Enchantment Passing Through

By the Almighty SporkGoddess

Chapter 6: Love Worn Lightly, Put on Show

And who'd have thought that confidence could die?
Not me , Not me
That all I took for granted was a lie

Not me, Not me
And who'd have guessed
I'd throw my world away

To be with someone I'm afraid will say
Not me,not me

- Not Me - Aida

A few days after that fiasco, Rain contacted me and asked me to lunch (She and Domon were still in Neo Sweden for a few days). I agreed, and met her at a nearby restaurant.

"Allenby, there's sort of a reason I asked you here today." Rain admitted after we'd sat down.

"What?" I asked in between forkfuls of salad.

"Well…" She paused, then smirked. "You even eat like Domon does."

"Mm." I continued stuffing my face in the most ladylike way possible.

She eyed me in a mixture of amusement and revulsion, and then laughed. "Anyway… we've never been the best of friends, huh?"

"No, we haven't." I admitted.

"Now that our ehrm… issues are resolved, however, I've come to regard you as a friend. And so I need to talk to you about this. Not as Domon's girlfriend, or Seitt's ex, but as a friend."

I nodded.

"I know that you liked Domon. You probably still do. Are you sure that Seitt's not just a rebound?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure that you really love him? And that he really loves you?"

"Absolutely." I replied.

Rain sighed. "How can you be so sure?"

"Well, how do you know that you love Domon?"

She blushed. "That's different. You and Seitt have only known each other for a few weeks at the most, and the circumstances are… awkward, to say the least."

"I know, but…"

She held up a hand to stop me. "I'm going to break this to you as gently as possible… If, hypothetically, I was to tell that Seitt that I was breaking up with Domon and wanted to be with him forever, do you think he'd stay with you or go with me? And would you stay with him, or would you go after Domon?"

"I…"

"Unless you can answer that question without hesitation, then you can't be in love with him."

"Why are you doing this?" I muttered. "You don't know what it's like."

"Don't know what what is like?" She murmured.

"I… I don't know… this. Finding love, under the worst conditions possible…"

She laughed. "I think I have somewhat of an idea."

"Hey, did you work things out with Domon?" I asked her later, after we'd eaten and were walking back.

She glanced down at the pavement. "Domon hasn't been in the best of moods lately. I guess he's torn between… between…"

"Yes?"

"Between his feelings for you and his feelings for me." She almost whispered.

I blinked. "What?"

"Allenby, I know you're not blind. For a while, he did have feelings for you."

I closed my eyes as her words made me remember a moment; so brief it had been as fleeting as the wind.

I was walking away after training with Domon, when he called my name.

"Allenby!"

"Hmm?"


I could have sworn he was blushing… he hesitated, then said: "N.. nothing. Be careful on your way back."

I was jolted back to earth, and Rain was staring at me almost sadly.

"I thought so." She said quietly.

What had Domon been meaning to say? Had he been trying to tell me something… something from the bottom of his heart? And where had this left me? Where had this left Rain…?

"I'm sorry…" I stammered, unsure of what to say. Apparently Rain was, too, because she didn't respond. She looked sad; almost the same way she had looked the day that she had visited me in that hospital room.

It was silent for a few moments. I had absolutely no idea how to console her; after all, it was partly my fault – but I knew I'd have to try.

"Come on, Rain… the guy hacked his way through a killer Gundam to save you. Give him a little more credit than that."

She smiled, but still didn't look convinced, so I reminded her:

"Chibodee told me he dropped to his knees and cried when he discovered you were gone."

"Really?" Her smile widened.

"Really."

This was so messed up. How could I be convincing Rain that Domon loved her and felt nothing for me? Was I just so resigned to my misery that I didn't care anymore? I hadn't numbed my heart, had I?

Author's Note: Okay, this has been stewing on my harddrive for a while. *whistles innocently* Anyway… I know I'm always saying that G Gundam's love triangle was resolved, but it left a lot of emotions hanging on both parties' behalfs. We never do find out whether or Domon ever liked Allenby, or what he really meant to say in episode 38. I mean, it's obvious that during that time Rain was not his highest priority… Anyway, more coming soon! I could really use some suggestions… I have the next few chapters written, but I still don't know exactly what the final outcome will be. X_x

Disclaimer: See first chapter. e_e The title of this chapter is from "Not Me" from Aida