Chapter 5:New Beginnings
By Kiyoko
May 29, 2001
Alex and Orion got off the plane that had landed on L4. Not having been to L4 a lot, Alex went outside the spaceport to hail a taxi. Soon one pulled up then she, Orion and the one piece of luggage they had, got into the taxi.
"Where are we going mommy?"
"I'm not sure sweety, just for now we are going to stay a hotel." She took the card Heero had given her and checked into a hotel about a half an hour from the spaceport. The next day she would go to a real estate company and try to find a decent house to live in.
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It only too three days to find the perfect house. It was a medium sized house with a two-car garage. Inside it held four bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a large living room and kitchen. It had cost almost 500,000 dollars. The back yard was also fairly large. Large enough to teach Orion how to fence and have room to dual. Alex set down Orion and told him to go find a room he liked. She then followed him upstairs to place their one and only bag in the master bedroom. They would have to go shopping for furnishings and clothing.
"I found a room momma!"
"Ok, how about we go get some things to put in it?"
"Yeah! Let's go." Alex and Orion went to the local furniture store to buy beds, dressers, sofas and a dinning set. After they had completed that task the went to the mall to buy clothes for them. While they were there, Alex helped her son chose and adequate fencing foil and gear. She would try to make his life normal, not letting anything change from the way it was. If was supposed to start fencing lessons, then he would. Except now, she would teach him. There was no use in her spending her needed money on an instructor, for of course, she didn't know how long she would need it for.
Alex decided that she would get a job once Orion turned four. Until then, she would teach him how to fence and maybe enroll him into a local school.
Orion was very bright for his age. All the pilots children were, seeing as they all married smart women.
For a few months Alex had taught Orion how to fence. He was an exceptionally fast learner. She had noticed that Orion was beginning to get bored, so she decided he needed something else to keep him occupied. Later that week sheenrolled him into a local elementary school just a few blocks from their house.
At his first day in pre-school his teacher noticed how bright he was and suggested that he be moved into kindergarten. Yet again his new teacher found that Orion tended to become bored and suggested that he take a placement test instead of wasting his time going from class to class. After a few days of testing the school found that he was best-suited in second grade except that his math skills were exceptional, so they decide to send him into another class for math instead of staying in second grade math.
The school decided to give him a more advanced test they didn't have available, so the next day Alex took him to the High school to be given a math section. After two hours of testing, the school found it necessary to place him in their algebra course. Orion would come every other day to take math. Even thought Orion had been testing for a few days, he was not the least bit tired. Alex figured it was just the stimulation he needed. Along with school, fencing, and the martial arts classes he would be taking in a few months, he should be well occupied.
Alex thought that she should hire a nanny to take care of him after he got home from school as well as take him to math.
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Soon his fifth birthday came around. Orion hadn't made very many friends in school because he was so advanced in his classes. Many of the students thought of him as a freak and outcast. Alex had asked him whom he wanted to invite to his birthday party, but he told her he didn't have any friends. It was at that moment that she decided to put him into the city's soccer league. For his birthday, Alex bought him the latest Yuy computer along with a Barton soccer ball. She wondered if he would ever be able to meet his father again and those that she loved. He had been so young when they left. Orion didn't remember who his father was. She had been hoping he wouldn't. It would just make things harder for the both of them. Alex would make sure that he grew up worshipping his father and the other pilots, even if he didn't know them.
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The next day after his birthday, she took him down to City Hall to get him registered for soccer. Hopefully he would make some friends.
The first day of practice came around and Alex took Orion to the park.
"It's going to be ok. Try to make friends with them."
"I'll try, but what if they don't like me."
"Who wouldn't like you? You are such a good kid."
"Thanks mom."
"Remember when you were sparring that kid in Karate?" Orion gave his mother a slight nod, " remember you hit him really hard and they had to take him to the hospital? Well try not to do that kind of thing here. Soccer is not a contact sport." Orion shook his head again gesturing that he understood.
"Welcome everyone! I'm Coach Brown and this is my assistant Coach Jackson. You are now all part of this team. We are the La Paz City Royals."
"Hey mom, my team has the same name as the guy you always watch on TV!"
"You mean Trowa Barton?"
"Yeah! That's the one." The coach gave out some more information, then practice instructions.
"Hi, my name is Tomoko."
"I'm Eve, it's nice to meet you."
"Is that your younger brother over there?"
"Um…he's my son."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, you look so young to be a mother of a child his age."
"Please, don't worry about it. I get it all the time." Alex looked at the 26-year-old woman in front of her.
"So which one is your?"
"The one with the light brown hair, over there, see? Number 3."
"Oh, I see him." The two women watched the children scamper around the field, some of the boys struggling with the ball. Soon practice was over and the children returned to their parents.
"Eve, why don't you come over for tea sometime? Here, I'll give you my number." Tomoko wrote her name on a slip of paper and handed it to Alex.
"Oh, and this is my son Toshiro."
"This is Orion." The two little boys shook hands smiling at each other.
"C'mon, it's time for your fencing lessons." Alex gave her new friend a smile as they walked away toward their home.
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When Orion had turned 11 one of the city's private schools contacted Alex wanting to meet with her.
Alex went to the school, marveling at the beautiful structure as she walked inside. A secretary at the front desk showed her into one of the admissions office.
"Hello Mrs. Bruster, I'm Elizabeth Morgan, Admissions officer for The St. Mary's institute for higher learning. We have been watching your son for a while. He is an extremely bright child. We have seen him in a few fencing and martial arts competition. We have asked you here today to offer Orion a fencing scholarship for this institution. He will be with children his own age with his capabilities, Although I must say he would surely become one of our most prized students."
"Whoa, back up for just one minute. You are saying that you are willing to give my son a fencing scholarship for this school. Why haven't I heard of this school before?"
"We are very low key. This is the best institution for children in most of the colonies. Most of the wealthiest family's send their children here. I don't mean to offend you or anything, but if the lower class found out about this, then everyone would be sending applications to join. We are very strict on who we allow in. "
"I see. So what would Orion have to do to earn his scholarship?"
"Well every year we hold an annual fencing tournament. Twenty of our students are chosen , only one will win. And just not any student is chosen. They must be in the top of their fencing classes. But this year we will be doing something different. We will be choosing two students to compete against each other. One will be Orion, the other a current student."
"That's it? All he has to do is compete?"
"Yes but…"
"But what?"
"This competition won't take place until he is fourteen and a half. Orion will go through vigorous training."
"Will he still have time for martial arts and soccer? If this will interfere with soccer he will decline your offer. It is his life."
"No of course it won't. His training will take place during school and a scheduled practice once on the weekend whenever it is convenient for him."
"I have to talk this over with him first. I will get back to you as soon as I can."
"Please consider this with much effort. This could be one of the best things that could happen for your son. Thank you for stopping by."
"Thank you. I'll get back to you as soon as I have made a decision." Alex got up out of the plush leather chair and walked out the door. She was sure that Orion would want to go to the school since he had no friends at the high school he was currently at. Alex arrived home later in the afternoon to see Orion and his best friend Toshiro playing soccer in the front yard. Ever since they began playing soccer together they had been inseparable. Toshiro was also a very bright boy who skipped a few grades himself.
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"Hi Mom!" Orion screamed as he launched the ball in Toshiro's direction.
"Hi honey, can I talk to you about something?"
"Yeah sure." Orion and Toshiro stopped kicking the ball and went inside the house to the living room.
"What is it mom?"
"Well I just got back from the St. Mary's institute and they have offered you a fencing scholarship."
"I don't know mom. What kind of school is it?"
"It's a private school for intellectually advanced children like yourself. You'd be with kids your own age."
" I want to get a tour before I make any decisions."
"Great, I'll call them to set up a tour for you tomorrow. Anyway, Toshiro, are you staying for dinner?" Alex looked at the temporary silent kid.
"Of course I am!" All three of them giggled.
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The next day Alex took Orion to the school to get a tour. The institution was huge. It must have housed over 2,000 students as well as accommodate the 3,000 that currently attended. They walked up the concrete steps that led up to the huge oak doors. The tour began promptly at 10, so they hurried to not be late. Once the tour began it didn't end for another hour. They toured the entire structure from the cafeteria to the fencing hall where the tour ended. The three figures headed toward a balcony overlooking the fencing field.
"That is your competition Orion." Mrs. Morgan pointed down into the court. Orion's eyes followed her gesture. He looked down to see a girl his age with platinum blonde hair held back in two French braids that ended just above her shoulders. She paried with her partner, her skills obviously superior to the poor soul who had to fence her. The match ended quickly as she thrusted her rapier into her opponent's mask. The figure fell to the ground shaking, nearly passing out. The girl lifted her mask from her face and threw it at the figure's feet.
"Pathetic" she commented as she brushed a stray hair out of her pale face. Orion studied her beautiful features before turning to Mrs. Morgan.
"I have to fight her?"
"Yes, it will be quite a match."
"Yes it will, I haven't had a good challenge in a while."
"I'm sorry to say this, but you won't be fighting with her for a few years."
"Okay…"
"Well, what do you think about the school?"
"I believe it will suit my needs well. Mother, I would like to start as soon as possible." Alex smiled at her son then went down into the admissions office to fill out the superfluous paperwork.
They didn't arrive home until late that after noon because of the paperwork and the fitting for his uniform which consisted of black slacks, a white long-sleeve dress shirt, a button up black vest, a black tie, and a black coat which was optional as was the vest.
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The next morning he dressed in the slacks and white shirt with the tie. He put on his dad's dog tags that his mother had given him when he turned seven which read:
Preventer Pilot 03 TB
Sanc Kingdom Royal
Guard A.C.197
Every morning he would take it out and read it. He wondered where the other tag was since there was supposed to be two. Quickly slipping the tag inside his shirt, Orion went into the bathroom to gel and spike his hair before going down stairs for breakfast. He ate quickly before heading out the door for the long walk to school.
He arrived as the five-minute bell rang. The hall was noisy caused by the plethora of students rushing to class trying not to be late. Not all geniuses are punctual. Orion found his first class and entered the oak door. He spotted the teacher behind his desk waiting for the bell to ring.
"Hi, I'm Orion. I'm new to this class."
"Ah yes Orion, I've heard so much about you. Welcome to advanced Calculus." The heavy man pointed to a desk by the window looking out into the courtyard.
"Please take a seat there. That is your new assigned seat."
The hour and fifteen-minute class went by quickly, Orion had enjoyed it very much. He need some intellectual stimulation. The school gave the students a fifteen-minute passing period since the school was so large. Orion arrived at his next class with five minutes to spare. He entered the huge classroom starring up at the stadium seating. Orion walked up to the teacher and gave her his schedule.
"Yes, hello Mr. Bruster. I've heard so much about you. There is no assigned seating so feel free to sit anywhere you like." The mousy looking woman who smiled at him said. Orion walked up the stair to the third row and took a seat in the middle. Soon a boy with blonde hair walked up to Orion.
"You're in my seat." Orion looked up at the boy and glared.
"Whoa buddy I was just kidding. I'm Justin, what's your name?"
"Orion, look, I'm sorry for the glare, I know what it's like to be the new kid, since I'm new. Kids can be mean."
"You'll be surprised. Us geniuses can be pretty nice. Well except for Glory, stay away from her."
"Who's Glory?"
"She is the fiercest fighter in the school. She has almost killed every fencing opponent she's had. Everyone's afraid of her although she mainly keeps to herself."
"She doesn't by any chance have really short blonde hair?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I'm supposed to fence her."
"Man, that blows. Good luck. Figures they would get the new kid to fight her."
"Well I won't exactly be new when I fight her."
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean is that I'm set to fight her in three and a half years."
"Holy shit! You've been chosen to take place in the tournament? You must be really good." Their conversation ended as the teacher asked for their attention.
"We can talk after class." Justin whispered to Orion, who nodded in agreement. After class the students poured out the door. Justin and Orion walked down the huge hallway to their Neo genetics class they had together.
"Hang on Justin, I have to put some books in my locker." They continued down the hall a little further.
"Oh no" Justin grasped onto Orion's arm, "Here comes Glory." The crowd parted as a petite girl with blonde hair walked down the hall. Orion noticed that she had somewhat of a glum look on her face. The other children where just too scared to notice.
"I don't see why everyone is scared of her. She is very beautiful."
"Yeah, a deadly beauty."
"I'm going to go talk to her."
"Are you crazy! No one ever talks to her. The last kid who tried that got a broken jaw."
"I can take care of myself. Don't worry about me." Orion left Justin's side to catch up to Glory. He didn't have to struggle to get through the crowd since they were still pinned against the wall. Many people gapped with their mouths open as the-kid-who's-gonna-get-his-face-pounded, walked up to Glory. Orion caught up to Glory and slowed to her pace.
"Hi I'm Orion, what's your name." The girl just kept on walking as if he wasn't even there. Orion moved in front of her blocking her path.
"It's rude not to acknowledge people when they are talking to you." The crowd took in a breath as Glory's fist launched forward to meet with Orion's jaw. They were waiting to hear the crushing of bone but it never came. Orion caught her fist with his hand. He stared into her ice blue eyes searching for any emotion. Inside her eyes he saw loneliness. Glory could feel his eyes burning into her soul. All of a sudden his eyes lightened up and he smiled. He saw what her exterior refused to display. A single tear slid down her creamy cheek. Orion lifted his left hand to wipe it off her face but before he could Glory took off at a run down the hall, pushing gawking kids down as she went. When she was gone he lifted his head to the stunned crowd. Who the hell was this kid? Justin came and snapped Orion out of his trance.
"You have got guts man. I don't believe you did what you just did. You are going to get so much respect for standing up to her."
"I wasn't trying to stand up to her. I was trying to be her friend."
"You made her cry. I wouldn't talk to her again if I were you. We'd better go or we'll be late.
By the end of the week the whole school had heard the story of what happened. Everyone wanted to be his friend. For the first time in his life Orion was popular. He had more friends than he could count. Everyone wanted to sit at his table at lunch. He hadn't abandoned his first friend Justin who had befriended him before the "incident".
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Three years had passed quickly for Orion. The tournament was only six months away. The school was to be holding a ball in the up coming week to announce its contenders. The school notified him that he wasn't allowed to take a date to the dance, so he had to turn down every girl that came up to him to ask him to the dance. Over the last few years he had blossomed into a hansom young man. Almost an exact replica of Trowa except his hair was spiked. His bright emerald eyes shined brightly. On the night of the ball he had dressed in a black three-piece tux with a black shirt as well as a black tie. When he arrived he walked up the marble steps leading up to the ballroom. Before he entered the room he was ushered into a room next to the ballroom.
"Orion, since you are one of the contenders in the tournament, you and Glory will share the first dance." Orion's eyes softened a bit. She had grown even more beautiful over the past few years. He had wanted to talk to her again. I guess this was his chance.
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Orion sat in the room waiting for her to arrive. Soon the doors opened and Glory stepped in. She was wearing a strapless lavender gown. The top was tight revealing her developing curves. The bottom went out at the hips hiding the rest of her in many layers of fabric. The dress looked like it weighed a ton. He hair was mounted on the crown of her head in many curls. Throughout the curls were many diamonds placed in her hair. She was wearing a simple diamond necklace as well as a diamond bracelet. Man she looked beautiful. Orion's jaw nearly dropped as she walked through the door holding a section of her dress so she could walk. Her fierce eyes met his as she focused on him. She had been avoiding him the last couple of years. Glory was afraid of him. In the few moments of their first meeting he had shown her kindness no one had. She felt like he knew her. Then she had run away, but when she wanted to face him again it was too late. The whole school had begun to swoon all over him.
After she had entered the room, the same man who had brought him in followed her. He explained the situation to Glory who was trying not let her expression betray her emotions. She had to actually dance with him?
Then the man turned to both of them.
"You both will be announced then dance the first waltz. Until then you may wait here. Those doors over there lead to the ballroom." The man pointed to two door opposite the of the ones they had come in then scurried out the door leaving them together. Glory tried to look anywhere but Orion's face while he refused to have his eyes leave her delicate form. Glory's words shook him out of his trance, "It's not polite to stare."
"I'm sorry, please forgive me." Orion bowed slightly. She turned around to face the door and started to leave.
"Where are you going?"
"I can't do this, I'm leaving."
To be continued!
A/N: Sorry this took so long to get out. I have been so busy lately. I hope the wait was worth it. What will happen to Glory and Orion? Stay tuned!
Disclaimer~ I do not own Gundam Wing