Title: Protests of Neutrality
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Duo + Milliardo
Notes: Challenge 193. Baby Series 4 #36. Takes place following The Mystery of Life.
Spoilers: None
Warnings:
Many thanks to ShenLong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.
Title: Protests of Neutrality
"You said that Sanc never used to be a pacifist stronghold. When did that happen?"
He picked up an ornament, examining it carefully beneath the light of the torch, thumb gently caressing the fine lines of the oddly bloated figurine of a woman. It appeared to wear little if anything in the way of clothing, the detail was simply not there to represent clothing. The hips and breasts were wildly exaggerated, or else the model had been exceptionally obese in those areas; the legs disproportionately short in appearance. No, that was probably because he saw, on closer inspection, that the legs ended in an uneven break.
"It resulted from the Second World War, during the 20th Century. Following the invasion of Sanc… we were swallowed up in little more than a day, our protests of neutrality and desire to be left in peace being totally ignored. We were much smaller than Switzerland who spoke up for neutrality, you understand. The years of oppression under Nazi rule made quite the impression on a people who valued self expression and religious freedom. We welcomed Jews, you see. Offered them sanctuary."
Duo turned the stone figure over in his hands, lips pursed as he considered the elaborate detail placed into the hair. If he was right it was suggestive of multiple braids, yet the facial features were non-existent. A curious piece, he decided, and he wondered who might have carved it from the stone and who might have thought it worth keeping.
"I don't know much about the 20th Century."
Milliardo turned to see what he was doing, moving across the distance to peer down at the figurine resting in the palm of his hand. He sucked in a breath sharply, leaning closer to study the piece.
"So because of the war Sanc decided to be a nation of pacifists? I really don't get that, you know. After oppression like that, when peace is finally declared, an entire nation decides it wants to… Well, I can actually understand the desire for peace, but to the exclusion of having no standing defence force? It just begged for them to be invaded in less than a day again."
"Peace is a curious thing, Duo. How to attain it has always been a source of conjecture. People have even gone to war over it. Ah, Duo, could you put that down… carefully? Very carefully."
Bright blue eyes turned to him, one chestnut brow cocked. "What's so special about this piece?"
He did not ask if it was special, clearly it was, and he carefully placed it back where it had come from, though he thought it might be safer in his hand than on that leaning tower of objects just waiting to fall. Obviously Milliardo thought so too, as he carefully grasped it and moved it to a more stable, sheet shrouded surface.
"It's very old."
"What in here isn't?"
Milliardo made a strangled sound of amusement and stared at the figurine. "It's Stone Age, Duo."
End
Karina Robertson 2012