Elentiya's giggles on the way to the training room never ceased to stop. Of course she wasn't looking forward to training, but she was happy. Happy that everything was finally falling into place. For the two years she was going to have to spend in the castle, she at least wanted to have some fun and her friendship with Hollin was most definitely fun, although he was back to his slightly annoying ways. He still called her Red, even though she returned her hair to it's unnatural silver colour a while ago. Then there was the friendly flirting, but she deemed that as one of his personal traits. She would sometimes flirt back when Castol was around; only to irritate him further.
Her relationship with Castol was even becoming more positive. You could nearly call them friends, apart from the almost constant fights: both verbal and physical, but Elentiya preferred it that way. Not because he was one of the Seven Captains of Terasan. Just purely because it meant she could taunt him much easier. Just like she had done in the early hours of the day, not too long ago.
As the two were just about to enter the training room, Castol was called over by a young guard. Elentiya leaned against the wall, staring at the two competely entertained, although she could not hear the words being exchanged.
She could instantly tell that the boy in front of Castol was younger than herself and must've been a new recruit. Especially by the way he seemed to cower under Castol's intimidating and serious gaze. Elentiya pitied the young newbie as she had already put Castol in a bitter mood. After some few minutes, Castol's lean tall figure seemed to tense upon some words that the newbie spoke. She immediately thought that topic of their chat wasn't of a good nature and her thoughts were confirmed when Castol started to rub his temples. A dead give away to when he was irked, which was usually induced by Elentiya.
She wanted to laugh at Castol's inability to hide when he felt bothered; especially when he could hide any other feelings he felt with such ease. Maybe it was Elentiya's doing. A smirk almost graced her face until Castol returned.
"Our exercises in the training room shall be delayed. We are going out for a run." Castol spoke, completely straight faced. Not revealing anything about his previous engagement.
"You are joking, right?" Elentiya scoffed, then pointed towards the large windows, opposite from the wall she was leaning on. "It's still cold. There's frost on the grass. What if I slip and break something?" Even though it was the middle of the spring season; Terasan was such a cold country. People and weather alike.
"Then I suggest you wear better shoes." He answered plainly.
"Or even worse, what if I freeze to death? And may the gods forbid I catch a cold. You said it yourself, I can't miss the Exhibition!" She then lowered he voice in an attempt to mimic Castol. "If you don't become an Elite then you will be executed."
Elentiya would've continued on with her rant, had he not blocked the source of where her words spewed out from. She glared up at him, annoyed that he would do such a thing, but he wasn't fazed at all.
"You know it is completely unattractive for a young lady to whine as much as you just have. Now go put on some more appropriate footwear. You are running with me whether you like it or not." A slight smirk emerged on Castol's face. "If you do not then I will have no choice, but to command you to the animal house, until the Exhibition starts - where we keep all of the royal family's pets and trust me they have a lot."
Elentiya shuddered in discomfort, Yuck, how did he know?
"Because every time we walk past an animal, or Hollin mentions one of his pets, you try to hide your little tremors by changing the topic or playing with your fingers... like you are right now." His smirk widened as he pulled up one of Elentiya's hands to prove his point. She had never noticed that she was finger tapping until now.
She blushed slightly ashamed and dumbfounded. Castol was making her feel small and not just by his looming height. She was made even more uncomfortable as his hand was still covering her mouth.
Castol's face soon turned to disgust as he pulled his hand away. "Did you just lick me? That's disgusting."
"Really?" Elentiya replied with a fake innocence, "I thought you might like that... Well I better get my shoes."
She attempted to run down the hallway, but Castol forcefully clamped a hand on Elentiya's shoulder before she had even taken a second step. "Do you really think I'm that stupid?" He sighed and spoke again, before Elentiya nodded her head. "Please don't answer that, it was rhetorical. Now come with me. There should be some spare shoes in my room - it's closer and I need to change into more appropriate clothing."
Elentiya gazed upon his uniform. To put it simply, he stood tall in a navy suit displayng the many badges he had acquired as a Captain of Terasan. It was quite impractical considering the nature of his profession. She wondered how he could even manage to fight off a little boy in his luxurious clothing.
Before Elentiya could retort, Castol held her by the wrist and dragged her to his room. His room was basic and neat, suiting his personality and traits. Castol felt no need to fill his room with personal items or any other decorative items that didn't have use, as he was barely in his it.
"There should be some shoes by the coat rack that fit you. I'm going to change in the bathroom. There are some books on that table that may interest you. I won't be long." Castol explained.
He didn't have to worry about Elentiya leaving, as she already seemed to be entranced by the books. Such a weird weakness to have, he thought before he entered the bathroom to change.
***
Once Castol had left, Elentiya decided to look around his quaters, expecting to find items of embarrasment to use against him in the near future. To her surprise there was nothing. She gave up easily and found a pair of running shoes, fitting her perfectly.
She didn't think to question as to why he would own such a feminine, small sized pair of running shoes. She just slipped them on and moved to the table, where his books lived. Just as she thought he only owned novels to do with the arts of combat. No real literature.
One thing on the desk caught her eye, when she returned to looking around Castol's room. An upturned photo frame. The frame contained a slightly worn photograph of a slightly younger Castol and woman, both smiling immensely. She was probably the most beautiful woman Elentiya had ever seen, although the glass screen covering it was cracked. The features that really stood out was her angelically blonde hair and striking emerald eyes.
"Put that down." Castol growled from behind her. Elentiya smirked, knowing she had many ideas floating in her head of how she could irritate Castol. The list was endless.
"Oh wow, someone's a little touchy... past lover?" She provoked, trying to get an amusing reaction from him. When he didn't reply, she took what she had jokingly said to be true. That surprised her.
***
Few words were spoken during the run and the five hour training session afterwards. Elentiya could only assume it was to do with the photograph, but sensed some other tension lying deeper.
Nothing seemed to fit the bill, until she remembered before the run. Castol was talking to the young recruit. Normally she would've straight up asked him, but considering how much she had already irritated him, that would be a major problem. The only solution was to be nicer, not matter how hard it would be. Whatever seemed to be on Castol's mind felt like a big deal and for some unknown reason she wanted to know.
Maybe she was just bored, all the training that went into the Exhibition was just a complete bore and made her body ache all over. She was pleased to know that she only had three days left until the Exhibition. Anxiety was always a problem for her, she was nervous, yet itching to prove herself. Plus, there was the touchy subject of her possible execution is she did not pass.
Elentiya's mind went into a sudden chaos. It wasn't uncommon. Her anxiety, her need to find out what Castol was witholding from her and the most important; her thirst for blood. Even when she was thinking about something else, it was always nagging at the back of her mind.
"Elentiya!" Castol interrupted her thoughts. She turned to face him standing by the door of the training room. "I said training's over, you're free to do whatever you please - within reason," Castol continued. She still just stood in the centre of the room.
"Oh thank you," she replied, slightly dazed.
"Are you okay?" Castol questioned, concerned, she has never once thanked him before. He noticed that her eyes were slowly turning red and her thoughts were becoming increasingly more difficult to read. "You know the library's quite empty today, why don't you go there?" He suggested. Her... demonic self never seemed to appear when she was there. Her love of books were obviously that strong to overcome it. And certainly not for the first time, Castol found Elentiya to be a strange girl.
Almost as soon as the permission was granted, Elentiya went giddy. "Really?" She beamed. Castol usually didn't allow her to go to the library. Afraid of what she could possibly do to the nobles.
"Yes, don't do anything stupid. I have work to do." Castol warned lightly and with that he left.
Elemtiya didn't even get the opportunity to ask where, but she guessed it was something to do with earlier events. She didn't press as the library opportunity was rare. Usually Hollin would get her books to read from there. Any plans for finding out Castol's secret would have to wait until tomorrow. It also gave her more time to prepare for being nice to him. Elentiya definitely needed that, she made a quick prayer to the gods to wish her luck on her new found mission.
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So whaddidya think?? I quickly wrote this in like 2 hours (10pm - 12am) because I wanted to... that's a good sign right?? I've missed writing ;-;
I need sleep!! (Sorry for any mistakes)