This chapter came out to you in somewhat of a rush, because I know I haven't updated in two months. Sorry to leave you all hanging. I'm dealing with some legal stuff, so I'll try to do the best I can!
Thank you all for your patience regarding my neglect. Sincerely, Emerald-Velvet-Touch.
Disclaimer: See chapter's one and two
Chapter Eight: Le plan de George et l'ironie de Chibodee
"So, what? You called me in such a rage I nearly thought I wasn't talking to a rose knight! But anyway, what can I do you for, George?" Chibodee smiled through the telephonic video screen, giving his famous flash of teeth and glint in his eyes that his people loved.
George smiled slightly at the other end of his private chamber in the palace. Chibodee usually knew how to cheer him up slightly in any situation it seemed. Unfortunately today he was a little far-gone for humor; his conversation with the King of Neo-France had not gone as well as he had hoped---George had lost his temper.
"I NEED TO PURSUE MIREBEAU! HIGHNESS, WHY CAN'T YOU SEE THE URGENCY IN THAT?" George's eyes flashed as he finally let go of all the anger he had been holding in. This however, did not elicit a kind response from the French Monarch.
"GEORGE, DON'T YOU MAKE THE MISTAKE OF QUESTIONING MY UNDERSTANDING! I above all people understand! You need not tell me that capturing Mirebeau is of the most importance to the nation. You must exercise patience, not be blinded by your own anger and revenge!" The Kind of Neo-France took a deep breath and straitened out his blue court coat, he sunk back into his chair.
The King's blue-gray eyes pierced through George, and he folded his hands carefully. "You will hereby remain isolated to the palace and it's grounds. Under no circumstance are you to go gallivanting off to find Mirebeau, the imperial soldiers under my charge and I have that under control. If you should fail to follow these restrictions and forget your importance to Neo-France as her Gundam fighter, I will invoke a leave of absence for as long as I see fit." The King paused choosing his next words carefully, "This includes having any and all relation to the people involved with tournament and palace activities no matter how minor. You understand George; this means my daughter as well. You would not be able to see her Royal Highness Princess Marie Louise for as long as I choose to have you on leave of absence."
George felt the heat of his anger melt away temporarily in a cool rush that made his head spin. He tried to digest what the King had just dictated, but as demonstrated by the drowning silence that followed---that was near impossible. Without an immediate rebuttal, the King went back to signing documents in disinterest.
George's thought began to swirl, and he reasoned that this was unjust. Isolated? And if disobeyed, pushed upon him an unexplainable leave of absence on his record? Not only that, but he would have no contact with Marie Louise? These terrible truths served to fuel a new wave of anger in George and he came back to his senses enough to try and shake the ground on which the King's cold proposal stood.
"Highness, I…" He swallowed, "I can not have…" But George did not get far in his thoughts.
"That will be all, Rose Knight of Neo-France. You may take your leave, I'm sure Mademoiselle Madeleine will be more than happy to see you to the end of my private chambers."
And that was how it had ended. George shifted in his seat, disgusted by his own loss of control. He had called Chibodee in no better, if worse, of a state than he was before. He later thought that perhaps Chibodee may not have understood him, but he cared not to try and explain it all over again.
"So? Frenchy? I got most of wha' ya' said before, but would you mind explaining what you would have me do?" He quickly added a few more words when he saw George's peeved look, "I mean, um, just so we're on the same page and all?" Chibodee smiled with caution and an eyebrow raised.
George sighed, so much for only having to explain it once. "My King of Neo-France made it very clear that I was not to leave the place premises or any surrounding territories of it, to go in pursuit of Mirebeau. I believe I explained to you, the circumstances surrounding the breaking of that rather, forceful, request?" The knight paused and ran a hand through his hair, he knew from experience to stop every one and awhile to make sure Chibodee didn't get the disease he humorously called 'information overload'.
"Yeah, yeah you did." Chibodee didn't smile this time---he in fact had a very sorry look to his face. "Knowing you Frenchy, I would have guessed that you would have gone after Mirebeau in a heartbeat. Seeing as you did want you wanted to last time risking your 'Knight-sy' title to fight Domon in the 13th tournament. But the old fart had to throw her into this whole mess too, huh?" Chibodee half shrugged in humor.
George grinned a little, "Yes, if not for Miss Marie Louise I probably would have gone off, as you say, 'in a heartbeat'."
"When are you going to stop calling her 'Miss' and just admit you like her already?"
"It's a form of respect for my country's Princess, Chibodee."
"That's what you always say and we all know its 'BS'. I mean, come on! Argo, stony, wouldn't laugh for all the money in Neo-Russia, Argo, proposed to Natasha before you even said a word to Marie Louise about anything. Geeze, and I had good money placed on you two, too. Now, I owe Domon, and Sai an impossible amount that my girls are going to take my head off for and, let me tell you I…"
"Chibodee!"
"…And then they said, 'Chibodee no more betting, you always lose all our money!' But you know, as well as I do that a man can't possibly lose all the time. I mean, eventually his odds have got to improve, and then you know what? They'll beg for my forgiveness and ask to share some of my winnings! Well they've got another thing coming if they think that…"
"CHIBODEE! You're losing focus! None of that matters!" Seeing Chibodee freeze and mouth a sad looking sorry, he ran a hand through his hair and took deep breath.
"Look, I'm sorry, you know I don't do the 'serious thing' very well. But I'm willing to give it another shot and follow your instruction to the letter this time, O.K.?" Chibodee relented trying to put a convincing look on his face. Seeing George's incredulous look he added, "I promise no more interruptions till I get it right and go kick some Mirebeau ass!" the purple haired American raised a mock-fist in the air.
George looked up and the blinking screen again and calmed down a little, being reminded why he put up with all of this in the first place---Chibodee really was a good friend at heart. "Alright. Let's start again."
Chibodee smiled again and listened with vigor this time to please his stress-ridden friend.
"His highness will not let me leave and go in pursuit of Mirebeau, however that does not mean that you can not in my place. I aim to implore the help of the Queen of Spades, Ace of Clubs, the Joker, and of course the King of Hearts to aid me in my search of Mirebeau. I know the short notice will not speed your arrival, but the cause is urgent. The King must not know of your arrival, so use discretion. Chibodee, I will be counting on you to deliver this message to the letter to the rest of the Shuffle Alliance. I can not risk any more messages being intercepted and then any hope of success dying with this chance. I will, meanwhile remain here, as ordered, watch over any activity I considered suspicious and linked to Mirebeau, and without fail keep appearance and perform my usual other duties as Rose Knight." George took a quick breath, "I ask this of all of you because I am at a loss as of what else to do. Not only does my personal affair ride along with this, but the security of Neo-France and possibly the 14th tournament." He licked his suddenly dry lips, and calmed his pounding heart. He let the seriousness of what he had just said sink in for Chibodee and for himself.
George finally gave a cursory glance to the Neo-American. "Chibodee, did you understand all of what is to transpire?"
Chibodee had a look like a deer-caught-in-the-headlights that made George's stomach sink. "Uh, well…" Chibodee took off his jean jacket---he wondered briefly how it had gotten so hot all of a sudden. "I kinda lost ya' at 'I aim…' Heh heh…" George noticed for the first time that he had a pad and paper out and was attempting to take notes, and he groaned.
"Maybe you could say all that again? But more slowly? I mean that was a great speech and all but I just couldn't write it all fast enough." Chibodee scratched his head and twirled his pencil in his fingers.
George hit his head on the message panel below the screen and he groaned again, "Chibodee, for God sake, this is the 23rd century! You could have RECORDED the entire conversation!"
"Oh?" Chibodee did nothing to hide the surprise on his face, much to George's dismay. In true Chibodee fashion he tossed the pad and pencil into the air and behind him and smiled. "O.K., so now all we have to do is say that all over again. How simple is that?" When George's head didn't move from its position on the message panel he tried again. "George? Are ya' with me buddy, we gotta get this done!"
George merely groaned in response at his friends unseen irony. He prayed for the day to end with no other mishaps or terrible surprises at its end. Unfortunately for our Rose Knight the eve would not bring him the peace he desired.
And another chapter completed! Fear not, I will keep up with the rest of the chapter's in my notebook this time.
French Translations:
Only one French translation this time, more coming next chapter, I swear!
Le plan de George et l'ironie de Chibodee: George's Plan and Chibodee's Irony
Before I forget, I want to say thank you to ShdaowSorceress who got me off my lazy butt, forget my troubles and get back to writing this story! ;)
Till next time!
Emerald-Velvet-Touch