Ariel - Sirius The Jaeger - 1215 Fanfiction

Episode 4

Ryoko was good, I'd give her that, but certainly not good enough. My stick sword was at her neck in a second and she gasped, stepping back from me and complimenting me on my skill.
I don't really know how I ended up in this predicament, or why I agreed to spar with her in the first place. I had asked to do some practicing and of course she ended up wanting to do some as well.
Her master was watching too - which was kind of annoying - and he too complimented me on my expertise.
"Could I ask who taught you?"
"My father did." I quickly replied, but it was more of my experience fighting vampires that really taught me how to move and fight with swords, not just some fake training in a dojo. Knowing how to use a sword is nothing compared to actually being able to use it when it's sharpened and your faced with danger.

-

I decided to relax in the garden since helping the others with the case was pointless. I was too unfocused and even Willard said that "this kind of work was a bit too much for a young girl like me." And wether that was meant as a passive aggressive tactic to get me to leave since I was in the way or whether he was being honest and worried about my obvious frustration I decided I wasn't going to care.

I turned my gaze from the flowers to the sound of footsteps scuffing against the stoned ground of the estate, the clouds of night rolling in above us.
"Where is she going?" I mumbled to myself, watching as she looked left and right before continuing to walk off from the estate.
If I wasn't mistaken, it looked like she was running away, and considering how much of an interest she showed in Yuliy - she might be going to find him.
I smirked, guess I'm not that bad at detective work after all.
I went to go and follow her, knowing exactly where Yuliy was, but as I went to leave the estate grounds I found myself frozen.
What would Willard do if he found out I had snuck out? He clearly didn't want me messing up the investigation case work - of course he'd be disappointed if I decided to be reckless and possibly get hurt in the process.
I shook my head, reminding myself I wasn't supposed to care.
I wanted to go, but I turned and walked back inside instead, knowing I'd see the two soon anyways.

-

"Hey, Philip, it's me." I began hesitantly, hearing a bit of shuffling before the door opened and Philip glanced at me with a sad, tired look. I hoped he wouldn't tell me to go away, and quickly came up with something to say to make it so he'd let me stay, "I-it's just, I wanted to talk, if that was okay with you."
That, was horrible. I told myself, Nice going, weirdo.
"Alright, what's up?" The boy stepped aside and I quickly walked into his room, taking note of the violin that laid on the side table beside the window.
"Well I first wanted to make sure you were alright. After what happened... well..."
"I'm alright." He frowned, looking to the ground like it was the most interesting thing here, "Yuliy on the other hand, I'd be more worried about him."
"I am, everyone is. He's closed himself off in that room, and I've watched everyone but Willard fail to help him out."
He scoffed a laugh, "Sounds about right."
"But really, Philip, when I got there everything was already in ruins. That little girl just watched the horrible truth come to life in the form of her father. And as much as I wished I just would have gone to visit you earlier like I wanted to... I stayed behind and wasn't there when you needed me - so..."
"It's fine, Ariel." A fake smile ordained his face, "It's over now, and there's nothing any of us could have done. At least she's not going into foster care, right?"
"Yeah, that's good." I nodded hesitantly, "If you need anything, just know I'll always be there for you."
"Yeah, thanks."
The silence quickly led to an awkward aura in the room, and I sighed, turning to leave and thinking about what I could have done to make it better - which probably wouldn't have been coming in at all. And offering to be there for him? Like hell he'd ever come to me for comfort, or advice.
"Wait! Ariel-" I stiffened, turning from the door handle to the back of Philip's head.
"Yes?"
"Um." He cleared his throat, "Do you wanna stay? I was going to do some playing, if you'd like to sit and listen."
I smiled, a real smile, "I'd love to." I left the door and sat down on the edge of his bed as the young male picked up the instrument, and the awkward silence disappeared in the power of his music.
This time when Philip played, I didn't feel like crying, old memories didn't come back to haunt me. The sound was slow and sorrowful but it was more comforting than anything else. This was Philip's own personal way of expressing himself, since he so stubbornly refused to show any serious emotions, usually opting to be angry instead and calling people assholes.
He mostly just does that to Yuliy though.
I found myself smiling, gazing up at him as he looked back at me - but neither of us looked away. The sun set quickly in the background, and when Philip was finally finished playing I clapped my hands lightly, "That was amazing. You're really talented, Philip."
He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head, "Yeah well, I'm sure you've got a side talent too. Like those drawings you do."
"My- what?! How did you?" I blushed as he smirked,
"Come on, Ariel, I may not have gotten a good look at them before but it's easy to walk behind you and see what you're working on."
"Oh." I pouted, "Well... I guess I could show you if you'd like."
"Really?" He lowered his violin a bit farther from his shoulder as his eyes lit up, "Sweet!"

After retrieving my journal, I hesitantly handed it over to Philip. We sat on the bed together as he flipped through the pages, his expression wasn't showing much of what he thought, and the longer he looked silently the more insecure I felt myself get.
What if he doesn't like them? I thought, What if he doesn't get it?
"Ariel..."
"Yes?" I quickly replied, trying not to break into a nervous sweat as I thought about how my mother always used to tell me my art was useless and wouldn't get me anywhere in life.
"These are amazing!" Philip gushed, "And I mean - using me as your drawing specimen? I feel so cool!"
"O-oh." I coughed out, shocked to see his grin, "T-thank you. I guess uh.. I've always thought you were pretty - I mean - handsome - or cool, so..."
"Man, this is great, can I have one to keep?" He asked, handing me back my journal.
"Sure!" I finally found myself able to smile back, turning to the best drawing of him I had yet, "Here, just let me sign it first."
I handed him the slip of paper and he smiled, glancing at the drawing before looking up with wide, glowing eyes that I was lost for words in front of.
"Thanks so much Ariel! Man, I'm so glad we're friends."
Friends...
I've never had a real friend before.
"Yeah! Me too!"