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Post by Spade on Jan 18, 2010 22:08:03 GMT -5
Bryce sat up in bed as he was awoken from his sleep. Looking to the clock he saw it was rather early in the morning. Damn these nightmares. They keep coming back more and more. He stood up from the bed and put on some of the casual clothes he packed with him. Most of the crew was asleep besides the usual watch. He headed out of his room and towards the hangar of the Liger, making sure no one saw him up and about this early in the morning.
Upon reaching the hangar, with relative ease, he climbed down one of the ladders and noticed a mechanic working on one of the Sauropelta's. This one, however, was stripped of all weaponry. Smiling, Bryce got the mechanics' attention and waved to him.
"Hey there, how's she fairing?" Bryce motioned to the vehicle starting to work his magic on the unsuspecting mechanic.
"She's doing alright, she's a tough one. I've kept her running for ever now," the mechanic said, pridefully as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Well, it so happens that the Lieutenant needs me to run to town to collect info from an operative we have stationed there, undercover. If you don't mind I'd like to use this trusty Sauropelta of yours," Bryce said calmly as patted the vehicle gently and kept his smiling bearing at the mechanic.
"Well..." the mechanic was hesitant at first but then got excited at the recognition of his fine work. "Alright! Take good care of her though, she's my baby!" The mechanic joyfully exclaimed as he handed over the keys and walked over to open the hangar for Bryce.
"Much appreciated, I'll return her in one piece," Bryce nodded to the mechanic as he drove off the Liger. Heh. That was painless. Now, on to business. Arianna, where the hell are you?
For a couple of hours Bryce drove through slightly overgrown dirt roads as he stopped by multitudes of small villages. At each, he got out and spoke with the locals, showing them the photo he had of Arianna. Most locals gave Bryce no answer except a simple shake of the head. However, his best sources were from rough-looking individuals. These men, rugged if you would call them, have at least heard of her if not seen her. They told Bryce that he would find her a few villages out east at a place they, these men, called The Hovel.
Hearing news that his Arianna was still alive, Bryce gunned the Sauropelta and left a huge trail of dust behind in his wake. A lot of time was taken up by stopping at each of these villages as the sun was now high in the sky. Beads of sweat dripped down the side of his face, each of his heartbeats felt like a heavy handed punch. Upon reaching what he understood to be the village he was looking for, he pulled up to a crowd of people and asked them for directions to The Hovel. They all looked away and walked off their own separate ways. What was that about? I guess some people don't want to get involved with a soldier. I don't blame them. Or maybe they have no idea what I'm talking about... Shrugging, he parked the Sauropelta in an inconspicuous place and ventured off into the village, watching merchants move supplies from their trucks into stores. A group of children ran in front of Bryce chasing one kid who had a ball in his hands. After the kids passed, Bryce saw a man with a huge scar trailing down his right eye and across his nose leaning up against a sundries store. Looking around before approaching this person, he then stepped up and showed the photo of Arianna to him, calmly saying with a serious face, "You know where I can find her?"
The man with the scar stood from his relaxed position and leaned down to stare Bryce in the eye. Clearly trying to spook Bryce with his large size, "And why does some punk like you want to see the Sky Vixen? Our beauty from the stars come to the Earth to give us all our freedom?"
Standing his ground, Bryce closed his eyes and furrowed his brow at the likely story he presented, "Just show me where The Hovel is... That's all I ask," he said slowly opening his eyes, giving the man a glare.
Staring at Bryce for a moment, the man stood up straight again and motioned behind him to the alley between the stores. "You'll see it."
"Thanks, Scar," Bryce gave a quick wave of the hand to the man as he stared down Bryce for the comment he made. The Sky Vixen? What kind of name is that? I wonder what kind of trouble she got herself into to get that name! Chuckling, he made his way through the alley, seeing nothing but a multitude of garbage pails everywhere, filled to the brim with garbage. He continued a little further, looking behind the pails seeing a stairway that lead to a door under the sundries store.
Entering, he was greeted with a welcoming scene. The typical sports bar that he was so accustomed to back on Side 6. This was The Hovel? It seemed like any other bar, so why hide it's location like that? He looked around, the music loud enough to mask everyone's conversations, seeing people throwing darts at one end, a large group of men at some tables doing drinking games. The man that was chugging a large mug of beer fell flat on his back after finishing it all, a loud roar from the men around him could audibly be heard above the music. Bryce could see a few people at the bar hunched over, a common sight in any bar while staring down into their drink of choice. He shook his head some, smirking. Hope you bastards find happiness. He then turned his head towards the pool tables where he saw another mass of men, gathered around a table, the clacks of pool balls queuing the cheering of the men. With a sigh, Bryce shook his head. All I see here are these damned rogue bastards or 'Freedom Fighters' as the Federation likes to call them.
Just then, the crowd of men scattered from the pool table to grab their respective mugs and take a large swig together in celebration of the player's performance at the table. Bryce nearly fell over at who he saw there. It was her. Arianna was standing across the room from him at that pool table. Collecting himself, he stood up straight again. Before him was the woman he has not seen in over 4 whole years. No contact, taken for as dead. Clenching his fist, Bryce got over his shock and ventured over towards Arianna at the pool table. However, before he could even get close enough to say something, two of the larger men at that table noticed Bryce approaching and stopped Bryce, standing in front of him, arms crossed.
"Woah there, punk. No one gets near the Sky Vixen without having to deal with us first," the first bulky thug, veins showing in the muscles on his biceps.
"I suggest you just turn around and go back to your corner, little man," the second man said with arrogance, cracking his knuckles.
Bryce gritted his teeth as he peered through the small opening between them at Arianna, who didn't quite notice Bryce just yet. Are these guys really going to stop me from seeing my Arianna? I'M SO CLOSE! I won't let them stop me, I've come so far! Clenching his fists, Bryce grinned, ready to fight.
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Post by Pyrefly on Jan 18, 2010 22:44:59 GMT -5
Humming lightly while nibbling on her lower lip, her eyes never left the pool table. Even with the current commotion around her, she still remained focused at the task at hand. 'What's with all the damn noise, I can't hear myself think..' Her eye twitched, she found her concentration broken and her nerves a bit frazzled. "Oi, Oi!!" She shouted, taking the pool cue and tapping it sharply on the ground. "Gentlemen, leave him be. Maybe he just wanted to watch is all. Besides, I don't think he'd be so rude as to interrupt a game in progress.." She smirked a bit, lining up her next shot and with a bit of precision, making it. "All right, two more and this is over.." She giggled, moving around the table to get her last two shots in with success. The crowd surrounding the pool table gave a cheerful roar with the last shot and returned to their mugs to celebrate, toast their 'Sky Vixen' and enjoy themselves.
Arianna had always wondered why they gave her that moniker, but she had a hard time convincing them to call her anything else. Placing her pool cue on the wall beside her stool, she tilted her head, long purple twists falling over her shoulder as she scanned the crowd for the guy who almost cost her a fair share of betting money. "Hey, Alex! Where.. did that guy go? Did you question him as to what he wanted..?" Alex, the large gentlemen who initially had stopped the 'intruder' had befriended Arianna since she first ventured into 'The Hovel'. A symbiotic relationship gave way to mutual respect which led to a friendship that allowed her to become a regular.
Her eyes soon locked on the only strange looking person in the room, her eyes widening slowly while her brow furrowed. Quickly looking up towards Alex, who remained at her side always while she was in the bar, she shook her head and glanced back at the man. "I... don't trust it. I was told ..." Her voice trailing off, her breath quickening as a large part of her just wanted to run away.
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Post by Spade on Jan 18, 2010 23:04:25 GMT -5
Bryce smiled when her eyes met his, but quickly faded as he noticed her reaction to seeing him. Does she even remember him? It has been four long years though...
"Ari..." Bryce, weakly said as he moved around the two 'bodyguards' and got closer to Arianna, wary as to not anger the man named Alex that stand beside her. "Do you not remember? It has been four years since we last spoke. I thought something horrible happened to you! You never sent any letters back home or even called for that matter... You had me worried sick. I expected as much from Sahra, but I thought I'd least hear from you time from time." He explained as he put a hand on the pool table to lean down on.
Getting down to Arianna's eye level, trying to get her to look at him as she kept averting her eyes elsewhere as he spoke to him. "Ari, it's Bryce, you have to remember me! Remember our times back on Side 6! Just me, you and your sister, Sahra. We always got into trouble back then! Like that one time we all drew our names into the wet sidewalk over by the bakery. Or the time we got chased down the street for trying to take some candy from Mr. Loudichi's newstand. Please tell me you remember..." Bryce sighed as Alex started to get closer to Bryce, a sign saying that his time was running short talking to their Sky Vixen.
Shaking his head, he pulled out his photograph of her and slid it across the pool table to rest right in front of her and said softly, "Do you at least remember the day that photograph was taken?"
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Post by Pyrefly on Jan 18, 2010 23:23:46 GMT -5
'He knows an awful lot. It could very well be him. But, Sahra had reported that he died almost 3 months ago. Or maybe it was 5 months...' Shaking her head, she quickly broke her train of thought, forcing herself to focus on what he was saying. Cautiously watching him as he seemed to pour his soul out to her, begging her for something she wasn't sure she could provide.
"Alex.." She muttered, raising her hand as if ordering him to stand down, while sliding off her stool and walking towards the pool table. Alex did as she requested, still standing in Bryce's way, but not attempting to intimidate him. "How.. did you get this..?" She asked Bryce, looking at the back of the picture and then holding it up to the light, however dim, as if checking to make sure it wasn't counterfeit. Her head was swimming now, a flood of emotions consuming her. "If you are him, what are you doing here? How did you find me....?" She wasn't convinced completely but she would at least entertain the conversation, especially as she felt safest discussing most matters in the bar. "Come.. sit with me please. It'll be fine, Alex. Just stand close by?" Arianna spoke softly though sternly to both gentlemen, standing up and moving to a booth in the far corner of the bar. From the corner of her eye, she caught Alex crossing his arms tightly over his chest while giving Arianna a very concerned look. "It'll be fine.." She whispered to him while sitting on one side of the booth and waiting for Bryce to join her.
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Post by Spade on Jan 18, 2010 23:43:08 GMT -5
Bryce smiled, getting positive feedback from Arianna, his efforts were rewarded nicely. He couldn't have hoped for a better response. She could have easily cast him aside after all this time. He walked around the multitude of scattered stools, making his way to the booth Arianna sat at.
Smiling at her, he took the seat across from her in the booth, "You've always loved booths. Even when we were seated at restaurants with tables, you always asked to have us moved to a booth." His eyes trailed to Alex for but a moment seeing he wasn't too happy with the fact Bryce was getting so friendly with Arianna. "So, you do remember after all," he mentioned as he watched her examine and stare deeply into the photograph in her hands. "I have so many questions! I really don't know where to start though..."
Bryce grabbed a napkin from the holder next to them and wiped off the sweat on his face. "Your sister, Sahra, said I was dead? I know she wasn't always the fondest of me once I started to move in on her dearest sister, but that still shouldn't merit her claim. You two must keep in contact then. Is she doing alright? I'm glad that she still talks to you even though you guys fight for different teams."
Balling up the used napkin, he places it to the side as he stopped and took a long, deep stare into Arianna's eyes. He hasn't seen her in so long that he felt his very being being sucked up into the hole that has been in his heart. He longed to see her so long that it almost killed him finally being able to sit with her face to face again. She hardly changed at all, still the gentle looking, beautiful woman that left him back on Side 6.
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Post by Pyrefly on Jan 19, 2010 15:23:05 GMT -5
'Arianna, give him a chance. Besides, if he is an impostor, then I'll just have Alex jump in.' Her expression remain unchanged and after careful examination of the photo, she tossed it across the table in his direction. "Well in reference to Sahra, I'm sure it wasn't jealousy over affection. She was trying to protect me, if that makes sense." She paused, not entirely too sure why she was saying all this to him. "But yes, we still talk. Not directly of course, all correspondence is filtered through our father. But she is doing well, followed in father's footsteps as an engineer..." She sighed, running her hands through her hair in an exasperated effort to brush her bangs out of her face.
"....Why... why are you so nervous?" She had taken note of the sweat on his brow, the napkin and found herself giggling for the first time. "What is wrong? I don't think I've seen you this nervous but twice, ever. First when you asked me out and second when I told you I was leaving to join...." Her voice trailed off as she shrugged, bringing her eyes to look at him. "Well you know! You saw me leave..." 'It makes no sense, why do I want to cry? Why should something that should be so happy, feel so awkward and bother me so much...' She laughed nervously, nibbling on her lower lip as her mind alternated between a blank slate and flashbacks of her tearful little departure. "Well... Bryce, what have you been up to? Let's see, considering you, you probably have a new girlfriend. Multiple girlfriends, perhaps? Maybe a wife and some kids... The sky was always the limit with you." She laughed, resting her chin in the palm of her hand while she looked towards him.
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Post by Spade on Jan 19, 2010 15:57:24 GMT -5
Bryce half-payed attention to what Arianna was saying to him, giving her the typical head-nod and 'uh-huhs' as he enjoyed looking into her eyes. Shaking his head and snapping out of his daze, he adjusted himself in the cushioned seat of the booth and leaned back, placing his arms on top of the seat backing.
"Nervous? Well, I might be a little. It's also hot outside..." he jokingly said as he shrugged. "I mean, do you blame me? I'm glad I didn't have a heart attack when I first saw you, after I had arrived here."
Bryce looked down at the photo she returned and picked it up, reaching into his pocket for his wallet to place it back inside for safe keeping. "Well, tell Sahra I said hello, if you can." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before continuing on to answer her questions. "Ari, I've been waiting for you. When I couldn't wait any longer, I went looking for you. I left everything behind back at Side 6 in an attempt to gather any information I could. I started to spy for Zeon. I was impressed with them after they liberated Side 6 from the Feds, so I thought I could help them out while I helped myself out to some nitty gritty info I could get my hands on while fooling Feds. I've been to so many installations and outposts I can't even begin to list them to you. I could not find one single piece of data on you or where you were."
Bryce sighed again before shifting in his seat again, putting his elbows on the table, resting his chin on the top of his hands. "I didn't give up though. I even went to Side 7 and got pictures of the Gundam before it made its debut. Zeon didn't believe me when I gave them my shots. They said they were fake. That was the last straw. I knew that espionage wouldn't get me any closer to you, so I decided to join Zeon's ranks directly. Although they claimed my last job to be a hoax, they did recognize my consistent service record with them in the past and placed me into the Test Korps over at the California Base," he continued to tell her, his voice getting softer so only she could hear him really.
"While there, I heard about an attack on South America was being organized, so I tagged along for the ride. Being in South America meant I had the chance to look for you. So, this morning I set out and I've finally found you," he finished up with a smile and sat up.
"And there you have it. That's what I've been doing recently in a nut-shell. What about you? Why haven't you called me or hell, sent a letter? Why was I left in the dark? Of course, I'd also like to know why these beefcakes call you their 'Sky Vixen'!" Bryce smirked at his lost love.
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Post by Pyrefly on Jan 19, 2010 17:34:35 GMT -5
She was listening to him, most of it was stuff she either expected or that was otherwise processed easily. Watching him carefully tuck the photo away, she smiled just slightly. "Did you really look for me?..." Her whole train of thought cut short, she raised her voice enough to be heard turned over the conversations in the booths surrounding theirs. "You did WHAT?" Standing up, she reached across the table, slapping him across his face so instinctively it took her a few moment to realize what she had done. "Why did you do that?! Why them? Why now? You knew I was with the..." She paused, realizing she was making a scene, forcing herself to sit down while biting hard on her lower lip. 'Shit, Arianna. You didn't want to make a scene, especially not here. Oh no! Alex!' Looking away from Bryce to glance at Alex, who was all ready advancing over to their booth. "I'm so sorry Alex, I over reacted. It's nothing really, he did nothing.." She said softly while smiling at the larger gentlemen, hoping her statement would satisfy him. Nodding to her, Alex then returned to his mug and previous banter with a few of his friends, though returning his gaze so often to Arianna.
Taking a very deep breath, she glares over to Bryce, her eyes locking to him as she speaks in a hushed tone. "You expect me to believe that you joined Zeon to look for me? When you knew what I was doing the whole time?!" She shakes her head, obviously frustrated and troubled. "Besides you know this changes everything, right? Everything that Sahra has told me about you, could very well be true..." She relaxed into the back of the seat, her eyes now vacant as she contemplated what her next course of action should be. "And for your information, I wrote you every day for approximately 3 months, never got a reply. I suppose you were on the move, for your 'work'..." She scoffed, shaking her head slowly as she continued to stare into her lap.
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Post by Spade on Jan 19, 2010 17:57:47 GMT -5
Bryce raised his eyebrows and looked up at Arianna as she stood up from her seat some and then was met with the force from her hand. Eyes closed and retracted from his position on the table, he rubbed his face where her hand connected. He reopened his eyes as he watched Alex take notice, only to stand down. Thankful to Arianna for calling him off, Bryce took a deep breath and gathered himself together.
"I haven't felt your hand against my face like that in some time... The last time you slapped me was when I grabbed your ass from behind back in high school. I learned never to sneak up on you like that ever again. Damn though, this time you had some power behind that slap," a smile seemed to escape the pain in Bryce's face, both physically and mentally. "Anyways, I only joined Zeon because I respected the work they did for Side 6, and besides the point I couldn't join the Federation after backstabbing so many people. I would need to let them simmer down before I would even think about showing my face to them again. Either way, joining the military would get me closer to finding you. They funded my transport to Earth, they're giving me food and a roof. You can't beat that deal, especially when they entrust a prototype unit like the Hildolfr to you!"
He leaned in closer to Arianna and gently lifted her chin up with his hand so she could meet eyes with his. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to receive your letters. A long time had already passed before I even started my 'work'. Out of all my efforts, I planned on finding you. Whether it was on the battlefield or not... I just couldn't stand not seeing you." He let go of her chin and shifted in his seat some more, the cushion obviously worn out from years of use. "If it really bothers you though, Ari... I will leave Zeon. I don't want you upset, you know this. I just used Zeon to fund my own selfish desire to find you, and I have found you. So, I no longer need them. I could stay here with you!" He motioned joyfully to the seemingly 'warm' company she had in the bar.
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Post by Pyrefly on Jan 19, 2010 18:47:00 GMT -5
For a moment, she found herself thinking of that day in high school, how mortified she was when he grabbed at her and how quickly she had reacted. They still managed to laugh about it, after all was said and done. This situation though, wouldn't be one to find humor in so quickly. 'If not for Zeon, he would have never have found me. How bizarre. I was hoping he'd just wait, though he's never been known to be patient.' Slowly, she managed to focus on what he was saying, her eyes darting from him to her lap as she swapped between feeling unbridled anger and a numbing sadness. Blinking curiously, she furrowed her brow while speaking to him again in a hushed tone.".... YOU have a unit? You're actually fighting.." She sighed heavily again, closing her eyes as she reached to rub her neck, gently. 'Maybe Sahra was right all along. She had sent me reports of this. She told me she knew this would happen. We would end up fighting each other.' Her thoughts completely broken when he reached for her chin, "Don't touch me!" she hissed. Raising her hand, she brushed his hand from her face and took a heavy breath.
'He hasn't changed at least. Everything is built on whatever whim he decides is worth chasing. He'd sooner throw all the years of dedication away to be with me, rather than stay true to the commitment he made with the people who've allowed him to find me in the first place. Zeon. Those people just happen to be the side I am at war with. This is a fine mess to be in....'
"Bryce, it's not that easy. You just don't join a group of people in battle and then just throw it away. You don't feel anything at all about just leaving them like that? Remorse, regret, betrayal... anything? I mean, sure we all might be expendable, but... " Her voice trailed off, throwing her hands up as if in a sign of defeat. "If my memory serves me correct, not much of what I'm saying is having an effect on you. Instead, I'll ask this ... so you found me. Did your plan move past this point? Did you think ahead, this time?" She brought her eyes to meet with his now, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
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Post by Spade on Jan 19, 2010 19:09:56 GMT -5
Her personality a welcoming change, Bryce smiled as he took his hand back from her. "Yes, I have a unit. I have enjoyed using it thus far, however..." He paused for a moment to turn to the clock at the far side of the room to check the time. "It means nothing to me."
His face grew more serious as he went on, explaining to Arianna, "Yes, this is war, but these people are not my family nor are they my friends. I am some new fly-boy from space. As a private, I have no place among them. You know better than anyone else that I do not care for anyone aside from you and your sister. I have found you, yes, that's true. To your disbelief, I have thought SOME on the matter of what I was to do after I find you."
Crossing one of his legs over the other from under the table, he once again took his relaxed position and placed his elbows on the table, resting his chin upon his hands. "I leave Zeon and stay with you. That was the original plan. However, I have come to find out that the prototype unit that they entrusted to me is worth more than I expected. They have an eye on that unit at all times. I was thinking about leaving with it, maybe giving it to the Feddies as a present. I have no use for the thing if I am with you. That's the gist of my 'plan' though. As long as I am with you, I am quite content with that."
He looked at her, waiting to see what her next move and response would be to his answer. In his mind, his conversation with Arianna, much like all the others he's had with her, was a game of chess. To see which one could one-up the other. Most of the time Arianna would come out on top, but Bryce felt that this time she had no room to fight back on the matter. There's no way that she'd let him continue to fight for Zeon while she was still with the Federation, this he knew, and was the source of his confidence. If not, he'll adjust accordingly, he thought this day through more times than once during his trip with the 9th Combined Operations fleet as they trekked into South America.
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Post by Pyrefly on Jan 19, 2010 20:44:19 GMT -5
This was one of the few times that Arianna actually considered herself beat. Despite how inconsiderate his actions could be perceived, they fit him perfectly. Deep down inside, she knew that Sahra and herself were always his top priorities. Emotionally conflicted now, she debated on the best way to come to a solution that would satisfy both his wants while being sensitive to her new lifestyle.
"Wait, you actually thought this out?" She muttered softly before pausing, listening intently to the rest of his plan. "I should of known. So irresponsible, with no regard to anyone." She said while shaking her head and chuckling to herself. "Bryce, please don't take this the wrong way. I'm relieved to know you are alive. More then you'll ever know." She sat forward in her seat and smiled, very warmly. "And as much as I would love to have you with me, it changes every thing. My battle performance is now compromised with the very fact of knowing you are alive.." Shaking her head, she released her arms to her sides and her hands back into her lap. "And you! You would just as easily just defect and join me... but what then? Zeon isn't going to smile on your actions, I'm sure there would be some consequences. Have you considered all of those, Bryce? Or do you, as always, just don't give a damn?"
Still conflicted, in so many ways at this point, Arianna allows her mind to wander while awaiting a response from Bryce. 'What has happened to you, Arianna? You sound so much like Sahra now. Something like this wouldn't have phased me before. All this time has passed...' Blinking, wide eyed a very random but bothersome thought caught a hold of her. 'Wait, wait a minute! Time HAS passed! How dare he just assume I didn't move on. He didn't even ask me if I had moved on! The gall of him. He always manages to do something like that, I should turn him over to the EF just for being a total dumb ass!'
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Post by Spade on Jan 19, 2010 22:20:40 GMT -5
Bryce nodded a few times, proud to show her that he thought things out for the first time in who knows how long. A smile surfaced from his lips that almost could be taken as a grin as he continued his conversation with Arianna.
"Well, I do give a damn, that's why I thought this out. I mean, leaving Zeon would most definitely bring about dire consequences. I could only imagine what they would do to a deserter. Thing is, if I never show my face to them again or rather, show up on their doorstop, why would I be punished? So, all I have to do is not associate myself with Zeon or interact with them if I do choose to leave. I have other homes waiting for me you know. I could find my home somewhere around here since you're stationed in Jaburo..." Bryce cut off his sentence and thought for a moment before he spoke his next line. He wanted to be positive of his action before he made claim to it. He closed his eyes and continued, "Or, I could join the Earth Federation so I could be close to you at all times..."
As he said that, he thought back to Zeon and how they would react to one of their test pilots deserting their ranks. They would probably be furious as to losing a soldier who contained valuable information concerning not only Zeon, but the prototype mobile armor which he piloted beforehand. He'd be a wanted man after that. As he stated though, his new life would be no different, the Zeon would be his enemy anyways seeing as Ari was a pilot for the EFF. No matter what he thought right then though, his decision will be based on what would be best for the both of them.
"Even though, Ari..." He said, turning to the load roar of men cheering again around the pool tables, "I wanted to get your opinion on the matter at hand. Your opinion is always of great value to me. Always has been, always will be."
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Post by Pyrefly on Jan 20, 2010 22:28:49 GMT -5
Her eyes darted about the bar quickly, smiling briefly to Alex as a means of keeping him reassured of her safety, and away from Bryce. 'Bryce. What am I going to do with you. I could turn you in, but that would be a slap to the face for all your hard work. Besides, I couldn't promise the treatment you'd endure.' Quickly dismissing any thoughts of turning him over to the Earth Federation for his 'over sight', her mind re-focused on the task at hand. His. Hers. Their next move.
"You always say that, it's rarely true. If I told you that I think you should carry out your commitment to Zeon, you'll dismiss that idea." She paused, rocking back and forth in her seat as she continued her train of thought. "Or have you considered this, if you do join me, do you know how tough battles would be for each of us? Though I do suppose us being on the same side and fighting would be a better situation than us on opposing sides..." Her mind racing through the many different scenarios that could play out if he did in fact defect to the Earth Federation, one detail pierced her conscious greatly. "Whatever we do, Bryce, Sahra must not find out until the last possible moment." She let out an exasperated sigh, they faced such a moral conundrum as she saw it.
A soft giggle escaped her, bringing a smile to her lips and a twinkle to her eyes. "Would you really defect for me? Just like that...?" She showed a moment of weakness in the form of letting her heart make way versus any type of logical thinking. He was her boyfriend after all, nothing not even the war - apparently, was going to change that.
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Post by Spade on Jan 20, 2010 22:56:06 GMT -5
Lifting his arms and taking a well-deserved stretch, Bryce grunted in approval as his body felt much better. The long ride out here combined with the stress and anxiety of looking for Arianna took a toll on his body. "Look, battling along side of you as a Federation soldier wouldn't be anything new from what our life was like back on Side 6. I used to always have to come to your rescue on the playground during school since Sahra wasn't around to help you when you got bullied by those boys all the time," Bryce looked around and smirked before leaning in and slightly whispering, "Plus, I wanted them to stop flirting with you!"
He lowered himself back into his seat and continued his thought. "Anyways, as I was saying. Yes, I would defect for you like that, no questions asked. To be honest, if I left Zeon, I'd have to ask you to leave the Earth Federation. I can't keep an eye on you and protect you without a mobile suit." He laughed, shaking his head, "Of course, it's going to be hard to take you away from something you've already decided on. You're stubborn. As I see it, I join the EFF, I won't ever have to let my Arianna out of my sight. Ever. Again. End of story."
Bryce stood up from the booth and walked over to Arianna's side. He crossed his arms across his chest and looked down to her. "So, now that we know where we both stand. What are we going to do? I can tell you now, I'm not going to fly back and forth from California to Brazil all the time! There's no way I could have enough time to do that." He held out a hand to Arianna, "Be honest with yourself, that's all I ask before you tell me your thoughts."
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