms and she cried bitterly, one hand grasping his shirt while she dug her head on his chest letting all the stress go out, why would they do such a terrible thing? Why would children try to hurt other children?
She felt she could just embrace him and al her worries would be gone, they would cease to exist. She finally coughed a couple of times before she slowly stopped crying, she sobbed a couple of times while she did her best to remove the tears form her eyes but failed miserably.
“There is not enough meat to make it worthwhile…”
It was then she heard his last words and something inside her and the way he smiled at her made her laughed suddenly, and finding the joke she embraced him deeply and whispered, “I believe you.” She could tell he was strong and bait sharp on the dragon bits of his especially his scaly back and arms but she thought he was rather sweet, and it was a pity they did not make little toy animals that looked like him or she could make it her next favourite toy. “Thank you.” He had literally saved her life, she was indebted to him now.
“Mei! Bring something to dry the girl's tears."
“Sire.”
She looked up and stared at the monkey in awe, how come he was in a castle with so many rare animals that could talk? She smiled and said pointing at Mei, “Se is very pretty.” She took the handkerchief and then cleaned her tears and blew her nose feeling so much better now. The nasty boys were gone and he would keep her safe, right?
"You are among friends here. No one shall harm you…My name is Hayate. Tell me, what is yours, child?”
She smiled and blushed lightly, she always did that whenever someone she did not know sake for her name, what a silly thing to do right? She held the folds of her skirts bashfully and said, “Gina. Are you my friend then Hayate-kun?” She smiled at him and said, “I like you, you have animal friends.”
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Goddess
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Post by Hotori on May 12, 2014 1:35:45 GMT -5
Hayate was truly surprised when the girl threw her self at him and began to cry. He did not know how to respond for a moment before he reached up and carefully put his arms around her, though he was not sure why she would look to him for comfort. He placed a hand on her back, careful not to scrape with his claws. "Shh, child..." He tried to soothe. His eyes closed for a moment as he let her cry out all of her fear and sorrow. He smiled when she laughed at his little joke. It was a lovely sound, and reminded him of Yori's frequent laughter in days past. He could not help himself, and so he chuckled as well, enjoying the moment of mirth. It was the first time he had laughed since his sister had died, and he hoped the sound wasn't as dreadful and rusty as it felt. “I believe you. Thank you.”He smiled slightly as he continued to hold her for as long as she wished. His reputation had it's uses, as it kept most from finding his palace, and kept himself and his servants safe from the outside world who would who would consider them demons or something evil. He supposed technically they had gained this form from dark magic, but he did not consider them evil. They were victims of that horrible woman. He brought the hand not resting on her back up, and gently pushed some of her silver-white hair back over her shoulder. He did not understand how she could tolerate his embrace...he was nothing but rough scales and pointy claws, but she seemed to actually enjoy it, and that made him smile. “She is very pretty.”Mei seemed embarrassed by the compliment. "Thank you, my lady. You are too kind." The small monkey bowed deeply to the pair of them, and then turned to take her leave, sure that her Master did not wish for her intrusion any longer. She was almost gone when Hayate surprised himself. "Thank you, Mei." It was often days at a time between him so much as speaking to one of his servants, as it had been long enough since the curse took effect that things usually ran smoothly without his instruction...but something about this girl made him feel he should thank Mei, even if she had just been doing her job. "My lord." She said with another bow and left. Hayate allowed her to move away and dry her tears, smiling some when she blew her nose. That was the sort of thing a child did without thinking. An adult would've sniffed until they were alone. Perhaps he had not had company in so long that he was over thinking ever simple actions, but it seemed to show a level of trust, and that was something the dragon-man had not felt from anyone else in centuries. “Gina. Are you my friend then Hayate-kun? I like you, you have animal friends.”Her friend? Was he her friend? Could she really offer her friendship so openly? Could it be that this small child could be the one to finally break their curse after all this time? She reminded him so much of when Yori had been that age...perhaps there was a chance after all, and not all hope was lost. "I will be your friend, Gina-chan, if you will allow me." He stood at last and held a clawed, scaled hand out to her. "Would you like to meet more of my animal friends?" It felt a bit strange calling them his friends, but the child seemed to think of them as such, so he may as well refer to them that way when speaking to her. He led her out of the front door, ignoring the knife that the boy had dropped. He'd get rid of it later, and out into the front courtyard. There was the main house, and several smaller buildings with various uses. There was a dojo that had been used for training the guard, and that he still used for practice...mostly to pass the time. There was also the shrine, and though it was the loveliest building on the grounds, Hayate never went there, unless it was to check and see how many petals remained. He hoped she would not ask to see that building. He didn't want to have to deny her a request. "Tell me, Gina-chan..." He said as they walked. He shortened his stride so as to not move to fast for her. "Is there something you would like? If it is within my power, I would like to give it to you." He smiled gently down at her, seeing her emerald eyes sparkle in the fading sunlight. "I want you to have good memories of my palace...not memories of those terrible children."
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Post by Hanako Gina on May 12, 2014 2:41:05 GMT -5
“Shh, child…”
His voice helped her relax at his embrace was gentle despite the rough scales in his body she felt safer there, in his arms, than she did anywhere else she could ever be. And she did not want to pull away and closed her yes feeling his peaceful breathing, someone so gentle could not be evil, everyone was wrong about him but then again this reputation kept them safe right? She finally looked up at him, deep emerald eyes meeting purple ones that seemed to look like the amethyst stone and she smiled, it was strange but she could have sworn she could easily get lost in his gaze. She blushed lightly and then pulled away slightly and took in better his form, probably for many he would be seen as a monster and i many legends and mythos dragons were demons that placed fear and destruction in the hearts of people. But her heart told her otherwise and she smiled at him, and he did not mind her lack of manners and how direct and honest she was. Back at home sometimes her mother would keep reminding her with a light whisper, when in the company of others, that she should behave like a lady. And she was never sure what she meant by that. And so she always tried to copy war her mother did not to embarrass her any further. But what could a child her age really do to hep that?
She allowed him to touch her hair as she relaxed in his embrace and smiled contentedly. She realised, as she sat back to dry her tears and blow her nose that, he was still within her reach and so she slowly placed her both hands on his cheeks and caressed them before the moved to touch the rest of his face and his dragon ears and scales down the back of his head feeling his smooth long black hair. It was difficult to explain what she was doing but, for some reason, she feared to be parted form her new friend and this was a way for her to keep his memory in her heart and mind. She smiled and finally moved her hands away when their eyes met. It seemed that despite having his animal friends he was pretty much a lonely man and it saddened her, “You seem lonely Hayate-kun, is there anything I can do to help?” She blushed lightly and poked down, her short white hair moved to hide her embarrassment, “You protected me and now… I want to do the same for you.” Besides, she was a very proud and stubborn child and she did not like to receive without giving something in return.
“Thank you, my lady. You are too kind.”
“Thank you, Mei.”
“My lord.”
Gina smiled at the beautiful monkey and watched her leave. She wondered if there are many more animals that could talk around the castle. She had to admit she was liking this place more and more, but then her last words registered and she gasped and turned to look at him, “You are a Lord? An Emperor or something?” She blushed a deep scarlet before she quickly stood up and bowed ashamed of her past conduct, “Please forgive any unintentional disrespect.” Aiko had forced Gina to learn that formula since-in her opinion-she was always embarrassing her in front of others and et she did not know how. She hoped she did not manage to annoy her new friend, although, if he as royalty was she allowed to call him her friend?
"I will be your friend, Gina-chan, if you will allow me.”
She smiled at him and nodded wholeheartedly and took his hand when he offered his own with no fear whatsoever. She had called him a friend and so, now was the time to show him she had meant her words and was not simply speaking as if by habit. She looked around as they walked on but then her eyes looked down at that knife and her body tensed remembering that experience with the children from her school and she held on to his hand tightly and moved closer to him as they walked on afraid that the knife might fly at her at its own volition.
It was ridiculous and would probably never happen, however, she was in a palace with the Dragon-Lord and his animal friends and they could talk, surely anything could happen here? She did not let go of his hand nor the hold she hd pressed on until they were outside and she could take a deep breath of pure air again. His palace was beautiful and it looked well kept but there was a darkness around the whole place, she wished she had the power to make it a happier place, and she remembered her flute, it was the only thing she did not lose when being chased by the children. She placed a hand on its cover as it moved along with her every step. Her mother always thought it a good idea to have her wear it on her belt.
“Would you like to meet more of my animal friends?"
She smiled warmly and said, “I would! I love animals…” Strange enough she even respected reptiles, many thought of her as a rather strand child but, well, there was little she could do about that. Maybe that allowed her to see past this man’s hybrid nature? Althugh, she suspected he had not always been that way, but what could have happened that made this such a desolated place? “I can play my flute for you if you like…” She was never shy to speak, she was a rather determined young girl.
”Tell me, Gina-chan...Is there something you would like? If it is within my power, I would like to give it to you.”
She blushed lightly, usually her mother disliked anyone offering her things she could not repay or because she feared it might spoil her child but she looked back into his eyes and said, a bit bothered he might think her insane, “I…want to take you with me and look after you…But if you are a Lord your friends need you here, could I have a doll that looks like you? I could then look after it and would be doing the same for you.” She smiled more confident now and holding his hand more tightly to emphasise she meant her words. Her eyes spotted the various buildings and she and to admit there was something beautiful and at the same time tenebrous about the shrine that she shivered lighlty.
“I want you to have good memories of my palace...not memories of those terrible children.”
She smiled, “I have forgotten about them.” Her eyes glowed when they looked back into his own, and she even dismissed the shrine as they walked on.
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Goddess
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Post by Hotori on May 12, 2014 6:45:51 GMT -5
“You are a Lord? An Emperor or something? Please forgive any unintentional disrespect.”Hayate watched her with amusement. He couldn't help but chuckle again. "A very, very long time ago, my father owned a vast spread of land. I was his heir." It had never felt right to consider him the Master of this palace, though he was. He figured it was because he hadn't had time to come to terms to with fact that he was, indeed the master before the curse had struck. "That, as I said, was long ago, and now the only land I control is within the confines of this forest." Well, within the walls of the palace, really, but it was so rare for any to venture within the forest that he felt like his people were safe there as well. "Please, do not apologize. I would not wish that you behaved any differently than you have thus far." As they walked, he felt her grip tighten as she moved closer to him to avoid the knife the boy had dropped. He reached down and took her hand in his other hand, pulling her around to his other side so that he was between her and the object. He'd see that it was gotten rid of so that she'd never have to see it again. She seemed to brighten once more as soon as they were outside, and he realized it was the first time he'd stepped outside before sunset in ages. He found it was quite nice, actually, though that could have to do with his small companion. "I would! I love animals… I can play my flute for you if you like…”Hayate smiled. He led the girl to a small koi pond in the eastern courtyard, and motioned around him. "I would enjoy that, Gina-chan." He spotted some of the guard walking by and called out to them. "Hiden! Shinta!" "My lord?" Hiden asked as the two canines approached. He was surprised to see the little human girl with the Master, but said nothing. It was not his place to question, after all. "This is Gina Hanako. She is our guest today, and would like to meet some of the others." Hayate nodded back toward the palace. "Could you perhaps find Ayaka and Hitomi? Or some of the others?" The wolf nodded his head. "Yes, Sire." Hiden turned and left to fetch some of the servants who's animal forms may not be too frightening for the young lady. Shinta, who was in the form of a large Akita dog, sat, waiting to see if he had any orders to follow. As they waited, Hayate asked the child if there was anything she wished for. Whatever it was, he would do his best to see that she received it. “I…want to take you with me and look after you…But if you are a Lord your friends need you here, could I have a doll that looks like you? I could then look after it and would be doing the same for you.”He was truly surprised by her request. She wanted to look after him? But they had only just met... He looked down at the child for a long moment before he smiled. "I think that can be arranged." He turned to Shinta. "See that the request is relayed to Michiyo. This is to be top priority." Not that the palace seamstress saw much work these days, beyond mending his clothing. Being that he was the only one who required clothing, as the rest were animal, it meant the seamstress had little to do most of the time. She'd made stuffed toys for Yori in the past, so he was sure she would be up to the task, and she was always prompt with her work. Shinta nodded, bowed his head in respect, and then ran off to relay the order. Hayate looked around the eastern garden. It had always been his favorite spot, and it seemed fitting to bring Gina here. He released her hand and seated himself on a stone bench. "Will you play for me while we wait?" He asked. "Or would you rather see more of the grounds?"
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Post by Hanako Gina on May 12, 2014 15:13:46 GMT -5
“A very, very long time ago, my father owned a vast spread of land. I was his heir…That, as I said, was long ago, and now the only land I control is within the confines of this forest…Please, do not apologize. I would not wish that you behaved any differently than you have thus far.”
She blushed lightly and yet she smiled looking into those eyes of his that had become so familiar to her already. She finally said, “You are still a Lord then, so long as you own land.” She as very keen on history from a younger age and knew these things almost by heart, and added, “You are such a nice person, usually I am tad I have to behave like a lady but no one explains how. Did your parents used to tell you to behave like a Lord?” She accompanied him and was so relieved when he moved to stand between her and that terrifying knife. She looked up at him in gratitude and then pulled his hand to her lips and she kissed his scaled knuckles gently and then placed her cheek on them and closed her eyes gently. If only she could keep him forever.
She was an honest child, but she was bpd and direct and seldom felt embarrassed by anything she did unless she did not mean it. And at this moment she did mean to behave this way, how else could she show him how happy she was to be in his company and how she would always remember that he saved her? Even if she were taken from this place and many years passed on, she would always remember deep in her heart, the king Dragon-Lord that lived in the middle of the mystic forest. She honestly did not know how deep the forest was, not until that day and though it still made her shiver to think of it, well, it had brought her to meet all these wonderful persons. She could happily say she and new friends now and she would keep this a secret so that no one would hurt them or look for them. In fact, once she was taken back to her family she would simply say she was attacked by he classmates and got lost in the forest, nothing more, those outside her household did not need to know.
”I would enjoy that, Gina-chan…Hiden! Shinta!”
"My lord?”
"This is Gina Hanako. She is our guest today, and would like to meet some of the others…Could you perhaps find Ayaka and Hitomi? Or some of the others?"
"Yes, Sire.”
Gina smiled at his words and began to wonder which song she could play for him and his friends. but then her attention moved to the carp Koi as they moved along the pond and she smiled and leaned forth to look at their many colours, she loved these fascinating creatures and took in the colours, the shapes of the scales and the way they moved. she was taught to play the flute not only to produce the music of the great classics but also to take in every single detail about a creature, object or person and then devise her own tune to describe that being. And she had gotten really good at it now. People complimented her and said she could create pictures or describe things with her music, that was all she needed, to play a melody. And so she decided to look all around so see the animals that lived here and more importantly take in the Dragon-Lord so that she could play a beautiful song for them that illustrated the beauty and wonders she could see in this palace.
"I think that can be arranged.”
“See that the request is relayed to Michiyo. This is to be top priority.”
Gina looked up at him in wonder. She had never been given everything she wanted in an instant, who was this man that seemed so keen to fulfil here every desire? She knew her parents often told her not to tok to stranger or accept any gifts but surely they would understand if they knew this man had saved her life?
She smiled when he sat on a bench and she looked around those gardens looked truly beautiful. Why would people make up such horrible stories about this nice man?
“Will you play for me while we wait? Or would you rather see more of the grounds?”
She smiled, how could she say no to such delightful request? She moved to stand on a rock by the pond and taking out her wooden transversal flute she closed her eyes and began to play a soft melody before she finally described the beauty of the palace, its gardens and the lovely animals in it before she stopped at the Lord of the house and voiced his virtues and talents before she finally concluded with some gentle sounds like those of the carp Koi as they swam against the force of the waterfall. She then opened her eyes once more and smiled at him placing her flute back in its pouch, “I would love to see more of your lands.”
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Post by Hotori on May 12, 2014 19:46:36 GMT -5
“You are still a Lord then, so long as you own land. You are such a nice person, usually I am tad I have to behave like a lady but no one explains how. Did your parents used to tell you to behave like a Lord?”Hayate felt himself smile. "They did. My father began training me from the time I was very young...your age, perhaps. I had to learn how to make sure everything ran smoothly here, and how to make sure all of those who lived here were safe and provided for." He considered for a moment before he smiled down ar her. "For what it is worth, I think you've been a perfect lady since you've arrived here. I've always found kindness to be the most important trait a lady can possess, and you have shown more of that than many adults." He was surprised when she kissed his knuckles and rested her cheek against them. How could this child be so kind and trusting. He decided then that, whether or not she was able to break this curse, he wanted her to be happy and safe. As they sat by the pond and she played her flute, many of the servants ventured out, drawn by curiosity to follow the sound of lovely music and the strange sight of their master sitting in the late afternoon sunshine with a small child. Hayate listened to her play, closing his eyes and allowing her music to paint a picture for him. It reminded him of the way the palace had been ages ago, when all was lovely, fresh and new. When at last she finished, he opened his eyes and smiled at her, clapping his hands softly. Soon, the gathered servants that could clap did as well, while those who could not applauded in their own way. "It would seem, Gina-chan, that everyone has enjoyed your song." He said as he stood and crossed to where the child stood, gently placing a hand on top of her head. He then added in a much softer voice. "You are quite talented." “I would love to see more of your lands.”"Then you shall." He said. He moved his hand and offered it to her so they could walk once more. A sudden thought occurred to him. If she really wished to see his lands, there was one way to do so, and she might enjoy it. If he was careful, they could see the entire palace and the grounds of the small city outside it, inhabited by his animal servants, and there would be no danger of them being spotted. "Tell me, Gina-chan, are you scared of heights?" Meanwhile, Teru the raven had been on his way back to the palace when he spotted something that had to belong to the girl now at the palace. He swooped down and picked up some dance shoes hanging from a branch. He spotted another servant, and told them to search the path and make sure nothing else that belonged to the girl was laying around. If they found anything, they were to bring it to the palace so it could be returned to her. Even though he had left early in her visit, he could tell this child represented a long forgotten hope that the curse may actually be broken. The lord of the palace was already showing a gentle side he hadn't allowed anyone to see since his sister had died, not that it had been frequently displayed before then.
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Post by Hanako Gina on May 15, 2014 14:08:14 GMT -5
”They did. My father began training me from the time I was very young...your age, perhaps. I had to learn how to make sure everything ran smoothly here, and how to make sure all of those who lived here were safe and provided for… For what it is worth, I think you've been a perfect lady since you've arrived here. I've always found kindness to be the most important trait a lady can possess, and you have shown more of that than many adults.”
She blushed lightly however she smiled cheerfully at him and then said, “I think your father would be proud of you, Hayate-kun, you are a god and wise Lord and show rage and mercy when you need to, And you re nice to small people like me. I really want us to be friends.” She and friends her age and all that but, she felt a strange connection to this man that made her wonder, could he feel the bond as well? Even small gestures such as walking closely or holding hands, the little girl felt as if she had always known him and had seen him calling out to her in dreams. She was a bit shocked at such realisation but then said, “Hayate…I…I have had drams where I heard your voice…it called out to me…” it was a voice full of despair and loneliness and it made her more resolute to help him if it was in he hand to do so. She wanted to save him if that was even possible for a girl of her age. In those dreams he asked her to save him from a void of some sort and she never replied to those desperate words. And yet, now was her chance right? She smiled and looking up at him she said, “I will…” she would save him and his friends.
Not sure how she could do such a thing and from whom she had to save them but she would o her best. After all did he not just save her from those charlatans? And then she laughed cheerfully and taking Hayate’s hand she began running toward a nearby garden where some colourful butterflies were dancing around, “Hayate-kun! Butterflies!” She stopped right in front of them and sat on the grass lying on her stomach as she watched them with dreamy eyes and kicked her legs up and down and then lifted a finger for one of them to stand on it. “Hayate-kun, this one looks just like you!” She pointed out cheerfully at a black butterfly with several hints of purple, “It's my favourite.” She beamed as she turned to smile at him.
"It would seem, Gina-chan, that everyone has enjoyed your song… You are quite talented.”
She blushed lightly and lowered her head when she felt his hand on it but she soon turned to look up at him, “I can play for you all whenever you like.” She smiled and looked at all the lovely animals around them, “They are all so lovely…You are lucky to have so many friends Kayate-kun.” Even if they were his servants loyalty was far closer to friendship than duty.
She hoped he would not mind her if she assumed things but, she preferred to think of others as friends after all. And they seemed to enjoy serving him, that was always a good thing though she could not imagine anyone would not enjoy serving someone like him.
“Then you shall…Tell me, Gina-chan, are you scared of heights?”
She gladly took the offered hand and walked alongside him and then smiled, “No, I can climb trees and roofs although mum says that is not lady-like and often gets worried if I disobey.” She grinned sheepishly, sometimes she could not help herself. She giggled and covered her mouth as she turned to look at him.
Maybe she as a bit of a naughty little daughter, just maybe. but that was part of whom she was and she knew form that early age she liked the person she was and would not change for the world.
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Post by Hotori on May 15, 2014 16:46:38 GMT -5
“I think your father would be proud of you, Hayate-kun, you are a god and wise Lord and show rage and mercy when you need to, And you re nice to small people like me. I really want us to be friends.”"I want that too..." The Dragon-Lord admitted. "And you may be small, but you have a large heart. It shows in your eyes, Gina-chan." Truely, this child was amazing. She was so unlike the glimpses of others he'd seen over the centuries. She reminded him of his sister, and yet there was some other quality to her, something unlike Yori and uniquely Gina. He found himself wondering what sort of woman she would become as she grew. “Hayate…I…I have had drams where I heard your voice…it called out to me…"Could fate or the gods have brought this child to him? Could something beyond the dark magic of the curse be at work? He'd begun to give up hope that they would ever be free of this fate...unless of course he took that one, last, dark option...but he could not do so and let that woman win. She wanted him to end his life, and end the curse, and he would not do so, not for her or for anyone else. Yes, he'd started to give up hope...and then this child appeared. Suddenly he felt like hope wasn't such a ridiculous thing after all. Would she be the one to free them at last? "I will..."For a moment, Hayate wondered if she was answering his thoughts. Still, he didn't want to pressure the child, so he decided not to share those thoughts with her. If she wished to remain his friend...to come and visit him again, he may tell her when she was older. Instead he gave her a soft smile. "Dreams are strange things, Gina-chan. Sometimes their meaning is obvious and sometimes it needs some thought." “Hayate-kun! Butterflies! Hayate-kun, this one looks just like you! It's my favourite.”He smiled as he watched her enjoy something so simple as some butterflies, and laughed softly when she claimed one looked like him, and was her favorite. He was not as lovely as the little butterfly, but he appreciated the thought. He pointed to a while and green one. "That one shall be my favorite, Gina-chan. It reminds me of you." “I can play for you all whenever you like. They are all so lovely…You are lucky to have so many friends Hayate-kun.”"You are welcome to return here whenever you like, Gina-chan." Hayate assured her. "And you may play for us as much and as often as you wish." He patted the girl's head gently. "Henceforth, you may treat my home as your own, you may come and go as you please." He hoped she would come visit again. He felt happier than he had in a very long time, and knew his servants enjoyed having a new face around after so long. “No, I can climb trees and roofs although mum says that is not lady-like and often gets worried if I disobey.”He heard her giggle, and chuckled. So she disobeyed some, then? Already a stubborn and determined child it seemed, and yet she was capable of such kindness. He gently reached down with both hands and lifted the child into his arms, holding her close so she would be safe. "I think your mother would worry about this as well, but if you enjoy it, it shall remain our little secret." He said in a conspiratorial whisper in her ear before he stretched out his wings, bent his knees and took to flight. Some birds from a nearby tree took off, and he made sure not to fly too high. He didn't wish for them to be visible over the treetops. Still, he did fly hight enough to clear the tops of most buildings, and to allow Gina to see all that surrounded them. Various animals in the small city within the walls could be seen going about their daily tasks, though some paused to look up in wonder as their Master passed overhead with a small child in his arms. A few of his servants who cold fly took to the air as well, forming a small escort before and after the pair. "What do you think, Gina-chan?" He asked, looking form his palace home to the child he carried. He hoped she enjoyed his little idea. Once they'd seen all there was to see, he landed back in the garden, and Mei approached carrying a stuffed toy. "My Lord, this was sent by Michiyo for the young Lady." Hayate gently place Gina on the ground and nodded to Mei. "See if it is what you wanted. If not, we'll see if we can have it corrected before you go home." He wanted her to be happy, and take only good memories from this place, because he wanted her to return again and again.
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Post by Hanako Gina on May 20, 2014 15:35:20 GMT -5
"I want that too...And you may be small, but you have a large heart. It shows in your eyes, Gina-chan.”
Gina giggled at his words and smiled brightly at him, her emerald eyes looking curiously at him. She had never been complimented before in such a way, usually she was told of for the things she did not know, she knew her family loved her but they were strict and at times it was difficult keeping up with their demands or even staying motivated to do things when they seldom congratulated her for her hard work. She was truly grateful for his kindness but she failed to see why he thought her so outstanding. Maybe she should just try harder and make him smile, his smile was truly something to enjoy and she loved making others happy and if he was not going to scold her she then thought she could be her true self here. Looking up at him she could tell he also wanted to be friends with her, she smiled.
“Dreams are strange things, Gina-chan. Sometimes their meaning is obvious and sometimes it needs some thought.”
She smiled looking into his deep purple eyes, “Do you have dreams at night Hayate-kun?” She smiled and then looked at the sky, “Sometimes I confuse dreams and wishes…I want to be a dancer and also a martial arts expect, I always liked the culture of the samurai…my father reads me stories at night.” She eyed him for a moment, “Do you have any aspirations Hayate-kun? Maybe you could help me and I could help you. We are friends now anyway.” She smiled up at him and took his hand gently.
”That one shall be my favorite, Gina-chan. It reminds me of you.”
She giggled and hid her face shyly under her arms as she remained on the grass and then she picked a few dandelion petals and moved around him tossing the petals around him laughing softly and doing a small dance she was still learning but she already enjoyed that so much. And she felt she could show it to Hayate and he would not mind. She took a few turns before she bowed her head, “I can’t wait to know more though…” She blushed wishing she could do a beautiful dance for her new friend.
"You are welcome to return here whenever you like, Gina-chan…And you may play for us as much and as often as you wish…Henceforth, you may treat my home as your own, you may come and go as you please.”
Gina looked at him with truly hopeful eyes, no one had ever told her something that nice before. She stood on her tip toes and puled at his sleeve, “Oh, do you really mean that? I can come and see you? I would love to Hayate-kun!” She hoped she was not being too open with her new friend and that he did not mind her explosive personality but at times, when someone invited her that way, she knew she could not help but smile earnestly, she loved making new friends.
"I think your mother would worry about this as well, but if you enjoy it, it shall remain our little secret.”
She giggled and did not move when he picked her up, and the moment she watched him stretch his wings she gasped excitedly suspecting what he was about to do. She laughed happily the moment he took off and looked around her with excitement. “Hayate-kun, you are amazing!” She looked up at him with a smile and held on to his arms while she looked underneath them. Indeed, her mother did not have to know, she already had a long list of things to chastise her for, she did not need adding more things…
"What do you think, Gina-chan?”
She smiled and looked at him once more,“I think you are very special Hayate-kun”. She would admit it, she could not understand why anyone would take such a man as a monster. He was so kind and gentle and always striving to please and pamper her. If only everyone else could see the true worth of a person by what they truly are. IN any case he was not a terrible sight to see either, and his face was so at peace, his deep purple eyes so full of emotion. Hayate was much more than meets the eye. Sadly their little flight came to an end. But she smiled at the memory.
“My Lord, this was sent by Michiyo for the young Lady.”
"See if it is what you wanted. If not, we'll see if we can have it corrected before you go home.”
Gina eagerly picked the stuffed toy and compared it with Hayate and she smiled approvingly and then embraced it saying, “It is just like you Hayate-kun! I love it! I will never let it go…” And she knew that she would not, at least not willingly. She smiled at him and said, “Thank you!” She was not sure how or why she had found this solitary man but she wanted to help him because he was so wonderful…
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Post by Hotori on May 21, 2014 13:52:49 GMT -5
“Do you have dreams at night Hayate-kun? Sometimes I confuse dreams and wishes…I want to be a dancer and also a martial arts expect, I always liked the culture of the samurai…my father reads me stories at night. Do you have any aspirations Hayate-kun? Maybe you could help me and I could help you. We are friends now anyway.”Hayate watched the child for a long moment. She seemed so sweet, he could not fathom why those other children has wished to harm her. "I do dream, sometimes." He admitted. "I dream about my family." Specifically, he dreamed about his mother and little sister, though in those dreams he would be in his current form. Sometimes he had trouble remembering what he used to look like. He smiled with she spoke of her aspirations. "Those are very good things to wish to be." He said with a nod. When she asked if he had any aspirations of his own, he thought briefly of telling her about the curse. No, that was too much responsibility to place on a child. Instead he shook his head. "I am very old, Gina-chan. I have nothing more to aspire to." He then smiled down at her. "But you may come and practice your dances for me whenever you like. And perhaps when you're older, I can help you train." He had been taught to be a skilled warrior, after all, and was sure he could help Gina achieve her dreams. “I can’t wait to know more though…"He chuckled as she danced for him, tossing flower petals here and there. When she was done, he clapped softly. "You shall have to return once you've learned the rest. I look forward to seeing it." His heart felt lighter than it had in ages, perhaps, even, since the curse began. Perhaps this girl was the one they'd waited for all this time. And yet, it was hard to put all of his hope into that thought. It had been a very long time, after all, and though Gina was sweet, there was noting to promise this was not just a child's passing fancy...nothing saying she would not return to her life and forget all about the Dragon Lord of the forest. And yet, even if she did, he would never forget this day of kindness. Even if he never saw her again, she would always hold a special place in his heart. “Oh, do you really mean that? I can come and see you? I would love to Hayate-kun!”Hayate chuckled as she tugged at his sleeve. "I do not say things I do not mean, Gina-chan. Not to my friends." He nodded, and was glad she wished to come see him again. "I promise you shall always find safe passage through this forest. whether you are coming to see me, or simply taking a shortcut." He would ensure that his servants who often ventured into the forest would keep an eye out for her, and make sure she never came to harm. It was not much, but it was what he could offer her. “I think you are very special Hayate-kun”That was perhaps the last thing he'd expected her to say. He had been inquiring about the flight, and whether she liked his palace...but instead, she spoke of...him. "Thank you...Gina-chan. I think you are very special too..." She seemed to enjoy the flight, so he took a few extra moments before he landed and placed her on the ground once more. "If you would like, we can do that again sometime." He thought of offering to fly her home, but dismissed it. There were too many people, and it would only cause problems for her if she was seen with him. He did not wish to complicate her life when she had brought him such joy. “It is just like you Hayate-kun! I love it! I will never let it go…”He reached down and patted her head once more, again, careful not to scratch her with his claws. "I am glad it pleases you, Gina-chan." He would have to remember to thank Michiyo later for her prompt work. It was then that Ter and the group from the forest returned. "My Lord," Teru said, landing on a nearby railing which put him closer to eye lever, though no where near Hayate's heaight. "We have collected the young Lady's things from the forest." A couple wolves approached and gently placed the things Gina had dropped at her feet. "Thank you." Hayate nodded first to Teru the raven, and then to the others, all of whom did the closest thing to a bow their animal forms could manage. A sudden thought came to him, and he moved away from Gina to where Mei still stood. He crouched down, and held a hand out for the small spider money to come closer. He then whispered somehting in her ear, and though she looked surprised, she nodded, bowed, and scampered back inside. Hayate stood and turned back to Gina. "Mei will go get a bag for you to carry all of your things home in." He told her. He'd asked Mei to get something else, and that had been what made her look so shocked...but that was to be one last surprise for this wonderful child. He crouched down so that he was eye level with the child, and gently placed a hand on her cheek, though it was just his palm, as he still worried about hurting her with his claws. "I fear those children from earlier will not be pleased to see I did not eat you." He said gently, and he did worry for her. "I want you to tell them that I only eat naughty children, and I find bullying someone younger than them to be very naughty indeed." He then gave her a soft smile. "You tell them I will be watching, and that, as my friend, you are protected. Do you understand, Gina-chan?" It was not much, but hopefully it would be enough to keep her safe.
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Post by Hanako Gina on May 23, 2014 12:35:39 GMT -5
“I do dream, sometimes…I dream about my family.”
She smiled at him and looking deeply into his deep amethyst eyes she said with curiosity, “What were the like? I bet you miss them…” She took hold of one of his hands with both of hers, she loved her family and could not imagine a life without them and though she is aware that it will happen eventually, she truly feels the sorrow of others especially does like Hayate who, in her opinion, deserve the love of everyone else. She could not understand why anyone would be afraid of him or dislike him or not wish to help him even. If she could, if he told her what to do, she would do it. Her hands held his hand more closely and her eyes did not look away, she only saw wonder in this man, why wouldn’t she? And on top of that he saved her even when she entered his domains, he was her hero and she admired him completely. Of course she still respected her family and loved them and wished to please him but, this felt different it was like when someone would realise that he/she had someone they greatly admired. And she loved him like she would her best friend and, he might as well be her best friend. He did all this for her, what could she do for him in exchange?
“Those are very good things to wish to be…I am very old, Gina-chan. I have nothing more to aspire to.”
She smiled at his first words but when she heard the rest her smile faded and she looked into his eyes, “That…is so sad…” She pulled his hand to her lips, her eyes not loking away from his and after she had kissed his hand she said, “Age has nothing to do with aspirations, if you do not dream of something what do you live for? Let me help you Hayate-kun, let me help you reach a goal in life, I’m your new friend after all.” She might be a young child but she was quite mature for her age and the cheerfulness she showed when talking to him was the best proof that, despite being a child, she meant her words. She wanted him to be happy and if he did his best to please her could she not do the same? So that meant her job was now to examine him closely and see what he could aspire to. She would not let her friend give in to despair, her parents always taught her to fight for what she believed in and at this moment she believed Hayate deserved a second chance to be happy and achieve his goals. “You must let me help you.” Her eyes showed determination and she looked at him seriously. She might be young, but she and always bee taught to be true to her word and if she wished to help this man she would do everything at hand to do so. Why else promise something she would not comply with.
”But you may come and practice your dances for me whenever you like. And perhaps when you're older, I can help you train.”
She nodded at him and said, “I will and I would be honoured to receive your excellent help.” She then smirked, “But I think you will tire of my dance routines, my parents already have even though they still enjoy watching.” It was difficult to explain but Gina could understand that when you repeat the same moves over and over again, when you jut started learning, it was difficult to remain as cheerful and positive. But that was they key, when you wanted something you had to persevere there was little else to be done on the matter.
“You shall have to return once you've learned the rest. I look forward to seeing it."
She nodded her head and said, “I will do my best.” Truth be told, although everyone at the academies and at school were rather impressed with her progress, she was too demanding and failed to see what everyone else did. Perhaps it was better that way, it only came to signify that she would fight to get better and better at the things she did and dancing and martial arts were the two things she enjoyed doing the most and though she also excelled in her studies, she knew from the very beginning what she wanted to do as she grew older. Nothing had ever felt more certain than that. She looked up at him and said, “If you ever think I am doing something wrong or you do not like it you must tell me Hayate-kun, as a friend, I do not like people who lie.”
“I do not say things I do not mean, Gina-chan. Not to my friends…I promise you shall always find safe passage through this forest. Whether you are coming to see me, or simply taking a shortcut.”
She clapped her hands cheerfully and embraced him warmly, “Thank you Hayate-kun, this means the world to me!” It really did, perhaps he did not realise the extent of his promise. But Gina treasured his words in her heart. She had many friends but only few did she consider close to her in all honesty and at times friends could betray, right? But, she sensed Hayate would never betray her, how could he? He was all sweetness. And compared ti what people usually told her, it seemed that Hayate liked her with her virtues and faults and she could not bring herself to understand how that could be. She appreciated it nonetheless and smiled up at him, she would treasure his friendship no matter what happened afterward.
”Thank you...Gina-chan. I think you are very special too...If you would like, we can do that again sometime.”
She giggled and held his hand shaking it lightly, “You keep doing that Hayate-kun, you are being too nice to me and I do not deserve it, but I appreciate it.” She smiled and extended her arms, “Everyone in the world should love you Hayate-kun and should wish to be your friends. There would be no unhappy people if that was the case.” She was honest and bold, she was not the kind of person to shelter away form giving her opinion about something and she never stepped back she always faced things head on and was rather confident or her age. In all honesty she seldom cared what others said about her, it was only that her mother thought she was too bold at times and that was not a good thing, or so she thought. But Gina found it difficult to fid in the criteria her mother appreciated. She would have to transform herself completely and how could she go about that? How could she change herself to please her mother? No, she decided that was not what she wished to do.
“I am glad it pleases you, Gina-chan.”
“Very much!” She beamed and smiled at him embracing the stuffed version of the Dragon-Lord and she embraced him quite hard before she said, “Oh, could I please go thank her? Please? It is so pretty…” Whenever someone did something for her she thanked others but, when it was something she liked completely, she did it with much more determination. She stepped back and embraced the small version of Hayate and kissed it a couple of times and twirled around with it as if she took it for a dance. She was so happy, but…she was not sure her parents would be. She did not care, she would hide the little present if she had to.
“My Lord…We have collected the young Lady's things from the forest.”
“Thank you.”
Gina gasped happily and took her slippers, “You found them?! Now mother won’t be upset, thank you.” She smiled at Hayate’s friends and one by one she embraced them with her gratitude making sure not to harm them and she repeated her thanks. Seriously, these were such wonderful beings! Why would anyone spread such cruel lies about them? She picked up her things and placed them back in their respective places. She was truly pleased to have found her slippers, she feared her mother might be upset at having to buy her new ones…
“Mei will go get a bag for you to carry all of your things home in.”
Gina smiled at him and said, “Ok Hayate-kun. I will then have to give lovely Mei a hug because she has also been so nice to me.” She watched him crouch down and she was a bit sad, she wished she could stay in this wonderful place forever. She did not want to go back tot he real world and she wanted to be with her new friends. But it would not be fair on her family, she would come and visit, she knew the way now, although she would have to ensure no one followed her, she did not want them getting hurt because of her, she would never forgive herself if that happened. No, she would ensure no one knew where she had been, bar her parents. She closed her eyes for a moment when he placed his hand on her cheek and then opened them to meet deep purple ones.
“I fear those children from earlier will not be pleased to see I did not eat you…I want you to tell them that I only eat naughty children, and I find bullying someone younger than them to be very naughty indeed…You tell them I will be watching, and that, as my friend, you are protected. Do you understand, Gina-chan?”
She blushed lightly but nodded, “I will, but I can still come to see you right Hayate-kun?” She felt some tears forming in her eyes and she looked away, why was she crying? Why did this suddenly feel like saying goodbye when she lived truly close to this forest? She held the beautiful stuffed Dragon-Lord tightly almost as if she wished she could always be with her new friend and then blinked to stop the tears from forming. It would all be fine, she could come and visit whenever she wanted to, so, she could come and see him again the next day even. She could bring some fish since her father was already tang her fishing so she learned the trade and could help him at times.
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Goddess
1,912 POSTS & 244 LIKES
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Post by Hotori on May 24, 2014 21:23:01 GMT -5
“What were the like? I bet you miss them…”"I do." Hayate admitted. "I had a mother, father, and little sister. My sister was very sweet, a lot like yourself, Gina-chan. She was very cheerful and always kind, even though she could not see from birth. My mother was beautiful and gentle and also very kind. My father was strict, and strong in battle, but he was a benevolent leader, and I have tried to live up to his standards." He did not wish to make the child sad with the details, so instead he said. "They have been gone for a very long time, but my dreams let me see them and keep my memories fresh." “That…is so sad… Age has nothing to do with aspirations, if you do not dream of something what do you live for? Let me help you Hayate-kun, let me help you reach a goal in life, I’m your new friend after all. You must let me help you.”He could tell how much this meant to her, and yet he still could not tell her of the curse. It was too much, and she was too young. When she was older, if she was still curious, he would tell her some of it. He did decide to admit a little, however. "You are already helping me, Gina-chan. I had hoped to make a new friend, and now I have." He smiled at her. "Just by being here, and saying you'll come back again, you are helping me." “I will and I would be honoured to receive your excellent help. But I think you will tire of my dance routines, my parents already have even though they still enjoy watching.”"I will never tire of it, my friend." Hayare promised sincerely. "If it would help to learn your dances, I am sure some of my friends would like to learn them." Some of them should be able to learn basic moves, anyway, and that would help keep their hopes hopw and would also help her learn the steps better. “You keep doing that Hayate-kun, you are being too nice to me and I do not deserve it, but I appreciate it. Everyone in the world should love you Hayate-kun and should wish to be your friends. There would be no unhappy people if that was the case.”"You do deserve it. Kindness deserves kindness." He smiled at her words, but thought of the Sorceress who had started all this. "You are kind, but there have been many though the ages that would not agree...who did not like me, and thought I should...go away." He also thought of the rumors about himself and his palace. "Besides, people fear that which they do not understand, or which is strange to them, and they dislike things with cause them fear." He patted her head, feeling the soft hair beneath his hand. "It is a rare and beautiful trait to look past the differences, as you have today Gina-chan." “Very much! Oh, could I please go thank her? Please? It is so pretty…”Hayate watched her with the toy, and felt his heart warm. She really seemed to love it. And...she had called it pretty. That baffled him, as it looked like him, and he was not what any, himself included would call 'pretty'. He had been quite handsome, back when he'd been human, but that had been so long ago, and he thought he barely resembled that person now. Still, her words inflated his ego just a bit...it was a nice feeling after so long. "Yes, you may meet her." He smiled down at her before looked around at the gathered animal servants. "Hiden, where is Michiyo now?" Before Hiden could reply, there was a small noice toward the back of the gathering, and the small crowd parted to reveal a lemur. "I am here, my Lord..." she gave a bow before standing up to face them. "I wished to make sure the young lady liked it." She beamed with pride seeing Gina play with the doll, and she bowed deeply to the girl. "I am so happy you are pleased." Hayate watched as Gina embraced each of those who had brought her things in from the forest, and chuckled when she mentioned hugging Mei as well. She was a friendly, happy child...so very like Yori had been. And yet, there was something about Gina that was uniquely her, and no one else. He hoped she would, indeed, come back. “I will, but I can still come to see you right Hayate-kun?”"Of course you can, Gina-chan. I would not have it any other way." He saw that she looked as if she might cry, and his heart softened. He reached out and scooped her up, holding her against his chest. "Do not be sad, little one. I will always be here whenever you need me." Mei returned from the house carrying a bag, and a small object wrapped in white silk. She approached, and Hayate placed Gina on the ground once more to take the items from her. "Thank you, Mei." Hayate told her as she bowed and smiled at both of them. Hayate turned to Gina and waved her to come forth where he crouched in front of her. "I have one more small gift for you before you go home for the night." He explained. He set the bag down for her to pick up when she needed it before handing her the thing wrapped in white silk. After she opened it to reveal a golden band bracelet with emerald flowers all around it. "This belonged to my sister a very long time ago, and my mother before that. I want you to have it." He said gently. "It is pretty and deserves to be worn and seen..." He then smiled a bit ruefully. "But I am afraid it does not fit me." He hoped she would like it, and that she would treasure it as he had.
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