Full summary: An angel and a devil, Heero and Duo, fight for the soul of mortals about to die. But what if things aren't what people have always believed? Now it's Quatre's turn and things conspire to be the toughest Trial either being has worked before.
konpeitou: I apologize now that this is another short chapter, thus I'll have the next up soon. This story works with the theme of alternating POVs each chapter, which is why I didn't expand this chapter further. Please bear with me, I promise they get longer.
Apocryphal Reality: A Brief Encounter
The solitary angel stood staring down below a feathery wisp of cloud, not really thinking of anything but rather just enjoying the moment of peace.
"Another mission?" asked a familiar voice from behind him, and the angel turned to see his often-times partner, and somewhat friend, Wufei coming up to stand beside him.
"Aa," he replied. The other nodded and they lapsed into silence. At length, the ebon-haired angel spoke again.
"It's our duty to dispense justice to each soul. Saa, the sooner you start the sooner the Trial will be over."
"Aa," the quiet angel agreed, and without preamble leapt off the wispy cloud and soared through the air for a few moments before Shifting to Earth. In moments he was at his destination, a nice large but humble estate, and flew a few circuits around the area. Satisfied, he flew again until he found the proper window and Shifted himself inside. He landed quietly near the closet, and while folding his wings was somewhat surprised to hear a voice speak.
He looked around and spotted a slender figure bent over a desk opposite the room. It was not his case, but judging by the set of large black leathery wings, his opponent. He was no little bit surprised and even mildly impressed to find that the devil had beaten him to the case, but it was no matter. The devil was slim and had a long chestnut braid with honey highlights and ribbons woven into the locks, so he assumed that it was a female. When the devil spoke again, he realized that it had been talking to itself, and not him, but he still couldn't resist answering.
"For now, yes." He was rather amused by how the devil turned in surprise, having not realized his presence. Pathetic. This Trial should be easy. He was likewise surprised, though, to find that the devil was most definitely a he. He was dressed in tight black leather pants that rode on his hips and an indigo mock turtleneck tank that hugged his torso like a second skin and left his shoulders and midriff exposed.
He could feel the devil appraising him as well, and when he rested a hand on his hip and grinned, the angel felt a tad uncomfortable, though he didn't allow it to show. Instead, he looked for something to say.
"But then, that's why we're both here, isn't it." It wasn't so much a question as a statement.
The devil actually laughed, amused. "Exactly. The Trial must go on, ne?"
The angel frowned ever so slightly. "Isn't that supposed to be 'the show must go on'?"
The other paused for a moment and grinned again, shrugging it off. "Technicalities, technicalities." He watched the devil spin in place a few times before stopping and looking at him again. "Duo." He said suddenly.
"Nani?" he asked, confused. The devil tilted his head to the side, seemingly amused.
"Don't ask for a name without giving your own first, right? I'm Duo."
"…Heero." He answered at length, winning a smile from Duo. Heero watched him pace around the room a few more times and hop up onto the windowsill. "You're… a very strange devil."
"Eh?" Duo blinked, surprised.
"I've never met a devil that wanted to know my name before," he explained, tilting his own head as he contemplated the slim devil.
Duo grinned at the angel cheerfully. "I'll take that as a compliment then."
"If you wish." Heero shrugged. "The Trial begins tomorrow." And with that, he Shifted back to Heaven, for once not really wanting to stay around the case until the Trial began.
konpeitou: Very brief, I know. I'll have the next one up soon to make up for it. Sowwy.
