Black upon black backlit to reveal roses, crimson blood and ebony, glistening with water drops turned to diamonds by the light. The soft glow expanded to shimmer on strands of platinum hair and bare golden limbs, an endless rush of words spilling from exquisitely chiseled lips in confession to a form still shrouded by darkness and shadows. The tumble of phrase after phrase ripped loose, a bare whisper.
"I didn't know. How could I know? We parted ways so dreadfully at the last. I never knew until afterwards, until after the attempted coup, that he loved another... That he loved -you-."
The light came up, washing over loose black locks.
"The final shot was mine -- the right to his life was *mine*... and I missed. I missed and left it up to you because I wasn't brave enough to face him one on one -- his way."
The iridescent gleam of silver glimmered in answer.
Duo: LADIES ANNNNNNNNND GENTLEMEN! Announcing the latest fic, brought to you by the warped minds of Tzigane and Yoiko! "Wufei is WHAT!?!" Productions proudly presents "Veiled Paradox", a story unlike anything the Gruesome Twosome have written before!
Trowa: *wincing* It's different...
Quatre: Very different.
Duo: Dark passions uncovered! Hidden truths revealed! Secrets unearthed!
Wufei: I dig.
Heero: *in beatnik outfit with cigarette dangling from his lips* You dig, man?
Wufei: I dig.
Duo: Coming soon to a Mailing List near YOU! You MUST SEE this fic!
Announcer: And now, back to "Cooking with Trowa and Quatre"
Quatre: Welcome back from our break. ^_^ Trowa was just explaining the importance of separating the eggs before you add the other souffle ingredients. Right, Trowa?
Trowa: ...............
Quatre: Right. ^_^ Of course, if it was left up to me, I'd just call a caterer, and have a souffle made for me! *audience laughs warmly*
Trowa: *juggling eggs* .................
Quatre: Well, now that's certainly true. *gasps as Trowa drops two eggs - shells and all - in the batter bowl*
Announcer: We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a special news bulletin. Yoiko and Tzigane, of "Wufei is WHAT?" Productions, will soon be releasing "Veiled Paradox" to a Mailing List near you. Parents should be aware that this fic is rated PG-13 for darkness and implied violence. And now, back to our regularly scheduled program.
Trowa: *pulls deflated souffle out of the oven, looking crestfallen.* ..........................
Quatre: That's Ok! *picks up phone* One of the most important cooking skills is the ability to order Pizza Delivery! *audience laughs warmly again, and Trowa looks a little cheered up*
Announcer: Thank you for joining us in the Bishonen Kitchen. Tune in next time, for "Cooking with Hiei and Kurama.
Kurama: What are we making for the cooking show?
Hiei: Hn. Cajun Blackened Fish, of course.
Announcer: This... is... Jeo-parody! And now, our guest host... DUO MAXWELL!
Duo: *waving and preening somewhat as the crowd cheers* Thank you, thank you! We have three wonderful contestants tonight-
Yakko Warner: *interrupting* I'm Yakko.
Wakko: I'm Wakko.
Dot: And I'm CUTE!
Duo: *sweatdrop* The... uh... Warner Brothers.
Dot: AND the Warner sister!
Duo: Ri~ight. I'm guessing you all know how to use the buzzers, right?
Yakko: *BUZZ!* Yes.
Duo: Ok, but wait till I ask a question first, Ok?
Wakko: *BUZZ!* Ok! ^_^
Duo: 9_9 You forgot to form your response as a question.
Wakko: *groans*
Duo: Let's start the game, shall we?
Dot: *BUZZ!* What is, "Yes!"
Duo: *groans* Ok, Yakko, it's up to you to choose a category.
Yakko: I'll take "Up and Coming Fics" for $500, Alex.
Duo: It's Duo.
Yakko: Whatever.
Duo: *frowns* Ok. The answer is this: The soon-to-be-released fic by Yoiko and Tzigane, or "Wufei is WHAT?" Productions.
Yakko: *BUZZ!* What is "Wufei is WHAT?"
Duo: Sorry, no.
Dot: *BUZZ!* What is "In the Middle of the Night?"
Duo: Nope! Wrong again! Wakko, do you know it?
Wakko: Yeah...
Duo: Well, why don't you buzz in, then?
Wakko: I ate my buzzer.
Duo: *sighs* Just give us the answer, then.
Wakko: I thought you were looking for the question. You already gave us the answer.
Duo: Aargh! Do you know what the name of their next fic is, or not?
Wakko: Yes!
Duo: Well, what is it, then?
Wakko: If you don't know, I'm not going to tell you.
Duo: Of course I know what it is!
Yakko: Oh, yeah? Prove it!
Duo: It's "Veiled Paradox!"
Yakko, Wakko and Dot: Yay! You won! *confetti falls on Duo*
Duo: What did I win?
Wakko: A free weekend vacation at our fabulous resort hotel with all the bishonen you can eat, and a year's supply of Rice-a-Roni, the San Francisco treat!
Duo: *blows kiss* Gooood night, everyone!
Yakko: Hey, that was MY line, wasn't it?
Duo: *BUZZ!* Yup! ^_^v
A flash of black followed by a shimmering rain of rose petals across the screen and the beginning riffs of guitar.
"I don't believe in that stuff," Quatre disavowed even as Trowa elbowed him gently from the side. A wave of titters ran through the room as Heero leaned forward to look into his eyes.
"I'm going to blow your mind."
A quick glimpse of black eyes followed by the sound of rain and the quick report of a revolver as words echo behind it.
/I see a red door and I want it painted black... No colors anymore I want them to turn black..../
"You've got to do something! I've got to know!" the blond Arabian cried, shaking Heero frantically.
"Look... I..." Heero's teeth rattled as Quatre shook him.
"Please! Heero! We have to KNOW!!!"
Warm caramel skin, black lashes smudging the cheeks. They fly open, bright sapphire eyes a shock.
/I look inside myself and see my heart is black... I see my red door and it has been painted black.../
With a cry, he jerked away, gasping with shock, his slender lover rising on an elbow. "Quatre?"
"Running out of time!" he gasped, clutching his chest tightly, almost blue from lack of oxygen. "We're running out of time!"
Feathers, rose petals, red and floating lightly.
/Maybe then I'll fade away and not have to face the facts... It's not easy facin' up when your whole world is black.../
Zechs's voice rang, soft and dangerous. "Some doors should never be opened."
Coming Soon ~ Veiled Paradox
/No more will my green sea go turn a deeper blue... I could not foresee this thing happening to you.../
The softest of whispers echoed by something darker, a tinge of sound as though heard through water - "Not even death."
End Teasers
Yoiko & Tzigane
Please send comments to: Yoiko