25-Jul-2003
Title: Street Of Dreams 26/?
Author: Lasha Lee
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing.
Pairings: Various
Warnings: If you keep doing that you'll go blind!
I didn't love him. That much I knew.
I did appreciate him, in so much as that he'd been useful in getting me to the point and position in life that I'd always wanted. Money was security; money was safety. Money meant that I could do as I pleased, go anywhere I wanted, and not have to worry about a thing. Of course, there was never such a thing as too much money, but I could pursue ways of obtaining more as a hobby, and not as a matter of survival. He was my golden meal ticket, and I didn't regret his existence.
I also didn't regret the decision I'd made to leave his care and feeding to people far better suited to the task. I had wondered, idly, if after his birth I'd become possessed by some odd, elusive maternal instinct and be unable to give him up. I was pleased to discover that hadn't happened. There was a warmth, I'll admit. A sense of pride that he was strong and healthy. But I didn't miss him when he was gone, or think about him much over the years other than to wonder if he was anything like me.
But now.it wasn't love that was bringing me back here. It wasn't even him entirely. I had my reasons, and they were my own. But he was a part of it. I wasn't sure there was a name for what I was feeling. Interest, maybe? Curiosity? I wanted to see him again. I'd liked him, which had completely taken me by surprise. He'd managed to get one over on me.
But he was secondary. I was a woman on a mission right now. If I had time for.personal matters later then I'd take a detour to Dera. Right now what I was after was on Seta, and the woman dozing in the seat next to me could make that happen.
I hadn't expected to like her either, and that bothered me. I was good at reading people, and she was interesting. And lonely. She'd also been unexpectedly funny, in the cynical way I like. Bubbly people do nothing for me. There was a nagging feeling of guilt that I'd have to use her like this, and guilt wasn't something that I usually gave much consideration.
It wasn't enough to change my mind, however.
And never in a million years would I have predicted how everything would turn out.
I am Wronith.
If you want to argue the genetics about it, I'm less than half. My mother was from Seta, and my father himself was probably the result of a Wronith seeder and a Setan woman, and so on back through the generations. I identify myself as half-Wronith if asked.
But in your eyes, the eyes of Derans, the eyes of Setans, I am simply Wronith. Other blood be damned.
I don't suppose that's a very nice position to put all of you into. There are many, many people who wish me and mine no harm, who don't shy away from me if we see each other in public. Who don't give a flying hoot who I'm married to or where I live. And I am sorry to have to lump all of you together like that, the good and the bad.
But you see, I don't have a choice, because that's what's being done to me and others like me. You assume, looking at us, that we are your enemy. So in turn, now regretfully, we must do the same.
That is not to say that we, most of us anyway, will return your violence with violence. We want what you want; to live in peace. And we've tried to handle this nobly up until now; we've tried to turn the other cheek, as the saying goes.
I'm sorry, but I'm fresh out of cheeks.
It is a moot point to argue about who harmed whom first. I also understand that old wounds don't always heal, but enough is enough.
You kill us, we kill you. When does this end? When neither of us are left?
I am not in any way suggesting that the governments of Seta and Dera are condoning this. But nor are they making any concerted effort to put a stop to it either. If people wish to form "We hate Wronith" clubs more power to them. I'll even send them a free coffeemaker. But when those people act on that hatred, when at their hands innocent blood is shed, then it stands to anyone, no matter what their own heritage, to rise up against that violence.
The Wronith who live on Dera and Seta are supposedly guaranteed the same rights as all other citizens. It is time to stand up for those rights. It is time to make the governments take the threat to those of Wronith descent seriously.
This is for the so-called Deran Pure.
Up until now, I've caved to the sentiment against me. I've stayed inside my family's home for the most part. I have tried to avoid going where I know I'm not wanted. I contributed to your beliefs that we can be intimidated. Because of my behavior, indirectly I contributed to the deaths of four people.
I will no longer hide myself away.
You will see me in public. You will see me in your museums, in your shops, on your sidewalks. You will see me walking hand in hand with my Deran wife. I am not afraid of you. I will not run from you. My family will not run from you.
We have faced, alone and together, enough danger to make you seem as pathetic as you truly are. If you want a fight, then you'll get a fight. I'm calling you out, in other words.
Here I am. Come and get me if you want me gone. I had intended to go back to Earth, but now I'm mad. The are a lot of stereotypes about the Wronith that aren't true, but the one that is that we do have tempers. It takes a lot to make us lose them, believe it or not. We like being in control of our emotions. But you've pissed me off now. You made it personal.
So if you're going to come for me, you better do it soon. Because we're coming for you. I'm just writing this to let you know, because unlike you, I have enough honor to tell you that you'd better beware. There is no where you can hide yourselves that I won't find. There is no place in this galaxy or the next, or the next after that you can run to, that I won't track you down.
I am Wronith. I will fight you for my right to exist. I will fight you for the existence rights of the children I hope to one day father.
So do your worst.
Joey glanced up from the computer screen, and gave the man standing over his shoulder a worried glance. "Umm, I know we don't really know each other, and this is out of line for me to say but."
"You think I've lost my mind."
"Well, I wasn't going to put it like that." Joey smiled a little. "But you might as well be dancing around with a target painted on your chest. What if they take you up on your challenge?"
"I hope they do. The more of them we can flush out into the open the better. What could be better bait than a Wronith who just politely told them to kiss his ass?"
"You're braver than I am." Joey turned away from the computer, giving Rylan a look of pure admiration.
"It's not about being brave. It's about someone pushing you past your limit. I am scared. I'm scared of what might happen to my family because of this. But I also know that if I don't do something, then because of me they'll always be in danger. It's better to bring it all to a head at once." He was examining Rylan carefully.
"I wish I could help." Joey stood up and stretched, digging his toes into the carpet. "Why do you keep looking at me like that?"
"It's nothing. Silly. One of those crazy thoughts you can't shake."
"So tell me. I could use a little silly in my life."
Rylan laughed. "Okay. I was just wondering if it's possible we might be related, that's all. I was looking for a resemblance."
"You're really asking me if we might have the same father, aren't you?" Joey asked softly.
"It's crossed my mind."
"My father wasn't a Seeder. He was just a man stationed on the ship, who fell in love with my mother and helped her escape. I'm sorry. I wish I had a different answer for you."
"No, don't be, please." Rylan shook his head. "Your father was a decent man. I can't say the same about my own. I told you it was a silly thought."
"No. A normal one."
"I want to help you." Rylan said suddenly. "How badly do you want to be able to leave this apartment?"
Joey glanced at the transporter and swallowed hard. "More than you know. But I can't."
"I know. But will you let me help you try and get over it?"
The younger man nodded. "How?"
"That I don't know. But let's start by getting you used to more people. Meishel's told everyone about you; you've got a lot of potential friends out there. Our family is always big enough for one more."
"She mentioned there's a lot of you. But I don't want to become someone's pet project." He frowned. "Don't get insulted by that, but that's how I feel."
"I'm not insulted and I do understand. That's not what it would be."
Joey considered. "I have an idea." He began to smile widely. "Tomorrow night, we'll have a private party at the club. Just for your family. I don't know if I'll be able to make myself go down there, but I'll be up here if anyone decides they want to meet me. Food and drinks on me, of course."
"I love it. Are you sure you can afford to lose the business?"
"One night isn't going to bankrupt me. Do you think they'd come?"
"Rylan, for the promise of free food, the Maxwells would attend a party thrown by a half-drunk zebra. Even the 3-year-old can out-eat me."
"I look forward to meeting them then. I'm sure Meishel." He stopped and blushed.
"She and Luke broke up, you know. He dumped her."
"I know. He's insane. If I had a girl like that I'd never let her go."
"I don't think Luke's as bad as people think. Even if he did try and throw me off the planet. Still, I think this is for the best. Meishel deserves someone who appreciates her."
"I want something. I want.when the party happens I want to be able to go downstairs. I want to dance with her, if she'll let me."
"That sounds reasonable." Rylan agreed. "Is there anyone in your club right now?"
"No, they won't be back for a few hours."
"Do you want to try going down there?"
Joey paused, swallowed, and then nodded.
"Okay."
He reached out for Joey's hand, and the younger man took it, noticing that their fingers were the same shape and size. Somehow that gave him confidence, and he followed Rylan docilely toward the front door.
"Okay. Let's just try going out in the hall." Rylan suggested, opening the door. "Ready?"
Joey stood in front of the open space, shaking. He tried to step forward, and then jumped backward, his free hand grabbing onto the door handle. "I can't.I can't do it Rylan. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. You did great. You made it all the way up to the door. We'll try again later."
"Can you stay for a while? I'm sorry. You must have so much to do and you're here."
"I can stay as long as you like." Rylan squeezed his hand. "Let's start planning this party."
End Part 26
(:./lasha/street26)
