Riddles of Love
Chapter 1
Let the Game Begin
Here's my v-day fic so sit back and enjoy. Also on note just incase anyone for some reason wants to ask...yes the poems and riddles are all my own and not copied.
It was late winter just starting to turn into spring as he looked out the window of his room. The town was preparing to celebrate a new holiday that had been imported from the new world. He had begun to pack his things but wasn't in much of a hurry. It wouldn't make a difference he would still have to wait until night to leave. There were too many people out in the streets for him to go unnoticed. He paused in his packing and looked out into the street for a moment. Just as he was about to turn away his eye caught a glimpse of red. He looked closer to see Lina Inverse and the group walking into town looking like they were having a grand old time. A first he almost groaned at the idea of slipping out of the town without bumping into Lina. It seemed fate wanted them to meet just about every time they were in the same location. As he was starting to plan his escape he thought of an interesting idea. "Seeing as how I'm sure we'll end up meeting again might as well make it interesting" he said to himself as he walked to the small desk in the room.
He pulled out a few pieces of stationary, a quill pen, and a bottle of ink. He dipped the pen tip into the ink and then tapped it on the rim to get rid of excess ink. He then applied the pen to paper and began to write in a smooth and fluid motion.
The local tavern was ringing with a din of noise as travelers settled down for food and drink as the sun had set. And, in the middle of tavern was Lina and her crew of traveling companions that had come to town for a place to stay for the night. As the waiting staff slowly removed the mountains of plates the occupants of the table began to talk. Lina patted her stomach as she leaned back in her chair. "So what do we want to do tomorrow. We can either stay for the holiday or we can continue on our way. I for once say we move on" Lina asked as her voice went lower in tone as she finished.
Amelia frowned and whined"But, Miss Lina it's the first time that this Saint Valentine's Day is in the area. We should stay and enjoy it."
Gourry scratched his head before asking"What is this Saint Valentine's Day supposed to be about again"
Lina groaned and replied"Can't you remember anything Jelly fish for brains? On Saint Valentine's Day men and women give each other gifts to express their love for one another. And, seeing as how none of us are in a relationship I'd say it is just a waste of time."
"But, we could meet someone if we stayed" Amelia complained"Wouldn't be romantic"
Lina almost blanched at the idea as she looked into the fire not wanting to continue on the subject.
He walked down the stairs of his inn to find his target. About half way down the stairs he saw her in the tavern connected to the inn. He quickly moved back up the stairs in fear of being spotted and his fun being ruined. He crept back down and noticed that none of them had seen him. He smiled as he climbed on the banister of the stairs and then silently up into the rafters of the bar. He moved quietly towards a dark corner in the room before he sat on the rafter. He then produced a fine but weighted cord from a pocket inside his cloak. 'Old habits die hard,' he thought as he pulled a folded letter from out of another pocket.
He then tied the note to the end of the cord with and interesting knot. He then began to spin the cord with his wrist to build up momentum. He then flung the cord and watched it fly and land over the rafter he was aiming for. He slowly lowered the letter until he was sure it would land in the correct spot. He then gave the cord a quick jerk and thus let the letter fall towards the table. As the letter fell he quickly reeled in the cord and wrapped his cloak around himself to hide his presence in the room.
Lina was staring at the fire when she heard something light hit the table. She looked in front of her to see a folded letter with the name, 'Lina Inverse,' written on the face up side.
She grabbed the letter and began to open it before she heard Amelia ask"What is that Miss Lina"
"It's a letter for me of some sort" Lina replied as she looked around the room but saw no indication of who could've dropped it off.
She unfolded the letter and then read the poem written on it. The penmanship was very elegant and fluid and was unlike anything Lina had seen outside an elf's journal. The script was drawn out and long and seem to flow with a life of it's own.
Maiden with hair made of fire red,
Who I have followed for
some days.
I wish to express words that have gone unsaid,
And, see that
you are here to stay.
If you wish to play my game,
The next clue will soon
find you.
Leading to another one in the same,
And, beginning your search
anew.
Follow the path until the end,
And, a great prize will
soon be found.
This little game will be yours to win,
As long as you stay
in this little town.
Lina only blinked at the parchment as she didn't know what to do. All she could think of was that this was either a trap or someone had decided to fall head over heels for her. As she was thinking she heard Amelia ask"What does it say Miss Lina"
"Look for yourself" Lina replied as she gave Amelia that letter and continued to think on the odd letter.
Amelia read the letter and looked at Lina before almost squealing and saying"Miss Lina it's like you have a secret admirer. I told you we should stay."
Lina almost pulled her hair out at that remark"I don't want a secret admirer. The last thing I need is some weirdo that thinks he's in love with me."
Lina looked around the room one more time and didn't see anyone that stood out from the normal crowd. Normally someone that would do something like this would try too hard to hide themselves but everyone in the tavern seemed fine. She sighed and got up from the table. At that moment Gourry looked at her and asked"Where are you going? It's a bit late to be going anywhere."
"I'm going to my room. I'm tired and the idea of a stalker following me isn't helping" Lina answered as she turned and headed towards the stairs.
He had slipped back to the stairs as Lina read the note he had dropped on her table. The smile on his face was priceless as Lina looked all around the tavern for the person that would have dropped the note. He slowly moved back up the stairs and into his room. He put a do not disturb sign on his door and locked it after he entered. With the door shut and the staff to leave him alone he began on his next clue. He wrote the note in the same style of lavish handwriting without thinking of the rhythm scheme. He had been pretty good at this stuff as a child and had never really used his talent since then. He quickly folded the note and opened his door slightly. No one was in the hall and he whispered"Here we go" as he moved towards Lina's room.
He got to the door and tested the knob. It was locked so he knelt before the door and quickly produced some picks from a small pocket inside his sleeve. He quickly and easily picked the lock and was in the room. He laid the note lightly on Lina's pillow before locking the door again and stepping into the hall. He quickly, but quietly, move back to his room and shut the door before locking it. He would wait a while before composing his next note. 'This is going to be fun,' he thought as he prepared for bed.
Lina sighed as she reached her room safely. She produced her key and unlocked the door. She walked in and locked the door behind her before going into her nightly routine. She changed into her pajamas before combing her hair before she was to go to sleep. After finishing she finally turned towards the bed to see another note on her pillow. "Not again" Lina thought as she walked up and grabbed the note.
She looked at it to see it was the same fluid style of writing before she yawned. She set the note on her night stand and laid down while saying"I'll read the damned thing in the morning."
Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from The Slayers do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.
Feedback is requested, please send all comments to size=1 width=100% noshade>