Be My Friend? (Beta-ed version ^.^)
Chapter 2: A Farewell and an Encounter! The Destiny of Shooting Stars!
Kattie
Note: I hope I didn't give anyone the impression that all nurses are that way! (I'm sorry if I offended you, Rocky) The character was actually based on a nurse I had when I got my flu shot last year (^^* Got the wrong spot on my arm so it bruised green .). This lady is middle-aged and in a bad mood. The majority of nurses (male or female) are great people (based on my experiences) so please don't develop any fear of healthcare professionals from my fictional writing. (SORRY!!!!)
Another Note: Apparently my currency "Colonial tokens" were an actual currency at one time. I don't know where or when, but I'm thinking maybe that's what the colonial coins where called when the East Coast (of the U.S.) was British colonies because they were at the Smithsonian. If anyone knows more please let me know! (Sorry for not being original!)
Quick Question: Does anyone know what a lorry is? I keep finding it in British novels and it isn't in the dictionary sniff sob. Some kind of truck, right? (^^*)
Disclaimer: Kattie: does a tarot card reading for lawyer I see.. Great kindness and generosity in your near future.
Lawyer: ^_^ (yay!)
Kattie: gazes at card intently I see.. A new saint! Ah, called Saint Lawyer!
Lawyer: ^_^ (oooh! I get to be a saint!)
Kattie: stares hard at the card I see.. blink blink A handsome blonde Gundam pilot waving good bye to whomever owned him before and coming to join me here.
Lawyer: glare YOU'RE A FRAUD!
Kattie: NUH UH! I REFUSE TO GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY BACK!
Lawyer: grumbles I'm suing.
Kattie: But I don't own Gundam Wing ^.^* .. Yet. (It's in the cards, after all.)
*A Week Later*
There were no words that could be uttered to relieve Quatre of his sorrow. Those who tried were chastised with an artificial smile of appreciation. Their efforts were in vain and, if anything, made Quatre even more unhappy by causing him discomfort. The act merely momentarily broke him from his gaze into another universe.
The other pilots didn't even get the chance to attempt comforting Quatre. With his father gone, Quatre was the president and owner of Winner Corporation. Businessmen from all over the solar system had jumped at the chance of making a good impression on the young but powerful boy by seeming compassionate at attending such a melancholy event.
Little did they know, even if they had been compassionate, they would have easily been shamed by Quatre's own empathy.
Without much success, the Winner daughters and a vast number of bodyguards tried to keep Quatre completely surrounded by "safe people" or people they knew were not terrorists or assassins. Unidentified mourners were being pulled away from Quatre every few minutes to go to the nearby penitentiary.
Near the very back of the crowd, Wufei, Hiiro, Trowa, and Duo sat quietly, trying to catch a glimpse of their friend between gaps in the crowd. Duo's hand was neatly wrapped in a cast. He'd fractured it the previous week, but it was healing relatively quickly.
Hiiro wore a very solemn expression and stared intently on where Quatre would be if he could see through the mob. He sat back in his chair and kept his hand close to his gun, so that he could grab it with a moment's notice if any of the intruders were dangerous.
A bodyguard walked slowly to the row where the pilots were seated. He wore a large gun at his side and dark sunglasses, which made sense considering it was a bright and shiny day, despite the ambience. Although his eyes couldn't be seen, it seemed as though he was staring straight at Wufei, who was sitting in the aisle seat.
"Excuse me," he said politely, "May I ask your relation to the departed?"
The man crossed his arms as though about to listen to a long excuse given by a schoolchild trying to explain why they couldn't turn in their homework. As he did this, the muscles in his arms flexed and were shown to be incredibly large.
In reaction to this, Duo smiled innocently, Hiiro continued to watch Quatre, Trowa looked over for a moment before turning his gaze back to Quatre, and Wufei glared at the man.
"We're with Mr. Winner." He spat.
With a deep sigh, the man uncrossed his arms and discreetly moved a hand towards his gun. "Do you have an invitation?"
Intensifying his glare, Wufei stood up only to find himself much shorter than the bodyguard. "We came with Mr. Winner."
The man removed his glasses and slipped them into his jacket pocket. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you and your friends to please leave."
Rising to his feet, Duo looked at the man with a kind smile. "We're Quatre's friends."
"Please don't make a scene."
Glancing over at the teenage girls being literally dragged out of the cemetery, Duo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Isn't there already a scene?"
"I'll ask you one more time," the bodyguard replied, putting a hand on his gun, "Please leave."
Hiiro's trance was broken with this and he made eye contact with the unfortunate guard. "We need to be here for Quatre."
Taking this wrong, the guard drew his gun. "Come with me, assassin scum. I have a job to do and a boy to protect. If you don't leave with me now, I will be forced to make an even bigger scene, do you understand?"
"It's alright, Jiei," A dark haired man with brilliant blue eyes said, putting a hand on the guard's shoulder, "These are Mr. Winner's comrades."
Jiei (1), the bodyguard, stood surprised for a few seconds before letting his gun fall back to his side. "Yes, sir," he turned to the pilots, "I.. Apologize for the misunderstanding." With a slight bow, he walked off to remove a few more teenage girls who had sneaked in.
The pilots' savior smiled at the group kindly. "I don't believe we've met before, though Quatre has spoken of you," he extended a hand to Wufei, who was closest, "I am Quatre's brother-in-law Bouken. It is my greatest pleasure and honor to meet your acquaintance."
Wufei shook Bouken's hand, reluctantly and muttered something that might have been interpreted as "Nice to meet you" but was really just a petty grunt.
After shaking each of the four pilots' hands, Bouken smiled again in contentment. "If you would like to see Quatre after the services, just wait here please. I will make sure he knows where you are."
"Thank you." Duo replied, appreciatively.
"I hope I will see you again soon." Bouken said with a parting grin. He waved benevolently as he walked into the depths of the crowd and disappeared into a sea of tear-stained faces.
Duo sat back down, with as little grace as was humanly possible, and nearly fell over backwards from leaning so far back in his chair. "He was.." Duo sought the word, failed, and used another that also fit the situation, ".. articulate."
Hiiro scowled. "He was smiling too often for a funeral."
"Excuse me," a feminine voice boomed over the stereo equipment that had been set up so that all of the many guests could hear, "Would everyone take a seat please? We would like to begin the service soon."
As soon as everyone had finished rustling, she continued, "Thank you for coming today. I would like to personally thank you for attending our service. Today we commemorate the memory of a successful businessman, a loving father, and a great man. I would like to introduce you to our beloved Departed's son, Mr. Quatre Winner."
There was scattered applause as Quatre slowly pulled himself to the front of the ceremony. Cameras flashed, catching the young man at his worst, with puffy red eyes and a tear-stained face, before a few bodyguards disposed of them.
Wiping his eyes with an almost drenched shirtsleeve, Quatre forced a fake smile and began his eulogy. "Thank you for coming," he said softly in a weak voice that boomed from the use of a microphone, "I'm sure my father would have been pleased to see so many friendly faces."
Taking a deep breath, Quatre continued. "I know many of you probably remember my father (2) as a businessman, always working. I.. I suppose he did spend a great deal of his time at his office because he wanted to make Winner Corporations the best company he was able to..
"I have a different memory. The memory I have of my father is kind words and a warm smile. A man you could talk to about anything and be granted an amiable response. I remember hugs and laughter.. Someone who only wanted what was best for those he loved.."
Tears began pouring down his face and Quatre had to stop for a minute to catch his breath. "He was a man who stood by his ideals no matter what the cost. He believed in pacifism above all things and..and for it.." Quatre took another breath, "He must have been happy to die in an effort to bring peace..I-I'm sorry.."
Losing all control he had over the sadness growing in his heart, Quatre began sobbing. He turned away from the crowd and buried his face in his hands.
One of his sisters was quick to get to him, and carefully helped Quatre back to his seat, where he continued to cry uncontrollably. His sister carefully took him into her arms and began brushing his hair with her hand, whispering comforting words into his ear.
The woman who had introduced Quatre stood at the microphone again and smiled weakly at the crowd. "If someone else would like to continue..?" She looked over at a group of Mr. Winner's daughters and one stood up reluctantly and came to the front.
No one heard her words as she tried to continue the eulogy. Everyone had their eyes on Quatre, who continued sobbing into his sister's shoulder.
There was a sea of flashes as more cameras were brought out and turned on Quatre.
End of Chapter
Notes: 1)Jiei means bodyguard (although youjinbou is far more common and well-known). So basically this says "Bodyguard, the bodyguard" ^^* Aren't I creative?
2)I know someone told me in Bravest Eyes, but I forgot Mr. Winner's first name. . If anyone knows, please e-mail me so I can make the eulogy better. (Sorry!)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter ^_^ Please review! It gives me inspiration and personal satisfaction! glomps Thank you for reading!
Questions or comments to Kattie41@aol.com if you do not think they are fit to be in a review. Or, you could e-mail me if you wanted spoilers looks up innocently or just wanted to talk to me (^^* feeling a bit hopeful, aren't I?).
Tracks-
1) Proud of Myself! -Battle Athletes Victory
2) Gunbuster Battle Theme (^^* I don't know the title)
3) I, Shinji- Neon Genesis Evangelion
4) The Place I'll Return to Someday- Final Fantasy IX Opening Theme
5) Heart Throbbing Harmony (Or Sparkling Harmony)- Gundam Wing
6) Liberi Fatali- Final Fantasy VIII
See you next chapter ^.~ Have a great day!
Chapter 2: A Farewell and an Encounter! The Destiny of Shooting Stars!
Kattie
Note: I hope I didn't give anyone the impression that all nurses are that way! (I'm sorry if I offended you, Rocky) The character was actually based on a nurse I had when I got my flu shot last year (^^* Got the wrong spot on my arm so it bruised green .). This lady is middle-aged and in a bad mood. The majority of nurses (male or female) are great people (based on my experiences) so please don't develop any fear of healthcare professionals from my fictional writing. (SORRY!!!!)
Another Note: Apparently my currency "Colonial tokens" were an actual currency at one time. I don't know where or when, but I'm thinking maybe that's what the colonial coins where called when the East Coast (of the U.S.) was British colonies because they were at the Smithsonian. If anyone knows more please let me know! (Sorry for not being original!)
Quick Question: Does anyone know what a lorry is? I keep finding it in British novels and it isn't in the dictionary sniff sob. Some kind of truck, right? (^^*)
Disclaimer: Kattie: does a tarot card reading for lawyer I see.. Great kindness and generosity in your near future.
Lawyer: ^_^ (yay!)
Kattie: gazes at card intently I see.. A new saint! Ah, called Saint Lawyer!
Lawyer: ^_^ (oooh! I get to be a saint!)
Kattie: stares hard at the card I see.. blink blink A handsome blonde Gundam pilot waving good bye to whomever owned him before and coming to join me here.
Lawyer: glare YOU'RE A FRAUD!
Kattie: NUH UH! I REFUSE TO GIVE YOU YOUR MONEY BACK!
Lawyer: grumbles I'm suing.
Kattie: But I don't own Gundam Wing ^.^* .. Yet. (It's in the cards, after all.)
*A Week Later*
There were no words that could be uttered to relieve Quatre of his sorrow. Those who tried were chastised with an artificial smile of appreciation. Their efforts were in vain and, if anything, made Quatre even more unhappy by causing him discomfort. The act merely momentarily broke him from his gaze into another universe.
The other pilots didn't even get the chance to attempt comforting Quatre. With his father gone, Quatre was the president and owner of Winner Corporation. Businessmen from all over the solar system had jumped at the chance of making a good impression on the young but powerful boy by seeming compassionate at attending such a melancholy event.
Little did they know, even if they had been compassionate, they would have easily been shamed by Quatre's own empathy.
Without much success, the Winner daughters and a vast number of bodyguards tried to keep Quatre completely surrounded by "safe people" or people they knew were not terrorists or assassins. Unidentified mourners were being pulled away from Quatre every few minutes to go to the nearby penitentiary.
Near the very back of the crowd, Wufei, Hiiro, Trowa, and Duo sat quietly, trying to catch a glimpse of their friend between gaps in the crowd. Duo's hand was neatly wrapped in a cast. He'd fractured it the previous week, but it was healing relatively quickly.
Hiiro wore a very solemn expression and stared intently on where Quatre would be if he could see through the mob. He sat back in his chair and kept his hand close to his gun, so that he could grab it with a moment's notice if any of the intruders were dangerous.
A bodyguard walked slowly to the row where the pilots were seated. He wore a large gun at his side and dark sunglasses, which made sense considering it was a bright and shiny day, despite the ambience. Although his eyes couldn't be seen, it seemed as though he was staring straight at Wufei, who was sitting in the aisle seat.
"Excuse me," he said politely, "May I ask your relation to the departed?"
The man crossed his arms as though about to listen to a long excuse given by a schoolchild trying to explain why they couldn't turn in their homework. As he did this, the muscles in his arms flexed and were shown to be incredibly large.
In reaction to this, Duo smiled innocently, Hiiro continued to watch Quatre, Trowa looked over for a moment before turning his gaze back to Quatre, and Wufei glared at the man.
"We're with Mr. Winner." He spat.
With a deep sigh, the man uncrossed his arms and discreetly moved a hand towards his gun. "Do you have an invitation?"
Intensifying his glare, Wufei stood up only to find himself much shorter than the bodyguard. "We came with Mr. Winner."
The man removed his glasses and slipped them into his jacket pocket. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you and your friends to please leave."
Rising to his feet, Duo looked at the man with a kind smile. "We're Quatre's friends."
"Please don't make a scene."
Glancing over at the teenage girls being literally dragged out of the cemetery, Duo couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Isn't there already a scene?"
"I'll ask you one more time," the bodyguard replied, putting a hand on his gun, "Please leave."
Hiiro's trance was broken with this and he made eye contact with the unfortunate guard. "We need to be here for Quatre."
Taking this wrong, the guard drew his gun. "Come with me, assassin scum. I have a job to do and a boy to protect. If you don't leave with me now, I will be forced to make an even bigger scene, do you understand?"
"It's alright, Jiei," A dark haired man with brilliant blue eyes said, putting a hand on the guard's shoulder, "These are Mr. Winner's comrades."
Jiei (1), the bodyguard, stood surprised for a few seconds before letting his gun fall back to his side. "Yes, sir," he turned to the pilots, "I.. Apologize for the misunderstanding." With a slight bow, he walked off to remove a few more teenage girls who had sneaked in.
The pilots' savior smiled at the group kindly. "I don't believe we've met before, though Quatre has spoken of you," he extended a hand to Wufei, who was closest, "I am Quatre's brother-in-law Bouken. It is my greatest pleasure and honor to meet your acquaintance."
Wufei shook Bouken's hand, reluctantly and muttered something that might have been interpreted as "Nice to meet you" but was really just a petty grunt.
After shaking each of the four pilots' hands, Bouken smiled again in contentment. "If you would like to see Quatre after the services, just wait here please. I will make sure he knows where you are."
"Thank you." Duo replied, appreciatively.
"I hope I will see you again soon." Bouken said with a parting grin. He waved benevolently as he walked into the depths of the crowd and disappeared into a sea of tear-stained faces.
Duo sat back down, with as little grace as was humanly possible, and nearly fell over backwards from leaning so far back in his chair. "He was.." Duo sought the word, failed, and used another that also fit the situation, ".. articulate."
Hiiro scowled. "He was smiling too often for a funeral."
"Excuse me," a feminine voice boomed over the stereo equipment that had been set up so that all of the many guests could hear, "Would everyone take a seat please? We would like to begin the service soon."
As soon as everyone had finished rustling, she continued, "Thank you for coming today. I would like to personally thank you for attending our service. Today we commemorate the memory of a successful businessman, a loving father, and a great man. I would like to introduce you to our beloved Departed's son, Mr. Quatre Winner."
There was scattered applause as Quatre slowly pulled himself to the front of the ceremony. Cameras flashed, catching the young man at his worst, with puffy red eyes and a tear-stained face, before a few bodyguards disposed of them.
Wiping his eyes with an almost drenched shirtsleeve, Quatre forced a fake smile and began his eulogy. "Thank you for coming," he said softly in a weak voice that boomed from the use of a microphone, "I'm sure my father would have been pleased to see so many friendly faces."
Taking a deep breath, Quatre continued. "I know many of you probably remember my father (2) as a businessman, always working. I.. I suppose he did spend a great deal of his time at his office because he wanted to make Winner Corporations the best company he was able to..
"I have a different memory. The memory I have of my father is kind words and a warm smile. A man you could talk to about anything and be granted an amiable response. I remember hugs and laughter.. Someone who only wanted what was best for those he loved.."
Tears began pouring down his face and Quatre had to stop for a minute to catch his breath. "He was a man who stood by his ideals no matter what the cost. He believed in pacifism above all things and..and for it.." Quatre took another breath, "He must have been happy to die in an effort to bring peace..I-I'm sorry.."
Losing all control he had over the sadness growing in his heart, Quatre began sobbing. He turned away from the crowd and buried his face in his hands.
One of his sisters was quick to get to him, and carefully helped Quatre back to his seat, where he continued to cry uncontrollably. His sister carefully took him into her arms and began brushing his hair with her hand, whispering comforting words into his ear.
The woman who had introduced Quatre stood at the microphone again and smiled weakly at the crowd. "If someone else would like to continue..?" She looked over at a group of Mr. Winner's daughters and one stood up reluctantly and came to the front.
No one heard her words as she tried to continue the eulogy. Everyone had their eyes on Quatre, who continued sobbing into his sister's shoulder.
There was a sea of flashes as more cameras were brought out and turned on Quatre.
End of Chapter
Notes: 1)Jiei means bodyguard (although youjinbou is far more common and well-known). So basically this says "Bodyguard, the bodyguard" ^^* Aren't I creative?
2)I know someone told me in Bravest Eyes, but I forgot Mr. Winner's first name. . If anyone knows, please e-mail me so I can make the eulogy better. (Sorry!)
I hope you enjoyed this chapter ^_^ Please review! It gives me inspiration and personal satisfaction! glomps Thank you for reading!
Questions or comments to Kattie41@aol.com if you do not think they are fit to be in a review. Or, you could e-mail me if you wanted spoilers looks up innocently or just wanted to talk to me (^^* feeling a bit hopeful, aren't I?).
Tracks-
1) Proud of Myself! -Battle Athletes Victory
2) Gunbuster Battle Theme (^^* I don't know the title)
3) I, Shinji- Neon Genesis Evangelion
4) The Place I'll Return to Someday- Final Fantasy IX Opening Theme
5) Heart Throbbing Harmony (Or Sparkling Harmony)- Gundam Wing
6) Liberi Fatali- Final Fantasy VIII
See you next chapter ^.~ Have a great day!