Title: Break
Rating: R
Genres: Drama
Warnings:Mild profanity. Implicit shonen-ai. Violence.Mentions of NCS, associated with Underage.
Pairings: Dragonslayers/Dilandau, others TBA(?)

Etc: Character piece. Enter the Dragonslayers and one pissed-off Dilandau-sama. :)

For information on and pictures of Ryuon and Kagero, check out:
- prettyboy from hell (www-airandangels-com/dilandau)
- Tenkuu no Ryuugekitai (www-foxesden-net/slayerlair)
They were background soldiers in the series, probably not Dragonslayers, but I've taken creative liberty to assume that they are. Viole won't appear here, because I'm not even sure who he is. :(

Part 2

I returned downstairs to the tavern, schooling my expression to nonchalance. I stopped underneath the doorway, instinctively sweeping the sizeable room for any sign of my boys. There were times when I believed I couldn't leave them out of my sight for extended periods of time without at least one of them getting into trouble.

Gatti, Kagero, and Miguel were the easiest to notice. They were sitting beside the bar with their backs facing the wall, obviously having had a few rounds of mead with the several tankards that littered their table. Gatti and Kagero appeared to be having a disagreement, probably concerning some aspect of the war or their guymelefs. I didn't think either of them knew how to talk about anything else, although I doubted it would be as interesting as seeing how long I could stay awake while listening in on one of their conversations.

Miguel was quiet beside them, eyes seemingly inattentive, although I was more than certain that he was keeping track of every movement that could be defined as 'hostile' in the tavern. His hand was lightly circled around a cup he probably hadn't even drunk out of, which was unsurprising. He was just too paranoid to even relinquish an ounce of control. Miguel was perhaps the most unsociable man on the face of this planet, yet I found no reason for him to be. He was uncomfortable in the elitist social gatherings where he was respected, disliked the massive crowds of the cities, and would rather go through a dozen guymelef training runs than flirt with any of the women who displayed interest in him.

There was a rather noticeable distance between their table and the civilians who were hovering a few feet away as though awaiting an invitation. They wouldn't get one. It wasn't surprising, actually, since none of the three had much regard for civilians. Whether or not that was my influence remains to be seen, but it was a likely assumption.

The others were strewn about.

I noted that Shesta was at the bar, appearing to be discussing something with a handsome young man. Now Shesta was perhaps Miguel's opposite. Where Miguel was distant and lacked any sort of charisma, Shesta possessed a natural magnetism with his easy laugh and amiable personality. It would probably seem strange to other people that I handpicked (as I did all the others) Shesta to be a part of my elite unit, and although he wasn't as remarkable at the sword as Gatti, or a guymelef pilot as Miguel, Shesta had more balls than any of them put together. He was an integral part of the unit, because he was the only one who would stand up to me for the sake of orders. Otherwise I would have been fucked by court-martials ten times over. The pushy little bastard kept my record spotless, or tried to, at least, and while I resented his unacceptable behaviour at times, I conceded (to myself, that is) on more than one occasion that he kept my military image intact in front of the Emperor and his generals.

Ryuon, of course, was a civilian table far to my right—mostly consisting of women, which would have been an odd sight for Ryoun to be without. He had his own little following among the noblewomen and their daughters, having a charm that seems to spring out of nowhere when he's among the opposite sex, but nowhere near as impressive as mine. His hair was a mound of dark curls atop his head, giving him a rather youthful appearance. Along with his rakish good looks and easy grins, he was a natural magnet. Yet beneath all that charisma was the embodiment of steel, Ryoun could kill without even batting an eyelid or breaking a smile.

I couldn't pinpoint Dalet or Guimel anywhere, which immediately made me uneasy. Guimel couldn't stay out of trouble to save his life, much less make an effort. Dalet would undoubtedly be with him, seeing as how they've been thick as thieves lately. With a rather stiff stride, I made my way over to where Miguel, Gatti, and Kagero sat, casting a sharp glance over at the bar when Shesta became aware of my presence. He understood immediately, dismissing the man he was talking to with some friendly goodbye, hurrying over to oblige my silent command. Ryuon had already seen my arrival and was disengaging himself from his choice of company, preferring to be polite and gentlemanly instead of rudely dismissing them as Shesta had with his friend. Gods, I was going to give Ryuon a good smack on the head one day.

Miguel was instantly on guard when he saw me, nudging Kagero's ankle discreetly with his foot beneath the table. Ah, a heads up, is it Miguel? I thought coldly. Fine, I'll let that go, after all, I taught you to keep your team mates backs. Gatti and Kagero instantly shut up when they looked up to see me approaching, probably picking up the tension on my shoulders since my face was about as expressive as a rock.

"Where are Guimel and Dalet?" I gritted out once I was standing in front of their table, trying to keep my voice neutral.

There was a collective pause. That did not help to improve my mood.

Gatti finally answered with some hesitation, after casting an uneasy glance with Kagero. "They went upstairs a few moments after you did, sir."

I glared at Gatti, who visibly wilted under my look. "Shesta," I snapped, not releasing my second from my gaze.

"Sir?" he responded quickly, instantly at my side with the look of a soldier awaiting an order. I swear Shesta was only one who understood the variations of my tones.

"Find Dalet and Guimel," I instructed coldly. "If they aren't on the ground floor within two miets, they are as good as dead tomorrow morning."

"Yes, sir!" Shesta was gone.

Ryuon appeared, an eyebrow lifted but remained, as always, unquestioning. He lowered his eyes respectfully. "Sir," he greeted quietly, sensing my fury.

I finally turned my head to glance at Kagero and Miguel, who took a lesson from Ryuon, and had calmly averted their eyes as not to provoke me, which was a wise decision on both their parts. I wasn't in the mood to deal with them at the moment, not when there were two other little shits inconveniencing themselves at my expense. I turned back to Gatti, who had probably already deduced why I was apparently so pissed off at him for. Gatti, if anything, had always been quick.

"You realise why I'm angry," I said in my most calm, rational voice.

He swallowed, not quite meeting my eyes. "Yes, Master Dilandau."

"Good," I smiled so normally that it was practically venomous. "Then why don't you fucking explain to me why you let Guimel and Dalet go upstairs when I told you to keep them strictly within earshot."

He shrugged.

He shrugged. That was the single most disrespectful, most impertinent thing he could have done, something that I would not have expected from a soldier in my unit. My fist clenched and unclenched, which he seemed to notice for he became very still.

I planted my hands on the table, leaning over to glower at him. "You be thankful that I'm not in the mood to deal with anyone but Guimel and Dalet tonight, you little insolent shit. Don't mistake this for mercy. You won't be so thankful when I thrash you tomorrow, as to not forget who the fuck I am to you."

Gatti bobbed his head uncertainly, avoiding looking directly at me. "Yes, Master Dilandau. I apologize, but I will suffer your punishment for my disrespect."

I leaned back, satisfied for the moment but wanting to play it out a little longer. "You 'will' suffer my punishment?" I asked mockingly, enjoying the sudden stiffness that appeared along his shoulders. "Since when I have I ever given any of you incompetents a choice?"

For a moment, it looked as though Gatti was in danger of swallowing his tongue.

If it had not been for Shesta, I had little doubt that Gatti would have hanged himself in front of me by saying more ridiculous things. It would have been an amusing display, so I was briefly annoyed at the blond. I didn't wish to take it out on Shesta, as he had carried out my orders quickly, so I let the subject drop the moment he reappeared at my side, giving Gatti the illusion of safety. Tomorrow, I thought, giving Shesta a brief nod to indicate he could speak.

Shesta looked rather flushed and anxious, now that I was paying closer attention. "Master Dilandau," he said urgently, leaning in to whisper the words I didn't want to hear at all. "We have a situation upstairs."

Fanfuckingtastic. "Who did they kill this time?" I asked in an irritated tone, meaning for it to be a scornful joke, since I didn't think Guimel or Dalet were that stupid as to—

The look on Shesta's face gave everything away.

Well, fuck me.