Mykhailo MartinezMykhailo was learning to take the fact that he
annoyed people in stride, and instead focused on replying to Aurélie with as much enthusiasm as he could muster, "Sure, I'd be glad to fight you on the simulators!"
Then he said to Ayvee, "I'd be an ermine, I guess? I already look the part..."
The squadron could hear him chuckle over the radio, before a weird choking noise that seemed like a sob was heard. Mykhailo was happy, but happy tears while flying several hundred meters in the air, in very cold temperatures, was not
practical. If anything, it was unprofessional, ridiculous, and worst of all,
fogged up the flight mask.
Ever since Artemio died, Mykhailo had grieved. He was still grieving, even now. But just because he was sad did not mean he couldn't open up his heart to everyone else here.
"Thanks, guys," he finally said after a moment's pause. "You've all been so good to me - I was afraid that this flight would be boring, but it isn't; not with you all around..."
There was still fear; fear that he'd fail them. Fear that he was
no real wunderkind and lacked the skills needed to keep up with them. For a brief moment, Mykhailo wished that he was
older... But that moment passed - He did
not want to be closer to old age and death, even if there was an afterlife and not just oblivion.
"Anyway..." Mykhailo continued, "Call me young and naive - I'm both - but, Valkyrie... I genuinely think you're the real deal. I wish to have been the one to defeat you and also have been the first one to greet you into our ranks - Sadly, I'll just be the second or maybe third one. After all, you decided to escort that plane with civilians home at the cost of facing punishment; everyone heard about that. I know I'll face my share of betrayals and tragedies and eventually lose faith in everything one day, but that day isn't today. As long as we're in the same squadron, and as long as you treat us well, you're my -"
He choked at that, "You're my
friend."
Part of him wondered if this was wise - Can such a criminal be truly forgiven? Mykhailo pursed his lips and said to himself,
Yes.@Damo021@AtomicNut@Kensai@Smike@AvaP@Rhona W