Last Resistance to Peace
Chapter 23
by Scarlet Eve
A/N: I apologize for the forever hiatus. I will hopefully have another update for you sooooooon!
AC 205
April 7
Sally and Noin sat at a conference room table in the Sanc Kingdom administration building, going over the list, again, of who would be attending Queen Relena's birthday party that evening. They were missing the morning festivities, where the citizens of the country typically held loud, boisterous parades and parties in the name of the Queen.
"Was it really necessary to invite Treize?" Noin asked, her finger trailing down the tablet in front of her.
"Relena felt it was an obligation," Sally said, though she sounded unsure about the idea as well.
"Who is accompanying him?"
"I believe he's bringing that Une woman with him," Sally said. Both women grimaced at the thought of having to tolerate Colonel Une.
A knock came at the door, then opened without waiting for a call. It was Hilde, and she looked concerned.
"What's wrong?" Sally asked, pushing her tablet away from her.
"This woman is demanding to see the Queen," Hilde said. "Her name is Dorothy Cat-"
"Dorothy Catalonia." The blond woman who had visited the Sanc Kingdom after the initial attack against them appeared in the doorway, and brushed past Hilde, who flushed with annoyance.
"What are you doing here?" Noin blurted out. Dorothy smiled and swept herself into a chair at the table, leaving Hilde to stand near the door.
"I need to speak to her royal highness," Dorothy said. Sally and Noin both shook their heads.
"She's not seeing anyone until tonight," Sally said. "The Queen needs time to meditate on recent events before throwing herself in front of a large crowd." Sally gave Dorothy a hard look. "Anything you say to her can be said to us, anyway."
Dorothy made a noise with her lips pressed together and shrugged her shoulders. "I think I'll wait then, until the party."
"You are not on the guest list," Noin said. Dorothy shrugged.
"I'm sure you have the authority to add me. If I recall, you should still have my background check on file from the last time I visited your lovely country," Dorothy said. Noin and Sally frowned. "Besides, if you are allowing those two gundam pilots to attend, which I imagine Duo somehow managed his way onto the guest list, then you'll want an extra pair of eyes on them."
Sally and Noin exchanged a look. Whose side was this woman on? Not to mention, they'd have to put extra eyes on Dorothy herself.
"Fine," Sally said, and brought her tablet back to her and tapped the screen a few times.
"In the meantime," Dorothy said, rising, "I would like to commandeer your soldier here. I can guarantee that neither pilot brought along appropriate formal wear for this event. I will ensure that they show up looking presentable."
Noin couldn't help the giggle that bubbled up inside her chest. Sally shot her a look, but there was amusement in her eyes.
"Fine," Sally said. "Hilde, take Dorothy and the pilots on this shopping trip."
Hilde did not look thrilled at the idea, but she followed Dorothy from the room.
AC 205
April 7
Heero sat at his laptop, working on a report for Treize in regards to the Sanc Kingdom, detailing all the information he'd uncovered so far. It appeared the mobile suits that were revealed during the last confrontation was the extent of the suits that the Queen had hidden. And so far, Heero could find no evidence of the Epyon gundam. That particular item was the most frustrating, as it was the only reason they were still stuck in this peace-leaden country. Heero was anxious to leave and get back to his own quarters at the OZ base near Romefeller's headquarters.
He had to admit that he had a certain curiosity about the suit, and had a desire to try piloting the thing.
A knock came at the door, but before Heero could answer it, the door burst open. Heero spun around to glare at whoever just invaded his space. It was Duo, following by that soldier, Hilde, and Dorothy Catalonia. Heero grimaced. What was she doing here?
"Come on, buddy," Duo said. "We're going out."
"No," Heero replied, and turned back to his computer.
"Ah, Queen's orders. We're attending her birthday party, so we need some new duds," Duo said, crossing the room to Heero's side.
"I tore that invitation up," Heero said, still staring at his computer.
"You can't tear up an invitation from the Queen," Hilde protested. Dorothy gently moved Hilde to the side and approached Heero. She rested a hand on his shoulder and turned him around in his chair.
"You are attending the party and you will look presentable at the same time," she said, her blue eyes flashing. "I only need to leave a few words with Treize to have your precious Gundam taken away." Dorothy crossed her arms over her chest when she saw Heero's face falling. "You know how concerned Treize is about appearances."
Heero wished that Dorothy was lying, but he knew better. Her words were as gold as her awful limousine. With a heavy sigh, Heero closed his laptop lid and stood up from the chair. He gave Duo and Dorothy a dark look, but he followed them from the room without another word.
AC 205
April 7
Dorothy was in her element. Flitting through the department store, she found suits, shirts, ties, shoes, and socks for the two men following behind, with Hilde bringing up the rear. For his part, Duo was taking it the best, willing to try on the clothes that Dorothy thrust in his arms and showing off to the young Hilde, nearly preening, like a was another story. He refused to try anything on, even when Dorothy was absolutely sure the article of clothing would fit him. He simply said, "If it'll fit me, why do I need to try it on?"
But this did not daunt her. At the very least, Duo Maxwell was a much more willing shopping partner, in particular after Dorothy said she'd foot the bill. Dorothy watched him as he tried on a Homburg hat over his long braid, which caused Hilde to giggle. She smiled and thought the look suited him. Not to mention, she was intrigued by the obvious flirting going on between him and Hilde. An errant thought crossed her mind that the Gundam pilots could not be more different from each other, and yet, they all excelled in piloting some of the most dangerous weapons known to mankind.
A phone began to ring, and Dorothy glanced around to see where the ringing was coming from. Heero pulled a phone from his pocket and stepped away.
Dorothy casually moved closer to him, checking out a display of ties.
She heard Heero say, "Commander Une…" Naturally, her interested a piqued, and she moved closer. "Is it really the right time for that?" he asked, then listened to the response. Dorothy shuffled through some ties, and found one that would match Duo's coloring. She placed it over her arm, where she cradled several other options for him. "I think this is a bad idea," Heero said. He abruptly pulled the phone away from his ear as indiscernible yelling came from the other side of the line. Dorothy had to laugh to herself. Une had a terrible temper when questioned. "Roger. Mission accepted."
Heero hung up the phone and shoved it back in his pocket, a dark expression on his face.
So he has a mission and he thinks it's the wrong time. Interesting…
"Oh Heero. Would you mind trying this jacket on? It'll really make you look like a part of the crowd," she said, hoping to catch his interest. He rolled his eyes and followed her, his demeanor changed from obstinate to glum. He took the jacket and stepped into a changing room.
"What's his problem?" Duo asked, turning from the display of hats. Dorothy shrugged her shoulders.
"I was hoping you knew," she commented, but Duo shook his head.
"I've known him for years, and I know next to nothing about him," Duo said. "Except that he's moody." Dorothy chuckled.
Heero stepped from the changing room wearing the jacket Dorothy had given him. The jacket suited him, and she was satisfied.
"I believe we have a winner," she said, smoothing the lapel down, much to Heero's annoyance. He stepped back from her.
"Then let's go," he growled, and disappeared back into the changing room. Dorothy watched him go, her brain racing to figure out just what his mission was that Une had charged him with.
A part of her worried it had something to do with Relena Peacecraft.
-SE