Sora no Ato: Chapter 15
Thanks for Peace: Thanks for Comrades
By the time February arrived, the New Year's celebrations were long over and cleaned up from, though winter still held Seize in its grip.
Klaus brought two letters from Aisha. Of course one was to Noël, but the other was to the whole 1121st. Filicia read:
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Dear Friends,
It was a year ago that you found me, injured in the snow, brought me to your home, and nursed me back to health. Thank you for your kindness and your friendship. They are priceless gifts I will always treasure. I wasn't able to meet Miss Rio at that time, but I want to thank her for what she was doing then, leaving her friends to make the peace. I'm so glad she was doing that...
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She continued telling of events in Rome and of the plans for their upcoming celebration of the one-year anniversary of the peace.
Noël and Aisha shared similar memories in their private letters. Among the rest of the thoughts and feelings each also told the other, ``Thank you for healing me.'' For each felt that the other had, and was exceedingly grateful for this.
``And Rio,'' Noël told her. ``Aisha and I both want to thank you for this peace that gave us ...a chance for friendship.'' She lowered her voice and finished almost inaudibly, ``...and so much more.''
Aisha's were not the only such letters that Klaus delivered. Rio received two herself. In addition to his usual letter, Franz Leopold sent her a separate card celebrating the first anniversary of the peace and thanking Rio for all she had done for it. He had selected this particular card for both the peacefulness of the painting copied on the front and for the beauty with which it was painted. The artist was one of the famous old Roman Masters. Theresa, Elanor and Anna added a few words of their own to Franz Leopold's words of thanks and hope.
The other card was, surprisingly enough, from Rio's father. His was short and simple, but he took the trouble to send her thanks for the sacrifice she made for him and for Helvetia. Rio smiled to herself. While she appreciated his wishes and sentiments, she realized that he would likely never understand that those were not the reasons she agreed to the treaty. For her, it was more for peace itself and to save her friends—even those she had not met, now even Roman ones—from the horrors of war. Peace made it easier to enjoy life, to enjoy what days the world had left to give them.
She shook her head. At least her father was grateful and gracious about it. She should be content with this development and not insist he be perfect.
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Rio, Filicia and the rest of the platoon put on their dress uniforms and headed to the Town Hall. Their presence there had been formally requested for the unveiling of a new sculpture. The Merchant Guild had commissioned Karl and Maria make one in commemoration of the peace and of the part the 1121st played in achieving it here.
The entire guild, dressed in their finest, were gathered in the Town Hall for this, and many other townspeople had heard of the event and come as well. The guild masters gathered with the 1121st on the raised dais at one end of the grand meeting hall. Centered on the dais was a pedestal topped by the sculpture, draped in fabric, awaiting the formal unveiling.
``People of Seize,'' declared the Mayor, facing the assembled crowd. ``A year ago our town faced the threat of being drawn into the war with the Rightful Roman Empire. We saw soldiers in our streets and tanks on our byways, and some of those soldiers wanted this to be the place where the armistice came to an end. Some were foolish enough to want war, to want to provoke it with the Roman army waiting beyond our borders.
``But the maidens of the Time Keeping Fortress once again came to our aid. Once more they stepped in, risking their own lives to save us and our town. For when the two armies faced each other in Nomansland near here, they appeared between the lines with the help of an ancient tank like a giant spider. And with the notes from a golden horn they bid both sides not fight and stay at peace. This horn was not the gift of angels, but rather of one angelic princess. So it was that the maidens saved Seize from being engulfed in the flames of war. And the armies stopped until this Princess could arrive, in her angelic white robes, and declare that the war was over: Helvetia and the Rightful Roman Empire were at peace.
``And so, we have commissioned this sculpture to commemorate the maidens saving our town once more. This will ever have a place in our town hall here so that none may ever forget these maidens and what they risked for us, and for peace.
``Today these same maidens honor us with their presence.'' The mayor gestured toward the 1121st. ``And we wish them to know they have our everlasting gratitude.
``Lieutenant Heidmann, as you led these maidens, would you please do us the honor of unveiling the sculpture.''
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So Filicia pulled the cord she had been given and the draping parted and fell away revealing the sculpture for all to see. Karl had shown his mastery of glass in this and Maria showed she was the true heir of his skill, for it modeled Takemikazuchi atop the ruined tower between the lines, though all that fell into obscurity as it was merely a base for the members of the 1121st, surmounting the tank, each recognizable as themselves. Kanata stood, holding up her trumpet, and one almost expected to hear the Sound of the Sky from it. Rio stood back to back with her, dressed in her royal robes, holding out the Peace Declaration before her. Filicia, Noël, Kureha and even Aisha were gathered around supporting them. Karl had managed to capture each of their essences in their pose and expression: from Rio's nobility and command, to Kanata's joy to, to Filicia's caring protection. On the pillar below them was written ``Servants of Peace''.
The crowd let out a cheer of thanks for the girls and surged forward to get a better look.
ooo OOO ooo
``I'm glad the town decided to honor you and the girls with that sculpture,'' Rio said as she finished up the lunch she was again sharing with Filicia in her office. ``They really deserve it.''
``As do you, Rio,'' Filicia corrected her. She didn't want Rio to minimize her own part in the peace, and the sculpture featured her as well. ``You've certainly grown since I first met you.''
Rio was ready to contradict her but stopped herself, both because she knew such would not work on Filicia and also because she saw there was truth to her statement. So she simply moved to change the subject slightly. ``And the rest of the girls have grown a lot under you too.''
``They have, haven't they.'' Filicia smiled, proud of her ``children'' and of their accomplishments. ``Would you mind talking some more about them? It's coming time to write fitness reports, and I'd appreciate any insights you might have.''
``Sure. I don't know if my thoughts will really apply to those reports, but I'm happy to share them with you.''
``Thank you, Rio. Would you mind, then, if I took some notes to help remember what is applicable?''
``Go ahead. Just try not to embarrass me if you quote me.'' Rio grinned back at Filicia who took out pen and paper and indicated she should start.
``Well,'' Rio began, gathering her thoughts, ``I guess we can begin with the most junior, Kanata.'' She stared out the window, remembering. ``It was almost two years ago that she came here. I remember that day... she was so eager and full of fun and energy. She's kept that energy, and I appreciate how she's honest with her feelings and expressing them. I've tried to learn that from her.''
``As have I,'' said Filicia, her pen quietly scratching out notes.
``But how has she grown?'' Rio asked herself. ``Her improvement on the trumpet has been impressive.'' She gave Filicia a wry grin. ``I think that she has picked it up faster than I did. Her perfect pitch probably helped her there.''
``As did her teacher. I know she really looks up to you, and she treasures that trumpet.''
``It's fitting. Iliya started both of us down this musical path, and I'm sure she would be happy for Kanata to have it. I've also enjoyed playing together with Kanata this year. She's learned to improvise pretty well too, as well as playing existing tunes. And her self confidence has really improved, not just with the trumpet, but with life in general. I think everyone's reaction to her playing in Nomansland taught her how she really can do things that the rest of the world values, that she's not just some leftover. I hope she develops a dream on her own. She's wanted to follow me this past year, and I can understand that as I followed Iliya for long, but if she can find something to do because her heart moves her, not because someone else—no matter how admired—does it. Perhaps her interest in music or flight could become this, but...'' Rio trailed off.
``I understand, and I agree with you. But regardless of the road ahead, she has made excellent progress in her time here.'' Filicia was glad to get Rio's words and wrote a bit more before looking up. ``Then, Kureha?''
``She has matured. She used to be quite the stickler for protocol and regulations, but you've taught her that there is benefit in not always following these to the letter, that sometimes there are things more important than rules—like saving peoples lives or caring for them.''
``Yes,'' Filicia agreed. ``I wonder if she clung so tightly to protocol before because that was all she had to cling to after her parents were gone.''
Rio nodded. ``And she has felt free to let go now as you have given her a family here to treasure.'' This brought color to Filicia's cheeks. While she did play the mother to her unit, Filicia found it especially touching when someone actually called it a family. ``And I'm glad to see her and Klaus developing a real friendship. I think that started when he saved her from the river after they rescued Seiya, but I see it's grown since then. The two of them seem also to have taken Seiya under their wing as he's worked the garden here.''
Filicia nodded, she'd been pleased to see this side effect of her offer of space in the fortress garden.
``But what really impresses me,'' Rio continued, ``is Kureha's dedication to her study of medicine this past year. That's not an easy subject, and she's putting in all the hard work it takes to become a doctor. I'm proud of her, and I think she'll make a good one.''
``As am I.'' Filicia beamed, proud as any mother at her children's success.
Rio put their lunch dishes back on the tray to the kitchen, taking advantage of this time to find the right words. ``And Noël,'' she finally continued. ``She has grown much from the silent mechanic who came here bearing terrible, dark scars on her soul. To see her smile now, and even laugh, it makes me glad to see her so healed. She is learning that not all humans are betrayers, and that trust and love do exist in the world. You have made a safe place for her to heal, here. Kanata's open joy and acceptance helped her, but I think the most help of all was Aisha and her love.'' She pinned Filicia with her eye. ``But don't underestimate the value of your love of Noël herself or your quiet acceptance of—and even joy at—their relationship.''
``All right, but you too should not discount your own part. You were the one who showed her Takemikazuchi and that taught her that she could restore technology and use it to save people, not just to kill them. She remembers that and is thankful for you giving her that task.''
``Maybe, but you created the environment, the family, that let her believe that Takemikazuchi actually would be used to save people if she restored him. And you followed through on that. You also risked your own life, honor and career to defend her from Colonel Hopkins.''
``What else could I do? You know what Colonel Hopkins did to her at Bienenland, how he took the old facility she restored and used its products to kill three whole cities in one night there.'' Filicia looked off into the distance for a bit. ``But I had another reason to take care of Noël. Just before your sister passed away, I received a letter from her. She told me she had arranged for a new gal to join our unit. She told me a little of her experience at Bienenland and asked me to take care of her. She said, `I know you will care for her, and that you understand the horrors of Bienenland.' That girl was Noël. Iliya must have learned of Noël after the battle, else I'm sure she would have taken her under her wing then.''
Rio smiled back. ``So when the two of us cared for Noël, we really were continuing Iliya's work and wishes. Thank you for telling me. I'm glad we could.''
``You're welcome. And thank you for sharing your impressions of your teammates. I've also been impressed on how they ...how you all have grown these past two years. I hope I can make it show through in their fitness reports.''
``I'm sure you can.'' Rio smiled back in thanks as she picked up the tray with the remains of their lunch. ``After all, you're the one we have to thank for this growth.''
Rio took advantage of Filicia's loss for words to depart with the tray