Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Slayers of the Dawn ❯ Part Three: Pleasantries, Interrupted ( Chapter 3 )

Part Three: Pleasantries, Interrupted

 

Quatre was in heaven.

 

For the first time in nearly seven full months he was able to shower as long as he liked, and sleep in a real bed with a feathered mattress and fresh, crisp sheets. They had all been given a brand new pair of soft cotton night clothes and for once he'd be able to lie in comfort rather then be plagued by itchy wool and leather. A dragon-hunter's typical wardrobe had to be able to withstand harsh conditions and hold up in trying situations, which didn't leave many material options available, all of which were far more suited for action rather than comfort.

 

The room their hosts had offered was small but meticulously clean, with space enough to fit three bunks and two mini-dressers and not much else. Still, it was better than a 7x10' cell of iron that constituted as his quarters in the Golgothan. Heero took pride in his ship - so much so that he labored endlessly to perfect it, constantly upgrading and adding to its systems - another factor that bypassed comfort for efficiency. To be able to move freely - to be able to stretch and walk without being blocked off or hampered by wires or panels or switches or shelves or row upon row of weapons - was a blessing of epic proportions, and made him infinitely grateful for even the most basic levels of kindness such a town could offer.

 

“Gods-be-damned castles - why the hell - and what the fuck is this shit??”

 

Unfortunately, Wufei didn't share his views.

 

Closing his eyes, Quatre allowed himself a moment of indulgence, tactfully ignoring his wing-partner as he slightly turned to the window and bathed in the crisp morning air, soothing rays of pre-dawn light caressing his face. He would need to rise shortly and dress, making sure to choose only his best clothes - ratty and old as they may tend to be - and prepare his words for the people of Bei Rahn and their Prime Minister. He would be understanding to their woes, soft-spoken and mild yet confident, and would be the only buffer that stood between them and the inscrutable Heero Yuy. He would be the only one to bridge the gap, piecing together and smoothing over what was often lost in translation between the people they were trying to protect, and the cold man who really didn't give much of a damn about any of them.

 

But for now he could be still, just a moment more, and pretend that he had nothing better to do than lie about in a wonderfully soft bed all day, as comfortably warm as a kitten lounging in the sun.

 

“Get up.”

 

… or not.

 

“Five more minutes, Wufei. Please? Do you know how long it has been since I've actually lain in a real bed, not to mention one as warm as this one …”

 

Wufei scoffed and moved closer, towering over Quatre just enough to block out the sun and bring shadow into the younger boy's decidedly happy delusion. “I said get up, you pampered little brat. It's not warm, it's hot as all seven hells and that stupid onna's done something with my herbs.”

 

Wisely managing to keep quiet on how utterly childish that sounded - she took my things - make her give them back, now!! - Quatre gave a fettered sigh, obediently slid from the covers, and then hesitated to a rise. The night before had been a brief one regarding introductions, consisting of an exchange of names, a brief meal, a blessedly warm shower sent from the heavens, and a gentle but deliberate shove into a spare room before he had all-but passed out from exhaustion and relief. If he actually tried to, he could vaguely dredge up a memory of a young woman arguing with Wufei the night before about something or other that he couldn't have cared less about at the time. What was her name? Sonya? Sallie? Oh, well. Something that started with an `S'. Maybe. Anyway, she must have helped to put up their bags, since from the tone of her voice - what little he could remember, as blissfully tired as he had been - she apparently didn't think highly enough of Wufei's valued herbs to steal them. Burn them, more like than use them, her words had been.

 

Yawning, Quatre trudged across the room, brushing by a still very irate Wufei who was too intent on digging through all of his packs a third time to notice the blonde's passing. When he returned a few minutes later, face and hands freshly washed, his companion was still at it, a steady stream of Mandarin curses coming out beneath every breath. It was best to ignore him for a while yet; he would burn on his own irritation for a while before eventually calming down enough to realize whatever was missing was right where he had left it to begin with. The woman the night before must have really gotten to him, for him to have lost his cool so early this morning. Secretly laughing to himself, Quatre dressed and ran a hand through his hair to bring it to order. He moved to the window of this room as he did so, setting a hand to the stone pane in order to lean out and attempt to get a good look around the last surviving human settlement this side of the Nyare Rivers.

 

It was an old castle - or what had once been an old castle, before it had been renovated to be an army stronghold and fort, before the fall of the world. Now it was some convoluted mixture of both and all, strong enough to withstand attacks from without, capable enough to be forewarned of dangers coming from all directions, and yet updated with amenities enough to where it felt more like being in an actual town as opposed to the war-torn, half-hearted places that resided everywhere else they had ever traveled. In fact, one never would have guessed that this very settlement lived not but a few clicks away from the largest of all dragon hives in existence. Or rather, fabled hives. For all that everyone outside Bei Rahn's walls knew with absolute certainty that the dragon hordes resided here, not a single person within them had shown the slightest bit of concern over the matter. It wasn't so much as if they didn't care - they were still very frightened of the existence of dragons, as any sane human would be - but rather as if they lived in complete ignorance of there being any nearby. They were as cautious and wary as anyone, just not so much so that would warrant any truth to what the rest of world believed.

 

It was a rather curious matter that begged Quatre to find out more. Again his original question came back to haunt him; how is it possible that a human city can remain so close to a dragon hold and still be alive?

 

A short time later, dressed and ready, they allowed themselves to be lead down to first meal, the servant girl kindly filling them in on names and rough descriptions of their hosts. “Miss Relena - that's the blonde girl you met yesterday, she's so terribly nice - she's the one who's the Prime Minister. Was voted in shortly after her daddy died, came on at a young age, too, only fifteen when he was killed, the poor thing. She's getting married, did you know? Well, was supposed to be married a few days ago but that dratted boy …” [here, she clucked her tongue and shook her head, neglecting to explain what “that dratted boy” had done to prevent such an occasion.] “Anyway, the other lady, the one with the darker hair, all short and butch-like? That's Hilde. They're like sisters, them two. Miss Relena's not so good at punishing people, mind, but Hilde - she's got it covered. All's fair, when it comes out of her hands. Then there's Trowa - you may not meet him just yet, he's the over-seer of the garden farms over the ridge. There's been some trouble or something over there and he's not expected back for another day or so. He's okay, if you like the silent and moody-type …”

 

Great. He and Heero should get along just fine. Quatre smiled and nearly laughed at his own thought, perhaps a little drunk off the remaining effects of a rejuvenating night before; this suddenly faltered as Heero materialized at his side and nearly gave him heart-failure. The other man's glare was cold and - at Quatre's hasty effort to cover his guilty conscience - his scowl suspicious. Hastily mumbling something off-handedly about thinking of one of his sisters, Quatre made a half-hearted effort to explain before doing a quick side-step and dodging to walk on the other side of Wufei, deliberately putting the Chinese warrior between them. For his part, Wufei didn't look the least bit intimidated by his superior. “About time you showed up, Yuy.”

 

“Hn.” Heero grunted and turned away, apparently satisfied with whatever cryptic report Wufei had given with those five words. Quatre's jumpiness was dismissed, if not forgotten.

 

Naturally aloof, Heero never took residence in the towns they came round to, always choosing to stay with his ship, guarding it and his privacy as the utmost in priority. There was no happy look about him, no sign of pleasure or even irritation regarding a night well slept or not, just an expressionless mask, faintly lined in hardness.

 

Something was different about him, though … Quatre sent a glance his way, careful to fall behind so he wouldn't be noticed as a hand fluttered up to lay against his chest, where his empathic ability seemed to center. Vaguely he could feel the faintest sense of tenseness around his superior, a sort of - confusion? No … - anxiety? No, that wasn't right, either … Something, some feeling so indefinable and so very faint Heero himself probably hadn't even noticed, yet. Whatever it was, he was tenser than usual, if that could even be humanly possible.

 

“My lords, the dining halls.”

 

The servant girl opened a pair of double-doors for them and stepped inside just enough to grant them entrance. The dining hall was the same as the night before, save for the fact that it looked infinitely more beautiful in daylight and was filled with food enough to serve an army. The main table, a beautiful crafted piece of work carved from aged Oak and made to comfortably seat thirteen genteel guests, was over-flowing with platters and trays, with more lining smaller tables by the wall. Places had been set for each of them, directly across from their hosts. One of whom seemed to be rather conspicuously absent at the moment.

 

Relena Darlian-Peacecraft was dressed beautifully in a pale yellow dress with gold and orange inlays, her hair swept in a honey-shaded trail down her back. She was a beautiful young woman, and kind from what little they had heard and seen the night before. With her was another young woman with dark hair and liquid-silver eyes, dressed in nice riding leathers, a dark emerald green vest and a crisp white shirt beneath. Quatre instantly recognized her as Hilde from the vague descriptions the servant had given them, and was surprised at how very much the chatty girl had captured of the two. Relena had that undeniable look of being in charge and capable of handling anything - or very nearly anything. Apparently there was at least one thing she couldn't control, and Hilde was trying her best to calm her down.

 

“I told him to be here at -”

 

“Are you sure he was even awake when -”

 

“Yes he was awake, Hilde! He looked me straight in the eye and told me he'd be here!”

 

“Then I'll go get him.”

 

“But he -”

 

“I'll go get him.” Hilde repeated firmly, setting a hand to Relena's arm to quiet any further argument on the young governess's part. “Give me just a moment.” She looked up then and noticed them, giving them an easy and respectful bow. “Gentleman. Excuse me for a moment, if you will …”

 

Quatre watched her slip from the room, her hands clenching into fists at the door and her head bowing low. He could hear a faint growl he took to be someone's curse of a name before the doors closed behind her. Such strange people.

 

“Prime Minister.” He turned to Relena and held out his hand, taking her one in both of his own and giving her a beautiful smile, trying at once to express all his gratitude for the previous night and morning. This motion seemed to relax her and calm her somewhat rattled nerves; she returned his smile and his greeting. “Thank you so much for your hospitality. We appreciate what you have done for us and how generous your town has been thus far.”

 

~(…)~

 

“DUO MAXWELL!!!”

 

The door to his chambers slammed open with the resounding boom of gunshot and sent him hastily scurrying to hide behind anything - the bed, a sofa, the mirror, anything - so long as it was out of Hilde's immediate reach and sight. The best that could be found was a blanket that he snatched up and held before him like a curtain, turning his face away with a grimace as he awaited the next explosion. Whenever he was late she always came at him with fists and furious words and -

 

The blanket was snatched smartly from his hands; he cringed were he stood and waited to be shot down … only to slowly, timidly open a single eye when the hit didn't come. Hilde was glaring at him, those grey eyes nearly silver with irritation simmering just beneath the surface as they traveled over his body from head to toe and back again. “Well, I see you got dressed already, at least.”

 

“Are you kidding?” He quipped in sudden relief, taking a step back and to the side, dancing around the peripheral of her reach in case she decided against being reserved this morning. Her words seemed to offer a relative peace, but her tone … sent a tremor through his own reply. “After the last time you caught me in the skivs? Of course I'm dressed.” Not like he had a choice in the matter, anyway.

 

“Fine. Why aren't you down-stairs yet?”

 

“Oh, um that. Hmm…” Duo began fidgeting with the hem of his shirt and bit his lip, looking away as he tried think of a plausible excuse. He could claim he was nervous - that much was true at least, and dreadfully obvious - just not for the more obvious reason. Every time he thought of meeting the strangers and tried to pre-plan an acceptable greeting his mind filled with deep, cobalt blue eyes like chipped marble and his silent words stuttered to a halt before they could even be voiced. Inevitably the full memory of the hunter's body, so strong and firm beneath his own, came round and before he knew it he was -

 

He blushed furiously, a strange warmth shifting around in the pit of his belly as he gave his long braid a tiny tug where it was curled over his shoulder and trailed down his chest. Just like last night it had hung down and lain against the hunter's …

 

“Listen, Hil, I don't think this would be such a good idea,” he blurted out in a rush, hastily trying to stomp his wayward imagination right where it stood. “Me meeting these new people. I mean, they're dragon-hunters, right? Why would a dragon-hunter need to meet me? I'm a nobody, just some idiot who likes to hang around and get beaten up by really cute girls.” Hilde didn't laugh at his intended joke, weak as it had been; she sent him a narrow, warning glare as she brushed his hands away from his shirt and deftly began tucking it into his waist-band. “Really … I would just get in the way, I know I would. I'd probably annoy them and piss them off and they'd probably just kill me anyway.”

 

“You're going to go down and meet them because it's your duty, Duo. You're Relena's fiancée and she is the town's governess. Protocol deems you be there for all interactions with foreigners or ranking officials from nearby towns, you know that.”

 

Damn. Here was yet another thing that kept popping up to bite him in the ass; he had to stop making promises to Hilde and Relena - they just kept seeming to get him in deeper and deeper trouble. And with that hunter from the night before … Double damn.

 

“Hilde … they'll kill me, though. I'm telling you, they will.”

 

Duo never lied, and at that moment Hilde had no idea how literal he meant his words to be. She shook her head in exasperation and gave a little growl as she re-laced his over-shirt correctly. “They will not kill you, Duo. You're being ridiculous. Now come on.”

 

With that she grabbed his arm and hauled him out of the room, stumbling toward the dining halls.

 

~(…)~

 

After a few more cordial words they all sat, two servants quietly bustling around the tables and preparing their plates for them. Quatre watched them as they selected a little from certain platters and left others - many others - untouched. Strange … how many visitors had Relena felt the need to welcome this morning?

 

Catching himself quickly he offered another smile to her and the soft words she had offered. “Mm? Oh, yes, the beds were wonderful.”

 

“I do apologize for the simplicity, as we were not expecting any travelers for another fortnight or two.” She met his smile with a pleasant one of her own, her tone nothing if not benevolent; there was nothing false about her apology and slight regret, nor was there any overt disturbance. She was concerned that they had not announced themselves before coming, and was chastising them - however gently - with less-than-magnificent accommodations. Still, Quatre could not feel any sense of disgruntlement of being given less than the best - they were still heaven, so far as he was concerned. “I will ask some of the ladies to prepare better rooms if you'd like, if they perhaps have time today. We are in the midst of our late spring harvest, you see, and all able hands focus on bringing it in and preparing it for storage.” She poured herself a cup of honey-wine, demurely thanking a young servant as a plate was put before her. Her corn-flower blue eyes met his, followed by another, smaller and perhaps more natural smile. “We can show you the storage and harvesting areas, if you'd like, while you are here. There are a few areas that I fear may need improvement and with all of your travels I am sure you may have a suggestion or two you have seen from other town-steads.”

 

“Of course.” Quatre glanced from Wufei, who was openly inspecting a fork and scratching at the metal with a grimace, to Heero, who glanced at Relena keenly before dismissing her to inspect the rafters of the dining halls. Inwardly he sighed and fought not to roll his eyes; his companions never so much as even bothered to try and fit in or come on welcoming terms to any towns they came across - why did he now hope it would be different? Perhaps because - in his mind at least - hope sprang eternal. At least a tour of the town would be more interesting than hanging around the Golgothan, running tests and bartering for more parts and supplies, which he was quite sure Heero would order him to do otherwise. “I would be most pleased to accompany you, Miss Relena. Perhaps this afternoon?”

 

“Yes, certainly. Whenever you are ready. Would your companions not like to come as well?”

 

She had caught on, quick one. Quatre mentally praised her even as he opened his mouth to reply when Wufei beat him to it, shifting uncomfortably in his chair before offering a low, “I will come as well.”

 

Somehow he managed to smother his laugh into a hoarse cough; apparently Wufei had realized what declining the offer meant he'd get stuck doing in Quatre's stead. Almond-black eyes cut a scathing glare and met Quatre's own for a few seconds. For his part, he smiled cheerfully back before turning away to look on the plate the servant set before him. It was a nice plate made of solid grey stoneware - beautifully carved, as few things were in this day and time - and was filled with juicy meats and early vegetables, the wonderful aroma instantly causing his mouth to water and his belly to fitfully remind him how little he'd been forced to survive on, with only Heero's rations as sustenance. Ah, well. As both of his companions were so fond of saying, he had chosen this life, after all.

 

Just as they were setting to eat the doors opened once more to admit Hilde, who stepped smartly a few paces into the room and gave a stiff little bow exactly like the one she'd given before she'd left. “Your pardons.”

 

“Ah, wonderful timing.” Relena rose smoothly to her feet and held out her hands to the figure walking in just behind Hilde. He went straight to her without so much as glancing in their direction, taking her hands in his own and leaning forward to place a kiss on her cheek. “My lords, may I introduce my fiancée, Duo Maxwell.”

 

Quatre blinked … and then blinked again, too startled at first to reply. He had never seen a young man with such long hair before, let alone one engaged to a Prime Minister. Many things had fallen with the modern world, but one of the few things that had remained was propriety and many dignitaries still kept themselves well-trimmed and groomed. He was at least dressed very nicely … sort of. His shirt was rumpled and rather the worse for wear, as if it had once been thrown into a corner and had just recently found the light of day once more, while the dark green vest didn't compliment his features at all - in fact, it practically clashed with the violet shade of his eyes. He seemed a little tense, too, fidgeting as he gave them a sheepish grin.

 

He seemed to be waiting on something … “Oh!” Quatre shook himself and leapt to his feet to offer his hand. “I'm terribly sorry. My name is Quatre Raberba Winner, and these are my companions, Chang Wufei and Major Heero Yuy.”

 

“Good morning. Nice to meet you both.” The boy's grip on his own was firm if not also a little hasty, ghosting away from his hand almost as soon they touched. It then went to Wufei, violet eyes flickering over them both in turn, and on to Heero … where both sight and action froze. The smile offered in trained courtesy shifted into a grin, slightly more devious than friendly. “I believe we've already met.”

 

The tenseness he had felt in his superior earlier that morning was suddenly intensified, accompanied now by another, both strangely foreign and familiar at the same time. Heero and Duo's hands were clasped over the table for a breath of a second, their eyes meeting just long enough for Quatre to realize there was more behind that one look than a mere greeting. Heero's gaze turned into a glare even as Duo was stepping back, letting the connection fall between them. Guided by Relena's example they all sat once more, where Quatre was astonished to see both servants setting two large plates brimming with twice as much food as all the others before the boy while a third servant made up another. Neither Relena, Hilde - who had quietly seated herself on Relena's other side - nor Duo made any comment on the arrangement, as if it were normal for him to be served such an exorbitant place. Withholding his reaction and taking a strong hold on his manners, Quatre forced himself to overlook it as well and sat, silently curious to see exactly how much the boy would eat of the feast lain out before them all.

 

By the end of the third plate, while polite conversation moved between them, Quatre unconsciously gave up trying estimate how much Duo could safely ingest without bursting; he seemed a bottomless pit, although his table manners - if nothing else - were impeccable and extremely neat.

 

“Have you by chance traveled past the Chiron Territories?” Hilde asked, sitting up in her chair with a chalice of honey-wine loosely clasped between her hands. “We have heard disturbing news of their King being ill, but have not had a chance to inquire or send an offer of aid.”

 

“King Tsubarov.” Wufei, who had taken over the conversation when some of the more interconnected political names were mentioned, nodded gravely. There was no sadness there, no love lost between the warrior and the ill-fated King. “Yes, he passed shortly after we arrived there a month ago. His son has taken over in his stead.”

 

“Oh, how horrible.” Relena sat up as well from where she had taken to resting comfortably in her chair, giving the table up much as Quatre had only moments ago to leave Hilde to inquire more in depth of foreign matters.

 

“Not really.” Duo glanced up briefly, his voice muffled as he munched on his fifth biscuit. Catching Hilde's glare his gulped down some juice and blandly met Relena's equally reprimanding gaze. “What? That old turkey deserved to kick the big one, after what he did when you first stepped up, princess. Anyone who can kick a maiden out the gates by herself in the dark of night deserves to have both his -”

 

“Regardless,” Relena slapped a hand over his mouth, flushing a pert shade of red as she hastily motioned one of the servants closer. “His people must be greatly grieved by his passing and -”

 

“Not bloody likely.” Duo muttered, slipping from her grasp and turning back to his meal.

 

“- we should send our regrets and condolences. Elencia, please get with Madame Merial this afternoon and prepare something, won't you? Thank you.” Relena smiled to the servant and turned an apologetic look toward Quatre, in response to Duo's rather apathetic tone.

 

Quatre was in no was disturbed by the young man's comments and was inclined to agree with him - Tsubarov had been a bit of a bastard that none of them had wanted to delegate with long. Before they had left there had been rumors spreading rampant throughout the castle-hold that the `illness' had in fact been a deliberate poisoning … and no one in the hold had seemed to mind too much if it had been truth or not. There wasn't really a party at his death - but then again, when normally rationed food was served all-tilt and the mead ran unwatched that night, it was close enough to one to count.

 

“I wonder how his daughters faired …” Hilde exchanged a glance with Relena. “Perhaps we should go down there when the harvesting is complete, to see how things are with them and make sure …”

 

Something shifted in Quatre's chest, making him lose his concentration on the conversation. He clenched a length of his slacks in one fist, taking his cup in the other and hiding the covert glance he sent his superior in the guise of taking a sip. Heero was focused on Duo again, the very same intense look - a not-quite-glare, but not-quite-anything-else type look - marking his features as it had all through the meal. A moment later he transitioned his gaze back to Relena; it was Duo then who glanced up and stared at Heero, violet eyes nearly hidden beneath the ragged fall of his bangs.

 

They were both still inwardly tense, the spiritual presence they were giving off enough to leave even Quatre confused as to what exactly they felt. There was definitely a certain note of fascination in both of them toward one another, as well as a strange soft of anxiety and hostility - all three emotions so convoluted and intermixed it was impossible to tell from whom they originated. So strange …

 

The anxiety seemed to rise in a brief surge as Heero looked toward Duo once more and their gazes met; violet eyes hastily dropped away as Duo began to shift in his seat. The talk between the others hand fallen into a lull, broken only as he cleared his throat. “So, um … why are you guys here, exactly?”

 

“Duo!” Relena, appalled, quickly turned to their guests to reassure them, “Forgive my fiancée's rudeness, please. He's hasn't been well these past few days and -”

 

“Hasn't been well?” Duo blinked at her. “What happened to me?”

 

Hilde growled his name in warning, even as Quatre tried to covertly hide another laugh. It didn't work out so well this time; Duo slid a quick grin his way, sharing in the humor. “No, no, it's perfectly all right, Miss Relena. There's no harm in asking or wondering. We are the outsiders here - you need not hold your questions on our account.”

 

Partially placated but still obviously dismayed, Relena let it go, her attention shifting to Heero as he broke into the conversation for the first time. “There are reports of dragons in these mountains.”

 

“Reports? Of dragons here?” Relena set her goblet down so fast it accidentally caught the edge of her plate and nearly knocked it over. Duo caught the cup for her before wine could spill over the table. “You must be mistaken. There hasn't been a dragon sighted in this area since my father's reign. When were these reports taken? Hilde, shall we call in the field workers? What if they're in danger -”

 

“Nonsense, Relena.” Duo murmured quietly, setting her goblet back carefully. “They won't come here.”

 

Heero's dark eyes narrowed on him. “And how would you know that?”

 

“Because it's like she said; no dragon has been sighted in these skies for years. Why would they suddenly come out of hiding now - if they even are in hiding - just to attack humans?” His tone was steady and matter of fact, the low hum of his voice meant to calm Relena's natural concern for her people. “They've had plenty of time to do so before now, ne?”

 

“That's true,” Quatre offered, “Then again, they are dragons.”

 

“And that makes them evil?”

 

“Are you defending them?” Heero demanded, scowling at him from across the table; Duo's features turned hard and he glared right back. Surprisingly it was not he who responded to the accusation, but Hilde.

 

“Certainly not.” She met them both, firm and confident. “We've no love for the dragons any more than any other human alive. Our very survival is dependant on their whims - the flight of mere animals, with animal instincts. That is something you must remember, gentlemen. And like most animals, they tend to move. If there were reports of dragons here they must be very old.”

 

“Regardless, we would be obliged to investigate.” Quatre anxiously watched Heero, who had yet to back down. He then tried to defuse the situation by offering Relena another faltering smile, which she could not bring herself to try and reciprocate. “For the safety of your people, Miss Relena. We do not come to create trouble or spread any needless cause for fear. We are only investigating what until now have been rumors.” Very strong rumors.

 

“I … I can understand that. But please tell me, what has led you to believe that they are here? Have there been attacks in the nearby towns that we have yet to hear of or -”

 

“There was one we encountered on your borders, last eve.” Wufei murmured, “It attacked us mid-flight.”

 

Duo shot to his feet, meal and manners forgotten in an instant as the calm he had so forced himself to maintain until then was overwhelmed by a rush of anger. “You're the ones who killed Mord-” His jaw snapped shut suddenly with an audible click; nothing but shear hatred burned from his violet eyes as the muscles in his jaw clenched tight in an effort to silence his own words.

 

Relena was quiet in face of his outburst for once and sat in shock, gaping up at him. There was a rare glimmer flashing in his eyes - a surprisingly real and deep emotion Relena herself had never seen within him before. The happy boy she had grown up with was gone and for an instant - the briefest flicker a second - he looked ready to murder someone, an appearance that was so terribly at odds with all that she had ever known of him. There was a low rumble in the distance, and a faint impression of danger; for the span of a heart's beat the very air around them seemed to hum and come alive.

 

And then - just as suddenly as it had come - the anger vibrating through Duo's whole body and presence dispersed. He slowly relaxed, every muscle in his shoulders, back, and body gradually releasing one by one. His features eased into their normal light façade and he mustered a grin - which appeared just a little too forced for comfort. “I mean, I'm assuming you killed him, right?”

 

Heero rose as well, his demeanor like stone against the fire Duo had just ignited. “You don't sympathize with the dragons, and yet you name them?”

 

“No! Of course we don't! Duo …” Relena took his sleeve in hand and drew him back to her side, leaving him no choice but to sit back in his chair. Quatre glanced Heero over pointedly, not quite daring to handle his superior so casually. Apparently he took the hint, though, and stiffly sat back down as well.

 

Duo's shadowed gaze moved from Heero to Relena and back; his features had twisted oddly, as if he tasted something dour, before carefully smoothing themselves out once more. A moment later he rose to his feet again much more calmly, his words markedly neutral. “I apologize gentlemen - Relena. I must excuse myself. I seem to have lost my appetite of a sudden.” With that he turned and left the room, leaving an unsteady silence behind in his wake.