Chapter 9:What her feelings are
-Or how Lin and Irina help Elma open her heart-
Elma slowly returned to the barracks to find Lin cooking, Tatsu jumping around and Irina doing some decorations for the fest.
-Colonel!- Irina greeted. Elma could tell she was slightly nervous, probably due to her new xeno form.
-Hey Elma! Pass me the salt on that cabinet. Fur ball here can't manage it- Lin greeted as she pointed to a cabinet in one hand while tasting some sauce with a spoon on the other one.
At least Lin was as familiar and confident as always. She didn't treat Elma any differently neither she was nervous. Was it because she was a child? Elma smiled fondly at the thought.
Elma paced gracefully through the kitchen and passed Lin the salt.
-Thanks Elma!
-Yeah no problem.
Elma remained silent a moment while she thought on how to formulate the next question without being too needy or worried.
-Lin, have you seen Cross?
Lin stopped cooking and glanced at Elma knowingly.
-Yeah. He went running to the showers upstairs. He seemed distressed. Did something happen between you two? – Lin asked with a worried glance.
-No, I was just wondering. He seemed distant before. As his team leader, I was worried- Elma answered as composed as always.
-Colonel I wouldn't worry too much. Everyone knows his yours –yelled Irina from the other side of the room to join in the girl talk.
Elma immediately blushed and Lin's grin widened.
-I-I don't…Wait, what?- Elma said but Lin interrupted her.
-Yeah yeah. It's pretty obvious. It is even worse than Gwin and Irina here – Lin smiled as she pointed to Irina.
-What?! You little…That is not true! Gwin is my...- Irina remarked while a blush crept her face. It did not go unnoticed by Elma and Lin.
-Anyways, let's focus on Elma here. We can talk about you and Gwin's case later- Lin decided.
-Hmpf- was everything Irina said as she moved closer to Elma and Lin.
-So, when did you discover that you liked him?- Lin questioned Elma.
-…
Elma remained silent.
-C'mon Elma. We can help you. It's fairly obvious that Cross likes you too- Lin pressed. A realization became clear in her mind. –Wasn't you know who's name also Cross? Don't tell me you fell for him just cause he has the same name!
Lin laughed lightly. Irina also realised and joined Lin. The atmosphere immediately became more confortable and familiar. Elma dropped her stoic face and sighed as her blush increased. Irina and Lin were like her family on Earth and they still trusted her after she told them the truth about her and the Lifehold. And she trusted them, especially Lin, who she had personally requested to be part of her team and live in the same barracks.
-I guess it was during a talk with Vandham a month or two ago when he asked me why was I so distracted. Of course I did not understand myself at first but then… - Elma smiled as she recalled the memory.
– We went to a mission together to defeat a tyrant and somehow by the end of it we were officially friends. It meant that he wasn't being nice because I was his team leader but because we were actual friends. And that really made my heart beat. It made me realize that I had been falling for him since I found him in the stasis pod.
Elma paused with a smile on her face as she recalled the moment she realised she was in love again. She actually had to sit down and come to terms with it. Irina and Lin patiently waited for her to continue. She had never been so honest with them and with herself.
-Of course, I never forgot him and our Cross is actually a constant remainder of him. The way they talk, think, act,… while they look different, the resemblance is uncanny.
Lin and Irina nodded knowingly. The tales and rumours of Elma and her leader were numerous. Elma had a theory about the Cross mystery but decided to leave it for another day.
- That explains why you were so interested in him at the beginning and even requested him to be in your team. And I have to admit that he's good looking - approved Irina.
-And totally a gentleman, always helping people out – added Lin.
-He has excellent fighting skills and was strong enough to help save NLA – continued Irina.
-He is definitively a good catch. Yesterday I heard a few Definians, Ma-non, Prone and even some Wrothian girls talking about him – Lin said.
-Yes, I bet he will be accepted by any galactic civilization- Irina nodded as she crossed her arms.
-And is clearly a good match for you. You guys make such a cute couple – Lin giggled.
-He is the only man worthy of you Elma – Irina insisted.
Elma could only try to hide her embarrassment at all the compliments she was hearing. It was true that a few of them she had already thought on her own but hearing them out loud was way more embarrassing.
-Okay girls, I think that is enough – Elma decided to calm things down but of course Lin had other ideas.
-So, are you going to the first move or are you going to wait for him? I mean, you've been waiting for him for forever right?
Elma stood silent for a moment as she thought.
-I think he is still in shock about my true form - Elma sighed.
-Cross is a smart person. He will be over it in no time – Irina supported.
-Yeah! Love can beat anything! - Lin agreed.
Before anything else could be said, Gwin and Doug arrived to the Barracks to help out with the preparations. Elma, who was still blushing, quickly excused herself and escaped the room before the boys could see her in that state. When questioned, Lin only mischievously smiled and Irina immediately began to bark orders.
