Nicolas "Monarch" Heller
As I walked down the road with Robin, her hand was tightly wrapped around mine. The sunset stayed, dominating the sky for as long as it could before the moon came to take its place. I looked at it with a smile and Robin leaned her head on my shoulder, watching it attentively as we slowly reached that fancy hotel where the ball was being held. We stepped in and I took a glance around. I expected it to be something like this. White walls, decorated with golden floral-like patterns, a chandelier hanging above us, its diamonds reflecting light everywhere and a few vases with flowers. I took in their sweet fragrance as the woman behind the reception desk raised her head to look at us. "Hello. Are you here for the ball with the other marines?" she asked with a high-pitched voice. She had brown hair with a lot of grey strands, starting from her roots in almost white and fading back to brown as they reached the ends. It was tied back in a messy bun and she wore some glasses which were currently hanging from her neck in a chain. " Yes, we are. Nicolas Heller and Robin Kuo." I said and handed her the invitation, which she took with a skinny hand, her skin wrinkly. She pulled the glasses up to her face soon, her eyes growing a little from the lenses. Tiredness was evident on them, judging by her black circles and the wrinkles all over her face. She was definitely old but I couldn't determine how much. I was guessing around 50-60 years old, but that didn't matter. I took a look at Robin while the receptionist confirmed that we were invited. Her eyes seemed to be scanning around as well. Once my glance landed on her, she looked at me and smiled in a way that made my heart skip a beat. It was a warm smile that she always gave to everybody... It was such a special little thing... I returned the smile and looked at the guards who came close to inspect us. They found nothing so they let us alone. They were wearing black suits and sunglasses. A very interesting look for indoors in my opinion. They had muscular figures and you surely did not want to mess with them. We finally got our invitation back and walked to the main room. There, I saw a few marines scattered around, each in a small group with friends or acquaintances. They all seemed to be in their own little world, dressed in fancy clothing. Robin suddenly slipped away from me and my eyes followed her as she walked toward somewhere, her heels clicking loudly on the polished floor. I saw her hug with a woman in a black shimmering dress and as they parted, I recognized her. It was Evelyn. So, Peter was somewhere around here to-. "Hey buddy!" my thought was interrupted by Peter tapping my shoulder gently. "Hey, Peter! How are ya?" I replied and turned around to give him a quick hug and a pat on the back. "Pretty good..."he said and then suddenly waved for me to lean in. He got close too and began to whisper in my ear. "Did you see Evelyn, man!? She is dressed like a freaking Goddess!" he said, trying to keep his excited tone low. I let a chuckle escape my lips. "Your mouth's watering..." I teased him and my laughter grew louder. He looked at me, pretending he's angry and folding his hands up to his chest. "Hey! 'Am not!" He said and nudged my arm. "But I gotta say, Robin cleans up nice too! She's really pretty when she's not covered in grease from head to toe. But I like both sides of her." I add as the 2 girls approached us. They seemed to be in the middle of a conversation. "I know, right!?" Robin joyfully commented and Evelyn shook her head from side to side lazily and with a smile. "Hey guys." They said in unison and we waved back. Out of the blue, some sort of waiter came up to us. "Hello. Could I know the numbers on your invitations? They're on the top left corner. " He said and we all looked down. Peter's and Evelyn's was 2 while ours was 3. Being told that, the waiter led us to a table in the depths of the grand room. There was a chandelier above us and a window a little further away. It had 4 seats, just enough for my squad. We all took a seat and I opened the chair for Robin, to which she replied by kissing me on the cheek and chuckling. I settled down as well and noticed Evelyn was shooting daggers at Peter with her eyes. He had lazily sat down on his own and let her sit down herself. She probably wanted some princess treatment but my silly friend was a little forgetful. He hadn't even noticed her glare yet. "Hey. Since this night is meant to be enjoyed, let's not talk about work. Let's just keep it about any other topic." he said, still oblivious of the stare, and I nodded in agreement. "I mean, I do need a break after trying to fix that plane all morning!" Robin said as she leaned back and got comfortable on her chair. "Eve, I don't know what you did to that poor F-15 but I can't seem to understand how you damaged the airframe that much. Also, the paint on the plane's belly is chipped." She added and Evelyn listened carefully. "I told you. Too much wind in combination with my clumsy movement at one point. That stupid Fed led me to the mountain and I could only pull up as hard as the plane allowed. I still chipped some paint but I'm alive and the plane is probably repairable. At least in your hands, right, Robin?" she asked, defending the reason she got the jet damaged. "Yeah. Don't worry about it. I'll have it good as new soon..." Robin responded and gave Evelyn a charming smile. "Does anyone know if Dominic accepted the offer about being the DJ tonight?" Peter asked and I could only chuckle. "I hope so. He has some unmatched energy. He just has a way of making his presence seen. He's always so cheerful." I said, remembering that thing our AWACS told us once about being a radio DJ before taking up fighter jet stuff. I stopped laughing soon as a waiter approached again. "What can I get for you to drink?" he asked and Prez turned to look at me with a smile. "Some red wine, please." we said in unison and chuckled. "Could I have some sweet Manhattan?" Evelyn asked, being the discerning drinker she is. The waiter nodded and Peter suddenly spoke. "I'd like what she's having, sir." The waiter nodded once more before disappearing into the kitchen. He came back soon with our drinks, placing a bottle of red wine in the middle of the table and 2 glasses of sweet Manhattan, one in front of Evelyn and one for Peter. We all muttered some thank you's as the waiter left again. Taking the wine bottle in my hands, I poured some in Robin's glass and then mine. I picked up the coupe glass which held the wine in it and observed it while she spoke with the others. Its crimson shade of dark red color danced and sparkled in the light with the other darker tints of its rich color palette, as I shook it gently. The aroma was complex and very fruity, with hints of dark grapes, and something that smelled like cherries. The Manhattan on the glasses across me had a marigold color, mixed with brown and a tiny, nearly invisible, hint of red, a cherry impaled on a toothpick hanging above the drink on the rim of the glass. Evelyn studied it carefully with her eyes, holding her hair to the side to lean over and smell it, taking in its scent. "To us guys, Sicario. Cheers!" I shouted, making a toast and getting up slightly to hit my glass with the others. One voice in particular that differed from the others spoke as well: "Cheers, hitman!". It was Dominic, our AWACS, standing beside our table with a glass, dressed in an interesting way. His usually messy light brown hair was brushed a little, he was -for once-not wearing his aviator sunglasses and was in a costume. Which I'd describe rather...unique. The top suit jacket was black, with many small golden patterns on it. Below, there was the suit itself, a simple white button up shirt with a black bowtie, black dress pants and shoes to match. I fought back a smile as the sound of clinking glasses echoed for a while before we all took a sip. The flavors danced across my tongue - a rich, velvety texture with notes of grapes, oak, and a touch of earthiness. The flavor lingered there for a bit, leaving a pleasant warmth in my mouth. I smiled again as I placed my glass down gently, Peter breaking the silence that occurred for a few seconds. "Hey, Dominic. Did you take the role for the DJ tonight?" he asked with a playful smile. "Of course I did! If I didn't, you'd be here listening to Beethoven all evening. I mean, his music is not bad, but we need a little bit of life here. Not only classical music. You get me?" He asked with the same playfulness. I found myself smiling along with everyone and he grinned even wider. "I knew it..." he commented, breathily laughing through his nostrils before walking away to the console across our table, behind the dance floor. It was your typical complicated DJ console, many buttons laying all over. I sometimes wondered if it was more complicated to fly a fighter or figure what each button was. Dominic really was epic for doing both. He began with some dancing jazz, trying to set the atmosphere. The slow rhythm played as we all sat in silence, enjoying this. I looked around me, taking a closer look at the groups of marines that were at their tables. Each little team was talking amongst themselves, having different conversations each. The lights were dimmed a little, some candles that were spread around as decorations, giving their orange light. I found it nice and my foot was gently hitting the floor and swaying to the rhythm of the music. Robin had a contented smile, looking around her while Evelyn and Peter watched Dominic. Suddenly, Peter turned around and grabbed Evelyn's waist, pulling her in for a kiss. At first, her arms hesitantly flailed around but as soon as they made contact, she stopped fighting it and placed her hands around his neck. Her smile was back in no time and I grinned a little too, seeing my friends this close. "If they ever get married, I and Robin will be the groomsman and bridesmaid, without even a question." I thought and silently chuckled. Rolling my eyes at how long they kissed for, I turned to look at the dance floor, where a marine I didn't know had taken a woman. He was slowly swaying her to the music, and she gracefully followed. They smiled lovingly at each other, their steps slow and enjoyed. Quite the show this was. The long, flowy green dress the woman wore spun with her at every turn, spreading its fabrics around her. Dominic was smiling as he held one side of the headphones he wore up to his ear, controlling the console. This seemed like a scene you'd see in an old movie, the couple having a romantic dance, a moment to themselves before something else happened. As I finished the thought, the song ended with it, everyone clapping for the couple. I clapped along with everyone, and Hitman followed my lead. On the next song, which was a little more playful, a man came with two little girls. He was spinning them both in turns. He was older than others and the 2 girls were his daughters. I found myself smiling again as I thought about the times my mom and dad danced around in the living room, swaying me to the music as well. My mother would take my hands and move them around, smiling in a way only she could. As I thought about that more, I realized I knew yet another person with a similar, charming smile. Robin. This made me even happier as I continued to stare at the family. The girls were giggling loudly as their dad picked them up and turned them in the air. The song finished and as it did, Dominic gave a sort of gesture to Peter and he nodded. Then, a song began playing. Its melody was soft, a piano at the start. Evelyn's face lit up entirely in a way it hadn't lit in a while. Peter began to grin ear to ear as she smiled and got up, standing in front of her. "Care to dance, my lady?" he said softly and extended a hand to her. She was really hesitant since she was always a little restricted but took it. Peter's face lit up even more than Evelyn's. "Only because it's my favorite song." she said quietly. He took her to the dance floor and I felt Robin lean closer to me. She definitely wanted to say something but I could only feel her breath against me. She had her hands on my shoulder, leaning her head there too. "I let it fall, my heart. And as it fell you rose to claim it." The song began. I recognized it as well now. "Set fire to the rain" by Adele. From Robin's sayings, she was listening to music one time while doing maintance and suddenly this song started playing. She explained in detail how happy Evelyn had gotten at the sound of it. She had started muttering the lyrics under her breath and shaking her head to the rhythm. I knew well that we were in to see something we'll never see again anytime soon. So, I watched carefully.
Peter "Diplomat" Kennedy
My heart was racing. I had finally convinced Evelyn to dance, without even trying that much. I was excited beyond words as I held her hand and lead her to the dance floor. Her dress sparkled as she walked. Standing in the middle of it as the song began, I took her one hand and placed it on my shoulder, and like clockwork, she took her other and placed it on my back. My hands were in the same spots, one on the shoulder while the other held her tightly by the waist. "It was dark, and I was over. Until you kissed my lips and you saved me. My hands, they're strong. But my knees were far too weak. To stand, in your arms, without falling to your feet." Her smile was wide as she shyly took steps left and right. She swayed her hips gently, following the song the way her heart told her. She leaned her head against my chest all of the sudden. I felt my face burn a little as she just laid, seeming comfortable and safe in my embrace. I could barely move but the music kept me from freezing on the spot. "But there's a side, to you, that I never knew, never knew. All the things, you'd say, they were never true, never true, and the games, you'd play, you would always win, always win." the speakers played but something caught my attention. " But I set fire...To the rain. Watched it pour as I, touched your face. Well, it burned while I cried 'cause I heard it screaming out your name, your name..." a voice sang, but it wasn't from the song. It was deeper, soft and angelic. Something beautiful. I couldn't describe it otherwise. I looked down and it finally clicked. Evelyn. It was her singing. She was quiet but I could hear her. I knew the lyrics so I decided to surprise her. "When I lay, with you. I could stay, there, close my eyes. Feel you here, forever. You and me together, nothing is better." I sang softly and her face rose immediately. She looked at me awestruck. I could have sworn I saw a tear in her eyes. Couldn't be. Maybe I was hallucinating. But I chose to believe that she did get emotional, even if it was for a few seconds. We sang, me, her and the speakers, moving gently to the rhythm, feeling like one. My heart was beating fast, but in unison with hers. I looked at her with love, affection, adoration, and anything that had to do with pleasant emotions. Her green eyes were like a mirror of mine, showing the same love through sight. I had never felt that way with anyone else. It was wonderful, peaceful, exciting... It was everything I needed. "'Cause there's a side, to you, that I never knew, never knew... All the things, you'd say, they were never true, never true... And the games, you'd play, you would always win, always win. But I set fire... To the rain. Watched it pour as I, touched your face. Well, it burned while I cried 'cause I heard it screamin' out your name, your name. I set fire, to the rain! And I threw us into the flames. When it fell, something died, 'cause I knew that, that was the last time. The last time..." We sang the entire part with passion in our voices, Evelyn giving it her all. I was the happiest. She looked at me again and sang, as if she dedicated the part to me. "Sometimes I wake up by the door, that heart you caught must be waitin' for you... Even now when we're already over. I can't help myself from looking for you... I set fire to the rain! Watched it pour as I, touched your face. Well, it burned, while I cried 'cause I heard it screamin' out your name, your name... I set fire, to the rain! And I threw us into the flames. When it fell, something died, 'cause I knew that, that was the last time. The last time... Ohhhh!"we sang loudly, giving it our all. They had such a powerful voice. Both Evelyn and Adele. It was a great symphony, the perfect mix of varied voices, combined into one, our souls intertwined. The sing had a few more loud vocals, which Evelyn followed along with ease, but I leaned in and kissed her passionately on the lips, shutting her up entirely. She pulled me closer, pressing her lips as hard as she could against mine. The whole room began cheering for our spectacular performance but the loudest were Nicolas, Robin and Dominic. We did a small bow to the crowd, like how the cast would do after the performance. The claps got even louder, and with a wide smile, I kissed my lovely, talented girlfriend. Perfect…
Hello everyone (lovely people!)! Happy August to all of you, regardless what country you're reading from. Hope you had a GREAT day! Today, for me was the best day I've had in a while. I realized that just today, we hit 100 readers (109, as I am writing this). I want to thank all of you for your support and say how grateful I am for all the people that take time out of their day to read my fanficts. I am incredibly happy and cannot describe it in proper words. This gave me will to get the chapter out a little faster than I expected. So, after an almost entire month of waiting, enjoy chapter 2 of the "Dance of marines"... I hope you enjoyed this chapter, that I wrote with so much love. I got this idea in my head since I wrote chapter 1, and it couldn't wait anymore. Evelyn and Peter's dancing scene. This was heavily inspired from Evelyn's VA, Mikell Dover. And just with one listen, I made it my headcanon that this was her favorite song. She covered Adele's song with her angelic voice. I love it and even played it on a special event. Both Adele and Mikell's voices are very strong, having a great and rich range. I suggest you check out both Adele's wonderful song: "Set fire to the rain", as well as Mikell's cover in the following links:
Original song:
watch?v=a2giXO6eyuI&ab_channel=Adele-Topic
Cover:
watch?v=o7UzDLEYLTM&ab_channel=MikellDover%F0%9F%A9%B7
To have a better image in order to vividly describe this scene, I added Mikell's cover (as Evelyn) and the original (as the sound from the speakers), also adding in a beautiful male cover by Thomas Lacroix (as Peter) (which you can check out here:
watch?v=o1bFeMy0Gv0&ab_channel=ThomasLacroix )
all over each other, depending on where the characters began to sing, listening to it over and over. I actually did a good job! I hope this didn't give you a headache while I tried to explain what I did. To sum it up, this was my favorite part to write, and I poured my heart and soul into it, making a vision reality. As previously mentioned in chapter 1, I drew the cover for the book myself and also finished it with chapter 2. So, enjoy the fully drawn cover with everything else.
Also, since English isn't my first language (I have a detailed explanation on my bio), I'd like for you to let me know about any mistakes I may have missed when correcting it, such as not properly spaced words, grammatical and mistakes regarding dictation. Thank you in advance if you are willing to spend precious time to help me!
And now here's a question for you, dear readers. I am a big fan of Project Wingman but due to having a really weak laptop that can't support and run the game, I haven't gotten the chance to play it and only watched playthroughs on YouTube for it. I really wished to play this directly and I'd like for any of you that may know, to explain in detail (as detailed as you can of course) how I can play the original project wingman on PlayStation. I have seen people do it, but the only one I can find is Frontline 59. I believe they mod the game, but nobody has done a tutorial. Please, if you have any knowledge on it, let me know.
Again, thank you all for reading another chapter of my book. More will be uploaded soon. Be on the lookout for it and enjoy. Please, give me time though. I had been busy the past few days and that's why I hadn't been able to write as much. Stay strong and remember to fight, Aces and/or Mercenaries!