Mnemosyne Chapter 1

By Raletha



Disclaimer: Gundam Wing does not belong to me. It is copyrighted to Bandai, Sunrise, and the Sotsu agency. I am using the characters for entertainment purposes only. Original content and concepts, however, are my own: © Raletha 02/2004 & beyond.

Pairings: 3xH, ultimately 3x4x3, 2+H

Rating: PG-13

Content: canon, het, yaoi, lime, friendship, romance, drama, Hilde POV

Summary: Hilde becomes intrigued by the handsome acrobat from the circus.

Notes: An experimental fic inspired by the gw500 'strawberry' challenge. Set during the series, some spoilers. In keeping with my initial inspiration, chapters are very short (between 500-1000 words)


The knife throwing girl was still screaming at Duo, and Duo—not often intimidated—was backtracking with a completely bewildered look on his face. I watched them and could see he wanted a chance to reply to the girl, but she continued in her aggressive stance—like a rooster with all the ruffles of her brightly coloured costume bristling and her flame coloured curls flying every which way. I stayed where I was.

The acrobat—Trowa, Duo had called him—sat, still and silent as a stone, in the small canvas walled space. It was set up as a dressing room with lighted mirrors standing over a folding table, free rolling clothes racks, trunks, and the smell of grease paint mingling with hairspray.

Trowa sat on the edge of one of the trunks, head bowed over his lap, seemingly staring at the half mask cradled in his hands. His dark auburn hair veiled his face better than the mask had.

"Hey," I called softly, "are you okay?"

The glance that met mine was empty of understanding. For a moment I wondered if we spoke the same language. Then he replied, in accented but perfectly fluent English, "Am I supposed to know you too?"

"No. I'm Hilde, a friend of Duo's." I gestured and moved into the room "That guy who tried to talk to you."

He frowned. "I don't remember Duo."

"Is there some reason you're supposed to?"

He set his mask aside. "I don't know. I remember very little. Something happened, I lost my memory."

"Oh." I wasn't sure what to say to that. I sat down beside him on the trunk, and folded my hands in my lap. The girl had stopped shouting at Duo; I heard the mumble of their continuing conversation though I couldn't make out words. Duo was speaking to soothe; the girl remained strident.

"Do you know how Duo knows me?" The question was asked calmly, but the words were plea enough. My heart ached.

I turned toward him. Sweat had streaked the heavy stage makeup on his forehead and cheeks, but his lips were still stained a uniform cherry red, and thick black lines marked the perimeter of his eyes. His eyes I hadn't noticed until coming closer—long-lashed and vivid green. The ache of my heart changed to a different kind of longing. But I hadn't answered his question.

"Nothing specific," I said at last, "but I know some things about Duo, how you might have met him. But really, you'd be better off asking him."

"I don't think Catherine's going to let him talk to me."

His demeanor grew more submissive at the mention of her name, and I wasn't sure I liked that change. "Catherine, huh?"

"My sister," he explained. "She's very protective of me since... the accident."

"Oh, I understand. Duo's a bit of a mother hen with me."

"Is he your brother?"

"Not by blood, but he's the closest I have to family right now."

Trowa nodded, a little distracted. It sounded like the objects of our conversation were returning—to collect their wayward charges. I didn't want to say goodbye to Trowa just yet.

"Hey, listen, why don't you come by my place tomorrow—if you have time—we can talk more?"

Trowa raised his head to look at me. "We're here until Saturday," he said, "I can probably come at lunchtime."

"Great!" I scribbled my address on the back of a receipt for him. "It was nice to meet you, Trowa. I'll see you later maybe."

tbc.