Chapter 2:
Laura…
I looked down dumbly as the name lingered in my mind – fresh as reality, yet distant as death. My crimson eyes reflected upon the metal canister that I clutched tenaciously in my grimy hands, illuminating with an eerie glow that seems to capture my soul within its metallic confines. A simple, crude vessel that contained something that I cannot bear to speak. It felt heavy beyond words…
My mind slowly dragged back to that fateful autumn – two years ago, was it? It seems like an eternity. I was a mere fourteen back then, still youthfully energetic and oblivious of all the world's suffering. I no longer grieved for father's death, nor for mother's, which ensued shortly after.
That afternoon, I pranced to the local academy of Crimson Falls. Typical of that particular season, the streets were once again engulfed in deep, rolling waves of fallen leaves. Like Laura and myself, many youths were left orphaned as the adults committed themselves to Corneria's protection. Every night was a tearful departure. Every night was a tragedy replayed, and yet, I managed to stay positive and naïve as I was. No, that is an understatement – I was rather egocentric and hotheaded, for I led the class in both piloting and infantry training.
As usual, I walked into the classroom with head held high, and tossing my book bag to the side, I plunked down in my seat at the front of the classroom. First period was as boring as it gets. For two hours, the tigress professor lectured about the functions of the standard CL-16 Hornet Class Starfighter and the physics involved. There was no point in listening – I aced everything anyway. Quickly sliding to a slouched position in my seat, I propped my forehead against my fists and gradually dozed off.
But that day was different. While everyone else was seated, I noticed someone standing – waiting calmly by the threshold. I was left with no time to wonder. Slamming her fists on the textbook that lay open before her, the professor quickly gathered attention.
"Okay class," the tigress announced in her vibrant voice. I did not like her particularly brand of speech, but I listened all the same. "Our academy is proud and honored to receive an outstanding student from Katina. Let us all welcome – Laura Heathcliff!"
The whole class broke out in erratic gasps of amazement, as if they had just seen Andross himself. Laura what? I didn't care; it's not like anyone could surpass me, or so I thought in my arrogance. One thing, however, captivated my attention as I gave the newcomer a cursory glance. She looked rather… fine. Yes. She was a young lupine, clad in tight apparel which revealed a mature figure that belied her youthfulness. Her eyes were of a fiery red, just like mine, and lustrous brown hair fell down softly upon her slender shoulders. As she gave her lengthy introductory speech, her vivacious face lit into a sweet, cheerful smile. However, I had little interest in Laura beyond her looks, and even her appearance could do little to dispel the boredom-induced drowsiness that hung about me. I dropped my head on the desk and closed my eyes, gradually allowing consciousness to drift elsewhere.
My ears twitched as I heard light footsteps and shuffling textbooks in close proximity. Opening a sleepy eye, I watched as Laura walked to the desk adjacent to mine and dropped all her belongs near the seat. She leaned over and whispered cheerfully.
"Hello, Summers."
"What? How did you know my name?" I inquired in bemusement, brows furrowed in annoyance. For certain, I did not particularly enjoy people disrupting my rest. Even the instructor knew that.
"Well, who doesn't, you're Branwell arn'cha? Glad to meet someone of the same caliber," she spoke such confident words in the same innocent smile.
"Heh, you wish. Just don't bother me," I grunted crossly and plunked my head down once more. Who did she think she was? General Pepper's daughter?
She could have been annoyed by my unsolicited crass manners, but instead, she laughed in good humor.
I learned later, in the subsequent flight training, that she was the daughter of an achieved admiral in the fleet of far-off Katina. In the wakes of the Wars of Extradition, however, all the occupants of the planet were forced into evacuation – and among the refugees was Laura. But from rumors, her parents stayed behind and defended the planet to their deaths. The news sparked some sympathy in me, for I knew the hardships of solitude all too well. Yet, there were no signs of sorrow in her sprightly disposition.
However, all my former understandings and compassion were swept aside as she skillfully tore my ship into a mangled mess during the flight simulator – and along with my ship, she mopped the floor with my oversized ego. Each subsequent defeat fueled an aversion towards this new genius in town, and what irked me more was the seemingly amiable smile she gave me after each of her victory. Laura paid lavish attention to me, as if she didn't mind my crude remarks. I detested the very sight of her smile. Well… that is, for a while. Things change quickly, as does the colors of the falling leaves.
As I quickly grew irritable over my constant failure, everyday, I would retreat to a clearing near the lanes of the wide starport, and there I lay in brooding dissatisfaction. It was like every other day since Laura's widely publicized arrival. She received appreciative acclaim, and I, growing stigma. I lost to her again – "her" being the emphasis. Even words of encouragement by my friends resulted in strings of ill-tempered cursing from me. The knowledge of my unchallenged superiority in infantry training was the only thing that kept me in the academy at all.
As I lay there in the grassy clearing and watching the jets roaring overhead, I could hear the sound of rustling grass draw closer and closer. And then the view of the azure skies was suddenly blocked by the grinning face of a female lupine. I yelped in surprise and scrambled away.
"Hello Summers," Laura said and smiled sweetly in her vivacious fashion. One would not recognize these innocent features as those of a lethal ace pilot.
"What do you want?" I growled back, gathering my composure.
"Well, I just came by to say hello. You seem to be in a bad mood."
"Humph, none of your business," I grunted, looking away from her in annoyed embarrassment. She quickly walked to me and held my face in her tender hands, turning my gaze to meet hers.
"You don't seem to be very happy to see me. Do you really hate me that much?"
I was at a lost for words. Her glittering eyes stared straight into mine, our muzzles coming dangerously close. My jaw relaxed as the lustrous crimson gradually captivated my soul, and as the awkward silence protracted onwards, my sulking frown softened into a mild countenance of bemusement. With a gentle finger, she tapped my jaw shut, jolting me out of the trance.
"Yes?" she demanded.
"Umm… no… I mean, yes!" I stammered, spinning my head away from her mesmerizing gaze. She giggled at my dogged behavior.
"What? Is it because I'm female, and women aren't supposed to surpass men in piloting, huh?" she insisted.
"Oh you wish! You haven't beaten me yet. Just watch out next time."
True to her mild temperament, she sat down on the grass beside me and sighed in respond – not in contempt, but in a sort of personal comfort unbeknownst to me. After looking down at the fields for a lengthy period of time, she finally spoke again.
"Summers?"
"Yeah?"
"You're by yourself, right?" Laura asked softly as she gazed out absently into the distance.
"What do you mean 'by myself'?"
"I mean… you don't have a family, or anyone to lean to?"
"Heh, yeah, since five, but I don't need support – I don't need anyone, for that matter," I replied, impatience ever apparent in my voice.
"The independent Branwell, huh?"
She sighed again and returned to silence, as if musing about something beyond the realms of thinking. For a while, all I could hear was the rustling of leaves, and the soft breeze whistling faintly as it washed over the branches of trees. I looked back at her in bewilderment, wondering about her true intentions. What did she want to say?
"Do you ever worry about just disappearing from the universe without anyone ever noticing? I mean, don't you feel tired of holding out against the whole world and fighting all by yourself?" she continued, immersed in her thinking. Her smile dwindled into a forlorn gaze.
"I don't fight by myself. I fight for myself."
Laura looked down and laughed a little, covering a faint smile with one hand.
"What's so funny?"
"Well, nothing… I'm talking nonsense aren't I?"
"I don't get you, but whatever."
An unbreakable silence protracted onwards, and there we sat in the fields, staring blankly into the blue skies. I never felt that comfortable in a stranger's presence, but somehow, I did not mind Laura anymore. The silence was not one of discomfort, but of mutual understanding that transcended what blunt words could express – an understanding unfettered by the contortion of verbal misinterpretation and skeptic distrust. For once, I dropped my perpetual frown, along with the untrusting guard that I held against the world for so long.
Laura…
I looked down dumbly as the name lingered in my mind – fresh as reality, yet distant as death. My crimson eyes reflected upon the metal canister that I clutched tenaciously in my grimy hands, illuminating with an eerie glow that seems to capture my soul within its metallic confines. A simple, crude vessel that contained something that I cannot bear to speak. It felt heavy beyond words…
My mind slowly dragged back to that fateful autumn – two years ago, was it? It seems like an eternity. I was a mere fourteen back then, still youthfully energetic and oblivious of all the world's suffering. I no longer grieved for father's death, nor for mother's, which ensued shortly after.
That afternoon, I pranced to the local academy of Crimson Falls. Typical of that particular season, the streets were once again engulfed in deep, rolling waves of fallen leaves. Like Laura and myself, many youths were left orphaned as the adults committed themselves to Corneria's protection. Every night was a tearful departure. Every night was a tragedy replayed, and yet, I managed to stay positive and naïve as I was. No, that is an understatement – I was rather egocentric and hotheaded, for I led the class in both piloting and infantry training.
As usual, I walked into the classroom with head held high, and tossing my book bag to the side, I plunked down in my seat at the front of the classroom. First period was as boring as it gets. For two hours, the tigress professor lectured about the functions of the standard CL-16 Hornet Class Starfighter and the physics involved. There was no point in listening – I aced everything anyway. Quickly sliding to a slouched position in my seat, I propped my forehead against my fists and gradually dozed off.
But that day was different. While everyone else was seated, I noticed someone standing – waiting calmly by the threshold. I was left with no time to wonder. Slamming her fists on the textbook that lay open before her, the professor quickly gathered attention.
"Okay class," the tigress announced in her vibrant voice. I did not like her particularly brand of speech, but I listened all the same. "Our academy is proud and honored to receive an outstanding student from Katina. Let us all welcome – Laura Heathcliff!"
The whole class broke out in erratic gasps of amazement, as if they had just seen Andross himself. Laura what? I didn't care; it's not like anyone could surpass me, or so I thought in my arrogance. One thing, however, captivated my attention as I gave the newcomer a cursory glance. She looked rather… fine. Yes. She was a young lupine, clad in tight apparel which revealed a mature figure that belied her youthfulness. Her eyes were of a fiery red, just like mine, and lustrous brown hair fell down softly upon her slender shoulders. As she gave her lengthy introductory speech, her vivacious face lit into a sweet, cheerful smile. However, I had little interest in Laura beyond her looks, and even her appearance could do little to dispel the boredom-induced drowsiness that hung about me. I dropped my head on the desk and closed my eyes, gradually allowing consciousness to drift elsewhere.
My ears twitched as I heard light footsteps and shuffling textbooks in close proximity. Opening a sleepy eye, I watched as Laura walked to the desk adjacent to mine and dropped all her belongs near the seat. She leaned over and whispered cheerfully.
"Hello, Summers."
"What? How did you know my name?" I inquired in bemusement, brows furrowed in annoyance. For certain, I did not particularly enjoy people disrupting my rest. Even the instructor knew that.
"Well, who doesn't, you're Branwell arn'cha? Glad to meet someone of the same caliber," she spoke such confident words in the same innocent smile.
"Heh, you wish. Just don't bother me," I grunted crossly and plunked my head down once more. Who did she think she was? General Pepper's daughter?
She could have been annoyed by my unsolicited crass manners, but instead, she laughed in good humor.
I learned later, in the subsequent flight training, that she was the daughter of an achieved admiral in the fleet of far-off Katina. In the wakes of the Wars of Extradition, however, all the occupants of the planet were forced into evacuation – and among the refugees was Laura. But from rumors, her parents stayed behind and defended the planet to their deaths. The news sparked some sympathy in me, for I knew the hardships of solitude all too well. Yet, there were no signs of sorrow in her sprightly disposition.
However, all my former understandings and compassion were swept aside as she skillfully tore my ship into a mangled mess during the flight simulator – and along with my ship, she mopped the floor with my oversized ego. Each subsequent defeat fueled an aversion towards this new genius in town, and what irked me more was the seemingly amiable smile she gave me after each of her victory. Laura paid lavish attention to me, as if she didn't mind my crude remarks. I detested the very sight of her smile. Well… that is, for a while. Things change quickly, as does the colors of the falling leaves.
As I quickly grew irritable over my constant failure, everyday, I would retreat to a clearing near the lanes of the wide starport, and there I lay in brooding dissatisfaction. It was like every other day since Laura's widely publicized arrival. She received appreciative acclaim, and I, growing stigma. I lost to her again – "her" being the emphasis. Even words of encouragement by my friends resulted in strings of ill-tempered cursing from me. The knowledge of my unchallenged superiority in infantry training was the only thing that kept me in the academy at all.
As I lay there in the grassy clearing and watching the jets roaring overhead, I could hear the sound of rustling grass draw closer and closer. And then the view of the azure skies was suddenly blocked by the grinning face of a female lupine. I yelped in surprise and scrambled away.
"Hello Summers," Laura said and smiled sweetly in her vivacious fashion. One would not recognize these innocent features as those of a lethal ace pilot.
"What do you want?" I growled back, gathering my composure.
"Well, I just came by to say hello. You seem to be in a bad mood."
"Humph, none of your business," I grunted, looking away from her in annoyed embarrassment. She quickly walked to me and held my face in her tender hands, turning my gaze to meet hers.
"You don't seem to be very happy to see me. Do you really hate me that much?"
I was at a lost for words. Her glittering eyes stared straight into mine, our muzzles coming dangerously close. My jaw relaxed as the lustrous crimson gradually captivated my soul, and as the awkward silence protracted onwards, my sulking frown softened into a mild countenance of bemusement. With a gentle finger, she tapped my jaw shut, jolting me out of the trance.
"Yes?" she demanded.
"Umm… no… I mean, yes!" I stammered, spinning my head away from her mesmerizing gaze. She giggled at my dogged behavior.
"What? Is it because I'm female, and women aren't supposed to surpass men in piloting, huh?" she insisted.
"Oh you wish! You haven't beaten me yet. Just watch out next time."
True to her mild temperament, she sat down on the grass beside me and sighed in respond – not in contempt, but in a sort of personal comfort unbeknownst to me. After looking down at the fields for a lengthy period of time, she finally spoke again.
"Summers?"
"Yeah?"
"You're by yourself, right?" Laura asked softly as she gazed out absently into the distance.
"What do you mean 'by myself'?"
"I mean… you don't have a family, or anyone to lean to?"
"Heh, yeah, since five, but I don't need support – I don't need anyone, for that matter," I replied, impatience ever apparent in my voice.
"The independent Branwell, huh?"
She sighed again and returned to silence, as if musing about something beyond the realms of thinking. For a while, all I could hear was the rustling of leaves, and the soft breeze whistling faintly as it washed over the branches of trees. I looked back at her in bewilderment, wondering about her true intentions. What did she want to say?
"Do you ever worry about just disappearing from the universe without anyone ever noticing? I mean, don't you feel tired of holding out against the whole world and fighting all by yourself?" she continued, immersed in her thinking. Her smile dwindled into a forlorn gaze.
"I don't fight by myself. I fight for myself."
Laura looked down and laughed a little, covering a faint smile with one hand.
"What's so funny?"
"Well, nothing… I'm talking nonsense aren't I?"
"I don't get you, but whatever."
An unbreakable silence protracted onwards, and there we sat in the fields, staring blankly into the blue skies. I never felt that comfortable in a stranger's presence, but somehow, I did not mind Laura anymore. The silence was not one of discomfort, but of mutual understanding that transcended what blunt words could express – an understanding unfettered by the contortion of verbal misinterpretation and skeptic distrust. For once, I dropped my perpetual frown, along with the untrusting guard that I held against the world for so long.