Enemy Revealed
Michael watched Hitomi struggle with her powers. Anger churned within him like a raging fire.
He kept his face still and tried no to scream at Hitomi. Allen sensed Michael's anxiousness.
" Relax, kid. Hitomi needs help, that's all." Allen said, attempting to comfort Michael. But
Michael was in no mood to be comforted. He wanted to go tear into someone. He was far angrier
than he had ever been in his whole life and someone was going to pay for Vera's kidnapping.
" Michael, come here." Hitomi called. Michael silently moved forward. " Do you have something
of Vera's with you?" Michael frowned.
" Not with me." He said. He ran from the room and came back with Vera's favorite blue shirt.
She had worn her new green one today, so she had left this one at home. Hitomi held the shirt in
her right hand.
" Put your hand over mine and picture Vera." Hitomi ordered. Michael did as he was told and
pushed all his anger away. He remembered Vera screaming at him, sparring with him, walking
through the market with him. Michael remembered the last time he had seen her, after sitting on
the rock by the bay when they were walking home. He remembered the way the sunlight had cast
shadows on her face and wished he had been able to protect her. Hitomi suddenly cried out.
" Got it! I know where they took her!" Hitomi yelled, slamming her fist down on the map she had
been hunched over. Van and Allen ran forward and took one look at the map.
" They're practically right over us!" Van cried.
" Makes sense. Right on top of us is the last place we'd look." Allen said thoughtfully. Michael
looked up suddenly.
" How come we can't see them? They should be within our range of sight." He asked.
" Stealth technology, without a doubt." Van said with a nod. Then he grinned. " They've
obviously forgotten how we deal with invisibility."
" How?" Michael wondered. Allen smiled mischievously.
" Seek and destroy." He said evilly.
" Okay, I understand the destroy part. But if they're invisible, how do we seek?" Michael asked, curious.
" We picture what we want to find in our mind." Van said, quoting someone but Michael didn't
know who. Hitomi smiled gently.
" We find the invisible enemy with me. I can see them. Then we show them no mercy." Hitomi
said. Now Michael understood. He liked the sound of showing the enemy no mercy.
Vera stared into the darkness. She tried to pull free of the cords that bound her again, but her arm
screamed in pain. Vera cried out quietly. She decided to try calling again.
" Is anyone there? Hello? Help me!" Vera cried. No one answered. Instead, Vera heard
movement behind her. " Who's there?" Vera wrenched her shoulders to look behind her,
ignoring the pain. A dark figure moved toward her. " Who are you?" she asked. Fear quivered
inside her.
" Relax, Lady Vera." A voice told her. Vera recognized it.
" Solo?" Vera stammered in disbelief. It was Solo, Prince Zensho's personal, loyal servant. Vera
gasped as he stepped out of the shadows.
" I suppose you wondering what I'm doing here," Solo said. " Don't ask, it will all become clear
soon. I took a great risk to see you before. my commander. I must ask that you do not mention
my visit. I came to tell you that you have friends on this ship. I have rounded a small group of
people who, like me, are very sick of our commander. He is on the verge of madness. We will do
everything humanely possible to free you, but it can only be done if you listen to me and do
exactly as I say. You must give me your word as Princess of Fanelia." Vera considered this.
" Well, what have I got to lose?" she said. Solo nodded. " I give you my word, on my honor as
Princess of Fanelia and on the honor of my father and mother, the King and Queen, that you have
my trust."
" Good," Solo rubbed his hands together. He held something up. " This is your sword. I took it
from you when you were captured with the full intent of returning it." Solo leaned over the bound
Vera and tucked it under some blankets so it couldn't be seen. " Now, when my commander
comes, he will speak to you. Agree with everything he says but give no promises. Then, he will
untie you. Wait until he turns his back and draw your sword. He thinks you are unarmed and
defenseless. Remember that I was never here. Do not kill him if you want to avoid full-scale war.
Knock him out and take the keys on his belt. Go out the door and keep going straight, make no
turns. You will find yourself in the docking bay where I and a few colleagues of mine will be
waiting. My friends will rush you and pretend to fight you and you must pretend to fight back.
They will push you towards a guymelif and whisper to you how to operate it. You must then turn
around and climb into the guymelif and pilot it out. Your friends are almost directly below us.
Our sources tell us they are planning to attack us, so you might meet them halfway. Those are my
instructions. My commander will be here soon, so I must leave you. Remember, I was never
here." Solo left the room with a nod to Vera. She nodded back and awaited the arrival of her
enemy. A young man stepped into the room and locked the door behind him.
" Hello, Princess Vera. Fancy meeting you here." An evil voice said. Vera gasped.
" You? You're the leader of the rebellion?" she asked in disbelief. Zensho stepped from the
shadows. He walked up and stood over Vera, admiring her like she was a magnificent trophy he
had won. Vera turned her head away so she wouldn't spit at his face.
" Beautiful as always. I suppose you're wondering what I've got to do with all this, so I'll tell
you." Zensho looked at her again. " You might want to make yourself comfortable." He added
with a laugh. Solo was wrong, Zensho's not on the verge of madness, Vera realized, he is mad.
Zensho went on with his story.
" I was getting rather bored with normal, peaceful life. By mere chance I met this delightful
fellow who had been one of Dilando's most trusted men back in the days of war. I believe your
father fought in that war. Anyway, this fellow told me all about Dilando's battle tactics. I tell
you, the man was a genius. He was so clever. But that's not the point. Hearing about the battles
Dilando fought in made me think. I thought about it more and more until, finally, I decided to
round up all those little guerrilla groups and make an army out of them. Then I picked some
promising officers from my own country, and we began to prepare for war. And the rest, as they
say, is history." Zensho smiled. Vera wanted to throw up. " Well what do you think of my ship?
It was modeled after the famous Crusade. It has stealth technology copied from Ziboch." Zensho
waited for Vera to reply. Vera remembered what Solo had told her. She smiled.
" Impressive." She commented. She decided to throw a seductive twist in. The thought of talking
like that to Zensho made Vera want to slit her own throat, but it was necessary. Zensho yanked
out a dagger and cut the cords that bound Vera. She sat up and rubbed her arm gingerly. Zensho
went on making plans, with Vera adding a couple yes's and commenting on Zensho's brilliance.
Vera waited for Zensho to turn his back. He finally did, turning to stare out a window. Vera
quickly grabbed her sword. She didn't bother to draw it, but simply smacked Zensho on the back
of the head. He dropped like a sack of potatoes. She then grabbed the remains of the cords and
tied him up and gagged him with his own handkerchief. Vera hastily attached her sword to her
belt, snatched the keys from Zensho and unlocked the door. Once outside, all Vera saw was
mayhem. She heard someone shout something about intruders, and decided that Michael had
come. She decided to follow Solo's advice and ran straight ahead. She emerged in the docking
bay. Vera looked for Solo but didn't see him.
" Vera!" someone cried. Vera turned to see Michael running toward her, sword drawn. Vera
found herself in Michael's arms.
" Vera, I'm so glad your okay!" Michael murmured happily.
" Michael, I know who the leader of the rebellion is!" Vera said excitedly while Michael held her.
" No time. Come on, we've got to get out of here!" Michael cried. He took Vera's hand and led
her through the chaos to the Crusade. Allen was guarding the door.
" Got her! Let's go!" Michael cried. In no time, Vera was being hugged and congratulated while
the Crusade took off. When they were in the clear, Vera told the whole story.
" So Zensho is trying to follow in Dilando's footsteps." Van murmured.
" Doesn't he know who Dilando really is?" Millerna asked.
" Who?" Michael asked.
" Dilando was Allen's little sister, Serena." Hitomi explained.
" If he knew, he wouldn't be doing this." Allen said decisively.
" Wait! There are people inside trying to overthrow Zensho!" Vera yelled.
" Really?" everyone else said unanimously.
" Yes, Solo is one of them. We have allies inside the rebels inner circle." Vera explained.
Everyone was happy. Vera wandered off to the docking bay alone. She didn't want to run so she
climbed up Double Edge and sat on its hand. She looked over at Arch Angel, next to her.
Michael came looking for her.
" Vera? Are you in here?" he called.
" Yeah." Vera responded.
" What's the matter?" Michael called up to her.
" I don't know." Vera admitted. Michael climbed up and sat down next to her.
" Maybe a sparring match will cheer you up." Michael suggested. Vera agreed and sparred with
Michael. When they were done, Vera sat down. She watched Michael and remembered how he
had held her so affectionately. He reminded her of a faithful puppy, except a human who had
feelings, possibly for her. Michael walked over and pulled Vera up. He suddenly put his hand
under Vera's chin and lifted her face to his. Their lips met and parted quickly. Michael turned on
his heals and walked away, leaving Vera alone and confused as ever.
Michael was back in his quarters, alone. He wondered why he had kissed Vera, and what she
thought about it. Michael remembered everything about her, from her long thin body to her
emerald eyes. He was fifteen and in love with a tomboy princess. Maybe it was like everyone had
always told him, he was just a hopeless romantic. Maybe it was just a crush and it would pass.
Michael prayed this was not so. He wanted what he felt to be real very badly. He longed for Vera
to love him the way he loved her.
Hitomi smiled gently at Vera, who was pigging out in the galley. Hitomi had seen Michael kiss
Vera and knew Vera was confused about it. Those two were soul mates, just like the cards said.
Hitomi knew Vera was confused, like she herself had been when she was fifteen. Vera would
find her love in Michael soon enough.
Vera stared at her mother in disbelief.
" You have got to be kidding me." Vera said flatly.
" No, I'm not kidding. I know you don't like this, but you have to." Hitomi said. Vera dropped to
her knees.
" No way! Uh-uh! I refuse. I will not wear a dress! End of story, I will not!" Vera cried. Hitomi sighed.
" I know. But you have to." Hitomi responded.
" It's not that bad." Merle offered. Vera gave her a poisonous look. Hitomi laughed.
" Oh, come on, Vera. Whether you like this or not, you are going to wear a dress to the banquet.
It won't kill you." She said, grabbing Vera's arm and dragging her into her room.
" Maybe not, but it will come darn-well close!" Vera screamed. Inside Vera's quarters, the older
woman fought with an unwilling Vera and won.
" Vera, come on out." Hitomi called. Everyone was dressed up and waiting on Vera.
" No." Vera said pointedly. No one had been able to drag her from her quarters yet.
" Vera." Allen growled.
" Forget it." Vera growled back.
" Vera Fanel, we have a banquet to attend that might win the war, and you are coming whether
you want to or not!" Van shouted through the locked door.
" No!" Vera shouted back. She was determined to stay right where she was. Michael knocked on
the door.
" Vera, are you decent?' he called gently.
" No." Vera returned. She heard Michael sigh.
" Unlock the door, Vera." Michael called. Vera heard force in his voice. Vera unlocked the door
and Michael stepped in. He looked her up and down.
" You look great, Vera. I don't see a problem." Michael pointed out. He picked Vera's dagger
necklace up off the floor from where it had fallen during the fight to get Vera into the dress. Vera
stood angrily. She knew she looked good in the blue dress with a white, wide bottom, but was
very upset.
" I'm not a doll. I don't want to go." Vera growled at him. Michael was not intimidated.
" Come on, Vera. You know I can see right through that. Wanna tell me what's the matter?"
Michael offered, motioning for her to sit in front of the mirror. Vera did.
" I'm not a doll. Everyone treats me like a delicate porcelain doll. Like I'll break if I fall. It's all
because I look like this. I'm not here for them to dress up and say ' Oh, look at Vera, she's so
beautiful.' I want to be me and only me." Vera said angrily. Michael fastened the necklace on her
neck and brushed her hair. Vera felt his hands stroking her hair and brushing against her skin.
" Well, be you. I think that no matter what they make you wear, you're beautiful in a very
different way than the way they want. They want something pretty to look at, I want someone
that's great to be around, funny, and has a mind of her own. You're all that, so you're very
attractive me, both inside and outside." Michael confessed. Vera blushed lightly.
" You mean it?" she asked shyly.
" You bet." Michael confirmed. " So what do you say? Why don't we show them that beauty can
have a mind of its own?" Michael grinned devilishly. Vera grinned back.
" You got it." She agreed. Her hair fell around her shoulders as she stood and followed Michael
outside. On the way to the palace where the banquet with the prince of Fried was being held,
Vera thought about what Michael had said. He thinks I'm attractive, she thought. Vera
remembered that single instant when Michael's lips had held contact with hers and shuddered
happily. A silk shawl around her shoulders drooped a little and Merle prompted Vera to wear it
right. Vera looked at Michael, striding confidently in front of her, sword swinging from his hips.
His long legs carried him with ease, and his sable hair fell across his face. He was talking to
Allen about battle tactics at the moment. Vera wondered if she would ever sort out her feelings
for him.
At the banquet, Vera was positive that if she died right then, it would be the best thing that could
happen to her. She looked at her father, who was staring into space. Allen was trying to pay
attention, but he looked like his mind was wandering. Hitomi was sitting alert, but every now and
then her eyes would droop. Michael fought a yawn, and ended up having to cover it. Vera
pretended to laugh at some noble's extremely boring story when he reached a funny part, but her
laugh came out unnaturally high. Vera silently watched things proceed and became more alert
when her father told an exciting story about the last time he was in Fried, during the war with
Ziboch. He told of everything that had happened, from how the priest Platok was murdered and
impersonated to Hitomi's interrogation in which she had had an over- powering vision that had
killed her. Van then told of how he revived her and then convinced the Prince of Fried that they
were not rebels. Vera had never heard this story before and was intrigued. She noticed Michael
was paying attention too. There's a lot he doesn't know, Vera realized. She wondered what it was
like to be totally alone in a strange world where everything was different. She remembered when
she had first seen Michael on Gaea. She remembered how bewildered he seemed, how he had
stared in awe at things she took for granted. When Vera looked up, the banquet was drawing to a
close and Vera was grateful. The group left and walked back to the Crusade, talking about how
dull the whole thing was, except for Van's story. Allen said that even though he was there, he
loved hearing those stories. Michael was walking slower than usual, letting the others get ahead
of him. Vera adjusted her pace to match his.
" Did things like that really happen? That story of Van's wasn't real, right?" Michael asked. Vera
shook her head.
" That really happened. It was about three years before I was born. There was a whole war." Vera
said. Michael looked at her to see if she was telling the truth. Finally believing her, Michael
looked to the star-filled sky.
" Maybe you should tell me about it sometime." He said. Vera nodded and wondered what he
thought about.
Michael watched Hitomi struggle with her powers. Anger churned within him like a raging fire.
He kept his face still and tried no to scream at Hitomi. Allen sensed Michael's anxiousness.
" Relax, kid. Hitomi needs help, that's all." Allen said, attempting to comfort Michael. But
Michael was in no mood to be comforted. He wanted to go tear into someone. He was far angrier
than he had ever been in his whole life and someone was going to pay for Vera's kidnapping.
" Michael, come here." Hitomi called. Michael silently moved forward. " Do you have something
of Vera's with you?" Michael frowned.
" Not with me." He said. He ran from the room and came back with Vera's favorite blue shirt.
She had worn her new green one today, so she had left this one at home. Hitomi held the shirt in
her right hand.
" Put your hand over mine and picture Vera." Hitomi ordered. Michael did as he was told and
pushed all his anger away. He remembered Vera screaming at him, sparring with him, walking
through the market with him. Michael remembered the last time he had seen her, after sitting on
the rock by the bay when they were walking home. He remembered the way the sunlight had cast
shadows on her face and wished he had been able to protect her. Hitomi suddenly cried out.
" Got it! I know where they took her!" Hitomi yelled, slamming her fist down on the map she had
been hunched over. Van and Allen ran forward and took one look at the map.
" They're practically right over us!" Van cried.
" Makes sense. Right on top of us is the last place we'd look." Allen said thoughtfully. Michael
looked up suddenly.
" How come we can't see them? They should be within our range of sight." He asked.
" Stealth technology, without a doubt." Van said with a nod. Then he grinned. " They've
obviously forgotten how we deal with invisibility."
" How?" Michael wondered. Allen smiled mischievously.
" Seek and destroy." He said evilly.
" Okay, I understand the destroy part. But if they're invisible, how do we seek?" Michael asked, curious.
" We picture what we want to find in our mind." Van said, quoting someone but Michael didn't
know who. Hitomi smiled gently.
" We find the invisible enemy with me. I can see them. Then we show them no mercy." Hitomi
said. Now Michael understood. He liked the sound of showing the enemy no mercy.
Vera stared into the darkness. She tried to pull free of the cords that bound her again, but her arm
screamed in pain. Vera cried out quietly. She decided to try calling again.
" Is anyone there? Hello? Help me!" Vera cried. No one answered. Instead, Vera heard
movement behind her. " Who's there?" Vera wrenched her shoulders to look behind her,
ignoring the pain. A dark figure moved toward her. " Who are you?" she asked. Fear quivered
inside her.
" Relax, Lady Vera." A voice told her. Vera recognized it.
" Solo?" Vera stammered in disbelief. It was Solo, Prince Zensho's personal, loyal servant. Vera
gasped as he stepped out of the shadows.
" I suppose you wondering what I'm doing here," Solo said. " Don't ask, it will all become clear
soon. I took a great risk to see you before. my commander. I must ask that you do not mention
my visit. I came to tell you that you have friends on this ship. I have rounded a small group of
people who, like me, are very sick of our commander. He is on the verge of madness. We will do
everything humanely possible to free you, but it can only be done if you listen to me and do
exactly as I say. You must give me your word as Princess of Fanelia." Vera considered this.
" Well, what have I got to lose?" she said. Solo nodded. " I give you my word, on my honor as
Princess of Fanelia and on the honor of my father and mother, the King and Queen, that you have
my trust."
" Good," Solo rubbed his hands together. He held something up. " This is your sword. I took it
from you when you were captured with the full intent of returning it." Solo leaned over the bound
Vera and tucked it under some blankets so it couldn't be seen. " Now, when my commander
comes, he will speak to you. Agree with everything he says but give no promises. Then, he will
untie you. Wait until he turns his back and draw your sword. He thinks you are unarmed and
defenseless. Remember that I was never here. Do not kill him if you want to avoid full-scale war.
Knock him out and take the keys on his belt. Go out the door and keep going straight, make no
turns. You will find yourself in the docking bay where I and a few colleagues of mine will be
waiting. My friends will rush you and pretend to fight you and you must pretend to fight back.
They will push you towards a guymelif and whisper to you how to operate it. You must then turn
around and climb into the guymelif and pilot it out. Your friends are almost directly below us.
Our sources tell us they are planning to attack us, so you might meet them halfway. Those are my
instructions. My commander will be here soon, so I must leave you. Remember, I was never
here." Solo left the room with a nod to Vera. She nodded back and awaited the arrival of her
enemy. A young man stepped into the room and locked the door behind him.
" Hello, Princess Vera. Fancy meeting you here." An evil voice said. Vera gasped.
" You? You're the leader of the rebellion?" she asked in disbelief. Zensho stepped from the
shadows. He walked up and stood over Vera, admiring her like she was a magnificent trophy he
had won. Vera turned her head away so she wouldn't spit at his face.
" Beautiful as always. I suppose you're wondering what I've got to do with all this, so I'll tell
you." Zensho looked at her again. " You might want to make yourself comfortable." He added
with a laugh. Solo was wrong, Zensho's not on the verge of madness, Vera realized, he is mad.
Zensho went on with his story.
" I was getting rather bored with normal, peaceful life. By mere chance I met this delightful
fellow who had been one of Dilando's most trusted men back in the days of war. I believe your
father fought in that war. Anyway, this fellow told me all about Dilando's battle tactics. I tell
you, the man was a genius. He was so clever. But that's not the point. Hearing about the battles
Dilando fought in made me think. I thought about it more and more until, finally, I decided to
round up all those little guerrilla groups and make an army out of them. Then I picked some
promising officers from my own country, and we began to prepare for war. And the rest, as they
say, is history." Zensho smiled. Vera wanted to throw up. " Well what do you think of my ship?
It was modeled after the famous Crusade. It has stealth technology copied from Ziboch." Zensho
waited for Vera to reply. Vera remembered what Solo had told her. She smiled.
" Impressive." She commented. She decided to throw a seductive twist in. The thought of talking
like that to Zensho made Vera want to slit her own throat, but it was necessary. Zensho yanked
out a dagger and cut the cords that bound Vera. She sat up and rubbed her arm gingerly. Zensho
went on making plans, with Vera adding a couple yes's and commenting on Zensho's brilliance.
Vera waited for Zensho to turn his back. He finally did, turning to stare out a window. Vera
quickly grabbed her sword. She didn't bother to draw it, but simply smacked Zensho on the back
of the head. He dropped like a sack of potatoes. She then grabbed the remains of the cords and
tied him up and gagged him with his own handkerchief. Vera hastily attached her sword to her
belt, snatched the keys from Zensho and unlocked the door. Once outside, all Vera saw was
mayhem. She heard someone shout something about intruders, and decided that Michael had
come. She decided to follow Solo's advice and ran straight ahead. She emerged in the docking
bay. Vera looked for Solo but didn't see him.
" Vera!" someone cried. Vera turned to see Michael running toward her, sword drawn. Vera
found herself in Michael's arms.
" Vera, I'm so glad your okay!" Michael murmured happily.
" Michael, I know who the leader of the rebellion is!" Vera said excitedly while Michael held her.
" No time. Come on, we've got to get out of here!" Michael cried. He took Vera's hand and led
her through the chaos to the Crusade. Allen was guarding the door.
" Got her! Let's go!" Michael cried. In no time, Vera was being hugged and congratulated while
the Crusade took off. When they were in the clear, Vera told the whole story.
" So Zensho is trying to follow in Dilando's footsteps." Van murmured.
" Doesn't he know who Dilando really is?" Millerna asked.
" Who?" Michael asked.
" Dilando was Allen's little sister, Serena." Hitomi explained.
" If he knew, he wouldn't be doing this." Allen said decisively.
" Wait! There are people inside trying to overthrow Zensho!" Vera yelled.
" Really?" everyone else said unanimously.
" Yes, Solo is one of them. We have allies inside the rebels inner circle." Vera explained.
Everyone was happy. Vera wandered off to the docking bay alone. She didn't want to run so she
climbed up Double Edge and sat on its hand. She looked over at Arch Angel, next to her.
Michael came looking for her.
" Vera? Are you in here?" he called.
" Yeah." Vera responded.
" What's the matter?" Michael called up to her.
" I don't know." Vera admitted. Michael climbed up and sat down next to her.
" Maybe a sparring match will cheer you up." Michael suggested. Vera agreed and sparred with
Michael. When they were done, Vera sat down. She watched Michael and remembered how he
had held her so affectionately. He reminded her of a faithful puppy, except a human who had
feelings, possibly for her. Michael walked over and pulled Vera up. He suddenly put his hand
under Vera's chin and lifted her face to his. Their lips met and parted quickly. Michael turned on
his heals and walked away, leaving Vera alone and confused as ever.
Michael was back in his quarters, alone. He wondered why he had kissed Vera, and what she
thought about it. Michael remembered everything about her, from her long thin body to her
emerald eyes. He was fifteen and in love with a tomboy princess. Maybe it was like everyone had
always told him, he was just a hopeless romantic. Maybe it was just a crush and it would pass.
Michael prayed this was not so. He wanted what he felt to be real very badly. He longed for Vera
to love him the way he loved her.
Hitomi smiled gently at Vera, who was pigging out in the galley. Hitomi had seen Michael kiss
Vera and knew Vera was confused about it. Those two were soul mates, just like the cards said.
Hitomi knew Vera was confused, like she herself had been when she was fifteen. Vera would
find her love in Michael soon enough.
Vera stared at her mother in disbelief.
" You have got to be kidding me." Vera said flatly.
" No, I'm not kidding. I know you don't like this, but you have to." Hitomi said. Vera dropped to
her knees.
" No way! Uh-uh! I refuse. I will not wear a dress! End of story, I will not!" Vera cried. Hitomi sighed.
" I know. But you have to." Hitomi responded.
" It's not that bad." Merle offered. Vera gave her a poisonous look. Hitomi laughed.
" Oh, come on, Vera. Whether you like this or not, you are going to wear a dress to the banquet.
It won't kill you." She said, grabbing Vera's arm and dragging her into her room.
" Maybe not, but it will come darn-well close!" Vera screamed. Inside Vera's quarters, the older
woman fought with an unwilling Vera and won.
" Vera, come on out." Hitomi called. Everyone was dressed up and waiting on Vera.
" No." Vera said pointedly. No one had been able to drag her from her quarters yet.
" Vera." Allen growled.
" Forget it." Vera growled back.
" Vera Fanel, we have a banquet to attend that might win the war, and you are coming whether
you want to or not!" Van shouted through the locked door.
" No!" Vera shouted back. She was determined to stay right where she was. Michael knocked on
the door.
" Vera, are you decent?' he called gently.
" No." Vera returned. She heard Michael sigh.
" Unlock the door, Vera." Michael called. Vera heard force in his voice. Vera unlocked the door
and Michael stepped in. He looked her up and down.
" You look great, Vera. I don't see a problem." Michael pointed out. He picked Vera's dagger
necklace up off the floor from where it had fallen during the fight to get Vera into the dress. Vera
stood angrily. She knew she looked good in the blue dress with a white, wide bottom, but was
very upset.
" I'm not a doll. I don't want to go." Vera growled at him. Michael was not intimidated.
" Come on, Vera. You know I can see right through that. Wanna tell me what's the matter?"
Michael offered, motioning for her to sit in front of the mirror. Vera did.
" I'm not a doll. Everyone treats me like a delicate porcelain doll. Like I'll break if I fall. It's all
because I look like this. I'm not here for them to dress up and say ' Oh, look at Vera, she's so
beautiful.' I want to be me and only me." Vera said angrily. Michael fastened the necklace on her
neck and brushed her hair. Vera felt his hands stroking her hair and brushing against her skin.
" Well, be you. I think that no matter what they make you wear, you're beautiful in a very
different way than the way they want. They want something pretty to look at, I want someone
that's great to be around, funny, and has a mind of her own. You're all that, so you're very
attractive me, both inside and outside." Michael confessed. Vera blushed lightly.
" You mean it?" she asked shyly.
" You bet." Michael confirmed. " So what do you say? Why don't we show them that beauty can
have a mind of its own?" Michael grinned devilishly. Vera grinned back.
" You got it." She agreed. Her hair fell around her shoulders as she stood and followed Michael
outside. On the way to the palace where the banquet with the prince of Fried was being held,
Vera thought about what Michael had said. He thinks I'm attractive, she thought. Vera
remembered that single instant when Michael's lips had held contact with hers and shuddered
happily. A silk shawl around her shoulders drooped a little and Merle prompted Vera to wear it
right. Vera looked at Michael, striding confidently in front of her, sword swinging from his hips.
His long legs carried him with ease, and his sable hair fell across his face. He was talking to
Allen about battle tactics at the moment. Vera wondered if she would ever sort out her feelings
for him.
At the banquet, Vera was positive that if she died right then, it would be the best thing that could
happen to her. She looked at her father, who was staring into space. Allen was trying to pay
attention, but he looked like his mind was wandering. Hitomi was sitting alert, but every now and
then her eyes would droop. Michael fought a yawn, and ended up having to cover it. Vera
pretended to laugh at some noble's extremely boring story when he reached a funny part, but her
laugh came out unnaturally high. Vera silently watched things proceed and became more alert
when her father told an exciting story about the last time he was in Fried, during the war with
Ziboch. He told of everything that had happened, from how the priest Platok was murdered and
impersonated to Hitomi's interrogation in which she had had an over- powering vision that had
killed her. Van then told of how he revived her and then convinced the Prince of Fried that they
were not rebels. Vera had never heard this story before and was intrigued. She noticed Michael
was paying attention too. There's a lot he doesn't know, Vera realized. She wondered what it was
like to be totally alone in a strange world where everything was different. She remembered when
she had first seen Michael on Gaea. She remembered how bewildered he seemed, how he had
stared in awe at things she took for granted. When Vera looked up, the banquet was drawing to a
close and Vera was grateful. The group left and walked back to the Crusade, talking about how
dull the whole thing was, except for Van's story. Allen said that even though he was there, he
loved hearing those stories. Michael was walking slower than usual, letting the others get ahead
of him. Vera adjusted her pace to match his.
" Did things like that really happen? That story of Van's wasn't real, right?" Michael asked. Vera
shook her head.
" That really happened. It was about three years before I was born. There was a whole war." Vera
said. Michael looked at her to see if she was telling the truth. Finally believing her, Michael
looked to the star-filled sky.
" Maybe you should tell me about it sometime." He said. Vera nodded and wondered what he
thought about.