The Land of Peace
Finding time to nap on the Archangel was a much more difficult task than one would anticipate, especially if you were the ace pilot of the Strike. Most days went by the same: update Strike OS and specs to Earth atmospheric conditions, help prep and maintain the Skygraspers, plan coordinated attacks and maneuvers with Mu and Cagalli, scrap said plans because one cannot just drop the Aile pack on an enemy like an anvil, maintenance the Strike again. On and on the days went as the Archangel cruised through the oceans on the way to Alaska. Normally to save time, Kira would just curl up in a blanket and sleep in the Strike's cockpit, but Murdock insisted he go back to his room to sleep. Honestly, Murdock was right. Laying down on the nice soft mattress (albeit a small twin-sized military mattress) was much more comfortable. Kira was just about to relax enough to fall deep into slumber. But then...
*THUMP THUMP*
Immediately, Kira shot up out of breath. He felt so hot all over all of a sudden. His face felt red like a tomato. He suddenly had this wave of….embarrassment come over him? It was such a bizarre feeling. He wasn't thinking of anything in particular. Why did he feel so shy and ashamed?
Realizing he was too hot to sleep now, he put on some pants and a T-shirt and headed out. They were still at sea, so Kira decided to head out to one of the outdoor decks. As soon as he exited the Archangel, Kira was hit with the warm glow of the sun and cool sea breeze. The Archangel wasn't moving at crazy speeds, so the cruise was mostly calm and serene. As he walked forward and leaned against the railing, a pod of dolphins could be seen jumping and splashing alongside the ship without a care in the world.
"Must be nice," Kira thought aloud.
"There you are!"
Kira turned around to see Cagalli jogging towards him.
"I wanted to see if you'd wanna get lunch," she smiled.
"Oh. Thanks. But I already ate."
"What? More burgers in the Strike?"
"….no comment."
"Dude that's so nasty! Plus you know Murdoch is gonna get on you about leaving litter in the cockpit."
"Ah yea. I gotta be better about that."
"Pft. The more I get to know you, the more I think you need a girlfriend to straighten you out."
"I….what do you mean straighten me out!"
"I'm just saying, the Strike's cockpit would be much cleaner if you had a wife cuss you out," she teasingly shrugged.
Feeling that this conversation was going nowhere, Kira rolled his eyes and looked out into the sea. Cagalli settled beside him already having her fill of teasing him. In the few weeks she had gotten to know the pilot, Cagalli realized that although Kira was kind, he had an edge to him. More specifically, he always seemed to keep his thoughts to himself and carry other people's burdens. So, sometimes she felt the need to poke and prod him just a tad in hopes of getting him to open up.
"Sooo," she started.
"Hmm?"
"What'cha thinking about?"
"I dunno. I guess it's just…I've been having these weird thoughts lately."
"What do you mean?"
"Like just now. I was trying to nap, but then I woke up all red in the face and hot. It's why I needed to come out and get some fresh air."
"…..Dude that's a wet dream. Are you trying to tell me about the first time you had a wet dream?!"
"No no! Not that! I'm just saying, sometimes I'll get these random bouts of emotion. Feelings that aren't my own."
"Ok now you're creeping me out."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"No no! Keep going."
"I just mean that there are times I doubt myself and my actions. And I feel so disgusted with what I've done, with the people I've killed. And then, I suddenly feel relaxed and calm. I'm not saying I'm happy with killing or I've gotten used to it. But it's more, as if someone is trying to tell me that 'it's ok' or like someone is trying to make me feel better."
"….Maybe it's just your conscience or something," Cagalli shrugged.
"I guess. You ever felt this way?"
"Not in the exact way you mentioned, but I understand what it's like to live in what you thought was the world, only to go out and see for yourself what the world is really like. Maybe it's just the stress of it all."
"Maybe. Either way, I appreciate these fleeting moments of calmness, even if I don't understand how they come about."
"Alternatively, you could just have an angel watching out for you. Maybe she's pretty!"
"Will you stop!" Kira bumped her shoulder.
"I'm just saying, man! It's not unusual that a guy cleans up his act once he's in a relationship!"
"Yea yea."
They paused for a moment letting the seagulls fill the void of sound for a bit. Like Kira said, these moments of calmness were few and far between. Best to enjoy them while they last.
"So, what happens when we get to Alaska?" Cagalli asked.
"Honestly, I don't know anymore."
"You seem tired of it all."
"I sorta am. It started out as just hold on until we meet the 8th fleet. Then it became hold on until we reach Earth. And now it's hold on until we reach Alaska. Every time I feel like it's time to get off and move on, something pulls my friends and me back. It's like the goalposts get moved every time."
"And that bothers you?"
"Like I said. I'm not a soldier. But somehow, I feel like if I'm not the one wielding a sword, there's no one else who will."
"Sheesh, narcissistic much."
"Cagalli…"
"I'm just saying. You don't really need to put so much pressure on yourself. Weren't you the one who asked who am I supposed to protect with just my feelings?"
"Seriously?" Kira rolled his eyes.
"Hey man, the medicine don't taste good, but it helps."
"Kiraaaaaa!" a new voice called from behind.
"….Oh no," Kira groaned.
"Speaking of narcissism…"
Kira buried his face in the railing as the newcomer came up to join him and Cagalli. She came on deck still in her Earth Alliance skirt, but swapped out the uniform top with a pink crop top that…..left very little to the imagination.
"So, Kira! Beautiful day today, huh?"
"Uhhh yea Flay. It's really nice out."
Admittedly, since her unwanted advances when they first arrived on Earth, Kira and Flay kept their distance. Kira still felt awkward and didn't really want to be the guy who stole Sai's fiancé. Flay (was actually still plotting her vendetta against Kira). Interestingly, the rumor mill had it that Flay broke off the engagement to Sai claiming that since neither of her parents were alive, there was no need to abide by their word. That probably explained why Flay decided to up her advances, especially since Cagalli came aboard. Some of the crew could feel the jealousy emanating from Flay. However, all these attempts such as bringing him food, checking in on him in the Strike's cockpit, and occasionally trying to find ways to hang out in his room, just pushed Kira further and further towards Cagalli. The fiery blonde was almost like a shield or shelter Kira could hide behind.
"Oh Kira, this is such a romantic setting. Dolphins are swimming, the breeze is so nice. Don't you think?"
"Uh sure I guess," Kira shrugged.
"What are you doing up here anyway? Without a date, I mean," Flay wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Oy! I'm right here!" Cagalli scowled.
"My point still stands."
"Grrr."
"Ok ok," Kira stood between them, "Let's not fight. We're all still on this ship for who knows how long. Let's just try and be…professional about it."
"Hnnn I'm gonna go check on the Skygraspers," Cagalli growled leaving in a huff.
"I'll go with you," Kira said walking away.
"Kira?"
"Sorry Flay. I've got a lot of work to do."
Once Kira and Cagalli left the deck, Flay huffed and crossed her arms, clearly upset that her latest attempt had failed.
"We aren't even in a battle anyway…"
A FEW HOURS LATER
"We really did not need a battle right now!" Mu exclaimed as he twisted his Skygrasper into a barrel roll.
Almost out of nowhere, the Le Creuset team finally caught up with the Archangel. This time to adapt to the Earth's atmosphere, the G-weapons came flying in on what looked like gliders. These guuls proved to be an annoying advantage as the Strike was not fit for atmospheric flight at all. The best Kira could do was use the Aile pack for bursts of high jumps before landing right back on the Archangel.
"I will fucking cut you down you piece of shit!" Yzak cried out pressing towards the Strike.
"Yzak! Don't break formation!" Athrun called out.
Seeing his opportunity, Kira fired a blast and destroyed Yzak's guul. Not one to back down, Yzak charged forward slamming his beam saber onto Kira's shield. Mu meanwhile was zooming around giving Dearka fits.
"Jesus you're like a fly! Stay still!" the Buster pilot growled as he fired both of his canons at the speedy jet fighter.
Seemingly the only one to follow the plan, Nicol in the Blitz was able to sneak close enough and fire his lancer darts and damage at least three of the Archangel's engines. Athrun meanwhile could only watch as Kira sliced off the Duel's gun arm and kicked it in the face.
"There's no way Kira got this good so quickly," Athrun exclaimed as Kira moved to push the Blitz away.
Athrun couldn't sit and think much longer as Kira set his sights on the Aegis and began firing away. Mu flew by firing the the Launcher pack's Agni hyper impulse canon at Athrun. Though the high-powered beam missed, it did its job in pushing the Aegis back. Kira landed the Strike on the Archangel to catch his breath a bit.
"Four on two is hardly a fair fight," Kira groaned.
"You're telling me, kid. Oy, Murdoch! We could really use that extra Skygrasper right now!" Mu called out through the comms.
"Sure thing Lieutenant! Just let me figure out how to get this bitch flying WITHOUT A WORKING ENGINE!"
Kira and Mu groaned now understanding that they were on their own. The Archangel did its best trying to fend off the missile barrage hailing upon them. But their antibeam coating was failing rapidly.
"Strike! What's going on out there! We need more support on the starboard side!" Natarle called out.
"I'm kinda busy!" Kira shouted as he dodged more laser fire from Athrun.
More explosions rocked the Archangel as its left Gottfried canon burst into flames. Milly and Sai kept calling out bulkheads that were closing throughout the ship. Tolle and Arnold did their best to keep the ship airborne, but their efforts were looking futile. In the sky, Kira and Athrun locked sabers trying to push each other away.
"Shit," Athrun exclaimed looking on his side monitor, "Orb is here."
Suddenly, Orb began sending a warning to both ZAFT and the Archangel on the open channel.
"This is warning to both the Earth Alliance Ship and the ZAFT forces. Your battle is quickly approaching the borders of the Orb Union. Alter your course at once. As a neutral nation, we strictly prohibit trespassing into our territories by any armed ship, aircraft, or mobile suit. Alter your course at once or we will open fire indiscriminately."
"FUCK THAT!" Cagalli screamed as she burst onto the bridge.
"Cagalli!" Kisaka scolded her as he arrived as well.
"Cagalli! What are you doing here?" Captain Ramius looked surprised.
"Fly straight into Orb! Right now!"
"What? But they'll fire at us!"
"Trust me!" Cagalli growled, "Fly straight into Orb or we'll all die!"
Captain Ramius gave a confused look to Kisaka who reciprocated with a hesitant nod.
"Arnold!" she ordered, "Full speed into Orb territory."
"I uh what?"
"That's an order, Neuman. Full speed ahead."
Reluctantly, Arnold turned the ship and pointed it straight into Orb territory. Not wanting to waste time, Cagalli grabbed the microphone from Kuzzey and entered a specific code and frequency.
"All Orb Forces. Cease fire at once! Do not fire upon this Earth Alliance Vessel. This is Cagalli Yula Athha."
All the sailors on the Orb ship froze with confusion. The possibility of Cagalli Yula Athha being on this warship was highly improbable.
"It's a trick, right?" one of the soldiers asked.
"It can't be. This is the specific frequency and code of the Athha family. There's no way random Earth forces soldiers have this code."
"Captain Todaka what do we do?!"
"Grr," Cagalli growled with frustration, "A Lion never seeks conflict, but is always prepared for it! That enough proof for you IDIOTS!"
Although the Orb soldiers were taken aback by this loud outburst, their stoic Captain remained firm. The speaker clearly spoke the Athha passphrase, but again was this really Lady Cagalli?
"Let the Earth forces in," Captain Todaka ordered.
"But sir!"
"Let. Them. In…..only Lady Cagalli would be that crass," Todaka smirked.
The Archangel moved closer and closer into Orb territory. Although the Buster kept up the pressure and continued blasting, his laser fire was getting uncomfortably close to the Orb fleet. Kira did his best to take out Dearka's guul, but the Buster was able to burst fire and take out the rest of the Archangel's engines. However, it was luckily able to land and glide into Orb oceans.
"Dearka! Pull back!" Athrun ordered.
"Huh? But we're so close!"
"They're in Orb now. We can't go any further!"
To emphasize this point, the Orb ships began firing missiles at the Le Creuset team, forcing them back. They also began firing in the oceans around the Archangel creating a smokescreen. With the ZAFT forces retreating, Kira and Mu landed on the Archangel and let out a deep breath. Mu took off his helmet and shook his head in disbelief.
"Cagalli Yula Athha. The daughter of Orb's Chief Representative, Uzumi Nara Athha. Seriously, kid, what is it with you and bringing princesses aboard?"
After settling in on Onogoro Island, Kira felt as if everything started passing by him like a blur. Cagalli was actually a princess this whole time? Although having a big guy like Kisaka as a bodyguard should have tipped him off. The Orb soldiers informed Kira and his friends that all their parents had arrived in Orb safe and sound. They could all go meet them in a few days, but Kira wasn't entirely sure if he wanted to see his parents. After all, he wasn't the son they remembered, not after all that had happened. Probably the most annoying development was that Orb agreed to repair the Archangel if Kira brought the Strike in and let Morgenroete extract combat data. Although having the Archangel repaired was a nice bonus, Kira couldn't really shake the feeling of contributing to this cycle of war as opposed to ending it. Nevertheless, deals were deals. So, here he was carefully walking the Strike to the docking bay. With the Strike settled in, Kira exited the cockpit to meet a middle-aged brunette woman in an orange jacket.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Mr. Ace Pilot," the woman cheerfully greeted.
"Uhhh hi."
"My name is Eric Simmons. I'm the Technical Director here at Morgenroete. I helped work on the creation of the G-weapons. Shame we could only hold onto the Strike here."
"Yea. Shame," Kira shrugged.
"Y'know. Orb may be neutral, but news still gets here. Your exploits as essentially a solo mobile suit pilot are pretty crazy. You've got a lot of talent in you."
"Uhh t-thank you," Kira looked quizzically as killing people was hardly a talent.
"Y'know, even though I helped design this baby, the look of it still amazes me," Eric commented as she marveled at the Strike, "I mean Phase Shift? An electronic armor that deflects all forms of physical attacks? Insane! So insane, we haven't yet figured out how to implement it into the Astrays."
"Astrays?"
"Oops. Shhhh. Don't get me started on that mess of a project. I swear it's like Orb is fated to keep losing mobile suits."
"Ok…"
"Anyway! Let me give you the tour!"
Erica walked off signaling Kira to follow. She showed him various parts of the facility including the main assembly line, the brainstorm room, various simulation areas, and even the cafeteria. When they arrived, there were three girls huddled around a table playing cards.
"Aha! Read em and weep, girls! I play a 2 clearing the stack and win with yes a humble 3," the blonde exclaimed slamming her two cards down.
"What! Dammit Asagi! Have you been holding onto that last 2 this whole time!" the redhead scolded back.
"Can we please get through ONE game without fighting? Just one!" the blue-haired girl pleaded.
"Ahem! Girls!" Eric cleared her throat getting everyone's attention, "If you're not too busy, I'd like to introduce Kira Yamato."
"Uhhh hi?" Kira awkwardly waved.
The three friends took a moment to marvel and awe at the new boy who stepped in. All three pairs of eyes widened as they looked up and down his slender figure noting his messy but stylish hair and his deep purple eyes. Eagerly, all three girls got up from the table and scrambled to the front. There was some pushing and shoving on the way and the three fought over who got to shake Kira's hand first.
"Out of my way Mayura!"
"Move your ass Asagi, jeez!"
"Wait wait no hands to the face! These are my favorite pair of glasses."
As the girls tumbled in front of them, Kira sent a confused glance to Eric who mildly chuckled.
"These are our test pilots. They're…..excited," she shrugged.
Finally, the three red-vested girls got their act together and stood up in a line to greet Kira.
"Asagi Caldwell! Nice to meet ya!" the blonde extended to her for Kira to shake.
"Uhh hi."
"Mayura Labatt!" the redhead stepped forward, "Anyone ever tell you you've got great eyes?"
"Ummm."
"Mayura! We agreed no flirting!" Asagi scolded.
"Hey. Shooters gotta shoot," Mayura stuck her tongue out.
"Umm hi! I'm Juri Wu Nien! Are you joining us as a new pilot?"
"Heh, sorry Juri," Erica interrupted, "We're just borrowing Kira for the moment."
"Sorry," Kira shrugged.
"Anywho, I'm going to go extract that data. Kira, why don't you hang out with these lovely ladies? I'll call for you when I need you. Toodles!" Erica waved as she walked away.
Kira froze as he watched Erica leave him. Turning around, he could have sworn the three ladies were replaced by eager sharks hungry for blood.
"Soooo Kira! You ever play 13?" Asagi smiled as she dragged him to the table.
"It's a really fun game Kira! See the cards are ranked from 3 to 2 with 3 being the lowest and 2 being the highest," Mayura started to explain.
"Oh oh! Don't forget the suits! Those are important too!" Juri added.
"Uhh ok?" Kira sat down realizing he wouldn't be moving any time soon.
An hour later, Cagalli made her way down to the cafeteria and found the quartet playing cards.
"Whaaaa Kira?! How could you do that to me! I was just about to win!" Mayura whined.
"I well I mean I had the two…"
"Geez Kira. You picked up on the game pretty quickly. You're really something special," Asagi leaned closer…a little too closely.
"Yea Kira! You're really smart! Are you sure you aren't joining Orb as a new pilot?" Juri asked.
"Uh yea sorry. I won't be joining you all. I'll be leaving soon once Ms. Simmons has all she needs."
"But that could take days!" Asagi commented, "Hey girls! Why don't we take Kira here out on the town! Show him all the cool spots on Orb!"
"Yea! That'd be great! I know just the place to watch the sunset. Ah it'll be so romantic to have a picnic there!"
"Oy! Keep it in your pants Mayura!"
"Shut up Asagi! You're the one clinging to his arm!"
"What happened to shooters shoot?" Asagi stuck her tongue out.
"Uhhh Kira? Do you like ramen? I know a great place in the city?" Juri shyly asked.
"Uhh well uhh…" Kira stuttered.
Cagalli could not believe the scene that was unfolding. When she told the dolt that he needed a girlfriend to straighten him out, this was not what she meant at all. Rolling her eyes, she prepared her fists to give Kira a knock on the head to get some sense into him. Fortunately, Kira somehow was able to hold his own.
"Uhhh that's really sweet of you girls, but um I kinda have a girlfriend and I don't feel super comfortable going out on the town with you all while she's away."
"…."
"…."
"…."
"YOU WHAT?!" the three girls exclaimed.
"Yea…I'm sorry," Kira awkwardly tried to calm everyone down.
"What's she like?"
"Is she pretty?"
"How long have you been dating?"
"Is she an Orb girl?"
"How did you two meet?"
"Is she hot?"
Kira realized his mistake as he went from one type of barrage to another. He understood that he was in way too deep to backtrack now, so he doubled down on his lie praying he'd avoid the wrath of three energetic girls.
"Uhhh," he began, "Well we've been dating a few months now. It's kinda tough since we're long distance. But she's a singer. And she's…..she's really really pretty."
"What's your favorite part about her?" Juri asked.
"I bet it's her tits. All men love tits!"
"Asagi!"
"I..uh I really like her eyes. And her smile," Kira shyly blushed.
"AWWWWWWWW."
"Alright alright!" Cagalli interrupted, "Let's not smother the poor bastard any longer."
"Ehhh? Cagalli?"
"Pft party pooper."
"Watch it! Don't shoot the messenger. Ms. Simmons told me to get you all anyway. She wants to run some movement tests," Cagalli snapped back.
"Oh yes! Come on girls! Let's show Kira here what we're made of!" Asagi led the charge.
"Aye aye captain!"
Finally released from prison, Kira slumped into the chair as the girls left the cafeteria. Cagalli smirked before grabbing him by the arm and dragging him to the demonstration room.
"Someone's popular," she teased.
"Please don't ever remind me of this moment again."
"Yea yea. Also….you don't have a girlfriend."
"I dunno. It just kinda slipped out."
"What do you mean?"
"I've…never had that kind of intense attention before. While it was flattering, I just wanted it to stop."
"Uh huh. You do realize you're an idiot, right?"
"Look it's just a little white lie."
"Dumbass. If they found out you made up a girl just so you could avoid hanging out with them, they will never forgive you. If you thought them showing affection was overwhelming…boy you are dead. D.E.A.D. DEAD!"
"Well, I didn't necessarily make up a girl to describe to them. I sorta…had someone in mind."
"…..Oh," Cagalli smirked in realization, "Wittle Kira has a crush."
"Shut up!"
"Hehehe."
Finally, Kira and Cagalli arrived at the control room with a window overlooking three mobile suits standing in a line. Kira looked a little confused as he inspected the suits with the black torso, white arms, and red crowns. Erica walked over and handed him and Cagalli some ear comms.
"What are these?" Kira asked.
"Orb's latest in mass-produced mobile suits: the M1-Astrays," Eric answered.
"More like proof of Orb ignoring its own values."
"Miss Cagalli, if you have nothing nice to say, please don't say anything at all," Erica teased.
"I'm just saying! If we were really neutral, we wouldn't have these weapons here!"
"The M1's are purely for defense. There's a difference between actively attacking, and purely defending. Besides given their current states, I'd hardly call them weapons."
"Huh?" Kira looked confused.
"Here. We'll show you," Erica gestured, "Alright girls. Begin test!"
All three M1's activated with glowing green eyes. The first one slowly lifted its leg and clumsily took a step forward. The other two followed similarly. One tried to lift its hand and throw a punch. Another tried to swing its elbow around. The final M1 somehow locked up and couldn't take another step. Kira bit his cheek trying to contain his comments. Like Ms. Simmons said, if he didn't have anything nice to say…Cagalli however was not as withholding.
"Sooo they still suck?"
"CAGALLI!" the three girls got riled up.
"It's true! Your movements are so slow! You'll be sitting ducks out in the battlefield!"
"Well then! If you're so cool, why don't you hop into a cockpit and settle this like women?"
"Fine! If that's how you want to play it!" Cagalli growled and was about to storm off before Erica grabbed her by the shirt collar.
"And that's where you come in Kira," Eric shifted the conversation.
"Me?"
"Yes. When the G-weapons were stolen on Heliopolis, an incomplete operating system was installed. They were designed to have Naturals pilot them after all. But imagine my surprise to find not only a complete functional OS in the Strike, but one that's been consistently patched and updated."
"…well."
"Kira, it's ok. We're in Orb. Coordinator or Natural. You're welcome here."
"Wait! Kira's a Coodinator! No wonder he kicked our asses in 13," Asagi yelled over the comms.
"So Kira's been updating and rewriting the OS on the Strike! That's so cool!" Juri threw in.
"…am I too forward in saying Kira just got so much hotter?"
"SHUT UP ALREADY!" Cagalli yelled back.
"In essence Kira, I know you a tremendous mind and talent. Being able to build an entire OS at your age is astounding. So, I am asking a rather large favor of you," Erica began, "Would you be so kind as to help write a proper OS for us? One that's compatible with Naturals?"
"I uh…"
"It's a big favor. I know. You don't have to answer right away. Archangel repairs will still take a while. Take some time to think about it."
"Ok."
After all that, Kira and Cagalli ironically did end up going out to town. They found a small little café to sit in and have some lattes. However, the mood was quietly tense as both stewed for a bit on Erica's favor. Neither really said anything for a while as Kira stirred his latte and Cagalli chewed on her straw.
"Y'know, I'm kinda surprised you aren't trying to convince me to do it. I'd assume you'd be trying to help Orb and whatnot," Kira broke the ice.
"I mean, I don't like the fact that we're escalating the war by adding the M1's. It's bad enough that we had a role in creating the G-weapons in the first place. Plus the original crop of Astrays is God knows where."
"So we're in agreement then? Don't build the OS."
"Oddly we are in agreement."
"Well, Cagalli humor me for a second."
"Ok."
"Let's say I don't agree to develop an OS for Naturals. What then?"
"Erica Simmons may or may not hate your guts?"
"Uhh bigger scale, Cagalli."
"Alright alright! Uhh we don't develop a working OS in time and the M1's are just slightly moving statues."
"Right. Ok meanwhile ZAFT has ample data from the other GUNDAMs."
"Wait…the what?"
"GUNDAM."
"The hell is a GUNDAM?"
"It's the acronym that pops up on the loading screen. It stands for uhhh Generalpurpose Utility uhh Non-Discontinui-"
"Blah blah it's a long and boring acronym. Get to the point."
"Well ZAFT has no doubt figured out a way to improve upon the original design. And when we get to Alaska, the Earth Alliance will have the Strike data to get their own suits."
"So what you're saying is…"
"Orb might get left behind. And it was an even playing field before. But with more GUNDAMS out there, Orb might be on the defensive much sooner than people would like."
"Sigh. You do realize you're moving the goalposts again, right Kira?"
"Maybe. But I don't think I could live with myself if I had this chance to make a difference and ignored it."
"Sigh. You sure this isn't just some way for you to impress those three girls?"
"Pft please, Cagalli. I have a 'girlfriend' remember?"
"Oh if you think I'm going to let you leave this café without telling me who this mystery girl of yours is…"
Meanwhile, on Aprilius One
"No no no Ms. Clyne! Do forgive me but you are doing it all wrong!"
"I'm trying Mrs. Patmore. Did I add too much stuffing?"
"Oh dearie, here let me show you again."
On this fine afternoon at the Clyne Mansion, Lacus was determined to perfect her cabbage roll recipe. This time, she requested the guidance of her estate's chef, Mrs. Patmore. After getting the meat ratio for the filling from Athrun, the rest of the recipe needed perfecting. Lacus experimented greatly with different spice blends, various steam temperatures and cook times, even going from green to purple cabbage. Nothing seemed to be just right for her. Some of her recipes turned out ok, but for whatever reason, none of them were perfect.
"Now see here, dear. You must mold the meat into the perfect size first. Use the palms of your hands and gently shape your filling. It must look like a little bean."
"Ok ok. Little bean. Little bean."
"Righto. Then you place it in the center of your cabbage. And carefully fold the leaves into place."
"Ok I see. I was making the portions too big!" Lacus realized.
"Yes. Exactly. Once you've wrapped it, you mustn't forget to tuck in the seams. You don't want a roll to burst in the steamer!"
"Of course, Mrs. Patmore."
"Excellent. Now take the tray and put it in the steamer. How long are we going for this time?"
"I believe we're trying one hour this time."
"Excellent."
Lacus picked up the tray and began walking towards the large steamer. However, along the way, she scrunched her nose and felt irritated. Once she placed the tray in the steamer, she set the timer and simply pouted.
"Ms. Clyne? What's the matter? Are you alright?"
"I don't know. For whatever reason, I feel incredibly jealous right now…"
AN: Heyo everyone! I'm sorry for the long wait between chapters. Grad school work takes a lot out of you haha. I was actually planning on having this chapter go all the way to when Kira and Athrun meet at the fence, but this chapter feels so stuffed as is. Admittedly this is kinda more filler, but if you remember the series, we're getting close to some really crucial bits that it wouldn't feel right to simply jump over. (and THEN we'll get to Kira and Lacus's reunion!) Hopefully you guys enjoy some of the tweaks I made.
So apparently there's been a decent amount of interest in having a KiraxLacus discord server. Soooooooo check out my profile bio on how to get there on discord! (or alternatively the link is clickable on my profile on archiveofourown. Same username. Same story!)
Feel free to join and discuss Gundam Seed, Destiny, the new movie Freedom (be respectful of spoilers please) and other interests you may have. I may ask some questions regarding some about future chapters, so come hang out if you like!
My spring break is sadly halfway done so the next chapter will take some time. But I will do my best to expedite! Until then, hope you enjoyed the read!
