A Change in Plans
ephemerality.permanence
A Change in Plans (Parts 1-5)
By: Lady Kina (1999)
Warnings: AU, romance
PART ONE
The moonlight shone off her elegant hair. He couldn't help but stare at her from across the park. She knew he was there, and she liked the fact that he looked at her with such fascination. It was almost funny. A bomb could drop right beside him and he wouldn't even blink. He was completely captivated by her beauty. Everyone wished that they could be like her, even in the slightest way. She was slender, but not scrawny. Her hair was long and like deep red silk.
She turned to face the boy. A few soft strands of her hair fell in front of her eyes- eyes like sparkling emeralds. He immediately tensed. She knew I was here! How long has she known?
She began to walk over to him, to get a better view and maybe find out whom this mysterious person was. I have to get out of here! The boy thought. What if she gets upset with me for watching her? But his body wouldn't budge.
As she got closer to him she recognized his features. His shiny platinum blond hair, lovely deep blue eyes, the hidden strength in his fifteen year old body. She knew him. Quatre, she thought. Why have you come here? She knew his name, his age, and everything about him. She had been watching him for the last few months, fascinated with him. He was a warrior, a peacekeeper, a leader, a follower, and a friend to everyone, all at the same time.
He gazed at her. She was so beautiful. Quatre! You can't think like this! You're married now, remember? His mind yelled at him over and over for letting himself study her this long. That's what he was doing, studying her. Watching and waiting for a sign of an impurity. He found none.
"Hello! I don't believe we've met before. My name is Kina. Kina Tashomi."
"Quatre Winner. Uh, I'm Quatre Winner. Are...Are you the Kina Tashomi? Representative of the P4 colonies?"
"That's me!" Kina smiled. "What are you doing out here so late? Shouldn't you be resting for the big luncheon tomorrow? I hear you're a speech giver."
"I guess so... I was, um, just enjoying the view. Of the stars! Of the stars..."
"Are you ok? You seem a little... jumpy."
"Me? No, I'm all right. I just never thought I would get to meet you in person. I mean, outside a professional setting. Wow. You are very lovely, if I may say so."
Quatre mentally hit himself for that last comment. How could I be so stupid?
"Thank you Mr. Winner. You're quite handsome yourself." Kina said with a flirty smile. "Now I must be going. I, too, need to get some rest."
"Yeah, I guess I'll see you at the luncheon."
Kina smiled as she turned from him. Wow, cute, rich, and a sweetheart. I wonder if he's...attached.
PART TWO
Kina sat in her room that night, staring out her window. She wasn't accustomed to sleeping this early. On Jupiter (which wasn't really on, just a name given to the colonies surrounding it.) their days were 37 hours long, so she wasn't tired yet. She usually slept for 7 of those 37 hours and the rest is work. She was working all the time, so this vacation was more than welcome.
Quatre, too, sat up and watched the sky. A light drizzle had started a few minutes earlier and was now turning into a heavy storm. But he just couldn't stop thinking about that girl that he had met in the park. Kina, he thought, why did you wait so long to come to Earth? What kept you from my life? NO! I can't start to think like that. I have a wonderful, beautiful, and trusting wife already. But why can't I get you out of my mind?!
"Quatre? Are you still awake?" It was Dorothy. She was checking on him, something she did quite often.
"Uh, yeah, just heading to bed. Sorry to keep you up."
"It's alright. I can't sleep anyways."
"Me neither."
"Something on your mind?"
I shouldn't trouble her with something this small. It was nothing anyway. "Nope. Not a thing. Just can't sleep I guess."
"Quatre, you were like this before. After the war you wouldn't sleep at all. Is there something the matter? Anything you want to talk about?"
"No. Let's just get some rest."
The two of them settled into bed and soon were fast asleep. Only Quatre didn't hug Dorothy or kiss her goodnight as he usually did. Something was keeping him from it. And he didn't know what it was.
PART THREEBR>
Kina awoke with the sun shining blissfully on her face. It was one feeling that she didn't want to go away. She didn't have this at home. It was something Kina loved about the Earth.
Looking at the clock she realized that she had overslept--by 4 hours. The luncheon was starting in an hour and a half and she was still asleep! Damn you Kina! Can't you ever be on time for anything???
She rushed to the bathroom and took the fastest shower in her history. Then she tried to do about three things all at the same time. Checking the clock again she hurried to her wardrobe. 11:26a. Too close. I'm going to cut it too close!
She grabbed her olive green silk dress out if her dresser. This should impress him, she thought. Dressing and "preparing" for nearly an hour, she was finally ready. The very last thing she did was pull one side of her long hair back and sliding in her gold barrette. She never went anywhere important without it. All it said was Jupiter, in cursive gold, and it was the present from her people when she became the leader of the P4 colonies.
Jupiterian people aren't much of present-givers. They have a sixth sense about people, so presents were not needed to realize the affection of one person of another. It's a gift that they developed while living in the Jupiter area. Some guessed that it was because the people were so close and friendly, others thought it was the gases in the planet; others didn't take the time away from life to wonder. The people loved life, loved music and dance, loved one another. Everything was so peaceful. That's why all the other colonies envied them. And the reason that she was here today to give her speech at the luncheon.
The one that I'm going to be late for if I don't hurry. She reminded herself that it started soon and her driver was waiting.
As soon as she got in the car the driver took off. He knew too that it would be starting soon. She glanced at her watch. 12:08. Twenty-two minutes. I've got time.
She arrived at the party and was greeted by the representative of Venus.
"How are things going, Lady Jupiter?" They rarely called each other by their real names. They referred to each other by Sir, or Lady, and then their planet's name. It was the easiest to remember.
"Just fine, Lady Venus. Everyone is just as peaceful as ever."
"That would be because the outer planets weren't involved in the war." Sneered Sir Mars. He was rather rude, but it was to be expected, as Mars was a very anger-filled planet.
"It's just as well. The outer planets had nothing to do with the starting and most to do with the ending of it. I would appreciate a little courtesy, if it's not too much to ask." Kina had a way of using her attitude to get what she wanted, without really offending anyone.
Sir Mars turned and left, somewhat disappointed.
PART FOUR
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if I may have your attention please! I am proud to present, the present leader of the L4 colonies, his greatness and kindness, Mr. Quatre Reberba Winner!"
Quatre was escorted to his seat in front of his guests. The Lords and Ladies of the planets were seated on the same table as well. All other officials were seated at a table below the platform.
"Thank you. I am please at the turnout this afternoon. I hope that this luncheon will be both informational and beneficial to all the colonies. I would now like to direct your eyes to the menu in front of you, and we will get the lunch started quickly."
Everyone gave a respective chuckle at his attempt to lighten the pressure of the meeting.
As Quatre sat down he noticed that he was seated next to the Lady Jupiter. What a coincidence, maybe...fate?
Kina was looking at him the whole time he gave his greeting. When she noticed him looking back at her she quickly turned her attention to the menu in front of her. But a sideways glance from her and Quatre cought both their gazes. They stared for a few moments until Dorothy cut in.
"Quatre, dear?" A pause. "Quatre?"
"Oh, sorry. Yes Dorothy?"
"You haven't chosen your meal. They're waiting on you."
"My apologies." Quatre chose something absentmindedly off the menu knowing that he liked everything on it. "I hear the duck is good," he whispered to Kina. She smiled and ordered it.
"You had better be right." Kina smiled.
Quatre tapped the side of his glass with a spoon.
"May I have your attention, please. Thank you. I would now like to start the introductions and speeches. Starting on my right, the Lady Mercury, Lady Venus, Sir Mars, my wife Dorothy--"
WIFE? He's married? Geeze, Kina, you sure can pick 'em.
"--and on my left, the Sir Pluto, Lady Saturn, Sir Uranus, Lady Neptune, and the lovely Lady Jupiter."
Kina arose as he said 'lovely Lady Jupiter'. She also noted that he added 'lovely', and she smiled with the appreciation of the guests, and inwardly of Quatre's.
The speeches of Lady Mercury and Lady Venus were short and sweet. Perfect, Kina thought. Not too long, but to the point.
Sir Mars's speech was a little longer, mostly because of his need to express his thoughts on why the war started in the first place. No one really wanted to hear it, with the exception of possibly the Martians who adored him unconditionally.
Finally, after going through all the other Representative's speeches, it was her turn.
"And now, the one you've all been waiting for, Lady Jupiter's speech. Jupiter? You have the floor."
"Many thanks, Mr. Winner." Quatre sat back into his seat. "As most of you know, the P4 colonies of Jupiter have been at peace with every other colony in the system for many years. This has brought us peace, and has kept our people more focused on our individual tasks. In this way, we have increaced our utilization factor and lowered unemployment rates. Everyone is at peace, and I encourage all those here today to take this back to your colonies and use our example for your own lives. For your own sake, and for the sake of the entire system. I can't garantee that your people will accept this way of living, and take it into account. But it's worth a try. After all, peace is worth a try, or else you would not have come here today. Peace and Love eternal. Thank you all."
Kina nodded to Quatre and sat back down. As Quatre stood she noticed Dorothy glaring at her with infuriated eyes. Does she know something I don't? What did I say?
PART FIVE
After the luncheon was over, Kina started to mingle with the guests that attended. She was having a conversation with a person of high statue from Neptune which she was only half interested in. She was so tired now that the time change had set in, but she refused to show it.
"Lady Jupiter?" Kina side-stepped to let the new person into their conversation. Instead, the man who had called her took hold of her arm and led her to an open corner. There, he faced her and looked around to see if anyone was suspicious. No one seemed to notice. Except Quatre who had been keeping an eye on her.
"And who might you be?" Asked Kina in an exasperated tone. Her fatigue was starting to show.
"Shhh... Nevermind that. We have to get everything out of here."
"But, why? What's wrong? Everyone here is just having a decent conversation."
"Just trust me. Quatre does."
Quatre? The name hit her hard. Who could Quatre possibly put this much faith into?
The stranger left quickly. The last thing she saw was a long braid disappear behind a large pillar, lining the center of the grand ballroom.
I have to get to Quatre, she thought. Something isn't right. Not by a long shot. That man was worried, majorly.
She finally realized why she had that extra sense.
"Quatre? Quatre?" Kina searched the ballroom for him. Having no luck, she decided to just go back to her seat on the riser. That way she would be able to see him somewhere and possibly get him to join her.
As she acended, Quatre noticed her eagerness from where he was standing on the main floor. He deiced to check and see what was going on.
"Lady Jupiter?"
"Huh? Oh! It's you! I was looking for you."
"Really?" Quatre questioned.
"Yes. Someone pulled me to the side just a few moments ago. He didn't introduce himself, so I don't know who it was."
Probably Heero. I knew he was bound to be here, Quatre thought.
"He told me to get everyone out of here. What should I do? He said that you would trust him, so I should too. But how did he know that I knew you personally?"
"I don't know, but we better follow his lead. He's never been wrong before."
Quatre and Kina thought for a moment, trying to come up with some way to effectively get everyone out of there in the shortest amount of time.
"Why don't we just pull the fire alarm or something?"
"I don't want everyone in a panic, just out of here."
"Uhh, why don't we just tell everyone that since it is such a beautiful day, that we are moving it to outside?"
"That would work."
Quatre stood up and tested the microphone. "Attention, attention please..." he waited for everyone to face him. "It is such a lovely day today, I would like us to move this gathering to outside, to be inspired by the peacefulness of a warm spring day on Earth."
No one seemed to mind the change in plans. They welcomed the sunlight as much as they welcomed a nice hot bubble bath. Quatre set out to find Heero--or whoever it was.
"Hey," Quatre heard a whisper. "Quatre buddy..." He immediately recognized the voice as Duo's.
"Were you the one who scared Kina like that?"
"Kina? Who's Kina?"
"Oh, sorry. Lady Jupiter. You scared her to death. What is so bad that we had to move everyone outside?"
BANG!
A gunshot.
"Oh no! We were still too close!"
"What do you mean?" Quatre rushed inside.
