Lost Memories/Amnesia Girl Chapter 14
January 25, CE 71 (The attack on Heliopolis if you were wondering)
"So Amarante and Kirkwood are together officially?" Waltfeld asked. DaCosta raised an eyebrow wondering why he would ask such a question. He had just given DaCosta his report and was about to leave.
"I'm not sure but they go everywhere together," DaCosta replied. He had kept a watchful eye over them, so the Tiger wouldn't nag him.
"She's been so cheerful lately as well," Waltfeld began, "I wonder what they'll be like in battle." He looked into his cup before taking a drink. DaCosta really didn't want to talk about Amarante and Kirkwood as a couple. They just followed each other. They could have only been the best of friends not a couple.
"Sir, I don't think they're officially together. I don't think you should be so quick to judge," DaCosta reasoned. Waltfeld gave him a smirk thinking of a way to get DaCosta to talk. On the other hand DaCosta stiffened knowing that wasn't the right thing to say at the moment.
"Well what do you think? Do you think they're a good couple or do you think Maylam and Amarante would be better?" Waltfeld asked. DaCosta knew that the Tiger would say something like this. He sighed before coming up with an answer.
"I think that Amarante and Kirkwood are a cute couple. That reminds me, Maylam has become increasingly pushy towards Amarante. I guess he's trying to force Amarante to love him," DaCosta replied. He also knew that if he didn't keep an eye on Maylam the commander would also nag him for that.
"How pushy?" Waltfeld asked becoming more and more interested in this dilemma. He knew that Maylam was in love with her but how pushy could he be?
"To the point that he's serenading her during his shift. Buying anything and everything he can that he thinks Amarante will like. Telling her about Kirkwood's faults or embarrassing stories about Kirkwood. He's really out to sabotage them," DaCosta replied. DaCosta hated that he had to tell the commander about this. He knew that Amarante didn't want their commander involved in her relationship.
"That kid's in for a rude awakening if he continues this. I keep trying to keep him out of this but he never listens," Waltfeld sighed. He waved DaCosta away with his hand as he continued his paperwork. DaCosta was glad that the interrogation was over and he could finally get back to his work as well. He gave a salute before leaving the room.
"Hey Kirkwood!" Amarante called out. He was working on his BuCUE when he saw his "princess" on the ground beneath him. She had some type of disk in her hand
"Yeah?" Kirkwood called back. He walked to the railing to see what she needed.
"Commander Waltfeld said you needed help with the software update," Amarante called back going up to greet him. The one thing she did miss about space was that you could just push off the ground and float to the spot you wanted to be.
"Yeah. It's causing trouble for all of us," Kirkwood sighed holding out the CD to her. Amarante giggled softly taking it from him. She entered his unit inserting it into the hidden player. She was surprised to see that he already had the CD.
"Hmm…You have a couple of holes in your system. Well it might take a while for me to fix this," Amarante replied typing on the keyboard. Kirkwood's eye twitched as he listened to the intensity of the clicks on the keyboard.
"You're pretty fast…no, really fast," Kirkwood gasped. He continued to watch seeing different screens pop up and go away in front of her eyes.
"Huh…I never noticed," Amarante said mechanically. There are many errors in the system. He's really not taking care of it…Or he's just not good with computers, Amarante thought. There were errors everywhere, how could just forget about them?
"You type faster than my mom…and she write books all day long," Kirkwood explained. He leaned against the BuCUE so he wouldn't stare at her with love and admiration. He decided it was probably better to work than to get chewed out by the mechanics for slacking off.
"Your Mom writes mystery novels right?" Amarante asked as Kirkwood worked outside of the machine. He could watch what she was doing right there and he was still amazed.
"Yeah. She has always been fascinated in mysteries and crime," Kirkwood replied. He looked at the time seeing that it was about 7:30.
"Well my fine friend…you have lots of loop holes. How often do you take care of the computer software in here?" Amarante asked. She looked outside seeing him flinch with shock. For once, he cocked his head in confusion looking at her inside.
"Often. I've never used any shortcuts. I know Hadat and Maylam do. Great, just great," Kirkwood sighed angrily. He punched the BuCUE as Amarante continued to type but she never seen him so angry before, except in battle.
"What?" Amarante asked stopping in mid-type. She looked up at him seeing the anger and frustration in his eyes.
"Maylam has been screwing with my BuCUE," Kirkwood growled. Amarante resisted an inappropriate giggle as he began to calm down.
"Do you really think so?" Amarante asked continuing her typing. She could fix it but it could take awhile. He sat down next to the cockpit placing his head in his hands.
"Yeah. He's been messing with everything since we've become closer," Kirkwood sighed. Amarante was surprised that he would do such a thing. They were suppose to be the best of friends! What had happened?
"Well I think I might have to resume this tomorrow. This is pretty deep you know?" Amarante said with a yawn. Kirkwood shook his head blocking her from coming out of the cockpit.
"The commander wants to sortie tomorrow so it has to be done today," Kirkwood replied. Amarante groaned in agreement, sitting back down in her chair.
"Okay. I'll try to finish but what ever the case…it really did a number on you," Amarante said with another yawn. Forty minutes later Amarante finished fixing Kirkwood's system. Yet there were still a few other things to do before finishing.
"Hey do you want me to take over?" Kirkwood asked curiously. Amarante was beginning to nod off even though it wasn't really late. He reached in to place a hand on her shoulder but she only moved away.
"No…I just gotta adjust the parameters on the targeting system and the new data has to be incorporated into the O.S.," Amarante slurred as her head began to roll to the side.
"Hey, I'll get up tomorrow and finish. I think I can take over now," Kirkwood answered. Amarante gave no answer worrying Kirkwood. "Amarante? Wow…fast asleep." He moved the panel and keyboard away grabbing Amarante's arm.
"No," Amarante muttered in her sleep. He chuckled softly slinging her arm over his shoulder. With a small heave he pulled her out of the cockpit. She stirred slightly as he gathered his jacket and personal belongings.
"It's okay Amarante," Kirkwood soothed hearing her make a noise of uneasiness. He locked the O.S. before leaving the hangar. He really didn't want to take Amarante to her room. Not because he didn't love her, but because Maylam would try to get him in trouble. With his head low Kirkwood walked up the stairs of the mansion where Amarante slept and resided in. He held his head even lower as he passed the guards and into the mansion. Many soldiers called Amarante Waltfeld's pet or Waltfeld's play thing. Kirkwood knew these rumors were never true. Amarante had told Kirkwood about their pseudo-father-daughter relationship, which Kirkwood thought was caring but it also created a problem. If Kirkwood ever broke up with Amarante he would also be on the bad side of their commander.
"Well well…It's Amarante's knight in shining armor," Aisha cooed. Kirkwood stopped in mid-step before turning around. Oh no…why did I have to run into her…Kirkwood thought not trying to groan.
"Hello Ma'am," Kirkwood replied standing at attention. Aisha nodded before looking at the sleeping Amarante. She could never stay awake, sometimes not even to save her life.
"Did she fall asleep?" Aisha asked going through her hair. Amarante stirred slight wrapping her arms around Kirkwood's neck.
"Yes Ma'am," Kirkwood answered stiffly. Aisha frowned still seeing the boy at attention.
"Stop that. Or what does Andy say…at ease?" Aisha asked as the boy relaxed. She took his coat and other personal belongings so he wouldn't drop them and wake up Amarante.
"I can take them Ma'am," Kirkwood answered. He tried reaching for them but Aisha just back away dangling them in front of him.
"No we don't want you to drop little Amarante," Aisha cooed. Sometimes Ms. Aisha was an even bigger teaser than the commander.
"Ma'am," Kirkwood began with a gulp, "where is the Commander's office?" He had only gone there a few times and he did know the way but his thoughts were obscured by nervousness.
"Oh you're looking for Andy. I'll show you," Aisha said kindly. She ushered him down a long hallway before turning left. They walked a couple steps before making right and then they finally reached the door. Aisha knocked, said a few words before opening the door for Kirkwood. Kirkwood entered and stood at attention.
"Good evening sir," he greeted. Waltfeld gave a nod before noticing the unconscious Amarante.
"What happened to Amarante? Did she pass out?" Waltfeld asked worriedly. He stood up walking around the table.
"No she just fell asleep," Kirkwood replied. Waltfeld laughed, Amarante would do something like that.
"At ease," Waltfeld said breathing a sigh of relief. "Why did you bring her here?" The Tiger was still in his ever happy and cheerful tone.
"Sir, I was wondering if you could take me to her room," Kirkwood said meekly. He knew that was going to set him off, Kirkwood didn't know how much.
"What's the meaning of wasting my time like this?" Waltfeld demanded. Kirkwood cringed trying to find his voice and to be strong.
"Sir I want to show you that I'm not going to seduce her," Kirkwood replied. Waltfeld's eyes widen for a split second before smiling.
"So that's it," Waltfeld muttered. "This way." Waltfeld lead him out of the room and down the hall. Amarante began to make some noise as her eyes fluttered open. The lights were so bright that it was hard for her to see.
"Hey go back to sleep," Kirkwood soothed holding her close. She nodded closing her eyes again. Waltfeld pushed open her door as Kirkwood carried her in.
"I'm so tired," Amarante muttered. Kirkwood laid her down in her bed gently. She hugged her pillow instead of Kirkwood believing that it was really him.
"Yeah, you just lie down and get some rest," Kirkwood soothed going through her hair gently. She yawned tired opening her eyes briefly to see her commander before snuggling her pillow and going back to sleep.
"Come on give her a kiss on the cheek. You love her don't ya?" Waltfeld teased. Overall, maybe Waltfeld teased them the most.
"No thank you sir," Kirkwood replied as he covered Amarante with her blanket. The boy and the man left the room allowing her to sleep.
"I'll get Aisha to change her clothes. Hm, you seem like you want to talk," Waltfeld answered. Kirkwood was shocked to see that the commander could read him so well. With a fidget and a sigh Kirkwood stood at attention, staring into the light hearted eyes of Commander Waltfeld.
"May I date Amarante?" Kirkwood asked unafraid of the answer. He thought there was going to be a long pause but Kirkwood flinched at how fast Waltfeld answered.
"I thought you two were already doing that," Waltfeld replied raising an eyebrow. Kirkwood flinched again trying to form his answer without sounding like an idiot.
"No. I decided that I would ask her father first," Kirkwood replied. Waltfeld was shocked that Kirkwood used that word. On the inside Kirkwood slapped himself for saying that word.
"Well you have my permission to date my young maiden. Don't upset her alright?" Commander Waltfeld soothed. Kirkwood breathed a sigh of relief before giving a smile to his commander. He wasn't a bad guy, except when angered. If Kirkwood was ever transferred he would really miss this joyful commander.
"Thank you sir," Kirkwood said gently. Aisha sauntered down the hall running into the two guys. She waved at them as Waltfeld waved away Kirkwood's attention stance.
"Kirkwood here is now officially with Amarante," Andy announced to her. Inside Kirkwood wished he hadn't said that. It wasn't something he wanted to be known.
"Really I'm so happy for you. This will be Amarante's first relationship," Aisha cooed. Kirkwood stayed quiet and awkward blushing lightly. This was EXTREMELY awkward and wasn't needed at the moment.
"Oh Aisha, Amarante is asleep in her room. Can you get her out of her uniform and into something she can sleep in?" Waltfeld asked curiously.
"Sure, I'll be right back," Aisha replied. She could have a chance to tease the girlfriend as well. Quietly Aisha entered the room, deciding not to turn on the lights and disturb her that way.
"Well you should go back to your quarters. Everything will be alright here," Waltfeld soothed placing a hand on Kirkwood's shoulder. Kirkwood nodded before giving a salute and leaving. Not soon after Aisha reemerged from Amarante's room.
"Those two are really in love. That's all she babbled about in her semi-awake state," Aisha chuckled. She sounded so cute that Aisha wanted to record it and then embarrass Kirkwood by playing it in front of him but, alas she didn't have a tape recorder.
"They'll be cute together. They have personalities that click," Andy replied. He knew that Amarante was too tired to listen to them and was probably already asleep.
"Yeah but I've always imagined her with someone else," Aisha sighed. The two did match but not completely, Aisha knew that she would run into Mr. Right eventually.
"Who did you have in mind?" Andy asked as they walked away from Amarante's room. He was surprised to see Aisha say that. Kirkwood was everything Amarante could want.
"Just someone who is even more gentle then Kirkwood. Don't get me wrong, Kirkwood is so gentle and loving but not what I envisioned," Aisha replied. She placed her hands up in defense making a nervous giggle.
"Well it about 8 or 9. I think it's time for us to go to bed," Andy chuckled wrapping his arm around his lover's waist. She smiled and wrapped her arm around his broad shoulders.