Chapter 2

Nova looked for Trigger, wondering where the hell he was, and what he was doing. After a good fifteen minutes, Trigger could be heard whistling merrily down the hall. Nova raised an eyebrow and walked over.
"Whats with the good mood?"
"Two said yeeeeesss...!" replied Trigger in a singsong voice*
"Sweet. I just escaped Colonel and his anti-drinking views. What of it if I LIKE getting plastered!?"
"No offence, Nova, but you're scary when you get plastered heavily."
"WHATS SO SCARY ABOUT IT!?" Nova flailed.
"That."
"Well farg you too. I need more crap in my room. People can still get in there too easily." Nova muttered.
"Heh. Next you'll tell me to store my heavy duty armor in there."
"...It works for me." Nova shrugged. "Maybe it'll scare people away."
"... You're kidding, right?"
"Nah. Wanna drink? There's juice in my closet."
"Cool with me. I gotta get some formal armor later, though. Blah."
"Heh, I'm still getting outta going due to severe lack of meat." Nova shrugged. "Tolda, I'm creepy!"
"Yes you did."
Nova posed, merry. "WHO'S DA REPLOID!?"
"Not you." Said a voice from Trigger's direction.
Trigger blinked. "Who said that?"
"Don't ask ME." Nova said, glancing to see who it was. "I didn't say it." Oddly, there was no one there.
"Creepy..."
"OK, that was sporked. Anyhoo, I'm gonna assert the bar and mine tonight and probably get myself drunk enough to pass out." Nova shrugged. "Drinks are fun."
"Boomer'd agree with you on that."
"Heh. Alteast I got out of wearing a Kimono. Want help with fancy armor?"
"Sure."
"Where should we try first?"
"Hmm. Mall." Nova grabbed Trigger's arm, and led the way.

After a few hours, Nova patted the re-armored Trigger's shoulder.
"Lookin' good. I'm off to my room, then the bar. Good luck and tell me who spikes the drinks, mmmkay?"
"Sure... Later, Nova!"
"Seeya Trig!" Nova waves, and walked to her room.
"FARG." Nova stepped in once the door opened and saught a pillow. "Hmn..."
"Unnh..."
"HUH?!" Nova spun to face the noise. "WHO'S THERE!?"
Apparently, Colonel hadn't budged from the floor where he fell. And apparently, he was just waking up.
"...Uhm.... You fell asleep in HERE?"
"I guess... Oohg..."
"My pity. You'd better get, Cain's party thingy's starting soon."
"But... I don't have anyone to go WITH."
Nova shrugged, then pulled a shot glass from her closet. "Point? I don't either so I'm ditching it alltogther, mandatory or NOT."
"Oh, wait... I remember why I was looking for you now... I was going to ask you to come with me to the party."
"....ME!? Why?" Nova looked terrified.
"Well, you seemed so interested in setting me up before..."
"...You have no sense of humor. Well, OK. Can I change first though?"
'Yes I do, I also have a sense of revenge.' thought the Colonel. "Alright." He stepped out side sluggishly.
'He's not bad... For a rookie. Sorta Bish. ...Down girl.' Nova shook her thoughts from her head and changed into her kimono, then stepped out.
"Alrighty. AND DON'T LAUGH."
"...Why would I laugh?"
"Cause. This thing's too tight so I might act funny in it." Nova shrugged. "Let's go."
"I think it looks rather nice..."
"Whaaatever." Nova sighed.
Colonel cleared his throat. "Anyways... After you, Ma'am."

Two waited for Trigger in her quarters, clad in a sleeveless haltertop black dress. A brief moment later, a knock sounded on her door.
"Two?"
Two opened the door shyly.
"Hi!"
Trigger was there in his new Black and white armor, and wearing a new pair of sunglasses, as opposed to his normal ones.
"Hi, Two..." Trigger seemed a little more than nervous. "Ready to go?"
Two nodded and stepped out, draping her arm around his.
"Yeah. I've been waiting." She said happily.
Trigger smiled, and escorted Two towards where the part was.

Upon entering, one could tell it was set up alot like a British Ball from Medival Times. No announcements of guests, but, it seemed everyone was waiting for General to start everything. General stood up, and motioned of everyone to pay attention for a moment.
"May I have your attention please..." Everyone stared at General and shut up. Ten Tons of gold was not to be argued with.
"It is a pleasure to see you all here. Now that most everyone is here, let the party begin!"
"...." Everyone shrugged and resumes talking. Disturbingly, apparently noone understood what formal parties were for. Or they didn't care. General sighed and tapped his fingers on the chair. 'Oh well...'
Nova sweatdropped at Colonel before he opened the door.
"You sure you wanna do this?"
"I don't see any reason not to, Nova... Why are you so nervous?"
Nova dug her toe into the ground, mumbling.
"I can't dance."
"Well... There's a first time for everything, isn't there?"
"I'll look stupid!"
Colonel sighed. "Would you feel better if I offered to teach you a little?"
"I gueeeess..."
"I'm offering."
"OK, but I'm not resposible for crushed feet, OK?"
"Alright. Now, like this." Colonel the proceeded to teach Nova how to dance a little. Nova tried to refrain from panicking as he went over the steps.
"Ok.. I hope I'm doing this right..."
"Don't worry. Now, try it."
Nova warily went over the steps he showed her, and tried to not trip. Colonel smiled slightly. While Nova did make quite a few mistakes, she was trying, at least.
"You see, it's not as hard as one usually thinks. You'll get it completely, in time..."
"Let's just get this over with before I'm forced to commit Seppaku."
Colonel sighed. "Alright.." Maybe this wasn't such a good idea... Then again, the night had only started. Who knew what could happen?

Two leaned against the wall, sipping the punch. "This needs kick." She grumbled. "Why does Nova skip these? She'd spike it in 3.4 seconds."
"And then I'd be out with a messed up head in ten seconds flat, Two." Replied Trigger. "It'll probably get spiked long before the party's over."
"That's goo-HA!" Two suddenly pointed. "LOOKIT KIMONO BUTT!"
If looks could kill, Nova's would've decimated Two.
"My God! I thought she was staying behind!" Trigger Boggled. Even moreso when he saw Colonel accompanying her. "Whoa, looks like Colonel finally caught up to her to ask her out!"
"Man. He must be screwed in the HEAD to do that!" Two shrugged. "Nova's a spaz."
Trigger shrugged. "Nova's theory was revenge.." Colonel could have shot daggers at Two if it were physically possible. Two cast him a 'What did I do!?' look, then looked at Trigger.
"Whatcha wanna do?"
"I dunno... I'd offer to dance, but...." Trigger rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I uhm.... I dunno how..."
"Ever dance a la Dance Dance Reveloution?"
"Yeah."
"Then lets piss people off and screw with the music, shall we?"
"Sounds fun. Lets do it."
Two calmly pulled out a CD marked Smile.DK and snuck over to the music machine, and slipped it in. Almost immediately, 'Butterfly' blasted in the room as Two rushed back to Trigger.
"Let's educate these guys, hmm?"
"Sounds like fun to me."
Colonel STARED as Trigger and Two began to dance DDR style.
"Nova, do you have any clue what they're doing?"
"Dancin'. One sec." Nova quickly darted into the restroom, and exited in her armor. "PLAY BOYS, DAMMIT!"
Colonel blinked repeatedly, confused. 'What the devil..?!'
Nova walked over to the CD player and changed tracks to the infamous song, and suddenly began dancing to it. In time. Rather well, too. Colonel could only stand there and boggle at how fast the atmosphere of the party changed. It had gone from formal to practically a rave in about two minutes!
Nova hopped over to Colonel.
"Can't you break?"
"Break?"
"Break Dance."
"Not well in uniform..."
"Got Civilian clothes?"
"Yes."
"Go change."
Colonel blinked a few times, then sort of shrugged as he went to the restroom to change. Nova sidled over to the punch and waited next to it. Colonel stepped back out in what had to be the most UN-officer like attire. A Hawaiian, button up shirt, over a white t-shirt, and beige shorts, and he had sandals on his feet.
"Is this alright...?" He asked uncertainly. Nova forced a giggle back.
"It's just fine, Beach Boy." Nova smiled. "Why don't you try dancing? Just feel the music." Colonel blinked a couple times and attempted to do what Nova told him to. Suprisingly, he didn't do all that bad for his first time. But it was still PAINFULLY obvious he wasn't used to dancing like this. Nova smiled, nodding as she watched.
"Excelleeent. Now your ready for SKA." Nova pranced to the CD player and changed it to a new CD, tossing Two Smile.DK. Soon, the most God-awful music Colonel had ever heard blasted. Most vets already covered their ears, frazzling everyone unaccustomed.
"GOD I LOVE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES!" Nova cheered. Colonel did pretty much nothing but stare at Nova. THIS was Music? In who's mind? Nova looked happy as a clam.
"It's so hard to face, that in this day and age, somebody's race could trig-OH SHIT." Nova stopped abruptly, looking at a Not Happy Dr. Cain, who had cut the music.
"....Uhm.... Crap." Nova blanched pale.
"Room confinement. Now." Cain said. Nova eeped and headed for her room. Trigger gulped and looked on as Nova scrammed quickly.
"Maybe we'd better scram too, Two."
Two nodded agreeance and scrammed as well.

The next morning, all was normal. And Nova was asleep, although 'Room Confinement' for her lasted the rest of one day, as it didn't do much but spare other Hunters headache. Still... She was asleep, and it was 6:00am.
"Farg," said someone outside of Nova's door. As soon as the door opened, in stepped the Colonel. Nova didn't move a bit as the door closed behind him. Obviously, she always sleep soundly. Colonel cleared his throat, and looked around the hellhole that was Nova's room. Obviously, she never bothered using her room confinement to clean it. Just get it worse.
"Nova Strike! Attention!" Bellowed Colonel.
"Wake me in six hours damnit." Nova growled.
"No. Get up. Now."
"BITE ME."
"Don't tempt me."
"Go a-WAY. It's an ungodly hour!"
"It's 6 in the morning."
"It's too early. Wake me at noon." Nova snuggled under her blanket.
"...." Colonel frowned and took hold of the blanket. With a firm tug, he snatched the blanket from over Nova. "Get up."
"AAAIIIYYAAA!!! IT'S COLD OUT THERE! GIMME BLANKET!" Nova grabed for her blanket... Disturbingly clad in a Neko-Chan night shirt and spandex shorts. Colonel had to stem a minor nosebleed before glaring at Nova.
"Are you always this lazy? It's time to get up."
"Yes. Yes I am. And NOONE except a QUACK is up this early. Gimme blankie."
"No. And for Gods sake, do you even ORGANIZE this mess of a room?"
"My room, my rules, AND GIMMIE MY BLANKIE BEFORE I KICK YOU IN THE ASS!"
"No." Colonel stood firm and didn't move in the slightest, except for putting his hand to his nose to stem the flow of fluids again. Nova grabbed her blanket in both hands.
"MINE!!!" She yanked. Hard. At the same time, she planted her foot in his chest for balance. Colonel shrugged and let go as she yanked.
"You know, you have some rather unhealthy habits, Nova."
"I live alone, I do what I damn well want. GOOD-NIGHT." Nova snuggled back into bed.
Colonel sighed slightly. 'Why do I bother...?' He thought to himself. Nova snuggled further into her blanket, clutching something Colonel never noticed before; a very clean, very well cared for bit of cloth... Totally different care-wise then the rest of the room. Colonel blinked and walked over to examine the object. Obviously it was well-loved; there were thinning areas and yet, despite that, Nova clung to it like it was a security blanket. Strange coming from apparently, a lazy spaz..
"... What's the yellow cloth, Nova?"
"zzzz....Kaa-san's scarf...zzzz.." Apparently, she talked in her sleep.
"Kaa-san being...?"
"zzz...Protoman-Kaa-san....zzzz...I miss Kaa-san...zzzz..." Colonel nearly had a heart attack. Even though he couldn't speak much japanese, he did know some things, like Kaa-san. 'Protoman is her FATHER?' Nova whimpered in her sleep. It looked like an unpleasant dream was coming on. Colonel blinked and rested a hand on Nova's shoulder gently to try and calm her a bit.
"Nova, what's the matter?"
"Make them get away..." Nova whimpered and suddenly her eyes snappeed open. If she was human, she'd have broken into a cold sweat. Colonel blinked in suprise.
"Are you alright, Nova?" His face seemed to wear a look of concern and maybe a tinge of worry. Nova rolled over, startled.
"Your still here!?"
"I believe the answer to THAT is obvious. Now are you alright?"
"....Why?"
"...." Colonel blinked as he mentally asked himself that.
"...I'm not talking without a perfectly good reason. It's personal." Nova looked upset. "Not to mention I don't like discussing it."
"Well, for one thing, what's with the scarf?" Apparently he wasn't sure enough to answer Nova's question.
"It's a secret." Nova glared, putting it away carefully. "I don't want to talk about it."
Colonel frowned. "That's not what you said before."
"WHAT!? WHEN!?" Nova boggled.
Colonel smirked slightly.
"When you were asleep. You said it belonged to your father. Protoman."
"You get a kick out of disturbing people, don't you?" Nova sweatdropped. Colonel shrugged.
"Only if it will make them tell me the truth."
"Look... It's a long story... I don't like to discuss it. It happened a long time ago anyways..."
Colonel blinked. "Well... I'll listen to you on that.." He rested his hand on her shoulder. "I wont ask if it bothers you so."
Nova started sniffling. "I miss Kaa-san... And Kennith... And Warau.. and everyone else.."
Colonel raised an inquiring eyebrow at Nova. "Kennith? Warau? Everyone else?" Colonel was fairly baffled as to who she was referring to.
"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!" Nova threw her pillow at Colonel's face.