Conquered
By Karen Hart
Disclaimer: In no way do I own any part of the
Xenosaga series, nor do I make any money from this or other
fanfictions. I
write these stories for love of the game(s), nothing
more.
They say love conquers all. It has united people throughout history, overcoming race, gender, religion, class, and now, even species.
Representative Helmer glanced across the table, over the wine glasses and dinner plates, the tall, slender candle and the single red rose. Sitting across from him, or, rather, floating some two feet above the other chair was a glowing, swirling mass of dark fuschia wave existence. "U-DO…" he murmured quietly. Nothing could break this moment.
The restaurant was high class, with plush furnishings and elegant décor. A dance floor completed the romantic setting. They had the place to themselves at that point, every other table having been vacated the moment U-DO showed up. Really, Helmer thought. They just don't understand it. It's really a sweet existence, just a little cranky sometimes. "You've been quiet," he spoke up a moment later. U-DO bobbed a bit.
"Mffffm." Oh, it was so cute when it acted coy!
Helmer talk another sip of his wine, and smiled over the rim. "So what do you want to do tonight? A little dancing, or maybe catch a show?" U-DO had a strange fondness for Casablanca, of all things. It swirled a bit from side to side. That was no. "Is there something wrong?"
It murred in response, and seemed to settle itself a little lower. Helmer looked away, then, peering at the view through the windows. Lake Av sparkled in the moonlight, a small personal craft floating in the distance. It was impossibly perfect. He looked back at U-DO. "All right, what's wrong? You haven't been yourself today. You're subdued today. What's up?"
U-DO bobbed a bit. "Krrrchrrrr," it warbled, a sound that made Helmer's ears sore and his heart thud painfully. He looked up at it in confusion.
"What do you mean you don't know if this is right? Didn't we—I mean—" He was at a loss for words.
"Skriiii!" It glowed brighter, purple areas blazing. If it had a face it would've been anguished.
Helmer held up his hands in entreaty. "Look, I wanted to visit you, I really did. And I tried, believe me. I tried to get a place on that ship, but my job—"
U-DO shrieked again, it's spherical shape quivering every few seconds. It floated forward and down a few inches. "Mlluurrr…!"
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Yes, 'that job!' It's not like I can just call in sick and have them send in a coworker to take my place!" He leaned his head back against the chair. "Look, what do you want to do? I mean, really want to do. We can't just sit—and float—here yelling at each other. So, what do we do? Should we 'cool off' a bit, try to spend some time on our own?" Helmer smirked sadly. "Not that we haven't been doing that anyway, but…"
For a moment U-DO made no reaction, just hovering there perfectly stationary. "Frrrruu," it keened softly, a full minute later.
Helmer's face fell. "A break up? But I thought, you know—forever." He couldn't find the strength to even sit up straight at that point. "Couldn't we just try to work things out?"
U-DO murred one final time, and departed. That was very definitely no.
They say love conquers all. Some, on the other hand, are conquered by it.
