Chapter 2
I peeked into the ballroom before inching my way in. I didn't know many people, but I did know that my mother was a very important diplomat, and had certain obligations that happened to carry over to me. Normally I wouldn't mind but when it required me to dress up in a formal gown and go to a ball I had a problem. Of course Relena was being polite and courteous to everybody. She was dressed in a violet dress that matched her eyes almost perfectly. Her light brown hair was pulled back much in the same way my darker hair was. My mother had grown up in politics, her father being a major person fighting for peace. Relena had been a pacifist in a war, gaining the title of queen of the world at one point. And tonight she looked like the perfect hostess, while I felt like a klutz thrown in with important people.
Silently I tried to be less than extremely obvious as I walked to my father. Heero was dressed in a tux, looking comfortable and at ease. Truthfully he liked balls as little as I did, but he humored my mother, too. So I felt a little more comfortable hanging out with him.
He stood talking quietly with another man, but turned to me as I came closer. The man glanced at me, then brushed by, not saying a word as he left. I glanced after him, but that was all.
Heero smiled softly. "Hello Alex, are you enjoying the evening?"
I didn't laugh, it would be impolite, but I smiled widely. "I just arrived." It wasn't exactly answering.
"Well then, you'll have to say hello to all the people, or at least those your age. You're not a child anymore, you'll have to handle the crowds yourself." His voice was gentle, maybe even kind, but he meant it. Smiling softly he took a sip from the glass he was holding. "Now if you'd excuse me." He, too, brushed pass me, leaving me alone with the crowds.
I felt a little silly. My dad had known exactly why I had come to see him, and turned me away. Of course he was right, he usually was, but I was still surprised as well as irritated.
I glared at the spot he had been standing in. "Fine," I muttered, "be that way."
I turned to the party. People my age. it would be a change. Or, at least a change in this crowd. I didn't hang out with a lot of these people. I knew maybe ten by name, plus my mom's friends who visited my parents' house. I used to see them all the time. the worst part was that everybody of the people here knew me, or at least knew about me.
Who didn't know about the famous Alex Yuy? To some people I was the villain, to others I was the hero. At the moment I was thinking somewhere in between, but the public kept changing their minds. That was the life of a gundam pilot. We all dealt with problems, and mine weren't the worst. The worst part was that I knew why they hated me. I had killed a lot of people, some of the deaths weren't necessary, and some would have died anyway. But I had killed them and I probably deserved their hate.
Slowly I walked to the refreshment table, helping myself to the punch as I tried to change the topic of my thoughts.
I heard laughter not far away, and turned to see Ethan, cheerfully saying good-bye to his friend while he came to join me. He flashed me a bright smile, his brown eyes glowing, even though they were hidden by equally brown spiked bangs. He was dressed in the black tux everyone else was wearing, but it looked like the design was made just for him, and he wore it well.
"Well, hello Alex, don't you look lovely tonight," Ethan said. He was almost annoyingly cheerful, but somehow he managed never to go that far.
Still my nose twitched, even though I was smiling. "Lovely? A bit of an overstatement, but better than beautiful, not quite as good as nice." So I didn't know how to take a compliment, I didn't care. I shrugged it off as Ethan laughed.
"Care to dance?" Ethan offered, holding out an arm. I hesitated before accepting. I know how to dance without stomping on feet, but I wasn't too terribly graceful in doing so. Yet, I let Ethan lead me out onto the dance floor, amongst the other formally dressed couples. Music started from a corner and I let the sound of the violin carry me through the rehearsed steps. I could almost close my eyes and not worry about things going wrong. Ethan led the dance, I just moved with the music, which ended all too soon.
I pulled back to curtsy, glancing at my mother to make sure I hadn't done anything wrong. She smiled and nodded, approving. At least I could pretend to be social, but as my luck would have it I soon had to prove it.
"Excuse me, but may I step in?" a young man asked, he looked a little older than Ethan, making him a few years older than me.
Ethan frowned, but nodded, "If Alex doesn't mind."
"Of course not," my soft tune didn't match the glare I sent Ethan, who simply grinned sheepishly and backed away, melting into the crowds. And because the music was about to start up again I turned back to the man.
He looked intelligent, elegant, and more or less fitting for such a situation as this. He held himself as if he was used to balls and formal events, and most of the people here were. His hair was jet black and cut short, much like mine had been about three years ago. His eyes were deep green, and not in the slightest friendly, though the rest of his face seemed pleasant enough. He smiled and held out his hand like a charming gentleman. I stepped up to him and the dance began.
"Alex Yuy, I believe it is," he said politely, though beneath the kind voice there was a tone I couldn't place. Amusement maybe?
I nodded before replying, "I'm sorry, but I don't know your name."
"Gabriel," he said it as if it didn't matter, almost trying to convince me of the same thing. Then his smile hinted at a grin. "It's nice to meet someone with a reputation such as yours."
I didn't flinch. I normally would have. "Um. well, I do what I think is right at the time. I'm not even sure at the moment what my reputation is," I replied, yelling at myself for sounding as if I was stuttering. I didn't want to look like an idiot.
He chuckled softly. "My dear Alex, I assure you, it's very under exaggerated, in as many was as it is over exaggerated. Too many people will do anything for gossip. There are a lot of rumors surrounding you, and a lot of half truths." He starred at me a moment, silent and considering. "How are the wars going now, Alex?" his question took me by surprise.
"The war ended two ears ago, Gabriel." I said coolly, not quite with a cold tone, but definitely getting there. My voice hid my confusion as I went on. "I hope to keep it that way."
We twirled for a moment with the music before he said anything. Gabriel bent his head so it was closer to mine. "Do you truly think," he whispered, "people will let the 'peace' you've brought about last? They hunger for action, death and violence. Your present peace will shatter."
I frowned at his matter-of-fact tone before slowly answering. "I helped stop the wars for now, and I'm working to keep them that way," I didn't like were the conversation was going, or how I seemed to be repeating myself, but I wanted to know just what Gabriel was trying to get at.
Gabriel chuckled, "Wars are happening constantly. I'm in one, you hide from them, and you don't even know it. Perhaps that will change, but for now. for now the wars will leave you alone." His face let some of the politeness fall away, let some of what he truly was show through. His eyes were cold, his smile hinting at cruel, yet he still seemed courteous. His elegance wouldn't leave him.
I opened my mouth to ask for an explanation to his statement, but the music ended, and Gabriel left with it, leaving me stranded on a cheerful party dance floor. I was too confused to do anything for a moment, but when the music started again I began to weave my way off the dance floor. I wanted to find a place to think, a place away from people. I had to figure out just what Gabriel meant, and if he even meant something.
I eased around people. You don't push in parties, unless you don't like the person, but then you make it look like an accident. I left the floor quickly, avoiding Ethan who had struck up conversation with some other young men. He was distracted enough so I didn't have to worry about him looking for me for a while.
There weren't any quiet corners, or empty nearby rooms. I didn't see anyone I really knew; few of the people here even cared if I existed. Since I couldn't sit and think I looked for someone to talk to, even Gabriel would be preferred over the boredom of just standing here.
Murmurs came from the entrance of the room, rising above the rest of the noise of the party. Like everyone else I turned to see who had created the commotion. Milliardo Peacecraft had arrived, followed closely by Lucrezia Noin. They were one of the unofficial couples in my family.
Behind both of them, half trying to stay unnoticed and half not caring, my cousin Zechs Peacecraft stood. Ice blue eyes scanned the room, passing over me as if I wasn't here. I rolled my eyes. If he was going to ignore me I'd do the same. I turned quickly, but made it look casual so I wouldn't look like he had bugged me, and resumed my search for a quiet place away from people.
An hour later I had found my quiet corner of boredom. My mother was playing hostess and my uncle the honored guest. My father and Ethan had both disappeared, though I was almost positive they weren't together. I just sat, being avoided by everybody and almost liking it that way.
"Hey Cat. You might want to be careful, someone might think you're having a good time," Zechs's voice drawled from my right. He smiled softly when I looked at him. His eyes were grinning as he saw me glaring. He brushed his hand threw his platinum blonde hair as he waited for my response.
I rolled my eyes and looked away. "Don't call me that."
This timed he grinned for real, "Okay then," and suddenly the humor faded away as he became serious. I raised an eyebrow at his sudden change of mood in request for an explanation. "We need to find time to talk somewhere more private then this."
Again I raised an eyebrow, wondering what was going on and why he would be interested in talking. "Well, I'm open now, I just have to find Ethan and tell him before I leave," I said, glad for an excuse to leave. Of course the only times we talked was when something was wrong, which sometimes created a problem.
Zechs turned back to me from scanning the room. He starred for a moment, considering something. "You're still dating Ethan?" Zechs asked, his voice curious.
I nodded slowly, surprised he even cared. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I asked, not sure I liked that he cared.
"Um, no reason. just thought you two would have broken up by now," he answered evasively. I just looked at him, but he didn't explain further so I let it rest.
"What do you want to talk about?" I asked.
Zechs glanced around the room, checking to see if anyone was in hearing range. I was tempted just to say, "Why bother, no one's listening," but I let him check. He seemed a little uneasy, which wasn't that normal a thing.
Zechs turned to face me, but something caught his eye and he looked again. Surprise filled his face and he took a step in the direction he was facing. "Alex, I'll have to take a rain check, I've got to go," he said, starting to walk away. He stopped a moment and glanced back at me. "It's about Duo."
That caught my attention fully and I jumped to my feet, or at least I tried to. I had great footing in my regular shoes but in heals I could barely walk. Stumbling I ran after Zechs, who seemed to have completely forgotten me as he chased after someone I couldn't see. Zechs walked causally until he got out of the room, where he switched to a light jog. When I got out of sight I took off my shoes and ran after him. I didn't care who he was chasing. I wanted to know what was up with Duo.
It didn't take me long to find him. Zechs was standing in another room where some of the guests had wondered into. He stood talking to Gabriel, and while I couldn't see Zechs's face Gabriel looked less than pleased. They were in the middle of the room, arguing in hushed voices, yet no one seemed to notice. Perhaps they were too polite to stare, but I doubted it.
Quickly I slipped my shoes back on and walked into the room. Gabriel saw me easily, but Zechs was facing the wrong way. Gabriel's uncertain face changed to a charming smile as he nodded to me. Zechs glanced behind his shoulder and Gabriel took the opportunity to run. Zechs, noticing his mistake, looked back in time to see Gabriel leave the room. He didn't follow.
I continued to walk up to Zechs. He turned to me, glaring and irritated. "You couldn't have just stayed in that room?"
I shook my head. "Of course not. I want to know what's going on, and what's up with you getting freaked when you saw Gabriel?"
Zechs blinked back surprise. "You know him?"
I hesitated before answering. "Well, no, not really. We talked a little."
"About what?" he asked.
I frowned, why was he questioning me? "You answer first, what's going on?"
"Nothing. nothing," he avoided the answer, turning away.
I sighed, exasperated. "Zechs, you're a crummy liar, just tell me what's happening."
He paused, taking a second to think before turning back to me. When he did the annoyance was gone from his face, replaced with a serious expression. "Duo wanted me to get your help with something, I don't really want to get you involved, but he's right, we could use your help."
"How long have you been working with Duo?" I asked, but didn't give him time to answer. "Never mind, who's we? Just you and Duo or.?"
"Let's just leave it at the 'or' statement," he stated. Zechs glanced about the room. "We really should talk later, I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"
I nodded my agreement, though Zechs didn't really care. He slid away from me, blending with the crowds that surrounded us before I even finished nodding. I just stood for several minutes, being too deep in thought to really care what was happening in the party.
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. I'm not sure how much I like this chapter but I hope you enjoy it. I'll try to get another chapter up by next weekend.
Rave
I peeked into the ballroom before inching my way in. I didn't know many people, but I did know that my mother was a very important diplomat, and had certain obligations that happened to carry over to me. Normally I wouldn't mind but when it required me to dress up in a formal gown and go to a ball I had a problem. Of course Relena was being polite and courteous to everybody. She was dressed in a violet dress that matched her eyes almost perfectly. Her light brown hair was pulled back much in the same way my darker hair was. My mother had grown up in politics, her father being a major person fighting for peace. Relena had been a pacifist in a war, gaining the title of queen of the world at one point. And tonight she looked like the perfect hostess, while I felt like a klutz thrown in with important people.
Silently I tried to be less than extremely obvious as I walked to my father. Heero was dressed in a tux, looking comfortable and at ease. Truthfully he liked balls as little as I did, but he humored my mother, too. So I felt a little more comfortable hanging out with him.
He stood talking quietly with another man, but turned to me as I came closer. The man glanced at me, then brushed by, not saying a word as he left. I glanced after him, but that was all.
Heero smiled softly. "Hello Alex, are you enjoying the evening?"
I didn't laugh, it would be impolite, but I smiled widely. "I just arrived." It wasn't exactly answering.
"Well then, you'll have to say hello to all the people, or at least those your age. You're not a child anymore, you'll have to handle the crowds yourself." His voice was gentle, maybe even kind, but he meant it. Smiling softly he took a sip from the glass he was holding. "Now if you'd excuse me." He, too, brushed pass me, leaving me alone with the crowds.
I felt a little silly. My dad had known exactly why I had come to see him, and turned me away. Of course he was right, he usually was, but I was still surprised as well as irritated.
I glared at the spot he had been standing in. "Fine," I muttered, "be that way."
I turned to the party. People my age. it would be a change. Or, at least a change in this crowd. I didn't hang out with a lot of these people. I knew maybe ten by name, plus my mom's friends who visited my parents' house. I used to see them all the time. the worst part was that everybody of the people here knew me, or at least knew about me.
Who didn't know about the famous Alex Yuy? To some people I was the villain, to others I was the hero. At the moment I was thinking somewhere in between, but the public kept changing their minds. That was the life of a gundam pilot. We all dealt with problems, and mine weren't the worst. The worst part was that I knew why they hated me. I had killed a lot of people, some of the deaths weren't necessary, and some would have died anyway. But I had killed them and I probably deserved their hate.
Slowly I walked to the refreshment table, helping myself to the punch as I tried to change the topic of my thoughts.
I heard laughter not far away, and turned to see Ethan, cheerfully saying good-bye to his friend while he came to join me. He flashed me a bright smile, his brown eyes glowing, even though they were hidden by equally brown spiked bangs. He was dressed in the black tux everyone else was wearing, but it looked like the design was made just for him, and he wore it well.
"Well, hello Alex, don't you look lovely tonight," Ethan said. He was almost annoyingly cheerful, but somehow he managed never to go that far.
Still my nose twitched, even though I was smiling. "Lovely? A bit of an overstatement, but better than beautiful, not quite as good as nice." So I didn't know how to take a compliment, I didn't care. I shrugged it off as Ethan laughed.
"Care to dance?" Ethan offered, holding out an arm. I hesitated before accepting. I know how to dance without stomping on feet, but I wasn't too terribly graceful in doing so. Yet, I let Ethan lead me out onto the dance floor, amongst the other formally dressed couples. Music started from a corner and I let the sound of the violin carry me through the rehearsed steps. I could almost close my eyes and not worry about things going wrong. Ethan led the dance, I just moved with the music, which ended all too soon.
I pulled back to curtsy, glancing at my mother to make sure I hadn't done anything wrong. She smiled and nodded, approving. At least I could pretend to be social, but as my luck would have it I soon had to prove it.
"Excuse me, but may I step in?" a young man asked, he looked a little older than Ethan, making him a few years older than me.
Ethan frowned, but nodded, "If Alex doesn't mind."
"Of course not," my soft tune didn't match the glare I sent Ethan, who simply grinned sheepishly and backed away, melting into the crowds. And because the music was about to start up again I turned back to the man.
He looked intelligent, elegant, and more or less fitting for such a situation as this. He held himself as if he was used to balls and formal events, and most of the people here were. His hair was jet black and cut short, much like mine had been about three years ago. His eyes were deep green, and not in the slightest friendly, though the rest of his face seemed pleasant enough. He smiled and held out his hand like a charming gentleman. I stepped up to him and the dance began.
"Alex Yuy, I believe it is," he said politely, though beneath the kind voice there was a tone I couldn't place. Amusement maybe?
I nodded before replying, "I'm sorry, but I don't know your name."
"Gabriel," he said it as if it didn't matter, almost trying to convince me of the same thing. Then his smile hinted at a grin. "It's nice to meet someone with a reputation such as yours."
I didn't flinch. I normally would have. "Um. well, I do what I think is right at the time. I'm not even sure at the moment what my reputation is," I replied, yelling at myself for sounding as if I was stuttering. I didn't want to look like an idiot.
He chuckled softly. "My dear Alex, I assure you, it's very under exaggerated, in as many was as it is over exaggerated. Too many people will do anything for gossip. There are a lot of rumors surrounding you, and a lot of half truths." He starred at me a moment, silent and considering. "How are the wars going now, Alex?" his question took me by surprise.
"The war ended two ears ago, Gabriel." I said coolly, not quite with a cold tone, but definitely getting there. My voice hid my confusion as I went on. "I hope to keep it that way."
We twirled for a moment with the music before he said anything. Gabriel bent his head so it was closer to mine. "Do you truly think," he whispered, "people will let the 'peace' you've brought about last? They hunger for action, death and violence. Your present peace will shatter."
I frowned at his matter-of-fact tone before slowly answering. "I helped stop the wars for now, and I'm working to keep them that way," I didn't like were the conversation was going, or how I seemed to be repeating myself, but I wanted to know just what Gabriel was trying to get at.
Gabriel chuckled, "Wars are happening constantly. I'm in one, you hide from them, and you don't even know it. Perhaps that will change, but for now. for now the wars will leave you alone." His face let some of the politeness fall away, let some of what he truly was show through. His eyes were cold, his smile hinting at cruel, yet he still seemed courteous. His elegance wouldn't leave him.
I opened my mouth to ask for an explanation to his statement, but the music ended, and Gabriel left with it, leaving me stranded on a cheerful party dance floor. I was too confused to do anything for a moment, but when the music started again I began to weave my way off the dance floor. I wanted to find a place to think, a place away from people. I had to figure out just what Gabriel meant, and if he even meant something.
I eased around people. You don't push in parties, unless you don't like the person, but then you make it look like an accident. I left the floor quickly, avoiding Ethan who had struck up conversation with some other young men. He was distracted enough so I didn't have to worry about him looking for me for a while.
There weren't any quiet corners, or empty nearby rooms. I didn't see anyone I really knew; few of the people here even cared if I existed. Since I couldn't sit and think I looked for someone to talk to, even Gabriel would be preferred over the boredom of just standing here.
Murmurs came from the entrance of the room, rising above the rest of the noise of the party. Like everyone else I turned to see who had created the commotion. Milliardo Peacecraft had arrived, followed closely by Lucrezia Noin. They were one of the unofficial couples in my family.
Behind both of them, half trying to stay unnoticed and half not caring, my cousin Zechs Peacecraft stood. Ice blue eyes scanned the room, passing over me as if I wasn't here. I rolled my eyes. If he was going to ignore me I'd do the same. I turned quickly, but made it look casual so I wouldn't look like he had bugged me, and resumed my search for a quiet place away from people.
An hour later I had found my quiet corner of boredom. My mother was playing hostess and my uncle the honored guest. My father and Ethan had both disappeared, though I was almost positive they weren't together. I just sat, being avoided by everybody and almost liking it that way.
"Hey Cat. You might want to be careful, someone might think you're having a good time," Zechs's voice drawled from my right. He smiled softly when I looked at him. His eyes were grinning as he saw me glaring. He brushed his hand threw his platinum blonde hair as he waited for my response.
I rolled my eyes and looked away. "Don't call me that."
This timed he grinned for real, "Okay then," and suddenly the humor faded away as he became serious. I raised an eyebrow at his sudden change of mood in request for an explanation. "We need to find time to talk somewhere more private then this."
Again I raised an eyebrow, wondering what was going on and why he would be interested in talking. "Well, I'm open now, I just have to find Ethan and tell him before I leave," I said, glad for an excuse to leave. Of course the only times we talked was when something was wrong, which sometimes created a problem.
Zechs turned back to me from scanning the room. He starred for a moment, considering something. "You're still dating Ethan?" Zechs asked, his voice curious.
I nodded slowly, surprised he even cared. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I asked, not sure I liked that he cared.
"Um, no reason. just thought you two would have broken up by now," he answered evasively. I just looked at him, but he didn't explain further so I let it rest.
"What do you want to talk about?" I asked.
Zechs glanced around the room, checking to see if anyone was in hearing range. I was tempted just to say, "Why bother, no one's listening," but I let him check. He seemed a little uneasy, which wasn't that normal a thing.
Zechs turned to face me, but something caught his eye and he looked again. Surprise filled his face and he took a step in the direction he was facing. "Alex, I'll have to take a rain check, I've got to go," he said, starting to walk away. He stopped a moment and glanced back at me. "It's about Duo."
That caught my attention fully and I jumped to my feet, or at least I tried to. I had great footing in my regular shoes but in heals I could barely walk. Stumbling I ran after Zechs, who seemed to have completely forgotten me as he chased after someone I couldn't see. Zechs walked causally until he got out of the room, where he switched to a light jog. When I got out of sight I took off my shoes and ran after him. I didn't care who he was chasing. I wanted to know what was up with Duo.
It didn't take me long to find him. Zechs was standing in another room where some of the guests had wondered into. He stood talking to Gabriel, and while I couldn't see Zechs's face Gabriel looked less than pleased. They were in the middle of the room, arguing in hushed voices, yet no one seemed to notice. Perhaps they were too polite to stare, but I doubted it.
Quickly I slipped my shoes back on and walked into the room. Gabriel saw me easily, but Zechs was facing the wrong way. Gabriel's uncertain face changed to a charming smile as he nodded to me. Zechs glanced behind his shoulder and Gabriel took the opportunity to run. Zechs, noticing his mistake, looked back in time to see Gabriel leave the room. He didn't follow.
I continued to walk up to Zechs. He turned to me, glaring and irritated. "You couldn't have just stayed in that room?"
I shook my head. "Of course not. I want to know what's going on, and what's up with you getting freaked when you saw Gabriel?"
Zechs blinked back surprise. "You know him?"
I hesitated before answering. "Well, no, not really. We talked a little."
"About what?" he asked.
I frowned, why was he questioning me? "You answer first, what's going on?"
"Nothing. nothing," he avoided the answer, turning away.
I sighed, exasperated. "Zechs, you're a crummy liar, just tell me what's happening."
He paused, taking a second to think before turning back to me. When he did the annoyance was gone from his face, replaced with a serious expression. "Duo wanted me to get your help with something, I don't really want to get you involved, but he's right, we could use your help."
"How long have you been working with Duo?" I asked, but didn't give him time to answer. "Never mind, who's we? Just you and Duo or.?"
"Let's just leave it at the 'or' statement," he stated. Zechs glanced about the room. "We really should talk later, I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"
I nodded my agreement, though Zechs didn't really care. He slid away from me, blending with the crowds that surrounded us before I even finished nodding. I just stood for several minutes, being too deep in thought to really care what was happening in the party.
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. I'm not sure how much I like this chapter but I hope you enjoy it. I'll try to get another chapter up by next weekend.
Rave