"That the best portion of a good man's life,
His little, nameless, unremembered acts
Of kindness and of love."
- William Wordsworth, Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey

AC 188
Victoria Academy

Noin hurried to the lake, books clutched to her chest. The interminable classes had finally ended, and she was free. The familiar smell of pine trees and damp earth rose to meet her as she rapidly approached the grove, and she stopped for just a second, closing her eyes and taking in the air, cherishing the quiet peace of it. As she resumed walking, a bounce rather unbefitting a model student sprang into her step, just as an eager light surfaced in her eyes. Finally. She had looked forward to this the entire day, silently picturing the golden shafts of sunlight that pierced the forest green during every class, feeling the cool, soothing touch of the air as she piloted her MS, and mentally smiling at the friendly face awaiting her. Her steps slowed down as she savored the image of liquid sunshine caught in long blond hair and came to a halt as she wondered at the direction of her thoughts. Put aback by her own enthusiasm, Noin reined herself, falling into the stiff posture and measured steps of a military cadet. But even that could not rid her lips of a slight smile or her eyes of a hint of joy.

Sitting with his back against the rough bark of a tree, Zechs smiled to himself as the now-familiar top of Noin's head appeared over the crest of the hill. As he watched her approach, he settled back into the shadows, amusing himself by thinking of a good barb to rile her. Devilishly, he mentally pictured her annoyed expression and the inevitable rolling of eyes. A grin unexpectedly broke out on Zechs' face, startling him out of his daydream. Before conscious thought had completely erased the expression, he touched his fingers to his lips, wondering at the unfamiliar shape of them. Quickly, he pulled his hand away and tried to compose is expression as he heard her footsteps grow louder, slow down, then finally come to a stop.

"Zechs? You there?" She peered hesitantly into the shadows. "Hello? Zechs?"

She rolled her eyes. So he wanted to play games, did he? With the stealth of a mouse, she began to gather the pinecones lying around, silently cursing the squirrels for ridding the place of good, hard nuts.

"Zechs? You didn't ditch me, did you?" she called out, her books on the ground, pinecones in her arms, and an evil glint in her eyes.

"Over here, Noin." He had waited long enough. Although his memory was impeccable, he wanted to see the mix of exasperation and laughter in her dusky eyes in person.

He was not expecting the veritable shower of hard objects that hit his head. After the onslaught, he gingerly opened his eyes and looked up, meeting with laughing violet eyes and an extremely undignified smirk.

Using his sternest voice to mask his delight, he said, "Cadet Noin, assaulting a fellow cadet outside the practice room is dishonorable. You should be ashamed of yourself."

The smirk disappeared, swallowed by a wide grin. Unfooled by his fancy words, her eyes unabashedly held his, inviting him in on the joke. Zechs attempted valiantly to hold a straight face, failing miserably as an answering grin spread across his lips.

Genuine delight replaced mischief as Noin rejoiced in seeing his smile, a sight far too rare in occurrence. He beamed back without reservation, and the two of them simply existed for one brief golden moment.

Finally, Noin, puzzled by the strength of her reaction, let her smile fade away as she busied herself in picking up her dropped books.

"Here, let me help," Zechs said, starting to rise.

"Oh no, really, I can manage."

"Yes, I know," he said with a smile, "but isn't that what friends are for?"

Noin's eyes widened. Friends. How strange. They had been studying together and talking for almost a year now, and she had never thought of him as a friend. And yet, every day, the prospect of seeing him was the one thing that helped her bear the weight of loneliness here.

"Yes," she replied, "yes, you're right."

* * *

The books gathered, Noin sat down next to Zechs, closing her eyes for a moment, seeming to accustom herself to today's turn of events. He looked at her curiously, suddenly realizing he knew nothing of this girl he had just termed friend. Somehow, the words had simply slipped out of his mouth when he watched her face darken with uncertainty as she bent down for her books. Somehow, the very thought of her pulling away like that after they had smiled at each other so freely before was unbearable. Somehow, sometime, she had truly become a friend. But could he afford to believe in her and all she offered? He let his eyes trace a path over her face, from the expressive eyes perpetually hidden under a shock of bangs to the stubborn chin, trying to convince himself she was trustworthy.

"You're watching me. Why?" she asked lazily, not bothering to open her eyes.

"Mmmm," he murmured, unwilling to bother her with his doubts. "Just seeing what a friend looks like."

So he was as hesitant as she had been with that word. A strange peace stole over her as she acquiesced to the new position Zechs now held in her life.

"Zechs?" She had questions for her friend.

"Hm?"

"Why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" He raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her sudden change of mood.

"Joining OZ. Being a soldier. Fighting, I guess."

He withdrew, attempting to assess the seemingly innocent curiosity in her eyes while frowning at his own distrust. Seconds ticked by as he remained frozen in indecision, unsure if he could ever let his true name past his lips. He wouldn't let her know of his betrayal, couldn't bear to watch her distance herself from him.

"I'm sorry," she said, her voice carefully devoid of all expression. "It wasn't my place to ask."

Her emotional withdrawal hurt him, convinced him to give her all he could without divulging his name.

"No. No, it's my fault. There are . . . things . . . I can't speak of, to anyone. And I promise you, you will be the first to know once I can. But there are some things I must do, and I'm here for that," he said, hoping it was enough for her.

She suddenly smiled and tipped her head up to him, asking blithely, "So, I suppose this means you won't let me get ahead in MS combat?"

"No!" He leaned forward intensely, a strange light in his eyes. "Don't you understand? I have to be the best. That's the only way . . ." The only way anyone will value me.

Shocked and ashamed by his untoward display, Zechs looked away, hiding his face in his hand. Noin, slightly taken aback, watched and wondered at the strength of his words. It was only a game, being first, only something to play at. But to him, it meant so much, so much more than a mere mark on paper, as it was to her.

Attempting to assuage his behavior, he asked, "So, Noin, why do you do this?"

"I?" she echoed, still replaying his previous words. "I want to fly out to space."

She was dragged out of her thoughts by Zechs' curious gaze, and, unwilling to give too much of herself away, began, "Someone once told me a story of a man who had everything . . ."

When the narrative had ended, both were looking skyward.

* * *