Stepping Stone (Chapter I)
Series: Tales of Symphonia: Knight of Ratatosk
Characters: Alice, Decus
Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia.
Title: Stepping Stone (Chapter I: Black)
Rating: PG
Genre: General, romance
Summary: When Decus and Alice are sent out on a long-term mission together, their rocky relationship takes a turn for something smoother and, quite possibly, closer. If only one wasn't as hopelessly obsessed and the other was not in denial.
"Why does Dumbo-Decus have to come along?" Alice whined, scoffing, "I don't want to start smelling like that reek."
The whole plan seemed unfair to her. Not only was she to go observe the remains of the human ranches for various purposes around the regions of Sylvarant, she was required to personally do it on her own with another who was a complete and utter fool. She had little against Decus, but the idea of traveling side by side and having to deal with his cologne all the way through for a good month or two was an unbearable thought alone. She had been strongly against the mission, wanting to send Hawk and the rest of her men to do the job rather than having to tire herself out on a seemingly meaningless objective. Unfortunately, she had had no choice but to accept it in the end.
At least Decus could fill in the position of missing henchman - but the perfume would have to go.
Speaking of the reek, a familiar odor clogged her nose, and she scowled begrudgingly before turning to the source of the smell.
"Alice-chan, there you are," Decus greeted, his usual theatrical movements getting the better of him as he swayed back and forth in a manner that unnerved the girl.
She stood unamused. "What took you so long? You better not be late next time."
Ignoring the barrage of dramatic apologies - if they could even be considered one - that spilled from the man's mouth, Alice stepped forward, effectively silencing the former. Decus seemed to miss the point of her haughty glare, instead interpretting it as something only he could see, for he neither backed down nor questioned her. Unaffected in the slightest, he looked down at the object of his affection before neatly stepping away, creating a gap between the two of them. He looked pleased with himself, and Alice noted that he'd moved to avoid disrespecting her with the differences in their height.
It only served in irritating her more. She chose to hide the fact, though her facet was betrayed by the tint of red that spread across her features, albeit barely noticeable - Decus didn't seem to catch it. Still, he easily towered over her by several inches, and having to crane her neck to look up at him clawed at her nerves to no end. He probably knew as much and had respected her need to feel strong in any circumstances.
But she didn't want him to give power to her like a toy.
"Shall we get going?" he suggested, interrupting her train of thought.
"Palmacosta is the closest place with a ranch from here," Alice started as she mounted a relatively small liger suited for her size, "we'll go there first."
"Of course, Darling."
This was going to be a ridiculously long mission for all it was worth. For once Alice wasn't very keen on visiting the ranches, and instead wished it were already over. There hadn't been anything exciting promised in her short journey - there was probably going to be little power flaunting involved, which was enough to disappoint her in her hefty standards for a fun job.
Though, the cologne was certainly doing its job of making her feel sick already.
Chapter II »
Characters: Alice, Decus
Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia.
Title: Stepping Stone (Chapter I: Black)
Rating: PG
Genre: General, romance
Summary: When Decus and Alice are sent out on a long-term mission together, their rocky relationship takes a turn for something smoother and, quite possibly, closer. If only one wasn't as hopelessly obsessed and the other was not in denial.
"Why does Dumbo-Decus have to come along?" Alice whined, scoffing, "I don't want to start smelling like that reek."
The whole plan seemed unfair to her. Not only was she to go observe the remains of the human ranches for various purposes around the regions of Sylvarant, she was required to personally do it on her own with another who was a complete and utter fool. She had little against Decus, but the idea of traveling side by side and having to deal with his cologne all the way through for a good month or two was an unbearable thought alone. She had been strongly against the mission, wanting to send Hawk and the rest of her men to do the job rather than having to tire herself out on a seemingly meaningless objective. Unfortunately, she had had no choice but to accept it in the end.
At least Decus could fill in the position of missing henchman - but the perfume would have to go.
Speaking of the reek, a familiar odor clogged her nose, and she scowled begrudgingly before turning to the source of the smell.
"Alice-chan, there you are," Decus greeted, his usual theatrical movements getting the better of him as he swayed back and forth in a manner that unnerved the girl.
She stood unamused. "What took you so long? You better not be late next time."
Ignoring the barrage of dramatic apologies - if they could even be considered one - that spilled from the man's mouth, Alice stepped forward, effectively silencing the former. Decus seemed to miss the point of her haughty glare, instead interpretting it as something only he could see, for he neither backed down nor questioned her. Unaffected in the slightest, he looked down at the object of his affection before neatly stepping away, creating a gap between the two of them. He looked pleased with himself, and Alice noted that he'd moved to avoid disrespecting her with the differences in their height.
It only served in irritating her more. She chose to hide the fact, though her facet was betrayed by the tint of red that spread across her features, albeit barely noticeable - Decus didn't seem to catch it. Still, he easily towered over her by several inches, and having to crane her neck to look up at him clawed at her nerves to no end. He probably knew as much and had respected her need to feel strong in any circumstances.
But she didn't want him to give power to her like a toy.
"Shall we get going?" he suggested, interrupting her train of thought.
"Palmacosta is the closest place with a ranch from here," Alice started as she mounted a relatively small liger suited for her size, "we'll go there first."
"Of course, Darling."
This was going to be a ridiculously long mission for all it was worth. For once Alice wasn't very keen on visiting the ranches, and instead wished it were already over. There hadn't been anything exciting promised in her short journey - there was probably going to be little power flaunting involved, which was enough to disappoint her in her hefty standards for a fun job.
Though, the cologne was certainly doing its job of making her feel sick already.
Chapter II »