Chapter Thirteen
After removing himself from Otto's line of sight Duo decided a brief sojourn through the gardens was in order. Keeping clear of the Security Office and the dorm building he soaked in the peace of the grounds away from the main complex. Aimless wandering was therapeutic and perfect for giving consideration to the events of the day and he had a great deal to consider. None of his theoretical speculations on the activities of the night could be proven unless he could somehow gain access to the building. Should he even manage to get inside and into the suspect area, he was uncertain if he would be able to recognize a valid clue if he chanced to fall over it.
/Not that I will actually be able to get in there personally./ He could not resist the wicked grin. /There is no way Otto would allow any of us into the building, but then I don't actually have to get in there in person, do I?/ His eyes twinkled with sudden mischief. /I might just have the solution to gaining a peek./
Deciding a half hour of aimless wandering was sufficient time to make himself scarce, he unobtrusively returned to find a shielded position from which he could observe the dormitory building. Duo settled into his shaded position in time to watch the two curiously intriguing men he had watched earlier approaching the dormitory's main entrance.
/I wonder who you are and what you are doing here?/ He mused.
Given his suspicions an event as serious as kidnapping may have taken place, he wondered if the two men might not be ESUN Investigators. The auburn-haired man and his unmistakable aristocratic heritage was the sticking point in his theory. In his, admittedly, limited experience he doubted the nobility of Earth would immerse their uppity noses in something as crass as law enforcement. Unless, of course, the kidnapped individual chanced to be of the aristocracy.
/That might stir their decadent butts into taking some form of action./ Duo winced at the snide flavour of the thought. /It is just as well Kitty Kat isn't here to hear me think it. Zechs would have had a snigger about it, but Quatre sure as hell would not. He tends to think along different lines when it comes to dealing with differing social classes or cultures./
"One should not make fun of someone who comes from a different culture. What you might think of as being ludicrous rules and regulations may have originated as a means of survival in past times. What may seem to you a minor infringement might just be an offence punishable by death in another culture - and for good reasons, too. The point is, if you do not know for certain how something might be interpreted, you don't say or do it until you know."
/ He's told me often enough and I guess he does have a point. Some of the things Tsuberov bends over backwards to provide for more exotic guests than a Sweeper brat, particularly when it comes to religious preferences, fairly boggles the mind. I guess thinking about that kind of provision and being perpetually neutral is the way he was reared. High-powered businessmen these days have to be diplomats if they want to succeed in business deals covering the entire Earth Sphere. If I ever want to captain my own ship, I will have to do something about adjusting my mind set. Ships Captains always have to be aware of cultural peculiarities./
He stifled a yawn and pinched the bridge of his nose, cursing again the necessity of being dragged out of a nice warm bed at a pre-dawn hour. It was a pity once woken in such a manner he could not settle down to sleep again. By the time night rolled around he would be only too willing to fall into the arms of Morpheus.
/I wonder where we will be assigned temporary sleeping arrangements? There are not too many vacant suites, or even single rooms in the complex. We are practically at capacity from what I overheard last semester. That might change if this business is not dealt with soon and quietly. I wonder if it was a kidnapping and if the people here to investigate are from different departments of the ESUN, or if some of them are privately employed by Tsuberov? I doubt the government dogs would be too keen on having private investigators stomping over their clues. Or vice versa./
The registration plates of the cars at the rear of the building concerned him. The dark van and the slinky red sports car openly carried ESUN government plates. However, the Ghost and the hybrid were another matter. The rather ambiguous registration plates did not strike him as denoting obvious government vehicles, although he supposed they might be from an elite investigation branch of the government.
/Of course it is possible those two men might have nothing to do with whatever went on in the dorm last night. It might be a coincidence, but if it was why would they be going into the dorms now? I wonder if Kat would recognize their department and who they might belong to if I described the registration plates to him? They could be colony investigators and the Winners keep abreast of that sort of thing. They have to have something to do with the investigation and it would help a whole lot more if I could figure out what exactly happened last night./
He had discounted the idea of a prank, although it was more than possible what had begun as a prank had gone horribly wrong. No one, to his knowledge, had seen any ambulance or emergency vehicles attending during the night and certainly a hearse had not made an appearance to carry away a body. If no one had died or been injured and required to be taken to hospital, what then could explain the appearance of the rather interesting assortment of investigators now present at Tsuberov?
/I can't see anyone in authority here being exactly quick to offer an explanation other than plumbing problems. There is something far more interesting than plumbing happening here, and the more determined they are to pass it off as a leaky pipe the more determined I am to find out what is really happening./
The two strangers were long gone into the building and other than a few security guards relieving the shift watching the dorm no one seemed to be moving about. Settling his back comfortably to the trunk of the large tree Duo settled down to keep watch.
/Otto should be stalking around so I will have to keep an eye out for him, I suppose. It is going to be a warm day from the feel of it./
The problem with being woken in the small hours of the morning, after a full day of exhausting travel, and then finding a quiet and restful place in which to relax, was that even the most hyperactive individual might relax sufficiently to drift off to sleep. Duo had settled under the tree with no intention of sleeping. In fact he had been certain he would find sleep impossible following the disruptions of the night and day. It came as rather a rude awakening to feel the light brush of a hand on his shoulder and hear the distinctive voice of his nemesis.
"Should you not be doing something more constructive than snoring beneath magnolia trees, Mr. Maxwell?"
"Hmmm?"
"Mr. Maxwell. I believe you need to find something to do other than compete with the birds for the loudest sounds to be heard on this particularly fine day."
Blinking against the bright sunlight shining directly into his eyes Duo finally made sense of what was being said to him. A chilling sensation crept up his spine when he recognized the voice and he woke with a start to find Otto kneeling beside him. The Security Officer was smirking.
"Otto?" Duo dragged himself from any lingering tendrils of sleep and looked about him.
The shadows had changed considerably and an annoying shaft of sunlight pierced the canopy to strike him in the eyes. Pulling himself up into a seated position he scrubbed at his face, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Damn, I must have dropped off."
"Indeed. I suggest you find something more constructive to do to occupy your time."
"Yeah. Yeah, I guess I had better shift my arse. Damn, I don't usually sleep through the day. What time is it?"
"Approaching midday." Otto rose smoothly and offered a hand, pulling Duo up effortlessly. "You might think about having lunch before the cafeteria fills up."
A long stretch and jaw cracking yawn later Duo nodded briefly to the taller man and shuffled off toward the main cluster of buildings marking the hub of the University.
/I wonder what I missed? Are those two guys still in the building or have they gone? Maybe I should go check the car park before lunch?/
Recalling Quatre's warning concerning lunch Duo decided he could always check later. He was often remarked on as being perpetually hungry and this day was no exception. The cafeteria appeared far more desirable than sneaking around a car park and he did not want to make Otto suspicious of him considering their encounters already this morning.
Duo scowled on noting the crush of bodies around the main entrance to the cafeteria. He sincerely hoped one of his roommates had managed to attend to the problem of lunch earlier than he. From the crush he expected there to be a long wait before he could make it to the oak tree.
He nodded briefly to a greeting from a slender young woman, a kinetic who had shared training sessions with him in the manipulation of minute objects. Taking a deep breath to fortify himself he took the plunge, braving the crush. Squeezing and worming his supple, slender frame through the mass of bodies trying to fit into the cafeteria, he reached a position where a jump or two and craning his neck provided him with a glimpse of Quatre just now being served.
Noting the large tray piled high with food and drinks containers he breathed a sigh of relief; he would not need to stand in line to garner food for himself and his roommates. He'd have to remember to kiss Quatre for braving the horde and ordering for them all. More bouncing and peering over heads procured protests about stomped on toes, but revealed Zechs standing near the far exit. He felt the light brush against his mind that informed him Zechs had noted his presence and the telepathic assurance the oak tree was still the point at which they would have lunch. He was delighted to be able to escape the crowded hall and backed out through the crush amongst much jostling and protesting.
Usually the cafeteria was visited for meals in set rotations, but with the unexpected displacement from classes those displaced by the plumbing difficulties complicated the usual routine. The junior students had turned out as usual for lunch to find the cafeteria half filled with older and quite bored students. It was a recipe for a nightmare and Duo sniggered as he watched the frazzled instructors attempting to sort order into the chaos.
He apologised for stepping on toes, for knocking juniors into each other and for generally going against the flow of people. He nodded to a harried instructor, signalling with his fingers he was trying to leave and not cause trouble, and received a nod of understanding and no reprimand. As far as he was concerned the entire situation was almost laughable. Someone should have thought of the chaos having so many students in the cafeteria might cause during this two-hour period.
"Mr. Maxwell, assembly in the main hall at one thirty. Please pass the message on."
He nodded his understanding and hoped at the assembly they would be giving out room assignments and adjusting the lesson roster to account for the disruption to the scheduling. A push here, a wiggle there, a muttered curse from someone and he was free of the crush, breathing a little heavier than normal and was quick to step to the side of new arrivals.
"This will not do, people! Let us have some order here!"
The Dean's voice rose above the general discontent and Duo was quick to make himself scarce, hurrying around the building with the intention of meeting up with Zechs at the far side. The leggy blonde was waiting for him to one side of the cafeteria door.
"Yo, Zechs. So what did you end up doing instead of tripping the light fantastic?"
"I read a book on Picasso." Zechs grinned. "Much more entertaining. Come on. This is too crowded for me and Quatre says he can manage the tray alone. We are to meet him under the oak by the Security Offices."
Duo nodded and hoped Otto would find himself elsewhere while they ate lunch. The man might become suspicious of meeting him in such close proximity to the Security Office so often in the one day, but if they did chance to meet at least this time he would not be conspicuously alone. For some reason if Quatre was present people tended to think they were not up to mischief.
/They don't seem to know Kitty Kat very well./ He sniggered to himself.
Duo waited until Zechs had moved into the main stream of students exiting the building and slithered through the gap opened up as Zechs nudged bystanders aside. He found the older man's larger body extremely convenient for opening up doorways and walkways. Few people ever complained about the blonde wanting to get through, and to Duo's knowledge Zechs had never had a physical altercation with anyone at the university.
/I guess most people just like to admire that tight backside as it goes past./ He chuckled to himself.
While he did not think much of the attitude of some of the older teachers at Tsuberov, in particular Professor Havers, Duo had to admit the majority of the students were open-minded and honest. It was only a small minority who appeared to have problems with dealing with people from so called 'lesser social circles'. Most of the students he had an acquaintance with acknowledged you could not remain at Tsuberov for any length of time if you did not have talent.
Tsuberov was more than simply a university. It was one of the premier training facilities for psionic ability in the Earth Sphere and psychic ability was considered more important than wealth and position by birth. The new world elite would be made up of those with exemplary psychic talent and the students were well aware Zechs Merquise was likely to be the first Prime talent Tsuberov had trained. It did not hurt that he had Quatre Winner as a dormmate either.
Duo was thankful when they broke away from the crowded hub of the university and made their way toward the quieter residential area. Having the Security Office relatively next door to their dorm meant there were less disturbances from their dormitory block than in other residential areas of the complex. The majority of students tended to congregate where they could make more noise with less fear of attracting the attention of the security personnel.
"So what were you doing while I was reading?"
"Investigating. We have some interesting people on the grounds today. So interesting, in fact, I'm wondering if it was a plumbing problem that saw the dorm evacuated."
"You saw the plumber. We all did." Zechs replied, inclining across the manicured lawn toward the security building. "I spoke to a couple of people in the suite below our old one and they were quite descriptive of the, quote, 'torrent', unquote, they woke up to this morning. We do have a problem with the plumbing of some description."
"I'm not arguing with that, but there is something more going down here than leaky pipes. I'm actually beginning to wonder if, maybe, we have something as serious as a kidnapping being dealt with under our noses."
Zechs paused to stare briefly at his roommate. "Kidnapping? Where did that theory come from?"
Duo waved a hand in the air, curtailing more questions. "I don't know who, if it was anyone. As yet I don't exactly know anything, but I've seen enough to make me suspect something pretty big is happening. You know how Tsuberov does not like to attract attention that might affect their bottom line, but whatever is happening is big enough to have Tsuberov call in government investigators."
Zechs frowned. "Tsuberov has called in government investigators? Are you sure about that? If they were to call in anyone I would have expected them to use private means by which to investigate something serious. I would certainly not expect them to make it obvious they had called in investigators at all. You are right, it would be considered bad for business."
"Yeah, well kidnapping is not the same as a bit of petty vandalism, is it? Have you noticed anyone conspicuous by their absence?"
Zechs sighed softly, well aware Duo was an avid conspiracy fan and not averse to making a few conspiracy theories of his own. It was usually very entertaining, but Zechs was a little put off with the idea of the words 'kidnapping' and 'Tsuberov' being used in the same breath. That scenario would be extremely difficult to carry out given the security protocols at the University. Difficult, he admitted, but nothing was impossible.
"No, I cannot say I have noticed anyone missing, but I have not been looking for anyone specific either. I've been in the library most of the morning."
Looking around, Zechs was pleased to see no one had claimed their favourite spot beneath the huge oak tree and lengthened his stride. Duo grinned affably and followed, well aware of the grumbling of his own belly. He hoped it would not take Quatre long to extricate himself from the chaos at the cafeteria.
"Well, I've been sniffing around trying to find a clue to lead me to the asshole that caused our wake up call. What I have seen does not gel with what we have been told… other than the fact we do have leaky pipes."
Zechs snorted and rolled his eyes as he settled with his back to the tree.
"Either one pipe with a massive big hole in it, or lots of pipes with lots of holes in them." Duo continued with a cheeky grin. "Loads of leaky, drippy, gushing pipes. Can you imagine how many holes there would have to be to allow that much water to rain on the suite below? It sounds so suss. Aren't you the least bit curious about it?"
"Not particularly." The blonde shrugged. "I have your promise if it was a prank you will make the 'drip' pay."
"Ohhh, plumbing jokes!" Duo laughed. "Is that a challenge?"
Zechs considered the wisdom of issuing such a challenge for all of two seconds. "Would it get your mind off kidnapping and other wild scenarios if it was?"
"Hell no." Duo chuckled.
"That's what I thought, so discount the joke challenge as a no go, please. You are bad enough at the best of times." Zechs grinned at his friend.
"Oohhh, the pain of it all!" Duo threw back his head theatrically, his right forearm to his forehead. "The things I do to see your life is entertaining and you sit there and insult me. Just as well I am not easily put off."
Zechs snorted at the theatrics. "The problem is you are not at all put off, no matter what anyone says or does."
Duo suddenly resembled a squirming, petted and pampered puppy. "Yeah, you better believe it. Irrepressible, that's me! I rise to any challenge head on…"
"Even when not challenged." Zechs interrupted with a snigger. "Settle down, Duo. Quatre is on his way with lunch."
"Cool bickies, Zechs my man. Food sounds good."
In the following silence Zechs managed to reach a count of ten before Duo was off again, unable to sit still and silent when he had an audience and a bee in his bonnet.
"I saw the cars in the car park out back of the dorm, and let me tell you they are well worth seeing. And I saw the spunkiest set of buns I've seen in a while… barring yours and Kitty Kat's, of course."
Merquise sighed and rolled his eyes making no effort to hide his grin. "Duo, you have to do something about…"
"Zechs?" Duo turned to his friend at the abrupt silence to find Zechs staring off in the direction of the dormitory.
Following the blonde's line of sight Duo felt his grin stretching wide. Otto and three men were just exiting the building, and as he watched they paused on the steps and appeared to be having an in-depth conversation. Duo would have given his eye-teeth to be near enough to hear their discussion. He had no difficulty recognizing the dark, exotic young man and the redhead as the two men who had attracted his interest a few hours before. The fourth man in the group was unknown to him and he made no effort to hide the appreciation he felt for the lithe, chocolate-haired man.
"Mmm, I've not had the pleasure of seeing him before." Sudden memory of a glimpse of dark hair and a slinky red sports car silenced Duo as he considered the stranger.
The seemingly untamed hair and a compact, very well put together body in the expensive suit was, in Duo's private opinion, rather droolable. He found himself hoping the group would walk their way so he could gain a more detailed inspection of the man.
"Oh, man. Yes, indeedy, that is another set of fine buns." He breathed. "I like."
The comment distracted Zechs from his own, rather intense, examination of the group and he grinned at Duo. "How can you tell? You haven't seen the back view yet. Your trouble is you fall in love twice a day."
"Nah. I just appreciate a great body and those guys all have that. Mind you, designer suits could account for a part of it." Blue-violet eyes glinted with mischief. He had not failed to note the center of the blond's attention. "That redhead's a bit of class, though. Has the look of the nobility about him, don't you think?"
Zechs refrained from rising to the bait, merely rising to his feet and taking the tray from Quatre as he joined them. Duo continued to stare at the four men on the steps and sighed.
"Hot as! I've seen the redhead and the Oriental before. They are the two I think might be private investigators… or elite government agents from a hush-hush department. I wonder who they are and what they are doing here."
Quatre snorted softly as he settled on the grass, following Duo's line of sight and he smirked. "You don't recognize the redhead?"
Duo glanced at the smaller blonde and caught a drink carton as it tumbled from the tray as Zechs sat back down. "Should I?"
"You honestly don't know who he is?" Quatre shook his head slightly. "You slay me some times, Duo, really you do. You are a Sweeper and you profess to want to go far in the Sweeper ranks, and develop those suits to make maintenance in space safer. All of those dreams and you don't recognize the owner of the company that makes the majority of electronic components you need in your design."
Duo's blank look produced an exasperated sigh from Quatre as he waved a hand toward the dorm.
"He's the nominal head of Kushrenada Electronics. That's Treize Kushrenada himself. Duke Treize Kushrenada, actually. The Kushrenada family is as heavily into the political arena as they are into electronics. They scored a Mars colony contract last year over Winner Corporation's bid. Dad was not too happy about losing to them."
Duo stared hard at the redhead and reflected that at least he got the aristocratic part right. A Duke, no less, but what was a high born noble and extremely successful businessman doing in a leaky dorm building? He supposed the Oriental might be his bodyguard. He certainly moved like a martial artist, graceful and precise. He noted Zechs watching the group and fancied the blonde was paying attention to the redhead above all others in the group.
"So what is a big businessman with a title doing in deep discussions with our security chief? He looks a bit too young to have a kid ready for Tsuberov. In fact he looks only a little older than Zechsy."
The men seemed to finish their discussion and descended the steps, strolling along the path in the direction of the security block. Zechs stared hard at the group and turned his attention to their lunch, unwilling to give anyone an excuse to single him out for a reprimand. Otto was always fair but it seemed to him he quite often became the focus for unwanted attention. Besides, it was lunch time and he was hungry. No one could pick a fault with him for eating his lunch under a tree on a warm day.
"From memory he's about twenty-four, maybe twenty-five." Quatre picked through the selection of salads he had brought and selected the one he had picked for himself. "My dad was rather impressed by him, actually. While he is the head of the company he's pretty much a silent voice from what I hear. He objected to being forced into the family businesses, namely electronics and politics… and the old families do more than just dabble in politics from what I have heard."
"Why would he object?" Duo queried. "I was under the impression the nobility of Earth delighted in pulling the strings of the ESUN."
Quatre rolled his eyes at Duo and sighed. "Don't tar everyone with the same brush, I've told you that before. I remember my father commenting a few years ago about how the Kushrenada heir had upset the projected balance of power when he refused to train in world level politics."
Duo scowled and shrugged, failing to grasp the implications. "So he refused to do what mummy and daddy wanted, what was the big deal about that?"
"Duo, in the old noble families of the European region, from the day a wedding takes place, the family on both sides of the match plan the future of any prospective children. A child born into one of those families is reared from the day they are born to take a place on the world stage, to advance their families' ideal of how the world should be. Each of the noble families, and their individual alliances, is basically a political party and they wield a lot of influence throughout the Earth Sphere. By the time they turn sixteen their children usually are pretty much accepting of the future their elders have decided is to be theirs, because it is what they have been reared to. Duty to the family, and the furtherance of family position and prestige, is the center pole of what they are taught."
"Well, that sucks." Duo considered Quatre for a long moment. "So basically Kushrenada was a rebel. He wanted something different and didn't fall into the mould they intended. I bet that upset the elders."
"Indeed it did. He wanted nothing to do with the family's view on where his efforts should be concentrated. He dug in his heels and resisted all efforts to get him to train in politics. When he reached eighteen he ignored the hands-on approach to the electronics side of the business. Apparently he was not overly interested in that either, and ran like hell from politics and family and went his own way." Quatre stared at his salad for a long moment and sighed. "I wish I was that gutsy. I'd love to try something else besides training to run the family business."
Zechs was watching Quatre and sympathized with his friend's position, which sounded quite similar to the fate determined for the Duke. "How do you know all this?"
"I am to be CEO of one of the largest companies in the ESUN. My dad makes a point of knowing everything there is to know about potential business rivals and Kushrenada Electronics is definitely considered a rival. There are a great many files I am required to read dealing with the office holders from rival companies."
"Hey, Kat, you could always tell your dad you want to try something new. He seemed like a reasonable sort." Duo was only too aware of the pressure on Quatre to conform to the mould of future CEO.
"I don't think so, Duo. Big business families are just as set in their ways as the old noble houses." Quatre visibly shook himself and fastened his attention on Zechs after a quick knowing smirk at Duo. "Duke Kushrenada managed to gain his freedom from the family mould because he's one of the nine viable Prime Telepathic Empaths, of which I expect you to make number ten, Zechs."
Duo whistled softly, deciding the Oriental simply had to be the man's bodyguard. Prime level talents were too valuable to be permitted to run around unescorted.
"No wonder Otto was treating him with such respect." Duo murmured.
"I'm not that good, Quatre." Zechs demurred. "I doubt I will actually make Prime level as a fully functional telepath."
"You are still studying at Tsuberov and will be for another six months or so. I have no doubt you will attain level ten down the board. If you did not - but you will - it would not be by much that you failed and you are already a Prime-rated empath. With such a high telepathic rating you would no doubt be circulating in the same circles as the Duke."
"Yeah, Zechs, you have time yet. So what do you think the man is doing at Tsuberov, Quatre? If he has little to do with the electronics business he would not be here to sell Otto some new security device, and he's just too young to have a kid to enrol."
"Well," Quatre sipped at his orange juice and considered Duo for a long moment, shrugging slightly. "I'm not really sure about this, you understand. It might not be true, but I heard he defied family tradition in order to train his Psi talent to its full potential and paid for the training out of his own personal fortune. My father's investigators seemed a little vague on this point. When he attained a Prime's ranking he was free to follow his own ideals. I've overheard a few comments over the last couple of years suggesting a growing number of the younger nobles have followed his example. They are turning away from the traditional mould their parents expect them to fill. Now I'm not one hundred percent certain of this, but I think Kushrenada is supposed to be in law enforcement, or something like that. Security services, maybe?"
"Well, that might explain what he's doing at Tsuberov." Duo considered the men as they drew closer. "That would probably make the other two cops of some kind. I saw him and the Oriental together earlier so maybe he is Kushrenada's bodyguard? I'm pretty sure spunky buns is a government agent. All in all, it suggests we have a good deal more here than plumbing problems, eh?"
Quatre blinked. "Spunky buns?"
Zechs sniggered and indicated with an inclination of his head the group of men. "Chocolate-haired, a bit above medium height and looks to have some Oriental heritage in his pedigree."
"Ah." Quatre murmured. "I see. Duo has fallen in love again."
Duo snorted at his friends knowing tone. "Smile when you say that, Kitty Kat."
"A prank gone wrong is more than possible, perhaps even outright deliberate vandalism." Zechs suggested, attempting to turn the subject away from Duo's habit of appreciating a taunt butt. "Tsuberov would be discreet in any investigation no matter the cause."
"I still am suspicious we may have a kidnapping." Duo scowled at the chicken accompanying his salad. "Could we not find red meat, Quatre? Was there a decided lack of it in the cafeteria?"
"Would you have preferred to stand in line yourself?" Blue eyes sparked fire and his voice was deceptively quiet, a tone both of his roommates knew meant trouble.
"Ah, no. Chicken is good." Duo stuffed his mouth with the meat and chewed vigorously, pointedly ignoring the glare he received from the Winner heir.
"Good." Quatre purred. "I knew you would enjoy it."
Duo's attention wandered back to the four men and as unobtrusively as possible he focused his attention on the young man who had caught his eye.
"Man, that guy is hot."
Grinning Zechs licked a finger and touched it to Duo's forehead, making a 'Tssss' sound. Quatre chuckled as Duo whacked at the taller man.
"They all are." Quatre murmured.
"Damn, Kat, does Trowa have some competition?" Duo hooted, grinning.
"Never." Quatre winked. "I can still appreciate the scenery, you know."
"Yeah, yeah." Duo fastened his gaze on the taller blond in the group. "So, Zechsy, your being the only unattached male in the group, since I am now officially in love, which of the honeys gets your blood flowing? … And it had better not be my spunky buns."
Quatre sniggered and flapped a hand to dismiss Duo's glare before tucking back into his salad. For his part Zechs scowled and ignored the younger man.
"Awe, come on Zechsy, you have to admit they are very nice eye candy. Which one does it for you, hmm?"
"Leave it, Duo." Zechs breathed. "Let's just eat lunch and enjoy the respite from lessons, okay?"
"Nah, man, no way. Where is the fun in that? You won't let me play with conspiracy theories so I have to amuse myself somehow. Working up a profile of the ideal man for you to 'get some' sure does it for me!"
"Duo." There was a definite growl in the deep voice and a glint in crystal blue eyes that alerted Quatre to the wisdom of a change of subject.
"You know he's always been shy, Duo. Leave the man alone and enjoy yourself by perving on your personal favourite all you want."
Duo actually pouted, but the frown from the younger blonde was enough to warn him not to push. Still, he would not simply drop the subject. He enjoyed teasing the older man. Zechs so often left himself wide open that Duo simply could not resist when an opportunity came up. If occasionally he went too far Quatre was present to stop Zechs from strangling him with his own braid.
"I intend to. Perve on him, I mean, not leave our sexy, but solitary, Zechsy alone." Duo grinned at the scowling pair. "So which is it? You can't have the guy with chocolate hair and dreamy eyes, he's mine. I'm planning on marrying that one, so hands off his sexy arse. Now the small and…"
"Stop it, Maxwell." Zechs growled.
"… mysterious dark Oriental who moves like a dream…"
"Duo!" Quatre warned, sensing clearly the rising irritation in Zechs through his empathy. "Not wise, Duo."
"...or the elegant redhead with… such nice eyes." Duo smirked.
"I would not know what his eyes are like as I can't see them from here and neither can you." Zechs was flushed and there was clear warning in both his tone of voice and the set of his shoulders. "Leave it."
Zechs had always been a private person. He had been made fun of on too many occasions to take even friendly teasing well. Duo, always irrepressible, had a habit of all too often pushing that little bit too far. Quatre made hushing motions and groaned when Duo shrugged off the warnings and ploughed on.
"Why?"
"Because I asked you to leave it." Zechs grated through clenched teeth, glaring at his roommate.
Quatre inhaled sharply, blue eyes widening. Duo and Zechs were focused on each other, but he had been keeping an eye on their surroundings. He had watched as the group of men paused opposite their position, spoke for a moment and Otto inclined his head, stepping onto the lawn and headed directly for them.
"Ah, guys."
"Hey, I'm only curious." Duo rambled on. "You are one of the sexiest looking men at the Uni and you are never seen with anyone."
"Guys." Quatre sighed, reaching out to pull gently at Zech's arm.
"So? It is none of your business, Duo. What is it, Quatre?"
"It is so my business to see my friends hooked up, and not just with anybody you know." Duo resisted the urge to smirk. He loved winding Zechs up and the blond had a way of falling into it he simply had to exploit.
Quatre inclined his head indicating the approaching Security Officer and Zechs blanched, forgetting Duo in an instant. Unaware of the approaching doom Duo grinned, sensing an easy victory now that Quatre was so obviously on his side.
"So, which one, Zechsy?
"Being a nuisance again, Mr. Maxwell?"
The deep voice from such close proximity for the second time in an hour drew a quiet, "Shit. Otto. Ah, hi." A too wide and rather strained grin replaced the self satisfied smirk.
"Indeed, Mr. Maxwell. Otto. Mr. Merquise, a moment of your time, please."
"Damn. What have I done now?" Zechs clambered slowly to his feet.
It was so unfair to have to stand here and be raked over the coals for something he had no idea he had done wrong. It was bad enough to be lectured and taken to task in front of his friends, but for it to happen in front of someone who was so… so… 'gorgeous' and 'perfect' were the words that sprang to mind. Why did he have to be under the oak at this particular time and come to Otto's attention? Surely the man had more important things to do that berate him in front of important guests.
Otto motioned him away from his friends, who were watching with interest and no small amount of sympathy. "Over there if you will." He motioned toward the path in the general direction of the watching men.
"What have I done wrong?" His voice was barely above a whisper as he eyed Otto.
"Nothing to my knowledge, Mr. Merquise. A guest has expressed an interest in meeting you."
Blue eyes widened and flew to the three men standing on the edge of the lawn. "Me?" The single word emerged as a rather high-pitched squeak compared to his usual deep voice.
"You, Mr. Merquise." Otto chuckled.
"Why would anyone want a word with me? I… Who?"
Otto took the younger man's elbow, ignoring the whispers coming from behind them as Duo and Quatre speculated on this turn of events.
"Remember your position as a Tsubverov student." Otto whispered, hoping to steady frayed nerves by giving Zechs something more familiar to think about. "Mr. Kushrenada has requested a moment of your time."
His gaze was drawn instantly to the redhead who was slightly shorter, though more solidly built, than his own lanky frame, and who would outweigh him by a good margin. The man stood relaxed, flanked by the two shorter men and all three were watching him with open interest. Otto's hand to his upper arm was a welcome steadying sensation, as was the fact none of these men had thus far laughed at him.
He saw the darker of the two men, the Oriental Duo had speculated might be a bodyguard, glance at the Duke. His empathy caught a flash of irritation and impatience, and Zechs guessed the man considered there were more important things for them to be doing. The chocolate-haired individual, who had so struck Duo's fancy, seemed unconcerned. No flicker of emotion escaped him to give Zechs a clue as to his mood. He estimated these two men could be no more than one or two years his senior, three at the absolute most and he wondered how long they might have been employed by whatever government agency they worked for.
While the two men seemed not particularly interested in him, he could feel the intensity of Duke Kushrenada's gaze, and it was almost frightening. The man had a powerful personality and he sensed the rigid control employed to leash what he was sure was a vast wellspring of psychic talent. It was the very same control he despaired of attaining himself, the lack causing him to fear he would go insane beyond the shelter of the University's shielded grounds.
A light enquiring touch brushed against his shields. Not a probe or an assault designed to dominate him, rather more of a polite 'Hello'. He found himself immersed in startling sapphire blue. The world of Tsuberov's gardens, indeed his awareness of the world itself, faded into the background as Zechs fell into a world that tingled his toes.
It seemed the most natural thing in the world to permit this magnetic stranger past the tight barriers he maintained. Dimly, in the background of his mind, he could hear his instructor's voices as they sprouted endless lessons on the security required to maintain his sanity. Shields must never be lowered in unauthorized company. One did not lower one's shields to anyone without Tsuberov sanction. Lowering one's shields was simply not done. To forego this basic security was to threaten not only his sanity, but the sanity and well being of everyone in his immediate vicinity.
In short, to lower one's shield was a recipe for disaster.
The warmth emanating from those blue eyes was mesmerizing. The sheer power of this man's talent seemed to shimmer in his aura, and the touch of his mind in greeting was welcoming as he had never before experienced. Zechs knew he would be in trouble with his trainers, but he could not resist the allure of that warmth. He needed to feel more of the glow.
He dropped the shield separating his public mind and extended a hesitant, silent 'Hello'.
Warmth and a sensation his mind interpreted as spiced, hot chocolate blended with the flavour of liqueur chocolates enfolded him. The mental voice that touched his awareness was smooth, reminiscent of velvet and resonated warmth to his perceptions. It sent a flush of answering warmth and undeniable pleasure through him.
Quite simply, he had never experienced a touch like it.
'Thank you for the compliment of lowering your shield to me.'
Mixed with the warmth and the welcome of the contact was an undertone of genuine surprise and caution. He sensed the lowering of his shields was as unexpected to the Prime as it was to he himself. Zechs was certain he must be blushing, but faced with the slightest brush of that wonderful mind to his public mind, he could have done nothing else but welcome the contact. For so long he had maintained tight shields against everyone for fear of losing himself but here, he knew, he need not fear.
With this man his mind was safe.
'Hello.' He hated his own mental whisper, the hesitance at daring to extend to meet that warmth.
He felt incredibly inadequate and longed to run and hide at the same time as he wanted to bathe in the glow. How could he run from this wonderful presence? How could anyone want to run from him? It was so easy to bask in the glow, to luxuriate in the warmth of an intimacy no non-telepath could understand. To flee would be to lose the first hint of something he could not place a name to, even as he knew he had sought it for years.
This man was a professional psychic, a Prime, the best of the best in the dangerous field of empathic telepathy. What was more, he was sane. Treize Kushrenada was what Zechs could become if he followed Tsuberov's training schedule and managed to survive the outside world. After only a few weeks of living in that world during the tour, away from the security and shielding of Tsuberov, Zechs was afraid for his sanity. In the outside world there was so much input battering constantly at his shields, he had lived in constant fear of drowning in the onslaught. This man survived out there, in that other world, and by his presence gave Zechs hope he might overcome his fears and inadequacies and himself succeed.
"Duke Treize Kushrenada, Zechs Merquise." Otto kept one hand lightly in the centre of the young man's back, half expecting Zechs to bolt, unaware of the meeting of minds taking place.
"A pleasure." Treize purred with a brief nod, making no move to physically touch the other empathic telepath.
Zechs, like all others who shared their talent, would not welcome unnecessary touch. That the young man had not flinched from Otto's lingering touch demonstrated his trust of the Security Officer, but there was no such advantage of familiarity for Treize to draw on.
'I do hope you do not mind my requesting Otto to arrange for us to meet.' His thoughts lightly caressed the younger man's, projecting calming assurance mixed with confidence.
He was privately thrilled by the mental 'flavour' of the talent's mind and was aware of the dangers such a reaction could provoke, both in himself and the student, should he permit his private pleasure to be sensed. He had no intentions of making this contact anything but a polite greeting between Prime talent and soon to be Prime talent, and after this encounter there was no doubt in his mind Zechs Merquise would make that elite grade.
'I very much wanted to make the acquaintance of the next Prime in my own field while I have the opportunity. I must admit I like what I sense. You have a strong talent and a healthy dose of caution when around unfamiliar people. That will see you in good stead in later days.'
Only too aware he had taken the younger man off guard, and hoping to give him a moment in which to recover himself, Treize grinned at Otto. The Security Officer had narrowed his eyes and looked between the two telepathic empaths with a resigned expression. Treize knew he had guessed something was going on between them and was not particularly pleased by it.
"I do apologize, Otto. Zechs and I have taken the opportunity to say hello in our own, rather unique, fashion."
"Figured that." Otto sighed and looked to the blond. "Prime Kushrenada and his associates are a part of a consulting firm we have invited onto the estate. When he learned we had a burgeoning Prime he expressed an interest in meeting with you."
'So much more than merely an 'interest' in meeting you.' Treize slipped the thought to his counterpart with the mental impression of a wicked smile. 'I am hopeful some day we might, perhaps, have occasion to work together.'
Zechs clamped a firm control of his private mind, swallowing what he was sure would have been a gushed and entirely unprofessional response. He was damning himself for having such poor social graces and determined to pay more attention to the deportment and etiquette the instructors were continually forcing upon him. In hindsight, perhaps they had a valid point.
He was behaving as though he was a lovestruck groupie after a 'flavour of the month' pop star and that simply would not do. He was far too old for such idiocy. Why could he not remember anything of the lessons he had been taught since arriving at Tsuberov? He had moaned and groaned and griped at every opportunity about said lessons and now, when he needed them… Nothing. There was no way he could blurt out to this man of impeccable background and breeding that he would follow him to the ends of the earth simply because they had brushed minds.
How did he talk to him without gushing like a lunatic… and an immature lunatic at that?
"It is… a pleasure… to meet you, Sir." His tongue seemed to find barely adequate words to at least respond to the greeting in a polite and acceptable manner.
The more he tried to find the protocols he had been drilled in, the more fleeting they became. He wanted desperately to crawl into a shady nook somewhere and cringe until this bright beacon had gone, even as he never wanted to lose the contact. He could only wonder where and how he might see this man again and what he must do to gain the opportunity to work with him. Such might become his fondest dream and despite the harsher reality of his life and the benefactor who determined his future, the thought seeped through his shield into the space within his awareness he had opened to the Prime.
'Might we work together? How?'
'How? That remains to be seen in the future, but I have every hope it will happen.'
The response seemed to reverberate through him in what he felt, with every fiber of his being, was a true offering of friendship. This magnetic man, with the smile that seemed to brighten the sunlight, extended his thoughts with the lightest of touches, making the contact a pleasure and not a chore to be suffered through. Why was this contact, mind to mind, so different to past mental greetings he had experienced during Tsuberov training sessions?
He could all too clearly recall the pressure against his shields from the outer world when he had taken the trip to the colonies and the older, perhaps even deeper fear. The leftover fears and insecurities from the days when he had lived at the orphanage and run wild in the streets, until the day they had come for him. Coming to Tsuberov had meant changes, big changes which, he admitted, were a vast improvement over his wild days. On occasion he thought of himself as having been feral in those not so long ago years and he feared leaving Tsuberov might bring a recurrence of the past. He did not wish to lose the sanity Tsuberov had saved, nor the security he had found here for the unknown beyond its walls.
'You fear for the stability of your shield and the threat thus placed on your sanity beyond the protection of Tsuberov?' Treize sensed the fear, an echo of his own past fears and one shared by every high level telepath and empath that had ever drawn breath. 'Do not. It is fear itself which will drag you down into the darkness that is the nightmare of every Talent in our field. We all feel it, each and every one of us, and we keep each other sane. There is certainly the potential for a Prime talent in you and now that we know of you, we will not forget and leave you to the mercies of others.' Treize's mind touched the younger Psi's with full respect for the talent of an equal before he turned his attention to Otto.
He could plainly see the Security Officer was not particularly amused by their contact, or the fact they were sharing nonverbal communication. It no doubt violated more than one rule at Tsuberov, but who would gainsay a Prime Talent? Certainly not Otto, it seemed. Treize chose to ignore the narrow-eyed glower of his partner and Yuy's stoic expression and inclined his head to the Security Officer.
"I trust Mr. Merquise's terms of contract will be announced soon? I know of a number of departments and contacts who would welcome the chance to negotiate for a Prime's contract. In my line of work such rare talents are eagerly sought after and actively pursued."
Otto blinked, barely containing a gasp of surprise and eyed Zechs, who was looking wide-eyed at the redheaded Prime, as though he could not believe he had heard him correctly. Otto had a sinking feeling Treize Kushrenada was making an impression on Merquise that would not easily be changed. That was the problem with empathic telepaths, he reflected, they could generate an attraction it was nearly impossible to deny if they focused on you without even meaning to. Kushrenada, he was sure, would be aware of such a reaction and maintain safeguards against drawing the younger man into infatuation.
"I believe it is a little early for discussing contracts at this time. Zechs has not, as yet, completed his phase five studies."
'My contract?' Zechs was startled enough by the idea to question the Prime mind to mind, and he was thankful for the offered support that came through their contact.
He could not mistake the Prime's interest in the reason for his surprise and the unease Otto unknowingly was generating through his shield. Zechs was vaguely aware Otto was speaking, though he could not, for the life of him, say what was being said. The Oriental was glowering at the three of them with a brooding expression and his irritation was so intense it was fairly glowing.
'I know nothing of any contract, or contractual conditions, being drawn up for my consideration. I have not been consulted to date.'
'No? Ah, well, that is of no matter. No doubt contractual conditions will be considered as your evaluations progress. It is not wise to rush these matters after all.' Treize put a smile into the tone of his thoughts. 'One will have to look into the matter. I admit it would please me to be joined in my work by one of your talent. I think we would be able to work quite well together. Likewise any of the other Prime talents in our field would welcome you with open arms. Of course I consider my place of work to be the more interesting and always a challenge over the other Primes employment. Would you perhaps, like to learn more of what I do?'
He should say no. He should run as far and as fast from this man as his legs would take him, but those eyes… those eyes drew him and he wanted to fall deeper into the power of them. The mental touch against his own mind was an impression of warm velvet and seemed to offer so much that, as yet, he could not put a name to. Was this what it was to be in contact with a Prime Talent? Were they all like this, the other eight? Or was it just this wonderfully different individual who had decided to notice him?
'Yes.'
Oh, he should not have said that. As soon as he thought the affirmative he knew he was in the wrong and he could not help the flash of awareness, though he was quick to damp it down and hope the Prime had not caught his slip. He was a student on a set and rigid program and he knew his time was not his own. If he wanted to leave Tsuberov at the end of the year he needed to concentrate on his studies and perfect his training and there would be no time for anything else.
It was more than the constraints of time and a heavy schedule. He was at Tsuberov because someone was paying the bills for his training and as such it was not he who would decide his fate. His benefactor, the unknown body with the credits and influence to remain unknown, would have the final say on what he was to do with his life. It was not he who would decide his fate, but he wanted more of those blue eyes and that warm velvet mental voice.
It was wrong of him to bask in the glow of the other man's talent, but it was so unlike the other minds that had brushed his in the course of his training. He wanted more of this contact, even if it was only a few fleeting seconds. Beneath the weight of those sapphire eyes, and the glowing warmth of a powerful psychic talent, he knew he was noticed for who he was, not for what he was not.
Treize flicked his gaze to Otto and then back to the blonde, only too aware he was taking liberties. Chang was a positive furnace of irritation and he really must remind his partner to contain himself better around telepaths and especially empaths. He was also aware of how few people would suspect how his fellow Primes would react when he sent word of this bright gem he had found. He could not wait to contact them and tell them of this jewel who had remained unknown to them for so long. A deplorable situation. Someone of this talent should have been known to the Primes from the first evaluation of his talent and he would like answers as to why Zechs Merquise's potential had not been announced.
At the very least his talent would be that of a Prime level Empath and high in the level nine Telepathic ratings. Treize needed to be careful what he promised, as he strongly suspected someone was attempting to garner a Prime talent without following acceptable procedures. During their brief contact he had promised nothing more than to ensure the boy would not be forgotten, and he knew Zechs would not understand the true implications of that assurance.
Treize looked again to Otto and offered his best neutral smile even as he flicked his gaze to the student at his side, marking his interest clearly for Otto's reference. He strongly suspected he needed to mark his interest, not so much with the Security Officer, but through him to others who professed to pull the strings. He knew Otto would understand his tactic warning that Merquise was marked and would be watched by the nine Primes who had the most interest in his talent. He was not inclined to leave anything to chance, however, and for good measure he turned to the blonde and inclined his head formally.
"I shall be keeping my eye on Mr. Merquise's progress. It was a pleasure to meet you."
Treize wanted nothing more than to delve deeper into that enchanting warmth he sensed in the younger man, and explore the depths of his talent. He sensed a curious innocence mixed with an experience he found common to street urchins he had had occasion to touch minds with in the past. Merquise struck him as a most unusual young man whom he would, he admitted, like to know on a more personal, rather than professional, level. Much as he would like it, it was not to be contemplated. At least not until the young man had completed his education and was free to enter the world beyond the hot house environment of Tsuberov.
From the 'public' area of the young man's mind he sensed a sensitivity that explained Merquise's fear for his sanity on entering the wide world. He had no idea who had first realized the teenager had a burgeoning Psychic potential and had arranged for his admittance to the exclusive Tsuberov Institute, but that individual had saved the young man's sanity. Each Prime in their field had their own peculiar strengths and weaknesses and Zechs Merquise might possibly be the most sensitive of them all. That sensitivity meant he would require assistance from the other Primes in maintaining adequate shields. Whoever won the contract would be required to offer very particular shielding in his living and working environment to allow Merquise a sense of security on a purely mental level.
He wanted to ask questions concerning the training techniques employed at Tsuberov; to talk to the young man about his past and determine how it might have affected his talent's development. There was so much he needed to learn, not only to appease his own personal curiosity, but for the other Primes as well. They would require all the data he could gather the better to enable them to safeguard this man's sensitivity and sanity. It was unfortunate there was no time now to begin his assessment. He could feel Chang's uncertain temper and determined not to permit his partner's poor manners in the presence of empaths to distress the younger man.
Otto was emanating concern and rising worry and Treize shifted his weight a little, permitting him to unobtrusively follow the Security Officers line of sight. The Dean was approaching, quick stepping along the path and clearly intent on meeting with them. An older man was on his heels and he reminded Treize rather strongly of one of his least favourite great-uncles.
Otto's concern escaped the artificial rumblings of his shield and Treize was not inclined to expend the energy breaking through the shield would require to learn more. He sensed a genuine desire to care for the needs of the student and no anger in the Security Officer and determined he could safely leave the younger man to the Security Chief. It was not just the students from wealthy backgrounds Otto concerned himself with and his estimation of the man rose a favourable notch or two.
Extending a tendril of awareness toward the approaching men he could not mistake the concern emanating from the Dean. It was a mix of concern over a possible breach of etiquette on the part of the student mixed with concern something may have been noted about the events of the past few days. There was something else there, buried deeper but Treize was not inclined to investigate it further at this time. What he was sensing from the Dean was entirely understandable given the affair Treize was here to investigate. It was the older man who followed a few steps behind the Dean that aroused Treize's interest. The man seemed to be engaged in a rather astonishing bout of mental gymnastics over imagined slights and possible punishments which might put the irritating juvenile delinquent in his proper place.
Otto inclined his head respectfully to the Prime and gently nudged the student at his side to gain his attention.
"The Dean, Zechs, and Havers is close behind him." Otto murmured. "Head on back to the others and we'll distract him. Don't forget the assembly and see if you can't contain that maniac Maxwell for a while."
Treize had the distinct, and not particularly pleasant, impression the young man had had a bucket of ice water thrown over him. His shield snapped closed into a crystalline solidity Treize found astonishing given the telepathic empath's fears for his sanity. His head snapped around to take in the approaching men and Zechs blanched, losing much of his colour as he focused on the man in the rear.
"God. Thanks, Otto."
Eager as he suddenly was to make himself scarce Zechs could not help one last, hopeful, look at the man who actually wanted to talk to him. Mind to mind could not lie. Treize Kushrenada had displayed genuine interest in him and had offered him sage advice in preparing to enter the wider world beyond Tsuberov. He would have liked more time to speak with the man, or simply to luxuriate in the empathic warmth he generated. He was not inclined to give Professor Havers any excuse to make his life a misery and discretion was certainly the better part of valour in this particular instance.
"It was nice to meet you." A verbal offered farewell and each word was laced with an underlying empathic hope they might meet again.
He knew the Prime would have no difficulty in detecting the empathic undertones and politely inclined his head to the other men and was quick to retreat toward his friends. He could not say he was sorry to leave the presence of the Oriental who so clearly disapproved of him, without even knowing him, but he was accustomed to that reaction. Every step he took toward his friends he was aware of those sapphire eyes and the leashed power behind them, lingering on him, though no further attempt was made to contact him.
"What was that all about?"
Duo fairly pounced on him as he collapsed onto the ground beside them, generating insatiable curiosity and Zechs sighed. The more he explained to Duo the more the Sweeper would want to know. Looking over his shoulder he found the Dean had joined the other men and Professor Havers was standing a little apart, the obnoxious man glaring at him across the expanse of the lawn. At least the Dean was not giving him hostile looks and he was hopeful he had not exactly disgraced Tsuberov.
"Well? What did the sexy redhead want, Zechsy? From here it looked like Otto introduced you specifically to him." Duo bounced closer, grasping his arm and tried again to garner a response.
"He…" Floundering suddenly Zechs wondered what it was the Prime actually had wanted from him.
He did not originate from an important family and hailed from a less than exemplary background. Just what did the Prime find of interest about him? Yes, he had psychic potential but he was uncertain about his own abilities and afraid of the outside world he used to seek as an escape from the orphanage. He confused himself so what chance had a perfect stranger of understanding him?
"Zechs?" Duo calmed a little, sensing the confusion of his friend and gaining better control of his curiosity.
He had been told so many times to contain his emotions around both Zechs and Quatre, but his naturally effervescent personality saw him constantly ignoring etiquette. He had heard himself described as being constantly 'in your face' and a 'live wire' and 'the life of the party', even when there was no party.
"He wanted to say hello." Zechs met Duo's blue-violet gaze with a faintly bewildered expression.
"He wanted to say hello?" Duo waited for enlightenment, but Zechs seemed content to sit and stare at him while he absently twisted a lock of platinum hair around his fingers. "That was it? Just hello?" Duo looked over at the group of men with Professor Havers hovering on the fringe. "Why?"
/Good question. It is a pity I can't answer it./ Zechs mused.
He could only shrug and try not to look back to the group, knowing if he did so the professor he most wanted to avoid would still be glaring at him. Unfortunately he still had lessons with Professor Havers and he did not need any further trouble with the man.
He was aware of the tight shield Quatre had been maintaining since he had rejoined his friends, but Duo's demand for his attention had sidetracked him. Now he felt a sharp spike of what had to be elation from the Winner and Quatre fairly bounced in place.
"Yes!" Quatre looked triumphant and grinned widely, looking suspiciously like a cat who had stolen the cream.
"Quatre?" Zechs questioned, uncertain what had so pleased his friend.
"Why did he want to talk to you Zechs, it had to be more than saying hello. Are you okay, Kitty Kat? You look like you are about to start dancing."
"I don't know why he wanted to see me, Duo. He just did." Zechs murmured, eyeing Quatre with some trepidation at his antics and the grin that seemed frozen in place whenever Quatre looked at him. "What?"
"Hey, Quatre, you are starting to freak me out here." Duo twisted the end of his braid. "What gives, huh?"
"The Duke wanted to meet Zechs because he's a Prime and Zechs is going to be a Prime." Quatre crowed, rubbing his hands together in obvious glee. "I told you, why don't you listen? Prime level telepathic empaths are so rare it's almost a cause to have a public holiday when one is found sane. You will make only the tenth functioning individual with that degree of talent in the entire Earth Sphere."
"I've heard it before, but I still have to make the grade, Quatre."
"Now that Duke Kushrenada has met you, you can be sure the other eight Primes will be informed of his assessment of your abilities." Quatre continued, ignoring the older man's comment. "It is more than possible each one will want to meet you at some stage in your development through this final training period. It is rather an exclusive club you will become a part of, and their employers are always on the lookout for extra talent to relieve the load on their staff. Not to mention other corporations and departments in the government are desperate to have the services of a Prime."
"Look, I have to finish my training and graduate with a Prime ranking before anyone can get excited about there being a tenth E and T Prime. I still have the hardest part of that training ahead of me and to be honest, Quatre, I am not so confident I will make the grade."
Duo snorted and waved a hand in the air, indicating clearly enough what he thought of that statement.
Quatre merely smirked. "I am supremely confident in your abilities, even if you are not, so get over your stage fright, would you. My confidence is based on the comments and confidence of the teaching staff attending to your instruction and no, I am not going to reveal how I know what they think. Suffice it to say I am the Winner Heir and I have it on the very best authority you will undoubtedly succeed. So don't even consider disappointing me."
Zechs sighed softly and subsided. He had seen this side of Quatre too many times before to mistake it. The Winner heir would go his merry way, as usual, and there was nothing he could do that would have a chance of changing Quatre's mind. He looked to Duo who grinned wickedly at him and shrugged, unwilling to disagree with either of them and motioned to the cluster of men.
"Did Otto introduce you to the others? Did he say who spunky buns is?"
"No." Zechs rested his head on his knees, defeated and closed his eyes against the sight of the world which seemed to be encroaching on him more and more. "No one introduced me to Spunky Buns." Some days he had to wonder if he was rooming with sane people and if he should just give in to the insanity.
"Prime level empathic telepaths are so rare it takes up to five telepaths and empaths above level six ; sometimes more, to do the work of one Prime. With Prime Kushrenada here at Tsuberov I don't think it will take long before word circulates there is a tenth Prime coming up for contract." Quatre continued, ignoring the discourse between his roommates and his grin turned positively feral. "Your benefactor will have hell's own job fixing your contract so it cannot go public."
Quatre was plainly delighted with the turn of events and tucked into his salad with gusto. As far as he was concerned, today had developed into one of the better days he had had the pleasure of experiencing. Not only had he managed to escape at least a half a day's lessons he normally would have suffered through, he had also managed to witness what he was sure was the beginning of a change of circumstances for his blonde friend.
The mysterious benefactor who paid for the exclusive and expensive tuition Zechs underwent had been worrying Quatre. He had, on more than one occasion, considered the wisdom of approaching his father over the matter. With this fortuitous change of circumstances it seemed he might not need to take that step.
It was, without doubt, a wonderful day.
t.b.c.
Karina Robertson 2007
Duo Maxwell: Psi Student , 3rd year at Tsuberov Parapsychic Investigation and University. Level 8 Psychokinetic ability, projected level 9. Sending Telepath Level 5. Colony of Origin L2 Cluster 18 years of age Sweeper adoptee. Under pre contract agreement with Sweepers.
Zechs Marquise: Psi Student 5th year at Tsuberov Parapsychic Investigation and University. Level 10 Receiving/Projecting Empath approaching Prime Designation + Level 9 Sending /Receiving Telepath, Projected L10 function. Finder function suspected, not officially registered. Country of origin, Luxemburg. 20 years of age
Quatre Rababer Winner: Psi student, 2nd year at Tsuberov Parapsychic Investigation and University. Current Level 5 Telepath, projected Level 7, Current Level Receiving Empath 9.3, projected Level 10, Prime. Current Sending Empath Level 2, projected Level 4. Colony of Origin, L4 Cluster 18 years of age
Treize Kushrenada : Level 10 Sending/Receiving Telepath + Receiving and Projecting Empath at Level 10. Prime rated. Agency Operative contracted term of 5 years with 2 years remaining. 25yrs of age Training facility: Psychic Institute Munich Division.
Chang Wu Fei: Level 9 Telekinetic + Receiving Telepath Level 5. Agency Operative contracted term of 10 years with 8 years remaining, 22yrs of age Training facility:Psychic Institute Luxemburg Division.
Heinrich Otto: Tsuberov University Security Chief. No Psionic talent. Staff Member at Tsuberov for five years. Fitted with a Neural shield implant against telepathic intrusion. Former employment, Sanc Imperial Guard. 35 years of age.
Dean Alexander Hargraves: Dean at Tsuberov University and Parapsychic Institute. Neural Implant. Sending / Receiving Telepath Level 3