And Storms May Collide
Chapter Four: Light Fades
The stage darkened, leaving a dim halo of light around Relena as she stood center stage, her blue eyes cast out over the audience seating and the scattered actors that sat there, awaiting their scenes. A melancholy look spread over her pretty features and as the music drifted softly around her, she began to sing.
I follow the night
Can't stand the light
When will I begin
To live again?
From his seat in the front row, Heero watched sorrow sweep over her face as she wove her magic over everyone listening, making them feel the hopelessness and loneliness of her life. She was so good at displaying her emotions, he almost wondered if they weren't real.
One day I'll fly away
Leave all this to yesterday
What more could your love do for me?
When will love be through with me?
Why live life from dream to dream
and dread the day when dreaming ends?
The music began to build as Relena ascended onto the makeshift platform the technical crew was still working on, her eyes on some distant point in the back of the theater. Throwing her arms back as if embracing the world she sang with every fiber of her being, the force of her voice drawing tears from the sensitive Hilde who knew more than most, how much the song related to Relena.
One day I'll fly away
Leave all this to yesterday
Why live life from dream to dream
Her highest note hung in all their hearts, a fragile wish. Relena bowed her head, the weight of the words bringing the song to a close.
and dread the day when dreaming ends?
She slowly sank down upon the padded bench on the platform, the lavender layers of her dress rustling with her movements.
One day I'll fly away
Fly...fly...away...
The lights darkened and Relena's eyes closed as the stage went black. There was a moment of stunned silence before the actors were on their feet, clapping and cheering. The lights went back up and Relena stood, blushing at the attention she was getting. The song had swept her away and she had almost forgotten that she had an audience.
Stepping down from the platform she met Quatre as he came from behind the curtain.
"That was perfect, Miss Relena," he said, smiling, using the polite courtesy she couldn't rid him of. She would always be 'miss relena' to him.
"Thank you, Quatre, but it was your song that was perfect. I just sang what you had written."
"That's very kind of you to say, Miss Relena, but it's your voice that brings my songs to life." The pale haired musician glanced over his shoulder as Duo came on stage, using his position as writer to get things done his way. Wufei had gone to speak with the Count about Relena's role in the play, softening the old guy up to see his sheltered daughter mingling with low-born actors in a theater after midnight, so Duo was in charge for the night.
A scary thought.
"All right everyone, let's get cracking on the-lovers-plan-a-secret-meeting scene. Heero, Relena, and Catherine, you're on!" The violet-eyed actor/writer waltzed over to where Quatre and Relena were standing, a big grin on his face. "Good job, Lena! You had everyone sobbing like a baby."
"Even you?" she teased, her eyes sparkling. Duo wiped away an imaginary tear.
"Of course! I think even Heero was moved as well."
Relena glanced over to where the actor stood speaking quietly with Dorothy, who was nodding to whatever he was saying. "That's hard to tell from the way he acts."
Duo nodded, watching her face carefully. "That's true, but remember, that's just acting. Heero buries his feelings; he doesn't express them. Deep down inside he's just as human as the rest of us, he just knows how to hide it better."
Relena watched Heero for a moment, pondering Duo's words. Perhaps the writer was right. Heero seemed to be cold and unfeeling, but the way he had danced with her...
There was more to him than what he wanted people to see.
Duo slapped his hands together. "All right, let's get started!"
The lights were dimmed, the stage cleared, and Relena sat down stage right, pretending to gaze up at the night sky, sighing every now and then as her character awaited the coming of her true love. After a few soulful seconds, Heero came in stage left, halting when he saw her, indecision crossing his dark features. Behind him, cowering behind a bush was the evil Malontha, played by Catherine, who watched them with cunning eyes.
"Cira," Heero whispered, as he glanced around to make sure no one had seen them. Relena rose at the sound of her name, smiling as she noticed who had called her.
"Rafe, I didn't think that you would-"
He cut her off, still keeping his distance. "I can't stay, Cira, but I had to see you. Your sister..."
There was a sudden screeching of metal from above and both Heero and Relena looked up in time to see part of the permanents pull out of the supports, the walkway twisting away and falling in a horrific sound that filled every space of the theater.
Relena's eyes went wide with terror as the shadow of the falling walkway washed over her.
Catherine cried out and Duo shouted, "Relena!"
But by then Heero was already moving.
Relena was pushed to the side just as the debris hit the stage in a cloud of dust and paint chips, the roar of it clouding her senses. For a moment, she thought that part of the walkway had falling on her, but then she heard breathing and the weight on her shifted, causing her to realize Heero had pushed her out of the way at the last second, landing on top of her.
He turned his head, his face inches from hers, his cobalt eyes intense, his dark hair full of dust, his body pressed against hers. He did not speak aloud, but his glance asked a question.
"I'm all right, Heero," she answered, a warm feeling growing in the pit of her stomach at their nearness. Why was it that whenever she was with him she felt so safe?
He nodded, his eyes still on her face, something flickering in his eyes though nothing showed on his face. After a few timeless seconds, he moved off of her and offered his hand to help her up, the same gesture he had used to pull her into dancing with him.
Gracefully, she slipped her small hand into his, his fingers closing around hers with a gentleness at odds with his cold demeanor. In that moment of hot and cold, fire and ice, Relena Darlian fell in love with Heero Yuy.
It was a quiet thing, without the roaring passion she would have expected. One moment she had been alone, and the next she found she only wanted to be with him, hear his voice, see his face. It was as if he had been born for her and she for him, for he seemed to feel what she was feeling also. A startled look crossed his usually impassive face and a warm shock passed from his hand to hers. She blinked up at him, wondering at this occurrence, but she didn't have time to voice her questions, for Duo and the others surrounded them quickly, worried.
"Heero, Relena, are you all right?" Quatre asked, hovering around them anxiously. Relena nodded, quickly realizing that she and Heero were still holding hands. They released each other at the same time, a simple look expressing what they could not say out loud. "I'm fine. Heero saved me."
Duo slapped his best friend on the back. "Way to go, Heero."
Heero managed a glare for the writer, but it didn't look as impressive as usual, considering he was still covered in dust. To confirm this, he sneezed twice.
By the fallen walkway, Trowa straightened from his crouch, his green eyes as calm as ever. "It seems the bolts were loose with age. The permanents probably haven't been updated for awhile considering the condition of the theater. I'll tell Wufei to have someone look at it tomorrow."
Duo nodded. "For now, I say we call it a night, we still have five days till the opening performance on the day of our dear Relena's birthday. We'll meet back here tomorrow morning."
Actors and actresses shuffled off the stage, grateful for the chance to sleep for more than three hours. Relena looked for Heero but he was already gone, leaving her side like the breath of wind he seemed to be. Sighing to herself, for she had really wanted to talk to him, she met Hilde at the theater doors, taking the cloak she offered.
"Are you alright, Relena? I couldn't see clearly. Was anyone else hurt?"
Relena smiled, an idea popping into her head. "I'm fine, Hilde, but I think Duo might have been hurt by some debris. Maybe you should go check on him."
Hilde blinked before her smoky eyes suddenly filled with life and she barely restrained herself from jumping up and down. "I will! Oh, wait..." She stopped suddenly. "What about you? You can't walk home alone, it's after midnight..."
Relena shook her head. "I'll be all right. It's not far, besides," she winked, "Duo's waiting."
Hilde smiled. "Take care, my lady."
Relena nodded and slipped out the doors, pulling the hood over her shining hair. Outside, the city was asleep, with only a few lights sparkling here and there. A warm breeze blew, swirling in her skirts and making her take deep lungfulls of the fragrant air. The streets were deserted, and though she felt a little uneasy all alone, she had confidence that nothing would happen.
As she walked she let her thoughts take her where they may, most of them centered on Heero.
She was in love with him.
She was sure of it. She didn't know how or why, but she was, and there was no helping it. It didn't matter that he was a penniless actor or that he looked at her with such a cold gaze. She had seen into his heart for the briefest of moments, and it was enough.
A shadow stepped out from the alleyway.
Relena screamed before she realized she recognized who it was. Instantly, he reached out and shook her, startling her to silence.
"Heero?" she questioned, frightened, but he ignored her, his dark eyes burning into hers with emotions that had been brought to the boiling point. His hands tightened on her shoulders.
"Let me make one thing clear." He said between clenched teeth, punctuating each word with a little shake. "I am a peasant, an actor. I have no family and no home. I have no feelings left in me so I am definitely not--," his voice cracked on the word, "-not in love with you."
And then he kissed her.
Not gently, but with the burning intensity of his emotions, that now released, swept over her like a tidal wave. She responded in kind, wrapping her arms around his neck and collapsing into his strong chest. He tightened his hold on her and kissed away the tears that had sprung to her eyes, wiping the glittering trails from her cheeks with a steady thumb. When they finally came up for air, Heero kept her crushed to him, breathing quietly into her now uncovered hair while she rested her head against his collarbone.
After a moment, he spoke huskily by her ear. "What are you doing out here all alone?"
She snuggled closer to him. "Walking home."
"You shouldn't be out here by yourself. It's not safe."
"You're with me. I'm not afraid."
She felt him half-smile above her head. "Come on. I'll take you home."
He walked with her to the edges of the palace grounds, leaving her with a whisper-like kiss on her lips to remember until she could see him again, as he disappeared into the darkness to his own rooms.
Feel elated, she hurried inside, her smile lighting the dim interior of the palace like sunlight though heavy leaves. It was only when she saw her father that her face fell, her smile fading.
"Relena," her foster father's voice was serious. "The prince is here."
The prince...
She had forgotten about him in the excitement of the day, but now the horrible truth came crashing back down on her. Her brother, her kingdom, her life...
Closing her eyes, she locked Heero Yuy deep inside her heart where no one could take him from her, and prepared herself for the greatest act of her life. It was time to bedazzle the prince with everything she had, all the acting skills she had developed for the past two days.
Now was when her performance would really begin...
"Take me to him."
Tbc....
* * * *
Well? What did ya think? I'm so in love with this story. *gushes*
I can't help it!!!! the next chapter of KT will be out soon because some people *avoids looking at Sable* were slightly...ah...disturbed
by the cliffhanger in the last one. tee hee....*runs and hides behind her sofa* please don't hurt me. MERCY! I don't think I've ever had so
many people wanting to stone me to death...tee hee, it was kind
a fun! AHHHHHHH!!!
Thanks for reading!!
because of the lack of authoralerts, if you would like to be
notified when I update please say so in your review. I will
be more than happy to add you to THE LIST!!!! tee hee.
please review...
Chapter Four: Light Fades
The stage darkened, leaving a dim halo of light around Relena as she stood center stage, her blue eyes cast out over the audience seating and the scattered actors that sat there, awaiting their scenes. A melancholy look spread over her pretty features and as the music drifted softly around her, she began to sing.
I follow the night
Can't stand the light
When will I begin
To live again?
From his seat in the front row, Heero watched sorrow sweep over her face as she wove her magic over everyone listening, making them feel the hopelessness and loneliness of her life. She was so good at displaying her emotions, he almost wondered if they weren't real.
One day I'll fly away
Leave all this to yesterday
What more could your love do for me?
When will love be through with me?
Why live life from dream to dream
and dread the day when dreaming ends?
The music began to build as Relena ascended onto the makeshift platform the technical crew was still working on, her eyes on some distant point in the back of the theater. Throwing her arms back as if embracing the world she sang with every fiber of her being, the force of her voice drawing tears from the sensitive Hilde who knew more than most, how much the song related to Relena.
One day I'll fly away
Leave all this to yesterday
Why live life from dream to dream
Her highest note hung in all their hearts, a fragile wish. Relena bowed her head, the weight of the words bringing the song to a close.
and dread the day when dreaming ends?
She slowly sank down upon the padded bench on the platform, the lavender layers of her dress rustling with her movements.
One day I'll fly away
Fly...fly...away...
The lights darkened and Relena's eyes closed as the stage went black. There was a moment of stunned silence before the actors were on their feet, clapping and cheering. The lights went back up and Relena stood, blushing at the attention she was getting. The song had swept her away and she had almost forgotten that she had an audience.
Stepping down from the platform she met Quatre as he came from behind the curtain.
"That was perfect, Miss Relena," he said, smiling, using the polite courtesy she couldn't rid him of. She would always be 'miss relena' to him.
"Thank you, Quatre, but it was your song that was perfect. I just sang what you had written."
"That's very kind of you to say, Miss Relena, but it's your voice that brings my songs to life." The pale haired musician glanced over his shoulder as Duo came on stage, using his position as writer to get things done his way. Wufei had gone to speak with the Count about Relena's role in the play, softening the old guy up to see his sheltered daughter mingling with low-born actors in a theater after midnight, so Duo was in charge for the night.
A scary thought.
"All right everyone, let's get cracking on the-lovers-plan-a-secret-meeting scene. Heero, Relena, and Catherine, you're on!" The violet-eyed actor/writer waltzed over to where Quatre and Relena were standing, a big grin on his face. "Good job, Lena! You had everyone sobbing like a baby."
"Even you?" she teased, her eyes sparkling. Duo wiped away an imaginary tear.
"Of course! I think even Heero was moved as well."
Relena glanced over to where the actor stood speaking quietly with Dorothy, who was nodding to whatever he was saying. "That's hard to tell from the way he acts."
Duo nodded, watching her face carefully. "That's true, but remember, that's just acting. Heero buries his feelings; he doesn't express them. Deep down inside he's just as human as the rest of us, he just knows how to hide it better."
Relena watched Heero for a moment, pondering Duo's words. Perhaps the writer was right. Heero seemed to be cold and unfeeling, but the way he had danced with her...
There was more to him than what he wanted people to see.
Duo slapped his hands together. "All right, let's get started!"
The lights were dimmed, the stage cleared, and Relena sat down stage right, pretending to gaze up at the night sky, sighing every now and then as her character awaited the coming of her true love. After a few soulful seconds, Heero came in stage left, halting when he saw her, indecision crossing his dark features. Behind him, cowering behind a bush was the evil Malontha, played by Catherine, who watched them with cunning eyes.
"Cira," Heero whispered, as he glanced around to make sure no one had seen them. Relena rose at the sound of her name, smiling as she noticed who had called her.
"Rafe, I didn't think that you would-"
He cut her off, still keeping his distance. "I can't stay, Cira, but I had to see you. Your sister..."
There was a sudden screeching of metal from above and both Heero and Relena looked up in time to see part of the permanents pull out of the supports, the walkway twisting away and falling in a horrific sound that filled every space of the theater.
Relena's eyes went wide with terror as the shadow of the falling walkway washed over her.
Catherine cried out and Duo shouted, "Relena!"
But by then Heero was already moving.
Relena was pushed to the side just as the debris hit the stage in a cloud of dust and paint chips, the roar of it clouding her senses. For a moment, she thought that part of the walkway had falling on her, but then she heard breathing and the weight on her shifted, causing her to realize Heero had pushed her out of the way at the last second, landing on top of her.
He turned his head, his face inches from hers, his cobalt eyes intense, his dark hair full of dust, his body pressed against hers. He did not speak aloud, but his glance asked a question.
"I'm all right, Heero," she answered, a warm feeling growing in the pit of her stomach at their nearness. Why was it that whenever she was with him she felt so safe?
He nodded, his eyes still on her face, something flickering in his eyes though nothing showed on his face. After a few timeless seconds, he moved off of her and offered his hand to help her up, the same gesture he had used to pull her into dancing with him.
Gracefully, she slipped her small hand into his, his fingers closing around hers with a gentleness at odds with his cold demeanor. In that moment of hot and cold, fire and ice, Relena Darlian fell in love with Heero Yuy.
It was a quiet thing, without the roaring passion she would have expected. One moment she had been alone, and the next she found she only wanted to be with him, hear his voice, see his face. It was as if he had been born for her and she for him, for he seemed to feel what she was feeling also. A startled look crossed his usually impassive face and a warm shock passed from his hand to hers. She blinked up at him, wondering at this occurrence, but she didn't have time to voice her questions, for Duo and the others surrounded them quickly, worried.
"Heero, Relena, are you all right?" Quatre asked, hovering around them anxiously. Relena nodded, quickly realizing that she and Heero were still holding hands. They released each other at the same time, a simple look expressing what they could not say out loud. "I'm fine. Heero saved me."
Duo slapped his best friend on the back. "Way to go, Heero."
Heero managed a glare for the writer, but it didn't look as impressive as usual, considering he was still covered in dust. To confirm this, he sneezed twice.
By the fallen walkway, Trowa straightened from his crouch, his green eyes as calm as ever. "It seems the bolts were loose with age. The permanents probably haven't been updated for awhile considering the condition of the theater. I'll tell Wufei to have someone look at it tomorrow."
Duo nodded. "For now, I say we call it a night, we still have five days till the opening performance on the day of our dear Relena's birthday. We'll meet back here tomorrow morning."
Actors and actresses shuffled off the stage, grateful for the chance to sleep for more than three hours. Relena looked for Heero but he was already gone, leaving her side like the breath of wind he seemed to be. Sighing to herself, for she had really wanted to talk to him, she met Hilde at the theater doors, taking the cloak she offered.
"Are you alright, Relena? I couldn't see clearly. Was anyone else hurt?"
Relena smiled, an idea popping into her head. "I'm fine, Hilde, but I think Duo might have been hurt by some debris. Maybe you should go check on him."
Hilde blinked before her smoky eyes suddenly filled with life and she barely restrained herself from jumping up and down. "I will! Oh, wait..." She stopped suddenly. "What about you? You can't walk home alone, it's after midnight..."
Relena shook her head. "I'll be all right. It's not far, besides," she winked, "Duo's waiting."
Hilde smiled. "Take care, my lady."
Relena nodded and slipped out the doors, pulling the hood over her shining hair. Outside, the city was asleep, with only a few lights sparkling here and there. A warm breeze blew, swirling in her skirts and making her take deep lungfulls of the fragrant air. The streets were deserted, and though she felt a little uneasy all alone, she had confidence that nothing would happen.
As she walked she let her thoughts take her where they may, most of them centered on Heero.
She was in love with him.
She was sure of it. She didn't know how or why, but she was, and there was no helping it. It didn't matter that he was a penniless actor or that he looked at her with such a cold gaze. She had seen into his heart for the briefest of moments, and it was enough.
A shadow stepped out from the alleyway.
Relena screamed before she realized she recognized who it was. Instantly, he reached out and shook her, startling her to silence.
"Heero?" she questioned, frightened, but he ignored her, his dark eyes burning into hers with emotions that had been brought to the boiling point. His hands tightened on her shoulders.
"Let me make one thing clear." He said between clenched teeth, punctuating each word with a little shake. "I am a peasant, an actor. I have no family and no home. I have no feelings left in me so I am definitely not--," his voice cracked on the word, "-not in love with you."
And then he kissed her.
Not gently, but with the burning intensity of his emotions, that now released, swept over her like a tidal wave. She responded in kind, wrapping her arms around his neck and collapsing into his strong chest. He tightened his hold on her and kissed away the tears that had sprung to her eyes, wiping the glittering trails from her cheeks with a steady thumb. When they finally came up for air, Heero kept her crushed to him, breathing quietly into her now uncovered hair while she rested her head against his collarbone.
After a moment, he spoke huskily by her ear. "What are you doing out here all alone?"
She snuggled closer to him. "Walking home."
"You shouldn't be out here by yourself. It's not safe."
"You're with me. I'm not afraid."
She felt him half-smile above her head. "Come on. I'll take you home."
He walked with her to the edges of the palace grounds, leaving her with a whisper-like kiss on her lips to remember until she could see him again, as he disappeared into the darkness to his own rooms.
Feel elated, she hurried inside, her smile lighting the dim interior of the palace like sunlight though heavy leaves. It was only when she saw her father that her face fell, her smile fading.
"Relena," her foster father's voice was serious. "The prince is here."
The prince...
She had forgotten about him in the excitement of the day, but now the horrible truth came crashing back down on her. Her brother, her kingdom, her life...
Closing her eyes, she locked Heero Yuy deep inside her heart where no one could take him from her, and prepared herself for the greatest act of her life. It was time to bedazzle the prince with everything she had, all the acting skills she had developed for the past two days.
Now was when her performance would really begin...
"Take me to him."
Tbc....
* * * *
Well? What did ya think? I'm so in love with this story. *gushes*
I can't help it!!!! the next chapter of KT will be out soon because some people *avoids looking at Sable* were slightly...ah...disturbed
by the cliffhanger in the last one. tee hee....*runs and hides behind her sofa* please don't hurt me. MERCY! I don't think I've ever had so
many people wanting to stone me to death...tee hee, it was kind
a fun! AHHHHHHH!!!
Thanks for reading!!
because of the lack of authoralerts, if you would like to be
notified when I update please say so in your review. I will
be more than happy to add you to THE LIST!!!! tee hee.
please review...
