Section 11: Presentation is Everything

The Pilots' suite was several doors down from my own. Duo opened the door to the maid's polite knock. He had changed into a dark blue dress shirt with what he declared were his 'dress-jeans'. Molly's nose wrinkled up slightly at the notion that there was such a thing, but the urchin didn't really care. I don't see the point of getting all dressed up to eat at home," He declared hands on hips in defiance. Then continued with a sly wink, "Now, if I were dragging Heero to a club…I might put forth a bit more effort, but I mean…hey…we ain't taking tea a with the Tsarina of Tokyo or anything. You tell Lady Annelis I dress down as public service. If I got all prettied-up everyday, I'd likely blind someone with my brilliance!" He grinned widely and tossed his braid over his shoulder as if it were the trailing ends of an aviator scarf.

Molly let out a little squeak at the notion of anyone speaking to the lady in that fashion. Clearly Duo enjoyed frustrating the girls, but he really didn't want to get her in trouble with Lady Une. "Go on Mollie-gal." He winked at her. "We know the way and'll be down shortly." he assured her then he caught sight of me loitering in the hall and gave an appreciative whistle. "Nice togs boss… Almost makes me want to salute." He grinned.

Heero heard the comment and remarked, "When have YOU ever been serious about saluting ANYONE?" He smirked.

"I said almost." The braided boy grinned flinging his braid about with a haughty air. "I leave the business of saluting up to you and Trowie—and why shouldn't I? You do it so well!"

I chuckled softly.

Through the open door I could see Heero give me an apprising half-smile as he buttoned up his turquoise shirt. A blue jacket that matched his pants was slung over one shoulder. The outfit was stylish and neatly pressed, but regardless of what he was wearing, if 01 was 'dressed up' in any sense of the word he couldn't help but look like he was in uniform. It was second nature to the perfect soldier and Duo wasn't above teasing him about it.

"Come in lieutenant," Heero invited. "The others are just about ready. We'll walk down with you."

"Alright," I agreed and Molly took that as her que to escape.

The boys' suite seemed very nice. The furnishings were tasteful though the style was at least a hundred years more recent than those Treize had occupied. It was arranged like an elegant flat consisting of several bedrooms with a shared sitting room and bath. They each could have had their own rooms had they desired it. The estate was huge and I had seen how many empty suites were situated on this floor alone, but I knew how vital it was for the former pilots to have privacy without feeling isolation. I almost wished I could join them.

Quatre emerged from the bedroom. He was the only one that possessed formal dinner attire and he wore it as if it were second skin. The jacket was pristine white samite and his pants were the same. The shirt was a dusky rose and his inner vest a fine damask print of white and paler rose. I had no doubt his suit cost as much as a months rent in my apartment, but I am sure he thought nothing of that.

Trowa emerged from the bathroom seconds later looking a bit like an escapee from an expensive boarding school: white shirt, navy pants, black jacket and tie. "I hope this is alright. It's the best I could manage on short notice." he announced.

"I've told you before." The blond boy scolded, "All you have to do is send your measurements to my tailor. There is no trouble at all. I have an account. He is very good he and can whip up something and have it delivered in forty-eight hours, any style you like. You can look at a catalogue on line…or I have magazines. I could help you pick out something if you want." Quatre eagerly volunteered.

"I don't see how anything truly fine could be thrown together in two days." WuFei scoffed. "Excellence in craftsmanship and artistry requires time." WuFei was languidly stretched out on the sofa reading a book while he waited for the others to finish getting ready. I had forgotten he was also accustomed to richness.

His family had been a tertiary branch of the Long Clan, remnants of an older dynasty. Nobility, yes, but not supremely so, else the elders would not have given him to the Makar cause. But with the destruction of L5, leadership reverted to the sole surviving heir and WuFei became the Chang of Chang. As such, he was nearly as affluent as Winner.

From the ornate metal clasp which bound his shoulder-length hair in a tight topknot, to the delicate slippers on his feet, WuFei's outfit could only be describes as regal. Hand woven silk in the oriental style; black, elaborately embroidered with gold dragons; there was no doubt this was princely attire. It had likely taken months if not years to create and practically exuded power and confidance. I had no idea that it was a clever camouflage to the cracks in his normally impassive resolve.

"All right!" Duo exclaimed finally. "We aren't here for a fashion show…Enough Gawping…lets go eat!"

When we arrived in the dining hall Cook informed us hors d'oeuvres would be served shortly. What I expected was a small salad. What we got was a considerable platter of sandwiches, cookies, jam tarts, fresh fruit, candies, nuts and veggies with dip. Everything was served in a Victorian style dining room that looked like an immaculately preserved time capsule of ancient nobility that long predated the colonies.

"Master Marquise and Lady Noin will be dining in their suite this evening." Molly announced with a bow. Lady Une glared dangerously at the girl who made a hasty exit.

"You know Zechs is not feeling well…why are you surprised?" Mia chastised her guardian mildly smothing down the wrinkles in her full skirt and toying with the pearl buttons.

"He should be here." Une grumbled, but her tone seemed to hint more of concern than anger.

In general the meal was quiet.

Duo grinned like a Cheshire cat as he practically inhaled cucumber sandwiches. The other boys ate, as hungry boys are want to do, but in a more sedate fashion. this was a far cry from ration bars and protied drink I can tell you. After appetizers, the first course was a hearty vegetable soup and salad of more kinds of greens than I had ever seen in one place at a time; there were even almonds and avocadoes in it. It was quite tasty after I drenched it in some kind of berry vinaigrette. The main course they said was "roasted capon drenched in rich saffron and lemon sauce." It tasted like chicken in creamy yellow broth…I liked it.

After dinner Lady Une excused herself and the boys and I retired to the sitting room where dessert was served with tea and coffee. The grandeur of it all was a more than a little overwhelming. I sat in one of the high-backed chairs leaning forward with my elbows on my knees as I nibbled a piece of strawberry cheese pie, but my cup of tea sat forgotten on the side table. "This is definitely going to take some getting used to." I sighed rubbing my face with my hand.

When I looked up, I found Ice blue eyes regarding me with near stunning intensity. "Mia," I acknowledged giving her a slight smile. She had slipped through the open door as Une exited and positioned herself just within my personal space. It was a purposeful attempt to unnerve me…as Lady Catalonia had. She frowned when she realized it wasn't going to work.

"Why do you call me that?" she asked.

I was a bit puzzled, "Isn't it what you prefer to be called?" it certainly seemed so when I observed her perception of the beginning of the hearing.

"It is…But I've never told anyone."

"Ah," I said. I suppose that is my version of Heero's 'Hn.' or my brother 'Hmmm.' It is something you say when you aren't sure what to say. Unless you happen to be Duo, For lack of anything better to say He sings a rather annoying song: 'super-cali-fraggle-lipstic-expecocious' something like that. Honestly that boy confuses me sometimes…most of the time actually. –Anyway--

Mia regarded me intently, "I cannot very well call you Naught." She said, "Because if you were nothing to me, you wouldn't have come to the trial. Would you? Is what Marquis said on the plane true? Are you my father's brother, his twin?"

I raised an eyebrow at that, "You were pretending to be asleep."

"Would you have spoken plainly if I had not?" She challenged. "Adults so rarely do. I may be young, but I am hardly ignorant."

"Perhaps you are right." I gave into the temptation to reach out with one arm and scoop her into my lap. I must say it was a brave move for me. I have no experience with young children and have never been accustomed to physical contact with any but my brother. Associating with the boys had loosened my resistance some. Duo and Quatre especially were wearing down my walls and I was slowly learning that there was no one left that would punish me if I broke with my training. In particular, watching Duo turn the tables on Dorothy had been enlightening. I learned that if she was going to invade my space, it was permissible that I do the same.

Mariemaia let out a surprised squeak, she was stiff in my arms but she didn't fight me. I imagine my reaction was almost identical to hers when Quatre was attempted to explain what the word 'glomp' meant and the braided lunatic decided a demonstration was in order. I imagine he would have preferred Heero as his tackle dummy, but O-1 had still somehow retained possession of my hand tooled revolver, as well as his own glock. I sighed, "Zechs made some very good guesses about who I am and why I am here." I told her "And yes, I am technically your uncle. Treize called me 'Tavi' short for Octavio and I suppose that is still how I think of myself most of the time. You may call me that if you wish."

"Tavi," she tried the name quietly and nodded. "What sort of man are you?" she asked quietly and her tone sent an icy shiver down my spine. I wasn't sure how to answer.

"Khushrenadas are expected to be the best…Are you the BEST at what you do Uncle?" she practically purred and I caught a glimpse of the creature Dekim Barton had raised in those icy blue eyes. "Are you the best…with THAT." she finished in a hiss.

I turned to see where her gaze was directed, and noticed my data-pad leaning up against the wall just inside the door. A quick glance at the others told me they had not been responsible for relocating it here; which meant only Mia could have done so. "How much do you know about it?"

"Enough to smash my grandfather's to bits with a very big rock after he was killed. Do you plan to…continue my education…or just use it to hurt me?"

"I did not bring it here for you at all. I was surprised to learn you had been…accustomed to such things. I will not hurt you…and I will do all with in my power to prevent anyone from ever hurting you again. You did right to destroy Dekim's pad. Not so long ago I thought to destroy that one as well, but the boys' prevented me." I told her quietly.

"My Grandfather acquired his…like that… a few days before the Libra it blew. He took it from some old men they had prisoner there. Where did you get yours? What do THEY have to do with it?" her eyes flashing quickly at each of the pilots before turning to face me again.

"They…were—how did you put it?— "Educated" using the same technology as you were. Your Father and I were the result of earlier research in a similar program. Those old men trained me, us, and yes, I am the best at what I do."

"Then Perhaps you can—" she began, but whatever she was about to say next was lost in the sound of shattering china. Splinters of cup and saucer littered the floor and a shaken Quatre clutched wildly at his chest. His face was pale and his sapphire eyes wide "N-N-nooooo!" he gasped suddenly panicked.

Trowa put an arm around the smaller boy's shoulders to calm him.

"Marquise?" I demanded and the blonde nodded, tears in his eyes."