StevieBond: Hi all, hope you're enjoying this story so far.

Arnold: Do I really have to start behaving like that?

StevieBond: Why not, it makes the story more interesting.

Arnold: Couldn't I be doing something more innocent?

StevieBond: Why with the questions...anyways, leave a follow and fave if you like this, thanks.

Love Troubles

As we gave a tour of the ship to Wein and Lushati, I saw Clayton from across the engine room. I told the girls that I would see them later, because I wanted to speak to him. Milfie understood and gave me a kiss before catching up with the others.

"Yo Arnold, man!" Clayton said as he walked up to me. "Come with me."

I walked with him to the simulation room. I wonder why here. "First of all, how was your vacation? You know which one I mean, right?"

"If you're talking about the one between Milfie and myself, it was romantic in a way. If it was with the whole angel gang, a whole heap of fun."

"Not exactly the answer I had in mind, but it'll do. Great to see you having all this fun…must be real nice."

"It is…you know I've been thinking. I think it's a bit of a shame that you're not part of the Angel Wing. If you were, I know that you would enjoying it much more…and you and Chitose would be able to talk more."

Clayton laughed. "You have a point there, man….she's so hot, I mean like damn hot! I mean that classy British accent of hers."

"Woah Clayton, settle down a little." I giggled. "She's only 18, same age as Milfie."

"Yeah so? I'm still in my early 20's, so that's good for me and I know your age too well, early 20's as well, right?"

I nodded. "Anyways, why did you bring me here?"

"Ah well just between you and me, I reprogrammed one of the simulation pods so it allows access to anyone on the ship, so imagine some guy like me in one of these pods, piloting an Emblem Frame."

I blinked. "Really, you could reprogram a simulation pod?"

"I did a few days ago, just before you got back on the Elsior. In my spare time, I've been in here, learning and getting the feel of being a pilot and it's actually really fun. Best time I've had for a long time."

"Does anyone know about this?"

"Nope, it's just me…and it makes a change from just being a crew leader."

"Well I can understand wanting the thrill of being a pilot, but sheesh Clayton. You do know that it's strictly prohibited to use reprogramming equipment for your own personal needs without approval. If this got out quick, you could risk getting fired."

"Hah!" Clayton dismissed. "Not a problem, anyways I want you to see it for yourself. I could use some feedback from a friend."

"Well, okay then. I'll watch over your simulation with that screen above."

"Hehe, alright here I go…" he stepped inside a simulation pod and it started up.

I watched on a screen above the pods, he chose a simple destroy mission which was to eliminate all targets. The simulated battle began and I watched as he flew across the field in the simulated Emblem Frame.

He took out a few targets in quick succession and finished off the rest of them in good time. He completed the objective in under four minutes, I was very impressed. He then stood out of the pod as it shut down.

"So what do you think?" Clayton asked.

"Well…I have to say that you're a good shooter." I praised. "Been hanging round the arcade much?"

"Hahahaha. You always had a knack for being able to tell where I get the experience from. But you are right, when you hang around an arcade as long as I have, you start to get used to things like this."

"Hmm, I do wonder what kind of Emblem Frame you pilot. Something big I bet."

"Yeah, maybe something in army camo painting with a lot of firepower and good speed. But you know, it ain't the size that matters, it's how you use it."

I smirked. "I guess that goes with anything."

He laughed. "You said it man! Alright I gotta get back to work, you take care now."

"Sure, see you soon, Clayton."

I left the simulation room and then though about Wein and Lushati, I wonder if they're doing alright. I walked up to the C-Block and knocked on the guest room door and out came Wein. I still had an inkling of doubt about him, but I put that to one side.

"Good day, Arnold." He greeted in an Australian accent.

"Hey Wein." I said. "Getting used to the Elsior?"

"Yes, thanks to your friends, very much so. Ranpha's tour was also enjoyable, I know the ship well now."

I smiled. "Looks like Tact's girlfriend did a very good job."

"You smiled liked I was talking about you."

"Well I can assure you that this conversation is nothing to do with my skills."

"I see. Do you have business with me or Lushati?"

"Not really, is she sleeping?"

"She was exhausted from earlier…"

"Oh right, no it's okay. If she needs to sleep, then we should leave her alone."

"As you say. Honesty, I'm thankful. My sister becomes cross when I wake her up."

I began to feel curious. "So it's a bit like sibling rivalry?"

"If that's what you call it. Did you ever have sibling rivalry?"

Well that put me on the spot in a hurry. "Uhhh, I don't even remember if I had a brother or sister, I think I was the only child in my family."

Ugh, not that word again…stupid nightmare!

"Excuse me Arnold. Is something wrong?"

I perked up. "Huh…oh no, it's okay."

"If you say so…by the way, did you hear from commander Tact Mayers?"

"Not yet, what did he say?"

"He said that we are meeting with the White Moon tomorrow. Lady Shatyarn will be wanting to hear more about Eden and the Val-Fasc."

"Right, I've got in my head already. Okay, I'll see you next time."

I left the rooms and walked to the tea lounge. The White Moon will be with us tomorrow, eh? This could be my best chance to get some answers about my past. But there's nothing to do but wait until then.

"So anyways, I'm skipping out." Tact said as I walked in.

"What do you mean, 'so anyway'?" Mint asked. "What a disgraceful soldier."

"That's really not the kind of thing to brag about." Milfie added.

"I'm sure he doesn't mean anything bad by it." I intervened as I sat by Milfie.

"Tact has always been doing it, but never so obviously." Forte sighed.

"Well, I'm being forced to do it this time." Tact replied. "You feeling better Arnold?"

Great, did you have to refer to that incident earlier? "Yeah, I had a catch up with my old crew workers and now I feel better."

"It is honestly painful to know that this is the truth behind the man that the Empire call its hero." Mint said.

"I think I'm pretty sure we're all heroes." I corrected. "We did save the galaxy twice after all."

Vanilla was silent.

"Don't worry, Ms. Mint." Chitose assured. "Even though I'm still a rookie, I know that there's much more to Tact than just this."

"Well you sure are fitting in with the Angel Wing much more than a month ago." Tact replied.

"Hey now, it's your own bad habit that's biting you in the tail." Forte said.

I looked at Ranpha and she seemed to be zoned out of everything around her.

"Um, hey Ranpha." I said, clicking my fingers.

"Huh? Ah, Arnold." She replied, suddenly snapping out of her trance. "When'd you get here?"

"Just a minute ago."

"Oh…sorry, I didn't notice you there."

Tact looked concerned. "That's strange…are you tired?"

"It's nothing like that." She blushed. "More importantly, you don't have a drink, Tact. Wait a sec, I'll get you something." She walked to the counter and bought him a drink and gave it to him.

"Alright…thanks Ranpha. How are you getting along with those two?"

"Well Lushati's beautiful like a faraway princess and though he doesn't say much, Wein's very open and honest."

Hmm, perhaps a little too honest if you ask me.

"Don't forget, Tact." Milfie said. "We helped Ranpha too, you know."

"I'm not, I am thankful to all of you too." Tact replied.

"Hmm, you seem to be just grasping at straws now." Mint said. "Well, I'll settle for that."

"But you know, girls." I added. "They just can't help it, they're always lovey dovey, no matter who else is around."

Ranpha blushed. "Well I guess we are. So if Tact can't see anybody else, then it just can't be helped. The only person in Tact's pure eyes is me."

I looked into Milfie's eyes and saw my reflection in them, she was blushing red.

"Ahhh yes, the other couple." Forte smirked.

"Well at least you two don't flaunt your relationship about." Mint added with a smile. "Compared to when Ranpha calls for her darling and jumping on him."

"Just what do you think you're saying?" Ranpha asked. "It's so stupid that you're making me laugh!"

"Ms. Ranpha's burning up." Chitose said.

"Anyways! Tact and I are still together and still very much in love! Why this all of a sudden?"

Forte sighed. "It's because you two have been a little quieter lately. Basically, you're growing up and your love is not as corny anymore."

"It's more settled now and perhaps deeper than before." Mint added.

"But you're feeling okay again, right Ranpha?" Milfie asked.

"Yeah, yeah. I sure am…I'll be right back, need to use the ladies room." Ranpha walked off, leaving us wonder over this conversation.

"If you ask me, I don't think she's gotten over the…hand touching incident. The fact that you didn't grab Ranpha's hand probably made her feel depressed."

"Depressed?" Tact asked. "I did feel like she was acting a little odd earlier."

I sighed. "Okay Tact, no offence but how can you be smart as a commander and dense as a boyfriend to Ranpha at the same time?"

Tact didn't take that well. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Man, you're hopeless." Forte intervened. "Listen carefully…you paid more attention to Lushati than you did Ranpha. Don't pretend like you don't remember."

"Yes, it's what Arnold said." Mint added. "As Ranpha's boyfriend, it was the worst possible action you took back at the park."

"I see now, so that's the reason." Chitose replied.

"That's what it was." Vanilla added.

"You also did something really bad too." Milfie said. "Arnold didn't hear it because he was…yeah. Anyways, Tact, it's really bad to compliment another girl's smile in front of your girlfriend."

Tact was beginning to see the consequences of his actions. "So what I did then was wrong too?"

"And lots of things just build up, anxiety, unhappiness and stress."

"Alright, alright! I get your point." Tact exclaimed. "So what should I do?"

"You should think about that yourself." Mint replied.

"Well, I'll figure it out. It's strange thinking about this though. I always just let things take their natural course."

"In any care, whatever you may think of, you should do something."

Ranpha then came back and sat by Tact.

"Alright I'm back…but I'm still a little pissed at what you girls are trying to do, making false accusations and all that. After this, we're finishing what you started."

"Oi oi, sounds scary." Forte teased.

"Urrrgh! Stop looking down on me!"

"Now, now, calm down, Ranpha." Tact said. "How about we share our drinks together?"

"Alright, if you say so…"

They began talking and probably going into their little world together. Leaving us quite surprised at the sudden happiness they were showing for each other.

"I think I know what they're doing." I whispered to the girls. "They're having an indirect kiss by sharing their drinks."

Chitose gasped quietly. "A-a-a-a-a-an indirect kiss?"

"I'm sure it's a natural way for them to show their love for each other." Milfie replied, whispering. "I think I'm a little jealous."

"Well shall we go somewhere where I can make you a little less jealous?" I offered with a wink.

"Oh my!" Mint whispered loudly. "How very bold of you, Arnold."

Milfie was glowing bright red. "N-n-n-n-n-n-no it's alright…we'll go together later."

"Alright." I was about to move in for a kiss when she stopped me.

"Please, not in front of everyone…later, okay?"

I nodded.

"I have to tell you all something important." Tact said. "Tomorrow, we'll be meeting with The White Moon."

"Really?" Chitose asked. "Then it's finally time."

"There's a conference scheduled tomorrow with Lushati and Wein. I want all of you to attend as well."

"Got it, we'll be there." Forte replied. "I want to hear more about Eden too."

"I wonder how Lady Shatyarn is doing." Vanilla said.

"Noah's coming too right?" Ranpha asked. "I wonder how she's getting on with the people on the White Moon."

Tact looked worried again. "I have the feeling that we're going to learn something important tomorrow. That makes me a little worried…"

She held his arm with her hands. "It'll be okay, Tact. I'll be with you."

"Yeah, you're right…okay Angel Wing, that's all."

Milfie and I left the lounge and walked to her room.

As soon as it was just us, she stood a bit away from me before lifting her left hand and used her pointer finger to signal me to come forward.

I smiled as I walked over to her before she placed her hands on my cheek, then locking in her lips with mine in a passionate kiss, which made her happier than before.

"Sorry Arnold, but I didn't wanna get teased by the girls too." Milfie said. "You understand that, right?"

"Of course I do…I just forgot about that for a split second." I replied. "Whenever you need to let me know about something, I will always try my best to understand and if you ever needed me for anything. I will drop everything and come straight to you."

Milfie began to smile bigger before she kissed me again. "You know, I've been thinking about our relationship. I wanna let you know right now that I'm not ready for the next step. I know you were trying to make me feel better earlier, but its way too soon for me."

"It's alright Milfie." I assured with my hands on her shoulders. "Because I'm not ready for that next step either. There's far too much at stake for us right now, war with the Val-Fasc being the main reason."

Milfie nodded. "But still, to hear you say that so honestly…thank you." She kissed me. "But since Wein and Lushati are using the guest room, you can sleep with me as always."

"And as always, I'll take the hand of your generous offer."

We both smiled and shared another passionate kiss before she yawned a little. Guess we were feeling sleepy. We agreed to call it a day and after changing into our nightwear, we climbed into her bed and began to sleep. I hoped my dream was something sweeter this time…