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You should know the symbols by now.
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Quatre poured streaming liquids into each of the various waiting cups. Small, ceramic tea cups for himself, Heero, and Wufei. Trowa always drank bitter coffee out off and dark green mug. Duo had begged for hot chocolate in his beloved skull and crossbones mug.
A whisper of feet scuffed the floor behind him. He turned fully expecting to see one of the others here to claim their drinks even though he had told them that he would bring it to them. Instead, their newest teammate, Solaris, slinked into the room looking around curiously.
"Ah, you're finally awake. How are you feeling?" Quatre asked. 'She's moves like Duo when he's in Shinigami mode.'
"Fine, thank you."
'So polite. She might actually be able to carry on a proper conversation.' Heero and Trowa were quieter than stones. Duo was intelligent but easily distracted. Wufei would carry on a conversation, but he could be incredibly rude when riled up.
"Would you like a cup of tea, or coffee? We have hot chocolate as well." Watching her out of the corner of his eye as he finished his task he caught the faint grimace of disgust that marred her face at the mention of the last beverage.
"Tea would be welcome if it's no trouble." She settled in a chair at the table visibly making it hers.
"No trouble at all I was just making some any way." Quatre got out another teacup from the case the fragile things traveled in.
Solaris appeared relaxed to him, but a sudden movement at the door found her with a pistol leveled steadily at the intruder. Trowa had one aimed right back. Quatre clucked. "Now, now Trowa you aren't supposed to point dangerous things at our newest teammate if you feel the need to shoot someone go find Duo. At least he would deserve it for one prank or another."
Solaris slid the black weapon into a holster on her thigh. "Forgive me. I was distracted and didn't hear you coming."
Trowa nodded his acceptance and, taking the proffered coffee, vanished back out through the door.
"Don't take his silence personally. Neither he nor Heero actually speak unless it is about the mission. All you get out of them otherwise are death threats and grunts that only Duo seems to be able to interpret." Quatre sat down. "Otherwise Duo's the loud one. Wufei rants if you get him grumpy which is quite easy to do."
The dark haired girl smiled. Quatre took that as a sign to continue. "I on the other hand can communicate like a normal human being."
This statement earned him a raised ebon brow, "Are any of us really normal humans?"
Quatre decided the others could come and get their drinks themselves in favor of a proper discourse. "We are. We have just forgotten that part of ourselves in order to fight with all of our strength. When the war is over we can remember that the human part still exists and wake it up."
Solaris sipped gracefully at her tea. "And if we haven't forgotten our humanity, but never had it?"
"Humanity lies at the very depths of our souls all we have to do is find it."
She smirked cynically. "Perhaps you are right. Only time will tell. I am not so sure. Your tea is very good. I haven't had it like this for a very long time."
Quatre beamed despite the change of subject. Hopefully she would not give in so easily next time. "I am pleased you like it. This blend is called Golden Ray. Do you have any particular favorite flavors?"
"I am rather partial to the Snow Tiger blend."
Quatre thought for a moment. "I don't think I have any with me. Wufei might. We each have our own personal collections, but share them. Heero even has a few."
Loud voices announced the approach of Duo and Wufei, who were arguing over nonsensical things as usual.
"Quatre is making hot chocolate!" Dou sang happily.
"You mean tea." Wufei snapped. "Hot chocolate is for weak onnas and baka children."
"No it's not. Hot chocolate is a very important part of a balanced diet!"
The constantly fighting pair noticed the girl ensconced comfortably at the table.
"Hey! You're up. How you feeling?" Duo asked bouncing for the counter lined with full cups. "Wicked poison attack by the way. Loved the death line. It's way better than Heero's. Ooh! Hot chocolate."
Wufei and Solaris winced simultaneously at Duo's enthusiasm over the coco.
"Baka," Wufei growled slipping into his native language. "I told you, Duo that should not be consumed by men. It is for mere onnas and children. Though you are a child any way so I really have nothing to complain about," he muttered the Chinese words flowing smoothly off his tongue. "That onna probably drinks the stuff too. No, wonder her Gundam was so badly damaged. All that sugar over shocking her system."
"What did you just say? Did you just insult the almighty coco again?" Duo grumbled.
"If you are going to insult it you could at least do it in English or Arabic so I can fight back."
"It's too sweet."
"What?" asked Quatre and Duo?
"Nani?" came from Wufei.
"Hot chocolate it's too sweet. I do not like it. Not all onnas do," Solaris sipped at her tea.
Wufei flushed. "You…you understood what I said?"
"Of course it is the language I was born to after all."
Wufei choked and spun for the exit.
"Wu-man."
Wufei froze.
"You forgot your tea," Duo held out a cup.
"Che." Wufei snatched the cup and stormed out.
Duo wrapped an arm around his stomach laughing his guts out. "I could love you just for the look on Wuffer's face! Finally, someone with a sense of humor not attached to death threats. I think I'll stick with you for now on." He then promptly glomped his current object of dubious affections.
Solaris stiffened. Quatre gasped a warning to Duo. Too late. Solaris pried the offending arm from her neck and threw him against the unyielding wall on the other end of the galley. The resulting thud resounded through the large ship.
Quatre blinked. Solaris was now poised warily in the far corner. He hadn't seen her move after throwing Duo. Of course, he may have been distracted by the sight of his brother in arms sliding down the wall.
"Okay, okay I won't stick with you," Duo groaned. "Owe."
The three other pilots burst into the galley, guns at the ready. "What happened?" Heero demanded.
"Duo glomped onto Solaris and as a result she threw him against the wall," Quatre explained.
"Is that all?" Heero glared down at the crumpled pilot. "Make a little less noise next time baka."
"Sure thing Heero, I will magically place a pillow between myself and the walls so I don't hurt your poor ears and distract you from your precious laptop by thudding loudly into the wall."
"Hn."
"Thank you dearest brother for your sweet concern," Duo added.
Wufei joined the half circle glaring down at 02. "Get up already. It's not like you've never been thrown into a wall before."
"I know, but she throws harder than you do Wu-man," Duo whined.
Trowa just shook his head and left.
Solaris bowed to Duo. "My deepest apologies. I do not like to be touched, and therefore react badly if I don't see it coming."
Duo creaked to his feet. "S'cool happens every time I glomp any of them for very long, so I'm used to it. You're fast. Most of the times I can be out of reach before they grab me." His gaze sharpened in concern. "Hey, are you okay? Did your wounds open up again?"
The girl shook her head. "No, I'm fine. Just a little sore."
Duo didn't buy it. Her brown eyes were nearly black with pain. However, she had that look that Heero got. She wouldn't accept any help for her injuries.
TBC
Not the most interesting chapter I suppose. That's just how it went. Don't flame me for dissing the coco I like the stuff fine, but Solaris hates it. I made up the flavors of tea.
There are a few hints buried in this chapter about Solaris. Most of them won't be guessed until later. They are a bit obscure. Duo won't always act like an idiot. He is just the tension reliever for the gang. I am having the boys be like brothers to each other. NO YAOI at all. They will all get girls eventually.
I am going to write one more short little filler then try to make things more interesting by jumping ahead to mission time.
