Disclaimer: I own no part of Gundam Seed, although I do like it very much, which is why I wrote this.
Note: sorry! I took so long to update! I'm very sorry! I've been rather busy, and this chapter was a little difficult to write, not to mention a little boring as well. So much description and background information, but they are important and everyone can start guessing who the game master is now. GUESS! It'll be fun…anyway; I admit this chapter is boring…you have been warned. Other than that, the next chapter should be a whole lot of fun.
SworDieXeQtion: Haha…thanks! Oh well…don't we all love to be on the computer all the time?
Asga: thanks! Here's the update. Sorry it took so long.
Tsuryu214: Haha…the ring. Isn't the 2nd one out? Hm…anyway…thanks!
White Silk Ribbon: sorry for keep you in suspense for so long, finally here's the update
Ailiricxxz: really? It's okay…I'll work on it! How was it weird? Oh dear…this chapter is wordy too…. Hm…hope it's better than the last though.
Ren: A new REVIEWER. Am so happy…um…Fllay…she is rather controversial isn't she? Oh well…hope you like the story anyway…
Chapter 09 – morning mists
The afternoon sun blazed as the group trooped back to the house.
They had some clues on who the murderer was, but no suspects.
They didn't believe that anyone in the group would be the murderer, but that left the staff of the house and Lacus was reluctant to suspect them.
"They've been with my family for years." She explained.
"But there are no other people around." Fllay countered.
"Still, I'm sure it's not one of them. None of them would play such a sick game."
"They may not be. The game master is probably just framing one of them, I'm sure of it. I doubt they know anything about what's happening." Athrun said.
"He's right. We just need to find this 'murderer' but he or she may have absolutely no part in this game." Dearka agreed.
"Alright. Still, it's rather strange to be staring at them all day and following them as they go round doing their work. Won't they suspect something?" Sai asked.
"We don't have much of a choice do we?" Yzak answered.
They spilt up into pairs and recorded down everything each staff wore and did, paying special attention to any rings they wore and on which finger they wore it.
Sai and Fllay took on Klueze.
Most butlers preferred to wear a black suit and white suit, but one must understand that Klueze wasn't your average butler.
He never dressed formally, unless requested to by Mr. Clyne. Most of the time he would wear a T-shirt and jeans. However, he still all the required task of butlers and rather efficiently too. He was polite and especially loving to Lacus.
He had been working in the household for almost 5 years already. During this period he had proved himself to be both capable and loyal to the family.
The only peculiar thing about him was that he was on medication and wore a mask at all times. Lacus explained that this was because he was burnt in a fire accident when younger, and wore a mask so as to cover up his scars.
Sai and Fllay found him to be a little cold at times and rather haughty. He was the oldest member of the staff and also the one with the longest experience working for the household.
Apparently he didn't like the colour white; neither did he wear any rings.
Yzak and Dearka shadowed Fllaga and Azrael.
Fllaga had been working in the household for 2 years. He didn't have much contact with the family, and neither father nor daughter knew him very well. Lacus did like the variety of flowers he planted in the garden and amount of effort and time he spent on maintaining the garden.
He was normally in denim overalls and apparently had something on with Murrue. Other than that, he wore a thumb ring on both hands for what reasons no one knew.
Azrael had only started working recently and was the only one who left the house on a regular basis. He was rather reliable, knowing where to get the best and cheapest stuff. Also he learnt fast and now knew the way around the house very well, making him very fast when he helped the rest of the stuff get things. He didn't really have a lot of work to do, and most of his free time was spent in his room reading.
Most of the time he was dressed in T-shirts and shorts. He wore a ring on his last finger of his left hand. Apparently it had been a gift from his mother before she died because of cancer.
Kira and Lacus asked after Murrue and Aisha.
Murrue had been working her for three years; she was a great cook and whipped up great dishes everyday. She was always in white and never wore a ring.
Aisha was the wife of Andrew, a timid girl she loved Andrew passionately that was why she was working here as well. She knew the house inside out and could get from place to place without being seen or heard.
She wore tank tops and shorts or slacks and sported a wedding ring.
Athrun and Cagalli questioned Andrew and Natarle.
Andrew had been working here for one year with his wife. He was a great fighter and had perfect aim, although he was getting on in his years. He was dedicated to protecting Mr. Clyne and Lacus, and would even give up his life for them.
He liked wearing floral shirts and berms, saying that it was the beach and one should be properly attired. He had a wedding ring as well.
Natarle was very strict and a perfectionist. She was very particular about how the place was cleaned and always checked and double-checked her work. She expected a lot from herself, sometimes over doing it. However, she was respectful to both Mr. Clyne and Lacus and carried out her duties well.
Out of all the staff, she was the only one with a uniform. (Think of those maid uniforms) she also wore a ring on her right middle finger. It was from her boyfriend, which she could only see during her days off. She had been working her for 4 years, but lived in a near by town. She was also the only one who had one weekend off per month.
The group looked through all their findings.
"So no one fits the bill?"
"Then who could it be?"
"Lacus I think we should tell them." Kira said.
"Tell us what?"
"It's about Murrue. Her apron was torn. As if a fistful had been ripped out. We asked her about it, but she said it must have got snagged on something and that she would mend it later. Also she has started to wear a ring on her right index finger. She said she found it on the grounds one day, and that Aisha said it would look nice on her, so she kept it. But when we asked, she quickly took it off and passed it to me."
Lacus placed the ring on the table.
"So it's her I guess." Yzak said.
"Without a doubt." Dearka agreed.
"You're right, and murderers should die!" the voice boomed.
The group kept silent, pondering what those words meant.
The next morning, Cagalli walked along the beach. The something about the game freaked her out and she had woken up early, not able to fall asleep after that.
"Up so early?" she heard a voice saying.
She turned around and looked into emerald green eyes.
"Athrun…" she greeted.
"Penny for you thoughts." He said.
"Just thinking about the game. I wonder what will happen next. It really does feel as if we're playing Cluedo. Yet at the same time, we seem to be like pawns, following the game master's instructions. I don't like it."
"Neither do I. but we don't have a choice. Let's just hope it ends soon."
"What kind of ending will it have?" Cagalli asked no one in particular.
The morning mist curled around the shore, she couldn't see more than a few meters ahead of her. Still through the press of the mist she could hear the ocean. How she loved it the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the shore.
What was this? There was something big lying on the beach.
Cagalli walked forward as Athrun took her hand in his.
She smiled. She really loved Athrun, although until now she still had not told him.
Suddenly her eyes widened in horror and she screamed.
Note: aw…an Athrun X Cagalli moment. Isn't that sweet? Unfortunately I had to go ruin it…don't worry though, they'll have other moments in the future too. I shall go and write the next chapter soon, before I am swamped with work again. It would be very much appreciated if you would so kindly review. THANK YOU!