3. Evasion

"So where did you and Miss Tenshi hide away this morning?"

Eagle stared at the ceiling from his place on the sofa. "We went to the museums and the through the labs," he responded simply.

Geo, clad in a pink apron and oven mitts, pushed the chopped vegetables into a pot and moved to the oven. He placed his hands on his hips and gave his friend a skeptic look. "You don't sound very enthusiastic for someone who has a pretty girl looking after him. Aren't you supposed to be good friends? The way your mother was talking about her, it sounded like the two of you were pretty close."

Eagle yawned and sat up. "I honestly can't say I remember much, or anything at all, about Mika," he admitted. "I like her, if that's what you're wondering. As to her looking after me, it's likely that Mother offered her the job so that she doesn't feel awkward about living with us."

"Still," said Geo, disappearing behind the counter and reappearing minutes later with a chocolate cake, "I wouldn't mind having a nice girl fond over me." He looked across the room to see Eagle lying upside down, with his legs leaning against the wall, and narrowed his eyes. "But I suppose you need it more than I do."

Eagle grinned and, with great alacrity, flipped onto the floor, landing on his feet. He walked into the kitchen and propped onto a stool. "Is she your type, Geo? You could ask her," he suggested, taking up a fork and eyeing the cake, "to dinner or a show, or wherever it is that lovers go. She sounded interested to know about you." Geo snatched the fork away. "Not until after dinner" was his reprimand. He brought two full plates and placed them on the counter.

Eagle rested his head against the back of his hand. He wondered about love and about her... When and how his attraction to the fire knight came was a mystery. It must have been one of those lazy days in Cephiro as they sat in the courtyard and basked in the sun, exchanging stories about their worlds and their aspirations.

She was seventeen this year, almost an adult. He had missed her birthday as he had been in a coma and was thus in a condition unfit to go anywhere at the time. He knew that Lantis loved her but that alone was not enough to dissuade him from hoping that, in the end, it may be he whom she chooses.

"Eagle," called a tentative voice. He turned in the direction of the voice and saw Geo staring at him anxiously. "How are you doing there, buddy?" asked Geo, putting his hand on Eagle's forehead. "You don't have a fever. You're not sick, are you? Maybe running around in the rain was not the wisest choice for a man of your condition."

"I'm fine," he responded, rather gruffly at first. Mindful of his tone and not wanting to hurt Geo's feelings, he took a spoonful of greens into his mouth and smiled. "There's nothing to worry about." Geo hesitated a moment before joking that he was eating vegetables, which doesn't ordinarily happen but must be attributed to his masterful cooking. Eagle chuckled and agreed that it must be it.

Their laughter died into awkward silence. He had snapped at his friend. He wondered when he began growing so defensive about his condition. It was trying his patience and he feared the possibility of becoming more disagreeable. Geo, bless him, maneuvered their conversation around the developments in his department and on the tournament taking place in another week. Eagle gladly took this opportunity to move as far as possible from their previous subject.

After making it through dinner and dessert, of which Eagle devoured more than half of the cake, he donned again his azure hair and green contacts. "Thanks, Geo." He didn't know how he would've made it through the last year without him.

Geo walked him to the door and offered a reminder to go straight home and stay out of trouble, to which Eagle smiled, expressed his thanks, and left him in assurance that he would do the exact opposite of what he was told. As such, he took his bike downtown and to his favorite lounge.

Eagle entered amid friendly calls from familiar acquaintances. "Be right there," he chuckled. He liked the atmosphere. It was a good place to leave one's busy thoughts aside. Here, he was not the President's ill, veteran son; he was Terrence, a young, healthy, ambitious, and likable officer who had his whole world ahead of him. He had a blank slate, he was unhindered, and he could do anything or be anyone without giving heed to anyone's preconceived notions of him.

He spied Lev, the stocky and dark-haired, dark-eyed bartender standing behind a counter. "Hey, Terrence," said the bartender casually as Eagle sat himself down. "You're looking well," he noted while drying a tumbler. "Can I get you anything?"

"Just the usual," Eagle responded mildly. He smiled to himself as Lev prepared his drink. Yes, it was all an act…but sometimes, he just needed to feel in control of his life even if it wasn't really his. "Thanks," he said, accepting the drink and heading over to his friends.

-o-

It was not until half past two that he returned home to the manor. He had hoped to escape to his room without any questions but, alas, he found Corolla in his bedchamber. "Mom," he said, not expecting her to be waiting up.

She rose from the bed and walked to the doorway where he was standing, her eyes dull and brows knitted as if she was going to faint from anxiety. "I was just coming to check on you," she said tiredly. "Eagle, where have you been?" she asked. "I've been worry sick about you. You didn't answer your phone when I called—I had sent Mika out with three other officers to look for you."

He gently held her hands. "I've just been out for a walk," he half-lied. "I thought it would be nice to get some fresh air."

She watched him helplessly; he noticed she appeared more worn and tired with each day. The lines formed around her eyes and mouth as she shook her head.

Eagle kissed her on the cheek, murmuring and apology and suggesting that she get some rest. He had hoped to fall asleep after she had gone but sleep evaded him once more until the early hours of the morning.

-o-

When he awoke and reflected on his dream, he could vaguely determine the meaning of what had passed in that reverie.

In the dream, he had been resting under a tree when a sound woke him from his slumber. A little girl around four years had fallen into a pond and was splashing about as she tried to regain surface.

He dove in after her. He broke through the sheet of water but strangely reemerged into a barren, shaded landscape where she stood, unharmed, watching him curiously with her dark eyes. He spoke softly and asked where she came from. Each time, she shook her head, not saying a word.

The scene skipped and they were walking through a tunnel. She led him by way of tugging on his thumb. A light appeared at what he thought to be the outlet. It flickered as they drew nearer.

Suddenly, he realized his little attendant was gone. Something bound his arms and legs and yanked him towards the ground. As he sunk through the earth and plummeted uncontrollably onto the other side and into the sky, violent flashes seared his eyes and he saw what looked to be great plumes of white feathers rushing past him and towards the world below.

He awoke with a start shortly before the maid was scheduled to come and had since been pondering the fate of the little girl and his possible presentiment of death. His thoughts were soon laid aside when the maid came bearing a message from Cephiro.

-o-

Breakfast was over by the time Eagle had left his room. While he walked towards the library, he heard someone come from behind him. "You're up late this morning," she said. "Did you have nice dreams?"

He smiled and replied, "I have better news: My friends are coming to visit." She expressed interest in the declaration and he, remembering that she was to accompany him on his outings, asked, "Ready for your first day on the job?"

She nodded and inquired, "What sort of tomfoolery do you have in mind today, Terrence?" to which he responded that they would make things up as they go along.

A/N: Thanks for reading!