Chapter 6: Still Night Serenade

Richard found himself back in his hometown. He looked around for a second, confused, and saw nothing but beautiful woodland around him. The sun was shining through the leaves at just the right angle for sunbeams to show, and the faint sound of birds chirping was the only thing that penetrated the silence. Richard closed his eyes, and turned his smiling face up to the sun; thinking, I'm home. He basked in the warmth of the sun, and the sweet melody of the birds furthur convinced him that he was in paradise. Suddenly, Richard felt a presence behind him, and he turned to find his friends standing at a distance waving at him, and calling, "HEY, MORGAN! GET OVER HERE". Richard smiled and laughed before starting to walk over to them, but while he walked, the distance never shrank. He sped up, but still nothing happened. He sped up more, but with no change. He was sprinting now; trying desperately to reach his friends, but to no avail. He continued to sprint, but as he ran, flames appeared at his friends' feet. Richard stopped running as the flames spread and enveloped his friends; still smiling and waving at him. Richard spun around to see the entire forest on fire. Huge hulks of machine crashed down into the trees, and unfolded to reveal themselves as IS units before furthur burning the forest down with their flamethrowers. Embers were flying into Richard's eyes, and tears formed as he looked on in horror while his home and his life went up in flames. One of the suits turned towards Richard, and began stomping over to him. Richard stared at it in horror; frozen in place by fear. The huge metal beast got right in front of him, and pointed the nozzle of its flamethrower in Richard's face. Tears were streaming down his face as he saw the flames start to spiral down the barrel.

Richard awoke with a jolt. He was sweating profusely, and panted heavily as he reassured himself that it was just a dream. He could still feel the flames on his cheeks, and he sat up and looked around the room in an attempt to ease his mind. He thought to himself THIS is real. This is what's real. It was all just a dream. He looked over to see Ichika still sleeping, but Richard was sure that he had made a lot of noise. Richard then looked out the window. It was still very dark. His clock told him it was 12:10, but Richard couldn't go back to sleep. He was too scared to close his eyes again.

After a few minutes of sitting in silence, Richard decided that he needed to take a walk. He got out of bed, put some clothes on, and snuck out of the room as quietly as he could. He left Black Angel on his nightstand. He wanted to be completely alone. The lights in the hallway were turned off for curfew so Richard emerged into darkness when he left the room. Richard looked both ways down the hall before choosing his path and beginning. He knew exactly where he wanted to go; he needed some fresh air.

Richard opened the door to the roof, and felt the chilly air hit his body as he did. He stepped out onto the barren roof, and walked over to the railing to look out over the school. The moon was incredibly bright for some reason, and it bathed everything in blue. Richard began processing his dream, and trying to suppress the painful memories that continued to bubble up and terrorize him.

God damnit why does it still hurt?

I keep trying to push it away, but the pain is still there

Richard was getting depressed over the fact that his past still managed to bother him so much. He closed his eyes, and tried once again to come to terms with his guilt. He tried his best to offer an apology to his friends and family wherever they were.

I'm so, so sorry. I'm sorry I stumbled into that fucking room, and found that IS. I'm sorry I was so excited when they told me I would be an IS pilot. I'm sorry for what it did to our lives, and what it did to us. I'm sad that my life will never be the same, but more than that, I'm sorry that yours won't. I never thought that finding that suit could cause all of this. Never thought about the possibility that my actions could force you into hiding, and stop us from talking. I know I've said it too much, but it's the only thing I feel I can say: I'm sorry.

Richard's silent prayer was interrupted by the door to the roof opening once more. Richard quickly turned to see Charlotte stepping out into the moonlight. She didn't even know he was there until Richard called out, "Hello there". Charlotte jumped, and her eyes scanned to find the owner of the voice that had come from the dark.

When she did see Richard, she nervously asked, "Oh, Richard. W-What are you doing up here?".

"Nightmares" he said in response. "Couldn't get to sleep. What about you?"

Charlotte responded, "I had much zi problem". She fidgeted for a second before saying, "I can leave if you would prefer".

"No" Richard quickly answered, "Let's keep each other company". He was still scared from his nightmare, and he desperately didn't want to be alone. He had been alone far too much.

Charlotte was shocked by how quickly he had responded, but gave him a warm smile after a few seconds, and he smiled back in return. She shuffled over to him, and leaned on the railing beside him.

"So" she started, "if you don't mind me asking, what were your nightmares about?"

Richard hesitated for a moment. Should I tell her...? Holding it in hasn't done me much good... Maybe I should try sharing it with someone other than Angel... After a few minutes of silence, Richard started opening up.

He told her how he had found the IS, and how he had become a pilot. He also told her how he had been taken away shortly afterwards to recieve basic training from the US government, and how his family had been relocated for their safety before he could see them again. He detailed how his friends had recieved much the same treatment, and that he would probably never see them again. He told her of his country's fear that he would become a weapon that would be used against them by other countries, and how his country's limited capacity to train him led him to the IS Academy. He said that he also enrolled because of Ichika; he wanted to be close to someone in a similar situation. He didn't tell her about Angel's unique ability. He trusted her, but he was still too scared to tell her that.

Richard went into great detail to explain everything that had haunted him since his story had begun, and he felt his burdeon lift slightly after sharing it.

"Wow" Charlotte said after taking a minute to process what Richard had just divulged, "Zat is an incredible story".

"Sorry for dumping all of that on you" Richard said, "I've just been carrying this burden on my own for a while now, and it hasn't gotten any easier".

"I am so sorry to hear about all zat has happened to you" Charlotte said; offering a sympathetic smile.

"Don't be" Richard said, smiling back, "It's not your fault".

The two sat there for a few seconds before Richard asked, "What's keeping you up?". Charlotte wasn't sure if she should divulge her story, but then thought that it would only be fair given that Richard had been so forthcoming with his. She told him about her father and his corporation, and the elaborate trick that had gotten her into the Academy. She explained how Ichika had discovered her lie, and she had come clean to him about it. She detailed how Ichika had comforted her, and how he had convinced her to stay. But Charlotte also told Richard about how she was still scared of her father and his company. She still had nightmares about what her father's company would do to her if she were to leave the Academy.

Richard had been listening the entire time, and as he did, he became increasingly sympathetic and frustrated towards Charlotte's situation. Her struggle was so similar to his, and when Charlotte finished explaining her past to him, Richard blurted out, "Fuck that. If they try anything, I'll be here to protect you". Charlotte was astonished by the boldness of the statement and the fire in his eyes when he said it. She blushed and responded, "Zank you very much, Richard".

After that, they started talking about their life before the IS, and Charlotte told Richard about her mother's house in France while Richard described his house in Georgia to her. They continued reminiscing together for a couple of hours until they felt their eyelids getting heavy with drowsiness. Richard walked Charlotte to her room, and said goodnight before going to bed himself.

As soon as Charlotte closed the door, her mind started racing. What are zeez feelings? I can't like him. No, it is absolutely unacceptable... But he is quite charming, and he was so serious about protecting me. Maybe I do like him. Is zat so bad? Charlotte got back into bed, and as she was falling asleep, she decided that it was a thought to continue the next day.

In his room, Richard was discussing the matter with Angel. She's really cool, but how could it possibly work out? We both have forces trying to rip us away from this place, and when we do graduate, we'll probably be forced our seperate ways. Angel thought about everything Richard had told him as well as everything that the two had been through together. He wanted his partner to be happy, and Charlotte clearly showed signs of making him so. As Richard was drifting off to sleep, Angel formed one final question for his partner: Years from now, when this place is but a distant memory, don't you at least want to say you tried?

Both Richard and Charlotte fell asleep with uncertain minds, but one thing was sure: it was the first time that they had slept soundly for a very long time.