THIS CLOSE
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, the chara, the artists, the songs, and the brands and labels stated herein. They belong to their rightful owners. (But some of the chara are mine.)
This story is based on the Irish boyband Westlife's song, "Close."
Piece 1: His Excellency's Celebration
A.C 195. Friday evening.
Classical music floated in the air as the symphony orchestra played. Many people in formal military suits and most in gala attire were to be seen in this grand ballroom. Some approached a respectable and formal-looking young man.
"Happy birthday, Your Excellency, Treize Khushrenada," one of the old officers greeted him.
Treize raised his champagne glass and the old officer reciprocated his act.
"Thank you so much for coming, Lt. Neruda," he said to the European officer.
Some of the lieutenant's party began talking with his Excellency regarding warfare, politics, and all those boring but crucial gambits. Treize looked gallant in his gray tuxedo as he intelligently discuss about warfare. Despite all that, he couldn't help but serenely look at a certain woman from across the hall. The woman in question had her brown hair down and wore a red spaghetti-strapped silk gown which flowed to the floor. Her natural and fresh-looking makeup contrasted beautifully with her blood-red lipstick. She looked stunningly like a goddess or an angel with that tame face of hers, and Treize knew that this was just a camouflage to the woman's war freak nature. He knew her too well, for she was his right hand, Lady Une.
"His Excellency's manor is gallant, and grand, and big and beautiful, ne?" proclaimed one woman who was talking with Lady Une. The woman was too mesmerized to think of anything good to say.
Lady Une demurely smiled at the other woman's comment. Then, she caught sight of two familiar faces, Lucrezia Noin and Zechs Merquise. Noin was wearing her hair just the way she always did, and wore a light yellow Greek-inspired gown which flowed all the way to the floor and covered her shoes. Zechs wore a white tux, with the cardigan designed just like that of a Spanish matador.
"Ah, Noin, Zechs, there you are," she greeted them with her sweet voice, making them so upset.
Zechs cleared his throat while Noin looked at her as if Lady Une was a difficult Sudoku puzzle. They couldn't be fooled Lady Une's appearances.
"Good evening," they greeted her, nevertheless, just to be polite.
"Well, please, you can approach His Excellency," Lady Une instructed them. Then, to an usherette "Then, please escort them to the presidential table."
Later, she joined Treize, Noin, and Zechs at the presidential table. The emcee for the night announced His Excellency's birthday celebration in the most formal way. The officials and the other guests clapped, and clapped, and clapped, and clapped, and clapped, and clapped all the more when Treize began his speech regarding OZ's goodwill to both Earth and the colonies. He also had his discourse on his political views and dreams, and the guests accepted his views without question. This delighted Lady Une.
"This will serve my Treize-sama well," she thought in her dark mind.
During dinner, Treize excused himself as he had matters to attend to. He silently went out of the ballroom hall, walked through the long halls, and reached the common room where he had other guests having a party for His Excellency's birthday.