LaF08: Girl Chat and- *snickers*

Once the limo left the driveway, Andria burst into tears. Surprisingly, it was Relena who got to her side first.

“R-Relena?” she sobbed.

“I can’t believe he said that to you,” Relena said, her eyes filling with sympathy tears.

“Some boys have no sense,” Estelle agreed.

“Hey, remember what we said before?” Kyla said. “One silent shot, something in his drink, a little push over a cliff-“

“No! Kyla, you can’t kill him!” Andria protested, smiling despite herself.

“You were going to kill Heero?” Relena gasped.

“Andria won’t let us,” Kyla pretended to pout. “You sure about that, Andria? I really liked Raisa’s idea of shipping him off to work in Siberia-“

“No!” Andria laughed. She wiped away her tears, among die-hard friends now.

“I think Raisa’s thinking more along the lines of keeping boys ALIVE right now,” Isabel said slyly.

Raisa slapped her hands to her glowing cheeks. “Ohhh…”

“hey, yeah, that was some kiss!” Estelle exclaimed.

“Oh my GOD! You kissed him!?” Kyla exclaimed, totally shocked. Her shy friend had kissed the guy she had a crush on!? RAISA!?

“Well…”

Andria completely dropped her ‘my guy’s done me wrong’ kick. “YOU KISSED TROWA!? But- but you haven’t even talked to him yet!”

“Yes she did, she played her flute for him this morning!” Isabel told her.

Andria gasped. “When did that happen? Where was I? How could I miss all this?!”

“You kissed Trowa?” Relena gasped.

Raisa hid her face in her hands, smiling despite herself. “Stop it… I- Well- he- er- ugh! I don’t know what to say!” she hid under her coat.

“Uh-uh!” Kyla ripped it away. “We want details! Lots and lots of details! Like what was it like? Is he a good kisser? When’s the wedding?”

“Ah! No wedding! No wedding!” Raisa protested furiously. She paused. “He’s a VERY good kisser…”

“I knew it!” Hilde said from up front. “He looks so sensitive- is he really romantic or what?”

“I think Raisa’s the romantic one!” Estelle said. “Just reaching up and kissing him like that?”

“So are you going out now?”

“Did he agree to write to you?”

“He said he might come to visit…”

They all screamed in delight.

“That is SOOOOO cool!”

“You go, muchacha!”

“Raisa’s got a boyfriend!”

“So’s Kyla!” Raisa said to try to end the barrage.

“Hey, yeah, are you and the dingbat gonna do anything?” Isabel poked Kyla.

“Erm, um, well, we sorta exchanged emails and addresses and numbers and ID codes…” Kyla said happily.

“I’m glad that you got him,” Hilde said. “You’ll be good for him. Get him to stop being so perverted!”

“I can’t change Duo! I like him just the way he is!” Kyla insisted.

“Unlike Mr. Perfect-Soldier-so-I-don’t-need-manners-boy,” Relena said.

Andria growled. “How could he say that? Is there anything more WRONG than that?”

“My advice to you both,” Kyla commanded quiet and attention. “Is to forget him and move on. Both get new boyfriends. We all love Heero and his weird out of synch with the worldness, but he doesn’t deserve either of you if he’s going to treat you like that.”

“Heer, here,” Estelle nodded.

“But-“ both Andria and Relena looked at each other. “We still like him!”

About a week later, Quatre’s Sydney residence had lost it’s charm. The former pilots lounged around the house, having nothing to fill their time.

Eventually, Duo could stand it no longer. He didn’t want to look desperate, but- He riffled through the items on Quatre’s desk and pulled out paper and pen, settling himself on the couch to write. He pulled out the slip of paper that hadn’t left his possession since Kyla had given it to him. He sniffed it and sighed. It still smelled like her. Her started to write.

“What on Earth are you doing?” Heero was looking at him oddly.

“Nothing, nothing…” Duo said, happily writing away.

Trowa looked up. “Is that what I think it is?”

“Is what what?”

“That little piece of paper- is it-?”

“Mine,” Duo said defensively, putting it back in his pocket.

“Duo, that’s not fair!” Trowa exclaimed. “You’re the only one that has it! Let me see!” he reached for it.

“No! It’s mine!” Duo cried, moving out of Trowa’s reach. “It’s not my fault you forgot to ask.”

“Is that their address?” Quatre blinked, looking up from his work.

“It’s KYLA’S address, none of the others- leave me alone!” Duo exclaimed as both Trowa and Quatre reached for it.

Heero looked up at them doubtingly. Did they realize how foolish it made them look? He had manged to keep himself from joining the scuffle, but only just. Besides, which one would he write to? Which one COULD he write to? Andria’s outburst still stung…

“We do not need WEAK women,” Wufei said indignantly from his little corner where he had surrounded himself with pillows while he watched TV. Ever since the Dames had left he had seemed very- insecure? “We are better off without them.”

“Let us see, Duo!”

“No! She gave it to ME-“

“Please, Duo! Just let us see!”

“Is it my fault I’m smart and you’re not? Lemme alone!”

“Ah ha!” Trowa snatched it out of his hand. He and Quatre bent over it, keeping it from Duo. “Hmmm… looks like Relena’s residence in Sank…”

“Maybe we can write care of, hmm?” Quatre said.

Duo fell to his knees. “Please- PLEASE give it back! It’s the only thing of hers I have! PLEASE!?” he begged, eyes looking a bit wet.

They looked at him oddly. “You ok, Duo?”

“MINE!” Duo used the opportunity to snatch back his precious paper. “Mine, mine, mine…” he muttered lovingly as he clutched it. He smelled it again. “NO! You ruined the smell! It doesn’t smell like her anymore! Now it smells like Quatre and Trowa! You bastards!”

Heero and Wufei both shifted away from Duo. He was THAT obsessed?

Quatre and Trowa blinked at him. “It’s ok, Duo… It’s just a piece of paper-“

“But SHE wrote on it!” he wailed. “Don’t you realize the significance of that?”

“Why don’t you just write to her and then you can smell whatever she sends back?” Quatre said, realizing just how incredibly ridiculous that sounded.

“Yes! Quatre you’re brilliant!” Duo cried happily. He quickly picked up the pad of paper again.

“On one condition!” Trowa said, holding the pad away from Duo. “We get to include letters to the other girls as well.”

Duo blinked. “Et tu, Trowa? Et tu, Quatre?”

“Yes, us too,” Trowa said dryly.

“Please?” Quatre begged.

“Speerate envelopes,” Duo insisted, then snatched back his pad and continued writing. Trowa and Quatre victoriously did the same.

Heero hunched his shoulders up even more than they had already been. He didn’t seem to have a neck anymore, which was logical after how he had stuck it out like that…

“You guys don’t want to write to them?” Quatre asked sensitively.

“NO,” Wufei and Heero both snapped.

“Suit yourselves,” Duo shrugged.

To: Ms. Kyla Addison
From: Duo Maxwell

Hey, babe, how’s it going? Would you believe I’ve missed ya? I went into Sydney the other day. The damage is pretty bad there, but everyone’s really cheerful about cleaning up. Someone even hauled out some DJs equipment and people were dancing in the streets. There was a girl there wearing a dress like yours in green. I still say yours is prettier. Best money I ever spent.

I bet Isabel has already asked you if this is from ‘the dingbat’. If not, tell her she’s losing her edge. I am NOT the dingbat. I am Shinigami. Tell her to translate THAT.

Sorry that this is going to be really short, but I want to send this as fast as I can and get a response back as soon as possible.

Keep fighting,

Duo

__________________________________

To: Estelle Brownlow c/o Kyla Addison and Relena Darlian-Peacecraft
From the Desk of Quatre Raberba Winner

How are you? The house seems so much emptier with all of you gone. I can’t believe how much I miss just knowing that you were around to talk to.

How has your sketching been? Have you chosen a piece to turn into a painting yet? You have great talent, Estelle, I would love to be able to see one.

I wish I had the time to write a longer letter, but the deadline is approaching.

Keep well, Estelle

Quatre

__________________________________

To: Raisa Kobiak c/o Kyla Addison and Relena Peacecraft
From: Trowa Barton

I suppose you’re surprised to get this. I managed to get the address from Duo, and so I sincerely hope this reaches you via Kyla.

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you ever since you left. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about anyone before. Everything seems brighter and clearer now, like I can finally see after being blind for so long.

Please, please write back, I need to hear from you. To know if you really meant what happened on the doorstep. Please respond quickly.

Anxiously awaiting your response,

Trowa Barton

__________________________________

Sank Kingdom, several days later. The girls chose once again to work outside. Relena typed on her laptop in a lawn chair, making light conversation with Estelle beside her, who was sketching the trees in the distance. Kyla examined a map of the area, searching for weaknesses that could be guarded against. Isabel looked over her shoulder and pointed out something Kyla hadn’t noticed and she scribbled a note on the map. Raisa had papers spread on the grass around her. Piles to work on, piles that needed someone’s input before they cold be worked on, piles that only needed approval, piles that didn’t belong to her and piles that were complete. She carefully worked her way through the stacks, enjoying the sunshine as she worked. Andria spoke with an officer before joining them on the lawn.

“Guard’s up and they’re keeping satellite radar on everything for miles around the kingdom,” she said, taking a chair next to Relena.

“That’s good,” Relena said, looking up briefly. “Thank you again, Andria. Thank you all. I don’t think I could possibly be able to handle this much longer if it weren’t for all of you.”

“Hey, that’s why we’re here,” Estelle shrugged. “To help you in any way we can so you can concentrate on what’s really important.”

“Andria are you sure they’ve got guards watching this place enough?” Kyla said sarcastically as she spotted soldiers through the trees.

“You know as well as I do that there are enough,” Andria stuck her tongue out. “It isn’t my fault that they’re needed.”

“Are you sure we should be outside though?” Relena asked, putting down her work.

“Relena, we’ve told you before,” Andria said firmly. “We believe in keeping your sanity through this- stayin indoors all day working isn’t good for anyone. We can handle any would-be attackers just as well out here as we could in there.”

“So stop complaining and enjoy the sunshine!” Isabel agreed.

Relena smiled. “Thank you. You guys have made my life so much better.”

“That’s our JOB!” Raisa laughed.

“Stop thanking us! We want to do it!” Kyla agreed.

“Ms Relena?” someone approached from behind.

“Yes?” Relena accepted the items on the tray that the man carried. “They’re letters,” she said, puzzled. “For you guys-“ she handed them out.

“Duo!” Kyla exclaimed when she saw the return address. She tore it open excitedly.

“For me?” Raisa’s cheeks burned again. She opened her letter with shaking hands, unsure what to think.

Estelle smiled when she accepted the letter from Quatre. “Interesting,” was all she said before reading it.

“No letters for us,” Andria feigned a sigh.

“Hmph. If that stupid little Chinese Boy didn’t have the sense to apologize, then good riddance to him,” Isabel said huffily. Her heart ached a little though.

“Oh, you know you still like him,” Andria said.

“Do not. He called me weak.”

“Wufei calls everyone weak,” Relena protested.

“He’s- he’s nothing more than a muy estupida hibrido,” Isabel said indignantly. “I don’t want to speak to him. I don’t need him. He can wallow in his stupid ideas of right and wrong forever if he wants.”

Andria and Relena looked at each other skeptically.

“Whatever you say, Isa,” Andria said indulgently.

“We completely believe you,” Relena returned to her laptop. Somehow, the two had become very good friends in a short amount of time. Perhaps it was the pain that had brought them together.

Kyla sprang up from where she had been sitting. “I’ll be back later, ok?” she ran inside and to her room.

“Oh my…” Raisa stared at her letter, reading it again and again. Quickly, she also ran inside.

“Hm. Interesting,” Andria commented. “What’s your say?” she asked Estelle.

“None of your business,” Estelle said tartly with a smile. She gathered up her things and also went inside. “See you all later.”

“This is frustrating…” Andria muttered, sitting back in her chair. “Someone wake me when they decide to tell us what’s happening.

Relena laughed. “I think they just got some very gushy letters.”

“Probably from the dingbat and his friends…” Isabel muttered. She sighed and stretched. “We need to get out more, muchachas. Find ourselves some decent men.”

“Sounds good to me,” Andria said sadly.

Relena nodded, also sad.

Isabel shook her head. “Who’d have thought that this would happen? That boy just doesn’t realize what he does to people… Come on, let’s go hottie spotting.”

“Hottie spotting?” Relena blinked.

“Ooh, yeah! Come on, Relena, it’s fun!” Andria grabbed her hand. “We head into town and look for cute guys. It’s exactly what we need to get over him! Let’s go!” The three ran off to do so.

Raisa smoothed out the letter, reading it yet again. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you ever since you left. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way about anyone before. Everything seems brighter and clearer now, like I can finally see after being blind for so long. Please, please write back, I need to hear from you. To know if you really meant what happened on the doorstep. Please respond quickly.” Her heart was pouding. “Oh, Trowa…”

To: Trowa Barton c/o Quatre Winner
From: Raisa Kobiak

Of course I meant it… I hope you meant it when you said you would come. I can’t wait to see you again. When we kissed, it felt like something alive.

I will continue to write for as long as you do.

-Raisa

__________________________________

Kyla reverently placed the letter on her desk and pulled out her favorite stationary. She had bought it one day when they were in Sydney. Next to it was a picture of Duo she had snapped with an abandoned Polaroid that had only one shot left. She smiled at it and got out a pen to begin.

To: Duo Maxwell c/o Quatre Winner
From: Ms. Kyla Addison

I don’t care what anyone else calls you- you are my Thanatos.

To: Duo Maxwell c/o Quatre Winner
From: Ms. Kyla Addison

I don’t care what anyone else calls you- you are my Thanatos. You’ve been looking at other girls? I’m glad you realize that my dress is better. (I’ve been saving it for a special occasion…) Or I would have had to Shinigami you- yes I know what it means!!

I can believe that you missed me- but not as much as I’ve missed you. Everything reminds me of something I could say to you, but you aren’t here.

Actually, Isa didn’t get the chance to say anything. I came inside to write to you before she could. I wouldn’t dare tell her she’s losing her edge though, she’s still too sharp!

We’ve upped things here, you know why. We haven’t heard anything yet, we’re keeping a lookout. Don’t suppose you and your pals would know anything, would you? Any help’s appreciated. Looks like we may be in this for the long haul.

Always smile. I tried to braid my hair yesterday, but it reminded me too much of you. So does strawberry ice cream. You owe me a cone, buddy. I’ll come to collect soon, don’t you worry.

Please keep the others there smiling as well- we girls can keep our spirits up, but I worry about you gloomy boys stuck in that big house all by yourselves. I know you can do it.

Thanatos will live again, eh?

I promise,

Kyla

__________________________________

“Boxers or briefs on that one, amiga?” Isabel pointed.

“Briefs,” Andria said immediately.

“Definitely briefs,” Relena agreed.

“Ooh- he’s got NICE abs…” Andria murmured and they all three stared at a VERY nice-looking guy walking by.

“Nah, I like that one-“ Relena picked out a guy handing a rose to his girlfriend.

“We’ll never get decent boys at this rate…” Isabel muttered. “All the good ones are already taken…”

They sighed as one.

Author’s Note: Hah. And you thought I was seriously going to introduce MORE triangles to the story? Not a bad idea- but not for right now. We’ll do that later. I promise. *wink* For now let’s just work with what we have, eh?

__________________________________

Andria Ntengi, intent on her purpose, expertly hacked her way into network after network, searching for any clue that might help. She hadn’t realized, or had chosen to ignore, that the sun had started to set hours ago. The only light in the office was from the monitor.

Shyly, Kyla opened the door. “Andry?”

“What?” Andria asked absently, still typing.

“Find anything?” Kyla came in to look over her shoulder.

Andria sighed and rubbed her eyes, trying to see the normal world clearly again. “Nothing. That guy’s systems are hidden better than any I’ve ever seen.”

“Have you found anything at all though? What about outside threats?”

“I wasn’t looking for them,” Andria shook her head.

“Estelle’s in her office doing almost the same thing- she’s researching. Trying to find out all she can from what’s been officially released,” Kyla leant against the desk, shifting her weight.

“What’d she find?”

“That he’s your typical dictator- miserable as a kid, oppressed by a stereotype and now he thinks that taking over the world will be his revenge. Just so happens that he’s starting with Relena,” Kyla shrugged. “He thinks that her idea of peace is foolish, and that it’s going to take a harsh, oppressive and violent hand to tame the world. Relena is everything that he’s not. So she’s his target.”

“Just what we need- a maniac,” Andria said bitterly. She sent the computer into sleep mode. “What time is it? I’m starving.”

“I came to get you for dinner,” Kyla smiled.

“Good. Hacking is hungry work,” Andria smiled back.

They went downstairs and sat at the table where the Dames, Hilde, and Relena ate. Estelle and Raisa were already there, talking about what Estelle had found. Moments after they sat, an angry Isabel stormed in, being followed by Relena, who wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes, and Hilde, who looked just as angry as Isa, but refused to show it as openly.

The other Dames looked at them in confusion, but said nothing. Relena would speak in her own time.

“I want to thank you all for everything you’ve done over the last month…” Relena began once the food was out. None of them had touched it.

“Get on with it and tell them,” Isabel demanded tersely.

Relena glanced at her, not pleased at being rushed. “I recently received a message from-“

“From the hibrido,” Isabel cut in heatedly.

“FromMarkiah Chisholm,” Relena sent her a quelling glare. “He’s threatening to invade. He demands that we surrender at once or be annihilated.”

Kyla rolled her eyes. “Is there no originality anymore?”

“This is serious, Kyla,” Andria said sternly.

“Oh, come on! He sounds like a nutter!” Kyla replied. (AN: mebe Estelle should have said this… It’s sorta British, but a Scottish lass could easily say it, too… Another word for ‘nutcase’ or ‘psycho’ etc.) “What’s he doing, taking this straight from ‘how to take over the world in thirteen easy steps’?”

“That’s not the point, Kyla,” Estelle said firmly. “He has armies. He runs a nation. He recently lead the rebellion to take control of this nation. He has people who will listen to him when he tells them to attack us. HE IS DANGEROUS.”

“We can’t ignore it,” Andria agreed.

“I don’t know what action to take,” Relena looked at them each in turn.

“If you try to surrender again-“ Hilde warned.

“I won’t do that. I can’t.” Relena agreed. “But I’m wary of starting a battle. Sank is still a symbol of peace and we mustn’t tarnish that reputation.

“You won’t have to,” Raisa said simply.

“The Dames are officially a rebel group hiding out in Sank. We support Ms. Relena in all her endeavors, but understand that we may never officially support her, as that would contradict what she stands for. Therefore, we have made it our mission to protect her and the Kingdom whether she likes it or not, but it is clear that we have no official approval from her at all,” Andria said. She and the other girls gave Relena smug looks. They had agreed to this plan only a few days ago.

“But-“ Relena paused. “Everyone will know who you are… I know who you are. And I approve of many things that you do… The war against MarieMaia showed me that sometimes you have to fight to preserve peace,” she said with determination.

“Doesn’t matter,” Estelle shrugged. “We work without needing your approval.”

“Cool,” Hilde said. Relena still looked uncertain.

“Alright, enough,” Isabel said, pulling out a map of the world. “To make this believable, we can’t be seen coming and going from here all the time-“

“Coming and going?” Relena and Hilde blinked in surprise.

“Well we sure can’t stay in one place if this guy’s got as many global contacts as Estelle found,” Kyla stood to help unfold the map.

“What are you saying?”

“We’re leaving for separate posts,” Andria told them.

“Markiah has allegiances with practically everybody,” Estelle used her knife to point out points on the map. “Enough people to worry about anyway. These allegiances range between outright assistance in times of war to simply allowing him to manufacture weapons. Most of all are the manufacturers… Corrupt officials have allowed themselves to be bribed into allowing it, no matter the aims of their nation’s people or leaders. Several colonies build MS’ for him. In Eastern Africa are still more manufacturing plants. Alliances with these European nations will make it extremely difficult for us,” she traced a semi-circle that seemed to lead directly to Sank. “In South America is the central military compound. In Asia are the training grounds for his soldiers. They’re taken there to train as soldiers and then brought back to him to fight. He’s obviously been planning this for years and years,” she said sadly. “As for all the nations he’s allied with- there are way too many of them for us to find them all.”

“I claim the African MS plants,” Andria said, her eyes promising vengeance on this man who had dirtied her homeland.

“I’d rather stop this at the source- put me down for the training grounds,” Isabel shook her head.

“I’ve always wanted to see the Amazon,” Estelle said thoughtfully. She marked large circles on the map.

“You said earlier that colony L2 had some suspicious activities on it,” Kyla said.

“Yes, but it’s highly top secret- I don’t have the same hacking skills Andria does,” Estelle told her.

“I’ll go there,” Kyla said firmly.

“And you, Raisa?”

Raisa bit her thumbnail, thinking. “Is it really wise of us to leave Relena all alone?”

“Not all alone,” Hilde said defensively.

“Sorry, Hilde, but you’re not nearly as well trained as we are,” Andria apologized on behalf of the girls.

“You want to stay?” Estelle turned to Raisa.

“Yes. I’ll stay and keep things secure here,” Raisa agreed. “Maybe I can even scope out this Europe situation.”

“Then it’s agreed.” Estelle made a final mark and folded up the map.

“Thank you,” Relena said gratefully.

“Stop thanking us!” Kyla said sternly. “This is what we DO, Relena! We’re your friends now- you don’t need to thank us for every little thing!”

“Anybody else realize we were eating?” Hilde suggested. They all paused and mini-sweatdropped. They settled in to eat before things got any colder. It would be their last meal as a group for quite some time.