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It’s the year 2195. I am Captain Chris Milligan I am six foot tall, with long brown hair I keep tied up in a braid most of the time, I have blue eyes, im usually found wearing a British Navy Captain’s uniform and also I am the captain and current owner of the HMS Glasgow there have been many owners of this ship before me. According to my parents god rest their souls about over 100 years ago this ship was named after a City which was on an island called Great Britain.
Now there are next to no islands left at all. I find it hard to run this ship alone, im only glad most of it is automated so I don’t have to operate everything. Although there are some major problems like fuel that’s hard to come by, armour the same, equipment finding that is very lucky and rounds but they’re never in short supply. That is including essentials which are very difficult to get hold of, unless you trade with a cargo ship.
Another Problem in this new day and age are Pirates. My auto weapons usually keep me safe unless something goes wrong with them. This has happened on one occasion and my body paid the price for it. To this day it still bears the filthy disgusting scars they left behind. The scars still cause me immense pain so much I don’t sleep much anymore. Some of the scars I bear will never heal more so the mental ones. I was fortunate a cargo ship went past and the pirates went after it and left me alone, but I’ll never forget them, the pain, the laughing, the jeering, the smell, there was nothing pleasant about my experience.
Over the last few days my phalanx guns have sunk over five small pirate vessels but no doubt at some point I will meet another big ship. I have one main advantage over most pirate vessels; I am a ship of war, they are like old fishing vessels etc. Currently I’m on course to a place the world before me called Pearl Harbour strangely enough the name hasn’t changed. There I should be able to pick up some extra rounds and armour for the ship.
“Let’s see, blanks are in the forward turret for entrance warning. Missiles are locked out, phalanx is online, so are sea wolves, torpedoes in the armoury same with mines and depth charges as well as my compliment of over five thousand shells.” A small alarm sounds. “Oh looks like we’re at Pearl” I walked up to the bridge, hundreds of small and large ships sat in dock all trading or being repaired. I sounded the warning siren then let off three blank shots. After doing so the gates to Pearl opened and I sailed the ship straight into dock as the quay side staff tied her up.
I was stopped at the quay side by the harbour master, “Excuse me but you do need to pay for docking sir.” I turned around to face him; my sword’s hand guard shone and twinkled in the sun light as did the buttons on my jacket. “Do I indeed?” “Yes sir which ship be yours?” “That one” and I pointed to her sitting there in all her glory. “Let’s say we forget about the fee sir, she is a ship of war after all.” The man laughed but I simply turned away. I walked along the harbour and I passed a pub where the sound of drunken laughter spilled from it. “Come on Spike me lad come sit on yer Uncle Captain Haddock’s lap.” With that I waked into the pub. As soon as I stepped in the music, chatter and laughing stopped and everyone turned to look at me. “It’s a marshal.” “He can’t be a marshal he’s not old enough he looks about his teens.” I walked up to the bar and sat down.
“What can we get you Captain, a dancer, a sweet, a play toy?”
“How about a simple drink?” The barman gave me a very sceptic look.
“We don’t usually sell drinks without you first buying some fun.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” The barman pointed over to a group of sailors some with more than one young boy between them. Then he pointed to a group of men with one lad between them all.
I flashed a glare at the barman then one of the group pinned the kid down onto the table sending bottles and glasses flying everywhere. With that I snapped I drew my sword and slammed it down on the table next to the kid. “Let him go.”
“You can’t tell us what to do.”
“If you want to live you’ll do as I say.” They looked amongst each other then stood up and drew their swords; quickly I grabbed the kid and threw him behind me. “Get to my ship it’s the big war vessel in dock five.” The kid ran and I took on the men slashing and slicing at them until they were all dead then leaving a bag of coins on the counter to pay for damages I left and headed back to the ship.
As I walked along the docks a crowd followed on behind me curious as to who I was and how I had come to be able to wield a sword in the manner that I did. After a short time they began to get annoying I lifted up my left sleeve, underneath was a bracelet with lots of buttons on it. I punched a few buttons and kept walking. Onboard the ship a phalanx gun moved and pointed at the dock towards the crowd behind me and fired a few shots once I passed and started to walk up the gantry.
As soon as I reached the deck the gantry retracted and the ship sounded her siren. The aft and forward ropes were untied by the dock staff and the huge war vessel steamed out of the port and back into open water. Once the ship was back under her own steam I set her course for a place called Banff then went looking for the kid I’d sent here earlier.
I searched the whole ship from Bow to Aft but couldn’t seem to find him; it wasn’t until I got to my quarters I found him lying down on my bed asleep. I slowly pulled the covers up over him and then returned to the bridge.
He was at least 5ft 6”, a great body for a kid, blue eyed, with dark hair.
I stood on the bridge binoculars pointing towards the oceans that lay before the ships bow, then upon the horizon a small dot appeared. “What the hell?” I went over to the radar and scanned the object to try and identify it. The radar came back telling me that it was a battle ship and a large one at that, my current advantage was that I had seen them first. I wasn’t entirely sure that my ship’s fire power would be able to compare to its. Either way I couldn’t take a chance. I quickly ran to the weapons room pulled some earphones onto my head and activated the weapons system.
The Phalanx guns jumped up into life, the sea wolves pod turned to face the battle ship and opened to reveal the sea wolves, the tomahawk launcher opened up to reveal the tomahawk cruise missiles and the depth charges appeared on the deck all along the port and starboard sides. They set themselves for the required depth and the mines also appeared accept at the aft of the ship.
The Battleship continued to approach at high speed, she then turned and she bore all her guns accept those on the opposite side of her. “So she does want to challenge us” Just as she prepared to fire I opened up with the five inch main turret. The battle ship took a direct hit to her number one gun. It exploded and burst into flames. As the two ships exchanged gunfire by what ever means I checked her out through my binoculars and spotted the jolly rodger flapping in the ocean breeze. “Stand by torpedo.” Four torpedoes loaded into the ships port side and locked onto the battleship.
“Bring her about twelve degrees starboard turn, all engines full ahead” The ships engines got louder and the ship began to swing round to her right. The ship then opened up her port torpedo hatches and fired four torpedoes at the battleship.
“Torpedoes away”, the four tubes skimmed just below the surface and struck the ship twice in the mid ship once in the Bow and once in the Aft. I turned the ship to turn tail and make her get away just in case we didn’t completely destroy her.
By looking at the view screen on the rear 5” gun I could see the now smouldering wreck sinking to the bottom of the deep. I placed my hand on the helm but as I did my shirt sleeve moved up revealing a scar that I hated. It was a tally of how many of those bastards who had gotten their way with me.
“Does it hurt at all?”
I quickly turned around to look at the boy I’d picked up from Pearl earlier. He was standing leaning against the doorway that lead to the deck.
“Only sometimes” I pulled my sleeve down over the markings and walked off the bridge. He looked at me as I walked past, it was a look of sorrow or as if he knew what it was and that he felt sorry for me. I smirked slightly then walked out onto the deck of the ship, the wind and the salt air licked at my exposed face as I walked along the open deck. Avoiding human contact is one of the many things I’m famous for. I walked along the deck and went into my quarters, upon entering my quarters I took my hat from my head and placed it on the hat stand along with my coat which seemed to slide off my back.
Afterwards I walked forward unbuckling my cutlass and dropped it down onto my bunk where it landed with a slight clatter. As I walked into the wash room and removed my shirt with my back facing the mirror cabinet, the cabinet shuddered and as if alive and knowing the whole ship groaned as I turned my head and ran a hand over the permanent scars upon my body.
As my hands moved silently across my body over the scars I closed my eyes and remembered every lash, every nail, every tooth, every blade, every smell and every sickening laugh and grin. I was woken from my flashback by a knock at the door and a young voice.
“Mister…ehm I mean Sir are you alright I could hear shouting.” I wiped my brow with my hand and realised that I had been sweating buckets. ‘Its getting worse now im shouting aloud during my flashbacks best respond’ I thought.
I went to the door and opened it completely forgetting about my naked torso and the fact that my scars upon it could easily be seen.
“Are you all…” The young boy stopped mid sentence and observed what he saw standing before him. His young hands moved slowly upwards and gently touched the scars and bare skin upon my chest, breathing in through his teeth making a sort of hissing sound he felt and inspected the scars beneath his sensing probes. It felt kinda nice his hands were so soft and so gentle it almost felt like a light breeze. Then suddenly he stopped and looked straight at me. “I…I’m sorry I didn’t mean to ehm…” He turned quickly and took off before I had a chance to try and stop him.
While listening to his footsteps running through the corridors one of my arms went behind me grabbed my hat, placing it on my head and throwing my coat over my shoulders then closed the door behind me as I followed the sound of his footsteps. After a while the running stopped and the sound of heavy breathing echoed throughout the ship. I stood still and listened in to all the sounds around me to try and find him. I couldn’t hear him very well so I started walking through the ship again.
I found him in a corner between two radar consoles. I took hold of his wrists and stood him on his feet, he looked down at the floor. I still had a hold of his wrists so I took them and placed his hands on my sides then let my hands slide up to his elbows and drew him slightly closer to me. As soon as his hands touched my naked flesh he looked up, his face bright red, after a short time of looking, well more like staring at what had just happened his hands slid right up my back and he presses his entire body against me gripping onto my shoulders not willing to let go.
I let my arms snake around him one hand resting on his back the other resting gently on his head holding it close to my chest. I tilted my head down and kissed him gently on his crown. Then the unexpected happened he looked up at me and deep into my eyes while I focused on his eyes he placed a hand behind my head and pulled me down kissing my lips. He held it for a couple of seconds then released me. It was a very gentle and prolonged kiss almost like he never wanted it to end.
After that I don’t think I needed anymore convincing he liked me and he liked me a lot. I scooped him up into my arms and carried him back towards my quarters. As I walked along the corridors my coat fell in a heap on the floor and the kid was now nestling himself into my arms as I embraced him.
Angel
This is my first songfic. At least, this is the first songfic I've done by including the lyrics instead of just hitting the loop button and basing whatever I happen to be writing on at the time on the song. The lyrics for "Angel" belong to Sarah Mclachlan (hoping I spelled her name right) and the Gundam boys belong to their respective owners. Send all money that might be used to sue me to my home to help pay for my college education.
PS: This is not suppose to yaoi despite what anyone might say to the contrary.
Duo stepped out of the small bathroom of the motel room, a pair of dark pants on and using one of the towels provided to dry his loose hair. At one time the towel might have been white, but constant use and age had turned it a sickly pale yellow. The pilot padded softly across rough green-brown carpet to sit on the single bed which sunk threatening under his weight. Heero's cot leaned folded against one wall, next to a single pillow, and an old army blanket.
Soft violet-blue eyes roamed restlessly over the room, searching for some type of distraction. Heero had left earlier to check out the area and get some food, and he still hadn't returned. So he couldn't talk to him to ease the pain. The room itself offered nothing, not even comfort. Greasy paint peeled in thin chips from the walls, and the single mirror was cracked from where something had been thrown at it. He didn't even bother turning on the television, having discovered earlier that all it got was static.
He hated this. Being alone like this. While people were around, Duo could pretend that everything was all right, could ignore the gaping ripped places that ran across his soul. Because as long as people were around he had an excuse, and that allowed him to talk and laugh and joke like nothing was wrong. It didn?t make the wounded places go away, but it did let him live with them.
Spend all your time waiting for that second chance
For the break that will make it OK
There's always some reason to feel not good enough
And it's hard at the end of the day
But now he was alone, with nothing to stop the darkness in his soul from reaching out with clawed hands to try and drag him under. Absently, Duo drew his knees to his chest on the bed, wrapping his arms around his legs in a defensive posture. There was silence, so much silence, and it pressed down on him from all sides. The heavy weight of his hair fell around him in a damp curtain as small shivers began to race through his frame.
Why did I ever become a Gundam pilot? Stupid question. He knew the answer. To have a second chance to do it right this time. To make sure that nobody he knew died again in this war. For the chance to prove that he could do it, that he could help end the war. To try and make everything okay again. And, finally, in the memory of all who had already died. That's why he was a Gundam pilot.
Yet what good was a Gundam pilot if he couldn't even control his emotions? Self hate came in a thick wave nearly choking Duo. He was worthless. He couldn't do anything right. Solo had died, Father Maxwell, even Sister Helen. Everyone who had made him feel like something other than a piece of gutter trash had died. Was someone trying to tell him something?
I need some distraction or a beautiful release
Memories seep from my veins
Let me be empty and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace tonight
Duo closed suspiciously bright eyes against the pain needing a way to release the pressure that was building in him. If nothing was going to distract him from the pain, then he needed to go on and break down. It hurt, it hurt, it hurt. Slowly, without his conscious thought, Duo began to rock back and forth, now desperately wishing for the tears to come. He needed this to stop before it completely ripped him to shreds leaving nothing left but a small shivering shell of a person.
With the closing of his eyes came the memories. He once again saw Solo's broken body and the same feeling of anguish and uselessness came over him. In the blink of an eye he was in the ruins of Maxwell Church, Sister Helen's slim and battered body slowly going limp in his arms. Then he was nothing but a lost orphan on the streets watching as soldiers beat yet another street brat until he died. He'd wanted to help so badly but he knew that if he tried he'd only die as well.
Pain shivered through him again. Duo both wanted to remember, and didn't. He never wanted to forget those who had died, but at the same time he didn't want to relive their deaths. But instead of pushing the memories away, Duo welcomed them, knowing that the more he pushed, the sooner he would break. Then the release would drive him towards the hollow, empty place inside him. It was the place that would numb the pain, would in fact numb him to everything if only for a few brief moments. In that place he could find some sense of peace however small.
In the arms of the Angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you feel
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here
One memory came forth, pushing all others aside in its strength. It was a memory of one of the times when Duo had broke in Maxwell church. He had been thinking about his family when suddenly he couldn't take it any more. He had laid curled up and sobbing on the cold floor until Sister Helen had found him. She had not asked any questions, or demanded any explanations. She had simply wrapped her arms around him and offered comfort while he wept for all that he had lost.
Duo went ridged on the bed, his head coming up off his knees. For a moment he had thought that he had felt someone wrapping their arms around him. But there was no one in the room but him, was there? Suddenly he smelled lilacs and cloth, heard a gentle step and a soft voice, felt hands brushing his bangs from his forehead. They were all things he associated with Sister Helen. He supposed he could fight to keep straight what was reality and what was not, but why? He was so tired. With a sigh, Duo closed his eyes letting memory and reality blurred.
Sister Helen's strong arms were wrapped around him and he broke, pain overflowing with the tears. The feel of the cloth of her robe was rough against his cheek as he buried his face against ther chest. In a rapid stumbling voice Duo told Sister Helen about all that he had done since her passing, everything that had torn his soul apart and left him like he was. He was so afraid that if he didn?t tell her everything now he would never get the chance again. There was no judgement in her voice, just soft nonsense words to sooth him. Somehow, it made Duo cry all that much harder.
So tired of the straight line, and everywhere you turn
There's vultures and thieves at your back
The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies
That make up for all that you lack
"Duo." The one word was all the warning Heero gave as he pushed the door open, his hands full of bags of groceries. With a jerk, Duo slammed back into reality. His head came up and he watched a slightly stunned look come over Heero's face with tears still coming from his eyes. For a moment he considered letting the other pilot know what was happening. He was so tired of making everyone think he was all right.
Then he remembered all the times he had been betrayed or had had his emotions used against him. Duo couldn't do it. Instead, he leapt off the bed and ran to the bathroom, slamming the door in behind him and giving the doorknob a hard shove to jam it. Then he wedged himself between the tub and the toilet just to feel the cool tile and porcelain. Maybe Heero would leave him alone until it was over. Maybe he could still pretend everything was all right. Maybe Heero would let him forget about the whole thing. Maybe not.
"Duo, open the door."
"No. I'm fine. Don't worry about me." Duo winced a the sound of his own voice. It was raw from his crying, and the strained tones as he strived for his usual cheerfulness sounded false even to his own ears. But it didn't matter. Heero wasn't going to get into the bathroom short of breaking the door down.
It don't make no difference, escape one last time
It's easier to believe
In this sweet madness, oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees
The sound of wood cracking was loud in the bathroom as the pilot of Wing began to batter the door down. Duo looked up in time to see the rusty hinges give sending both Heero and the door clattering to the tile floor. Heero slowly stood up and watched Duo with unreadable blue eyes. Then he walked over to where the braided pilot was and knelt down on the tiles facing him. Finally after several moments of tension, he catiously put a hand on Duo's knee, not quite knowing what to do.
"Why are you crying?" It seemed a safe enough question for Heero to ask. In truth, it wasn't. Duo realized with a small shock that he had no answer to give. He didn't know why he got like this having never questioned it before. The pilot of Shinagami had always just accepted it as a part of himself. As he realized he had no answer, the pit that had begun to close yawned open once more and he began to cry again.
Tentative hands reached out and grasped Duo's shoulders. He didn't know whether they were trying to comfort or shake him, and he didn't give himself a chance to ask. Instead, Duo threw himself at Heero, using the other pilot's shirt to muffle his sorrow. When Heero's arms came around him to hold in a loose embrace, he just cried that much harder.
In the arms of the Angel far away from here
From this dark, cold hotel room, and the endlessness that you feel
You are pulled from the wreckage of your silent reverie
You're in the arms of the Angel; may you find some comfort here
Slowly the wracking sobs faded to tears, then from tears to deep, shivering breaths, and finally from shivering breaths to half awake numbness. Duo lay limply in Heero's arms, knowing he should get or explain but not able to find the strength to do it. Finally the other pilot picked him up, carried him into the bedroom, and laid him down on the bed. Then Heero did the last thing Duo expected him to do. He crawled into the bed beside the braided pilot and wrapped his arms around him again.
Heero was relying on instinct to get him through this. His instinct told him that Duo did not need to be left alone, so he had decided that they could share the bed for one night. In a way he was glad that the instinct was there, because in all honesty he had know idea what to do. People had never been his strong point, and he had enough problems dealing with his own emotions let alone others.
As Duo breathing slowed, Heero began shaking his own personal pain combining with the trauma of having to be there for Duo. Gritting his teeth, Heero fought to keep his emotions under control. Suddenly, the braided pilot?s hold on him tightened and he thought he heard Duo mummur something. Just as quickly as they had started, the shudders stopped. With the tight control over his own emotions back, Heero relaxed and drifted off warm and content in Duo's arms.
You're in the arms of the Angel;
May you find some comfort here.
This was a product of about three weeks worth of effort done mostly because Cat kept bugging me to finish it. So I'd like to thank her. I have yet to figure out why most of the fic ideas I get for GW are songfics. Oh well. Thanks for reading.
I just made this while watching Teen Titains so bare with me people
Chapter 1
Three youths stood by the window in a chamber, watching with interest the guests who alighted from their recently invented vehicle or the fancy old-fashioned horse carriages the older generations preferred over modern day vehicles. Many guests were gathering at Cinq Kingdom for a social occasion which was held at least once a year to strengthen and make new alliances. During such events, guests from faraway places were invited to vacate at the Peacecrafts’ palace for a few weeks. It was another tactic to build a feeling of importance into the hearts of the bordering kingdoms.
The handsome twenty seven year old swished his wine glass once, twice as he spoke in a low smooth voice, “Dorothy is engaged to a young prince from Norren.”
Upon hearing such good news, the honey-blonde haired girl gasped. “So she is marrying Quatre! It was only a few months ago that she told me that she had feelings for him and now they’re officially engaged.” On the other hand, the girl’s brother who was equally good looking as the first man shared none of his sister’s enthusiasm and simply told his friend to congratulate Dorothy for him. “Milliardo, surely you could show some happiness upon hearing this wonderful news.” Milliardo Zechs Peacecraft simply shrugged for he had no particular connection with that girl except for the fact that she was his sister’s friend and also his friend’s cousin.
“Relena,” he uttered, brushing his long platinum blond hair back, “Treize and I have to welcome the guests so we shall see you sometime later.” His ice blue eyes were warm with affection for his sister although his features did not show it.
“Alright then,” Relena responded. The girl who barely reached her brother’s chin watched as they departed from the room, gently closing the door behind them. No sooner had they gone did she pick up the telephone and start to dial.
Once Milliardo, or Zechs the name his friends usually called him, and Treize reached the reception room they found the early comers, mostly guests from faraway places chatting while exploring the art gallery, which had been set up because of Zechs’ mother’s interest in art. The gallery had become quite convenient to entertain guests while they waited for others to arrive or for their rooms to be organised. Immediately Zechs reported to his parents who happened to be greeting two representatives from the Arne Kingdom. King Stefan Peacecraft, father to Zechs and Relena, held his hand out to the older of the two tall and fine looking gentlemen. “I am honoured that you accepted our invitation and came all the way from Arne,” he said with such elegance. The raven haired youth smiled and shook his hand.
“No the honour is mine, King Stefan. I do apologise sincerely that my father couldn’t personally come due to his back injury. My name is Noin Yuy and this is my brother Heero Yuy.” The young gentleman beside him shook King Stefan’s hand firmly and thanked him for allowing them to stay at the palace.
“Meet my wife, Katrina, and my son, Milliardo.” Both Noin and Heero kissed the elegant and beautiful wife on the hand and shook Zechs’ hand. “Please enjoy yourselves with some refreshments while the maids organise your rooms.” Once the introductions had ended they accepted the glass of wine offered by a serving man and allowed the Peacecrafts to excuse themselves as they welcomed other visitors.
“It seems that men in the Cinq Kingdom are considered superior to women,” Noin’s dark brown headed brother commented. “It is a good thing that you are dressed in men’s garments.” Noin was in fact a woman and although people would say that a woman in men’s clothing was disguise, she preferred to call it normal attire. The Arne Kingdom was a kingdom in which women could also join ranks and fight side-by-side with men and Noin, being an example of a female warrior had gradually found more comfort in men’s clothing rather than inconvenient dresses. Besides many people had often mistook her for a man, considering her tall height, charming looks and rough hands from intense training and fighting. But the real reason for such necessity for such attire was the fact that they were there to discuss official matters and a man in the Cinq Kingdom may not listen to a woman as one would in Arne.
“Shall we go and pay interest in the artworks?” Noin suggested, discarding her wine glass after taking two sips on one of the waiter’s trays. Heero simply headed towards the gallery with Noin following leisurely behind. The two siblings had a very close bond where even speech could be easily replaced by gestures and movement.
After studying the artworks for a while, the two siblings found themselves being led through the guest quarters of the palace to their rooms where they could rest until the time had come for the ball to commence. They dismissed the maid who had showed them the way and stayed in one of the two rooms. Sitting on the bed, Heero removed his outer coat and laid it neatly on the bed. Noin suddenly broke out in soft laughter and when her brother gave him a puzzled glance she explained, “It seems that the young maid who guided us was highly aware of your fine features dear brother.”
“Are you sure that it was not you she was staring at?” Heero said with a slight grin.
“How can that be? I am a woman.”
“A woman with features that can either be described as beauty or handsome qualities.”
“Why you flatter me.” Carefully Noin drew the curtains back and released the latches that held the balcony door closed. She stepped out and absorbed the beautiful scenery below. Her long hair had somehow gotten loose of the hair tie which had held it proudly in a pony tail. It was common for wealthy men to grow their hair and tie it up, thus another benefit to Noin who generally preferred long hair. Retying her hair, she stepped out of the wind and closed the door behind her. Heero had already drifted off into sleep after being exhausted from the ride all the way from Arne which had taken a couple of weeks. Noin smiled and covered her brother with his jacket before leaving the room to return to the gallery.
Zechs had been watching the two brothers from Arne rather closely for it was advised to the king by one of the lords to make alliances with the Arne Kingdom, a powerful and worthy ally with one of the strongest armies. The better way to do this was to have Relena marry the prince, but for all this time Zechs had heard that there was only one prince in Arne and so the appearance of two had surprised him. Of course the marriage hadn’t been confirmed yet and so King Hiro Yuy had been invited to attend the annual ball for this reason. But since he was unable to go, the two princes themselves went – the younger most likely a companion to the crown prince. He had to investigate this prince’s character and determine whether his beloved sister could ever find happiness with him. As he was about to approach them and strike up a conversation a young maid had curtseyed to them, explaining that their rooms were ready. He sighed and retreated to a corner of the room where his friend was observing the guests that had taken up the invitation. The auburn-brown haired man was dressed rather flamboyantly, although one had to admit that he definitely had great taste him fashion. He wore a fancy jacket with gold buttons that contrasted the dark blue. Seams of black outlined it and made obvious his broad, masculine shoulders. The jacket ended below his waist, with the lengthy material shaped like a triangle at the back except it was slitted in the middle. Moderately tight, cream-coloured pants matched his black soldier-like boots.
Treize smiled at him and commented, “I saw you watching the princes from Arne. What is it about them that holds your interest?” Compared to Treize’s attire, Zechs’ seemed slightly plain but this did not mean that the white suit piece he had chosen to don didn’t make him striking enough. In fact it was quite the opposite for the lighter colour brought out the intensity of his ice blue eyes framed by his silky platinum blond hair. The simple black and gold patterns on the edges of his suit gave an air of elegance.
“Father is planning to arrange an alliance through marriage between the two of the strongest kingdoms, the Laire Kingdom and the Arne Kingdom. But since the young king of Laire has already wedded that leaves the prince from Arne,” Zechs explained. “But before that happens, I shall study Prince Noin’s character.”
Treize chuckled at his friend’s over protectiveness. Ice blue eyes turned at him, an eyebrow above one, raised at him. But their conversation was soon interrupted by a dark-haired ambassador and a young lady behind him. The man was somewhere in his early forties while the woman was no older than nineteen or twenty.
“Good day, Prince Milliardo, Duke Kushrenada,” he bowed slightly but respectfully.
“Ah, good day to you too Ambassador Po,” Zechs greeted in a polite tone he had acquired since he had learnt to talk. The duke took his turn to greet the guest, shaking his hand after the prince. “And can you introduce me to this young maiden?”
With a warm chuckle Ambassador Po replied, “She is my daughter, Salina.” Curtseying courteously the girl cast her eyes onto the floor and looked up, a hint of defiance in them. Zechs took her hand and gently kissed her knuckles, Treize repeating the same action after him. Darkish honey-blond hair swept down her back in curls, matching the pale cream-coloured dress with white frills. Her features were those of those of a European except that her eyes were dark and Asian-like, exactly the same as her father’s. The girl was probably of mixed backgrounds, Zechs surmised. Suddenly from the corner of his eyes, he noticed a particular person descending the stairs. Before he was able to excuse himself, the ambassador from Asia had done so; taking another quick bow and headed towards the raven-haired prince. Salina, Zechs noticed, seemed eager to leave his company, in search of Noin’s instead which made him feel quite rejected. But when he looked twice, he realised that they were already acquainted although that did little to make him feel better. Besides Prince Noin Yuy was possibly going to be Relena’s future husband – how dare he go flirting around with other ladies! So that he could hear the conversation better without looking conspicuous, he welcomed the visitors around them.
“Good day, Prince Noin. It has been quite a while, hasn’t it?” Ambassador Po greeted, regarding the young ‘man’ warmly. Although his kingdom did not support gender equality, the ambassador clearly showed his personal attitude of difference by marrying a foreign woman and creating relations with non-Asian kingdoms for the benefit of his own people. But this did not make him hated by the people of his kingdom, but in fact, had gained more respect because he had stepped out of the confinements of the Chinese system.
“It has, hasn’t it Ambassador Po,” Noin replied with equal passion. “My father sends his regards and apologises that he could greet you personally.” Both father and daughter knew of Noin’s secret and had simply played along with it, knowing his purpose for it. The Arne Kingdom was one of the first outside kingdoms China had exchanged alliances with and the connection has ever since been strengthened by Ambassador Po. “Lady Salina, I am glad to see you again. It has been two years since I’ve seen you and you look at beautiful as ever.” Ambassador excused himself while the two talked, knowing that they had a lot to catch up on.
“You mock me, Prince Noin,” the young woman replied, “for you have known for quite sometime that I prefer the name Sally to Salina.”
“Forgive me, but in my current situation it is better that I speak more formally to you, although I do wish it were the old days.”
Sally had that ‘I understand’ smile implanted on her face which instantly gave Noin the support she needed. “So, tell me how is your family?”
As she was about to open her mouth and reply, Noin’s eyes caught onto the suspicious-looking Milliardo Peacecraft who appeared to be eavesdropping. A question immediately sprung to her head. How long had he been there watching her? Either way she felt no direct threat from him and after quickly piecing the puzzles together inside her head, concluded with the fact that he was interested in her because of his sister, mistaking her for the possible future husband. It was no big deal really, only a brother’s protectiveness that wanted his sister happiness. It was likewise for Noin, being an older sibling and once Milliardo knew that it was Heero who was to be the husband, all would be alright. Surely they knew she was just playing the part of the guardian cousin to the crown prince. Or did they? This meant that things were slightly more complicated.
Zechs glanced at the Arnian Prince, unexpectedly catching his eyes. The young man gave him a firm but friendly smile, combined with a curt nod. Immediately returning the attention, Zechs started heading towards him, hoping to find out more about Noin, and what better way was there than to personally get acquainted. “Prince Milliardo,” Noin greeted, holding his hand out which Zechs took politely.
“Prince Noin, I presume,” Zechs responded, knowing perfectly well who this young man before him was. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you too.” Noin glanced at Sally and gestured for her to join the conversation. “Have you met my friend, Lady Salina Po from China?”
Sally curtseyed once again, “We have already met. My father introduced us.” While they were speaking, Zechs had a thorough look at Noin. His height reached up to Zechs’ eyes, silky raven hair tied neatly at his neck while a few tresses wrapped around his cheek and hung slightly below his earlobes. Dark blue eyes were long with curled lashes, contrasting his pale creamy skin. His lips were soft and shaded with a pallid pink. He had a long pale neck that many women would crave for. With slender shoulders, Noin looked almost feminine, reminding him of a certain gentleman whose features confused both men and women. If Noin was wearing feminine attire, he could most likely pass for the female species, and perhaps look good in it. Just as he was about to create the image in his head, a waiter accidentally bumped into Noin, spilling water over his head. Almost at once, Zechs expected his rage to burst out at the young waiter who was obviously traumatised. But on the contrary he simply smiled and asked the waiter for his assistance in retrieving a towel. Drops of water had caught onto his eyelashes and hair, creating tiny drops of sparkle. Zechs’ hand automatically brought out a handkerchief from his pocket and felt compelled to wipe off the water from his face and neck, but stopped in time to simply hand it to him. Noin accepted it gratefully and patted his face dry. When the waiter returned with a towel, Noin advised him to wipe up the floor, saying that if anyone could easily slip.
During this commotion, everyone had turned their attention to them, including King Stefan who had swiftly walked over. “What has happened here?” he asked, a hint of demand in his tone.
“It was just an accident,” Noin replied, “a simple spillage of water. Thank you, young waiter for assisting me. Perhaps you should resume your tasks.” The waiter took this advice and instantly disappeared before his king insisted for the whole story. “If you’d excuse me, King Stefan, Prince Milliardo and Lady Salina, I shall change out of these damp garments.”
“Please, go ahead.”
As he took a step forward he turned around to Milliardo. “I shall return this handkerchief to you once it has been washed. Thank you for it.”
Zechs shook his hand and reached for it, “No, I shan’t let my guests do such thing. It is only a handkerchief, easily replaceable.” He felt how warm Noin’s hand was as he retrieved it from him and quickly pulled back, the wet piece of cloth in his hands. “I shall see you later in the day.” Noin nodded at him, and he dug his hands into his pockets.
Once Noin closed the door of her room behind her, she breathed out. Heero was still sleeping soundlessly. Instead of taking her intended shower, Noin took off her coat, draped it over a chair and sunk into an old armchair by the window. She took this time to sleep and regain energy that she would need for the rest of the day.
Night came quickly and all the preparations had been finished. In fact the music had started already all most of the guests were already inside the ballroom by the time Noin and Heero entered. If the pair had once thought that they could slip among the other guests without being noticed, they were wrong. The majority of the ladies in the room, ranging from young to old were marvelling the pair as if they were gods from another planet. An immediate welcome came from King Stefan as he approached them. But his greeting was brief and they were left to enjoy themselves. Eyes lingered on them as they made their way to a lounging area. Several ladies from the far side of the room were already making their way over to scrutinise the newcomers. Somebody else had beaten the ladies to them, but it was someone they hadn’t expected and were just as excited to see. “Prince Milliardo,” Noin and Heero greeted as the platinum blond prince stopped beside them.
“Prince Noin, Prince Heero,” he responded with equal courtesy.
“Please, Prince Milliardo, call us by our first names. Such a title is too formal,” Heero stated.
“Then I shall, if only you both call me Milliardo. Or perhaps Zechs, my middle name, if you like.”
“Zechs it shall be then,” Noin uttered as if testing his name on her lips.
A grin slowly swept on Zechs’ face, although for what reason he didn’t understand. Noin’s voice, he noticed, was in the mid-low alto keys. Not low like a gruff man’s, or as high-pitched like a child’s. It was somewhere in between, sounding something like an angel’s except a man would never say that, not out loud anyway. It was rather unacceptable. Men simply did not compliment another in such a way. Homosexuality wasn’t well taken, especially not from the noble class. Mentally shrugging away the thought, he heard his name being sounded again. “Zechs,” said a distinctive voice which he instantly recognised as Treize’s voice. “I don’t believe that you have introduced me to your friends.” The twenty-two year old considered his friend for a second and then turned back to the two brothers. After introducing his new friends to the duke, Zechs started to subtly dig into Noin’s personal information, asking general questions to start off with. He had found out that Noin was actually a year younger than him although he his appearance seemed no older than nineteen or perhaps eighteen. His passions were in all types of combat, horse riding, reading and strangely enough, singing and cooking. He admitted in being average in all of his hobbies, but Zechs believed that he had left out a few interests and was simply being polite when saying that he wasn’t very good in one or two particular areas. Once his curiosity rose, he felt that he had to pump more information out of him. But it was harder to be personal with others listening in. But this opportunity came quite timely. Heero had excused himself and Treize was occupied in a conversation with a nobleman.
“So,” Zechs began, “did you start singing and cooking when you were young?”
Noin nodded and turned his gaze back onto Zechs before replying. “Yes. My mother had insisted that I learnt some other type of art other than combat. She reasoned that life revolving around fighting isn’t life at all, and so I started to attend singing lessons from the age of four. Cooking I learnt later, when I first joined the battle field at fourteen. I didn’t do the fighting at first, only help with the meals and tend the wounded.” He did not elaborate any more on the topic and Zechs had no intention of scooping out any saddening memories from him. “How about you, Zechs?”
“I too have a liking of combat, especially fencing and archery. But I’m afraid that I don’t excel in anything else, although I am fond of art and sculpting.” Noin’s eyes kept straying to the side, seeming rather distracted. “Noin, I see you must be popular with the ladies, back in Arne and here in Cinq.”
Regaining his companion’s attention, he noticed that his face was placid once again. “No, not really. But you’re definitely attracting attention from the young ladies surrounding us. I’m sure that they’re keen on having a dance with you.”
“Please don’t mock me so,” Zechs pouted jokingly. Beside him, Noin let out a soft chuckle of laughter. “So tell me, do you have a lover waiting for you at home?”
“I have to admit, I don’t.”
“Neither. I suppose it is hard since we’re royalty and our marriages are arranged.”
Shifting his weight onto his left foot, Noin stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Zechs please do not be offended, but do you believe in marrying for love?”
Caught off guard by the question, he took some time before replying, being careful in his choice of words. “In a sense, yes and no. I would have no complaints in marriage, if I was acquainted with her.”
“I think my answer would be the same.”
Thinking that he knew what was on Noin’s mind, Zechs reassured him, “I’m sure that you’ll like my sister.”
After hearing his words, Noin was immediately certain that Zechs had mistaken her as the crown prince. She could’ve easily laughed out loud if she were the only one in the room. But before she could make any remark, she noticed her brother dancing on the ballroom floor with a beautiful young lady. Although Heero usually showed his cool demeanour, he had a soft spot, easily found if you knew where to hit and obviously that girl had found it. The girl, Noin noticed wore a lovely frilly blue gown, her long hair was done in a simple style, flying around her as Heero spun her around.
“Relena?” Zechs murmured. Without glancing at Zechs, Noin noticed the resemblance. So this was girl Heero was possibly going to marry. They’d only been there for a day and immediately Heero seemed to be enjoying her company. This was a good sign. At least she didn’t have to worry about whether he was going to be friendly with the Princess of the Cinq Kingdom. Although it would still take some time before the two knew each other better, and hopefully two weeks would be sufficient.
Zechs looked at Noin to see his reaction, but contrary to his thoughts, he seemed to be somewhat amused. The corner of his mouth had lifted into a slight smile. Suddenly his thoughts were focussing on Noin’s lips. They seemed so inviting, so- Breaking his chain of thoughts, Zechs mentally shook his head vigorously. What was he thinking about?! Why did he have such strange thoughts about Noin? The Arnian turned and looked at him, “Is something the matter?”
“No,” he replied, the word coming out blunter than he wanted to.
“Would you mind if I excuse myself?”
“Not at all, please go ahead.” His companion left the area, to where Zechs did not know. He had turned away from Noin as soon as he walked away, he had also wanted to turn away from the thoughts invading his mind.
