The glass door shut behind him with a subtle creek in the hinges and a soft click as it secured itself in place. 1st Lieutenant Shamsel Nagisa took no mind as he stood stark naked in the small, tiled stall as the door, although glass, was frosted and prevented any outsiders from getting much of a view (and like most shower doors, it had no lock but it was a military base so he didn't worry about any unpleasant pranksters). The real reason he didn't care much at the moment was that his mind was currently preoccupied by all the messages his throbbing muscles were sending him. It had started off like any other day, with morning exercises which would be followed by a prepared training regiment. At least, thats what was supposed to happen. Instead, someone had decided to hold a mock battle today between the members of Rogue Squadron. And not just one battle, but four...FOUR.
He leans back against the wall of the stall, thankful that it was small so that the soothing hot water was able to cascade over his aching limbs. A soft sigh escapes his lips as he tries to let his muscles relax and ignore their painful screams. Granted, this was almost nothing in comparison to that 2-on-1 mock battle they had 3 weeks ago. Whatever fates were up there must have been in a mischievous mood that day because it was just his luck to have been paired up to fight the Takamachi sisters (Nanoha was visiting her sister and was MORE than happy to join in). A cold shiver travels down his spine as he recalls that battle, especially when they hit him with simultaneous bombardment-type spells from opposite directions. Even with the limiters, those attacks freakin' HURT. He didn't want to see anything red or pink for the entire following week.
Brown eyes open as he tilts his head back to gaze up at the white ceiling above as he softly mumbles, "2 months..."
Has it really been only 2 months since he was transfered over to Rogue Squadron? Although it seems like such a short period of time, so much had happened since that day. Given his nature, it took him a while to get used to his new environment and teammates. The daily training helped him to keep his mind off of things for a while, but he knew he'd eventually have to peek out of his shell and get along with the rest of Rogue Squadron better. Even though he was the 'newbie,' he was amazed at how well they were accepting of him and their friendliness.
First there was Lieutenant Tycho Chelchu. He was definite a very power individual and gave a lot for the unit. In a way, Shamsel admired the man. The things he would do to support Rogue Squadron and its members never ceased to fascinate him, especially to protect others. To be able to have such power to protect those you cared for...that's what he wanted. He knew it would be hard work, but he knew that if he tried his best that maybe one day he, too, would be able to use his power to protect.
Then there was Lieutenant Watarese Jun...
The dull sound of skull hitting wall echoed through the empty bathroom as Shamsel hit his head against the wall behind him. He could still recall when he first met him. The light blushing, the slight stammering as he talked...that was completely normal for anyone in his situation, right? He was a completely normal, single male and he didn't know the...unique circumstances. Then he had found out from the giggling girls who happened to witness the encounter which promptly made him pale and gawk. They tried to make him feel a bit better by saying that everyone had similar reactions the first time they met him, but it was still quite a shock to his system at the time. After the shock had worn away, he sucked up his pride and tried his best to get to know him. Like the rest of Rogue Squadron he became good friends with him, although at the same time a little intimidated after witnessing his combat skills first hand.
Shamsel reaches out and reluctantly shuts off the water, determining that he had been in there long enough. He reaches out of the stall and blindly grabs the nearest towel to dry himself with. A light mist hangs in the air from the hot shower, keeping him from getting himself completely dry. After getting himself decently dry, he slips on his shorts and slippers and makes his way back to his room.
A soft flomp resonates in the room as he lands face-first on his bed. His aching muscle dull a bit, as if thanking him for the relief. The room itself was fairly sparse as he didn't have too many personal possessions. Even so, the room was very tidy with everything placed neatly and in a proper place. Uniforms hung pressed in the closet, clothes folded neatly in drawers, and footwear lined by the door. He slowly rolls over onto his back and stares up at an all too familiar ceiling as his mind wanders again.
His commanding officer, Captain Takamachi Georashi Keroko, was definitely an interesting person. Pervious units he had been under were usually controlled by strict commanders who followed the rules very closely. Here, though, it was different. The attitude, the general aura of the unit was more relaxed then where he had been before. It wasn't that he was against it. rather, just not used to it as he had been with the TSAB for over a decade. The majority of the reason he could tell was from their commander. She held an aura of command and authority around her and yet it was also calm and pleasant at the same time. He had seen her with her sister a few times and could tell that it apparently ran in the family. In the field, she was mind blowing. The level of control she had over her spells and not to mention their power were astounding. All in all, she was a great commander and mage and had such beautiful eyes and...
Shamsel blinks up at the ceiling. Where had that come from? He shakes his head, deciding that he had let his mind wander far enough for the day. A quick flick of the wrist turns off the lights from the switch by his bed as he pulls the covers over his body. Tomorrow would be another day of training and he really needed his rest after today. Sleep came quickly to the young mage, allowing his mind to wander for a brief moment back to a certain commander before the darkness would overcome him.
As he sleeps soundly in his bed, the light of the moon manages to creep its way through a crack in the blinds. The white light reflects off an old picture frame on the bed's headboard. In it two adults and their three, young children smile happily at the unseen cameraman, a moment frozen in time...
...a happier moment
...a moment that could never happen again