The Irene Girls

The Guard

"Dante?" Before Marie can say anything else Dante attempts to strike her with his sword. Marie raises her sword and blocks Dante. Dante twists his sword around Marie's sword, causing Marie's grip to loosen slightly. While Marie is distracted trying to regain her grip, she realizes the Dante is going after Levin.

Just as Dante is about to strike Levin, Marie throws herself in front of Levin and blocks Dante's attack. "Levin, go get help!" Marie yells over her shoulder. Marie abruptly stops blocking Dante which sends him forward, Marie then trips Dante and holds her sword to the back of his neck.

"Remember what you told me yesterday, on my first day in Phoenix Drop, Dante?" Marie asks putting more pressure on the sword. Dante doesn't answer. "You said, 'Hurt anyone here and I will not hesitate to run you through'. Next time, listen to your own words." Marie says angrily. "Marie, you can let him go now." Levin says, putting his hand on her shoulder.

Marie almost jumps back at Levin's touch, it almost tingles. "Levin, he just tried to kill you!" Marie says with a confused expression. "No, he just tested you." Levin smiles, grabbing Marie's hands and pulling the sword from it. Marie tries to hide her warm cheeks from Levin's view.

Dante quickly stands up and looks slightly embarrassed, Levin takes notice. "Looks like I need a new head guard." Levin jokingly says. "I wasn't expecting her to be experienced, I clearly went easier than I should have." Dante says brushing the dust off his uniform. "Well anyway, Marie is there any chance you would be interested in becoming a guard?" Levin asks Marie.

"Actually, prior to the Irene Dimension I was just about to become a guard, top of my class." Marie says with an embarrassed smile. "Really? What village, if you don't mind my asking." Dante asks looking very curious. "ScalesWind actually..." Marie says trailing off while Levin and Dante exchange surprised looks. "Wow, a top graduate guard from ScalesWind of all places! You must have been well trained." Dante says. "Heh- I guess so..." Marie says slightly embarrassed, she doesn't like flaunting titles.

"But I'd love to become a guard of Phoenix Drop!" Marie says trying to change the subject of conversation. "Well, then expect more sneak attacks, you won't take my position that easily." Dante says jokingly as he begins to walk to his post. "I think I already have it!" Marie yells to Dante with a smile. "We'll still have to evaluate you like every other guard, of course." Levin says handing Marie the sword. "Of course, I don't need nor do I want special treatment." Marie says gladly taking her new sword. When Marie takes the sword, a bright light blinds her for a moments and she almost trips over tree branch. Just as Marie is about to fall Levin catches her hand and pulls her back to her feet.

When Levin pulls Marie up, he pulls her up only a few inches away from his face. Marie stands there for a moment, almost stunned. Levin does the same until Marie notices the warmth of her cheeks. "S-Sorry." Marie says backing away. "R-Right, I should go to my mom's old house. I was supposed to be back a few minutes ago." Levin says stepping onto the gravel path.

As Levin begins to walk away Marie realizes what caused the light in her eyes. "Avalon!" Marie yells angrily. Marie walks into the forest next to the bridge searching for Avalon. "You'll have to come out sooner or later you know!" Marie yells with a huff afterwards. "Not my fault you guys would make a cute couple." The voice makes Marie whip around to see a smirking Avalon leaning against a tree. Marie can't decide wether to be happy her friend is okay or angry for what she just did.

"Avalon, you can't use your magicks all over the place! Especially not for what you just did, Levin is a Lord. He's busy and I'm his guard in training, we are not a couple!" Marie yells in her friend's face. "You know, someone's going to hear you." Avalon replies with a smirk still on her face. "What are you smirking about now? Why do you have to knock me into someone's arms Avalon? If I wanted a relationship I'd do it myself!" Marie continues yelling. "Marie, never once have I seen you get involved with a guy unless I stepped in." Avalon says raising her eyebrows. "Well, so what Avalon maybe I like Levin but it's clearly not going anywhere!" Marie yells slightly quieter.

Avalon's smirk returns, she points behind Marie, and says, "Now it might." Marie whips around yet again to see a shocked Malachi, Levin's brother. "I-I heard yelling... I decided to investigate." Malachi says backing away slightly. "Avalon!" Marie screams in her friend's face. "Now you've really done it Avalon!" Marie cries. "I didn't do anything, in fact I warned you that someone might hear you." Avalon says calmly, side stepping away from Marie. Marie turns around to face Malachi who looks like he's about to break into a sprint. "Malachi, wait!" Marie yells desperately. "Malachi, please don't tell Levin what you just heard I swear i-it was nothing!" Marie says lowering her voice and walking towards Malachi.

Malachi sighs and says, "I have no intention of telling my brother, don't worry." Marie sighs with relief, "Thank you, Malachi." Marie relaxes and watches Malachi walk away. Marie calms down and walks back over to Avalon. As Avalon takes in a breath to speak Marie cuts her off by hugging her. "I'm glad you're doing okay." Marie says softly. For a few moments Avalon is stiff, eventually she relaxes, and even hugs back.

"A guard?" Avalon asks still over Marie's shoulder in a hug. "Yeah, I can't wait!" Marie says excitedly, pulling away from the hug.