The Dahlia Enlists a Knight [Closed]

As Rayden is dragged along once again by Mirai he starts to think of how much better a job he could have done. She's right, I would have been useless. "Milady, thou art correct but I ask ye to worry not about my well being. I do however apologize for my recklessness, should I have been cut down I would have failed in my duty." Rayden finished speaking and tried to relieve the soreness in this throat. He began to look around for some sort of beverage but a thought struck him. "Milady I know tis not my place to ask but who were those men?'

Mirai followed as Wanyu led her back to her quarters and locked the door. She half-listened to Rayden's knightly mumbling and apologies. The room was a finely furnished suite with a canopy bed and red velvet sheets. There was a small table where tea was being served by Wanyu. When Mirai closed the door, she turned back to Rayden and sighed.

"I guess it's only fair I tell you," Mirai said and then, with a sharp look at Rayden, "Though even an idiot could guess this one, actually."

She sat down in her chair and leaned on one of its arms.

"The men you saw were probably a bunch of kidnappers," Mirai said. "As you can see, this boat is full of nobles and kidnapping one fetches a good ransom. They probably thought it'd be good to kidnap me. I have a small frame and I'm young. My bodyguard was supposedly an elderly old man who knows nothing about fighting..."

She took out her fan again and started covering her face.

"But as you see, that's not the case. They were terribly mistaken. Because, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm also going to attend Beacon. I've been trained in combat since very young and Wanyu is an exceptional ninja. So, now you know."

A small scowl appears across Rayden's face."Milady I see that thou art quite capable but I ask thou forgive this servant for speaking out of place. A princess should not act as a sword, she instead should lie behind the shield to be protected. It would pain me to see a face so noble be hurt. Tis one that deserves to wear a smile not a scar." Upon finishing his words to Mirai, Rayden realized what he had done. Our time togehter has been short yet I already feel the desire to sacrifice so much for her. Why must this habit be so hard to stop.

From where Mirai sat, she listened without comment, her face as emotionless and still as a life-sized porcelain doll. When he finished, Mirai let out a tired sigh and then focused her eyes on Rayden more intently. It was hard to read what she was thinking.

"Some say that chivalry is the greatest honor a man can live for," she said, and then, with her face half-shaded by her bonnet. "But I for one think it's foolish. Many men failed to see the rest of their lives simply because they served those...who didn't even care for them. It's a shame you follow that same path."

Mirai stood up.

"It's true you could call me a princess and perhaps, in all reality, you are suited to be a servant," the words were said with a bit of repulsion. "But just know this...I will not let someone's life go to waste out of protecting me."

With that, Mirai stood up and from one of the folds of her dress, she produced a bomb ball with a silver lining.

The bomb hit the floor and a bright blinding light filled the room. Mirai and Wanyu's footsteps could be heard and from behind Rayden, a sharp blow came to his neck to knock him out. As it connected, Rayden caught one last soft word from the girl he had been willing to protect.

"Sayonara."

With the sudden burst of light Rayden moved his hands in front of his eyes but left his back unprotected easily letting Mirai's hit connect. Rayden tried to hold on to his consciousness as the hit connected but could feel it fading fast until he collapsed to the floor. Fortunately he was only asleep for a few moments but those few moments were all Mirai needed to escape. After a quick scan of the room in his still groggy state Rayden sees that he is all alone. As his senses returned to him Rayden felt a sense of failure swell inside him. "Bloody fool!" Yet again you couldn't protect a single person. Rayden stood up from his spot on the floor with an uneasy posture and made his way to the door before noticing he was still wearing the suit Mirai had loaned him. With a sad expression Rayden looks down at the suit before heading out the door. One can only go so far on a ship. Rayden began to search throughout the ship running from place to place to find Mirai caring little for his cover any longer.

"Thank you for accepting us on such short notice, Captain Faust," Mirai said as she sipped her tea.

She was sitting in a chair in the Captain's lounge, Wanyu sitting on a nearby bench and a man in a uniform with a silver beard across her.

"It's my pleasure, Miss Cinq," the Captain smiled. "Your grandfather saved my life back in the war, so the very least I can do is host his granddaughter. I actually got worried when I heard about the attack on the deck. I was still in my quarters at that time, my first mate taking care of things."

Mirai put down her tea and helped herself to a raspberry macaroon.

"Yes, sorry about the hole in the deck..." Mirai said, though she didn't look like she regretted it.

"No, of course not," the Captain Faust said. "I'm just glad you're all safe. We've tightened up the security now and are looking for any suspicious passengers. All passengers without tickets will be apprehended and interrogated."

Mirai thought about Rayden, but wasn't entirely worried. Wanyu had slipped a ticket in his vest pocket and keys to Wanyu's room.

"I'm glad to hear everyone's gonna be safe," Mirai said. "Perhaps I've had too much adventure today, after all..."

And with that, she looked outside to the sea, thinking. If he's smart, he won't look for me... Mirai thought in her head. But then again, he didn't look that bright and is a tad stubborn...

And as she thought that, she ruefully smiled as she drank her tea again.

Rayden continued to frantically search for Mirai to no avail. After a few minutes of searching Rayden crossed paths with a pair of guards and immediately ceased his running. Tch. I must find Lady Cinq before I am detained. Rayden tries to remain as calm and nonchalant as possible while he walks past the guards. He succeeds in passing them only to be called back after a few short steps. "Excuse me sir may I see your ticket?" Rayden felt a cold sweat and continued on his path trying to ignore the guard but could hear the man walking toward him. "In the yellow suit I am talking to you." Despite the guard's calls Rayden continued on until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Rayden could hear an intercom connect as the guard spoke. "I think we have a situation. Sir, could I ask you to come with us? We have a few questions we would like to ask." With his cover fully blown bats the man's hand away and goes off into a full sprint. "We've got a runner!" Fearing he could be caught at any moment Rayden looks into every window he can trying to find Mirai as he runs through the ship. As he runs more and more guards start to pop out of doors trying to stop his movements but Rayden is able to avoid them, each time doing so with more difficulty. Where art thou? As his thoughts return to Mirai Rayden peers into a window and notices her with someone he could only assume is the Captain. With guards incoming Rayden knocks on the window in a frenzied state. "Lady Cinq! I ne-" Before Rayden could manage to finish his sentence a guard comes flying in from his left and tackles him followed by three others.

Mirai was startled by the sudden commotion outside and as she looked out the window, she choked on her tea and began hacking furiously.

"Little miss!" Wanyu said as he went over to Mirai. The Captain also seemed concerned, but Mirai recovered.

"I'm--cough--okay," she said regaining her composure, still glancing outside as Rayden was being apprehended.

"I'm so sorry," Captain Faust said. "Did the guards startle you?"

He looked outside. "It seems they've found a stowaway."

Mirai felt the smallest thread of panic tug on her, but she merely quirked an eyebrow.

"He doesn't look like a stowaway," Mirai said. "He's wearing the clothes of a noble."

"Yes, sure, but he could simply have stolen one. And he did look like he was running from the--"

"I suggest you check him properly for a ticket," Mirai said as she sipped her tea again. "I'm sure even you know, Captain, that some of your guests are foreigners. It could be a misunderstanding."

Captain Faust's eyes widened with realization and he stood up. "Good heavens, you're correct. Excuse me a second."

With that, Mirai glanced at Wanyu with a small smile.

"Stubborn, isn't he?" Wanyu said, equally smiling.

"Foolish," Mirai grinned.

***

"Is there a problem here?" Rayden would hear as Captain Faust stepped out of his quarters.

One of the guards was pulling Rayden back while the other gave the Captain a small nod.

"He ran while we asked for his ticket," the guard said promptly. "We can only assume he's an intruder."

The Captain listened and nodded again. "Search him for a ticket."

The guards nodded and searched Rayden's coat pocket, pulling out a ticket and room keys. The Captain's eyes widened. "My creators, Ms. Cinq was right..." he mumbled. And then, much louder, "Good heavens, let the young man go!"

The guards nodded and began bowing down to Rayden in apology.

"We're sorry about that," the Captain said sincerely. "We've tightened security because there was a small incident earlier on the deck, so they apprehend all those who don't present their tickets. However, I'm sure you have your reasons for being in a hurry somewhere. As apology, would you like the guards to escort you to wherever it is you're going?"

Rayden was shocked to see the ticket but tried to make it seems he was shocked about suddenly being tackled. Rayden cleared his throat and fixed his loaned outfit making sure it was still in pristine condition. "My apologies gentlemen, despite my stature the truth is a have quite the frail heart and was frightened." Rayden turns to the captain and gives a short bow. "I ask that thou forgive my rude actions." After bowing Rayden gives the Captain a look of intrigue. "Excuse me but didst thou say Ms. Cinq? If that were true then an escort shall not be necessary as I have arrived at my destination. 

"No, no, it's absolutely not your fault!" the Captain reassured swinging an arm around Rayden as if they were friends. "Anyhow, sir, you wanted to see Ms. Cinq? She's having tea with me at the moment and I'd be welcomed to let you join in. Just follow me."

Captain Faust then looked at his guards and gave them a dismissive wave. "Back to your duties, men. And less aggression this time, shall we?"

Just as Captain Faust led Rayden to the door, Mirai came out with Wanyu by her side, her fan covering half of her face again.

"Do pardon me, Captain, but I need to go somewhere," Mirai said. "Wanyu and I have business to take care of."

"That's a shame, Ms. Cinq," Captain Faust frowned "This young gentleman over here was on his way to see you, are you acquainted?"

Mirai gave a small glance at Rayden, but showed no expression. She closed her eyes.

"Ah, yes," Mirai said. "This is Mr. Niles, Captain, if he hasn't introduced himself. We met on the first departure of the boat and have been dating since. He's going to be my partner tonight at the small ball you're holding."

"Really now?" the Captain grinned in disbelief eyeing Mirai and Rayden. He gave Rayden a small slap on the back. "You must be quite the charmer to have wooed the ever reserved Mirabella Cinq!"

The Captain laughed but Mirai merely quirked an eyebrow, obviously vexed at the fact she had to stoop to this cover.

"I have a dress to fit, Captain, I'll see you," she said as she walked past Rayden and the old man, her hair ever so slightly brushing Rayden's hand. She gave him a small glance. "See you at the ball, ma cherie."

Once again Mirai had left Rayden speechless, not only did she just save him once again but she did so without a moment of hesitation or confusion. Rayden quickly grew irritated with himself over the reversal of their roles. He was the one that was supposed to be supporting and saving her yet she had already done so much more than he. Rayden turned in the direction which Mirai had left and saw a glimpse of her dress turn the corner. "Excuse me, Captain." Without waiting for the Captain's reply Rayden followed after Mirai walking a fast paste but still keeping a low profile. When he had finally caught up Rayden fell to one knee with his head down just as he did when they first met and spoke, "Lady Cinq, I beseech an audience with thee." This time out of fear of her leaving without turning to see him, Rayden fought his instincts and raised his head up without being allowed to do so hoping to look Mirai in her eyes in order to show her the determination in his eyes. I will not fail this time.

Mirai stopped midway just as she heard Rayden. She turned to him just as he fell to one knee with his head lowered. For a moment, she couldn't help but see someone else there in his place. A young man in the same outfit, only with blonde hair and a happier face. Mirai clenched her fists. Why? Why do you insist on following me? I'm no burden you want to bear..

"What is it?" she said coldly, her eyes staring hard at him and her arms crossed. "Speak up."

Rayden could feel the weight of Mirai's words but he stood strong showing his resolve. "Time and time again thou hast helped me remain on this ship. For that I have a debt to repay Miss Cinq. Once already thou has cast me away only to have me return, something I wouldst do again and again until this debt hath been repayed." Rayden's mind told him end there, to keep things purely about business and paying back a debt but deep down his heart had other plans. Curse the weakness of this heart! Before Rayden could stop himself he continued to talk. "Were it only that simple I could leave with only a small pain to my being but that is not the case." Rayden grabbed at his chest. "I have always had the desire to protect but with thou this feeling is different. Merely protecting thou would not suffice to satisfy this feeling. My own heart wishes for more than a simple protection, it wishes to not only stand in front of thee by but next to thee as well. It wishes for a friendship."

Mirai made no expression and showed no emotion as Rayden spoke his first lines. All she could feel was a dull irksome pain that she just wanted to go away. She just wanted him to leave her alone, stay out of harm's way. She was about to give him a word or two, he seemed like he surely needed it, but she heard him say more.

"Merely protecting thou would not suffice to satisfy this feeling. My own heart wishes for more than a simple protection, it wishes to not only stand in front of thee by but next to thee as well. It wishes for a friendship."

Mirai's eyes widened with shock and she stood very still, trying to absorb what he just said. Her bangs shaded the upper half of her face and for what seemed like the first time in a long time, she was clutching her fists because they were trembling.

"Why...?" she said so softly it was almost inaudible. "What could you possible gain being the friend of a monster?"

She stopped mumbling and looked into Rayden's eyes. They were darker than dark but Mirai saw something more. There was warmth. And honesty. Finally, she moved forward and took one of his hands, her own shaking, but clutching onto his firmly. She dared not face him or Wanyu.

"Wanyu..." she said. "Lead us back. We need to find this person clothes for the ball."

"O-of course, Little Miss," Wanyu bowed humbly. He led the way and Mirai was practically dragging Rayden from behind.

"This is all your choice," Mirai said. "You wished to carry this heavy burden, then so be it. I've tried to stop you."

Although grateful Rayden did not expect such a response from Mirai.  He would just follow behind her being pulled along as her comment rang around in his head. "What could you possible gain being the friend of a monster?" Rayden could not forget that phrase, and how wrong it was. After a few moments of continued walking Rayden finally spoke up. "Nay mil-Mirai, thou art not a monster. A monster wouldst not show such kindness to a stranger nor push them away to keep them safe. Despite what thy may say, I know thou art an angel. Knowing a person such as thee wouldst not be a burden, nay tis a blessing on such a lowly knight such as I." Rayden would remain quiet the rest of the way back to Mirai's room.

Mirai listened to Rayden's words, feeling nothing but sore as he spoke them, especially saying her name. She let go of his hand as Wanyu, ahead opened up the room. Why...? she thought again. Why do you have to be kind to me?

She moved to where Wanyu was and turned back to Rayden, her fan now in her hands, closed and pointing towards the door.

"Wanyu," she said. "Lay out the Yellow Rose suit for him."

Wanyu's eyes widened.

"Little Miss...really? You've never let anyone tou-"

"Do it," Mirai said sharply. "And see how it fits him. I'm sure he's the perfect fit, though. I myself am going back to my own room. I don't want to be disturbed. I'll meet you at the dining area for lunch. Good day, gentlemen."

She began to walk away, but turned back to Rayden, making a small melancholic smile.

"Don't worry, I won't push you away this time, Rayden" she said.

She turned away again and disappeared up the the stairs.

Rayden remained transfixed on the spot where he last saw Mirai until he finally broke the silence, "Lord Wanyu, milady is quite intersting isn't she?" With the suit now set out by Wanyu, Rayden held it for a moment taking it all in. Tis of a much higher degree than anything I have ever worn. For a moment Rayden hesitates but remembers Mirai had set it out especially for him despite its mysterious history. Rayden carefully puts the suit on making sure not to damage it and finds it is a perfect fit just as Mirai had stated. Rayden stares at himself in a nearby memory amazed he was actually wearing something so elegant. He turns and faces Wanyu with a look of disbeleif. "Lord Wanyu, is there anything thou canst tell me about this suit? It seems to be important to milady."

Wanyu looked at Rayden as he he helped do Rayden's coat and brush off the shoulders.

"Little miss is an eccentric, you could say," Wanyu remarked as he tugged on Rayden's sleeves to straighten out the wrinkles. "She's a strange girl with a strange way of expressing herself, but I'm sure you know she's really good deep down inside."

He looked Rayden head to toe and smiled. "She was right. It's a perfect fit."

He faced Rayden to the mirror.

"Yes, this outfit is very special," Rayden said. "I'm going to tell you a bit about it, but don't tell her I said anything."

Wanyu sighed.

"Since Mirai's a noble, it's only natural she gets a big debutante ball on her eighteenth birthday," Wanyu said. "Since Mirai was cloistered in her own home, she didn't get to see much people, so she was always excited about big events. Her eighteenth birthday is supposed to be her biggest and it would have also been her first formal dance with a boy her age. She favored a boy when she was young and they were quite close. She wanted him to be the one she danced with. She got this outfit ready, somehow knowing he'd be this size when her eighteenth birthday came. Sadly, the boy...went missing. She was terribly sad about it and after that she kept the suit waiting for his return."

He breathed out, sort of sad about telling the tale.

"I think she's finally accepted that he cannot come back," Wanyu said. "But that acceptance made her shun out all other relationships with people. Friends, family...so you can imagine what she must've felt like when you told her your desire for friendship. A friend...that's exactly what she needs."

Rayden could only stare at the suit in the mirror as it grew heavier with each word spoken by Wanyu. I had no idea... Rayden could feel how important this suit really was to Mirai and what it meant for Rayden to be wearing it. Knowing all of this made however actually made Rayden smile. Despite the pressure he was feeling, Rayden only clenched his fists as if preparing himself for battle. Milady has placed an incredible amount of trust in me, I shall not disappoint. Rayden turned back to face Wanyu and shook his hand. "Thank you Lord Wanyu. I truly know the gravity of this situation and will not falter. I shall do my best in order to be the friend milady absolutely deserves." Rayden walked over to the stairs. He put his feet together and lacked his hands behind his back awaiting Mirai.

Wanyu smiled at Rayden's words and nodded.

"I'm glad to hear that," Wanyu said. "As an old man, it is one of my wishes to know someone will take good care of Mirai when I can do that no longer. Now, change back to your old clothes and I'm going to press this ready for tonight. You can roam around the ship for a while. Lunch isn't until a little later. Little miss is in her room right now. If you want to go and talk to her, I'm sure she wouldn't mind that much. She's easily bored."

With that he shooed Rayden out after he changed and got to work on the outfit, smiling.

"Perhaps a missing heart can be restored," Wanyu said. "But that will depend on how little miss' knight takes his actions."

***

In Mirai's room, the girl was sitting silently, her hands tensely placed on the armchair as a gun was pointed to her head.

"Move your hands even the slightest and I"ll shoot," the voice of a man came from behind her. "Your little bomb tricks aren't going to fool me. I may not kill you, but I'm sure you wouldn't be able to stand a shot to the knee, would you?"

Mirai closed her eyes and breathed out, her face calm, though her mind was racing.

"I should've known things were your doing, Captain," Mirai said. "Now...what is it that you want?"

Captain Faust, sneering from where he stood, cocked the gun and pressed it closer to Mirai's head.

"There, there, evil princess," Captain Faust said. "We'll get to that in time. Let's just wait for my men to bring in a boat before I activate the bomb on the ship."

Rayden had decided to wait for Mirai to come back down in order to thank her for everything she had done for him but she had yet to return. Wanting to express his gratitude as soon as possible Rayden began to grow impatient of waiting for Mirai and quickly forgot her words of wanting to not be disturbed. Rayden turned to face Wanyu, "Excuse me Lord Wanyu." Rayden headed for the stairs which Mirai had gone up earlier and came to the door he assumed was hers.  Giving a quick knock Rayden leaned toward the door and spoke, "Milady, may thou grant me a moment of thine time?" 

Mirai's eyes widened upon hearing Rayden's voice. She felt her hands tremble and she wanted to call out to him but she couldn't speak as Captain Faust pressed the gun harder against her head. He forced her up and pressed a button on his pager, signalling for his guards to come to the hallway of the room.

Just as Rayden would try again to knock, two men in black came around and leapt on him, trying to apprehend him from behind.

"Rayden!" she shouted as she heard the commotion outside. Captain Faust pressed a handkerchief on her mouth, the scent of some strange chemical filling her nostrils and knocking her out.

Rayden's heart begins to pound heavily as he hears Mirai call his name and is shocked by the sudden attack. "Milady!" Keeping himself steady with the attackers at his back Rayden pushes off shooting himself backwards toward a wall sandwiching the two between the wall and himself. In case the attacker had not been neutralized by that attack Rayden procedes to turn around and punch both of them on the jaw just to be sure.  Returning his attention to the door Rayden does not even attempt to open it fearing it might be locked and immediately kicks the door down. "Mirai!" Rayden rushes in to the room to find the Captain holding an unconscious Mirai. "Captain? Why hath thou taken milady?" Rayden draws Chevalier and points it at the Captain. "Answer me scum!"

As the door burst open, the Captain clenched his teeth, but did not move.

"Do you really think you have the guts to shoot me?" the Captain said with a sly grin. The hand holding his revolver was still against Mirai's head, her bonnet on the floor now and her golden hair covering her face. "I'm not stupid enough to believe you really are this brat's lover, but I know well enough you wouldn't want her dead."

The Captain let out a snide chuckle. One of his hands lifted up a thick long lock of Mirai's hair.

"Miss Cinq is valuable for many reasons," the Captain said grinning. "On the surface, she's the spoiled granddaughter of a wealthy political professor, but trust me, she's much more. She's a criminal. The daughter of a power-hungry noble, she's been spying on his competition for years. With her doll-like features, she wooed the stages of the top-rung part of society as a disguise and...eliminate them after the show. She's wanted by her own father, secret agencies and the many lives she's ruined. It's only right she's taken away. And I'll get rich doing it."

The Captain smirked and raised his gun to Rayden.

"It's a pity she's also going to lead to your own demise," the Captain smiled. His finger slowly tugged on the trigger, the gun aiming right at Rayden's head.

A shot fired and Rayden shut his eyes. However, when he opened them, he saw that he was unharmed. In front of him, however, he saw Mirai standing up, her hand hand holding the armed hand of the Captain, the barrel pointed at the ceiling. Mirai clenched her teeth as she bit back her exhaustion and the Captain stared at her in shock.

"Not on my watch," she said under her breath. Mustering the strength she had left, she jabbed the Captain's stomach with her elbow, making him double over and expose his neck. With her free hand she sharply slapped her fan down on his nape and the old man fell down behind the chair. After that, Mirai collapsed back onto the chair, her head draped on one of it's arms.

"Rayden..." she murmured.

The moment he saw that Mirai was now free Rayden shot forward toward her. He picker up as gently as he could and moved away putting some distance between themselves and the captain. Aeden gently set Mirai down and pressed the square button on Chevalier extend the blade outward. He stabbed Chevalier into the ground in front of Mirai forming a small wall of protection for her. "I shall return promptly milady. The "captain" must still be disarmed and poses a threat." Not waiting for her replay Rayden moved as quickly as his body would take him toward the captain before he woke up.

As Rayden got rid of the unconscious captain, Mirai rested her head on the wall, trying to stay awake. When Rayden returned, Mirai would straighten up her position, her eyes very close to falling shut, and she'd say with clenched teeth:

"Do you understand now...?" she said with sad eyes. "Being around me will only be trouble. If you're a knight dedicated to all good, then if anything, you should execute me."

She said this as she looked at Chevalier's blade and clutching her throat.

"I am the Monstre Charmant," she said more seriously, her eyes looking straight at him. "An evil person hiding under a beautiful surface. A trick of the light. A lure. I have no heart and I've tried warning you to take get your head straight before you'd come to know this."

She clutched her fists as she said this, turning away for a short second before looking at him again.

"But you wouldn't leave," she said softly. Something that almost looked like tears in her eyes glistened in the light. "Would you really stay with someone like me? Be friends with someone like me? A devil disguised as an angel in daylight? You've chased me until now and you found me three times. And I...don't want to run away anymore. I want to know."

Rayden stared at Mirai contemplating his answer. Forgive me master, I must break one of your rules and bring harm to a lady. Rayden kneeled down and stretched his hand toward Mirai with an emotionless expression.  As he moved forward he was only inches away from her when he suddenly flicked her forehead. "Mila...Mirai why would you even ask that?" Though he was not used to such an act Rayden instinctively reached out and hugged Mirai bring her in for a soft embrace. "Mirai I already told you I would be your friend and seeing such a thing only makes me want to protect you that much more. Whatever you may be called I know through first hand experience you are kindness incarnate." Releasing her from his hug Rayden placed his hand over his heart and made a small smile toward Mirai. "I would ask thou again milady. If thou would have me I would gladly be thine shield and more importantly thine friend."