tantrys - ffiction - stop the world - 5
Stop The World
5
Shounen ai Gundam Wing
Warnings: Shounen ai of course. Have I warned you that this is my first ever mystery? *Ever*? So if this thing ends up having a weak plot, and loose ends... don't say I didna warn ya ^_~*
PART 5
"Well, Heero," Quatre Winner began politely. He folded his hands on the small round kitchen table, and smiled. I sat stiffly before him in a hard backed chair. I was unnerved by Duo Maxwell's blue-violet stare, which hadn't shifted from my face since the moment I had arrived... "Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Have you ever worked in maintenance?"
I paused... False details of my life, my human life, drifted up in answer. I was from the city north of this one. I had moved into town three days ago... I had no previous experience in maintenance, but I was a quick learner. Quatre listened attentively to my halting narrative but he was obviously restless, pale eyes darting past me, probably to stare at the gory remains of my wings. I guess the sight of blood and wings unnerves him I pondered humorlessly... It unnerved me too.
"Well," the blonde breathed. He stood up swiftly. "I have to excuse myself for a moment, there's a phone call I have to make-- Duo can fill you in on job duties." Quatre smiled apologetically and I noticed as Duo turned from me to give his friend a puzzled look. Quatre streaked through a door leading upstairs, and a brief-- very brief-- silence followed his absence. Duo turned to me then, with a playful smile. I swallowed nervously.
"He's so weird," he confided in me. He leaned back in his chair and tilted the front legs up. "But his sister was murdered a few days ago, right upstairs, so I can't really blame him..." Duo's smile faded sadly. I was surprised at this information. A murder. He kept speaking, voice low and lilting somberly. "We're both creeped that the police couldn't find any fingerprints, and there's totally no reason why *anyone* would have wanted to kill Iria... Probably shouldn't tell you that if you're going to work here." He sighed loudly, and offered me a heavy shrug, finishing the anecdote with a hopeful smile. "You are going to work here, right?"
I hadn't moved an inch during his one-sided conversation, so now I nodded slowly, slightly distracted... A murder, here-- I chose here from so many places... How the Fates are cruel...
"Good, we need the help...." He trailed off, then leaned forward onto the table, clearly planning on conversing again. "Not to pry Heero-- never mind;to pry," Duo added jokingly, "but aren't you dressed a little lightly for this weather? It's almost at the freezing mark today..."
I glanced down quickly at my garb. I was cold, but I had been cold since arriving here, and so far all degrees of cold felt the same to me; numbing... My threadbare shirt was long in the sleeves and dark green while I wore simple black pants, and pinching boots. I looked at Duo's thick black shirt. It did look more appropriate for the icy weather, and there were thick overcoats hanging on wall hooks behind him.
"I am," I agreed softly. Duo was obviously waiting for me to say more, but I didn't have anything else. My history wasn't that complete-- how was I to explain I had nothing besides what I wore, and my very empty apartment?
"Okay," he murmured, eyes fixing curiously on my blank face. "You're hired of course. You can come in tomorrow, we've got a bunch of stuff for you to work on." He turned and called up the stairs. "Quatre!! Did you get lost?!"
Quatre appeared seconds after Duo's call, and he scowled. Duo grinned and I stood up. Duo rose as well and thumped Quatre on the back lightly as he approached.
"Meet the very first employee of Horizons; Heero Yuy. Pretty quiet guy, but I think he'll be a great addition to our staff!" Duo clapped his hands together eagerly. "Weren't we going to make some tree-- I mean tea?"
Quatre laughed lightly. I was inching around the table... I was tired, and these... Are they both part of my punishment? I asked silently. One sees my torment, reminding me of it... the other tries to draw me from it, with laughter and smiles...
"I can't stay," I reported suddenly. Duo looked at me sharply, a slight frown wrinkling beneath his jagged bangs. "I've just moved into my apartment..." I trailed off in my vainly attempted excuse.
Quatre nodded quickly however, saving me from further scrutiny. I shook his hand warmly, and Duo grabbed my shoulder, shaking it lightly and smiling.... I left them and quickly stepped out of their ringing door into a shock of winter air. I moved swiftly into the numbing wind, which numbed everything but my thoughts..... they were churning fitfully.
This Iria is the murder I was condemned for... I was sure of it. The Fates were tactless. I choked a little on the biting air and stomped on through a dimming evening, back to my cold, cold haunt...