AN: Philio Storge Agape means the love of one's friends, family and country. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review, thanks
Updated 6/11/2004
Philio, Storge, Agape 3
The tailor was a tall man, with a physique more suited to athletics than the fine art of fashion. However his moves indicated a refined grace that often accompanied inventive talent.
He was not merely a tailor but an artist, designer and creator.
Apart from his stature one could have easily identified him by the short-cropped hair hanging loosely about his head in slick trickles of silver. He was clean-shaven like all refined men and his skin glowed in the absence of obscurity. His state of dress suggested riches and yet he appeared just slightly tense as one does in new suits.
Michael de Forelle was his name, as it was printed on the shiny plastic card currently pinned to his chest. He looked as if he had lived beyond his prime but was still intent on keeping the spirit of his youth alive. Fine lines criss-crossed his face in certain places and make up had been applied in an unsuccessful attempt to disguise his aging skin.
Straightening his suit and checking his blazer pockets Mr. De Forelle carefully made his way toward the end of the well-aired passage and into the ornamental gardens. It was precisely at this time that the security monitors in the control centre flickered, unnoticed to the naked eye, and instantly went back to displaying the mundane activities of the day.
Wufei decided to look again at the locked weapons display that currently held his beloved katana and Mrs Miles simultaneously decided that it was her duty to stop him.
"Master Wufei, my dear, surely a nice boy like you shouldn't be looking at that display. Treize-sama is going to remove it soon anyway, so why don't you go read one of your nice poetry books…" the pump woman trailed off and nervously gripped the sides of her dress. Apparently Wufei had not completely lost his touch.
"I will look where I please. Besides if Treize is going to remove this, I have more incentive to keep looking." He turned his head away and glowered at his curved blade. It was the exact same blade he used to duel with Treize. All his weapons had been removed upon his arrival and now he could only stare at them through glass cases. An ironic parody to his currently situation, his former life was so close and yet so far but the invisible barrier kept him locked firmly outside.
It was all so symbolic. Has Khushranada deliberately done this to annoy me! To gloat? Of course, why else would the blade he fought with be crossed over mine? There are symbols of his triumph everywhere, is he so egotistic? Or is he simply trying to suppress me? I don't know…I'm lost without Nataku…lost without Sally.
Drowning in his own insecure thoughts Wufei did not hear the nurse usher in Michael de Forelle nor did he hear the seemingly familiar voice, politely stating that no assistance was needed. However he did immerge in time to realise he was felt alone with this stranger. Where had that silly nurse gone?
"Good morning, Master Chang, I am Michael de Forelle, your tailor. I will be taking some measurements for your new suit." The words were spoken in an even tone and kept as short as possible within the borders of politeness. With his introduction done Michael de Forelle carefully unfolded his suitcase on one of the various surfaces and artfully spread out his various displays so all pieces commanded the attention of the spectator. Wufei, feigning dispassion, turned back to the glass case but the mist had cleared from his eyes.
"Master Chang, if you care to step this way please." The tailor elegantly extended one of his elongated limbs towards the display. Hesitantly Wufei moved forwards. Although he loathed to admit; the nurse provided better company than this mysterious tailor. "Master Chang, please stretch out your arms in the sign of the cross." Wufei started. No one, apart from…no he was gone. No one apart from Duo Maxwell had ever described that position as a cross. No one but Maxwell would have said the cross. Perhaps the man was also a Catholic?
Turning sharply towards Michael de Forelle, Wufei tried to discern any unusual reaction emanating from the man's facial feature but there was only the polite, neutral expression. Trying to smooth over his shock Wufei curtly stepped up to the tailor.
Michael de Forelle lean close to his young customer, just close enough to that he would only have Wufei for an audience. He carefully extended his measuring tape and elaborated his movements so that he was now unnecessarily close to Wufei.
"On which side does your dexterity lie?" he softly inquired and intently observed the reaction. Wufei for all his self control could not help start at the simple statement. No one outside the aristocratic military used such terminology! And why did a tailor need to know such a thing? Wufei slowly turned to face the man and stared into the deep blue orbs. Why did they seem so familiar, as if this man was a shadow of someone I once knew?
As if he had anticipated Wufei's reaction Michael de Forelle smiled a thinned lipped smile and straighten his shoulders in a calculated withdrawal.
"I believe that you wish to catch the eyes of some of the ladies at the ball." The tailor said amicably, "I shall make you a suit that none can resist, especially not the belle of the ball." His hands wavered over a piece of pink silk carefully overlapped by some midnight blue material and settled on a woollen material nearby. Wufei's eyes widened a fraction of an inch and then returned to normal. He had seen those eyes before.
"Yes, I would appreciate some attention. I am confident of your skills. By the way I am right handed and I much prefer light material."
"However we must balance practicality with comfort. Such thin material that you speak of will not give you much protection in the night air while you welcome guests. You certainly would not wish to dance in discomfort." Michael de Forelle stared back at Wufei as if to look for the slightest change of expression.
"Indeed I would not wish be uncomfortable but I do believe that I will be able to change into another dinner jacket before the dancing. Therefore two jackets of varying thickness will be suffice." Wufei did not show any change of expression.
"Excellent order sir. Your suits will be tailor made to perfection. I believe that you wish for a unique look."
"Indeed," the reply was curt and indicated that Wufei had said his fill. The tailor nodded gracefully and proceeded to take measurements without invading his private space as before.
"Master Chang, you suits will be delivered to you in time by my assistant. I believe the lighter jacket will be finished before hand. Would you like it delivered as soon as possible?"
"Yes, I would like to see the overall product."
"An excellent choice, Master Chang. I will be seeing you again shortly. Goodbye." Michael de Forelle carefully packed away his briefcase and bowed low. Low enough for Wufei to see the white lines running across the nape of his neck. Low enough to see a cross glittering around his neck. He swallowed and nodded, effectively dismissing the tailor.
Michael de Forelle gracefully made his way out of door and indicated his head in acknowledgement of the nurse who had strolled back carrying a tray of small pastries. A flash of barely concealed delight flashed across her feature before she smiled politely back at the tailor and hastened on her way.
The cameras flicked once again as the graceful tailor strolled out of the building.
AN: wow I actually updated quite fast. Please please review so I can improve me story and if you have any plot suggestions they are very welcome!
Any guess on who Michael de Forelle is?
Next chapter: Treize, all about Treize… and Wufei… and all the other characters.
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