BOOK 2 – DREAMSCAPE

Chapter 11 – A Room for Two

Athrun turned to see who grabbed him.

"It's me, Athrun. Do you remember me?" The voice startled Athrun, his vision obscured by the person's cold hands. He was not wearing any gloves, only a jacket, as if the icy wind did not affect him.

"Who are you?" Athrun asked in amazement. The person seemed familiar, but he couldn't place him.

He studied him: green hair, brown eyes with a soft demeanor. But right now, that person looked menacingly at him. Did I wrong this person?

"Hmm, you can't remember me?" his smile grows menacingly, "...or you don't want to remember me," said the voice. The man slowly walked passed Athrun. "Then let me help you remember. How shall I start? Hmm… what about we begin with how weak you are… and how you chose one life over another…"

"What do you mean?" Athrun asked in surprise.

The person turned towards him, their touch light but electric, sending a jolt of recognition through Athrun's mind. Suddenly, it was as if a door had been unlocked, and memories long buried surged to the surface with startling clarity.

In an instant, Athrun was transported back to the battlefield, the chaos and clamour of war unfolding around him. He could hear the roar of mobile suits, the thunder of explosions, and the cries of comrades in arms. It was as if he was reliving those harrowing moments all over again, each memory etched with vivid detail.

He saw himself piloting his Gundam, locked in fierce combat against enemy forces. He felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. But amidst the chaos, there was also doubt, uncertainty, and pain. Athrun recalled moments of fear and desperation, of witnessing the devastation of war and questioning the righteousness of his cause. As the memories washed over him, Athrun's emotions churned like a tempest within. He was overwhelmed by the intensity of it all, the rawness of reliving those experiences anew.

Slowly, the flood of memories began to recede, leaving Athrun standing there, breathless and shaken. He looked at the person before him, his mind swirling with questions and emotions.

"What... what was that?" he managed to stammer, his voice barely above a whisper.

The person regarded him with a solemn expression, their eyes reflecting a depth of sorrow that Athrun could scarcely comprehend. "That, Athrun, was just the beginning," he replied cryptically. "There is much more for you to discover, much more to remember."

With those words hanging in the air, the person turned and began to slowly walk away, leaving Athrun standing there, his mind reeling with possibilities. "Let's say I could've had a good future if not for your indecision," Nicol's voice echoed ominously.

Athrun's mind raced as he tried to remember "Gundam."

Some flashbacks started to flood his mind. It was a jumble of random memories that made his head hurt.

"Seems like you respond to the word Gundam, maybe because it was your fault that I died in battle. Yes, Athrun, it was your fault why I wouldn't be able to play the piano. I thought you were my best friend."

"Died in battle… played the piano.." and then it hit him. "Nicol?"

Athrun's breath caught in his throat as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Nicol—his friend, his comrade, his fellow pilot—stood before him, his presence a haunting echo from the past. Memories flooded back with sudden clarity, images of Nicol flashing before Athrun's mind's eye. He remembered their friendships, their military training, and their dreams for a better future. And then, with a sickening lurch, he remembered the day Nicol had been taken from them, the day everything changed.

"I... I didn't mean for any of this to happen," Athrun murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I never wanted to… I thought I was doing what was right, but... I was wrong."

Nicol's gaze bore into him, a mixture of accusation and sorrow swirling in his eyes. "You let me die on that battlefield.. and it will be your undoing if Cagalli dies," his words heavy with bitterness.

As Athrun stood in the icy abyss, his mind drifted back to the reason why he had embarked on this journey in the first place. "Cagalli," he whispered her name, the sound carrying a weight of both longing and determination. She was the driving force behind his actions. Athrun clutched his head to steady himself against the howling wind. The cold air cut through him, and he shivered uncontrollably. Unaware of the heavy snowfall engulfing him, he struggled to focus.

Athrun winced as he squeezed his eyes shut, attempting to block out the flood of memories assaulting his mind. Why was he recalling two versions of Cagalli? Which was real, and which was a figment of his imagination? Despite the confusion, he struggled to gather his thoughts.

"Cagalli… I remember now, I am looking for Cagalli."

The persistent voice continued to torment him, its accusations echoing through his mind like a relentless storm.

"Cagalli, you wanted to find her... because it was your fault... It was you who brought her to this abyss…" The accusatory voice echoed in Athrun's mind, each word heavy with condemnation.

"My fault," Athrun whispered, his voice barely audible over the din of his inner turmoil. Yet amidst the tumult, a fragment of memory emerged, vivid and unexpected. In the recesses of his mind, Athrun saw Cagalli, resplendent in a purple uniform that seemed to radiate strength and power. Her presence was a beacon of determination and resilience amidst the chaos.

"You don't deserve to be with her. You let her down," the voice persisted, its words like daggers aimed at Athrun's fragile resolve. He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white with the intensity of his emotions.

"No… what are you saying… Cagalli.. I need to find her... Cagalli wanted to see Aurora... I wanted her to see..." Athrun pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice as he tried to reason with the relentless voice. His words hung in the air, a desperate plea for redemption in the face of his own self-doubt and remorse.

Two versions of Cagalli danced through Athrun's mind, one from this trip where an immediate connection had sparked between them. The chaos began with a mishap at Hotel Turistation, orchestrated by Yzak. Preferring not to intrude on Yzak's space, Athrun declined the offer of the couch. He also hesitated to accept the hospitality of Meer and Meyrin, sending an undercurrent of personal agendas. Upon entering the room, he observed two bunk beds, their cluttered appearance indicating occupancy. Opting for the lower bunk facing the window, Athrun settled in to get some rest.

However, his tranquillity was abruptly shattered by the swinging door, revealing a woman with blond hair and amber eyes glaring at him. "Why are you sitting on my bed?" she demanded, catching him off guard.

Startled by her sudden appearance, Athrun scrambled to his feet, his movements causing him to bump into the top bunk bed with a loud thud. The unexpected noise reverberated through the room, adding to his embarrassment.

The woman paused momentarily, her expression softening as she offered a sheepish smile. "Oops, sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen," she apologized.

As she approached, Athrun winced, nursing the sore spot on his head. "It really hurts," he admitted, feeling a twinge of discomfort.

The woman walked over, her expression apologetic, her eyes betraying a hint of concern mingled with regret. As she spoke, her voice carried a note of sincerity, softening the edges of her initial irritation.

Athrun, caught in a moment of indecision, scrutinized her demeanour. He pondered his response, considering her offer against their awkward encounter.

Her gesture of offering him the bottom bunk carried genuine contrition. Athrun noted how she pulled an empty chair over, positioning it to face him, a subtle invitation to engage in conversation. Seated with a casual yet graceful posture, she introduced herself as "Cagalli," her name hanging in the air with a sense of warmth.

Athrun's gaze briefly flitted to her hands, his mind replaying the discomfort from the earlier collision with the bunk. He hesitated, unsure of how to navigate the situation, but ultimately chose to ignore his minor injury, opting to accept her apology with a silent nod.

Cagalli withdrew her hands, her movements gentle yet purposeful. With a soft exhale, she offered one last reassurance, "Well, I was sorry." With that, she gracefully rose from her seat, her figure casting a fleeting shadow as she made her way toward the top bunk.

Meanwhile, Athrun settled into his bed, feeling a twinge of discomfort from the lingering pain in his head. He hadn't anticipated needing medical supplies for the trip, mentally noting to visit the pharmacy later. Leaning back, he closed his eyes, seeking respite from the day's events.

As Athrun attempted to drift off to sleep, he couldn't help but notice the intermittent movements from the bunk above. Curiosity mingled with frustration as he silently pondered Cagalli's actions. Was she deliberately trying to provoke him?

Deciding to focus on rest, Athrun closed his eyes once more. However, his peace was short-lived as he felt a rush of heat to his cheeks upon catching sight of Cagalli's head peering from the top bunk.

"I am sorry okay," she was saying. Her hair was all over her face as she leaned down. And then she almost fell.

He nearly rose to catch her, "Hey," but she swiftly regained her balance, eliciting a laugh from her lips. Athrun found himself smiling in response, caught off guard by the unexpected warmth of the moment.

"Finally, you smiled," Cagalli remarked, gracefully hopping down from the bed to stand face-to-face with him. He took in her amber-coloured eyes, vibrant and full of life, a unique sparkle that drew him in. Realizing he had been staring, he quickly averted his gaze, remarking, "I thought you were going to fall. You're so careless."

Cagalli reached out to gently hold his head, her touch surprisingly comforting. "I am sorry about what happened. I think I have some supplies. I'll help you bandage," she offered, retrieving her small medical kit from her luggage.

With Athrun seated, Cagalli pulled up a chair beside him, her movements gentle and purposeful. As she tended to his injured head, Athrun couldn't help but feel a sense of calmness. Her touch was soothing.

"I apologized for what happened. I was just supposed to tease you," Cagalli explained softly as she worked, her eyes filled with genuine remorse.

Athrun examined the bandage, ensuring it was secure. "Do you do that often?" he inquired, curious about her intentions.

"Not really. I just thought of it when I saw you. It looks like you were having a bad day, and I wanted to cheer you up," Cagalli replied, her voice tinged with sincerity.

Athrun listened to her words, a sense of wonder creeping into his thoughts. He had never met someone quite like Cagalli before—someone who seemed to possess an innate understanding of other's emotions, someone who genuinely cared for the well-being of those around her.

"Why do you say I am having a bad day? What gave it away?" Athrun asked in amazement, intrigued by her perceptiveness.

"Hmm, your eyes, you looked really tired," Cagalli explained, her observation accompanied by a small shrug.

Athrun couldn't deny the truth in her words. Indeed, he had been grappling with a whirlwind of emotions, exhaustion tugging at the corners of his being. Yet, in Cagalli's presence, he felt a weight lifted from his shoulders, a sense of relief settling over him like a comforting embrace. Athrun allowed himself to entertain the notion that perhaps this day was transforming into something unexpectedly good.

"Then, let's do this again," she smiled. "My name's Cagalli," she introduced herself, extending her hand in a gesture of friendship.

Athrun accepted her handshake, noting the warmth of her touch despite the chill in the room. "I am Athrun," he replied, offering a small smile in return.

As their hands met, Athrun couldn't help but notice the sincerity in Cagalli's eyes. There was a genuineness about her that he found refreshing amidst the chaotic circumstances of their encounter.

"It's nice to meet you, Athrun," Cagalli said warmly, her gaze meeting his with an openness that put him at ease.

"Likewise," Athrun replied, offering a small smile in return.

Just then, two more individuals entered the room and glanced towards Cagalli and Athrun with curiosity. "I thought you had the entire room booked for us?" he questioned.

"Hello Kira and Lacus," Cagalli greeted with a warm smile, trying to diffuse any tension. "Well, actually, that was the case," Cagalli responded, her tone carrying a hint of apology for the misunderstanding. "The thing is ... I owed him for the bump on his head," she explained as she gestured towards the bandage. "Maybe we can let him stay?"

Kira and Lacus exchanged a glance.

"If it helps, it's just for tonight," Athrun interjected, his voice carrying a note of exhaustion. The events of the day had taken a toll on him, and the prospect of moving to another room felt daunting.

Cagalli shot Kira and Lacus a pleading look, her eyes reflecting genuine concern. "Please," she implored, hoping they would agree.

Kira turned his attention to Athrun, considering the situation. "Okay. You were the one who booked the room anyway," he conceded.

"Thank you!" Cagalli expressed her gratitude, relieved that they had resolved the issue. "By the way, this is Athrun," she introduced him, gesturing towards Athrun with a welcoming smile.

A/N: Book 2 starts with how Athrun and Cagalli met. Hoping to upload the next chapter next week. RxR!

-Shadowclite, 07.04.2024