Author's Notes
This is the part that comes after the story where I lay aside some time to examine my writing and just probe into some general things which may or may not interest you. Feel free to leave if you have better things to do. And bring me back a sandwich.
Technical Fluff:
Yes, I know it took a freakishly long time for the fourth and final chapter to be finished. I'm a scary-ass slow writer ninety-eight percent of the time, and I should have known better than to think I'd be diligent enough to post chapter by chapter instead of as a whole. Gomen. ^____^;;
Gya ha ha, but oh, the fun with Dilandau! He's the most intriguing character I've ever seen, and is simply the greatest character in the world to write. I always route for the villains because they always have so much more depth and personality than the protagonists, not to mention Dil also has this whole extra stark-raving insane thing going for him. I love playing around with him, and it was also cool to get inside Miguel and a little of Shesta as well, something the series never really did. Miguel was a nice, simple and open character with a lot you could work with, and I just personally think Shesta cries out "gay".
As for the story idea itself, it literally just sort of evolved one day while I was half-listening to the song "Outside" by Staind. Whether it was the lyrics or the music, the idea just came to me and all of a sudden from zero to zero-point-four seconds I already had Miguel's hallway scene and the shower incident firmly lodged and mapped out in my head, and then it just wove out from there.
This was a great chance to have some fun with this side of Dilandau, a little more vulnerable kind of look at him, and explore the emotional and mental bonds and dependencies that he has with his charges. I wanted to write about a bit of a deeper relationship he could have had with one of his slayers, but one that was not in Dilandau's favor as they're usually written as.
As mentioned earlier, I don't think of Dilandau's character as gay -- I never have, and if anything I think he'd be almost more homophobic. Don't get me wrong, I love yaoi. I'm the epitome of your cliche' yaoi glomper that squeals with fangirlish glee at the thought of two beautiful men together, and to be perfectly frank, I thoroughly enjoy the concept of Dilandau straddling another man. It's just that I don't think the character ever would. There's two Dilandau Albatou's that I keep locked away in my imagination: the terribly yaoi one that glomps anything male in a forty yard distance and that I giggilishly indulge by reading yaoi fanfiction; and then the one that I write with and fanatically try to remain as in character with as I actually interpret him as being. It's a personal opinion, and one of many. But to each writer their own.
Choosing a setting to work with within the series span was a kicker, until I realized that some rather lengthy periods occur in which we don't have a clue to what goes on during. The last time we see Dilandau and his company is in Palas as Escaflowne flies off during episode seven, and then there's this big, huge stinkin' gap until he makes his entrance again along Freid's border to duel with Van in episode nine. According to the series timeline that I meticulously drew up for myself, realistically there has to be about two weeks here at least. What happened during that whole time?
Notable Notes:
I know, I know. My whole concept of Dilandau having two second-in-commands. In most fanfics, author's portray either Gatty or Shesta as Dilandau's single right-hand man, usually depending on facts gleaned from the anime. The duel second-in-command thing sounds silly but when you think about it, it's the only logical set up -- first off, both Gatty and Shesta get relatively the same amount of screen time through out the series, so that's a toss up. Gatty is often perceived as the "messenger boy", but yet he seems to get a lot of one-on-one audiences with Dilandau like when he objects to his tactics in the fourth episode, and to Dilandau's obsession over his scar on the Vione -- and besides, who's to say delivering a simple order from General Adelphos is mongrel work anyway. Shesta also has a lot of scenes with the captain too -- when he runs after Dilandau's Alseides in the anchorage, as well as when he trails at Dil's heels in scene three of the "Thought of the Jeture" drama CD. During the siege of Freid, it's true that Shesta appears to be acting as Dilandau's right-hand man, but then again, remember though that during Allen and the Crusade's assault on the Vione, Gatty seems to be the one assuming the leadership role in Dil's absence. Both boys get almost the same amount of physical abuse and number of beatings from their lord if you count when Dilandau bitchslaps Shesta good in "Thought of the Jeture" scene three, and Dilandau seems to call out both their names with equal frequency in his sporadic fits, so that brings us to a stalemate.
As far as I can tell, both Shesta and Gatty hold the same rank, though very likely are at least higher than the other Dragonslayers evidenced strongly by two cases: the first being the Fort Costelo scenes and particularly the internet screencap that exists of both slayers flanking Dilandau and both having the role of bearing the Zaibach banners; the second because of scene ten of the Jeture CD, where both Gatty and Shesta share an audience together with the captain. Hence my duel second-in-command theory. I have a whole logical plan of how the rank would be shared efficiently duty-wise and during battle and crisis situations, but it's long and complicated and requires more of an essay than some. . .uh. . .two already-lengthy paragraphs. But again, my own opinion. *Shrug*
I understand that Gaea is meant to be a completely different world, and for all I know their military policies and codes of conduct are totally unlike the everyday world. However, I think it's reasonable to assume that when Dornkirk came from Earth into power in Zaibach, he could have very likely implemented the same standard military regulations, rules of conduct, and procedures that are held on Earth for the four demon armies of Zaibach, so that's what I've primarily based their military structure around.
And if you're anything like the nitpicker I am, you've probably noticed the repeated references to the name of Jesus through out the story. I'd just like to make clear that these were not thrown in on a whim for colorful dialogue. Before I began writing I actually did some slight research into the background of Sir Isaac Newton and discovered that he was indeed an avid Christian. I may be completely out of the water on this one, but I think it's justifiable to also believe that when he came to Gaea it's completely plausible that he also introduced the idea of Christianity. For all anyone was told about Zaibach's religious beliefs in the show, it might very possibly be a Christian country. Who's to say. In any case, I thought it gave me a strong enough case to include references to the Jesus name. (Thanks to Eva for rousing this query and reminding me to include it in my author's notes.)
And lastly -- all right, so I'm assuming the Vione has full scale plumbing. For god's sake, Zaibach has electricity so who's to say that they don't make use of piping and water heaters. We already know they're at least familiar with the concept, evidenced by the mechanical workings of the Alseides units when they pump crima metal to flood the cockpits. Besides, I needed a reason for Dilandau to taboo and wander down to the communal showers. Work with me here.
Recognition and Froof:
Kudos out to anyone who reviewed. Many thanks. This is only the second piece of writing I've ever posted after "Am I Not Merciful" -- the reviewers praised, so I charged onward! *Cue the sound of a cavalry charge trumpet*
Thanks to comforting chocolate -- you were my muse. Through sickness, through health, through writers block. I love you man. *Glomp*