Blue Drop: Angel's Partner: Chapter 10
Where Secrets are Shared
One day, Tsubael heads off with Ekaril to meet Onomil and Azanael at her fighter and then visit Tsubael's escape pod. They were going to make sure they all had full copies of each other's logs of Shivariel's attack and deeds, in case they might be able to get this back to the appropriate authorities on Arume.
Micchi chooses this day to ask Mari to share lunch with her on the roof. Mari doesn't mind, though she wonders why Micchi is nervous and keeps glancing toward the woods. They both take their lunch up to the roof and Micchi is visibly relieved to find they are the only two there.
As they eat, Micchi looks around to make sure of their privacy and begins, ``Mari-san, do you mind if I ask you a personal question?''
``No problem. Go a head.''
``H... How did you figure out you were actually in love with Senkouji-san.'' She blushes deeply. ``At least I assume that you two were.''
Mari smiles. ``Yes, we are.'' She tilts her head, thinking. ``I'm not sure how I exactly figured it out. The better I got to know Hagino, the stronger I found my feelings for her were. I... I didn't realize what they were at first. Looking back, I guess I should have gotten a clue from how worried I was when she disappeared when we were out swimming during summer vacation.'' She blushes. ``But my first reaction when she reappeared was to get mad, I now think because I was scared. At least Hagino forgave me, and I didn't stay mad for long.''
``Did you worry about her being a girl too ...or even an alien, when you found out.''
``No... She's simply Hagino and...'' Mari stops and looks straight at Micchi. ``You're wondering about Tsubael?'' she asks, guess what's behind Micchi's questions.
Micchi's blush deepens and she quickly nods in agreement, not trusting her voice. Then, she quietly asks, ``Is this too strange?''
``I'm not sure I'm one to talk about what's normal,'' says Mari with a laugh. ``After all, my love is an artificial bird who can talk with me telepathically.''
Micchi laughs in return and has to agree.
``Anyway, I don't think that matters if you're in love. You love a person for who they are, not what they are.''
Micchi is relieved to hear this, but then the worried look returns to her eyes and she asks if anyone gave Mari or Hagino trouble because they were both girls.
``No... not really,'' says Mari. ``Nobody bothered us for both being women, though we didn't have that much time together as a real couple.'' An echo of sadness colors her face at the shortness of that time. ``Of course `Hagino's Fan Club' didn't like me, but they were jealous of anyone who got close to Hagino, no matter who. I wouldn't worry about them.''
``But...'' Micchi counters, then stops unsure what she should say.
``But,'' Mari says, trying to put all her sincerity into her voice. ``The important thing is how you and Tsubael feel about each other. Don't worry about what others will say.'' She pauses, smiling. ``I think you and Tsubael make a great couple, and I think Ekaril would agree with that.''
``You do? Do you thinks she would?''
``Yes. I can ask her to stop by and talk to you privately sometime if you'd like.''
``Please. I've been worried what other Arume might think of us, and I don't want to cause Tsubael any trouble.''
Mari nods and her cheeks heat as she recalls similar feelings for Hagino. She reaches over and takes Micchi's hand. ``Don't worry. I'm sure things will work out. I do know that you're being a women won't bother the Arume, they all are.'' She tightens her grip. ``I hope you also find the happiness that Ekaril and I have.''
``Thanks. I... I hope so too.''
They both finish their lunch and wrap up their bento-boxes. Mari follows a much relieved Micchi back to class.
ooo OOO ooo
On another visit to town as spring begins to show, Micchi again takes Tsubael to visit her home and leads her up to her room. Tsubael remarks on the number of books on her shelves. Micchi explains that she loves to read fantasy stories like these, adding that she's enjoyed listening to other people read to her since she was little, but since here parents were busy running their business that they had little time to read to her. So, she's been reading to herself since then, and even began writing her own stories so she could read those as well.
They're interrupted by Micchi's mom knocking at the door. She brought them both tea and again welcomes ``Tsubame'' to their house.
After she leaves, Tsubael returns to their previous conversation, asking, ``You started writing your own stories when you were in grade-school?''
``Yes, they're not very good.''
``Would you let me read them? You also claimed that `The Girl of Orleans' wasn't very good and I loved it.''
``Are you sure you want to read something that bad?'' asks Micchi, her heart in her mouth. ``I've never let anyone else see these. Please don't tell anyone about them.''
Tsubael assures her that yes, she really does want to read Michiko's early works, and promises that she won't tell another soul about them. It takes further encouragement from Tsubael to finally overcome Michiko's reluctance, but finally she relents, goes over to an out-of-the-way shelf and pulls out a spiral notebook titled ``Scribbles.''
Tsubael takes the notebook, opens it and begins reading the stories Micchi wrote as a child. She likes the stories, though she does ask Micchi a few questions, such as whether there are still princesses on earth. As she reads, she realizes that Micchi has opened her heart to her by showing her these.
``Michiko, thank you for letting me read these.'' Her lips curve in a tender smile. ``Am I really the first person you've ever shown these to?''
``Yes,'' says Micchi, for she's never allowed anyone before Tsubael to see this private part of her heart.
``Thank you, Michiko. Thank you for letting me see this private part of your life.'' She pauses a moment. ``What can I do in return? It may be boring, but would you like to see my escape capsule?''
``From your ship? Really?''
``Yes. You're not... afraid... of us.''
``Tsubael, I never could be afraid of you. And yes, I'd love it if you would show me your capsule from your ship.''
``Of course, Michiko.''
Since it's still early in the afternoon, they decide that this is as good a time as any, so after putting ``Scribbles'' back on the shelf and saying goodbye to Micchi's parents, the two head out along the seaside road.
As they walk through the woods together, Tsubael asks, ``You've shared your writing and soul with me, my capsule is nothing compared to that. Is there anything more I can do?''
Micchi says she doesn't need to do any more, but does admit to being interested in hearing more about Tsubael. So, Tsubael begins telling her of Arume, her childhood, her time on Blue with Ekaril and anything else she can think of.
ooo OOO ooo
Tsubael and Micchi finally arrive at the spot in the woods where Tsubael hid her escape capsule. After checking that there is no one else to see them, Tsubael asks Micchi if she's ready. She says she is, so Tsubael takes Micchi's hand, manipulates her bracelet and steps into the capsule as soon as it appears.
Micchi is rendered speechless for a moment which gives Tsubael time to re-hide the capsule. ``That was just like magic,'' is all Micchi can say.
``No, Michiko, it's only science and technology.''
``But it's still amazing.''
Since the capsule was only built for one occupant, the two of them find it a bit cramped. Tsubael sits Micchi in the command chair and moves around as she points out and explains the various parts of the capsule.
``I'm sorry that I'm not able to show you as much as Senkouji-san did when she brought Mari out to see Blue, our ship.'' Tsubael pauses, remembering. ``On the other hand, I hope this visit ends better.''
``Tsubael, this is wonderful and amazing. I don't know how you could make this better. It's like a dream to me.''
This does give Tsubael an idea, and she replays some of Blue's bridge logs for Micchi, to share more of her past with her. They spend the rest of the afternoon viewing these logs, interspersed with Tsubael's explanations and Micchi's questions.
``You know, maybe we ought to be getting back,'' comments Tsubael, who has kept track of the passing time. ``It will be evening soon.''
``Yes, I wouldn't want to get in trouble at the dorm.'' agrees Micchi. ``But this has been such a wonderful time, I don't want it to end.''
``Then we'll have to come again some other day,'' says Tsubael with a smile.
ooo OOO ooo
As they walk back through the woods and up the seaside road, Tsubael tells Micchi of how this area reminds her of Arume, and also of Lover's Bay and Ekaril's wish to walk there. As they continue to walk, Micchi shyly reaches over and takes Tsubael's hand. When Tsubael returns the grasp, they blush and look at each other.
The two continue their walk, holding hands and talking less. After a bit, Tsubael looks at their clasped hands, gives a little squeeze and asks, ``Um... Michiko, does this mean you...'' She stammers to a stop and blushes fiercely.
``Yes, Tsubael.'' Micchi also blushes, but stammers on. ``If you're willing to accept me, I...''
Tsubael goes down one one knee, and takes Micchi's hand. ``Princess, I swear I will stay by your side forever to protect you from all harm and loneliness.''
Micchi is stunned for a moment, then pulls her up into a tight hug. ``Tsubael, do you really mean this?'' When she nods and returns the hug, Micchi's eyes fill with tears and she continues, ``Oh, Tsubael! I love you. This is just like one of those fairy tales. You're not just my angel of inspiration, you're also my white knight, come to save me. When I'm with you I never need fear.''
After a bit, Tsubael pulls back in the hug to look Micchi in the face. ``Michiko, I love you and never want to leave you. But I'm not good enough to be your angel or your knight; all I can offer is to be... your partner.'' She pauses then adds, ``That is, if you're all right with having an alien woman as a lover.''
``Tsubael, I never want anyone else.'' And she demonstrates this by capturing Tsubael's lips in a kiss which Tsubael returns, hesitantly at first and then with growing passion.
When they finally emerge from their kiss, they find that the setting sun has turned the sea beside them to gold and dyed the clouds a royal purple and pink, as if they too wanted to make this a perfect fairy-tale setting for this knight and princess.