Pirates of the Sanq 1/?
Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2003 4:02 am
My night was too stressful. With a thousand pages (plus) that I have to outline this week for my research paper on temperance in the late 1800s, I just snapped and refused to acknowledge it. Sad for me, but happy for you all because I made another chapter! Hooray for escapism!
Oh yes, assume Relena and Heero were about 11 or 12 in the prologue. I just am trying to balance out the ages since Milliardo is so young too. Chronology always tries to catch me with my pants down. . .
Usual disclaimers of non-ownership.
Chapter 1
The morning was not long advanced when light fell on Relena?s eyes, forcing her awake and out of a dream about the past that she could only half remember. The urgency of the dream made her body fidget with residual adrenaline. At first she enjoyed the comfortable temperature under the covers, but they fast became stifling and she felt compelled to toss them from her, left exposed to cool air from the window. To be so warm this early meant it was going to be a hot day, and Relena did not relish the heat. Anyone who had to follow the proper dictates of fashion for young women did not enjoy hot days. Apparently, the people who decided what was appropriate summer wear seemed to forget that ladies, like most humans, had a tendency to sweat when it got to warm. To cover up this fact meant wearing even more clothing. Only in her nightgown, long and billowy as it was, did she find relief.
Of course this moment was short lived.
?Oh, Miss Peacecraft, you?ll catch a death of cold if you lie like that.? The maid went through the familiar routine without a hint of awareness that she had said the same thing for years now. Sometimes Relena wondered if she were a little, well, slow, but decided that maybe it was routine for her too just as lying there was for Relena.
?Amelia, what do you have there?? Relena got up and motioned to the package the young woman held. Unfortunately, she had an idea of what it might be.
?The Governor gave it to me for you; he says you?re to wear it today.? Amelia gave a worried curtsy, as was her wont when she was unsure or anxious about something ? Relena didn?t look very happy after all.
?Then let?s open it up and take a look.? Her fears were confirmed; a corset and beautiful dress were the contents of the nefarious package. High fashion strikes again. The rare correspondence with her friends from back home had contained a reference to corsets, and Relena knew that this was likely to arrive since her brother did so hate to think he was out of society?s loop. The dress was beautiful, of course, blue to match her eyes.
?The Governor is very fond of you,? the surprisingly sly maid added as Relena scrunched up her nose and examined the corset. Relena gave her an askance smirk and put on her underclothes. ?Let?s get you ready. I made sure to ask Lady Noin?s maid just how to tie these up, and I think I can do it just fine. Don?t you worry.?
?I trust you, Amelia. I just don?t understand why my brother would give me a gift when--? Relena cut off her sentence with a gasp as Amelia pulled on the straps with some force. Winded, in pain, with tears fast developing at the corners of her eyes, Relena wished every sort of evil on whoever had invented these things in general but her brother in specific. ?I?m dying!? she choked out.
?Miss Relena, I?m almost done, just a little more. . .?
?A little more WILL kill me!? Relena snapped and then gasped.
?All done.? Amelia said cheerfully, ignoring Relena?s involuntary tears and scowling face. ?Now for the dress.?
There were spots. She could actually see spots. How could Lady Noin do this to herself everyday? Relena had never suspected such a robust woman to wear something so confining. Smooth material brushed her arms, bringing her back to the present. She finally turned once the dress was in place and looked in the mirror. The dress was simple and pleasing, but Relena felt slightly horrified at how she looked.
?I just might snap in two!? Her hands went to her waist and she swore she could almost encircle the circumference. This was awful.
?You look wonderful, Miss Relena. The Governor will be so happy.?
?But as I was saying Amelia, it doesn?t make any sense to give me gifts when it is *his* birthday.?
Right on cue a knock came to the door.
?Come in, Milliardo.? Her handsome, smiling brother walked in and gave his little sister a proud glance as he took in her appearance.
?I?m so glad you?re wearing it. Do you like it?? The excited almost childish look in his face as he sought her approval made her convictions to reject the gift (mainly the corset) melt away like the snow that never fell in this tropical climate.
?It?s a wonderful gift. I can?t thank you enough.? She bit her lip a little, concentrating on breathing and standing at the same time. It wasn?t exactly a lie, per say, she was simply being diplomatic. Milliardo?s eyes shone and Relena started to get a little suspicious. His birthdays had never brought on this sort of reaction before.
?Come downstairs for breakfast quickly, I have something wonderful to tell you.?
?I?ll be right down.? Milliardo left and Relena started to gasp for air like she had wanted to just moment before. ?Oh, Amelia, could you possibly help me? I don?t know if I can make it down the stairs.?
*
*
*
Milliardo fidgeted through most of breakfast. He?d twist his napkin one moment with a far away look then glance off into the distance, unseeing. A few times he started conversation but they were all non sequiters and Relena wasn?t sure how to sustain cohesive subjects in the face of this sort of onslaught. Finally, she just broke down. She was cranky, she was sore, and she could barely breathe (which ruined her appetite as well), and enough was enough.
?Brother, just tell me what?s on your mind. I admit your behavior mystifies me this morning.?
He finally focused in on his sister, seeming to notice her for the first time since she came downstairs. A huge smile was plastered on his face. Turning 32 couldn?t be that special to him, or else she would look into some nice doctors of the brain for him to speak to.
?I?m proposing to Lucre. . . I mean Lady Noin. Today. Or this afternoon rather, at the party Treize is hosting for me.?
Relena felt truly happy at this announcement. It was about time, so far as she was concerned. ?That?s the best news I could possibly hear today!? She was getting a sister!
?I?m so happy you think so. If she didn?t meet with your approval you know I?d be heartbroken. You two are the most important people in my life.? He got somewhat stern, suddenly, as if he had shown himself to be a little too sentimental. ?I?m sure you will help her get settled in as soon as possible.? Relena was always amused when he went into his patriarchal mode.
?Of course.? She would have slumped with relief at finally knowing what was going on, but the corset didn?t really allow slumping. It was more a tilting motion. As they continued to pick at their eggs and sausage a servant came in to announce that Mr. Yuy was at the door. Milliardo rose immediately to meet him as Relena started to struggle out of her chair, or attempt to. She mumbled a soft curse under her breath and finally a maid came over to help. With a quick thank you she was out of the dining room at a fast walk, eyes bright with anticipation. Heero was here, and it would take more than a lousy piece of clothing to stop her from seeing him. As she neared the entranceway, where Milliardo and Heero stood she could hear her brother?s exclamation of surprise.
?Both my master and Mr. Kushrenada send their compliments. When Mr. Kushrenada commissioned the piece he was most emphatic that no effort be spared to make a superior blade.? Relena heard his voice getting louder and her head buzzed with either excitement or lack of oxygen.
?I can see you. . . I mean your master, assiduously followed his directive.?
Relena finally wandered in, slowing her walk to a stately march. ?Heero, how good of you to visit us. I have not seen you in quite some time.?
?It?s been busy, Miss Peacecraft.?
?How so??
Heero shrugged. Sometimes Relena wondered if he spoke more to others and simply was stingy with words in her presence.
?You simply must come by again and chat with us.? The concept of a sustained conversation was somewhat laughable, but she extended the invitation anyway.
?Perhaps, Miss Peacecraft.?
?We?ve known one another for eight years, Heero. How many times must I ask you to call me Relena??
This ranked a smirk from the impassive young man as he looked down at the floor, obscuring his eyes with messy chocolate bangs. ?At least once more, Miss Peacecraft.?
?Stop embarrassing the man, Relena. You and your outrageous demands. I swear, people will think I didn?t raise you properly if you go on like that. I promise you she doesn?t act like this in front of other people.?
Heero looked up at that and met Relena?s eyes. She looked away and blushed. Milliardo, sensing another silent conversation being exchanged, and not liking it, cleared his throat.
?I?m sure you?re very busy, Mr. Yuy.?
?Yes.? Heero tore his eyes from Relena and gave a curt bow in farewell to each of them. Eyes full of regret, and cheeks still stained pink, Relena watched him leave.
?Relena, you can?t feel responsible for him any more.? Milliardo caught her attention after the door had closed behind Heero. He folded the cloth around the beautiful sword he had just been given and tried to be gentle with his words. ?He?s making a good living now working as a swordsmith. He doesn?t need you to coddle him. The boy is making a proud name for himself.?
?He isn?t a boy anymore, and of course I?ve noticed that he doesn?t need me anymore.? Her sigh was small. ?But it?s difficult to let go.?
?I know what you mean, dearest.? He gave a smile as she slowly began to ascend the stairs back up to her room. ?More than you could possibly suspect.? He added to himself.
*
*
*
In her room, Relena thought back to the first years when Heero lived with them in the great big mansion, apprenticing half the day only to come home and play with her for the other half. No matter how hard he was worked, he always had time to devote to the imperious and demanding girl Relena had been at 12. Games of hide and seek for hours, exploring the scary attic with nothing but a candle and sheer nerve, and the stories she made them both act out (always he was the knight rescuing her, the princess). . . it was all over and he practically treated her like a stranger these days.
She couldn?t deny she nursed a love for him that, so far as she could tell, began the day she had tended to his wounds when she had first come across the ocean to the Sanq islands. Why couldn?t he feel the same? Unrequited love was romantic only in stories, and living it just gave her heart a throbbing ache when she thought of him.
Memories flooded her mind of those first days on the ship when they were inseparable, he not speaking to anyone but her and acting like a feral creature when one of them men tried to force him away from her presence. They had slept in the same bunk, despite her brother?s protests, and she had never been more comfortable in the presence of another human being. Warm, safe, protected ? and she craved that feeling again even though they were long past the age when sleeping next to one another could be innocent any more.
The furious blush at the turn of her thoughts made her force things in a different direction.
An impulse drew her towards her vanity. Opening the top drawer that contained her personal correspondence, she looked around with a tense look on her face before pulling up the false cover that lined the bottom. Beneath it, wreathed in dust but still as fascinatingly grotesque as the first time she saw it, the amulet lay with its skull grinning at her, mocking her for her weakness. She had never given it back to him. So long as she had it, they were connected, albeit tenuously and she simply could not part with it.
But what she wanted was Heero.
The chain gave a metallic rustle as she drew it out and replaced the false bottom to the drawer. Staring at herself in the vanity, fascinated, she put on the amulet and let it drop down her dress like it had that first time she put it on. It no longer reached her stomach, but just to the middle of her chest. After making sure the dress hid it enough to risk wearing it, she put on her other jewelry and did her hair a little more formally. They would be expected at Treize Kushrenada?s soon and she had to look her best.
Even if Heero could not be there, she could feel the amulet press against her and imagine that just maybe he was thinking of her too.
_________________________
AOD: Sorry this is so short, but I don?t know when I?ll be able to write again. See, I?m trying really hard to be productive! ::frazzled Angel forces herself to go to bed:: More when I can manage it. . . .
Heero: I was barely in this one! And I was unconscious for most of the last one!
AOD:
I'm doing the best that I can, Heero..... you'll get lots more time with Relena than Will ever got with Elizabeth in my version of things so stop complaining!
Heero: ...... very well.
Oh yes, assume Relena and Heero were about 11 or 12 in the prologue. I just am trying to balance out the ages since Milliardo is so young too. Chronology always tries to catch me with my pants down. . .
Usual disclaimers of non-ownership.
Chapter 1
The morning was not long advanced when light fell on Relena?s eyes, forcing her awake and out of a dream about the past that she could only half remember. The urgency of the dream made her body fidget with residual adrenaline. At first she enjoyed the comfortable temperature under the covers, but they fast became stifling and she felt compelled to toss them from her, left exposed to cool air from the window. To be so warm this early meant it was going to be a hot day, and Relena did not relish the heat. Anyone who had to follow the proper dictates of fashion for young women did not enjoy hot days. Apparently, the people who decided what was appropriate summer wear seemed to forget that ladies, like most humans, had a tendency to sweat when it got to warm. To cover up this fact meant wearing even more clothing. Only in her nightgown, long and billowy as it was, did she find relief.
Of course this moment was short lived.
?Oh, Miss Peacecraft, you?ll catch a death of cold if you lie like that.? The maid went through the familiar routine without a hint of awareness that she had said the same thing for years now. Sometimes Relena wondered if she were a little, well, slow, but decided that maybe it was routine for her too just as lying there was for Relena.
?Amelia, what do you have there?? Relena got up and motioned to the package the young woman held. Unfortunately, she had an idea of what it might be.
?The Governor gave it to me for you; he says you?re to wear it today.? Amelia gave a worried curtsy, as was her wont when she was unsure or anxious about something ? Relena didn?t look very happy after all.
?Then let?s open it up and take a look.? Her fears were confirmed; a corset and beautiful dress were the contents of the nefarious package. High fashion strikes again. The rare correspondence with her friends from back home had contained a reference to corsets, and Relena knew that this was likely to arrive since her brother did so hate to think he was out of society?s loop. The dress was beautiful, of course, blue to match her eyes.
?The Governor is very fond of you,? the surprisingly sly maid added as Relena scrunched up her nose and examined the corset. Relena gave her an askance smirk and put on her underclothes. ?Let?s get you ready. I made sure to ask Lady Noin?s maid just how to tie these up, and I think I can do it just fine. Don?t you worry.?
?I trust you, Amelia. I just don?t understand why my brother would give me a gift when--? Relena cut off her sentence with a gasp as Amelia pulled on the straps with some force. Winded, in pain, with tears fast developing at the corners of her eyes, Relena wished every sort of evil on whoever had invented these things in general but her brother in specific. ?I?m dying!? she choked out.
?Miss Relena, I?m almost done, just a little more. . .?
?A little more WILL kill me!? Relena snapped and then gasped.
?All done.? Amelia said cheerfully, ignoring Relena?s involuntary tears and scowling face. ?Now for the dress.?
There were spots. She could actually see spots. How could Lady Noin do this to herself everyday? Relena had never suspected such a robust woman to wear something so confining. Smooth material brushed her arms, bringing her back to the present. She finally turned once the dress was in place and looked in the mirror. The dress was simple and pleasing, but Relena felt slightly horrified at how she looked.
?I just might snap in two!? Her hands went to her waist and she swore she could almost encircle the circumference. This was awful.
?You look wonderful, Miss Relena. The Governor will be so happy.?
?But as I was saying Amelia, it doesn?t make any sense to give me gifts when it is *his* birthday.?
Right on cue a knock came to the door.
?Come in, Milliardo.? Her handsome, smiling brother walked in and gave his little sister a proud glance as he took in her appearance.
?I?m so glad you?re wearing it. Do you like it?? The excited almost childish look in his face as he sought her approval made her convictions to reject the gift (mainly the corset) melt away like the snow that never fell in this tropical climate.
?It?s a wonderful gift. I can?t thank you enough.? She bit her lip a little, concentrating on breathing and standing at the same time. It wasn?t exactly a lie, per say, she was simply being diplomatic. Milliardo?s eyes shone and Relena started to get a little suspicious. His birthdays had never brought on this sort of reaction before.
?Come downstairs for breakfast quickly, I have something wonderful to tell you.?
?I?ll be right down.? Milliardo left and Relena started to gasp for air like she had wanted to just moment before. ?Oh, Amelia, could you possibly help me? I don?t know if I can make it down the stairs.?
*
*
*
Milliardo fidgeted through most of breakfast. He?d twist his napkin one moment with a far away look then glance off into the distance, unseeing. A few times he started conversation but they were all non sequiters and Relena wasn?t sure how to sustain cohesive subjects in the face of this sort of onslaught. Finally, she just broke down. She was cranky, she was sore, and she could barely breathe (which ruined her appetite as well), and enough was enough.
?Brother, just tell me what?s on your mind. I admit your behavior mystifies me this morning.?
He finally focused in on his sister, seeming to notice her for the first time since she came downstairs. A huge smile was plastered on his face. Turning 32 couldn?t be that special to him, or else she would look into some nice doctors of the brain for him to speak to.
?I?m proposing to Lucre. . . I mean Lady Noin. Today. Or this afternoon rather, at the party Treize is hosting for me.?
Relena felt truly happy at this announcement. It was about time, so far as she was concerned. ?That?s the best news I could possibly hear today!? She was getting a sister!
?I?m so happy you think so. If she didn?t meet with your approval you know I?d be heartbroken. You two are the most important people in my life.? He got somewhat stern, suddenly, as if he had shown himself to be a little too sentimental. ?I?m sure you will help her get settled in as soon as possible.? Relena was always amused when he went into his patriarchal mode.
?Of course.? She would have slumped with relief at finally knowing what was going on, but the corset didn?t really allow slumping. It was more a tilting motion. As they continued to pick at their eggs and sausage a servant came in to announce that Mr. Yuy was at the door. Milliardo rose immediately to meet him as Relena started to struggle out of her chair, or attempt to. She mumbled a soft curse under her breath and finally a maid came over to help. With a quick thank you she was out of the dining room at a fast walk, eyes bright with anticipation. Heero was here, and it would take more than a lousy piece of clothing to stop her from seeing him. As she neared the entranceway, where Milliardo and Heero stood she could hear her brother?s exclamation of surprise.
?Both my master and Mr. Kushrenada send their compliments. When Mr. Kushrenada commissioned the piece he was most emphatic that no effort be spared to make a superior blade.? Relena heard his voice getting louder and her head buzzed with either excitement or lack of oxygen.
?I can see you. . . I mean your master, assiduously followed his directive.?
Relena finally wandered in, slowing her walk to a stately march. ?Heero, how good of you to visit us. I have not seen you in quite some time.?
?It?s been busy, Miss Peacecraft.?
?How so??
Heero shrugged. Sometimes Relena wondered if he spoke more to others and simply was stingy with words in her presence.
?You simply must come by again and chat with us.? The concept of a sustained conversation was somewhat laughable, but she extended the invitation anyway.
?Perhaps, Miss Peacecraft.?
?We?ve known one another for eight years, Heero. How many times must I ask you to call me Relena??
This ranked a smirk from the impassive young man as he looked down at the floor, obscuring his eyes with messy chocolate bangs. ?At least once more, Miss Peacecraft.?
?Stop embarrassing the man, Relena. You and your outrageous demands. I swear, people will think I didn?t raise you properly if you go on like that. I promise you she doesn?t act like this in front of other people.?
Heero looked up at that and met Relena?s eyes. She looked away and blushed. Milliardo, sensing another silent conversation being exchanged, and not liking it, cleared his throat.
?I?m sure you?re very busy, Mr. Yuy.?
?Yes.? Heero tore his eyes from Relena and gave a curt bow in farewell to each of them. Eyes full of regret, and cheeks still stained pink, Relena watched him leave.
?Relena, you can?t feel responsible for him any more.? Milliardo caught her attention after the door had closed behind Heero. He folded the cloth around the beautiful sword he had just been given and tried to be gentle with his words. ?He?s making a good living now working as a swordsmith. He doesn?t need you to coddle him. The boy is making a proud name for himself.?
?He isn?t a boy anymore, and of course I?ve noticed that he doesn?t need me anymore.? Her sigh was small. ?But it?s difficult to let go.?
?I know what you mean, dearest.? He gave a smile as she slowly began to ascend the stairs back up to her room. ?More than you could possibly suspect.? He added to himself.
*
*
*
In her room, Relena thought back to the first years when Heero lived with them in the great big mansion, apprenticing half the day only to come home and play with her for the other half. No matter how hard he was worked, he always had time to devote to the imperious and demanding girl Relena had been at 12. Games of hide and seek for hours, exploring the scary attic with nothing but a candle and sheer nerve, and the stories she made them both act out (always he was the knight rescuing her, the princess). . . it was all over and he practically treated her like a stranger these days.
She couldn?t deny she nursed a love for him that, so far as she could tell, began the day she had tended to his wounds when she had first come across the ocean to the Sanq islands. Why couldn?t he feel the same? Unrequited love was romantic only in stories, and living it just gave her heart a throbbing ache when she thought of him.
Memories flooded her mind of those first days on the ship when they were inseparable, he not speaking to anyone but her and acting like a feral creature when one of them men tried to force him away from her presence. They had slept in the same bunk, despite her brother?s protests, and she had never been more comfortable in the presence of another human being. Warm, safe, protected ? and she craved that feeling again even though they were long past the age when sleeping next to one another could be innocent any more.
The furious blush at the turn of her thoughts made her force things in a different direction.
An impulse drew her towards her vanity. Opening the top drawer that contained her personal correspondence, she looked around with a tense look on her face before pulling up the false cover that lined the bottom. Beneath it, wreathed in dust but still as fascinatingly grotesque as the first time she saw it, the amulet lay with its skull grinning at her, mocking her for her weakness. She had never given it back to him. So long as she had it, they were connected, albeit tenuously and she simply could not part with it.
But what she wanted was Heero.
The chain gave a metallic rustle as she drew it out and replaced the false bottom to the drawer. Staring at herself in the vanity, fascinated, she put on the amulet and let it drop down her dress like it had that first time she put it on. It no longer reached her stomach, but just to the middle of her chest. After making sure the dress hid it enough to risk wearing it, she put on her other jewelry and did her hair a little more formally. They would be expected at Treize Kushrenada?s soon and she had to look her best.
Even if Heero could not be there, she could feel the amulet press against her and imagine that just maybe he was thinking of her too.
_________________________
AOD: Sorry this is so short, but I don?t know when I?ll be able to write again. See, I?m trying really hard to be productive! ::frazzled Angel forces herself to go to bed:: More when I can manage it. . . .
Heero: I was barely in this one! And I was unconscious for most of the last one!
AOD:
I'm doing the best that I can, Heero..... you'll get lots more time with Relena than Will ever got with Elizabeth in my version of things so stop complaining!Heero: ...... very well.
Very lovely, & I'm sure I'll enjoy it again when I read it while fully awake............
