Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed/Destiny and Romeo x Juliet - nope nope nope, and the quote Willy says about 'love' is by William Shakespeare himself.
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Act 3-1: What is Love?
The obnoxious playing of trumpets, the loud cries of nobles, the plentiful neighs of Pegasi as they line up at the starting gate, it was obviously a competition of some sort that went on. Patrick Zala sat on the top floor, where the best view was to watch the Pegasi race against one and another. He took the glass of wine that sat in front of him, sipping it down, until he heard the hollow footsteps of some one approaching from behind.
"Grand Duke Zala, did you bet on a Pegasus?"
"… Yzak was it?"
He asked, casting a weary glance back at the man who approached him. The man, dubbed 'Yzak' nodded, keeping his posture, as his icy blue eyes studied the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke placed his wine glass back on the table, and turned away from him.
"Has Athrun returned?"
Yzak shifted uncomfortably, nearly spitting on the name 'Athrun', but resisted due to the man he was in front of.
"I… haven't seen him today; perhaps he is flying over the city once more."
He suggested, holding every thing back from sounding like he was seething Athrun. Another pair of footsteps approached, as they firmly stopped a few feet away from Yzak and the Grand Duke.
"Father."
The new comer had called, as he bowed slightly to the Grand Duke. Yzak glowered over to Athrun, but quickly departed after his own bow to the Grand Duke. Patrick glanced over at his son, showing no emotion on his face.
"Forgive me for my lateness; I decided I needed to hear the voices of the people of Aube if I were to ever govern over them one day."
"And if you do listen to them?"
Athrun blinked, showing a surprised expression towards his Father, as he stood up in his seat, sighing heavily. The Grand Duke stepped over to a balcony part of the stadium, which gave a closer look at the race that went on. He wearily shot a look around the stadium, observing the other nobles who watched the Pegasi fly by.
"A Rider must have a solid grip or wield a whip in order to keep the Pegasus under his control. The Monarchy is similar to a Pegasus. If the leader doesn't have solid control over his citizens, than they have the freedom to rebel or fight the monarch."
He coldly explained his theory, and started clapping as the Pegasi finished their race, while others cheered on for the Pegasus that scored first place. Athrun's eyes drifted downwards, a solemn expression on his face at his Father's cold theory.
"Grand Duke, Lady Meyrin seeks permission to pay her respects."
One of the loyal soldiers called, as he escorted a young lady to where the Grand Duke was. The young lady smiled softly as the Grand Duke approached her. She wore an elegant light blue dress, which wasn't too plain but not too gaudy and had scarlet hair which was tied up in two pigtails.
"Grand Duke, I am glad to see that you are well."
She greeted, as she curtseyed for him, slightly blushing as she saw Athrun standing a few feet away from his father. Patrick outstretched his hand to a forty-five degree angle, before requesting something from her.
"Meyrin, may I request that you offer your hand for Athrun at the Grand Rose Ball tonight?"
"I-It would be an honor too, if Lord Athrun doesn't mind of course…"
The two glanced slightly back at Athrun, who seemed relatively stunned at the moment. Patrick turned his gaze back over at Meyrin, immediately handling with the response.
"Athrun favors you above all others, he would certainly accept this honor."
"… C-Certainly…"
Of course, Athrun wasn't too sure himself…
---
After showing Meyrin around the Palace a little bit, Athrun was whisked away to a dresser, where a maid was making sure he was fit and tidy for the Grand Rose Ball tonight. She was just finishing dusting him off as a knock came from the open door, and amethyst eyes stared right over at Athrun, a smile on his face.
"You should really hurry, Meyrin is waiting downstairs."
"… Yeah."
Athrun simply replied, adjusting his collar as Kira blinked in surprise, stepping in now.
"Man it must be so hard, being popular with the ladies…"
Kira teased slightly, as he walked over to where Athrun was standing in front of the mirror, dusting out his clothes. He raised a brow as his friend didn't retaliate against him.
"What? You… dislike Meyrin?"
"No it's not that… but…."
He turned around from the mirror, his celadon eyes downcast. Kira sighed again, simply knowing what's wrong with Athrun.
"You're not in love, right?"
Athrun remained silent, as he was engulfed into his own thoughts. Kira just sighed once more, shaking his head at his friend – he still had a thing or two to learn about women and love.
---
"Hey Willy… What's love?"
It was late evening at the Theatre, and Seth had offered Willy his support in carrying around props and such for plays. The blonde haired boy had been looking at Willy's scripts earlier, and came across a few words, some of them being 'love, kiss, and passion'.
Willy glanced back at the blonde, raising a brow.
"Why this all of the sudden?"
"Uh… N-No reason…"
Willy grinned, facing in the other direction as he tried to think of a good statement for love.
"Love goes toward love, as schoolboys from their books; but love from love, toward school with heavy looks."
He stated, looking back over at Seth. Amber eyes blinked, that didn't really answer his question at all…
---
"Hey, Kira, what's your take on love?"
Athrun suddenly asked, as him and Kira went down the desolated hall. Kira blinked, glancing over at his navy haired friend.
"Huh…? Well… Love is like a burning emotion that only comes around when you're around her. It's so… strong that your heart will pound loudly against your chest…"
He attempted to explain, a light blush hitting his cheeks.
"… Have you ever been in love?"
"Now, that's a secret."
---
"Hey, Miriallia, what are you doing?"
Seth poked his head into a room of one of his friends at the theatre. A girl stood there, in a simple purple gown, she had light brownish hair, which was slightly curled at the bottom and stopped right above her shoulders. She was trying to decide between three different dresses.
"Oh, hey Seth, could you help me pick one out?"
She asked, getting a bewildered look from the blonde boy. She sighed, digging out an orange gown that she grew fond off. After warning Seth that she was changing, she started to explain to him what she needed it for as she got dressed.
"There is a ball tonight, called the Grand Rose Ball. A noble who stops by the theatre all the time asked me if I wanted to attend it with him. It's at Aube Keep, and apparently only nobility are allowed to attend but everyone wears masks."
She paused as she finished dressing, she than poked her head outside to face Seth.
"Come on, Seth, put a dress on!"
"Wh-What? Why?"
"Because! You're coming to the ball tonight with me! And besides, if you dress like that, my soul mate won't approach me!"
Seth blinked; soul mate? Grand Rose Ball? Dresses?!? He sighed, how did he get himself into this. He glared over at the dresses that Miriallia had in a pile.
"B-but I refuse to put one of those on! An-And… I'm a g-guy!"
"Oh! Don't be like that! And besides, you're handsome! You'll look beautiful in a dress!"
She argued, before she pushed him into her dressing room, and slammed the door shut. She made sure to lock it… from the outside. Seth blinked as he was pushed into the room, and then the door shut. He futilely attempted to open the door, and started to bang against it.
"H-Hey! C-Come on Miriallia! L-Let me out!"
"Nuh uh, not until you dress for tonight's Ball."
Seth groaned in defeat, as he stared over at the dresses. This has got to be the worst day.
---
"Seth, are you done yet?"
Miriallia impatiently asked, as she stood outside still. A grunt was her reply, as she assumed that Seth was finished putting on a dress because the strings of curses stopped. She opened the door, and was basically gawking at the site that she was bestowed with.
Seth was… beautiful.
She was sure that he put a wig on to look more feminine, since his blonde hair was down to his shoulders, and he wore a frilly green dress – just something you wouldn't see on a man.
"Ahh! You look so… cute!"
She squealed, snatching up the arm on his side. Seth muttered another curse, glaring at the reflection of himself.
"Now, now Seth, it's not that bad."
"Ahh… Sh-Shut up…"
Seth was blushing, as he looked away from Miriallia. The girl just devilishly smirked, about to pick out a face mask for Seth to put on, but than realized she forgot something she should've put on.
"O-Oh no! I need a hat! A hat!"
Miriallia scrambled out of the room, nearly crashing onto others who loomed around the theatre. Seth casts a death glance out of the room, before he sighed as he stared at himself.
As much as I act like one… Why… do I have to actually pretend to be a boy?
Cagalli stared at her own reflection once more, now deep in thought about being 'Seth'. She picked up the face mask, placing it on herself.
But… Maybe tonight, just for a little bit – I can actually be… Who I am…
A small smile formed, maybe this wasn't so bad.
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and Cagalli thought it was Miriallia returning, but she was faced with a purple haired man. She was surprised as he suddenly ceased her arm.
"Wahh! You look so adorable honey! Let's get going! The Rose Ball doesn't last forever you know!"
He dragged her out, and Cagalli couldn't fight back, especially in the awful dress Miriallia made her wear.
Speaking of Miriallia…
"Hey! Doesn't the hat look good?"
Miriallia popped back into the room a giant yellow hat, with a doll of a Pegasus head on top of her head. She blinked, as she heard the sound horses neighing, and the wheels of a carriage being taken away. Her eyes widened in surprised, as she rushed out of the room.
"Wait! Come back!"
---
Cagalli sighed heavily as she stared outside the window of the carriage. First, Miriallia forces her into a dress, and now she was going to the Grand Rose Ball with some jerk, who clearly needs glasses since he couldn't even tell the difference between her and Miriallia.
"You know, you have a different air around you tonight…"
The Man said mysteriously, as he leaned in closer to Cagalli. Cagalli sunk back more in her seat, holding back every temptation to kick the purple haired man in the gut.
"I-Is that so?"
She asked, gritting her teeth slightly. The Man just raised a brow, as he plopped back in his seat.
"Oh well! I learned all the dance steps you taught me! This is going to be such a fun night!"
Cagalli sighed once more, as she glared out the window when the man wasn't looking.
This. Sucks.
---
"Seth! Dinner!"
Shinn was bounding around every where, looking for his friend. He heard a shrill cry, and popped his head into the dressing room. He blinked, watching Miriallia tearing some hat in her hands into shreds.
"Where's Seth?"
"How should I know?!?"
She shouted back at him, glaring at his direction. He just sighed, leaving the room to look some where else.
Girls these days…
---
Much to Cagalli's dismay, the Purple Haired freak kept talking about how adorable she was and the dance tonight. Fortunately for her, they arrived at Aube Keep.
She stepped out, her mind sighing in relief as she couldn't take up the cramped up space any more. Her amber orbs studied the front of Aube Keep, and the people around. She took note of the many nobles that were around, some in plain dresses – to most who wore gaudy, outstanding outfits. She scoffed quietly, how could they wear such… dreadful things?
"Come now, let's go on."
Unfortunately, the man wasn't going to let her glare at the rest of the nobles as he led her inside the keep.
Soft music played from the Orchestra off to the side, as every one chatted quietly to each other. Cagalli received a rose from the door man, which she didn't pay much attention too because of her sudden interest of the whole Aube Keep.
"Wait here, I'll go get us some drinks."
The Man said, scampering off to find a waiter. Cagalli barley acknowledged his departure, as a sudden wash of nostalgia came over her.
I… I know this place…
A rush of memories entered her mind, but they were only brief. She pictured a young, blonde haired girl, wearing a celadon dress, standing at the top of the inside of the Keep, looking down at all the other nobles, as she held her Father's hand.
As Cagalli stared up at that top spot where she pictured that little girl, all she met was the dark, narrow eyes of a man, who she had assumed to be the Grand Duke. She suddenly grew cold, dropping the rose and her face mask slipping off.
She started to some what panic, before she rushed out to the side exit, and entered the garden.
Collapsing against the side of a fountain, she panted heavily. Running in a dress was much harder compared to running with a cape and some other articles of clothing on. She gazed at the water that poured out of the fountain, admiring its beauty. An orange flower floated around, and she smiled softly, picking it up.
A hibiscus…
She noted, before something, or rather, some one snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Are you alright?"
A deep, yet pleasant voice asked, as she veered around to face who it was, her eyes widening as she met up with emerald. Athrun's emerald eyes widen as he met up with amber.
Cagalli didn't move, as she soon realized who it was.
It's… It's… That… Noble…
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A/N: Yay, this concludes our first act x)
Today's chapter, we find that Cagalli detests dresses - whether she is acting as Seth, or she's just being herself. (As you can see, Juliet actually lurves dresses... but you know...)
I'll give some one a cookie if they can guess who the guy was that whisked Cagalli away to the ball and left with out Miriallia? -coughs-
Super duper easy, come on people, it's a cookie xD
Any ways, the beginning of Act 2 - Athrun and Cagalli some how get on good terms... I think... -rolls-
So...
Picup made another live journal...
Yeah, I'll go post this in the AsuCaga community as soon as I finish fooling around with it. Friend me since it's going to be a friend's only journal (it was pretty creepy, I got stalkers on my old one oo; ). Uhm, the link to my live journal will be put up on my profile - you might have to search for it... -coughs-
Until Act 2 every one! -Read and Review please x)-