Ace Combat Zero: The Aether Guard

[RedMageNeko]

"And have the bad guys pounce on what they think is a lone plane?"

"Dinner and a show," she laughed, laying a hand on his. "How could I refuse!"

Smiling lightly at her, I glance down at the hand atop mine, then back at her, my smile growing. "I dunno. I know there are a hundred ways to, just not the reasons behind them."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

She patted his hand lightly as she listened, then withdrew her hand to take another sip of her drink.

"Well," she smiled at him, lowering the can, sounding hopeful. "Maybe after the war then?"

"When the skies are free of this violence?"

 

[RedMageNeko]

Chuckling softly, I scooped up a bit more of my food. "Perhaps, though I'll settle for clearing the airspace around the nearest town. Aim to high and your likely to miss the target completly."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"Perhaps," she said, narrowing her eyes as if looking at a piece of choice meat.

"But you don't seem to me to be the type to miss his mark."

 

[RedMageNeko]

Grinning lightly, I looked at her over the rim of my glasses. "I haven't yet. Once I get a target in my sights, I never lose them."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"Oh?" Luisa replied, taking a sip of her drink, but never taking her eyes of Uriem.

"With the number of women on this base?"

"It might not be a target-rich environment," she stated mater-of-factly. "But I hardly think I'd be the first choice on any man's list."

Under the table, she crossed her legs, reaching out with a booted toe to locate Ventril's shin before lightly tracing a random, nonsense pattern.

 

[Dynosius]

Saying her farewells to doctor Kayla, Mayana made her way to her own quarters. She almost rushed, but refrained from doing that. It was no good on the stomach all that rushing. Happened to her once... Sprinting to the mess hall right before it closed to grab a quick bite and then throwing it all back up in the middle of the night. No good indeed...

Mayana shook her head, forcing such thoughts out. Calm down, and dress up. She stood in front of the pile clothing she had ironed. Putting her fingers to her lip, Mayana had to think what to wear. Wow, for the first time in her life she had to do that. It felt weird, usually she instantly knew what to wear, but now... Having dinner with a pilot wasn't that different from eating with others. Right?

Fifteen minutes later and Mayana had finally selected her outfit. A pair of wide fitting trousers with a belt holding it up, a nice black top and a white blouse to wear over it. All topped off with a pair of easy-fitting shoes. Great!

Mayana checked her watch, she was right on schedule. Casually, yet with a quickened pace, Mayana walked towards the mess hall. Look, there was Miranda! An almost naughty smile appeared on Mayana's face as she thought up a little joke (hopefully).

Sneaking behind her, Mayana swiftly put her hands in front of Miranda's eyes. She leaned close, whispering in her ear. "Guess who installed a radar..."

 

[RedMageNeko]

"Oh?" Luisa replied, taking a sip of her drink, but never taking her eyes of Uriem.

"With the number of women on this base?"

"It might not be a target-rich environment," she stated mater-of-factly. "But I hardly think I'd be the first choice on any man's list."

Under the table, she crossed her legs, reaching out with a booted toe to locate Ventril's shin before lightly tracing a random, nonsense pattern.

Smiling lightly, I take a sip from my drink, my eyes never leaving hers. "What can I say? I find you interesting. The way you walk, the way you carry yourself, is like that of the best aces I've seen. But you have brighter eyes then them, more hopeful."

Taking a moment, I think about my next words and find I have difficulties picking the right ones. "Its ....... refreshing. Hope is the most precious comodity of all in war."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"I'm no ace and my eyes might just be the only bright thing about me," she laughed. "A smart girl would've mustered out."

Luisa uncrossed her legs and leaned forward on the table on her elbows, studying Ventril's face. He seems like an honest enough fellow.

Just then, beyond her dinner companion, she noticed the entrance of two women, one after the other.

"Now there's a woman who moves with the grace and confidence of an ace," Luisa noted, pointing out the trim blonde woman with the cold blue eyes, in casual dress.

"And the other..." Her jaw dropped, eyes wide.

"I think she's one of the grease monkeys from the hangar," Luisa said in disbelief. "I almost didn't recognize her out of the coveralls."

She shook her head and returned her gaze to Uriem.

"I guess you meet all kinds in a place like this."

 

[RedMageNeko]

"Perhaps, but you have the walk of one. That's a better judge then any kill tally."

Turning my head lightly, I looked at the women walking in. A soft chuckle left him as he turned back to her. "Maybe, but like I said ....... I find you interesting. Isn't that enough?"

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"Any other time, it would be more than enough."

"As it is," she responded sheepishly, cheeks coloring again. "I wish I'd showered first."

 

[RedMageNeko]

Again, I laughed, shaking my head. "Don't worry about it. I'm a recon pilot, remember? I've spent three days in the air in the cockpit. Frankly, I've smelled people a LOT worse, myself included."

 

[dragonrazor]

A couple of hours later, Jack Grimm sat in the mess hall. He was eating quietly, with no one at his table. Not that he expected any different. After all, his Ustian wing commander was on a date with the chief engineer, and he had not seen where the Belkan wingman had gone. He shrugged to himself, and continued eating, not even watching the interactions of the other pilots and soldiers around him. He supposed he'd have to respond if any of them spoke to him, but since none were, he didn't have to worry about it.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Miranda suddenly went stiff when someone's hands blinded her. It was the first, logical reaction to receiving a sudden 'attack'. Which of course was silly, being in the mess hall.

"Guess who installed a radar..."

Miranda grinned, chuckling to herself. Gee... a bit on edge, aren't we?

"Hey there, Mayana."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

My god, Luisa thought, frustrated, as she dropped her head into her open palms. Do I have to spell it out for him?

"I'm sorry, Ventril," she said, shaking her head apologetically as she stood up from the table, collecting her tray. "It's been a long day and I've got to get some sleep before the next patrol."

"It was a pleasure talking to you and I hope," she smiled innocently as the word left her mouth, "we can meet again. Um, later."

She tossed her refuse and returned the tray to the kitchen and left the mess hall.

Once outside, she stood to the side of the door and leaned against the wall, her head tilted back.

Of all the horn dogs this place has to offer, I've got to find the one, decent guy who doesn't recognize an invite to take a shower with me when offered.

She headed off to her room, grateful there were few other personnel in the halls at this hour.

 

[RedMageNeko]

As she walked away, I sighed softly into my drink, shaking my head. "You really screwed yourself this time Ventril." I knew what she was offering and a part of me wanted to jump at it. But .... what could I say? I wanted to know her more. She was fascinating, least to me.

Finish the can, I gathered my garbage and dumped it, heading out into the hall. I looked in the direction Lusia had gone, then in they opposite direction, towards my own quarters. "..........." After a moment, I turned and started walking away from my quarters. Who knows what would come tomorrow? Better to live in the moment.

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

In her room, Luisa stripped off her soiled uniform and undergarments, taking a towel, soap and other items to the communal bathroom joining several of the female pilots' rooms together.

She tried hard not to think about Ventril, scrubbing herself determinedly, kicking herself mentally for leaving him so abruptly. How often do you find a guy who's not willing to rush things for a quick lay?

 

[RedMageNeko]

Looking around the hall, I frowned, playing the layout of the base I had memorized in my head. They didn't list room assignments, but they did say where the merc pilots would be placed. As I walked down the hall, I studied the doors, searching for any sign of where she would be.

As I walked, I paused, stretching my hearing. I could make out the faint sound of running water.

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

Finishing her shower, Luisa shut off the water, drying off her hair before wrapping the towel around herself, over her breasts, tucking the loose end under her left arm.

She then left the bathroom facilities, entering her room. Turning on her radio, she barely noted the song playing, something about a 'journey home' or somesuch, but the sorrowful, lilting tune gave her pause. Just when I'd gotten his face out of my head...

She moved to her door, whose lock had been giving her problems as of late, opening it to make sure it would be secure when she turned in for the night.

"Uriem?" she said, startled to see him in the hall, her hand going to her mouth in surprise.

 

[RedMageNeko]

Turning at the voice behind me, I saw Lusia standing in the doorway, her hair down, wet from her recent shower, a towel wrapped around her. And for a moment, I surprised myself. I just .... froze.

".........."

Closing my eyes, I shook my head a few times, collecting myself. Looking at her once again, I smiled lightly. "You left pretty suddenly. I was just .... checking to make sure I hadn't offended you."

Listening to the song drifting out of her opened door, my smile grew slightly. "Ah, I always liked that song. Very calming."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"Offended? No," she fumbled for the words, shaking her head. "No, I should be the one to apologize..."

"Wait a moment. Please."

She closed the door, discarding the towel to put on a modest terry cloth robe, cinching it at her waist before opening the door again.

"Um, won't you come inside? Sorry for running off like that."

 

[RedMageNeko]

Smiling softly, I nodded and walked inside, shaking my head. "No, its alright." Looking around her room, I continued to listen to the music. "...... Why is it the female quarters are always bigger then the mens?"

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"Do you sleep in a coffin, Uriem?" she laughed, closing the door behind him. "It's not much, but I'd hardly call it roomy."

"Please," she said, gesturing to either the chair at her desk or the bed, "Have a seat."

 

[RedMageNeko]

Chuckling, I brought my hand to my chin, grinning wickedly. "My pale complexion didn't give it away?"

Taking a seat on the bed, I looked at her, a faint smile tugging at my lips as I folded my arms over my knees. "Did I come at a bad time? I can leave if you want."

 

[Kaskasero_Kunai]

"Not unless you want to," Luisa replied, turning the chair around so the back of it faced Uriem, and sitting with her lap to the side so she wouldn't expose herself in an undignified manner.

"Like I said earlier, I wasn't offended by anything you said or did," she explained, waving her hand. "You seem like such a nice guy, but I was just uncomfortable about not having cleaned up beforehand."

"Good first impressions and all that, you know?"

She crossed her arms over the back of the chair and rested her chin over her forearms.

"You seem like such a nice guy," she said, flashing him a warm, friendly smile. "It'd be a shame not to get to know more about you."

"Well, I told you where I grew up, where did you live before the war?"