Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Duo Maxwell, Gun for Hire ❯ Bad Night at Elysium ( Chapter 6 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: NightingaleRose 
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 01.10.2008 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.1K | Visits: 294 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 01.10.2008 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.1K | Visits: 294 | Status: Work In Progress
Hey my wonderful readers! Here's another update for you!
I guess I should give you a slight warning now. I'm a college student faced with the start of the semester come monday 1/14/07. I'm not sure how that will affect my writing and update time, so please bare with me if it takes me a few days to get a chapter out. I hope that wont discourage people from reading this wonderful fic!
Well, hope you enjoy this next chapter of Duo Maxwell, Gun for Hire!
Disclaimer: Dont own GW or VTM/WOD. I do own the concept behind Duo's necro-senses!
XXXX
Groan. Grumble.
So warm. Five more minutes... please?
There was a gentle tug on my braid and the sound of a distant murmur.
I grumbled and ignored them. I wasn't about to get up. I was comfy. Leave me alone.
"Duo, time to get up."
I buried my head into my pillow. I dun wanna...
Yank. Yelp.
Damn it! Whose bright idea was it to turn on the lights and yank the covers off? I was gonna kill them... Again.
I glared up at Heero who was standing over me with a satisfied smirk. He had the covers in his hands. Damn him.
I glanced over at the alarm clock on the bedside table. It was 5:40 PM. Well at least I got a decent days sleep. You know it's sort of sad that I say that. Aren't human's supposed to be day creatures? I mean, seriously. Come on.
"Welcome to the waking world Duo. Now how about breakfast?"
Great, I created a monster. One that likes eating my food. Me grumpy? Perish the thought. Yeah so I'm not a morning... err... afternoon person.
I grabbed the blanket away from him and wrapped it around my self and rolled over. "Eat whatever you want. Wake me up when the three love birds on the couch wake up." That should by me about another half an hour or so I think.
There was the sound of an annoyed "Hn." Followed by the sound of an annoyed Gangrel leaving. Good. Back to sleep for me.
I started to drift off again when the sound of clinking pans reached my ears. I ignored it. Then there was the sound of clinking glass. I ignored that. Then there was the sound of a roaring lion. It's hard to ignore that. I yelped as I practically jumped out of bed and raced down stairs.
If I wasn't annoyed before, I was now. Heero was standing there, leaning against the cupboard with a glass of orange juice and two discarded frying pans on the counter. He just calmly looked at me and sipped his drink.
I could take three guesses at what he was doing before and the first two don't count.
"What the hell is the big idea? I was trying to sleep!"
"Hn."
"What do you mean so what? That doesn't mean you should try whatever to wake me up. What if you accidentally summoned a lion or something huh? How would I explain that to the landlord?"
"Hn."
"Gah! I give up. I'm awake, happy?"
"Hn."
I glared at him as I wrenched open the fridge door and started digging for something to eat. If he insisted I be up I might as well cook something to eat.
XXXX
A half an hour and a few eggs and bacon later, the couch trio woke up. Right on time.
There was the sound of shifting and some groaning coming from under the pile of blankets.
Heero and I watched them from where we were leaning against the half wall. Okay so my bad mood didn't stick. Especially when we were given after dinner entertainment like this.
A foot slipped out from under the covers only to be pulled back in. More blankets shifted. A hand yanked up a blanket that was falling off of them. There was a glimpse of blonde and then the sound of moaning. Where's a video camera when you need one?
This went on for over ten more minutes before Heero and I decided that they've had enough fun.
"Shall we?" I motioned to the blanketed mass.
A curt nod. "It only seems fair."
We crept over and reached for the blankets.
"One."
"Two"
"THREE!"
We yanked off the blankets and started to laugh. Okay so I started to laugh. Heero had a smirk on his face.
All three of them had messed up hair, various missing items of clothing and flushed looks. My guess is intense make out sessions and heavy petting. All centered around Q-bean.
Quatre had the decency to looked embarrassed at getting caught. Wufei gave us this 'I'm going to kill you in a very unpleasant way and then put you back together so I can to it again' glare. Trowa looked amused.
"So who's the top and who's the bottoms? Or do you take turns?"
Growl. "Maxwell. Start running."
I laughed as I saw Wufei reach for his katana. Let the chase begin.
Upstairs, dodge, taunt, downstairs, over the counter, duck, dodge again. Ooh! Close one!
I was diving behind whoever was nearest, and sticking my tongue out over their shoulders and taunting Wu-bear.
Several blade marks in my wall later it ended. I was hiding behind Heero when he decided to end it.
"That's enough Chang."
"No it isn't, Maxwell's still got his braid. Move Yuy."
Shink. "Chang, That's enough."
Grumble and the slide of a blade into its sheathe. "Fine. Sword against claws are never good odds."
I was staring wide eyed at the claws that Heero made appear out of his hands. That was a Gangrel only thing. I think I'll stay right where I am. Those look sharp. And pointy. And dangerous.
A few moments after Wufei put away his sharp pointy object of bodily harm, Heero's claws melded back into his hands. There was no evidence that he had ever had them.
After that, we all got ready for yet another night of Kindred antics. Why did I take this job?
XXXXXX
So back to Elysium we go. Unfortunately it's my job to be here and baby sit.
By now everyone's gotten used to my little rag tag group of helpers. Which I guess is a good thing. The sad part is it only took four or five days.
Heero and I settled into a booth near the bar while the other three disappeared to who knows where. Well, Okay. I can see Trowa at the bar talking to that Cathy chick.
Quatre somehow got lost in the crowd. How do you loose someone who has bright blond hair? Well, apparently it's possible.
Wufei had spotted Une and went off to talk to her. Don't know what about and somehow I don't think I want to know.
For a while things remained quiet. That didn't last long. An argument had started up between Hilde, and to my surprise, Milliardo.
From here I couldn't make out what they were saying, but Hilde seemed to be upset and Milliardo just looked annoyed. Poor Noin was trying to do her best to calm down the angry Malkavian.
"Hilde wants answers."
What the hell! I jumped right onto Heero's lap as a woman's voice came right out of nowhere. It sounded almost well, distant. Like the speaker wasn't all there.
It took me a moment to realize who was sitting there. Can you blame me? The last two times I was here I barely saw her. And the last time she was throwing bottles at us. Yeah, It was Relena. She appeared out of nowhere.
It took me a few moments to calm my racing heart. Not that I was in a hurry to move mind you. I was perfectly comfortable in Heero's lap with his arms around my waist.
Relena was sitting there with her elbows on the table and her head supported on left palm with a sucker stick hanging out of her mouth. I idly noted that she was wearing this Goth like shirt with extra long sleeves that were attached by fishnet to the shoulders and a hood. The entire shirt was black with what I think looked like blood red ribbons or belt or something criss crossing everywhere. Her other hand was pulling the sucker out of her mouth. It was red. Was it cherry? It sure didn't smell like it. It smelled almost coppery... like blood. Please tell me it's cherry and not blood. Please? Shit. It was blood wasn't it.
"Answers to what Relena?"
Relena smiled at us. It was this empty, no one's home so please leave a message, kind of smile. It's sort of unnerving.
"We were ask to investigate the Malkavians of the city by our sires. They said that there was one here. We didn't find any. Molly feels like us."
Okay, not really all there. Well, not mentally anyway. Back up, they were sent to investigate another Malkavian? I looked up in confusion at Heero. He shrugged. Wonder if Ms. Off in Space made sense to him because she barely did to me.
"Fine! I'll ask for his help and settle this once and for all!"
That would have been Hilde yelling. And that would be Hilde marching over here. How come I have a feeling the 'him she might be talking about might be me?
"Duo I need your help."
Yeah, I was right. Damn it. I was hoping for a quiet night.
Sigh. "With what Hilde?"
"I need you to settle something once and for all. What is Molly Beckett?"
I blinked. "Toreador, isn't she? That's what I was told she was."
Soft snort. "I highly doubt she is a Toreador."
I shrugged. "Then what do you want me to do about it?"
"Do whatever it is you do and find out her clan, age, whatever. I must know."
"Who says I can do any of that?"
"Milliardo and Treize."
Damn it. "Fine. Where is she."?
"Ms. Molly? She's over there," Relena said absently as she waved her sucker over to a far corner.
Sure enough, there was Molly sitting there surrounded by her two ghouls and what looked to be leather bound book.
Another sigh from yours truly. "Alright then. I'll get to the bottom of this."
Well, there goes my comfy spot. Such a nice spot too.
I made my way over to where Ms. Beckett was seated and stopped before her table. "Ms. Beckett? We seem to have a problem here, mind if I solve it?"
She looked up from this ancient looking book. If I wasn't mistaken, that was Latin written on those pages. Interesting. Not many people read Latin now days. "What's the problem Mr. Maxwell?" She removed her wire-rimmed glasses and rubbed her eyes.
"Well, you see, there seems to be this dispute over what clan you actually are. So would you mind if I checked? It's harmless, I promise." I gave her this good ole boy smile.
She seemed to tense up with each word I said. "Is that so?"
I nodded, the good ole boy smile still plastered on my face. Deathscythe was whispering that she was going to bolt. Her ghouls looked uneasy as they tried to move out of her way.
A moment later I felt someone shove me out of the way and felt the back draft of someone moving very, very fast past me. Okay, wasn't suspecting that.
Heero caught me before I could completely fall to the ground. Good thing to because the last thing I needed was a sore ass. Well, at least not from hitting the floor with it.
Shouts of "Someone stop her!" rang out.
Before anyone could react, I felt Deathscythe stir. It felt like it swirled around me for a moment and then took off like a shot after Molly. I could have sworn I saw the shadowly figure of a greyhound or a cheetah or something dash after her.
I watched in morbid fascination as the figure crashed into the fleeing kindred and sent her crashing to the floor as it disappeared into her. She screamed as she curled into herself on the floor. Her ghoulettes rushed to her side, calling out to her in French as she wailed and cried.
I moved to stand on my own instead of half standing in Heero's arms and started to head over to her.
People moved out of my way as I moved closer. Everyone seemed to be giving me a wide berth and when I got there I could see why.
Molly was in the fetal position on the floor with her ghoulettes trying to get near her. They were failing. Molly was surrounded with swirling purple shadows that looked to be tearing her aura apart.
That was because Deathscythe was tearing her aura apart.
Whispered questions of 'What's going on?' could be heard everywhere.
I felt Heero come to stand behind me, just a little off to my left and knew that the others were slowly making their way to the center of the action as well.
Personally, I wasn't quite sure what my power was doing. It sure as hell was doing something. Her aura was practically visible to everyone and was slowly changing, reconstructing itself. I couldn't help but stare. In all of my 122 years of life, I have never seen my power do anything like this. Yeah, it's always told me ages, generation and even clan. But that's basic stuff you know? This was something on a whole new level. I just didn't know what level that was.
Then, to everyone's shock and horror, her body began to shift and change. She became shorter, her body more curvy and her hair went from black to a reddish brown. Her facial structure completely shifted into that of someone that looked about 19 years old and gorgeous. She had flawless pale skin, long legs, and a perfect body. If I'm not mistaken, it was all-natural. Her clothes didn't fit her any more. The pants were practically falling off of her waist and the shirt hung off her shoulders, though her ample chest remained covered.
This was Molly Beckett? What the hell just happened? I felt something brush my hand and then Deathscythe returned to me. Oh. Shit.
My eyes widened as I stared down at the girl who was huddled on the floor. Her name was Sadie Dulamain. She was the disinherited daughter of a New Zealand business tycoon. She had been kindred for nearly 10 years. She was young and still learning. Her sire died right in front of her eyes in a Sabbat attack. The woman that was her sire was named Mara Delacroix. She was the one that gave her that engagement ring the night before the attack. In that same attack, Sadie was left a blubbering, child-like mess for weeks before snapping out of it. She then got her revenge by killing off the prince of the city. Another Malkavian that had cared for her. She was nearly killed for that offence but instead was shown mercy by her victim's sire that felt she was useful. He had a Tzimisce change her appearance and then dominated her into being Molly Beckett. She had been a sleeper spy.
She stared up at me fearfully as her two ghoulettes held her between them. I was dazed. There was more to this and I knew it. I knew everything.
"What the hell."
That would be Wu-bear snapping me out of my daze. I shook my head and tugged on my own braid. "Man, this is fucked up. That is the only way to describe this."
"For once, I have to agree with you Mr. Maxwell."
When did Treize get here? I turned to the Ventrue and nodded. "Do you know who she is then?"
He nodded. "Yes. Sadie Dulamain. She is the childer of Mara Delacroix and grand childer of Jean Pierre of clan Malkavian. She was convicted of the murder of the Prince of a city in the north only to disappear before her death sentence could be carried out. The current Ventrue Prince of that city had asked for any of his clan mates that had spotted her to report back to him. They still want her head apparently."
Sadie whimpered and clung to Ree as Mar stroked her hair. "Please, leave her alone. She's all we got."
Ree was already pleading for her Mistress's life. I winced slightly as my power stirred again. Deathscythe had tasted her. It wanted her. I tried to squash that urge as I turned away from them and stepped closer to Heero. I leaned my head against his shoulder and felt his arms slip around me. What the hell am I supposed to do?
"That was an interesting show. You managed to reverse a Tzimisce's handy work. That's no small feat." The clapping of hands echoed through the hushed room.
I suppressed the urge to groan. That's just what I needed, her to complicate things.
Heero growled. "Go away Victoria."
"Is that any way to talk to your betters, beast? How about I turn you into the animal you really are? Or do you want to pretend to have a shred of humanity left?"
I could feel Heero tense. I winced. That was a pretty sharp barb she aimed at him.
"I would rather be a beast than a soulless fiend."
I could practically feel the shadows start to condense around us. Not again. Please, not again.
Deathscythe stirred as I mentally begged for the fight that was practically on the horizon to stop.
Heero moved me off of him and stood in front of me, facing Victoria.
The undead Fiend was smiling at Heero as the shadows around her feet condensed. She had already proven she had mastery of long-range flesh molding abilities. That was something that she should not have been able to do.
"Will you two please stop fighting? The last thing we need is another incident like last night."
I was surprised to find Dorothy standing near Sadie and her ghoulettes. I have no clue where she came from, but for once, I was glad she was there.
Victoria turned her attention to Dorothy and practically sneered. "Why would I want to listen to a Sabbat child?"
To her credit, Dorothy didn't rise to the bait. " You might want to listen Ms. Winter. I am about to tell you the name of the Bishop that is arriving later this evening."
Okay, that was a showstopper. Well for anyone that didn't know anyway.
Victoria seemed to think for a moment before nodding. She dismissed her shadows and turned her back on us before walking away. The crowd parted for her as she made her way to the bar where her usual companion was waiting.
Dorothy watched her leave before clearing her throat. Heero watched her warily as he stayed on guard. Apparently he didn't trust Victoria anymore than I did.
"His Excellency Bishop Darcy will be arriving tonight around 2 am. That's six hours from now. Do whatever it is you need to do to prepare for his arrival."
I noted that Victoria was scowling and Johann was glaring at Dorothy after she had finished her announcement. I'm guessing that they've had run ins with this guy before. This should be fun.
XXXXX
A few hours later found me bored out of my skull. No surprise there. After the announcement, the crowd dispersed and Noin coaxed Sadie and her girls off to another part of the room so she could talk to them. Apparently Milliardo decided to grant her amnesty and is allowing her to stay in this city. Don't know if he's allowed to do that, but hey, it's his political system, not mine.
"Relax. You're too tense."
This coming from a walking guard dog. "Well, at least I'm not the one that was about to pick a fight with a woman that can strip flesh from a distance."
Okay so I wasn't exactly bored. I was stewing. Do you blame me?
"Hn."
I gave him my own version of a death glare and turned to face him. "Yeah, like that will just stop this argument from happening. Think again buddy. Did you learn nothing from last night? Well?"
"Hn."
I growled and stood up from my seat. "Fine. Whatever. See if I care." I tossed my braid over my shoulder and stormed off.
A very annoyed Trowa informed me later that I completely missed Heero's hurt look.
XXXX
"Duo, Heero was just trying to protect you."
I blew at my bangs. "Yeah, well, I can take care of myself you know."
"Really? We haven't seen you try yet."
I growled as I looked behind me. I was up on the balcony level of the Marie's Double, leaning against the railing. "Yeah, well, it's hard to try when everyone's jumping in to save my ass before I can blink."
"I see."
"Do you really Trowa?"
"I think so."
"Huh. Well, that makes one of us I guess."
"I guess so."
We remained there in silence for a while. I watched everyone move about on the first floor knowing that none of them would even think of looking up. Not that it mattered any way; I was entitled to go wherever I wanted.
Trowa leaned against the railing beside me and remained silent for a while. We remained like that for a few moments before he opened his mouth again.
"I know how he feels."
I snorted, but kept quiet. Somehow I knew that he needed to say this.
"Before you came along Wufei and I were bound together as much as any two kindred could be. We were brothers and lovers." There was a pause. "Before that I was a mercenary, both in life and in death. Wufei was a scholar and the heir to a prestigious Chinese clan of philosophers. He was even married. He watched her die before he was embraced. His embrace was an accident by a careless neonate that didn't know what he was doing." There was a sigh. "When I first found him the night after his embrace he was lost, alone, and desperate. I bound him to me to save his life. As time wore on, I admit I didn't understand him, or the bond. He nearly died to protect me before I realized how precious he was to me."
I listened. Why was Trowa telling me this?
There was a soft chuckle. "You're wondering why I am telling you this."
I blinked and gave him a startled look.
That got me a laugh out of him. "I do not have the ability some older kindred have to read minds. Your face betrays your thoughts."
Huh, so that's how he did it. He really was that perceptive.
"What I am saying Duo is that Heero realizes how precious you are to him and wants to protect you at all costs. He's just waiting for you to realize the same about him."
I blew at my bangs again. "Yeah, but how much of that is the bond talking and how much of that is real?"
He shrugged. "There really is no way to tell. But in time, they are one in the same."
I snorted and toyed with the end of my braid. "Yeah, but he'll outlive me."
"So? Enjoy what you have Duo."
"Hn."
Laughter. "You and he are good for each other."
XXXX
After my little chat with the Tro-man, I wandered the area. I had a lot on my mind. Not always a good thing for a guy like me.
I wasn't watching where I was going when I bumped into someone.
"Hey! Watch it!"
I rubbed my shoulder where I bounced into the solid mass that was in front of me. This man was huge!
I gave him a pleasant, nice-guy don't hurt me smile. "Sorry man wasn't watching where I was going."
"Yeah right. I bet a little shrimp like you is just looking for a beating."
Great, just walking causes trouble for me. "No seriously dude, I'm sorry." I tried backing away from him and moving around.
He wouldn't have any of that. He moved to block my way. "No, I seriously think you need to be taught a lesson."
"You think? I hope you didn't kill off what few brain cells you have left."
Open mouth insert foot. Shit, I'm in trouble.
There was the sound of flesh hitting flesh and my head twisted to the side as I fell to the floor. Damn it, I didn't even see that coming. What the hell? I rubbed the side of my face where he had hit me and winced when I tasted blood. The hit had split my lip open. Wonderful.
I grumbled as I reached in my coat for the gun I had holstered there. Thank God for Paranoia. It really will save my life.
I scooted a little ways away from him and rolled over to sit on my ass with a gun pointed at him from the floor. Browning don't fail me now. I clicked the safety off and stared down the barrel at him. "Come on, try that again. I dare ya."
He laughed at me. The damn bastard laughed at me. He didn't think I could hit him. That damn bastard. I glared up at him as I pressed the trigger. A shot rang out, echoing though the room as the guy dusted. I don't care how old you are, a shot to the heart will kill you.
I glared around at the people standing there stunned. "Anyone else wanna try their luck with Mr. Gun? "
There was quick responses or 'No' as people scattered. I clicked the safety back on and holstered the gun before getting up. I gently touched my lip and sighed. That was going to take awhile to heal.
"Smooth move Maxwell."
"Hey, don't talk. You would have removed his head Wu."
"Perhaps, but I would have ended it skillfully at least."
"You mean not from the floor."
There was a soft chuckle. "Exactly."
I sighed as I fell in step besides Wufei. "Alright, so I lack style. I've had a shitty week."
"Haven't we all?"
"Hn."
"How articulate, you're beginning to sound like Heero."
I stuck my tongue out at him.
That got me an amused look.
We walked around the room for a bit, practically doing an entire circuit in silence. It was on our second time passing the bar that Wufei spoke again.
"Heero's been beating himself up since you stormed off. Quatre's sitting with him and making sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
I sighed. I knew he was going to bring Heero up again sooner or later. "So?"
Pause. "I know what Trowa told you."
"Yeah, so?"
"Heero needs you Duo."
"Yeah yeah. Because of the bond."
There was an annoyed grunt coming from Wufei. "You don't get it do you?"
I gave him a sidelong look. "Get what?"
"Duo, You are his world because of the bond. You're killing him by doing this."
I sighed. That's one way to take the wind out of my sails. "Fine... where is he."
Wufei lead me back up to the empty office that we used the night before. Sitting on the couch was Quatre holding a kicked puppy looking Heero. Trowa was leaning against the desk watching them.
Damn I feel like a heel.
Wufei closed the door behind us and leaned against it.
He and Trowa exchanged looks and then stared at me with these eyes that seemed to say 'Well? Aren't you going to do something?'
I shoved my hands in my pockets and hunched my shoulders. I hate apologizing. Seriously, I really hate it.
"Look, I'm sorry." There I said it. Happy?
Heero looked up at me with this tear stained face. I was surprised to note they were actual tear instead of the blood red tears that Vampires were supposed to cry. He stared at me for a few moments before nodding. The next thing I knew I had the arms of a very emotional Gangrel around me with his lips crashing down on mine. My first reaction was to tense up and try to resist. I quickly squashed that notion and relaxed, slipping my arms around his waist as I kissed him back. Somehow, I knew he needed this reassurance that I wasn't mad at him anymore.
The tender moment was broken by a knock at the door. Wufei opened it slightly and talked to whoever was on the other side in hushed whispers. He then shut the door and turned to the rest of us. We were looking at him expectantly.
"That was Noin. The Bishop has arrived."
XXXXX
Glossary
Giovanni- Necromancers, Nigrimancer, Necro-incestuous. The usurpers of clan Cappadocian and the youngest clan of Caine, the Giovanni are both a clan and a family. They Embrace exclusively within their family (one of many things kept within the family), and are heavily focused on two goals: money and (necromantic) power.
Bishop- An advisory staff member with some political standing. Becoming a Bishop is not easy, it is, however, almost always the stepping stone for getting any higher in Sabbat politics (excluding a few monomacies here and there.) Bishops are known to work with Arch-Bishops in an area, and can sometimes earn the honor of keeping track of important resources, varying from territory to important tasks necessary for the improvment of the Sword of Caine (and one's own standing, of course.)
Necromancers and you- My wonderful beta ArtemisEmerald suggested I put this here. Please let it be noted that for Duo, everything is originally mine. So here's the thought process for Du's Necro-senses. Necromancers have been around since the beginning if history, or at least since the time of Caine the first kindred. There is only ever one Human necromancer at a time. Which was fine because at the time there were not kindred necromancers. The Giovanni did not exist, instead there was the Cappadocians who studied death, not trying to control it. They were scholars. Anyway, getting back on track. The Human Necromancers lived long lives curtisy of the entity they shared their body with. Most of the necromancers didn't realize that this entity was something more than inborn power they possessed. The few like Mikail figured it out. They tried to either control it similar to what the Giovanni do or learn from it sort of like the Cappadocians did. The ones that tried to control it and use it for their own gain had the shortest life spans of the Necromancers. The ones that tried to learn from it realized that this power of their was a living entity that needed a host body to thrive in. As far as they knew, there was only one of its kind. The one's that figured it out named it. The named has changed through the ages, creating some of the Death myths out in the world. When it's host dies, by either being killed or a natural death, the power goes out into the world, being drawn to its next host. The host can be any newborn born on the day that it's old host died.
Duo was that lucky babe. The host may not show any signs of the entity's powers until sometime after their 7th or 8th birthday. And even then it might be something small. The most common thing would be road kill getting up and following them or a dead pet returning from the grave. They're not able to animate people until they're adults. As for the exact powers the entity grants it's hosts, well it varies from host to host. There's the basic reanimantion power, plus a sort of defensive bit like you've seen with Duo and the wind scythe bit. Plus there's being able to tell what clan, generation or age a kindred is. The average Human Necromancer lives about 250 years.
(I hope that gives you more insight on Duo's powers. This is not based off of anything more than my own imagination. So, yeah, I guess you could say this is mine. )
I guess I should give you a slight warning now. I'm a college student faced with the start of the semester come monday 1/14/07. I'm not sure how that will affect my writing and update time, so please bare with me if it takes me a few days to get a chapter out. I hope that wont discourage people from reading this wonderful fic!
Well, hope you enjoy this next chapter of Duo Maxwell, Gun for Hire!
Disclaimer: Dont own GW or VTM/WOD. I do own the concept behind Duo's necro-senses!
XXXX
Groan. Grumble.
So warm. Five more minutes... please?
There was a gentle tug on my braid and the sound of a distant murmur.
I grumbled and ignored them. I wasn't about to get up. I was comfy. Leave me alone.
"Duo, time to get up."
I buried my head into my pillow. I dun wanna...
Yank. Yelp.
Damn it! Whose bright idea was it to turn on the lights and yank the covers off? I was gonna kill them... Again.
I glared up at Heero who was standing over me with a satisfied smirk. He had the covers in his hands. Damn him.
I glanced over at the alarm clock on the bedside table. It was 5:40 PM. Well at least I got a decent days sleep. You know it's sort of sad that I say that. Aren't human's supposed to be day creatures? I mean, seriously. Come on.
"Welcome to the waking world Duo. Now how about breakfast?"
Great, I created a monster. One that likes eating my food. Me grumpy? Perish the thought. Yeah so I'm not a morning... err... afternoon person.
I grabbed the blanket away from him and wrapped it around my self and rolled over. "Eat whatever you want. Wake me up when the three love birds on the couch wake up." That should by me about another half an hour or so I think.
There was the sound of an annoyed "Hn." Followed by the sound of an annoyed Gangrel leaving. Good. Back to sleep for me.
I started to drift off again when the sound of clinking pans reached my ears. I ignored it. Then there was the sound of clinking glass. I ignored that. Then there was the sound of a roaring lion. It's hard to ignore that. I yelped as I practically jumped out of bed and raced down stairs.
If I wasn't annoyed before, I was now. Heero was standing there, leaning against the cupboard with a glass of orange juice and two discarded frying pans on the counter. He just calmly looked at me and sipped his drink.
I could take three guesses at what he was doing before and the first two don't count.
"What the hell is the big idea? I was trying to sleep!"
"Hn."
"What do you mean so what? That doesn't mean you should try whatever to wake me up. What if you accidentally summoned a lion or something huh? How would I explain that to the landlord?"
"Hn."
"Gah! I give up. I'm awake, happy?"
"Hn."
I glared at him as I wrenched open the fridge door and started digging for something to eat. If he insisted I be up I might as well cook something to eat.
XXXX
A half an hour and a few eggs and bacon later, the couch trio woke up. Right on time.
There was the sound of shifting and some groaning coming from under the pile of blankets.
Heero and I watched them from where we were leaning against the half wall. Okay so my bad mood didn't stick. Especially when we were given after dinner entertainment like this.
A foot slipped out from under the covers only to be pulled back in. More blankets shifted. A hand yanked up a blanket that was falling off of them. There was a glimpse of blonde and then the sound of moaning. Where's a video camera when you need one?
This went on for over ten more minutes before Heero and I decided that they've had enough fun.
"Shall we?" I motioned to the blanketed mass.
A curt nod. "It only seems fair."
We crept over and reached for the blankets.
"One."
"Two"
"THREE!"
We yanked off the blankets and started to laugh. Okay so I started to laugh. Heero had a smirk on his face.
All three of them had messed up hair, various missing items of clothing and flushed looks. My guess is intense make out sessions and heavy petting. All centered around Q-bean.
Quatre had the decency to looked embarrassed at getting caught. Wufei gave us this 'I'm going to kill you in a very unpleasant way and then put you back together so I can to it again' glare. Trowa looked amused.
"So who's the top and who's the bottoms? Or do you take turns?"
Growl. "Maxwell. Start running."
I laughed as I saw Wufei reach for his katana. Let the chase begin.
Upstairs, dodge, taunt, downstairs, over the counter, duck, dodge again. Ooh! Close one!
I was diving behind whoever was nearest, and sticking my tongue out over their shoulders and taunting Wu-bear.
Several blade marks in my wall later it ended. I was hiding behind Heero when he decided to end it.
"That's enough Chang."
"No it isn't, Maxwell's still got his braid. Move Yuy."
Shink. "Chang, That's enough."
Grumble and the slide of a blade into its sheathe. "Fine. Sword against claws are never good odds."
I was staring wide eyed at the claws that Heero made appear out of his hands. That was a Gangrel only thing. I think I'll stay right where I am. Those look sharp. And pointy. And dangerous.
A few moments after Wufei put away his sharp pointy object of bodily harm, Heero's claws melded back into his hands. There was no evidence that he had ever had them.
After that, we all got ready for yet another night of Kindred antics. Why did I take this job?
XXXXXX
So back to Elysium we go. Unfortunately it's my job to be here and baby sit.
By now everyone's gotten used to my little rag tag group of helpers. Which I guess is a good thing. The sad part is it only took four or five days.
Heero and I settled into a booth near the bar while the other three disappeared to who knows where. Well, Okay. I can see Trowa at the bar talking to that Cathy chick.
Quatre somehow got lost in the crowd. How do you loose someone who has bright blond hair? Well, apparently it's possible.
Wufei had spotted Une and went off to talk to her. Don't know what about and somehow I don't think I want to know.
For a while things remained quiet. That didn't last long. An argument had started up between Hilde, and to my surprise, Milliardo.
From here I couldn't make out what they were saying, but Hilde seemed to be upset and Milliardo just looked annoyed. Poor Noin was trying to do her best to calm down the angry Malkavian.
"Hilde wants answers."
What the hell! I jumped right onto Heero's lap as a woman's voice came right out of nowhere. It sounded almost well, distant. Like the speaker wasn't all there.
It took me a moment to realize who was sitting there. Can you blame me? The last two times I was here I barely saw her. And the last time she was throwing bottles at us. Yeah, It was Relena. She appeared out of nowhere.
It took me a few moments to calm my racing heart. Not that I was in a hurry to move mind you. I was perfectly comfortable in Heero's lap with his arms around my waist.
Relena was sitting there with her elbows on the table and her head supported on left palm with a sucker stick hanging out of her mouth. I idly noted that she was wearing this Goth like shirt with extra long sleeves that were attached by fishnet to the shoulders and a hood. The entire shirt was black with what I think looked like blood red ribbons or belt or something criss crossing everywhere. Her other hand was pulling the sucker out of her mouth. It was red. Was it cherry? It sure didn't smell like it. It smelled almost coppery... like blood. Please tell me it's cherry and not blood. Please? Shit. It was blood wasn't it.
"Answers to what Relena?"
Relena smiled at us. It was this empty, no one's home so please leave a message, kind of smile. It's sort of unnerving.
"We were ask to investigate the Malkavians of the city by our sires. They said that there was one here. We didn't find any. Molly feels like us."
Okay, not really all there. Well, not mentally anyway. Back up, they were sent to investigate another Malkavian? I looked up in confusion at Heero. He shrugged. Wonder if Ms. Off in Space made sense to him because she barely did to me.
"Fine! I'll ask for his help and settle this once and for all!"
That would have been Hilde yelling. And that would be Hilde marching over here. How come I have a feeling the 'him she might be talking about might be me?
"Duo I need your help."
Yeah, I was right. Damn it. I was hoping for a quiet night.
Sigh. "With what Hilde?"
"I need you to settle something once and for all. What is Molly Beckett?"
I blinked. "Toreador, isn't she? That's what I was told she was."
Soft snort. "I highly doubt she is a Toreador."
I shrugged. "Then what do you want me to do about it?"
"Do whatever it is you do and find out her clan, age, whatever. I must know."
"Who says I can do any of that?"
"Milliardo and Treize."
Damn it. "Fine. Where is she."?
"Ms. Molly? She's over there," Relena said absently as she waved her sucker over to a far corner.
Sure enough, there was Molly sitting there surrounded by her two ghouls and what looked to be leather bound book.
Another sigh from yours truly. "Alright then. I'll get to the bottom of this."
Well, there goes my comfy spot. Such a nice spot too.
I made my way over to where Ms. Beckett was seated and stopped before her table. "Ms. Beckett? We seem to have a problem here, mind if I solve it?"
She looked up from this ancient looking book. If I wasn't mistaken, that was Latin written on those pages. Interesting. Not many people read Latin now days. "What's the problem Mr. Maxwell?" She removed her wire-rimmed glasses and rubbed her eyes.
"Well, you see, there seems to be this dispute over what clan you actually are. So would you mind if I checked? It's harmless, I promise." I gave her this good ole boy smile.
She seemed to tense up with each word I said. "Is that so?"
I nodded, the good ole boy smile still plastered on my face. Deathscythe was whispering that she was going to bolt. Her ghouls looked uneasy as they tried to move out of her way.
A moment later I felt someone shove me out of the way and felt the back draft of someone moving very, very fast past me. Okay, wasn't suspecting that.
Heero caught me before I could completely fall to the ground. Good thing to because the last thing I needed was a sore ass. Well, at least not from hitting the floor with it.
Shouts of "Someone stop her!" rang out.
Before anyone could react, I felt Deathscythe stir. It felt like it swirled around me for a moment and then took off like a shot after Molly. I could have sworn I saw the shadowly figure of a greyhound or a cheetah or something dash after her.
I watched in morbid fascination as the figure crashed into the fleeing kindred and sent her crashing to the floor as it disappeared into her. She screamed as she curled into herself on the floor. Her ghoulettes rushed to her side, calling out to her in French as she wailed and cried.
I moved to stand on my own instead of half standing in Heero's arms and started to head over to her.
People moved out of my way as I moved closer. Everyone seemed to be giving me a wide berth and when I got there I could see why.
Molly was in the fetal position on the floor with her ghoulettes trying to get near her. They were failing. Molly was surrounded with swirling purple shadows that looked to be tearing her aura apart.
That was because Deathscythe was tearing her aura apart.
Whispered questions of 'What's going on?' could be heard everywhere.
I felt Heero come to stand behind me, just a little off to my left and knew that the others were slowly making their way to the center of the action as well.
Personally, I wasn't quite sure what my power was doing. It sure as hell was doing something. Her aura was practically visible to everyone and was slowly changing, reconstructing itself. I couldn't help but stare. In all of my 122 years of life, I have never seen my power do anything like this. Yeah, it's always told me ages, generation and even clan. But that's basic stuff you know? This was something on a whole new level. I just didn't know what level that was.
Then, to everyone's shock and horror, her body began to shift and change. She became shorter, her body more curvy and her hair went from black to a reddish brown. Her facial structure completely shifted into that of someone that looked about 19 years old and gorgeous. She had flawless pale skin, long legs, and a perfect body. If I'm not mistaken, it was all-natural. Her clothes didn't fit her any more. The pants were practically falling off of her waist and the shirt hung off her shoulders, though her ample chest remained covered.
This was Molly Beckett? What the hell just happened? I felt something brush my hand and then Deathscythe returned to me. Oh. Shit.
My eyes widened as I stared down at the girl who was huddled on the floor. Her name was Sadie Dulamain. She was the disinherited daughter of a New Zealand business tycoon. She had been kindred for nearly 10 years. She was young and still learning. Her sire died right in front of her eyes in a Sabbat attack. The woman that was her sire was named Mara Delacroix. She was the one that gave her that engagement ring the night before the attack. In that same attack, Sadie was left a blubbering, child-like mess for weeks before snapping out of it. She then got her revenge by killing off the prince of the city. Another Malkavian that had cared for her. She was nearly killed for that offence but instead was shown mercy by her victim's sire that felt she was useful. He had a Tzimisce change her appearance and then dominated her into being Molly Beckett. She had been a sleeper spy.
She stared up at me fearfully as her two ghoulettes held her between them. I was dazed. There was more to this and I knew it. I knew everything.
"What the hell."
That would be Wu-bear snapping me out of my daze. I shook my head and tugged on my own braid. "Man, this is fucked up. That is the only way to describe this."
"For once, I have to agree with you Mr. Maxwell."
When did Treize get here? I turned to the Ventrue and nodded. "Do you know who she is then?"
He nodded. "Yes. Sadie Dulamain. She is the childer of Mara Delacroix and grand childer of Jean Pierre of clan Malkavian. She was convicted of the murder of the Prince of a city in the north only to disappear before her death sentence could be carried out. The current Ventrue Prince of that city had asked for any of his clan mates that had spotted her to report back to him. They still want her head apparently."
Sadie whimpered and clung to Ree as Mar stroked her hair. "Please, leave her alone. She's all we got."
Ree was already pleading for her Mistress's life. I winced slightly as my power stirred again. Deathscythe had tasted her. It wanted her. I tried to squash that urge as I turned away from them and stepped closer to Heero. I leaned my head against his shoulder and felt his arms slip around me. What the hell am I supposed to do?
"That was an interesting show. You managed to reverse a Tzimisce's handy work. That's no small feat." The clapping of hands echoed through the hushed room.
I suppressed the urge to groan. That's just what I needed, her to complicate things.
Heero growled. "Go away Victoria."
"Is that any way to talk to your betters, beast? How about I turn you into the animal you really are? Or do you want to pretend to have a shred of humanity left?"
I could feel Heero tense. I winced. That was a pretty sharp barb she aimed at him.
"I would rather be a beast than a soulless fiend."
I could practically feel the shadows start to condense around us. Not again. Please, not again.
Deathscythe stirred as I mentally begged for the fight that was practically on the horizon to stop.
Heero moved me off of him and stood in front of me, facing Victoria.
The undead Fiend was smiling at Heero as the shadows around her feet condensed. She had already proven she had mastery of long-range flesh molding abilities. That was something that she should not have been able to do.
"Will you two please stop fighting? The last thing we need is another incident like last night."
I was surprised to find Dorothy standing near Sadie and her ghoulettes. I have no clue where she came from, but for once, I was glad she was there.
Victoria turned her attention to Dorothy and practically sneered. "Why would I want to listen to a Sabbat child?"
To her credit, Dorothy didn't rise to the bait. " You might want to listen Ms. Winter. I am about to tell you the name of the Bishop that is arriving later this evening."
Okay, that was a showstopper. Well for anyone that didn't know anyway.
Victoria seemed to think for a moment before nodding. She dismissed her shadows and turned her back on us before walking away. The crowd parted for her as she made her way to the bar where her usual companion was waiting.
Dorothy watched her leave before clearing her throat. Heero watched her warily as he stayed on guard. Apparently he didn't trust Victoria anymore than I did.
"His Excellency Bishop Darcy will be arriving tonight around 2 am. That's six hours from now. Do whatever it is you need to do to prepare for his arrival."
I noted that Victoria was scowling and Johann was glaring at Dorothy after she had finished her announcement. I'm guessing that they've had run ins with this guy before. This should be fun.
XXXXX
A few hours later found me bored out of my skull. No surprise there. After the announcement, the crowd dispersed and Noin coaxed Sadie and her girls off to another part of the room so she could talk to them. Apparently Milliardo decided to grant her amnesty and is allowing her to stay in this city. Don't know if he's allowed to do that, but hey, it's his political system, not mine.
"Relax. You're too tense."
This coming from a walking guard dog. "Well, at least I'm not the one that was about to pick a fight with a woman that can strip flesh from a distance."
Okay so I wasn't exactly bored. I was stewing. Do you blame me?
"Hn."
I gave him my own version of a death glare and turned to face him. "Yeah, like that will just stop this argument from happening. Think again buddy. Did you learn nothing from last night? Well?"
"Hn."
I growled and stood up from my seat. "Fine. Whatever. See if I care." I tossed my braid over my shoulder and stormed off.
A very annoyed Trowa informed me later that I completely missed Heero's hurt look.
XXXX
"Duo, Heero was just trying to protect you."
I blew at my bangs. "Yeah, well, I can take care of myself you know."
"Really? We haven't seen you try yet."
I growled as I looked behind me. I was up on the balcony level of the Marie's Double, leaning against the railing. "Yeah, well, it's hard to try when everyone's jumping in to save my ass before I can blink."
"I see."
"Do you really Trowa?"
"I think so."
"Huh. Well, that makes one of us I guess."
"I guess so."
We remained there in silence for a while. I watched everyone move about on the first floor knowing that none of them would even think of looking up. Not that it mattered any way; I was entitled to go wherever I wanted.
Trowa leaned against the railing beside me and remained silent for a while. We remained like that for a few moments before he opened his mouth again.
"I know how he feels."
I snorted, but kept quiet. Somehow I knew that he needed to say this.
"Before you came along Wufei and I were bound together as much as any two kindred could be. We were brothers and lovers." There was a pause. "Before that I was a mercenary, both in life and in death. Wufei was a scholar and the heir to a prestigious Chinese clan of philosophers. He was even married. He watched her die before he was embraced. His embrace was an accident by a careless neonate that didn't know what he was doing." There was a sigh. "When I first found him the night after his embrace he was lost, alone, and desperate. I bound him to me to save his life. As time wore on, I admit I didn't understand him, or the bond. He nearly died to protect me before I realized how precious he was to me."
I listened. Why was Trowa telling me this?
There was a soft chuckle. "You're wondering why I am telling you this."
I blinked and gave him a startled look.
That got me a laugh out of him. "I do not have the ability some older kindred have to read minds. Your face betrays your thoughts."
Huh, so that's how he did it. He really was that perceptive.
"What I am saying Duo is that Heero realizes how precious you are to him and wants to protect you at all costs. He's just waiting for you to realize the same about him."
I blew at my bangs again. "Yeah, but how much of that is the bond talking and how much of that is real?"
He shrugged. "There really is no way to tell. But in time, they are one in the same."
I snorted and toyed with the end of my braid. "Yeah, but he'll outlive me."
"So? Enjoy what you have Duo."
"Hn."
Laughter. "You and he are good for each other."
XXXX
After my little chat with the Tro-man, I wandered the area. I had a lot on my mind. Not always a good thing for a guy like me.
I wasn't watching where I was going when I bumped into someone.
"Hey! Watch it!"
I rubbed my shoulder where I bounced into the solid mass that was in front of me. This man was huge!
I gave him a pleasant, nice-guy don't hurt me smile. "Sorry man wasn't watching where I was going."
"Yeah right. I bet a little shrimp like you is just looking for a beating."
Great, just walking causes trouble for me. "No seriously dude, I'm sorry." I tried backing away from him and moving around.
He wouldn't have any of that. He moved to block my way. "No, I seriously think you need to be taught a lesson."
"You think? I hope you didn't kill off what few brain cells you have left."
Open mouth insert foot. Shit, I'm in trouble.
There was the sound of flesh hitting flesh and my head twisted to the side as I fell to the floor. Damn it, I didn't even see that coming. What the hell? I rubbed the side of my face where he had hit me and winced when I tasted blood. The hit had split my lip open. Wonderful.
I grumbled as I reached in my coat for the gun I had holstered there. Thank God for Paranoia. It really will save my life.
I scooted a little ways away from him and rolled over to sit on my ass with a gun pointed at him from the floor. Browning don't fail me now. I clicked the safety off and stared down the barrel at him. "Come on, try that again. I dare ya."
He laughed at me. The damn bastard laughed at me. He didn't think I could hit him. That damn bastard. I glared up at him as I pressed the trigger. A shot rang out, echoing though the room as the guy dusted. I don't care how old you are, a shot to the heart will kill you.
I glared around at the people standing there stunned. "Anyone else wanna try their luck with Mr. Gun? "
There was quick responses or 'No' as people scattered. I clicked the safety back on and holstered the gun before getting up. I gently touched my lip and sighed. That was going to take awhile to heal.
"Smooth move Maxwell."
"Hey, don't talk. You would have removed his head Wu."
"Perhaps, but I would have ended it skillfully at least."
"You mean not from the floor."
There was a soft chuckle. "Exactly."
I sighed as I fell in step besides Wufei. "Alright, so I lack style. I've had a shitty week."
"Haven't we all?"
"Hn."
"How articulate, you're beginning to sound like Heero."
I stuck my tongue out at him.
That got me an amused look.
We walked around the room for a bit, practically doing an entire circuit in silence. It was on our second time passing the bar that Wufei spoke again.
"Heero's been beating himself up since you stormed off. Quatre's sitting with him and making sure he doesn't do anything stupid."
I sighed. I knew he was going to bring Heero up again sooner or later. "So?"
Pause. "I know what Trowa told you."
"Yeah, so?"
"Heero needs you Duo."
"Yeah yeah. Because of the bond."
There was an annoyed grunt coming from Wufei. "You don't get it do you?"
I gave him a sidelong look. "Get what?"
"Duo, You are his world because of the bond. You're killing him by doing this."
I sighed. That's one way to take the wind out of my sails. "Fine... where is he."
Wufei lead me back up to the empty office that we used the night before. Sitting on the couch was Quatre holding a kicked puppy looking Heero. Trowa was leaning against the desk watching them.
Damn I feel like a heel.
Wufei closed the door behind us and leaned against it.
He and Trowa exchanged looks and then stared at me with these eyes that seemed to say 'Well? Aren't you going to do something?'
I shoved my hands in my pockets and hunched my shoulders. I hate apologizing. Seriously, I really hate it.
"Look, I'm sorry." There I said it. Happy?
Heero looked up at me with this tear stained face. I was surprised to note they were actual tear instead of the blood red tears that Vampires were supposed to cry. He stared at me for a few moments before nodding. The next thing I knew I had the arms of a very emotional Gangrel around me with his lips crashing down on mine. My first reaction was to tense up and try to resist. I quickly squashed that notion and relaxed, slipping my arms around his waist as I kissed him back. Somehow, I knew he needed this reassurance that I wasn't mad at him anymore.
The tender moment was broken by a knock at the door. Wufei opened it slightly and talked to whoever was on the other side in hushed whispers. He then shut the door and turned to the rest of us. We were looking at him expectantly.
"That was Noin. The Bishop has arrived."
XXXXX
Glossary
Giovanni- Necromancers, Nigrimancer, Necro-incestuous. The usurpers of clan Cappadocian and the youngest clan of Caine, the Giovanni are both a clan and a family. They Embrace exclusively within their family (one of many things kept within the family), and are heavily focused on two goals: money and (necromantic) power.
Bishop- An advisory staff member with some political standing. Becoming a Bishop is not easy, it is, however, almost always the stepping stone for getting any higher in Sabbat politics (excluding a few monomacies here and there.) Bishops are known to work with Arch-Bishops in an area, and can sometimes earn the honor of keeping track of important resources, varying from territory to important tasks necessary for the improvment of the Sword of Caine (and one's own standing, of course.)
Necromancers and you- My wonderful beta ArtemisEmerald suggested I put this here. Please let it be noted that for Duo, everything is originally mine. So here's the thought process for Du's Necro-senses. Necromancers have been around since the beginning if history, or at least since the time of Caine the first kindred. There is only ever one Human necromancer at a time. Which was fine because at the time there were not kindred necromancers. The Giovanni did not exist, instead there was the Cappadocians who studied death, not trying to control it. They were scholars. Anyway, getting back on track. The Human Necromancers lived long lives curtisy of the entity they shared their body with. Most of the necromancers didn't realize that this entity was something more than inborn power they possessed. The few like Mikail figured it out. They tried to either control it similar to what the Giovanni do or learn from it sort of like the Cappadocians did. The ones that tried to control it and use it for their own gain had the shortest life spans of the Necromancers. The ones that tried to learn from it realized that this power of their was a living entity that needed a host body to thrive in. As far as they knew, there was only one of its kind. The one's that figured it out named it. The named has changed through the ages, creating some of the Death myths out in the world. When it's host dies, by either being killed or a natural death, the power goes out into the world, being drawn to its next host. The host can be any newborn born on the day that it's old host died.
Duo was that lucky babe. The host may not show any signs of the entity's powers until sometime after their 7th or 8th birthday. And even then it might be something small. The most common thing would be road kill getting up and following them or a dead pet returning from the grave. They're not able to animate people until they're adults. As for the exact powers the entity grants it's hosts, well it varies from host to host. There's the basic reanimantion power, plus a sort of defensive bit like you've seen with Duo and the wind scythe bit. Plus there's being able to tell what clan, generation or age a kindred is. The average Human Necromancer lives about 250 years.
(I hope that gives you more insight on Duo's powers. This is not based off of anything more than my own imagination. So, yeah, I guess you could say this is mine. )