A/N: Okay look people I'm WRITING! I AM WRITING! –Motors over fanfics with a two by four-
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Argentosoma or Shakespeare; they all belong to their rightful creators and such.
Chapter Nine
Sabotage
In every man's life there came a time when one had to question his role in the matter. No, it wasn't just about who lives for what, or what they had to protect. But the physics and mental capacity of reasoning that hung in a balance. Threaded by the domain of a heart that held emotions inside the body; that traveled and intercepted with the soul. Then back to the mind in a vicious circle. Somewhere along that long thread, man also questions reasoning's on participation thoughts.
Which was what a current Dan Simmons was doing right then.
After he stepped out of the room with a flustered look, Dan had paused halfway to the pool area, than backtracked when the marks on his neck floated into his mind. Considering this thought heavily the pilot had backtracked back into the suite and stood in front of one of the many mirrors. Looking like a zombie out of a horror movie.
After nervously running his finger through his hair for the millionth time that morning the blonde British pilot refused to come out of his room. When called he bit back a hated remark and instead screamed at anyone that did so much as knock or call for him. That done and said the blonde would quickly look back at the mirror in front of him, running fingers delicately over the puncture marks on his neck.
Then restarted from the hair and down.
He couldn't believe that he had---not only shared a room with Ryu. Slept with him, and also ended up possibly engaging in…"NO!" He voiced his thought suddenly, clutching a small part of his hair and tugging lightly. "No, I did –not- sleep with him. I did not do anything. He bit me, he made the move he…."
Dan paused.
Ryu had made the move.
"Oh god…" He released a frustrated growl. Mad at Ryu. Mad at the bunking roommate plans. Mad at himself for agreeing to anything. And how did it get worse? Easy. Hattie had screamed at the top of her lungs that the first participated (forced) event was to be swimming. And Dan had no way of knowing how to cover the bite mark.
Which was what he was debating on. Meekly poking the red welt with an unbelieving finger. Maybe if he willed it away? "No…that wouldn't do anything. Maybe…a bandage? Yes. Yes. A bandage would cover it." Hands shaking the blonde pilot nearly tore the drawer apart when he yanked it open, fingers skimming over other assorted belongings.
"What are you doing Dan?"
Dan froze like a ghost. Holding his breath.
Hattie.
Spinning around the blonde shoved the drawer back with a slam, pivoting his foot to balance his rather shaken self-esteem. And glared. Or tried. "What?" He insisted flatly wanting more then ever to get to the point. Hattie's presence in the room seemed to make it all that much harder to focus on anything! "What do you want Hattie?" Dan repeated a bit softer this time. His hair was still rather untidy but Hattie seemed to plain ignore that fact.
And just about everything else in the name of decency. "Everyone's waiting for you! Were going to swim! So Sue made me come up here to get you. She was worried. But Inness…." By now Hattie began to sway side to side in a childish fashion. The black dog that always followed her like a shadow padded up behind, the long tongue sticking out, panting. "Inness said if you didn't come she'd send Ryu up here…"
Blue pale eyes stared unconvincing for a tenth of a second before the British pilot shrugged his shoulders. He knew it was better than to ignore a bluff, not with Hattie. She had an uncanny ability to tell the most imperfect white lies ever. "I'm coming, I'm coming…" Groping blindly for a bandage he tore it to shreds, slapping it on and ushered Hattie outside.
As he passed the doorway he straightened considerably, shoulders tensing for that single moment. The hairs on the back of his neck raised up in a silent unseen alarm. And although he glanced over his shoulders seeing nothing. His sixth sense that he was devoted to lingered an indescribable feeling that something was still there. Not exposed to the naked eye though.
"C'mon Dan!"
Grumbling the blonde shoved his hands in his pockets and sulked, falling in stride with the young girl.
Behind them, next to the hinge of the door a small red apple rolled along the ground, coming to a stop against the wooden surface. Seconds ticked by, and little by little the apple began to shake and quiver at an unseen force. Twisting its inside and eventually the fruit split in two. Halves separated.
Juice leaking into the carpet.
And Seeds missing.
"Are you sure about this commander?" Michael asked, fiddling with his straw and drink.
"How many times must I tell you to drop the formalities Michael? Really, were off duty now." Tone playful and lacking in the authorities department the commander sat back and observed their surroundings. They were in separate chairs, side-by-side and flanked by tables on either side for drinking accommodation. In front of them they had a perfect view of the overly large swimming pool where their scheduled event was to take place.
Innesse's eyes softened at the immaculate reflection in the water. The water hadn't even been tousled or disturbed by passing winds. Even the tiniest speck of bush or otherwise hadn't phased the surface. If Inness hadn't known better, she might have thought that the water was solid and gone walking on it, unnatural as it was. "But if you must know…" She exhaled deeply, sinking further into her chair, "I'm not sure at all."
"About…" Michael began to speak.
"Dan and Ryu."
"Ah."
A pregnant pause issued. Broken again by the field commander. "To think those two…com---Inness…" he paused when a hand shot up, bending in a waving fashion.
"Call me by my first name Michael Heartland."
"Of course…. Lana." Clearing his throat the man continued without pause, "To think that those two were so into each other. And willing to express it. Why on earth would you want to interfere in their relationship?" There was a snort as the female commander replied back, voice filling with mirth.
"Interfering? Hardly…" She reached for the drink, wrapping delicate fingers around the glass. "More like…an encouraging boost in the road to enlightenment." A chuckle tore through her mouth and out into the air. Silenced only when the straw came to her lips, sucking up the liquid from the half empty martini. Her eyes played along the scenery, a sudden 'snap' from the far side being the only thing that rose her from her lounging seat.
"Commander." Flat toned as ever Ryu stared blandly ahead when he emptied out of the building. Feet padding along the ground in a silent unheard sound. His two colored eyes eyed the pool for a few precious seconds, almost admiring it 'like Dan…' before turning his attention to the silver haired leader. "I couldn't help but overhear bits of your conversation ma'am."
"Oh?" Inness leaned back. Cushioned by not just the actual physical item, but also by Ryu and his honesty. It meant that in the enigmatic man that the pilot apparently didn't mind. "So I see. What can I do for you?" She asked, rotating the glass in her hand. Swishing the ice cubes against the glass.
"First of all where is---"
It was Michael that informed Ryu. "The members are currently having a snack and getting changed. The event was postponed until just after lunch due to Dan being a bit…well…he seemed reluctant to come down." The dark haired man spoke briskly, bringing down the shades over his eyes. "Don't know why though."
Ryu nearly…nearly grinned at who was to blame for that.
"This event…" Ryu started.
"…Is going to be partner based. The partners have to compete and participate in a relay race. In the water. Rules apply to no foul play and injuring. Although I may turn a blind eye to groping." There was a choke to the side, signaling that yes, Michael did inhale the whole cherry from his drink.
"Commander…!"
"What did I say before Michael?"
"Lana!" Michael sputtered, having rescued his esophagus from possible choking, "how can you…" He opened and closed his mouth, then decided better settling back into his seat and turned a deaf ear to everything. If Lana liked to be a closet pervert, that was okay to him. "Never mind." That over and done with Lana gave Ryu her full attention once more.
"And the teams?" Short and to the point as ever, it was one of the things that Inness admired about the genius behind most of the defeating of the alien encounters. He often had a knack in defeating them with science. Never mind brute force and weaponry.
"Well…I'll let you figure that out by yourself. Now run along and eat something. I don't want you unable to swim on account of lack of energy." At this the pilot didn't even raise his arm to salute, only offering a grunt for a thanks. "Oh…" Ryu paused at the commander's voice once more, "…might I add you are wearing a very nice outfit."
The red and blue mismatched eyes looked down at his baggy black pants, ripped at the bottom from one of Walton's over excited jumps. His shirt (on Hatties request, who could resist those green eyes?) was a faint indigo color. Draped over that was a Hawaiian shirt, bought on one of Sue's previous vacations, completely black with a combination of all sorts if leaves and white flowers. Hattie had said it was where the fairy folk chatted in the gardens.
Ryu had only glowered at her. And worn it just to shut her up. But if Hattie was happy then, perhaps, Maki was too?
"Your sarcasm is much appreciated commander."
A bundle of laughter followed his exit.
Ryu plopped down in one of the empty seats provided, chewing the apple he'd plucked from the buffet thoughtfully. His fingers let go of the bag that held his swim shorts, allowing it to carelessly fall to the ground in a heap. Leaning his head back he took the moment to catch up on old thoughts. Really, Inness's idea of a vacation wasn't so bad. Mr. X hadn't been popping up quite as much as he usually did.
Although it still bugged him. What he'd said. 'What did he say anyway? Something about…'
"Mr. Fairy!" A loud voice chirped suddenly, startling him when a sudden pale blonde mound of hair entered his line of vision. Quite literally. "Why are you eating? Lets swim! Swim!" Ryu's gaze lowered down from the ceiling, head moving forward to glance down at the cheery joy on his lap. Hattie was clutching his shirt with faintly damp hands, dressed in a rather blinding pale pink swimsuit.
'Maki…you…' At the first painful tug Ryu snapped back to reality.
"Hands full Ryu Soma?" Even quicker than Hattie had gotten Ryu's attention, Dan was met with a sickening crack when the neck craned to the side to look at him.
"Mr. Fairy! Are you listening to me?" Hattie tugged and tugged, eventually forced to follow where Ryu's gaze had gone. Her green bright eyes landed on the blonde pilot dressed in nothing but black swim shorts, and a bag slung over his shoulder. What was so interesting about that?
Although to Ryu it was like a dream come true. The blondes tanned skin, looking so… Ryu shook his thoughts away and threw the apple core to the side. His appetite was shot in food. Hattie, growing antsier by the second, abandoned all hope of getting Ryu to move and raced past Dan to the pool area. Leaving the two alone once more.
"You look like an angel." The mismatched being finally said.
"Ryu…that's the corniest thing I've ever heard you say. Get off your ass and move before I kick it."
"Still upset about the…"
Ryu was shot a death glare. "Yes I am. Violating me."
Ryu shrugged. "Maybe to you it was."
"…I'm going to drown you." Said Dan, gesturing to the pool.
"Well. That'd be a shame." Totally calm Ryu slipped passed Dan, a giant grin on his face. "Can't drown your partner or you'd automatically forfeit." Even as he said this the pilot lowered his hand and…
SMACK.
Dan's face turned three different shades of red and pink, form straightening.
"RYU SOMA!"
The British pilot fumed and hurled his bag at Ryu. The latter making contact and bouncing off.
"Oh. I guess ill be keeping these…"
"How dare you! Give it back!"
"So you didn't throw it for me to keep?"
"Their my CLOTHES"
"…So?"
"You're going to die Soma."
Again, Ryu shrugged hefting the bag. "Whatever you say."
A/N: Um. Um. Uh… Well this was hard to do. Done in about two days after kicking myself. And the last part. After Inness. I was starting to run out of ideas. So…Ryu (OOC as it is) smacks Dan's butt. Which I would imagine he would do. Hn. R&R if you think it deserves a comment. Thanks for reading!
Also, apologies if names are wrong. I forgot you know Inness and stuff so I went to look it up and… How do you spell Dan's last name anyways? Symmonds, Simmonds, Simmons…I don't know XD; Also just have you know i havent like...watched Argentosoma for AGES. Forgive me for any mistakes in names and such. Though i remember the personalities quite well XP
