Alice packed up her things, all the while wishing she didn't have to invite Carol and Eric to the Veldt. She'd hoped to get Gau to take her deeper in. Oh well. Last time I asked he said it was best to go in a group. Besides, if I don't take them, they'll never speak to me again.
Gau came up beside her. "How much time need to get ready?"
Alice felt Carol's icy glare. "I haven't asked them yet. A couple hours, maybe? Is that too late?"
Gau leaned to the side to catch Carol's gaze. "Hi, Carol. Alice and me go Veldt for camp. You come?"
Alice rolled her eyes. Well, no turning back now.
Carol's gaze brightened as she leapt to her feet. "Really? Sure!"
Eric sauntered over. "What's all the commotion?"
"We go to Veldt for camp out," Gau told him, smiling. "Have much fun. You come?"
Alice sent Eric a sidelong glance from under her lashes. He looked less than thrilled.
"Sure. Why not."
"We still have to ask our parents," Alice said with a meaningful look toward Carol.
Carol waved Alice's reminder aside when Gau sent her a concerned glance. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that. Alice and my parents are so used to us asking to go to the Veldt that they don't even know why we ask anymore."
Gau's gaze twinkled with relief. Then he looked back over at Alice and Eric. "Good. I meet at entrance to town. You go for change of clothes and bag to keep warm."
"What about food?" Alice asked.
Looking very amused and very smug, he said "I get food for all, Alice. I and Eric. We fish. We hunt. No worry for what eat."
Carol clapped her hands. "Sounds fun!"
Alice shook her head before grabbing Carol's arm to pull her out of the school and toward her home. "Carol, geez, throw yourself a little harder at him and he'll fall over."
"What 'throw myself at him'? I'm just being myself."
"That's the problem." Carol protested, but Alice ignored her. "Let's just get our stuff and get out there before Eric and Gau kill each other."
Carol scoffed. "Oh, Eric's just having a little attitude problem. Gau can handle it. Besides, he's so sweet that Eric won't be able to hate him for long."
Alice examined her friend's profile. "Who's sweet? Gau or Eric?"
Carol's smile twitched slightly. "Both."
Alice arched an eyebrow.
Needless to say, the Veldt enraptured Carol. She "ooh"ed and "ahh"ed at the appropriate times, caressing Gau's ego - if he had one - with melodious laughs or twinkling glances at all his anecdotes. Now, much to Alice's surprise, Carol had encircled Gau's arm with both of hers as she followed his gaze to the horizon of the Veldt, beautiful in her awed wonder.
"Thank you for bringing me, Gau," she cooed. "I wish I could see the sunset here."
Gau's ears tinged slightly pink, but his smile remained easy and proud. Alice cleared her throat as she sent Eric a quick glance. He watched Carol with a smirk. Alice frowned and looked away again.
"So, are we almost to the center of the Veldt?" she asked.
Gau zeroed in on her face, serious expression returned. "No go Deep Veldt. Much dangerous for you--"
"But I need to go for my paper," Alice pressed.
Gau turned his entire body toward her, as if the action would impress upon her the importance of what he said. "You need do as I say, Alice. Many monsters in center of Veldt. Many monsters I no can protect all from. I no bring you in danger. We be friends."
Alice stretched her hands out in front of her. "But, Gau, I need to go to the deepest part of the Veldt or my research is only half done."
Gau set his jaw and shook his head. "This as far as I take. Research in center of Veldt too much dangerous to be worth trouble. This Veldt be good for what need."
Alice released a deep breath. "Alright."
Eric shook his head. "Geez, Alice. Not getting to the absolute center of the Veldt isn't going to keep that from happening. You've got a damn good paper written."
Alice looked over at him in surprise.
Eric ran a hand through his hair. When his eyes met hers, his expression was honest and open. "This is your last year here. The last year you'll see all of us before moving to Figaro. Hell! The year's almost over and I've barely seen you outside the classroom. Don't you want to have any fun?"
She looked away. "There'll be time for that later."
"Oh yeah? When? Over the summer you'll probably be moving. And then you'll want to be settled before school starts up again--" Eric sighed. "Fine. Do whatever you want."
Alice sent Eric a frown. When she looked over at Gau, she noticed he stared off into the distance very distracted. Carol and Alice exchanged a glance.
"Gau?" Carol asked hesitantly.
Silence. They looked toward each other again, this time Eric joining them with a 'what's wrong with him?' expression.
"G--"
He gestured for quiet.
A knot of fear as Alice looked toward Eric. He clenched his jaw and stepped closer to her and Carol. When Gau took a cautious step backward, the trio did too.
"We no camp now. I take home." He turned, urging them back toward town. "Now."
"Gau, what's the matter?" Alice whispered.
"No questions. Just go." He hurried them along while giving occasional backward glances to an unknown danger.
"I'm scared." Carol's voice cracked.
Gau rested a hand briefly on her shoulder. "No be scared. I here to protect. You be safe. I promise."
But the fact that he seemed even a little worried made Alice more than uneasy. She was scared, too. Eric held back a bit. Then Alice could hear him speaking to Gau in a low voice. When Eric hurried to walk beside the two girls again, his face looked a little pale but more determined than anything. Alice didn't know whether to take it as a bad sign or a good one.
Suddenly, Gau urged them to the south. "We no make town. We go some place safe." He pointed far in the distance. "See black thing? Caves there. More safer."
The trio said nothing. They only quickened their step to a jog, all the while wishing the cave would get closer faster. As the cave began to look more life-scale, Alice believed she heard an unfamiliar animal-like sound behind her. When she would have turned to look, Gau gave her a sharp reprimand and urged them forward faster. Then they plunged into the dark depths of the cave and crouched together in the corner.
"Where's Gau?" Alice asked in a hushed whisper.
"Damn! He's still out there!" Eric moved to stand, but Carol grabbed his arm. He glared at her. "Carol, I can't just leave him out there by himself."
Carol shook her head, hazel eyes wide with terror. "If you go out there you'll die! Don't you leave us alone in here!"
Eric sent another look toward the dim entrance of the cave before huddling between the girls again. He wrapped his arms around them and drew them close. "Fine. We wait."
The ear-shattering wail sounded again. Alice had never heard it before. She turned into Eric's shoulder to clutch his shirt, squeezing her eyes closed so tight that tears escaped the corners. Alice even felt Eric flinch.
The shriek suddenly sounded again, and she flinched. I hope he's okay. Please let him be okay... Eric rested his chin against the top of her head, and Alice heard Carol begin to softly cry.
Alice didn't know she'd fallen asleep until she woke with her head on an unfamiliar shoulder. She sat up, and her eyes focused on the welcome sight of Gau.
She threw her arms around his neck with an exclamation of "You're okay!" as she hugged him tight.
"What?" Gau asked when she pulled back again. "You think me die? Me not done with school."
Alice flushed, lowering her gaze to the duty of straightening her wrinkled shirt. "Sorry... I... I just..." She cleared her throat and sent a glance toward Carol at her left. Carol shook her head, chuckling the entire time. "Oh shut up."
Gau stood. He'd changed from his school suit to a pair of simple hide trousers and was now both bare-chested and barefoot. "Almost mid-night. We stay here, or I take home. You choose. Beast no more bother, but I get if you no want camp."
Alice moved her gaze to Eric, who intensely focused on stoking the fire. "Eric? What do you think?"
He didn't look up. "It's up to you."
She looked over at Carol, who examined her nails. "Carol?"
"Whatever you want to do."
Alice refocused her gaze on Gau. "If you don't mind staying here, I could ask some questions about the deeper Veldt."
Gau nodded. "Okay. We stay." He gestured toward the front portion of the cave. "I take first watch. Carol and Eric, you eat and sleep while I talk with Alice."
They nodded, Carol gathering herself beside Eric by the fire. Alice followed Gau from the main cavern to the front entrance that led onto the Veldt. The night sounds grew in volume until they were a chorus of animals she'd always heard and never seen. Gau copied several of the calls, speaking some form of answer to their inquiry, and then he moved those golden-green cat-like eyes to her.
She looked away. "So, what was it?"
"You no worry of that. Speak questions of Veldt." He sat on a large boulder, or rather he crouched, and rested his arms across his knees. "I tell you all I know. More. You ask."
Alice cleared her throat. "Okay." She looked around for a similar boulder but didn't find one. When Gau moved and offered her his spot, she flushed and quickly moved to sit down. "Exactly where on the Veldt do you live? Do you have a house somewhere? A tent? Anything like that?"
"This important for paper?"
Alice shook her head. "No. Just curious."
Gau looked out onto the Veldt. "When rain or cold I seek shelter same as you or animals on Veldt. When sun shine, or if cold not so bad, I sleep under stars with no fear. Some time friend keep company and we share warmth."
A million different possible pictures flared in Alice's mind. She flushed and frowned down at her nails. "A friend? Like Lena or Carol?" Gau laughed. Alice looked over at him. "What?"
"You say very funny thing."
"Huh? Why?"
"No human from town be friend 'til you. I talk of Lobo or other with thick fur that give warmth."
"Oh. Yeah. I guess that's right." Alice cleared her throat and carefully tucked her knees up to her chin. She wrapped her arms around her legs, tilting her head back to stare up at the night sky and the stars that twinkled and laughed at their myriad of secrets. Alice sighed and closed her eyes.
"What be big trouble, Alice?"
Alice sighed again. "Oh, nothing. Your Veldt just makes me think of stuff other than school."
There was a faint rustle as he moved closer. "You no like think of these things?"
Alice's lips quirked in a smile, and she opened her eyes to look over at him. His eyes had widened, twinkling with curiosity and mild confusion. "Not particularly. My life's complicated enough as it is."
"Maybe your life be more easy if you think of these things. Then no can build and be like wildfire."
Her smile broadened, and she chuckled as she looked away. "Yeah. Wouldn't that be nice."
Gau remained silent for a long time before leaping up onto the boulder beside her. Alice gave a start and looked over at him, but he only grinned as he made himself comfortable. Once he moved his focus to the stars above, Alice continued to examine his profile.
It was a nice profile - Carol was right about the drop-dead-gorgeous part - and a very nice and honest expression always seemed to be on his face. He didn't put on an act like Eric and the other guys seemed to. Gau's cool. He doesn't have to act any other way than how he is. Now if only the guys would learn from his example.
She smiled, eyes crinkling at the corners before she followed his gaze. "I'm glad I met you, Gau."
"I glad I meet you, Alice. I be curious of life in town long time, but not know how ask. When you start come to Veldt I think maybe I come ask you help. I think long time."
"Then I needed your help and you couldn't wait any longer."
Gau nodded. "At least you no think I beast like others."
Alice chuckled. "Don't give me too much credit. I was a snot when we first met, remember?"
"Snot?"
Alice shook her head. "Never mind." Gau continued to examine her, and she turned her face to meet his gaze. "What?"
"I curious."
"About what?"
"Why you no with Eric?"
Alice flushed deep and looked away. "What are you talking about?"
"Eric like you much. Want protect and angry when no can. Angry, too, that I--"
"Don't be silly," Alice interrupted. She cleared her throat. "Eric just wants to be the only big shot in town. You're instantly popular because of who you are. He doesn't like that."
Gau watched her face. "Maybe is what you say, but not all."
"He likes Carol."
Gau nodded. "I see this. But different."
Alice looked over at him. "Different? What do you mean? What's different?"
"He different when with Carol. No try... no act big or strong."
"What?"
Gau smiled, and he actually seemed to laugh at her. "You like Terra and Edgar. No see what plain." He leaped off the boulder. "I go out a way and make safe. You go inside cave to sleep."
Alice watched his lithe form as he faded into the shadows. Then, when all she could see was a hint of the Veldt beyond, she lowered her focus to her knees. He certainly has strange ideas about things, doesn't he? Eric and I are just friends. Sure, Carol thinks the same way, but... if he liked me he'd say something. Besides, I'm moving to Figaro, and the last thing I need is a long-distance relationship.
"Get any work done?"
Alice gasped. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw Eric leaning against the wall of the cave entrance. "Eric, geez! Find another hobby besides scaring me to death." He came to stand beside the boulder, staring out onto the blackened Veldt. "What's the matter?" she asked.
"Nothing."
"Needed a break from Carol?"
He crossed his arms and leaned a shoulder against the boulder. "She's asleep again." Eric cleared his throat as he stared down at the ground at his feet. "Poor girl. She's not used to this kind of excitement."
Alice nodded and leaned back onto her elbows, staring up at the stars. "Yeah. She only wanted to impress Gau. She doesn't get it that he's clueless."
"He's not so clueless," Eric mumbled.
Alice turned her head. "What?"
"Nothing."
She looked back to the stars. "It's beautiful out here. I can see why he'd rather sleep in the open than in a tent or hut. I'd stay here too, if I'd grown up on the Veldt."
"Maybe now you will."
She met Eric's gaze. "Why do you say that?"
He stared off into the night a moment before shaking his head with a muttered "Never mind," and straightening to go back inside. "You should think about coming in and getting some sleep."
"I think I'll sleep out here. Thanks anyway."
"Fine."
Well what in the... but then the night sounds of the Veldt began their soft chorus, drawing her focus and her attention. So Alice closed her eyes, absorbing the peaceful music with an exhalation of breath.
"Why you no inside with others?"
"Hmm?" Alice sat up slowly, mind ever so gradually returning from the dream of riding a white dragon across the Veldt. She looked down at Gau with a sleepy expression, noticing his somewhat annoyed expression. "Oh I'm sorry. I guess I fell asleep."
"No safe here by self," he pressed, motioning toward the cave. "You to be in with others."
"But, Gau--"
"It's not so bad," Eric told Gau as he emerged from the shadows. "I kept my eye on her."
Gau's annoyed expression remained. "It good you watch, but I tell her thing to do for own good." He moved his stern gaze to her. "If you no follow order, then I no take to Veldt. Too dangerous. You decide. One more chance." Then Gau stepped past into the caves.
Alice carefully dropped from the boulder. "Thanks for covering for me."
Eric watched her as she dusted little bits of boulder dust from her trousers. "Who said I was?"
Alice looked up. "What?"
"I said--"
"I heard what you said." Alice frowned, hands going to her hips. "What's going on, Eric?"
He sent her a glance. "Nothing."
"Whatever, Eric. We've been friends too long for me to believe that." She examined his face. "Did I do something to piss you off? Did I not do something that I said I would? What? What do you want from me?"
Eric faced her and stepped closer. "Some attention would be great."
Alice's jaw gaped, arms dropping to her sides. "What?"
"First, it was the Veldt and your paper. Then it was the Veldt and your entry-essay into Figaro Academy. Now it's the Veldt, Gau, and your entry-essay into the Figaro Academy." He moved closer. A frown tightened his face. "I hoped to have a shot at you before you left. Now..." Eric looked away with a shrug. "Oh well. I guess I can't fight the Veldt. It's not human. Neither is he. Not really. He's more legend than anything."
"What are you talking about?" Alice insisted. Eric's green eyes met her brown ones. "We're friends, Eric. You don't have to fight Gau or the Veldt for anything, especially not my attention."
He snorted, or very nearly. "Yeah. Right."
"Don't you 'Yeah. Right' me Eric Trugate."
"Then what am I supposed to do, Alice?" Eric turned his entire body toward her. "Strip and live on the Veldt like him for 15 years?"
"Of course not! What are you talking about?"
"I care about you, Alice, but all you ever think about are the damn plants and wildlife on the Veldt!"
Alice's jaw dropped.
At her reaction, Eric threw his hands up into the air. "Oh this is great. You didn't even notice!"
Alice's jaw silently worked.
Turning away, Eric mumbled "Forget it. Move to Figaro and have a great life. I hope you finally find what you want."
Alice stared after Eric until he disappeared into the dark recesses of the cave. Then Alice cleared her throat and turned from the entrance of the cave to stare out at the dark and silent Veldt.
Alice sat up as another melodious bout of laughter came from beyond the entrance of the cave. The recognized purr of Gau's chuckle immediately followed. Wrinkling her nose, Alice gave a stretch as she looked around the cave. Eric leaned against the cave entrance while staring out at something on the Veldt.
She felt bad. Eric was a great guy and a real kick to be around, and the last thing she had wanted to do was hurt his feelings. I just haven't thought much about him and me. It never really came up again. There was always something or someone else needing my attention. Alice heavily sighed, drawing Eric's gaze.
"We were wondering when you were going to wake up," he said simply. "Gau wants to take us swimming. Hurry up." Then he left the cave.
Guilt accosted Alice, making her bite her lower lip. I'm sorry, Eric. I didn't mean to be dense. She sighed again and pulled herself from her sleeping bag. Then she reached over for her pack and stood.
When another laugh sounded Carol, Alice winced and then rolled her eyes. Slinging her pack over her shoulder, she headed out into the morning sunshine to find Gau and Carol perched on the same boulder Alice had been on last night. Eric leaned against it.
"What in the world is so funny?"
Gau looked over his shoulder toward her and promptly leaped down from the boulder. He wore another pair of hide trousers and still no shirt.
He came over to her. "Morning, Alice. Why you sleep so long?
"Oh, I don't know. Because I was tired? What with getting chased by man-eating monsters and things like that. It has a tendency of wearing a person out." And Eric's not really talking to me, and I'll never be able to laugh like Carol...
Gau's handsome face tightened with uncertainty and confusion to amusement and then back again. "You joke with Gau? Or you angry?"
Alice's guilt bit her in the butt even harder than earlier. "Sorry. I'm not a morning person. A swim would probably perk me right up."
Gau gave a brief nod. Then he turned to gesture to Carol and Eric. "Come. Let's go swim. Eat fish and eggs for breakfast."
Carol squealed with delight, waving her hands for help down from the boulder. Gau and Eric, of course, were quick to oblige. Alice raised an eyebrow. I never understood that whole helpless-female routine. She's got it down pat, though.
So the group headed to the west, Alice noticing that Eric and Carol quickened their step to the front. She submerged her hands deep into the pockets of her jeans. He's not even giving me a chance to say 'I'm sorry'. So the guilt for being dense quickly made way for irritation as she grumbled under her breath about stubborn boys and their infantile behaviors.
"Alice, why you grumble like grumpy Rhinox?"
Alice met Gau's concerned/amused expression and sheepishly smiled. "Sorry. I've got a lot on my mind."
"I see this. Tell so I help."
She flushed. "It's nothing. Forget it."
Gau chuckled. "I no can forget when plain on both faces."
Her gaze met his. "What?"
Gau shook his head. "I no tell. You know."
Alice moved her gaze to Eric and Carol. "I really hurt his feelings last night, Gau."
Gau nodded. "I see truth in face when he come back. Why you do this thing, Alice?"
"I didn't mean to." And She felt lower than forest slime.
"How you make better?"
Adjusting her fists in her pockets, Alice sighed. "I've no idea."
"If heart sorry, you tell him this thing. No think too long of what to say. Too many words make more trouble. Speak clear and little, but from heart."
But something told her Eric wasn't ready to hear anything from her just yet.
"Why so glum?"
Alice raised her eyes to Carol's. When she looked around for Gau, she found him walking beside Eric. Alice lower her gaze back to the ground. "Nothing."
"Have anything to do with Eric?"
Alice shrugged again.
"Didn't I tell you he liked you? Maybe next time you'll believe me."
Alice grimaced. "Maybe."
Carol chuckled and gave her a little shove. "Don't worry about it, Alice. Eric will be fine. He's just got a case of hurt pride. Don't you remember what you felt when all he could see was Terra Branford?"
Alice remembered the misery all too well. "Yeah."
"Give him a couple hours and then try talking to him," Carol suggested. Then she gave Alice another friendly nudge and hurried to walk beside Gau.
Alice sighed deep. Man. I hate it when she's right-- There sounded a sudden squeal, causing Alice to look up to see Carol and Gau standing together on a slight rise. Carol looked absolutely beside herself with joy. I wonder what it is this time?
It was the most beautiful beach Alice had seen.
"Oh, Gau," Carol crooned, "it's absolutely dreamy!"
Alice rolled her eyes. Eric snickered behind a quickly raised hand.
"Come here all time with friends before evil gone."
Alice noticed he didn't say 'Kefka'.
Gau looked over Carol's head to Alice and Eric. "Have many good memory here. Of friends. Make more, so have much more memory to make here."
Carol sniffled. Alice moved her focus to the rocky beach. Eric dropped his pack and started stripping out of his shoes and down to his swimming trunks.
"Eric, you no swim."
Eric sent Gau a wide-eyed stare. "What? How come?"
Gau smirked. "We go for breakfast. Swim when they cook."
Eric glowered as he put his shoes and trousers back on. "Man, this bites." He followed after Gau.
Carol and Alice headed down to the beach.
"Can you believe this? We're stepping on the same beach as Cyan of Doma. King Edgar of Figaro and his brother Sabin. Terra Branford. Locke Cole. General Celes Chere." Carol released a melodramatic sigh. "I think I've died and gone to heaven."
"Geez, Carol." Alice handed her a towel to hold up while she changed into her one-piece black swimsuit. "You've been reading those short-story romances again, haven't you?"
Carol blushed and moved her gaze from Alice's accusing face to the water as it beat upon the shore. "I can't help it if I love happy endings and marriages between damsels and the heroes that rescue them."
Alice adjusted the straps of her swimsuit before holding the towel so Carol could change. "But you're setting yourself up for a fall, Carol. Girls like us never get the knight on the white horse. We get the Eric's and Dane's, and we live in small towns running Inns and Item Shops."
"What's wrong with that? Eric's a hero, of sorts. He just hasn't had an opportunity to show it."
Alice reluctantly conceded the point. "And he won't, either. Not in our town."
Carol took the towel down to reveal her somewhat modest but all-revealing two-piece emerald green bikini. Alice wrinkled her nose as she looked away. Nobody else fills out a swimsuit like Carol.
"Alice, don't be such a stick in the mud. There's plenty of opportunities for heroic deeds in our home town. Just not on a grand scale like in the books."
"Fine. Fine. Whatever. Let's set up the blanket and take a dip before the boys get back and demand we cook and clean."
Carol's expression showed concern as they cleared a beach section of driftwood and pointy pebbles. Once they finished, her expression had changed to near panic. "They won't really make us cook breakfast, will they?"
Alice groaned while handing Carol one end of the blanket. "Let me guess: you can't boil water."
"Oh, I can boil water and make toast, or simple things like that, but..." Carol's expression looked positively morose. "I don't want to make a fool of myself, Alice."
Alice sent her a reassuring smile, draping an arm around her shoulders as she led her toward the water's edge. "Don't worry, Carol. I'll do the difficult stuff. I've been on a million camp-outs with my folks. I'll have you do the easy stuff. Okay?"
Carol beamed and her hazel eyes twinkled. "Oh Alice, thank you."
"Sure, sure. Now let's get soaked."
They ran for the water with squeals and laughter.
Carol looked toward the shore. "They're back!" She grabbed Alice's hand and dragged her through the waist-high water toward the beach. "Come on, come on!"
Face flaming, Alice watched as Eric and Gau made their way down the hill to where the girls had set up the blanket. The boys waved, inviting Carol to wave back accompanied by a melody of laughter.
"How's the water?" Eric called as he set down what they'd rustled for breakfast. He made his way to the water's edge as Carol and Alice emerged. "Cold?"
Carol shook her head as she dragged Alice all the way up to Eric and then beyond, not even giving Alice the chance to take up her towel to cover herself.
"No," Carol said with a gleaming smile, "it's perfect. Go on. We'll get started on breakfast."
Then Carol dragged Alice toward Gau before Eric and her could even exchange greetings.
"Nice suit," Eric called after her quickly retreating form.
Alice flushed a deeper shade of crimson.
Eric laughed and turned away, stripping down to his trunks before jogging toward the water.
"Hello, Gau," Carol purred as the two finally came to a stop in front of him.
Alice sent him a glance, noticing he kept his eyes carefully averted from the two, ears slightly pink.
Carol finally released Alice's hand, who quickly retreated back a couple steps to retrieve their towels. Has she no modesty at all? Alice asked herself as she wrapped one of the towels around her waist. Giving a shake of her head, Alice stepped back to Carol and Gau just as he stammered out an answer to a purely 'Carol' question.
"Here." Alice shoved the towel into Carol's hand. Carol didn't seem to notice. "Carol. Wrap up."
Carol did so without shifting her gaze from Gau's face or even stopping her conversation with him.
Alice shook her head and focused her attention on Gau. "So, what'd you fellas bring?" she interrupted.
Gau's face returned to its natural color as he listed "Eggs. Jerky. Some vegetables to cook with eggs."
Alice smiled as she moved her eyes to the bag of goodies in the center of their blanket. "Sounds yummy. We'll get started while you take a swim." She looked back up. "Have a ball. We'll let you know when it's done."
Gau nodded and hurried to the water, stripping down to a loincloth before Alice and Carol could look away. Alice cleared her throat and turned, giving Carol an elbow in the ribs when she gave a silly giggle.
Breakfast was a hit. Of course, Alice supposed anything dealing with a boy's stomach would go over well. Though she had to admit she'd done a darn good job. Now Gau and Alice tidied their picnic area - fully clothed, thank goodness - while Eric and Carol splashed each other to their heart's content. Finally, all refuse had been gathered, tucked safely into Eric's pack, and Gau and Alice laid back on the blanket staring up at the bright blue sky with their hands behind their heads.
"So, what's on the agenda for tomorrow?"
Gau chuckled. "Today not done, Alice. Still much hours before dark."
"You mean we're not going to lounge around here all day?" Alice feigned horror and dismay.
"Nope."
Alice sat up, pointing to a collection of rocks and caves on the beach to the north. "Then can we go there?"
"For school?" Gau asked, smiling as he looked over at her.
She gave a one-shoulder shrug. "Yes and no."
"You bring hat?"
"Huh?" Alice sent him a puzzled look. "Hat? What for?"
"Much bats and things. Never know when..." he pointed to his head and made a splut sound.
Alice wrinkled her nose. "Eww," she whined. "Gross."
Gau laughed-- and then suddenly sat up. "Alice! Me 'member."
"You remembered what?"
He looked over at her, eyes wide. "Saw flower!"
Alice gasped. "Really? No way!" She scrambled to her feet the same time he did. "Where? Where?"
He gestured the way he and Eric had gone before with an excited motion. "That way! Little walk!"
"Take me, take me!" She hurried after him. "Did'ja do anything there?"
"Don't remember."
They scrambled up a slight incline, and Alice gasped. It wasn't just one solitary flower. There was a patch of them easily as large as her room. She moved her wide eyed gaze to Gau. "When was the last time you came here?"
Gau's eyes and face registered concentration. "Many, many months." He met her gaze. "Year maybe?"
Alice looked back at the flowers and then started down the other side of the hill. Gau followed along behind her. "A year," she mumbled as she examined the browned grass that preceded the flowers. "What happened this year? Any weird seasonal things? No, I don't think so."
Once she came to the edge of the flowers, she knelt. The blossom was white, looking as if a ribbon had been worked carefully and delicately at one end of the stem. Alice leaned forward and breathed in, closing her eyes when the delicate scent soothed her spirit.
"Oh my goodness," she sighed. Alice looked up at Gau with a wide smile, eyes twinkling. "You've got to smell these! It's divine!"
He crouched, reaching out to carefully touch the blossom and its healthy green leaves. "Much pretty," he said softly.
"Most definitely." She looked back to the small field of flowers, reaching her hands into the grass and soil beneath the flowers' base of leaves. "This soil is damp." Alice pulled her hands back, bringing the dirty tips of her fingers up to her nose. She sent Gau a delighted grin. "You've got to smell this. It smells gloriously dirty."
Gently taking hold of her hand, he guided her fingers close to his nose. He returned her wide smile. "What fix, Alice? What fix?"
"I don't know." Alice took back her hand and gestured toward the flowers. "Can we come back when I have my stuff? I want to get some samples."
Gau nodded as he stood. "Come, Alice. We be gone much long."
"Okay," she sighed. She accepted his help to stand and fell into step beside him as he slowly made his way back. "Can we stay here a little bit longer?"
"Can if others want. Plenty fun here. Lots of food close." Gau sent her an intense look. "Alice, you want stay?"
"Actually, yeah. I want to explore the beach. Do some boulder jumping and stuff." She intercepted his gaze. "You don't think the others would mind, do you?"
Gau smiled as he shook his head. "Eric and Carol be much happy here. Didn't you see?"
Alice laughed. "A couple of regular beach bunnies, huh?"
Gau's smile blossomed to a laugh as they made their way down to the blanket. Eric came toward the two, completely dried - except for his hair - and fully dressed. Carol however, was by the water's edge gesturing for Gau.
Gau sent Alice another slight smile, which she returned, and then made his way toward her. Then Carol took hold of his hand and started leading him up the north beach with a very animated expression. Alice watched them a moment before focusing on Eric with a slight sigh.
"Hey, you. Want to do some boulder jumping?"
Alice smiled and followed him toward the south beach.
"It's okay, you know."
Alice followed Eric up onto the boulders. "What is?"
"You not liking me that way. I had my chance and blew it. No problem."
Alice sent him a sidelong glance. He seemed sincere enough. "You're awfully calm and understanding, especially considering it was just yesterday."
"I know." He gave a shrug and hopped to the next boulder. "What can I say? I'm easy."
She followed. "Uh-huh."
He looked over at her with a serious expression. "Really, Alice. It's okay. I know that if I make a big deal about it I'll probably lose your friendship. I don't want that to happen. You've got your priorities, and I'm fine with that. Honest."
Still suspicious, Alice decided against saying anything. Instead, she looked away. "It'd take a lot more than that to wreck our friendship, I guess."
He smiled. "Hey. If it can withstand my moaning over Terra Branford and Gau, it can survive a couple years of you at that Academy." He leapt to another boulder, got his balance, and turned to make sure she made it safely. She did.
Alice adjusted her footing. "There's no guarantee I'll get in."
He nudged her shoulder. "You'll get in. I know it."
She smiled up at him. "Thanks, Eric. I appreciate it."
He winked at her and then turned for the next boulder. "No problem."
Alice followed after him. The jury was still out on whether the decision to not have a kissy-feely-touchy relationship with him was okay.