10: Another First Day
“Pretty rad, isn't it?”
Alice glanced to her right as she adjusted her arms leaning against the railing on deck. A cute and petite blonde with green eyes and a bright face stood beside her. She had an ink smudge on her forehead above her right eyebrow and ink stains on the scarf that covered most of the unruly curls of her hair.
Alice changed her focus back to the horizon, as did the girl beside her. “Yeah.”
“I always have Setzer take me out so I can paint it. I usually don't do landscapes, but there's just something about the view from the airship. It inspires me.” Alice absently nodded. “So, you're going to the Academy, huh? Excited?”
Alice turned with a sigh and leaned her back against the railing. “Yeah.”
“Oh yeah. You really sound excited, too.” The girl wrinkled her nose. “You know, not just anybody gets into the Academy. You should be a little more enthused, don't you think?”
Alice narrowed her eyes as she looked up at the blue sky. “I am. It's just . . . it's just the first time I've been away from home.” Alice looked again to the girl beside her. “What about you?”
“I've been at and away from home since I was ten. Not a new thing for me.” The girl examined Alice's face. “I think I get it, though.”
Alice looked away. “Great. I'm surpassed in worldly experience by a kid all of 15. Thrill of thrills.”
The girl laughed. “Nah. 'Worldly experience' is over rated. And I'm 14.”
“Yeah. Right.”
“Hey, I know a kid about your age who's had less ‘worldly experience’ than you, believe it or not. He was raised by animals on the Veldt. In fact, he's--”
Alice turned sharply. “You know Gau?”
The girl stopped mid-sentence, jaw still hanging. After a blink or two, she closed her mouth and examined Alice from head to toe. “Yep, but the question is how do you know Gau? I don't think he's been off the Veldt since Terra, Edgar, Locke, and Celes' wedding.”
Alice smacked her forehead. “You must be Relm Arrowny.”
“Yep. How'd you know that?”
Alice smiled. “The fact that you know the saviors of our world by name maybe?”
Relm pointed a finger at Alice with a smirk. “Good point. I guess that's a 'duh'.”
“I'm Alice. Alice Camf.” They shook hands. “Nice to meet you.”
“Do you have a problem with me arranging the dorms with Edgar so that we can share a room?”
“Nope.”
“Rad.” Relm tugged at Alice's arm. “So, tell me about yourself. Where're you from?”
They walked the deck and exchanged stories.
Heart of the Veldt Page 23