Waltfeld's Daughter Chapter 6
"Hi! I don't think I've seen you here before," a brown haired young man said kindly. Looking up Amarante saw a boy with the same light brown orbs that Nicol had. She batted the tears out of her eyes.
"Uh, no…I'm new," Amarante answered mesmerized by the boy's eyes.
"My name is Marcus! Are you here to take a couple of classes or are you auditioning for Swan Lake?" he asked extending a hand to the girl on the ground.
"Ah I'm…I'm Amarante Waltfeld, I'm here for the auditioning," Amarante said blushing softly.
"Waltfeld? Like Andrew Waltfeld, THE Desert Tiger?!" Marcus gasped.
"Yeah, he's…he's my Dad," Amarante answered.
"Impossible!" Marcus answered.
"I was orphaned by the end of the war and he adopted me," Amarante said with a gentle nod.
"So you must be…THE AMNESIA GIRL!" Marcus gasped again.
"…Ah…Yes," Amarante said looking away. She wasn't really proud of that moment in her life and she hated to be looked down upon as an oddity.
"Sorry, seems like I struck a sensitive bone. I was in ZAFT too as a pilot. I'm just shocked to see that THE Commander Waltfeld is here in Orb, and you too!" Marcus answered helping the young dancer to her feet.
"Yeah, um excuse me," Amarante muttered trying to hold in her tears.
"What is it? Something wrong?" Marcus asked in a similar tone to Nicol. She let out a quiet sob silently cursing to herself for crying in a room filled with people who wouldn't understand her story. "Hey I didn't mean to make you cry."
"I'm sorry," Amarante muttered darting away from the boy. She ran through the theater finding a quiet corner to cry in. She let out a quiet sob wondering if she should stay closer to home instead of pursuing a dream in ballet.
"It's alright," the boy whispered to the sobbing girl. He took her in his arms allowing the girl to get out a well-deserved sob. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry." She latched on to him trying to control her tears.
"I'm sorry," Amarante cried.
"Don't apologize, it was my fault for bringing it up. My mother runs this place and I'll put in a special word for you to come and audition tomorrow," Marcus whispered into her hair. Awkwardly, Marcus laid his head on top of hers rubbing her back in a supportive manner.
"No this is my fault…it's just…" Amarante cried.
"Shhh, you don't have to tell me. Do you want to call your dad?" Marcus asked kindly.
"You kind of resemble my deceased boyfriend," Amarante blurt out. She sucked in air wondering how this guy she didn't know would take this.
"It's okay, let's call your Dad, alright?" Marcus answered completely ignoring her outburst.
"Sorry," Amarante muttered sitting on the curb next to Marcus.
"Don't worry about it," he answered cheerfully. "Here drink this, it's Chamomile tea." Amarante took the small cup sipping the tea quietly.
"But…I made a fool of myself," Amarante said above a whisper.
"No, you were grieving," Marcus replied rubbing Amarante's back.
"Thank…Thank you," Amarante answered rubbing the tears out of her eyes. She saw her father's car pull up and she braced herself for the worst. Marcus' heart stopped as he saw the Desert Tiger step out of the black luxury car. He could believe that he was seeing THE Desert Tiger approaching him.
"Come on Cubby," he said in a worried voice. Amarante nodded picking up her dance bag trotting to her father. He even has the missing arm! This is REALLY him! Marcus thought in awe. Damn, no wonder why she broke down…that kid has a similar appearance to Nicol, Waltfeld thought clenching his teeth. He wrapped his arm around her guiding her to the passenger side of his car. He gave her a gentle smile and whispered a few comforting words.
"Thank you once again," Amarante told the boy in a smile voice looking back at the boy with a small smile.
"Don't mention it," Marcus answered. Inside the car Waltfeld gave Amarante a bittersweet smile.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have forced this on you,"
"It's okay Dad," Amarante answered. "He offered to let me come back and audition tomorrow."
"No just stay home and…Go if you want to," Waltfeld answered.
"DAD! DAD! DAD!" Amarante called out bursting through the front doors.
"WHAT?! WHAT?! WHAT?!" Waltfeld responded. He had been enjoying a pleasant chat with Murrue until they were rudely interrupted. Super uncalled for, Amarante thought rolling her eyes.
"I GOT IT!" she cried out running to the next door.
"What a golden ticket?" he chuckled.
"Hi Ms. Murrue. Well something like that. I got it!" she panted holding on to the door sill.
"Well spit it out Maremare," Waltfeld gasped.
"I'm ODETTE! I got Odette!" Amarante cried out hopping up and down like a giddy little girl.
"Murrue go hop up and down with her. I'm not going to emasculate myself," Waltfeld teased.
"But I'd think it would be more appropriate if the father jumped up and down with his daughter," Murrue answered. Waltfeld's eyes became wide as saucers as he stared at Murrue. She teased him like a Waltfeld?! How could she?!
"You can't do that! Only me and Amarante can do that!"
"Only Amarante and I!" Amarante and Murrue corrected the shocked man.
"I think I'm getting the hang of this Waltfeld thing," Murrue said with a giggle.
"Well congratulations my little fruitcake,"
"Fruit…cake?"
"Fruitcakes last longer than cupcakes," Waltfeld laughed.
"Thanks Dad," Amarante said rolling her eyes.
"Oh look at you, sassing me!" Waltfeld gasped as if she was two years old. Amarante walked away rolling her eyes once more. "I'm going to see if I can get Athrun and the others at Amarante's opening performance."
"I'm sure she'd love that," Murrue chuckled.
"Athrun you should hold the bouquet," Kira chuckled holding out the flowers to his best friend.
"What? Not me!" Athrun snapped.
"Oh come on, you know how much she loves you," Kira answered.
Athrun sighed. "Fine, it seems like both of our girls were unable to come." He took the bouquet of white and red roses holding them close to his body.
"Yeah, but she'll be happy to see that we're here," Kira answered.
"Do you think she's still sad?" Athrun asked.
"I don't want to talk about that right now. We're here to support Mare and her performance right now," Kira said seriously.
"Right," Athrun began. "Mare!" He saw the maiden still in her costume running across the backstage area.
"Athrun, Kira?!" she gasped. How did they know?! Amarante thought running to the two guys.
"Great performance Amarante," Kira chuckled. He nudged Athrun to give her the flowers as he hugged the girl.
"How did you know?" Amarante asked. "Thanks." She took the flowers inhaling the scent deeply.
"Your Dad," Kira answered. "Say something Athrun."
"You look very pretty," Athrun muttered blushing gently.
"AND," Amarante demanded.
"You were very beautiful in the ballet. You were just like a swan," Marcus chuckled approaching the trio.
"Oh please, I was not!" Amarante answered rolling her eyes. "I moved like an ugly duckling."
"You're one of the most beautiful dancers I've seen in a LONG time," Marcus answered pulling Amarante close. Kira watched Athrun tense as this new individual placed his lips on Amarante's cheek. "My name is Marcus."
"Kira, it's a pleasure," Kira answered.
"Athrun," the blue haired boy grunted.
"Athrun, as in Athrun Zala? Mary how come you never told me about your friends!" Marcus cooed wrapping his arm around Amarante's waist.
"Yes," Amarante answered with a hint of discomfort in her voice.
"Amarante, why don't you change and we'll take you out to dinner," Kira suggested.
"Oh but Mary and I have a date tonight. You didn't tell them?"
"No and it's not…"
"Come on we have reservations to keep go get changed," Marcus chuckled kissing Amarante on the cheek again. He let the girl go scampering away lovingly looking after Amarante.
"It's Amarante," Athrun answered seriously.
"It's a harmless nickname, like how you guys call her Mare," Marcus answered.
"I don't think she's ready for dates you know her…"
"Boyfriend Nicol Amalfi passed away. I know all about Nicol. She has also told me a lot about you Athrun. I just never knew you were here in Orb. She says you worry about her too often," Marcus snapped.
"Look, Athrun just cares about Amarante deeply. He doesn't want to see Amarante get hurt right after Nicol's passing," Kira reasoned.
"Alright," Marcus sighed. "Mary! You look as beautiful as you normally do!"
"Ah thank you," she muttered blushing fiercely. "Athrun…Can I stay over at your house?"
"Sure Mare. Do you want me to give Marcus the address?"
"I know it Athrun. You don't have to worry about me," Amarante answered throwing her arms around her Athrun. "You too Kira." She hugged him as well before turning to Marcus. "I'll see you guys later." Marcus lead her away Athrun watching them disdainfully.
"I hope she brings Pompom," Athrun said with a sigh.
"Athrun, you didn't," Kira gasped.
"Yes I did," Athrun replied. "I put a tracker into her little pet."
"Athrun you're going a little too far, Amarante is a young adult now. She doesn't need 24-hour protection."
"Mary, who is this Kira?" Marcus asked.
"He's a friend of mine," Amarante answered.
"Okay, where did you meet him?"
"That doesn't matter Marcus. He's a very good friend of mine. Oh yeah, I need to get my dog," Amarante chuckled. She left Marcus's side going back to her dressing room. She opened the door letting her robotic pet out. It ran out the door wagging its round tail at her. She scooped up the dog bringing her to Marcus. "This is Pompom, Athrun made her for me."
"Why don't you leave her here? We can come back and get her,"
"No, Pompom comes with me,"
"Fine,"
"What was it like serving under Commander Waltfeld?" Marcus asked staring lovingly at the awkward Amarante. Pompom was resting on her lap in sleep mode.
"Oh it was fun as long as you didn't get on his bad side. Dad does have a bad side that no one wants to get on," Amarante answered. "He likes to tease a lot too."
"Wow, I wished I could have served under him as well. I bet it was a sight to see," Marcus gasped.
"Hardly," Amarante said sarcastically.
"What do you mean hardly?! We're talking about THE Desert Tiger!"
"Well you didn't let me finish, it was an AMAZING sight to see. When Dad sortied it was a rare treat. It was amazing to see him out there in his customized BuCUE and the LaGOWE. He was an amazing pilot. I even got to pilot the LaGOWE before it was destroyed as the gunner of course, Dad would have never let me be the pilot. Funny thing was that we actually went on a joy ride," Amarante laughed waking up her little pet. It arched its back standing up on Amarante's lap. "Like I said before this is Pompom! Athrun was a sweetheart and made her for me."
"Why?"
"Because Athrun was afraid that I'd get lonely after the Zala Team left Gibraltar. He made Pompon and made Nicol give him to me. Athrun is very sweet and he means well but sometimes I feel smothered under his affection. Currently we're working on a robot to help my Dad walk around a little better. It's going to be a Samoyed robot dog. We're thinking of naming her Samisami like how Pompom is named after a Pomeranian. We'll just call her Sami for short," Amarante cooed.
"So Athrun, is he like a big brother to you?"
"Oh yes! Athrun, Kira, Yzak and Dearka…they're all my brothers. I love them dearly!"
"YOU KNOW YZAK AND DEARKA TOO?!" Marcus gasped.
"Yeah, I met the whole Zala Team. Yzak is fun to tease especially if Dearka joins in. I guess it's now more appropriate to call him Commander Joule. Dearka is one of the funniest people I know…although he CAN get a little creepy at times with his dark humor," Amarante chuckled. "I hope I can see them soon. Yzak will defend you to the ends of the Earth if he likes you enough. Dearka is my giant teddy bear!"
"So Mary, I want to know about sweet little you," Marcus cooed.
"Me? What do you want to know?"
"Of course you sweetie poo! Where did you come from?"
"Canada, I'm First Generation. What about you…Where did you live?"
"My family has a house here in Orb so I'd spend my summers here but I lived in the PLANTs for my whole life until now."
"Okay, I've never lived in a PLANT. Dad's thinking about moving up there but I don't want to leave Athrun and Kira behind…but then again I'd be close to Yzak and Dearka," Amarante sighed. "Yet, I have this connection to Athrun and Kira that I cannot abandon!"
"What's Kira's last name?" Marcus asked trying to find excitement in this "boring" conversation about Athrun.
"His last name?" Amarante asked almost bewildered. If he figures out that he's the Strike pilot then he's going to kill me! Amarante thought petting Pompom's back to calm herself.
"Yes, you said you two were great friends. So what's his last name?"
"What is it to you?"
"Well I thought you'd be able to tell me something as simple as a last name."
"A girl must have her secrets," Amarante snapped.
"Why can't you tell me his last name?" Marcus asked angered.
"If you can't drop this subject, I'm going to call Athrun to come pick me up!" Amarante growled.
"Is Athrun all you talk about?" Marcus said rolling his eyes. Amarante got up from the table snatching her bag and Pompom.
"If you thought I was a 'catch' then you need to check your eyes because a boot is not a fish," Amarante snapped storming from the table. She dialed Athrun's number walking to the waiting area. Marcus couldn't believe this, how could he be stood up like this. He didn't care if she was a boot or a fish; he only wanted to have her. "Athrun, can you pick me up?"
"Are you okay?! Where are you?!" Athrun demanded.
"Yeah I'm fine. Just come get me, I'm at The Chateau," Amarante answered.
"Kira and I will be there in a minute," Athrun said quickly.
"Mary," Marcus cooed. "Come back to the table."
"Like hell," she said under her breath.
"Please, at least finish your dinner," he said softly. Amarante ignored the boy sitting on a bench near the door. Twenty minutes later Kira and Athrun arrived. Marcus had paid for the meal and had left her at the restaurant.
"Hey, let's go," Athrun said gently. He didn't want to lecture Amarante right now. She was probably sad and upset.
"We'll take you home," Kira soothed helping Amarante to her feet.
"Thanks," Amarante answered. "I'll be leaving soon."
"What?" Kira and Athrun asked.
"I'm leaving…Orb," Amarante muttered.
"And where are you going?" Athrun asked with a hesitant chuckle.
"I don't know yet. Thank you…for everything," Amarante replied.
"Amarante what are you planning?" Kira asked opening the door for her. He helped her into the car.
"I'm working for Terminal now…they want me to run about doing whatever. I just wanted to tell you. You're the only family I have besides Dad," Amarante said softly.
"Well we'll miss you. Remember we'll always be there for you no matter what you do," Kira said sitting next to her.
"Wait a minute! You can't just…Amarante! I…want…be safe. I guess you won't be my little fifteen year old sister forever," Athrun stammered.
"She is a big girl Athrun,"
"Hey say things like that after I'm gone! I already feel like crying!" Amarante snapped as tears welled in her eyes.
"Well we have to make sure you're safe!" Kira chuckled messing up her hair.
"Kira,"
"If anything for Nicol's safe. He'd want you safe and happy," Kira answered. Amarante looked between Athrun and Kira shocked. Kira NEVER spoke about Nicol, at least not to her.