Tales des Révélateurs

[Cat]

La Sorbonne District, Planet New Paris
12 May 728 AGS, 16:24

Spring has long settled in these parts of New Paris and in the hearts of the youth. The parks surrounding the campus were teeming with life: the lush green of grass and leaves, the purl of water, the ever-present twitter of birds... But most notably, crowds of students walking around, sitting on benches and by the trees, playing outdoor games, or just kidding around. Yet all of it was muffled, thanks to the lake between here and there.

Here was deeper in the park, on a bench in the shade of an tall wide oak. Compared to the more crowded areas of the park, it was almost as quiet here as in a lecture hall. A perfect place to revise Gallic history before the upcoming exams. Except for when you suddenlty can't see anything and only feel the warmth of someone's palms on your eyes.

"Guess who it is," a quiet and cheerful comment follows, as the breath tickles the neck pleasantly and evokes pleasant chills. "The most beautiful girl in the world," my cheesy, yet sincere reply evokes a giggle, a chin landing on the shoulder, and a quick peck on the cheek accompanied by the slight tickling from a strand of her red hair.

Before I can react, a red hurricane circles around the bench and lands right next to me, the piercing of her green eyes diminished by a wide and happy smile. "Hey, Ade," I respond with a smile of my own. "You look happier than usual." Her eyes dart away for a second, and although they return momentarily, the smile is not nearly as wide now. It's... apologetic?

"I... talked to the professor again," she replies, and my heart skips a beat. There is a lot I want to say, but I let her finish. "He said... That I passed all the tests." Now I can't hold back; I know what it implies. Keeping calm and quiet is almost impossible but I try my best, not to upset her: "Ade... Do you really want to go through with this? Your parents..." The redhead's raised hand stops me, yet she's still smiling.

"Max," she addresses me calmly and in a friendly manner, but with that slight condescending she picked up a couple of years ago after enrolling at the military academy. "I know what you're going to say: my ancestors have earned nobility already; the military service is dangerous and ethically questionable; even the holotainment tech they use in flight sims could be dangerous. I should give up my dreams, pursue arts such as literature or painting, and enjoy my life as your future wife." She chuckles at her own pun, but then raises her palm again before I can get too upset or come up with a retort.

"We've talked about it a million times. I just can't sit in one place like you do, Max," an old reproach that I take lightly, because I know she wrong about that. "A part of me longs to stay, but the other part draws me out there," she points up, towards the skies and beyond. "Besides, I'd hate to be the first Gauthier who'd resign to the role of a housewi... I'm sorry, the lady of the house."

She leans closer for a hug, knowing too well that I can't resist it. With my chin on her shoulder and hers on mine, I whisper: "Just promise to stay safe and come back one day... cadet." A giggle and the touch of a nose on my ear follows: "Wouldn't have it any other way."