A Date

Next morning Lily in a blue dress and a shawl and a nice hat with flower decoration approached Alexis, who was waiting at the entrance to the village. This time he was dressed in a more appropriate blue suit and a matching hat. He opened the back door of the car for Lily, but she chose the front seat instead.

"Lets go, there may be a big queue for tickets and we still need to get to the cinema".

"No worries, my lady, we still have enough time".

The cinema was indeed a bit busy. But they managed to get the tickets to the closest session for the nice sits in the middle.

About two hours later they were sitting in the nearby cafe. Lily had some tea and pancakes, while Alexis had some fried potatoes with pork ribs and a coffee.

"So, the main character presumably died during the flight mission, but his wife did not believe it. Even when his best friend says that she should stop waiting. And then he comes back alive a few months later after surviving in the wild. So touching!"

"And I thought you were more interested in food than the movie itself", Alexis smirked.

"How dare you, I watched it properly! But you cannot watch the movie without a snack!", Lily pouted but she was clearly in a good mood.

"Yeah, yeah. By the way, you know that famous Alexis Mars served in our regiment?'

"Really, the one who survived his plane being downed and managed to get back to allies later? Who lost both of his legs but is continuing his ace streak?"

"Yes, that one, he served here for some time before that infamous incident. Now he flies with 63rd GMR".

"Eh, I missed another celebrity here. Should have transferred earlier!"

"In February he was already in 63rd and before that he had a long time recovering, so you would have missed him anyway".

"I am joking. There are enough famous aces here already. Where are we going next?"

"I still own you a hat, so lets visit that clothing shop again".

"How about this one?" Lily put on a nice light green hat and posed with it near the mirror.

"Do you have a matching dress?", Alexis asked.

"Not yet, but I can always get one. Aces get a decent compensation for each kill in addition to their pay".

"Yeah, I heard Boss even «gave» some of his kills to less fortunate comrades, who died in battle, so their families could have an appropriate compensation".

"How nice of him. So no one knows how many kills he really has?"

"Seems so. Some even say he has more than comrade Tanner. But, considering that Tanner did the same thing…"

"Ok, lets buy this one", Lily interrupted him.

"As you wish, my lady".

He paid for the purchase and they left the shop. While they were going to a car, they heard a loud siren all over the city.

"Air-raid alarm! What the hell are they doing here? While enemies raid this province, the city itself is far enough from the frontlines. Lets go to the nearest bunker", Alexis was pretty annoyed. He took Lily’s hand and ran.

While they were running in search for the nearest building with a bomb shelter, a bunch of allied fighters flew above the city. They reached the shelter in about fifteen minutes, but just when the pair was near the door, alarm ended.

"Looks like our guys dealt with it", Alexis was standing near the brick wall close to the door to the building basement, he still held Lily’s hand.

"And why were we running? Could have just waited once we saw our fighters".

"To much caution is never to much", Alexis was serious, but Lily laughed at his remark.

"You are overdoing things sometimes, Alexis. Try to relax at least a bit".

"I was perfectly fine all day today. This raid just spoiled the mood a bit", he made a deep breath and smiled to her. "Lets go back to the car".

"Why don’t we stay here a little bit more? I want to see the night city. And we have a day off tomorrow anyway".

"As you wish, Lily. Where should we go next?"

It was around ten already, so pretty dark outside, but streetlights were illuminating the streets and lights in the houses around started to lit after the air raid stopped. The pair was walking the city historical centre, watching old buildings around. The trees on the sides of the street were green and shiny. Spring was starting to get in full bloom.

"Mom, lets go to the river!", some kids were asking a young woman near the corner.

"It is late already, and there may be another raid. We’ll go together once dad returns from the frontline".

"Will it be soon? When we will see daddy again?"

"Yes, it will be soon, kids. Just you wait…", she petted two young children and they went home.

"It is a nice city. Would have been bad if it got destroyed by centralians", Lily looked around and sighed.

"This is why we are here. To protect them and everyone else. And soon we will liberate more of our land I hope".

"The war is far from over still. But all we can do here is put some effort to make the end closer. Should we go to a river?"

"It is a bit far away from here, but we can go back to the car and take a ride if you want".

"Lets do it when!"

The river was reflecting city lights. Air was fresh here and you can hear frogs croaking. They sat on a bench in a park near the river and looked at the scenery.

"It is getting chilly already. Should I lend you my blazer?"

"How nice of you. But no, I am fine. Lets enjoy the scenery for a bit more and get back".

They sat there for some more time and then went back to the base.

At the village, Alexis walked Lily to her lodge:

"Have a good night".

"It was a nice day. I do not mind having another one like this", she suddenly leaned to him and kissed him on a cheek. "Good night!", and then she ran away inside.

The door closed, living surprised Alexis under the night sky.