Aaaah Leave, I've always loved this concept you know. Soldiers returning home to decompress after a series of intense fighting. They could spend more time with their families and try to forget the horrors of war. Having said that, for a veteran, reintegration into society is really difficult. However, what I called perm was not really perm just because we were demobilized. And that is worse than anything.
-3 months, *Decken said irritably*. 3 fucking months we are forced to go home.
Troy was pissed off and it was understandable. 3 months without touching a single gun is a real ordeal for him. To get over his nerves, he started going to a gym where he was unleashed on sandbags, chaining feet, fists and martial art holds. I also went there to keep in shape but it was nothing compared to the Spartan training that he needed.
-Raaaaah.
His last kick that took the bag from my hands and knocked it to the ground.
-Well you got the scam. *Said the manager of the gym*.
-Good job, mate. *I said*. We meet at Shine's cafe as usual. I have a date with Marie.
-Do I feel threatened? *Swan asked, wiping his face*.
-Of course. *Say I smirk*.
After a good shower to get all that through I quickly put on my sweater and my raincoat before heading to the bank. Marie had become even more beautiful since we last saw each other, but nothing had really changed when it came to her behavior. When I got to the bank, it was always a mess, it was going all over the place, it took calls here, it spilled coffees on machines there, it screamed, it cried, it fired people.
-To each his own battlefield, eh.
I presented myself at the reception where I took off my hat just to make myself known.
-Oh Lord Cailum. *She said, blushing*. I didn't know you were there. Go Lady Steinberg waiting for you.
-Thank you.
It feels good to be in people's books sometimes. I dodged as best I could all the hubbub of the offices before entering Marie's. It was a mess, but I preferred not to dwell on details. Seeing me coming, her expression changed.
-Oh but there it is, Second Lieutenant Cailum comes to see me. where is your medal sir?
She liked messing around with me. The Prada incident had given her a bad image of me. Rightly so, I had ruined her date, so the sarcastic tone she used with me didn't bother me. Still, she was still beautiful even if she abused personal makeup. Red eyelid headlight with black sunglass. She should have been a model not a banker.
-Haha, sorry but I'm just a civilian now. I was demobilized you know.
-Of course I know. But believe me that you have other worries than the war at the moment. *She said*.
She quickly gave me a kind of databook where it was marked "Cailum family". When she opened it my eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
-Where come all these ...
-You are in the red. The Cailum family is practically ruined.
At first a little disturbed I quickly regained my composure and I started leafing through the account book.
- Above all, don't force you to be impassive. Between the campaign of your father, the military projects in which you decided to dip into and the studies of your sister which are not finished yet.
It was not only that, there was also an orphanage, hospitals including one for the veteran which was still under construction, the operating costs of the mines on my father's land, the many trips there were what to lose the ball indeed.
-He, Cailum .... I'm talking to you.
-Yes Marie I hear you.
-Ok I can always make you a loan but it will cover only 17% of the expenses. The rest...
I was silent for a while staring at the book then I put my finger on a point on the map.
- Acquires the shares of Port Kalagan in the South.
-He?
-The freight company of Aether station. The East-West line also redeems it and doubles the tax for the nobles.
-But with that .....
-If there is discontent I will let go of my Dobermans. Resell the mine and buy back the one in the North. The resources there will cover a lot of the family's expenses.
-You plan to invest in the transport of goods, it seems.
-You were planning to show me all those reds to make me shut down my weapon factory and force me to stop investing in military development, right?
She lowered her head and let out a sigh before pulling out a typewriter which she put on her desk.
-Ok you win. I'll get you out of the red.
-Ah and I'll take the loan too.
She gave me a suspicious look.
-I plan to buy the Gym and open a shooting range for the general public. I'll be doing amateur MMA fights with referees and everything.
-Of MMA? She asked.
-All men's dream. I say with a smile.
MMA or Mix Martial Art is the best way to let off steam, the fights are violent and hardcore. It takes place in an Octagon and apart from a few rules flown over you are free to smash your opponent as you please. Modern day gladiators you will tell me.
-Good I let you I will go.
-I hate them. *She said dryly.* The soldiers. After what I saw in Prada I started to have a different view of violence. To see people being shot, Swan and the rest of them standing still like it was normal. Knowing that he too could end up like this one day I ....
She was shaking just thinking about it. No woman wants to receive the folded flag at home, seeing her husband between 4 boards must be a horrible feeling. But Marie did not have to know it. I walked over to her and hugged her. She gave me a surprised look.
-I understand how you feel, war is a terrible thing. But that's the path he chose and you knew what you were getting yourself into by getting engaged with a Der Linde.
-I know, I know very well silly. *She moaned*.
-And it always squeezed so. *I said*. That's why you have to endure and take advantage of the time he's still there with you to have fun. Get out, take a break, forget the numbers.
-Cailum ....
-You even know if you never loved me from the moment you became Swan's fiancée you were like my sister.
I released my grip and stroked her hair tenderly. I could see his face flushed with embarrassment.
-Do not worry. And then Swan is a lucky bastard, he always comes back without dust or scars on him.
-It is true. He's too stupid to die.
-Haha I'll pass it on. Then be fine Mary.
In the evening we had gathered with friends at Sunshine's cafe. The reason why we liked this endroir located in a more or less disadvantaged district was simple. The waitress. A young black woman named Shyna who ran the place with her father.
- What do you use your majesty? *She asked with a sly smile*.
-A strong coffee with a zest of lemon please. *Say Swan with a snobbish look*.
The four of us started laughing before getting serious again.
-Sorry Shy. The same as usual. But if you can give a supplement, don't bother you. Swan said.
-Fine. *She said amused*.
She bowed politely and went to take the order. We looked at her for a moment, before looking away. Although one of us continued to stare at her.
-Ho hey, Troy.
-What ... What? *He said surprised*.
-Did you have a little crush on Shyna sometimes ? *Fried said with a smile*. She's underage you know. Or have you become....
-Shut up. I just thought she was cute. In addition, her chest is too small.
-My My... Who was the last one? *Said Fried*. Ah yes Anaïs, or maybe Julia...
-I at least I'm not a stuck ass who has never had a girlfriend.
-Tackle slipped from Troy. *I say with a smile*.
-It also applies to you two. I'm pretty sure you are incapable to get along with a girl apart from your brides.
So there it was the drop of water that made the vase overflow. Swan and I gave him a dark look that intimidated him slightly.
-Deckeeeen.
-O ... Yes?
-Kiss my ass. *We said at the same time with a smile*.
A great cold settled between us as Shyna brought the drinks.
-Oh but it's not okay.
-Everything is bathing you worry. Said Fried, laughing in his corner.
At that moment 4 young girls entered the cafe. Shyna went to greet them and offered them a table opposite. One of the girls turned and stared at me. Our eyes met and she came to our table with an amused smile.
-How are you boys?
-Arianne I thought .... *said I amazed*.
- I just came to decompress. I invited some friends. Besides, Marie is there too. She said, addressing Swan.
By force of circumstances we found ourselves at 4 against 4 on the table. We will say that it was practical ok.
- Girls, this is Alfar Cailum. My fiancee. *She said with a proud smile*.
-Well you have a sense of taste, that's the least we can say. He's hot too. *The other two girls said*.
The training was straightforward for this battle. Swan and I will manage our respective fiancees while Troy and Fried keep up with the news.
- Let me introduce myself. Beatrice Lithner. Call me Betty.
-I'm Friedich Lineberg.
Betty was a young brunette who had sunburned because of her complexion. She had short black hair and eyes the same color. Without wanting to come forward, she devoured Fried her eyes.
-My name is Samantha Claw.
-Troy Der Decken.
Their presentation was as dry as the Sahara. Samantha I had heard that before somewhere.
-Are you one of Troy's exes? Arianne asked.
Might as well break the ice and it was better to broach the subject rather than letting them spoil our evening.
-Ah it's true that he told us about it. I said.
Samantha looked away and Troy fell silent.
-Relax you both, we're here to have fun ok. I relaxed.
-It is no use rehashing the past life goes on. Arianne added.
We were definitely on the same wavelength. Troy ends up relaxing and Samantha too.
-It's cool to see you again. He said embarrassed.
-Yeah you too. *She resumed you just as embarrassed*.
We 3 were staring at him devilishly. Where had gone Decken the Spartan ? It was going to regret it during our next discussions.
-What do you do in life ? Betty asked.
-We are ..... I started.
-Unemployed. Swan said.
-Eh ?
-We were in the army not long ago but we are demobilized. *Fried explained*.
-The army? Sir Yes Sir. *say Samantha snobbish*. Looks like you, Troy, you've always loved guns.
-He's not the only one. *Arianne sighed*.
-Eh I ....
In the end this evening promised to be great. Except we had to pay for the girls' food too. Besides, I suspect Arianne of having come to see us on purpose for that. So everyone went home with their crush. Arianne and I decide to walk home so that it doesn't end too quickly. On the way she clung to my arm which is not to displease me.
-Stop pretending to be impassive, I hear your heart pounding.
-Ha, you broiled me. It's nice to be able to discuss something other than work with you. *I said*.
-Marie told me that the Cailums are in the red. If you want my father ...
-I'm not going to disturb him for this little problem. *I said*. And then it will save us money for our next vacation.
-You have an idea of destination?
-The Beiyang Empire would not be bad. *I say with a dreamy smile*.
She gripped me even tighter. I could even smell the scent of her hair.
-Said Zell if we had a kid what would you call him?
-I .... Huh what?
My heart skipped a beat and I stared at her greatly surprised.
-You ...
- I'm joking you dumb. *She laughed*. Relax.
Still happy I was not at all ready for this. As I regained my composure we were surrounded by a group of bandits. Arianne immediately let go of my arm and moved behind me.
-Haaaa, the price to pay for a good coffee.
-You here, give all you have. *Said the guy in front of me*.
There was a nice mix between black and white in this group. All united in poverty it seems.
-Empty your pockets and give everything you have.
-Sorry buddy but it really won't do it. I'm in the red right now.
- Shut up or I'll blow your face off. *He said raising his flintlock pistol*.
There were 4 of them and he was the only one with a gun. I had a 7-shot gun in the inside pocket of my coat. I quickly analyzed its wavelength before drawing quickly. He was shot in the heart and collapsed. I then glared at the others to dissuade them.
-Go break you.
However the small distance between them and us could make them want to continue. One of them leaps at me with a wooden plank. I stopped him by grabbing his wrist and shooting him in the thigh. The other passed behind Arianne and put his knife to her throat.
-Do not move.
Amateur. I shot his ankle and Arianne threw him a judo throw to pin him to the ground. Yes she can do that and more. I opened fire on the last corn.
-He avoided ?! I thought.
No he had to move before I fired. Even though I did it in easy mode the guy had to move super fast. I wanted to shoot but he was between me and Arianne. A crooked shot and I hit her. He pounced on me and hit my gun. Despite his speed of reaction his blows were more or less predictable, I seem them without difficulty. Until he gave me a blow forcing me to back away. Putting his leg just behind he cut me down and I fell backwards. He pounced on me like a wild beast ready to plant me with his knife but I stopped him by holding him by the wrists. I was obviously stronger physically. However I was surprised to see the face of my opponent.
-A kid?
Arianne ended the duel by giving him a plank hit in the back of the neck. The youngster collapsed on top of me.
-Eeeh, I had the upper hand though.
-I believe you. *She said ironically*.
She crouched down in front of the young boy with a compassionate gaze.
-He must be 10 to 12 years old max.
-yep, the situation of disadvantaged neighborhoods worries me. If young people like him continue to multiply in Aether I imagine not everywhere else. I'll have to write a new memo.
-It will change your plans on the army then.
She turned to me and gave me soft eyes. I was afraid to guess what she was thinking.
-No no you won't have me like that.
-Come on Zell he's going to starve if we leave him here.
-He survived well until now why we ....
-Zeeeell. She said. Please.
Why is it so hard to stand up to again her? My father is doing well. Counting on my kindness, we brought the toddler back to us. Mell was surprised to see us show up with a kid.
-Who is this kid for? Don't tell me that ....
-HELL NO.
-Do you volunteer now Zell? Do you plan to bring him to the orphanage?
- Better we will adopt him.
-Heh! *Mell said*.
-Heeeeeeh ?
You know what, I adore more than leave, the end of the leave. It softens us especially with regard to our women. The kid has spent two good weeks with us or he took advantage of the benefits of civilization. So when I received the order to remobilize the 51st Brigade, I jumped on it like starving. Our departure was at the station and our respective families had come to see us.
-You have grown up well since the last time. My mother told me.
-What time?
-Not forgot anything ? Pay attention to you. *She said, stroking my cheek*.
Maybe she was referring to the time when I got a shell right in it. Or else I'm delusional. Having said that, Arianne and Mell were also there. As well as the youngster. He was much better dressed now but normal since he was wearing my kid clothes. He kept avoiding my gaze elsewhere.
-Avoid being disfigured ok? *Said Arianne before kissing me*.
-I will be back for the Christmas holidays worry.
At least it's not for sure. The others bade farewell to their families. I stroked the youngster's head and got on the train. I saw Fried hug betty and then walk over to us.
-It's official Troy, Friedich Lineberg has officially nailed you. *Swan said mockingly*.
-They're just friends that's all.
-Of course. And I am Arianne's brother too.
-Oh shut up.
-Hate to see the other guys from the 51st. I said. Head to the Yukon guys.
End of chapter