| Gundam Wing: Legend of Mystiks Chapter 6 Cosmos, sitting at the end of the table, bounced her half-eaten chicken leg in the air for emphasis, a huge, evil grin on her face. � . . . But once Sera made it there, Teres�d already gotten soaked!� Everybody laughed and even Trowa and Heero cracked smiles. Terestria gave an indignant humph. � What about you, Cosmos? You seem to have conveniently forgotten things that happened to you!� The grin disappeared. � Nani?� Attention was immediately focused on the Earth Mystik. Duo leaned toward her. � So what happened to Cosmos?� Cosmos� grin reappeared on Terestria�s face. � Cosmos was new to her job, since that�s when most accidents occur, and Hal was talking to her. It just so happened Pyre was messing around nearby in her phoenix form and kept dive-bombing Cosmos. She reached up and grabbed one of Pyre�s legs, which didn�t bother Pyre any, and ended up being taken along for a little ride. But Pyre got tired of dragging Cosmos around and shook her leg. Cosmos let go and tried to shift to her dragon form as she fell. She landed in a lake with a huge splash and sank for a bit before coming up. As she climbed out, we could all see the crab hanging off each ear.� Even Cosmos laughed, but it was short-lived. � What�s wrong?� Duo asked, the first to notice because he was right beside her. � Daijibou ka?� Cosmos started to push away from the table. � Onegai . . . excuse me. I . . . I must go.� She disappeared before anyone could say anything. � Where did she go?� The other Mystiks picked at their food. � Anou?� Duo persisted. Halcyon looked up through her bangs. � Her job,� the blue-haired woman said simply, returning her gaze to her plate. Duo choked on his chicken in realization. � Oh man.� Suddenly, no one was hungry. They agreed to just give up on dinner for the night. *~*~* Cosmos appeared by the old man�s bed. <Why now? I was told two months but it�s barely been one month! Why does my life have to be so unfair?> She watched him sleep for a while, watched him convulse with pain. But to her surprise, he woke up and saw her. � Are you . . . an angel?� Cosmos stepped back, shocked he could see her, then recovered. � Iie, I�m not, sir.� � I�m dying, they couldn�t have sent---� The rest was lost in a coughing fit. Cosmos flushed a bit. � Iie, sir. I�m her to escort you to the other side.� � Oh, so you are an angel.� � I wouldn�t say that, but if you�d like to think so, I don�t mind.� Cosmos shifted her scythe to her right hand to get the paper with the man�s destination out of her pocket. � Let�s see . . .� � What a nice weapon you have there. Do you ever use it?� Cosmos paused with the summarized (and therefore, shorter) seven-page report on the man�s life from his guardian angel. She allowed a soft laugh. � Not unless I have to, which has yet to happen, sir.� � Are you the Grim Reaper?� � Anou, I wouldn�t say I was grim, at least I�d hope not, but I am a Reaper. It�s my job.� � Is the pay good? It must not be nice to have to . . .� � Kill people?� � To put it bluntly. I would�ve said �release the old�.� � Actually, I don�t get paid. I�m bound to the job for about six-thousand years. Or until another Reaper kills me.� She shrugged. � Whichever comes first.� � You don�t seem scared of death.� � Why should I be? I know Death personally. And to be honest, he�s a nice guy. Unless you�ve done something nasty and then he�s a real--pardon my language--asshole. Demo . . . you�ve done a lot of good in your life, so you�ll see his better side.� Cosmos carefully folded the report and put it back in her pocket, passing her scythe back into her left hand. � All right. I can do one thing for you. A last request-type thing. Is there something you�d like me to do for you?� � Just one?� � Just one.� Abruptly, there was a flash of black in the dimly-lit room and someone inquired timidly, � Uh . . . Where am I?� � Duo?!� Cosmos almost shrieked. � How did you get here?� � I have no idea. I just went to bed five minutes ago.� There was a bit of silence. � What am I wearing?!� There was a metallic swishing sound. � Anou, this thing is cool. I wanna keep it.� � Come here, let me look.� Duo stepped into the moonlight. � It�s a Reaper�s robe.� � A what?!� The old man smiled. � A trainee?� Cosmos heaved a tired sigh. � I guess. Though I wasn�t informed.� �You are now,� a voice echoed in her head. �He�s gotten on my nerves for the last time. If he�s going to use my name, he better prove he deserves it.� � As you wish it, Shinigami-sama.� Cosmos turned to Duo. � You did it this time. Get over here.� � What did I do?� � You think Shinigami liked you for stealing his name?� � . . . Iie?� � Forget it. Just pay attention.� Cosmos shook her head as she faced the old man. � This is definitely the strangest retrieval I�ve ever been involved in. So, sir, do you know what you want or has this been too distracting?� The man thought, though the light of his soul grew dimmer in his eyes. � My grandchildren will be near the forest tomorrow on a picnic. They�ve always wanted to meet female Mystiks. Do you know any who wouldn�t mind spending a little bit of time with a few kids?� � I can get one of each element,� Cosmos assured him. � We�ll meet them tomorrow just outside the forest.� � Domo arigatou. I�m ready now.� � Good. Now just close your eyes and relax.� Cosmos felt tears run down her cheeks. � I�ll do the rest.� |