Once Upon a Gundam
A Tale as Old as Time

Chapter VII: Be Our Guest

"You know you could just give him a chance… get to know him a little" The wardrobe suggested.

"I don't want to get to know that jerk." She said still angry about him yelling at her "I don't even want anything to do with him" She pouted.

"You do understand the deal you made right? Forever's a long time to avoid getting to know someone"

Miriallia looked up at the ceiling. "What am I suppose to do?" She asked sadly. "I've lost everything because of him. And you expect me to go down and enjoy a meal with him the same night? Be served by a bunch of enchanted servants who are lying about who they are."

"Like I said before they are only doing that to protect the Master, and themselves."

"Then what should I have done? Gone and had dinner with the Beast?"

"Not if it was just going to create more hate in your heart towards him." Shiho replied sadly.

Miriallia closed her eyes, she was deep in thought. She was so unsure of what to do now. "So… the West Wing… you really believe it has answers?"

"Maybe not answers but… it will lead you to the right questions to ask."

Mir took a deep breath before standing up and looking at the wardrobe. "How do I know I can trust you?"

"I've trusted you with my name, I know it doesn't seem like much but it's all I can offer. It's all any of us can offer."

"Then… to West Wing I go" She said walking towards the door.

"Now?" Shiho asked confused.

"There is no better time than the present." She replied opening the door. She smiled at the wardrobe, it was strange how she seemed to almost flinch at the sight of a smile. She started to turn the doorknob, but stopped. She needed to know one more thing. "Shiho… when I return will be able to answer my questions, or am I all alone?"

"This is your journey Miriallia. Only you can find the answers" with that she opened the door and left the room. "You need to fall for him on your own if we have any hope of ever becoming human again… If I ever have any hope of Yzak embracing me in his arms again." She said to herself as a tear rolled down her carved wooden face..

Miriallia entered the hall walking past a set of long burgundy curtains that touched the floor. Never noticing the three bright spots shining through at the floor level. Unknown to her Athrun was behind with the woman of his dreams.

"Come on be careful now" the female said softly.

"I can't help myself" He replied huskily.

"I've been burned by you before" She joked as she pushed her way out of the curtin. He followed behind pulling her in close. He was about to kiss her when he realized the girl had emerged from her room without his notice, and she was now walking down the hall. Quickly he let go of his lady, well his featherduster.

"Cagalli I'm sorry but-"

"Duty calls" She said before kissing him on the cheek.

"Yes I'm afraid it does. We'll have to continue this another time"

Inside the kitchen Yzak, Lacus, Kira and the stove Murdoch were hard at work trying to clean up the failed dinner. The crashing of pots and pans could be heard coming from over by the stove. "All this work for nothing! Another culinary masterpiece gone to waste."

"It's been a long night for all of us" Lacus said sadly.

"We just need to make the best of things" Kira added.

"Well, if you ask me, she was just being stubborn. He did say 'please' after all. When was the last time any of us heard that?"

"But as long as her don't keep his temper under control, he'll never break th-"

"Miss!" Yzak said quickly shocked. Luckily cutting Lacus off before she managed to say the word 'spell'. "You're finally out and about" He remarked. "I'm Cogsworth, head of the household. And this is Lumiere" He lied. Cogsworth and Lumiere, at least their names were more creative she thought.

"It's a pleasure to meet you" Athrun said bowing.

"Is there anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable" Yzak asked mustering up as much kindness as possible.

Mir began to think but her growling tummy broke any thoughts she may have had. "I am hungry I suppose" She answered.

"Then what are we waiting for" Lacus said excited. "Start the fire, break out the silver and wake the china!"

"Remember what the master said" Yzak whispered.

"We can't let her starve, I'm sure he wouldn't want that either" She whispered back.

Sighing heavily he knew she was right. His Master was wrong about this, as he was with many things. "Fine but nothing fancy. Bread and some water that's it" He ordered.

"Come on Yz-Cogsworth" he quickly corrected. "She's not a prisoner, she's our guest. We should make her feel welcome." He turned his attention to the young girl. "This way miss." He said guiding her to the chair at the head of the table.

"Just make sure to keep it down. If the master finds out about this, it will be our heads!"

"Right" Athrun agreed. "But why not some music"

"Music are you crazy?!" He yelled back.

"Just some light instrumentals I promise." a few instruments entered the room and began to play soothing music. Kira brought her over a napkin and Mir politely set it on her lap. Soon large plates of hors d'oeuvres began to fill the table. Miriallia happily tried many of them. Next was a the main course which she enjoyed every bit of.

"So… is your Master the only one you serve here?" Miriallia asked finally. "There's no parents… or children?" She asked unsure of the beast's age.

They all looked at each other unsure of what to answer. "No… he's alone" Lacus answered.

"Just like me" Miriallia said sadly. "But I suppose… He has all of you" She looked down at her lap. It was obvious to all them how sad she truly was.

"It hasn't been easy for any of us" Athrun said. "What point is there for a server who's not serving? All of us to serve one Master, feels kind of pointless sometimes."

"But… he needs us" Yzak reminded Athrun. "Besides where would misfits like us go anyway."

"You are all kind of odd" Miriallia joked, finally managing to get a smile on her face again.

"Here, nothing goes with dessert like a cup of tea" Lacus said as she and Kira hopped over to the girl and poured her a cup. She quickly accepted and enjoyed her first blissful sip.

"Mmm.. this was all so delicious and wonderful" She said finishing her last few bits of dessert.

"Thank you Miss. But it's time you headed to bed." Yzak informed her. "It's late"

"What! I can't expect me to go to sleep already" She argued "It's my first time in an enchanted castle"

"Enchanted?! Who the hell said anything about this place being enchanted?" He asked before looking at Athrun with rage in his eyes. "It was you wasn't it 'Lumiere'"

"I… um… Kind of pieced it together myself."

"Right… guess you don't see talking clocks and candlesticks everyday" Athrun joked.

"No, certainly not" Miriallia took a deep breath. If she wanted to get to the West Wing this was her chance. If she could figure out a way to find it maybe she could ditch the servants and make her way there. "I'd like to look around, if that alright" She asked.

"Would you like a tour?" Athrun asked.

It wasn't really what Miriallia had in mind, but maybe it would do the trick. "Wait, hold on a second. Are you sure that is a good idea." Grabbing Athrun by the shoulder he pulled him down so that he could only hear what he had to say. "We can't just have her poking around in certain places, like you know where"

"Maybe you could take me?" Miriallia asked seeing that the clock was so reluctant. "I'm sure you know a lot about this castle."

"Flattery won't get you far miss… but fine if you really want to then sure" He knew this girl was important. She was all that stood between him and Shiho. If he could get her to warm up to his prince and even fall in love, then he could hold his love once more.

"Wonderful" She said excited jumping up from her seat. "Where shall we start?"