Ivan Kal - Sanctuary

“Sorry Master. I have previous commitments.” Adrian responded.

“Another time then. You might have learned all that I had to teach you, but there are still things you can learn, even from those who are under you. And I hope that you will attend the Master class this month, you are after all, one of the sixteen Grandmasters.” Master Hayashi said with a smile.

Adrian cringed at the title. Once the press found about the Master class, they started referring to those attending them as Grandmasters. “If I have spare time. I am swamped with obligations to the fleet right now.”

“Alright. Do try to keep in touch more often, even if it is by comms.”

“I will Master.” With that Adrian left the training area, just as the advanced class was coming in. He greeted them all, even though only a few knew who he was. He entered the changing room and took off his black kimono, and dressed in more casual attire. He checked the time on his imp, and noticed that he was already late. He quickly left the Dojo, and made the decision to go on foot.

The meeting place was close enough that him stopping to get a grav-car would take more time than it would take for him to get there. Adrian was supposed to meet with the former members of his academy team. Some of them he hadn’t seen in years, and Adrian was very excited to see them again, though they all kept in touch by comm messages. The one he spent the most time with was Paul Isaacs, who served on Athena as Adrian’s High Prime. The others all had their own assignments, whether on other ships or on the planet. Most of them who worked on and in the vicinity of the planet would meet weekly. But he was most excited to see Bethany Jones. She and Adrian had a rocky start. They spent most of their time at the Academy hating each other, clearing up the air only in their last year. Afterwards, they started a shaky friendship. But after the events at the Cloud station, where Adrian commanded Athena and Beth served as his High Prime, they grew closer. They were separated after they arrived at Sanctuary, with Beth being transferred to another ship, and they started seeing each other rarely. Their leave time has not crossed often, so they kept in touch with messages, and video chat when they were in range. For the past two years they had talked almost daily, and have developed a deep friendship, and now, Adrian hoped something more. He was always attracted to Beth, even when they hated each other. But afterwards, when they became such good friends the distance prevented him from trying to take their relationship to the next level. He got the feeling that she felt the same way, though in the last few months he felt as if they were drifting apart. Which frightened Adrian, he didn’t want to lose her like he did his best friend Sahib, who drifted apart from Adrian. They still kept in touch, but there was a gap between them.

Finally, Adrian arrived at the meeting place. It was one of the few bars in the city called New Start. He entered and tried to spot his party in the dim lights. He saw a hand waving at him from a table in the back. Adrian waved back at Sakura and made his way to the table. He noticed that all of his former team were present save Beth. He hugged Sakura, then the rest of the women in their party, Ana, Tania and Helen. After he shook hands and exchanged slaps on the back with the men, Noah, Marcus, Alexander and Paul.

“So you finally found time to meet with us, oh great and mighty Ship Master.” Noah said playfully.

“Yes, as you know my schedule is filled with far more important things, I can rarely find time to meet with simple Adjutants.” Adrian said with a straight face, which earned him a punch in the shoulder from Helen.

“Hey!” Adrian exclaimed, smiling.

“Don’t get a big head, we spent a whole year together in the same room. We know things.” Helen said threateningly, but a small grin played at her lips.

“No, no. Of course I won’t.” Adrian said, rubbing his shoulder. “And when did you start to lift weights?” He asked.

Helen gave him an exasperated look, and Adrian grinned widely. He looked around the table at his friends. “Where is Beth?” He asked.

Ana and Tania looked at each other strangely. “She is running a bit late.” Ana said. “But there is something you should know, and it’s better if you learn it before she arrives.”

Adrian frowned. “What?”

Ana opened her mouth to respond, but Marcus called out. “There she is. Beth, over here!”

Adrian turned and froze the moment he saw her. She was still as beautiful as the day he met her, which was no surprise given that they didn’t age anymore. She had let her red hair grow longer, it was now almost touching her shoulders.

“Who is that with her.” Someone said, but Adrian barely registered it. He only had eyes for Beth.

Adrian smiled widely when she got to the table. “Beth, it’s so good to see you!” He went for a hug, but she returned it hesitantly, awkwardly. Adrian leaned back and frowned as she disengaged herself. She turned to the others hastily and greeted them. Then she gestured to her side.

“Everyone this is Harry.” She said. Adrian turned and noticed the man standing beside her for the first time. He turned back to Beth just as she started speaking again.

“Harry is my fiancé.” Beth said.

Adrian felt his world stop. He stood there gazing at Beth stupidly, unable to tear his eyes off, just as she kept avoiding his. Soon he noticed the man, Bethany’s fiancé extending his hand towards him. Adrian looked down at it not knowing what it was this man wanted from him. After an awkward moment he realized that the man wanted to shake hands. Adrian extended his and gripped it.

“I’m Harry.” The man said.

After another long moment Adrian managed to respond. “Adrian.” He said shakily.

“Well, let us all get seated. We have a lot of questions for you Harry, if you plan on marrying Bethany you need to go through us first.” Marcus said, breaking the awkward moment by forcing everyone to move back to their seats.

Marrying Adrian thought, She is getting married. He still couldn’t believe this was happening as he sat down.

“Oh, Adrian. I am sorry.” Iris said in his head, but he ignored her. He tried to catch Beth’s eyes, but she kept avoiding his gaze.

“So Harry what is it you do?” Marcus asked.

“I’m a teacher.” Harry said.

“Oh, and how did the two of you meet?” Noah asked.

“I was giving a lecture about the academy to the kids in high school. We meet at the school he teaches at.” Beth said. Harry reached over and took her hand in his.

“I asked her out afterwards, and she shot me down immediately.” Harry said in an affectionate tone. “But I kept asking, until she finally accepted.”

Adrian got up to his feet. “I’m going to get us some more drinks.” He said, and immediately realized how stupid of an excuse that was, seeing as everyone’s drinks were almost full.

Marcus frowned at Adrian. “Drinks? We don’t ne—” He started, but Tania elbowed him in the ribs. Adrian turned and walked to the bar. He took the chair and ordered a home grown sanctuary beer. He had never tried one actually, he didn’t drink. Perhaps this is a good time to start drinking. A minute later as he was waiting for the beer he felt a presence beside him. He didn’t turn, he already knew who it was.

“When?” Adrian asked.

After a moment of hesitation, she answered. “We met a seven months ago. He asked me to marry him a month ago.”

“Seven months… We talked often during that time. You never mentioned him.”

“I never seemed to find the right moment.” Beth said.

“Seven months Beth. You had plenty of time.”