Wings of Last Impression Chapter 16 by Mona_B

[blackrose]

Read previous chapters here:

Chapters 1-14
Chapter 15

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The wall of glass stared out prominently at the city. Everything bared to the city below if it ever cared to peer inside. By day, the glass reflected the people, the absolute liveliness of the city. By night, it reflected the true hearts of the city. The neon glowing lights could easily distract a person with its unnatural beauty. But Heero wasn't an entire being, and the lights gave him nothing but an unwanted glow that permeated through the glass.
He sat comfortably on the bed, his back to the city.
"Never thought I'd be back here again," Heero said as his hand shot forward to retrieve a spring.
He looked up briefly from his work, his eyes surveying the plush collage of mahogany, alabaster, cream and beige. Warm the room appeared, but to no effect did it stir any emotions within him. With the equipment assembled now, Heero carefully placed them in a duffel bag. He got up without a sound and walked to the desk. Turning on his ever-faithful laptop, Heero hacked into the Cinq Kingdom Security. He made himself a member of the security force, his alias Alexander Wynkyn.
He turned his laptop off, put it in the duffel bag, and went to the bathroom. Heero stared at his unruly brown hair and gelled it down to the sides. Giving his profile a final look, Heero grabbed his bag and walked out of the door. Curious glances were tossed at him every now and then, but Heero brushed it off as his mind reeled with his current mission. Through the revolving doors of the hotel, he instinctively breathed in the crisp air.
Heero looked left, then right, and began his journey to the Cinq Palace. The sun was setting in the west, Heero's destination. He walked slowly on the well-kept stone pavements, a slight breeze wafting from the sea that slightly ruffled his hair. His eyes were kept straight ahead, oblivious to the dusk time activities that increased in frenzy as the last rays disappeared. The neon lights flashed on the stone, sending myriad colors sprawling across the manmade landscape.
Heero suddenly stopped his trek as he realized something or someone was in his way. He looked down for a fleeting moment, but his gaze was drawn and locked. A puppy of honey brown silk coat sat on its hind legs, staring up expectantly at Heero with deep brown eyes. A little gruff came from the puppy and it put its' right paw on Heero's shoe. Heero stared back at the puppy and then he leaned down.
On one knee, Heero searched the dog for a tag, and found none. Slowly, his hand touched the puppy's muzzle, wet and warm. The puppy sniffed his hand and gave another gruff. Heero stroked the puppy's head a few times, and got up.
"Go, boy," Heero said," Go back to your home."
With that, Heero stood straight up and picked up his broken path towards the palace. Again oblivious to everything, Heero stared straight ahead. He felt a prick of dull needles enclose around his left ankle. Heero abruptly turned around, only to face the puppy again. The puppy sat on his hind legs and began to howl. The people began to turn their attention to Heero, which he shied away from quickly. With one graceful swoop, Heero carried the puppy underneath his left arm.
He looked down at the puppy with a scowl, but it slowly dissolved into corners that twitched as the puppy's tongue hung out, giving Heero's hand a playful swipe. He passed a man selling roses, and stopped to buy a single pink rose. The man looked at the puppy and got a gleam in his eye. The man then tied a deep blue ribbon around the stem. As he neared towards the skirts of the palace, Heero put the puppy in his bag, making sure the puppy wasn't harmed, and placed the rose inside his coat. He had his ID card ready in his breast pocket when the Security Headquarters came into view.
The dim lights barely silhouetted his face as he handed the guard his ID to scan and secure. With the okay to go ahead through the gates, Heero took his ID and swiftly went through one of the many front doors of the palace. There, the light glowed brighter, a great contrast to the black Heero filled out. He passed many velvet curtains that trailed to the floor, tied back with large golden ropes.
The floors were shiny with swirling intricate designs of an era long ago. Statues and paintings gave him the eye over, some seeming to salute Heero. Fresh flowers adorned the hallways, glowing ever brighter with the soft fluorescent light. Heero walked around the first floor of the palace, making mental notes to himself where the view and angle worked best. With aloof nods to others dressed as himself, he vanished up the great spiraling marble staircase to the second floor.
He gave every floor - five in total - a thorough inspection. He then stole away to Relena's room, where he knew uncannily by heart. Looking around for other guards, Heero opened the door with a grace that rivaled the wind. The plush carpet ate the sound of his black boots as he crept closer to the bed. He stood at the foot of the bed, only inches away from Relena. She lay curled on her side, a teddy bear wrapped tightly in her embrace.
Heero then put his duffel bag gently on the floor, being as careful as possible when he zipped the bag open. The puppy sprang out of the bag and onto Heero's lap, sniffing the air. The puppy was quick to explore the room, and ran back to Heero when he called.
"Now boy, you stay here and guard Relena for me," Heero said while lifting the dog up to glance at Relena. "You see that pretty woman there? Watch her for me, protect her as I would have."
Heero felt ? human talking to the puppy, as he's seen countless others do to their pets. He placed the puppy at the foot of her bed, and removed the rose. He took off his topcoat and made a makeshift bed for the puppy. Finally, he took off all the thorns on the rose, snapped it two inches to the bud, removed the ribbon, and tied it around the puppy's neck.
"Give this to her when she awakens," Heero said, getting up.
He zipped the duffel bag and walked towards the door, turning around at the whining of the puppy. His glaze told him to be patient, and the puppy abided by lowering his head and closing his eyes. Out in the open, Heero installed the nearly invisible cameras in nooks and crannies on every floor. Thankfully, his work went unnoticed by the other guards that were there. Heero went to the fifth floor and examined all the rooms.
He chose one covered with dust and old furniture; knowing that this room as the other rooms on the fifth floor would never be checked. He would only need this room for a while anyhow, and seeing that she would be safe when that day came. Before the break of dawn, Heero finished setting up the equipment. He sat there on the old armchair, made of dusty red leather and mahogany knobs, surveying the scenes.
"Another job well done," he said to no one in particular.

~~~~~

"Memnoch! Memnoch, where are you?" a voice shouted from far down the beach.
"I think he went this way," another voice said, "let's see if we can't corner him."
Hand in hand, the pair walked quietly and swiftly along the water's biting edge, reveling in the morning's light show. A low growl came from a shadow; it came from the dark rocks that littered the merge of sand and land. The two stopped, alert that something was nearby.
"Did you hear that?" whispered the first voice.
"Yeah, I think he's nearby," the other voice whispered.
"We've got to corner him or he'll get us first!"
"You're right! But he has an advantage over us."
The pair hushed as they heard another faint growl. The two stared at each other; their hearing picked up the soft shift of sand that came closer and closer to them. Both of them nodded and broke into a run, letting their hands go. An audible sound heard as they chased down the beach by a predator. The first voice looked over her shoulder, stopping in her spot. She grabbed her stomach and laughed. She fell to the sands that held her up, laughing still.
"It's not funny, Relena!!" a voice said, coming from beneath a big blob of honey colored coat.
"It - it is so funny!!" she howled back. "Need help, Montel?"
"Does it appear that obvious?"
Still laughing, she crawled to the heap that was Montel and Memnoch, her beautiful golden retriever.
"Memnoch! Get off of Montel this instant!"
The dog barked happily and bounded towards Relena. The big dog knocked her over, licking her face with his hot tongue. Now the laughter of Montel echoed up and down the strip. Relena playfully pushed Memnoch away as she sat up, her breathing slowing down to normal. Montel was up already making his way towards Relena. He offered her his hand, and she grabbed it. He hoisted her up into an embrace.
"That was a great exercise," Montel said in her ear.
"Think of doing this everyday of your life at the crack of dawn," Relena teased.
He held her apart and said, "No, thank you!"
They sat together on the sand, watching the waters shimmer brighter as they reached for the suns rays. Memnoch yawned and sat at their foot.
"Coming for breakfast?"
"Yes, I'll join you in a bit, alright?"
"Okay, Relena, see you in a little while," Montel said, brushing the sands from his pants. He waved to her and soon disappeared behind a sand dune.
Relena sighed and fell back in the warm sand, waking Memnoch up at the same time. The dog barked and trotted to Relena. He laid next to Relena, who was lying on her side. She kissed his muzzle and rubbed behind his ear.
"Memnoch, Memnoch, such a beastly name I chose for one so sweet as you," she said, looking Memnoch in the eye.
"An angel of God, an adversary. Cast down from Heaven for asking too many questions, questions that had no definite answers. One alone against a divine power that was set in earth's most solid stone. Now he is opposed to God, but he still works for him, because he loves God so much, to prove his love to his fellow angels. I ask many questions, no answer in this lifetime. I serve people who hate my ways, but still I serve for the good of the people. In my most humble opinion, it suits you. It suits me as your owner. It is still a mystery as to how you evaded the endless guards to get to me. Tell me, Memnoch, did you jump all the way to my balcony?"
The dog stared at her, a quizzical look upon his face. Relena laughed as she ruffled his fur.
"Of course I know you didn't jump all the way to my balcony. I was kidding! I do have a possible theory as to how you came to me. Would you like to hear?"
Memnoch gave a little bark and placed his head down.
"Right. I believe it was in my dreams, but there was a stranger clothed in shadow. He was standing at the foot of my bed, saying something. I strained to hear, but I couldn't. He disappeared from view, but reappeared again, holding a shining object in his arms. Again, I couldn't catch the words, but I heard almost distinctly, " . . . protect her . . . as I would have . . .
"I wanted to wake up and shout to the stranger, wait! He was gone just as he had came silently. Where did that light go that he held in his arms? I forgot about the dreams, and fell back to sleep. I believed I was dreaming again before I woke up. I was at school that I had attended as a teen. My reflection wasn't that of my own, but of that same stranger. My hands were wet, and I found them submerged in a sink full of blood. I looked up in terror at my reflection. Those eyes that stared back, they were not mine!
"But they were so familiar . . . like I knew them in a past life. There he was, that same stranger, just watching my every move. My back finally touched the wall, I had no where else to go, to escape. I felt my hands wet again, and I looked down. Blood was dripping from the tips of my fingers. What horrors have I done to have my hands stained so? I felt no malice from the stranger who still stared at me. Just as they appeared, the blood was gone from my hands.
"The stranger held up his hands; in one, he held a shining object, and in the other, his hand was stained. I tried hard to speak to him, but his eyes only told me to ask no painful questions. The light that he held within his arms, he began to push it through the mirror. The light was so blinding, so blinding that I finally woke with a start. Needless to say, I was scared. Of what the dream could mean.
"Then I realized that my left hand was wet, and I nearly screamed as something wet brushed by my hand. In a hurry, I clapped my hands and the lights came on. I caught my breath and slowly looked over the side of my bed. Did you know who gave me such a fright? It was you, Memnoch; you gave me a fright. But there you were, so golden and just so sweet! With a Pr- blue ribbon and a pink rose. My own, my Memnoch."
Memnoch stared at her, his tail wagging at the mention of his name. She looked down at him and smiled.
"You are still the joy in my life, Memnoch. What would I do without a cute mutt like you, huh?"
Relena fell silent and drew her knees up to her chest. The wind began to cool down, which refreshed her tired but warm body. Her head shot up as she heard her name being called. She looks down at Memnoch, who is already by her side.
"Time for us to get some breakfast, wouldn't you say, Memnoch?"
There on the distant shore, stood a lone figure. He watched them as they slowly trudged their way through the sand dunes. The dog, to the man's satisfaction, had filled his role. He averted his attention to Relena again, whom stopped suddenly and peered up at the sky. Memnoch stood still too, as if sensing another presence.
"Good . . . Take care of her for me," the voice whispered softly.
The wind carried it away to wherever a straining ear happened upon it. Memnoch caught the whispering thread and looked directly at Heero. A spark of recognition and loyalty breathed flames into Memnoch, sending him in a silent fervor of jumps. Heero smirked and shook his head a bit, and Memnoch barked and circled Relena. Relena finally looked to where he stood, but was too late as his shadow withdrew from the glare of the morning sun.

~~~~~

"Hello, darling," Ms. Darlian greeted her daughter.
"Hello, Mother," Relena replied.
The two women stared at each other, and smiled broadly. Ms. Darlian smoothed out her satin skirt before continuing.
"It is a relief finally to tell you how glad I am that you are getting married. I was afraid that I wouldn't have any grandchildren besides Zeshyn to spoil," Ms. Darlian said, picking up her cup of tea.
"But what of Lucrezia? Surely she can give you more of what you want," Relena said with a slight laugh.
Ms. Darlian had decided to adopt Milliardo, as old as he was, into their family, so not only would they know in their hearts that they were a family, but the proof was on official documents. Milliardo protested at first to her kindness, but gave in with a smile. A family to really fight for.
"Yes, but I was hoping for some from you. Darling, you are getting older you must realize."
"I know, Mother, but at least be satisfied with my marriage to Montel."
"Montel is a wonderful and stable young man," Ms. Darlian said, stressing the word stable.
Relena sighed a little as she picked up her cup of tea, and eyed her mother as she sipped slowly.
"All in due time, Mother. After all, you often told me that patience was a virtue when I was a brash little girl," Relena said with a chuckle.
"Yes, you and your terrible two's and three's. So impatient to grow into mommy's clothes. I remember, darling, I remember," Ms. Darlian said, quickly sipping her tea to steady her hands and emotions.
They sat in silence in the parlor, which was coifed in the most expensive Oriental rugs, Chinese vases, and paintings of breathtaking landscapes. Ms. Darlian seemed preoccupied by her cup of tea, but suddenly looked up at Relena.
"He's gone for good, isn't he?"
"Mother?"
"Darling, you know who I'm speaking of. Be aware that not only you keep secrets. I have mine and I know some of yours," Ms. Darlian said, catching Relena off guard.
"Could you possibly tell me, then, Mother if you know he's gone for good? What indications have you had?"
Ms. Darlian sighed and lightly placed her cup on the silver coaster.
"I knew that for a fraction of your life, you loved this man. I don't know what went on between you two, but I hope it's nothing you regret or yearn for when it comes time to take your vows," she said.
Relena was quiet, her heart beating quickly but quietly within her chest. A slight frown donned her face, her hands gripped to the cup. She averted her eyes to the closest windows, wishing with shame that she was out there than here with her mother. A few moments passed by before she spoke.
"I know not where he has gone to, but during my life, I have learned that I could go on without him. He was someone to lean on, Mother, after Father left us. Attached I grew to him, no doubt of that. I've learned to let go, Mother, and I think you should too after all this time."
Ms. Darlian looked at her in surprise, lowering her head slightly.
"I know, darling, it's hard for women like you and I. But together we must stay, for our sake. I'm so worried about you, about your emotional health. Things haven't been the smoothest for you, I'm positive of that."
"Thank you, Mother, for your concern. Shall I walk you to the door?" Relena stated, more than asked, and held her arm out readily.
Ms. Darlian nodded and stood to her full height, taking Relena's arm. Quietly they stepped out of the parlor and walked down the marble hallway, past the replicas of great artists, past the statues of the most devout thinkers and philosophers of many lifetimes passed. Relena opened the door, letting the sunlight penetrate her cold skin, the light spilling as far as they could into the palace.
They stood face to face, and embraced each other as if it were their last. They let go of each other, and Ms. Darlian walked down the steps towards her waiting limo.
"I'll call upon you in a few days, Mother, to help with the wedding," Relena called after her.
"Alright, darling, I'll be waiting," she said as she slid into the limo.
"Relena?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you more."
"I love you most."
Relena turned around and smiled her most genuine smile all week. She watched as her mother's limo pulled out of the driveway, and stood fixed on that spot until she couldn't see the little speck of black that rushed off into the noon sun. Relena retreated and closed the huge oak doors behind her. She smiled again as she remembered her childhood, trying to out do each other by saying "I love you more, most, morest, mostest" game.
"I remember, Mother, I remember."

~~~~~

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