Shout-Outs:
Jen23: Thanx so much for ur kind words! I'm glad u like this! Writing is a way to ease the stress I feel and I'm glad u understand that. Enjoy!
Gundam Maxter () : Thanx for standing up for me in ur review, I really appreciated it. More Chibodee and Shirley soon, but here are some more couples to add to the mix…
Ashley () : Thanks for reviewing, and enjoy the next chapter, which is much longer than chap. 1.
Maia's Pen : Thanx for the review, and I'm glad u liked the small fight scene between Nastasha and Chibodee. Enjoy and update ur stuff soon!
Power Alchemist: Welcome to the fic. and thanx for the review! Enjoy!
Shirley (): Thanks for the support, and enjoy the next chapter, which includes other couples.
Disclaimer: The certificate of ownership is here… but my 'friendly' house ghost came and stole it… something she's always wanted, she says…
"…": characters talking to each other
'…': characters talking to themselves
(…): extra facts about something in the story
((…)): my opinions
Chapter 2: Discussions in the Living Room
Gulskii residence, St. Petersburg, planet Earth, Milky Way Galaxy- December 15,FC 62, 4:15 PM
"So Argo; nervous about tomorrow?" asked George De Sand as he sat in Argo's living room, perched on the arm of the sofa next to Princess Marie-Louise.
George hasn't changed much in two years; if one doesn't count the fact that he and his princess have become much closer. George's red hair still hangs past his waist, and his manners are still that of a model gentleman. His violet eyes have remained the same, although they now shine with an extra brightness if they alight on Neo-France's princess. He is usually seen in white jeans, a white light orange shirt, his white coat, white shoes, and almost always with his saber at his side.
George is still "overly" protective of the princess, which has led many, including Chibodee, to tease him about Marie-Louise being "his princess" and his only. George will, or course, protest to these accusations, but inside knows that what his friends say is true.
Marie-Louise, on the other hand, has changed dramatically in the past two years, including becoming more like a tomboy in the way she acts and in what she wears. No longer is she only seen in a dress, but is now usually seen in dark blue jeans, a pink shirt, tan jacket, and black sneakers, with her pale yellow hair either hanging to her waist or in a braid.
At the consent of Shirley and Rain, Marie-Louise has been slowly learning about the inner workings of the gundams, hoping someday to do something for George that would make him proud of her. Marie-Louise does everything she can to try to get George to notice her as more than "Neo-France's princess" and as his one true love. Her pale blond hair is now usually seen in one braid, or hanging down her back, and her blue eyes still sparkle with dreams of romance between her and her prince.
"Actually, now that you mention it, I am a bit nervous," admitted Argo quietly from his seat in a brown leather chair near the fireplace. Argo sincerely hoped that that Domon, who was sitting on the couch with Rain on his left and Marie-Louise on his right, an arm draped protectively over his wife's shoulder, wouldn't catch the remark.
Argo Gulskii hasn't changed much; not counting the fact that he now has some medals here and there on the mantle above the large fireplace, representing his new status as one of Neo-Russia's best military officers in space for bringing criminals in.
His brown hair is just a bit longer than his ears, and his green eyes are now no longer dull with the sense of being forced to be a gundam fighter but now have the look of enthusiasm of a true gundam fighter who wants to fight for the fun and honor of it. They also shine with love when directed at Nastasha, and Argo can't wait until they are man and wife. He is usually seen in dark blue jeans, a hunter green muscle tank, a black jacket, fingerless black gloves, and heavy black boots.
Domon Kasshu and his wife Rain haven't changed much in looks- Domon still has his red bandanna and long black hair and Rain still has her short, spiked brown hair, kept out of her eyes by a dark blue headband. Domon is usually seen in black jeans, a black muscle tank, a tan jacket, black biker gloves, and dark brown sneakers, his ever-present red headband around his hair to keep it out of his brown eyes. Rain is usually seen in light blue jeans, a dark pink shirt, her light blue jacket, white sneakers, and her dark blue headband to keep her hair out of her blue eyes.
However, their personalities have changed quite a bit. Both are more friendly- especially Domon- and they enjoy the Shuffle Alliance's company. Rain is six months pregnant with her and Domon's first child- they didn't want to know the gender so it'll be a surprise- and Domon is very protective of his family. Ever since Domon and his father were reunited, Domon's sense of family has substantially increased, and so he will defend his family to the extent of risking his life if they are in any danger.
Rain still works as the head mechanic for the Burning Gundam, but now only oversees the work, letting her assistant Ayako do most of the work. Ayako is thrilled to be working with a world famous mechanic like Rain, and does her best to please Rain as much as possible.
"You're nervous!" asked Domon incredulously as he heard Argo's response to George's question, and began to laugh. Argo scowled, upset that Domon was laughing, obviously not remembering his own nervousness when he had married Rain almost a year ago. Domon suddenly stopped and leaned over the couch towards the floor, clutching his stomach in pain as he felt himself get jabbed in the stomach by his wife.
At this everyone burst out laughing; in fact, Sai Saici laughed so hard he fell off the arm of the chair he had been sitting in, only making everyone, minus Domon, laugh even harder.
After a few moments, Sai Saici pulled himself off the floor and back onto the perch he had been occupying a few moments before. He then put an arm around the shoulders of his girlfriend Cecile Holger, who was sitting in the chair and trying her best to stifle the giggles that were threatening to escape, but failed miserably.
Sai Saici, now eighteen years old, has changed drastically in appearance in two years. For example, he cut his hair to just above the middle of his back, but still wears it in its customary ponytail and is now 5 foot 5 inches tall. His hazel eyes still shine with the charm of a jokester, and now also shine with the 24 hour 7 day-a-week happiness he feels at not having to be watched by his two guardians and of having gotten Cecile as his girlfriend. He is usually seen in gray jeans, a dark yellow muscle tank, a gray jacket, and his black shoes from the temple.
Sai is a cook at the Shaolin Temple during his free time, and is in great demand with the students there. He also helps to teach the Shaolin ways; with his own take on it, of course.
Cecile Holger has been allowed to go with the Shuffle Alliance to their reunions once every two months. She's now seventeen years old and has allowed her dark yellow hair to grow out to just below her shoulders and is most often seen with it in a short ponytail. Her dark blue eyes shine with excitement at being privileged enough to attend the reunions; not to mention the exhilaration she feels at being trusted enough by her brother Hans to be Sai Saici's girlfriend and mechanic for the Dragon Gundam. She is often seen in light blue jeans, a dark blue t-shirt, and black sneakers.
Domon grunted and said roughly, "Rain, what was that for, huh?"
Rain merely smiled and replied, "Well, Domon, you shouldn't have said that to Argo. After all, don't you remember that at our wedding you were so nervous that Argo and George had to hold you down so you wouldn't be able to jump out a window and escape in the corelander?"
Domon blushed a dark shade of red as the others in the room laughed once more. Argo and George laughed the hardest as they remembered Domon's marriage and how he had been frantic to escape.
"Yeah well you didn't have to hit me in the stomach, you know," muttered Domon as he sat there, embarrassed, amid the laughter of his friends.
"Man, I'm so glad the Neo-American government hired me to be one of the extra pilots for the country," commented Jamie Prince from his seat on one of the three black leather sofas present in the living room. The room also contained two brown leather chairs, a big fireplace, and two large windows that looked out on a lake in the back of the property.
Jamie is one of the new pilots hired by the Neo-American government for extra defense, and is one of Chibodee's practice partners. He is from Helena, Montana, is 21 years old with short dark brown hair, green eyes, and is about 5 feet 9 inches tall. He prides himself on his throwing stars, darts, and agility. He is usually seen in blue jeans, a dark brown shirt, and a black jacket, along with dark brown cowboy boots.
His gundam is the Star Gundam, and it is black with a red hoverboard, red and blue eyes/ protection, and has silver throwing stars hidden in its arms, legs, and chest, whereas the darts are on its back. Jamie, out of the three new pilots, is the best.
Bunny Higgins, one of Chibodee's gundam crew, has been given permission by Chibodee to become Jamie's crew and now works with him. From the first time she laid eyes on Jamie Bunny was in love, and it took a while before Chibodee fully trusted Jamie. When he did he let Bunny begin to see him and become his crew.
Bunny has gotten contacts, but still wears her glasses the most, and has grown her brown hair out to below her shoulders and wears it down most of the time. Her blue eyes still sparkle, and she remains the youngest of Chibodee's original crew, being 20 years old. She is normally seen in black jeans, a bright green shirt, green sneakers, and oil-stained hands from working on the Star Gundam.
"This is nothing," commented Bunny from her seat next to Jamie. She quickly looked around to see if Chibodee was in the vicinity, and on seeing he wasn't, continued, "when Chibodee and George first met in Neo-Japan, George got Chibodee so riled up that Chibodee challenged him to a sword fight. George acquiesced, and got Chibodee an extra sword, and the fight began. While George was making an excellent show Chibodee was doing poorly; he couldn't figure out how to jab, and in the end tripped over his feet in an attempt to jab George."
At this everyone laughed once more, George the most, as he remembered how he had gotten Chibodee to surrender by promising to not spread the word that the Neo-American gundam fighter had lost a fight.
"I agree with you a 100, Jamie," remarked Michael Jonson from his position near the door to the living room, where he was leaning against the doorframe, his girlfriend Cath Ronary next to him.
Like Jamie, Michael is one of the new pilots hired by the Neo-American government for extra protection and as practice in sparring with Chibodee. He is from Little Rock, Arkansas, is 22 years old, with dirty blond, shoulder-length hair that he usually wears in a ponytail, dark blue eyes, and is six feet tall. He is pleased with his mastery of small daggers and knives, having learned them while on the street. He is usually seen in a dark red shirt, black jeans, black shoes, a silver chain around his neck, and a black cowboy hat. He also keeps some small daggers and knives tucked in his shoes in such a way that they do not harm him, along with some in his pants pockets, just in case of an emergency.
Michael pilots the Dagger Gundam, which is a dark gray with bright orange eyes/protection, black chest and arm armor, numerous daggers and knives hidden throughout the gundam, and some extra knives hidden on the backs of its legs. The knives and daggers are hidden throughout the gundam so the opponent is never quite sure where the attack is coming from. Michael is the second best pilot, outwitting Jamie in some areas and losing in others.
Cath, one of Chibodee's gundam crew, has been given permission by Chibodee to become Michael's crew and now works with him. From the first time she laid eyes on Michael Cath though he was the most handsome man she had ever seen; and that was saying something. Being the hopeless romantic like she is, she pestered Chibodee so much to let her see the pilot that Chibodee was finally forced to relent and begin to trust Michael, if only to get Cath off his back. When he did he let Cath begin to see him and she became Michael's crew.
Cath has grown her shoulder length dark blond hair to just above her waist and now wears it in a braid or down. Her blue-green eyes still sparkle, and she is the second oldest of Chibodee's original crew, being 21 years old and a few months younger than Shirley. She is normally seen in light blue jeans, a dark blue shirt, white runners, and perfectly manicured nails that are sometimes stained black from working on the Dagger Gundam.
Cath looked up at her boyfriend, admiration burning in her eyes, and remarked, "Oh, I agree with Bunny; you haven't seen anything yet." She then turned her blue-green eyes to the audience and said, "Did you all know that one time in New York Chibodee was bragging that he was the best boxer in all of the world and, get this, the former boxing champion, Dennis Rock, was standing behind him. Chibodee slowly turned around when he heard a low growl from behind him and his face became a light white. He said, 'Oh hey, Rock. Um… I didn't know you were there, heh heh… I'm going to go now. Bye!'
"Chibodee tried to run but Dennis was too quick for him and threw his hardest punch at Chib's head. It hit him dead on and knocked him out cold. Dennis then nodded to us; that is, Shirl, Jan, Bunny, and myself, and walked away. We dragged Chibodee's unconscious ass back to his apartment and tended to the black eyes he had received, along with a goose-egg the size of his ego!"
Once more the room erupted into laughter, Domon laughing a bit less than the others because of the jab he had received from his wife earlier. Michael laughed the hardest, and as he did so he ran his fingers through Cath's dark blond hair. Cath leaned into the motion, letting an inaudible sigh slip through her lips.
After a few minutes, when everyone had calmed down, Daniel spoke up from his position near one of the windows. "Forgive me for intruding into this humorous situation, but why are we mocking Chibodee so much?"
Daniel Ruthford was born in Augusta, Maine, and is the third and final pilot hired by the Neo-American government to spar with Chibodee and train with him. He is 21 years old, with black hair to just above his ears, black eyes, a tan complexion from surfing in the Atlantic Ocean, and is five feet eight inches tall. Daniel has trained with samurai swords all his life, and being a quarter Japanese doesn't hurt either. However, Daniel's loyalty lies with Neo-America, even though he's sometimes accused about spying for Neo-Japan but he has quelled those rumors with the help of Domon and Rain. So, Daniel has worked his way through life on the streets, rising to become one of the fiercest gangs in the state of Maine. Although he didn't act like it Daniel hates harming someone unless it is absolutely necessary for him to survive. Daniel has a sheath at his side that holds his two best samurai swords, and keeps some smaller swords on his back. He is usually seen in a navy-blue shirt, black cargo pants, dark brown shoes, a gold ring with a dark sapphire embedded in it, and a black bandanna around his neck, the triangular part hanging down over his back.
Daniel pilots the Slash Gundam, which is a navy blue with dark green eyes/protection, silver chest armor, silver gauntlets, two large silver and black samurai swords hanging from a dim blue sheath around the gundam's waist, and a few smaller swords mounted on the gundam's back. Daniel's gundam is also equipped with what he calls a "super samurai mode", where the gundam can wield four swords instead of two at once. Daniel is the most honorable of the three new gundam pilots, and is strong on defense.
Janet Smith, or Jan, the third youngest of Chibodee's original crew, continually pestered Chibodee, like Cath, to be allowed to see Daniel. He at first refused, not wanting to lose the second-to-last of his crew, but when Janet slipped out of Chibodee's penthouse in New York City and went to Daniel's apartment he was forced to let her go, much to her delight and Shirley's amusement. Janet instantly fell in love with the Slash Gundam's pilot, and became his gundam crew; that is, with some tough negotiating on her part to let Daniel agree to having her as his crew.
Janet hasn't changed much in appearance. Her dark brown hair is still shoulder length, although she has gotten some honey-brown highlights, and her black eyes still sparkle with her mischievous personality. Janet has done a lot to bring out the more humorous side of Daniel, and that has amused the others to no extent. She is 21 years old, and is just a few months older than Bunny. She is normally seen in navy-blue jeans with many pockets that are filled with numerous tools, a black T-shirt with a dark green, torn vest, black runners, and is usually seen with some black oil stains on her face, which aren't usually noticeable due to her dark skin.
Janet, who was sitting on one of the sofas that was positioned near one of the windows, sighed, got up, and went over to her boyfriend. "Will you calm down and have some fun? Be more like… um… like George!"
George started and remarked, "Janet, why in the world would you tell Daniel to be more like me?"
Janet's cheeks flushed slightly and she replied, "Well, I mean, you've showed your humorous side more often since you and Marie-Louise hooked up."
Now it was George's turn to flush as he stammered, "Now that's certainly not true! Yes, I have a humorous side but it's not that pronounced, right Marie-Louise?"
Marie-Louise, who had been secretly snatching glances at George out from lowered lashes, started and said, "Quoi? Quel est le problem, mon chére?" (What? What is the problem, my dear?)
George turned an even brighter shade of red as the rest of the people stared at the Neo-French couple, not understanding what the princess had said but getting the gist that it embarrassed the fighter.
"Marie-Louise, I do not have that pronounced a humorous side, do I?" repeated George, trying to not stammer, trying to avoid answering Janet's question about he and the princess being a couple, and willing himself to not add "ma chére" (my dear) at the end of his statement.
Marie-Louise blinked and put her chin in her hand, thinking of how to reply. 'Sure,' she thought, 'George has a humorous side but I'm not sure if it's ever really been that obvious… at least, not to me…'
After a few minutes of silence, in which not even a cricket could be heard, Marie-Louise lifted her head and said, "George, I truly don't know what to say. While it is true that you do have a humorous side I haven't really seen it 'pronounced', per say…"
George sent a smirk at Janet, saying 'There, told you I have a humorous side.' However, that smirk faded into a scowl when he heard the dark-skinned brunette giggle. George shot Marie-Louise a curious glance, asking her with his eyes what was so funny but found her staring at the floor, a faint pink rising in her cheeks.
George abruptly rose from his perch and bowed to the people in the living room, saying, "If you will excuse me I have some business to attend to which involves the Rose Gundam." George then strode out of the room, trying to not hear the giggles coming from the female occupants in the room.