AN: Halfway through, I start referring to our little dears as "Zechs" &
"Noin" rather than "Luie" & "Milli." After that point, they will no longer
be referred to as "Luie" or "Milli" (with the occasional exception in
dialogue). Read on, it makes sense in the context of the scene.
The Lilac Princess
Part 14
By Lady Dante
Daylight to Darkness…
The sterile corridor of the hospital was crowded with
technicians, patients and bystanders waiting for word on loved ones. At the end
of the hall, sitting amongst the long row of uncomfortable plastic seats,
waited two young children. They were huddled together, staring blankly at the
wall across from them. The boy, his face an emotionless mask, had his arm
around the shoulders of his companion. The girl was clearly upset, but trying
desperately not to cry. Her eyes were red-rimmed from the effort to hold back
tears and her face was contorted with worry. She clung to the boy next to her,
clutching the front of his shirt with one hand as though someone might walk by
and rip him away.
In a nearby examination room, an old woman was finally
declared dead by the team of doctors and nurses who had tried so valiantly to
revive her. The senior physician let out a slow breath and took a moment to collect
her thoughts before exiting the small room in search of the woman's
grandchildren. The young doctor and her assistants had worked on the elderly
woman for over an hour, but the damage caused by her heart attack was too
severe. In addition, the poor woman had suffered several small strokes in quick
succession during the episode. Even if her heart had been strong enough to
withstand the attack, the strokes would have certainly caused significant brain
damage. The young woman rubbed her eyes wearily. The cause was no longer
important, just the result. The woman was gone and the doctor had to face two
frightened grandchildren. She found them a few minutes later, hunched together
in the waiting area.
"Are you the Pallidino family?" the doctor asked gently.
"Yes," the children responded in unison as they sprang to
their feet.
The doctor knelt in front of the children and considered her
words before speaking. There was no easy way to tell someone that a member of
their family had passed. She knew from experience that the best way to relay
such tragic news was to say it simply and quickly. In spite of her unfortunate
familiarity with this type of situation, looking into those hopeful but worried
faces made the task incredibly difficult.
"I'm sorry, but…I'm afraid your grandmother is gone."
"You mean she's dead." The boy's voice was low and
surprisingly calm. The girl's eyes, by contrast, grew wide with fright and she
tightened her grip on the boy's shirt.
"Yes, I mean she is dead." The doctor watched the children a
moment, prepared to offer what comfort she could, but the youngsters simply
stared at her. She reached out with open arms, but the two took a startled step
backwards. The boy glared up at the young woman as she stood. He clearly saw
her as an enemy of some sort, though the doctor couldn't understand why.
"Is there someone I can call for you? A relative or perhaps
some friends of your grandmother?"
The doctor certainly hoped she wouldn't have to call the
authorities. The idea of sending those children to an Alliance military
orphanage turned her stomach. The
children looked at each other for a moment before nodding and turning back to
the doctor. The boy gave the name of a family that lived across the street,
indicating that they would probably be willing to help. After a moment of
hesitation, the little girl spoke up and asked for a priest, ignoring the frown
that spread across the boy's face. She seemed determined to have a priest for
her nana.
"…and I want to see Nana before the priest comes," the girl
said quietly. She swiped at her eyes with the back of her hand as she searched
her pockets for a handkerchief, probably the same one the doctor had found in
the old woman's hand. Noting her lack of success, the boy pulled out his own
handkerchief and handed it to the girl as he added, "Yeah. We want to see
Nana."
"Children, I don't think that is such a good idea…"
"We want to see her…now." The boy's voice was composed and
devoid of emotion as he interrupted the doctor, glaring at the woman in what seemed
to be a challenge.
She could tell by their demeanor that an argument would be
useless, so the doctor consented. The young woman directed them to stay put for
a few minutes while she made the necessary arrangements. She could understand
their need to say goodbye, but it would do them no good to see their
grandmother laid out ungracefully on a gurney with tubes protruding from her
frail body. The doctor instructed the nurses to clean the old woman up quickly
and cover her with a blanket before allowing the children to enter.
The little girl approached her grandmother first, reaching
up to timidly stroke the old woman's cold cheek with one hand and gripping the
handkerchief with the other. A tear escaped the girl's eye, leaving a thin
trail down her cheek. The child bowed her head slightly and a veil of hair
obscured her face. The boy stood rigidly by his grandmother's lifeless body,
fists clenched firmly at his side. He closed his eyes briefly and inhaled
before taking the girl's arm to lead her out of the room. The young doctor took
the youngsters to a small lounge and left to make the necessary calls. The two
sat in silence for some time before the girl spoke up softly.
"We should say a prayer for Nana."
"No…I don't think we should," Milli responded through
gritted teeth. His hands were still clenched and his expression was hard. The
last thing he wanted to do right now was pray.
His response irked Luie somewhat and she stood to face him.
"I'm going to find the chapel and pray for Nana," she stated, scrunching her
own hands into tight fists. "She said a prayer over us every day and she would
want us to say a prayer for her right now."
She waited for Milli to say something before finally adding, "I'm going
to find the chapel…you can stay here if you want." With that, Luie strode
decisively to the door. Milli let out an annoyed sigh as he stood to follow. He
would go with Luie to the chapel, but he had no intention of praying ever
again. The pair wandered through the halls for a few minutes before finding the
small chapel room.
Luie entered without hesitation, taking up a post on the
front pew. She crossed herself and bowed her head in silent prayer. Milli
followed the girl with some uncertainty. He really had nothing to say to God
and didn't want to be anywhere that reminded him of all of God's broken
promises. The boy was reluctant to leave his friend alone, however, and joined
her on the front pew. Milli decided he could tolerate the chapel—it was just a
room, after all—but he would not pray. He couldn't even bring himself to pray
for Luie's sake. He had prayed for Nana when she fell ill. God ignored him. He
had prayed for his mama the day Cinq fell. God ignored him.
Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall
receive.
That had been drilled into his brain since he was a small
boy. Church, school, his own mama and even Nana Ingrid…they all taught him to
pray and they were all wrong. God didn't care. If God cared, then the world
wouldn't be full of such pain. If God didn't care about him, Milli stubbornly
decided, then he wouldn't care about God anymore. He would never talk to God
again.
Finally, he couldn't stand it anymore. He couldn't sit there
and pretend that God was great, God was good. As far as Milli was concerned,
God was cruel and the boy could no longer sit there respectfully, acting as
though he felt any other way. Milli stood calmly and scooted past Luie. When
she looked up at him with her wide, tear-filled eyes, Milli smiled thinly and
said, "I'll be right outside." Luie nodded, but frowned slightly. For some
reason, that made the boy a bit uncomfortable and he felt the need to give an
excuse for his absence.
"I want to see if the priest is here yet."
He didn't really, and Luie knew it, but she didn't try to
stop Milli as he left the chapel. Luie knew it would make Nana sad to see the
boy acting like that again. She bowed her head and once again tried to pray.
She wanted to pray for Nana and Milli both, but the words wouldn't form. Sister
Marguerite once told Luie that when the words wouldn't come to mind, she should
make herself still and let God read the words in her heart. The heartbroken
child sat alone in the darkened chapel and endeavored to quiet her mind. In the
stillness, she began to softly cry again, but without the shame that usually
accompanied her tears. She hated to cry, but she was alone with God now, so it
was all right. God wouldn't think she was silly to cry. He understood
everything.
A gentle smile suddenly broke through Luie's tears as she thought
about Nana Ingrid in Heaven. She pictured her beloved grandmother walking into
Heaven and immediately picking up a broom to sweep the golden streets. The
little girl let out a giggle at the image. Nana was safe and free of pain. Most
of the people Luie had loved in her short life were in Heaven now—Nana, Mrs.
Katrina, Captain Damon, Sister Marguerite—everyone except Milli. Luie didn't
understand why God had to take away all of the grown ups she loved, but she was
grateful that he hadn't taken Milli. She wasn't alone. They would be all right
as long as they were together.
Outside in the hall, Milli paced impatiently. He was
struggling with the anger welling up inside of him. He didn't try to push aside
his mounting fury; rather he simply tried to keep it under control. He clung to
his anger with the same tenacity that Luie clung to her faith in God. His anger
never failed him. The boy took a strange kind of comfort in the constancy of
his rage. It was his and his alone. It wasn't something that could be stolen or
wiped away. Milli's anger gave him power. Power made him strong and he had to
be strong.
The boy scuffed his feet and walked to the end of the hall.
He leaned against the corner and looked around to see the doctor he spoke to
earlier conversing with their neighbors, the Penorellas. He knew he should make
his presence known, but in his experience, the only way to find out what adults
were up to was by eavesdropping. He hid himself from view and listened. The
doctor had already informed the couple of Ingrid's death and now the trio was
discussing what to do with the children. The Penorellas offered to take Milli
and Luie in temporarily, as Milli had assumed they would, but the couple sadly
stated that they could not afford to have the children live with them
permanently. The couple had five youngsters of their own and barely enough
money to keep them in food and clothes. It certainly was not possible to add
two more to the bunch without severely depleting their resources. After talking
about the possibility of another local family taking them in, the grown ups
realized that this was not a real option. The other families in the
neighborhood were no better off than the Penorellas. Reluctantly, the doctor
agreed to contact the local orphanage. Milli
felt himself tense at the suggestion. The local orphanage was little more than
a training ground for Alliance foot soldiers. Most orphanages had been placed
under the authority of the Alliance military two years ago. Many new Alliance
recruits were produced at these schools. The idea that he could end up serving
the very organization that had ruined his life fueled the boy's already
smoldering rage. He darted back to the chapel, determined not to let the
grownups win this time.
He dashed into the darkened room and grabbed Luie's arm,
trying to explain as quickly as he could while hauling her out of the hospital.
They snuck out of the back entrance and raced home. The frantic children burst
into their little house and set about gathering supplies. They pulled out their
backpacks and quickly emptied the contents, discarding the schoolbooks and
other such paraphernalia to make room for what they would need. They gathered
some clothing, a blanket and flashlight. Milli pulled out the pocket knife he
had hidden from Ingrid, who thought he was too young to carry a knife, and put
it in his pocket. They gathered a few loaves of bread and all the fruit that
would fit into one of the backpacks. Their time in the refugee camps had
prepared them for the life that awaited them on the streets. The children knew
what was required to survive, what supplies were necessary, what should be left
behind. As they gathered their coats, Milli had the idea to take the rent money
Ingrid kept in the cookie jar. Luie didn't like the idea of taking the money—it
should go to the landlord, she thought—but Milli convinced her that the owner
could sell the rest of their belongings to make up for what they took. The girl
still didn't like it, but acquiesced. That money along with what they had earned
in the market earlier should last for a while, at least long enough to figure
out some sort of plan.
While Milli retrieved the money, Luie gathered her treasure
box and stuffed it into her backpack. She grabbed Milli's small sketchpad from
the pile of school books and rummaged for a couple of pencils as well. Wherever
they ended up, he could still sketch and she could still sing. They decided to
hide out for a few days in a small cave they found at the seashore near the
Fortezza Vechia. It was a narrow passage, only a few feet high inside. Perfect
for children, claustrophobic for adults. As they stepped through the door, they
turned back for one last look at their dearly loved cottage. Another life
ended, another journey to begin. They held hands as they ran down the narrow
street towards the shore, thankful that it was getting dark and no one was
outside to see them escape.
The pair ducked into the small cave and sat down with
relief. They had absolutely no idea what to do next, but for now, they were safe.
The cave was well hidden and high enough to avoid the rising tide. They could
stay there until they thought of a plan. As night fell across the small town,
the two children tried to make themselves comfortable in their temporary home.
They spread out the blanket and lay down to sleep. The grieving youngsters used
the old flight jackets they had acquired so long ago as blankets and tried to
sleep. Luie gave herself up to the call of slumber easily, preferring the
confusion of her dreams to the painful reality of their new predicament. Milli
refused to give in to the night, laying awake in an attempt to formulate some
solution to their problem.
They would have to run away, there was no questioning that,
but where? Where could they live without the fear of being separated or sent to
the Alliance? Both he and Luie were in danger from the Alliance. Because of his
resemblance to King Stefan, Milli would eventually be recognized by some UES
official as the crown prince of Cinq and Luie…they still didn't know why, but
the Alliance wanted her as well. They had to hide. The two had already decided
that they would only use their secret nicknames from now on. No more "Luie" and
"Milli." Those happy children died along with their Nana and the chance for a
normal life. From now on, they would be "Zechs" and "Noin" to every one…and
they would run. Far away and as fast as they could. Zechs was good at running.
He liked running. He was almost fast enough now…almost fast enough…almost…
The boy finally dozed off in spite of himself but woke
sometime later with a start. He had another nightmare. It wasn't the same dream
he had in the camps, but it was worse in many ways. This new, ugly dream wasn't
a memory that could be returned to its dark corner in the boy's mind. Rather it
was formed of pure fear. Fear of what might happen. Fear for Relena and
Noin. The boy looked over at his friend, sleeping somewhat peacefully cocooned
in her jacket. He couldn't lose her. He couldn't be alone. He had thought of a
plan earlier, a plan to make sure they could stay together. Leaving Livorno was
necessary, but he wasn't sure about the other part of the scheme. Noin wasn't
going to like that part. He tried to think of an alternative, but with no
success. If they were going into hiding again, then it made more sense to use
his first idea. Noin would have to become a boy.
Zechs watched the girl as she slept, reaching over at one
point to finger a lock of her soft hair. Zechs would never tell her, of course,
but he liked her hair. It hung down to her knees in long, dark waves and was
the same deep, rich shade as the midnight sky. Everyone complemented her hair,
which was why he tried to think of a new plan. If she were to become a boy, her
hair would have to go. He wasn't sure if he could do that to her, cut her hair,
but it was the best plan. They would be looking for a girl and a boy, not two
boys. They could hide better as boys. She would be safer if everyone thought
she was a boy. If they thought she was a boy. That was another problem.
Noin was too pretty to pass for a boy. Her voice was too soft, her smile too
bright. Her violet eyes had the hint of an almond shape, just enough to give
her an exotic, very feminine appearance. She was just too pretty and that was a
problem.
It wasn't the first time her looks had caused Zechs trouble.
There were always boys hanging around Noin at school, offering to carry her
books and smiling at her like goofy idiots. Although he knew she could stand up
for herself, Zechs nonetheless felt like he had to protect Noin from those
silly boys. There was one boy in particular, named Paolo. He was a year older
than Zechs and rather tall, with black hair, black eyes and a smooth olive
complexion…everything the smaller, perpetually sunburned Zechs wasn't.
Paolo wasn't a bad person--under different circumstances they might have
been friends--but Paolo was just too…something. Zechs could never figure
out exactly what it was he didn't like about the other boy. Paolo was always
smiling and friendly. Zechs could sometimes be moody and cross. So much so,
that other kids were often afraid of him and kept their distance. No one was
ever afraid of Paolo. He was one of those charismatic youths who seemed to
inspire loyalty and admiration from everyone. Even Noin. She was always polite
and amiable with other children, but she seemed friendlier with Paolo and her
smile got bigger. Worst of all, the other boy could sing. To Zechs' chagrin,
Paolo and Noin were often selected to sing duets in the choir. It was exactly
what Zechs had always wanted to do himself and seeing another person singing
with Noin was irritating.
As advanced as he was intellectually, Zechs was still just a
boy and subject to childish fears. Deep in his heart he worried that Noin might
not want to be his best friend if she could be Paolo's friend instead. Noin was
his only confidante and he couldn't stand the idea that she might not want to
be his friend anymore, that he might lose her. She was the only constant in his
life. He had learned long ago that he could rely on himself and Noin, but
little else. Zechs wasn't sure what he would do if he lost her, too. It was his
worst fear, really, other than something bad happening to Relena.
The nightmare he had earlier came back with sudden
viciousness. In this appalling dream, he watched both little girls die, as he
stood by helpless. As helpless as the day he watched his parents die. Helpless
as the moment Nana died. Helpless. It made him sad and angry all at once. He
vacillated between the urge to smash something to splinters and the need to sob
in grief. The boy closed his eyes for a moment, forcing the old feelings back
down into the captivity of his subconscious. He got up, careful not to jostle
Noin, and moved to the cave opening. He sat with his back to his sleeping friend
and tried to ignore the emotions welling up inside of him, threatening to bring
a torrent of tears. Crying was not a luxury he allowed himself anymore. He had
to be strong. He had to hurry up and become an adult. His goal now was to grow
up and become strong. It was the
only way to protect the baby sister he loved and the best friend who sustained
him.
He wondered about Relena. He told himself she was safe with
the Darlians, but it never helped. He still worried. He wanted so much to go
visit her, just for a little while, but he knew it wasn't possible. He would be
recognized. The older Zechs got, the more he looked like King Stefan.
His father's face sprang unbidden into the boy's mind along with a fresh
wave of guilt. His father would be ashamed of him now--the fights, the
anger--but Zechs no longer knew any other way to live. He wasn't Prince
Milliardo anymore and never would be again. He was just Zechs now, an angry boy
with one purpose. Zechs could never be the man his father expected and was ashamed
to realize he didn't really want to try.
"I'm sorry Father," the boy whispered to the still night
sky.
Behind the sullen boy, Noin stirred and turned over.
Noticing her companion by the cave entrance, the girl became concerned and got
up to go to him. Zechs was hunched over, his expression taut. She could see the
muscles in his jaw flex. He was grinding his teeth. She knew what that meant.
Noin sat down behind Zechs and leaned against his back.
She felt his muscles tighten at the contact and spoke to him softly.
"You have a bad dream?" It was obvious that the dream was
particularly awful.
"Yes," he answered slowly.
"You want to talk about it?"
He shifted a bit, and Noin thought he might actually tell
her about it this time. He used to tell her about the dreams when they were
smaller. The older they got, the less he wanted to talk about his family and
how they died. She understood. She had her own nightmares to contend with.
"No," he finally responded, "I don't think so…"
"O.K." She wouldn't push. Noin never pushed him to talk
about his nightmares any more than he pushed her to talk about hers. She would
just let him know he wasn't alone. She was there for him. She let her head fall
back against his shoulder and looked up at the stars.
They sat there, comfortably silent, for a long time.
"Noin?"
"Hm?"
"Would you…" Zechs stopped as though considering his
request. Noin turned her head slightly, waiting for him to continue. "Would you
sing your song?" She nodded and began to hum the tune. Noin felt the boy's back
muscles relax as she sang.
"Stella,
stellina, La notte s'avvicina."
Zechs
looked up at the stars and thought back to the night he first heard that
song…so long ago.
"La fiamma
traballa, La mucca e' nella stalla."
He tried
to remember his mother's voice…she had such a beautiful voice.
"La
mucca, il vitello, La pecora e l'agnello."
His
mother's voice. His mother's eyes. His mother's smile. All gone now…except…
"La
chioccia e il pulcino, Ognuno ha il suo bambino."
Except that
part of his mama lived on in Relena. His sister's eyes. His sister's smile…out
there somewhere…
"Ognuno ha
la sua mamma,"
It was his
responsibility to protect her. He had to be strong to protect her. He had to
keep going for her…he promised.
"E tutti fan
la nanna."
Zechs
would defy every lesson his father taught him in order to keep the promise to
his mama. Zechs listened to Noin's lovely voice as she began singing the song
again. He and Noin would have to fight to survive. Survive to grow up. Grow up to
become strong. Become strong to protect Relena…and each other. Just like the
story he made up for Noin. They had to grow up strong enough to fight the
dragon.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
They spent
the next few days safely sequestered in their small enclave, only venturing out
at night for fear of being spotted. They took turns sleeping, one on watch as
the other slumbered uneasily. This night, Zechs took first watch, then "forgot"
to wake Noin when it was her turn. He didn't mind letting her sleep and he
certainly didn't want to risk having the dream again, so he just stayed awake
as long as he could. He sat at the cave entrance, watching the ocean and
waiting for sunrise.
Early the
next morning, just before the sun rose above the green waves of the sea, an
intruder surprised Zechs. The sky was light enough to see, but still gray and
dark enough for the intruder to remain hidden in the shadows of the rocky
outcropping as he approached. Zechs heard him just as the stranger reached the
far end of the outcropping that shielded the cave entrance. He quickly stepped
out of the cave, positioned himself on a small ledge above the cave, and waited
for the trespasser to walk by. The stranger advanced toward the cave and was
stopped just as he bent down to enter. Zechs jumped on the unsuspecting
interloper and began raining a barrage of blows upon the stranger. The person
Zechs had pinned returned a few punches, more in self-defense than in any real
attempt to harm his attacker. Zechs continued to struggle blindly with the
intruder until Noin suddenly threw herself into the mix.
"Stop!
Quit it! It's just Paolo!" The little girl wrenched Zechs backwards and off the
older boy.
"What are
you doing here?! What do you want?!" Zechs demanded angrily, still deciding if
he should continue to beat the other boy into submission.
"I heard
what happened to your grandmother and I wanted to see if I could help," the
other boy panted as he backed away a few inches.
"We don't
need your help." Zechs was calm again, but still ready to scrap if necessary.
Noin responded with an annoyed look for Zechs and turned to speak to Paolo.
"I'm
sorry," she apologized as she helped the boy stand. "Are you all right?"
"Yes. I
apologize for frightening you. I should have called out…I am such a jock."
"Jerk."
Zechs corrected.
"Yes,
jerk." Paolo spoke the formal English taught in school. His use of slang was
sometimes rather comical. The older boy smiled down at Noin and continued, "Are
you all right? Everyone has been looking for you."
Noin's
reply was interrupted by an angry question from Zechs. "How did you know to
look here? Who else have you told?"
"Nobody
else knows you are here," Paolo responded reasonably, "and I have known about
this cave since I was eight. I found it when I was wandering on the beach." His
statement elicited a glare from Zechs and a worried look from Noin. "Only one
or two other children know about it," Paolo continued quickly, "and they would
never tell the grownups. It's a secret and I won't tell anyone where you are, I
give my word." Noin smiled, satisfied that Paolo would not betray them. Zechs,
however, took a little convincing.
"Why?"
Zechs demanded.
"Pardon?"
Paolo asked in confusion.
"Why are
you helping us?"
"Because I
can," the taller boy answered with a shrug. "Oh…I almost forgot," Paolo
continued, pulling a bundle out of his pocket, "I brought some sandwiches in
case you were hungry."
He handed
the food over to the children. Noin thanked him graciously, elbowing Zechs
before he could protest that they already had food. Zechs grumbled his
appreciation and sat down to eat his sandwich. It was actually very good and
the boy quickly devoured the snack. The three sat just inside the cave, eating
and talking. Paolo informed the other two of the search being conducted by the
local authorities and the plan to send them to an Alliance orphanage in a
nearby town. Zechs and Noin had assumed as much from the beginning, but now
they had to face the reality of the situation. They would have to leave soon.
Zechs
brought up the plan to disguise Noin as a boy and all three agreed it was the
best way, though Paolo clearly had difficulty believing Noin would be able to
pass for a boy. The girl unconsciously stroked her long braid as they discussed
the plan. As Zechs had feared, she wasn't pleased with the prospect of cutting
her hair, but knew it was necessary and did not protest. Paolo offered some
suggestions to aid the two in their escape and agreed to bring some old clothes
for Noin. He bid goodbye and promised to return the next morning with more
supplies.
Zechs and
Noin spent the rest of the day in the cave discussing the particulars of their
ruse. There was some question as to where they should go once they left
Livorno. They needed to go to a city, preferably one large enough for them to
blend into large crowds. The more people that surrounded them, they reasoned,
the less chance of attracting undue attention. Noin finally suggested Rome. She
had resisted the notion at first because Rome was one of the cities that
usually appeared in her strange dreams, but it was the most logical place. It
was large and, more importantly to Noin, it had a spaceport. The girl hoped
that she and Zechs might eventually scam their way onto an outgoing shuttle. If
they could move to outer space, she believed, maybe they could escape the
hardships that faced them on Earth once and for all. Zechs thought the
suggestion was appropriate and their destination was set.
That
evening they sat, back to back, in the cave entrance watching the stars and
mourning their loss. The only advantage brought by their new dilemma was the
distraction it offered to the sullen youngsters. They would be too busy trying
to survive to spend time brooding over yet another life laid to waste. The plans
were set now, however, and all that was left to do that night was wait. They
sat quietly, each lost in their own thoughts and worries. The silence was
interrupted by an unexpected question by Noin.
"Why don't
you like Paolo?"
"Huh?"
"Why don't
you like Paolo?" Noin could never understand why Zechs reacted to Paolo with
such contempt. The older boy had never been anything but nice to them both. She
felt Zechs shift a bit, but he made no move to answer. Noin sighed. He could be
so stubborn sometimes. Then again, so could she.
"Well?"
"Why do
you care?" Zechs responded crossly.
"Because
he's a nice boy and he just wants to be our friend."
"No, he
wants to be your friend."
"Zechs…"
"If you
like Paolo so much, why don't you just go stay with him?!"
"What?"
Noin swung around, her anger rising. "What are you talking about?"
"Do you…do
you like him better than me?"
Oh. That
was it. Noin's anger quickly dissipated with the realization that Zechs was
afraid of losing her friendship. "Don't be silly, Zechs. You're my best friend,
forever…remember?" She turned slightly and offered up her pinkie finger.
"Pinkie swear."
Zechs
relaxed again and hooked his pinkie with hers. "Best friends forever…pinkie
swear."
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Paolo
arrived at dawn the next day and the children began the process of turning Noin
into a boy. The first order of business was to cut Noin's hair. The girl stood
bravely as her friend pulled out his pocket knife and prepared to slice through
the thick mane. Zechs clenched his teeth as he slashed the braid in one clean
motion. He remained still for a moment, staring at the braid clutched in his
hand. He gulped and dropped the mass before continuing to trim his friend's
hair into a reasonably boyish cut. Poor Noin simply stood with her eyes clamped
shut and her fists clenched until the ordeal was over. When she had the courage
to open her eyes again, her gaze fell upon the stunned faces of Paolo and
Zechs. They each said she looked fine, but their expressions told her something
different. She was glad she didn't have a mirror.
After the
initial shock had passed, Paolo reclaimed enough of his wits to remember the
clothing he brought and handed the articles to Noin. While the girl stepped
back into the cave to change, Zechs bent down to picked up a lock of Noin's
sheared tresses. It wasn't just Noin's hair they were leaving behind, it was
also their childhood. It had been a good life and he wanted to remember it. As
he fingered the lock of hair, the boy pulled his mother's locket from
underneath his shirt and opened it. He carefully coiled the soft dark hair and
placed it inside the delicate pendant for safekeeping. Some part of the young
boy's heart needed the memento. He needed a reminder of this brief period of
contentment and safety. Paolo politely pretended to be fascinated with a small
patch of sand as Zechs replaced the locket and stood.
Noin
emerged from the cave in her baggy boy clothes and was forced to undergo a
critique from her companions. Paolo and Zechs walked around the increasingly
annoyed girl, giving her instruction on how to stand and what gestures to make.
Zechs reached forward and mussed her hair, irritating the already exasperated
girl beyond her limit.
"WHY did
you do THAT?" she hissed in frustration.
"To hide
your eyes a little…your have girl eyes." Zechs responded in a firm voice, but
took a step back from the irate girl as a precaution. Though Noin did not
struggle with the same rage he fought, Zechs knew the girl still had one heck
of a temper.
"I have
girl eyes because I'm a girl." Noin crossed her arms in a huff. She didn't want
to pretend to be a boy. Boys were sort of gross sometimes and she didn't want
to act gross…and she missed her hair. Even a tomboy has her limit.
"Not
anymore, you're not." Zechs took her arm--when he was sure he wouldn't get
swatted--and adjusted her pose.
Zechs and
Noin continued their familiar banter as the lesson continued. The boy
demonstrated various poses, most involving slouching which Noin abhorred. She
always had perfect posture. Paolo wisely decided to stay out of it, preferring
to offer occasional comments from the sidelines. Noin practiced walking next
and her efforts were met with frowns from her two instructors.
"What
now?" Noin asked as she threw up her hands.
"Your walk
is too prissy," Zechs responded with a frown. Her walk wasn't all that
prissy, but he knew she was still upset about her hair and needed a distraction.
"I am NOT
prissy." Noin's voice was low and full of menace.
"I didn't
say you were prissy. I said you walk prissy." Uh-oh. She was
really mad now. Maybe that wasn't such a good idea.
"Take that
back!" Noin demanded as she stomped her foot. In the back of her mind, she knew
that Zechs was probably trying to make her mad on purpose in order to take her
mind off her hair, but she yelled anyway.
"You…walk…prissy."
Zechs spoke slowly, one eyebrow raised. He tried to look blasé, but he was
actually prepared to bolt at the first act of wrath.
"Umm…I am
sorry, but you do walk too much like a girl." Paolo, not understanding the
little routine unfolding before him, tried to defuse the situation. The glare
he received for his diplomatic efforts would have shattered windows a mile
away. The unexpected change in target along with Paolo's shocked reaction
elicited a snort from an amused Zechs. The rare sound of laughter from her best
friend softened Noin's mood somewhat and eventually all three children were
giggling over the ridiculous situation.
The trio
spent the rest of the day inside the cave working out the details of their
escape as Noin practiced her "boy moves." Some of the boys' helpful hints were
met with annoyed glares from their pupil, prompting the development of an
unexpected camaraderie between Paolo and Zechs. It was the kind of bond unique
to males facing a common foe, especially when the foe appeared in the form of a
pretty, but vengeful, female.
Dusk
approached and the little group grew quiet as Noin and Zechs prepared to leave.
Paolo walked with them along the shoreline to the dock. It was decided that the
two runaways would stow away on a certain cruise ship, which would leave
Livorno in a few hours. With Paolo's help, Zechs and Noin had figured out a
means to board the ship without being noticed and where to hide. They stopped
just beyond the gangplank of the ship to say their goodbyes.
"Well…this
is it, I guess," Zechs stated quietly.
"Yeah.
Guess so," Noin agreed, looking down. She ran a nervous hand through her thick
bangs and spoke, "Thanks for your help, Paolo."
"You're
welcome, Lucretzia."
Zechs hid
his annoyance at Paolo's use of Noin's first name. The older boy always called
her "Lucretzia." He said it sounded more grown up and that bugged Zechs. Noin
wasn't grown up and neither was Paolo, even if he did seem more mature than the
other children. As irritated as he was, Zechs didn't intrude on the
conversation. Paolo had, indeed, proven very helpful that day and it was
unlikely that he would ever see Noin again. The least Zechs could do was allow
the other boy a moment to say farewell.
Noin and
the older boy spoke for a moment or two longer before Paolo turned to Zechs.
"Good luck," he said, offering his hand to the younger boy. Zechs only
hesitated an instant before taking Paolo's proffered hand and shaking it
firmly. The older boy smiled a little sadly and Zechs suddenly felt foolish for
his misguided jealousy.
"Thank
you, Paolo," he said with genuine gratitude.
"Take care
of yourselves."
"Bye,
Paolo." Noin smiled at the older boy as they started for the ship.
"Arrivederci,
Lucretzia."
Something
about how Paolo said it, made Noin halt abruptly. The overwhelming sense of deja-vu
made her a bit dizzy. She looked
back over her shoulder and waved slowly before following Zechs. Noin rubbed her
temple as a flash of memory pulsed into her brain, flaring briefly before dying
out.
"Arrivederci,
Lucretzia."
"Arrivederci, amor mio…"
The girl
shook her head, scattering the disjointed voices and flashes of imagery. They
were going to have a difficult trip. She couldn't give in to the confusion now.
Not now. She had to concentrate on where they were and what they were doing at
that moment in time. The ship, the journey, Rome. They were starting a new life
yet again and she wouldn't allow an old, half-remembered existence to invade.
She couldn't allow the disorder and pain to disrupt her life any longer. There
were too many other things to worry about, she couldn't afford to be
distracted. She and Zechs had to concentrate on surviving. Today, not
yesterday.
The short
voyage went smoothly and the little stowaways managed to arrive at their
destination without being discovered. They made their way from the small port
up the Tiber River to Rome. They blended into the crowded city with surprising
ease. Their experiences as refugees proved helpful in establishing a new life.
They scavenged and stole, ate out of garbage cans, fought. There were the
occasional street performances that earned them enough money for a meal or two,
but they did not resort to this endeavor often for fear of attracting undue
notice.
The first
few weeks, the children slept in doorways, taking turns on lookout duty.
Sometimes they took shelter in one of the abandoned buildings on the west side
of the city. That area had not been rebuilt since the last war and stood as a
mute testimony to the destruction of war. The decaying rubble was left behind
as a reminder of the consequences of resistance. The hollow shells of
cathedrals and other once beautiful structures littered the streets, haunting
the ancient city with the memory of its former glory.
Noin and
Zechs spent one night in a crumbling old church, despite the boy's initial
protest. It was a small building, but still largely in tact. It was a perfect
hideout, but strangely empty. There were hundreds of runaways frequenting the
burnout district, but everyone seemed intent on avoiding the little church.
Zechs and Noin finally found out that the building was rumored to be haunted
and was strictly avoided. This made it an unusually safe hideout for the
youngsters. They had been through enough hell in their young lives to be
hardened to the prospect of meeting some piddling spirit.
In spite
of the fact that it was a church, still full of reminders of its original
purpose, Zechs conceded that it was the best place to stay. There was little
chance that anyone would bother them there and they were in desperate need of a
safe haven. He ignored the stained glass and crucifixes scattered through the
building, stubbornly ignoring the lingering beauty of the place. It was just a
building, he reminded himself, just a place to sleep, nothing more. It wasn't
God's house anymore, it was his.
Noin, on
the other hand, took great comfort in the fact that she was surrounded with
reminders of her faith. Her favorite place to sleep was in the choir loft in
front of a magnificent stained glass window depicting the birth of Jesus. The
representation of Mary reminded Noin of the nuns at the orphanage, a
bittersweet memory that brought as much sadness as solace. The little girl
enjoyed being able to pray at her own personal altar every morning when she
awoke and every evening before sleep. On stormy days, when it was too wet to go
out and forage for food, she would sometimes sit quietly in the front pew and
read from her little bible. She tried to include Zechs, but he angrily refused,
unwilling to pay even the smallest homage to God. The only time he would
approach the altar was to listen to Noin sing.
Their days
were filled with the effort to find food. If they could not find anything
edible in the trash bins, they found a way to steal the food from the outdoor
vendors. They hoarded as much food as they could, hoping to take a break from
the streets when a sizeable surplus had been accumulated. The empty time
between was filled with chess matches with improvised pieces or fencing
practice, using thin bars that had once protected the ornate windows. Sometimes
they wandered the streets, looking for some way to allay the boredom. One day,
they wandered past a small opera house during a dress rehearsal of
"Aida." They slipped into a small anteroom via the fire escape, and hid
themselves while they enjoyed the performance. They returned several times
more, often enough for Noin to learn a few of the pieces. She entertained
herself and Zechs with snippets of opera during the long, empty evenings.
The
children existed in this way for a several months. They were neither happy nor
content, but they were alive and together. That was enough for now. The youthful
fantasies and stories the children had once reveled in began to lose their
luster. The youngsters were pushing 11 now, too old for pretend and their life
had become too sterile to perpetuate a naïve belief in magic. They did
occasionally slip back into the familiar world of their own making, laughing
over the old stories and dreams. Tales of adventures in the Enchanted Forest
inspired them enough to look to the future. They made plans about what they
would do when they grew up. Once they were big enough, they could start over
again. Find jobs and a new life somewhere else. Right now, all they could do
was survive and wait.
The two
urchins might have realized their goal if not for a cruel twist of fate. The
small church they called home was located a few streets away from one of the
many Alliance academies scattered across the continent. Zechs and Noin avoided
the school, but the large city was often crawling with young cadets prowling
for something to do in their off time. Normally, this would not have posed any
real threat to the pair--the cadets were all too young to recognize the former
Prince of Cinq—but one day an unexpected encounter with an old enemy changed
the children's lives forever.
They had
been out scouting for pockets to pick but gave up early. Noin had been coughing
for the past few days and she was beginning to get a fever.
Zechs decided to take her back to the church to get some rest.
The partners were taking a shortcut through an outdoor restaurant when
they inadvertently wandered into a large group of cadets. They made their way
through as quickly as they could, heads down, and tried not to attract
attention.
One of the young cadets, a boy about 13 years old, spied a blonde head
bobbing along and the boy almost dropped the soda he was sipping. It couldn't
be…could it? He followed through the crowd, careful to stay back far enough
that his prey wouldn't spot him. A malevolent smile spread across the boy's
cruel features. He paused briefly to check his sidearm. Full clip. This was
going to be easy.
The cadet
and his cohorts were always looking for a way to impress their superiors. They
wanted to be officers and the only way into officer candidate school was to
make a favorable impression. Well, turning over the last member of the Cinq
royal family would certainly impress the hell out of somebody. He turned
and waved back at his companion, indicating the other boy should follow. They
followed the runaway prince and another boy through the alleys of the inner
city to the burnout section of town. The two cadets stopped across the street
and watched as the pair entered a rundown church.
The future
Alliance officers used a small two-way radio to call for transportation,
stating that a fugitive had been captured. Confident that they could capture
the prince before backup arrived, the two entered the small building. They were
anxious to keep their prisoner's identity a secret until the proper superior
could be contacted. The cadet was certain that the retrieval of Prince
Milliardo would attract the attention of the upper echelons of the Alliance
hierarchy. This was his ticket to OCS, without doubt. The cadets drew their
weapons and proceeded.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Inside the
church, Zechs sent Noin to the choir loft while he went to retrieve some of the
water stored in the baptismal fount. The feverish girl hitched up the backpack
she was wearing and trudged up the wrought-iron staircase. They never left
their stuff behind when they exited the church. They didn't want to risk losing
the few precious items they preserved. Zechs and Noin didn't keep many things
from their previous lives, but what they did collect was diligently guarded.
Noin's treasure box never left her possession. Inside she kept her bible,
Boo-Bear, the last bit of carefully rationed lilac scent and other trinkets
girls are wont to keep. The decorative box also held a few of Zechs' prized
keepsakes. Among them, his mother's locket, tenderly wrapped in a scrap of soft
cloth. Noin smiled to herself as she reached the top of the stairs. She was
proud that Zechs trusted her enough to take care of his mama's locket.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Downstairs,
Zechs filled a small bottle with water and grabbed an apple from their food supply.
He scurried back towards the choir loft, anxious to see to his friend. She
needed to rest so she wouldn't get any sicker. If she got worse, they might
have to go to the hospital and…well, they couldn't risk that. He trotted up the
metal stairs and came to an abrupt halt. Across the loft were two Alliance
cadets holding Noin between them. The taller cadet held a gun to the girl's
head. Just like before…just like what happened to his mama. It took Zechs a
moment to recognize the cadet with the gun, but when he did, the old familiar
rage flared inside his stomach. He stood very still, mind working at break neck
speed to formulate a plan. His pocket knife was in his boot. He still held the
bottle of water. If he broke the bottle correctly, he could use it as a weapon.
O.K. He could do this. He could save Noin and get them out of here. The boy
took a breath and calmly addressed the cadet.
"It's been
a long time…Karl."
"Sure has,
your highness." Karl's mouth twisted into a malicious grin. Zechs looked
at Noin. She was a bit pale but her expression was stern. She seemed more angry
than frightened. If she hadn't been ill, Noin probably would have started
kicking the cadets' heads in by now. Zechs looked his friend in the eye, his
gaze telling her to be ready as he stepped forward.
"You win,
Karl. Let her go and I'll go with you."
"Her?"
Karl said with an amused sneer. He took a second at his prisoner, realization
dawning on his hard face. "Ha! It's the freak!"
Oh, crap.
Zechs had assumed Karl recognized Noin as well, but obviously, he was wrong.
Noin scowled at being referred to as a freak and lashed out without warning.
The girl kneed Karl between the legs with as much force as she could muster in
her weakened state. It was enough to send the older boy to the floor, howling
in agony. Zechs took the opportunity to leap forward and kick Karl in the face
sending the cadet flailing backwards. Noin struggled with the other boy, who
had managed to grasp the girl's upper arms and pin them to her body. His height
and weight advantage made it difficult for Noin to fight back, but she held her
own until the boy flung her across the loft. She landed hard against the
stained glass window, the force knocking the breath out of her and rendering
her temporarily helpless.
The other
boy dove on Zechs, his military training giving him a slight advantage over the
younger boy's fury. Karl recovered quickly and scrambled to his feet. Seeing
Noin gasping for breath across the loft, he retrieved his weapon and aimed at
the girl.
"Give it
up, Milliardo, or your little girlfriend's gonna get another hole in her
head!"
Zechs
whirled around, ready to pounce, but stopped when he saw Karl's threat was
real. "Don't do it Karl. I…I won't fight anymore…just let her go…" Noin was
staring defiantly at Karl, too angry to be frightened for herself.
"Don't do
it Zechs! He won't shoot me, he's too stupid to know how to fire a gun!"
"Why you
little…"
Karl
interrupted his own curse by firing his weapon. The bullet passed through the
muscle of Noin's upper arm and shattered the window behind her. The girl had
been leaning against the glass heavily and the sudden collapse of her support
sent the child reeling backwards through the window. Zechs watched in shock as
his worst nightmare came to life. An agonized shriek caught in the boy's throat
as he watched his best friend fall through the plate glass. Just like before.
Just like his mama. The boy let out a furious growl as he launched himself at
Karl. He tore at the older boy with all the animalistic rage he possessed. If
not for the presence of the other cadet, Zechs might have torn Karl to shreds.
As it was, the other cadet was able to pull Zechs far away enough for Karl to
slam the butt of his gun into the smaller child's head. It took both boys and
several such blows to subdue the ferocious youngster. They managed to tie his
wrists behind his back and drag him downstairs as an Alliance transport arrived.
Zechs
ceased to struggle as fresh rivers of blood streamed down his face to mingle
with his tears. Noin was dead. God finally took the one person Zechs thought he
could always count on. "I'm sorry, Noin…I'm sorry…it should have been me…" The
half-conscious boy mumbled incoherently as they dragged him out of the church
and threw him into the waiting truck.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Noin heard
the sickening crack as Karl's gun fired. She felt her arm jerk backwards as the
window behind her gave away in a thunderous explosion of glass. She didn't have
time to scream before she tumbled through the window. Noin fell onto the small,
slanted portico below the stained glass and rolled helplessly for a few feet.
She reached out, fumbling for something to grab on to, but it was her backpack
that saved her. One of the arm straps caught on an exposed conduit, halting the
little girl's descent. She managed
to twist her body around and grasp the conduit. Pain seared through her injured
arm as she struggled to pull herself up, but she ignored the discomfort. She
had to get back to Zechs before it was too late.
Noin
finally hauled herself up far enough to find a foothold and crawled towards the
broken window. The little girl froze when she heard a siren. She heard a
vehicle pull up on the other side of the church. She had to hurry. The little
girl scurried across the tiled portico roof and stumbled back through the
window. Tears of pain streamed down her face as she darted downstairs,
desperate to find Zechs. Maybe she couldn't save him, but she wasn't going to
let them take him by himself either. If Zechs had to go, so did she. She
reached the street just as an Alliance truck drove away, sirens wailing. She
ran after the truck, screaming for Zechs at the top of her lungs. She ran as
fast as she could, but it wasn't enough. She continued on, long after the truck
was out of sight. She stumbled along, dizzy from the loss of blood.
Noin
finally crumpled against an old iron gate, tearfully calling after her lost
friend in a hoarse voice. Her illness and the loss of blood robbed the girl of
any clear thoughts or actions. She wept weakly for Zechs as she curled up next
to the fence, her backpack suddenly so heavy she couldn't stand. Noin felt
darkness surround her in heavy layers, veiling her senses, weighing down her
limbs. The fever tricked her body into believing it was cold and the child
shivered violently. A cough periodically raked her thin body as she rasped an
apology into the blackness.
"I'm sorry…I'm sorry…per favore, perdonami…bitte
vegeben mich… bitte vegeben mich… mi dispiace, mi dispiace, mi dispiace…"
Noin continued to mumble her heartbroken apologies to the
empty air, switching incoherently from one language to the next, unaware of
anyone or anything else. The vague sounds and shuffle of people around her had
no meaning. Zechs was gone. She just wanted the darkness to take her and carry
her to God. She wanted so much to be lifted into Heaven where she could see the
people she loved. Captain Damon was there. He would pick her up and carry her
to her room, telling her silly American jokes as he put her to bed. Sister
Marguerite would listen to her prayers. Mrs. Katrina would brush her hair and
Nana Ingrid would tell her a story and Zechs…
"Lucretzia?"
The voice sounded hollow and distant to the seriously ill
child. She didn't even notice that someone was shaking her.
"Dear God…Luie, child, open your eyes…"
The voice was insistent, but gentle. Noin was too weak and
inconsolable to respond to what she thought was an imagined voice. She was
barely able to register the feeling of being lifted off the hard pavement. She
sighed weakly. The darkness was taking her. Good. She could go to Heaven
now…where no one was ever sad…where she would never be alone again…
+++++++++++++++++ End part 14 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oh, heck…[sniff]…out of Kleenex again…[sniff]…and yes,
Major, I'm now addicted to cliffhangers…mwahahaha…
OK, a cyber-lollipop will be given to everyone who figures
out who just saved Noin (if you review and leave your e-mail, that is).
I hate to split them up, but it's necessary to the story,
really. If I don't split them up now, then they will keep thinking of
themselves as siblings and we really can not have that, now can we?
Besides, they need to grow in slightly different directions to provide a
logical transition into the characters we meet in the series. Paolo may seem
extraneous now, but he becomes more important later… hehehe…
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter! Very
special thanks to Chloe P. and Kiyoshi for providing language translations.
Thanks for letting me bug you! I'm almost finished with the final chapter, so I
should be able to post in a few days…keep checking back.
Disclaimer: Yeah, I know I don't have to put one of
these after every chapter, but this is the only story I'm working on
right now that requires a disclaimer and I'm having fun coming up with creative
ways to say, "Hello! Don't Own it! For Entertainment Only! YooHoo? Listening?"
I vent my smart aleck tendencies this way…trust me, that's a good thing.
My Sense of Regret hasn't turned up yet, by the way.
