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Chapter Thirteen~ The Claim to Flame |
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I felt Anako sag back, his body haulting, but only for a moment. I looked back to see his face blanched out and his eyes set on some far of place. I tilted my head and tried to come around before him but he wouldn't loosen his grip.
"Anako? You feeling alreight?" I ask, gently shaking his arm.
He doesn't budge but his pupil shrink and quiver.
"Anako! Stop it! What's wrong!?" I demand, prying away and grabbing him sternly by the arms.
His eyes rolled back and he fell foreward but only for a moment before he caught himself.
He panted heavily and his arms crossed tightly over his chest, his hands graspinghis shoulders so tightly they groaned in protest. Sweat drizzled down his face and his whole body trembled.
"...Anako?" I whisper, gingerly touching his shoulder.
He nodded and cautiously removed one hand. It trembled and slowly made its way to rest atop mine.
"...S-sorry..." He breathed, his voice seeming to be lost in the vicious huffs of air.
I leaned into him, supporting him as I began to walk us back.
"...Wait..." He panted, the ghostly white tone finally subsiding.
He straitened, a little feeble at first. He casually wiped away the beads of sweat on his cloak and flicked his wrist up to brush back the stray strands of black hair that slipped its binding. His eyes regained their normal icy gaze and set upon me.
"I have recovered." He said, whirling his hand before bringign it to his chest as he bowed deeply. "Forgive me for worrying you."
"... Do you mind sharing?" I asked softly.
I couldn't help twisting back my arms to conceal my fidgeting. I stared up into his eyes, trying to peel back a few layers of solid ice to read his feelings.
'What if he doesn't have them?'
The ever annoying voice of reason knocked at my skull, bringing up questions I'd rather not ask.
'There's no place for you inside him. Turn back now.'
I wanted to scream out at it. No, no, it wasn't possible. He was going to stay. He's different, he's not like any body else!
'Is he really?'
I could feel my body shudder at the thought.
"Yes, I know so." I hiss lowly.
"Huh?" Anako turns away from his thoughts, his attention straining to hear my thoughts.
"C'mon! Lets go get something to eat!" I cheer, grabbing his hand and running off.
He was surprisingly quick, easily keeping pace with me.
'Is he really different?'
The thought echoed through my mind. In truth I wasn't run to a restaurant, I was running from the answers.
I squeezed his hand, turning to smile at him. I felt more at peace with him, yet there was an undeniable truth to my questions.
'Is there room inside his eyes for me?'
Yes, there has to be, why else would he still be around, right? I can think on it later, right now I need to enjoy myself!
"Hey! Lets go there!" I shout and point to an asia restaurant that specializes in foods grilled right at your table, it's so amazing to watch!
He nodded and we ran up to the doors. I almost didn't stop but his strong arms wrapped around me and slowed me down at a surprisingly gentle rate.
"Use caution, Rhyns." He whispered as he released me from his protective grip.
I couldn't help but laugh, he was so funny, in a puppy dog manner.
"But that's no fun!" Shout and drag him inside before he could even think of protesting my claimes.
We were quickly seated and handed menues. I kne this menue by heart and had already preped my taste buds for some of thier amazinf grilled flounder.
"Do you know what you want?" I asked, the excitement growing in my chest seemed this close to burtsing.
I've never had this much fun before!
He lowered his menue, his eyes closed and his brow knitted in puzzelment. He flattened the menue and sweeped away the invisble dust then suddenly slammed his finger onto the page.
"... Grilled squid tenticles...." He read off and nodded, though looking somewhat green.
"Don't worry, its perfectly edible!" I laugh, patting his hand.
He nods slowly as if decieding whither or not try again...
However the waitress was already scooping up our menues and asking for our descisions.
I answered for us and a few minutes later an asian gentleman came out from back, alean cut of flouder in on in one bowl and some tenticles protrouding from a second. He easily manuevered his cart over and bowed to us.
We inclined our heads back and stared attentively.
As the master chef flew into action Anako leaned in, intrigued by his craftsmanship. His eyes flickered with the lightning flashes of the blades.
Within moments the knief had cleaved the flounder to pencil thin strips and the had the tencles severed from the head and split cleanly in half.
The chef them flicked out his wrist, easily flipping the seasoning jars and applying the perfect amount of spice and herbs to each dish. Suddenly the grill roared to life, a thick plum od flame roiling up to towards the ceiling.
I applauded quickly, watching the chef fly into action as he quickly flipped pieces through the raoring inferno and back out, grilling them to perfection.
"Amazine..." Anako mumbled, his eyes dancing with the flames.
He extended his hand and a tennis ball sized orb of flame jumpped out at him. I balanced delicately over his palm, almost appearing to rest in it.
His half closed eyes and slackened jaw made me wonder if he was going into another weird fit, however he snapped to life.
He easily spun out of the booth, the orb rolling over his hand as he whirled his hand and snacked them around. Seven more flame orbs joined him, hovering before him a great circle of fire.
He waved his hands over and around, twisting with it. The orbs broke from the circle to follow in a easily flowing line. He flicked his wrist and the orbs linked to form and molded into the form of a flowing scarf. His hands twisted easily, pushing out from him and then coming up.
The flame scarf wrapped around his arms and flew up towards the ceiling. It spurted out like a fountain, the light sparks floating off and dispersing into the air before it could harm a soul.
He exhaled slowly, pushing his arms out again and folding into himself. As he exhaled again, he dropped his arms to his side and tilted his head skyward. When he came back his face was starinf intently foreward, his game was over.
The restaurant exploded with applause and quick shrill whistles. Even the asian master chef was impressed. I stood and clapped, shouting bravo. I heard a cheer for an encore behind me and several more sent up shrill whistles.
Anako looked around nervously, bowing and thanking them all. As he approached the bench the applause began to die out and the laughs fell to a more bareable level.
"That was amazine!" I whispered excitedly, jumpping around in my seat.
His face reddened slightly as he inclinded his head.
After dinner Anako was approached by the maneger of the establishment. His face was scrutched and glowering.
Anako immediately began to offer an apology and promising to never do it again when the stern face man haulted him.
"I want to hire you." He said stiffly.
"...What?" Anako asked, simply stunned by the offer.
"I have a staging area that I never really got to use, but if you join you can set up your fire playing act and entertain our guests." The maneger proposed, sounding almost bored.
"... I'd be honored to work at your establishment." Anako said, bowing deeply.
The man beamed and clapped Anako on the back, welcoming his new employee. He began rattling off all sorts of things but stopped himself and told Anako to return tommarrow for the real introduction.
Anako nodded and agreed then took a hold of my shoulder and led me out, his vision glazed over by shock.
"Congratulation!" I shouted and kissed him on the cheek.
That seemed to bring him back to reality, for he reached down and scooped me up. His wonderful voice shouting out song like lines as he thrusted me skyward.
He caught me and placed me on the ground, his small smile and gleaming eyes making this entire experence worth it.
 Ray the Good Soldier · Wed Sep 12, 2007 @ 03:07am · 0 Comments |
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