Scene Seven: Rooftop
Final Resolution
She carefully spread a beach towel on the flat roof of the dormitory and lay back innocently watching the stars. They had no plans to meet thought she had been here the past several nights to watch this unprecedented meteor shower. She heard the soft footfalls on the cinder tiles and felt the lean form detach itself from the shadows.
"Mind if I join you?" Zechs asked in a hushed whisper.
"No, of course not. As you please." She smiled up at him.
He had had the forethought to bring his own towel and set it near hers. With practiced ease he pulled his long platinum hair into a que-doubled in on itself-before lying down with his hands folded beneath his head.
They lay there in silence for a long time listening to the crickets and watching the sky. Both were still a bit too young to be distracted overmuch by the nearness of the other. For now they were just two friends ignoring a few rules to spend time together.
It was Zechs who first broke the silence…quietly naming the various lights he saw in the sky as if they were old friends.
"I never knew you were so knowledgeable about the stars." Noin reflected calmly.
"My father and I…" he began but the words died on his lips. This sky over the kingdom of Sanc had looked decidedly different and the boy who's father took him out on the balcony to watch the stars had not been named Zechs Merquise. The night air was not particularly cool still he shivered.
"It is all right." Nion whispered taking his hand in hers, "You don't have to tell me if you don't want too."
He leaned up on one elbow and looked at her. "You have never asked, have you Lu…" The nickname made her feel important…like a particularly trusted confidant, she squeezed his hand gently but said nothing and he continued, "I know you want to know why I wear this mask. The question has been in your eyes since that first day in the cafeteria but you have never said anything. You don't want to make me uncomfortable." He whispered.
"I did want to know back then, I'll not lie. But I'd like to think I know you a bit now. You may wear that mask but it isn't who you are Zechs. You are a boy…a nice boy and that is what really matters. You are my friend."
He held onto her hand as if it were a life line, it seemed that if she were not there to anchor him he would go drifting off into the inky darkness…into the void of space, with only the cold dead stars for company. "There was a fire…there was a fire, and my parents were killed…I saw them."
"I saw my parents die too, but it was soldiers who took them from me." She whispered still gripping his hand. "It is not easy being alone in the world."
"You…understand?" he sounded stunned. She only nodded. "Do you…Do you still want to see?"
"Only if you want to show me," She told him firmly. She had learned to look beyond the mask hadn't she? Still she braced herself wondering, not for the first time, if the injections he received were not the usual sort. Perhaps they were to prevent the rejection of skin grafts or control infection…burns could be horrible she knew. No matter how bad the damage was she would not show fear…or pity, knowing both could be equally devastating in their own way.
He took several deep breaths. He clearly wanted to do this but was reluctant. "I am here for you." She told him softly.
The boy nodded, acceptingly and with one movement, the silver helm was free.
"Zechs!" she breathed in quiet awe gazing at his face for the first time. Her hand raised on its own to pull the tie loose from his hair setting the white gold tresses free. He was absolutely handsome. There was not a single mark marring his creamy skin…she was not naive enough to say he had no scars - they were just on the inside, the same as hers were.
She wasn't sure what he read into her tone but his cheeks colored. "I'm sorry." He whispered partially turning his face away. "I shouldn't have." he moved to replace the mask but she placed her other hand on his chest to stop him.
"Don't…Please, not yet." She just wanted to look at him a bit longer, memorize those fine features. "You have given me your trust this night. I could not imagine a better gift. I will not let you down…ever."
He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled bashfully. "You ARE my friend." He told her finally.
And she smiled…
One day M'lard Peacecraft, Prince of Sanc, would stand before all people unmasked. They would gasp in awe and astonishment at his apparent return from the dead. But there was one who would be quietly waiting in the wings even then. For as cadets a bond had been forged and these two were, beneath it all, united in unwavering friendship…the pride of Victoria.
