Esther, 1-2

CHapter 1 ~Esther1

"It seems I am dead." mused Esther as he drifted by leisurely on a cloud. 2

He was floating towards some distressingly pearly gates over a lush green plain that was surrounded by a forest. Esther wasn't thrilled at the prospect of going to where he thought the fore mentioned gates led. He considered his options, one possibly unpleasant and the other an eternity of suffering. Even though he was very big minded it didn't take him long to make it up. He jumped. He wasn't exactly worried but it still wasn't even a mildly fun experience for he was anxious to reach the bottom to make sure it was possible. The actual impact caused him to black out.3

He awoke in what he thought to be night, if there was such a thing in this plane, and found himself in a small camp. There was only a single tent, which had it's flap closed, a bedroll, and a campfire upon which a pan of soup was beginning to simmer. Beside the fire, keeping vigilance, was a girl of about seventeen. She had a short, cropped hair that was mahogany, she was wearing a fine black and white lace dress. She noticed him appraising her and didn't really seem to care. She returned her attention to her soup.4

"Where am I?" asked Esther.5

"You are in a plain." she replied.6

"Where is the plain?" he asked.7

"On the continent." she returned.8

"And where might be this continent." questioned Esther who was beginning to get annoyed.9

"In existence." she retorted, "Or at least I think so. I can't exactly be sure but it would be your best bet."10

"Are you insane or just a generally frustrating person?" continued Esther who was genuinely frustrated by this point.11

I wouldn't be the one to tell you about my sanity and I have been known to frustrate. Especially those who seem to have no manners and just insult people without thanking them for taking the frustrated one in question in, or even introducing themselves."12

"Oh..." started Esther, "My name is Esther and I do appreciate your hospitality. It was very gracious of you."13

"Yes, it was. My name is Ashlotte and I am potentially pleased to meet you."14

She extended her hand towards him and he shook it, noticing the soft coolness of her skin. Now that his eyes had adjusted he could see that she was really quite beautiful, with large eyes and a sculpted face. She was surely one of if not the, most beautiful women he had ever seen.15

"I do apologize for my earlier rudeness. I am just flustered. I believe I died a short while ago, I really have no memory of it, and was merely curious to find out if this was limbo or some such."16

"Oh, I suppose it is fine," Ashlotte said, "As for you being in limbo or some such I would lean more toward a purgatory-ish nirvana so let us just assume some such. Do you not want to know how I found you?"17

"I guess. What are you making?" asked Esther.18

"Nothing, don't interrupt." she scolded, "My sister and I were-"19

"You have a sister?" he asked.20

"I said don't interrupt or you shan't get any of you Nothing!" she yelled.21

"I apologize once more," stumbled Esther, slightly taken aback, "please, do continue."22

"As I was saying," continued Ashlotte, "My sister and I were traveling in this existence, as we always do, and were slightly surprised to see a handsome looking man," Esther blushed but Ashlotte continued without pause, "fall out of the sky. We were worried for his well being and ventured to check up on him, and there you were, all unconscious and what not. We both thought it would be much to easy for someone to take advantage of you with you just lying there, all unconscious and what not, so we set up camp around you. Take a bowl of Nothing."23

"Thank you. Where is you sister? Doesn't she want some?" he asked. Nothing appeared to be a sort of fish curry and it smelled quite good.24

"No, she hasn't been partaking in the third meal lately." replied Ashlotte, serious now, "Despite what so many think, she is quite self conscious and is always going on to me about some aspect or another that she finds disagreeable about herself. It is currently her thighs."25

"What is her name?" questioned Esther. Ashlotte glared at him, clearly displeased with his new found interest in her sister.26

"That is for her to tell you, and she is presently disposed to sleep, which is a sight more important than you questions. I think I will follow suit. You may occupy our bedroll." Ashlotte picked up her Nothing and stomped off into the tent.27

"Yes of course. I do hope you have a wonderful nights sleep as well." murmured Esther as he finished his meal in silence and finally shimmied into the bedroll28

CHapter 2 ~Ashlotte & Sophia29

Esther awoke to find the cutest face he had ever seen hovering over him. He could only assume this was Ashlotte's sister, judging by her equally large eyes. But that is where the similarities ended. Her face was more similar to that of a pixie than one of an Egyptian sculpture. She had long golden brow hair that was flowing over him like a waterfall, sending the rays of sunlight sparkling and only accentuating the look of extreme joy upon her face.30

"Get up silly," she chimed in a voice that reminded Esther of the song of a mockingbird, "It is time to greet the new day!"31

He slowly arose, trying to avoid a head rush which he received anyway, and replied,32

"Good morrow, you must be the sister Ashlotte had mentioned. May I ask your name?"33

"Of course. My name is Sophia, and your name is Esther, or so my sister tells me. She also vehemently champions your rudeness but you seem pretty nice to me. Let us be friends." answered Sophia.34

"I do hope so. Where is your sister now, Sophia?" continued Esther, looking around the, it now seemed to him, cheery camp site.35

"She is sitting on the stump over there, see?" replied Sophia who was now pointing at a stump a little ways from the camp site.36

Ashlotte held the opposite of the camp's atmosphere. She was quite gloomy and was trying to ignore the exchange with bitter resentment.37

"Good morning, Ashlotte." called Esther.38

"Hmph." replied Ashlotte.39

"I think she is bitter," explained Sophia, "most likely for your guys' conversation from last night and the contrast from our current one."40

"What do you mean?" asked Esther, still staring at Ashlotte with concern.41

"Just that we are getting of pretty well aren't we?" she said, nudging Esther, "and as I said, she was complaining about how rude you are. You should apologize."42

"I already apologized last night." replied Esther.43

"Have you apologized this morning?" she asked.44

"No." he replied.45

"Then you should go apologize this morning." she said, still sweetly.46

Esther could not help but notice the contrast between the two girls. He did not even want to imagine47

"I'll go talk to her." he decided finally.48

"Good," replied Sophia, cheerier then ever, "I will go find some breakfast then while you two chat." she blew him a kiss and skipped off.49

Sighing, Esther turned around to head towards Ashlotte who was still sitting on the same stump, acting sullen.50

"Ashlotte..." ventured Esther, waiting for a retort.51

"You probably think me a bitch, don't you?" she asked her diction dripping with disdain.52

"No, I really do-" started Esther.53

"I really don't need the comfort of your lies." snapped Ashlotte, "I heard your concern for my sister, saw your concern for her this morning, and personally experienced your distaste at my presence the night previous."54

"I once again apologize for my rudeness." he replied, in his most apologetic tone. While he didn't enjoy brown nosing, it did not mean he had no talent for it, "It had not been from a dislike of you. If anything your intriguing witticisms and beauty, though wonderful traits, were a catalyst to my confusion. You see the cause for my coldness was that I was flustered. I seem to have died recently and my first action as a dead man got me blacked out. After which I was awoken by the smell of magnificent soup, and a beautiful girl attending it. I hope, therefore, that you can forgive my rudeness. I would be delighted at your acceptance and hope to earn your friendship." finished Esther.55

"You have a near prodigious skill at kiss assery, and as such; of course I accept your apology. Here, take my forgiveness." she, as brightly as he had ever seen her, held out her hand and closed her eyes.56

Esther placed his hand in her's for a short and awkward period until Ashlotte exclaimed,57

"There. Now I have sent it to you. De be sure to keep it safe."58

"Yes, forever." replied Esther, for his sanity. He also hoped against it for the same reason. 59

So if you have any suggestions for CHapter 2 please tell me because I greatly, with more stress on that greatly, dislike it. CHapter 3 (yes, I am doing that on purpose) is much better... promise.