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Procedure 5:
Strange New World, Strange New Things
Here we are, in this world.
We try to do what is right, and yet we fail a lot. Sure we’re heard of people,
and their mistakes, but do people really learn from them?
I don’t think so. If we did, we wouldn’t do so many stupid things.
But then again, we wouldn’t be us.
Raine was pretty surprised. Kratos had really done out on her wardrobe. Even
more surprising, he actually done a good job.
“You didn’t have to.” Raine said, shaking her head.
“Yes, I did.” Kratos replied, “You needed clothes, and since we’re going to
dinner in three hours, I got you this as well.”
He pulled out a silver silk dress, that shimmered when it made an motion. It
gleamed a bit when the sun hit it, and looked quite nice. It was low cut, and
its sine seemed to catch the attention of any passerby. In short, it was just a
beautiful dress.
“It’s absolutely gorgeous!” Raine exclaimed. She had worn some nice clothes in
the new world, but this…she continued, “It’s so remarkable! So grand! Where did
you ever find this!?”
Kratos smirked a bit, “I’m glad you like it.”
“No one as ever done anything like this before!” Raine exclaimed, “There was
that dinner party, of course, but this…!” She calmed down a bit, “Thank you so
much. I’m sorry, it may have seemed a bit out-of-character of me but even
so…It’s marvelous. Thank you.”
“It’s no problem. It was only a small fortune.” Kratos shook his head.
“You didn’t have to.” Raine said, “It’s not like we’re…” she stopped herself.
She was going to say “dating”. She didn’t know what to finish with.
“We’re…?” Kratos asked.
“…In royalty.” Raine concluded, “I don’t deserve to b pampered.”
“You’re not.” Kratos said, “I just wanted to get clothes shopping out of the
way. It’s very…emasculating.”
“I can see that.” Raine replied, “I’m sorry if you were embarrassed.”
“No, it was nothing.” Kratos shook his head. It was almost like he wanted to say
something else.
“Well, thanks anyways.” Raine held the dress for a second, then hung it up in
the closet. Kratos’ house sure was spacious.
“So…do you have a job here?” Kratos asked.
“Yes.” Raine sorted some of her hair out, “I’m a doctor.”
Kratos did that laugh of his, “Heh. How fitting. A healer in Sylvarant, a doctor
on Earth.”
“Well, what are you?” Raine asked, “You obviously has something that pays well.”
“A mercenary.” Kratos said, unshaken.
“Is this a joke?” Raine asked, “Still a mercenary? Once one, always one, I
assume.”
“Well, in our world, I worked for Cruxis. You remember that.”
“I know…” Raine sighed. She really hated the fact that he betrayed them, but
loved it how he rejoined him, “But even so…that’s all over.” She decided to
change the subject, “I still don’t get why they named it ‘Earth’. I’m surprised
the people who live here aren’t called plants instead of humans.”
Kratos smirked again, “Indeed. What are we, trees?”
Raine laughed a bit. The hours seemed to fly by. It became night, with a full
moon and a clear starry sky. The field of azure and opal had now left, ready to
rise again in the morn. A knock was heard at the door.
“Heeeeeeey!” Rubyi yelled as she opened the door. The girl was in a crimson
dress, with a thick feather collar around it. She twirled one of the plumes
eagerly, “I decided to come here. My car’s parked outside. Shall we go?”
“Car?” Raine was curious, but hated to feel stupid.
“It’s a form of transport around here. Did you notice the gray road along your
hospital? That’s what cars drive on.” Kratos came down.
Raine glanced at him, “Oh.” she thought to herself, ‘So that’s what those
wheeled things were…’ The once-Professor took another look at Kratos. The man
was dressed in a tux, his muscles slightly showing from underneath. The pants
were nice as well, and were a bit more loose. No real contrast, though.
“Again, I gotta tell ya…” Rubyi whispered.
“Don’t say it! Don’t even say it!” Raine whispered, yelling at the same time.
Kratos gave the two strange looks, “Shall we go?”
“Uh, yes, let’s.” Raine said awkwardly. She was already in the beautiful dress,
and began to walk towards the door.
Rubyi kicked part of the metal once outside. She looked at the front door of her
car. “The front’s all full…can you two sit in the back together?”
“Um…I guess it’s aright.” Raine replied, again with the awkward, “Kratos?”
“Yes. It’s fine.” Jeez, he didn’t seemed to fazed by anything.
“Okay, then.” Rubyi said, opening the back door. Kratos went in after Raine, who
found out it was quite cramped. Kratos was very close to her, his whole right
side against her. In fact he was crushing her hand. She managed to get it out,
and Kratos gave her a VERY awkward stare.
“You were sitting on it…” Raine blushed, seeing that the redness of her skin
wasn’t only on her.
Rubyi then laughed a bit, covering it up by slamming the back door. Getting in
the front, she inserted the key and turned it, “Okay, let’s go.” She stamped her
foot on the gas pedal, “WHEEEEEEE!” The car flew out of the driveway and onto
the street. Rubyi whizzed past many cars, almost over the speed limit. She kept
going, and after a while the made it to the restaurant.
Raine and Kratos stepped out, the man leaning heavily on Raine, who was too
disoriented to notice. He attempted to stand on his own, but ended up falling
over. Raine almost hit the ground, and Kratos put his hands on her back and
lower waist to prevent her from getting dirty. Rubyi shoved the two back up, and
Raine brushed herself off. Kratos regained composure. A rare miss for the Cruxis
angel, but Rubyi’s driving was…
“Well, let’s go in. Come on. Come on.” Rubyi waited for the two to follow,
patting the sign of the restaurant for a second. The R and K shook for a second.
Rubyi read the words, “The Reddening Kraine. Weird way to spell ‘crane’…” Rubyi
noticed a red crane with one of its legs up next to the sign. She looked at some
smaller text below, “Great for couples!” Seeing this, she laughed. Raine and
Kratos had caught up to her by now. She stopped her giggling and went on. The
three reached the entrance, and went in.
It was very elegant inside. Nicely lighted, a candle was at the center of each
table surrounded by a ring of small vines with leaves. Tables with bigger
candles often had roses floating in the wax, and smaller ones just had the
flame. There was many an exquisite wine behind the bar, and as Raine could see,
many were very old. The chairs also were upholstered with velvet, and the
tablecloth was made of a very soft linen.
A maid greeted the three, “How many?” she asked.
“Just three!” Rubyi answered.
“Okay. Your table is right this way.” The maid weaved through people and tables,
making it to a nice mahogany table already adorned with napkins and silverware.
Raine was a bit sad, no roses in the wax for them. Oh, well.
“Can I start you of with some drinks?” the maid asked kindly.
“Oh, yes.” Rubyi said, “I’ll have the Pina Colatta on the rocks.”
Raine gave a strange stare to the girl. Looking at the menu, she found a drink
that seemed nice enough, “I’ll have the Pink Lady.”
Kratos made his order as well, “And I’ll have the White Zinfandel.”
“I’m sorry. We’re all out of that. Something else?” The maid said innocently.
“I guess an Azure Delight, please.” Kratos confirmed.
“Oooooooh, good choice.” the maid said, “Well, I’ll be back shortly with them.”
“On the rocks?” Raine questioned.
“With ice.” Rubyi and Kratos answered in unison.
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