Vanille's PoV:

It'd been one week since our afternoon in the garden. I'd still taken every opportunity to avoid Lightning. Our conversations lasted maybe a sentence or two, and we only spoke if it were absolutely necessary.

This had to be so. I couldn't let her be hurt.

As I sat on a ledge near the French windows in my bedroom, I peered out to a clear view of the majestic ocean. My room resembled the one from New Bodhum. The floors and decorative pillars were crafted of beautiful Mosaics, marble stone of auburn, white, and noble brown colors. The bed came equipped with hand-woven, satin sheets.

But being here makes me feel useless.

If I couldn't be alone, meaning far away from Lightning, then I wanted to be working.

The people are tired.

The people are disoriented.

The people need security, and yet here I am—nonfunctional.

I was pried from my thoughts when I heard a light rap on the door. "Milady, you have a hologram. May I come in?" said Yarika's voice.

"Oh—err yes, please, come in," I answered.

Yarika slowly entered— hologram clutched firmly in her hands. She managed a smile. "It's sent from Senator Hans, Milady."

Yarika extended the sphere with her slender arm. My heart pounded as I took it from her.

Finally . . . contact with the Senate.

I hastily activated the 3D message. Instantly, Senator Hans projected in miniature form.

"Hello, Lady Vanille, I trust you've been well? Academia is busier than ever. The Senate's been speaking to merchants from New Palumpolum about the economy. Lately, that's been our biggest concern. No matter, I send you this message as a reminder to be ready tomorrow night for your grand induction to the Senate. Your fiancee and I have been working non-stop to secure the Forum for your arrival, and I assure you tomorrow evening will be pleasant and free of any annoyances. I am overwhelmed with the thought of referring to you as Senator Vanille tomorrow. Captain Farron has been ordered to escort you to the New Palumpolum Base promptly at 6pm for check-in. At that time, Guard Corp personnel will be put on alert, and Captain Farron will, again, escort you to the Forum. Sleep well tonight, Lady Vanille. See you soon."

I was so happy I felt crying. A warmth spread over my body.

The idea of leaving my idleness and becoming a full-fledged senator . . .

I stood up and placed the hologram on a nearby counter. Yarika hadn't moved. She was smiling brighter than usual, "Wonderful news, Milady! I will go make arrangements for your dress tomorrow. Any special accommodations?" Yarika asked politely.

"Oh, no, the dress is lovely as it is. Thank you. I think I'll go speak with Captain Farron. Do you know where she is?"

"—She's here," answered Lightning's deep voice. She was walking through the doorway.

Yarika took her leave; I almost shouted for her to come back. It was hard to be alone with Lightning.

And of course, she just has to look attractive right now.

Her solemn face, mixed with her strong body, in addition to her metallic silver, T-tunic uniform made it difficult for me to concentrate.

I'm helplessly attracted to her, but I can't let her in. I can't. Don't look in her eyes, Vanille . . . don't do it. They'll disarm you.

"So tomorrow's your big day . . ." she rubbed the back of her head. "I was charged with telling you about one extra detail for this occasion. Masks will be worn to protect the identities of public officials."

Lightning looked at me, as if already expecting how I was destined to react. "Tell me you're joking?"

"I'm afraid not," Lightning solemnly replied.

"Wonderful. My induction to the Senate will be done as a masquerade party. What a dignified idea," I commented disapprovingly.

Out of habit, I put my hands on my hips. The soldier took note of my annoyance. "I know this doesn't seem dignified or proper, but for your own safety—"

"Oh, what do you know about proper?" I snapped. "This special treatment that I'm forcibly given has never been necessary. I don't need it, and I don't need you!"

Lightning stood frozen in her spot. I paced out to the bedroom balcony, resting both of my hands on the ledge as tried to steady my breathing.

I'm not done.

"It was a terrible mistake to kiss you back! It was a terrible mistake to let you hold me as much as you have!" I turned my head back to see Lightning's mouth still slightly agape, but her eyes fixated on me.

"I'm engaged, damn you!" I shouted angrily, now turning my body to completely face her from the balcony.

"Why am I suddenly worth your time?! I was invisible to you not long ago, and now you torment me with your genuine smiles and loving eyes. Where was this Lightning a few months ago? Was I too naive for your liking? Fuck you!"

I had snapped. I don't even know why. The only justification I could think of was that I wanted to love her . . . and it wasn't that I didn't know how; I forbade myself, and I was angry because of it. To my reluctance, tears began streaming down my cheeks. But they weren't tears of weakness, they were tears frustration.

Lightning's PoV:

My gaze at the floorboard was short-lived. I lifted my head to meet Vanille's determined stare.

"Whatever I did to offend you, I'm sorry, but let me make one thing clear: I'm not General Blanche, and I don't make the rules. I was told to look after you, and that's what I'm doing." The softness of my voice sharply contrasted with the anger in Vanille's.

"Who cares about how you're inducted into the senate, just as long as it happens, right? Isn't this what you wanted?!" I spoke clearly in command of myself.

"All I'd like to know is," I took an authoritative step towards Vanille, "what is this really about? We're not talking about the ceremony anymore. We're talking about us—"

"—THERE IS NO US!" Vanille quickly retorted.

"Then why are you so angry with me?" I responded, almost in a whisper.

Vanille stifled a sob, turned her back to me, and said no more. I felt bad. She was struggling with something, but she wouldn't clue me in. Truthfully though, I didn't have a right to be angry at her for it; I did the same thing to her once.

"I know I don't have a great record with this sort of thing, but . . . you should consider telling me what's eating at you. Maybe . . . I could help."

There was nothing more to be said. She wouldn't face me; I respectfully turned and left the room with my red cape flapping dramatically behind me. I felt the need to occupy myself. I didn't want to think about Vanille right now. I made my way around the villa until I found the housemaid, Ceriliya, who was busy hemming Vanille's dress.

She whipped around at my presence, and placed a hand on her chest, sighing with relief after realizing it was only me. "Oh, Captain Farron, you startled me!"

"Forgive me, Lady Ceriliya, I only came to—"

"Wait, Captain!" Ceriliya interjected. "I need to tell you something. I've wanted to come to you sooner, but Yarika's been watching me like hawk."

The youthful maiden seemed disturbed. I furrowed my eyebrows and prodded her to continue. "You-you need to know something, Yarika and the rest of the maids— We—"

Speak of the devil—Yarika came bursting into the room, smiling and cheerful. I cleared my throat and said, "Yarika, can I—err— help you?"

"Oh, Captain, excuse me. I was just looking for Ceriliya. I'm preparing the pod for you and Lady Vanille tomorrow. Ceriliya needs to oil the transmission and deactivate the flycraft force field."

Yarika folded her arms and gave Ceriliya a menacing look. I stopped Ceriliya leaving by extendeding my arm.

"Are you incapable of oiling a transmission yourself?"I asked Yarika.

"Captain Farron," she said plainly, "might I respectfully say that I am the head of this maiden-staff—"

I raised my hand to silence her. "Excuse me, but you've commissioned to be a service member for the Republic, right? I don't know the criteria for becoming 'head maiden', but I don't think your job description exempts you from certain tasks?"

Yarika smiled haughtily. "We have a system here, Captain. If you'd like to argue about it, I suggest taking it up with Senator Fang."

Fuck Fang. What does that lazy bastard have to do with any of this?!

"Lady Yarika," I emphasized, "allow me to tend to the transmission. Lady Ceriliya is busy with her own preparations for tomorrow."

I returned my attention to Ceriliya "Did you want to talk later?"

Ceriliya's eyes grew fearful. She looked like a deer in headlights. "No, Captain. I have nothing to say."

I cocked an eyebrow, but I didn't question her any further. I bade them both good day and went to find the pod.

I wonder how long Yarika was standing outside the door?

After finding the object of interest, I began administering the necessary repairs. To pass the time, I contemplated about the drama that happened earlier that day.

Vanille has every reason to be upset with me. A few months back, I really didn't pay her any attention—but then, I saw her in New Bodhum . . . distinguished in her attire and opinionated in her speech.

. . . I fell for her . . .

Despite her changes, something fundamental was missing. Her natural glow was gone. What was she trying to prove? If she's wasn't trying to prove anything, what was she afraid of? But I assumed too much. Maybe nothing was wrong. Maybe I was the one with the problem.

After I finished repairing the pod, I walked along the grassy field until reaching the sandy beach. I took shelter under a nearby tree while I sat on a large boulder. I admired the waves lapping gently along the shore.

I rubbed my calloused hands on the stone, feeling the indents on the rock below. I felt deliberate marks under my right hand, so I brought my attention to the crude inscription, "love me if you dare".

How fitting.

I stood up and looked out at the endless ocean in front of me.

I'm not going anywhere.

"Dare."

I can't give up on her.