Untitled [Original, Short Story, T]

[Uriel Ventris]

Disclaimer: Firstly, 'Wherever You Will Go' is owned by The Calling, not me. The Enclave of Midiri is my own creation for NationStates and intentionally takes elements from BattleTech, hence some references to it in here. The Enclave is mine, but BT isn't. Other references are either accidental or intentional.


Untitled

Always the guest, Kai thought, never the groom.

It'd been lucky, he mused. Most of the time he was out of town, either elsewhere in the world on a book tour or giving symposiums or meeting with people. The Enclave was large enough, but it was still one among many nations. He had arrived back at his Sheratan residence to see a mailman drop off a letter into the box.

Admittedly, it was a surprise to see that Michelle still remembered him, and so did Peter. He'd met her in high school, then saw her again in college, and introduced Peter to her, and they'd promptly hit it off. Now, six years after that, the two were getting married, and had invited him to the wedding, with Peter informing him he'd left best man open in case he came. True to form, Kai hadn't responded, but had instead chosen a suit for that day. For him to reply would have been entirely out of character, politeness or custom be damned.

Precisely three hours before the wedding started, Kai's Prius eased out of his garage and started for the Silver Palace.

Kai Schroder was unobtrusive, quiet, preferred conservative cuts and stuck firmly to both background and his ways. He wasn't ROM – far from it, indeed – but he had the gift shared by that agency's top operatives: The ability to become background, and the butler-like ability to enter and leave rooms without anyone noticing. His trade was as a writer, and a successful one at that – he was the author of the bestselling 'Drop Legion' sci-fi trilogy, and was presently writing the third book of the 'Aquila' trilogy, a spinoff of the previous one. In short, he was practically rolling in kroners.

And yet his life still felt somewhat...

...empty.

Maybe it was because he'd had feelings for Michelle Retazen back in high school, and again in college – feelings he'd never acted on, mainly because he'd thought they weren't reciprocated. To him, it wasn't worth asking someone out if she didn't share his feelings. Also, Kai preferred to wait, letting the other person make the first move. Here, he'd known Michelle returned his affection. Yet Peter Thanas had won her over.

Never the groom, he repeated to himself as his Prius pulled into the Silver Palace's parking lot. He got out and strode towards the building, while concealing a smile at Michelle and Peter's choice of venue. Kai ascended the steps and went in, knowing precisely where the wedding would be without having to be told.

Midiren weddings weren't like others. The necessary participants – best man, maid of honor, parents of the bride, and all those – were still there, true enough, but some things were quite different. For one, the ceremony was a lot more private. Secondly, religion didn't play that much of a part. A Midiren wedding was more civil and personal than religious, but no less binding.

Kai pushed quietly into the room, unnoticed as always, and cast a gaze around. It was them, all right, and not much had changed; Peter still looked his usual smiling and good-humored self, while Michelle was as elegantly beautiful as always. He cleared his throat, lightly, and the two turned. Michelle beamed, while Peter nodded in greeting.

“You came,” Michelle said.

Kai smiled. “Wouldn't miss it.”

“Thank you.” Michelle turned to the officiator – a follower of the Way, Kai didn't doubt. Both Peter and Michelle also followed that religion; Kai himself was typically Midiren in his faith, which was to say irreligious. Michelle said, “We're ready now.”

The officiator cast a glance and a lopsided grin towards Kai, who nodded in response. “Very well. Who gives this young woman away?”

“I do.” Michelle's father said. Right then, he handed Kai a pair of rings, coupled with a meaningful look. The writer knew what that meant.

“Thank you, sir.” The officiator took a deep breath. “The Way is fraught with danger.  You two have recognized that you can better walk its path together than alone. Peter Thanas. What do you vow to this woman who has consented to walk with you?”

That was Kai's cue to step forward and hand the two their rings, offering both a smile. Then he withdrew, waiting for the vows. This was the thing – there was no set formula for anything like this in the Enclave. It was personal, straight from the heart.

Peter turned to Michelle, taking her hands in his. “Michelle...I've said it so many times I'll never forget it. You keep me grounded whenever I fly too high in the clouds. You're a rock for me to tie myself to. You're always there when I need you...and this is what I can tell you:

“Just as you're there for me, I'll be with you when you need it. If you ever need a flight of fancy to take you away from the world, I'll give it to you. I love you, 'Chel, more than I do anything.”

He smiled and slipped the ring onto her finger.

“Michelle Retazen.” The officiator said. “What say you?”

“First off, Peter, I love you, and there's nothing you or anything in this world that can change that. You've always made me laugh when I needed it, cheered me up when I'm down, saved me from being bogged down in too much reality. You're a free spirit, love. Don't you ever change.”

She smiled up at him. “When you need it, Peter, I'll hold you down from flying too high. I'll be a shoulder for you to cry on. And most of all, I promise...I will never let you fall.”

Michelle slid the ring onto Peter's finger.

“So they have spoken; so it shall be.” The officiator said. “Walk together on the beaten path of the Way. What the hell are you waiting for?”

Peter grinned, and gathered Michelle into his arms, pressing his lips to hers for all he was worth. The two embraced, as the people around smiled and applauded.

Kai strode over to the main doors and opened them. The Silver Palace was meant for these things – a small room for the couple to get married in, and a large hall next to that for the reception. It was cited, tongue firmly in cheek, as an example of Midiren efficiency and the practice of cutting off whatever was unnecessary.

By custom, Peter and Michelle – after they'd broken off their kiss – went in first. The bride's, then the groom's parents were next, then the few other witnesses. Custom and tradition dictated that the best man and maid of honor were last. He held his arm out to her, a tall red-haired woman who moved with sensual grace. She gave a slight smile and took his arm, and the two moved into the hall.

“You must be Jenna Scott,” Kai said in a murmur. “Michelle and Peter told me a lot about you.”

“And they've also told me about you, Kai Schroder.” Jenna responded. “A pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine, my lady.” Kai smiled. Jenna's smile widened, but before she could speak again the two were already seating themselves on the main table. The waiters materialized, bringing food and drink before disappearing, ensuring that every one of the eighty-odd guests Peter and Michelle had invited had a dish to eat. They tucked in enthusiastically, making light conversation along the way.

Kai himself remained quiet, though he'd have preferred to speak with Jenna. Unfortunately, the way the table was arranged, Peter was next to him, while someone else was on his right – someone he wasn't familiar with. Peter only had eyes for Michelle. Not that Kai blamed him.

That lunch was quick enough, and filling enough for Kai. The waiters appeared again, taking the plates away, and delivered wineglasses to the celebrants. Kai waved his own glass away, asking for a water instead; it was brought, quickly and efficiently.

To his right, Peter stood, and spoke.

“Meine Damen und Herren...all of you know that I'm no good at making speeches, and Sir Ulrich's said he doesn't want to make one, either.” Peter nodded to Michelle's father, who flicked his hand dismissively. “Of course, there's one man in this room who I know is good at thinking up a speech on his feet, and I know he'll want to say something. So...Kai?”

The writer smiled and stood. “First off, because the occasion and venue call for it: Of all the places to pick, you just had to pick das Silbernpalast. Good choice, though I disagree with the decor.

“I'll keep this one short. College is six years gone, and I'm buggered if I bring any of those memories back. You're a good man, Peter, always were...and you, Michelle, you weren't just a good dancer or a proficient scholar, you also had both feet on the ground, always. Now, I have to take back my earlier remarks about the decor, because this is all my fault – I introduced the two of you.”

Chuckles went around. Kai continued, “But let it be known to all that there never was a more perfect match than the two of you. A bloody dreamer and a dancer who's rooted to the ground. Wonder what your kids will be like. Now...

“Peter, I won't say you stole my girl, since she wasn't mine in the first place. However, I meant it when I said I'd annihilate your whole bloodline if you'd hurt her in any way...but I knew then, and I still know, that you're in good hands, Michelle.”

Peter, Michelle, and Kai shared grins. Then Kai raised his glass. “So. To the new couple...I have only an old Skye blessing. May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields. And...may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”

“Hear, hear!”

Kai smiled once more, and drank with the rest. Peter nodded, solemn and serious, as he had back then just after graduation when he'd made his intentions clear, then broke into a smile. He signaled for the music, and he and Michelle walked out into the dance floor.

The writer glanced for a moment at the dance floor, and an odd expression came over his face. He let out a slight curse, then sighed and shook his head, remembering one regret he'd kept for so long. A frown tugged at the edge of his lip, but instead he left the table, ascending the steps on one side of the hall, headed for a balcony.

Jenna Scott cast a gaze after him. He'd slipped away as several other couples made their way to the dance floor. She had the urge to go after him, but checked it; she knew perfectly well why he'd gone. Michelle had told her. Kai was secretive, but brutally honest when cornered into a confession. Michelle had dragged one out of him with great reluctance and had paid for it.

He'll never make the first move, Jenna, Michelle had said. So it's up to you. Make yourself known and give him a volley. Then he'll move in return.

But Jenna also knew that he'd never respond, not until he'd made his peace.

For Kai, that seemed too far away at the moment as he watched the snow. The peaks of the Skalasren range glistened in the distance, visible from here. It took only a moment to spot the pass heading to Dieron, and the cars headed that way. Vervunheim was two dozen kilometers from the far side of that pass, which was in itself around fifty or so kilometers from Sheratan. It'd take around the better part of a day by automobile between the two cities – which was why the InterCity Express line existed.

The Sheratan terminal serviced the city, and headed in several directions, the major lines being to Coridan in Donegal to the north, Lankiveil to the south and Rotheran further to the west. With the high quality of the lines the trains could keep running even in the heaviest snowfall.

Kai sighed. Despite the trifles he distracted himself with, his thoughts always came back to winter. Then through it, Michelle. Why hadn't he pursued her? The answer was simple, of course. Too simple.

“A drink?”

He'd spent a bit too much time pondering transporation and geography, Kai noted, as it had been Michelle who'd spoken. She carried two glasses of what looked like whisky to the writer – and probably was. “You know I don't do alcohol, 'Chel.”

“Come on, just this once.” She walked over next to him, setting the two glasses down on the marble banister.

“Just so's you can say you saw me do it?” He smiled and winked. “Not likely.”

Her laughter was reminiscent of clear glass bells tinkling, Kai thought. He cast another glance at the peaks of the Skalasren, then looked back at Michelle, who was leaning on the baluster. Her own soft green eyes met his gaze.

“Doesn't seem like that long, seeing you dance for the first time,” Kai said.

“Or hearing you speak in front of the whole school.” Michelle shot back.

Kai grimaced. He still had memories of what he called his 'greatest insanity to date'. “You'd think I learned by now.”

“You were pretty good,” Michelle said. “You didn't even talk quickly.”

“There's always a trick. I don't miss those.” Kai shook his head. “I still remember when I said my first words to you.”

Michelle's smile turned brittle. “Three days before the foundation celebration. You told me 'Good luck.”

The writer snorted. “For all the good it did you.”

Michelle shrugged. “I paid that back the next February. You got three medals there, didn't you?”

“One on my own, two with Frederick.” That grimace so characteristic of him appeared again. “Now, here I am up the river without a bloody paddle, while you – hah – you've got a ring on your finger and a husband with a heart and a half more than I do. There's fate for you.”

She placed a hand on his, clasping it lightly. “You're hardly up the river. Do you recall how many copies Full Throttle and Interceptor City sold?”

“Yeah, on both. Gold and Silver printings sold out, Bronze close to it, which makes for forty thousand each book, or eighty thousand total, with a royalty of five kroners per book – I'm four hundred thousand bucks richer, which does not count the Drop Legion trilogy. Paid my bills, dues, and Internet fee, and it still feels empty.” Kai sighed. “Fucking empty.”

“You haven't anyone to share it with.”

“As always, for a dancer you sound more like a damn psychologist.” Kai grinned, softening the curse's impact, then cast a look at the glasses. “If I'm any judge, that's Blair Athol.”

The dancer smiled. “It is. Peter and I got several bottles, in case you came.”

“Might as well,” Kai said, smiling grimly and lifting one of the glasses. “Here's looking at you, kid.”

The whisky burned his throat, but Kai savored the taste as he gulped it down, then set the glass on the baluster. He sighed, looking out at the Skalasren. Michelle's smile faded, to be replaced by an odd look.

She said, “You still love me, don't you.”

“I've always loved you.” Kai closed his eyes and let the cold winter breeze caress his face, feeling a snowflake touch his cheek before it flit off. “And I always will.”

Then he sighed. “You want to know something? If you'd asked me to do anything, I'd do it. No hesitation. No question. If you'd asked...I'd die for you.”

“I know, Kai.” Michelle lowered her gaze. “It's why I've never asked anything of you. And yet...sometimes I wish it could have been us.”

The writer shook his head. “So do I, more than you can imagine. But things don't always turn out that way, 'Chel. And...” he smiled. “Peter's a far better man than I could ever be. But, if you ever need anything, I'll be there for you. For old times' sake.”

She looked back up, and returned his smile. It looked far less out of place than it did on the writer. “That's far more than I would ever ask from you.”

“It's the least that I can do.” Kai said. “We'd best get back inside, before anyone thinks we're having one last romantic interlude.”

Michelle laughed. “Well, they're partially right.”

She pulled him close and planted a kiss on his lips.

“What was that for?” Kai whispered as he pulled away, a long moment later.

“Thank you. For being there all the way.”

Kai only smiled, and the two walked back inside.

Jenna smiled slightly as Kai and Michelle walked back in. They'd dance, without a doubt; the one dance he'd denied himself back then. It was his farewell, so to speak, and after that, she could make her move.

Peter gave her a smile as he retired to the drinks table, where she'd waited. “I told her Blair Athol would work. He's always been a sucker for that.”

“Admittedly, I didn't expect you to have it here.” Jenna said.

“His fault.” Peter said. “He discovered it sometime between high school and college and has since been hooked. Just like he was on Michelle.”

“You don't worry about her, quineg?” she asked, her long-buried Donegal past surfacing at the tag question.

“Neg.” Peter provided the appropriate response. “Kai needs to say goodbye, and the most he'll do is steal a kiss, which I'd say they'd already done. I don't begrudge him that; he and 'Chel had each others' hearts even before I entered the picture.”

“But he'll never let go.” Jenna said.

Peter smiled and shook his head. “He'll claw, bully, and roar his way to as high as he can get, and he knows positions like he knows the fighters in his stories. If he can't be Michelle's husband, then Cameron take him, he'll be as close a friend as possible. He'll never leave. And he'll never put out that torch he's lit.”

His smile widened as he slanted a look at Jenna. “Which, of course, means wait until he finishes his dance, then pounce.”

“Why does everyone assume I'm set for him?” Jenna asked, though there was a smile on her face.

“The rule and honor-bound writer of the Drop Legion and Aquila trilogies needs someone in his life, damn his eyes.” Peter said. “Someone who moves outside of his schedules, his time management, his plans, and most assuredly someone who can match him at patching those up on his feet, and is preferably female because he swings that way and not the other.”

“In other words, me,” Jenna drawled. Peter grinned.

“See, use that voice on him and you'll have him following you like a love-sotted puppy. Which he'd be, minus the puppy part. He's a sucker for the unknown. To him, you're precisely that.”

Peter cast a glance at the two on the dance floor. The song was already ending, and Kai, courtly and polite as he was always on the few times he was on the dance floor, bowed and kissed Michelle's hand before he left.

“Good luck.” Peter winked at Jenna, then walked over to Michelle, taking her for the next dance. Kai cast a glance around, possibly looking for something, then moved to the drinks table.

He gave Jenna an incline of the head as he spotted the bottles of Blair Athol. A small smile quirked his lips, and he took a glass, and one of the opened bottles, and poured himself half a drink. Jenna waited for him to finish before she spoke.

“I didn't expect them to have Blair Athol here.”

Kai glanced at Jenna. Not for the first time, he admitted to himself, she was beautiful. She had the look of the Pryde family from Donegal about her; and he didn't doubt she had some Donegal blood in her.

“My fault,” Kai shrugged. “I discovered it in the months between college and high school, and when I went into the Royal Rotheran, I got 'Chel and Peter drinking from it too. In fact, that was how I introduced the two, over a bottle of this.”

He tapped the bottle of whisky. Jenna smiled.

“So it was your fault, as you said earlier,” Jenna murmured. Kai tossed an odd glance at her; apparently that easy, sensual grace to her movements also applied to her words. A smile quirked his lips.

“So it is.” He poured himself a full glass this time, and paused before he drank. “Here's to you, m'lady.”

Kai winked and drank. Jenna's smile widened as he set his glass down. “D'you do that to every woman you meet?”

“Just those with whom I have common ground.” Kai nodded at the bottle. “May I?”

“Please.”

He poured the whisky into Jenna's glass, filling it up; he watched her every move with an odd smile. She accepted the glass, and sipped it, matching his own gaze. Then she licked her lips as she set the glass down. The two regarded each other for a moment.

“Of your books, I liked Planetfall the most.”

Kai snorted. “Bah. Of all my books it's the one I consider needs a rewrite. Especially that scene between Jund and Vastan.” Yet his words were quiet, slow, without any real venom. “I've always wondered if it was really necessary.”

“Your own commitment to excellence has been disappointed, I take it?” Jenna asked.

“It's offended.”

Before Kai could say any more, however, he heard Peter call out. “Hey, Kai! How about a song?”

Jenna's smile widened into a grin that seemed almost out of place on her. “Yes. Why not?”

Kai sighed and smiled. “All right, all right. Hold on to your seat there, Peter, I'll be right along. M'lady.” He nodded to Jenna before he left the drinks table. Her own azure gaze followed him as he walked up to the band.

The players listened and spoke as he asked several questions; then nods were exchanged, and one of them handed Kai a microphone. He waited for the guitarist to start, a smile on his face at his choice –

– and Michelle gasped and beamed as she realized which song Kai had chosen.

So lately, been wondering
Who will be there to take my place
When I'm gone, you'll need love
To light the shadows on your face

If a great wave shall fall,
And fall upon us all
Then between the sand and stone
Could you make it on your own?

If I could, then I would
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high, or down low
I'll go wherever you will go

And maybe, I'll find out
A way to make it back someday
To watch you, to guide you,
Through the darkest of your days

If a great wave shall fall,
And fall upon us all
Then I hope there's someone out there
Who can bring me back to you

If I could, then I would;
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high, or down low,
I'll go wherever you will go

Run away with my heart
Run away with my hope
Run away with my love

I know now, just quite how
My life and love might still go on
In your heart, in your mind –
I'll stay with you for all of time

If I could, then I would;
I'll go wherever you will go
Way up high, or down low,
I'll go wherever you will go

If I could turn back time,
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could make you mine,
I'll go wherever you will go

I'll go wherever you will go...

As he finished the last line, he saw Jenna at the drinks table with a slight smile and her glass in hand. She raised it to him in a silent toast, drank it down, and left, leaving the empty glass on the table. He handed the mike back to the band member he'd got it from, with a quiet thanks.

Of all the songs to pick, he thought to himself, it had to be that one. Who'd he addressed it to, he wondered? Michelle, as a promise that he'd always be there? Or was it someone else?

There was something in his mind, though. Kai Schroder wasn't about to let Jenna Scott get away that easily. He walked over to the couple, took a deep breath, and spoke. “Well, I've got to go. Take care of yourselves, okay?”

“We will, Kai.” Michelle smiled. “Clear skies.”

Kai smiled, recognizing the aerospace pilot's sendoff he'd used in his two latest books, then winked and left.

His spirits were lighter this time, not weighed down as he'd come in. He'd let go of an old love, at long last. Now he had a new one to pursue, and this time he'd get her. Kai exited the entrance hall to see Jenna Scott standing near the doors.

“Are you waiting for anyone, or should I give you a lift?” Kai asked.

Jenna's scarlet lips curled into a smile, and she kissed him on the cheek, ever so lightly. “I'll go with you.”