The Martians Have Difficult Conversations

"Hey! Zechs! I can call you that, can't I?" Mariemaia's head is bobbing up and down as she chases after him. Zechs is trying to exit, but Mariemaia keeps on bouncing in front of him, smiling brightly.

"Sure," he says quickly, grabbing her arm and intending to bypass her, "But I really need to go now, and I - "

"Oh, I know that," she laughs carelessly, "That's why I'm stopping you." Waving a finger in front of his face she grins and in a commanding tone speaks, "You can't leave yet, Une wants you and Noin to stay the night. There's a room all ready and waiting for you."

He stills and stares at her. "I guess Noin can stay, but we do have hotel reservations at the Bourke and all our belongings are there, I'll be back in the morning."

Mariemaia giggles, her eyes seriously amused. "Yes, well, Une figured that you wouldn't want to stay so she already ordered your belongings to be brought here. They're in the guest room."

Inwardly cursing Une's good foresight, Zechs doesn't notice Mariemaia moving until a fist is in his gut. More startled than hurt he lets out a slight exhaling of air. Then stares accusing at Mariemaia.

"Why did you do that?" It bites out of his mouth without him ever thinking of the consequences. The harsh tone makes Mariemaia widen her eyes in shock.

"I - I well, you're still gripping my hand and I didn't think, think that I would hurt you!" She looks ready to cry and Zechs instantly feels remorse, he lets go like she is a firey brand. "Mr Chang has been teaching me and I suppose," she lowers her head, "I'm not very good. I'm sorry, it's just, I don't really like people restraining me." She looks up and smiles, nervously and the guilt digs deeper into Zech's gut.

Turning around, she starts walking up the stairs, "Come on now," she says brightly, "You room is waiting!" She beckons him, and Zechs warily follows the girl. "We just got it redecorated, do you like blue? And green? And brown? It's like that but nicer."

Wondering briefly about Mariemaia's sanity, Zechs doesn't say a word as Mariemaia babbles on about the room. "It's the second door on the left, in the third corridor."

"Big house," he murmurs, looking around.

"Yeah, well, Une has a lot of stuff and we often host people from all around the world and the colonies. Her friends," she shoots a glance at him and grins, "And your friends too, come to visit at least a few times a year."

"Must be like living in a hotel some days."

"Then there's the staff, but everything is much to informal to ever be a hotel. People have to keep there rooms in reasonable order. Or Une will have to have a word with them," she smiles then makes a face, "I have to keep my room tidy all by myself. Still, I wouldn't want just anybody snooping around."

"Hmm," he grunts, when she pauses for breath.

"Ta da! Your lovely room! I'm glad that we got read of the sea theme going on, it was not a pretty sight. You can only have those rooms when you live near the ocean. Now," she tilts her head to one side, "It's like a cool spring day. Colour and contrast. Yep!"

Zechs smiles at the girl, at she turns around and leaves him alone. "Nighty night, I'll see you at Breakfast. It's early. Around 6:30 most days. Une leaves at seven and I'm out of the house at 7:15." She makes a face, "School, is so icky."

"I think," Noin said taking a sip of her burning hot tea, just how she likes it. "That Zechs may try and leave the house without telling us." A frown creases her forehead for a moment.

"I'm sure he will, but I sent out Mariemaia for reinforcements. She's currently at guard position at the door," Une tips an ungodly amount of sugar and milk into her tea and Noin wrinkles her nose.

"He's probably use some inane excuse about our belongings - "

"Rather pointless when they are already in the building," Une murmurs, inhaling the scent of the tea before swallowing a mouthful.

"Hmm, you never let anything past you, which I'm glad for," she adds, when Une stares at her. "It's a good thing, always looking ahead. Maybe you can teach Zechs some lessons, the lazy smuck."

"Oh?"

"I've been offered a job," Noin says, resting her tea on the coffee table. "By the CEO of WEI," she smiles, "Quatre sure has blossomed since I last saw in person. He's quite attractive."

"That man is wasted on the opposite sex, sadly," Une snickers. "I don't suppose you heard the press?"

"Not really. Mars is isolated and all we hear are the major news, like who is signing a trade treaty to who. The important stuff," she looks up at the ceiling with a amused smile, "We do get excellent coverage for all six porn channels. I'm simply amazed at the reception."

"Well, Quatre had a big coming out party when he was nineteen. In both ways. He snogged his boyfriend in front of forty cameras," she takes the last drink of her tea, "Strangely enough or not, this has not abated his fan club - "

"Wait," Noin snickers, "Quatre has a fan club! That's simply priceless."

"True. Membership soared and the second goal of the club is to find some footage of the two at it. Sometimes I think Quatre is rather alarmed at the... extremeness of the girls... and boys."

"With the Barton boy I assume?"

"Was there any doubt?"

There are quiet giggles by both women as they celebrate the humour of Quatre Winner, a homecoming and life.