Chapter 13: Her and Yzak, part two
"You're weird." Sedna declared. Athrun blinked, marveling at the nerve of this lady. The last person who said something like that to Yzak was never seen again.
His glare was positively loaded with venom when he next looked at her. For a moment he looked like he was going to kill her, his fury burning her alive where she stood. But somehow, just somehow. He managed to contain himself, saying through gritted teeth, "Whatever, stop saying silly things like this, you'll only get yourself killed."
Sedna seemed equally surprised, but she smiled briefly, "Point taken."
Mr Amarfi then asked Athrun, "A word, please."
Athrun looked at Yzak, then at Sedna, who nodded. He replied confidently, "Certainly."
Sedna watched Athrun leave with Mr Amarfi, then gaze at Yzak, "Back to the hospital then. C'mon."
He frowned, "No."
"Huh?"
"I don't want to go back, I'm bored. I need to chill out after this, well, stressful meeting you know. We're not going back." He declared.
"Then what?"
"You want to repay me? You think of something."
Sedna knitted her eyebrows together in concentration, then lightened up, apparently having thought of something. She grabbed Yzak's hand, "Let's go."
Yzak was shocked when she drove into town center and pulled over in front of a boutique.
"Well, get off." She said as she undid her seat belt and got out of the car.
"Your notion of fun is…Shopping!" demanded Yzak. "For CLOTHES?" she narrowed her eyes.
"Mr Senator, are you planning to go out in your uniform?" and she lowered her gaze to Yzak's Prussian suit, then started dragging the protesting Yzak into the shophouse, "Choose anything here, I'll pay for it."
The shop owners were a middle age couple who looked pleasantly surprised to see Sedna and Yzak. "Well, what do we have here?"
"He needs a set of casual-smart clothing, can you help?"
"Sure." The middle age woman declared, gesturing for Yzak to follow. While she made Yzak try on numerous different pieces of garments, Sedna took the stairs to the second floor.
"What's your name, young man?" The woman asked casually, straightening and adjusting Yzak's lapels.
"I'm Yzak Jule."
"Ah, the new head of December City." She said. "There, have a look at the mirror. See whether you like it." Yzak turned to his left and examined himself, looking at his reflection. He was clad in a light pink shirt which focuses on line concept, dark blue pants and a jacket to go with the set. He decided he looked presentable enough and turned to the shop owner. "I do, how much for it?"
She looked confused, and pointed upstairs with a quizzical smile, "Didn't your girlfriend say she's paying for it?"
"She's not my girlfriend, and even if she is I wouldn't let her pay. What's upstairs anyway?"
"Our living Quarters."
"…Then why did she go up?"
"Cause Sedna's our daughter." The lady replied with a smile, satisfied at Yzak's confusion. Sedna came down, now dressed in pratical-looking blue top and three-quarters jeans, an anklet and elegant slippers. "Mom, how's it going?"
"Fits like a glove." She declared, apparently pleased. Then she turned to Yzak, "Sedna told us a lot about you, can you tell us something about yourself?" Yzak frowned, he didn't like being pressurized into telling people about himself. But now it's all part of being polite. "I'm from ZAFT." He began, "And I… I… …" Two pairs of eyes gazed intently at him, waiting for him to continue. Sedna could sense his discomfort, and added. "He's a good kisser."
"Sedna!" exclaimed her parents at the same time. Yzak just stared at her, eyes wide in disbelief. She smiled sheepishly, and took Yzak's hand, leading him out of the shop. "Bye mom, bye dad."
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Kira handed a set of clothes and a towel to Shinn, all the while trying to keep himself from laughing. Shinn was dripping wet and growled at Kira, he felt foolish and ashamed.
Kira, while trying to suppress a bout of laughter, manage to say, "I'm sorry, I really didn't expect them to pull off a trick like that on the very first day."
Shinn shot Kira a death glare, wrapping the towel about himself. He had been dragged out to fish by the children, and one of them fell into the water. Shinn jumped into the water immediately to save the child and it turned out he knew how to swim. Lacus updated him later that all the children here are 'water-proved', all of them knew how to swim and Shinn the newcomer does not know. They just want Shinn to play in the water with them, so, no hard feelings.
No hard feelings?
The notion was absolutely absurd. While it was true that coordinators don't get flu, they definitely will get angry. He had a good mind to pick up a cane and teach those children a lesson.
"The bathroom is at the end of the corridor, careful though, sometimes they leave rubber ducks and soap on the ground." Kira advised.
"Thank you." Shinn replied stiffly, having second thoughts about whether staying in Orb with Kira and Lacus is a good idea after all.
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Yzak stared at the sight in front of him, wanting to make sure he's not dreaming, and blinked a few more times just to make sure. The amusement park stretched out beyond the horizon, and the noise was terrible. Screams were issued periodically from the roller coaster, crowds pranced about, queuing for rides and buying snacks. There was a lot of people and a lot of entertainment, but Yzak is definitely not amused.
"Sedna," he managed to ask weakly, "Are you crazy or are you too silly to live?"
She wasn't offended, "No, why?"
"WHY? You ask WHY!" he almost shouted, but tried to keep his cool. " Do you…care to explain THIS then?"
"This, is an amusement park." She offered, though not too helpful. "You don't really expect me to bring you to the library right? C'mon, don't be such a stiff, we'll have fun."
Having said that, she went to the counter and bought two adult tickets before Yzak could stop her.
"Come." She asked him, stretching out a hand.
"No, how old are you? I'm not going to endure your childishness, I'd rather go back."
She gave him a mischievous grin, and reached into her belt to pull out a set of keys, the car keys. She deliberately dangled it in front of Yzak for a few moments. "Go back to where?" Then laughed and skipped happily passed the gates, Yzak realized what had conspired. And moments later he followed after her, having no choice at all.
First they had a ride on the roller coaster, and then went on to play teacups. (Yzak had absolutely no recollection; it was so boring he fell asleep.) Then at the shooting booth Sedna challenged Yzak to take down the largest prize, which is a baby pooh bear which would have reach Yzak's waist. Yzak hit it on the second shot and the bear was theirs. Sedna squeezed the stuffed toy happily, "Thank you!" and Yzak scowled threateningly. She remained unperturbed and pressed the bear's large head against Yzak's. " Baby Pooh bear likes you."
"Whatever. Just get it out of my face."
Next they tried the Thunder Bolt, which involves shooting up a tower at sub-sonic speed, and drop down at zero G. While others seem to find it thrilling, the pair of them was used to it. Then at the racing rink they were allowed to ride on a real racing car and made to sign a declaration. Yzak glanced at the interior of the car, thinking that essentially it works like a mobile suit, only much simpler. They were placed in a race with seven other and once the green light was given, Yzak stepped the accelerator all the way down, outstripping all the other racers in an instant except Sedna, who used the same strategy; having gotten so used to the backlash of launching, this was peanuts. Losers. Thought Yzak as he glanced at the others, then shifted his attention back to Sedna.
If she wants a race, I'll give her one. And he changed to the fastest gear, speeding off.
Sedna caught Yzak's look a moment before he sped off, and was surprised. He was smiling; he was giving her a challenge. For the first time, she saw the boy in him. Always adventurous, always out to have fun. And since Yzak's so enthusiastic, she decided to give him a run for his money…
The racing match ended with a draw. And the duo went to play other things and at evening Yzak sat down on a bench, totally beat.
"Tired?" inquired Sedna, as she placed the bear beside him, and sat down herself. Yzak didn't reply, he wasn't about to let her know his chest was hurting.
"Well, at least we had fun." She said while lifting her gaze to the sky, as if talking to herself. Yzak had fun, but he wasn't about to let her know either. He was amazed at how it really felt to be relaxed, spending a day doing nothing but goof off in a playground, erm correction, an amusement park. He had tried his best to not look too excited but he could feel his guise slipping.
Sedna stood up and told him, "I know a good ice-cream stall around, wait here." And was off before Yzak could stop her.
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Athrun gazed out of the full length glass window at the Amarfi mansion, it faces an amusement park. But the thickness of the glass filters out the sound, it seemed just like the type of place Nicol would want to be.
The door opened with a slight creak and Athrun turned around to face Mr Amarfi. His tone was grave when he told Athrun, "Do settle down, make yourself comfortable. This…was Nicol's room after all."
Athrun complied, taking a seat on the armchair by the window. He could no longer resist but ask, "Mr Amarfi, why drive half way round the periphery of Aprilius? Isn't it easier to pick a place closer to parliament house? That would save a lot of time and trouble."
Mr Amarfi seemed surprised, and gazed at him for one full minute before answering.
"Child, I believe you do realize that your circumstances aren't in your favor. Naturally my mansion will be safer, and there will be a lower chance of anyone overhearing our conversation. What we speak of today are only for your ears and mine, do you understand?"
Athrun was a little discouraged that Mr Amarfi talked like the other Senators, but at least addressed him as an equal. He nodded in acceptance.
"You can call me uncle as always, no need for the Mr Amarfi." He sighed and settled down beside Athrun. "I need to hear your stand first, what you have to offer that the council didn't want to hear. Why, become PLANTs Chairman?"
"…I…" Athrun hesitated, Nicol's father appeared genuinely sincere, but anything can go wrong when Supreme Council is your enemy. "I've had enough, I've had enough of my friends and family dying around me. I'm sick of seeing my comrades sent home in a big black box, wondering 'will the next one be me?' I want to do something."
"That's why you rush into politics hastily?"
"I thought a lot about it. Without Lacus, Kira…Cagalli, without their support, I wouldn't have the courage to decide."
"You're completely inexperienced, and you're only eighteen. Politics will change your life in a way you never expected or wanted. And you're still so young…do you really want your life to be irrevocably changed at such a young age? There are many things you can do as a Chairman, yet much more not as one. Why deprive yourself of a chance? Why deprive others, others far more experienced a chance?"
"I may not be the ideal candidate," Athrun said quietly, "But I want to undo what my father did… I want to restore the relationship between Naturals and Coordinators. I can't be at peace with myself till I can redeem my father. Uncle, I hope you understand…"
Mr Amarfi considered his words for a moment, and then sighed. "I guess there's no way I could change your mind, but I do have some advice."
"I'm all ears."
"Leave PLANTs immediately, abandon the desire to become Chairman and return to Orb. Return to your home for these two years as 'Alex Dino', not Athrun Zala."
Athrun was shocked, not at what he said but at how he said it.
"The surname Zala is a burden you need not bear, you need not carry the most sinful part of ZAFT's past nor shoulder the responsibility to redeem anyone. Go back, go back to the ones who matter to you, and guard them. As a mobile suit pilot."
"Thank you for your concern, but…I wouldn't run away any more. I can't."
Mr Amarfi stiffened, apparently angered. He stood up suddenly and opened the door, with his back facing Athurn, he told him in a low voice, "You leave me no choice."
The door slammed shut and locked, the latches on the window fastened themselves. Athrun took a moment to realize Mr Amarfi just locked him in. He ran to the door and pounded on it with all his might, "Uncle…UNCLE!"
Mr Amarfi's voice sounded on the speakers next, "I apologize for having to resort to such means, but… you life belongs to my son. So I'll do whatever I can, to preserve that. I'll only keep you here till the elections are over, don't bother shooting the windows. They are made of megaton glass, the door is steel reinforced and so are the walls. Please understand…" his voice trailed off as he walked further and further.
"Hey, uncle you can't… you can't lock me here! MR AMARFI!"
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'Hope he likes mint.' Sedna muttered to herself as she paid for double scoops of choco-mint on each cone. She turned to walk back, and sighed at the notion of walking all the way back, the ice-cream will melt. On the way, she saw an alley that seems to lead back in the same direction, and considered her options. After a while, she decided that it was worth chancing to bring back an ice-cream cone instead of a puddle of choco-mint gloop.
The path leads through the warehouses of the amusement park and crates and wooden poles were leaning onto the walls of the sides. Making the path increasingly narrow, Sedna tread her way carefully through the space, keeping her pace swift and light.
She frozed when she heard a whisper behind her, and turned to find no one. With a dull dread, she sped up as she realized she's being followed. The stalkers broke their cover now, materializing from behind large crates and was in her wake. Sedna started running as well, she took aim and threw the first ice-cream cone on the ground; and allowed herself a small sign of triumph as the leading thug slipped on it. The second was thrown and landed splat in the face of another.
Sedna just ran, pushing down whatever she could find on the way, poles, boxes to slow their progress, she knew she will outrun them eventually owning to her years of military training. A sure advantage, but as she turned the corner a piece of cloth smelling strongly of chloroform was swiftly pressed over her nose and mouth. She caught her breathe the moment she got a whiff of the stuff, but couldn't avoid her mind spinning off the next. By reflex, she caught the hand pressing on the piece of cloth on her face and twisted it, following up by slamming that person. The stalkers took the moment of weakness to wrestle her to the ground. And when she realized the ugliest one was on top of her and tearing off her top, she screamed.
She couldn't see as men surrounded her, several restraining her arms and legs, one took the liberty of touching as much skin as he could. She could feel a rough, large hand stroking up her belly and reached to tear her bra. She struggled anew, willing the nightmare to go away. She could smell the men now, each of them carrying the stench of uncleanness and perspiration; and could feel his breathe blowing down her neck.
De javu
It was the only thought that filled her blank mind as the molestation continued. Scenes from three years ago filled her mind and flashed past her eyes, and she had no choice but to acknowledge the similarity of the situation, and unavoidably, the outcome… It was hopeless. Last time, he couldn't save her; this time…no one would come to her aid. Tears welled up in her eyes as desperation crept into her heart, threatening to blind her.
Yzak
The thought rang clear in her heart, and as if someone heard her prayers, the weight of the man pressing her down was suddenly lifted away, and she saw…
Yzak heard the scream, and he ran towards the site to investigate. He found a group of men huddled around someone thrashing feebly on the ground and knew he had to help her. Catching them by surprising, he karate chopped the back of the neck of two of them and anchored himself, then followed up by sending the main attacker flying with a spinning kick. The unfortunate fellow smashed against the wall headfirst and fell onto the ground, out cold. He had a fraction of a moment to register the fact that the one being preyed upon was Sedna, before he proceeded to disarm the rest, an odd fury burning in his heart.
He kicked in a wide arch to ward off the rest restraining her, and started on the ones on the right. Focusing all of his might onto the triangular point of his shoulder and body-slamming into the two. And to the left…
Sedna sat there, dazed.
He saved me
And now he's happily sending the stalkers flying one by one, his combat training kicking in. She watched the perfect and familiar execution of a combination of taekwando and judo, her mind completely blank otherwise.
Yzak.
Yzak managed to disarm the rest while chancing a glance over his shoulder. Sedna slumped on the ground like a piece of furniture, her expression blank. Either she's in shock or someone drugged her, in any case, he needed to get her out of here. He made quick work of the last thug by punching him below the ribcage, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught the reflection of the evening sun on a silver metal blade. The glare stung his eyes and he shut them, just as the dagger was stabbed in the wake of his heart.
Sedna saw the weapon too and she snapped out of her trance, it was the same three years ago. He died then… and this time it is Yzak's turn, she realized, a dull dread filling her heart. "YZAK!"
Just then a clear bell-like sound rang in the air, indicating metal striking metal. The sound hurt her ears but was comforting to her; it meant that the blade didn't meet its supposed target.
Yzak defended himself using the metal centerpiece of the wrist tag on his left hand, the two pieces of metal met but both were unmarked. The attacker was surprised for the moment and Yzak took the moment to send a fist flying into his face. The effect was immediate; the thug was knocked out cold. Upon registering the fact that all of their enemies were down, Yzak allowed himself to relax, staggering backwards.
Sedna rushed to his side at once, shouting, "Are you all right!"
"I can hear you," He snapped back, "There's no need to shout." She nodded shakily and started examining him from top to toe, "Are you…hurt?"
Yzak didn't bother to reply, and wiped the sweat trickling down his brow with the back of his hand. At the same time he wriggled his fingers and toes, everything seemed intact.
"You have a handkerchief?" he asked her. Her eyes widened, surprised at the sudden change. She dug into her pocket and moments later produce a light blue piece of square cloth. Yzak took the hankie, and just as Sedna thought he was going to use it, he did the unexpected. He folded it into a long strip and wrapped it round her ankle, which was surprisingly, bleeding, and secured it with a neat knot. "That should stem the blood flow for the moment. Come." He reached a hand out to pull her up.
She gazed at the hand for a while, and then looked at his face. Without warning, hot tears started brimming in her eyes and soon overflowed.
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Meyrin sighed; Dearka said he wanted a drink. Thirty minutes later he wasn't back yet and she was ready to introduce him to her fist. She scan her surroundings for the umpteenth time, making sure she wasn't missing anything- the crowds, the screaming, cheering and shouting-the makes of a successful amusement park. It was only the missing person that constituted to her foul mood.
"Enough is enough." She muttered to herself as she stood up, and walked away from the spot Dearka told her to wait.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Yzak was flustered; all his wits deserted him when her tears flowed. She continued sobbing and sobbing, and he just sat there motionless. After a while he decided she was still traumatized and told himself to wait, though it wasn't something he was good at, or accustomed to. He removed his jacket, and draped it around her shredded top; it was a little large but will suffice for the moment.
"Button." He ordered, and turned around.
Sedna pulled the garment closer about herself, grateful for the warmth it provided, warmth that came from the wearer of the jacket. She sniffled and slowly secured the buttons in front, "Okay. You can turn around now."
Yzak turned and studied her for a moment, her hair was in a mess, and so was her face from crying. And Yzak can't stand messiness. As they when back to the place where the Baby Pooh still sat, Yzak hastily combed through her sleek black hair with his fingers wile muttering, "You're so troublesome…Always getting into trouble."
"Aren't you…gonna ask me…?"
Yzak stopped, "Girls cry for many reasons, I can't be bothered to guess. And knowing you stubbornness, I wouldn't be able to wring it out of you. So I'll wait for you to tell me."
Sedna smiled, grateful for the gentle soul sitting beside her. "I'm older than you if you did not realize… three years ago……the same thing happened. Mark, my boyfriend then, died protecting me. He tried, he really did, but those scam bags got the best of him and they stabbed him, in the heart." When Yzak remained silent, she continued, "I was raped, and they threw his body into the sea… and…no one found it." She turned to look at Yzak now, "Thank goodness…you're not hurt."
Yzak couldn't explain why, but there was this bitter-sweet feeling in his heart, and oddly enough…jealousy. "I'm not as useless as your stupid boyfriend, why are you comparing me with him?" he snapped.
"I'm sorry…you're just…so similar…yet so different."
"Do I…look like him?"
"…Nay…you're much more handsome."
Yzak turned away, not wanting her to see him blushing. "Superme Councilor Jule." She called with a sing-song voice.
"What?" he bellowed.
"Officer Sedna Ileisus remembered your order, to 'decide a term to address the Supreme Councilor in a less formal manner.'"
He raised an eyebrow, "And that would be?"
"I'll call you My Prince from now." She declared and he just glared at her. "NOT on your life! And you better change it before Supreme Councilor Jule here kills somebody!"
"Not gonna happen, right my prince?"
"Wrong." He said as he poked her, she shunned immediately, giggling. And poked him back, he wasn't one bit scared and was just glad she was herself again. And at this moment where their relationship was just about to turn civil, the most unlikely thing happened. Something in Sedna's pocket made a high-pitch shrilling sound, and she took it out.
"Homing signal…whose?" asked Yzak as he examined the map closing in on the GPS of the owner of the other chip.
"I'm his body guard, so it means…"
"…That idiot's in trouble again." The signals are arranged in pairs, and when one party in is a rut and needs help, all he has to do is to crack the chip and the position can be determined by the other to plan a rescue. And…Yzak was surprised that he recognized the terrain, it was the place they listened to Nicol play the piano once and Athrun fell asleep. His blood ran cold as he realized…it was the Amarfi mansion…
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Guess what happens next… Yulie Amarfi imprisoned Athrun not for nothing. And the most unlikely rescue party is hot on his trail…