As Valerie retreated to her bunk to prepare to rest for the evening, she found curious pairs of eyes locked on her from around the room. The message that she had been summoned by Commander Kane must've spread rapidly while she was gone. On top of that was her whole 'nose' incident...she was sure there were rumors of her being spread by the minute. She did her best to ignore the stares as she trudged on, feeling the tip of her ears warm as she took a seat on her mattress. She finally gained the courage to look at them and found the women to quickly glance away. She laid herself down with a smirk and finally prepared to rest...a moment to finally clear her mind.

"You're back! How did it go? Were you in trouble?"

She frowned hearing the voices of those nosy women from before. She attempted to ignore them but they rounded her bunk to face her, sitting around her with patient smiles. She wanted to rip them off of their faces. At a time where she was feeling so content, the last thing she wanted was to be bothered with pointless questions of girlish obsession.

"We know you were upset with us. We promise we will leave you alone if you just answer some questions about Kane?"

"-And why should I?" Valerie snapped. "It's none of your business, and you aren't entitled to someone else's affairs. I want no part of your fantasies."

"What's the harm in telling us what the Commander's voice sounds like, or how tall he is? It's not like we're fortunate enough to meet him like YOU have!" One of the women argued. "-And it's not like you have competition. As soon as we're sent away, there's very little chance we'll get to see him again."

'Competition?' What did they mean by that?' She blinked several times, trying to understand. Her thoughts were interrupted when the women scooted closer, holding their hands together as an act of begging. This is sad, she thought to herself. Are these women so willing to degrade themselves just to learn some useless facts about the Commander? She couldn't help but pity them as she saw a tear drop out of one girl's eye. Maybe it wouldn't be inherently harmful if she just...revealed a few things she's observed about the man. It's not like she knew anything personal about him. In fact, he hasn't revealed anything about himself to her at all...

She frowned before rolling her eyes, sighing in defeat. "Fine. I'll tell you what you want to know. But no stupid questions, or pestering me after this! And one. At. A. Time!"

The women all beamed in excitement. They leaned forward in anticipation as their hands crawled onto her bunk. She was met with a question right away. "-Well, what is his voice like? Everyone says it's deep, but is that really true?"

She recalled hearing his voice for the first time, how she got goosebumps on her neck from the sound. She especially remembered the way he pronounced her name so well. As if it was forever glued into her mind, ready to play to her heart's content every time she thought about it. "Oh, yes. It's deep. And he has an accent; it is very flattering, actually."

"An accent? Is it American?" One of them practically melted in her seat. "I have such a thing for American accents..."

"Well, I'd say it's more...British."

The girls exchanged fond looks and leaned in closer to her. Another asked, "And how tall is he? I don't expect he's anywhere near General Rooke's size, but from what I've heard, he towers over many people..."

Valerie sucked at her teeth. She was one of, if not, the tallest woman here. And, yet, from what she could recall, her and Kane were the same height. Maybe he was a tad taller than her, it was rather hard to determine with his hat. Despite being at the same level, it still felt as if he towered over her in every way possible.

She hesitantly replied, "About as tall as me."

The girls hummed, looking at each other rather impressed. This calmed her down slightly. She felt more...comfortable, talking about Kane. It pleased her to reminisce these things about him, only having seen him several minutes ago. She found it unbelievably easy to picture him in her mind. After getting so close to him in that room, seeing certain details of his face she hadn't gotten the chance to see before...She kept finding herself fascinated with this man every time she thought of him, and it hasn't even been that long since she met him!

"His eyes! Tell us about his eyes!" An eager voice pleaded, breaking her from her thoughts. "They are blue, yes? I hear a gorgeous shade, like the sky or the ocean..."

Oh. His eyes. How menacing they first seemed to be, until she found that glow in them...Even she couldn't stop the smile from growing on her face. "Whoever said that is right. They look exactly like the sky. They're beautiful, and yet, they peer into your soul."

"How dreamy!" "I want to see him for myself!" "Tall AND with gorgeous eyes?" "That accent as well..."

They all took this information in. She found herself agreeing with their gushing, even though they had no idea what he looked like for themselves. They wouldn't get to experience seeing his eyes for the first time, hearing his voice, and finding him only a few inches away as he called out their name...She found her chest growing very warm, and had to place a hand over it. It was the same sensation as when she had his handkerchief in his hand - her hands getting numb and her stomach filled with butterflies. She hadn't recalled feeling this way in a long time, and had trouble understanding what it exactly was.

She talked more with these women, but eventually, they were all sent to sleep for the night. She was relieved to find them finally gone, laying in her bunk and met with silence. Deep down, she hated to admit how disappointed she felt when she realized she had to stop talking about the Commander. She felt like she wanted to go on and on about him for hours to these women - describing everything she saw and heard. As if she was suddenly converted into their obsessed little circle, and he was the only subject she could talk about.

She shut her eyes and prepared to sleep, trying to silence her mind for the night.

Her obsessive thoughts with the Commander persisted as the days went by, much to Valerie's annoyance. What was unusual was that she found herself thinking more of him whenever he wasn't around. She often had random thoughts of Kane when she was in the middle of something important. She had to forcefully toss them aside as she did not want her performance being affected by these...obsessive images of the Supreme Commander. This worked, as she was able to not get scolded by General Rooke for any mistakes, but often she would find herself restless afterwards and wishing to return to her bunk as soon as possible, where she could lay down in peace. However, the rare times she would find him up on the balcony again, her mind would go completely silent, and her body would get very warm. It would remain like that until he was gone, and she had yet to fathom why that happened.

One day, as she went to rest after several hours worth of training, she found herself staring at the ceiling. Again, her mind was getting tormented with images of Kane's eyes, and an unusual urge to hear his voice again. It drove her insane having to endure this for the fifth time that day alone. She brought her hands to her head and clawed at her hair, trying to hush her brain so she could have a moment's worth of normal thoughts, like remembering her mother or thinking of her father...and NOT Kane...

"What is wrong with me?" She asked herself quietly, so no one nearby could hear. "Why can't I focus..."

It dawned on her. The last time her mind was wrapped up in these thoughts of a man - the only time she recalled feeling this swelling in her chest, the tingling at her fingertips, and the yearning in her body...was when she fell for a man back at home. It was a silly crush when she thought back on it - she couldn't even remember his name. But she recognized she had immense feelings for him, her thoughts of no one else when he wasn't around. She was experiencing the same longing now, the desire she felt every time she daydreamed of being with the Commander again...it was all becoming horrifyingly obvious now:

She has feelings for Kane.

And what an unfortunate thing to have...the Supreme Commander, of all people? A man who holds authority over her and shares virtually little interaction with her? She had only seen and spoken with the man twice; it wasn't sensible to develop feelings for him! She knew how this would end already, and groaned in her bed. It would be a hopeless infatuation that would go away the moment she was sent away to continue with her training, and would never see him again. Or, at least, if she ever saw him...it would be far away, and she'd be in line with thousands of other soldiers. Nothing more but one of the many blurs in his vision. That is where she's going to inevitably end - she had no need to develop helpless crushes like these...

She sighed. I am the most pathetic person in all of Valencia right now...

Fate seemed to recognize her acceptance of her feelings. After a week of virtually nothing happening except wrapping up training and preparing to practice for their graduation, Kane inevitably made his appearance again. Except it wasn't on the balcony to watch his cadets, nor was he observing them from afar...he was on the training grounds. He wasn't in sight as everyone lined up for roll call, nor did any cadets spot him around when the sessions began. But when Valerie was called by General Rooke to the side, she found herself strolling straight towards the Commander, who looked as if he appeared virtually out of nowhere.

She felt her heart pumping fast in her chest, her hands getting a little sweaty as she reached them. She addressed them properly and looked to the General first. "You called for me, General Rooke?"

"It appears the Commander would like another word with you in private."

He turned to Kane and tipped his hat. With that, he left to tend to the other trainees. She felt speechless. Why was it that she kept getting pulled aside for unexplained reasons? Just once she'd like to understand what's going on. She already had enough on her plate - what with dealing with a growing infatuation with this man she barely knew, and had no right getting feelings for-

"Good afternoon. I apologize for my sudden appearance - if I'd have known I'd be here, I would've notified you beforehand." His voice interrupted her frantic thoughts. Her body shook hearing his accent that she dearly missed. Oh god, not again...

"It's perfectly fine, Commander." She spat out, trying to keep her voice steady. "What is it you have called me for this time, if-if I may ask?"

"Ah. Yes. I wanted to discuss your AIT with you. Something has come to my attention, and I wanted to speak of it with you personally." He started walking in an entirely different direction. "-Come."

She showed no hesitation to follow him at his boot's heels, looking around uncertainly. He was leading them towards the restricted gardens just below the training base. She had never set foot there nor did she ever want to, but now, she was fascinated as they easily passed by the guards and began walking on a trail. They were surrounded by many plants, trees, bushes, and grass homed specifically in this part of Valencia. She marveled at them as they slowly passed by, and suddenly it felt like she was back at her home with its beautiful nature. How she missed having walks every morning with her mother, enjoying the cool breeze in her hair and the gentle sun on her skin...

"How is your training coming along? Is the General wrapping things up nicely?" Kane suddenly asked. She blinked a few times, registering his question.

"Oh, yes, we're all going to prepare for graduation practice now. He said our final reports would be sent out after today."

The Commander said nothing. She felt herself steaming from under her uniform. She had been alone with him before, but not walking by his side, and in such a beautiful environment! She wondered why, out of everywhere, he picked this place to talk with her in private...this would be somewhere she'd go to alone, or with someone she'd like to share the views with. But this was strictly business. He only wanted to speak of her future plans with training. Something about that upset her.

He began talking, and she listened intently to every word. "-I was thinking of your answers to my questions the last time we talked, and couldn't help but recall you mentioned having grievances with Pirates."

He was thinking of me? She wondered to herself quietly, then nodded. "Yes. That is why I am here."

"I am surprised you didn't choose to join my navy, then." There was a hint of confusion in his voice. "It would increase your chances of fighting those pirates overseas. The path you're taking - it leads you nowhere near that."

She hung her head in shame. Slowly, she confessed. "I wanted to, but I...I cannot swim."

"You haven't learned..?"

She hesitated to reply. This would be something very personal..something she hasn't shared with many people before. "-I had a traumatic experience with water when I was young. I tried to overcome it, but to no success. My only other hope was to join the fight on land. That way, I figured, I am still contributing to the purpose."

She chewed on her lip, hoping that he would not think less of her for this fact. He observed her for a full minute before turning away, saying nothing. His stare didn't give her goosebumps like before, but it made her feel...hot. She was thankful for the breeze that suddenly passed by. She couldn't help but watch the wind as it went through his own hair, and noticed it was tied back into a ponytail. How did she not notice his long hair before? It was a gorgeous color of white. She gaped at it for a moment until he caught her stare, then she quickly looked away.

"How long has it been since you tried to swim?" He asked. She took a moment to think.

"Quite a long time. Years, actually..."

"Would you consider taking lessons again?" Her surprised look made him elaborate. "I only ask because, if you learn to swim in time, I can fit you into a better program with my navy. Since it's so early in the process, it's possible to do."

A tragic memory played in her mind: the horrible event when she was a child, nearly drowning to death...how awful it was to touch water since then, and the concern she felt for her father when he left overseas. She hated swimming. She despised every part of the process. When she had the courage to try again after all those years, she humiliated herself by failing to do anything. She knew the sea was no place for her, but she still strove to see those Pirates face-to-face so she can kill them herself. It was foolish the more she thought of it - she feared the ocean, yet her biggest enemy was on it all the time...

"No." She quickly shook her head, fighting the tears that threatened to come. "No. I don't think I can."

"Hm." Kane folded his hands together. "You seem to be afraid."

"-Wouldn't you!?" She realized she snapped and quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry, Commander...it's just that every time I find myself completely surrounded by water...I forget how to breathe, and how to move. I-I have nearly killed myself by drowning even as an adult! My aspirations are unreasonable if I am a coward..."

"You aren't a coward." She noticed he slowed down his pace. His next tone turned very serious. "Overcoming the fear surrounding your trauma is necessary. The challenge is learning to save your own life in time before you can let fear get ahead of you."

She looked at him in bewilderment. It sounded like he was speaking from his own experience...which she supposed he was. He must've been through more than she's ever had. She lowered her head and took his advice to heart. Would it be possible to go through all of that just to join his navy? She can achieve her dream if she succeeded. But if she continued on her path now, she'd just be one of his other soldiers and would possibly die at the hands of anyone. Her death wouldn't mean anything if she wasn't able to avenge her father towards the people who killed him.

"If you are willing to learn, then I will be willing to enroll you in lessons. I know of a private instructor who is considered the finest in Valencia. I can cover all the costs and provide you with everything necessary."

This offer was too good to refuse. Private lessons? At no cost? She nodded enthusiastically. "Commander, I would very much appreciate that."

"-I'll have to postpone your AIT until I can sort you into another program. For now, you should proceed with your graduation and meet with me the day after. We'll talk more about your plans then."

It made her feel a little uncertain changing her future, but she was confident this would be a better direction. Now she understood how better suited she'd be for the navy. All she had to do was learn how to swim. Her past experiences proved difficult, but with Kane's support, she should be able to learn fairly quickly. Just the thought of that excited her. She'll finally have the chance to take down Pirates.

"Thank you. You have no idea how much I look forward to this." She wrung her hands together. "I just wonder, why you would go through all that effort to help prepare me..?"

She waited for his answer and, after a few seconds, had the courage to look in his eyes again. She could see that glow in them once more. They looked more soft this way, and for a moment, she felt like she was sharing a gaze with any other normal man. As if she wasn't standing next to the Supreme Commander of the most sophisticated army of Valencia. Neither of them said anything for a few minutes. Valerie still desperately waited for his answer in this time. And eventually, Kane gave her the reply she waited for.

"I admire your ambitions, and I want to see you succeed. I want to see you get there - even if that means I have to help you." His tone sounded unusually light. "You caught my attention, Toscani, and you still have it."

Something about those last words...they made the butterflies return to her stomach and her hands become clammy all over again. She gave him a flustered smile, but that was all that was necessary. They continued their small walk through the gardens for a bit longer, even if there wasn't much else to say. And in this time, she felt a lot of emotions stir in her chest - reminding her why she was starting to feel this way for his man, and just wondering, deep down, if he shared the same fascination with her as she did with him...