Chapter 4
Colonel and Nova rematerialized in a room that didn't seem to be from MHHQ. Nova blinked.
"Whaaaa? This isn't my room. It's... It's..."
"Clean?" Colonel filled in the gap and smirked slightly.
"Yeah." Nova said, reeling. "Oooo, Sake's catching up."
"Let's see.." Colonel didn't seem to pay attention as he rummaged though his bookshelf. Nova urped, feeling suddenly worse for wear now that her binge was over. Nova silently gave thanks her face couldn't become green.
Colonel suddenly turned around with an armload of books, which he calmly placed down, Nova blinked as he sat before them and indicated for her sit.
"Can I do one little thing first?" Nova asked. "I think I need to throw up." Colonel's face blanched in suprise as her rushed over and helped her to a restroom, where, in fact, she promptly threw up, and luckily, not on the floor. When Nova dragged herself free from the restroom, Colonel handed her a glass of water.
"What's this for?" Nova blinked. Colonel sighed. Apparently, when she was drunk, she was dense.
"It'll wash out the bad taste." He sighed.
"Oh." Nova downed it quickly as Colonel led her back to the room, and took his seat by the books. Nova sat in the spot he had indicated earlier.
"Now, I thought since you seem to have alot of free time, you might consider doing something other then stay at the bar." Colonel said. "Something more productive. Do you like reading?"
"I read mangas, but, I finally read them all." Nova admitted Colonel face faulted.
'Comic Books!?' He thought to himself. Sighing, he took a book from the pile.
"I don't.. Have any of that. Have you ever read this? 'Othello'?" Colonel held the book like it was some priceless jewel. Nova shook her head.
"Haven't touched Shakespeare before." She admitted. Colonel's jaw dropped wide open, and he just STARED. He quickly regained composure.
"Never?" Colonel asked, still wide eyed. Nova shook her head. Colonel looked her in the face then sighed slightly, and pulled down another book.
"How about 'The Tragedy of Julius Ceasar'?" He asked. Nova shook her head.
"What's it about?" She asked. Colonel sighed. Well, atleast she wasn't whimpering about drinking. Shifting closer so she could see, he opened the book.
"Well, it's a play about the Roman Emporer, Julius Ceaser, and one day, his best friend, Brutus, is tricked into an assasination plot." Colonel said calmly.
"Do they succeed?" Nova asked, suprised.
"Well, yes...." Colonel admitted. "But that's not the end of the play."
"Ohhh. Can I borrow it?" Nova asked. Colonel handed her the book.
"Alright...." He said warily, casting a worried look, dreading it getting lost in her room. Nova pulled it into her lap and opened it, then sweatdropped.
"What LANGUAGE are these people speaking!?" Nova sweatdropped. Colonel faceplanted.
"Old English." He said. Nova blinked.
"They don't use the term groovy..." Nova sweatdropped. Colonel slapped his face. This would be harder then he thought.
"Here, I'll explain." Colonel said, proceeding to translate Old English into terms she would understand. Nova seemed to listen intently, staring hard at the book. Finally, she looked at him.
"So they use that terminology in this?" Nova said, skimming over the book again. Colonel nodded. Nova placed the book in a compartment in her armor.
"Swing. What's this book about?" She asked, pulling it off the pile. Colonel raised both eyebrows at the binder.
"'Romeo and Juliet'!? Please tell me you've heard of 'Romeo and Juliet'."
"...." Nova blinked. "I heard about it. Shakespeare did that? Isn't that the story where the two kids die at the end?"
Colonel twitched. Nova didn't notice as she went on.
"I didn't see the title on your copy.. I saw a movie about it once. Very good."
Colonel could feel his composure slowly dropping into something like shock. How could ANYONE like a MOVIE better than the origional!?
"I think it's sad, really. Just because of a feud, Romeo and Juliet have to marry in secret. I mean, how can parents be so DENSE!? Why carry on a feud for no bloody reason!? Gotta love the balcony scene. Best part. I memorized a little of it..."
Colonel raised both eyebrows, sweatdropping.
"Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou, Romeo? Renounce thy father and denounce thy name, and I shall never more be a Capulet! For what is in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Nova blinked, realizing she'd been acting as she spoke. She sat down sheepishly as Colonel's jaw dropped for the second time tonight. Nova was obviously full of suprises.
"Well... Would you care to borrow it?" Colonel asked warily. Nova almost jumped excitedly.
"PLEASE!? Could I!?" She squealed. Colonel had to cover his ears until she finished, then held out the book.
"Alright.." He said, finally, handing her the book. Nova hugged it in giddy excitement, then put it with 'Julius Ceasar'. She then got to her feet.
"Thanks for letting me borrow the books, but, it's only 9:00pm. Sake calls, you know." Nova said. Colonel scrambled to his feet. He did NOT think it was a good idea to let her drink to the point of getting sick again.
"Er, why don't you tell me about yourself? Aside from trying to stir up the rookies, I mean!" He said hastily. Nova blinked at him.
"Naw, cause there's three of you and one of me. I need to get going..." Nova said, rubbing the back of her head. Colonel sweatdropped again, mouthing 'Three!? Again!?'. Colonel grabbed her arm.
"I don't think you ought to teleport yourself tonight. You might make an error and hurt yourself, or worse." Colonel said, pulling her down as he took a seat again. Nova pouted but stayed still.
"Alright..." She said, poutily. "Start the interrogation."
"This is hardly an interrogation..." Colonel muttered before beginning.
Two snuggled against Trigger as the anime droned on. And on. By now, most Reploids had abandoned the two to enjoy time alone, however, they were more preoccupied with the anime. Well, Two was. Trigger was blushing insanely as the blonde Reploid snuggled against him, watching the screen. He really didn't mind, but the suggestions Repulse kept feeding him was enough to make Trigger perturbed. Granted, the fact Two seemed to be falling asleep onhim didn't help much either.
'Well, Trigger, you gonna steal yourself a kiss or what, hmm?' prodded Repulse from the back of his mind. Trigger was afraid of doing so, because Repulse may very well intend a bit... more.. than that. That was enough to just keep it restrained to an arm around her shoulder.
'Two. Girl. Kiss him.' Nemesis was prodding too.
'.........You just wanna screw Repulse.' Two thought annoyedly. Nemesis' wave of smugness made Two look pale.
"ECCHI!"
This caused Trigger to jump. His immediate reply of, "NANI?!", and a growing paleness made him think that he had zoned and Repulse and 'stepped up to bat', so to speak. "What is it??"
"Nemesis was being hentai!" Two whimpered. Swiftly, she told her fellow Hunter what Nemesis had "Admitted."
"... Eeeeeewww...." Trigger was more disgusted that a wave of smugness radiated from nowhere in his head, probably Repulse, upon hearing that. "I think he reciprocates that... Man, this is gonna be a f***ed up situation...." He muttered slightly about his f***ed up other half. Two nodded, then blinked, listening to voices.
"I hear foriegn people. Namely, NS and Colonel." Two remarked.
"Nani?" Trigger blinked, and tried listening as well. About then, the door opened as NS and Colonel walked in, talking. Rather, Colonel was asking what NS would call 'probing' questions, and she was keeping mostly silent. Trigger muttered under his breath.
"You were right..."
Colonel continued to ask questions of Nova, despite the fact that Two and Trigger were in the room. His whole demeanor demanded answers, without him actually saying so verbally. Two shrugged, then looked at Colonel.
"Having luck there, bub?" Two asked, making a slight crack. Colonel was either oblivious, or chose to ignore the true meaning behind the comment. "None. She hasn't answered even ONE of my questions yet!" He was growing more and more frustrated, yet managing to keep it lidded. Nova blinked, sighting TX, and immediately slipped her thick book in a compartment for reading, but not before Two saw the cover. She SHREAKED with laughter.
"NOVA'S READING SAPPY ROMANCE STORIES!" Two crowed. Nova went PALE, and gave a slight whimper. If there was one thing she hated, it was having her soft side exposed in public. Trigger smirked, and shook his head. Well, at least Repulse hadn't blabbed any of his secrets to the public yet -- but then again, the secrets Repulse held would be hard to get from the alter-ego's grasp. Colonel, seeing no problem with Nova reading the book in question, inquired as to the problem of her reading such a book.
"It's a classic novel, what's the matter with reading a good old fashioned BOOK now and then?"
"That's easy, Colonel. NOVA here is the bitchiest, noisiest, most irritating Hunter here at times. And I'm just hoping Zero doesn't-" Two was interrupted by the arrival of said Hunter.
"Heeeellooooooooo Trigger, Two, LETTUSE HEAD...." Zero didn't get to finish his greeting, as NS suddenly seemed to snap and mauled Zero faster then a wolf with rabies, snarling viciously. Zero seemed to react immediately, and the two began duking it out."
"Ah... Yes... Zero.. The Crimson Wonder... He once again proves his shitty timing, makes a stupid crack, and fights with Nova. Situation normal." Two shrugged. "Trig, better tell Medbay their at it again."
"Oi... You'd think they'd get BORED of this after a while..." He hustled to the nearest intercom to inform Medbay of the disturbance. Colonel, on the other hand, took a more active role, by separating the two by force. "Stop this behavior immediately!!"
"Who're you?" Zero asked, getting a punch in the chest from the suddenly hostile NS. Two sweatdropped, assuming Colonel was either very strong, or suicidal.
"I am Colonel of the repliforce, and you will both stop this behavior immediately!" He grunted as he physcaly placed himself in between the two fighters, displeased obviously by their actions. Zero blinked.
"Do you mind moving so we can resume?" Zero asked, suprisingly social. Nova had other plans.
"ZERO O KOROSU!!!!" Nova snarled, trying to get around Colonel. Zero seemed unperturbed at the Death Threat. Colonel sighed and continued to keep himself between the two.
"No, I shall not move so that you two may continue beating on each other like mindless barbarians."
"Actually, it's because Lettuce head there is a stupid bi-" Zero was cut off by Nova's arm cannon blast. Someone was pissy, and it showed.
"SONNOFABITCH! I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!"
"Lettuce head."
Nova fired again.
"Lettuce head!"
"ENOUGH!" Colonel yelled loud enough to be heard over both the taunting and the weapon discharges. "Zero, refrain from taunting her. Nova, if he DOES taunt you, PLEASE, for the love of GOD, just ignore him!"
"Yeah, Lettuce head, listen to the big guy."
Nova mauled the blonde Hunter after dodging around Colonel and had he arm cannon art his throat in 2.5 seconds. Two remained unphased, watching.
"DO NOT patronize me, you little red TWIT." Nova snarled. If it wasn't for the fact noone else seemed terribly concerned, it was enough to make one think she'd gone Maverick.
"That is quite enough, Nova." Colonel had lost his patience. He quickly picked up the green haired reploid and placed her under his arm, before uncerimoniously hauling her to another room and setting her down. "I sincerely hope you aren't this dissagreable all the time, Nova. It is really not flattering..."
Nova seemed to pale, and gave a meek squeak, letting him talk. Though used to such lectures, she was a but scared this time, acknowledging he WAS able to seriously hurt her if he angered more easily. Finally, she got the nerve to protest.
"We ALWAYS fight. He's called me Lettuce Head since day one! I can't stand it!" Nova squeaked, immediately flinching away slightly.
"Then might I ask you take a more logical approach to dealing with him? I am not saying Zero is in the right. Quite the opposite. But if his verbal taunting is able to frenzy you this much, image what a maverick on the feild would do to use that anger to an advantage." replied the Colonel calmly. 'If I can't maker her think like a pacifist, use an example of battle.' Nova stared him in the eyes, her expression suddenly taking a turn.
"I've dealt with Mavericks while angry. Hell, I know someday it might get me killed, but in all honesty, I could care less if I died, and alot of Hunters feel the same way about me..Especially Zero."
"But I do care if you die or not. And as far as Zero is concerned, he can kiss my armored skirt-plates for all I care." Colonel was really beginning to loose his patience, but he reigned himself in. It was her point of veiw, and she was entitled to that... but still, he had no wish for her to come to any harm -- quite the opposite indeed.
"You couldn't possibly understand! If I died... I don't care about my life anymore... You just don't understand!!" Nova snapped. Immediately, she tried to get away. How could anyone understand her feelings? The loss of her family, then finding most of them changed... The abuse from scientists.... She just felt ready to break down, but she couldn't tell anyone. Just run away. Colonel started to reply -- but quieted when he realized that she was right, he DIDN'T understand... and he might never. Nova curled up in a corner opposite Colonel and curled up there in a slight fetal position, half wishing she could break for a bar. She could feel the beginnings of Depression again... And it showed.
"... You're right, you know. I don't understand." The words -- while true -- had pierced the large reploid past his armor.
"And I never presumed to have such... My apologies." Colonel was suffering from an inner conflict now. Stay, and try to help Nova, and possibly make the situation he had already created worse... Or to walk away and hope that time would heal the wounds opened. Nova seemed to whimper, huddled up.
"N..Noone understands... I shouldn't have gotten upset... I'm sorry..." Nova's voice sounded broken. The usually hyper Reploid seemed to be genuinely suffering from something, but Colonel just couldn't tell why. That tipped the scales for Colonel.
"It's not your fault.." He was at a los of what to do though. What could he say, let alone do to make the suffering evident in her voice go away? 'Sometimes,' Colonel thought, 'Being the supposed knight in shining armor is more diffucult than it's made out to be.' Nova seemed to fumble in her armor, then pulled out a sake bottle.
"I need a drink.." She managed to get out before taking a sip.
"That's not going to help..." Colonel started. He was just as adamant that she not drink as before, but he was a touch more gentle about his approach. Nova quivered, just as obstruse.
"Yes it will... Nothing else has..."
"..." Colonel was silent. Was he the only person that cared if she stayed alive? There had to be someone else...
"Nova.." This was unbearable. What in the world could he do?
"What?" Nova was still between drunk, and sober.
"That bottle of alcohol won't help... but I'd like to try to help you if I can." Colonel wasn't sure what to do or say aside from that. Nova gave Colonel a strange look.
"Why...?"
"Why? Why not? Why would anyone not want to help when you're obviously suffering?"
Nova seemed to suddenly flinch.
"I..I'm just fine!!" She suddenly snapped.
"You are not, and you can't deny it forever, it's all to obvious to me, someone else is bound to notice too!"
"Why would anyone WANT to!? Noone CARES as long as I bloody frickin' do as told!" Nova snapped, shaking slightly.
"I DO care, Nova!"
"WHY!!??"
"Why not."
"....." Nova tried scrunching tighter into her corner, sipping the Sake, getting confused. Colonel tapped one his large boots on the floor as he waited for an answer.
"Why shouldn't I care, Nova?", he reiterated.
"I... It's just.. Noone DOES.. I..Is all.." Nova said, almost too quietly to be heard. She still shook like a leaf, though from fear or sake, he couldn't tell. Colonel stepped over to where Nova sat in the corner, and sat next to her.
"Someone does care about you, Nova. Aside myself, I know Trigger and Boomer care about you. Now come on..." He placed an arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle, reassuring squeeze. Nova seemed to jump slightly before finally, leaning into it, or, rather, collapsing in exhaustion.
Colonel and Nova rematerialized in a room that didn't seem to be from MHHQ. Nova blinked.
"Whaaaa? This isn't my room. It's... It's..."
"Clean?" Colonel filled in the gap and smirked slightly.
"Yeah." Nova said, reeling. "Oooo, Sake's catching up."
"Let's see.." Colonel didn't seem to pay attention as he rummaged though his bookshelf. Nova urped, feeling suddenly worse for wear now that her binge was over. Nova silently gave thanks her face couldn't become green.
Colonel suddenly turned around with an armload of books, which he calmly placed down, Nova blinked as he sat before them and indicated for her sit.
"Can I do one little thing first?" Nova asked. "I think I need to throw up." Colonel's face blanched in suprise as her rushed over and helped her to a restroom, where, in fact, she promptly threw up, and luckily, not on the floor. When Nova dragged herself free from the restroom, Colonel handed her a glass of water.
"What's this for?" Nova blinked. Colonel sighed. Apparently, when she was drunk, she was dense.
"It'll wash out the bad taste." He sighed.
"Oh." Nova downed it quickly as Colonel led her back to the room, and took his seat by the books. Nova sat in the spot he had indicated earlier.
"Now, I thought since you seem to have alot of free time, you might consider doing something other then stay at the bar." Colonel said. "Something more productive. Do you like reading?"
"I read mangas, but, I finally read them all." Nova admitted Colonel face faulted.
'Comic Books!?' He thought to himself. Sighing, he took a book from the pile.
"I don't.. Have any of that. Have you ever read this? 'Othello'?" Colonel held the book like it was some priceless jewel. Nova shook her head.
"Haven't touched Shakespeare before." She admitted. Colonel's jaw dropped wide open, and he just STARED. He quickly regained composure.
"Never?" Colonel asked, still wide eyed. Nova shook her head. Colonel looked her in the face then sighed slightly, and pulled down another book.
"How about 'The Tragedy of Julius Ceasar'?" He asked. Nova shook her head.
"What's it about?" She asked. Colonel sighed. Well, atleast she wasn't whimpering about drinking. Shifting closer so she could see, he opened the book.
"Well, it's a play about the Roman Emporer, Julius Ceaser, and one day, his best friend, Brutus, is tricked into an assasination plot." Colonel said calmly.
"Do they succeed?" Nova asked, suprised.
"Well, yes...." Colonel admitted. "But that's not the end of the play."
"Ohhh. Can I borrow it?" Nova asked. Colonel handed her the book.
"Alright...." He said warily, casting a worried look, dreading it getting lost in her room. Nova pulled it into her lap and opened it, then sweatdropped.
"What LANGUAGE are these people speaking!?" Nova sweatdropped. Colonel faceplanted.
"Old English." He said. Nova blinked.
"They don't use the term groovy..." Nova sweatdropped. Colonel slapped his face. This would be harder then he thought.
"Here, I'll explain." Colonel said, proceeding to translate Old English into terms she would understand. Nova seemed to listen intently, staring hard at the book. Finally, she looked at him.
"So they use that terminology in this?" Nova said, skimming over the book again. Colonel nodded. Nova placed the book in a compartment in her armor.
"Swing. What's this book about?" She asked, pulling it off the pile. Colonel raised both eyebrows at the binder.
"'Romeo and Juliet'!? Please tell me you've heard of 'Romeo and Juliet'."
"...." Nova blinked. "I heard about it. Shakespeare did that? Isn't that the story where the two kids die at the end?"
Colonel twitched. Nova didn't notice as she went on.
"I didn't see the title on your copy.. I saw a movie about it once. Very good."
Colonel could feel his composure slowly dropping into something like shock. How could ANYONE like a MOVIE better than the origional!?
"I think it's sad, really. Just because of a feud, Romeo and Juliet have to marry in secret. I mean, how can parents be so DENSE!? Why carry on a feud for no bloody reason!? Gotta love the balcony scene. Best part. I memorized a little of it..."
Colonel raised both eyebrows, sweatdropping.
"Romeo, Romeo, where for art thou, Romeo? Renounce thy father and denounce thy name, and I shall never more be a Capulet! For what is in a name? A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Nova blinked, realizing she'd been acting as she spoke. She sat down sheepishly as Colonel's jaw dropped for the second time tonight. Nova was obviously full of suprises.
"Well... Would you care to borrow it?" Colonel asked warily. Nova almost jumped excitedly.
"PLEASE!? Could I!?" She squealed. Colonel had to cover his ears until she finished, then held out the book.
"Alright.." He said, finally, handing her the book. Nova hugged it in giddy excitement, then put it with 'Julius Ceasar'. She then got to her feet.
"Thanks for letting me borrow the books, but, it's only 9:00pm. Sake calls, you know." Nova said. Colonel scrambled to his feet. He did NOT think it was a good idea to let her drink to the point of getting sick again.
"Er, why don't you tell me about yourself? Aside from trying to stir up the rookies, I mean!" He said hastily. Nova blinked at him.
"Naw, cause there's three of you and one of me. I need to get going..." Nova said, rubbing the back of her head. Colonel sweatdropped again, mouthing 'Three!? Again!?'. Colonel grabbed her arm.
"I don't think you ought to teleport yourself tonight. You might make an error and hurt yourself, or worse." Colonel said, pulling her down as he took a seat again. Nova pouted but stayed still.
"Alright..." She said, poutily. "Start the interrogation."
"This is hardly an interrogation..." Colonel muttered before beginning.
Two snuggled against Trigger as the anime droned on. And on. By now, most Reploids had abandoned the two to enjoy time alone, however, they were more preoccupied with the anime. Well, Two was. Trigger was blushing insanely as the blonde Reploid snuggled against him, watching the screen. He really didn't mind, but the suggestions Repulse kept feeding him was enough to make Trigger perturbed. Granted, the fact Two seemed to be falling asleep onhim didn't help much either.
'Well, Trigger, you gonna steal yourself a kiss or what, hmm?' prodded Repulse from the back of his mind. Trigger was afraid of doing so, because Repulse may very well intend a bit... more.. than that. That was enough to just keep it restrained to an arm around her shoulder.
'Two. Girl. Kiss him.' Nemesis was prodding too.
'.........You just wanna screw Repulse.' Two thought annoyedly. Nemesis' wave of smugness made Two look pale.
"ECCHI!"
This caused Trigger to jump. His immediate reply of, "NANI?!", and a growing paleness made him think that he had zoned and Repulse and 'stepped up to bat', so to speak. "What is it??"
"Nemesis was being hentai!" Two whimpered. Swiftly, she told her fellow Hunter what Nemesis had "Admitted."
"... Eeeeeewww...." Trigger was more disgusted that a wave of smugness radiated from nowhere in his head, probably Repulse, upon hearing that. "I think he reciprocates that... Man, this is gonna be a f***ed up situation...." He muttered slightly about his f***ed up other half. Two nodded, then blinked, listening to voices.
"I hear foriegn people. Namely, NS and Colonel." Two remarked.
"Nani?" Trigger blinked, and tried listening as well. About then, the door opened as NS and Colonel walked in, talking. Rather, Colonel was asking what NS would call 'probing' questions, and she was keeping mostly silent. Trigger muttered under his breath.
"You were right..."
Colonel continued to ask questions of Nova, despite the fact that Two and Trigger were in the room. His whole demeanor demanded answers, without him actually saying so verbally. Two shrugged, then looked at Colonel.
"Having luck there, bub?" Two asked, making a slight crack. Colonel was either oblivious, or chose to ignore the true meaning behind the comment. "None. She hasn't answered even ONE of my questions yet!" He was growing more and more frustrated, yet managing to keep it lidded. Nova blinked, sighting TX, and immediately slipped her thick book in a compartment for reading, but not before Two saw the cover. She SHREAKED with laughter.
"NOVA'S READING SAPPY ROMANCE STORIES!" Two crowed. Nova went PALE, and gave a slight whimper. If there was one thing she hated, it was having her soft side exposed in public. Trigger smirked, and shook his head. Well, at least Repulse hadn't blabbed any of his secrets to the public yet -- but then again, the secrets Repulse held would be hard to get from the alter-ego's grasp. Colonel, seeing no problem with Nova reading the book in question, inquired as to the problem of her reading such a book.
"It's a classic novel, what's the matter with reading a good old fashioned BOOK now and then?"
"That's easy, Colonel. NOVA here is the bitchiest, noisiest, most irritating Hunter here at times. And I'm just hoping Zero doesn't-" Two was interrupted by the arrival of said Hunter.
"Heeeellooooooooo Trigger, Two, LETTUSE HEAD...." Zero didn't get to finish his greeting, as NS suddenly seemed to snap and mauled Zero faster then a wolf with rabies, snarling viciously. Zero seemed to react immediately, and the two began duking it out."
"Ah... Yes... Zero.. The Crimson Wonder... He once again proves his shitty timing, makes a stupid crack, and fights with Nova. Situation normal." Two shrugged. "Trig, better tell Medbay their at it again."
"Oi... You'd think they'd get BORED of this after a while..." He hustled to the nearest intercom to inform Medbay of the disturbance. Colonel, on the other hand, took a more active role, by separating the two by force. "Stop this behavior immediately!!"
"Who're you?" Zero asked, getting a punch in the chest from the suddenly hostile NS. Two sweatdropped, assuming Colonel was either very strong, or suicidal.
"I am Colonel of the repliforce, and you will both stop this behavior immediately!" He grunted as he physcaly placed himself in between the two fighters, displeased obviously by their actions. Zero blinked.
"Do you mind moving so we can resume?" Zero asked, suprisingly social. Nova had other plans.
"ZERO O KOROSU!!!!" Nova snarled, trying to get around Colonel. Zero seemed unperturbed at the Death Threat. Colonel sighed and continued to keep himself between the two.
"No, I shall not move so that you two may continue beating on each other like mindless barbarians."
"Actually, it's because Lettuce head there is a stupid bi-" Zero was cut off by Nova's arm cannon blast. Someone was pissy, and it showed.
"SONNOFABITCH! I TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!"
"Lettuce head."
Nova fired again.
"Lettuce head!"
"ENOUGH!" Colonel yelled loud enough to be heard over both the taunting and the weapon discharges. "Zero, refrain from taunting her. Nova, if he DOES taunt you, PLEASE, for the love of GOD, just ignore him!"
"Yeah, Lettuce head, listen to the big guy."
Nova mauled the blonde Hunter after dodging around Colonel and had he arm cannon art his throat in 2.5 seconds. Two remained unphased, watching.
"DO NOT patronize me, you little red TWIT." Nova snarled. If it wasn't for the fact noone else seemed terribly concerned, it was enough to make one think she'd gone Maverick.
"That is quite enough, Nova." Colonel had lost his patience. He quickly picked up the green haired reploid and placed her under his arm, before uncerimoniously hauling her to another room and setting her down. "I sincerely hope you aren't this dissagreable all the time, Nova. It is really not flattering..."
Nova seemed to pale, and gave a meek squeak, letting him talk. Though used to such lectures, she was a but scared this time, acknowledging he WAS able to seriously hurt her if he angered more easily. Finally, she got the nerve to protest.
"We ALWAYS fight. He's called me Lettuce Head since day one! I can't stand it!" Nova squeaked, immediately flinching away slightly.
"Then might I ask you take a more logical approach to dealing with him? I am not saying Zero is in the right. Quite the opposite. But if his verbal taunting is able to frenzy you this much, image what a maverick on the feild would do to use that anger to an advantage." replied the Colonel calmly. 'If I can't maker her think like a pacifist, use an example of battle.' Nova stared him in the eyes, her expression suddenly taking a turn.
"I've dealt with Mavericks while angry. Hell, I know someday it might get me killed, but in all honesty, I could care less if I died, and alot of Hunters feel the same way about me..Especially Zero."
"But I do care if you die or not. And as far as Zero is concerned, he can kiss my armored skirt-plates for all I care." Colonel was really beginning to loose his patience, but he reigned himself in. It was her point of veiw, and she was entitled to that... but still, he had no wish for her to come to any harm -- quite the opposite indeed.
"You couldn't possibly understand! If I died... I don't care about my life anymore... You just don't understand!!" Nova snapped. Immediately, she tried to get away. How could anyone understand her feelings? The loss of her family, then finding most of them changed... The abuse from scientists.... She just felt ready to break down, but she couldn't tell anyone. Just run away. Colonel started to reply -- but quieted when he realized that she was right, he DIDN'T understand... and he might never. Nova curled up in a corner opposite Colonel and curled up there in a slight fetal position, half wishing she could break for a bar. She could feel the beginnings of Depression again... And it showed.
"... You're right, you know. I don't understand." The words -- while true -- had pierced the large reploid past his armor.
"And I never presumed to have such... My apologies." Colonel was suffering from an inner conflict now. Stay, and try to help Nova, and possibly make the situation he had already created worse... Or to walk away and hope that time would heal the wounds opened. Nova seemed to whimper, huddled up.
"N..Noone understands... I shouldn't have gotten upset... I'm sorry..." Nova's voice sounded broken. The usually hyper Reploid seemed to be genuinely suffering from something, but Colonel just couldn't tell why. That tipped the scales for Colonel.
"It's not your fault.." He was at a los of what to do though. What could he say, let alone do to make the suffering evident in her voice go away? 'Sometimes,' Colonel thought, 'Being the supposed knight in shining armor is more diffucult than it's made out to be.' Nova seemed to fumble in her armor, then pulled out a sake bottle.
"I need a drink.." She managed to get out before taking a sip.
"That's not going to help..." Colonel started. He was just as adamant that she not drink as before, but he was a touch more gentle about his approach. Nova quivered, just as obstruse.
"Yes it will... Nothing else has..."
"..." Colonel was silent. Was he the only person that cared if she stayed alive? There had to be someone else...
"Nova.." This was unbearable. What in the world could he do?
"What?" Nova was still between drunk, and sober.
"That bottle of alcohol won't help... but I'd like to try to help you if I can." Colonel wasn't sure what to do or say aside from that. Nova gave Colonel a strange look.
"Why...?"
"Why? Why not? Why would anyone not want to help when you're obviously suffering?"
Nova seemed to suddenly flinch.
"I..I'm just fine!!" She suddenly snapped.
"You are not, and you can't deny it forever, it's all to obvious to me, someone else is bound to notice too!"
"Why would anyone WANT to!? Noone CARES as long as I bloody frickin' do as told!" Nova snapped, shaking slightly.
"I DO care, Nova!"
"WHY!!??"
"Why not."
"....." Nova tried scrunching tighter into her corner, sipping the Sake, getting confused. Colonel tapped one his large boots on the floor as he waited for an answer.
"Why shouldn't I care, Nova?", he reiterated.
"I... It's just.. Noone DOES.. I..Is all.." Nova said, almost too quietly to be heard. She still shook like a leaf, though from fear or sake, he couldn't tell. Colonel stepped over to where Nova sat in the corner, and sat next to her.
"Someone does care about you, Nova. Aside myself, I know Trigger and Boomer care about you. Now come on..." He placed an arm around her shoulders and gave her a gentle, reassuring squeeze. Nova seemed to jump slightly before finally, leaning into it, or, rather, collapsing in exhaustion.
