Little Claudia's Big Adventure

[Drop_Dead]

The characters in this story have no idea that they are in here and I might have exaggerated a bit [which means allot] in telling this story. It isn't perfeect and it isn't finished and i would rather not hear complaints. If you don't like your name being used, I will remove it as soon as you NOTIFY me. Thank you.

All characters are taken from the Bijou server. Most of them reside in the DaRkNeSs_FaLLs Guild.

Thanks go to jethsain, CocoDan, jinpu, and several others who will be added as the list grows. [And thanks to the ones who aren't conscious of this, those who are always online and have been since the creation of Fiesta, The NPCs. I have used a few of you and I know that you don't mine the advertising I'm doing. But, regardless, you do have your thanks =P ]

The biggest thanks ever goes to KingofAces.
THANKS =P
A toast to your guild that you invited me to join because you were lonely and nobody was logged on. (Even though I didn't meet your level requirements.) Another toast to us being newly weds. (We might need some more rum, this will be long. [Even if it's not good for the baby.]) Thanks for putting up with me Shnookums. I told you that I would never stab your back, (sides or front), and I meant it. Thanks for listening to me and giving me the real strength I needed to go on. I know I'm weaker and less macho than you but I also know you have a big cheesy grin on your face listening to me go on about you. Well. This is your wedding present especially. I will work on it and finish it eventually, but, for now, this will do.

Thanks again. *Pinches cheeks ON FACE*
I mean it. =P

http://i37.tinypic.com/8yz148.jpg
Our wedding with my favorite vow that the book said. You know my obstacles and I know yours. I know you think this is uber wussy and chickyyy, but hey, what can you expect, here goes. You being there means allot to me and I'm glad that you know what no other does. I'm glad I told you. And I'm happy that I got my wedding because, well you know. And Even though you say one day, I will get married in real life, this will always mean something special to me.

[Drop_Dead]

Yes, Little Claudia was a different creature. Named after a character of Anne Rice, she was charming in her way and deceiving in her fashion. A mere human, skilled as a cleric, she had empowered healing spells. She wore her platinum hair in a log braid and walked through Isya in a white dress with blue details, adorned with a halo and wings. Yes, that was deceitful. She knew nothing of love or of caring. She only knew of conquering. That was her style.

But the people of Isya did fall under her charm. "Little Claudia," they'd call to her sweetly, "Would you join us? We can protect you." She would laugh on her inside. and join with them. She came off sweet and polite. That is the way she charmed her victims. They would remember her for this and the manner in which she healed her party of adventures, and for that, they would call on her again. But with each call, they would fall more and more under her spell.

She was fast in her work, taking on the worlds that were levels above her own, and she walked through Sand Hill, ready to fight whatever looked at her the wrong way. (Everything did.) So she stumbled among a Magician. "Hello," he called to her with his messy dark red hair.

"Good evening," she said loudly, for he was a good distance away, and she would move no further, she could sense he was very powerful. "How are you this day?" she asked politely, moving her glowing hammer behind her, gripping it harder.

He lowered his staff. KingofAces, that is the name she heard as she looked at him. His brown eyes sparkled in mischief. "Of what guild do you belong to child?"

"I am no child and I am of no guild." She moved closer and sat before him. "You look to be an interesting creature. You don't mind my presence, do you?"

He laughed. "Glad to know your looking. And I never mind the company of a lady."

"Now you have it right."

"What do you mean?"

"You called me a child first, and now you call me a lady. Thank you."

He laughed again. "Okay now, don't get used to it, I'm pretty mean."

"I don't think you could be," Claudia batted her eyes.

Looking down at her, he sighed and squatted down to look her in the eyes. "How did you get eyes so blue?" His breath tickled me face.

"I stole them." And she smiled because she knew he would never believe the truth. That poor girl was walking around Roumen blind, searching for someone's help and assistance. "The old saying is if you want something you have to get it yourself."

He frowned and then shook his head and smiled. "I don't think you could."

She grinned.

"It isn't safe for a lady to be without a guild. Join mine and I will see to it that you have protection wherever you go. Isya can be a cruel world. And you look like the delicate soul that I would not leave alone."

So she accepted his invitation.

"Rest easy tonight knowing that you will always be in the finest company. Tomorrow, I will show you places you have never before seen."

***

She woke up and climbed out of her little haven in the woods. Like every morning, she stretched and every bone in her body popped, relieved to be allowed freedom again. After all, her small shelter was no more than a hole in the mountain. There was no comfort for her body there. She smoothed out her dress and grimaced. There was a rip in it now. She sighed and began to walk to town. Life would be much easier if only there were a few luxuries. A horse would be nice, so would a bed, a nice soft bed.

Claudia had just reached the first shop on the skirts of Elderine when she heard a laugh. She turned and saw the familiar messy red hair and she relaxed slightly. "Good morning KingofAces," her voice was soft and musical.

"Call me King," he looked her over and frowned. "What happened to you last night?"

She sighed. "Nothing..."

He shook his head and pulled her away by the arm, "I don't know where you sleep or where you call home, but this isn't fitting for a lady." He marched them through the back roads behind the shops, to the town's protecting walls, and up into the tower. The door locked behind them and he pointed to a room. "Take a hot bath while I mend your clothes and get you new armor."

Her eyes got wider. "No, this is fine. My old armor works perfectly."

"Either you go in there and do as I say or I will rip the dress off of you and throw you into the water myself." He grinned and stepped closer. "Maybe you would like that?"

She ran into the bathroom and slammed the door, putting all her weight against it as if she could keep him out like that. "What will I wear while you fix my clothes though? Surely you don't expect me to run about bare."

His laugh was loud even through the door. "Just set your clothes outside the door. I will leave a dress for you in the same spot. You can come find me when you finish in there, I will be in the arena with my friends."

She left her white dress outside like he said and brought the bundle that he had left for her into the bathroom. She sighed and bolted the door as best she could. A Mage like him could easily break the entire door down, but regardless, the lock would stay there.

***

"Surely this is a joke," she complained looking in the mirror. The dress was a soft pink with black detail. The stockings were black and the shoes were heels with a single strap. "How does he expect me to be able to fight in this?" Claudia sighed, and despite herself, she finished braiding her hair and walked outside. Determined not to be seen, she ran through the alleys to get to the arena where loud laughter radiated around the whole place.

"King, I didn't know you were interested in dresses," a fighter punched him playfully in the arm. "I might borrow the dress from you sometime." Him and the other mage laughed even louder. jethsain was the fighter's name. The other mage was CocoDan.

"Jeth," the leader said, "Perhaps you should meet Claudia," and he tossed her a smile and motioned for me to come closer. "Kenton fixed it quite nicely for you, in my opinion. The merchant is quite handy with some thread." He handed her the white dress and she stuffed it into her pack. "These two are kind of obnoxious, but they grow on you."

She nodded and did a curtsy to each of them. "It's nice to meet both of you," she practically whispered. Taking a few steps back, she sat down, determined to watch as they joked around.

But Jeth had other plans. He sat down beside her and smiled. "So, Little Claudia, how did you meet King?"

"We met in Sand Hill."

He laughed. "I wish I would have met you before he had, you could have used MY bathroom."

Growing uncomfortable she stood and backed away. "I, eh, need to do some slaying, sorry, excuse me. It was nice to meet all of you." She walked very quickly through the town to get supplies before she left Elderine's safe area to enter Moonlight Tomb.

"Hey," a voice called from behind her, "Slow down a bit," and King put his hands on his knees to catch his breath. "You can't leave town alone. I promised that you would be in fine company at all times and I meant it. Didn't I also promise to show you other lands?"

"I would be fine on my own, I always have been."

He sighed. "That was then. Fine means decent. Decent isn't good enough according to my standards. Let me take care of you," he put his hand on her shoulder. "You belong in our family now, get used to it."

She squirmed out from under his hand. "I can handle it."

He frowned. (Why did she always make him frown?) "You have to have that new armor."

"I don't need it."

"So you say."

"Well, I could use the boots."

"What's wrong with the shoes I left for you?"

"How can I run and fight with these on?"

He laughed. "See? You need me to help you. I will buy your boots later, but for now, come along, with those heels, and I will fight. You don't even have to heal me." King ran ahead of her and began chanting spells and waving his staff around, creatures falling dead all around him.

She panicked and healed him, regardless of what he said. I mean, those pesky paper mages are always dying, she thought to herself.

***

He patted her head as they relaxed in his tower. "Will you be okay if I leave for a while? I have things to do and I don't need you endangered."

She nodded. "I will be fine."

"Now, you need to stay here," he pointed at the ground as if she didn't understand. "Stay in my tower, water the plants, don't let dust settle on the coffee table, it irritates my allergies."

"I can't stay in your tower."

"Why not?"

"It isn't mine."

He laughed. "I want you to stay here that way the boys can watch over you. Besides, this is our head quarters. Someone has to be here in case of emergency."

"Why can't one of the boys stay here and I can go back to my own hiding place and wait for your return?"

"Where will you hide at?"

She looked at the floor.

"Claudia, answer me."

"It's a cave..."

"Well," he huffed. "Then it's settled. You are to stay here. That's an order."

"Yes sir."

"And there is another healer among our group. Jinpu is second in command. He will be by shortly to check in on you. Don't take any of his attitude. He needs to learn how to treat a lady."

She fidgeted with the hem line of the pink dress.

"Don't worry," he smiled softly at her and sent a magic missile flying towards a closed door and it opened slowly. "That's my room, but that's where you'll sleep. I let the guildies use the couch and guest room. Jin uses a room and our other room is for a storage. I'll clean it up when I get back and stay in there. But that will be your room."

"Shouldn't that blast have broken the door?"

He chuckled. "I used a very weak spell. Don't worry, I'm the only one allowed to do magic in the house." He winked and turned to look at the sun setting. "I always seem to get carried away, but I really do have to go now." He kissed her hand and dashed out the door, locking it with a blast, and leaving Claudia alone with flushed cheeks.

The kiss was just a friendly thing, she told herself as she grabbed her pack and went into his room, locking the door. She turned to look at the room and was almost on the verge of tears. There was a large bed with grey sheets and gauzy white curtains falling around it. At the foot of the bed was a chest that had several dresses laid out and a set of brand new armor. (Even the boots were there.) She dropped her pack where she stood and crawled into the bed, tears now streaming down her face. "A bed," she whispered. "I have a bed."

[Drop_Dead]

***

He was dragging his feet through the door as all the guys stood at attention. "Oh cut it out," King complained as he crashed into an empty recliner.

Jinpu stood over him and frowned. "We could have helped you. You should have told us you were leaving." He healed his master's wounds and then started pacing the floor.

"What's wrong?"

"The girl..."

"What about her?"

"Let me finish, gosh. The girl hasn't left the room since she went in there. Is she sick?"

"I left you fools here to watch her. Move," he sent a missile flying at the door and ran in as soon as it opened. All the dresses were still laid out like he had left them and the bed was still made. She had even left the armour he had bought just for her. He hung his head and sighed. "We needed a girl's touch around here."

"Hey," Jeth shouted. "We are fine the way we are."

He looked out the open window. Maybe I was the one who needed her touch, he thought to himself. "Danny, go find the girl. Don't say anything to her, just tell me where she is. And for Teva's sake, make sure she isn't in trouble."

***

She sat on the sandy shore in the Sea of Greed, watching the waves crash against the rocks and move over the shells. There was so much debris from pirate ships, nobody ever came back here anymore. Her pack was sitting in a nearby row boat and her white dress was still folded inside. Of course she felt bad about slipping out the window, but those guys made her nervous. And that one, Jinpu, always pacing in front of the door, then he'd cough, one of those fake ones to get your attention, and he'd start pacing again. They all made her nervous, except for King...

He'd be back by now... Maybe screaming at them for being bad guards... Possibly sending out a search party. They'd get in trouble for not watching her. "I can't let that happen," she said out loud as a crab scuttled by.

She grabbed her light pack and started heading back.

***

A scraping noise came from outside the window and King quickly jumped up from the chair in the corner of his room. Darned looters, he thought as he locked the door and waited to kill the poor soul who decided to intrude into his sanctuary. A Pack flew through the window and landed with a light thud.

He swatted it to the side and waited; he'd go through it later.

A head and arms appeared. Scrawny ones. It was probably some kid trying to prove himself. Regardless, King was ready to fight. The figure carefully grabbed the upper ledge of the window and swung his legs in and landed lightly. "Shoot! I tore another one," complained a very feminine voice.

"Claudia?" King flipped on the light. "Did you know that there is a front door?"

She stared at him, her jaw hanging open.

"Please, let's keep our chin in the up right and locked position," he laughed and went back to sit in his chair.

The girl stood there staring at him.

"You can sit down... I did say this was your room..."

"But..."

"Yes?"

"I left, I thought you'd be mad and blame your guild, so I came back."

"I did blame them..."

"Are you mad at me now?"

He shook his head. "I'm too tired to be mad."

Her eyes got wider and she ran to his side, lifted his armor, and gasped. His skin was covered in scars that had just been healed. Being a cleric, she saw every layer on top of layer of them, he looked like a King Coll's chew toy. "King..." she whispered.

The man pulled the armor back over himself and frowned. "Never pull a man's armor up."

"But your still in pain..."

"Claudia, I said never do it."

"Listen to me, you need to..."

"I said don't!" He shouted at her.

She tumbled backwards as his followers pounded on the door. "King! Let us in!" They yelled. Claudia ran to the window and swung out on the ledge. "Oh, King, if only you knew," she said before disappearing back into the night.

The door crashed in and Jinpu stood there wielding his hammer, "What's going on in here?!"

King looked at the pack, still laying against the wall where he had flung it. He picked it up and then turned to his guild mates. "You busted my door in you oafs! I demand you repair it this instance! I don't bust into your room like that Jin, I Expect the same common courtesy." With those last words he shoved them out of the way and ran to the stables, jumped on his horse and galloped off into the woods. All of daylight completely faded as he went in search of Claudia, still clutching her pack for dear life.

***

She waded into the river in Dark Passage II, knowing that she needed to wash the mud from her blue dress. Every cleric had tons of them, but hers was torn and dirty. She sighed and looked at the side of it... The tear went right up her leg. As a whole, she looked filthy. The dirt that had been on her face had already turned to mud with her tears and the dried right back up.

Why was she crying for the mages wounds anyhow? He had screamed at her for trying to help. All she had wanted to tell him was that he should have gone to Avon and been properly healed. Not many clerics, including herself, could restore such harsh wounds. She probably needed to go see the healer herself. Everybody could use some professional help once or twice to check everything out.

Footsteps crept up behind her and she knew something was wrong, she turned only enough to see a dark shadow looming over her before something struck her head...

***

"Stubborn woman," a man mumbled. "That's why they shouldn't fight Avon. They aren't strong like we are."

"Get out," the healer said quietly.

"But..."

"Leave," there was a loud thud and a door closed and locked. "It's okay Little Claudia, he's not in here child. Wake up."

Her eyes fluttered open and she blinked a few times before she realized the blue haze was turning into a familiar face. "What happened?" She tried to sit up but someone pushed her back down. "What's going on?"

"You were attacked my some mobs when that fool found you and tried to have his cleric heal you. Needless to say that when that didn't work he carried you here and barely let me close enough to you to save your life. But let's not tell him you know. It'd hurt his macho ego." Then the healer took her pulse. "Have you ever had a virus scan?"

She nodded. "Nurse Julia gave me one in Roumen. It was a long time ago though. She said it was fine though."

He frowned. "Well, you should have one regularly, it could have saved you trouble."

"What do you mean?"

"You have a virus. There will be a fight to survive. If you stay strong, you'll live."

"Is there nothing you can do?"

"It would take money..."

"How much?!"

"A couple hundred gems."

She stiffened. "Oh, I see."

He nodded. "Take it easy, okay? No stress, no work, and absolutely no fighting unless you are trying to survive this."

"Thank you Avon." She stood and took a deep breath. "How much longer do I have?"

"A couple of months I'd say."

"I have at least six." And she walked out of his office and saw the familiar stranger standing there with his staff lowered and his eyes clouded. "King," she whispered, "take me home."

He handed her his staff and lifted her into his arms and began walking to the tower. For the second time today, holding her in his arms, he realized that she really was Little after all, no matter how big her attitude was.

[Drop_Dead]

She sat up in the middle of the night and stretched. Someone had put a curtain over the doorway. When she had been carried in here, there had been no door at all, but she was too mentally exhausted to ask about it. How would she be able to stand here knowing that she might not stand there much longer? It wasn't really possible.

She got up and went to sit on the window sill. The night was beautiful. The sky was clear and each little star was shining proudly. Crickets chirped as they enjoyed the night as well. She sat like this for a while. Just staring into the night. And then she heard a shuffling noise and a yawn. As she turned, she saw King walking towards the room.

His eyes got wide as he saw her sitting at the window. "Claudia," he said cautiously, "don't even think about leaving."

She laughed. "I'm just sitting here."

"Yes but that makes me nervous. I'm afraid you're like a small song bird. You'll sing until the door opens for you to fly away."

She giggled. "After all the trouble trying to escape you, you think I'd try again?"

"Well..."

"I won't leave again, not like that."

He came and stood beside her, ready to grab her wrist if she did try to leave. "Wow."

"What?"

"You can see every star... But..."

"Yes?"

"I like the ones in your eyes better."

She didn't turn to look at him. "Don't say things like that."

"And why not?"

"Because I don't want to get hurt."

King wanted to reach out to her, to tell her he wouldn't let that happen, but he didn't. Typical man to do that. "I understand."

"No, you don't."

"So explain it to me."

"I'm tired."

"Then why aren't you in bed?"

"Because I knew you'd come in here and I don't want you to watch me sleep."

He smirked. "How did you know that?"

"Because I read minds and I can see the future."

He laughed. "That isn't true."

"I knew that you'd say that. And you would say 'Yeah, right' if I would let you. But, listen to me, you will fall in love with me. Don't let that happen."

"I still don't believe you."

She shook her head. "I didn't ask you to believe me, I asked you to prevent it. The future is never set in stone. If I have to change it, so do you."

"Why do you have to change the future?"

Immediately, she yawned. "I'm so tired. Let's just talk tomorrow."

He frowned. "I guess we could do that." And without another word he walked back into the little family room and lay down on the couch.

She surprised herself and walked in behind him. "Are you really going to sleep on that?" She had sat on that same couch with him and knew it was spring and fairly uncomfortable.

"I would if you'd be quiet."

"You can't sleep here."

"Why not?"

"Because..." she looked around, "I'm afraid of the dark."

He laughed. "There's a full moon."

"But I'm still afraid to stay alone."

"Yet you stayed in a cave by yourself."

"There was another that stayed with me."

"And who was that?"

"Death_on_a_steek."

"Claudia..."

"He kept watch at night. I can't sleep without someone near me."

"Then how did you stay here while I was away?"

"I didn't. I wondered around the town at night and during the day I would sneak back to sleep for an hour then go out again."

He rolled over to hide his face in the cushion.

"Oh no you don't!" She grabbed the collar of his shirt and began dragging him to her room.

He began choking and struggled to his feet. "I'll come, I'll come, just quit trying to kill me." He walked in there and looked around. "Where am I supposed to sleep?"

"The bed is big enough for both of us to sleep and not touch each other. Wait, promise me that you won't touch me."

He laughed. "I promise."

She nodded like that was good enough and crawled into the bed.

"Goodnight." King got into the bed on the other side and watched as she fell asleep. A soft breeze came through the window and blew her hair slightly. Sometimes I think she is easier to live with when she's asleep, he thought as he lay down and tried to get some sleep himself.

***


"King," Jinpu stared at his master from the doorway, "you should share a bed with your wife only, not just random girls, ya know?"

He rolled his eyes. "I can't move her, she'll wake up and beat me to death." During the night Claudia had wrapped herself around him like he was a big teddy bear, and she had made him promise not to touch her. "Can't you pick her up?"

"Yeah, I could, but that girl scares me. She's feisty."

"Jin, come move her."

His friend sighed and very gently lifted the sleeping girl long enough for King to squirm out of her hold. Setting her down, he pulled the leader out of the room. "That girl is nothing but trouble, I'm telling you. She runs off again and again and you go after her every time. I'm too old to play hide-n-seek."

"I know she's trouble, but she can be useful. Listen to me, I'm making her third in command."

All the guildies groaned.

"Hey!" King stood up tall and puffed out his chest. "I said it, it's law. Either get over it or get out. She has allot to offer us and each of you know it."

"What has she got?" CocoDan asked. "A warm bed to share?"

"Danny, that's enough. There is nothing like that going on between us. However, if you're jealous, I should tell you that I don't swing that way."

***


Claudia woke up and stretched. Two blue birds sat on the window sill singing to each other. The sun shined brightly and felt warm. "Good morning Isya," she smiled and walked into the living room. Nobody was there except for Jeth, who she promptly ignored and walked outside. She had taken two steps when somebody shoved her out of the way and rushed back into a battle. "Hey! Watch it!"

King threw another missile towards his opponent, knocking him to the ground, and ran to her side. "Glad to see you're awake but get back inside. We are having a war."

She grimaced. "I hate wars."

"Then go back inside," he threw several more missiles, "now."


"I'm not leaving you to fight alone."

"Jeth!"

Two strong arms grabbed her and pulled her back into the house. "King says you aren't allowed to fight." The fighter said with pride.


"I will pull my own weight!"

"Orders are orders."

"I order you to get out of my way!"

Amazingly he stepped aside. "You can leave here but you can't fight. King's orders are above yours."

"Like hell they are."

"Listen Miss Little-Third-In-Command, King and Jinpu are above you. You listen to both of them."

"I'm not third in command."

"He said you are."

She stomped her foot against the floor and marched into her room. Who was he to make me third in command, she asked herself. Walking to the window, she watched as couples walked by, minding their own business. "But I asked him not to fall in love with me," Claudia whispered into the wind.


***

[Drop_Dead]

“She’s in there pouting, isn’t she?” King groaned as he crawled into the tower, too weak to even walk. The war had lasted too long because of other interfering guilds.

Jeth just smirked. “You shouldn’t have fought if you were going to me so fragile. I would have been beside you if you hadn’t ordered me to stand guard over the kid.”

“She is no kid,” the master rolled onto his back on the floor. “Claudia?” He called out in a tired voice.

It was less than a second and she was leaning over him. “You look like a punching bag, a very abused punching bag. Were they training to take down Helga by using you for practice?”

He frowned. “It doesn’t hurt.”

“Then get up and walk into my room.” Claudia stared at him until he looked away from her eyes. “See? This is what happens when you go fight. You don’t need to do that.” That didn’t get a reply from him either. “Jeth, can you carry the corpse into my room? Just lay him on the bed so I can start healing him.”

Jethsain nodded and easily lifted the mage. “Make sure he is more than just better, I need his squishyness to spar with.” And to give him credit, he did lay King down gentler than she would have thought.

“Thanks Jeth,” she waited for him to leave before pulling the curtain over her doorway. “Do you want to talk or are you in too much pain?”

“I said it doesn’t hurt.”

“No, you lied and said it didn’t hurt. I know you too well for you to get away with that. If you weren’t so stubborn I’d know you better than I knew myself.” She began lifting his armor off piece by piece, careful to not touch him.

“My armor,” he gave a half hearted groan of disapproval.

“Listen to me,” she took his head between her hands and forced him to look up at her. “You need me right now and if you don’t get over the fact that you have to take off your armor sometimes then I will leave. I can’t help you if you don’t let me.” Her blue eyes stayed focused on his for the longest time.

He had to close his eyes. “Your eyes scare me, they see right through my defense.”

She nodded, he had admitted defeat. It took a while to get off all the armor. When she finally saw his shirt, she almost began to cry. It wasn’t the light beige that it had been, it was a dark reddish-brown. She lifted it off of him with a frown. “I’ll bring you clean clothes when I’m done.”

His eyes stayed closed.

True to her word, she treated him like a fragile patient. Taking a sponge and warm water, she cleansed him until she could see the layers of scars. “You know, admitting your in pain doesn’t make you less of a man,” she said as she laid her hands over him, letting her healing powers work. The fresh wounds immediately disappeared, but the scars took longer for her to erase. She removed her hands and sat there on the edge of the bed watching him, his eyes closed, his chest bare and smooth from the healing, and she looked at his strong arms, ones that had carried her so far. This man would proudly kill himself, it seemed, for her to be safe.

He opened his eyes. “I feel better,” he was about to sit up.

She quickly pushed him back down. “You need to rest, your still healing.”

“I need clothes.”

“You have clothes on, just not much. You’ll be fine.”

“I have a guild to take care of.”

“Jin can handle it.”

He sighed and looked at the hand that still lay on his chest and he put it between both of his hands and held it close to his heart. “Thank you Little Claudia.”

She smiled softly at him. “You should really relax.”

“I can try.”

“I will go get you those clothes.”

“No!” He shouted as she tried to get up, he held her hands tightly and pulled her into his arms.

“Let me go King, you don’t want this.”

“You are staying here with me until I can leave, and that’s an order.”

***

He was finally asleep, with his head in her lap and his arms around her waist and she ran her fingers through his hair without thinking about it. She was too busy thinking about a past life.

She had been a strong healer in the age of Apoline. And she could remember the loving shouts people would declare. Even more than that, she remembered fighting along side a strong mage. If she hadn’t have been killed, she’d still be fighting with Delirium. What ever happened to him? She sighed out loud. “No, what ever happened to me?”

“Are you thinking out loud?” A mage appeared in front of her with a smirk. “That can’t be healthy.” He leaned over the sleeping one. “See? I told you, any guy would get down on one knee just to be able to hold you. But, no, you said that you weren’t special enough to be treated like that. Yet look at where you are now? This poor boy has fallen in love with you.”

She shook her head and looked around. She was there alone with the sleeping King. “I need a vacation.”

“Right now?” King looked up at her with sparkling eyes.

“Oh, you’re awake.”

“Oh, well you’re talking to yourself like a crazy lady. Of course I woke up.”

“Sorry, go back to sleep, I’ll be quiet now.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he sat up and stretched. “You didn’t get to sleep, did you?”

“Not exactly…”

“Okay then, come on,” he stood and pulled her up with him. “We’ll go get you a vacation.”

“You need a shirt,” Claudia grabbed her pack from the corner where it still lay.

“I’ll get it; wait for me at the stables.”


***

He had walked up very quietly. The stables smelled of fresh cut hay and he breathed it in like he had when he had been lying in the arms of the goddess. Well, she wasn’t a goddess, but in his opinion, she was. But she was standing there, petting his horse, and singing. Her hair was falling all around her, out of it’s usual braid, and she was smiling. Beautiful, he thought to himself, and he walked forwards and hugged her from behind.

She kicked back and then yanked out of his arms. Hearing a grunt, she spun around to see a mage bent over in pain. Then it hit her, she hadn’t just kicked a dangerous man, but she had kicked King. “Oh my gosh!” she rand over to him and helped him sit down. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

He laughed. “It’s fine. I’m just glad I had thought to put on my armor.”

But she didn’t laugh like he did. “But I kicked you, gosh, I’m so stupid,” and she hung her head.

“Claudia, I shouldn’t have hugged you like that, it was my fault. You know, when I saw you singing and smiling, I forgot how dangerous you could be.” He stood and pulled a saddled horse from it’s stall and hopped up, extending his hand to her.

She let him pull her up onto the gentle beast, and she wrapped her arms around him to hold on. “Please don’t kick me for this, I, unlike you, didn’t bring any armor,” she whispered in his ear.

“I would never hurt you intentionally,” he said with a chuckle and then the horse began to gallop away, carrying them with ease.

***

“Claudia,” he looked down at her. She had begun yawning after an hour of riding, so he had made her ride in front of him in his arms with her legs dangling off the same side of the horse’s body. And now, she was still asleep. “Claudia,” he whispered again but she still didn’t wake up. She must be completely exhausted from having to heal me, he thought to himself.

He lifted her off of the horse and carried her into a small hut and laid her on the small makeshift bed. But he didn’t stay there to watch over her. Instead, he went to start a fire and watch the sunset over the peaceful beach. A gentle breeze tickled his face and he smiled. Maybe she was right, but it was too late, there was no turning back. He loved her.

***

She stretched and looked around. She had no idea where she was. “King?”

“Come on out, or your going to miss it.”

She crawled out of the hut and gasped. The sun was rising over the most beautiful ocean she had ever seen. The air was crisp with the dawn and little birds could be heard chirping. Waves rolled in gently with a soft sound as the palm trees leaned around lazily. “Beautiful,” she said in awe.

“Yeah,” King thought to himself, “she is beautiful.”

She sat beside him, between him and the warm fire. “Is this my vacation?”

“This is whatever you want it to be.”

She leaned on his shoulder and stared out at the view. “I love the color of the water.”

“It matches your eyes.”

“These aren’t even my eyes.”

“Well, they are now, so they do match the water.”

She crawled into his lap like a child would, and she put her arms around his neck. “Your warm.”

“I’m hot.”

She giggled. “You’re adorable.”

“Nuu, I’m overly attractive!”

“How about pretty? I think your pretty.”

“Nuu, I’m handsome.”

“Okay, fine, you’re handsome.”

“I knew it, you like me!”

“I never said that.” She pushed him playfully.

“You didn’t have to, I can read your mind.”

“That’s a bunch of bull.”

“Nope, you like me. Don’t worry, I like me.” He ran his fingers through his hair like he was a model for Herbal Essence. “You know you like me.”

“Eww, no,” she stood up, giggling, and started running towards the water.

He followed her, but faster, grabbed her from behind, and tackled her to the sand so that he landed under her. Then he rolled on top and spun her around to face him. “Why run away from me like that?”

She stared up at him with big eyes.

“But, you want to know what? I think if I kept you in my guild, we could make a great couple.”

“Are you proposing me?”

“Oh my gosh Claudia! You’re proposing to me! I can’t accept like this! I mean, I thought it would be more romantic, with candles, chocolate and roses! And, where’s my ring?”

“I’m not proposing to you.”

“Why not?”

“Because you don’t love me.” And immediately she regretted saying that.

His smile disappeared and his fun was done and over with. “How would you know that?”

“I asked you not to fall in love with me.”

“Too late.” And he stood up and walked away from her.

“Don’t walk away from me!” she shouted at him.

“And why not? Why should I not walk away from you?”

She sat up and curled up into a ball. “Because I’m afraid.”

That stopped him dead in his tracks. He spun around slowly and looked at her carefully. “Why are you afraid?”

“King,” she whispered, “I’m dying.”

When she said that, his breath caught, his heart stopped, and his world fell apart. “No, I won’t let that happen.” He walked back over to her and pulled her into his arms, burying his face in her white hair. “I’ll never let that happen.”

“It’s too late, it’s already happening…”

“What do you mean?”

“I have a virus, Avon said I have less than a month.”

The mage held her close, afraid that she might disappear in an instant. “I love you too much to let that happen.”

And they sat there, holding onto each other for dear life. Their own lives, revolving around each other. And their souls were claiming each other as their own. Little Claudia had fallen in love with her protector. King, had found that she brought out the human part of him. But together, they would have to fight to keep each other alive, for better, or worse.

[Drop_Dead]

How about that?
I think I did a pretty Good job.
RAWR!!

[Orchids_Mantis]

It's interesting, very nice -but there are many areas where you jump from saying "she" and "hers" to "me" and "mine". Might want to look through that as it can break the flow of the story.

[mehe20]

Aww I wanted Claudia to have 50 kids with a mage.

[Drop_Dead]

O.o;;; Orchids... I thought I had fixed all of that. I am so used to writing in first person i forgot how to write in third... Imma fix that before her reads it.

*Poof* Corrected. Anything that you feel might be wrong might have been done for a reason.

Mehe, funny you should say that. And the inside story, if you were to enter the guild, is that I am prego with his kiddo. Kinda wierd, huh?
[Hope it's a boyyy =D ]

And by the way, the story isn't over yet. I have been too busy bouncing around like a silly girl in love to really sit down and work on it... A silly girl in love... What a weird concept...

=P

[KingofAces]

I LOVE IT!! wait.. no i don't.. I love you Lydia...

[Drop_Dead]

I LOVE IT!! wait.. no i don't.. I love you Lydia...

*Speechless*

[cwistmas]

O.o;;; Orchids... I thought I had fixed all of that. I am so used to writing in first person i forgot how to write in third... Imma fix that before her reads it.

*Poof* Corrected. Anything that you feel might be wrong might have been done for a reason.

Mehe, funny you should say that. And the inside story, if you were to enter the guild, is that I am prego with his kiddo. Kinda wierd, huh?
[Hope it's a boyyy =D ]

And by the way, the story isn't over yet. I have been too busy bouncing around like a silly girl in love to really sit down and work on it... A silly girl in love... What a weird concept...

=P

Lol, yea, I want my name in it to!! you can give me a small role though...if you can...like one of the 50 babies...if there is ...lol. Well if you can any role will do as long as my name is in it, if you could.

[Drop_Dead]

Ah-Ha! Lol. You act like this is a motion picture. Auditions are over, but I can put you in there if i know something about you. ^^

[Drop_Dead]

Updated.
:D

[Orchids_Mantis]

Very nice, I must say. May want to check spelling again ("a lot" is two words, for example).
Still, great story

[Drop_Dead]

Yeah Yeah. I Like My One Worders. Lol.
I'll Fix It Later.
Too Lazy.
*Crawls In Bed With King And Passes Out*

[Arion-Wings]

Nice story <3
Love stories are the best X3, I can't wait for the next chapter.

[Drop_Dead]

Aww. Thanksies.
I Plan On Updating It This Weekend If I'm Out Of The Hospital In Time.
No Promises Though.

[power_ness]

booo, we need more XD nice story ^^ can't wait till you update it (you better...)

[kiraraizcute]

Lol drop_dead this story is awesome =D
Can't wait to hear the rest of it ^^

[Drop_Dead]

XD
Thanksies!!
I'll Be Updating Saturday.
^^

[power_ness]

woot, saturday, please come faster xD

[Drop_Dead]

XD
You Ain't That Lucky, I Gotta Check My Stuffs.

[Drop_Dead]

Saturday Has Arrived.
Story Has Been Updated.
Enjoy.

[kiraraizcute]

I love the story :D. Lol great job ^^
Funny part was, when i was reading the ending, a movie had been on my tv, and a pretty song was on, cause it was the ending lolzz

[Drop_Dead]

Awww. Thanks. Lol. Still Not Finished Though. =P

[kiraraizcute]

OOOOOO: It isn't finished!? Well can't wait to here even more then =o

[Drop_Dead]

Think Of It As Little_Claudia's Never Ending Adventure.
=P

[power_ness]

well, not "never-ending" unless there's some surprise and it turns out she can live longer, or king finds a way to save her. ZOMG that would be awesome :D

[Drop_Dead]

;D
Maybe, Considering I Warped The Story With My Real Life
If I Can Live, So Can Claudia.
*Crosses Fingers*

[Orchids_Mantis]

...okay...that last little comment of yours has me confused and curious.

At any rate, I like the latest addition to the story

[Drop_Dead]

It's Something Of A Personal Problem Of Mine. Ignore It.

And Thanks. I'm Glad You Like It.

[Orchids_Mantis]

okay I'll drop that for now...but I think I should add that the minimum age for this game is 11, so the last section may be bordering on the inacceptable content line. Just a cautionary statement for your next bit.

[DF001]

okay I'll drop that for now...but I think I should add that the minimum age for this game is 11, so the last section may be bordering on the inacceptable content line. Just a cautionary statement for your next bit.

No, it's 13.

[power_ness]

okay I'll drop that for now...but I think I should add that the minimum age for this game is 11, so the last section may be bordering on the inacceptable content line. Just a cautionary statement for your next bit.

it actually took me a minute to have to reread and ponder what you meant XD like she said something about being too young for the game.... then I finally got it XD but why are you making presumptions? there's a far line from sitting together on a beach and what you're thinking of

And claudia, I hope this "personal problem" isnt life-threatening?

[Drop_Dead]

okay I'll drop that for now...but I think I should add that the minimum age for this game is 11, so the last section may be bordering on the inacceptable content line. Just a cautionary statement for your next bit.

Yes, I Know That I Flirted With That Border A Bit. Shirtless And "Attractive" Are Two Of Those Instances. However. I Believe That Most Thirteen Year Olds Have Seen A Attractive/Shirtless/Both Guy. I Know I Had Seen Much More That That When I Was That Age. However, I Will Review ToS And Make Sure I Am Still Within The Rules.

In Short, I Understand Your Statement.


And claudia, I hope this "personal problem" isnt life-threatening?

The Only Thing That Ever Threatens Life Is Life.
So There For My Life Is Putting My Being In Danger,
But, Since We All Live, We Are All Life-Threatened.
So, By Saying I Am In A Life-Threatening Situation,
I Am Saying I Am Currently Living.

And If That Didn't Confuse You Enough To Drop The Topic, I Will Try Harder.

EDIT: I Could Find No Rule I Broke, However, I Will Hence Forth Use Different Words And Be Careful Of Anything I Post. Promise =P "Attractive" Is The New Word. Thanks.

[Orchids_Mantis]

“I knew it, you like my body!”

“I never said that.” She pushed him playfully.

“You didn’t have to, I can read your mind.”

“That’s a bunch of bull.”

“Nope, you like my hot body. Don’t worry, I like it too.” He rubbed his chest like he was going to put on suntan lotion. “You know you like it.”

“Eww, no, I got a better body than yours,” she stood up and started running towards the water.

He followed her, but faster, grabbed her from behind, and tackled her to the sand so that he landed under her. Then he rolled on top and spun her around to face him. “Your right, you do have a better body. I wish I had one like that.”

She stared up at him with big eyes.

“But, you want to know what? I think if I kept my smokin’ hot body and if you kept your beautiful body, we could make one hot team.”

“Are you propositioning me?”


This is the section in particular I referred to; looking at it from the point of a simple reader, yes there is nothing wrong. Looking at it from the perspective of someone that goes around looking for rule violations (which there are many of), it can be seen as crossing the line (especially the point where they are talking about bodies and "propositioning").

Again, I am not saying there was something wrong nor am I saying I was going to report it -I like this story. It is precisely because I like the story that I am warning that someone that likes making trouble could get the story closed by complaining about sections written in this manner.

[Drop_Dead]

I Personally Don't Think Someone Would Specifically Choose To Make Trouble With. First Of All, The Only Advertising I Have Done For It Is In My Siggy And To My Friends. However, I Did Change It. Nothing About Bodies Or Propositioning. It's Clean. And Actually, All I Did Was Change It To How It Happened.

Anyways.

[power_ness]

nope, that didnt confuse me at all (well a little) but I'll drop the topic anyway.

also, when u rewrote it, you said "are you proposing me" not 'are you proposing to me' :p just helping :D

[Drop_Dead]

Pfft. Hush. You Wanna Know What?
When We We're In Game Having This Conversation,
He Said It Like That.
Dun Blame Me Cause He Is Kinda Slow XD

[Drop_Dead]

Sorry to any of my readers that happened to like this little story thingy. However, that was a long time ago (in Lydia time) and now i am beyond having moved on. Yes yes, the characters were right for each other, I know that. But, Nobody ever really stays in character for long. Besides, there is a whole new chapter of my life that I could write about.

Always and forever this will be a gift to KingofAces and a type of monument to his guild and all of my friends that once resided there.

Maybe I will write about the new age of Little_Claudia...
Who knows?

[Daevor]

It's a well written and entertaining piece of writing. Well done!