Unexpected Arrangements ~ Chapter V, Part 2

[Andrea]

<b>Unexpected Arrangements</b>
Rated R


<i>Part 1</i>


~Heero~

There is something utterly depressing about the city, its walls, its colors... Its people. The gray and black, the washed white; the cold, rough stone of streets and buildings. The filthiness of clothes too old to discern any color or pattern. Manners and voices of people who by the looks have never gotten any type of education, or even simple words of parents. Children, haggard, and dirty wandered the corners, beseeching work for money, or even begging for a simple piece of bread.

Then, there were the women. Such perversion. Such abandon. Such need. I wonder, how can people live in these kinds of conditions? I wonder, how many of these people die every day from diseases like tuberculosis, cholera, and syphilis. And it really is no wonder if diseases like these are common around the area. Odds are, at least one person dies every day from one or the other.

I hastened my pace, aware of the looks and calls from the women around, some flashing a length of leg or bust; hastened my pace to get away from the pulls and tugs of the frantic children begging for money or food. There was nothing I could do, really. I can't really tell if I'm lost, or not. The street is as unfamiliar to me as the whole town. I tried asking around for some information on the mansion, but the people seem reluctant, and some even rude. I guess they are to all outsiders.

For some unknown reason, after hours and hours of wandering around aimlessly, I found myself inside the dusky, warm interior of a bordello. The red walls of silk and satin gave a sultry, yet subtle ambience of sex and smokes to the place, aside from the very obvious 'entertainers' wandering around in skimpy dresses, and sheer undies.


To be continued...

[Caliborn]

<i>Part 2</i>
By Caliborn


Why was I here? The dark, smokey atmosphere was certainly not my style-- far, far from it, in fact. Then again, in many ways, this was far superior to what awaited me beyond the ghettos of this city. I had a place to be, and I, not at all unconsciously, was working fervently to avoid it.

I had never wanted to come to Sanq.

The trip had been at my father's request. This country and ours had been somewhat at odds for decades, and yet with the weakening of boths states, an alliance was to be prefered over rough relations. I had been sent as somewhat of a dignitary or ambassador, and I was to meet with Sanq's heads of state tonight. My family was that of older blood, however, and I had hated this place almost as soon as I had set foot in it.

So why had I, upon arriving, ditched my retainers without a word and gone on in search of distraction? Any distraction. Part of me did not want to be the beginnings of a bridge between our nations; part of me wanted nothing to do with Sanq.

Perhaps that was why I was here. I wanted to immerse myself in the dark, ugly parts of this country so that I wouldn't have sympathy for it and change my mind later. No doubt people were looking for me; I had gone off without a word, after all. Briefly I entertained the thought of claiming to have been abducted by vagabonds and brutally assaulted, but that idea was quickly dismissed. If anything, I was a lousy liar.

I was about to turn and leave when a movement caught my eye. Turning back, I saw a woman had just come out from the curtains. She wore an array of colorful jewelry that clicked and clanked distractingly as she moved, and her dress was Arabian in design, that much I recognized. A dancer?

I sighed, shaking my head. I was not meant to be here. These women disgusted me, but then again, I could probably be lightly described as biased.

Still, her dancing was something to watch, to use in my growing effort of procrastination. Well, if Father had wanted someone reliable, he shouldn't have sent me.

Then she began to move . . .

[Kari]

*sigh* Again beautiful written. More I can't say about it. And uh Andrea still waiting for SB2. And Caliborn still waiting for the next chapter of 'A final solution.' *taps foot impatiently* Don't get mad. I meant it in a good way.
You guys are such good writers It makes me wish I was even half as good as you are.
Kari

[Morrighan]

*gush* OMG!! This is so interesting! I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Kaili Charmer]

i didn't want to post in the middle of this, but since it's already been done- WOW! This is unique! Keep the soaps comin!

[blackrose]

*dances from toe to toe* I'm impatient!

*pokes*

Next part, please?!

[melrose_stormhaven]

Part 3
by melrose_stormhaven

She walked towards the center of the stage with an outrageously provocative strut, her well-shaped hips swinging seductively. Her steps were full of grace and confidence, meant to mesmerize. When she reached the center of the stage, she stopped for a moment and calmly surveyed the bordello.

Though her veil covered nearly half of her face, there was enough for me to conclude that see she was pretty. Her blonde hair was styled into an elegant topknot, studded with tiny winking jewels. Her long, dangling earrings chimed softly as she moved her head.

As the slow, beguiling music began, she moved, swaying her hips, her dress whispering softly as she danced. Her numerous jewelry clinked musically as her hands began to weave spells in the air, tracing intricate patterns. Cheers, catcalls and whistles erupted from the people around me as her body surged into a graceful wave, her dress suddenly clinging to her, outlining her fit form, from her proud, firm breasts and her smooth, flat stomach to her shapely legs.

To my astonishment, I found that I could not take my eyes off her. I had seen pretty dancers before, and was often disgusted with them, but with this girl&#8230;

As I continued to watch her dance, I noticed that I seemed to have stopped breathing, my attention focused solely on the girl before me. The purpose of my visit to Sanq rose into my mind, nagging me to leave this place, forget the girl and go about my business. I would have heeded it, but then, our eyes met and locked.

Her eyes were the color of the sky on a cloudless, sunny day, a startling shade of blue. Whatever thoughts I had of leaving the place were swept away as she continued to gaze at me.

She raised a delicate eyebrow at me, an amused expression in her eyes. It took me nearly all my willpower not to blush. I could feel anger slowly creeping into me. I was not pleased to be the object of amusement.

Mischief then crept into her sky blue-orbs. Eyes twinkling, she began to dance faster, more sensuously, but this time, she never removed her eyes on me.

Around me, the rowdy crowd became silent, but I barely noticed them. All I cared about that she seemed like she was dancing only for me.
Finally, the music and her dancing slowed down to a stop, but her gaze never broke. We stood there, simply staring at each other. She gave me a challenging look. I noticed that I began to breathe again, my breaths coming in short, heavy gasps.

Then abruptly, she looked away and walked back into the curtains in that proud, provocative walk of hers.

[Andrea]

<i>Part 4</i>


I don't know how much time I sat there, my breath leaving my body in forced gasps, a nuisance only rivaled by the uncomfortable tightness of my black trousers. This was why I hated women like that: they tempted you to the point you don't know anymore who you are, or where you are. Spreading their intoxicating pleasures around to anyone and anybody, hoping for some fool to fall into their trap.

This time, I turned out to be that fool.

I cursed; cursed at my stupid retainers for letting me get away from them so easily. Weren't they supposed to take better care of the King's only heir? I hated my father, hated what he represented, what he has made of me... I hate what he makes me do. How can I, a lousy liar of merely nineteen years old, ever manage the resurrection of a decaying system... ever manage the survival of a dying kingdom?

Someone must have put some opium into my Father's drink. Surely, he wouldn't have sent me, his unpopular, rebel son.

The cold air hit my face as soon as I stepped foot outside the bordello. How I hate this country.

Relena of Peacecraft. There were no words of this lady in any of the letters we've received from Sanq. Apparently, her brother, heir to the throne, and head of the military forces of Sanq was killed by the hands of Lord Kushrenada, leaving the country at his will, and rendering the King and his daughter to the submissive demands of the intrusive Lord.

Word from my Father confirmed the unpleasant state of health of King Peacecraft, leaving Lady Relena, as well as the kingdom under the easy hunting eye of Kushrenada and other Lords seeking an easy wealth and noble title.

Really, aside from this, I know nothing about her, this Lady of the damned kingdom of Sanq.

I'm still uncertain of what course of action we'll take, although, military strategies do constitute my forte. Still, from my point of view, the only way to take Sanq out of its misery, at the same time remove it from other kingdom's eyes, is to... make a bloody alliance... and a literal one at that.

Marry Relena of Peacecraft? I just pray to God Sanq's heads of state can find another way out. If not, there'll be wedding bells resounding soon.

Now, if I could just find my keepers and finally leave these filthy streets... Provide an heir... Relena of Peacecraft...

I <i>am</i> cursed.

[Caliborn]

<i>Part Five</i>
By Caliborn

Were it up to me, Kushrenada could keep the damn country in his own bloody hands. I was sure that the reports of his brutality and ruthlessness were severely over-rated. After all, what ruler, from at least one point in his reign, is <i>not</i> considered a tyrant?

The Peacecrafts had always been pacifistic. And the only reason they had managed to rule for so long, I was sure, was simply because no one cared to take the time to stage a rebellion, until, of course, Kushrenada. What kind of ridiculous philosophy was pacifism for a ruler to entertain, anyway? It was ludicrous.

And the idea for me to marry Relena Peacecraft was even more ridiculous. Yes, is would mean huge gains of land for our country, as well as a great deal more security. Our country was not weak, exactly, but it also was not the strongest, as much as I hated to admit it. The union of our two countries would strengthen us almost tenfold. And Sanq was weak, ripe for the picking, and we only needed to make our move. . . tactically, yes, it had it's advantages.

But there were other ways to do this! What was I, some pawn in chess to be played at my father's will? I could just see him, sitting with his advisors, laughing at me. <i>"I've finally found a use for him,"</i> He chuckles in delight, slapping a hand on the table. The other advisors nod and smile in agreement, perhaps passing around wine to celebrate. <i>"Finally, some place to lock the Wild Boy down and be rid of his nuisance."</i>

The vision was so real in my mind that I nearly ran into the corner of a building.

That was my nickname, whispered around the back streets of my own country. The Wild Boy Prince. One boy, a Lord's son, had called me that to my face during my early adolecence. I had socked him hard enough in the jaw to knock out two teeth and had thus solidified the nickname.

Glancing around, I hesitated, coming to a four-way crosswalk. Which way? A lady on the opposite corner eyed me-- noting my expensive clothes-- and made her pose distinctly inviting. I closed my eyes in disgust. Were there whores at every crossing in this place?

"Hey, Heero." A hand slapped down on my shoulder and I stiffened, spinning to face my capturer. I relaxed somewhat at meeting the violet eyes of one of my trusted bodyguards.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Well, if you'd really like to continue wandering around the slums and maybe pick out a lady or two, I can go back and say I didn't find ya. But really, Heero, I didn't see you for that kinda guy."

I sighed. Everything was a joke with him. He knew how much I hated these parts of any city. I had complained to him extensively. Taking in a calm breath, I bit out, "I got lost."

"Uh-huh." He removed his hand and shrugged. "I guess it <i>is</i> pretty hard to get lost from an escort of about two hundred soldiers and personal retainers and bodyguards and servants and advisors. Especially by taking a soldier's coat and carefully zig zagging amoung the ranks until, say, that person popped out the back and then dived into a side street." All that was delivered in a very serious tone, but after about a second, he broke out into the wide grin I knew so well. "You should've seen the looks on their faces when they were nearly up to the palace and realized you weren't there. I think you gave Lord Falkner another ulcer."

A small smile twitched my lips at that. I hated Lord Falkner, one of my father's trusted advisors, almost as much as I hated Sanq. Possibly because the whole betrothal had been his idea. "Thanks for not ratting on me, Duo."

"Who, me? Nah. That ain't what friends do. Not like you were going to run into any trouble this near the capital anyway-- but then again, Heero, you run into trouble just by being you, in case you hadn't noticed. I just wondered if you'd like to go back now, or if you'd rather continue watching exotic dancers."

I blinked. Then, curiously, I asked, "How long have you been following me?"

"Following you?" He copied my blink, only somehow managed to make it look ten times more innocent. "Heero, I know you. I was following you five hours before you stole that coat. Now, come on. I know how much you love pissing your father off, but how about trying to behave--for once--in a somewhat unstable country?"

I sighed again. "I'm coming, I'm coming. Bloody Hell."

[Morrighan]

*laughs hysterically* OMG, this is going to be so funny, I just know it!! I think we can all guess who the dancer is.... Boy will Heero be in for a shock...

Can't wait to see more soon, gals!!! Lovin' it!