Alice adjusted her crossed arms as she sighed deeply, leaning against the footboard of her bed. There sounded a slight knock. "Come ahead."
The door opened slowly, a beautiful woman with long green hair peeking her head around the door. Alice straightened sharply as Queen Terra Branford Figaro entered the room. She was dressed in a simple pair of burgundy leggings and matching top. Her hair was pulled back from her face and braided, secured at the bottom with a simple ivory ribbon.
The Queen smiled, and it made her seem even lovelier. "Hello, Alice. I hope I haven't come at a bad time."
Alice gulped. "N-no, your highness." Oh my gosh...
The young queen came further into the room, bringing a report out from behind her back as she gestured to Alice's hand. "How's your wrist? I know the doctor was worried about it."
Alice smiled. "It's fine. Thank you, your majesty-- Oh! Let me get you a chair!" She hurried to her desk to pull out a chair, which Queen Terra accepted with a smile. Alice sat on the very edge of the side of her bed.
The Queen offered up the report. "It's very good. Edgar and I got a lot of ideas from it."
Alice flushed and picked at her robe, occasionally peeking up at the Queen's kind face. "Really?"
The Queen nodded. "How long have you been doing research on the Veldt?"
"About a year, I guess."
"What made you start?"
"Don't know exactly," Alice admitted. "I hadn't had a home for so long that when we moved here, I guess..." Alice shrugged and looked up. "It wasn't right that the Veldt wasn't as green as it used to be. I just wanted to understand why every place else was getting back to normal."
Queen Terra examined Alice a moment before looking down at the paper. "I know you're submitting it as an entry-essay into the Academy, but I wondered if you wouldn't rather stay here and keep doing research on the Veldt."
Alice's heart fell. "It's not good enough for the Academy, is it?"
Queen Terra reached out and took Alice's hand. "It's not that at all. It's wonderful. You'd fit right in... academically. It's just that I'm afraid your heart would be left here. The essay is well written and passionate because it's something you believe in. That's why I think studying at the Academy isn't as important to you as fixing your home."
Alice looked up. "But I can't fix it until I know what the problem is. And I can't do that until I learn more. And I can't do that without going to the Academy."
The Queen examined her face again with honest and open eyes. "That's true."
"I appreciate your concern, your majesty, but I need to do this."
Queen Terra's eyes twinkled with her smile. "I know. That's why Edgar is enrolling you for the first year with a full scholarship."
"What? Really?" She enveloped the Queen in a hug. "Oh thank you, thank you!"
Queen Terra chuckled as she returned her embrace. When she pulled back, her expression showed lovely seriousness. "Be sure to tell your family and friends exactly how you feel about them. The Academy is different than the school here. It's tough. You'll need their support."
Alice nodded. "Okay, your majesty. I will."
Then Queen Terra made her way to the door. "It was really nice to meet you, Alice, and you're welcome to visit us any time you like."
Alice nodded again, leaning against the door with a deep breath once it had clicked shut. I'm going to the Academy! I made it!
When Alice heard the footsteps approach her door, she tucked the blankets tighter over her lap. She sat in her favorite rocking chair staring out the window of her room. Staring at the tree outside her window. Staring at the main road that led to her house. She cleared her throat and rocked once, making her chair creak just as the door did. She heard two steps, and then they stopped. Alice heard him clear his throat, then another couple steps, and a second clearing of the throat.
Come on, Alice. Geez. She turned her head to face him, immediately noticing that Gau had dressed in a different suit than before. Alice remembered seeing it in the window of Dane's shop. Charcoal gray, like his other one, this one looked even better on him. He actually looked less legend and more seventeen-year-old guy ready to go to a dance. Especially since his arm wasn't in the sling anymore.
And he also held a bouquet of Veldt wildflowers.
When he saw the wilted ones on the floor that Eric had brought her the day before, his face yellowed and he looked around for a place to hide them.
Alice looked down to her hands. "Hi."
Staring at the flowers, Gau adjusted them within his fingers before saying, "Gau know Alice angry me. Eric say when take Carol." Gau finally lowered the blossoms and looked up, moving to stand in front of her chair to meet her gaze. "Why? What Gau do make angry?" he asked, voice lost and confused. "Alice no like Gau? Because Adamant? Because hurt? Why?"
Alice lowered her focus to the blanket across her lap and concentrated on adjusting its symmetry. "I'm not mad at you, Gau. I've just not been feeling good." Seeing Carol with a guy like you does that to person. She's just hero-happy and will hurt you when she gets tired of it. She should be with a normal guy. One that 'gets' her.
"Then why see Eric and no Gau? Why see Terra and no Gau?" Gau crouched in front of Alice and looked her full in the face. "Why Alice do this thing? If no want be with Gau, say plain."
Alice's throat tightened with guilt. "I never said I didn't want to be your friend, Gau. I just thought..." Alice's mouth went dry and her stomach crawled. "I just thought you'd want some more time with C-Carol."
Gau's golden-green eyes gleamed with confusion. "Gau no want what say. Gau come and Alice say no want see. Why think Gau want be with Carol all time?"
Alice clasped her hands together. "Don't worry about it, Gau."
Gau released a deep breath, confusion and frustration darkening his eyes even more. "Alice, I try think why you angry, but what Carol say and what you say much different."
Alice's temper redlined without warning. "Of course I'm different," she snapped. Gau pulled back with a blink. "I'm Alice and not Carol, the featherweight limp-brain who can't recognize long division from fractions. Gigglegus with her blasted melodious laugh that makes me cringe!" She glared into Gau's face. "Well I hope you'll be happy with her - Miss Open Flirtation who's never happy without a guy as a bracelet! I better be different because I'm going to the Academy! I'm going to make something of myself!"
Gau's eyes sparked and his brows lowered.
Alice blinked, immediately lowering her eyes and clearing her throat. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you." Geez, Alice! You're mad at Carol for taking advantage, not Gau! He saved your butt - twice! - remember?
"You say 'cuz you think I no make big thing happen? I no good 'cuz live on Veldt like animal and not go school 'til now?"
Alice looked up, eyes wide. "I didn't say that!"
Gau straightened from his crouch with a sharp motion, arms outstretched. "Then what you say?" He pressed a finger into his palm. "Carol say you like," and another, "Eric say you like." He pointed at her. "You say Carol like." He pointed at himself. "You no ask who I like; you say I like," he pointed outside, "and be good with Carol." Gau scooped the flowers up from the floor to drop them into her lap, causing a twitch. "Flowers from Veldt. From heart of both. You go, you lose heart. You lose self. Make sure do thing for Veldt and not for fear of life."
Then he turned and strode from the room like a dragon, not even shutting the door behind him. Alice stared down at the carefully picked flowers, now battered and wilted, and buried her face into the softness... and sniffled, "...dang it..."
Alice sighed deep as she stowed the last of the things she'd need for her stay at the dormitories of the Academy. Gau hadn't visited the entire week. It was as if he'd written the little town out of his life. Alice had gotten into the habit of walking around town on the extreme outer edges of the Veldt hoping he'd show himself, but everything had stayed calm and quiet. Not even a peep had been heard from the animals of the Veldt. It was as if they accused her of something she hadn't meant to do.
Hurt Gau's feelings.
She kept replaying the scenario in her head, but it just made her feel even worse. And her guilt wouldn't let her give up the instant replay. She knew she had to sacrifice her pride to save their friendship.
There came a knock on her door. "Come ahead."
A creak sounded as the door opened and a male voice spoke. "There's some Setzer guy at the inn asking for you. I told him I'd get you."
"Thanks, Eric. Tell him I'm just about ready."
He didn't move, and Alice clenched her jaw as she buckled closed the straps of her side bag. You know he's going to open his big mouth and ask about Gau. And if it's not him, it'll be Carol. The two were like an interrogation squad of the Empire the way they kept asking her what happened at Gau and her last meeting.
"So, like, why don't you finish out the year at least?"
"I told you. I need to get settled before the new year starts."
"I know, but... Geez, Alice, you're going to be gone for two years at least. You just got better from the Adamant mauling and you're leaving. It's not fair."
Alice slung the bag over her shoulder and faced Eric-- Gau stood just behind him. Alice looked away, self-consciously grabbing her large duffel bag to sling it over her other shoulder. "Sorry, guys, but life's never fair. I've got this chance, so I'm running with it."
She came up to them and met Eric's gaze. "See you around, Eric."
He gave her a careful hug, pulling away with a lopsided grin. "Not if I see you first." He touched her nose. "Keep it clean, Alice. We don't want no rebel coming from our town."
Alice smiled. "Thanks." She cleared her throat as she moved on to Gau. Same gray suit as a week before. Just as good in it. And just as welcome a sight as ever. "Thanks for everything, Gau," she voiced softly. "I'll never forget you or your Veldt."
His face was tight and dark, and though his eyes looked like he wanted to say a million things, his lips were pressed in a thin line.
Alice cleared her throat again and lowered her eyes. "I'll write and keep you up on all that's happening. I'll try and come home whenever I can, too. Alright?"
"Sure, Alice," Eric said.
Alice nodded, glanced toward Gau, and then moved ahead to her mom and dad. After the tearful good-byes and promises to visit, Alice made her way out onto the front porch. Carol sat on the front step.
Carol turned and stood. "I knew you'd make it."
Every snotty, snappy, backstabbing word Alice had ever said hit her smack between the eyes, with Carol's innocent smile being the best voiced accusation of all. Alice's mouth went dry with her guilt, and she lowered her eyes to the floorboards of her porch as she stepped forward.
"I know. Thanks for the vote of confidence." She cleared her throat. "Good luck with school. I'll try and come back for graduation."
Carol nodded with glimmering eyes, and then she pulled Alice into a hug. "It's not going to be the same without you looking down your nose at us girls and the pub."
Alice flushed and pulled back. "Hey, I never--"
Carol smiled wider. "Oh yes you did, Alice Camf. We all knew that. Why do you think Paytha and Lena hate you so much?"
"Because I've got style?"
Carol giggled. "Sure, Alice, sure." She stepped back. "Don't forget about us when you start making history. Okay? You're the one who got us together in the first place, what with all the emotional support I had to offer." Carol winked. "I'll let you know how it works out."
"Gee. Thanks." Alice gestured toward the exit of town. "I better scoot. Before he leaves me behind."
"Okay." Carol pulled her into another hug. "Bye."
Alice stepped back and turned to make her way down the porch steps, adjusting her grip on the bags as she saw the massive airship loom on the edge of town. Her throat tightened and she blinked as she swallowed hard. Cut the apron strings, Alice. She cleared her throat and swallowed again. You're about to realize your dream, girl. Don't get weepy now. Suck it up.
She approached the inn, the last building in town before the exit, and gave the innkeeper a nod and a smile. He waved back, causing Alice's eyes to mist as she looked away. Don't do this, Alice. You're not leaving forever. She jerked her head to toss some hair over her shoulder and cleared her throat yet again.
"Alice?"
Alice gave a start and halted, turning to her left to face Gau, who had come to walk beside her without a sound. She swallowed hard. "Yeah?"
He opened his mouth, immediately clicking it shut to press his lips into yet another thin line. Then he shifted his gaze to the airship... and then back to her. "Too many things to say. Not know where start."
She lowered her gaze.
Gau breathed deep. "I miss you when go. No one read Veldt like you. No one... see me like you." He pressed his lips together again. "I no happy you go, but I try see."
Looking up with a tremulous smile, Alice whispered "Thanks. I appreciate that."
To Alice's surprise, Gau stepped forward and embraced her, making Alice close her eyes as she relived all the fun times they'd shared and the things she'd learned. Then Gau pulled back and stared down at her, examining each and every part of her face.
Alice flushed and lowered her eyes again, raising them quickly when he reached out to lightly touch a lock of her hair. He rolled it between thumb and forefinger. "Gau 'member you, Alice,' he said softly. Then Gau focused those golden-green eyes on her. "All time. If you no come back, Veldt heart be much sad." A tear escaped her eyes, and he touched it away. "Gau heart be much sad."
She swallowed again, sniffling several times before giving him another quivering smile and saying a choked "...bye" while turning toward the airship.
"No 'bye', Alice," he said after her, voice low. "No 'bye'."
Alice gnawed her lower lip and hurried into the airship. Don't look back, Alice. It'll be easier if you don't look back. But was leaving home ever easy?
A man with pale hair and a scar across his left eye greeted her at the entry to the airship. He gave her a nod and a wink by way of greeting and eased her large duffel off her shoulder with an easy motion.
"Setzer Gabbiani. I'll be your pilot," he told her with a voice as smooth as velvet. Then he turned and proceeded up the plank and into the airship.
Alice bit her lip and looked over her shoulder toward her home. Gau still stood at the entrance staring after her, Carol approaching from behind. When she stood beside him, she placed a hand on his arm and looked up into his face when he turned. After a moment of quiet conversation, the pair turned and began a circumference of the town on his Veldt.
Alice's throat tightened. Then she turned to enter the airship. "Bye, Gau."