Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ As You Like It ❯ Chapter 1 ( Chapter 1 )

From the Desk of Scilja

I have finally got around to posting a new fic! I was hit by this hilarious idea that I just had to do it! Take a break from Counting the Seconds. This is one of my most amusing fics to write. Goodness, I will continue to post during the summer.

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DISCLAIMER: As much as I dance a ritual to have it in my possession, the damn dance just doesn't seem to work.

As You Like It

By Scilja

Chapter 1

The Winner estates were an ideal spot for getaways and sought privacy. Little was known of the whereabouts of these mansions for they were located in isolated areas, far from the greedy eyes of society. A diverse mix of former pilots, hackers, spies, politicians, soldiers, and assassins currently occupied one of them.

As the sound of the clock ticked, the tension in the dim room built up even more. The only light that was cast came from a small, but sufficient lamp that hung from the center of the ceiling. In the middle of the floor stood a round poker table, and from the situation at hand, it was a stalemate.

"Give it up, Yuy, you know you can't win," she arched a delicate brow. "Being the nice person that I am, I'm giving you an early chance to admit defeat. Do yourself a favor and spare yourself the humiliation."

Across the table, the aforementioned male cocked his head to one side, his dark locks shading his intense gaze, allowing a dangerous look to come across his face. The corner of his lips came to a full fledge smirk, "We'll see if you're more than just talk." He tossed in his part of the ante and leaned back in his chair.

Having been going at it for almost more than 2 hours now, the game of poker became increasingly competitive. To top it all off, it became a battle of the sexes. One by one, the numbers dwindled down and the stake turned into extreme heights. The final players sat facing parallel to their opponent, daring the other to be up to their own challenge. On one side of the room crowded four girls, looking eager and grinning mysteriously over the shoulder of a femme with blonde tresses, who, if possible, looked even more devious than the rest. From the other side of the room were the male counter parts, appearing smug and confident at their own side's hand. This was the game to end all games.

From the male player's right, Duo put his hand down on the table in a slap-dash fashion, "While we're in this festive mood, why not make this interesting?"

All heads turned to him and watched as his cobalt eyes glinted mischievously.

Relena glanced at her cards and the high-priced jackpot. Lady Luck was definitely on her side today. There was a very slim chance that she would lose. Taking the risk, she went right in, "Are you proposing a bet?"

Duo's long braid swayed as he shook his head amusingly, "Oh no milady, not just any kind of bet." He crossed his arms along his chest, "If Heero wins, all you gals gotta serve your man hand-and-foot ― in the dress up of our choice ― for the whole weekend. No questions asked, just serve to please."

However cliché it was, several reactions came from the listening audience: amusement, doubt, enthusiasm, hesitation, and shock.

The women pondered on the wager for a while, whispering among themselves of the consequences it would bring. Until, "Fine," Dorothy spoke on behalf of their decision. "It's a deal. If we win, that's vice versa."

The player representing the girls turned around, "For real you want in on this?"

"Hell yeah, you don't get something as sweet as this everyday," quipped Hilde.

"I wouldn't miss anything to call Wufei my personal slave," Sally grinned furtively at the Asian man, causing him to roll his eyes at her. "You wish, woman," he retorted.

Midii toyed with a platinum blonde strand dreamily, "Hmmm, and imagine seeing Trowa in a nice, revealing waiter outfit..." She fanned herself breathlessly, "Whew!" Her hand slapped down on the table to confirm, "We are so in!"

From the other side of the room, a debate sprung forth too.

Being the voice of reason, Quatre spoke up, "Uh, Duo, are you sure about this? It seems a bit overboard."

He gestured off-handedly at the blonde, "Come on, Q, you know you want this just as much." He lowered his voice, "Besides, don't you want to see your girl dressed as a tight, French maid?" Quatre coughed uncomfortably at the idea to hide the awkwardness.

Wufei added his own thoughts, "This is a chance to prove to that woman who's the boss around here."

"Trowa?" Duo waited for the tall man's response.

From the visible part of his face not covered by the lengthy brown bangs, green eyes flashed intriguingly, "This is going to be interesting."

With that, Duo clapped his hands together, "So it's settled then!" He eyed the two players warily and cleared his throat. One could not miss the wicked glint in his violet orbs; Relena was beginning to have doubts.

Then he said the words that would stretch to kingdom come, "Hands down."

Instantly, everyone in the room held their breaths and leaned closer towards the poker table, preparing for the moment of truth.

Relena looked at the figure across from her, coming up with nothing from his blank expression. Truly, he had surpassed even the perfect poker face. At a painfully slow pace, she laid her cards face up on the table without ever taking her eyes of him. There, she had done it. Strangely enough, she felt she was placing her own life on the line. Behind her, the girls watched in anticipation for Heero to do his part, but then became slightly edgy when nothing happened. Relena felt her throat tighten unconsciously.

The men first looked at Relena's revealed hand, then back at Heero's, then Relena's again. Suddenly, Heero bent forward and placed his cards on the table…

What could have beaten her straight flush? His royal flush.[1]

A hoarse whisper of "Shit!" was first to cut the air, after that all hell broke loose. Uproar of laughter and guffaws erupted from the men's side.

Duo was holding on to Heero's shoulder for support while he laughed all his worth.

Apparently, Quatre had switched his own views on the bet for he was visibly pleased.

A rare smile found its way on Trowa's lips as his shoulders shook in silent mirth.

Wufei wouldn't stop taunting phrases of "Who's the best?" and "Now that's justice!".

As for Heero, his smirk still present, the gears in his head turned to figure out ways to enjoy his winnings.

The girls simply gawked. Their mouths gaped open while their minds slowly registered the information at what had just happened. It was pure misery.

Hilde started shouting in gibberish while flailing her arms in havoc.

Every once in a while, Midii appeared to be hyperventilating, her cheeks flushed from taking huge gulps of air.

Hands clenched and unclenched as teeth grinded together to suppress the fury that Dorothy was desperately trying to hide.

Sally was constantly rubbing her eyes, which were turning pink from the friction, to make sure there was no filth screwing up the scene before her.

If some one had poked Relena, they would get a reaction similar to that of a stone statue.

After what seemed like hours of mockery and hilarity, the males gathered themselves into a huddle, deciding the fate of the women. Their female partners watched with disgust and fear at what they planned to do.

"Somebody pinch me, because this is not happening!" Sally exclaimed and shook her hazel-colored hair in disbelief.

Midii wailed, "I don't wanna be a slave!" She buried her face in her hands vividly.

At this point Hilde was mumbling angrily, one could only make out the words "groin" and "kill".

"Uh," Relena was yet in a dumbfounded state and made no attempt to change that.

Unexpectedly, Dorothy cackled maniacally like there was no tomorrow.

Finally, Duo said, "Ladies! Your attention, please." All but Dorothy ceased their actions until Relena smacked her arm to shut up. They cringed knowing that whenever Duo spoke, in one way or another mischief will be part of it. They boldly waited for their impending doom. "Since you know we won," growls resounded from the girls' throats, "you understand the deal, or do you wish to back out of it?"

This caused several glares to be sent towards the braided man who chuckled nervously. Did he think they were feeble-minded?! Choruses of determination and the will not giving up like wimps sprung forth. Whether it was pride or dignity, not one girl intended to surrender.

Once again, that infamous grin came back on his face, "Good. You start tomorrow at 9:00 am sharp. You're costumes will be delivered to your door before then."

Upon hearing the word 'costumes', the girls paled, imagining that types of attire they could be placed into. Hilde swallowed mutely, "What kind of costumes?"

"You'll see," was his only response.

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They all retired to their rooms for the day, with a difference of the girls stayed together in one room, not really wanting to be near their respective other.

He watched Sally snap her fingers in front of Wufei's face after having exchanged a heated argument with him; she was pissed off all right. Quatre's eyes widened as Dorothy pulled him towards her and gave him a hard kiss that spoke levels of exasperation. He couldn't help but snicker when Midii over exaggerated with a flip her hair at Trowa. Heero was frowning at Relena, who gave him the coldest shoulder after having passed by him.

He yelped when he felt a sharp pain from Hilde's hard hip-check as she walked with the other girls. Duo cringed at the thought of not having Hilde next to him for the night, but at least it was easier to bring them their costumes this way.

Speaking of costumes, once everyone left Duo reached over to the communicator and dialed. The screen flickered before an image of a middle-aged woman appeared on the screen, "Della's Dress Shop: Whatever It Is, We Got It!"

"Hey, Della! How's it going?"

"Duo Maxwell!" her smile broadened more as she recognized him, the creases around her eyes deepened, "It's been a while since Halloween. By the way, how is that friend of yours? Is his ego badly bruised?"

He chuckled at the memory, "Nah, Wufei's fine, that's what he gets for being a pain in the ass. The whole night he wouldn't speak, only grumble and scowl at everything and everyone." He winked, "Dressing him up as cheese was absolutely priceless."

The elderly woman laughed, "Glad to hear about that. Anyway, Mr. Maxwell, what can I do for you this time?"

He scratched his head, "I know this may sound crazy, Dell, but do you still have those costumes I saw before wrapped up in red boxes?"

"Huh, let me think. It wasn't the desert theme, right?" At the shake of his head, she tried again. "No, no, it can't be the aquatic…definitely not the animal ones…" Della paused a while until realization hit and gasped, "You don't mean―"

"That's it," he pointed out. "You know what I'm talkin' about. Send a set of five to this address," following a series of clicks, he sent the information to the shopkeeper, "today, as soon as possible."

Having taken down the address, the salesperson shook her grey head at her customer's wild antics. "Tsk, tsk," Della chuckled. "Who are the lucky ones to be under your wrath this time, Duo?"

He answered with a wicked smile, "The ones who wish they've never sold their soul to the devil."

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The bright rays of the sun peeked through the curtains, casting vibrant white beams on the room's occupants. Moans and words of protests echoed at the blinding light.

Midii muffled into her pillow, "Oh no," she rose her head and blinked sleepily, "it's Slave Day."

Relena groaned and threw an arm over her eyes, either to gain shade from the unwanted daylight or to block the offending words, "Don't start."

Stretching languidly from her cot, Hilde yawned, "What time is it?"

"7:00," Sally said groggily from checking her watch. "We have exactly two hours left to enjoy bliss."

Dorothy let out a refined snort, "Correction, two hours to freak out of the troubles ahead."

Sitting upright on the bed, Relena sighed wearily and scanned the room. With her long, white-blonde hair spilling over the futon, Dorothy was staring blankly at the ceiling and had that air of negligence about her. Switching to Sally, she made out faint humming of what sounded like a death song. She looked questioningly at Midii who was currently fiddling with her fingers, probably to keep herself sane. Her eyes rested on a dark head, Hilde was turning from her spot trying to find another comfortable position.

Feeling a crick in her neck, Relena titled her head and kneaded her hands over the sore spot. She sighed, 'This is going to be a long day.' From the corner of her eye, she sensed something in the room was out of place. Her brow furrowed, "Were those here before?"

Four pairs of eyes followed her gaze to the foot of her bed, where five bold-colored boxes lined up neatly in a straight row.

"I…" Hilde replied skeptically, "…don't think so."

That was all it took for every single one of the girls to crawl, amble, or stride towards the boxes. It was no bigger than reaching below their knees. A closer look showed that each of their names was engraved in gold on small card placed on a box apiece.

Picking up a card, Midii scoffed, "Is this their way of mocking us?" She stared at the orange package in front of her.

With bursts of courage, they grasped the top lid of their carton and lifted. They were met with several layers of colored tissue paper. "They are mocking us," Midii repeated. Shredded scraps of tissue paper quickly went flying from impatient tearing, until finally the contents of the box were revealed.

The girls doubled over; taken back by the sight they were met with. Gasps of disbelief and alarm sprung forth. Nobody moved an inch as they continued to ogle at the clothing. This was the last thing on earth they expected to wear. The styles they imagined were among the lines of waitresses, stewardess, sales clerks, anything with uniforms. What was given to them was far beyond the world of dress-up.

For lying in the box, folded neatly and carefully was none other than the costumes of a ―

Playboy Bunny.

"DUO!"

TBC…