Fate of Frailty Chapter 18
By Karen Hart
Author's note: Feel free to imagine Gaignun wearing as little as you like to bed. U-DO knows I do.
The harsh chirping of the alarm clock roused Gaignun from a light sleep. Groaning, he rolled over and tried to ignore the sound, burying his face in his pillow in an effort to lessen the noise. The sound increased in volume and pitch until the alarm's chirp was an inescapable whine. Finally Gaignun gave in, and after giving the clock a good smack to shut it off, he hauled his body into a siting position, blinking the sleep from his eyes.
A single glance toward the wall and the terminal mounted there revealed he had a new set of messages, no doubt related to the day's upcoming festivities. Yawning he swung his legs over the side of his bed, reaching forward to hit the "read" icon on the screen. As expected, a short series of notices started appearing one after another, most of them last minute approval requests to bring in supplies for various establishments.
Gaignun switched the terminal off, and made his way over to the head and the shower cabinet within, thinking dark thoughts about procrastinators. A few minutes later he stepped out, toweling himself dry before pulling on a pair of black dress slacks and a dark green silk shirt, a fitting enough outfit for the occasion.
Though New Year's Eve was a spectacular event most anywhere in the Galaxy Federation, he anticipated that the holiday would be something else on the Foundation. For weeks the fledgling colony had been quietly preparing for the event, anticipation sparking interest in the small number of tourists that had started to frequent the Foundation.
Yes, he figured, with most of the colony complete, and packed almost to bursting with people, it would be an event to remember.
---
If the park had once been bare and unfinished, it was now lush and inviting in its completion. People wandered aimless through the area, either citizens trying to kill time before evening, or tourists who were awestruck by the park's seemingly natural quality. Yet despite the throngs it seemed to have a secluded feel, which suited Gaignun Kukai, Jr. just fine.
He reclined against a large tree trunk, a hardback novel in his hands, fully absorbed in the story. It was one of those idyllic moments he cherished, when he didn't have to worry about the status of the Foundation or the Durandal, or wonder what U-TIC was up to. There was only himself and the story.
His reverie was cut off by a gruff voice saying "You sure you know where you're going? This doesn't look like the route to any bar I know about."
"Of course." Jr. heard chaos's familiar tenor and closed the book. "Easier to cut through here to get to Sector 26. But, are you sure you want to start drinking this early?"
"Damn right! It's New Year's. Don't you know it's tradition to get hammered?"
"If you say so," chaos replied, sounding unconvinced. The voices fade as the pair moved away, leaving Jr. to wonder about the identity of chaos's companion.
Within moments, he was once more engrossed in his novel.
---
That night the Ironman was filled to capacity. Loud, raucous laughter bounced off of the walls as liquor-induced and often off-color jokes were tossed about. Alcohol splashed in glasses and on tables, those who were legally allowed to drink taking full advantage of the privilege while the underage stayed outside to either watch or help light the fireworks. Whirs and bangs were heard periodically as some sonic plaything was set off. Music played over speakers, though the songs were almost impossible to hear above the celebration.
Mary grinned wide as she stared up at the Foundation's overhead, the gray backside of the solar panels obscured by the designs of the laser lights playing out against them, barely registering the glass that was slipped into her hand by a passing waitress, until she wondered why her hand suddenly felt so cold. The glass was filled with tomato juice, with a slice of lime and a celery stick, for what reason she had no idea.
"You're too young for the vodka just yet, but that's called a Bloody Mary," the waitress said over the din when she caught the girl's quizzical expression. "Don't worry, it's safe!"
Nodding, Mary sipped her drink and smiled, her attention turned to a nearby group of people who were lighting off some of the sonic fireworks, Shelley among them. Momentarily she pondered joining them, making her way to the group as she could think of no reason not to. "Mind if I join?" She had to yell to be heard.
"Not at all!" the man she'd asked shouted back. Within moments she had a handful of friction-induced noisemakers. Setting her cup on the ground, she skidded the little spheres, laughing at the varied results.
"Why aren't you with Jr.?" she heard someone ask, the voice coming from her right. Turning, she realized that it was Mayumi—a rather flushed, drunken Mayumi, who swayed unsteadily on her feet.
"Don't know where he got to!" Mary replied, setting off another firework.
"He's over at the bar, trying to get Caito to let him have a little something to drink." A devilish gleam entered the waitress's eyes. "Who knows, he might've succeeded. I have an idea. Wait here, I'll go see if he's tipsy." With that, she sped off.
---
"So, you're the little twerp chaos mentioned."
Jr. snorted into his drink at that. The man had introduced himself simply as Matthews, claiming in his inebriation that the knowledge of his first name would accompany him to the grave. Matthews was blunt and abrasive. Needless to say, Jr. took an instant liking to him.
"Indeed I am," Jr. admitted, voice slurred just slightly. He had managed to convince the bartender to give him a shot in his soda. Twice. "So what else has he sa—" A cry of "Ten! Nine!" interrupted him. "Shit, the countdown!" He raced toward the door, nearly colliding with a young woman.
"Five!" He joined in as soon as he caught his breath. A moment later Mary joined him, belting out the countdown at the top of her lungs.
"Four! Three! Two!" The laser show slowed down noticeably, seemingly in anticipation.
"O—Eh!" At "One!" Mary leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. At the same moment, a camera snapped off.
"Happy New Year's!"