Nov 2, 2000
Yoiko: Hey, Zechs! How come you always wear a mask?
Zechs: I don't want to play your game.
Yoiko: Wha~at? *batting eyelashes innocently* What do you mean by that?
Zechs: I've seen what you do to people in these things, and I want no part of it.
Yoiko: Come on, now, we're all adults here.
Zechs: In your case, that's debatable.
Yoiko: >_< Look at it this way. You do the SPAMfic, or I tell Noin where to find the pictures from your last vacation.
Zechs: You wouldn't!
Yoiko: I would.
Zechs: What kind of seishi *are* you?
Yoiko: The kind that's about to write a SPAMfic. So, Zechs, how come you wear a mask?
Zechs: *sigh* There's a SPAMfic in that...
"By the way, you can take off the mask, now, can't you?" Treize Khushrenada asked, one forked eyebrow lifting in elegant query. "You've successfully taken your revenge. There's no reason to keep wearing that thing," he continued smoothly, hoping to hide his intense curiosity behind a neutral expression.
"I'm still trying to achieve my personal revenge," Zechs replied, falling back on his formal training and rigid dignity to keep from fidgeting nervously or protectively holding the mask in place. "Please understand that I must continue to wear this mask until then."
"You really are a very dedicated man," Treize replied, hiding his disappointment. "And that's why I always trust you... Mirialdo Peacecraft."
"Your Excellency... please..." Zechs mumbled, blushing under his mask. He'd almost think that Treize's piercing sapphire-blue gaze could see right through him, if the General hadn't expressed curiosity to see his face.
"I just hope that one day you will take off that mask and be yourself," Treize said, letting Zechs off the hook. The Lightning Count accepted the dismissal for what it was - a temporary reprieve - and left, deliberately walking with a measured pace.
"I wonder what you're hiding behind that mask," Treize muttered to himself, and then reluctantly turned his attention to the less interesting matters of command.
"... be yourself," Zechs mumbled under his breath, carefully checking to be sure that his private quarters were secured and that there would be no interruption. He kicked off the gleaming, high leather boots and padded across the room to the mirror. The Lightning Count gazed back at him through the eyeholes, and Zechs shuddered for a moment, hating the mask with all his being, then slowly reached up and released it, pulling the heated metal away from his skin with a sigh of relief that then turned to a groan of frustration. Not another one! Gritting his teeth in irritation, he reached for the pimple cream, promising himself that as soon as he'd outgrown this cursed skin problem, he'd get rid of that damn mask for good!
Yoiko: Well, whaddya think?
Zechs: There must be a way to divorce a seishi.
Yoiko: Aw, you don't really mean that!
Zechs: Why would I not mean that? Look at what you *did* to me!
Yoiko: ... I'll tell you where to find pictures of Lady Une's vacation.
Zechs: Why would I want those?
Yoiko: There's a shot of *whisper whisper*
Zechs: Really?
Yoiko: Think of the possibilities.
Zechs. Fine, you're forgiven. But you still owe me.
Yoiko: And that's it, folks! ^_^ Tune in next time! ^_^v
Please send comments to: Yoiko