by Ruth, poem by Ashura
Trowa rolled over on his side and sighed.
Well, that was a pretty pointless exercise. Duo stared at the ceiling and sighed too. This wouldn't be happening if Quatre wasn't dying. He's just looking for a way out of the pain. Bet he was thinking of blondie the whole time just like I was thinking about Hilde. Not that it hadn't been enjoyable, he made a mental note to tell Hilde about the freckle business. Although if she does it, she better have me tied down first. Geez, what am I thinking? She was in the sickbay of the Peacemillion last time I knew. God knows where she is by now. Trowa's breathing evened out. Sleep well, buddy.
A faint scraping noise made him sit up and look towards the door. Someone was sliding a piece of paper under the door. He twitched it towards him.
MESSAGE FOR YOU DOWNSTAIRS, it read.
"Uh-huh," Duo muttered to himself. "I just bet." He dressed silently, finger-weaving his braid into a lumpy rope that he tied off and slipped down his back. He helped himself to an extra clip for his stolen gun and slipped out the door. "Anyone who knows we're here is only looking for trouble."
There were two of them downstairs, average looking, one blond, one brunet. "Hi, there," said Duo. "I got a note saying there was a message downstairs. I bet you guys are here to deliver it."
"You might say that," said brunet.
"Fine by me," Duo shrugged. "Here or elsewhere?"
"Oh, elsewhere, certainly," purred blond. "After all, some messages aren't for everyone's ears."
"You got that right," Duo's voice dropped to what as almost a growl.
Once out in the street, Duo let himself be steered aside into a quiet section of the city. "OK, this is far enough," he stopped. "What's your problem?"
"You're worth a lot of money," said brunet.
"But what you know could be worth more," said blond.
"And what's that?" Duo slid his hands into this pockets as they each slid a hand into their coats.
"Where the other pilots are," said blond. "There's quite a big price for Gundam pilots these days."
"Sorry," said Duo.
"I knew it," said brunet. He pulled his gun out at the first shot and stood looking with some surprise at the spreading red stain on the front of his shirt. Blond was already falling.
Duo ruefully looked at the hole he'd just blown through the pocket of his jacket. "Aw, now I got to get a new one and I just bought this yesterday." He glared at brunet. "You can fall down now."
"Cuarto's hired more," he gurgled as he collapsed.
"Oh, I just bet he has," Duo growled. He quickly searched the bodies. He appropriated their ammunition clips and cash. He wandered away just as a commotion started. Finding a small stationary store, he bought an envelope, stuffed in most of the money and scribbled a note on a scrap of the bag. He left it at the hostel.
As he left Bern on one of the few running Eurorail trains, he deliberately pulled out his braid and left it dangle behind him.
"Here, fishy, fishy," he whispered to himself.
AC 200
"Who's that?" whispered the new girl as the man in black entered. "Wow, he's cute.""Brrr," hissed one of the regular ladies. "Stay away from him. He's pure ice."
"He's into screaming, doesn't believe you're into it unless you're making lots of noise," added another.
Crazy Joan, who'd smoked one too many pipes of ecstacy and always talked in poetry looked over with blurred eyes. "He's walked the dark road too far. Heard the death song call his name. His heart is no longer pure, but a withered black rose that beats in his chest."
Duo Maxwell looked over at the hookers checking him out and snorted.
"I hate this crummy planet," he growled.
AC 195
"Ms. Schbeiker is it?" said the gruff older man.
"Yes, sir," said Hilde, unconsciously straightening into a military stance. Pale eyes flickered with approval. This was the final interview for the guard's position she had sought and she was being examined by no less than Dekim Barton himself. She found him imposing, though the feather on the cap of his uniform was more than a bit ridiculous. After leaving Peacemillion, Hilde had found herself without a job and with no way of finding Duo Maxwell. She set out to survive.
"Your credentials are impeccable, Ms. Schbeiker. My only question would be on your discretion," Barton glowered at her a moment, secretly pleased that she stood impassive.
"I have no reason to be indiscrete, sir," she said firmly. I only lived for weeks with a Gundam pilot and I know you don't know about that.
"I have a seven year old granddaughter, Ms. Schbeiker. You are to be her bodyguard and confident. I expect absolute discretion, Ms. Schbeiker. Marimaia is the most valuable thing I possess," Barton paused a moment. "I'll introduce you to her now."
"Sir," she nodded. Poor kid! Most valuable thing he possesses! Like she was a prize painting or something.
She felt even sorrier for the little girl when she was brought into her living suite. There were only a very few toys about and those were all neatly placed on shelves. The girl herself was sitting with what Hilde regarded as an unnatural stillness on the couch. She appeared to be about average height for her age, with crisp red hair cut short and neat and cool blue eyes that were older than her years. She wore a neat green outfit, entirely too neat for Hilde's taste, who would have felt more comfortable with a rumpled skirt, a slipping sock and an untied shoe.
"Marimaia, this is Commander Schbeiker, she is to be the head of your bodyguard and your personal assistant."
"Welcome, Commander," said the child in an eerily adult voice.
"Miss Barton," Hilde bowed simply.
"Oh, no," said Marimaia in that same eery voice. "The proper title to call me is Miss Kushrenada."
"Please forgive me," Hilde bowed again. Kushrenada? What have I stumbled into? She could feel sweat trickling down her back.
"Certainly," Marimaia made a gracious gesture.
"You continue to impress me, Commander Schbeiker," Barton rumbled. "I shall leave you two alone."
"Sir," Hilde snapped her heels together and saluted.
"I'm the one you should be saluting," said Marimaia irritably.
"Ma'am," Hilde complied.
Nodding as if satisfied, Barton left the room. Hilde relaxed her spine slightly.
"I'm constantly monitored except when I'm in bed, so Grandfather can see I'm always protected," said the child. "I wanted someone with me to talk to."
"Of course, Miss Kushrenada," Hilde nodded. "Would you like to play cards?"
"Oh!" the girl looked surprised, and, for an instant, like a real child. "I - I don't know how to play."
Hilde retrieved a deck from one of the shelves. "Shall I teach you a game, Miss Kushrenada?"
Marimaia bounced off the couch. "Would you please?"
Hilde taught her a couple of games. During play, Marimaia actually giggled, although she looked away quickly as soon as she had, as if ashamed of herself. Hilde said nothing. The clock chimed nine and Marimaia's face fell.
"It's time for me to go to bed, Commander Schbeiker," she said. "My grandfather says your room is over there," she pointed to a door at the far end of the suite. "I'm to go to bed, but you are free to sit up if you like." Her voice had returned to that eery, adult parody.
"Would you like any help, Miss Kushrenada?" Hilde asked.
"I - I don't know if you can do that," she sounded like a confused child.
"I am to be your personal assistant, aren't I?" Hilde reminded her.
"Very well, then, you may draw my bath," Marimaia lifted her chin and strode away.
Yeesh, how has that old monster been raising this kid? Hilde thought with some amazement. She went into the bathroom. Good grief, not a drop of bubble bath! How do raise a kid without bubble bath? She ducked into her room and retrieved her own.
Marimaia came in as she was filling the tub. "What's this?"
"Bubble bath," Hilde flicked a cloud of foam at her.
She received a wary glance, but Marimaia entered the tub. It took a moment before she understood what was happening and then she started giggling. After the bath, Hilde escorted her into the bedroom and pulled down the blanket. "Thank you," Marimaia hopped into bed. "What are you doing?" "Tucking you in, haven't you ever been tucked in before?" Hilde asked.
"N-no," Marimaia stammered. "Oh!" Hilde kissed her cheek. "Oh! Are you supposed to do that?"
"Don't you like it?"
Marimaia put her hand to her cheek. "I don't know," she said in a small voice.
"Goodnight, Miss Kushrenada." Hilde bowed at the door.
"Goodnight, Commander," Marimaia still had her hand on her cheek.
How has that old monster been raising this kid? Hilde thought, shaking her head.