#gaddess

[qan-t]

[acelucky]

A kiss for New Year's Eve

Pairing: Gaddes x Eries Warnings: None  Word count: 

Summary - A very short and quickly written ficlet that I wanted to have up on NYE itself but delays happen! Gaddes escapes a party on NYE as he plans on spending midnight alone with his thoughts, Eries sees him slip away and worried she follows him. The two meet just before midnight. 

Gaddes made the decision early into the night that he would spend midnight alone. While the party ebbed away the night he would prefer to see in the new year without the company of others and content in his own thoughts.

So much had come to pass over the year that he felt he hadn’t had a moment to decompress and fully reflect on all that had changed. So to spend this time alone was a blessing to him.

Looking round at his crew, at Allen and Millerna, Dryden and everyone else who had gathered his heart swelled with love and pride. They drank and danced, ate more than they had in weeks and for the most part Gaddes had enjoyed this, laughing and making toasts. As music played on he felt warm inside and perfectly at peace for the first time in ages. 

He took his chance at 23:45 to slip away, it wasn’t so early that people would question where he was gone. And was too late that should anyone notice he’d left before midnight, they wouldn’t have time to find him. 

Gaddes didn’t travel too far, but rode up into the hills where he could enjoy the view of both the world below and the stars above. Though the air was practically frozen he’d wrapped himself up in a warm cloak and after all the food and drink did not mind the cold air. The grass underneath him glittered with frost, his breath danced in patterns as whenever he breathed out and finally he found the spot where he would rest.

While he had been riding he was sure someone had followed him, though whenever he looked over his shoulders there was no one there. He rest contented that it must have been his imagination in the darkness playing tricks on him. But as he sat and drank from his flask, the feeling creeped over him. 

He stood up and looked towards the rocks and mounds behind him, “Hello?” He asked taking a step forward, hand on the hilt of his sword. 

Gaddes heard soft breathing and then a familiar smell, one that he would never forget. 

“Princess?” He asked into the dark.

A few moments passed and then a figure emerged from behind the cover, her head was bowed as if trying to hide her embarrassment at being caught especially considering her position. 

Gaddes removed his hand from his sword and rushed forward to Eries, as he went to reach out to her and place his hands on her shoulders to make sure she was okay, he remembered his position and stopped short. 

Eries was visibly shivering, it appeared to Gaddes she had left in a hurry and without preparation. Without a second’s thought he removed his cloak and wrapped it round her shoulders.

“Here, this ought to help,” he said as he draped it round her. 

She looked up at him, ‘I hope you won’t think me foolish, I know I shouldn’t have left…but I saw you slip away and I was worried about you.”

Before Gaddes had a chance to respond she continued, “Parties have never been my thing anyway, too noisy and too many people. I much prefer this,” she gazed up at the night sky, a small and innocent smile played on her face.

Gaddes mulled over how to respond, in many ways he was speechless and yet there was so much he wanted to say to her. He and Eries had known one another for a long time and although they’d never been alone together like this, they often would pass one another or have short conversations, sharing in their thoughts and the occasional jokes. Gaddes had developed a fondness for her which he was sure would be unrequited, even if it wasn’t it would never be allowed and so he had never spoken a word of it to anyone.

“Me too,” he agreed, “It’s why I came here, to be alone.”

He regretted his words as soon as he spoke and on seeing Eries’ reaction, the familiar look of disappointment on her face he added quickly, “Not that I mind you being here, quite the opposite.” He could feel his cheeks redden as he made his confession. 

Eries smiled, “I am glad.”

“Come,” Gaddes said and took hold of her hand. He led her to the blanket he’d spread on the grass and helped her to sit down. Behind them her horse followed dutifully. 

Gaddes sat beside her and for a moment they enjoyed the peace in one another’s company.

“I…I…there was a reason that I…” Eries stuttered as she spoke, clearly struggling to get out the words she wanted to speak.

Gaddes turned to her, in a moment of unprecedented confidence that he wasn’t sure where it came from, he took hold of her chin, his thumb gently stroking her skin.

“It’s okay Princess, sometimes no words are needed.”

She gave a small laugh and nodded, this was a side of that Gaddes rarely saw and certainly never quite like this. It suited her, she deserved every happiness.

Gaddes pulled away, afraid he’d overstepped the mark, his hand went back to the blanket and the other grabbed the flask and offered her a drink. She took it gladly and after taking a sip asked, “So you came up here to see in the New Year alone? In a way I think that’s rather admirable and noble.”

Now it was Gaddes’ turn to chuckle, “Something like that, too much noise like you said. I love them all dearly and have had the most wonderful evening, but I find it is important to enjoy your own company. There are some moments in life where you just need space and time to think, to put things right in your mind and then start over, or something like that anyway.” 

She nodded, “Well I am truly sorry for disturbing you in that, I could go if you would prefer?”

Gaddes turned to her and shook his head violently, “No, please…stay.”

Eries smiled, her hand rested on the blanket, finger tips so close to touching Gaddes’ hand. 

Just then a firework went off lighting up the sky with golden rain for a second. 

“Midnight,” Eries said quietly, her finger tips now grazing Gaddes’ skin, “I’ve never been kissed at midnight.”

A moment later several more fireworks exploded and so the dance of colour & fire begun across the city and land. All the colours of the rainbow coming to life to greet the New Year. Eries placed her hand on top of Gaddes’ and squeezed. 

Gaddes’ heart thumped in his chest, just feeling her so close, “Happy New Year Eries.”

He leant in, she too following him and closing the gap between them as their lips met for the first time. Gaddes moved his free hand up to her cheek to cup it as his lips moved softly and gently against hers. A New Year’s Eve kiss at midnight, the first of many the two would share. 

[darthveda]

“I Love You, I Trust You.”

HG GNZ-007 GADDESS

ORIGIN: MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00

PILOT: ANEW RETURNER

ACQUIRED FROM: BANZAI HOBBY

DATE KIT WAS ACQUIRED: JANUARY 2018

DATE KIT FINISHED ASSEMBLY: JANUARY 2018

Ok, time for positivity. Let’s stop talking about the MG Zeta Plus.

So...

I went and got a pair of more gunpla from Banzai Hobby a few weeks back. It’s been a while since i've built a 00 kit to be honest. Last time I did was almost two years ago when I built the....well, you'll see soon enough.

And in my quest for more Non-Gundam style suits, here is one of the many unique suits from the innovator mobile suits from Gundam 00 Season 2, the Gaddess.

It's a damn shame this suit doesn't get enough recognition and appreciation. The other three suits (Gadessa, Garazzo, and Gaga) imo get too much limelight. But then again, knowing who pilots this suit and what happens to it in the show, you can imagine why it doesn't get the love it should.

Still, it's my favorite suit in the Innovator line, but now I just need a HG Cherudim to go with it. Hmm........

[qan-t]

[qan-t]

source

[qan-t]

[acelucky]

Title: Siblings 

Summary: First Escaflowne fic in a while, yay! It’s super short, features an interaction between Gaddes and Folken on the subject of being brothers. It’s set during episode 5  - I’ve taken quite a bit of artistic license with where characters are and when, but I think that’s okay. No ratings/warnings apply. 

In amongst the chaos Gaddes had noticed something, a figure in the shadows, watching them. This wasn’t what was extraordinary at all, if anything the enemy paying a close eye to him and the rest of the Crew was to be expected. No, it wasn’t that. There was something in the stance of the man who watched them, the way he held himself, even through the smoke Gaddes could recognise the look, because it was something so familiar to him.

A second was all it took, as he wrapped his arm briefly round Hitomi, speaking in a hushes, caring tone, ushering her back onto the Crusade. It was a moment of tenderness he recognised in the other man, a look of longing, almost….was it, brotherly love? A sibling love, yes, and in that moment when he shared a glance, connected, the man lurking in the shadows could not have done Gaddes harm even if he had wished.

No sooner had he noticed, than he was back into the centre of the action, staving off guards in all directions, loosing sight of the other man.

“Allen!” Gaddes shouted.

Allen rushed round the corner at that moment, Van sprinting behind him.

“Where’s Hitomi?” Van asked with an authoritarian manner, refusing to move until either of the other had answered.

“She’s on the ship, just went,” Gaddes reassured him.

Van stared for a moment, but he wasn’t looking at Gaddes, he was looking beyond him. His eyes squinted, looking for someone. He gave a small sigh, almost defeatist. “Folken,” he said and as he turned round towards the ship, Gaddes heard him say, ‘Brother,” it was barely audible but he heard it.

From the expression on Allen’s face, he guessed he had not heard the word Van had uttered. Gaddes knew the story, what happened to the young Prince’s brother when he went to slay the dragon, he’d also heard the rumours to the East… He had a chance, something too perfect to pass on, even if it was potentially dangerous.

Gaddes turned to Allen, “Give me a minute.”

A puzzled expression crossed Allen’s face but he nodded, “We’ll get ready to set sail.”

“Right.”

Gaddes turned and scanned the expanse ahead of him, looking for the figure that had been watching them so carefully.

He moved forward slowly, looking side to side, sword clutched tight to his chest just in case. Although a silence had befallen the ship, he could not let that catch him off guard.

He froze, a hand clasping his shoulder, or was that? No it was a claw, sharp enough to draw blood.

“You…” A voice so cold it cut through him.

“I know who you are,” Gaddes said, refusing to be intimidated.

A smirk befell Folken’s face, “Really?”

Gaddes sighed, “I can guess, at least.”

“Right.” Folken, hand still tight on Gaddes’ shoulder turned him round to face him.

“There aren’t many similarities between us,” Folken seemed almost sad.

“No, maybe not,” Gaddes looked at the floor and back up to Folken. He placed a hand on Folken’s.

“Thing is… I saw the way you looked at me as I ushered Hitomi to safety,” Folken was about to speak when Gaddes exhaled deeply and continued, “Not that she needs protection.”

Folken nodded.

“You looked at me with understanding, I saw that, the way a sibling would look out for their brother or sister, am I right?”
 Folken could feel his limbs go stiff, he had been caught off guard, a thump of his heart, something like bile filling the back of his throat. Fear, Folken felt fear for the first time in a while. A few seconds passed with neither of them speaking a word.

“Don’t sweat it,” Gaddes eventually broke the silence and ruffled the back of his hair, “If you’re anything like Van you’ll be stubborn, sure, but I don’t believe you’re all bad. I think there’s still a part of you in there, the dragon didn’t take it all.”

Folken wanted to laugh, retort, tell the scruffy looking other that he was wrong, he was a new man, and yet… There was some truth in his words, the way the other man had looked at Hitomi, had guided her to safety, something brotherly in his mannerisms.

It reminded him of his own brother, of playing outside, chasing one another with wooden swords, of staring up into the night sky and watching the stars together. There was a bond that could not be broken, despite the years or the pain or the betrayal.

“I have to go and I know you’ll let me,” Gaddes said.

Just as Gaddes had predicted, Folken took his hand off his shoulder and stood to the side of him, allowing safe passage.

As Gaddes walked past him he stopped, turned to face Folken’s side profile and predicted something else, “When the time comes, help him, help them. Don’t miss your chance to make things right.”

When Folken opened his eyes again, Gaddes was gone. He could deny he had ever spoken to him.

As Gaddes boarded the Crusade he thought of his own siblings, his sweet younger sister and how he would give anything to bring her back. He thought of his younger brother and wondered how he was doing now, of his older brother and his betrayal… He felt a lump in his throat, how he should have been there for his sister, but thinking on the past could do no good. Nothing could change what had happened, all he could do now was protect the remaining family he had, both biological and the family he had made, that stood by him every day.

He heard Hitomi’s laughter on board, that made him smile, made him feel warm inside. As he glanced back to the floating fortress he was certain of himself, that when the time came, Folken too would make the right choice to protect his family.

[acelucky]

Graveside

Oh look I finally finished a fic…

This has taken me like 8 weeks to write, I keep coming back to it every day and feel like no matter what I write I’m never going to be 100% happy so this is where I’m at - as usual not 100% happy. But I love the little interactions between Hitomi and Gaddes and then Eries and Gaddes and hated it just being sat on my laptop, especially as Gaddes is such a special character to me. Any feedback greatly appreciated and as usual due to no beta, if anyone has any corrections I will more than happy to receive them and update!

TW: Mention of miscarriage/death of a loved one and abuse.

Takes place shortly after the events in ‘Eternal Love’ and just before Hitomi goes back to earth. It appeared to me in the series that she remained in Gaea for at least a week or two (based on where other characters are as they’re waving goodbye to her). Gaddes comforts Hitomi over her decision to leave Gaea and in return she does a short tarot card reading which reveals what he already knows is his hearts’ desire. Painful memories are also stirred up and Hitomi wonders why she’s never noticed Gaddes before. At the graveside of Encia he comes face to face with Eries and is left wondering, is that the fate of his desire? Knowing it can never be. Some awkwardness, obviously.

The flowers he’d brought already appeared to be wilting, “Huh nothing like market fresh, shoulda known better right?” Gaddes spoke to the girl sat opposite from him.

“Huh?” She looked up from her tarot deck, “Sorry Gaddes,” she sighed.

Gaddes smiled and shook his head, “Nothing to apologise for, what you up to there?”

“I don’t,” she paused, “I don’t really know to be honest. Trying to decide what to do now I guess,” she shrugged.

Gaddes placed the flowers on the table, he searched Hitomi’s face for a moment, “Your heart is torn am I right?”

She nodded, “I keep asking the cards for answers but,” she went quiet, “I already know where I belong,” she blinked back the tears.

“Hey now,” he soothed as he walked round to her and placed a hand on the small of her back, “Goodbye’s aren’t forever right?”

She nodded, “All I wanted was to go home, but now this story is at the end,” she paused as tears started to fall.

Gaddes bent down so he was eye level with her, “Hey, don’t fight it, it’s okay to cry,” he pulled her into a tight hug, feeling tears seep through his shirt, not that he minded.

After a minute she pulled away, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her cheeks, “Take this,” he handed it to her.

She took the handkerchief with unsteady hands, “Thanks Gaddes,” she smiled and placed it in her lap. Her eyes were red and she searched the room for anything to distract her. She spotted the bunch of wild flowers, “Who are they for?” She asked with a sudden grin.

“To place on Encia’s grave,” he replied regretting that they weren’t for a lady in his life.

“Encia?”

“Allen’s mother.”

“Did you know her?”

Gaddes shook his head, “No, but it feels appropriate after everything he and I have been through together. I must thank her for bringing him into the world.”

Hitomi smiled, “That’s sweet.”

“Or stupid,” Gaddes laughed.

Hitomi shook her head, “No, never, just sweet.”

Gaddes stood up, appeared near indignant, folding his arms across his chest, “Never done a thing a woman said she thought was sweet, least not since I was younger.”

“Were you a terror?” Hitomi laughed, images in her mind of Gaddes playing pranks.

“Actually, no, I was rather the hand to my mother.”

Hitomi gave a warm smile, “I can see that.”

Gaddes picked the flowers up from the table and went to leave, “Gaddes?” Hitomi called, “Would you like me to do a reading for you?”

“A reading?” He raised an eyebrow; it wasn’t something he’d ever considered.

“Sure thing,” Hitomi nodded, “I can if you like.”

“Huh, well I don’t know about that,” Gaddes leant against the wall, an amused smirk playing on his face.

“If you’re unsure I could just do a quick reading, more basic than what I usually do, just three cards, past, present and future,” she wanted to persuade him, she liked having Gaddes around.

He sighed and put the flowers back, “Okay go ahead.”

Hitomi beamed in response, she never took her position for granted and was always grateful when someone trusted her enough to do it. She motioned to the seat across the table from her and Gaddes’ eyes keenly on the cards.

Hitomi shuffled the cards and was about to lay the first one down, “Wait, this isn’t gonna tell me how I’m going to die is it?”

Hitomi laughed, “No silly.” Though a little part of her lurched inside, I sure hope not.

Gaddes appeared embarrassed at the question and swiftly took the seat.

“So,” Hitomi begun, “What do you want to know?”

He rested his hands behind his head, “Whether I’m going to die alone or not, if I’ll meet the girl of my dreams, when I’ll next have…” he paused realising what he was about to say, “Ahh nothing forget that,” he said in a panic waving his hands in front of his face.

“Next have what?” Hitomi asked innocently, yet staring at Gaddes and noting the colour that had risen in his cheeks, it suddenly dawned on her what he meant.

She blushed a deep red, “Ohh I.”

“Sorry Hitomi that was callous,” he said, still blushing.

Hitomi was so easy to talk to, too easy in a way, he relaxed so much around her that his guard dropped and he forgot who he was talking to.

She shook her head decisively, “No, no, please don’t apologise,” she reached out for his hands and held them for a moment.

Her thumb rubbed over the knuckle of his middle finger and she smiled at him, “It can’t be easy for you, it’s not like you have a lot of time to find love,” she gave a sigh, her mind went to Amano then to Van and then Allen.

Gaddes sensed her discomfort and pulled his hand away, “Are you okay?”

“Yes,” she quipped quickly removing her own hands, “Sorry Gaddes.”

He paused for a moment and took a hold of her hands again, “We really need to stop apologising to each other.”

“Deal,” she didn’t know what it was about him. Amano seemed like a dream now, Van could be so childish and Allen was such a player. How had she missed Gaddes all this time? She found herself shuddering, noticing the way he was stroking her fingers gently. He was the perfect gentleman, the perfect friend. She didn’t realise how much she was thinking and staring at Gaddes, her eyes unfocused.

“Err Hitomi, you there?” He removed one of his hands from hers and waved in front of her.

“Oh, yes, so…” she went to say sorry again but remembered their pact and instead found herself laughing.

“What’s so funny?” He asked in such a serious and sincere manner that it only made Hitomi laugh more. They found themselves both laughing, an awkward topic, awkward conversation.

Gaddes pulled back and sat up straight in the chair, “What about this reading then, was I a lizard in the past? Will I marry a walrus?”

Hitomi continued to laugh as she picked up her cards and reshuffled them thoroughly. She closed her eyes and thought about the man sat in front of her, what kind of past had he had? He had been close to his mother, he was strong, a loyal friend, he was level headed, sturdy; he’d make the perfect husband. As she pulled the first card she could see glimpses of his past, many brothers and sisters, a lack of a father figure, immensely strong and supportive. There was a young girl, his sister perhaps? Pregnant at such a young age with no sign of the man who was responsible in sight. There was another girl, same age as Gaddes was, short brunette hair, messy, with a bunch of wild flowers in her hands, but she was long gone now…

She placed the first card on the table, “This card, your past, it’s the Ace of Cups,” she beamed.

Gaddes raised an eyebrow, “And that is good?”

She nodded, “Faithfulness,” she paused, “Your faithfulness to your friends and your country is clear to anyone, but this means more. This card…means love,” she paused blushing at how close to what he wanted to know the card was, “fertility.”

He gulped, “Oh, so that’s good,” he refused to look at her. “But this is the past right?” He suddenly asked a hint of trepidation in his voice.

“Yes,” she was still smiling but it was forced, she saw what the card meant. His family, their bonds so tight, that was all positive, true. But there was more, the girl with the short hair, Gaddes had loved her. They had been close and she had been pregnant with their child, but the flowers in her hands wilted, the sun set on her, the moon was dull as blood, black in the night swamped her dress.

“Oh Gaddes,” she couldn’t bear to look at him, “I’m so sorry,” her hand was out-stretched on the table. After all his hard work in his younger days, all the love he’d given, he had found someone to love and start a family with. 17 happy months, pregnant, engaged and all of it lost. Hitomi saw the girl walking home from the market in the early eve, pounced upon by thieves, attacked, abused. She died during miscarriage, a long and painful death, Gaddes by her side, so much blood and silence. Hitomi’s heart pounded against her chest, what had she done? How could she possibly talk to him about this.

Hitomi felt Gaddes’ warm and rough hands on hers once more, “Hitomi,” he spoke so softly she could barely hear him, “It’s okay, I know what you saw, I agreed to this, it’s okay.”

Hitomi looked up, tears visible in her eyes, the visions she saw were so horrific it reminded her why she’d promised to give this up. “I shouldn’t have looked, shouldn’t have pried,” she blinked back the tears.

“Stop it, stop beating yourself up, it’s done, she’s in a better place,” Gaddes was telling Hitomi this as much as himself. There wasn’t a day that went past when he didn’t blame herself, he could barely speak her name anymore, he’d never forgive himself for what happened to her.

“Why do bad things happen?” Hitomi asked wiping her eyes with Gaddes’ handkerchief.

Gaddes shrugged, “to make those of us left stronger? To keep fighting the good fight? It makes no sense, it’s too cruel, I know that. But I’ll never stop trying to make the world a better place,” he said with a sad smile on his face.

“And that is why you’ll be happy and rewarded greatly one day,” she responded.

She turned over the next card, “The Moon, the unknown, a shadow is cast over your future, there’s an uncertainty there.”

Uncertainty is what kept Gaddes strong, kept him loyal and ready for anything. The card didn’t worry him perhaps as much as it should have, but he still felt a slight twist in his stomach that his facial expressions must have portrayed.

Hitomi sensed his worry and reached out for him, placing her hand on the table an inch from his fingertips, suddenly afraid to place her hand on his, “Don’t worry Gaddes, it’s not necessarily a bad thing, in fact it can be a comforting thing. Things may be about to change, something exciting perhaps, a new opportunity?” She suggested.

He nodded at that, yes, that sounded more like it, more in tune with his personality.

She saw things then, a sun and moon, all the seasons at once. Gaddes with Allen and the rest of the Crusade crew, helping to rebuild Gaea. There was a lack of direction, the card showed her little else.

Hitomi uncovered the final card, “The Lovers,” Hitomi said, finally able to smile at a card.

“Now that is more like it,” Gaddes folded his arms behind his head and grinned, “So I’m gonna get hooked up?” Inside he felt like a string was tugging at his heart, she wasn’t forgotten and every time he thought about another woman he felt a little sick, like he was portraying her.

“Promise me you’ll find someone else,” her dying words sent to both haunt and comfort.

Hitomi saw him then, with another woman, long hair, was it silver? She saw him happy and at peace, not being relied on by everyone else for once. The smile was the warmest she’d ever seen him with and Allen was there too, by his side, still the closest of friends. The woman had a bump, so Gaddes would be a father after all she thought. She recognised the woman that was with Gaddes as her face came into focus, she’d never seen her smile like that. I can’t tell him who it is, she thought. But she felt hopeful, all the love and warmth that was in his future, the sun shining on the ocean, the sound of the gulls. It would be okay for him and it would be okay for her.

“You’ll be happy Gaddes, very, very happy. Your name will live on; your efforts won’t be in vain. I see the sun, I see the ocean, I see new life,” she said.

“And I won’t be alone,” he added cocking his head to the side.

“No, you won’t be alone. There’s a lot of love coming your way.” That was all she felt she could say, it seemed such a tragedy to ruin the end of a good story for one who is yet to live it.

“Thank you,” Gaddes replied. He got up and walked round behind Hitomi and wrapped his arms round her, resting his chin on her shoulder, he noted her hair smelt of cherries.

“Hitomi,” he spoke softly, “Speak to Van won’t you? Sooner rather than later. If there’s anything you need to say, or do, make sure you do it,” he pulled away from her and looked at her, she seemed slightly stunned. He winked as he picked up the flowers and left the room.

Hitomi sat in silence for a moment then picked up the cards and reshuffled them. Just before she was about to do yet another reading she thought on Gaddes’ words and knew he was right, she had to find Van…

Gaddes walked out onto the grass, it was much later in the day than he’d planned. Now he was sure that the flowers he’d acquired looked even sadder than they did in the morning. He felt a little guilty, but then imperfect things always felt somewhat perfect to him, they were too beautiful despite the fade.

The location of the grave couldn’t have been more perfect, he’d thought that ever since he was a child and visiting his youngest brother’s grave, he’d died a cot death. It was sad but it happened adults had told him when he was a child, it wasn’t abnormal and that was that. Gaddes hated the way some adults had treated tragic situations, too clinical with no room to grieve or make peace.

There was an absolute peace and tranquillity about the grave that Gaddes couldn’t find anywhere else. The sea air was such a comfort, salt on his bronzed skin; he allowed it to embrace him as he stepped over the flowers.

As he got closer to Encia’s grave he saw another figure that was stood there, Princess Eries. He paused for a moment, unsure what to do, he knew it wasn’t proper etiquette to be alone with a Princess, especially not Eries. Millerna was a little different where he knew her so well, but Princess Eries was always so quiet and reserved. One he had always admired from afar.

He was about to turn and leave when he heard her speak, “Gaddes,” he met her gaze; she was smiling softly at him. “Come, join me,” it was an invitation that he couldn’t refuse even if he’d wanted to.

He bent down to lay the flowers on the grave, feeling stupid compared to the beautiful Peonies that Eries must have just laid down.

He stood up slowly, avoiding eye contact with her, instead focusing on the words written on the tomb stone.

“Allen was so lost when it happened,” He said off hand. “Not that I was there of course, I mean from what he told me I guess…” he trailed off, stuffed his hands into his pockets unsure of what to say.

Eries turned to him, “You really are the most loyal of friends aren’t you?”

Gaddes blushed, “Well I don’t know about that,” he shrugged. Desperate to get away he withdrew into himself, tried to shrink, but in the presence of a woman like Eries this was impossible.

Eries smiled, “Well you might not, but I do. I see how close you are to him, how you’re always there to guide him.”

Gaddes felt a shred of guilt, everything with Millerna had near driven their father to death, Eries was terrified. He should have said something to Allen sooner, brought the uncomfortable subject up, but just as it had always been it wasn’t his place, he wasn’t born high enough.

“I’m sorry Princess, there’s a lot more I could have done,” he begun, he turned away from her, unable to face her during his confession, “That’s the down side of being lower born I guess,” he gave a nervous laugh realising how improper it was of him to say that, worried he sounded like he was accusing her.  He looked up, apologetically putting his hands up, “I didn’t mean that you, oh gods,” he sighed, there was no getting out of it.  

Eries shifted, her eyes cast down to the flowers, a honeybee had already found its way into the centre of one of her bright blooms. She reached out for Gaddes’ arm without looking at him, “Don’t do that.”

“I’m sorry,” he took a step back.

“Apologise I mean, I understand what you meant, I’m sorry that’s how things are.”

Gaddes was sure that she was sincere, or at least that she meant what she said sincerely, the problem with Eries was just like those adults when he was younger, she could be so crisp and matter of fact.

Her hard stare softened, “Walk me back.”  He took a hold of her with weak arms, trembling slightly he prayed she hadn’t noticed and linked them together, “Of course Princess.”

Eries shook her head, “Please don’t call me that, just call me Eries especially when we’re alone.”

When we’re alone Gaddes thought, we’ve never been alone before, this is the first time, does she mean she expects this to happen again?

As they walked they remained silent, listening to the grass in the wind, the sound of the waves. Gaddes felt surprised at how relaxed he felt. Just as he was relaxing into walking with her, their arms feeling more natural linked,  he felt his arm pulled down as Eries tripped over a small rock. Gaddes caught her and a moment passed between them, he was sure of it. The world had stopped for a second, her cheeks flushed as he pulled her upright, their eyes met, held in a wistful gaze.

“You’re a good man Gaddes,” she said softly.

He blushed, that was two women in one day who’d been praising him. When he tried to respond he found himself stuttering, “I…thank..s”

She placed a hand on his shoulder, “It’s okay,” when she spoke it left a silence between them. Gaddes had never felt closer yet more distant from another.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” She asked as they started to walk back.

Gaddes was aghast, how could he say no to a Princess? “Okay,” she sensed the trepidation in his voice.

She pulled away from him, “Never mind, look aren’t the orange blossoms beautiful for this time of year.” She guided him to the fragrant flowers.

“Yes,” he begun, paused, “Eries, just ask?” He practically begged; he was so curious to know now what was on her mind.

Gaddes was certain he’d never have a moment like this again, a moment where they were this close especially with no one else around.  

“Is there anyone in your life?”

Gaddes stared blankly at her, “I mean someone special, are you in love?” The words tumbled out without her meaning to say them, she clutched at her breast, he sensed a blush.

He turned away for a moment, knowing turning his back on a Princess was forbidden, “Princess I,” how could he even begin to answer this?

“Sister!” Across the courtyard they saw Millerna waving, “And Gaddes,” she added slightly suspiciously as she quickly moved towards them.

Gaddes couldn’t help but wipe his brow as Eries pulled away from him to greet her sister. It was a strange release, relief, yes, but there was sorrow too. The question Eries asked could have signalled so many different things. But there had been a moment, there was a moment, fleeting like the lifespan of a butterfly, but a moment in time none the less where he and a Princess had a connection.