Disclaimer: Randomcat23 does not own Zoids.


Moonbay carried many trinkets in her Gustav, all of which came from men in her life. She hadn't taken all of them to bed, but rather, each piece represented a day or a week long relationship that made her grin, cry, or richer. Some she had taken as souvenirs, others were gifts. She used them to remember relationships and adventures.

McMann's fancy handkerchief sat tucked away, unused, in the compartment on her driver's side. The embroidery had long faded, but she kept it all the same. She had a good time ignoring its call for her return to McMann.

The bells that jingled in her cockpit came from a dark skinned man with a flirty and skillful tongue.

Two chains hung from her neck, each decorated in unique charms. One necklace held an Empire boys' charms and the other was composed of mementos from the Republic. Moonbay's favorite was the blue elephant from the Empire; the man who had given it to her was handsome, witty, and deserved better than a wayfaring lady like herself.

All these pieces, either from one-time lovers, suitors, or business partners, were special to her, and she did not consider a relationship real until she had a memento.

There was one exception to this rule. There was one man who never left her with anything but memories and promises: Irvine.

Oh, she saw him enough, maybe too often for a transporter. He prowled around the outskirts in his Lightning Saix, cashing in bounties and offering other mercenary services.

Moonbay wasn't sure what their relationship was exactly. They were friends before the war, and now after. Even after a few drinks and a stumbling adventure into a hotel room, they were more than just bed buddies. On their nights together, they'd sit and talk, discuss politics, and reminisce. Her deepest secrets found a safe resting place with him.

The first time she took Irvine to bed, it was a drunken sloppy mess, not too long after the war. She had been surprised when he was still next to her in the morning. Lazily, Irvine had twirled a piece of her hair around his index finger and devoured her with his eyes while the sun was just rising. She remembered smiling and kissing him lightly.

After that, it was just part of life. In random towns they met and caught up with each other.

But still, he left nothing with her. It had been years since the war, and their meetings had grown beyond what anyone could consider a handful.

Moonbay argued that it was fate, that they would keep meeting. It was in the stars that they remained apart of each other's lives. Why shouldn't she have something of his?

Irvine brushed her 'superstition' off, like one swats a fly. "We're friends, Moonbay. Me leaving a trinket in your Zoid isn't going to make that any more permanent than it already is."

He said he didn't want to make a commitment; he didn't want to leave a trace in her Gustav.

"We're not just friends," she had retaliated, stubbornly.

The mercenary just laughed and jumped in his Zoid.

Moonbay sighed at the memory. Besides that, she enjoyed his companionship. On the days he looked haggard, she would buy him an extra meal. In bed, she liked tracing his old scars and finding new ones.

It was disappointing that their relationship was so inconsistent. But at the back of her head, Moonbay remembered that he was the only man she repeatedly visited. Part of her declared that it was only fair that he gave her a small knick-knack. Then she'd also remember, once again, that the men who had given her mementos had walked out of her life forever.

"Maybe I can do without one more trinket."


I...crap, what is this? I found this on my laptop randomly.

It was supposed to be a much longer one-shot, but after reading it, I kinda liked it just the way it is.

A character-blah more than anything else.

-randomcat23