Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny. Some other character names are just randomly thought of and have no relevance to real life.
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False Hope...
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The car just arrive in the Parliament Building, he then noticed that the cars of the other emirs are already on their respective places..
"They seemed to be interested about the envoy sent by the United Kingdom's government arriving today. I have to make sure to check with Athrun and Lacus later for updates.." He then proceeded to the conference room and was greeted by the waiting emirs.
"Good morning Kira – sama.." Everyone in the room greeted him in almost unison.
"Good morning everyone.. It seems that everyone's early today so let's just go to the most urgent topic." Kira then read through the two most important topics that they had to discuss.
"As I thought, it's about the envoy and the conflict in the western borders." Kira give a deep breath and prepare for the questions he expected to receive.
"Kira – sama, the most urgent matter that we have to discuss is about the incident that the United Kingdom's envoy had experience on the way to our country." Emir Kaguya Seien started.
"Indeed.. Just what do the United Kingdom's government mean in sending us someone from their military in a fighter jet? We only agreed to have them participate in the preparation planning for the security surveillances before the mass take off in Kaguya.. Aren't they underestimating the security that we are providing in our own country?" Emir Youlan Khou supplied the question.
"It is indeed questionable Kira – sama.. Just what is the meaning of this?" The other emirs followed.
"Everyone, please don't be upset so soon. As of now, Lacus and Athrun are already meeting the envoy at the airport.. So before I can answer all your questions with certainty, we need to have the current situation at the airport first." Kira speak firmly.
"The most pressing matter though is the conflict we are having in our western borders.. As we all know, after the war.. Our country was able to maintain a balance economy and further advance our technology. With the completion of our space colonies Neo – Heliopolis 01 and 02, many people seek entrance and citizenship in our country in the hope that they will be given the equal opportunity." He continued.
"But of course! That was because we are a neutral country, making our population a combination of competitive Coordinators and Naturals who did not view each other as enemies.. It's only natural that we progress.." One of the emirs answered.
"Precisely the point, it's because we have something that other countries did not have; that people come seeking permission to become one of us. Be it to just live comfortably or take advantage the favourable relations that we have with other countries, especially the Plants. Though I can't delve further on the issue as of now, since I'm still waiting for the report from Athrun as to the extent of the movement from our neighbouring country, it is safe to assume that a portion of our neighbour's population wants us to claim their territory. Especially the islands detached from the mainland." Kira delivered the last part of his speech in a small voice, the emirs looked at each other.. They cannot decide the right course of action to take.
Just then, one of his assistant came behind him and whispered. "Kira – sama.. A phone call came from the airport. They informed that the envoy came in a distressed mobile suit and not a fighter jet."
"I understand.. Tell them to have the current situation fully secured, don't let the media smell it before we can properly talk to the envoy.. And have Admiral Zala or Minister Clyne call me for any update from there.." He whispered back and motioned him to go back and relay the message.
"Understood Sir.." The man then walk back to his post and picked up the phone.
xxx
"I.. uhm.." Athrun is totally lost for words as he doesn't know what to say to the woman in front of him. Just then, a group of people arrived in hurried steps and called out the woman.
"Lady Stuart.. Were you alright? Don't you have any wounds or injuries..? We're from the embassy, we learned of your permission to crash land.." Asked by the woman who seems to be the head of the group. The woman bearing Cagalli's face just smiled and excused herself from Athrun and Lacus.
"Please excuse me for a while, I need to talk to them first." She then turned her back on them and walks towards the approaching group. He turned to Lacus.
"Just what is the meaning of this Lacus..? Her eyes.. No.. She – she look just like Cagalli.. No.. That woman is Cagalli! I can't possibly be mistaken!" Athrun realized that his hands are trembling as he combed his hair backwards, as if trying to clear out his mind.
"I don't know as well Athrun.. I know indeed that my cousin has a resemblance to Cagalli – san but.. that face.. it is Cagalli – san! but how could that be possible?" She stared at him with equally shaken eyes.
"Anyway, the current situation doesn't tell us anything, so.. Let's calm down and think it over, we have plenty of time to watch her over and gain some information. Just calm down.." Lacus herself is having hard time digesting the situation, for she is sure that this woman's presence will definitely shake Kira who took years to finally accept that his twin was dead.
"I – I guess you are right.." He then sighed deeply and watches intently the woman as she talk to the group.
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"Lady Stuart, can you tell us what happened?" The ambassador asked her.
"I was hit by a missile while approaching Orb's territory.. I was careless though, I'm sorry for making you all worry.." Victoria simply told her.
"Shall we inform the national government then? They told us to keep an eye on your arrival and inform them of any development.." she asked her directly.
"Oh no.. Please, I don't want the government to know of the distress I went through. If possible, I don't want other people to know that this incident happened. It seems that the Orb's government will have a good job in covering it.. So if you could, just tell them that I arrived safely. We don't want to create a crack with this country's relations right?" she answered her thoughtfully, which made the woman smile.
"I did not know that you can become a good bureaucrat, you could have been an ambassador or politician yourself.." she then added "By the way, I am Anne Saint Claire .. Just call me Anne.. it's nice to finally meet you Lady Victoria of the Stuarts.." she extended her hand for a handshake which Victoria received with a wide smile.
"I'll bear that in mind.. It's my pleasure to meet you too Lady Anne of the Saint Claire family.. call me Victoria.. I've heard a lot about you from my cousin when I was young. It's unfortunate though, I should be meeting you all decently but with the blood and the bandage on me.. It's hardly decent." She added the conversation to lighten the mood which caused the surrounding people to laugh.
"Well, we can't be perfect anytime so it's best to make do of the situation that we are in.. Oh – by the way, we have a car readied as you requested." She then looked at her intently and whispered something.
"It seems that you already met with the people from the Athha household, did they say anything weird to you?" Anne continued just enough for her to hear.
"Hmm.. now that you mention it, they were acting strange.. Even Lacus who is a distant relative of mine seems to be shocked upon seeing my face." She recounted their gaping at her.
"I see.. No wonder, it must have been a shock on them just like when I first saw your picture.. You have a very uncanny resemblance to the previous princess of this country. I did not have the opportunity to see her in person though." She explained.
"Oh.. I see. And that princess' name is Cagalli?"
"You know her?" Anne was surprised she spouted the name.
"Nope.. But I've heard a lot about her.. Cagalli Yula Athha right..? She was quite famous during the previous wars.. It was a pity she died young, but it's because of her that Charles is still with me." Victoria then became curious of the blue haired man's relationship towards the said princess. Come to think of it, why is he serving as an Admiral in Orb when he can have quite a good position in Plants? As a memory played in her mind, she remembered of Yzak Joule and Dearka who remained in ZAFT even after the first war. She then shrugs off the idea.. she's not here to pry on other people's business but only for one specific purpose.
"Indeed.. it was a waste to lose her.. Good thing that her twin brother picked up her vacant position and led this country to progress again. And unlike our own country, this place is a haven for us Coordinators. Just like in the Plants, you can see a lot of us here too." Anne then finally took notice of her bloodied clothes.
"Would you like to change clothes first? It seems that the Foreign Minister and the Admiral over there are waiting for you. I suppose, you will be taken immediately to their Parliament and meet with the Chief Representative right?" Victoria then remembered how unsightly she must have been.
"Oh.. I'm sorry.. and thank you for making me remember. Yes, no need to wait for me Anne. I'm sure that you also have lots to do in the embassy.. I should get going then.." She then walked back to the waiting pair, then suddenly turned her head back and said.
"By the way, Charles wanted to say hi to the lovely Ambassador from the Saint Claire family!" she then continued walking and did not see the way the woman blush. She faced the remaining of the group.
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"As you heard, Lady Stuart landed safely in the airport. I am expecting that nothing will come out about this incident, you understand that, right?"
"Yes Ma'am." They answered obediently. They started walking back to the waiting cars, she then looked back on the woman who's now on her way back to Minister Clyne and Admiral Zala. As she glanced, a glimpse of memory she's been trying to forget came in.
"But..Do you have to do this?" the woman cannot believe what she is hearing from the man.
"I have decided to do this.. Please, support me with just this one.. I promise, this will be the only time.." the man's face changed from being authoritative to pleading.
"I know it was hard for you, but this is not right! You know it isn't! You are playing god!" she tried to convince him to snap out of it.
"I beg of you.. please understand me.. Do this for me, will you?" the man gently asked which made the woman give in to his wishes.
The opening of the car's door brought the Ambassador to present and she simply thanked the driver while getting in the car. As the car started to drive out of the airport, a thought came to her.
"It seems that you are quite happy now.. If that's the case, then I won't mind doing it again if only for your sake, and how have you been doing since then? You haven't even contacted me, not once.. I don't seem to have the heart to face you just yet either.." The smile on her face was melancholic, as she addressed her unheard commentary to a certain person.
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Athrun and Lacus can already see the returning woman as she finished her conversation to the group. With a more composed disposition, they readied to welcome her back.
"I'm sorry to keep you both waiting.. I need to clear some things with them." Victoria explained as she came closer to them.
"Oh.. It's nothing.. We understand that there are things you need to speak with to your embassy." Lacus assured her kindly.
"Will you be releasing an official announcement about this incident? You did not even bother to retaliate with your attackers.." Athrun inquired which earned a raised brow from Victoria.
"There's really no need to do that, is there? This incident is just an isolated case and if it's between you and your neighbour's country, then I'll only make the condition worse by involving my own country as a third wheel. As to why I did not retaliate, it's simple.. Had I chosen to attack those people, I'll only end up killing all of them.. I am not even a part of my government's military, and even if I am, it's going to be an overkill you know.. I was sent, only to cooperate with you people in making surveillances for the upcoming summit. Moreover, it was also my fault for foolishly flying low, they must have thought that I was a spy from your country." That said, she averted her eyes on them and looked at her mobile suit.
"Besides, I can't afford to cause such chaos in a foreign land with that thing right? It's one of the things I've decided to abandon though, like you two, I would like it for this peace to continue.. in whatever little way I can." Lacus just smiled upon hearing her say those words.
"I am glad Victoria that you have changed for the better. We'll then, let's start from the beginning.. Welcome to the United Emirates of Orb and we're hoping you will enjoy your stay here." Lacus then proceeded to hug her.
"Ah.. I sure will.." she hugged her back then looked at Athrun and addressed him.
"I already have an idea, why the two of you looked so shocked upon seeing me. I'm sorry for your loss but please don't be bothered by my presence, if anything.. I assure you that I am not a dead person making an apparition in front of you, and besides, my background is genuine you know.." She extended her hand to him for a formal handshake.
"I understand.. We – we're sorry for the confusion earlier." He received her hand and felt that it is way different from the calloused hands he was so used to hold before. "What a shame to have mistaken her." Perhaps, his being had unconsciously given up letting go of Cagalli's memories a long time ago, thus disabling him to move even one step from where he was when she died.
"Would you like us to escort you to your hotel? I'm sure you're tired from long hours of flying.." Lacus suggested to her. Victoria thought that the offer was tempting but she has a habit of finishing things off earlier then have all the rest she can later.
"Oh – about that.. I don't intend to go directly to the place where I should be staying, but I do have a request. Before we go to your Parliament, can I go somewhere to change my clothes and grab something to eat? It is true that I had been flying for the last eight and a half hours and my last meal had been more than twelve hours ago. I'm already very hungry.." The changing of her facial expression earned a small laugh from the two.
"I see.. No problem then.. If you want to change clothes, then I can accompany you to the bathroom in one of the offices here, if you don't mind." Lacus volunteered.
"That's going to be of help. Thank you.. I don't need somewhere flashy just to get dressed" Victoria then picked up her luggage and followed Lacus' lead.
"Athrun, please wait for us there.. and can you please have someone get some food for our guest?" Lacus instructed while waiving her hand.
"I got it.. You two just take your time.." He then proceeded to ask one of the assistants present to get some appropriate food for take – out.
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When there's only the two of them, Lacus glanced over to Victoria and she inquired teasingly. "What is it Lacus? You did not believe what I said earlier..?"
"I'm sorry.. It's not that.. Indeed I was shocked when I saw you, and you were so different from before. I almost believed you were Cagalli – san.. My boyfriend – he will surely be surprised when he sees you. It took him years to accept the death of his twin – sister you know.." She explained in a small voice.
"Eh? Your boyfriend? But wasn't Athrun Zala your fiancé? As far as I can remember when I go to visit your house, you told me that he is your boyfriend." She recounted nonchalantly.
Lacus hid her surprise, she was not expecting her to remember those trivial things. "Oh my.. You still remember "that", and it has been a very long time since then." She fake a smile, she's hoping that something like those won't come to her Victoria's mind as somewhere in her heart, Lacus is hoping that she will show signs of being Cagalli Yula Attha.
"What do you mean by "that".. Of course, I can't possibly forget everything. After all, you're one of the few relatives I have left. Actually, I had forgotten you for some time. Then after Charles reminded me, I remembered all your involvement during the past two wars. You did great Lacus, I'm proud to be related with you.." Victoria countered in a proud voice, and then continued.
"But it was such a waste you know.. Every girl I know back then in the Academy, wants to have the son of Chairman Zala all for themselves. And you lucky woman had to let him go. Oh well.. considering that you did let him go, I assume you found someone better.." she looked at her intently and caused Lacus to blush.
"Oh well.. You will soon meet him. He is the Chief Representative of this country anyway.." she can't control her embarrassment. "Anyway, I'm glad that your view in life had changed. May I ask what caused it?" she inquired politely.
"Well it just happened.. During the second war, I was almost killed when Lord Djibril fired the Requiem that unfortunately hit January and December.. At that moment, I thought that it'll be alright to just die like that and be forgotten by everyone. But then a feeling of loneliness I felt for the first came to realize and it was very painful. I can't even remember how that horrible incident happened, but the pain of being alone hunted me when I woke up. When I think about it, maybe, during my comatose.. My consciousness started to express its desire to live normally like everyone. Not as a soldier, not a tool.. but as someone who is a normal individual in this big world and space. Even if I am who I was, I surely can still change the direction of my life right? I might sound so selfish, but the happiness that I experienced of being free and normal individual makes me so happy." Victoria's speaking became very kind as memories she thought she did not possess came in like flashes of a movie being played in her mind.
"I see.. Then how about Charles?" Lacus asked about the other cousin.
"Oh don't worry about that measly person. He's very healthy and is doing well in the Parliament and taught me a lot of things in handling the conglomerate when we came back. I don't know if you know this, but, it's thanks to this country's princess that Charles and I still have each other until now. If Charles wasn't there when I woke up, I wouldn't have known what to do. I was so scared of the thought of being alone, and Charles' views changed too. Lacus, now, I can tell you proudly that my life is already very expensive! No one can possibly buy its price!..." she laughed softly much to Lacus secret dismay, as the ray of hope became dimmer and dimmer with each word she speaks.
"I see.. That's good to hear then.." Lacus can only give a half – hearted reply.
"And I was hoping that a miracle is happening right in front of us.. Kira.. Will you be experiencing those waking nightmares again? now that someone who looks exactly like her is painfully walking in front of you..? She seems to be there, yet she isn't.." Lacus continued to walk by her side as she thought about Kira's possible reaction.
Once they arrived at the bathroom, Victoria immediately went in and Lacus didn't wait long for her to come out. She's already freshen up.. "It's seems like she took a quick shower".. Unlike her attire when she arrived, what Victoria's wearing now is a much formal above the knee, light blue dress underneath a dark brown trench coat of the same length, and in place of her gladiator sandals are 3 inches dark brown stilettos with her long hair in a pony tail.
"She is really different.. Cagalli – san won't be caught alive in that attire. She is indeed the Victoria from seven years ago who has matured." Lacus can still recall how neatly dressed her relative was as part of her training while growing up.
"Oh my.. seems like you already took a quick shower.. So, you would really like to go straight to the Parliament from here, aren't you?" she confirmed her thoughts.
"Yes, I only have extra six hours of remaining energy left, I've been awake for the past 20 hours.. and I'm dead tired.. So I'll just have all the preliminaries done first before I hit the bed and wake up tomorrow." She winked at her as proof of her "reserved energy".
"Let's go then.. I'm sorry for the favour though.." Victoria motioned the both of them to go back while carrying her luggage. Lacus just willingly obliged.
When they were back, they saw Athrun talking to someone. He then finished his call as soon as he saw them coming. His eyes transfixed on the blond girl, then saw him move his head left and right as if in disagreement of something.
"Shall we go to the Parliament now? We have to have you properly received by our Chief Representative before we can officially start working. As for the Ambassador, I just called her and requested for her appearance in there too." Athrun then motioned that they go to the waiting cars.
"Thank you Admiral Zala.. I'll go to my assigned car then.." Victoria is now holding a bag which she assumed as food..
"You sure, you want to eat that on the way?" He looked at her sceptically.
"Yes Sir.." She cheerfully smiled at him, and added. "I was once a soldier so these kind of things are normal. Don't worry much.." She then followed the lead of her chauffeur and get on the waiting car.
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When Athrun and Lacus finally got inside their assigned vehicle, he felt as if his energy had been drained so early in the morning. For this morning only, just how many times did he sigh so heavily and yet he's adding another one on the counting? Lacus, did not let her observation escape.
"Athrun.. I know, it's hard to keep focus but I hope that you'll eventually get over it. She is not Cagalli – san.. she may have the same face but she isn't the same person." Lacus reasoned out to him and he smiled sadly.
"I know that Lacus.. It's just that it's still painful, thinking that she's just right there but in reality, she isn't. No matter how similar looking the flowers are, they can never be the real thing.." His voice trailed off.
"But what about this feeling? The feeling of familiarity the moment I saw her.. They were just the same when I'm with "her".. All those memories, they may be short, barely two years.. But we were always together in that short span of time.." Athrun closed his eyes to take a rest when a song started to play on the radio.
"Ohh... you are everything..."
Today, I saw somebody,
Who looked just like you..
She walks like you do,
I thought it was you..
As she turned the corner,
I called out your name,
I felt so ashamed when it wasn't you.. wasn't you...
You are everything and everything is you...
How can I forget?
When each place that I see,
Brings back memory of being with you.
He felt the car stopped and opened his eyes only to realize that they're already in front of the Parliament Building. He can't be more thankful than being saved from a cruel song. He immediately got out of the vehicle and opened the door for Lacus, then waited for the following vehicle to park. He looked around and saw that the ambassador is already waiting at the front door of the building.
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"Victoria.. I beg of you.. don't leave me alone.." She can hear a very familiar voice.. She want to reach out to the voice but no matter how much she tried.. She can't get out of the surrounding darkness.
"I'm here.. Do you hear me? I'm here..!" she tried to shout on top of her voice but she still can't find anyone. She's very scared, there's nothing to hold on and she can't see anything in the middle of the vast darkness. She then decided to close her eyes and tried to remember what had happened that brought her in this vast darkness of space.
Her mind flew back to when she was young, her parents and uncle just came and went out of the big manor. There's only her cousin and her, learning about things.. They weren't almost given any break by the teachers saying "it is their duty to learn such things to be useful someday".. Even with their achievements, they never saw a loving smile from their parents, instead, they would hear;
"It's only natural! We spent so much just to have you.. Continue learning and don't disappoint us.. otherwise, we'll have another set of you to be made.." Those words kept on ringing on their ears.. "They have to be very good, if not.. they'll be discarded.. They have to be the best, if not, another set will be made to replace them.." Just like the antique vase that was at the base of their grand staircase until it was removed and replaced with another one..
She then saw herself holding her cousin's hand while flying outside the Earth.. Outside of their suffocating prison.. The first taste of freedom had been very difficult, meeting people around was scary.. What if they won't like them? What if they aren't as useful toward them? But those worries were erased little by little as they learned that everyone is the same as they are.. Until she was forced to separate from the only person she can depend on when he was recruited for the military. She can still hear his words.
"Don't worry.. Everyone has to die, it's just a matter of who will go first.. And it wouldn't make any difference right? After all, you and I are just something created to benefit the family we've grown up with. Our lives had been very cheap, it feels very expensive bargaining it with other people in the battlefield. Just calm down, and when you're ready.. come follow me.."
And just like he said, she waited for the right time and followed him. People around her almost share the same idea.. Everyone has to die, it's just a matter of who will go first.. Our lives are nothing compared to the future that's ahead of us.." Those words were so reassuring, she lived believing in them.. This is much better than being the same as that vase.. Till one day..
She can see a lot of mobile suits, she is also inside one of them. A scum from the Earth had come to space to hurt their people. Just as she is advancing to that cursed base of them, a great and blinding light appeared and swallowed her, after that, she saw herself in the midst of darkness, she saw a little light and tried to go there.. But the more she comes closer.. the farther it goes. Until she felt like being pulled by a whirlpool of darkness and everything turned around –
"Nooooooo!" She suddenly got up of her seat..
"Milady, are you alright?" She heard the worried voice of the chauffer. She looked around, and realized that they are in an unfamiliar place. Her breathing was ragged as she remembered –
"That dream a – again..."
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What do you think about it? Read and please put in your thoughts..