Disclaimer: I do not own Vandread, it belongs to Gonzo, the things are mine are characters from Theora.
Allies Out There
By Eric Tsai
Chapter 9 "Preparation"
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Thanks Psychotalk, I really appreciated.
And on we go. See you at the other side.
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It had been months since the negotiations were over and as agreed on the treaty, the planet of Tarrak and Mejalee had begun integration.
Of course, there were dissidents from both sides, but with the efforts of both government working together under the pressure from Combined Fleet, the dissidents were soon put to an end as they were sent to special camp, where they would witness how it was for the other three planets as male and female lived together.
Hibki and Meia were treated as hero in both lands, as they were the first ones of the two planets to have entered into a relationship.
They spoke at various places, encouraging citizens of both planets with their own story of how they came together to interact more with the opposite sex.
They also became part of the training program that coordinated the training between the five nations' military. However, they were placed intentionally by the Alliance Command, which were the high ranking officers from the Combined Fleet and both the Tarrakian and Mejalian military.
The training were disastrous at first, as arguments often spurred up between the two sides over small issues like living arrangement, since they had integrated some military bases on both planets to be co-ed.
"This is going to take a long while." That was what Hibik said as he sighed and dropped his head defeat after the first exercise.
But eventually it got better.
The exercise on August 20th Monday, AD 4100, T.C. 200, ended in a success as they were able to defeat a Harvest Mothership.
"Great job, everyone." Hibiki said as he and the others exited the simulator.
By then, he just realized that they had taken a heavy casualties, but the result was satisfying.
Then after the debriefing, he let all the pilots go, leaving him and Meia alone.
"Finally, some time to ourselves." Hibki said to Meia as she hugged him.
Then they went their temporary quarter on Tarrak after Hibiki wrapped everything up.
They had grown a lot closer over the business, but yet there was uncertainty in Hibiki's heart, as he did not know what to do next in their relationship.
So that day, he decided to go and speak with his male friend, who understood relationship between man and woman.
"Hey, Hibiki, how are you doing?" David he welcomed his friend as they both entered his quarter, which was not far from where Hibiki was staying.
"Okay, I guess." Hibiki replied as he gave a weak smile.
Then they quietly walked to the living room of David's quarter.
"Want anything to drink?" Hibiki shook his head and seeing that his friend didn't need anything to drink, he took a seat on the sofa right next Hibiki's.
"So, how are you doing recently?" David asked.
"Okay, quite busy with the training." Hibiki replied as a weak smile.
"How is Meia, then?" Hibiki froze for a few seconds and David knew he hit the jackpot.
"She is doing pretty well." Hibiki replied as he leaned back on the sofa.
"I see." David nodded then asked, "So how is it between you two?"
"Really good, but…" Hibiki didn't know what to say as he didn't know the right word to describe it.
"But?" David repeated that word while Hibiki thought of how to put it.
"It's like I don't know what's the next step." Hibki said after several seconds of silence.
David nodded and even though he hadn't married, he knew that it was probably the time.
"Hibiki, do you understand what the word marriage means?" David asked as his Tarrakian friend sat up.
"It is a vow between a male and female who are in love that they will be bounded to each other; it is usually life long unless one of them dies or a divorce takes place." Hibiki answered as he leaned forward.
David nodded in satisfaction seeing that his friend understood the most important concept of everything he was going to explain.
"I think you two are ready for that stage, but not every couple marries right away after one side proposed, after one proposes to his mate, they entered the status of being engaged to one another. It means that they are closer to one another than average lovers, but they are not married, which legally, at least in Theora, Aniesia, and Melanus, they do not share all benefits as married couple." David explained slowly as Hibki listened.
"So what do I need to do in proposing?" Hibiki asked as David leaned back to rest a little bit.
"Most dominantly, it's man who proposes to woman. In Theora and Aniesia, proposal usually happens under romantic settings. The man then asks the woman to marry him and if the woman agrees to it, he would put an engagement ring, usually with precious gem stone, on her left hand ring finger, the fourth finger, signaling that she is engaged to man and soon would be married." David patiently explained it to his friend as Hibiki listened.
"I see." That was all Hibiki said after David finished as he began to consider what could be used as engagement ring.
Then suddenly he remembered; he had one of the rings Rabat left. Even though it was merely a golden ring with sapphire, Hibiki knew it would be enough.
Then he went on to ask about marriage, which David was also happy to explain.
By the time he was done, it was around five o'clock in the afternoon.
"I still have a little time." Hibiki thought as he ran back to his quarter and beginning to look for that ring.
It took nearly an hour to find it and when he found, he immediately called Meia, telling her to meet him in one of the conference in the base.
He knew Meia didn't like cheesy environment as even though she had opened herself up, she still didn't like wasting; furthermore, she liked it simple.
So, instead of dressing up formally, Hibiki put on the best casual clothes he had and made sure he looked presentable. As soon as he was done, he headed out, taking the ring with him.
Meia, noticing the tone of voice Hibiki used to speak to her was different than usual, decided to show up early and to her surprise, Hibiki was already there.
"Meia?" Hibiki picked up her presence as she walked into the conference room.
"Hey Hibki." After greeting him, she walked to his side and there, they decided to sit on the large table.
The first started off as they usually did and slowly they moved onto more serious things.
"Meia, how long has it been since we met?' Hibiki as he looked at the ceiling with a smile as Meia finished answering one of his previous question.
"About a year." Meia answered as she thought, "Why is he asking all these questions?"
"Is he getting tired of me?" That was a scary thought to her, but she knew it was better to be prepared.
"How long since we started our relationship?" Meia was worried, but decided to play along until the very end.
"Seven months." Hearing that Hibiki nodded.
"So it's been seven months." Hibiki said silently to himself as he fiddled with the ring in his pocket, then he got off from the table and stood before Meia..
"Well, I don't know how to say this. Anyway, it's been a while since we've known each other and dated each other and I have really enjoyed it being with you." Hibiki then took in a large breath and asked that ultimate question.
"Meia Gisborn, will you marry me?" As those words came out of Hibiki's mouth, all fears in side Meia's heart melted as the emotion of joy overwhelmed her.
"Of course I will." Meia jumped off the table and hugged him as tightly as she could.
Seconds later, Hibiki took out the ring and put it on Meia's left hand ring finger and once again, they embraced each other and kissed.
It seemed to last forever, but then the alarm went off.
To be continued…
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How is it? Last official chapter approaches. Please leave comments and feedbacks. Thanks.