Title: School Days
Author: Karina
Rating: PG
Pairing: Duo + Milliardo
Notes: Challenge 203. Baby Series 4 #67. Takes place a few hours following Embrace It.
Spoilers: None
Warnings: Extended Length
Many thanks to ShenLong Deb for her work betaing this set of fics.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or the Characters from the series but the baby is mine.
Title: School Days
"How is Wu Fei doing?"
Milliardo settled into the armchair, presenting his booted feet to the blazing fire as he cast a critical eye around the large room. He was, he admitted, rather pleased. It had not taken Pagan long to set up a series of rooms to allow him a select few individuals to spend extended periods at night rummaging through the attics and enjoy a modicum of comfort.
Two bunk beds stood against the far wall, affording four beds and saving a long and laborious walk to their properly assigned rooms. A table for four, plus seats, a credenza, microwave and refrigerator added to the comfort of the room, along with a cabinet holding basic crockery and cutlery. Two oversized armchairs fronted the fire and he thought it might not be uncomfortable to nap in them, certainly the one he was seated in was comfortable enough.
It was only one of three rooms furnished for use, the other two having benches, seats, cleaning utensils and products to allow them to clean up any items they wished to further examine in more comfort, and far better lighting than the attics afforded.
He knew they would need to be careful with whatever they might handle. The examination of artifacts was best left to professionals, but if they handled items with care and had a good look at them, then they would have a better idea of what to hand off to a select range of people whose professions centred around the examination of delicate, old, rare and extremely expensive artifacts.
Duo did a slow turn around the room, eyes shining as he investigated corners and cupboards, examined the microwave unit and the interior of the fully stocked refrigerator.
"Fei should have taken off at least six months, but then I think he'd have gone bonkers. I know it's all strange to them, but honestly, what's so hard about understanding the educational system in Sanc? It's fantastic to have a course of study that is designed specifically for the individual, taking into account racial background, religion, previous education, languages and writing styles. And with a personal interpreter supplied if required, as one learns to speak, read and write the local trade English, what more could you ask for? I don't know of any of them who can't already use English, so that shouldn't even be a sticking point, but they seem far from happy with it."
Milliardo sighed, clearly unhappy. "That is unfortunate. I had hoped that education at least would not be a problem for Chang to deal with."
"I think the discussion might just about be done; they should finish it up tomorrow. Surprisingly the Elder stepped in, and he came out batting for Wuffers." Duo's grin was blinding. "The old buzzard might not be so bad, you know?"
"He is not a foolish man, Duo. Simply a man who seeks to preserve that which is dear to him. Change can be a frightening thing and when there is little choice about needing to change, it can be very frightening indeed."
Duo flopped into the second armchair and sighed softly. "Oh shit, yeah. I know how frightening change can be. But education, Zechs. I was all too eager to extend mine and get official documentation after the war. Sanc's system is a lot kinder than the one I became a part of. Came examination time and the stress...! Shit, it was worse than going into a fire fight with Scythe."
The blonde smiled, blue eyes distant. "Ah, school days. I remember my time at Lake Victoria. Believe me, Duo, you did not have it as rough as the cadets did there."
Deathscythe's former pilot arched an eyebrow. "Rough, huh?"
"Brutal."
End
Karina Robertson 2013