The Martians Have Tea
Noin shifts under the intense stare of Mariemaia. She hadn't had much contact with children, she had looked after Relena when Zechs had asked her, but she had been fifteen and far from a child. Growing slightly chill, she remembers how and why Mariemaia came to live with Une. She sighs, seems she doesn't know any children at all.
Une comes in, wearing a loose blue dress, she isn't wearing pearls, but Noin can't help but smile as she sweeps around the table, setting out the pasta. She seems to notice the gaze of Mariemaia on Noin too, but doesn't comment until they have all been served.
She clears her throat, capturing the attention of all. "Mariemaia," is all she says, if rather pointedly before resuming eating. Mariemaia sighs and rolls her eyes widely, before settling her eyes on her dinner with a pout of her pink lips.
They weren't Treize's lips, Noin notices, they must be her mother's. Never having met the mother of her commander's child, she suddenly realizes that she doesn't know half of this child. Treize and Barton, but the mother? Noin wonders if Mariemaia even remembers her mother. Noin doubts it, but can only hope that Mariemaia have some memories of happiness.
For the entire night Zechs refuses to say more then the merest polite pleasantries. It annoys Noin to no end and her fury can be seen and sensed. Mariemaia is rather curious about her and is constantly asking questions to both Noin and Zechs.
Zechs answers in grunts and one word. He hasn't shaven since they returned and his hair is sticky with the heat and humidity. It sticks up at odd angles, Mariemaia, surprising them all, comments on this.
"Doesn't it irritate you? You hair?" She adds, when only a confused stare is her reply, "I know it would me. I hate having long hair," she toys with her shoulder length hair, "This is longest I've ever had it." She turns, "Please?"
For a moment Noin and Zechs are comrades, as they still in puzzlement at each other. Quickly, Noin looks away, her lips thinning into a fine line.
"No, Mariemaia, you can have your hair cut on the day we agreed on. I think it suits you," Une murmurs, her tone sounding tired. Obviously they have had this conversation before.
"Hair cut?" Noin asks.
"Yeah... I want one but she won't let me." Mariemia broke out, looking disgruntled.
"The only reason I am refusing is because you want blue streaks and I said I won't let you have it until you are fifteen." Une murmured, "Time flies, Mariemaia, it isn't that much longer." Mariemaia still looked stubborn but didn't another word about her hair.
And Zechs, Noin thought, staring at her lover, was still being silent. She frowned. He was such a poor loser. Eyeing him, she sees him shift and then grimace. Hmm, trying to hide his pain? He couldn't hide anything from her, she knew him inside out, she knew him better than herself.
It made her sad, thinking like that, to see him refuse her help and him not seeing when she needed help and compassion. He still didn't realize... why they had returned to Earth. He was too stubborn and she refused to elaborate any further, some things need to be figured out on your own.