Butterflies and Sweet Sweet lies

Harrison offered his hand to Nick as the environment around them began to disappear. Nick continued lying on the floor until the end buzzer finished ringing and the announcer, now Amy again, began her more then enthusiastic speech. Nick stared at the Pilgrim’s hand for a while before turning back over and accepting it, his leg letting out a buckling whine as he made a mental note to shift his weight to his left foot until he could get back to his square. Several service vehicles with long beds made their way around the arena picking up various pieces of Nick’s mech as they went along.

“All in all, kid. You did much better than I was expecting. Sorry for the talk but I have my routines, as it appears you do to. I’ll be keeping a close eye out for you in the future.” Nick stuck out his mechs to shake the Pilgrim’s hand. Harrison didn’t get the chance with Adeline but now he started feeling bad for the destruction he caused. “I’m sorry for the overkill man, if you need help finding parts I know a few guys who’d be more then happy to fulfill a League repair contract.” Harrison said accepting Nick’s handshake. Nick laughed the best he could as the crew approached the two mechs to get them moving to their pedestals. “My man, my grandpas the one who designed these things. He may not have been a pilot, but he has parts to spare for Sebastian Units so don’t sweat it.”

The two said their farewells as they went back to their respective pedestals. Harrison was surprised about how much of a good sport Nick was despite his unconventional methods. In stark contrast to Adeline. As the salvage and repair vehicles flew back to Nick’s home square both units took their places on their pedestal. The arena town practically being blown away by the artificial blizzard as D5 was once again returned to normal. Harrison hovered his way back to his home square now with all team members looking at him. Not one tried to contact him now knowing that his words carry his actions, and his actions carry their weight. He was doing his job and he was doing it well they were thinking. Imagine what he could do if he was in a named mech?

Harrison landed on his lift once again descending into his hangar. The regular hustle and bustle scurried around below him as the storage bay was opened and arms brought new armor and ammunition up to the front just waiting for Harrison to leave so they could start their jobs. Harrison ran his checks only showing low levels of explosives and ammunition for turrets but overall, the Pilgrim itself was tip top. The shoulder shot was the only irregularity. The busted ladder did its little dance as Harrison tried to ignore the sound before opening the hatch and conferring with Cleo. Then he ran up to his office in hopes of reviewing his fight with what little time he had before the next match begun. Whatever he saw, whatever it was, it had to come from somewhere. But why was he seeing it, why does no one else know about it. Harrison needed to know.

Harrison launched open the door and shut it behind making sure to lock it this time to avoid any unpleasantness from before. The process hurt enough without random people barging in unannounced. Harrison plopped down in his chair reaching for his headset, when his fingers grasped nothing, he remembered he left it on the floor after all that commotion earlier. Getting up with a humph Harrison went to pick it up when he heard some noise coming through his bedroom door. He froze. Someone was in his quarters. Harrison took out a small knife from a bag on his thigh as he approached the door, leaning up against the side as he slowly pushed the door open. He looked inside seeing nothing out of the ordinary until he noticed the glow from around the bathroom door. Harrison moved up step by step until he reached the door. Bringing up his foot he kicked right above the lock making the door fly in revealing a startled and screaming Marjorie reapplying some make up in the mirror.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HARRISON MY GOD.” Marjorie said her lipstick now climbing across her face like half of a sinister clown smile. Marjorie attempted to slam the door but now that the lock was broken I t just bounced off the frame and back into the bathroom hitting her hand. Harrison lost his cool composure as he began to back pedal his intent, trying to explain himself. “WAIT Marjorie let me explain I wasn’t doing anything indecent you know I just thought some other creep was in my office.” Marjorie opened the door again with a washcloth wiping the lipstick from her cheek as she stormed past Harrison. “Is that anyway to treat a guest?” she said picking up her purse from near the door and taking out the V.I.P pass that he had given her yesterday.

“Look Marjorie I’m sorry, it’s just been a busy day for me.” Marjorie looked at Harrison raising one eyebrow before letting out a soft giggle. “I know it has been rookie, but it’s been going pretty good I see.” Marjorie walked up to him bringing out her phone, hastily typing in the password and opening the Official League App. “Look at you, first two fights of the season and you’re all anyone can talk about.” Marjorie got really close to Harrison to show him the feed and his heart began to flutter. She smelled of vanilla and peaches. With a subtle oak smell. “You’ve been here all of an hour and you’re already turning heads and taking names huh? Guess all that hard work paid off.” Marjorie closed her phone walking back towards Harrison’s desk and passing through to the living room and kitchen. “And look at all this!” Marjorie continued. “Right out the gate even the babies get first class treatment, even their own hangars.”

Harrison knew Marjorie well enough to know she was avoiding the subject on her mind. She passively brings up half hearted subjects trying to work her way up to her true intention. Harrison grew smug. “Marjorie.” He said with a sure-of-self tone. “Is there something you need to tell me?” Marjorie froze where she stood, fidgeting with a horse like doodad on the kitchen counter. Harrison began to walk towards her as she turned to face him, her face flushing from pink to red in mere seconds. Harrison became smugger. “Now that I think about it,” He started, moseying around the dining table. I seem to remember someone saying if I won my first match, they’d go on a date with me.” Marjorie opened her mouth to speak but only small noises and whimpers came out, a sheepish and embarrassed smile appeared on her face as she tried to avoid eye contact with Harrison. Harrison was reveling in his teasing.

“Now I can’t seem to recall who that was who promised me that date if I won but man am I sure looking forward to it.” Harrison walked over to the windows opening the shutters to look out over the space between the home squares. Below him was the service street, several golf carts zipped on by and arms and legs and all various parts of mechs came and went zipping around to who knows where. But past that was the Sentinel’s Park. An ‘outdoor’ relief area for pilots to enjoy when they weren’t in a match. It was built mainly so they wouldn’t be swamped by fans heading out towards the main concourse shopping areas. Harrison opened a balcony door and the sounds of distant music, and the smells of good food came floating in through the door as he walked over to Marjorie.

“See down here there’s this beautiful little park that only the crew and pilots can access. But only if I could remember who she was could I take her to this cute little café with the best little sandwiches in all of Chicago. Then we could walk around and talk for a while until she wanted to see a movie or even better, pilot a reserve unit on the arena board when everyone was gone.” Harrison stood in front of Marjorie grabbing both of her hands as she let her butterflies overtake her and followed him out to the balcony. He rested her hands on the handrail as she looked out into the artificial night, seeing a view only few ever get to see.

“You see Marjorie I would love to bring her down here, show her all these things that I’ve been able to see and do over the past couple weeks. Because she’s pretty,” Marjorie clenched the guard rail as Harrison continued. “And she’s smart.” She turned to look at him seeing his green eyes looking back at hers warmly, not staring not gazing but comfortably peering into hers. They made her feel warm, they made her feel less alone. “She’s my best friend,” Marjorie felt a tinge of old guilt well up in her heart from the prom as she turned away from Harrison slightly, trying to hide the invisible shred of shame that he couldn’t see nor read nor care about in the slightest. But still she felt it. “And I love her.” Harrison finished.

Hearing this Marjorie felt the pain feel so much more then she had just mere moment ago. It grew out of her heart and strangled her throat, grasped her lungs, and made her bones ache. She couldn’t face him, but then she felt his fingers slowly climb over her open palm and move in between her own. She wanted to pull away, she wanted him to run away, feeling undeserving for his feelings. But despite her thoughts her body didn’t comply as he lightly clenched her hand, and she clenched back. A hand reached around to Marjorie’s chin as she couldn’t resist avoiding his eyes anymore and turned to look at him. “Marjorie, do you know the girl I’m talking about.” A small speckle of tears welled up in her eyes, but she squinted them away feeling a flush of warmth she tried to fight for the longest time, finally letting it wash over her.

“You know Harrison,” Marjorie began. Trying to make her shaky voice sound as clear as possible. “I think I might know who she is.” Marjorie noticed the cocky grin Harrison had get replaced with a sweet and contempt one as he turned back out towards the park. “If you do, could you tell her she’ll see this view one day too.” Marjorie leaned into the crook of Harrisons neck, as he moved his head in her direction. They both looked out at the park and past it, looking at the Golem’s squares and the single bridge connecting both sides. While Harrison played it cool his heart was an emotional mess. Were his palms sweaty. Was what he’s saying stupid or inappropriate instead of romantic like he intended. What if Marjorie really didn’t remember and this sly game of back and forth was nothing more then a misunderstanding sitting on top of another misunderstanding. What if Marjorie was just waiting for an opportunity to shut him down again.

“Y’know,” Marjorie began. “For such a little stinker you sure do know how to talk to a girl.” Harrison turned towards Marjorie to say something stupid, but she brought her finger over his lips and shh’d him. “Don’t ruin it” she said. Marjorie let go of his hand and stood up straight facing him, bringing her arms around him. The music from the park swelled as Harrison swore there must be a god looking down on him as Marjorie lifted his hands and put them on her waist and she put hers around his shoulders. “This is to make up for the prom.” Marjorie said, as they slowly turned around the small balcony. “I thought the date was supposed to make up for the prom?” Harrison asked continuing to rock back and forth. Marjorie looked up at him and raised an eyebrow and said, “I never knew a man who would want to shoot himself down for a date but if this is enough than…” She trailed off as an equally mischievous grin crawled across both of their faces and they laughed, the music swelling and the two feeling like that rift between them finally disappeared.

As the music died the two continued moving in a circle until Marjorie stopped. She closed what little gap there was between them and nestled her head in his chest. Harrison rested his head on hers, hugging her tighter. Harrison looked down at her as Marjorie looked up at him, and they both leaned in for the kiss they’ve been waiting years to give. Until the grinding of the balcony door opened behind them. The two lurched apart as Cleo talking to someone behind her came out to the balcony and stopped dead noticing Harrison and Marjorie. Both red as mars looking wide eyed right at her. Cleo knew what she did and cursed herself jus a bit before the other came out of the living room. “Hey Marjorie honey we should get back to the box…”. Marjorie’s mother stopped as he looked at Harrison and her daughter together. She looked at her and then looked at him. Then looked between them getting both Marjorie and Harrison’s attention. In their effort to keep their privacy from the two intruders they forgot to let go of each other’s hands.

“Oh, Oh my. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Do my eyes deceive me Marjorie?” Her teasing continued as Harrison searched for his words finally finding them trying to create a less awkward atmosphere for everyone. “Mrs. Rheiner, it’s a pleasure to see you again.” Harrison said sticking out his hand. “Oh, dear no need to be so formal I’ve known you for all these years. Call me Eveline.” The two shook hands as Harrison sent a judgmental look at Cleo wit her returning a somewhat apologetic and equally satisfied look back. “Marjorie hun I really would hate to break up your ‘alone time’ out here, but we should really be heading back to our seats. These V.I.P passes get you down here, but they don’t keep the security happy if you overstay your welcome.” Eveline turned around towards Cleo and gently gripped her arm with her real hand. “Thanks so much for finding her hun, but maybe our timing was a little off. Sorry if they’re a tad sore at you she laughed walking back into the dining room and towards the front door.

Cleo winced as the door slammed and she turned to look at an irritated Harrison and a blushing and bashful Marjorie. “Look dudes I’m sorry I messed up your vibe here but he match is going to start soon. Harrison, you need to get suited up and Ms. Rheiner you must head back to your box. The hangars aren’t safe during the start up sequence. “Thanks Cleo.” Harrison said flatly opening the door for her to leave. “We’ll be out in a jiff.” Cleo didn’t need to wait for a second opening as she flew through the door making sure to shut it behind her. Harrison turned back to Marjorie and the two tried their best to stifle their laughter before it seeped out. Giggles and chuckles galore. “Well, that was something”. Harrison said. Opening the door for Marjorie. “Ah don’t let her get to you.” Marjorie said picking up her purse near the door. “she’s told me stories about the few times she’s changed your diapers you know. I feel that if someone is close enough to you to change your diapers what harm can she do.” Harrison opened the office door leading out to the catwalk as the two continued their playful banter, not forgetting to grab his helmet on his way out.

“So,” Harrison began. “About that date we discussed.” How about meeting me tonight after the match and we can cruise around the arena? They gave me a decent looking service car as well as a couple golf carts.” Harrison gestured to the small car park to the right of the bay door where a red coup and three golf carts sat idle as the crew rushed around in every direction.” Marjorie tapped her chin. “Hmm, I don’t know, I think going around in a mech would be a bit more fun than just a standard car. I mean you have one right here too.” She joked as the two reached the service door.

“Yeah, but what if I told you driving a golf cart is equally as fun and dangerous as operating a mech, without the road damage.” Harrison said as his counteroffer. “You make a good point Mr. Andross,” Marjorie continued. “I expect you to pick me up tonight in a golf cart with your best suit on. It’s not every night I get to go out with a gentleman caller”. Harrison opened the door for Marjorie and a driver outside a black sedan opened the door for Marjorie. The two continued to giggle until the giggle faded and was replaced with a slight awkward silence, until Harrison spoke. “So tonight then?” Harrison said. “Tonight.” Marjorie followed up quickly stepping down the stairs. “IT’S A DATE!” she said excitedly slipping into the car.

Harrison turned back to his service door and walked inside. Cleo and the crew had resumed movement as if they all hadn’t just stopped to listen in on Harrison seeing Marjorie off. Harrison trying to look serious couldn’t help beaming ear to ear as he approached the Pilgrim until he heard the rapid approach of footsteps behind him. Before he could turn to see who it was Marjorie had planted a kiss right on his cheek as the crew looked on. “Harrison turned to her as Marjorie scurried back towards the service door. “That’s for good luck!” she said. “I’ll see you tonight!” Harrison touched his cheek as he fell out of his trance. The sound of the closing door bringing him back to the present. He noticed the crew again looking at him and avoiding his eye as he looked at them. “What are you all looking at. It’s time for launch!”.