Yearning During War
Nicol looked over at Lacus from his position at the piano.
"This is being broadcast across the PLANTS and leaked to the earth," said Rau Le Creuset to Athrun, Yzak and Dearka. "From everything they wear to what they say is being directed to show our way of life is just, peaceful and beautiful. It is the politician's way to wage war."
"But why must we be in the audience?" said Yzak sharply.
"First, you are Nicol's comrades; second, Athrun is Lacus's fiancé and so you support the couple; third, we must be unified in our approach so anyone and everyone is in this hall, outside in the supporter fields and so forth," spoke up Yzak's mother as she walked past them to her reserved seat among the PLANT counsellors.
"Wonder if the coward will get stage fright?" murmured Dearka.
"Hello everyone, I'm Lacus Clyne. My friend Nicol and I will be performing for you tonight."
Nicol started with a lively song before drifting to a slower melody.
"Those flowers he gave me
Admired by all
Will never wilt, never fade
Their scent reminds me of him
I'm waiting
For him to come back
We will be together
Our love will never end," sung Lacus.
"If I could reach out to you
And touch you
Be with you
I will always be happy
You gave me your ring
And said 'keep it, remember you have my heart when you look at it'
Always I touch it wishing I could touch you
You have my love," added Nicol.
Stunned, Yzak and Dearka's jaws dropped as they watched while Athrun struggled to keep a straight face knowing Lacus and Nicol's talent.
"The days pass and still,
He doesn't come home
The melodies of life strain
I call out to him
I'm waiting
For him to come back
We will be together
Our love will never end."
Nicol then played an interlude before singing again:
"Too long have we been apart
I'm weary and all I long for is you."
"Too long have we been apart
Be home, be with me
At peace for all our days," bridged Lacus.
Then they sung together:
"You gave me your ring/I'm waiting
And said 'keep it, remember you have my heart when you look at it'/For him to come back
Always I touch it wishing I could touch you/We will be together
You have my love/Our love will never end
Too long have we been apart
Be home, be with me
At peace for all our days
Too long have we been apart
Be home, be with me
At peace for all our days."
Then Lacus repeated:
"Too long have we been apart
Be home, be with me
At peace for all our days. Never fading."
Gently, Nicol trailed off the melody until silence but only for a moment as the audience stood and applauded. Nicol rose and walked to Lacus and talking her hand they bowed.
"A most impressive performance," commented Rau Le Creuset. "I do believe our orders will reflect the sudden urge to see the end of the war with the Earth forces."
He excused himself and joined the other commanders.
"Thank you for coming," Nicol said and shook Athrun's hand.
"You were amazing, both of you," Athrun returned as Lacus joined them holding a huge bouquet of flowers.
"This one if yours Nicol," informed Lacus as she gave him a bouquet making hers underneath seem more manageable.
"Thank you. I'd better give it to my mother."
Athrun smiled imagining the bouquet on the Versalius.
"Athrun, Nicol, get a move on. There's been an attack and we're closest," ordered Yzak.
"Well that's timing. A pleasure seeing you again Lacus," noted Athrun.
"And you Athrun. A pleasure performing with you Nicol. I hope we can do it again."
"I'm honoured and I hope so. Goodbye Lacus."
"Goodbye Lacus," added Athrun.
They moved quickly to the exit where Nicol hugged his mother and gave her the flowers and then joined the others.
Time to go back to the fighting.
Owari
